What do you think?
Rate this book
Runaway Mistress
Jennifer Chaise prides herself on being the perfect mistress. Her latest boyfriend, wealthy high-roller Nick Noble, is good to her, showering her with money, gifts, and trips to exotic places. Unfortunately, on this particular trip to Las Vegas, Nick's spouse shows up, and Jennifer walks into a scene where the wife's bloody body is sprawled facedown on the bed. To make matters worse, Jennifer hears Nick barking orders to his goons to take care of her, too. Terrorized, Jennifer, a head-turning beauty, shaves her head and eyebrows and hides out in Boulder City, finding a job as a waitress in a mom-and-pop cafe. It's hard for Jennifer, now "Doris," to keep a low profile in such a friendly little town, especially when her neighbor turns out to be a cop.
376 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 10, 2005
2636 people are currently reading
4779 people want to read
About the author
Robyn Carr
167 books12.7k followers Robyn Carr is a RITA® Award-winning, eleven-time #1 New York Times bestselling author of over sixty novels, including the critically acclaimed Virgin River series and Sullivan's Crossing series. Robyn's new women's fiction novel, THE FRIENDSHIP CLUB, will be released in January 2024. The new hit Sullivan's Crossing TV series (season 1) inspired by Robyn's book series was released in the USA in the fall of 2023! Plus, season 5 of the worldwide fan-favorite Virgin River TV Series is now streaming on Netflix (July 2023) with two holiday episodes coming November 30, 2023. Both TV series have been renewed for another season!
Robyn is a recipient of the Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award 2016, and in 2017, VIRGIN RIVER was named one of the HarperCollins 200 Iconic Books of the past 200 years. Robyn currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can visit Robyn Carr's website at https://www.robyncarr.com/.
Robyn is a recipient of the Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award 2016, and in 2017, VIRGIN RIVER was named one of the HarperCollins 200 Iconic Books of the past 200 years. Robyn currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can visit Robyn Carr's website at https://www.robyncarr.com/.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 584 reviews
April 24, 2020
3.5 stars
This has been my first book by author Robyn Carr and definitely not the last.
It is a lovely comfort-read, a literary equivalent of a nice cup of tea and a warm blanket on a rainy day or a light, breezy cocktail on a summer beach - a nice choice for all seasons. Choose your own mental picture. :)
Big thanks to Ange for the recommendation! :)
This has been my first book by author Robyn Carr and definitely not the last.
It is a lovely comfort-read, a literary equivalent of a nice cup of tea and a warm blanket on a rainy day or a light, breezy cocktail on a summer beach - a nice choice for all seasons. Choose your own mental picture. :)
Big thanks to Ange for the recommendation! :)
October 14, 2016
Robyn Carr rarely disappoints. Wasn't fond of the life Jennifer had when the book first started, but this was about change and finding out what is really important. Jennifer didn't have many friends or appreciate the simple things in life until she was forced to.
Loved the friendships and the romance! Alex was a normal guy, no yacht or millions to his name, but their feelings for each other were so very genuine and passionate!
Hated Sylvia, Hedda's mother! She was a piece of work!
Loved the friendships and the romance! Alex was a normal guy, no yacht or millions to his name, but their feelings for each other were so very genuine and passionate!
Hated Sylvia, Hedda's mother! She was a piece of work!
September 29, 2022
"Runaway Mistress" is a terrible title, so I went into this with low expectations. To my surprise, I just loved it. The story has elements of "Sister Act" and "Sleeping with the Enemy."
Jennifer Chaise has spent her youth living the glamorous, jet set life of girlfriend-on-the-side for a series of wealthy, marrried men. This seems sleazy, but her background and kindhearted personality make you like her anyway. On vacation in Vegas, she witnesses her current shady boyfriend commit a terrible crime and is terrified that he'll try to silence her.
Jennifer flees to a small town, changes her name and radically alters her appearance. She gets a job as a waitress at the local diner and is soon charmed by the friendly locals and this completely different way of living. But will her past destroy the new life she is building?
This book had vivid and interesting characters, nice friendships, and a sweet romance. I didn’t 100% care for the melodramatic ending, but overall an above-average chic lit offering.
Jennifer Chaise has spent her youth living the glamorous, jet set life of girlfriend-on-the-side for a series of wealthy, marrried men. This seems sleazy, but her background and kindhearted personality make you like her anyway. On vacation in Vegas, she witnesses her current shady boyfriend commit a terrible crime and is terrified that he'll try to silence her.
Jennifer flees to a small town, changes her name and radically alters her appearance. She gets a job as a waitress at the local diner and is soon charmed by the friendly locals and this completely different way of living. But will her past destroy the new life she is building?
This book had vivid and interesting characters, nice friendships, and a sweet romance. I didn’t 100% care for the melodramatic ending, but overall an above-average chic lit offering.
August 28, 2007
I picked this book up hoping it was an easy read to take my mind off of wedding planning, but I found out that I'd rather read it than flip through a bridal magazine! Very entertaining and for some reason you feel yourself relating to the characters in this book.
Did not finish
January 4, 2025DNF 8%. This is way too dated for me.
February 26, 2022
HAIKU BOOK REVIEW: Swept Away, by Robyn Carr
Five star beginning
gradually slumps down to
Two star conclusion :(
Five star beginning
gradually slumps down to
Two star conclusion :(
November 20, 2013
I’ve been loving Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series, so I thought I’d step away from it for a moment and try something else. Runaway Mistress is a different kind of love story than I’ve read before. Alex and Jennifer, er, Doris, don’t have their first real interaction until about page 100, but it’s worth the wait. :) And Jennifer’s metamorphosis throughout the book is seamless and interesting. I also have to say the final line is this story is one of the best I’ve ever read. It’s perfect for the story and the character. So, whether it’s her Virgin River series or another story Robyn Carr has written, I’m officially a fan.
March 22, 2019
Robyn Carr never disappoints. This was a good one.
December 19, 2017
Still on my women's fiction, audiobooks that I can listen to as part of my subscription kick.
I've read quite a few Robyn Carr books and of all the ones I've read this one does not really feel like a Robyn Carr book.
Our heroine is Jennifer -- a professional mistress of rich older men. She is blond (dyed), beautiful, had some collagen in her lips, a little breast job (paid for by one of her men),a condo (never in her own name) and now she is the petted side piece of a super rich real estate developer from Florida. He is also a big time gambler in Vegas. He loves to take her along on his Vegas jaunts cuz she's his lady luck.
While there, Jennifer stumbles into a violent scene and overhears something rather scary, so she runs. She changes her appearance and hides out in a small town. The people are caring and super friendly so much so that she manages to get a job as a waitress (no paperwork seems to have taken place) and a housesitter/dog sitter for a lovely old lady. Whose next door neighbor is a detective named Alex.
Jennifer at first is wary of being on the run from her ex-lover who has reported her missing, but then she slowly becomes acclimated into the town and the people she works with. She is easily accepted into their fold and in return becomes a mentor for a young teenaged waitress, a gossip buddy with the aging showgirl next door and a love interest of Alex the detective.
In doing so she realizes how shallow her life up to now has been and how much she has come to care for the people in this community.
AS I was listening to this I couldn't help but compare it just a little to Linda Howard's Death Angel. There is a similarity of plot and even of character. But Robyn Carr is not romantic suspense writer and this book is emphatically not rom suspense. Even though Jennifer could be in danger, there just isn't that sense of immediacy or menace that surrounded Drea in Death Angel. And Jennifer's Sugar Daddy just isn't as evil in the end.
I like how the author wrote Alex. He is a cop after all. There is a slight bit of slapstick comedy in the end that I admit I did kinda laugh at, although it felt OOC.
As usual Therese Plummer's performance was flawless.
I've read quite a few Robyn Carr books and of all the ones I've read this one does not really feel like a Robyn Carr book.
Our heroine is Jennifer -- a professional mistress of rich older men. She is blond (dyed), beautiful, had some collagen in her lips, a little breast job (paid for by one of her men),a condo (never in her own name) and now she is the petted side piece of a super rich real estate developer from Florida. He is also a big time gambler in Vegas. He loves to take her along on his Vegas jaunts cuz she's his lady luck.
While there, Jennifer stumbles into a violent scene and overhears something rather scary, so she runs. She changes her appearance and hides out in a small town. The people are caring and super friendly so much so that she manages to get a job as a waitress (no paperwork seems to have taken place) and a housesitter/dog sitter for a lovely old lady. Whose next door neighbor is a detective named Alex.
Jennifer at first is wary of being on the run from her ex-lover who has reported her missing, but then she slowly becomes acclimated into the town and the people she works with. She is easily accepted into their fold and in return becomes a mentor for a young teenaged waitress, a gossip buddy with the aging showgirl next door and a love interest of Alex the detective.
In doing so she realizes how shallow her life up to now has been and how much she has come to care for the people in this community.
AS I was listening to this I couldn't help but compare it just a little to Linda Howard's Death Angel. There is a similarity of plot and even of character. But Robyn Carr is not romantic suspense writer and this book is emphatically not rom suspense. Even though Jennifer could be in danger, there just isn't that sense of immediacy or menace that surrounded Drea in Death Angel. And Jennifer's Sugar Daddy just isn't as evil in the end.
I like how the author wrote Alex. He is a cop after all. There is a slight bit of slapstick comedy in the end that I admit I did kinda laugh at, although it felt OOC.
As usual Therese Plummer's performance was flawless.
August 18, 2020
This one was a surprise gem for me. With Carr, I know I’m always going to get a cozy, warm, small town feel, and she didn’t disappoint. The secondary characters and the town itself were the stars in this story for me. I loved how the author wove them into the story, and how each person contributed to the heroine’s transition. I admit that I was a bit skeptical when I started Swept Away - Jennifer is distant and unemotional at first - but I think her journey of self-discovery was even more of a draw for me than the romance. I thought Carr’s style felt a bit like Nora Roberts at times with a strong suspense element always looming. As usual, it wouldn’t be a Carr book without a little soap opera drama, but I enjoyed experiencing how Jennifer realizes what matters the most in life. My only complaint is that I thought the ending was a bit abrupt. I did enjoy the small epilogue though, so I’m giving it 4.5 stars. I recommend this book for both romance and women’s fiction readers.
January 11, 2020
Robyn Carr’s books are like old friends to me. I love the cadence, the narration, the storylines. Going in I know exactly what I am going to get a wholesome romance with well rounded characters.
That is exactly what I got with Swept Away. Jen is a professional mistress until she witnesses something unsettling and runs for her life. She makes a new life with some wonderful friends. Friends are something new for her and its plain to see that she needs them as much as they need her.
I loved the town Robyn creates, she has a knack for that making you want to live in these places she creates with these neighbours you wish were real.
the narration by Therese Plummer is amazing how she can be a soothing female voice then a young girl, to a man to an elderly gentleman is a mystery and a wonderful talent. I just adore her.
That is exactly what I got with Swept Away. Jen is a professional mistress until she witnesses something unsettling and runs for her life. She makes a new life with some wonderful friends. Friends are something new for her and its plain to see that she needs them as much as they need her.
I loved the town Robyn creates, she has a knack for that making you want to live in these places she creates with these neighbours you wish were real.
the narration by Therese Plummer is amazing how she can be a soothing female voice then a young girl, to a man to an elderly gentleman is a mystery and a wonderful talent. I just adore her.
March 5, 2017
Jennifer Chaise believes she witnessed a crime and that her boy-friend is out to kill her. She flees to a small town and gets a job as a waitress. She makes many friends in the small town, including Alex, a cop.
The story had a bit of a chick lit vibe to it and the romance element starts later than most romance novels do. The book centers on Jennifer and her journey away from the life she once had and learning to fit in with the new friends she is making. There were a few heart-wrenching moments but we get our HEA (happily ever after) in the end.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. But I did feel that most romance readers might feel the story dragged in the romance portion. But it never got boring for me and that is very important to my enjoyment.
The story had a bit of a chick lit vibe to it and the romance element starts later than most romance novels do. The book centers on Jennifer and her journey away from the life she once had and learning to fit in with the new friends she is making. There were a few heart-wrenching moments but we get our HEA (happily ever after) in the end.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. But I did feel that most romance readers might feel the story dragged in the romance portion. But it never got boring for me and that is very important to my enjoyment.
September 21, 2021
Robyn Carr writes books that are guaranteed comfort reads. And my favorite thing, there’s no giant misunderstanding that tears through the plot, when a simple conversation would have simply set things right. Refreshing these days as so many books rely on misinterpretations. Carr’s books shine with her characters.
July 14, 2024
Nice and sweet. This book serves as a perfect respite from more traumatic novels.
February 19, 2020
2.5 STARS
First of all, I'm not impressed with the book cover. It looks cheap and lazy. If I didn't read the summary, I wouldn't have bothered simply by the cover of the book. Secondly, this book is a total catfish. I was expecting something more. I mean, they made it seem as though he killed his wife and I was totally looking forward to that. Then BOOM out of nowhere, they took that away from us. The whole book was established based on that plot. I feel cheated honestly. Thirdly, I didn't really feel the spark between them or anything. I have to admit they were cute together but I didn't really feel anything more between them. It could be me or the way the book is written. I'm going to go for the latter though. The book took a while to even establish their relationship then out of nowhere he's saying he loves. I burst out laughing. It was very sudden. No warning. Nothing. Again, I felt cheated. This book could've been better. In the beginning, Jennifer didn't really appear to be smart. And I'm not saying that because she was a mistress, she wasn't even living for herself. Ridiculous. Then as the book progressed, we got to see a bit more about her and I realized she wasn't dumb. It made sense why she would choose to become a mistress. I don't, however, understand why she never felt any sort of sympathy or guilty for the married guys she slept with WIVES. I could not get past that. I really wanted to give this book a 2 stars, but it didn't feel right. A 3 star also didn't feel right. I'm going to give this a 2.5
First of all, I'm not impressed with the book cover. It looks cheap and lazy. If I didn't read the summary, I wouldn't have bothered simply by the cover of the book. Secondly, this book is a total catfish. I was expecting something more. I mean, they made it seem as though he killed his wife and I was totally looking forward to that. Then BOOM out of nowhere, they took that away from us. The whole book was established based on that plot. I feel cheated honestly. Thirdly, I didn't really feel the spark between them or anything. I have to admit they were cute together but I didn't really feel anything more between them. It could be me or the way the book is written. I'm going to go for the latter though. The book took a while to even establish their relationship then out of nowhere he's saying he loves. I burst out laughing. It was very sudden. No warning. Nothing. Again, I felt cheated. This book could've been better. In the beginning, Jennifer didn't really appear to be smart. And I'm not saying that because she was a mistress, she wasn't even living for herself. Ridiculous. Then as the book progressed, we got to see a bit more about her and I realized she wasn't dumb. It made sense why she would choose to become a mistress. I don't, however, understand why she never felt any sort of sympathy or guilty for the married guys she slept with WIVES. I could not get past that. I really wanted to give this book a 2 stars, but it didn't feel right. A 3 star also didn't feel right. I'm going to give this a 2.5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2020
Previously Published as Runaway Mistress
Jennifer Chaise, the mistress of a high-flying businessman, witness something in their Las Vegas hotel room that put her in danger. She flee, and hide out in a small Nevada town. Working as a waitress in the local diner, she finds herself enjoying her simple new life, friends, sense of community and purpose. But her past is about to catch up with her...
I liked this story a lot.
If you enjoyed this one, you may like Death Angel, Ain't She Sweet?.
Jennifer Chaise, the mistress of a high-flying businessman, witness something in their Las Vegas hotel room that put her in danger. She flee, and hide out in a small Nevada town. Working as a waitress in the local diner, she finds herself enjoying her simple new life, friends, sense of community and purpose. But her past is about to catch up with her...
I liked this story a lot.
If you enjoyed this one, you may like Death Angel, Ain't She Sweet?.
September 16, 2016
A very enjoyable read. It could have been a smidge more suspenseful but overall I liked it.
August 14, 2020
I really disliked Jennifer in the beginning, but her character transformation was well done. Alex was the good guy hero I never tire of. As with all Carr books, the lively secondary characters and unique setting made it a delightful read.
February 22, 2023
I am having a wonderful time going through Robyn Carr’s books. I do like this one..,reinventing a life.
November 26, 2009
This was a little different from her other Virgin River series and her Grace Valley Trilogy.
It's all about a woman who is on the run from her boyfriend Nick (who happens to be married) because she's afraid he's goign to kill her. To hide from him she finds a small town on the outskirts of Las Vegas, she cuts all her hair off, cuts her nails etc... and starts working for min wage in a diner.
Here she finds that maybe her life wasn't so great when she had no friends but had all the money and gifts she wanted.
I thought it was a funny book, and I liked the story line. It was also a little bit of a tear jearker toward the end. Plus there was a cute dog involved. Any book with a dog involved is great in my opinion lol.
As always, I would read another book by her.
It's all about a woman who is on the run from her boyfriend Nick (who happens to be married) because she's afraid he's goign to kill her. To hide from him she finds a small town on the outskirts of Las Vegas, she cuts all her hair off, cuts her nails etc... and starts working for min wage in a diner.
Here she finds that maybe her life wasn't so great when she had no friends but had all the money and gifts she wanted.
I thought it was a funny book, and I liked the story line. It was also a little bit of a tear jearker toward the end. Plus there was a cute dog involved. Any book with a dog involved is great in my opinion lol.
As always, I would read another book by her.
August 11, 2016
There were just so many people for a not-that-long stand-alone and from the beginning I was a little bit lost in who was who. And then I lost my will to keep up with all those names and relations because every single character had more than just a small role in this book...
And I think I'm getting sick of those lucky coincidences in which someone in trouble finds a helping hand in the first try. In this case that helping hand is almost the whole town. And almost everybody is a saint and happy and they all are getting along perfectly well with each other. Yawn. I want some real life.
And I think I'm getting sick of those lucky coincidences in which someone in trouble finds a helping hand in the first try. In this case that helping hand is almost the whole town. And almost everybody is a saint and happy and they all are getting along perfectly well with each other. Yawn. I want some real life.
February 5, 2024
I don’t normally write reviews, but I can not get over how cringe this book was. The writing was embarrassing. The plot was embarrassing. The narration was embarrassing. I can’t believe I even finished it.
That is all.
That is all.
March 16, 2018
This is a book that I picked up at a sale and read it for a challenge. I really enjoyed it, there are many twists and turns and a few tears but the story played out well for me.
May 11, 2020
I’m not sure if I’m too old to read this, but I thought the writing was childish with no substance. There was not a lot to the book, but it was an easy summer read.
August 30, 2021
Stupid title, good story!
April 24, 2020
I enjoy this book it was light and it did have some angst but not a heartwrenching one so it is great for a summer read.
the characters were great, the story takes you to different places from glamour to a very beautiful small town that welcomes Jennifer like she never expected. she thought her new life was going to be hard especially since she needs to hide low after so many strange things happened to put her life in danger.
I love the way Robyn takes us in this amazing journey, I didn't expect how this book was going to turn but I love it, every scenario and character made this book way more intriguing.
Alex's character at first was a mystery but with time we get to meet him and his wonderful heart.
The only part that I had a little trouble with, was when Alex was really mad, I thought Jennifer was going to make him work harder for her forgiveness, the things he said were not light on the heart and I felt like she forgives him too soon, other than that it was great.
the characters were great, the story takes you to different places from glamour to a very beautiful small town that welcomes Jennifer like she never expected. she thought her new life was going to be hard especially since she needs to hide low after so many strange things happened to put her life in danger.
I love the way Robyn takes us in this amazing journey, I didn't expect how this book was going to turn but I love it, every scenario and character made this book way more intriguing.
Alex's character at first was a mystery but with time we get to meet him and his wonderful heart.
The only part that I had a little trouble with, was when Alex was really mad, I thought Jennifer was going to make him work harder for her forgiveness, the things he said were not light on the heart and I felt like she forgives him too soon, other than that it was great.
December 21, 2017
Thoroughly enjoyed this contemporary romance that reminded me a lot of the first books in the Virgin River series except substitute Jack's Bar with the diner. :-) Nicely written and the characters kept me interested. Plenty of side characters that complemented the story nicely (like Virgin River). It did have a feel of chic-lit, but I did not mind that at all. Again, it was a nice story, there was a nice romance and it was (you guessed it) nicely written. :-)
The setting is Boulder City, Nevada, just outside of Las Vegas.
The setting is Boulder City, Nevada, just outside of Las Vegas.
August 3, 2012
Jennifer Chaise has spent her whole adult life being some rich man's mistress. After a rocky childhood, she was determined to have security. But when she finds her boyfriend's wife dead in their Vegas hotel room, she takes off into hiding, thinking she's next. In the small Nevada town, she meets officer Alex Nichols, who knows she's hiding something. Jennifer also discovers herself, a community determined to help her, and a new lease and purpose in life. But when her past finds her, everything she's grown to love is threatened.
I like Carr, and I have to admit, I was hesitant on the premise behind this story. Some may find Jennifer hard to relate to with her background, but I think Carr pulled this off. The setting and scenery made me wish I was there. I fell in love with the town. There's quite a few small side stories from the secondary characters, which was such a delightful addition. Without issuing a spoiler alert, my heart broke near the end of this book with Louise and Alice. A touch of humor, and a lot of heart, makes this a highly recommended read.
I like Carr, and I have to admit, I was hesitant on the premise behind this story. Some may find Jennifer hard to relate to with her background, but I think Carr pulled this off. The setting and scenery made me wish I was there. I fell in love with the town. There's quite a few small side stories from the secondary characters, which was such a delightful addition. Without issuing a spoiler alert, my heart broke near the end of this book with Louise and Alice. A touch of humor, and a lot of heart, makes this a highly recommended read.
January 8, 2018
RATING: 4 STARS
(Review Not on Blog)
Listened to on Audio
I was not expecting to like this one at all. I thought it would be an old fashion Harlequin romance that was going to be...ahem, boring. Yeah, not at all. This one reminds me a bit of Nora Roberts' Angels Fall, less suspenseful but just as good. Jennifer Chaise is basically a professional girlfriend. Due to her unpredictable childhood, this life provides her security if not friendships. With her new married boyfriend, she sees him shoot his wife and tell his lackeys that Jennifer is next. Jennifer takes his cash and runs to a small town. As she tries to disappear and blend in, Jennifer finds that friends that become her family and finds a man who loves her for her ad not what she looks like. I loved the small town romance and friends become family vibe. I recommend this to anyone who loves contemporary romance with a bit of a mystery.
(Review Not on Blog)
Listened to on Audio
I was not expecting to like this one at all. I thought it would be an old fashion Harlequin romance that was going to be...ahem, boring. Yeah, not at all. This one reminds me a bit of Nora Roberts' Angels Fall, less suspenseful but just as good. Jennifer Chaise is basically a professional girlfriend. Due to her unpredictable childhood, this life provides her security if not friendships. With her new married boyfriend, she sees him shoot his wife and tell his lackeys that Jennifer is next. Jennifer takes his cash and runs to a small town. As she tries to disappear and blend in, Jennifer finds that friends that become her family and finds a man who loves her for her ad not what she looks like. I loved the small town romance and friends become family vibe. I recommend this to anyone who loves contemporary romance with a bit of a mystery.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 584 reviews