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Tender Loving Care
When the bandages come off, what will he see?
Logan Phillips didn't expect to like his nurse, let alone find himself attracted to her. But Melissa VanFleet's gentle humor and sweet spirit soothes the architect's frustration at his temporary blindness. He finds she's tempting him down a road he's sworn never again to travel.
But a little TLC can go a long way.
Melissa realizes immediately that she would never fit into Logan's exclusive world. So when she finds herself falling for her patient, she knows she's in trouble. Once his vision is restored, she's certain he won't look twice at a plain Jane like her . . . but she'd love to be wrong!
Logan Phillips didn't expect to like his nurse, let alone find himself attracted to her. But Melissa VanFleet's gentle humor and sweet spirit soothes the architect's frustration at his temporary blindness. He finds she's tempting him down a road he's sworn never again to travel.
But a little TLC can go a long way.
Melissa realizes immediately that she would never fit into Logan's exclusive world. So when she finds herself falling for her patient, she knows she's in trouble. Once his vision is restored, she's certain he won't look twice at a plain Jane like her . . . but she'd love to be wrong!
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 2, 1991
107 people are currently reading
604 people want to read
About the author
Susan Mallery
865 books15.5k followers#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming and humorous novels about the relationships that define women's lives—family, friendship, romance. She's best known for putting nuanced characters into emotionally complex, real-life situations with twists that surprise readers to laughter. Because Susan is passionate about animal welfare, pets play a big role in her books. Beloved by millions of readers worldwide, her books have been translated into 28 languages.
Critics have dubbed Mallery "the new queen of romantic fiction." (Walmart) Booklist says, "Romance novels don't get much better than Mallery's expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling," and RT Book Reviews puts her "in a class by herself!" It's no wonder that her books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list.
Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool's Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.
Susan lives in Washington state with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com.
Critics have dubbed Mallery "the new queen of romantic fiction." (Walmart) Booklist says, "Romance novels don't get much better than Mallery's expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling," and RT Book Reviews puts her "in a class by herself!" It's no wonder that her books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list.
Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool's Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.
Susan lives in Washington state with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 18, 2020
3*
As the h likes to describe herself - it's a 'medium' book!
Could have been better, tighter, angstier and more engaging but levels up to be just a mild and medium story.
The author cleverly and quickly moves the (oh so sacrosanct) patient-nurse relationship to a more ethically relaxed housekeeper-employer one. But that conversely also decreases the touchy-feely part of the equation. And when the H loses his eye bandages, the h gets very conscious of her plainness and she never lets the reader's forget it as well.
The book meanders slowly about the nuances of a very attractive but commitment-phobe guy and a plain but full of heart woman finding their way about each other. His vampy and glamorous ex keeps jerking their chains and successfully so, even while remaining in the background - his, for unresolved anger over being cheated on and hers, for her insecurity over her plainness. The h's almost obsessive envy/jealousy over the ow's looks rubs the wrong way. One time, she's shown as feeling envious of the H's 12-yo daughter good looks as well!
“There is no justice, she thought as she turned over the first batch of pancakes. Logan’s daughter would probably get through high school without a single blemish.”
All said, she's full of complexes and too insecure for me to enjoy her. Or maybe, she's just real life like.
The H is portrayed as too sweet, kind and sorted fella to act the I-have-issue-so-won't-ever-trust-a-woman again. And I found the h's seething and bubbling over insecurities, and her presumptions more than a bit annoying. For a nurse, she sure missed the daughter getting pre menstrual/ menarcheal symptoms. And that too when they have spent weeks discussing sex education and first periods. And the girl running away over it was a bolt from the blue. Say what?!
And I wish the b*tchy ow was used more, and more effectively. Although even those very rare appearances of hers sent the h into miserable sob-fests.
And as ☽ Rhiannon ✭ Mistwalker ☾ has mentioned, for all her self-doubts, the h very easily presumes that the H does indeed loves her and it's only his trust issues that are holding him back.
As the h likes to describe herself - it's a 'medium' book!
Could have been better, tighter, angstier and more engaging but levels up to be just a mild and medium story.
The author cleverly and quickly moves the (oh so sacrosanct) patient-nurse relationship to a more ethically relaxed housekeeper-employer one. But that conversely also decreases the touchy-feely part of the equation. And when the H loses his eye bandages, the h gets very conscious of her plainness and she never lets the reader's forget it as well.
The book meanders slowly about the nuances of a very attractive but commitment-phobe guy and a plain but full of heart woman finding their way about each other. His vampy and glamorous ex keeps jerking their chains and successfully so, even while remaining in the background - his, for unresolved anger over being cheated on and hers, for her insecurity over her plainness. The h's almost obsessive envy/jealousy over the ow's looks rubs the wrong way. One time, she's shown as feeling envious of the H's 12-yo daughter good looks as well!
“There is no justice, she thought as she turned over the first batch of pancakes. Logan’s daughter would probably get through high school without a single blemish.”
All said, she's full of complexes and too insecure for me to enjoy her. Or maybe, she's just real life like.
The H is portrayed as too sweet, kind and sorted fella to act the I-have-issue-so-won't-ever-trust-a-woman again. And I found the h's seething and bubbling over insecurities, and her presumptions more than a bit annoying. For a nurse, she sure missed the daughter getting pre menstrual/ menarcheal symptoms. And that too when they have spent weeks discussing sex education and first periods. And the girl running away over it was a bolt from the blue. Say what?!
And I wish the b*tchy ow was used more, and more effectively. Although even those very rare appearances of hers sent the h into miserable sob-fests.
And as ☽ Rhiannon ✭ Mistwalker ☾ has mentioned, for all her self-doubts, the h very easily presumes that the H does indeed loves her and it's only his trust issues that are holding him back.
August 1, 2016
2.5 Stars
Typical SM story - h is an average bordering on plain woman who H actually admits (to himself!) that he normally wouldn't have given her a second glance or be interested in her if he had seen her on the street or quickly introduced to her.....It's only because he couldn't see (had accident and his eyes were bandaged) when they first met and had the chance to get to know her first.
This is a typical Harlequin style where he has had his heart broken (and stomped on) by other women and vows to never love or commit to another.....We get to 'meet' 2 of his previous women and of course they were typical beautiful sirens who thinks they can wrap men around their finger by luring them with a beautiful body and a sultry voice - It's no wonder he has been burnt in the past!
Typical SM story - h is an average bordering on plain woman who H actually admits (to himself!) that he normally wouldn't have given her a second glance or be interested in her if he had seen her on the street or quickly introduced to her.....It's only because he couldn't see (had accident and his eyes were bandaged) when they first met and had the chance to get to know her first.
This is a typical Harlequin style where he has had his heart broken (and stomped on) by other women and vows to never love or commit to another.....We get to 'meet' 2 of his previous women and of course they were typical beautiful sirens who thinks they can wrap men around their finger by luring them with a beautiful body and a sultry voice - It's no wonder he has been burnt in the past!
May 14, 2019
The story of Melissa and Logan, a nurse and her temporarily blind patient.
Logan is a man used to being in charge of his life, so being confined in bed, unable to see and do even basic things for himself is more than a little frustrating. Thankfully for him, he is diverted by his nurse Melissa, who intrigues him even though he has no idea what she looks like.
Melissa, who has confidence and self image issues, is even more intimidated when she discovers that Logan's ex-wife is a beautiful soap opera actress, and while she is herself while Logan can't see her, the moment the bandages come off, all her issues take center stage and have her stammering around him.
She's not the only one with issues, however, since Logan, who had been burned badly by his ex, is determined not to trust another woman with his heart again, and .
An enjoyable story with three people who slowly become a family, even though they don't intend to initially.
Logan is a man used to being in charge of his life, so being confined in bed, unable to see and do even basic things for himself is more than a little frustrating. Thankfully for him, he is diverted by his nurse Melissa, who intrigues him even though he has no idea what she looks like.
Melissa, who has confidence and self image issues, is even more intimidated when she discovers that Logan's ex-wife is a beautiful soap opera actress, and while she is herself while Logan can't see her, the moment the bandages come off, all her issues take center stage and have her stammering around him.
She's not the only one with issues, however, since Logan, who had been burned badly by his ex, is determined not to trust another woman with his heart again, and .
An enjoyable story with three people who slowly become a family, even though they don't intend to initially.
May 10, 2011
Tender Loving Care is a very sweet and simple book.
Melissa is a nurse that usually takes care of dying children when she is put to work to look after Logan, who is temporarily blind. Melissa has always considered herself ordinary, she is like normal people, has curves and image issues because of her boyfriend dumping her for someone more "wealthy" and her parent's attitude.
Logan has a 12 year old daughter and is divorced from a soap star, who is considered one of the most beautiful women. He is against the institution of marriage, after his wife cheated on him way too many times and prefers sophisticated women as they know the score. He starts liking Melissa and getting attracted to her and how real she is but knows that she deserves better than what he can offer.
After his bandages come off, Melissa stays back to look after his daughter Wendi.
I had a problem with only Wendi in the book, I get it she is a teenager with a beautiful mother and she will be all about fashion and cool people, but it got too much I guess. Melissa's influence definitely improves her but I felt Logan should have given her a good long talk. Maybe I was never an immature teen and still am not so it was difficult to me understand Wendi but yeah I get where she was coming from, but I got nerves :D
Melissa is one the most sweetest people and she doesn't realize that beauty isn't everything maybe because the people in her world didn't realize her worth. She thinks Logan is staying away from her because of that. Logan tries hard not to give in but does eventually and I liked Melissa stood up for herself and said that she deserves better.
This book is pretty short and sweet, I would recommend it.
Thanks booklover.
Melissa is a nurse that usually takes care of dying children when she is put to work to look after Logan, who is temporarily blind. Melissa has always considered herself ordinary, she is like normal people, has curves and image issues because of her boyfriend dumping her for someone more "wealthy" and her parent's attitude.
Logan has a 12 year old daughter and is divorced from a soap star, who is considered one of the most beautiful women. He is against the institution of marriage, after his wife cheated on him way too many times and prefers sophisticated women as they know the score. He starts liking Melissa and getting attracted to her and how real she is but knows that she deserves better than what he can offer.
After his bandages come off, Melissa stays back to look after his daughter Wendi.
I had a problem with only Wendi in the book, I get it she is a teenager with a beautiful mother and she will be all about fashion and cool people, but it got too much I guess. Melissa's influence definitely improves her but I felt Logan should have given her a good long talk. Maybe I was never an immature teen and still am not so it was difficult to me understand Wendi but yeah I get where she was coming from, but I got nerves :D
Melissa is one the most sweetest people and she doesn't realize that beauty isn't everything maybe because the people in her world didn't realize her worth. She thinks Logan is staying away from her because of that. Logan tries hard not to give in but does eventually and I liked Melissa stood up for herself and said that she deserves better.
This book is pretty short and sweet, I would recommend it.
Thanks booklover.
May 11, 2024
Rating: 3 Stars!!
Review:
I think this was only the 3rd Novel ive read by Susan, Number 2 this year and i have to say i expected so much more from this book then what was given especially after how funny Chapter 1 was.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. Melissa was my favorite especially on how caring she was toward her patients as A Nurse.
The Setting was OK but not as descriptive as i would of liked. I kept finding myself going back to previous pages so i knew what state and town the scene was in.
Overall an OK Contemporary Novel but ive read better. I will read more by Susan in the future, just hope her other books arent like this one was.
Review:
I think this was only the 3rd Novel ive read by Susan, Number 2 this year and i have to say i expected so much more from this book then what was given especially after how funny Chapter 1 was.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. Melissa was my favorite especially on how caring she was toward her patients as A Nurse.
The Setting was OK but not as descriptive as i would of liked. I kept finding myself going back to previous pages so i knew what state and town the scene was in.
Overall an OK Contemporary Novel but ive read better. I will read more by Susan in the future, just hope her other books arent like this one was.
May 18, 2018
This was, quite frankly, about as average a book as you can possibly get. Everything from characters to plot to the OW to the resolution was indistinguishable from a thousand other romance books with the same characters, plot, etc.
It was not a bad read, nor do I consider it a waste of the money or time I spent on it. If you are a Harlequin fan and can find this one at your local library, pick it up for an easy, late night browse. If you aren't the type of reader who specifically goes hunting for that late night read only the Harlequin signature formula romance can offer, skip this one.
It was not a bad read, nor do I consider it a waste of the money or time I spent on it. If you are a Harlequin fan and can find this one at your local library, pick it up for an easy, late night browse. If you aren't the type of reader who specifically goes hunting for that late night read only the Harlequin signature formula romance can offer, skip this one.
September 21, 2018
I wanted to like this more, because there was a somewhat-insecure, plain-ish (well, she's short and not stunningly model-gorgeous, anyways) heroine - rounding up half a star for that. But it was so mild it doesn't make the angst shelf. A little too cutesy for my tastes, too. There could have been some nice angst, except
Oh, and
Oh, and
April 18, 2011
This was a very good read,really loved Logan-Melissa and Wendi's bonding though it takes time for Logan to see how much he loves her cause he was hurted by his ex-wife Fiona so he has decided no woman is worth marrying but soon Melissa comes and it becomes hard for him to fight the attraction but still he has trusting-love issues
Logan is a great father and humble man ,really loved when he finally comes to his senses and opens his heart again
Melissa i m so glad she stood for herself and rightly says she deserves much more then care and finally she has what she needs
Loved the scenes between Wendi-Melissa,great book and cute love story
Good read
Rocommend it
Logan is a great father and humble man ,really loved when he finally comes to his senses and opens his heart again
Melissa i m so glad she stood for herself and rightly says she deserves much more then care and finally she has what she needs
Loved the scenes between Wendi-Melissa,great book and cute love story
Good read
Rocommend it
Want to read
June 13, 2022Read this book a long time ago... Susan Mallery is one of my favorite authors. If I could I would have a library shelf donated just for her books in my house.
July 28, 2020
Well. By the end of this, I kept laughing and loudly proclaiming "NO ONE TALKS LIKE THAT!". The sex scenes in particular were cringingly funny and I ended up having to skim through them.
I have read a lot of Mallery and she's hit or miss for me. My problem with her is usually characters and plot, but up til now, her writing has been easy to read and feels natural (doesn't take you out of the story). Not the case for this one. It was first published in '92, so I'm guessing this is one of her first books? Her writing gets a lot better than this over the decades.
Other than that, it was ok. I keep waffling between 1 and 2 stars. But I did finish it with only minimal skimming, so I guess I'll stick with 2.
But yeah, there were problems. It was overly dramatic at times. The nurse/patient relationship (followed by boss/employee relationship) were both uncomfortable. It really felt like Logan was taking advantage of Melissa too many times (ick). Especially with at least 2 scenes where he (briefly) physically stopped her from leaving (um . . . yeah).
Wendi (the 12 year old) was completely unbelievable and didn't feel like a real child at all (which is often a problem with books that have children as side characters, so it's not just Mallery).
Melissa had some back story, but it never gets shared with Logan, so that was odd. All of their really deep conversations were about Logan and his issues.
His ex-wife Fiona is a cardboard cutout of a character. Zero depth, acts like a 2D Bad Woman, while Melissa is soft, sweet, domestic, loving - a stereotype of the Girl Next Door.
I did get some good laughs out of this. Like with Melissa, who is often described as having "curves" and not being model thin like Fiona, how she's not beautiful (which is implied to be at least in part because of her not being thin). When we finally find out that Melissa has "10 or so" extra pounds I literally laughed out loud. Ten pounds. Yup. Ten pounds is what stops her from being thin. Ten pounds is part of what makes her not beautiful. Ten. Freaking. Pounds.
And then the ending.
So not the best Mallery book for sure. But good enough to finish.
I have read a lot of Mallery and she's hit or miss for me. My problem with her is usually characters and plot, but up til now, her writing has been easy to read and feels natural (doesn't take you out of the story). Not the case for this one. It was first published in '92, so I'm guessing this is one of her first books? Her writing gets a lot better than this over the decades.
Other than that, it was ok. I keep waffling between 1 and 2 stars. But I did finish it with only minimal skimming, so I guess I'll stick with 2.
But yeah, there were problems. It was overly dramatic at times. The nurse/patient relationship (followed by boss/employee relationship) were both uncomfortable. It really felt like Logan was taking advantage of Melissa too many times (ick). Especially with at least 2 scenes where he (briefly) physically stopped her from leaving (um . . . yeah).
Wendi (the 12 year old) was completely unbelievable and didn't feel like a real child at all (which is often a problem with books that have children as side characters, so it's not just Mallery).
Melissa had some back story, but it never gets shared with Logan, so that was odd. All of their really deep conversations were about Logan and his issues.
His ex-wife Fiona is a cardboard cutout of a character. Zero depth, acts like a 2D Bad Woman, while Melissa is soft, sweet, domestic, loving - a stereotype of the Girl Next Door.
I did get some good laughs out of this. Like with Melissa, who is often described as having "curves" and not being model thin like Fiona, how she's not beautiful (which is implied to be at least in part because of her not being thin). When we finally find out that Melissa has "10 or so" extra pounds I literally laughed out loud. Ten pounds. Yup. Ten pounds is what stops her from being thin. Ten pounds is part of what makes her not beautiful. Ten. Freaking. Pounds.
And then the ending.
So not the best Mallery book for sure. But good enough to finish.
May 9, 2018
Fun Stort
This was a great story....time and a helpful companion can make a difficult situation bearable, and maybe bring life and love clearly into focus
This was a great story....time and a helpful companion can make a difficult situation bearable, and maybe bring life and love clearly into focus
July 4, 2019
Good
Loved the entire story! Best author around but far! Pretty close to finishing every one of her books 😊 😊
Loved the entire story! Best author around but far! Pretty close to finishing every one of her books 😊 😊
January 22, 2020
Not my favorite by far but still an okay read.
July 26, 2020
Melissa and Logan
Needed to learn that with tender loving care they could be a good fit. She loved him and he needed to trust in her love.
Needed to learn that with tender loving care they could be a good fit. She loved him and he needed to trust in her love.
August 15, 2020
This was a sweet story. Loved it
March 10, 2023
This was an old one I found. I loved it. Sweet story. Great characters.
November 8, 2023
Not one of her best.
very hard to read at some points ! No paragraph when needed! Needed an editor to do their job! Sad
very hard to read at some points ! No paragraph when needed! Needed an editor to do their job! Sad
February 15, 2017
The nurse was so sweet and so compassionate, that I fell in love with her in the very beginning. I really enjoyed this book.
March 12, 2024
the story was so-so, if this was angstier then i would've liked it more.. plus the ending was fast-paced and did not really struck my heart
June 10, 2020
I enjoyed this story of a single dad and his twelve-year-old daughter. Logan has injured his eyes and now needs a nurse to take care of him in his house for a few weeks until the bandages come off. Melissa takes the job, knowing the handsome guy cannot see her. She is plain and very self-conscious about it. When the bandages come off, he doesn't seem to notice that she is plain - just that she is funny and fun to be around. She cooks, she straightens, she's good with his daughter, and his life seems simpler with her around. So, this is basically a story of a plain woman who is very useful to have around versus a beautiful ex-wife who is just the opposite and a viper to boot and a man who has been scarred by the latter and takes advantage of the former. Interestingly frustrating.
August 2, 2014
Melissa has been hired to look after Logan who is temporary blind. What started as one month deal as his nurse turns out to be longer to take care of him and his daughter. What follows is a man trying to see if he can love again and a woman who wants to feel love and important to the man she love. Sweet short read.
Currently reading
September 5, 2008plzzzzzzzzz...someone tear my last page..I just want to know the ending..huhuhu
June 5, 2010
Just a quick thought about this book: The heroine was too weepy and needy. Holy cripes! I'm surprised that I bothered to finish it.
December 31, 2012
I finished it. not much more.
September 6, 2015
2015 reading challenge - A popular author's first book (at least the best I could figure from her backlist and what's still easily available).
March 17, 2014
This was such a cute and fluffy read! It was perfect for me because I needed something to cheer me up and Susan's books always do that! :)
October 15, 2016
Endearing story
I liked the story very much. Susan Mallery weaves a wonderful love story between 2 people who clearly need each other.
I liked the story very much. Susan Mallery weaves a wonderful love story between 2 people who clearly need each other.
April 24, 2013
Logan temporarily blind.. Melissa Live in Nurse
August 29, 2014
Tired tropes. Got to take a break from Mallery's Harlequin books. They make my stomach churn.
April 27, 2017
Tender Loving Care
Surprises galore in this action-packed story. All the characters are full of love. It was well worth a look. Terrific.
Surprises galore in this action-packed story. All the characters are full of love. It was well worth a look. Terrific.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews