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The Gentling
TO HOLD, BUT NOT HAVE
Katy Donovan had no intention of marrying anyone. Ever. After what she'd experienced, she'd never trust a man enough to surrender her love. Her defenses were invincible...or so she thought. Then Trace Barnett came home to the ranch, determined to win her no matter how long it took. Trace was willing to woo her patiently, even make her his wife in name only, confident that one day Katy would return his burning love. But he was also a passionate, intensely virile man. How long could she deny his fierce desire for her and not risk losing him to a more willing woman?
Katy Donovan had no intention of marrying anyone. Ever. After what she'd experienced, she'd never trust a man enough to surrender her love. Her defenses were invincible...or so she thought. Then Trace Barnett came home to the ranch, determined to win her no matter how long it took. Trace was willing to woo her patiently, even make her his wife in name only, confident that one day Katy would return his burning love. But he was also a passionate, intensely virile man. How long could she deny his fierce desire for her and not risk losing him to a more willing woman?
- GenresRomanceSilhouette
187 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
About the author
Ginna Gray
62 books47 followersGinna sold her first novel in 1983, after winning the Golden Heart Award, given by Romance Writers of America for the best unpublished novel in a category. She has been working as a full-time writer ever since. When she finishes her current contracts, Ginna will have written 33 books. She has also given many lectures and writing workshops, and judged in writing contests.
A native Texan, Ginna lived in Houston all her life — until 1993, when she and her husband Brad built their "dream home" and moved to the mountains of Colorado. Ginna also enjoys other creative activities such as oil painting, sewing, sketching, knitting, and needlepoint. "But my first love will always be writing. It is simply part of who I am."
A native Texan, Ginna lived in Houston all her life — until 1993, when she and her husband Brad built their "dream home" and moved to the mountains of Colorado. Ginna also enjoys other creative activities such as oil painting, sewing, sketching, knitting, and needlepoint. "But my first love will always be writing. It is simply part of who I am."
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 18, 2021
Pathetically weak h. She seems to be scared of everything.🙄
Totally besotted H in constant pursuit of the shy h.
Spoiler
Two men “almost” raped her 3 years ago, so she’s scared of men. Since the h is one of those hysterically weak females, shes too scared to consummate the marriage until the very, very, very last page of the book.
Totally besotted H in constant pursuit of the shy h.
Spoiler
Two men “almost” raped her 3 years ago, so she’s scared of men. Since the h is one of those hysterically weak females, shes too scared to consummate the marriage until the very, very, very last page of the book.
November 18, 2022
She had a traumatic experience a few years before and she has never mentally recovered from it. She is a virgin, living with her dad. He is her dad’s new employer at the farm.
This H is quite different. He is very open about his feelings. He keeps telling her and showing her he loves her. I love that it took months and months to win her over to make love. It’s nice to read an 80’s story without the instant sex of modern stories.
But at times I had to force myself to keep reading because this writer writes very detailed and elaborate about the surroundings, what the h sees, what the h thinks, where she walks, and it took me several days to read the first 40 pages.
This H is quite different. He is very open about his feelings. He keeps telling her and showing her he loves her. I love that it took months and months to win her over to make love. It’s nice to read an 80’s story without the instant sex of modern stories.
But at times I had to force myself to keep reading because this writer writes very detailed and elaborate about the surroundings, what the h sees, what the h thinks, where she walks, and it took me several days to read the first 40 pages.
May 21, 2024
“The Gentling” is the story of Katy and Trace.
A beautiful slow romance between a smitten hero and a scarred heroine.
Very rarely do we see characters who are survivors of SA, and how it impacts them. The heroine struggles with men and trust. And the hero is obsessed and in love with her. The book has him courting her with patience and kindness, while she tries to address her fears for the hero and men in general.
There’s so much yearning and love from his side, and the heroine tries her best imho. The culmination is satisfying and I loved how much work the hero put into the relationship.
Safe for me/ SWE for some
5/5
A beautiful slow romance between a smitten hero and a scarred heroine.
Very rarely do we see characters who are survivors of SA, and how it impacts them. The heroine struggles with men and trust. And the hero is obsessed and in love with her. The book has him courting her with patience and kindness, while she tries to address her fears for the hero and men in general.
There’s so much yearning and love from his side, and the heroine tries her best imho. The culmination is satisfying and I loved how much work the hero put into the relationship.
Safe for me/ SWE for some
5/5
November 10, 2022
This is a ridiculous but typical of the 1980s trope where the hero cures the heroine of her trauma of having been the victim of attempted rape through the power of his penis "gentling" her into sex LMAO. Well the penis didn't work but slobbering all over his slutty cousin (ew) during a party that his wife painstakingly hosted at their home did the trick. The timid traumatized virgin suddenly morphs into a feisty jealous tigress to her husband's delight. Wow, the 80s sure were a trip!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2018
The h is 21 year old Katy Donovan. She lives with her father and works in an nursery.
The book starts with the funeral of the h’s fathers boss.
Her father works for the wealthy Barnett family as some sort of groom I think (he’s good with horses anyway) and the h and her father live in a cottage on the grounds.
At the funeral the h sees the H,Trace Barnett, who everybody thought had been disinherited by his father but now has come back after four years to inherit.
The H shows an immediate interest (The day after the funeral she finds him on her porch) and this frightens the h.
Three years ago she was attacked by two men, friends of the H’s father. Her father and the H’s father fortunately interrupted the rape before it was completed but she was badly beaten. The H’s father covered it up to protect his friends.
The Hstalks pursues her and after a forceful kiss the h breaks down and cries. Her father finds them and asks what Trace has done to his daughter. The H says that he kissed her and that he loves her and wants to marry her. The father, against Katy’s wishes, starts to tell Trace about the attack. The H still asks the h to marry him but she says no. Trace then says that in that case the h and her father have to move because he will find it to hard to have the h so close by. This is blackmail but at the same time it isn't. Trace really means that he will find it a torture to have the unrequited love living so close. The h’s father agrees that the h should consider marrying the H. He wants her to come out of her shell and have a normal life. Plus, he likes Trace.
Trace promises to not consummate the marriage until the h is ready. Katy, who dreams of a normal life and children, finely agrees.
The wanna be OW, AKA H’s step mama, is quickly disposed of after she invites the two rapist friends of the H’s father to the engagement party. Trace and his future father in law takes care of the rapist by giving them a good beating apparently (this happens of page to my great disappointment)
Other than that there is no major drama.
Katy’s realization of love for Trace is when he is gone on business for a couple of days and she misses him and cant sleep with out him beside her(they have been sleeping in the same bed on Trace’s insistence so Katy will become used to his touch)
The only conflict happens after his return when they start having sex and the H wants the h to verbalize her want to making love. But she is to shy.
"Tell me what you want, Katy," Trace urged in a low whisper. "1 have to know, for both our sakes."
Confusion clouded her expression for a moment, then, slowly, the meaning of his words sank in, and her eyes widened. Trace wanted her to ask for his lovemaking!
Shock rippled through her. She couldn't! She simply couldn't!
But, looking into his face, Katy knew, with sickening certainty, that if she wanted a real marriage, she must. From the very beginning Trace had put the burden of decision on her, and he wasn't going to relieve her of it now. There would be no claims of coercion or seduction or misunderstanding later. If she wanted her husband, she would have to tell him so.
Gathering her courage, Katy swallowed hard and tried to force the words through her constricted throat, but they simply would not come. The inhibitions of a lifetime were just too strong. Feeling her happiness slipping away, Katy gazed back at him in mute desperation, tears welling up in her eyes.
Abruptly, Trace rolled away from her. Moving to the edge of the bed, he sat hunched over, elbows on knees, his head cradled in his hands.
He uses the guest room from then on.
But when he introduces Cousin Monica at a party and said cousin is plastered against him all evening Katy shows her jealousy, to the H undisguised delight. They end up in bed and he asks her for a verbalization again.
"Come on, Katy. Say it."
"All right, dammit! I love you! And I want you!" she snapped in a completely unlover-like tone. "Is that what you wanted to hear?"
Trace sucked in a deep breath and closed his eyes. He remained perfectly still for a moment, as though in the grip of some agonizing pain. Then, slowly, he relaxed, and on a heart-felt sigh, breathed, "At last."
HEA
This was a good book but noting really happened. It was just the h/H story. As I wrote about another Ginny Gray book, Sting of the Scorpion (Written in the Stars, #11)
by Ginna Gray it reminded me a bit of Jessica Steele’s books without the lengthy explanations at the end.
The book starts with the funeral of the h’s fathers boss.
Her father works for the wealthy Barnett family as some sort of groom I think (he’s good with horses anyway) and the h and her father live in a cottage on the grounds.
At the funeral the h sees the H,Trace Barnett, who everybody thought had been disinherited by his father but now has come back after four years to inherit.
The H shows an immediate interest (The day after the funeral she finds him on her porch) and this frightens the h.
Three years ago she was attacked by two men, friends of the H’s father. Her father and the H’s father fortunately interrupted the rape before it was completed but she was badly beaten. The H’s father covered it up to protect his friends.
The H
Trace promises to not consummate the marriage until the h is ready. Katy, who dreams of a normal life and children, finely agrees.
The wanna be OW, AKA H’s step mama, is quickly disposed of after she invites the two rapist friends of the H’s father to the engagement party. Trace and his future father in law takes care of the rapist by giving them a good beating apparently (this happens of page to my great disappointment)
Other than that there is no major drama.
Katy’s realization of love for Trace is when he is gone on business for a couple of days and she misses him and cant sleep with out him beside her(they have been sleeping in the same bed on Trace’s insistence so Katy will become used to his touch)
The only conflict happens after his return when they start having sex and the H wants the h to verbalize her want to making love. But she is to shy.
"Tell me what you want, Katy," Trace urged in a low whisper. "1 have to know, for both our sakes."
Confusion clouded her expression for a moment, then, slowly, the meaning of his words sank in, and her eyes widened. Trace wanted her to ask for his lovemaking!
Shock rippled through her. She couldn't! She simply couldn't!
But, looking into his face, Katy knew, with sickening certainty, that if she wanted a real marriage, she must. From the very beginning Trace had put the burden of decision on her, and he wasn't going to relieve her of it now. There would be no claims of coercion or seduction or misunderstanding later. If she wanted her husband, she would have to tell him so.
Gathering her courage, Katy swallowed hard and tried to force the words through her constricted throat, but they simply would not come. The inhibitions of a lifetime were just too strong. Feeling her happiness slipping away, Katy gazed back at him in mute desperation, tears welling up in her eyes.
Abruptly, Trace rolled away from her. Moving to the edge of the bed, he sat hunched over, elbows on knees, his head cradled in his hands.
He uses the guest room from then on.
But when he introduces Cousin Monica at a party and said cousin is plastered against him all evening Katy shows her jealousy, to the H undisguised delight. They end up in bed and he asks her for a verbalization again.
"Come on, Katy. Say it."
"All right, dammit! I love you! And I want you!" she snapped in a completely unlover-like tone. "Is that what you wanted to hear?"
Trace sucked in a deep breath and closed his eyes. He remained perfectly still for a moment, as though in the grip of some agonizing pain. Then, slowly, he relaxed, and on a heart-felt sigh, breathed, "At last."
HEA
This was a good book but noting really happened. It was just the h/H story. As I wrote about another Ginny Gray book, Sting of the Scorpion (Written in the Stars, #11)
by Ginna Gray it reminded me a bit of Jessica Steele’s books without the lengthy explanations at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2025
Wildly different book from the other Ginna Gray books! Different from most other romance books!
I loved that the hero was so in love with the heroine! He was so patient, kind and understanding! I’m glad the heroine finally found some courage! Wish therapy would have been involved!
I loved that the hero was so in love with the heroine! He was so patient, kind and understanding! I’m glad the heroine finally found some courage! Wish therapy would have been involved!
February 20, 2019
Why this site should have a 0 Stars Ranking, Exhibit A.
May 28, 2024
I liked it
Loved the H and h
But wanted more in the end, it felt rushed and an epilogue.
Loved the H and h
But wanted more in the end, it felt rushed and an epilogue.
April 16, 2016
My first ever romance novel, I was fifteen years old. Such a lovely story, this book has been read and reread many times over the years and will forever stay on my bookshelf. Thanks to Ginna Gray and this book I have been hooked on reading romance novels ever since.
June 12, 2013
Heroine the shy, scared type, hero the one in love and pursuit. Sickly sweet romance.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews