A Girl Like Janet

by Debbie Macomber

After two years as Reese Edwards' personal secretary, Janet Montgomery was beginning to believe that gentlemen did prefer blondes. Reese's platinum beauties paraded past Janet's desk daily, while he treated her and every other brunette in the world in a crisp, professional manner. Then one day Reese was treated to a real glimpse of Janet -- a heartwarming woman with a shining quality and a mighty faith who put his empty-headed blondes to shame. Determined to make Janet his own, Reese set out to woo the dark-haired object of his affection, but in order to do that, he had to learn that it would take much more than flowers and candy to win the heart of a girl like Janet.

Genres: Romance, Christian Romance

188 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1984

About the author

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.

In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.

Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.

She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.

Reviews

[Shaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I checked out this book at a local library. This book isn't really advanced, the letters are big and it's a simple read that you can do in one sitting.

I loved the plot though, the second I read about how Janet had to transition from a type writer to a computer with a floppy disk I knew this books was OLD! Still it was a nice story and I'm happy with the ending.

[Lynda Batten]

Enjoyed this book.

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Debbie Macomber books have always been a way for me to relax and just enjoy reading. I thought A Girl Like Janet was a new book, but it was reprinted from 1984. Janet is the main character. She works as a secretary and her father is a Pastor of a church. Janet falls in love with her boss whom is a player. Later, of course, they fall in love and he proposes. Janet has very strong values and religious commitments.I found this book an easy read and a breath of fresh air in this day and time.

[Diana H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not at all what I expected from an older title by Debbie Macomber.
This is a great book - it's an unexpected love story hidden in a Christian fiction title.
That's what was so amazing about the book - it's a well-written and entertaining romance between a preacher's daughter and her boss.
I really enjoyed this book!

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read about a girl who falls for her boss who is a womanizer. Cute early Macomber.

[Sheilad37 · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok, there was something about Janet that annoyed me a little.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short book, fast read. I wish the author would have gone deeper into this story and not ended it where she did.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a reissue of an older book.

It was a little dated but the story of love is timeless.

[Ruth Bolard · Rating 1 out of 5]

No character development, no emotional connection with the characters. Very choppy!

[Virma · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little disconnected - not one of her best.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it and was able to find it in large print. It is one of her earlier books and a good light read.

[Ruth Hays · Rating 4 out of 5]

A vintage Debbie Macomber book I found in large print. A good story and an easy read. Church and relationship with God are woven in as well.

[S Washam · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good read.

[Mary Cassidy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I keep hoping Macomber’s early books will be as good as her later ones, but no. This is extremely formulaic. My first thought was it is heavily drawing upon a great novel, Jane Eyre, then when I thought about it I realized that this plot goes back to one of the first novels in English, Pamela. The oppressive, arrogant male in power and the chaste, believing, strong minded female. But they did it so much better back in the past. This one is way too uneven, there isn’t really any time to develop the idea so rapid changes occur then retreat, then occur again. None of the characters are terribly believable except maybe the younger brother, which is a nice touch and would get it three instead of two stars,. But starting with the ski slope, I was cracking my husband up because I could not help myself from saying things like, “stupid” or “dumb” outloud. I lost all respect for the main character when she, supposedly an intelligent woman, first decided to go to the expert slope and then didn’t have the sense to simply say to someone getting off the ski lift, “I made a mistake, I cannot ski this trail, when you get to the bottom would you alert the ski patrol?” Then to turn away help out of pride. Come on, were women really that dumb back in the day? As for the male lead, I would not touch him with a ten foot pole, as I assume he is a Trump like character who would never change so radically in the end. Sorry, I keep trying these older books and swearing I will not again. But this was large print and my eye (I only have one) has been giving me problems. Sorry, Debbie, but don’t let them resurrect any more.

[Asheley T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

First released in 1984 by Silhouette Inspirations; re-issued as a Harlequin Special Release in 2025.

I loved it! It's a novella length workplace romance. You really have to go into classic category romance with an open mind; much of the story is problematic in terms of today‘s standards. I very much doubt this would be published in this form today. Even so, I read it like the classic, old-school romance that it is, and I loved it. I really like Janet and if I were in a situation like hers, I would probably be wishy-washy too.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a re-release book and one I'd never read. I didn't mind it being dated as that was known up front.
Janet is a nice person severally tempted by her handsome boss. They way they went back and forth got confusing as he was a bit of a cad. The last chapter or two made the book and that 5+stars.

[lynda kosnik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute read

Definitely a good read. This was not one of my favorites of Macomber's books. There was not much character development and any wOman with any sense Would not have put up with her boss' shenanigans. I also did not like the amount of God and Christianity referenced in the book.

[Laura Rodman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too religious.

Had I wanted a relifious.book I uno would have gotten a bible. This book is so.unlike any of her other books. I feel as if I was taken in because of the author' s name.

[Marilyn Hargesheimer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like Reese from the beginning. And I never changed my mind about him. I only read half the book. Not the best story from my favorite author.

[Alexa Danilchuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read - cute book.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!

I have recently returned to church and I just felt right! A very enjoyable read and encourage all to read!

[Melinda Forbes · Rating 1 out of 5]

Smarmy waste of time

Total tripe. I read this stupid formulaic story because of the author but it is TERRIBLE. Don’t waste your time too!

[Jocelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely an easy read, storyline was good nothing too complicated or confusing. A girl like Janet was such a relaxing book to read finished it within a day!!