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The Volakis Vow #1
The Marriage Betrayal
Careless passion, pregnancy surprise... Sander Volakis goes his own way. He’s forged his reputation in business, rather than relying on the family fortune, and indulges his darkly passionate, wild streak – he has no intention of marrying... He doesn't do country weekends, either. Pitching up at Westgrave Manor is a favour to his father and a bore...until he sees Tally Spencer, so pretty and voluptuous that he can’t resist her. Sander’s looking forward to casually seducing her...little knowing that one night with the innocent Tally could end his playboy existence...
192 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2011
96 people are currently reading
459 people want to read
About the author
Lynne Graham
1,778 books1,450 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Lynne Graham was born on July 30, 1956 of Irish-Scottish parentage. She has livedin Northern Ireland all her life. She grew up in a seaside village with herbrother. She learnt to read at the age of 3, and haven't stopped since then.
Lynne first met her husband when she was 14. At 15, she wrote her firstbook, but it was rejected everywhere. Lynne married after she completed adegree at Edinburgh University. She started writing again when she was athome with her first child. It took several attempts before she sold herfirst book in 1987 and the delight of seeing that first book for sale in thelocal newsagents has never been forgotten. Now, there are over 10 million ofher books in print worldwide.
Lynne always wanted a large family and has five children. Her eldest and heronly natural child is 19 and currently at university. Her other fourchildren, who are every bit as dear to her heart, are adopted. She has two9-year-olds adopted from Sri Lanka and a 5- and a 3-year-old adopted fromGuatemala. In Lynne's home, there is a rich and diverse cultural mix, whichadds a whole extra dimension of interest and discovery to family life. Thefamily lives in a country house surrounded by a woodland garden, which iswonderfully private. The family has two pets. Thomas, a very large andaffectionate black cat, bosses the dog and hunts rabbits. The dog is Daisy,an adorable but not very bright white West Highland terrier, who loves beingchased by the cat. At night, dog and cat sleep together in front of thekitchen stove. Lynne loves gardening, cooking, collects everything from oldtoys to rock specimens and is crazy about every aspect of Christmas.
Lynne Graham was born on July 30, 1956 of Irish-Scottish parentage. She has livedin Northern Ireland all her life. She grew up in a seaside village with herbrother. She learnt to read at the age of 3, and haven't stopped since then.
Lynne first met her husband when she was 14. At 15, she wrote her firstbook, but it was rejected everywhere. Lynne married after she completed adegree at Edinburgh University. She started writing again when she was athome with her first child. It took several attempts before she sold herfirst book in 1987 and the delight of seeing that first book for sale in thelocal newsagents has never been forgotten. Now, there are over 10 million ofher books in print worldwide.
Lynne always wanted a large family and has five children. Her eldest and heronly natural child is 19 and currently at university. Her other fourchildren, who are every bit as dear to her heart, are adopted. She has two9-year-olds adopted from Sri Lanka and a 5- and a 3-year-old adopted fromGuatemala. In Lynne's home, there is a rich and diverse cultural mix, whichadds a whole extra dimension of interest and discovery to family life. Thefamily lives in a country house surrounded by a woodland garden, which iswonderfully private. The family has two pets. Thomas, a very large andaffectionate black cat, bosses the dog and hunts rabbits. The dog is Daisy,an adorable but not very bright white West Highland terrier, who loves beingchased by the cat. At night, dog and cat sleep together in front of thekitchen stove. Lynne loves gardening, cooking, collects everything from oldtoys to rock specimens and is crazy about every aspect of Christmas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
July 28, 2017
This is the book the hero should have died in. Heroine is an idiot.
November 27, 2016
Everyone knows I'm a heroine hater but this book omg I hated this hero so much! He was cold, hard, unfeeling and he didn't deserve this sweet heroine!
March 20, 2018
I missed all the fun when this came out. Well, then.
This is a typical LG - painfully stupid virgin heroine decides to alter her good girl lifestyle and sleep with well-known womanizer hero.
Hero is angry she's a virgin.
But he gets over it a week later and sends her flowers. They date.
Heroine falls pregnant. Hero is angry she trapped him.
Yes, happy for now because there is a second story in this saga of two very shallow, immature characters.
I think that was my biggest problem with this story. LG has lots of space to develop their characters, but the heroine was just a whiner and the hero was a humorless jerk. They totally deserved their arid marriage to each other. There is no humor or whimsy or cute animals to soften this hero. The heroine has no redeeming features except her incredible doormat abilities. And yes, we know, no one every really loved, you heroine. *sigh*
I just couldn't work up the empathy to feel bad for the heroine in this one - or in the next one really. I guess that's why the hero's subsequent cheating didn't affect me too much as a reader. It was like watching an episode of Jerry Springer - everyone on stage is awful and it's kind of funny when the guy gets hit by his bouquet of flowers.
Drama for drama's sake.
This is a typical LG - painfully stupid virgin heroine decides to alter her good girl lifestyle and sleep with well-known womanizer hero.
Hero is angry she's a virgin.
But he gets over it a week later and sends her flowers. They date.
Heroine falls pregnant. Hero is angry she trapped him.
Yes, happy for now because there is a second story in this saga of two very shallow, immature characters.
I think that was my biggest problem with this story. LG has lots of space to develop their characters, but the heroine was just a whiner and the hero was a humorless jerk. They totally deserved their arid marriage to each other. There is no humor or whimsy or cute animals to soften this hero. The heroine has no redeeming features except her incredible doormat abilities. And yes, we know, no one every really loved, you heroine. *sigh*
I just couldn't work up the empathy to feel bad for the heroine in this one - or in the next one really. I guess that's why the hero's subsequent cheating didn't affect me too much as a reader. It was like watching an episode of Jerry Springer - everyone on stage is awful and it's kind of funny when the guy gets hit by his bouquet of flowers.
Drama for drama's sake.
August 9, 2020
Better than its sequel. I liked how Tally stood her ground with Sander. Sander was a very playboyish playboy at the start, but I warmed up to him. The ending closed on an optimistic note that gave me the warm fuzzies.
I wished the author had left it at that because book #2 destroyed all the progress made in this book. They were so happy at the end. Why ruin the fantasy?! Sure, Sander hadn't told Tally he loved her yet, but that seemed to be just a ploy to force readers to read the second book.
I wished the author had left it at that because book #2 destroyed all the progress made in this book. They were so happy at the end. Why ruin the fantasy?! Sure, Sander hadn't told Tally he loved her yet, but that seemed to be just a ploy to force readers to read the second book.
June 4, 2011
The last time they did this two parter thingy I promised myself I wouldn't read the first book until I had the second one ready to go. But I thought I would read the first few pages - you know - to get a sense of LG's latest. Hah! So much for that trick...she sucked me in.
I found her latest a real departure from her recent offerings and harkened back to her earlier great books. Certainly a wonderful thing, only sad because I can't say I loved it.
I was intrigued by Tally. She's the illegitimate daughter of a Greek tycoon, her mother's former fiancee. He's married with another daughter, doesn't publicly recognize her and has little to do with her other than to financially support her and her mother. For some reason she's in contact with her half-sister and is willing to 'babysit' her, at her father's request, for a weekend party where she meets Sander, the hero.
Tally is assertive, tell-it-as-it-is, and no pushover, but her judgement is skewed. Portrayed as intelligent, she makes poor choices. First getting involved with Sander. He so not hero material. He makes out with his old love in front of Tally and is cold enough to payoff, dismiss her and the baby when their birth control fails. (I could go on about that too) Shades of her father. The only reason they marry is because her father out of the blue blackmails Sander. What?! There are so many disconnects in this book. Perhaps explanations follow in part two?
I was looking for the love folks and it was thin on the ground. Lots of lusting and pragmatic discourse here.
The title of 'the marriage betrayal' portends the future. You just know what's in the offing. I'm willing to bet there will be a secret child, a pseudo or actual case of adultery, the ex-girlfriend will have a skizzy role...hmmm... her father will suddenly be papa of the year....
Twenty some days and counting.
FYI-- The pouting breasts are back! Do they annoy you as much as they do me. Maybe it's breast envy! :)>
I found her latest a real departure from her recent offerings and harkened back to her earlier great books. Certainly a wonderful thing, only sad because I can't say I loved it.
I was intrigued by Tally. She's the illegitimate daughter of a Greek tycoon, her mother's former fiancee. He's married with another daughter, doesn't publicly recognize her and has little to do with her other than to financially support her and her mother. For some reason she's in contact with her half-sister and is willing to 'babysit' her, at her father's request, for a weekend party where she meets Sander, the hero.
Tally is assertive, tell-it-as-it-is, and no pushover, but her judgement is skewed. Portrayed as intelligent, she makes poor choices. First getting involved with Sander. He so not hero material. He makes out with his old love in front of Tally and is cold enough to payoff, dismiss her and the baby when their birth control fails. (I could go on about that too) Shades of her father. The only reason they marry is because her father out of the blue blackmails Sander. What?! There are so many disconnects in this book. Perhaps explanations follow in part two?
I was looking for the love folks and it was thin on the ground. Lots of lusting and pragmatic discourse here.
The title of 'the marriage betrayal' portends the future. You just know what's in the offing. I'm willing to bet there will be a secret child, a pseudo or actual case of adultery, the ex-girlfriend will have a skizzy role...hmmm... her father will suddenly be papa of the year....
Twenty some days and counting.
FYI-- The pouting breasts are back! Do they annoy you as much as they do me. Maybe it's breast envy! :)>
June 5, 2011
This is a Quickie Review. For the full review, please visit The Romanceaholic.
Expected Release Date: July 19, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Harlequin Presents
Author’s Website: http://www.lynnegraham.com/
My Source for This Book: Netgalley
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 1, Volakis Vow
Series Best Read In Order: N/A
Steam Level: Hot
Years ago, Tally’s mother tried to trap a tycoon into marriage by intentionally getting pregnant. Unfortunately for her, he didn’t succumb to her machinations, and instead merely provided for Tally, whom he considers to be his dirty little secret. When he asks her for the favor of watching out for her half sister at a house party, she reluctantly goes along, even though the 17-year old resents her presence, and refuses to acknowledge her as family. Instead, Tally is forced to pose as her sister’s “assistant”, and is treated as little better than a servant amongst her sister’s rich friends.
Sander Volakis is an independent man. His older brother was the apple of his parents’ eye, and nothing he could do ever compared to his paragon sibling. When his brother dies, Sander is forced back into the family fold to help with the business that is floundering under his late brother’s control, and when his father insists that he attend a house party thrown by the family of his deceased brother’s fiance, he can do little but simply go along with the plan.
As soon as Tally sees Sander, she’s mesmerized. His physique and presence awaken dormant feelings of desire for the first time in her life, and the fact that he seems taken by her is a huge ego boost as well. Despite the fact that she has never been with a man, she begins to feel a connection to Sander, and gives herself to him in what turns out to be a very dissatisfying and even humiliating experience.
Put off of physical intimacy completely by that horrible experience, she walks away from Sander and never intends to look back. Unfortunately for her, he is intrigued by the woman who refuses to be enraptured by him, and sets out to seduce her. When she bluntly informs him that she expects exclusivity from any man that she has a relationship with, he’s furious because he thinks she’s just like other women who try to pin him down. He quickly realizes though, that if he wants to pursue their attraction, he’ll have to make concessions, and agrees that so long as he’s still interested in her, he will remain exclusive.
Their relationship progresses until one night, Tally catches him kissing and caressing another (more beautiful and sophisticated) woman and walks out on him. Of course, things are never that simple, as she soon discovers that he’s left behind more than just her broken heart — she’s pregnant!
I was a little surprised as to just how much I enjoyed this one. The angst was absolutely delicious and the love scenes were incredibly hot. You could feel the chemistry between the two of them, and their explosive liaisons never disappointed. I really adored how the fact that she was a powerful man’s daughter came into play, and how her having hidden that fact initially made things that much worse in Sander’s eyes.
It is absolutely killing me that this book is actually part of a duet, because it ended on such a happy note that I felt that the story was complete. Instead, the next book (due out in August in the US) opens with Tally and Sander getting a divorce! This knowledge detracted greatly from my satisfaction with the ending, and while I’m sure that Bride For Real will end in a HEA, I’m not sure that I’ll be able to trust it when it comes.
Overall, however, this was a delightful read. Full of melodramatic angst and misunderstandings just like all of my favorite Harlequin Presents novels, I would highly recommend this one for fans of accidental pregnancies, heroes who are blackmailed into marriage, and affairs that end on a sour note yet turn into a sweet love.
4/5 Stars
Expected Release Date: July 19, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Harlequin Presents
Author’s Website: http://www.lynnegraham.com/
My Source for This Book: Netgalley
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 1, Volakis Vow
Series Best Read In Order: N/A
Steam Level: Hot
Years ago, Tally’s mother tried to trap a tycoon into marriage by intentionally getting pregnant. Unfortunately for her, he didn’t succumb to her machinations, and instead merely provided for Tally, whom he considers to be his dirty little secret. When he asks her for the favor of watching out for her half sister at a house party, she reluctantly goes along, even though the 17-year old resents her presence, and refuses to acknowledge her as family. Instead, Tally is forced to pose as her sister’s “assistant”, and is treated as little better than a servant amongst her sister’s rich friends.
Sander Volakis is an independent man. His older brother was the apple of his parents’ eye, and nothing he could do ever compared to his paragon sibling. When his brother dies, Sander is forced back into the family fold to help with the business that is floundering under his late brother’s control, and when his father insists that he attend a house party thrown by the family of his deceased brother’s fiance, he can do little but simply go along with the plan.
As soon as Tally sees Sander, she’s mesmerized. His physique and presence awaken dormant feelings of desire for the first time in her life, and the fact that he seems taken by her is a huge ego boost as well. Despite the fact that she has never been with a man, she begins to feel a connection to Sander, and gives herself to him in what turns out to be a very dissatisfying and even humiliating experience.
Put off of physical intimacy completely by that horrible experience, she walks away from Sander and never intends to look back. Unfortunately for her, he is intrigued by the woman who refuses to be enraptured by him, and sets out to seduce her. When she bluntly informs him that she expects exclusivity from any man that she has a relationship with, he’s furious because he thinks she’s just like other women who try to pin him down. He quickly realizes though, that if he wants to pursue their attraction, he’ll have to make concessions, and agrees that so long as he’s still interested in her, he will remain exclusive.
Their relationship progresses until one night, Tally catches him kissing and caressing another (more beautiful and sophisticated) woman and walks out on him. Of course, things are never that simple, as she soon discovers that he’s left behind more than just her broken heart — she’s pregnant!
I was a little surprised as to just how much I enjoyed this one. The angst was absolutely delicious and the love scenes were incredibly hot. You could feel the chemistry between the two of them, and their explosive liaisons never disappointed. I really adored how the fact that she was a powerful man’s daughter came into play, and how her having hidden that fact initially made things that much worse in Sander’s eyes.
It is absolutely killing me that this book is actually part of a duet, because it ended on such a happy note that I felt that the story was complete. Instead, the next book (due out in August in the US) opens with Tally and Sander getting a divorce! This knowledge detracted greatly from my satisfaction with the ending, and while I’m sure that Bride For Real will end in a HEA, I’m not sure that I’ll be able to trust it when it comes.
Overall, however, this was a delightful read. Full of melodramatic angst and misunderstandings just like all of my favorite Harlequin Presents novels, I would highly recommend this one for fans of accidental pregnancies, heroes who are blackmailed into marriage, and affairs that end on a sour note yet turn into a sweet love.
4/5 Stars
April 26, 2012
I couldn't get into this book from the start. The heroine seemed like a door mat the way she was treated and talked to by her 17 year old sister, and to tell you the truth I couldn't see what the hero saw in her. There was nothing special about her that would make me believe that a guy like that would be into her. Her personality was so bland and uninteresting. If I can't get into the leads after 30% into a book it's no use I continue to try, so goodbye.
October 12, 2011
Meh.
Lynne Graham used to be my all-time favorite Harlequin Presents author. AN ARABIAN COURTSHIP just about fried my brains when I first read it twenty-some years ago.
But this new one was just sort of meh. A girl gets pregnant. Her hunky guy mopes a lot, but marries her. Her parents are no good schemers. She cries. She packs her bags. He stops her at the airport. Everything felt bland and warmed-over.
Where was all the luxury? Where were the exotic locations? Where were the sizzling love scenes?
Meh.
Lynne Graham used to be my all-time favorite Harlequin Presents author. AN ARABIAN COURTSHIP just about fried my brains when I first read it twenty-some years ago.
But this new one was just sort of meh. A girl gets pregnant. Her hunky guy mopes a lot, but marries her. Her parents are no good schemers. She cries. She packs her bags. He stops her at the airport. Everything felt bland and warmed-over.
Where was all the luxury? Where were the exotic locations? Where were the sizzling love scenes?
Meh.
March 5, 2025
The Art of Predictable Romance: A Review of a 48-Hour Love Story
Ever picked up a romance novel after a long break and immediately remembered why you took that break in the first place? That's exactly what happened to me with this one.
Picture this: our heroine is Tally, your classic "strong independent woman" who's supposedly built walls higher than a medieval castle, thanks to her troubled past. Enter Sander, a trust-fund playboy who's probably never heard the word "no" in his life. He spots Tally across a crowded room and - cue the eye roll - decides she's his next conquest. Oh, and did I mention he's trying to dodge his dead brother's ex-fiancée? Because apparently that's a thing.
The story moves at warp speed - we're talking zero to "true love" in 48 hours flat. Tally's carefully constructed defenses might as well be made of cotton candy for all the good they do her. She melts faster than ice cream in August, all while maintaining this mysterious "secret identity" that adds about as much intrigue as a knock-knock joke.
Fast forward through some predictable plot twists, and surprise! There's a baby on the way. Cue the tired "you trapped me" accusations and a half-baked blackmail subplot that feels about as threatening as a puppy in a tutu. The love scenes? Let's just say I found myself more interested in my phone's weather app.
Our leads don't help matters much. Tally talks a big game about independence but folds faster than a cheap lawn chair, while Sander's playboy routine is less "Christian Grey" and more "trying too hard at a college party." At 192 pages, it's mercifully short, though it turns out this is just part one of two. And despite everything I just said, I'm going to read the sequel. Why? Because sometimes my curiosity overrides my common sense, and I'm hoping against hope that the author pulls off a miracle in round two.
The bones of a good story are buried somewhere in here - they're just trapped under a mountain of rushed romance clichés and missed opportunities.
Ever picked up a romance novel after a long break and immediately remembered why you took that break in the first place? That's exactly what happened to me with this one.
Picture this: our heroine is Tally, your classic "strong independent woman" who's supposedly built walls higher than a medieval castle, thanks to her troubled past. Enter Sander, a trust-fund playboy who's probably never heard the word "no" in his life. He spots Tally across a crowded room and - cue the eye roll - decides she's his next conquest. Oh, and did I mention he's trying to dodge his dead brother's ex-fiancée? Because apparently that's a thing.
The story moves at warp speed - we're talking zero to "true love" in 48 hours flat. Tally's carefully constructed defenses might as well be made of cotton candy for all the good they do her. She melts faster than ice cream in August, all while maintaining this mysterious "secret identity" that adds about as much intrigue as a knock-knock joke.
Fast forward through some predictable plot twists, and surprise! There's a baby on the way. Cue the tired "you trapped me" accusations and a half-baked blackmail subplot that feels about as threatening as a puppy in a tutu. The love scenes? Let's just say I found myself more interested in my phone's weather app.
Our leads don't help matters much. Tally talks a big game about independence but folds faster than a cheap lawn chair, while Sander's playboy routine is less "Christian Grey" and more "trying too hard at a college party." At 192 pages, it's mercifully short, though it turns out this is just part one of two. And despite everything I just said, I'm going to read the sequel. Why? Because sometimes my curiosity overrides my common sense, and I'm hoping against hope that the author pulls off a miracle in round two.
The bones of a good story are buried somewhere in here - they're just trapped under a mountain of rushed romance clichés and missed opportunities.
March 6, 2013
Main characters:
Tally Spencer
Sander Volakis
Why I added the book: I don't remember why... I think I was in one of my "Oh, billionaires! Cool." moods.
About the book: The book started well, Tally is a 20 year old college student who comes from a broken family. Her dad kind of orders her to go with her younger half-sister to a house party to keep her out of trouble. There every girl behaves atrociously since he's the "hired help" but she meets the attractive Sander who wants to bed her. They have some mishaps, he goes to fast and she keeps rebuffing him(which was funny). This part was so good that considered giving it 5*, but, evidently, stuff went bad. Sander keeps being an a-hole the whole book and Tally becomes a 80% Mary Sue character. I can't say more about what made me lower the rating so much without spoiling this more, just let me tell you that it's kind of predictable...
All in all I liked the novel, though I was disappointed that it took such a turn. I'll be starting part 2 very soon.
Would I recommend the book: It's ok for a fast read and the writing is pretty good. It has the stereotypical characters from a Harlequin Presents book.
Final rating: 3.5*
Tally Spencer
Sander Volakis
Why I added the book: I don't remember why... I think I was in one of my "Oh, billionaires! Cool." moods.
About the book: The book started well, Tally is a 20 year old college student who comes from a broken family. Her dad kind of orders her to go with her younger half-sister to a house party to keep her out of trouble. There every girl behaves atrociously since he's the "hired help" but she meets the attractive Sander who wants to bed her. They have some mishaps, he goes to fast and she keeps rebuffing him(which was funny). This part was so good that considered giving it 5*, but, evidently, stuff went bad. Sander keeps being an a-hole the whole book and Tally becomes a 80% Mary Sue character. I can't say more about what made me lower the rating so much without spoiling this more, just let me tell you that it's kind of predictable...
All in all I liked the novel, though I was disappointed that it took such a turn. I'll be starting part 2 very soon.
Would I recommend the book: It's ok for a fast read and the writing is pretty good. It has the stereotypical characters from a Harlequin Presents book.
Final rating: 3.5*
September 26, 2021
Why on Earth is the story of these two awful characters carried over 2 books? What a waste of time and energy.
I loathed the hero and the heroine but the heroine was particularly unattractive, self centred and boring. Did LG actually write these two books? I found none of her usual light, humorous, romantic touches here. LG is always an unknown quantity for me - some of her books I have adored. Others have left me cold. This falls into the latter category.
I loathed the hero and the heroine but the heroine was particularly unattractive, self centred and boring. Did LG actually write these two books? I found none of her usual light, humorous, romantic touches here. LG is always an unknown quantity for me - some of her books I have adored. Others have left me cold. This falls into the latter category.
January 1, 2026
Frankly it’s classic Lynne Graham. The hero is beautiful and rich. The heroine is beautiful and not rich. They fall madly in lust.
The hero wants to be footloose and fancy free. He does not want to commit.
His hand is forced by heroine’s father. Heroine finds out when he blows up when drunk.
They’re expecting a baby.
I loved the nostalgia value of it.
There is actually a dialogue where he tells her - I lust for you because I’m not a eunuch .. something like that.
So it’s not exactly politically correct
I liked the heroine a lot.. she’s really sweet. Good. Dutiful.
Read if you like traditional old fashioned romances of the 1990s variety.
This is written before LG started writing clinical cut and dried stencil variety interchangeable love scenes
I wish she would go back to writing this way.
The hero wants to be footloose and fancy free. He does not want to commit.
His hand is forced by heroine’s father. Heroine finds out when he blows up when drunk.
They’re expecting a baby.
I loved the nostalgia value of it.
There is actually a dialogue where he tells her - I lust for you because I’m not a eunuch .. something like that.
So it’s not exactly politically correct
I liked the heroine a lot.. she’s really sweet. Good. Dutiful.
Read if you like traditional old fashioned romances of the 1990s variety.
This is written before LG started writing clinical cut and dried stencil variety interchangeable love scenes
I wish she would go back to writing this way.
August 14, 2013
This is very much a book of two halves and if I judged it by the first half, I would be flouncing the entire book and giving it a 1 star review. Luckily, it does get better. The problem with the first half of this book is that in order to make the heroine, Tally, seem innocent and naive and kind, Graham has populated the novel with a series of vile characters that take advantage of Tally. I know it's supposed to show the difference between the 'good' poor and the 'selfish' rich, but as the hero, Sander, comes amongst the rich, it doesn't really make you think that well of him. The other irritating thing about this first half, is the relationship shown between Tally and her half-sister Cosima. Cosima is a vile, spoilt character, and yet because Tally keeps reflecting that her sister is young and doesn't know better, that excuses her behaviour. It doesn't, and the scene where she drugs Tally so that she can spend uninterrupted time with her boyfriend is just appalling. If it was me, I would be swearing and cursing up a storm as its a massive violation of trust and your person, yet by the next chapter the two women are back to being relatively friendly again. It's a horrible relationship and not one that is excused by any kind of naivety. It made me think a lot worse of Tally that she would work to keep that relationship going, even when forced to play her sister's PA because Cosima refuses to acknowledge that they're related.
Luckily, the last half of the story was much better, developing the romance between Tally and Sander and how they relate to each other. By chance, I'd actually read the second part to this story, Bride for Real, before I read the first, so I knew where the relationship ended up but not where it started so it was nice to see them together, even though some parts were a little sad to read, knowing where they end.
It's unfortunate really that if I'd flounced the book like I wanted to at the start then I wouldn't have gotten to enjoy the second half. And for that reason, I'm giving The Marriage Betrayal 2 stars.
Luckily, the last half of the story was much better, developing the romance between Tally and Sander and how they relate to each other. By chance, I'd actually read the second part to this story, Bride for Real, before I read the first, so I knew where the relationship ended up but not where it started so it was nice to see them together, even though some parts were a little sad to read, knowing where they end.
It's unfortunate really that if I'd flounced the book like I wanted to at the start then I wouldn't have gotten to enjoy the second half. And for that reason, I'm giving The Marriage Betrayal 2 stars.
August 30, 2011
The hero Sander and the heroine Tally meet at a weekend party. Tally is only there in order to keep an eye on her half sister, although she has to pretend to her her sisters assistant. Due to the circumstances of her birth Tally has never been able to acknowledge that she is the illegitimate daughter of a wealthy Greek businessman. Sander is part of a powerful Greek family, as well as being successful in his own right. He enjoys his freedom and doesn't ever plan on settling down despite pressure from his family. He is immediately drawn to Tally and fiercely desires her, he also recognises that Tally doesn't seem to have any ulterior motives that most women in his acquaintance have. But he doesn't expect Tally to be innocent and despite his attempts to stay away they begin an affair, with Tally constantly challenging him and his own surprise at how much he likes being with her. All that comes crashing down when Tally discovers she is pregnant. Sander is furious thinking she has done it deliberately, especially after he finds out the truth of her parentage and her father blackmails him into marrying Tally.
I really enjoyed this book. As expected from Lynne Graham the plot is very intense, deeply involving and fantastically written. The details of the plot are really well thought out and added to the overall 'angst' of the book. The hero and heroine are brilliant; Tally is a wonderful heroine, she is smart, feisty and genuinely nice. Sander is a great alpha-male, although I was surprised that at 25 he is younger than your typical Modern/Presents hero. The chemistry between them is literally scorching.
What I really like about this book is that even though it is part of a duet, this book ends on a [seemingly] HEA. Which I think adds suspense in wondering what will happen in the next book.
This is a intense and passionate, a fantastic Modern.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
I really enjoyed this book. As expected from Lynne Graham the plot is very intense, deeply involving and fantastically written. The details of the plot are really well thought out and added to the overall 'angst' of the book. The hero and heroine are brilliant; Tally is a wonderful heroine, she is smart, feisty and genuinely nice. Sander is a great alpha-male, although I was surprised that at 25 he is younger than your typical Modern/Presents hero. The chemistry between them is literally scorching.
What I really like about this book is that even though it is part of a duet, this book ends on a [seemingly] HEA. Which I think adds suspense in wondering what will happen in the next book.
This is a intense and passionate, a fantastic Modern.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
April 16, 2025
Just ok. Author wraps everything up and ties with a bow, syrupy.
March 28, 2018
Wow this one ended on a cliffy!!
January 4, 2026
Mehh. The h is the family doormat. For her father, her mother and her little sister. Even after her sister has drugged her, she doesn’t get angry.
She uses the birth control pill without ever reading about its use, so she thinks it’s okay to skip a pill and then she is surprised she is pregnant. 🙄
She uses the birth control pill without ever reading about its use, so she thinks it’s okay to skip a pill and then she is surprised she is pregnant. 🙄
June 28, 2015
My favorite romance author always gets it right! Some are better than others, especially her older titles that I tend to read and re read over and over. But it is the familiar fantasy theme that I turn to romance for. Of course the guy is gorgeous, of course he is wealthy, and of course they are desperately in love and end up happy and together in the end. This is an entertaining escape not an educational manual on relationship realities. I love the escape of a good Harlequin Romance, and I know what I am getting when I buy the book. I think Lynne Graham does it better than anyone.
July 28, 2011
Take a strong, independent young woman, throw her into a romance novel, and suddenly she forgets everything. I couldn't help being disappointed.
Disclaimer: A copy of the book was provided by the publisher.
Disclaimer: A copy of the book was provided by the publisher.
May 31, 2012
how could someone become accustomed to marriage. I can accept marriage without love and discovering it as the time proceeds. But sander is trying to get back tally because he was accustomed to her in his life. that sucks.
HAPPY READING:)
HAPPY READING:)
June 5, 2011
Truly loved this book and cannot wait for the sequel - very like Lynne's older style of books which I love. Roll on July for Part 2
September 8, 2012
This novel was quick and I need to be honest in some aspect so pathetic and sad. I didn't like the gaps that we miss. I didn't like how it was written.
February 13, 2019
I almost didn’t read these books because of the bad reviews but this turned out to be one of the best books I’ve ever read! Yes, their relationship was messy but I felt it had a real life edge to it. It doesn’t always have to be so perfect. Both Sander and Tally were flawed characters but the grew and learned from their mistakes.
The character development was on point and the sex scenes were super steamy!
Would definitely HIGHLY recommend!!
The character development was on point and the sex scenes were super steamy!
Would definitely HIGHLY recommend!!
June 23, 2019
If you didn't know that there was a second book you would think the ending was odd. I read the second book not knowing that it was a sequel, so reading this story was strange. Knowing that one particular female ties into the next story put me off a bit. Sister is a bitch, father is an idiot, mother is a fool and his parents well.....................
October 20, 2021
The Marriage Betrayal
This started out with family commitments bringing the H to England. Where he meets and eventually beds the h. She is just the daughter of a wealthy person. But not born on the right side of the blanket. When her father finds out that she is pregnant he blackmails the father to be. This book ends with a cliffhanger. Story will be finished in the next book.
This started out with family commitments bringing the H to England. Where he meets and eventually beds the h. She is just the daughter of a wealthy person. But not born on the right side of the blanket. When her father finds out that she is pregnant he blackmails the father to be. This book ends with a cliffhanger. Story will be finished in the next book.
January 14, 2026
La verdad si no fuera porque me enteré por casualidad que había un segundo libro, yo en realidad hubiera creído que solo era este y ya.
Me intriga saber porque se separaron si al final de este libro los vemos felices y tranquilos.
En fin, me ha encantado el libro y me gustó que Tally o como se escriba, le pusiera sus altos a nuestro protagonista.
Me intriga saber porque se separaron si al final de este libro los vemos felices y tranquilos.
En fin, me ha encantado el libro y me gustó que Tally o como se escriba, le pusiera sus altos a nuestro protagonista.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2020
Quite a decent read and fast read. A bit predictable but nice.
Perfect time pass.
Liked the idea of the story but am surprised to learn it has a part two. This book was quite complete in itself.
Sandor was too delectable 😋
Perfect time pass.
Liked the idea of the story but am surprised to learn it has a part two. This book was quite complete in itself.
Sandor was too delectable 😋
January 6, 2022
First I’m not fond of Greek or other exotic Heroes. Second the curvy short heroine with curly hair and not much brain didn’t appeal to me. I had a feeling that there was not much beside sex in their relationship.
August 3, 2024
03/08/24 - 12:55 h
O sea, esta chica tiene una pensión mensual de su padre multimillonario, asignada por un juez, y aún así supuestamente le cuesta pagar las facturas. Por qué siempre las quieren hacer pobres a la fuerza? 😭
O sea, esta chica tiene una pensión mensual de su padre multimillonario, asignada por un juez, y aún así supuestamente le cuesta pagar las facturas. Por qué siempre las quieren hacer pobres a la fuerza? 😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2018
2.5 stars
It was alright
It was alright
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