First Sight
A Novel
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- $6.99
Publisher Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
Paris, L.A., and the world of ready to wear fashion provide rich backdrops for Danielle Steel’s deeply involving story of a gifted designer whose talent and drive have brought her everything—except the ability to erase her past and trust relationships.
FIRST SIGHT
New York. London. Milan. Paris. Fashion Week in all four cities. A month of endless interviews, parties, and unflagging work and attention to detail at the semiannual ready to wear fashion shows—the famous prêt-à-porter. At the center of the storm and avalanche of work is American Timmie O’Neill, whose renowned line, Timmie O, is the embodiment of casual chic, in fashion and for the home. She has created a business that inspires, fills, and consumes her life.
With an unerring instinct for what the next trend will be, an innate genius for business, tireless labor, and sheer fearlessness, starting from nothing, over two decades Timmie has built an international empire that has brought her enormous satisfaction and success. In a world where humility and compassion are all too rare, her humor, kindness, integrity, and creativity are inspirational. Yet as blessed as she feels by her success, Timmie harbors the private wounds of a devastating childhood and past tragedy. She is too smart, too experienced, and too hurt to want much in her personal life beyond a succession of convenient, very limited relationships. Always willing to take risks in business, she never risks her heart.
But despite her well-ordered and highly controlled world, it turns out that Timmie O’Neill is not immune to magic when it strikes. And it strikes in Paris during Paris Fashion Week, when an intriguing Frenchman comes into her life when she gets sick. At first, Timmie and Jean-Charles Vernier are only patient and physician. They become confidants and friends, corresponding at a safe distance between Paris and Los Angeles once she goes home. There is every reason why they must remain apart. But neither can deny their growing friendship and the electricity that sparks whenever they meet.
First Sight is as complex and compelling as modern life itself. Careers, families, histories, losses, duty, obligation, and fear of losing control and getting hurt. It is a tale of daring to take risks, and losing control just enough to have a life, when the opportunity presents itself. When two very different worlds and strong-willed people collide, everything changes in an instant, as they confront the age-old question of whether to lay oneself bare and risk intimacy—or not. Are they brave enough to face what comes next? And will they do it together or apart?
BONUS: This edition includes an excerpt from Danielle Steel's A Perfect Life.
Praise for First Sight
“A novel about love, in all its heartbreaking and splendid forms.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Steel is one of the world’s most popular authors, and this poignant romance is sure to thrill her many loyal fans and reach many new readers, too.”—Booklist
“Steel deftly stages heartstring-tugging moments.”—Publishers Weekly
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The latest from the prolific grand dame of the beach read concerns iconic designer Timmie O'Neill. Despite her looks, talent, and good soul, Timmie has had it hard. From an early age she grew up in an orphanage; as an adult she was left by her husband after their four-year-old son died. Career obsessed, Timmie, nearing 50, laments never finding a worthy romantic partner. Steel's repetitive style hammers home the monotony of Timmie devoting her life to her job and trying to find comfort in the hit-or-miss company of model-actor Zack. While working in Paris, Timmie meets and bonds with a married, silver-fox doctor named Jean-Charles. Though he doesn't seem particularly happy in his marriage, Timmie isn't sure how to read Jean-Charles, and complications prevent him from leaving his wife. In between recurring passages recounting Timmie's life and feelings, Steel tosses a couple of curve balls connected to the designer's past that surprisingly don't feel out-of-place. A denouement that had been hinted at throughout the book gives the closing pages some much-needed suspense. Despite the tedium, Steel deftly stages heartstring tugging moments and heated falling outs, the stuff that guilty pleasures are made of.
Customer Reviews
Wanted more
It was a great story. Very much related to a friend of mine who I admire. But I do agree, I needed one more chapter. The ending was somewhat disappointing.
First sight
Miss Steele you certainly know how to make an interesting, no captivating tale! Thank you.
First sight
It is the best book ever. I love guy because he so hotter