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Once A Lover
He wanted the impossible...
Jessica Harley had become a celebrated author after the breakup of her marriage to Philip Masters. And she wasn't about to give him another chance to ruin her life--especially not now that his precious racing career was over.
It was bad enough that Philip wanted to dredge up old hurts and find new reasons for their alienation. But the idea that they could ever reconcile their differences enough to remarry was preposterous.
Philip hadn't trusted Jessica with his innermost thoughts when she'd needed him How ironic that he would turn to her now--when she no longer wanted to care.
Jessica Harley had become a celebrated author after the breakup of her marriage to Philip Masters. And she wasn't about to give him another chance to ruin her life--especially not now that his precious racing career was over.
It was bad enough that Philip wanted to dredge up old hurts and find new reasons for their alienation. But the idea that they could ever reconcile their differences enough to remarry was preposterous.
Philip hadn't trusted Jessica with his innermost thoughts when she'd needed him How ironic that he would turn to her now--when she no longer wanted to care.
189 pages, Mass Market Paperback
127 people want to read
About the author
Claire Harrison
31 books7 followersaka Laura Eden
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 21, 2025
Wow. This is an angst fest, bordering on painful at times, but I really enjoyed it. This is a second chance story. H/h are divorced - 3 years, I think? He was a race car driver and she was a student when they married. She hated his "death wish" of a career and his remoteness out of bed. He hated her emotional neediness and the way she was spoiled by her parents as an only child. When the story opens she is on book tour promoting her latest volume on women who had been divorced by their husbands after many years of marriage. (An anecdotal book - like Nancy Friday used to write.)The hero has just been in a bad accident and isn't expected to race again.
February 14, 2019
A few pages in and I was sure that I was on another one of those annoying bickerfests between a divorced couple, with a bitter h and a supercilious manhoe H. But this book was a surprise and things were handled slightly differently. It had a seriousness, a maturity, and a believable tenor. The people, their actions, feelings and mistakes felt real. The only grouse could be long internal thought processes and less dialogue for long stretches, but I read it all instead of my usual habit of skimming such prose.
The h is coldly bitter and hurt, but then she also had a soft compassionate side which keeps her from throwing out her recuperating ex-husband who lands uninvited at her home. He is a racing driver who has had a debilitating accident, effectively ending his career while she has gone from a directionless student (during their marriage) to a best selling author who writes on women’s issues. Slowly their past is revealed in all the hurts and blames they felt and exchanged, with both having a different insight and perspective. It is truly a journey of a couple who fell hard for each other when younger (her 23 to his 25), get married, had a short blissful honeymoon period before real life, past emotional trauma or insecurities creep in to tear them completely apart. He hides behind hurtful mockery and physical absence while her inner insecurities and immaturity makes her incapable of understanding and handling his inner demons.
Now three years later, he is determined to get his wife and marriage back while she feels he has let her down so bad that she is incapable of even thinking about it. Her hurt is so deep that it even reflects in her misandrous writing. So this story is as much about finding oneself as it's about finding each other back.
I liked and empathized with them both equally. The secondary characters are also well etched, especially the vivacious bff and her husband. I loved them as a couple and their messy but solid marriage contrasted sharply with the mcs’ relationship.
The h is coldly bitter and hurt, but then she also had a soft compassionate side which keeps her from throwing out her recuperating ex-husband who lands uninvited at her home. He is a racing driver who has had a debilitating accident, effectively ending his career while she has gone from a directionless student (during their marriage) to a best selling author who writes on women’s issues. Slowly their past is revealed in all the hurts and blames they felt and exchanged, with both having a different insight and perspective. It is truly a journey of a couple who fell hard for each other when younger (her 23 to his 25), get married, had a short blissful honeymoon period before real life, past emotional trauma or insecurities creep in to tear them completely apart. He hides behind hurtful mockery and physical absence while her inner insecurities and immaturity makes her incapable of understanding and handling his inner demons.
Now three years later, he is determined to get his wife and marriage back while she feels he has let her down so bad that she is incapable of even thinking about it. Her hurt is so deep that it even reflects in her misandrous writing. So this story is as much about finding oneself as it's about finding each other back.
I liked and empathized with them both equally. The secondary characters are also well etched, especially the vivacious bff and her husband. I loved them as a couple and their messy but solid marriage contrasted sharply with the mcs’ relationship.
September 10, 2016
It's very rare that I will give a one star rating, even to an HP. However, this book just aggravated me. The logic about their reasons for a failed marriage made my head spin. I didn't care for the fact that the author placed most of the problems in their marriage on the doorstep of the heroine, when the hero was nothing but a pr#$%. I think it was the author's attempt to redeem the hero, but it failed miserably. His character just wasn't salvageable.
Interestingly enough, about halfway through the book I found myself not caring what happened to either one of them once I realized they were both self absorbed idiots. Her parents reaction to him being in her life again was also not credible.
This was not an enjoyable read and is indicative of why I have slowed down on my consumption of Harleys this year. I wouldn't give you a "plug nickel" for either H/h. I'm so glad they found each other rather than ruining some other poor soul's life. That was the only good thing about the story.
Interestingly enough, about halfway through the book I found myself not caring what happened to either one of them once I realized they were both self absorbed idiots. Her parents reaction to him being in her life again was also not credible.
This was not an enjoyable read and is indicative of why I have slowed down on my consumption of Harleys this year. I wouldn't give you a "plug nickel" for either H/h. I'm so glad they found each other rather than ruining some other poor soul's life. That was the only good thing about the story.
January 1, 2016
This isn't a typical HP, the h Jessica has to do a lot of growing up and coming to terms with adulthood in this book. There isn't much H POV, but there is enough to satisfy the reader with a believable HEA.
The story is that Jessica and Philip married fairly young and both were pretty immature. Philip was a race car drive and Jessica was a student. They have completely different background and ways of relating and they couldn't compromise. The final break comes when Jessica gets pregnant and Phillip wants her to have an abortion. He walks out, she miscarries and hello divorce court.
Five years later Phillip is injured in a car wreck that ends his racing career. Jessica is now a huge best selling self help author and Phillip shows up injured at her house to recuperate. Jessica begins the painful process of figuring out where her marriage went wrong and what she wants out of life now.
This is one of the most developed introspective looks at a HP heroine I have ever read. Ms. Harrison really delves into Jessica's psyche and this inspection and learning process made this a really interesting book.
The story is that Jessica and Philip married fairly young and both were pretty immature. Philip was a race car drive and Jessica was a student. They have completely different background and ways of relating and they couldn't compromise. The final break comes when Jessica gets pregnant and Phillip wants her to have an abortion. He walks out, she miscarries and hello divorce court.
Five years later Phillip is injured in a car wreck that ends his racing career. Jessica is now a huge best selling self help author and Phillip shows up injured at her house to recuperate. Jessica begins the painful process of figuring out where her marriage went wrong and what she wants out of life now.
This is one of the most developed introspective looks at a HP heroine I have ever read. Ms. Harrison really delves into Jessica's psyche and this inspection and learning process made this a really interesting book.
November 11, 2017
Our heroine comments that he was photographed in various tabloid covers with other women when they were separated. She remained celibate.
The hero came after our heroine only after his career went to the toilet.
I found the whole story very foolish and if he loved her so much, should not have been so hateful to her.
The hero came after our heroine only after his career went to the toilet.
I found the whole story very foolish and if he loved her so much, should not have been so hateful to her.
January 21, 2025
Just no.
They get married, fight all the time, she gets preggo and he asks her to have an abortion, she miscarries and then of course she files for divorce.
Years later she’s a successful writer, and he has an accident where he basically ends his career, he’s a car racer, so now that he’s gone through women while she’s been as celibate as a nun he wants her back.
No, just no.
He didn’t want her years before because she was clingy but now that she’s a famous writer he’s jealous because she loves her works more than him. Just FY.
They get married, fight all the time, she gets preggo and he asks her to have an abortion, she miscarries and then of course she files for divorce.
Years later she’s a successful writer, and he has an accident where he basically ends his career, he’s a car racer, so now that he’s gone through women while she’s been as celibate as a nun he wants her back.
No, just no.
He didn’t want her years before because she was clingy but now that she’s a famous writer he’s jealous because she loves her works more than him. Just FY.
October 23, 2025
Real MCs with their real flaws.
However, h thought she was as guilty as H but she was not. H was cruel and after seperation and before seeing a psychologist, he had at least three affairs. What a big love! Nope.
However, h thought she was as guilty as H but she was not. H was cruel and after seperation and before seeing a psychologist, he had at least three affairs. What a big love! Nope.
avoid
July 12, 2017Notice how he ACTUALLY didn't come to her until his career was over?
I rest my case!
I rest my case!
November 25, 2023
Дяволски добре написана история, но не за всеки. Тази луда бабка е изплела такъв сюжет, че войната на семейство Роуз от едноименния филм чак започва да бледнее.
Три години след развода си набираща известност писателка вика полицията, виждайки отворена входната врата на дома си. Полицаите обаче откриват единствено мирно спящия като цепеница, под въздействие на силни болкоуспокояващи, бивш съпруг, който е избягал от болница след почти фатален инцидент, приключил кариерата му на автомобилен състезател. А когато най-сетне идва в съзнание, веднага прави предложение на мацката да изтичат до гражданското за втори път…
Тя му помага да се възстанови и започва да разбира защо са се издънили при първия си опит за брак, откривайки, че нейният собствен божествен комплекс за пълна невинност и онеправданост е много, много далеч от истината. Тя най-сетне проглежда колко незряла, разглезена, неуверена, отмъстителна и себична е била, а той - какъв идиот е бил в повечето отношения. Лудата бабка тук сигурно има някоя скрита диплома за психолог или направо психиатър - твърде убедително е обрисувала какво съдържат главите на героите и. Още малко, и щях да пропусна хепи енда, добре, че авторката накрая се сети, че жанрът го изисква. Но пък напълно честно си заслужиха второто щастие двамата глупаци 💗🤭🎁
4,5⭐️
Три години след развода си набираща известност писателка вика полицията, виждайки отворена входната врата на дома си. Полицаите обаче откриват единствено мирно спящия като цепеница, под въздействие на силни болкоуспокояващи, бивш съпруг, който е избягал от болница след почти фатален инцидент, приключил кариерата му на автомобилен състезател. А когато най-сетне идва в съзнание, веднага прави предложение на мацката да изтичат до гражданското за втори път…
Тя му помага да се възстанови и започва да разбира защо са се издънили при първия си опит за брак, откривайки, че нейният собствен божествен комплекс за пълна невинност и онеправданост е много, много далеч от истината. Тя най-сетне проглежда колко незряла, разглезена, неуверена, отмъстителна и себична е била, а той - какъв идиот е бил в повечето отношения. Лудата бабка тук сигурно има някоя скрита диплома за психолог или направо психиатър - твърде убедително е обрисувала какво съдържат главите на героите и. Още малко, и щях да пропусна хепи енда, добре, че авторката накрая се сети, че жанрът го изисква. Но пък напълно честно си заслужиха второто щастие двамата глупаци 💗🤭🎁
4,5⭐️
October 17, 2019
Its not you booky book book its me. I just couldn't stand these 2 people in the end and they both needed to grow up even more than they did!
The H had a horrible childhood and as a consequence developed a death wish. He fell in love with the young h and was subsequently jealous of her bucolic childhood. (Sure she was a doted on only child who relied on her parents as a sounding board but he actually made it out to be much worse than it was once you realise why he was angry at her)
The h came across as confident and sassy after her recovery from the h but then she completely ruins herself in the last chapter out of petty revenge to upset the H and she succeeded in making him cry. It was at that point I wanted to launch my e-reader at her head. Until that point she was the bigger person and in control then she was just a biatch :(
The H had a horrible childhood and as a consequence developed a death wish. He fell in love with the young h and was subsequently jealous of her bucolic childhood. (Sure she was a doted on only child who relied on her parents as a sounding board but he actually made it out to be much worse than it was once you realise why he was angry at her)
The h came across as confident and sassy after her recovery from the h but then she completely ruins herself in the last chapter out of petty revenge to upset the H and she succeeded in making him cry. It was at that point I wanted to launch my e-reader at her head. Until that point she was the bigger person and in control then she was just a biatch :(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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April 25, 2019Say what now? This book is nuts. Every character is gaslighting the heroine “you didn’t feel that way/you were spoiled/he loves you because of fake reasons he never showed to you.” When the first 2 questions after the heroine says “Im pregnant” are: whose is it and get an abortion from the hero’s mouth he ceases to be “the hero” of the story. He is so passive but aggressive to force the heroine to check every aspect of her life. “You’re parents aren’t in love/your friends like fighting/your job is about us”. Dude get the hell out of her house! You said she was young, you were a dick! Haven’t outgrown that just cause you want her back. Skip because at the end you are convinced the heroine is sucked back into an abusive relationship and it makes you sad.
April 23, 2010
I have not read one of these Harlequin Presents books since high school. My sister culled this one from her library (she is an actual librarian) and had it laying around, so I picked it up. What a blast from the past to read this sort of book again. There were so many things in this book I would not have picked up on if I had read it in the early 80s, when it was published (and I don't mean the sexual euphemisms, for this line of books is actually rather graphic).
If you've read one of these sorts of books you've read them all. About this one -- there were several parts of it that, as an adult woman, I find incredibly offensive. These parts are written as mental thoughts and ideas of the main character, Jessica. I have to say, Jessica is a judgemental asshole as well as an all around unpleasant person. Bit since she is "slim" and "elegant" and "beautiful" I guess that makes it ok. She certainly has several men intersted in her -- I guess men back then didn't care if a woman was a judgemental asshole, as long as she was pretty.
Now it is the case that much of Jessica's personal unpleasantness is actually used as a plot device, as this is the reason her marriage did not work. And the book shows a progression and growth of her personality. So I do see that.
But I love how near the end, when she goes to Nora's apartment, she judges Nora, who is sick with a cold, for the state of her apartment, which is small, messy, and rather dank. Unlike Jessica who grew up spoiled and with money, Nora has to make her own way in the world as a single woman. Nora has to pay her own way, while Jessica lives in the well appointed family home, which her parents flat out gave her after her father retired and they moved to Florida. How much house can a typical single woman in her 20s really afford to buy in Washington DC? -- when her father's successful law firm does not buy it for her, I mean. Jessica's sense of entitlement is so palpable, I really want to hit her. Really, really hard.
Not to mention Jessica's conclusions that the reason she is unable to write (she is a book writer for a living) is you know, obviously because she isn't having sex. Because how can she write her non-fiction research book on unwed mothers if SHE is not having sex? How can she write about women who have HAD SEX if she is not HAVING SEX????
The sexism and classism in this book make reading it like watching a train wreck. It's not just trite and formula, as all these types of books are, and as we expect. It is actively offensive. Outstanding.
If you've read one of these sorts of books you've read them all. About this one -- there were several parts of it that, as an adult woman, I find incredibly offensive. These parts are written as mental thoughts and ideas of the main character, Jessica. I have to say, Jessica is a judgemental asshole as well as an all around unpleasant person. Bit since she is "slim" and "elegant" and "beautiful" I guess that makes it ok. She certainly has several men intersted in her -- I guess men back then didn't care if a woman was a judgemental asshole, as long as she was pretty.
Now it is the case that much of Jessica's personal unpleasantness is actually used as a plot device, as this is the reason her marriage did not work. And the book shows a progression and growth of her personality. So I do see that.
But I love how near the end, when she goes to Nora's apartment, she judges Nora, who is sick with a cold, for the state of her apartment, which is small, messy, and rather dank. Unlike Jessica who grew up spoiled and with money, Nora has to make her own way in the world as a single woman. Nora has to pay her own way, while Jessica lives in the well appointed family home, which her parents flat out gave her after her father retired and they moved to Florida. How much house can a typical single woman in her 20s really afford to buy in Washington DC? -- when her father's successful law firm does not buy it for her, I mean. Jessica's sense of entitlement is so palpable, I really want to hit her. Really, really hard.
Not to mention Jessica's conclusions that the reason she is unable to write (she is a book writer for a living) is you know, obviously because she isn't having sex. Because how can she write her non-fiction research book on unwed mothers if SHE is not having sex? How can she write about women who have HAD SEX if she is not HAVING SEX????
The sexism and classism in this book make reading it like watching a train wreck. It's not just trite and formula, as all these types of books are, and as we expect. It is actively offensive. Outstanding.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2017
It was a good read but I was disappointed that she didn't end up pursuing the book idea of presenting the men's side of divorce. I was excited when it was brought up and I thought there'd be so much material there to have some good communication with the H and also, let's face it, she was pretty biased towards women's perspectives. I thought the publisher brought up great points in that it'd show her open-mindedness to the public as well as a fair presentation of both sides of the story. It was a letdown when she just dropped it...
Anyway it was an interesting read and had plenty of angst.
Anyway it was an interesting read and had plenty of angst.
