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Spindrift
After all, he was related to her...
So why all the fuss, wondered Bryony. True, they were not blood relatives, but Bryony had always thought of Dominic, her stepbrother, as just that -- a brother.
Now her friend Marion was implying that things were otherwise ... and Bryony, despite her ardent denials, began to wonder if her feelings for Dominic were something more than brotherly.
Especially that surprising day when he swept her into his arms and kissed her....
So why all the fuss, wondered Bryony. True, they were not blood relatives, but Bryony had always thought of Dominic, her stepbrother, as just that -- a brother.
Now her friend Marion was implying that things were otherwise ... and Bryony, despite her ardent denials, began to wonder if her feelings for Dominic were something more than brotherly.
Especially that surprising day when he swept her into his arms and kissed her....
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
3 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Stratton
81 books22 followersRebecca Stratton wrote two books as a Harlequin Presents author. Writing for the Harlequin Romance imprint, she published 43 novels. She also wrote under the name Lucy Gillen. She passed away in 1982.
Biography from Harlequin Romance #2489 The Golden Spaniard
"When one happens to be an unmarried woman of forty-five and apparently fixed for the rest of her working life in a safe and settled job," Rebecca Stratton says of herself, "it is apt to be regarded as bordering on the insane to suddenly give it all up and become a full-time writer."
But that is precisely what British-born and -bred Rebecca did one August day in 1967. Writing had always been her ultimate aim, and she felt that if she didn't make the move right then and there she'd end her days as "one more elderly lady sighing for what might have been."
When Rebecca Stratton's first attempt at a romance novel was accepted, she didn't know whether to laugh or to cry. So she did both. Then she celebrated with friends and relatives. And then sat down to the job of writing more books - and reveled in it!
Biography from Harlequin Romance #2489 The Golden Spaniard
"When one happens to be an unmarried woman of forty-five and apparently fixed for the rest of her working life in a safe and settled job," Rebecca Stratton says of herself, "it is apt to be regarded as bordering on the insane to suddenly give it all up and become a full-time writer."
But that is precisely what British-born and -bred Rebecca did one August day in 1967. Writing had always been her ultimate aim, and she felt that if she didn't make the move right then and there she'd end her days as "one more elderly lady sighing for what might have been."
When Rebecca Stratton's first attempt at a romance novel was accepted, she didn't know whether to laugh or to cry. So she did both. Then she celebrated with friends and relatives. And then sat down to the job of writing more books - and reveled in it!
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 29, 2016
I love these old harlequins. Every time I have a chance, I buy one or find one in a used bookstore. It's become such an obsession of mine. I couldn't put this one down, it was very beautiful and watching the hero and heroines relationship bloom from innocence to something more was wonderful.
July 24, 2023
I think this is my favourite Rebecca Stratton novel. I loved it as much the second time around. Once started it was hard to put down.
In a lot of ways it was a coming of age story and an age gap romance rolled into one.
The MFC Byrony was young in age and years and though other characters in the book realized her changing feelings for her Guardian and stepbrother she did not and fought it. There is OM troubles but no OW troubles in this one though with her immaturity that did not stop her being jealous any way.
It seemed the MMC Dominic was just waiting for his ward to grow up, though that doesn't stop the jealousy he feels for any of the male speices who shows any interest in his ward.
Quickly paced the story moves on to the end and a sweet HEA.
In a lot of ways it was a coming of age story and an age gap romance rolled into one.
The MFC Byrony was young in age and years and though other characters in the book realized her changing feelings for her Guardian and stepbrother she did not and fought it. There is OM troubles but no OW troubles in this one though with her immaturity that did not stop her being jealous any way.
It seemed the MMC Dominic was just waiting for his ward to grow up, though that doesn't stop the jealousy he feels for any of the male speices who shows any interest in his ward.
Quickly paced the story moves on to the end and a sweet HEA.
July 13, 2022
"Spindrift" is the story of Marion and Dominic.
Heroine in the ward to her much older stepbrother. She wants to fly and explore herself, he is NOT keen. Her friend hints he might like her? Maybe the friend thinks so- but our heroine is blind and childish, and the story is..confusing. There is barely any romance or chemistry between the two, he is grumpy and angry; she is oblivious and confession at the end came out of nowhere.
Meh. Skimmed with regret.
Safe
1.5/5
Heroine in the ward to her much older stepbrother. She wants to fly and explore herself, he is NOT keen. Her friend hints he might like her? Maybe the friend thinks so- but our heroine is blind and childish, and the story is..confusing. There is barely any romance or chemistry between the two, he is grumpy and angry; she is oblivious and confession at the end came out of nowhere.
Meh. Skimmed with regret.
Safe
1.5/5
February 7, 2014
2.5 stars
The writing was good, but in the entire book I kept waiting for the hero to do something, make a move that screamed somethin' on the lines that prooved he loved the heroine more than anything else in his life. But it always came in nothing more than subtle hints.
The writing was good, but in the entire book I kept waiting for the hero to do something, make a move that screamed somethin' on the lines that prooved he loved the heroine more than anything else in his life. But it always came in nothing more than subtle hints.
August 21, 2024
Not much of a plot. Although I enjoyed the book to a certain extent I did notice that it was not OK for a young man to fall in love with a woman old enough to be his mother but very OK for a young girl to fall in love with someone much older than she was.
July 1, 2021
"Pretty devastating , isn't he"
A honest heart to heart conversation between 19 year old Bryony and her college friend. They are clinically evaluating the effect, the hero Dominic has over women !!!! I didn't know whether to chuckle at their audacity or sympathize with them wholeheartedly. You see, I found him him pretty devastating too ;))))))
The blurb on the book says hero is the step brother. The author does a fantastic job in establishing just how he is a "non-brother" among other brothers that the girl has. His mother married her father. That's the bare bones relationship. But Dominic practically raises the girl since she is aged 12 or so. The parents are all long gone.
This is a guardian ward story that turns out beautifully. Simply because the hero never treats her like a child, even when she is indeed one. When she is enchanted with a rainy dewdrop on a wet afternoon, he stands with her and marvels at it too! That's when she is 12. And he is already a 27 year old man, her guardian !
Later, when she turns 19, he gifts her a diamond pendant that is reminiscent of that shared moment of sweet camaraderie between them, years ago.
There are spicy moments of tension between the 2, all part of the "I am grown up now, I want my freedom" phase of her life. He is tolerant most of the times, comes down with a heavy hand only when its important. And mostly enjoys her petulant bursts of adamancy!
He does throw some hints about his intentions towards Bryony, but she is just 19. Its only natural that she doesn't get it. Her innocent adoration for the fellow is fun to watch and read about.
There are a couple of other brothers thrown in too. They are in between Dominic and Bryony in age. They share a mum with Dominic. And share a dad with Bryony. Sounds awfully confusing !@?!?@ Don't worry , the author sorts out this messy relationship quite well.
Dominic adores the girl. As a precious part of his family, as a lover, as a soulmate. The intensity of his feelings are uncovered at the end. Bryony does have a short association with an OM, but that only helps her in making up her mind about Dominic.
"No one matches up to Dom" - that's her conclusion. And I quite agree :)
A honest heart to heart conversation between 19 year old Bryony and her college friend. They are clinically evaluating the effect, the hero Dominic has over women !!!! I didn't know whether to chuckle at their audacity or sympathize with them wholeheartedly. You see, I found him him pretty devastating too ;))))))
The blurb on the book says hero is the step brother. The author does a fantastic job in establishing just how he is a "non-brother" among other brothers that the girl has. His mother married her father. That's the bare bones relationship. But Dominic practically raises the girl since she is aged 12 or so. The parents are all long gone.
This is a guardian ward story that turns out beautifully. Simply because the hero never treats her like a child, even when she is indeed one. When she is enchanted with a rainy dewdrop on a wet afternoon, he stands with her and marvels at it too! That's when she is 12. And he is already a 27 year old man, her guardian !
Later, when she turns 19, he gifts her a diamond pendant that is reminiscent of that shared moment of sweet camaraderie between them, years ago.
There are spicy moments of tension between the 2, all part of the "I am grown up now, I want my freedom" phase of her life. He is tolerant most of the times, comes down with a heavy hand only when its important. And mostly enjoys her petulant bursts of adamancy!
He does throw some hints about his intentions towards Bryony, but she is just 19. Its only natural that she doesn't get it. Her innocent adoration for the fellow is fun to watch and read about.
There are a couple of other brothers thrown in too. They are in between Dominic and Bryony in age. They share a mum with Dominic. And share a dad with Bryony. Sounds awfully confusing !@?!?@ Don't worry , the author sorts out this messy relationship quite well.
Dominic adores the girl. As a precious part of his family, as a lover, as a soulmate. The intensity of his feelings are uncovered at the end. Bryony does have a short association with an OM, but that only helps her in making up her mind about Dominic.
"No one matches up to Dom" - that's her conclusion. And I quite agree :)
August 13, 2021
I read this years ago, loved it then, but I wonder how I would feel now? When I was 18-19, having a swoony stepbrother seemed awesome, but I get the feeling I would find it too close to grooming now that I am in my fifties. Would love to find a copy and see if it has aged better than I fear.
October 3, 2018
Enjoyed the novel
October 19, 2016
0 passion, and the heroine never had a "ah hah!" moment.
December 26, 2025
Este a treia carte din colectia primita de la colega mea si cea mai buna de pana acum. In romana se numeste Dragoste la tropice, si este povestea dintre o domnisoara de 19 ani pe nume Elisabeth Charn, englezoaica, si francezul Dominique Laminaire, de 34 ani, tutorele ei, si fratele ei prin alianta.
Dominique si familia sa detin insula Petitnue, acolo unde tatal lui Elisabeth ajunge. Se casatoreste cu mama lui Dominique, acesta fiind in varsta de 3 ani, si are 2 baieti cu aceasta. Din pacate, mama lui Dominique moare, astfel ca vaduvul Rupert Charn, tatal vitreg al lui Dominique, se recasatoreste cu o alta doamna, si o au pe Elisabeth. Mama lui Elisabeth, englezoaica, i se face dor de Anglia si decide sa plece fara sot si fara copila. Rupert nu rezista mult dupa plecarea sotiei si moare, astfel fetita ajungand la varsta de 12 ani in grija fratelui ei prin alianta, singurul care era adult
Elisabeth merge la scoala pana la 18 ani, cand ii cere voie tutorelui sa nu mai mearga, si doreste sa se angajeze la afacerea familiei, tinand contabilitatea. Dominique aproba. Acesta era un barbat vanjos si dur. Toate femeile erau moarte dupa ea. Dupa o serie de belele in care intra Elisabeth si de unde este salvata de Dom, aceasta se indragosteste de el, desi i se parea putin ciudat si se gandea si ce o sa zica lumea vazand ca ea se cupleaza cu fratele ei prin alianta. Plus ca toti se mirau de ce Dom, la 34 de ani, nu e insurat, in conditiile in care fratii ei isi gasisera deja sotii si iubite, si chiar si Elisabeth avea pretendenti.
Dupa cateva peripetii si plimbari cu goeleta intre doua insule, Dom ii cere mana lui Elisabeth si raman impreuna pentru totdeauna.
Dominique si familia sa detin insula Petitnue, acolo unde tatal lui Elisabeth ajunge. Se casatoreste cu mama lui Dominique, acesta fiind in varsta de 3 ani, si are 2 baieti cu aceasta. Din pacate, mama lui Dominique moare, astfel ca vaduvul Rupert Charn, tatal vitreg al lui Dominique, se recasatoreste cu o alta doamna, si o au pe Elisabeth. Mama lui Elisabeth, englezoaica, i se face dor de Anglia si decide sa plece fara sot si fara copila. Rupert nu rezista mult dupa plecarea sotiei si moare, astfel fetita ajungand la varsta de 12 ani in grija fratelui ei prin alianta, singurul care era adult
Elisabeth merge la scoala pana la 18 ani, cand ii cere voie tutorelui sa nu mai mearga, si doreste sa se angajeze la afacerea familiei, tinand contabilitatea. Dominique aproba. Acesta era un barbat vanjos si dur. Toate femeile erau moarte dupa ea. Dupa o serie de belele in care intra Elisabeth si de unde este salvata de Dom, aceasta se indragosteste de el, desi i se parea putin ciudat si se gandea si ce o sa zica lumea vazand ca ea se cupleaza cu fratele ei prin alianta. Plus ca toti se mirau de ce Dom, la 34 de ani, nu e insurat, in conditiile in care fratii ei isi gasisera deja sotii si iubite, si chiar si Elisabeth avea pretendenti.
Dupa cateva peripetii si plimbari cu goeleta intre doua insule, Dom ii cere mana lui Elisabeth si raman impreuna pentru totdeauna.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2025
This is my third Harlequin novel and let's say, I ain't reading any again, maybe in the future because I lack the knowledge of distinguishing genres, but this was a good novel, although one part "disturbed me", get it 😂, the main character uses that word so many times or at least author wrote it in her narration with constant repetition to describe her feelings, but the part that was concerning was and spoiler warning:
The male lead (Dominic) struck her because she was, I guess you could say being a brat (but the situation was concerning and might required some strict scolding, but not hitting). Even though he was her guardian and such, it just gave me a bad impression of him and we don't even get a pov of how he fell in love with her, WHEN he fell in love with her because that is very important due to the age gap between them, and honestly I have seen other media's where old French men are really "abusive" and I am not trying to stereotype this person, but in a way I don't know, and whilst reading the novel, I had this constant fear of like, what if he hits her again, and they don't have any established boundaries because they only get together at the end, and if that is the case, the lack of balance in their pawer dynamic makes it more concerning since one is much older
Honestly, I don't know why I am reading so much into it, maybe it's because of our changed views due to the openness in the world and such, like green and red flags tagged onto people like a couple of Sim characters.
The male lead (Dominic) struck her because she was, I guess you could say being a brat (but the situation was concerning and might required some strict scolding, but not hitting). Even though he was her guardian and such, it just gave me a bad impression of him and we don't even get a pov of how he fell in love with her, WHEN he fell in love with her because that is very important due to the age gap between them, and honestly I have seen other media's where old French men are really "abusive" and I am not trying to stereotype this person, but in a way I don't know, and whilst reading the novel, I had this constant fear of like, what if he hits her again, and they don't have any established boundaries because they only get together at the end, and if that is the case, the lack of balance in their pawer dynamic makes it more concerning since one is much older
Honestly, I don't know why I am reading so much into it, maybe it's because of our changed views due to the openness in the world and such, like green and red flags tagged onto people like a couple of Sim characters.
June 3, 2024
Very sweet. I enjoyed the descriptions of the island. This is a very sweet, chaste romance novel. (I’m not complaining, I like the oldie Harlequins!) It is suitable for all ages.
August 2, 2022
I originally rated this at 3 stars, as the MMC - aside from when he loses his temper and strikes her - very clearly cares deeply about the MFC, but on a re-read it just didn't hold up. I tried to keep in mind that the MFC is only 18 with a limited education/social circle and no travel or meaningful life experiences to learn from, but she was so immature and naive that she was irritating. She was the classic Harlequin ingenue: childish, oblivious, prone to trembling lips and watery eyes, overly apologetic, imposed on by everyone around her, far too passive when it comes to letting men kiss and touch her, body quaking/knees knocking/swooning when there's any physical contact (not much in this book) with the hero. She's not remotely close to being an equal life partner to a man 16 years her senior, so it's probably just as well she ended up with a stepbrother/father-substitute who'll keep her sheltered and coddled, and rescuing her from the never-ending calamities caused by her lack of common sense.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews