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Dear John....
LOVE...JENNY
When Jenny Teale wrote to Captain John Braithwaite, it was as her good deed to the brave fighting men overseas. John's letters--intimate, sexy, loving--made her realize she'd found her soul mate. But Jenny didn't consider herself the kind of woman a man of action like John could ever love, so she refused to tell him her name. Still their letters grew even more revealing and passionate--but it was only a fantasy, Jenny assured herself.
Then John came home, determined to find the woman behind the words.
When Jenny Teale wrote to Captain John Braithwaite, it was as her good deed to the brave fighting men overseas. John's letters--intimate, sexy, loving--made her realize she'd found her soul mate. But Jenny didn't consider herself the kind of woman a man of action like John could ever love, so she refused to tell him her name. Still their letters grew even more revealing and passionate--but it was only a fantasy, Jenny assured herself.
Then John came home, determined to find the woman behind the words.
224 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1994
68 people want to read
About the author
Lyn Ellis
20 books5 followersVirginia Ellis, aka Lyn Ellis, was a professional photographer who had traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and the world. With her camera she learned how to tell a visual story. In her Harlequin books, she was translating the visual into words, creating memorable characters, vivid settings and compelling romances. Her first book, Dear John, won a Maggie Award for Best Short Contemporary, the Waldenbooks award for Bestselling Series book from Harlequin in 1994, and was nominated in two categories for the prestigious RITA award. Her second book, In Praise of Younger Men, was also nominated for a RITA. Gin also wrote two women’s mainstream fiction novels under her own name, Virginia Ellis. Her novel The Wedding Dress was optioned by Dolly Parton Productions for Sony Pictures Entertainment. Gin was one of the five founding partners of Belle Books, along with authors Deborah Smith, Deb Dixon, Sandra Chastain, and Donna Ball.
Gin Ellis, the versatile and award-winning writer, passed away 18 January 2006.
Gin Ellis, the versatile and award-winning writer, passed away 18 January 2006.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 9, 2014
I have a thing for books about falling in love via letters, e-mails... any written word. So when I saw this on a yard sale, I picked it up, naturally... letters!!! And this time, there are actual LETTERS *in the story*!!!! Wooo-hoooo!!!
Except they're sex letters. Boooo. Okay, so here's the story: Jenny was a big time sales rep for sports equipment, married to a louse of a pro soccer player. Then a forklift accidentally backs into the wall of an expo center she's working at, and the thing collapses on her - she loses an unborn baby and it crushes her hip and leg. She's told she'll never walk properly again, so her husband cuts his losses and leaves her.
While in traction in the hospital, her sister comes and tells her that there's a co-soldier of BiL with him over in Iraq who doesn't have anyone to write to him. So under the cover of anonymity, Jenny starts writing to Capt. John B... only she sets rules. He can't know her name/location, he can't know anything about her real life... she's going to write as if they have been lovers/partners for years, and it's going to be total fantasy. Letters from a kinky wife he doesn't have. Which naturally gets him ALL shades of hot and bothered, and like Jenny doesn't know that he's going to want to MEET her when he comes home?
The majority of the book is John trying to convince Jenny that not all guys are louses and that he doesn't care about her scars or her insurance money (she's getting a million and a half in the settlement, which naturally brings ex-hub back around)...
It was tedious and badly written, to be honest. For example, John comes over and has a platonic lunch with Jenny at one point, and when they're finished eating, "now that they were alone together" (like they haven't been since he hit the door, hello?) he could turn on the charm and coax her into sex. GAH... bad writing. And all of the overdone romance ploys - smarmy husband, reticent heroine, loads of cash, macho testosterone-pumped hero...
I could've liked it a LOT. If John weren't a total ego-maniac, if Jenny weren't a limp noodle -slash- whiny putz. If the ex-hub ploy hadn't been dragged into things. If the characters had chemistry. If there were more letters and less 'I've got to convince her to commit to me'.
I'll keep it, but I've read better. Worse, too, but... better.
Except they're sex letters. Boooo. Okay, so here's the story: Jenny was a big time sales rep for sports equipment, married to a louse of a pro soccer player. Then a forklift accidentally backs into the wall of an expo center she's working at, and the thing collapses on her - she loses an unborn baby and it crushes her hip and leg. She's told she'll never walk properly again, so her husband cuts his losses and leaves her.
While in traction in the hospital, her sister comes and tells her that there's a co-soldier of BiL with him over in Iraq who doesn't have anyone to write to him. So under the cover of anonymity, Jenny starts writing to Capt. John B... only she sets rules. He can't know her name/location, he can't know anything about her real life... she's going to write as if they have been lovers/partners for years, and it's going to be total fantasy. Letters from a kinky wife he doesn't have. Which naturally gets him ALL shades of hot and bothered, and like Jenny doesn't know that he's going to want to MEET her when he comes home?
The majority of the book is John trying to convince Jenny that not all guys are louses and that he doesn't care about her scars or her insurance money (she's getting a million and a half in the settlement, which naturally brings ex-hub back around)...
It was tedious and badly written, to be honest. For example, John comes over and has a platonic lunch with Jenny at one point, and when they're finished eating, "now that they were alone together" (like they haven't been since he hit the door, hello?) he could turn on the charm and coax her into sex. GAH... bad writing. And all of the overdone romance ploys - smarmy husband, reticent heroine, loads of cash, macho testosterone-pumped hero...
I could've liked it a LOT. If John weren't a total ego-maniac, if Jenny weren't a limp noodle -slash- whiny putz. If the ex-hub ploy hadn't been dragged into things. If the characters had chemistry. If there were more letters and less 'I've got to convince her to commit to me'.
I'll keep it, but I've read better. Worse, too, but... better.
September 17, 2017
A beautifully written tender love story, Dear John reaches deep into the reader's heart and gives it a good squeeze! The story doesn't reveal how or why Jenny started to write to John, but one would assume that it was to overcome the difficulties she is experiencing in her own life. Jenny thinks that once John returns home again that the correspondence will be over, but she doesn't count on the intense impact she had on John, the hope she gave him or the reason for living when times got really tough. Through her written words she has changed John and he is willing to move heaven and earth to find her on his return to the States. Both Jenny and John have issues in their past that make it difficult to commit to the relationship but in spite of everything they have both been through, love has developed and they can't ignore it. The story is beautifully written and whilst sad there is also victory over circumstances and a wonderful ending. I enjoyed all the characters in the book and Drew especially drew a chuckle from me. However, John is the real winner as he is able to look beyond the circumstances and recognise the true worth of the woman who wrote him tender love letters whilst in the dessert. I reluctantly closed my book after the last page. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
October 11, 2017
4.5 Stars!
Dear John is a re-release of an early 90's Harlequin title. I tend to be hesitant about reading what I call vintage romance, because of outdated references and writing styles. Aside from a typewriter and video cassette reference, I couldn't have been more wrong. This story could easily have been a recent release. Starting with letters while John was serving in the ARMY overseas, a tenuous and anonymous relationship begins between Jenny and John. Having been injured 18 months earlier, Jenny doesn't make any attempt to finally meet John after he returns stateside. Not being deterred and halfway in love with Jenny already, John makes a point to be part of her life.
I was truly impressed with the character depth and poignant storyline. Dear John was a sweet and tender romance with light conflict that both characters needed to overcome. The entire story was realistically developed and didn't shy away from the awkward maneuvering of a debilitating injury and how that played into a new relationship. Overall, this was a wonderful contemporary romance. It definitely makes me want to read more of this author's work. With that, I hope that the author's family decides to re-release additional out-of-print titles from her back list. (This is my voluntary and honest review of a complimentary copy of Dear John via shook Discovery.)
September 16, 2017
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review."
Captain John R Braithwaite was fight a war in Iraq, a single man taking care of his regiment. He begin to receive letters from an unknown person (a pen pal) given him the desire to endure his deployment. Jenny Teale was a sly, charming young lady, who sister, Linda initiated the pen-pal between John and Jenny. She had a rough marriage and was recovering from and accident but she fantasize her emotions and desires through her letters to John. They both had hidden secrets and fought their attraction after he return home. A great love story between two characters in need of each other.
Captain John R Braithwaite was fight a war in Iraq, a single man taking care of his regiment. He begin to receive letters from an unknown person (a pen pal) given him the desire to endure his deployment. Jenny Teale was a sly, charming young lady, who sister, Linda initiated the pen-pal between John and Jenny. She had a rough marriage and was recovering from and accident but she fantasize her emotions and desires through her letters to John. They both had hidden secrets and fought their attraction after he return home. A great love story between two characters in need of each other.
October 13, 2017
Dear John is an absolutely beautifully written love story. What starts out as an innocent "secret" pen pal situation turns quickly into so much more.
Jenny Teale and John Braithwaite are two people who have both suffered incredible loss and pain. Jenny has suffered the loss of her marriage due to a devastating car accident and John has suffered tremendously while serving his country overseas. The anonymous letters they send to each other allow both of them to fantasize about a relationship that neither believes themselves worthy of.
The resulting story is just fabulous. It is heartwarming, emotional and just incredible. I highly recommend it.
"I received a free copy of this book from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review."
Jenny Teale and John Braithwaite are two people who have both suffered incredible loss and pain. Jenny has suffered the loss of her marriage due to a devastating car accident and John has suffered tremendously while serving his country overseas. The anonymous letters they send to each other allow both of them to fantasize about a relationship that neither believes themselves worthy of.
The resulting story is just fabulous. It is heartwarming, emotional and just incredible. I highly recommend it.
"I received a free copy of this book from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review."
October 10, 2017
Intriguing Love Letters… John has been receiving letters from Jenny while fighting in war overseas. Jenny's letters gives him hope for the future. When Jenny’s letters start reflecting a more intimate relationship, John knows he has to meet Jenny as soon as he gets out. The only problem is that he doesn’t know where to find her. Jenny has her reasons for believing that they can't have a permanent relationship. This is a wonderful romance and the love letters they exchange enhance the book. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review. This is the first book that I've read by the author, but it won't be the last.
October 12, 2017
This is a wonderful romance. With letters he became the fantasy of a love she felt she could never have. To him she became his reason to stay alive and come home. She thought it would end when he came home. When he came home he was determined not to let it end.. There is so much emotion and tension it's amazing. The characters are well developed and the story wonderfully written. This is a must read. I was given this book as a gift and voluntarily give this review.
October 13, 2017
I loved this book! It's quite a story, with a military man, John, writing a pen pal back and forth overseas while he's serving. He hasn't met this woman, but he's quite intrigued by her. She writes as if he's her husband, creating a fantasy of waiting for him to come home. It's a wonderful plot and a fun, romantic story to read. I highly recommend this book. Thanks to ebook discovery for the book to read and enjoy.
January 1, 2019
Although this book was well written, for me it was typical Harlequin. I hand not read one in years and thought I'd give it a go. The premise of the story was good, but John's neediness put me off and Jenny's feelings of unworthiness didn't sit right with me either.
Don't get me wrong, the author did a good job with the story; just wasn't for me.
Don't get me wrong, the author did a good job with the story; just wasn't for me.
April 25, 2021
I remember liking this more when I first read it in 1994. Now Jenny just makes me too mad. She spins a fantasy of a wonderful home life for the guy and then pushes him away “for his own good”! I HATE it when people make unilateral decisions for others without even communicating. By the time she got her head out of her ass I was completely fed up with her.
September 26, 2017
A heartwarming, beautiful story. Fantasy can become reality, if one is prepared to fight for it. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
June 9, 2012
My Mills & Boon Temptation copy has just the guy on it and if you squint he looks a bit like Richard Burgi, so I was able to picture the character as being Jim Ellison from The Sentinel tv show.... which jacked the hotness rating far above anything the author had planned, I'm sure. Oh, how I hate myself for loving this book.
January 23, 2009
A wonderful story. Its not often I can give series romances that full 5 stars but this one is truly wonderful. If you can find it in a used book store, pick it up!
Want to read
October 16, 2012I read this years ago, to the point the poor book fell apart. Have been looking for it again....so glad I found it!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews