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New York Times bestselling author Barbara Delinsky shares her special magic in this poignant tale, first published in 1983, of past mistakes and second chances. It's been eight years since Sara McCray has seen her ex-husband, Jeff Parker, after she fled their San Francisco mansion and stifling life controlled by his domineering mother. But the naive young bride has returned a confident woman with her own business. Jeff, too, has changed. Since his mother's death he's become his own man, masterfully in control of the family business and estate.When they meet, the strong attraction that brought them together long ago is reawakened. But when Jeff asks Sara to stay, his offer has little to do with romance. Now Sara must Does she dare be just a business partner with a man she's never stopped loving? Or does she turn her back on what may be her one chance for happiness?
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1983
167 people are currently reading
345 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Delinsky
307 books4,356 followersI was born and raised in suburban Boston. My mother’s death, when I was eight, was the defining event of a childhood that was otherwise ordinary. I took piano lessons and flute lessons. I took ballroom dancing lessons. I went to summer camp through my fifteenth year (in Maine, which explains the setting of so many of my stories), then spent my sixteenth summer learning to type and to drive (two skills that have served me better than all of my other high school courses combined). I earned a B.A. in Psychology at Tufts University and an M.A. in Sociology at Boston College. The motivation behind the M.A. was sheer greed. My husband was just starting law school. We needed the money.
Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.
I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.
My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.
My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013. Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015. Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.
2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky
Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.
I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.
My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.
My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013. Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015. Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.
2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 17, 2018
This was an early novel - 80s. It was short with little plot, but the characters were endearing. It was a cheerful story.
May 20, 2022
This book had an interesting storyline that kept me intrigued and reading; however, the intimate scenes were a tad too sexy for me. I’m not a prude but they were pretty steamy.
September 26, 2011
This one was a little too wordy for me, not enough dialoge. Could have used a little less description also, but otherwise, it was a simple read, nice on a quiet day.
December 27, 2016
I read this book because my friend and I bought each other romance bundles at half price, but duuuuuuuude.
So it's from 1983 and reads like it. It has all the high powered ladies with shoulder pads empowerment you expect from the era, along with a whole heaping of emotional manipulation from the dude on the question of motherhood. So pointed, in fact, that the orphaned child of their dead best friends is used as a bargaining chip to manipulate her into a marriage of convenience, which is only actually convenient for him and means she has to fly back and forth to New York every couple of days.
So. I didn't particularly like it, no.
So it's from 1983 and reads like it. It has all the high powered ladies with shoulder pads empowerment you expect from the era, along with a whole heaping of emotional manipulation from the dude on the question of motherhood. So pointed, in fact, that the orphaned child of their dead best friends is used as a bargaining chip to manipulate her into a marriage of convenience, which is only actually convenient for him and means she has to fly back and forth to New York every couple of days.
So. I didn't particularly like it, no.
January 15, 2024
A good read on a cold winter day. Sara McCray has returned to San Francisco after eight years for the funeral of two friends and has come face to face with her ex-husband Jeff Parker. She had left as a naive young bride and returned a composed and successful woman with her own custom jewelry firm in New York City. Jeff has changed too. After his mother's death, he has become his own man and is fully in control of the family business. Jeff and Sara are awakened immediately and they spend the night together. Then Jeff asks Sara to stay in San Francisco, his offer has nothing to do with romance. A pretty good read!
November 22, 2019
Wow this book dragged me in right away. I didn’t want to put it down. This book was well written and really good at showing the ups and downs of a relationship. The imagery used really helps to set the scene and I really enjoyed that this book went back and forth between the main characters. You know what each one is thinking, which make you feel for the characters even more. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes romance and action packed books.
August 22, 2018
Happy Endings..every now and then you need to read one...quick read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2019
Pretty basic romance.
September 17, 2019
A typical lovestory with a few surprises thrown in. Does make you think about how our families affect our marriages but also how time and maturity can change a relationship.
March 21, 2020
1st time I read this author and I liked her reading style. It was easy to read and it was a cute love
story!!
story!!
August 5, 2020
A great quick read.
Currently reading
April 17, 2023Good book, fast read
Read
January 8, 2024I enjoyed the story line and getting to know the characters involved. Some surprises add interest.
July 31, 2025
Quick and easy read! Great author!
April 10, 2009
This was a nice, easy, afternoon read!
From back cover:
"It's been eight years since Sara McCray has seen her ex-husband, Jeff Parker, after she fled their San Francisco mansion and stifling life controlled by his domineering mother. But the naive young bride has returned a confident woman with her own business. Jeff, too, has changed. Since his mother's death he's become his own man, masterfully in control of the family business and estate.
When they meet, the strong attraction that brought them together long ago is reawakened. But when Jeff asks Sara to stay, his offer has little to do with romance. Now Sara must decide: Does she dare be just a business partner with a man she's never stopped loving? Or does she turn her back on what may be her one chance for happiness?"
From back cover:
"It's been eight years since Sara McCray has seen her ex-husband, Jeff Parker, after she fled their San Francisco mansion and stifling life controlled by his domineering mother. But the naive young bride has returned a confident woman with her own business. Jeff, too, has changed. Since his mother's death he's become his own man, masterfully in control of the family business and estate.
When they meet, the strong attraction that brought them together long ago is reawakened. But when Jeff asks Sara to stay, his offer has little to do with romance. Now Sara must decide: Does she dare be just a business partner with a man she's never stopped loving? Or does she turn her back on what may be her one chance for happiness?"
August 10, 2012
Ohh. It's really a lovely romantic novel. Very easy to read. At first I thought... what kind is this? Just because of a very shallow and petty proposal they're gonna remarry? But then I realized the depth of the decisions that they made. Tugged my heartstrings to the fullest! It's not my fave Delinsky book though but it's alright. Hihi. :)
March 25, 2017
This was my least favorite of Barbara Delinsky's books that I've read so far. It seemed almost feudal in the relationship between Jeff and Sara. He can't possibly believe the situation he's set up for her will be acceptable, and....well, it's just not as believable a story as I usually enjoy from this author.
September 19, 2011
Very 80's glamour. Sara and her ex has been divorced for 8 years and she comes home to a funeral for their friends and Jeff has the couple's little girl. He makes a crazy proposal and maybe it just might work.
306 pages
306 pages
December 31, 2011
Another good Barbara Delinsky book, not as raw or as emotional as While my Sister Sleeps or a few of her other books. This one is more of a cold winter pajama day wrapped up in a Snuggie sipping hot chocolate easy to read romance. As always the writing and storyline flows effortless.
July 17, 2013
Greetings,
I have read this book earlier which made me go through gaining knowledge on gemstones.
And so i visited Gemstoneuniverse which is located in bangalore and had a wonderful experience over there. It have variety of jyotish quality gemstones at http://www.gemstoneuniverse.com
Thank You
I have read this book earlier which made me go through gaining knowledge on gemstones.
And so i visited Gemstoneuniverse which is located in bangalore and had a wonderful experience over there. It have variety of jyotish quality gemstones at http://www.gemstoneuniverse.com
Thank You
May 11, 2017
i really enjoyed this books but then again i haven't read one of her books i didn't like
October 10, 2015
2.5 stars.
June 8, 2016
A fast reading love story. The deal is made but the two lovers must finally admit to each other that they have that lasting love. An interesting story but not too much meat to it.
July 17, 2009
Really good book!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews