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A Marriage to Remember
Divorve vs. Desire
Three years ago Adam Carmichael had walked out on Maggi when she needed him most. Now he was back, to pick up their marriage where he'd left off - or so he thought! Maggi's first reaction was to finalize their divorce, but Adam refused point-blank. Maggi became furious - not with Adam, but with herself, because, to her dismay, part of her was relieved!
Torn between divorce and desire, Maggi knew she should follow her head, not her heart. But Adam wasn't going to let her go without a fight.
Three years ago Adam Carmichael had walked out on Maggi when she needed him most. Now he was back, to pick up their marriage where he'd left off - or so he thought! Maggi's first reaction was to finalize their divorce, but Adam refused point-blank. Maggi became furious - not with Adam, but with herself, because, to her dismay, part of her was relieved!
Torn between divorce and desire, Maggi knew she should follow her head, not her heart. But Adam wasn't going to let her go without a fight.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 1998
About the author
Carole Mortimer
1,311 books913 followersI have written almost 250 romance novels in contemporary and Regency.
I am a USA Today Bestselling Author and recipient of the 2015 RWA Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2014 I received a Pioneer of Romance Award from Romantic Times in the US and in 2012 I was recognised by Queen Elizabeth II for my 'outstanding service to literature'.
I am very happily married to Peter with six sons, and live on the Isle of Man
I am a USA Today Bestselling Author and recipient of the 2015 RWA Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2014 I received a Pioneer of Romance Award from Romantic Times in the US and in 2012 I was recognised by Queen Elizabeth II for my 'outstanding service to literature'.
I am very happily married to Peter with six sons, and live on the Isle of Man
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 20, 2019
Re: A Marriage to Remember - Carole Mortimer brings us an epic angst fest drama of whacktasticness to kick off the HPlandia year of 1998.
There is a lot of positive vibes for this book, and it is very well done, CM has a great style and the h's pain is palpable over the majority of the story. This is book is NOT on my favorites list, I despise the OW and am positively disgusted by the H, so take my ranty moments with a grain of salt, many an HP Voyager has had a great time with this one.
The book starts with the h returning to the stage over a three day festival weekend for the first time in three years. We learn that the married h was involved in a serious car accident. It crushed her pelvis, broke both legs and caused a still birth at the five month mark of her pregnancy.
The husband H was driving at the time and he pretty much walked away from the accident without a scratch on him. To be clear, a drunk driver hit them, so the H was not at fault. But the H not only walked away from the accident unhurt, he walked away from his marriage too, after the h asked him to leave.
The H went right back on tour, taking a replacement singer who made no bones about wanting to the replace the h in every way. The h was at the lowest point of her life, she couldn't walk, had lost her much wanted child and the H was pragmatically moving on with his life - he did not even seem to mourn the loss of the baby.
When the H spends all night out and the h calls his hotel room in the morning, the OW answers the phone and tells the h that these things happen. The h is hurt all over again, when the H shows up later that day, she tells him they are through.
The H doesn't argue, try to change the h's mind or even ask why the h is telling him to go, he just continues on with his life and turns into a big international singing star. Now the h is walking again and ready to make her comeback, so the H decides that since she is functional, she can resume her place in his life.
The h isn't interested, when the H starts sending a single red rose right before her performance, the h has her manager- the H's estranged cousin-throw the rose away and makes her manager promise to help her keep the H out of her life.
Needless to say, this H now decides he won't be turned away. In the middle of the h's performance, the h breaks a guitar string. The H decides to hijack her solo show and joins her on stage. The crowd response is huge and it is clear that the H is trying to use that pressure to force the h back into partnership with him.
The h wants nothing to do with the H, in her mind he is a disloyal, cheating nematode slime trail and she is done with him. After several arguments where the h lets the H assume that she and her manager are a couple, (the manager is actually engaged to her physical therapist,) the H ends up sneaking the manager and the h out when the excited press storm the hotel.
The H takes them to a 'friends' house and in an overheard conversation between the H and the manager cousin, we learn that this friend is a famous actress married to the H's agent. The cousin accuses the H of bringing them to his mistress's home and the H doesn't deny it, he just tells the cousin he better not say anything to the h.
The h overhears the whole thing and decides it is time to leave. The h doesn't do her final performance for the festival, she still isn't at full health and plus she doesn't want her career linked with the H's any longer.
The h wants her own solo album, she has also written her own songs and wants to do her own music. The H and the record company try to force her into another album with the H, but the h is highly resistant and repeatedly tells the H to leave and that she wants a divorce.
The H still insists on intruding into her life and after her father has a heart attack while talking to the H, the aftermath leads to a mutual lurve club moment between the H and h. The h again rejects the H and he finally gets the message.
The h gets her own album and during the publicity, the H's actress mistress shows up to bully the h in having a drink at her house with her. The patronizing cow imposes the H upon the h, (the H is baby sitting her adopted twin children,) all the while going on about how the H was there for her earlier when she was infertile and her marriage was falling apart and how the woman knows the h's pain but she was able to adopt and now she and her agent husband are really happy.
It is the most patronizing OW speech ever in HPlandia and I have a suitable rant written earlier last year below. To make matters worse, the H is all over consoling the OW for her infertility issues when three years earlier, he could barely bring himself to express any remorse to the h for the loss of their child.
As the teary bovine snot OW goes off to another room, the h chases the H to his house. There the H explains that men aren't as involved at the pregnancy stage and therefore the h's grief for her lost baby wasn't his, but maybe he was a little sad too.
He also denies having an affair with anyone, supposedly the OW who answered the phone in the H's hotel room three years earlier was there on her own to pick up an extra guitar that was left behind.
He claims he walked away for three years because the h's father was keeping him posted behind the scenes and doctors were telling him his presence was inhibiting the h in her recovery at the hospital. (Which was fine I guess, but the h wasn't in the hospital all that long.)
The h has by this time fallen for the H's schwarminess all over again and as the h now believes he was physically faithful, the two reunite for the HEA.
I don't buy it. For one, why would the OW even be in the H's room answering the phone if he had already checked out and she supposedly was never in it? Because of a guitar? Really, why would her guitar be in the H's room if they weren't sharing?
As for the h's father keeping him posted, I wasn't buying that either, the reason being that the H is adamant he knew all there was to know about the h from her father, but he did not know that it took the h THREE years to be able to walk again.
The H implies that he thought she was up and about much earlier several times in the book. So the assumption is that the H wrote the h off until he saw her performing again and found out she had written some really good songs and he figures he may as well cash in on it.
And what was about inserting himself into her performance anyways? Only an narcissistic ego maniac tries to do something like that - especially when it is clear he wasn't wanted. This H doesn't seem to give a damn when the h is battered and non functioning, but as soon as she recovers he shows up, tries to bully her into another partnership and he claims that is a demonstration of his true love - not in my worldview it isn't, the H is just looking to enhance his status and make a buck.
A true lover and partner would never walk away -but this H only seems to get domineeringly assertive about being in the h's life when the h can boost his own status, not caring that when she needs support, his only response is to fulfill his contract commitments, get photographed with lots of women and keep his own career humming.
Then we get to the actress OW and her little drama that H was oh so supportive over the woman's infertility and her little speech that she understood the h's pain and she is so close to the H that the h has to understand he hurt too.
The actress doesn't understand the h's pain, she never had a still born child and she never had to physically fight for three years to get out of a wheelchair without the support of man who claimed to love her and then walked away. So the cow should just shut her mouth and be happy her husband doesn't dump her lying, cheating hiney.
As to the H and actresses affair, I totally believed they hooked up, the OW practically admitted her marriage was falling apart and this H is all about charming the ladies when he wants something - so between both of these game playing narcissists, it is not impossible to believe they 'consoled' each other and that they will continue to do so whenever life obstacles get in their way.
Whether he continued to be physically unfaithful to the h or not, this H is clearly very close to the actress OW and puts confiding in her above his wife, so that is very definition of infidelity and totally negates any hint of an HEA.
But by far the most egregious sin in my book is the OW effecting the reconciliation between the H and h, it wins this book a Typhoon of Tackiness award and puts it permanently on my list of HP's I love to hate. Warning: Serious Ranty Moment below:
Sorry, TYPHOON OF TACKINESS ALERT!
It gets my ire up every single time! When the OW skank (and this OW IS A SKANK in my opinion) tells you, (the h,) you are going to have a drink with her, the proper Miss Manner's response is:
"I have another engagement".
In more back street understandable parlance, the h should respond
"I don't drink with slime encrusted holes of moral turpitude, and as I am feeling more than a bit queasy, you might want to remove yourself from my presence before I ruin those very nice shoes."
I hate, hate, hate the HP minor plot ploy of using the OW as some matchmaker to get the H and h to talk to each other, except in a Penny Jordan book between two beta characters who need all the help they can get.
OW should be given the appropriate bash or twenty with a skillet, dumped back into the sewer they emerged from and then dismissed to elderly pet food billionaires or the life sentence of a fatal social disease in the mists of HPLandia.
I don't want the H and h's HEA dependent on the machinations of the OW, who only makes the h feel a used sloppy second, - the h's suffer enough as it is and there is no joy in compounding that.
So shame on CM for using this plot ploy and shame on me for forgetting it was in this one. And no matter what the H and CM say, I wasn't buying his celibacy for a minute.
*Phew!* Okay Ranty moment over, I can go back to my regularly scheduled HP spoilerizing now.
Like I mentioned earlier, this one gets a lot of high marks and the dramatic angst is intense. I just don't believe the H really ever loved the h in this and I did not enjoy this particular kick off to a new year in HPlandia.
But a lot of people love this book, so I leave it up to the individual HP voyager to decide if this will be an excellent HP outing and worth reading if you run into it.
There is a lot of positive vibes for this book, and it is very well done, CM has a great style and the h's pain is palpable over the majority of the story. This is book is NOT on my favorites list, I despise the OW and am positively disgusted by the H, so take my ranty moments with a grain of salt, many an HP Voyager has had a great time with this one.
The book starts with the h returning to the stage over a three day festival weekend for the first time in three years. We learn that the married h was involved in a serious car accident. It crushed her pelvis, broke both legs and caused a still birth at the five month mark of her pregnancy.
The husband H was driving at the time and he pretty much walked away from the accident without a scratch on him. To be clear, a drunk driver hit them, so the H was not at fault. But the H not only walked away from the accident unhurt, he walked away from his marriage too, after the h asked him to leave.
The H went right back on tour, taking a replacement singer who made no bones about wanting to the replace the h in every way. The h was at the lowest point of her life, she couldn't walk, had lost her much wanted child and the H was pragmatically moving on with his life - he did not even seem to mourn the loss of the baby.
When the H spends all night out and the h calls his hotel room in the morning, the OW answers the phone and tells the h that these things happen. The h is hurt all over again, when the H shows up later that day, she tells him they are through.
The H doesn't argue, try to change the h's mind or even ask why the h is telling him to go, he just continues on with his life and turns into a big international singing star. Now the h is walking again and ready to make her comeback, so the H decides that since she is functional, she can resume her place in his life.
The h isn't interested, when the H starts sending a single red rose right before her performance, the h has her manager- the H's estranged cousin-throw the rose away and makes her manager promise to help her keep the H out of her life.
Needless to say, this H now decides he won't be turned away. In the middle of the h's performance, the h breaks a guitar string. The H decides to hijack her solo show and joins her on stage. The crowd response is huge and it is clear that the H is trying to use that pressure to force the h back into partnership with him.
The h wants nothing to do with the H, in her mind he is a disloyal, cheating nematode slime trail and she is done with him. After several arguments where the h lets the H assume that she and her manager are a couple, (the manager is actually engaged to her physical therapist,) the H ends up sneaking the manager and the h out when the excited press storm the hotel.
The H takes them to a 'friends' house and in an overheard conversation between the H and the manager cousin, we learn that this friend is a famous actress married to the H's agent. The cousin accuses the H of bringing them to his mistress's home and the H doesn't deny it, he just tells the cousin he better not say anything to the h.
The h overhears the whole thing and decides it is time to leave. The h doesn't do her final performance for the festival, she still isn't at full health and plus she doesn't want her career linked with the H's any longer.
The h wants her own solo album, she has also written her own songs and wants to do her own music. The H and the record company try to force her into another album with the H, but the h is highly resistant and repeatedly tells the H to leave and that she wants a divorce.
The H still insists on intruding into her life and after her father has a heart attack while talking to the H, the aftermath leads to a mutual lurve club moment between the H and h. The h again rejects the H and he finally gets the message.
The h gets her own album and during the publicity, the H's actress mistress shows up to bully the h in having a drink at her house with her. The patronizing cow imposes the H upon the h, (the H is baby sitting her adopted twin children,) all the while going on about how the H was there for her earlier when she was infertile and her marriage was falling apart and how the woman knows the h's pain but she was able to adopt and now she and her agent husband are really happy.
It is the most patronizing OW speech ever in HPlandia and I have a suitable rant written earlier last year below. To make matters worse, the H is all over consoling the OW for her infertility issues when three years earlier, he could barely bring himself to express any remorse to the h for the loss of their child.
As the teary bovine snot OW goes off to another room, the h chases the H to his house. There the H explains that men aren't as involved at the pregnancy stage and therefore the h's grief for her lost baby wasn't his, but maybe he was a little sad too.
He also denies having an affair with anyone, supposedly the OW who answered the phone in the H's hotel room three years earlier was there on her own to pick up an extra guitar that was left behind.
He claims he walked away for three years because the h's father was keeping him posted behind the scenes and doctors were telling him his presence was inhibiting the h in her recovery at the hospital. (Which was fine I guess, but the h wasn't in the hospital all that long.)
The h has by this time fallen for the H's schwarminess all over again and as the h now believes he was physically faithful, the two reunite for the HEA.
I don't buy it. For one, why would the OW even be in the H's room answering the phone if he had already checked out and she supposedly was never in it? Because of a guitar? Really, why would her guitar be in the H's room if they weren't sharing?
As for the h's father keeping him posted, I wasn't buying that either, the reason being that the H is adamant he knew all there was to know about the h from her father, but he did not know that it took the h THREE years to be able to walk again.
The H implies that he thought she was up and about much earlier several times in the book. So the assumption is that the H wrote the h off until he saw her performing again and found out she had written some really good songs and he figures he may as well cash in on it.
And what was about inserting himself into her performance anyways? Only an narcissistic ego maniac tries to do something like that - especially when it is clear he wasn't wanted. This H doesn't seem to give a damn when the h is battered and non functioning, but as soon as she recovers he shows up, tries to bully her into another partnership and he claims that is a demonstration of his true love - not in my worldview it isn't, the H is just looking to enhance his status and make a buck.
A true lover and partner would never walk away -but this H only seems to get domineeringly assertive about being in the h's life when the h can boost his own status, not caring that when she needs support, his only response is to fulfill his contract commitments, get photographed with lots of women and keep his own career humming.
Then we get to the actress OW and her little drama that H was oh so supportive over the woman's infertility and her little speech that she understood the h's pain and she is so close to the H that the h has to understand he hurt too.
The actress doesn't understand the h's pain, she never had a still born child and she never had to physically fight for three years to get out of a wheelchair without the support of man who claimed to love her and then walked away. So the cow should just shut her mouth and be happy her husband doesn't dump her lying, cheating hiney.
As to the H and actresses affair, I totally believed they hooked up, the OW practically admitted her marriage was falling apart and this H is all about charming the ladies when he wants something - so between both of these game playing narcissists, it is not impossible to believe they 'consoled' each other and that they will continue to do so whenever life obstacles get in their way.
Whether he continued to be physically unfaithful to the h or not, this H is clearly very close to the actress OW and puts confiding in her above his wife, so that is very definition of infidelity and totally negates any hint of an HEA.
But by far the most egregious sin in my book is the OW effecting the reconciliation between the H and h, it wins this book a Typhoon of Tackiness award and puts it permanently on my list of HP's I love to hate. Warning: Serious Ranty Moment below:
Sorry, TYPHOON OF TACKINESS ALERT!
It gets my ire up every single time! When the OW skank (and this OW IS A SKANK in my opinion) tells you, (the h,) you are going to have a drink with her, the proper Miss Manner's response is:
"I have another engagement".
In more back street understandable parlance, the h should respond
"I don't drink with slime encrusted holes of moral turpitude, and as I am feeling more than a bit queasy, you might want to remove yourself from my presence before I ruin those very nice shoes."
I hate, hate, hate the HP minor plot ploy of using the OW as some matchmaker to get the H and h to talk to each other, except in a Penny Jordan book between two beta characters who need all the help they can get.
OW should be given the appropriate bash or twenty with a skillet, dumped back into the sewer they emerged from and then dismissed to elderly pet food billionaires or the life sentence of a fatal social disease in the mists of HPLandia.
I don't want the H and h's HEA dependent on the machinations of the OW, who only makes the h feel a used sloppy second, - the h's suffer enough as it is and there is no joy in compounding that.
So shame on CM for using this plot ploy and shame on me for forgetting it was in this one. And no matter what the H and CM say, I wasn't buying his celibacy for a minute.
*Phew!* Okay Ranty moment over, I can go back to my regularly scheduled HP spoilerizing now.
Like I mentioned earlier, this one gets a lot of high marks and the dramatic angst is intense. I just don't believe the H really ever loved the h in this and I did not enjoy this particular kick off to a new year in HPlandia.
But a lot of people love this book, so I leave it up to the individual HP voyager to decide if this will be an excellent HP outing and worth reading if you run into it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2021
Lovely angst fest of a second chance story. H/h are both singers. They are married but have lived apart ever since the H/h were in a bad car accident that caused the heroine to break both legs, her pelvis, and lose her five month-old child. The hero escaped without a scratch. Since they were under contract, the hero had to continue on tour with another singer (an old flame of the hero's). The heroine thinks the hero cheated on her while on tour and broke off all contact. When the story opens the heroine has returned to the stage for the first time and is convinced the hero was in the audience.
The hero's cousin (who used to date the heroine before she met the hero) acts as her agent and has encouraged her to stay estranged from her husband. There are rumors hero is having an affair with a famous actress, etc. . . The heroine pretends to the hero that his cousin is her OM, but the cousin is actually engaged to the heroine's physical therapist. Heroine wants to pursue a solo career and is still hurt by the hero's indifference and cheating for three years.
Hero does not act like a man who is guilty (except for survivor guilt) and pursues the heroine.
Heroine has suffered a lot and the reader is totally team Heroine until we find out more about the hero and what her family told him, etc. . . Their reconciliation is very well done. H/h were both celibate during their separation.
The hero's cousin (who used to date the heroine before she met the hero) acts as her agent and has encouraged her to stay estranged from her husband. There are rumors hero is having an affair with a famous actress, etc. . . The heroine pretends to the hero that his cousin is her OM, but the cousin is actually engaged to the heroine's physical therapist. Heroine wants to pursue a solo career and is still hurt by the hero's indifference and cheating for three years.
Hero does not act like a man who is guilty (except for survivor guilt) and pursues the heroine.
Heroine has suffered a lot and the reader is totally team Heroine until we find out more about the hero and what her family told him, etc. . . Their reconciliation is very well done. H/h were both celibate during their separation.
December 15, 2016
A marriage to remember, a book to forget.
August 27, 2012
I am coming to find that I really enjoy the older HP's from Carole Mortimer and "A Marriage to Remember" is definitely one of my most favorites.
This is a wonderful love story about second chances with an incredibly strong heroine and a hero who refuses to give up on the "love of his life". A devastating accident, coupled with a huge misunderstanding, force them apart for three very long years. The book begins at Maggie's opening performance where she can feel Adam's presence in the audience. Their tale is told through a series of flashbacks...and a series of events that force the two back together again. I was left hanging on the edge of my seat as the author slowly revealed all the intricacies of the plot.
What I truly enjoyed
1) I absolutely loved the heroine. Her strength, passion and integrity were a welcome change.
2) I came to love the hero and understood what really happened and why he was motivated to do all the things that he did. By the end, I felt he was so worthy of this remarkable woman.
3) It was a story that tore at my gut, yet the author slowly revealed all the hidden mysteries so that it kept me invested in it.
4) The HEA was one of the more touching realistic endings that made me sigh....It was neither overdramatic or underplayed. It was just right.....
This is a wonderful love story about second chances with an incredibly strong heroine and a hero who refuses to give up on the "love of his life". A devastating accident, coupled with a huge misunderstanding, force them apart for three very long years. The book begins at Maggie's opening performance where she can feel Adam's presence in the audience. Their tale is told through a series of flashbacks...and a series of events that force the two back together again. I was left hanging on the edge of my seat as the author slowly revealed all the intricacies of the plot.
What I truly enjoyed
1) I absolutely loved the heroine. Her strength, passion and integrity were a welcome change.
2) I came to love the hero and understood what really happened and why he was motivated to do all the things that he did. By the end, I felt he was so worthy of this remarkable woman.
3) It was a story that tore at my gut, yet the author slowly revealed all the hidden mysteries so that it kept me invested in it.
4) The HEA was one of the more touching realistic endings that made me sigh....It was neither overdramatic or underplayed. It was just right.....
June 26, 2018
Fuck off Celia - you sanctimonious piece of shit!
The end.
The end.
February 21, 2014
When Adam met Maggi she was dating his cousin Mark. But it was love at first sight for both of them and their marriage was a happy one. After a tragic accident and a miscarriage Adam walked out on Maggi. Now three years later Adam is back and wants to save his marriage. Maggi lets him believe she has moved on with Mark but Adam is determined to win his wife back.
Emotional and touching love story. CM used to write amazing heroines and heroes. Heroine was strong and even though she kept rejecting poor Adam I couldn't dislike her. I could feel her pain and insecurities. Adam was a very nice hero and so deeply in love with his wife. They deserved their sweet HEA!
Emotional and touching love story. CM used to write amazing heroines and heroes. Heroine was strong and even though she kept rejecting poor Adam I couldn't dislike her. I could feel her pain and insecurities. Adam was a very nice hero and so deeply in love with his wife. They deserved their sweet HEA!
October 18, 2022
"A Marriage to Remember" is the story of Maggi and Adam.
This story deals with another of my favorite tropes- separated married couples who bother not to screw around.
This time around, we have a singing couple who were torn apart by a personal tragedy- the heroine knows the hero abandoned her at the worst time of her life, and now that she is finally ready to face the limelight, he wants back in! Despite thinking she's sleeping with his cousin Mark (who is actually engaged to her physiotherapist)- he is not ready to leave her alone!
Soon their secrets and heartbreak is revealed, and we realize how much lies and lack of communication affected their relationship.
This has passion, romance, angst, and such a bittersweet reunion. My heart sang for these two..hehe..get it? I'm gonna stop. Two devoted lovebirds, separated by circumstances, and reunited by tragedy.
Safe
4.5/5
This story deals with another of my favorite tropes- separated married couples who bother not to screw around.
This time around, we have a singing couple who were torn apart by a personal tragedy- the heroine knows the hero abandoned her at the worst time of her life, and now that she is finally ready to face the limelight, he wants back in! Despite thinking she's sleeping with his cousin Mark (who is actually engaged to her physiotherapist)- he is not ready to leave her alone!
Soon their secrets and heartbreak is revealed, and we realize how much lies and lack of communication affected their relationship.
This has passion, romance, angst, and such a bittersweet reunion. My heart sang for these two..hehe..get it? I'm gonna stop. Two devoted lovebirds, separated by circumstances, and reunited by tragedy.
Safe
4.5/5
August 29, 2012
This was a fantastic book. Highly recommend it to all. It was extremely angsty. Her tragedies has me gutted through much of it.
Both characters were cool! They were both musicians and looked like hippies. I kept picturing a beautiful Joan Baez and Gotye. She was strong and likeable. He was you typical arrogant, pushy, "you belong to me" type.
The ending was quite a surprise. I don't know if I just read the wrong books or what (I like em' dark) but I wasn't expecting this outcome...which was quite satisfying. I might even change my rating to 5 stars. Let me see how it sticks with me.
Oh, and the cover...nothing at all to do with the story.
Both characters were cool! They were both musicians and looked like hippies. I kept picturing a beautiful Joan Baez and Gotye. She was strong and likeable. He was you typical arrogant, pushy, "you belong to me" type.
The ending was quite a surprise. I don't know if I just read the wrong books or what (I like em' dark) but I wasn't expecting this outcome...which was quite satisfying. I might even change my rating to 5 stars. Let me see how it sticks with me.
Oh, and the cover...nothing at all to do with the story.
October 31, 2016
With this I conclude , I really enjoy the old HP much more . This book is my new favorite for so many reasons .
Hero is not some Arrogant-Ruth-Rich-greek billionaire for a change . And heroine is not a cry baby , she doesnt even let herself argue with this man till the climax . she sees no point in doing so , She is very strong not naive and timid .
Adam was dating Jane , Maggi is dating Mark ( Adam's cousin ) and they happen to meet in a family wedding . they both are singers and they just connect professionally , personally .... they start their duo performances which become a massive hit and they are very happy until that tragic accident happens in which Maggi looses her ability to walk due to severe damage in her pelvic region and so looses her baby .
3 years , Adam appears when Maggi is all set to make her public appearance as a singer after 3 years . She lets him assume that she moved on with his cousin Mark and that she is willing to marry Mark as soon as possible if Adam signs their divorce papers . Why he left Maggi is acceptable and you feel sorry for him . Adam is too sweet to even think of despising him .
I really really really like Carole Mortimer . She writes the best characters , unforgettable plots . And this goes straight into my Favorites . Also I like the cover ;)
Hero is not some Arrogant-Ruth-Rich-greek billionaire for a change . And heroine is not a cry baby , she doesnt even let herself argue with this man till the climax . she sees no point in doing so , She is very strong not naive and timid .
Adam was dating Jane , Maggi is dating Mark ( Adam's cousin ) and they happen to meet in a family wedding . they both are singers and they just connect professionally , personally .... they start their duo performances which become a massive hit and they are very happy until that tragic accident happens in which Maggi looses her ability to walk due to severe damage in her pelvic region and so looses her baby .
3 years , Adam appears when Maggi is all set to make her public appearance as a singer after 3 years . She lets him assume that she moved on with his cousin Mark and that she is willing to marry Mark as soon as possible if Adam signs their divorce papers . Why he left Maggi is acceptable and you feel sorry for him . Adam is too sweet to even think of despising him .
I really really really like Carole Mortimer . She writes the best characters , unforgettable plots . And this goes straight into my Favorites . Also I like the cover ;)
August 30, 2012
This is a good story. I like the heroine being strong and sensible. I love the hero's persistence in coming back to her over and over again no matter how the h put him down. You really need to love the other party deeply in order to withstand the "cold" treatment over and over again. This shows me the hero truly loves the heroine.
However, I am slightly disappointed in the reasoning of why the hero left the heroine in the first place after the accident. I can understand when one go through traumatic issue in their life, we all act differently and sometimes hurt the feelings of our loved ones. But if they were so in love before the accident, wouldn't they eventually will have the much needed communication to sort out their problems? I felt the hero walked away from the heroine too easily then. He left without trying to know the reasons why she asked him to leave. Although it was also explained that the doctors advise him to leave the heroine because his presence was hindering her recovery, I still found this hard to comprehend why walking away from the heroine is an act of true love. Especially the time he left was the time when the heroine needed most support, understanding and love to pick up her life again.
However, I am slightly disappointed in the reasoning of why the hero left the heroine in the first place after the accident. I can understand when one go through traumatic issue in their life, we all act differently and sometimes hurt the feelings of our loved ones. But if they were so in love before the accident, wouldn't they eventually will have the much needed communication to sort out their problems? I felt the hero walked away from the heroine too easily then. He left without trying to know the reasons why she asked him to leave. Although it was also explained that the doctors advise him to leave the heroine because his presence was hindering her recovery, I still found this hard to comprehend why walking away from the heroine is an act of true love. Especially the time he left was the time when the heroine needed most support, understanding and love to pick up her life again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2017
This was an interesting romance with a very different setting to what we are used to in more recent Mills & Boon romances. The hero and heroine are both musicians and singers until an accident three years ago forced them to abandon their duo. Unfortunately things happened to put strain on their marriage and when Maggie told him to leave, Adam did so.
Now it's three years later and Maggie is finally recovered enough to resume her singing career as a soloist with the help of Adam's cousin as her manager. Of course Adam turns up and the pressure is on for them to reunite both as singers and their marriage as Adam refused a divorce.
I really enjoyed this reunion romance as we learn about what happened to pull them apart when they were so much in love. A satisfying ending.
Now it's three years later and Maggie is finally recovered enough to resume her singing career as a soloist with the help of Adam's cousin as her manager. Of course Adam turns up and the pressure is on for them to reunite both as singers and their marriage as Adam refused a divorce.
I really enjoyed this reunion romance as we learn about what happened to pull them apart when they were so much in love. A satisfying ending.
March 8, 2020
Very sad and angsty story where the heroine took too long to forgive the H. Normally, an epic grovel with the heroine holding out would be awesome, but in this case the H didn't actually do anything wrong, which left a sour taste. This is the opposite of a traditional trope with a falsely accused hero instead of falsely accused heroine.
July 29, 2016
For a simply misunderstanding it sure blew up to be something big. Then again if the villain didn't put her nose into it, things may of been a bit better. I think the split between the characters helped them mature faster, so they were able to cope in the long term.
August 9, 2018
Entertaining older book.
July 26, 2021
Part of me wonders if I read the same story as others. Or was I wearing those special rose tinted glasses that I often engage when reading an HP. Honestly, I don’t think I did. First off, I as well as the h do not believe that there was any cheating and the hero and heroine have been celibate for the whole of their separation.
MIld Spoilers coming at ya…..but they are spoilers so if you don’t want to know anything, skip to the bottom of the review.
Heroine: Maggi 26 year old musician who has been married to the H Adam, her music partner, for 5 years, however, they have been separated for the last 3 years due to a car accident that broke her legs and crushed her pelvis confining her to a wheelchair at first and The story opens 3 years after the accident, she is making her solo musical debut now that she has the ability to walk. She gets that eerie feeling that the H is in the audience, which is confirmed later when she receives a red rose that is the H’s calling card for all of their musical performances.
Hero, Adam is a 38 year old musician who met the h when she was dating his cousin(the om). These two had an instant attraction and their marriage plus career was on track until the vehicle he was driving was crashed into by some drunks. Leaving the h scarred and him relatively unharmed physically but emotionally he was a wreck. So what does he do, he continues their concert dates with a new singer, as they were committed to them.
This is my biggest complaint in the story(and why it gets a 3). I don’t care who tells you that it might be better if you go away. It’s your wife! She can’t walk! Plus, the spoiler I mentioned above. It’s a big no,no, no! This is something an evil ow or evil om does when they can’t face crippling facts. Not the hero of the story. Now, this is explained more later, so we are able to give the H a little bit of a pass on it, but this was the hardest part for me to swallow in the undying love of the H.
OM- The cousin, he manages the h. He has a huge chip on his shoulder when it comes to the H(well the H did steal who he was dating) However, he is more than happy to keep the h and H separate even though he himself is not interested in the h anymore.
OW#1- Sue Castle-She is the catalyst for the separation and was the stand in music partner when the h became incapacitated. The h, based on circumstantial evidence thinks that they are sleeping together.
OW #2 or just a good friend-Celia is married to the H’s manager. There are rumors that she is carrying on an affair with the H but I don’t buy into this at all. Plus, once we meet Celia, I especially don’t buy into. However, there is some strong hate for Celia from other reviewers. Again, the h and I are in agreement, and we like her.
Overall, this is a very pleasant 2nd chance story. Although I don’t totally understand why the H accepted being put out of the h’s life, it was still a believable HEA. There was some angst, and one definitely feels for the h.(more so than the H, because sometimes the writing of him makes him sound kind of superficial.) I don’t know if I would feel the need to reread this again, but I enjoyed the time spend reading it.
MIld Spoilers coming at ya…..but they are spoilers so if you don’t want to know anything, skip to the bottom of the review.
Heroine: Maggi 26 year old musician who has been married to the H Adam, her music partner, for 5 years, however, they have been separated for the last 3 years due to a car accident that broke her legs and crushed her pelvis confining her to a wheelchair at first and The story opens 3 years after the accident, she is making her solo musical debut now that she has the ability to walk. She gets that eerie feeling that the H is in the audience, which is confirmed later when she receives a red rose that is the H’s calling card for all of their musical performances.
Hero, Adam is a 38 year old musician who met the h when she was dating his cousin(the om). These two had an instant attraction and their marriage plus career was on track until the vehicle he was driving was crashed into by some drunks. Leaving the h scarred and him relatively unharmed physically but emotionally he was a wreck. So what does he do, he continues their concert dates with a new singer, as they were committed to them.
This is my biggest complaint in the story(and why it gets a 3). I don’t care who tells you that it might be better if you go away. It’s your wife! She can’t walk! Plus, the spoiler I mentioned above. It’s a big no,no, no! This is something an evil ow or evil om does when they can’t face crippling facts. Not the hero of the story. Now, this is explained more later, so we are able to give the H a little bit of a pass on it, but this was the hardest part for me to swallow in the undying love of the H.
OM- The cousin, he manages the h. He has a huge chip on his shoulder when it comes to the H(well the H did steal who he was dating) However, he is more than happy to keep the h and H separate even though he himself is not interested in the h anymore.
OW#1- Sue Castle-She is the catalyst for the separation and was the stand in music partner when the h became incapacitated. The h, based on circumstantial evidence thinks that they are sleeping together.
OW #2 or just a good friend-Celia is married to the H’s manager. There are rumors that she is carrying on an affair with the H but I don’t buy into this at all. Plus, once we meet Celia, I especially don’t buy into. However, there is some strong hate for Celia from other reviewers. Again, the h and I are in agreement, and we like her.
Overall, this is a very pleasant 2nd chance story. Although I don’t totally understand why the H accepted being put out of the h’s life, it was still a believable HEA. There was some angst, and one definitely feels for the h.(more so than the H, because sometimes the writing of him makes him sound kind of superficial.) I don’t know if I would feel the need to reread this again, but I enjoyed the time spend reading it.
December 23, 2021
If there is one lesson to be learned from HP’s, it’s that communication is key in a relationship.
The H and h are married. She thinks he has cheated on her because one time when she called his hotelroom, his colleague picked up the phone and told the h a bunch of lies. The h never bothered to check with her husband if what the colleague said was true, so the H doesn’t know all of this had happened. Communication, we all need it.
Anyway, this book kept me engaged. Very romantic the way he kept pursuing her.
The H and h are married. She thinks he has cheated on her because one time when she called his hotelroom, his colleague picked up the phone and told the h a bunch of lies. The h never bothered to check with her husband if what the colleague said was true, so the H doesn’t know all of this had happened. Communication, we all need it.
Anyway, this book kept me engaged. Very romantic the way he kept pursuing her.
November 4, 2019
Good angst almost until the end. What the H did is unforgivable and she was strong and did not fold but eventually caved in and blamed herself and felt sorry for him because it (what happened and the years apart) was even worse for him. No it wasn’t and he’s an a-hole.
April 15, 2025
This was good, and also sad, but I can't say I think much of the H staying away from the h on the advice of other people (her family and doctors) because they think his presence is hindering her recovery. (????) She was in pain, miserable and heartbroken after the car crash that killed their baby and injured her badly, and at certain points in time you can't take what people say or do to heart, they have to work through their pain first. So, the h seeming not to want him around wasn't true. The H should have given her some time, but not all that much. He also had singing commitments to fulfill, which she misunderstood.
I can't say I cared for the way they met, as she was dating his cousin, and he had a girlfriend, but as soon as they met the cousin/girlfriend got dumped. The cousin is the OM in the story. Although he had moved on with the h's therapist, she wanted the H to think they were involved, which to me was just silly. Naturally, there's the OW in the picture that the h was jealous of and accused the H of cheating with. (I'll have to admit, the excuse he gave as to why she answered the phone in his hotel room was pretty lame!)
This story had its poignant moments, and you root for the h as she recovers from all she went through, but a lot of it was just kind of silly to me, especially when the actress the h is jealous of (I think she'd be jealous of a 100-year-old lady, she was that insecure) tries to bring her and the H together, using her adoptive children as inspiration! That was way too hokey for me!
This is the kind of book you don't mind reading but would never want to read again.
I can't say I cared for the way they met, as she was dating his cousin, and he had a girlfriend, but as soon as they met the cousin/girlfriend got dumped. The cousin is the OM in the story. Although he had moved on with the h's therapist, she wanted the H to think they were involved, which to me was just silly. Naturally, there's the OW in the picture that the h was jealous of and accused the H of cheating with. (I'll have to admit, the excuse he gave as to why she answered the phone in his hotel room was pretty lame!)
This story had its poignant moments, and you root for the h as she recovers from all she went through, but a lot of it was just kind of silly to me, especially when the actress the h is jealous of (I think she'd be jealous of a 100-year-old lady, she was that insecure) tries to bring her and the H together, using her adoptive children as inspiration! That was way too hokey for me!
This is the kind of book you don't mind reading but would never want to read again.
December 19, 2016
i wish i could go back in time and stop myself reading this.
I read all the reviews of this book and 99% said the heroine is strong and honestly i didnt see that. Because in one line she is saying how she just wants the divorce and then the next page she is saying she might be falling in love with him again?
And the Hero was just a bastard, i couldnt stand him. I hate Cocky, arrogant people and the hero was exactly that! so NO THANKS!!
they both weren't with other people during their separation. Their is no cheating at all. but if you like feeling disappointed after reading a book, then ladies and gents, you have found a winner so enjoy. Im just annoyed that i read this book, while in that time i could of being watching supernatural and dreaming of dean winchester.
ALSO. there is no epilogue.
I read all the reviews of this book and 99% said the heroine is strong and honestly i didnt see that. Because in one line she is saying how she just wants the divorce and then the next page she is saying she might be falling in love with him again?
And the Hero was just a bastard, i couldnt stand him. I hate Cocky, arrogant people and the hero was exactly that! so NO THANKS!!
they both weren't with other people during their separation. Their is no cheating at all. but if you like feeling disappointed after reading a book, then ladies and gents, you have found a winner so enjoy. Im just annoyed that i read this book, while in that time i could of being watching supernatural and dreaming of dean winchester.
ALSO. there is no epilogue.
hq-to-read
April 26, 2021Divorce vs. Desire"Three years ago Adam Carmichael had walked out on Maggi when she needed him most. Now he was back, to pick up their marriage where he'd left off--or so he thought! Maggi's first reaction was to finalize their divorce, but Adam refused point-blank. Maggi became furious--not with Adam, but with herself, because, to her dismay, part of her was relieved!
Torn between divorce and desire, Maggi knew she should follow her head, not her heart. But Adam wasn't going to let her go without a fight.
Torn between divorce and desire, Maggi knew she should follow her head, not her heart. But Adam wasn't going to let her go without a fight.
July 30, 2024
Love CM but hated the H in this one just couldn’t get to any redemption for him.
Basically walked away whilst she was injured and grieving their baby then 3 years later once she’s back in her feet and useful to him he pops back up ready to carry on where they left off. But it’s ok because he got updates from her dad whilst he was off chasing his fame
Basically walked away whilst she was injured and grieving their baby then 3 years later once she’s back in her feet and useful to him he pops back up ready to carry on where they left off. But it’s ok because he got updates from her dad whilst he was off chasing his fame
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2023
Magdelena and Adam have been separated for 3 years, after she was severely injured in a car accident, and he had to leave and finalize the singing tour they had booked. When he returned, she turned him away.
May 13, 2024
My first MB.
So, "Mills & Boon" (also known as Harlequin) is a taboo? There's a perception, especially regarding older titles, that they don't adequately address issues of consent, portraying a more alpha-male dominance dynamic. And I've always heard that it's nothing but steamy romance, which isn't really my cuppa tea. Long story short, I've always avoided it.
After reading this, I felt that MB are hyped. I've read much worse by some Indian authors, things that would make me cringe. This one, though touted sexy, was so timid in comparison.
Full review here.
So, "Mills & Boon" (also known as Harlequin) is a taboo? There's a perception, especially regarding older titles, that they don't adequately address issues of consent, portraying a more alpha-male dominance dynamic. And I've always heard that it's nothing but steamy romance, which isn't really my cuppa tea. Long story short, I've always avoided it.
After reading this, I felt that MB are hyped. I've read much worse by some Indian authors, things that would make me cringe. This one, though touted sexy, was so timid in comparison.
Full review here.
February 21, 2021
The MCs are singer-songwriters who are estranged after a tragic car accident left the heroine unable to walk. Interesting st0ry with the H groveling and chasing the h for majority of the book. Would recommend.
February 13, 2019
By the time I got to page 28 I knew I was going to enjoy this story. I was not disappointed. Loved it.
May 31, 2020
OK but the backstory is weak.
will-not-read
July 6, 2022Did Not Read. Refuse to Read. Not My Cuppa. The OW had too much say in the main characters' relationship.
Read
October 20, 2025Not so good as the other Carole Mortimer's novels that I've read.
Too much case of misunderstanding and overthinking, jealousy, and pride.
Too much case of misunderstanding and overthinking, jealousy, and pride.
February 24, 2026
❤️❤️❤️❤️
April 17, 2016
A good read.
Two singers that find an amazing connection singing together soon find themselves in love and married. But a tragic accident happens leaving Maggi unable to walk and Adam left to carry on their singing engagements.
He hires another singer who sees her chance at stardom and is not going to let a little thing like his crippled wife stop her. A small lie turn into a big misunderstanding leaving them estranged for 3 years.
Maggi spends those years learning to walk and getting her life back together. Adam becomes a famous singing sensation. They meet again with much pain and heartache. Maggi has a real hard time even looking at him as her pain is still fresh and she wants nothing to do with him. Adam has secrets that will lay to ruin everything she has believed in for the past 3 years.....if she can give him a chance.
I really liked how tough Maggi was and how she stood up to him by just thinking of how he let her down. But all too soon she is starting to fall again. He of course could have shown some feelings first before he feels rejected and walks out again. Kind of pisses you off.....
A well written read.
Two singers that find an amazing connection singing together soon find themselves in love and married. But a tragic accident happens leaving Maggi unable to walk and Adam left to carry on their singing engagements.
He hires another singer who sees her chance at stardom and is not going to let a little thing like his crippled wife stop her. A small lie turn into a big misunderstanding leaving them estranged for 3 years.
Maggi spends those years learning to walk and getting her life back together. Adam becomes a famous singing sensation. They meet again with much pain and heartache. Maggi has a real hard time even looking at him as her pain is still fresh and she wants nothing to do with him. Adam has secrets that will lay to ruin everything she has believed in for the past 3 years.....if she can give him a chance.
I really liked how tough Maggi was and how she stood up to him by just thinking of how he let her down. But all too soon she is starting to fall again. He of course could have shown some feelings first before he feels rejected and walks out again. Kind of pisses you off.....
A well written read.
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