Sentimental Journey (Janet Dailey Americana)

Rating:
Summary: ill-met by traffic light
Review: I regard Janet Dailey's Americana series as modern-historical comic books. No insult intended. There are many of them (one for each state) in this series of somewhat short novels which reflect the good old non pc days --- interesting for a change, sometimes.

Jessica Thorne, waiting for the traffic lights to change and cross the street, finds herself standing next to Brodie Hayes. Once the town bad-boy and an ardent admirer of her older sister, Jordanna, Brodie has now become a successful and wealthy businessman.

At first, Brodie mistakes Jessica for Jordanna. Jessica barely recalls Brodie since she was a young girl at the time, however, she does remember that Brodie was very aggressive and, at times, threatening in his pursuit of her sister. Brodie had also been angry when Jordanna rejected him and was rather convinced that the reason was that the well-to-do Thornes looked down on him for being poor.

Thus, when Brodie invites Jessica for lunch, she is determined to cleverly maneuver her way out of it but she soon finds she is no match for a determined Brodie Hayes. A romance blossoms although Jessica is tortured by the thought that he is trying to live out his fantasy --- or get revenge ---- for Jordanna. Also disturbing is his habit of buying her expensive gifts as if he is trying to buy her affections. Later, we find that Brodie wants a more permanent relationship with Jessica, but not marriage, and Jessica wants a ring. They break up and it seems like there's no hope, but after Jessica loses her temper and makes a scene in a restaurant, it breaks the ice (no pun intended) for some true confessions.

The shared history, the instant attraction, the insecurities, the arguments, the making up, all flowed smoothly for an enjoyable and memorable read.

Rating:
Summary: ill-met by traffic light
Review: I regard Janet Dailey's Americana series as modern-historical comic books. No insult intended. There are many of them (one for each state) in this series of somewhat short novels which reflect the good old non pc days --- interesting for a change, sometimes.

Jessica Thorne, waiting for the traffic lights to change and cross the street, finds herself standing next to Brodie Hayes. Once the town bad-boy and an ardent admirer of her older sister, Jordanna, Brodie has now become a successful and wealthy businessman.

At first, Brodie mistakes Jessica for Jordanna. Jessica barely recalls Brodie since she was a young girl at the time, however, she does remember that Brodie was very aggressive and, at times, threatening in his pursuit of her sister. Brodie had also been angry when Jordanna rejected him and was rather convinced that the reason was that the well-to-do Thornes looked down on him for being poor.

Thus, when Brodie invites Jessica for lunch, she is determined to cleverly maneuver her way out of it but she soon finds she is no match for a determined Brodie Hayes. A romance blossoms although Jessica is tortured by the thought that he is trying to live out his fantasy --- or get revenge ---- for Jordanna. Also disturbing is his habit of buying her expensive gifts as if he is trying to buy her affections. Later, we find that Brodie wants a more permanent relationship with Jessica, but not marriage, and Jessica wants a ring. They break up and it seems like there's no hope, but after Jessica loses her temper and makes a scene in a restaurant, it breaks the ice (no pun intended) for some true confessions.

The shared history, the instant attraction, the insecurities, the arguments, the making up, all flowed smoothly for an enjoyable and memorable read.