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Comparative Strangers
It was outrageous. He couldn't be serious!
One day Amanda was happily engaged to Nigel, a flamboyant British car rally driver, the next she was the reluctant fiancee of his stern, laconic older brother, Malory Templeton.
As if she hadn't been through enough. Hadn't finding Nigel in the arms of another woman been more than she deserved? The hard glitter in Malory's eyes told her otherwise.
Malory was a virtual stranger to her, but Amanda had no choice. Her own foolish pride had caused the crazy switch in fiances, and Malory, it seemed, was going to hold her to it.
One day Amanda was happily engaged to Nigel, a flamboyant British car rally driver, the next she was the reluctant fiancee of his stern, laconic older brother, Malory Templeton.
As if she hadn't been through enough. Hadn't finding Nigel in the arms of another woman been more than she deserved? The hard glitter in Malory's eyes told her otherwise.
Malory was a virtual stranger to her, but Amanda had no choice. Her own foolish pride had caused the crazy switch in fiances, and Malory, it seemed, was going to hold her to it.
187 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 1988
17 people are currently reading
793 people want to read
About the author
Sara Craven
493 books267 followersAnne Bushell was born on October 1938 in South Devon, England, just before World War II and grew up in a house crammed with books. She was always a voracious reader, some of her all-time favorites books are: "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen, "Middlemarch" by George Eliot, "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë, "Gone With the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell and "The Code of the Woosters" by P. G. Wodehouse.
She worked as journalist at the Paignton Observer, but after her marriage, she moved to the north of England, where she worked as teacher. After she returned to journalism, she joined the Middlesbrough Writers' Group, where she met other romance writer Mildred Grieveson (Anne Mather). She started to wrote romance, and she had her first novel "Garden of Dreams" accepted by Mills & Boon in 1975, she published her work under the pseudonym of Sara Craven. In 2010 she became chairman of the Southern Writers' Conference, and the next year was elected the twenty-six Chairman (2011–2013) of the Romantic Novelists' Association.
Divorced twice, Annie lives in Somerset, South West England, and shares her home with a West Highland white terrier called Bertie Wooster. In her house, she had several thousand books, and an amazing video collection. When she's not writing, she enjoys watching very old films, listening to music, going to the theatre, and eating in good restaurants. She also likes to travel in Europe, to inspire her romances, especially in France, Greece and Italy where many of her novels are set. Since the birth of her twin grandchildren, she is also a regular visitor to New York City, where the little tots live. In 1997, she was the overall winner of the BBC's Mastermind, winning the last final presented by Magnus Magnusson.
She worked as journalist at the Paignton Observer, but after her marriage, she moved to the north of England, where she worked as teacher. After she returned to journalism, she joined the Middlesbrough Writers' Group, where she met other romance writer Mildred Grieveson (Anne Mather). She started to wrote romance, and she had her first novel "Garden of Dreams" accepted by Mills & Boon in 1975, she published her work under the pseudonym of Sara Craven. In 2010 she became chairman of the Southern Writers' Conference, and the next year was elected the twenty-six Chairman (2011–2013) of the Romantic Novelists' Association.
Divorced twice, Annie lives in Somerset, South West England, and shares her home with a West Highland white terrier called Bertie Wooster. In her house, she had several thousand books, and an amazing video collection. When she's not writing, she enjoys watching very old films, listening to music, going to the theatre, and eating in good restaurants. She also likes to travel in Europe, to inspire her romances, especially in France, Greece and Italy where many of her novels are set. Since the birth of her twin grandchildren, she is also a regular visitor to New York City, where the little tots live. In 1997, she was the overall winner of the BBC's Mastermind, winning the last final presented by Magnus Magnusson.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
January 29, 2019
Look, forget the fact this is a Harlequin, but instead, focus on the skillful writing, the eloquence, the fact Ms. Craven displayed such craftsmanship which transcends this particular genre. Add to that a male MC who is atypical of HP heroes and what we have is a superb, slow-burn yet blistering hot romance.
I love the story, the atmosphere, the MCs, but above all, the dialogue. A love evinced by the dog-eared state of the paperback which is currently being held in place by scotch tape and glue!
February 6, 2017
Twenty-year-old Amanda Conroy is about to jump off a bridge after she sees her fiancé Nigel cheating on her (Nigel was in bed having sex with another woman). But as she's about to jump she is suddenly pulled back. Hero Malory Templeton (32) rescues her. (Malory has had a feeling that Nigel, his younger half-brother, has been having an affair with Malory's "girlfriend" Clare.) Malory drives Amanda home (she's staying at her mother's house at the moment). While he's there Nigel shows up to explain and apologize to Amanda for sleeping with Clare, but Amanda turns him away. Nigel is also angry that Malory is there. Later that night Amanda gets many phone calls (she only hears someone breathing) and a brick is thrown through her bedroom window. It seems Nigel is having a hard time accepting the fact that Amanda doesn't want to see him and that she is in the house alone with Malory. The next day Amanda eventually has a show-down with Nigel and leads him to believe that she and Malory are lovers and that they are going to be married, which isn't true. A furious Nigel leaves and the next day the story of Amanda and Malory's engagement appears in the newspapers (leaked by Nigel). So Amanda goes to Malory to apologize for the lie she made up about the two of them. Malory insists to let them believe it and they end up having a marriage of convenience.
Malory was an interesting hero for a Harlequin Presents. He was described as not as handsome or popular as his very good-looking, half-brother Nigel...that he was more dull, sexless, he worked in a laboratory and was supposed to be boring in comparison to car rally driver Nigel. Amanda, towards the beginning of the book, thought Malory lacked Nigel's glamour and looks. But I liked him. He was sexy in a more subdued way. I thought Nigel was nuts (breathing on phones, throwing bricks through windows). And even though Amanda's mother didn't know Nigel was doing these things to Amanda, I still couldn't figure out why her mother liked Nigel so much and was so keen to set up meetings between the two of them, trying to get them back together again, even after Amanda married Malory. Nigel wasn't that great.
Amanda was an okay heroine, though I couldn't understand how she could possibly wonder if she still cared about Nigel after finding him in bed with another woman, and after the brick-throwing incident. But after spending time with Malory, she finally starts to notice all of his good qualities and begins to fall for him.
This was an enjoyable read by Sara Craven from the 80's.
Malory was an interesting hero for a Harlequin Presents. He was described as not as handsome or popular as his very good-looking, half-brother Nigel...that he was more dull, sexless, he worked in a laboratory and was supposed to be boring in comparison to car rally driver Nigel. Amanda, towards the beginning of the book, thought Malory lacked Nigel's glamour and looks. But I liked him. He was sexy in a more subdued way. I thought Nigel was nuts (breathing on phones, throwing bricks through windows). And even though Amanda's mother didn't know Nigel was doing these things to Amanda, I still couldn't figure out why her mother liked Nigel so much and was so keen to set up meetings between the two of them, trying to get them back together again, even after Amanda married Malory. Nigel wasn't that great.
Amanda was an okay heroine, though I couldn't understand how she could possibly wonder if she still cared about Nigel after finding him in bed with another woman, and after the brick-throwing incident. But after spending time with Malory, she finally starts to notice all of his good qualities and begins to fall for him.
This was an enjoyable read by Sara Craven from the 80's.
October 23, 2012
Wow!!!!! Awesomely cool and to think this got lost on my TBR file for months...I can't believe I forgot about it,
I debated between 4 vs 5 stars, and went with 5, because this book delivers so differently from any other HP I have read.
First, it starts off with the heroine actually trying to commit suicide
Second, the hero is beta, but sexy as hell.
Third, there are no evil OW's..except maybe one thrown in at the end, but she really wasn't evil or an OW
Finally, it has all the requisite tension and angst that you look for in an HP, without all the silly...I hate you ....I love you, then I hate you again ..type drama. You know right from the beginning that these two are meant for each other and that they love one another. You just have to sit back and watch them find their way to the HEA...and what a way!!!
A GREAT Story.
I debated between 4 vs 5 stars, and went with 5, because this book delivers so differently from any other HP I have read.
First, it starts off with the heroine actually trying to commit suicide
Second, the hero is beta, but sexy as hell.
Third, there are no evil OW's..except maybe one thrown in at the end, but she really wasn't evil or an OW
Finally, it has all the requisite tension and angst that you look for in an HP, without all the silly...I hate you ....I love you, then I hate you again ..type drama. You know right from the beginning that these two are meant for each other and that they love one another. You just have to sit back and watch them find their way to the HEA...and what a way!!!
A GREAT Story.
November 1, 2016
Re Comparative Strangers - SC brings us a most unusual MOC that of course turns into more and is practically epic for the h's famous words "It seemed like a good idea at the time,"-- which can be applied to a lot of the h's actions in this one.
The story starts very dramatically, the h is ready to throw herself off a little bridge parapet and is saved at the last instant by the H, who also happens to be the h's cheating ex-fiance's older half brother. The h isn't really suicidal, she is just really, really angry and hurt and the bridge incident was a temporary aberration of wanting to make her newly acquired ex really, really sorry and well- it seemed like a good idea at the time.
Upon further reflection and with the companionship of the H, (whose girlfriend was the lady involved in the few hours earlier discovered cheating incident,) plus a warming brandy, the h decides throwing oneself off a little bridge with an inadequately raging river below that would only lead to some uncomfortable injury rather than dramatic death probably was overreacting a bit. (Ya think?) Anyways she is much calmer now and can go dry her red hair off and the H can go back to his boring test tubes - tho the h is sorry about his lady friend being the bouncer on her exe's bouncee.
That doesn't get rid of the H tho, and it turns out to be good thing. Cause no sooner is the h all snuggled up in her cozy little robe than the ex shows up, full of excuses and reasons that it was all the h's fault he had to sample his brother's lovely lady - plus she offered her self up like a tempting buffet and he just had to try a little sample. The h was holding out on rocking the cradle of lurve and the ex decided he would try knockin' on another lady's door for temporary surcease from the overwhelming desperate force of his manly man drive mojo. The h just rolls her eyes and asks the ex if he is done, cause she is and would he please leave? Then the ex turns nasty, but not to worry the Big Half Brother H is there to kick the exe's sorry lame hiney out.
The h is now thoroughly depressed and thoroughly irked, she can't help half the snarky remarks that come out of mouth, perhaps she should just feed everyone and the H can get on with his watching Bunsen burners. The H does agree to a meal, but declines to leave and tells the h he will stay overnight since her mother isn't home and the ex has a nasty revenge streak. Once again the H is proven right when some silent stalking phone calls start and then a brick gets thrown thru the h's bedroom window. She and the H have to share the guest room, although a separate cover arrangement is between them.
The H leaves the next day and the h is trying to figure out what to tell her meddling mum. The h can't tell her mother about the bouncing incident because her mother would want to know why the h was there to begin with. The h with all the innocence of the truly ignorant, cannot seem to just say she was seeing her fiance about the wedding plans or a lunch. Nope the h knows her mother's x-ray eyes would just blaze into her brain and know that the h was planning on taking a ride on the exe's pocket rocket. But blast off was permanently frozen down when she found the ex with the OW.
Now mumsie dearest is having conniptions that the h has dumped such a handsome and virile manly race car driver, who takes good care to flatter older mumsie's ego. The ex shows up once again the next day after the nefarious bouncing and the h implies that she and the H slept together and that she will be marrying the H as a more viable alternative to the ex. He gets nasty and vows revenge. The h finds out that the ex has gone to the press and made all kinds of nasty comments about how the h has dumped him for his half brother in the gossip columns. Then the h goes to apologize to the H about the whole mess. The H may be a science geek, but he knows how to seize the day. He tells the h they will just get engaged until the whole thing blows over. The h very reluctantly agrees, but she is a kind person at heart and she HAS made a big ole' mess, so fake engagement it is.
The H and h don't see much of each other, the h is working in London and the H has a big pharmaceutical company to run. Eventually mumsie dearest tries to pimp the h out to the ex again and the h is thinking she is going to have to leave the country to evade the ex. The H has a better idea, they will marry instead. He needs a hostess and the h is pretty hot, so eventually they might get together. The h isn't too keen, but she really doesn't want to be hounded by the ex forever, he is a bit psycho really. So marry they do, with mumsie dearest being left off the register office guest list, she is still cavorting with the enemy ex.
The H and h go to Bali and they don't really seem to spend much time together. The H says he doesn't want to impose, but us readers in the know are starting to suspect this is a Wolf H in sheep's clothing, he is just watching the h a bit too closely. The h has some undercurrents going on too, but for all her impulsiveness and rather heedless tongue, she still thinks she might love the ex a bit and needs to get over that.
(Lots of readers get mad at the h for this, but I thought it was reasonable, the ex was her first big love and then the H rushed her into marriage with no wooing or courting, just a business arrangement. She had to sort the feelings out, you don't just wake up a week later and not feel anything for your first big crush that you have had for ages and was planning on marrying. )
The honeymoon ends and the h and H have a fairly funny and snarky sardonic banter going on between them. The H has a very dry sardonic wit and the h isn't far behind. The h also doesn't have a very good filter between her brain and her mouth, so things pop out that might have been better left unsaid. I got that tho, cause again she only knew the H based on what the ex had told her and how the H presented himself around her. The H acted like a dried up stuffed bore, so the h naturally assumed that he was that way, and the H really plays on that assumption in a subtly witty way. The ex had nothing nice to say about his older brother - we know the ex was jealous of the H, but the h did not know that- so her thoughts were in keeping with her perception. Tho that perception does change as time goes on. However the H takes himself off for business for several weeks right after the wedding, so the h gets to know Harvey, the H's dog really well. They trek and trounce about and dig in ditches and things together. I really liked Harvey, he was great fun.
The H finally gets back and is surprised when the h is happy to see him. That excitement fades as the h explains that Harvey has a hurt paw and she can't fix it. The H sorts out Harvey, who is a bit of a hypochrondriac, and the h and H settle for the evening. The h has another brain flash moment and decides to test the power of the H's lurve club.
It turns into a bit of the H's lurve dud, cause he isn't very good at control and the only the stars the h is seeing are the ones she would like to see swirling around the H's head after she smacks him with a skillet and finds an ice pack for the extreme pain. Turns our H is NOT good at introductory mojo lessons at all. The h has a big sobby moment, cause that really hurt, and then she is wondering if she had just lost her mind and what on earth was she thinking. The h eventually consoles herself with the thought that it seemed like a good idea at the time and puts the unmitigated disaster down to hormones.
(Honestly this is the part I always fall off my chair laughing. I mean it really was a bad first time, but the h is so funny in her thought process and her good idea at the time moment that I just can't help myself. It really was a very well done scene and kudos to the ultimate pragmatism of the h. Other reviews don't seem to see the humor tho, so I am probably just really weird like that.)
The H does manage to erm, bring about a more digitally manipulative successful moment of fulfillment for the h later on that evening, then he runs off like a Timid Tessie straight to bed. The h is left to ponder his actions and hopefully get the full throttle thrust experience as surely the H will plan a midnight raid. But the H never shows up in her boudoir of bliss and is very aloof for the next month around the h. The h is left to wonder what is going on now, but she does her best to adapt and be the good hostess the H wants. She also has to put up with more of mumsie dearest and her pimping the h to the ex. Then the ex shows up and he forces a kiss on the h. She finds out she isn't in love or even liking him after all. In fact he is rather repulsive and she can't think what she saw in him. So much for the big love of her life ex.
The h fails to mention the slimy ex visit, cause she has the H in her sights and is ready to hit the bull's eye. She manages to seduce him after their next big party and it is Fabulous! Then the H runs off the next morning after being very mean and cold to the h and she just doesn't know what is up with all this shilly shallying virginal behavior. The housekeeper finds a lovely bouquet of flowers in the dust bin and the h gets a phone call from the H's office that leads her to believe the H is in America.
She manages to find out when his flight is returning and she goes to the airport to meet him and sees the H escorting the lovely lady who the h last saw bouncing on her ex. The h is hurt and goes home. The H shows up the next day and they have a polite little fight when the h goes to let him know she is preggers. The H is asking " who's the daddy" and then shows her pictures of the ex kissing her. The h knows she has been set up and so she gathers herself up, tells the H to think whatever he wants and walks off.
She is getting a separation and she is dumping these idiots and they can all go take a hike or jump off a small bridge parapet. Then Harvey makes a great escape and the h gets run over by a lorry saving him.(Harvey the horror is fine tho. ) She wakes up in hospital and thinks she might have miscarried, but nope the little future chemist is safe. The H shows up and he looks really, really bad. The h assumes it is over his latest drug trial which isn't going well. Ironically, mumsie dearest has come around now that there is the hint of the patter of little feet and the h also gets a visit from the bouncing lady - who assures the h that the H doesn't want to be a bouncee, and turn her bountiful charms definitively down. Tho she is kinda spiteful about it and makes it a point to let the h know that the ex is the one who courted her and bragged about how he can steal the H's ladies and bragged about setting the h up.
The h goes home, ready to demand her wifely rights and the H has moved her things into his room. He confesses he has loved her since he first saw her and that before he could make his move, his evil half brother swooped in first. The H was just so jealous and so in love he lost his reason, he finally figured out the brother had set them up. The h is overjoyed, cause she loves the H back more and they are lurvin it up for the sweet HEA and Harvey is banished to the kitchen as he is still on probationary disgrace until he learns some manners. Poor Harvey, but the h and H are in boudoir bliss together.
This one is probably SC's highest rated book. It is funny with just the right touch of angst and SC does her trope role reversal here in a very effective way. The h is actually more Alpha than the H.
It isn't that he isn't manly, he is, but the h is much more assertive in her actions and her choices. The H really seemed to think that just orbiting around the h from a distance was going to make her love him - he was totally clueless and afraid of messing up. But he was persistent tho, and probably would have just stuck around forever until proximity gave him an in with the h. Luckily the h is the curious and bold sort, cause she really made all the moves in bringing the two of them together and it is thru her agency that we get to know the H and also thru her own actions to know him that she starts to love him.
I highly recommend this one and I give it a spot on the required reading HP list, mainly cause this H is different and the role reversal is unusual for the run of HP ventures. I also laugh myself silly at parts and both the h and the H have a very nice sense of the sardonic AND the wit to use it. Give this one a go for the humor, the story and the H, there is a reason this one is so highly rated, the believability of the HEA is high and this is one HPlandia outing you won't regret.
The story starts very dramatically, the h is ready to throw herself off a little bridge parapet and is saved at the last instant by the H, who also happens to be the h's cheating ex-fiance's older half brother. The h isn't really suicidal, she is just really, really angry and hurt and the bridge incident was a temporary aberration of wanting to make her newly acquired ex really, really sorry and well- it seemed like a good idea at the time.
Upon further reflection and with the companionship of the H, (whose girlfriend was the lady involved in the few hours earlier discovered cheating incident,) plus a warming brandy, the h decides throwing oneself off a little bridge with an inadequately raging river below that would only lead to some uncomfortable injury rather than dramatic death probably was overreacting a bit. (Ya think?) Anyways she is much calmer now and can go dry her red hair off and the H can go back to his boring test tubes - tho the h is sorry about his lady friend being the bouncer on her exe's bouncee.
That doesn't get rid of the H tho, and it turns out to be good thing. Cause no sooner is the h all snuggled up in her cozy little robe than the ex shows up, full of excuses and reasons that it was all the h's fault he had to sample his brother's lovely lady - plus she offered her self up like a tempting buffet and he just had to try a little sample. The h was holding out on rocking the cradle of lurve and the ex decided he would try knockin' on another lady's door for temporary surcease from the overwhelming desperate force of his manly man drive mojo. The h just rolls her eyes and asks the ex if he is done, cause she is and would he please leave? Then the ex turns nasty, but not to worry the Big Half Brother H is there to kick the exe's sorry lame hiney out.
The h is now thoroughly depressed and thoroughly irked, she can't help half the snarky remarks that come out of mouth, perhaps she should just feed everyone and the H can get on with his watching Bunsen burners. The H does agree to a meal, but declines to leave and tells the h he will stay overnight since her mother isn't home and the ex has a nasty revenge streak. Once again the H is proven right when some silent stalking phone calls start and then a brick gets thrown thru the h's bedroom window. She and the H have to share the guest room, although a separate cover arrangement is between them.
The H leaves the next day and the h is trying to figure out what to tell her meddling mum. The h can't tell her mother about the bouncing incident because her mother would want to know why the h was there to begin with. The h with all the innocence of the truly ignorant, cannot seem to just say she was seeing her fiance about the wedding plans or a lunch. Nope the h knows her mother's x-ray eyes would just blaze into her brain and know that the h was planning on taking a ride on the exe's pocket rocket. But blast off was permanently frozen down when she found the ex with the OW.
Now mumsie dearest is having conniptions that the h has dumped such a handsome and virile manly race car driver, who takes good care to flatter older mumsie's ego. The ex shows up once again the next day after the nefarious bouncing and the h implies that she and the H slept together and that she will be marrying the H as a more viable alternative to the ex. He gets nasty and vows revenge. The h finds out that the ex has gone to the press and made all kinds of nasty comments about how the h has dumped him for his half brother in the gossip columns. Then the h goes to apologize to the H about the whole mess. The H may be a science geek, but he knows how to seize the day. He tells the h they will just get engaged until the whole thing blows over. The h very reluctantly agrees, but she is a kind person at heart and she HAS made a big ole' mess, so fake engagement it is.
The H and h don't see much of each other, the h is working in London and the H has a big pharmaceutical company to run. Eventually mumsie dearest tries to pimp the h out to the ex again and the h is thinking she is going to have to leave the country to evade the ex. The H has a better idea, they will marry instead. He needs a hostess and the h is pretty hot, so eventually they might get together. The h isn't too keen, but she really doesn't want to be hounded by the ex forever, he is a bit psycho really. So marry they do, with mumsie dearest being left off the register office guest list, she is still cavorting with the enemy ex.
The H and h go to Bali and they don't really seem to spend much time together. The H says he doesn't want to impose, but us readers in the know are starting to suspect this is a Wolf H in sheep's clothing, he is just watching the h a bit too closely. The h has some undercurrents going on too, but for all her impulsiveness and rather heedless tongue, she still thinks she might love the ex a bit and needs to get over that.
(Lots of readers get mad at the h for this, but I thought it was reasonable, the ex was her first big love and then the H rushed her into marriage with no wooing or courting, just a business arrangement. She had to sort the feelings out, you don't just wake up a week later and not feel anything for your first big crush that you have had for ages and was planning on marrying. )
The honeymoon ends and the h and H have a fairly funny and snarky sardonic banter going on between them. The H has a very dry sardonic wit and the h isn't far behind. The h also doesn't have a very good filter between her brain and her mouth, so things pop out that might have been better left unsaid. I got that tho, cause again she only knew the H based on what the ex had told her and how the H presented himself around her. The H acted like a dried up stuffed bore, so the h naturally assumed that he was that way, and the H really plays on that assumption in a subtly witty way. The ex had nothing nice to say about his older brother - we know the ex was jealous of the H, but the h did not know that- so her thoughts were in keeping with her perception. Tho that perception does change as time goes on. However the H takes himself off for business for several weeks right after the wedding, so the h gets to know Harvey, the H's dog really well. They trek and trounce about and dig in ditches and things together. I really liked Harvey, he was great fun.
The H finally gets back and is surprised when the h is happy to see him. That excitement fades as the h explains that Harvey has a hurt paw and she can't fix it. The H sorts out Harvey, who is a bit of a hypochrondriac, and the h and H settle for the evening. The h has another brain flash moment and decides to test the power of the H's lurve club.
It turns into a bit of the H's lurve dud, cause he isn't very good at control and the only the stars the h is seeing are the ones she would like to see swirling around the H's head after she smacks him with a skillet and finds an ice pack for the extreme pain. Turns our H is NOT good at introductory mojo lessons at all. The h has a big sobby moment, cause that really hurt, and then she is wondering if she had just lost her mind and what on earth was she thinking. The h eventually consoles herself with the thought that it seemed like a good idea at the time and puts the unmitigated disaster down to hormones.
(Honestly this is the part I always fall off my chair laughing. I mean it really was a bad first time, but the h is so funny in her thought process and her good idea at the time moment that I just can't help myself. It really was a very well done scene and kudos to the ultimate pragmatism of the h. Other reviews don't seem to see the humor tho, so I am probably just really weird like that.)
The H does manage to erm, bring about a more digitally manipulative successful moment of fulfillment for the h later on that evening, then he runs off like a Timid Tessie straight to bed. The h is left to ponder his actions and hopefully get the full throttle thrust experience as surely the H will plan a midnight raid. But the H never shows up in her boudoir of bliss and is very aloof for the next month around the h. The h is left to wonder what is going on now, but she does her best to adapt and be the good hostess the H wants. She also has to put up with more of mumsie dearest and her pimping the h to the ex. Then the ex shows up and he forces a kiss on the h. She finds out she isn't in love or even liking him after all. In fact he is rather repulsive and she can't think what she saw in him. So much for the big love of her life ex.
The h fails to mention the slimy ex visit, cause she has the H in her sights and is ready to hit the bull's eye. She manages to seduce him after their next big party and it is Fabulous! Then the H runs off the next morning after being very mean and cold to the h and she just doesn't know what is up with all this shilly shallying virginal behavior. The housekeeper finds a lovely bouquet of flowers in the dust bin and the h gets a phone call from the H's office that leads her to believe the H is in America.
She manages to find out when his flight is returning and she goes to the airport to meet him and sees the H escorting the lovely lady who the h last saw bouncing on her ex. The h is hurt and goes home. The H shows up the next day and they have a polite little fight when the h goes to let him know she is preggers. The H is asking " who's the daddy" and then shows her pictures of the ex kissing her. The h knows she has been set up and so she gathers herself up, tells the H to think whatever he wants and walks off.
She is getting a separation and she is dumping these idiots and they can all go take a hike or jump off a small bridge parapet. Then Harvey makes a great escape and the h gets run over by a lorry saving him.(Harvey the horror is fine tho. ) She wakes up in hospital and thinks she might have miscarried, but nope the little future chemist is safe. The H shows up and he looks really, really bad. The h assumes it is over his latest drug trial which isn't going well. Ironically, mumsie dearest has come around now that there is the hint of the patter of little feet and the h also gets a visit from the bouncing lady - who assures the h that the H doesn't want to be a bouncee, and turn her bountiful charms definitively down. Tho she is kinda spiteful about it and makes it a point to let the h know that the ex is the one who courted her and bragged about how he can steal the H's ladies and bragged about setting the h up.
The h goes home, ready to demand her wifely rights and the H has moved her things into his room. He confesses he has loved her since he first saw her and that before he could make his move, his evil half brother swooped in first. The H was just so jealous and so in love he lost his reason, he finally figured out the brother had set them up. The h is overjoyed, cause she loves the H back more and they are lurvin it up for the sweet HEA and Harvey is banished to the kitchen as he is still on probationary disgrace until he learns some manners. Poor Harvey, but the h and H are in boudoir bliss together.
This one is probably SC's highest rated book. It is funny with just the right touch of angst and SC does her trope role reversal here in a very effective way. The h is actually more Alpha than the H.
It isn't that he isn't manly, he is, but the h is much more assertive in her actions and her choices. The H really seemed to think that just orbiting around the h from a distance was going to make her love him - he was totally clueless and afraid of messing up. But he was persistent tho, and probably would have just stuck around forever until proximity gave him an in with the h. Luckily the h is the curious and bold sort, cause she really made all the moves in bringing the two of them together and it is thru her agency that we get to know the H and also thru her own actions to know him that she starts to love him.
I highly recommend this one and I give it a spot on the required reading HP list, mainly cause this H is different and the role reversal is unusual for the run of HP ventures. I also laugh myself silly at parts and both the h and the H have a very nice sense of the sardonic AND the wit to use it. Give this one a go for the humor, the story and the H, there is a reason this one is so highly rated, the believability of the HEA is high and this is one HPlandia outing you won't regret.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2016
This was excellent. I really liked the hero. Who would have thought SC could write a beta hero? I had to knock off a star because the heroine was incredibly dense -first about the OM and then how mean she was to the hero. A few bitchy remarks I can understand, but she could see how her attitude was bothering him and she couldn't seem to hold back. The OM and OW were both deliciously horrible as was the heroine's mother. I was all set to feel for the heroine, but it was the hero who really sold this story for me.
December 16, 2025
The opposite end of the BBS spectrum
So, I know I complain about betraying body syndrome but I never knew I wouldn't like
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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So, I know I complain about betraying body syndrome but I never knew I wouldn't like
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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November 9, 2016
Oy vey, what a pill! Amanda, she of the virginal eyes and other body parts rushes to surprise Nigel, her fiancee, when she gets a surprise instead: his half-brother's busty girlfriend on top of Nigel. Puts somewhat of a damper on the visit so she tries to take a leap into a river and is saved by the seemingly bland Malory, the big brother.
Amanda doesn't take well to being saved, being cheated on, being treated decently by Malory, or being protected by Malory from the evil Nigel when he tries to smarm back into Amanda's life. Amanda is what is commonly known as a bitch. Okay, she's received a pretty big blow, but, heh, so has Malory. It was his GF on top of his little brother. Malory is the older, smarter, supposedly blander brother with a stoic personality.
Amanda breaks it off with Nigel who DOES NOT TAKE IT WELL as in calls and hangs up and throws a brick through her window. You didn't see any of this nasty behavior coming from him before, Amanda? Ever?
To make matters worse, when her mother comes home and the h tells her the engagement is off, Mumsie goes off the rails. She loves Nigel partly because he's a charmer and partly because he thinks Mumsie's the cat's meow. Amanda being a frigid and cowardly bitch (sorry, that's the way it is) doesn't want her mother to know she went to visit Nigel 'cause Mumsie will know she went with the intention of finally having sex. Amanda doesn't tell anyone about Nigel's peccadillo or the threatening behavior because...I don't know why. This was published in 1988 not 1970-something, three years before the Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill issue. His behavior verges on stalking and not the fun kind.
Due to a miscommunication, Amanda creates a situation where she and Malory are thrown into a faux engagement. She petulantly moans and groans over Malory's every attempt to play nice. Ultimately
they end up in a MOC. Slowly, Malory's stoicism appeals to Miss Priss, and she makes a move on Malory. Malory's stoicism flies out the window, and he is a tad more enthusiastic than our rather frigid virgin can handle. In words no man wants to hear EVER. E-V-E-R...Amanda says after they have sex,
Ouch! Well, Malory has a trick up his sleeve and shows her what passion is all about, and then leaves Amanda to ponder about the nature of passion in the library. To make a long story short, they end up coming together, but more drama ensues. Due to some Othello-ish drama from the evil Nigel, when Amanda pops up pregnant Malory is not amused. In fact he is so unamused he wants to know whose baby is it? The inevitable trip to the hospital for a miscarriage scare brings Malory's ex-Gf back in the picture. She lays it on the line that she messed up with Nigel and still loves Malory. She will be there waiting for the H when Amanda messes it up forever. In that one scene, the OW actually had more gumption and personality than the h in the whole book. The OW!!! I always hate the OW.
Evil Nigel, and he is pretty evil, never gets his nor does Amanda's incredibly blithering and annoying and equally frigid mother. The ice-cube doesn't fall far from the iceberg.
Malory needs to be either knighted or granted sainthood for, one, not killing Nigel at some point in his young, shallow life, and, two, putting up with Amanda's BS. He poor little in-over-his-head soul deserves so much more.
Amanda needs to meet Xandros from The Greek Tycoon's Baby Bargain. They both want what they can't have and their emotions don't engage until the other person shows some indifference.
Amanda doesn't take well to being saved, being cheated on, being treated decently by Malory, or being protected by Malory from the evil Nigel when he tries to smarm back into Amanda's life. Amanda is what is commonly known as a bitch. Okay, she's received a pretty big blow, but, heh, so has Malory. It was his GF on top of his little brother. Malory is the older, smarter, supposedly blander brother with a stoic personality.
Amanda breaks it off with Nigel who DOES NOT TAKE IT WELL as in calls and hangs up and throws a brick through her window. You didn't see any of this nasty behavior coming from him before, Amanda? Ever?
To make matters worse, when her mother comes home and the h tells her the engagement is off, Mumsie goes off the rails. She loves Nigel partly because he's a charmer and partly because he thinks Mumsie's the cat's meow. Amanda being a frigid and cowardly bitch (sorry, that's the way it is) doesn't want her mother to know she went to visit Nigel 'cause Mumsie will know she went with the intention of finally having sex. Amanda doesn't tell anyone about Nigel's peccadillo or the threatening behavior because...I don't know why. This was published in 1988 not 1970-something, three years before the Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill issue. His behavior verges on stalking and not the fun kind.
Due to a miscommunication, Amanda creates a situation where she and Malory are thrown into a faux engagement. She petulantly moans and groans over Malory's every attempt to play nice. Ultimately
they end up in a MOC. Slowly, Malory's stoicism appeals to Miss Priss, and she makes a move on Malory. Malory's stoicism flies out the window, and he is a tad more enthusiastic than our rather frigid virgin can handle. In words no man wants to hear EVER. E-V-E-R...Amanda says after they have sex,
Ouch! Well, Malory has a trick up his sleeve and shows her what passion is all about, and then leaves Amanda to ponder about the nature of passion in the library. To make a long story short, they end up coming together, but more drama ensues. Due to some Othello-ish drama from the evil Nigel, when Amanda pops up pregnant Malory is not amused. In fact he is so unamused he wants to know whose baby is it? The inevitable trip to the hospital for a miscarriage scare brings Malory's ex-Gf back in the picture. She lays it on the line that she messed up with Nigel and still loves Malory. She will be there waiting for the H when Amanda messes it up forever. In that one scene, the OW actually had more gumption and personality than the h in the whole book. The OW!!! I always hate the OW.
Evil Nigel, and he is pretty evil, never gets his nor does Amanda's incredibly blithering and annoying and equally frigid mother. The ice-cube doesn't fall far from the iceberg.
Malory needs to be either knighted or granted sainthood for, one, not killing Nigel at some point in his young, shallow life, and, two, putting up with Amanda's BS. He poor little in-over-his-head soul deserves so much more.
Amanda needs to meet Xandros from The Greek Tycoon's Baby Bargain. They both want what they can't have and their emotions don't engage until the other person shows some indifference.
June 3, 2016
4.5 stars.
This book is so awesome!
I love you, Malory! I think you're one of the coolest romance book heroes ever. Forget book boyfriend, you'll be my book husband!
And I like Amanda. I could feel her growth through out the book. She blundered, but she took responsibility of her action.
The chemistry was so thick, I could feel it like a heat wave across the pages. And even though there's no Malory's point of view, his feelings for Amanda were shown to the readers through Amanda's virginal eyes (and not-so-virginal-anymore later on, giggle).
This book is a great example that you can write a sexy hero without him being a manwhore.
This book is so awesome!
I love you, Malory! I think you're one of the coolest romance book heroes ever. Forget book boyfriend, you'll be my book husband!
And I like Amanda. I could feel her growth through out the book. She blundered, but she took responsibility of her action.
The chemistry was so thick, I could feel it like a heat wave across the pages. And even though there's no Malory's point of view, his feelings for Amanda were shown to the readers through Amanda's virginal eyes (and not-so-virginal-anymore later on, giggle).
This book is a great example that you can write a sexy hero without him being a manwhore.
June 25, 2024
DNF on page 48. I have had my fill of doormatty, stupid heroines recently. I could not continue with this.
May 7, 2024
I'm almost still reeling post reading this book. It's this sweet, indulgent, secret high of having just gotten off this ride.
It's incredible how Malory was such a perfect gentleman, old-school and classy and equally appalling how Sara Craven paired him up with an ungrateful, insipid heroine. Totally not deserving of Malory and more suited to his juvenile brother.
Malory to me comes off as a dormant alpha but definitely not a beta. I loved how he'd just laugh off every time the h would so rudely undermine his potential as a lover/partner/husband. By the end of the book I just wanted to stab Amanda in the eye and tell her to just go run to her ex-lover and stay there.
I could unfortunately not also forgive Amanda (h) for kissing Malory's brother or letting him lead her into it and later have the guts to judge that this pathetic kiss didn't do anything for her as opposed to Malory's kisses. You just kissed your brother-in-law. A new low for Amanda. CHEATER.
Despite all this, I will place this book in my faves/ comfort reading shelf and reach for it over and over again. Sigh..
It's incredible how Malory was such a perfect gentleman, old-school and classy and equally appalling how Sara Craven paired him up with an ungrateful, insipid heroine. Totally not deserving of Malory and more suited to his juvenile brother.
Malory to me comes off as a dormant alpha but definitely not a beta. I loved how he'd just laugh off every time the h would so rudely undermine his potential as a lover/partner/husband. By the end of the book I just wanted to stab Amanda in the eye and tell her to just go run to her ex-lover and stay there.
I could unfortunately not also forgive Amanda (h) for kissing Malory's brother or letting him lead her into it and later have the guts to judge that this pathetic kiss didn't do anything for her as opposed to Malory's kisses. You just kissed your brother-in-law. A new low for Amanda. CHEATER.
Despite all this, I will place this book in my faves/ comfort reading shelf and reach for it over and over again. Sigh..
October 31, 2016
5 stars
Amanda is engaged to Nigel who is Malory's step brother . One day when she caughts Nigel cheating on her , she wants to end her life and thats when Malory saves her .
Malory is the perfect guy . OMG I love him so very much . He is my book husband *cries* He is sucha beautiful human being . *cries again*
First time Amanda visits his house , He announces their engagement , the second time their marriage . I loved how he took matters in his hands , He is isss everything a girl wants . Aah Malory , I love him.
And of course it is a HP , leads have an amazing chemistry . You will want to read this book again as soon as you finish it .
Every book I read becomes my favourite until my next book , But this is definitely an exception , it will stay my favourite for a life time .
Amanda is engaged to Nigel who is Malory's step brother . One day when she caughts Nigel cheating on her , she wants to end her life and thats when Malory saves her .
Malory is the perfect guy . OMG I love him so very much . He is my book husband *cries* He is sucha beautiful human being . *cries again*
First time Amanda visits his house , He announces their engagement , the second time their marriage . I loved how he took matters in his hands , He is isss everything a girl wants . Aah Malory , I love him.
And of course it is a HP , leads have an amazing chemistry . You will want to read this book again as soon as you finish it .
Every book I read becomes my favourite until my next book , But this is definitely an exception , it will stay my favourite for a life time .
June 11, 2016
4.5 stars
Definitely a hit! I've read quite a few books with similar plot, Girl is engaged to younger brothers... finds him in bed with someone else or younger brother gets married to someone else... girl marries the older brother... But somehow this plot seemed fresh in-comparison to the others. I believe the reason was that in other stories the younger brother disappears after the first or second chapter whereas in this book he had a big role throughout the story.
I loved the angsty romance feel of this book.
Definitely a hit! I've read quite a few books with similar plot, Girl is engaged to younger brothers... finds him in bed with someone else or younger brother gets married to someone else... girl marries the older brother... But somehow this plot seemed fresh in-comparison to the others. I believe the reason was that in other stories the younger brother disappears after the first or second chapter whereas in this book he had a big role throughout the story.
I loved the angsty romance feel of this book.
April 4, 2025
Some surprising modern points! With a sub-plot of "fake dating"+"marriage of convenience"+"It's always been you".
So, FMC is 20 and she's the fiancé of a handsome, virile rally driver. 1 Bonus point for the realistic relationship and how she easily loved him because, yes, 20 years old girls will fall head over heels for handsome, athletic men who give them attention.
FMC is a virgin and intends to remain that way until her wedding night. Another Bonus point for her strong will and that she didn't crumble once her fiancé manipulated her (and he did try a lot)
She became tired of all his whining and demands so she surprised him one time thinking that she might be ready to explore sex with him but she walks on him fucking his brother's girlfriend.
Heartbroken she drives aimlessly, stops in front of a bridge and thinks about suicide. I didn't think that was dramatic because at that age it really feels like the end of the world.
Her fiancé 'brother (with the cheating girlfriend) saves her and nurse her back to health.
Now, the brother is the MMC. And I liked how the FMC was cold towards him. These are the realistic reasons: a/ He was described to be physically inferior. That's what to expect from a doctor who rarely leaves is researching laboratory. And it gives the FMC the chance to appreciate MMC based on his personality and to discover that his eyes were smoldering when they fell in love. An other bonus for the author who's not shallow.
b/The second reason: the FMC's fiancé is obviously a dick and insanely jealous of his older brother. He always told FMC about how cold/ frigid/ insensitive his brother is. And in all the days she was engaged to the younger bother, the MMC always avoided her and was polite but cold to her.
Even when he saved her from the edge of the river he was logical in words and didn't show any anger towards his younger brother who slept with his girlfriend.
FMC had every right to be a bit weary of him. That kind of over polite men in the most unnerving situation would grate on my nerves as well!
Anyway, the cheating fiancé confronted her wanting her back. When she said no, he accused her of being a slut and a tease. He cursed his brother as well. When FMC jumped to the defense of MMC, the cheating fiancé accused her of sleeping with him as a revenge. In a fit of anger: she told him, she did and that she planned to marry him.
The cheating fiancé took those words to the press, and since the older brother was this highly respected doctor with the successful pharma compony, there was a huge scandal. Of course, the fiancé omitted that fact that he cheated first.
Instead of issuing a press denial, MMC convinced FMC to marry him until every thing settled down. She didn't want to marry him: a/ because she was still heartbroken and didn't know if she'll ever love someone else
b/Because she didn't feel any attraction towards MMC and he was so politely distant with her (the level of self control in that man was astonishing)
Anyway, they married and got closer through some events. It felt a bit rushed in the end cuz this is a 130 pages book with 100 pages describing how any connection between MCs is rather difficult to happen and the rest escalated quickly.
But I enjoyed the book nonetheless.
So, FMC is 20 and she's the fiancé of a handsome, virile rally driver. 1 Bonus point for the realistic relationship and how she easily loved him because, yes, 20 years old girls will fall head over heels for handsome, athletic men who give them attention.
FMC is a virgin and intends to remain that way until her wedding night. Another Bonus point for her strong will and that she didn't crumble once her fiancé manipulated her (and he did try a lot)
She became tired of all his whining and demands so she surprised him one time thinking that she might be ready to explore sex with him but she walks on him fucking his brother's girlfriend.
Heartbroken she drives aimlessly, stops in front of a bridge and thinks about suicide. I didn't think that was dramatic because at that age it really feels like the end of the world.
Her fiancé 'brother (with the cheating girlfriend) saves her and nurse her back to health.
Now, the brother is the MMC. And I liked how the FMC was cold towards him. These are the realistic reasons: a/ He was described to be physically inferior. That's what to expect from a doctor who rarely leaves is researching laboratory. And it gives the FMC the chance to appreciate MMC based on his personality and to discover that his eyes were smoldering when they fell in love. An other bonus for the author who's not shallow.
b/The second reason: the FMC's fiancé is obviously a dick and insanely jealous of his older brother. He always told FMC about how cold/ frigid/ insensitive his brother is. And in all the days she was engaged to the younger bother, the MMC always avoided her and was polite but cold to her.
Even when he saved her from the edge of the river he was logical in words and didn't show any anger towards his younger brother who slept with his girlfriend.
FMC had every right to be a bit weary of him. That kind of over polite men in the most unnerving situation would grate on my nerves as well!
Anyway, the cheating fiancé confronted her wanting her back. When she said no, he accused her of being a slut and a tease. He cursed his brother as well. When FMC jumped to the defense of MMC, the cheating fiancé accused her of sleeping with him as a revenge. In a fit of anger: she told him, she did and that she planned to marry him.
The cheating fiancé took those words to the press, and since the older brother was this highly respected doctor with the successful pharma compony, there was a huge scandal. Of course, the fiancé omitted that fact that he cheated first.
Instead of issuing a press denial, MMC convinced FMC to marry him until every thing settled down. She didn't want to marry him: a/ because she was still heartbroken and didn't know if she'll ever love someone else
b/Because she didn't feel any attraction towards MMC and he was so politely distant with her (the level of self control in that man was astonishing)
Anyway, they married and got closer through some events. It felt a bit rushed in the end cuz this is a 130 pages book with 100 pages describing how any connection between MCs is rather difficult to happen and the rest escalated quickly.
But I enjoyed the book nonetheless.
January 31, 2016
Amanda discovers her sexy fiancé in bed with another woman! In response, she decides to throw herself off a bridge. Fortunately for her, Malory comes to the rescue.
Malory is the sexy fiancé’s older brother. Half-brother, as everyone else keeps insisting. He’s plain and boring. He does science stuff and is very rich. Amanda doesn’t think much of him. She quite disparagingly calls him sexless.
However, rather awesomely, it’s very apparent from very early in the book that Malory has been desperately in love with Amanda ever since her first saw her. It’s like he’s the plain smart heroine that the hero doesn’t notice because the sexy mean other woman got to him first, except reverse all the gender roles!
I loved the book for this plot. I really liked Malory, and this book would have earned a better rating if he hadn’t completely stuffed the sex scene. In fiction we often get sold on this idea that non-splendidly handsome people are much better at sex because they use technique to compensate, but not, sadly, in Malory’s case. He makes up for it later, but he’d been doing so well up to then that I was really disappointed in him.
Amanda is a little more difficult to like. Attempting to throw oneself off a bridge is a dramatic book opening, but it does suggest some underlying problems that would benefit from professional help. I also got really impatient with her for not telling her mother the truth about the sexy fiancé. The night Malory rescues Amanda, the fiancé uses silent phone calls and a brick through the window as intimidation tactics. Amanda makes the sensible decision to end the relationship, but the stupid decision to not tell her mother about it. She doesn’t want her mother knowing that the fiancé is a cheater and violently unstable because she doesn’t want her mother to know she was on her way to have pre-marital sex.
Which meant I spent a lot of the book unjustly angry at the mother for attempting to get her daughter back together with a creep. Sure, the mother was terrible about sex, seeing it as an unpleasant duty. She was also patently suppressing sex desires for the fiancé, which was also bound to be a problem later down the track. I doubt she would have been satisfactorily sympathetic, but she should at least have been given the opportunity to know her daughter was sensibly turning down a brick-throwing, cheating psychopath, rather than irrationally turning down a glamorous and sexy race-car driver.
While I was sympathetic with how Amanda tortured herself over her growing feelings for Malory, and her realisation that she’d really shot herself very badly in the foot in terms of getting the relationship with him she wanted, I couldn’t like her.
My biggest problem with Sara Craven’s characters is that they aren’t very kind to each other. They might occasionally abase themselves before their lovers in quite satisfactory ways, but they have a tendency to spend most of their books sulking, saying spiteful things, and being desperately certain that they will be miserable forever. The heroines are most often depressingly useless at everything. Amanda was no exception: all she really had going for her was that her story subtly undermines the handsome alpha hero trope, and she was ultimately sensible enough to recognise the awesomeness of a geek hero.
Malory is the sexy fiancé’s older brother. Half-brother, as everyone else keeps insisting. He’s plain and boring. He does science stuff and is very rich. Amanda doesn’t think much of him. She quite disparagingly calls him sexless.
However, rather awesomely, it’s very apparent from very early in the book that Malory has been desperately in love with Amanda ever since her first saw her. It’s like he’s the plain smart heroine that the hero doesn’t notice because the sexy mean other woman got to him first, except reverse all the gender roles!
I loved the book for this plot. I really liked Malory, and this book would have earned a better rating if he hadn’t completely stuffed the sex scene. In fiction we often get sold on this idea that non-splendidly handsome people are much better at sex because they use technique to compensate, but not, sadly, in Malory’s case. He makes up for it later, but he’d been doing so well up to then that I was really disappointed in him.
Amanda is a little more difficult to like. Attempting to throw oneself off a bridge is a dramatic book opening, but it does suggest some underlying problems that would benefit from professional help. I also got really impatient with her for not telling her mother the truth about the sexy fiancé. The night Malory rescues Amanda, the fiancé uses silent phone calls and a brick through the window as intimidation tactics. Amanda makes the sensible decision to end the relationship, but the stupid decision to not tell her mother about it. She doesn’t want her mother knowing that the fiancé is a cheater and violently unstable because she doesn’t want her mother to know she was on her way to have pre-marital sex.
Which meant I spent a lot of the book unjustly angry at the mother for attempting to get her daughter back together with a creep. Sure, the mother was terrible about sex, seeing it as an unpleasant duty. She was also patently suppressing sex desires for the fiancé, which was also bound to be a problem later down the track. I doubt she would have been satisfactorily sympathetic, but she should at least have been given the opportunity to know her daughter was sensibly turning down a brick-throwing, cheating psychopath, rather than irrationally turning down a glamorous and sexy race-car driver.
While I was sympathetic with how Amanda tortured herself over her growing feelings for Malory, and her realisation that she’d really shot herself very badly in the foot in terms of getting the relationship with him she wanted, I couldn’t like her.
My biggest problem with Sara Craven’s characters is that they aren’t very kind to each other. They might occasionally abase themselves before their lovers in quite satisfactory ways, but they have a tendency to spend most of their books sulking, saying spiteful things, and being desperately certain that they will be miserable forever. The heroines are most often depressingly useless at everything. Amanda was no exception: all she really had going for her was that her story subtly undermines the handsome alpha hero trope, and she was ultimately sensible enough to recognise the awesomeness of a geek hero.
January 20, 2018
Amanda and Malory deserve happiness!! God how much I hated that cheating asshole Nigel!! 🤮😡god the drama he caused!! But still loved reading this book 😍
May 7, 2022
2.75-3 stars
September 11, 2017
"Comparative Strangers" is a story about "virginal eyes".
Just kidding, it's the story of Malory and Amanda.
When Amanda catches her fiancé Nigel with his half brother Malorys girlfriend, she runs away to take drastic measures- but Malory saves her.
Soon Nigel's stalking leads her to marrying Malory, and that forms the story.
One of the few books where the heroine constantly berates the hero. From thinking and calling him unattractive, to pining for Nigel and ridiculing Malory post coitus.. even to thinking she'd forgive the h if he was cheating- Amanda was a TSTL annoying heroine. Eventually she does fall for the hero, but her self pity was nerve grating.
That being said, the story had moderate angst and was infuriating enough to keep me occupied..for one torture session.
I did not like any supporting characters at all.
Safe with minor exceptions
2.5/5
Just kidding, it's the story of Malory and Amanda.
When Amanda catches her fiancé Nigel with his half brother Malorys girlfriend, she runs away to take drastic measures- but Malory saves her.
Soon Nigel's stalking leads her to marrying Malory, and that forms the story.
One of the few books where the heroine constantly berates the hero. From thinking and calling him unattractive, to pining for Nigel and ridiculing Malory post coitus.. even to thinking she'd forgive the h if he was cheating- Amanda was a TSTL annoying heroine. Eventually she does fall for the hero, but her self pity was nerve grating.
That being said, the story had moderate angst and was infuriating enough to keep me occupied..for one torture session.
I did not like any supporting characters at all.
Safe with minor exceptions
2.5/5
August 30, 2013
re-read, just realized. Didn't like the first part due to the very stupid h. I have no idea if it is because the book is dated or what, but I find her behaviour beyond annoying. Why doesn't she just tell her mother, who seems to care for her, her ex is a no good scoundrel. She also acted real selfish being rude to the H when she is the one who got them into the situation to begin with. Besides acting as a trophy wife, all she does is to wander around the house with no other purpose in life. I can't see what the H loves about her when she is bitchy to him and self centered. Definitely has to be a case of love is blind. She also didn't know what she was doing or thinking most of the book, definitely a tstl female lead.
Throughout nearly all of the book, there is hardly any deep and meaningful interaction, the sex doesn't seem real sizzling either, so not sure where the love is...
Throughout nearly all of the book, there is hardly any deep and meaningful interaction, the sex doesn't seem real sizzling either, so not sure where the love is...
May 6, 2014
Rating 3.5 stars
This book gets major points for being different and because the hero was beta. The heroine's fiancee turns out to be a douche and the hero is his older brother. I loved how her lie about them being together turns into a reality and she gradually falls for him. The hero was awesome!
This book gets major points for being different and because the hero was beta. The heroine's fiancee turns out to be a douche and the hero is his older brother. I loved how her lie about them being together turns into a reality and she gradually falls for him. The hero was awesome!
August 2, 2014
The hero in this one is quiet and nerdy. The heroine hooks up with him after her original fiance cheats on her. He is the half brother of the hero. You find out eventually that the hero has loved her for a long time and took his chance when he saw it. Nice story.
October 25, 2012
4 Stars ~ Amanda's a very young and innocent 20 year old who finds herself swept off her feet by a handsome racecar driver. She and Nigel become engaged, but she finds him in bed with another woman. Nigel's brother Malory follows Amanda as she flees the scandalous scene, and when she perches herself on the ledge of a bridge ready to end it all, he plucks her back to safety. Taking her home, he insists on staying the night and he's sure Nigel will be arriving soon to try to get her back. Nigel does turn up but Amanda sends him away. And the next day, he turns up again and discovers that Malory had spent the night. Nigel, now playing the injured party, announces to the press that he'd caught his fiancee with his own brother. The scandal is awful and Amanda seeking refuge from press and her mother's condemning eyes, goes to Malory's house. He tells her it's quite simple really, they'll just have to play up what the papers wrote and pretend to be engaged. And when Nigel starts harassing her, Malory convinces her that the only way to stop him is for them to actually get married. Just as Amanda realizes she has feelings for Malory, Nigel shows up again to play more of his evil tricks.
This was a compelling love story with a few different approaches from more typical Presents. Our hero, Malory, is a take charge guy but in his own methodical and timely way. His feelings are hidden almost too well, sometimes making him appear cold and unappealing. Amanda is very innocent, but has enough spunk to let her temper get the better of her which tends to land her in trouble. The evil other person is Nigel and here lies my greatest disappointment. I wanted Malory to confront him and stand up for Amanda, and for there to have been some sort of retribution, instead Nigel gets away with it all. Though I was thoroughly involved in this love story, I did miss the intense passion that is expected in a Presents.
This was a compelling love story with a few different approaches from more typical Presents. Our hero, Malory, is a take charge guy but in his own methodical and timely way. His feelings are hidden almost too well, sometimes making him appear cold and unappealing. Amanda is very innocent, but has enough spunk to let her temper get the better of her which tends to land her in trouble. The evil other person is Nigel and here lies my greatest disappointment. I wanted Malory to confront him and stand up for Amanda, and for there to have been some sort of retribution, instead Nigel gets away with it all. Though I was thoroughly involved in this love story, I did miss the intense passion that is expected in a Presents.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2012
This was lovely. SOOO different from the regular. Ms. Craven hit all the points you'd expect with a story-line like this; I've certainly read a book very similar to this one, down to the enmity between brothers that would cause the H having to witness the love of his life fall in love with his unworthy brother. But this story was delivered, as Leona (who recommended it to me, and I'll be eternally grateful) said, differently. I happened to fall in love myself with our hero, who the heroine started out kind of ridiculing with his brother about his apparent sexlessness.
The only thing I wished for, and maybe it was unnecessary because it was implied (but I still wanted to see it), was a comparison between her desperation when the other brother cheated in the beginning of the book and when she thought her marriage with the hero was irreparable. I know she had certainly matured, and people with less feelings than they actually think they have are inclined to react more violently to the heartbreak stimuli, but I was sort of waiting for her grief after the airport scene to top the bridge scene. Which, admittedly, would have been quite difficult and maybe tawdry. Sue me!
The only thing I wished for, and maybe it was unnecessary because it was implied (but I still wanted to see it), was a comparison between her desperation when the other brother cheated in the beginning of the book and when she thought her marriage with the hero was irreparable. I know she had certainly matured, and people with less feelings than they actually think they have are inclined to react more violently to the heartbreak stimuli, but I was sort of waiting for her grief after the airport scene to top the bridge scene. Which, admittedly, would have been quite difficult and maybe tawdry. Sue me!
February 22, 2016
Well, as I often say -- conversation is the key. Unless heroes like being tortured for some hideous reasons.
I wonder where do you get such terrible relatives? Both hero's brother and heroine's mother make me wonder. Especially mother. She haven't stopped even after the wedding. Why was it such a bad idea to marry Malory? Especially if didn't know anything about him and met him only once before.
Hero was 32 and heroine 20. I don't think it's May-December relationship strictly speaking but he was calling her "girl" most of the plot and was much more emotionally mature then her so I felt it only right to put it on that shelf. And she was such a mess!
And Malory was everything a hero should be! I guess he could be more persistent, but that's just a thought. I hope their third honeymoon will turn out to be great!
I wonder where do you get such terrible relatives? Both hero's brother and heroine's mother make me wonder. Especially mother. She haven't stopped even after the wedding. Why was it such a bad idea to marry Malory? Especially if didn't know anything about him and met him only once before.
Hero was 32 and heroine 20. I don't think it's May-December relationship strictly speaking but he was calling her "girl" most of the plot and was much more emotionally mature then her so I felt it only right to put it on that shelf. And she was such a mess!
And Malory was everything a hero should be! I guess he could be more persistent, but that's just a thought. I hope their third honeymoon will turn out to be great!
September 26, 2018
I was looking for something a bit more engaging, and instead, this story was quite clinical. That is, Amanda was completely naive, with no understanding of her own body's wants and needs (having been sheltered, and her mother discouraging sex until marriage), and Malory himself kept her completely at arms' length (emotionally and physically) for a good chunk of the book.
I think that my problem with the book was: given that we're given events from her point of view, it would've been nice to be privy to not only her physical responses when she's panicked or worried (we're definitely told when she's sexually excited!) but also the conflicting emotions she's facing at a given time.
As it was, it was hard to feel any of the tension between the characters until the very end.
Perhaps the OM was needlessly evil, as was the OW , but the story needed a bit more oomph to make it a solid read in my books.
Edit: on further examination, the ending warrants a higher rating. It was passionate, tender, and absolutely perfect. Now, if only the rest of the book was like that. :P
I think that my problem with the book was: given that we're given events from her point of view, it would've been nice to be privy to not only her physical responses when she's panicked or worried (we're definitely told when she's sexually excited!) but also the conflicting emotions she's facing at a given time.
As it was, it was hard to feel any of the tension between the characters until the very end.
Perhaps the OM was needlessly evil, as was the OW , but the story needed a bit more oomph to make it a solid read in my books.
Edit: on further examination, the ending warrants a higher rating. It was passionate, tender, and absolutely perfect. Now, if only the rest of the book was like that. :P
October 11, 2025
Loved this one. Will probably re-read.
Both the Malory and Amanda are nice characters and fun to read about. There’s the usual things you ignore like: couldn’t she just explain instead of getting into this elaborate charade but the charade was fun to read about so she’s forgiven. Amanda was a nice, reasonable heroine. Nothing memorable but quite relatable I thought.
Now about Malory. He’s a geek which I absolutely loved. Though he’s not bad looking he’s kinda shorter and less handsome than his brother. I loved that too. The only thing I found a bit annoying was that he didn’t try to ‘seduce’ Amanda. Worse, when she tries he’s... well... stupid about it. There’s ‘giving space’ and there’s ‘acting like her brother’. If Amanda hadn’t done something about it Malory would have been celibate his whole life. For a smart person, boy was his plan dumb.
‘I’ll be really nice and considerate and respectful and keep a distance of 2 meters at all time and I won’t pressure her or even flirt with her or show ANY interest. That way she will certainly fall in love with me. Eventually. When she gets used to me hovering in the distance.’
It works in the book... lol. Real life he wouldn’t have had a chance :P
Silly Malory!
Both the Malory and Amanda are nice characters and fun to read about. There’s the usual things you ignore like: couldn’t she just explain instead of getting into this elaborate charade but the charade was fun to read about so she’s forgiven. Amanda was a nice, reasonable heroine. Nothing memorable but quite relatable I thought.
Now about Malory. He’s a geek which I absolutely loved. Though he’s not bad looking he’s kinda shorter and less handsome than his brother. I loved that too. The only thing I found a bit annoying was that he didn’t try to ‘seduce’ Amanda. Worse, when she tries he’s... well... stupid about it. There’s ‘giving space’ and there’s ‘acting like her brother’. If Amanda hadn’t done something about it Malory would have been celibate his whole life. For a smart person, boy was his plan dumb.
‘I’ll be really nice and considerate and respectful and keep a distance of 2 meters at all time and I won’t pressure her or even flirt with her or show ANY interest. That way she will certainly fall in love with me. Eventually. When she gets used to me hovering in the distance.’
It works in the book... lol. Real life he wouldn’t have had a chance :P
Silly Malory!
February 28, 2017
3.5 stars.
Half a star removed for hero being and idiot towards the end of the book (I guess or else how are we going to have a climax?)
1 star deducted simply because of one dialogue from the heroine
‘I was afraid of myself. Of giving way—of letting myself love him again—still.’
This is about the guy who she caught literally in action cheating on her and who is bastard with double standard who tried to rape her when he THOUGHT she slept with his brother. (He wants heroine to look the other way about his little indiscretion ms, yet the mere idea of her sleeping with someone even if for revenge, makes her a whore! Men have problems, and no, I'm not getting hyped up about a imaginary douchy character, this rings way too close to home!)
Girl for fuck's sake, grow a pair or cut his off r something, but you do not get worried about falling back in love with your potential rapist! EVER!
Half a star removed for hero being and idiot towards the end of the book (I guess or else how are we going to have a climax?)
1 star deducted simply because of one dialogue from the heroine
‘I was afraid of myself. Of giving way—of letting myself love him again—still.’
This is about the guy who she caught literally in action cheating on her and who is bastard with double standard who tried to rape her when he THOUGHT she slept with his brother. (He wants heroine to look the other way about his little indiscretion ms, yet the mere idea of her sleeping with someone even if for revenge, makes her a whore! Men have problems, and no, I'm not getting hyped up about a imaginary douchy character, this rings way too close to home!)
Girl for fuck's sake, grow a pair or cut his off r something, but you do not get worried about falling back in love with your potential rapist! EVER!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2012
I thought it was pretty damn great. I just fell in love with the characters instantly and the story the author made from them was amazing. Except certain parts to me felt like they were undone. I hate in Sara Craven's that the villain doesn't get punished.
November 20, 2014
The hero was very unHarlequin-like
He kept his cool even when he was frustrated with the heroine
Which is why I think she ended up falling for him
It was almost like he was playing hard to get
He kept his cool even when he was frustrated with the heroine
Which is why I think she ended up falling for him
It was almost like he was playing hard to get
April 16, 2015
Now that is what I call a good romance book. Wow it was great and so obvious that he was in love with her. That step brother is one mean sob. I wanted to hit him. The hero was a kind and considerate soul. I would have fallen for him. What a great find!
January 17, 2020
This book was like a balm to my soul, but it end just too soon. I just wanted more of a reunion bliss but it’s ok. I didn’t realize how i missed old school white romance books till i read this. It’s been ages. Of course, I remembered how i disliked weak heroines when i was very young, however when you are old it’s strengths, i inclined to despise them. Heroine tried to suicide when she busted her fiancée with other girl. It was a real eye rolling situation. She was so weak she couldn’t even stand up for herself, she couldn’t even correct something so easily could’ve done. But it’s ok.
I read it for the hero anyway.
He was not your typical everyday hero. Not tall, dark and dangerous. He was not handsome, not wordy, not attractive in a sense of sexiness. Writing of him was very good that you don’t even read how he feels even when he says something aloof. The thing his seeing her “virginal eyes” from far and get lose in it was a complete bs but it was ok too. I would give it a chance if you want to quick read about marriage of convenience that is good with an unusual hero.
I read it for the hero anyway.
He was not your typical everyday hero. Not tall, dark and dangerous. He was not handsome, not wordy, not attractive in a sense of sexiness. Writing of him was very good that you don’t even read how he feels even when he says something aloof. The thing his seeing her “virginal eyes” from far and get lose in it was a complete bs but it was ok too. I would give it a chance if you want to quick read about marriage of convenience that is good with an unusual hero.
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