Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
Matteo Benenati has spent his life wrapped in wealth and privilege. He is shallow, selfish, jaded--and he likes it that way.

When bold American art student Riley Tremaine crashes into his life, her light forces him to examine the dark places inside of his soul, the ones he thought he'd buried with his father. He knows he should let her go... but he's never claimed to be a good man.

When Matteo is pitted against his unscrupulous stepsister Emilia Guerra in a bid for his late father's empire, he must decide between honor and vice. In need of a wife--and desperate to possess her--Matteo makes Riley an offer she can't refuse. She will be his bride--in every meaning of the word--so that he can protect his legacy.

But Matteo soon learns that Emilia's soul is darker even than his own. And by marrying Riley, he has made her a pawn in a power struggle that could shatter their world.

ebook

First published June 1, 2014

179 people are currently reading
1001 people want to read

About the author

Lauren Hawkeye

127 books495 followers
Lauren Hawkeye/ Lauren Jameson never imagined that she'd wind up telling stories for a living... though when she looks back, it's easy to see that she's the only one who is surprised. Always "the kid who read all the time", Lauren made up stories about her favorite characters once she'd finished a book... and once spent an entire year narrating her own life internally. No, really. But where she was just plain odd before publication, now she can at least claim to have an artistic temperament.

Lauren lives in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada with her husband, toddler, pit bull and idiot cat, though they do not live in an igloo, nor do they drive a dogsled. In her nonexistent spare time Lauren can be found knitting (her husband claims that her snobby yarn collection is exorbitant), reading anything she can get her hands on, or sweating her way through spin class. She loves to hear from her readers!

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
294 (23%)
4 stars
366 (28%)
3 stars
385 (30%)
2 stars
175 (13%)
1 star
51 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
Profile Image for Brandy.
17 reviews3 followers
January 30, 2015
Lately, I have been reading a lot of serious books, so I took a break to read this romance. I got it for free on my Kindle, and as a writer, I know a lot of people are self-publishing these days, which is great for those people who want to get their work out there. Now, when it comes to romance novels in general, I know I am not getting Hemingway or Faulkner, but I find it disheartening when writers do not take the time to revise and/or edit their work. Sadly, I have found this to be an issue with many self-published books. As a result, books that could be amazing are mediocre because the writer either did not take the time to review her or his work, or did not hire someone with a professional background in writing/editing to provide feedback.

This story, like many of the stories I have read, was not bad. With a little more development and editing, it could be a great book (even for a typical romance novel); however, I feel it was rushed and there were no transitions between scenes in some areas. As a reader, I was left with a few unanswered questions and I had a hard time connecting to the characters because of this lack of development and transition. Overall, I could have overlooked these issues considering this book falls under the short fiction category, but the editing issues were also a distraction. Miss Hawkeye, I would be happy to offer you my editing services at a competitive rate. Please email me at brwriteforme@gmail.com if you are interested.
Profile Image for Debbie "Buried in Her TBR Pile".
1,902 reviews298 followers
December 6, 2018
2.5 stars

Also part of Fall in Love: Twenty-two "First in Series" Romances anthology

For some reason, I had this marked as read and 5 stars. I couldn't remember anything about it, couldn't remember reading, etc. So, I just re-read. While a fast read and a truly psychotic step-sister, this one is not a 5 star. In a couple of days time, the H/h meet; H finds out he must marry to get control of his father's company; step-sister tries to frame the h with embezzlement; H sends h away; and more drama. I couldn't connect. I may have marked as read and rated while noting that I found this in an anthology I own.
Profile Image for Kimme.
772 reviews2 followers
February 5, 2015
I liked the fast moving story. The crazy step sister added the twist and turns that the story needed. Matteo and Riley were made for each other. Both with baggage and a little blah for my taste. I did like the story.
Profile Image for Anna's Herding Cats.
1,274 reviews319 followers
April 6, 2018


Reviewed for herding cats & burning soup. (posting to blog 7/9/18)
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2EpKWEb

Eh. A Bride or a Billionaire was okay. It was a quick read and entertaining enough though nothing all that special.

The Gist: Matteo finds himself suddenly in need of a wife. And the perfect 'fake wife' is right at his fingertips...a girl he's just rescued from an airport scuffle that left her injured. She's desperate for money so...why not? They'll spend a month married, both get what they want then go their separate ways...

So, yes. This one was fine. It's nothing new -- rich guy with inheritance on the line, poor girl in dire straits-- and wasn't all that memorable. Matteo and Riley were fine. She's a little defensive, he's a bit of an ass. But they seemed to like one another. I didn't hate em. There was some over the top drama that brought them closer together and that was about it.

Fine for a rainy afternoon but not one that inspired me to pick up any more from the series.
Profile Image for Andrea.
301 reviews611 followers
July 25, 2019
A Bride For a Billionaire read like a bit like an old school category romance. You have a European billionaire with daddy issues, who needs a bride to inherit his fortune. A fresh, innocent young woman with mommy issues, who really needs the money. And a marriage-of-convenience. A villain in the unhinged step-sister who's out to seduce him out of his fortune and will go to any means necessary to do that. These elements combine to form a twisty, seductive, over-the-top story. Despite that, or maybe because of it, A Bride For a Billionaire was fun. It was exactly as advertised!

I really had to let myself go with this one. I didn't really understand why Mateo found Riley so fascinating, other than she didn't fall at his feet and that her lady garden had never been...tilled? I did like that Riley matched Mateo's aggression, which probably made him even more hot for her, now that I think about it. The villain of the story, Mateo's step-sister Emilia, was especially nasty and bitchy. The lengths she went to in order to win were way over-the-top, and more than a little disturbing, but kind of right for the story. The ending was completely crazy-pants, and I heaven help me, I enjoyed a lot of it.

I never felt a strong connection to the story or characters. But I did enjoy A Bride For a Billionaire for what it was: a sexy, dramatic romp.


Favorite Quotes


"You didn't just want me out of the way," I say slowly, backing further away from Emilia as she tilts her head to the side, examining me as though I'm a bug she'd love to squash beneath her stiletto. "You want him for yourself."
Oh man, that's fucked. I may have hillbilly blood running through my veins, but even people I know don't get it on with their stepsiblings.

Profile Image for Dzura.
190 reviews1 follower
August 2, 2015
I confused to give 3 or 4. a very simple story, all felt short because this novella. all conflicts resolved with good and I can feel the story but there are a few mistakes about editing -_- it's ok.
Profile Image for Jasmine Roman.
792 reviews9 followers
June 7, 2014
You get sexy, laughter and suspense out of this book it's that what makes a book so good because I'll tell you this book is so amazing. Lauren is one of my favorite authors and I've read most of her books and this one is at the top. Riley is a sweet innocent Virginia who is broke with her bags and a plane ticket home is all she has. If she doesn't go on the plane it is not refundable. So when a lady gets her purse stollen Riley's fist instinct is go after the person who took it so when she got to him something happens. That's where she meets billionaire sexy as hell Italian man named Mateo Benenati a dark souled man who has been through a lot just like Riley. Then come the evil step-sister Emilia who wants Mateo for herself not only body but the company his bastard father left him unless he's married for a month and staying faithful to the wife. I'm not going to lie that I did feel some empathy with what Mateo just discovered but that doesn't give her ammunition to do what she did. So a man that needs a wife which he's willing to pay for and a girl who is broke and no where to go it makes for a great read. Lauren is a beautiful writer who never disappoints. BUY BUY BU
Profile Image for Jade Onyx.
Author 6 books25 followers
June 3, 2014
OMG! Lauren is such a master in having sweet Happily Ever After stories that are as short, complex and to the point as possible! Yet, twists and turns happen one right after another, so much that I wondered if this couple would "make it." Yet, the characters are irresistible, the love scenes sensual, the pacing quick and suspenseful at times, and the ending tight with wedding and honeymoon and resolution.

Riley is a recent graduate from art school who scrambled for a one-way, nonrefundable ticket from Italy back home to Colorado. Her luggage, which contains everything she owns, has already been checked in and every penny she saved was invested in that one-way ticket...

Matteo is in the VIP section of the airport, about to board his plane after a long delay. His step-sister happens to be there with him. An unspoken tension exists between them, and he is happy for the distraction when a drugged thief snatches a purse from an elderly lady. Both Riley and Matteo dash after the thief, and the world as they know it starts changing.

Definitely a must-read!
Profile Image for Sarah.
562 reviews
February 3, 2015
At least it was free

The basic premise of this book is a common one-billionaire needs a wife to inherit so he finds an innocent, broke girl to marry him for a period of time and a lot of money. The twist with the literally crazy stepsister was unusual, but certainly not enough time was spent on the real issue here-abuse. Too much happened in this book in too short a period of time, nothing was developed to the extent it could be. Thankfully it was a quick read and free so I don't feel like I lost too much time or money on it
Profile Image for Mills.
1,873 reviews171 followers
August 3, 2016
A whole heap of tropes that I don't like:

- billionaires (a man can be appealing without being rich people, seriously)
- speedy marriages, especially involving characters who have seen relationships go sour which you'd think would make them more cautious
- virgins; or, rather, idealisation of virginity (I hate the idea that a woman's worth is measured by her purity even more than I hate a man's being measured by his bank balance)

That said, though, the characterisation is decent and the plot arc is feel-good without being sickly. Would be improved by some more thorough proofreading.
Profile Image for Dirty Dayna.
2,183 reviews109 followers
February 4, 2016
this was so fated to be a four but a 2 page pretty little wrapped up plot twist killed it for me. this book is a standalone part of a series but I don't think I'll follow it book 2 appears to be different characters from what I see. dammit the heroine and hero were freaking perfect and I was let down
Profile Image for Vashti.
1,235 reviews29 followers
August 7, 2014
Okay read,the stepsister creeped me out .
2.5***
Profile Image for CC.
1,781 reviews239 followers
June 16, 2015
Pretty entertaining. Quick, with some intrigue.

Profile Image for Hillary Hurst.
424 reviews3 followers
October 2, 2015
Good

I read 1 review that this was a really explicit book in the first few pages. Yeah it has some steam but not overly naughty. It was a quick fun read.
Profile Image for Jeraca.
2,716 reviews31 followers
December 4, 2019
I wasn't expecting to like this book as much as I do! Riley is spunky! She's a fighter. I loved the way she stayed true to herself no matter how tempting Mateo's offer was at the beginning. And even though it said that Mateo was "dark", I didn't really see that too much in this book. He was definitely a good guy in this book, no matter what temptations he's had in the past. And the way he was with Riley was amazing - very swoonworthy!

Emilia is something else - and I can't believe that Mateo couldn't guess what happened to her to make her the way that she was.

I'm very glad I got around to reading this book and I may just have to look into the other books in this series soon!
Profile Image for Mauaqui.
1,339 reviews4 followers
July 30, 2017
What a Wild Ride

Matteo must marry and stay married 1 month to keep his inheritance. Riley is an art student with debts and no money. A bargain is set and the 1 month marriage is on. But, his step sister knows, if Matteo cheats on his one month wife, he loses everything and all goes to her. She wants all and she will do everything to get it. The battle is on. Who will win?
Profile Image for Beth  Buswell.
731 reviews6 followers
July 31, 2017
More please!

Oh man did I love this story. I ate it up. I want like twenty more chapters and two epilogues. This book is full of action, lust and true love. If your looking for a steamy romance with a bit of action and suspense thrown in while you kill a few hours at the beach look no further then this book. Happy Reading!
8 reviews
April 26, 2018
Good book

Easy reading. Good plot. Has some typography errors. Wanted the story line to continue so see how they did after.
Profile Image for Camella Hunte.
30 reviews1 follower
Read
January 30, 2020
this is a classical love story with a stepbrother and even thriller involved. It shows how fragile the human mind can be when abuse is involved in it
133 reviews
August 16, 2020
Quick, relief read in busy work times. Alright but a bit unbelievable how the characters (esp him) change so quickly from bad to good. Love was neat but also just immediate.
131 reviews2 followers
March 13, 2017
Wow

The book had everything my emotions were all over the place. Love,hate,sad,happy. Was so Happy that Matteo and Rielly got their HEA
Profile Image for Eliza Leone.
Author 9 books38 followers
February 11, 2015
A delightful read full of surprises!
#romance #adultfiction

2 Stars
Series: book 1: A Virgin, A Billionaire and a Marriage
Characters: Matteo Benenati and Riley Tremaine
Setting: Italy & Greece
Mature Themes: violence, sexual abuse, attempted murder & sex

Recommendation: This is an adult book with adult themes, not suitable for the soft of heart or young adults. If you're looking for a quick romance, some dark themes, and far away places, then you may want to give it a read, it is short, so not much to loose. Even at 2 stars, I enjoyed it, I was just disappointing.

Riley is a freshly graduated art exchange student from America. Matteo is playboy billionaire with family scars deep enough to never heal. When the two meet over a stolen purse, Matteo immediately rescues Riley and makes her an offer she'd be hard pressed to refuse.

Riley was a refreshing leading woman. For most of the story she sticks to what she believes, fights for those she loves, and stands up to the woman who bullies her, tries to kill her, and attempts to have her arrested. Even though this love story happens quickly, Riley is responsive to her lover's feelings and genuinely seems to care what he thinks and how he feels, even if it means putting her life in danger. On the other hand, everything I have said about Riley, multiply it by three for Matteo (middle of the book onward). Matteo falls hard and fast, and for a billionaire playboy, being the gentleman he was obviously took will power. A third character in the story, Matteo's step-sister Emilia, is a fantastic character as well. Her passion for getting what she wants and the insane lengths to which she'd go for them was enjoyable to read, and countered the sugary sweet lovey scenes that book-ended her own. My favorite character had to be Matteo's driver, he was witty, sweet, and genuine. Sadly, he had very few lines and only a few scenes.

While the characters were written well, I can still only give this a two star rating. It was upsettingly short, more like a novella in length than a full novel, and no where did it indicate that. I don't have a problem with novellas, but that's something I'd like to know up front, not after opening the file on my ereader.

Also, Matteo and Emilia were written in a way that made them both seem interested in a stronger BDSM lifestyle. But with no follow through to those types of desires, the hints left me feeling like I was mislead. The story functioned just fine without the BDSM relationships, so it wasn't detracting from the story, it more felt out of place than anything.
Profile Image for Carly.
Author 5 books50 followers
June 4, 2014
Matteo and Riley couldn't be more opposite if they tried. He's a billionaire and she's an unemployed artist in debt up to her eyeballs. He's selfish, calculating and heartless. She's innocent and honorable. The only thing they have in common is that they were both raised by negligent parents... and the undeniable sexual chemistry that sizzles between them.

When Matteo discovers that his Father left a marriage clause in his will, preventing him from inheriting if he doesn't marry within 30 days of his 25th birthday; he uses the unusual circumstances to keep Riley at his side. While he claims it's only business, his heart whispers that it might be more.

Attracted to Matteo despite and despite her instincts screaming at her to run, Riley reluctantly accepts Matteo's unusual proposal. But just as they begin to admit themselves that their unconventional relationship has the potential to be so much more, Matteo's sister reveals her true colors. In a bid to sabotage the conditions of the will, she concocts and unscrupulous plot that just might destroy any chance of finding happiness that the reluctant couple has.

A well written story with characters that are complex and engaging, A Bride for a Billionaire is so much more than a rags to riches love story. The perfect balance between sensual love scenes and heart wrenching emotions make this story pure pleasure to read!

I recommend A Bride for a Billionaire to any lover of romance who appreciates a well written story with characters won't be soon forgotten!

A copy of A Bride for a Billionaire was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Zoo.
10 reviews6 followers
December 31, 2016
I'm a believer that writers love their works and would never see the bad things that we see, so, I hate to talk badly about books, and I usually never give books a one star, but I just couldn't find it in me to say that this book was okay-it was not. I didn't like it.

The build up is very poor, the language is lacking, and there is no character build up at all. You know nothing about these characters, they don't know anything about themselves, and you find yourself thinking: 'Whaaaat?!!!' They say things that confuse you because you don't know how they got to that state of mind or how they progressed to say that. One moment the girl finds herself at a stranger's home, one moment she finds herself unable to make him sad or say no to him, and one moment she finds out that she loves him and that things have changed between them, even though they know nothing about each other, they do not have any type of conversation that doesn't revolve around lust and need. Also, she drops that she is a feminist at the beginning of the book, and then right after, she sees herself unable to refuse him controlling her...

AND, I cannot for the life of me know why did the author mention 'the American girl with her cheap clothing' so many times, all the characters said it, thought about it, and kept repeating it. Her yoga pants were degraded in this story more than any other yoga pants in the world.

I read this book because I usually love plots like this, and this could have been a very good one, but it is so badly and poorly written that the plot was lost. Please read and reread before publishing. Do not put your books on shelves before making them worthy, thank you.
Profile Image for Bonnie Rediske- .
311 reviews9 followers
January 27, 2015
Riley is a poor american girl who has the inner strength that would be hard to match. She is strong willed but inexperienced in areas of love. She has vowed not to turn into her mother, a true life whore.

Matteo is a billionaire heir, but before he can get his inheritance, his controlling father has left one stipulation. He must marry within 30 days of his 25th birthday and stay married for thirty days after, remaining faithful to the woman in question. If he fails, he loses it all to a woman who is not even blood.

I was sucked into this story from the beginning, heat jumping between Matteo and pretty much any woman he comes into contact with. I loved Riley's fearless nature and fierce desire to take what she wants, despite all the roadblocks in her way. She sticks true to her promise to herself not to sacrifice who she is or turn into her mother. I love that although it is not directly said, the author leaves a subliminal message from Matteo's dad to him. I fall more in love with Lauren's writing with each book I read!
Profile Image for Lauren.
648 reviews13 followers
February 11, 2015
Dissatisfied with this book

Plot: C
The plot was somewhat unoriginal. Billionaire playboy has to get married to keep the company. Throw in some crazy chick who wants to be the wife. The story would have been better if Matteo had been older than 25; more believable. Also, it is hinted as to what type of man his father is, but I would have liked more background. Then throw in the almost rape, and I was over it.
Characters: D
I didn't like Matteo. He came off as a cold, unfeeling jerk. There was nothing likeable about him. I hated how he was constantly referring to his sexcapades. And our first meeting of his was a somewhat sexual situation with his step sister. Then we have the Crazy b*tch of step sister that made me dislike the story. But I liked Riley. She had some guts, and didn't just take stuff lying down. She went after what she wanted.
Heat: C-
There was a somewhat mild/medium scene that wasn't all that descriptive. And there was only one at that.

Overall, a disappointing read.
Profile Image for Tracy Buttles.
246 reviews16 followers
June 7, 2014
Ms. Hawkeye does it again--a fantastic start to what promises to be a titillating, heartwarming series. A Bride for a Billionaire (A Virgin, A Billionaire and a Marriage #1) tells the love story of Matteo and Riley. The story is told alternately in the voice of Matteo and Riley giving the reader the opportunity to know and understand the feelings of the main characters. The reader gets to experience everything right along with the characters. Feel the sparks of their first meeting; the frustration of their sexual attraction; the hurt of their misunderstandings; the fear for each other's safety when threatened by an evil individual; and the eventual happy ending. No cliffhanger here! I loved the character of Riley, she came across as one hell of a strong women!

*** I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review. ***
Profile Image for Kristy Dean-Veen.
1,203 reviews15 followers
March 3, 2015
Loved it

I wish this story was not so short. The author does a good job with the scenes and the characters descriptions. I love the story but would of loved to have expanded and longer.
Overview. Matteo is a billionaire that has been given everything. He is getting ready to inherit the family business. But the will states that he has to marry someone and last for 30 days and be faithful or the company goes to his step sister Emilla.
Riley is leaving Italy and heading back to the U.S.. She is a broke art student trying to make it. At the airport, she puts her life at risk when a guy tries to steal a purse. She catches the thief, but hurt in the process and matteo saves her and takes her home. With both of their lives in a bad spot, they get married. But Emilla doesn't like this since she gets nothing out of the will or company.
Profile Image for Muriel.
150 reviews22 followers
January 31, 2015
Normally, I don't give low ratings to books unless they're really, really bad. But poor/non-existent editing will get it every time. When I am constantly distracted, page after page, by writing errors, there's no way I can give a good rating. In fact, there were so many errors from the very beginning that I seriously considered not even finishing the book. The use of women when it should have been woman and woman when it should have been women nearly drove me crazy, in addition to numerous other uses of incorrect words. Not to mention the problems of words that were totally missing. If you want to be taken seriously as an author, you just can't have a book full of these kinds of errors. Note to authors: It doesn't work to try to edit your own work. You know what it's supposed to say, so you just don't see these errors.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.