| Title | : | Tempt Me Tonight |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0061136093 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780061136092 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Trade Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 370 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 2007 |
| Awards | : | RITA Award by Romance Writers of America Contemporary Single Title Romance (2008) |
Trish Henderson has returned home to Eden to take care of some family business . . . and some personal business, as well. Though she's achieved remarkable success as a high-powered Chicago attorney, Trish has never forgotten her small-town high school sweetheart, Joe Ramsey, or the devastation of heartbreak.
Now she's come face-to-face with the gorgeous sex god Joe has grown into, and she's determined to get him out of her system once and for all—and maybe take a little revenge, too. And this time, she has all the power. After all, where is it written that only men can explore and enjoy a physical relationship without commitment? Her plan: seduce him for just one night, then walk away . . .
But there's just one problem. Trish is about to find out that one night with Joe may never be enough . . .
Tempt Me Tonight Reviews
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Reviewed @
Girls Without a Bookshelf.
I am especially picky with the books I read - and I usually immediately chuck the book when infidelity begins to show itself. I made an exception for this book however, because if there's anything I love more than a man baring his heart to his woman, it's a man grovelling for forgiveness. A thread on Amazon recommended this book as one with a lot of grovelling so I thought I'd give it a try even if the reason for said grovelling is infidelity. Guess what? I was disappointed.
Call me shallow, but I picked this one up because it was supposed to show, grovelling aside, regrets, new beginnings and much-needed realisation in part of the characters. So I expected to be indulged - but there was little to make me happy. Grovelling? What grovelling? The hero was arrogant, self-righteous and would rather have the graces of the heroine through seduction rather than apologies! I disliked Joe because if there was anyone who had absolutely no right to act as if the past just erases itself, it's him. It did not help that the heroine was as weak as a newborn - a typically weak-willed heroine easily seduced by the hottie even though she despises his guts. How cliche could it get?
Add these characters to a equally cliche climax (other girl involved, but of course a total misunderstanding...) and you get something that isn't at all worth reading. It's as cliche as can be! There were several subplots that have no volume whatsoever - they'd make you wonder if they were only added in to garnish the plot because God knows it needs it. The only redeeming quality of this book I think is the part where Trish digs deeper into her own emotions. Her realisations were quite well explained and generally fits the plot.
I'd say do yourself a favour and skip this - but it seems some people like it, so there you go. -
Another contemporary, erotic romance by Toni Blake and another winner. This lady pens a mean love story! Not only are her heroes gorgeous and sexy as all get-out, her plots aren't convoluted with high-tech operations, specialized forces and international espionage...they are simple stories about complex relationships. No muss, no fuss...just pure romance. (It has the same "feel" as Letters to a Secret Lover.)
In Tempt Me Tonight, we meet Joe Ramsey and Trish Henderson in the Prologue as small-town, high school sweethearts. It is the eve of Trish's departure for college and Joe makes THE WORST mistake of his life and breaks Trish's heart. Fast-forward 14 years and the story begins. Trish, now a successful defense attorney in Indianapolis, returns home to the little town of Eden to assist her parents with an important business matter. Her first night in town she realizes her worst nightmare by accidentally running into Joe. Wow! He had been a good-looking teenager, but she wasn't prepared for the knock-out he had become as a man...nor was she prepared for the feelings she obviously still had for him as she stood before him weak-kneed and tongue-tied. Ditto on Joe's reaction to seeing Trish. So begins their story of redemption and rediscovery. Can Trish forgive Joe for the past and trust her heart to him again? Can Joe convince her that their love is unrequited...that they are destined to be together forever?
Joe was an amazing character. Here was this guy I totally hated when the story began, whose remorse and pain for hurting Trish was so palpable and his love for her so genuine that he won me over completely. He is definitely one of my favorite heroes! And Trish was just as likable. She was smart, sensible (or so she thought) and determined not to fall in love with Joe all over again. She was going to enjoy his company and be on her way back to Indy after the 2-week vacation feeling nothing more than sexually satisfied (that's my girl!). But a new bond forms between the two...a mature, adult relationship that far surpasses the one they played at as teenagers. And since TMT is almost 400 pages, we are with Joe and Trish every tentative, baby step of the way down the road to their hard-fought and won HEA.
If you like contemporary romances that focus almost exclusively on the relationship between the hero and heroine...that have numerous semi-graphic sex scenes (that, surprisingly, are not repetitious)...that can make you smile one minute and cry the next... that end with a sweet HEA - then Tempt Me Tonight is a book you don't want to miss. 4 9/10ths stars ;) -
Contemporary, hot romance about young love gone bad. Trish and Joe were high school sweethearts when something happened that caused them to break-up. Fourteen years later, Trish returned to her hometown for a lengthy visit and when she bumped into Joe, the sparks ignited a fire that never went out. The way Trish went about getting "revenge" turned me right off. Then came the mind games, which I found childish and turned me off even more.
Joe apologized several times for his mistake, but Trish would not let it go. No matter what Joe did or how well they got along, Trish stayed hung-up on their problem a lot longer than I cared to read about. All the back and forth had me rolling my eyes.
Felt there was too much filler. For one, the sex was too often. Secondly, I felt sorry for Beverly and would liked to have read more about her happily ever after. Third, Joe's sister's drama never amounted to anything and that was disappointing. -
I disliked the heroine's thoughts and actions.
The story is about Trish who loved Joe as a teen. He hurt her and she left town. She returns 14 years later.
CAUTION SPOILERS: She still loves him but refuses to be honest about her feelings to herself as well as to him. Joe is a great guy. He never meant to hurt her. He still loves her and is patient with her. The major story line is Trish over-analyzing her feelings. She thinks wonderful things but never says them. She is afraid to express her love because she doesn't want to be hurt again. That does not make a good story for me. I was also annoyed that when another woman makes a pass at Joe, which he does not respond to, Trish gets upset and leaves him as if it were his fault. I do not recommend this book.
DATA:
Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: eight. Setting: current day Eden and Indianapolis, Indiana. Copyright: 2007. Genre: contemporary romance. -
Major cheater asshole...
Self note:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... -
I started this book a long time ago and misplaced it... well I found it again yesterday and restarted it today....
There is cheating and even after the book is finished I still am holding a grudge... I cant explain it... He FINALLY apologized 14 years later...(he said that she had said she never wanted to hear from him and it was told to him by her BFF...his BFF's gf)...you know... SPOILER........ when she found out he left her at her house at 2 am and bagged a girl who was pretty much a town door knob... you know everyone took a turn?
He is sex on a stick now... bags everything that bats their eyes... forgets to use a condom the first time they ever have sex... (I would scream aids alert here though as he is rather laid back about it.... he forgot... he's USUALLY...prepared.... yeah like the ho from before... not thinking I would EVER feel safe having a condom free sex with him...
I think we are supposed to feel bad for him... he was just a kid... it was so long ago.... welll.... NO.. I don't... it wasn't an accident... he made all the wrong choices to get there and I do not feel remotely sorry for him... he sure as heck never slowed down the ho roll... so nope... I dont forgive him and making him this quasi father to the bimbo's kid who helped ruin heroines life is I think an attempt to show his depth.... NO... if he was deep he would have claimed her as his and not strung her along with the bag of cooties hoping for 14 years that he would "finally" love you.... uh no...
And all my friends who read this will understand....that even with these snarky remarks... I enjoyed the story... I hated the hero, the ow, and barely tolerated the perfect (once again authors... a bad girls kids is ALWAYS a paragon of virtue...why I wonder and wise beyond her perfect years child.
However by the ending I did finally sorta forgive him, as much as I could..haha. -
OK, I know from reading the other reviews that this book is not for everyone. I however LOVED IT! I do not get up set when the hero cheats on the heroine if he truely feels sorry and Joe did. He admits that it was the worst mistake of his life and the cheating took place 14 years ago when they were teenagers. From the moment these two laid eye's on each other, 14 years later, I could see the sparks fling. Joe did everything he could possibly do to make it up to Trish. Trish took a long time to realise that she could trust Joe, but hey, if she forgave him right away, there would have been no story. I really liked reading how these two became a couple. At time's the story had me tearing up. I had a hard time putting the book down. I wanted to know what was happening in this small town, the happy and sad parts both. Toni Blake has become an author that I will enjoy reading for a long time to come.
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I can’t believe I waited so long to pick up Tempt me Tonight! I am a huge Toni Blake fan, and this one did not disappoint. It reminded me of her Destiny series. Small town lovin, girl leaves town heartbroken, becomes ‘big city’, comes home for what she thinks is a short visit….yet she reunites with her old flame, Joe. *sigh* … Joe.. I love all of Blakes’ heroes. It is a hot quick read, that does not disappoint!
Highly recommended for Toni Blake Fans!!! -
See this review at
http://shamelessromancereviews.blogsp...
I have come to like Toni Blake a lot in the past couple of months and didn’t expect to feel much different about ‘Tempt me Tonight’. The story line is about High School sweet hearts but when Joe goes and does the unforgivable, Trish leaves town for College and doesn’t look back. Now a hot shot Lawyer, Trish returns to Eden to help out her parents in selling their little Diner. And after bumping into Joe at the local watering hole, things start to sizzle very quickly.
FIRSTLY – there was a whole lot of sex going on in this book, I’m talking every couple of pages. These two hot things couldn’t keep their mitts of one another. And although Trish is trying to keep it just about sex, she knows that she still loves Joe. And soon Joe wants more. He wants Trish back in his life for good. But was Trish ready for that???
There isn’t too much depth to the book. It’s really what you see is what you get. It’s the high school sweethearts who have to deal with reality 14 years down the track. There is a lot of cheesy talk which had me vomiting a little in my mouth at stages.
What bugged the crap out of me was that no matter how many times Joe apologized for his mistakes and maned up to them, Trish just wouldn’t let it go. Now I have had MAJOR disputes on GR before about cheating – and let me get this straight – I in no way condone cheating – BUT in saying this, what happened between Joe and Trish happened 14 years ago and well it’s a story and it should just work out, shouldn’t it?. And even when both had confessed their love with sweet sloppiness, Trish still couldn’t see too trusting him again. I guess I was eye rolling a little. But, oh...I dunno, I know from firsthand experience what it’s like to have a love one cheat, it’s virtually impossible to gain trust back, but you have to try. Its life moving on. Just keep swimming. -
This was my first book by Toni Blake and I must say it was a good one. I was drawn into the characters from the very beginning. Trish and Joe are high school sweethearts, but he screws up and does something bad. Trish says she never wants to see him again. Fast forward 14 years where she has to come home to help her parents with something and ends up seeing Joe again.
Blake does an excellent job of portraying the emotion between the couple. I was really rooting for Joe to win Trish back. He was such a cool guy who showed genuine regret for what he had done. I really enjoyed this book and have added some more of Blake’s books to the TBR pile. -
I really wanted to like this. I had read all the five star reviews elsewhere, and expected a great read.
Trisha and Joe had been high school sweethearts. Then just after graduation, when Trisha was leaving for college. Joe cheated with another girl.
Fourteen years later Trisha has returned home, to help her parents sell their diner. Almost the first person she runs into is Joe. It seems there is still a spark between them. But can Trisha forgive him?
When Trisha returns to her home town after fourteen years, she and Joe are Both 32 years old. Joe was a well drawn character, he did regret his past actions. But what spoilt this book for me was Trisha. When she returned home and her thoughts were to stay away from Joe, have nothing to do with Joe, and never ever have sex with Joe. For the first dozen times she thought this, I thought okay fair enough, but then it got out of hand. This constant internal dialogue by Trisha continued throughout almost the whole story. It was repetitive and annoying. But what made it worse, was her actions and words never matched her thoughts. Which meant that she constantly had sex with Joe, and didn't stay away from him at all. The other woman the supposed villainess, was a poor pathetic creature, who was no threat at all. In fact she didn't even feature that strongly in this. And why is it that when the guy cheats and then regrets it and wants forgiveness. Everyone is always on his side, and the woman is made to feel bad for not giving in. This is the second book I have read recently where that has happened. For me the story went on for too long. But most of all the heroine gave me a headache. -
Stars?!! For what?!! I don't know why these writers think such an absurdity is anything but REVOLTING! Please, we are speaking of human beings and not of DOGS in heat without less control on their sexuality! The attempt to justify these pathetic attitudes is simply ridiculous. Some authors should spare us of such ignorance!
By the way the title "Tempt me tonight" must be related to the woman he fucked betraying the pathetic heroine, right ?! Puhleeease, I'm sorry, but this is a garbage. -
This comes highly recommended but I found it rather meh.
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Hated this one. I like my heroes who betray to either fight for the girl or grovel. This hero did neither, he cheated, the heroine went away to college,
He never contacted her or apologised in all the years they are separated. The only reason they even get back together is because she comes back into town. Then he is annoyed when she apparently ‘uses’ him for sex, get real. Am confused with why people had an issue with Trish not just getting over the betrayal. Don’t get me wrong I’m not her biggest fan either. But just because Joe apologised finally after 14 years, hardly makes him a stand up guy. Also, so what Trish wanted a bit of revenge or no feelings sex. The hero basically apologise to her and hits on her in the same night after years (showing exactly how much he respected her), then moans when she wants to just screw? Also, why would she want anything more or to be vulnerable with him, when she knows he is not trustworthy. He has not proven otherwise, he never made amends or seemed her out, which says a lot to me. I don’t really call this a love story, it is convenient for the hero. -
This seemed like it had good writing, but after reading 80 or so pages, I wound up just skimming it. The back synopsis didn't really mention what kind of betrayal Joe (the hero) committed against Trish (heroine) when they were in high school, and once I found out, it just lost all interest in reading this story. But I'd be interested in reading other stories by this author because I like her voice.
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3.75*
Another one of those school sweethearts gone wrong. She wanted to wait and he couldn't keep it zipped up!
And now, she's back after 14 years for an extended visit, they meet, she says/thinks she's over his betrayal, all forgiven as she's older, wiser, moved on, is a big town lawyer after all. While he's hotter, hunkier, more irresistible than ever. Things flare up instantly but she refuses his invitation - gently.
Only to dress in a small slinky dress later on and go to his home. Why? Because, she wants to be in control and “If I’m the seducer, then I win.” So, lady lawyer does have residual issues!
And so, they begin where they'd left off.
Hot, sizzling stuff but also sweet and caramelly! ('cupcakes and fudge')
Could I forgive him?
Yes, absolutely. His grovel was absolute and constant.
The book would be better if it loses few chapters. Otherwise, it's an almost perfect second-chances-smut story.
The ending is extra sweet. I like them as a couple but I totally loved the guy!
He's super hot, he's honest and straightforward, he's caring and considerate, he lets her set the pace and he's a super nice guy - all said and done.
And I love the way he dances. Forthright and direct - like him.
Clearly, Joe Ramsey had never learned the art of dancing any differently than he had in a dark high school gym—his hands settled low on her hips and their torsos pressed gently together.
"This is nice, Trish.” Yet he hadn’t said it like it was nice. He’d said it like he was turned on, his voice low and smoldering. -
Wow.
No really,wow!
I had no idea this book would be good.
It really had no potential!
Why would you want to read about a reunion of a nice lovely girl and her high school sweet heart that had sex with an other chick one day before she left for the university (an two week before he was supposed to ask her to marry him)? No idea,right?
So i was really stunned when it turned out to be a lovely book!
The only thing I hate was the prospect of Bev having a HEA. I hope she does not. She was a real creep. Especially when it came to Trish who she envied. I get the chills just thinking about women like her out there.
Her kid was cute,and I liked that she got her dad and the whole 'are you or are you not my father Joe' mess was cleared up. But I still hope that Mr. Marines will just be a dad and let Bev be a hooker that she is.
:Shakes her head: -
This is my first by Toni Blake. I liked this book and from now on, I’m keeping tabs on Toni Blake’s books. What I liked about this book is — it’s about everything. And that means the characters, the flow, the plot, the romance and the sexy scenes.
From what I’ve read, Trish and Joe’s relationship is kind of complicated. They did mention they broke up but from what I read and I felt, it’s like, they weren’t. The chemistry’s there. The passion’s shown. I know it (really) sucks when you found out you’re being cheated on. It’ll ruin everything you’ve believed in and destroy the trust you’ve built for someone you loved. But I would go for some explanation before making bold decision or in Trish’s case, ran away from her hometown and built another life in big city.
People make mistakes All. The. Time — for that, I’m pretty sure. Hence, we should learn to forgive. As for Joe, he knew he made a mistake, a freaking huge mistake, he regretted it and he did it only once. He had no sort of feelings towards Beverly. He apologized too. He still wanted to be in Trish’s life. He wanted to make amends with her. He even bared his soul, told her everything about what had happened to him and his family. What more could she ask for? Only one thing that I agreed with Trish, he should have come after her though. You see, sometimes girls always say things they don’t meant.
What I can conclude from my reading is *merely my thought* — 1) Calm and patient. Listen whatever explanations might be. It might or might not hurt but at least, it would clear your head from making stupid assumptions and bold decision 2) Forgive and forget. It had been years. Someone that hurt you before came and apologized. Why would still wish to hold grudge then? Imagine people still holding a grudge on you, do you like it then? 3) Shit happens. No surprise there.
So overall, it’s all matter of trust and love. :) -
This was a cute book about first love gone wrong then with a second chance.
I liked Trish. I would have been devastated like her with what Joe did to her. Which was why I loved her sense of revenge that she had for him. Was it right, no, was it nice, no, but was it an act that a normal person would do, absolutely. I even liked that when Joe realized just what had happened he was hurt.
But with all that being said I was glad that they were able to move past that. Their getting to know each other again with lots of hot sex was great. They were able to address all of those old hurts, yet really get to know each other as they are now influenced by their past.
I wasn't surprised by Bev's last ditch effort or by Trish's reaction. I have a feeling that mine would have been similar. I did like what Joe did after, but even better was Trish's. They both were willing to give up something, but with the way things ended they both got exactly what would make them the happiest. -
My first Toni Blake and it won't be my last. A very endearing story about teen age regrets, forgiveness and true love. Lots of heat when Joe and Trish get together...and they can't seem to keep their hands off each other. Enjoyable read and I will probably read it again.
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You said you’d stay. I thought you were giving me a chance to make up for the past.
- Joe
Life was easier without love of any kind than love gone wrong.
- Joe
I don't expect you to ever understand. I don't have...a good explanation.
- Joe
I think the pictures in my head are maybe worse that the truth.
- Trish
I loved you more than anything, Trish. Maybe...hell, maybe I loved you too much.
- Joe
What was happening between them might be real, but it was also temporary.
- Trish
Turning off the emotions meant turning off the memory of that old pain.
- Trish
I’m so damn sorry, honey. If there was any way I could have taken it back, I would have, I promise.
- Joe
I hate what I did to you, I hate that I hurt you.
- Joe
If you didn’t trust someone, they couldn’t hurt you.
- Trish
Your love life will be easier if you make sure you . . . never hurt the person you care about.
– Joe
Stay here with me, Trishy. Don’t go back to your old life. Make a new one, here. With me. I know it’s a hell of a big thing I’m asking—but I’m asking. Stay.
- Joe
Quick? No, honey, I think fourteen years is more than enough time to lose. And if I thought you wouldn’t be happy here, I wouldn’t ask—hell, I’d follow you to Indy. But I see you here, with your parents, and fixing up the diner, and . . . you fit here, cupcake. You have to know that. You fit here. With me.
– Joe
But I wanted you to know, needed you to know . . . because I love you. And because I . . . didn’t want anything, any secret, standing between us.
– Joe
I don’t know how else to say this. The last time I tried to let a girl know how much I cared for her, she was . . . you. I haven’t had a lot of practice. I just know I’m happy when I’m with you, and I think you’re happy with me. So I’m just asking you to think about it. Just think about it. That’s all I can do.
– Joe
Trish, I messed up our lives a long time ago. If you gave me a second chance to be with you, I mean really be with you, forever, I wouldn’t mess up again.
- Joe -
I'm not a huge fan of the highschool sweethearts, though I can be positively surprised by some stories relying on this trope from time to time.
Here it unfortunately did not work out. I rather liked the hero, Joe, who outside of his one-time cheating with the heroine, always behaved like an adult, knew his faults. I also liked that he could not always control his reactions and speech and let his emotions sometimes get ahead of him, especially when confronted back to Trish or when she shut him down.
Trish, on the other hand, was far less likable and even border despicable according to me. She was full of good principles, of her conviction that she was someone good, better even, that she could not be revengeful because it would be demeaning, that her job was the most important, that she was a big shot, blinding herself against any insatisfaction, any negative thoughts, convincing herself what is important is winning a trial and not have justice be found and respected. The more I got to know her, the less I liked her. And finding kitten or little doggies cute and baby-talking to them is definitely not enough to convince me of someone human integrity. And that's about the extent of her warmth and caring feelings.
Regarding the story, it was also rather disappointing: they met, they argued, then they had sex - revenge sex for one, not for the other, then they tried to talk, ended up having sex instead and argued again. And it went on like this almost until the end. -
Joe cheats on the h the night before she is to leave for college with the town slut and now she is devastated. She spends years crying and isolated before she finally hardens up against feeling any emotions. She is a hard nosed defense attorney and is about to make partner when she is forced back home to help her parents for a week or two. She runs into Joe and he's an arrogant ass. He wants to get her forgiveness and she pretty much just drools over him the whole book after that. She tries to be strong against her love for him but fails over and over, saying its just sex. They both fall deeper as time goes on but she gets spooked and leaves, not knowing if she can really ever trust him again. There is a HEA of course, but I just could not get over the fact that he purposefully had sex with Bev that night after he drops the love of his life off at home at 2. It's beyond forgivable. Yet, she does forgive it. No problem. He's even helping to raise the whore's kid who is not his. I don't know how she just takes him back. It is a hard road to cross, but They work it out. I would never have forgiven him.
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Ok, I love all of Toni Blake's novels I read until now. This book though is fell short of the other books by her. It doesn't have that depth of emotion and drama as the others. The story is so-so and it's just about a high school sweetheart reunion after their nasty breakup years ago. I know that a simple story sometimes can still become a good story nontheless this book failed. The thing that rankled me so much is how frequently the two had sex along the story. Everytime they met, they had sex. When the conversation started to get interesting then grrr.. the two of them just had to start doing it. Sometimes the conversation is also cheesy beyond belief especially at the start. Some of the talking seems genuine and real but it's such a rare happening in this book. The scenes that I liked are when they're talking about the kitties and when Joe interacted with Carissa. That's all.
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This is another one of those books that I have no idea how to rate. The story seemed to drag. I mean there's no denying they had chemistry, some really sweet moments and I did like the idea of rekindling your first love buuut the conflicts between the two were frustrating. It already pissed me off from the beginning because he cheated on her. I don't care how drunk or young or frustrated the hero was, it really lowers my standard of that character and thus he had a lot of groveling to do. On the other side of the relationship, I just found the heroine to be a little annoying. So with that said, I don't think this book rates more than 3 stars.
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I couldn't stop skipping pages. I didn't find this book interesting enough but since i'm curious, i wanted to know the ending. And it was such a cliché. We had an "im leaving everything behind for you", and "no don't bother it's me that will everything behind, i'll quit being a lawyer to be a waitress! yeeehaaa. (--*).
And let's talk about the best friends there. The i-want-to-know-everything-about-your-life friends, Bennie and kenny, wife and husband. And the bitch berverly. I totally skipped her story.
I definitly lost a few hour reading this. -
3.5+ Stars
I'm not a fan of books where the cheater gets a second chance, but this one was pretty good. I prefer books where the heroine moves on after being betrayed and ends up with a new hero. I normally don't enjoy stories where the h pines over an old boyfriend for years, never truly moves on, it's irritating.
Overall though this book was well written and developed. I wouldn't read it again, but I liked it. -
I was doing fine with this book until the heroine asked the hero why he didn't come after her and thought, "yeah, why didn't he?" Because I really think he would have. People that age tend to be impulsive and, at that age and in love the way he was, I can't imagine that he wouldn't have. Ruined the whole book for me.
