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Ένας αδιόρθωτος εργένης
Διάσημος συγγραφέας και ακούραστος γυναικοκατακτητής, ο Μπράντλεϋ Ντέξτερ δεν παύει να έχει και κάποιες αντιπάθειες ανάμεσα στο ασθενές φύλο. Ίσως, γιατί στα γραφτά του σατιρίζει τις γυναίκες και ειρωνεύεται το θεσμό του γάμου. Σ΄αυτή την κατηγορία ανήκει κι η Ρόμπυν Μπάρετ. Κι όταν η τύχη τούς φέρνει κάποτε κοντά, η Ρόμπυν εκμεταλλεύεται τν ευκαιρία, για να δώσει ένα καλό μάθημα στον άντρα, που φαινομενικά αντιπροσωπεύει όλα όσα εκείνη αντιπαθεί. Συχνά όμως τα φαινόμενα απατούν... και τότε τα πράγματα μπερδεύονται...
188 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 1981
5 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Roberta Leigh
113 books66 followersaka Rachel Lindsay, Janey Scott, Rozella Lake
Roberta Leigh was the most frequently used pen name of an author who also published novels as Rachel Lindsay, Rozella Lake, and Janey Scott. Her birth name was Rita Shulman.
Leigh was one of the first romance writers to introduce strong, career-minded heroines who wouldn't be bossed around by the hero.
Leigh had her own film company and wrote and produced 7 TV series for children. She would also "write" the music for her series, although this usually involved her humming or singing the tune into a tape recorder, after which someone else would arrange and write a score.
She studied oil and watercolor painting with Diana Raphael and Michael Chaitow, who her interest in abstract art. Her work has been exhibited at the Podbury Gallery and Finnegan's Gallery in London.
In 1948, she married Michael Lewin and they had a son, Jeremy. Her husband passed away in 1981.
Roberta Leigh was the most frequently used pen name of an author who also published novels as Rachel Lindsay, Rozella Lake, and Janey Scott. Her birth name was Rita Shulman.
Leigh was one of the first romance writers to introduce strong, career-minded heroines who wouldn't be bossed around by the hero.
Leigh had her own film company and wrote and produced 7 TV series for children. She would also "write" the music for her series, although this usually involved her humming or singing the tune into a tape recorder, after which someone else would arrange and write a score.
She studied oil and watercolor painting with Diana Raphael and Michael Chaitow, who her interest in abstract art. Her work has been exhibited at the Podbury Gallery and Finnegan's Gallery in London.
In 1948, she married Michael Lewin and they had a son, Jeremy. Her husband passed away in 1981.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 19, 2022
This is a whacky, almost hilarious take on a virgin bringing a hardened ‘rake’ to heel. The h is one of the smartest, canniest hs I’ve ever read about! No vintage feel to her or the book. It is set in the ‘free love’ days of the 70/80s. Even in contemps, we don’t get such open and conscienceless manhoeing. Of course there are no actual sex scenes, just an unstoppable parade of women walking in and out of his life/bedroom and it continues till more than halfway of the book. So surprisingly, in spite of my very low threshold for such things, I couldn't hate the H as he had a certain likable quality about him.
He is an author who has made millions selling books on his own lifestyle philosophy of unapologetic, almost misogynistic womanizing. The h is his publisher’s secretary who is sent to replace his own secretary who has broken an arm. She lands at his Nice villa, in the middle of what can only be regarded as an orgy. The h is beautiful and poised but a virgin and she decides to pose as a jaded experienced woman, based loosely on a female version of the H to keep him at an arm's length. She keeps throwing his quotes and lines back at him throughout the book and it’s funny to see him flummox and flounder in his endeavor to bed her.
The midway scene in his bedroom between the two was hilarious. I almost fell off my bed laughing!
There are certain things that jar a little.
One of his regulars was just 18 years old- experienced and willing, yes but jaded (‘the dew almost gone’) and it left a bad taste as you can see she didn't' have the emotional maturity for such a life. I wish the author had followed up with her.
The H, I felt, backs off too easily for an experienced womanizer. He never sees through the h’s machinations and inexperience. A modern day H would have been more persistent and easily able to use sex as a weapon against her.
I wish the author had mentioned a redecoration for the orgy-villa or at least that the much used wonder bed had been replaced!
Then the whole story is done in a protracted 9 months but then maybe he needed that much time to turn around his ship!
He is an author who has made millions selling books on his own lifestyle philosophy of unapologetic, almost misogynistic womanizing. The h is his publisher’s secretary who is sent to replace his own secretary who has broken an arm. She lands at his Nice villa, in the middle of what can only be regarded as an orgy. The h is beautiful and poised but a virgin and she decides to pose as a jaded experienced woman, based loosely on a female version of the H to keep him at an arm's length. She keeps throwing his quotes and lines back at him throughout the book and it’s funny to see him flummox and flounder in his endeavor to bed her.
The midway scene in his bedroom between the two was hilarious. I almost fell off my bed laughing!
There are certain things that jar a little.
One of his regulars was just 18 years old- experienced and willing, yes but jaded (‘the dew almost gone’) and it left a bad taste as you can see she didn't' have the emotional maturity for such a life. I wish the author had followed up with her.
The H, I felt, backs off too easily for an experienced womanizer. He never sees through the h’s machinations and inexperience. A modern day H would have been more persistent and easily able to use sex as a weapon against her.
I wish the author had mentioned a redecoration for the orgy-villa or at least that the much used wonder bed had been replaced!
Then the whole story is done in a protracted 9 months but then maybe he needed that much time to turn around his ship!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2014
3.5 stars
A relationship in the span of 9 months. The lead male is a love them and leave them kind of guy and he is an author who writes about basically his lifestyle. He did so much bed hopping, my head was spinning. She is a virgin saving herself for the perfect guy and marriage bed. She pretend to be his female counterpart; quoting back his own words and it takes him 9 months to finally get it.
I really enjoyd reading about Hemish and Alex, and I wanted to slap Brad for going out with Mia, the Singapour airline advertisement look a like psycho, the money hungry bitch, for about a month. He was suppose to be a smart guy but I really didn't see it in this book. His choices of sexual partners said a lot about who he was. Half of these "ladies" were with him because he was really their sugar daddy, the other half were his counterpart.
I thought the plot was dragged a bit longer than neccassary like when she changed jobs which didn't add anything to the direction of the book.
I should also add I am not a fan of manwhores in general. I mean who wants a badly used car clogged with all sort of junks when you can have a nice, shinny newer car that runs smooth. The manwhores like it or not have too much emotional baggage.
A relationship in the span of 9 months. The lead male is a love them and leave them kind of guy and he is an author who writes about basically his lifestyle. He did so much bed hopping, my head was spinning. She is a virgin saving herself for the perfect guy and marriage bed. She pretend to be his female counterpart; quoting back his own words and it takes him 9 months to finally get it.
I really enjoyd reading about Hemish and Alex, and I wanted to slap Brad for going out with Mia, the Singapour airline advertisement look a like psycho, the money hungry bitch, for about a month. He was suppose to be a smart guy but I really didn't see it in this book. His choices of sexual partners said a lot about who he was. Half of these "ladies" were with him because he was really their sugar daddy, the other half were his counterpart.
I thought the plot was dragged a bit longer than neccassary like when she changed jobs which didn't add anything to the direction of the book.
I should also add I am not a fan of manwhores in general. I mean who wants a badly used car clogged with all sort of junks when you can have a nice, shinny newer car that runs smooth. The manwhores like it or not have too much emotional baggage.
October 8, 2020
Too confused about the H because he was awfully manwhore for me. I prefer my heroes not to be able to be OW after meeting heroines but this H was so much into the h thus I forgave him.
July 7, 2014
Light and entertaining with an element of screwball comedy. Here was the Man whore of a ll man whores, but falls hard for the beautiful, but virtuous heroine. She strings him along for most of the book masquerading as a woman much more sophisticated and worldly than she really is. All for the sake of pride and love.
The author pulled no punches when she outlined his debauchery and womanizing ways. Which was surprising give this book was written over 30 years ago. Typically, I would end up disliking a hero like this, but somehow he was very endearing and I found myself developing a bit of a crush on him myself. ; 0 )
The author pulled no punches when she outlined his debauchery and womanizing ways. Which was surprising give this book was written over 30 years ago. Typically, I would end up disliking a hero like this, but somehow he was very endearing and I found myself developing a bit of a crush on him myself. ; 0 )
October 26, 2017
"Confirmed Bachelor" is the story of Robyn and Bradley.
Now first things first- This book is NOT for everyone.
The plot revolves around Bradley, a famous but eccentric writer who writes books about his disaste about them after dating them, lives a Hugh Hefner type of lifestyle filled with orgies and constant flow of many,many women, and has very little respect for the female sex. When he delays his book past deadline because his PA gets sick, the his publisher Morton sends his efficent secretary Robyn to help him out.
Robyn, beautiful and idealistic, is very well aware of the promiscuous nature of the hero, and to protect herself pretends to become the female version of what he preaches- a man user.
The book starts with her staying in his mansion, while he writes and seduces his multiple playthings.
The hero is portrayed as childish, obstinate, chauvinistic, and most likely has STDs. His ego was infuriating, and his work ethic sucks.
The reason I continued reading the book was because the heroine was strong and I liked how she dealt with the pig throughout the book. I loved how she quoted him, threw his written "gems" back at him and called him on his BS.
That being said, since this is a HQN novel, the hero does start to feel pangs of attraction, something which is reciprocated but the h is really smart about it. She baits and hooks him subtly, and literally makes him beg for it. And she doesn't give it up! Ah the sass.
The book spans across 9 months (was the author hinting at his rebirth?? hmm), exploring the feelings the heroine develops, and finding her niche in life- something I enjoyed reading about, because the author wasn't just focused on their love story- but also character development. Liked the whole career change- manuscript- groveling saga.
I wasnt rooting hard for this couple, but the story was super entertaining- and I'm glad they eventually found their HEA. I wished we had an epilogue though
Unsafe by all standards
3.5/5
Now first things first- This book is NOT for everyone.
The plot revolves around Bradley, a famous but eccentric writer who writes books about his disaste about them after dating them, lives a Hugh Hefner type of lifestyle filled with orgies and constant flow of many,many women, and has very little respect for the female sex. When he delays his book past deadline because his PA gets sick, the his publisher Morton sends his efficent secretary Robyn to help him out.
Robyn, beautiful and idealistic, is very well aware of the promiscuous nature of the hero, and to protect herself pretends to become the female version of what he preaches- a man user.
The book starts with her staying in his mansion, while he writes and seduces his multiple playthings.
The hero is portrayed as childish, obstinate, chauvinistic, and most likely has STDs. His ego was infuriating, and his work ethic sucks.
The reason I continued reading the book was because the heroine was strong and I liked how she dealt with the pig throughout the book. I loved how she quoted him, threw his written "gems" back at him and called him on his BS.
That being said, since this is a HQN novel, the hero does start to feel pangs of attraction, something which is reciprocated but the h is really smart about it. She baits and hooks him subtly, and literally makes him beg for it. And she doesn't give it up! Ah the sass.
The book spans across 9 months (was the author hinting at his rebirth?? hmm), exploring the feelings the heroine develops, and finding her niche in life- something I enjoyed reading about, because the author wasn't just focused on their love story- but also character development. Liked the whole career change- manuscript- groveling saga.
I wasnt rooting hard for this couple, but the story was super entertaining- and I'm glad they eventually found their HEA. I wished we had an epilogue though
Unsafe by all standards
3.5/5
September 30, 2012
I could totally see this one as an old Doris Day movie where the innocent heroine pretends to be a sophisticated woman of the world and in the process the sophisticated man of the world tumbles into love with her.
Very enjoyable read!
Very enjoyable read!
February 25, 2017
The most can't-keep-it-in-his-pants manslut Hero ever, but 3 stars for the heroine, who's a really cool chica! Always awesome to have a heroine with quick wits and a good poker face, and this one had a sense of humor to boot!
Robyn's a gorgeous smart secretary who has to temp for and get a book out of famously love-em-and-leave-em author Brad, who literally made his fortune on calling women trash. He is such a hedonistic hoebag! The first day she walks in on a naked orgy/poolside party in his ostentatious villa, aka the Palace of Pleasure.
She's a bright bulb though, and instantly adapts a cynical, experienced persona while assuring him that she's the female version of himself and despises all men. I quite appreciate Robyn, she was very intelligent and made her jaded alter ego very convincing.
She invented two lovers for herself using her mom's terriers for inspiration:
The Scotties!
"At the moment I'm with Hamish and Alex."
"Scotsmen?"
"Without a doubt. Strong, short-tempered, but very lovable."
"Handsome too, I suppose?"
"Would you waste time with an ugly girl?" Robyn did not wait for an answer. "Hamish is very handsome. He has black curly hair and dark eyes. He loves going for long walks."
"And Alex?"
"Older and not quite so energetic."
"How much older?"
She multiplied each of Alex's years by seven, which was the popular way of humanising a dog. "He's forty-nine," she said casually.
"You're mad! That's far too old for you."
"I don't see why you say that. You're thirty-four and Holly couldn't have been more than eighteen."
Bradley Dexter's mouth half-opened and clamped shut.
"What do they do?" he asked finally.
"Nothing." Robyn was momentarily at a loss, then quickly recovered herself. "Well- without boasting0 they both come from a wonderful line. Highly pedigreed, you might say."
"My God, you make them sound like a pair of dogs!"
"I don't call your girlfriends bitches!" She said indignantly. "So there's no need for you to be insulting."
Still, I was dismayed by just how slutty Brad really was. I mean, he had women crawling all over him, 24/7, often more than one at a time. Robyn sees him lying around with topless young girls stroking his hair and massaging his freaking feet! He brings home a new "regular" girl while the old "regular" is still in residence. Robyn sees a long red hair on his pillow. And it goes on and on, I could not see how I would ever be reconciled to this Hero. And then there was this part, when he goes out with one of his floozies and doesn't come home at night (a common occurrence):
Unwilling to stay awake until he returned, Robyn took a sleeping pill- something she rarely did. But at least this way she would not be aware if he stayed out all night.
Hooo boy, I mean this is how those desperately unhappy upper-class wives get those pill-popping reputations. Gotta numb the pain somehow, right. I did not want this sad future for cool, funny, smart Robyn!
Somehow Brad kind of crawled his way out of the stinking, despicable, much-reviled Cesspool of Horndog-Herodom and actually won himself some of my sympathy. He does quite a desperate chase of our fair Robyn, performs a handsome grovel, and exhibits a sort-of-somewhat-convincing lifestyle change for a good period of time. So I came to kinda like him, despite everything! I would still hope that Robyn gets him checked out by a doctor before sleeping with him though. Dirty dog.
Robyn's a gorgeous smart secretary who has to temp for and get a book out of famously love-em-and-leave-em author Brad, who literally made his fortune on calling women trash. He is such a hedonistic hoebag! The first day she walks in on a naked orgy/poolside party in his ostentatious villa, aka the Palace of Pleasure.
She's a bright bulb though, and instantly adapts a cynical, experienced persona while assuring him that she's the female version of himself and despises all men. I quite appreciate Robyn, she was very intelligent and made her jaded alter ego very convincing.
She invented two lovers for herself using her mom's terriers for inspiration:
The Scotties!
"At the moment I'm with Hamish and Alex."
"Scotsmen?"
"Without a doubt. Strong, short-tempered, but very lovable."
"Handsome too, I suppose?"
"Would you waste time with an ugly girl?" Robyn did not wait for an answer. "Hamish is very handsome. He has black curly hair and dark eyes. He loves going for long walks."
"And Alex?"
"Older and not quite so energetic."
"How much older?"
She multiplied each of Alex's years by seven, which was the popular way of humanising a dog. "He's forty-nine," she said casually.
"You're mad! That's far too old for you."
"I don't see why you say that. You're thirty-four and Holly couldn't have been more than eighteen."
Bradley Dexter's mouth half-opened and clamped shut.
"What do they do?" he asked finally.
"Nothing." Robyn was momentarily at a loss, then quickly recovered herself. "Well- without boasting0 they both come from a wonderful line. Highly pedigreed, you might say."
"My God, you make them sound like a pair of dogs!"
"I don't call your girlfriends bitches!" She said indignantly. "So there's no need for you to be insulting."
Still, I was dismayed by just how slutty Brad really was. I mean, he had women crawling all over him, 24/7, often more than one at a time. Robyn sees him lying around with topless young girls stroking his hair and massaging his freaking feet! He brings home a new "regular" girl while the old "regular" is still in residence. Robyn sees a long red hair on his pillow. And it goes on and on, I could not see how I would ever be reconciled to this Hero. And then there was this part, when he goes out with one of his floozies and doesn't come home at night (a common occurrence):
Unwilling to stay awake until he returned, Robyn took a sleeping pill- something she rarely did. But at least this way she would not be aware if he stayed out all night.
Hooo boy, I mean this is how those desperately unhappy upper-class wives get those pill-popping reputations. Gotta numb the pain somehow, right. I did not want this sad future for cool, funny, smart Robyn!
Somehow Brad kind of crawled his way out of the stinking, despicable, much-reviled Cesspool of Horndog-Herodom and actually won himself some of my sympathy. He does quite a desperate chase of our fair Robyn, performs a handsome grovel, and exhibits a sort-of-somewhat-convincing lifestyle change for a good period of time. So I came to kinda like him, despite everything! I would still hope that Robyn gets him checked out by a doctor before sleeping with him though. Dirty dog.
May 27, 2021
2.5 stars
A no-angst story that started off well but just dragged on and on in the end.
If you take it as a farce or black comedy it's good fun, at the start anyway. The 'hero' is a Hugh Hefner clone, complete with a swimming pool full of naked bimbos, a round bed with mirrors on the ceiling, and he has no problem with having two women in bed at the same time etc. Yep. So tacky, haha.
If you take it seriously however, you will be heaving in the rose bushes because he is a repulsive, sickening creep along the lines of Jeffrey Epstein. He even dumped an 18 year old after he was done with her.
The story showed it's age - it is definitely pre Me-Too movement, because he was an appalling misogynist writing hugely successful amusing books on how to use and dump women. Even got turned into a TV show. Thank God those days are over.
If the story was kept light it would be like one of those rom-com movies (starring Carey Grant for example) from the 1950s where opposite attract. But it tried to go beyond that and portray a character arc for the hero where he goes from super shallow sleazebag to deep, introspective monogamist. It was about as plausible as Jeffrey Epstein turning into Desmond Tutu.
It didn't work.
There were also way too many characters in the story, and it just got boring in the end.
Their HEA would probably last 6 months (a record for him) before he goes in search of new bimbos. In any case he will have died of syphilis or liver disease (he drank like a fish) within five years.
A no-angst story that started off well but just dragged on and on in the end.
If you take it as a farce or black comedy it's good fun, at the start anyway. The 'hero' is a Hugh Hefner clone, complete with a swimming pool full of naked bimbos, a round bed with mirrors on the ceiling, and he has no problem with having two women in bed at the same time etc. Yep. So tacky, haha.
If you take it seriously however, you will be heaving in the rose bushes because he is a repulsive, sickening creep along the lines of Jeffrey Epstein. He even dumped an 18 year old after he was done with her.
The story showed it's age - it is definitely pre Me-Too movement, because he was an appalling misogynist writing hugely successful amusing books on how to use and dump women. Even got turned into a TV show. Thank God those days are over.
If the story was kept light it would be like one of those rom-com movies (starring Carey Grant for example) from the 1950s where opposite attract. But it tried to go beyond that and portray a character arc for the hero where he goes from super shallow sleazebag to deep, introspective monogamist. It was about as plausible as Jeffrey Epstein turning into Desmond Tutu.
It didn't work.
There were also way too many characters in the story, and it just got boring in the end.
Their HEA would probably last 6 months (a record for him) before he goes in search of new bimbos. In any case he will have died of syphilis or liver disease (he drank like a fish) within five years.
August 21, 2022
I have to say I liked this h, Robyn. She was aware of her own worth and independent of heart and mind. He (writer and very 70s playboy complete with circular bed and mirrored ceiling) Bradley Dexter was a damaged person who had taken refuge in cynicism and the trappings of success. He wasn't easy to like at first but his struggles and suffering and ultimate grovel won me round. It was a different tone to most HPs and I will investigate more by this author.
October 6, 2020
This book reminded me of the Cary Grant and Doris Day movie That Touch Of Mink. Virgin conquers confirmed playboy bachelor. I was not expecting to like this book at all. Our hero is the Hugh Hefner of France with naked ladies and mattresses pool side. However, that’s really how our story begins and then it moves away from that. Our hero is unapologetically a dog when it comes to women. Yet he is likable and spars well with the h. The h is real good at throwing the H off with her witty comebacks. Essentially she holds a mirror up to his face and he doesn’t like what he sees anymore. The story takes place over 9 months and in the case of this story that 9 month time frame does not equal secret baby. I actually laughed out loud in this one and had happy feels at the HEA. So, in some ways it’s not a typical HP but it keeps the essential elements that us hp people have learned to love.
Handsome hero prig who redeems himself✅
Beautiful virgin heroine who won’t compromise✅
Other Woman plural ✅✅
Other men to drive hero insane✅✅
1 set of good parents✅
1 set of bad parents✅
🐶 🐕 ✅
Friendly housekeeper/husband ✅
HEA-I think so✅✅
Handsome hero prig who redeems himself✅
Beautiful virgin heroine who won’t compromise✅
Other Woman plural ✅✅
Other men to drive hero insane✅✅
1 set of good parents✅
1 set of bad parents✅
🐶 🐕 ✅
Friendly housekeeper/husband ✅
HEA-I think so✅✅
December 6, 2025
When they say romance does important work highlighting and challenging the societal norms of the day, this book is the absolute harbinger of change to the early eighties. It's similar to watching Mad Men in dynamic. It's fascinating to read 45 years later, things have indeed changed for the better and we have come a long way from thinking of women as wholly subservient and dependent secretaries. The heroine in this case is truly a heroine for putting up a righteousness fight for her autonomy on almost every page. And the sexy bully of a hero is an epitome of chauvinistic eighties charm. It's funny, it takes a stand, it's makes you reflect. It must have been a groundbreaking romance when published, the way FMC turns his words on MMC by quoting his books against him, it's literary war on double standards, and it's perfection
October 22, 2021
You will like this if you like the movie Love in the Afternoon.
September 27, 2016
This was an interesting book.
Could not get into the hero because he seemed to be a cross between Hugh Hefner and Harold Robbins (and these two worthies are even referred to in the book) - ummmm, no.
The heroine. Well, her attitude was interesting. She pretends to be as jaded as him to prevent his advances and later to protect herself because she loves him. The circumstantial evidence was definitely piled up against her but because we're reading from her point of view, we know she is not sleeping with multiple men or even encouraging anything beyond friendship.
But considering from the hero's POV, she has two Scottish boyfriends, stayed over the night with a French guy, has the hero's secretary enthralled, is seen coming out of her boss' bedroom at night, and has the hero's producer flirting with her. So he definitely had cause for being taken in by her bored femme fatale act. A situation quite like so many HP heroes who are found in compromising positions with other women but who then later declare their innocence. I guess this book should make it easier for me to believe them instead of rolling my eyes.
Could not get into the hero because he seemed to be a cross between Hugh Hefner and Harold Robbins (and these two worthies are even referred to in the book) - ummmm, no.
The heroine. Well, her attitude was interesting. She pretends to be as jaded as him to prevent his advances and later to protect herself because she loves him. The circumstantial evidence was definitely piled up against her but because we're reading from her point of view, we know she is not sleeping with multiple men or even encouraging anything beyond friendship.
But considering from the hero's POV, she has two Scottish boyfriends, stayed over the night with a French guy, has the hero's secretary enthralled, is seen coming out of her boss' bedroom at night, and has the hero's producer flirting with her. So he definitely had cause for being taken in by her bored femme fatale act. A situation quite like so many HP heroes who are found in compromising positions with other women but who then later declare their innocence. I guess this book should make it easier for me to believe them instead of rolling my eyes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2015
It wanted to be cuter than it actually was. The heroine was supposed to be clever and leading the hero sassily around by the nose but I never really felt it.
January 17, 2025
The h is temping as a secretary for a notorious chauvinistic playboy author and decides to style herself along his lines in order to keep him away from her and finish his book for his publisher that she actually works for.
While the h obviously falls for the H along the way she's not exactly a shirking doormat as the usual crop of later HQ females are.
She succeeds in making him change his ways and imo he suffered far more than she did during their separation.
Quite an enjoyable read.
While the h obviously falls for the H along the way she's not exactly a shirking doormat as the usual crop of later HQ females are.
She succeeds in making him change his ways and imo he suffered far more than she did during their separation.
Quite an enjoyable read.
May 2, 2022
This book isn’t really worthy of a lengthy rant or analysis, although it’s such a complicated mess that it probably needs one. Instead we’ll go for lists:
The good parts: the heroine spends the entire book puncturing the hero’s pretensions and pointing out when he (and every other male character) engages in double standards (e.g. pointing out that the hero, at 34, is sleeping with an 18-year-old, so where does he get off being upset at the idea that she’s dating a slightly younger man?); at one point when the hero is attempting a forceful “seduction” of the heroine and you think it’s going to turn into a “betraying body” moment she starts making fun of his seduction techniques (“‘What happens next?… does the bed start vibrating?’ Hardly had she spoken when it did, and she let out another scream of mirth. ‘Oh, no! You’re not only predictable… you’re positively old-fashioned! I can hardly believe it!’”). The heroine tells the hero that she’s dating two men at once and names them after her mother’s terriers.
The bad parts: okay, let’s start with the gross sexism levied against basically every female character - even Holly the 18-year-old has “very little dew left on her” (i.e. is a slutty slut slut). The hero assures the heroine that all the women he dates know what they’re getting into, but what we actually see is that they don’t - they all think they’re the one who’s going to change him - but they’re all mercenary sluts, or at least just sluts, so it’s okay that he treats them badly. Then let’s get into the racism; Brad’s servants are a Vietnamese couple whom he “rescued from a refugee camp” and who are ceaselessly devoted to him (and speak in broken English), and the most villainous of his harem of lady friends is an “exotic” Singaporean woman who’s described in incredibly racist and racialized terms. Then there is obviously the underlying issue with the entire premise of the novel, which is that Robyn must, of course, be faking her attitude towards sex and love and, moreover, her disinterest in her skeezy employer, and because she is pure and virtuous she gets to win the hero. She shouldn’t win the hero! The hero is like an anti-prize! If you’re with him at the end of the book you lose! Also, basically every man in the book sexually harasses Robyn (except her friend's French husband, who seems very nice) but we're supposed to be cool with them because they're just, you know, shooting their shot, I guess.
Overall this was a hot mess. It could have been something kind of interesting, but I think it was really hampered by the category romance format - because all of the bullshit and hypocrisy of the hero's that Robyn points out while "playing her part" is absolutely egregious, but the format of the novel and the overarching attitude of the writer is that it's not really that bad or at least is forgivable once the hero's fallen in love and reformed. Which, ick.
The good parts: the heroine spends the entire book puncturing the hero’s pretensions and pointing out when he (and every other male character) engages in double standards (e.g. pointing out that the hero, at 34, is sleeping with an 18-year-old, so where does he get off being upset at the idea that she’s dating a slightly younger man?); at one point when the hero is attempting a forceful “seduction” of the heroine and you think it’s going to turn into a “betraying body” moment she starts making fun of his seduction techniques (“‘What happens next?… does the bed start vibrating?’ Hardly had she spoken when it did, and she let out another scream of mirth. ‘Oh, no! You’re not only predictable… you’re positively old-fashioned! I can hardly believe it!’”). The heroine tells the hero that she’s dating two men at once and names them after her mother’s terriers.
The bad parts: okay, let’s start with the gross sexism levied against basically every female character - even Holly the 18-year-old has “very little dew left on her” (i.e. is a slutty slut slut). The hero assures the heroine that all the women he dates know what they’re getting into, but what we actually see is that they don’t - they all think they’re the one who’s going to change him - but they’re all mercenary sluts, or at least just sluts, so it’s okay that he treats them badly. Then let’s get into the racism; Brad’s servants are a Vietnamese couple whom he “rescued from a refugee camp” and who are ceaselessly devoted to him (and speak in broken English), and the most villainous of his harem of lady friends is an “exotic” Singaporean woman who’s described in incredibly racist and racialized terms. Then there is obviously the underlying issue with the entire premise of the novel, which is that Robyn must, of course, be faking her attitude towards sex and love and, moreover, her disinterest in her skeezy employer, and because she is pure and virtuous she gets to win the hero. She shouldn’t win the hero! The hero is like an anti-prize! If you’re with him at the end of the book you lose! Also, basically every man in the book sexually harasses Robyn (except her friend's French husband, who seems very nice) but we're supposed to be cool with them because they're just, you know, shooting their shot, I guess.
Overall this was a hot mess. It could have been something kind of interesting, but I think it was really hampered by the category romance format - because all of the bullshit and hypocrisy of the hero's that Robyn points out while "playing her part" is absolutely egregious, but the format of the novel and the overarching attitude of the writer is that it's not really that bad or at least is forgivable once the hero's fallen in love and reformed. Which, ick.
October 6, 2011
This guy was THE man-ho of man-hos.. But I was rooting for him from the beginning even though there were a few times I didnt think he could come back and BE a Hero.. The heroine irked me more than a little, there comes a time in the book where enough was enough and she just kept running and making stupid decisions.. Overall I really liked the book though.
September 27, 2014
Strong heroine which I liked! 3.5 stars
August 3, 2024
The heroine in this one is very rounded and the storyline interesting. He wouldn't be many people's hero, but it was entertaining! It's hard to get past all the women he sleeps with whilst she is living in his house and how lecherous he is. But he was suitably jealous of OM, and this instigates the change - really looking at himself and maybe not liking what he sees. She is a fabulous heroine and you get the feeling he'd never look at anyone else after. I would have liked an epilogue, or even another story with them :-)
January 6, 2023
I first read this book as a teenager three decades ago, and I loved the female lead and disliked the male, but he had a character makeover in the end (as they usually did).
It was certainly one of my favourite romance books, and Roberta Leigh's female characters were strong women, which I liked.
I have read it again, and I see where it might be problematic for this time, but it is a book of its time, and we should put this in perspective.
July 8, 2017
it's a cliche and have everything we used to think we want, to change a man,a dramatic change and to be honest it was so similar to a movie, love in the afternoon to some details but I love the movie and I like this, I missed the idea of how a girl feel that she could change the man she wants, call it every girl fantasy
January 4, 2024
Awe man. This was ALOT there were 4 different dudes into the heroine, who is behaving unlike herself to get her job done. The hero suuuucked. I wish she ended up with no one, cause the dudes, expected for the house worker, need to get away from her. Skip it.
November 14, 2022
Excellent and funny. He's a jerk but understandably so. She has the whip hand the entire time.
April 21, 2023
A nice story which needn't drag on and on in the end as all romances written by Roberta Leigh do!
September 20, 2025
This one really moved me, despite the sleaze.
It has living, breathing characters that aren't mere slaves to the plot. They are vivid and oddly relatable, even though I'm nothing like them.
The hero, is refreshingly male, and doesn't just serve female fantasy. That's what made me so invested!
It's a high-stakes love story with a low-key vibe.
It has living, breathing characters that aren't mere slaves to the plot. They are vivid and oddly relatable, even though I'm nothing like them.
The hero, is refreshingly male, and doesn't just serve female fantasy. That's what made me so invested!
It's a high-stakes love story with a low-key vibe.
March 28, 2012
I read this quite awhile back but I remember loving the quirky storyline at the time.
The hero is a writer and quite the player. The heroine is sent by his publisher to act as his assistant and to get him working and finishing his project.
He resents her, tries to ruffle her feathers and she gives it back in spades. She works on cleaning up his wild ways - portrayed here very wild - and along the way falls for the guy. The gut wrenching part was when she thought they were working towards a HEA ending only to find a hair on his pillow. Need I say, it wasn't hers.
The rest of the story I leave up to you to discover.
Enjoy!
The hero is a writer and quite the player. The heroine is sent by his publisher to act as his assistant and to get him working and finishing his project.
He resents her, tries to ruffle her feathers and she gives it back in spades. She works on cleaning up his wild ways - portrayed here very wild - and along the way falls for the guy. The gut wrenching part was when she thought they were working towards a HEA ending only to find a hair on his pillow. Need I say, it wasn't hers.
The rest of the story I leave up to you to discover.
Enjoy!
July 25, 2014
I liked it. I thought the characters were well developed and I really identified with the heroine. The hero was basically a teenage boy acting out
I also enjoyed the ending - although it may seem overly protracted - just because I know I would do exactly the same thing in her situation. Plus I think it actually lent realism to the hero's transformation.
Overall, a slightly different, fun M&B novel.
I also enjoyed the ending - although it may seem overly protracted - just because I know I would do exactly the same thing in her situation. Plus I think it actually lent realism to the hero's transformation.
Overall, a slightly different, fun M&B novel.
January 27, 2017
Bradley Dexter was a womanizer ,a very bad boy and a drunk driver. But it never struck me that he was really having a good time..... but I was entertained....reminding myself that these were "playboy" unenlightened times.....he even shows up with a playboy model once. not good
but I liked her side stories and that she became an editor and worked on documentaries.. very good
but I liked her side stories and that she became an editor and worked on documentaries.. very good
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December 7, 2015Interesting
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