Surrendering to the Vengeful Italian

Irresistible Mediterranean Tycoons #1

by Angela Bissell

One step from surrender.

For seven years formidable Leonardo Vincenti has planned his vengeance on Douglas Shaw—and nothing will stop him. Not even Shaw’s stunning but treacherous daughter Helena, who—right now—is pleading for leniency.

Grim satisfaction spreads through Leo, because he knows she would willingly never take up his challenge to return to his side. But he has greatly underestimated Helena. Secrets drive her as if the very devil were on her heels. And suddenly the passion that left them undone years before is forcing them both to the brink of surrender…

Don’t miss Angela Bissell’s dramatic debut for Mills & Boon Modern Romance!

Genres: Harlequin Presents, Harlequin, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Enemies To Lovers

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 22, 2016

Reviews

[karen]

you know what surrendered to this italian??



the fourth freaking wall!



why are you so vengeful towards that wall, italian?

and pay more attention to your ladyfriend - she looks unwell!

[Emona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angela Bissell’s debut novel is an enemies-to-lovers romance that takes the reader on an emotional voyage through betrayal, loss and redemption.

When Leo Vincenti finally has the power to take down the man who caused him and his family to suffer bitter losses, he doesn’t expect to find the daughter of his enemy pleading for time before he enacts his revenge.

Seven years earlier, Helena Shaw had cast him aside, breaking his heart.
But it was only part of the pain he suffered when her father destroyed his business plans and left him financially unable to pay for the surgery that would have kept his sister out of a wheelchair.
Since then he’s painstakingly rebuilt his reputation and his financial empire, enabling him to become the chief shareholder of Helena’s father’s company, with an eye on tearing it down.

He is on the verge of seeing his just rewards in his revenge plot against Douglas Shaw after seven long years, when his rival's daughter shows up on his doorstep. Never expecting to have seen Helena again, Leo strikes out with the venomous anger he's festered for all of these years.
Helena will do anything to make Leo delay his plans, including pretend to be his girlfriend in the eyes of an important client whose daughter has been making advances on Leo.

For four weeks they agree that she’ll play the part of an adoring partner while he holds off on his final plans for the company. From London to Rome, their close quarters and public performances soon lead to a heated rekindling of their earlier affair.
Can they learn to trust each with all their secrets?
And will it be enough to put them on the path to a new future together?

Leo and Helena delve into the reality of what happened after their first split, one which took place because Helena’s father threatened her if she didn’t break off the relationship and Helena loved Leo enough to let him go. But her father had enacted his plans anyway.
She’d mourned the loss of Leo, and another, more painful loss, their stillborn son, Lucas. Her father had always been abusive, but when it became worse, she shunned him and his money, moving out on her own.
The society girl Leo knew no longer existed. Helena was now a working class woman with a small apartment, living on a limited budget. Her goal was to get her mother to leave her father before he discovers that it is Leo that has taken over his company, and her father get abusive with her mother. She just needs the time from Leo to convince her mother that she can’t wait any longer.
Leo is shocked to discover that Helena’s circumstances have changed so drastically from when they split, and it makes him realize that his single-minded focus on revenge will have consequences not just for her father, but for all the employees at the company. She eventually reveals to him the truth of her relationship with her parents, and her worries about her mother’s situation.

As they spend time together, the attraction between them can’t be denied and they share some sensual love scenes, ones in which they put aside their differences and remember what it was like when they were first together. The setting moves from one luxurious locale to the next – expensive hotel rooms in London, a penthouse suite in Rome, a gorgeous country villa in Tuscany, and combined with the elegant clothing and gourmet dining makes for a far cry from what Helena has gotten used to. But while everything appears to be a fantasy, Helena doesn’t forget that their time together is limited and like Cinderella, will disappear once the clock strikes twelve.

But then, Leo and Helena work through the past and open up to each other, eventually leading to the perfect HP epilogue.


It was in overall, a compelling reunion story!
The writing style, the characters and the setting combination was exquisite.
Awesome characters (alpha male, virgin heroine, and while Leo had many women in his life, Helena was still the same innocent he knew), not to mention, an ending that was more than one could hope for when they first reconnected!
Looking forward to reading the second book in the duet.

[Jenny · Rating 1 out of 5]

Both hero and heroine not celibate during separation (not sure about heroine though) plus very very depressing book. I don't read Harlequin Presents to become depressed! These new Harlequin Presents authors are lame.

[Vintage · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was boring, and I felt no chemistry between the two main characters. However, the boring factor is not why I rated this so low. Maybe, I am very, very cranky, but I felt incredibly manipulated by a couple of tropes, well used tropes, in this story.

Rant, rant, rant...

Domestic abuse is a serious subject, and all too prevalent even in 2017. I applaud any author who wants to take on a subject like that especially in what is considered a frivolous venue. I felt the domestic abuse of the h's mother was included as a manufactured excuse for the separation and drama. Honestly, in what universe does it make sense to ask a businessman (the vengeful Italian) to delay a multi-million $ deal to give her asshat, abusing father longer to deal so he won't be abusive to his wife? Logic would tell us that the minute the dad hears about the takeover, the gloves are off. Besides if the woman hasn't left after all these years, what is going to make a difference in the next few days.

I was also extremely unsympathetic to the personal plight of the mother, an adult version of a plot moppet, who refuses to leave her husband. He won't let her have a divorce... IT IS 2017; he does not have choice. Hint-divorce attorney. This was published last year, and the mother is in her 40s. She's no Donna Reed without resources. In fact, Donna Reed had no problems in standing up for herself. Refusing to leave on the basis that she wanted to have her children taken care of is belied by the fact that the heroine is abused and cut off by her father. Yuck!!!! At one point she actually ducks when the hero raises his arm. Of course. Eye roll.

The second unforgivable trope is the stillborn baby. She never told the H she was pregnant. Why? She never explains it, but just never got around to it. Hey, it's okay! She has a box of trinkets for the baby and pictures of him the day he was born stillborn. That would NOT make me feel better.

Maybe I am being hypercritical and cranky, but I felt manipulated as a reader. No thank you.

P.S. If that weren't enough, the H's sister is a paraplegic and couldn't get the second operation she needed because of the horrible father. Wow, what's next. A dead dog?

Oh, and the hero's name is Leonardo Vincetti. All I could picture was this portrait of Leonardo da Vinci with the hat. Not exactly my idea of a smoldering Italian, more like a molding Italian.

[Rgreader · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf'd page 59. No chemistry between heroine and hero. There were multiple subplots which took away from building the romance and those subplots were underwhelming. Last...the hero was a pansy who showed no desire for the heroine just bitterness about the past. If the heroine left and never returned the hero would get on with his life. In three chapters a major failure to build chemistry possessiveness between the heroine and hero.
I lost interest in reading more because of the above issues.

[Maria Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surrendering to the Vengeful Italian: Angela Bissell’s debut novel is a sexy enemies to lovers romance that takes the reader on an emotional voyage through betrayal, loss and redemption.

When Leo Vincenti finally has the power to take down the man who caused him and his family to suffer bitter losses, he doesn’t expect to find the daughter of his enemy pleading for time before he enacts his revenge.Seven years earlier, Helena Shaw had cast him aside, breaking his heart. But it was only part of the pain he suffered when her father destroyed his business plans and left him financially unable to pay for the surgery that would have kept his sister out of a wheelchair. Since then he’s painstakingly rebuilt his reputation and his financial empire, enabling him to become the chief shareholder of Helena’s father’s company, with an eye on tearing it down. Helena will do anything to make Leo delay his plans, including pretend to be his girlfriend in the eyes of an important client whose daughter has been making advances on Leo. For four weeks they agree that she’ll play the part of an adoring partner while he holds off on his final plans for the company. From London to Rome, their close quarters and public performances soon lead to a heated rekindling of their earlier affair. Can they learn to trust each with all their secrets? And will it be enough to put them on the path to a new future together?

This story had me enthralled as Leo and Helena delve into the reality of what happened after their first split, one which took place because Helena’s father threatened her if she didn’t break off the relationship and Helena loved Leo enough to let him go. But unbeknownst to her, her father had enacted his plans anyway. She’d mourned the loss of Leo, and another, more painful loss. Her father had always been abusive, but when it became worse, she shunned him and his money, moving out on her own. As such, the society girl Leo knew no longer exists. Helena is now a working class woman with a small apartment, living on a limited budget. Her goal now is to get her mother to leave her father before he discovers that it is Leo that has taken over his company, fearing the worst. She just needs the time from Leo to convince her mother that she can’t wait any longer.

Leo is shocked to discover that Helena’s circumstances have changed so drastically from when they split, and it makes him realize that his single minded focus on revenge will have consequences not just for her father, but for all the employees at the company. She eventually reveals to him the truth of her relationship with her parents, and her worries about her mother’s situation. As they spend time together, the attraction between them can’t be denied and they share some sensual love scenes, ones in which they put aside their differences and remember what it was like when they were first together. The setting moves from one luxurious locale to the next – expensive hotel rooms in London, a penthouse suite in Rome, a gorgeous country villa in Tuscany, and combined with the elegant clothing and gourmet dining makes for a far cry from what Helena has gotten used to. But while everything appears to be a fantasy, Helena doesn’t forget that their time together is limited and like Cinderella, will disappear once the clock strikes twelve.

This story takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster as Leo and Helena work through the past and open up to each other, eventually leading to a cathartic happy ending and a lovely epilogue. The writing style, the characters and the setting combine to make a story that’s hard to put down and I’ll be keeping an eye out for more from this author!

Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.

This review also appears at Harlequin Junkie: http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-sur...

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slow starter and only held my interest from about halfway through.

[Julie (Let's Read Good Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars

Angela Bissell knocked it out the park with this story. Its multi layers kept me engrossed from page one. I enjoy second chance at love romances, and Surrendering to the Vengeful Italian delivered on so many levels. A touching exploration of the pain and guilt after the loss of a child, as well as the desperate need to keep a dysfunctional family safe, I could not put my Kindle down.

After Leo takes over her father's business, Helena is forced to beg him for a favor. Leo isn't too keen on listening to her, though; seven years ago she heartlessly broke off their relationship, and he hasn't forgiven her. He also holds a grudge against her father for destroying a business deal Leo needed to succeed so he could take care of his own family. He doesn't trust Helena, but circumstances force him to allow her father a short grace period before he sells off the company and its interests.

Helena has never gotten over Leo, but she left him for his own good. Her father is a violent, bitter man who doesn't hesitate to use physical force to get his own way. After watching him victimize her mother, and after being on the receiving end of his rage, she has one goal. She needs to convince her mother to leave before she comes to harm. Helena thinks that if Leo will give her a little time, she can convince her mother that she deserves better than being a punching bag for a hateful man.

Wow. I really loved this story. Helena and Leo have trust issues sabotaging their reunion, as well as Helena's guilt over the painful secret she has kept from Leo for seven years. Both protagonists have matured since their breakup, and they needed that growth to set the groundwork for a successful relationship. Helena has become independent, having been cut off completely by her father, and she's become a stronger person for it. Though the past has subdued her exuberance for life, being with Leo again brings back some of the joy that she thought she no longer deserved. And Leo, after losing his parents, and almost losing his sister, realizes that he can't control everything, and that sometimes, things just happen, that nobody is at fault.

Highly recommended

[Geraldine Sadiku · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable romance with characters that draw you in and a story line that kept me turning the pages, loved it.

[Jebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

If this is a debut novel, then I'm really looking forward to more books from this author. While I wasn't totally enamored of the plot, everything else was very good. The characters were fully realized, the backdrop vividly described, the movement of the storyline was nice and the H/h evolved at a believable pace. Seriously, I was really impressed with the writing style and voice.

The plot? Well, there were a lot of things I liked. I liked the fact that they had a past, I liked the fact that they had grown over the separation time, I liked the descriptions of how they were with each other in the present, I liked the inner dialogue on both parts. This is a little **spoilery** but there were just a bit too many serious issues going on for my taste. Miscarriage/stillbirth, domestic violence, paralysis. Not all of these were front and center in the relationship, but they were brought up enough to put a real rain cloud over the festivities, so to speak.

I will, however, be on the lookout for more from this author. What a promising start and welcome addition to HP. I'm ready for some new voices. I'm a little over all the marriage-bc-of-pregnancy storylines and I won't even start on my aversion to sheiks and royalty. I want a book that takes me away but not so much that I loose all sense of believability. A millionaire, chemistry and a side of angst is what I like!

[Dottie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leo Vicenti loved Helena Shaw and wanted a future with her, but she was from a wealthy family and he was the chauffeur's son.  When she ends their romance, his father is also fired and what transpires because of this is the catalyst to make Leo seek revenge.  Finally  after seven years he will get the chance to destroy Douglas Shaw by taking him company away from him.  Sounds like a plan till Helena walks back into his life asking for him to delay for awhile.  Helena always loved Leo and what happened in the past was done out of that love.  Leo won't believe it but there circumstances on both side for him wanting to destroy her father and her wanting him to delay.  To say anymore will spoil an amazing book that every romance reader should read.  This is the first book for author Angela Bissell and what a fantastic beginning and the best part is there is another book to follow about Leo's sister.  Wonderful story and another author to follow.  Enjoy, its worth more than 5 stars.

[RomLibrary · Rating 1 out of 5]

One step from surrender

For seven years, formidable Leo Vincenti has planned his vengeance on Douglas Shaw and nothing will stop him. Not even Shaw's stunning but treacherous daughter, Helena, who—right now—is pleading for leniency. Grim satisfaction spreads through him as he knows she would willingly never take up his challenge to return to his side.

But he has greatly underestimated Helena. Secrets drive her as if the very devil were on her heels. And suddenly the passion that left them undone years before is forcing them both to the brink of surrender…

[LoveRomance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This might be the best first-time Harlequin Presents author I've read. It sometimes takes new authors a few takes to find rhythm and flow. But not Angela Bissell. Great plot, emotional story. And most importantly it didn't feel like a formula of all the other Presents I've read. That's a tough bar to meet because I've read a lot of them! Thank you! Looking forward to next installment in January.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional debut brimming with sizzling sensuality, red-hot passion and searing emotion, Surrendering to the Vengeful Italian is Angela Bissell’s outstanding first book!

Helena Shaw had been madly in love with Leo Vincenti, but the daughter of one of the wealthiest men in the world could not possibly hope to have a future with a boy from the wrong side of the tracks with no money or connections, so their relationship had to come to a bitter and acrimonious end. Helena has never managed to put her relationship with Leo behind her and a part of her heart will be forever broken and remorseful and regretful of the way things had ended with her one true love.

In the last seven years, things had changed drastically for both Helena and Leo. Helena keeps contact with her family to an absolute minimum and Leo has gone from a young man from the poor part of town to one of the richest, most successful and most eligible men in the world. Leo’s reputation in the corporate world is absolutely legendary and he has spent the last seven years planning revenge on Douglas Shaw, the man who had almost succeeded in ruining his life. With Douglas’ company languishing and withering, Leo plans to move in for the kill and destroy the man he loathes and despises more than anyone else in the world and humiliate him in the most shameful way possible. Leo is all set to put his plan into action – until Helena walks back into his life begging for leniency…

Helena might not be able to be in the same room as her father, but she is well aware that Douglas Shaw has no qualms about taking out any misfortune that befalls him on her mother. Determined to ensure that her mother is not hurt in any way, shape or form, Helena swallows her pride and goes to Leo pleading for him to show some compassion, however, when long-buried passions and feelings resurface with a vengeance, Helena wonders whether reconnecting with her gorgeous Italian ex might have been the biggest mistake she has ever made…

Having been unexpectedly thrust into close proximity with Helena, Leo is adamant that he will not let her mess with his heart or his head – but that proves to be easier said than done! As sizzling attraction leads to something deeper, Helena and Leo wonder whether they could have a second chance at happiness or whether secrets for the past will end up tearing them apart…forever!

Surrendering to the Vengeful Italian might be Angela Bissell’s debut novel, but she writes like an absolute pro! A fabulous and seductive tale brimming with heart-pounding drama and breath-taking emotional intensity, Surrendering to the Vengeful Italian is a captivating tale of secrets, passions and revenge I gulped down in a single sitting!

Helena is a terrific heroine who is resilient, intelligent and dignified and Leo is a sexy, brooding and delectable Italian hero readers are sure to fall madly in love with!

A fantastic read Harlequin Presents fans are going to love, Angela Bissell has knocked it out of the park with her stunning debut novel, Surrendering to the Vengeful Italian!

[Marsha · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh, those sweaty Italians! So passionate, hot blooded, muy macho and bent on their vendettas! What’s a modern-day romantic fantasy without a racist stereotype to spice up the story?

Leo Vincenti is the epitome of the type. Powerful, rich, handsome as a Greek god, smoldering with heat, sensuality, repressed rage and pumped full of testosterone, he’s not the sort of man to take “no” for an answer. He knows what he wants and he gets it when and how he wants it. Oh, you stallion, you.

The heroine is one Helena Shaw, daughter of Douglas Shaw, the man Leo is determined to ruin—all in the name of business, of course. Douglas has the option of staying on at the firm Leo has just bought out but only if he gives up control. It’s a situation Leo knows will infuriate Douglas—in fact, he’s counting on it. Humiliating the man who demolished Leo’s business ventures all those years ago is part of Leo’s revenge. Helena is equally determined to stop Leo’s plan, not because she fears for her father but because she worries about the retaliation Douglas will take against the rest of her family.

Sometimes Douglas Shaw is actually pleasant. Then he once again turns into an abusive bastard. Her mother, Miriam Shaw, is that typical browbeaten abused woman yet Helena is hoping to bring her mother to her senses.

So how is Helena’s behavior any different? Because Leo refuses to hit her? He’s not above manhandling her (her word not mine), threatening to take matters into his own hands if she refuses to capitulate and making seductive moves on her in spite of her protests just to get her to moan like the sex-starved kitten she is.

She shows spunk, at times, but Leo never lets that stop him for long. Her resistance is only token because she melts like butter on a hot griddle whenever Leo gets his paws on her. I was hoping she’d keep him at a distance; after all, Helena doesn’t want to be like her craven mother. But Helena is too weak willed where Leo is concerned. In one truly appalling scene, she rejects his attempts at forceful intimacy only to give in when he barges into her room later when she’s naked. She squeals at him to leave but he’s resolute at making her give in to her and his urges. And she does. Over and over and over again.

It’s supposed to be erotic and romantic. It comes off as being manipulative and controlling. It’s so sickening I couldn’t read the sex scene that followed his assault on her body. Leo’s a sweaty Latino pig, the kind of romantic throwback that you’ll find lumped in with thuggish Vikings, swashbuckling pirates and harem-gathering sheikhs.

If you’re a teenager who swoons over these dominating, pushy, “when she says no she means yes” types, by all means jump into the pigsty with Leo Vincenti. Just remember that those bad boys you worship in real life usually grow up to be bad men. Irresistible, my foot. Resist, ladies, resist.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guys, there is a new romance author on the block and her debut novel is a must-read! I didn't know what to expect when I picked up a copy of Surrendering to the Vengeful Italian by Angela Bissell. All I knew was I loved the compelling cover with the two gorgeous people on it and naturally wanted to know more about them. So I got the book and prepared to be surprised. And wow was I surprised. This story impressed me so much. It is deeply emotional, passionate and sexy. The unbelievable drama and angst evokes emotion out of you (because these characters are madly interesting and will react in certain ways that you will either enjoy or hate). Leo Vincenti is broody and commanding. He is a sexy devil too and he unleashes his charm in unexpected moments that makes you swoon. However Leo and Helena understand each other (eventually) and the rage of their passion will leave you in awe. But, as I turned one page after another I realized one thing. Ms. Bissell can write! She draws you in with colorful prose, amazing dialogue and breathtakingly picturesque scenes where the setting just comes alive in your mind. I just enjoyed this story so much that I got her second book Defying Her Billionaire Protector, which has already been released. Look out for my review on that. But in the meantime, go get a copy of ‘Surrendering to the Vengeful Italian’ guys, you won't be disappointed.

Highly Recommended
5 Stars

[Ryley Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to write reviews a few weeks after I finished the book, but I will say that I remember liking this book a great deal. The hero was sexy and the the secret the heroine is lugging around was touching and unexpected. I also thought the sex scenes had a nice level of spice to them. Definitely will be looking for more books by this author!

[Helen Moulden · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book, by this author, that I have read. Beautiful story. A few bits thrown in here and there. I loved it, the characters were lovely and the ending.........................sigh.

[Calysta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed how this played out.

[Happiness Ugwueh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice and interesting book
Good plot

[رومولا الن emmajain-book · Rating 4 out of 5]

قرأتها بعنوان استسلمي لي
ترجمة منتدى روايتي
احتجت رواية رومانسية ممتعه
ولم تخيب ظني

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never heard of this author before, but I certainly liked what I read. Leonardo and Helena were very much in love quite a few years ago, but Helena's evil father decided he wanted them apart and blackmailed Helena into breaking up with him, threatening to destroy his company if she didn't. Then, Helena's father destroyed him anyway. Now Leonardo is out to destroy Helena's father and doesn't care who suffers because of it. And that's why Helena seeks him out, because she knows that her mother will suffer the consequences of her abusive father's downfall. She offers herself as a temporary girlfriend, to help Leo with a client if he promises to postpone his vengeance. But being in close quarters again is going to mean the revealing of certain secrets that could tear them apart.

So first off, I like that, as angry as he was, Leonardo was still a decent person. He honestly doesn't realize how his deal will hurt others, and Helena takes a while to clue him in on it. But he's very understanding once he does. He also had pretty good reason for wanting vengeance, not just damaged male pride. I also really loved that, at the end, when it's revealed that Helena gave birth to their stillborn son and never told him about it he was angry, but then he got down on himself, totally understanding why Helena didn't contact him and how that hurt both of them. He didn't alleviate her of all blame, but he took it on himself. Love to see this sort of balance and reflection in HP characters instead of pointing fingers at anyone but themselves. It was a pretty emotional but also very romantic story. I'm definitely on the lookout for more by this author.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impressive First Book!

‘Surrendering to the Vengeful Italian’ is a story of love lost - and found. The H/h are wonderful characters who are scarred by their difficult pasts, including the fallout from their failed relationship. I especially liked Helena who was strong in the face of adversity. Leo and Helena were a dynamic, extremely likeable pair. Angela Bissell has written a very impressive first novel.
Looking forward to Bissell’s “Defying her Billionaire Protector’ which is due out in January, 2017.

[Lynn Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling reunion story! Enjoyable characters and an ending that was more than we could hope for when they first reconnected! Looking forward to reading the second book in the duet by this author!

Leo Vincenti is on the verge of seeing his just rewards in his revenge plot against Douglas Shaw after seven long years, when his rival's daughter shows up on his doorstep. Never expecting to have seen Helena again, Leo strikes out with the venomous anger he's festered for all of these years.

Helena Shaw had secrets 7 years ago when she let her father split her and Leo up, and she has even more now. She's desperate to get Leo to give her more time before he seizes her father's company ... and she's prepared to offer up anything he wants to get him to agree!

[Harlequin Books]

Received 4 stars @ Harlequin.com (as of 12/31/16). To view reviews, go HERE> http://www.harlequin.com/storeitem.ht...

Miniseries: Irresistible Mediterranean Tycoons

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Irresistible Mediterranean Tycoons

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leo and Helena have unfinished business. Will Helena give half truths and try to protect Leo's heart? Can Leo put aside 7 years of revenge for love? A great read!