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May 9, 2022Nicely written as always, but Claire Harrison's h's manage to get under my skin. They're interesting, dynamic women...but then at the same time, they're weak aggravating blobs. I'd rather take a classic caveman H/doormat h story over what CH offers. It's like she creates these liberated women characters just to make them submit for "happiness" (always framed as marriage and especially, a baby).
CH also has a weird thing with abortions. I've read about 5 of her books and the topic is always mentioned in them. It's clear what CH's opinion of abortions is while reading her works, but it's SO ham-fisted (the idiotic side character's reasoning in Dragon Point made my eyes roll so hard and I almost DNF the book because it was ludicrous --
That said, I like CH's books. Her characters talk like normal people, her stories feel modern and I think she does push the boundary in some places (even if it's ironically to make the opposite moralistic point). When her H's are behaving well, they're very charming.
CH also has a weird thing with abortions. I've read about 5 of her books and the topic is always mentioned in them. It's clear what CH's opinion of abortions is while reading her works, but it's SO ham-fisted (the idiotic side character's reasoning in Dragon Point made my eyes roll so hard and I almost DNF the book because it was ludicrous --
That said, I like CH's books. Her characters talk like normal people, her stories feel modern and I think she does push the boundary in some places (even if it's ironically to make the opposite moralistic point). When her H's are behaving well, they're very charming.
April 30, 2017
Omg! I love vintage! If you are looking for angst and harshness of a hero you've found it. The heroine wasn't backwards she had her revenge. This was an emotional one. The hero's grovelling was superb. I had all tears for him. I recommend this book!!! Please Modern writers this is the emotional drama I prefer and this shows that the intimate details are not necessary to make a book a darn good read .
March 18, 2023
I literally hated everyone. From all of the side characters making excused for the selfish narcissistic Hero to the stupid fool of heroine who got a shitty ass apology years later after marriage bursts in flames which he still barely took accountability, AND SHE STILL CHASES AFTER HIM IN THE END
Even if I don’t like a book I usually give 2 stars for the good writing but this doesn’t deserve it for the terrible taste it left me.
Even if I don’t like a book I usually give 2 stars for the good writing but this doesn’t deserve it for the terrible taste it left me.
December 15, 2020
4 stars for the sheer character growth ... Intense and angsty and fast paced ... Interesting h and H ... The HEA was hard won ...
October 12, 2020
He wanted the impossible...
Jessica Harley had become a celebrated author after the breakup of her marriage to Philip Masters. And she wasn't about to give him another chance to ruin her life--especially not now that his precious racing career was over.
It was bad enough that Philip wanted to dredge up old hurts and find new reasons for their alienation. But the idea that they could ever reconcile their differences enough to remarry was preposterous.
Philip hadn't trusted Jessica with his innermost thoughts when she'd needed him How ironic that he would turn to her now--when she no longer wanted to care. (less)
Jessica Harley had become a celebrated author after the breakup of her marriage to Philip Masters. And she wasn't about to give him another chance to ruin her life--especially not now that his precious racing career was over.
It was bad enough that Philip wanted to dredge up old hurts and find new reasons for their alienation. But the idea that they could ever reconcile their differences enough to remarry was preposterous.
Philip hadn't trusted Jessica with his innermost thoughts when she'd needed him How ironic that he would turn to her now--when she no longer wanted to care. (less)
September 26, 2019
This book almost all take place in the h's head, the rest is conversations with other people then the H. It felt like just 10 % was the h/H actually interacting.
And I can't get my head around the ages of the MCs. At some point it is mention that they meet when he was 25 and she 23. And they where married for 4 years and separated for 3. So they should be 30 and 32 then? But at the end it is mentioned that he is 35.
Anyhow it read like the h was 18 not 30-32 or what ever. And I can't get over that she put all the blame on herself!
And I can't get my head around the ages of the MCs. At some point it is mention that they meet when he was 25 and she 23. And they where married for 4 years and separated for 3. So they should be 30 and 32 then? But at the end it is mentioned that he is 35.
Anyhow it read like the h was 18 not 30-32 or what ever. And I can't get over that she put all the blame on herself!
April 17, 2017
The heroine in this book made it impossible for me to enjoy. I wish I could give it a better review because the author seemed to have more than a passing knowledge of racing.
August 21, 2021
4 star story with a zero hero equals 2.
February 7, 2019
3.5 stars. It was an interesting read. I liked that it explored the reasons why their marriage failed and that both of them were at fault. It made them both seem more human. I liked how the hero had recognised his issues and sought professional help to deal with them before approaching the heroine again. I liked when the heroine went for revenge at the end - even if it didn’t quite turn out the way she thought it would. I liked how he (finally) apologised for his actions.
Unfortunately there were a few things that I didn’t like. One was the usual - the heroine spent their time apart completely celibate, while the hero was pictured with other women. BUT the worst of that was the heroine was so accepting of it. She actually thought to herself that he was the type of man that couldn’t be without a woman for long, and that was fine. Well, since he came back and said that he’d been in love with her the whole time, and was upset at the thought that she might have been with another man - that is not acceptable to me. It was never confirmed that he had been with other women, just hinted at and accepted. Ugh. Then there was the part when the heroine’s neighbour talked about finding her own husband in a passionate clinch in the garden with another woman, and said that she realised she had taken him for granted and so set about keeping him ‘too busy’ to think about other women. Ew.
Unfortunately there were a few things that I didn’t like. One was the usual - the heroine spent their time apart completely celibate, while the hero was pictured with other women. BUT the worst of that was the heroine was so accepting of it. She actually thought to herself that he was the type of man that couldn’t be without a woman for long, and that was fine. Well, since he came back and said that he’d been in love with her the whole time, and was upset at the thought that she might have been with another man - that is not acceptable to me. It was never confirmed that he had been with other women, just hinted at and accepted. Ugh. Then there was the part when the heroine’s neighbour talked about finding her own husband in a passionate clinch in the garden with another woman, and said that she realised she had taken him for granted and so set about keeping him ‘too busy’ to think about other women. Ew.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2016
Very sad second chance story. How two people can fall in love, be so in love and still destroy each other in their relationship. Supposedly they were young when they got married and each had issues to over come so these had to be resolved before they could work on their second marriage. It was just such a waste of years and loneliness since both of them were stubborn and proud.
June 12, 2022
I'm only at like 15% but this book is so so so well written. It's making me feel EVERYTHING. Things aren't looking good for the H right now, and the h's internal monologue sums up my own thoughts:
"It was quite obvious now that Philip had come back for a number of reasons; his drive to succeed where he had failed before, the challenge of seducing a hostile ex-wife, a desire to rub her nose in her supposed flaws and, quite possibly Jessica acknowledged, to find a comfortable financial haven."
"When she had needed his love and ached for it, he had withheld it, but now that she was free and no longer cared whether he loved her or not, he had come back to entrap her once again."
"She didn't intend to relinquish her independence or give up all that she had accomplished for a man who had just come to the conclusion that he had always loved her. "
Will add to this review once I finish the book.
....WHEW. Finished this book in 5 hours. This was so good. A book that makes you feel so strongly has gotta get 5 stars. Fair warning, trigger: @b0rtion of h's early pregnancy in the next few lines. I did NOT expect to see the author make the H compensate for such a fucked up statement, and I have DNFed dozens of books where the H has the audacity to ask any of these 2 Qs on a pregnancy reveal. But, the author made it work. His foot has been destroyed, and is pieced together with metal and good will, he has a significant limp, and he can never drive, let alone race again. He also gets to hear a whopper by the h in the end: He has been repeatedly telling her he will marry her again, particularly if she gets pregnant, and she laughs in his face and tells him if that ever happens, she'd ABSOLUTELY @bort the fetus. While grabbing her, he stumbles and falls extremely clumsily and starts silently crying. I felt this was the bare minimum that he needed to suffer through, but he later tells the h that he has cried a lot for her and their marriage ever since they separated.
I loved how the author revealed to the h in technicolor that the marriages of her bff and her parents she idolized, were flawed, and how she truly had projected an unhealthy image of a husband and married life on the H. The H had major hang ups, one is discussed in the book: He has a death wish, which is why he refused to quit racing after marriage. The point is moot now, since he can't race anymore, but the fact that he got therapy for a whole year to try understand his faults, also helped.
Would love to revisit this book some time later in my life and see how I feel about it.
"It was quite obvious now that Philip had come back for a number of reasons; his drive to succeed where he had failed before, the challenge of seducing a hostile ex-wife, a desire to rub her nose in her supposed flaws and, quite possibly Jessica acknowledged, to find a comfortable financial haven."
"When she had needed his love and ached for it, he had withheld it, but now that she was free and no longer cared whether he loved her or not, he had come back to entrap her once again."
"She didn't intend to relinquish her independence or give up all that she had accomplished for a man who had just come to the conclusion that he had always loved her. "
Will add to this review once I finish the book.
....WHEW. Finished this book in 5 hours. This was so good. A book that makes you feel so strongly has gotta get 5 stars. Fair warning, trigger: @b0rtion of h's early pregnancy in the next few lines. I did NOT expect to see the author make the H compensate for such a fucked up statement, and I have DNFed dozens of books where the H has the audacity to ask any of these 2 Qs on a pregnancy reveal. But, the author made it work. His foot has been destroyed, and is pieced together with metal and good will, he has a significant limp, and he can never drive, let alone race again. He also gets to hear a whopper by the h in the end: He has been repeatedly telling her he will marry her again, particularly if she gets pregnant, and she laughs in his face and tells him if that ever happens, she'd ABSOLUTELY @bort the fetus. While grabbing her, he stumbles and falls extremely clumsily and starts silently crying. I felt this was the bare minimum that he needed to suffer through, but he later tells the h that he has cried a lot for her and their marriage ever since they separated.
I loved how the author revealed to the h in technicolor that the marriages of her bff and her parents she idolized, were flawed, and how she truly had projected an unhealthy image of a husband and married life on the H. The H had major hang ups, one is discussed in the book: He has a death wish, which is why he refused to quit racing after marriage. The point is moot now, since he can't race anymore, but the fact that he got therapy for a whole year to try understand his faults, also helped.
Would love to revisit this book some time later in my life and see how I feel about it.
March 18, 2025
What kept me going was wondering who would get the psychiatric help they needed first. Though in this case, the H needed it BADLY, the h had her issues too, enough where some therapy would have done her good.
It was pretty DUMB for the H to show up at the h's house uninvited (after being divorced several years), recovering from injuries after crashing his race car, and expect her to help him recover (which, of course, she does). Soon, she's fighting the feelings she's repressed, feeling jealous when he mentions getting married again, then shocked when he says it's HER he wants to marry!
Even more of a surprise, is the fact that he's been in touch with her parents for quite some time, and they know he wants her back. (He knew, and they knew, but she didn't know, doesn't seem quite fair, does it?)
Despite her protests, she can't deny her attraction to him, and she stops her friendly dates with her publisher, who had to be one of the most domineering jerks ever! They were friends, not lovers (though I'm sure he wanted to change that), yet he felt he had the right to tell her (practically demand) that she should make the H leave her house ASAP! This guy was so damned controlling I wanted to clobber him, and it always irks me when the h is quick to get angry at the H and gladly points out his flaws and then gives the OM leeway and takes crap from him. I CAN'T STAND THAT!!!
The H seemed to think that their getting married too young (I think she was about 20 and he was in his mid 20's) and too soon was the problem but the truth is, he had so many major issues, stemming from his unhappy childhood (his parents' disaster of a marriage and the fact that neither of them was cut out to be a parent and didn't really want him) that he should have known he had no business getting married without getting some serious therapy. He actually became a racecar driver because he subconsciously hoped he'd get killed; therefore, he could commit suicide without the stigma. Does that sound like a healthy individual????
As for the h, she was the adored only child of indulgent parents. She wasn't exactly spoiled (they weren't wealthy), but since they made her the center of their universe, she expected the H to be the same, and when he was racing (which she wanted him to quit) and away from her, she felt neglected.
What blew up their marriage was when the h told him she was pregnant, and he told her to have an abortion! He said he didn't want children; they had a huge fight, he walked out on her, she had a miscarriage, refused to see him when he showed up at the hospital (which certainly was understandable) and they went their separate ways, both concentrating on their careers (she started writing and became a successful author).
Later, the H confessed he really did want children, but couldn't admit it, not even to himself, because he was afraid that he'd be a crap parent like his parents were, so rather than face up to that, he lied and said he didn't want kids. But suddenly, he realized he did want the baby, but she lost it, etc. Too much baggage here!
Meanwhile, the h (despite her declarations of independence) was still very attached to her parents, especially her dad, who finally realized she'd never really grow up if he didn't sever the cord and stopped keeping her in little princess mode. When she senses him changing (telling her to find a solution to her problems rather than tell her what she should do, like usual) she felt so lost, she flashbacked to when she was a kid and skinned her knee and daddy always made her feel better. She was actually tempted to tell him she skinned her knee again! Yes, she needed help too!
The most pathetic part is when (after succumbing to their desire) the H asks if she might be pregnant and the h (as revenge for what happened before) said not to worry, she'd have an abortion, and the H started to cry!!!
ENOUGH ALREADY, PEOPLE!!! GET SOME HELP!!!!
BTW: her parents needed some too. The mom actually confesses to the h that she and her father were never all that happy (seems the H was right when he told her that her parents had a boring marriage and probably separate beds) until he retired when suddenly, WHAM!!! They got the major hots for each other and hit the sheets whenever they can! WTF!!!!!! Everyone in this book is at least partially bat crap!!
The book should NOT have ended with the MC getting remarried, it should have been stated that they're both in therapy dealing with their issues, and then they'll see how it goes.
No such luck!
It was pretty DUMB for the H to show up at the h's house uninvited (after being divorced several years), recovering from injuries after crashing his race car, and expect her to help him recover (which, of course, she does). Soon, she's fighting the feelings she's repressed, feeling jealous when he mentions getting married again, then shocked when he says it's HER he wants to marry!
Even more of a surprise, is the fact that he's been in touch with her parents for quite some time, and they know he wants her back. (He knew, and they knew, but she didn't know, doesn't seem quite fair, does it?)
Despite her protests, she can't deny her attraction to him, and she stops her friendly dates with her publisher, who had to be one of the most domineering jerks ever! They were friends, not lovers (though I'm sure he wanted to change that), yet he felt he had the right to tell her (practically demand) that she should make the H leave her house ASAP! This guy was so damned controlling I wanted to clobber him, and it always irks me when the h is quick to get angry at the H and gladly points out his flaws and then gives the OM leeway and takes crap from him. I CAN'T STAND THAT!!!
The H seemed to think that their getting married too young (I think she was about 20 and he was in his mid 20's) and too soon was the problem but the truth is, he had so many major issues, stemming from his unhappy childhood (his parents' disaster of a marriage and the fact that neither of them was cut out to be a parent and didn't really want him) that he should have known he had no business getting married without getting some serious therapy. He actually became a racecar driver because he subconsciously hoped he'd get killed; therefore, he could commit suicide without the stigma. Does that sound like a healthy individual????
As for the h, she was the adored only child of indulgent parents. She wasn't exactly spoiled (they weren't wealthy), but since they made her the center of their universe, she expected the H to be the same, and when he was racing (which she wanted him to quit) and away from her, she felt neglected.
What blew up their marriage was when the h told him she was pregnant, and he told her to have an abortion! He said he didn't want children; they had a huge fight, he walked out on her, she had a miscarriage, refused to see him when he showed up at the hospital (which certainly was understandable) and they went their separate ways, both concentrating on their careers (she started writing and became a successful author).
Later, the H confessed he really did want children, but couldn't admit it, not even to himself, because he was afraid that he'd be a crap parent like his parents were, so rather than face up to that, he lied and said he didn't want kids. But suddenly, he realized he did want the baby, but she lost it, etc. Too much baggage here!
Meanwhile, the h (despite her declarations of independence) was still very attached to her parents, especially her dad, who finally realized she'd never really grow up if he didn't sever the cord and stopped keeping her in little princess mode. When she senses him changing (telling her to find a solution to her problems rather than tell her what she should do, like usual) she felt so lost, she flashbacked to when she was a kid and skinned her knee and daddy always made her feel better. She was actually tempted to tell him she skinned her knee again! Yes, she needed help too!
The most pathetic part is when (after succumbing to their desire) the H asks if she might be pregnant and the h (as revenge for what happened before) said not to worry, she'd have an abortion, and the H started to cry!!!
ENOUGH ALREADY, PEOPLE!!! GET SOME HELP!!!!
BTW: her parents needed some too. The mom actually confesses to the h that she and her father were never all that happy (seems the H was right when he told her that her parents had a boring marriage and probably separate beds) until he retired when suddenly, WHAM!!! They got the major hots for each other and hit the sheets whenever they can! WTF!!!!!! Everyone in this book is at least partially bat crap!!
The book should NOT have ended with the MC getting remarried, it should have been stated that they're both in therapy dealing with their issues, and then they'll see how it goes.
No such luck!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2025
Hhmmmm... interesting but not to my liking.
May 10, 2017
More a book on psych therapy and marriage counseling.
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