What do you think?
Rate this book
The Diomedi Heirs #2
A Queen for the Taking?
Innocent in the king's bed…Spare to the throne, Alessandro Diomedi never expected to be dragged back to Maldinia and thrust beneath the crown. Upheaval has ravaged his country, but one thing has stayed the the woman he must now marry.Trained from birth to be the perfect queen, it's finally time for Liana Aterno to do her duty. But Sandro is not the man she remembers. Cynical and brooding King Sandro unexpectedly ignites a fire in her that sparks rebellion!When their first electrifying kiss nearly proves both their undoing, Sandro is determined to unleash all the passion his mysterious queen has learned to hide so well!
Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
About the author
Kate Hewitt
915 books1,766 followersKate is the USA Today-bsetselling author of many books of both historical and contemporary fiction. Under the name Katharine Swartz, she is the author of the Tales from Goswell books, a series of time-slip novels set in the village of Goswell.
She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, as well as historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.
Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and two Golden Retrievers.
She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, as well as historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.
Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and two Golden Retrievers.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 18, 2015
Kate Hewitt is one of my favourite Mills & Boon authors and I have loved most of her books.
I really wanted to like this book but it just ended being okay for me.
This one just didn't do it for me...it was okay...but -
The two main characters - I couldn't engage with them.
The plot was a bit of a let down.
I actually found myself struggling to finish this book, which is a surprise..because I adore this author's writing and she has written some brilliant and unique books.
I really wanted to like this book but it just ended being okay for me.
This one just didn't do it for me...it was okay...but -
The two main characters - I couldn't engage with them.
The plot was a bit of a let down.
I actually found myself struggling to finish this book, which is a surprise..because I adore this author's writing and she has written some brilliant and unique books.
September 30, 2018
Reread! Just as fantastic as the first time I read it. Beautiful romance and wonderful hero and heroine.
Wow, great read.
Loved watching these two fall in love. Both had wounded hearts but each was perfect for the other in healing and embracing tlove.
Enjoyed the interaction between the two, pacing was great and the chemistry was wonderful.
Great read !!!
Wow, great read.
Loved watching these two fall in love. Both had wounded hearts but each was perfect for the other in healing and embracing tlove.
Enjoyed the interaction between the two, pacing was great and the chemistry was wonderful.
Great read !!!
July 4, 2017
First one-third of the book makes me so frustrated that I thought to DNF it. But then thought, let's see, what happens.
Eventually, it gets better. The hero tries to understand and woo his wife and heroine also came along with that. They enjoy their short Honeymoon and eventually fall in love. They confessed their love.
Then they had a big row because of their issues. After that, the hero came to his senses. We got a little groveling scene and the Kissy Kissy moment. Both hero and heroine dealt with their guilt and issue. Then, epilogue with their little daughter and HEA.
Well, the first one-third was really bad, so because of that, it lost stars.
Eventually, it gets better. The hero tries to understand and woo his wife and heroine also came along with that. They enjoy their short Honeymoon and eventually fall in love. They confessed their love.
Then they had a big row because of their issues. After that, the hero came to his senses. We got a little groveling scene and the Kissy Kissy moment. Both hero and heroine dealt with their guilt and issue. Then, epilogue with their little daughter and HEA.
Well, the first one-third was really bad, so because of that, it lost stars.
February 4, 2014
Reluctant romantic hero steps up to claim the throne of his country. He must marry Liana a woman who has been trained from her parents to be the perfect queen. Cold, unfeeling, a true ice princess. They promise each other their marriage will be one of convenience not love, but when the masks fall off and their secrets are out, all bets are off.
Sandro is a very insecure hero. Rejected by his father and a woman he thought he loved, he is desperate to love and be loved for who he is not for his status and money. Liana lives with guilt, regret and shame. My heart broke for her. She is stuck with memories from a past that she just can't get over. In reality they are both thirsty for love and acceptance.
I wasn't sure I would like this particular book cause I have some issues with this author but I adored everything about this book. Amazing passionate scenes and a to-die-for dark and damaged hero who's healed at the hands of an equally damaged heroine. Their journey was so touching, passionate and the powerful epilogue literally made me cry!
Sandro is a very insecure hero. Rejected by his father and a woman he thought he loved, he is desperate to love and be loved for who he is not for his status and money. Liana lives with guilt, regret and shame. My heart broke for her. She is stuck with memories from a past that she just can't get over. In reality they are both thirsty for love and acceptance.
I wasn't sure I would like this particular book cause I have some issues with this author but I adored everything about this book. Amazing passionate scenes and a to-die-for dark and damaged hero who's healed at the hands of an equally damaged heroine. Their journey was so touching, passionate and the powerful epilogue literally made me cry!
September 2, 2018
I really enjoyed the characters, they were very well written, I especially enjoyed the characters happening eachothers assumptions and beliefs. The heroine as well didn't just let things slide, she called him off when he was being a jerk, so it was very refreshing. The plot lacked a bit, and there was a thread that was just forgotten, but overall very enjoyable.
February 8, 2014
Wanted to finish A Queen for the Taking but the heroine was just too cold and I lost interest in finding out why.
The writing was compelling. I liked the hero. I just couldn't deal with the icicle like heroine.
The writing was compelling. I liked the hero. I just couldn't deal with the icicle like heroine.
April 5, 2014
The first half of this book dragged.I did not like the heroine at first, but gradually I began to like her.The book picked up midway and then my intrest was caught.
July 25, 2023
Embora a história no início tenha o seu fascínio, ao longo do enredo vamos perdendo alguma emoção.
Sandro e Liana… Sem o saberem, já estão atraídos um pelo outro e essa química sente-se no início do livro.
Liana nunca pensou em casar, não fazia de todo parte dos seus planos e o Rei achou que se tratava de uma interesseira e arrogante aristocrata.
Ambos têm segredos e as suas personalidades são o espelho da dor que esses segredos lhes causam. São dores diferentes, em que a situação de Sandro parece ser mínima perto da situação de Liana. Mas, importante aceitar que ambas magoam e por mais forte que uma das dores seja, não invalida a outra.
Até ao momento da lua-de-mel o livro tem uma história bonita e cativante. Contudo, pouco depois a autora começa a desenrolar a uma velocidade louca, como se situações se atropelassem umas às outras e tem algumas cenas que achei fora do contexto.
Embora seja um livro pequeno, um simples conto, que podemos ler em horas, a história no início cativou-me e tive muita pena q o desenrolar da mesma se tenha tornado tão estranho, tão sem sentido.
Sandro e Liana… Sem o saberem, já estão atraídos um pelo outro e essa química sente-se no início do livro.
Liana nunca pensou em casar, não fazia de todo parte dos seus planos e o Rei achou que se tratava de uma interesseira e arrogante aristocrata.
Ambos têm segredos e as suas personalidades são o espelho da dor que esses segredos lhes causam. São dores diferentes, em que a situação de Sandro parece ser mínima perto da situação de Liana. Mas, importante aceitar que ambas magoam e por mais forte que uma das dores seja, não invalida a outra.
Até ao momento da lua-de-mel o livro tem uma história bonita e cativante. Contudo, pouco depois a autora começa a desenrolar a uma velocidade louca, como se situações se atropelassem umas às outras e tem algumas cenas que achei fora do contexto.
Embora seja um livro pequeno, um simples conto, que podemos ler em horas, a história no início cativou-me e tive muita pena q o desenrolar da mesma se tenha tornado tão estranho, tão sem sentido.
November 8, 2021
It's a way better story than the first book. The hero ran away for fifteen years when he felt like he couldn't take the lies and pretences anymore for being the crown prince. He came back when his father summoned him from California. He married the heroine for duty. The heroine also had her own baggage. It was beautiful though, love how they heal one another. They learned to love each other as they both longed to be loved.
July 18, 2017
Really great
I really enjoyed this book. The hero was different from other heroes. He was open about his emotions and Wanted to really know the heroin since the beginning of the book!
I really enjoyed this book. The hero was different from other heroes. He was open about his emotions and Wanted to really know the heroin since the beginning of the book!
October 8, 2019
I loved Leo and Alyse’s story in Book 1, and this one is even better. Complex and dramatic characters who engage your interest from the beginning - Sandro and Liana’s story is so lovely. Missed seeing Queen Sophia getting put in her place but it was great to catch up with Leo and Alyse again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2017
Love finds it way...A covenienent marriage between a King and the daughter of a Duke turns into a marriage of real love.
May 19, 2019
Mostly enjoyed this, the epilogue was just a little too perfect
May 1, 2020
2.5 stars, i read this book but don't remember much besides the arranged marriage trope and lady liana being known as an "ice princess"
February 13, 2017
I felt that this book was a bit repetitive for my liking. Sandro and Liana kept repeating the same reasons as to why this couldn't work. I just didn't feel like I was ever gonna get to HEA.
The book had some perks. I just wish it had more of them.
The book had some perks. I just wish it had more of them.
March 15, 2014
I really wanted to like this book but constantly throughout it i had to tell myself to finish it. There was a chapter in the middle where things started looking up but then it just lost interest for me again!The relationship between Liana and Sandro was frustrating up until the final pages of the book! I mean seriously, the entire time they were unhappy and didn't think anyone loved them and didn't want to admit their feelings for each other because they didn't want to be rejected. That was sorta cute for the first couple of chapters but it just went on like that for way to long! It also seemed like the one fight that Liana and Sandro did have only lasted for a few moments.. If you enjoy a slow romance then this is the book for you!
June 8, 2021
Innocent in the king's bed…
Spare to the throne, Alessandro Diomedi never expected to be dragged back to Maldinia and thrust beneath the crown. Upheaval has ravaged his country, but one thing has stayed the same: the woman he must now marry.
Trained from birth to be the perfect queen, it's finally time for Liana Aterno to do her duty. But Sandro is not the man she remembers. Cynical and brooding King Sandro unexpectedly ignites a fire in her that sparks rebellion!
When their first electrifying kiss nearly proves both their undoing, Sandro is determined to unleash all the passion his mysterious queen has learned to hide so well!
Spare to the throne, Alessandro Diomedi never expected to be dragged back to Maldinia and thrust beneath the crown. Upheaval has ravaged his country, but one thing has stayed the same: the woman he must now marry.
Trained from birth to be the perfect queen, it's finally time for Liana Aterno to do her duty. But Sandro is not the man she remembers. Cynical and brooding King Sandro unexpectedly ignites a fire in her that sparks rebellion!
When their first electrifying kiss nearly proves both their undoing, Sandro is determined to unleash all the passion his mysterious queen has learned to hide so well!
April 13, 2014
This is basically a classic, Regency-esque aristocratic MOC featuring a hero with a wretched father and a heroine with a sad childhood, brought into the present day in an almost believable manner. Loved it for doing full justice to all its constituent tropes (though both leads had their annoying moments, being blind to obvious things for plot reasons). The romance is sweet, the sex is compelling, the rest of the story is exactly what you want for few hours of retreat in Romancelandia. Highly recommended.
November 30, 2022
Como es un novela corta, no profundiza los personajes o una trama muy larga. Pero es bueno, me gusto. Como ella es la "perfecta dama" para ser reina y como él quiere desordenarla 🤣 y eso que se supone que no la quiere por estar dispuesta a casarse con él sin conocerlo y por el título de reina. Los dos sufren por su pasado pero me gusto que hablaron y no se tratarán tal mal por eso. Le daría un 4.2 sirve para pasar el rato o cuando estas un un bloqueo de lector y necesitas algo suave pero disfrutable.
March 11, 2016
Marriage of convenience that develops into love match via lots of sex. That's pretty much it, really.
H is an emotionally torn wannabe King with a bad daddy and a need for love. The tiny h is a frozen ice queen with a family trauma trying to win redemption via pleasing mom and dad and doing the right thing.
Not bad, but there is not there there.
H is an emotionally torn wannabe King with a bad daddy and a need for love. The tiny h is a frozen ice queen with a family trauma trying to win redemption via pleasing mom and dad and doing the right thing.
Not bad, but there is not there there.
March 17, 2014
I'm very satisfied with this book, considering I went into not liking Sandro all that much because I love Leo the most. That being said, I was very happy with how they handled everything. I really loved.
Read
January 12, 2016"Hewitt puts a modern twist on this marriage-of-convenience story set in absolute luxury. The vulnerable hero hides behind his ruthless facade while the heroine is wracked with guilt, making their physical encounters sizzle". (RT Book Reviews, rated 4 1/2 stars)
Miniseries: The Diomedi Heirs
Miniseries: The Diomedi Heirs
April 13, 2014
My first Harlequin romance novel. I really enjoyed it. I'm surprised I got through it all in a matter of hours. I think that's my favorite part. I will definitely start reading more.
My only dissapointment? It wasn't more steamy......
My only dissapointment? It wasn't more steamy......
July 24, 2014
This book was an ok book to me. There was nothing about it that stood out to me. The plot was boring and the characters were plain to me. The whole story was just dull. Nothing about it caused me to feel some type of excitement about it.
Read
January 12, 2016Received 4 1/2 stars from RT Book Reviews
Miniseries: The Diomedi Heirs
Miniseries: The Diomedi Heirs
June 7, 2014
Çok gerilimli bir romandı ama yazarın kalemi çok hoşuma gitti. Yanlış anlaşılmalar sırlar üzerine kurgulu bir romandı.
October 17, 2014
Too much distrust and not enough romance.
February 11, 2015
This book really surprised me! I didn't even wanted to read it because I loathed the heroine in the first book of the serie.
It was refreshing having a hero looking, though reluctantly, for love.
It was refreshing having a hero looking, though reluctantly, for love.
March 13, 2014
A good read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews