Books › Once and Forever
Once and Forever
First published 1992 · 192 pages
A breezy, nostalgic 90s romance where professional rivalry and mistaken identity blossom into earnest love.
What it feels like
A warm, nostalgic dive into early nineties contemporary romance, this book wraps the reader in a breezy, low-angst atmosphere of workplace rivalry and mistaken identity. The narrative moves at a steady, comforting pace, driven by snappy dialogue and the earnest tension between two dedicated journalists on opposite sides of a corporate buyout. It feels like a cozy Sunday afternoon read, balancing lighthearted romantic confusion with genuine questions about trust and professional integrity. The prose is straightforward and accessible, focusing heavily on the characters' internal emotional tug-of-war rather than flowery descriptions. It is a perfect fit for readers who delight in old-school category romances, where sweet, slow-building affection ultimately triumphs over professional misunderstandings and corporate ambition.
- Mood
- warm
- breezy
- nostalgic
- cozy
- Tone
- earnest
- romantic
- lighthearted
- dramatic
- Pace
- steady
- Themes
- workplace rivalry · mistaken identity · trust and betrayal · corporate vs independent · professional integrity
- The writing
- Straightforward, accessible, and dialogue-driven, focusing on character interaction over elaborate description.
- The arc
- From initial confusion and professional defensiveness to warm romantic connection, culminating in a test of trust before a reassuring happily-ever-after.
- Who it's for
- Readers who love classic, low-angst 90s category romances featuring rival professionals and sweet, slow-building affection.
Content notes
- class deception
- corporate takeover
About the book
As editor of Tampa's Weekly Courier, Tori Maynard has a hawk's eye for detail. So why didn't she recognize Chase Benton at the Gasparilla Day Parade? Was it his tattered coat? His looking for work sign? Was it her shock at the thief who stole her camera bag and wallet? Or were Chase's warm, brown eyes the cause of her confusion? As she gazed into them that day, she had almost forgotten to ask for an interview, When the next issue of the Gulf Coast Sentinel appears, Tori realizes her mistake. That was no homeless man that she had offered five dollars for food at the parade, it was the managing editor of Tampa's largest newspaper! Chase's in-depth article on the plight of the homeless explains everything. It explains everything, that is, except why Tori still wants to hear Chase's life story, and why he keeps arranging "interviews." Their story seems wrapped up, until Pops, Tori's mentor and boss, announces that he's selling the Courier. The Sentinel's company wants to buy it. Is Tori Chase's love, or is she merely a lead on how to gain power over the Courier?
Description from Open Library.
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