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Jilted
Alexa's heartache was an age-old story
Alexa's best friend had married Mark, the man Alexa had loved. Suddenly all her dreams were shattered, and she no longer wanted to live,
But she was not allowed that refuge. Scott Kelsey, Mark's brother, would not have such scandal affect their family's proud reputation.
I'm taking you with me, he informed her, preparing to return to South America. His resemblance to Mark was unmistakable, and she could always pretend. But Scott, she quickly discovered, was a copy of no man.
Alexa's best friend had married Mark, the man Alexa had loved. Suddenly all her dreams were shattered, and she no longer wanted to live,
But she was not allowed that refuge. Scott Kelsey, Mark's brother, would not have such scandal affect their family's proud reputation.
I'm taking you with me, he informed her, preparing to return to South America. His resemblance to Mark was unmistakable, and she could always pretend. But Scott, she quickly discovered, was a copy of no man.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
About the author
Sally Wentworth
108 books95 followersDoreen was born on 1936 or 1937 in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, UK. She married Donald Alfred Hornsblow, with whom she has a son Keith, in 1968. The family lived in Braughing, England.
Doreen began her publishing career at a Fleet Street newspaper in London, where she thrived in the hectic atmosphere. She started writing after attending an evening class and sold her first novel to Mills & Boon in 1977, she published her novels under the pseudonym Sally Wentworth. Her novels were principally set in Great Britain or in exotic places like Canary Islands or Greece. Her first works are stand-alone novels, but in 1990s, she decided to create her first series. In 1991, she wrote a book in two parts about the Barclay twins and their great love, and in 1995, she wrote the Ties of Passion Trilogy about the Brodey family, that have money, looks, style, everything... except love.
Doreen was an accounts clerk at Associated Newspapers Ltd. in London, England, and accounts clerk at Consumers' Association in Hertford, England. In 1985, she was the founding chair of the Hertford Association of National Trust Members, and named its life president. She also collected knife rests and she was member of The Knife Rest Collectors Club.
Doreen Hornsblow died from cancer on 30 August 2001, at 64 years of age.
Doreen began her publishing career at a Fleet Street newspaper in London, where she thrived in the hectic atmosphere. She started writing after attending an evening class and sold her first novel to Mills & Boon in 1977, she published her novels under the pseudonym Sally Wentworth. Her novels were principally set in Great Britain or in exotic places like Canary Islands or Greece. Her first works are stand-alone novels, but in 1990s, she decided to create her first series. In 1991, she wrote a book in two parts about the Barclay twins and their great love, and in 1995, she wrote the Ties of Passion Trilogy about the Brodey family, that have money, looks, style, everything... except love.
Doreen was an accounts clerk at Associated Newspapers Ltd. in London, England, and accounts clerk at Consumers' Association in Hertford, England. In 1985, she was the founding chair of the Hertford Association of National Trust Members, and named its life president. She also collected knife rests and she was member of The Knife Rest Collectors Club.
Doreen Hornsblow died from cancer on 30 August 2001, at 64 years of age.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
November 25, 2017
Unhappy heroine Alexa Curtis goes to her ex-fiancé Mark Kelsey's wedding. Mark is marrying Alexa's best friend (Elaine) who was supposed to be the bridesmaid in Alexa's wedding to Mark. (Alexa introduced Elaine and Mark to each other, proud to show off her fiancé Mark to her friend Elaine, but it ended up being love at first sight for Mark and Elaine). While Alexa is at the wedding she drinks a lot. She meets Mark's brother Scott (the hero, who bears a strong resemblance to his brother Mark.) Eventually Alexa and Scott leave together, and later on they end up at Alexa's place. She invites Scott in for a nightcap. They end up in bed together...if Alexa turns the light out she can imagine it's Mark instead of Scott. But just when they are ready to "do it" she cries out Mark's name. Scott is angry and wants an explanation. He finds out she is the girl Mark was previously engaged to. An upset Alexa runs into the bathroom, locks the door, and downs half a bottle of pills. After Scott saves her from an overdose he decides he has to keep an eye on her, in case she ruins his brother Mark's honeymoon with news of her suicide. Scott tells her he will take her to Brazil, where he works. But she must marry him first because they only allow married women on the site where he works. They marry and go to Brazil. Alexa makes friends with Scott's co-workers. They make a pretense of being married. But Alexa claims she still loves Mark...
This was an entertaining read by Sally Wentworth. It isn't every day I read a Harlequin Presents in which the heroine is oblivious to the hero. The heroine was immature for her age. She took too long to get over Scott's brother Mark, who dumped her. I laughed at the part when she got lost in the jungle...this story was unintentionally funny at times. Scott was the usual brooding, forceful, angry, and demanding alpha hero. But it was fun seeing the hero hankering for the heroine, who he was obviously crazy about. I liked the setting in the Brazil/Amazon rainforest.
This was an entertaining read by Sally Wentworth. It isn't every day I read a Harlequin Presents in which the heroine is oblivious to the hero. The heroine was immature for her age. She took too long to get over Scott's brother Mark, who dumped her. I laughed at the part when she got lost in the jungle...this story was unintentionally funny at times. Scott was the usual brooding, forceful, angry, and demanding alpha hero. But it was fun seeing the hero hankering for the heroine, who he was obviously crazy about. I liked the setting in the Brazil/Amazon rainforest.
March 13, 2017
Heroine is an OTT drama queen after she is jilted for her best friend. There will be no stiff upper lip for this gal. She’s upset and she’s going to:
Get drunk at the wedding reception and flirt with the groom’s look alike older brother.
She will bring the brother home and go to bed with him and call out his brother’s name before the critical moment.
In her embarrassment and shame she will stuff aspirins in her mouth.
She will agree to marry the brother and go to Brazil so she won’t have to see her ex with her bff or make any decisions.
She will declare her love for the ex and throw things at her new husband.
She will mope around for awhile, but will eventually perk up enough to learn to drive, get lost in the jungle, paint pictures of orchids, and forget about her ex.
She will eventually have satisfying sex with her husband, but will freak out about his mysterious change in attitude the next morning.
She will start day drinking and driving.
She will realize once they are back in England and she is sober, that she really should ask the H just why his attitude changed. In two pages they will have their HEA.
What she will not do: gossip. She stops going to the club for ex-pats when she realizes all the women sit in judgment of each other and they want her to take sides.
Hero is an idealistic smitten man who has never taken a psychology course. He will woe and win the crazy lady he fell in love with by:
Calling her a crazy bitch after he makes her throw up the aspirin.
Calling her a coward and making all decisions for her.
Taking her to a foreign country, teaching her to drive and playing tour guide.
Getting angry and forcing a seduction and then not bothering to communicate his feelings the next day.
Making her promise not to drink and drive.
Leaving foreign country without consulting her.
And it works – but this is a man who thinks he can *replant the rain forest with some other kind of tree * Okay.
I don’t know why – but I loved these two together. He was so obviously crazy about her and she was so determined to wallow, but they had that kind of energy as characters so that they burned across the page. There’s a point where the hero shows up after the h has been lost in the jungle and rescued by a group of indigenous people and she runs into his arms and says “Oh, Scott! I thought they were going to eat me.”
LOL – I can just see them in the future. The heroine’s car breaks down and the H shows up. “Oh, Scott! They said it was the alternator. Is that bad?”
Scott will never be bored and the h will never look elsewhere.
Get drunk at the wedding reception and flirt with the groom’s look alike older brother.
She will bring the brother home and go to bed with him and call out his brother’s name before the critical moment.
In her embarrassment and shame she will stuff aspirins in her mouth.
She will agree to marry the brother and go to Brazil so she won’t have to see her ex with her bff or make any decisions.
She will declare her love for the ex and throw things at her new husband.
She will mope around for awhile, but will eventually perk up enough to learn to drive, get lost in the jungle, paint pictures of orchids, and forget about her ex.
She will eventually have satisfying sex with her husband, but will freak out about his mysterious change in attitude the next morning.
She will start day drinking and driving.
She will realize once they are back in England and she is sober, that she really should ask the H just why his attitude changed. In two pages they will have their HEA.
What she will not do: gossip. She stops going to the club for ex-pats when she realizes all the women sit in judgment of each other and they want her to take sides.
Hero is an idealistic smitten man who has never taken a psychology course. He will woe and win the crazy lady he fell in love with by:
Calling her a crazy bitch after he makes her throw up the aspirin.
Calling her a coward and making all decisions for her.
Taking her to a foreign country, teaching her to drive and playing tour guide.
Getting angry and forcing a seduction and then not bothering to communicate his feelings the next day.
Making her promise not to drink and drive.
Leaving foreign country without consulting her.
And it works – but this is a man who thinks he can *replant the rain forest with some other kind of tree * Okay.
I don’t know why – but I loved these two together. He was so obviously crazy about her and she was so determined to wallow, but they had that kind of energy as characters so that they burned across the page. There’s a point where the hero shows up after the h has been lost in the jungle and rescued by a group of indigenous people and she runs into his arms and says “Oh, Scott! I thought they were going to eat me.”
LOL – I can just see them in the future. The heroine’s car breaks down and the H shows up. “Oh, Scott! They said it was the alternator. Is that bad?”
Scott will never be bored and the h will never look elsewhere.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2010
Alexa thought that she was gonna marry the man of her dreams. Except that she made the mistake of insisting on getting married in her hometown and introducing her fiancee to her BFF. Her fiancee falls instantly in love with BFF and dumps Alexa.
When the book begins, Alexa is attending the wedding of her ex & her BFF and trying to put on a brave face. I have no idea why the heroines in these romances always have to attend these weddings of people who BETRAY her and have to act all gracious as if they are on the political trail. Don't they know that they get these invitations because those a-holes WANT a scene of tears and humiliation? If it was me, I certainly would have obliged them. Instead, Alexa holds up and picks up her ex's older brother, Scott, who looks and sounds just like him, if she's drunk enough. Which she makes sure, she is. She takes him back to her place and they are about to do the nasty when she calls out her ex's name right at the very last minute. Ooops!
Then Alexa goes batshyte and locks herself in her bathroom, crying and swallowing a bottle of pills. Scott makes sure she doesnt die because he didn't know any better at the time and tells her that he is taking her to Brazil with him since he can't trust her not to try to commit suicide again and put a damper on his a-hole brother's marriage with her BFF.
Alexa is suppose to be twenty-two in the story but she has all the immaturity and manic-obsession of a 11 year old at a Hannah Montana contest giveaway. She has a lot of growing up to do in this story and I am not sure she is believably mature by the end, especially since her obvious drinking problem is never addressed. I was also turned off that all she did thruout the book was laze all day - reading, driving, swimming, eating, gardening, partying - and complaining whenever she is bored. Not unusual to find a heroine with no career goals or direction in an old HP but still disturbing just the same. Having said all that, I felt such sympathy for her betrayal and the story was written in such entertaining, dramatic fashion that I was able to overlook character traits that I would normally find annoying.
Scott wasn't bad for an unPC hero, as long as I can overlook the all in the family thing. More than half of the book was set in the Amazonian rainforest and I LOVED the exotic locale.
Content warning: rape/forced seduction
Grade: B-
When the book begins, Alexa is attending the wedding of her ex & her BFF and trying to put on a brave face. I have no idea why the heroines in these romances always have to attend these weddings of people who BETRAY her and have to act all gracious as if they are on the political trail. Don't they know that they get these invitations because those a-holes WANT a scene of tears and humiliation? If it was me, I certainly would have obliged them. Instead, Alexa holds up and picks up her ex's older brother, Scott, who looks and sounds just like him, if she's drunk enough. Which she makes sure, she is. She takes him back to her place and they are about to do the nasty when she calls out her ex's name right at the very last minute. Ooops!
Then Alexa goes batshyte and locks herself in her bathroom, crying and swallowing a bottle of pills. Scott makes sure she doesnt die because he didn't know any better at the time and tells her that he is taking her to Brazil with him since he can't trust her not to try to commit suicide again and put a damper on his a-hole brother's marriage with her BFF.
Alexa is suppose to be twenty-two in the story but she has all the immaturity and manic-obsession of a 11 year old at a Hannah Montana contest giveaway. She has a lot of growing up to do in this story and I am not sure she is believably mature by the end, especially since her obvious drinking problem is never addressed. I was also turned off that all she did thruout the book was laze all day - reading, driving, swimming, eating, gardening, partying - and complaining whenever she is bored. Not unusual to find a heroine with no career goals or direction in an old HP but still disturbing just the same. Having said all that, I felt such sympathy for her betrayal and the story was written in such entertaining, dramatic fashion that I was able to overlook character traits that I would normally find annoying.
Scott wasn't bad for an unPC hero, as long as I can overlook the all in the family thing. More than half of the book was set in the Amazonian rainforest and I LOVED the exotic locale.
Content warning: rape/forced seduction
Grade: B-
November 24, 2017
I hated this book. I wanted to kill them all with a toilet seat to the head and a meteor strike - my skillet is too good for any of them. Who DOES this garbage?
Srlsy, from the H going on at the wedding about what a witch the h was for actually thinking that cheating on her with her BFF was wrong, to the whole suicide attempt, (too bad it failed), to the whole "You have to marry me", to the whole stupid South American experience, to the h's obvious alcoholism, to the rape, to the bitter "one happy family with the lying cheating coprophagic brother and bff" at the end, this book was an insult to readers everywhere.
I have seen some whacked out things in HPlandia, but rarely have I EVER seen anything as whacked out and stupid as this. How did any of these people even function? They all only had two brain cells and really they were destroying those with all the drinking. I read for an HEA and I surely did not see one here, I was icked out and grossed out and pretty much just wanted to do a gadzillion million shot consult with the Captain in the hopes that I could erase the mental burn of this book.
Still, if you travel the HP byways you should probably read it, as this is probably the finest example of how idiotic an HP outing can actually be.
Srlsy, from the H going on at the wedding about what a witch the h was for actually thinking that cheating on her with her BFF was wrong, to the whole suicide attempt, (too bad it failed), to the whole "You have to marry me", to the whole stupid South American experience, to the h's obvious alcoholism, to the rape, to the bitter "one happy family with the lying cheating coprophagic brother and bff" at the end, this book was an insult to readers everywhere.
I have seen some whacked out things in HPlandia, but rarely have I EVER seen anything as whacked out and stupid as this. How did any of these people even function? They all only had two brain cells and really they were destroying those with all the drinking. I read for an HEA and I surely did not see one here, I was icked out and grossed out and pretty much just wanted to do a gadzillion million shot consult with the Captain in the hopes that I could erase the mental burn of this book.
Still, if you travel the HP byways you should probably read it, as this is probably the finest example of how idiotic an HP outing can actually be.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
July 24, 2018I can't decide if there is going to be a murder-suicide or if the the h and her previous fiancee will eventually have an affair which will suck for the fiancee stealing best friend.
And go to hell, Elaine: worst best friend ever.
DNF and a skimmer
And go to hell, Elaine: worst best friend ever.
DNF and a skimmer
July 16, 2015
I was digging through my old Harleys looking for Dark Illusion (still looking) and came upon this little gem.
This one was fun, even though I'd liked to have strangled the heroine at some points. I felt bad for her - I really did - but she was immature and wallowing in self-pity (and sometimes alcohol). She could also be a real self-absorbed and shallow brat. You'll either want to kill her, laugh at her, or both.
Still, her actions/reactions seemed genuine/believable (for a teen, which she wasn't anymore at 21-22). I remember having some of the same feelings when my bf broke my heart when I was 16. The girl did need to grow up, but kudos to Wentworth for showing the ugly side of a girl scorned in a believable way. I especially identified with her determination not to let her ex have any reason to believe she was OK - she wanted him to suffer and feel guilty for her pain. He'd be sorry! And she'd be miserable if she wanted to, dammit! LOL
Warning: This is a non pc, old school wallbanger. Chock-full-o-crazy and offensive/trigger-filled action, including rape by the H, clinical depression and attempted suicide with completely irresponsible treatment of the subjects, binge drinking to self-medicate, and bonus destruction of the Brazilian rain forest for the "good of the people".
And just to prove I still have a bit of immature/petty teen in me *hangs head* I really, really wished that she hadn't remained friends with the girl who stole her BF or - at the very least - they turned out to have a miserable marriage while she happily rode into the sunset with the sexier older bro. Screw all this 'one big happy family' crap! Just kidding. Kinda ;)
This one was fun, even though I'd liked to have strangled the heroine at some points. I felt bad for her - I really did - but she was immature and wallowing in self-pity (and sometimes alcohol). She could also be a real self-absorbed and shallow brat. You'll either want to kill her, laugh at her, or both.
Still, her actions/reactions seemed genuine/believable (for a teen, which she wasn't anymore at 21-22). I remember having some of the same feelings when my bf broke my heart when I was 16. The girl did need to grow up, but kudos to Wentworth for showing the ugly side of a girl scorned in a believable way. I especially identified with her determination not to let her ex have any reason to believe she was OK - she wanted him to suffer and feel guilty for her pain. He'd be sorry! And she'd be miserable if she wanted to, dammit! LOL
Warning: This is a non pc, old school wallbanger. Chock-full-o-crazy and offensive/trigger-filled action, including rape by the H, clinical depression and attempted suicide with completely irresponsible treatment of the subjects, binge drinking to self-medicate, and bonus destruction of the Brazilian rain forest for the "good of the people".
And just to prove I still have a bit of immature/petty teen in me *hangs head* I really, really wished that she hadn't remained friends with the girl who stole her BF or - at the very least - they turned out to have a miserable marriage while she happily rode into the sunset with the sexier older bro. Screw all this 'one big happy family' crap! Just kidding. Kinda ;)
February 23, 2016
Wow what a great find. I really had no expectations about this one. The amazon discriptions were at time a little much but the story was great and totally different. She was the woman scorned and her "best" friend was a complete bitch. She was just blissfully happy to steel her fiancee. well we love each other and you should be happy for us cause we love each other! Are you for real? if she was a friend this would not have happened however I am happy she ended up with Scott cause he really loved her. he put her best interests first and did not push the physical until she pushed him to end of his rope. I was ok with the whole forced seduction thing as she admitted she wanted it and then lied to him about sleeping with his brother. Mark was a complete ass with his inviting her to wedding ( come and see your love marry another it should be fun for you, cause I want everyone to think I am such a great guy, really asshole?) Scott was a prince and she was a complete mess he really put her back together. I just loved the story. my only problem was the secondary characters Mark and her "BFF" Elaine. They should have had more compassion for Alexa. Alexa felt real to me and that is rare for me now a day when character in books seem two-dimensional. She and Scott were the whole package.
May 17, 2017
I am ashamed of myself! I truly hated the book! I truly did!
Scott the hero, when first meets the heroine callously remarks how the ex fiancé has to make up to his now wife as he couldn't marry her sooner because he was engaged to a bitch who wouldn't let go without knowing heroine is THAT woman. But clearly that's what they have all been thinking when in reality the ex jilted her for the best friend and wasn't sensible enough to make it a somber business. Not only that, clearly, him and his brother was not even happy with the expectation that they SHOULD be somewhat ashamed of this business. Their attitude is like "he doesn't like you, prefers the other woman, move the fuck on already, but wait, DON'T you dare sulk and ruin our photos, you have to now attend the wedding to prove that it was an amicable parting because otherwise the newly married will feel guilty, and no, your feelings are not important". She was stupid to try have sex with a stranger, or her ex's brother, but then he has the gall to ask that how COULD she attend the wedding! How COULD she ruin his brother and sister in law's happy day, like she doesn't matter. And she didn't. At first, it was his brother's feelings, then the SIL, then AT LAST it was HIS precious feelings. It was never about her. He beat her, raped her and then mentally tortured her so that his brother and SIL could have a happy honeymoon free of guilt which he only at the very end tried to cover by saying it was love at first sight and he WANTED to marry her. I think not. I THINK, a) it was his damaged ego, because heroine called out his brother's name during the lovemaking, and b) as I said, he wanted his brother and SIL guilt free, no matter what that costed the heroine. Who actually needed psychiatric attention, who was on the verge of a mental breakdown, just had a failed suicide attempt and was going into depression. Instead of offering love and care, he just starts abusing her! She could have committed suicide in Brazil, and almost DID die, thanks to HIS treatment.
Then there's the "best friend" who sends her a letter telling her what a wonderful lover the ex is, and how happy she is and the only bummer is that the heroine isn't happy for her, she could be the happiest if she could have THAT one thing. I mean really? WHO DOES THAT? Even if she wasn't the ex-fiancee, she's married to his brother FFS, she doesn't need to know about your husband's magic P! And because the heroine found love the second time she decided to forgive her, but mind it, she DID love the brother as well. It's not like the other stories where the heroine finds out later that she only THOUGHT she loved the ex but her husband is the true love. She doesn't say the cliched line "i realised i never loved him like I love you, my love for you is the real love". This is one book where the heroine actually spells out that the OM IS her first love, who WILL always be special. Her husband isn't the second best, but her first love is still her ex.
The saddest part was, if Scott was somewhat less of a jerk, even the rape would have been forgivable as the heroine DID provoke him. She was indeed naive, didn't know how to seduce him, and she WAS mad at him for asking the pointless question over and over again. But IF he TRIED to redeem himself, this is once he could have been redeemed, but he didn't even try and he NEVER throughout the whole book acknowledged that his brother and SIL was in fact in the wrong and should at least suffer mentally.
He does NOTHING to take care of her mental health. Even when she wanted a divorce and was ready to commit perjury rather than living with him the way they were living, he didn't think that he needed to talk to her. Rather he took her to his parents' place where she would be forced to solcialise with the two scums of pond, and he thought NOTHING of that. And they acted like it was normal and they were one big happy family.
So I have no idea WHY i finished it, and WHY i gave this book a 4 star rating! but as I said, I am truly ashamed.
Scott the hero, when first meets the heroine callously remarks how the ex fiancé has to make up to his now wife as he couldn't marry her sooner because he was engaged to a bitch who wouldn't let go without knowing heroine is THAT woman. But clearly that's what they have all been thinking when in reality the ex jilted her for the best friend and wasn't sensible enough to make it a somber business. Not only that, clearly, him and his brother was not even happy with the expectation that they SHOULD be somewhat ashamed of this business. Their attitude is like "he doesn't like you, prefers the other woman, move the fuck on already, but wait, DON'T you dare sulk and ruin our photos, you have to now attend the wedding to prove that it was an amicable parting because otherwise the newly married will feel guilty, and no, your feelings are not important". She was stupid to try have sex with a stranger, or her ex's brother, but then he has the gall to ask that how COULD she attend the wedding! How COULD she ruin his brother and sister in law's happy day, like she doesn't matter. And she didn't. At first, it was his brother's feelings, then the SIL, then AT LAST it was HIS precious feelings. It was never about her. He beat her, raped her and then mentally tortured her so that his brother and SIL could have a happy honeymoon free of guilt which he only at the very end tried to cover by saying it was love at first sight and he WANTED to marry her. I think not. I THINK, a) it was his damaged ego, because heroine called out his brother's name during the lovemaking, and b) as I said, he wanted his brother and SIL guilt free, no matter what that costed the heroine. Who actually needed psychiatric attention, who was on the verge of a mental breakdown, just had a failed suicide attempt and was going into depression. Instead of offering love and care, he just starts abusing her! She could have committed suicide in Brazil, and almost DID die, thanks to HIS treatment.
Then there's the "best friend" who sends her a letter telling her what a wonderful lover the ex is, and how happy she is and the only bummer is that the heroine isn't happy for her, she could be the happiest if she could have THAT one thing. I mean really? WHO DOES THAT? Even if she wasn't the ex-fiancee, she's married to his brother FFS, she doesn't need to know about your husband's magic P! And because the heroine found love the second time she decided to forgive her, but mind it, she DID love the brother as well. It's not like the other stories where the heroine finds out later that she only THOUGHT she loved the ex but her husband is the true love. She doesn't say the cliched line "i realised i never loved him like I love you, my love for you is the real love". This is one book where the heroine actually spells out that the OM IS her first love, who WILL always be special. Her husband isn't the second best, but her first love is still her ex.
The saddest part was, if Scott was somewhat less of a jerk, even the rape would have been forgivable as the heroine DID provoke him. She was indeed naive, didn't know how to seduce him, and she WAS mad at him for asking the pointless question over and over again. But IF he TRIED to redeem himself, this is once he could have been redeemed, but he didn't even try and he NEVER throughout the whole book acknowledged that his brother and SIL was in fact in the wrong and should at least suffer mentally.
He does NOTHING to take care of her mental health. Even when she wanted a divorce and was ready to commit perjury rather than living with him the way they were living, he didn't think that he needed to talk to her. Rather he took her to his parents' place where she would be forced to solcialise with the two scums of pond, and he thought NOTHING of that. And they acted like it was normal and they were one big happy family.
So I have no idea WHY i finished it, and WHY i gave this book a 4 star rating! but as I said, I am truly ashamed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2012
Alexa's fiance jilted her for her bff and she's totally devastated. She attends the wedding because otherwise the gossip will be unbearable, besides her bff's mother had written and specially asked her to attend because her bff feels so bad and guilty.
At the reception she meets her ex's brother Scott and he looks so much like Marc that she can almost pretend he is. She gets very drunk and ends up in bed with him and would have given her virginity to him if she hadn't called him by his brother's name. She then locks herself in the bathroom and attempts suicide via swallowing as many aspirin as she can on top of a great deal of alcohol. Scott breaks down the door and rescues her from her folly and won't let her out of his sight. He's in a total rage about her behavior and accuses her of trying to ruin Marc's life and marriage. He also insists that he's taking her to Brazil with him because he can't trust her not to do something else to ruin poor Marc's life. by the way he also insists that they marry as His job won't allow irregular relationships and marriage is the only way he can take her with him.
Alexa actually is not as bad as she sounds. She is actually immature and a little egocentric but this is probably due to the fact that her parents died three years previously when she was 19. After that she kind of drifted until she met Marc and then he became her anchor and she was very dependent on him. She has all kinds of grief issues and after Marc dumped her she's in a state of shock and mental breakdown. Also anyone who feels Alexa is tstl should really question the parents of her ex-fiancee and of her bff. They all claim to care a great deal for her but no one seemed to see that she was totally without a support system and was truly too fragile to deal with the final blow of being dumped by the love her life.
This oldie is a classic, full of angst, misunderstandings and obstacles to a HEA and it's truly a miracle that the author manages to pull off a believable HEA.
At the reception she meets her ex's brother Scott and he looks so much like Marc that she can almost pretend he is. She gets very drunk and ends up in bed with him and would have given her virginity to him if she hadn't called him by his brother's name. She then locks herself in the bathroom and attempts suicide via swallowing as many aspirin as she can on top of a great deal of alcohol. Scott breaks down the door and rescues her from her folly and won't let her out of his sight. He's in a total rage about her behavior and accuses her of trying to ruin Marc's life and marriage. He also insists that he's taking her to Brazil with him because he can't trust her not to do something else to ruin poor Marc's life. by the way he also insists that they marry as His job won't allow irregular relationships and marriage is the only way he can take her with him.
Alexa actually is not as bad as she sounds. She is actually immature and a little egocentric but this is probably due to the fact that her parents died three years previously when she was 19. After that she kind of drifted until she met Marc and then he became her anchor and she was very dependent on him. She has all kinds of grief issues and after Marc dumped her she's in a state of shock and mental breakdown. Also anyone who feels Alexa is tstl should really question the parents of her ex-fiancee and of her bff. They all claim to care a great deal for her but no one seemed to see that she was totally without a support system and was truly too fragile to deal with the final blow of being dumped by the love her life.
This oldie is a classic, full of angst, misunderstandings and obstacles to a HEA and it's truly a miracle that the author manages to pull off a believable HEA.
July 3, 2019
"Jilted" is the story of Alexa and Scott.
WOW, this was one heck of a roller coaster ride!
A heartbroken and jilted heroine finds herself with her ex's brother, and when he realizes her identity, she tries to kill herself after a few sharp barbs hit their mark. The hero in turn marries her and whisks her away to Brazil to keep an eye on her. It is there they go through intense drama, with an immature and impulsive heroine who says things just to hurt the hero and is immersed in self pity, and a utterly besotted hero.
Honestly, the heroine pissed me off with her lies and self destruction- I understand she was heartbroken but she definitely missed what was infront of her eyes. The hero spent the whole book mooning and brooding.
If you don't mind suicide attempts, alcoholism and drugs, almost rape and physical violence, you'd enjoy this story.
Meh.
Safe
2.5
WOW, this was one heck of a roller coaster ride!
A heartbroken and jilted heroine finds herself with her ex's brother, and when he realizes her identity, she tries to kill herself after a few sharp barbs hit their mark. The hero in turn marries her and whisks her away to Brazil to keep an eye on her. It is there they go through intense drama, with an immature and impulsive heroine who says things just to hurt the hero and is immersed in self pity, and a utterly besotted hero.
Honestly, the heroine pissed me off with her lies and self destruction- I understand she was heartbroken but she definitely missed what was infront of her eyes. The hero spent the whole book mooning and brooding.
If you don't mind suicide attempts, alcoholism and drugs, almost rape and physical violence, you'd enjoy this story.
Meh.
Safe
2.5
April 28, 2012
TSTL the lot of them! For the former BFF's mother to invite her to the wedding and say it was needed or whatever rubbish she said...GIVE ME A FREAKING BREAK!!
TSTL the lot of them! For the former fiancee to say at the very end of the book all glowing with happiness and sh&t, "I always knew you were going to be a [whatever their last name is], you just started with the wrong one" or something like that!
TSTL the lot of them! I would have gone quietly away and licked my wounds then bought Voodoo dolls and all the stick pins I could find at Michael's and Joann's. I'm just saying.
TSTL the lot of them! For the former fiancee to say at the very end of the book all glowing with happiness and sh&t, "I always knew you were going to be a [whatever their last name is], you just started with the wrong one" or something like that!
TSTL the lot of them! I would have gone quietly away and licked my wounds then bought Voodoo dolls and all the stick pins I could find at Michael's and Joann's. I'm just saying.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2012
Well that was certainly different. I didn't really like the heroine at all. She needed to put on her big girl panties and get over herself. And the hero needed to cut her loose and get a real woman. I never saw a single thing that would make him love her. She was a whinny brat most of the story. She does eventually get over his brother and fall for him. Their relationship in the second half of the book was well done. They spent time together and he was super to her and why wouldn't she fall in love with him? But it did seem quite the about face after the over the top dieing for love thing she had for his brother in the first half of the book.
There were a lot of travelogue elements here. Lots of descriptions of Brazil etc. Most of it now quite out of date but still interesting.
There were a lot of travelogue elements here. Lots of descriptions of Brazil etc. Most of it now quite out of date but still interesting.
June 20, 2013
Normally I like Mrs. Wentworth's heroines but this one was a bit annoying. She visits the wedding of her ex-fiancée with her best friend, hooks up with his brother and tries to kill herself. The hero is rather mean, tells her she only tried to kill herself to spoil his brothers marriage and that he understands well why his brother has chosen her best friend instead of her as she's only a pretty face but otherwise annoying.
He marries her to keep her from attempting another suicide and takes her with him to Brazil. There, she gather flowers and feeds monkeys with chocolate and oh yes, starts drinking and smoking.
The storyline is boring, the only remarkable thing is the attempted suicide as I've never seen that in a Harlequin before.
He marries her to keep her from attempting another suicide and takes her with him to Brazil. There, she gather flowers and feeds monkeys with chocolate and oh yes, starts drinking and smoking.
The storyline is boring, the only remarkable thing is the attempted suicide as I've never seen that in a Harlequin before.
December 10, 2023
Definitely not a safe read.
May 2, 2013
3 Stars ~ Alexa is heartbroken when her fiance falls in love with her best friend and he wants to marry her instead. When Mark and Elaine want to marry in Alexa's hometown and they invite her to the wedding, she feels that in order to avoid everyone from feeling pity for her, she has to go. To bolster her courage she drinks quite heavily and attracts the attention of Mark's older brother, Scott. They've never met before so Scott doesn't realize she's the jilted ex. The resemblance between the brothers is very strong, and Alexa flirts boldly pretending in her mind that he's Mark. When Scott insists that he see her home, she invites him in. It's easy to fantasize that it's Mark she's kissing, and when Scott begins to make love to her, the fantasy continues. In the throes of passion, Alexa calls out Mark's name, and Scott realizes he's being used. He's furious and lets her know just how disgusting she is. Fleeing into the bathroom, Alexa is distraught and she reaches for anything she can find to end it all. Scott breaks down the door and catches her swallowing the bottle of aspirin. As Alexa becomes aware of how low she has sunk, Scott refuses to leave her alone, telling her that if she kills herself she'll ruin any chance his brother will have for a happy marriage. The only way forward is for Alexa to go back with him to Brazil, but the location where he works is isolated and the company has rules that men may only bring their wives. A deep depression has set over Alexa and she doesn't fight Scott nor the sham of a marriage he suggests. Once in Brazil, she slowly learns to live again, and somewhere along the way she finds herself thinking more about Scott than Mark.
Throughout the first half of the book, Scott keeps telling Alexa to find some courage and to grow up. I wholeheartedly agreed with him as her rants were just a tad over the top. Once in Brazil, she does start to realize she's too full of herself and needs to open her eyes to others around her. With her obvious distress over Mark, it did seem rather odd that she realizes she never truly loved him when she realizes she's in love with Scott. As to the hero, Scott is clearly besotted but he's not prepared to let Alexa know it. This is one of those stories that would have benefitted some of the hero's point of view.
Throughout the first half of the book, Scott keeps telling Alexa to find some courage and to grow up. I wholeheartedly agreed with him as her rants were just a tad over the top. Once in Brazil, she does start to realize she's too full of herself and needs to open her eyes to others around her. With her obvious distress over Mark, it did seem rather odd that she realizes she never truly loved him when she realizes she's in love with Scott. As to the hero, Scott is clearly besotted but he's not prepared to let Alexa know it. This is one of those stories that would have benefitted some of the hero's point of view.
March 24, 2010
I feel guilty for finding this hot, even though the "hero" was quite simply a violent (oh wait, that means passionate, doesn't it?) eff-wit most of the time. OK, maybe ONE violent instance, but even though he felt guilty afterwards he still blamed her for making him react that way. ARGH! That aside, I liked the Brazilian locacle.
June 15, 2022
Well written classic of its type. Really enjoyed the local Brazilian colour, almost a travelogue. It's old-fashioned but gives a real sense of place. Took a while to warm to the h, who initially was engaged to the younger brother before the eponymous jilting. The focus was very much on the relationship with the H rather than third parties and all the more satisfying for that. I barely came up for air in what felt like a proper early 70s era story (albeit dated 1983 in my open library copy). I queued for many weeks and enjoyed it.
May 17, 2022
Quite worth reading. Girl has to grow up in a hurry and gain some mental and emotional independence after being jilted and so hurt that she attempts suicide.
Please see my longer review here: https://www.morebooksthantime.com/jil...
Reread after 6 weeks and confirmed what I kind of remembered; Jilted is a good story. Yes the heroine is a bit of a wreck and looks for the fast route out a couple times but imo she has more than adequate reason and she turns herself around.
Upping it to 4 stars.
Re-reread and still 4 stars.
Several reviewers are scathing about the ex fiance and ex best friend. He should have broken it off with the h right away, then waited to start dating the best friend. The way they handled it was betrayal.
Please see my longer review here: https://www.morebooksthantime.com/jil...
Reread after 6 weeks and confirmed what I kind of remembered; Jilted is a good story. Yes the heroine is a bit of a wreck and looks for the fast route out a couple times but imo she has more than adequate reason and she turns herself around.
Upping it to 4 stars.
Re-reread and still 4 stars.
Several reviewers are scathing about the ex fiance and ex best friend. He should have broken it off with the h right away, then waited to start dating the best friend. The way they handled it was betrayal.
February 6, 2018
This was crazy book. The h Alexa was TSTL and OTT! I liked Scott a lot and the first time they met and the length Alexa went to make him a substitute was shocking especially when he found out, in fact it was very embarrassing she wanted to die, LITERALLY. Despite all that it was enjoyable read and pity we got HEA in the last two pages. It should have been longer. What a train wreck!
August 7, 2018
This is an older harlequin first published back in 1983 I’ve not read anything by the late Sally Wentworth before. This was an interesting read quite tame and a little dated.
Alexa is engaged to Mark she’s crazy about him, she takes him to meet her best friend Elaine. Big mistake as he dumps her and promptly marries Elaine. Alexa is even invited to the wedding and weirdly decides to go, forcing herself to watch the man she loves marry another. It’s at the reception she meets Marks brother Scott, again it’s odd that Scott has no idea that Alexa is his brothers jilted fiancée. Scott offers Alexa a lift back to London.
He drops her at her flat and she invites him in for a drink,(these two certainly drink a lot of alcohol in this, they’re quite the boozers) from here things go crazy. Alexa encourages Scott to have sex with her, he looks a lot like his brother she intends to fantasise that it’s Mark. But she makes the mistake of calling Scott by his brothers name. It’s then that Scott discovers who she is. She locks herself in the bathroom and swallows a bottle of Aspirin, again it’s odd he doesn’t seek medical assistance. After this he forces her to marry him and go back to Brazil where he works in the jungle.
When they return home to England he expects her to play happy families with Mark and Elaine. A very odd story all round the characters were okay I didn’t like Alexa much she was a bit of a whinger but she did have just cause most of the time but it was annoying. Scott was a mystery and was difficult to connect with. But most of all I didn’t believe that Scott and Alexa were in love and were going to have their happy ever after. Two and a half stars.
Alexa is engaged to Mark she’s crazy about him, she takes him to meet her best friend Elaine. Big mistake as he dumps her and promptly marries Elaine. Alexa is even invited to the wedding and weirdly decides to go, forcing herself to watch the man she loves marry another. It’s at the reception she meets Marks brother Scott, again it’s odd that Scott has no idea that Alexa is his brothers jilted fiancée. Scott offers Alexa a lift back to London.
He drops her at her flat and she invites him in for a drink,(these two certainly drink a lot of alcohol in this, they’re quite the boozers) from here things go crazy. Alexa encourages Scott to have sex with her, he looks a lot like his brother she intends to fantasise that it’s Mark. But she makes the mistake of calling Scott by his brothers name. It’s then that Scott discovers who she is. She locks herself in the bathroom and swallows a bottle of Aspirin, again it’s odd he doesn’t seek medical assistance. After this he forces her to marry him and go back to Brazil where he works in the jungle.
When they return home to England he expects her to play happy families with Mark and Elaine. A very odd story all round the characters were okay I didn’t like Alexa much she was a bit of a whinger but she did have just cause most of the time but it was annoying. Scott was a mystery and was difficult to connect with. But most of all I didn’t believe that Scott and Alexa were in love and were going to have their happy ever after. Two and a half stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2023
2.5 stars
What does it say about the book when you realise it's a re-read only when you recognise the secondary character near the book's end?
The h falls in love with the boss, gets engaged and then brutally jilted when he falls for her best friend.
On the day of their wedding the h gets drunk and lets her ex's brother take her to bed. They don't have sex because she calls her ex's name and the H gets enraged.
Then the h does something extremely stupid.
The H is furious with her. Nevertheless he refuses to leave and the h finds herself married and in Brazil.
What does it say about the book when you realise it's a re-read only when you recognise the secondary character near the book's end?
The h falls in love with the boss, gets engaged and then brutally jilted when he falls for her best friend.
On the day of their wedding the h gets drunk and lets her ex's brother take her to bed. They don't have sex because she calls her ex's name and the H gets enraged.
Then the h does something extremely stupid.
The H is furious with her. Nevertheless he refuses to leave and the h finds herself married and in Brazil.
Read
September 2, 2023 ..She was crazy, he was crazy, all f*d up scenarios and ups and downs, very soapy very over the top disaster..what can i say? LOVED it! This HP is only for the likes of me, lol, who just can't have enough of this batshit helluva mess of soap/camp/Dynasty meets 365 days crap..You know who you are! :) I recommend it to all my mates of the mad :) It is not a safe ride, be aware! As the one and only Bette Davis said as Margo Channing: "Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night!"
October 16, 2018
I don't know why anybody would love no-good-for-nothing heroine?
February 14, 2019
Alexa's heartache was an age-old story
Alexa's best friend had married Mark, the man Alexa had loved. Suddenly all her dreams were shattered, and she no longer wanted to live,
But she was not allowed that refuge. Scott Kelsey, Mark's brother, would not have such scandal affect their family's proud reputation.
I'm taking you with me, he informed her, preparing to return to South America. His resemblance to Mark was unmistakable, and she could always pretend. But Scott, she quickly discovered, was a copy of no man.
Alexa's best friend had married Mark, the man Alexa had loved. Suddenly all her dreams were shattered, and she no longer wanted to live,
But she was not allowed that refuge. Scott Kelsey, Mark's brother, would not have such scandal affect their family's proud reputation.
I'm taking you with me, he informed her, preparing to return to South America. His resemblance to Mark was unmistakable, and she could always pretend. But Scott, she quickly discovered, was a copy of no man.
January 19, 2019
This book was a sweet surprise, got me tight and I couldn't let it down. The storyline was very well written and wisely developed. The characters, oh, I loved the hero, Scott, he was a real hero and so kind, handsome, clever and sexy that I couldn't help, but to fall in love with him. The heroine, Alexa, a heartbroken lonely girl who is deeply depressed and do so many stupid things and is truly a child woman, but all in all her reaction and action were realistic and believable. It wasn't like any other second-chance romances I have read, but I like it even more for it wasn't a quick falling out of love for fist love and fast falling in love with the hero. I really loved this book and recommend it to all.
March 5, 2022
Can everyone leave the heroine alone?!! Let her heal! Everyone has fucked her over!! She needs PEACE. But no, the hero thinks SHE is the problem. It's her fault she has no family, it's HER fault her only close friend stole her fiancé, it's HER fault her fiancé dumped her and got married to her best friend and invited her to their wedding. He is so fucking gross. Leave this girl alone. He calls her a coward, selfish, immature. Let her grow and change, don't shame her. Brazil was boring, because the heroine wasn't able to find something to do. Skip its a hot mess and I hope both couples break up and don't have children to bring into this hot mess.
August 12, 2010
I loved the author's other books but I didn't enjoy this one so much. The heroine was a bit (much) mentally unstable, childish, and spoiled.
Also, I know this is an old book, but in it the burning and exploitation of the Amazonian rain forests is considered quite a humanitarian and good thing. Now we know better!
Also, I know this is an old book, but in it the burning and exploitation of the Amazonian rain forests is considered quite a humanitarian and good thing. Now we know better!
December 14, 2015
i felt compelled to write a review simply because of the heroine. she's so childish. and shes very prone to wander when things gets too hot to handle.
February 11, 2020
A bit farcical but not bad. Especially the heroine's character.
An orphan at 21-22 years of age cannot afford to be as foolish and good-for-nothing as this girl. Its a real miracle that the hero finds her at the right time and pulls her out of her melancholy.
Jilted, obviously that's the premise. The hero'es younger brother jilts the heroine and casually marries her best friend. No malice intended, just that he found his partner in the friend and realized that the heroine is not right for him. Cant blame the guy really.
Nevertheless, the heroine is attending the ex's wedding. Has one too many to drink to drown her sorrows. Bumps into the hero, who happens to be the ex's elder brother. A little flirting, a bit of dancing and they land up in bed.
He is smitten at the word Go. That's his reason for the direct jump into bed. Her reason ? He resembles the ex !! So she lands up calling the hero by his brother's name.
What a shame. Enough reason to attempt suicide. So that's exactly what she tries. Hero obviously wont stand and watch. He pulls her out of the suicide episode and whisks her off to exotic Brazil !?!?!? How you may ask ? Get married of course !!!!
So they reach Brazil as man and wife. She is being thoroughly bitchy with him, without an ounce of gratitude for saving her life. He is hoping she is learn to 'love' him in due time.
Idling in Brazil, some alone time with husband, some cliched amazon jungle experiences. And she is all healed and heart whole once again. This time when they get into bed she is clear its the hero, no confusion. Thank heavens !!!!
A small silly misunderstanding follows. Return to safe and normal Britain. A quick confession, clearing of doubts. And HEA.
Nothing memorable, just a silly girl and a patient man.
An orphan at 21-22 years of age cannot afford to be as foolish and good-for-nothing as this girl. Its a real miracle that the hero finds her at the right time and pulls her out of her melancholy.
Jilted, obviously that's the premise. The hero'es younger brother jilts the heroine and casually marries her best friend. No malice intended, just that he found his partner in the friend and realized that the heroine is not right for him. Cant blame the guy really.
Nevertheless, the heroine is attending the ex's wedding. Has one too many to drink to drown her sorrows. Bumps into the hero, who happens to be the ex's elder brother. A little flirting, a bit of dancing and they land up in bed.
He is smitten at the word Go. That's his reason for the direct jump into bed. Her reason ? He resembles the ex !! So she lands up calling the hero by his brother's name.
What a shame. Enough reason to attempt suicide. So that's exactly what she tries. Hero obviously wont stand and watch. He pulls her out of the suicide episode and whisks her off to exotic Brazil !?!?!? How you may ask ? Get married of course !!!!
So they reach Brazil as man and wife. She is being thoroughly bitchy with him, without an ounce of gratitude for saving her life. He is hoping she is learn to 'love' him in due time.
Idling in Brazil, some alone time with husband, some cliched amazon jungle experiences. And she is all healed and heart whole once again. This time when they get into bed she is clear its the hero, no confusion. Thank heavens !!!!
A small silly misunderstanding follows. Return to safe and normal Britain. A quick confession, clearing of doubts. And HEA.
Nothing memorable, just a silly girl and a patient man.
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