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Loveplay

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THE New York THE Bett Cambridge, aspiring actress. She had devoted her entire professional life to escaping her backwoods past and was now a Broadway star. The one blot on her resume an ill-fated affair with Americas most promising playwright, Edward Cul McCullough, hot new author. He left Bett behind when his career took off, but now they were working together again. Yet Cul was still afraid of commitment, and even as Bett's sensuality washed away his inhibitions, he still tried to deny their love. THE A love story, fraught with complications, but destined for fulfillment.

Mass Market Paperback

First published July 18, 1986

42 people are currently reading
344 people want to read

About the author

Diana Palmer

1,046 books3,097 followers
Librarian 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.

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5 stars
190 (34%)
4 stars
142 (25%)
3 stars
138 (24%)
2 stars
57 (10%)
1 star
30 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
Profile Image for StMargarets.
3,231 reviews636 followers
April 27, 2017
Actress heroine had her heart broken by fellow actor (now a director) when she was 18. He jilted her when he found out she was a virgin and had dreams of marriage and family. He jilted her with a very public showing of his OW and heroine was humiliated.

Now it's years later and she has made a success of herself, yet was duped by an unscrupulous manager and she owes a bunch of back taxes. She auditions for the hero's play and wins the role. The hero is not very nice to her, but eventually they fall into bed together. Heroine is still a virgin after all of this time. Hero goes to California for a few weeks and heroine breaks the news to the hero that she is pregnant over the phone. Hero accuses her of sleeping with her co-star since he is sterile.

The heroine does stick to her story and never gives into the hero on that point. The hero pretends to be sleeping around to show the heroine he is not affected by her news. Heroine has a difficult pregnancy until she gets some medical care. She resists the marriage offer of her co-star and insists she'll get by.

The hero eventually realizes he has to trust the heroine rather than the fertility specialist. He writes a new play and almost drinks himself to death. The heroine goes to his apartment to snap him out of it. He asks her to marry him. The heroine hems and haws for awhile, but eventually they marry. There is a mad dash to the hospital for the baby to be born. In a last chapter epilogue, the heroine is pregnant again.

Lots of angst in this one, but it didn't move me. I think because there was so much repetition. H/h had the same conversation over and over.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for niteskycs.
384 reviews114 followers
November 23, 2020
2.75 stars

last 30% was really good, and the last chapter where baby kate was born was really cute lol. overall an entertaining and angsty read and i thought bett made cul work pretty hard to get back into her good graces while being realistic about her baby and financial situation.
Profile Image for LuvBug .
336 reviews97 followers
July 29, 2012
What can I say about this book but that It was horribly written. Everything from the the writing itself to the hero that didn't believe the baby was his - even though he didn't take any precautions or a paternity test. I love reading about unrequited love from the heroine's POV and hard to get heroes, but only when the book is written well. This one wasn't. The heroine was like a love sick fool over a hero that didn't seem to want her and did everything to prove it to her. One minute he was declaring his love for her at 34 percent in, and then at about 37 percent he was kicking her to the curb and cheating out of nowhere. If I could sum this book up with one word, it would be depth-less. I've read a few books by Diana Palmer that was quite enjoyable but this one must have been one of her first ones because it screams amateur.
Profile Image for Jenny.
3,162 reviews560 followers
March 18, 2014
Elisabet an aspiring young actress lands a big Broadway role. What she doesn't expect is for the director to be Edward, the man who broke her heart and abandoned her years ago when his career took off. They give into their passion which leads to pregnancy. But Edward thinks he is sterile so he denies that the baby is his and dumps her again, alone, pregnant, sick and extremely poor.

This book is a keeper. I adored Elisabet, such a strong, admirable woman. I loved how she denied to marry sweet David even though she is destitute and so in need of security. She is just so classy and proud I couldn't believe Edward had the guts to doubt her. The scene where she is actually trying to commit suicide broke my heart. Edward had valid reasons for denying paternity but I was glad that he eventually trusted Elisabet, accepted Kate was his and didn't take a DNA test. Super intense and angsty romance!
Profile Image for Jasbell76.
286 reviews179 followers
December 24, 2022
I read this book in 2009 and I'm still remenber it. I used to love reading Diana Palmer's book at that time and I'm still love her. I'll re-reading this book these days, so I could change my rating since I have seen scores of 4 and 5 stars from other readers. Maybe, my mood wasn't good the first time I read it, I don't know...
Profile Image for Booklover.
645 reviews1 follower
January 2, 2012
Enjoyed this book very much,was angry at Cal but later when it is revealed how also suffered little of my anger melted away,adored the Elisabet such a strong woman,absolutely hats off to her that inspite of being at bankruptcy never did she took any help from Cal and David such a sweet man offering to take care of her but Elisabet was right by not agreeing to marry and hurt him

What really made the book a keeper for me is though Cal has his reasons for denying paternity but he did not take any test,he decided to trust Elisabet's words and accepts the child as his,the way Elisabet deals with Cal's behaviour she is hurting but everytime she stands and comes out as a more stronger person and the way Elisabet made him grovel was good to read

Overall i enjoyed the book
Recommend it
Profile Image for Aou .
2,053 reviews216 followers
September 18, 2018
Perfectly angsty and tearjerker Harveyland story may be summarized as:

1. Arrogant, selfish, cruel hero explaines why he should have humiliated the loving heroine.
“I wanted you to the point of obsession.”
She felt the old hurt come back, full force. “How interesting. Was that before or after you humiliated me in front of the entire cast?”
(...)
You were in love with me. Too much in love. I had nothing to give you, except a few kisses in the moonlight or, at best, a brief affair. I had to break if off.”
“You might have just told me,” she returned.
“You’re a bulldog, Bett,” he replied with a faint smile. “It wouldn’t have worked. It had to be something drastic.”


2. Doormat h melts when H forcibly kisses her.
“She still loved him, damn him! Still, after all the years, all the humiliation. And she wanted him with a woman’s hunger.”

3. According to H, the life span of the relationship
“For how long?” she managed in a last grasp at sanity.
“For as long as rehearsals last,” he whispered as he bent and kissed her very slowly on the mouth. “Maybe for longer than that. Can’t we just take it one day at a time, Bett?”


4. Heroine gets pregnant despite of protection or like this story, H doesn’t believe he can have a child. Besides, paternity of the baby is always questioned.
“Pregnant by whom?” he asked in the coldest tone she’d ever heard.
“By you, of course,” she faltered. “You know I was a virgin.”
“Were, yes,” he agreed. “But you’ve been with Hadison a lot since I left.”


5.This one is a rare sample because in Harveyland h does not drag Hs over the coals.
“I don’t have any lovers, Bett,” he replied, his voice deep and soft.
“And the pope isn’t Catholic,” she agreed.
“Now who’s lacking trust?” he queried.
“I’ve been getting lessons.”


6. Heroines’s revenge is rare and unfortunately for a very short time. (Sigh)
“I want you all to myself for a while. Just the two of us. The three of us,” he amended, tracing her belly with his fingers. “Well?”
Her nails bit into the fine fabric of his suit coat. Her eyes closed. Where were her pride and her temper when she needed them?
“Yes,” she said on a held breath.”


7. HEA with an epilogue includes pregnant h with happy H and a daughter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
114 reviews4 followers
Read
April 7, 2020
This book made me confused. The heroes told each other ´´I love you´´ the first time they had sex. Later when they broke up the H told the h ´´I was just inches away from falling in love with you´´ and near the end ´´I didn’t even know that I loved you´´. BUT he had already told her that he loves her that first time, was he lying those other times or what? It doesn't make sense to me cause he didn't seem to be the lying playboy type that would say anything to get a girl in bed.
Profile Image for Veronica WordsAreMyDrinkOfChoice.
493 reviews107 followers
April 7, 2020
Possibly the worst of Diana Palmer’s heroes, and that is saying something.
Plus the whole domineering, asshole act lost effect when it was not country/cowboy themed!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for amanda s..
3,119 reviews95 followers
August 10, 2014
Well, as much as I enjoyed the storyline, I think the Hero is an arsehole. Like super arshe "sloppy" hole.

He accused Bett with everything abominable, yelling at her that she's a tramp while he's the only man she's been sleep with and not to mention

But the thing that made me downgrading the stars from four to three is

So, yeah. But I still enjoyed this book though, just not my favorite. :)
Profile Image for *CJ*.
5,117 reviews632 followers
July 18, 2017
"Loveplay" is the story of Cul and Bett.
Cul broke Bett's heart years ago. After years of struggle, she's finally in NY when she auditions for a play she has done before, written by Cul..when she realizes hes the director and back in her life.
What you have is a heroine crazy in love, and a hero you want to punch through 80% of it.
Firstly it annoyed me that while the heroine was so utterly devoted to the hero, the hero slept around.
Even when he finally seduced the heroine thinking she was experienced, he avoided using contraception and when a bun enters the oven..shock
The heroine is like a lovesick puppy throughout first half, and finally gains some backbone in the last 1/4 for the sake of her baby. The hero is a dbag, and even when he finally realizes the obvious, i remained unconvinced.
I know the past shapes who you end up as, but please, I hate when characters use it as an excuse to be an general ass.
The last chapter/epilogue-ish makes up for the general frustration I had with this book, but overall.. eh.
Unsafe
1.75/5
Profile Image for Nikki.
2,205 reviews9 followers
August 16, 2019
In romance novels isn’t there suppose to be a hero? Cause if someone said this bastard was a romantic lead I would laugh in their face!!! This “hero” was a selfish turd the entire book. What attractive or better yet redeeming qualities did he possess? Zero! Nada. Maybe if he actually loved/cared for/liked the heroine I could root for him a bit but he doesn’t!!!! He wants her and that’s about it. When he gets her blows outta town quick. How many times did he say “you were a virgin” “you aren’t a virgin”? 10? 20 times? Jeez dumbass your obsessed with virginity. This guy is the definition of white TOXIC MASCULINITY! He humiliated the heroine and sabotages her career for good measure cause he “loved her”. Bullshit! Besides thinking the heroine, who he knows wouldn’t cheat but is jealous, and convinced she cheated instead of getting a simple second opinion from a doctor! He only wants the heroine back when she is taking care of herself(not well), has friends, and is independent. He thinks he is the “bigger man” offering to care for her even though the baby couldn’t remotely possibly inconceivable be his! How forgiving! And he only wants to marry her for his own selfish reasons not for the baby or her at all!
Oh heroine! Why art though so stupid? I don’t mind the money problems, that shit is a very real life issue. Just wish it wasn’t for the sake of showing how well off and awesome perfect the “hero” has it. But every decision she makes in her life is about her “love”. The only moment she got to shine was when she told the “hero” the cold hard truth that he doesn’t want love or a family, it idea is much more fun than actually trying for relationships. But she gives in quickly after he starts hounding her and he didn’t even have to apologize. All he does is hurt her, the entire book! From beginning to end. How does he change? How will be become the perfect man/husband/father for her?
The poor book reads very dated. “Hollywood”....isnt where movie studios are, say California! I liked the side people and the theater/broadway(which is why I read it) but that didn’t make up for the trashy abusive snob pig trying to be passed off as romantic. No. No all of this nonsense.
Profile Image for Isa Centeno.
300 reviews49 followers
December 25, 2020
Y la comedia donde quedó? El nombre no le quedó en nada.
Profile Image for Mae Manongas.
42 reviews21 followers
June 18, 2017
Omg i never thought the story would be this good (because of their career) all emotion are present. The Angst,the love, funny scene. Drama.I was like crying at the same time laughing. I enjoy reading this book din not feel clichè and boring. This definitely worth five star.
Profile Image for Karen.
448 reviews32 followers
May 24, 2015
Tripe. Predictable and repetitive. The same conversations are repeated over and over. The "hero" hurts the lady's feelings for her own good. Women need to be taken care of. A child needs a name. Yes this was written in 1985 but the logic is from the 1950's.
Profile Image for Raffaella.
1,953 reviews305 followers
June 28, 2023
Nope.
It’s a mess.
The hero had a brief affair no sex with the heroine when she was 19 a would be actress and he a producer, he dumped her without explanation and humiliating her flaunting in her face his new mistress.
She left him.
Years later she’s the actress in one of his play, he wants to have sex with her, no string and when she gets pregnant he refuses to believe it’s his, because the usual dumb doctor told him he’s sterile.
And he even tells her that he never used anything with the women he was with and nobody got pregnant. Yuck double yuck. I couldn’t get past this shit.
I can only imagine him getting a lot of std from each and every woman. I understand it was many years ago but my god, AIDS was just from those years.
Of course eventually he understands that the child could be his, and wants the heroine back, but I wish the heroine found another man.
Of course he had plenty of women while she was a virgin. I threw up in my mouth a little… I hope I can forget it very soon…
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
2,376 reviews28 followers
October 6, 2018
Cull and Bett

This is one of the best books of DP and I loved it!!!!
Bett is a actress that had her heart broken early in her career by Cull, a fellow actor, now director. Now years later she is a successful actress and are now working together. The attraction between them is as strong as ever resulting on a unplanned pregnancy. Bett finds herself pregnant and alone after Cull refuses to believe the child is his. This is a fantastic story boiling with intense emotions. Highly recommended
444 reviews4 followers
July 8, 2023
'He wasn't totally convinced. It was hard to accept, that a specialist could be wrong about his sterility. On the other hand, he couldn't imagine Bett sleeping with any other man.'

Isn't the hero a DREAM? He's holding his newborn daughter in his hands, after marrying her mother and confessing his undying love and he still isn't convinced it's his child?!

I dislike the hero immensely. He's a selfish juvenile coward.


Profile Image for Soleil.
361 reviews2 followers
July 28, 2021
Odie mucho a Cult pero por dios que ame este libro, 🤧, las lágrimas no podia contener ante las maravillosas y trágicas cosas que pasaban, como nos enseñaban que tener hijos es una decisión de cada mujer y no se necesita realmente un hombre para sobrevivir
98 reviews
May 17, 2024
Książki Diany Palmer traktuję jako „odpoczynek” po cięższych lekturach.
Jak podobała mi się jej nowela pod tytułem „Miłość w jednym akcie”?
Zapraszam do zapoznania się z moją opinią…
https://taka-jest-agata.blogspot.com/...
Profile Image for CANDEN333.
414 reviews1 follower
August 22, 2024
Well…this guy was one of the worst of Diana Palmer’s heroes. Rude, crude, womanizing, mean. The heroine was not too likeable herself. Stubborn, not too smart, self sacrificing to the point of idiocy. This is not a flowery love story. It was actually make one sad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
2,368 reviews12 followers
October 5, 2025
Love, loss, and paternity

I purchased a copy of Love play by Diana Palmer and this review was give not freely. A tension filled story of love, loss,paternity, and miracles with a happy ending.
Profile Image for Birdie.
263 reviews6 followers
Read
October 8, 2025
I have no excuse for reading this many Diana Palmers in such a short period of time. I had to pick one not set on a ranch for fear that I would start smoking cigars and exposing my hairy chest to innocent virgins.

Surprisingly cute in the second half ngl
Profile Image for Dalene Lohr.
5 reviews
March 4, 2018
Broadway

The story of love trust and Broadway. Very well written. One of my all time favorite books .enjoyable read .
Profile Image for Eliana .
2,998 reviews24 followers
November 12, 2023
Reread, remembered everything that happens but still felt like reading a new story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews

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