4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A page turner ......, December 9, 2007
This review is from: Love In The Valley (Harlequin Romance) (Paperback)
Love in the Valley by Susan Napier
Harlequin Romance # 2711 - August 1985
The Marlows - Book # 1
The Marlows are a theatrical family. Michael Marlow is a world famous director and his wife, Connie an award-winning actress. They have six children, all artists of a type, except for their adopted son who is a high powered corporate lawyer. Hugh Walton is a loner; keeping his emotions tightly in check and his private life strictly private. He's often out of his depth with the fun loving exuberance of his adoptive family, and now an adult, he tends to steer away from the large family get-togethers. Because of everyone's hectic schedules, Connie Marlow decides to have a month long family reunion at their lovely home in the Valley. Hugh had planned to use the house as his getaway to write a book, so Connie purposely kept the family reunion a secret from him in fear he would bolt. Julia Fry is a rising star as a personal chef to the rich. Her employer is going to be away, so Julia jumps at the chance to be the Marlow's chef for their month in the country. From the moment of meeting, Hugh and Julia clash. Hugh's stuffy, aloof attitude only challenges Julia to make him smile. And when he finally smiles, Julia is dazzled and she loses her heart. But Hugh pushes her away, as he's certain that a free spirit like Julia would only be pure torture for his tightly reined control.
This book is filled to the brim with all sorts of emotions; from the fun of pranks to the depths of horror at Hugh's early childhood. Julia is a character that was so fun to get to know. She's feisty and though fearful, follows her instincts and jumps right in anyway. Hugh is often brooding, but Ms. Napier gave him moments to show how amazing tender he could be. The fact that Julia is a mere five-foot to Hugh's six and half foot, adds to the strength of Hugh's fear of his own physical power. This was incredibly well written and a page turner from the very first page. I'm very much looking to reading more about the Marlows. :D
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Quite funny, March 25, 2004
This review is from: Love In The Valley (Harlequin Romance) (Paperback)
This reminds me of Bringing Up Baby (starring Cary Grant and Katherine Grant), physical and verbal comedy alike.
Cordon Bleu cook Julia knows a famous theatrical family quite well, and when her regular employer is away, she goes to cook for them. One of them is practical joker Richard, who does not tell his eldest brother Hugh that a full-scale family reunion is on. So Hugh, a legal eagle, comes home planning to work and work, only to collide on the road with Julia. He assumes that Julia is younger than she really is; this is confirmed by a practical joke she plays on Hugh, believing him to be Richard.
Julia gradually becomes interested in Hugh, but her madcap antics and her tendency to have things fall apart in her hands (outside of the kitchen, and sometimes within it) create problems. She begs Hugh to help out with family problems and to loosen up, but why is he so distant from his family? Not to mention what's up with the different last name?
A pleasant, often enjoyable read. Most of the characters within the book are well fleshed out given the space limits, and this book appears to be part of a family series. Some things did nag a bit at me, both while I was reading and afterwards,
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No