Throwback Thursday: A Kiss Remembered by Sandra Brown

 

Author: Sandra Brown (writing as Erin St. Claire)
First published in 1983 by Silhouette

After leaving her disastrous marriage behind, Shelley Browning goes back to college to get her degree and comes face-to-face with an unforgettable man from her past. Grant Chapman had briefly taught her in high school ten years earlier. There teacher and student had shared a single, scorching, unplanned kiss that still haunts Shelley's dreams. Now, as irresistible as ever, Grant has just returned to teaching after a stint as a congressional aide in Washington...and sees no impropriety in asking Shelley out. Isn't this what she secretly longs for? Never has Shelley felt more confused about what she really wants or what is best for them both. But a stunning accusation is about to change all that and force Shelley Browning to either take some dangerous risks -- or spend the rest of her life regretting what could have been.

I have such mixed feelings about this book. I wasn't sure I was going to like the idea that  Shelley and Grant had shared a kiss when she was just 16.  He was her teacher at the time. Once I got over that, it wasn't a bad story.  In reality, the kiss was once and spontaneous.  Grant left the school immediately after because he knew he had overstepped.  I had to give him credit for that.  Once he sees a much older Shelley, he realizes her has feelings for her and decides to win her over.  

I actually liked Grant. He wasn't afraid to stand up for what he believed in.  I didn't like Shelley all that much.  She was too wishy-washy for me.  I also thought she jumped to the wrong conclusions about Grant too quickly in the end.  This book definitely shows its age.  Shelley wants o get a degree in banking that would allow her to head a department just for women to get financial advice.  Do they even have something like that nowadays?  

Anyway, for an early Sandra Brown novel, it's not bad.  It is definitely one of the racier novels that I have read from this time period.  The love scenes are much more detailed than usual.  If you missed it, the audiobook is only 4 discs.  Perfect for a the work commute.