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Clare Connelly Sheikhs #6
Bound to the Sheikh
Billionaire Sheikh Afida Masou-Al doesn't like his bride-of-convenience. In fact, he positively loathes her. She's the last person on earth he would have married were it not for an ancient debt and a deathbed promise. Now that it's done though he decides to at least make the most of it ... and there is one definite silver-lining to the whole debacle. His wife is sexy as sin. He doesn't want her anywhere but his bed ... Laurie is under no illusions: this marriage of theirs is far from traditional. She and her groom are a total failure as a couple except in one crucial way. They can't keep their hands off each other. But can she find the balance between sex, satisfaction and life when there is the constant shadow of his hatred, his mistress, and all of his powerful misconceptions about her? It's a marriage of convenience with every reason to fail ... but is it possible that hate at first sight could turn into something much, much more given time? Set in the sand-swept desert Kingdon of ancient Aktaria BOUND TO THE SHEIKH by Amazon bestseller Clare Connelly is a story that will set your soul on fire...
173 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2016
203 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
Clare Connelly
517 books406 followersFor all things Clare Connelly, please see www.clareconnelly.co.uk, the official home of Clare Connelly on the web.
Clare Connelly grew up in a small country town in Australia. Surrounded by rainforests, and rickety old timber houses, magic was thick in the air, and stories and storytelling were a huge part of her childhood.
From early on in life, Clare realised her favourite books were romance stories, and read voraciously. Anything from Jane Austen to Georgette Heyer, to Mills & Boon and (more recently) 50 Shades, Clare is a romance devotee. She first turned her hand to penning a novel at fifteen (if memory serves, it was something about a glamorous fashion model who fell foul of a high-end designer. Sparks flew, clothes flew faster, and love was born.)
Clare has a small family and a bungalow near the sea. When she isn't chasing after energetic little toddlers, or wiping fingerprints off furniture, she's writing, thinking about writing, or wishing she were writing.
Clare Connelly grew up in a small country town in Australia. Surrounded by rainforests, and rickety old timber houses, magic was thick in the air, and stories and storytelling were a huge part of her childhood.
From early on in life, Clare realised her favourite books were romance stories, and read voraciously. Anything from Jane Austen to Georgette Heyer, to Mills & Boon and (more recently) 50 Shades, Clare is a romance devotee. She first turned her hand to penning a novel at fifteen (if memory serves, it was something about a glamorous fashion model who fell foul of a high-end designer. Sparks flew, clothes flew faster, and love was born.)
Clare has a small family and a bungalow near the sea. When she isn't chasing after energetic little toddlers, or wiping fingerprints off furniture, she's writing, thinking about writing, or wishing she were writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 2, 2019
2 ⭐⭐ - Meh!
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Zero treats our Zeroine very badly and keeps a mistress in the courtyard of the palace and makes a point of showing contempt for Zeroine.
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Zero treats our Zeroine very badly and keeps a mistress in the courtyard of the palace and makes a point of showing contempt for Zeroine.
Afida nodded with impatience. “It is a sacrifice. I do not wish to tether myself to any woman, particularly not this one.”
“So why is Laurena marrying you then? Is it out of love for her father?” “Money.” She could practically hear the Sheikh’s shrugged shoulders. “She is motivated by little else, I believe.”
“She does not need to make me happy. I have May, I have my title. My fiancé is nothing to me. A means to an end that I must learn to tolerate.”
But this creature before him was both unkempt and wild. Oh, her figure was pleasing enough – she was petite with enough curves to hold his interest, but she was not the kind of woman he usually went for. Out of nowhere he pictured May, with her legs that went forever and her mane of silky blonde hair, her skin as smooth and soft as caramel fudge.
“Dressed like this, you are every man’s fantasy. Bookish yet sexy; Miss Moneypenny meets Hollywood starlet. Of course you were an excellent escort.”
She was to marry a man who despised her, and it was all based on misunderstandings.
But never, no matter how I might act in the presence of others, allow yourself to believe my attitude towards you has changed. To the day I die, I will think of you as the worst example of humanity. A daughter who has betrayed her father is not worth the air she breathes.”
“How many men, like me, have given you money in exchange for yourself.” Her footing stumbled a little, but his vice like grip around her waist kept her in place. “How many times do I have to tell you that it isn’t like that?” “You can say it until your breath expires and I will still not believe it. Smile, zivzel.”
“But you would never be to me what May is.” How did he do it? His ability to pinpoint the very worst thing to say and sledge her with words was a cruel gift.
I realised that I do not have to like you to find you desirable. In fact, I can still despise you, and want you.”
“It does not matter. I have transferred the money to your father. So far as I am concerned, you are bought and paid for. This deal is final, and there is no longer any backing out.”
“Are you going somewhere?” Elon was reclining thoughtfully, a smile quirking on his lips. “Yes. I’m going to May. Good night, friend.” He left without a backwards glance, and so missed the searing look of fury on Elon’s features. 5 True to his word, in the presence of their closest family and friends, he played the part perfectly.
“Would servants have prevented her from going to May’s cottage, as she was intending to?” Afida’s skin paled beneath his golden tan. “She was? Does she know?” “No. I told her it is a diplomatic residence.”
Elon slashed a furious hand through the air. “Laurie is worth a thousand Mays, and yet still you go to that woman?”
Never, no matter how I might act in the presence of others, allow yourself to believe my attitude towards you has changed. To the day I die, I will think of you as the worst example of humanity. A daughter who has betrayed her father is not worth the air she breathes. He had said that to her.
“But he will never belong to you.” The woman taunted silkily, her beautiful face tormented by the depth of her emotion. “I’m … sorry…” Laurie repeated with a murmur, for lack of a more suitable rejoinder. “I’ve no idea who you are, nor what you want.”
“I am May.” The woman’s green eyes flared in her stunning face. “And I can see by your expression that you have heard of my role in your husband’s life.” Laurie’s face paled, but she held herself steady. “Yes.” Why deny it?
“And do you also know that your husband,” another spit, this time with actual bubbles of lava detonating from her lips, “has spent every night with me since you arrived? Did you know he spent last night in my bed? Making love to me? His body moved within mine, his hands roamed my flesh, he took of me as he has done for two years. Do you know this?”
“I do know that Afida has no intention of ending things with you because of me.” She spun away from May, no longer able to mask her sadness. “I’m his wife in name only, May. You’re welcome to him.”
May. Her invitation to attend the wedding had been automatic, but now Afida greatly wished she wasn’t there to witness this.
She shook her head, ignoring the attempt at humour. “I won’t get in the way of you and May.” She ignored the painful thumping in her chest. “You should talk to her. She’s very upset.”
“I don’t care that you’re sleeping with her. I don’t care if you’re sleeping with an entire harem. But I don’t want to be put in the middle.” “You are not in the middle. You are nothing to do with May.”
“And that’s what I told her. She needn’t feel threatened by me. I might be your wife, but that’s just a stupid title. It doesn’t mean anything.” He closed his eyes briefly. “You told her this?”
“You stayed with May last night and now you expect me to treat this like a real marriage?” A muscle in his jaw was flexing frantically. “I expect you to stop thinking about my mistress.” “I can’t.” Her voice cracked with emotion. “Maybe if I hadn’t met her. But I can’t do this to her.” “To her?” He was incredulous. “Yes, to her. Not after I’ve promised her.”
“Wouldn’t you?” She queried. “Of course not. For whatever reason you’ve remained … innocent … your first time should have been with a man who both loves and respects you.”
“I regret this,” he said seriously, sombrely. “I am sorry.”
Even though it’s a sham, I still don’t condone infidelity. You have a lover. Maybe more than one, I don’t know. But I’m definitely not the kind of woman who can share a man.” “I am not asking you to.” “No. You’re expecting me to do so without the courtesy of asking. And I won’t do it.
“But I don’t want her speaking to my father.” Afida froze. “To David? May is speaking to David?” “In the garden. I was just jogging,”
“And I saw them in the quince grove. May was laughing at something he’d said. I watched them for ten minutes. They looked like old friends.” Her eyes flashed with anger. “I know you don’t intend to give her up. I heard you say as much, and I know I don’t have the right to ask you to. But this is too much.”
My father cannot find out about us. He can’t know that this marriage is fake. I won’t have her make a fool of him the way she is of me.”
“I did the test three times. I am with child.” Laurie stood slowly, wary of making any noise that might alert them to her presence. “This is going to destroy Laurie,” his words were soft. Even in that moment, Laurie took heart from the fact that he thought of her. True, not enough to stop sleeping with his mistress. And not enough not to get his mistress pregnant. But on some level, he did care.
The problem they faced was hardly simple. This baby would be a constant reminder to his wife of what he’d shared with May. May would forever more be in their lives, despite what he, or Laurie, might have wanted. He needed Laurie to understand.
This was not a love match, despite her stupidity in falling in love with her husband. Yes, they’d developed a very healthy sexual relationship, but that was just convenience. He’d obviously been with May too. Her stomach clenched at the thought. The betrayal!
“My father and your mistress are having a baby together.” She said, her mind reeling. “Your lover is going to raise my half-brother or sister. Our child’s cousin will be its uncle or aunt as well.”
April 11, 2021
Far-fetched premise, but once you suspend disbelief this was a nice marriage of convenience story.
The premise: heroine's father saved the hero's father's life. A debt is owed.
Heroine's father is facing bankruptcy after his wife dies from a long illness. The only way hero can help him (and discharge the life debt) is marry the heroine and then give the money as the son-in-law.
Heroine goes along with this because there wouldn't be a story, otherwise. She overhears the hero complaining about how he doesn't want to marry the heroine and how he will keep his mistress. This is a big cause of the angst.
Don't worry, once H/h have sex, hero breaks it off with the mistress. And don't worry about the mistress
Heroine is a virgin and a kind person. Hero is cruel at first and then comes around.
The premise: heroine's father saved the hero's father's life. A debt is owed.
Heroine's father is facing bankruptcy after his wife dies from a long illness. The only way hero can help him (and discharge the life debt) is marry the heroine and then give the money as the son-in-law.
Heroine goes along with this because there wouldn't be a story, otherwise. She overhears the hero complaining about how he doesn't want to marry the heroine and how he will keep his mistress. This is a big cause of the angst.
Don't worry, once H/h have sex, hero breaks it off with the mistress. And don't worry about the mistress
Heroine is a virgin and a kind person. Hero is cruel at first and then comes around.
October 23, 2017
I have very mixed feelings about this book. I liked the heavy angst and the tension between Afida and Laurie, especially after marriage, but there were quite a few things I found unpalatable in the book, the main one being, May, Afida's mistress, being given so much of importance.
Afida, at first, came across as a thorough jerk, jumping to conclusions regarding Laurie, believing she left her father, David, alone and did nothing to save him from bankruptcy and also that she was an escort when in fact she was a translator to foreign businessmen. Her father had saved his father's life thirty years ago and now that he was in a financial crisis, Afida wanted to help him, but the man wouldn't take any financial help from anyone other than family. And, since Afida promised his father he'd find a way to repay the man, he decided to become the man's son-in-law and forces Laurie to marry him. But, since he'd already formed an opinion about Laurie, for which he despised her, he decides to keep his mistress too. Two days before the wedding Laurie overhears him tell this to Elon, his oldest friend and adviser.
Laurie meets May on the wedding day and assures the other woman in her husband's life that she is free to continue her relationship with him because she believes the marriage is in name only. There wouldn't be any physical intimacy between them. But, Afida, jealous of the growing closeness between his wife and Elon --who realized very early on that Laurie is a genuine person-- ignores his mistress and has his eyes only on his wife. Only when he is faced by the evidence of Laurie's virginity he realizes he'd made a mistake of misjudging Laurie and was unable to face her.
He changes his attitude toward her. The angst and tension between them thereafter was good, until they become close once again in the dunes. But, then comes another twist when Laurie overhears May tell Afida she's pregnant. Naturally shattered, she runs off to Elon's place, resurrecting Afida's jealousy again.
Although, things get resolved between them and there's a nice epilogue, I just didn't like the fact that May was now family to Afida and Laurie.
Otherwise, it was not a bad read.
Afida, at first, came across as a thorough jerk, jumping to conclusions regarding Laurie, believing she left her father, David, alone and did nothing to save him from bankruptcy and also that she was an escort when in fact she was a translator to foreign businessmen. Her father had saved his father's life thirty years ago and now that he was in a financial crisis, Afida wanted to help him, but the man wouldn't take any financial help from anyone other than family. And, since Afida promised his father he'd find a way to repay the man, he decided to become the man's son-in-law and forces Laurie to marry him. But, since he'd already formed an opinion about Laurie, for which he despised her, he decides to keep his mistress too. Two days before the wedding Laurie overhears him tell this to Elon, his oldest friend and adviser.
Laurie meets May on the wedding day and assures the other woman in her husband's life that she is free to continue her relationship with him because she believes the marriage is in name only. There wouldn't be any physical intimacy between them. But, Afida, jealous of the growing closeness between his wife and Elon --who realized very early on that Laurie is a genuine person-- ignores his mistress and has his eyes only on his wife. Only when he is faced by the evidence of Laurie's virginity he realizes he'd made a mistake of misjudging Laurie and was unable to face her.
He changes his attitude toward her. The angst and tension between them thereafter was good, until they become close once again in the dunes. But, then comes another twist when Laurie overhears May tell Afida she's pregnant. Naturally shattered, she runs off to Elon's place, resurrecting Afida's jealousy again.
Although, things get resolved between them and there's a nice epilogue, I just didn't like the fact that May was now family to Afida and Laurie.
Otherwise, it was not a bad read.
May 24, 2022
A marriage of convenience between the Sheikh and the daughter of his father's friend.
Hero is a pig who kept his mistress right up till the night of his wedding to the heroine.
The heroine has treatrous body syndrome towards the hero.
The heroine's father and husband's ex mistress hook up and are now expecting.Can you imagine the family gatherings? But no worries..at the epilogue they are all one happy family and the MC's have named their son after the hero's best friend who once upon a time was developing feelings for the heroine.
This book was like an episode of Jerry Springer.
Hero is a pig who kept his mistress right up till the night of his wedding to the heroine.
The heroine has treatrous body syndrome towards the hero.
The heroine's father and husband's ex mistress hook up and are now expecting.Can you imagine the family gatherings? But no worries..at the epilogue they are all one happy family and the MC's have named their son after the hero's best friend who once upon a time was developing feelings for the heroine.
This book was like an episode of Jerry Springer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2018
Terrible book. The hero is a perfect asshole. He wants to maintain a mistress while he keeps his wife in his bed. The heroine is an ever bigger dumbo who sleeps with her husband after promising his mistress that she is gifting hubby dear to him! End is even weird where the husbands mistress is now a wannabe stepmother to the heroine and the mother of the heroines half brother/ sister and everybody lives happily after! What a bloody waste of time.
June 8, 2018
Sheik Afida asked Laurie married him to uphold his late father’s wishes to repay her father who saved him from fire tragedy 30 years earlier. Her father was in debt but too proud to receive money help except from family thus the marriage. Afida assumed poorly of Laurie character and personality. He accused her as an escort in fact she was working two jobs including as translator to pay off her late mother’s outstanding bills. He was jealous of her and his assitant Elon. Their wedding night, he was surprised of her virginity. He regretted taking her harshly. She donated all their wedding money and wanted to be part of the community project for cancer patients in a hospital. He didn’t want her thinking that he was free to continue his attair with his mistress, May. He whisked her away when she burst out not wanting May socialize wifh her father. They continued their sex for the whole month. While she wss jogging, she heard about May pregnancy and went to see Elon. Afida came and took her back to the magical city where they made love. He told her that he loves her and apologized. The baby was not his. It was her father’s child. Ew.. She loves him too so she took him back.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2020
Hot mess. Yet oddly, it worked
July 24, 2018
The H figures out he was wrong about Laurie by the halfway point. Once he does he's pretty much all in and he makes efforts to change his behaviors and get to know the h. I liked that about Afida. Usually it takes a CC H a couple of tries before he finally comes around.
One of the things I like about CC is that she doesn't always write the "OW" as a villain. (ie: the stepmom in His Loving Deception) May was never in love with Afida, but she was afraid of losing what she had, because without him she had nothing. No money, no home, no connections, etc. Because of that she didn't want to stop being his mistress. Laurie thinks that May is in love with Afida, and because Afida is an arrogant asshole, Laurie is also under the impression that he hates her and he's not willing to give up May. All of the conflict in this book could have been cleared up if Afida would have shut up long enough to let Laurie explain her situation with her mother's medical bills. I still think that the situation with May and Laurie's dad is weird. So weird. But I have no doing that Afida is in love with Laurie and has been faithful to her from before that were actually married, and that he never loved May.
One of the things I like about CC is that she doesn't always write the "OW" as a villain. (ie: the stepmom in His Loving Deception) May was never in love with Afida, but she was afraid of losing what she had, because without him she had nothing. No money, no home, no connections, etc. Because of that she didn't want to stop being his mistress. Laurie thinks that May is in love with Afida, and because Afida is an arrogant asshole, Laurie is also under the impression that he hates her and he's not willing to give up May. All of the conflict in this book could have been cleared up if Afida would have shut up long enough to let Laurie explain her situation with her mother's medical bills. I still think that the situation with May and Laurie's dad is weird. So weird. But I have no doing that Afida is in love with Laurie and has been faithful to her from before that were actually married, and that he never loved May.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2019
3.5 stars
January 30, 2022
A little Jerry Springer, with a sprinkle of Maury Povich in this story! 😂😂😂😂😂
April 2, 2021
Not so pleased with this one. The hero has to marry the daughter of the man who saved his father’s life, he thinks she’s an escort, she is but only as a translator. He falls in lust with her even if he despises and hates her. He has a mistress and he intends to keep her even after their marriage. Even if he eventually says that he wasn’t with her since he kissed the heroine I found the presence of the mistress disturbing and too overwhelming. The hero was mean and judged the heroine because was an escort when he had a mistress all along. Talking about double standard... I hated him and I hoped that the heroine fell in love with hero’s best friend, a really nice man, quite a gentleman. And her father got his son in law’s ex mistress pregnant. Was it necessary? So h/H will be never free of her. Nope.
May 10, 2016
Bound to thee Sheikh:An Anccient debt by Claire Connelly
Great Sheikh story one of the best really enjoyed it so will you so read the book Claire is a awesome author on Sheikh booksHelf owed her father a debt for saving his father's life but would not take the money but would if he was married to his daughter but he had some mistress would not give up did not believe his daughter thought the worst of her she heard him if you want to know the the story read the book Margie tell all of this it was bad and then when she thought thing was fine she heard his mistress
Great Sheikh story one of the best really enjoyed it so will you so read the book Claire is a awesome author on Sheikh booksHelf owed her father a debt for saving his father's life but would not take the money but would if he was married to his daughter but he had some mistress would not give up did not believe his daughter thought the worst of her she heard him if you want to know the the story read the book Margie tell all of this it was bad and then when she thought thing was fine she heard his mistress
October 2, 2020
H is a spoilt child, at least where the h is concerned. I liked his best friend very well & wished the h had ended up with him.
The situation with keeping the mistress within the palace grounds & she later having a child with the h’s father was soooo icky.
The situation with keeping the mistress within the palace grounds & she later having a child with the h’s father was soooo icky.
March 23, 2019
Just ok
Really choppy, much like this review. Different scenarios jumped all over the place. A very quick ending. Not much substance to the story. Will not read again.
Really choppy, much like this review. Different scenarios jumped all over the place. A very quick ending. Not much substance to the story. Will not read again.
July 13, 2019
Right amount of angst, good pacing. I enjoyed this book a lot better than I thought I would! It was well written and not so over the top that it seemed like woo woo land.
November 12, 2024
Another Sheiky story where a five minute explanation at the beginning would have solved everything 🙄.
MoC because heroine's debt ridden father saved the life of Hero's dad years ago.
Hero thinks heroine is a right tart and an escort when in actual fact she worked as a translator for foreign businessmen at business dinners. There's a quite funny exchange where he asks her how many there have been - she says 28 meaning businessmanship she translates for, knowing he assumes she's talking about ex customers. He also thinks she fritters all her money away and when she tries to tell him she's paying off her dead mother's medical bills he won't listen to her. He behaves like a total ass until he realizes that she's actually a virgin and listens to her finally when she tells him about the medical bills.
He has a mistress called May who he seems to still be sleeping with until not long before the wedding day 🤢. May ends up as heroine's step mother with bebe on the way. 😬😬
Apart from that I thought it was okay.
MoC because heroine's debt ridden father saved the life of Hero's dad years ago.
Hero thinks heroine is a right tart and an escort when in actual fact she worked as a translator for foreign businessmen at business dinners. There's a quite funny exchange where he asks her how many there have been - she says 28 meaning businessmanship she translates for, knowing he assumes she's talking about ex customers. He also thinks she fritters all her money away and when she tries to tell him she's paying off her dead mother's medical bills he won't listen to her. He behaves like a total ass until he realizes that she's actually a virgin and listens to her finally when she tells him about the medical bills.
He has a mistress called May who he seems to still be sleeping with until not long before the wedding day 🤢. May ends up as heroine's step mother with bebe on the way. 😬😬
Apart from that I thought it was okay.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2022
A very good book
This was a very good book. The h and H married so the H could repay a debt to the h’s father. There was a lot of miscommunication and misunderstanding. The H was a jerk in the beginning, he had a mistress and wasn’t going to give her up. The h was a very good, sweet and kind person who loved her father. I couldn’t put it down. Glad they were able to find their HEA. Good ending.
This was a very good book. The h and H married so the H could repay a debt to the h’s father. There was a lot of miscommunication and misunderstanding. The H was a jerk in the beginning, he had a mistress and wasn’t going to give her up. The h was a very good, sweet and kind person who loved her father. I couldn’t put it down. Glad they were able to find their HEA. Good ending.
October 6, 2018
Good story!
Fast easy clean read! Reminded me of a good Harlequin book with the advantage of being part of Kindle Unlimited! I just started becoming familiar with Clare Connelly's books and have read a few so far! Her books are well written and fast paced!
I loved this unrequited love story!
Fast easy clean read! Reminded me of a good Harlequin book with the advantage of being part of Kindle Unlimited! I just started becoming familiar with Clare Connelly's books and have read a few so far! Her books are well written and fast paced!
I loved this unrequited love story!
January 8, 2022
Beautiful ending
This book took me by surprise. Not to fond of how each and every man in the books are always so terrible in the beginning. As if one simple to the point explanation puts it all to rest. Overall not terrible in least. I hope Sheiks ( best friend) has his happily ever after.
This book took me by surprise. Not to fond of how each and every man in the books are always so terrible in the beginning. As if one simple to the point explanation puts it all to rest. Overall not terrible in least. I hope Sheiks ( best friend) has his happily ever after.
January 24, 2023
A dumb heroine and a hero who kept his mistress in the cottage near his palace.
Heroine knew hero was sleeping with his mistress and didn't mind sleeping with the hero.
Heroine was a doormat, the hero could have a harem and the Heroine would still go running in his arms. She had no dignity.
Hero was a major asshole and a pain in the aSS.
Heroine knew hero was sleeping with his mistress and didn't mind sleeping with the hero.
Heroine was a doormat, the hero could have a harem and the Heroine would still go running in his arms. She had no dignity.
Hero was a major asshole and a pain in the aSS.
April 4, 2018
writing was bit too simplistic
September 5, 2021
It is kind of a disappointment since chauvinism triumphed in all front.
May 21, 2022
he slept with his mistress the day before the wedding
Then gets angry when she is jealous, ranting that the mistress is in the Past. He's childish. Mercurial. Not a good man
Then gets angry when she is jealous, ranting that the mistress is in the Past. He's childish. Mercurial. Not a good man
November 19, 2022
I liked the story between H and h, but the overall impression was ruined at the end because of the marriage between h's father and H's mistress
April 8, 2024
I enjoyed reading this romance between Sheikh Afida, and Laurie from England. It's beautifully woven with emotions and hot scenes. Looking forward to reading more by this author
February 12, 2018
3.5* for the angst but some things are just too icky!
Major Spoilers ahead!
The hero Afida was such an asshole throughout. Based on some basic facts he gleaned he judged The heroine most terribly.
He was always interrupting her when she spoke and jumped to conclusions. ..all wrong. His cruel words were designed to hurt and kudos to Laurie who finally told him off and not to interrupt impatiently when she spoke!
Elon was a much wiser and nicer man.
Initially I was read disgusted Afida planned to keep his mistress May because marrying Laurie was to repay a debt (please, 30 years one generation ago was not 'ancient'). To him a marriage of convenience was just that...no faithfulness required and he really disliked Laurie thinking she was a heartless daughter who prostituted herself for her own material gains.
If you persevere-yes endure-and read on, Afida did not continue sleeping with May like she claimed. To give him credit he did break things off the moment he kissed Laurie and felt something for her.
Now Laurie. I won't call her a doormat but for her to behave like the other woman...not wanting Afida to be unfaithful to May...it's a first for me! Never have I read a story where the heroine was so generous in giving the hero to the mistress. But to be fair it was no love match and as Laurie told May this marriage had 3 casualties. ..but later we found out May was not in love with Afida afterall.
And this is where the icky part comes; Afida called it unpalatable too!
May was pregnant with Laurie's father's child! Aaaaaiiiiiyyyyyeeeeeeeeeekkkkssss!
It was not made clear if her father David knew May was Afida's mistress! Gosh so darn awkward...I cannot imagine, as Afida, that my new stepmother-in-law used to be my mistress. Yucks.
The author took pains to explain how much in love David and May were and their relationship with Laurie and Afida was cordial...whatever. If not for this yickiness I would have given this 4* because the angst was really well done here.
Afida needed to grovell more too but hey he's a sheikh he could have four wives and a harem if he wished.
Major Spoilers ahead!
The hero Afida was such an asshole throughout. Based on some basic facts he gleaned he judged The heroine most terribly.
He was always interrupting her when she spoke and jumped to conclusions. ..all wrong. His cruel words were designed to hurt and kudos to Laurie who finally told him off and not to interrupt impatiently when she spoke!
Elon was a much wiser and nicer man.
Initially I was read disgusted Afida planned to keep his mistress May because marrying Laurie was to repay a debt (please, 30 years one generation ago was not 'ancient'). To him a marriage of convenience was just that...no faithfulness required and he really disliked Laurie thinking she was a heartless daughter who prostituted herself for her own material gains.
If you persevere-yes endure-and read on, Afida did not continue sleeping with May like she claimed. To give him credit he did break things off the moment he kissed Laurie and felt something for her.
Now Laurie. I won't call her a doormat but for her to behave like the other woman...not wanting Afida to be unfaithful to May...it's a first for me! Never have I read a story where the heroine was so generous in giving the hero to the mistress. But to be fair it was no love match and as Laurie told May this marriage had 3 casualties. ..but later we found out May was not in love with Afida afterall.
And this is where the icky part comes; Afida called it unpalatable too!
May was pregnant with Laurie's father's child! Aaaaaiiiiiyyyyyeeeeeeeeeekkkkssss!
It was not made clear if her father David knew May was Afida's mistress! Gosh so darn awkward...I cannot imagine, as Afida, that my new stepmother-in-law used to be my mistress. Yucks.
The author took pains to explain how much in love David and May were and their relationship with Laurie and Afida was cordial...whatever. If not for this yickiness I would have given this 4* because the angst was really well done here.
Afida needed to grovell more too but hey he's a sheikh he could have four wives and a harem if he wished.
February 22, 2016
Good book
This was a good book to read. It had sad and sweet moments. I liked the characters and their story line.
This was a good book to read. It had sad and sweet moments. I liked the characters and their story line.
March 16, 2016
Love of lies
I loved this story. It was well written. Their love was there all along they just had to find it beneath all the lies. Another great one Clare Connelly!
I loved this story. It was well written. Their love was there all along they just had to find it beneath all the lies. Another great one Clare Connelly!
March 23, 2016
Excellent
This book started off good, but when I finished the story it became excellent. I definitely recommend this book to everyone
This book started off good, but when I finished the story it became excellent. I definitely recommend this book to everyone
April 4, 2016
Another story from Clare Connelly which is an entertaining piece of escapism.
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