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The Best Is Yet To Come
THE SECOND TIME AROUND... As a young secretary, Ivy McKenzie fell hopelessly in love with tycoon Ryder Calaway. But the searing passion that sizzled between them--and Ryder's cool rejection--sent innocent Ivy running. Now, five years later, Ivy discovered that Ryder's magnetic virility was still as daunting--and harder than ever to evade. Jet-setter Ryder had always gotten what he wanted--except for Ivy. For years, he'd waited for her, longed for her. Now she was free, and Ryder's patience was at an end. This time, he vowed to make her irrevocably his. Given this precious second chance, could he convince sweet Ivy that the best was yet to come?
189 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 1991
235 people are currently reading
536 people want to read
About the author
Diana Palmer
1,046 books3,098 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Diana Palmer is a pseudonym for author Susan Kyle.
(1)romance author
Susan Eloise Spaeth was born on 11 December 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. She was the eldest daughter of Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and also journalist, and William Olin Spaeth, a college professor. Her mother was part of the women's liberation movement many years before it became fashionable. Her best friends are her mother and her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), who now has two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie and lives in Utah. Susan grew up reading Zane Grey and fell in love with cowboys. Susan is a former newspaper reporter, with sixteen years experience on both daily and weekly newspapers. Since 1972, she has been married to James Kyle and have since settled down in Cornelia, Georgia, where she started to write romance novels. Susan and her husband have one son, Blayne Edward, born in 1980.
She began selling romances in 1979 as Diana Palmer. She also used the pseudonyms Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, and her married name: Susan Kyle. Now, she has over 40 million copies of her books in print, which have been translated and published around the world. She is listed in numerous publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, The Writers Directory by St. James Press, the International Who's Who of Authors and Writers by Meirose Press, Ltd., and Love's Leading Ladies by Kathryn Falk. Her awards include seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, several Affaire de Coeur awards, and two regional RWA awards.
Inspired by her husband, who quit a blue-collar manufacturing job to return to school and get his diploma in computer programming, Susan herself went back to college as a day student at the age of 45. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, with a major in history and a double minor in archaeology and Spanish. She was named to two honor societies (the Torch Club and Alpha Chi), and was named to the National Dean's List. In addition to her writing projects, she is currently working on her master's degree in history at California State University. She hopes to specialize in Native American studies. She is a member of the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Cattlemen's Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, the Planetary Society, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Sheriff's Association, and numerous conservation and charitable organizations. Her hobbies include gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy and music.
In 1998, her husband retired from his own computer business and now pursues skeet shooting medals in local, state, national and international competition. They love riding around and looking at the countryside, watching sci-fi on TV and at the movies, just talking and eating out.
Diana Palmer is a pseudonym for author Susan Kyle.
(1)romance author
Susan Eloise Spaeth was born on 11 December 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. She was the eldest daughter of Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and also journalist, and William Olin Spaeth, a college professor. Her mother was part of the women's liberation movement many years before it became fashionable. Her best friends are her mother and her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), who now has two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie and lives in Utah. Susan grew up reading Zane Grey and fell in love with cowboys. Susan is a former newspaper reporter, with sixteen years experience on both daily and weekly newspapers. Since 1972, she has been married to James Kyle and have since settled down in Cornelia, Georgia, where she started to write romance novels. Susan and her husband have one son, Blayne Edward, born in 1980.
She began selling romances in 1979 as Diana Palmer. She also used the pseudonyms Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, and her married name: Susan Kyle. Now, she has over 40 million copies of her books in print, which have been translated and published around the world. She is listed in numerous publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, The Writers Directory by St. James Press, the International Who's Who of Authors and Writers by Meirose Press, Ltd., and Love's Leading Ladies by Kathryn Falk. Her awards include seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, several Affaire de Coeur awards, and two regional RWA awards.
Inspired by her husband, who quit a blue-collar manufacturing job to return to school and get his diploma in computer programming, Susan herself went back to college as a day student at the age of 45. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, with a major in history and a double minor in archaeology and Spanish. She was named to two honor societies (the Torch Club and Alpha Chi), and was named to the National Dean's List. In addition to her writing projects, she is currently working on her master's degree in history at California State University. She hopes to specialize in Native American studies. She is a member of the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Cattlemen's Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, the Planetary Society, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Sheriff's Association, and numerous conservation and charitable organizations. Her hobbies include gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy and music.
In 1998, her husband retired from his own computer business and now pursues skeet shooting medals in local, state, national and international competition. They love riding around and looking at the countryside, watching sci-fi on TV and at the movies, just talking and eating out.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
June 25, 2024
The trope is that heroine married OM even though she was desperately in love with hero. Book starts when she is freshly widowed and meeting the hero again. I just don't like this kind of trope at all, when the hero or heroine married someone else and their happiness hinges on the demise of their spouse :(
October 8, 2021
And to think that I thought I saw it all.
Here we have a specimen I still hadn't encountered before: the almost-virgin.
This was too hilarious and I had to stop before I laughed too much since there were people around me.
Then there's another strange and unusual thing here, a good and decent hero.
yes, i don't think I will find another even if I read all DP's books.
I had to check two or three times if the book was really written by DP.
Actually some patterns are usual DP.
The heroine was in love with the hero when she was a teenager and once she tried to seduce him.
He stopped her and refused her advances but in a sweet way. He's not hurtful and cruel as usually DP's heroes are.
Anyway she was traumatized by his rejection and, thinking he considered her only a nuisance, she married another man, who turned out a drunk and an abusive.
When he dies, the hero is back to her and thinking she was in love with om, he tries to make her forget him.
There's a BM here, with the heroine who has always been in love with the hero and so feels guilty because she was unable to love her husband and to enjoy sex with him, and thinks he drank because of her, and the hero who thinks she loved her husband and still loves him.
Of course eventually the truth is revealed but the best moment was when she finally had sex with him.
Despite having (unsatisfying) sex with her husband, she's partially a virgin and the hero is very pleased that she could give him at least a little part of her virginity.
No, really, are you serious???
Apart from the very bad male chauvinism that I find very very annoying...
I'm wondering how this could be possible.
Had she a super strong hymen? or was it a strange case of an hymen who rigenerated itself after each coupling?
Or maybe her husband has a very small and thin and short ...
And why am I trying to examine such an absurdity???
Whatever.
The hero was good and nice and patient, and he was really besotted with the heroine since she first proposed to him, but he thought she was too young and he wanted her to grow up. Unfortunately she married on the rebound he had to wait for her for years. And he waited, completely, because he was celibate during their separation, despite her being married.
This is what I call true love: utter and complete devotion.
And I'm so delighted and surprised that it came from DP, who usually doesn't allow her heroes to be celibate for more than one week.
I enjoyed it very much.
Here we have a specimen I still hadn't encountered before: the almost-virgin.
This was too hilarious and I had to stop before I laughed too much since there were people around me.
Then there's another strange and unusual thing here, a good and decent hero.
yes, i don't think I will find another even if I read all DP's books.
I had to check two or three times if the book was really written by DP.
Actually some patterns are usual DP.
The heroine was in love with the hero when she was a teenager and once she tried to seduce him.
He stopped her and refused her advances but in a sweet way. He's not hurtful and cruel as usually DP's heroes are.
Anyway she was traumatized by his rejection and, thinking he considered her only a nuisance, she married another man, who turned out a drunk and an abusive.
When he dies, the hero is back to her and thinking she was in love with om, he tries to make her forget him.
There's a BM here, with the heroine who has always been in love with the hero and so feels guilty because she was unable to love her husband and to enjoy sex with him, and thinks he drank because of her, and the hero who thinks she loved her husband and still loves him.
Of course eventually the truth is revealed but the best moment was when she finally had sex with him.
Despite having (unsatisfying) sex with her husband, she's partially a virgin and the hero is very pleased that she could give him at least a little part of her virginity.
No, really, are you serious???
Apart from the very bad male chauvinism that I find very very annoying...
I'm wondering how this could be possible.
Had she a super strong hymen? or was it a strange case of an hymen who rigenerated itself after each coupling?
Or maybe her husband has a very small and thin and short ...
And why am I trying to examine such an absurdity???
Whatever.
The hero was good and nice and patient, and he was really besotted with the heroine since she first proposed to him, but he thought she was too young and he wanted her to grow up. Unfortunately she married on the rebound he had to wait for her for years. And he waited, completely, because he was celibate during their separation, despite her being married.
This is what I call true love: utter and complete devotion.
And I'm so delighted and surprised that it came from DP, who usually doesn't allow her heroes to be celibate for more than one week.
I enjoyed it very much.
October 22, 2017
“The Best is Yet to Come” is the story of Ryder and Ivy.
When a teenage lovestruck Ivy is shunned after a passionate interlude by Ryder, she runs into the arm of Ben- who turns out to be a mentally and physically abusive husband.
Years later after his accidental death, Ivy and Ryder meet again as friends, and as sparks rekindle, the buried issues re-emerge.
A different take on the classical DP trope.
Things that annoyed me
-The couple’s refusal to address obvious issues which caused their separation first hand and also stay quiet giving rise to misunderstandings
Things I adored
-The witty banter between the couple
-The adorable mother Jean
-The cuteish, ardor filled lovemaking
-The ending
I enjoyed this one, and I really wished the couple had come to their senses sooner after reconciling.. but better later than never.
SWE
4/5
When a teenage lovestruck Ivy is shunned after a passionate interlude by Ryder, she runs into the arm of Ben- who turns out to be a mentally and physically abusive husband.
Years later after his accidental death, Ivy and Ryder meet again as friends, and as sparks rekindle, the buried issues re-emerge.
A different take on the classical DP trope.
Things that annoyed me
-The couple’s refusal to address obvious issues which caused their separation first hand and also stay quiet giving rise to misunderstandings
Things I adored
-The witty banter between the couple
-The adorable mother Jean
-The cuteish, ardor filled lovemaking
-The ending
I enjoyed this one, and I really wished the couple had come to their senses sooner after reconciling.. but better later than never.
SWE
4/5
October 16, 2016
3.5 TAKING A CHANCE STARS
This is a beautifully written story about a man who has loved the heroine from afar and rather than tell her, he keeps quiet. Unfortunately, this results in the heroine making the biggest mistake of her life.
Marriage to an abusive alcoholic!
She is trying to pick up the pieces of her broken life and the hero sees his chance to finally be with her. So when she needs a job and a friend he is there offering it to her.
He will not be silent this time, he needs to tell her how he feels but is it too soon after her husband's death?
Can he mend her damaged heart?
Will she let him?
The heroine has always loved this hero but a major misunderstanding leads her into making a mistake and she spent years paying for it.
Her self confidence is now zero, she is no longer the same innocently trusting woman she once was.
Could she take a chance on love? Or will it end in disaster.
Can she learn to trust the love and passion she sees in his eyes?
This books was actually the first time I ever read about a heroine giving the hero pleasure without asking for anything in return!
She was a selfless person and was just so damaged by her experiences at the hands of her husband that she couldn't even see what was right in front of her.
Worth a read and a re read because of the passionate love scenes. At the time I thought they were so racy steamy. Now I still see them are just passionately intense but not all that descriptive.
Safety; no cheating as they where never together before, she is married but only had bad sexual experiences and her hymen was partially intact (weird but hey it's DP the Queen of weird), some light OM/OW drama but nothing major, no safe sex (they think she can not have babies).
This is a beautifully written story about a man who has loved the heroine from afar and rather than tell her, he keeps quiet. Unfortunately, this results in the heroine making the biggest mistake of her life.
Marriage to an abusive alcoholic!
She is trying to pick up the pieces of her broken life and the hero sees his chance to finally be with her. So when she needs a job and a friend he is there offering it to her.
He will not be silent this time, he needs to tell her how he feels but is it too soon after her husband's death?
Can he mend her damaged heart?
Will she let him?
The heroine has always loved this hero but a major misunderstanding leads her into making a mistake and she spent years paying for it.
Her self confidence is now zero, she is no longer the same innocently trusting woman she once was.
Could she take a chance on love? Or will it end in disaster.
Can she learn to trust the love and passion she sees in his eyes?
This books was actually the first time I ever read about a heroine giving the hero pleasure without asking for anything in return!
She was a selfless person and was just so damaged by her experiences at the hands of her husband that she couldn't even see what was right in front of her.
Worth a read and a re read because of the passionate love scenes. At the time I thought they were so racy steamy. Now I still see them are just passionately intense but not all that descriptive.
Safety; no cheating as they where never together before, she is married but only had bad sexual experiences and her hymen was partially intact (weird but hey it's DP the Queen of weird), some light OM/OW drama but nothing major, no safe sex (they think she can not have babies).
March 9, 2020
Not my fave DP but a sweet love story. 3 stars!
dnf
January 1, 2023Bored
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2017
I do not know why but I suddenly decided to read a romance novel. It's been years and it felt kind of nostalgic . I don't know how many times I rolled my eyes at the cliched parts . I kinda missed that lmao .
April 22, 2024
You have to be in the right mood to handle DP’s OTT cringe writing. The over concerned H wasn’t doing anything for me and the MCs just hovered around what happened in the past without actually digging it deep and fixing from where it got broken.
The H and h are friends and the h falls for him and he catches her in flimsy clothing this one time but she refuses any real action. He calls her a tease and takes off. She is just SO traumatized by that rejection that she marries a total loser as rebound. Applause.
Now the husband’s dead - who btw also turned out to be abusive and of all the places worked where the H was the boss. Some created fake angst that didn’t feel real.
The MCs joke around but I didn’t feel any sparks. The h is depressed and has given up on life. Like what could possibly be more dreadful than being rejected by the H for being a virgin or getting out of an abusive marriage to an alcoholic or that you get a second chance with the H who’s still celibate for so long, holding out for you and obv he’s loaded. DP and her silly fantasies.
The H and h are friends and the h falls for him and he catches her in flimsy clothing this one time but she refuses any real action. He calls her a tease and takes off. She is just SO traumatized by that rejection that she marries a total loser as rebound. Applause.
Now the husband’s dead - who btw also turned out to be abusive and of all the places worked where the H was the boss. Some created fake angst that didn’t feel real.
The MCs joke around but I didn’t feel any sparks. The h is depressed and has given up on life. Like what could possibly be more dreadful than being rejected by the H for being a virgin or getting out of an abusive marriage to an alcoholic or that you get a second chance with the H who’s still celibate for so long, holding out for you and obv he’s loaded. DP and her silly fantasies.
September 30, 2010
Well...for once a Diana Palmer hero wasn't a total dipwad! The story, however, really irked me despite that. Beyond the fact that the hero was celibate for five years because of his love of the heroine who went off to marry an abusive man because of the hero's rejection...beyond all that craziness...there was this constant series of agonizingly obvious to anyone with a brain that, hey, there's something between you "happenings" that went mostly ignored or misinterpreted by either the hero or heroine.
It got annoying!
It got annoying!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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October 31, 2025Nicely done.
One of the few Diana palmer H who is not cruel because he loves the h.
Celibate for 5 years , wow!
One of the few Diana palmer H who is not cruel because he loves the h.
Celibate for 5 years , wow!
April 25, 2019
Diana Palmer is my go-to when I need a relaxing read that I know will end in happily ever after. Her books are all feel good reads and there are no surprises. This one is no different. After a while her books and characters get predictable, there is usually a virginal younger girl (or nearly virginal in the case of this book) and a rough, older, curmudgeon type male character who makes the young girl see how beautiful and worthy of love she is. But, if you need a feel good read you cannot go wrong with a Diana Palmer novel.
March 1, 2018
3.5 stars
May 3, 2010
3.5 stars. Here is another instance of my inexplicable interest in Diana Palmer books. I've learned to live with it and now just consider her one of my guilty pleasures. This book follows along with most of her books where there is a powerful man attracted to an unsuitable woman, he pushes her away and then later on wants her back with every fiber of his being. The biggest difference was that in this book Ryder had already been mean to Ivy and was in the "i can't live without you" phase of the story. Don't get me wrong, there was plenty of "come here"/"get away" parts to this book from both Ryder and Ivy but in the end it was a Diana Palmer book and I liked it. I will forever be a fan and will continue to wonder why I enjoy her books as much as I do.
I skipped Maternity Bride by Maureen Child (included in this book) altogether, I wasn't interested in the story line and I think I've read it before or read something similar.
I skipped Maternity Bride by Maureen Child (included in this book) altogether, I wasn't interested in the story line and I think I've read it before or read something similar.
June 11, 2011
I gave it 4 stars mainly for the 2nd story (It's 2 books in 1)....'Maternity Bride' by Maureen Child. Although I like Diana Palmer I enjoyed Maureen's book better. And gave it 4 stars and would have given Diana's 3, as there is no 3 1/2. And MOSTLY I enjoyed 'Maternity Bride' because of the (hero) Mike. Didn't care for the heroine Denise as much!!!...LOVED the long dark hair in the ponytail, leather jacket, riding a HARLEY (Riley would've loved that!) I don't know what it is, but I'm starting to have a thing for guys with long dark hair in a ponytail and blue eyes! LOL!....First Ben (In Catherine Anderson's) 'Only By Your Touch' and now Mike in 'Maternity Bride'
December 23, 2013
Not my favorite, at all. Sure, Diana Palmer is big on her angst, but this book is just full of useless misunderstanding between hero and heroine that I found ridiculous.
I don't like the heroine because she's kind of stupid and I don't like the hero either because he do nothing but brooding and living in a past.
So this book is sort of disappointment. :/
I don't like the heroine because she's kind of stupid and I don't like the hero either because he do nothing but brooding and living in a past.
So this book is sort of disappointment. :/
October 20, 2010
Not my fave DP, because I found that Ivy grated on my nerves after a while.. What I did like is that Ryder didn't hide the fact that he loves her to himself and goes after her. However all the non-dits get old pretty quickly:-)
March 31, 2025
I just couldn't read it.
Ivy met Ryder when she was a girl and became friends with his sister. He is 10 years older. Then as she became a teenager, she fell in love with him. When she was 18 and he was 28, They once had a make-out session that ended with her telling him she's a virgin, and he got mad, called her a tease and other names, and stormed out her room angry.
Ben Trent was her friend from high school, who was working for Ryder's construction company. After what happened with Ryder, and angry his reaction, Ivy thinks she has to "bury her hopeless longings" for Ryder. She starts dating Ben. He ends up being abusive. When they dated, he hurried their relationship quickly to marriage, as abusive men do. He married her when Ryder was out of the country on business. They stayed married for 3 years.
One day, Ben went to work at the construction company drunk, and was killed by the heavy equipment.
The funeral was about 6 months ago, and Ivy is now living with her mom. Ivy feels like she killed Ben, because he got into an argument with her before he went to work that day, so she blames herself for him drinking in the first place. She also never got over Ryder, and was basically frigid with Ben, and she thinks she drove a good man to drink and abuse her.
So, Ryder shows up to Ivy's mom's house one day, and they all have breakfast together. They start spending a little time together. He tells her he regrets the way he reacted that one time, and if he knew she was going to marry Ben, he would have stopped it.
Ok, I'm trying to be understanding that abuse victims are conditioned to take the blame for being abused. But the problem is, I just don't want to read about her saying "Ben, Ben, I'm so sorry Ben!" while she's kissing Ryder. There are other books I could be reading. "Oh my god, I killed Ben!" or "Ben used to say..." I'm sick of hearing about Ben. Just not my cuppa tea.
Ivy met Ryder when she was a girl and became friends with his sister. He is 10 years older. Then as she became a teenager, she fell in love with him. When she was 18 and he was 28, They once had a make-out session that ended with her telling him she's a virgin, and he got mad, called her a tease and other names, and stormed out her room angry.
Ben Trent was her friend from high school, who was working for Ryder's construction company. After what happened with Ryder, and angry his reaction, Ivy thinks she has to "bury her hopeless longings" for Ryder. She starts dating Ben. He ends up being abusive. When they dated, he hurried their relationship quickly to marriage, as abusive men do. He married her when Ryder was out of the country on business. They stayed married for 3 years.
One day, Ben went to work at the construction company drunk, and was killed by the heavy equipment.
The funeral was about 6 months ago, and Ivy is now living with her mom. Ivy feels like she killed Ben, because he got into an argument with her before he went to work that day, so she blames herself for him drinking in the first place. She also never got over Ryder, and was basically frigid with Ben, and she thinks she drove a good man to drink and abuse her.
So, Ryder shows up to Ivy's mom's house one day, and they all have breakfast together. They start spending a little time together. He tells her he regrets the way he reacted that one time, and if he knew she was going to marry Ben, he would have stopped it.
Ok, I'm trying to be understanding that abuse victims are conditioned to take the blame for being abused. But the problem is, I just don't want to read about her saying "Ben, Ben, I'm so sorry Ben!" while she's kissing Ryder. There are other books I could be reading. "Oh my god, I killed Ben!" or "Ben used to say..." I'm sick of hearing about Ben. Just not my cuppa tea.
April 30, 2020
This has to be one of the sweetest stories Diana Palmer has written to date. I absolutely loved Ryder and his love for Ivy was heart-melting.
Ryder has loved Ivy for years and waited for her. The one time he asked her out, she was afraid and turned to another, marrying him in the end. Unfortunately, Ivy's husband was an alcoholic who abused her, which Ryder never knew. After her husband dies, Ryder returns. He hopes to spend more time with her in the hope that she would love him as he loves her, not knowing that she already loves him. The secrets from the past come out, resulting in a steamy night in Paris and later confessions emerge.
I cannot express how much I loved this story! It has moved up the list in one of my favorites because not only of Ryder's patience but Ivy's strength after she overcomes her guilt and fear. It's the love between them that made this book so special. I loved it from beginning to end!
Recommended!
Ryder has loved Ivy for years and waited for her. The one time he asked her out, she was afraid and turned to another, marrying him in the end. Unfortunately, Ivy's husband was an alcoholic who abused her, which Ryder never knew. After her husband dies, Ryder returns. He hopes to spend more time with her in the hope that she would love him as he loves her, not knowing that she already loves him. The secrets from the past come out, resulting in a steamy night in Paris and later confessions emerge.
I cannot express how much I loved this story! It has moved up the list in one of my favorites because not only of Ryder's patience but Ivy's strength after she overcomes her guilt and fear. It's the love between them that made this book so special. I loved it from beginning to end!
Recommended!
October 6, 2025
This one pulled me in right away. Ivy McKenzie is such a lovely heroine—kind, loyal, and stronger than people give her credit for. She’s the kind of character you just want to see finally get her happiness.
Ryder Calaway, on the other hand, is pure classic Diana Palmer: successful, brooding, and occasionally so stubborn you want to throw something at him. Still, there’s something satisfying about watching him realize what (and who) really matters.
Their story has that familiar Palmer mix—plenty of emotional tension, misunderstandings, and a slow build toward forgiveness and love. It’s dramatic, heartfelt, and sweet in the end.
I’ve only read it once so far, but it’s one I’d happily pick up again when I’m in the mood for that old-school, small-town, second-chance kind of romance Diana Palmer always delivers.
Ryder Calaway, on the other hand, is pure classic Diana Palmer: successful, brooding, and occasionally so stubborn you want to throw something at him. Still, there’s something satisfying about watching him realize what (and who) really matters.
Their story has that familiar Palmer mix—plenty of emotional tension, misunderstandings, and a slow build toward forgiveness and love. It’s dramatic, heartfelt, and sweet in the end.
I’ve only read it once so far, but it’s one I’d happily pick up again when I’m in the mood for that old-school, small-town, second-chance kind of romance Diana Palmer always delivers.
August 18, 2024
Ostatnio przeczytałam nowelę autorstwa Diany Palmer „Najlepsze wciąż przed nami”.
Czy książka o tak obiecującym tytule jest moim zdaniem jednym z najlepszych utworów tej pisarki?
Zapraszam do zapoznania się z moją opinią…
https://taka-jest-agata.blogspot.com/...
Czy książka o tak obiecującym tytule jest moim zdaniem jednym z najlepszych utworów tej pisarki?
Zapraszam do zapoznania się z moją opinią…
https://taka-jest-agata.blogspot.com/...
August 24, 2024
This has a lot of the same words as in Diamond Spur which was the best book. Yet, it had enough of its own angst and love to stand on its own. Add in the unusual hot scenes (unusual for Palmer) and it’s an awesome book! I loved that the hero was in love with the heroine for years! Great read!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2024
The hot and cold in this one gave me whiplash. The plot also steered to ridiculous just to accommodate the DP formula of the virgin heroine. Could’ve been a lot better sigh
August 18, 2021
Silhouette Desire #643
November 17, 2014
Kindle Version Has Two Stories in One Book
A double feature consisting of THE BEST IS YET TO COME by Diana Palmer and MATERNITY BRIDE by Maureen Child.
THE BEST IS YET TO COME
Ivy Trent has loved Ryder Calaway for many years but has always known that they were impossible since an encounter years ago when Ryder accused her of trying to catch him. Despondent, Ivy married a high school friend and was miserable. Her husband was an alcoholic who abused her. Now a widow, Ryder has begun to come around again. Ivy also feels guilty because she blames herself for her husband's problems because she knows that she did not love him. This is a good story but it can drive a reader crazy because the story premise is built solely around two people who just need to sit down and have a talk. I liked Ivy and Ryder but the misunderstandings abound in this story. There is also a strange semi-virgin issue that seems strange and unnecessary to the story. This is not an unusual storyline for Diana Palmer so it didn't bother me that much, but I did mark this story down because of it. Rating: 3.5 stars.
MATERNITY BRIDE
Denise Torrance is an accountant who has tried to do everything right to gain the approval of her father. When she meets Mike Ryan who owns an motorcycle shop, has long hair and gives her neighbors fears that he might rob them, Denise knows that they are too opposite to have any real chance at a relationship. Mike has no intent to get involved with Denise because he doesn't want marriage. Yet the two cannot resist one another. A night of passion ends up with Denise pregnant (hence the title). A pregnancy does not resolve the differences between these two people and so they have to decide whether they have any future together. I bought this book because of the Diana Palmer story, but this one ended up being my favorite in the book. This is a classic opposites attract story. I liked that the potential pregnancy was the catalyst for these two to really think about what they want in life. The story is sweet and I liked how Denise breaks out of her shell to really live her life for herself. Rating: 4 stars.
A double feature consisting of THE BEST IS YET TO COME by Diana Palmer and MATERNITY BRIDE by Maureen Child.
THE BEST IS YET TO COME
Ivy Trent has loved Ryder Calaway for many years but has always known that they were impossible since an encounter years ago when Ryder accused her of trying to catch him. Despondent, Ivy married a high school friend and was miserable. Her husband was an alcoholic who abused her. Now a widow, Ryder has begun to come around again. Ivy also feels guilty because she blames herself for her husband's problems because she knows that she did not love him. This is a good story but it can drive a reader crazy because the story premise is built solely around two people who just need to sit down and have a talk. I liked Ivy and Ryder but the misunderstandings abound in this story. There is also a strange semi-virgin issue that seems strange and unnecessary to the story. This is not an unusual storyline for Diana Palmer so it didn't bother me that much, but I did mark this story down because of it. Rating: 3.5 stars.
MATERNITY BRIDE
Denise Torrance is an accountant who has tried to do everything right to gain the approval of her father. When she meets Mike Ryan who owns an motorcycle shop, has long hair and gives her neighbors fears that he might rob them, Denise knows that they are too opposite to have any real chance at a relationship. Mike has no intent to get involved with Denise because he doesn't want marriage. Yet the two cannot resist one another. A night of passion ends up with Denise pregnant (hence the title). A pregnancy does not resolve the differences between these two people and so they have to decide whether they have any future together. I bought this book because of the Diana Palmer story, but this one ended up being my favorite in the book. This is a classic opposites attract story. I liked that the potential pregnancy was the catalyst for these two to really think about what they want in life. The story is sweet and I liked how Denise breaks out of her shell to really live her life for herself. Rating: 4 stars.
July 22, 2019
Je otravné, jak DP cpe do každé druhé knížky stejné scény.
Není nic lepšího než hrdinka sebetrpitelka. Není mi jasné, čím se hrdinka živí. Vdova není nejvýnosnější zaměstnání, půl roku bydlí u matky, nic nedělá a kupodivu nemá na účtu ani 30 dolarů. Čím by to tak mohlo být?
s. 39 Ano, věděl jsem, že její manžel pije a bije ji. A kdybych viděl ty modřiny na vlastní oči, zabil bych ho. A proto se jí vyhýbal.
Inu, hrdina k pohledání.
s. 8 Ve skutečnosti si myslela opak. Dítě narozené do tak špatného vztahu by znamenalo jen potíže
s. 160 I když měla s Benem tak těžké časy, nevadilo by jí mít dítě.
A doma diagnostikovaná neplodnost se po jediné noci změní v těhotenství.
Když se na s. 178 ukázalo, že hrdinka byla i po třech letech manželství částečně panna, a teprve hrdina z ní učinil celou ženu, už jsem se ani nedivila.
