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気まぐれな姉
"You've been well paid for the bargain."The deep voice over the phone made no sense at all until Reggie's sister Bella hastened to explain the immensity of the problem.It seemed that Bella had agreed to act as Severo Cardenosa's fiancee, but then had to run out on him. So, to help her sister, soft-hearted Reggie went to Uruguay to the despicable Severo.Once there, however, Reggie learned that Severo meant to carry the charade to its bitter conclusion--meaning marriage! How on earth would she get out of this mess?
Paperback Shinsho
First published January 1, 1981
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About the author
Jessica Steele
338 books113 followersJessica Steele was born on May 9, 1933 in the elegant Warwickshire town of Royal Leamington Spa. She has two super brothers, Colin and George, and a lovely sister, Elizabeth. She was a delicate child and missed a lot of school. In fact, she left school at aged 14, when she was diagnosed as having tuberculosis. At 16, she started work as a junior clerk. In 1967, Jessica married with her husband, Peter and within a very short space of time they had moved from her hometown to the lovely area where they now live. Their house is built into the side of a hill, and has beautiful views over more hills and valleys. Her brothers and her sister are very close and she has plenty of nephews and nieces to make up for the fact that she and her husband have no children of their own. Both she and her husband are more than a little dog-oriented, and their current dog is a Staffordshire bull terrier named Florence. Florence is gorgeous. She loves everybody but, since she is 40 pounds of dynamite and would hurl her boisterous self at everyone she meets - given half a chance - she has to be restrained (as much as possible). She is fun.
Her husband spurred Jessica on to her writing career, giving her every support while she did what she considers her five-year apprenticeship (the rejection years) while learning how to write. She published her first books in 1979. Jessica has tried using a typewriter, but it just doesn't work for her. She is much happier writing in longhand, and in actual fact has a dozen or so fountain pens filled and ready to go at the start of any one session. A friend has a secretarial agency and, after deciphering Jessica's writing, returns an immaculately typed manuscript. To gain authentic background for her books, she has travelled and researched in Greece, Russia, Egypt, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Hong Kong, China and Japan.
Her husband spurred Jessica on to her writing career, giving her every support while she did what she considers her five-year apprenticeship (the rejection years) while learning how to write. She published her first books in 1979. Jessica has tried using a typewriter, but it just doesn't work for her. She is much happier writing in longhand, and in actual fact has a dozen or so fountain pens filled and ready to go at the start of any one session. A friend has a secretarial agency and, after deciphering Jessica's writing, returns an immaculately typed manuscript. To gain authentic background for her books, she has travelled and researched in Greece, Russia, Egypt, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Hong Kong, China and Japan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
November 5, 2019
Heroine did not get the vintage romance memo so of course she found herself in Uruguay(!) in a fake engagement/marriage with a besotted hero.
Missing memo to heroine:
*Clive is an OM name so don’t fall in love.
*When you find out OM’s married and just stringing you along, don’t be tempted to fall in with his plans. It shows lack of moral fiber even though you did the right thing at the end.
*Your older sister is a lying liar who lies. She flounced off to Uruguay (!) after a fight with her BF. Once there, she was angry hero didn’t feed her vanity so she used your name to rip off the hero for a house deposit and then skipped the country.
*Sis omits to tell you that she agreed to a MOC for money and that hero is expecting her and not you.
*Oh, and Sis gets no comeuppance whatsoever. She marries her “possessive” BF who has no idea she is a lying liar who lies.
*The H’s grandpa dies but there is still grandma to fool with your fake engagement/marriage.
*All that anger you feel toward the H is sexual tension.
*All that anger he feels toward you is sexual tension.
*Uruguay is really beautiful.
*Hero is not broke, but it’s a nice way to convince him you love him and not his money.
*Keep that ocean between you and your lying liar of a sister who lies.
Missing memo to heroine:
*Clive is an OM name so don’t fall in love.
*When you find out OM’s married and just stringing you along, don’t be tempted to fall in with his plans. It shows lack of moral fiber even though you did the right thing at the end.
*Your older sister is a lying liar who lies. She flounced off to Uruguay (!) after a fight with her BF. Once there, she was angry hero didn’t feed her vanity so she used your name to rip off the hero for a house deposit and then skipped the country.
*Sis omits to tell you that she agreed to a MOC for money and that hero is expecting her and not you.
*Oh, and Sis gets no comeuppance whatsoever. She marries her “possessive” BF who has no idea she is a lying liar who lies.
*The H’s grandpa dies but there is still grandma to fool with your fake engagement/marriage.
*All that anger you feel toward the H is sexual tension.
*All that anger he feels toward you is sexual tension.
*Uruguay is really beautiful.
*Hero is not broke, but it’s a nice way to convince him you love him and not his money.
*Keep that ocean between you and your lying liar of a sister who lies.
May 28, 2015
If you like a besotted hero, this one is for you. He is all alpha without being an asshat. She is ditzy and misses every sign of his devotion. So rolling your eyes will be a must. But hey, that's why we read these category romances, right?
I prefer Jessica Steele's older books. She writes great Alpha heroes, without making them asshats. Her newer, more recently published works, are kind of boring. Everyone acts so refined. Yawn.......
I prefer Jessica Steele's older books. She writes great Alpha heroes, without making them asshats. Her newer, more recently published works, are kind of boring. Everyone acts so refined. Yawn.......
October 11, 2017
3.5 stars. Old School romance with a besotted alpha H and innocent, flighty h - just the way I like it! It's love at first sight on the H's part and he tries everything from emotional blackmail to blatant lies to get the h to feel the same way about him. I love these kind of stories that actually have a moving plot and isn't just about the H and the h getting it on and getting over their commitment phobia (usually with the help of a baby). There's an actual romance in here, that's sweet and somehow believable - as OTT as it is in parts (but thats what I love about vintage M&Bs - the sweeping, crazy loves stories). I'm ashamed to say this is my first read from this author. I will definitely be trying more from her in the near future.
November 1, 2021
Loved! Best book by JS for me. This guy was so crazy about her that he lied and cheated to win her.😂
Free on Open Library.
Age gap: H36, h22
Free on Open Library.
Age gap: H36, h22
May 30, 2015
4 Stars ~ At 10, Regina witnessed her parents die in a car crash, and then she and her older sister went to live with their grandparents. Now 22, her grandparents also deceased, Reggie still holds dear the old fashioned ideals she was raised with. Her only close family was her sister Bella, who lived a more exciting life as a dancer. Bella had recently broken a dancing contract in South America, in order to make things right with her boyfriend, James. In a matter of weeks, Bella would be marrying James and moving into their first home in a town where James was an architect. Reggie too thought she was about to be proposed to, but instead her boyfriend, Clive, confessed that he was already married and that his wife wouldn't grant him a divorce. Clive was going to America for work for a month, and he asked Reggie to think hard about moving in with him. After his departure, Reggie had a visit from his wife, who confirmed that she wouldn't grant a divorce, not until some sort of security was in place for the children. Reggie is devastated; not only is Clive married but he has children! With the wife gone, Reggie receives a bizarre telephone call from South America; the caller assuming she is Bella and demanding she fly back immediately to fulfill her part of their bargain. Thinking it a prank call, Reggie hangs up on him, only to learn later that he indeed exists and that Bella indeed made a bargain with him. This Severo Cardenosa has paid Bella a large sum of money to pretend to be his fiancee to please his dying grandfather. Bella spent the money on the down payment for the house with James; lying about an inheritance. Fearing that Severo will ruin her marriage to James, Bella convinces Reggie to take her place.
Arriving in Uruguay, Reggie is left to stew for days in a luxurious hotel while she waits for Severo to come and get her. Fed up, on the fourth day she sends him a telegram to remind him that she's waiting and "can't wait to see you, darling". At first meeting sparks fly, Severo assumes that Reggie is as calculating a gold digger as Bella, and Reggie, insulted by his attitude lets him know what she thinks of him. But Severo holds the highest card, if Reggie doesn't fulfill the bargain, Severo is quite happy to let James know all about Bella's double dealing. The reason for Severo's delay was the day of her arrival his grandfather passed away and has now been buried. He also informs her that now he's worried about his grandmother who since her husband's death has been depressed. This touches Reggie's soft heart, as her own grandmother survived her husband by only six months, and so Reggie agrees to continue the sham. There's an instant bond between Reggie and Severo's grandmother who is also English. And much to Reggie's surprise she has learned that their wedding date has been set for in three weeks time. No matter how Reggie insists to Severo that she will not marry him, she finds herself more and more pulled into his life. Not wanting to break the elderly woman's heart, Reggie resigns herself to the marriage, but she insists that it be one of convenience, that Severo could seek his passion elsewhere.
From the first pages you could just tell that Reggie was the girl with the soft heart who was bound to find herself in overwhelming situations. From their first meeting, their relationship is volatile, with Reggie's normally calm demeanor flaring up quickly in temper. I laughed with her as she realized that rarely did she get to enjoy a desert because she was always storming out when Severo provoked her temper. He seemed to take delight in getting a rise out of her, but it was clear from the start that he was enchanted with her. He cleverly maneuvered her into marrying him before she could run away. I found it great fun reading Severo and Reggie's combustible ride to HEA.
Arriving in Uruguay, Reggie is left to stew for days in a luxurious hotel while she waits for Severo to come and get her. Fed up, on the fourth day she sends him a telegram to remind him that she's waiting and "can't wait to see you, darling". At first meeting sparks fly, Severo assumes that Reggie is as calculating a gold digger as Bella, and Reggie, insulted by his attitude lets him know what she thinks of him. But Severo holds the highest card, if Reggie doesn't fulfill the bargain, Severo is quite happy to let James know all about Bella's double dealing. The reason for Severo's delay was the day of her arrival his grandfather passed away and has now been buried. He also informs her that now he's worried about his grandmother who since her husband's death has been depressed. This touches Reggie's soft heart, as her own grandmother survived her husband by only six months, and so Reggie agrees to continue the sham. There's an instant bond between Reggie and Severo's grandmother who is also English. And much to Reggie's surprise she has learned that their wedding date has been set for in three weeks time. No matter how Reggie insists to Severo that she will not marry him, she finds herself more and more pulled into his life. Not wanting to break the elderly woman's heart, Reggie resigns herself to the marriage, but she insists that it be one of convenience, that Severo could seek his passion elsewhere.
From the first pages you could just tell that Reggie was the girl with the soft heart who was bound to find herself in overwhelming situations. From their first meeting, their relationship is volatile, with Reggie's normally calm demeanor flaring up quickly in temper. I laughed with her as she realized that rarely did she get to enjoy a desert because she was always storming out when Severo provoked her temper. He seemed to take delight in getting a rise out of her, but it was clear from the start that he was enchanted with her. He cleverly maneuvered her into marrying him before she could run away. I found it great fun reading Severo and Reggie's combustible ride to HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2021
Sweet vintage HP with an H who was crazy for the h. Reggie’s sister goes to a foreign country with her dance troupe and meets the H. Incidentally she comes back home to marry her bf and leaves Reggie to pick up on her troubles.
Reggie has no inkling what her sister had been up to while away and being gullible she falls for her sister’s tales and travels abroad to meet the H. There is much boring talk between the sisters in the beginning of the book and I was about to give up on it. I’m glad I kept going.
The h and H marry in an MOC. They don’t get much time post marriage but their chemistry is packing! The H is incorrigible in his pursuit of the h. The h is sweet and shy and can be easily taken on a trip and the H can’t but help to incessantly tease her on it. I loved their sparring.
An old fashioned read with an Uber alpha possessive H. Go for it!
Reggie has no inkling what her sister had been up to while away and being gullible she falls for her sister’s tales and travels abroad to meet the H. There is much boring talk between the sisters in the beginning of the book and I was about to give up on it. I’m glad I kept going.
The h and H marry in an MOC. They don’t get much time post marriage but their chemistry is packing! The H is incorrigible in his pursuit of the h. The h is sweet and shy and can be easily taken on a trip and the H can’t but help to incessantly tease her on it. I loved their sparring.
An old fashioned read with an Uber alpha possessive H. Go for it!
November 27, 2019
Even if H was soo naive and H was not mean, I liked the meaningless drama a lot!
December 14, 2019
"Innocent Abroad" is the story of Reggie and Severe.
The book begins with the young h finding out that her boyfriend is a married father of two kids, and getting a visit from his estranged wife. Wanting to escape her guilt and unresolved feelings for him, she instead ends up in Uruguay to help her sister out. The reason being her sister's broken promise to the H that in exchange for money, she would pretend to be his fiance. She soon meets the domineering man, and is confused by her feelings for him, but really loves and respect his family and friends. He then coerces her to marry him, in lieu for hiding her newly married sister's deceit from her husband. After ample protests, she reluctantly agrees. Some drama, consummation and jealousy later, the book ends in a HEA.
Interesting characters who failed to communicate until the end and the h did get on my nerves as she tried to relentlessly push the H away. I like the h's moments with his grandmother, and enjoyed the confessions at the end. It had its moments, but overall an average read.
Safe
2.75/5
The book begins with the young h finding out that her boyfriend is a married father of two kids, and getting a visit from his estranged wife. Wanting to escape her guilt and unresolved feelings for him, she instead ends up in Uruguay to help her sister out. The reason being her sister's broken promise to the H that in exchange for money, she would pretend to be his fiance. She soon meets the domineering man, and is confused by her feelings for him, but really loves and respect his family and friends. He then coerces her to marry him, in lieu for hiding her newly married sister's deceit from her husband. After ample protests, she reluctantly agrees. Some drama, consummation and jealousy later, the book ends in a HEA.
Interesting characters who failed to communicate until the end and the h did get on my nerves as she tried to relentlessly push the H away. I like the h's moments with his grandmother, and enjoyed the confessions at the end. It had its moments, but overall an average read.
Safe
2.75/5
May 31, 2015
Can two sisters be such an opposite in characters? Yes they can! We had Bella, the older sister, beautiful on the outside and ready to be married to a man she loved in about a month... but in my opinion a very selfish, self centered, a gold digging bitch without an ounce of moral kind of girl. In Regina, the younger sister we found a bestowed girl who found out the man she loved and expected to pop the question was already married and the question he popped was, " Will you move in with me after I come back from a month work in the states?"... the very next day Regina met the guy's wife and found out he also had two young children that she wasn't aware of. Regina needed to get a way because she knew she could never agree to be with a man without marriage and when she founds out what her older sister has done, she decided to cover the role her sister was paid to do and kill two birds with one stone.
Reggie had an air of innocent and genuine good girl about her.
In Severo, we found a man who knew what he wanted and had no problem going after it. I adored him.
Reggie had an air of innocent and genuine good girl about her.
In Severo, we found a man who knew what he wanted and had no problem going after it. I adored him.
February 25, 2012
Reggie's sister Bella agreed to "marry" Severo when she went Uruguay for vacation. Severo paid Bella money to be his fake fiance for the sake of his grandfather and grandmother. Instead Bella took the money, ran back to England and married James, leaving Severo "fianceeless". What was even worse is when Bella was in Uruguay, she said her name was Reggie and pretended to be her sister.
When Severo calls to demand Reggie come to Uruguay to be his fake fiancee, Reggie thinks it's a prank until she talks to Bella. Even when Reggie talks to Bella, Bella only tells half the truth. So when Reggie goes to Uruguay, she actually had to marry Severo, which is worse because Reggie thinks she's in love with Clive. Clive is a married man with children trying to get a divorce from his wife.
After a whole lotta mixed emotions, Reggie and Severo get it sorted and become lovers. It was a good book overall, the emotions were high and the characters were decently written.
When Severo calls to demand Reggie come to Uruguay to be his fake fiancee, Reggie thinks it's a prank until she talks to Bella. Even when Reggie talks to Bella, Bella only tells half the truth. So when Reggie goes to Uruguay, she actually had to marry Severo, which is worse because Reggie thinks she's in love with Clive. Clive is a married man with children trying to get a divorce from his wife.
After a whole lotta mixed emotions, Reggie and Severo get it sorted and become lovers. It was a good book overall, the emotions were high and the characters were decently written.
November 3, 2016
3.5 stars
some of JS' writing is atrocious with long sentences and one becomes more involved with the writing style rather than the writing itself... :) but still her plots are unique and her style easily recognisable. Her heroines are actual 'innocents abroad'- guileless naive virgins who are always misunderstood n accused by the heroes.I don't mind reading a JS now n then. Infact this book is one of the very first HPs i ever bought..so yes memories! n so I have a soft corner for this one.
and this author's characters have such unique and different names...she really works on the names i think...
some of JS' writing is atrocious with long sentences and one becomes more involved with the writing style rather than the writing itself... :) but still her plots are unique and her style easily recognisable. Her heroines are actual 'innocents abroad'- guileless naive virgins who are always misunderstood n accused by the heroes.I don't mind reading a JS now n then. Infact this book is one of the very first HPs i ever bought..so yes memories! n so I have a soft corner for this one.
and this author's characters have such unique and different names...she really works on the names i think...
February 5, 2021
Jessica Steele has a strange writing style using convoluted sentences but she creates sympathetic characters and situations. Innocent Abroad has Reggie coming from England instead of her older, harder sister, to pretend to be rich rancher Severo's fiancee. Severo, in true Harlequin fashion, falls in love with her at first sight and schemes and uses emotional blackmail to keep her at his ranch and marry her.
The novel is set in Uruguay and describes beautiful countryside.
Overall I enjoyed this although Steele's style is tiring!
The novel is set in Uruguay and describes beautiful countryside.
Overall I enjoyed this although Steele's style is tiring!
January 3, 2011
I love all Jessica Steele's novels.
July 30, 2024
Written in typical HQN style this book is angst from beginning to end. But it’s a good read though.
December 11, 2015
It was just alright to me. I guess it was too old schoolish for me and the writing just seemed a little disjointed. Loved the H for being so arrogant and besotted with the h. He wasn’t a big alpha meanie, but still an alpha nevertheless. h was a bit too – I don’t know the right word to describe her – but I was just so-so on her. I thought she blamed too much for her predicament when really she should put ALL the blame on her older sister – which by the way I was so unsure of her character (not that the older sister had a big part in the story other than the beginning.) I thought the older sister really really cared/loved her younger sister but by the end we don’t even see her inquiring about the welfare of her little sister whom she placed in such a bad predicament! Also the OM that the initially “thought” she loved, I thought that storyline seemed lacking and either I skimmed it but I don’t know if the h even informed him that she didn’t love him anymore or ended it! And if I’m not mistaken she didn’t even tell her older sister that she was married now. (I would have been curious about her reaction). Anyway, I gave it a 3 stars just cause I liked the H, lol. I love alpha besotted heroes who fall in love at first sight at the h.
July 14, 2020
“My true beloved,” Severo breathed tenderly, “you’re the most gullible idiot I have ever met, you are also a doormat and you jump to conclusions with an imagination that would make any author jealous. But I love you forever and ever.”
That was of course made up but really, he should have said that. Both characters are lovely. Severo is hot. Reggie is... see above. When they first meet he says “Don’t worry. You’re my responsibility now.” Good thing too cause Reggie is TSTL. But lovable. And fun to read about.
I especially liked Severo. He’s got all the alpha hotness without being mean. He’s fun, he’s funny, he’s caring, he’s sweet. Siiiiigh...
Bonus points: I got to know where Uruguay is and read up a bit on a country I only knew the name of :)
That was of course made up but really, he should have said that. Both characters are lovely. Severo is hot. Reggie is... see above. When they first meet he says “Don’t worry. You’re my responsibility now.” Good thing too cause Reggie is TSTL. But lovable. And fun to read about.
I especially liked Severo. He’s got all the alpha hotness without being mean. He’s fun, he’s funny, he’s caring, he’s sweet. Siiiiigh...
Bonus points: I got to know where Uruguay is and read up a bit on a country I only knew the name of :)
October 25, 2012
I love how Jessica Steele creates conflict in her heroes, who end up loving the very one they hate and distrust. Then they must grovel a little! Her heroes can be ruthless.
Jessica Steele writes Harlequin Romances and some Hqn Presents. She is now about 80 years old, sad to say. Steele is one of the worst writers, in terms of syntax, grammar, etc. Her sentence construction is ... unusual. But IMO, she is among the best at Hqn in terms of storytelling and sexual tension. Her heroines are virgins, and the wanting drives the heroes nuts.
I read this eons ago, and never forgot it, keeping it on hand.
Jessica Steele writes Harlequin Romances and some Hqn Presents. She is now about 80 years old, sad to say. Steele is one of the worst writers, in terms of syntax, grammar, etc. Her sentence construction is ... unusual. But IMO, she is among the best at Hqn in terms of storytelling and sexual tension. Her heroines are virgins, and the wanting drives the heroes nuts.
I read this eons ago, and never forgot it, keeping it on hand.
December 21, 2020
You've been well paid for the bargain."
The deep voice over the phone made no sense at all until Reggie's sister Bella hastened to explain the immensity of the problem.
It seemed that Bella had agreed to act as Severo Cardenosa's fiancee, but then had to run out on him. So, to help her sister, soft-hearted Reggie went to Uruguay to the despicable Severo.
Once there, however, Reggie learned that Severo meant to carry the charade to its bitter conclusion--meaning marriage! How on earth would she get out of this mess?
The deep voice over the phone made no sense at all until Reggie's sister Bella hastened to explain the immensity of the problem.
It seemed that Bella had agreed to act as Severo Cardenosa's fiancee, but then had to run out on him. So, to help her sister, soft-hearted Reggie went to Uruguay to the despicable Severo.
Once there, however, Reggie learned that Severo meant to carry the charade to its bitter conclusion--meaning marriage! How on earth would she get out of this mess?
March 28, 2015
It was a great romantic story about a young innocent girl Reggie going to Uruguay to take her sister place as fiancé to rich man Severo. She starts off believing she is in love with a jerk of a married man and fall for him instead. She was sweet and kind and you could tell the hero was in love with her even when he said some nasty things to her. I loved it. Worth a read and no real sex scenes for those who are offended by that kind of thing.
August 30, 2015
the author packed a load of ludicrous facts and tried to make romance out of it. the heroine was supposedly in love wid clive and contemplated adultery. then she met severo and fell for him !? this was preposterous and i did not feel any connection between them. the sex was not dat good as well.
December 29, 2024
This was a long read, not that the book was longer than usual. It just felt that way because of the long monologues.
I have a weak spot for stories with Latin american Heroes (who doesnt?) and that's what kept me reading.
Anyway, this was love at first sight for the H who immediately decided to marry our reluctant heroine.
An okay, safe read. Nothing spectacular though.
I have a weak spot for stories with Latin american Heroes (who doesnt?) and that's what kept me reading.
Anyway, this was love at first sight for the H who immediately decided to marry our reluctant heroine.
An okay, safe read. Nothing spectacular though.
February 29, 2016
A fake fiancee tale, with a thoroughly besotted hero. Heroine's sister promises to play fake fiancee to hero but ditches him. Our good Samaritan heroine steps in and fulfills the promise. Hero realizes he prefers the replacement fake fiancee a lot more than the original intended, at first sight !
She goes to Uruguay and helps in conning the ailing grandmother. Wonder how alpha male heroes always land up with cute little grand mothers in M&B tales, either dying or meddling !!
Of course, there are some mundane other man / woman characters thrown in for filling the pages, but they really matter.
3 stars simply because I loved the hero and his desperation to keep the girl with him :)
She goes to Uruguay and helps in conning the ailing grandmother. Wonder how alpha male heroes always land up with cute little grand mothers in M&B tales, either dying or meddling !!
Of course, there are some mundane other man / woman characters thrown in for filling the pages, but they really matter.
3 stars simply because I loved the hero and his desperation to keep the girl with him :)
November 20, 2014
Those old harlequin heroes sure do like their virgins
November 28, 2018
3+
The last Jessica Steele in my big box of old schools (I think). I'll have to get some more.
This one put me in mind of my (so far) favorite JS: Tethered Liberty. If you read between the lines, the heroes are immediately besotted, kind of hate themselves for it but do everything they can to keep the heroine close and maybe (please god) win them over, while the heroine proves herself as nothing like her awful unreliable sibling until the two have their dawning realization and it's all sunshine & HEA.
Interesting setting (dated). I liked the character detail of how moved the heroine was by the countryside and simple pleasures.
As always, some moments of genuinely good tension and zing -- and as always, JS's odder syntax and structure, tried-and-true tropes [emotions run high! clashes! sudden swooping kisses!]. But here the hero clearly struggles from moment one when his whole world is knocked off its axis from meeting the real Regina. And Regina is no pushover who finds her fire.
For me, a classic JS and a good solid satisfying old school.
The last Jessica Steele in my big box of old schools (I think). I'll have to get some more.
This one put me in mind of my (so far) favorite JS: Tethered Liberty. If you read between the lines, the heroes are immediately besotted, kind of hate themselves for it but do everything they can to keep the heroine close and maybe (please god) win them over, while the heroine proves herself as nothing like her awful unreliable sibling until the two have their dawning realization and it's all sunshine & HEA.
Interesting setting (dated). I liked the character detail of how moved the heroine was by the countryside and simple pleasures.
As always, some moments of genuinely good tension and zing -- and as always, JS's odder syntax and structure, tried-and-true tropes [emotions run high! clashes! sudden swooping kisses!]. But here the hero clearly struggles from moment one when his whole world is knocked off its axis from meeting the real Regina. And Regina is no pushover who finds her fire.
For me, a classic JS and a good solid satisfying old school.
May 5, 2025
Reggie's sister Bella's poor planning has landed Reggie in hot water with a man who says she was supposed to marry him for the $10,000 he had given her sister. Bella had already spent the money when she changed her mind to marry James instead. Reggie agrees to go as her replacement, believing the agreement was only for a pretended engagement, not a true MARRIAGE. Reggie finds more problems along the way to their wedding day, which is planned to take place VERY SOON. How can she get herself out of this mess in a matter of weeks?
August 16, 2023
Hahaah
the h was limit
I actually am surprised that don't author proofread their stories and realise how utterly childish and TSTL they make their h sound.
Shouting and cursing at drop of hat.
Assuming things on the basis of nothing
Forgiving and forgetting their relatives and defending them against the people who have been wronged by them.
No brains
I mean the list goes on and on
H was ok, don't envy him at all.
the h was limit
I actually am surprised that don't author proofread their stories and realise how utterly childish and TSTL they make their h sound.
Shouting and cursing at drop of hat.
Assuming things on the basis of nothing
Forgiving and forgetting their relatives and defending them against the people who have been wronged by them.
No brains
I mean the list goes on and on
H was ok, don't envy him at all.
August 8, 2017
Read a scanned copy of this book on open library, it was written almost forty years ago, so it was at times, uncomfortably NOT PC! Today's gender roles have advanced along with the years. If you skip a few of those dated scenes you may enjoy this little harlequin story by the great Jessica Steele. Small note: I love the Harlequin book covers from this time. So so lovely!
June 28, 2017
Adorable story!
November 1, 2017
Beautiful, emotional story. Loved it.
October 4, 2018
Loved the characters and the story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews