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Mediterranean Brides #2
Taken: The Spaniard's Virgin
Amber Taylor looked innocent--and that interested Spanish billionaire Miguel Mendez. But as a model--she sold her innocence every day.
The seduction was relentless.... Miguel's Mediterranean charm made Amber feel beautiful for the first time in her life.
It was supposed to be a quick fling with a top model. But now Miguel had taken the most precious gift of all--her innocence!
The seduction was relentless.... Miguel's Mediterranean charm made Amber feel beautiful for the first time in her life.
It was supposed to be a quick fling with a top model. But now Miguel had taken the most precious gift of all--her innocence!
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
69 people are currently reading
286 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Monroe
619 books1,584 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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July 12, 2017I have no idea what to rate this. I was actually enjoying it...until...
1. The author threw in some absolutely bat-shit crazy plot stuff. Not only was the heroine stolen by a mentally ill woman when she was just a baby in the hospital, but when the real long-lost father showed up with her twin to confront her, they all hugged it out like it was no big deal. Um...WTAF?
2. I swear I am not making this up...heroine hated the hero until almost the final sentence of the book. Like, last paragraph. Went from..."I hate you go away forever" TO "Okay, I'll marry you" in such a jarring fast turn-around I had to read it twice because I thought I missed....like, a couple of chapters?
I liked the first 85-90% of the book. But the end...
I'm peeved.
Grade: NO FUCKING IDEA
1. The author threw in some absolutely bat-shit crazy plot stuff. Not only was the heroine stolen by a mentally ill woman when she was just a baby in the hospital, but when the real long-lost father showed up with her twin to confront her, they all hugged it out like it was no big deal. Um...WTAF?
2. I swear I am not making this up...heroine hated the hero until almost the final sentence of the book. Like, last paragraph. Went from..."I hate you go away forever" TO "Okay, I'll marry you" in such a jarring fast turn-around I had to read it twice because I thought I missed....like, a couple of chapters?
I liked the first 85-90% of the book. But the end...
I'm peeved.
Grade: NO FUCKING IDEA
January 19, 2020
Someone was having a bad day when she wrote this. Not up to Lucy Monroe’s standards at all which makes sense as the heroine’s twin and her H were almost as bad. Almost. Initially I was going to 2 star, but it is such a disjointed patchwork of tired tropes and sloppy timelines, a one star it is. Lucy Monroe knows better.
If this is your first time reading her, then try The Scorsolini Marriage Bargain, The Greek's Innocent Virgin, or my favorite The Sicilian's Marriage Arrangement.
Yes, there are the usual overly chatty, grind it into the ground LM characters not to mention the icky and questionable digital de-virginization, but usually there is a spark between the H and h. The kiss of death in a romance: BORING.
To paraphrase Donny and Marie.
I'm a little bit of a manwhore player.
I'm a little bit self-controlling.
They yak and over-analyze so much even that as they are getting ready to have sex the first time, I actually yelled at my computer, “Just do it!”
Right after the first time, he says…
To choose me as your first lover is another honor and one I will always treasure.”
Yikes. He already assumes they are moving on.
They talk some more. Yacht around and then the big break up. I think it was even on the phone for heaven’s sake.
Her:“You mean you don’t want to do without sex.”
Him:“Yes, but I do not think I am the only one this will be an issue for now. Now that your desires have awakened, they will not go back to sleep.”
So, once the tiger is out of the cage, watch out? What a gentleman to awaken her senses then let her loose on the unsuspecting men of HPland. Did I mention that despite knowing she’s a virgin he didn’t wear a condom? Yes, skillet ahead.
He throws her a bone….
“Perhaps if we are both free of other entanglements when I return, we can connect again.”
A bone she does not take.
Some serious pining occurs where the heroine gets even more controlling over her diet then…
The other twin pops in with the bio dad from Bought: The Greek's Bride.
The H calls her a couple of times but catatonia and some pride have her hang up. Then we get to the one star dump.
The H pops back in the story from his mega business trip in the back of beyond desperate to see her.
The last six months had been the most dismal of his life.
The last six months?
You are a tycoon. You are worth millions. You couldn’t take a couple of days off to jet to see your girl? SIX. MONTHS.
The two deservedly end up together where, no doubt, they will wear beige with taupe accents and eat tapioca.
The ultimate faux paus…A fashion one
She showered in her en suite and dressed in a faux suede pantsuit in alligator print by Tesori.
OMG! You were a model for crying out loud! Faux suede..alligator print?
If this is your first time reading her, then try The Scorsolini Marriage Bargain, The Greek's Innocent Virgin, or my favorite The Sicilian's Marriage Arrangement.
Yes, there are the usual overly chatty, grind it into the ground LM characters not to mention the icky and questionable digital de-virginization, but usually there is a spark between the H and h. The kiss of death in a romance: BORING.
To paraphrase Donny and Marie.
I'm a little bit of a manwhore player.
I'm a little bit self-controlling.
They yak and over-analyze so much even that as they are getting ready to have sex the first time, I actually yelled at my computer, “Just do it!”
Right after the first time, he says…
To choose me as your first lover is another honor and one I will always treasure.”
Yikes. He already assumes they are moving on.
They talk some more. Yacht around and then the big break up. I think it was even on the phone for heaven’s sake.
Her:“You mean you don’t want to do without sex.”
Him:“Yes, but I do not think I am the only one this will be an issue for now. Now that your desires have awakened, they will not go back to sleep.”
So, once the tiger is out of the cage, watch out? What a gentleman to awaken her senses then let her loose on the unsuspecting men of HPland. Did I mention that despite knowing she’s a virgin he didn’t wear a condom? Yes, skillet ahead.
