Despite only being released on December 1, 1950, it was ranked as the second best-selling novel in the United States for 1950.

[3][4][5] It also topped the New York Times Best Seller list for eight weeks in 1951.

Kirkus Reviews described it as a "meticulously caparisoned romantic novel.

"[6] William Darby's 1987 review of the popular literature of the 1950s describes the novel as "a characteristic woman's novel", which "unfolds at an excruciating pace.

"[7] The novel was also serialized in Good Housekeeping magazine in November and December 1950.