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Clouded Rapture
She had made her choice years agoAs a girl, Jaime had learned how powerful love can be in the arms of a wealthy Italian count, Raphael di Vaggio. Yet she had rejected him to pursue her career.He had found someone else and for five years Jaime had struggled single-mindedly for financial and emotional independence.Then a twist of fate revived old memories and a passion she thought had died. Too late she realized she had made the wrong decision. Surely now there could be no turning back.
Hardcover
First published March 1, 1983
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 1, 2021
Omg, this H marries the h’s best friend within a month (!!) after he thinks the h rejected him for her career. He doesn’t even fight for her, he is not willing to wait for her, nothing. What kind of “love” is that?!
He forcefully seduces her as some sort of farewell gift. Well, during the intercourse the writer points out that it’s not rape, but if a girl is crying and says ‘No’, to me that sounds like rape or a forceful seduction. I can take a forceful seduction in a HP if there is also love. But this was just cruelty.
Anyway, immediately after the rape he tells the h to get out and within a month he is married to her best friend.
After 5 years the H and h meet again. The H had a child with the h’s best friend, so it’s not like it has been a celibate marriage.
The H says not so nice things about his wife to the h, but apparently that didn’t hold him back from having sex with his wife. Such a loser he is.
His wife dies. The H tells the h in the end of the book, at the HEA, that he would never have divorced his wife. Wtf??
This isn’t a romance. I don’t know what Anne Mather was smoking while writing this wreck.
He forcefully seduces her as some sort of farewell gift. Well, during the intercourse the writer points out that it’s not rape, but if a girl is crying and says ‘No’, to me that sounds like rape or a forceful seduction. I can take a forceful seduction in a HP if there is also love. But this was just cruelty.
Anyway, immediately after the rape he tells the h to get out and within a month he is married to her best friend.
After 5 years the H and h meet again. The H had a child with the h’s best friend, so it’s not like it has been a celibate marriage.
The H says not so nice things about his wife to the h, but apparently that didn’t hold him back from having sex with his wife. Such a loser he is.
His wife dies. The H tells the h in the end of the book, at the HEA, that he would never have divorced his wife. Wtf??
This isn’t a romance. I don’t know what Anne Mather was smoking while writing this wreck.
April 8, 2020
"An Elusive Desire" is another romance by Anne Mather with a married hero who can`t keep his eyes off his former lover,the heroine who once 5 years ago rejected his offer of marriage.
His wife, heroines former bestfriend Nicola was a born vicious selfish bitch who tricked our hero, the italian count Raphael di Vaggio into marrying her.He was caught in a very vulnerable situation with a shattered mind and heart and didn`t fight against her.That move was weak of him for being an italian hero.I wish the heroine Jaime Forster had fought harder for him,and tried to explain better.Years got wasted over their weakness,especially on heros part.I don`t care how much he regrets it or how it almost destroyed him,or even his pride for that matter.I lost so much respect for him.There are still many alphas out there in hplandia who have been ready to step on their own pride to fight for their woman.Its still an interesting conception though,where in many other books its the heroine who thinks the hero only want them for their body,and here instead with Raphael he was afraid that Jaime only wanted to be his mistress,and he thought she spit on his honorable intensions.
His wife, heroines former bestfriend Nicola was a born vicious selfish bitch who tricked our hero, the italian count Raphael di Vaggio into marrying her.He was caught in a very vulnerable situation with a shattered mind and heart and didn`t fight against her.That move was weak of him for being an italian hero.I wish the heroine Jaime Forster had fought harder for him,and tried to explain better.Years got wasted over their weakness,especially on heros part.I don`t care how much he regrets it or how it almost destroyed him,or even his pride for that matter.I lost so much respect for him.There are still many alphas out there in hplandia who have been ready to step on their own pride to fight for their woman.Its still an interesting conception though,where in many other books its the heroine who thinks the hero only want them for their body,and here instead with Raphael he was afraid that Jaime only wanted to be his mistress,and he thought she spit on his honorable intensions.
February 6, 2023
For HP one of Len Goldberg's usual competent covers.
Why do all these young British women keep forcing this poor, poor, wealthy, powerful man to be a childish, selfish, self-pitying asshole?
Why are young British women in AM's world so willing to forgive the most tawdry and unforgivable treatment?
Heroines, it will continue to end badly for your dignity and your very future if you don't learn to protect yourselves against the predatory allure of a man in suede pants.
Why do all these young British women keep forcing this poor, poor, wealthy, powerful man to be a childish, selfish, self-pitying asshole?
Why are young British women in AM's world so willing to forgive the most tawdry and unforgivable treatment?
Heroines, it will continue to end badly for your dignity and your very future if you don't learn to protect yourselves against the predatory allure of a man in suede pants.
July 11, 2014
I did not like this...maybe a sign of the 1983 publication...H rapes heroine because she refuses to marry him at 18 as she wants a career (ok, during it he softens and she says "he's not raping me, he's making love to me".) But it's pretty clear how it starts out...forced seduction is one thing, but she was still fighting him during a harsh penetration. Then he marries her friend within a month. Not a very loving hero.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2017
Packed chock full of anger, adultery, lost love, and a vindictive villain this was a drama filled read.
Jamie and Raf were in love, but after her parents relationship she believe she needed to maintain her independence by building a career for herself. When RAF proposes, she hesitates and it all goes badly. A month later, she learned that Raf was marrying her BFF, Nicola. Cutting all ties with them both, focuses on building her career and becomes successful.
Five years later a frantic call from Nicola take Jamie to Italy. There she learns some disturbing things about Nicola and Raf's marriage. She also learns that while Raf may hate her, she still loves him.
This was one messed up book. I felt bad for Jamie but she put herself in the middle of that mess. My heart broke for Raf. From the start you could tell that he was miserable. He made a mistake by marrying Nicola and paid for it every day of their married life. The only person I really liked was Raf's mother. She was a straight talking lady who was worried about her son and disliked her daughter in law, with good reason!
I love Anne Mather's books for the intense drama she brings to them.... even when she likes creating awful wives who are not the heroines, and killing them off so the H&h can finally get together. Always makes for an interesting read.
Jamie and Raf were in love, but after her parents relationship she believe she needed to maintain her independence by building a career for herself. When RAF proposes, she hesitates and it all goes badly. A month later, she learned that Raf was marrying her BFF, Nicola. Cutting all ties with them both, focuses on building her career and becomes successful.
Five years later a frantic call from Nicola take Jamie to Italy. There she learns some disturbing things about Nicola and Raf's marriage. She also learns that while Raf may hate her, she still loves him.
This was one messed up book. I felt bad for Jamie but she put herself in the middle of that mess. My heart broke for Raf. From the start you could tell that he was miserable. He made a mistake by marrying Nicola and paid for it every day of their married life. The only person I really liked was Raf's mother. She was a straight talking lady who was worried about her son and disliked her daughter in law, with good reason!
I love Anne Mather's books for the intense drama she brings to them.... even when she likes creating awful wives who are not the heroines, and killing them off so the H&h can finally get together. Always makes for an interesting read.
July 12, 2018
[Background/five years ago] career girl hesitates when passionate Italian stallion proposes. Stallion has a fit of pique and marries her schoolfriend within a month.
[Off-screen] pregnancy, miscarriage, marriage implodes.
[Present day/five years later] schoolfriend begs career girl to visit her in Italy. Schoolfriend and stallion are both vile to career girl from the moment she arrives and no one tells her anything.
I can’t really say I enjoyed this book. I dislike “second chance” romances as a rule anyway, but I like Anne Mather and I was interested to see how she would dig the protagonists out of the massive marriage-mistake hole she had interred them in.
She could have done with a better shovel, frankly. The sheer lack of grief at the incredibly tragic “plot twist” (aka Anne’s clumsy shovel) would drain any last vestige of sympathy you have for these characters, if indeed you had any by this stage, which I did not. In fact I never did.
I still don’t actually understand why schoolgirl wanted career girl to come over, and what she was hoping career girl might achieve. None of it made any bloody sense at all when the “revelation” is finally made.
Sour, sad, sonewhat sick. There are far better Anne Mather books out there.
[Off-screen] pregnancy, miscarriage, marriage implodes.
[Present day/five years later] schoolfriend begs career girl to visit her in Italy. Schoolfriend and stallion are both vile to career girl from the moment she arrives and no one tells her anything.
I can’t really say I enjoyed this book. I dislike “second chance” romances as a rule anyway, but I like Anne Mather and I was interested to see how she would dig the protagonists out of the massive marriage-mistake hole she had interred them in.
She could have done with a better shovel, frankly. The sheer lack of grief at the incredibly tragic “plot twist” (aka Anne’s clumsy shovel) would drain any last vestige of sympathy you have for these characters, if indeed you had any by this stage, which I did not. In fact I never did.
I still don’t actually understand why schoolgirl wanted career girl to come over, and what she was hoping career girl might achieve. None of it made any bloody sense at all when the “revelation” is finally made.
Sour, sad, sonewhat sick. There are far better Anne Mather books out there.
May 18, 2016
2008 Review: Sigh..... (and not in a good way)
MY THOUGHTS: Ok, this is the third Mather book that I've read in the same day, and so far... I'm not happy. Don't get me wrong, I like Anne Mather's book but so far, the books I previously read today (see my reviews for Smokescreen and Seasons of Mist) its hasn't been going well. I gave it three stars because the Mather wrote the story was fine. It flowed, it had twists and the hero/heroine had integrity. The hero is commendable in saying he wouldn't have divorced Nicola aka, good thing she died coz Rafaello and Jaime wouldn't be together - I know, morbid. But Rafaello is a total fool!! He should have had the sense to do something before it got that far. Ehhh... As for Jaime, impressive that she stuck to her guns and became a career woman, etc. I guess her fault is being so guillable with Nicola. And I guess for rejecting Rafaello in the first place! But of course, they both needed to learn their lessons so they won't repeat it again OR if they got together the first time, something else might have happened. Regardless, they both kinda sucked. I didn't really connect with the hero/heroine. Actually, I think Jaime deserves better. I think Rafaello s_cks b_lls, excuse my French. The only good thing about him is at least he's rich. I don't know, in a way, I don't blame Jaime for refusing him in the first place! I mean he has SO much pride. Actually now that I think of it, he STILL was extremely proud/arrogant even in the ending! Heck Jaime is giving up her life for him, sheesh! And there wasn't even a past lover/rival in Jaime's past. While poor Jaime had to contend with her own (dead) friend Nicola. Aaah... I guess I should give it two stars. I'm getting pissed off. Obviously, I didn't like the book I guess. On to the next two Mather books I borrowed from the library.. Aarrghhh... Oh I do like Ann Mather, the past books I read of hers were good. I must have picked a few lemons -_- or my tastes are weird.
MY THOUGHTS: Ok, this is the third Mather book that I've read in the same day, and so far... I'm not happy. Don't get me wrong, I like Anne Mather's book but so far, the books I previously read today (see my reviews for Smokescreen and Seasons of Mist) its hasn't been going well. I gave it three stars because the Mather wrote the story was fine. It flowed, it had twists and the hero/heroine had integrity. The hero is commendable in saying he wouldn't have divorced Nicola aka, good thing she died coz Rafaello and Jaime wouldn't be together - I know, morbid. But Rafaello is a total fool!! He should have had the sense to do something before it got that far. Ehhh... As for Jaime, impressive that she stuck to her guns and became a career woman, etc. I guess her fault is being so guillable with Nicola. And I guess for rejecting Rafaello in the first place! But of course, they both needed to learn their lessons so they won't repeat it again OR if they got together the first time, something else might have happened. Regardless, they both kinda sucked. I didn't really connect with the hero/heroine. Actually, I think Jaime deserves better. I think Rafaello s_cks b_lls, excuse my French. The only good thing about him is at least he's rich. I don't know, in a way, I don't blame Jaime for refusing him in the first place! I mean he has SO much pride. Actually now that I think of it, he STILL was extremely proud/arrogant even in the ending! Heck Jaime is giving up her life for him, sheesh! And there wasn't even a past lover/rival in Jaime's past. While poor Jaime had to contend with her own (dead) friend Nicola. Aaah... I guess I should give it two stars. I'm getting pissed off. Obviously, I didn't like the book I guess. On to the next two Mather books I borrowed from the library.. Aarrghhh... Oh I do like Ann Mather, the past books I read of hers were good. I must have picked a few lemons -_- or my tastes are weird.
January 25, 2016
A good read.
Interesting storyline and characters and nice setting.
After 5 years Jaime is contacted by her former BFF Nicola, who is on the verge of going insane and killing herself. Fearing for Nicola, Jaime hops across the ocean to help her. Not realizing that there is much more drama and truth lying underneath the surface. As things become more and more confusing, Jaime wonders what is really going on....no one will give her the whole truth.
Fighting her attraction and love for Raf also takes a toll on our tough heroine as he is married to Nicola and nothing can come of this love.
Jaime is a wonderful character....tough, creative, and caring. It makes it tough to like Raf for what he had done to her in the past. Raf is one of those super macho man that never is wrong and is so sexy. He never listened to her fears 5 years ago and left her and married someone else and has paid for it ever since. He has not been happy and will not divorce his wife even after re-connecting with Jaime.....his pride and honor are too strong! I almost wish there wasn't a happy ending for him but Jaime deserves one!
A well written read.
Interesting storyline and characters and nice setting.
After 5 years Jaime is contacted by her former BFF Nicola, who is on the verge of going insane and killing herself. Fearing for Nicola, Jaime hops across the ocean to help her. Not realizing that there is much more drama and truth lying underneath the surface. As things become more and more confusing, Jaime wonders what is really going on....no one will give her the whole truth.
Fighting her attraction and love for Raf also takes a toll on our tough heroine as he is married to Nicola and nothing can come of this love.
Jaime is a wonderful character....tough, creative, and caring. It makes it tough to like Raf for what he had done to her in the past. Raf is one of those super macho man that never is wrong and is so sexy. He never listened to her fears 5 years ago and left her and married someone else and has paid for it ever since. He has not been happy and will not divorce his wife even after re-connecting with Jaime.....his pride and honor are too strong! I almost wish there wasn't a happy ending for him but Jaime deserves one!
A well written read.
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February 7, 2023What to say? The whole plot and characters are terrible. Tried to read. They’re so unpleasant.
Anne Mather is strictly for hormonal school girls who don’t have much idea about real people and relationships.
In short very shallow.
I used to like her! In school.
Anne Mather is strictly for hormonal school girls who don’t have much idea about real people and relationships.
In short very shallow.
I used to like her! In school.
August 22, 2012
I read this book a couple years ago and just read it again since I am reviewing most of my Anne Mather novels. I did enjoy this novel but it wasn't too ripping. I found it was lacking in some parts and I didn't like how it came together. I did like the characters though and the general story.
hq-to-read
November 13, 2019She had made her choice years ago
As a girl, Jaime had learned how powerful love can be in the arms of a wealthy Italian count, Raphael di Vaggio. Yet she had rejected him to pursue her career.
He had found someone else and for five years Jaime had struggled single-mindedly for financial and emotional independence.
Then a twist of fate revived old memories and a passion she thought had died. Too late she realized she had made the wrong decision. Surely now there could be no turning back
As a girl, Jaime had learned how powerful love can be in the arms of a wealthy Italian count, Raphael di Vaggio. Yet she had rejected him to pursue her career.
He had found someone else and for five years Jaime had struggled single-mindedly for financial and emotional independence.
Then a twist of fate revived old memories and a passion she thought had died. Too late she realized she had made the wrong decision. Surely now there could be no turning back
February 23, 2023
My M&B summer, vastly entertaining, a bit of light relief from the stresses and strains of everyday life. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.
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October 2, 2023DNF
July 30, 2021
An Elusive Desire
When they met at her by home during the holidays she was working hard to make a career so that she could support herself. He was a very rich man with a title from Italy. He couldn't understand why she would take her job over him. A man who could give her anything she wanted. But she had her parents past to make her feel that she needed an ability to take care of herself. He goes and marries her bc. Now five years later they have met again due to her friend. Who wants her to talk to him! She has caused so much hurt for all. When she, the wife, is no longer a problem will they get their own second chance? What happens when the chemistry between them has never died? And what of the lies that have been told? Can all be forgiven?
When they met at her by home during the holidays she was working hard to make a career so that she could support herself. He was a very rich man with a title from Italy. He couldn't understand why she would take her job over him. A man who could give her anything she wanted. But she had her parents past to make her feel that she needed an ability to take care of herself. He goes and marries her bc. Now five years later they have met again due to her friend. Who wants her to talk to him! She has caused so much hurt for all. When she, the wife, is no longer a problem will they get their own second chance? What happens when the chemistry between them has never died? And what of the lies that have been told? Can all be forgiven?
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