Mons Daveson

This is part of the books I inherited from my grandmother after she died. As a teen she would lend me volumes of Harlequin novels--from the 70's/80's/90's--because they interested me. I read this at about 14 and even then it seemed kind of bland. This largely takes place when Jordan is kind of...at odds with his life and uncertain about his future.

I still found this pretty bland, but I had apparently completely blocked out when Jordan and Geena reunite.

In hindsight Jordan's actions and words all point to him thinking he has not viable future. Not that he'll be dead, but that he'll be blind and doesn't want to be a burden. Geena, a nurse, doesn't care about any of that and despite claiming she respects Jordan's decision still reacts badly when he says 'No seriously, we can't be together'. She pulls a Bella Swan (20 years before Bella does!) and barely eats, sleeps or sees anyone, working herself to the exhaustion.

So you'd think when they reunite it would be as sensible adults who can sensibly discuss how Jordan's actions hurt her and how Geena has trouble trusting him again, so how can they fix this?

Nah that's for pansies.

Jordan shows up, apologetic and upset at how Geena's been living. Geena is bitter, angry and hurt--lashing out at Jordan without caring about what he thinks. Jordan then responds by basically saying--you've got no choice in this, I want you and I will have you so get over it.

Geena, reasonably, doesn't want anything to do with him because he's still being autocratic. Jordan really doesn't give her a choice. Geena says he'll be making love to an unresponsive body and he responds he doesn't care, though he'll regret that she won't be participating he will have her by any means possible.

So let's recap here. Jordan explained to Geena that a relationship couldn't happen. Geena said she understood. Geena then went off the rails when Jordan remained firm that they couldn't have a relationship despite how much they cared about each other. Jordan shows up and tells Geena he's ready for a relationship, but she's too bitter and hurt to want one. Jordan then acts as if she had never spoken, orders her around, and threatens to rape her.

This is our hero guys.

So he starts to seduce her and she of course 'fights' against it, but eventually gives in and he then feels disgusted with himself and leaves her disheaveled in the bed. THEN they have a reasonable adult conversation about how his actions hurt her and he explains why he did what he did and they come to a mutual understanding for a HEA.

Meanwhile 29 year old Lexie is still stuck on how I could have forgotten that ENTIRE SCENE when Jordan said he'd have her by any means. I remember them reuniting and it going badly, I remember them getting to 2nd base and then the conversation. NOTHING IN BETWEEN.

I'm rather horrified. I mean there's a lot of reluctant making out leading to whole-hearted sexytimes in these harlequin books from back then, but I don't remember a hero ever verbalizing that he will take what he wants whether the heroine participates or not. That's not cool at all.… (mais)