What do you think?
Rate this book
Shadow Marriage
Without trust, love cannot survive...
Sarah learned the bitter truth of those words when she discovered her brand-new marriage to Benedict de l'Isle was a joke, the result of a foolish masculine bet between Ben and his friend Dale.
In anger, Sarah let Ben think Dale had been her lover, and walked away forever or so she thought.
But three years later, Sarah found herself working with Ben again, and he was not at all prepared to put the bitterness of their past behind them.
He was convinced that it was Sarah whose actions had destroyed their marriage, not his, and he was determined to punish her!
Sarah learned the bitter truth of those words when she discovered her brand-new marriage to Benedict de l'Isle was a joke, the result of a foolish masculine bet between Ben and his friend Dale.
In anger, Sarah let Ben think Dale had been her lover, and walked away forever or so she thought.
But three years later, Sarah found herself working with Ben again, and he was not at all prepared to put the bitterness of their past behind them.
He was convinced that it was Sarah whose actions had destroyed their marriage, not his, and he was determined to punish her!
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
19 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
About the author
Penny Jordan
1,125 books667 followersPenelope Jones Halsall
aka Caroline Courtney, Annie Groves, Lydia Hitchcock, Melinda Wright
Penelope "Penny" Jones was born on November 24, 1946 at about seven pounds in a nursing home in Preston, Lancashire, England. She was the first child of Anthony Winn Jones, an engineer, who died at 85, and his wife Margaret Louise Groves Jones. She has a brother, Anthony, and a sister, Prudence "Pru".
She had been a keen reader from the childhood - her mother used to leave her in the children's section of their local library whilst she changed her father's library books. She was a storyteller long before she began to write romantic fiction. At the age of eight, she was creating serialized bedtime stories, featuring make-believe adventures, for her younger sister Prue, who was always the heroine. At eleven, she fell in love with Mills & Boon, and with their heroes. In those days the books could only be obtained via private lending libraries, and she quickly became a devoted fan; she was thrilled to bits when the books went on full sale in shops and she could have them for keeps.
Penny left grammar school in Rochdale with O-Levels in English Language, English Literature and Geography. She first discovered Mills & Boon books, via a girl she worked with. She married Steve Halsall, an accountant and a "lovely man", who smoked and drank too heavily, and suffered oral cancer with bravery and dignity. Her husband bought her the small electric typewriter on which she typed her first novels, at a time when he could ill afford it. He died at the beginning of 21st century.
She earned a living as a writer since the 1970s when, as a shorthand typist, she entered a competition run by the Romantic Novelists' Association. Although she didn't win, Penny found an agent who was looking for a new Georgette Heyer. She published four regency novels as Caroline Courtney, before changing her nom de plume to Melinda Wright for three air-hostess romps and then she wrote two thrillers as Lydia Hitchcock. Soon after that, Mills and Boon accepted her first novel for them, Falcon's Prey as Penny Jordan. However, for her more historical romance novels, she adopted her mother's maiden-name to become Annie Groves. Almost 70 of her 167 Mills and Boon novels have been sold worldwide.
Penny Halsall lived in a neo-Georgian house in Nantwich, Cheshire, with her Alsatian Sheba and cat Posh. She worked from home, in her kitchen, surrounded by her pets, and welcomed interruptions from her friends and family.
aka Caroline Courtney, Annie Groves, Lydia Hitchcock, Melinda Wright
Penelope "Penny" Jones was born on November 24, 1946 at about seven pounds in a nursing home in Preston, Lancashire, England. She was the first child of Anthony Winn Jones, an engineer, who died at 85, and his wife Margaret Louise Groves Jones. She has a brother, Anthony, and a sister, Prudence "Pru".
She had been a keen reader from the childhood - her mother used to leave her in the children's section of their local library whilst she changed her father's library books. She was a storyteller long before she began to write romantic fiction. At the age of eight, she was creating serialized bedtime stories, featuring make-believe adventures, for her younger sister Prue, who was always the heroine. At eleven, she fell in love with Mills & Boon, and with their heroes. In those days the books could only be obtained via private lending libraries, and she quickly became a devoted fan; she was thrilled to bits when the books went on full sale in shops and she could have them for keeps.
Penny left grammar school in Rochdale with O-Levels in English Language, English Literature and Geography. She first discovered Mills & Boon books, via a girl she worked with. She married Steve Halsall, an accountant and a "lovely man", who smoked and drank too heavily, and suffered oral cancer with bravery and dignity. Her husband bought her the small electric typewriter on which she typed her first novels, at a time when he could ill afford it. He died at the beginning of 21st century.
She earned a living as a writer since the 1970s when, as a shorthand typist, she entered a competition run by the Romantic Novelists' Association. Although she didn't win, Penny found an agent who was looking for a new Georgette Heyer. She published four regency novels as Caroline Courtney, before changing her nom de plume to Melinda Wright for three air-hostess romps and then she wrote two thrillers as Lydia Hitchcock. Soon after that, Mills and Boon accepted her first novel for them, Falcon's Prey as Penny Jordan. However, for her more historical romance novels, she adopted her mother's maiden-name to become Annie Groves. Almost 70 of her 167 Mills and Boon novels have been sold worldwide.
Penny Halsall lived in a neo-Georgian house in Nantwich, Cheshire, with her Alsatian Sheba and cat Posh. She worked from home, in her kitchen, surrounded by her pets, and welcomed interruptions from her friends and family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 18, 2017
Shadow Marriage by Penny Jordan is a 1984 Harlequin publication.
