My Only Love

At first I thought the story line was pretty cliche... nothing special. But boy was I in for a surprise. Katherine Sutcliffe has a way of weaving absolute magic with her words... I was hooked from the very first page; couldn't put it down -God knows I tried. I had a term paper due the very next day... but I just had to finish the book. It was addicting... I adore the heroine. Her character is so heartwarming, so authentic. She's honest about her feelings and she loves her husband and son unconditionally. Even though she tends to keep things to herself, her action speaks for itself. She even takes care of her father and sister, even though they absolutely did not deserve her. Olivia is not a beauty... but her mind is sharp, and her heart is true... No wonder Miles fell in love with her. I also like Miles very much. He's not the typical arrogant, emotionally scarred hero. He just wants a chance to prove his worth to himself, his family... and to Olivia. His dream is to have a home of his own and to gain respect from his peers. Unfortunately he is poor... though not because of a gambling like his brother believes... instead, he pours every last cent he has into supporting his mine. It is his ticket to achieving his dreams. The relationship between Olivia and Miles is very real. I love how they react to each other... I love the things Olivia says, and I love the way Miles reacts to them. Bryan is an adorable little boy. I love the way he has Miles tied up in knots with his innocent adoration of the man who saved his life. My least favorite characters are Olivia's sister and father. But that's a given. I just don't understand how anyone can be so self-center and callous toward the woman who sacrafice so much so that she can be respected and happy. Olivia's loyalty is all the more admirable and heartbreaking because her father and sister couldn't care less if her reputation is ruined and she is married to a penniless, bastard son of an earl. Nevertheless, through her own goodness, compassion and intelligence, Olivia is able to find her own happiness. Happy, happy ending for two well-deserved hero and heroine...

Miles Kemball Warwick has always felt like an outsider. He's the illegitimate son of a wealthy and powerful earl. And even though he's been raised with the other two sons... he still feels like an outcast.Olivia Devonshire has always been looked down upon by her father and sister. She's not beautiful like her sister nor does she attract men like her sister. The one thing Olivia has that makes her different is her brain. She handles her father's accounts and has increased their fortune. However, she can't shake her reputation with the small fortune. It has followed her back to England.Miles Warwick thought he loved Emily Devonshire and when he receives a note from her some years later to visit, he hurries over. Instead of Emily, it's her father propositioning Miles to marry Olivia Devonshire. She's rich and if she marries Miles, it will keep the scandals surrounding her silent so Emily can marry happily.Miles is broke and so the deal is made. He wants respect. He doesn't get if from Olivia though. She's smart and not willing to throw her fortune away. She keeps control of the money. Over time, Olivia and Miles begin to learn the secrets and desires of each others' hearts. Both realize they have been living for the love of others and not learning to be strong themselves. This book is really an emotional growth of the characters through their romance. The two of them learn to like themselves by drawing on the strength in one another. It's one of the best books I have read in the way of romance novels. It's very real and moving. I like the fact that Olivia is weak and strong like women today. And that Miles learns to love and just doesn't wake up one day doing it or saying it. It's very good and I can read it over and over again. The prequel is good too. Fire in the Heart is Damien's (Miles' half brother and the legitimate son) story and Miles redeems a lot of himself in that story too. It's very cool to read these in order because the transformation works even better and you can follow Miles' character changes less drastically.

Like one of the previous reviewers said, this is one of my favorite books of all time. If you like strong characters and storylines built on something more substantial than misunderstandings, you'll love this book. I bought it when it first came out all those years ago, and the memory is still vivid. I never get tired of reading it.Miles Kemball is Damien's (Fire in the Heart) illegitimate brother. He's in dire financial straits, a situation which could be alleviated if he agrees to marry Olivia. He's never met the woman, but he's heard of her. She is said to sport a tattoo and worse, to be promiscuous. When he finally does meet her, he realizes Olivia is plain, wears glasses, and has a smart mouth, to boot. But no one else will marry him since he's a ..., so he has no choice. Just what he always gets--the bottom of the barrel.Miles Kemball is a reprobate. However, in order to give her child a father, or at least his own home, Olivia will marry Miles. She knows he's only agreeing to it because of her dowry, but she has her own ace up her sleeve--she will keep control of the money. You know this isn't going to go over well with Alpha-Male Miles. And so begins the tug of war between these two titans, during which they must also deal with Olivia's relatives, a comically mismanaged household, a starving copper mining community ...and more than one reminder of Miles' past.There is a depth to these two main characters that is a rare find. Unlike most romance novels, there is a definite logic to their actions and reactions. Although they are some of the strongest people I've ever read, as the book progresses their motivations and vulnerabilites are revealed, and it only makes you love them more. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll get turned on, you'll wish you were there...Look for the short literary quote at the beginning of each chapter--it gives a hint of the developments to come.

This book is my favorite book of all time. I loved it. Especially Olivia who didn't guff from any man, no matter who it was. I loved Miles and the little boy was just that... A little boy not some character the author throws in everyone once in a while. If you're looking for a sappy tearjerker, this is it.

This is my favorite sappy romance novel of all time. It's so sweet and the plot is very original. Katherine Sutcliffe is the only romance author I can stomach.