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Time to Let Go
Sara Peters, a social worker, helps return a wandering boy to his guardian, actor Neville Dryden, but finds Dryden brash and condescending
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First published December 1, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 30, 2017
Re Time to Let Go - Alison Fraser gives us a social worker widowed h paired with a charming but lady lurving actor H and manages to create a romance that has charm, believability and an h that is the complete antithesis of the TSTL, doormat HP h type we so frequently run into in HPlandia.
In fact, this book is worth hunting down just for the h alone, she is a refreshing drink of pure spring water in a dry landscape of well dressed throw rugs and we even get some humor thrown in.
This one starts when the h is notified by the local police sergeant that a young boy, about 13 or so, was found in the nearby park and he refuses to answer any questions. The h soon figures out that he is playing hooky from where he is supposed to be and she assumes it is because the young man wants to spend Christmas with his father instead of the relative he felt pawned off on. The h calls the boy's guardian and the man dismisses her as a forgettable former bed partner and gets her name wrong - repeatedly.
The h has to has the police sergeant call the H back to come get his ward. When the H shows up, the h is told that he is a famous actor that she has no clue about, and he certainly comes across as a lady charmer but he is also arrogantly patronizing. (In a very funny little moment, the h actually recognizes the H's father's name as a famous actor, but as she reads books mostly, the H is unknown to her.) The h has too much practicality to tolerate that kind of behavior, so she is stern and disapproving, but she likes the young man- tho after seeing the H and boy together, she assumes the H is boy's father.
Over the course of the next few weeks the young man takes a shine to the h and she ends up going on several outings with him and the H, when the H manipulates her into it. Gradually the h and H become aware of a big attraction between them. They have a bit of a snarky relationship where they both try to snipe at each other, like he pretends he can't ice skate and to make her stay and give him a lesson and she pretends she doesn't know much about chess in order to kick his hiney at it, but all the back and forth is actually pretty funny and in the realm of teasing instead of annoying bickering or nasty one uppance.
Then the H and h both have a problem tho, she thinks the H just wants a casual affair, even tho the H is dating her pretty frequently and there are no other women. The H believes that the h is still angsting over her dead husband and thus does not see him as a serious partner, more a little physical stress reliever bit on the side and it makes him a bit snarly. They are both wrong and AK lets the reader know that well before the H and h figure it out, so we can kick back and enjoy seeing what they are going to do.
What happens is the h takes the H home to meet her ultra conservative wealthy parents. They like the H, even tho he is nothing like her doctor first husband. The big fly in the ointment is the h's brother, who thinks the h should have someone just like her first husband and tells the h that in the H's hearing. This h is no pushover tho, and she tells the brother off. She loved her first hubby but she isn't in the market for a clone and when the H leaves because he feels insulted, the h's mum encourages the h to go after him and work things out.
So the h chases the H to his hotel to clarify a few things and a big lurve club moment ensues. The h still believes that the H only wants a fling, so she is shocked when the H offers marriage the next morning - tho the H only offers after they figure out they aren't on birth control. She refuses and the H is upset cause he thinks he was subbing for the dead guy.
The h has to straighten him out about sleeping with him cause she loves him and we also find out that the H's son is actually his half brother. The H doesn't understand why if the h loves him they can't get married then, cause he adores her and only wants to be with her and the h is taken aback by his enthusiasm, but figures it is time to let go of the past and move on into the future with the H for the rosy glow HEA.
This one is good, it isn't overly dramatic but the pace is smooth and the plot practically seamless. If you like the stronger h who holds her own, but isn't a harridan and the charming H who wins her over eventually with his sincerity, definitely hunt this one down for a great time in HPlandia and a highly believable HEA.
In fact, this book is worth hunting down just for the h alone, she is a refreshing drink of pure spring water in a dry landscape of well dressed throw rugs and we even get some humor thrown in.
This one starts when the h is notified by the local police sergeant that a young boy, about 13 or so, was found in the nearby park and he refuses to answer any questions. The h soon figures out that he is playing hooky from where he is supposed to be and she assumes it is because the young man wants to spend Christmas with his father instead of the relative he felt pawned off on. The h calls the boy's guardian and the man dismisses her as a forgettable former bed partner and gets her name wrong - repeatedly.
The h has to has the police sergeant call the H back to come get his ward. When the H shows up, the h is told that he is a famous actor that she has no clue about, and he certainly comes across as a lady charmer but he is also arrogantly patronizing. (In a very funny little moment, the h actually recognizes the H's father's name as a famous actor, but as she reads books mostly, the H is unknown to her.) The h has too much practicality to tolerate that kind of behavior, so she is stern and disapproving, but she likes the young man- tho after seeing the H and boy together, she assumes the H is boy's father.
Over the course of the next few weeks the young man takes a shine to the h and she ends up going on several outings with him and the H, when the H manipulates her into it. Gradually the h and H become aware of a big attraction between them. They have a bit of a snarky relationship where they both try to snipe at each other, like he pretends he can't ice skate and to make her stay and give him a lesson and she pretends she doesn't know much about chess in order to kick his hiney at it, but all the back and forth is actually pretty funny and in the realm of teasing instead of annoying bickering or nasty one uppance.
Then the H and h both have a problem tho, she thinks the H just wants a casual affair, even tho the H is dating her pretty frequently and there are no other women. The H believes that the h is still angsting over her dead husband and thus does not see him as a serious partner, more a little physical stress reliever bit on the side and it makes him a bit snarly. They are both wrong and AK lets the reader know that well before the H and h figure it out, so we can kick back and enjoy seeing what they are going to do.
What happens is the h takes the H home to meet her ultra conservative wealthy parents. They like the H, even tho he is nothing like her doctor first husband. The big fly in the ointment is the h's brother, who thinks the h should have someone just like her first husband and tells the h that in the H's hearing. This h is no pushover tho, and she tells the brother off. She loved her first hubby but she isn't in the market for a clone and when the H leaves because he feels insulted, the h's mum encourages the h to go after him and work things out.
So the h chases the H to his hotel to clarify a few things and a big lurve club moment ensues. The h still believes that the H only wants a fling, so she is shocked when the H offers marriage the next morning - tho the H only offers after they figure out they aren't on birth control. She refuses and the H is upset cause he thinks he was subbing for the dead guy.
The h has to straighten him out about sleeping with him cause she loves him and we also find out that the H's son is actually his half brother. The H doesn't understand why if the h loves him they can't get married then, cause he adores her and only wants to be with her and the h is taken aback by his enthusiasm, but figures it is time to let go of the past and move on into the future with the H for the rosy glow HEA.
This one is good, it isn't overly dramatic but the pace is smooth and the plot practically seamless. If you like the stronger h who holds her own, but isn't a harridan and the charming H who wins her over eventually with his sincerity, definitely hunt this one down for a great time in HPlandia and a highly believable HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2017
I love this heroine!!!
Well, that was refreshing. Another heroine who did not read the HarleyLand rule book.
Sara Peters, not Peterson as she has to point on several occasions, is a social worker and has been called in to talk to a truant boy. Scott, the kid, is sharper than a tack, and reluctantly lets her call his guardian who comes across as the biggest jackass ever. The H is Neville Dryden, an incredibly handsome and famous actor. Sadly for Neville, Sara has no knowledge of him. This set down is the first of many, many, MANY putdowns by the heroine, some accidental and some on purpose. A widow, still deeply in love with her husband, she has no time for a smarmy charmer like Dryden. (I can't call him Neville as the only two Neville's I know are: Neville from Harry Potter and Neville, the stinky black lab of some friends.) Here, you pick...
Anyhoo, Scott takes a yen to Sara and apparently so does Dryden. While Sara can appreciate Dryden's handsomeness, she just can't get over his practiced charm plus the fact she thinks he has hidden his own son away. The give and take and banter between the main characters is very well done and funny. Sara is one h that can dish it out as well as take it, and on more than one occasion one ups him.
I would like to say their relationship grows slowly, but it doesn't. In fact, this may be a first in a Harlequin where the heroine feels more lust for the H than she does any emotion. He finally kisses her and she is overwhelmed, not by love, but passion as it has been so long. No, no sex as her head rules her heart.
My review is simply not doing this book justice. The main characters are great. The boy is more than a literary device and has almost as much charm as the H, and Sara is an awesome heroine. Some readers won't like her as she makes the hero work for, well, everything. She doesn't budge an inch. She even admits at the end that it wasn't going to be easy, but it would be worth it. Shocking, reality speaking!!! And the H grows from a womanizing jerk into a sensitive guy without being wimpy. Some There is a rather weak communication issue at the end I could have done without, but a 4 star book for sure.
My only wish is that I could have seen Sara take on Dryden's evil mother.
Well, that was refreshing. Another heroine who did not read the HarleyLand rule book.
Sara Peters, not Peterson as she has to point on several occasions, is a social worker and has been called in to talk to a truant boy. Scott, the kid, is sharper than a tack, and reluctantly lets her call his guardian who comes across as the biggest jackass ever. The H is Neville Dryden, an incredibly handsome and famous actor. Sadly for Neville, Sara has no knowledge of him. This set down is the first of many, many, MANY putdowns by the heroine, some accidental and some on purpose. A widow, still deeply in love with her husband, she has no time for a smarmy charmer like Dryden. (I can't call him Neville as the only two Neville's I know are: Neville from Harry Potter and Neville, the stinky black lab of some friends.) Here, you pick...
Anyhoo, Scott takes a yen to Sara and apparently so does Dryden. While Sara can appreciate Dryden's handsomeness, she just can't get over his practiced charm plus the fact she thinks he has hidden his own son away. The give and take and banter between the main characters is very well done and funny. Sara is one h that can dish it out as well as take it, and on more than one occasion one ups him.
I would like to say their relationship grows slowly, but it doesn't. In fact, this may be a first in a Harlequin where the heroine feels more lust for the H than she does any emotion. He finally kisses her and she is overwhelmed, not by love, but passion as it has been so long. No, no sex as her head rules her heart.
My review is simply not doing this book justice. The main characters are great. The boy is more than a literary device and has almost as much charm as the H, and Sara is an awesome heroine. Some readers won't like her as she makes the hero work for, well, everything. She doesn't budge an inch. She even admits at the end that it wasn't going to be easy, but it would be worth it. Shocking, reality speaking!!! And the H grows from a womanizing jerk into a sensitive guy without being wimpy. Some There is a rather weak communication issue at the end I could have done without, but a 4 star book for sure.
My only wish is that I could have seen Sara take on Dryden's evil mother.
December 19, 2018
4.5 stars
Time To Let Go is, by far, my favorite visit to Hplandia. It referred to the heroine, a widow, who lost her husband at a young age. She loved and still missed him.
As a social worker, Sara Peters had seen enough dysfunctional families to last a lifetime. It was Christmastime, when she was called into the police station to assist a possible runaway. Trying to get information from the young teenager was like pulling teeth.
Long story short, the boy’s guardian -a famous actor- and Sara butted heads. I loved that she could care less with his popularity. And she didn’t give into Neville’s come-ons. She stuck it out because of the child.
And Neville? All women adored him.
Or so he thought.
Watching this guy lay on the charm, then become frustrated when things hadn’t move in his direction, was smooth. It was refreshing for an HP romance. And I liked Neville. Well, not at first, but he grew on me.
I read the romance on OL but this was one time I would have loved a hard copy. So when I am in the mood I can revisit this couple once again.
Time To Let Go is, by far, my favorite visit to Hplandia. It referred to the heroine, a widow, who lost her husband at a young age. She loved and still missed him.
As a social worker, Sara Peters had seen enough dysfunctional families to last a lifetime. It was Christmastime, when she was called into the police station to assist a possible runaway. Trying to get information from the young teenager was like pulling teeth.
Long story short, the boy’s guardian -a famous actor- and Sara butted heads. I loved that she could care less with his popularity. And she didn’t give into Neville’s come-ons. She stuck it out because of the child.
And Neville? All women adored him.
Or so he thought.
Watching this guy lay on the charm, then become frustrated when things hadn’t move in his direction, was smooth. It was refreshing for an HP romance. And I liked Neville. Well, not at first, but he grew on me.
I read the romance on OL but this was one time I would have loved a hard copy. So when I am in the mood I can revisit this couple once again.
March 11, 2021
"Time To Let Go" is the story of Sara and Neville.
A refreshing and different romance.
Our heroine is a widowed social worker. When she is called in to help out a 13 year old who is (obviously) lying, she decides to contact his relative for help. Not only is his uncle a famous actor, he also mistakes the heroine to be one of his ex-bed partners. The heroine is infuriated.
When they meet, the hero is taken by her but she takes every opportunity to push him away. The more aloof she is, the more intrigued he is. Soon he wiggles his way into her life, but has she forgotten her late husband enough to allow him into her heart?
Angsty in parts, with a strong heroine and a determined hero. There was some pussyfooting, but overall it had confused characters who denied their feelings for too long.. until they did not.
I enjoyed it.
Safe
3.5/5
A refreshing and different romance.
Our heroine is a widowed social worker. When she is called in to help out a 13 year old who is (obviously) lying, she decides to contact his relative for help. Not only is his uncle a famous actor, he also mistakes the heroine to be one of his ex-bed partners. The heroine is infuriated.
When they meet, the hero is taken by her but she takes every opportunity to push him away. The more aloof she is, the more intrigued he is. Soon he wiggles his way into her life, but has she forgotten her late husband enough to allow him into her heart?
Angsty in parts, with a strong heroine and a determined hero. There was some pussyfooting, but overall it had confused characters who denied their feelings for too long.. until they did not.
I enjoyed it.
Safe
3.5/5
March 30, 2014
A very subtle romance, but a very entertaining story. Heroine was likable and the hero though a bit more complex was quite sweet. It wasn't hard to figure out he had fallen hard for the heroine, but she was so paralyzed from grief over her husband's death, she missed all the signs. Of course, it didn't help that he had a reputation of "love em then leave em".
If you are a fan of this author's work, then I recommend. The heroine may not appeal to all readers because she does continually try to put the hero down. I understood it was just a protection mechanism, so I could look past it.
If you are a fan of this author's work, then I recommend. The heroine may not appeal to all readers because she does continually try to put the hero down. I understood it was just a protection mechanism, so I could look past it.
September 11, 2012
This is a book from my oldie pile; I really love these older ones as they are very ‘classic’ in style.
The few books I have read from Alison Fraser, all enjoyable, have included heroines with careers that actually require devotion, and that is the case again in this book with the heroine being a Social Worker – very unusual, and un-glamorous for a romance novel! I really like this as it adds a bit of reality into these books that they are sometimes lacking, if you know what I mean.
Throughout the book, I really didn’t know what to make of the hero; he is both infuriatingly arrogant and completely charming. Even without his POV, I could tell that he had fallen head over heels for the heroine yet couldn’t work up the courage to show her. Oh, sigh!
The heroine’s grief over the loss of her husband felt real and is dealt with well, it was a nice detail that the hero felt like he could never live up to the legacy of the heroines late husband. It was refreshing to read a book where it is the hero who has the insecurities over the development of the relationship.
Alison Fraser has written a poignant, emotional and beautiful book that is about moving on and opening your heart.
A lovely read.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
The few books I have read from Alison Fraser, all enjoyable, have included heroines with careers that actually require devotion, and that is the case again in this book with the heroine being a Social Worker – very unusual, and un-glamorous for a romance novel! I really like this as it adds a bit of reality into these books that they are sometimes lacking, if you know what I mean.
Throughout the book, I really didn’t know what to make of the hero; he is both infuriatingly arrogant and completely charming. Even without his POV, I could tell that he had fallen head over heels for the heroine yet couldn’t work up the courage to show her. Oh, sigh!
The heroine’s grief over the loss of her husband felt real and is dealt with well, it was a nice detail that the hero felt like he could never live up to the legacy of the heroines late husband. It was refreshing to read a book where it is the hero who has the insecurities over the development of the relationship.
Alison Fraser has written a poignant, emotional and beautiful book that is about moving on and opening your heart.
A lovely read.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
February 9, 2019
Yes, Your Honour, I am guilty, guilty of enjoying Alison Fraser's romances ;-)
--> Can one read it in one day? --> yes
--> Did the heroine slap the hero in the face? --> yes
--> Did the hero grasp the heroine arm? --> yes
--> Was the hero alpha-hero? --> yes
--> Was there a misunderstanding? --> yes
--> Was there a child? --> yes
To my defense, Your Honour, I wouldn't have gone down the path of 'crime' if not Linda who showed me the sweet taste of it...
[Thank you, Linda!]
--> Can one read it in one day? --> yes
--> Did the heroine slap the hero in the face? --> yes
--> Did the hero grasp the heroine arm? --> yes
--> Was the hero alpha-hero? --> yes
--> Was there a misunderstanding? --> yes
--> Was there a child? --> yes
To my defense, Your Honour, I wouldn't have gone down the path of 'crime' if not Linda who showed me the sweet taste of it...
[Thank you, Linda!]
August 28, 2019
I disliked this author's other book so much that I went back to reread this one just to see if it held up with the passage of time. I loved this book when I first read it and I enjoyed a lot the sheer snark of the protagonist and the character voice of hero, Neville Dryden.
Interestingly enough, this book did hold up for the most part. The newly awakened copy-editor in me insisted that there were too many alternate dialogue tags, but nobody could deny just how well done the hero's voice was. Lynne Graham, for one, has a truly terrible way with male character voice. With only a few exceptions, all of her male heroes sound the same, even though they are supposed to be Greek, Italian, Spanish, or generically Arabian. Neville's voice is the one that I think, of all Alison Fraser's male heroes, to have a quintessentially upper-crust British accent.
There were a few things that were done structurally well in this book: first, the enemies to lovers trope. Neville came off strong even before he appeared on the page, and his first few actions were arrogant and predisposed the reader to dislike him heartily. Then, cleverly enough, with the use of the secondary character of Scott, Neville's mysterious ward, the reader comes to see that Neville has some very good character traits to him. These are contained as, from the viewpoint of Sara, you think that they don't completely absolve him of all his sins.
There's a slight mystery/misunderstanding to the whole story, and this one, versus some of the author's other books, was well-done. I went back and read the bits slowly where the misunderstanding came from, and there was even foreshadowing thrown in to allude to the origin of Scott. There was a moment for false misunderstandings two times: once, with Sara's male boarder, and two, with Sara's brother who picks up her phone when he comes to visit. In Fraser's Boss's Secret Mistress, these simple misunderstandings are milked for all they're worth--way past the moment they should have been resolved.
In this book, these simple mistakes are cleared up within a few moments and a few lines of speech--much as in real life, when there's no stone-hard preconceived bias to color the lens. I find that realistic and much more well done than manufactured misunderstandings that really shouldn't occur--the classic HP hero-thinks-heroine-is-a-whore is an outdated misunderstanding, and while I understand its vintage draw, I think modern authors have a responsibility to update it just a tad. Why, in this day and age, should any man simply assume a woman is a whore just because she's seen with a man around? This simply isn't realistic anymore and unless otherwise indicated, dates the writing and also marks the man down as not only a simpleton but also a misogynist of the highest order.
What was also well done in this book was Sara's initial refusal of the man. It's shown that this man is charming (although I rolled my eyes at that because it came off rather contrived and oily) and extremely good-looking as well as being a famous actor. It makes sense when you see Sara's employment and how she lives and the fact that she's caught up in another aspect of her life--with her late husband. The first chapter very cleverly ends with Sara holding his picture and crying to sleep--in narrative that's not overly sentimental but rather lyrical and beautiful. This book I would say is Alison Fraser's masterpiece in euphemistic prose, and I would say that this is probably the best of her HP novels.
The way the characters are fleshed out are really nothing short of excellent in this short novel--from Sara, our lonely protagonist; her concerned and managing older brother; Scott, that precocious ward; Neville, our hero borne of dubious infamy--something that rather brilliantly explains all his actions down to his utterly terrible proposal at the end.
There's just a few moments toward the end of the book that I thought could have been replaced by another scene--maybe the concluding showdown could have happened in some other way--somehow the resolution lacks just the extra oomph that could have really punctuated this book. But maybe this really served to emphasize how this is a beginning for our unlikely couple--the unwilling widow and her fan, the fawned-over actor.
Interestingly enough, this book did hold up for the most part. The newly awakened copy-editor in me insisted that there were too many alternate dialogue tags, but nobody could deny just how well done the hero's voice was. Lynne Graham, for one, has a truly terrible way with male character voice. With only a few exceptions, all of her male heroes sound the same, even though they are supposed to be Greek, Italian, Spanish, or generically Arabian. Neville's voice is the one that I think, of all Alison Fraser's male heroes, to have a quintessentially upper-crust British accent.
There were a few things that were done structurally well in this book: first, the enemies to lovers trope. Neville came off strong even before he appeared on the page, and his first few actions were arrogant and predisposed the reader to dislike him heartily. Then, cleverly enough, with the use of the secondary character of Scott, Neville's mysterious ward, the reader comes to see that Neville has some very good character traits to him. These are contained as, from the viewpoint of Sara, you think that they don't completely absolve him of all his sins.
There's a slight mystery/misunderstanding to the whole story, and this one, versus some of the author's other books, was well-done. I went back and read the bits slowly where the misunderstanding came from, and there was even foreshadowing thrown in to allude to the origin of Scott. There was a moment for false misunderstandings two times: once, with Sara's male boarder, and two, with Sara's brother who picks up her phone when he comes to visit. In Fraser's Boss's Secret Mistress, these simple misunderstandings are milked for all they're worth--way past the moment they should have been resolved.
In this book, these simple mistakes are cleared up within a few moments and a few lines of speech--much as in real life, when there's no stone-hard preconceived bias to color the lens. I find that realistic and much more well done than manufactured misunderstandings that really shouldn't occur--the classic HP hero-thinks-heroine-is-a-whore is an outdated misunderstanding, and while I understand its vintage draw, I think modern authors have a responsibility to update it just a tad. Why, in this day and age, should any man simply assume a woman is a whore just because she's seen with a man around? This simply isn't realistic anymore and unless otherwise indicated, dates the writing and also marks the man down as not only a simpleton but also a misogynist of the highest order.
What was also well done in this book was Sara's initial refusal of the man. It's shown that this man is charming (although I rolled my eyes at that because it came off rather contrived and oily) and extremely good-looking as well as being a famous actor. It makes sense when you see Sara's employment and how she lives and the fact that she's caught up in another aspect of her life--with her late husband. The first chapter very cleverly ends with Sara holding his picture and crying to sleep--in narrative that's not overly sentimental but rather lyrical and beautiful. This book I would say is Alison Fraser's masterpiece in euphemistic prose, and I would say that this is probably the best of her HP novels.
The way the characters are fleshed out are really nothing short of excellent in this short novel--from Sara, our lonely protagonist; her concerned and managing older brother; Scott, that precocious ward; Neville, our hero borne of dubious infamy--something that rather brilliantly explains all his actions down to his utterly terrible proposal at the end.
There's just a few moments toward the end of the book that I thought could have been replaced by another scene--maybe the concluding showdown could have happened in some other way--somehow the resolution lacks just the extra oomph that could have really punctuated this book. But maybe this really served to emphasize how this is a beginning for our unlikely couple--the unwilling widow and her fan, the fawned-over actor.
July 21, 2017
Time To Let Go is the sixth romance novel by British author, Alison Fraser. Social worker, Sara Peters is called to Fulham Police Station to deal with a runaway. Thirteen-year-old Scott is unforthcoming, but she eventually manages to get him to divulge the name of his guardian. Her first encounter with Neville Dryden leaves her fuming: he may be a famous actor, but he’s arrogant and presumptuous. She’s glad she won’t have to deal with him again. But Scott seems to have other ideas. Even though they clash verbally at every exchange, Sara somehow finds herself attending a New Year’s Eve party with Neville. Fraser does the laconic-yet-determined male very well, and Sara is the mistress of the verbal put-down. This is a noticeable improvement on earlier novels and an enjoyable romantic read.
June 16, 2011
Song for the story here
Very subtle romance. The pacing is correct for the story and I really liked Scott, the 10-year-old kid in the story. The H admitted his many faults (when the h accused him of being too snoopy about her life - he surprises her by saying: 'I guess I am'...) and yet he was really patient with the h. The heroine was pretty strong throughout in the face of a guy everyone loves. A very nice read and a nice intro to Alison Fraser.
Very subtle romance. The pacing is correct for the story and I really liked Scott, the 10-year-old kid in the story. The H admitted his many faults (when the h accused him of being too snoopy about her life - he surprises her by saying: 'I guess I am'...) and yet he was really patient with the h. The heroine was pretty strong throughout in the face of a guy everyone loves. A very nice read and a nice intro to Alison Fraser.
March 12, 2022
Lots of great reviews for this one that go heavy into the details. This was one of the books I grabbed when I went to my local thrift store on 2 dollar bag of books day. If there isn’t anything else I like in the bag, the 2 dollars was worth it just for this one. Hopefully, I will find a gem in the other 2 bags I bought as well.
Highlights and what I liked:
Heroine Sara, 28, widowed:
*not a doormat, and knows how to use sarcasm appropriately
*comes from a loving, wealthy family (so no baggage there)plus she knows how to circulate with the rich and shallow
*works as a social worker
*her doctor husband was just a realistic typical guy meaning he wasn’t perfect but he was the love of her life
*She isn’t bowled over by fame and fortune or handsome actors
*She is intelligent and pretty…Mary Ann instead of Ginger
Hero 37, Neville not playing for keeps:
* He is a famous actor, who comes from an acting family
*His looks, charm, intelligence, and talent makes men respect him and the ladies want to sleep with him(although sleep is not on his mind when he beds the bevy of beauties)
*being a witness to his acting parents disastrous marriage has shaped his own views on love and marriage…which is something he has decided to do without
*his grandfather was a stable influence, so he has that role model
*He is guardian to 13 year old Scott, it is assumed that he his Scott’s secret father
* He has a type, and buttoned up social workers are not it
The kid, aka Scott:
*He is very likable, and a little bit of a lost boy
*He came to live with Neville after his mom died in a drunken car crash, he was often the caregiver for his mom
* He shows good taste when he meets the heroine and likes her.
*He shows intelligence in recognizing that his guardian’s taste for vapid, insipid plastic Barbies needs to be changed
*He adds to the story, doesn’t detract from it
The h and H meet when she is called into the police station to investigate the discovery of 13 year old Scott roaming the mean streets of London. It is obvious he is not a typical street urchin.
The H and h get off to a bad start right away with a rather revealing phone call indicating the H’s manwhoring ways. When he gets to the police station and meets the h, his celebrity status impresses all except her. There is no insta love here.
Their paths cross a few more times, with Scott often being the reason. The h and H continue to rub each other the wrong way. The h is not playing hard to get, she loved(s) her husband. She tries to thwart the H from advancing on her. However, she is an anomaly to him. It helps that she is attractive and intelligent.
Past the halfway mark, they have a very passionate kiss. It is very well written by AF. Basically, we really start to see that the H is blown away by the h on a much deeper level. However, she is disconnecting herself from the H and enjoying the feel of a man for the first time in 4 years…it is not very complimentary to the H and although he doesn’t realize it the rest of us do. So, the H gets some of my sympathy at this point.
They go out for New Years, and have some passionate moments. Then there is a separation of a month. The h has moved on and is surprised when the H re-enters her life. (He was in America promoting a movie) Off page they start seeing each other on a regular basis. The H handles her with gentle care and never pushes for a more intimate relationship.
The black moment happens near the end of the book(last 30 pages) and the H realizes he is never going to match up to her dead husband. He leaves the h at her parents house and goes to his hotel.
The h realizes that she loves him. She wants to be with him, even if it is for a night. She follows him and they make love(not sex, because the H knows this is different) However, there is still some miscommunication and lines are crossed. They have to work through a couple of things before they reach the avowals of love. The H assures the h she is most definitely the one. The h recognizes things won’t always be easy, but it would be worth it.
It ended up being very enjoyable read. For once, the alpha H was the one full of uncertainty. He also had to grapple with the 2nd best feeling that our h’s so often have to feel. The H also showed he was a man of character, in his pursuit of the h. There is no doubt he was celibate during his time of wooing her which took place over 4 months(December-April).
Problems on the horizon or maybe not….the h’s future MIL attitude to Scott will not be tolerated by the h. Although she never met the future MIL, I have a feeling the MIL will be out of the picture.
The H will not want the h to continue as a social worker. He saw first hand the conditions she was often thrust into. This will probably be a bone of contention for them, however, I am pretty sure once the babies come, our h will gladly give up her job. She can probably do a lot of good by fronting some charities.
Highlights and what I liked:
Heroine Sara, 28, widowed:
*not a doormat, and knows how to use sarcasm appropriately
*comes from a loving, wealthy family (so no baggage there)plus she knows how to circulate with the rich and shallow
*works as a social worker
*her doctor husband was just a realistic typical guy meaning he wasn’t perfect but he was the love of her life
*She isn’t bowled over by fame and fortune or handsome actors
*She is intelligent and pretty…Mary Ann instead of Ginger
Hero 37, Neville not playing for keeps:
* He is a famous actor, who comes from an acting family
*His looks, charm, intelligence, and talent makes men respect him and the ladies want to sleep with him(although sleep is not on his mind when he beds the bevy of beauties)
*being a witness to his acting parents disastrous marriage has shaped his own views on love and marriage…which is something he has decided to do without
*his grandfather was a stable influence, so he has that role model
*He is guardian to 13 year old Scott, it is assumed that he his Scott’s secret father
* He has a type, and buttoned up social workers are not it
The kid, aka Scott:
*He is very likable, and a little bit of a lost boy
*He came to live with Neville after his mom died in a drunken car crash, he was often the caregiver for his mom
* He shows good taste when he meets the heroine and likes her.
*He shows intelligence in recognizing that his guardian’s taste for vapid, insipid plastic Barbies needs to be changed
*He adds to the story, doesn’t detract from it
The h and H meet when she is called into the police station to investigate the discovery of 13 year old Scott roaming the mean streets of London. It is obvious he is not a typical street urchin.
The H and h get off to a bad start right away with a rather revealing phone call indicating the H’s manwhoring ways. When he gets to the police station and meets the h, his celebrity status impresses all except her. There is no insta love here.
Their paths cross a few more times, with Scott often being the reason. The h and H continue to rub each other the wrong way. The h is not playing hard to get, she loved(s) her husband. She tries to thwart the H from advancing on her. However, she is an anomaly to him. It helps that she is attractive and intelligent.
Past the halfway mark, they have a very passionate kiss. It is very well written by AF. Basically, we really start to see that the H is blown away by the h on a much deeper level. However, she is disconnecting herself from the H and enjoying the feel of a man for the first time in 4 years…it is not very complimentary to the H and although he doesn’t realize it the rest of us do. So, the H gets some of my sympathy at this point.
They go out for New Years, and have some passionate moments. Then there is a separation of a month. The h has moved on and is surprised when the H re-enters her life. (He was in America promoting a movie) Off page they start seeing each other on a regular basis. The H handles her with gentle care and never pushes for a more intimate relationship.
The black moment happens near the end of the book(last 30 pages) and the H realizes he is never going to match up to her dead husband. He leaves the h at her parents house and goes to his hotel.
The h realizes that she loves him. She wants to be with him, even if it is for a night. She follows him and they make love(not sex, because the H knows this is different) However, there is still some miscommunication and lines are crossed. They have to work through a couple of things before they reach the avowals of love. The H assures the h she is most definitely the one. The h recognizes things won’t always be easy, but it would be worth it.
It ended up being very enjoyable read. For once, the alpha H was the one full of uncertainty. He also had to grapple with the 2nd best feeling that our h’s so often have to feel. The H also showed he was a man of character, in his pursuit of the h. There is no doubt he was celibate during his time of wooing her which took place over 4 months(December-April).
Problems on the horizon or maybe not….the h’s future MIL attitude to Scott will not be tolerated by the h. Although she never met the future MIL, I have a feeling the MIL will be out of the picture.
The H will not want the h to continue as a social worker. He saw first hand the conditions she was often thrust into. This will probably be a bone of contention for them, however, I am pretty sure once the babies come, our h will gladly give up her job. She can probably do a lot of good by fronting some charities.
February 25, 2017
This is only my second Alison Fraser novel but I'm thinking she's going to be a favorite of mine. I really like her style of writing! There was nothing over the top in this, no crazy drama, really pretty "boring" in HP standards, but I enjoyed it very much.
Practical, hard-headed, widowed social worker forms a rapport with a troubled kid whose uncle is a famous, womanizing actor. Standard setup, but the romance was carried out a simple, understated way that was easy to follow and quite believable. The heroine tended to be overly prickly and sniped at the H a lot, but she redeemed herself in the end, in my eyes.
I liked that Sara was a social worker, although it was depicted in a practical manner that showcased the tiring, depressing, grim side of the profession rather than any saintly, dazzling, miraculous saving of poor children, which was both refreshingly realistic and yet maybe a teeny bit disappointing, lol. Neville was an interesting Hero in that he was honest and persistent in his pursuit, and touchingly uncertain of himself in the shadow of her deceased husband, who btw sounded like very good Hero material himself.
I don't know, I just like the way these are written. It may not be what you're looking for in an HP since it's so tame in the drama department, but if you're in the mood for a well-written, believable, mellow romance, here you go.
Practical, hard-headed, widowed social worker forms a rapport with a troubled kid whose uncle is a famous, womanizing actor. Standard setup, but the romance was carried out a simple, understated way that was easy to follow and quite believable. The heroine tended to be overly prickly and sniped at the H a lot, but she redeemed herself in the end, in my eyes.
I liked that Sara was a social worker, although it was depicted in a practical manner that showcased the tiring, depressing, grim side of the profession rather than any saintly, dazzling, miraculous saving of poor children, which was both refreshingly realistic and yet maybe a teeny bit disappointing, lol. Neville was an interesting Hero in that he was honest and persistent in his pursuit, and touchingly uncertain of himself in the shadow of her deceased husband, who btw sounded like very good Hero material himself.
I don't know, I just like the way these are written. It may not be what you're looking for in an HP since it's so tame in the drama department, but if you're in the mood for a well-written, believable, mellow romance, here you go.
June 29, 2020
I tend to dislike romances about performers because they all seem to be sexually compulsive and emotionally disengaged, and that doesn't go away with the love of a good woman. This one in particular left me unconvinced that he would remain faithful.
June 16, 2023
Another very decent Alison Fraser. Widowed social worker Sara is an unlikely match for lothario actor Neville (Neville I'm afraid is one of my less favoured romance hero names). He's droll and dry, charming and very good looking and he's got a precocious ward Scott, whose presence in a police station at the start of the story puts our unlikely pair into each other's orbit. Sara has been widowed for 3 years and needs to learn to love and trust again. A love em and leave em type hardly seems a safe bet. They dance around each other quite a lot but he persists, even though he's jealously competing against a ghost. It's well written and I enjoyed it.
April 11, 2017
So the hero is a manwhore with a penchant for ditzy blondes. But I forgive him because with a name like Neville Dryden he started with a disadvantage and then of course there was the prerequisite childhood with Hollywood parents that made him cynical and jaded before his time.
Sara Peters is a young widow and a serious person. She works in Fulham, which in 1990 was full of crime and projects and youthful miscreants. Someone living there maybe able to update me on the current situation in this particular area of London.
When she meets Scott Collins, it is clear he is a poor little rich boy, brought in by the police because it's not good for a 13 year old boy with a pretty face to wander the streets of down at heel London by himself. There is an instant connection between Sara and Scott. Not so much with Neville who was unimpressed by being interrupted while on a date with his latest ditzy blonde and mistook her phone call for a former lay, looking to re-ignite a long dead spark.
This was a hero in pursuit story, though Neville hides it very well, using the connection with Scott to reel Sara in and develop their relationship. Sara has a number of reasons for despising Neville, and has no intention of becoming another of his notches on the bedpost. But somehow she can't make herself push him away.
This was a fairly lightweight romance but quite enjoyable. Scott was a great inclusion and it is Neville's relationship with the boy that gives us the best clue about the genuine character hidden under the careless, cynical charm of the actor. The ending was rather sweet.
Sara Peters is a young widow and a serious person. She works in Fulham, which in 1990 was full of crime and projects and youthful miscreants. Someone living there maybe able to update me on the current situation in this particular area of London.
When she meets Scott Collins, it is clear he is a poor little rich boy, brought in by the police because it's not good for a 13 year old boy with a pretty face to wander the streets of down at heel London by himself. There is an instant connection between Sara and Scott. Not so much with Neville who was unimpressed by being interrupted while on a date with his latest ditzy blonde and mistook her phone call for a former lay, looking to re-ignite a long dead spark.
This was a hero in pursuit story, though Neville hides it very well, using the connection with Scott to reel Sara in and develop their relationship. Sara has a number of reasons for despising Neville, and has no intention of becoming another of his notches on the bedpost. But somehow she can't make herself push him away.
This was a fairly lightweight romance but quite enjoyable. Scott was a great inclusion and it is Neville's relationship with the boy that gives us the best clue about the genuine character hidden under the careless, cynical charm of the actor. The ending was rather sweet.
July 31, 2021
Reminds me a lot of 90s romance movies which I adore. I love how Ms. Fraser's heroines are actually consistent and doesn't bend.
September 2, 2021
This was a 5 star Harlequin romance and a 3-star novel. So...4 stars is fair, I think. Sara is a sensible, intelligent social worker still mourning her clever doctor husband who had a coronary in his early thirties. She is called to the police station to handle a runaway 13-year-old boy who is obviously from a privileged background. She finds out his guardian is a handsome film star who is egotistical and arrogant. She is unimpressed. She doesn't own a TV and the last movie she saw was E.T. 5 years ago. He falls for her pretty quickly, she is skeptical and a much tougher sell. The courtship ensues.
My favorite part is when he invites her to a very glamorous and sophisticated New Year's Eve party and gives her some hints about the dress code as if she wasn't worldly enough to realize she shouldn't wear her habitual jeans and old sweater. she decides to teach him a lesson by wearing a trenchcoat and a checkered old woolen scarf over her gown. And slaps on a Paddington bear rain hat for good measure. The clever part is that the reader is kept in the dark as to whether she followed through with her first impulse to wear a gold lame leopard skin gown or something appropriate.
I loved the London of the 1980s scene, Sara's background, family, and personality. She kept her integrity throughout. The hero started out seeming like a shallow jerk, but his true worth is slowly revealed. There's a little mystery as to the nature of the relationship between his ward and himself because the reader realizes early on that he is not the boy's father as Sarah thinks.
This little category romance is very well written. Better written than some of the best-selling and popular chick-lit or historical romances I have read recently. It serves as a reminder to me that they shouldn't be discounted when one is looking for a quick nice story and good romance. At 187 pages or so, they are over before the author can get repetitive or start belaboring the plot and character development. This one left me wanting more of the same.
https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings....
My favorite part is when he invites her to a very glamorous and sophisticated New Year's Eve party and gives her some hints about the dress code as if she wasn't worldly enough to realize she shouldn't wear her habitual jeans and old sweater. she decides to teach him a lesson by wearing a trenchcoat and a checkered old woolen scarf over her gown. And slaps on a Paddington bear rain hat for good measure. The clever part is that the reader is kept in the dark as to whether she followed through with her first impulse to wear a gold lame leopard skin gown or something appropriate.
I loved the London of the 1980s scene, Sara's background, family, and personality. She kept her integrity throughout. The hero started out seeming like a shallow jerk, but his true worth is slowly revealed. There's a little mystery as to the nature of the relationship between his ward and himself because the reader realizes early on that he is not the boy's father as Sarah thinks.
This little category romance is very well written. Better written than some of the best-selling and popular chick-lit or historical romances I have read recently. It serves as a reminder to me that they shouldn't be discounted when one is looking for a quick nice story and good romance. At 187 pages or so, they are over before the author can get repetitive or start belaboring the plot and character development. This one left me wanting more of the same.
https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings....
April 7, 2024
Reread and like. AF has a knack for making young boys into real characters that drive the plot. Raising to 4 stars. We can see H loves h long before either of them realize it.
Skimmed, will have to try again since other reviewers saw lots more.
Skimmed, will have to try again since other reviewers saw lots more.
February 22, 2022
So enjoyable. Low on melodrama and bad behavior, just cross-purposes and misunderstandings. I liked Sara a lot (she’s a social worker!), the actor thing wasn’t obnoxious/was done well, and the kid is amusing. Good stuff.
May 26, 2017
One of my all time favs in this category 'cuz the characters are both very nice and 'human' :)
January 21, 2021
Didn't like it as much as the other books I'd read from the author. The story was good though. I just didn't connect with the characters.
January 24, 2020
I enjoyed this. I liked the woman and the man grew on me. Liked the kid who seemed mostly age-appropriate. It was fascinating, both of them were smokers - though trying to quit. It's not something you see a lot of.
I do feel that the story could have benefited from perhaps another chapter, so that the final resolution didn't have to be so rushed. But overall I enjoyed it and was satisfied with the ending.
Couldn't find this digitally so I actually bought it. I feel the money was not wasted.
I do feel that the story could have benefited from perhaps another chapter, so that the final resolution didn't have to be so rushed. But overall I enjoyed it and was satisfied with the ending.
Couldn't find this digitally so I actually bought it. I feel the money was not wasted.
November 1, 2022
3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Second read for me, somehow I didn’t review it! I wish this book had showed more of there budding romance. I think I needed to see more of the h’s feelings or more of the slow burn. I loved Scott though!
September 4, 2018
Um....when did she stop grieving and when did she fall for him? I missed it. Smitten hero with a hilarious meet cute.
July 4, 2022
The ending was a bit rushed which happens with the harley page count sometimes. I liked the characters though.
March 31, 2025
Well written, realistic story with no fake misunderstanding conflict, although there was a misunderstanding it was not central to their relationship.
April 18, 2012
I actually really enjoyed this book. The lead female character wasn't a huge ninny, as they usually are in older Harlequins. Not a keeper, but I'm glad I read it.
Read
June 11, 2012Oh god. This is terrible, and hilarious. What a trainwreck.
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