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Billionaires & One-Night Heirs #2
Bound by the Sultan's Baby
A scandalous royal consequence!
One night with innocent wedding planner Gabi was not enough for Sultan Alim al-Lehan, but duty called him home. Memories of their forbidden pleasure prove impossible to forget—especially when he discovers Gabi has just returned from maternity leave!
The baby must be his, but if Gabi won't tell him, Alim will seduce the truth out of her! Commanding that she arrange his wedding, even if he's not yet picked a wife, is the ideal ruse. Alim wants her in his bed, but must decide—as a sultan's mistress or bride!i
One night with innocent wedding planner Gabi was not enough for Sultan Alim al-Lehan, but duty called him home. Memories of their forbidden pleasure prove impossible to forget—especially when he discovers Gabi has just returned from maternity leave!
The baby must be his, but if Gabi won't tell him, Alim will seduce the truth out of her! Commanding that she arrange his wedding, even if he's not yet picked a wife, is the ideal ruse. Alim wants her in his bed, but must decide—as a sultan's mistress or bride!i
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
About the author
Carol Marinelli
1,473 books458 followersCarol Marinelli was born in England to Scottish parents, then emigrated to Australia, where there are loads of Scottish and English people who did exactly the same, so she’s very at home there.
She lives in the outer suburbs of Melbourne—pretty much in her car, driving her three children to their various commitments.
Carol writes for the Harlequin Presents and Medical lines and she also writes contemporary women's fiction (with a dark twist).
When she's not writing she's reading, when she's not reading she's writing.
She lives in the outer suburbs of Melbourne—pretty much in her car, driving her three children to their various commitments.
Carol writes for the Harlequin Presents and Medical lines and she also writes contemporary women's fiction (with a dark twist).
When she's not writing she's reading, when she's not reading she's writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
April 4, 2018
Sultan of Sultans Indeed
I thought I had read this before and it showed read on my Goodreads account and I had gave it only one star but I think I must have read a different book. This was very good. He really ended up loving the h and she always loved him. He was a womanizer of course and She knew that. They didn't even really know each other but he was her fantasy man. She knew they weren't even in the same stratosphere really but she could still dream about him. He owned the hotel where she was a wedding planner. They worked together for two years. They liked each other. One night at a wedding he danced with her afterwards and they had sex. He asked her to be his mistress/lover for one year and he wanted her to work for his hotel. The next morning his Father invokes a celibacy rule on the hero and instead of telling her the truth, he revoked his offer and leaves for his kingdom. She is pregnant of course but doesn't tell him. She did try but not really hard. He sees her and is ride to her and she goes into premature labor but he doesn't know. He can have sex of course but only in the desert because of what his Dad did so he calls her firm and asks for her to plan his wedding. He has to marry whoever his Father picks. He brings her to the desert but she still refuses to be his mistress
Or tell him about the secret baby. I don't want to say anymore but this is definitely worth reading. Little slow start but the ending is great. I ended up liking him at the end. And it was very sweet.
I thought I had read this before and it showed read on my Goodreads account and I had gave it only one star but I think I must have read a different book. This was very good. He really ended up loving the h and she always loved him. He was a womanizer of course and She knew that. They didn't even really know each other but he was her fantasy man. She knew they weren't even in the same stratosphere really but she could still dream about him. He owned the hotel where she was a wedding planner. They worked together for two years. They liked each other. One night at a wedding he danced with her afterwards and they had sex. He asked her to be his mistress/lover for one year and he wanted her to work for his hotel. The next morning his Father invokes a celibacy rule on the hero and instead of telling her the truth, he revoked his offer and leaves for his kingdom. She is pregnant of course but doesn't tell him. She did try but not really hard. He sees her and is ride to her and she goes into premature labor but he doesn't know. He can have sex of course but only in the desert because of what his Dad did so he calls her firm and asks for her to plan his wedding. He has to marry whoever his Father picks. He brings her to the desert but she still refuses to be his mistress
Or tell him about the secret baby. I don't want to say anymore but this is definitely worth reading. Little slow start but the ending is great. I ended up liking him at the end. And it was very sweet.
avoid
April 3, 2018Melody, book is safe for you in count celibacy babe.
I am absolutely NOT touching this book.
Heroine isn’t important enough for the hero. She is second best to his duty. Their KID is second best to his duty. The cheating tag there is because of his potential to be a cheater. He wanted to heroine to be his mistress and wanted to hide his kid like dirty secret while he married the woman of his father’s choosing. And then cheat on her. You know what they say about cheaters? If they cheat with you, they’ll cheat on you too. I strongly believe that and no longer have faith in this hero’s honour and integrity.
He only fought for her when she ABSOLUTELY refused to be his mistress, and he found no other way to keep her in his life other than the respectful one that he didn’t want to choose.
Heroine AND his daughter was less important to him that his duty.
I understand his dilemma, except we all face them in life. And if you want something and if you love something you fight for it and you sacrifice the world for it NOT SACRIFICE them for the world. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.
Let me make it clear, he WOULD have married someone else and kept heroine as a mistress and cheated on both.
NO.
Read Sneha's 3-star review of Bound by the Sultan's Baby by Carol Marinelli
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
P.s. Debbie, no disrespect to your POV, love.
I am absolutely NOT touching this book.
