First Impressions / Blithe Images

by Nora Roberts

Escaping the traps of gold-digging women, wealthy businessman Vance Banning moves to rural Maryland. All he wants is peace, quiet and to keep away from women. The last thing he needs is his sassy, sexy neighbor Shane Abbott. But he has no idea how determined Shane will be when it comes to giving a helping hand--or a loving heart.When small-town girl Hilary Baxter is offered a prestigious six-month modeling contract by Bret Bardoff, handsome, charming and the owner and publisher of fashionable Mode Magazine, the sky is the limit. Thrust into a glamorous career in New York, Hilary knows she has it all...except for the one thing she really wants: Bret's love.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Christmas, Collections, Anthologies

410 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 2008

About the author

Nora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Hideaway, Under Currents, Come Sundown, The Awakening, Legacy, and coming in November 2021 -- The Becoming -- the second book in The Dragon Heart Legacy. She is also the author of the futuristic suspense In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.

Reviews

[Lindsay · Rating 2 out of 5]

First Impressions:
A very slow starting story. I didn't know if I was going to be able to get through it at first. However, there were a few unexpected and interesting plot turns towards the middle of the story. After that, the story went downhill again. The main conflict was obvious from the very beginning and nothing saved the story after that.

Blithe Images:
This story creeped me completely out and then just annoyed me. It felt like I was reading a romance novel from the 70s - you know the type, where the heroine just gets walked all over by the male lead (I refuse to call him a hero) and no one seems to think anything is wrong with that picture. But the creepy part came because everyone treated the heroine in this story like a child. They would pat her on the head, tell her what was best for her, ignore her protests, etc. There's even a scene where she is modeling dressed up as a girl (in pigtails and everything) and the male lead gets turned on by this...CREEPY! This story should be given a negative rating.

[Carly Ellen Kramer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story and entertaining read, but not one of my favorite Nora Roberts books. I know many readers think her earlier stories were better, but I disagree. I enjoyed some of her recent books more than some of her earlier stories (this book was written in '84, I believe).

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always loved reading Nora Roberts. I remember checking them out of the local library many years ago. These are lovely holiday themed romances. The first one was my favorite.

[Manda Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know that both of these stories are from the early 80's and they read like that.

First Impressions was a good story. It was sweet and a good read. The problem that I had was with Blithe Images and the way that it skirted around images of rape and sexual assault. He called her a tease when she won't have sex with him, became angry, and suggested that he wasn't above forcing the issue when it was something that he wanted. This is not romantic or fun. Love is not having a guy want you so much that he is willing to cross your boundaries to get what he wants. I am not a prude and enjoy all sort of romantic fiction from the tame to the very steamy but there is nothing fun about this old story that promotes dangerous images about sex and respect. I did not read the whole story because I couldn't stomach it but it is time for this story to be retired.

[Betsy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was okay, but typical. The guy gets the girl; the girl gets the guy. The second story, Blithe Images, was better than the first. Although neither were earth shattering. Very much fiction, relationships don't happen like this in the real world.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was not my favorite. It had the potential to be very good. It intrigued you at the beginning but then it kinda just falls apart and lags.

[CJ - It's only a Paper Moon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Nora Roberts. I do, it's true, I say it loud and I say it proud.

The first story is classic Roberts. Flawed characters, a sense of betrayal, Alpha male, unassuming female, family conflict, plot twist, love at first sight, and an eventual happy ending.

It's a comfort book. You don't put much thought into it, you simply pick it up, read it and hope that your brain hasn't gained any weight with all of the saccharine that its just been subject to. No one writes cliche/obvious romance like Nora Roberts and I don't think it's an insult. She does it well. Her characters are the only things that really set the stories apart and you know what? She sells books for a reason.

Now enough about Roberts. The first story "First Impressions" is about Vance and Shane to complete opposites. Vance is running from his life and his past mistakes and trying to lay low - why? He's a millionaire, a widow and he's lost himself. So in the little town that he settles in, he hopes for anonymity and just pure honest work. He's good with wood and in his position of President at a globally successful construction company, he doesn't get to work with his hands very often. Oh, and his ex-wife was a complete gold-digging jerk, so he's off woman.

Meet Shane. Transparent, trusting (but not naive), stubborn, fiery and determined to make her dreams come true. She's funny, laughs at inappropriate times and things (I love this)and she's warm and generous and she manages to get under Vance's skin. She's got her own demons but they come in the form of her mother. She loves Vance almost immediately and while it takes a little while for Vance to hop on the love boat, we can see why.

They are, perhaps, one of the most realistic couples I've met in a while from a Nora Roberts book. There is arguing, short tempers, a shove or two (not in a scary domestic violence way) and sweet patience. Of course there were a few unbelievable phrases, but come on people, this is a romance novel!

The second story, I'm about in the middle of it, is not as interesting as the first but it's still decent enough to allow me to finish the story. "Blithe Images" (a name I really don't like) is about a beautiful Kansas girl, Hillary, who becomes a very successful model in NYC and the man, Bret, who wants her. He's the owner of Mode Magazine (ring any bells, "Ugly Betty" fans?) and he is arrogant, commanding and sexually charged. Dangerous in all the right ways. Plus, did I mention, handsome and rich?

I'll let you know how the rest pans out but I can probably tell you there is a happy ending.

*edit*

This story is incredibly dated. Beware. Also, the Bret's dialogue patterns - I laughed for all the wrong reasons. I say skip this one if you can unless you want to be amused along with the Alpha Male strong-arming.

I needed a comfort book and despite how much this review may sound like I'm ripping on this book, I'm not. It's the book that you take to bed with you or read on a very cold Winter night. If you can get your hands on it and you are looking to be soothed - you can't go wrong with a bit of Roberts Romance Balm.

[Kelly Moran · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was 2 of her older contemporary romances combined. I liked them. Relatable and a quick fun read.

[Bonnie Staughton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave this book a 2 but actually it should have been a 3 for story #1 and #2 for story #2.

The first story was great and I enjoyed the 2 "neighbors" gradually form a love connection, even though Vance was forthcoming about his actual wealth and status in life. Shane took it hard but eventually came around to see that it wasn't an impediment to their love.

In the 2nd story, Hillary is a fashion model and moved from Kansas to New York City to live "her dream". The attention of her boss "Bret" just didn't sit right with me. He is rich, well-known and apparently handsome and KNOWS IT. If this story happened in "real life" I wouldn't be at all surprised if their marriage didn't survive. They are 2 different people from different circumstances and Bret is accustomed to getting exactly what he wants--regardless how he goes about it. Not marriage material, in my opinion.

[Locs and Lenses · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never seen a Nora Roberts movie. However, I read her books all the time. This is a book that I truly loved. I love reading a good Christmas book during the holidays. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. This did not disappoint. The characters were perfect but believable, the setting was beautiful and the ending was very romantic. This is a quick weekend read by the fireplace with a nice cup of hot chocolate or a glass of wine. The characters were believable in the story did not bore me. There was just enough enough drama to keep you on the edge of your seat and just enough romance to make you swoon. I truly enjoyed this book and if you have never read a Nora Roberts book I can highly recommend this one. It's not filled with raw grimey sex. But it does get hot and steamy.

[Stasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both stories were quite enjoyable. I really liked the ending of ''First Impressions''.

While reading ''Blithe Images'', however, I was very turned off by the character Brett Bardoff, particularly in the beginning. He came off as such a pompous d***. In today's #MeToo era, I could imagine the kind of backlash he would have gotten if he were real. But at least after all his nonsense, he was still able to convince Hilary Baxter that he was worth it. Not that I liked them together but from the start of the story, that was the direction it was taking.

[Lorraine Madigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the First Impressions and loved Vance and Shane together! Nora Roberts pulls you right into the story and it's surroundings and I know I'd love to live in Shane's house! Vance's transformation was fun to watch as Shane brought him back to life! I'd definitely recommend.

Blithe Images is why my rating was only a 4. I enjoyed Hilary's character but I was not real impressed with Bret...I know this book was written in a different time but Bret's behaviour in this book left a lot to be desired! But I did enjoy the book!

All in all, a quick, great read!

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for 1st story. 2nd story = 2 stars.

[Angela]

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[Treva Hillyard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bought this book for a good “Christmas feel good” read. Very little Christmas about it. Unfortunately the story line was same old same old

[Misty Patton-Stephenson · Rating 1 out of 5]

This has to be one of the worst books I’ve ever read. The abusive and rape-y vibes of the leading man were incredibly disturbing. I didn’t even bother with the second story.

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 1/2 stars

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful bind up edition containing two wonderful stories by the talented Nora Roberts.

In First Impressions we meet Shane Abbot a young woman who has moved back to her small Maryland hometown Sharpesburg from the city of Baltimore where she had been a teacher the last four years. Shane inherits her grandmother’s house and money after her passing and decides to fulfill her dream of opening up an antique and museum in the house. She names it Antietam Antiques and Museum. She has been burned by love in the past with her ex fiancée Cy trying to change her into a proper lady before calling off the wedding two months before, her mother Anne Abbot has never been a caring mother to her. But despite this she has remained open and loving.

Vance Banning the millionaire ceo of Riverton construction has had enough drama in his life with the family business and a four year bad marriage with Amelia who was doing her best to bleed him dry whilst taking many lovers, he wished for years for her to go away so he wouldn’t have to deal with a messy divorce but when she was murdered by a lover he spent the last two years feeling guilty about wishing her gone and having it be granted. Now he is cynical and jaded and believes all women after something. Shane and Vance meet as neighbours and despite him being unfriendly he is attracted to her as she is to him and he accepts a job with helping Shane renovate her home for the business. They slowly grow closer to each other and their feelings deepen but they’re are obstacles to overcome he needs to move on from the past and stop being a victim and Shane’s mother Anne comes looking for trouble especially when she finds out her daughter inherited everything. But this beautiful story about second chances for love gets it’s happy ending.



In Blithe Images we meet Hillary Baxter a small town Kansas farm girl who became a successful model in the city of New York after a interesting first encounter with mode magazine owner Bret Bardoff she lands a six month modelling contract with him and her photographer friend Larry doing a college on the everyday woman. She is uneasy by her deeply physical reaction to Bret and his attraction to her, in a lot of ways she’s still a innocent naive country girl, she’s still pure, she doesn’t smoke or drink to excess, she eats healthy . Over the next few months they grow closer and they both fall in love with each other unknown to the other, she says away from contact and believes he’s only physically interested in her a fact that she believes true when Bret’s ex girlfriend Charlene Mason acts possessive and jealous over him. He wants everything with Hillary a family, a partner but he believes she’s only interested in her career after an unpleasant encounter with Charlene and Bret Hillary heartbroken and fed up flees back to her family farm but Bret isn’t willing to give up on her determined to show her how much he loves her he wants to marry her they’ll get a happy ending. I loved the banter between Bret and Hillary as well as Hillary and Larry’s banter. I loved the fact that June and Larry started dating as well it was a very enjoyable book to read.

I loved reading these two heartwarming novels by the talented storyteller Nora Roberts. These books had humour, romance, a little drama, and beautiful friendships with the characters I highly recommend reading this book

[Zuleima Manville · Rating 3 out of 5]

First impressions was pretty good at first but it honestly became a bore and by the end of the book I hated the character and protagonist Shane. I ended sympathizing with the character Vance but by the end, I think he shouldn't have stayed with her. There were also many times were Vance wanted to talk about his past life to her which she would never listen or she thought it would be when he was ready for her to know to find that out, so when that time came, she was acting like a little teenager and got mad and acted like it was all his fault and that he betrayed and lied about himself which was such a lie.

Blithe Images was a lot different than First Impressions and I actually liked it a bit more. There were parts however, that did not seem to flow and by the end it seemed rushed and not a great ending. I was expecting more and would have liked more, it ended so badly and it could have been so much better. I also did not like that Bret intends to marry Hilary at the end while throughout the whole book he had his girlfriend Charlene and she was the side chick, so when he went asking for her hand it was so disgusting because if he really loved her he honestly would have left and ended things with Charlene earlier.

[Krystie Park · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was my first Nora Roberts book, and to be honest, I'm not even remotely impressed.

The characters in both book are so bland and typical. Nothing about the characters made them likeable to me. At times, I even found myself DISliking the characters because they seemed so fake.

Another thing that bothered me about these novels is the male dominance. In my opinion, it seemed that the men always had the upper hand, and the women were told what to do, how to do it, and when to do it. For example, At the end of the second story, Brent discussed with Hilary's father that he WILL be marrying her because "she is beautiful, fairly intelligent, and adequately interesting". Really?? And when Hilary protests, saying she would never marry him, and walks away, Brent looks to Hilary's father and says "she's having a temper tantrum. She'll be over it soon. Plan the wedding for next weekend". AND HER FATHER AGREES. What???

Ultimately, these stories were horribly written, full of fake romance, sexism, and poor writing. Would not recommend.

Ps. I'm sorry for that rant. Had to get it off my chest.

[Donna · Rating 1 out of 5]

It took me a few weeks to finish this two-book volume, mostly because I was finishing it for the sake of finishing it. These were my first Nora Roberts reads and I'm chalking my dissatisfaction with both stories up to the fact that they were earlier works. She can't have achieved her current standing churning out stories like these. I will pick up something more recent and try again.

First Impressions was better than Blithe Images, hence the 1 star rating, but the love story felt weak to me as it seemed based mostly on physical attraction; there wasn't quite enough character interaction to substantiate the relationshiop.

Blithe Images - The male lead is an arrogant jerk who's more like a stalker than a love interest. I saw nothing in the story that would draw the two of them together in a believable way. In fact, I would have been happier with a story about the photographer and the millionaire's secretary who, at least, had some interests they could share.

[Anne Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty typical collection of "billionaire bags babe" stories. Not a bad time-killer if you're into that type of thing, but don't expect anything new. Neither has much tension - "Will the two incredibly lovely single people fall in love?" Cliche, I know, but I don't usually mind that. However, with these shorties, it's just a bit more forced than I normally want to see, I think.

The first story was better than the second, in my opinion; though the heroine was a bit of a lunatic, I did find she grew on me. I didn't really finish the second one, completely, to be honest; "pretty girl problem" stories aren't my cup of tea. I mostly skimmed it, and didn't find either character all that compelling.

Will be releasing this back into the wild.

[BB · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow. The cover on this book is completely deceptive, and that's just the beginning of the problem. Both these stories are republished from the early 1980's. First Impressions I liked, Blithe Images was horribly dated, and I hated the "hero" of the story. Blithe Images was published in 1981, and should hae stayed there. Discos, cigarette smoking (ugh), typewriter images, are just part of the jarring parts of this book. Spoiler alert: and don't get me started on sleeping with one woman while pursuing another... I don't want to buy books that are dated serious, and republished to make money on an author's name.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had two romance stories in it. Personally, after all the holiday rush and declining economy it was just nice to read of sweet love.

Of the two stories, I liked First Impressions more. The characters seemed more real and not as perfect as in Blithe Images (the model and mega-publisher). Nora Roberts added a little out of sorts character in Shane's mother in First Impressions and I was surprised such a vicious character reared her ugly head! Her role was limited, but she was rememberable.

It's always nice to have a happy ending!

[Raving Redcoat · Rating 2 out of 5]

I made the mistake of judging this book by its cover, and thinking it would be a light romance set during the Christmas season. What I got was two stories of dreadful quality. The longer one featured wooden characters, idiotic action, and a plot that could have been resolved in 50 pages if the main characters had half a brain between them. The second at least had some plot, but was less about romance and more about workplace sexual harassment. Unless you're a rabid Nora Roberts fan, avoid this.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Nora Roberts, and these two books seemed like classic NR books. It was very interesting to see how different romance heroes used to be in the early 80s compared to more modern ones: one thing that sticks in my mind is that Bret, the hero of "Blithe Images", calls Hilary a tease for not putting out. It's also funny to read about characters relaxing with a cigarette.

I'm so glad that Silhouette is reprinting Nora Roberts's older titles, and I'm looking forward to reading them all.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this on the beach in Cebu. The perfect book to read while sipping a margarita. By the time I was done it was covered with sand, had been left on a beach chair in the rain, and had been dropped once in the pool. Great vacation read. I hope someone in housekeeping appreciated that I left in in the hotel room for them. :)

[Melody 🦋📚 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first story in the book was called "First Impressions", I liked it, it was a nice, sweet romance, with a touch of Christmas. The second story was called " Blithe Images"it wasn't as good as the first one, but still like the first one, it was a quick holiday read.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a dual book-two separate stories. I really enjoyed First Impressions, but did not care AT ALL for Blithe Images. It was just too Harlequin for me. Love most of what Nora Roberts writes, but not this time.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Blithe Images first for some reason a couple of months ago and I don't remember if I liked it or not, but I thought First Impressions wasn't bad for 1984, so four stars seems good enough for me.