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Long Time Coming
In more than fifty New York Times bestselling novels, Sandra Brown has captivated her millions of readers with stories of charismatic love and tantalizing twists of fate. In this classic tale, a woman is reunited with the man she has loved for years—and must reveal the secret that will jeopardize her chance for happiness at last.
He arrived out of the blue—a flesh-and-blood phantom from the past in a sports car as sleek and sexy as Law Kincaid himself. The world-famous astronaut was as devastatingly attractive as the first time Marnie Hibbs had laid eyes on him, seventeen years before. But she well knew the perils of falling for a ladies’ man like Law. And this time she had someone besides herself to protect. Law is determined to discover who is sending him anonymous letters claiming he’d fathered a son he knows nothing about. Showing up at the Hibbs’s return address from the letters seemed like a step in the right direction. Marnie swears she isn’t the guilty party, but when Law meets her son, it’s like a one-two punch to his solar plexus. The boy is nearly the spitting image of Law. Law can’t remember sleeping with Marnie—then again, he can’t remember much about his crazy past. But there’s more to it than Marnie claims the boy isn’t biologically hers.
As the tension between them becomes unbearable and the attraction undeniable, Marnie is forced to reveal a long-held secret...one that might cause her to lose both the boy she loves more than anyone—and the man she desires more than anything.
He arrived out of the blue—a flesh-and-blood phantom from the past in a sports car as sleek and sexy as Law Kincaid himself. The world-famous astronaut was as devastatingly attractive as the first time Marnie Hibbs had laid eyes on him, seventeen years before. But she well knew the perils of falling for a ladies’ man like Law. And this time she had someone besides herself to protect. Law is determined to discover who is sending him anonymous letters claiming he’d fathered a son he knows nothing about. Showing up at the Hibbs’s return address from the letters seemed like a step in the right direction. Marnie swears she isn’t the guilty party, but when Law meets her son, it’s like a one-two punch to his solar plexus. The boy is nearly the spitting image of Law. Law can’t remember sleeping with Marnie—then again, he can’t remember much about his crazy past. But there’s more to it than Marnie claims the boy isn’t biologically hers.
As the tension between them becomes unbearable and the attraction undeniable, Marnie is forced to reveal a long-held secret...one that might cause her to lose both the boy she loves more than anyone—and the man she desires more than anything.
208 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
106 people are currently reading
3607 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Brown
343 books19.3k followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Sandra Brown is the author of more than sixty New York Times bestsellers, including STING (2016), FRICTION (2015), MEAN STREAK (2014), DEADLINE(2013), & LOW PRESSURE (2012), LETHAL (2011).
Brown began her writing career in 1981 and since then has published over seventy novels, bringing the number of copies of her books in print worldwide to upwards of eighty million. Her work has been translated into over thirty languages.
In 2009 Brown detoured from romantic suspense to write, Rainwater, a much acclaimed, powerfully moving historical fiction story about honor and sacrifice during the Great Depression.
Brown was given an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Texas Christian University. She was named Thriller Master for 2008, the top award given by the International Thriller Writer’s Association. Other awards and commendations include the 2007 Texas Medal of Arts Award for Literature and the Romance Writers of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Sandra Brown is the author of more than sixty New York Times bestsellers, including STING (2016), FRICTION (2015), MEAN STREAK (2014), DEADLINE(2013), & LOW PRESSURE (2012), LETHAL (2011).
Brown began her writing career in 1981 and since then has published over seventy novels, bringing the number of copies of her books in print worldwide to upwards of eighty million. Her work has been translated into over thirty languages.
In 2009 Brown detoured from romantic suspense to write, Rainwater, a much acclaimed, powerfully moving historical fiction story about honor and sacrifice during the Great Depression.
Brown was given an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Texas Christian University. She was named Thriller Master for 2008, the top award given by the International Thriller Writer’s Association. Other awards and commendations include the 2007 Texas Medal of Arts Award for Literature and the Romance Writers of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 354 reviews
September 25, 2022
This is an average to bad Sandra Brown.
Of course, it’s one of her older ones, so deserves some leeway. But!
(And giving 2 stars because of the convoluted and brow-raising twists and explanations the author serves.)
It has that tacky triangle from which I usually veer clear off. The younger sister (h) pining for her older sister’s boy friend and after about 2 decades (17 yrs.), her time-capsuled feelings come gushing out, very much alive and pulsing. Cuz, after all, he’s her first and only love.
**Spoilers**
In the present, the national hero/astronaut H comes a visiting the (h's) address from where he’s been getting blackmail letters, regarding a son he fathered and never acknowledged. The blackmailer is threatening to blacken his shining hero aura if he doesn’t pay up etc. (the itty bitty mystery angle!).
The h is understandably flabbergasted at this blast from the past. But he doesn’t even recognize ‘Squirt’ while he goes on lambasting her.
So what gives?
The H and the sister had a holiday romance 17 yrs ago. She got pregnant, wanted abortion but the preacher father and the preaching lil sister (yes, the h) would have none of it. Because the h has decided she wanted the kid as then she would have someone to love forever (eyerolling pathetic)!
The (imo poor over-vilified) sister never reforms, parties and drinks hard and meets her 'just' and convenient end in an accident.
In the present, the H grudgingly accepts parental role even as he tries to change his orgying manhoeing lifestyle. He comes across as a self-centered and conceited guy who’d rather take no prisoners in his carefree bachelor life. And I hated him somewhat more than the pathetic, preachy, martyr h. Let's not forget - clearly obsessed.
Problems?
Galore!!
If this plot is not problem enough, let me tell you s’more!
That summer, the H was 22, the sister 16 and the h 14!
While re-hashing the past together, the h/H happily vilify and slut-shame the sister as easy and devious. The h is the first to exonerate the H of all wrong–doing. I hated that a 22 yrs old guy gets a 16 yrs old virgin pregnant (however unknowingly) while the 14 yrs old sister coveted him and now, in the present, he’s unrepentant and she forgives him for her family’s collective suffering!
Even in hindsight, he shows no remorse for leading “a charmed life when her whole family had been broken apart because of you.” (the h's mother's feelings)
Some surprise, momentary worry but no remorse for helping destroy a girl’s life, her preacher father's too if one sees that he never recovered the loss of reputation and job and died because of it, and then a mother who’s bed ridden and still bitter.
And the besotted-forever h soothes him that “let’s not forget Sharon's rebelliousness and deviousness” and then “I'm sorry for any mental anguish you suffered because of those letters, Law.” 0-O
Her disquiet is only when he insults her –
“I can see why you might not hold Sharon in high regard," she told him stiffly. "After all, she was easy. But I don't deserve your insults." Anyone barfing yet?
His feelings are more on the lines of – why didn't I ‘see’ you, why didn't I sleep with you instead? You jerk, as if 16’s not bad, you wanted to go pedo as well?
And then her pining for a baby to love and cherish (especially as it’s the H’s) was wacko-strange. You are 14, you moron! Have better life aspirations! The h is shown to have taken up the ‘mom’ role to the boy quite early on. Wasn’t it weird socially too? Ordinarily the h’s mother should have been the ‘mom’ figure.
Then the loving and well brought up kid is so enamored with his dashing dad that he ‘forgets’ his mom. He slowly but surely moves in with his newfound dad – taking some of his stuff every trip to his new home and doesn’t seem to worry about his mom’s feelings!
Well, Superb-kid! And Superb- parents!!
This book leaves a nauseating aftertaste.
Need a palate cleanser asap!
Of course, it’s one of her older ones, so deserves some leeway. But!
(And giving 2 stars because of the convoluted and brow-raising twists and explanations the author serves.)
It has that tacky triangle from which I usually veer clear off. The younger sister (h) pining for her older sister’s boy friend and after about 2 decades (17 yrs.), her time-capsuled feelings come gushing out, very much alive and pulsing. Cuz, after all, he’s her first and only love.
**Spoilers**
In the present, the national hero/astronaut H comes a visiting the (h's) address from where he’s been getting blackmail letters, regarding a son he fathered and never acknowledged. The blackmailer is threatening to blacken his shining hero aura if he doesn’t pay up etc. (the itty bitty mystery angle!).
The h is understandably flabbergasted at this blast from the past. But he doesn’t even recognize ‘Squirt’ while he goes on lambasting her.
So what gives?
The H and the sister had a holiday romance 17 yrs ago. She got pregnant, wanted abortion but the preacher father and the preaching lil sister (yes, the h) would have none of it. Because the h has decided she wanted the kid as then she would have someone to love forever (eyerolling pathetic)!
The (imo poor over-vilified) sister never reforms, parties and drinks hard and meets her 'just' and convenient end in an accident.
In the present, the H grudgingly accepts parental role even as he tries to change his orgying manhoeing lifestyle. He comes across as a self-centered and conceited guy who’d rather take no prisoners in his carefree bachelor life. And I hated him somewhat more than the pathetic, preachy, martyr h. Let's not forget - clearly obsessed.
Problems?
Galore!!
If this plot is not problem enough, let me tell you s’more!
That summer, the H was 22, the sister 16 and the h 14!
While re-hashing the past together, the h/H happily vilify and slut-shame the sister as easy and devious. The h is the first to exonerate the H of all wrong–doing. I hated that a 22 yrs old guy gets a 16 yrs old virgin pregnant (however unknowingly) while the 14 yrs old sister coveted him and now, in the present, he’s unrepentant and she forgives him for her family’s collective suffering!
Even in hindsight, he shows no remorse for leading “a charmed life when her whole family had been broken apart because of you.” (the h's mother's feelings)
Some surprise, momentary worry but no remorse for helping destroy a girl’s life, her preacher father's too if one sees that he never recovered the loss of reputation and job and died because of it, and then a mother who’s bed ridden and still bitter.
And the besotted-forever h soothes him that “let’s not forget Sharon's rebelliousness and deviousness” and then “I'm sorry for any mental anguish you suffered because of those letters, Law.” 0-O
Her disquiet is only when he insults her –
“I can see why you might not hold Sharon in high regard," she told him stiffly. "After all, she was easy. But I don't deserve your insults." Anyone barfing yet?
His feelings are more on the lines of – why didn't I ‘see’ you, why didn't I sleep with you instead? You jerk, as if 16’s not bad, you wanted to go pedo as well?
And then her pining for a baby to love and cherish (especially as it’s the H’s) was wacko-strange. You are 14, you moron! Have better life aspirations! The h is shown to have taken up the ‘mom’ role to the boy quite early on. Wasn’t it weird socially too? Ordinarily the h’s mother should have been the ‘mom’ figure.
Then the loving and well brought up kid is so enamored with his dashing dad that he ‘forgets’ his mom. He slowly but surely moves in with his newfound dad – taking some of his stuff every trip to his new home and doesn’t seem to worry about his mom’s feelings!
Well, Superb-kid! And Superb- parents!!
This book leaves a nauseating aftertaste.
Need a palate cleanser asap!
November 9, 2014
He arrived out of the blue—a flesh-and-blood phantom from the past in a sports car as sleek and sexy as Law Kincaid himself. The world-famous astronaut was as devastatingly attractive as the first time Marnie Hibbs had laid eyes on him, seventeen years before. But she well knew the perils of falling for a ladies’ man like Law
Yes, it did come across as a bit dated. The hero was a bit of a jerk. Usually I like that but he came across as being a bit spoiled.
I liked Marnie and David.
Cannot compare the writing to her later books.
February 10, 2017
Cheese!! Glorious cheese!! Lol. I love it!!
July 15, 2017
I remember liking this book back in the 80s when I first read it. Note to self: sometimes it is best to just not go back. Being woke means you kinda wince at the stuff your less woke self used to enjoy.
In this case it was the slut shaming and the constant reinforcement of the Madonna/Whore dichotomy that chaps my ass.
The hero is an astronaut who 19 years ago (when he was 22) hung out for a summer with a 16 year old girl and her 14 y.o. sister (the heroine). Yeah, stop and think about that for a minute. He was 22 and they were 16 and 14.
But that is ok, the 16 y.o "didn't look it." So because she "was easy" he availed himself of her and had sex and disappeared to his fantastic life as an astronaut. She got pregnant and had his kid.
Fast forward 19 years he's getting threatening letters claiming he fathered a kid. So he goes to find out what happened.
We learn that the over the years mother of his child was a "wild" and had lots of men and wanted an abortion and finally died (after killing other people) in a car crash she caused while driving drunk. Oh, and she caused the ruination of her father's livlihood (he was a minister) after she got pregnant at sixteen. Cuz who could trust a minister to deliver the word of god when he couldn't stop his own daughter from getting pregnant. Yes, that Jezebel was the worst!
Meanwhile, the younger sister, the heroine, selflessly loved and cared for the child, living practically a virginal life taking care of his son while all these years nursing her lifelong love of the hero (that started when she was 14 years old!!).
Gah. I mean, the hero was just an asshole and the heroine was the worst sort of doormat enabler who constantly absolved him of any blame. Calling the sister all sorts of hoes and sluts because she slept with him. Dude, you slept with her too. And you were 22 years old.
Added to all the judgeyness and slut shaming was just the inappropriate borderline pedo reminiscences the h&h shared of that summer. Back in the day he teased her and called her a 'goody two shoes' because she didn't want to go skinny dipping. Again, Dude she was 14 years old!! what 22 year old man thinks it is ok to skinny dip with a 14 y.o?
Just ick. ick. ick. ick. ick.
In this case it was the slut shaming and the constant reinforcement of the Madonna/Whore dichotomy that chaps my ass.
The hero is an astronaut who 19 years ago (when he was 22) hung out for a summer with a 16 year old girl and her 14 y.o. sister (the heroine). Yeah, stop and think about that for a minute. He was 22 and they were 16 and 14.
But that is ok, the 16 y.o "didn't look it." So because she "was easy" he availed himself of her and had sex and disappeared to his fantastic life as an astronaut. She got pregnant and had his kid.
Fast forward 19 years he's getting threatening letters claiming he fathered a kid. So he goes to find out what happened.
We learn that the over the years mother of his child was a "wild" and had lots of men and wanted an abortion and finally died (after killing other people) in a car crash she caused while driving drunk. Oh, and she caused the ruination of her father's livlihood (he was a minister) after she got pregnant at sixteen. Cuz who could trust a minister to deliver the word of god when he couldn't stop his own daughter from getting pregnant. Yes, that Jezebel was the worst!
Meanwhile, the younger sister, the heroine, selflessly loved and cared for the child, living practically a virginal life taking care of his son while all these years nursing her lifelong love of the hero (that started when she was 14 years old!!).
Gah. I mean, the hero was just an asshole and the heroine was the worst sort of doormat enabler who constantly absolved him of any blame. Calling the sister all sorts of hoes and sluts because she slept with him. Dude, you slept with her too. And you were 22 years old.
Added to all the judgeyness and slut shaming was just the inappropriate borderline pedo reminiscences the h&h shared of that summer. Back in the day he teased her and called her a 'goody two shoes' because she didn't want to go skinny dipping. Again, Dude she was 14 years old!! what 22 year old man thinks it is ok to skinny dip with a 14 y.o?
Just ick. ick. ick. ick. ick.
September 5, 2020
2.5 stars. circa 1988, predictable romance. But just what I needed to turn off my brain after work and unwind. Read in one sitting, which is unusual for me.
I do have one nitpick. The hunk of the story is a Naval Academy, grad, Navy test pilot turned astronaut but with a rank of COL. No Colonels in the Navy, the comparable rank in the Navy is a CAPT, BUT he is only 39 yrs old...a little young for a CAPT.
I do have one nitpick. The hunk of the story is a Naval Academy, grad, Navy test pilot turned astronaut but with a rank of COL. No Colonels in the Navy, the comparable rank in the Navy is a CAPT, BUT he is only 39 yrs old...a little young for a CAPT.
June 5, 2019
Hepsi birbirinden saçma karakterler, üstüne de kötü bir çeviri olunca kitabı bitirmek eziyet oldu 😑
January 26, 2013
This is my first Sandra Brown book and I really quite enjoyed it. It was quick and sweet. Just what I needed at the time. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The pacing was fast, I loved that!
This book was originally wrote in 1983...so there are a few things I had to chuckle about. Like her son has a poster of Christy Brinkley on his wall. I thought that was so funny!
Anyway it's a really sweet romance. There were times when I was bawling like a baby...I was thinking...God what's wrong with me?! But all ends well. I'll look forward to reading and trying out SB's different books in the future.
This book was originally wrote in 1983...so there are a few things I had to chuckle about. Like her son has a poster of Christy Brinkley on his wall. I thought that was so funny!
Anyway it's a really sweet romance. There were times when I was bawling like a baby...I was thinking...God what's wrong with me?! But all ends well. I'll look forward to reading and trying out SB's different books in the future.
October 8, 2017
Yup it was older and cheesy but I like cheese. It was heartwarming, romantic and a lil funny. Law was in an arrogant rich doof, but luckily he came around.
October 28, 2022
The majority of reviews have panned this book and okay, I can see why. It is dated in style, in technology and accepted morality. I get that, but I still kinda liked it anyway. The main thing I disliked about it was the overly abundance of angst. Since my library has a good collection of the audio of these short oldies by Sandra Brown, I've been working my way through them while running errands and exercising. I will admit that some are better than others, this one falls somewhere in the middle of absolutely horrible and loved it. And, I do agree with the majority - Law is a jerk.
Coronal Law Kincaid is the current All-American Hero, an astronaut with his pick of the women falling at his feet wherever he goes. He has a bit of a problem. He has been receiving anonymous letters claiming he fathered a child seventeen years ago. He goes to the return address and finds Marnie Hibbs, who he doesn't even recognize. She sure knows him, you bet, but Marnie claims she has never slept with Law. That David is Law's son is without dispute, he is the spitting image of Law at sixteen. Working this all out is going to take some doing as Law's position on upcoming missions could be impacted by this disclosure.
After establishing that David is Law's son, they have to find out who is sending the letters and what they want from Law. The main problem is the pesky sexual attraction Law feels for the lovely Marnie and her reluctance to get involved with the astronaut playboy. Marnie loves David and is terrified that Law will take him from her, or maybe she is scared that David will prefer the swinging single lifestyle to her quiet, home and hearth lifestyle. But actually, she is terrified that the love she has had for Law Kincaide since she was fourteen years old has never died.
Coronal Law Kincaid is the current All-American Hero, an astronaut with his pick of the women falling at his feet wherever he goes. He has a bit of a problem. He has been receiving anonymous letters claiming he fathered a child seventeen years ago. He goes to the return address and finds Marnie Hibbs, who he doesn't even recognize. She sure knows him, you bet, but Marnie claims she has never slept with Law. That David is Law's son is without dispute, he is the spitting image of Law at sixteen. Working this all out is going to take some doing as Law's position on upcoming missions could be impacted by this disclosure.
After establishing that David is Law's son, they have to find out who is sending the letters and what they want from Law. The main problem is the pesky sexual attraction Law feels for the lovely Marnie and her reluctance to get involved with the astronaut playboy. Marnie loves David and is terrified that Law will take him from her, or maybe she is scared that David will prefer the swinging single lifestyle to her quiet, home and hearth lifestyle. But actually, she is terrified that the love she has had for Law Kincaide since she was fourteen years old has never died.
July 16, 2010
How can a telephone look "recently installed"? This was quick read that was borderline ridiculous in a lot of ways. Ok. It wasn't THAT bad.
The 80s references were nostalgic. There was no cheating although having some chicky rub up against the H is still annoying to read.
Despite the good, there was an awful lot to swallow to get through this book, and I couldn't buy most of it especially the speed with which the son takes to his father. You know, the one who had been absent for the first 15 years of his life!
Expensive toys and presents aside, I just don't see a kid embracing a new parent, even if he is a famous astronaut, as quickly as David.
Then there's Marnie. I could see her character acting the way she did because that's how Sandra Brown wrote her. In fact, I'm sure there are real, live Marnie's out there but jeez. I don't know. I was torn between feeling sorry for her and wanting to smack some sense into her.
What do you think?
BTW, this was another audiobook that I quickly dumped in favor of the printed word. Blech!
The 80s references were nostalgic. There was no cheating although having some chicky rub up against the H is still annoying to read.
Despite the good, there was an awful lot to swallow to get through this book, and I couldn't buy most of it especially the speed with which the son takes to his father. You know, the one who had been absent for the first 15 years of his life!
Expensive toys and presents aside, I just don't see a kid embracing a new parent, even if he is a famous astronaut, as quickly as David.
Then there's Marnie. I could see her character acting the way she did because that's how Sandra Brown wrote her. In fact, I'm sure there are real, live Marnie's out there but jeez. I don't know. I was torn between feeling sorry for her and wanting to smack some sense into her.
What do you think?
BTW, this was another audiobook that I quickly dumped in favor of the printed word. Blech!
February 13, 2012
Esas kızımız Marnie; vakti zamanında, ufacık tefecikken vurulmuş bizim delikanlıya....
Ama oğlumuz Law'ın gözü başkasındaymış(ablası) o zamanlar...
Gel zaman, geç zaman ayrılan yollar kesişmiş tekrardan.
Ünlü bir astronot olan Law ilginç mektuplar almaktadır.Eh gönderen adreside Marnie ait olmasın mı?Ama kızımızın bu mektuplardan haberi bile yok..Peki bu mektupların içeriği ne olabilir ki?
Hemen merakınızı gidereyim.Sevgili Law'ımızın bir oğlu varmış.(David)
Gelde inan.Adamın başına bunun gelme olasılığı yokmuş, sözde.Ama görülen köyde kalvuz istemezmiş hani.Peki şimdi ne olacaktır?
Marnie mektup yazmadığını iddia etsede Law ona inanacak mıdır?
Çocukluk aşkı ve başkasını sevmesinede bir nevi engel olan Law'ı tekrar gören Marnie ne yapacaktır?
Eh birde iki tarafın ortak noktası olan David var.
Yoksa tek ortak nokta bu mu?Aşk nerde peki?
Sizce çok mu soru sordum ? :D
Uzun soluklu bir harlequin-beyazdizi kıvamındaydı.Güzeldi...
Sevdim.İlk Sandra deneyimimdi..Sanırım benden geçer not aldı.
Ama oğlumuz Law'ın gözü başkasındaymış(ablası) o zamanlar...
Gel zaman, geç zaman ayrılan yollar kesişmiş tekrardan.
Ünlü bir astronot olan Law ilginç mektuplar almaktadır.Eh gönderen adreside Marnie ait olmasın mı?Ama kızımızın bu mektuplardan haberi bile yok..Peki bu mektupların içeriği ne olabilir ki?
Hemen merakınızı gidereyim.Sevgili Law'ımızın bir oğlu varmış.(David)
Gelde inan.Adamın başına bunun gelme olasılığı yokmuş, sözde.Ama görülen köyde kalvuz istemezmiş hani.Peki şimdi ne olacaktır?
Marnie mektup yazmadığını iddia etsede Law ona inanacak mıdır?
Çocukluk aşkı ve başkasını sevmesinede bir nevi engel olan Law'ı tekrar gören Marnie ne yapacaktır?
Eh birde iki tarafın ortak noktası olan David var.
Yoksa tek ortak nokta bu mu?Aşk nerde peki?
Sizce çok mu soru sordum ? :D
Uzun soluklu bir harlequin-beyazdizi kıvamındaydı.Güzeldi...
Sevdim.İlk Sandra deneyimimdi..Sanırım benden geçer not aldı.
April 15, 2022
I also wish we had the 1/2 star option. Sometimes one is just too much.
Please don't ask me why I read something this awful book. I'm not sure I want to live in a world where people write such trash and are able to get it published. We need more famines.
Please don't ask me why I read something this awful book. I'm not sure I want to live in a world where people write such trash and are able to get it published. We need more famines.
July 19, 2013
Long Time Coming By Sandra Brown Loving a man for years without his knowledge. A grandmother doing what she could by helping the mother,son and father become a family. The author saved the best for last.
November 30, 2025
3.5 stars
There are several problematic details in this story. I wish that she aged up Marnie and her sister when they first me Law. There was also some questionable dialogue. All that aside (this book was published in 1988) I actually enjoyed the story. I typical do not like secret baby stories but I understood the reasoning why in this one. Marnie was such a sweet character and I actually got misty eyed at a few places for her. Once Law made the discovery, she didn't stand in his way. She encouraged the relationship, even if it scared her. Law was a bit difficult to like at first but he eventually came around to being a good guy.
I also liked Marnie's job. She was an artist and illustrator for companies. In the book she was working on art for the cover of the phone book and a jewelry catalog cover. I thought it sounded like a very cool job.
There are several problematic details in this story. I wish that she aged up Marnie and her sister when they first me Law. There was also some questionable dialogue. All that aside (this book was published in 1988) I actually enjoyed the story. I typical do not like secret baby stories but I understood the reasoning why in this one. Marnie was such a sweet character and I actually got misty eyed at a few places for her. Once Law made the discovery, she didn't stand in his way. She encouraged the relationship, even if it scared her. Law was a bit difficult to like at first but he eventually came around to being a good guy.
I also liked Marnie's job. She was an artist and illustrator for companies. In the book she was working on art for the cover of the phone book and a jewelry catalog cover. I thought it sounded like a very cool job.
January 19, 2016
Note: This review comes with a number of caveats. First, the book was written in the 80s when many of the themes inherent in this novel were commonplace. The story feels dated, and that partially accounts for my low rating. Second, I listened to this novel on Audible. I rarely enjoy audiobooks but I needed something short and light to listen to while cleaning my closet. Perhaps it would have garnered one more star if I had read the book in print.
Review:
I cannot recommend this novel. The hero was an arrogant jerk whose behavior bordered on criminal at times.
I cannot imagine Sandra Brown would write this book today.
Review:
I cannot recommend this novel. The hero was an arrogant jerk whose behavior bordered on criminal at times.
I cannot imagine Sandra Brown would write this book today.
April 5, 2019
I was looking for a book by which the dulcet tones could lull me to sleep. I read this book a thousand years ago when I was a teenager and thought "meh why not"
I. can't. believe. I. read. this. as. a. teenager.
So.. basically Law is a misogynistic fly boy who is also weirdly judgmental. Marnie is a codependent single mother of Laws biological child. What could go wrong?! Weird dialogue and immature behavior on both sides. Also Marnie throws temper tantrums about every 3 minutes but every woman is an idiot but her. Also Laws dog likes her but NO BODY ELSE.
It's weird. But the holy shit moment of the book is when HE DRUGS HER because he wants her to be able to sleep. THE HELL?! Seriously.... I'm not sure what kind of imagination sprouted this work but I'm glad it didn't scar my prepubescent brain like it did my adult one.
I do need to give some credit to changing times and thought... but..
I. can't. believe. I. read. this. as. a. teenager.
So.. basically Law is a misogynistic fly boy who is also weirdly judgmental. Marnie is a codependent single mother of Laws biological child. What could go wrong?! Weird dialogue and immature behavior on both sides. Also Marnie throws temper tantrums about every 3 minutes but every woman is an idiot but her. Also Laws dog likes her but NO BODY ELSE.
It's weird. But the holy shit moment of the book is when HE DRUGS HER because he wants her to be able to sleep. THE HELL?! Seriously.... I'm not sure what kind of imagination sprouted this work but I'm glad it didn't scar my prepubescent brain like it did my adult one.
I do need to give some credit to changing times and thought... but..
December 29, 2010
I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway. It was a signed copy and arrived with Sunset Embrace.
I would probably rate this book 2.5 stars, not because it is bad, just a little dated and cheesy. Overall, it was a nice little diversion on a cold winter's day. I don't usually read these kinds of novels.
I found that I was annoyed with both main characters. The most likable character in this story was David, the 16 year old son.
I would probably rate this book 2.5 stars, not because it is bad, just a little dated and cheesy. Overall, it was a nice little diversion on a cold winter's day. I don't usually read these kinds of novels.
I found that I was annoyed with both main characters. The most likable character in this story was David, the 16 year old son.
December 15, 2016
cliche cliche cliche ... scifi/fantasy has more reality then this... but I guess this is the point of this kind of novels - to develop the wrong image of life and love ...
July 7, 2019
3.5 nostalgia stars.
January 24, 2021
I am a huge fan of Sandra Brown and can not believe that she wrote this crap. I know it was 1988 and that it's fiction but this book is awful.
Before I continue on keep this in mind. When this story actually started Law was 22, Sharon was 16 and Marnie was 14.
Law is a graduate of the Naval Academy spending the summer at his parents beach rental and meets up with Sharon and Marnie. He knows Sharon and Marnie are sisters, are close, and that Marnie is 14 years old but doesn't figure out or at least think that Sharon isn't much older than her sister. He has sex with Sharon and of course she becomes pregnant.
Seventeen years later he learns about the son Sharon had, who died, and her sister Marnie has raised David. He has the nerve to say to Marnie that Sharon was a slut, whore, slept around and looked older than 16. Even though Sharon became wild later on Marnie never defended her sister and what happened that summer.
Law is an arrogant, selfish, disgusting bastard who thinks because he's a Naval Academy graduate and works for NASA that he is above the rest of us. Marnie is rather pathetic in that she had a crush on Law at 14 and never got past it at age 31. Honey you need some serious counseling. I think we all have crushes at 13 and 14 on that older guy but outgrow it and move on to have adult relationships.
Marnie is so in love with Law it is sad and still wants him knowing that he is a manwhore and has no respect for women. Marnie insisted that David live with Law so they can get to know each other and then gets upset when Law buys him all kinds of stuff including a brand new car. Law doesn't see the error of his ways. This guy is suppose to be so smart he doesn't think to talk to Marnie about doing these things. Also, who in their right mind would give up their kid like that? Come visit David and let's see how it goes but to let him move in with him was absolutely ridiculous.
I have never been so annoyed, disgusted and ticked off about a book I read.
Before I continue on keep this in mind. When this story actually started Law was 22, Sharon was 16 and Marnie was 14.
Law is a graduate of the Naval Academy spending the summer at his parents beach rental and meets up with Sharon and Marnie. He knows Sharon and Marnie are sisters, are close, and that Marnie is 14 years old but doesn't figure out or at least think that Sharon isn't much older than her sister. He has sex with Sharon and of course she becomes pregnant.
Seventeen years later he learns about the son Sharon had, who died, and her sister Marnie has raised David. He has the nerve to say to Marnie that Sharon was a slut, whore, slept around and looked older than 16. Even though Sharon became wild later on Marnie never defended her sister and what happened that summer.
Law is an arrogant, selfish, disgusting bastard who thinks because he's a Naval Academy graduate and works for NASA that he is above the rest of us. Marnie is rather pathetic in that she had a crush on Law at 14 and never got past it at age 31. Honey you need some serious counseling. I think we all have crushes at 13 and 14 on that older guy but outgrow it and move on to have adult relationships.
Marnie is so in love with Law it is sad and still wants him knowing that he is a manwhore and has no respect for women. Marnie insisted that David live with Law so they can get to know each other and then gets upset when Law buys him all kinds of stuff including a brand new car. Law doesn't see the error of his ways. This guy is suppose to be so smart he doesn't think to talk to Marnie about doing these things. Also, who in their right mind would give up their kid like that? Come visit David and let's see how it goes but to let him move in with him was absolutely ridiculous.
I have never been so annoyed, disgusted and ticked off about a book I read.
December 11, 2014
This was the first Sandra Brown book that I have read, as far as I can remember. In this story, Marnie is single woman taking care of her teenaged nephew, David. David does not know his father, and his mother died in a car accident when he was very young. Their life is pleasant, though. Marnie’s world is shaken, though, when David’s famous astronaut father, Law, shows up unexpectedly on her doorstep because he received anonymous letters leading him there. Unbeknowst to Law, Marnie has had a crush on Law since they first met before David was born.
This was a predictable, cheesy read. Law is an arogant character, which makes him hard to like. Law sees Marnie as a stiff who needs loosening up, but, aside from his thoughts, I did not really see her as such. David is a simple kid enthralled to meet aa famous astronaut and, later, even more excited to find out that it is his father. It is kind of sad that Marnie harbored this crush for so many years and would not allow herself to love. It was very disturbing to read when Law drugged Marnie. I never really bought the idea of the motive for sending the letters and who ended up being the one who sent them either.
This book did not make me excited to read any of Brown’s other books. I was glad that I got it from the library and had not paid any money for it. She is such a well known and highly rated author, though that I will likely try one of her other books at the library to give her another chance.
This was a predictable, cheesy read. Law is an arogant character, which makes him hard to like. Law sees Marnie as a stiff who needs loosening up, but, aside from his thoughts, I did not really see her as such. David is a simple kid enthralled to meet aa famous astronaut and, later, even more excited to find out that it is his father. It is kind of sad that Marnie harbored this crush for so many years and would not allow herself to love. It was very disturbing to read when Law drugged Marnie. I never really bought the idea of the motive for sending the letters and who ended up being the one who sent them either.
This book did not make me excited to read any of Brown’s other books. I was glad that I got it from the library and had not paid any money for it. She is such a well known and highly rated author, though that I will likely try one of her other books at the library to give her another chance.
August 18, 2017
I'm waivering between 2 and 3 stars for this book. I didn't stop listening to it, so it has that going for it, but it was kind of creepy as hell too.
First of all, Law is evidently all about the younger ladies. And sleeping with every girl he meets. Some of the scenes had me doing a double take at the speakers. Eventually he wears Marney down, after what I would consider to be called drugging her, and they wake up in bed together and it's magical.
Hold up. Did you really just sleep with your dead sister's baby daddy? The one that you fell in love with when you were 14 and he keeps saying he should have nailed you instead of your sister? Yeah, he's that much of a gentleman. Meanwhile, back to current day and your actively getting busy with this man WHILE HE'S CALLING YOU SQUIRT????? That was all very creepy and weird.
First of all, Law is evidently all about the younger ladies. And sleeping with every girl he meets. Some of the scenes had me doing a double take at the speakers. Eventually he wears Marney down, after what I would consider to be called drugging her, and they wake up in bed together and it's magical.
Hold up. Did you really just sleep with your dead sister's baby daddy? The one that you fell in love with when you were 14 and he keeps saying he should have nailed you instead of your sister? Yeah, he's that much of a gentleman. Meanwhile, back to current day and your actively getting busy with this man WHILE HE'S CALLING YOU SQUIRT????? That was all very creepy and weird.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2016
I did Not read this book because it was on to To-Read shelf I read it because something intrigued me... as I read what this book was about I wanted to learn more, I wanted to know what would become of this, I wanted to know it all and now that I do I can't hold back the fact that this was an amazing story. I am a huge fan of Sandra Brown, I am filling my bookshelf with her books.... as I read this book it makes me want to read them all
February 12, 2019
This book did NOT age well. I'm not entirely sure why I finished it, I suppose I hoped it would get better. Two months ago I found Sandra Brown by reading Ricochet and loved it so I read her other books from my local library. I've read both her older romances and her new mystery romances and it amazing because you can see the positive progress over time.
I would not recommend this book at all. Save yourself sometime and go read another of Brown's books@
I would not recommend this book at all. Save yourself sometime and go read another of Brown's books@
March 7, 2018
I had to stop reading at the beginning when Law pulled her to him and kissed her seeing if that would trigger if he knew her. Cheesey isn't even the word to describe this book. It was like reading a bad daytime soap opera. Yes, this was written 30 years ago but it was a go to book while waiting for her new book Seeing Red to be available.
May 16, 2020
It’s was an ok book for a Sandra Brown standard, but you know the quality of the writing is not questionable. A bit dated trop for today’s standards but I enjoyed it nonetheless
The story begun when a man from her past, actually her sister’s past showed up on her door asking for the letters which threatened him with public exposure about his bastard child. She’ve had no idea who send those letters to him but she was determined to get rid of him as fast as possible to protect her precious son... from his biological father.
H was a overachieving pompous prick, h was a giving hearted woman. She was in love with the Hero since he and her sister were rolling in the beach as making up. She was pinned after him. Raised his kid as her own after her drunk and careless sister lost her life. She was not ready to accept to truth about the kid to him. She was not ready to open her heart to him again and lost everything in that way.
The story begun when a man from her past, actually her sister’s past showed up on her door asking for the letters which threatened him with public exposure about his bastard child. She’ve had no idea who send those letters to him but she was determined to get rid of him as fast as possible to protect her precious son... from his biological father.
H was a overachieving pompous prick, h was a giving hearted woman. She was in love with the Hero since he and her sister were rolling in the beach as making up. She was pinned after him. Raised his kid as her own after her drunk and careless sister lost her life. She was not ready to accept to truth about the kid to him. She was not ready to open her heart to him again and lost everything in that way.
April 17, 2018
I've only ever read Sandra Brown's newer mystery books. This is one of the first in her softer more romance books and I liked it. It is short, not novella length but not nearly as big as some of her more recent books. It had a great story line and I liked the way it flowed. I was drawn into the story immediately and it got right down to business. The ending seemed a bit short and abrupt. To me the story was still building when in fact I only had a handful of pages left for my HEA. I didn't mind it was fun and you definitely end the book with a smile on your face. I would have loved an epilogue but like I said I was still smiling. I really felt for Marnie, at one point I was in tears for her and with her. Because this was a short book there is not a lot of character build but you still get a really good sense of the characters and their backgrounds and you still connect with them. This was a good book and I enjoyed the quick, sweet read. Oh and yes you get a bit of steaminess but not much, this is more of a good old fashioned love story. I hope you enjoy it also.
April 9, 2018
Sweet, sweet story. An early publication but one with a plot. Brown’s amazing storytelling talents are evident in this novel.
May 7, 2025
A cozy mystery with heartwarming & romantic parts - the story as a whole was interesting and some humor was expressed-family issues - written some time ago when things were handled differently -
November 19, 2022
Predictable but heart warming and entertaining …
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