Nebaví mě hrdina, který hrdě odchází, aby nebyl polapen do manželství, aby se za měsíc vrátil a nemohl spát, protože neví, jak hrdinku nejrychleji dostat do svatebních šatů.
s. 63 Kin [Kim]
s. 211 Jan [Jean]
uvozovky - s. 39, 182
Není nic lepšího než hrdinka sebetrpitelka. Není mi jasné, čím se hrdinka živí. Vdova není nejvýnosnější zaměstnání, půl roku bydlí u matky, nic nedělá a kupodivu nemá na účtu ani 30 dolarů. Čím by to tak mohlo být?
s. 39 Ano, věděl jsem, že její manžel pije a bije ji. A kdybych viděl ty modřiny na vlastní oči, zabil bych ho. A proto se jí vyhýbal.
Inu, hrdina k pohledání.
s. 8 Ve skutečnosti si myslela opak. Dítě narozené do tak špatného vztahu by znamenalo jen potíže
s. 160 I když měla s Benem tak těžké časy, nevadilo by jí mít dítě.
A doma diagnostikovaná neplodnost se po jediné noci změní v těhotenství.
Když se na s. 178 ukázalo, že hrdinka byla i po třech letech manželství částečně panna, a teprve hrdina z ní učinil celou ženu, už jsem se ani nedivila.
Nebaví mě hrdina, který hrdě odchází, aby nebyl polapen do manželství, aby se za měsíc vrátil a nemohl spát, protože neví, jak hrdinku nejrychleji dostat do svatebních šatů.
s. 63 Kin [Kim]
s. 211 Jan [Jean]
uvozovky - s. 39, 182
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2011
2* for The Best is Yet to Come by Palmer. Palmer's writing is always too flowery and over-emotional for me. this book was no exception. It was also not at all unique in premise or execution.
2.5* for Maternity Bride by Maureen Child. Not a bad story, but the heroine's stubbornness about accepting the heroes words of love as truth went on way too long. The writing was okay, but there really wasn't much of a plot outside of "I love you." "No you don't, you're just saying that because of the baby!"
TBR Challenge 2011 for books that have been on my TBR list for a long while.
2.5* for Maternity Bride by Maureen Child. Not a bad story, but the heroine's stubbornness about accepting the heroes words of love as truth went on way too long. The writing was okay, but there really wasn't much of a plot outside of "I love you." "No you don't, you're just saying that because of the baby!"
TBR Challenge 2011 for books that have been on my TBR list for a long while.
November 3, 2010
I enjoyed this book because it was a sweet love story. Diana Palmer never fails to capture my attention. My personal opinion is that Ivy is too wishy washy, a little to sweet and demure. Ryder is the ultimate hero, macho and strong and delicious. He tends to turn a cold shoulder when his emotions are high and he thinks Ivy needs protecting from such strong feelings. I would have like him to explain himself just once. Over all it was a good read and I did enjoy the playful banter the characters shared. I would like to see that in more romances.
June 7, 2012
In The Best Is Yet To Come we get an interesting tale of marrying the wrong guy and finally getting it right. Our female lead is 'mourning' the death of her husband when her first love comes back into her life. Once again lack of communication is the basis of what went wrong in their relationship. Putting things right moves this story along to its conclusion.
In Maternity Bride (by Maureen Child) we find the 'good girl' 'bad boy' situation. There's more to the story than that but this situation fuels the storyline. This story was fun, romantic and light hearted.
In Maternity Bride (by Maureen Child) we find the 'good girl' 'bad boy' situation. There's more to the story than that but this situation fuels the storyline. This story was fun, romantic and light hearted.
May 31, 2009
A sweet love story. Ivy has been in love with Ryder for five years, but thinks he doesn't love her so she marries someone else and the marriage is not good. Ryder has been in love with Ivy for five years too. Her husband dies, he comes back and hires her to be his secretary so he can try and make her fall in love with him. With his patience and care they both work through the misunderstandings and admit their love for each other.
August 10, 2016
This book contained two novels by two different authors. As extremely forumulaic and light romance novels go, both were fairly interesting. I skipped pages at a time as the same scene(couple almost connect then have a misunderstanding then each mope and mourn separately before coming back to the same place. rinse. repeat.)but still both stories held my interest enough to finish them lightly skip-reading through to see the conclusion.
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