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Family Man
As personal assistant to octogenarian matriarch Justine Gilchrist, Katy Wade has spent years sorting out Gilchrist family problems; but now she pulls off a minor miracle: she persuades Justine's grandson Luke, a talented restaurant consultant who has no use for his relatives, to rescue the family's restaurant chain from its financial decline. After nosing around, Luke claims that the business is being sabotaged from within. Meanwhile some of the Gilchrists suspect that he'll destroy the company to gain revenge: his father was disinherited by Justine when he left at the altar the bride she had handpicked (the woman who became Katy's mother). In fact, Luke plots only to win Katy, which is not easy, given that the young woman wants out of her job and away from everyone named Gilchrist. In her own saucy, upbeat style, Krentz (Sweet Fortune) turns this eccentric family and pair of mismatched lovers (so everyone tells them) into an entertaining story. Krentz is even confident enough to question the genre rules she plays by so well, as when Katy walks out on Luke during a passionate love scene, saying, There's no call to get surly. You started this. Her fans will eat it up.
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
240 people are currently reading
1361 people want to read
About the author
Jayne Ann Krentz
401 books7,204 followersThe author of over 50 consecutive New York Times bestsellers, JAYNE ANN KRENTZ writes romantic-suspense in three different worlds: Contemporary (as Jayne Ann Krentz), historical (as Amanda Quick) and futuristic (as Jayne Castle). There are over 30 million copies of her books in print.
She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Before she began writing full time she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate libraries.
She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Before she began writing full time she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate libraries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
June 8, 2024
UPDATE 2020 - I was in the mood for a re-read!! Just doesn't get old. Although it's an oldie in every sense.
___________________________________
This book is one of my all-time favorites.
I think I've read all of Jayne Ann Krentz books over the years. But this one resonated with me the most. Not only do I have it in paperback, I also bought an e-copy to have it with me at all times.
It was published in 1992, one of her older novels, and is full of stereotypes. But I still love it!!
There were so many aspects I loved about this book.
I adored the family dynamics. Luke Gilchrist, the prodigal grandson, was pulled back into the family business by his grandmother's personal assistant Katy Wade. Reluctantly, but intrigued by Katy, he agreed to bail out the family company IF Katy would be HIS personal assistant.
From the very beginning Lucas decided Katy was his. His to protect from the vultures in his family, and his to love. Very caveman like, which I adored. Lucas not subtle at all bullied and pushed his way into Katy's life, if she liked it or not. He and his dog. Can't forget the dog with his food bowl that never was too far away.
Katy was a wonderful warm and mature character. A surrogate mother for her teenage brother. And a future restaurant owner. She had a love affair going with her soon to be pesto-restaurant, and Lucas had a hard time competing. It was pretty hilarious at times.
Of course, there is some suspense thrown in, which comes to a big climax at the end. All very JAK like.
For me, all of that made it an exceptional entertaining read. Somehow, it works it magic every time I read it. And just by writing this review, I'm thinking of reading it again.
5-stars and on my keeper shelf
___________________________________
This book is one of my all-time favorites.
I think I've read all of Jayne Ann Krentz books over the years. But this one resonated with me the most. Not only do I have it in paperback, I also bought an e-copy to have it with me at all times.
It was published in 1992, one of her older novels, and is full of stereotypes. But I still love it!!
There were so many aspects I loved about this book.
I adored the family dynamics. Luke Gilchrist, the prodigal grandson, was pulled back into the family business by his grandmother's personal assistant Katy Wade. Reluctantly, but intrigued by Katy, he agreed to bail out the family company IF Katy would be HIS personal assistant.
From the very beginning Lucas decided Katy was his. His to protect from the vultures in his family, and his to love. Very caveman like, which I adored. Lucas not subtle at all bullied and pushed his way into Katy's life, if she liked it or not. He and his dog. Can't forget the dog with his food bowl that never was too far away.
Katy was a wonderful warm and mature character. A surrogate mother for her teenage brother. And a future restaurant owner. She had a love affair going with her soon to be pesto-restaurant, and Lucas had a hard time competing. It was pretty hilarious at times.
Of course, there is some suspense thrown in, which comes to a big climax at the end. All very JAK like.
For me, all of that made it an exceptional entertaining read. Somehow, it works it magic every time I read it. And just by writing this review, I'm thinking of reading it again.
5-stars and on my keeper shelf
May 19, 2018
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Be prepared for a trip back into the 90s, where not everyone is carrying around a cell phone, gender rolls are still very black and white and the hero will need to get around some pantyhose if he is going to get ‘in’ there. I felt like I was watching something on the Oxygen Channel but Family Man was refreshingly fun.
I don’t read a lot of contemporary romance since I really love to have a supernatural anything thrown into the mix but I found this book a little bit delightful. For one Katy, who is called a guardian angel, many times throughout the story is just cute as a button. She works for the Gilcrest family and often thinks of them as a coven of witches walking around all in black and being overdramatic about everything. She has somehow been finagled into bringing the Heir apparent and the only member of the Gilcrest family with any business sense back into the fold.
Luke has been known as ‘The Bastard’ all of his life even though he was born to a married couple. His parents were disowned by the Gilcrests years ago and he has never wanted to be a part of that family. Well not until the day their guardian angel shows up on his doorstep and accuses him of being like a dragon hiding in a cave alone and hoarding his wealth. He might not want to save his family but he does want to save Katy.
There are some stereotypical gender roles flying around in this and a few dated items but I found myself really enjoying the story and Luke’s attempts to win Katy’s affections and her body. Luke also has a great canine companion who carries his food dish with him everywhere that was wonderful too.
This reminded me a little of an 80s nighttime soap opera like Dallas or Dynasty, just not as over the top. Ultimately, it was fun to drop back into the Ninety’s and see how the world around us is both the same and different.
Narration:
Amy McFadden has narrated a few series I’ve really enjoyed. She always gives a solid performance and dialogue between characters is a strong suit for her. She conveys all sides of a conversation well.
Listen to a clip:
https://soundcloud.com/user-149056452...
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Be prepared for a trip back into the 90s, where not everyone is carrying around a cell phone, gender rolls are still very black and white and the hero will need to get around some pantyhose if he is going to get ‘in’ there. I felt like I was watching something on the Oxygen Channel but Family Man was refreshingly fun.
I don’t read a lot of contemporary romance since I really love to have a supernatural anything thrown into the mix but I found this book a little bit delightful. For one Katy, who is called a guardian angel, many times throughout the story is just cute as a button. She works for the Gilcrest family and often thinks of them as a coven of witches walking around all in black and being overdramatic about everything. She has somehow been finagled into bringing the Heir apparent and the only member of the Gilcrest family with any business sense back into the fold.
Luke has been known as ‘The Bastard’ all of his life even though he was born to a married couple. His parents were disowned by the Gilcrests years ago and he has never wanted to be a part of that family. Well not until the day their guardian angel shows up on his doorstep and accuses him of being like a dragon hiding in a cave alone and hoarding his wealth. He might not want to save his family but he does want to save Katy.
There are some stereotypical gender roles flying around in this and a few dated items but I found myself really enjoying the story and Luke’s attempts to win Katy’s affections and her body. Luke also has a great canine companion who carries his food dish with him everywhere that was wonderful too.
This reminded me a little of an 80s nighttime soap opera like Dallas or Dynasty, just not as over the top. Ultimately, it was fun to drop back into the Ninety’s and see how the world around us is both the same and different.
Narration:
Amy McFadden has narrated a few series I’ve really enjoyed. She always gives a solid performance and dialogue between characters is a strong suit for her. She conveys all sides of a conversation well.
Listen to a clip:
https://soundcloud.com/user-149056452...
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
May 23, 2018
Segundo libro que leo para el #Rita JACK de la Krentz bajo ese nombre y he quedado muchísimo más contenta que con Trust me.
Family man me ha parecido un libro muy entretenido y bien llevado, donde se mezclan con habilidad pistos familiares, intrigas, jaleos empresariales y una bonita historia de amor. Es un libro de personajes más que de las historias que cuenta. Todos tienen una marcada personalidad y creo que aportan mucho al libro, hasta el perro es un personaje peculiar que te encandila. La pareja protagonista me ha gustado muchísimo. Luke es un tipo de maromo que me encanta, duro y borde, un hacha en los negocios, que no tiene problemas en ir a por lo que quiere pero que ni niega ni oculta sus sentimientos, comportándose siempre en base a ellos. Katy me ha parecido más simple pero es complicado no serlo ante la arrolladora personalidad de Luke y su familia (están todos un poco tocados del ala). Ambos son inteligentes y sus diálogos son estupendos, con un sutil humor que impregna todo el libro y que me ha hecho leer casi todo el tiempo con la sonrisa en la boca.
La parte amorosa no es especialmente intensa, eso sí. No os vais a encontrar declaraciones de amor grandilocuentes ni exaltaciones amorosas, es un amor sencillo y discreto pero que me ha parecido bonito. También os tengo que decir que la resolución de los pistos intriguescos es un poco mñe pero, sinceramente, no me ha importado porque he disfrutado bastante con todo lo demás.
Family man me ha parecido un libro muy entretenido y bien llevado, donde se mezclan con habilidad pistos familiares, intrigas, jaleos empresariales y una bonita historia de amor. Es un libro de personajes más que de las historias que cuenta. Todos tienen una marcada personalidad y creo que aportan mucho al libro, hasta el perro es un personaje peculiar que te encandila. La pareja protagonista me ha gustado muchísimo. Luke es un tipo de maromo que me encanta, duro y borde, un hacha en los negocios, que no tiene problemas en ir a por lo que quiere pero que ni niega ni oculta sus sentimientos, comportándose siempre en base a ellos. Katy me ha parecido más simple pero es complicado no serlo ante la arrolladora personalidad de Luke y su familia (están todos un poco tocados del ala). Ambos son inteligentes y sus diálogos son estupendos, con un sutil humor que impregna todo el libro y que me ha hecho leer casi todo el tiempo con la sonrisa en la boca.
La parte amorosa no es especialmente intensa, eso sí. No os vais a encontrar declaraciones de amor grandilocuentes ni exaltaciones amorosas, es un amor sencillo y discreto pero que me ha parecido bonito. También os tengo que decir que la resolución de los pistos intriguescos es un poco mñe pero, sinceramente, no me ha importado porque he disfrutado bastante con todo lo demás.
January 5, 2014
An early 90s Krentz and again, I'm impressed with the quality. There were some unquestioned gender stereotypes that penetrated throughout, but I find that it just didn't bother me. Indeed, I found some of Luke's sentiments regarding acceptable use of violence and his mild mentorship of Katy's brother Matt rather refreshing (even if he did once or twice pull the "it's a man thing, I'd better take charge" card).
I didn't much care for the Gilchrist family (fortunately, I don't think the reader was really meant to), so their plight didn't really interest me the way it did the heroine, Katy. Worse, though, I found myself more than once rather annoyed with her too-persistent naiveté. This kept me from connecting with the story completely, though I still cared about her enough to be engaged.
In all, a good book that just wasn't entirely to my taste. Some of the interplay between Luke and Katy was laugh-out-loud hilarious, though, so that was refreshing. In all, good enough to enjoy--just not a complete hit.
A note about Steamy: Pretty steamy, actually. Three or four full-on explicit scenes, though some of them were only a page or so. Not unreasonable, but on the high side, I thought.
I didn't much care for the Gilchrist family (fortunately, I don't think the reader was really meant to), so their plight didn't really interest me the way it did the heroine, Katy. Worse, though, I found myself more than once rather annoyed with her too-persistent naiveté. This kept me from connecting with the story completely, though I still cared about her enough to be engaged.
In all, a good book that just wasn't entirely to my taste. Some of the interplay between Luke and Katy was laugh-out-loud hilarious, though, so that was refreshing. In all, good enough to enjoy--just not a complete hit.
A note about Steamy: Pretty steamy, actually. Three or four full-on explicit scenes, though some of them were only a page or so. Not unreasonable, but on the high side, I thought.
June 29, 2024
5 stars
Published in 1992 and full of outdated gender stereotypes, but… I honestly didn’t care. I might need an “oldie but a goodie” shelf for these types of books!
Luke is the prodigal grandson who has returned to save the family business, even if the family suspects him of plotting revenge. Katy is his grandmother’s personal assistant, and Luke thinks she’s way too loyal for her own good.
I LOVED their dynamic. Whenever there was a problem, Katy was all “Luke will fix it” with shiny-eyed optimism, and Luke’s MO was saying “you’ll speak to Katy like that over my dead body” (and then doing whatever Katy wanted). Their energy reminded me a lot of Ravished by Amanda Quick (same author, different pen name) and there was a feel-good soapy vibe that had me giddy and giggling.
Published in 1992 and full of outdated gender stereotypes, but… I honestly didn’t care. I might need an “oldie but a goodie” shelf for these types of books!
Luke is the prodigal grandson who has returned to save the family business, even if the family suspects him of plotting revenge. Katy is his grandmother’s personal assistant, and Luke thinks she’s way too loyal for her own good.
I LOVED their dynamic. Whenever there was a problem, Katy was all “Luke will fix it” with shiny-eyed optimism, and Luke’s MO was saying “you’ll speak to Katy like that over my dead body” (and then doing whatever Katy wanted). Their energy reminded me a lot of Ravished by Amanda Quick (same author, different pen name) and there was a feel-good soapy vibe that had me giddy and giggling.
November 25, 2020
An early CR from 1992. Some purple prose, an alpha male and a little mystery with an HEA. Too bad there was no epilogue.
August 28, 2021
Each time I read this book it doesn't fail to get me engrossed into the storyline! The coven of witches and warlics is definitely something to look forward to. And I think part of my fascination with MA I can atribute to this book and I'm really glad that my MA master is like the one mentined in this book :)
January 6, 2026
3 1/2
Some of her naivete went well beyond acceptable (around 80%) and became stupidity. But this is really the only nit I have. Overall I did enjoy myself.
It's a 90s book so take it in consideration, gender blindness galore :)
Some of her naivete went well beyond acceptable (around 80%) and became stupidity. But this is really the only nit I have. Overall I did enjoy myself.
It's a 90s book so take it in consideration, gender blindness galore :)
May 4, 2018
#RitaJACK
La verdad es que, en mi opinión, se queda en una novela aceptable. Tiene ingredientes para ser más que eso (familia rica, pisto familiar, intriga empresarial), pero se queda en aceptable. Lo más remarcable y lo que más me ha gustado ha sido la relación entre Katy y Luke. Luke es de esos protagonistas fríos, solitarios sin contacto con su familia durante años que, de pronto, se tiene que hacer cargo de los negocios familiares y ponerse al frente de una familia que lo llama El bastardo.
Katy y Luke me han dado buenos ratos (el momento en que "la euforia atravesó a Katy cuando todo su cuerpo cantó la canción de la liberación" de Katy, es otro de esos momentos memorables que me está dando el #RetoRita2 XDDDDD).
La verdad es que es todos bastante previsible y le ha faltado garra por ejemplo en la resolución de los pistos familiares, creo que se le podía haber sacado más partido, porque llega un momento en el que va perdiendo el interés que despierta al principio.
Resumiendo, una novela para pasar el rato y en la que lo más destacable son los ratos que me han hecho pasar Katy y Luke.
La verdad es que, en mi opinión, se queda en una novela aceptable. Tiene ingredientes para ser más que eso (familia rica, pisto familiar, intriga empresarial), pero se queda en aceptable. Lo más remarcable y lo que más me ha gustado ha sido la relación entre Katy y Luke. Luke es de esos protagonistas fríos, solitarios sin contacto con su familia durante años que, de pronto, se tiene que hacer cargo de los negocios familiares y ponerse al frente de una familia que lo llama El bastardo.
Katy y Luke me han dado buenos ratos (el momento en que "la euforia atravesó a Katy cuando todo su cuerpo cantó la canción de la liberación" de Katy, es otro de esos momentos memorables que me está dando el #RetoRita2 XDDDDD).
La verdad es que es todos bastante previsible y le ha faltado garra por ejemplo en la resolución de los pistos familiares, creo que se le podía haber sacado más partido, porque llega un momento en el que va perdiendo el interés que despierta al principio.
Resumiendo, una novela para pasar el rato y en la que lo más destacable son los ratos que me han hecho pasar Katy y Luke.
April 5, 2017
As a long-time reader of Jayne Ann Krentz and all her pseudonyms, I've often seen reviews that mentioned Family Man as being among her best books. And I'd say that it lives up to that reputation. This story contained a lot of the things that I like in JAK's books and very few of the things that I don't.
Despite this being an older book, Luke had none of the arrogant, abusive, alpha male tendencies that a lot of older romance novel heroes have. He was strong and assertive when the occasion called for it but he never treated the heroine, Katy, as anything less than an equal who deserved his respect. And it wasn't long before Katy's unfailingly positive attitude started wearing away the few rough edges he did possess. Theirs was the kind of relationship that romance stories SHOULD be about. Two people who make each other strive to be the best versions of themselves. Who know each other inside and out and love and trust each other unfailingly. Too often in romance novels we're handed an entirely one-sided relationship where one half commands, belittles and disrespects the other half, who in turn cowers and submits, changing everything about themselves to please the dominant half. Then we're expected to consider the result "true love". It's sick. Katy and Luke's romance was a believable partnership and I could see them actually living happily ever after for the rest of their lives.
The basic premise is that Katy works for Luke's estranged family, the Gilchrists. Luke's father caused a big scandal 37 years ago when he stood a woman up at the altar to run off with his secretary, Luke's mother. The family, and especially the matriarch, Justine, Luke's grandmother, was left humiliated by the scandal and subsequently disowned Luke's parents and any children they might have. The rift was never mended and Luke's parents and his wife were killed in a plane crash three years before the book began. The Gilchrist empire has started to decline in recent years because Justine is getting on in age and none of her remaining children or grandchildren have shown any real business acumen. She's pinned her hopes on bringing the business-savvy Luke back into the family's fold and turning the company over to him. Katy, who happens to be the orphaned daughter of the woman Luke's father left at the altar, has been tasked with convincing Luke to return and he's dead-set against it.
After a face-to-face meeting, however, Luke is drawn to Katy and realizes that returning to the family is the only way he'll have a chance to woo her. He comes back and makes the stipulation that Katy will have to become his personal assistant for the next six months or he won't agree to save the company. The rest of the book is spent with Luke ferreting out all the reasons the company is doing so poorly while also convincing Katy to have an affair with him. It was originally only supposed to last the six months of their agreed time together, but obviously that plan goes right out the window when their feelings for each other quickly grow to more. It isn't long before Luke realizes he can't live without Katy and the sense of peace she brings to his life, and Katy is equally in love with Luke. All of the challenges to their relationship come from outside evil-doers. There are never any Big Misunderstandings or situations where the couple are too stubborn to just have a conversation with each other. They're a team and always on the same side, even if they have differing opinions on the best way to achieve their goal.
I liked Katy as the heroine. She was good, loyal and had a positive, level-headed outlook on life and her rather melodramatic employers. And thankfully her open-mindedness rarely strayed into TSTL territory. The only time I had to raise an eyebrow at her attitude was when she was attacked on the beach by a former coworker. He'd been one of the ones who had been hurting the company for his own gain and Luke had fired him. Then the man attacks Katy on the beach, admits what he was doing, and tries to blackmail her into helping him complete his dastardly plans. After Luke swoops in and saves the day, Katy's still trying to give the man the benefit of the doubt. Saying that maybe he had his reasons for doing what he did. Seriously? He just tried to blackmail you into committing industrial espionage! But thankfully that was the only time her "see the best in people" attitude made her seem a little overly naive. And it's never used to successfully manipulate her into doing something stupid because she's smart enough to know to go straight to Luke with her problems, rather than trying to sneak around and handle them on her own.
All in all is was a sweet story about a healthy relationship and I enjoyed it quite a bit.
Despite this being an older book, Luke had none of the arrogant, abusive, alpha male tendencies that a lot of older romance novel heroes have. He was strong and assertive when the occasion called for it but he never treated the heroine, Katy, as anything less than an equal who deserved his respect. And it wasn't long before Katy's unfailingly positive attitude started wearing away the few rough edges he did possess. Theirs was the kind of relationship that romance stories SHOULD be about. Two people who make each other strive to be the best versions of themselves. Who know each other inside and out and love and trust each other unfailingly. Too often in romance novels we're handed an entirely one-sided relationship where one half commands, belittles and disrespects the other half, who in turn cowers and submits, changing everything about themselves to please the dominant half. Then we're expected to consider the result "true love". It's sick. Katy and Luke's romance was a believable partnership and I could see them actually living happily ever after for the rest of their lives.
The basic premise is that Katy works for Luke's estranged family, the Gilchrists. Luke's father caused a big scandal 37 years ago when he stood a woman up at the altar to run off with his secretary, Luke's mother. The family, and especially the matriarch, Justine, Luke's grandmother, was left humiliated by the scandal and subsequently disowned Luke's parents and any children they might have. The rift was never mended and Luke's parents and his wife were killed in a plane crash three years before the book began. The Gilchrist empire has started to decline in recent years because Justine is getting on in age and none of her remaining children or grandchildren have shown any real business acumen. She's pinned her hopes on bringing the business-savvy Luke back into the family's fold and turning the company over to him. Katy, who happens to be the orphaned daughter of the woman Luke's father left at the altar, has been tasked with convincing Luke to return and he's dead-set against it.
After a face-to-face meeting, however, Luke is drawn to Katy and realizes that returning to the family is the only way he'll have a chance to woo her. He comes back and makes the stipulation that Katy will have to become his personal assistant for the next six months or he won't agree to save the company. The rest of the book is spent with Luke ferreting out all the reasons the company is doing so poorly while also convincing Katy to have an affair with him. It was originally only supposed to last the six months of their agreed time together, but obviously that plan goes right out the window when their feelings for each other quickly grow to more. It isn't long before Luke realizes he can't live without Katy and the sense of peace she brings to his life, and Katy is equally in love with Luke. All of the challenges to their relationship come from outside evil-doers. There are never any Big Misunderstandings or situations where the couple are too stubborn to just have a conversation with each other. They're a team and always on the same side, even if they have differing opinions on the best way to achieve their goal.
I liked Katy as the heroine. She was good, loyal and had a positive, level-headed outlook on life and her rather melodramatic employers. And thankfully her open-mindedness rarely strayed into TSTL territory. The only time I had to raise an eyebrow at her attitude was when she was attacked on the beach by a former coworker. He'd been one of the ones who had been hurting the company for his own gain and Luke had fired him. Then the man attacks Katy on the beach, admits what he was doing, and tries to blackmail her into helping him complete his dastardly plans. After Luke swoops in and saves the day, Katy's still trying to give the man the benefit of the doubt. Saying that maybe he had his reasons for doing what he did. Seriously? He just tried to blackmail you into committing industrial espionage! But thankfully that was the only time her "see the best in people" attitude made her seem a little overly naive. And it's never used to successfully manipulate her into doing something stupid because she's smart enough to know to go straight to Luke with her problems, rather than trying to sneak around and handle them on her own.
All in all is was a sweet story about a healthy relationship and I enjoyed it quite a bit.
April 25, 2013
This book, published in 1992, is riddled with cliches and stereotypes. Katy is the hard-working personal assistant to the matriarch of Gilchrist, Inc. She's a young, smart, girl-next-door type who has been supporting her younger brother since her parents died. she's become known as the Gilchrist Guardian Angel because she takes care of everything, from their overly dramatic family dynamics to running most of the details of the business.
Luke Gilchrist is the prodigal grandson who is talked into returning to the family fold to save the suddenly struggling company from financial disaster. He's a widower who has lived in solitude for 3 years since the death of his parents and wife in a plane crash. he's brooding, antagonistic, cynical, and extremely gifted in financial matters. Oh, and he's an expert at martial arts, he's gorgeous, and dresses nice, too.
Every character in this book is a stereotype. Katy is the home-grown good girl who has raging passion underneath the surface. She's also an idiot, forever wanting to feed her boss Justine what are essentially lies to "protect" people from the mistakes they've made. She convinced Luke to do the same in the name of "family peace" more than once. She's a mix of Mary Tyler Moore-like working girl and Pollyanna.
Justine is the iron-fisted matriarch, her children and grandchildren are all disappointments to her. The artist of the family is clueless, and the daughter-in-law is scared of her.
Then there is the fact that "like a Gilchrist" is used in some form throughout the book ad nauseum.
"the dramatic Gilchists"
"Only a Gilchrist would think that way"
"A Gilchrist who could control his passion was an anomoly!"
"it was typical of a Gilchrist"
"Gilchrist's never did anything by half-measures"
"Of course, you're just acting like a Gilchrist."
And then there was this exchange:
Matt (Katy's brother): Is Katy very upset?
Luke: She's a woman. Of course she's upset.
Dumb plot, and cliched characters. Not what I expected. I love JAK books such as Grand Passion and Absolutely, Positively.
Luke Gilchrist is the prodigal grandson who is talked into returning to the family fold to save the suddenly struggling company from financial disaster. He's a widower who has lived in solitude for 3 years since the death of his parents and wife in a plane crash. he's brooding, antagonistic, cynical, and extremely gifted in financial matters. Oh, and he's an expert at martial arts, he's gorgeous, and dresses nice, too.
Every character in this book is a stereotype. Katy is the home-grown good girl who has raging passion underneath the surface. She's also an idiot, forever wanting to feed her boss Justine what are essentially lies to "protect" people from the mistakes they've made. She convinced Luke to do the same in the name of "family peace" more than once. She's a mix of Mary Tyler Moore-like working girl and Pollyanna.
Justine is the iron-fisted matriarch, her children and grandchildren are all disappointments to her. The artist of the family is clueless, and the daughter-in-law is scared of her.
Then there is the fact that "like a Gilchrist" is used in some form throughout the book ad nauseum.
"the dramatic Gilchists"
"Only a Gilchrist would think that way"
"A Gilchrist who could control his passion was an anomoly!"
"it was typical of a Gilchrist"
"Gilchrist's never did anything by half-measures"
"Of course, you're just acting like a Gilchrist."
And then there was this exchange:
Matt (Katy's brother): Is Katy very upset?
Luke: She's a woman. Of course she's upset.
Dumb plot, and cliched characters. Not what I expected. I love JAK books such as Grand Passion and Absolutely, Positively.
December 27, 2014
Dropping this from 5 stars to 4 stars because, while the cooking scene at the end is still quite possibly the only "grand gesture" scene that's every worked for me*, I think I'm more fond of the dog than of any of the human characters.
*I tend to find grand gestures manipulative at best, a band-aid to temporarily cover up ongoing issues rather than deal with them. In this book, I think that's the hero's initial intent -- to trick the heroine into thinking that he's a gourmet cook, one of the qualities she's looking for in a husband -- but his sincere attempt to overcome his ineptitude in the kitchen in order to please her, and her acceptance of his limitations in this area, made it work for me here.
*I tend to find grand gestures manipulative at best, a band-aid to temporarily cover up ongoing issues rather than deal with them. In this book, I think that's the hero's initial intent -- to trick the heroine into thinking that he's a gourmet cook, one of the qualities she's looking for in a husband -- but his sincere attempt to overcome his ineptitude in the kitchen in order to please her, and her acceptance of his limitations in this area, made it work for me here.
December 2, 2013
This book is a favorite of mine by one of my most beloved romance authors.
The story was written in 1992 and interestingly contains characters which bare a remarkable resemblence to some very successful recent stories, one of which is being made into a movie.
The theme of the beautiful but nasty CEO, everyone calls The Bastard, who seduces his angelic employee heroine seems to pop up in many successful novels. Its a little like The Taming of the Shrew, where the shrew is the Hero.
I find myself asking, "Did Jayne Ann Krentz create the first story with this popular theme? Her characters are well developed with stunning dialog, and a plot that keeps you reading.
Her books set the bar high, in my opinion, and not everyone who writes similar versions has succeeded.
The story was written in 1992 and interestingly contains characters which bare a remarkable resemblence to some very successful recent stories, one of which is being made into a movie.
The theme of the beautiful but nasty CEO, everyone calls The Bastard, who seduces his angelic employee heroine seems to pop up in many successful novels. Its a little like The Taming of the Shrew, where the shrew is the Hero.
I find myself asking, "Did Jayne Ann Krentz create the first story with this popular theme? Her characters are well developed with stunning dialog, and a plot that keeps you reading.
Her books set the bar high, in my opinion, and not everyone who writes similar versions has succeeded.
November 20, 2018
Pretty standard soap opera-esque romance, with the super rich and handome a*hole forcing himself on the over-worked secretary ("assistant") who continually says no to him despite his hotness and he ignores her rejections and pursues her till she finally gives in and realizes he's such a nice guy.
I don't get why women write this stuff/read it. It propagates so much of what they claim to hate.
I don't get why women write this stuff/read it. It propagates so much of what they claim to hate.
August 10, 2022
Gilchrist Inc is in trouble. Justine Gilchrist, the matriarch and owner of Gilchrist inc., hired Katie as her personal assistant. Her reasoning was not fully sympathetic to Katie’s plight, it was partly to correct a wrong from long time ago. Also, Justine is getting up and years and needs help, but she will only pass Gilchrist Inc to a Gilchrist. Katie is tasked with bringing the prodigal grandson, Luke Gilchrist, home to assume his responsibilities to take over Gilchrist inc.
Jayne has a whimsical style of writing and her stories usually have mystery. This story was no different. The odd family dynamics and trying to figure out who was behind the issues at Gilchrist Inc is what kept the story interesting. Oh, and the dog, Zeke. Such a great addition to the story.
I was seriously tired of Katie’s over-generalizations of Gilchrist’s. She did it too often. And the whole “Luke, you must assume your responsibilities” seemed unrealistic. Also, some things felt unfinished with the family.
Jayne Krentz seems like an underrated author. I enjoy her stories. Even the ones that are outdated, like this one.
Jayne has a whimsical style of writing and her stories usually have mystery. This story was no different. The odd family dynamics and trying to figure out who was behind the issues at Gilchrist Inc is what kept the story interesting. Oh, and the dog, Zeke. Such a great addition to the story.
I was seriously tired of Katie’s over-generalizations of Gilchrist’s. She did it too often. And the whole “Luke, you must assume your responsibilities” seemed unrealistic. Also, some things felt unfinished with the family.
Jayne Krentz seems like an underrated author. I enjoy her stories. Even the ones that are outdated, like this one.
November 4, 2012
Luke Gilchrist, cold, impenetrable, dark hero and Kate Wade, all lightness and warmth are the template one finds often in Judith Ann Krentz’s novels. This is a ROMANCE. Krentz’s books are nothing if not formulaic. This is not to say the book is not an entertaining read—it is that. And at certain moments in my life, her books are exactly what I want to read. But the love (read sex) scenes are so the same from one of her books to another that they feel like a cut and paste exercise. The redemption of the hero is so NOT unexpected. If you want a very light beach read, perhaps this one will do, but mind-engaging it is not.
January 12, 2024
This Jayne Ann Krentz published in 1992 has all the elements I love in her work, great characters, humor, dialogue, and plot. I have read it at least ten times and look forward to future readings. It is one of my favorites written in this genre, and I am particularly crazy about Zeke, Luke's big black dog who carries his food dish with him everywhere. Even after so many readings, I still have trouble putting it down.
May 19, 2016
Cartea ne oferă numeroase momente și replici pline de umor, câteva elemente de suspans, iar pasajele emoționante și pline de duioșie te fac să crezi în suflete pereche, în contrarii care se atrag și în povești magice de iubire.
Recenzia mea:
http://www.delicateseliterare.ro/dori...
Recenzia mea:
http://www.delicateseliterare.ro/dori...
February 2, 2009
This has been one of my favorite books over the years. I re read it every so often and enjoy it a lot. I love the family dynamics and the twisted side of every family that is shown here. Luke is sexy and take charge yet is led by this beautiful woman with the courage to fight him. You'll love it!
April 6, 2013
One of my first Jayne Ann Krentz novel. Loved it when I read it 10 years ago and I still love the characters and story 10 years later. A Jayne Ann Krentz classic.
July 4, 2024
This was older book from the late 90's but the audio was very well done. The story was dated but very cute and I still enjoyed it. It was romantic and sweet.
The hero Luke Gilchrist is the disowned grandson known as the "bastard" to the family. His grandmother disowned his father and mother before he was born so he has had no contact/or love for the family. He is self made/rich/cranky/loner with a huge dog as his only company since his parents and wife were killed 3 yrs ago.
He is conned into coming back to help save the failing family business by Katy, the old grandma's personal assistant. Katy just wants the job done so she can move on to open her own restaurant. She is also taking care of her 17 yr old brother as her parents are deceased.
Katy is a do gooder and straight arrow but she sees in Luke's hostile shell a decent person trying to get out. This is slow fun romance with more corporate suspense. Yes there are threats and some drama but overall a blast from the past. Kind of reminded me of a Doris Day movie where she is all sweet but still wraps the guy around her finger.
Love the dog, the old 70 style gender roles (women in business skirts and pantyhose lol) and lack of conveniences that were not around at that time.
The hero Luke Gilchrist is the disowned grandson known as the "bastard" to the family. His grandmother disowned his father and mother before he was born so he has had no contact/or love for the family. He is self made/rich/cranky/loner with a huge dog as his only company since his parents and wife were killed 3 yrs ago.
He is conned into coming back to help save the failing family business by Katy, the old grandma's personal assistant. Katy just wants the job done so she can move on to open her own restaurant. She is also taking care of her 17 yr old brother as her parents are deceased.
Katy is a do gooder and straight arrow but she sees in Luke's hostile shell a decent person trying to get out. This is slow fun romance with more corporate suspense. Yes there are threats and some drama but overall a blast from the past. Kind of reminded me of a Doris Day movie where she is all sweet but still wraps the guy around her finger.
Love the dog, the old 70 style gender roles (women in business skirts and pantyhose lol) and lack of conveniences that were not around at that time.
February 4, 2023
For a book from the early 90s, it holds up pretty good. Gilchrist Inc is a family company that isn't doing well, so Justine wants her grandson she refused to recognize to come in and save the business. Luke has been grieving for the last 3 years and cut himself off from people, but is intrigued by Katy, Justine's PA.
Katy is a very optimistic and happy person who has been raising her younger brother for many years. She finds the Gilchrists to be amusing with their need for drama and revenge. When Luke decides to run the company temporarily, no one knows for sure if he will really save it or sink it.
I love Luke and Katy together. They are the perfect example of opposites attract. Her brother Matt and Luke's dog, Zeke are also great characters. The rest of the Gilchrist family is interesting, but not the type of people I would want to be friends with. All that drama would be exhausting.
Katy is a very optimistic and happy person who has been raising her younger brother for many years. She finds the Gilchrists to be amusing with their need for drama and revenge. When Luke decides to run the company temporarily, no one knows for sure if he will really save it or sink it.
I love Luke and Katy together. They are the perfect example of opposites attract. Her brother Matt and Luke's dog, Zeke are also great characters. The rest of the Gilchrist family is interesting, but not the type of people I would want to be friends with. All that drama would be exhausting.
November 29, 2009
I think this is one of the worst books I've ever read. Can not understand all the good reviews on amazon. The heroine is a complete push over and the man seems like a seriel killer. He "falls in love" with her and just says we're in a relationship even though she says no. This book just sucks. Haven't finished it yet but just can't seem to force myself to.
September 21, 2007
Krentz is one of my favorite authors in the genre. Her books have tremendous humor - which I enjoy. In my opinion, romance novels often seem to take themselves too seriously. This was just fun.
December 4, 2023
Step back in time to a very early Jayne Ann Krentz from the early 1990s. I read this a long time ago, and remembered loving it, so decided to give it a try in audio. I didn't love this quite as much as I remembered, but it's still a solid B for me, and the narration worked for me.
I had a few problems early on in the book as it's clear our heroine -- Katy -- is going to get involved with the man who eventually becomes her boss, Luke (and the situation is temporary and complicated). I reminded myself several times: this is the early 1990s! Once I just went with things, and put my mind back to the early 1990s, I enjoyed the story. It has witty dialogue, a smart hero and heroine, and a large weird family that Katy has become involved with. And of course, it also has a great dog.
I had a few problems early on in the book as it's clear our heroine -- Katy -- is going to get involved with the man who eventually becomes her boss, Luke (and the situation is temporary and complicated). I reminded myself several times: this is the early 1990s! Once I just went with things, and put my mind back to the early 1990s, I enjoyed the story. It has witty dialogue, a smart hero and heroine, and a large weird family that Katy has become involved with. And of course, it also has a great dog.
June 27, 2020
First of all I love Jayne Ann Krentz. But I wanna thank anyone who finished this book , I know it's not easy.
What the hell is wrong with Katy , I was so fucking irritated with the whole Gilchrist thing. Are they some kind of different species or something, because the amount of times she mentioned them or just said their name was so annoying. And let's not talk about how naive she was , I mean I understand that this book was in the 90s I guess but I don't think females were this guilable. The only saving grace that made me continue this book and give it 3 stars was Luke. Thank god he was at least a decent hero.
3 LUKE STARS
What the hell is wrong with Katy , I was so fucking irritated with the whole Gilchrist thing. Are they some kind of different species or something, because the amount of times she mentioned them or just said their name was so annoying. And let's not talk about how naive she was , I mean I understand that this book was in the 90s I guess but I don't think females were this guilable. The only saving grace that made me continue this book and give it 3 stars was Luke. Thank god he was at least a decent hero.
3 LUKE STARS
January 17, 2021
These romances are just so easy to read! I read this book when I was in high school and, for some reason, forgot about it with all the books I have read over the years. I love the story but I will admit, the ending wasn't my favorite. If you want to know more about my thoughts on this book, check out my reading blog.
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http://literarychallenge.weebly.com/s...
June 10, 2021
Just makes me happy. Love the characters.
July 4, 2024
I enjoyed this book, but it definitely read like an elevated Kristen Ashley novel.
Plucky heroine is the personal assistant to a family business matriarch. Hero is the estranged grandson they are trying to bring back into the fold to save the family business.
This book had a lot of annoying conflicts that were basically instantly resolved. I feel like it would have benefited more from an over arching issue.
Plucky heroine is the personal assistant to a family business matriarch. Hero is the estranged grandson they are trying to bring back into the fold to save the family business.
This book had a lot of annoying conflicts that were basically instantly resolved. I feel like it would have benefited more from an over arching issue.
June 5, 2018
FAMILY MAN: An Old-School Romance
The PA of the matriarch of a family business has to get the reclusive, rejected grandson to save the business.
http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...
This felt like an historical romance novel pulled into the twentieth-first century because of its manipulative and powerful man forcing a woman into his life. The Gilchrists are a family with restaurant businesses but only the matriarch, Justine Gilchrist, is an effective business person. The rest of the family includes a bunch of dissipated heirs and one, Luke, whose family was in exile and which built their own restaurant business. With little effort this could have been turned into an historical romance. It could also have been one of the old-style Harlequin Romances.
The setting with an aging Justine "managing" her business from home felt like a castle on the hill, or maybe a creepy mansion on an hill or seaside cliff. Of course, in the 1990s, the best one could do working from home was a fax machine.
The business is effectively run by Justine's personal secretary, Katy.
I did not enjoy the book: it felt out of time on two levels: the management behavior by the brilliant, reclusive, and often rude, Luke. I excused the complete lack of internet use and such because it was originally published in the early 1990s and the internet was not really available to the public. But even in the 1990s sexual harassment training regular and a management consultant would certainly have been aware. Of course, Luke's behavior as a manager, or a consulting manager, is possible and abuse by management is legion. But, casting such a character as a positive, romantic lead is ridiculous. Also, his motivation for taking the job to save the Gilchrists and pursue Katy was inexplicable as it was a 180 degree turnaround from his behavior the day before.
Add to it the constant insistence by the lead female romantic character that all behavior by Gilchrists is explained and, excused by the nature of being "Gilchrists." It felt medieval to me. She is also gullible as hell and her sense of owing so-o-o-o much to Justine is a point of honor, but repaid long ago.
And, another tragic coincidence: Justine was widowed young, one set of parents dies in a boat accident, and the other family dies in a plane crash. This trope is overused as it is, but having more than one tragic event is, well tragic.
Secondary characters, except for Katy's brother and, perhaps, the matriarch, Juliette, are hardly developed. But I found the overbearing housekeeper comical. She was like a character in an old cartoon or sit-com.
Amy McFadden's no nonsense but cheerful voice was probably the best part of this experience. However, I was so annoyed by the 1970s dimestore-novel-feeling the narration hardly mattered. And, in my opinion, that's what your getting when you pick this one up.
The PA of the matriarch of a family business has to get the reclusive, rejected grandson to save the business.
http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...
This felt like an historical romance novel pulled into the twentieth-first century because of its manipulative and powerful man forcing a woman into his life. The Gilchrists are a family with restaurant businesses but only the matriarch, Justine Gilchrist, is an effective business person. The rest of the family includes a bunch of dissipated heirs and one, Luke, whose family was in exile and which built their own restaurant business. With little effort this could have been turned into an historical romance. It could also have been one of the old-style Harlequin Romances.
The setting with an aging Justine "managing" her business from home felt like a castle on the hill, or maybe a creepy mansion on an hill or seaside cliff. Of course, in the 1990s, the best one could do working from home was a fax machine.
The business is effectively run by Justine's personal secretary, Katy.
I did not enjoy the book: it felt out of time on two levels: the management behavior by the brilliant, reclusive, and often rude, Luke. I excused the complete lack of internet use and such because it was originally published in the early 1990s and the internet was not really available to the public. But even in the 1990s sexual harassment training regular and a management consultant would certainly have been aware. Of course, Luke's behavior as a manager, or a consulting manager, is possible and abuse by management is legion. But, casting such a character as a positive, romantic lead is ridiculous. Also, his motivation for taking the job to save the Gilchrists and pursue Katy was inexplicable as it was a 180 degree turnaround from his behavior the day before.
Add to it the constant insistence by the lead female romantic character that all behavior by Gilchrists is explained and, excused by the nature of being "Gilchrists." It felt medieval to me. She is also gullible as hell and her sense of owing so-o-o-o much to Justine is a point of honor, but repaid long ago.
And, another tragic coincidence: Justine was widowed young, one set of parents dies in a boat accident, and the other family dies in a plane crash. This trope is overused as it is, but having more than one tragic event is, well tragic.
Secondary characters, except for Katy's brother and, perhaps, the matriarch, Juliette, are hardly developed. But I found the overbearing housekeeper comical. She was like a character in an old cartoon or sit-com.
Amy McFadden's no nonsense but cheerful voice was probably the best part of this experience. However, I was so annoyed by the 1970s dimestore-novel-feeling the narration hardly mattered. And, in my opinion, that's what your getting when you pick this one up.
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