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The Sheikh's Bought Wife
The desert king's outrageous proposal!
Marry a sheikh in return for a hefty financial reward? Shy researcher Jane Smith would normally have laughed in Zayed Al Zawba's handsome face. Except it's only for six months and the money will rescue her sister who's mired in debt...
Sheikh Zayed will do anything to inherit Kafalah's neighboring oil-rich lands, even wed plain Jane: he'll never long to consummate a marriage with her! But Zayed hasn't bargained on Jane's frumpy clothes hiding delicious curves...or her quick mind and untouched beauty teasing and tempting him beyond his wildest imaginings!
Marry a sheikh in return for a hefty financial reward? Shy researcher Jane Smith would normally have laughed in Zayed Al Zawba's handsome face. Except it's only for six months and the money will rescue her sister who's mired in debt...
Sheikh Zayed will do anything to inherit Kafalah's neighboring oil-rich lands, even wed plain Jane: he'll never long to consummate a marriage with her! But Zayed hasn't bargained on Jane's frumpy clothes hiding delicious curves...or her quick mind and untouched beauty teasing and tempting him beyond his wildest imaginings!
217 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
About the author
Sharon Kendrick
1,262 books461 followersI was told off as a child for making up stories—little did I know that one day I’d earn my living by writing them!
To the horror of my parents, I left school at sixteen and held a bewildering variety of jobs: I was a London DJ (in the now-trendy Primrose Hill), a decorator and a singer. After that I became a cook, a photographer and, eventually, a nurse. I waitressed in the south of France, drove an ambulance in Australia, saw lots of beautiful sights but could never settle down. Everywhere I went I felt like a square peg—until one day I started writing again and then everything just fell into place. I felt like Cinderella must have when the glass slipper fit!
Today, I have the best job in the world, writing passionate romances for Harlequin. I like writing stories which are sexy and fast-paced, yet packed full of emotion—stories that readers will identify with, laugh and cry along with.
My interests are many and varied—chocolate and music, fresh flowers and bubble baths, films, cooking and trying to keep my home from looking burglarized! Simple pleasures—you can’t beat them!
I live in Winchester, one of the most stunning cities in the world, but don’t take my word for it—come see for yourself! I regularly visit London and Paris. Oh, and I love hearing from my readers all over the world…so I think it’s over to you!
To the horror of my parents, I left school at sixteen and held a bewildering variety of jobs: I was a London DJ (in the now-trendy Primrose Hill), a decorator and a singer. After that I became a cook, a photographer and, eventually, a nurse. I waitressed in the south of France, drove an ambulance in Australia, saw lots of beautiful sights but could never settle down. Everywhere I went I felt like a square peg—until one day I started writing again and then everything just fell into place. I felt like Cinderella must have when the glass slipper fit!
Today, I have the best job in the world, writing passionate romances for Harlequin. I like writing stories which are sexy and fast-paced, yet packed full of emotion—stories that readers will identify with, laugh and cry along with.
My interests are many and varied—chocolate and music, fresh flowers and bubble baths, films, cooking and trying to keep my home from looking burglarized! Simple pleasures—you can’t beat them!
I live in Winchester, one of the most stunning cities in the world, but don’t take my word for it—come see for yourself! I regularly visit London and Paris. Oh, and I love hearing from my readers all over the world…so I think it’s over to you!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
April 17, 2017
Once upon a fictional Middle Eastern sheikhdom,there lived a young Sheikh.He was blessed with a handsome face,a body to die for,sex appeal that simply oozes from his pores,and a very,very,active libido. As a matter of fact ,if our young handsome sheikh does not have sex on a regular, and I mean regular basis, he will just die! But there seems to be a problem and only marriage will solve his woes.He needs to marry in order to inherit some valuable land left to him by his grandfather.He also is a commitmentphobe brought upon by his parents tragic death when he was seven,the stuff of nightmares for him.But whom shall our Sheikh marry?for all his women and mistresses ,they are all in love with him,and he is a sex God to booth.He must find a young woman with whom he has no attraction to and marry her.Since there will be a no sex clause for six months,the time needed to annul the marriage,she must be an absolute penis killer. Our Sheikh,Zayad,knows the perfect person,in fact she is his employee and will fit the bill perfectly,a woman guaranteed to kill any passion induced thoughts.
So off he went to the far,far distant land London. There working diligently in the basement archives of his London embassy is Jane Smith.Our Jane is a dowdy young woman,a woman who sees herself as unattractive,an academic who simply loves the Sheikh's culture and everything to do with it.The only thing she does not love is our hero,the lothario Sheikh.Soon however their path crosses and he makes a bargain with her. Marry me for six months and you can live in my fabled desert kingdom that you have been dying to see and in return I will give you the money you want .(She needs the money to pay off a loans hark for her non identical twin sister).So they strike a bargain, but she tells him if their marriage is to be a celibate one,then he can have no sex, period! Quelle domage!!!!Our Sheikh needs his daily dose of life giving sexual pleasure for he shall die if he doesn't. A bargain is struck and a royal marriage is in the works.
The day of the wedding is here,and when our Zayed sees Jane for the first time he is struck by her beauteous beauty,he had no idea that the mousy woman who worked in his London Embassy basement was an actual sex goddess when all cleaned up and pretty.His manhood has definitely noticed. And thus begins the attempt at a six month no sex marriage all because his death bed dying grandfather left him a piece of very very valuable land that will make his country richer than before.
But as our new Sheikh and Sheikha begin their limited life together,sex rears it's presence in their lives.They do the non penetrative tango frequently as it will not hinder their chance for an annulment and our virgin heroine becomes a master at pleasuring our Sheikh,remember he will die if he has no sexual pleasure! till at last they do the full on sex on the divan,then you guessed it! it is bye bye to our heroine and off she goes back to her country ,lives with her now reformed twin for a period and off again to the wilds of Wales.But who should come a knocking one wild and dark night,it's our Sheikh comming to get his Sheikha and return to their desert kingdom.
All's well that ends will with a baby sheikh in training.
This was a tongue in cheek romance,at times I cracked up laughing at Zayads perception of himself as a god to women,what a slave they are to him and his appeal.He really was so full of s..that I could have smacked him a few times.Jane Smith was the perfect foil for him,that he mouse that roared for sure.
A good read ,but a very unlikable hero at the beginning.
So off he went to the far,far distant land London. There working diligently in the basement archives of his London embassy is Jane Smith.Our Jane is a dowdy young woman,a woman who sees herself as unattractive,an academic who simply loves the Sheikh's culture and everything to do with it.The only thing she does not love is our hero,the lothario Sheikh.Soon however their path crosses and he makes a bargain with her. Marry me for six months and you can live in my fabled desert kingdom that you have been dying to see and in return I will give you the money you want .(She needs the money to pay off a loans hark for her non identical twin sister).So they strike a bargain, but she tells him if their marriage is to be a celibate one,then he can have no sex, period! Quelle domage!!!!Our Sheikh needs his daily dose of life giving sexual pleasure for he shall die if he doesn't. A bargain is struck and a royal marriage is in the works.
The day of the wedding is here,and when our Zayed sees Jane for the first time he is struck by her beauteous beauty,he had no idea that the mousy woman who worked in his London Embassy basement was an actual sex goddess when all cleaned up and pretty.His manhood has definitely noticed. And thus begins the attempt at a six month no sex marriage all because his death bed dying grandfather left him a piece of very very valuable land that will make his country richer than before.
But as our new Sheikh and Sheikha begin their limited life together,sex rears it's presence in their lives.They do the non penetrative tango frequently as it will not hinder their chance for an annulment and our virgin heroine becomes a master at pleasuring our Sheikh,remember he will die if he has no sexual pleasure! till at last they do the full on sex on the divan,then you guessed it! it is bye bye to our heroine and off she goes back to her country ,lives with her now reformed twin for a period and off again to the wilds of Wales.But who should come a knocking one wild and dark night,it's our Sheikh comming to get his Sheikha and return to their desert kingdom.
All's well that ends will with a baby sheikh in training.
This was a tongue in cheek romance,at times I cracked up laughing at Zayads perception of himself as a god to women,what a slave they are to him and his appeal.He really was so full of s..that I could have smacked him a few times.Jane Smith was the perfect foil for him,that he mouse that roared for sure.
A good read ,but a very unlikable hero at the beginning.
August 27, 2021
I need to see an ophthalmologist for severe eye rolling damage. The word “groin” is used 21 times.
I’m surprised that the hero ever has sex with the heroine or any of his mistresses as he’s so entranced with himself.
He loathes the idea of marriage because he’s VIRILE and needs variety. No one will buy the fact that he had to get a marriage annulled because his high libido means he needs sex to sustain him like a horse needs oats and water. That’s pretty much straight from the prologue. I’ll tell you what I need: saltpeter, a cast iron skillet and a vomit bag.
PLOT:
H needs a wife in order to inherit some land. He wisely plans to marry an unattractive girl so he won’t want to consummate the marriage, and he can dump her in six months. The h is so plain his loins don’t even stir. The fun starts because the heroine thinks he’s the gum on the bottom of her shoe of life.
Unfortunately, she has a Lynne Graham kind of sister that requires getting bailed out so she has to marry the incredibly handsome, incredibly arrogant and incredibly vain H. She negotiates a no mistress pact for the duration of their six month marriage which leaves him only one option for his necessary “oats and water”.
At first he won’t have sex because he wants the marriage annulled, then he decides he can’t have sex with this poor virgin because it would be unfair as she would pine for his awesomeness for the rest of her life. The inner monologuing is killing me.
After her wedding makeover he gets a hard and painful throbbing in his groin. Again his words, not mine. Luckily her plain Jane loins are doing their own tango. They end up fooling around until the real deal and he’s a bigger ass than he was before.
The Sheik may be a narcissistic idiot, but he knows a good thing when he shags it and hunts her down.
Thank goodness, there is an epilogue which shows the h is intelligent enough to keep him on his toes.
I’m surprised that the hero ever has sex with the heroine or any of his mistresses as he’s so entranced with himself.
He loathes the idea of marriage because he’s VIRILE and needs variety. No one will buy the fact that he had to get a marriage annulled because his high libido means he needs sex to sustain him like a horse needs oats and water. That’s pretty much straight from the prologue. I’ll tell you what I need: saltpeter, a cast iron skillet and a vomit bag.
PLOT:
H needs a wife in order to inherit some land. He wisely plans to marry an unattractive girl so he won’t want to consummate the marriage, and he can dump her in six months. The h is so plain his loins don’t even stir. The fun starts because the heroine thinks he’s the gum on the bottom of her shoe of life.
Unfortunately, she has a Lynne Graham kind of sister that requires getting bailed out so she has to marry the incredibly handsome, incredibly arrogant and incredibly vain H. She negotiates a no mistress pact for the duration of their six month marriage which leaves him only one option for his necessary “oats and water”.
At first he won’t have sex because he wants the marriage annulled, then he decides he can’t have sex with this poor virgin because it would be unfair as she would pine for his awesomeness for the rest of her life. The inner monologuing is killing me.
After her wedding makeover he gets a hard and painful throbbing in his groin. Again his words, not mine. Luckily her plain Jane loins are doing their own tango. They end up fooling around until the real deal and he’s a bigger ass than he was before.
The Sheik may be a narcissistic idiot, but he knows a good thing when he shags it and hunts her down.
Thank goodness, there is an epilogue which shows the h is intelligent enough to keep him on his toes.
April 18, 2017
4 Stars!
Mills & Boon Sheikh romances used to be my catnip back in the day. There was just something about the unique locale that the stories usually played out in, accompanied with the arrogance and often over-the-top entitlement of the Heroes, and their ruthless romancing of the Heroines to get exactly what they wanted, that just kept me going back time and time again.
She wasn’t immune to the undeniable allure of the desert Sheikh…
Sharon Kendrick is one of those authors that I read on a regular basis as well, so it was really good to revisit her writing again a few years on. And she delivered on every expectation I had with Jane and Zayed’s story.
"Careful… You may have rejected the very obvious methods of making yourself attractive to men, but I’m assuming nobody warned you about the sexual frisson produced by verbal sparring."
Plain Jane Smith, may love Shiekh Zayed Al Zawba’s country, but she certainly doesn’t feel the same way about its ruler, and I loved the fact that she gave him a total run for his money, this is a woman who may not have much experience with men, but that doesn’t mean she is just going to lie down and think of England, when her husband (in name only) decides to change the parameters of their deal.
Somewhere along the way she’d come to know the man beneath the arrogant exterior.
As you would expect with a title from this publisher, it was well written, enjoyably predictable, and a great way to escape into my own imagination for a couple of hours.
ARC provided via Netgalley as part of the Mills & Boon Insiders review programme, in exchange for the above honest review.
Mills & Boon Sheikh romances used to be my catnip back in the day. There was just something about the unique locale that the stories usually played out in, accompanied with the arrogance and often over-the-top entitlement of the Heroes, and their ruthless romancing of the Heroines to get exactly what they wanted, that just kept me going back time and time again.
She wasn’t immune to the undeniable allure of the desert Sheikh…
Sharon Kendrick is one of those authors that I read on a regular basis as well, so it was really good to revisit her writing again a few years on. And she delivered on every expectation I had with Jane and Zayed’s story.
"Careful… You may have rejected the very obvious methods of making yourself attractive to men, but I’m assuming nobody warned you about the sexual frisson produced by verbal sparring."
Plain Jane Smith, may love Shiekh Zayed Al Zawba’s country, but she certainly doesn’t feel the same way about its ruler, and I loved the fact that she gave him a total run for his money, this is a woman who may not have much experience with men, but that doesn’t mean she is just going to lie down and think of England, when her husband (in name only) decides to change the parameters of their deal.
Somewhere along the way she’d come to know the man beneath the arrogant exterior.
As you would expect with a title from this publisher, it was well written, enjoyably predictable, and a great way to escape into my own imagination for a couple of hours.
ARC provided via Netgalley as part of the Mills & Boon Insiders review programme, in exchange for the above honest review.
April 29, 2017
Sharon Kendrick puts the Oh in Outrageous Heroes!
I loved the 5-star-plus beginning. Zayed won’t be everyone’s cup of Arabian tea but he’s definitely mine. Sharon Kendrick heroes should come with her very own trademark. I adored his über-arrogance and the heroine he’s been given, and rubbed my hands together at the promise of her calling him on it.
Librarian/academic is another favourite character-type and Jane is more ugly-duckling than Cinderella. She’s strong, caring, easy to empathise with. Definitely a match for Zayed.
The best thing about the first half was forgetting to read as a reviewer and reading as a reader--there's some fab dialogue/interaction.
Jane's character arc seems to be discovering her fine feathers on a voyage of sensual discovery, which fits well with SK's strong focus on sensuality and love scenes. The relationship’s inherent sexual tension is like living on a cliff edge. It wouldn’t take much to tip them over into consummating their marriage.
The Black Moment undermined some of this lovely sexual tension and conflict for me, as I found myself thinking wouldn’t he have known that from the lawyers before? and would she really have sent that email?
Zayed's internal conflict is obviously there in who he is and what he does, but it felt too easily dealt with; too rushed at the end. I'd have liked more exploration of this, for the heroine to dig around in the sand a bit more to discover her sheikh’s heart.
The Sheikh’s Bought Wife is classic Presents/Modern. It’s enjoyable, on the hotter side of the line, with an engaging heroine and Sharon Kendrick™ OTT hero.
But classic is a bit of a double edged sword here as for me it was a bit too classic.
3.5-3.75 stars
Arc from Harlequin via NetGalley in return for feedback.
I loved the 5-star-plus beginning. Zayed won’t be everyone’s cup of Arabian tea but he’s definitely mine. Sharon Kendrick heroes should come with her very own trademark. I adored his über-arrogance and the heroine he’s been given, and rubbed my hands together at the promise of her calling him on it.
Librarian/academic is another favourite character-type and Jane is more ugly-duckling than Cinderella. She’s strong, caring, easy to empathise with. Definitely a match for Zayed.
The best thing about the first half was forgetting to read as a reviewer and reading as a reader--there's some fab dialogue/interaction.
Jane's character arc seems to be discovering her fine feathers on a voyage of sensual discovery, which fits well with SK's strong focus on sensuality and love scenes. The relationship’s inherent sexual tension is like living on a cliff edge. It wouldn’t take much to tip them over into consummating their marriage.
The Black Moment undermined some of this lovely sexual tension and conflict for me, as I found myself thinking wouldn’t he have known that from the lawyers before? and would she really have sent that email?
Zayed's internal conflict is obviously there in who he is and what he does, but it felt too easily dealt with; too rushed at the end. I'd have liked more exploration of this, for the heroine to dig around in the sand a bit more to discover her sheikh’s heart.
The Sheikh’s Bought Wife is classic Presents/Modern. It’s enjoyable, on the hotter side of the line, with an engaging heroine and Sharon Kendrick™ OTT hero.
But classic is a bit of a double edged sword here as for me it was a bit too classic.
3.5-3.75 stars
Arc from Harlequin via NetGalley in return for feedback.
August 2, 2021
The Sheikha and the Sex Fiend
I almost stopped the book at 30% with him boasting about all the women he had, what a great lover he was, and him thinking about his American mistress and their sex life, but I persevered. He sounded liked some hormonal teenage boy at first and it was disgusting. Truly. But then it started to change when they were married. Yes he was still obnoxious but it was a little better because he was totally concentrated on her. I loved all his questions and her snappy answers and their interactions were just cute. They started fooling around like teenagers and I loved how truthful they were to each other, but then, of course there was a then, he acted like a total a$$! The night in the tent broke my heart, as well as the scene with her sister comforting her. I even cried. And then he was coming after her and I don't want to say anymore but it was heart crushing. The epilogue was so sweet though and that made me forgot about the yucky first part of the book. LoL
I almost stopped the book at 30% with him boasting about all the women he had, what a great lover he was, and him thinking about his American mistress and their sex life, but I persevered. He sounded liked some hormonal teenage boy at first and it was disgusting. Truly. But then it started to change when they were married. Yes he was still obnoxious but it was a little better because he was totally concentrated on her. I loved all his questions and her snappy answers and their interactions were just cute. They started fooling around like teenagers and I loved how truthful they were to each other, but then, of course there was a then, he acted like a total a$$! The night in the tent broke my heart, as well as the scene with her sister comforting her. I even cried. And then he was coming after her and I don't want to say anymore but it was heart crushing. The epilogue was so sweet though and that made me forgot about the yucky first part of the book. LoL
May 4, 2021
This has all the tropes, and I should have liked it more than I actually did. Arrogant desert sheik, spine-of-steel librarian-ish heroine who just needs a makeover and the right arrogant hero turn her into a full-on sex goddess, ridiculous heroine self-sacrifice to save a shitty relative, an MoC, past tragedies/issues to explain away the hero's extreme dickishness and the heroine's addiction to baggy tee shirts and improbable late-20s virgin status. Silly good fun! So why didn't I love it?
Maybe it's Kendrick's writing--clean and spare and skillful but maybe a little clinical. The many almost-sex scenes, as the hero and heroine decide to pleasure one another without actually consummating their marriage, should have been hot but somehow didn't give me that stomach-melting hit that other writers achieve with a lot less explicitness. Despite the hero opening up to the heroine about his past trauma, I didn't really feel much connectedness between these two. I should have--SK did all the right things, but there was always somehow a marked lack of--I dunno, tenderness, believable warmth?--between these two. The entire book seems so forgettable despite being probably one of the more explicit HP's I've read (being mainly a vintage reader).
I did learn a new word: frottage (what I think we probably unromantically called "dry humping" in my day--"frottage" sounds so much sexier, dunnit? :-D)
TSBW has all the right beats but somehow, for me, lacked heart and real heat. Might be that SK's style just doesn't appeal to me. I'll have to give her another spin to see if that's the case or whether this one just didn't hit me the way it should have.
Maybe it's Kendrick's writing--clean and spare and skillful but maybe a little clinical. The many almost-sex scenes, as the hero and heroine decide to pleasure one another without actually consummating their marriage, should have been hot but somehow didn't give me that stomach-melting hit that other writers achieve with a lot less explicitness. Despite the hero opening up to the heroine about his past trauma, I didn't really feel much connectedness between these two. I should have--SK did all the right things, but there was always somehow a marked lack of--I dunno, tenderness, believable warmth?--between these two. The entire book seems so forgettable despite being probably one of the more explicit HP's I've read (being mainly a vintage reader).
I did learn a new word: frottage (what I think we probably unromantically called "dry humping" in my day--"frottage" sounds so much sexier, dunnit? :-D)
TSBW has all the right beats but somehow, for me, lacked heart and real heat. Might be that SK's style just doesn't appeal to me. I'll have to give her another spin to see if that's the case or whether this one just didn't hit me the way it should have.
April 3, 2017
This book had all the tropes I like: virginal heroine, arrogant manwhore Sheikh hero, marriage of convenience and I still didn't like it. I love Sharon Kendrick but I think this book was too focused on hero's traumatic childhood and as a result the romance suffered!
May 28, 2017
2 stars
I did not get along with this book. I thought the hero, Zayed, was a complete and utter douche. He learns that in order to inherit land for his kingdom, he needs to marry. He doesn’t want to marry because he’s too busy sleeping around, enjoying the pleasures of women to settle for just one. So he figures that if he marries for six months, and then has the marriage annulled, he will have fulfilled his obligations and can get back to the business of sowing his wild oats.
To accomplish this goal, he has to marry a woman who isn’t attractive to him in the slightest. He thinks he’ll pick this poor woman, marry her, and then continue to entertain his mistresses. The only woman he can think of who fits the bill is Jane, who works in the embassy in London. So off he flies to London to spring the exciting news on her – she’s going to be a queen for six months, AND get an all expenses-paid trip to his country. He is such a jerk.
Jane is an academic who knows that she isn’t cut out for love. That’s her gorgeous sister’s role in life. When debt collectors start calling Jane, demanding that her sister pay back her loans, she learns that Cleo is indeed up to debt to her eyeballs. Just the convenient motivation needed for when Zayed makes his unemotional pitch for her to marry him. Only Jane one ups him – she’ll marry him, but only if he gives her some cash, up front, and swears to not have lovers during their short marriage. She doesn’t want to look like a fool, and she needs that money to bail Cleo out of the mess she’s gotten herself into. Zayed reluctantly agrees, and off they go back to Kafalah.
And while I thought Zayed wasn’t a very likeable guy before, once Jane has her magical transformation (wears make-up and clothes that actually accentuate her figure), he was a total snake after. Suddenly, through the magic of kohl and berry-colored lips, he feels a flutter of desire for this frumpy woman he previously thought was somewhat repulsive. When he suspects that she’s a virgin? He suddenly is in lust with her, because he’s never had a virgin before. Okay, I thought that was creepy and a huge turnoff. I hated Zayed, and he never really redeemed himself.
The trope is rather faithfully played up; Zayed and Jane must present a united front while in public, and they slowly warm up to each other after spending so much time together. Though Zayed is still dismissive of Jane, his jealousy is unleashed when she is reacquainted with a college friend, and suddenly, he can’t get enough of her. I would have enjoyed the story better if he wasn’t such a jerk. He’s used to people doing whatever he requests, because he’s a sheikh, after all, and when Jane isn’t having any of that, he can be cutting and demeaning. I don’t think he ever redeemed himself, and his declaration of love at the end of the book didn’t convince me that Jane would enjoy her HEA. Meh.
Grade: 2 stars
I did not get along with this book. I thought the hero, Zayed, was a complete and utter douche. He learns that in order to inherit land for his kingdom, he needs to marry. He doesn’t want to marry because he’s too busy sleeping around, enjoying the pleasures of women to settle for just one. So he figures that if he marries for six months, and then has the marriage annulled, he will have fulfilled his obligations and can get back to the business of sowing his wild oats.
To accomplish this goal, he has to marry a woman who isn’t attractive to him in the slightest. He thinks he’ll pick this poor woman, marry her, and then continue to entertain his mistresses. The only woman he can think of who fits the bill is Jane, who works in the embassy in London. So off he flies to London to spring the exciting news on her – she’s going to be a queen for six months, AND get an all expenses-paid trip to his country. He is such a jerk.
Jane is an academic who knows that she isn’t cut out for love. That’s her gorgeous sister’s role in life. When debt collectors start calling Jane, demanding that her sister pay back her loans, she learns that Cleo is indeed up to debt to her eyeballs. Just the convenient motivation needed for when Zayed makes his unemotional pitch for her to marry him. Only Jane one ups him – she’ll marry him, but only if he gives her some cash, up front, and swears to not have lovers during their short marriage. She doesn’t want to look like a fool, and she needs that money to bail Cleo out of the mess she’s gotten herself into. Zayed reluctantly agrees, and off they go back to Kafalah.
And while I thought Zayed wasn’t a very likeable guy before, once Jane has her magical transformation (wears make-up and clothes that actually accentuate her figure), he was a total snake after. Suddenly, through the magic of kohl and berry-colored lips, he feels a flutter of desire for this frumpy woman he previously thought was somewhat repulsive. When he suspects that she’s a virgin? He suddenly is in lust with her, because he’s never had a virgin before. Okay, I thought that was creepy and a huge turnoff. I hated Zayed, and he never really redeemed himself.
The trope is rather faithfully played up; Zayed and Jane must present a united front while in public, and they slowly warm up to each other after spending so much time together. Though Zayed is still dismissive of Jane, his jealousy is unleashed when she is reacquainted with a college friend, and suddenly, he can’t get enough of her. I would have enjoyed the story better if he wasn’t such a jerk. He’s used to people doing whatever he requests, because he’s a sheikh, after all, and when Jane isn’t having any of that, he can be cutting and demeaning. I don’t think he ever redeemed himself, and his declaration of love at the end of the book didn’t convince me that Jane would enjoy her HEA. Meh.
Grade: 2 stars
April 6, 2017
SOME SPOILERS..........
This story made me laugh it definitely had the most ridiculous hero, Zayed is a ruling sheikh and has just inherited a piece of land but to hang on to it he has to marry, those are the terms of his grandfathers will. Oh dear what shall he do? He doesn't want to marry any of his mistresses or other female conquests as they are all madly in love with him, and he doesn't do love. It's just like he tells his advisors, he will marry one day when he needs an heir. But that's decades away, maybe even when he's eighty, after all do not young virgins like an experienced lover. But then he remembers the plain Jane working in his London embassy, he could marry her as she's totally unattractive, he actually tells the plain Jane this, oh and her actual name is Jane. Meaning he won't be tempted by her to consummate the marriage and then have it annulled in 6 months. It was at this point I was going to give up on this but I couldn't wait to see how the author would redeem this idiot trouble is she didn't IMO.
This story made me laugh it definitely had the most ridiculous hero, Zayed is a ruling sheikh and has just inherited a piece of land but to hang on to it he has to marry, those are the terms of his grandfathers will. Oh dear what shall he do? He doesn't want to marry any of his mistresses or other female conquests as they are all madly in love with him, and he doesn't do love. It's just like he tells his advisors, he will marry one day when he needs an heir. But that's decades away, maybe even when he's eighty, after all do not young virgins like an experienced lover. But then he remembers the plain Jane working in his London embassy, he could marry her as she's totally unattractive, he actually tells the plain Jane this, oh and her actual name is Jane. Meaning he won't be tempted by her to consummate the marriage and then have it annulled in 6 months. It was at this point I was going to give up on this but I couldn't wait to see how the author would redeem this idiot trouble is she didn't IMO.
April 16, 2018
On page 156, I gave up and lost interest in the Sheikh's Bought Wife because the celibacy requirement and the judgemental heroine.
Those two issues & the hero not seducing the heroine earlier made this marriage of convenience romance a major fail for this reader. It almost felt as though this book was to punish the hero for embracing the sexual revolution. It really annoyed me he was shamed for having consensual relationships with women.
This book began so compelling only to be ruined by a ridiculous celibacy w/in marriage the hero required & stuck to for to long.
Those two issues & the hero not seducing the heroine earlier made this marriage of convenience romance a major fail for this reader. It almost felt as though this book was to punish the hero for embracing the sexual revolution. It really annoyed me he was shamed for having consensual relationships with women.
This book began so compelling only to be ruined by a ridiculous celibacy w/in marriage the hero required & stuck to for to long.
February 11, 2020
El prota arruinó el libro, pero se deja leer. Igual, las novelitas de sultanes no son lo mío :3
April 12, 2017
As always very beautifully written, fell in love with this story, adored the setting and the couple and the unfolding of the story and got lost in its world in the best possible way, thank you so much Sharon for writing this amazing story keep them then coming 😊
April 16, 2017
Quick Summary: Solidly engaging and wonderfully consistent
Rating: 4/5 to 4-/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: Adult
Status: Contemporary
Chemistry/Intensity: Yes
Conflict/Drama: Yes
Family Dysfunction: Yes
HEA: Yes
Strong Protagonists: Yes
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 4/5 to 4-/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: Adult
Status: Contemporary
Chemistry/Intensity: Yes
Conflict/Drama: Yes
Family Dysfunction: Yes
HEA: Yes
Strong Protagonists: Yes
Source: NetGalley
April 3, 2017
this was definitely not a romance!the hero was a ruthless womaniser and was proud of it!throughout the book he acted like a gift of god to the womankind!he was soo arrogant that he constantly taunted the heroine saying he was a great lover and that all his previous mistresses fell in love with him.he married the heroine coz he found her very plain and unattractive and hence it will be easy for him to enter a marriage of convenience with her.as he was a sex maniac he wanted to have affairs and wanted the heroine to turn a blind eye!yuck!!he was just a cry baby constantly hung up about his childhood.apart from that his constant comparision of the heroine with his past lovers was distasteful!!at the end his declaration of love was very shallow,I think he only said he loved her coz he was bored with his playboy lifestyle.this was just a boring read about an arrogant playboy and his issues !
April 17, 2017
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review via Netgalley.
Two things about this book, I don't give five stars very often and I haven't actually read that many of Sharon Kendrick's books! This however was a sheikh classic and a very satisfying read. It also has a very attractive cover.
Ah Zayed and Jane. I love how he is a strong leader for his country, and how Jane, who works at the embassy in London is unbeknownst to him a strong, capable woman who also loves his country knowing a great deal about it, as well as unusually, being able to speak the language.
All is about to get serious as Zayed searches for a convenient bride to come into his inheritance, and Jane has a huge debt to pay to save her twin sister...
I really liked the passionate clashes between the hero and heroine, which led to some passionate scenes as they learned about each other while avoiding consummating and formalising their marriage. Zayed learns respect at last for a woman as he unlocks his heart, while Jane stands up for herself and reclaims her life.
There were some fun traditional Mills and Boon tropes here, ugly duckling heroine, convenient marriage, sexy sheikh and naughty twin to name a few and I just flew through the pages to the end.
A recommended fun read. It would be nice to find out what Jane's twin is getting up to now too...
Two things about this book, I don't give five stars very often and I haven't actually read that many of Sharon Kendrick's books! This however was a sheikh classic and a very satisfying read. It also has a very attractive cover.
Ah Zayed and Jane. I love how he is a strong leader for his country, and how Jane, who works at the embassy in London is unbeknownst to him a strong, capable woman who also loves his country knowing a great deal about it, as well as unusually, being able to speak the language.
All is about to get serious as Zayed searches for a convenient bride to come into his inheritance, and Jane has a huge debt to pay to save her twin sister...
I really liked the passionate clashes between the hero and heroine, which led to some passionate scenes as they learned about each other while avoiding consummating and formalising their marriage. Zayed learns respect at last for a woman as he unlocks his heart, while Jane stands up for herself and reclaims her life.
There were some fun traditional Mills and Boon tropes here, ugly duckling heroine, convenient marriage, sexy sheikh and naughty twin to name a few and I just flew through the pages to the end.
A recommended fun read. It would be nice to find out what Jane's twin is getting up to now too...
April 11, 2017
Sizzling emotional passionate Harlequin Presents at its best and written by a master of the genre. Zayed is deliciously arrogant and Jane is one of the strongest, most endearing heroines I've read in a long time. Their journey to HEA land is heart- wrenching, passionate and hotter than Hades 👏🏻👏🏻😊😬
April 13, 2017
Zayed Al Zawba. He is so unbelievably arrogant you are just dying for him to take a great fall.
Unfortunately the heroine, Jane Smith , is in a serious bind and to agree to his 'proposal' will help her out of an otherwise impossible situation.
He thought Jane was going to fit into his plan as she is 'plain Jane' so he can divorce her on the grounds on an unconsummated marriage. But she is more than he bargained for. His attitude is so out of date and chauvinistic, and incredibly insulting he is incredibly dislikeable.
Quite frankly she deserved better.
Unfortunately the heroine, Jane Smith , is in a serious bind and to agree to his 'proposal' will help her out of an otherwise impossible situation.
He thought Jane was going to fit into his plan as she is 'plain Jane' so he can divorce her on the grounds on an unconsummated marriage. But she is more than he bargained for. His attitude is so out of date and chauvinistic, and incredibly insulting he is incredibly dislikeable.
Quite frankly she deserved better.
March 1, 2018
I enjoyed this book but was a bit bothered by everyone's focus placed on the unattractive heroine...who doesn't stay plain/unattractive for long.
The hero was your typical for HP. A real jerk who is all about a woman's beauty, sexual prowess, and his money. It was me...me...me and it got old. Although this was a good story there were times where it intermittently slowed down.
Would I recommend this book? Yes. As I said it was good...but not great.
The hero was your typical for HP. A real jerk who is all about a woman's beauty, sexual prowess, and his money. It was me...me...me and it got old. Although this was a good story there were times where it intermittently slowed down.
Would I recommend this book? Yes. As I said it was good...but not great.
March 3, 2019
****4.5 stars!****
Soooo, I’m just shy of two years late writing this review *blushes* Better late than never, eh? *snorts*
Would now be a good time to mention that I’ve read it three times though? Phew! Okay, good... I feel a bit better now.
Zayed Al Zawba, Sheikh of Kafalah (try saying that when you’ve had a drink *smirks*) doesn’t understand the concept of the word no. Inconvenient to his lifestyle though it may be, a recent bequest means he’s in need of a wife in order to inherit a valuable piece of land. For a man who doesn’t believe in ‘love’ there is only one thing to do: marry someone who doesn’t rev his engine - so to speak...
And, he knows just the woman.
Bookish Jane Smith has always lived in the shadow of her beautiful and gregarious sister. Hiding behind her comfy clothes and tight bun. She spends her days immersed in the texts and history of the country she loves.
But no matter what, there is nothing she wouldn’t do to protect her family in times of need. When her sister gets herself into a bit of pickle, financially speaking, it’s Jane to the rescue. So what if she has to wed the most arrogant man in existence, aka the desert king, in order to get the money she needs? It’s only for six months *shrugs*
Zayed’s made it very clear, it’s to be a marriage in name only. Once the allotted period is over, the marriage will be dissolved due to non-consummation, and they can go their separate ways.
With zero chance of any hanky-panky, apparently *rolls eyes*, it’s a win-win on both sides. Riiiigght!
What is it they say? Never judge a book by its cover. Well, the veil is about to be well and truly lifted from Zayed’s eyes. And for Jane, she realises there is a complexity to this man she has yet to uncover.
I have to admit that each and every time I’ve read this story, I spend half my time spitting feathers at Zayed. He is an arrogant bleep-da-bleep! There may, or not, have been threats to certain bits of his anatomy *whistles* But you gotta love him. I know, I know - I have issues. Tell me something I don’t know!
I have to be honest and say there was only one thing that stopped this book being a 5🌟 for me, and that was due to the ‘m’ word being used twice. It was enough to give this Scottish lass the boak, lol.
Oops, I’ve been prattling on for a while, haven’t I?
Finally, as the author says, don’t ever turn your back on love.
Soooo, I’m just shy of two years late writing this review *blushes* Better late than never, eh? *snorts*
Would now be a good time to mention that I’ve read it three times though? Phew! Okay, good... I feel a bit better now.
Zayed Al Zawba, Sheikh of Kafalah (try saying that when you’ve had a drink *smirks*) doesn’t understand the concept of the word no. Inconvenient to his lifestyle though it may be, a recent bequest means he’s in need of a wife in order to inherit a valuable piece of land. For a man who doesn’t believe in ‘love’ there is only one thing to do: marry someone who doesn’t rev his engine - so to speak...
And, he knows just the woman.
Bookish Jane Smith has always lived in the shadow of her beautiful and gregarious sister. Hiding behind her comfy clothes and tight bun. She spends her days immersed in the texts and history of the country she loves.
But no matter what, there is nothing she wouldn’t do to protect her family in times of need. When her sister gets herself into a bit of pickle, financially speaking, it’s Jane to the rescue. So what if she has to wed the most arrogant man in existence, aka the desert king, in order to get the money she needs? It’s only for six months *shrugs*
Zayed’s made it very clear, it’s to be a marriage in name only. Once the allotted period is over, the marriage will be dissolved due to non-consummation, and they can go their separate ways.
With zero chance of any hanky-panky, apparently *rolls eyes*, it’s a win-win on both sides. Riiiigght!
What is it they say? Never judge a book by its cover. Well, the veil is about to be well and truly lifted from Zayed’s eyes. And for Jane, she realises there is a complexity to this man she has yet to uncover.
I have to admit that each and every time I’ve read this story, I spend half my time spitting feathers at Zayed. He is an arrogant bleep-da-bleep! There may, or not, have been threats to certain bits of his anatomy *whistles* But you gotta love him. I know, I know - I have issues. Tell me something I don’t know!
I have to be honest and say there was only one thing that stopped this book being a 5🌟 for me, and that was due to the ‘m’ word being used twice. It was enough to give this Scottish lass the boak, lol.
Oops, I’ve been prattling on for a while, haven’t I?
Finally, as the author says, don’t ever turn your back on love.
April 23, 2017
The Sheikh's Bought Wife, written by Sharon Kendrick is part of a Mills and Boon Arc. Zayed Al Zawba, the hero , handsome sheikh, needs to marry someone within 6 months to comply with the terms of his Grandfather's will, whist Dr Jane Smith, the plain Jane academic need money, and fast to save her sister, Cleo from money sharks. They have an intriguing/complex relationship. She is disinterested in him which in turn irritates and fascinates him as normally everyone bows down to him. The book follows them entering into married life and learning to live together. On paper this should have been a great read and normally I love SK's books but something was missing, for me, in this book. It was too formulaic.
March 18, 2018
Very outrageous story! You can't take it too seriously, especially the musings of the so-called hero at the beginning of the book. Vashti has an excellent review here that gives a very fun overview of the book.
The book wasn't all "fun and games", however. When Zayed tells Jane about his mother's death, that was really intense. Also the ending was very emotional for me.
The book wasn't all "fun and games", however. When Zayed tells Jane about his mother's death, that was really intense. Also the ending was very emotional for me.
December 22, 2019
3.5 stars
May 11, 2017
Exquisite!
I will read this story many more times in the future because I found it to be perfectly exquisite! I think Zayed is one of the best Sheikhs I've read because while it was a given he was a strong and Handsome warrior leader of his people his conversation skills were just awesome. I thoroughly enjoyed his and Janes banter. I just loved how they grew together as a couple, how they complimented each other's intellect and how they explored life without sex. My heart broke when Zayed ended it and my heart soared with the conclusion. I think the ending chapters were one of the most beautiful and perfect I have read in a long time.
Exquisite and adored story!
I will read this story many more times in the future because I found it to be perfectly exquisite! I think Zayed is one of the best Sheikhs I've read because while it was a given he was a strong and Handsome warrior leader of his people his conversation skills were just awesome. I thoroughly enjoyed his and Janes banter. I just loved how they grew together as a couple, how they complimented each other's intellect and how they explored life without sex. My heart broke when Zayed ended it and my heart soared with the conclusion. I think the ending chapters were one of the most beautiful and perfect I have read in a long time.
Exquisite and adored story!
January 6, 2020
Mills & Boon-O-Meter : 2/5
- The beginning was funny I'll admit because Jane had sass and some pretty good comebacks
- The verbal sparring between Jane and Zayed was actually funny at first
- But then the whole 'she doesn't know she's beautiful and no one else did as well until she wore nice clothes and make-up thingo came along' and like, just no
- And tbh, Zayed wasn't charismatic or charming enough to keep me hooked to this novel.
- I wasn't invested enough with the characters or charmed by the plot enough to keep going. I shut the book and never really seemed to open it again ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Overall, meh
- The beginning was funny I'll admit because Jane had sass and some pretty good comebacks
- The verbal sparring between Jane and Zayed was actually funny at first
- But then the whole 'she doesn't know she's beautiful and no one else did as well until she wore nice clothes and make-up thingo came along' and like, just no
- And tbh, Zayed wasn't charismatic or charming enough to keep me hooked to this novel.
- I wasn't invested enough with the characters or charmed by the plot enough to keep going. I shut the book and never really seemed to open it again ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Overall, meh
June 20, 2017
It was a relief to read a story where both parties were straight shooters. There were no lies, embellishments, or hold back of the truth. The description of the kingdom and the palace was interesting and fun to read and the characters were perfect for each other. I won this book as a giveaway.
July 2, 2017
Title: The Sheikh's Bought Wife - Wedded
Author: Sharon Kendrick
Publisher: Harlequin Presents
Published: 4-18-2017
Pages: 224
Genre: Romance
Sub-Genre: Multicultural & Interracial; Contemporary
ISBN: 9780373060610
ASIN: B01M0QI3UB
Reviewed For NetGalley and Harlequin Presents
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: 4.5 Stars
The desert king's outrageous proposal!
Marry a sheikh in return for a hefty financial reward? Shy researcher Jane Smith would normally have laughed in Zayed Al Zawba's handsome face. Except it's only for six months and the money will rescue her sister who's mired in debt…
Sheikh Zayed will do anything to inherit Kafalah's neighboring oil-rich lands, even wed plain Jane: he'll never long to consummate a marriage with her! But Zayed hasn't bargained on Jane's frumpy clothes hiding delicious curves…or her quick mind and untouched beauty teasing and tempting him beyond his wildest imaginings!
Jane shows her independence and spirit. Never laying down and letting Zayed walk over her emotions or rights. She falls in love with the country and its people. Zayed was raised in a male dominated society and it show in his arrogance and pushiness. Jane is just the one to bring him down a peg or two.
The two are strong well developed personalities that have readers turning the pages quickly to see what will happen next.
My rating of "The Sheikh's Bought Wife" is 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M0QI3UB/...
B&N Link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-...
GoodReads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
The Reading Room Link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/DelAnne531/status...
Author: Sharon Kendrick
Publisher: Harlequin Presents
Published: 4-18-2017
Pages: 224
Genre: Romance
Sub-Genre: Multicultural & Interracial; Contemporary
ISBN: 9780373060610
ASIN: B01M0QI3UB
Reviewed For NetGalley and Harlequin Presents
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: 4.5 Stars
The desert king's outrageous proposal!
Marry a sheikh in return for a hefty financial reward? Shy researcher Jane Smith would normally have laughed in Zayed Al Zawba's handsome face. Except it's only for six months and the money will rescue her sister who's mired in debt…
Sheikh Zayed will do anything to inherit Kafalah's neighboring oil-rich lands, even wed plain Jane: he'll never long to consummate a marriage with her! But Zayed hasn't bargained on Jane's frumpy clothes hiding delicious curves…or her quick mind and untouched beauty teasing and tempting him beyond his wildest imaginings!
Jane shows her independence and spirit. Never laying down and letting Zayed walk over her emotions or rights. She falls in love with the country and its people. Zayed was raised in a male dominated society and it show in his arrogance and pushiness. Jane is just the one to bring him down a peg or two.
The two are strong well developed personalities that have readers turning the pages quickly to see what will happen next.
My rating of "The Sheikh's Bought Wife" is 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M0QI3UB/...
B&N Link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-...
GoodReads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
The Reading Room Link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/DelAnne531/status...
July 1, 2018
Reviewed by Amy W
Book provided by NetGalley
Originally posted at Romancing the Book
Sheikh Zayed al Zawba can have any woman at his beck and call, yet when he finds himself needing a wife in order to fulfill the conditions of an inheritance, he seeks out a true plain Jane.
Jane Smith is comfortable with her calm, predictable life. However, she finds herself in a predicament when her sister gets into deep financial trouble. When Zayed offers Jane a solution, she agrees to become The Sheikh’s Bought Wife.
Author Sharon Kendrick did an excellent job creating two very different characters in Zayed and Jane. Their mutual disdain for each other is evident with every conversation. Zayed is the epitome of a playboy who sleeps with any female who catches his eye. The very idea that he would be with Jane, much less marry her, seems absurd. From head to toe, Jane is very much a woman who blends into a crowd, with her sharp wit hiding her innocence.
To add some spice to the story, it turns out that Jane’s plainness is easily remedied with fashionable clothing and some basic hair and makeup tips. As the beautiful swan emerges, the characters find themselves struggling to maintain the hands-off conditions of their agreement.
It’s been quite a while sine I’ve read a Harlequin. I was incredibly impressed with the heat level and its intensity. I found myself thoroughly caught up in the storyline, especially the desert kingdom of Kafalah. The author used rich descriptions to help make me feel a part of the country’s culture and history.
While somewhat predictable, I found this to be an engaging story. I would definitely read more from this author.
Book provided by NetGalley
Originally posted at Romancing the Book
Sheikh Zayed al Zawba can have any woman at his beck and call, yet when he finds himself needing a wife in order to fulfill the conditions of an inheritance, he seeks out a true plain Jane.
Jane Smith is comfortable with her calm, predictable life. However, she finds herself in a predicament when her sister gets into deep financial trouble. When Zayed offers Jane a solution, she agrees to become The Sheikh’s Bought Wife.
Author Sharon Kendrick did an excellent job creating two very different characters in Zayed and Jane. Their mutual disdain for each other is evident with every conversation. Zayed is the epitome of a playboy who sleeps with any female who catches his eye. The very idea that he would be with Jane, much less marry her, seems absurd. From head to toe, Jane is very much a woman who blends into a crowd, with her sharp wit hiding her innocence.
To add some spice to the story, it turns out that Jane’s plainness is easily remedied with fashionable clothing and some basic hair and makeup tips. As the beautiful swan emerges, the characters find themselves struggling to maintain the hands-off conditions of their agreement.
It’s been quite a while sine I’ve read a Harlequin. I was incredibly impressed with the heat level and its intensity. I found myself thoroughly caught up in the storyline, especially the desert kingdom of Kafalah. The author used rich descriptions to help make me feel a part of the country’s culture and history.
While somewhat predictable, I found this to be an engaging story. I would definitely read more from this author.
December 13, 2017
Zayed's parents eloped and his mother,a king's daughter,was disinherited.She was killed 8 years later by her ex-fiance,who later had a duel with her husband.Thus Zayed (7) became an orphan and was raised by courtiers.Only recently he met his grandfather and inherited some oil-riuch land from him.But Zayed must be married before getting the land.He enjoys woman and has no plans to marry for many years.He associates love with death and loss.Now he thinks he has the perfect candidate as a temporary wife.
Jane ("plain Jane") is a historian working at Kafalahian embass when y iun London.She loves the language and the country,but never visited it.Her unidentical twin, Cleo,runs a huge debt to a loan shark, who threatens Jane as well.So when Zayed proposes a six-month marriage, Jane accepts and asks him for money to cover the debt.
Jane is intelligent,curious,unwordly in matters of the heart,never had a boyfriend.Now she stands up to Zayed.The latter is jealous when Jane meets a unuiversity friend,David, in Washington.
Zayed treats Jane as a possession.They consummate the marriage and Zayed lerts her go.
They are two people from different stations in life.Zayed grew up without any help from his grandfather.Jane grew up in the shadow of her beautiful sister Cleo.As a new queen, jane must adjust,but for now she feels as a fish out of water.She wouldn't accept companionship and being admired only for her mind- not without love.So who will win here?
I hope Cleo will get her story.
Jane ("plain Jane") is a historian working at Kafalahian embass when y iun London.She loves the language and the country,but never visited it.Her unidentical twin, Cleo,runs a huge debt to a loan shark, who threatens Jane as well.So when Zayed proposes a six-month marriage, Jane accepts and asks him for money to cover the debt.
Jane is intelligent,curious,unwordly in matters of the heart,never had a boyfriend.Now she stands up to Zayed.The latter is jealous when Jane meets a unuiversity friend,David, in Washington.
Zayed treats Jane as a possession.They consummate the marriage and Zayed lerts her go.
They are two people from different stations in life.Zayed grew up without any help from his grandfather.Jane grew up in the shadow of her beautiful sister Cleo.As a new queen, jane must adjust,but for now she feels as a fish out of water.She wouldn't accept companionship and being admired only for her mind- not without love.So who will win here?
I hope Cleo will get her story.
June 2, 2017
I have a fondness for Sheikh's in the Presents line. I love the made up middle-eastern countries. However I had a hard time with this book, not because it was poorly written but because it was too unbelievable. It even crossed the line of fairy tales for me.
Zayed was just a douche nozzle of the highest degree. I can't imagine any man talking the way he does to any woman without getting slapped. He was always going on about how every woman saw him and fall in love with him and he's a fabulous lover, yada yada yada. His ego really knows no bounds
Jane is a ...gasp "Plain Jane" ugly duckling who of course turns into a swan. Oh and she's a virgin...ARGH. I liked her, just barely.
They both claim to dislike each other, but when the ugly duckling transforms, well Zayed's sex drive kicks into overdrive.
Oh and Jane doesn't really hate Zayed...she's in denial. And as Zayed gets to know Jane...well the plot becomes obvious.
I usually love Sharon Kendrick's books and I did like this one, but for me I wanted something more. There are some pluses to the book, because Sharon brings the surroundings to life. I loved her love for Kalafah.
I think if this could have been a longer novel, the plot could have worked. It just needed more development, especially with Jane and her sister.
Zayed was just a douche nozzle of the highest degree. I can't imagine any man talking the way he does to any woman without getting slapped. He was always going on about how every woman saw him and fall in love with him and he's a fabulous lover, yada yada yada. His ego really knows no bounds
Jane is a ...gasp "Plain Jane" ugly duckling who of course turns into a swan. Oh and she's a virgin...ARGH. I liked her, just barely.
They both claim to dislike each other, but when the ugly duckling transforms, well Zayed's sex drive kicks into overdrive.
Oh and Jane doesn't really hate Zayed...she's in denial. And as Zayed gets to know Jane...well the plot becomes obvious.
I usually love Sharon Kendrick's books and I did like this one, but for me I wanted something more. There are some pluses to the book, because Sharon brings the surroundings to life. I loved her love for Kalafah.
I think if this could have been a longer novel, the plot could have worked. It just needed more development, especially with Jane and her sister.
May 29, 2018
To me, reading Sharon Kendrick is an "acquired taste", although - after all this time - this is only my second Sharon Kendrick book since the You-Know-What book. If you're not actually looking for a believable, emotion-filled fest of sweet words and romance, and you're prepared to face a hero - or a boy for that matter - who is somewhat over-confident of himself (and his so-called endowment), you're on for this book. As a matter of fact, the reason I kept reading this through the end despite me rolling my eyes every five pages was because at some point (or even from the very first) I saw this as some kind of over the top parody of romance. Or you can just read it while having some wine. Lots of it. Really. Thus my reason for the 3 stars.
But to be fair, half of the time I find myself liking the heroine. I like that she was very well-versed with the hero's country and culture.
But to be fair, half of the time I find myself liking the heroine. I like that she was very well-versed with the hero's country and culture.
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