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Circle of Friends #1
The Burning Point
Forced by her father's will to live with her ex-husband for a year, Kate Corsi will uncover the secret behind her father's death and rediscover the passion she once reserved for her ex. Original.
335 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
881 people are currently reading
1186 people want to read
About the author
Mary Jo Putney
167 books2,261 followersShe writes young adult fiction as M.J. Putney.
Mary Jo Putney was born on 1946 in Upstate New York with a reading addiction, a condition for which there is no known cure. After earning degrees in English Literature and Industrial Design at Syracuse University, she did various forms of design work in California and England before inertia took over in Baltimore, Maryland, where she has lived very comfortably ever since.
While becoming a novelist was her ultimate fantasy, it never occurred to her that writing was an achievable goal until she acquired a computer for other purposes. When the realization hit that a computer was the ultimate writing tool, she charged merrily into her first book with an ignorance that illustrates the adage that fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
Fortune sometimes favors the foolish and her first book sold quickly, thereby changing her life forever, in most ways for the better. (“But why didn't anyone tell me that writing would change the way one reads?”) Like a lemming over a cliff, she gave up her freelance graphic design business to become a full-time writer as soon as possible.
Since 1987, Ms. Putney has published twenty-nine books and counting. Her stories are noted for psychological depth and unusual subject matter such as alcoholism, death and dying, and domestic abuse. She has made all of the national bestseller lists including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USAToday, and Publishers Weekly. Five of her books have been named among the year’s top five romances by The Library Journal. The Spiral Path and Stolen Magic were chosen as one of Top Ten romances of their years by Booklist, published by the American Library Association.
A nine-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America RITA, she has won RITAs for Dancing on the Wind and The Rake and the Reformer and is on the RWA Honor Roll for bestselling authors. She has been awarded two Romantic Times Career Achievement Awards, four NJRW Golden Leaf awards, plus the NJRW career achievement award for historical romance. Though most of her books have been historical, she has also published three contemporary romances. The Marriage Spell will be out in June 2006 in hardcover, and Stolen Magic (written as M. J. Putney) will be released in July 2006.
Ms. Putney says that not least among the blessings of a full-time writing career is that one almost never has to wear pantyhose.
Mary Jo Putney was born on 1946 in Upstate New York with a reading addiction, a condition for which there is no known cure. After earning degrees in English Literature and Industrial Design at Syracuse University, she did various forms of design work in California and England before inertia took over in Baltimore, Maryland, where she has lived very comfortably ever since.
While becoming a novelist was her ultimate fantasy, it never occurred to her that writing was an achievable goal until she acquired a computer for other purposes. When the realization hit that a computer was the ultimate writing tool, she charged merrily into her first book with an ignorance that illustrates the adage that fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
Fortune sometimes favors the foolish and her first book sold quickly, thereby changing her life forever, in most ways for the better. (“But why didn't anyone tell me that writing would change the way one reads?”) Like a lemming over a cliff, she gave up her freelance graphic design business to become a full-time writer as soon as possible.
Since 1987, Ms. Putney has published twenty-nine books and counting. Her stories are noted for psychological depth and unusual subject matter such as alcoholism, death and dying, and domestic abuse. She has made all of the national bestseller lists including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USAToday, and Publishers Weekly. Five of her books have been named among the year’s top five romances by The Library Journal. The Spiral Path and Stolen Magic were chosen as one of Top Ten romances of their years by Booklist, published by the American Library Association.
A nine-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America RITA, she has won RITAs for Dancing on the Wind and The Rake and the Reformer and is on the RWA Honor Roll for bestselling authors. She has been awarded two Romantic Times Career Achievement Awards, four NJRW Golden Leaf awards, plus the NJRW career achievement award for historical romance. Though most of her books have been historical, she has also published three contemporary romances. The Marriage Spell will be out in June 2006 in hardcover, and Stolen Magic (written as M. J. Putney) will be released in July 2006.
Ms. Putney says that not least among the blessings of a full-time writing career is that one almost never has to wear pantyhose.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
August 16, 2011
First off I want to say that this is fiction/fantasy and not real life so what I think of the H/h in this story has nothing to do with real life situations.
This could have been a pretty good story,imo, had the author been a better writer. I'm not sure what the copyright date is and I hope for her sake this was a first attempt at writing. I have read a historical by her and enjoyed it so who knows. It felt like she had a check list of events that she wanted to have in her book and wrote scenes to match each one.
Kate (h) had always wanted to work in her fathers company, since that company was blowing up or bringing down buildings with explosives her father said 'over his dead body'. In her father's eyes she was a pampered princess and needed to stay that way, the work he did was too dangerous for a woman,expecialy his daughter. It was a mans job and that was the way it was going to stay. One night, at a ball, her father tells her this and she walks out on him. Determined to walk home, she walks right past the parking valets.
Donovan (H) was working as a valet to help cover the expence of college. When he sees a 17 year old girl walk past him obviously angry and going to walk home, he had to try and stop her. As he introduces himself and they get to know eachother he offers her a ride home. So with ball gown and all she hops on the back of his motorcycle and goes for a ride.
As these two fall in love Donovan explanes a bit about his past, how his family died in a car crash and he lives with several different family members. Soon Kate's father Sam becomes like a father to Donovan, the two marry and Sam offers Donovan a job working with him. It doesn't take long for the marriage to go sour. It seems that Donovan had a horrible temper that he's not very good at controling. One thing or another would set him off and Kate always ended up with a fist to the face or some other injury that was his fault. Of course Donovan was always horrified at his behavoir, how could he hurt the one he loved the most?? After one perticular bad fight Kate leaves for good and files for divorce. Unable to face what her family would say about her being an abused wife she refuses to tell them why she left Donovan and moves to California and never returns until her father's death 10 years later.
At the reading of the will Kate and Donovan learn that Sam had his own ideas about them and thier failed marriage. He leaves Kate an empressive amount of money and states that she can work for the company, wich is what she has wanted her entire life. The buisness Sam would leave to Donovan, however all of this was under one condition......they live together for a year.
One of the many problems I had with this story was that although Kate constantly referd to herself as an abused wife, she never acted like one. She had way too much trust for him and the few times that Mary Jo Putney tried to show that Kate was acting like an abused wife would, fell way too flat. It just wasn't believable, one scene( in fact it's the first scene where she's afraid of him) Donovan saves her life by pulling her to safty after a fall and she flips out on him and acts "like a cornered animal". When this happens Donovan psyhcoanalyses her, admits that it's all his fault but there is no emotion to any of this. The fact that Donovan had been to therapy and had quit drinking should have talked about more in the book, there just needed to be more to his recovery so that the reader could believe that he was redeemable and that Kate should take him back. Also there was NO chemistry between these two at all.
This book seems to be the first in a series but I won't be continuing with it.
This could have been a pretty good story,imo, had the author been a better writer. I'm not sure what the copyright date is and I hope for her sake this was a first attempt at writing. I have read a historical by her and enjoyed it so who knows. It felt like she had a check list of events that she wanted to have in her book and wrote scenes to match each one.
Kate (h) had always wanted to work in her fathers company, since that company was blowing up or bringing down buildings with explosives her father said 'over his dead body'. In her father's eyes she was a pampered princess and needed to stay that way, the work he did was too dangerous for a woman,expecialy his daughter. It was a mans job and that was the way it was going to stay. One night, at a ball, her father tells her this and she walks out on him. Determined to walk home, she walks right past the parking valets.
Donovan (H) was working as a valet to help cover the expence of college. When he sees a 17 year old girl walk past him obviously angry and going to walk home, he had to try and stop her. As he introduces himself and they get to know eachother he offers her a ride home. So with ball gown and all she hops on the back of his motorcycle and goes for a ride.
As these two fall in love Donovan explanes a bit about his past, how his family died in a car crash and he lives with several different family members. Soon Kate's father Sam becomes like a father to Donovan, the two marry and Sam offers Donovan a job working with him. It doesn't take long for the marriage to go sour. It seems that Donovan had a horrible temper that he's not very good at controling. One thing or another would set him off and Kate always ended up with a fist to the face or some other injury that was his fault. Of course Donovan was always horrified at his behavoir, how could he hurt the one he loved the most?? After one perticular bad fight Kate leaves for good and files for divorce. Unable to face what her family would say about her being an abused wife she refuses to tell them why she left Donovan and moves to California and never returns until her father's death 10 years later.
At the reading of the will Kate and Donovan learn that Sam had his own ideas about them and thier failed marriage. He leaves Kate an empressive amount of money and states that she can work for the company, wich is what she has wanted her entire life. The buisness Sam would leave to Donovan, however all of this was under one condition......they live together for a year.
One of the many problems I had with this story was that although Kate constantly referd to herself as an abused wife, she never acted like one. She had way too much trust for him and the few times that Mary Jo Putney tried to show that Kate was acting like an abused wife would, fell way too flat. It just wasn't believable, one scene( in fact it's the first scene where she's afraid of him) Donovan saves her life by pulling her to safty after a fall and she flips out on him and acts "like a cornered animal". When this happens Donovan psyhcoanalyses her, admits that it's all his fault but there is no emotion to any of this. The fact that Donovan had been to therapy and had quit drinking should have talked about more in the book, there just needed to be more to his recovery so that the reader could believe that he was redeemable and that Kate should take him back. Also there was NO chemistry between these two at all.
This book seems to be the first in a series but I won't be continuing with it.
August 9, 2021
The first time I read this book was in May 2000. I loved Mary Jo Putney's historical romances and remember being excited to read a contemporary. This ended up being the last MJP book I ever read. Her plot choices in this book left me enraged and multiple readings since then have not improved my opinion.
This is a book about an abusive husband and his abused wife--10 years after their divorce. I hate every aspect of this book... I repeat I hate every aspect of this book. This is not a dark taboo romance, this is a 2nd chance romance that puts an abused wife back with her abuser.
MJP wants us to like the abuser, she wants us to see he's changed, matured, understands the why of what he did and fixed that part of himself. To do this she's created a redemptive arc that at time enrages me. Yes, enrages.
1. The couple married young, she was 19, he early twenties.
2. He's jealous, possessive and can't control his anger.
3. He's loved by her parents.
4. The night her brother announces to the family he's gay sends the entire family into a tailspin. He sides with her homophobic father and the fight that ensues has him punching her in the face and almost raping her, she literally cuts him with a knife to stop him.
5. The only people that know why she ran... her best friend and brother. She NEVER tells her parents.
6. And because she never told them, they keep him. I repeat, they keep him. She goes on to have a relatively happy life in San Francisco and he becomes her father's right hand man. The person who will eventually take over the family deconstruction company.
7. Her father dies and his will forces her back into the abuser's life. (this is actually where the story starts--all of this is told in flashbacks interspersed throughout the story)
So, how do we redeem the unredeemable...
1. A will that forces them to live together for a year in order to inherit--why the heroine doesn't say "FU, I've got a life and I'm going home to California" is beyond me. She has this ridiculous need to prove she could have taken over the company and been as good as her abuser drives her and honestly, makes her a bit unlikable as the story opens.
2. MJP wants us to like him. He's changed, he's had therapy, he's lived an exemplary life, her father trusts him implicitly--he's a good guy, just ask one of her childhood besties, she's been having a friends with benefits relationship with him for years. How nice that everyone is so civilized about the whole thing.
3. MJP wants us to be frustrated by her. She's not really moved on, she's been in a relationship with a man who is in love with her but is clueless. She's never had therapy, she's read self help books. She's never discussed the abuse with anyone but a friend and her brother. She has a chip on her shoulder because daddy didn't want her as part of his company and she wants to prove something.
So, we have a likable abuser and the person he abused is frustrating and annoying--subtle? Right.
We are told repeatedly that they married too young, they weren't ready for the responsibilities of being married. His father was a drunken abuser, and he realizes he also was abusive when he drank.
So, he's changed and she chooses to accept all of this, HEA.
I've reread this numerous time always looking for why... Why didn't she tell her parents. Why didn't she get help. Why didn't she really move on, why did she really care about her father's company after it was made clear he didn't want his daughter working in deconstruction (though in a deathbed letter he admits he was wrong--big deal, 10 years too late). Why was she willing to fulfill the requirements of her father's ridiculous will.
I HATE that MJP chose to give the heroine half a life and made it look like she could only find true happiness with her supposed redeemed abuser.
21 years after my initial read and I still hate this book.
This is a book about an abusive husband and his abused wife--10 years after their divorce. I hate every aspect of this book... I repeat I hate every aspect of this book. This is not a dark taboo romance, this is a 2nd chance romance that puts an abused wife back with her abuser.
MJP wants us to like the abuser, she wants us to see he's changed, matured, understands the why of what he did and fixed that part of himself. To do this she's created a redemptive arc that at time enrages me. Yes, enrages.
1. The couple married young, she was 19, he early twenties.
2. He's jealous, possessive and can't control his anger.
3. He's loved by her parents.
4. The night her brother announces to the family he's gay sends the entire family into a tailspin. He sides with her homophobic father and the fight that ensues has him punching her in the face and almost raping her, she literally cuts him with a knife to stop him.
5. The only people that know why she ran... her best friend and brother. She NEVER tells her parents.
6. And because she never told them, they keep him. I repeat, they keep him. She goes on to have a relatively happy life in San Francisco and he becomes her father's right hand man. The person who will eventually take over the family deconstruction company.
7. Her father dies and his will forces her back into the abuser's life. (this is actually where the story starts--all of this is told in flashbacks interspersed throughout the story)
So, how do we redeem the unredeemable...
1. A will that forces them to live together for a year in order to inherit--why the heroine doesn't say "FU, I've got a life and I'm going home to California" is beyond me. She has this ridiculous need to prove she could have taken over the company and been as good as her abuser drives her and honestly, makes her a bit unlikable as the story opens.
2. MJP wants us to like him. He's changed, he's had therapy, he's lived an exemplary life, her father trusts him implicitly--he's a good guy, just ask one of her childhood besties, she's been having a friends with benefits relationship with him for years. How nice that everyone is so civilized about the whole thing.
3. MJP wants us to be frustrated by her. She's not really moved on, she's been in a relationship with a man who is in love with her but is clueless. She's never had therapy, she's read self help books. She's never discussed the abuse with anyone but a friend and her brother. She has a chip on her shoulder because daddy didn't want her as part of his company and she wants to prove something.
So, we have a likable abuser and the person he abused is frustrating and annoying--subtle? Right.
We are told repeatedly that they married too young, they weren't ready for the responsibilities of being married. His father was a drunken abuser, and he realizes he also was abusive when he drank.
So, he's changed and she chooses to accept all of this, HEA.
I've reread this numerous time always looking for why... Why didn't she tell her parents. Why didn't she get help. Why didn't she really move on, why did she really care about her father's company after it was made clear he didn't want his daughter working in deconstruction (though in a deathbed letter he admits he was wrong--big deal, 10 years too late). Why was she willing to fulfill the requirements of her father's ridiculous will.
I HATE that MJP chose to give the heroine half a life and made it look like she could only find true happiness with her supposed redeemed abuser.
21 years after my initial read and I still hate this book.
May 9, 2012
(2010) **SPOILERS** I was so frustrated w/this book - NOT because of the topic (spousal abuse). I get what MJP was trying to say about growth and forgiveness, etc. What I found hard to believe was this book was written in 2000, not 1980. It had such a dated feel to it! The horrible parents whose love was totally conditional. The archaic, close minded father who never really loved his kids, was the true villian of the book, IMO (I hate when jerk parents are proved to be "right" at the end); the WASPy (her words, not mine) mother who was NEVER truly there for her children (really - in 10 years she never once thought to ask her daughter what happened, took her son-in-laws side by allowing him to continue to be a part of the family, allowing her husband to run her son off and never stood up for him (son) to him (hubby)); the fact that Donovan basically stole Kate's life and never once admitted to his (her) family what he'd done, never was honest or truthful. I thought his recovery would be like an AA member working the program - apologize to those you have wronged - including his in-laws. Where was the discussion of the fact that Kate needs counseling, as do she and Donovan together before they have a chance of making it? And at the end - when Kate says basically announces to their closest family and friends that she made a mistake leaving him - making her seem flighty, rather than being truthful about what he'd done and why she left, once again refusing to let him be cast as a villain or own up to what he did. Where were Donovan's apologies to Kate - again, at the end he should have stood up, manned up, and told everyone what he'd done, how amazing and wonderful Kate was to take him back, allowed himself to be villified- instead of allowing Kate to look like a wishy washy indecisive foolish "little woman."
February 17, 2011
This book, because of its very controversial subject matter, caused quite a stir amongst readers but it only left with me a very "lukewarm" feeling. It is chock full of "issues" and overcoming and/or dealing with those issues and it really was not a satisfying romance for me . But the bigger problem? It didn't involve me emotionally. Because of the subject matter and the many subplots there was little room for the typical romantic tension and enjoyable banter that so attracts me to the romance genre. Neither character truly came alive or "grabbed" me the way a memorable romance couple does and their past "episodes", scattered throughout the book as they were, weren't as effective as they should have been because the reader wasn't privy to much of what was going on in the characters heads at the time. The hero's attempts to control his anger were presented in a believable way but in the end I was left feeling very uneasy about the couple's future - and especially for their future children. For me "The Burning Point" was a disappointment and a mostly uncomfortable reading experience that I won't be repeating any time soon.
January 3, 2016
Writing a romance novel about a physically abusive man (he is no hero) - let's not. Ever. This is a book about domestic violence. This is not a romance novel whereby this romance novel plot device should be used:
SPOILERS
heroine's father guilt-trips heroine and then effectively blackmails her into making contact with her ex-husband or else she won't get the shares in his business/won't get her inheritance. You know the drill.
I mean that is SUCH a harlequin romance plotline which you overlook in those books because they are fluff but for such a serious topic I was disgusted that that heroine's family guilt-tripped and blackmailed her into seeing her abusive ex-husband again. Granted, they might not have known the extent of their issues but even so
1) stay the flip out of your child's marriage and where the fudge to you get off guilt-tripping a grown ass adult about HER choice in leaving her husband?
2) Mary Jo Putney, YOU used that gross plot-device to have the abused heroine go back to her abuser.
Ok, and another kick in the guts for you - the piece of s*it ex-husband slept with (multiple times) the heroine's best friend - and made HER feel guilty for it.
The poor, poor heroine. She was put through hell by her family, her nasty ass so-called best-friend, her pos ex-husband and the author.
Terrible, sad, pathetic book.
I judge anyone who gave this good rating.
SPOILERS
heroine's father guilt-trips heroine and then effectively blackmails her into making contact with her ex-husband or else she won't get the shares in his business/won't get her inheritance. You know the drill.
I mean that is SUCH a harlequin romance plotline which you overlook in those books because they are fluff but for such a serious topic I was disgusted that that heroine's family guilt-tripped and blackmailed her into seeing her abusive ex-husband again. Granted, they might not have known the extent of their issues but even so
1) stay the flip out of your child's marriage and where the fudge to you get off guilt-tripping a grown ass adult about HER choice in leaving her husband?
2) Mary Jo Putney, YOU used that gross plot-device to have the abused heroine go back to her abuser.
Ok, and another kick in the guts for you - the piece of s*it ex-husband slept with (multiple times) the heroine's best friend - and made HER feel guilty for it.
The poor, poor heroine. She was put through hell by her family, her nasty ass so-called best-friend, her pos ex-husband and the author.
Terrible, sad, pathetic book.
I judge anyone who gave this good rating.
April 1, 2011
Despite the excellent story telling, I just could not accept this couple getting together. They were both extremely physically and emotionally abusive towards each other in their marriage, which ultimately broke them up, then he years later hooks up with one of her bestfriends (which the heroine remained unaware of)? How messed up is that, and for her to accept it all AND remain friends with the said friend without any resentment or hurt?
When does this ever happen except in a Jerry Springer's show.... I didn't buy it, and I couldn't tolerate a battered wife going back to her abusive husband. This is just tragic....
When does this ever happen except in a Jerry Springer's show.... I didn't buy it, and I couldn't tolerate a battered wife going back to her abusive husband. This is just tragic....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
dnf
January 2, 2016I just couldn't go on with this. I knew it was controversial and frankly that is what attracted me. Ultimately, I decided life was too short and my reading list too long.
I like the crazy, but usually when it's OTT and not so real. I may have been more inclined to continue had it not riled me so much that the so-called hero didn't have the basic decency to leave town and not take the place of the h and her brother in her father's life. That, combined with the violence he did to the h made him utterly irredeemable.
Putney is a talented author. Could she have pulled this off, I don't know? I DNFd. It's definitely debatable that this book could be dangerous to a woman in a domestic violence situation. Can these men ever be cured? The cynic in me says no. I could be wrong, but I wouldn't want to take this chance with myself or any woman I know.
I like the crazy, but usually when it's OTT and not so real. I may have been more inclined to continue had it not riled me so much that the so-called hero didn't have the basic decency to leave town and not take the place of the h and her brother in her father's life. That, combined with the violence he did to the h made him utterly irredeemable.
Putney is a talented author. Could she have pulled this off, I don't know? I DNFd. It's definitely debatable that this book could be dangerous to a woman in a domestic violence situation. Can these men ever be cured? The cynic in me says no. I could be wrong, but I wouldn't want to take this chance with myself or any woman I know.
April 15, 2020
I generally enjoy Mary Jo Putney books very much. I have been reading her books as best I can get hold of them in order of publication, and was surprised to come across this first one in the next series, because it is not a Regency era romance. I was even more surprised to find that . . . . .
SPOILER ALERT . . . .
. . .
. . . the reason the main female character left her ex-husband started with a night when she came home to her drunk (now ex) husband, who accused her of screwing her work mates, and then slapped her across the face so hard he knocked her down -- after grabbing her and twisting her arm.
The plot twist here is that 10 years after their divorce, her dad has died and his will specifies that if she, her brother, or her ex are to inherit anything, she and her ex must agree to live together in their former marital home for an entire year. And she was dumb enough to agree to this.
IF A MAN (OR WOMAN) STARTS MAKING PARANOID ACCUSATIONS THAT YOU ARE CHEATING ON THEM, AND ESPECIALLY IF HE OR SHE HITS YOU, DO NOT GO BACK TO YOUR ABUSER. GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE AND GET SOMEWHERE SAFE AND DO NOT GO BACK NO MATTER WHAT.
I survived a domestic violence situation in my first marriage. I got out, and I would never ever go back to him in a million years. This main character is an idiot, and I have a real problem with this author taking her story there. Many women and men stay in or return to domestic violence situations out of fear or a lack of financial options or just trying to rationalize the behavior.
This book is going in the garbage. I don't want to pass it on so another person can read it and think that that kind of behavior is acceptable or something they should forgive, let alone freaking go back to! EVER!
* If you or someone you care about has been or is being abused, contact your local domestic violence shelter and ask for help. Help is out there and it can save your life, or the lives of your kids, or the life of someone you love who may be scared to reach out for help or may not know such resources are out there for them. *
SPOILER ALERT . . . .
. . .
