What do you think?
Rate this book
The Patient Nurse
The Patient Nurse by Diana Palmer released on Aug 25, 1997 is available now for purchase.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 1997
85 people are currently reading
709 people want to read
About the author
Diana Palmer
1,038 books3,097 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Diana Palmer is a pseudonym for author Susan Kyle.
(1)romance author
Susan Eloise Spaeth was born on 11 December 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. She was the eldest daughter of Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and also journalist, and William Olin Spaeth, a college professor. Her mother was part of the women's liberation movement many years before it became fashionable. Her best friends are her mother and her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), who now has two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie and lives in Utah. Susan grew up reading Zane Grey and fell in love with cowboys. Susan is a former newspaper reporter, with sixteen years experience on both daily and weekly newspapers. Since 1972, she has been married to James Kyle and have since settled down in Cornelia, Georgia, where she started to write romance novels. Susan and her husband have one son, Blayne Edward, born in 1980.
She began selling romances in 1979 as Diana Palmer. She also used the pseudonyms Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, and her married name: Susan Kyle. Now, she has over 40 million copies of her books in print, which have been translated and published around the world. She is listed in numerous publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, The Writers Directory by St. James Press, the International Who's Who of Authors and Writers by Meirose Press, Ltd., and Love's Leading Ladies by Kathryn Falk. Her awards include seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, several Affaire de Coeur awards, and two regional RWA awards.
Inspired by her husband, who quit a blue-collar manufacturing job to return to school and get his diploma in computer programming, Susan herself went back to college as a day student at the age of 45. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, with a major in history and a double minor in archaeology and Spanish. She was named to two honor societies (the Torch Club and Alpha Chi), and was named to the National Dean's List. In addition to her writing projects, she is currently working on her master's degree in history at California State University. She hopes to specialize in Native American studies. She is a member of the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Cattlemen's Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, the Planetary Society, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Sheriff's Association, and numerous conservation and charitable organizations. Her hobbies include gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy and music.
In 1998, her husband retired from his own computer business and now pursues skeet shooting medals in local, state, national and international competition. They love riding around and looking at the countryside, watching sci-fi on TV and at the movies, just talking and eating out.
Diana Palmer is a pseudonym for author Susan Kyle.
(1)romance author
Susan Eloise Spaeth was born on 11 December 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. She was the eldest daughter of Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and also journalist, and William Olin Spaeth, a college professor. Her mother was part of the women's liberation movement many years before it became fashionable. Her best friends are her mother and her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), who now has two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie and lives in Utah. Susan grew up reading Zane Grey and fell in love with cowboys. Susan is a former newspaper reporter, with sixteen years experience on both daily and weekly newspapers. Since 1972, she has been married to James Kyle and have since settled down in Cornelia, Georgia, where she started to write romance novels. Susan and her husband have one son, Blayne Edward, born in 1980.
She began selling romances in 1979 as Diana Palmer. She also used the pseudonyms Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, and her married name: Susan Kyle. Now, she has over 40 million copies of her books in print, which have been translated and published around the world. She is listed in numerous publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, The Writers Directory by St. James Press, the International Who's Who of Authors and Writers by Meirose Press, Ltd., and Love's Leading Ladies by Kathryn Falk. Her awards include seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, several Affaire de Coeur awards, and two regional RWA awards.
Inspired by her husband, who quit a blue-collar manufacturing job to return to school and get his diploma in computer programming, Susan herself went back to college as a day student at the age of 45. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, with a major in history and a double minor in archaeology and Spanish. She was named to two honor societies (the Torch Club and Alpha Chi), and was named to the National Dean's List. In addition to her writing projects, she is currently working on her master's degree in history at California State University. She hopes to specialize in Native American studies. She is a member of the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Cattlemen's Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, the Planetary Society, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Sheriff's Association, and numerous conservation and charitable organizations. Her hobbies include gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy and music.
In 1998, her husband retired from his own computer business and now pursues skeet shooting medals in local, state, national and international competition. They love riding around and looking at the countryside, watching sci-fi on TV and at the movies, just talking and eating out.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
February 10, 2017
6++ SECOND CHANCE STARS
I will freely admit that I am a complete Lover of Diana Palmer older books. She wrote about angst like it was going out of style!
This book made me mad, sad, glad and simply made me Fall in love.
The hero Ramon is just about the most messed up and confused guy there is. He was married before to cold bitch of a woman who wanted money and prestige but not the man.
Also, the fact that the heroine was related to his dead wife was a contributing factor in his rejection of the heroine.
He was not ready to deal with what his life had become because he chose to close himself off to the possibility of love.
Real tangible love that he could have had with the heroine had he been a little less judgmental and been willing to listen!
The heroine Norie is just about the best person ever. If anyone deserves to be happy, it's her. She is smart hard working and sweet. She is strong but not when it comes to those she loves.
She loves with her whole heart and is an amazing person.
They are just awesome together!
The Doctor and the Nurse, how could this fail!?
IT CAN'T!
My favorite part is when the hero tells the heroine about seeing his unborn children in her eyes aka that famous Brian Adams song lyrics.
My heart just melted!
I was just soooo sweet!
Personal note:
I asked my husband Honey, Why can't you say stuff like that?"
My husband answered "Because I have a dick and we already have 6 kids, how many more should I be seeing here?"
(Yeah not one romantic bone in my man's body, clearly!)
But I digress here.
This book was EPIC!
Totally sweet and worth a read even without all the dirty talking and the sex every two minutes.
This book kicks butt in the emotional department.
I have read and reread this book at least 7 times to date.
I'm sure to read it more times in the future.
LOVED IT!
I will freely admit that I am a complete Lover of Diana Palmer older books. She wrote about angst like it was going out of style!
This book made me mad, sad, glad and simply made me Fall in love.
The hero Ramon is just about the most messed up and confused guy there is. He was married before to cold bitch of a woman who wanted money and prestige but not the man.
Also, the fact that the heroine was related to his dead wife was a contributing factor in his rejection of the heroine.
He was not ready to deal with what his life had become because he chose to close himself off to the possibility of love.
Real tangible love that he could have had with the heroine had he been a little less judgmental and been willing to listen!
The heroine Norie is just about the best person ever. If anyone deserves to be happy, it's her. She is smart hard working and sweet. She is strong but not when it comes to those she loves.
She loves with her whole heart and is an amazing person.
They are just awesome together!
The Doctor and the Nurse, how could this fail!?
IT CAN'T!
My favorite part is when the hero tells the heroine about seeing his unborn children in her eyes aka that famous Brian Adams song lyrics.
My heart just melted!
I was just soooo sweet!
Personal note:
I asked my husband Honey, Why can't you say stuff like that?"
My husband answered "Because I have a dick and we already have 6 kids, how many more should I be seeing here?"
(Yeah not one romantic bone in my man's body, clearly!)
But I digress here.
This book was EPIC!
Totally sweet and worth a read even without all the dirty talking and the sex every two minutes.
This book kicks butt in the emotional department.
I have read and reread this book at least 7 times to date.
I'm sure to read it more times in the future.
LOVED IT!
September 3, 2018
Melodrama definition:
(n) a sensational dramatic piece with exaggerated characters and exciting events intended to appeal to the emotions
Example: The Patient Nurse
Exaggerated Characters:
Heroine is the quintessential martyr figure who is literally dying of a broken heart because of a heart valve and metaphorically dying of unrequited love for her late cousin’s husband.
Hero is her late cousin’s husband, a Cuban heart surgeon who can literally heal the heroine’s broken heart – both physically and emotionally.
The late cousin – beautiful on the outside, ugly and evil on the inside.
The aunt and uncle – snobby and careless of the heroine and of poor people in general.
Every single one of these characters did a 180 in the story.
Exciting events
The flashbacks to all the mean comments to the heroine. (There are a lot!)
The late cousin killing herself by sitting out in the rain for two hours
Appeal to Emotions:
Hurt/comfort
Justice being done
Family acceptance
Rescue kitten named Mosquito
I would add that I think any good melodrama will go down easy. That is:
The pacing will be quick so you don’t start looking for plot holes or motivations or use your intellect in any way.
The dialogue will be focused and dramatic:
"To my shame, I saw my sons in your eyes the day I found you in the kitchen at your aunt's house," he whispered, watching her face color. "And I was married. What a living hell it was, to know such a sin and be unable to repent it." His eyes closed. "I paid for it and made you pay for it. And we are both still paying for it."
The sentiments will be broad and universally appealing:
"Their marriage was announced and planned, and all the things that had worried Noreen vanished in the euphoria of loving and being loved. Everything fell into place. The greatest surprise was the pleasure the news gave to Noreen's aunt and uncle."
Yes, it's cheesy, but what is not to like? And honestly, quality melodrama is hard to write. An author has to play it straight and be committed to the exaggerations and the emotions. No tongue in cheek here. So if you love hurt/comfort stories, give this one a try.
(n) a sensational dramatic piece with exaggerated characters and exciting events intended to appeal to the emotions
Example: The Patient Nurse
Exaggerated Characters:
Heroine is the quintessential martyr figure who is literally dying of a broken heart because of a heart valve and metaphorically dying of unrequited love for her late cousin’s husband.
Hero is her late cousin’s husband, a Cuban heart surgeon who can literally heal the heroine’s broken heart – both physically and emotionally.
The late cousin – beautiful on the outside, ugly and evil on the inside.
The aunt and uncle – snobby and careless of the heroine and of poor people in general.
Every single one of these characters did a 180 in the story.
Exciting events
The flashbacks to all the mean comments to the heroine. (There are a lot!)
The late cousin killing herself by sitting out in the rain for two hours
Appeal to Emotions:
Hurt/comfort
Justice being done
Family acceptance
Rescue kitten named Mosquito
I would add that I think any good melodrama will go down easy. That is:
The pacing will be quick so you don’t start looking for plot holes or motivations or use your intellect in any way.
The dialogue will be focused and dramatic:
"To my shame, I saw my sons in your eyes the day I found you in the kitchen at your aunt's house," he whispered, watching her face color. "And I was married. What a living hell it was, to know such a sin and be unable to repent it." His eyes closed. "I paid for it and made you pay for it. And we are both still paying for it."
The sentiments will be broad and universally appealing:
"Their marriage was announced and planned, and all the things that had worried Noreen vanished in the euphoria of loving and being loved. Everything fell into place. The greatest surprise was the pleasure the news gave to Noreen's aunt and uncle."
Yes, it's cheesy, but what is not to like? And honestly, quality melodrama is hard to write. An author has to play it straight and be committed to the exaggerations and the emotions. No tongue in cheek here. So if you love hurt/comfort stories, give this one a try.
October 2, 2011
Well, butter my butt and call me a biscuit. Never, never did I think I would ever rate a DP so high. I even checked to make sure the same Diana Palmer wrote this one but yup, seems so. The hero had been an ass to her before the book starts and maybe for the first chapter or so but it is immediately obvious that he is doing it and has always done it because he secretly loved her while married to her now deceased cousin and there is a lot of guilt involved. The rest of the book involved him trying to make it up to her and trying to take care of her etc. He was so sweet and caring. The plot made sense even if the long suffering heroine was almost cloyingly sweet and martyrific. It was an angst fest all around.
And, okay, it sure didn't take me long to fall off the no more DP for me bandwagon did it?
And, okay, it sure didn't take me long to fall off the no more DP for me bandwagon did it?
November 12, 2016
Yeah, Diana Palmer is not my favorite as her heroes, insert eye roll, can be big fat jerks. Per Jacquiline's review, this is not your typical DP hero.
Noreen, a nurse, is the Mary Sue-iest Mary Sue you've ever read at the beginning of the book. Ramon, excuse me, Rah-moan is her cousin's widowed husband. He's an uber handsome, mega masculine, Cuban heart surgeon who can cuss bilingually. He is a big fat meanie to Noreen in part because he thinks she abandoned Isabella, the cold-hearted, slutty wife he professes to adore so she ended up dying of pneumonia. Yes, we have a Grace has Bob's dead wife's heart! moment here. What is the other part of why he is such a big, fat, meanie? Read a couple of hundred romances, and you tell me why. In addition to Ramon blaming the h, Isabella's incredibly shallow parents do as well. Why not, they used Noreen like a modern-day Cinderella when they had to take her in.
When we first meet our little h she is one of the most annoying of h's. She's a mealy-mouthed martyr that doesn't say boo to Dr. Ramon when he makes rounds. Everybody knows he can't stand her. He ups the ante when she starts faltering in her nurse of the year role. Turns out that the h has a heart problem which leads to emergency heart surgery by... guess who, then a stint of rehab at his apartment.
Suddenly, the book turned from a 2 star into windbreak. Miss Mary Sue turns into a feisty, defiant spitfire.
Cutting to the chase, we find out more about Ramon, and, flutter my fan, he's a Cuban heart surgeon who can cuss bilingually and emote like nobody's business. When he lays it on the line, he brings out the inner Barbara Cartland heroine in me..Oh Tarquin. Yep, he's not so much a sexy talker as a romantic talker. We just don't get that anymore. He is more interested in talking about souls than how tab A inserts nicely into slot B although he expresses interest in that as well.
Nicely done. Not quite a 4 star, but close.
Noreen, a nurse, is the Mary Sue-iest Mary Sue you've ever read at the beginning of the book. Ramon, excuse me, Rah-moan is her cousin's widowed husband. He's an uber handsome, mega masculine, Cuban heart surgeon who can cuss bilingually. He is a big fat meanie to Noreen in part because he thinks she abandoned Isabella, the cold-hearted, slutty wife he professes to adore so she ended up dying of pneumonia. Yes, we have a Grace has Bob's dead wife's heart! moment here. What is the other part of why he is such a big, fat, meanie? Read a couple of hundred romances, and you tell me why. In addition to Ramon blaming the h, Isabella's incredibly shallow parents do as well. Why not, they used Noreen like a modern-day Cinderella when they had to take her in.
When we first meet our little h she is one of the most annoying of h's. She's a mealy-mouthed martyr that doesn't say boo to Dr. Ramon when he makes rounds. Everybody knows he can't stand her. He ups the ante when she starts faltering in her nurse of the year role. Turns out that the h has a heart problem which leads to emergency heart surgery by... guess who, then a stint of rehab at his apartment.
Suddenly, the book turned from a 2 star into windbreak. Miss Mary Sue turns into a feisty, defiant spitfire.
Cutting to the chase, we find out more about Ramon, and, flutter my fan, he's a Cuban heart surgeon who can cuss bilingually and emote like nobody's business. When he lays it on the line, he brings out the inner Barbara Cartland heroine in me..Oh Tarquin. Yep, he's not so much a sexy talker as a romantic talker. We just don't get that anymore. He is more interested in talking about souls than how tab A inserts nicely into slot B although he expresses interest in that as well.
Nicely done. Not quite a 4 star, but close.
February 5, 2021
This book is so very Diana Palmer it deserves a special award.
The h was long-suffering and tragic, and the H was inexplicably cruel to her.
What's that, you say? That describes most Diana Palmer books? You are correct, but what makes this a must-read is because I honestly believe that this H has the least consistent, most inexplicable behavior of all Palmer H's.
Yes, I said it.
He has jaw-droppingly ridiculous explanations for past behavior, constantly baits the h with specific cruelties, then somehow reverses the statement later without batting an eye. NOTHING HE SAYS MAKES SENSE.
And the worst thing is...I believe him. This H is completely irrational, but he sells it. My advice is to abandon all logic and join me in this journey. You'll also get the bonus of a the h's stoic acceptance of every awful thing Palmer, her family, and the H threw at her. It's so grim at points that it is almost laughable.
You can thank me later for letting you be a part of this trainwreck.
The h was long-suffering and tragic, and the H was inexplicably cruel to her.
What's that, you say? That describes most Diana Palmer books? You are correct, but what makes this a must-read is because I honestly believe that this H has the least consistent, most inexplicable behavior of all Palmer H's.
Yes, I said it.
He has jaw-droppingly ridiculous explanations for past behavior, constantly baits the h with specific cruelties, then somehow reverses the statement later without batting an eye. NOTHING HE SAYS MAKES SENSE.
And the worst thing is...I believe him. This H is completely irrational, but he sells it. My advice is to abandon all logic and join me in this journey. You'll also get the bonus of a the h's stoic acceptance of every awful thing Palmer, her family, and the H threw at her. It's so grim at points that it is almost laughable.
You can thank me later for letting you be a part of this trainwreck.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2012
I have been wanting to read this book for a very long time.Yiu have to either love or not love this author.I happen to love and enjoy this author's books.That said ,this book was a slight departure as it did not involve ex military men,drug runners,gaming refs and any of the Jacobsville gang.This book has a heart surgeon who is of Cuban descent and a girl who is from a poor farm background who is a Registered nurse who also is the H's dead wife'cousin.The cousin is dead for the past 2 years and she is accused of neglience in the death by her aunt,uncle and the hero.They are both work collegues and each try to avoid the other.Things come to a header when the heroine passes out and has to have emergency heart surgery.Unknown to the hero ,he preforms the surgery and only realizes it is the heroine when he makes his rounds and sees that it is Noreen ,the heroine.Ramon,the H,now seems to realize that things involving his wife's death is not what it was.His hidden feelings for Noreen surfaces and when she is discharged from hospital,he takes her home with him to recoup.Feelings for each other confessed,reconciles with aunt and uncle.and hero states that marriage was a sham and was basically blindsided by dead wife Isadora.The only thing that really sort of irked me was when the H states he felt like having Latin food for dinner and he would tell the cook to make quesidas and fajitas.This guy is CUBAN,he would be ordering roast pork,black beans and rice if he wanted latin food.I told this to my husband ( who is Cuban) and he laughed .But I did enjoy this read barring the food issue,lol.
August 2, 2021
Annoying.
The heroine is a woman with dependent trait of personality, that means she thinks she's unworthy of being loved that she would do and accept anything not to be alone. But as this book well shows, she's alone in the end.
She's an orphan and she lives with her aunt and uncle and evil cousin. The cousin is a beautiful and shallow woman who is also jealous of her.
Nobody loves her because she's not as beautiful and flighty as her cousin (but we are sure that if she was beautiful as her cousin they would have loved her even less), she's studious and quiet. The hero of course is a stupid and dull and mean surgeon (sorry for this oxymoron, usually surgeons are smart and intelligent and even empatic but he's not) who marries the evil cousin and bullies the poor heroine who has a crush on him, demeaning her every time he can.
Just mean and cruel.
He deserves what he gets that is, a shallow and evil woman who cuckolds him and doesn't want to have children with him. Moreover he's catholic so for him divorce is impossible. I loved that he suffered.
Then the evil cousin dies and he trash the heroine because he thinks she caused her death.
Instead of thanking her.
This thing goes on for two years, when suddenly the heroine faints because she has a heart issue. This is also the reason why she couldn't be with her cousin when she died, because she fainted and was in hospital.
But of course nobody cared.
Now the hero is all remorseful and after her surgery, that he performed saving her life, he tries to make amend because he realized what a big huge a** he's been all along, oh and he also wants to marry her because he understood that he was very attracted to her since forever and understood he made a big mistake in marrying her evil cousin, and also her uncle and aunt want to apologize for their 25 years of neglet.
What?
F.Y!
No, I don't accept any of your f***ing apologies! Not. At.All.
An orphaned little girl should have been loved and cherished after she lost her parents instead of being treated as the hired help, without a pay.
And the hero can go to hell since he treated her as dirt.
i don't accept body shaming and demeanig simply because he feels something for her. This is not a story of two 11 years olds, where feelings and actions are often difficult to accept or recognize, we are talking about two adult people, one should be an empatic and intelligent man, not a bastard sob without an ounce of upbringing.
And she forgives them all.
Just a dependent, unredeemable.
Not happy at all.
The heroine is a woman with dependent trait of personality, that means she thinks she's unworthy of being loved that she would do and accept anything not to be alone. But as this book well shows, she's alone in the end.
She's an orphan and she lives with her aunt and uncle and evil cousin. The cousin is a beautiful and shallow woman who is also jealous of her.
Nobody loves her because she's not as beautiful and flighty as her cousin (but we are sure that if she was beautiful as her cousin they would have loved her even less), she's studious and quiet. The hero of course is a stupid and dull and mean surgeon (sorry for this oxymoron, usually surgeons are smart and intelligent and even empatic but he's not) who marries the evil cousin and bullies the poor heroine who has a crush on him, demeaning her every time he can.
Just mean and cruel.
He deserves what he gets that is, a shallow and evil woman who cuckolds him and doesn't want to have children with him. Moreover he's catholic so for him divorce is impossible. I loved that he suffered.
Then the evil cousin dies and he trash the heroine because he thinks she caused her death.
Instead of thanking her.
This thing goes on for two years, when suddenly the heroine faints because she has a heart issue. This is also the reason why she couldn't be with her cousin when she died, because she fainted and was in hospital.
But of course nobody cared.
Now the hero is all remorseful and after her surgery, that he performed saving her life, he tries to make amend because he realized what a big huge a** he's been all along, oh and he also wants to marry her because he understood that he was very attracted to her since forever and understood he made a big mistake in marrying her evil cousin, and also her uncle and aunt want to apologize for their 25 years of neglet.
What?
F.Y!
No, I don't accept any of your f***ing apologies! Not. At.All.
An orphaned little girl should have been loved and cherished after she lost her parents instead of being treated as the hired help, without a pay.
And the hero can go to hell since he treated her as dirt.
i don't accept body shaming and demeanig simply because he feels something for her. This is not a story of two 11 years olds, where feelings and actions are often difficult to accept or recognize, we are talking about two adult people, one should be an empatic and intelligent man, not a bastard sob without an ounce of upbringing.
And she forgives them all.
Just a dependent, unredeemable.
Not happy at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2018
This nurse is patient – literally and figuratively!
It’s different in that there are no cowboys here, no cops, no ex-mercs and no mention of Jacobsville and it’s residents.
But we do have our cruel meanie H who falls for and marries the glamorous vampy cousin. A perpetually suffering h, who denies but behaves just like a sacrificing doormat. Add body shaming comments and sneers, scapegoating and unnecessary cruelty. And we have our DP story.
I liked some things like the medical condition and treatment details that do not bore. The h actually gets a petulant, whiny spine of sorts. The story doesn’t drag and no usual DP repetitiveness or push-pull. No chestfuzz rubbing scenes either. This was more of a slow realization of sorts for the H and has emotional potential.
It’s different in that there are no cowboys here, no cops, no ex-mercs and no mention of Jacobsville and it’s residents.
But we do have our cruel meanie H who falls for and marries the glamorous vampy cousin. A perpetually suffering h, who denies but behaves just like a sacrificing doormat. Add body shaming comments and sneers, scapegoating and unnecessary cruelty. And we have our DP story.
I liked some things like the medical condition and treatment details that do not bore. The h actually gets a petulant, whiny spine of sorts. The story doesn’t drag and no usual DP repetitiveness or push-pull. No chestfuzz rubbing scenes either. This was more of a slow realization of sorts for the H and has emotional potential.
September 25, 2016
Just when I thought I've read every ridiculous romance book out there, this little gem comes along. Here we have a hero who is a heart surgeon. He was was in an unhappy marriage to the heroine's cousin and when she died while he was away he blamed her death on the heroine. This book takes up two years after that cousin's death.
What you learned in the book is that the hero and the cousin were married for four unhappy years. Not only did the cousin have another lover, she was also shallow, not the brightest bulb in the pack and a complete money whore.
The hero apparently stayed married because of his faith. I'm curious what faith that was since during that entire time the hero tormented the heroine, often being rude and cruel to her. In addition to being maligned by the hero, she was also treated very poorly by the cousin's parents who had taken her in after her own parents had died. They also blamed the heroine for their daughter's death.
Now here comes the ridiculous bit. The heroine has a heart problem. One day she collapses and is taken to the hospital for emergency heart surgery, which is performed by the hero. While she is in the hospital the hero learns what truly happened when his wife died and that the heroine was not responsible.
Against her wishes, the hero takes her to his place to recuperate. Let me reiterate, the heroine has avoided this guy for six years and he has showed her nothing but complete animosity and hatred, yet she allows him to take her to his house to recover!
One day, a few weeks into her recovery he asks her what kind of ring she likes-Huh? Did I miss something?! No groveling, no sex, just lets her know that he wants her to have his children. And I guess her aunt and uncle were struck by lightning as well because all of a sudden they wanted to be nice to her and take her to the Caribbean - WTF?!
She professes her love to the hero and agrees that she wants to have his babies. They stay chased until after the wedding and have wild passionate virgin sex, I think she is like 25.
Abso-fucking-lutely ridiculous!
What you learned in the book is that the hero and the cousin were married for four unhappy years. Not only did the cousin have another lover, she was also shallow, not the brightest bulb in the pack and a complete money whore.
The hero apparently stayed married because of his faith. I'm curious what faith that was since during that entire time the hero tormented the heroine, often being rude and cruel to her. In addition to being maligned by the hero, she was also treated very poorly by the cousin's parents who had taken her in after her own parents had died. They also blamed the heroine for their daughter's death.
Now here comes the ridiculous bit. The heroine has a heart problem. One day she collapses and is taken to the hospital for emergency heart surgery, which is performed by the hero. While she is in the hospital the hero learns what truly happened when his wife died and that the heroine was not responsible.
Against her wishes, the hero takes her to his place to recuperate. Let me reiterate, the heroine has avoided this guy for six years and he has showed her nothing but complete animosity and hatred, yet she allows him to take her to his house to recover!
One day, a few weeks into her recovery he asks her what kind of ring she likes-Huh? Did I miss something?! No groveling, no sex, just lets her know that he wants her to have his children. And I guess her aunt and uncle were struck by lightning as well because all of a sudden they wanted to be nice to her and take her to the Caribbean - WTF?!
She professes her love to the hero and agrees that she wants to have his babies. They stay chased until after the wedding and have wild passionate virgin sex, I think she is like 25.
Abso-fucking-lutely ridiculous!
April 11, 2016
Noreen and Ramon. One of the few DP books where the H really does redeem himself. Super angsty but in a delicious way!
Noreen has known Ramon for years, but not long after they meet for the first time, he marries her more overtly pretty but self centered cousin, Isadora. So she suffers an unrequited love for him for years. To make it worse, he and Isadora's parents all believe that it was her fault Isadora died. Of course that's all hogwash and they will eat crow before the HEA. Noreen believes that Ramon is still pining for his lost love, Isadora, but it's just Ramon hiding his guilt from even himself.
Things come to a head when it finally comes to light how heart-sick Noreen is (pun intended), but luckily Ramon is a renowned heart surgeon! And where do you think he will want her to convalesce?? Why his apartment of course!
I got tired of hearing about Isadora, but she is integral to their love story. Ramon, although he treats Noreen terribly in that old-school-romance way for the first 25%, spends the rest of the book wallowing in guilt and making amends. Best of all, Noreen is so sure that he hates her and loved Isadora, she takes a LOT of persuading to forgive him and accept his love.
It's not really a 5 star read, I just enjoyed the angst etc so much ; )
Noreen has known Ramon for years, but not long after they meet for the first time, he marries her more overtly pretty but self centered cousin, Isadora. So she suffers an unrequited love for him for years. To make it worse, he and Isadora's parents all believe that it was her fault Isadora died. Of course that's all hogwash and they will eat crow before the HEA. Noreen believes that Ramon is still pining for his lost love, Isadora, but it's just Ramon hiding his guilt from even himself.
Things come to a head when it finally comes to light how heart-sick Noreen is (pun intended), but luckily Ramon is a renowned heart surgeon! And where do you think he will want her to convalesce?? Why his apartment of course!
I got tired of hearing about Isadora, but she is integral to their love story. Ramon, although he treats Noreen terribly in that old-school-romance way for the first 25%, spends the rest of the book wallowing in guilt and making amends. Best of all, Noreen is so sure that he hates her and loved Isadora, she takes a LOT of persuading to forgive him and accept his love.
It's not really a 5 star read, I just enjoyed the angst etc so much ; )
August 1, 2021
Great story about a woman that had a heart attack on the night she was staying with her spoiled evil cousin and when the cousin died, everyone blamed her for killing her, only she was sedated and forced to stay in a hospital because of a leaky valve. Actually she was mistreated all her life, especially the hero who was the cousins husband. The start of the book makes it sound like They had the greatest love affair ever but then reading the book it was revealed how awful it was And how his wife had cheated on him and actually made the pneumonia worse by going out in the rain with only a negligee on. Honestly I can't believe you can get sick from that but the Harlequin gods said so, so it must be true. The hero realized the error of his ways and there is some major groveling done once he realizes how two g he was. I actually loved the story and I loved the car named Mosquito. The way he made both of them feel less lonely really touched me. Just an all around great story
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2021
A melodramatic story about a doormat heroine, a mean family, an as**le hero, and their happy life after they all found out that the heroine was in fact, sick when they all thought she is just bad and jealous.
OTT Plot, unnecessary drama, cheesy love.. but hey, I loved it! :))
OTT Plot, unnecessary drama, cheesy love.. but hey, I loved it! :))
September 28, 2022
Wow, this book was so deliciously angsty! A wronged heroine served up with a big helping of Hero groveling. I loved it! While the h was a bit too self-sacrificing, I thought she was strong and not a doormat. The H was a beast to her for years but once he pulls his head out of his rear, he is the perfect H. There is a lot of misdirection about the H's marriage to the beautiful Isadora, but we find out the truth in the end. The H has been lying to himself for years and it takes the scare of Noreen's illness to snap him out of himself. It also helps that I never felt like Noreen came in second. She was definitely an improvement over the dead wife.
If you are in the mood for a little old-school, woman-scorned romance, and you aren't weirded out by cousins sleeping with the same man, then this is the book for you!
If you are in the mood for a little old-school, woman-scorned romance, and you aren't weirded out by cousins sleeping with the same man, then this is the book for you!
November 22, 2013
Finally! Diana Palmer that worth five stars!
I don't know about you, but for me this book is killing me! In a sweet, torturous way.
I like Ramon, despite his lack of kindness in the beginning towards Noreen. But it made sense to me, so I don't hate him that much. And the way he wins her back? Perfect. I fancy him and his gentleness.
Nailed it again, Diana Palmer!
I don't know about you, but for me this book is killing me! In a sweet, torturous way.
I like Ramon, despite his lack of kindness in the beginning towards Noreen. But it made sense to me, so I don't hate him that much. And the way he wins her back? Perfect. I fancy him and his gentleness.
Nailed it again, Diana Palmer!
October 7, 2020
Βυθιζεσαι στο συναίσθημα , κολυμπάς σε βαθειά και άγνωστα νερά!!
Τίτλος που αντικατοπτρίζει την ιστορίας τους!
Εξώφυλλο παντελώς αδιαφορο και οπισθόφυλλο που σε καμιά περίπτωση δε σε προετοιμάζει για το τι θα διαβάσεις!
Αν δεν ήταν της Palmer δεν θα έμπαινα στην διαδικασία να το ψάξω...
March 6, 2017
HOW can this be classified as romance to people?! I don't understand. The "hero" blames the heroine for his "perfect" wife's death that he claims to love yet their marriage was a sham. He verbally abused her every chance he got and I can see her taking his crap because she's sweet natured but in the end Noreen was not only as pathetic as her hero in the end she was worse. I was proud of her when she kept her distance from him and kept her guard up when he did a 180 into I'm-Mr-Nice-Guy-That-Everyone-Loves-And-Trusts. When he wanted to care for her after her surgery and she actually let him was what really ticked me off. It was obvious to everyone but him and her so called family what kind of person she was. They treated her like crap and I don't understand how she could ever forgive them for that. His excuse for his mistreatment of her: because he wanted to be with her but was already with her cousin. (Dramatic eye roll) Gag me!!! She chose a life with an inconsiderate loser rather than standing up for herself, kicking him to the curb like the dog he was. and humiliating him the way he did to her all that time. He degraded her and expected her to come running into his arms because he was finally ready to "act" like a man who wants a woman. He will never be a man to me. This book is not for you if you like to see grown men still pushing women into the sandbox and pulling her hair to get her attention.
November 15, 2014
This is an emotionally charged romance with a hero filled with remorse and a heroine bitter from being misjudged. There's always been a spark between Noreen and Ramon, but he'd been too obsessed with Isadora to wonder about it. Noreen has always loved Ramon something he begins to realize. As Ramon comes to see in Noreen the wife he'd always dreamed of having, he faces a hard battle to win her trust. As in other books I've read by Ms. Palmer, the hero treats the heroine with brutal cruelty until he realizes his mistake. Unlike the other books, this hero learns his error fairly early in the book, and spends the rest of the story trying to make it up to her. The last few chapters are devoted to their HEA with a sweetness that was nearly over done. While I don't begrudge Noreen her happy ending, it's the angst of the first of this book that made this a compelling read.
October 20, 2017
Me parece increíble que Noreen no se alejara del Dr. Ramón, después de lastimarla por muchos años con la excusa de que era porque no aceptaba sus sentimientos hacia ella y era una forma de evadir y crear una barrera de lo que sentía, ahggg y sobre todo no puedo creer que ella soporte esto por muchos años e incluso estaba dejándose morir como si se mereciera todo lo que le pasaba y lo peor es que lo perdonan en un chasquido de dedos, no creo que ella se mereciera un hombre así...
August 2, 2007
This is the worst book I've ever read. It's like the Plan 9 From Outerspace of my book list.
August 4, 2015
Rating: 5 stars.
I never get fed up of rereading this book! Love it even more that there's a manga version too.
I never get fed up of rereading this book! Love it even more that there's a manga version too.
July 4, 2021
Reread 7/3/2021 guilt ridden hero, martyr heroine, still readable.
January 27, 2022
This is the one where the H is Rico Suave & a famous heart physician. The h is the cousin of his first wife & a nurse with a heart problem. First wife was in it for the money, a spoiled brat, and a cheater. Drama queen miscalculated and sat in the cold rain for a couple of hours to punish hubby. Jokes on her! She got pneumonia and ☠️! Of course hubs blames h not knowing she out having a heart attack instead of taking care of cousin. Actually, this book should be named The Martyr Nurse. Stuff is cleared up, everyone forgives, and h is WAY better in the sack than first wife! Lol.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2015
H was typical DP's jerk hero. He was h's cousin's wife, two years ago his wife died and he blamed h for it, and then treated her badly whenever he met her in hospital.
Although there was a misunderstanding at the night when his wife died, he already fell out of love with her shortly after they got married. Therefore, I didn't get why did he still miss her so much?
It was so sad to see how h endured all these mistreatment from people around her who supposed to love her for so long. Still think she forgave H too soon, he should beg more!
I loved DP's books but most of the time I hated her heroes, and this was one of them.
Although there was a misunderstanding at the night when his wife died, he already fell out of love with her shortly after they got married. Therefore, I didn't get why did he still miss her so much?
It was so sad to see how h endured all these mistreatment from people around her who supposed to love her for so long. Still think she forgave H too soon, he should beg more!
I loved DP's books but most of the time I hated her heroes, and this was one of them.
November 18, 2014
Sweet story but the romance is not that compelling!
November 20, 2020
5 million stars straight from my heart.
If you haven’t already read it and you like DP, make a run for it. The sweetest, tenderest of loving that could come alive out of the pages and possess your soul. Really, like DP says in the book :
“There are in life a few moments so beautiful," he whispered, "that even words are a sort of profanity.”
This book picked me up today and maybe put me right back down because now that it’s over, I can’t get back to reality. It really was such utter perfection delivered home from DP. Sigh.
Ramon is a cardio surgeon going through the motions of having lost a young, beautiful wife. With an accident of timings, the h (who is also the wife’s cousin) couldn’t be with his wife at her last moments and she passes away. Now Ramon has deep sated hateful feelings for this cousin who still lives. Along with a guilty secret that Ramon had better not let out to see the light of day.
Noreen the h is a cardio nurse. Sweetest disposition but fiery, Noreen is no pushover but she’s just about done being held the scapegoat for her cousin’s death. When reality couldn’t be more far from the truth of what had happened.
Both the h and H in their earlier acquaintance were secretly lusting on each other but Noreen knew better than to go after a married man. And Ramon has been blinded by his wife’s beauty to know before marriage how they were water and oil.
This is a story of passion, regrets, scorching chemistry and bone-deep tender loving that ruins you for life. Will go in my absolute favourites for life.
If you haven’t already read it and you like DP, make a run for it. The sweetest, tenderest of loving that could come alive out of the pages and possess your soul. Really, like DP says in the book :
“There are in life a few moments so beautiful," he whispered, "that even words are a sort of profanity.”
This book picked me up today and maybe put me right back down because now that it’s over, I can’t get back to reality. It really was such utter perfection delivered home from DP. Sigh.
Ramon is a cardio surgeon going through the motions of having lost a young, beautiful wife. With an accident of timings, the h (who is also the wife’s cousin) couldn’t be with his wife at her last moments and she passes away. Now Ramon has deep sated hateful feelings for this cousin who still lives. Along with a guilty secret that Ramon had better not let out to see the light of day.
Noreen the h is a cardio nurse. Sweetest disposition but fiery, Noreen is no pushover but she’s just about done being held the scapegoat for her cousin’s death. When reality couldn’t be more far from the truth of what had happened.
Both the h and H in their earlier acquaintance were secretly lusting on each other but Noreen knew better than to go after a married man. And Ramon has been blinded by his wife’s beauty to know before marriage how they were water and oil.
This is a story of passion, regrets, scorching chemistry and bone-deep tender loving that ruins you for life. Will go in my absolute favourites for life.
May 8, 2021
Rating: **4.2 stars**
Ok this turned out to be unexpectedly good. Considering it's a DP book I went in expecting the ML to be a class A jerk with no redemption but surprisingly this man was so sweet and amazing, I was left feeling all warm and mushy by the end of it.
Although it had the disliked trope of our ML being married to the FL's cousin, it astonishingly did not ruin my experience of the book. The ML was an absolute brute to the girl in the beginning but later on his grovel and efforts won me over.
The FL was a sweet little martyr and despite the fact that I get annoyed easily with FLs suffering through that complex this one turned out to be an exception. I just found her endearing and adorable This story had a good grovel and the leads chemistry was just sigh worthy
All in all really liked it and could read it again
Ok this turned out to be unexpectedly good. Considering it's a DP book I went in expecting the ML to be a class A jerk with no redemption but surprisingly this man was so sweet and amazing, I was left feeling all warm and mushy by the end of it.
Although it had the disliked trope of our ML being married to the FL's cousin, it astonishingly did not ruin my experience of the book. The ML was an absolute brute to the girl in the beginning but later on his grovel and efforts won me over.
The FL was a sweet little martyr and despite the fact that I get annoyed easily with FLs suffering through that complex this one turned out to be an exception. I just found her endearing and adorable This story had a good grovel and the leads chemistry was just sigh worthy
All in all really liked it and could read it again
September 10, 2023
Oh boy ,did Diana palmer actually write this good?looks like , She did .This was surprisingly good & had the feels & now that's how you write a Romance 💒
February 28, 2021
Forgot I read this already, the only DP book I liked.
I hate how this author only writes about abusive H's and boring plain-jane, doormat martyr heroines.
I hate how this author only writes about abusive H's and boring plain-jane, doormat martyr heroines.
December 24, 2014
Check out my blog for other reviews:
The Patient Nurse by Diana Palmer
Cover: 3
Plot: 5
Characters: 5
Overall Rating: 5
The Patient Nurse was such an emotional read. I was crying most of the time while reading this book.
Noreen was blamed for her cousin's death by her aunt, uncle and her cousin's husband, the man she was hopelessly in love with.
This is my first taste of Palmer's books and I am not disappointed. I loved the plot and the characters were amazing. Noreen was abandoned by the only family she has when her cousin died and they all thought it was her fault. I was very irritated with her aunt and uncle since she was treated unkindly.
I hated Ramon on the first part of the book since he put all the blame on Noreen without even letting her explain her side of the story. Though while the book was progressing, I can really see the hero was very repentant and believe that this book offers a really great groveling.
I wished the book was longer though since at some parts it was fast-forwarded. All in all it was a real great book that I will surely re-read.
The Patient Nurse by Diana Palmer
Cover: 3
Plot: 5
Characters: 5
Overall Rating: 5
There are in life a few moments so beautiful, that even words are a sort of profanity."
The Patient Nurse was such an emotional read. I was crying most of the time while reading this book.
Noreen was blamed for her cousin's death by her aunt, uncle and her cousin's husband, the man she was hopelessly in love with.
This is my first taste of Palmer's books and I am not disappointed. I loved the plot and the characters were amazing. Noreen was abandoned by the only family she has when her cousin died and they all thought it was her fault. I was very irritated with her aunt and uncle since she was treated unkindly.
I hated Ramon on the first part of the book since he put all the blame on Noreen without even letting her explain her side of the story. Though while the book was progressing, I can really see the hero was very repentant and believe that this book offers a really great groveling.
I wished the book was longer though since at some parts it was fast-forwarded. All in all it was a real great book that I will surely re-read.
March 8, 2023
3.5 Stars
It's not a secret that I'm a huge Diana Palmer fan. She's my guilty pleasure😅 Anywho I'm just not sure how I really feel about this one. The beginning was really good, and the Hero was a huge asshole. His turnaround was super fast and not believable to me. Plus, there was zero relationship build-up.
I really don't like how he asked the h to forgive her aunt and uncle. IMO, they treated her like shit her entire life. It's weird for a Diana hero to be, so let bygones be bygones when it comes to their heroine's. Usually their I'm gonna rip out your throat for being so nasty to my woman😅
Isadora was not a good person. The only one to blame for her death is herself. Heck, who sits out in the rain for hours when they know they have a lung infection? A crazy person, that's who.
So ya, I probably would have rounded up, but I hated the instant forgiveness the h gave to her aunt and uncle. So at a 3 it will stay
It's not a secret that I'm a huge Diana Palmer fan. She's my guilty pleasure😅 Anywho I'm just not sure how I really feel about this one. The beginning was really good, and the Hero was a huge asshole. His turnaround was super fast and not believable to me. Plus, there was zero relationship build-up.
I really don't like how he asked the h to forgive her aunt and uncle. IMO, they treated her like shit her entire life. It's weird for a Diana hero to be, so let bygones be bygones when it comes to their heroine's. Usually their I'm gonna rip out your throat for being so nasty to my woman😅
Isadora was not a good person. The only one to blame for her death is herself. Heck, who sits out in the rain for hours when they know they have a lung infection? A crazy person, that's who.
So ya, I probably would have rounded up, but I hated the instant forgiveness the h gave to her aunt and uncle. So at a 3 it will stay
Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews