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And No Regrets
Her only guide was her heart
The conditions under which Clare Meriden agreed to go out to Nigeria with Ross Brennan were unusual, to say the least.
Facing an eighteen-month posting to the desolate heart of the country, and admitting his need for the solace of feminine companionship, Ross suggested that Clare should marry him -- on his terms -- and that at the end of the eighteen months they should part, with no regrets on either side. Loving him as she did, Clare accepted, confident that every-thing would work out happily.
It was a confidence that was to be shattered from the moment the glamorous Patsy Harriman sent Ross a message to say that her divorce was through, and she was waiting for him....
The conditions under which Clare Meriden agreed to go out to Nigeria with Ross Brennan were unusual, to say the least.
Facing an eighteen-month posting to the desolate heart of the country, and admitting his need for the solace of feminine companionship, Ross suggested that Clare should marry him -- on his terms -- and that at the end of the eighteen months they should part, with no regrets on either side. Loving him as she did, Clare accepted, confident that every-thing would work out happily.
It was a confidence that was to be shattered from the moment the glamorous Patsy Harriman sent Ross a message to say that her divorce was through, and she was waiting for him....
191 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1948
About the author
Lilian Warren
79 books11 followersLilian Warren aka Rosalind Brett, Kathryn Blair, Katrina Britt, and Celine Conway.
Lilian Warren was born in London, England, UK. She worked as secretary, when at 19, her first magazine story was accepted. She married and moved to South Africa, where she continued writing. In the 1950s, she started to write to Rich & Cowan, and later to Mills & Boon, under various pseudonyms Rosalind Brett, Celine Conway, and Kathryn Blair. She passed away on 1961 in South Africa. Some of her books were published posthumuously.
Lilian Warren was born in London, England, UK. She worked as secretary, when at 19, her first magazine story was accepted. She married and moved to South Africa, where she continued writing. In the 1950s, she started to write to Rich & Cowan, and later to Mills & Boon, under various pseudonyms Rosalind Brett, Celine Conway, and Kathryn Blair. She passed away on 1961 in South Africa. Some of her books were published posthumuously.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 31, 2017
This is a true marriage of convenience story. No sex for the 18 months was the deal and no sex is what happened. Now the sexual *tension* was there all along. As well as the conflicting feelings of the hero. Heroine was not conflicted, she loved the hero when they married, but hid it, hoping to make him lover her.
There are bugs, and more bugs, and spiders and all sorts of horrors in the jungle, but our intrepid heroine puts up with it all in the name of love and adventure. There's an OW who keeps writing letters in pink envelopes to the hero. There are all kinds of OMs who stop in to remind the hero how lucky he is.
Both the H/h come down with fevers (no sponging, alas). The heroine grows thinner and has a white streak in her dark hair, but she survives the 18 months quite well.
Okay the puppy being eaten by the crocodile did make her cry.
And the horrible lightning storms.
And her gnawing jealousy of the OW.
The hero tries to be noble, but in the end he follows his heart and makes his declaration. It's predictable and very sweet and takes place two pages before the end. A typical 1970's vintage.
There are bugs, and more bugs, and spiders and all sorts of horrors in the jungle, but our intrepid heroine puts up with it all in the name of love and adventure. There's an OW who keeps writing letters in pink envelopes to the hero. There are all kinds of OMs who stop in to remind the hero how lucky he is.
Both the H/h come down with fevers (no sponging, alas). The heroine grows thinner and has a white streak in her dark hair, but she survives the 18 months quite well.
Okay the puppy being eaten by the crocodile did make her cry.
And the horrible lightning storms.
And her gnawing jealousy of the OW.
The hero tries to be noble, but in the end he follows his heart and makes his declaration. It's predictable and very sweet and takes place two pages before the end. A typical 1970's vintage.
Read
November 1, 2017Puppy.
July 8, 2022
Although published in 1974, this book was written in the 60s. It is an intense story, told almost exculsively from the heroine's point of view. While the language is dated and frequently very un-PC, the story is told with a dark tone and an emotion that is hard to resist.
July 8, 2022
Mesmerizing and horrifying. Read other reviews before you attempt this.
June 30, 2013
3 1/2 Stars ~ A young woman eager to break free from her lovingly possessive family, accepts a proposal for a marriage of convenience from a dynamic man she's fallen in love with. Meeting Ross at a house party, Clare is immediately drawn to his magnetism and self assurance. He's home in England from a three year contract in Nigeria running a rubber plantation. Describing life in the bush, Ross feeds her yearning for travel. As they get to know each other, they form a rapport that is very comfortable, so when his company requests he return to the bush for a further 18 months, Ross asks Clare to go with him. He needs a companion, and the marriage he proposes is solely platonic and after the 18 months there will be no regrets. Clare is in love with Ross, and she hopes that after their time together Ross will have grown to love her in return. Ross doesn't sugar coat what life in the bush will be like and when they arrive Clare is glad that he'd prepared her. The bungalow has been completely overgrown and in desperate need for repair. With the help of the villagers they quickly gain control again over the jungle and life starts to fall into a pattern of routine. Their easy camaraderie keeps life on an even keel until the mail arrives and there's a letter for Ross from a married woman who hadn't hidden the fact that she found Ross irresistible. And it seems just about every visitor to their plantation has some sort of news of this woman, and when Ross's replacement arrives, he's got a message that she's now divorced and waiting for him. With her dreams of a real marriage completed dashed, Clare becomes melancholy and allows Ross to believe it's because she had enough and is ready to go home.
This is a well told story. Ms. Brett depicts life in the African jungle as a harsh isolation that is only for the strongest. Ross is a good man but one that is very much self absorbed in his work. Other's give their opinion that he's brilliant at taming the jungle and that he's a hard unemotional sort. Clare is a resourceful woman and she surprises Ross with how quickly she adapts. She makes their bungalow a real home. Clare grows up during the 18 months, gaining a maturity as her heart comes to accept that Ross will never return her love. Ross watches Clare slowly change from a vivacious young woman to one who quietly goes through the motions of living, and he comes to know that he loves her but doesn't deserve her. I found this love story very engaging.
This is a well told story. Ms. Brett depicts life in the African jungle as a harsh isolation that is only for the strongest. Ross is a good man but one that is very much self absorbed in his work. Other's give their opinion that he's brilliant at taming the jungle and that he's a hard unemotional sort. Clare is a resourceful woman and she surprises Ross with how quickly she adapts. She makes their bungalow a real home. Clare grows up during the 18 months, gaining a maturity as her heart comes to accept that Ross will never return her love. Ross watches Clare slowly change from a vivacious young woman to one who quietly goes through the motions of living, and he comes to know that he loves her but doesn't deserve her. I found this love story very engaging.
September 14, 2012
It was a sweet classic but it didn't hold too much substance for me. I kind of wanted more but was left wanting. I hate how the endings in classics are so abrupt. The conclusion always has me crapping my pants, begging for more. So it feels more 'solid' so to speak.
April 18, 2025
An interesting story of a heroine (20/21) who marries a cold, selfish planter (31/32) and lives with him isolated in Nigeria for 18 months as a married in name only wife. Of course, she’s in love with him, but he doesn’t see her like that for an age, and when he eventually falls for her (so he says at the end) he does nothing FOR A YEAR. It’s only when he starts to feel jealous as she is literally leaving that he declares himself - knowing full well she’s crazy about him (you would need to be crazy).
Despite the gloomy romantic aspect, it is a gripping read, written in 1948 in a fascinating setting.
The worst part is the animal aspect. The two dogs they take with them (in case he has to kill one if it gets sick!!) have babies and he kills all the weak ones, leaving ‘Lucky’ the puppy - whom she adores. Lucky gives a final whimper as he is are eaten by a crocodile in front of her - that is the kind of book this is. The heroine wants to die at this point, and the hero blames her and tells her that she should not have taken him out on the river. That is the kind of ‘hero’ he is.
You get almost 2 pages at the end of the book where he gives a small declaration.
Lovely heroine though.
Despite the gloomy romantic aspect, it is a gripping read, written in 1948 in a fascinating setting.
The worst part is the animal aspect. The two dogs they take with them (in case he has to kill one if it gets sick!!) have babies and he kills all the weak ones, leaving ‘Lucky’ the puppy - whom she adores. Lucky gives a final whimper as he is are eaten by a crocodile in front of her - that is the kind of book this is. The heroine wants to die at this point, and the hero blames her and tells her that she should not have taken him out on the river. That is the kind of ‘hero’ he is.
You get almost 2 pages at the end of the book where he gives a small declaration.
Lovely heroine though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2020
They marry because he wants a companion when he returns to Africa, and she wants to leave her English village. They say they will separate in 18 months, and they never let each other know their true feelings until the end.
In Nigeria, the native people are their servants, workers, and a schoolteacher. The racism is subtle.
In Nigeria, the native people are their servants, workers, and a schoolteacher. The racism is subtle.
September 23, 2018
I harshly judge this, but this is partly about personal taste. This book is heavily dated, and is not PC at all. I thought there was too much angst, but with the heroine so young it was explainable. But the romance also didn't work for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2024
1) Depressing as Hell
2) Doormat Heroine
3) Jerk Hero - with no redeeming qualities - none
Best part of the book was the puppy and he was killed by an alligator. (see what I mean about depressing)
I do not like this author. Never again.
2) Doormat Heroine
3) Jerk Hero - with no redeeming qualities - none
Best part of the book was the puppy and he was killed by an alligator. (see what I mean about depressing)
I do not like this author. Never again.
September 30, 2018
This is the 1976 cover not the original 1966 publication my mum had. I did read it but felt it too old for me around age 10. Not my cup of tea I am afraid.
October 2, 2025
Great characters, harebrained conflict.
pback-to-read
February 9, 2021Her only guide was her heart
The conditions under which Clare Meriden agreed to go out to Nigeria with Ross Brennan were unusual, to say the least.
Facing an eighteen-month posting to the desolate heart of the country, and admitting his need for the solace of feminine companionship, Ross suggested that Clare should marry him -- on his terms -- and that at the end of the eighteen months they should part, with no regrets on either side. Loving him as she did, Clare accepted, confident that every-thing would work out happily.
It was a confidence that was to be shattered from the moment the glamorous Patsy Harriman sent Ross a message to say that her divorce was through, and she was waiting for him.
The conditions under which Clare Meriden agreed to go out to Nigeria with Ross Brennan were unusual, to say the least.
Facing an eighteen-month posting to the desolate heart of the country, and admitting his need for the solace of feminine companionship, Ross suggested that Clare should marry him -- on his terms -- and that at the end of the eighteen months they should part, with no regrets on either side. Loving him as she did, Clare accepted, confident that every-thing would work out happily.
It was a confidence that was to be shattered from the moment the glamorous Patsy Harriman sent Ross a message to say that her divorce was through, and she was waiting for him.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews