Thrilling Romances #20

Kitty Andrews runs the summer social scene at Hilltop Haven with a clever scheme: she plays matchmaker, pairing up vacationing guests to ensure everyone has a romantic time. When her boss pressures her to make sure Janice Brent—a wealthy, glamorous newspaper publisher's daughter—has an unforgettable stay, Kitty seizes the moment to introduce her to Rich Hadley, a charming newcomer who seems perfect for the job. But as Kitty watches her plan unfold with ease, she discovers that some matches are harder to make when your own heart's already in the game.

A young woman tests her boyfriend Tom's devotion by making unreasonable demands, but their relationship reveals a hard truth about the difference between love and control. Through contrasting couples, "Back-Seat Driver" explores how nagging and manipulation—whether before or after marriage—expose the absence of genuine affection and mutual respect. True love, the story suggests, flows from selflessness, not from wearing down your partner until he bends to your will.

Marcia Malone's curiosity gets the better of her when she catches a glimpse of the new arrivals at the old Barnes mansion—and when she literally collides with Ron Watson, the handsome son of the family opening a cannery in town, she feels an instant spark. As their romance blossoms, Marcia dreads the moment Ron meets her modest, working-class family, fearing he'll judge them against his own refined background. When Sunday dinner finally arrives, Marcia discovers that accepting those you love—flaws and all—might matter more than impressing anyone.

When Mary Lee's lighthearted charm and playful laughter fail to mask her genuine feelings for Chris, she discovers that keeping love hidden behind a facade of bubbling gaiety might cost her everything. As the night around them turns heavy with unspoken tension, Mary Lee realizes that her fear of being serious has pushed Chris away—and that sometimes the most important thing you can do is let the person you love actually see your heart.

A young woman working in the complaint department of a department store notices a handsome blond stranger lingering nearby day after day, but their paths keep missing—until she discovers he's actually the store detective working undercover. When he finally introduces himself and admits his "complaint" is eating lunch alone, the two realize their chance encounter might be the start of something real, and her cynical view of love suddenly shifts.

Toni's reputation as a hot-tempered girl has followed her from kindergarten through high school, leaving a trail of frustrated classmates and failed friendships in her wake. When a sports coach finally confronts her about how her outbursts affect those around her, Toni gets a chance to see herself through others' eyes and consider whether change is possible.

Ellen's lifelong strategy of playing the helpless damsel worked perfectly—until she met Paul Stacy, a man who refuses to coddle her and expects her to grow up. When a capable coworker named Joan arrives at the bank where Paul works, Ellen's jealousy drives her to double down on the very helplessness that's pushing him away, leading to a devastating confrontation that tears them apart. Now, facing the consequences of her own deception, Ellen must confront what she's really lost.

A young woman named Lynn wrestles with her true feelings when a persistent suitor named Jerry repeatedly proposes marriage—she cares for him, but isn't certain her affection runs as deep as love. As Jerry grows frustrated with her indecision and threatens to step away, Lynn must confront what her heart is really telling her. A tender look at the gap between liking someone and being ready to commit.