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Royal Brides #4
His Royal Love-Child
The prince and his pregnant mistress...
Danette Michaels knew that when she became Principe Marcello Scorsolini's secret mistress there would be no marriage, no future and no public acknowledgment. At the time it was enough.
But Danette can't be Marcello's secret any longer. She wants him, all or nothing -- even if it means their affair is over.
Until a pregnancy test changes the rules forever....
Danette Michaels knew that when she became Principe Marcello Scorsolini's secret mistress there would be no marriage, no future and no public acknowledgment. At the time it was enough.
But Danette can't be Marcello's secret any longer. She wants him, all or nothing -- even if it means their affair is over.
Until a pregnancy test changes the rules forever....
192 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2006
74 people are currently reading
674 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Monroe
613 books1,582 followersI write spicy romance books that end in an HEA. Contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance…I write it all. The two things my books all have in common is lots of emotion and spice. Last year, I fell in love with a new subgenre: mafia romance. Since I write what I love to read, I started a new standalone series, Syndicate Rules where you’ll meet over the top alpha heroes in the Italian and Greek mafias as well as the Irish mob. There are arranged marriages, forced marriages, enemies to lovers, stalkers, forced proximity and lots of mafia intrigue. Morally gray is my new favorite color.
Follow me on BookBub for alerts on my next release: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lucy-...
I’ve been published a while and most of my 90+ books have hit the Nielson Bookscan bestseller list, a few ended up on the USA Today bestseller list and some even hit national bestseller lists in the UK and Australia. My books have been translated into numerous languages and are for sale in dozens of countries around the world. I’ve won awards and been published with most of the big houses in New York, but my greatest achievement is touching readers’ hearts. When I hear from a reader who got caught up in one of my books, I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do.
I love writing emotionally deep stories with snappy dialogue and solid plots. I’m more grateful than I’ll ever be able to express that so many readers have taken my stories into their hearts and put my books on their reread and keeper shelves.
Follow me on BookBub for alerts on my next release: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lucy-...
I’ve been published a while and most of my 90+ books have hit the Nielson Bookscan bestseller list, a few ended up on the USA Today bestseller list and some even hit national bestseller lists in the UK and Australia. My books have been translated into numerous languages and are for sale in dozens of countries around the world. I’ve won awards and been published with most of the big houses in New York, but my greatest achievement is touching readers’ hearts. When I hear from a reader who got caught up in one of my books, I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do.
I love writing emotionally deep stories with snappy dialogue and solid plots. I’m more grateful than I’ll ever be able to express that so many readers have taken my stories into their hearts and put my books on their reread and keeper shelves.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
May 8, 2018
Apparently, I didn't read Debbie DiFiore's review and got my second I genuinely-loved-my-first-wife-but-she-died story in a row. Not good. And as I've stated it before, I won't repeat why I don't like this kind of stories.
That part of the story aside. It started angsty enough to give it a chance but somewhere along the way the h started irritating me, I don't know if I have to blame her pregnancy hormones but her hysterics turned me to the H's team.
The story opens with the h hurt after seeing paparazzi pictures of the H dancing with a blonde at his father's something. They've been in a relationship for 6 months and both agreed to keep it secret because she works for his company and he hates paparazzi. She's in love and doesn't want to be his dirty little secret. He thought they were fine because from the beginning he told her that their relationship couldn't end in HEA because he loved his first wife and didn't have intentions on remarrying. The h's change of heart doesn't fit with his wishes and she ends up breaking up with him.
He's not happy with it and is prepared to make concessions to get her back. Next day she finds out she's pregnant. He is so thrilled because he was diagnosed with low sperm count and was resigned to be childless. He is a prince with honor and all that stuff so he tells her they'll get married.
The h had a not so perfect childhood because of her disease and her parents' overprotectiveness and emotional blackmail. And now everything he says, every concession he makes, everything he tries to mend and do for her is just wrong and cause of misery. So I jumped sides.
Blah, blah, blah and HEA.
I need an Alexa Riley to cleanse my palate.
That part of the story aside. It started angsty enough to give it a chance but somewhere along the way the h started irritating me, I don't know if I have to blame her pregnancy hormones but her hysterics turned me to the H's team.
The story opens with the h hurt after seeing paparazzi pictures of the H dancing with a blonde at his father's something. They've been in a relationship for 6 months and both agreed to keep it secret because she works for his company and he hates paparazzi. She's in love and doesn't want to be his dirty little secret. He thought they were fine because from the beginning he told her that their relationship couldn't end in HEA because he loved his first wife and didn't have intentions on remarrying. The h's change of heart doesn't fit with his wishes and she ends up breaking up with him.
He's not happy with it and is prepared to make concessions to get her back. Next day she finds out she's pregnant. He is so thrilled because he was diagnosed with low sperm count and was resigned to be childless. He is a prince with honor and all that stuff so he tells her they'll get married.
The h had a not so perfect childhood because of her disease and her parents' overprotectiveness and emotional blackmail. And now everything he says, every concession he makes, everything he tries to mend and do for her is just wrong and cause of misery. So I jumped sides.
Blah, blah, blah and HEA.
I need an Alexa Riley to cleanse my palate.
March 11, 2019
The second book in this series is about the youngest brother, better than the first The Prince's Virgin Wife, but by no means as good as The Scorsolini Marriage Bargain.
I'm really afraid that Monroe's heroes are going to get bullied, beaten up and kicked out of HarleyLand by the other real alpha HP heroes. They are just nice. Arrogant, yes, because...men... but still nice. The don't call the h sluts' the don't try and ruin their families or their lives, and even when they don't realize that they are in love they try and take care of their heroines emotionally. They even make stalwart attempts to discuss FEELINGS! What are we going to do with these guys? Even the H in the The Prince's Virgin Wife who is by far the biggest jackass and too arrogant isn't all that bad.
In this one, the widowed H not only has a low sperm count but believes the stupid curse his even more stupid father foists on him and his brothers that they can only truly love once. This does the h little good since she is both pregnant with the miracle child and in love with the H.
The H has to dig himself out of a big hole and doesn't do a good job. I'm short on time and in a bad mood so...that's it.
I'm really afraid that Monroe's heroes are going to get bullied, beaten up and kicked out of HarleyLand by the other real alpha HP heroes. They are just nice. Arrogant, yes, because...men... but still nice. The don't call the h sluts' the don't try and ruin their families or their lives, and even when they don't realize that they are in love they try and take care of their heroines emotionally. They even make stalwart attempts to discuss FEELINGS! What are we going to do with these guys? Even the H in the The Prince's Virgin Wife who is by far the biggest jackass and too arrogant isn't all that bad.
In this one, the widowed H not only has a low sperm count but believes the stupid curse his even more stupid father foists on him and his brothers that they can only truly love once. This does the h little good since she is both pregnant with the miracle child and in love with the H.
The H has to dig himself out of a big hole and doesn't do a good job. I'm short on time and in a bad mood so...that's it.
