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House of Mirrors
She never got over her crush on Grant
Liz had become a successful author, Grant a famous surgeon, in the years since she had worshipped him and he had called her "the horror."
Now, his career ruined by an accident, deserted by his fiancee, Liz's handsome former neighbor was returning home.
Passion grew as Liz helped Grant recover his zest for life. And when he proposed, even though he told her she'd never have his love, Liz accepted....
Liz had become a successful author, Grant a famous surgeon, in the years since she had worshipped him and he had called her "the horror."
Now, his career ruined by an accident, deserted by his fiancee, Liz's handsome former neighbor was returning home.
Passion grew as Liz helped Grant recover his zest for life. And when he proposed, even though he told her she'd never have his love, Liz accepted....
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 1982
13 people are currently reading
542 people want to read
About the author
Yvonne Whittal
56 books80 followersYvonne Whittal was born and raised in South Africa, the setting of most of her romances. She started writing stories at a young age, but didn't really get serious about writing until after she married and had children. She got many rejection letters from publishers, until a friend who loved romances gave her to encouragement to continue.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
May 30, 2024
Liz grew up in a country town and she had hero-worshipped Grant as a child but suddenly at 16 she developed a huge crush on the tall, dark and handsome 28 year old surgeon.
Grant regarded her as a mischievous child and Liz guarded her secret well.
That year he met a beautiful model, Myra, at the town's Christmas party and fell instantly for her and had followed her back to the city of Johannesburg.
Six years went by.
Liz got a university degree and became a successful children's book author.
Four months earlier, news of Grant's and Myra's engagement, shattered Liz.
A month after the engagement Grant was involved in an accident which left him with a few injuries including a severely damaged hand which essentially shattered his career as a surgeon.
Myra had taken off with another man at that point.
Liz now heard that Grant was back at his farmhouse and aiming to stay for quite some time.
Liz's suppressed and locked for so long feeling, now leapt to the fore.
She visited him but her friendly intentions had been met with hostility and rudeness.
This wasn't the Grant she knew 6 years ago. He was a broken man who was walking with the aid of a stick and had lost a lot of weight.
He was like a wounded animal both physically and emotionally, that crawled back into his old lair, licking his scars and feeling sorry for himself.
She started visiting him every day, tend to his house, cook his meals and they would have lengthy discussions and take walks around the farm.
Grant was regaining his strength and started to put on weight, his walking improved, but mentally he was still embittered and cynical.
He treated Liz like a younger sister. Over time he started to see her as a woman, there were kisses and not long after he had proposed.
He said that she was lively company, a good cook, his shirts have never been ironed so perfectly, he needed and desired her and she was the most unselfish person he'd ever met.
She said she loved him and she wanted his love.
He said he had no love to give and Liz (funny, outspoken, mischievous Liz) had accepted his proposal because she loved him for years.
Liz's married sister was not happy about the engagement. She warned her that Grant was going to break her heart, and what about Myra...
They had a guiet wedding and some time later, after a lot of encouragement from Liz, the couple headed for Johannesburg. Grant was to have an operation to help him regain full use of his hand.
His house in Johannesburg was a two storey mansion. The interior walls were covered with mirrors.
Myra was beautiful and she thrived on the admiration of men as much as seeing herself in those mirrors. She chose the whole decor of the house and Myra's presence lingered everywhere.
Liz wondered how she was going to live with him in this house which must hold so many memories of his long affair with Myra.
Liz hated the house but kept her feelings to herself.
Grant had the operation, followed by a long period of therapy and Liz was always there for him supporting and boosting his morale.
Months past and at last he could return to his consulting-rooms.
To celebrate this fact he took Liz out to dinner, both been in high spirits.
Sometime, unexpectedly, Myra approached their table. An uncomfortable conversation ensued and when she left, Grant's face was white ,he was perspiring and his hands were shaking.
After that meeting, the course of their lives changed drastically. Grant became withdrawn, worked long hours and came home late in the evenings. He had moved into another room using pressure of work as an excuse for everything.
She tried to discuss the situation with him but he became so infuriated that she was too afraid to mention it again.
Liz was suspecting that he was seeing Myra again.
Myra warned Liz that she wanted Grant for herself and she meant to have him.
A few days later Liz visited a doctor and found out she was pregnant. Excited she rushed home to wait for Grant. To her surprise he was already there.
He said it was never his intention to hurt her but, it was Myra...they've talked, she explained her reasons for walking out after the accident and what he wanted was to be free to sort himself out.
Liz bitterly told him that he'd used her to pass the time until Myra decided to come back to him. Myra wouldn't have him after the accident and he'd consoled himself with Liz.
He said he'd asked her to marry him at a time when he was at his lowest ebb,mentally and physically.
Liz told him that Myra did not love him, never was and never will.
He said it was none of her business.
An hour later Liz was driving away from the house of mirrors for the last time.
She'd arrived at her sister's in the country the next day and that night she'd lost the baby.
After that, embittered Liz told her sister she never wanted to see Grant again for as long as she lived.
Three months went by.
Liz's sister confessed that Grant's been calling and asking about her. The first time been the morning after she'd lost the baby. He wanted to see her but the sister had stopped him from coming.
Liz heard that Myra had left the country soon after Liz was asked to leave the house of mirrors.
She thought that probably Myra had jilted him again.
Grant and Liz met at the farmhouse.
He told her he'd made a mess of everything. He threw away a precious jewel for a paste diamond with false glitter and he'll give anything to possess again what he so callously discarded.
For 6 years Myra had a hold on him which he couldn't break. After he got involved with Liz he thought he'd got over Myra but when he saw her in the restaurant he was hooked again but it lasted until Myra came to see him the day after Liz had gone.
He discovered then, that he felt nothing for her. He could see a beautiful body and was no longer blind to the rest of her.
She possessed none of the qualities he could admire in a woman and that was when he was hit with the realisation of what he'd done.
He wanted Liz's warmth and sweet generous soul and he'd sent her away in the most brutally callous manner. He'd caused her miscarriage and he would never forgive himself for that as well.
He never knew how much he loved her until she was no longer there. He took a long, harsh look at his person and what he saw made him ill and disgusted with himself.
He admitted he was a fool and he was amazed that she can forgive him.
She told him she always loved him and always will.
The house of mirrors was sold and the couple now had a beautiful, warm , home on the outskirts of Johannesburg.
Months had past and one day pregnant Liz heard that Myra was back in town. Liz couldn't help but getting concerned.
When Grant got home he told her that he had a visit from Myra. She'd tried to convince him that what they had together was something special and they should recapture it, but her machinations did not work this time. The chains of the past had been severed forever.
Grant regarded her as a mischievous child and Liz guarded her secret well.
That year he met a beautiful model, Myra, at the town's Christmas party and fell instantly for her and had followed her back to the city of Johannesburg.
Six years went by.
Liz got a university degree and became a successful children's book author.
Four months earlier, news of Grant's and Myra's engagement, shattered Liz.
A month after the engagement Grant was involved in an accident which left him with a few injuries including a severely damaged hand which essentially shattered his career as a surgeon.
Myra had taken off with another man at that point.
Liz now heard that Grant was back at his farmhouse and aiming to stay for quite some time.
Liz's suppressed and locked for so long feeling, now leapt to the fore.
She visited him but her friendly intentions had been met with hostility and rudeness.
This wasn't the Grant she knew 6 years ago. He was a broken man who was walking with the aid of a stick and had lost a lot of weight.
He was like a wounded animal both physically and emotionally, that crawled back into his old lair, licking his scars and feeling sorry for himself.
She started visiting him every day, tend to his house, cook his meals and they would have lengthy discussions and take walks around the farm.
Grant was regaining his strength and started to put on weight, his walking improved, but mentally he was still embittered and cynical.
He treated Liz like a younger sister. Over time he started to see her as a woman, there were kisses and not long after he had proposed.
He said that she was lively company, a good cook, his shirts have never been ironed so perfectly, he needed and desired her and she was the most unselfish person he'd ever met.
She said she loved him and she wanted his love.
He said he had no love to give and Liz (funny, outspoken, mischievous Liz) had accepted his proposal because she loved him for years.
Liz's married sister was not happy about the engagement. She warned her that Grant was going to break her heart, and what about Myra...
They had a guiet wedding and some time later, after a lot of encouragement from Liz, the couple headed for Johannesburg. Grant was to have an operation to help him regain full use of his hand.
His house in Johannesburg was a two storey mansion. The interior walls were covered with mirrors.
Myra was beautiful and she thrived on the admiration of men as much as seeing herself in those mirrors. She chose the whole decor of the house and Myra's presence lingered everywhere.
Liz wondered how she was going to live with him in this house which must hold so many memories of his long affair with Myra.
Liz hated the house but kept her feelings to herself.
Grant had the operation, followed by a long period of therapy and Liz was always there for him supporting and boosting his morale.
Months past and at last he could return to his consulting-rooms.
To celebrate this fact he took Liz out to dinner, both been in high spirits.
Sometime, unexpectedly, Myra approached their table. An uncomfortable conversation ensued and when she left, Grant's face was white ,he was perspiring and his hands were shaking.
After that meeting, the course of their lives changed drastically. Grant became withdrawn, worked long hours and came home late in the evenings. He had moved into another room using pressure of work as an excuse for everything.
She tried to discuss the situation with him but he became so infuriated that she was too afraid to mention it again.
Liz was suspecting that he was seeing Myra again.
Myra warned Liz that she wanted Grant for herself and she meant to have him.
A few days later Liz visited a doctor and found out she was pregnant. Excited she rushed home to wait for Grant. To her surprise he was already there.
He said it was never his intention to hurt her but, it was Myra...they've talked, she explained her reasons for walking out after the accident and what he wanted was to be free to sort himself out.
Liz bitterly told him that he'd used her to pass the time until Myra decided to come back to him. Myra wouldn't have him after the accident and he'd consoled himself with Liz.
He said he'd asked her to marry him at a time when he was at his lowest ebb,mentally and physically.
Liz told him that Myra did not love him, never was and never will.
He said it was none of her business.
An hour later Liz was driving away from the house of mirrors for the last time.
She'd arrived at her sister's in the country the next day and that night she'd lost the baby.
After that, embittered Liz told her sister she never wanted to see Grant again for as long as she lived.
Three months went by.
Liz's sister confessed that Grant's been calling and asking about her. The first time been the morning after she'd lost the baby. He wanted to see her but the sister had stopped him from coming.
Liz heard that Myra had left the country soon after Liz was asked to leave the house of mirrors.
She thought that probably Myra had jilted him again.
Grant and Liz met at the farmhouse.
He told her he'd made a mess of everything. He threw away a precious jewel for a paste diamond with false glitter and he'll give anything to possess again what he so callously discarded.
For 6 years Myra had a hold on him which he couldn't break. After he got involved with Liz he thought he'd got over Myra but when he saw her in the restaurant he was hooked again but it lasted until Myra came to see him the day after Liz had gone.
He discovered then, that he felt nothing for her. He could see a beautiful body and was no longer blind to the rest of her.
She possessed none of the qualities he could admire in a woman and that was when he was hit with the realisation of what he'd done.
He wanted Liz's warmth and sweet generous soul and he'd sent her away in the most brutally callous manner. He'd caused her miscarriage and he would never forgive himself for that as well.
He never knew how much he loved her until she was no longer there. He took a long, harsh look at his person and what he saw made him ill and disgusted with himself.
He admitted he was a fool and he was amazed that she can forgive him.
She told him she always loved him and always will.
The house of mirrors was sold and the couple now had a beautiful, warm , home on the outskirts of Johannesburg.
Months had past and one day pregnant Liz heard that Myra was back in town. Liz couldn't help but getting concerned.
When Grant got home he told her that he had a visit from Myra. She'd tried to convince him that what they had together was something special and they should recapture it, but her machinations did not work this time. The chains of the past had been severed forever.
March 21, 2021
Where was the GROVEL?
August 4, 2012
Here's another one that trots off the beaten path. In this gut wrencher we have a hero who's actually in love with someone else and makes no bones about it. He spends the majority of the book chain smoking and pining for his ex-gf. He even gets hostile, complete with snarling and teeth gnashing, if the heroine, HIS WIFE, suggests anything negative about the OW. Ooooo Eeeee! Talk about raising your blood pressure.
Personally, I couldn't find any qualities about this H that were so wonderful that it would entice a person to allow him to openly use her as a doorstop. He was nasty-hostile from the get-go. He was kind of creepy with his reminicing about her when she was a kid, while feeding her a bunch of lip service about being concerned for her reputation, right before he stuck his tongue down her throat and his hand up her skirt. His propsal was pretty much "So, I will never love you because I'll always love my ex, and if you bring her up I will b*tch slap you, but I want to have sex and have someone clean my house. How bout it?." Of course our h, who actually was kinda cool and could have gotten anybody she wanted, didn't even have to think about it.
I love a good wallbanger but this one needed a higher level of groveling to counter what he did. I say "higher level" when actually I should say "at least SOME". The reunion was way off balance and almost made me as mad as the break up.
If you enjoy stories about women who don't know their own worth hooking up with broken users, but who are honest about it!, then this one will rock.
Personally, I couldn't find any qualities about this H that were so wonderful that it would entice a person to allow him to openly use her as a doorstop. He was nasty-hostile from the get-go. He was kind of creepy with his reminicing about her when she was a kid, while feeding her a bunch of lip service about being concerned for her reputation, right before he stuck his tongue down her throat and his hand up her skirt. His propsal was pretty much "So, I will never love you because I'll always love my ex, and if you bring her up I will b*tch slap you, but I want to have sex and have someone clean my house. How bout it?." Of course our h, who actually was kinda cool and could have gotten anybody she wanted, didn't even have to think about it.
I love a good wallbanger but this one needed a higher level of groveling to counter what he did. I say "higher level" when actually I should say "at least SOME". The reunion was way off balance and almost made me as mad as the break up.
If you enjoy stories about women who don't know their own worth hooking up with broken users, but who are honest about it!, then this one will rock.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2017
I love this drama and angst story of a man obsessed with another woman but marries the sweet h and is happy until evil OW returns. The h wins in the end on penalties so it works out.
October 10, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ four stars-
I’m really enjoying myself reading these old-school Harlequins. They’re quick and easy for me to read - I picked this one up out of my newly acquired paperback collection (recently sourced from one of my favorite used book sellers over on Ebay) while my hubs was watching Monday Night Football 🏈.
If you’ve been following my reviews, you might recall that I have stated many times over that I’m not reviewing each and every one of these Harleys I’ve been ploughing through lately. Just not happening since there are way too many of them! I’m not someone who spends hours watching television, and I much prefer to spend my time inside a book. This preference works out great for me since my husband is usually hogging our favored television due to his sports obsession 📺🏈⚾️🏀⚽️🏒🏌️♂️.
Now on to my thoughts about this Yvonne Whittal story…
This is my first book from this popular South African HQ author, and it won’t be my last. I will be sourcing her other popular titles as soon as I get a chance to head over to EBay, as it doesn’t appear that she has any titles on Hoopla or Libby (the apps my local library uses for e-reading).
This story is an older Harley, as it was first published back in 1982. Here on Goodreads, it’s ranked as the author’s most popular and highest-rated title. Whittal seems to be currently still publishing with Harlequin (last published date is 2017), and that thought makes me happy since I enjoyed this title so much.
This book rates four stars from me, and it’s one I would recommend to my fellow lover of HQ romances. It’s a well-written story full of angst, which I always love - in fact, I’m going to create a new shelf in honor of this romance preference of mine; I’m going to call it, “angst-ridden”.