He throws her a bone….
“Perhaps if we are both free of other entanglements when I return, we can connect again.”
A bone she does not take.
Some serious pining occurs where the heroine gets even more controlling over her diet then…
The other twin pops in with the bio dad from Bought: The Greek's Bride.
The H calls her a couple of times but catatonia and some pride have her hang up. Then we get to the one star dump.
The H pops back in the story from his mega business trip in the back of beyond desperate to see her.
The last six months had been the most dismal of his life.
The last six months?
You are a tycoon. You are worth millions. You couldn’t take a couple of days off to jet to see your girl? SIX. MONTHS.
The two deservedly end up together where, no doubt, they will wear beige with taupe accents and eat tapioca.
The ultimate faux paus…A fashion one
She showered in her en suite and dressed in a faux suede pantsuit in alligator print by Tesori.
OMG! You were a model for crying out loud! Faux suede..alligator print?
March 25, 2018
Trigger warning: eating disorder.
This one wouldn't make a lot of sense to the unsuspecting reader who hadn't read the first story. The love 'em and dump 'em hero is standard. The now-no-longer-a-virgin heroine who pines and looses her baby is also standard.
What's odd is the middle of the story where the heroine finds out
The H/h angst was well done. The hero truly messed up and was truly sorry. The heroine suffered terribly - not just with the break up but with anorexia as well. If that is a trigger - don't read.
This one wouldn't make a lot of sense to the unsuspecting reader who hadn't read the first story. The love 'em and dump 'em hero is standard. The now-no-longer-a-virgin heroine who pines and looses her baby is also standard.
What's odd is the middle of the story where the heroine finds out
The H/h angst was well done. The hero truly messed up and was truly sorry. The heroine suffered terribly - not just with the break up but with anorexia as well. If that is a trigger - don't read.
July 23, 2013
Why do I keep reading these things, I have only myself to blame... This could have been great if the H had to suffer more, but it was all about the h's suffering then he shows up and declares his love.
She was a model. He broke up with her over the phone. She was pregnant, but lost baby when she was in an accident. She goes through a lot of trauma before he shows up again.
She was a model. He broke up with her over the phone. She was pregnant, but lost baby when she was in an accident. She goes through a lot of trauma before he shows up again.
April 10, 2013
5 Stars
Amber Taylor is a popular young top model. She is filming an ad for Spanish billionaire Miguel Mendez. When they see each other is lust at first sight. Their steamy affair lasts only for a few weeks and only when it ends they realize that they can't live without each other.
I loved the heroine. She is ambitious and hard working. Sweet but extremely vulnerable and sensitive. She suffers from eating disorders, she has a miscarriage for which she blames herself and she almost kills herself because of her deep grief and guilt over her dead baby. While reading the final scenes I found myself heartbroken for her. I cried with her and wanted to comfort her somehow. My heart broke for her and what she went through. Gut-wrenching!
The sexual chemistry is sweltering between the two characters and I for one couldn't wait for Amber to give in to her feelings and for Miguel to realize how much she means to him. When he groveled I was proud of him. Gotta love an alpha hero who sheds tears for the love of his life. You can tell that he suffered, physically and mentally. It was really touching!
A beautifully written story that will tug at your heart strings. My heart ached for them to have a happy ending even as everything seemed like it was against them.
Amber Taylor is a popular young top model. She is filming an ad for Spanish billionaire Miguel Mendez. When they see each other is lust at first sight. Their steamy affair lasts only for a few weeks and only when it ends they realize that they can't live without each other.
I loved the heroine. She is ambitious and hard working. Sweet but extremely vulnerable and sensitive. She suffers from eating disorders, she has a miscarriage for which she blames herself and she almost kills herself because of her deep grief and guilt over her dead baby. While reading the final scenes I found myself heartbroken for her. I cried with her and wanted to comfort her somehow. My heart broke for her and what she went through. Gut-wrenching!
The sexual chemistry is sweltering between the two characters and I for one couldn't wait for Amber to give in to her feelings and for Miguel to realize how much she means to him. When he groveled I was proud of him. Gotta love an alpha hero who sheds tears for the love of his life. You can tell that he suffered, physically and mentally. It was really touching!
A beautifully written story that will tug at your heart strings. My heart ached for them to have a happy ending even as everything seemed like it was against them.
January 27, 2020
Wow that was tragic
I swear that has to be one of the saddest harlequins I have ever read. I cried hard twice and it was so tragic, so why three stars because of Miguel. I didn't like him, even in the epilogue. He was such a jerk to her and he didn't even know it. That was just how he was. When she had her breakdown it felt so totally real. I was stunned at the emotion I felt. And it was very painful to read. I th I there was another book about something like this like Mistress wife or that where she had a breakdown that broke my heart. I hated that book but I do remember the scene from that one two. And both of them caused by the idiot heroes. I have no words and I may raise to four stars once I recover from the stupid so called hero's behavior. There is not enough groveling ever. At least this guy was faithful and very sorry! Not so in that other book. I may need another Harlequin break. This one slayed me! 😭
I swear that has to be one of the saddest harlequins I have ever read. I cried hard twice and it was so tragic, so why three stars because of Miguel. I didn't like him, even in the epilogue. He was such a jerk to her and he didn't even know it. That was just how he was. When she had her breakdown it felt so totally real. I was stunned at the emotion I felt. And it was very painful to read. I th I there was another book about something like this like Mistress wife or that where she had a breakdown that broke my heart. I hated that book but I do remember the scene from that one two. And both of them caused by the idiot heroes. I have no words and I may raise to four stars once I recover from the stupid so called hero's behavior. There is not enough groveling ever. At least this guy was faithful and very sorry! Not so in that other book. I may need another Harlequin break. This one slayed me! 😭
June 25, 2018
Somewhere between 2.75 & 3 stars ⭐️.
December 20, 2008
Amber Taylor was on a modeling assignment in Barcelona, Spain. She was hawking cell phones with her barely clad, perfectly toned body and what a near naked woman has to do with selling cell phones, no one knows, but hey, it landed the attention of gazillionaire Miguel Menendez, so obviously it works. Business tycoon and jaded Romeo, Miguel knew there was something different about Amber. The modeling world should have turned her as jaded as him and even though he tries to tell himself differently, he can't help but respond to her glowing innocence. He sweeps her off her feet and the two engage in a sensuous love affair where he initiates Amber in the joys of lovemaking. They indulge in a two week affair but afterwards he decides he must do the right thing and cut her loose. Miguel doesn't believe their newfound love will be able to overcome their busy schedules so even though he knows he's breaking her heart, he walks away. Too late, he discovers that he can't live without her, but will he be able to convince Amber of his love and devotion?
This started out pretty good. It was a fun and certainly passionate beginning to Amber and Miguel's romance, but during the middle part of the book I was kind of making hurry up motions. It seemed to flounder in the middle and I was getting bored. Then Lucy Monroe kicked it into high gear and I could only read on with a kind of sick fascination as this emotional rollercoaster started doing loop de loops. Wow. I wasn't expecting any of this. But I should have. Within the first couple of pages Lucy Monroe is setting up Amber's personality and explaining what kind of woman she was. Plus, she was way over her head with Miguel so the aftermath was only to be expected.
Since Miguel is not present for all the turmoil in Amber's life after he dumped her via telephone, (what a spineless jerk) I did not like him. Ugh. He is not my idea of a knight in shining armor, as he hides out in Prague, presumably pining away for her. He needed to grovel A LOT more for me to have let him back into my life. Some women fall in love hard and fast and love only once and obviously Amber is one of them. This was an interesting read and certainly different, but a little too much like a sick soap opera for me to have enjoyed it.
This started out pretty good. It was a fun and certainly passionate beginning to Amber and Miguel's romance, but during the middle part of the book I was kind of making hurry up motions. It seemed to flounder in the middle and I was getting bored. Then Lucy Monroe kicked it into high gear and I could only read on with a kind of sick fascination as this emotional rollercoaster started doing loop de loops. Wow. I wasn't expecting any of this. But I should have. Within the first couple of pages Lucy Monroe is setting up Amber's personality and explaining what kind of woman she was. Plus, she was way over her head with Miguel so the aftermath was only to be expected.
Since Miguel is not present for all the turmoil in Amber's life after he dumped her via telephone, (what a spineless jerk) I did not like him. Ugh. He is not my idea of a knight in shining armor, as he hides out in Prague, presumably pining away for her. He needed to grovel A LOT more for me to have let him back into my life. Some women fall in love hard and fast and love only once and obviously Amber is one of them. This was an interesting read and certainly different, but a little too much like a sick soap opera for me to have enjoyed it.
December 8, 2011
I had mixed feelings with this book, some parts were good,some were just ok and others were just stupid,imo.
Amber (h) is an up and coming model. She has her life together on every level,personally and professionally. One day on a shoot in Barcelona she meets the man of her dreams. Even though they we honest with eachother and both new that this was nothing permanent, she jumped in with both feet, gave him her innocents and fell I. love with him.
Miguel (H) took one look at Amber andbnew he had to have her. The more time he spent with her the more he wanted more of her time. That's never happened to him before and he figured that a few weeks spent I. bed with her should get her out of his system, after all he never did relationships ....ever.
There is a big twist in this book that really came out of no where and could have been written so much better but the author just has the characters glossing over the actions and events and they were all so instanttly forgiving and understanding that it was a little sickening. lol
Amber (h) is an up and coming model. She has her life together on every level,personally and professionally. One day on a shoot in Barcelona she meets the man of her dreams. Even though they we honest with eachother and both new that this was nothing permanent, she jumped in with both feet, gave him her innocents and fell I. love with him.
Miguel (H) took one look at Amber andbnew he had to have her. The more time he spent with her the more he wanted more of her time. That's never happened to him before and he figured that a few weeks spent I. bed with her should get her out of his system, after all he never did relationships ....ever.
There is a big twist in this book that really came out of no where and could have been written so much better but the author just has the characters glossing over the actions and events and they were all so instanttly forgiving and understanding that it was a little sickening. lol
Did not finish
March 28, 2023DNF @42% - I was already annoyed at the descriptions of the h’s beauty and thinness ad nauseam… right down to her going on and on about how she feasts on the atmosphere, not food. 🤡
Can you be any more pretentious and unrelatable? It was made worse by how enthralled the H was by the h’s description of her celestial starvation. 🙄🙄🙄
These people are insufferable.
But then we get to their first love scene and we get this gem:
“But…from the moment we met, I’ve found myself blurting out things I would never admit to anyone else.” His hand slid up her thigh until he met the elastic leg of her barely there panties. He skimmed along it with a shiver inducing fingertip. “Good. I do not want you telling another man you want him.” She gasped as he came very close to touching her most private place. “That sounds possessive.” “Count on it. When a woman is with me, she is mine.” “And the converse?” “As long as we are together, I am yours.” “Then right now, we belong to each other?” “Yes.”
😐
Glad to know this is so special for both of you.
Jealous/possessiveness is only hot if it’s exclusive… if the hero is always like that with all the women he’s with, it’s just a psychosis. 🤷🏼♀️
NEXT!
Can you be any more pretentious and unrelatable? It was made worse by how enthralled the H was by the h’s description of her celestial starvation. 🙄🙄🙄
These people are insufferable.
But then we get to their first love scene and we get this gem:
“But…from the moment we met, I’ve found myself blurting out things I would never admit to anyone else.” His hand slid up her thigh until he met the elastic leg of her barely there panties. He skimmed along it with a shiver inducing fingertip. “Good. I do not want you telling another man you want him.” She gasped as he came very close to touching her most private place. “That sounds possessive.” “Count on it. When a woman is with me, she is mine.” “And the converse?” “As long as we are together, I am yours.” “Then right now, we belong to each other?” “Yes.”
😐
Glad to know this is so special for both of you.
Jealous/possessiveness is only hot if it’s exclusive… if the hero is always like that with all the women he’s with, it’s just a psychosis. 🤷🏼♀️
NEXT!
November 3, 2015
It's been a minute since I read this but it popped up in some recommendations and it seemed a shame not to write some kind of review.
Amber is a model. (Oh Lucy Monroe, why do you do this to me...? Such an easily relatable profession for all of us size *cough-ahem*s.) She and Miguel meet and he seduces her, with every intention of making it a short-lived affair. He's not out for revenge or anything, but that's just how these things go and it's not like Amber's a virgin or anything.
Seriously, who are these guys who sleep with every hot woman they can, but think that if a woman is without a hymen she is disposable?
Whatever. Anywhatever, about half the book is Miguel and Amber seducing each other and falling in love. Then Miguel is called away and it cuts short their humping time, at which point, he calls her and informs her it's over. I mean he knows she was a virgin and all, but she's still a model and those chicks know what's up, right?
Yeah, apparently Amber never got that memo and this is where the story gets good (at least according to my inner Angst Whore, Violet). Honestly, you can pretty much skim through the first half. Because the second half is really what the book is all about.
Amber has returned home to find out that her wonderful loving mother is not really her mother, and not only that but she has an identical twin sister and a father she never knew about. (To get the deets on this one, you really want to have read the first book -- it makes a lot more sense then.) Amber was kidnapped as an infant by her mother in a fit of post-partum stillborn baby temporary insanity, who later realized what had happened, started to return Amber, but then realized that Amber's bio-dad was a major dickhead who didn't even appreciate the daughter he had left, so she just kept her.
Meanwhile, Amber is so distraught over her break-up with Miguel, she's not eating. Not really an issue for models, but she takes it to fun new Karen Carpenter-esque levels where even her photographer is screaming at her to eat a cheeseburger. She's also not sleeping. All of this combines to make her have a car accident and Amber loses the baby she didn't know she was carrying.
Seriously, y'all.
But it actually is pretty heart-breaking if you allow yourself to drink the Lucy Monroe Kool-Aid and get into the HP nuttiness of it all. Amber starts to come back to herself, or at least learns to eat and starts pretending to live again. Of course she can't because she luuuurvs Miguel soooooo much and now she feels guilty over losing the baby she didn't know she was carrying.
Miguel comes charging back into her life at this point because he's realized he Just. Can't. Live. Without. Her. and Amber's not having any of it.
The grovel in this one is pretty spectacular, no lie, but honestly, I think it could have been bigger. Amber's got a pretty good reason to hold a grudge and she does a good job of it, but between Miguel and her family, the grovel from a guy who dumped her over the phone really could have been bigger. Badder. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Still, Amber gives it a pretty good show and even though I think Miguel's grovel time could have been better, I was still (mostly) satisfied with this one.
I usually come back to this book every so often when I'm in the mood for something soapy and throat-catching (skimming the first half because... yawn). It's not a good book, but it's still totally a favorite of mine that you will pry out of my cold, dead hands, and every time I read it I can't help but wonder what happened to Lucy Monroe between this book and the books she churns out now.
Is it the Christian thing? Because I have to wonder if it's the Christian thing. Doesn't she write "inspirational" romances now along with her current lackluster HPs?
Then I think, Whoa, self, that was a shitty thing to think.
Amber is a model. (Oh Lucy Monroe, why do you do this to me...? Such an easily relatable profession for all of us size *cough-ahem*s.) She and Miguel meet and he seduces her, with every intention of making it a short-lived affair. He's not out for revenge or anything, but that's just how these things go and it's not like Amber's a virgin or anything.
Seriously, who are these guys who sleep with every hot woman they can, but think that if a woman is without a hymen she is disposable?
Whatever. Anywhatever, about half the book is Miguel and Amber seducing each other and falling in love. Then Miguel is called away and it cuts short their humping time, at which point, he calls her and informs her it's over. I mean he knows she was a virgin and all, but she's still a model and those chicks know what's up, right?
Yeah, apparently Amber never got that memo and this is where the story gets good (at least according to my inner Angst Whore, Violet). Honestly, you can pretty much skim through the first half. Because the second half is really what the book is all about.
Amber has returned home to find out that her wonderful loving mother is not really her mother, and not only that but she has an identical twin sister and a father she never knew about. (To get the deets on this one, you really want to have read the first book -- it makes a lot more sense then.) Amber was kidnapped as an infant by her mother in a fit of post-partum stillborn baby temporary insanity, who later realized what had happened, started to return Amber, but then realized that Amber's bio-dad was a major dickhead who didn't even appreciate the daughter he had left, so she just kept her.
Meanwhile, Amber is so distraught over her break-up with Miguel, she's not eating. Not really an issue for models, but she takes it to fun new Karen Carpenter-esque levels where even her photographer is screaming at her to eat a cheeseburger. She's also not sleeping. All of this combines to make her have a car accident and Amber loses the baby she didn't know she was carrying.
Seriously, y'all.
But it actually is pretty heart-breaking if you allow yourself to drink the Lucy Monroe Kool-Aid and get into the HP nuttiness of it all. Amber starts to come back to herself, or at least learns to eat and starts pretending to live again. Of course she can't because she luuuurvs Miguel soooooo much and now she feels guilty over losing the baby she didn't know she was carrying.
Miguel comes charging back into her life at this point because he's realized he Just. Can't. Live. Without. Her. and Amber's not having any of it.
The grovel in this one is pretty spectacular, no lie, but honestly, I think it could have been bigger. Amber's got a pretty good reason to hold a grudge and she does a good job of it, but between Miguel and her family, the grovel from a guy who dumped her over the phone really could have been bigger. Badder. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Still, Amber gives it a pretty good show and even though I think Miguel's grovel time could have been better, I was still (mostly) satisfied with this one.
I usually come back to this book every so often when I'm in the mood for something soapy and throat-catching (skimming the first half because... yawn). It's not a good book, but it's still totally a favorite of mine that you will pry out of my cold, dead hands, and every time I read it I can't help but wonder what happened to Lucy Monroe between this book and the books she churns out now.
Is it the Christian thing? Because I have to wonder if it's the Christian thing. Doesn't she write "inspirational" romances now along with her current lackluster HPs?
Then I think, Whoa, self, that was a shitty thing to think.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2017
Avg book, with avg rating. Note to author.... Prague is not in Russia, it's in Czech Republic.
This is book two of Mediterranean Brides series; it would have been more cohesive if I'd read book one first - Bought: The Greek's Bride.
This is book two of Mediterranean Brides series; it would have been more cohesive if I'd read book one first - Bought: The Greek's Bride.
October 6, 2020
Not remotely impressed.
July 18, 2024
A sweet intense read.
The intense attraction these two feel for each other right off the bat is amazing but they also feel that they is more. They choose to explore these new feelings even when they have never done anything like this before. They have a short but wonderful relationship then Miguel starts to worry about long distance and decides that it would be too much work, thus breaking Amber's heart and trust. Things happen in Amber's life that bring her pain, suffering, guilt, lies, and new family. While Miguel comes to realize he needs her and tries to contact her. She can't forget the pain and rejects him. Will he be able to win her back? Published in 2007 and it is another wonderful read by this author jammed pack with passion, anger, guilt, pain, love, forgiveness and a lie.
The intense attraction these two feel for each other right off the bat is amazing but they also feel that they is more. They choose to explore these new feelings even when they have never done anything like this before. They have a short but wonderful relationship then Miguel starts to worry about long distance and decides that it would be too much work, thus breaking Amber's heart and trust. Things happen in Amber's life that bring her pain, suffering, guilt, lies, and new family. While Miguel comes to realize he needs her and tries to contact her. She can't forget the pain and rejects him. Will he be able to win her back? Published in 2007 and it is another wonderful read by this author jammed pack with passion, anger, guilt, pain, love, forgiveness and a lie.
December 10, 2013
ders smthng actually very funny abt this series. just ytd i read book no.1 n 2d book no.2. amber, the twin wid the modelling career was actually the virgin one. but it was eleanor who was considered wife material n amber was looked upon as mistress material. bcoz eleanor weighed 10pounds more n she was the reserved daughter of a billionaire. she also dressed more conservatively. so as the saying goes, clothes make the man lol :P neway abt the book itself, i did not believe 4 1 sec miguel was in love wid her. he just had a jolly gud time n then left her 2 hold the candle. why he came back ? bcoz they had unfinished business, it did not mean more than dat
August 2, 2020
A lot of tragedy.
I didn’t believe in him at all.
I didn’t believe in him at all.
October 8, 2025
September Readathon
So I've now read a handful of Monroe's books -- thanks to finding several at a book sale I browsed at -- and I'm not sure I ever want to read another. Other readers have indicated she does have books worth reading, it's simply that she's very uneven. So maybe if it's $1/bag day at the sale I'd take the chance on her book being okay-to-good, but anything more than that, I'm not interested in getting another dud of her type.
This one the heroine suffers, and suffers a lot. Too much for a not quite 200 page category. And the hero is awful and does *not* make up for it. Throw in the plot wrenches of stolen-at-birth, anorexia, and lost pregnancy, and that's way WAY too much for a 200 page category.
Then everyone involved just shrugs and accepts it all, oh well we're good now! in the most unbelievable ways.
It makes me wonder if Monroe is getting tired and phoning it in. Writing old tropes overlaid on newer plots and more modern characterizations, and then by-rote pushing through it. Because there's very little development in what she does, just a lot of chattiness and big heaves of emotion and then a too-tidy ending. I'm sure Monroe was a solid (moneymaking) midlister, and that's what kept her going. I can't begrudge any writer that, but I can get annoyed they start phoning it in and rely on readers to forgive them that every three of five books in a prolific career just aren't going to be good.
So I've now read a handful of Monroe's books -- thanks to finding several at a book sale I browsed at -- and I'm not sure I ever want to read another. Other readers have indicated she does have books worth reading, it's simply that she's very uneven. So maybe if it's $1/bag day at the sale I'd take the chance on her book being okay-to-good, but anything more than that, I'm not interested in getting another dud of her type.
This one the heroine suffers, and suffers a lot. Too much for a not quite 200 page category. And the hero is awful and does *not* make up for it. Throw in the plot wrenches of stolen-at-birth, anorexia, and lost pregnancy, and that's way WAY too much for a 200 page category.
Then everyone involved just shrugs and accepts it all, oh well we're good now! in the most unbelievable ways.
It makes me wonder if Monroe is getting tired and phoning it in. Writing old tropes overlaid on newer plots and more modern characterizations, and then by-rote pushing through it. Because there's very little development in what she does, just a lot of chattiness and big heaves of emotion and then a too-tidy ending. I'm sure Monroe was a solid (moneymaking) midlister, and that's what kept her going. I can't begrudge any writer that, but I can get annoyed they start phoning it in and rely on readers to forgive them that every three of five books in a prolific career just aren't going to be good.
July 30, 2019
3.5 stars
July 20, 2021
In the first 100 pages of the book she is asking him all the time about how she compares to other women.
He keeps on answering her that she is the best of all women, the sexiest, the most beautiful and bla bla.
Anyway, she is 24 and he is older than 24 and experienced. The condom has leaked and they both think it will be alright and they’re safe from pregnancy because it only leaked a little bit. Didn’t they ever hear of the morning after pill.
There are some strange twists and turns in the book.
This is definitely not one of Lucy Monroe’s best books. They both talk too much.
He keeps on answering her that she is the best of all women, the sexiest, the most beautiful and bla bla.
Anyway, she is 24 and he is older than 24 and experienced. The condom has leaked and they both think it will be alright and they’re safe from pregnancy because it only leaked a little bit. Didn’t they ever hear of the morning after pill.
There are some strange twists and turns in the book.
This is definitely not one of Lucy Monroe’s best books. They both talk too much.
February 7, 2020
I Wanna cry. WHY WHY Why? This story had the makings of a tummy jolting, emotional, tearjerker. But it was an Epic fail. They talked alot. They overanalyzed everything. All the details were in the wrong places. Too much detail building up to sex yet not enough detail about grief and feelings... Next thing u know it's 6 months later, I mean wtf.
Lucy Munroe, you're one of my favourite "take ur mind of shit and get lost in a romance" authors but this, this was bad. I'm not even gonna bother reading the prequel incase u were in a similar state of mind when u wrote that one. I forgive u, for now. Redemption time.
Lucy Munroe, you're one of my favourite "take ur mind of shit and get lost in a romance" authors but this, this was bad. I'm not even gonna bother reading the prequel incase u were in a similar state of mind when u wrote that one. I forgive u, for now. Redemption time.
Read
July 26, 2007This one was just okay and a quick read. The heroine was a model and she suffered from eating disorders. The hero told her from the start that the relationship was temporary. Then when he goes to end it, she is all emotional, hurt, surprised, and goes into an eating disorder spin that almost kills her. Then all of sudden he comes back all lovey dovey and wants her back. The heroine was just too self involved for me.
July 14, 2023
Still angsty so 4,5 stars! Half star downgrade due to quick forgiveness.
March 23, 2021
Here's the secret twin of the Greek's bride. She's a model, naive, and hero is a spanish billionaire playboy. He offers her a brief, no string affair, she accepts. After some weeks together he has to leave for a job to some Eastern European country (Russia?) where he will be staying for some months. Obviously for him their affair ends there, because he doesn't think that they will be faithful for so much time to each other. She is very upset because she thought that even if they agreed for a no string affair their relationship had changed and she expected him to be willing to continue it. He's not willing. She is heartbroken, and she goes back to her work and has an accident where she loses the baby she didn't know she was expecting. She feels guilty and she suffers from depression and anorexia, so she ends losing her job. In the meanwhile she had found out she has a secret twin, Ellie, and a father, and she is the long lost daughter of a billionaire. Hero after one year comes back because he's not been able to forget her and tries to win her back, eventually they have their HEA. The heroine was not only naive but lacked of self esteem and was full of insecurities. Hero was true to himself, he didn't offer any commitment because both of them didn't want to give up their careers, so I didn't undertsand why she wanted so much more after only a few weeks together. Then she blamed herself for the loss of their child even if she didn't know she was pregnant. I liked hero much more than heroine.
August 19, 2014
2.5 stars
Wasn't into this book at all, and was expecting so much more from the back cover and expecting a lot more angsty emotions going on that happened.
My biggest problem with this book was their relationship didn't really develop and happened way too fast. Their attraction was instant as Miguel watched Amber work during her photo shoot and she felt the same way about him. Now I get physical attraction at first. I've read plenty of books with it and this sizzling tension between the couple that they are practically electrified when they are in a couple feet of each other but in the case of Amber and Miguel I didn't feel that. It just felt so forced to me. Yes, she felt this awareness of him right away when he watched her, but other that I just wasn't feeling the buzz. I was told there was buzz but that didn't mean I felt it. It just felt off and forced in my view. Unrealistic almost. It just didn't feel right. Probably because it was too quick.
In fact their whole relationship too quick without much sizzling tension between them at all because they gave into their passions too quickly. There was no build up. No anticipation. No will they wont they kind of questions. Basically I knew they would end up together. It was too quick. Too easy. She barely put up any resistance against his charm and gave in way too easily. Then she admitted before she slept with him that she was in love with him after knowing him a day. A day? Really? I don't believe in love at first sight not even in fiction and just find it too unbelievable to comprehend. Attraction/lust at first sight sure. But love. No way. And I just thought she was stupid and naïve for even saying something like that. Actually I didn't find her that appealing anyway and I was rolling my eyes at some of the things she did like her half heart protests in wanting to get to know him before she slept with him. What did that last like a day. Come on. Really? She misewell have slept with him that first day because she didn't put up much of a fight afterwards now did she. It was just so unbelievable and I so didn't like it. Especially when she tried to talk herself out of sleeping with him and it really was halfhearted like I said and it was almost pointless.
There was just no anticipation to it and just gave in way too quickly. There wasn't much denial or protest going on, and I hated that. That's what makes romance interesting that anticipation and denial until finally they can't contain it and must give into their passions or otherwise they'll explode. Here they didn't have that luxury and let passions build until they were ready to explode because they already did it by then. It just was really not my cup of tea. I wanted see them wait or see some sizzling tension happen before they gave in.
Their love scenes were steamy but I wasn't satisfied with them really because there was nothing beside the physical behind them. There were no angst emotions or emotions at all. It was just about the act itself and that just wasn't appealing. I didn't feel like he felt anything for other than wanting her body and that turns me off when that's the case. Now if that attraction was there but there was something more behind it then I might be more behind them as a couple but I wasn't really behind them as a couple because their relationship happened too fast. Plus she gave in way too easily to him (can you tell I am not a fan of hers? I just think she acts very naïve)
Then she seemed surprised when he wanted to go their separate ways. What did she expect? She just met this guy. Slept with him. And expected it to be happily ever after. Really? How naïve can you be. Not a fan of her. That's what she got for sleeping with a guy she hardly knew.
Then the whole ending just seemed rushed and coming from nowhere and something I wasn't expecting at all, and just seemed to come out of left field. Now granted this was book number two of a miniseries and I hadn't read the first one. Maybe if I did I would have been more prepared for what was to come but since I didn't I just felt thrown and taken a back by it and made me wonder where it come from and again it was rushed it was like. Okay I wish there was more of this in the beginning then she met Miguel and decided to have a sexual relationship with him because she wasn't thinking clearly after her distress of find out the news she was kidnapped as a baby by her mother. That would have made more sense to me and I could see more angst happening and just more tension there then her just giving in to him like she did. But that didn't happen, but the whole kidnap twist I just didn't like and didn't get and had no preparation for so it just really made me shake my head and again not like it even more. I wanted that developed along with the relationship between her and Miguel and it just wasn't.
And the fact that Miguel came back to her was fine and good but I had no evidence that he was in love with her. Okay maybe the phone calls were suppose to be indications of that, but still I would have liked to see his heartbreak more or something to show he was hurting as much as she was instead it was just told to me then it just felt unrealistic and weird that he was declaring his love to her. And then she just forgave him way too quickly for breaking up with her the way he did. He needed to grovel more and he didn't. He got off way too easily. Everything just came way too easy for him.
Just the whole book was way too rushed and things happened way too quick and I didn't like that. I want anticipation and build up not go from zero to sixty in a couple of pages. I wanted angst, and I got none of that here. Everything was just too easy in my opinion and the issues that she had seemed to be easily brushed off and barely mention except in a couple pages of what she went through and how badly she was hurting. Again it all happened way too quick. To me there just wasn't anything of substance there that would make me root for their love story. I'm sorry.
I just really didn't like this book. Maybe would feel better if I read book one but I highly doubt it. Just it wasn't my cup of tea, which is a shame because I like Lucy Monroe book but this one just didn't do it for me.
Wasn't into this book at all, and was expecting so much more from the back cover and expecting a lot more angsty emotions going on that happened.
My biggest problem with this book was their relationship didn't really develop and happened way too fast. Their attraction was instant as Miguel watched Amber work during her photo shoot and she felt the same way about him. Now I get physical attraction at first. I've read plenty of books with it and this sizzling tension between the couple that they are practically electrified when they are in a couple feet of each other but in the case of Amber and Miguel I didn't feel that. It just felt so forced to me. Yes, she felt this awareness of him right away when he watched her, but other that I just wasn't feeling the buzz. I was told there was buzz but that didn't mean I felt it. It just felt off and forced in my view. Unrealistic almost. It just didn't feel right. Probably because it was too quick.
In fact their whole relationship too quick without much sizzling tension between them at all because they gave into their passions too quickly. There was no build up. No anticipation. No will they wont they kind of questions. Basically I knew they would end up together. It was too quick. Too easy. She barely put up any resistance against his charm and gave in way too easily. Then she admitted before she slept with him that she was in love with him after knowing him a day. A day? Really? I don't believe in love at first sight not even in fiction and just find it too unbelievable to comprehend. Attraction/lust at first sight sure. But love. No way. And I just thought she was stupid and naïve for even saying something like that. Actually I didn't find her that appealing anyway and I was rolling my eyes at some of the things she did like her half heart protests in wanting to get to know him before she slept with him. What did that last like a day. Come on. Really? She misewell have slept with him that first day because she didn't put up much of a fight afterwards now did she. It was just so unbelievable and I so didn't like it. Especially when she tried to talk herself out of sleeping with him and it really was halfhearted like I said and it was almost pointless.
There was just no anticipation to it and just gave in way too quickly. There wasn't much denial or protest going on, and I hated that. That's what makes romance interesting that anticipation and denial until finally they can't contain it and must give into their passions or otherwise they'll explode. Here they didn't have that luxury and let passions build until they were ready to explode because they already did it by then. It just was really not my cup of tea. I wanted see them wait or see some sizzling tension happen before they gave in.
Their love scenes were steamy but I wasn't satisfied with them really because there was nothing beside the physical behind them. There were no angst emotions or emotions at all. It was just about the act itself and that just wasn't appealing. I didn't feel like he felt anything for other than wanting her body and that turns me off when that's the case. Now if that attraction was there but there was something more behind it then I might be more behind them as a couple but I wasn't really behind them as a couple because their relationship happened too fast. Plus she gave in way too easily to him (can you tell I am not a fan of hers? I just think she acts very naïve)
Then she seemed surprised when he wanted to go their separate ways. What did she expect? She just met this guy. Slept with him. And expected it to be happily ever after. Really? How naïve can you be. Not a fan of her. That's what she got for sleeping with a guy she hardly knew.
Then the whole ending just seemed rushed and coming from nowhere and something I wasn't expecting at all, and just seemed to come out of left field. Now granted this was book number two of a miniseries and I hadn't read the first one. Maybe if I did I would have been more prepared for what was to come but since I didn't I just felt thrown and taken a back by it and made me wonder where it come from and again it was rushed it was like. Okay I wish there was more of this in the beginning then she met Miguel and decided to have a sexual relationship with him because she wasn't thinking clearly after her distress of find out the news she was kidnapped as a baby by her mother. That would have made more sense to me and I could see more angst happening and just more tension there then her just giving in to him like she did. But that didn't happen, but the whole kidnap twist I just didn't like and didn't get and had no preparation for so it just really made me shake my head and again not like it even more. I wanted that developed along with the relationship between her and Miguel and it just wasn't.
And the fact that Miguel came back to her was fine and good but I had no evidence that he was in love with her. Okay maybe the phone calls were suppose to be indications of that, but still I would have liked to see his heartbreak more or something to show he was hurting as much as she was instead it was just told to me then it just felt unrealistic and weird that he was declaring his love to her. And then she just forgave him way too quickly for breaking up with her the way he did. He needed to grovel more and he didn't. He got off way too easily. Everything just came way too easy for him.
Just the whole book was way too rushed and things happened way too quick and I didn't like that. I want anticipation and build up not go from zero to sixty in a couple of pages. I wanted angst, and I got none of that here. Everything was just too easy in my opinion and the issues that she had seemed to be easily brushed off and barely mention except in a couple pages of what she went through and how badly she was hurting. Again it all happened way too quick. To me there just wasn't anything of substance there that would make me root for their love story. I'm sorry.
I just really didn't like this book. Maybe would feel better if I read book one but I highly doubt it. Just it wasn't my cup of tea, which is a shame because I like Lucy Monroe book but this one just didn't do it for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2025
It was ok, I wouldn't want to re-read. It was a tad boring until their breakup, but I didn't like the whole she starved herself, had an accident and lost her baby plotline.
It was kind of gross how he broke up with her over phone and told her that he didn't think he could be celibate so he wasn't even willing to try long distance. I liked her reaction though with her hanging up on him and ignoring him for months when he called. I also liked that he suffered and did grovel at the end.
The whole stolen baby plotline with heroine and they just all lived together and then her birth father got together with the woman who stole her in the hospital was kind of bizarre. P.
It was kind of gross how he broke up with her over phone and told her that he didn't think he could be celibate so he wasn't even willing to try long distance. I liked her reaction though with her hanging up on him and ignoring him for months when he called. I also liked that he suffered and did grovel at the end.
The whole stolen baby plotline with heroine and they just all lived together and then her birth father got together with the woman who stole her in the hospital was kind of bizarre. P.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2019
Amber and Miguel
Amber is a model and while in Spain she meets Miguel Menendez and sparks fly. After a 2 week affair Miguel breaks up with Amber and after 6 months apart he realises how much he loves her and is ready to make their relationship work. However, while nursing a broken heart, Amber miscarried their baby and falls into the darkness of depression and anorexia. Miguel is in the fight of his life. Amazing read, with real raw emotions were so palpable you can feel it. Highly recommended
Amber is a model and while in Spain she meets Miguel Menendez and sparks fly. After a 2 week affair Miguel breaks up with Amber and after 6 months apart he realises how much he loves her and is ready to make their relationship work. However, while nursing a broken heart, Amber miscarried their baby and falls into the darkness of depression and anorexia. Miguel is in the fight of his life. Amazing read, with real raw emotions were so palpable you can feel it. Highly recommended
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2022
Kinda boring.
It's not til the almost 80% mark that the drama kicks in. Up til then it's just sex and the MCs talking about how attracted they are to each other... if you're into that you'll love this book.
If you're into drama and angst; you might be disappointed. I mean, when finally happens it's satisfying, there just isn't enough of it.
Satisfying grovel tho... then HEA.
It's not til the almost 80% mark that the drama kicks in. Up til then it's just sex and the MCs talking about how attracted they are to each other... if you're into that you'll love this book.
If you're into drama and angst; you might be disappointed. I mean, when finally happens it's satisfying, there just isn't enough of it.
Satisfying grovel tho... then HEA.
May 27, 2024
"Taken: The Spaniard's Virgin" is the story of Amber and Miguel.
The first half of this story has the hero meeting our heroine, a beautiful model and seducing her. The second half deals with the tragic repercussions of his thoughtless breakup.
Overall last 1/2 packs a punch and I enjoyed it.
Safe
3/5
The first half of this story has the hero meeting our heroine, a beautiful model and seducing her. The second half deals with the tragic repercussions of his thoughtless breakup.
Overall last 1/2 packs a punch and I enjoyed it.
Safe
3/5
September 26, 2018
Beautiful read
This is a great read. I laughed and cried. The hero finally admitted that he loved Amber. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story! I highly recommend this book!!!!!
This is a great read. I laughed and cried. The hero finally admitted that he loved Amber. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story! I highly recommend this book!!!!!
March 20, 2018
Too much to do in this little book. If the story had been longer all the drama at the end could have been flushed out and not felt so hallow.
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