Mistress of the Groom

I loved this book. The emotions were raw, powerful and captivating. I could not put this book down. I got it in the mail yesterday at 6:00pm and did not stop until I finished after midnight this morning. Forget the fact that my work day starts at 7:00am and I have a one hour commute. I am sleepy- which makes it hard to concentrate at work. Annoying, but so worth it. The book was that good. These two had a love/hate, very dysfunctional relationship. They were both strong people who the reader knew would have an interesting life together. Even if they would probably be one of those couples who call the cops every few months when a fight gets out of hand. The secondary characters were great as well. They contributed to the narrative and were often as emotionally complex as the leads. They just don't write/publish Harlequins like this anymore. Which makes coming across a book with this much heat all the more appealing.

Mistress of the Groom by Susan Napier Harlequin Presents # 1918 - November 1997 Scandals! themed series Jane couldn't stand by and watch her best friend, Ava be bullied into marriage to a man she didn't love, so on the fated wedding day when the minister had asked if anyone could show just cause, Jane stood up and announced to all that she and the groom were lovers. Ryan left town after the merger with his business and Ava's father's fell through, knowing that someday he'd be able to dispute the lies Jane had told. Now after rebuilding his business he came back to Auckland welding a power so strong that in two years, he'd stripped Jane of her family business, home and personal funds. But he's not through exacting his revenge on her; he wants to own her body and soul. Jane's not one to go down without a fight, and she uses her every last resource to stay afloat. However, no one in Auckland wants to do battle with the mighty Ryan and Jane finds herself not only bankrupt of funds but of all job prospects. Wow! Those that are not die-hard Presents fans will have a hard time with the ruthless way Ryan exacts his revenge. Ryan is most definitely alpha but he comes to admire Jane's determination and spirit. Though justified in hating Jane for breaking up his possible marriage, there is much more that he needs Jane to atone for. Jane, though feeling guilty for her lie, doesn't understand why Ryan is so bent on ruining not only her but everything that bears her family name. And her loyalty to Ava will not allow her to break her trust to vindicate herself. Beneath their open hatred flares a desire so strong that both can barely control. Intensely emotional. Strongly passionate. A compelling read! :D

Hi, i know this is where you write reviews, but I wanted to learn more about this book before purchasing it and since it is out-of-print, it it hard to find info. Can anyone tell me more info about the main female character (hair color? good looking?). Thanks in advance!!

At the start of this book, Jane Sherwood has been driven to desperation by her best friend's former fiance, Ryan Blair. He rightly blames Jane for preventing his marriage on the very day of the wedding. He has spent the last 3 years getting revenge, by ruining her company, getting her thrown out of her apartment, and hurting her in any other way that he can. She is an emotional wreck, but defiant.The undercurrent of their hatred of each other is an intense physical attraction. As their actions become more extreme, the attraction takes over and changes the nature of their relationship.This was a much better book than I expected based on one of the reviews. I liked it a lot, thought it was very well written and very captivating.

I go back and read it over and over again. The characters are easy to fall in love and identify with. The story is very realistic. I love this book as one of if not the best I've read.