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Beloved Stranger
By all rights they should never have met -- shy and lovely Susan Morgan, and Ricardo Montoya, baseball's hottest superstar. But a winter storm brought them together and in the glow of firelight, they discovered a magical passion. It should have ended there -- their worlds were so far apart they could never expect to share more than a beautiful memory.
But fate took a hand, and suddenly Susan found that her love had a chance... if only she were strong enough to grasp it...
But fate took a hand, and suddenly Susan found that her love had a chance... if only she were strong enough to grasp it...
182 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
15 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Joan Wolf
104 books368 followersJoan Wolf is a USA TODAY bestselling American writer, whose acclaimed Regency romances have earned her national recognition as a master of the genre. Her many historical and contemporary romances, some of which have been chosen as Literary Guild selections, have been highly praised by reviewers and authors alike.
Joan was born in 1951 and she grew up in the Bronx, New York. A former English teacher, she obtained a Bachelor's degree in Mercy College and Master in English and Comparative Literature at Hunter College. An avid rider and horse owner, Joan lives in Connecticut with her husband Joe and two grown children, Jay and Pam.
Joan was born in 1951 and she grew up in the Bronx, New York. A former English teacher, she obtained a Bachelor's degree in Mercy College and Master in English and Comparative Literature at Hunter College. An avid rider and horse owner, Joan lives in Connecticut with her husband Joe and two grown children, Jay and Pam.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 14, 2017
Looks like me and Joan Wolf's contemporary romances are just like oil and water.
This one has her ubiquitous Latin baseball star prototype who seems her go-to when she leaves the Regency rakes behind. After a one night stand between Mr. Baseball and the wallflower, virginal heroine leaves her,naturally, pregnant, he accidentally walks back into her life just in time to whip up a marriage of convenience before the baby is born illegitimate.
There was absolutely no romance, emotional connection to either protagonists, and really no plot to hang my hat on, just a series of baseball games, heroine brooding in her journal, in-law visits, more baseball games and a minor interference from an OW and OM.
I couldn't get over how and why the hero could not wait to get rid of the heroine after their ONS like she was Typhoid Mary and he was overdue for a vaccine. Then, when he accidentally runs into her when she is 7 months pregnant, he casually proposes like it's nothing. The whole time, he is aloof, both emotionally and physically. Yeah, I wasn't expecting him to jump her when she is 7 months pregnant and they are virtual strangers, marriage or no marriage. But there are no hugs, no kisses, no words of affection or even encouragement. He doesn't even show up at the hospital when she is giving birth! Not. Cool.
It gets worse. He casually mocks a woman who divorced her husband when she found out he was having an affair, implying that it is the role of women to assume and tolerate extra-marital affairs. You know, cause men will be men.
He hires this gorgeous woman to be his assistant then shamelessly flirts with her for the entire duration of a party his wife has thrown for him at their home, in front of all their friends. When she timidly mentions it, he basically says that it is his due to have a beautiful woman be his rapt audience. No big deal.
Meanwhile,he gets horribly jealous of his wife's friendship with a man (granted the man in question undoubtedly was feeling more than friendship for her) and the way he punishes her is by seducing her on a beach, knowing this kind of exhibitionism is very uncomfortable and embarrassing for her, and then triumphantly gloating after he has had her that he was sure he could convince his little Puritan wife to do what he wants. Dude, seriously?
No matter what the hero dished out though, the heroine allowed him to get away with it all. She was really, sickeningly, doormatty, which is surprising given the number of strong heroines JW has created in her historical romances, including the only fictional female heroine that I have ever come across who can be genuinely called an Alpha female (in A London Season).
Another contemporary book from JW that was a disappointment.
This one has her ubiquitous Latin baseball star prototype who seems her go-to when she leaves the Regency rakes behind. After a one night stand between Mr. Baseball and the wallflower, virginal heroine leaves her,naturally, pregnant, he accidentally walks back into her life just in time to whip up a marriage of convenience before the baby is born illegitimate.
There was absolutely no romance, emotional connection to either protagonists, and really no plot to hang my hat on, just a series of baseball games, heroine brooding in her journal, in-law visits, more baseball games and a minor interference from an OW and OM.
I couldn't get over how and why the hero could not wait to get rid of the heroine after their ONS like she was Typhoid Mary and he was overdue for a vaccine. Then, when he accidentally runs into her when she is 7 months pregnant, he casually proposes like it's nothing. The whole time, he is aloof, both emotionally and physically. Yeah, I wasn't expecting him to jump her when she is 7 months pregnant and they are virtual strangers, marriage or no marriage. But there are no hugs, no kisses, no words of affection or even encouragement. He doesn't even show up at the hospital when she is giving birth! Not. Cool.
It gets worse. He casually mocks a woman who divorced her husband when she found out he was having an affair, implying that it is the role of women to assume and tolerate extra-marital affairs. You know, cause men will be men.
He hires this gorgeous woman to be his assistant then shamelessly flirts with her for the entire duration of a party his wife has thrown for him at their home, in front of all their friends. When she timidly mentions it, he basically says that it is his due to have a beautiful woman be his rapt audience. No big deal.
Meanwhile,he gets horribly jealous of his wife's friendship with a man (granted the man in question undoubtedly was feeling more than friendship for her) and the way he punishes her is by seducing her on a beach, knowing this kind of exhibitionism is very uncomfortable and embarrassing for her, and then triumphantly gloating after he has had her that he was sure he could convince his little Puritan wife to do what he wants. Dude, seriously?
No matter what the hero dished out though, the heroine allowed him to get away with it all. She was really, sickeningly, doormatty, which is surprising given the number of strong heroines JW has created in her historical romances, including the only fictional female heroine that I have ever come across who can be genuinely called an Alpha female (in A London Season).
Another contemporary book from JW that was a disappointment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2014
I love this book. An old fashioned romance in the best sense. Sweet, almost innocent when compared to today's books. I forgot how nice it can be to leave the sex to my imagination. Joan Wolf writes a wonderful story, pulling the reader in so you are really invested in the characters. The hero is a baseball player so I was ready to love him and even though he is arrogant and almost clueless about woman's changing roles in society, I still liked him. He grew but didn't change so much that it was unbelievable.
A quick read that I would highly recommend.
A quick read that I would highly recommend.
December 10, 2013
One snowbound night a macho New York Yankees baseball player and a shy young writer come together for a night of unexpected passion. A sweet romance featuring an unlikely couple!
September 7, 2015
Joan Wolf writes fluently, and I've enjoyed several of her Regency romances. I disliked this book (a contemporary romance), however, because the hero was so off-hand, and the heroine made far more excuses for him than I would. I was going to call her spineless, but she appears quite happy with her one-sided relationship. The book's listed as published in 2012, but the attitudes feel much much more dated.
Just so not me, this.
Just so not me, this.
September 30, 2014
So many coincidences. Such a a wet rag heroine, such a chauvinistic hero...and yet the author made them sympathetic and dynamic.
February 18, 2015
Part marriage of convenience story, part heroine's journey. Nice gentle read. My review at my blog: https://willaful.wordpress.com/2015/0...
August 12, 2021
I’ll never forget Beloved Stranger not just because it is my 200th review but because it was another outstanding book written by Joan Wolf. This is my fifth in a row Joan Wolf novel and she just keeps hitting them out of the park.
Speaking of hitting them out of the park, Beloved Stranger’s hero, Ricardo Montoya happens to be baseball’s hottest superstar. Ricardo’s character was quite chauvinistic but I still fell in love with him. His personality had more to do with his culture and upbringing, than him being unkind or rude at his heart.
The heroine, Susan, isn’t my ideal leading lady but she has the magic personality necessary to sway Ricardo which in turn swayed me to team Susan. I could feel the chemistry between the two as they made several “home runs”.
The believability of this story is a stretch, however it was more than entertaining. I always choose to believe that anything can happen. I read this book in one sitting. My attention was hooked instantly from the very first sentence, “The snow was coming down harder and harder and Susan Morgan was beginning to worry.” I wasn’t able to put it down until I reached the end.
I loved every minute I spent reading Beloved Stranger. I am becoming obsessed with reading Joan Wolf because every book I’ve read so far has made me happy. At this point I’ve only read her historical and contemporary genres. If you enjoy those genres then give Joan Wolf a try. Happy reading everybody!
Speaking of hitting them out of the park, Beloved Stranger’s hero, Ricardo Montoya happens to be baseball’s hottest superstar. Ricardo’s character was quite chauvinistic but I still fell in love with him. His personality had more to do with his culture and upbringing, than him being unkind or rude at his heart.
The heroine, Susan, isn’t my ideal leading lady but she has the magic personality necessary to sway Ricardo which in turn swayed me to team Susan. I could feel the chemistry between the two as they made several “home runs”.
The believability of this story is a stretch, however it was more than entertaining. I always choose to believe that anything can happen. I read this book in one sitting. My attention was hooked instantly from the very first sentence, “The snow was coming down harder and harder and Susan Morgan was beginning to worry.” I wasn’t able to put it down until I reached the end.
I loved every minute I spent reading Beloved Stranger. I am becoming obsessed with reading Joan Wolf because every book I’ve read so far has made me happy. At this point I’ve only read her historical and contemporary genres. If you enjoy those genres then give Joan Wolf a try. Happy reading everybody!
February 11, 2021
Another lovely read.
I’ve been enjoying Joan Wolf’s novels for decades now. The plots are consistently engaging and the characters are fully developed and engaging as well. In particular, the female lead is never portrayed in a way that has me shacking my head saying, “what an idiot” and frankly almost all the romance writers consign their female characters to at least temporary idiocy or insanity. So Beloved Stranger has the feel of an “early novel” in terms of the style but Joan’s trademark skill with character development is clear. She is able to sketch complex, nuanced characters for Ricardo and Susan and build an engaging story around their relationship.
I’ve been enjoying Joan Wolf’s novels for decades now. The plots are consistently engaging and the characters are fully developed and engaging as well. In particular, the female lead is never portrayed in a way that has me shacking my head saying, “what an idiot” and frankly almost all the romance writers consign their female characters to at least temporary idiocy or insanity. So Beloved Stranger has the feel of an “early novel” in terms of the style but Joan’s trademark skill with character development is clear. She is able to sketch complex, nuanced characters for Ricardo and Susan and build an engaging story around their relationship.
January 17, 2021
One of my favorite books
There is a warm, feel good feeling when you finish this book. It’s a favorite that I enjoy rereading occasionally. I own every book Joan Wolf has written. I have never been disappointed
There is a warm, feel good feeling when you finish this book. It’s a favorite that I enjoy rereading occasionally. I own every book Joan Wolf has written. I have never been disappointed
January 2, 2020
Not my favorite of her works, but fun.
May 27, 2022
Love some Joan Wolf
I have always loved Joan Wolf books. Her books have great characters. Her relationships are in depth and interesting. Good story
I have always loved Joan Wolf books. Her books have great characters. Her relationships are in depth and interesting. Good story
January 18, 2023
Very good book
August 11, 2010
A magical, almost otherworldly romance. And there's Yankees baseball (the hero) to boot. The heroine is a quiet, unconfident English major -- with a writer's soul.
Read
December 12, 2014An OOP book from early in Wolf's career, in the early '80s. It was a bit too eighties-ish.
dnf
June 10, 2023I may give this book another chance sometime, but right now I just do not want to read about the heroine deciding not to have an abortion because "she would have to live with what she had done."
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews