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Kathleen
Until she saw the mysterious papers, beautiful eighteen-year-old Kathleen believed she has always lived at the orphanage--had always been alone in her empty world.
Now she discovered her mother had been a tempestuous Irish actress, with a shameful past. And her father none other than William Benson, one of New York's richest men, who'd secretly supported her for years--but would never claim her as his child.
So the fiery young girl fled to the wild land of California to make her own destiny. And there she fell in love with the ruggedly handsome Clinton Matthews. But Kathleen knew nothing of passion--or of life.
In fact, she didn't even know how to protect herself from cold-blooded murder.
Now she discovered her mother had been a tempestuous Irish actress, with a shameful past. And her father none other than William Benson, one of New York's richest men, who'd secretly supported her for years--but would never claim her as his child.
So the fiery young girl fled to the wild land of California to make her own destiny. And there she fell in love with the ruggedly handsome Clinton Matthews. But Kathleen knew nothing of passion--or of life.
In fact, she didn't even know how to protect herself from cold-blooded murder.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
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810 people want to read
About the author
Francine Rivers
60 books21.4k followersNew York Times bestselling author Francine Rivers continues to win both industry acclaim and reader loyalty around the globe. Her numerous bestsellers include Redeeming Love, A Voice in the Wind, and Bridge to Haven, and her work has been translated into more than thirty different languages. She is a member of Romance Writers of America's coveted Hall of Fame as well as a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).
www.francinerivers.com
www.facebook.com/FrancineRivers
Twitter: @FrancineRivers
www.francinerivers.com
www.facebook.com/FrancineRivers
Twitter: @FrancineRivers
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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July 8, 2021I was glued to the pages, but I'll admit this is probably my least favorite out of Francine Rivers' older historical romance backlist. It definitely has similarities to novels like Jane Eyre and Rebecca, so if you enjoyed those books you'll probably enjoy Kathleen at least a little, like I did.
I just felt that the reasons for Kathleen and Clinton falling in love were a little bit flimsy, even if the tenderness and passion of their love story did end up winning me over by the end of the novel. I also had a hard time dealing with how TSTL the heroine was.
There's a scene where the hero says something along the lines of, "You little idiot! Don't you realize someone's trying to kill you?" and while normally that kind of talk would bother me, in this case, I was just nodding along with him in agreement.
This girl wakes up with a rattlesnake in her bed and is told that someone messed with her horse before she went riding and she STILL goes off on her own on their huge ranch like nothing is wrong numerous times. You know, so her attacker can just murder her without any witnesses instead of in the house like he originally tried to. She might as well have worn a sign saying, "please kill me."
She was also so, so dense when it came to understanding the hero's feelings, even when he verbally tells her he's not interested in his sexy neighbor and is constantly laying kisses on her whenever they're alone. Part of this, I understand, has to do with the fact that she spent most of her life isolated at an all-girls orphanage and doesn't understand anything about romantic relationships. Her personality was a very well-developed interesting mixture of sweet, prickly, and socially inept. The topic of her childhood trauma was also handled very sensitively. But I feel that even with these impediments, at some point she should have been able to catch onto the hero's interest in her before he actually asked her to marry him, as it was so obvious. As a reader, it was kind of frustrating to watch her continuously not understand his affection for her.
The crazy ending didn't work for me as much as it did in Rebel in His Arms (that book is kind of perfect so it's hard to top) but despite my many complaints I just enjoyed this so much, and Clinton was extremely dreamy once he got around to really understanding the heroine. I just melt at the "love interest decides to be the one to take care of the protagonist who is unloved and emotionally damaged" trope. It's part of what makes me adore Jane Eyre like I do. Give me a lonely, beleaguered heroine and a hero able to see past all of her defenses and I'm happy.
TW: attempted assault
I just felt that the reasons for Kathleen and Clinton falling in love were a little bit flimsy, even if the tenderness and passion of their love story did end up winning me over by the end of the novel. I also had a hard time dealing with how TSTL the heroine was.
There's a scene where the hero says something along the lines of, "You little idiot! Don't you realize someone's trying to kill you?" and while normally that kind of talk would bother me, in this case, I was just nodding along with him in agreement.
This girl wakes up with a rattlesnake in her bed and is told that someone messed with her horse before she went riding and she STILL goes off on her own on their huge ranch like nothing is wrong numerous times. You know, so her attacker can just murder her without any witnesses instead of in the house like he originally tried to. She might as well have worn a sign saying, "please kill me."
She was also so, so dense when it came to understanding the hero's feelings, even when he verbally tells her he's not interested in his sexy neighbor and is constantly laying kisses on her whenever they're alone. Part of this, I understand, has to do with the fact that she spent most of her life isolated at an all-girls orphanage and doesn't understand anything about romantic relationships. Her personality was a very well-developed interesting mixture of sweet, prickly, and socially inept. The topic of her childhood trauma was also handled very sensitively. But I feel that even with these impediments, at some point she should have been able to catch onto the hero's interest in her before he actually asked her to marry him, as it was so obvious. As a reader, it was kind of frustrating to watch her continuously not understand his affection for her.
The crazy ending didn't work for me as much as it did in Rebel in His Arms (that book is kind of perfect so it's hard to top) but despite my many complaints I just enjoyed this so much, and Clinton was extremely dreamy once he got around to really understanding the heroine. I just melt at the "love interest decides to be the one to take care of the protagonist who is unloved and emotionally damaged" trope. It's part of what makes me adore Jane Eyre like I do. Give me a lonely, beleaguered heroine and a hero able to see past all of her defenses and I'm happy.
TW: attempted assault
February 25, 2024
there’s a part where the hero Is screaming at her, “someone wants you dead, you little idiot, and you provide them with their every opportunity…”
and that’s all that needs to be said.
I cannot do TSTL heroines when the book is in first person, it’s like another level of aggravating, like whatever you’re irrational, you’re stupid, but I can’t be trapped in your head with you!
and that’s all that needs to be said.
I cannot do TSTL heroines when the book is in first person, it’s like another level of aggravating, like whatever you’re irrational, you’re stupid, but I can’t be trapped in your head with you!
May 9, 2015
For being such a fan of Francine Rivers' books, I was pretty disappointed with this one. I know that it was her very first novel, but that's exactly how it read- a first draft of a mildly entertaining and over-dramatic romance. Both characters acted immaturely in their behavior and speech. Kathleen was annoyingly naïve and Clinton frustratingly childish in his temper. I rarely found their relationship endearing and romantic (as one would expect when reading a romance novel); I usually wanted to reach in and slap someone. And I don't consider it incredibly romantic to admit romantic feelings, propose marriage, and marry the next day... that's just someone not being able to control himself. I was offended for Kathleen who should have been offered a proper courting and the wedding of her dreams. The ending verged on ridiculous as Rivers tried to wrap up the "mystery" of Kathleen's parents. Throughout the story, Kathleen seemed to have unrealistic reactions when she's basically been faced with abandonment, rape, and attempts on her life.
If you've never read a novel by Francine Rivers, please don't let this deter you. She has since became a Christian novelist and her later books are some of the best I've ever read!
If you've never read a novel by Francine Rivers, please don't let this deter you. She has since became a Christian novelist and her later books are some of the best I've ever read!
July 3, 2022
This is unusual for me, as I tend to avoid books written in the first person, because you only get that one character's perspective, and I'd rather have a more rounded story. However, I took a chance on s book, and it proved an exception. Kathleen O'Reilly's story held my interest, as it had a bit of different HR genres rolled into one: mystery, gothic, western, as well as passion, jealousy, misunderstanding, and all the ingredients to capture the reader's interest. It has a Jane Eyre touch to it, as Kathleen was an orphan who came west from New York to be a governess to the niece and nephew of Clinton Matthews, the man who'll capture her heart.
As you might expect, the course of true love doesn't run smooth, and there's plenty of rocky roads, including rivals for their affections: Clinton's former mistress, Cybil, who makes it clear she wants him back, and her brother, Michael, who's determined Kathleen will be his. Cybil's seductive beauty causes the already insecure Kathleen to be even more wary and distrustful, while Clinton's jealousy blinds him to Kathleen's real feelings.
Kathleen's a combination of spirited h, with a touch of Irish temper (she gave Clinton quite a slap when she felt insulted) and naive innocent, like when she doesn't realize how attractive she is, and that Clinton could really want her when he can have Cybil. This makes her too quick to believe Cybil's lies and take her taunts to heart. She's also much too quick to forgive Michael's drunken assault on her (Clinton's timely appearance saving her from rape), making Clinton suspicious that she really cares for Michael. There's also the fact that several attempts are made on her life, and she fails to realize this, thinking they were just accidents. And she wonders why Clinton can be overprotective!
There's also mystery about Kathleen's background, as she knows nothing of her parents, except that her mother was an actress who had an affair with a married man from New York's upper social strata, who, after her mother's death, had her sent to an orphanage, supposedly because he didn't want to publicly acknowledge his illegitimate daughter. There's more to the story than meets the eye, which ties in with the murder attempts.
The whole tale is wrapped up a bit too fast, as characters show toward the end of the story that should have been introduced at the middle, making it all feel rushed, which takes away from the impact. Also, the solution to the mystery is a bit of a letdown, leaving you with the feeling that Ms. Rivers could have come up with something better. Still, the relationship between Kathleen and Clinton, despite its troubled spots, is a good one, and their love for each other is that once-in-a-lifetime kind that makes the book worth reading.
Not perfect, but still good.
As you might expect, the course of true love doesn't run smooth, and there's plenty of rocky roads, including rivals for their affections: Clinton's former mistress, Cybil, who makes it clear she wants him back, and her brother, Michael, who's determined Kathleen will be his. Cybil's seductive beauty causes the already insecure Kathleen to be even more wary and distrustful, while Clinton's jealousy blinds him to Kathleen's real feelings.
Kathleen's a combination of spirited h, with a touch of Irish temper (she gave Clinton quite a slap when she felt insulted) and naive innocent, like when she doesn't realize how attractive she is, and that Clinton could really want her when he can have Cybil. This makes her too quick to believe Cybil's lies and take her taunts to heart. She's also much too quick to forgive Michael's drunken assault on her (Clinton's timely appearance saving her from rape), making Clinton suspicious that she really cares for Michael. There's also the fact that several attempts are made on her life, and she fails to realize this, thinking they were just accidents. And she wonders why Clinton can be overprotective!
There's also mystery about Kathleen's background, as she knows nothing of her parents, except that her mother was an actress who had an affair with a married man from New York's upper social strata, who, after her mother's death, had her sent to an orphanage, supposedly because he didn't want to publicly acknowledge his illegitimate daughter. There's more to the story than meets the eye, which ties in with the murder attempts.
The whole tale is wrapped up a bit too fast, as characters show toward the end of the story that should have been introduced at the middle, making it all feel rushed, which takes away from the impact. Also, the solution to the mystery is a bit of a letdown, leaving you with the feeling that Ms. Rivers could have come up with something better. Still, the relationship between Kathleen and Clinton, despite its troubled spots, is a good one, and their love for each other is that once-in-a-lifetime kind that makes the book worth reading.
Not perfect, but still good.
January 6, 2024
Being born on the wrong side of the sheets doesn’t prevent Kathleen O’Reilly from preferring the romantic to the realistic. When she turns eighteen, she flees the orphanage for a position as governess for a boy and girl in California. “Lady Nature seemed to be here, behind the willow trees or just beyond the wild roses.”
“Miss O’Reilly says the most important thing in the world is to feel you belong somewhere. But she said you have to give to belong. You know. Do chores, help people. She says if you don’t help, you’re being selfish.” She “spent time explaining the importance of building knowledge atop the proper foundation. ‘Later, your house of knowledge can take any shape you want, be it a simple log cabin, practical and unadorned, or a towering palace with a thousand extra rooms.’”
But Kathleen’s charges are not the only ones who fall in love with her. Her employer and the children’s uncle Clint rivals with his best friend Michael for her affections. Michael is “like a little boy in a candy store–and you just love candy, all kinds of candy.” He’s “very loyal…when it doesn’t interfere with my own plans.” For Clint, “When I looked at you, I saw the end of my freedom.” He wants children “enough to fill our home from basement to rafters with resounding laughter.” Kathleen, too, “had wanted a family, and was now the cause of destroying one.”
“I felt as though I were on the edge of a beautiful lake, flowers surrounding it, sky blue overhead, everything promising beauty and peace. But on the bottom of that lake I knew there was not sand, but mud and slime that would cost me forever in its vileness.” It is not until she reckons with her own inner fears, her own lack of self-assurance, through a reunion with her father that she is released from her childhood insecurities and rejection that threaten her ability to trust. She discovers “all that I could ever want, a man I loved beyond anything in the world, his baby snuggled deep and safe within me…and my father–a father I had longed for.”
“Miss O’Reilly says the most important thing in the world is to feel you belong somewhere. But she said you have to give to belong. You know. Do chores, help people. She says if you don’t help, you’re being selfish.” She “spent time explaining the importance of building knowledge atop the proper foundation. ‘Later, your house of knowledge can take any shape you want, be it a simple log cabin, practical and unadorned, or a towering palace with a thousand extra rooms.’”
But Kathleen’s charges are not the only ones who fall in love with her. Her employer and the children’s uncle Clint rivals with his best friend Michael for her affections. Michael is “like a little boy in a candy store–and you just love candy, all kinds of candy.” He’s “very loyal…when it doesn’t interfere with my own plans.” For Clint, “When I looked at you, I saw the end of my freedom.” He wants children “enough to fill our home from basement to rafters with resounding laughter.” Kathleen, too, “had wanted a family, and was now the cause of destroying one.”
“I felt as though I were on the edge of a beautiful lake, flowers surrounding it, sky blue overhead, everything promising beauty and peace. But on the bottom of that lake I knew there was not sand, but mud and slime that would cost me forever in its vileness.” It is not until she reckons with her own inner fears, her own lack of self-assurance, through a reunion with her father that she is released from her childhood insecurities and rejection that threaten her ability to trust. She discovers “all that I could ever want, a man I loved beyond anything in the world, his baby snuggled deep and safe within me…and my father–a father I had longed for.”
February 14, 2012
This is my favorite author's first novel. If I had not previously read her later works, I would not read anything by her again. Her newer novels are so much better.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews