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Lifelong Affair
A dying sister's wish made Morgan a prisoner!
The television report said no one--including Morgan's sister and brother-in-law--had survived the plane crash. But in fact there had been one survivor, Morgan's baby nephew, and now Morgan was little Courtney's guardian
However, Alex Hammond had also been made a guardian for Courtney. The battle lines were drawn--the handsome aloof Alex and his bitter vengeful family against a lone woman with lots of love to give....
Even Alex couldn't take that away from her!
The television report said no one--including Morgan's sister and brother-in-law--had survived the plane crash. But in fact there had been one survivor, Morgan's baby nephew, and now Morgan was little Courtney's guardian
However, Alex Hammond had also been made a guardian for Courtney. The battle lines were drawn--the handsome aloof Alex and his bitter vengeful family against a lone woman with lots of love to give....
Even Alex couldn't take that away from her!
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
117 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
About the author
Carole Mortimer
1,301 books911 followersI have written almost 250 romance novels in contemporary and Regency.
I am a USA Today Bestselling Author and recipient of the 2015 RWA Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2014 I received a Pioneer of Romance Award from Romantic Times in the US and in 2012 I was recognised by Queen Elizabeth II for my 'outstanding service to literature'.
I am very happily married to Peter with six sons, and live on the Isle of Man
I am a USA Today Bestselling Author and recipient of the 2015 RWA Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2014 I received a Pioneer of Romance Award from Romantic Times in the US and in 2012 I was recognised by Queen Elizabeth II for my 'outstanding service to literature'.
I am very happily married to Peter with six sons, and live on the Isle of Man
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
August 3, 2020
Loved the heroine in this! She was so emotionally open and really fought for herself and for her orphaned nephew. Hero was emotionally shut down, but came around beautifully.
Hero's mother and sister were the perfect evil in-laws - but not so over the top that they couldn't be redeemed. Too bad H/h had to lose their siblings to have a romance, but that's vintage romance for you. :)
Just a fun read all around.
Hero's mother and sister were the perfect evil in-laws - but not so over the top that they couldn't be redeemed. Too bad H/h had to lose their siblings to have a romance, but that's vintage romance for you. :)
Just a fun read all around.
June 18, 2013
Morgan is a popular actress happy with her life and her boyfriend. When her sister and brother-in-law die in a plane crash Morgan becomes the guardian of her baby nephew. However, Alex Hammond had also been made a guardian for baby Courtney. He proposes a marriage of convenience so that they will both be in Courtney's life. Morgan breaks up with her boyfriend, quits acting, moves to England and gets married to Alex. But Alex's mother and sister are both witches and try to ruin their marriage.
Alex and Morgan make a great couple. Morgan is very fiesty and confident and Alex is a kind honorable man, supportive of his wife and even defending her with passion even against his own mother. He is an amazing hero! Soon they are falling hard for each other. But when you think things are getting better, they get worse because of the heroine's stupidity. But neither is willing to give up completely and they so deserve their hard-won HEA!
Alex and Morgan make a great couple. Morgan is very fiesty and confident and Alex is a kind honorable man, supportive of his wife and even defending her with passion even against his own mother. He is an amazing hero! Soon they are falling hard for each other. But when you think things are getting better, they get worse because of the heroine's stupidity. But neither is willing to give up completely and they so deserve their hard-won HEA!
July 2, 2013
Gotta admit I loved this book. A heroine who is spunky and doesn't mind verbally or physically punching bitchy interfering women, bravo!
Heroine sister dies leaving behind her child and she makes the heroine and the hero who is the brother in law the guardians. The heroine is an actress who wants to raise the baby on her own since she knows that the hero's family is sick and twisted but our English hero is having none of that. He tells her after much thinking let's get married and proves they have chemistry.
The heroine after much thinking agrees and falls for the hero. She knows the hero is cynical about women but I liked how up front she was, she told him I will make you happy, wanna have more kids etc and she doesn't take crap from his bitchy mother and sister.
The book stumbles only at the end when the heroine suddenly loses her spine, believing a lie but overall a great CM.
Heroine sister dies leaving behind her child and she makes the heroine and the hero who is the brother in law the guardians. The heroine is an actress who wants to raise the baby on her own since she knows that the hero's family is sick and twisted but our English hero is having none of that. He tells her after much thinking let's get married and proves they have chemistry.
The heroine after much thinking agrees and falls for the hero. She knows the hero is cynical about women but I liked how up front she was, she told him I will make you happy, wanna have more kids etc and she doesn't take crap from his bitchy mother and sister.
The book stumbles only at the end when the heroine suddenly loses her spine, believing a lie but overall a great CM.
August 10, 2020
Loved the honesty of the heroine.
And especially liked how the hero was not fooled by his horrible family and their terrible treatment of the heroine.
And especially liked how the hero was not fooled by his horrible family and their terrible treatment of the heroine.
December 16, 2017
“Lifelong Affair” is the story of Alex and Morgan.
When popular actress Morgan’s sister Glenna and brother in law Mark die in a crash, their child Courtney miraculously survives. Morgan then realizes she shares custody with Alex- Mark's brother, and they decide on a mutual agreement.
Soon they end up in a marriage of convenience, but feelings and love interfere.
What a fantastic read- kickass heroine, caring hero, this had it all.
The heroine was strong, spunky and spoke her mind- did not take shit from he crazy MIL and SIL. She loved freely and did not believe in deceptions.
The hero was caring and fully supportive- he showed up on the right time (yup, a shocker) and always stood for the truth. He also shielded the heroine from his own family!
If only the last mishap hadn’t happened with the heroine’s moment of doubt, this would have been a 5 Star. So good!
SWE
4/5
When popular actress Morgan’s sister Glenna and brother in law Mark die in a crash, their child Courtney miraculously survives. Morgan then realizes she shares custody with Alex- Mark's brother, and they decide on a mutual agreement.
Soon they end up in a marriage of convenience, but feelings and love interfere.
What a fantastic read- kickass heroine, caring hero, this had it all.
The heroine was strong, spunky and spoke her mind- did not take shit from he crazy MIL and SIL. She loved freely and did not believe in deceptions.
The hero was caring and fully supportive- he showed up on the right time (yup, a shocker) and always stood for the truth. He also shielded the heroine from his own family!
If only the last mishap hadn’t happened with the heroine’s moment of doubt, this would have been a 5 Star. So good!
SWE
4/5
May 8, 2020
The pull this story had,the feelings you got though with all the characters and how i just were intruged by the hero and heroine.
Heroine Morgan McKay for being so honest and so brave and so lovely and the Hero Alex Hammond for being so hot-blooded and sexy.Just love the way they fell in love and how they lately marry because of Courtney,their dead siblings son and secretly also loving each other.Morgan fought for Alex love,and when she went cold towards Alex it nearly broke my heart,and how he didn`t gave up just made me cry of love to him.He is one of my favourite heroes of Carole,he had such deep and i throughly wished their happy ever after!
Really love love LOVE this book!
Heroine Morgan McKay for being so honest and so brave and so lovely and the Hero Alex Hammond for being so hot-blooded and sexy.Just love the way they fell in love and how they lately marry because of Courtney,their dead siblings son and secretly also loving each other.Morgan fought for Alex love,and when she went cold towards Alex it nearly broke my heart,and how he didn`t gave up just made me cry of love to him.He is one of my favourite heroes of Carole,he had such deep and i throughly wished their happy ever after!
Really love love LOVE this book!
June 19, 2013
I believe this is one of CM's better HPs with a loving couple who learn to work things out in spite of all the nasty garbage their dysfunctional family throws their way. I loved the hero. Definitely swoon worthy.
March 22, 2022
Actresses and models can never score a book for me sadly. There were some decent elements in this one but I really can’t look past the trolloping involved when you’re a beautiful actress and popular at that.
The h has just received news of her sister and bro-in-law’s death. The BIL’s older brother shows up to have her sign some paperwork that gives him sole guardianship of their new-born nephew, the only survivor. The h is mad this man has balls to make that suggestion at such a sensitive time.
The H’s family already hates the h’s deceased sister and continuously speak ill of her despite her recent death. The h and her sister were also actresses in the US which was much looked down upon in the H’s English upper crust family.
The h and H work together to attend to the new born. Well this is one book where the H and h are completely awake and respond to every insult directed at them. Each time the H’s family brings up the h’s sister and/or her own immoral background as an actress, the h totally shuts them up and talks back. It was rather funny.
Later on the MCs are obv in lust and the H proposes marriage and even wrapping up his home base and moving to the Americas. Wow. Never seen that before.
Also never seen before is just how possessive and chivalrous the H is to the h. His mother can barely utter a mean word before the H is telling her off and asking that she apologizes to his wife.
The H’s sister tries to pack some venom between the newly married couple but they’re both mature and soon come out of their misunderstanding.
I wish the h was more demure and soft spoken and held back. I was also not fond of how she was with a man -kissing and all before she meets the H and when she briefly returns to quit work, she kisses OM without any inhibition. A few hours later she’s kissing the H back in England.
The H is classy and well mannered and I thought his standing up for his wife was quite modern and applicable to current times where every man is just SO attuned to his wife that he must filter every human conversation so no one can really say anything to her. Aka a lapdog for a modern woman. Not my cuppa joe..
The h has just received news of her sister and bro-in-law’s death. The BIL’s older brother shows up to have her sign some paperwork that gives him sole guardianship of their new-born nephew, the only survivor. The h is mad this man has balls to make that suggestion at such a sensitive time.
The H’s family already hates the h’s deceased sister and continuously speak ill of her despite her recent death. The h and her sister were also actresses in the US which was much looked down upon in the H’s English upper crust family.
The h and H work together to attend to the new born. Well this is one book where the H and h are completely awake and respond to every insult directed at them. Each time the H’s family brings up the h’s sister and/or her own immoral background as an actress, the h totally shuts them up and talks back. It was rather funny.
Later on the MCs are obv in lust and the H proposes marriage and even wrapping up his home base and moving to the Americas. Wow. Never seen that before.
Also never seen before is just how possessive and chivalrous the H is to the h. His mother can barely utter a mean word before the H is telling her off and asking that she apologizes to his wife.
The H’s sister tries to pack some venom between the newly married couple but they’re both mature and soon come out of their misunderstanding.
I wish the h was more demure and soft spoken and held back. I was also not fond of how she was with a man -kissing and all before she meets the H and when she briefly returns to quit work, she kisses OM without any inhibition. A few hours later she’s kissing the H back in England.
The H is classy and well mannered and I thought his standing up for his wife was quite modern and applicable to current times where every man is just SO attuned to his wife that he must filter every human conversation so no one can really say anything to her. Aka a lapdog for a modern woman. Not my cuppa joe..
March 12, 2012
Veryyyy nice! Me likey. Maturely handled conflicts. Hero's mum acted like a Pakistani mum-in-law but more psycho... hehehehe!
April 18, 2022
I admired heroine’s directness and honesty! She was almost a modern character!
November 7, 2015
Honestly, I came to a conclusion how I rate HP books!
All about how the heroines reacting in those story at Hero and other people treatment at her.
I will chuck out my kindle or return the book immediately if I read the heroines who give her face to get slap after others abusing and insulting her, oh yes HP loves to write that type of heroines, stupid!
But the heroine in this one? Oh ho NO!
After series of non stop cruel insult from her sister in law which she doesn't know how to reply them, she just SLAP her to make her stop and quite:)))
Gosh I don't condone violence, but sometimes you have to stand up and do something to protect yourself from being abuse!
Yup loving this one and the Hero stand up for her too against the evil MIL and the sister!
Oh so so rare to read like this on HP:))
And I'm loving it...
All about how the heroines reacting in those story at Hero and other people treatment at her.
I will chuck out my kindle or return the book immediately if I read the heroines who give her face to get slap after others abusing and insulting her, oh yes HP loves to write that type of heroines, stupid!
But the heroine in this one? Oh ho NO!
After series of non stop cruel insult from her sister in law which she doesn't know how to reply them, she just SLAP her to make her stop and quite:)))
Gosh I don't condone violence, but sometimes you have to stand up and do something to protect yourself from being abuse!
Yup loving this one and the Hero stand up for her too against the evil MIL and the sister!
Oh so so rare to read like this on HP:))
And I'm loving it...
June 8, 2021
A dying sister's wish made Morgan a prisoner!
The television report said no one--including Morgan's sister and brother-in-law--had survived the plane crash. But in fact there had been one survivor, Morgan's baby nephew, and now Morgan was little Courtney's guardian
However, Alex Hammond had also been made a guardian for Courtney. The battle lines were drawn--the handsome aloof Alex and his bitter vengeful family against a lone woman with lots of love to give....
Even Alex couldn't take that away from her!
The television report said no one--including Morgan's sister and brother-in-law--had survived the plane crash. But in fact there had been one survivor, Morgan's baby nephew, and now Morgan was little Courtney's guardian
However, Alex Hammond had also been made a guardian for Courtney. The battle lines were drawn--the handsome aloof Alex and his bitter vengeful family against a lone woman with lots of love to give....
Even Alex couldn't take that away from her!
March 21, 2021
Great “oldie” by C. Mortimer. A marriage of convenience/marriage by manipulation story revolving around the death of a British/American couple and their baby’s joint guardians….. our protagonists.
The h is an American actress, beautiful with a good character and totally naive.
The H is an uptight, brooding and silent businessman.
They think the worst of each other since the beginning but, for the baby’s sake, he decides to blackmail her into marriage, threatening to keep the infant only to himself and his creepy family (hero’s mother and sister are horrible till their final semi-redemption… 😏).
Here erupts the undercurrent sexual attraction: their honeymoon is full of passion and the heroine (already aware she is totally in love with the hero) starts hoping that their marriage can be a full and happy relationship.
Unfortunately a snake…. Or actually two snakes (see above) sneak into the couple Eden and cause the breakup.
Angst, hurt, misunderstanding and pain ….. and final HEA.
All of this very well written – really good, enjoyed it
The h is an American actress, beautiful with a good character and totally naive.
The H is an uptight, brooding and silent businessman.
They think the worst of each other since the beginning but, for the baby’s sake, he decides to blackmail her into marriage, threatening to keep the infant only to himself and his creepy family (hero’s mother and sister are horrible till their final semi-redemption… 😏).
Here erupts the undercurrent sexual attraction: their honeymoon is full of passion and the heroine (already aware she is totally in love with the hero) starts hoping that their marriage can be a full and happy relationship.
Unfortunately a snake…. Or actually two snakes (see above) sneak into the couple Eden and cause the breakup.
Angst, hurt, misunderstanding and pain ….. and final HEA.
All of this very well written – really good, enjoyed it
July 18, 2015
i was disappointed after all the good reviews. i really did not feel the supposed chemistry between morgan and alex. i found alex cold and morgan was really patthetic! it did not make sense dat she was a virgin at 26 when she was an actress! i'm not prejudiced but how is she coping wid sex scenes on tv!? she'll be very uncomfortable if she's a virgin ! the authoer really carried it too far!
December 30, 2020
now that i’ve finished the book, I don’t understand the title?? But I guess one should never think too deeply abt HP romance titles 😁. Anyway, pleasant read with lots of in-law drama. This is a good one if you’re into brother/sister-in-law getting married trope.
The H was very gentlemanly and a nice balance of tough and sweet. The h was also adorable in fighting for her man and wearing her heart on her sleeve. She actually communicated what she wanted and said to him she desires him and requires he shares a bed with her and they have normal marriage—this was refreshing to see considering most HP heroines are won’t speak up about their feelings and silently cry abt it.
The H was very gentlemanly and a nice balance of tough and sweet. The h was also adorable in fighting for her man and wearing her heart on her sleeve. She actually communicated what she wanted and said to him she desires him and requires he shares a bed with her and they have normal marriage—this was refreshing to see considering most HP heroines are won’t speak up about their feelings and silently cry abt it.
December 28, 2022
Rating: 3.5 / 5
In many ways, this book is a complete mess, with fast pacing, the jarring movement from one scene to the next, and, of course, the never-ending romance cliches that come with...well, with romance and especially Harlequin novels.
BUT
I took into consideration that this was a book written in the early 80s, at a time of feminist liberalism in which a woman had rights for both her independence and her love life, and also the sexual revolution, in which women had just as much of a right to seek sexual satisfaction as men did.
It was a time of warring between the more traditional roles of housewife/mother and the bold new "modern woman" who put her careers and her own pleasures first. (Historically, I'm pretty sure its the 80s where hyphenated last names became more of a thing, especially for women.)
So, all these things being put into consideration give a lot of necessary context for the environment in which the author was writing and the audience that she expected her book to be successful for.
Apart from these things, and cliches aside, this book really is sweet, with both Morgan and Alex playing off of each other in a familiar yet overall nice way. It's a classic "enemies to lovers" tale where they both experience an attraction that they are both trying to fight and yet figure out at the same time. Overall, it's nothing that I haven't seen before, but not anything that I wouldn't mind seeing again.
I'm rating it up to 4 stars rather than 3 because I'm feeling generous at the moment and also because, ultimately, it's only Alex's scheming relatives who pissed me off, but there's a resolution to everything, so all's well!
Okay-ish read for the 21st century reader, although there are some notions that are a bit outdating and therefore may be insulting to some. Read with caution, I guess?
In many ways, this book is a complete mess, with fast pacing, the jarring movement from one scene to the next, and, of course, the never-ending romance cliches that come with...well, with romance and especially Harlequin novels.
BUT
I took into consideration that this was a book written in the early 80s, at a time of feminist liberalism in which a woman had rights for both her independence and her love life, and also the sexual revolution, in which women had just as much of a right to seek sexual satisfaction as men did.
It was a time of warring between the more traditional roles of housewife/mother and the bold new "modern woman" who put her careers and her own pleasures first. (Historically, I'm pretty sure its the 80s where hyphenated last names became more of a thing, especially for women.)
So, all these things being put into consideration give a lot of necessary context for the environment in which the author was writing and the audience that she expected her book to be successful for.
Apart from these things, and cliches aside, this book really is sweet, with both Morgan and Alex playing off of each other in a familiar yet overall nice way. It's a classic "enemies to lovers" tale where they both experience an attraction that they are both trying to fight and yet figure out at the same time. Overall, it's nothing that I haven't seen before, but not anything that I wouldn't mind seeing again.
I'm rating it up to 4 stars rather than 3 because I'm feeling generous at the moment and also because, ultimately, it's only Alex's scheming relatives who pissed me off, but there's a resolution to everything, so all's well!
Okay-ish read for the 21st century reader, although there are some notions that are a bit outdating and therefore may be insulting to some. Read with caution, I guess?
October 2, 2020
I’d say it was closer to 3.5 for me. I loved it that the heroine was spunky, fierce and sincere. Definitely not a doormat. The H was likable if a bit weird about the controlling through sex thing.
March 25, 2018
This is a classic story with the famous actress heroine Morgan being named co-guardian of her orphaned niece with her sister’s BIL as the other guardian.
The hero appears like a judgemental jerk at first, believing the heroine shares a lot of traits with her bitchy Mankiller soap opera character. But he admits to the chemistry between them.
There aren’t any real surprises in this marriage of convenience with benefits for the sake of the child story. Unless the genuine communication between the hero and heroine is counted as surprising.
An enjoyable read with a satisfying ending.
The hero appears like a judgemental jerk at first, believing the heroine shares a lot of traits with her bitchy Mankiller soap opera character. But he admits to the chemistry between them.
There aren’t any real surprises in this marriage of convenience with benefits for the sake of the child story. Unless the genuine communication between the hero and heroine is counted as surprising.
An enjoyable read with a satisfying ending.
January 4, 2018
27- بوابه الدموع ------- كارول مورتيمر ------ Lifelong Affair
روايات احلام
من قلب العتمة تولد أحياناً شمعة تُبدد بنورها حُجُب اليأس سابينا إستسلمت للحزن عندما علمت بموت أختها وزوجها في حادث طائرة، ثم عاد الفرح يهدهد قلبها المثقل بالأسى لخبر نجاة إبن أختها
لكن باتريك كيندل يرفض التخلي عن الطفل بأي ثمن، وكل محاولاتها لإحتضانه إصطدمت بهذا الرجل المتعجرف مع نفوذه الواسع وثراءه وإحتقاره لها فهل يمكن أن يكون الحل الوحيد هو بالزواج من باتريك؟ألن تكون بهذا كمن يهرب من حرارة الجمر إلى لهيب النار؟
روايات احلام
من قلب العتمة تولد أحياناً شمعة تُبدد بنورها حُجُب اليأس سابينا إستسلمت للحزن عندما علمت بموت أختها وزوجها في حادث طائرة، ثم عاد الفرح يهدهد قلبها المثقل بالأسى لخبر نجاة إبن أختها
لكن باتريك كيندل يرفض التخلي عن الطفل بأي ثمن، وكل محاولاتها لإحتضانه إصطدمت بهذا الرجل المتعجرف مع نفوذه الواسع وثراءه وإحتقاره لها فهل يمكن أن يكون الحل الوحيد هو بالزواج من باتريك؟ألن تكون بهذا كمن يهرب من حرارة الجمر إلى لهيب النار؟
July 28, 2020
This one was a bit weird. Morgan McKay is a successful soap opera actress, happy with her job and happily dating a fellow actor. Her sister and brother-in-law are killed in a plane crash, but the sister survives long enough to give birth. For whatever reason, both Morgan (who lives in L.A.) and her brother-in-law's elder brother (who lives in England) are named as co-guardians by the will. I can perhaps give this a pass because it sounds like the sister and brother-in-law were trying to save their marriage and the will was a slapdash compromise (hey, at least they had one).
Morgan is devastated. As she waits for a phone call with news from the elder brother, he shows up at her door trying to get her to relinquish the claim she didn't know she had. Alex Hammond (a Gary Cooper-esque early Harlequin Presents stand-in: tall, suntanned, dark hair graying at the temples) then whisks her off to England for the funeral and to arrange for the baby's future.
Morgan absolutely falls in love with her nephew Courtney and is determined to keep him. She and Alex take him back to the Hammonds' home and they don't seem to have a car seat (?) despite being rich, so Morgan swaddles Court and holds him in the backseat (this was published in 1983). The press is stalking them and one of them asks, apropos of nothing:
Alex has employed a nurse to care for the strangely fine preemie, and even though Morgan knows nothing about babies and should be begging for her knowledge, she instead has a shower and changes for lunch (???) which I get is de rigueur for rich people but, like, Morgan: priorities, darling. You want sole custody, you're gonna have to bust ass.
Alex's mother and sister are caricature-level nightmare in-laws amd insult Morgan and her dead sister constantly. For some reason, Morgan is strangely judgy of the family wearing black to the funeral (????) and having a reception after the service (?????).
Alex kisses Morgan while they're arguing (they argue a lot) and then decides that maybe the press are right and they should get married. He's not above using their desire for each other to him advantage, but he's incredibly accommodating of her career and her wish to have a normal marriage rather than a cordial co-parents-with-benefits one. Morgan goes back and forth a couple times to L.A. to wrap up her job and break up with her boyfriend, accepts Alex's proposal, and then realizes that she's in love with Alex and would be happy to marry him.
I did like that Morgan was very forthright in her desire for Alex, although she often broke her own vow to be completely honest with him (I really didn't understand not telling him directly that she wanted to wait until they were married to have sex). Alex had been badly damaged by seeing his mother manipulate his father with sex, so much so that he determined never to love anyone. He often lashed out at Morgan, but it was usually after she withheld information from him which she had promised never to do, so I'm inclined to give him a pass. (For someone so seemingly direct, Morgan could be very wishy-washy.)
Morgan and Alex come back from their honeymoon deliriously happy, to the point where Alex leaves work early and flatters his wife with compliments like
Morgan's parents visit and, wow, I do not miss men casually joking about beating women. (???????)
Janet womans up and confesses her sins to Alex, who clears the air with Morgan in a grovel session for them both. Morgan for believing Janet and not communicating, and Alex for not being able to cope with his crippled emotions and inability to answer Morgan back when she tells him she loves him. She eventually seduces it out of him, and he confesses how much lighter and free he feels, d'awww. And she's pregnant, huzzah!
I had given this three stars initially because of the more bizarre parts of the story (see the question marks above), but after writing this out I'm feeling warm and fuzzy about this book, so four soapy goodness stars it is!
Morgan is devastated. As she waits for a phone call with news from the elder brother, he shows up at her door trying to get her to relinquish the claim she didn't know she had. Alex Hammond (a Gary Cooper-esque early Harlequin Presents stand-in: tall, suntanned, dark hair graying at the temples) then whisks her off to England for the funeral and to arrange for the baby's future.
Morgan absolutely falls in love with her nephew Courtney and is determined to keep him. She and Alex take him back to the Hammonds' home and they don't seem to have a car seat (?) despite being rich, so Morgan swaddles Court and holds him in the backseat (this was published in 1983). The press is stalking them and one of them asks, apropos of nothing:
'Does this mean that, in the grand tradition of romances, the two of you will be marrying?'I--what?? Where on earth does that even come from??
Alex has employed a nurse to care for the strangely fine preemie, and even though Morgan knows nothing about babies and should be begging for her knowledge, she instead has a shower and changes for lunch (???) which I get is de rigueur for rich people but, like, Morgan: priorities, darling. You want sole custody, you're gonna have to bust ass.
Alex's mother and sister are caricature-level nightmare in-laws amd insult Morgan and her dead sister constantly. For some reason, Morgan is strangely judgy of the family wearing black to the funeral (????) and having a reception after the service (?????).
Alex kisses Morgan while they're arguing (they argue a lot) and then decides that maybe the press are right and they should get married. He's not above using their desire for each other to him advantage, but he's incredibly accommodating of her career and her wish to have a normal marriage rather than a cordial co-parents-with-benefits one. Morgan goes back and forth a couple times to L.A. to wrap up her job and break up with her boyfriend, accepts Alex's proposal, and then realizes that she's in love with Alex and would be happy to marry him.
I did like that Morgan was very forthright in her desire for Alex, although she often broke her own vow to be completely honest with him (I really didn't understand not telling him directly that she wanted to wait until they were married to have sex). Alex had been badly damaged by seeing his mother manipulate his father with sex, so much so that he determined never to love anyone. He often lashed out at Morgan, but it was usually after she withheld information from him which she had promised never to do, so I'm inclined to give him a pass. (For someone so seemingly direct, Morgan could be very wishy-washy.)
Morgan and Alex come back from their honeymoon deliriously happy, to the point where Alex leaves work early and flatters his wife with compliments like
'I was thinking of you, and had to get home before I raped my secretary in my frustration!'I'm not an expert, but I think even for the '80s this was weird. (??????)
Morgan's parents visit and, wow, I do not miss men casually joking about beating women. (???????)
'I hope that seeing us together you're convinced that we're married because we want to be, and that I'm not a wife-beater,' he smiled.Real life intrudes on their arrangement almost immediately. Morgan settles happily into a SAHM role, but Alex's mother and sister are constantly trashing Morgan and hoping she'll leave Alex. Alex puts a stop to this behavior with his mother (who seems strangely happy to have boundaries), but his sister gets into Morgan's head. Janet, the sister, tells Morgan that Alex had an affair with her dead sister amd that's why Court looks so much like his uncle. (Nevermind that Janet said earlier in the book that Court's true father was not a Hammond. Nevermind that Court and Alex are related by blood.) Morgan freaks out and refuses to tell Alex what is going on, as well as refusing to have sex with him and even proposing that she go back to the U.S. Since Alex thinks their sex life is a reflection of how their marriage is going, he doesn't take kindly to this and eventually threatens to sleep with someone else (he actually goes to sleep in his office). Morgan lets him go, but it seems to wake her up and she confronts Janet to tell her she doesn't believe her. Morgan promises to tell Janet's husband if she doesn't stop with the harassment.
'When Morgan was younger--not much younger, I might add,' her father's eyes glowed with merriment as he teased her, 'she deserved more than a few beatings. She had the temper of a shrew!'
Janet womans up and confesses her sins to Alex, who clears the air with Morgan in a grovel session for them both. Morgan for believing Janet and not communicating, and Alex for not being able to cope with his crippled emotions and inability to answer Morgan back when she tells him she loves him. She eventually seduces it out of him, and he confesses how much lighter and free he feels, d'awww. And she's pregnant, huzzah!
I had given this three stars initially because of the more bizarre parts of the story (see the question marks above), but after writing this out I'm feeling warm and fuzzy about this book, so four soapy goodness stars it is!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2022
Rating: **4.2 stars**
A M&B Hero I absolutely loved. He was mature, smart, protective and loving basically an all round package. He always looked out for Morgan's best interests besides always standing up for her.
Morgan and Alex were opposites of each other but fit together like a perfect puzzle.
Morgan was this independent, outspoken and fiery woman who took no one's crap standing down and gave the other as good as she got. My only complaint is the lapse of judgement she showed when she came across the news which caused conflict cause it was so baseless and unbelievable but I guess the author had to cause some angst for the predictable confession towards the end.
All in all this is one of my favorite M&B reads!!!
A M&B Hero I absolutely loved. He was mature, smart, protective and loving basically an all round package. He always looked out for Morgan's best interests besides always standing up for her.
Morgan and Alex were opposites of each other but fit together like a perfect puzzle.
Morgan was this independent, outspoken and fiery woman who took no one's crap standing down and gave the other as good as she got. My only complaint is the lapse of judgement she showed when she came across the news which caused conflict cause it was so baseless and unbelievable but I guess the author had to cause some angst for the predictable confession towards the end.
All in all this is one of my favorite M&B reads!!!
March 17, 2025
This one was good, but OH, BROTHER, did the H have a dysfunctional family! They take emotional damage to a new level! There's a jealous, possessive mother, who used her body to manipulate her late husband, refused to let her late youngest son grow up, was a real bitch to her late daughter-in-law (yes, a lot of people croaked in this one), ignored her own daughter and tried (and failed) to get her eldest son (the H) to dance to her tune.
Then, there's the sister, who went through a really tough time, yet used that as an excuse to be vindictive, telling vicious lies to the h, to try and wreck her marriage to the H.
The younger brother (recently killed in a plane crash, along with his wife - the h's sister - when the book starts) was a weak Mama's Boy, who let himself be torn between his mother and his wife, instead of standing up for himself and his marriage from the start.
And the H (the best of the bunch, though does that really say much?) kept a tight rein on his emotions (it was all he could do to admit his intense desire for the h), not wanting to end up like his late father.
The h was my favorite character, as she was a refreshing change from a lot of h's in these books. She had a successful career as a soap opera actress but gave it up without a qualm to do the right thing by her late sister's baby son. After reading book recently where a ballerina made dancing her whole life and excluded everything and everyone else, it was nice to read about someone in show business who wasn't egocentric.
In fact (also a contrast to the average h), she almost immediately acknowledged her feelings for the H, after a short period of resentment and temper flares. She admitted to herself how much she desired him, then acknowledged she loved him (and would have told him, if he hadn't seemed like love was the last thing he wanted) and was determined to make their marriage of convenience (they were willed joint custody of their baby nephew) a real and happy one. No pretending she had no feelings, no refusing to sleep with him, nom giving in to desire then regretting it, no ridiculous shouts of "I HATE YOU!" like a bratty kid, none of that nonsense, THANK YOU GOD!!! She acted like a grown woman, and while she had a temper and used it when necessary (she gave her sister-in-law a well-deserved slap), she never went overboard and didn't stay angry for long.
There were a few good scenes where she gave as good as she got to her formidable mother-in-law, especially before the wedding, when the woman stated she'd be a part of their family "over my dead body". The h shrugged and said, "If necessary." When the matriarch later stated, "I will not have you as a member of my family", the h told her, "I'm not too thrilled about having you as one of mine." Those were entertaining scenes, and I'm guessing the domineering woman secretly admired the h for standing up to her, because by the end of the story they've not only declared a truce but seem on their way to actually start liking each other.
The H had lot of good points, as well. Despite what appeared as an early aloofness and disapproval of the h (he wasn't sure of her moral standards, being a soap actress who played a married man's mistress so well), he was always conscious of her feelings, was there to help her when the reporters acted like vultures, saw that they had their own home rather than live with their mother (the mistake his brother had made), made it clear how much he wanted her yet said he's understand if she wanted the marriage to be a separate bedroom one and would respect that (he had nothing to worry about on that score) and despite his reserve, you could tell he wanted her to be happy.
There was no OW (the H admitted to a lot of casual affairs in the past, but he had never been seriously involved), and the OM was more a friend than boyfriend. His was a sad story; his wife (whom he adored) died a few years back and he couldn't get over losing her. The h was the first woman he tried dating seriously, and they'd been going out together a few months, but it hadn't gone beyond kissing. Even when she spent time at his secluded beach house, all they did was swim and talk while sunbathing, with swimsuits on. (By contrast, when she and the H were on a private beach, they swam nude and made love on the sand.) Even while thinking they might end up marrying sometime, they both knew too much would be missing. There was a lot of friendship, but no passion. Poor guy, he'd never love anyone like he did his late wife.
(This book was really big on killing people. I wonder if the author had gone through a loss at the time, and killing off characters was some kind of strange therapy???)
The h told the H about the OM, and that she had been fond of him but never loved him or slept with him, so he didn't become the conflict. That came toward the end of the book, and I think the author slipped and wrote too much story without too much trouble (only mother-in-law bitchiness and the h not telling the H of her love, thinking he didn't want to hear it), then suddenly decided she needed to make up for that, so she has the emotionally troubled sister-in-law speak some verbal poison, which the h unfortunately lets sink into her brain. Then we have a few of the usual trope behavior thrown in (from both the H and h), which took away from the story, which had been so refreshingly without them.
I do like the way the author tidied the mess up later and you're left with a feeling that everything was going to work out well for everyone.
Worth reading!
Then, there's the sister, who went through a really tough time, yet used that as an excuse to be vindictive, telling vicious lies to the h, to try and wreck her marriage to the H.
The younger brother (recently killed in a plane crash, along with his wife - the h's sister - when the book starts) was a weak Mama's Boy, who let himself be torn between his mother and his wife, instead of standing up for himself and his marriage from the start.
And the H (the best of the bunch, though does that really say much?) kept a tight rein on his emotions (it was all he could do to admit his intense desire for the h), not wanting to end up like his late father.
The h was my favorite character, as she was a refreshing change from a lot of h's in these books. She had a successful career as a soap opera actress but gave it up without a qualm to do the right thing by her late sister's baby son. After reading book recently where a ballerina made dancing her whole life and excluded everything and everyone else, it was nice to read about someone in show business who wasn't egocentric.
In fact (also a contrast to the average h), she almost immediately acknowledged her feelings for the H, after a short period of resentment and temper flares. She admitted to herself how much she desired him, then acknowledged she loved him (and would have told him, if he hadn't seemed like love was the last thing he wanted) and was determined to make their marriage of convenience (they were willed joint custody of their baby nephew) a real and happy one. No pretending she had no feelings, no refusing to sleep with him, nom giving in to desire then regretting it, no ridiculous shouts of "I HATE YOU!" like a bratty kid, none of that nonsense, THANK YOU GOD!!! She acted like a grown woman, and while she had a temper and used it when necessary (she gave her sister-in-law a well-deserved slap), she never went overboard and didn't stay angry for long.
There were a few good scenes where she gave as good as she got to her formidable mother-in-law, especially before the wedding, when the woman stated she'd be a part of their family "over my dead body". The h shrugged and said, "If necessary." When the matriarch later stated, "I will not have you as a member of my family", the h told her, "I'm not too thrilled about having you as one of mine." Those were entertaining scenes, and I'm guessing the domineering woman secretly admired the h for standing up to her, because by the end of the story they've not only declared a truce but seem on their way to actually start liking each other.
The H had lot of good points, as well. Despite what appeared as an early aloofness and disapproval of the h (he wasn't sure of her moral standards, being a soap actress who played a married man's mistress so well), he was always conscious of her feelings, was there to help her when the reporters acted like vultures, saw that they had their own home rather than live with their mother (the mistake his brother had made), made it clear how much he wanted her yet said he's understand if she wanted the marriage to be a separate bedroom one and would respect that (he had nothing to worry about on that score) and despite his reserve, you could tell he wanted her to be happy.
There was no OW (the H admitted to a lot of casual affairs in the past, but he had never been seriously involved), and the OM was more a friend than boyfriend. His was a sad story; his wife (whom he adored) died a few years back and he couldn't get over losing her. The h was the first woman he tried dating seriously, and they'd been going out together a few months, but it hadn't gone beyond kissing. Even when she spent time at his secluded beach house, all they did was swim and talk while sunbathing, with swimsuits on. (By contrast, when she and the H were on a private beach, they swam nude and made love on the sand.) Even while thinking they might end up marrying sometime, they both knew too much would be missing. There was a lot of friendship, but no passion. Poor guy, he'd never love anyone like he did his late wife.
(This book was really big on killing people. I wonder if the author had gone through a loss at the time, and killing off characters was some kind of strange therapy???)
The h told the H about the OM, and that she had been fond of him but never loved him or slept with him, so he didn't become the conflict. That came toward the end of the book, and I think the author slipped and wrote too much story without too much trouble (only mother-in-law bitchiness and the h not telling the H of her love, thinking he didn't want to hear it), then suddenly decided she needed to make up for that, so she has the emotionally troubled sister-in-law speak some verbal poison, which the h unfortunately lets sink into her brain. Then we have a few of the usual trope behavior thrown in (from both the H and h), which took away from the story, which had been so refreshingly without them.
I do like the way the author tidied the mess up later and you're left with a feeling that everything was going to work out well for everyone.
Worth reading!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2020
OMG...
and again - same old uninteresting story
Him (cold but oh so sexy) and her (stupid, naive but such a lovely girl)
Girl leaves everything - because her life and her career is just ok - until she finally finds the man!
Did I just miss the chemistry or did I skipped over it?
A f+++ing virgin - please give me a break
What i found really funny...
- so he is 12 - 13 years older than her - which is totally fine...
- but him suggesting "an affair" with his secretary, who is 10 years older than him - that's revolting, what a misogynist BS.
and again - same old uninteresting story
Him (cold but oh so sexy) and her (stupid, naive but such a lovely girl)
Girl leaves everything - because her life and her career is just ok - until she finally finds the man!
Did I just miss the chemistry or did I skipped over it?
A f+++ing virgin - please give me a break
What i found really funny...
- so he is 12 - 13 years older than her - which is totally fine...
- but him suggesting "an affair" with his secretary, who is 10 years older than him - that's revolting, what a misogynist BS.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2021
This is really more of a 4.25-4.5 stars.
A MOC without the OM/OW drama but lots of family drama instead. Our plucky heroine is fierce and honest. The H is the head of the family of a blue blooded English family who sees through his mother and sister's psychotic BS. I appreciate how he stands up for the h and doesn't let his family get away with their abusive behavior. One of my favorites by Carole Mortimer.
A MOC without the OM/OW drama but lots of family drama instead. Our plucky heroine is fierce and honest. The H is the head of the family of a blue blooded English family who sees through his mother and sister's psychotic BS. I appreciate how he stands up for the h and doesn't let his family get away with their abusive behavior. One of my favorites by Carole Mortimer.
April 25, 2022
Rounding up 3.5 stars because this really was better than 3 stars. The h and H are very likable - would’ve loved the story if there had been a little more angst. The horrible in laws were too comically villainous and their hatred of the h made no sense, the backstory for the H’s lack of trust in women also seemed extremely weak.. it’s really too bad because the plot and characters had a lot of potential IMO.
November 29, 2023
3.5 stars
I think this is my favorite Mortimer. The heroine continuously and calmly breaks down the suspicious hero’s efforts to maintain a wall. I mean, there is miscommunication bullshit, but only at the very end (contrast this with every other CM where the miscommunication happens all book long!). Also: cute baby. RIP to the dead siblings who sacrificed their lives so our protagonists could find each other. Read via library.
I think this is my favorite Mortimer. The heroine continuously and calmly breaks down the suspicious hero’s efforts to maintain a wall. I mean, there is miscommunication bullshit, but only at the very end (contrast this with every other CM where the miscommunication happens all book long!). Also: cute baby. RIP to the dead siblings who sacrificed their lives so our protagonists could find each other. Read via library.
February 28, 2022
This was a really, really sweet boo. Straight forward in the relationships: there is no love triangle, no past rancor, the characters have just met each other and although there are misconceptions and some words are exchanged, they soon get over it and are more interested in the little baby that needs them both.
June 21, 2022
3,5 stars
The only thing that I hate was when the h trying to kept the poison her sis in law spew on her and she let it fester and in the end it destroy her relationship with the H. Just typical HP h being stupid. But other than that it was an okay read.
The only thing that I hate was when the h trying to kept the poison her sis in law spew on her and she let it fester and in the end it destroy her relationship with the H. Just typical HP h being stupid. But other than that it was an okay read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2020
Happy ending....every time I read it. So good.
June 14, 2021
Meh...Not in the mood for this. Will re-visit in future.
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