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Makricosta Dynasty #1
Era Lo Prohibido
Era la única mujer completamente prohibida para él
Rowan O'Brien siempre sería el asunto pendiente de Nic Marcussen. Fue la única mujer que había puesto en riesgo su férreo control…
Años después, Nic solo vivía para el trabajo. Aquel niño que creció acomplejado tenía ahora el mundo a sus pies. Hasta que la tragedia hizo que Rowan volviera a aparecer en su vida y su fachada comenzara a resquebrajarse.
En la mansión de los Marcussen, situada en el Mediterráneo, afloraron sus secretos y no tuvieron más remedio que encarar sus deseos más profundos.
The limits of his control
Rowan O Brien will always be the thorn in Nic Marcussen s side. She was the only woman to tempt him beyond his steely control...the only woman strictly forbidden to him.
Years later, Nic s sole focus is business the boy who grew up under a cloud of shame now has the world at his feet. Until tragedy brings Rowan back into his life and his façade begins to crack.
In the seclusion of the Marcussen mansion in the Mediterranean their deeply buried secrets surface and they are forced to confront their darkest desires!
Rowan O'Brien siempre sería el asunto pendiente de Nic Marcussen. Fue la única mujer que había puesto en riesgo su férreo control…
Años después, Nic solo vivía para el trabajo. Aquel niño que creció acomplejado tenía ahora el mundo a sus pies. Hasta que la tragedia hizo que Rowan volviera a aparecer en su vida y su fachada comenzara a resquebrajarse.
En la mansión de los Marcussen, situada en el Mediterráneo, afloraron sus secretos y no tuvieron más remedio que encarar sus deseos más profundos.
The limits of his control
Rowan O Brien will always be the thorn in Nic Marcussen s side. She was the only woman to tempt him beyond his steely control...the only woman strictly forbidden to him.
Years later, Nic s sole focus is business the boy who grew up under a cloud of shame now has the world at his feet. Until tragedy brings Rowan back into his life and his façade begins to crack.
In the seclusion of the Marcussen mansion in the Mediterranean their deeply buried secrets surface and they are forced to confront their darkest desires!
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published November 5, 2013
About the author
Dani Collins
699 books1,188 followersUSA Today Bestselling author Dani Collins thrives on giving readers emotional, compelling, heart-soaring romance with laughter and heat, just like real life.
Mostly she writes contemporary romance, but she has also writes Historical Western, erotic romance, and romcom.
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Mostly she writes contemporary romance, but she has also writes Historical Western, erotic romance, and romcom.
Want to be notified of Dani's latest release along with getting sneak peeks, price drops, behind the scene's gossip and other special offers? Join Dani's VIP list. Join Now!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
June 12, 2015
What an emotional rollercoaster this book was.This was one of the most intense,emotionally stunted hero that I have read in quite a while.Abandoned by both his mother,the man he thought his father,and his real father,he was devoid of emotional attachments.That is untill the heroine appears in his life as the daughter of his father's mistress who have been a couple for 10 years until their untimely death the prior year.They meet up agsin after a 2 year interval and the sparks are flying.He thinks she is a spoiled,entitled socialite who stole his father's love and affection and she still has deep feelings for him.At first,I did not care for this heroine,but as the story unfolded,my heart went out for her.This was an angst fest that I enjoyed.4.5***
October 22, 2016
I gather from previous reviews that this is Dani Collins debut novel. It's a strong first effort, a stepbrother/stepsister story that sets up the sequel, More than a Convenient Marriage?. My volume had that story first, followed by this one, which makes no sense . . . so a heads up if you have that edition - read this one first.
Triggers: there is oblique talk of eating disorders and infertility.
The story opens with the dancer/socialite heroine arriving at her stepfather's home in Greece. She is looking for some quiet as the one year anniversary of her mother and stepfather's disappearance at sea looms. At the one year mark they will be declared officially dead and then . . . Well, she doesn't know. The investigative reporter, now publishing business tycoon hero is there ahead of her. He has canceled her cell phone and credit cards because she has dropped out of dance school. His father had agreed to finance the heroine as long as she stayed in school. The fact that the heroine broke her leg a year ago, which dashed her dancing hopes, doesn't seem to dissuade the hero from his course of cutting all ties with her. He wants her to gather her mother's things, sign the next-of-kin papers so that her mother can be declared officially dead, and then get out so he can knock down the English manor style house and replace it with something sleek and modern.
The reason he can do this? The heroine's mother was not married to the hero's father. They were in a long term relationship - but no legal ties. To further muddy the waters, the hero is illegitimate and only met his father when he was older. His mother had a one night stand with his father, and then went back to her fiance. He has a younger half sister who is the heroine of the sequel. The rejection of both his parents (he was placed in boarding school at age seven and was never visited) has messed him up.
The heroine only went to dance school to please her actress mother. Now her body is too messed up to dance. She didn't fulfill the dream. And she has a bad reputation with the hero after throwing herself at him on her 20th birthday, three years before.
The angst/drama at the opening is great. The heroine is shocked by the hero's coldness, almost drowns in the sea, and finds out the hero is just as attracted to her as she has been to him. But she is a virgin and isn't sure if she wants a no strings affair for the two weeks the hero will let her stay at the house.
The heroine takes a while to warm up to - she's pretty flighty at the beginning - but once the hero and the reader come to understand her, her strengths start to show through. The hero is cold, cold, cold and is in dire need of warming up.
I'm intrigued by this authors use of legal ties. All of her characters are "above the law." The H/h aren't step-siblings in the eyes of the law. Their parents weren't married, but they had their own form of commitment. It's emotions/love that tie these characters together - not the law. In the sequel,
This isn't as well crafted as the sequel (it gets a bit repetitious and bogged down in the middle), but it's well worth a read.
Triggers: there is oblique talk of eating disorders and infertility.
The story opens with the dancer/socialite heroine arriving at her stepfather's home in Greece. She is looking for some quiet as the one year anniversary of her mother and stepfather's disappearance at sea looms. At the one year mark they will be declared officially dead and then . . . Well, she doesn't know. The investigative reporter, now publishing business tycoon hero is there ahead of her. He has canceled her cell phone and credit cards because she has dropped out of dance school. His father had agreed to finance the heroine as long as she stayed in school. The fact that the heroine broke her leg a year ago, which dashed her dancing hopes, doesn't seem to dissuade the hero from his course of cutting all ties with her. He wants her to gather her mother's things, sign the next-of-kin papers so that her mother can be declared officially dead, and then get out so he can knock down the English manor style house and replace it with something sleek and modern.
The reason he can do this? The heroine's mother was not married to the hero's father. They were in a long term relationship - but no legal ties. To further muddy the waters, the hero is illegitimate and only met his father when he was older. His mother had a one night stand with his father, and then went back to her fiance. He has a younger half sister who is the heroine of the sequel. The rejection of both his parents (he was placed in boarding school at age seven and was never visited) has messed him up.
The heroine only went to dance school to please her actress mother. Now her body is too messed up to dance. She didn't fulfill the dream. And she has a bad reputation with the hero after throwing herself at him on her 20th birthday, three years before.
The angst/drama at the opening is great. The heroine is shocked by the hero's coldness, almost drowns in the sea, and finds out the hero is just as attracted to her as she has been to him. But she is a virgin and isn't sure if she wants a no strings affair for the two weeks the hero will let her stay at the house.
The heroine takes a while to warm up to - she's pretty flighty at the beginning - but once the hero and the reader come to understand her, her strengths start to show through. The hero is cold, cold, cold and is in dire need of warming up.
I'm intrigued by this authors use of legal ties. All of her characters are "above the law." The H/h aren't step-siblings in the eyes of the law. Their parents weren't married, but they had their own form of commitment. It's emotions/love that tie these characters together - not the law. In the sequel,
This isn't as well crafted as the sequel (it gets a bit repetitious and bogged down in the middle), but it's well worth a read.
March 13, 2016
If you like angst, you will LOVE this one.
The hero, Nic, is emotionally stunted and cruel; Rowan, the heroine, seems to be frozen in some stasis needing her emotionally bankrupt, manipulative mother's approval and love which she never gets. No wonder she falls for the hero. He's her mother. Forgot to mention, he is that rare breed, the blonde hero.
I don't mind angst, but I am not a friend of the Heathcliff wannabe brand of cold cruelty. Okay, maybe he wasn't that bad, but if I had been with a man that was so dismissive and kept telling me to leave, I think I would. Few writers can write a hero that can be redeemed from being a big meanie, Lynne Graham being one.
In all fairness, he was abandoned by his mother, his biological father, and the man he thought was his father. Very sad, but I still want a little more pizzaz between my H and my h.
It was a one star for enjoyment for me, but I am falling on my review sword and giving it an extra star because I know they are plenty of readers out there that love this kind of stuff.
The hero, Nic, is emotionally stunted and cruel; Rowan, the heroine, seems to be frozen in some stasis needing her emotionally bankrupt, manipulative mother's approval and love which she never gets. No wonder she falls for the hero. He's her mother. Forgot to mention, he is that rare breed, the blonde hero.
I don't mind angst, but I am not a friend of the Heathcliff wannabe brand of cold cruelty. Okay, maybe he wasn't that bad, but if I had been with a man that was so dismissive and kept telling me to leave, I think I would. Few writers can write a hero that can be redeemed from being a big meanie, Lynne Graham being one.
In all fairness, he was abandoned by his mother, his biological father, and the man he thought was his father. Very sad, but I still want a little more pizzaz between my H and my h.
It was a one star for enjoyment for me, but I am falling on my review sword and giving it an extra star because I know they are plenty of readers out there that love this kind of stuff.
August 1, 2019
Nicodemus Marcussen is discussing something hush-hush with his lawyer. Rowan O'Brien has just reached the Old English Mansion at Rosedale for some time off. She had earlier sent a note to Nicodemus about her finances being stopped. A stepbrother/sister romance? Ooo... Her mother and stepfather are dead and it's with a heavy heart that she's returned to Rosedale. They went missing in the sea about a year back, and their bodies haven't been recovered. Two years ago, she had fancied Nic who had put an end to her rosy dreams. Now also, she likes him and craves for the warmth he never showed her. Her mother was his father's lover for ten years and yet there is this frostiness between them. She has her own reasons for wanting the money, of course she does. Her dancing career doesn't provide her with enough.
Nic stopped her finances since she dropped out of dance school. She's twenty-two now and according to Nic never held a real job. There's so much angst here. Nic was the son whom Olief Marcussen never accepted till only recently, and still not embraced fully, while the older man placed his trust in Rowan, whom he himself called a spoiled girl.
First time I read of an Irish lass in Harlequin. While Olief was a sweetheart to her, Cassandra O'Brien was a vicious mother, who pushed her daughter into dancing. And now that they're gone, she feels lost, listless. She almost drowns while lamenting the loss of her home because Nic threatened to tear it down. To gain ownership of everything, including Olief's media conglomerate. Nic partly blames her for their death and his non establishment of a connection with Olief since she always hogged their attention, and that was what she was doing when their plane went down.
This is a very, very interesting story. Like father, like son. Nic is a hard-hitting news journalist. But their parents' behaviours, what they have done, will shock you! The author created such a hopeful longing that often I wished that their parents, her mother and his father, would be back. Both Nic and Ro are hurting, because of trying and still not getting the approval they wanted from their parents. Aww! He calls her Ro. She is so cheeky as well as introspective. Nic has been meted a horrible life and he was only an innocent child. They fight about a number of things. And there's a pregnancy scare too, though nothing magical about it. This story is grounded in reality. I love Dani Collins' writing and this one was no different. It puts you through an emotional wringer.
P.S. I don't know why it is Book One of the Makricosta dynasty. I mean, how does it connect? There is no one by the name of Makricosta here. Also, the title of the book may have been given due to the stepbrother/stepsister angle but it is so not appropriate for the story because it is so much more than that insignificant little title! And coming on to the cover, there is not a single 'strawberry' scene in the book. So, nope.
Nic stopped her finances since she dropped out of dance school. She's twenty-two now and according to Nic never held a real job. There's so much angst here. Nic was the son whom Olief Marcussen never accepted till only recently, and still not embraced fully, while the older man placed his trust in Rowan, whom he himself called a spoiled girl.
First time I read of an Irish lass in Harlequin. While Olief was a sweetheart to her, Cassandra O'Brien was a vicious mother, who pushed her daughter into dancing. And now that they're gone, she feels lost, listless. She almost drowns while lamenting the loss of her home because Nic threatened to tear it down. To gain ownership of everything, including Olief's media conglomerate. Nic partly blames her for their death and his non establishment of a connection with Olief since she always hogged their attention, and that was what she was doing when their plane went down.
This is a very, very interesting story. Like father, like son. Nic is a hard-hitting news journalist. But their parents' behaviours, what they have done, will shock you! The author created such a hopeful longing that often I wished that their parents, her mother and his father, would be back. Both Nic and Ro are hurting, because of trying and still not getting the approval they wanted from their parents. Aww! He calls her Ro. She is so cheeky as well as introspective. Nic has been meted a horrible life and he was only an innocent child. They fight about a number of things. And there's a pregnancy scare too, though nothing magical about it. This story is grounded in reality. I love Dani Collins' writing and this one was no different. It puts you through an emotional wringer.
P.S. I don't know why it is Book One of the Makricosta dynasty. I mean, how does it connect? There is no one by the name of Makricosta here. Also, the title of the book may have been given due to the stepbrother/stepsister angle but it is so not appropriate for the story because it is so much more than that insignificant little title! And coming on to the cover, there is not a single 'strawberry' scene in the book. So, nope.
February 11, 2013
No Longer Forbidden ? is an impressive debut novel by Dani Collins. The writing is powerful. The story is intense, emotional, with an undercurrent of sadness and loss. The focus is mainly on the 2 strong and well- portrayed main characters. Both their POV give the perfect insight to their feelings and to their turmoil.
Nic is a completely messed up hero. He had been abandoned by his mother and rejected by his father. So no wonder he doesn't understand the meaning of love or the sense of family.
Rowan has always been a thorn in Nic's side, she is the daughter of his father's mistress. Nic hated that she enjoyed a father- daughter relationship with his estranged father. He has always wanted her but she was forbidden, off-limits.
For her part, Rowan had a crush on Nic and had always been susceptible to him.
Rowan has lived the life her mother choose for her, now she has a lot of decisions to make.
After a year of reported missing, the death of her mother and his father is about to be official. Living together in the family home for 2 weeks, Rowan and Nic struggles with an unwelcome chemistry and with their misconceptions about each other. The chemistry is too strong to ignore. Secrets are revealed, truths are uncovered while they get to know each other better. But Nic has to learn how to open up to love if he wants any chance at happiness.
Nic is a completely messed up hero. He had been abandoned by his mother and rejected by his father. So no wonder he doesn't understand the meaning of love or the sense of family.
Rowan has always been a thorn in Nic's side, she is the daughter of his father's mistress. Nic hated that she enjoyed a father- daughter relationship with his estranged father. He has always wanted her but she was forbidden, off-limits.
For her part, Rowan had a crush on Nic and had always been susceptible to him.
Rowan has lived the life her mother choose for her, now she has a lot of decisions to make.
After a year of reported missing, the death of her mother and his father is about to be official. Living together in the family home for 2 weeks, Rowan and Nic struggles with an unwelcome chemistry and with their misconceptions about each other. The chemistry is too strong to ignore. Secrets are revealed, truths are uncovered while they get to know each other better. But Nic has to learn how to open up to love if he wants any chance at happiness.
December 9, 2013
Just missed out on 4 stars. Really liked this one but not quite as much as the sequel. Typical arrogant hero who thinks poorly of the heroine. She of course is not as frivolous as he had always thought. This is one of those where the older hero resents the heroine over her place in his father's heart. But of course he has always secretly lusted after her. Well written and I continue to like this author's style. One of my favorite new HP authors.
December 18, 2020
Esta autora tiene novelitas que me encantan, no son todas, pero logran sacarme del tedio y agradezco eso. Es una historia con mucho angst, pero creíble, Nic me pareció un héroe sólido, de esos que enamoran, y Rowan tan helpless in love con él.
El final me hizo llorar. Al contrario de otras novelas, como la fatídica historia de Cora Reilly que leí hace dos días, el mensaje que deja es maravilloso.
El final me hizo llorar. Al contrario de otras novelas, como la fatídica historia de Cora Reilly que leí hace dos días, el mensaje que deja es maravilloso.
December 27, 2013
Didn't care for the heroine and her defense of her homewrecker parent. Didn't care the heroine harshly judged the hero because he wasn't close to a father who didn't want him close.
This heroine was selfish and that was a huge turnoff. So much I couldn't finish.
This heroine was selfish and that was a huge turnoff. So much I couldn't finish.
March 10, 2013
Pretty good but not at all happy with the ending :(
June 8, 2021
The limits of his control. Rowan O’Brien will always be the thorn in Nic Marcussen’s side. She was the only woman to tempt him beyond his steely control…the only woman strictly forbidden to him. Years later, Nic’s sole focus is business – the boy who grew up under a cloud of shame now has the world at his feet. Until tragedy brings Rowan back into his life and his façade begins to crack. In the seclusion of the Marcussen mansion in the Mediterranean their deeply buried secrets surface and they are forced to confront their darkest desires! ‘
avoid
May 2, 2017This is a classic "it's not you, it's me" situation between me and this book!
May 14, 2014
In this read we meet Rowan she is the only woman that has ever been able to twist and turn Mr I don't love Nicodemus Marcussen 's control. He has always wanted her but due to family circumstance or rather scandals in the night she is forbidden to him.
But when tragedy hits Rowan comes back into his life and this time they are forced to confront their most forbidden desires. Only Nic has his own idea of what and who Rowan really is, and that will never change unless secrets start coming to light.
Another brilliant, heartfelt, gut wrenching read that brought forth so many emotions I was on a rollercoaster of madness. One minute I wanted to grab the hero and smash his head in, he was so arrogant and so mean at one time I felt my heart break for the heroine's stake!
The author gave such excellent and insightful POV's for both characters that once you get into their minds and thoughts it all just perfectly falls into place and instead of wanting to bash the hero's head in I wanted to hold him close and do everything possible to bring him back to life.
The deep dark whole of despair the author plunges her character into was so amazing it took my breath away. It was so realistic I felt my heart start to race and my pulse pounding away at the very raw emotion. I loved how the author let the family scandal, secrets, assumptions and misconceptions develop into a mind blowing romance , when it all slotted into place I shouted out " So that's it!"
The author had me on the edge of my seat and begging for more ! I am taking away a message of we all think we know someone, but in actual fact we only know what we see. If we take the time to really get to know someone and all their secrets we will be able to see they are just like us, trying to get through life as best they can, and love is a powerful emotion in the world of facing our troubles.
5/5 star review
" Love is never forbidden when it 's too powerful to ignore"
But when tragedy hits Rowan comes back into his life and this time they are forced to confront their most forbidden desires. Only Nic has his own idea of what and who Rowan really is, and that will never change unless secrets start coming to light.
Another brilliant, heartfelt, gut wrenching read that brought forth so many emotions I was on a rollercoaster of madness. One minute I wanted to grab the hero and smash his head in, he was so arrogant and so mean at one time I felt my heart break for the heroine's stake!
The author gave such excellent and insightful POV's for both characters that once you get into their minds and thoughts it all just perfectly falls into place and instead of wanting to bash the hero's head in I wanted to hold him close and do everything possible to bring him back to life.
The deep dark whole of despair the author plunges her character into was so amazing it took my breath away. It was so realistic I felt my heart start to race and my pulse pounding away at the very raw emotion. I loved how the author let the family scandal, secrets, assumptions and misconceptions develop into a mind blowing romance , when it all slotted into place I shouted out " So that's it!"
The author had me on the edge of my seat and begging for more ! I am taking away a message of we all think we know someone, but in actual fact we only know what we see. If we take the time to really get to know someone and all their secrets we will be able to see they are just like us, trying to get through life as best they can, and love is a powerful emotion in the world of facing our troubles.
5/5 star review
" Love is never forbidden when it 's too powerful to ignore"
February 6, 2013
No Longer Forbidden? by Dani Collins will twist your heart with very emotional scenes and some hot ones too.
Rowan O’Brien is going through a very rough time in her life. It’s been almost a year since her mother and her mother’s lover disappeared on a plane crash. Now she must come to a decision on what to do with her life.
Nic Marcussen grew up under a cloud of shame rejected by both his mother and father.Read More...
Rowan O’Brien is going through a very rough time in her life. It’s been almost a year since her mother and her mother’s lover disappeared on a plane crash. Now she must come to a decision on what to do with her life.
Nic Marcussen grew up under a cloud of shame rejected by both his mother and father.Read More...
September 9, 2013
I'm undecided about this book. Most of the time while reading it, I really liked it and thought the romance developing between the two characters was quite sweet. However, at other times I wanted to hit the hero's, Nic's, head against a wall to stop him from being so mean all the time. Definitely a character that runs very hot and cold. You can completely understand why the heroine, Rowan, is so confused by him. Anyway, a nice quick read and definitely a pleasant book with which to spend an afternoon. 3 stars.
February 19, 2019
I read the second book in the series (More Than A Convenient Marriage) first and liked that one more than this one. Nic and Rowan are lovely and all, but I just didn’t enjoy their story. There was too much bickering. Nic was soooo damned nasty for most of the book, and Ro was made to appear scatterbrained. There are some sad moments, but in the circumstances, I was expecting a bit more emotion.
It was ok. I finished it. I’m glad I did, but I don’t see myself reading this one again.
It was ok. I finished it. I’m glad I did, but I don’t see myself reading this one again.
February 16, 2013
Dani Collins is one of the new 'voices' in Harlequin Presents and her debut is a heartfelt emotional feast for the reader. With great characterisation (you cannot help but adore Rowan, the heroine) and a unique twist to the usual tropes No Longer Forbidden is a must read for Modern fans and romance lovers everywhere. Highly recommended.
January 16, 2013
Decent enough read. I actually thought it was pretty good. The hero was a bit twisted and confused but it was great seeing the hero and heroine finally together. In this novel, I adored the heroine completely.
December 19, 2021
Dark and full of angst but very entertaining. The opening scenes are taut and dramatic and for a while, I didn't take to the heroine but of course as we learned more, I did see underneath her brittle exterior to the woman beneath. The hero was a bit over the top but came to his senses eventually.
April 9, 2018
4.5 stars
Another winner from the amazing author Dani Collins with this book reminding why I gravitate to her books and stories. This book just had so many elements that I love about the romance genre, and I know I have said this multiple times in reviews regarding her books, but it is so true. Dani Collins just knows how to gut me and get me to feel all the feels that I am suppose to feel. And she’s an author where I tend to not rush through the story and take my time to savor in the moment and enjoy more of the journey instead of just hurrying to the happily ever after of it all. It makes for a real powerful and impactful experience going on this journey with these characters and just all the emotional turmoil and intensity that surrounds them and their story. Plus I love that Dani Collins books tend to always have a backstory between the characters before story even begins which just adds so much drama and intensity the story as well.
In this case, this story revolved around the romance between Nic and Rowan. Nic’s father and Rowan’s mother where involved in a ten year relationship, but never married. Nic had just come into his father’s life right around the time that Rowan and her mother came onto the scene. Nic’s father adored Rowan and tended to devote himself to Rowan, causing Nic to feel jealousy towards Rowan for having a relationship with his father that he never had. So, there was a lot of resentment there, but to compound it Nic was attracted to Rowan and resented that. Rowan had her own feelings for Nic and had been secretly in love with him for years, but thought he hated her especially after he acted totally disgusted by her after her drunken kiss, which just added so much turmoil to not only their past but their present as well.
In present day, the resentment and “hate” was still there for him as was Rowan’s love for Nic and whenever they came together he let her know, causing a lot of stinging blows for Rowan that she tried to not bring her down, but it was difficult because her feelings for him. She never expected to see him because of all his hate for her, but circumstance of the anniversary of the disappearance of their parents, and in order to inherit his father’s estate they needed to declare them officially dead. Of coarse Rowan was not okay nor the fact that he was going to destroy the house that she considered her connection to the people that she loved as well as her home. Needless to say they came together like a bolt of lighting with a big heaping crash as they clashed over the issue with all that underlying sexual tension brimming beneath the surface for both of them, though both wanted to remain hidden from the other not wanting to admit their need to each other.
What was great about the story was that there was so much going on but without being overwhelming. And there were so many different angles with that conflict. There was the outside one with them fighting over what should happen with them deciding if they should declare their parents dead legally and they both needed to sign it to petition the court and they had opposing views on that. Then there were all those internal struggles and conflict as they came to terms not only with their past but with each other and how they related with each other, and it was very complicated, but very explored in a very real, and honest way that I enjoyed seeing play out.There was just layer after layer after layer of conflict and tension between them that just seemed to build and build over the course of the book until it finally did explode for both of them.
Thee anticipation and angst was huge in this book because their relationship was so complicated. They wanted each other, but they didn’t know if that was necessarily a good thing, but it wasn’t going away either. More on Nic side there was such animosity towards Rowan and seeing her only as a spoiled little girl that was completely selfish and heartless, causing him to really butt heads with her and not treat her fairly, but he wanted her that just upped the ante so much and it was as intense as it was fun to see it play it. The angst of her having these deep feelings and wanting him to care about her and get closer to him but being knocked down time and time again, which was really hard to watch, and broke me heart because it was so clear how much she was into him, but the blows kept on coming from him. Just so much tension between them that really a caused a buzz within this book.
What my favorite part of this book was the build up in their level of intimacy that developed between them. And it wasn’t the physical intimacy that got to me, though that was pretty good, but it was the emotional intimacy that really touched me. Once Nic got over his prejudice of Rowan, and was really seeing her for the first time, was when the intimacy really came into play. He opened both his eyes and heart to Rowan, and I could see him with every moment that he spent with Rowan the more he was falling for her. I loved him acknowledging that he wanted closeness to her in every way possible. He craved it. He wanted. He wanted that connection with her. Rowan was the first person that he opened to and revealed all of his past hurts of his childhood and his feelings. He was so open with her, and I loved that.
Rowan was too, though she always wanted to be that way just protected herself from doing so because of his treatment of her. She revealed her own pain both physically and emotionally. She was scarred in so many ways that it was heartbreaking. She was vulnerable in so many ways, and as heartbreaking as it was, it was beautiful too because of how much faith and trust she had in him to want to reveal all this to him. She wanted him to truly see her. It was such a brave thing to do, believing that he would never be more to him like she wanted to be. It was just such a journey for her, and I felt so much for her.
There were quite a few scenes of emotionally intimacy that really got me in this book. One was the bathroom scene where for the first time Nic saw the damaged that was done to her leg not only due to her accident but because of her career as a dancer that her mother forced her to do as income to support them. That was really turning point of their relationship and made him come to realize that he may have been wrong about her especially when she heard what Rowan had to go through to get to that point. He really saw her in that moment. Also that was where his mask really slipped off and he became more open to her and wanted to comfort her from the pain she had endured. Another scene that got to me and was really special I thought was when Rowan was an emotional wreck at one point and wanted to deal with her emotions alone but he wouldn’t let her, and they basically had this honest and open conversation that stripped the layers back to reveal so much rawness that she was going through and how much he wanted to protect and comfort her through that. Then he got into the bed with her and basically held her all night so she wouldn’t be alone. It was just a really poignant, sweet moment between them. Lastly, the aftermath scene of their first time was really a great moment between them. It was where they were stripped and bare both literally and physically, and they really put it all out there. It showed their vulnerabilities, but it also showed off the connection and depth they truly had as a couple. It was such a detail scene that was really well done from the words spoken to the body language that I could picture even minute detail, and it was so good. That was another turning point in their relationship, and it showed that there was something there that was more than just the physical. I loved them both in that moment and it really was the perfect interaction between them. It was a heavy moment. An emotional moment. And just everything that I really enjoy seeing in a scene like this. It was an amazing, powerful scene.
The passion between them was just as powerful as the emotional stuff. The build up between these two was quite incredible, and I could feel so much bubbling beneath the surface both physically and emotionally. But I knew from all that sexual tension that surrounded them from the moment they were reunited again, I knew they were going to be pretty explosive, and they were. The sexual tension was half the fun though, and I think that made there love scenes more intense and powerful between them. They heat. They had chemistry, and from the first kiss onwards they set the pages on fire because so much and been built up after all this time. They always had this intense attraction/connection from the beginning that just followed to their love scenes. That first time scene was steamy, hot, and scorching to just name a few times, but what made it hotter was the fact that it was more than just two bodies coming together. It was them. Their connection. Their need for each other. They were two pieces to the puzzle that just fit together. It may have taken them time to get there but when they did it was so right on every single level. And that was shown during their time between the sheets just like it was during their honest conversations that they had with one another. It was just incredible how they came together. There was another love scene that just showed their desperation for each other and just how much they craved each other. Their need, and their love, knew no bounds in that moment, and it was frantic and very powerful of a scene. I could have used another love scene thrown in there just because I felt like one was needed because I wanted to see their intense connection again but maybe in a slower and even more intimate than they had ever been before.
Overall, this was a nearly perfect book and I did really enjoy it in so many ways. I think what impressed me most about this book was the amount of emotional intimate scenes between Nic and Rowan, and I am talking raw, intense, open, and honest moments between them, which was so incredible. Those were the moments that got me the most, not that the love scenes weren’t good too, but they were the scenes that made me feel all the feels and want to root for them as a couple. Those moments showed me how much they cared about each other and how they were truly falling in love. I love seeing and feeling that journey because it just made such an impact on the story and my experience while reading it. It made me feel like they truly belonged together. And that’s amazing. I loved the emotional journey of this story and seeing it all progress. I was touched by moments. I teared up at other moments. I felt for both of them and what they were going through emotionally and how they had to work through their issues before they could get their happily ever after, which just made it all the more satisfying in the end. I love when it’s not easy and the had to overcome things first. It just made it all the more powerful and impactful for me. It was an amazing journey to go on that had all the feels to go along with it.
Anyone who is a Dani Collins fan will love this book with all its angst, drama, friction, sexual tension, intensity, passion, and just two characters with an intense relationship with a complicated history that when they finally released all their inhibitions and let go truly exploded together. Nic and Rowan will touch you heart and will have you root for them to make it as a couple to the very end.
Another winner from the amazing author Dani Collins with this book reminding why I gravitate to her books and stories. This book just had so many elements that I love about the romance genre, and I know I have said this multiple times in reviews regarding her books, but it is so true. Dani Collins just knows how to gut me and get me to feel all the feels that I am suppose to feel. And she’s an author where I tend to not rush through the story and take my time to savor in the moment and enjoy more of the journey instead of just hurrying to the happily ever after of it all. It makes for a real powerful and impactful experience going on this journey with these characters and just all the emotional turmoil and intensity that surrounds them and their story. Plus I love that Dani Collins books tend to always have a backstory between the characters before story even begins which just adds so much drama and intensity the story as well.
In this case, this story revolved around the romance between Nic and Rowan. Nic’s father and Rowan’s mother where involved in a ten year relationship, but never married. Nic had just come into his father’s life right around the time that Rowan and her mother came onto the scene. Nic’s father adored Rowan and tended to devote himself to Rowan, causing Nic to feel jealousy towards Rowan for having a relationship with his father that he never had. So, there was a lot of resentment there, but to compound it Nic was attracted to Rowan and resented that. Rowan had her own feelings for Nic and had been secretly in love with him for years, but thought he hated her especially after he acted totally disgusted by her after her drunken kiss, which just added so much turmoil to not only their past but their present as well.
In present day, the resentment and “hate” was still there for him as was Rowan’s love for Nic and whenever they came together he let her know, causing a lot of stinging blows for Rowan that she tried to not bring her down, but it was difficult because her feelings for him. She never expected to see him because of all his hate for her, but circumstance of the anniversary of the disappearance of their parents, and in order to inherit his father’s estate they needed to declare them officially dead. Of coarse Rowan was not okay nor the fact that he was going to destroy the house that she considered her connection to the people that she loved as well as her home. Needless to say they came together like a bolt of lighting with a big heaping crash as they clashed over the issue with all that underlying sexual tension brimming beneath the surface for both of them, though both wanted to remain hidden from the other not wanting to admit their need to each other.
What was great about the story was that there was so much going on but without being overwhelming. And there were so many different angles with that conflict. There was the outside one with them fighting over what should happen with them deciding if they should declare their parents dead legally and they both needed to sign it to petition the court and they had opposing views on that. Then there were all those internal struggles and conflict as they came to terms not only with their past but with each other and how they related with each other, and it was very complicated, but very explored in a very real, and honest way that I enjoyed seeing play out.There was just layer after layer after layer of conflict and tension between them that just seemed to build and build over the course of the book until it finally did explode for both of them.
Thee anticipation and angst was huge in this book because their relationship was so complicated. They wanted each other, but they didn’t know if that was necessarily a good thing, but it wasn’t going away either. More on Nic side there was such animosity towards Rowan and seeing her only as a spoiled little girl that was completely selfish and heartless, causing him to really butt heads with her and not treat her fairly, but he wanted her that just upped the ante so much and it was as intense as it was fun to see it play it. The angst of her having these deep feelings and wanting him to care about her and get closer to him but being knocked down time and time again, which was really hard to watch, and broke me heart because it was so clear how much she was into him, but the blows kept on coming from him. Just so much tension between them that really a caused a buzz within this book.
What my favorite part of this book was the build up in their level of intimacy that developed between them. And it wasn’t the physical intimacy that got to me, though that was pretty good, but it was the emotional intimacy that really touched me. Once Nic got over his prejudice of Rowan, and was really seeing her for the first time, was when the intimacy really came into play. He opened both his eyes and heart to Rowan, and I could see him with every moment that he spent with Rowan the more he was falling for her. I loved him acknowledging that he wanted closeness to her in every way possible. He craved it. He wanted. He wanted that connection with her. Rowan was the first person that he opened to and revealed all of his past hurts of his childhood and his feelings. He was so open with her, and I loved that.
Rowan was too, though she always wanted to be that way just protected herself from doing so because of his treatment of her. She revealed her own pain both physically and emotionally. She was scarred in so many ways that it was heartbreaking. She was vulnerable in so many ways, and as heartbreaking as it was, it was beautiful too because of how much faith and trust she had in him to want to reveal all this to him. She wanted him to truly see her. It was such a brave thing to do, believing that he would never be more to him like she wanted to be. It was just such a journey for her, and I felt so much for her.
There were quite a few scenes of emotionally intimacy that really got me in this book. One was the bathroom scene where for the first time Nic saw the damaged that was done to her leg not only due to her accident but because of her career as a dancer that her mother forced her to do as income to support them. That was really turning point of their relationship and made him come to realize that he may have been wrong about her especially when she heard what Rowan had to go through to get to that point. He really saw her in that moment. Also that was where his mask really slipped off and he became more open to her and wanted to comfort her from the pain she had endured. Another scene that got to me and was really special I thought was when Rowan was an emotional wreck at one point and wanted to deal with her emotions alone but he wouldn’t let her, and they basically had this honest and open conversation that stripped the layers back to reveal so much rawness that she was going through and how much he wanted to protect and comfort her through that. Then he got into the bed with her and basically held her all night so she wouldn’t be alone. It was just a really poignant, sweet moment between them. Lastly, the aftermath scene of their first time was really a great moment between them. It was where they were stripped and bare both literally and physically, and they really put it all out there. It showed their vulnerabilities, but it also showed off the connection and depth they truly had as a couple. It was such a detail scene that was really well done from the words spoken to the body language that I could picture even minute detail, and it was so good. That was another turning point in their relationship, and it showed that there was something there that was more than just the physical. I loved them both in that moment and it really was the perfect interaction between them. It was a heavy moment. An emotional moment. And just everything that I really enjoy seeing in a scene like this. It was an amazing, powerful scene.
The passion between them was just as powerful as the emotional stuff. The build up between these two was quite incredible, and I could feel so much bubbling beneath the surface both physically and emotionally. But I knew from all that sexual tension that surrounded them from the moment they were reunited again, I knew they were going to be pretty explosive, and they were. The sexual tension was half the fun though, and I think that made there love scenes more intense and powerful between them. They heat. They had chemistry, and from the first kiss onwards they set the pages on fire because so much and been built up after all this time. They always had this intense attraction/connection from the beginning that just followed to their love scenes. That first time scene was steamy, hot, and scorching to just name a few times, but what made it hotter was the fact that it was more than just two bodies coming together. It was them. Their connection. Their need for each other. They were two pieces to the puzzle that just fit together. It may have taken them time to get there but when they did it was so right on every single level. And that was shown during their time between the sheets just like it was during their honest conversations that they had with one another. It was just incredible how they came together. There was another love scene that just showed their desperation for each other and just how much they craved each other. Their need, and their love, knew no bounds in that moment, and it was frantic and very powerful of a scene. I could have used another love scene thrown in there just because I felt like one was needed because I wanted to see their intense connection again but maybe in a slower and even more intimate than they had ever been before.
Overall, this was a nearly perfect book and I did really enjoy it in so many ways. I think what impressed me most about this book was the amount of emotional intimate scenes between Nic and Rowan, and I am talking raw, intense, open, and honest moments between them, which was so incredible. Those were the moments that got me the most, not that the love scenes weren’t good too, but they were the scenes that made me feel all the feels and want to root for them as a couple. Those moments showed me how much they cared about each other and how they were truly falling in love. I love seeing and feeling that journey because it just made such an impact on the story and my experience while reading it. It made me feel like they truly belonged together. And that’s amazing. I loved the emotional journey of this story and seeing it all progress. I was touched by moments. I teared up at other moments. I felt for both of them and what they were going through emotionally and how they had to work through their issues before they could get their happily ever after, which just made it all the more satisfying in the end. I love when it’s not easy and the had to overcome things first. It just made it all the more powerful and impactful for me. It was an amazing journey to go on that had all the feels to go along with it.
Anyone who is a Dani Collins fan will love this book with all its angst, drama, friction, sexual tension, intensity, passion, and just two characters with an intense relationship with a complicated history that when they finally released all their inhibitions and let go truly exploded together. Nic and Rowan will touch you heart and will have you root for them to make it as a couple to the very end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2014
Not my favorite type of story. The h is the pursuer while the H dodges and belittles her at every turn. Yet I was compelled to finish the story since I read and loved MORE THAN A CONVENIENT MARRIAGE by the same author. Plus, it was interesting to see how the H's eyes were slowly opened to reveal the true character of the h
November 11, 2013
A bit of a tragic tale. The gradual shift in the hero's opinion about the heroine, when facts come to light about the reality of the heroine's life as it actually was, as compared to what is perceived by the media and public in general, was very well written.
May 6, 2017
Nic is the son of a Greek mother and a Scandinavian father,both married to others.His biological father,Olief, has paid for his education and gave him a job,but never was a real father to him.His mother's husband, has cut off his interaction with half-brothers and sister.
Rowan is half-italian, her mother being Olief's mistress.Olief treated Rowan as a daughter ,indulged her.She is a ballerina who had an injury and can't dance anymore.
An year ago their parents went missing with their plane.Now Rowan and Nic come together on a Greek
island for the grim anniversary.Nic is temporary CEO of Olief's company.He thinks Rowan is lazy,
doesn't work and only parties.To punish the 22-year old ,Nic stops all her credit card and mobile phone.He is attracted to Rowan, but always thought her to be jailbait, immature and forbidden to him as the child of his father's mistress.But now the gloves are off and they clash all the time.
Nic realizes he has misjudged the young woman but still resents that his father treated her much better than himself.
Rowan is half-italian, her mother being Olief's mistress.Olief treated Rowan as a daughter ,indulged her.She is a ballerina who had an injury and can't dance anymore.
An year ago their parents went missing with their plane.Now Rowan and Nic come together on a Greek
island for the grim anniversary.Nic is temporary CEO of Olief's company.He thinks Rowan is lazy,
doesn't work and only parties.To punish the 22-year old ,Nic stops all her credit card and mobile phone.He is attracted to Rowan, but always thought her to be jailbait, immature and forbidden to him as the child of his father's mistress.But now the gloves are off and they clash all the time.
Nic realizes he has misjudged the young woman but still resents that his father treated her much better than himself.
July 16, 2022
Excellent!!! For an HQ, of course. Huge on the emotion for the h and the H. Poor guy. I love that sort of thing. And a really nice epilogue, I thought. Had a couple things here and there that bugged me, but he was pretty messed up so I see where he was coming from, at least. Five stars for fheeeeeelings.
May 4, 2020
3.5***
October 24, 2020
I was amazed at the development Dani did with her characters. It made for a good reading experience.
July 29, 2021
>3 rating. Nice story.
February 15, 2017
Holy angst fest!!! This had my heart clenching, and a lump in my throat. Seriously. This hero was so tortured, and suffered because he believed no one ever loved him. Poor fella, I'll love him.
August 23, 2015
Book #1 was provided for my reading pleasure along with the other 2 books in the series.
Rowan O'Brien and Nicodemus Marcussen clash any time they are together. It takes them a long time to come to understand each other. I could not wait to read the other books.
Rowan O'Brien and Nicodemus Marcussen clash any time they are together. It takes them a long time to come to understand each other. I could not wait to read the other books.
February 4, 2013
This was an impressive debut from Dani Collins, and I'll certainly be looking out for more stories from her.
March 10, 2013
An emotional, passionate read and a great debut! Loved it.
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