During the early to mid-eighties I read a lot of Harlequin romances and Penny Jordan was one of my very favorite authors back then.
I have a healthy collection of her books, and I suppose, some could be considered vintage by now, but I haven’t come close to reading them all. Recently I have noticed several of my Goodreads friends, reading these older titles and it has me feeling a little nostalgic and in the mood to pull out some of my old PJ books, although this one is a library loan.
As it turns out, this was a great pick, and I got a kick out the style of writing that was so popular back then. The hero was such a jerk sometimes, and the heroine was always in need of rescue. But, the dialogue is pretty sharp, and there was plenty of drama, scheming, and back stabbing. It was actually pretty absorbing!!
Sarah, an actress, was madly in love with Benedict de l'Isle when she married him, but quickly discovered he only married her to win a stupid bet.
Now, after three years of separation, a plumb role has forced her to work with Ben, and right away the sparks fly. The tensions build between them and threaten to boil over until the truth is finally revealed.
The plot is a fairly predictable and of course I knew right away there was a diabolical plan afoot to keep Ben and Sarah apart. But, it was fun seeing how it all unfolded and the chemistry between Sarah and Ben was blazing hot!
Amazingly, there were only a few times the story really showed it’s time stamp and since I understand the author’s style and the era of time in which the book was published, I was able to overlook it.
Once again, I have found adding a ‘retro-read’ into the mix is fun and while the stories may not appeal to younger readers, I still really enjoy them.
3.5 stars
During the early to mid-eighties I read a lot of Harlequin romances and Penny Jordan was one of my very favorite authors back then.
I have a healthy collection of her books, and I suppose, some could be considered vintage by now, but I haven’t come close to reading them all. Recently I have noticed several of my Goodreads friends, reading these older titles and it has me feeling a little nostalgic and in the mood to pull out some of my old PJ books, although this one is a library loan.
As it turns out, this was a great pick, and I got a kick out the style of writing that was so popular back then. The hero was such a jerk sometimes, and the heroine was always in need of rescue. But, the dialogue is pretty sharp, and there was plenty of drama, scheming, and back stabbing. It was actually pretty absorbing!!
Sarah, an actress, was madly in love with Benedict de l'Isle when she married him, but quickly discovered he only married her to win a stupid bet.
Now, after three years of separation, a plumb role has forced her to work with Ben, and right away the sparks fly. The tensions build between them and threaten to boil over until the truth is finally revealed.
The plot is a fairly predictable and of course I knew right away there was a diabolical plan afoot to keep Ben and Sarah apart. But, it was fun seeing how it all unfolded and the chemistry between Sarah and Ben was blazing hot!
Amazingly, there were only a few times the story really showed it’s time stamp and since I understand the author’s style and the era of time in which the book was published, I was able to overlook it.
Once again, I have found adding a ‘retro-read’ into the mix is fun and while the stories may not appeal to younger readers, I still really enjoy them.
3.5 stars
September 4, 2018
Actress h finds herself on movie set with H who was her former husband. Jealous rivalries ruined their marriage as another actor told her the H had seduced and married her on a bet.
She was very drama queen oriented and fell in lurve with the H and of course was totally devastated by other actor's news. There is a lot of drama about a nude lurve scene with H and then the h thinks she is having a nervous breakdown.
I was kinda ready to have a nervous breakdown from the sheer melodrama of the h in this one. Happily I had a cookie and petted a cat and total mental instability was warded off. The h and H get a HEA too. Good for emo angsty drama but the frustration with the h may not be worth it.
She was very drama queen oriented and fell in lurve with the H and of course was totally devastated by other actor's news. There is a lot of drama about a nude lurve scene with H and then the h thinks she is having a nervous breakdown.
I was kinda ready to have a nervous breakdown from the sheer melodrama of the h in this one. Happily I had a cookie and petted a cat and total mental instability was warded off. The h and H get a HEA too. Good for emo angsty drama but the frustration with the h may not be worth it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2021
Following the love-story of an actress and an actor,whose passionate romance thrilled me to fluttering bubbles! (saying that i ACTUALLY blowed bubbles while reading this book,i have younger siblings who love them).Sarah and Benedict de IÌsle are ingulfed in bitter hate towards each other,beacuse of a great misunderstanding that made them separate three years ago,but they are still married!I wish to god that she would have confronted Benedict,but instead made him assume she had been cheating on him.I could see he still loved her,and that he was hurting and angry of jealousy.
There is much angst between them,which i greatly enjoyed!One of my earlier PJ´s that stays true to my heart.
There is much angst between them,which i greatly enjoyed!One of my earlier PJ´s that stays true to my heart.
May 11, 2020
I enjoyed this director/actress reunion story a lot. Yes, it’s OTT drama and angst and our quivering heroine pretty much has a nervous breakdown for love – but if you’re in the mood for this sort of emotional fare, Penny Jordan delivers.
The H/h broke up because of a big misunderstanding and their own personal Iago. The OM, jealous of the hero, tells the very naïve h that hero only married her because of a bet they had at the beginning of their stage run. The heroine believes the OM and agrees to stage a scene where it looks as if they are sleeping together.
The hero is justifiably upset at seeing his new wife with the OM and storms off. They haven’t seen each other for a few years when they meet again on the film set in Spain. The heroine is a last minute addition; the hero is a last minute director. Oh, and the OM is also in the cast.
The hero insists the h stay in his trailer with him. The OM tries to cause trouble. The heroine gets heat stroke and then a chill as she walks in the rain. The H/h eventually have sex again and the heroine tries to act like she doesn’t care.
Once the Spain shots are finished, we’re off to California and Malibu. The heroine stays with the hero who is mysteriously writing every night in his study. The OM stages another scene that the heroine walks right into – destroying the peace with the H. The hero decides to take revenge and write a love scene the heroine has to perform.
She can’t do it until the H steps in as a body double. The heroine barely keeps it together until they are back in Malibu where she runs away, falls in the swimming pool and almost drowns. The next few days she is in and out of consciousness begging the H not to send her to a mental hospital. When she is finally coherent, the doctor tells her not to act for six months.
Meanwhile, the OM, thinking he has ruined both the H and h, gloatingly tells the hero his evil plan and how they both fell for it.
The hero apologizes to the heroine for putting her through such a scene and the heroine apologizes for believing the OM and wrecking their lives. HEA
I enjoyed this because the PJ played around with the material they were shooting (a historical about Richard III and his unrequited love for one his knights and all of the other ill-matched arranged marriages in his court). And for once, the PJ neurotic heroine really seemed to fit with her profession. All that actor’s imagination and angst could be easily manipulated by a director (or an OM) to create a memorable performance, but in the wrong hands . . . a nervous breakdown.
I can't blame the hero for his actions as much as the heroine. All this time he thinks she cheated on him, but he still can't quit her. The heroine's guilt at hurting the hero and betrayal by her "friend," the OM was just as much a part of her final breakdown as the love scene.
The H/h broke up because of a big misunderstanding and their own personal Iago. The OM, jealous of the hero, tells the very naïve h that hero only married her because of a bet they had at the beginning of their stage run. The heroine believes the OM and agrees to stage a scene where it looks as if they are sleeping together.
The hero is justifiably upset at seeing his new wife with the OM and storms off. They haven’t seen each other for a few years when they meet again on the film set in Spain. The heroine is a last minute addition; the hero is a last minute director. Oh, and the OM is also in the cast.
The hero insists the h stay in his trailer with him. The OM tries to cause trouble. The heroine gets heat stroke and then a chill as she walks in the rain. The H/h eventually have sex again and the heroine tries to act like she doesn’t care.
Once the Spain shots are finished, we’re off to California and Malibu. The heroine stays with the hero who is mysteriously writing every night in his study. The OM stages another scene that the heroine walks right into – destroying the peace with the H. The hero decides to take revenge and write a love scene the heroine has to perform.
She can’t do it until the H steps in as a body double. The heroine barely keeps it together until they are back in Malibu where she runs away, falls in the swimming pool and almost drowns. The next few days she is in and out of consciousness begging the H not to send her to a mental hospital. When she is finally coherent, the doctor tells her not to act for six months.
Meanwhile, the OM, thinking he has ruined both the H and h, gloatingly tells the hero his evil plan and how they both fell for it.
The hero apologizes to the heroine for putting her through such a scene and the heroine apologizes for believing the OM and wrecking their lives. HEA
I enjoyed this because the PJ played around with the material they were shooting (a historical about Richard III and his unrequited love for one his knights and all of the other ill-matched arranged marriages in his court). And for once, the PJ neurotic heroine really seemed to fit with her profession. All that actor’s imagination and angst could be easily manipulated by a director (or an OM) to create a memorable performance, but in the wrong hands . . . a nervous breakdown.
I can't blame the hero for his actions as much as the heroine. All this time he thinks she cheated on him, but he still can't quit her. The heroine's guilt at hurting the hero and betrayal by her "friend," the OM was just as much a part of her final breakdown as the love scene.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2021
Well, well, well. Ben is an otherwise calm cool and collected man at the end of his rope. I, for one, LIVE for when these stoic stern men lose their sh*t. 😈 It’s my very favorite thing, and this Hero does not disappoint.
Phwew. I was all stressed out. Sarah, our 23 yr old h, just got a role In a film, and *surprise*, her estranged husband, Ben (33), who she’s been separated from for 3 years, is the director. Ben believes that Sarah betrayed him 3 years ago, just after they were married, with another actor in this new film. Sarah has allowed him to believe that because she was told by rival OM that he just married her and took her v card to win a bet. 👀🙈😱😱😱
It’s a Harlequin so you know that misunderstandings and DRAMAAAAZZZ shall follow. Ben immediately announces to the crew that they have reconciled and he bulldozes Sarah into staying in his trailer. He’s mean. Shes stubborn. Ben punishes with kisses and a jealous/possessive tantrum forced seduction scene… but don’t worry too much for Sarah. She’s crazy about Ben. She doesn’t take all that much coercion. This H is obsessed and out of his mind with jealousy. It’s 1984, so cut him some slack. 😅
The h eventually is so overwhelmed by the stress of the situation that she has a delightfully dramatic nervous breakdown and the H, of course, has to nurse her back to health. 😍🤡
Can I just say that I really appreciate that this was only a 3-year separation? I really appreciate that our lovers didn’t lose a decade to a misunderstanding and OM manipulations. 🥰🥰
Bottom line? This was a quick, angsty, drama filled, sexy story with a Hero behaving badly, and a sweet h who loves him. All the MELODRAMA. 😅 So, basically my crack. 🤷🏼♀️ 4.5 stars. I removed a half star because I didn’t understand why he waited 3 years to claim her again. It’s only a half star because I think he manipulated the situation to replace the director so they’d have to have a confrontation. 😈 Manipulators are my favorite, so, he’s mostly forgiven. 🤡
⚠️SAFETY SQUAD SPOILERS⚠️
- no cheating for sure while they are together, but the separation is left ambiguous - depends on your cheating definition and standards.
- no sharing in the normal sense - the H gets angry at the h and insists that she do a nude love scene, even though he knows she’s terrified to do it, where he stands in for the male actor… it’s filmed by the camera crew… so they do see her… but after he calms from his jealous fit, he promises to destroy the film (or maybe keep it for himself)
- OW drama - There’s a gal on set who wants the H, but he’s not interested
- OM drama - the H is sure the h is still in an intimate relationship with the other actor
- dubcon - there are several scenes that start with dubious consent
- h was a virgin when they married and she has only been with the H
- it is assumed that the H was experienced, and it’s not explicitly confirmed if he was celibate during their separation. People close to him hint that he was pining for her. 🤷🏼♀️
- no condoms - it’s 1984 and I prefer to believe that the H was celibate, so it’s all good. Right?!
Phwew. I was all stressed out. Sarah, our 23 yr old h, just got a role In a film, and *surprise*, her estranged husband, Ben (33), who she’s been separated from for 3 years, is the director. Ben believes that Sarah betrayed him 3 years ago, just after they were married, with another actor in this new film. Sarah has allowed him to believe that because she was told by rival OM that he just married her and took her v card to win a bet. 👀🙈😱😱😱
It’s a Harlequin so you know that misunderstandings and DRAMAAAAZZZ shall follow. Ben immediately announces to the crew that they have reconciled and he bulldozes Sarah into staying in his trailer. He’s mean. Shes stubborn. Ben punishes with kisses and a jealous/possessive tantrum forced seduction scene… but don’t worry too much for Sarah. She’s crazy about Ben. She doesn’t take all that much coercion. This H is obsessed and out of his mind with jealousy. It’s 1984, so cut him some slack. 😅
The h eventually is so overwhelmed by the stress of the situation that she has a delightfully dramatic nervous breakdown and the H, of course, has to nurse her back to health. 😍🤡
Can I just say that I really appreciate that this was only a 3-year separation? I really appreciate that our lovers didn’t lose a decade to a misunderstanding and OM manipulations. 🥰🥰
Bottom line? This was a quick, angsty, drama filled, sexy story with a Hero behaving badly, and a sweet h who loves him. All the MELODRAMA. 😅 So, basically my crack. 🤷🏼♀️ 4.5 stars. I removed a half star because I didn’t understand why he waited 3 years to claim her again. It’s only a half star because I think he manipulated the situation to replace the director so they’d have to have a confrontation. 😈 Manipulators are my favorite, so, he’s mostly forgiven. 🤡
⚠️SAFETY SQUAD SPOILERS⚠️
- no cheating for sure while they are together, but the separation is left ambiguous - depends on your cheating definition and standards.
- no sharing in the normal sense - the H gets angry at the h and insists that she do a nude love scene, even though he knows she’s terrified to do it, where he stands in for the male actor… it’s filmed by the camera crew… so they do see her… but after he calms from his jealous fit, he promises to destroy the film (or maybe keep it for himself)
- OW drama - There’s a gal on set who wants the H, but he’s not interested
- OM drama - the H is sure the h is still in an intimate relationship with the other actor
- dubcon - there are several scenes that start with dubious consent
- h was a virgin when they married and she has only been with the H
- it is assumed that the H was experienced, and it’s not explicitly confirmed if he was celibate during their separation. People close to him hint that he was pining for her. 🤷🏼♀️
- no condoms - it’s 1984 and I prefer to believe that the H was celibate, so it’s all good. Right?!
April 11, 2021
"Shadow Marriage" is the story of Sarah and Ben.
Gah, stupid immature characters.
Hero and heroine are actors. They get married, only for the idiotic heroine to believe lecherous OM and imagine the hero's courtship to be due to a bet- hence she makes him believe that she is sleeping with OM. They get separated and move on. Years later, hero is a director and heroine gets tricked into working for him. Ofcourse, OM is around to pull her strings like a marionette and create problems, while the hero growls and blames her. Rest is predictable.
Absolutely empty skulled heroine, impulsive hero, should-be-shoved-into-a-ditch OM.
Didnt enjoy this.
SWE?
1/5
Gah, stupid immature characters.
Hero and heroine are actors. They get married, only for the idiotic heroine to believe lecherous OM and imagine the hero's courtship to be due to a bet- hence she makes him believe that she is sleeping with OM. They get separated and move on. Years later, hero is a director and heroine gets tricked into working for him. Ofcourse, OM is around to pull her strings like a marionette and create problems, while the hero growls and blames her. Rest is predictable.
Absolutely empty skulled heroine, impulsive hero, should-be-shoved-into-a-ditch OM.
Didnt enjoy this.
SWE?
1/5
July 17, 2015
I don't like books with hero heroine being actors or directors but I enjoyed this one.
June 12, 2017
I so enjoyed this offering from 1984 from Penny Jordan but it’s rather different from anything else I’ve read by her. The subject this time is the glamour and glitz of the film industry. Sarah – a redheaded actress who simmers sensuality and not much else – is reunited with her ex-husband Benedict on the set of a costume drama concerning the life of Richard I. On the set with her is the vile Dale who Sarah also knows (and who irritatingly insists on calling her “Sweetling” all the way through the text, which Sarah, for some reason, just puts up with). They’ve all worked together before on a film entitled “Shakespeare” where Sarah had fallen for Ben and then they’d got married. However, after Dale (the sweetling) had told her that Ben had only married her for a bet, Sarah had left Ben, devastated (and not too inclined to actually investigate whether there was any truth behind Dale’s assertion before she packed her bags and left the man she loved behind him).
Back on set, despite the fact that Ben is clearly devastated too by the loss of Sarah and still obviously in love with her (apparent for all to see, with the exception of Sarah), Sarah simply believes anything Dale tells her in order to drive a wedge between them further. Sarah really isn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer and it’s hard to see just why Ben loves her so much. It seems entirely based on sex because Sarah has absolutely nothing to say for herself. She even lets Dale try it on with her because she doesn’t want to make a fuss.
In the meantime, Ben has made a fortune, writing scripts, directing and running a Hollywood studio - he is clearly a very clever chap. This is the first heroine I’ve ever encountered from Jordan who seems purposely stupid – other characters in the text repeatedly refer to her as a bit thick and the author does nothing to disabuse the reader of this notion. She really is that dozy – she’s all surface appearance and nothing much underneath. Even Ben openly admits she is shallow. She’s almost a blank slate for the reader to write their own desires onto (this after all is a Mills and Boon and all about the escapism of the reader). The Hollywood setting is also perfect for this.
On the other hand, however, this is really a very smart text indeed. Jordan uses very clever narrative devices to make her point about her characters. Sarah is operating to her own agenda – she’s an actor in every sense of the word. There are several scenes of sublime weather which mark crises in Sarah’s identity and she even nearly loses her mind at one point (probably an improvement on her IQ to be honest), due to the mental stress. Her doctor, after this event, tells her that she can’t act any more as it will destroy her mentally. It’s hard to see what else she could do – rocket science clearly isn’t an option for her – it’s a good job that Ben overlooks her mental abilities and decides to reconcile with her anyway, so she can live off him and his vast fortune.
The other thing that Jordan is doing is using the script of the historical drama (which she goes into in excessive detail for a short formulaic novel) to emphasise Sarah and Ben’s story and how she has fallen victim to the machinations of the other characters.
In short, this is an interesting offering from Jordan and is definitely worth looking at if, like me, you study the genre. However, I had zero tolerance for the stupidity of the heroine and unlike other Jordan heroines, she didn’t even seem to improve as the text progressed. She really was that stupid all the way through.
Back on set, despite the fact that Ben is clearly devastated too by the loss of Sarah and still obviously in love with her (apparent for all to see, with the exception of Sarah), Sarah simply believes anything Dale tells her in order to drive a wedge between them further. Sarah really isn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer and it’s hard to see just why Ben loves her so much. It seems entirely based on sex because Sarah has absolutely nothing to say for herself. She even lets Dale try it on with her because she doesn’t want to make a fuss.
In the meantime, Ben has made a fortune, writing scripts, directing and running a Hollywood studio - he is clearly a very clever chap. This is the first heroine I’ve ever encountered from Jordan who seems purposely stupid – other characters in the text repeatedly refer to her as a bit thick and the author does nothing to disabuse the reader of this notion. She really is that dozy – she’s all surface appearance and nothing much underneath. Even Ben openly admits she is shallow. She’s almost a blank slate for the reader to write their own desires onto (this after all is a Mills and Boon and all about the escapism of the reader). The Hollywood setting is also perfect for this.
On the other hand, however, this is really a very smart text indeed. Jordan uses very clever narrative devices to make her point about her characters. Sarah is operating to her own agenda – she’s an actor in every sense of the word. There are several scenes of sublime weather which mark crises in Sarah’s identity and she even nearly loses her mind at one point (probably an improvement on her IQ to be honest), due to the mental stress. Her doctor, after this event, tells her that she can’t act any more as it will destroy her mentally. It’s hard to see what else she could do – rocket science clearly isn’t an option for her – it’s a good job that Ben overlooks her mental abilities and decides to reconcile with her anyway, so she can live off him and his vast fortune.
The other thing that Jordan is doing is using the script of the historical drama (which she goes into in excessive detail for a short formulaic novel) to emphasise Sarah and Ben’s story and how she has fallen victim to the machinations of the other characters.
In short, this is an interesting offering from Jordan and is definitely worth looking at if, like me, you study the genre. However, I had zero tolerance for the stupidity of the heroine and unlike other Jordan heroines, she didn’t even seem to improve as the text progressed. She really was that stupid all the way through.
April 22, 2017
Wow! That was one helluva read!
The h and H met years earlier while filming a movie. She fell in love with him, gave him her virginity and married him. She was head over heels until she learned from another actor that he only married her to win a bet. The other actor suggested that they get revenge on her husband by pretending to be lovers and upon hearing the H approaching immediately put the h in a compromising position.
This effectively put an end to the marriage and they went their separate ways. The H became famous and wealthy while the h struggled in her career working only small jobs. Until a perfect role was offered and she gladly took it. Upon arriving on set she learned that the original director was replaced and the new director is none other than her husband. This leads to a fake reconciliation and more stress than the h could handle.
This was one emotionally intense book. The h was on edge through the entire story. The fact that she, her husband and the actor who was the cause of their marriage falling apart were all working on the same movie didn't help. There were moments when I felt I needed to pull that poor girl out of the book to give her a little break. There's only so much angst a girl can take!
The H was a cold, cruel fool, the villain in the story was a jealous, scheming, calculating bastard and the h is a gullible innocent believing that the villain is a friend. Together they created one hell of an angsty read that I will probably read again.
The h and H met years earlier while filming a movie. She fell in love with him, gave him her virginity and married him. She was head over heels until she learned from another actor that he only married her to win a bet. The other actor suggested that they get revenge on her husband by pretending to be lovers and upon hearing the H approaching immediately put the h in a compromising position.
This effectively put an end to the marriage and they went their separate ways. The H became famous and wealthy while the h struggled in her career working only small jobs. Until a perfect role was offered and she gladly took it. Upon arriving on set she learned that the original director was replaced and the new director is none other than her husband. This leads to a fake reconciliation and more stress than the h could handle.
This was one emotionally intense book. The h was on edge through the entire story. The fact that she, her husband and the actor who was the cause of their marriage falling apart were all working on the same movie didn't help. There were moments when I felt I needed to pull that poor girl out of the book to give her a little break. There's only so much angst a girl can take!
The H was a cold, cruel fool, the villain in the story was a jealous, scheming, calculating bastard and the h is a gullible innocent believing that the villain is a friend. Together they created one hell of an angsty read that I will probably read again.
June 28, 2020
This one has a big emotional impact, but for all the wrong reasons.
Heroine Sarah is an actress who refuses to do sex scenes (good for her!) but her estranged husband, screen writer and director of her current film, is so angry at her he decides to force her to do one. She feels she MUST do it, when in fact she could have simply refused. What can they do to her? The studio won't want to get a replacement actress and reshoot all her scenes. Yes, they would blackball her from future roles, but if she feels that strongly, then say no.
Then her hubby has the nerve to claim that he wouldn't have insisted on the script change to include a semi-explicit sex scene if he'd known she felt so strongly about it. Buddy, get a grip. If she said no, and said it again and again, what does it take?
Ugh. Plus there are tons of opportunities for both characters to settle their conflicts and both decide it's easier to simply toss emotional grenades than to work.
Heroine Sarah is an actress who refuses to do sex scenes (good for her!) but her estranged husband, screen writer and director of her current film, is so angry at her he decides to force her to do one. She feels she MUST do it, when in fact she could have simply refused. What can they do to her? The studio won't want to get a replacement actress and reshoot all her scenes. Yes, they would blackball her from future roles, but if she feels that strongly, then say no.
Then her hubby has the nerve to claim that he wouldn't have insisted on the script change to include a semi-explicit sex scene if he'd known she felt so strongly about it. Buddy, get a grip. If she said no, and said it again and again, what does it take?
Ugh. Plus there are tons of opportunities for both characters to settle their conflicts and both decide it's easier to simply toss emotional grenades than to work.
May 15, 2020
Both H and h are annoyingly stupid.
June 16, 2022
she was so beyond stupid. never talking to her husband. believing some bet. never defending her self because theres no point? letting dale grab her an kiss her etc at least three times to make ben jealous. not seeing dale’s true colors despite him being so very villainous.
so i was all team ben and wtf ben why do u wanna be with her?!! BUT THEN he fucking forced her to do a sex scene basically in front of the whole crew. so fuck you ben!!!
what a stupid book
so i was all team ben and wtf ben why do u wanna be with her?!! BUT THEN he fucking forced her to do a sex scene basically in front of the whole crew. so fuck you ben!!!
what a stupid book
January 2, 2019
Literally this book would have been finished at page 1 if ONLY they TALKED to each other!!!!
April 18, 2019
The heroine is TSTL and at some point, the plot stopped making much sense.
October 19, 2025
Of all the TSTL (Too Stupid To Live) heroines there ever have been, this one is the stupidest, hands down.
She is an actress, surrounded by actors, yet she can't tell the difference between sincerity and insincerity in people around her. The moustache-twirling, OTT obvious villain OM she trusts implicitly for zero reason. And she never ever once in any of the times the OM manipulates her into making it look like they're together, lovers, etc., she NEVER even KIND OF tries to correct any of those impressions in anyone's eyes, let alone the hero's.
The villain tells an obvious, flimsy lie to her that the hero only married her to win a bet between them that the first one to bed her would win. Even though they had already slept together a week beforehand. She utterly believes him and agrees with him to pretend to be sleeping together to... show up(?) The hero?
At other times, she's TST come out of the sun, then TST come out of the rain, too dumb to wear a hat, spends the majority of her time trembling and on the verge of fainting because of the super strong emotions she has for the hero. She frequently trips over things, stumbles, gets dizzy spells, etc.
My "favorite" scene was when she goes down to the beach, the one attached to the hero's house, where they both live, and when she sees the hero swimming in the water, gets so turned on that she panics and starts running in no particular direction, followed, of course, by tripping over her own feet.
OK, edit. I finished this book somehow, and the actual best scene is when the heroine, after an on-set showdown between OM and the hero in which OM reveals the deep dark secret that she always loved the hero (whyyyy would OM do this? There is literally no benefit to him. Anyway...), she panics and drives home, intent on getting her passport to leave to go to England. As she's looking for it, the hero comes home, and, panicked, she starts running around blindly on the patio trying to get away from him. She trips (AGAIN) and falls into the pool, believing she will drown even though she is conscious and knows how to swim.
