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A Lost Love
She didn't have to guess how Rafe felt about his wife...
Brooke Adamson knew the whole bitter story. Because she was Rafe Charlwood's wife, or rather she had been, before the terrible car accident Rafe believed had claimed her life.
Now, three years later, she had a new face and a new identity, and only a mother's love for the son Rafe had so cruelly taken from her could have brought her back to Charlwood.
She couldn't tell Rafe the truth when he still so obviously hated the memory of the woman he had married...
Brooke Adamson knew the whole bitter story. Because she was Rafe Charlwood's wife, or rather she had been, before the terrible car accident Rafe believed had claimed her life.
Now, three years later, she had a new face and a new identity, and only a mother's love for the son Rafe had so cruelly taken from her could have brought her back to Charlwood.
She couldn't tell Rafe the truth when he still so obviously hated the memory of the woman he had married...
288 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 1984
62 people are currently reading
801 people want to read
About the author
Carole Mortimer
1,301 books911 followersI have written almost 250 romance novels in contemporary and Regency.
I am a USA Today Bestselling Author and recipient of the 2015 RWA Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2014 I received a Pioneer of Romance Award from Romantic Times in the US and in 2012 I was recognised by Queen Elizabeth II for my 'outstanding service to literature'.
I am very happily married to Peter with six sons, and live on the Isle of Man
I am a USA Today Bestselling Author and recipient of the 2015 RWA Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2014 I received a Pioneer of Romance Award from Romantic Times in the US and in 2012 I was recognised by Queen Elizabeth II for my 'outstanding service to literature'.
I am very happily married to Peter with six sons, and live on the Isle of Man
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
October 20, 2015
Re A Lost Love - I have to be honest here, epic whacked plot or not I ADORE this book. Srsly, it is on my top ten list of all of HPlandia and that hasn't changed in 31 years -- it is only superseded by The Spanish Groom, Whirlwind Marriage and Married to a Mistress.
The story is so outlandish it can only be done properly in HPlandia - h literally comes back from the dead with a new look and a serious grudge against the H, all to have whatever part she can in her son's life. The best part of this book is that in the midst of the HP misogynistic 80's this H has to do what almost no other HP H has ever done.
He has to GROVEL, and he has to do it for the last 85 pages of the book. There is just no other book like it in terms of the H has to be NICE to the h. He has to WOO her, he has to buy her silly little presents, he isn't allowed to yell at her or rape her or be mean to her in any way shape or form, cause he loves her desperately, has been a wreck since her death and she has no obligation to stay with him AT ALL.
In fact this h makes it very clear that once their resumed fling is done, she will be staying on ignoring him and he can just get over it.
So the quick story here, h and H married when she was 19 and he was in his early 30's. He really had no idear of what to do with such a young wife and he never told her he loved her (he did, he was obsessive about it) but he felt that gave her too much power. So he treats her like an object and he is horrible to her, up to and including repeated rape and strangulation. Then he really loses it cause she goes out on her own and he accuses her of adultery and sets up the divorce.
He also denies her any access to her son and she can't fight his money or his power so she goes to America, gets into a bad car accident and he thinks she dies. He sends his aunt to do the body duties, he doesn't even care about the fortune she had, the aunt finds out the h isn't dead but very close to it and agrees to help her change her looks and see her son.
The aunt dies, leaving the h her cottage on the estate where her son lives, the h moves in and the H is attracted but doesn't figure out anything until after they have become lovers. Her style of love reminds him of his dead wife, so he sends his brother over to the US to find out what happened, cause he thought he was really losing his mind.
The brother figures out she isn't dead and the H is now really scared. He knows that if he doesn't make her fall in love again he is going to lose her, and a big key for that is access to her son whom she nurses through mumps and she also sorts out his brother's failing marriage as well.
He does everything he can to make her love him again, and then when the brother and sorta witchy brother's wife decide to adopt an orphan as the wife is infertile, he asks her who she wants to be her old name or her new name. The h freaks out, thinking he is going to do horrible things to her but he chases after her, swears eternal love and devotion and big explanations (which have been occurring regularly throughout the book) about why he acted like Mr. Horriblepants the first time around are then given.
The h loves him too and she is much more confident of herself this time around and so we get an epic HEA.
So basically he does know who she is for the latter part of the book, but it only makes him work harder to win her over - he is lovestruck and shows it - and so I did not feel it was a manipulation on his part. Actually she probably manipulated more than him, but he deserved it IMO, so I don't hold it against her - I liked her more for it.
For me this one is a fabulous read and I reread it pretty regularly, it is a leap of imagination to actually buy into the plot, but if you can - this one is totally worth reading.
The story is so outlandish it can only be done properly in HPlandia - h literally comes back from the dead with a new look and a serious grudge against the H, all to have whatever part she can in her son's life. The best part of this book is that in the midst of the HP misogynistic 80's this H has to do what almost no other HP H has ever done.
He has to GROVEL, and he has to do it for the last 85 pages of the book. There is just no other book like it in terms of the H has to be NICE to the h. He has to WOO her, he has to buy her silly little presents, he isn't allowed to yell at her or rape her or be mean to her in any way shape or form, cause he loves her desperately, has been a wreck since her death and she has no obligation to stay with him AT ALL.
In fact this h makes it very clear that once their resumed fling is done, she will be staying on ignoring him and he can just get over it.
So the quick story here, h and H married when she was 19 and he was in his early 30's. He really had no idear of what to do with such a young wife and he never told her he loved her (he did, he was obsessive about it) but he felt that gave her too much power. So he treats her like an object and he is horrible to her, up to and including repeated rape and strangulation. Then he really loses it cause she goes out on her own and he accuses her of adultery and sets up the divorce.
He also denies her any access to her son and she can't fight his money or his power so she goes to America, gets into a bad car accident and he thinks she dies. He sends his aunt to do the body duties, he doesn't even care about the fortune she had, the aunt finds out the h isn't dead but very close to it and agrees to help her change her looks and see her son.
The aunt dies, leaving the h her cottage on the estate where her son lives, the h moves in and the H is attracted but doesn't figure out anything until after they have become lovers. Her style of love reminds him of his dead wife, so he sends his brother over to the US to find out what happened, cause he thought he was really losing his mind.
The brother figures out she isn't dead and the H is now really scared. He knows that if he doesn't make her fall in love again he is going to lose her, and a big key for that is access to her son whom she nurses through mumps and she also sorts out his brother's failing marriage as well.
He does everything he can to make her love him again, and then when the brother and sorta witchy brother's wife decide to adopt an orphan as the wife is infertile, he asks her who she wants to be her old name or her new name. The h freaks out, thinking he is going to do horrible things to her but he chases after her, swears eternal love and devotion and big explanations (which have been occurring regularly throughout the book) about why he acted like Mr. Horriblepants the first time around are then given.
The h loves him too and she is much more confident of herself this time around and so we get an epic HEA.
So basically he does know who she is for the latter part of the book, but it only makes him work harder to win her over - he is lovestruck and shows it - and so I did not feel it was a manipulation on his part. Actually she probably manipulated more than him, but he deserved it IMO, so I don't hold it against her - I liked her more for it.
For me this one is a fabulous read and I reread it pretty regularly, it is a leap of imagination to actually buy into the plot, but if you can - this one is totally worth reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2022
I couldn't decide between four or five stars, but I went with five because when I closed the book I had that "wheeeee!" feeling that you get after riding a roller coaster. Then you giggle and get in line to go again . . .
This is one crazy story and while the ghost-of-Christmas-past heroine didn't berate the hero enough at the end (he groveled - but I wanted her to pull out the powerpoint and list his sins against her and their son just so I could feel her righteous indignation one more time), there was a great satisfaction in hearing all of her former tormentors show remorse and explain their motivations for being so awful to the heroine.
*Happy sigh* I loved the mother love that motivated the heroine to be near her son. I loved how tortured the hero was. I loved how the new improved Mrs. Hero used her hard-won wisdom to help others in the family. No wonder this is an HP classic.
This is one crazy story and while the ghost-of-Christmas-past heroine didn't berate the hero enough at the end (he groveled - but I wanted her to pull out the powerpoint and list his sins against her and their son just so I could feel her righteous indignation one more time), there was a great satisfaction in hearing all of her former tormentors show remorse and explain their motivations for being so awful to the heroine.
*Happy sigh* I loved the mother love that motivated the heroine to be near her son. I loved how tortured the hero was. I loved how the new improved Mrs. Hero used her hard-won wisdom to help others in the family. No wonder this is an HP classic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2012
This book absolutely packed a punch. I have read many themes in my romance novels, amnesia, revenge, second chances, etc, but never a book about hidden identity.
Four years ago, Jacqui married Rafe after a two week tempestuous love affair...that probably should have stayed just a love affair. They marry and have a few months of happiness until everything starts to go wrong. Rafe becomes a control freak, not allowing her any independence not even the ability to care for their son. She becomes more and more frightened of him and the person she has become. She loses her self-esteem and confidence. In a fit of jealousy, she goes to visit friends in London and starts flirting with a friend when all of a sudden, Rafe shows up at the party. Unfortunately, her one moment of independence costs her dearly. Rafe, in a fit of jealous rage, has her tossed out of their home on the grounds of adultery. She tries desperately to get custody of their son, but Rafe is so powerful she loses it all and moves to America to start over again. Her independence is short lived when she is in a car accident that almost kills her.
She decides to reinvent herself and come back into her sons life as Brooke Adamson. Four years later, she is a much stronger woman ready to take Rafe on.
I have to say that I did not care for Rafe one bit. Even the big reveal at the end where he tried to justify his actions, left me cold. This is one story where I would have much preferred for her to decide to fight for her rights, and the rights of her son, rather than one of reconciliation. I didn't feel that Rafe deserved her or the HEA.. But even though I would have written the ending a little differently, I still can't take away from the intensity and entertainment of this read, thus the 5 star rating. I highly recommend!
Four years ago, Jacqui married Rafe after a two week tempestuous love affair...that probably should have stayed just a love affair. They marry and have a few months of happiness until everything starts to go wrong. Rafe becomes a control freak, not allowing her any independence not even the ability to care for their son. She becomes more and more frightened of him and the person she has become. She loses her self-esteem and confidence. In a fit of jealousy, she goes to visit friends in London and starts flirting with a friend when all of a sudden, Rafe shows up at the party. Unfortunately, her one moment of independence costs her dearly. Rafe, in a fit of jealous rage, has her tossed out of their home on the grounds of adultery. She tries desperately to get custody of their son, but Rafe is so powerful she loses it all and moves to America to start over again. Her independence is short lived when she is in a car accident that almost kills her.
She decides to reinvent herself and come back into her sons life as Brooke Adamson. Four years later, she is a much stronger woman ready to take Rafe on.
I have to say that I did not care for Rafe one bit. Even the big reveal at the end where he tried to justify his actions, left me cold. This is one story where I would have much preferred for her to decide to fight for her rights, and the rights of her son, rather than one of reconciliation. I didn't feel that Rafe deserved her or the HEA.. But even though I would have written the ending a little differently, I still can't take away from the intensity and entertainment of this read, thus the 5 star rating. I highly recommend!
June 17, 2025
1986 publication
The book begins with twenty-five year old Brooke visiting her friend of six months Jocelyn, a woman in her sixties, in a nursing home.
Jocelyn had less than a month to live having lost the battle with her illness.
As Rafe came in unexpectedly, Brooke couldn't help but feel uncomfortable.
Rafe was Jocelyn's nephew and the head of the very wealthy and important Charlwood family.
His aunt chastised him for not bringing his three year old son Robert with him.
Brooke added that it was not right to always leave the child with nannies, after he fought so fiercely for custody of him.
"I fought for my son because my wife Jacqui was an unfit mother. Wealthy men should stay away from totally unsuitable women."
Brooke already knew about his much-publicised marriage and separation.
He had exposed his wife's infidelity to the court and public in an effort to gain custody of their six month old son Robert. His wife died shortly after.
Brooke told him that she had been married as well. Like his wife, her husband was dead.
Brooke had negative feelings for Rafe. She considered him hard, cruel and unforgiving, and she hated and feared him with all her heart.
The reader does not know the reason for those feelings.
After Jocelyn's funeral, the family and Brooke gathered at the Charlwood house.
The lawyer had requested that she attended as her name would be mentioned in Jocelyn's will.
So to the family's chagrin, Jocelyn left her private cottage to Brooke.
The cottage was situated on the grounds of the Charlwood estate, half a mile away from the main house. One had to pass through the guarded gates of the estate to get to it.
Brooke knew that even in her illness Jocelyn had thought of her, imposing the conditions of her will so that Brooke would be able to see her son Robert, the son Rafe had denied her three years ago.
Confused yet???
SEMI SPOILERS
A few years earlier
When orphan girl Jacqui was nineteen, was a professional dancer with a team of girls, and was working with Greg on his television show, met at one of after the show parties the tall, dark and handsome, as well as very rich and powerful, thirty-five year old Rafe.
She was dazzled by him and lost her innocence that very night.
Her life had changed the moment she became Rafe's wife.
She had to dress smart and as soon as he learnt that she was pregnant, he terminated her dancing career and limited her meetings with her friends.
He spent a lot of time away on business, Jacqui had to put up with her barren, jealous and hostile sister in law, as she and Rafe's brother were living in the same family house.
As Jacqui's pregnancy progressed, Rafe no longer made trips from his bedroom to hers at night, making her feel uncertain and lonely.
She began to secretly go to London to see old friends in spite of Rafe's lectures on maintaining her position as his wife and the mother of his expected child.
Jacqui had the baby and the situation became worse.
The baby had been taken over by servants and Jacqui felt superfluous to both the baby and Rafe.
She asked him if it would be possible for her to begin working again.
He exploded with anger. He forbade her of ever again seeing the girls at the television studio.
She had obeyed him but he was resentful and once again stopped sharing her bed and was treating her with coldness that had made her cry herself to sleep too many nights.
Jacqui grew increasingly bored and depressed.
After a fight with her sister in law, defiant Jacqui agreed to replace a dancer that had an injury.
Rafe was oblivious to that.
Since the program was televised, Jacqui went to the after the show party, and that was where Rafe found her, laughing and flirting with Greg.
When Jacqui returned back home that night, she found herself locked out of the estate's tall gates.
The guard told her that he had orders not to let her in.
Desperate she called Rafe who told her that she would be hearing from his lawyers.
In court she was made to be by his lawyers an unfaithful wife and an uninterested and unfit mother.
That was the time she really began to hate Rafe, even more than she feared him.
She fought against the character assassination, but Rafe had got his separation and his son at the end, and Jacqui had been awarded a large settlement.
She was to see her son at Rafe's convenience, but five months had passed and it was never convenient for him. Jacqui had a nervous breakdown.
With Rafe's influence, Greg's show had been cancelled and they all had been out of a job with no possibility of getting another, not when it was known Rafe didn't want them to.
They decided to try their luck in America.
Rafe's aunt Jocelyn agreed to bring Robert to see Jacqui, but Rafe had found out and warned her through his lawyers that if she did it again, he would have her charged with kidnapping.
After that Jacqui agreed to go to America with the other dancers.
Soon after their arrival in Los Angeles, they had a freak road crash that had left three of the six girls dead, the others seriously injured.
Aunt Jocelyn had been the one to go to America to identify the body, only to find that Jacqui was still alive with head and face injuries.
Jacqui pleated with Jocelyn not to tell Rafe about her survival. Jocelyn sat by her bedside and promised to help her see Robert again after the plastic surgery had been completed.
So six months ago, Jacqui returned back to England with a new name, a new face, a new hair colour. She had also added three years to her real age.
Visiting Jocelyn at the cottage was Jacqui's way of seeing Robert, now three.
Dear Jocelyn found a way for Jacqui (now Brooke) to continue seeing her son, even after Jocelyn's death, by leaving the cottage to her.
Jacqui thought that she should never have married Rafe. His sister in law told her back then that Rafe did not want to get married at all, but with her own barren state, an heir was needed and it was up to him to provide it.
Jacqui had given him a son and he then dismissed her from his life.
And the fact that he hadn't even come to Los Angeles to identify the body himself, just proved that he had never cared for her.
Psychologists would have a field day with this story.
The book begins with twenty-five year old Brooke visiting her friend of six months Jocelyn, a woman in her sixties, in a nursing home.
Jocelyn had less than a month to live having lost the battle with her illness.
As Rafe came in unexpectedly, Brooke couldn't help but feel uncomfortable.
Rafe was Jocelyn's nephew and the head of the very wealthy and important Charlwood family.
His aunt chastised him for not bringing his three year old son Robert with him.
Brooke added that it was not right to always leave the child with nannies, after he fought so fiercely for custody of him.
"I fought for my son because my wife Jacqui was an unfit mother. Wealthy men should stay away from totally unsuitable women."
Brooke already knew about his much-publicised marriage and separation.
He had exposed his wife's infidelity to the court and public in an effort to gain custody of their six month old son Robert. His wife died shortly after.
Brooke told him that she had been married as well. Like his wife, her husband was dead.
Brooke had negative feelings for Rafe. She considered him hard, cruel and unforgiving, and she hated and feared him with all her heart.
The reader does not know the reason for those feelings.
After Jocelyn's funeral, the family and Brooke gathered at the Charlwood house.
The lawyer had requested that she attended as her name would be mentioned in Jocelyn's will.
So to the family's chagrin, Jocelyn left her private cottage to Brooke.
The cottage was situated on the grounds of the Charlwood estate, half a mile away from the main house. One had to pass through the guarded gates of the estate to get to it.
Brooke knew that even in her illness Jocelyn had thought of her, imposing the conditions of her will so that Brooke would be able to see her son Robert, the son Rafe had denied her three years ago.
Confused yet???
SEMI SPOILERS
A few years earlier
When orphan girl Jacqui was nineteen, was a professional dancer with a team of girls, and was working with Greg on his television show, met at one of after the show parties the tall, dark and handsome, as well as very rich and powerful, thirty-five year old Rafe.
She was dazzled by him and lost her innocence that very night.
Her life had changed the moment she became Rafe's wife.
She had to dress smart and as soon as he learnt that she was pregnant, he terminated her dancing career and limited her meetings with her friends.
He spent a lot of time away on business, Jacqui had to put up with her barren, jealous and hostile sister in law, as she and Rafe's brother were living in the same family house.
As Jacqui's pregnancy progressed, Rafe no longer made trips from his bedroom to hers at night, making her feel uncertain and lonely.
She began to secretly go to London to see old friends in spite of Rafe's lectures on maintaining her position as his wife and the mother of his expected child.
Jacqui had the baby and the situation became worse.
The baby had been taken over by servants and Jacqui felt superfluous to both the baby and Rafe.
She asked him if it would be possible for her to begin working again.
He exploded with anger. He forbade her of ever again seeing the girls at the television studio.
She had obeyed him but he was resentful and once again stopped sharing her bed and was treating her with coldness that had made her cry herself to sleep too many nights.
Jacqui grew increasingly bored and depressed.
After a fight with her sister in law, defiant Jacqui agreed to replace a dancer that had an injury.
Rafe was oblivious to that.
Since the program was televised, Jacqui went to the after the show party, and that was where Rafe found her, laughing and flirting with Greg.
When Jacqui returned back home that night, she found herself locked out of the estate's tall gates.
The guard told her that he had orders not to let her in.
Desperate she called Rafe who told her that she would be hearing from his lawyers.
In court she was made to be by his lawyers an unfaithful wife and an uninterested and unfit mother.
That was the time she really began to hate Rafe, even more than she feared him.
She fought against the character assassination, but Rafe had got his separation and his son at the end, and Jacqui had been awarded a large settlement.
She was to see her son at Rafe's convenience, but five months had passed and it was never convenient for him. Jacqui had a nervous breakdown.
With Rafe's influence, Greg's show had been cancelled and they all had been out of a job with no possibility of getting another, not when it was known Rafe didn't want them to.
They decided to try their luck in America.
Rafe's aunt Jocelyn agreed to bring Robert to see Jacqui, but Rafe had found out and warned her through his lawyers that if she did it again, he would have her charged with kidnapping.
After that Jacqui agreed to go to America with the other dancers.
Soon after their arrival in Los Angeles, they had a freak road crash that had left three of the six girls dead, the others seriously injured.
Aunt Jocelyn had been the one to go to America to identify the body, only to find that Jacqui was still alive with head and face injuries.
Jacqui pleated with Jocelyn not to tell Rafe about her survival. Jocelyn sat by her bedside and promised to help her see Robert again after the plastic surgery had been completed.
So six months ago, Jacqui returned back to England with a new name, a new face, a new hair colour. She had also added three years to her real age.
Visiting Jocelyn at the cottage was Jacqui's way of seeing Robert, now three.
Dear Jocelyn found a way for Jacqui (now Brooke) to continue seeing her son, even after Jocelyn's death, by leaving the cottage to her.
Jacqui thought that she should never have married Rafe. His sister in law told her back then that Rafe did not want to get married at all, but with her own barren state, an heir was needed and it was up to him to provide it.
Jacqui had given him a son and he then dismissed her from his life.
And the fact that he hadn't even come to Los Angeles to identify the body himself, just proved that he had never cared for her.
Psychologists would have a field day with this story.
October 16, 2017
Well, talk about the ultimate makeover. H reinvents herself after a car crash results in plastic surgery so she can come back to England and see her child that was denied her.
Carole Mortimer does a good job redeeming what is obviously a cruel, cruel hero. He doesn't so much grovel as fall apart over this new version of his wife.
One thing you have to say about the old school Harlequins and M&B while they may be more un-PC, the have better plots (usually) and much better titles.
Re-read Review
After having read a plethora of really weak characters, doormats, spineless idjits aka HP heroines, sadly mostly contemporary, I had to give this a re-read. As a result of the heroine and the hero's grovel, I bumped from 3 to 4 stars.
It's not so much a revenge plot, but a second chance for one of the loves of the heroine's life: her son. Makeover madness squared, the heroine stands pretty darn tall as a HP heroine. She doesn't fall into bed with the hero the first or even second time he propositions; she maintains a cool emotional distance because it's the smart thing to do, and, wait for it, when he apologizes (yes, he admits he is WRONG) she doesn't let him off the hook right away.
The H is a bossy jerk, but he is a bossy jerk in love with the heroine. I anticipate lots of fireworks between these two on a longterm basis.
Another HP that reminds me at the awesome Australian soap opera, Return to Eden. One of the all-time great revenge/makeover plots EVER. It just does not get any better than this camp fest. Turns out that Return to Eden was a novel before the show. Hmmm.
Before:
After:
Carole Mortimer does a good job redeeming what is obviously a cruel, cruel hero. He doesn't so much grovel as fall apart over this new version of his wife.
One thing you have to say about the old school Harlequins and M&B while they may be more un-PC, the have better plots (usually) and much better titles.
Re-read Review
After having read a plethora of really weak characters, doormats, spineless idjits aka HP heroines, sadly mostly contemporary, I had to give this a re-read. As a result of the heroine and the hero's grovel, I bumped from 3 to 4 stars.
It's not so much a revenge plot, but a second chance for one of the loves of the heroine's life: her son. Makeover madness squared, the heroine stands pretty darn tall as a HP heroine. She doesn't fall into bed with the hero the first or even second time he propositions; she maintains a cool emotional distance because it's the smart thing to do, and, wait for it, when he apologizes (yes, he admits he is WRONG) she doesn't let him off the hook right away.
The H is a bossy jerk, but he is a bossy jerk in love with the heroine. I anticipate lots of fireworks between these two on a longterm basis.
Another HP that reminds me at the awesome Australian soap opera, Return to Eden. One of the all-time great revenge/makeover plots EVER. It just does not get any better than this camp fest. Turns out that Return to Eden was a novel before the show. Hmmm.
Before:
After:
April 26, 2022
"I love every part of you, the old you and the new one. You were beautiful then and you are now. But it wouldn't matter to me what you look like, I love you, the inside you. Doesn't the fact that I recognised your soul, despite your changed appearance, tell you that?" -Rafe
***
THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING!!!!!
This story has an awesome,unique and dramatic plot about hidden identity.The heroine Brooke Adamson (her real name Jascui Charlwood) coming back after three years to see her son that had been forced away from her. In middle of this we can see that she also meets her husband again,a husband that has no idea that she is his `dead` wife Jascui.
Rafe Charlwood are one of Carole Mortiers coldblooded and cruel Alpha-heroes that in this story is given a second chance of winning his wife back.I knew that he was drawn to her soul,cuz her soul was the only thing he ever wanted.His love for her felt very extreme and the tension..the SEXUAL chemistry between them from the beginning was too much for my heart to bear,lol. This author did this so well. Rafe is also one of the more self-destructive males in a byronic kind of way,he loved to much to handle his intense emotions for his wife-hence their unhappiness during their marriage.He was being to much jealous and possessive, being to blind of her love for him.
Rafe Charlwood is a very passionate hero and i really came to love him and the way his soul recognized his wife`s. I love this book so much, one of my top favourites by this author!
***
THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING!!!!!
This story has an awesome,unique and dramatic plot about hidden identity.The heroine Brooke Adamson (her real name Jascui Charlwood) coming back after three years to see her son that had been forced away from her. In middle of this we can see that she also meets her husband again,a husband that has no idea that she is his `dead` wife Jascui.
Rafe Charlwood are one of Carole Mortiers coldblooded and cruel Alpha-heroes that in this story is given a second chance of winning his wife back.I knew that he was drawn to her soul,cuz her soul was the only thing he ever wanted.His love for her felt very extreme and the tension..the SEXUAL chemistry between them from the beginning was too much for my heart to bear,lol. This author did this so well. Rafe is also one of the more self-destructive males in a byronic kind of way,he loved to much to handle his intense emotions for his wife-hence their unhappiness during their marriage.He was being to much jealous and possessive, being to blind of her love for him.
Rafe Charlwood is a very passionate hero and i really came to love him and the way his soul recognized his wife`s. I love this book so much, one of my top favourites by this author!
December 13, 2025
No alphahole in sight *gasp*
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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avoid
July 2, 2019He was a classic bully. He was ONLY nice to her when she was no longer the young and weak vulnerable thing she used to be. This time around he couldn't go on raping her because she not only had a stronger personality to put him in his right place but also she could physically retaliate him. She no longer had her hero-worshipping love acting as blinders on her eyes and she no longer cared about trying to please him or any of his family members for that matter. So this time the hero had nothing. Not only that, heroine, when he figured out who she was, also figured out, that only reason fell into his bed was to see the child. That makes HIM into NOTHING. Of no value whatsoever. His just a piece to be used or satisfy in this scenario for her bigger motive, motives not being in negative sense here. She never cared about whether he had OW or not, she just didn't care and very much made it an emotionless physical affair. That leaves a egocentric bully like the hero with nothing. Imagine how he would feel if he was just a worthless body in her eyes to have sex with.
Like typical bullies he caved the moment he had to face someone stronger than themselves. She was too strong for him to fight and win and like a true bully he decided to play nice instead.
He wanted to beat his wife into submission, and he only gave up that thought NOT after she was dead BUT after the new woman appeared to be too strong to be handled that way. He was ONLY nice to her when he ran out of options. She could go out to the world now with her story and demand the custody of her child, so he clearly decided it would be easier to grovel than bully her which won't even work and he didn't have much choice since his libido clearly took a vacation without her.
Like typical bullies he caved the moment he had to face someone stronger than themselves. She was too strong for him to fight and win and like a true bully he decided to play nice instead.
He wanted to beat his wife into submission, and he only gave up that thought NOT after she was dead BUT after the new woman appeared to be too strong to be handled that way. He was ONLY nice to her when he ran out of options. She could go out to the world now with her story and demand the custody of her child, so he clearly decided it would be easier to grovel than bully her which won't even work and he didn't have much choice since his libido clearly took a vacation without her.
May 3, 2010
I only read these books due to a love of all things retro. I am pretty sure I read this book as a 15 year old high school girl. It probably really messed up my ideas of what love is all about.
Of course no one expects a literary masterpiece in these cheap novels, so my expectations are not that high. But reading as a grown woman, there were so many things in this book that bothered me. Little things -- like portraying the main character as a woman who had "the height and the ability" to be a ballet dancer.... said woman is 5'8" tall. (If you didn't know, ballet dancers must be very tiny.) Since she had the skills but not the "star" quality, she transferred her love of dance to a dance group called -- appallingly -- "Sensuous Romance" (cue eyeroll -- even for the early 1980's, that is too much).
And the bigger things -- For the sake of moving along the plot, the book is full of these glaringly obvious problems. No spoiler if you've read the jacket copy: the main character was in a car accident and presumed dead. She had plastic surgery, changed her name, and this is why her "husband" does not recognize her years later. Typical plot device.
The author explains away why the man did not go to identify the body, and one can give that reason a pass. But she was still legally married to him, the mother of his child, had a large bank account and other assets. This man who is the head of a huge conglomerate, and raising their son, never had any interest in or awareness of what happened to his "wife's" money? Or what happened to her body? Did someone just tell him she was cremated or buried in the US, and he bought it?
While I'm willing to tolerate a lot considering the genre and what I am reading here, when the author writes that the man raped his wife in anger and physically assaulted her so brutally she was covered in bruises and diamonds still give her flashbacks years later, yet she still loves him, never stopped loving him, there my tolerance is at an end.
Of course no one expects a literary masterpiece in these cheap novels, so my expectations are not that high. But reading as a grown woman, there were so many things in this book that bothered me. Little things -- like portraying the main character as a woman who had "the height and the ability" to be a ballet dancer.... said woman is 5'8" tall. (If you didn't know, ballet dancers must be very tiny.) Since she had the skills but not the "star" quality, she transferred her love of dance to a dance group called -- appallingly -- "Sensuous Romance" (cue eyeroll -- even for the early 1980's, that is too much).
And the bigger things -- For the sake of moving along the plot, the book is full of these glaringly obvious problems. No spoiler if you've read the jacket copy: the main character was in a car accident and presumed dead. She had plastic surgery, changed her name, and this is why her "husband" does not recognize her years later. Typical plot device.
The author explains away why the man did not go to identify the body, and one can give that reason a pass. But she was still legally married to him, the mother of his child, had a large bank account and other assets. This man who is the head of a huge conglomerate, and raising their son, never had any interest in or awareness of what happened to his "wife's" money? Or what happened to her body? Did someone just tell him she was cremated or buried in the US, and he bought it?
While I'm willing to tolerate a lot considering the genre and what I am reading here, when the author writes that the man raped his wife in anger and physically assaulted her so brutally she was covered in bruises and diamonds still give her flashbacks years later, yet she still loves him, never stopped loving him, there my tolerance is at an end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2016
4.5 stars
How far would you go to be able to see your child? In this case, very far!
After being involved in a deathly car crash that resulted in the immediate death of 3 members of her dance troops in Los Angeles, Jacqui made a life changing decision. She was believed to have perished in the accident and required comprehensive facial plastic surgery, Jacqui instead decided to alter her features and change her name. She was suffering from depression and a nervous breakdown and her messy divorce back in England has just concluded. Jacqui was accused of infidelity with a TV producer who made the weekly show for their troop. She was denied visitation of her then 6 months old baby boy. Her Ex-husband Rafe was very rich and 14 years older (33 to 19 when they first met) and he gave her a generous divorce proceeding which was helpful after her TV show was canceled. Jacqui also had Rafe's sympathetic aunt at her corner and was able to reinvent herself and re-enter the life of her child.
I found young Jacqui very naive and easy to manipulate. She had no idea how to be a wife to a powerful, workaholic, successful husband. She didn't express her feelings or her thoughts and she became bitter after giving birth and her child was given to a nanny to be raised. She had nothing to occupy her time and she allowed the resentment fester until her love turned in to hate. Newly Married Rafe was a jackass. He was controlling and jealous. He married and assumed his life will go on just as before except there would be a young wife in his bed every night. He limited Jacqui's friendships and interactions with others. He made her so nervous that she lied when she was seeing the girls in her dance troop. The one time he caught her flirting in an after show party, he threw her out of the house and filed for divorce.
The Rafe Brook met was 180 degree different than the old one. I have never seen so much growth in characters as I saw in Brook and Rafe in 3 years since their divorce.
How far would you go to be able to see your child? In this case, very far!
After being involved in a deathly car crash that resulted in the immediate death of 3 members of her dance troops in Los Angeles, Jacqui made a life changing decision. She was believed to have perished in the accident and required comprehensive facial plastic surgery, Jacqui instead decided to alter her features and change her name. She was suffering from depression and a nervous breakdown and her messy divorce back in England has just concluded. Jacqui was accused of infidelity with a TV producer who made the weekly show for their troop. She was denied visitation of her then 6 months old baby boy. Her Ex-husband Rafe was very rich and 14 years older (33 to 19 when they first met) and he gave her a generous divorce proceeding which was helpful after her TV show was canceled. Jacqui also had Rafe's sympathetic aunt at her corner and was able to reinvent herself and re-enter the life of her child.
I found young Jacqui very naive and easy to manipulate. She had no idea how to be a wife to a powerful, workaholic, successful husband. She didn't express her feelings or her thoughts and she became bitter after giving birth and her child was given to a nanny to be raised. She had nothing to occupy her time and she allowed the resentment fester until her love turned in to hate. Newly Married Rafe was a jackass. He was controlling and jealous. He married and assumed his life will go on just as before except there would be a young wife in his bed every night. He limited Jacqui's friendships and interactions with others. He made her so nervous that she lied when she was seeing the girls in her dance troop. The one time he caught her flirting in an after show party, he threw her out of the house and filed for divorce.
The Rafe Brook met was 180 degree different than the old one. I have never seen so much growth in characters as I saw in Brook and Rafe in 3 years since their divorce.
July 19, 2020
4.5 🌟
I really liked this book, I don't know why I didn't post a review thenp. I think I provide a lot information in the tags. Maybe I will reread it soon.
This book is very angsty and has a plot twist. I love some of the vintage books by this author.
I really liked this book, I don't know why I didn't post a review thenp. I think I provide a lot information in the tags. Maybe I will reread it soon.
This book is very angsty and has a plot twist. I love some of the vintage books by this author.
August 18, 2019
An angsty, OTT trainwreck with a redeemed vicious H, that's definitely my cuppa. 😎
December 5, 2015
Don't know why I haven't reviewed this before. This was a reread for me. Lovely angsty hidden identity story. The plot, once you have your willing suspension of disbelief in place, is beautifully done. The heroine has been divorced and had her child taken from her. After convenient accident and plastic surgery she returns to get to know her son as a stranger. Consequently of course, she also gets to know her husband again and they fall in love again. Of course it is an HP after all. Loved both the hero and the heroine. You could really see that he had loved her all along.
February 29, 2012
I have to admit openly that I've never read a book like this. I've read the amnesia books that I guess are similar but never a plastic surgery book. I have to admit I loved this book, I was spectacular, not to mention well written. The characters were amazing, had emotional depth and it felt like being with them in the story. I connected on a level I haven't with a lot of books.
Jacqui married Rafe when she was a young adult but things didn't work out all that well. They both loved each other but their communication was completely flawed. When Jacqui became pregnant Rafe removed himself emotionally from her, so Jacqui felt pushed out, even more so when she gave birth to their son and Rafe handed him off to Nanny's and other people. Jacqui felt alone so she started sneaking out to see her old friends. When Rafe found out he was furious and thought she was having an affair with Greg, only she wasn't. Rafe eventually took her son away in a big custody hearing, so Jacqui brokenhearted and sonless left to live in America. Where she was in a car crash and people thought she had died. When Rafe's aunt came out, she helped Jacqui cover up the truth and get plastic surgery. Jacqui had now become Brooke.
Brooke was a different person after three years, she was coming home and she wanted to meet and see her son. She missed him terribly, what she didn't figure is Rafe would fall head over heels in love with her. She didn't know that eventually the truth would come out about everything. She couldn't accept the fact she was going to lose her son Robert and her husband Rafe again.
Jacqui married Rafe when she was a young adult but things didn't work out all that well. They both loved each other but their communication was completely flawed. When Jacqui became pregnant Rafe removed himself emotionally from her, so Jacqui felt pushed out, even more so when she gave birth to their son and Rafe handed him off to Nanny's and other people. Jacqui felt alone so she started sneaking out to see her old friends. When Rafe found out he was furious and thought she was having an affair with Greg, only she wasn't. Rafe eventually took her son away in a big custody hearing, so Jacqui brokenhearted and sonless left to live in America. Where she was in a car crash and people thought she had died. When Rafe's aunt came out, she helped Jacqui cover up the truth and get plastic surgery. Jacqui had now become Brooke.
Brooke was a different person after three years, she was coming home and she wanted to meet and see her son. She missed him terribly, what she didn't figure is Rafe would fall head over heels in love with her. She didn't know that eventually the truth would come out about everything. She couldn't accept the fact she was going to lose her son Robert and her husband Rafe again.
January 14, 2021
Διαβασμένο σίγουρα αρκετές φορές σε πιο μικρή ηλικία ....Είχα χρόνια να το πιάσω στα χέρια μου.Το ξαναδιάβασα πρόσφατα.Τα συναισθήματα που μου άφησε μοναδικά μετά απο τόσα χρόνια που έχω διαβάσει και εγώ δε ξέρω πόσες ιστορίες αγάπης Τι να πρωτογράψω? για την ευρηματική πλοκή του που μετράει 31 χρόνια? για την ένταση? το πάθος?...Για μένα σίγουρα είναι μία από τις καλύτερες ιστορίες αγάπης που έχουν κυκλοφορήσει.Κρίμα που τέτοια βιβλία δεν έχουν τη δυνατότητα να διαβαστούν από τους λάτρεις του είδους.
April 4, 2017
This book is everything .. how much I loved it . And I dont mind reading it straight away again .
This is different from the usual romance books-mills & boons-HP I have have read , Hidden identity . I was reluctant to pick it , then found it difficult to hook to the book for the first few chapters . Once the actual plot began , This turned out to be more than perfect .
There were so many emotions , Whenever Brooke meets her son , the pleasure she has but she can't admit to anyone that she is his mother , helpless yet very much satisfied with what she has . All the Mother-Son scenes were so beautiful , giving importance to the tiniest details like how she felt just holding hands with her son . Bliss to read .
Then comes Rafe , I hated him with all my heart , but he is not what he portrays himself as , and Brooke commits mistake in realizing it . Once they give into each other , the book went so good , page turnover , I couldn't stop reading .
I would like to appreciate the fact that both characters have been tagged with equal share of blame , because it was . And Brooke was portrayed as a very strong character which she is . Coming together as equals was so different and beautiful , they ought to fall in love AGAIN .
And the final shock came in when he reveals that he knows her real identity ALREADY .( Oops , Did I spoil it ?) Undoubtedly 5 stars .
This is different from the usual romance books-mills & boons-HP I have have read , Hidden identity . I was reluctant to pick it , then found it difficult to hook to the book for the first few chapters . Once the actual plot began , This turned out to be more than perfect .
There were so many emotions , Whenever Brooke meets her son , the pleasure she has but she can't admit to anyone that she is his mother , helpless yet very much satisfied with what she has . All the Mother-Son scenes were so beautiful , giving importance to the tiniest details like how she felt just holding hands with her son . Bliss to read .
Then comes Rafe , I hated him with all my heart , but he is not what he portrays himself as , and Brooke commits mistake in realizing it . Once they give into each other , the book went so good , page turnover , I couldn't stop reading .
I would like to appreciate the fact that both characters have been tagged with equal share of blame , because it was . And Brooke was portrayed as a very strong character which she is . Coming together as equals was so different and beautiful , they ought to fall in love AGAIN .
And the final shock came in when he reveals that he knows her real identity ALREADY .( Oops , Did I spoil it ?) Undoubtedly 5 stars .
July 14, 2019
5 Stars! ~ After a short 18 months, Jacqui Charlwood found herself in a loveless marriage with a husband who seemed to hate her. Her sister-in-law told her Rafe only married her for the child she gave him, so in rebellion she defied her husband and went to London to attend a party with her friends from before the marriage. When Rafe turned up at the party she flirted with her old boss, not thinking that Rafe would assume the worst. Returning to their home she discovered herself locked out at the main gate and refused entry. When she called Rafe refused to speak to her claiming all discussions would take place through the lawyers. And so young Jacqui lost not only her marriage (though she was given a very generous settlement) she also lost custody of her six month old son. She’d fought hard for her son, but Rafe had all the tricks and power behind him to see she was declared an unfit mother. And though the courts awarded her visitation, Rafe refused to allow it. Left with no life, she decided to travel to America with her friends to hopefully begin again. Only once there she’d been in a horrible car crash. Rafe had sent his Aunt Jocelyn to America to identify her body, but once there she found Jacqui barely alive with a body badly broken and a face unrecognizable. Jacqui pleaded with Jocelyn to allow her to remain “dead” and then had the surgeons create a new woman. And so Brooke Adamson was created and once her body and spirit was healed she returned to England as Jocelyn’s dear friend, often visiting with her at her cottage and playing with Jocelyn’s great nephew, Robert. Upon Jocelyn’s death, Brooke inherits her cottage on the Charlwood estate, ensuring that Brooke will always be close to her son. When Rafe tries to get close to her, Brooke continually pushes him away for fear that he’ll discover her secret.
Oh wow! What a powerful story! Brooke has always felt like the one who had been wronged, but as she spends time with Rafe she slowly sees that there was more going on in her marriage than she had seen. She’d been very young, and hadn’t known how to stand up for herself when Rafe had taken complete control of her life. As in most early Presents, we are not given the heroes POV, but Ms. Mortimer shows us deftly how very much Rafe has suffered. This story allows both Brooke and Rafe to come to terms with all that had happened to make their marriage fail. I loved the ending when Brooke’s identity is revealed. Such a powerful love story! This one earns five stars all the way!
Oh wow! What a powerful story! Brooke has always felt like the one who had been wronged, but as she spends time with Rafe she slowly sees that there was more going on in her marriage than she had seen. She’d been very young, and hadn’t known how to stand up for herself when Rafe had taken complete control of her life. As in most early Presents, we are not given the heroes POV, but Ms. Mortimer shows us deftly how very much Rafe has suffered. This story allows both Brooke and Rafe to come to terms with all that had happened to make their marriage fail. I loved the ending when Brooke’s identity is revealed. Such a powerful love story! This one earns five stars all the way!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2022
I was looking for an epic train wreck and I found one on Boogenhagens review list (sorry I'm a bit of a stalker of your reviews) if Boogenhagen AND St Margarets give a story 5* you know it's going to the top of my tbr pile. Even Vintage gave it a solid upgrade to 4. Totally worth it!
The H in this book is one of the all time lowest of the low H's. Taking the son away from the h and treating her like he did was just pretty darn unforgivable and while his grovel is not awesome he is remarkably understanding about all the lies she told to sneak back in to her sons life. 99% of H's would have used it as an excuse to cause the h more misery instead he used his knowledge to woo the h again and just casually slipped it into conversation asking how she would like to move forward.
The h is pretty darn awesome. H treated her appallingly and she still came back and gave him what for. Granted he thinks shes dead and shes had loads of plastic surgery to disguise herself but this time shes no doormat and has the H wrapped around her finger. In fact she blatantly dislikes him at first. Its awesome to see her in action winding him up!
Give this one a go I'm sure you won't regret it.
The H in this book is one of the all time lowest of the low H's. Taking the son away from the h and treating her like he did was just pretty darn unforgivable and while his grovel is not awesome he is remarkably understanding about all the lies she told to sneak back in to her sons life. 99% of H's would have used it as an excuse to cause the h more misery instead he used his knowledge to woo the h again and just casually slipped it into conversation asking how she would like to move forward.
The h is pretty darn awesome. H treated her appallingly and she still came back and gave him what for. Granted he thinks shes dead and shes had loads of plastic surgery to disguise herself but this time shes no doormat and has the H wrapped around her finger. In fact she blatantly dislikes him at first. Its awesome to see her in action winding him up!
Give this one a go I'm sure you won't regret it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2017
"A Lost Love" is the story of Jacqui/Brooke and Rafe.
When Brooke Adamson's closest friend Jocelyn gets sick, she expects antagonism from her nephew Rafe, especially as Jocelyn leaves the Charlwood cottage in the will to Brooke after she passes away!
But Brooke knows all about Rafe's ruthlessness. Three years ago, at 19, she was Jacqui and part of a dance trope, when Rafe had swept her off her feet, only for the fairytale to be shattered when she was impregnated, abandoned, and her child ruthlessly taken from her as Rafe publicly humiliated her.
An accident leaves her scarred, and plastic surgery gives her the much needed new identity. And now as she resides in the cottage neighboring Charlwood estate, she takes the chance be close to her son Robert again!
What a beautiful story. I am usually wary of such second chance romances, but this was very well done.
Their first marriage was troubled, especially with Rafe's OTT possessiveness, Jacqui's naivity and other family/social factors- mixed with lack of communications.
However, the second chance was much better. I really admired how strong Brooke was. Her scenes with Robert were heartwarming, and so was her subtle confrontations with Rafe. Filled with passionate lovemaking, I admired both for being celibate and especially that we finally got to see the real Rafe- in contrast to the presumed the worst of him (because of how he was portrayed in the flashbacks).
I also liked the character growth in Patrick, Rosemary and the nannys' because at one point everyone seemed evil, until they were'nt!
Woot woot for a good groveling hero and angst. If you like a crazy jealous hero making an ass of himself, and actually having geuine regrets, this one is for you.
Safe
4.5/5
When Brooke Adamson's closest friend Jocelyn gets sick, she expects antagonism from her nephew Rafe, especially as Jocelyn leaves the Charlwood cottage in the will to Brooke after she passes away!
But Brooke knows all about Rafe's ruthlessness. Three years ago, at 19, she was Jacqui and part of a dance trope, when Rafe had swept her off her feet, only for the fairytale to be shattered when she was impregnated, abandoned, and her child ruthlessly taken from her as Rafe publicly humiliated her.
An accident leaves her scarred, and plastic surgery gives her the much needed new identity. And now as she resides in the cottage neighboring Charlwood estate, she takes the chance be close to her son Robert again!
What a beautiful story. I am usually wary of such second chance romances, but this was very well done.
Their first marriage was troubled, especially with Rafe's OTT possessiveness, Jacqui's naivity and other family/social factors- mixed with lack of communications.
However, the second chance was much better. I really admired how strong Brooke was. Her scenes with Robert were heartwarming, and so was her subtle confrontations with Rafe. Filled with passionate lovemaking, I admired both for being celibate and especially that we finally got to see the real Rafe- in contrast to the presumed the worst of him (because of how he was portrayed in the flashbacks).
I also liked the character growth in Patrick, Rosemary and the nannys' because at one point everyone seemed evil, until they were'nt!
Woot woot for a good groveling hero and angst. If you like a crazy jealous hero making an ass of himself, and actually having geuine regrets, this one is for you.
Safe
4.5/5
June 28, 2013
The heroine left me cold. I thought she was extremely self-centered and immature and the alpha but caring and tender hero was too good for her. Still it was a fun enjoyable ride. It was worth the read!
June 29, 2021
First Read : 4.25 ⭐
Reread : 4.5 ⭐
🥺🥺💞💖
Reread : 4.5 ⭐
🥺🥺💞💖
June 6, 2023
Now and then I just want a little love story !!
November 27, 2015
Oh, where can I start? I’m truly in a minority here based on all these 5-star reviews. I know, I know its older HP which I normally try to avoid and I shouldn’t expect much but come on… There were so many suspend believe moments and situations that, at some point, I stopped counting them.
The whole premise is ridiculous. The ex-wife survived a deadly crash just 3 years ago right after divorce, ended up in a hospital, elected to undergo numerous cosmetic surgeries to the point of being unrecognizable, and went back to be near her son. And her ex-husband is not aware she survived even though she ended up living right on his property. I kept thinking what the heck? How could this happen? It's only been few years. She doesn't have any scars, no other physical injury that could be attributed to the serious crash that left her almost dead. How did the hospital not know who she was when her husband’s aunt got to visit her? Where did she get money to do all of this? Well, at least the money part was explained as a divorced settlement. Are we to believe that the husband is not aware that somebody is withdrawing money from the dead ex-wife's divorce settlement? Don’t worry, it was explained that the husband has too much money to care about such a trivial thing. Right…
And this ladies and gentlemen, is just exhibit A in a catalog of unbelievable moments.
There is, of cause, a typical overbearing-irrational-ultra-possessive alpha male of the hero and the heroine who was first so seduced by his power that she allowed him to impugn her character, separate her from her son, and define court orders. AGHHH... I know I should've dnf the story as soon as I realized it was a re-print of an older HP and not a new release...My bad :(
The whole premise is ridiculous. The ex-wife survived a deadly crash just 3 years ago right after divorce, ended up in a hospital, elected to undergo numerous cosmetic surgeries to the point of being unrecognizable, and went back to be near her son. And her ex-husband is not aware she survived even though she ended up living right on his property. I kept thinking what the heck? How could this happen? It's only been few years. She doesn't have any scars, no other physical injury that could be attributed to the serious crash that left her almost dead. How did the hospital not know who she was when her husband’s aunt got to visit her? Where did she get money to do all of this? Well, at least the money part was explained as a divorced settlement. Are we to believe that the husband is not aware that somebody is withdrawing money from the dead ex-wife's divorce settlement? Don’t worry, it was explained that the husband has too much money to care about such a trivial thing. Right…
And this ladies and gentlemen, is just exhibit A in a catalog of unbelievable moments.
There is, of cause, a typical overbearing-irrational-ultra-possessive alpha male of the hero and the heroine who was first so seduced by his power that she allowed him to impugn her character, separate her from her son, and define court orders. AGHHH... I know I should've dnf the story as soon as I realized it was a re-print of an older HP and not a new release...My bad :(
March 4, 2017
"A Love Lost" is a book about second chances and a mother's love.
Jacqi was 19 when she married successful businessman Rafe Charlwood. She married for love and thought her husband did too. Sadly she soon learned that wasn't the case. Before she knew it, she was accused of infidelity and locked out of her home and separated from her baby. Falling apart, she travelled with her friends and former dance troupe to America where a horrible car crash killed her and three other dancers.
Three years later, Brooke Adamson had been introduced as a friend to the elderly Josefine Charlwood, aunt to Rafe. Aunt Josephine is ill and upon her passing bequeathed her cottage on the Charlwood estate to Brooke.
Rafe resents Brooke's closeness to his aunt and that she has been left the cottage. As they interact with each other Brooke learns more about Rafe's relationship with his wife, Jacqi. It's a eye opening experience for her. Soon she and Rafe become closer than she expected and her secrets are revealed.
I loved the Jacqui/Brooke character. Her strength to endure all she did and fight her way back to her son - anyway she could- was beautiful.
A lot of reviewers didn't like Rafe. I found myself feeling compassion for him as I read. He was a man who was in such deep pain. He hid it well, but even before the climax of the story I saw his vulnerability. His love for Jacqui became obvious when he could/wouldn't talk about her.
If you read one book this year, you should seriously consider this as a contender. It is so worth the read.
Jacqi was 19 when she married successful businessman Rafe Charlwood. She married for love and thought her husband did too. Sadly she soon learned that wasn't the case. Before she knew it, she was accused of infidelity and locked out of her home and separated from her baby. Falling apart, she travelled with her friends and former dance troupe to America where a horrible car crash killed her and three other dancers.
Three years later, Brooke Adamson had been introduced as a friend to the elderly Josefine Charlwood, aunt to Rafe. Aunt Josephine is ill and upon her passing bequeathed her cottage on the Charlwood estate to Brooke.
Rafe resents Brooke's closeness to his aunt and that she has been left the cottage. As they interact with each other Brooke learns more about Rafe's relationship with his wife, Jacqi. It's a eye opening experience for her. Soon she and Rafe become closer than she expected and her secrets are revealed.
I loved the Jacqui/Brooke character. Her strength to endure all she did and fight her way back to her son - anyway she could- was beautiful.
A lot of reviewers didn't like Rafe. I found myself feeling compassion for him as I read. He was a man who was in such deep pain. He hid it well, but even before the climax of the story I saw his vulnerability. His love for Jacqui became obvious when he could/wouldn't talk about her.
If you read one book this year, you should seriously consider this as a contender. It is so worth the read.
January 12, 2020
An oldie that is a goldie ... worth the re-read and this book definitely belongs on the HP must read list ... the plot is so over the top it actually makes sense ... it works ..
and can I just say, the prolonged grovel by the H is totally delicious!
and can I just say, the prolonged grovel by the H is totally delicious!
November 16, 2019
Wow. What an utterly riveting plot that just ravaged my soul. Having kids of my own, I could barely fathom the pain of being separated from a child, and that too at their tender age of 6 months.
The storyline was unusual, one that I’ve never read in an HP so far but certainly have watched a few movies based on it. After this book, I’m a Carole Mortimer fan for life.
The restrain and helplessness of Brooke broke my heart. I adored the intimate relationship she had with Rafe’s aunt and how she ultimately helps them reconcile. Both the h and H were living in their own hell and didn’t know what they’d done in their respective marriages to have them fall apart.
This was a book that sat deeply with my feelings. Little Robert was also a sweet, kind kid. I felt bad on his behalf having been brought up by nannies solely when his mother was right there and available. I can’t imagine ever letting anyone else touch my kids with a ten foot pole if i can help it.
I loved both the h and H and their chemistry was coming out of the pages. They were soul mates and CM did perfect justice on writing their story. This will go straight to my comfort-reading pile forever! I also couldn’t stop thinking of an old song that just went with this book and is often on my playlist: Lost in love by Air supply :)
The storyline was unusual, one that I’ve never read in an HP so far but certainly have watched a few movies based on it. After this book, I’m a Carole Mortimer fan for life.
The restrain and helplessness of Brooke broke my heart. I adored the intimate relationship she had with Rafe’s aunt and how she ultimately helps them reconcile. Both the h and H were living in their own hell and didn’t know what they’d done in their respective marriages to have them fall apart.
This was a book that sat deeply with my feelings. Little Robert was also a sweet, kind kid. I felt bad on his behalf having been brought up by nannies solely when his mother was right there and available. I can’t imagine ever letting anyone else touch my kids with a ten foot pole if i can help it.
I loved both the h and H and their chemistry was coming out of the pages. They were soul mates and CM did perfect justice on writing their story. This will go straight to my comfort-reading pile forever! I also couldn’t stop thinking of an old song that just went with this book and is often on my playlist: Lost in love by Air supply :)
August 31, 2012
This one was a lot of fun with many exciting moments. Some of the other reviews summarize it pretty well.
I thought the plot was interesting and original, though creative license is definitely at work.
The heroine, although insecure during the flashbacks, is strong and enpowered, particularly after she reinvents herself. The hero is HORRIBLE and flawed. He is never really redeemed completely IMO, but I feel that his actions were the result of his own insecurities and I feel that he's sincerely remorseful at the end.
I didn't like some of her minor choices at the end and since his excuses weren't totally believable, I knocked off a star, but don't let that stop you. It's definitely a great read.
I thought the plot was interesting and original, though creative license is definitely at work.
The heroine, although insecure during the flashbacks, is strong and enpowered, particularly after she reinvents herself. The hero is HORRIBLE and flawed. He is never really redeemed completely IMO, but I feel that his actions were the result of his own insecurities and I feel that he's sincerely remorseful at the end.
I didn't like some of her minor choices at the end and since his excuses weren't totally believable, I knocked off a star, but don't let that stop you. It's definitely a great read.
avoid
May 1, 2017He was nice to her when he HAD to be.
She was no longer naive and young, she knows how to strike back.
She probably is strong enough to fight for the kid's custody.
So he basically is a textbook bully, who can't do anything when people strike back.
And he has history of rape, abuse and domestic violence.
I can't really bring myself to read this.
This really isn't my idea of romance.
She was no longer naive and young, she knows how to strike back.
She probably is strong enough to fight for the kid's custody.
So he basically is a textbook bully, who can't do anything when people strike back.
And he has history of rape, abuse and domestic violence.
I can't really bring myself to read this.
This really isn't my idea of romance.
February 25, 2017
Sometimes I regret reading spoilers; this was one of those times. Not that I'll ever stop opening every spoiler I see. But yeah I would have enjoyed this book even more if I'd gone in blind. Learn from my mistake! This was a good story, go read it unspoiled! If you're undisciplined like me, read on...
Mostly I appreciated how Brooke had matured. As Jacqui, she had genuinely come to fear her husband. She couldn't fit into his life and didn't have the confidence to even take charge of the household, or put her foot down about things like taking care of her child herself. As Brooke, she not only has more confidence in herself but also gained understanding into what makes Rafe tick, and how he operates. She can now see beyond his cold and angry manner, and see that it's his reflex mechanism for masking his uncertainties.
Of course, it was super-delicious seeing Rafe all tortured with his mixed-up feelings. He's never felt any passion or interest since Jacqui died, until he meets Brooke, and the chest-twisting heartache is all there when he gets all wretched over calling Jacqui's name by accident when he's getting hot and heavy with Brooke, crying out about how he's going to be haunted for the rest of his life. Mmm angsty goodness, give me your bloody tears~!
Since I got spoiler-fied (and now you will be too unless you stop reading right now!
Anyways this was a very enthralling read and had heaps of gut-twisting angst. I thoroughly enjoyed it and if I were a smart person I'd learn my lesson about spoilers but I won't.
Mostly I appreciated how Brooke had matured. As Jacqui, she had genuinely come to fear her husband. She couldn't fit into his life and didn't have the confidence to even take charge of the household, or put her foot down about things like taking care of her child herself. As Brooke, she not only has more confidence in herself but also gained understanding into what makes Rafe tick, and how he operates. She can now see beyond his cold and angry manner, and see that it's his reflex mechanism for masking his uncertainties.
Of course, it was super-delicious seeing Rafe all tortured with his mixed-up feelings. He's never felt any passion or interest since Jacqui died, until he meets Brooke, and the chest-twisting heartache is all there when he gets all wretched over calling Jacqui's name by accident when he's getting hot and heavy with Brooke, crying out about how he's going to be haunted for the rest of his life. Mmm angsty goodness, give me your bloody tears~!
Since I got spoiler-fied (and now you will be too unless you stop reading right now!
Anyways this was a very enthralling read and had heaps of gut-twisting angst. I thoroughly enjoyed it and if I were a smart person I'd learn my lesson about spoilers but I won't.
February 19, 2021
The worst hero ever in one of the best romantic/ fantasy book ever. Fantasy because it is unbelievable. But it's the peculiar story that makes the point. We have a heroine who marries an older stuff man and is always left by herself and with his evil family. They have a son and he accuses her of cheating, throws her away and asks for full custody of their son, then he doesn't let her see him any longer. Heroine goes to America and has an accident. She pretends she's dead and with some plastic surgery (!!!!) she changes and goes back because she wants to stay with her son. She and the hero (who doesn't recognizes her but is strangely attracted by her) starts an affair and eventually it turns out that he already knew who she was and that he always loved her and he wants her back. He only prevented her from seeing their son because he wanted her to come back to him. The manic. Obviously he didn't think about their son's welfare, that an infant deprived of his own mother can have permanent damages. No, he was only using the little one for his dirty purposes. I think she should have locked him up in an asylum because this behaviour is not a sane person's one, or al least she should have gone straight to a lawyer ( a very good one) and ask for a restraining order because the man is toxic as poison. But this is Fantasyland and so she decides that she always loved him, even if he separated her and her infant son for three years. No words about the insanity of this book but I enjoyed it like the masochist that I am. Because it's unique.
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