ISBN-10: 006114360X
ISBN-13: 978-0061143601
Harry and Emma waltzed their way into my heart and left me feeling like royalty! I was completely enthralled the entire time, even when Emma frustrated me!
Emmaline Dove has been Harrison Marlowe’s secretary for five long, gift-purchasing, time-keeping years. She’s always prompt, extremely organized, and the pillar of etiquette, something her womanizing rake of a boss knows nothing about as far as she can tell. But considering he’s a publisher and her dream is to be a writer, the time has been well worth it. So she thought.
Harry Marlowe loves women, although he’s vowed to never marry again. After being shunned by his, wife which left him divorced and his family’s reputation ruined, he’s had more than enough of relationships. A few months of guilty pleasure and a parting gift are all he’s good for when it comes to the fairer sex.
Finally growing tired of his constant rejection of her manuscripts, Emma quits without notice, and ends up working for Harry’s top competitor after the man offers her her own column in his newspaper. When she’s an instant success, Harry realizes his mistake and makes an attempt to win her back as his secretary. When she repeatedly refuses, he does the only thing he can. He buys the newspaper. Determined to keep her in his employ, Harry agrees to give Emma her own section in the newspaper, but insists he gets to edit. As disdain turns into mutual respect, which quickly grows into attraction, the two are left trying to figure out how to move forward.
I was hooked the moment I read how Emma handled Harry’s jilted lover. Her always-proper demeanor was a welcome flaw, which made her all the more likable, until she frustrated me – but it was only for a second. Despite my eventual frustration with her character’s actions, I related to her, and I didn’t feel overwhelmed by her behavior. Harry was quite entertaining, and I loved his interaction with his family. I laughed not only when he was trying to be funny, but even when he wasn’t. I was glad that his rakish behavior had a reason other than just loving sex.
I was pleased with how the shift in their relationship was crafted -each developing a new view of the other, as well as themselves. The flow was easy, the pace good. I don’t recall one page that wasn’t engaging.
Clear a few hours on your schedule, and pick someplace quiet and comfortable. You’ll want to read this nonstop.
Rating system: Cups of coffee – the less the better
0: You won’t need any coffee to stay up for this one. It’s intriguing enough all on its own.
1: You’ll stay up late, but not all night. Brew one cup.
2: You’ll read as long as you’re not tired. If you are, two cups should do the trick.
3: I hope you got plenty of rest; you’ll need it, or at least 3 cups.
4: If the cable goes out, read the book. It’s better than nothing, I guess. Oh, don’t forget your brew!
5: Find anything else to do- it doesn’t matter what it is. Don’ty waste your coffee. Too much caffeine is bad for you.
My rating: 0 cups of coffee
I loved this book too!
It’s definitely one of my favorites. Have you read anything else by the author?