Heartthrob

by Suzanne Brockmann

Book Overview

Reissue (Original Publication Date: March 1999) THE SEXIEST MAN ALIVE This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 034546608X
• ISBN13: 9780345466082
• Release Date: February 2004
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 344 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.2" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

A Moving Story!!!

I have been a long time fan of this author. This is the first time I have read one of her older books. Previously I've only read were her SEAL team books. This book on the other hand went much deeper and really delved into a very touchy subject and that is substance abuse.In "Heart Throb" our hero is a recovering alcoholic and prescription drug abuser. This is so different from the "perfect" hero that we normally find in the romance genre. As a result we are able to see what kind of conflict comes from this kind of life. Jed or Jericho is not perfect in life, but he had been perfect on the big screen. Then he hit rock bottom and finds that his ticket back to the A list in a movie called "The Promise". Problem is the producer of the movie Kate does not trust him as far as she can throw him. This is her movie and even though Jericho is the real life version of her hero on screen she can't run the risk that he will ruin everything by taking a drink. Kate's problem though is she finds herself attracted to Jericho and she knows that this could be the biggest mistake of her life is she allows herself to act on those feelings.Ms. Brockmann does not tie up this romance all nice with a pretty bow. She allows both of them to experience a wide range of feelings one of which is mistrust on Kate's part. She would not be true to real feelings if this issue was ignored. As a result this was a much deeper romance and as a result of this much better. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is not afraid to have a touchy topic as a backdrop for a story.

Fantastic

Suzanne Brockmann won me over with "No Ordinary Man", and she hasn't lost me since. While I agree with some of the more recent reviewers that Heartthrob isn't quite up to the standard of a few of her more recent novels, I would consider it on par with others--a fine accomplishment, considering that this was her very first full-length novel.SB's greatest strength has always been in the touching realness of her characters, and Jed and Kate don't fall short. This book is an apt demonstration that as much as we may resent celebrities of having "perfect" lives, EVERYONE has demons.A couple of the other reviewers expressed disgust for the way in which Jed/Jericho was "degraded", and blamed Kate. I didn't see it that way. I have read many books--especially romances--in which one or both characters is routinely degraded (usually the woman), and while both characters in this one have their moments of embarassment, it is done entirely realistically and without triumph on the other's part. Kate layed out demands (someone to watch Jed, drug testing, etc.) that WERE an invasion of his privacy. However, she did not know him at the time, and his past behavior gave her no reason to trust him. Those demands were the only way in which she could get funding to produce the movie. The most humiliating incident, the one involving handcuffs, was not Kate's fault (the guard did it on his own, and Kate fired him as a result), though she does not escape blame. As the two come to know eachother better, they earn each other's respect. The book was impressive because it manages to make clear that trust must be earned. No one owes it to you, and that makes it all the more valuable a gift.Both Kate and Jericho are haunted by their pasts, and that does not necessarily improve them. As in real life, adversity may make us stronger, but it also makes us suspicious, remote, and occasionally selfish--the traits of survivors who have learned to rely only on themselves. The beauty of this story is past hurts don't necessarily destroy your chances of future happiness. The abused are still capable of giving and receiving love, and the objectified can still find strength and self-confidence in themselves.One of the few authors who can rival Suzanne Brockmann, Mary Jo Putney, has a novel very similar to this one, with possibly even more punch. It is called "The Spiral Path", and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed Heartthrob. It, too, deals with issues of abuse, so if you're squeamish, avoid.

One of the best contemporary romances IMO

I originally borrowed this book from the library and after taking it out again 2 more times, went out and bought a copy -- for this book is definitely a keeper. The author creates a believable story from a fantasy -- a relationship with a celebrity once voted "sexiest man alive." From the fantasy any woman might have about such a man, Brockmann weaves a poignant, funny, and ultimately credible plot with well-developed characters, good love scenes, and a point of view which does not hit you over the head -- which is the damage done to us by our families and the self-destructive paths we pursue. The male protagonist -- Jericho-- is so well written that even after you finish the book you can remember his thought processes and feelings as described. This is especially true in such scenes as the one is which his bodyguard handcuffs him to a bed and then leaves him -- the anger and anguish and embarassment just flow off the page, as do his feelings for the heroine. The secondary characters are also well fleshed and contribute to the main story line. Although I generally prefer romances with a lot of humor, this book has stayed in my own library when many humorous romances have gone to the trading pile. This book is a fine example of the writer's craft and is not to be missed.

One of the best contemporary romances of the year!

After finishing this book, I immediately rushed to the RomanceWriters of America website and nominated it for Book of the Year. Theauthor did a terrific job with a very complex and moving story. The "making-of-a-movie" setting was fresh and intriguing. Everything about the book rang true for me. The primary romance was sexy, sweet, and totally believable while the secondary romance won my heart as well. This is a fantastic book. If you like Nora Roberts, I strongly urge you to give this book a read!

Another winner from Suzanne Brockmann!

This is the first mainstream romance by an award-winning series romance author, and it's well worth the wait! Brockmann delivers drama, comedy and believable, three-dimensional characterizations in this tale of Jericho Beaumont, a former a-list actor trying to rebuild his career after its flaming wreck due to his prescription-drug and alcohol abuse, and Kate O'Laughlin, a first time producer and screenwriter who is determined to get her independant movie made and made right, even if she has to demand her lead actor submit to daily drug testing and 24/7 supervision. The secondary characters also shine, particularly Susie McCoy, a 15-year-old child star who is trying to be taken seriously in her first adult role, and Jamaal Hawkes, a young, African-American man struggling to figure out how to deliver his best performance in the role of a slave when all he feels is anger and humiliation at the thought of being another man's property. Brockmann has obviously done her research on both movie production, and substance abuse and recovery. Yet, while the book deals with some very serious issues, the story and characters never wallow in self-pity or melodrama. I read very little romance, and buy even less of it new, but Suzanne Brockmann's name is at the top of my list. Read this book. Then do yourself a favor, and look into Suzanne Brockmann's backlist. Her books are well worth your time.