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Twice Loved
Beautiful Laura Dalton finds herself torn between two men--her husband, Rye, missing at sea and presumed dead for more than five years, and Dan, Rye's best friend and her new husband. Reissue.
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 1984
213 people are currently reading
985 people want to read
About the author
LaVyrle Spencer
106 books1,603 followersLaVyrle Spencer is an American best-selling author of contemporary and historical romance novels. She has successfully published a number of books, with several of them made into movies. Twelve of her books have been New York Times bestsellers, and Spencer was inducted into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame in 1988.
Spencer is known for creating realistic characters and stories that focus on families rather than only the relationship between a man and woman. These "ordinary" men and women are warm and vulnerable and are always portrayed sympathetically.[1] Her heroines tend to be a mix of fire and warmth, strength, savvy and soft–heartedness who must overcome some sort of adversity, such as pregnancy, divorce, a lengthy separation, the loss of a loved one, and then undergo a catharsis. The stories center on themes of abiding love, family ties and strength in difficult times.
In the 1980s and 1990s Spencer wrote 12 New York Times Bestsellers. Her books have been sold to book clubs worldwide, and have been published around the world. Condensed versions of many of her novels have appeared in Reader's Digest and Good Housekeeping.
She retired from writing in 1997.
Spencer is known for creating realistic characters and stories that focus on families rather than only the relationship between a man and woman. These "ordinary" men and women are warm and vulnerable and are always portrayed sympathetically.[1] Her heroines tend to be a mix of fire and warmth, strength, savvy and soft–heartedness who must overcome some sort of adversity, such as pregnancy, divorce, a lengthy separation, the loss of a loved one, and then undergo a catharsis. The stories center on themes of abiding love, family ties and strength in difficult times.
In the 1980s and 1990s Spencer wrote 12 New York Times Bestsellers. Her books have been sold to book clubs worldwide, and have been published around the world. Condensed versions of many of her novels have appeared in Reader's Digest and Good Housekeeping.
She retired from writing in 1997.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
September 22, 2011
Wow – what an emotional read! I needed my tissues for sure with this wonderful, bittersweet love story!
Lavyrle Spenser is a master of human emotions. And boy were my emotions used in this book:-) There is desire, guilt, love, recriminations, fear, impatience, jealousy, despair and hope! All wrapped up in the lives of three friends who had grown up together in Colonial Nantucket and now find themselves facing one of the greatest challenges of their lives…
Rye Dalton, Laura Traherne, and Daniel Morgan have that unique bond of friendship that is formed by spending endless days together throughout their childhood. You would most always find these three together and a deep connection existed even into adulthood.
Having shared a lifetime of memories, Rye Dalton and Daniel Morgan are two best friends with a relationship more like brothers. And while one grows to manhood and marries his childhood love, Laura Traherne, the other finds himself holding his feelings for her deep inside.
But soon misery enters the newlywed’s idyllic state as her husband joins the whalers leaving a distraught wife behind. In the months that followed, news reaches the island that all is lost on the Massachusetts as it went down leaving no survivors. Anguish, hopelessness, misery are her constant companions and she is lost, with no hope and a broken heart!
And now the other friend steps in to help see her through those terrible months of mourning and finds himself watching over her, seeing that she has everything needed, taking care of the many chores she wasn’t able to do. He filled a void and was good to her. After the many months of being in his care, these two marry with a promise to spend their lives together. But deep down Laura still mourns the loss of her first love; the one who filled her days with intoxication and made their nights a celebration.
It’s now been five years and their days are set into a common routine. A good provider, thoughtful and kind, his life is full, they are content.
And it is here, in the midst of their contentment and routine, that her first love returns, never suspecting that anyone thought him dead. After spending five long hellish years at sea, his anticipation of seeing Laura is so great he could barely breathe. She owns his heart and his dreams of this day are what kept him going through the agony of their separation.
His returning home is where the story begins. Within the first few pages he comes to know of the many shocking changes that have taken place since his leaving. Immediately my emotions were on a rollercoaster ride.
I knew going in that someone was going to get hurt and I immediately knew who I wanted her to be with. It was the getting there that had me all bunched up with nerves. I loved the hero of this book and my impatience had me wanting to shake Laura, insisting she stop letting guilt and duty rule her life. But then in the end, I found myself hurting for the one not chosen.
This book was first published in 1984 and there are a few dated phrases but none that bothered me in any way or interfered with my loving this poignant, bittersweet love story. There were many descriptions involving the whaling industry and this small town and while it may hinder other readers, I enjoyed most of them.
Another winner by one of my favorite authors! Thanks again Tammy and Jill for steering me to this one!:) There is so much more to this story that I can't write about because it would give so much away. And loving all three friends, I found myself drawn to the hero's plight and rooting for him all the way! He has become one of my favorites!
Lavyrle Spenser is a master of human emotions. And boy were my emotions used in this book:-) There is desire, guilt, love, recriminations, fear, impatience, jealousy, despair and hope! All wrapped up in the lives of three friends who had grown up together in Colonial Nantucket and now find themselves facing one of the greatest challenges of their lives…
Rye Dalton, Laura Traherne, and Daniel Morgan have that unique bond of friendship that is formed by spending endless days together throughout their childhood. You would most always find these three together and a deep connection existed even into adulthood.
Having shared a lifetime of memories, Rye Dalton and Daniel Morgan are two best friends with a relationship more like brothers. And while one grows to manhood and marries his childhood love, Laura Traherne, the other finds himself holding his feelings for her deep inside.
But soon misery enters the newlywed’s idyllic state as her husband joins the whalers leaving a distraught wife behind. In the months that followed, news reaches the island that all is lost on the Massachusetts as it went down leaving no survivors. Anguish, hopelessness, misery are her constant companions and she is lost, with no hope and a broken heart!
And now the other friend steps in to help see her through those terrible months of mourning and finds himself watching over her, seeing that she has everything needed, taking care of the many chores she wasn’t able to do. He filled a void and was good to her. After the many months of being in his care, these two marry with a promise to spend their lives together. But deep down Laura still mourns the loss of her first love; the one who filled her days with intoxication and made their nights a celebration.
It’s now been five years and their days are set into a common routine. A good provider, thoughtful and kind, his life is full, they are content.
And it is here, in the midst of their contentment and routine, that her first love returns, never suspecting that anyone thought him dead. After spending five long hellish years at sea, his anticipation of seeing Laura is so great he could barely breathe. She owns his heart and his dreams of this day are what kept him going through the agony of their separation.
His returning home is where the story begins. Within the first few pages he comes to know of the many shocking changes that have taken place since his leaving. Immediately my emotions were on a rollercoaster ride.
I knew going in that someone was going to get hurt and I immediately knew who I wanted her to be with. It was the getting there that had me all bunched up with nerves. I loved the hero of this book and my impatience had me wanting to shake Laura, insisting she stop letting guilt and duty rule her life. But then in the end, I found myself hurting for the one not chosen.
This book was first published in 1984 and there are a few dated phrases but none that bothered me in any way or interfered with my loving this poignant, bittersweet love story. There were many descriptions involving the whaling industry and this small town and while it may hinder other readers, I enjoyed most of them.
Another winner by one of my favorite authors! Thanks again Tammy and Jill for steering me to this one!:) There is so much more to this story that I can't write about because it would give so much away. And loving all three friends, I found myself drawn to the hero's plight and rooting for him all the way! He has become one of my favorites!
January 29, 2018
¿Qué puedo decir? Me encantó. ❤
Todo lo que leo de esta autora me fascina.
Todo lo que leo de esta autora me fascina.
August 6, 2025
I’ve been loving reading LaVyrle Spencer historical romances lately and this was the latest one recommended to me! This delivered on exactly what people said it was, messy and angsty!
Set in 1830s on Nantucket Island, Laura finds herself smack dab in the center of a love triangle. Her childhood sweetheart-turned husband Rye perished at sea 5 years ago (or so she was told), but now Rye shows back up and finds Laura married to his best friend Dan… Rye, Laura, and Dan all grew up as childhood best friends on the island. Rye and Laura were teen sweethearts before they married, Dan always pined after Laura and now they’ve been married longer than she and Rye were before he disappeared.
This was definitely messy and I lowkey kept thinking just maybe it would end in a MFM or MMF but it definitely does not! lol There is just something about this author’s writing that really works for me. Her stories are definitely slower, slice of life, and very detailed with the character’s lives (like the whaling), but I don’t know her books work and keep me entertained. The audiobook is on hoopla!
Set in 1830s on Nantucket Island, Laura finds herself smack dab in the center of a love triangle. Her childhood sweetheart-turned husband Rye perished at sea 5 years ago (or so she was told), but now Rye shows back up and finds Laura married to his best friend Dan… Rye, Laura, and Dan all grew up as childhood best friends on the island. Rye and Laura were teen sweethearts before they married, Dan always pined after Laura and now they’ve been married longer than she and Rye were before he disappeared.
This was definitely messy and I lowkey kept thinking just maybe it would end in a MFM or MMF but it definitely does not! lol There is just something about this author’s writing that really works for me. Her stories are definitely slower, slice of life, and very detailed with the character’s lives (like the whaling), but I don’t know her books work and keep me entertained. The audiobook is on hoopla!
June 24, 2022
The three stars were for the writing alone. I knocked off two stars because I didn't enjoy the love triangle plot. I thought Laura treated Dan shabbily. She was a bit too wishy-washy for me, dithering between the two men in her life.
Rye worked as a whale hunter, and Ms Spencer provided much information regarding this occupation and industry. I didn't even know whale hunting was a thing (apparently, corsets were made from whale bones, the fat was for producing lights before the discovery of petroleum, etc.). The whales became violent when they saw ships because humans were killing them in the hundreds of thousands (who knew, huh?)
No cookie-cutter HRs from Ms Spencer. This book is memorable. However, it wasn't very comfortable for me due to the central theme.
Rye worked as a whale hunter, and Ms Spencer provided much information regarding this occupation and industry. I didn't even know whale hunting was a thing (apparently, corsets were made from whale bones, the fat was for producing lights before the discovery of petroleum, etc.). The whales became violent when they saw ships because humans were killing them in the hundreds of thousands (who knew, huh?)
No cookie-cutter HRs from Ms Spencer. This book is memorable. However, it wasn't very comfortable for me due to the central theme.
December 28, 2009
Another first book for me. I was on a trip with friends (and bored out of my mind) when I went down to the hotel gift shop looking for something to read. I picked up Twice Loved and spent the rest of the weekend buried in it. I was 18 at the time and this was the first real romance novel I'd ever read. Ms. Spencer drew me into her story from the first page. My heart broke for the three main characters who are caught in a terrible triangle not of their own making. (Warning for those of more delicate constitutions... Spencer writes hot love scenes, i.e. her books include sexual content). Her mastery of human emotions and seamless weaving of historical details make her another of my all-time favorites. I've read every one of her novels, and was sad beyond words when I found out she was retiring (back in the '90s, I think).
October 27, 2023
Emotional, captivating historical romance set in 1830's coastal Massachusetts. A timeless and compelling story. Lavyrle Spencer's books leave me in awe!! If you enjoy a heart wrenching, powerful story that is also very sensual...this is for you. If you like sexy, cheeky, broad-shouldered BBF Heroes who wear Fisherman's sweaters this is also for you😁📚🎣🌊
Loved it.
Loved it.
August 29, 2018
He leído varios libros de LaVyrle Spencer , y definitivamente ninguno le llega a los talones a Maravilla !!!es y será mi favorito.
Dos veces amada, tuvo un principio muy bueno ,pero luego fue de bajada , me hubiera gustado una historia más compleja,y no solo se quedará en un Estira y afloja entre los protagonistas.
Estoy segura que seguiré en busca en otros de ya libros , porque sé que habrá otro libro que le haga justicia.😘✌😍😁
Dos veces amada, tuvo un principio muy bueno ,pero luego fue de bajada , me hubiera gustado una historia más compleja,y no solo se quedará en un Estira y afloja entre los protagonistas.
Estoy segura que seguiré en busca en otros de ya libros , porque sé que habrá otro libro que le haga justicia.😘✌😍😁
September 8, 2017
Lagi-lagi saya tidak suka tema second chances yg rawan bahaya seperti novel ini. Second chances hanya cocok jika kedua pihak tidak terikat pd orang ketiga. Walau di novel ini saya hrs permisif dgn situasi kondisinya dmn Rye Dalton sudah dinyatakan mati 5 thn sebelumnya. Dan ternyata Rye muncul segar bugar di hadapan Laura, istrinya yg skrg bukan istrinya lagi. Laura sudah bersuamikan Dan Morgan, sahabat terdekatnya.
Saya menyayangkan cara Dan Morgan yg solusinya menghadapi kenyataan Rye masih hidup dgn bermabuk-mabukan sepanjang hari. Tapi saya lebih prihatin lagi dgn cara Laura yg menunda-nunda keputusannya, yg mengakibatkan ketegangan yg berujung pd penderitaan Josh (anak kandung Laura & Rye) dan juga Dan. Saya tidak menyalahkan Laura krn menikahi Dan setelah Rye dinyatakan wafat. Laura bukan tipikal heroine yg tegar dan mandiri, Laura rapuh dan Laura menikahi Dan krn butuh suami utk mendampingi dirinya. Laura menikahi Dan atas dasar kasihan dan berterimakasih krn selama Rye tdk ada, otomatis Dan selalu ada di sisinya dan mjd ayah yg baik bagi Josh. Dan persis spt yg saya takutkan diatas, second chances di buku ini tergelincir pd PERSELINGKUHAN. Saya tidak bisa memaafkan dgn perselingkuhan selama masih ada pernikahan sah Laura dan Dan masih menaungi mereka.
Cuma saya salut juga dgn persahabatan yg mengakar kuat diantara mereka bertiga. Ketika Dan sekarat, Laura dan Rye sekuat tenaga merawat Dan dan tidak membiarkan si bodoh ini meninggalkan alam fana. Poin ini menaikkan satu poin lebih. Kesetiaan persahabatan hrs tetap dijunjung walaupun saya tahu sulit dilakukan oleh Rye dan Laura. Mungkin kalau "noda perselingkuhan" tsb tidak ada, novel ini masih lumayan, walau menurut saya ceritanya terlalu bertele-tele dan perlu diringkas sehingga tidak kepanjangan spt ini.
Saya menyayangkan cara Dan Morgan yg solusinya menghadapi kenyataan Rye masih hidup dgn bermabuk-mabukan sepanjang hari. Tapi saya lebih prihatin lagi dgn cara Laura yg menunda-nunda keputusannya, yg mengakibatkan ketegangan yg berujung pd penderitaan Josh (anak kandung Laura & Rye) dan juga Dan. Saya tidak menyalahkan Laura krn menikahi Dan setelah Rye dinyatakan wafat. Laura bukan tipikal heroine yg tegar dan mandiri, Laura rapuh dan Laura menikahi Dan krn butuh suami utk mendampingi dirinya. Laura menikahi Dan atas dasar kasihan dan berterimakasih krn selama Rye tdk ada, otomatis Dan selalu ada di sisinya dan mjd ayah yg baik bagi Josh. Dan persis spt yg saya takutkan diatas, second chances di buku ini tergelincir pd PERSELINGKUHAN. Saya tidak bisa memaafkan dgn perselingkuhan selama masih ada pernikahan sah Laura dan Dan masih menaungi mereka.
Cuma saya salut juga dgn persahabatan yg mengakar kuat diantara mereka bertiga. Ketika Dan sekarat, Laura dan Rye sekuat tenaga merawat Dan dan tidak membiarkan si bodoh ini meninggalkan alam fana. Poin ini menaikkan satu poin lebih. Kesetiaan persahabatan hrs tetap dijunjung walaupun saya tahu sulit dilakukan oleh Rye dan Laura. Mungkin kalau "noda perselingkuhan" tsb tidak ada, novel ini masih lumayan, walau menurut saya ceritanya terlalu bertele-tele dan perlu diringkas sehingga tidak kepanjangan spt ini.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2013
I've loved every single book I've read by Lavyrle Spencer so far. I still love her gorgeous writing style and how she develops characters and a story -- all are evident in Twice Loved. On the positive side, I absolutely love the setting and atmosphere in this novel. It is set in a small fishing village, and the place and people who inhabit it come alive in this novel.
Unfortunately for me, this romance is a triangle, and I mean one of those triangles where the woman who finds herself in the middle knows who she loves but doesn't have the gumption to make the right decision. She ends up hurting everyone, including herself and her child, so that by the time the happy ever after comes along I really did not want her to have it! I wanted the "hero" to walk away from her, and that's not the way a romance works, right? This romance is brimming with betrayal, yearning, love, angst, anger, and passion. I could not help but feel terrible for both men and the child caught up in the middle of it all. Just as I could not help resenting her for the lack of backbone that destroyed whatever connection I could have felt.
In this case, it may be that it is a case of personal preference. If as a reader you don't mind triangles, you may want to read this book by the amazing Spencer. However, for me personally, this was a beautifully written, but painful read.
Unfortunately for me, this romance is a triangle, and I mean one of those triangles where the woman who finds herself in the middle knows who she loves but doesn't have the gumption to make the right decision. She ends up hurting everyone, including herself and her child, so that by the time the happy ever after comes along I really did not want her to have it! I wanted the "hero" to walk away from her, and that's not the way a romance works, right? This romance is brimming with betrayal, yearning, love, angst, anger, and passion. I could not help but feel terrible for both men and the child caught up in the middle of it all. Just as I could not help resenting her for the lack of backbone that destroyed whatever connection I could have felt.
In this case, it may be that it is a case of personal preference. If as a reader you don't mind triangles, you may want to read this book by the amazing Spencer. However, for me personally, this was a beautifully written, but painful read.
August 30, 2020
A ver, está claro que no tienes por qué perder a tu marido y quedarte para vestir santos, mucho más si tienes un hijo pequeño y estás sola. Pero de ahí, a que haga 5 años que se fue tu marido y te dijeron unos meses después que había muerto, y haga cuatro años que te casaste con el otro. ¿Qué estuviste de viuda, unos meses? ¿Así es como pasaste el duelo del que era tu marido y el padre de tu hijo? Si ese matrimonio hubiera sido obligado y no lo quisieras, casi que lo entendería, pero con un hombre al que querías… es algo que no concibo. No tiene sentido.
“— ¡Me marché por ti, para poder traerte...!
— ¡Te supliqué que no te fueras! ¡Yo no quería tu... tu apestoso aceite de ballena! ¡Yo quería a mi esposo!
— ¡Bueno, aquí estoy! —le replicó, sarcástico.
—Oh... —Apretó los puños, gimiendo de irritación—. Crees que es muy sencillo, ¿verdad, Rye? Juguetear debajo de la mesa con el pie, como si la decisión más importante que yo tuviese que tomar fuera si quitarme o no el zapato. Bueno, ya ves en qué estado me has dejado.
—¿Y qué me dices del estado en que yo estoy?
Desdeñosa, le dio la espalda.”
Me suelen molestar bastante los libros que no son cronológicos. En los lugares en que es normal, que se necesita el flashback vale, pero aquí no lo veo necesario. Te ponen la llegada de él, el problema, y luego un montonazo de hojas explicando cómo se conocieron, enamoraron, y sobre todo como empezaron sus días de amantes como críos. Es gracioso ver como dos personas inexpertas e ignorantes van tocándose y conociéndose, y como la religión y el miedo al infierno interviene activamente en todo eso. Parece mentira.
Mira sinceramente, si te ves en la encrucijada de tener que elegir entre tu primer marido, que creías muerto y al que habías querido toda la vida, y tu segundo marido, tu mejor amigo, que te cuidó y apoyó, y que has querido con el tiempo, lo entiendo. Ahora bien, para que sea real y justo, tienes que apartarte de ambos, e ir hablando y conociendo a los dos, sopesando, y sin dejar que ninguno de los dos te toque. Si paras a Rye, porque no es justo para Dan, pero luego te acuestas con éste porque legalmente es tu marido… lo estás haciendo condenadamente mal. Porque sinceramente, puestos a ser desleal, te estás acostando con el que es tu marido legal, por costumbre y por no hacerle daño, en lugar de acostarte con quien deseas, que es el otro.
No me gusta Dan. Es un obseso. Siempre la había querido y aprovechó la oportunidad para conseguirla, siendo el “marido perfecto” y tranquilo. Y ahora que ha llegado él, se comporta como un déspota y un borde, y luego como un gilipollas inseguro apelando a su ternura y a la pena. Así no, eso no es un hombre. Rye en cambio es lo que es, lucha por ella, la hace reír, intenta seducirla, recordarle lo que tenían… y pese a todo, la respeta y la trata mucho mejor que el “supuesto marido perfecto”.
“—Laura, ¿te hace el amor con frecuencia?
No se volvió para mirarlo.
—No.
— ¿Y desde que yo regresé?
—Pocas veces.
Rye exhaló un suspiro tembloroso y se pasó una mano por el cabello.
—Perdón, no debería haberte preguntado —reconoció a regañadientes.
Con voz trémula, pero con la espalda aún hacia él, dijo:
—Rye, con él jamás ha sido como contigo... —Entonces sí giró para mirarlo—. ¡Jamás! —Tragó con dificultad—. Supongo que será porque... lo amo por gratitud, no por pasión, y existe un mundo de diferencia entre los dos.
— ¿Lo que quieres decir es que te quedarás con él por gratitud?
Ya las lágrimas pendían de las pestañas de Laura.
—Yo... yo...
Entonces, Rye Dalton pronunció las palabras más duras que había dicho jamás:
—No pienso soportar esto eternamente: tendrás que elegir. Y pronto, porque de lo contrario, me iré de la isla para siempre.”
El final es bonito, acorde con el resto del libro, pero la historia en sí me ha sacado un poco de quicio. Ella nunca ha querido a Dan, nunca ha sido un verdadero matrimonio, así que esa reticencia que tiene en divorciarse y volver con él, realmente no la entiendo. Cuando amas a alguien lo normal no es casarse con el amigo pagafantas un par de meses después de conocer su muerte, y mucho menos, seguir acostándote con él una vez ha vuelto el amor de tu vida por “obligación y pena” y luego montarle un cirio de celos al otro porque filtrea con una vecina. ¡Viva la hipocresía! Sinceramente, el libro está muy bien escrito, pero no me gustan estas historias porque las medio aceptamos porque es ella la viuda sola, embarazada y tal; si fuera un hombre diríamos que es un borde y un idiota, y además un lascivo. Incoherente.
“— ¡Me marché por ti, para poder traerte...!
— ¡Te supliqué que no te fueras! ¡Yo no quería tu... tu apestoso aceite de ballena! ¡Yo quería a mi esposo!
— ¡Bueno, aquí estoy! —le replicó, sarcástico.
—Oh... —Apretó los puños, gimiendo de irritación—. Crees que es muy sencillo, ¿verdad, Rye? Juguetear debajo de la mesa con el pie, como si la decisión más importante que yo tuviese que tomar fuera si quitarme o no el zapato. Bueno, ya ves en qué estado me has dejado.
—¿Y qué me dices del estado en que yo estoy?
Desdeñosa, le dio la espalda.”
Me suelen molestar bastante los libros que no son cronológicos. En los lugares en que es normal, que se necesita el flashback vale, pero aquí no lo veo necesario. Te ponen la llegada de él, el problema, y luego un montonazo de hojas explicando cómo se conocieron, enamoraron, y sobre todo como empezaron sus días de amantes como críos. Es gracioso ver como dos personas inexpertas e ignorantes van tocándose y conociéndose, y como la religión y el miedo al infierno interviene activamente en todo eso. Parece mentira.
Mira sinceramente, si te ves en la encrucijada de tener que elegir entre tu primer marido, que creías muerto y al que habías querido toda la vida, y tu segundo marido, tu mejor amigo, que te cuidó y apoyó, y que has querido con el tiempo, lo entiendo. Ahora bien, para que sea real y justo, tienes que apartarte de ambos, e ir hablando y conociendo a los dos, sopesando, y sin dejar que ninguno de los dos te toque. Si paras a Rye, porque no es justo para Dan, pero luego te acuestas con éste porque legalmente es tu marido… lo estás haciendo condenadamente mal. Porque sinceramente, puestos a ser desleal, te estás acostando con el que es tu marido legal, por costumbre y por no hacerle daño, en lugar de acostarte con quien deseas, que es el otro.
No me gusta Dan. Es un obseso. Siempre la había querido y aprovechó la oportunidad para conseguirla, siendo el “marido perfecto” y tranquilo. Y ahora que ha llegado él, se comporta como un déspota y un borde, y luego como un gilipollas inseguro apelando a su ternura y a la pena. Así no, eso no es un hombre. Rye en cambio es lo que es, lucha por ella, la hace reír, intenta seducirla, recordarle lo que tenían… y pese a todo, la respeta y la trata mucho mejor que el “supuesto marido perfecto”.
“—Laura, ¿te hace el amor con frecuencia?
No se volvió para mirarlo.
—No.
— ¿Y desde que yo regresé?
—Pocas veces.
Rye exhaló un suspiro tembloroso y se pasó una mano por el cabello.
—Perdón, no debería haberte preguntado —reconoció a regañadientes.
Con voz trémula, pero con la espalda aún hacia él, dijo:
—Rye, con él jamás ha sido como contigo... —Entonces sí giró para mirarlo—. ¡Jamás! —Tragó con dificultad—. Supongo que será porque... lo amo por gratitud, no por pasión, y existe un mundo de diferencia entre los dos.
— ¿Lo que quieres decir es que te quedarás con él por gratitud?
Ya las lágrimas pendían de las pestañas de Laura.
—Yo... yo...
Entonces, Rye Dalton pronunció las palabras más duras que había dicho jamás:
—No pienso soportar esto eternamente: tendrás que elegir. Y pronto, porque de lo contrario, me iré de la isla para siempre.”
El final es bonito, acorde con el resto del libro, pero la historia en sí me ha sacado un poco de quicio. Ella nunca ha querido a Dan, nunca ha sido un verdadero matrimonio, así que esa reticencia que tiene en divorciarse y volver con él, realmente no la entiendo. Cuando amas a alguien lo normal no es casarse con el amigo pagafantas un par de meses después de conocer su muerte, y mucho menos, seguir acostándote con él una vez ha vuelto el amor de tu vida por “obligación y pena” y luego montarle un cirio de celos al otro porque filtrea con una vecina. ¡Viva la hipocresía! Sinceramente, el libro está muy bien escrito, pero no me gustan estas historias porque las medio aceptamos porque es ella la viuda sola, embarazada y tal; si fuera un hombre diríamos que es un borde y un idiota, y además un lascivo. Incoherente.
August 15, 2019
La reseña en el blog http://alacamaconunlibro.blogspot.com...
August 26, 2015
3 Stars!!!
Oh, the cruelty of fate! Yeah, that's what this book is all about.
Desperation led Laura to do something that later made her heart shatter after knowing the truth.
I don't know how to make judge of every character because as a reader, it seems easy to decide what I believed to be the right thing, making me pissed if the character can't even act on it. But in reality, it wasn't that easy. Laura fell on this category, the situation she was in was really hard, I understand. But the moment
I am not that attached to the main characters and how everything played out in the end was IMO, the easy way out. But I must say that despite of it, the author provided a great reasoning that made me accept it as it is. No other way is more suitable on how to end all their misery.
The story is slow but seems to cover all aspects needed so it was good. It wasn't hurried so everything just fell out perfectly. Although I must say that sometime around 91% mark, it felt a bit corny, making me skim the last few pages of the book.
Oh, the cruelty of fate! Yeah, that's what this book is all about.
Desperation led Laura to do something that later made her heart shatter after knowing the truth.
I don't know how to make judge of every character because as a reader, it seems easy to decide what I believed to be the right thing, making me pissed if the character can't even act on it. But in reality, it wasn't that easy. Laura fell on this category, the situation she was in was really hard, I understand. But the moment
I am not that attached to the main characters and how everything played out in the end was IMO, the easy way out. But I must say that despite of it, the author provided a great reasoning that made me accept it as it is. No other way is more suitable on how to end all their misery.
The story is slow but seems to cover all aspects needed so it was good. It wasn't hurried so everything just fell out perfectly. Although I must say that sometime around 91% mark, it felt a bit corny, making me skim the last few pages of the book.
April 16, 2018
Hacía muchísimo tiempo que no leía una novela romántica y me ha encantado toparme con Lavyrle Spencer. Esta historia, ambientada en la isla de Nantucket, en pleno siglo XIX, tenía todos los ingredientes para gustarme y no me ha decepcionado. Laura, Rye y Dan han crecido juntos entre las playas y las calles empedradas de su isla natal. Con el tiempo, una historia de amor nace entre Laura y Rye; una historia que es golpeada por la tragedia cuando el barco ballenero en el que está enrolado Rye desaparece en un naufragio...
Pese a que no soy muy amiga de los triángulos amorosos, en esta ocasión no he podido ponerle pegas. La trama, los personajes, la ambientación...todo funciona para crear una bonita y emotiva historia. Sin duda volveré a darle otra oportunidad a la autora.
Pese a que no soy muy amiga de los triángulos amorosos, en esta ocasión no he podido ponerle pegas. La trama, los personajes, la ambientación...todo funciona para crear una bonita y emotiva historia. Sin duda volveré a darle otra oportunidad a la autora.
July 18, 2024
This was a lot of pages for very little going on.
This had a simple plot - the hero, who was presumed dead for 5 years, arrives back home only to find his wife, also his childhood sweetheart, wedded to another man with a child. This other man was their close childhood friend and the child, the hero's and born after he left to provide for the family. There's a lot of heartbreak and confusion when the story starts, and we are left to see how the characters deal with it.
And there comes my biggest problem with this story. Dan, the "other man" was simply pushed aside. He's heartbroken to find his wife drifting away back to the arms of her old lover. Never mind that he was there for her when she was at her lowest and loved and provided for her and Josh, her child. Never mind he spent 5 years of his life finally finding his happiness, even though his feelings were never actually reciprocated. He was simply tossed aside when Rye, the hero, came back to the scene. We got scenes of Laura feeling bad and sad, but she continually hurts him and cries about it every time after. It made me lose any respect I had for her. Dan turned to the bottle when he started to suspect his wife was cheating on him, and things only got worse for him. He almost died at one point but of course, was fortunately saved by Rye and Laura.
When he finally gave Laura her "freedom", it broke my heart. It was unfortunate how LaVyrle Spencer spent no time on Dan and his POV. I'd love to know what was going through his mind. He acted like a side character in his own life - it did not feel realistic at all! He was told by everyone around him that he should have known that Laura was never "the one" for him, that she had always only had eyes for Rye, and that she would never love him the way she does Rye. I'm mad!
To make things worse, Dan was the only father Josh knew growing up. When Laura and Rye decided to they were going to pack their bags and move to the new frontier, it felt like they cared little for Dan's relationship with Josh. We were only given a couple of lines from Laura saying that Dan can spend time with Josh before they left, and that Josh could return when he's older to visit his Papa. What??? Dan loved him like he was his own and seeing him being torn away not only from his wife but son was incredibly cruel. I was so upset - I couldn't help but cry a couple of times reading the bits where Josh would cry out for his Papa. We never get to see Dan get his HEA. He literally moves back in with his parents and we are left to wonder if he ever got over Laura. Yay.
It would have all been worth it if we had more time in the heads of the characters. I needed to see Rye and Laura experience more angst and pain (shown to me, not simply told) for me to believe that Dan's pain and Josh's hurt were worth it. Similar to some of LaVyrle Spencer's other works, this story left me feeling like her idea of romantic love is self-centred and careless. Sometimes I wish the underdog and good guy would get the girl in the end.
A contemporary version of this trope would be One True Loves, except the second guy wins in the end (I disliked it for different reasons). I have yet to read a version of this trope executed well and emotionally satisfactorily.
This had a simple plot - the hero, who was presumed dead for 5 years, arrives back home only to find his wife, also his childhood sweetheart, wedded to another man with a child. This other man was their close childhood friend and the child, the hero's and born after he left to provide for the family. There's a lot of heartbreak and confusion when the story starts, and we are left to see how the characters deal with it.
And there comes my biggest problem with this story. Dan, the "other man" was simply pushed aside. He's heartbroken to find his wife drifting away back to the arms of her old lover. Never mind that he was there for her when she was at her lowest and loved and provided for her and Josh, her child. Never mind he spent 5 years of his life finally finding his happiness, even though his feelings were never actually reciprocated. He was simply tossed aside when Rye, the hero, came back to the scene. We got scenes of Laura feeling bad and sad, but she continually hurts him and cries about it every time after. It made me lose any respect I had for her. Dan turned to the bottle when he started to suspect his wife was cheating on him, and things only got worse for him. He almost died at one point but of course, was fortunately saved by Rye and Laura.
When he finally gave Laura her "freedom", it broke my heart. It was unfortunate how LaVyrle Spencer spent no time on Dan and his POV. I'd love to know what was going through his mind. He acted like a side character in his own life - it did not feel realistic at all! He was told by everyone around him that he should have known that Laura was never "the one" for him, that she had always only had eyes for Rye, and that she would never love him the way she does Rye. I'm mad!
To make things worse, Dan was the only father Josh knew growing up. When Laura and Rye decided to they were going to pack their bags and move to the new frontier, it felt like they cared little for Dan's relationship with Josh. We were only given a couple of lines from Laura saying that Dan can spend time with Josh before they left, and that Josh could return when he's older to visit his Papa. What??? Dan loved him like he was his own and seeing him being torn away not only from his wife but son was incredibly cruel. I was so upset - I couldn't help but cry a couple of times reading the bits where Josh would cry out for his Papa. We never get to see Dan get his HEA. He literally moves back in with his parents and we are left to wonder if he ever got over Laura. Yay.
It would have all been worth it if we had more time in the heads of the characters. I needed to see Rye and Laura experience more angst and pain (shown to me, not simply told) for me to believe that Dan's pain and Josh's hurt were worth it. Similar to some of LaVyrle Spencer's other works, this story left me feeling like her idea of romantic love is self-centred and careless. Sometimes I wish the underdog and good guy would get the girl in the end.
A contemporary version of this trope would be One True Loves, except the second guy wins in the end (I disliked it for different reasons). I have yet to read a version of this trope executed well and emotionally satisfactorily.
January 16, 2021
My mom loved this one and gave it to me to read. I just couldn't get into the story or her writing style. It is classified as historical fiction on some lists buy it is a cheesy love story. Just not my thing.
December 25, 2023
Twice Loved by LaVyrle Spencer (1984), is another of her incomparable HRs… a unique deeply layered story with exquisite poetic language. Totally tugged at my heartstrings …. soooo super good!
🐋 Nantucket Island, 1837. Rye Dalton returns home after being away for five years on a whaling ship to discover his wife, Laura is married to their best friend Dan, and she has a four year old son. They all thought Rye was dead.
🐋 Laura loves two men, each in a different way as she struggles with her longing, uncertainty and her awareness of absolute sin.
💕Tension builds throughout… passion and love permeates the story as Dan and Laura rediscover their lifelong love for each other. Absolutely beautifully written sex scenes, lengthy and sensous. 🔥🔥
It’s a heartbreaking struggle for the three characters as the story finally plays out to a satisfying ending.
🦞🍎 Glorious descriptions of the life on Nantucket thruout the seasons … I can’t write anything to adequately explain how Spencer excels at this…she just does. Sheer perfection!
Another Spencer RITA award winner for best HR. And for me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+ 🥰
Cover artist: James Griffin.
🐋 Nantucket Island, 1837. Rye Dalton returns home after being away for five years on a whaling ship to discover his wife, Laura is married to their best friend Dan, and she has a four year old son. They all thought Rye was dead.
🐋 Laura loves two men, each in a different way as she struggles with her longing, uncertainty and her awareness of absolute sin.
💕Tension builds throughout… passion and love permeates the story as Dan and Laura rediscover their lifelong love for each other. Absolutely beautifully written sex scenes, lengthy and sensous. 🔥🔥
It’s a heartbreaking struggle for the three characters as the story finally plays out to a satisfying ending.
🦞🍎 Glorious descriptions of the life on Nantucket thruout the seasons … I can’t write anything to adequately explain how Spencer excels at this…she just does. Sheer perfection!
Another Spencer RITA award winner for best HR. And for me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+ 🥰
Cover artist: James Griffin.
February 3, 2020
Una historia preciosa, me ha gustado todo, la ambientación, la pareja, él, la historia, Josh. A Dan lo hubiese matado por muy comprensible que fuese su postura.
Ha habido una escena que se me ha clavado en el corazón, cuando ellos están junto a Dan esperado aparezca el cuerpo y es que la estaba visualizando y llegue a sentir lo que sentían ellos.
Me encanta esta escritora desde que la descubrí con Maravilla y este libro me ha llegado al corazón.
Una imprescindible para mi.
Ha habido una escena que se me ha clavado en el corazón, cuando ellos están junto a Dan esperado aparezca el cuerpo y es que la estaba visualizando y llegue a sentir lo que sentían ellos.
Me encanta esta escritora desde que la descubrí con Maravilla y este libro me ha llegado al corazón.
Una imprescindible para mi.
April 14, 2022
It pains me to do it but I really did not like this one at all. I never connected with the characters. It felt like nothing really happened. And I hated Laura, she was a martyr and could not make a freaking decision. I still love LaVyrle Spencer though. This one just did nothing for me.
August 8, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Amazing! LS rarely misses. She’s one of my favorite HR authors, but buckle up because it’s a lot of angst and heartache before the HEA. Well worth it though! These two belonged together. Loved it 🥰
Amazing! LS rarely misses. She’s one of my favorite HR authors, but buckle up because it’s a lot of angst and heartache before the HEA. Well worth it though! These two belonged together. Loved it 🥰
August 7, 2012
One of my favorite books of all time. Rye Dalton is my favorite hero ever.
November 1, 2012
Kisah cinta segitiga antara Rye – Laura – Dan
Mereka bertiga telah berteman dan bersahabat sejak kanak-kanak hingga usia dewasa. Rye , putra pembuat tong & pemburu ikan paus di pulau Nantucket dan Laura saling jatuh cinta, kemudian menikah. Dalam petualangannya memburu ikan paus untuk meraih kekayaan demi menghidupi keluarganya, Rye ikut berlayar dengan kapal Massachusetts .
Laura mendapat kabar kapal yang ditumpangi Rye tenggelam dan jasad Rye tidak ditemukan. Dalam kedukaan Laura yang teramat dalam ditambah lagi dengan kondisi dia tengah mengandung anak Rye , Dan selalu ada disamping Laura untuk menguatkan dan menjadi pelindungnya. Tatkala Rye dinyatakan telah meninggal, maka rasa persahabatan antara Laura dan Dan berubah menjadi rasa sayang hingga akhirnya mereka menikah membentuk keluarga.
Kini lima tahun kemudian, Rye kembali ke Nantucket untuk kembali kepada Laura, kekasih tercintanya yang selalu dirindukannya. Apa yang ditemui dan dihadapi Rye membuatnya kaget. Rye tak menyangka bahwa Laura menikah dengan Dan bahkan Josh, anaknya diakui sebagai anak Dan. Rye menuntut dan tetap mengklaim bahwa Laura adalah masih istrinya dan Josh adalah anaknya. Rye menginginkan Laura dan Josh kembali ke pelukannya.
Dalam cinta segitiga selalu ada pihak yang ‘kalah, mengalah, mundur’. Pihak yang ‘kalah, mengalah, mundur’ dibuat karakternya perlahan-lahan menjadi tidak menyenangkan dan ditengah ketakberdayaannya, dia mengalah.
Meskipun senang bahwa cinta sejati/belahan jiwa kembali menyatu, tapi rasanya gak tega juga melihat pihak ketiga tersingkirkan.
Mereka bertiga telah berteman dan bersahabat sejak kanak-kanak hingga usia dewasa. Rye , putra pembuat tong & pemburu ikan paus di pulau Nantucket dan Laura saling jatuh cinta, kemudian menikah. Dalam petualangannya memburu ikan paus untuk meraih kekayaan demi menghidupi keluarganya, Rye ikut berlayar dengan kapal Massachusetts .
Laura mendapat kabar kapal yang ditumpangi Rye tenggelam dan jasad Rye tidak ditemukan. Dalam kedukaan Laura yang teramat dalam ditambah lagi dengan kondisi dia tengah mengandung anak Rye , Dan selalu ada disamping Laura untuk menguatkan dan menjadi pelindungnya. Tatkala Rye dinyatakan telah meninggal, maka rasa persahabatan antara Laura dan Dan berubah menjadi rasa sayang hingga akhirnya mereka menikah membentuk keluarga.
Kini lima tahun kemudian, Rye kembali ke Nantucket untuk kembali kepada Laura, kekasih tercintanya yang selalu dirindukannya. Apa yang ditemui dan dihadapi Rye membuatnya kaget. Rye tak menyangka bahwa Laura menikah dengan Dan bahkan Josh, anaknya diakui sebagai anak Dan. Rye menuntut dan tetap mengklaim bahwa Laura adalah masih istrinya dan Josh adalah anaknya. Rye menginginkan Laura dan Josh kembali ke pelukannya.
Dalam cinta segitiga selalu ada pihak yang ‘kalah, mengalah, mundur’. Pihak yang ‘kalah, mengalah, mundur’ dibuat karakternya perlahan-lahan menjadi tidak menyenangkan dan ditengah ketakberdayaannya, dia mengalah.
Meskipun senang bahwa cinta sejati/belahan jiwa kembali menyatu, tapi rasanya gak tega juga melihat pihak ketiga tersingkirkan.
February 8, 2011
I love Lavyrle Spencer's writing. She is so detailed and thorough that you can't help but be swept up in each of the character's thoughts and emotions. This book, however, just didn't grab me the way many of hers have. I didn't like that it began with Rye coming home. I think it would have been much better if it had started with a prologue detailing the love affair between Rye and Laura. We get to see glimpses of the past throughout the book, but I never totally felt it.
Before ever reading the book, you know that SOMEONE has to step aside eventually. Which means, SOMEONE is going to get hurt. Therefore, disapointment and sadness are present from page one. Not a good way to start a book as far as I am concerned.
Lavrle Spencer has so many great books out there. I say skip this book, but don't skip the author.
Before ever reading the book, you know that SOMEONE has to step aside eventually. Which means, SOMEONE is going to get hurt. Therefore, disapointment and sadness are present from page one. Not a good way to start a book as far as I am concerned.
Lavrle Spencer has so many great books out there. I say skip this book, but don't skip the author.
March 21, 2015
Heartwrenching heartwarming lovely
Rye makes a brilliant, sexy and romantic hero....come home from the sea. It is harder to emphasize with Laura and definitely hard to feel too sorry for Dan. I don't get Spencer's total disregard for grandparents. Rye dies...laura loves him so much that she keeps his son from his parents. The child is their only grandchild. Why not the truth. Papa died at sea. These are your grandparents. I have now married our best friend and he is your new papa. It seems so selfish and makes it hard to sympathize with Laura at all. Spencer totally disregarded the grandparents in separate beds as well. Too bad . Almost gave it less stars for this.
Rye makes a brilliant, sexy and romantic hero....come home from the sea. It is harder to emphasize with Laura and definitely hard to feel too sorry for Dan. I don't get Spencer's total disregard for grandparents. Rye dies...laura loves him so much that she keeps his son from his parents. The child is their only grandchild. Why not the truth. Papa died at sea. These are your grandparents. I have now married our best friend and he is your new papa. It seems so selfish and makes it hard to sympathize with Laura at all. Spencer totally disregarded the grandparents in separate beds as well. Too bad . Almost gave it less stars for this.
January 27, 2019
3.5 stars
Addictive story but the female MC frustrated me beyond belief. Rye (the male MC), on the other hand, was worthy of becoming a book boyfriend. This is a coming of age story where a husband goes off to sea with hopes of returning a wealthier man for his family. He’s declared dead because his ship sank. The wife moves on, bc she’s pregnant and needs help, only for her husband to return after 5 years.
What I didn’t like was the explicit sex scenes while they were 16yo... maybe include more details when they were adults. Also, the constant mention of whale bone was a bit much, lol.
A good beach read.
Addictive story but the female MC frustrated me beyond belief. Rye (the male MC), on the other hand, was worthy of becoming a book boyfriend. This is a coming of age story where a husband goes off to sea with hopes of returning a wealthier man for his family. He’s declared dead because his ship sank. The wife moves on, bc she’s pregnant and needs help, only for her husband to return after 5 years.
What I didn’t like was the explicit sex scenes while they were 16yo... maybe include more details when they were adults. Also, the constant mention of whale bone was a bit much, lol.
A good beach read.
January 14, 2014
Read this book first time in 1984. Read again in 2013, but didn't like it as much as I remembered. The intimate scenes were WAY TOO EXPLICIT. I like so much more left to the imagination. Also, I think that LaVyrle wrote like this in her first few books and then started backing away to better writing and less details. The shock factor and explicitness wasn't needed after she became a best seller (but who am I to know how those things work).
I probably won't be keeping this book and that is sad, because I have kept all but one other of LaVyrle's books.
I probably won't be keeping this book and that is sad, because I have kept all but one other of LaVyrle's books.
August 13, 2013
This was my first LyVryle Spencer, and still my favorite.
Laura and Rye are childhood sweethearts, patiently putting up with their friend Dan, who follows them constantly.
They all grow up. Rye goes off to sea to make some money so they can have a better life. Little does he know that Laura is pregnant.
Rye is lost at sea. When he returns, some years later, he discovers that Laura has married Dan and they have a child who looks just like him.
This is where the story really begins and what a great story it is.
LaVyrle Spencer will never go out of style. She is a classic.
Laura and Rye are childhood sweethearts, patiently putting up with their friend Dan, who follows them constantly.
They all grow up. Rye goes off to sea to make some money so they can have a better life. Little does he know that Laura is pregnant.
Rye is lost at sea. When he returns, some years later, he discovers that Laura has married Dan and they have a child who looks just like him.
This is where the story really begins and what a great story it is.
LaVyrle Spencer will never go out of style. She is a classic.
June 27, 2014
This is the 1st LaVyrle Spencer book I haven't completely enjoyed. A particularly gaping plot hole is the little boy having no contact with his paternal grandparents. I mean if my son died at sea, I'd do everything to be a part of my grandson's life.
And Rye had grown up in the town, wouldn't anyone in the village have said something to the child about his father in all those years? That aspect simply did not ring true to me.
And Rye had grown up in the town, wouldn't anyone in the village have said something to the child about his father in all those years? That aspect simply did not ring true to me.
November 23, 2012
3.5 stars for this novel
Wow, I really love this novel. So emotional and romantic to read, and I think I've to read the other novel of hers ^^. Of course she will become one of my favourite author =)
Wow, I really love this novel. So emotional and romantic to read, and I think I've to read the other novel of hers ^^. Of course she will become one of my favourite author =)
December 13, 2012
Lavyrle Spencer is one of my favorite authors and I adore all her books but this one holds a special place in my heart. The Fulfillment is a close second! An auto buy author. Her books are bursting with heartwrenching emotion and passion.
August 3, 2021
Another great book from this author with a love traingle that I wont ever re-read. My heart's breaking just thinking about this plot.
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