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Away Went Love
Hope Arning was in love with Richard Fander and expected to marry him, but he had speculated and lost money that wasn't his. Now he faced prison, and she was forced to ask Dr. Errol Tamberly to lend them money. She wasn't prepared for Errol's reaction. He would give her the money on one condition; she must marry him if Richard proved reluctant to be the husband of a penniless bride!Could she put Richard's love to such a test?
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First published January 1, 1945
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About the author
Mary Burchell
162 books84 followersIda Cook was born on 1904 at 37 Croft Avenue, Sunderland, England. With her eldest sister Mary Louise Cook (1901), she attending the Duchess' School in Alnwick. Later the sisters took civil service jobs in London, and developed a passionate interest in opera. The sisters helped 29 jews to escape from the Nazis, funded mainly by Ida's writing. In 1965, the Cook sisters were honored as Righteous Gentiles by the Yad Vashem Martyrs and Heroes Remembrance Authority in Israel.
As Mary Burchell, she published more than 125 romance novels by Mills & Boon since 1936. She also wrote some western novels as James Keene in collaboration with the author Will Cook (aka Frank Peace). In 1950, Ida Cook wrote her autobiography: "We followed our stars". She helped to found the Romantic Novelists' Association, and was its president from 1966 to her death on December 22, 1986.
As Mary Burchell, she published more than 125 romance novels by Mills & Boon since 1936. She also wrote some western novels as James Keene in collaboration with the author Will Cook (aka Frank Peace). In 1950, Ida Cook wrote her autobiography: "We followed our stars". She helped to found the Romantic Novelists' Association, and was its president from 1966 to her death on December 22, 1986.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 12, 2019
This novel is classic Mary Burchell, published a year before the first book in her much loved 'Warrender' series was released (see: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/ma...). 'Away Went Love' displays a number of the hallmarks that made the ensuing Warrender books so popular with romance readers; it's tightly and engagingly written, the protagonists are flawed but attractive and family tragedies/issues must be contended with before the 'happy ever after' is realised. I'm rating this novel a 3-and-a half star vintage romance read, which reflects less on this particular story, but signifies more that the author went on to pen some classic titles I'd rate as clear 4-star reads.
This story begins with twenty-year-old lab assistant, Hope Arning (the heroine), and her siblings, twelve year old twins - Bridget and Tony - learning their parents have been killed in an air-crash (why is it btw that almost half the old M&B's have parents, fiancees, spouses involved in either 'air-crashes' or 'car smashes'?) Reared in affluent circumstances, it comes as a shock to Hope to learn from her father's younger colleague, and newly appointed guardian of the twins, Doctor Errol Tamberly (the hero), that her 'father died practically penniless'. While Errol, who Hope has had an antagonistic workplace relationship with, has taken it upon himself to fund the twins education and house them during the school holidays, Hope is not to be so shielded from this new relative poverty. As the hero tells her ruthlessly; "There'll be a good many changes. Your fair-weather friends will fall away, for one thing". And this is the real, issue, because one of these friends is young architect, Richard Fander. Hope and Richard plan to marry and to do so, will need funds because as her almost-fiancee quips;
"Here we are Hope, both of us people with rather expensive tastes...I mean darling , that sixpence has never yet been made to do the work of a shilling"..
Being a mercantile type of man, the news that Hope is no longer well-heeled displeases Richard. In fact, it appals him since he's gotten himself into a financial fix and will face dire consequences if he cannot promptly find 500 pounds. Unable to see any other option but to ask Errol (who is very wealthy) to lend the money, Hope reluctantly approaches him. Dr. Tamberly, who is not a scientific whiz-kid for nothing, soon deduces that the money Hope is asking for is in fact required by Richard. The hero agrees to lend the 500 pounds on the basis that if Richard subsequently reneges on marrying her, then the heroine must marry him. Horrified, but convincing herself that all will be well with Richard, Hope agrees to Errol's terms. Unfortunately for her, she soon catches Richard dating his bosses' daughter and, confronted, he admits marriage to Hope is a 'luxury' he can no longer afford. Chilled, she returns to the hero to advise he's won the 'bet' and she's "prepared to stick to her word" and marry him. A few days later, Hope has cause to regret precipitously agreeing this, when she learns that Richard has suddenly inherited a quarter of a million pounds from an Aunt.
What then unfolds, is Hope wavering between the promise she's made to Errol and the renewed prospect of marriage to Richard. Knowing that Errol loves her (he admits this shortly after they became engaged), the heroine feels especially torn. Unlike some of Mary Burchell's heroines (e.g. the frustratingly obtuse Anna Miles in Surgeon of Distinction), Hope is reasonably level headed and has her nagging doubts about Richard, for which she has substantial grounds notwithstanding his contention that his shadier activities were intended to set them up for married prosperity. Her feelings for Errol are less straightforward, and she decides to bury herself away in the countryside to reflect on which, if either, man she should marry. Needless to say, since M&B doesn't have its heroines remaining as spinsters, Hope doesn't pursue the last option, and matters are resolved so the protagonists may live 'happily ever after'.
In summary; a very pleasant, well written vintage read from this author- adding it to my bookshelves.
This story begins with twenty-year-old lab assistant, Hope Arning (the heroine), and her siblings, twelve year old twins - Bridget and Tony - learning their parents have been killed in an air-crash (why is it btw that almost half the old M&B's have parents, fiancees, spouses involved in either 'air-crashes' or 'car smashes'?) Reared in affluent circumstances, it comes as a shock to Hope to learn from her father's younger colleague, and newly appointed guardian of the twins, Doctor Errol Tamberly (the hero), that her 'father died practically penniless'. While Errol, who Hope has had an antagonistic workplace relationship with, has taken it upon himself to fund the twins education and house them during the school holidays, Hope is not to be so shielded from this new relative poverty. As the hero tells her ruthlessly; "There'll be a good many changes. Your fair-weather friends will fall away, for one thing". And this is the real, issue, because one of these friends is young architect, Richard Fander. Hope and Richard plan to marry and to do so, will need funds because as her almost-fiancee quips;
"Here we are Hope, both of us people with rather expensive tastes...I mean darling , that sixpence has never yet been made to do the work of a shilling"..
Being a mercantile type of man, the news that Hope is no longer well-heeled displeases Richard. In fact, it appals him since he's gotten himself into a financial fix and will face dire consequences if he cannot promptly find 500 pounds. Unable to see any other option but to ask Errol (who is very wealthy) to lend the money, Hope reluctantly approaches him. Dr. Tamberly, who is not a scientific whiz-kid for nothing, soon deduces that the money Hope is asking for is in fact required by Richard. The hero agrees to lend the 500 pounds on the basis that if Richard subsequently reneges on marrying her, then the heroine must marry him. Horrified, but convincing herself that all will be well with Richard, Hope agrees to Errol's terms. Unfortunately for her, she soon catches Richard dating his bosses' daughter and, confronted, he admits marriage to Hope is a 'luxury' he can no longer afford. Chilled, she returns to the hero to advise he's won the 'bet' and she's "prepared to stick to her word" and marry him. A few days later, Hope has cause to regret precipitously agreeing this, when she learns that Richard has suddenly inherited a quarter of a million pounds from an Aunt.
What then unfolds, is Hope wavering between the promise she's made to Errol and the renewed prospect of marriage to Richard. Knowing that Errol loves her (he admits this shortly after they became engaged), the heroine feels especially torn. Unlike some of Mary Burchell's heroines (e.g. the frustratingly obtuse Anna Miles in Surgeon of Distinction), Hope is reasonably level headed and has her nagging doubts about Richard, for which she has substantial grounds notwithstanding his contention that his shadier activities were intended to set them up for married prosperity. Her feelings for Errol are less straightforward, and she decides to bury herself away in the countryside to reflect on which, if either, man she should marry. Needless to say, since M&B doesn't have its heroines remaining as spinsters, Hope doesn't pursue the last option, and matters are resolved so the protagonists may live 'happily ever after'.
In summary; a very pleasant, well written vintage read from this author- adding it to my bookshelves.
January 3, 2026
2 1/2 ⭐️⭐️✨This book had Very flip floppy heroine who really annoyed me! The Hero didn’t deserve this h.
July 28, 2015
Thank god for the good Doctor!
April 29, 2025
The story was good with less number of characters and taking place around London.
Heroine Hope though young was sensible and ethical. Hero Errol was mature and understanding.The OM Richard was easy going guy. I liked the way the story progresses at a good pace, I would have liked to know more of hero’s feelings especially when he confesses his love to heroine quite early in the book but doesn’t elaborate what made him like her. Apart from this the story was a good read.
Heroine Hope though young was sensible and ethical. Hero Errol was mature and understanding.The OM Richard was easy going guy. I liked the way the story progresses at a good pace, I would have liked to know more of hero’s feelings especially when he confesses his love to heroine quite early in the book but doesn’t elaborate what made him like her. Apart from this the story was a good read.
December 22, 2020
Its more of a moral science lesson than a romance. If you are fed up of your heroes being rogues, rakes, rascals, then read this one. Here the hero is a saint!!!!!!!!!! He has such noble qualities that you will find it tough to relate to such a paragon of virtue !! We are spoilt by the heroes of the other kind you see.
The girl is a simple, confused 20 year old. Parents dead in an accident. Hero is daddy's junior business partner. They are scientists, running their own private laboratory. The girl works there too, but in a clerical grade.
With daddy gone, hero becomes de facto guardian and boss. The heroine also has 12 year old twins - brother and sister. They are happily saddled onto the hero in Page 1 itself. He becomes guardian to them.
Its only the affairs of the heroine that remain to be settled. She is supposedly in love with a charming waster OM. The fellow is clear about his life's priorities - money first, love next. So he fails a couple of key tests when life throws you a curve ball. He chooses money.
Using this as pretext, the hero proposes marriage. He promises to make good the OM's debts if the heroine marries him instead. But no, its not done in an coercive, manipulative way.
The hero here is so unconventional , he doesn't even follow the one cardinal rule of romance stories. Never say "I love you" till the last few pages! The fellow pours his heart out, somewhere midpoint in the story itself !! When he is lending the money and proposing marriage.
He tells the girl to go and test the OM's affections. If they appear genuine, go ahead, marry him. If he flops on the character certificate scores, come back to me. That's his deal !!!!!!!!
The heroine is bewildered, and quite rightly so. But slowly events unfold exactly as our paragon of virtue predicted. And the girl comes running back to the saintly hero. While he waits patiently !!
The girl is a simple, confused 20 year old. Parents dead in an accident. Hero is daddy's junior business partner. They are scientists, running their own private laboratory. The girl works there too, but in a clerical grade.
With daddy gone, hero becomes de facto guardian and boss. The heroine also has 12 year old twins - brother and sister. They are happily saddled onto the hero in Page 1 itself. He becomes guardian to them.
Its only the affairs of the heroine that remain to be settled. She is supposedly in love with a charming waster OM. The fellow is clear about his life's priorities - money first, love next. So he fails a couple of key tests when life throws you a curve ball. He chooses money.
Using this as pretext, the hero proposes marriage. He promises to make good the OM's debts if the heroine marries him instead. But no, its not done in an coercive, manipulative way.
The hero here is so unconventional , he doesn't even follow the one cardinal rule of romance stories. Never say "I love you" till the last few pages! The fellow pours his heart out, somewhere midpoint in the story itself !! When he is lending the money and proposing marriage.
He tells the girl to go and test the OM's affections. If they appear genuine, go ahead, marry him. If he flops on the character certificate scores, come back to me. That's his deal !!!!!!!!
The heroine is bewildered, and quite rightly so. But slowly events unfold exactly as our paragon of virtue predicted. And the girl comes running back to the saintly hero. While he waits patiently !!
May 4, 2018
"So when you do fall in love, remember it's the man's business to do all the protecting and looking after and putting up with unpleasantness. The Almighty made them that way, and I, for one, am quite satisfied with the arrangement. Don't try to reverse a law of nature. Funny things happen if you do."|
Haha...this was a fun read. 20 year old heroine was engaged with a young architect, who couldn't live without money and the luxury it brings. Until the heroine's parents died and all their wealth went down the drain. So, the 33 year old Hero (her father's partner/assistant/I don't know exactly) came into the picture. heroine found him somehow unpleasant but then the Hero welcomed her siblings (twins) as their guardian. heroine's fiance was sketchy and Hero to the rescue with the condition that heroine must marry Hero.
Hero was the first to confess his feelings. heroine was a lil bit flaky in my taste haha but well she's 20!!!! Hero was MOE but heroine was nah. Honestly? I'd like the hero for myself...
Haha...this was a fun read. 20 year old heroine was engaged with a young architect, who couldn't live without money and the luxury it brings. Until the heroine's parents died and all their wealth went down the drain. So, the 33 year old Hero (her father's partner/assistant/I don't know exactly) came into the picture. heroine found him somehow unpleasant but then the Hero welcomed her siblings (twins) as their guardian. heroine's fiance was sketchy and Hero to the rescue with the condition that heroine must marry Hero.
Hero was the first to confess his feelings. heroine was a lil bit flaky in my taste haha but well she's 20!!!! Hero was MOE but heroine was nah. Honestly? I'd like the hero for myself...
March 12, 2025
Unsurprisingly, I enjoyed this book! This is the quality I expect from Mary Burchell. She's so talented. This is the 54th book by MB that I've read. I don't intend to read them all (over 100!), only the ones I have easy access to.
Hope is a 20-year-old working girl. Her best friend is Enid. And then there is her boss, Erroll. When Hope's parents die in a plane crash, her twin brother and sister need a guardian. Hope's father appointed Erroll to that role for his children.
Hope's fiancé Richard has taken money from the company and used it on stocks that failed. So he's in big trouble. Hope asks Erroll if he could loan her the money to pay it back to keep Richard out of prison, but she is cagey about exactly why she needs it. Erroll is suspicious of Richard's character, so he tells her if Richard still wants to marry her after he discovers she is not the rich girl he thought she was, Richard can keep the money. She then made a bargain to marry Erroll instead if Richard rejects her for being poor. Hope ends up going away to think about which man she loves.
I wanted to tape Enid's mouth shut later in the book. She wouldn't shut up. The twins were fun, and I liked the way MB shaped Erroll's mother's character.
Hope is a 20-year-old working girl. Her best friend is Enid. And then there is her boss, Erroll. When Hope's parents die in a plane crash, her twin brother and sister need a guardian. Hope's father appointed Erroll to that role for his children.
Hope's fiancé Richard has taken money from the company and used it on stocks that failed. So he's in big trouble. Hope asks Erroll if he could loan her the money to pay it back to keep Richard out of prison, but she is cagey about exactly why she needs it. Erroll is suspicious of Richard's character, so he tells her if Richard still wants to marry her after he discovers she is not the rich girl he thought she was, Richard can keep the money. She then made a bargain to marry Erroll instead if Richard rejects her for being poor. Hope ends up going away to think about which man she loves.
I wanted to tape Enid's mouth shut later in the book. She wouldn't shut up. The twins were fun, and I liked the way MB shaped Erroll's mother's character.
November 2, 2018
A lame version of Pay Me Tomorrow. I didn't buy the romance, so it was pretty hard to be engaged. The characters were undeveloped and it was hard to believe the 30-something Errol was madly and desperately in love with the naive, selfish, and immature 20 year old Hope without her knowledge. I don't see this marriage lasting. :)
October 19, 2016
Hope doesn't deserve Errol.
I will summarize the book by a quote from - the amazing but unlikable - Mrs Tamberly : “Because Errol is not in the least degree a woman’s man. He is the kind who remains a bachelor all his life, or else falls violently for some entirely unsuitable woman who makes his life a hell. Up till now I have seen no signs of a fall.”
At least, Hope loves him. Even if it a selfish kind of love.
I will summarize the book by a quote from - the amazing but unlikable - Mrs Tamberly : “Because Errol is not in the least degree a woman’s man. He is the kind who remains a bachelor all his life, or else falls violently for some entirely unsuitable woman who makes his life a hell. Up till now I have seen no signs of a fall.”
At least, Hope loves him. Even if it a selfish kind of love.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews