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One More Valentine
When James Rafferty died in a hail of bullets in the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, that should have been it. But for almost 90 years he’s returned to Chicago on February 14th, just long enough to fall in love and break the curse.
But Rafferty doesn’t believe in love. Not until he runs afoul of district attorney Helen Emerson, with her huge family of cops and her luminous brown eyes, and maybe, just maybe, his time in limbo is over.
But one of his old friends is in trouble, another is on a murderous rampage, and Helen is in the midst of everything, determined not to give in, even to him.
He knows she loves him, but is it enough? Or will a murderer manage to get to her before Rafferty can stop him?
Does he have a chance in hell of learning to love in a short 48 hours?
But Rafferty doesn’t believe in love. Not until he runs afoul of district attorney Helen Emerson, with her huge family of cops and her luminous brown eyes, and maybe, just maybe, his time in limbo is over.
But one of his old friends is in trouble, another is on a murderous rampage, and Helen is in the midst of everything, determined not to give in, even to him.
He knows she loves him, but is it enough? Or will a murderer manage to get to her before Rafferty can stop him?
Does he have a chance in hell of learning to love in a short 48 hours?
212 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1993
About the author
Anne Stuart
207 books2,081 followersAnne Stuart is a grandmaster of the genre, winner of Romance Writers of America's prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, survivor of more than thirty-five years in the romance business, and still just keeps getting better.
Her first novel was Barrett's Hill, a gothic romance published by Ballantine in 1974 when Anne had just turned 25. Since then she's written more gothics, regencies, romantic suspense, romantic adventure, series romance, suspense, historical romance, paranormal and mainstream contemporary romance for publishers such as Doubleday, Harlequin, Silhouette, Avon, Zebra, St. Martins Press, Berkley, Dell, Pocket Books and Fawcett.
She’s won numerous awards, appeared on most bestseller lists, and speaks all over the country. Her general outrageousness has gotten her on Entertainment Tonight, as well as in Vogue, People, USA Today, Women’s Day and countless other national newspapers and magazines.
When she’s not traveling, she’s at home in Northern Vermont with her luscious husband of thirty-six years, an empty nest, three cats, four sewing machines, and one Springer Spaniel, and when she’s not working she’s watching movies, listening to rock and roll (preferably Japanese) and spending far too much time quilting.
Anne Stuart also writes as Kristina Douglas.
Her first novel was Barrett's Hill, a gothic romance published by Ballantine in 1974 when Anne had just turned 25. Since then she's written more gothics, regencies, romantic suspense, romantic adventure, series romance, suspense, historical romance, paranormal and mainstream contemporary romance for publishers such as Doubleday, Harlequin, Silhouette, Avon, Zebra, St. Martins Press, Berkley, Dell, Pocket Books and Fawcett.
She’s won numerous awards, appeared on most bestseller lists, and speaks all over the country. Her general outrageousness has gotten her on Entertainment Tonight, as well as in Vogue, People, USA Today, Women’s Day and countless other national newspapers and magazines.
When she’s not traveling, she’s at home in Northern Vermont with her luscious husband of thirty-six years, an empty nest, three cats, four sewing machines, and one Springer Spaniel, and when she’s not working she’s watching movies, listening to rock and roll (preferably Japanese) and spending far too much time quilting.
Anne Stuart also writes as Kristina Douglas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
December 25, 2019
2.5 stars
April 27, 2018
I enjoyed this even though the whole romance took over the course of two days and the whole coming alive for two days things was bizarre but Anne really knows how to make you feel the characters emotions and the chemistry between them.
May 20, 2010
Leave it up to Anne Stuart to write a book to commemorate Valentine's Day and then give it the twist of plot that involves bringing someone back from the dead, murder, gangsters, and the St. Valentine's Day Massacre! She pulls it off and then some!
Rafferty was a "lovable" hero. He was completely out of sync in the 1990's (being that he was from the 20's!) I laughed as he struggles with the culture shock that would undoubtably happen if you only got to live 2 days a year!
Helen and Rafferty's romance was very quick to happen...but believable! How does she do that? This is a quick, unique, and fun Valentine's Day romance...save it for next year and read it on Feb 13th!
Rafferty was a "lovable" hero. He was completely out of sync in the 1990's (being that he was from the 20's!) I laughed as he struggles with the culture shock that would undoubtably happen if you only got to live 2 days a year!
Helen and Rafferty's romance was very quick to happen...but believable! How does she do that? This is a quick, unique, and fun Valentine's Day romance...save it for next year and read it on Feb 13th!
October 17, 2008
Reread on Kindle Text to Speech completed in the month of August, 2014
Anne Stuart has taken the events of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre and created a "What If?" scenario that turns out to be a very satisfying romance.
James Rafferty and six of his friends were murdered in the infamous massacre, but they didn't stay gone. Every year, they came back for 48 hours between February 13 and February 15th. And the lucky ones, if they fall in love with a woman, they are able to stay and lead a normal life.
James has been doing this for sixty years. He has given up on the the idea that he can find a woman who will love him. Instead, he merely enjoys his 48hrs of existence, before next year comes after again.
This time, he has to help an old friend out of a fix, and meets Helen Emerson, not his 'type of girl' at all. But is she the woman who will finally end his limbo?
Only Ms. Stuart could take a dodgy concept like this and make me eat it up like dessert. I think a lot of that hinges on the incredible chemistry she creates between Jamey and Helen. Not to mention that Jamey is the kind of bad boy that you can't help loving, even when your rational brain tells you he's a bad bet. He's just all kinds of charismatic. Helen is very likable, a woman who holds her own against a compelling man like Jamey, without compromising who she is. I liked that she was still a virgin at the age of 29. Her experience is somewhat opposite Jamey's, coming up in a cop family and he was on the wrong side of the law.
Billy is a sweetheart. Not what you'd expect for a gangster, but that was the point of this story. Maybe those guys weren't all as bad as we think, considering they were gangsters and were part of a gangland war that tore the city of Chicago apart. Maybe some of them were family men trying to do the best they could for their situation during a tough time.
I actually liked the idea of these guys getting a 'second chance' until they made it right. I'll always be romantic enough to believe that love conquers all. In fiction, there is no getting over exploring that concept for me. In fact I seek out books where love does win out against incredible obstacles.
Another thing I love about this book is the setting of Chicago. I grew up a half hour from this great city of the Midwest, and it still holds a charm for me. Since I don't get to go back often, it's always a treat and a welcome experience to visit in the fiction I read.
As much as I admire all her work, I really do miss Ms. Stuart's contemporary romances she wrote for Harlequin. At least I can revisit those in rereads.
Anne Stuart has taken the events of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre and created a "What If?" scenario that turns out to be a very satisfying romance.
James Rafferty and six of his friends were murdered in the infamous massacre, but they didn't stay gone. Every year, they came back for 48 hours between February 13 and February 15th. And the lucky ones, if they fall in love with a woman, they are able to stay and lead a normal life.
James has been doing this for sixty years. He has given up on the the idea that he can find a woman who will love him. Instead, he merely enjoys his 48hrs of existence, before next year comes after again.
This time, he has to help an old friend out of a fix, and meets Helen Emerson, not his 'type of girl' at all. But is she the woman who will finally end his limbo?
Only Ms. Stuart could take a dodgy concept like this and make me eat it up like dessert. I think a lot of that hinges on the incredible chemistry she creates between Jamey and Helen. Not to mention that Jamey is the kind of bad boy that you can't help loving, even when your rational brain tells you he's a bad bet. He's just all kinds of charismatic. Helen is very likable, a woman who holds her own against a compelling man like Jamey, without compromising who she is. I liked that she was still a virgin at the age of 29. Her experience is somewhat opposite Jamey's, coming up in a cop family and he was on the wrong side of the law.
Billy is a sweetheart. Not what you'd expect for a gangster, but that was the point of this story. Maybe those guys weren't all as bad as we think, considering they were gangsters and were part of a gangland war that tore the city of Chicago apart. Maybe some of them were family men trying to do the best they could for their situation during a tough time.
I actually liked the idea of these guys getting a 'second chance' until they made it right. I'll always be romantic enough to believe that love conquers all. In fiction, there is no getting over exploring that concept for me. In fact I seek out books where love does win out against incredible obstacles.
Another thing I love about this book is the setting of Chicago. I grew up a half hour from this great city of the Midwest, and it still holds a charm for me. Since I don't get to go back often, it's always a treat and a welcome experience to visit in the fiction I read.
As much as I admire all her work, I really do miss Ms. Stuart's contemporary romances she wrote for Harlequin. At least I can revisit those in rereads.
November 28, 2017
This is a fun and quick read, one of Anne Stuart’s earlier book.
The hero is a ghost, he was one of seven gang members who had been slaughtered in one gangs related war in a Valentine Day in year 1929.
One year after they got killed all those gang members got a second chance, once a year for two days in a Valentine day they would alive. All those things continue happened until they found love which will make them continue living and only died in natural causes later on.
One by one those things happened to the all gangster except the hero, he seriously believed that was not his faith, but of course he didn’t meet the heroine yet:)
This H is an Alpha Male, he wasn’t the usual Anne Stuart’s bastard gamma hero, he kind of sweet really and the heroine is not bad either.
If you can forget about him being alive again, this one feels more like Contemporary Romance than PNR and definitely a fun read!:)
The hero is a ghost, he was one of seven gang members who had been slaughtered in one gangs related war in a Valentine Day in year 1929.
One year after they got killed all those gang members got a second chance, once a year for two days in a Valentine day they would alive. All those things continue happened until they found love which will make them continue living and only died in natural causes later on.
One by one those things happened to the all gangster except the hero, he seriously believed that was not his faith, but of course he didn’t meet the heroine yet:)
This H is an Alpha Male, he wasn’t the usual Anne Stuart’s bastard gamma hero, he kind of sweet really and the heroine is not bad either.
If you can forget about him being alive again, this one feels more like Contemporary Romance than PNR and definitely a fun read!:)
August 26, 2018
As a romance reader who has an undying and unabashed love for all that is Anne Stuart’s books and her heroes, I have this wish that I would never run out of her books to read. That is one reason why I try to exercise caution and space out books from her and save them for the days when I NEED to read an Anne Stuart. When all the mushy reads with heroes who capitulate too easily get too much for me, I pick up an Anne Stuart, knowing that it would chase away those blues that only she can.
One More Valentine is a bizarre read in many ways. It deals with a hero who has been dead for sixty four years, who gets the chance to “live” for 48 hours every year. This time period coincides with the Valentine’s Day, the anniversary of the massacre that had killed James Sheridan Rafferty.
Assistant Prosecutor, Helen Emerson dreads the arrival of the Valentine’s Day every year. Single and in love with the old building which houses her apartment, Helen is a woman who stands out from the rest, not because she is a beauty of the kind that makes heads turn. She has strange dreams that she cannot make much sense out of, and a love for an era that had come and gone even before she was born into this world.
When Rafferty turns up on her doorstep, Helen wrongly assumes that he is from the defendant’s team on a case she is trying. Soon enough though, she learns that Rafferty is not exactly what he portrays himself to be. Thrown together by circumstance more than anything else, Rafferty is not altogether too happy with the idea of wasting his 48 hours “alive” babysitting Helen, a woman who disturbs his peace in more ways than one.
Helen is the direct opposite of the type of women that Rafferty usually goes for – the uncomplicated variety with whom he can have fun and leave when his brief sojourn on Earth is up for the year. Yet, he is drawn to Helen and irrevocably so, and in the span of the 48 hour period, Rafferty learns that there is no running from destiny that is determined to play catch up.
Helen is an innocent in a lot of ways, and the carnal desire that Rafferty invokes in her so effortlessly should be reason to scare her away, but in Rafferty, Helen finds the kind of man that she could definitely fall for, and fall hard. With danger courting her very existence, an old enemy of Rafferty’s out to wreak havoc and vengeance, Rafferty has no choice but to stick by Helen’s side, even if it means making himself vulnerable in return.
I loved the story, as strange as the premise and plot line seemed to be. There is no denying that Anne Stuart is a master storyteller, no matter what trope she chooses to write. In Rafferty, she brings the sort of hero who seems brusque and out of touch when it comes to courting a woman who is considered to be marriage material. And Rafferty steers clear of Helen’s kind for a reason. But there is no stopping the tide of desire that catches them both, tugging, cajoling, and enticing until there is no choice, but to give in.
I loved both Helen and Rafferty in equal doses. Helen gives as good as she gets, one reason why Rafferty has such a hard time turning away from her, though he tries his hardest to do so. The streak of independence that is a core characteristic of Helen infuriates and entices him in equal doses. I fell head over heels with the ending. When Anne Stuart decides to deliver a good ending, she does it spectacularly well, with just the right touch and flair.
Recommended!
Final Verdict: One More Valentine is the kind of novel that should be read on a rainy day, cozied up in bed, with a cup of hot steaming tea right next to you. The feels; they just explode with this little number!
Rating = 4.25/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit, www.maldivianbookreviewer.com
One More Valentine is a bizarre read in many ways. It deals with a hero who has been dead for sixty four years, who gets the chance to “live” for 48 hours every year. This time period coincides with the Valentine’s Day, the anniversary of the massacre that had killed James Sheridan Rafferty.
Assistant Prosecutor, Helen Emerson dreads the arrival of the Valentine’s Day every year. Single and in love with the old building which houses her apartment, Helen is a woman who stands out from the rest, not because she is a beauty of the kind that makes heads turn. She has strange dreams that she cannot make much sense out of, and a love for an era that had come and gone even before she was born into this world.
When Rafferty turns up on her doorstep, Helen wrongly assumes that he is from the defendant’s team on a case she is trying. Soon enough though, she learns that Rafferty is not exactly what he portrays himself to be. Thrown together by circumstance more than anything else, Rafferty is not altogether too happy with the idea of wasting his 48 hours “alive” babysitting Helen, a woman who disturbs his peace in more ways than one.
Helen is the direct opposite of the type of women that Rafferty usually goes for – the uncomplicated variety with whom he can have fun and leave when his brief sojourn on Earth is up for the year. Yet, he is drawn to Helen and irrevocably so, and in the span of the 48 hour period, Rafferty learns that there is no running from destiny that is determined to play catch up.
Helen is an innocent in a lot of ways, and the carnal desire that Rafferty invokes in her so effortlessly should be reason to scare her away, but in Rafferty, Helen finds the kind of man that she could definitely fall for, and fall hard. With danger courting her very existence, an old enemy of Rafferty’s out to wreak havoc and vengeance, Rafferty has no choice but to stick by Helen’s side, even if it means making himself vulnerable in return.
I loved the story, as strange as the premise and plot line seemed to be. There is no denying that Anne Stuart is a master storyteller, no matter what trope she chooses to write. In Rafferty, she brings the sort of hero who seems brusque and out of touch when it comes to courting a woman who is considered to be marriage material. And Rafferty steers clear of Helen’s kind for a reason. But there is no stopping the tide of desire that catches them both, tugging, cajoling, and enticing until there is no choice, but to give in.
I loved both Helen and Rafferty in equal doses. Helen gives as good as she gets, one reason why Rafferty has such a hard time turning away from her, though he tries his hardest to do so. The streak of independence that is a core characteristic of Helen infuriates and entices him in equal doses. I fell head over heels with the ending. When Anne Stuart decides to deliver a good ending, she does it spectacularly well, with just the right touch and flair.
Recommended!
Final Verdict: One More Valentine is the kind of novel that should be read on a rainy day, cozied up in bed, with a cup of hot steaming tea right next to you. The feels; they just explode with this little number!
Rating = 4.25/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit, www.maldivianbookreviewer.com
December 26, 2017
What will you do if you'll find yourself keep returning from the dead every year just to disappear to nothing after 48 hours?
James Sheridan Rafferty had been dead for sixty-four years, brutally killed on tragic massacre that happen one day before Valentine Day.
But then he found himself back to the world every year with no specific reason or clue on how and why he 'come back' to the place he used to live.
For two days, James will spend his 'precious' time from moving from bed to another bed with different women before he going back to the non-exist wold and waiting for another year pass before he come back to the Chicago. Living what he so called 'a useless life'...
But there's something different with James 'visit' on this year. For the first time he met with the woman who make him 'feel' and he want not just one night with her.
When he know that her life is in danger, James start doing things to keep the woman life from being kill. But with only 48 hours limit time he have, will he save the woman who had captive his heart in less than 48 hours time?
What will happen if fate then sucked him back to the non-exist world before he could do something to prevent her life from the killer who want her life?
🍀🍀🍀
The story was originally published at January 1993 and no, I didn't know this book until I accidentally saw the new cover that successfully grab my full attention. And when I read the blurb, I get curious even more.
So I decided to read it and finished it in one sitting.
For a short story, the story successfully gripped me right from the start and consumed me until the last page in a very short time. And I WANT to know what will happen next with James and the woman he start to love.
With all the suspense things that happen, you can still found the humor side in the story when James have this 'culture shock' every time he come back to the world. That what will happen if you only have 48 hours to 'live' a real normal life every year!
With the author notes that she made this fiction based on the true events about a massacre that happened on the morning of February 14, 1929, in an old garage in Chicago, I must admit that it grow the curiosity even more.
It fun and quick reading but I feel satisfied when I finished this book.
July 24, 2021
This was an interesting read. Not really my cuppa tea but I still enjoyed certain aspects of the story. The plot was exciting, the romance cute and there were a lot of funny moments. It was a bit crude for my taste and contained a couple explicit scene so I skipped through those.
Content: Mild language, mild violence
Content: Mild language, mild violence
December 29, 2012
I never read a book a second time, but once I realized I had read this one I still didn't want to stop. I guess that shows how much I love Stuart's books.
James Rafferty was killed in the St Patrick's Day Massacre, but he comes back every year on the anniversary of his death along with everyone that was killed with him. They have 48 hours in the present then go back into a kind of limbo until the next year. The only way to break the cycle/curse is to fall in love. Then they end up staying in that year to live the rest of their natural life.
Rafferty uses each of his years to drink, booze, and have sex. This year is different. His younger buddy is in jail about to be imprisoned and needs his help with the prosecutor. Billy was forced into the crime by one of the other criminals that was in the current lifetime. Rafferty ends up having to stay to protect the female asst prosecutor from a hit.
I am on 71 out of 196 pages and loving it the second time around.
James Rafferty was killed in the St Patrick's Day Massacre, but he comes back every year on the anniversary of his death along with everyone that was killed with him. They have 48 hours in the present then go back into a kind of limbo until the next year. The only way to break the cycle/curse is to fall in love. Then they end up staying in that year to live the rest of their natural life.
Rafferty uses each of his years to drink, booze, and have sex. This year is different. His younger buddy is in jail about to be imprisoned and needs his help with the prosecutor. Billy was forced into the crime by one of the other criminals that was in the current lifetime. Rafferty ends up having to stay to protect the female asst prosecutor from a hit.
I am on 71 out of 196 pages and loving it the second time around.
February 12, 2016
I read this book years ago, and really enjoyed re-reading it. It does feel slightly dated, but at the same time, that is part of it's charm. I really enjoyed the premise and the slightly suspenseful plot. Where I would normally complain about a rushed relationship, the author gives us a valid reason for it, and makes it very believable! Helen and Rafferty are both strong characters that learn to lean on one another when necessary. While it is a shorter read, it was a very enjoyable one!
April 22, 2013
Featured in 'Anne Stuart's Out of Print Gems'.
May 8, 2026
NE MORE VALENTINE 🚬
Un delizioso (mafia) romance con tratti paranormal. Un gioiellino decisamente inaspettato che mi ha tenuta incollata alle pagine!
TRAMA
James Rafferty è morto il giorno di San Valentino del 1929 assieme ad altri sei uomini, nella famosa, omonima strage. Per qualcosa di inspiegabile ogni anno dalla sua morte torna per soli due giorni, sempre a febbraio. Mentre i suoi compagni hanno spezzato la maledizione innamorandosi e riuscendo a rimanere, James non è in grado di amare: freddo, sarcastico, calcolatore. Nulla lo scalfisce. Finché non incontra il procuratore Helen Emerson. Lui è un gangster degli anni Venti con le ore contate, lei un’avvocato degli anni Novanta che nasconde un cuore tenero e indomito. Non le migliori premesse, soprattutto quando una vecchia conoscenza è decisa a togliere da mezzo Helen…
Bellissimo. Mi è piaciuto proprio tanto. Scritto in terza persona con quella grazia coinvolgente di altri tempi e uno sguardo totale e totalizzante sui personaggi e i loro sentimenti. La scrittura è così elegante e la narrazione così corposa che Jamey e Helen sembrano reali. Anche se lui è di fatto un fantasma. Ed è meraviglioso, sia le sue reazioni che il suo senso dell’umorismo che il suo essere sempre e comunque un gentleman. E Helen? Tosta davvero, ma anche una donna che vuole innamorarsi. Consigliato per una coccola con un bel po di suspense!
VOTO: 5/5
Un delizioso (mafia) romance con tratti paranormal. Un gioiellino decisamente inaspettato che mi ha tenuta incollata alle pagine!
TRAMA
James Rafferty è morto il giorno di San Valentino del 1929 assieme ad altri sei uomini, nella famosa, omonima strage. Per qualcosa di inspiegabile ogni anno dalla sua morte torna per soli due giorni, sempre a febbraio. Mentre i suoi compagni hanno spezzato la maledizione innamorandosi e riuscendo a rimanere, James non è in grado di amare: freddo, sarcastico, calcolatore. Nulla lo scalfisce. Finché non incontra il procuratore Helen Emerson. Lui è un gangster degli anni Venti con le ore contate, lei un’avvocato degli anni Novanta che nasconde un cuore tenero e indomito. Non le migliori premesse, soprattutto quando una vecchia conoscenza è decisa a togliere da mezzo Helen…
Bellissimo. Mi è piaciuto proprio tanto. Scritto in terza persona con quella grazia coinvolgente di altri tempi e uno sguardo totale e totalizzante sui personaggi e i loro sentimenti. La scrittura è così elegante e la narrazione così corposa che Jamey e Helen sembrano reali. Anche se lui è di fatto un fantasma. Ed è meraviglioso, sia le sue reazioni che il suo senso dell’umorismo che il suo essere sempre e comunque un gentleman. E Helen? Tosta davvero, ma anche una donna che vuole innamorarsi. Consigliato per una coccola con un bel po di suspense!
VOTO: 5/5
January 26, 2019
It took me a while reading this book, but it was really interesting. I recently started reading Stuart's early works and some of the previous books have dealt with a supernatural theme. This book caught my attention because the main character James Rafferty, is a ghost that gets a chance every Valentine's Day to be alive for 48 hours. This time one of his friends from the past gets in trouble with the law and gets to meet Helen, a prosecutor in charge of his friend's case. The story then turns around when Helen's life is in danger and James needs to convince her that she needs protection from a crazy assassin, giving them time to get to know each other and eventually fall in love during that period of time. The ending was sweet due to the realization James makes in the reason why he was given a chance to come back and that was in loving himself as well as loving someone with intensity.
May 13, 2021
Listen to the audio in one day. The narrator's low voice help you dive into this short story and pass the fact the protagonists fall deep in love to each other in a fortnight... I liked the magical aspect with him coming back to life every year for Saint Valentine's Day, and the gangsta aspect of his character seeking for redemption. It's cute to see Rafferty discovering some aspects of the 90's with Helen, but it didn't all aged well.
Less fan of the virgin heroin at almost 30. Please, it's expected from my historicals but I don't want it in my contemporaries.
I struggled at first with the masochist hero, with his old fashion ways of thinking about women. Because Helen wears trousers, she must be "some wild men hater" and "probably only slept with women"... Not a good start. But as Rafferty gets to know her, and vis-versa, the feelings evolve and we get attached to them and hope they'll get they HEA.
Less fan of the virgin heroin at almost 30. Please, it's expected from my historicals but I don't want it in my contemporaries.
I struggled at first with the masochist hero, with his old fashion ways of thinking about women. Because Helen wears trousers, she must be "some wild men hater" and "probably only slept with women"... Not a good start. But as Rafferty gets to know her, and vis-versa, the feelings evolve and we get attached to them and hope they'll get they HEA.
September 14, 2017
This was one of the first romance novellas I read in my young teenage days. I was 14-15 and used to sneak them from my mother. This story stuck with me as I remembered it years later. Maybe due to the sexy, taboo nature of reading a romance novel for the first time? Maybe due to the interesting premise?
Thanks to Reddit for helping me track down the author and title as I wanted to find it and reread it. Guess what? It holds up. The story is really good. It's a little silly the characters get together so quickly but the chemistry works. I kind of wish it was a series. I feel like we could have seen all the men who came back from the massacre find love and their stories.
Also, now I'm obsessed with reading more Anne Stuart. I like her style.
Thanks to Reddit for helping me track down the author and title as I wanted to find it and reread it. Guess what? It holds up. The story is really good. It's a little silly the characters get together so quickly but the chemistry works. I kind of wish it was a series. I feel like we could have seen all the men who came back from the massacre find love and their stories.
Also, now I'm obsessed with reading more Anne Stuart. I like her style.
February 12, 2023
I went into One More Valentine completely blind, and it wasn’t at all what I expected from the cover. James Rafferty, who died in the famous Valentine’s Day massacre, comes back to life for 48 hours around Valentine’s Day every year. There is a romance in the story, but it wasn’t a strong romance. However, I very much enjoyed the time travel aspect and hearing about all of the changes over time. I enjoyed his speech as he was still very much a product of the 20s and all of the other things that went with it. That became to appeal to me with this story. 4 Stars
March 5, 2024
Not entirely my cup of tea, but not bad. It was a cool concept: mafia guy from the days of old somehow comes back to life every Valentines Day. But the lame romance behind it is really predictable and basic. I honestly only listened to this because I needed a book for the challenge "book about holiday you don't celebrate".
March 18, 2021
I didn't expect alot from this book. It was surprisingly good. A story like no other with the odd paranormal story line. The tale was a romance of only 2/3 days however it felt longer whilst reading. Will definitely be looking into more from Anne Stuart
December 15, 2022
Time travel twist
What a great story. Life is full of twists and turns and this novel is a classic. Great characters and a smooth writing style- truly one of the great hits of a talented author.
What a great story. Life is full of twists and turns and this novel is a classic. Great characters and a smooth writing style- truly one of the great hits of a talented author.
June 18, 2024
"One More Valentine" is the story of Helen and Rafferty.
Very insane.
A time travelling gangster who surfaces for 48 hours every valentines day meets the determined heroine and drama ensues. I cant say more than I was very perplexed.
Safe
2/5
Very insane.
A time travelling gangster who surfaces for 48 hours every valentines day meets the determined heroine and drama ensues. I cant say more than I was very perplexed.
Safe
2/5
February 11, 2021
True Love Conquers ALL even Death
May 9, 2021
I like time travelling themes. They are my favorite tropes and this one is no exception. It's short and sweet!
April 23, 2023
I loved this storyline. It flowed well with interesting characters and felt believable in a different sense. I could not put it down. I highly recommend this book.
July 20, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this short read. The story line was of one that I’ve never read before. I look forward to reading more of this type. The book flowed very well and quick. The only thing that got to me was after just ONE day they are professing their love to each other and wanting to plan futures.Strange but it works with this particular story.
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February 5, 2022Anne Stuart is always a worthwhile read for me, even if this is probably my least favorite read of hers. It's a great premise but didn't age well.
February 13, 2012
This was a fun read for February 13! Strangely enough the story rarely strayed to hokey and instead felt like a fairly compelling paranormal- perhaps it's because 1993 now feels as foreign to me as 1929, so the whole story had a fantasty feel to it.
The tight timeframe (48 hours) does not allow for huge development; that said, I wish we had a better grasp on the backgrounds of the leads because their motivations and frames of reference do not always make sense- how is Helen a 29 year old virgin with puppy eyes and a successful career woman and state prosecutor? If Rafferty was never a particularly violent man and was so clever, why not work for someone other than bugs Moran? Finally- if you're going to have a scene mocking the inaccuracies of a bunch of gangster wannabes, you probably should not have Rafferty say that most of his mates were in the gang due to the depression, which did not start until eight months after he died.
All that said, I really liked the book!
The tight timeframe (48 hours) does not allow for huge development; that said, I wish we had a better grasp on the backgrounds of the leads because their motivations and frames of reference do not always make sense- how is Helen a 29 year old virgin with puppy eyes and a successful career woman and state prosecutor? If Rafferty was never a particularly violent man and was so clever, why not work for someone other than bugs Moran? Finally- if you're going to have a scene mocking the inaccuracies of a bunch of gangster wannabes, you probably should not have Rafferty say that most of his mates were in the gang due to the depression, which did not start until eight months after he died.
All that said, I really liked the book!
August 27, 2015
I loved the strong chemistry between James and Helen. This was also pretty fun. James' adjustments to modern life, Helen's resulting bemusement, and his noble attempts to resist her charms were all charming. They fell in love quickly, but it was believable based on their chemistry and backgrounds.
There's no explanation as to why and how James and the other massacre victims were allowed to return, but it didn't bother me too much which is a testament to Stuart's skillful writing. I wondered about it, but it didn't hamper my enjoyment. Minor complaint:
A light and fun romance!
There's no explanation as to why and how James and the other massacre victims were allowed to return, but it didn't bother me too much which is a testament to Stuart's skillful writing. I wondered about it, but it didn't hamper my enjoyment. Minor complaint:
A light and fun romance!
January 9, 2016
So good! Funny and amazingly believable despite the time travelish plot. Jamey was a great hero - very true to his time period but aware enough to make it in the modern world. Since he'd been coming back every year for two days, he already had a sense of what the 1990s were like. Very cute that Helen was into retro and that despite being in her late twenties, she was inexperienced. Jamey held back because of that which gave them time to actual talk and get to know one another, not just have sex.
Funny bits were that her family were all cops, the St Valentine's Day party (until the end), and things like, his gum, his cigarettes, and his underwear! Wonder if he kept dressing 20s style or moved on to Hanes boxer briefs? LOL
Funny bits were that her family were all cops, the St Valentine's Day party (until the end), and things like, his gum, his cigarettes, and his underwear! Wonder if he kept dressing 20s style or moved on to Hanes boxer briefs? LOL
August 23, 2014
Gangster James Rafferty died in the famed Saint Valentine's Day Massacre in 1929. Every year he and 6 others who were gunned down, come back to earth for 48 hours. One by one his companions have found love which enabled them to go on with their lives. Jamey knew he wasn't capable of falling in love...until he met a damsel in distress named Helen Emerson.
I loved this book. Anne Stuart always give us unique plots with unique heroes. The story moved very fast. I couldn't put it down. My rating is 5 Stars.
I loved this book. Anne Stuart always give us unique plots with unique heroes. The story moved very fast. I couldn't put it down. My rating is 5 Stars.
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