This was a great Danielle Steel book! Simple storyline without a lot of unneeded fluff, and wonderful characters. Spender is a fighter of a woman who knows what she wants and isn't afraid of putting in some hard work to get there. Mike was a bit off-putting and arrogant in the beginning, but quickly redeemed himself and became quite likable. I thought this was a great example of what Danielle Steel does best; her seasoned readers should love this, and if this is a first read for someone, it will keep them coming back for more of her stories.

I tried really hard to get through this because I NEVER DNF, like ever. Usually I push through because I feel like each book deserves a full and complete chance. This one was extremely difficult though. I found Spencer extremely insufferable. The whole premise of punishing driven people with a miserable existence and problem riddled personal lives was extremely off putting. I hate that I disliked this so much and I did finish it but I wish I had tossed in the towel. 1/5 stars

Spencer Brooke runs the family business in NYC - an upscale clothing store that is located in an unsavory section of the city. The business is facing an uncertain future and Spencer is hard pressed to find a workable solution until she meets Mike West - a wealthy
and very handsome businessman who is interested in investing in Spencer's store.
The story moves on from there with Steel's usual array of wealthy characters, family drama and personal relationships that offer some moments of relief and peace in otherwise complicated and trying lives.
Easy reading and the calm after a storm of thrillers and "who-done-its".

One of the concepts I liked about this book was the small store that catered to the customer and where the staff was dressed up. One doesn’t encounter that kind of customer service anymore in the Mecca of online commerce.
Steel does tend to repeat he same stuff when introducing her characters, but I look past that.
She provides comfort reading that I can rely upon and know there will be a happy ending.

Worthy Opponents
by Danielle Steel
16207675
Leslie Beebe's review Mar 18, 2023 · edit
really liked it

Worthy Opponents by Danielle Steel was a good story about the trials & tribulations that the main character,Spencer! went through after inheriting her grandfather’s Clothing boutique. I enjoyed the characters & the story held my interest till the end

Danielle concentrates on the two lead characters with a number of side cast members and while the plot is fast paced and quick, it’s more of an engaging storyline. The rest of the book was interesting, if a bit unbelievable. A diamond in the rough, it was located in downtown Manhattan and established in the 1920’s by her grandparents. Spencer is trying to keep her dream alive, and Mike wants to take her dream and own it himself. Spencer's dream is an elite store that was founded by her Grandfather. Mike wants to take that dream and make it something it was never meant to be. A passionate and caring story about a strong independent woman trying to hold on to her legacy and a handsome older man who is trying to take it away but when they meet, they click and sparks ignite.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity.

This is a Women's Fiction. I did feel that this book was slow to really get started, but I really got pulled into the story once it got going. I really did fall in love with the characters in this book. The last part of this book just touched my heart so much, and I really love that about Danielle Steel books. I also love throughout this book shows how the world looks down on Mothers that work. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Delacorte Press) or author (Danielle Steel) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

Worthy Opponents by Danielle Steel is a story told mostly in the third person, as are many of Steel’s books. It circles around Spencer Brooke and Mike Weston, who in the beginning were totally unrelated but as the book wore on they circled closer and closer to one another. Spencer was a department store owner. It was a specialty store, often carrying only one of an item, and always had topnotch merchandise. They had been in business for nearly 75 years and she learned at her grandfather’s knee. He father had never really loved the store and had been an accountant. When her grandfather died at 92, he inherited it and did his best to run it into the ground for the four years before he died. Then it was Spencer’s turn and she used everything she had learned to make it shine. It cost her her marriage, but she was left with twin boys who were the lights of her life. Then she had a bad year. First, a fire, then she had no more than gotten that mess refurbished than a gang war took place in front of the store, broke through the windows, and killed one another. She didn’t know if she could afford to go on. Mike was the opposite; he never let emotion cloud his thinking, was in it to make money. He had met Spencer several times and was taken by her. Meanwhile, his family was falling apart, or so he thought.

Steel writes a good character, of that there is no question. She also writes a goods storyline. Her books are always enjoyable, romantic, and full of feels. This is not different. Spencer’s despair radiates through Steel’s words. She is the one to let down her grandfather and she can’t bear it. She wanted the store for her sons. Mike is an excellent character, as well, finding his children after years of not being part of their lives. It was an excellent feel-good story. One can always count on Danielle Steel to deliver.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Worthy Opponents by Random House-Ballantine, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #RandomHouseBallantine #DanielleSteel #WorthyOpponents

I loved reading this book. This is an author that I never hesitate to pick up. I enjoy her writing style as well as her attention to details that make her books realistic. This is a well developed story where the characters pull you into the story from the start. This is a fast paced, engaging story that is hard to put down. A story about what happens when you are backed in a corner and back luck strikes, what do you do. I enjoyed the characters as they are strong and supportive of each other. They are relateable and add so much to the story. There is great growth with the plot and the characters. This is an easy, entertaining story that has twists and turns that you don't want to miss. I highly recommend this book and this author.

Loved this book.

Spencer Brooke, is the granddaughter of Thorton Brooke, the founder of Brooke's a luxurious and elite department store. When her Grandfather died her father, who hated everything the store represented almost ruined it the 4 years he was CEO. When Spencer took over as CEO when she was just 30 years old, she was a newlywed who just gave birth to twins. Her husband demanded that she sell the store and stay home to raise their kids. She refused. His jealousy of her success killed their short marriage.

Seven years later, the area has changed for the worse. Between the homeless camping out in front of the store to a fire in the store. Spencer gets approached by an wealthy investor who wants to take control of her family's legacy.

Mike Weston is known as having the Midas touch in business. His home life is another thing. He's been off building a fortune for a family who has grown up without him. His wife resents him and is filled with nothing but bitterness towards him. His daughter, Jenny, is at Stanford and their son, Zack, is backpacking around Europe for a year.

When he meets Spencer at her store, he thinks that she's a manager. Being in the store makes him want Brooke's even more, but the CEO turns him down before they even meet.

When Spencer finally gives in and takes a terrible offer given by Mike, losing total control after a year, she evades his contract to work with him. She'll give him her beloved store, but she refuses to be bought alongside with it.

Will they both be able to come out of this deal unscathed?

A must read!!

Worthy Opponents is Danielle Steel's latest. It's the story of Spencer who inherits her family's boutique department store and the personal and professional challenges she faces along the way. Like most Steel novels it's set in an upscale world and moves along driven by the plot and by likable characters. For me Steel's novels are a quick read that are typically a pleasant way to pass an afternoon and for Steel fans they will likely enjoy Worthy Opponents.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

It's fitting that I finished this book on the eve of international women's day. Daniel Steele is a powerhouse in her field. I have loved many of her books, I've enjoyed most of them, a few…meh. I enjoyed this book very much! With a strong female leading character Leading a small but interesting cast of characters this book tells the story of two hard-working main characters who have both led privileged lives and yet have had their share of adversity. Both Spencer and Mike have big hearts, big dreams, and big goals. Yes. Really? Enjoyed these side story line about the homeless population and how Spencer stepped in to help out. Steel's books are often a peek into privilege and wealth, and difficult to imagine for most of the general population but she frequently includes a very realistic and timely issue and in this book it is the issue of homelessness. And engaging story with likable characters 👍

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC.

It was a slow go of a book until it got past the nitty gritty of their current relationships. When realizations that they can do better and actually enjoy the person they are with then it started to get better. Especially when they were finding things out about themselves.

Spencer finally gets to take over Brooke's which has been in the family a long time. She learned her love of the store and fashion from her grandfather. She needs to get the store in better working order than her father left it. And that takes a lot of effort on her end and obstacles that keep coming in her path. Will she succeed? Will she have to succumb to asking for help?

Mike is an investor who usually only deals with the bigger corporate accounts and doesn't have any smaller ones. He's been in a marriage that isn't based on anything and they sleep in seperate rooms. And then it dawns on him ... I don't have to go through life like this and just be like this and can enjoy life. And be with someone that wants to be with me and enjoys me. He just had to tell his kids that him and their mom are no longer together but in person. He however got a call that no parent wants that his son had an accident and a bus hit him. But what happens??

A gala and a disaster pull them closer... but read to find out the whole story and how they find eachother.

Another win for Danielle Steel! A great book about business and love and friendship. Can’t wait to read her next novel.

As usual a great Danielle Steel novel! I do love novels/stories with strong female characters and man is Spencer one of them! She knows what she wants and she knows how to take care of herself. When things start going wrong with her store she knows she needs help but doesn’t want to give up anything. Enter Mike Weston who knows what he wants and doesn’t want to give up anything either. When you learn to compromise things can turn out better for everyone involved. Great story!!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher

Brooke's is a long time department store in New York. Thornton Brooke first ran the store and it was such a success. His granddaughter, Spencer, loved it and wanted to always be a part of it. When Thornton died, his son, took over but didn’t have the passion for the store that his father had and ended up making some financial mistakes. When he passed away, Spencer took over and in a few years brought the store back to its glory days.

Spencer was married but her husband wanted her to quit her job at Brooke's and stay at home with their twin sons. She refused saying she could do both jobs. Finally, their marriage broke down and they divorced. With a wonderful nanny, Spencer has been able to be a successful CEO and a loving mother.

Mike Weston is wealthy and ambitious always looking for investments. His wife, Maureen, feels he was not home enough for their children and now their marriage they have finally agreed to divorce. Their children, Jennifer, 19, and Zach, 18, are loving and care for their father. When Mike hears about Brooke's, he is interested in investing in the store, but Spencer is adamantly against any investors as she wants the store to belong to only her. But when some devastating things happen to the store, Spencer realizes she has to do something to keep it. Will she accept Mike’s investment?

Danielle Steel never fails to write a magnificent story with strong characters and an intriguing plot. Loved this book. Don’t miss it!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Worthy Opponents is yet another amazing Danielle Steel novel . Spencer is a successful store owner who prides herself in following her grandfather’s values and knowledge about how a business should be . Mike is a successful businessman that would love to learn more about Spencer’s store as he hears only good things about it.
This story draws us into the struggles of family values and learning when to stick to your guns and when it’s time to make much needed changes in business and life.
Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for a copy for my honest opinion.

WORTHY OPPONENTS
Danielle Steel, Author
Michael Braun, Narrator
Women’s Fiction
Releases: 03/07/23

This book is centered in a high end department store and the woman who runs it. While the store is still profitable, she needs an influx of cash to make badly need updates. But just who can she trust to help but not take over the store?

This was an excellent book. I am a hardcore Danielle Steel fan and although this is not as spicy as some of her books there is still a dash of romance in there. I also liked how she addresses some hard issues, including homelessness and gang activity. I would give this book a solid 5 out of 5 stars.

I am always amazed at the abundance of different stories Danielle Steel writes. Her historical fiction books are my favorite. That being said, this book was like coming home and reading a really comfortable book. I didn't love it, but loved the characters and cared what happened to them. Not as much romance in this story, but one of family, tradition, dedication and lots of hard work. As always, I am so happy to be able to read a book by Danielle Steel!

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would considering her last few books I read. This one held my attention and even though I knew the ending, I wanted to keep reading. I would definitely recommend this book.