Rating:
Published: 1980
Illustrator: Bob Kebic
Imprint or Line: Harlequin Presents #344
Published by: Harlequin
Genres: Category Romance, Contemporary Romance
Pages: 188
Format: Paperback
Buy on: Amazon
Reviewed by: Introvert Reader
“I’ve been looking for someone like you for a long time, a long, long time…“
The Book
I’m feeling lazy (as always), so here’s a quick review of Stay Through the Night by Flora Kidd, hacked together from my reading updates.
The Plot
In this Harlequin Presents romance, Charlotte is a single, fiercely independent, and career-minded woman. While she never had her sights set on marriage, she at least respects the institution.
She naturally believes they’re having an affair when she sees how her very married sister, Nancy, drapes herself all over multi-millionaire Burt Sharaton. Charlotte is disappointed in her sister.
Moreover, she’s angry on behalf of her as she cares for her brother-in-law, who’s a decent man.
Determined to put a stop to this madness, Charlotte confronts Burt. There’s no way she will let Nancy sail across the world with Burt in his flashy white yacht.
However, Burt surprises Charlotte when he decides to settle for Nancy’s younger and unmarried sister instead. That is to say her.
Charlotte’s plan backfires, as Burt all but kidnaps her in a perfectly millionaire-like way.
My Opinion
This little romance is so sweet. It seems to have low ratings on review sites like Goodreads sites, and I don’t understand why! I don’t share the opinion–but then, my taste runs contrary to what’s popular.
It has everything that makes a classic HP so much fun:
#1 – A wealthy, arrogant hero whose brutish ways are just a defense mechanism for his troubled past.
#2 – A virginal heroine who’s intelligent, a working woman, moral & strong-willed.
#3 – A married older sister trying to get her hooks in the hero.
#4 – Blackmail, kidnapping, and a quickie marriage to avoid scandal.
So what’s not to like?
Steam Factor
This is a sweet one, as I said. Kidnapping aside, there’s no brutishness on the part of the hero. He’s gaga for the heroine and will do whatever he can to win her heart.
Final Analysis of Stay Through the Night
Stay Through The Night was a fun little read from start to finish. What I enjoyed best was this drunken confession of love from the stoic, brutish hero. It really got to me.
“‘You’re warm and soft and rounded,’ he murmured. Again his speech was a little slurred and she wondered if he were lightheaded. ‘I’ve been looking for someone like you for a long time, a long, long time…’ He broke off and stiffened.
“‘Who was that talking?’ He demanded suddenly, very clearly and coldly.
“‘You,’ [Charlotte informed him.]“
(SIGH!)
I’m a sucker for dramatic revelations of love. With Burt, there’s more to him than meets the eye. He’s not the flashy playboy Charlotte thought he was. He’s a true gem of a hero.
Of the several Fiona Kidd Harlequins I’ve read so far, this Stay Through the Night is my favorite of hers.
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| Overall: | 3.8 |
Synopsis
“I warned you from the start,”
Burt Sharaton said. “You had no right to come between Nancy and me.”
But putting an end to her sister Nancy’s affair with him was a responsibility Charlotte had just had to take on. She’d told him her sister refused to cruise with him on his yacht, the White Cockatoo.
Unfortunately, her plan hadn’t worked and Charlotte was caught in a trap of her own making. For Burt was determined that if he couldn’t have Nancy, he would take Charlotte instead!
STAY THROUGH THE NIGHT by FLORA KIDD