Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

HaBO-Thon: Grandma Said No Romance For You

Lindlee is looking for a romance she got a bare taste of 15 years ago:

I have a HaBO request that’s a bit unique. I know most people request help finding their first romance. Mine is more for the first romance that might have been.

Long ago, I was shopping with my grandmother and found a book that sounded interesting. I wanted it but I also knew it was a grown-up book. I remember asking my grandmother if it was too grown-up for me. I think I wanted her to say “Oh no, you can read that!” but she agreed with me. I don’t remember exactly how old I was, but looking back I was too young to read a romance at that time. Romances came back into my life in junior high when I was ready for them. But this book has always stuck in my head, and I’ve always wished I had the chance to read it.

So here’s what I know (and remember I only read the back cover). It would have come out in the early ‘90s. I’m 99.9% sure it was a Harlequin, and I want to say maybe a suspense? The story was about a woman stepping into her twins’ life for some reason and having to deal with the twin’s husband (or ex-husband?). I don’t know what happened to the twin (dead? Disappeared? Joined the circus?). I think this book is why I’m a sucker for a good twin story, especially one where one twin has to assume the other’s life for awhile (I’m LOVING Ringer right now).

Anyway, I know it’s not much to go on, but I just had to try. This has been bugging me for 15+ years.

Anyone remember this book? This will be a tough one, I’m betting. It might take, oh, an entire 20 minutes for someone to name the book, author, date of publication, ISBN, chapter and verse. Because y’all pretty much know freaking everything, especially about HaBOs.