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Spencer-Nyle Co #2
Almost Forever
BUSINESS OR PLEASURE?
Max Conroy didn't let anything get in the way of his job—and his job was to lead a corporate takeover. But to do it, he needed information, the kind the lovely Claire Westbrook could provide. All he had to do was seduce her….
But when Claire dared to let down her defenses and open her heart to him, Max found his loyalties put to the ultimate test. Now his biggest risk wasn't a business deal, but what would happen when Claire discovered the truth.
144 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 1986
About the author
Linda Howard
236 books7,261 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Linda S. Howington is an American best-selling romance author writing under the pseudonym Linda Howard. After 21 years of penning stories for her own enjoyment, she submitted a novel for publication which was very successful. Her first work was published by Silhouette in 1982. She is a charter member of Romance Writers of America and in 2005 Howard was awarded their Career Achievement Award.
Linda Howard lives in Gadsden, Alabama with her husband, Gary F. Howington, and two golden retrievers. She has three grown stepchildren and three grandchildren.
Linda S. Howington is an American best-selling romance author writing under the pseudonym Linda Howard. After 21 years of penning stories for her own enjoyment, she submitted a novel for publication which was very successful. Her first work was published by Silhouette in 1982. She is a charter member of Romance Writers of America and in 2005 Howard was awarded their Career Achievement Award.
Linda Howard lives in Gadsden, Alabama with her husband, Gary F. Howington, and two golden retrievers. She has three grown stepchildren and three grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
March 25, 2015
I am torn when it comes to this book.
On one side there is:
Linda Howard
The main guy being a jerk
The plot being awesome, with him deceiving her about his identity to get business information
Seeing Rome and Sarah (characters from previous book) almost made me cry
But then on the other side:
Again, the classic LH insta-love, and I mean uber-uber insta-love
Loads of scenes that go like this:
"You are such a jerk"
"Oh yeah? We'll see about that!"
And then he kissed her savagely!
or like this:
"I hate you! I don't trust you anymore!"
"Oh yeah? We'll see about that!"
And then he kissed her savagely!
you get my point
and last, the main characters decided
But. He was a jerk
and possessive and a jerk so instead of 3, I'm bumping to 4 
August 4, 2017
Max, the former nice guy from Sarah's Child, has had a personality transplant. He's still Sir Sex on Legs, but in addition to that he is a sneaky, lowdown, son of a gun mole. He seduces and uses knowledge that the heroine gives him in order to assist in a takeover where she works.
The heroine is an emotionally shutdown woman in part due to her personality and in part due to a miscarriage and divorce. Sadly, despite feeling duped, betrayed as well as guilty for unknowingly revealing job secrets it doesn't stop her from falling for the hero's magic manliness. The H doesn't understand where she's coming from 'cause, heck, the sex is great. If he can just get his hands on her again everything will be hunky dory. That's pretty much it.
It's all stacked against her, poor thing.
The heroine is an emotionally shutdown woman in part due to her personality and in part due to a miscarriage and divorce. Sadly, despite feeling duped, betrayed as well as guilty for unknowingly revealing job secrets it doesn't stop her from falling for the hero's magic manliness. The H doesn't understand where she's coming from 'cause, heck, the sex is great. If he can just get his hands on her again everything will be hunky dory. That's pretty much it.
It's all stacked against her, poor thing.
March 10, 2011
Max Conroy is sent by his boss to gather information about Bronson Alloys in order to facilitate a takeover. He identifies Claire Westbrook as the 'weak link' in the company, the secretary to Bronson himself. Max intends to seduce Claire and get the information out of her, or at least gain access to the office files. What he doesn't count on is finding her 'challenging' and 'attractive' and, of course, 'falling for her.'
Initially as Max gets to know Claire he is charming and kind, coaxing her out of the shell she's built around herself to protect herself from guys like him. Claire tells him what he needs to know, and then sleeps with him. Then, of course she finds out who he really is and what he really wanted. Of course, she feels hurt and betrayed and resolves to avoid him. Good choice. Unfortunately, Max is very used to getting what he wants, and he's decided that he wants Claire. He engages in increasingly more high-handed and arrogant behavior. Claire is understandably angry at him, but stupidly decides that she must be so angry because she loves him so much. He forces her to move away from her family to take a job at his office at headquarters, offering her a lot more money. He tells her she'd be a fool to turn it down, effectively giving her the choice of doing what he wants or being 'a fool.' Then, when she accepts the offer, he shows up unexpectedly at her new home in his town on the very day she moves in, offers to help move the furniture, and surreptitiously makes note of her unlisted phone number by reading it off the phone (stalker, much?). He also takes it upon himself to explain his betrayal of Claire to her mother, who is also there, casting himself in a much better light, of course. When Claire asks him what her mother said to that, he tells her 'She understands," when in fact, her mother had threatened him with bodily harm if he ever hurt Claire again. This serves to make Claire feel as though her mother has abandoned her to him and would not be able to turn to her for help. Claire's sister would also offer no quarter: "...he always watched you...as if he were so hungry for you, as if he wanted to absorb you. It gave me the shivers" she goes on to add, showing her poor grasp of the situation, "the good shivers, if you know what I mean." (p. 184) At this point, I threw the book at the wall, having decided that if I had to read about Claire overlooking all of this and marrying Max and pretending that they lived happily ever after, when everything I've just related leads me to believe that within 3 years Claire will be the recipient of regular beatings to everywhere but her face, I would probably throw up.
It's possible that I am overreacting to a book written in 1986, when things were slightly different. However, I felt you all ought to know, because if you have the same sort of values and beliefs as I do, you probably shouldn't read this book.
Initially as Max gets to know Claire he is charming and kind, coaxing her out of the shell she's built around herself to protect herself from guys like him. Claire tells him what he needs to know, and then sleeps with him. Then, of course she finds out who he really is and what he really wanted. Of course, she feels hurt and betrayed and resolves to avoid him. Good choice. Unfortunately, Max is very used to getting what he wants, and he's decided that he wants Claire. He engages in increasingly more high-handed and arrogant behavior. Claire is understandably angry at him, but stupidly decides that she must be so angry because she loves him so much. He forces her to move away from her family to take a job at his office at headquarters, offering her a lot more money. He tells her she'd be a fool to turn it down, effectively giving her the choice of doing what he wants or being 'a fool.' Then, when she accepts the offer, he shows up unexpectedly at her new home in his town on the very day she moves in, offers to help move the furniture, and surreptitiously makes note of her unlisted phone number by reading it off the phone (stalker, much?). He also takes it upon himself to explain his betrayal of Claire to her mother, who is also there, casting himself in a much better light, of course. When Claire asks him what her mother said to that, he tells her 'She understands," when in fact, her mother had threatened him with bodily harm if he ever hurt Claire again. This serves to make Claire feel as though her mother has abandoned her to him and would not be able to turn to her for help. Claire's sister would also offer no quarter: "...he always watched you...as if he were so hungry for you, as if he wanted to absorb you. It gave me the shivers" she goes on to add, showing her poor grasp of the situation, "the good shivers, if you know what I mean." (p. 184) At this point, I threw the book at the wall, having decided that if I had to read about Claire overlooking all of this and marrying Max and pretending that they lived happily ever after, when everything I've just related leads me to believe that within 3 years Claire will be the recipient of regular beatings to everywhere but her face, I would probably throw up.
It's possible that I am overreacting to a book written in 1986, when things were slightly different. However, I felt you all ought to know, because if you have the same sort of values and beliefs as I do, you probably shouldn't read this book.
October 15, 2023
⭐️⭐️ two stars -
This was much better than the first book in this series (“Sarah’s Child” - review here 👉 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...).
This story, “Almost Forever”, is not a whole heck of a lot better, but at least the Hero (Max) in this one was somewhat tolerable. Even with the fact that Max is a deceiving liar throughout the story, at least he’s not a complete a*# like the unfortunate “Hero” of Book I in this series. The Hero of “Sarah”, Rome, does make a few cameos here, and he’s still a jerk lol.
Our heroine here in “Almost”, Claire, is sweet, but she’s way too whiny for me. She has a lot of inner angst and is not at all confident in herself. All of her inner ramblings took up pages of the book and made for some annoying repetition.
These earlier Howard books tend to be a hit or miss, although most of them have missed the mark for me. This 1986 publication also has a lot of old-school misogyny and old-school social attitudes. Unfortunately, these glimpses into the late twentieth century are not pleasantly drawn, and they don’t make for pleasant reminders of how things used to be; making the trip back in time here not a fun experience at all.
It definitely reads like one of Howard’s earlier works, and there’s a lot of plot aspects that seem to be just thrown in to fill up pages here. I wasn’t bored, per se, just not truly entertained 💁♀️.
For me, Max’s character development is what strikes me as the weakest link to the story. Not to mention the fact that a supposed upper-crust Brit is calling her “love” instead of “darling”. That grated on me every time he called her that. I guess LH skimped on her research of the higher classes of English society, and just figured that “a Brit’s a Brit”? I’m not sure, but that misappropriation of incorrect dialect annoyed me and pulled me out of the story too much; but I’m picky like that.
Overall, if you want to read older Howards, this passes the time better than Book I of this Spencer-Nyle series. It’s not too bad until the last third of the book where it jumped the shark with Max and the whole “let’s make him a minor royal” bit. Just too much of an outlandish character arc for me.
This one also falls short on my romance meter. Feel free to skip it unless you’re in a horrible book slump.
Two strong stars.
This was much better than the first book in this series (“Sarah’s Child” - review here 👉 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...).
This story, “Almost Forever”, is not a whole heck of a lot better, but at least the Hero (Max) in this one was somewhat tolerable. Even with the fact that Max is a deceiving liar throughout the story, at least he’s not a complete a*# like the unfortunate “Hero” of Book I in this series. The Hero of “Sarah”, Rome, does make a few cameos here, and he’s still a jerk lol.
Our heroine here in “Almost”, Claire, is sweet, but she’s way too whiny for me. She has a lot of inner angst and is not at all confident in herself. All of her inner ramblings took up pages of the book and made for some annoying repetition.
These earlier Howard books tend to be a hit or miss, although most of them have missed the mark for me. This 1986 publication also has a lot of old-school misogyny and old-school social attitudes. Unfortunately, these glimpses into the late twentieth century are not pleasantly drawn, and they don’t make for pleasant reminders of how things used to be; making the trip back in time here not a fun experience at all.
It definitely reads like one of Howard’s earlier works, and there’s a lot of plot aspects that seem to be just thrown in to fill up pages here. I wasn’t bored, per se, just not truly entertained 💁♀️.
For me, Max’s character development is what strikes me as the weakest link to the story. Not to mention the fact that a supposed upper-crust Brit is calling her “love” instead of “darling”. That grated on me every time he called her that. I guess LH skimped on her research of the higher classes of English society, and just figured that “a Brit’s a Brit”? I’m not sure, but that misappropriation of incorrect dialect annoyed me and pulled me out of the story too much; but I’m picky like that.
Overall, if you want to read older Howards, this passes the time better than Book I of this Spencer-Nyle series. It’s not too bad until the last third of the book where it jumped the shark with Max and the whole “let’s make him a minor royal” bit. Just too much of an outlandish character arc for me.
This one also falls short on my romance meter. Feel free to skip it unless you’re in a horrible book slump.
Two strong stars.
August 11, 2018
Didn't do it for me. I usually enjoy her jerk heroes who betray and deceive the heroine. A lot of it had to do with his "cause" or, rather, his lack of one. A corporate takeover? Really? At least the jack ass in Loving Evangeline was trying to protect secrets having to do with national security. I just wasn't feeling it all around, ymmv.
May 28, 2017
I loved it the first time I read it, but the second time it felt average. Too much touchy feely stuff and desire for each other.
I did not predict some of the details that would happen. It was enjoyable and different from the typical romance novel. I don't want to give anything away, but I will provide the beginning of the plot. The setting is current day corporate world in Houston and Dallas, Texas. Max works for company "A" that plans to do a corporate takeover of company "B". Claire is a secretary at company "B". Max plans to charm her into giving him secret information about company "B" without telling her who he is.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 244 pages. Swearing language: mild. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: five. Copyright: 1986. Genre: contemporary romance.
I did not predict some of the details that would happen. It was enjoyable and different from the typical romance novel. I don't want to give anything away, but I will provide the beginning of the plot. The setting is current day corporate world in Houston and Dallas, Texas. Max works for company "A" that plans to do a corporate takeover of company "B". Claire is a secretary at company "B". Max plans to charm her into giving him secret information about company "B" without telling her who he is.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 244 pages. Swearing language: mild. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: five. Copyright: 1986. Genre: contemporary romance.
March 4, 2024
I guess I didn’t get the memo that I was supposed to hate this one 👀😬🫣
I thought all the old school bulldozing and high handed arrogance by the manipulative H was fun. It’s pretty standard issue for the time period in romance and it’s why I’m here… sooo… 👀🤷🏼♀️
I loved how into getting the h pregnant the H was, and how jealous he was that she’d been pregnant before. The sex scenes were pretty hot and racy for harlequin.
I could have used more of a grovel and I was disappointed that she wasn’t actually pregnant considering her sad back story. I would have preferred he profess his love before her.
Overall though, I liked it quite a bit. I was entertained even though it has tropes I typically skip. (Divorcee, over-30 h, previous pregnancy, etc).
I thought all the old school bulldozing and high handed arrogance by the manipulative H was fun. It’s pretty standard issue for the time period in romance and it’s why I’m here… sooo… 👀🤷🏼♀️
I loved how into getting the h pregnant the H was, and how jealous he was that she’d been pregnant before. The sex scenes were pretty hot and racy for harlequin.
I could have used more of a grovel and I was disappointed that she wasn’t actually pregnant considering her sad back story. I would have preferred he profess his love before her.
Overall though, I liked it quite a bit. I was entertained even though it has tropes I typically skip. (Divorcee, over-30 h, previous pregnancy, etc).
March 9, 2018
This was a tough one.
This was hard to like. Max started out bad for being willing to seduce her for monetary gain, and then got worse for only being interested in her because she didn’t fall at his feet. I couldn’t believe that he didn’t understand that the very fact that he had to work SO hard to earn her trust, would necessarily mean that he was devastating her by then betraying it. And I really didn’t like the way he ruthlessly manipulated her in the second half of the book. I also didn’t like that he never once put her before his job, which seems to set the theme for their entire marriage. Especially when he offhandedly mentioned that she wouldn’t be working once they were married.
Claire was frustrating as the heroine too. She was so insecure that it colored her whole life. No matter how much she talked about having asserted her independence in the time since her divorce, the truth is that she’d put herself in mothballs both physically and emotionally. Every decision she makes during the book that is supposed to show her as standing up for herself is actually her knuckling under to Max’s manipulation or her family’s expectations. And at the end, they don’t seem to know a single thing about each other. Theirs will be a marriage where Max continues to jet all over the world while Claire stays home barefoot and pregnant and making herself miserable with the thoughts of all the gorgeous women Max is surely sleeping with. And though she’ll be dying inside, she won’t say anything to him about it because deep down she still feels unworthy of him.
This was hard to like. Max started out bad for being willing to seduce her for monetary gain, and then got worse for only being interested in her because she didn’t fall at his feet. I couldn’t believe that he didn’t understand that the very fact that he had to work SO hard to earn her trust, would necessarily mean that he was devastating her by then betraying it. And I really didn’t like the way he ruthlessly manipulated her in the second half of the book. I also didn’t like that he never once put her before his job, which seems to set the theme for their entire marriage. Especially when he offhandedly mentioned that she wouldn’t be working once they were married.
Claire was frustrating as the heroine too. She was so insecure that it colored her whole life. No matter how much she talked about having asserted her independence in the time since her divorce, the truth is that she’d put herself in mothballs both physically and emotionally. Every decision she makes during the book that is supposed to show her as standing up for herself is actually her knuckling under to Max’s manipulation or her family’s expectations. And at the end, they don’t seem to know a single thing about each other. Theirs will be a marriage where Max continues to jet all over the world while Claire stays home barefoot and pregnant and making herself miserable with the thoughts of all the gorgeous women Max is surely sleeping with. And though she’ll be dying inside, she won’t say anything to him about it because deep down she still feels unworthy of him.
January 22, 2023
5+ stars
What can I say?
I loved it all here, plain and simple.
Linda and I, we definitely click.
I am quite surprised this book has such low ratings because I srsly don't understand why.
It was done so deliciously well, I'm still sighing dreamily.
I think the reason why I love Howard's heroines this much is because despite they have many flaws, they all have one thing in common: a spine of steel and a very healthy dose of self-respect.
And Claire is no exception.
Another thing I love is that they are never portrayed as striking beauties straight from a catwalk. And I love that even more.
And Claire is pretty.
But her mum is gorgeous.
So is her sister.
So no wonder she struggles with her self-esteem.
This is something a lot of us, girls, can relate to.
The reason why I love Linda's heroes so much is because they are all male, all authority, no bullshit alphas.
They often are jerks, often do despicable things to get what they want, they lie and cheat and sometimes you want to strangle them.
And again, Max is no exception.
But then they grovel, and then grovel some more.
And more.
And they redeem themselves.
And instead of strangling them, you just wanna hug them and then grin like a goof because they always get their woman back.
And again, that's what Max did.
And that's why I'm grinning like a madwoman here.
Because Claire didn't let him off the hook easily.
He groveled like a dog and I loved it!
I srsly dunno why I started from book 2 but I need to read book 1 from this series like asap because Rome sounds like my kinda guy.
Highly recommend!
"I thought you were a gentleman, but you're really a savage in a tuxedo, aren't you? Your instincts are to win, regardless of how ruthless you have to be to get what you want!"
What can I say?
I loved it all here, plain and simple.
Linda and I, we definitely click.
I am quite surprised this book has such low ratings because I srsly don't understand why.
It was done so deliciously well, I'm still sighing dreamily.
I think the reason why I love Howard's heroines this much is because despite they have many flaws, they all have one thing in common: a spine of steel and a very healthy dose of self-respect.
And Claire is no exception.
Another thing I love is that they are never portrayed as striking beauties straight from a catwalk. And I love that even more.
And Claire is pretty.
But her mum is gorgeous.
So is her sister.
So no wonder she struggles with her self-esteem.
This is something a lot of us, girls, can relate to.
The reason why I love Linda's heroes so much is because they are all male, all authority, no bullshit alphas.
They often are jerks, often do despicable things to get what they want, they lie and cheat and sometimes you want to strangle them.
And again, Max is no exception.
But then they grovel, and then grovel some more.
And more.
And they redeem themselves.
And instead of strangling them, you just wanna hug them and then grin like a goof because they always get their woman back.
And again, that's what Max did.
And that's why I'm grinning like a madwoman here.
Because Claire didn't let him off the hook easily.
He groveled like a dog and I loved it!
I srsly dunno why I started from book 2 but I need to read book 1 from this series like asap because Rome sounds like my kinda guy.
Highly recommend!
March 5, 2014
I got a little cross with Max's actions and knew he would have to be pretty darn special to redeem himself but I am afraid he just wasn't. To make it even worse when Claire refused to be understanding and accept his apology he had the cheek to be upset with her about it, in fact he very much reminded me of a bully! Instead of romancing Claire and trying to gain back his trust he basically bullies her into bed and effectively tells her to just get over it and that she was gonna marry him. It's not until she gets cold feet on the wedding day that he tells her he loves her but even then his first instinct was to drag her off to the local motel, get a room and as soon as he gets her inside he immediately starts ripping his clothes off!
I know this was originally written back in the mid 80's and romances were written with a 'forceful' man back then so I did try to allow for that but it just didn't work for me. Also, this is the third book I have read by Ms Howard and each one of them has screamed for an epilogue. I will admit I am a bit of an epilogue addict as I don't think a romance book is finished without one and I am now beginning to wonder if that is her style and she typically didn't do them.....Even though I really like Ms Howard's work if the sudden end of the story without an epilogue is typical I am not sure how many more I will go on to read :((
I know this was originally written back in the mid 80's and romances were written with a 'forceful' man back then so I did try to allow for that but it just didn't work for me. Also, this is the third book I have read by Ms Howard and each one of them has screamed for an epilogue. I will admit I am a bit of an epilogue addict as I don't think a romance book is finished without one and I am now beginning to wonder if that is her style and she typically didn't do them.....Even though I really like Ms Howard's work if the sudden end of the story without an epilogue is typical I am not sure how many more I will go on to read :((
June 14, 2022
What a dumb story this is.
So some guy who is pursuing our Heroine, she comes to know that he was actually not interested in her at any point of their fake relationship but was actually using her the whole time and yet she forgives him and let him treat her anyway he wants coz hey, he is great in bed?
What rubbish !!!
Sometimes Linda Howard just doesn't make sense.
So some guy who is pursuing our Heroine, she comes to know that he was actually not interested in her at any point of their fake relationship but was actually using her the whole time and yet she forgives him and let him treat her anyway he wants coz hey, he is great in bed?
What rubbish !!!
Sometimes Linda Howard just doesn't make sense.
July 9, 2017
Max Conroy didn't let anything get in the way of his job—and his job was to lead a corporate takeover. But to do it, he needed information, the kind the lovely Claire Westbrook could provide. All he had to do was seduce her….
But when Claire dared to let down her defenses and open her heart to him, Max found his loyalties put to the ultimate test. Now his biggest risk wasn't a business deal, but what would happen when Claire discovered the truth...
This book was a quick read. The heroine, Claire was not your usual witty, kick-ass heroine but I liked her sweetness, although I had some issues with her insecurities. Max is a ruthless alpha male who needs a good smack across the back of the head, but I liked that Max had some crawling and humbling to do.
Almost Forever is part of Spencer-Nyle Co. series. We first meet Max in Sarah's Child but Almost Forever can be read as standalone.
Sarah's Child (1985)
Almost Forever (1986)
Bluebird Winter (1987)
April 11, 2026
considering the premise of this book I thought that a lot of it would be about the MMC groveling but it's more like he bulldozes his way back into her life.
Safety:
- no virgins
- h was married before but got divorced after she miscarried. She sensed that her ex-husband wanted to divorce her even before that tho.
- manho H. He was on the verge of loving a woman once before but that woman already loved his best friend and that was that
- no OW/OM drama
- no cheating or sharing
- no 3rd act breakup (thank god! there was almost a very stupid 3rd breakup happening but the H wouldn't have any of it, didn't let h have her dramatic exit and instead cleared up some misunderstandings)
- HEA/HFN (book ends with the day of their wedding)
Safety:
- no virgins
- h was married before but got divorced after she miscarried. She sensed that her ex-husband wanted to divorce her even before that tho.
- manho H. He was on the verge of loving a woman once before but that woman already loved his best friend and that was that
- no OW/OM drama
- no cheating or sharing
- no 3rd act breakup (thank god! there was almost a very stupid 3rd breakup happening but the H wouldn't have any of it, didn't let h have her dramatic exit and instead cleared up some misunderstandings)
- HEA/HFN (book ends with the day of their wedding)
July 16, 2017
ALMOST FOREVER by Linda Howard
This is an older Alpha-hole hero, angst ridden heroine early Harlequin. Beware, you just might feel the need to hurl it against the nearest wall. The style it is written in is not my taste at all and there was absolutely nothing that made me care for these two either. Unless you are a true Linda Howard fan, don't waste your time with this one. Even as a true Linda Howard fan you may want to skip it. Like a lot of her early work it is just not that good.
Claire is very self-contained and content now with the way her life is. She lives on her own, has a job and boss she really likes and things are ... pleasant. After her disaster of a marriage to a member of Houston's society where she felt she never measured up, she is now in a good place in her life. Thing are about to change.
Max is a man on a mission. His goal is to get inside information that will enable his company to mount a successful takeover of Claire's company and he has pinpointed Claire as the weak link. His method to extract the needed information is seduction, of course. No woman has ever said no to Max before and Claire will certainly not be the exception.
Claire has no intention to let Max upset her balanced life, no matter how handsome he is or how attentive he is to her. Handsome, charming men - been there, done that, have the broken heart to prove it. Not happening again. Except for all the deep layers, many facets and blah, blah, blah to Claire's personality, she falls in love with Max anyway and when he betrays her it really, really hurts.
Max is a man on a mission. His mission is to win Claire back, because even if Max is the consummate love em and leave em type, he just can't leave Clare so broken and he finds that he ready doesn't want to leave her at all.
This is an older Alpha-hole hero, angst ridden heroine early Harlequin. Beware, you just might feel the need to hurl it against the nearest wall. The style it is written in is not my taste at all and there was absolutely nothing that made me care for these two either. Unless you are a true Linda Howard fan, don't waste your time with this one. Even as a true Linda Howard fan you may want to skip it. Like a lot of her early work it is just not that good.
Claire is very self-contained and content now with the way her life is. She lives on her own, has a job and boss she really likes and things are ... pleasant. After her disaster of a marriage to a member of Houston's society where she felt she never measured up, she is now in a good place in her life. Thing are about to change.
Max is a man on a mission. His goal is to get inside information that will enable his company to mount a successful takeover of Claire's company and he has pinpointed Claire as the weak link. His method to extract the needed information is seduction, of course. No woman has ever said no to Max before and Claire will certainly not be the exception.
Claire has no intention to let Max upset her balanced life, no matter how handsome he is or how attentive he is to her. Handsome, charming men - been there, done that, have the broken heart to prove it. Not happening again. Except for all the deep layers, many facets and blah, blah, blah to Claire's personality, she falls in love with Max anyway and when he betrays her it really, really hurts.
Max is a man on a mission. His mission is to win Claire back, because even if Max is the consummate love em and leave em type, he just can't leave Clare so broken and he finds that he ready doesn't want to leave her at all.
December 9, 2019
Wow this hero was a remorseless lying psycho stalker. I couldn't stop reading to see if he'd apologise, which he didn't, but he did repeatedly yell, shout, and demand forgiveness. The poor heroine will never make another decision of her own for the rest of her (probably short if she ever pisses him off) life again.
September 15, 2020
Meh--Claire, a washed-out version of the fairly insipid heroine of Sarah's Child, meets Max, the second-banana wannabe-alpha nice guy from that book and they manage to create a few weak sparkler-effect sputters between them. He's a corporate raider-slash-secret-aristo; she's reserved secretary who falls for him and spills some lame secrets that help him with the takeover of her company. There's not much angst, the sex is a middlin' rehash of the alpha-dommy-goodness I've come to expect from Ms. Howard, and it all kind of meanders to a white wedding ending. Fairly dull stuff, ah well, can't win 'em all.
July 7, 2013
Spencer-Nyle Co. 2/3
Quase Eterno
Linda Howard
H.R. Romance 51
2011
Antes de qualquer coisa, considero este livro recomendadíssimo.
É indiscutível que Linda Howard sabe como poucas, escrever um romance. Vide a Saga Família Mackenzie. Ela consegue nos prender a atenção com esses homens maravilhosos e prepotentes e com mocinhas sensíveis e apaixonadas (não bobas ou cegas).
Por isso acho que quando um novo livro de Linda Howard é editado ou por ventura um velho livro cair em suas mãos, procure dar atenção a ele, pois uma boa estória este romance contém.
Vamos ao que interessa, estória elabora, personagens fortes, com pegada. Claire uma mulher separada, que não percebe a força e a beleza que tem. Max é aquele típico homem lindo, confiante e que nunca desiste do que lhe interessa, na realidade mega - ultra - confiante.
Max quer se apoderar da empresa que trabalha Claire trabalha, e para isso se aproximar dela para obter informações privilegiadas. Só que desde o momento em que se olham pela primeira, se apaixonam.
A questão é que como a maioria dos homens prepotentes e poderosos, Max sabe, só Deus sabe como, separar a vida profissional da sentimental. E acredita não ter traído Claire ao usar a informação que ela lhe passa inocentemente.
O problema, se é que é realmente um problema. Claire vê a vida como um todo. Como se o trabalho e o privado fossem uma extensão um do outro ou vice versa.
Mas isso não quer dizer que pode misturar, entende? Trabalho é trabalho. Privado é privado.
A igualdade está na forma que você encara essas duas formas da vida. O mesmo entusiasmo e dedicação que se tem na vida sentimental se podem ter no trabalho. E é indiscutível que um interfere no outro.
Espero ter me feito entender.
O que realmente importa é que Claire colocou Max, no seu devido lugar. O fez sofrer. E mostrou que confiar é preciso em todos os momentos, seja em casa ou no trabalho.
Amei ver Max com medo, demonstrando sua vulnerabilidade, e principalmente perder o controle, para um homem que se dizia controlar tudo com destreza. Perder o controle com o amor que sentia por Claire, foi no mínimo gratificante.
Se pudesse dava 10 estrelas, mas como não é possível, vão as 5 mesmos.
Mais que RECOMENDADÍSSIMO!!!!!!!!
ADORO!!!!
Quase Eterno
Linda Howard
H.R. Romance 51
2011
Antes de qualquer coisa, considero este livro recomendadíssimo.
É indiscutível que Linda Howard sabe como poucas, escrever um romance. Vide a Saga Família Mackenzie. Ela consegue nos prender a atenção com esses homens maravilhosos e prepotentes e com mocinhas sensíveis e apaixonadas (não bobas ou cegas).
Por isso acho que quando um novo livro de Linda Howard é editado ou por ventura um velho livro cair em suas mãos, procure dar atenção a ele, pois uma boa estória este romance contém.
Vamos ao que interessa, estória elabora, personagens fortes, com pegada. Claire uma mulher separada, que não percebe a força e a beleza que tem. Max é aquele típico homem lindo, confiante e que nunca desiste do que lhe interessa, na realidade mega - ultra - confiante.
Max quer se apoderar da empresa que trabalha Claire trabalha, e para isso se aproximar dela para obter informações privilegiadas. Só que desde o momento em que se olham pela primeira, se apaixonam.
A questão é que como a maioria dos homens prepotentes e poderosos, Max sabe, só Deus sabe como, separar a vida profissional da sentimental. E acredita não ter traído Claire ao usar a informação que ela lhe passa inocentemente.
O problema, se é que é realmente um problema. Claire vê a vida como um todo. Como se o trabalho e o privado fossem uma extensão um do outro ou vice versa.
Mas isso não quer dizer que pode misturar, entende? Trabalho é trabalho. Privado é privado.
A igualdade está na forma que você encara essas duas formas da vida. O mesmo entusiasmo e dedicação que se tem na vida sentimental se podem ter no trabalho. E é indiscutível que um interfere no outro.
Espero ter me feito entender.
O que realmente importa é que Claire colocou Max, no seu devido lugar. O fez sofrer. E mostrou que confiar é preciso em todos os momentos, seja em casa ou no trabalho.
Amei ver Max com medo, demonstrando sua vulnerabilidade, e principalmente perder o controle, para um homem que se dizia controlar tudo com destreza. Perder o controle com o amor que sentia por Claire, foi no mínimo gratificante.
Se pudesse dava 10 estrelas, mas como não é possível, vão as 5 mesmos.
Mais que RECOMENDADÍSSIMO!!!!!!!!
ADORO!!!!
February 10, 2013
FIVE BLAZING STARS!
"I've been going half-crazy, wanting you," he muttered rawly. "I know this was too fast, that you weren't ready for it, but I don't regret it. You're mine. Don't try to run away from me, love; stay with me tonight."
I love how Linda creates a satisfying and interesting plot worth pursuing and checking out for! Her stories has everything i want DOWN to the next level! I dont know, maybe i found my writer soul-mate who matches my taste in stories, character, love, thrill and all.
Almost forever was great! I understood the heroes low-self steem, i can relate to how she feels and in some ways, i saw her in me; i so love that. She hurts and feel's pain too easily, she is too sensitive she needs to put up her guard or she'll get hurt a lot. Yeah....definitely sounds all to familiar.
The hero is wow! HOT! It's good to see a normal, not-tortured yet still achingly hot sexy. He is cold, charming, gorgeous, and a completely alpha-male.
There was a reasonable attraction between them on the start of the story. The hero was drawn to our heroine, not because she is pretty and all, she is though ; just not striking goddess-beauty, but because there is something about her. Another breath of fresh air! An instant attraction brought by anything but our heroines physical appearance. That does not meam, again that the hero wasn't sexually attracted to her because he is :) love those moment when he has to control himself from grabbing her and kissing her until he devours her completely.
I love how the hero is so forth-coming. I love how when he instantly realizes it's all love, he gets on with it and ask for her hand in marriage. Love characters like that!
This is totes recommended
"I've been going half-crazy, wanting you," he muttered rawly. "I know this was too fast, that you weren't ready for it, but I don't regret it. You're mine. Don't try to run away from me, love; stay with me tonight."
I love how Linda creates a satisfying and interesting plot worth pursuing and checking out for! Her stories has everything i want DOWN to the next level! I dont know, maybe i found my writer soul-mate who matches my taste in stories, character, love, thrill and all.
Almost forever was great! I understood the heroes low-self steem, i can relate to how she feels and in some ways, i saw her in me; i so love that. She hurts and feel's pain too easily, she is too sensitive she needs to put up her guard or she'll get hurt a lot. Yeah....definitely sounds all to familiar.
The hero is wow! HOT! It's good to see a normal, not-tortured yet still achingly hot sexy. He is cold, charming, gorgeous, and a completely alpha-male.
There was a reasonable attraction between them on the start of the story. The hero was drawn to our heroine, not because she is pretty and all, she is though ; just not striking goddess-beauty, but because there is something about her. Another breath of fresh air! An instant attraction brought by anything but our heroines physical appearance. That does not meam, again that the hero wasn't sexually attracted to her because he is :) love those moment when he has to control himself from grabbing her and kissing her until he devours her completely.
I love how the hero is so forth-coming. I love how when he instantly realizes it's all love, he gets on with it and ask for her hand in marriage. Love characters like that!
This is totes recommended
May 18, 2025
Romance genérico tipo harlequín que Linda Howard escribió para Silhouette a principios de su carrera, en 1986. Le encuentro un aire un poco desesperado y triste, como aquellas historias de secretarias de la OTAN a las que seducían lover boys de la Unión Soviética para sacarles los secretos de sus jefes.
Claire Westerbrook (31) ha tenido un mal matrimonio, y no tiene ganas de líos. Pero cuando en una fiesta conoce a Maxwell Benedict un guapetón británico de toma pan y moja, no puede evitar empezar a pensar cosas... Ella se resiste, pero acaba enamorándose como una idiota. Él también la ama. Una pena que «Max Benedict» no exista, que en realidad sea Max Conroy, ejecutivo de una compañía que quiere absorber a aquella empresa en la que trabaja Claire, y quiere usarla para obtener información relevante.
Reseña algo más extensa, en mi blog.
Claire Westerbrook (31) ha tenido un mal matrimonio, y no tiene ganas de líos. Pero cuando en una fiesta conoce a Maxwell Benedict un guapetón británico de toma pan y moja, no puede evitar empezar a pensar cosas... Ella se resiste, pero acaba enamorándose como una idiota. Él también la ama. Una pena que «Max Benedict» no exista, que en realidad sea Max Conroy, ejecutivo de una compañía que quiere absorber a aquella empresa en la que trabaja Claire, y quiere usarla para obtener información relevante.
Reseña algo más extensa, en mi blog.
April 21, 2011
437th - 2011
Nggak suka heroine-nya. Begi banget... membocorkan rahasia perusahaan begitu saja tanpa diminta sama cowok nggak dikenal. Nggak ada gosip lain buat dishare apa?
- beli obral dari ibu kost -
Nggak suka heroine-nya. Begi banget... membocorkan rahasia perusahaan begitu saja tanpa diminta sama cowok nggak dikenal. Nggak ada gosip lain buat dishare apa?
- beli obral dari ibu kost -
January 21, 2022
3.5 stars.
In this book, ostensibly the second part in a series, our beta-hero from Book 1, Sarah's Child, revealed his hidden depths - aka got a testosterone injection and became the hero in this vintage 1986 HQ romance.
I don't know whether it was my general fatigue and migraine that made me amused at this book. I am not sure that was the intent but I quite enjoyed my time here - it lifted my mood though unintentionally I think.
Early on, the boss plotting the takeover muses if our heroine “Would … be vulnerable to Max’s seductive charm?” . Because that is the exact, ethical question to ask in business … seducing a vulnerable woman as part of a takeover scheme - I mean what could go wrong ?!
I knew I would have fun here when I was rolling my eyes at the hero pretty early in the novel. In the novel, our hero has to pump our heroine (see what I did there) for information related to some corporate takeover his company is plotting. Don’t worry about it too much as our hero obviously doesn't. All of this is basically a classic 80’s set-up… it is so classic that is has become a bit of a cliche and I low-key loved it.
Max was a super-competent alpha used to woman falling at his feet - he was good looking, super smart but sensual but with a controlled but towering intellect”. And I was laughing at him pretty much throughout.
Of course, he is attracted to the heroine for no reason - her fine eyes even though she is not as beautiful as others. Sure … Bella Swann was definitely not the first …. H wants our heroine “more than any other woman” but doesn’t know why (could because he is an idiot with low EQ - but hey I could be wrong).
I am not exactly sure why this worked - perhaps the pain killers made me loopy but all the stupidity here kind of made me grin … I mean our heroine is in love in Chapter 3. What can you do except grin here?
🤷♀️🤷♀️🤷♀️
I am going with 3.5 stars for the sheer fun I had here. I am not sure this is a good book but something about the author’s writing and plotting works for me. Objectively, there is a lot of stuff in this which should bother but didn’t.
The hero was so stupid and clueless - not that that was the intent given when this book was written but that is how it came across to me so I am upping the rating for unintentional rom-com.
In this book, ostensibly the second part in a series, our beta-hero from Book 1, Sarah's Child, revealed his hidden depths - aka got a testosterone injection and became the hero in this vintage 1986 HQ romance.
I don't know whether it was my general fatigue and migraine that made me amused at this book. I am not sure that was the intent but I quite enjoyed my time here - it lifted my mood though unintentionally I think.
Early on, the boss plotting the takeover muses if our heroine “Would … be vulnerable to Max’s seductive charm?” . Because that is the exact, ethical question to ask in business … seducing a vulnerable woman as part of a takeover scheme - I mean what could go wrong ?!
I knew I would have fun here when I was rolling my eyes at the hero pretty early in the novel. In the novel, our hero has to pump our heroine (see what I did there) for information related to some corporate takeover his company is plotting. Don’t worry about it too much as our hero obviously doesn't. All of this is basically a classic 80’s set-up… it is so classic that is has become a bit of a cliche and I low-key loved it.
Max was a super-competent alpha used to woman falling at his feet - he was good looking, super smart but sensual but with a controlled but towering intellect”. And I was laughing at him pretty much throughout.
Of course, he is attracted to the heroine for no reason - her fine eyes even though she is not as beautiful as others. Sure … Bella Swann was definitely not the first …. H wants our heroine “more than any other woman” but doesn’t know why (could because he is an idiot with low EQ - but hey I could be wrong).
I am not exactly sure why this worked - perhaps the pain killers made me loopy but all the stupidity here kind of made me grin … I mean our heroine is in love in Chapter 3. What can you do except grin here?
🤷♀️🤷♀️🤷♀️
I am going with 3.5 stars for the sheer fun I had here. I am not sure this is a good book but something about the author’s writing and plotting works for me. Objectively, there is a lot of stuff in this which should bother but didn’t.
The hero was so stupid and clueless - not that that was the intent given when this book was written but that is how it came across to me so I am upping the rating for unintentional rom-com.
January 23, 2020
Minu arvamuse leiab blogist https://triinuraamatud.wordpress.com/...
February 3, 2022
Исках да прочета една книга, а тя се оказа последна от трилогията. Та стигнах и до тази , която е издавана точно под знака на Арлекин 😁
Чела съм някоя от по-новите книги на авторката и сега като правя паралел, се вижда че е станала много добра.
Тези бяха много наивни и елементарни, доста си приличат първите две части. Но като съм започнала , ще го докарам до край.
Чела съм някоя от по-новите книги на авторката и сега като правя паралел, се вижда че е станала много добра.
Тези бяха много наивни и елементарни, доста си приличат първите две части. Но като съм започнала , ще го докарам до край.
October 24, 2012
Max Conroy didn't let anything get in the way of his job—and his job was to lead a corporate takeover. But to do it, he needed information, the kind the lovely Claire Westbrook could provide. All he had to do was seduce her....
But when Claire dared to let down her defenses and open her heart to him, Max found his loyalties put to the ultimate test. Now his biggest risk wasn't a business deal, but what would happen when Claire discovered the truth.
----------------
I bought Almost Forever by Linda Howard a long time ago. I was mesmerized by SB and BJ I forgot about Linda. So I finally finished reading it, I tried to read it months ago but stopped because it was mentioned at the beginning of the story that Claire, the heroine was married before. And I don't go for those kinds of heroines. I prefer mine virgin but feisty.
And so reading it last night was like choosing between watching reruns of Monk, watch Little Einstein with Yohan or read a book. I thought I should finish Splendor by Brenda but it was too thick and I wont be able to finish it right away. Boy, I did not regret choosing Almost Forever. It reminds me so much of Double Standards, JSS and Paradise, you read those terms like corporate takeovers, spies and so forth.
Max Conroy really was a megaton force of charm. He was very handsome, polite, sexy and ow that British accent would just drive you insane. It's true he didn't have to flirt. There was a surprising twist at the end regarding his heritage. And I thought he was already the perfect specimen for a boyfriend and it actually got even better. At naku, although initially the reason why he showed interest at Claire was to gain her trust and get pertinent information for a takeover. I loved how the story evolved immediately. Kahit there was no mention of love, you would feel his real emotion for Claire. He cared for her and wanted to be with her not just for the information she could provide but her company/herself as well.
What made me like Claire's character more was when I read she had a miscarriage right before her divorce. She wanted the baby so bad. Naaalala, ko tuloy ang Isang scene where Max said " I want to make you pregnant, I want you to have my baby" and then proposed to Claire. Like "will you be my wife?"That's towards the end. I know it sounded erotic, pero if you take into consideration how Claire lost her child and badly wanted one. It won't sound to erotic anymore. Parang maiiyak ka sa galak dahil sa sinabi ni Max.
There were parts na parang expected mo na iyon ang magiging twist. Kagaya noong something happened the night before sa kanilang dalawa. Following day ay urgent ang pag Alis ni Max to go to Dallas and didn't call for weeks. You would be disappointed too. And that was after he got the information he really needed. Although as reader you know what's going on by the way the story was written. Minsan may mga writers would leave readers clueless rin. Maybe because the story was so common Linda knew we're smart readers.
When they finally saw each other I like how perceptive Max was. Talagang sobrang concerned Kay Claire. She lost weight and haven't been eating. He even asked " are you pregnant? When was your last period?" makulit Lang. Hehee. Pero I find it sweet.
Basta maganda sya. Another thing I like in the story pa was when Max asked his buddy to rearrange his whole staff's position for Claire. He was desperate to transfer Claire and move her to another city with him. As in pinlano na Nya lahat para mapaamo Nya uli. Because of what happened Claire ignored him most of the time. And he hated it. Hehe. Mas gugustuhin pa Nyang sigawan sya, o saktan. Kesa maranasan ang super nagyeyelong treatment sa kanya ni Claire.
Basta, I like stories like these. Mahal na pala pero di pa nag aaminan. I thought the plot was dragging. Medyo over 200 pages kaya I was surprised when I finished it and didn't think it was monotonous. Simple talaga ang plot pwedeng less than 200 pages tapos na. Pero nastretch pa sya ni Linda. Find time to buy it. I enjoyed reading it. Like I said, sweet, very sweet ;)
But when Claire dared to let down her defenses and open her heart to him, Max found his loyalties put to the ultimate test. Now his biggest risk wasn't a business deal, but what would happen when Claire discovered the truth.
----------------
I bought Almost Forever by Linda Howard a long time ago. I was mesmerized by SB and BJ I forgot about Linda. So I finally finished reading it, I tried to read it months ago but stopped because it was mentioned at the beginning of the story that Claire, the heroine was married before. And I don't go for those kinds of heroines. I prefer mine virgin but feisty.
And so reading it last night was like choosing between watching reruns of Monk, watch Little Einstein with Yohan or read a book. I thought I should finish Splendor by Brenda but it was too thick and I wont be able to finish it right away. Boy, I did not regret choosing Almost Forever. It reminds me so much of Double Standards, JSS and Paradise, you read those terms like corporate takeovers, spies and so forth.
Max Conroy really was a megaton force of charm. He was very handsome, polite, sexy and ow that British accent would just drive you insane. It's true he didn't have to flirt. There was a surprising twist at the end regarding his heritage. And I thought he was already the perfect specimen for a boyfriend and it actually got even better. At naku, although initially the reason why he showed interest at Claire was to gain her trust and get pertinent information for a takeover. I loved how the story evolved immediately. Kahit there was no mention of love, you would feel his real emotion for Claire. He cared for her and wanted to be with her not just for the information she could provide but her company/herself as well.
What made me like Claire's character more was when I read she had a miscarriage right before her divorce. She wanted the baby so bad. Naaalala, ko tuloy ang Isang scene where Max said " I want to make you pregnant, I want you to have my baby" and then proposed to Claire. Like "will you be my wife?"That's towards the end. I know it sounded erotic, pero if you take into consideration how Claire lost her child and badly wanted one. It won't sound to erotic anymore. Parang maiiyak ka sa galak dahil sa sinabi ni Max.
There were parts na parang expected mo na iyon ang magiging twist. Kagaya noong something happened the night before sa kanilang dalawa. Following day ay urgent ang pag Alis ni Max to go to Dallas and didn't call for weeks. You would be disappointed too. And that was after he got the information he really needed. Although as reader you know what's going on by the way the story was written. Minsan may mga writers would leave readers clueless rin. Maybe because the story was so common Linda knew we're smart readers.
When they finally saw each other I like how perceptive Max was. Talagang sobrang concerned Kay Claire. She lost weight and haven't been eating. He even asked " are you pregnant? When was your last period?" makulit Lang. Hehee. Pero I find it sweet.
Basta maganda sya. Another thing I like in the story pa was when Max asked his buddy to rearrange his whole staff's position for Claire. He was desperate to transfer Claire and move her to another city with him. As in pinlano na Nya lahat para mapaamo Nya uli. Because of what happened Claire ignored him most of the time. And he hated it. Hehe. Mas gugustuhin pa Nyang sigawan sya, o saktan. Kesa maranasan ang super nagyeyelong treatment sa kanya ni Claire.
Basta, I like stories like these. Mahal na pala pero di pa nag aaminan. I thought the plot was dragging. Medyo over 200 pages kaya I was surprised when I finished it and didn't think it was monotonous. Simple talaga ang plot pwedeng less than 200 pages tapos na. Pero nastretch pa sya ni Linda. Find time to buy it. I enjoyed reading it. Like I said, sweet, very sweet ;)
July 15, 2024
An unequal power dynamic
If I’d read this book 10 years ago, I would have enjoyed it and moved on, not even thinking twice about the so-called ’hero’, Maxwell Conroy, being such a single-minded dominating a$$hat because let’s face it, for many decades romance books have not had the best record in portraying nice, emotionally stable male protagonists.
But it’s now 2019, the difference in power between Max and Claire in their relationship is glaringly obvious. He is a deceitful and dominating man who only thinks of himself at the beginning, and his style of ‘romance’ [using sarcastic air quotes here] screams of intimidation (and whatever other unsavoury tactics used) to get his way.
I found Claire to be very wounded and extremely introverted, and as an introvert myself, I found her believable in her distress. Well, only up to a certain point, because she sure had no trouble walking up that freaking aisle. Her family was fun and supportive, and her friend, Martine, was a fiery BFF. Hell, even her boss, Sam, was a decent character for the small amount of time he gets in the spotlight. But good secondary characters cannot make up for the deficiencies in a MC... yes, I’m lookin’ at you Maxwell.
Anyway, I found the flaws of the characters, especially Max, too problematic to enjoy this story as much as I may have many moons ago.
2 stars ⭐️ (only because of Sam and Martine)
Update 2024: Accidentally reread this after Kindle had a hissy fit and deleted all my library. Still agree with my 2019 review. Maxwell is very self-assured, and as arrogant as he pleases, and has no qualms in putting his wants over her needs. I still heartily disliked their ‘relationship’ and honestly wonder how he thought what he’d done to her, under the guise of a business deal, was not bad enough that he could then convert it into an ‘actual’ relationship because he felt like he was getting the short end of the stick. Honestly infuriating… may bump it down to 1.5 stars 🤬
If I’d read this book 10 years ago, I would have enjoyed it and moved on, not even thinking twice about the so-called ’hero’, Maxwell Conroy, being such a single-minded dominating a$$hat because let’s face it, for many decades romance books have not had the best record in portraying nice, emotionally stable male protagonists.
But it’s now 2019, the difference in power between Max and Claire in their relationship is glaringly obvious. He is a deceitful and dominating man who only thinks of himself at the beginning, and his style of ‘romance’ [using sarcastic air quotes here] screams of intimidation (and whatever other unsavoury tactics used) to get his way.
I found Claire to be very wounded and extremely introverted, and as an introvert myself, I found her believable in her distress. Well, only up to a certain point, because she sure had no trouble walking up that freaking aisle. Her family was fun and supportive, and her friend, Martine, was a fiery BFF. Hell, even her boss, Sam, was a decent character for the small amount of time he gets in the spotlight. But good secondary characters cannot make up for the deficiencies in a MC... yes, I’m lookin’ at you Maxwell.
Anyway, I found the flaws of the characters, especially Max, too problematic to enjoy this story as much as I may have many moons ago.
2 stars ⭐️ (only because of Sam and Martine)
Update 2024: Accidentally reread this after Kindle had a hissy fit and deleted all my library. Still agree with my 2019 review. Maxwell is very self-assured, and as arrogant as he pleases, and has no qualms in putting his wants over her needs. I still heartily disliked their ‘relationship’ and honestly wonder how he thought what he’d done to her, under the guise of a business deal, was not bad enough that he could then convert it into an ‘actual’ relationship because he felt like he was getting the short end of the stick. Honestly infuriating… may bump it down to 1.5 stars 🤬
November 2, 2015
This is not my idea of fun. I tried to like the story but the hero was a kind of bully.
Max comes in Claire's life to gain some information. He woos and dates her to get her out of her security zone. When at last she comes out of it, and Max has that information, the truth suddenly is out. Of course Claire is angry but her reaction didn't suffice.
The story is whether she will forgive him or go back inside her shell.
Spoiler
( We all know what happens. The hero bullies her throughout the book. I can't help but not like both the characters. Seriously? He actually cheated and lied to her, broke her trust and then he has the gall to come and ask ( oh wait , command) her to marry him.
Three okay stars.
Max comes in Claire's life to gain some information. He woos and dates her to get her out of her security zone. When at last she comes out of it, and Max has that information, the truth suddenly is out. Of course Claire is angry but her reaction didn't suffice.
The story is whether she will forgive him or go back inside her shell.
Spoiler
( We all know what happens. The hero bullies her throughout the book. I can't help but not like both the characters. Seriously? He actually cheated and lied to her, broke her trust and then he has the gall to come and ask ( oh wait , command) her to marry him.
Three okay stars.
March 13, 2022
I skipped the first 100 pages of the book (it’s 250 pages). Because I had no patience to them getting to know each other and all the bla bla. This book could have done with less pages.
Anyway, the part that I’ve read (about 150 pages), was good. Linda Howard is an outstanding writer.
As for the H, I like that he is an arrogant alpha male and I like his sex drive, haha!
What I hated, is that she didn’t make him grovel. She was too weak, not only for him, but also careerwise and in other aspects.
No big deal was made out of it and she was immediately forgiven by her employer for her betrayal to him. But she did tell company secrets to the H who was still almost a stranger at that time. Nahh.
The h wasn’t a virgin by the way. She was a widow.
Anyway, the part that I’ve read (about 150 pages), was good. Linda Howard is an outstanding writer.
As for the H, I like that he is an arrogant alpha male and I like his sex drive, haha!
What I hated, is that she didn’t make him grovel. She was too weak, not only for him, but also careerwise and in other aspects.
No big deal was made out of it and she was immediately forgiven by her employer for her betrayal to him. But she did tell company secrets to the H who was still almost a stranger at that time. Nahh.
The h wasn’t a virgin by the way. She was a widow.
September 3, 2015
I loved it!
I loved it better than Sarah's Child, because the ending is satisfying! Even though I really feel that Max in this book is a complete different person, I still enjoyed it. Linda Howard has a way of creating real and relatable characters. I feel like Claire, because I find her actions and her choices similar with mine. I love how vulnerable yet strong she is. Max.. Well, what can I say, even though he's being the "bad guy" here, he's still one of my favorite Hero.
Overall, this book is my favorite! Even though I was expecting more drama with Max "revealing" scene, but hey, beggars can't be choosers, right? Hehe. Can't wait to read Derek's story!
I loved it better than Sarah's Child, because the ending is satisfying! Even though I really feel that Max in this book is a complete different person, I still enjoyed it. Linda Howard has a way of creating real and relatable characters. I feel like Claire, because I find her actions and her choices similar with mine. I love how vulnerable yet strong she is. Max.. Well, what can I say, even though he's being the "bad guy" here, he's still one of my favorite Hero.
Overall, this book is my favorite! Even though I was expecting more drama with Max "revealing" scene, but hey, beggars can't be choosers, right? Hehe. Can't wait to read Derek's story!
June 4, 2016
Read first in 2007
Re-read a few times between 2007 and 2010
re-read again, in 2011 for the battle game ;)
New reading : July 2015 and still awesome.
Re-read a few times between 2007 and 2010
re-read again, in 2011 for the battle game ;)
New reading : July 2015 and still awesome.
September 7, 2011
It pissed me off, the first book I've read where I disliked both the hero and heroine.
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