3.5 pleasant, felt like an early writing ( )

Heartbreaker
4.5 Stars

Series note: This is book #3 in Howard's Rescues series; however, it is only loosely connected to the first 2 and can easily be read as a standalone.

John Rafferty and Michelle Cabot have a difficult history, but when Michelle's father dies and she inherits his mountain of debt, she has no choice but to approach John for help. John and Michelle's love/hate relationship is intense and satisfying. Their chemistry simply sizzles on the page.

While John is more than a little overbearing and possessive, his obvious love and intense desire for Michelle is very appealing and more than compensates for some of his more questionable actions.

Michelle is an interesting mix of opposites. On the one hand, she is very strong and resilient in confronting the trauma of her past as well as her attempts to stand up for herself on the face of John's arrogance. On the other hand, she caves too easily to his demands and has several TSTL moments.

The minor suspense plot takes a back seat to the romance and the villain comes across as pathetic rather than threatening. I'm not a fan of Howard's attempt to rationalize his actions.

Overall, a delightful read, and I'm looking forward to the last book in the series.

( )

Liked this more on my second reading. It just has a level of passion and angst that I like. I also enjoyed how at first he was all about how she'd been so spoiled all her life but that soon all he wanted to do was spoil her himself. I liked how he had wanted her for 10 years but had thought she didn't like him. That makes a difference from many romance where the hero can always tell the heroine is hot for him. Just another fun older LH. ( )

There was something not quite right about this novel, yet I thoroughly enjoyed it. The alpha male is so over-the-top he's almost sexist, but he's not ... he's smitten. They've both lost so many years together because they were protecting themselves? lacked perception? too young to get past their youthful posturing?

Whatever, it sets up the foundation of Heartbreaker quite well, and the drama that follows. 4 stars is generous, but I can't resist Linda Howard's story telling and when I'm looking for something to read, it is a surefire distraction.

It's the story of Michelle Cabot and John Rafferty, neighbouring ranchers. He's massively in lust and in love with her - he's like a fire to her ice - in the sense that life has taught her "not to expect roses", so she's guarded. His fire is in contrast with his name, John, and his hardworking life, his reliability and solidness.

His intensity for her means Michelle worries that it is only about desire, and not about love, the love she's had for years. So it is a great romance, with the usual miscommunication triggering the storyline.

I revisited this a few months later and was struck again by how beautiful it is. And a big part of it is the narration by Amy Landon. Her voice is rich and precise. The way Landon, as Michelle, says "John" is so sexy, full of love and longing.

It is Book 3 in the Rescue series. ( )

This book was okay. I felt Rafferty was too domineering and treated Michelle like a weakling through a good chunk of the book. Along with his attitude towards her it made it harder for me to feel the turnaround in him. Michelle, had a hard past, but sometimes she felt like the weak woman Rafferty treated her like.. which I do not like in a Heroine. That said the book did progress and eventually I felt them both see each other the way they should although she would still make choices that made me shake my head.

This is not a favourite for me from this author. I expected better, as I usually really enjoy Linda Howard's books. ( )