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Just Once

(The Runaways #2)

Jill Marie Landis (Goodreads Author)

3.48 · Rating details · 122 ratings · 9 reviews

Jemma O'Hurley, a spoiled New Orleans debutante of 1816 who, rather than marry the man her father has chosen for her, chooses to run away one dark and stormy night. She prays for a way out and fate brings her in contact with a young woman running for her life who is more than willing to step into Jemma's shoes. Alone on the dangerous streets of New Orleans, Jemma is soon s ...more

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Paperback, 336 pages

Published June 1st 1997 by Jove

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Historical Romances Set in Louisiana

63 books — 24 voters

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· 122 ratings · 9 reviews

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Feb 16, 2008 Julianna rated it liked it

Recommends it for: Fans of Frontier Romances

Shelves: read-2007, historical-romance

Reviewed for THC Reviews
"3.5 stars" Just Once is a pleasant, light and easy read. It lacked some of the depth in both characterizations and story that I usually prefer in my romance novels, but I still found it to be pretty enjoyable. The first part of the book had a fair bit of action, but at the same time it seemed rather sluggish. I think this was because of the lack of depth to the hero and heroine during this part of the story. Usually an author will build characters by utilizing dialog or Reviewed for THC Reviews
"3.5 stars" Just Once is a pleasant, light and easy read. It lacked some of the depth in both characterizations and story that I usually prefer in my romance novels, but I still found it to be pretty enjoyable. The first part of the book had a fair bit of action, but at the same time it seemed rather sluggish. I think this was because of the lack of depth to the hero and heroine during this part of the story. Usually an author will build characters by utilizing dialog or secondary characters, or letting the reader into a character's thoughts. Very little of any of these things were occurring during the early chapters, except for the first chapter giving some insight into Jemma's relationship with her father. Dialog was almost exclusively limited to only necessary exchanges due to the hero's self-proclaimed loner status, readers are given only minimal insight into Hunter or Jemma's thoughts, and the only secondary characters are a small band of Indians who didn't really help to deepen the characterizations very much. I didn't really feel like the author gave the reader sufficient reason for Jemma choosing Hunter to help her other than her sheer impulsive nature. Also, aside from being alone together on the trail for weeks, it was a little difficult to understand why Hunter and Jemma even starting falling in love considering how little they knew about each other.

About one third of the way into the book, it started to pick up a bit though, just as Hunter and Jemma reached his settlement of Sandy Shoals. At this point, I was able to forget some of the weaknesses of the first part of the story and just settle in and enjoy it. I think this was due to the addition of some fun and colorful secondary characters for the hero and heroine to play off of. They really helped to increase the reader's awareness of exactly who these two characters are and what makes them tick, as well as enliven the story itself. I really enjoyed the setting of Sandy Shoals. I've always liked stories about the frontier and settlements where everyone helps each other out like one happy extended family. This middle third of the book just seemed like a lazy summer afternoon, a leisurely treat for the senses. The final third of the book is where the story really picks up, as Hunter and Jemma begin to face the things that separate them and come to terms with what they think they want versus the reality of their heart's desire and circumstances.

As with Day Dreamer, it's predecessor in the Louisiana series, Just Once gets off to a rather uncertain start, but I must give Jill Marie Landis credit for knowing how to write a satisfying romantic ending. It wasn't quite as good as the ending to Day Dreamer, but it was still very nice. I also enjoy Ms. Landis' characters. Hunter and Jemma were both very likable, although Jemma was a bit too impulsive for my taste, and all of the secondary characters in Sandy Shoals were wonderfully written too. Hunter reminded me a lot of George Bailey from the movie, It's a Wonderful Life, always wanting to go somewhere and always being held back by circumstances, only to find out he has everything he needs right at home. Just Once introduces us to Noah LeCroix, the shy, half-breed recluse who becomes the hero of book #3 in the series, Blue Moon. It also tells of the riverboat accident that leaves Noah scarred for life. In spite of Just Once being part of a series with some cross-over characters, it does stand well on it's own. Jemma and her father, Thomas O'Hurley, who only played a minor role, were the only characters from Just Once to appear in Day Dreamer. The only character from Day Dreamer who even makes an appearance in Just Once is Celine and she isn't even named. Day Dreamer's cloak swapping scene in the church is replayed in Just Once from Jemma's point of view. I think both of these books could be read and enjoyed on their own without necessarily reading them in order. Just Once may be sweetly predictable and formulaic, but it was a gentle, breezy, heartwarming tale that makes the reader feel like they've curled up in a warm blanket on a rainy day. ...more

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Jun 26, 2012 Jody rated it really liked it

Shelves: library, slightly-western

I actually really liked this book and that surprised me. I don't remember what made me pick it up but I did and once I got it home I tried to read it. It did not take me long to decide I had to find out what happens to Jemma.
Jemma is finally home from school and wants to spend some time with her father and maybe see some of the world. Almost immediately, her father tells her that he has contracted a marriage for her. Jemma immediately realizes that it is strictly to help his business and that h ...more

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May 05, 2019 Jerry Jares rated it liked it

Shelves: historical-romance, read-in-2017

This is a very likable story that is just too predictable. Jemma and Hunter are evenly matched and the dialogue between them is enough to make a reader smile. This is the second of three books in the Louisiana Series:
Day Dreamer
Just Once
Blue Moon

Jemma is the wealthy woman who switches places at the St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans (in Day Dreamer). This story has the saints as background characters in the story and Ms. Landis had a great time using them to perfection. 3.5 stars

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Sep 12, 2016 Holly rated it liked it

Love story of 1816

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Jan 09, 2014 Alice Harbin rated it liked it

Jemma is a feisty gal who sets her sights on a Kentucky adventurer. She is unable to convince him that he loves her too. He has rescued her from a purchased marriage to benefit her father's business. She returns to her father only to have him sell her again. She is about to escape again when Hunter comes searching for her. ...more

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Aug 03, 2014 Robin rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2009, historical-romance

After her father announces that he has arranged her marriage to a complete stranger, Jemma decides it's time to make her own decisions and live her own life. So, she runs away into the darkness of New Orleans and hires Hunter Boone to escort her north to Kentucky and to the adventure she always wanted.

Enjoyable historical romance. My rating: 4 Stars. ...more

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Jan 31, 2014 Chrissy F. rated it it was amazing

Shelves: want-to-read-again

I've already read this book once around ten years ago. I instantly fell in love with Hunter just as Gemma had. You root for them throughout the whole book. You get to wonder if you would have had the same courage and bravery she had. This is a book I will forever get lost in. <3 ...more

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Apr 22, 2010 Alex rated it did not like it

Shelves: 2010-books, historical-romance

not much here

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Oct 17, 2014 Julie rated it it was ok

an ok read

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About Jill Marie Landis

Jill Marie Landis

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JILL MARIE LANDIS is the bestselling author of nearly thirty novels which have appeared on the NYT bestseller list, USA Today and other national bestseller lists. She has won numerous awards for her heartfelt characters and sweeping emotional historical romances that include SUMMER MOON and MAGNOLIA CREEK and the Irish Angels Series; HEART OF STONE, HEART OF LIES, and HEART OF GLASS. All of her Hi ...more