Books › To Catch A Butterfly
To Catch A Butterfly
First published 1985 · 189 pages
A breezy, tension-filled vintage romance where a business arrangement on the Cornish coast inevitably sparks into undeniable passion.
What it feels like
Reading this vintage romance feels like stepping into a nostalgic, sun-drenched time capsule of 1980s romantic drama. The briskly paced narrative thrives on the crackling, defensive banter between a reluctant heroine and an overbearing tycoon, set against the rugged, atmospheric beauty of the Cornish coast. It delivers the exact emotional texture fans of classic category romance crave: a delicious power struggle that slowly melts into genuine vulnerability and sweeping passion. The prose is straightforward and dialogue-heavy, keeping the focus squarely on the escalating romantic tension of the fake-dating trope. It is a perfect, comforting escape for readers who love the melodramatic charm, high stakes, and guaranteed happily-ever-afters of old-school romance novels.
- Mood
- breezy
- coastal
- tension-filled
- nostalgic
- Tone
- earnest
- dramatic
- romantic
- wry
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- fake engagement · power dynamics · enemies to lovers · reluctant attraction · vulnerability
- The writing
- Straightforward and dialogue-driven, leaning into the emotional melodrama and descriptive charm typical of 1980s category romance.
- The arc
- Moves from defensive skepticism and witty banter to a sweeping, undeniable romantic surrender.
- Who it's for
- Readers who crave the nostalgic comfort of vintage romances, complete with alpha tycoons, feisty heroines, and scenic coastal backdrops.
Content notes
- power imbalance
- dated gender dynamics
About the book
Kate had always adored Cornwall, and when the wealthy business tycoon Damian St. Ewan offered her a job there for two months - despite the fact that she didn't like tycoons in general and Damian St. Ewan in particular - she decided the opportunity was too good to miss. She had taken it for granted that the job in question was a secretarial one, so she was astounded when she arrived in Cornwall to learn that Damian had had something quite different in mind. It appeared that he wanted a temporary fiancee, to keep another woman at bay. And something told Kate that she would be playing with fire if she agreed...
Description from Open Library.
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