Heroine isn’t important enough for the hero. She is second best to his duty. Their KID is second best to his duty. The cheating tag there is because of his potential to be a cheater. He wanted to heroine to be his mistress and wanted to hide his kid like dirty secret while he married the woman of his father’s choosing. And then cheat on her. You know what they say about cheaters? If they cheat with you, they’ll cheat on you too. I strongly believe that and no longer have faith in this hero’s honour and integrity.
He only fought for her when she ABSOLUTELY refused to be his mistress, and he found no other way to keep her in his life other than the respectful one that he didn’t want to choose.
Heroine AND his daughter was less important to him that his duty.
I understand his dilemma, except we all face them in life. And if you want something and if you love something you fight for it and you sacrifice the world for it NOT SACRIFICE them for the world. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.
Let me make it clear, he WOULD have married someone else and kept heroine as a mistress and cheated on both.
NO.
Read Sneha's 3-star review of Bound by the Sultan's Baby by Carol Marinelli
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
P.s. Debbie, no disrespect to your POV, love.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2018
On page 119, I gave up. I just couldn't accept the heroine and heroine really cared about each other. Normally I can accept a lot from an HP but not this time. Here's why- the heroine had a crush on the hero. It never felt like love. Her anger after the hookup didn't make sense since she knew the hero wasn't in love with her. This hero showed no ruthless possession towards the heroine, at all. That really disappointed me. The author spent more time focused on the heroine's work obsession than the romance obsession.
I've read better secret baby HP's. This one failed because the hero was showed no obsession in the heroine. He abandoned her so easily and the heroine's crush never translated into palpable chemistry. Their eventual hookup was so clinical. Romance fail.
I've read better secret baby HP's. This one failed because the hero was showed no obsession in the heroine. He abandoned her so easily and the heroine's crush never translated into palpable chemistry. Their eventual hookup was so clinical. Romance fail.
May 31, 2022
I found this book to be interesting. In fact, I really liked it. I removed one star because the first half was slow-moving and I was tempted more than once to skim ahead.
Man and woman have just had their first night together after a wedding when the Sultan of Sultans (hero's father) has invoked a law that says the next Sultan (his son) has to be celibate until marriage and move home to the desert. He is expected to choose a wife that the Sultan has to agree with or else daddy dearest will choose for him. All the hero wants is the heroine.
After he is carted off to the desert the heroine discovers she's pregnant. I felt for her because she adored him and she thought he turned her away because he didn't want her, not because of the order his father had given.
The H and h were very into each other and it was not really love at first sight because they had worked at the same place for two years and have been drawn to each other.
Man and woman have just had their first night together after a wedding when the Sultan of Sultans (hero's father) has invoked a law that says the next Sultan (his son) has to be celibate until marriage and move home to the desert. He is expected to choose a wife that the Sultan has to agree with or else daddy dearest will choose for him. All the hero wants is the heroine.
After he is carted off to the desert the heroine discovers she's pregnant. I felt for her because she adored him and she thought he turned her away because he didn't want her, not because of the order his father had given.
The H and h were very into each other and it was not really love at first sight because they had worked at the same place for two years and have been drawn to each other.
April 3, 2017
it was a good book,but it would have been really romantic if the hero instead of succumbing to the laws of his country should have fought for the heroine.the part I found most disturbing was that even after finding out about his daughter he wanted to keep heroine as his mistress and the existence of his daughter a secret while he married the woman his father chose!I just couldnt accept this part and it spoilt the entire book for me!yes I agree the hero was bound by his father's law but instead of finding a way around that law after the heroine refused to be his mistress he should have done it when he found out about his daughter.I felt that he was too hell bent on duty and law and in the process abandoned and hurt the heroine a loot.the reason I'm giving this three stars inspite of above issues is because he was faithful to her throughout and never insulted her.also he had genuine feeling for her from the start and i loved the ending.I wish it had a nice epilogue!
April 5, 2017
Decent read I liked it. Virginal heroine and arrogant hero. Hero and heroine had good chemistry. I wish it had a cute epilogue with babies though.
July 23, 2019
"Bound by the Sultan's Baby" is the story of Gabi and Alim.
One word for this book: Lame.
Our heroine is a helpless waif with literal stars in her eyes 24x7, always waiting for her prince charming. She is a pushover who works like a donkey for her abusive boss, just because she lurveees weddings. Things take a turn when she meets a literal Sheikh/Prince Alim, and due to "attraction" *cough* horniness *cough* gives up her hymen to him. He makes it clear he has no intentions of committing to her and will make her his mistress, as he needs to marry a local woman. She finally gains some self respect and rejects his offer (only to go back and try to accept it- thankfully he rescinds it).
Anyways, flash forward, she gets pregnant, he finds out and expected drama happens, after which she takes him back with minimal groveling.
Boring one dimensional characters who were too wishy washy. The only thing I appreciated was that the hero did not hoe around.
Safe
2/5
One word for this book: Lame.
Our heroine is a helpless waif with literal stars in her eyes 24x7, always waiting for her prince charming. She is a pushover who works like a donkey for her abusive boss, just because she lurveees weddings. Things take a turn when she meets a literal Sheikh/Prince Alim, and due to "attraction" *cough* horniness *cough* gives up her hymen to him. He makes it clear he has no intentions of committing to her and will make her his mistress, as he needs to marry a local woman. She finally gains some self respect and rejects his offer (only to go back and try to accept it- thankfully he rescinds it).
Anyways, flash forward, she gets pregnant, he finds out and expected drama happens, after which she takes him back with minimal groveling.
Boring one dimensional characters who were too wishy washy. The only thing I appreciated was that the hero did not hoe around.
Safe
2/5
May 1, 2021
Not much of a hero this sultan. He’s the heroine’s boss and has a ons with her, proposing afterwards to be together for one year until he will marry a suitable woman (not heroine of course). The heroine has a crush on him since forever and thinks she’ll accept, but the day after, his father the Big Sultan tells him he cannot be a happy single anymore and he will be celibate until he will marry, or he can see his mistress in the desert ( according to a strange law of his country), so the hero says goodbye to the heroine and leaves. The heroine is pregnant and has his baby, of course without telling him, but he finds out and proposes her to be his mistress, while he marries his suitable wife, the pig. She refuses and goes back to Italy where she lives. The hero then decides he can’t lose her and asks her to marry him. Of course she accepts gladly. Who would not want such a (poor excuse of a) man. Since a man is a god’s gift even when he’s a jerk, isn’t he. Nope. He’s not.
May 2, 2017
It's funny that right after I read The Innocent's Secret Baby , book 1 in this series, I automatically wanted Gabi and Alim's story and even said so at the end of my review for The Innocent's Secret Baby . I hoped that they would have a book someday not realizing that it was already written and in fact I had already ordered it and that it was coming, I ordered it even before I even picked up The Innocent's Secret Baby to read it . So I was thrilled to know that they would have a story and I couldn't wait to read it.
I liked this book so much better than The Innocent's Secret Baby and definitely was worth the wait. It just was leaps and bounds better. I was delighted by this book. It was a sweet and beautiful romance between upcoming sultan Alim and wedding planner Gabi. There were just so many things to like about this book, and though it wasn't perfect it was pretty good.
What I really adored about this book was the fact that it was set up by book 1 in the series. It was a great little tease and very much piqued my interest, which could be seen by my previous review. But what was great about it was that this book started from the very beginning of their story, instead of coming in the middle, which was what I was expecting since their plot line was kind of introduced in book 1. It made me wonder what was up with Alim and Gabi because there was so much story to tell just from that little sneak peek. I thought their story would begin from that point, but instead their story started before the appearance in book 1. I was surprised but really glad this story was formatted the way it was so I didn't feel like I was missing anything.
What I enjoyed the most about this book was how romantic it was. Despite it being a romance, I wasn't expecting it to be that romantic. They had some very sweet and beautiful moments between them. Like the first time they danced together was just written so well and was a very lovely moment between them, and it lead to the anticipation of what was to come between them. The first time scene was really beautiful and sweet yet very passionate after finally all the built up attraction got expressed between them. I loved the moment in the desert, which was very romantic and beautiful too. It was two lovers reuniting after being separated for a time. There was lots of passion and desire between them, and it was just really beautifully written. As was their final lovemaking scene and just showed the amount of caring between them. Again very romantic. I also love loved Alim's romantic gestures in the end to woo her. It was just beautiful. It was a very gentle romance between them. I wished their were more moments between them because they seemed to be apart more than together. And I wanted the see them together more and see their romance bloom.
I liked the fact that they knew each other beforehand and they had a bit of a backstory to them. I liked that Gabi had a crush on him and that he was her fantasy lover while he really wanted her but thought nothing could come of that, and he believed that she deserved more. So there was a little bit of angst and tension between them before they gave into their passions. I wished there was a little bit more and more intensity to give it an extra punch to the story. I wanted to be gutted and feel some of that rawness between them before they gave into their passions.
I loved how great of a guy that Alim was. He was every bit of an alpha male but without his condescending and jerky attitude. I appreciated his situation, and that he was doing everything in his power to deal the right thing. Like he tried to ignore his attraction to Gabi. That didn't work. He wanted to be with her for a year and vowed to remain committed to her and only her. He never did that with another woman, but he wanted her and recognized how special she was and what they had together. He laid out all his cards on the table and what he could give her before he would be expected to marry for duty. He really wanted that with her and told her to think it over before she committed to the arrangement. That blew up in his face when his father enacted a law on his son preventing him from being with Gabi. Then he was forced to give her up and not talk to her even though it killed him to hurt her that way and do that to him, but he committed to following the letter of law of his country. It hurt him bad but did it. He could only talk and be with her in the desert. When he came to learn of his child then he set about bringing Gabi to him in the desert so they could be together and talk. It was a relief. Just the loyalty that he showed to everyone around him was unbelievable. He was kind and very sweet. He really was between a rock and hard place, but he eventually stood up to his father and fight for what he wanted. He was just a romantic guy. And even though he hurt Gabi, he hurt himself too. He longed for her. He was a nice hero.
I also enjoyed that they had a bit of a friendship and could talk honestly with one another, revealing stuff about themselves that they hadn't to another person before. I liked seeing them get to know one another then start to fall in love with what they were seeing. It was a beautiful moment between them. I wanted more of that and see more of the development of their relationship. I wanted to be shown that they were falling in love.
What I also enjoyed was the parallels between Gabi and Alim's romance and that of the romance and lives of their parents especially Alim's family. And just the comparisons between them and how they were similar yet ended up very differently because Alim made the choice to do so and Gabi refused to be Alim's mistress like Fleur was his father. It was nice to see them what they would accept and what the wouldn't based on what they observed around them. It was heartbreaking to see Fleur's situation because of seeing her love for a man but never having him. Not that cheating is ever okay, and I didn't like that theme so much, but she did make a choice to put up with it. It was still hard. Glad that Gabi and Alim didn't end up in that situation. It just wouldn't feel right. So I was glad that history helped show them how they wanted to conducted their story.
The only huge issue I had with this book was that it didn't dig as deep as I would have liked on an emotional level. I wanted more intensity between them and have more a battle before they got their happily ever after. They did fight each other a bit but not really in a substantial way. It was almost too easy how they dealt with the obstacles that they faced. There needed to be more exploration of their issues as a couple and as individuals, but instead it felt like they breezed on by them. It made me question why they had issues to be together if it was that easy for them to be together. I just wanted more of a fight. More friction between them. I wanted to feel that these obstacles were so huge that it seemed impossible to overcome so when they did overcome them that would have made the ending that much more satisfying. Plus I wanted to believe that they were deeply in love with one another after the fight they endured, showing how much their love truly meant. I wanted more of the struggle. A balance between the good and the bad that made for an intense and complex relationship. That would have been more satisfying for me.
Overall this was a sweet romantic tale that truly felt like a modern Cinderella retelling. The romantic moments between Gabi and Alim were off the charts and I loved every moment they spent together. I wanted more of those moments because they were just so pure and beautiful that I wanted to relive them throughout the book. It was showing them in the process of falling in love and that was beautiful. I wish it was a little more intense, and there was a bit more of a struggle in their relationship where they had the really fight for it in order to get what they really wanted. Their romance was too easy because ever obstacle that they faced seemed so easily overcome making it bit less satisfying. But otherwise the story was good, and I enjoyed it. I adored Gabi and Alim together and just how sweet they were. It was worth the read and worth the short wait I had. It was sweeter than I ever expected it to be, and I enjoyed it more than I ever expected. It was well done.
I liked this book so much better than The Innocent's Secret Baby and definitely was worth the wait. It just was leaps and bounds better. I was delighted by this book. It was a sweet and beautiful romance between upcoming sultan Alim and wedding planner Gabi. There were just so many things to like about this book, and though it wasn't perfect it was pretty good.
What I really adored about this book was the fact that it was set up by book 1 in the series. It was a great little tease and very much piqued my interest, which could be seen by my previous review. But what was great about it was that this book started from the very beginning of their story, instead of coming in the middle, which was what I was expecting since their plot line was kind of introduced in book 1. It made me wonder what was up with Alim and Gabi because there was so much story to tell just from that little sneak peek. I thought their story would begin from that point, but instead their story started before the appearance in book 1. I was surprised but really glad this story was formatted the way it was so I didn't feel like I was missing anything.
What I enjoyed the most about this book was how romantic it was. Despite it being a romance, I wasn't expecting it to be that romantic. They had some very sweet and beautiful moments between them. Like the first time they danced together was just written so well and was a very lovely moment between them, and it lead to the anticipation of what was to come between them. The first time scene was really beautiful and sweet yet very passionate after finally all the built up attraction got expressed between them. I loved the moment in the desert, which was very romantic and beautiful too. It was two lovers reuniting after being separated for a time. There was lots of passion and desire between them, and it was just really beautifully written. As was their final lovemaking scene and just showed the amount of caring between them. Again very romantic. I also love loved Alim's romantic gestures in the end to woo her. It was just beautiful. It was a very gentle romance between them. I wished their were more moments between them because they seemed to be apart more than together. And I wanted the see them together more and see their romance bloom.
I liked the fact that they knew each other beforehand and they had a bit of a backstory to them. I liked that Gabi had a crush on him and that he was her fantasy lover while he really wanted her but thought nothing could come of that, and he believed that she deserved more. So there was a little bit of angst and tension between them before they gave into their passions. I wished there was a little bit more and more intensity to give it an extra punch to the story. I wanted to be gutted and feel some of that rawness between them before they gave into their passions.
I loved how great of a guy that Alim was. He was every bit of an alpha male but without his condescending and jerky attitude. I appreciated his situation, and that he was doing everything in his power to deal the right thing. Like he tried to ignore his attraction to Gabi. That didn't work. He wanted to be with her for a year and vowed to remain committed to her and only her. He never did that with another woman, but he wanted her and recognized how special she was and what they had together. He laid out all his cards on the table and what he could give her before he would be expected to marry for duty. He really wanted that with her and told her to think it over before she committed to the arrangement. That blew up in his face when his father enacted a law on his son preventing him from being with Gabi. Then he was forced to give her up and not talk to her even though it killed him to hurt her that way and do that to him, but he committed to following the letter of law of his country. It hurt him bad but did it. He could only talk and be with her in the desert. When he came to learn of his child then he set about bringing Gabi to him in the desert so they could be together and talk. It was a relief. Just the loyalty that he showed to everyone around him was unbelievable. He was kind and very sweet. He really was between a rock and hard place, but he eventually stood up to his father and fight for what he wanted. He was just a romantic guy. And even though he hurt Gabi, he hurt himself too. He longed for her. He was a nice hero.
I also enjoyed that they had a bit of a friendship and could talk honestly with one another, revealing stuff about themselves that they hadn't to another person before. I liked seeing them get to know one another then start to fall in love with what they were seeing. It was a beautiful moment between them. I wanted more of that and see more of the development of their relationship. I wanted to be shown that they were falling in love.
What I also enjoyed was the parallels between Gabi and Alim's romance and that of the romance and lives of their parents especially Alim's family. And just the comparisons between them and how they were similar yet ended up very differently because Alim made the choice to do so and Gabi refused to be Alim's mistress like Fleur was his father. It was nice to see them what they would accept and what the wouldn't based on what they observed around them. It was heartbreaking to see Fleur's situation because of seeing her love for a man but never having him. Not that cheating is ever okay, and I didn't like that theme so much, but she did make a choice to put up with it. It was still hard. Glad that Gabi and Alim didn't end up in that situation. It just wouldn't feel right. So I was glad that history helped show them how they wanted to conducted their story.
The only huge issue I had with this book was that it didn't dig as deep as I would have liked on an emotional level. I wanted more intensity between them and have more a battle before they got their happily ever after. They did fight each other a bit but not really in a substantial way. It was almost too easy how they dealt with the obstacles that they faced. There needed to be more exploration of their issues as a couple and as individuals, but instead it felt like they breezed on by them. It made me question why they had issues to be together if it was that easy for them to be together. I just wanted more of a fight. More friction between them. I wanted to feel that these obstacles were so huge that it seemed impossible to overcome so when they did overcome them that would have made the ending that much more satisfying. Plus I wanted to believe that they were deeply in love with one another after the fight they endured, showing how much their love truly meant. I wanted more of the struggle. A balance between the good and the bad that made for an intense and complex relationship. That would have been more satisfying for me.
Overall this was a sweet romantic tale that truly felt like a modern Cinderella retelling. The romantic moments between Gabi and Alim were off the charts and I loved every moment they spent together. I wanted more of those moments because they were just so pure and beautiful that I wanted to relive them throughout the book. It was showing them in the process of falling in love and that was beautiful. I wish it was a little more intense, and there was a bit more of a struggle in their relationship where they had the really fight for it in order to get what they really wanted. Their romance was too easy because ever obstacle that they faced seemed so easily overcome making it bit less satisfying. But otherwise the story was good, and I enjoyed it. I adored Gabi and Alim together and just how sweet they were. It was worth the read and worth the short wait I had. It was sweeter than I ever expected it to be, and I enjoyed it more than I ever expected. It was well done.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2017
Enjoyable. H was a butthead. h was a sweet, innocent, Virgin. They clicked and did the wild thang. She got preggers had his baby. He found out after the fact.
I liked the way the story was resolved. The H was awesome with the way he handled the challenges his father put before him.
A good read.
I liked the way the story was resolved. The H was awesome with the way he handled the challenges his father put before him.
A good read.
May 16, 2017
Bound by the Sultan’s Baby by Carol Marinelli gives us a tantalizing glimpse into the life of Sultan Alim al-Lehan, a man who would like nothing more than to continue living his more carefree life in Rome where he owns and manages an exclusive hotel, the Grande Lucia. He is fiercely proud of his country Zethlehan, but not ready to take over as ruler. Soon Alim will be duty bound to go back to his home country and find a suitable wife. Yet he can’t keep his eyes from the sweetly alluring Gabi.
For more of this review please visit Harlequin Junkie: http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-bou...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.
For more of this review please visit Harlequin Junkie: http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-bou...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.
June 8, 2021
A scandalous royal consequence!
One night with innocent wedding planner Gabi was not enough for Sultan Alim al-Lehan, but duty called him home. Memories of their forbidden pleasure prove impossible to forget—especially when he discovers Gabi has just returned from maternity leave!
The baby must be his, but if Gabi won't tell him, Alim will seduce the truth out of her! Commanding that she arrange his wedding, even if he's not yet picked a wife, is the ideal ruse. Alim wants her in his bed, but must decide—as a sultan's mistress or bride!
One night with innocent wedding planner Gabi was not enough for Sultan Alim al-Lehan, but duty called him home. Memories of their forbidden pleasure prove impossible to forget—especially when he discovers Gabi has just returned from maternity leave!
The baby must be his, but if Gabi won't tell him, Alim will seduce the truth out of her! Commanding that she arrange his wedding, even if he's not yet picked a wife, is the ideal ruse. Alim wants her in his bed, but must decide—as a sultan's mistress or bride!
April 29, 2023
(read in french, under the title « L'enfant du sultan »)
Well, we're used to it with the french branch of Harlequin, the blurb is full of errors. No Gabi doesn't spend her nights with Alim (she just dreams of it), ignores who he really is, and hasn't heard of him from a while when she learns, after an only night, she's pregnant.
If we might doubt an ordinary-looking woman in an unflattering uniform can catch the eye of a prince used to top-models, after all, why not : we're precisely here to dream a little. And it's still more coherent than a certain law Alim has to follow, coming a bit out of the blue and not justifed at all.
Sadly, the roman is a bit lukewarm. If the author perfectly transcribed Gabi's long secret crush, there is no spark when she and Alim interact. It's... cold, lacks of passion, attraction, tenderness... everything.
Luckily, if we can say so, they don't spend much time together and the story follows mostly Gabi, first through her wedding planner job, nicely depicted, then as a single mom doing her best to avoid reproducing her own mom's mistakes. Their relationship is also featured. And those parts are just super cool to read. beacause Gabi is a very sympathetic, realistic and believable heroine.
If the penultimate chapter is quite a mess, the very last one, however, is full of emotion, with a real marshmallow-fairytale touch like we'd LOVE to read more often.
In the end, it has its flaws, but it was a nice story.
Well, we're used to it with the french branch of Harlequin, the blurb is full of errors. No Gabi doesn't spend her nights with Alim (she just dreams of it), ignores who he really is, and hasn't heard of him from a while when she learns, after an only night, she's pregnant.
If we might doubt an ordinary-looking woman in an unflattering uniform can catch the eye of a prince used to top-models, after all, why not : we're precisely here to dream a little. And it's still more coherent than a certain law Alim has to follow, coming a bit out of the blue and not justifed at all.
Sadly, the roman is a bit lukewarm. If the author perfectly transcribed Gabi's long secret crush, there is no spark when she and Alim interact. It's... cold, lacks of passion, attraction, tenderness... everything.
Luckily, if we can say so, they don't spend much time together and the story follows mostly Gabi, first through her wedding planner job, nicely depicted, then as a single mom doing her best to avoid reproducing her own mom's mistakes. Their relationship is also featured. And those parts are just super cool to read. beacause Gabi is a very sympathetic, realistic and believable heroine.
If the penultimate chapter is quite a mess, the very last one, however, is full of emotion, with a real marshmallow-fairytale touch like we'd LOVE to read more often.
In the end, it has its flaws, but it was a nice story.
Read
December 2, 2017De La Inocencia Al Anhelo (Herederos #2) (Spanish Version)
August 1, 2017
I was really looking forward to reading this book. I loved Gabi & Alim from their brief scenes in the Innocent's Secret Baby. I liked the story but...
I found the whole 'real but fictional' culture around the hero - a sultan - and his roots was way too prejudiced and presumptuous for me. His half brother and his father's mistress and all the assumptions that were around it. The hero's attitude was a bit off. This isn't a problem if it's about his personality, but it can be uncomfortable reading if one thinks it's making a lot of assumptions about a certain culture. And excusing his piss-poor behaviour as a culture thing. Nah, that's just stereotyping.
Unfortunately this culture element also made the book drag. All this 'made up' but based on 'real' culture sunk the book to boring. Also little details, Yasmin a Sultan's daughter would have never touched the champagne. So I just think in writing about different cultures a little sensitivity never goes amiss.
Overall if you aren't sensitive to culture, it will be a good enjoyable story. If you are sensitive to cultures then approach with caution as some bits may offend you.
I found the whole 'real but fictional' culture around the hero - a sultan - and his roots was way too prejudiced and presumptuous for me. His half brother and his father's mistress and all the assumptions that were around it. The hero's attitude was a bit off. This isn't a problem if it's about his personality, but it can be uncomfortable reading if one thinks it's making a lot of assumptions about a certain culture. And excusing his piss-poor behaviour as a culture thing. Nah, that's just stereotyping.
Unfortunately this culture element also made the book drag. All this 'made up' but based on 'real' culture sunk the book to boring. Also little details, Yasmin a Sultan's daughter would have never touched the champagne. So I just think in writing about different cultures a little sensitivity never goes amiss.
Overall if you aren't sensitive to culture, it will be a good enjoyable story. If you are sensitive to cultures then approach with caution as some bits may offend you.
June 28, 2017
I knew I wouldn't like this book from the start because it takes place in a fake middle eastern place and I have no interest in reading about how an author "knows" someone's culture and tries to depict it.
However, I gave it a shot because I love the concept of babies and secrets. I'm not giving this a rating simply because of the culture appropriated in the book but because it was kind of boring. It moved a lot slower than I would have liked and it went super fast in the end, causing a lot of confusion. Like what? They had sex and suddenly, she's giving birth? Well, you get the idea. It wasn't as cute as I thought it would be nor was his confession that he knew she had given birth to his daughter was dramatic enough.
I would recommend to skip this book.
However, I gave it a shot because I love the concept of babies and secrets. I'm not giving this a rating simply because of the culture appropriated in the book but because it was kind of boring. It moved a lot slower than I would have liked and it went super fast in the end, causing a lot of confusion. Like what? They had sex and suddenly, she's giving birth? Well, you get the idea. It wasn't as cute as I thought it would be nor was his confession that he knew she had given birth to his daughter was dramatic enough.
I would recommend to skip this book.
September 1, 2017
Gabi working for Bernadette a hard task masker employer who allows Gabi to facilitate the weddings while she swoops in and take the glory. She meets Alim who owns the hotel where many of the weddings are taking. Over period of time Gabi gets infatuated with him. One night while the wedding of half brother is happening Alim has a lasp of judgement taking Gabi to bed. Soon duty calls in his hometown from his Sultan father. He leaves without giving Gabi any explanation as she finds out she's pregnant. I loved that though she was a virgin and seemed a push over when it comes to her boss she made it adamant clear to Alim she would not be his mistress no matter what. Very quick read.
December 12, 2020
I loved this book. In fact I loved all 3 of the series but I particularly like Carol Marinelli’s style and this is one of her best. Romantic, emotionally, sexy and with a hero and heroine who are just absolutely perfect together. There are problems (naturally) but they get sorted brilliantly! Really enjoyable and emotionally satisfying - I totally recommend this one.
July 11, 2017
4.5 Stars. Loved how the h wasn't a doormat, she knew what she wanted, and went for it.
September 16, 2017
It was ok
In general, the book was good. There were certain elements that I would have written differently but overall, the story was well written.
In general, the book was good. There were certain elements that I would have written differently but overall, the story was well written.
December 23, 2017
Gabriella (Gabi, 24 ) never knew her father.She is an assistant wedding planner working for Bernadetta.Gabi dreams of opening her own business.She also dreeams about Alim, owner of the Grande Lucia hotel in Rome, where she organizes events.
There is a big wedding at the hotel -James and Mona's. Mona is Italian.James's mother,Fleur, runs the show.Gabi wonders why there is no one from James's side at the wedding.There are some royals staying- Oman,Sultan of Sultans and his children -Alim and Yasmin.Alim is interested in Gabi.After their niught together he reveals that James is his half-brother ,just a few mon ths older.Oman couldn't marry Fleur, his love, as his father had invoked a diktat (rule,law) about his heir's marriage.Oman married Rina and had 3 more children,but he and Fleur are still together outside his country.
Now Oman decides to invoke the diktat again-wants Alim back in the country and marry a bride chosen for him .Alim wants to chose his own bride.The next time he sees Gabi, it's summer.Alim wants to sell the hotel either to Raul or to Bastiano (heroes of books one and three).He sees Gabi, but is abrupt with her and doesn't pay attention to her looks.Gabi is 7 months pregnant.That day she gives birth to their daughter ,Lucia.
Several months later Alim learns accidentally that Gabi has a child.He calls Bernadetta and demands she sends Gabi to him, to organise his wedding! Gabi leaves Lucia with Carmel, her mother, and flies to Alim's country.There she is brought to the desert, where Alim awaits.He tries to explain his situation,offering to make his mistress.Gabi refuses to be his mistress- doesn't want to end like Fleur ,who never came to this country (neither had James).
What will Alim do now? Who will win this battle of wills?
There is a big wedding at the hotel -James and Mona's. Mona is Italian.James's mother,Fleur, runs the show.Gabi wonders why there is no one from James's side at the wedding.There are some royals staying- Oman,Sultan of Sultans and his children -Alim and Yasmin.Alim is interested in Gabi.After their niught together he reveals that James is his half-brother ,just a few mon ths older.Oman couldn't marry Fleur, his love, as his father had invoked a diktat (rule,law) about his heir's marriage.Oman married Rina and had 3 more children,but he and Fleur are still together outside his country.
Now Oman decides to invoke the diktat again-wants Alim back in the country and marry a bride chosen for him .Alim wants to chose his own bride.The next time he sees Gabi, it's summer.Alim wants to sell the hotel either to Raul or to Bastiano (heroes of books one and three).He sees Gabi, but is abrupt with her and doesn't pay attention to her looks.Gabi is 7 months pregnant.That day she gives birth to their daughter ,Lucia.
Several months later Alim learns accidentally that Gabi has a child.He calls Bernadetta and demands she sends Gabi to him, to organise his wedding! Gabi leaves Lucia with Carmel, her mother, and flies to Alim's country.There she is brought to the desert, where Alim awaits.He tries to explain his situation,offering to make his mistress.Gabi refuses to be his mistress- doesn't want to end like Fleur ,who never came to this country (neither had James).
What will Alim do now? Who will win this battle of wills?
September 5, 2019
que les digo de este libro llevaba rodando en mi cama y nunca lo leei hasta que literal en un dia entre rutas y momento de descanso y ayer casi a las 12:30 la termine haaha no es taannn asi como la espere pero es buena para pasar el rato y me diverti peor alim me sacaba de quizio sus malditas leyes del pais y ese hotel hasta como dos capitulos despues me di cuenta que ella llamo a su hija como el hotel hahaha que tonta y la gabi tambien me sacaba de quicio y odie a bernardetta ni porque al final le hizo la puta boda improvisada se salva la detestaba era una malditaaa haha no es malo pero no me gusto tanto me parecio muy mehh y bueno lo divertido es que nuca hubo una tercera persona y mona me costaba imaginarmela por que me recordaba a mona de pll y era bien raro y lo del hijo del sultan Jmas por que no solo abolia la ley y se casaba con fleur ( tambien me recordaba a fleur de la court de harry potter) y James igual fue feliz pero bueeeeehhh y tambien medio absurdo lo de la amante del desierto su esposa lo sabria si el se va al desierto ella sabria que tiene una amante porque es una puta ley me parecio que las cosas al final se arreglaron muy rapido como que no le costo mucho gabi sedia mucho pero que puedo esperar de un libro que compre en un wallmark para medio entretenerme hahaha aun asi no estubo mal pore si 2 estrellas por que eh leeido mejores libros de esos que compro en wallmark
Kisses -G♥
Kisses -G♥
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2024
I didn't like it. Hero was drawn to heroine for 2 years, but he continued to sleep with tons of other women. They finally slept together, he offered her a year of being his lover exclusively, but he planned to marry whoever his father chose after that. However his father enacted a law that said he had to be celibate til he married, so hero cut off contact with heroine to avoid temptation and revoked that offer.
I liked that hero was celibate since he first slept with heroine, however I didn't like how easily he stayed away from heroine for 9 months (because of his father/duty/law).
He did have an idea of asking her to come to desert (the one place he could actually sleep with her according to that celibacy law), but he didn't actually put any real effort into seeing her again until he finds out she had his baby.
Now the part that was absolutely disgusting to me was that he wanted heroine to be his mistress while he married someone else and had heirs with that other woman. He only looks into how he could possibly marry heroine when she absolutely refused to be his mistress. Was disappointing that heroine even considered it. P.
I liked that hero was celibate since he first slept with heroine, however I didn't like how easily he stayed away from heroine for 9 months (because of his father/duty/law).
He did have an idea of asking her to come to desert (the one place he could actually sleep with her according to that celibacy law), but he didn't actually put any real effort into seeing her again until he finds out she had his baby.
Now the part that was absolutely disgusting to me was that he wanted heroine to be his mistress while he married someone else and had heirs with that other woman. He only looks into how he could possibly marry heroine when she absolutely refused to be his mistress. Was disappointing that heroine even considered it. P.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2023
3.5 stars
Very sweet, at first I thought I was reading a Lynne Graham. Heroine Gabi is a klutzy wedding planner, pretty and plump and harbouring a massive crush on the owner of the hotel where she often works, Sultan Alim.
They have a ONS on the night of his secret half-brother's wedding - you have to be there - and despite Alim's plans for more, he must return immediately to his homeland and prepare to get married to someone chosen by his father. Gabi doesnt even get a proper goodbye :(
She does, however, need to get a pregnancy test.
When Alim gives in and tries to find out about her months later, he discovers she is just back from maternity leave and he must be the father. He tricks her into coming to plan his own wedding, and she is furious and scared that he will somehow take her baby, and she refuses to be a mistress as she has witnessed how his father's lover has lived a lonely if privileged life. But they succumb to desire again and Alim decides he must find a way for them to be together, which he manages to do with some musty old tomes and the acceptance of his parents, who want their son to have a marriage with love unlike their own. Gabi ends up getting a surprise wedding that she hasn't had to plan herself.
The characters from Book 1 and Book 3 in the trilogy get brief mentions. It gets some points off for the start, as Alim goes from tolerant amusement to insta-lust rather too quickly.
Very sweet, at first I thought I was reading a Lynne Graham. Heroine Gabi is a klutzy wedding planner, pretty and plump and harbouring a massive crush on the owner of the hotel where she often works, Sultan Alim.
They have a ONS on the night of his secret half-brother's wedding - you have to be there - and despite Alim's plans for more, he must return immediately to his homeland and prepare to get married to someone chosen by his father. Gabi doesnt even get a proper goodbye :(
She does, however, need to get a pregnancy test.
When Alim gives in and tries to find out about her months later, he discovers she is just back from maternity leave and he must be the father. He tricks her into coming to plan his own wedding, and she is furious and scared that he will somehow take her baby, and she refuses to be a mistress as she has witnessed how his father's lover has lived a lonely if privileged life. But they succumb to desire again and Alim decides he must find a way for them to be together, which he manages to do with some musty old tomes and the acceptance of his parents, who want their son to have a marriage with love unlike their own. Gabi ends up getting a surprise wedding that she hasn't had to plan herself.
The characters from Book 1 and Book 3 in the trilogy get brief mentions. It gets some points off for the start, as Alim goes from tolerant amusement to insta-lust rather too quickly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2018
Bound by the Sultan's Baby
They started off by being working acquaintances. He owned the grand hotel, she was a wedding planner. The one time they got together has more consequences than either thought of. She was an illegitimate daughter. He was a Sultan in hiding. He was destined for a life she could never have. Did this stop them? And what about the surprise that he left her?
They started off by being working acquaintances. He owned the grand hotel, she was a wedding planner. The one time they got together has more consequences than either thought of. She was an illegitimate daughter. He was a Sultan in hiding. He was destined for a life she could never have. Did this stop them? And what about the surprise that he left her?
July 5, 2017
Gabi is a wedding planner who meets Sultan Alim al-Lehan in his hotel. One night of pleasure creates a baby that Gabi keeps quiet about. Can Alim convince her to be his mistress?? Or will Gabi hold onto the hope that she can convince Alim that she can't be his mistress.
October 10, 2017
Pretty much what you'd expect from a Harlequin with "Sultan" in the title.
Sometimes I'm just in the mood to read about an H who is a bit of a jerk and a wronged-woman h doing what she can to get by. I loved that Gabi was NOT a doormat.
Sometimes I'm just in the mood to read about an H who is a bit of a jerk and a wronged-woman h doing what she can to get by. I loved that Gabi was NOT a doormat.
May 7, 2017
I enjoyed this book. I like the innocent, get pregnant, not tell the father of the baby story. The heroine always gets blamed even if she does try to reach them. This was a fun book.
May 9, 2017
Another enjoyable read.
May 27, 2017
Highly recommend this book!
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