April 17, 2020
Widower hero thinks he's infertile and incapable of loving again until heroine proves him wrong on both points.
That's it. That's the plot. Although there are some lovely moments of angst in the first half where hero wants to keep the heroine a secret (while dancing with eligible women at family parties) and ignoring her at the workplace. The heroine's angst loses steam when the hero's issues are brought up and his behavior is more understandable.
Heroine clings to her grievances a bit too long so that the second half becomes a protracted grovel by the hero.
And this is where I sympathize with all romance writers.
I claim I want more grovel - but I realize I want the author to deploy grovels strategically and judiciously. Too much of grovel spice can overwhelm the angsty dish I crave. Then alpha male appears beta and the ending is gooey rather than searingly poignant.
Sorry writers, it's a hard needle to thread.
I did like the passive-aggressive mother-in-law/divorced queen who decides to finally forgive/reconcile with her husband. They had the same issues as the H/h (she was second wife who got pregnant) but let those issues break them up. It was a nice parallel story within the story.
That's it. That's the plot. Although there are some lovely moments of angst in the first half where hero wants to keep the heroine a secret (while dancing with eligible women at family parties) and ignoring her at the workplace. The heroine's angst loses steam when the hero's issues are brought up and his behavior is more understandable.
Heroine clings to her grievances a bit too long so that the second half becomes a protracted grovel by the hero.
And this is where I sympathize with all romance writers.
I claim I want more grovel - but I realize I want the author to deploy grovels strategically and judiciously. Too much of grovel spice can overwhelm the angsty dish I crave. Then alpha male appears beta and the ending is gooey rather than searingly poignant.
Sorry writers, it's a hard needle to thread.
I did like the passive-aggressive mother-in-law/divorced queen who decides to finally forgive/reconcile with her husband. They had the same issues as the H/h (she was second wife who got pregnant) but let those issues break them up. It was a nice parallel story within the story.
May 31, 2021
This story wasn't all that original, but the dead wife trope is totaly my favorite trope, and I savored every morsel of this angsty little gem by Lucy Monroe. Marcello's lost his wife (the love of his life) in a tragic accident, and he's promised he will never love again. Eventually Marcello starts to secretly see his new lover (also employee) Danette. He is completely up front with her about how he will never be able to be with her for longer than just an affair, and indeed he keeps his time with her a secret from their coworkers, his family and pretty much the world. To the point of even being seen out publicly with other women, to prevent anyone thinking he might be involved with just one woman. Danette falls hard for Marcello, and experiencing her heartbreak at realizing Marcello will truly never love her back, as well as Marcello refusing to let himself fall for Danette in any way, shape or form-was all delicious. I will most definitely be re-reading this baby again in the future.
July 24, 2017
So he loved his first wife so much he could never love again? This book made me sad. If there really was a Heaven, who would he spend eternity with? The first wife or the second one. I don't think that Heaven takes into account human failings. Is there really a chance that we won't have jealousy in Heaven? That is my fear for if eternity is meant for is there room for three or four or more?These kind of books make me sad. Makes me question God and HEA's. I am feeling low tonight I guess. This book just made me sad for Bianca, his first wife and the Queen, his Mother, who I think still loved her cheating bastard husband, the King. Just all in all a depressing book. Probably because I think too much. This book just didn't make me happy. Sorry.
January 29, 2013
Loved it! The heroine shows tremendous courage in falling in love with this particular Prince since he's got some serious baggage, being a widower and infertility issues(or so he thinks.)So of course he is arrogant and bossy and he feels that in denying himself a future with Danette he is protecting her. Thus he is not ready to commit and when he finally changes his mind cause of her pregnancy she is the one that is reluctant to marry him. And she is quite stubborn about it as well.
I felt that after a while their arguments got a bit repetitive and so did the plot but once again the Danette/Marcello chemistry was sizzling and their journey to happily ever after was sweet and touching !
I felt that after a while their arguments got a bit repetitive and so did the plot but once again the Danette/Marcello chemistry was sizzling and their journey to happily ever after was sweet and touching !
avoid
May 8, 2018Read Fanniny's 3-star review of His Royal Love-Child by Lucy Monroe
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
August 26, 2019
3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK decent reads.
=====================
==>Reread July, 2019 (- 1 ⭐)
==> Re-read march 15, 2016
==> Read september 06, 2012 (paperback)
=====================
==>Reread July, 2019 (- 1 ⭐)
==> Re-read march 15, 2016
==> Read september 06, 2012 (paperback)
The picture was exactly what she thought it was. It showed the drop-dead gorgeous president of the Italian arm of Scorsolini Shipping dancing with an equally attractive woman at his father’s birthday bash on Scorsolini Island. They were practically molded to one another’s bodies. Prince Marcello was smiling and the woman looked like a beautiful, sleek cat who had just copped a whole bowl of the richest cream.
She’d given him her virginity and asked for nothing in return but his overwhelming passion. He’d offered her his fidelity, but that picture made her doubt the sincerity of the gift.
That picture made her wonder if she hadn’t fooled herself about Marcello just as badly as she had with Ray.
“You know I will not tolerate a possessive scene, Danette.”
“How many women have you truly wanted to be with since Bianca?” she demanded, feeling waspish and hurt and unable to hold back the ugly question. “That is none of your business.” “Apparently most of your life is none of my business.”
“I don’t like being your dirty little secret.” “What we share is not dirty, and you are a secret because our relationship is so special to me that I do not want to lose it,” he gritted out between clenched teeth.
What difference did an apology make when it wasn’t accompanied by the assurance the offense would not happen again?
“I haven’t, because I considered myself taken, but I realize now that I shouldn’t have.”
He’d been so clear at the beginning of their affair that it could only ever be just that. An affair with a beginning and an end and no happily ever after.
He’d asked her to maintain their status quo at work and to keep their time together strictly confidential.
“I am not looking for marriage here. I do not want a long-term relationship.” “I’m not looking for marriage, either.”
“Our relationship remains strictly private. I will not allow the media into my personal life, which means others cannot know about us, either.” “I don’t have a problem with that.”
His wife’s death had devastated him. She’d quickly realized that he didn’t want to risk that kind of pain again, but she could have told him that love did not respect the fear of being hurt.
He’d been very clear. No commitments. No permanent ties. Absolute secrecy.
“I have plans this evening.” “Business plans?” she asked. “Does it matter?”
“I do not make it a habit to date employees,” he said with a perfectly straight face.
“I do not want you to love me.” “What?” “I told you in the beginning that our affair is temporary, that I was not looking for love and had none to give.”
“I cannot give you love and marriage.” “You can’t, or you won’t?” “I loved my wife, Danette. I will never love another woman. It is the destiny of the men in my family to love only once in such a way.” She heard the words, but she could not believe them.
“I do not wish to hurt you, but it is only fair for me to be honest. I am not looking at marriage with you.”
“I’ve been such a fool. I thought you were beginning to care for me but in reality the very actions I took as proof show how very little you really do feel for me.”
I really am nothing more than a body in your bed…an expendable secret mistress.”
“I mean it, Marcello. Get out of my home. I don’t ever want you to come here again.”
He didn’t love her. He never would. He didn’t even want her enough to think he would remain faithful if they were to marry.
“You’re the one that told me you weren’t planning to remarry because you didn’t trust yourself to be faithful.”
Other than their inability to have children, his life with Bianca had been near perfect. They’d been friends since childhood and hardly ever fought.
March 27, 2014
Danette Michaels has been Principe Marcello Scorsolini's secret lover for six months. They agreed to keep their relationship secret in order to avoid the paparazzi, but now it's not enough for her. Marcello makes it clear that he doesn't want to marry anyone again after his wife died several years ago. That all changes when Danette discovers she is pregnant, but she doesn't want to be married simply for the sake of her baby.
This is the second book in Lucy Monroe's Scorsolini Princes (or Royal Brides) series. It's marginally better than "The Prince's Virgin Wife," but not much. Danette is supposed to be a smart woman, but she sure thinks like an idiot. Marcello forgets to use condoms half the time, and she excuses this by deciding that he wouldn't mind if she gets pregnant, ergo he wouldn't mind marrying her, ergo he must secretly love her, or at least care deeply for her. What? It's pretty clear to me that if a guy doesn't bother using condoms even though you are not in a long-term relationship, he just doesn't really care about you and he's pretty irresponsible.
Marcello is a jerk. He discovered years ago that he has a low sperm count, and his wife never got pregnant. He assumes that this makes him sterile, but the reader of course knows he's going to get Danette pregnant. As soon as characters interpret low fertility as being infertility, you know there's going to be a surprise "miracle" pregnancy. Although I understand his reasons for keeping his relationship with Danette secret, it doesn't explain Marcello flirting with other women. He claims that he has to keep up his playboy image so that people won't question his sexuality and pry too hard into his private life. Seems more like a very flimsy excuse to play around, to me. I wasn't impressed to say the least.
In the end Marcello and Danette manage to convince each other that they love each other and live happily ever after. They both annoyed me so much that I really didn't care.
This is the second book in Lucy Monroe's Scorsolini Princes (or Royal Brides) series. It's marginally better than "The Prince's Virgin Wife," but not much. Danette is supposed to be a smart woman, but she sure thinks like an idiot. Marcello forgets to use condoms half the time, and she excuses this by deciding that he wouldn't mind if she gets pregnant, ergo he wouldn't mind marrying her, ergo he must secretly love her, or at least care deeply for her. What? It's pretty clear to me that if a guy doesn't bother using condoms even though you are not in a long-term relationship, he just doesn't really care about you and he's pretty irresponsible.
Marcello is a jerk. He discovered years ago that he has a low sperm count, and his wife never got pregnant. He assumes that this makes him sterile, but the reader of course knows he's going to get Danette pregnant. As soon as characters interpret low fertility as being infertility, you know there's going to be a surprise "miracle" pregnancy. Although I understand his reasons for keeping his relationship with Danette secret, it doesn't explain Marcello flirting with other women. He claims that he has to keep up his playboy image so that people won't question his sexuality and pry too hard into his private life. Seems more like a very flimsy excuse to play around, to me. I wasn't impressed to say the least.
In the end Marcello and Danette manage to convince each other that they love each other and live happily ever after. They both annoyed me so much that I really didn't care.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2018
The self-righteous moping of Lucy Monroe’s heroines as they stew in their unrequited love really resonates with my inner adolescent. This heroine actually tries to debate her hero into loving her: "don’t you see? By having unprotected sex with me and risking an unplanned pregnancy, you are secretly expressing your love for me! You would never be so careless with a woman you didn’t care about." (This fails to convince him, because *spoiler*. Also, her argument is totally illogical, but no one seems to notice that.)
This book peters out for me before its conclusion, but I still check it out frequently to reread the angsty jealousy scenes and to enjoy the ridiculous irony of the hero’s excuse for avoiding a committed, public relationship with the heroine. He doesn’t want to repeat his parents’ mistake:
The hero keeps insisting that his deceased first wife was the love of his life and therefore he can never again commit to another woman. Then the heroine gets pregnant and he proposes instantly. Like...were you not listening to yourself in chapter 6, dude?
Of course, it turns out that his real barrier to commitment was which only illustrates how badly these two communicated because the heroine . These two are the WORST communicators ever.
This book peters out for me before its conclusion, but I still check it out frequently to reread the angsty jealousy scenes and to enjoy the ridiculous irony of the hero’s excuse for avoiding a committed, public relationship with the heroine. He doesn’t want to repeat his parents’ mistake:
"They married because she was pregnant with me, but he had already had the love of his life and his feelings for my mother were not enough to keep him from other women. She discovered he had an affair and she left him."
The hero keeps insisting that his deceased first wife was the love of his life and therefore he can never again commit to another woman. Then the heroine gets pregnant and he proposes instantly. Like...were you not listening to yourself in chapter 6, dude?
Of course, it turns out that his real barrier to commitment was which only illustrates how badly these two communicated because the heroine . These two are the WORST communicators ever.
October 12, 2021
A very sad story of a woman without an ounce of self respect and a selfish man expert in manipulation and emotional blackmail.
So many thing I didn't like... I don't know how to begin.
The hero is a prince, not charming at all. He's a widower and he knows he'll never love another woman, or will remarry. He thinks he's completely sterile because his wife didn't conceive and he has a low sperm count.
I know dozens of couple where he has low sperm count and they have several children without making any fuss.
At the beginning of their affair he made himself very clear: their affair was to be temporary, no marriage, no children and most of all, secrecy.
I could even accept a situation like that, because both parties accepted it.
I can only say that a relationship with those premises is doomed and is almost always unbalanced, because it protects more one part than the other.
In this case the relationship protects his interest most of all, because he keeps dating other women, even if only for public appearance.
The heroine of course suffers for this situation, and, since she's a stupid and clueless woman, she falls in love with the man.
When he refuses to acknowledge her in front of his family, she leaves him.
It was the only good moment of the book, but she spoiled it when she told him she loved him and he threw her love in her face, admitting he would never love another woman.
Then he accepts to go public with her, but she refuses because he admits their affair is only temporary.
Another good moment.
Of course the sob doesn't even try to change her mind or to apologize for his selfish behaviour, instead he tells her she doesn't love him because if she did she would never have left him.
This is a manipulation of first order. And the worst is that after this she starts having doubts that what she did was right. What????
The only right thing she did was just that: leave him. A woman with a little of self respect would never accept a relationship if that relationship makes her unhappy, and she was, because he didn't give her what she wanted, that is not even a promise of forever love, but only the hope of a future together.
I can understand if two adults starts a relationship with their eyes wide open, that is, let's see how it goes, if the feelings that bind us grow and if we can have a future together, but starting a relationship with the strong belief that surely their affair is going to end is a self-fulfillling profecy.
-It's also very non-romantic and selfish, especially when it's one-sided.
When Danette finds out she's pregnant he has a personality transplant and immediately he wants to marry her and he declares he would have married her anyway.
I wanted to strangle him with my bare hands, but most of all I wanted to strangle her because she dared believe him.
Woman, are you stupid or slow witted? Or maybe both??
We all understand that if she didn't ask for any change in their relationship he would have never changed it, and their affair would have ended when he, during one of his parties where he danced and flirted with ow, finally met another woman who held his interest.
-He never cared for the heroine, he didn't ever ask if seeing him flirting with ow could hurt her, if being reneged in front of his family could be painful for her, or offensive.
I hated this hero with all my soul, he was one of the worst heroes ever and it's on my top list: men you have to avoid like the bubonic plague.
-Unfortunately, he tried to - and succeeded in- manipulate her and I have to admit he's one of the best in this field.
His justifications are really worth winning the first prize in deceiving communication.
-It's obvious and plain that if she wasn't pregnant he would have found another woman sooner or later, and I think sooner.
-He wasn't ready to make changes in their affair because it suited him perfectly, and he was willing to accept changes only because she was hurt and wanted out. In a word, he only didn't want to lose his bed partner.
-There wasn't even respect in this relationship because he never thought of her in any way other than sex.
I must admit that after he found out her pregnancy I lost interest in the book because I understood that the writer was trying too hard to be convincing that he really loved her but was afraid to admit it.
Pity, she didn't succeed.
The heroine was of course without a backbone and without self respect and so desperate for someone to love her that she believed his awful justifications without much difficulty.
-The lowest point is where she feels guilty because he doesn't think she loved him because she ended their affair.
-His statement that if she loved him she should have never left him is the same that any abusive man makes to his woman to keep her subdued and without any power in a toxic relationship.
-I'm all for communication but here we have an excess of analysis of their feelings that borders on manipulation where he tries to give an interpreation of his actions that is really ludicruous.
-I don't know if I could recommend it to anyone, if someone loves beta heroes of is interested in how far a man can go to deceive a woman and how a woman can deceive herself to get a man this is perfect.
So many thing I didn't like... I don't know how to begin.
The hero is a prince, not charming at all. He's a widower and he knows he'll never love another woman, or will remarry. He thinks he's completely sterile because his wife didn't conceive and he has a low sperm count.
I know dozens of couple where he has low sperm count and they have several children without making any fuss.
At the beginning of their affair he made himself very clear: their affair was to be temporary, no marriage, no children and most of all, secrecy.
I could even accept a situation like that, because both parties accepted it.
I can only say that a relationship with those premises is doomed and is almost always unbalanced, because it protects more one part than the other.
In this case the relationship protects his interest most of all, because he keeps dating other women, even if only for public appearance.
The heroine of course suffers for this situation, and, since she's a stupid and clueless woman, she falls in love with the man.
When he refuses to acknowledge her in front of his family, she leaves him.
It was the only good moment of the book, but she spoiled it when she told him she loved him and he threw her love in her face, admitting he would never love another woman.
Then he accepts to go public with her, but she refuses because he admits their affair is only temporary.
Another good moment.
Of course the sob doesn't even try to change her mind or to apologize for his selfish behaviour, instead he tells her she doesn't love him because if she did she would never have left him.
This is a manipulation of first order. And the worst is that after this she starts having doubts that what she did was right. What????
The only right thing she did was just that: leave him. A woman with a little of self respect would never accept a relationship if that relationship makes her unhappy, and she was, because he didn't give her what she wanted, that is not even a promise of forever love, but only the hope of a future together.
I can understand if two adults starts a relationship with their eyes wide open, that is, let's see how it goes, if the feelings that bind us grow and if we can have a future together, but starting a relationship with the strong belief that surely their affair is going to end is a self-fulfillling profecy.
-It's also very non-romantic and selfish, especially when it's one-sided.
When Danette finds out she's pregnant he has a personality transplant and immediately he wants to marry her and he declares he would have married her anyway.
I wanted to strangle him with my bare hands, but most of all I wanted to strangle her because she dared believe him.
Woman, are you stupid or slow witted? Or maybe both??
We all understand that if she didn't ask for any change in their relationship he would have never changed it, and their affair would have ended when he, during one of his parties where he danced and flirted with ow, finally met another woman who held his interest.
-He never cared for the heroine, he didn't ever ask if seeing him flirting with ow could hurt her, if being reneged in front of his family could be painful for her, or offensive.
I hated this hero with all my soul, he was one of the worst heroes ever and it's on my top list: men you have to avoid like the bubonic plague.
-Unfortunately, he tried to - and succeeded in- manipulate her and I have to admit he's one of the best in this field.
His justifications are really worth winning the first prize in deceiving communication.
-It's obvious and plain that if she wasn't pregnant he would have found another woman sooner or later, and I think sooner.
-He wasn't ready to make changes in their affair because it suited him perfectly, and he was willing to accept changes only because she was hurt and wanted out. In a word, he only didn't want to lose his bed partner.
-There wasn't even respect in this relationship because he never thought of her in any way other than sex.
I must admit that after he found out her pregnancy I lost interest in the book because I understood that the writer was trying too hard to be convincing that he really loved her but was afraid to admit it.
Pity, she didn't succeed.
The heroine was of course without a backbone and without self respect and so desperate for someone to love her that she believed his awful justifications without much difficulty.
-The lowest point is where she feels guilty because he doesn't think she loved him because she ended their affair.
-His statement that if she loved him she should have never left him is the same that any abusive man makes to his woman to keep her subdued and without any power in a toxic relationship.
-I'm all for communication but here we have an excess of analysis of their feelings that borders on manipulation where he tries to give an interpreation of his actions that is really ludicruous.
-I don't know if I could recommend it to anyone, if someone loves beta heroes of is interested in how far a man can go to deceive a woman and how a woman can deceive herself to get a man this is perfect.
October 4, 2011
I really got wrapped up in the characters and wished it would have been longer instead of a short. I usually enjoy this author's stories and this was no exception. I felt the heroine was a bit immature due to circumstances and it showed in the story. The hero under estimated his feelings for the heroine and almost waited too late to fix it. But there of course was a HEA and it was a satisfying one too. As the couple actually communicated - whoa go figure....
Would love to see a short story on the parents of the hero, there could be a really good story there.
By the way just one typo/editing issue in this book.
Would love to see a short story on the parents of the hero, there could be a really good story there.
By the way just one typo/editing issue in this book.
July 27, 2012
Synopsis - Prince Marcello Scorsolini and American Danette Michaels first met when her friend’s fiancé asked Marcello to hire her at Scorsolini Shipping. He was impressed with her work ethic and drawn to her beauty, eventually initiating an affair. Their 6 months together is the longest relationship Marcello has had since the death of his wife, and while he refuses to make a long-term commitment to Danette, he has no desire to stop any time soon. Because of the intrusiveness of the press in his marriage, he wanted to keep their relationship a secret, for both his and Danette’s sakes. Thanks to her friend’s experiences with the paparazzi and her own concerns about having a baby, Danette is initially on board with these restrictions. When she realizes that she is falling in love with Marcello, her perspective changes and suddenly everything he says or does seems like proof that she’s unimportant to him.
Realizing that the secrecy is hurting Danette and unwilling to lose her, Marcello offers to curb his public playboy façade and then to even take her as his date to his brother’s wedding. He tries to explain why he doesn't intend to marry again, citing his father's inability to be faithful to his mother (the King's second wife). Danette reminds him of that when her pregnancy is discovered, but Marcello is determined to give his name to both his child and the woman he has come to see as his own. There are a lot of insecurities between the two, but they can't only think of themselves; there's a child and the royal line of Isole dei Re to consider now.
Review - Lucy Monroe hit upon one of my ongoing inner conflicts between pride/dignity and true love. I always feel that real love is centered on the other person, not on getting something for ourselves. We’re human, so of course we’re not perfectly selfless, but perhaps Danette is being premature to label her feelings as love. On the other hand, it’s totally valid to want to protect yourself from being hurt. If you’re in a relationship where can't trust that the other person cares as much as you do, it makes sense to hold back before you get too deep. Might make for a sucky love story though, haha!
Marcello isn’t deliberately cruel (quite the opposite), and he demonstrates that the relationship is about more than sex to my satisfaction. He tried not to lead her astray, but also showed that he respected her as person and that making time for her was important to him. Yes, his beliefs about being unable to love again are screwy, but kids tend to trust what their parents teach them. His insecurities about infertility and his first marriage compound all that, but he doesn't use that to excuse bad behavior. He actually apologizes and says "please" multiple times, from beginning to end, in the story (unheard of for the hero of a Harlequin Presents book!).
Danette makes a good point in her musings about “how stingy unrequited love could be,” and that Bianca (Marcello’s first wife) might have been better at expressing love because she knew she was loved in return. She can be forgiven, initially, for not realizing that she is hurting Marcello, but it takes a long time to sink in, and even longer to translate into action. I was really glad when he called her out on her behavior not seeming very loving, without turning it into emotional blackmail. The whole set-up/discussion could have easily gotten ugly in that way, but Monroe's skill made this a far better read than I was expecting.
This is the second book about the Scorsolini princes (preceded by The Prince's Virgin Wife and followed by The Scorsolini Marriage Bargain). I enjoyed all three, but the aforementioned discussion about the meaning of love elevated this one to my favorite.
Realizing that the secrecy is hurting Danette and unwilling to lose her, Marcello offers to curb his public playboy façade and then to even take her as his date to his brother’s wedding. He tries to explain why he doesn't intend to marry again, citing his father's inability to be faithful to his mother (the King's second wife). Danette reminds him of that when her pregnancy is discovered, but Marcello is determined to give his name to both his child and the woman he has come to see as his own. There are a lot of insecurities between the two, but they can't only think of themselves; there's a child and the royal line of Isole dei Re to consider now.
Review - Lucy Monroe hit upon one of my ongoing inner conflicts between pride/dignity and true love. I always feel that real love is centered on the other person, not on getting something for ourselves. We’re human, so of course we’re not perfectly selfless, but perhaps Danette is being premature to label her feelings as love. On the other hand, it’s totally valid to want to protect yourself from being hurt. If you’re in a relationship where can't trust that the other person cares as much as you do, it makes sense to hold back before you get too deep. Might make for a sucky love story though, haha!
Marcello isn’t deliberately cruel (quite the opposite), and he demonstrates that the relationship is about more than sex to my satisfaction. He tried not to lead her astray, but also showed that he respected her as person and that making time for her was important to him. Yes, his beliefs about being unable to love again are screwy, but kids tend to trust what their parents teach them. His insecurities about infertility and his first marriage compound all that, but he doesn't use that to excuse bad behavior. He actually apologizes and says "please" multiple times, from beginning to end, in the story (unheard of for the hero of a Harlequin Presents book!).
Danette makes a good point in her musings about “how stingy unrequited love could be,” and that Bianca (Marcello’s first wife) might have been better at expressing love because she knew she was loved in return. She can be forgiven, initially, for not realizing that she is hurting Marcello, but it takes a long time to sink in, and even longer to translate into action. I was really glad when he called her out on her behavior not seeming very loving, without turning it into emotional blackmail. The whole set-up/discussion could have easily gotten ugly in that way, but Monroe's skill made this a far better read than I was expecting.
This is the second book about the Scorsolini princes (preceded by The Prince's Virgin Wife and followed by The Scorsolini Marriage Bargain). I enjoyed all three, but the aforementioned discussion about the meaning of love elevated this one to my favorite.
April 21, 2017
Leído el 24/09/2010
October 27, 2021
His Royal Love-Child is a series (The Scorsolini’s) within a series (Royal Brides) and basically follows the Scorsolini men that all seem to be widows (the next h is very brave being the first wife of Claudio) and think they can only love once. Danette has been Marcello’s on the DL mistress for 6-months, and starting to get itchy. She originally agreed to being his secret lover with an expiration date, but was hoping it would grow into more. Now she’s starting to feel like a dirty secret and wanting out of the shadows.
“What we share is not dirty, and you are a secret because our relationship is so special to me that I do not want to lose it,” he gritted out between clenched teeth.
Marcello is a prince of a made-up country, and insists that the relationship remain on the DL because the press hounds will destroy her life if they even get a whiff of a relationship. His dead wife Bianca was tormented by the paparazzi, and he isn’t looking for a repeat. As a cover, he pretends to be a playboy, and is regularly photographed with various women.
“I had no privacy in my marriage. Bianca had to travel everywhere with bodyguards not only for her personal security, but to protect her from the intrusive press. I have told you this.”
He sighed. “I developed a playboy facade after Bianca’s death to protect myself and the woman I truly wanted to be with. You know this. We have discussed it before.”
The book starts out with some angsty goodness as Danette struggles with loving him and wanting more. She’s tired of the tabloid stories of his dalliances (not real), and all the secrets. Making it more complicated, they work together so she has to pretend they are only acquaintances, and lie to her friends.
“I cannot give you love and marriage.” “You can’t, or you won’t?” “I loved my wife, Danette. I will never love another woman. It is the destiny of the men in my family to love only once in such a way.”
But then things started to lose steam for me because Danette started to grate on my nerves. Her reactions felt super immature (tantrums, hanging up on him, hiding) while he was trying to reassure her of his feelings, and offering to go public. Then she finds out she preggers with his “love-child” and when she FINALLY gets everything she wanted …the plot stalls because she’s still not happy. We enter an endless cycle of her complaining, dragging up adolescent baggage, and the yo-yo of declaring her love while treating him like crap all while he kisses her ass. Now I love some grovel, but I really need the crime to justify the time, and Marcello isn’t realty guilty of anything.
“You are. You take everything I do and say and interpret it with the worse possible connotations. You do not trust me. You even reject my declaration of love. You have no faith in me at all!”
Bottom Line- Just ok for me. I struggled with the h which affected my enjoyment.
“What we share is not dirty, and you are a secret because our relationship is so special to me that I do not want to lose it,” he gritted out between clenched teeth.
Marcello is a prince of a made-up country, and insists that the relationship remain on the DL because the press hounds will destroy her life if they even get a whiff of a relationship. His dead wife Bianca was tormented by the paparazzi, and he isn’t looking for a repeat. As a cover, he pretends to be a playboy, and is regularly photographed with various women.
“I had no privacy in my marriage. Bianca had to travel everywhere with bodyguards not only for her personal security, but to protect her from the intrusive press. I have told you this.”
He sighed. “I developed a playboy facade after Bianca’s death to protect myself and the woman I truly wanted to be with. You know this. We have discussed it before.”
The book starts out with some angsty goodness as Danette struggles with loving him and wanting more. She’s tired of the tabloid stories of his dalliances (not real), and all the secrets. Making it more complicated, they work together so she has to pretend they are only acquaintances, and lie to her friends.
“I cannot give you love and marriage.” “You can’t, or you won’t?” “I loved my wife, Danette. I will never love another woman. It is the destiny of the men in my family to love only once in such a way.”
But then things started to lose steam for me because Danette started to grate on my nerves. Her reactions felt super immature (tantrums, hanging up on him, hiding) while he was trying to reassure her of his feelings, and offering to go public. Then she finds out she preggers with his “love-child” and when she FINALLY gets everything she wanted …the plot stalls because she’s still not happy. We enter an endless cycle of her complaining, dragging up adolescent baggage, and the yo-yo of declaring her love while treating him like crap all while he kisses her ass. Now I love some grovel, but I really need the crime to justify the time, and Marcello isn’t realty guilty of anything.
“You are. You take everything I do and say and interpret it with the worse possible connotations. You do not trust me. You even reject my declaration of love. You have no faith in me at all!”
Bottom Line- Just ok for me. I struggled with the h which affected my enjoyment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2013
Book Description
The prince and his pregnant mistress...
Danette Michaels knew that when she became Principe Marcello Scorsolini's secret mistress there would be no marriage, no future and no public acknowledgment. At the time it was enough. But Danette can't be Marcello's secret any longer. She wants him, all or nothing--even if it means their affair is over.
Until a pregnancy test changes the rules forever....
This book had a good a story line. The love between Danette, and Marcello was sweet. I liked the way Marcello thought love should be shown through actions, and not words. Anyone can say words, and not mean them, Actions on the other hand speaks loud and clear.
This book was a little annoying at the beginning. It switched for past, to present several times and was hard to keep up with. In this story Danette was afraid she would pass a deformity to her child. The book finished, before we knew if the child was ok. The book would have been better with a epilogue.
The prince and his pregnant mistress...
Danette Michaels knew that when she became Principe Marcello Scorsolini's secret mistress there would be no marriage, no future and no public acknowledgment. At the time it was enough. But Danette can't be Marcello's secret any longer. She wants him, all or nothing--even if it means their affair is over.
Until a pregnancy test changes the rules forever....
This book had a good a story line. The love between Danette, and Marcello was sweet. I liked the way Marcello thought love should be shown through actions, and not words. Anyone can say words, and not mean them, Actions on the other hand speaks loud and clear.
This book was a little annoying at the beginning. It switched for past, to present several times and was hard to keep up with. In this story Danette was afraid she would pass a deformity to her child. The book finished, before we knew if the child was ok. The book would have been better with a epilogue.
May 12, 2019
Standalone/Cliffhanger: Standalone but part of a series
Ages of H and h: In their 30s
Multi-Luv'n/Ménages:
Was There Descriptive Sex:
Descriptive Sex &/Or Drama Between H/h With OW/OM:
>>If So, Before or After H/h Hookup:
Contains Cheating:
Amount of Sex In The Book:
HEA/HFN/etc Ending:
Will This Meet My 'Safety Gang' Buddies' Approval:
Any Triggers/Warnings: No
>>Detail: N/A
Do You Recommend This Book: Yes.
Will You Re-read This Book: No
Would You Read More Books By This Author: Yes
My Thoughts
Ages of H and h: In their 30s
Multi-Luv'n/Ménages:
Was There Descriptive Sex:
Descriptive Sex &/Or Drama Between H/h With OW/OM:
>>If So, Before or After H/h Hookup:
Contains Cheating:
Amount of Sex In The Book:
HEA/HFN/etc Ending:
Will This Meet My 'Safety Gang' Buddies' Approval:
Any Triggers/Warnings: No
>>Detail: N/A
Do You Recommend This Book: Yes.
Will You Re-read This Book: No
Would You Read More Books By This Author: Yes
My Thoughts
February 6, 2011
Loved it the chemistry between Danette & Marcello are great their little arguments are real entertaining and they both had a great story to tell...
Makes you can't even wait for July for Therese & Claudio's story..I'm just in love with the family altogether
My fav.. line in the book if you don't mind me saying is
" A low sperm count doesn't mean no sperm count" that line made a smile come to my face but anyway when you read the book you will know what i mean...
Makes you can't even wait for July for Therese & Claudio's story..I'm just in love with the family altogether
My fav.. line in the book if you don't mind me saying is
" A low sperm count doesn't mean no sperm count" that line made a smile come to my face but anyway when you read the book you will know what i mean...
May 25, 2012
my least favorite of the royal series. I had a hard time believing that Marcello really loved Danette
November 14, 2017
De los tres hermanos, Marcello fue el que más me atrapó.
Él siente la necesidad de mantener su vida en privado, incluyendo a su amante Danette. Después de seis meses juntos, él está irrevocablemente unido a ella, pero ella ya está cansada de ser su "sucio secreto" y aunque él afirma que lo hace para protegerla, una foto en público con una rubia como uno de los solteros más deseados, acaba por completo con la paciencia de Danette que decide acabar con la relación. Pero todo cambia cuando ella descubre que está embarazada, y todo aquello que Marcello creía no podría tener se le colocó en bandeja de plata. Él ya había renunciado a ser lo que más anciaba: padre. Y Danette le da esa oportunidad.
Pero después de tanto rechazo y secretismo, ella no se lo va a poner fácil.
AMO la escena cuando Marcello va después de la cena a la casa de Danette y le dice, menos mal que Ramón no está aquí porque es que si lo encontraba aquí.... Jajajajaja.
Él siente la necesidad de mantener su vida en privado, incluyendo a su amante Danette. Después de seis meses juntos, él está irrevocablemente unido a ella, pero ella ya está cansada de ser su "sucio secreto" y aunque él afirma que lo hace para protegerla, una foto en público con una rubia como uno de los solteros más deseados, acaba por completo con la paciencia de Danette que decide acabar con la relación. Pero todo cambia cuando ella descubre que está embarazada, y todo aquello que Marcello creía no podría tener se le colocó en bandeja de plata. Él ya había renunciado a ser lo que más anciaba: padre. Y Danette le da esa oportunidad.
Pero después de tanto rechazo y secretismo, ella no se lo va a poner fácil.
AMO la escena cuando Marcello va después de la cena a la casa de Danette y le dice, menos mal que Ramón no está aquí porque es que si lo encontraba aquí.... Jajajajaja.
June 27, 2018
Se oli hyvä!! Aika intensiivinen ja koukuttavakin. Onneks tuli onnellinen loppu.
August 25, 2011
So the heroine is in a secret relationship with her boss. He's also a prince and he hates the media attention. They agreed to no strings but exclusive. Now the heroine is ready for something more. She believes the hero actually has developed feelings for her. They went from spending a couple of nights a week together to practically living together and he was very cavalier about using condoms, knowing she wasn't on birth control. But one of her friends/coworkers brings her a magazine showing the hero dancing up on a hot model at his father's birthday bash and the heroine is pissed. So she's shocked that the man of the hour shows up at her house that same night.
This heroine is so brilliant. She immediately confronts him and even shows him the article. She questions him, she doesn't fall prey to him either. She tells him that she wants a public relationship and he tells her no.
The heroine actually stands up to him so much. She's secure, knows what she wants and she goes for it. She's not horrible, not a b.... either. The hero sees no problem with himself being pictured dancing up on a model like a single guy because if he doesn't act like a playboy the press might be suspicious. And then the heroine is set up into going on a date with another man because everyone thinks she's single. The hero actually has to see her on a date and he concedes that it wasn't a nice feeling.
He tells her that he won't marry her, he'll never marry her, he doesn't love her, he'll eventually leave her. And it'll be better if no one knows about their relationship when they do break up. And he doesn't really have any feelings about her, just that he's got a really low sperm count and if he couldn't impregnate the only woman he will ever love, his late wife, there was no way he could impregnate his bed partner either.
And the heroine ditches him! Yay.
Everything goes wonderfully until the heroine winds up pregnant. Now the hero wants to marry her and then guilts her into thinking that if she really loved him, she'd be willing to try rather than just break up with him.
And the heroine has the stupidest epiphany ever. True love is unselfish and she's being selfish in thinking of herself and her future hurt instead of just taking what scraps the hero throws her way.
Danette, the heroine, is so wonderful at the start of this book. I really loved it. But over the half way point she falls off the wagon and flounders. I read this book immediately after The Prince's Virgin Wife and comparatively, this book is awesome, but it's still not the greatest.
It is worth it to see the heroine actually ask for things she wants, and give the hero crap for using and abusing her. It didn't turn into a horrible book, more of a same old same old, but after the beginning I didn't want a dishrag, take whatever you want to dish out as long as I can be with you, heroine.
This heroine is so brilliant. She immediately confronts him and even shows him the article. She questions him, she doesn't fall prey to him either. She tells him that she wants a public relationship and he tells her no.
The heroine actually stands up to him so much. She's secure, knows what she wants and she goes for it. She's not horrible, not a b.... either. The hero sees no problem with himself being pictured dancing up on a model like a single guy because if he doesn't act like a playboy the press might be suspicious. And then the heroine is set up into going on a date with another man because everyone thinks she's single. The hero actually has to see her on a date and he concedes that it wasn't a nice feeling.
He tells her that he won't marry her, he'll never marry her, he doesn't love her, he'll eventually leave her. And it'll be better if no one knows about their relationship when they do break up. And he doesn't really have any feelings about her, just that he's got a really low sperm count and if he couldn't impregnate the only woman he will ever love, his late wife, there was no way he could impregnate his bed partner either.
And the heroine ditches him! Yay.
Everything goes wonderfully until the heroine winds up pregnant. Now the hero wants to marry her and then guilts her into thinking that if she really loved him, she'd be willing to try rather than just break up with him.
And the heroine has the stupidest epiphany ever. True love is unselfish and she's being selfish in thinking of herself and her future hurt instead of just taking what scraps the hero throws her way.
Danette, the heroine, is so wonderful at the start of this book. I really loved it. But over the half way point she falls off the wagon and flounders. I read this book immediately after The Prince's Virgin Wife and comparatively, this book is awesome, but it's still not the greatest.
It is worth it to see the heroine actually ask for things she wants, and give the hero crap for using and abusing her. It didn't turn into a horrible book, more of a same old same old, but after the beginning I didn't want a dishrag, take whatever you want to dish out as long as I can be with you, heroine.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2019
4 1/2 Stars! ~ Prince Marcello Scorsolini had vowed never to marry or love again. He felt immense guilt over his wife's death and their child-less marriage. A friend asks him to find a place in his shipping company for a young woman, and Marcello finds himself breaking a rule never to become involved with an employee. Danette Michaels knows she has to do the job of two people to prove that she deserves her job on her own merits. At first she discourages her boss' interests, but their attraction is very strong and she soon finds herself agreeing to a secret relationship, one that will never lead to marriage or a life time together. This arrangement adds spark to their affair in the beginning, but after six months Danette realizes she's in love with Marcello and no longer wishes to be his secret. Marcello attends his father's, the King of Isole dei Re, birthday celebrations and acts out the carefree playboy for the press. Danette confronts Marcello with photos that appear in a tabloid of him dancing intimately with another woman. She's hurt and when Marcello refuses to take their relationship public, she ends their affair. Marcello isn't ready to end their affair, and neither is he ready to publicly introduce Danette as his love interest, he knows the press with torment them. A shocking surprise changes everything. Danette is pregnant, and now Marcello insists that they marry. Danette has no doubt that Marcello is esctatic about the baby when he confesses that he had believed he could not father a child. His confession only confuses Danette more, and she refuses his proposal not wishing to be included in Marcello's life only because of the baby.
This one was as riveting a read as the first in the trilogy. Marcello and Danette both have painful pasts. Marcello's guilt over his wife's tragic death and his inability to give her a child, clouds his feelings for Danette. There are a quite a few emotional scenes, the one where Danette comforts Marcello and thus finally allowing him to unburden himself of his guilt, is quite poignant. Ms. Monroe always gives us so much depth to her heros. They can be arrogant and domineering and yet still be able to hold their women close to their hearts with the utmost tenderness. Bravo!
This one was as riveting a read as the first in the trilogy. Marcello and Danette both have painful pasts. Marcello's guilt over his wife's tragic death and his inability to give her a child, clouds his feelings for Danette. There are a quite a few emotional scenes, the one where Danette comforts Marcello and thus finally allowing him to unburden himself of his guilt, is quite poignant. Ms. Monroe always gives us so much depth to her heros. They can be arrogant and domineering and yet still be able to hold their women close to their hearts with the utmost tenderness. Bravo!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2011
This was really good and I only have a few small problems with it.. Im bummed and a little confused as to why the pregnancy wasnt more of the story especially with the name of the book.. I would have expected her to be further along or an epilogue.. Very minor issue but Im bummed she didnt call her parents the whole story. She kept saying she hadnt yet but would have liked an appearance.. Overall this was a pretty good HP.. I have to say it was like a breath of fresh air that Marcello hadnt had Danelle investigated like so many other Hs have in other books.. Marcello was actually pretty sweet.. Also I loved the little look into the H's mom and dad- reconciliation? I hope so :)
March 1, 2021
The prince and his pregnant mistress...
Danette Michaels knew that when she became Principe Marcello Scorsolini's secret mistress there would be no marriage, no future and no public acknowledgment. At the time it was enough.
But Danette can't be Marcello's secret any longer. She wants him, all or nothing -- even if it means their affair is over.
Until a pregnancy test changes the rules forever...
Danette Michaels knew that when she became Principe Marcello Scorsolini's secret mistress there would be no marriage, no future and no public acknowledgment. At the time it was enough.
But Danette can't be Marcello's secret any longer. She wants him, all or nothing -- even if it means their affair is over.
Until a pregnancy test changes the rules forever...
September 13, 2021
This was a fairly typical mistress-got-pregnant. It’s one of my favorite tropes, and I thought this one was well done. And what made the book especially enjoyable for me was the likability of the characters. I liked Danette and Marcello; there was so much intensity to this couple, and I was so happy to read their bumpy journey to HEA.
April 28, 2013
4.5 stars
September 20, 2013
short read.. but I am inlove with harlequin... so. I enjoyed it...
September 16, 2024
اعاصير ملكية
روااية روعة
روااية روعة
February 13, 2022
So this is Danette's story who's the friend from "wedding vow of revenge." She was a bit self pitying and I love that because I guess I'm that way.
The main theme in this book is Danette being unsure and Marcello reassuring and being affectionate with her. Just my kind of book.
Danette is a good worker where Angelo has found a job for her and placed her in Italy. Her boss is Marcello. Marcello is attracted to her and makes the first move in letting her know that.
On the night he goes to her place though, she lets him know she's a virgin.
He tries to halt everything and let's her know he thought she was experienced. That he's not looking for a relationship and there can be no happy ending.
He loved his wife very much and in their family there is only one love in their life or some BS.
She tells him it's ok. She wants him to be her first. After six months and a photo of him with a blonde though, she's decidedly not ok with it or the secrecy of the relationship.
There was a rather angsty scene where he actually pretends not to know her Infront of his family. If he didn't get so angry at seeing her out with another guy, it would have been a DNF for me.
Marcello's character was not angry and hateful. I liked that. Even when she confronted him and asked that they go public, his refusal and reasons were a little shoddy but he was kind and even held her while she cried about his answer.
His reasoning went from 'he was protecting her from the paparazzi' because she would not be able to handle them and the fact that his family would try to connive and force a marriage...
AND HE DIDN'T WANT TO MARRY HER.
To all of a sudden he'd really loved her but thought he would disappoint another woman by not being able to give her a child. He of course realizes this AFTER they break up and she gets pregnant.
So now I and the leading lady have no idea where his true feelings lie.
Marcello was very inconsistent with protection and I found it very irresponsible, even if he thought he couldn't get her pregnant.
Danette was inexperienced and had a fear of getting pregnant and passing on a illness she'd had in childhood. He took that choice away from her.
He is very considerate of her feelings and needs and coddles and protects her a lot so even when he's being a jerk in his decisions and words it's not hard to read though.
Two things I did not like in this book. Firstly, he insists he loved his first wife very much. Even though in his mind he distinguishes that Danette is not biddable and challenges him unlike his wife did. And also the passion is vastly more potent.
He still insists he loved his dead wife very much. The minor words of Danette's difference didn't soothe me. I didn't like that at all.
Secondly, there is an underlying theme in Lucy's books which I consider mental abuse or manipulation for the hero to always get what he wants.
As soon as the heroine decides her love will not be returned and she should walk away in the interest of keeping herself happy or sane....
The hero comes with the stupid line.... how is it love if you can walk away so easily? Maybe my honor and blind duty is more enduring.
And further enhancing this repeating trope, the heroine then starts questioning herself and gives in to things she doesn't really want which is called COERCION.
Everytime.
Where is the strong woman who walks away knowing she has done what is best for both of their futures to have a hope of being happier elsewhere? At least a minor scene of independence of mind would work.
Anyway, Danette meets all the royalty and has her happily ever after in the end. I enjoyed Marcello's character regardless and the angst was very minor.
The main theme in this book is Danette being unsure and Marcello reassuring and being affectionate with her. Just my kind of book.
Danette is a good worker where Angelo has found a job for her and placed her in Italy. Her boss is Marcello. Marcello is attracted to her and makes the first move in letting her know that.
On the night he goes to her place though, she lets him know she's a virgin.
He tries to halt everything and let's her know he thought she was experienced. That he's not looking for a relationship and there can be no happy ending.
He loved his wife very much and in their family there is only one love in their life or some BS.
She tells him it's ok. She wants him to be her first. After six months and a photo of him with a blonde though, she's decidedly not ok with it or the secrecy of the relationship.
There was a rather angsty scene where he actually pretends not to know her Infront of his family. If he didn't get so angry at seeing her out with another guy, it would have been a DNF for me.
Marcello's character was not angry and hateful. I liked that. Even when she confronted him and asked that they go public, his refusal and reasons were a little shoddy but he was kind and even held her while she cried about his answer.
His reasoning went from 'he was protecting her from the paparazzi' because she would not be able to handle them and the fact that his family would try to connive and force a marriage...
AND HE DIDN'T WANT TO MARRY HER.
To all of a sudden he'd really loved her but thought he would disappoint another woman by not being able to give her a child. He of course realizes this AFTER they break up and she gets pregnant.
So now I and the leading lady have no idea where his true feelings lie.
Marcello was very inconsistent with protection and I found it very irresponsible, even if he thought he couldn't get her pregnant.
Danette was inexperienced and had a fear of getting pregnant and passing on a illness she'd had in childhood. He took that choice away from her.
He is very considerate of her feelings and needs and coddles and protects her a lot so even when he's being a jerk in his decisions and words it's not hard to read though.
Two things I did not like in this book. Firstly, he insists he loved his first wife very much. Even though in his mind he distinguishes that Danette is not biddable and challenges him unlike his wife did. And also the passion is vastly more potent.
He still insists he loved his dead wife very much. The minor words of Danette's difference didn't soothe me. I didn't like that at all.
Secondly, there is an underlying theme in Lucy's books which I consider mental abuse or manipulation for the hero to always get what he wants.
As soon as the heroine decides her love will not be returned and she should walk away in the interest of keeping herself happy or sane....
The hero comes with the stupid line.... how is it love if you can walk away so easily? Maybe my honor and blind duty is more enduring.
And further enhancing this repeating trope, the heroine then starts questioning herself and gives in to things she doesn't really want which is called COERCION.
Everytime.
Where is the strong woman who walks away knowing she has done what is best for both of their futures to have a hope of being happier elsewhere? At least a minor scene of independence of mind would work.
Anyway, Danette meets all the royalty and has her happily ever after in the end. I enjoyed Marcello's character regardless and the angst was very minor.
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