Liv has fallen in love with her arch rival and nemesis T. C. Thorpe but her past has made her wary of taking a second chance. Local television news reported Olivia Carmichael has a reputation as the Ice Princess. Her regal beauty, charm and grace have endeared her to millions of viewers and at the same time, caught the attention of national news champ T.C. Thorpe. T.C. Thorpe runs the political beat in Washington and try as Liv does, she is unable to beat him to any breaking political news in Washington.
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Liv meets Thorpe at the home of a diplomat who is rumored to be appointed as the Secretary of State soon. The diplomat declines to confirm whether he will be given the post in his interview with Liv. Thorpe, who is a family friend of the diplomat, announces the appointment and scoops Liv's story minutes before she is about to go on air with it. Liv is furious and they both decide to meet for dinner and sort out their problems with each other. Liv does not know that Thorpe has been attracted to her for more than a year and has been waiting for a chance to get to know her better. Liz is hugely attracted to Thorpe but she has made a promise to herself not to get involved with anyone ever.
Liz meets Myra, one of her mother's acquaintances and the wife of a senior judge at a political dinner, and the old lady invites her home. Liv meets one of her college friends Greg at the party and is disturbed by the memories that the meeting awakens.
Liv and Thorpe are again sent to London to cover the funeral of the British Prime Minister. Thorpe is assigned as the US President's press reporter. He suspects that more secret service agents have been assigned to the event due to a security threat. His intuition proves correct when four armed terrorists attack the funeral procession. Thorpe prevents Liv from running forward to cover the event as the attack takes place, fearing for her safety.
Back home, Thorpe cooks her dinner and succeeds in winning over her inhibitions. He tells her that he has fallen in love with her, but she feels scared and says that she cannot take the relationship to the next level. Liv apologizes to him later and the two make up. Soon, Thorpe comes across the photo of a beautiful baby in Liv's desk drawer. Liv tells him that she had been married to her college friend Doug earlier and the photo was of their baby Josh. Doug was not faithful to her but at the same time, had loved their son and had wanted her to stop working to look after him. Josh dies when he falls off a tall swing that Doug bought for him. The distraught parents blame each other for the death. Liv files for divorce after she finds him in bed one day with her sister.
Thorpe understands that she has had a difficult time and agrees to give her time to resolve her feelings. But the very next day, a US Senator is held hostage by a mentally-distraught aide. The attacker asks negotiators to send Thorpe inside in exchange for the Senator. Liv pleads with Thorpe not to go, but he tells her that it is his job to take risks and report the story as it comes. Liv tells him that she loves him more than anything and he has to come back safe.
Best part of story, including ending:
Endings and Beginnings is a typical romance with the heroine hating the hero at the beginning of the story. Thorpe displays all the typical characteristics of the hero of a romance novel and is handsome, cynical and arrogant. It is a good book for a light afternoon reading.
Best scene in story:
Thorpe cooks Liv dinner and invites her home. Liv depends mainly on instant meals and takeout boxes for her meals and is overwhelmed to find a man who actually cooks food and enjoys it. Thorpe is amused and touched by her reaction to his food and seduces her with his thoughtfully-prepared dessert!
Opinion about the main character:
Liv's character was realistically etched. She is a modern ambitious woman who wants both home and career. She is great at her job but that does not make her oblivious to others' feelings.
