Heart Throbs: The Best of DC Romance Comics #[nn]

In "Desperate Heart," high school student Kathy takes a bold leap when she stows away on Scott’s boat, driven by a crush that’s long outgrown her years. Though he’s hesitant—she’s still in school and he’s older—Scott can’t deny the spark between them, and in a quiet moment, he admits he’s been feeling it too.

In "No Happy Returns," free-spirited Susan and Phillip navigate the highs and lows of a relationship tested by her spontaneity and his growing frustration. When a moment of carelessness leads to Phillip losing his job, their romance hits a breaking point—but time and true feelings may just bring them back together, not despite her whims, but because of them.

In "One Reckless Moment," impulsive rich girl Alison and penniless merchant seaman Joe find themselves drawn together by a spark neither can ignore—though their vastly different lives keep pulling them apart. As their romance deepens, the weight of their contrasting worlds threatens to undo everything they’ve built.

In "In Favor of Love," a waitress at an exclusive restaurant finds herself drawn to a shabbily dressed man who walks in one evening—only to discover he’s a sailor with a fleeting visit. As their brief days together unfold, she’s left wondering if she’ll ever see him again. Then, just as she begins to make plans with the headwaiter from her restaurant, the sailor returns, asking her the same question.

In "Like Father, Like Daughter," Cindy struggles to keep her father’s condition hidden, a secret that isolates her at school. When she finally opens up to Ted, he promises his parents will accept her—but their quiet disapproval begins to weigh on the fragile bond they’ve built.

In "My Mother, the Mantrap," Sheila finds herself caught between love and family when her mother’s uncanny knack for drawing the attention of every boy Sheila likes threatens her budding romance with Neil. As tensions rise and secrets surface, a surprising revelation from the family doctor forces Sheila to reconsider everything she thought she knew about her mother’s intentions.

In "A Love Like Ours," shy office worker Dee finds herself caught between fantasy and reality when a casual mention of a nonexistent date with a man named Spencer spirals into a full-blown daydream romance. As her coworkers grow increasingly invested in her imaginary beau, Dee must finally face the pressure to bring her fantasy to life at the office party—where the line between imagination and truth begins to blur.

In "No Cure for Love," newly minted Registered Nurse Mary Robin finds herself drawn to the quiet intensity of Dr. Ames during a difficult shift at County General Hospital. As their shared grief over a patient’s death deepens into something more personal, Mary begins to believe their connection might be mutual—only to confront the painful truth that her feelings may be her own, not returned.

In "Someone to Remember," Ted finds himself caught between fleeting infatuation and something deeper when his summer romance with Judy begins to waver as the school year starts. As he drifts toward other girls, including Judy’s roommate, he starts to wonder if he’s lost what truly matters—until a quiet moment forces him to confront what he’s been overlooking all along.