This HaBO comes from Alex, who might be looking for an older romantic suspense or a contemporary with suspense elements:
I read this book years ago when I was about 15, all the way back in 1991/92 so we’re really going back a bit.
The heroine is an investigative reporter, very good at her job but gets kidnapped/serious trauma (sorry that bit is vague). Then the guy she’s had a previous fling with offers her his cabin and nurses her back to health. Obviously they end up in bed again, but she’s determined not to commit.
He wasn’t your classic 80s alpha (I’m almost 99% sure it was written in the 80s) and was quietly determined to love her. He doesn’t get angry when she leaves, just says I’m here for you when you’re ready. She literally gets to the driveway and realises she loves him too!
It was a Mills and Boon, but I’ve no idea what category; it was so long ago. My best friend was given a shoe box full of Mills and Boon by her Nanna and we DEVOURED them. I’ve checked Carole Mortimer’s and Nora Roberts’ backlist, as they were writing back then, but it’s not either of them. I’ve always remembered it because my 15 year old self loved the hero’s non alpha-ness, especially when most of those other 80s M&B were absolutely chock full of alpha male bosses, who resented the heroine for making them feel feelings!
Does anyone recognize this one?
Nope, I don’t recognize it, but I’m eagerly waiting to see if it’s solved. I want to read this one!
When I read the headline of this HABO, I was reminded of the most horrible Romance novel I ever read: To Love a Man by Karen Robards! It really, really traumatized me as a young adult. The hero in that book was not merely the quintessential alpha-hole, but verbally abusive to the heroine and a rapist. Almost put me off the genre altogether.
I hope you’ll find your Old School Book with a *gasp* respectful and non-abusive hero…
I’m not sure this is the book you’re looking for, but for a similar theme, the first book that came to mind was A CHANGE OF SEASONS by Carin Rafferty, a Harlequin American Romance from 1990. The heroine is a photojournalist recovering from a hostage/kidnapping situation. Looks like it was published in the UK by Mills & Boon as a Silhouette Sensation in 1991.
SHE COULDN’T FORGET
No one ever needed Sam Dillon as desperately as Liana Stevens. The award-winning photographer’s pictures had inspired Sam’s laughter and tears–but lovely, lithe Liana was frozen in a perpetual winter.
Sam lured Liana out of premature retirement–but photo sessions in the majestic Rocky Mountains couldn’t break the chill around her heart.
Liana wouldn’t speak of the past, though the horror lurked in her eyes. So Sam simply held her, sharing the warmth of his love.
Sam brought spring into her life–but Liana never knew it until she understood why this patient, gentle man needed her as much as she needed him.
https://www.fictiondb.com/author/carin-rafferty~a-change-of-seasons~30185~b.htm
It’s not the HABO, but there’s a Madeleine Ker/Marius Gabriel category romance with an instance of the heroine walking out, the hero respecting that and her changing her mind by/in her car. If it’s one of those plot beats that recur across a writer’s oeuvre, then Ker could be the right writer.
The book I know with that incident is The Alpha Male (UK) / Ruthless Husband, Convenient Wife (North America).
I’m so used to the ridiculous title conventions that it took me a second to realize Ruthless Husband, Convenient Wife sounds extra unromantic.
Could it be One More Time by Karen Van Der Zee?
I sometimes forget how many old harlequins aren’t available as ebooks.
I’m getting serious Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vibes from this. Except the nursing back to health bit is April and the other Turtles nursing Raphael back to health after he gets jumped by the Foot.
I don’t know this one, but dang, “heroine walks out, hero respects that, she changes her mind all by herself” is catnip I did not know I had.
I think Wendy may have it. From the Good Reads description and the detailed reviews there, this looks like “One More Time”:
“She had to break free of his love
“Sanny Copeland was all too familiar with the pain and rejection love seemed to bring. Now she was immune to it. If Mark Taylor thought he could change her, that was his business. Hers was pursuing a career as a journalist.
“But she wasn’t prepared for the rush of emotion and yearning that Mark’s tender touches and sweet words unleashed. For her own protection she had to get away from him And before he discovered she’d fallen in love
“Mark would never understand why she couldn’t marry him–or anyone.”
Reviewers describe him as a beta-hero, she’s a journalist with a lot of baggage.
Even though it sounds similar its definitely not Karen Van Der Zee’s One More Time. It was set in the US, I’m pretty sure she recuperated and they hooked up in a cabin in the woods.
I think I know this one. It’s Unlawful Contact (I-Team series #3) by Pamela Clare.