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Desire
One night threatened to ruin her life
Natasha was crushed when her engagement to Mike Porter was suddenly called off. And that was the only reason she allowed herself to have so much champagne at the party.
But there was no excuse for finding herself in Lee Farrell's bed the next morning. That was something totally out of character for Natasha--and it cost her dearly.
Rushed into marriage, expecting Lee's baby, she thought the future seemed bleak indeed. For how could she ever love a man she hardly even knew?
Natasha was crushed when her engagement to Mike Porter was suddenly called off. And that was the only reason she allowed herself to have so much champagne at the party.
But there was no excuse for finding herself in Lee Farrell's bed the next morning. That was something totally out of character for Natasha--and it cost her dearly.
Rushed into marriage, expecting Lee's baby, she thought the future seemed bleak indeed. For how could she ever love a man she hardly even knew?
188 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
About the author
Charlotte Lamb
263 books322 followersSheila Ann Mary Coates Holland
aka Sheila Holland, Sheila Coates, Charlotte Lamb, Sheila Lancaster, Victoria Woolf, Laura Hardy
Sheila Ann Mary Coates was born on 1937 in Essex, England, just before the Second World War in the East End of London. As a child, she was moved from relative to relative to escape the bombings of World War II. Sheila attended the Ursuline Convent for Girls. On leaving school at 16, the convent-educated author worked for the Bank of England as a clerk. Sheila continued her education by taking advantage of the B of E's enormous library during her lunch breaks and after work. She later worked as a secretary for the BBC. While there, she met and married Richard Holland, a political reporter. A voracious reader of romance novels, she began writing at her husband's suggestion. She wrote her first book in three days with three children underfoot! In between raising her five children (including a set of twins), Charlotte wrote several more novels. She used both her married and maiden names, Sheila Holland and Sheila Coates, before her first novel as Charlotte Lamb, Follow a Stranger, was published by Mills & Boon in 1973. She also used the pennames: Sheila Lancaster, Victoria Wolf and Laura Hardy. Sheila was a true revolutionary in the field of romance writing. One of the first writers to explore the boundaries of sexual desire, her novels often reflected the forefront of the "sexual revolution" of the 1970s. Her books touched on then-taboo subjects such as child abuse and rape, and she created sexually confident - even dominant - heroines. She was also one of the first to create a modern romantic heroine: independent, imperfect, and perfectly capable of initiating a sexual or romantic relationship. A prolific author, Sheila penned more than 160 novels, most of them for Mills & Boon. Known for her swiftness as well as for her skill in writing, Sheila typically wrote a minimum of two thousand words per day, working from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. While she once finished a full-length novel in four days, she herself pegged her average speed at two weeks to complete a full novel. Since 1977, Sheila had been living on the Isle of Man as a tax exile with her husband and four of their five children: Michael Holland, Sarah Holland, Jane Holland, Charlotte Holland and David Holland. Sheila passed away on October 8, 2000 in her baronial-style home 'Crogga' on the Island. She is greatly missed by her many fans, and by the romance writing community.
aka Sheila Holland, Sheila Coates, Charlotte Lamb, Sheila Lancaster, Victoria Woolf, Laura Hardy
Sheila Ann Mary Coates was born on 1937 in Essex, England, just before the Second World War in the East End of London. As a child, she was moved from relative to relative to escape the bombings of World War II. Sheila attended the Ursuline Convent for Girls. On leaving school at 16, the convent-educated author worked for the Bank of England as a clerk. Sheila continued her education by taking advantage of the B of E's enormous library during her lunch breaks and after work. She later worked as a secretary for the BBC. While there, she met and married Richard Holland, a political reporter. A voracious reader of romance novels, she began writing at her husband's suggestion. She wrote her first book in three days with three children underfoot! In between raising her five children (including a set of twins), Charlotte wrote several more novels. She used both her married and maiden names, Sheila Holland and Sheila Coates, before her first novel as Charlotte Lamb, Follow a Stranger, was published by Mills & Boon in 1973. She also used the pennames: Sheila Lancaster, Victoria Wolf and Laura Hardy. Sheila was a true revolutionary in the field of romance writing. One of the first writers to explore the boundaries of sexual desire, her novels often reflected the forefront of the "sexual revolution" of the 1970s. Her books touched on then-taboo subjects such as child abuse and rape, and she created sexually confident - even dominant - heroines. She was also one of the first to create a modern romantic heroine: independent, imperfect, and perfectly capable of initiating a sexual or romantic relationship. A prolific author, Sheila penned more than 160 novels, most of them for Mills & Boon. Known for her swiftness as well as for her skill in writing, Sheila typically wrote a minimum of two thousand words per day, working from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. While she once finished a full-length novel in four days, she herself pegged her average speed at two weeks to complete a full novel. Since 1977, Sheila had been living on the Isle of Man as a tax exile with her husband and four of their five children: Michael Holland, Sarah Holland, Jane Holland, Charlotte Holland and David Holland. Sheila passed away on October 8, 2000 in her baronial-style home 'Crogga' on the Island. She is greatly missed by her many fans, and by the romance writing community.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
April 18, 2021
Don't mind me, I just keep binge reading ms. Lamb's stories because my latest experiences with the new book releases suck my very few brain cells left outta me. 🤖🤖
I don't how the woman managed to accomplish that but her heroines are either irritatingly dumb 💀🔪🔪🔪(like the one in this book) or my girl crushes 4ever.💅🖤
Seriously, I started to get a lil furious with Natasha, whose mother loved reading Russian novels, especially War and Peace (lmaooo), but then the sense of humour got the best of me and I was nearly hysterical. Ms. Lamb does that to your psyche. 🥰
I don't how the woman managed to accomplish that but her heroines are either irritatingly dumb 💀🔪🔪🔪(like the one in this book) or my girl crushes 4ever.💅🖤
Seriously, I started to get a lil furious with Natasha, whose mother loved reading Russian novels, especially War and Peace (lmaooo), but then the sense of humour got the best of me and I was nearly hysterical. Ms. Lamb does that to your psyche. 🥰
October 4, 2016
I loved the hero in this one - he was a sweetie - so smitten and so confused. He thought his night with the virgin heroine was because of love and desire. His "bubble" burst the next morning when the heroine explains that she was on the rebound from a broken engagement, and that she was drunk, and that she never wanted to see him again. At one point, the hero describes this as being "cast out of Eden."
Of course the plot thickens when the heroine finds that she is pregnant and now the hero has a chance at Eden once again.
Our poor, thick heroine can't see that the hero is head over heels for her, of course. She is reeling from her broken engagement, her fiance's continual involvement in her life, the physical demands of her pregnancy and realizing that she doesn't actually know her feelings about . . . anything.
It's the heroine who kept this from being a five star read for me. She was a bit too obtuse, for too long for me to have much patience with her during the course of the story. And she really did hurt the hero's feelings - not deliberately, in the nicest possible way - but still, hurtful. That being said, I do think their relationship will work out just fine. They were great together during their one night stand and at the end when they finally talked.
Of course the plot thickens when the heroine finds that she is pregnant and now the hero has a chance at Eden once again.
Our poor, thick heroine can't see that the hero is head over heels for her, of course. She is reeling from her broken engagement, her fiance's continual involvement in her life, the physical demands of her pregnancy and realizing that she doesn't actually know her feelings about . . . anything.
It's the heroine who kept this from being a five star read for me. She was a bit too obtuse, for too long for me to have much patience with her during the course of the story. And she really did hurt the hero's feelings - not deliberately, in the nicest possible way - but still, hurtful. That being said, I do think their relationship will work out just fine. They were great together during their one night stand and at the end when they finally talked.
September 5, 2020
Lust is a cold, bitter emotion. Lust is a disguised hatred. Desire is a natural reaction to beauty. You're a very beautiful woman and I want you.
Hey, as pick-up lines go, that ain't bad!
Like a bee flying from flower to flower, imbibing the sweet nectar, always moving on, our heroine Natasha flies from man to man, always in love, or she thinks she is. From an infatuation with her brother-in-law Jack that sends her running to the big city, to her whiplash engagement to mommy's boy Mike, and finally, her drunken one-night-stand (followed by HPlandia mandatory pregnancy) with international playboy and man of mystery Lee. Natasha is in love with falling in love and if Lee didn't put the balls and chain on her and lock her up, she would slip right through his fingers to the next. I don't predict a very stable future for these two!
Story comes complete with Charlotte Lamb's favorite melon and ham appetizer, and a risque pink nylon nightie showing off a lot of skin.
Hey, as pick-up lines go, that ain't bad!
Like a bee flying from flower to flower, imbibing the sweet nectar, always moving on, our heroine Natasha flies from man to man, always in love, or she thinks she is. From an infatuation with her brother-in-law Jack that sends her running to the big city, to her whiplash engagement to mommy's boy Mike, and finally, her drunken one-night-stand (followed by HPlandia mandatory pregnancy) with international playboy and man of mystery Lee. Natasha is in love with falling in love and if Lee didn't put the balls and chain on her and lock her up, she would slip right through his fingers to the next. I don't predict a very stable future for these two!
Story comes complete with Charlotte Lamb's favorite melon and ham appetizer, and a risque pink nylon nightie showing off a lot of skin.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2016
This book has the same basic plot as Frustration, but where Frustration works this does not. Sad to say, I think we have to lay the fault at our little heroine. She takes the concept of honesty is the best policy to a cruel degree with the hero, and essentially lingers on bed rest far too long to be interesting.
Natasha is apparently cursed when it comes to men or else she simply makes horrible choices. She leaves her family and village because she's fallen for her BIL. No scandal or drama as no one knows. Like starve a cold, she hopes if she leaves the love will go. Sure enough, she of the lackluster passion, falls for Mike. Too bad Mike has a grasping and manipulative mother who has driven one son to Australia, and handily makes mincemeat of mealy-mouthed Natasha. The blow comes when Mike wants to live with Mama after the wedding. N is smart enough to know it won't work, but fiancee won't budge. Natasha offers Mike her ring back after the engagement is broken, but it gets tossed away, glinting under a shrub. As far as I could tell neither picks it up. I swear, all I could think of the whole book was that ring lying under the bush.
The h goes to a party with Nigel her swinging boss, and ends up enthralled with the tall, dark and handsome Lee. Another yummy alpha male that is struck with not just insta-lust but perhaps even more. After more champagne than is wise, the h and H end up in bed. She has a few philosophical moments about her identity as a woman and whether she is a strong woman or simply a submissive girl that conforms. Given this is written in 1981 and sexual awareness for women is really explored on a different level, this was believable. Sadly, she rejects her epiphany the next morning. The morning after, well, it was just sad. It's obvious that the H has found the love of his life after he scampers to make her coffee. She, on the other hand, is reeling from a hangover, the knowledge she had sex for the first time, and the knowledge she had sex for the first time with someone NOT HER FIANCEE! When the H gets the drift he is not the one, but merely a stand-in, he's not too happy.
Long story short, the rabbit died. The h has to go on bed rest which she does at the H's house. She's just kind of there although she does get a punishing kiss or two which secretly thrills her. Miss Lamb actually uses the word "punishment".
I heartily recommend Frustration for a similar story. This is more of a pale imitation.
Natasha is apparently cursed when it comes to men or else she simply makes horrible choices. She leaves her family and village because she's fallen for her BIL. No scandal or drama as no one knows. Like starve a cold, she hopes if she leaves the love will go. Sure enough, she of the lackluster passion, falls for Mike. Too bad Mike has a grasping and manipulative mother who has driven one son to Australia, and handily makes mincemeat of mealy-mouthed Natasha. The blow comes when Mike wants to live with Mama after the wedding. N is smart enough to know it won't work, but fiancee won't budge. Natasha offers Mike her ring back after the engagement is broken, but it gets tossed away, glinting under a shrub. As far as I could tell neither picks it up. I swear, all I could think of the whole book was that ring lying under the bush.
The h goes to a party with Nigel her swinging boss, and ends up enthralled with the tall, dark and handsome Lee. Another yummy alpha male that is struck with not just insta-lust but perhaps even more. After more champagne than is wise, the h and H end up in bed. She has a few philosophical moments about her identity as a woman and whether she is a strong woman or simply a submissive girl that conforms. Given this is written in 1981 and sexual awareness for women is really explored on a different level, this was believable. Sadly, she rejects her epiphany the next morning. The morning after, well, it was just sad. It's obvious that the H has found the love of his life after he scampers to make her coffee. She, on the other hand, is reeling from a hangover, the knowledge she had sex for the first time, and the knowledge she had sex for the first time with someone NOT HER FIANCEE! When the H gets the drift he is not the one, but merely a stand-in, he's not too happy.
Long story short, the rabbit died. The h has to go on bed rest which she does at the H's house. She's just kind of there although she does get a punishing kiss or two which secretly thrills her. Miss Lamb actually uses the word "punishment".
I heartily recommend Frustration for a similar story. This is more of a pale imitation.
April 19, 2021
Desire has to be the funniest Charlotte Lamb romance I've read so far. Most of the books I've read by her have been from the '90s and I don't remember them containing such biting humor. Seeing Lamb poke fun at her own characters especially Natasha, the semi-ditzy heroine, and her vain boss Nigel had me chuckling!
Here's a passage about Natasha:
She retreated in nervous alarm before male advances and her retreat only made pursuit more interesting. Once when she complained about a very pressing young man to Linda, her sister had kindly explained to her that it was all her own fault. "The more you run, the more they chase you. Haven't you worked that out yet? Look at dogs."
Natasha had stared at her openmouthed. "Dogs?" she had asked, confused.
"If they know you're afraid of them they chase you," Linda had said. "Men take a look at you and they know you'll run a mile, so of course they follow."
"But why?" Natasha had asked, and Linda had sighed, eyeing her with despair.
"Because they have it beaten into their brains," she had said. "'Me Tarzan, you Jane' stuff. Why are you so dumb, Natasha?"
"I don't know," Natasha had sighed, and Linda had looked at her with sisterly contempt.
"You should have been a blonde," she said.
And Nigel:
Nigel Herries had as much perception as a slab of concrete. He was the sort of man who looks in mirrors as he passes them. He was very good-looking and very pleased with himself.... Although he spent so much time looking in mirrors and wining and dining pretty girls, Nigel had a brain, of sorts. It worked in flashes.
However amusing parts of the book were, Lee's unrequited love wasn't a laughing matter. I liked Lee and sympathized with him considering that Natasha treated him so badly. Although she didn't mean to Natasha really bruised his heart. The poor besotted guy had it bad, thinking their one night together was "fantastic", "beautiful", and "special". Natasha, however, felt so ashamed that she just wanted to forget it ever happened. I understand she'd just broken up with her ex and needed time to get over him, but I didn't care for her fickleness and indecisiveness. She kept Lee at a distance for so long when it obvious he was clearly the better man.
I'm not sure Natasha was worth all the heartache but it's said that love is blind, which is definitely true in this case.
Here's a passage about Natasha:
She retreated in nervous alarm before male advances and her retreat only made pursuit more interesting. Once when she complained about a very pressing young man to Linda, her sister had kindly explained to her that it was all her own fault. "The more you run, the more they chase you. Haven't you worked that out yet? Look at dogs."
Natasha had stared at her openmouthed. "Dogs?" she had asked, confused.
"If they know you're afraid of them they chase you," Linda had said. "Men take a look at you and they know you'll run a mile, so of course they follow."
"But why?" Natasha had asked, and Linda had sighed, eyeing her with despair.
"Because they have it beaten into their brains," she had said. "'Me Tarzan, you Jane' stuff. Why are you so dumb, Natasha?"
"I don't know," Natasha had sighed, and Linda had looked at her with sisterly contempt.
"You should have been a blonde," she said.
And Nigel:
Nigel Herries had as much perception as a slab of concrete. He was the sort of man who looks in mirrors as he passes them. He was very good-looking and very pleased with himself.... Although he spent so much time looking in mirrors and wining and dining pretty girls, Nigel had a brain, of sorts. It worked in flashes.
However amusing parts of the book were, Lee's unrequited love wasn't a laughing matter. I liked Lee and sympathized with him considering that Natasha treated him so badly. Although she didn't mean to Natasha really bruised his heart. The poor besotted guy had it bad, thinking their one night together was "fantastic", "beautiful", and "special". Natasha, however, felt so ashamed that she just wanted to forget it ever happened. I understand she'd just broken up with her ex and needed time to get over him, but I didn't care for her fickleness and indecisiveness. She kept Lee at a distance for so long when it obvious he was clearly the better man.
I'm not sure Natasha was worth all the heartache but it's said that love is blind, which is definitely true in this case.
February 23, 2014
Well now that was different. Young woman is dumped by her fiancé because his mama just doesn't like her. She goes off the rails, goes to a party and drinks herself silly. Along comes the hero (drop dead gorgeous with those Charlotte Lamb grey eyes) and she just falls into his bed. The following day she has "buyers" remorse. Hero (along with his damaged ego) is pissed as hell so he dumps her back at her apartment anxious to move onto other pastures women. Unfortunately, there's a "bun" planted in the oven so they will find themselves back in each other's company.
How the hero finds out about her pregnancy, his initial reaction when he thinks he was set up, his later jealous, besotted attitude toward the heroine, all made for one entertaining ride and I couldn't put it down. This was also well written, which is Lamb's signature trademark.
However, I settled on 3.5 stars, so I rounded to 4.....
What stopped this from being 5 stars, was no epilogue and some loose ends that should have been tied up better. But again, this was a very fun, entertaining read with a heroine that walked around befuddled most of the time, but had enough self respect to stand her ground and a hero who didn't cross the line.
How the hero finds out about her pregnancy, his initial reaction when he thinks he was set up, his later jealous, besotted attitude toward the heroine, all made for one entertaining ride and I couldn't put it down. This was also well written, which is Lamb's signature trademark.
However, I settled on 3.5 stars, so I rounded to 4.....
What stopped this from being 5 stars, was no epilogue and some loose ends that should have been tied up better. But again, this was a very fun, entertaining read with a heroine that walked around befuddled most of the time, but had enough self respect to stand her ground and a hero who didn't cross the line.
October 11, 2025
"My God, I sometimes think I must be crazy," he said inexplicably. "What is there behind those big blue eyes? Air?"
You are crazy Lee. And hoping for air is optimistic. The void, I would say.
Words fail me. The heroine is a little brainless porcelain doll. She makes all damsels in distress and tstl heroine pale in front of her.
Luckily for her our hero is smitten because... he likes helping lost puppies? He wasn't allowed to play with dolls as a child and wants one of his own? At any rate he is determined to stick with the-girl-without-a-brain and his unborn child which she carries.
REALLY LEE! Think of the IQ a child with her genes will have!
Its a great book. I really like the authors descriptions of the heroine as uber feminine and avoiding confrontation. The girl needs therapy but the way the author describes the characters is amazing. The descriptions of Nigel her boss are gold. Won't spoil those. And Lee is so smitten and she continues to inadvertently hurt the poor guy every time she opens her mouth.
I can't spend more time on the review but its very good, quite different and has a load of lines that I'm itching to quote. I love Charlotte Lamb! :D
You are crazy Lee. And hoping for air is optimistic. The void, I would say.
Words fail me. The heroine is a little brainless porcelain doll. She makes all damsels in distress and tstl heroine pale in front of her.
Luckily for her our hero is smitten because... he likes helping lost puppies? He wasn't allowed to play with dolls as a child and wants one of his own? At any rate he is determined to stick with the-girl-without-a-brain and his unborn child which she carries.
REALLY LEE! Think of the IQ a child with her genes will have!
Its a great book. I really like the authors descriptions of the heroine as uber feminine and avoiding confrontation. The girl needs therapy but the way the author describes the characters is amazing. The descriptions of Nigel her boss are gold. Won't spoil those. And Lee is so smitten and she continues to inadvertently hurt the poor guy every time she opens her mouth.
I can't spend more time on the review but its very good, quite different and has a load of lines that I'm itching to quote. I love Charlotte Lamb! :D
April 21, 2014
4 Stars ~ When Natasha developed a crush on her sister's husband, she decided to move to London before she exposed her feelings. Her family was loving but conservative and old-fashioned. While her sister Linda was exuberant and the dynamic personality in the family, Natasha was always the introvert, anxious to keep the peace. She became a secretary to an advertising executive who was a bit of a womaniser but quickly realized Natasha was strictly a hands off girl. When she met Mike, they seemed to have much in common and quickly their friendship blossomed into what she thought was true love. But weeks before they were to be married, Mike suggested that they should live with his mother and Natasha flatly refused. Mike's mother despised her and had tried to break them up but he had failed to see that and accused her of hating his mother. He broke their engagement and Natasha was distraught. Nigel, her boss, sensed something was wrong and invited her out to a promotional party to help him drum up more business. At the party the champagne was plentiful and Natasha drank more than she'd ever had before. Feeling alive she laughed and drew Lee's attention. One look and he was enchanted, and when their eyes met, Natasha felt the same intense attraction. No longer under the control of her inhibitions, she willing goes home with Lee and he makes love to her. The next morning, with her head splitting in two, she faces her shameful behaviour. Lee's on cloud nine, having had the most magical night of his life, and then Natasha bursts the bubble and tells him that earlier yesterday her fiance had broken their engagement and she'd drunk far too much champagne to bury her pain. Lee quickly hid his bitter disappointment and his anger came forward and he let her know how much he resented being used. A month later, Natasha discovers she's pregnant and when Mike comes to see her to try to mend their relationship she blurts it out. He goes on a mad rant and ends up at Lee's where he quickly tells him he's going to pay. When Lee confronts Natasha, he thinks she's been out to blackmail him, and they argue bitterly. He learns he was wrong, and he goes to her; apologizes and offers to marry her. But she won't hear of it.
Natasha's tremendously introverted and incredibly naive. Her sister Linda often gets frustrated when things go over Natasha's head, even exclaiming that she should have been born blonde. Thankfully we're given some of her background and it's easy to see that she's not totally obtuse but just incredibly inhibited. Theirs is definitely a love at first sight but Natasha is too confused to understand it and she is overcome with her guilt at what she views as shameful behaviour.
Poor Lee, he gets shot down and has to take it. The dialogue is priceless. When Natasha tells him it's better if he just forget all about her, he tells her that he's partly responsible. She then says only "by accident it could have been anyone" and he comes back with "you have a genius for using words like a blunt instrument". And when she flatly refuses to marry him, he mutters, "I'm obviously as desirable as foot-and-mouth disease." While we're not really given Lee's internal thoughts, it's clear that Natasha has the power to hurt him. She baffles him and has him tied up in knots.
It's been ages since I read a book by Charlotte Lamb. While at times she portrays Natasha in a stereotypical emotional airhead way, she still seems to empower her with spunk. I adored Lee. He's an alpha wolf who finds himself poleaxed by a kitten. This was a fun read.
Natasha's tremendously introverted and incredibly naive. Her sister Linda often gets frustrated when things go over Natasha's head, even exclaiming that she should have been born blonde. Thankfully we're given some of her background and it's easy to see that she's not totally obtuse but just incredibly inhibited. Theirs is definitely a love at first sight but Natasha is too confused to understand it and she is overcome with her guilt at what she views as shameful behaviour.
Poor Lee, he gets shot down and has to take it. The dialogue is priceless. When Natasha tells him it's better if he just forget all about her, he tells her that he's partly responsible. She then says only "by accident it could have been anyone" and he comes back with "you have a genius for using words like a blunt instrument". And when she flatly refuses to marry him, he mutters, "I'm obviously as desirable as foot-and-mouth disease." While we're not really given Lee's internal thoughts, it's clear that Natasha has the power to hurt him. She baffles him and has him tied up in knots.
It's been ages since I read a book by Charlotte Lamb. While at times she portrays Natasha in a stereotypical emotional airhead way, she still seems to empower her with spunk. I adored Lee. He's an alpha wolf who finds himself poleaxed by a kitten. This was a fun read.
Read
August 6, 2021The Heroine Natasha Blair is 21.
The Hero Lee Farrell is 37.
The Heroine and her continued refusal to marry the Hero was a bit tiresome to read. Not what you would expect in an older romance.
God knows what he saw in her!
The Hero Lee Farrell is 37.
The Heroine and her continued refusal to marry the Hero was a bit tiresome to read. Not what you would expect in an older romance.
God knows what he saw in her!
October 22, 2023
Three stars because hey, it’s CL! What a way she has with words, not many are like her. And because of the most patient hero evah! Honestly, I would have thrown the heroine out of the window long before the half of the book.
She was the most annoying woman the poor hero could find.
She’s been jilted by her fiancé because she refused to live with his mother who is the mother from hell, since she hates every woman who tries to take her kids away.
So she’s depressed, goes out, drinks a bit, meets the hero and has a ons.
Clearly the poor sod is smitten and thinks he has found the woman of his life, while she’s remorseful and regrets what she did, blurting out the fiancé story.
The hero is stunned and not in a good way, he’s hurt and offended and he feels used. No matter that any other man wouldn’t care a bit and would thank the heroine anyway. This hero has standards, and doesn’t want to be treated like an object. There.
Three weeks later the heroine finds out she’s pregnant. Hero finds out and not in a good way, he goes to her and causes a scene. The heroine who didn’t very much liked him before, now positively loathes him.
So everything he offers and proposes, from marriage, to dinner, to paying her medical expenses, is thrown back to his face with scorn and disdain.
The heroine feels guilty because let’s be honest, she enjoyed the sex a lot, and she can’t understand how she can be in love with her ex and yet want the hero with a vengeance.
She’s the introvert type, who’s always thinking and overthinking and she is also the uncertain type, who doesn’t know her own mind and needs someone who tells her what to do.
Pregnancy is difficult so the hero offers marriage so she won’t be have to work and will be waited on hands and foot since he’s a lot rich.
She accepts but is grumpy all the time and never grateful.
Never a joy, we use to say in Italy when there’s a grumpy person who’s always complaining and never satisfied. The spoilsport type, that’s her.
And the hero has always around a dubious ow, since he’s a music producer and there’s the strong suspicion that she’s his lover.
Eventually the singer ow is married to a hero’s friend and he only wanted the heroine a bit jealous, because hey a man has his pride too.
Whatever.
The heroine understands that she’s never been truly in love with her fiancé, and that she’s in love with the hero.
They talk and declares their love and all is well and I don’t know what this hero found in this grumpy and contrary creature. It was insta love for him and the sex was oh so wonderful. Really? It’s a bit hard to believe that a producer, a handsome man, rich and single, had the best sex of his life with a drunk virgin. But this is CL, the queen of besotted snd obsessed heroes so we are happy to comply.
And how she writes, this woman. The way she describes the sensation of alienation and derealization that the heroine feels in a big city, she, a shy and reserved girl.
How she describes the world of advertising with its subliminal continuous references to sex as a solution of everything.
It was a masterful piece of truth.
I loved it, and so my rate is 3 stars, despite the heroine.
She was the most annoying woman the poor hero could find.
She’s been jilted by her fiancé because she refused to live with his mother who is the mother from hell, since she hates every woman who tries to take her kids away.
So she’s depressed, goes out, drinks a bit, meets the hero and has a ons.
Clearly the poor sod is smitten and thinks he has found the woman of his life, while she’s remorseful and regrets what she did, blurting out the fiancé story.
The hero is stunned and not in a good way, he’s hurt and offended and he feels used. No matter that any other man wouldn’t care a bit and would thank the heroine anyway. This hero has standards, and doesn’t want to be treated like an object. There.
Three weeks later the heroine finds out she’s pregnant. Hero finds out and not in a good way, he goes to her and causes a scene. The heroine who didn’t very much liked him before, now positively loathes him.
So everything he offers and proposes, from marriage, to dinner, to paying her medical expenses, is thrown back to his face with scorn and disdain.
The heroine feels guilty because let’s be honest, she enjoyed the sex a lot, and she can’t understand how she can be in love with her ex and yet want the hero with a vengeance.
She’s the introvert type, who’s always thinking and overthinking and she is also the uncertain type, who doesn’t know her own mind and needs someone who tells her what to do.
Pregnancy is difficult so the hero offers marriage so she won’t be have to work and will be waited on hands and foot since he’s a lot rich.
She accepts but is grumpy all the time and never grateful.
Never a joy, we use to say in Italy when there’s a grumpy person who’s always complaining and never satisfied. The spoilsport type, that’s her.
And the hero has always around a dubious ow, since he’s a music producer and there’s the strong suspicion that she’s his lover.
Eventually the singer ow is married to a hero’s friend and he only wanted the heroine a bit jealous, because hey a man has his pride too.
Whatever.
The heroine understands that she’s never been truly in love with her fiancé, and that she’s in love with the hero.
They talk and declares their love and all is well and I don’t know what this hero found in this grumpy and contrary creature. It was insta love for him and the sex was oh so wonderful. Really? It’s a bit hard to believe that a producer, a handsome man, rich and single, had the best sex of his life with a drunk virgin. But this is CL, the queen of besotted snd obsessed heroes so we are happy to comply.
And how she writes, this woman. The way she describes the sensation of alienation and derealization that the heroine feels in a big city, she, a shy and reserved girl.
How she describes the world of advertising with its subliminal continuous references to sex as a solution of everything.
It was a masterful piece of truth.
I loved it, and so my rate is 3 stars, despite the heroine.
February 25, 2017
Cute story, albeit forgettable. Reminded me a bit of CL's other book Frustration in that the Hero and heroine fall into bed at first sight only to have the H completely devastated by the realization that while it was the most magical moment of his life, the h had another man on her mind. I've decided I like this trope very much, it's so humbling for the H and sets up so many delicious encounters afterwards.
In this one, the H was very obvious and plain about his feelings, but the h was really high on the obtuse scale. If a tack is sharp, she was the furthest thing from it. If stupid were a commodity, she would be a tycoon. If she were any denser, she would have created a black hole. Fortunately the H came to realize what a dim bulb he'd fallen in love with and spelled it out for her very carefully and clearly at the end. I liked him!
Some choice bits:
Aww. Isn't it cute? :)
In this one, the H was very obvious and plain about his feelings, but the h was really high on the obtuse scale. If a tack is sharp, she was the furthest thing from it. If stupid were a commodity, she would be a tycoon. If she were any denser, she would have created a black hole. Fortunately the H came to realize what a dim bulb he'd fallen in love with and spelled it out for her very carefully and clearly at the end. I liked him!
Some choice bits:
Aww. Isn't it cute? :)
April 14, 2016
Heroine keep repeating she doesn't want her unborn child is not my idea of a romance.
November 25, 2021
"What is there behind those big blue eyes? Air?"
Yes!
Yes!
March 7, 2014
i don't know why the hero could love such an immature woman like our heroine. she's pretty easy to fall in love, and to fall out of it too.
but anyway, later my curiosity's satisfied. so hero fell in love with her laughter, we called it love at first sight. but then so very later, i'd called it blind love. *rolling eyes*
i give it 3 stars just because i like the hero's jealousy. i know, i'm pretty shallow.
but anyway, later my curiosity's satisfied. so hero fell in love with her laughter, we called it love at first sight. but then so very later, i'd called it blind love. *rolling eyes*
i give it 3 stars just because i like the hero's jealousy. i know, i'm pretty shallow.
February 28, 2016
This is one of the first romances I read. I loved this book. The heroine has a drunk fuck after breaking up with her fiancee. She feels desire and uninhibited by both the champagne and the hottie she had a one-night stand with. When she wakes up the next morning she is mortified and he drives her home upset that it was the alcohol not her desire for him. She falls pregnant, they marry for convenience but are stand offish and suspect of each other until the grand grovel and love reveal at the end. It is a fab read that very much reflects the mores of the early eighties. I have reread this one at least once a year for the past 25 years.
Update: I have posted a review of this book on my blog: http://shallowreader.wordpress.com/20...
Update: I have posted a review of this book on my blog: http://shallowreader.wordpress.com/20...
June 30, 2024
I enjoyed this book so much. It had all of her angst and feels that make a good story.
While it mostly follows the regular Harlequin plot line, it deviates in the most enticing way.
I read this book in one sitting. Going on the favourite shelf for sure.
While it mostly follows the regular Harlequin plot line, it deviates in the most enticing way.
I read this book in one sitting. Going on the favourite shelf for sure.
October 20, 2015
Hmm, it had all the right elements but didn't quite hit the spot for me. Maybe I couldn't quite believe the emotions? Still fairly readable.
January 14, 2019
This story isn’t too bad, Natasha has broken up with her fiancé as he won’t accept he’s controlled by his mother. He finishes with her leaving her devastated, her fun loving boss invites her to a party where she meets Lee tall dark and handsome. After too many glasses of champagne she ends up spending the night with Lee, but the next morning with a hangover and a double helping of guilt and hating what she’d done she doesn’t want to progress things further with Lee. For his part he’s annoyed and upset with Natasha, I’m not sure why, as they didn’t know one another he’s a man of some experience he knew she was drunk so I’m not sure why he took her to bed.
A short while after Natasha discovers she’s pregnant eventually she agrees to marry Lee as she’s unable to continue working and needs bed rest, (apparently she’s very delicate) The ex fiancé makes a few appearances as he now knows that his mother is a possessive old witch who didn’t want either of her sons to marry, the eldest son lives in Australia with his wife, that should have clued in Mike the heroines ex but he’s a bit thick obviously.
Natasha was a bit flakey I’m not keen on weak heroines, Lee seemed a bit too worldly for her IMO. I wasn’t entirely convinced of their claiming to love each other.
A short while after Natasha discovers she’s pregnant eventually she agrees to marry Lee as she’s unable to continue working and needs bed rest, (apparently she’s very delicate) The ex fiancé makes a few appearances as he now knows that his mother is a possessive old witch who didn’t want either of her sons to marry, the eldest son lives in Australia with his wife, that should have clued in Mike the heroines ex but he’s a bit thick obviously.
Natasha was a bit flakey I’m not keen on weak heroines, Lee seemed a bit too worldly for her IMO. I wasn’t entirely convinced of their claiming to love each other.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2022
2022 Re-read review- pretty sure I re-read this book several times already. I'm surprised I had such a short of review this given my high 5 star ratings! Anyhoo, I'm in the mood to re-read my supposed favorites/forgotten books and this was one of them. My 5 star ratings is probably a tad too high but I think that 5 star is more for the fact that the H is SOOOO into the h and that he falls in love first before the h does/realizes she does LOL. And when I read the book with that tidbit in my mind - yes, I can see the poor H like a poor puppy that the (duh!!) h kicks unknowingly. So I think if you're like me, then you'll find this book sweet and awww type. But if you judge it for the h and her dense ways then maybe not. The H is my usual cup of tea of kind of alpha, controlling, rich and handsome type but I'll forgive him because you can see he falls in love with the h first. I like the little tidbits of the OM and when the h slowly (so slowly) comes to the realization that the H is who she chooses. Anyhoo, a nice fast read for me and a sweet book that yea, I'll maintain my 5 star rating because this book is one I can pick up if I want to smile at the end LOL. I'm just sad the HEA was too short (for the H) I'd like more description of the HEA for the H's sake after all the grief the h puts him through lol!
2008 Review: My thoughts: I LOVED this book and I loved all the characters, especially the hero! It was so sweet that he actually fell love at first sight with her! Of course he's kinda like an alpha male - the kind of man I want, haha. Anyway, I've re-read this book a few times and I still love it. Very enjoyable!
2008 Review: My thoughts: I LOVED this book and I loved all the characters, especially the hero! It was so sweet that he actually fell love at first sight with her! Of course he's kinda like an alpha male - the kind of man I want, haha. Anyway, I've re-read this book a few times and I still love it. Very enjoyable!
March 29, 2021
Natasha was crushed when her engagement to Mike Porter was suddenly called off. And that was the only reason she allowed herself to have so much champagne at the party.
But there was no excuse for finding herself in Lee Farrell's bed the next morning. That was something totally out of character for Natasha--and it cost her dearly.
Rushed into marriage, expecting Lee's baby, she thought the future seemed bleak indeed. For how could she ever love a man she hardly even knew?
But there was no excuse for finding herself in Lee Farrell's bed the next morning. That was something totally out of character for Natasha--and it cost her dearly.
Rushed into marriage, expecting Lee's baby, she thought the future seemed bleak indeed. For how could she ever love a man she hardly even knew?
December 8, 2017
I read this book years ago when I was younger and really loved it. Now (as I'm mainly reading erotica romance) I thought the story was good, however it is definitely dated and I think how I've outgrown these books. Though it is nice to take a trip down memory lane and
May 3, 2021
1232019
August 14, 2020
Desire , as opposed to Lust is the way the hero describes what he feels towards the girl. Quite rightly so, he defends his desire as being an honest attraction and not a crass sexual thing.
The girl is a slightly confused young lady who finds herself in and out of love a couple of times before she meets the hero. Not to say that she is of loose morals. Just a little flighty in her thoughts.
Her fiance, a mama's boy, has mommy troubles. And because of the tug of war between the clingy mom and the heroine, he breaks off the engagement abruptly. Our heart broken lady goes on a wild partying spree and lands in bed with the hero. For his part, the hero openly declares that its been a life changing experience. So its clear right from the start that the guy is royally smitten.
The girl is stunned and shamed by her 'totally out of character' behavior. She might have fancied herself being in love a couple of times, but she's a virgin nevertheless.
They part ways abruptly the morning after. Only to encounter each other once again because our lady is pregnant. But no, she doesn't approach the hero. Its the mama's boy OM who goes on a rampage with the intention of beating up the hero !!!!!
The hero comes over to her place and forcibly takes her along. Live together, and I'll take care of you, he says. Then marriage of convenience becomes an inevitable consequence. All along the girl acts with utmost reluctance, and that really irks him. The open desire and attraction that she displayed on Day 1, she now keeps repressing that feeling. Embarrassment at her wild act, ethics infused by her upbringing, suspicion of the hero being a cassanova - all factors that add to her reluctance.
The poor guy is left floundering, trying to break her reserve and get genuinely close. It does happen eventually. And as the pregnancy progresses, their relationship also irons out and becomes more mature.
Charlotte Lamb deals with the same trope of one wild, reckless night turning into a lifetime of love in many of her stories. But she does manage to make them delightfully different.
It did get a bit irritating in the middle when the girl was acting all prim and proper for no reason. But she justifies her behavior well in the end. I liked this one.
The girl is a slightly confused young lady who finds herself in and out of love a couple of times before she meets the hero. Not to say that she is of loose morals. Just a little flighty in her thoughts.
Her fiance, a mama's boy, has mommy troubles. And because of the tug of war between the clingy mom and the heroine, he breaks off the engagement abruptly. Our heart broken lady goes on a wild partying spree and lands in bed with the hero. For his part, the hero openly declares that its been a life changing experience. So its clear right from the start that the guy is royally smitten.
The girl is stunned and shamed by her 'totally out of character' behavior. She might have fancied herself being in love a couple of times, but she's a virgin nevertheless.
They part ways abruptly the morning after. Only to encounter each other once again because our lady is pregnant. But no, she doesn't approach the hero. Its the mama's boy OM who goes on a rampage with the intention of beating up the hero !!!!!
The hero comes over to her place and forcibly takes her along. Live together, and I'll take care of you, he says. Then marriage of convenience becomes an inevitable consequence. All along the girl acts with utmost reluctance, and that really irks him. The open desire and attraction that she displayed on Day 1, she now keeps repressing that feeling. Embarrassment at her wild act, ethics infused by her upbringing, suspicion of the hero being a cassanova - all factors that add to her reluctance.
The poor guy is left floundering, trying to break her reserve and get genuinely close. It does happen eventually. And as the pregnancy progresses, their relationship also irons out and becomes more mature.
Charlotte Lamb deals with the same trope of one wild, reckless night turning into a lifetime of love in many of her stories. But she does manage to make them delightfully different.
It did get a bit irritating in the middle when the girl was acting all prim and proper for no reason. But she justifies her behavior well in the end. I liked this one.
February 6, 2025
If the h in this story had been different, I would have enjoyed this book, but I just couldn't stand her, so I just skimmed through what started out as a good read.
She had so many red flags: falling for her sister's husband (apparently all of a sudden, as they had been married for a time, and she felt nothing romantic before that, so it didn't ring true), then falling hard for a guy in London (the OM) and ready to marry him almost immediately (having all kinds of romantic, head-in-the-cloud thought about a perfect HEA), putting blinders on to his being under his mother's thumb until forced to confront it by the woman's rude behavior and nasty comments, which the OM refused to acknowledge, going on and on (ad nauseum) about what a saint his mother was, and all the sacrifices she made for him and his brother (who was smart enough to escape), actually thinking it would be a nice idea if they lived with Mom after they got married (WHAT?????), and throwing a hissy fit when the h told him how his mother felt about her, declaring she was wrong, she misunderstood, she was just being mean to his sweet Mommy, and now he doesn't want her anymore, the engagement's off!!!
Good riddance, I'd say, but this dumbass h thought otherwise, got all weepy and depressed, accepted an invitation to a party with her conceited horndog boss, drank umpteen glasses of champagne, met the H, went back to his cottage with him, gave him her V card gladly, but the next morning, regrets galore!!!
Really a riot was her (to be continued)
She had so many red flags: falling for her sister's husband (apparently all of a sudden, as they had been married for a time, and she felt nothing romantic before that, so it didn't ring true), then falling hard for a guy in London (the OM) and ready to marry him almost immediately (having all kinds of romantic, head-in-the-cloud thought about a perfect HEA), putting blinders on to his being under his mother's thumb until forced to confront it by the woman's rude behavior and nasty comments, which the OM refused to acknowledge, going on and on (ad nauseum) about what a saint his mother was, and all the sacrifices she made for him and his brother (who was smart enough to escape), actually thinking it would be a nice idea if they lived with Mom after they got married (WHAT?????), and throwing a hissy fit when the h told him how his mother felt about her, declaring she was wrong, she misunderstood, she was just being mean to his sweet Mommy, and now he doesn't want her anymore, the engagement's off!!!
Good riddance, I'd say, but this dumbass h thought otherwise, got all weepy and depressed, accepted an invitation to a party with her conceited horndog boss, drank umpteen glasses of champagne, met the H, went back to his cottage with him, gave him her V card gladly, but the next morning, regrets galore!!!
Really a riot was her (to be continued)
October 28, 2022
It felt a little different, this one. The h, an innocent, mixed-up, repressed secretary called Natasha gets dumped by her fiance because he doesn't believe her when she tells him his mother hates her. The mother raised him and his brother single handedly and is a possessive, children as substitute for significant other type. Natasha is, understandably, distraught and accepts a party invite from her lothario boss. At the party she drinks too much champagne and has hot instant eye contact with gorgeous Male aka Our H, the rather lovely Lee.
Long story short - ONS, pregnancy and a whole lot of guilt born of her belief that she shouldn't have lost her virginity to a ONS. She's mixed up, ridiculously fragile, put on bed rest, married against her will etc etc.
CL makes the h explicitly say:"Men have organized the world for their own convenience for years. They made the laws, moral and otherwise, and it was men who sold women the idea that sexual desire is okay for a man but shameful for a woman."
At this point I think we should all rise to our feet and applaud and cheer ourselves hoarse. Brava, Miss Lamb. And many thanks for your contribution to sex positivity through all your lovely stories.
That said, this particular h was an utter drip and what a gorgeous 37 year old record exec saw in her (apart from her being 21 and presumably glowing with youth) remained a mystery to the end.
Long story short - ONS, pregnancy and a whole lot of guilt born of her belief that she shouldn't have lost her virginity to a ONS. She's mixed up, ridiculously fragile, put on bed rest, married against her will etc etc.
CL makes the h explicitly say:"Men have organized the world for their own convenience for years. They made the laws, moral and otherwise, and it was men who sold women the idea that sexual desire is okay for a man but shameful for a woman."
At this point I think we should all rise to our feet and applaud and cheer ourselves hoarse. Brava, Miss Lamb. And many thanks for your contribution to sex positivity through all your lovely stories.
That said, this particular h was an utter drip and what a gorgeous 37 year old record exec saw in her (apart from her being 21 and presumably glowing with youth) remained a mystery to the end.
November 20, 2017
Published in 1981. The story line was good but the hero was a real jerk. Not only did he not treat the heroine very well he also described her in derogatory terms, like"her head was full of air".
Of course the heroine was not very smart and felt so guilty about a one night stand with the hero that resulted in a pregnancy that she wouldn't even accept his help, until she got put on bedrest and had too.
At the end he told her he fell in love when he first heard her laugh at the party, which is what he should have told her much earlier because she was not mature enough to understand adult relationships.
Of course the heroine was not very smart and felt so guilty about a one night stand with the hero that resulted in a pregnancy that she wouldn't even accept his help, until she got put on bedrest and had too.
At the end he told her he fell in love when he first heard her laugh at the party, which is what he should have told her much earlier because she was not mature enough to understand adult relationships.
August 31, 2022
"Desire" is the story of Natasha and Lee.
The heroine is devastated when her fiancé calls of their wedding, and decides to accompany her boss to a party. She drinks too much champagne, and wakes up in a stranger's bed, filled with regret.
What she does not expect is to end up pregnant, or for the stranger to insist on a marriage.
An old school Charlotte Lamb romance with an absolutely blind and obstinate heroine, growling hero, loads of misunderstandings, drama but it all ends in a HEA. This had so much potential, but the heroine believed herself to be in love with OM for half of the book, and resented the baby for another part of it.
SWE/Safe?
2.5/5
The heroine is devastated when her fiancé calls of their wedding, and decides to accompany her boss to a party. She drinks too much champagne, and wakes up in a stranger's bed, filled with regret.
What she does not expect is to end up pregnant, or for the stranger to insist on a marriage.
An old school Charlotte Lamb romance with an absolutely blind and obstinate heroine, growling hero, loads of misunderstandings, drama but it all ends in a HEA. This had so much potential, but the heroine believed herself to be in love with OM for half of the book, and resented the baby for another part of it.
SWE/Safe?
2.5/5
May 27, 2024
I just love this but I have to admit that (and why I gave it five stars) is mainly because of the hero. He was just the most scrumptious one I've come across so far and Charlotte Lamb created quite a few good 'uns.
Lee is everything a woman could want in a man - gorgeous, funny, charming, rich.
Natasha leaves a bit to be desired, I suspect. At times she is rather TSTL but eventually pulls herself together and realises she's on to a good thing.
It's also very funny. I definitely recommend this even if you might tear your hair out once or twice.
Lee is everything a woman could want in a man - gorgeous, funny, charming, rich.
Natasha leaves a bit to be desired, I suspect. At times she is rather TSTL but eventually pulls herself together and realises she's on to a good thing.
It's also very funny. I definitely recommend this even if you might tear your hair out once or twice.
September 6, 2021
Reading this is like going through a washing machine with the heroine. Everyone is just throwing piles and piles of stuff on and then spinning her around. Our hero is a bit....nuts. But in a fun, not crazy way. Our idiot other man, is just there to cause issues, dude you choose mom...stick with that decision and scoot. The heroine liked to act then regret acting, in most all things. But a light off the wall read.
December 1, 2024
Ive never tried a Charlotte Lamb or HP book before so when I saw this at one of those little free libraries I thought I’d give it a go. I think that maybe this wasn’t the best one to start off with because I thought it was a little… average, but I think I will try again as the absolute cheese and senseless behaviour of the characters did kind of work in its favour.
If anyone has any recommendations please let me know :)
If anyone has any recommendations please let me know :)
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