What did I love about this story? Here’s my list:
1- the angst! All of the unrequited love 💕 and heartfelt heartbreak. I just ate it all up and devoured this book. I was definitely emotionally manipulated by the author, and I knew it, and I loved it lol.
2- the heroine. I thought she was fantastic. She’s so sweet and kind. She was someone I could definitely relate to (not saying I’m like her haha), and I could most definitely see a few women I know that are/were like her. She’s a typical young woman in love with a man that may or may not love her in return. I think most of us knew someone like that when we were all young (or maybe you were that person - I was that person for a hot spell). I can tell you that the girl she reminds me of ended up divorced - but not until they were in their fifties 💁♀️. Was it because she always loved him more than he seemed to love her (especially in the beginning)? Who knows. People end up divorced for a myriad of reasons.
3- I loved the old-fashioned-ness of our heroine, and that of the story. Most of the sexy times are fade to black (he does touch her breast a few times - shocking! lol), and I loved this about the story. It fitted our heroine’s character and accentuated her innate sweetness. They waited to consummate their love until they were married, and it all just made sense. Sometimes it’s nice to take a trip back in time ⏳.
4- even though our Hero started out not being in love with our heroine, they did have the backstory of a childhood connection. If you follow me, you will know that I’m a sucker for this trope; so I just loved this aspect, and I gave a lot of his jerkiness a pass since they were childhood friends and had a lot of shared family history.
5- this story was well-written and easy to read. My only complaint is that there is a low level of world building. Joburg is one of my favorite literary settings, but I was disappointed with the lack of setting description. However, this could be due to the fact that Whittal IS a writer from South Africa, so maybe it’s just not inherent in her writing to include overall descriptions of the setting (city, landscape, etc) since she doesn’t feel the point of it since she lives there 💁♀️. That makes sense; but it would have been nice to have read bulkier scene descriptions as someone who doesn’t live there, but who wants to vicariously travel by reading 📖.
* Slight spoiler follows - and is the reason why this review is hidden
****************
****************
I would like to add a trigger warning for those sensitive to miscarriage.
The event of the miscarriage wasn’t too drawn out (the heroine only just realizes she’s pregnant) - probably due to HQ time constraints, but it’s there on the page.
It’s emotional, but not overly so. It definitely felt like a manipulative move, but that just highlights the skill of the author for me ✍️.
Primarily this is a story about infidelity. The main plot centers around our Hero’s love for another woman. How our heroine reacts to her husband’s ongoing on again/off again affair makes up the bulk of this story.
Liz’s commitment to her husband (our Hero) and her commitment to her marriage, may not be something that modern readers will be able to tolerate. This is most definitely a 1970s era romance, and their marriage is most definitely an old-fashioned marriage.
The story is about our heroine’s strength and ability to overcome her husband’s weakness. That’s what the main point of this whole tale really is. I personally feel that modern readers won’t be able to appreciate this aspect, but those of a certain age will pick up on this underlying morality issue within the story, and will appreciate it, and admire our heroine’s fortitude, as you are meant to.
*****************
*****************
* end slight spoiler
Overall, I liked this story for the angst-driven plot. The emotion is what makes this story - all from the sweet heroine. This is Liz’s story, and it’s a character study of her strength of character, and her love for her man. It’s getting added to my keeper shelf, and will most definitely get a re-read at some point.
Four stars for this og HQ romance. Do recommend for my fellow romance reader, and for lovers of emotional drama. 💕📖
I’m really enjoying myself reading these old-school Harlequins. They’re quick and easy for me to read - I picked this one up out of my newly acquired paperback collection (recently sourced from one of my favorite used book sellers over on Ebay) while my hubs was watching Monday Night Football 🏈.
If you’ve been following my reviews, you might recall that I have stated many times over that I’m not reviewing each and every one of these Harleys I’ve been ploughing through lately. Just not happening since there are way too many of them! I’m not someone who spends hours watching television, and I much prefer to spend my time inside a book. This preference works out great for me since my husband is usually hogging our favored television due to his sports obsession 📺🏈⚾️🏀⚽️🏒🏌️♂️.
Now on to my thoughts about this Yvonne Whittal story…
This is my first book from this popular South African HQ author, and it won’t be my last. I will be sourcing her other popular titles as soon as I get a chance to head over to EBay, as it doesn’t appear that she has any titles on Hoopla or Libby (the apps my local library uses for e-reading).
This story is an older Harley, as it was first published back in 1982. Here on Goodreads, it’s ranked as the author’s most popular and highest-rated title. Whittal seems to be currently still publishing with Harlequin (last published date is 2017), and that thought makes me happy since I enjoyed this title so much.
This book rates four stars from me, and it’s one I would recommend to my fellow lover of HQ romances. It’s a well-written story full of angst, which I always love - in fact, I’m going to create a new shelf in honor of this romance preference of mine; I’m going to call it, “angst-ridden”.
What did I love about this story? Here’s my list:
1- the angst! All of the unrequited love 💕 and heartfelt heartbreak. I just ate it all up and devoured this book. I was definitely emotionally manipulated by the author, and I knew it, and I loved it lol.
2- the heroine. I thought she was fantastic. She’s so sweet and kind. She was someone I could definitely relate to (not saying I’m like her haha), and I could most definitely see a few women I know that are/were like her. She’s a typical young woman in love with a man that may or may not love her in return. I think most of us knew someone like that when we were all young (or maybe you were that person - I was that person for a hot spell). I can tell you that the girl she reminds me of ended up divorced - but not until they were in their fifties 💁♀️. Was it because she always loved him more than he seemed to love her (especially in the beginning)? Who knows. People end up divorced for a myriad of reasons.
3- I loved the old-fashioned-ness of our heroine, and that of the story. Most of the sexy times are fade to black (he does touch her breast a few times - shocking! lol), and I loved this about the story. It fitted our heroine’s character and accentuated her innate sweetness. They waited to consummate their love until they were married, and it all just made sense. Sometimes it’s nice to take a trip back in time ⏳.
4- even though our Hero started out not being in love with our heroine, they did have the backstory of a childhood connection. If you follow me, you will know that I’m a sucker for this trope; so I just loved this aspect, and I gave a lot of his jerkiness a pass since they were childhood friends and had a lot of shared family history.
5- this story was well-written and easy to read. My only complaint is that there is a low level of world building. Joburg is one of my favorite literary settings, but I was disappointed with the lack of setting description. However, this could be due to the fact that Whittal IS a writer from South Africa, so maybe it’s just not inherent in her writing to include overall descriptions of the setting (city, landscape, etc) since she doesn’t feel the point of it since she lives there 💁♀️. That makes sense; but it would have been nice to have read bulkier scene descriptions as someone who doesn’t live there, but who wants to vicariously travel by reading 📖.
* Slight spoiler follows - and is the reason why this review is hidden
****************
****************
I would like to add a trigger warning for those sensitive to miscarriage.
The event of the miscarriage wasn’t too drawn out (the heroine only just realizes she’s pregnant) - probably due to HQ time constraints, but it’s there on the page.
It’s emotional, but not overly so. It definitely felt like a manipulative move, but that just highlights the skill of the author for me ✍️.
Primarily this is a story about infidelity. The main plot centers around our Hero’s love for another woman. How our heroine reacts to her husband’s ongoing on again/off again affair makes up the bulk of this story.
Liz’s commitment to her husband (our Hero) and her commitment to her marriage, may not be something that modern readers will be able to tolerate. This is most definitely a 1970s era romance, and their marriage is most definitely an old-fashioned marriage.
The story is about our heroine’s strength and ability to overcome her husband’s weakness. That’s what the main point of this whole tale really is. I personally feel that modern readers won’t be able to appreciate this aspect, but those of a certain age will pick up on this underlying morality issue within the story, and will appreciate it, and admire our heroine’s fortitude, as you are meant to.
*****************
*****************
* end slight spoiler
Overall, I liked this story for the angst-driven plot. The emotion is what makes this story - all from the sweet heroine. This is Liz’s story, and it’s a character study of her strength of character, and her love for her man. It’s getting added to my keeper shelf, and will most definitely get a re-read at some point.
Four stars for this og HQ romance. Do recommend for my fellow romance reader, and for lovers of emotional drama. 💕📖
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2020
Reread:August 2020
Heroine still hopeless, but hero is even more pathetic in his obsession with the OW.
Original review:
Hero was having a pity party and Heroine wanted to join in. All was well until he got better and appeared to forget about the heroine. Cue angst. Some angsty jealousy of the OW toward the end. Classic Yvonne Whittal.
Heroine still hopeless, but hero is even more pathetic in his obsession with the OW.
Original review:
Hero was having a pity party and Heroine wanted to join in. All was well until he got better and appeared to forget about the heroine. Cue angst. Some angsty jealousy of the OW toward the end. Classic Yvonne Whittal.
May 25, 2016
Why oh why did she forgive him so fast. He dumps her out of this life as soon as the hot girl is back and because of that stress she losses their child. He needs to make reparation. She should have had him on his knees just to kick him. I wanted blood for what he did to her. He was a total ass and I can't get over the fact that she was all I love you but she was too stupid to know that she was his consolation prize or his safe place for when the bitch hurts him? Stupid doormat. Idiot! I gave it 3 stars because at least it made me mad! That's something and if you like a heroine being treated like crap then by all means read this book. Once was more then enough for me.
October 13, 2018
DEVOURED it. LOVED it.
If you hated Pargeter's The Odds Against and Roberta Leigh's Temporary Wife, don't bother with this one, there is a good chance you won't like it.
I like the trope of the Hero loving the OW from the start with Heroine coming in second best because, duh, the angst is a given from the beginning. And yet, I also avoid it like the plague because so very, very few writers can pull it off.
It's one of the reasons that Pargeter became one of my favorite writers because for all the weakness in some novels that she wrote, Against All Odds, yes, the one that eveyone loves to hate, for me, remains one of her best works. There were subtle nuances crafted in, so Gail the h in that book is not quite the dimwit or doormat she appears to be and neither is Liz, the heroine in House of Mirrors.
Both are capable, independent, hardworking women who go into the marriage with their eyes wide open, wearing their hearts on their sleeves, knowing the weakness and egoistic pride of the men they fell in love with and both decided, screw it, there will never be any other man for them and they will find a way to make the marriage work.
Neither are martyrs, imo, both are frustrated at the wilful blindness of their husbands to the wiles of the OW, both have showdowns and stand up to the OW and both are very human in that they can't help goading their husbands though Grant, to his credit, did not lose control and bitch-slap his wife as Carl did.
And Grant had valid reasons to be disillushioned and embittered. His accident had left him with a weak leg, unable to use his hands as a surgeon and the love of his life, the OW, left him at the lowest point in his life. For Carl, it was more like the last straw, his business was failing miserably and his ego just could not take two back-to-back hits when the OW left him too.
Whittal though, for me, created a 5 star heroine in Liz. **sigh** they just don't write them like this anymore. In the hands of a different author, this premise is guranteed to sink but with Whittal, it soars. She shows Grant slowly and surely falling in love with Liz though he doesn't know it himself. Her forthrightness, her strength, how she challenges him to overcome his disability and not wallow in self-pity, and her selfless love, I didn't see doormat, I saw a determined, hopeful and stoic heroine. But some saw her as pathetic so definitely a question of personal taste here.
I liked how
But not everyone felt this way. I'd suggest to look at KC and StM's review for a different perspective. I have always preferred epilogues, proven action are better than drawn out words for me and Whittal did a small one for them.
Please bear in mind, this is a book. Not condoning the heroine's choices at all in case there are young readers looking at this review. Believe me, in real life, guys are NOT complicated creatures. If he's in love/obsessed with another woman, get on with your life, don't look back and run the other way!
If you hated Pargeter's The Odds Against and Roberta Leigh's Temporary Wife, don't bother with this one, there is a good chance you won't like it.
I like the trope of the Hero loving the OW from the start with Heroine coming in second best because, duh, the angst is a given from the beginning. And yet, I also avoid it like the plague because so very, very few writers can pull it off.
It's one of the reasons that Pargeter became one of my favorite writers because for all the weakness in some novels that she wrote, Against All Odds, yes, the one that eveyone loves to hate, for me, remains one of her best works. There were subtle nuances crafted in, so Gail the h in that book is not quite the dimwit or doormat she appears to be and neither is Liz, the heroine in House of Mirrors.
Both are capable, independent, hardworking women who go into the marriage with their eyes wide open, wearing their hearts on their sleeves, knowing the weakness and egoistic pride of the men they fell in love with and both decided, screw it, there will never be any other man for them and they will find a way to make the marriage work.
Neither are martyrs, imo, both are frustrated at the wilful blindness of their husbands to the wiles of the OW, both have showdowns and stand up to the OW and both are very human in that they can't help goading their husbands though Grant, to his credit, did not lose control and bitch-slap his wife as Carl did.
And Grant had valid reasons to be disillushioned and embittered. His accident had left him with a weak leg, unable to use his hands as a surgeon and the love of his life, the OW, left him at the lowest point in his life. For Carl, it was more like the last straw, his business was failing miserably and his ego just could not take two back-to-back hits when the OW left him too.
Whittal though, for me, created a 5 star heroine in Liz. **sigh** they just don't write them like this anymore. In the hands of a different author, this premise is guranteed to sink but with Whittal, it soars. She shows Grant slowly and surely falling in love with Liz though he doesn't know it himself. Her forthrightness, her strength, how she challenges him to overcome his disability and not wallow in self-pity, and her selfless love, I didn't see doormat, I saw a determined, hopeful and stoic heroine. But some saw her as pathetic so definitely a question of personal taste here.
I liked how
But not everyone felt this way. I'd suggest to look at KC and StM's review for a different perspective. I have always preferred epilogues, proven action are better than drawn out words for me and Whittal did a small one for them.
Please bear in mind, this is a book. Not condoning the heroine's choices at all in case there are young readers looking at this review. Believe me, in real life, guys are NOT complicated creatures. If he's in love/obsessed with another woman, get on with your life, don't look back and run the other way!
August 10, 2015
Read for a second time on 9th August, 2015
Five wonderfully perfect, amazing stars.
I read this about a year ago, but I couldn't remember it so I gave it a 2 star rating. Recently I read reviews about it again, and I couldn't remember a single thing about the book, so I decided to reread it. Boy, am I glad that I did!
The heroine was so perfect, I loved her, I more than loved her! She was feisty, spirited, kickass, funny and had the best comebacks! And despite all that, she was sweet, loving, kind and forgiving. Basically, all around perfect. There wasn't a single thing that she did throughout the book that I didn't like. I approved of every, every single one of her actions, admired her in fact. She was so strong and so amazing.
In the beginning, we hear that the hero, whom our heroine has been in love with ever since she was a kid, has come back to the small town that h and H grew up in. H is 12 years older than h *shivers with delight* and when h was 16, H moved to the big city with OW, whom he is deeply in love with. They recently got engaged, about 6 years later, but am accident leaves the hero disabled, with a broken arm, his career as a surgeon ruined. Obviously, OW runs first chance she gets, and H comes back to the small town to lick his wounds.
Our feisty heroine is H's neighbour. She goes over to see him, and he looks gaunt, sick, thin and has several premature grey hair (I have such a huge thing for heroes with grey hair!) She is strong, feisty, makes him stop feeling sorry for himself with her kickass comments and try and fight instead of wallowing in self pity. She comes to clean up and cook for him every day, and a few days later, he asks her to marry him. She accepts.
He is an ogre of a hero, biting and saying mean things, and insulting her, because he is so bitter and cynical. She gives as good as she gets, though, she did not let him walk all over her! Not at all! She is one of the most perfect heroines there ever existed on the face of this earth, throughout history ♥
There is a lot of pain, anguish and heart break, especially when the OW comes back, and
I loved everything about this book. It is definitely recommended if you're a "glutton for punishment" and love asshole heroes, unrequited love from the heroine's side, a hero who is still in love with OW, an MOC, a May December romance with a large age difference, and loads and loads of pain and anguish.
Five wonderfully perfect, amazing stars.
I read this about a year ago, but I couldn't remember it so I gave it a 2 star rating. Recently I read reviews about it again, and I couldn't remember a single thing about the book, so I decided to reread it. Boy, am I glad that I did!
The heroine was so perfect, I loved her, I more than loved her! She was feisty, spirited, kickass, funny and had the best comebacks! And despite all that, she was sweet, loving, kind and forgiving. Basically, all around perfect. There wasn't a single thing that she did throughout the book that I didn't like. I approved of every, every single one of her actions, admired her in fact. She was so strong and so amazing.
In the beginning, we hear that the hero, whom our heroine has been in love with ever since she was a kid, has come back to the small town that h and H grew up in. H is 12 years older than h *shivers with delight* and when h was 16, H moved to the big city with OW, whom he is deeply in love with. They recently got engaged, about 6 years later, but am accident leaves the hero disabled, with a broken arm, his career as a surgeon ruined. Obviously, OW runs first chance she gets, and H comes back to the small town to lick his wounds.
Our feisty heroine is H's neighbour. She goes over to see him, and he looks gaunt, sick, thin and has several premature grey hair (I have such a huge thing for heroes with grey hair!) She is strong, feisty, makes him stop feeling sorry for himself with her kickass comments and try and fight instead of wallowing in self pity. She comes to clean up and cook for him every day, and a few days later, he asks her to marry him. She accepts.
He is an ogre of a hero, biting and saying mean things, and insulting her, because he is so bitter and cynical. She gives as good as she gets, though, she did not let him walk all over her! Not at all! She is one of the most perfect heroines there ever existed on the face of this earth, throughout history ♥
There is a lot of pain, anguish and heart break, especially when the OW comes back, and
I loved everything about this book. It is definitely recommended if you're a "glutton for punishment" and love asshole heroes, unrequited love from the heroine's side, a hero who is still in love with OW, an MOC, a May December romance with a large age difference, and loads and loads of pain and anguish.
September 3, 2018
Definite keeper. If you love old school trainwrecks, if you want angst and tears, then this book is just for you.
Plot was the same as The Odds Against but it was better written.
Liz was one the best written heroines of Harveyland; sassy, witty, loving, unselfish, beautiful with a backbone. The only defect of her was being very forgiving person.
Grant was not as cruel as Carl of The Odds Against, there is no force seduction or much abusive behaviour. But when he discarded Liz easily , i couldn't prevent my tears in spite of reading reviews with spoilers. Yes, i' m a sentimental old woman. (Not so old, just sentimental LOL)
Plot was the same as The Odds Against but it was better written.
Liz was one the best written heroines of Harveyland; sassy, witty, loving, unselfish, beautiful with a backbone. The only defect of her was being very forgiving person.
Grant was not as cruel as Carl of The Odds Against, there is no force seduction or much abusive behaviour. But when he discarded Liz easily , i couldn't prevent my tears in spite of reading reviews with spoilers. Yes, i' m a sentimental old woman. (Not so old, just sentimental LOL)
July 28, 2014
Liz loved Grant since forever. He has a bitchy other girlfriend of course but when he has an accident and loses his job Myra abandons him.
Liz is there for him supporting and loving him so he proposes marriage and she accepts even though she knows he doesn't love her the way she loves him. But when Myra is back in Grant's life, Liz is afraid she will lose him forever.
I love angst so I loved this book and I didn't think the H was that bad and I liked his apology and how he even cried for his sins against our flawless heroine and yea he was a bit of an asshole and a jerk but that's how I like my heroes! Lol
Liz is there for him supporting and loving him so he proposes marriage and she accepts even though she knows he doesn't love her the way she loves him. But when Myra is back in Grant's life, Liz is afraid she will lose him forever.
I love angst so I loved this book and I didn't think the H was that bad and I liked his apology and how he even cried for his sins against our flawless heroine and yea he was a bit of an asshole and a jerk but that's how I like my heroes! Lol
July 2, 2012
Very good read full of angsty and tension.Enjoyed the book very much the only thing disappointing was there was no grovelling,Grant was forgiven way too easily,would have loved to see how he repents for his actions.Liz should have been shown more strong.
December 3, 2019
"House of Mirrors" is the story of Liz and Grant.
In this angsty tale on unrequited love, our h has had a massive crush on the much older H from afar, but he has referred to her as "the horror". And why not, she was always the lanky tomboy, while he went for the feminine types like her older sister, and her friends. One of those women takes the H away to the city for years, where he becomes a successful surgeon, gets into an accident, gets dumped, and returns back to their town.
The h is now a successful illustrator and orphan, and is intrigued again by the man who always had a place in her heart. Despite his grumpiness and standoffish attitude, she slowly chips his armor away. Soon the H asks her to marry him, and despite all the warnings she agrees. But is she setting herself up for irrevocable failure? Does he still love the OW? Is heartbreak all that is there in her fate?
The book has a super strong and honest heroine, who fights for her love, apologizes when needed and forgives easily. I really liked her ability to take risks, and her inner strength. The hero was a self pitying idiot who definitely did not deserve the heroine, but I'm glad he got his head of of his ass eventually.
Heavy on heartbreak and OW drama, I thoroughly enjoyed crying while reading this. Could have had more grovel though.
Unsafe
3.5/5
In this angsty tale on unrequited love, our h has had a massive crush on the much older H from afar, but he has referred to her as "the horror". And why not, she was always the lanky tomboy, while he went for the feminine types like her older sister, and her friends. One of those women takes the H away to the city for years, where he becomes a successful surgeon, gets into an accident, gets dumped, and returns back to their town.
The h is now a successful illustrator and orphan, and is intrigued again by the man who always had a place in her heart. Despite his grumpiness and standoffish attitude, she slowly chips his armor away. Soon the H asks her to marry him, and despite all the warnings she agrees. But is she setting herself up for irrevocable failure? Does he still love the OW? Is heartbreak all that is there in her fate?
The book has a super strong and honest heroine, who fights for her love, apologizes when needed and forgives easily. I really liked her ability to take risks, and her inner strength. The hero was a self pitying idiot who definitely did not deserve the heroine, but I'm glad he got his head of of his ass eventually.
Heavy on heartbreak and OW drama, I thoroughly enjoyed crying while reading this. Could have had more grovel though.
Unsafe
3.5/5
October 25, 2012
4 Stars ~ Liz had known Grant all her life; he was the boy next door that dated her oldest sister. She idolized him and when she turned 16, he was the object of her first crush. But the local beauty had swooped in and taken hold of Grant and off to Johannesburg they went; Grant to his career as a surgeon and Myra to her's as a model. It's now six years later and Liz learns that Grant's returning to his family farm but he's a broken and bitter man. He's been terribly injured in a car accident that's left him using a cane and damaged his valuable operating hand. Myra doesn't do that damaged injured bit and she's left him. Liz can't stop herself from going to see how Grant is, and once she sees him, she's determined to stick by him and pull him out of his black hole. As days pass, Grant begins to heal both physically and emotionally, and their attraction blooms. Grant proposes much to Liz's surprise. And while she admits to him that she loves him, he tells her that all he can offer her is respect, companionship and the physical side of love. They marry and as the weeks pass they begin to build a foundation for a strong marriage. Grant's hand has made remarkable progress and on Liz's encouragement he has surgery to hopefully repair it completely. With the surgery a success, they celebrate with a dinner out, only to have their celebration dampened as Myra is there. In the weeks that follow, Grant resumes his surgery schedule and pulls himself away from Liz. And then one afternoon, he tells her that he's going back to Myra.
This is one tremendous heroine! I loved Liz's strength and her jump right in with both feet approach. She didn't hold back her thoughts and spoke honestly from her heart. Often in these romances where the heroine goes into the marriage knowing the hero doesn't love her, she's a bit of a doormat, but not in this romance. She met her challenges head on. Many readers would have a problem with Grant and see him solely as a selfish man. But with such a strong heroine who is so sure of her love for him, I couldn't help but trust that she fell in love with a man who could be redeemed. Often in these 80's romances we know the hero's truly tortured and remorseful of his behaviour because he becomes reclusive and drinks himself into oblivion. I think today, we'd view that as totally weak. In this particular 80's romance, Ms. Whittal has Grant punishing himself by hitting the bottle. Some readers will feel he hasn't groveled nearly enough to earn back the heroine's heart. I think that his behaviour at the beginning of their marriage clearly proved he cared and so I can believe he's seen the light. Now had he slept with that bitch Myra, I'd have burnt the book if Liz had taken him back! There's more than enough angst in this one to keep you riveted and sleepless until you reach the last page. I'll have to see what other books I have in my tbr by Ms. Whittal
This is one tremendous heroine! I loved Liz's strength and her jump right in with both feet approach. She didn't hold back her thoughts and spoke honestly from her heart. Often in these romances where the heroine goes into the marriage knowing the hero doesn't love her, she's a bit of a doormat, but not in this romance. She met her challenges head on. Many readers would have a problem with Grant and see him solely as a selfish man. But with such a strong heroine who is so sure of her love for him, I couldn't help but trust that she fell in love with a man who could be redeemed. Often in these 80's romances we know the hero's truly tortured and remorseful of his behaviour because he becomes reclusive and drinks himself into oblivion. I think today, we'd view that as totally weak. In this particular 80's romance, Ms. Whittal has Grant punishing himself by hitting the bottle. Some readers will feel he hasn't groveled nearly enough to earn back the heroine's heart. I think that his behaviour at the beginning of their marriage clearly proved he cared and so I can believe he's seen the light. Now had he slept with that bitch Myra, I'd have burnt the book if Liz had taken him back! There's more than enough angst in this one to keep you riveted and sleepless until you reach the last page. I'll have to see what other books I have in my tbr by Ms. Whittal
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2021
Vintage Harlequin! Sweet heroine, jaded hero, she’s in love, he’s in lust, they marry. Then the evil OW comes back, he’s confused, he needs time! But, she’s pregnant and the shock triggers a miscarriage, her sister protects her from the betraying hero. He spirals out of control. He knows it’s love, but she must hate him.
But this is Harlequin, and of course, she doesn’t hate him for long and forgives him way to easily. Nice mini epilogue, HEA with a baby on the way.
But this is Harlequin, and of course, she doesn’t hate him for long and forgives him way to easily. Nice mini epilogue, HEA with a baby on the way.
July 27, 2014
Angsty, captivating, wanting to commit murder is how I describe this book. I literally wanted to shake the main female character and say what are you doing with this low-life? Her depression felt real to me; I could feel her pain and her loss and that is why I am giving this book a 4 star.
April 13, 2019
4.5 stars Just needed more of a grovel. Awesome heroine! Not sure why it took me so long to read this one.
April 19, 2014
Liz loved Grant a childish love since she was 16 and he was chasing after her elder sister. Grant however has been in love with a vain and hateful model named Myra, whom he has been with for several years.... he has a accident and is injured gravely, a limp, his hand (he is a surgeon), and his model girlfriend drops him flat. The heroine tries to cheer him up and he is remotely attracted to her, but tells her he does not love her...very bluntly....and she stupidly marries him anyway... pushes him back to good health and even encourages his surgery to repair his hand... you as a reader know that evil woman will be back and she is...
SPOILERS!!!!!!
After he recovers and is back to work, he sorta treats the wife like a after thought....he moves her into the house that the nasty one decorated (mirrors EVERYWHERE), he is kind enough to let them sleep in the non master suite so she is not sharing the other womans bed... I am actually shocked he cared enough about her feelings until I determined it was his feelings he was protecting not hers. Myra comes to the house (lets herself in and more or less tells the heroine that she is back for him and she should pack her bags..... she is scared but stupidly loves him and goes off to the doctor to discover she is pregnant..... she plans to tell him that evening... instead he tells her that myra is back and he thinks he wants a divorce..... she packs up and leaves... he is a coward and a jack___ and she takes it and walks out... stays at a hotel and then moves home with her sister where she goes into a rather nasty miscarriage caused by shock the doctor says..... so not only did she lose the man she thinks is a prince but also a child. she forbids anyone to tell that jack___ what has occurred and stays gone.
The hero however is now thinking he might love the heroine and drinking himself into a stupor as he found out what he had done... and this idiotic heroine forgives him...runs to him...gives him absolution for the vile way he treated her their entire marriuage.... and guess what the idiot sees the ow again before the end of the book but its okay he is over her... ...po'ed at both... he deserves a beat down and the evil ow and the heroine a lobotomy as it could not make her any worse to allow the treatment he gave her and the things he alluded to her.... bp off the charts and you know I love angst but absolutely hated the leads...the book was dated as 1982 but I cannot imagine women that I recall from that age (I was in hs) would ever accept this male lead as a hero in any capacity
SPOILERS!!!!!!
After he recovers and is back to work, he sorta treats the wife like a after thought....he moves her into the house that the nasty one decorated (mirrors EVERYWHERE), he is kind enough to let them sleep in the non master suite so she is not sharing the other womans bed... I am actually shocked he cared enough about her feelings until I determined it was his feelings he was protecting not hers. Myra comes to the house (lets herself in and more or less tells the heroine that she is back for him and she should pack her bags..... she is scared but stupidly loves him and goes off to the doctor to discover she is pregnant..... she plans to tell him that evening... instead he tells her that myra is back and he thinks he wants a divorce..... she packs up and leaves... he is a coward and a jack___ and she takes it and walks out... stays at a hotel and then moves home with her sister where she goes into a rather nasty miscarriage caused by shock the doctor says..... so not only did she lose the man she thinks is a prince but also a child. she forbids anyone to tell that jack___ what has occurred and stays gone.
The hero however is now thinking he might love the heroine and drinking himself into a stupor as he found out what he had done... and this idiotic heroine forgives him...runs to him...gives him absolution for the vile way he treated her their entire marriuage.... and guess what the idiot sees the ow again before the end of the book but its okay he is over her... ...po'ed at both... he deserves a beat down and the evil ow and the heroine a lobotomy as it could not make her any worse to allow the treatment he gave her and the things he alluded to her.... bp off the charts and you know I love angst but absolutely hated the leads...the book was dated as 1982 but I cannot imagine women that I recall from that age (I was in hs) would ever accept this male lead as a hero in any capacity
February 21, 2018
Rating: 4 stars. (I have the urge to rate it a 1 star).
The heroine is a sad excuse of a woman. She has no pride, and is like a little lap dog that willingly follows her master. She has no backbone whatsoever. Gosh, I hate heroines like this.
If I didn't enjoy the story so much, I would've given this a 1 star because of the annoying heroine and the last two chapters.
I was excited when the heroineleft (was kicked out by the hero). I thought, finally the heroine will grow a backbone from here and we get a good grovelling from the hero. Did that happen? HELL NO. If it wasn't for the heroine's sister and brother in law telling the hero to get lost, she probably would've ran to the hero, even after her miscarriage and probably would've begged him to take her back. Did the hero go after her? NO. Instead what we got was our lap dog heroine going after her master.
Granted, I enjoyed the book a lot! But I prefer it when the hero does a good chapter or two of delicious and succulent grovelling, but did the hero grovel for all the wrong he's done the heroine? NO HE DID NOT.I need at least 2 chapters of sweet, sweet grovelling from the hero. I was left thirsty and dry for a good grovelling session. Well, I guess I can go back to rereading the Ultimate Betrayal and Unwanted Wife.
Thanks Aayesha for recommending! I loved it! ... Except the heroine and lack of grovelling. +__+
The heroine is a sad excuse of a woman. She has no pride, and is like a little lap dog that willingly follows her master. She has no backbone whatsoever. Gosh, I hate heroines like this.
If I didn't enjoy the story so much, I would've given this a 1 star because of the annoying heroine and the last two chapters.
I was excited when the heroine
Granted, I enjoyed the book a lot! But I prefer it when the hero does a good chapter or two of delicious and succulent grovelling, but did the hero grovel for all the wrong he's done the heroine? NO HE DID NOT.I need at least 2 chapters of sweet, sweet grovelling from the hero. I was left thirsty and dry for a good grovelling session. Well, I guess I can go back to rereading the Ultimate Betrayal and Unwanted Wife.
Thanks Aayesha for recommending! I loved it! ... Except the heroine and lack of grovelling. +__+
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2022
Not sure why I never wrote a review for this one. Maybe I forgot, or maybe because there are already so many great reviews out there. So rather than focus on the story, I'll share my reaction.
This was well written with a strong plot and strong characterization. Even though, I wanted to reach into the story and kick the hero to high heaven, I still enjoyed it. The heroine made the story. She was madly in love with the hero, but she was strong and decided that some of him was better than nothing. No rose colored glasses for this girl.
The OW is mostly off page, but when she finally does decide to show up, she does her job beautifully and smashes the H/h relationship into smithereens. She is deliciously evil. I so love an evil OW, and Whittle does not disappoint with this one. I agree with Sandra's comment, that in another writer's hands, this story would flop. But Whittle makes it work. She is a talented writer and one of my all time favorites.
This was well written with a strong plot and strong characterization. Even though, I wanted to reach into the story and kick the hero to high heaven, I still enjoyed it. The heroine made the story. She was madly in love with the hero, but she was strong and decided that some of him was better than nothing. No rose colored glasses for this girl.
The OW is mostly off page, but when she finally does decide to show up, she does her job beautifully and smashes the H/h relationship into smithereens. She is deliciously evil. I so love an evil OW, and Whittle does not disappoint with this one. I agree with Sandra's comment, that in another writer's hands, this story would flop. But Whittle makes it work. She is a talented writer and one of my all time favorites.
May 27, 2014
What a pathetic excuse for a woman she had no pride or dignity!
September 21, 2025
3,5⭐️
Много сладка история, включваща поумняване - най-трудното нещо на света…
Много сладка история, включваща поумняване - най-трудното нещо на света…
June 16, 2020
So good, my favorite of the Whittal books I've read recently. A spunky, dignified heroine who's not afraid to be honest, even confessing her love from the start to the man who marries her telling her he was not in love with her and who is still in thrall to the black-hearted OW. Such an angsty read . I agree that there should have been more of a grovel and I would have liked if the heroine hadn't forgiven and taken him back so easily, but it was entirely in keeping with her character. One of the best heroines I've ever read in a Harley--she wears her heart on her sleeve and is too compassionate, but she has a temper and a mouth and is no Mary Sue.
One of the things I liked best: how her sister and brother-in-law were fleshed-out people, had her back, and I only wish we could have had dialog when the sister flayed the hero on the phone (but we're only told it happened). If a guy treated me the way the hero treated Liz, my sisters would rip his spleen out. No pimpin' relatives here. I hope Liz gets the HEA she deserves (and if not, there's always the hero's college buddy lawyer, a potential OM, waiting in the wings). A real winner here.
One of the things I liked best: how her sister and brother-in-law were fleshed-out people, had her back, and I only wish we could have had dialog when the sister flayed the hero on the phone (but we're only told it happened). If a guy treated me the way the hero treated Liz, my sisters would rip his spleen out. No pimpin' relatives here. I hope Liz gets the HEA she deserves (and if not, there's always the hero's college buddy lawyer, a potential OM, waiting in the wings). A real winner here.
May 23, 2022
Ugh! My whole review got erased. In a nutshell: this is a very similar plot to Margaret Pargeter's The Odds Against. Both H's are terrible and both h's are doormat's. However, God is in the details and that's why Pargeter wins. Here's why:
Number 1. Pargeter's hero actually hits the heroine several times because she dares criticize the OW. Whittal's H gets angry, but never knocks the h around.
Number 2. Pargeter's hero throws the H out immediately after slut-shaming and taunting her so that the OW can move in. Whittal's H seems discomfitted by the h's plans to move out immediately.
Number 3. Whittal's hero is fighting the allure of the OW, at least until he sees her in flesh after a long period of time.(Then he caves.) Pargeter's H tells the h from the get-go that if the OW ever returns he is out of there, and he is.
WINNER: MARGARET PARGETER
If it still sounds close, let me deliver the coupe de grace: After his sadistic taunting and cruelty to the h, Pargeter's H notices that she has some bruises on her face and gets angry, "What the hell have you been doing to yourself? I didn't give you those!" Then he taunts her for her clumsiness.
Number 1. Pargeter's hero actually hits the heroine several times because she dares criticize the OW. Whittal's H gets angry, but never knocks the h around.
Number 2. Pargeter's hero throws the H out immediately after slut-shaming and taunting her so that the OW can move in. Whittal's H seems discomfitted by the h's plans to move out immediately.
Number 3. Whittal's hero is fighting the allure of the OW, at least until he sees her in flesh after a long period of time.(Then he caves.) Pargeter's H tells the h from the get-go that if the OW ever returns he is out of there, and he is.
WINNER: MARGARET PARGETER
If it still sounds close, let me deliver the coupe de grace: After his sadistic taunting and cruelty to the h, Pargeter's H notices that she has some bruises on her face and gets angry, "What the hell have you been doing to yourself? I didn't give you those!" Then he taunts her for her clumsiness.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2011
Why am I doing this to myself on Christmas Day?? LOL Because my DH got it for me in a HUGE AS& lot of older HPs. God, I LOVE that man!!
Wanna why I had a hard time enjoying this one...it was set in South Africa during Apartheid. I kinda cringed when they mentioned the "garden boy," you know?
Full of angst and a TSTL her beyond belief at times. I will say this...unless it was the time period or something, I didn't like that the miscarriage was blamed on the heroine being upset because of the hero and the subsequent guilt they both felt. Miscarriages, according to my doctor, are rarley a result of emotional stress. Again, could be the time in which it was written.
I did so get a kick of the angst in this one! This one had it all: conniving ex; secret baby; former teen crush; virginal tomboy heroine; ridiculously attractive, older, alpha-jerk hero...and more!
You just gotta love it!!
Wanna why I had a hard time enjoying this one...it was set in South Africa during Apartheid. I kinda cringed when they mentioned the "garden boy," you know?
Full of angst and a TSTL her beyond belief at times. I will say this...unless it was the time period or something, I didn't like that the miscarriage was blamed on the heroine being upset because of the hero and the subsequent guilt they both felt. Miscarriages, according to my doctor, are rarley a result of emotional stress. Again, could be the time in which it was written.
I did so get a kick of the angst in this one! This one had it all: conniving ex; secret baby; former teen crush; virginal tomboy heroine; ridiculously attractive, older, alpha-jerk hero...and more!
You just gotta love it!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2021
If you are fond of beta heroes who need a caregiver and not a partner, and who will never support you in difficult times and with zero resilience and zero stress management, who are also emotionally dumb and can't say what's best for them, and are easily manipulated by narcissistic and evil women, the book is for you.
If you are looking for strong, determined heroes who falls immediately in love with a generous, selfless, sweet and strong heroine and take care of her emotional and physical well being, no, definitely this book is not for you.
I gave three stars because I enjoyed it, it was well written and I liked the plot and the unusual situation, there's also a very angsty moment that I appreciated but this is one of the worst heroes ever, and very very stupid and un-sexy.
Basically, the hero and the heroine have known forever, she's much younger than him, and in love with him since forever.
He's a surgeon of 34 (she's 22) who had a nasty accident and damaged his hand and thinks he'll never be able to recover. His girlfriend left him after the accident so he's depressed and living alone in his cottage out of town.
The heroine helps him to recover and he proposes marriage, telling her he doesn't love her and she doesn't have to expect love from him.
Ow is a model, beautiful but vain and selfish, and didn't want to marry him, only wanted him for his money and as soon as he had the accident she left him for a sugar daddy, nonetheless he's crazy for her, which tells us how much stupid he is.
The heroine though accepts his proposition, which tells us how much stupid she is.
Whatever.
With her help and support he recovers and can be back to his job. She's really a strong and determined woman, and I think she's really wasted for a man like him.
Just when everything seems to be ok, even if he doesn't really loves her and it's obvious, because he leaves her out of his life and doesn't even share his thoughts with her, evil ow is back and wants him back. No matter is he's married.
The stupid and weak hero tells the heroine he's confused and needs time to think, and actually tells the heroine that he asked her to marry him when he was at his lowest. Oh, really???
And that's how you thank the woman who, instead of looking for a young, healthy and free man, who loved her for herself and hadn't an evil bitch lurking around the corner, spent months of her life helping your sorry a** out of depression ans self pity???
That's a real man indeed.
She's also pregnant, and decides to leave him without telling him, but loses her baby after two days because she's shocked.
Oh, I don't care that he immediately understood that he loved her and sent ow packing and called her to ask her to come back.
He should have never ever had any doubt about his feeling for ow and should have never told her he was unsure about his feelings.
Just a weak and unlovable man, and a doormat heroine who took him back again.
Both hopeless.
If you are looking for strong, determined heroes who falls immediately in love with a generous, selfless, sweet and strong heroine and take care of her emotional and physical well being, no, definitely this book is not for you.
I gave three stars because I enjoyed it, it was well written and I liked the plot and the unusual situation, there's also a very angsty moment that I appreciated but this is one of the worst heroes ever, and very very stupid and un-sexy.
Basically, the hero and the heroine have known forever, she's much younger than him, and in love with him since forever.
He's a surgeon of 34 (she's 22) who had a nasty accident and damaged his hand and thinks he'll never be able to recover. His girlfriend left him after the accident so he's depressed and living alone in his cottage out of town.
The heroine helps him to recover and he proposes marriage, telling her he doesn't love her and she doesn't have to expect love from him.
Ow is a model, beautiful but vain and selfish, and didn't want to marry him, only wanted him for his money and as soon as he had the accident she left him for a sugar daddy, nonetheless he's crazy for her, which tells us how much stupid he is.
The heroine though accepts his proposition, which tells us how much stupid she is.
Whatever.
With her help and support he recovers and can be back to his job. She's really a strong and determined woman, and I think she's really wasted for a man like him.
Just when everything seems to be ok, even if he doesn't really loves her and it's obvious, because he leaves her out of his life and doesn't even share his thoughts with her, evil ow is back and wants him back. No matter is he's married.
The stupid and weak hero tells the heroine he's confused and needs time to think, and actually tells the heroine that he asked her to marry him when he was at his lowest. Oh, really???
And that's how you thank the woman who, instead of looking for a young, healthy and free man, who loved her for herself and hadn't an evil bitch lurking around the corner, spent months of her life helping your sorry a** out of depression ans self pity???
That's a real man indeed.
She's also pregnant, and decides to leave him without telling him, but loses her baby after two days because she's shocked.
Oh, I don't care that he immediately understood that he loved her and sent ow packing and called her to ask her to come back.
He should have never ever had any doubt about his feeling for ow and should have never told her he was unsure about his feelings.
Just a weak and unlovable man, and a doormat heroine who took him back again.
Both hopeless.
February 20, 2022
I think if the part where the hero rang the sister and the sister told him off was not off page and if we could have his POV after those phone calls then another star could be added to the rating.
The hero treats the heroine very badly, and the heroine just lies there and takes it all. In the end when, god help me, she! goes to him, HE is more considerate of what was her due than she was.
I think he’s puzzled at her lack of self esteem and I can see him looking at her oddly as if she’s a new specimen of idiota for taking him back. But he likes having an adoring wife whom he enjoys boudoir bouncing with, and who cleans house so well. So it’s a matter of “fuck it why not” for him. And when, in what passes for an epilogue in these books we’re told that the other woman is in town, he tells the heroine that she’d been to the hospital to see him and convince him to have her back, however he’d told her no. The thing is, I don’t think the ow was interested in settling down and preferred jetting around the world, but felt the hero was good for flings, and I think the hero had come to the same conclusion, and was happy he’d found a way of having his cake and eating it too.
Also if I haven’t reiterated enough, the heroine is a pitiful doormat.
The hero treats the heroine very badly, and the heroine just lies there and takes it all. In the end when, god help me, she! goes to him, HE is more considerate of what was her due than she was.
I think he’s puzzled at her lack of self esteem and I can see him looking at her oddly as if she’s a new specimen of idiota for taking him back. But he likes having an adoring wife whom he enjoys boudoir bouncing with, and who cleans house so well. So it’s a matter of “fuck it why not” for him. And when, in what passes for an epilogue in these books we’re told that the other woman is in town, he tells the heroine that she’d been to the hospital to see him and convince him to have her back, however he’d told her no. The thing is, I don’t think the ow was interested in settling down and preferred jetting around the world, but felt the hero was good for flings, and I think the hero had come to the same conclusion, and was happy he’d found a way of having his cake and eating it too.
Also if I haven’t reiterated enough, the heroine is a pitiful doormat.
September 9, 2015
I loved it! Geez, I'm overdose with the drama. But I don't need to be helped. I'm loving it!! <3
Liz's been in love with Grant since forever. But Grant never actually see her the way she wanted it to. Now years later, Grant's back to their small town, heart broken and injured. Liz knew she can save him but apparently Grant didn't want to be saved. Until he realized that little Liz is not so little anymore..
I love how.. Classic this story is. Liz's your typical heroine, tomboy but gentle enough to take care people. Grant too, he's definitely resemble classic scarred Harlequin Hero. I love how simple the storyline is, yet complicated. If only the ending give a little more promise.
I love this book, and I have no complaints at all. One thing that bothers me is definitely the ending. It's too abrupt and I want to read Grant grovel a little bit more. Liz's waaay too forgiving! I want her to make him work a little, you know? :)
But overall I enjoyed this book so much it hurts! Reminds me a lot to my good times with Diana Palmer. Definitely going to pick up this author's books soon!
Liz's been in love with Grant since forever. But Grant never actually see her the way she wanted it to. Now years later, Grant's back to their small town, heart broken and injured. Liz knew she can save him but apparently Grant didn't want to be saved. Until he realized that little Liz is not so little anymore..
I love how.. Classic this story is. Liz's your typical heroine, tomboy but gentle enough to take care people. Grant too, he's definitely resemble classic scarred Harlequin Hero. I love how simple the storyline is, yet complicated. If only the ending give a little more promise.
I love this book, and I have no complaints at all. One thing that bothers me is definitely the ending. It's too abrupt and I want to read Grant grovel a little bit more. Liz's waaay too forgiving! I want her to make him work a little, you know? :)
But overall I enjoyed this book so much it hurts! Reminds me a lot to my good times with Diana Palmer. Definitely going to pick up this author's books soon!
May 30, 2018
the only redemption about this book is the heroine. aside of her doormat behavior, she is at least HONEST. say anything she wants to say.
did I catch that the hero sleep with his ex for a while? or it just my assumption?
I really hate everything in this book especially the hero. I wish somebody has gut to neuter him!
did I catch that the hero sleep with his ex for a while? or it just my assumption?
I really hate everything in this book especially the hero. I wish somebody has gut to neuter him!
July 3, 2012
This definitely drew me in, with lots of good emotional tension and angst. But, it was hard to forgive the hero -- I can forgive a lot of hero misbehavior, but NOT him thinking at any point that he prefers another woman to the heroine! Still, this was a good read and I was happy for their HEA.
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