The reading room
Thrilling Romances #20
This anthology issue contains three romantic stories. "Back-Seat Driver" follows Tom and Lin, a couple whose relationship is tested when Lin objects to Tom's reckless driving and his refusal to change his ways, leading her to break their engagement. "Butterfly Heart" centers on Mary Lee Lyons, who fears losing her boyfriend Chris Fellon and hesitates to commit, only to have him leave her when she won't reciprocate his emotional openness, though the story suggests she eventually learns to embrace love. "I Cheated at Love" depicts Ellen and Paul's troubled engagement, which nearly ends after a heated argument about Ellen's unwillingness to support Paul's ambitions, but they reconcile when Paul promises to paint her car and Ellen agrees to learn to drive it.