. . . the reason the main female character left her ex-husband started with a night when she came home to her drunk (now ex) husband, who accused her of screwing her work mates, and then slapped her across the face so hard he knocked her down -- after grabbing her and twisting her arm.
The plot twist here is that 10 years after their divorce, her dad has died and his will specifies that if she, her brother, or her ex are to inherit anything, she and her ex must agree to live together in their former marital home for an entire year. And she was dumb enough to agree to this.
IF A MAN (OR WOMAN) STARTS MAKING PARANOID ACCUSATIONS THAT YOU ARE CHEATING ON THEM, AND ESPECIALLY IF HE OR SHE HITS YOU, DO NOT GO BACK TO YOUR ABUSER. GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE AND GET SOMEWHERE SAFE AND DO NOT GO BACK NO MATTER WHAT.
I survived a domestic violence situation in my first marriage. I got out, and I would never ever go back to him in a million years. This main character is an idiot, and I have a real problem with this author taking her story there. Many women and men stay in or return to domestic violence situations out of fear or a lack of financial options or just trying to rationalize the behavior.
This book is going in the garbage. I don't want to pass it on so another person can read it and think that that kind of behavior is acceptable or something they should forgive, let alone freaking go back to! EVER!
* If you or someone you care about has been or is being abused, contact your local domestic violence shelter and ask for help. Help is out there and it can save your life, or the lives of your kids, or the life of someone you love who may be scared to reach out for help or may not know such resources are out there for them. *
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August 1, 2020
2.5
Kate Corsi was estranged from her father and ex-husband for 10 years before her father died and she had to return to Maryland. She is appalled when, at the reading of the will, she learns that in order to receive her inheritance (and a chance to work for the family company she's always dreamed of working for), she needs to live in the same house as her ex-husband, Donovan, for one year. Problem is, nobody knows the reason for their divorce and Kate isn't sure she can ever forgive Donovan for what he did. But there's a lot of healing to be done. Donovan has been working to improve himself these last 10 years and wants to help Kate overcome the past, and if that means a reconciliation, he's all for it because it's all he's ever wanted. But Kate's fears and insecurities are deep-rooted and finding a place of healing between them will take a lot of work on both their parts.
I definitely liked the first part of this as Kate and Donovan and the mystery of what happened in their past is gradually uncovered. It was angsty and suspenseful in its own way. I mean, Kate is righteously furious at her father's manipulations, but then she admits that her father never knew why they'd divorced and this just increased my curiosity - what happened? I was not a huge fan of the flashbacks into the past because it kind of felt like they broke up the angst of what was happening in the present day, but it wasn't too bad. Then we find out what Donovan did and things took a downhill slide for me.
Turns out, Donovan was physically abusive towards Kate. Yeah. Kate was physically abused and following pattern made excuses for Donovan, kept silent and basically allowed it to continue out of shame and fear. THen things got really bad one night and she hurt him and then ran off across the country, filing for divorce. In the meantime, she never told anyone what Donovan had done, so he continued living in their house, working for her father's company and basically becoming her father's substitute child while her father was angry at Kate for filing for divorce. Add to that, Kate avoided returning to Maryland in order to avoid Donovan, so he basically exacerbated the estrangement with her family. Now I'm supposed to believe that Donovan got himself all better and is in recovery and is overcoming his personal demons that cause him to abuse. But nowhere in this does Donovan come out and admit to what he'd done. He doesn't apologize to Kate's family for basically being the cause of their estrangement and he allows Kate to be the villain for their break up. He may have done the work to not become an abuser anymore, but he didn't do the work to atone for what he'd done to Kate or make her life any easier. Instead, she gets constant harping on how she was a silly, stupid woman to give up such a great and fantastic guy. THAT really bothered me. It also bugged me that he was so level-headed and unemotional when talking about his past violence, almost like he'd done with the remorse thing and was already over it. And in the end, Kate sweeps it all under the rug, doesn't tell anyone else but her mother and never seeks therapy for it (and even claims she made a mistake in leaving her abuser). This basically reinforces the "don't talk about it" message that allows abuse to perpetuate. It didn't get out into the open Kate's case and that bothered me a lot.
Also: Side note, nobody celibate during the separation. In fact, Donovan has been sleeping with one of Kate's close friends for the past year and a half (and she doesn't know that he beat the shit out of his wife either). I'm okay that they moved on and had other relationships since neither figured they'd be getting back together. But it just shows how insensitive he is to be sleeping with her friend (and for her to sleep with him), especially when the reason they don't see much of each other anymore is because of his actions. Just more evidence that he basically stole her life after she ran away from him.
Kate Corsi was estranged from her father and ex-husband for 10 years before her father died and she had to return to Maryland. She is appalled when, at the reading of the will, she learns that in order to receive her inheritance (and a chance to work for the family company she's always dreamed of working for), she needs to live in the same house as her ex-husband, Donovan, for one year. Problem is, nobody knows the reason for their divorce and Kate isn't sure she can ever forgive Donovan for what he did. But there's a lot of healing to be done. Donovan has been working to improve himself these last 10 years and wants to help Kate overcome the past, and if that means a reconciliation, he's all for it because it's all he's ever wanted. But Kate's fears and insecurities are deep-rooted and finding a place of healing between them will take a lot of work on both their parts.
I definitely liked the first part of this as Kate and Donovan and the mystery of what happened in their past is gradually uncovered. It was angsty and suspenseful in its own way. I mean, Kate is righteously furious at her father's manipulations, but then she admits that her father never knew why they'd divorced and this just increased my curiosity - what happened? I was not a huge fan of the flashbacks into the past because it kind of felt like they broke up the angst of what was happening in the present day, but it wasn't too bad. Then we find out what Donovan did and things took a downhill slide for me.
Turns out, Donovan was physically abusive towards Kate. Yeah. Kate was physically abused and following pattern made excuses for Donovan, kept silent and basically allowed it to continue out of shame and fear. THen things got really bad one night and she hurt him and then ran off across the country, filing for divorce. In the meantime, she never told anyone what Donovan had done, so he continued living in their house, working for her father's company and basically becoming her father's substitute child while her father was angry at Kate for filing for divorce. Add to that, Kate avoided returning to Maryland in order to avoid Donovan, so he basically exacerbated the estrangement with her family. Now I'm supposed to believe that Donovan got himself all better and is in recovery and is overcoming his personal demons that cause him to abuse. But nowhere in this does Donovan come out and admit to what he'd done. He doesn't apologize to Kate's family for basically being the cause of their estrangement and he allows Kate to be the villain for their break up. He may have done the work to not become an abuser anymore, but he didn't do the work to atone for what he'd done to Kate or make her life any easier. Instead, she gets constant harping on how she was a silly, stupid woman to give up such a great and fantastic guy. THAT really bothered me. It also bugged me that he was so level-headed and unemotional when talking about his past violence, almost like he'd done with the remorse thing and was already over it. And in the end, Kate sweeps it all under the rug, doesn't tell anyone else but her mother and never seeks therapy for it (and even claims she made a mistake in leaving her abuser). This basically reinforces the "don't talk about it" message that allows abuse to perpetuate. It didn't get out into the open Kate's case and that bothered me a lot.
Also: Side note, nobody celibate during the separation. In fact, Donovan has been sleeping with one of Kate's close friends for the past year and a half (and she doesn't know that he beat the shit out of his wife either). I'm okay that they moved on and had other relationships since neither figured they'd be getting back together. But it just shows how insensitive he is to be sleeping with her friend (and for her to sleep with him), especially when the reason they don't see much of each other anymore is because of his actions. Just more evidence that he basically stole her life after she ran away from him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2021
This was a solid contemporary romantic suspense by the author of many acclaimed regencies. It starts when Sam Corsi, the owner of an explosive demolition company, dies in one of his own demolition explosions, triggered accidentally ahead of schedule. Sam’s last will shocks his family further, especially his daughter Kate. The will stipulates that to receive her substantial inheritance, she has to live together with her ex-husband Donovan, Sam’s second-in-command at the company, for one year. If she does it, she gets her money, her brother gets his, and Donovan gets the company. If she doesn’t comply, none of them receive anything.
Kate divorced Donovan ten years ago. She moved to another side of the country to get away from him. By the time of Sam’s tragic death, she hasn’t seen Donovan in ten years, but she never told anyone the reason for her divorce.
As the story progresses, the reader finally finds out why Kate divorced Donovan and why it is so hard for her to live under the same roof with him.
*****************
Spoilers Ahead!
*****************
The book is very well written, the characters come alive off the printed text, and the tension thrums on every page. So why did I rate it so low?
Because this story made me blindingly angry. Close to the middle of the book, the author at last reveals Kate’s big secret: she divorced Donovan because he was abusive. He hit her repeatedly, and at some point, she reached her limit and left her intolerable marriage behind her. Kudos for Kate.
Now, she decides to go back and reside with him for one year, not as a wife but as a roommate, to get her inheritance. Donovan swears that he is sorry for what he did to her and he would never, ever, ever touch her again. He wants her back. He swears that he loves her, always loved her, that he is changed, that he’s learned his lesson yada, yada, yada.
As the story ambles on, Kate’s resolve to resist Donovan’s assurances begins to crumble. He still wants her, she knows. Once upon a time, she loved him deeply too, and the sex between them was always phenomenal. But she is still wary, still fearful of him. Should she forgive him, she wonders? Should she try getting closer again, succumbing to their mutual explosive passion? Should she stop being afraid and believe him? After all, his violence was caused by his horrible childhood. He grew up with an abusing father. Poor, poor Donovan, Kate thinks, her compassion stirring.
At that point, I wanted to throw the book against a wall. Wife abusers don’t change, I wanted to scream at the foolish, besotted female. They only escalate. He will hit you again. Don’t believe his blandishments! His lousy childhood might be an explanation for his fists flying in your face, but it is not an excuse.
Kate wouldn’t listen to me. Neither would the author. In her afterword, Putney talks about redemption and love. The book is a romance after all, and in the end, Kate and Donovan get their ‘happily-ever-after'. I read about their ‘new beginning’ in disbelief and I thought: you’re both wrong. A year from now, Donovan will hit Kate again. Violent wife abusers don’t change. They might pause the abuse for a while, for fear of retribution maybe, but no amount of therapy would ever curb their urge to solve their own problems by hurting someone else. Kate will regret this HEA. Hopefully, she will survive her second disillusionment and leave him again, this time forever. He should rot in prison for what he did to her, not get rewarded by inheriting her father’s company.
No, I didn’t like this book at all.
Kate divorced Donovan ten years ago. She moved to another side of the country to get away from him. By the time of Sam’s tragic death, she hasn’t seen Donovan in ten years, but she never told anyone the reason for her divorce.
As the story progresses, the reader finally finds out why Kate divorced Donovan and why it is so hard for her to live under the same roof with him.
*****************
Spoilers Ahead!
*****************
The book is very well written, the characters come alive off the printed text, and the tension thrums on every page. So why did I rate it so low?
Because this story made me blindingly angry. Close to the middle of the book, the author at last reveals Kate’s big secret: she divorced Donovan because he was abusive. He hit her repeatedly, and at some point, she reached her limit and left her intolerable marriage behind her. Kudos for Kate.
Now, she decides to go back and reside with him for one year, not as a wife but as a roommate, to get her inheritance. Donovan swears that he is sorry for what he did to her and he would never, ever, ever touch her again. He wants her back. He swears that he loves her, always loved her, that he is changed, that he’s learned his lesson yada, yada, yada.
As the story ambles on, Kate’s resolve to resist Donovan’s assurances begins to crumble. He still wants her, she knows. Once upon a time, she loved him deeply too, and the sex between them was always phenomenal. But she is still wary, still fearful of him. Should she forgive him, she wonders? Should she try getting closer again, succumbing to their mutual explosive passion? Should she stop being afraid and believe him? After all, his violence was caused by his horrible childhood. He grew up with an abusing father. Poor, poor Donovan, Kate thinks, her compassion stirring.
At that point, I wanted to throw the book against a wall. Wife abusers don’t change, I wanted to scream at the foolish, besotted female. They only escalate. He will hit you again. Don’t believe his blandishments! His lousy childhood might be an explanation for his fists flying in your face, but it is not an excuse.
Kate wouldn’t listen to me. Neither would the author. In her afterword, Putney talks about redemption and love. The book is a romance after all, and in the end, Kate and Donovan get their ‘happily-ever-after'. I read about their ‘new beginning’ in disbelief and I thought: you’re both wrong. A year from now, Donovan will hit Kate again. Violent wife abusers don’t change. They might pause the abuse for a while, for fear of retribution maybe, but no amount of therapy would ever curb their urge to solve their own problems by hurting someone else. Kate will regret this HEA. Hopefully, she will survive her second disillusionment and leave him again, this time forever. He should rot in prison for what he did to her, not get rewarded by inheriting her father’s company.
No, I didn’t like this book at all.
February 8, 2013
It's difficult to rate a book that has a HEA that you don't believe in. I debated for a long time and came to a conclusion that apart from my own experience and attitude towards domestic violence, The Burning Point was an excellent read.
First things first, I have never read a book about building demolition business. Who knew that I'd find it fascinating?! There are a lot of technical details that one might find boring, but, since I'm always intrigued by unknown, I was engrossed from the very first page.
Secondly, it's a family drama that touches upon some heavy subjects, such as spousal abuse, bigotry and death. There are no utterly good or bad characters. All of them are flawed, human and will evoke a variety of emotions throughout the course of the book.
That being said, I would recommend this book to anyone thinking about reading it, but please be aware that any way you look at it The Burning Point is not a lighthearted read.
First things first, I have never read a book about building demolition business. Who knew that I'd find it fascinating?! There are a lot of technical details that one might find boring, but, since I'm always intrigued by unknown, I was engrossed from the very first page.
Secondly, it's a family drama that touches upon some heavy subjects, such as spousal abuse, bigotry and death. There are no utterly good or bad characters. All of them are flawed, human and will evoke a variety of emotions throughout the course of the book.
That being said, I would recommend this book to anyone thinking about reading it, but please be aware that any way you look at it The Burning Point is not a lighthearted read.
July 10, 2017
digamos que foi literalmente uma grande surpresa como a historia se desenrolou.
á partida uma historia simples revestida de segundas oportunidades e um reencontrar do "eu" perdido algures no tempo.
a historia desenvolve-se e eis que aparecem então os "fantasmas", as sombras e as duvidas inerentes a todo um processo de aceitação de que, o que fazemos é o reflexo do que somos por muito que não seja isso que queremos ser.
o tema é pertinente e infelizmente sempre actual, a violência domestica é inaceitável e deverá antes de mais ser entendido como algo que só os intervenientes no processo terão de se confrontar, reconhecer e tomar as medidas necessárias para superar e seguir em frente.
na historia o processo é mencionado sem ser explorado em todas as fases... mas e como uma historia de amor que é, os protagonistas realizam o milagre em que apesar de tudo o amor e a sensação de estar completo está de facto ao alcance... basta pôr de lado, o ciume cego, a desconfiança e o medo.
á partida uma historia simples revestida de segundas oportunidades e um reencontrar do "eu" perdido algures no tempo.
a historia desenvolve-se e eis que aparecem então os "fantasmas", as sombras e as duvidas inerentes a todo um processo de aceitação de que, o que fazemos é o reflexo do que somos por muito que não seja isso que queremos ser.
o tema é pertinente e infelizmente sempre actual, a violência domestica é inaceitável e deverá antes de mais ser entendido como algo que só os intervenientes no processo terão de se confrontar, reconhecer e tomar as medidas necessárias para superar e seguir em frente.
na historia o processo é mencionado sem ser explorado em todas as fases... mas e como uma historia de amor que é, os protagonistas realizam o milagre em que apesar de tudo o amor e a sensação de estar completo está de facto ao alcance... basta pôr de lado, o ciume cego, a desconfiança e o medo.
July 2, 2020
La Putney es una mis favoritas en el genero de historica o regencia, creo que nunca debió abandonar el genero. Esta vez me parece un bodrio, comportamientos y perdones que no entiendo, unua novela embrollada, personajes sin caracter. Un horror
February 27, 2021
!!! 4,5 steluțe din 5 !!!
Un roman de dragoste relaxant și cu un impact emoțional puternic. Tratează un subiect ce continuă și în zilele de astăzi să facă victime. Uneori, iubirea nu este suficientă pentru a schimba un om, abia lipsa persoanei iubite îl determină să facă schimbări asupra personalității și comportamentului.
Kate și Patrick sunt doi tineri care se lasă cuprinși de iubirea adolescentină iar acest lucru nu duce la un final fericit pentru ei. Fiind tineri și neexperimentați în viața de cuplu, nu știu cum să înfrunte problemele apărute și cum să le rezolve prin comunicare.
Hotărăsc să își despartă destinele și pun între ei o distanță de 5.000 km. Sunt de ajuns oare 10 ani fără să știe unul de tul pentru a uita prima mare iubire ?
Revederea după un deceniu și un testament îndrăzneț aruncă câteva scântei între cei doi. Vor reuși Kate și Patrick, acum maturi, să își rezolve problemele trecutului și să redevină cuplul adorat de prieteni și familie ?
Acest roman combină o poveste de iubire cu suișuri și coborâșuri cu o anchetă a unei morți suspecte. Toate aceste întâmplări duc la formarea personajelor ca maturi ce își pot gestiona în siguranță problemele.
Autoarea a dorit să aducă cu această carte încrederea de care au nevoie toate femeile ce nu sunt fratate de parteneri așa cum este normal să fie tratată o femeie. Comunicarea este o cheie importantă în iubire, dar și iertarea trecutului dacă schimbările s-au produs.
Mi-a făcut plăcere să citesc această carte și voi citit în continuare și următoarele două volume!
Un roman de dragoste relaxant și cu un impact emoțional puternic. Tratează un subiect ce continuă și în zilele de astăzi să facă victime. Uneori, iubirea nu este suficientă pentru a schimba un om, abia lipsa persoanei iubite îl determină să facă schimbări asupra personalității și comportamentului.
Kate și Patrick sunt doi tineri care se lasă cuprinși de iubirea adolescentină iar acest lucru nu duce la un final fericit pentru ei. Fiind tineri și neexperimentați în viața de cuplu, nu știu cum să înfrunte problemele apărute și cum să le rezolve prin comunicare.
Hotărăsc să își despartă destinele și pun între ei o distanță de 5.000 km. Sunt de ajuns oare 10 ani fără să știe unul de tul pentru a uita prima mare iubire ?
Revederea după un deceniu și un testament îndrăzneț aruncă câteva scântei între cei doi. Vor reuși Kate și Patrick, acum maturi, să își rezolve problemele trecutului și să redevină cuplul adorat de prieteni și familie ?
Acest roman combină o poveste de iubire cu suișuri și coborâșuri cu o anchetă a unei morți suspecte. Toate aceste întâmplări duc la formarea personajelor ca maturi ce își pot gestiona în siguranță problemele.
Autoarea a dorit să aducă cu această carte încrederea de care au nevoie toate femeile ce nu sunt fratate de parteneri așa cum este normal să fie tratată o femeie. Comunicarea este o cheie importantă în iubire, dar și iertarea trecutului dacă schimbările s-au produs.
Mi-a făcut plăcere să citesc această carte și voi citit în continuare și următoarele două volume!
February 25, 2015
Toate cartile scrise de Mary Jo Putney pe care le-am citit au fost historical-romance,si toate mi-au placut.
Atunci cand am luat aceasta carte mi-am dat seama ca in sfarsit am ocazia sa citesc si alt gen,si am fost foarte incantata.
Sincer am fost foarte curioasa sa vad cum se descurca autoarea in astfel de circumstante,pentru ca de obicei cartile ei au primit un punctaj mare din partea mea.
Cartea este bine scrisa.Nici nu se putea altfel avand in vedere ca Putney este un scriitor cu experienta,dar cred ca raman la genul cu care ea ne-a obijnuit.
The Burning Point este foarte asemanatoare cu o alta carte pe care eu am citit-o in 2014.Similitudinea consta in faptul ca doua persoane care s-au inbit la nebunie ,se reunesc dupa o perioada indelungata,si sunt "obligati"printr-o clauza dintr-un testament sa lociuasca sub acelasi acoperisi timp de un an de zile.
Acum daca stau sa ma gandesc mai bine,cred ca acest "truc" a fost folosit de mai multi autori,dar primul care mi-a venit in minte este Nicholas Sparks.
Actiunea cartii si personajele mi-au placut intr-o masura destul de mare,dar am impresia ca se putea aborda altfel problema abuzurilor conjugale.
Nu sunt de acord cu astfel de lucruri,dar dupa parerea mea Kate este o lasa pentru ca nu a gestionat altfel situatia.
Punctajul meu este de 3.5 stele.
PS : As cam avea chef de cateva filmulete cu demolari controlate dupa o lectura ca aceasta.
Atunci cand am luat aceasta carte mi-am dat seama ca in sfarsit am ocazia sa citesc si alt gen,si am fost foarte incantata.
Sincer am fost foarte curioasa sa vad cum se descurca autoarea in astfel de circumstante,pentru ca de obicei cartile ei au primit un punctaj mare din partea mea.
Cartea este bine scrisa.Nici nu se putea altfel avand in vedere ca Putney este un scriitor cu experienta,dar cred ca raman la genul cu care ea ne-a obijnuit.
The Burning Point este foarte asemanatoare cu o alta carte pe care eu am citit-o in 2014.Similitudinea consta in faptul ca doua persoane care s-au inbit la nebunie ,se reunesc dupa o perioada indelungata,si sunt "obligati"printr-o clauza dintr-un testament sa lociuasca sub acelasi acoperisi timp de un an de zile.
Acum daca stau sa ma gandesc mai bine,cred ca acest "truc" a fost folosit de mai multi autori,dar primul care mi-a venit in minte este Nicholas Sparks.
Actiunea cartii si personajele mi-au placut intr-o masura destul de mare,dar am impresia ca se putea aborda altfel problema abuzurilor conjugale.
Nu sunt de acord cu astfel de lucruri,dar dupa parerea mea Kate este o lasa pentru ca nu a gestionat altfel situatia.
Punctajul meu este de 3.5 stele.
PS : As cam avea chef de cateva filmulete cu demolari controlate dupa o lectura ca aceasta.
March 26, 2013
Well, it's the first Mary Jo Putney book I read, and it got me hooked on this author.
Yes, the hero of this novel once slapped the heroine and she stabbed him with a knife in response. Yes, he was bad and wrong, and, hell, that's why she divorced him. But I feel that if you're going to pull the feminist card (I am a feminist too, and a radical one at that) on that book, then so should you on every single romance novel, and please do tell me how many pass the test. Less than a few, I am afraid.
Anyway, I happen to think that The Burning Point did a remarkable job at handling a very delicate topic. Just remember: this isn't a textbook on how to handle men slapping you. This is a work of fiction. A pretty good, sensitive, intelligent one.
(For some reason, I always feel more incensed as a feminist when women are systematically excluded from shows of physical violence in popular fiction. So guys can beat each other up for revenge or out of intense anger, and it's morally acceptable, but women are poor little fragile things that cannot defend themselves and will only ever be victims?)
Yes, the hero of this novel once slapped the heroine and she stabbed him with a knife in response. Yes, he was bad and wrong, and, hell, that's why she divorced him. But I feel that if you're going to pull the feminist card (I am a feminist too, and a radical one at that) on that book, then so should you on every single romance novel, and please do tell me how many pass the test. Less than a few, I am afraid.
Anyway, I happen to think that The Burning Point did a remarkable job at handling a very delicate topic. Just remember: this isn't a textbook on how to handle men slapping you. This is a work of fiction. A pretty good, sensitive, intelligent one.
(For some reason, I always feel more incensed as a feminist when women are systematically excluded from shows of physical violence in popular fiction. So guys can beat each other up for revenge or out of intense anger, and it's morally acceptable, but women are poor little fragile things that cannot defend themselves and will only ever be victims?)
July 18, 2017
Can you forgive the past? Kate knows that she has no choice but to accept the condition of her father's will and she knows that it is going to be so hard to contain her feelings for her ex. She loved him so much but he scared her and if she didn't leave he could have killed her. Patrick knows that what he did to Kate can never be forgiven, he left his anger get the better of him and he threw away the only woman that he could ever love but maybe this is his second chance at redemption.
They will need to live and work together for a year and then the business is safe but where will this leave them? Kate has always wanted to be part of the family business, who doesn't love to blow this up but she is angry as when her father was alive he never wanted to give her a chance at been part of the business. Now she has that chance and she can prove to herself that she is going to be good at it but with Patrick around it has become very hard to be focused on just the company. Patrick knows that is going to be near impossible not to want to touch Kate, he is still so in love with her but can he really prove to her that he has changed and that he won't ever hit her again? But there is someone that wants to make sure that they both fail as they want the company for themselves and if that means someone else has to die then so be it. But why would someone have killed her father what did he do to them?
Can they find the truth about her father's death and be able to try fix their relationship or is it too late now?
A good intense read.
They will need to live and work together for a year and then the business is safe but where will this leave them? Kate has always wanted to be part of the family business, who doesn't love to blow this up but she is angry as when her father was alive he never wanted to give her a chance at been part of the business. Now she has that chance and she can prove to herself that she is going to be good at it but with Patrick around it has become very hard to be focused on just the company. Patrick knows that is going to be near impossible not to want to touch Kate, he is still so in love with her but can he really prove to her that he has changed and that he won't ever hit her again? But there is someone that wants to make sure that they both fail as they want the company for themselves and if that means someone else has to die then so be it. But why would someone have killed her father what did he do to them?
Can they find the truth about her father's death and be able to try fix their relationship or is it too late now?
A good intense read.
May 31, 2020
Seriously I couldn't like this book
This was the story of Donovan and his bitchy ex-wife, Kate.
Kate was the victim. 10 years earlier she left him because he was an abusive husband.
I was so ready to hate him.
But I didn't like how the author presented the characters after their reunion.
Kate was a bitch from start to end, really difficult to feel sympathy for.
And Donovan was shown as grown up, mature, the guy who understood what he did, ready to repent, really patient with Kate and her childish outburst.
Like, when she insisted on working on PDI dangerous projects, or her freaking out when he saved her life the first time, the author really didn't want readers to empathize with her or what?
Or when she tried to provoke him after breaking up with Alec?
They kept repeating they married young. But from what the book showed, only Donovan grew up, faced and beat his demons. Kate, not so much.
I couldn't like this couple sorry...
This was the story of Donovan and his bitchy ex-wife, Kate.
Kate was the victim. 10 years earlier she left him because he was an abusive husband.
I was so ready to hate him.
But I didn't like how the author presented the characters after their reunion.
Kate was a bitch from start to end, really difficult to feel sympathy for.
And Donovan was shown as grown up, mature, the guy who understood what he did, ready to repent, really patient with Kate and her childish outburst.
Like, when she insisted on working on PDI dangerous projects, or her freaking out when he saved her life the first time, the author really didn't want readers to empathize with her or what?
Or when she tried to provoke him after breaking up with Alec?
They kept repeating they married young. But from what the book showed, only Donovan grew up, faced and beat his demons. Kate, not so much.
I couldn't like this couple sorry...
February 18, 2012
I'm seriously conflicted over this book. I think MJP is one of the best writers in the romance genre and Burning Point is well written. It makes its case convincingly. Unfortunately, that case is that an abused wife can go back to her abuser if he has Really Changed. Also, of course, it turns out -- that while domestic abuse is always, always, always wrong -- there are Circumstances. (Abuse, alcoholism, etc. -- everything you'd pretty much expect that might screw up a childhood such that the hero is a damaged and angry adult.) Based on the MJP canon (yes, I do use the word ironically), I think she's big on the theme of forgiveness (along with The Healing Power of Love, but then all romance writers are big on that). Forgiveness is good. I support forgiveness. And recognizing that the world isn't black and white. And all the other useful cliches for rationalizing what sounds on the surface like a really awful decision. But, but, but. It's still an abusee going back to her abuser and I am not happy. I think MJP probably worked really hard to make it OK -- to make her characters do the hard work such that the outcome isn't offensive. And it's not that I'm offended exactly -- I just think maybe this was an interesting intellectual exercise that shouldn't have made the leap from brain to paper.
Going out on a limb a bit more here -- I think the genre works against her. Romance novels have a checkered reptation. Perhaps they are Not Good For Women. And because of that notion that the genre is retrograde and even damaging, it makes her project seem suspect. If it was straight up suspense, maybe I would be more open to the idea of a couple working through their terrible past. But because in romance the outcome is never in doubt, it makes even The Healing Power of Love seem like a subtle trap.
Going out on a limb a bit more here -- I think the genre works against her. Romance novels have a checkered reptation. Perhaps they are Not Good For Women. And because of that notion that the genre is retrograde and even damaging, it makes her project seem suspect. If it was straight up suspense, maybe I would be more open to the idea of a couple working through their terrible past. But because in romance the outcome is never in doubt, it makes even The Healing Power of Love seem like a subtle trap.
September 7, 2014
Truly enjoyed this book
This was a good book with romance, mystery, family and a few twists and turns. I will admit that I guessed the bad guy before he was revealed, but as a mystery/thriller/crime novel reader and TV show lover, I compete against myself regularly in that way.
I enjoy books that have women in non-traditional roles and Kate filled that niche. I also appreciated that the sex was not bordering on pornography.
I recommend this book and it looks like other books in the series will be on my reading list.
This was a good book with romance, mystery, family and a few twists and turns. I will admit that I guessed the bad guy before he was revealed, but as a mystery/thriller/crime novel reader and TV show lover, I compete against myself regularly in that way.
I enjoy books that have women in non-traditional roles and Kate filled that niche. I also appreciated that the sex was not bordering on pornography.
I recommend this book and it looks like other books in the series will be on my reading list.
October 21, 2010
I know others had problems with this one because part of the plot is about domestic violence. However, for me, never having been involved in DV, I didn't have any trouble with it. Also, I thought that the violence was at the lower end of the scale (not that I am endorsing it in any way - he didn't break any bones is all I'm saying). Plus, I'm a big believer in redemption and forgiveness and this book made me believe in both for the hero. I really liked it.
July 13, 2012
I wanted to try this because I love MJP historical's. This isn't a story I would choose to read. I stayed with it but by the end I didn't believe in an hea. The couple had crossed a boundary that for me would be a forever deal breaker. No way no how. I am happily going to read MJP in regency.
December 31, 2019
I was really, REALLY skeptical about redeeming an abusive husband. I'm on the fence about if I'm convinced or not, but it was still a compelling read though it felt very old school.
September 4, 2024
*** MINOR SPOILERS ***
This book is the first book of the Circle of Friends trilogy. It can be read as a standalone.
I had very little sympathy or liking for the main character, Donovan, in this story. Once I found out why Kate left him and divorced him, I thought she did the right thing. Because of that, I do not recommend this book. I looked up the statistics related to overcoming the issue involved and thought it was surprisingly high at 5%. By reading this optimistic book, it could encourage people to stay in the same unhealthy situation.
Kate grew up with a very chauvinistic father. It was good to see her become a strong woman despite that. Her ability to give up her life in California to fulfil the conditions of the will seemed glossed over. She immediately had a friend that could basically step into her job and her home. That was easy. She had to be rescued a couple of times, once was probably enough. It was overused as a way to show that Donovan had changed and could be relied on.
Her mother, Julia, seemed to have moments when she would hold her own but mostly seemed to give in to the way he handled things. In one scene, Julia throws her glass into the fireplace which seems out of character as she was written as the calm counterbalance to her husband. She said that she supported her son, but I thought she could have done more to reach out to him over the years as well as to try to get Sam, her husband, to accept the situation. I read the book years after it was written, so the current culture is different from the culture at that time.
The story had some unlikely actions by some of the characters. I also thought it focused on the main issue too much without re-developing their relationship. They are 10 years older and I think they needed to get to know each other again.
There is a mystery in the book that was easy to figure out.
I have read a couple of other books by this author and think she is a fair/good, but not great, writer. I do think that the writing was competent even though I did not like the main romance.
This book is the first book of the Circle of Friends trilogy. It can be read as a standalone.
I had very little sympathy or liking for the main character, Donovan, in this story. Once I found out why Kate left him and divorced him, I thought she did the right thing. Because of that, I do not recommend this book. I looked up the statistics related to overcoming the issue involved and thought it was surprisingly high at 5%. By reading this optimistic book, it could encourage people to stay in the same unhealthy situation.
Kate grew up with a very chauvinistic father. It was good to see her become a strong woman despite that. Her ability to give up her life in California to fulfil the conditions of the will seemed glossed over. She immediately had a friend that could basically step into her job and her home. That was easy. She had to be rescued a couple of times, once was probably enough. It was overused as a way to show that Donovan had changed and could be relied on.
Her mother, Julia, seemed to have moments when she would hold her own but mostly seemed to give in to the way he handled things. In one scene, Julia throws her glass into the fireplace which seems out of character as she was written as the calm counterbalance to her husband. She said that she supported her son, but I thought she could have done more to reach out to him over the years as well as to try to get Sam, her husband, to accept the situation. I read the book years after it was written, so the current culture is different from the culture at that time.
The story had some unlikely actions by some of the characters. I also thought it focused on the main issue too much without re-developing their relationship. They are 10 years older and I think they needed to get to know each other again.
There is a mystery in the book that was easy to figure out.
I have read a couple of other books by this author and think she is a fair/good, but not great, writer. I do think that the writing was competent even though I did not like the main romance.
August 4, 2020
THE BURNING POINT by Mary Jo Putney is the first of her Circle of Friends series, now numbering five novels. This could have been a more enjoyable read if better written. The owner of a highly successful company that demolishes buildings is killed in one of his projects. His daughter, who always wanted to be involved in the company but was prevented by her father, was married to a man whom her father kept as his able assistant and heir apparent to the company. They went through a bitter and difficult divorce years ago. But now, in her father's will, she will inherit a fortune and he the company if they agree to move back into the house and live together for a year. The couple's bitter divorce, uncovering a plot to kill her father, the strain of a gay brother disowned by the ex-husband, and the difficult struggle of the divorced couple to live together for a year could have been an enjoyable summer reading diversion -- light, entertaining reading. But go ahead and read it if you wish. Not highly recommended.
July 10, 2017
Realistic, wrenching in parts but a wonderful love story!
This was totally relatable and is a good story about reconciliation, second chances and grief. You can't help falling in love with the characters with all their flaws and really hope for everything to work out for all of them. This is a great book to curl up and read with your beverage of choice.
I'm adding to my review as I've seen a few negative comments posted about the book and wanted to clarify something. I've been the victim in two abusive relationships and although I wouldn't wish that on anyone, alcohol is a huge factor in many of these cases. If the abuser (not always the husband) recognizes their problem and gets counseling and help the chances are good for the relationship to heal and get stronger. I'm am optimist and believe that the stronger the love the harder you should work to keep it.
This was totally relatable and is a good story about reconciliation, second chances and grief. You can't help falling in love with the characters with all their flaws and really hope for everything to work out for all of them. This is a great book to curl up and read with your beverage of choice.
I'm adding to my review as I've seen a few negative comments posted about the book and wanted to clarify something. I've been the victim in two abusive relationships and although I wouldn't wish that on anyone, alcohol is a huge factor in many of these cases. If the abuser (not always the husband) recognizes their problem and gets counseling and help the chances are good for the relationship to heal and get stronger. I'm am optimist and believe that the stronger the love the harder you should work to keep it.
March 7, 2024
I wasn’t interested. It was the story of a woman who is back with her violent and abusive ex husband.
Why? Because he changed and he’s not the same man. Good for him, but she had choices.
I don’t know why the writer would like a woman to be back with a man who was abusive and violent to her because he was jealous, because he was suspicious. Or else.
And the man also had an affair with one of her bffs. Good friends she has. Broke girlfriends code. But nope. She stays friends because, you know. What? No, her friend should have stayed far from him. Weren’t there men enough where she lived that she had to shag her friend’s ex?
And she also told her he was such a caring and loving guy, yes, thank fug, so the heroine had to hear how kind and loving he was with other women while he was an abusive sob with her.
Nope.
Avoid with care.
Why? Because he changed and he’s not the same man. Good for him, but she had choices.
I don’t know why the writer would like a woman to be back with a man who was abusive and violent to her because he was jealous, because he was suspicious. Or else.
And the man also had an affair with one of her bffs. Good friends she has. Broke girlfriends code. But nope. She stays friends because, you know. What? No, her friend should have stayed far from him. Weren’t there men enough where she lived that she had to shag her friend’s ex?
And she also told her he was such a caring and loving guy, yes, thank fug, so the heroine had to hear how kind and loving he was with other women while he was an abusive sob with her.
Nope.
Avoid with care.
June 23, 2020
Good Storyline
This is a tricky story, on one hand it has a good storyline and is really detailed, on the other hand it also contains a HUGE trigger for domestic violence.
I came across a one star review for this story and just knew I had to read it. That peculiar review claimed weak characters and suggested that this story condones domestic violence. IT DOES NOT!!
Yes, Kate and Donovan has a troubled relationship that ended in divorce. But they also do the work on themselves, acknowledging that it takes two to fail at a relationship.
I like the story, the characters felt real to me. I’d recommend reading if you like angst stories but note there are domestic violence triggers.
This is a tricky story, on one hand it has a good storyline and is really detailed, on the other hand it also contains a HUGE trigger for domestic violence.
I came across a one star review for this story and just knew I had to read it. That peculiar review claimed weak characters and suggested that this story condones domestic violence. IT DOES NOT!!
Yes, Kate and Donovan has a troubled relationship that ended in divorce. But they also do the work on themselves, acknowledging that it takes two to fail at a relationship.
I like the story, the characters felt real to me. I’d recommend reading if you like angst stories but note there are domestic violence triggers.
October 8, 2020
I first read this back when it was released originally as The Burning Point in paperback. I remembered it as soon as I started reading it. The names and situation were familiar immediately. That was years ago, so I decided if it had stayed with me that clearly for that long it must have been pretty good so I reread it. And the story is good. What fails is the translation over time of the treatment of domestic abuse and how we treat women these days. And as serious an issue as that is, it unfortunately leaves a bad taste in your mouth when it's not done well in books. Looks to me as if this book might need an update in its treatment of these major issues, or a really good story gets lost simply by being outdated.
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