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Illusion
Librarian's note: See alternate cover edition with this ISBN here.
They were caught in a storm of publicity
Deborah could have wept at the cruel insanity of it all! She'd come to Venice to get over a broken love affair quietly and had landed on the front page with a playboy tycoon. In a most incriminating photograph!
What was worse, Matthew Tyrell believed she'd planned the whole fiasco! True, she was a journalist, but not the scandalmonger he thought. She was as innocent as he in the sordid affair.
But the affair wouldn't remain innocent if the hotheaded Matthew got the revenge he desired....
They were caught in a storm of publicity
Deborah could have wept at the cruel insanity of it all! She'd come to Venice to get over a broken love affair quietly and had landed on the front page with a playboy tycoon. In a most incriminating photograph!
What was worse, Matthew Tyrell believed she'd planned the whole fiasco! True, she was a journalist, but not the scandalmonger he thought. She was as innocent as he in the sordid affair.
But the affair wouldn't remain innocent if the hotheaded Matthew got the revenge he desired....
192 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1981
1 person is currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte Lamb
261 books316 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 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 15, 2021
✨3.5 stars.✨ With Ms. Lamb, it's anything else, but boring.
Well, putting aside the fact that now I dream of winding up in Venice, where I run away from noisy paparazzi alongside one hot tempered, cunning British businessman, with whom I got caught in a few comprising situations... I didn't like this book much in comparison to other Ms. Lamb's books.
The saddest part about my reading experience: the story is still 100 times better written than anything I've read this month.
Deborah and Matthew's wicked, witty non-stop banter forced me to cackle and splutter with laughter more times than I could count. If I were another person, I would probably get annoyed at the insane amount of wordplay rather than foreplay in romance but... it's good to be me. 😌
'When you're in a temper you get little red lights in your eyes,' Matthew said unflatteringly. 'I had a pet rat when I was a boy that looked like that.'
Ms. Lamb puts ideas into my mind on what kind of endearing comparisons I crave to hear from my future hubby's lips. 👄
A series of comic accidents or rather the heroine bouncing from one horrible embarassment to another reminded me too much of my daily routine, so I immediately sympathised with this girl.
'Is there someone who might object if you went to the party?' he asked, giving her hands a thoughtful glance which observed the lack of rings on her left hand.
'Yes,' she nodded.
'Ah,' he said. 'A lover?'
'No, me.'
She's bold. 💅🏻
'How kind,' Deborah said with an insincere smile.
Sarcastic. 💅🏻
She had a little balcony outside her room. 'Don't walk on it, please,' the porter had urged. 'It is not safe.'
She had waited until he had gone and then she had opened the french windows and stepped out on to the unsafe balcony.
Deliberately deaf. 💅🏻
He didn't make a fool of me, Deborah told herself; I made a fool of myself. I'm good at that. It's probably my chief talent.
Self-reflective. 💅🏻
Deaf, dumb and blind, she thought, walking out on to her balcony. She felt the stone creaking ominously under her feet and ignored it. Let it break, she thought. What do I care?
Inadvertedly daring. 💅🏻
She cried on his shirt, hoping she was ruining it.
A little wicked. 💅🏻
He was kissing away the tears from eyes, nose, mouth. Deborah lay against him, enjoying it.
A lot opportunistic. 😏😏
One beautiful day Deborah found herself stuck on the rebound from a guy who had commitment issues. To heal the emotional trauma of the breakup, she flies to Venice where her blissful days are truly and well over because she meets out hero, Matthew. Shrewd, playful, attractive, rich and smart (not when it comes to her, though) millionaire who cannot help himself teasing her one minute and coaxing 😏😏 her the other
... even if it meant he might end up with his arm broken.
The moment he tore Deborah's dress and accompanied it with a trademark 'little bitch" comment? 😍
The fateful fit of temper, occurred right at some fashionable party, and the classy and nonchalant way they strived to act afterwards? I swear the comic failure to hide the whole incident added 20+ years to my life.
Naturally, the quick succession of hilariously comic events thrown Deborah's way as a direct result of associating closely to an overbearing male conveniently passed a wet sponge over the girl's memory of infatuation with another man.
The plot takes place within 1-2 weeks' time, so I perceived it as a light romantic comedy not be taken seriously. It lifted my spirit so much! Not a rereading material, though. ✨
Well, putting aside the fact that now I dream of winding up in Venice, where I run away from noisy paparazzi alongside one hot tempered, cunning British businessman, with whom I got caught in a few comprising situations... I didn't like this book much in comparison to other Ms. Lamb's books.
The saddest part about my reading experience: the story is still 100 times better written than anything I've read this month.
Deborah and Matthew's wicked, witty non-stop banter forced me to cackle and splutter with laughter more times than I could count. If I were another person, I would probably get annoyed at the insane amount of wordplay rather than foreplay in romance but... it's good to be me. 😌
'When you're in a temper you get little red lights in your eyes,' Matthew said unflatteringly. 'I had a pet rat when I was a boy that looked like that.'
Ms. Lamb puts ideas into my mind on what kind of endearing comparisons I crave to hear from my future hubby's lips. 👄
A series of comic accidents or rather the heroine bouncing from one horrible embarassment to another reminded me too much of my daily routine, so I immediately sympathised with this girl.
'Is there someone who might object if you went to the party?' he asked, giving her hands a thoughtful glance which observed the lack of rings on her left hand.
'Yes,' she nodded.
'Ah,' he said. 'A lover?'
'No, me.'
She's bold. 💅🏻
'How kind,' Deborah said with an insincere smile.
Sarcastic. 💅🏻
She had a little balcony outside her room. 'Don't walk on it, please,' the porter had urged. 'It is not safe.'
She had waited until he had gone and then she had opened the french windows and stepped out on to the unsafe balcony.
Deliberately deaf. 💅🏻
He didn't make a fool of me, Deborah told herself; I made a fool of myself. I'm good at that. It's probably my chief talent.
Self-reflective. 💅🏻
Deaf, dumb and blind, she thought, walking out on to her balcony. She felt the stone creaking ominously under her feet and ignored it. Let it break, she thought. What do I care?
Inadvertedly daring. 💅🏻
She cried on his shirt, hoping she was ruining it.
A little wicked. 💅🏻
He was kissing away the tears from eyes, nose, mouth. Deborah lay against him, enjoying it.
A lot opportunistic. 😏😏
One beautiful day Deborah found herself stuck on the rebound from a guy who had commitment issues. To heal the emotional trauma of the breakup, she flies to Venice where her blissful days are truly and well over because she meets out hero, Matthew. Shrewd, playful, attractive, rich and smart (not when it comes to her, though) millionaire who cannot help himself teasing her one minute and coaxing 😏😏 her the other
... even if it meant he might end up with his arm broken.
The moment he tore Deborah's dress and accompanied it with a trademark 'little bitch" comment? 😍
The fateful fit of temper, occurred right at some fashionable party, and the classy and nonchalant way they strived to act afterwards? I swear the comic failure to hide the whole incident added 20+ years to my life.
Naturally, the quick succession of hilariously comic events thrown Deborah's way as a direct result of associating closely to an overbearing male conveniently passed a wet sponge over the girl's memory of infatuation with another man.
The plot takes place within 1-2 weeks' time, so I perceived it as a light romantic comedy not be taken seriously. It lifted my spirit so much! Not a rereading material, though. ✨
January 11, 2021
"Illusion" has the tropes Charlotte Lamb is so infamous for, dynamic jealous alpha-hero,forced seduction,revenge and kidnapping!This one had lots of humor to it,and many scenes between the main-leads left me laughing!Their bickering and bantering was a explosion i didn`t see coming,where you watch two hot-headed characters come to life in their attraction and unwanted love for each other!This book to me was simply irresistible,and i finished it in one snap!
Deborah Linton gets her heart broken by a man and decides to have a holiday in Venice.She is a terrific journalist,intelligent and driven in her career.She is also very beautful and cathes Matthew`s sight on first glance.What i liked about her was that she could handle Matthew (except when she had her temper head-on) and knew what made him tick.She never surrendered to his egoistically hard-hearted ways of backing her into a corner,nor his relentless suit of having her in his bed.
Matthew Tyrell is a coaxing,teasing and arrogant brute i just loved!He is a ruthless alpha-male,but with much humor when it comes to life and love.He has either way also a hot temper only Deborah can fire up,and also soothe down.Even when he was horrible in the sense that he kidnaps her and forces her into a pretend engagement,he has many moments when he was gentle and loving.In the way he cocked for her (he is the worst cook) and couldn`t ever bear to see her cry.He also is a man who fights for what he wants-and i love that he never hesitated to fight for Deborah.
I don`t really understand why this one has low ratings,may be that Deborah and Matthew never said the i love yous to each other.I don`t know why i am not bothered by that...can be because they had so much chemistry,similarities in the way they spoke,looked and connected to each other.They spoke the same language in the heat of anger,passion and danger.The course of this story took over a week,but CL developed their romance in a believable way for me to enjoy.!
Deborah Linton gets her heart broken by a man and decides to have a holiday in Venice.She is a terrific journalist,intelligent and driven in her career.She is also very beautful and cathes Matthew`s sight on first glance.What i liked about her was that she could handle Matthew (except when she had her temper head-on) and knew what made him tick.She never surrendered to his egoistically hard-hearted ways of backing her into a corner,nor his relentless suit of having her in his bed.
Matthew Tyrell is a coaxing,teasing and arrogant brute i just loved!He is a ruthless alpha-male,but with much humor when it comes to life and love.He has either way also a hot temper only Deborah can fire up,and also soothe down.Even when he was horrible in the sense that he kidnaps her and forces her into a pretend engagement,he has many moments when he was gentle and loving.In the way he cocked for her (he is the worst cook) and couldn`t ever bear to see her cry.He also is a man who fights for what he wants-and i love that he never hesitated to fight for Deborah.
I don`t really understand why this one has low ratings,may be that Deborah and Matthew never said the i love yous to each other.I don`t know why i am not bothered by that...can be because they had so much chemistry,similarities in the way they spoke,looked and connected to each other.They spoke the same language in the heat of anger,passion and danger.The course of this story took over a week,but CL developed their romance in a believable way for me to enjoy.!
February 7, 2017
Our Heroine- Deborah is a journalist who has escaped to Venice to mend her broken heart. There she runs into our Hero-Matthew Tyrell and a series of incidents begin. Most of what happens is already specified in the blurb!
My main problem in this book was the characterization of Deborah and Matthew.
Deborah is a journalist who is supposed to be hard-headed but breaks into tears on a spur of the moment. This did not seem at all like a Journalist who is covering international news and is supposed to have been in the media industry for 9 years!!
Matthew again was supposed to be a Shrewd Millionaire Businessman but came-off as a bumbling idiot who is unable to understand anyone's motives, running about accusing people randomly and the other half trying to be funny. There is also a glint of steel when he is giving interview to the media but frankly I could not see it.
There is also lot of grabbing and angry kisses *Eye-Roll*.
The love from both sides was abrupt and the ending was even abrupter!
Overall an average read.
My main problem in this book was the characterization of Deborah and Matthew.
Deborah is a journalist who is supposed to be hard-headed but breaks into tears on a spur of the moment. This did not seem at all like a Journalist who is covering international news and is supposed to have been in the media industry for 9 years!!
Matthew again was supposed to be a Shrewd Millionaire Businessman but came-off as a bumbling idiot who is unable to understand anyone's motives, running about accusing people randomly and the other half trying to be funny. There is also a glint of steel when he is giving interview to the media but frankly I could not see it.
There is also lot of grabbing and angry kisses *Eye-Roll*.
The love from both sides was abrupt and the ending was even abrupter!
Overall an average read.
May 28, 2010
Journalist Deborah goes to Venice on a holiday to recover from a broken heart. On her first nite there, she is saved from a mugging by Matthew, who owns his own pharmaceutical corporation. Ooo, sexy! They get caught in some compromising pics taken by the paparazzi. These pics are plastered all over the headlines of Europe because CEOs are more famous than rock stars in lala Harlequinworld. To spike the scandal, Matthew announces that he is engaged to Deborah and kidnaps her to some Italian villa.
I didn't find the romance in the least believable because by the halfway point, Deborah is still not over her ex-boyfriend and by the end of the novel, Deborah & Matthew had known each other LESS THAN A WEEK total. I consider myself a big Charlotte Lamb fan, having read over 50 of this prolific author's books and I would say that this is lacking that certain CL drama/flair.
Charlotte Lamb Check List:
- Punishing kisses: of course!
- Hero has gray eyes: no
- Number of times hero calls her a "little b!tch": 3
- He gropes her at least once a day: yes to infinity
- He tears her clothes: check
- Jealous hero: check
I didn't find the romance in the least believable because by the halfway point, Deborah is still not over her ex-boyfriend and by the end of the novel, Deborah & Matthew had known each other LESS THAN A WEEK total. I consider myself a big Charlotte Lamb fan, having read over 50 of this prolific author's books and I would say that this is lacking that certain CL drama/flair.
Charlotte Lamb Check List:
- Punishing kisses: of course!
- Hero has gray eyes: no
- Number of times hero calls her a "little b!tch": 3
- He gropes her at least once a day: yes to infinity
- He tears her clothes: check
- Jealous hero: check
August 12, 2024
An "enemies to lovers" Harlequin romance novel. A quick read, but not that memorable. Read for the 2024 GarbAugust reading challenge on the YouTube book channel Criminolly.
December 3, 2021
This book is one of the reasons that I honestly think Charlotte Lamb was such a treat to category fiction. It was written in 1981, but it honestly feels so contemporary that with a little bit of editing and cell phones thrown in, it could pass for a story written in 2021.
This woman (I'm talking about Charlotte Lamb) went from writing about seventeen year old virgin ingenues being seduced by titled 38 y/os to writing about a 27 y/o wartime journalist (our heroine) who doesn't give an inch when it comes to our brash hero (34). How the times have changed!
I've reread this book more than once, and some of the things I really still enjoy about the book is how modern their meeting is. Neither of them are enamored of the other person right off the bat (though of course because it's Harlequin, he has to say he was at the end). It's a very classic meet-cute, followed up with a series of mishaps that throw the two together. It's so thoroughly modern romcom with a dash of the persistent hero trope that I'm honestly amazed that it doesn't have higher ratings. Maybe because the romcom usually is paired with a beta hero?
What also stood out was how kickass this heroine was. She was so angry, so thoroughly traumatized by her past relationship that she kept on thinking about it, time and again. She had such a cool logical mind that even when she's talking to them, her mind was working like the computer she was referred to. She doesn't even lose her cool even when the hero suddenly and criminally pushes her down on the bed to try to have his nasty way with her. Smart lady that she is, she manages to defuse that situation. Quite honestly, I thought that she was slightly too good for him, though he provided some good comic relief at times.
If Charlotte Lamb hadn't been so constrained by word count, I bet she could have developed the relationship a good deal further, but alas, ~55k is the cap, and so we have to make do with a strangely old-fashioned marriage proposal at the end that feels slightly out of the place. It does, however, tie up the plotline with a nice little bow.
This woman (I'm talking about Charlotte Lamb) went from writing about seventeen year old virgin ingenues being seduced by titled 38 y/os to writing about a 27 y/o wartime journalist (our heroine) who doesn't give an inch when it comes to our brash hero (34). How the times have changed!
I've reread this book more than once, and some of the things I really still enjoy about the book is how modern their meeting is. Neither of them are enamored of the other person right off the bat (though of course because it's Harlequin, he has to say he was at the end). It's a very classic meet-cute, followed up with a series of mishaps that throw the two together. It's so thoroughly modern romcom with a dash of the persistent hero trope that I'm honestly amazed that it doesn't have higher ratings. Maybe because the romcom usually is paired with a beta hero?
What also stood out was how kickass this heroine was. She was so angry, so thoroughly traumatized by her past relationship that she kept on thinking about it, time and again. She had such a cool logical mind that even when she's talking to them, her mind was working like the computer she was referred to. She doesn't even lose her cool even when the hero suddenly and criminally pushes her down on the bed to try to have his nasty way with her. Smart lady that she is, she manages to defuse that situation. Quite honestly, I thought that she was slightly too good for him, though he provided some good comic relief at times.
If Charlotte Lamb hadn't been so constrained by word count, I bet she could have developed the relationship a good deal further, but alas, ~55k is the cap, and so we have to make do with a strangely old-fashioned marriage proposal at the end that feels slightly out of the place. It does, however, tie up the plotline with a nice little bow.
August 3, 2022
"Illusion" is the story of Deborah and Matthew.
This is a comedy of errors, with forced kisses, misunderstanding and a love that manifests out of nowhere.
She is a reporter recovering from a one sided love heartbreak, when she meets the hero on a vacation. He rescues her from miscreants, and then asks her to be his pretend girlfriend! She is reluctant but agrees. Things go awry as they're caught by the media, and he realizes she is a journalist that has had a hand in framing him!
There's a lot of back and forth, minimal angst but he falls in love with her while she's mooning over her ex!
Safe
3/5
This is a comedy of errors, with forced kisses, misunderstanding and a love that manifests out of nowhere.
She is a reporter recovering from a one sided love heartbreak, when she meets the hero on a vacation. He rescues her from miscreants, and then asks her to be his pretend girlfriend! She is reluctant but agrees. Things go awry as they're caught by the media, and he realizes she is a journalist that has had a hand in framing him!
There's a lot of back and forth, minimal angst but he falls in love with her while she's mooning over her ex!
Safe
3/5
August 23, 2021
They were caught in a storm of publicity
Deborah could have wept at the cruel insanity of it all! She'd come to Venice to get over a broken love affair quietly and had landed on the front page with a playboy tycoon. In a most incriminating photograph!
What was worse, Matthew Tyrell believed she'd planned the whole fiasco! True, she was a journalist, but not the scandalmonger he thought. She was as innocent as he in the sordid affair.
But the affair wouldn't remain innocent if the hotheaded Matthew got the revenge he desired...
Deborah could have wept at the cruel insanity of it all! She'd come to Venice to get over a broken love affair quietly and had landed on the front page with a playboy tycoon. In a most incriminating photograph!
What was worse, Matthew Tyrell believed she'd planned the whole fiasco! True, she was a journalist, but not the scandalmonger he thought. She was as innocent as he in the sordid affair.
But the affair wouldn't remain innocent if the hotheaded Matthew got the revenge he desired...
February 5, 2016
Well it was different in some ways. They had chemistry but given that she was recovering from a love affair gone wrong I though they had very little real conversations just a lot of friction. They argued and argued and kissed and groped each other and that was it. Just not very good and not worth the price of the copy for sure.
June 3, 2023
Again, just fine. I think the timescale did for me. Maybe I'm just temperamentally unsuited to have any faith in a playboy type going from nought to uxorious in 60 seconds (ok, a week). Granted, a Venetian setting could soften the most unromantic heart but still. And she got over her recent heartbreak so quickly. Maybe they are both the mercurial type who will be happy together forever. Or maybe they are being a wee bit hasty. I wouldn't put money on either option, but Deborah and Matthew just aren't my kind of people.
September 15, 2021
He is a besotted H. From the moment he sees her, it is clear.
What makes this book stand out from many other HP’s, is how feisty she is. She does cry sometimes, but most of the time she is standing her ground. She has a sharp tongue.
She too has the typical Charlotte Lamb’s looks: her h’s are always blondes. I would say at least 95% of the HP h’s are blondes. It’s as if HP writers can’t imagine a rich, handsome millionaire ever falling for a dark-haired woman.
What makes this book stand out from many other HP’s, is how feisty she is. She does cry sometimes, but most of the time she is standing her ground. She has a sharp tongue.
She too has the typical Charlotte Lamb’s looks: her h’s are always blondes. I would say at least 95% of the HP h’s are blondes. It’s as if HP writers can’t imagine a rich, handsome millionaire ever falling for a dark-haired woman.
June 29, 2024
What a great story! Filled with the perfect blend of humour and sadness. I loved both characters in this book. The heroine was strong and smart and made decisions that reflected that intelligence, which was lovely to read!
September 12, 2024
As usual I read the last chapter first to see if I’d like this book, and what I hate in vintage books is the heroine taking a stance about not having an affair with the hero only to be melting like a puddle at his feet when he pronounces the word marriage.
August 29, 2025
Loved the snappy dialog between the MCs and the fact that the h wasn't a pushover. The H was determined to win her and though she didn't make it easy, he refused to settle. The ending had my heart in palpitations due to the hero's declaration!
February 17, 2018
Did not finsh.
March 2, 2021
Good, but just not enough. The romance seems to come out of nowhere.
August 20, 2023
Lots of witty banter and cutting remarks. A fun read.
December 21, 2011
Harlequin 7 Illusion
Back of the book:
They were caught in a storm of publicity
Deborah could have wept at the cruel insanity of it all! She'd come to Venice to get over a broken love affair quietly and had landed on the front page with a playboy tycoon. In a most incriminating photograph!
What was worse, Matthew Tyrell believed she'd planned the whole fiasco! True, she was a journalist, but not the scandalmonger he thought. She was as innocent as he in the sordid affair.
But the affair wouldn't remain innocent if the hotheaded Matthew got the revenge he desired....
My take: The heroine, Deborah, a hard nosed reporter, goes takes a short vacation to get over heartbreak. It seems that she allowed herself to get emotionally evolved with a man who made it clear from the beginning that he wanted nothing more than a little fun. On her first night in Venice, Deborah decided to take a little walk. Keep in mind that the streets were very fogging and she was walking in an area she was not familiar with. During her walk, Deborah stumbled into a secluded area happened to come across a group of teenage boys who were up to no good. When the heroine screamed, our hero, Mathew Tyrel,l enters the picture and saves her from God knows what.
Deborah thanks Mathew for saving her. She would have prefered to go on with her vacation but Matthew pushes the two to get to know each better. Mathew flirts with her nonstop and tells her that she looks like a "model girl". He asks Deborah if she would like to go to a little party with him. It seems that the daughter of one Mathew's business associates has a huge crush on him. Mathew wants Deborah as a shield for the dinner party.
Well when they get to the party, the business associate's daughter is very jealous of the sexual chemistry between Mathew and Deborah. The little jealous hearted thing calls the paparazzi who manage to get two in a few very incriminating photographs. BTW, Mathew hates reporters and he is very angry when he finds out that Deborah is a reporter. With some strange reasoning, Mathew tells the paparazzi that he and Deborah are going to be married. Then he kidnaps her and keeps her in a country house for a few days until the media fervor dies down. After a week, Deborah manages to escape with a coworker and avoid Mathew. Of course, he eventually tracks her down and the two work it out, classic HP style. The End.
I give this book a 3.5, at times it was a little dry but not awful but certainly not one of Charlotte Lamb's better books.
Back of the book:
They were caught in a storm of publicity
Deborah could have wept at the cruel insanity of it all! She'd come to Venice to get over a broken love affair quietly and had landed on the front page with a playboy tycoon. In a most incriminating photograph!
What was worse, Matthew Tyrell believed she'd planned the whole fiasco! True, she was a journalist, but not the scandalmonger he thought. She was as innocent as he in the sordid affair.
But the affair wouldn't remain innocent if the hotheaded Matthew got the revenge he desired....
My take: The heroine, Deborah, a hard nosed reporter, goes takes a short vacation to get over heartbreak. It seems that she allowed herself to get emotionally evolved with a man who made it clear from the beginning that he wanted nothing more than a little fun. On her first night in Venice, Deborah decided to take a little walk. Keep in mind that the streets were very fogging and she was walking in an area she was not familiar with. During her walk, Deborah stumbled into a secluded area happened to come across a group of teenage boys who were up to no good. When the heroine screamed, our hero, Mathew Tyrel,l enters the picture and saves her from God knows what.
Deborah thanks Mathew for saving her. She would have prefered to go on with her vacation but Matthew pushes the two to get to know each better. Mathew flirts with her nonstop and tells her that she looks like a "model girl". He asks Deborah if she would like to go to a little party with him. It seems that the daughter of one Mathew's business associates has a huge crush on him. Mathew wants Deborah as a shield for the dinner party.
Well when they get to the party, the business associate's daughter is very jealous of the sexual chemistry between Mathew and Deborah. The little jealous hearted thing calls the paparazzi who manage to get two in a few very incriminating photographs. BTW, Mathew hates reporters and he is very angry when he finds out that Deborah is a reporter. With some strange reasoning, Mathew tells the paparazzi that he and Deborah are going to be married. Then he kidnaps her and keeps her in a country house for a few days until the media fervor dies down. After a week, Deborah manages to escape with a coworker and avoid Mathew. Of course, he eventually tracks her down and the two work it out, classic HP style. The End.
I give this book a 3.5, at times it was a little dry but not awful but certainly not one of Charlotte Lamb's better books.
July 6, 2024
I'm a big fan of Charlotte Lamb and I've been binge reading quite a few lately, but I honestly think this is my favorite one so far. Once again we have funny feisty heroine versus alpha male with various misunderstandings. I did love him and I have no idea why it doesn't have a higher rating from other reviewers.
April 22, 2016
Pretty much the same as all other Harlequin romances. I didn't hate it but at the same time didn't love the story either. Great books for those who like quick reads. I am getting rather bored reading these older style romance novels because the storylines are not quite believable in today's society (characters are too prim and proper).
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