The hero is all trying to dry her off and telling her he cares, and he's not going to keep the dread scene in the movie now that he realizes she's not sleeping with the OM, and is trying to comfort her and probably tell her the rest of the story, when the heroine naturally has an entire actual nervous breakdown, passes out, and is unconscious for a week having delusions of being in a mental hospital.
Because I'm actually beginning to think she's a bipedal rabbit. She wakes up, and a doctor informs her she's not going to be able to act for at least 6 months, and perhaps never, due to her, um, condition, of being part rabbit and only having 2 brain cells to keep her from tripping, falling, fainting, gasping, trembling, and having nervous breakdowns at the first sign of any stress.
This works out, because turns out Hero is rich and only wants to write screenplays from here on out.
Like. TSTL. Bless her little rabbity heart.
She is an actress, surrounded by actors, yet she can't tell the difference between sincerity and insincerity in people around her. The moustache-twirling, OTT obvious villain OM she trusts implicitly for zero reason. And she never ever once in any of the times the OM manipulates her into making it look like they're together, lovers, etc., she NEVER even KIND OF tries to correct any of those impressions in anyone's eyes, let alone the hero's.
The villain tells an obvious, flimsy lie to her that the hero only married her to win a bet between them that the first one to bed her would win. Even though they had already slept together a week beforehand. She utterly believes him and agrees with him to pretend to be sleeping together to... show up(?) The hero?
At other times, she's TST come out of the sun, then TST come out of the rain, too dumb to wear a hat, spends the majority of her time trembling and on the verge of fainting because of the super strong emotions she has for the hero. She frequently trips over things, stumbles, gets dizzy spells, etc.
My "favorite" scene was when she goes down to the beach, the one attached to the hero's house, where they both live, and when she sees the hero swimming in the water, gets so turned on that she panics and starts running in no particular direction, followed, of course, by tripping over her own feet.
OK, edit. I finished this book somehow, and the actual best scene is when the heroine, after an on-set showdown between OM and the hero in which OM reveals the deep dark secret that she always loved the hero (whyyyy would OM do this? There is literally no benefit to him. Anyway...), she panics and drives home, intent on getting her passport to leave to go to England. As she's looking for it, the hero comes home, and, panicked, she starts running around blindly on the patio trying to get away from him. She trips (AGAIN) and falls into the pool, believing she will drown even though she is conscious and knows how to swim.
The hero is all trying to dry her off and telling her he cares, and he's not going to keep the dread scene in the movie now that he realizes she's not sleeping with the OM, and is trying to comfort her and probably tell her the rest of the story, when the heroine naturally has an entire actual nervous breakdown, passes out, and is unconscious for a week having delusions of being in a mental hospital.
Because I'm actually beginning to think she's a bipedal rabbit. She wakes up, and a doctor informs her she's not going to be able to act for at least 6 months, and perhaps never, due to her, um, condition, of being part rabbit and only having 2 brain cells to keep her from tripping, falling, fainting, gasping, trembling, and having nervous breakdowns at the first sign of any stress.
This works out, because turns out Hero is rich and only wants to write screenplays from here on out.
Like. TSTL. Bless her little rabbity heart.
April 17, 2023
Wow, this book really tugs at your heartstrings, despite it having one big flaw: both the H and the h were influenced by one big JERK!!!
Ben and Sarah meet while acting in a film about Shakespeare. There's a lot of chemistry between them, which makes their love scene especially steamy (and embarrassing for Sarah) and leads to the two of them sleeping together. Sexy, sophisticated Ben is Sarah's first lover, and she's thrilled when he asks her to be his wife. That's when JERK steps in!
Dale is also an actor in the movie, as well as a rival of Ben's. Good looking and self-centered, he's used to getting his way with women, and not pleased when Sarah thinks of him like a big brother (though he hides his feelings and plays the part well). He's felt competitive with Ben for years, as well as resentful and jealous. He waits until the day Sarah and Ben get married to set them both up, causing a separation of more than three years, when they find themselves together again on another historical movie set, this time about King Richard I.
Of course, you get the usual misunderstandings, hurtful comments, face-saving show of indifference, etc., but this book was more than that. Ms. Jordan did an excellent job of making you feel the love that was always there between Ben and Sarah, which no amount of mistrust, anger or feelings of betrayal can hide. You can sense the hurt Sarah feels when, after a night of passion, she believes that for Ben, it was only lust, while she's aching with love for him, and meanwhile, despite his words, Ben's feeling the same pain. They have so many moments when they start to get close, only to have Dale-the-Jerk cause trouble again.
When things get to the breaking point, you can almost feel like crying.
As a bonus, you get a bit of a history lesson you get about King Richard, his sister Joanna (the part Sarah plays) and the times they lived in. I like reading stories where you learn something, as well as being entertained.
On the downside, however, was the fact that neither of them sees Dale for who he really is, and it didn't seem probable that Ben, who knew the guy's flaws, wouldn't stop and realize all that he was capable of. As for Sarah, it seemed way too naive for her to still think of him as her "big brother", and not pick up on the signs, like his pretending to be drunk when it suited his (crummy) purpose, then suddenly sobering up in a hurry. Often, she'd pick up on things about him that didn't seem right, but never managed to put two and two together. Neither did Ben.
And Dale gets away with far too much, he should have had to pay for all the trouble he causes. I was hoping for a fall down some stairs and a lot of broken bones, which still wouldn't have been enough.
This is a good one, that could have been great.
Ben and Sarah meet while acting in a film about Shakespeare. There's a lot of chemistry between them, which makes their love scene especially steamy (and embarrassing for Sarah) and leads to the two of them sleeping together. Sexy, sophisticated Ben is Sarah's first lover, and she's thrilled when he asks her to be his wife. That's when JERK steps in!
Dale is also an actor in the movie, as well as a rival of Ben's. Good looking and self-centered, he's used to getting his way with women, and not pleased when Sarah thinks of him like a big brother (though he hides his feelings and plays the part well). He's felt competitive with Ben for years, as well as resentful and jealous. He waits until the day Sarah and Ben get married to set them both up, causing a separation of more than three years, when they find themselves together again on another historical movie set, this time about King Richard I.
Of course, you get the usual misunderstandings, hurtful comments, face-saving show of indifference, etc., but this book was more than that. Ms. Jordan did an excellent job of making you feel the love that was always there between Ben and Sarah, which no amount of mistrust, anger or feelings of betrayal can hide. You can sense the hurt Sarah feels when, after a night of passion, she believes that for Ben, it was only lust, while she's aching with love for him, and meanwhile, despite his words, Ben's feeling the same pain. They have so many moments when they start to get close, only to have Dale-the-Jerk cause trouble again.
When things get to the breaking point, you can almost feel like crying.
As a bonus, you get a bit of a history lesson you get about King Richard, his sister Joanna (the part Sarah plays) and the times they lived in. I like reading stories where you learn something, as well as being entertained.
On the downside, however, was the fact that neither of them sees Dale for who he really is, and it didn't seem probable that Ben, who knew the guy's flaws, wouldn't stop and realize all that he was capable of. As for Sarah, it seemed way too naive for her to still think of him as her "big brother", and not pick up on the signs, like his pretending to be drunk when it suited his (crummy) purpose, then suddenly sobering up in a hurry. Often, she'd pick up on things about him that didn't seem right, but never managed to put two and two together. Neither did Ben.
And Dale gets away with far too much, he should have had to pay for all the trouble he causes. I was hoping for a fall down some stairs and a lot of broken bones, which still wouldn't have been enough.
This is a good one, that could have been great.
August 6, 2021
Sarah married her co star Ben three years ago after a film they were in. But the marriage did not last very long when she was told he married her on a dare. She left hurt and disillusioned. She is back and finds out both men are involved with this new film she is in. And she is trying to find a way out of it. With Ben as the director things don't go as she needs. What happens when she has to shoot scenes that make her uncomfortable. And the hurt she still fills over shadows her job as an actress. When the bet is brought to light who will be the winner this time? I have the paperback copy and have reread it several times.
December 16, 2023
Well, I got through this book which was just soft porno....so disappointed...going to tear it up for the paper recycables. I only like the older Harlequins books which had no moaning, groaning sex scenes...this book was just one sex scene after another.
I used to read Penny Jordan books I'm sure, but don't remember so much physical sex going on.
Sarah is an actress, her husband, whom she hasn't seen for 3 years, is the director. A cad named Dale always seemed to grab Sarah in a hug or a kiss when Ben was around so Ben though he was Sarah's lover.
As usual, all ends well but not a book I would recommend to anyone else.
I used to read Penny Jordan books I'm sure, but don't remember so much physical sex going on.
Sarah is an actress, her husband, whom she hasn't seen for 3 years, is the director. A cad named Dale always seemed to grab Sarah in a hug or a kiss when Ben was around so Ben though he was Sarah's lover.
As usual, all ends well but not a book I would recommend to anyone else.
September 20, 2019
A good book by all standards
July 3, 2022
Actors. Not believable. And my believability bar is very low with these.
November 4, 2023
PJ doubles the fun with not one asshat but two!
One male jealous of hero manipulates and downright sexually assaults our dear heroine to make it look like he and heroine are having an affair.
Hero angry about said (fake) affair cruelly emotionally abuses our heroine into a nervous breakdown.
Heroine has too much pride to tell hero the truth about herself and other man.
Ridiculous? Yes. Over the top? Definitely. Five star read? Hell ya!
Heroine should have run off with co-star Paul.
But this is Harleyland so she forgives our asshat hero for HEA.
One male jealous of hero manipulates and downright sexually assaults our dear heroine to make it look like he and heroine are having an affair.
Hero angry about said (fake) affair cruelly emotionally abuses our heroine into a nervous breakdown.
Heroine has too much pride to tell hero the truth about herself and other man.
Ridiculous? Yes. Over the top? Definitely. Five star read? Hell ya!
Heroine should have run off with co-star Paul.
But this is Harleyland so she forgives our asshat hero for HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2019
Sarah's heart broke the moment she discovered her brand-new marriage to Benedict de l'Isle was the result of a foolish bet between Ben and his friend Dale. In anger, Sarah let Ben think Dale had been her lover, and walked away forever. Or so she thought... Three years later, Sarah finds herself working once again with her husband. A husband who is convinced that she destroyed their marriage, and is determined to punish her...in the most delectable of ways!
March 23, 2017
I'd forgotten I'd read this one already. The new cover threw me off.
Read: Don't remember.
Re-read: March 23, 2017
Read: Don't remember.
Re-read: March 23, 2017
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews