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His Marriage Trap
Nikolai and Gabriella married for convenience after the death of her parents revealed a will that bound them together. They have spent their entire marriage living like strangers.
When Gabriella discovers that Nikolai is having an affair she grows sick of living in ignorance and decides that it is time for her to divorce him.
Only Nikolai has no intention of letting his wife divorce him. In his eyes marriage is for life and he honours his vows.
Now it is a battle of wills between them as to who will win and what that might mean for their failing relationship.
When Gabriella discovers that Nikolai is having an affair she grows sick of living in ignorance and decides that it is time for her to divorce him.
Only Nikolai has no intention of letting his wife divorce him. In his eyes marriage is for life and he honours his vows.
Now it is a battle of wills between them as to who will win and what that might mean for their failing relationship.
148 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2014
90 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 5, 2023
This is sort of a watered-down HP with an arranged marriage, a clueless H that made me doubt his ability to tycoon effectively, and a rabid wannabe OW running circles around everyone.
My problem was I needed more events/development and less miscommunication. Don’t get me wrong, making ASSumptions can be an effective plot device, but it shouldn’t (IMHO) be the foundation and only conflict for the entire book.
In a nutshell, (plot outline spoilers) Gabby and Nik enter an arranged marriage, both secretly like/love each other, but neither says a word. Nik ASSumes Gabby needs time to adjust, so he gives her space. And Gabby ASSumes Nik’s not around because he’s sleeping with his secretary.
The book opens with Gabby filing for divorce, but Nik isn’t having it. The rest is TONS of bickering and misunderstandings with the secretary running interference, the H being blind to her machinations, and Gabby never speaking up. There’s a lot of… ”you’re a cheater… I didn’t cheat” but never discussing why she believes this. I love soapy-tropey shenanigans… but it got old.
Bottom Line- This felt like the author was trying to force the plot to fill up the page count, so we’re left with slow moving filler and about 125 pages of miscommunication. It wasn’t terrible but quite boring when it dragged on without them getting on the same page. USE YOUR WORDS PEOPLE.
My problem was I needed more events/development and less miscommunication. Don’t get me wrong, making ASSumptions can be an effective plot device, but it shouldn’t (IMHO) be the foundation and only conflict for the entire book.
In a nutshell, (plot outline spoilers) Gabby and Nik enter an arranged marriage, both secretly like/love each other, but neither says a word. Nik ASSumes Gabby needs time to adjust, so he gives her space. And Gabby ASSumes Nik’s not around because he’s sleeping with his secretary.
The book opens with Gabby filing for divorce, but Nik isn’t having it. The rest is TONS of bickering and misunderstandings with the secretary running interference, the H being blind to her machinations, and Gabby never speaking up. There’s a lot of… ”you’re a cheater… I didn’t cheat” but never discussing why she believes this. I love soapy-tropey shenanigans… but it got old.
Bottom Line- This felt like the author was trying to force the plot to fill up the page count, so we’re left with slow moving filler and about 125 pages of miscommunication. It wasn’t terrible but quite boring when it dragged on without them getting on the same page. USE YOUR WORDS PEOPLE.
November 8, 2020
Forgot I read this
I read this before and have it two stars but it's actually better than that. The issue at the end is stupid and why couldn't he tell his wife? That didn't make sense. Nik really loved the h and you could tell he wasn't taking it but she never even asked him if he was. Stupid miscommunication. But I did like turnaround I do love a man that is true. The plot was good but it did drag at the end. It was like she need thirty more pages so she just kept writing. But again outshot a bad story. Needs an Editor maybe.
I read this before and have it two stars but it's actually better than that. The issue at the end is stupid and why couldn't he tell his wife? That didn't make sense. Nik really loved the h and you could tell he wasn't taking it but she never even asked him if he was. Stupid miscommunication. But I did like turnaround I do love a man that is true. The plot was good but it did drag at the end. It was like she need thirty more pages so she just kept writing. But again outshot a bad story. Needs an Editor maybe.
October 19, 2021
2 ⭐⭐ - Meh!
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“Callie outdid herself,” Gabby said in an effort to prove herself right.
“Come on Gabriella, don’t make this in to a thing,” Nik said and she grimaced at the realisation that she had been right.
It was humiliating that everyone at this party was congratulating her on catching and keeping one of the town’s most eligible bachelors when the truth was that Nik had never wanted her and had probably been continuing to use those same women although more discreetly. His secretary had even told her as much.
Callie left her in no doubt of what she meant. She even told Gabby that she knew that their marriage was fake which was why she was sure that the fact she was sleeping with Nik meant nothing to her.
“Like you haven’t realised that you’ve been giving your assistant more attention than you’ve been giving your wife,” Luca informed him and Nik frowned at that.
“I’m not pulling away from you. I just have some serious stuff going on at work and that has to be my priority at the moment.”
August 5, 2020
Hot Ass Mess!
October 23, 2020
My rating: 2 1/2 stars.
What I liked: I liked how we got to see the side character, Fiona, doing great after such a horrible home life.
What I didn’t like: I didn’t understand why the Hero couldn’t just tell Gabby about what was going on especially after promising not to lie to her anymore. He said it was to keep her safe but obviously that didn’t work. Also, the heroine (Gabby) is a therapist but she sure couldn’t take her own advice and just communicate with the Hero.
How hot was it: 3 out 5
Triggers: OW drama (ow who works for the Hero makes the h believe that he is having an affair with her)
Final thoughts: This book had a lot of telling and not enough showing. I really hated the ow’s part at the end. I just didn’t get the whole secrecy and why he just couldn’t tell the h. I wanted the h to hold the Hero accountable for not holding up his promise.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2021
An enjoyable combination of favorite tropes!
Proponents of a bit of dubious consent \alpha male action along with the "cheating" trope will enjoy this little gem that also holds a bit of a suspenseful element.
Proponents of a bit of dubious consent \alpha male action along with the "cheating" trope will enjoy this little gem that also holds a bit of a suspenseful element.
Read
October 30, 2020Good bloody grief what is this fuckery? This is absolute rubbish.
Holding someone against their will is romantic? To whom? Taking away someone's freedom and forcing yourself on them is reprehensible and just plain wrong. It's wrong.
The book reads like those outdated romance novels of a few decades ago where the women were always too weak to stand up for themselves or fight back. The men were always high-handed and domineering but never had to pay for any of their loathsome behaviour. I hated those books then and I hate them more now.
This is the goddamn 21st century and books like this are a mockery of women. The heroine is TSTL. She behaves like a 16 year old and she's just weak. Useless and pathetic and just embarrassing. I was ashamed of her and she's not even real. I'm definitely ashamed of the person who wrote this for being of my gender.
The writing is pretty awful, too. Very juvenile. This person knows nothing about human nature and is so out of touch it's almost funny. Plus they are so damned lazy they couldn't be arsed to do research.
For instance, researching proper Greek names is a good start.
'Pablo' is NOT a Greek name.
God what a joke.
Anyways, the story is riddled with clichés and contrivance and, well...it's just bad. Garbage. Probably the worst thing I've tried to read in a while.
Believe me, that's saying something.
🖕🖕🖕
Holding someone against their will is romantic? To whom? Taking away someone's freedom and forcing yourself on them is reprehensible and just plain wrong. It's wrong.
The book reads like those outdated romance novels of a few decades ago where the women were always too weak to stand up for themselves or fight back. The men were always high-handed and domineering but never had to pay for any of their loathsome behaviour. I hated those books then and I hate them more now.
This is the goddamn 21st century and books like this are a mockery of women. The heroine is TSTL. She behaves like a 16 year old and she's just weak. Useless and pathetic and just embarrassing. I was ashamed of her and she's not even real. I'm definitely ashamed of the person who wrote this for being of my gender.
The writing is pretty awful, too. Very juvenile. This person knows nothing about human nature and is so out of touch it's almost funny. Plus they are so damned lazy they couldn't be arsed to do research.
For instance, researching proper Greek names is a good start.
'Pablo' is NOT a Greek name.
God what a joke.
Anyways, the story is riddled with clichés and contrivance and, well...it's just bad. Garbage. Probably the worst thing I've tried to read in a while.
Believe me, that's saying something.
🖕🖕🖕
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2020
HP wannabe.
November 10, 2021
A sweet read
This is a new author for me. I was pleasantly surprised at this story. From start to finish it was a great read. The dual POV enabled us readers to know where both main characters were at. Both were strong minded and stubborn but for different reasons which caused a chuckle or two when they were on opposite sides. There was just the right amount of “steam” which only adds to a story.
Enjoyed this book!
This is a new author for me. I was pleasantly surprised at this story. From start to finish it was a great read. The dual POV enabled us readers to know where both main characters were at. Both were strong minded and stubborn but for different reasons which caused a chuckle or two when they were on opposite sides. There was just the right amount of “steam” which only adds to a story.
Enjoyed this book!
December 20, 2020
I had read this previously. Obvioiusly forgot to rate it... bet I don't make that mistake again!
July 5, 2021
I thought the synopsis for this book sounded good but unfortunately I don't think there was one thing I liked about this book. Gabby and Nik have been in an arranged marriage for over a year. A stipulation from her late father's will forced them to marry. Gabby now wants out of the marriage but her husband Nik doesn't. Honestly, His Marriage Trap could have ended at the first chapter if Nik just asked his wife Gabby for a chance, if he had asked for some time to work on their marriage before she went through with a divorce. Instead, he completely and utterly took reign over every aspect of her life. Nik manipulated her and pretty much treated Gabby like a child or prisoner. It drove me mental. The independent woman in me kept almost crying tears of frustration over his outrageous behaviour. Nik canceled the divorce proceedings behind Gabby's back, he took away her things and her keys so she couldn't leave, took away her phone at one point too, she wasn't allowed to go for a walk on her own outside for some fresh air, he contacted every cab company and hotel in the area so they wouldn't take her in if she left him. He had someone following her which she didn't know about. He wanted her to quit her job because it was "dangerous". She had to sleep in his bedroom no matter what. She had to stop being friends with his cousin Luca, because Luca is a harmless flirt. I was fucking appalled by his behaviour. That isn't love. That is flat out control. Possession. Nik was just too controlling for me. I like alpha male characters but he just turned me right off. I didn't like him one bit. I know he wanted to save his marriage but he went about it in every wrong way possible for me. Even if characters do despicable things, I have to find something redemptive in them. I didn't find that here. Usually the love story is the thing that saves the characters miscommunication or selfish ways but not here.
Gabby, I thought she had a spine at first. But that quickly went away when she went toe to toe with Nik. He always won. And she ended up giving in to him, backing down and then screwing him. Whenever they would fight, it would just lead to sex then all was forgiven. Nik got his way and Gabby forgot what she was fighting him for because he got what he wanted. It pissed me off. All they did was pretty much fight. And not in a passionate way but in a possessive way.
Gabby at one point does a runner from Nik because she thinks he's cheating on her with his assistant Callie. Something that Callie has confirmed to Gabby's face. The evidence against Nik did make him look pretty guilty, especially at the charity banquet when he ignored his wife in favor of hanging off Callie. Quite frankly I would have left Nik for his being a shitty husband... but the supposed affair is the thing that really pisses Gabby off. She's gone for a week but she misses her husband calling herself an idiot because she left him and just instantly takes him back when he finds her. Supposed affair just forgotten & forgiven just like that??? Without any explanation or questioning?? Blew my mind. Gabby isn't sure she wants kids but keeps having unprotected sex with her husband. Um ok?? Honestly the thought of them bringing a baby into that marriage... NUTS!!!!!!!!!
Honestly I was hoping for a plot twist that Gabby would leave Nik for Luca. Their scenes were sweet, funny and had great chemistry. More than her and Nik's ever did.
Gabby, I thought she had a spine at first. But that quickly went away when she went toe to toe with Nik. He always won. And she ended up giving in to him, backing down and then screwing him. Whenever they would fight, it would just lead to sex then all was forgiven. Nik got his way and Gabby forgot what she was fighting him for because he got what he wanted. It pissed me off. All they did was pretty much fight. And not in a passionate way but in a possessive way.
Gabby at one point does a runner from Nik because she thinks he's cheating on her with his assistant Callie. Something that Callie has confirmed to Gabby's face. The evidence against Nik did make him look pretty guilty, especially at the charity banquet when he ignored his wife in favor of hanging off Callie. Quite frankly I would have left Nik for his being a shitty husband... but the supposed affair is the thing that really pisses Gabby off. She's gone for a week but she misses her husband calling herself an idiot because she left him and just instantly takes him back when he finds her. Supposed affair just forgotten & forgiven just like that??? Without any explanation or questioning?? Blew my mind. Gabby isn't sure she wants kids but keeps having unprotected sex with her husband. Um ok?? Honestly the thought of them bringing a baby into that marriage... NUTS!!!!!!!!!
Honestly I was hoping for a plot twist that Gabby would leave Nik for Luca. Their scenes were sweet, funny and had great chemistry. More than her and Nik's ever did.
January 11, 2015
The plotline was common enough but the final result depends on the author's writing style.
This writer probably envies Carol Marinelli's popularity and financial success. And she imagined she could accomplish it without too much effort. Sad to say, she failed.
She needs to realize that if good writing was that easy, we would all be authors and the concept of "talent" would not exist.
I saw that she has very few books of her own. Well, she should try writing some more and maybe, by then, she can proudly and justifiably call herself an author.
This writer probably envies Carol Marinelli's popularity and financial success. And she imagined she could accomplish it without too much effort. Sad to say, she failed.
She needs to realize that if good writing was that easy, we would all be authors and the concept of "talent" would not exist.
I saw that she has very few books of her own. Well, she should try writing some more and maybe, by then, she can proudly and justifiably call herself an author.
July 13, 2016
I liked the story at the beginning , gabby wanted divorce because of the useless marriage she's trapped in , yet her husband clearly won't let her go , started to notice her and that's when their relationship begins and then came this secretary of his , when I got to the part where they came back from that island I felt that the writing of the author changed ,like she was rushed to finish the story , I think she could have developed the part where gabby knew about the pregnancy it could have made more sense
June 8, 2022
So this was a bit of a guilty pleasure. I feel like I was not supposed to like this but I totally did. Since I grew up reading vintage Harlequin Presents, I kind of like when I find a hidden wannabe. Nikolai and Gabriella have been married for a year. Gabriella believes that they have a marriage of convenience when she married Nik after her parents died. She believes that he is having an affair as he has never made their marriage a real one. She attempts to get a divorce and Nik finds out and puts a stop to it. He actually loves his wife and was just giving her time to grieve for her parents and is of course clueless at this secretary's attempt to sabotage his marriage by implying an affair. Lots of miscommunication but leads to an HEA of course. I enjoyed the angst and was a very enjoyable read.
January 23, 2025
I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I anticipated, despite the fact that both arranged marriage and second chance romance are two of my favorite tropes. Unfortunately, the execution didn’t live up to my expectations. Gabby and Nik’s characters felt flat and lacked the depth needed to make them compelling. They came across as mundane and one-dimensional, which made it difficult to connect with them or care about their journey. The development of their relationship also felt rushed—there was no real build-up or emotional tension, which is crucial for these types of stories to feel authentic and impactful. The pacing of the plot didn’t help either, as things moved too quickly without giving enough room for the characters or their emotions to fully develop. Overall, while the premise had potential, the characters and plot left me feeling underwhelmed.
January 25, 2021
Nik & Gabby
This is is a fantastic drama of husband & wife, this have misunderstanding, drama, and a crazy assistant to her he is a rich business man. Nik thinks his cousin want his Gabriella , and the wife think the husband cheating. This is a fantastic book.
This is is a fantastic drama of husband & wife, this have misunderstanding, drama, and a crazy assistant to her he is a rich business man. Nik thinks his cousin want his Gabriella , and the wife think the husband cheating. This is a fantastic book.
November 30, 2021
Good book
A book about a marriage in trouble only because of a lying whore who got in there way. Misunderstandings is what messed up there marriage and learning to communicate that would mend it.
A book about a marriage in trouble only because of a lying whore who got in there way. Misunderstandings is what messed up there marriage and learning to communicate that would mend it.
January 8, 2025
Tags: boring-yaawn, doormat_heroine, hero-married-to-heroine, heroine-leaves, ow-drama, possessive-mine-mine-mine, read, troubled-marriage, unlikable-hero, unlikable-heroine, virgin-heroine, waste-of-time, weak-heroine
skimmed
December 14, 20212d
July 14, 2015
I just finished the book and was somewhat disappointed with several discrepancies. One that may seem trivial but bothered me to no end was the use of "bought" when the word should have been "brought." I know this seems weird but it was a distraction. Overall, the story was good and the ending was perfect. I loved Gabriella. She was a strong, independent, and caring woman. Nik was weird. Luca was the perfect cousin to rile up Nik and he tried to make Nik realize what he was doing to make Grabiella feel unloved. This is a story I will read again.
By the way, there were excerpts of 2 more books by this author but they are not available on Amazon. Anyone know how I can get them?
By the way, there were excerpts of 2 more books by this author but they are not available on Amazon. Anyone know how I can get them?
February 24, 2015
First read this on Wattpad...loved there. Still do here. But not enough angst and twists (laughter and tears) for me to give it 5 stars. That said this was a story of a marriage of convience between two people. Nikolai and Gabriella were married after her parents died. Now a year later she wants a divorce. He doesn't want it. Its a fight to see who wins. Of course there is the OW who is determined to put kinks in his plans. I have followed Sheena Morrish from Wattpad to here. Glad I did.
March 12, 2015
No
Up until 65% they did nothing but fight. Most of the book was in their heads there was really no interaction between the two. Even after they truth can out it was still a joke. The last of the book was him hiding things from her and then boom it was over 1 paragraph explaining why he was hiding things stay out all night not coming home till 5 am. Then you got your hea. I wouldn't recommend this.
Up until 65% they did nothing but fight. Most of the book was in their heads there was really no interaction between the two. Even after they truth can out it was still a joke. The last of the book was him hiding things from her and then boom it was over 1 paragraph explaining why he was hiding things stay out all night not coming home till 5 am. Then you got your hea. I wouldn't recommend this.
December 19, 2014
enjoyed it
I really enjoyed it. It was your typical ( and I don't mean that negatively) marriage of convenience, and I grew to like Nik quickly. There was some stubbornness and immaturity from gabby's side, but it's an easy reading traditional romance novel. I liked it!
I really enjoyed it. It was your typical ( and I don't mean that negatively) marriage of convenience, and I grew to like Nik quickly. There was some stubbornness and immaturity from gabby's side, but it's an easy reading traditional romance novel. I liked it!
March 11, 2015
This marriage of convenience worked out!
I really liked this book. It needs some editing and the h caves a little too quickly, this seems to be the pattern with this author, but overall I really enjoyed it.
I really liked this book. It needs some editing and the h caves a little too quickly, this seems to be the pattern with this author, but overall I really enjoyed it.
January 27, 2015
Cute
This was a really cute book. I enjoyed it, it reminded me of a harlequin romance and who doesn't love those. This book did have some drama but it had a happy ending.
This was a really cute book. I enjoyed it, it reminded me of a harlequin romance and who doesn't love those. This book did have some drama but it had a happy ending.
August 25, 2022
An okay read.
July 5, 2015
Similar to other stories I've read but still a nice little escape.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews