Each week, I’ll be writing a review for an oldie but goodie that I’ve read through again to see if these books are holding up for me. I’m a different person than I was when I read these books, older and wiser (at least I hope) so I’m curious to see if books that I used to love can stand the test of time.
Double Standards by Judith McNaught
Published by Simon & Schuster, Pocket Books on January 15, 1991
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Point of View:Alternating Third Person
Pages: 310
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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In the exclusive, glittering world of business superstars, Nick Sinclair was a legend...
The ruggedly handsome president of Global Industries handled his business the way he handled his women -- with charm, daring and ruthless self-control. A man used to the very best, Nick hired Lauren Danner, and assumed the proud beauty would soon be another easy conquest. But Lauren's flashing wit and rare spirit dazzled him -- and slowly, against his will, he was intrigued, challenged -- and in love.
Yet Lauren was living a lie, a charade that became more dangerous with every passing moment. Trapped in a web of deceit, she fought her growing love for Nick. Her secret could destroy his fragile trust -- and the promise of life with the most compelling man she had ever met!
It has been ages since I read this book and I was so confident that I would love this book forever and I’m surprised that after this quick re-read, I still do, in fact, love this book. Sure, I can see why others wouldn’t be as impressed with Nick Sinclair and this story but for me? I am still a fan of Nick and this book. My heart still went weak wherever he was concerned. Sure, he was a playboy and was a dick throughout some of this book and even his courtship of Lauren but man, I just knew he loved Lauren and his flirty attitude and overall confidence completely worked on me.
Nick Sinclair is at the top of his game, is one of the most wildly successful businessmen and Philip Whitworth is tired of losing to him. So after Philip loses yet another big money contract to Nick’s company, he hires Lauren Danner to spy on Nick and Lauren, who is under the impression that she’s doing a good thing accepts the job. She’ll find out who is spying for Nick and the money she is paid will go a long way in helping with her father’s medical bills. The set up for this story is pretty basic and low key unoriginal but it wasn’t the story that I was invested in. I was invested in Nick Sinclair’s character growth and the romance between him and Lauren. I’m also a fan of office romances and this was one of them.
One of the things that I remembered most about Lauren was how naive she was and how inexperienced she was and that didn’t change with this reading. I remembered being frustrated with her character and how little she understood about sex and life but this time around, I appreciated her moral compass and how brave she was when the shit hit the fan. Gosh, that scene when Nick finds out who she really is and what she was sent over to do and his love for her is sorely tested still gets to me to this day. My heart was beating fast and I was furious with Nick, furious with Lauren and just so damn happy when they finally get their shit together and make things right.
Nick wasn’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination but his feelings for Lauren were real and they were big and they completely melted me.
This book wasn’t easy to read and Judith McNaught writes those extra dramatic old school romances that hit me in my feels every time. I’m super happy that I read this book again and remembered my love for Nick Sinclair. It’s still going strong. Gah, such a great story.
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Final Grade
4 out of 5