Separate Beds [Mass Market Paperback]

LaVyrle Spencer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 1986

A moving and delightful novel from a New York Times bestselling author who "knows how to tug at readers' heart strings" (Publishers Weekly).

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Nora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of River's End.

From AudioFile

Liz Dykhouse's emotional tone brings to life this story of romance between Clay Forrester and Catherine Anderson. Clay, a wealthy law student, and Catherine, a studious undergrad, have one momentous night together when they meet on a blind date. Several months later, Catherine informs Clay that she is pregnant with his child. Catherine's stubborn stoicism in her desire to raise her child alone is revealed through Dykhouse's cautious, defensive tone. Further, Dykhouse's deep, sometimes caustic, voice betrays Clay's confusion concerning his impending fatherhood and the life-changing decisions he faces. Dykhouse's mellifluous vocalization highlights the beauty of this timeless story of the power of love. S.M. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 392 pages
• Publisher: Jove (October 15, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0515090379
• ISBN-13: 978-0515090376
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,308,088 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I've ever read, July 23, 2004

By 

K. Morgan (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Separate Beds (Mass Market Paperback)

Separate Beds is without a doubt one of the best books I've ever read. It is a wonderfully written book about two people and how their lives change when their actions on a blind date result in an unexpected and unwanted pregnancy.

Catherine Anderson is a college student who comes from a poor family. Her father is an abusive alcoholic and her mother is a frail creature who doesn't stand up for herself. Catherine's life is a struggle and she isn't shown any love by her family. Clay Forrester, however, is the guy who has it all--money, great looks, a fast car, a family who loves him and everything he wants at his fingertips. These two are set up on a blind date and when Catherine shows up at Clay's house with her father Clay doesn't even remember her. Clay's pressured by his family to do the right thing and give the baby a name. Clay and Catherine agree to a marriage that will keep Clay's name reputable and will give the baby a name. Catherine will get a college education and financial support for the baby. They agree to divorce after the baby is born. Their marriage though must look legitimate and not like the business deal that it is. However, they begin to have feelings for each other but their pride stands in the way. Will the marriage work or will they go their separate ways?

This book is just incredible. It is written with such feeling that the reader forgets these are fictional characters and begins to care about what happens to them. I found myself cheering Clay on when he tries to help Catherine understand her feelings. The reader can really see how much Clay cares for Catherine and how much she cares for him, even though she won't admit it.

This is a wonderful story. I was sad to finish this story as I wanted it to go on. The characters were all well developed and the story was great. This book is a guaranteed page turner as you just have to keep reading to see if these two can put pride aside and let their love for each other show. A book to put on the keeper shelf and read again. I highly recommend this book.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Fairly Good Read, September 17, 2005

By 

RReader (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Separate Beds (Mass Market Paperback)

I would rate this book really 3.5 stars. The novel is appreciably realistic and this author really uses the plot well and expands on it (i.e girl gets pregnant, couple struggle to realise their feelings). This is definitely better crafted for a so-used plot that Mills & Boon novels use rather shallowly. The characters however, could use a little work. Clay comes across as rather shallow, materialistic and immature though his compassionate nature and obvious caring (this develops) for Catherine helps balance this out. It doesn't reflect too well on him that he slept with Catherine just because he had an argument with his then-girlfriend, Jill Magnusson but I guess he was drunk and did make an attempt to stop somewhat counts. Readers can really feel for Catherine and her emotional problems (her barriers) but it can be really frustrating as her attitude drags down the novel at times, particularly when Clay is trying to be understanding. You can understand her dilemma - her inability to trust and love Clay because she fears being hurt and she's never really had that. Also her feelings that she wasn't the one he was supposed to marry and the fact they planned to divorce makes her unable to take a risk with her heart. It is a really sad in the story to see how she goaded and pushed Clay out - for him you can understand that a man only takes so much rejection before he turns to someone else. You can understand that she needed total reassurance from Clay (he wasn't able to give her this and admit his love), before she was ready to commit her love. One thing I didn't like in the novel was how Clay returned to his old girlfriend, Jill Magnusson. Firstly it was distasteful for her to be invited to the wedding and doubly so for him to actually kiss her there. Secondly, after her spiteful hurtful remarks to Catherine which really was the last straw that broke Clay & Catherine apart, it really is awful that he could go back to such a spiteful, shallow woman, knowing Jill's behaviour (her lies to Catherine). It was also wrong of him to confide his marriage troubles to her. Granted, they needed a separation, and it suited Clay to turn to another woman but not Jill. Six months or so to realise what she is OTT. However, on a better note it is their separation that help Clay and Catherine grow up. Clay realises his priorities have changed and finally wakes up to Jill's self-absorption. Having a baby and receiving unconditional love from her daughter, brought Catherine out of her shell to realise that she had to give love in order to receive it. Thus, LaVyrle Spencer really shows her talent for creating realistic and emotionally-wrangling plots for her romance novels. It is a great book and has grown on me.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars at las a book for REAL!, December 17, 1999

By 

"isis_wing" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Separate Beds (Mass Market Paperback)

HI all you readers! I must confess that i do not read lavyrle books that often. I only read about 5 of them and I sometimes find her books a little cheezy and unreal. But not this very ONE. This book reflects on a pregnant girls life and her path in trying to hold on to the love of her baby and it's father . I usually don't find a good enough story behind romance novels and nothing that makes the story romantic enough. The books usually come out unreal and you cant respond to any lame thing in the book. Seperate beds went way past that obsicle and really caught my interest. This is not just a book to read if you are in for romance. It's also an intruiging story about the ups and downs of being a single mother trying to struggle with your own emotions and everything else that comes along with pregnancy. Not only do you feel so much for the characters, you wanna get to know them cuz spencer really succeeded in making them truly lovable people. 5 stars for a book like this anyday!