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Finding Camille
It's ten years after the end of WWII when Camille Winters accepts a position as the only colored secretary in the office at Hargrove and Chase, an advertising agency on Madison Avenue in the mid-1950's. When the owner and senior partner Kenneth Hargrove takes a professional liking to Camille after seeing her potential, Camille thinks she's finally found her niche, vindicated after pursuing her career rather than settling down. Mr. Hargrove uses his influence to find an old acquaintance from the war as a favor to Camille. But instead of the gesture bringing closure, the ghosts from the past suddenly come back to haunt her, putting her hard-won successful career in jeopardy.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2021
36 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
C.L. Donley
16 books203 followersC.L. Donley is a future New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of multicultural and interracial romance, who believes romance novels that are impossible to put down are the only kind that should exist! Armed with a B.A. in English and M.A. in Writing, she is new to the romance game, having written her first novel, Amara's Calling, after discovering the romance genre in September 2017. Donley writes in a style she calls "romantic realism" that is sophisticated yet simple, grounded yet unaplogetically escapist, and character-driven rather than plot-driven. This style creates a unique, modern reading experience ideal for book club discussions, personal epiphanies, satisfying re-reads, and the occasional spiraling reviewer! Love it or hate it, fans and critics alike can't deny her talent, and always find themselves coming back for more!
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 27, 2021
Enthralling
As it’s a C L Donley book I was unsure how it was going to end so I read the book with trepidation. I loved it though, ending and all. The twist with Stanley and Mr Hargrove caught me by surprise as did the epilogue. Trying not to give anything away here. The whole story kept me enthralled all the way through.
As it’s a C L Donley book I was unsure how it was going to end so I read the book with trepidation. I loved it though, ending and all. The twist with Stanley and Mr Hargrove caught me by surprise as did the epilogue. Trying not to give anything away here. The whole story kept me enthralled all the way through.
October 16, 2021
Omg yes
This book was amazing I was totally blown away by it definitely keeps you in your toes really enjoyed this great job I have a new favorite author.... I don't leave reviews but I had to for the book
This book was amazing I was totally blown away by it definitely keeps you in your toes really enjoyed this great job I have a new favorite author.... I don't leave reviews but I had to for the book
October 15, 2021
Unexpected
Unexpected but enjoyable. I saw the "twist" coming but it didn't bother me. I enjoy the way the letters were used.
Unexpected but enjoyable. I saw the "twist" coming but it didn't bother me. I enjoy the way the letters were used.
Want to read
November 6, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon today (11/6/2021)! 🎁
October 17, 2021
An Unconventional Love Story
Ms Donley writes a deliciously brutal romance. She makes readers work hard for a happily ever after, but it is worth the effort. The characters are fascinating and well developed. The plot is intriguing and the dialogue is witty and natural. I loved the "Mad Men" feel. I highly recommend this book.
Ms Donley writes a deliciously brutal romance. She makes readers work hard for a happily ever after, but it is worth the effort. The characters are fascinating and well developed. The plot is intriguing and the dialogue is witty and natural. I loved the "Mad Men" feel. I highly recommend this book.
October 25, 2021
Incredible Read
I haven't found characters this compelling in quite some time. I love Camille and Stan!!! Their story is perfect. Their love is timeless and boundless. Brava!
I haven't found characters this compelling in quite some time. I love Camille and Stan!!! Their story is perfect. Their love is timeless and boundless. Brava!
November 8, 2021
A gut wrenching read
This was a very emotional experience and I highly recommend it 👌. There were revelations that shocked me and I enjoyed the time spent engrossed in those pages.
This was a very emotional experience and I highly recommend it 👌. There were revelations that shocked me and I enjoyed the time spent engrossed in those pages.
October 17, 2022
I felt like I was watching a stage play while reading this book. I felt the same way while reading her other book, Leftovers With Benefits. C.L. Donley has quickly become one of my favorite IR romance writers. I've read four so far and I had rank them four stars or higher. I enthusiastically give this book 5 stars.
This is a story begins with our heroine, Camille, exchanging correspondence with her fiancé who is in combat with the Japanese during WWII. Unfortunately, her fiancé is killed and she is notified and comforted by his lieutenant in a series of exchanges up until the lieutenant stops writing her. The story then becomes a workplace romance when Camille is recruited for an advertising agency as secretary, and is quickly moving up the ladder after her boss, Ken Hargrove, detects her strong business sense and ease with handling the other employees at the firm. The story moves smoothly in a span of fifteen years as it goes into survivor's guilt (of sorts), colorism, sexism, office politics and microaggressions in a way that is straight forward and not at all preachy.
Another thing that I love about C.L. Donley's stories is her epilogues which takes places, sometimes, decades after the last chapter and can be bittersweet as I found with her book The Book of Adam and Jo: an Interracial Literary Romance. The epilogue for this book was quite a tearjerker and was absolutely perfect. Its easily one of the best books that I had read all year.
This is a story begins with our heroine, Camille, exchanging correspondence with her fiancé who is in combat with the Japanese during WWII. Unfortunately, her fiancé is killed and she is notified and comforted by his lieutenant in a series of exchanges up until the lieutenant stops writing her. The story then becomes a workplace romance when Camille is recruited for an advertising agency as secretary, and is quickly moving up the ladder after her boss, Ken Hargrove, detects her strong business sense and ease with handling the other employees at the firm. The story moves smoothly in a span of fifteen years as it goes into survivor's guilt (of sorts), colorism, sexism, office politics and microaggressions in a way that is straight forward and not at all preachy.
Another thing that I love about C.L. Donley's stories is her epilogues which takes places, sometimes, decades after the last chapter and can be bittersweet as I found with her book The Book of Adam and Jo: an Interracial Literary Romance. The epilogue for this book was quite a tearjerker and was absolutely perfect. Its easily one of the best books that I had read all year.
November 15, 2021
I always enjoy the setting of the 1950s, and I also enjoy BWWM romance, so when Silver Dagger Books offered up this novel to host and review, I signed up.
The book is done in two styles. Narrative and letters. When I first opened my e-reader and saw the letters, I sort of groaned, because I’m not one for letters. But I forged on. And I’m glad I did because those letters are important to the story.
Camille is a young woman, widowed before she even married, when she loses her fiancé Carl in WWII. But she finds solace in writing a man named Stan who knew Carl. Through their letters, the two become very close.
Read more here: https://wp.me/p12iNR-6CJ
The book is done in two styles. Narrative and letters. When I first opened my e-reader and saw the letters, I sort of groaned, because I’m not one for letters. But I forged on. And I’m glad I did because those letters are important to the story.
Camille is a young woman, widowed before she even married, when she loses her fiancé Carl in WWII. But she finds solace in writing a man named Stan who knew Carl. Through their letters, the two become very close.
Read more here: https://wp.me/p12iNR-6CJ
February 18, 2024
Beautifully written!
Star-crossed lovers. Camille losses her fiance in the war, and makes a connection with one of this brothers in arms. Through their grief they connect, and so much of the world during that time misdirected their ability to love each other, including their own actions. Enjoyed this story.
Star-crossed lovers. Camille losses her fiance in the war, and makes a connection with one of this brothers in arms. Through their grief they connect, and so much of the world during that time misdirected their ability to love each other, including their own actions. Enjoyed this story.
November 11, 2021
Interesting. Nice read
I’m not sure - I liked this was a story line I’ve never encountered. Not sure I liked the deception so while I smile at HEA I wonder if I should. Most I like that the story will not be easily shelved in the back of my mind
I’m not sure - I liked this was a story line I’ve never encountered. Not sure I liked the deception so while I smile at HEA I wonder if I should. Most I like that the story will not be easily shelved in the back of my mind
November 28, 2024
Decent
I would give it 3.5 stars. I figured out pretty quickly the twist in the story but couldn’t quite figure out how it would end. Neither of the main characters were favorites for me.
I would give it 3.5 stars. I figured out pretty quickly the twist in the story but couldn’t quite figure out how it would end. Neither of the main characters were favorites for me.
December 21, 2021
Great book!
I really really enjoyed this book! First time reading from this author but very pleased. I will definitely be looking for others to read. Thanks
I really really enjoyed this book! First time reading from this author but very pleased. I will definitely be looking for others to read. Thanks
August 29, 2022
I DNF pretty early on because I simply can’t read another BWWM with the BW “beautiful and light skinned” trope… in this case she’s white passing. Then, when talking about the heroine’s sister, she’s described as “the darkest of the three” and she’s toffee brown with red hair… and the sisters are jealous of her.
I like the author, BWWM, and historical pieces but I just couldn’t with this one right now.
I like the author, BWWM, and historical pieces but I just couldn’t with this one right now.
April 2, 2022
Loved it!
Gosh, I’m a big fan of C.L.Donley books, but Finding Camille may just be my favorite!! Loved the unexpected twists and turns! Bravo, my friend! 👏🏻
Gosh, I’m a big fan of C.L.Donley books, but Finding Camille may just be my favorite!! Loved the unexpected twists and turns! Bravo, my friend! 👏🏻
January 18, 2024
Camille and Ken
An unusual love story. I loved the letters from Stan to Camille, to discover he is black but white. That tit bit build up the suspense. Their relationship for that time is like walking through a land mine. They seem to make it work because they really loved each other, with all the ups and downs endured. The surprise of a daughter came out of nowhere because Ken was supposed to be sterile. A love story that shows humanity with all it's flaws. A good read to keep you moving to next page. In the beginning I thought I wouldn't like it. I really enjoyed it.
An unusual love story. I loved the letters from Stan to Camille, to discover he is black but white. That tit bit build up the suspense. Their relationship for that time is like walking through a land mine. They seem to make it work because they really loved each other, with all the ups and downs endured. The surprise of a daughter came out of nowhere because Ken was supposed to be sterile. A love story that shows humanity with all it's flaws. A good read to keep you moving to next page. In the beginning I thought I wouldn't like it. I really enjoyed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews