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No Alternative
Kyle Endfield was a man of ruthless ambition, totally committed to power - which was why his marriage to Lynda had had to end; she had left him before he could destroy her utterly.
But now circumstances had enabled Kyle to force her to remarry him. Had anything changed, though? Would Lynda have enough strength to survive the experience a second time?
And why did Kyle want her anyway, when Olivia Schofield was still around, and still so much more suitable for Kyle than Lynda had ever been?
But now circumstances had enabled Kyle to force her to remarry him. Had anything changed, though? Would Lynda have enough strength to survive the experience a second time?
And why did Kyle want her anyway, when Olivia Schofield was still around, and still so much more suitable for Kyle than Lynda had ever been?
188 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 29, 1983
About the author
Margaret Way
623 books164 followersMargaret Way was born and educated in the river city of Brisbane, Australia. Before her marriage she was a well-known pianist, teacher, vocal coach and accompanist, but her hectic musical career came to a halt when her son was born and the demands of motherhood dictated a change of pace.
On a fortuitous impulse she decided to try her hand at romance writing and was thrilled when Mills & Boon accepted her first effort, Time of the Jacaranda, which they published less than a year later in 1970; a feat that brought tears to her father's eyes. Some seventy odd books have followed resulting in a loyal readership whose letters provide a source of support and encouragement. A driving force in all her writing has been the promotion of her much loved country, Australia. She delights in bringing it alive for her readers; its people, way of life, environment, flora and fauna. Her efforts so far have not excited official recognition, but she expects one day she will be awarded the "Order of Australia."
Her interests remain with the arts. She still plays the piano seriously, but her "top Cs" have gone. She is still addicted to collecting antiques and paintings and browsing through galleries. She now lives within sight and sound of beautiful Moreton Bay and its islands, inspiration for some of her books. Her house is full of books, spectacular plants, Chinese screens and pots. She is devoted to her garden and spends much time "directing the design and digging and providing cold drinks and chocolates."
On a fortuitous impulse she decided to try her hand at romance writing and was thrilled when Mills & Boon accepted her first effort, Time of the Jacaranda, which they published less than a year later in 1970; a feat that brought tears to her father's eyes. Some seventy odd books have followed resulting in a loyal readership whose letters provide a source of support and encouragement. A driving force in all her writing has been the promotion of her much loved country, Australia. She delights in bringing it alive for her readers; its people, way of life, environment, flora and fauna. Her efforts so far have not excited official recognition, but she expects one day she will be awarded the "Order of Australia."
Her interests remain with the arts. She still plays the piano seriously, but her "top Cs" have gone. She is still addicted to collecting antiques and paintings and browsing through galleries. She now lives within sight and sound of beautiful Moreton Bay and its islands, inspiration for some of her books. Her house is full of books, spectacular plants, Chinese screens and pots. She is devoted to her garden and spends much time "directing the design and digging and providing cold drinks and chocolates."
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 20, 2016
This is really 2.5 stars. I was excited to read this book based on the blurb. All my favorites! A forced second marriage because the heroine's brother stole money from his ex-brother in law to feed his gambling habit. The heroine heartbroken, yet still in love with the husband whom she thought he cheated on her. ! An angry hero who won't declare his love, only that he wants her back in his bed! A scheming family!
So I re-read this today and I liked it so much better! I didn't have the same expectations that I did for the first reading. I was interested in the hero this time and I noticed what a great job the author did showing his hurt and his bewilderment at the heroine's betrayal. His entire family was still ridiculous and the heroine was a little too quick to forgive the sister and mother-in-law, but even without the angst, it was an interesting story for the mood I was in. I'm astonished at how my mood and my expectations can affect how much I enjoy a story.
So I re-read this today and I liked it so much better! I didn't have the same expectations that I did for the first reading. I was interested in the hero this time and I noticed what a great job the author did showing his hurt and his bewilderment at the heroine's betrayal. His entire family was still ridiculous and the heroine was a little too quick to forgive the sister and mother-in-law, but even without the angst, it was an interesting story for the mood I was in. I'm astonished at how my mood and my expectations can affect how much I enjoy a story.
May 26, 2020
In-laws from hell and a conniving OW succeed in breaking up the short marriage of hero and heroine. Obsessed hero bides his time until the perfect opportunity lands in his lap to force the heroine to marry him again (though he doesn't force her into his bed, she goes in it quite willingly).
Mother-in-law wants to make peace this time around but sister-in-law and OW don't bother hiding their hate and doing more mischief.
I thought it was utterly implausible that heroine never confronted the hero with the malicious gossip that hero and OW were continuing their steamy affair despite marriage to heroine. The first time around when heroine was young and naive, maybe. But the second time around? Why in the world would she cover up for her tormentors? And then take the blame wholly upon herself?
Up to the last page of the book, hero still entertains a civil friendship with OW and the OW is still trying to set heroine up. I don't know if I believe in his promise that he won't let her interfere in their marriage any longer. Why does the heroine have to suffer this snout-nosed viper at every family function, party and social event for eternity?
The hero and heroine suffered greatly and unnecessarily for two years. Was it too much to ask that author writes a scene to properly put OW in her place and firmly and finally cut her ties to hero? As it is, we are supposed to accept that being an impoverished, thirty-year old "spinster" will be sufficient just desserts :~{
Mother-in-law wants to make peace this time around but sister-in-law and OW don't bother hiding their hate and doing more mischief.
I thought it was utterly implausible that heroine never confronted the hero with the malicious gossip that hero and OW were continuing their steamy affair despite marriage to heroine. The first time around when heroine was young and naive, maybe. But the second time around? Why in the world would she cover up for her tormentors? And then take the blame wholly upon herself?
Up to the last page of the book, hero still entertains a civil friendship with OW and the OW is still trying to set heroine up. I don't know if I believe in his promise that he won't let her interfere in their marriage any longer. Why does the heroine have to suffer this snout-nosed viper at every family function, party and social event for eternity?
The hero and heroine suffered greatly and unnecessarily for two years. Was it too much to ask that author writes a scene to properly put OW in her place and firmly and finally cut her ties to hero? As it is, we are supposed to accept that being an impoverished, thirty-year old "spinster" will be sufficient just desserts :~{
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2016
I enjoy reading Margaret Way as her h-H have a real connect, and the emotional/physical chemistry tends to be on the side of intensely passionate. Her Hs are good looking dominant alpha males, which is the only way to be imo. Her hs are invariably very beautiful and the perfect Mary Sues; and have an om or two hankering after them. So is this one, following the tradition but overdoing it a bit and chaffing on your credulity some.
She is a complacent one, the kinds who don’t have to raise a finger to be perfect, envied. She acts the tragic fragile beauty while easily vanquishing her adversaries or sorting out other people’s lives for them. All that is fine but the H keeps banging his head against this angsty wall she has created, asking some very pertinent questions but she never peeps a word on why she left him two years ago and divorced him! Not then, not now when he forces/blackmails her into remarriage. She prefers to sigh and mope around while winning over her previously hostile in-laws. It’s only the poor besotted H who doesn’t deserve an explanation. And he asks repeatedly. Oh, he gets plenty of sex but nothing much else. So he is forgiven for thinking that she is mentally unstable and requires psychiatric intervention! You don’t get that a lot.
It is the classic case of non-communication where the wife walks away thinking her husband has cheated (based on other ppl’s word!), leaving him bewildered and without a word or even asking for an explanation. Is she stupid or STUPID! And I thoroughly disliked how she never truly discourages the poor om, while knowing how crazy he's about her.
I liked the H a lot. He is one besotted sod and which is evident to everyone but her. Like in another MW book The Hungry Heart , he still considers them married in spite of the divorce. The blurb does him a disservice, painting him ruthless and power hungry. Well, he is ruthless like any other alpha H, but then that is the only way to be in HPland if you want to bring a truculent h to her senses (if not to heel)! As for power hungry, he doesn’t need to be - power clings to him regardless. But seriously, apart from that poison she was fed by other ppl, he never neglected her in spite of being very busy or mistreated her in any way. So it was the case of too much tstl on the part of the h that led to the separation. The in laws did ignore her or put her down but as she confesses that never bothered her per se.
The secondary characters are caricatured but they meshed well in the story. Almost each and every character that enters the narrative gets to share their pov which was peculiar but worked for me.
She is a complacent one, the kinds who don’t have to raise a finger to be perfect, envied. She acts the tragic fragile beauty while easily vanquishing her adversaries or sorting out other people’s lives for them. All that is fine but the H keeps banging his head against this angsty wall she has created, asking some very pertinent questions but she never peeps a word on why she left him two years ago and divorced him! Not then, not now when he forces/blackmails her into remarriage. She prefers to sigh and mope around while winning over her previously hostile in-laws. It’s only the poor besotted H who doesn’t deserve an explanation. And he asks repeatedly. Oh, he gets plenty of sex but nothing much else. So he is forgiven for thinking that she is mentally unstable and requires psychiatric intervention! You don’t get that a lot.
It is the classic case of non-communication where the wife walks away thinking her husband has cheated (based on other ppl’s word!), leaving him bewildered and without a word or even asking for an explanation. Is she stupid or STUPID! And I thoroughly disliked how she never truly discourages the poor om, while knowing how crazy he's about her.
I liked the H a lot. He is one besotted sod and which is evident to everyone but her. Like in another MW book The Hungry Heart , he still considers them married in spite of the divorce. The blurb does him a disservice, painting him ruthless and power hungry. Well, he is ruthless like any other alpha H, but then that is the only way to be in HPland if you want to bring a truculent h to her senses (if not to heel)! As for power hungry, he doesn’t need to be - power clings to him regardless. But seriously, apart from that poison she was fed by other ppl, he never neglected her in spite of being very busy or mistreated her in any way. So it was the case of too much tstl on the part of the h that led to the separation. The in laws did ignore her or put her down but as she confesses that never bothered her per se.
The secondary characters are caricatured but they meshed well in the story. Almost each and every character that enters the narrative gets to share their pov which was peculiar but worked for me.
May 18, 2016
2008 review: MY THOUGHTS: I like the synopsis of the back and I kinda liked the characters what I didn't like was how the story flowed/dialogue. The writing kinda seemed childish. This is the first time I read this author's books. The way the characters spoke just seemed a bit off. I usually read Anne Mather, Charlotte Lamb, etc. Otherwise, the book was alright. I thought it was sweet that the hero never ever gave up the heroine - even though she was very unjust of condemning him without even telling him, etc. etc.
March 17, 2022
Very disappointing that there was no on-page comeuppance for evil ow, but I suppose mature to walk away like she's nothing. Also frustrating was the heroine refusing to communicate to the hero, his confusion flew off the pages and it got annoying. Knowing something is being held against you, and not knowing what it is or being able to defend yourself... I felt for him.
Those two issues held it back from a 4 star vintage read.
Those two issues held it back from a 4 star vintage read.
abrierto-to-read-hr-other
May 24, 2020Kyle Endfield was a man of ruthless ambition, totally committed to power - which was why his marriage to Lynda had had to end; she had left him before he could destroy her utterly.
But now circumstances had enabled Kyle to force her to remarry him. Had anything changed, though? Would Lynda have enough strength to survive the experience a second time?
And why did Kyle want her anyway, when Olivia Schofield was still around, and still so much more suitable for Kyle than Lynda had ever been?
But now circumstances had enabled Kyle to force her to remarry him. Had anything changed, though? Would Lynda have enough strength to survive the experience a second time?
And why did Kyle want her anyway, when Olivia Schofield was still around, and still so much more suitable for Kyle than Lynda had ever been?
October 12, 2023
So so. Every character seems very fridged. No one is fun to read about. Rich people problems. Not great, but the plot isn't bad. I say skip.
April 28, 2024
Easy to read. Very low stakes. It didn’t take Lynda much to fall back in love with Kyle. I enjoyed the writing in this more than some of Way’s other works.
November 6, 2025
This book went a bit too far, in having the h, Lynda, able to sort out the lives of her mixed-up in-laws in seemingly no time at all, whereas she had years to straighten out her selfish, wayward brother, Martin and never made any headway. Not to mention her failure to either trust or have faith in her ex (and once again) husband (Kyle), instead believing the supposed OW and her needy, resentful sister-in-law with the attitude problem.
To be honest, I don't know why Kyle wanted her back so badly, as she never even bothered to tell him why she suddenly wanted a divorce and never wanted to see him again. Instead, he uses her brother's embezzling money from his company to blackmail her into remarrying him. He goes from being angry and bitter, calling her "sick" and needing help for her behavior in ending their marriage, to telling her how much he needs and wants her. Of course, there's a strong physical bond that keeps bursting into flame, despite his hurt and resentment, and her fear to trust or be honest. But since they were more miserable apart, they were better off together, in what was a very shaky second marriage.
Yet, in no time at all, Lynda has made her spoiled playboy brother-in-law, Joel figure out that he can use his tennis skills to teach the sport, as well as start a whole sporting complex, in partnership with a friend who was just waiting for that opportunity himself! And, that crummy Christine (who all of a sudden is oh-so-sorry for all the trouble she caused, with a lot of Boo Hoo Hoo) can use her so far useless cooking degree to some use after all! And her formerly remote, snobbish mother-in-law almost overnight becomes her best friend, starts getting back in touch with her neglected musical talent, stops mourning her long-dead hubby and noticing the family friend whose been by her side like a faithful dog all these years (apparently a neutered one, since he supposedly didn't have any other women all that time).
Can you say "Pollyanna"?
Can you say "Baloney!"
Throw in a clingy, pushy, oversexed OW who can't accept when she's not wanted, and a ridiculous older man OM who comes across as a real nincompoop, and you've got a book that's too laughable to work out well.
Do yourself a favor and skip it!
To be honest, I don't know why Kyle wanted her back so badly, as she never even bothered to tell him why she suddenly wanted a divorce and never wanted to see him again. Instead, he uses her brother's embezzling money from his company to blackmail her into remarrying him. He goes from being angry and bitter, calling her "sick" and needing help for her behavior in ending their marriage, to telling her how much he needs and wants her. Of course, there's a strong physical bond that keeps bursting into flame, despite his hurt and resentment, and her fear to trust or be honest. But since they were more miserable apart, they were better off together, in what was a very shaky second marriage.
Yet, in no time at all, Lynda has made her spoiled playboy brother-in-law, Joel figure out that he can use his tennis skills to teach the sport, as well as start a whole sporting complex, in partnership with a friend who was just waiting for that opportunity himself! And, that crummy Christine (who all of a sudden is oh-so-sorry for all the trouble she caused, with a lot of Boo Hoo Hoo) can use her so far useless cooking degree to some use after all! And her formerly remote, snobbish mother-in-law almost overnight becomes her best friend, starts getting back in touch with her neglected musical talent, stops mourning her long-dead hubby and noticing the family friend whose been by her side like a faithful dog all these years (apparently a neutered one, since he supposedly didn't have any other women all that time).
Can you say "Pollyanna"?
Can you say "Baloney!"
Throw in a clingy, pushy, oversexed OW who can't accept when she's not wanted, and a ridiculous older man OM who comes across as a real nincompoop, and you've got a book that's too laughable to work out well.
Do yourself a favor and skip it!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews