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The Italian's Virgin Acquisition
The Italian's convenient deal!
Sebastiano Castiglione has a problem. His lifestyle of decadent hedonism has convinced his grandfather to retain control of the family dynasty. To take what's owed him, Bastian must prove he's a changed man. The sight of his stunning intern sparks an idea--and the flames of a burning desire!
Innocent Poppy Connolly will not become another Castiglione acquisition--but she cannot refuse Bastian's offer of three chances to change her family's life. Her response to his smoldering physicality is shocking, and it won't be long before the molten heat of Bastian's gaze melts away all her resistance...
Sebastiano Castiglione has a problem. His lifestyle of decadent hedonism has convinced his grandfather to retain control of the family dynasty. To take what's owed him, Bastian must prove he's a changed man. The sight of his stunning intern sparks an idea--and the flames of a burning desire!
Innocent Poppy Connolly will not become another Castiglione acquisition--but she cannot refuse Bastian's offer of three chances to change her family's life. Her response to his smoldering physicality is shocking, and it won't be long before the molten heat of Bastian's gaze melts away all her resistance...
224 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2017
About the author
Michelle Conder
154 books82 followersAfter graduating from the University of Melbourne, Michelle Conder took a variety of jobs before packing her bags and traveling and working overseas. When none of the career opportunities she encountered grabbed her she returned to Australia and after more study decided to follow her lifelong dream of becoming a writer.
Michelle now lives in Melbourne with her husband and three children and when she isn’t writing loves to visit faraway places and spend time with her family and friends.
Michelle now lives in Melbourne with her husband and three children and when she isn’t writing loves to visit faraway places and spend time with her family and friends.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 3, 2017
4.25
What an emotional, funny and sexy read.
Two main characters had great chemistry and sexual tension.
Dialoge was excellent and some great sparing (cute) between H and h.
Good story line and pacing.
My only complaint is no epilogue and I NEED my epilogue. 😩
What an emotional, funny and sexy read.
Two main characters had great chemistry and sexual tension.
Dialoge was excellent and some great sparing (cute) between H and h.
Good story line and pacing.
My only complaint is no epilogue and I NEED my epilogue. 😩
September 5, 2018
Sweet courtship story with the intern law student heroine spilling coffee all over the CEO hero. They are both smitten at first sight, and fortunately, the hero's grandfather sees them together in the office on a Sunday morning and is convinced they are an item. Grandpa invites heroine to accompany the hero to a wedding anniversary party at his villa in Italy.
Heroine puts him off, but hero decides that the best way to get his grandfather to retire and hand over the company is to think the hero is going to settle down. He asks the heroine to accompany him for the weekend and he'll give her 50, 000 pounds. Heroine, who grew up in the foster care system and is responsible for her deaf brother and the kindly neighbor lady who has just been diagnosed with MS, is tempted. But she turns him down.
Hero then says he'll grant 3 wishes. Heroine asks for Nike trainers for her brother, a ground floor flat for her kindly neighbor and she'll save the third wish.
So off to Italy they go. Heroine charms everyone, even the hero. Secret pain from the past are brought up, but this isn't an angsty read at all. The heroine uses her third wish to good effect. :)
I do wish their had been an epilogue showing the H/h together with the hero's brother. The ending felt a little abrupt.
Heroine puts him off, but hero decides that the best way to get his grandfather to retire and hand over the company is to think the hero is going to settle down. He asks the heroine to accompany him for the weekend and he'll give her 50, 000 pounds. Heroine, who grew up in the foster care system and is responsible for her deaf brother and the kindly neighbor lady who has just been diagnosed with MS, is tempted. But she turns him down.
Hero then says he'll grant 3 wishes. Heroine asks for Nike trainers for her brother, a ground floor flat for her kindly neighbor and she'll save the third wish.
So off to Italy they go. Heroine charms everyone, even the hero. Secret pain from the past are brought up, but this isn't an angsty read at all. The heroine uses her third wish to good effect. :)
I do wish their had been an epilogue showing the H/h together with the hero's brother. The ending felt a little abrupt.
October 3, 2017
I am on a role lately with my hp reads.Could the powers that be at hp headquarters have listened to some of our complaints about the more recent offerings the company has put out!
I adored this story,Poppy and Sebastiano were a cute couple and I loved their banter,each giving and taking.The bathroom scene had me chuckling and smiling.Loved the Venice tour,so romantic.....wish there was an epilogue to this one,so wanted them married, Poppy graduated from her schooling and this couple being proud parents.
4.5stars.
I adored this story,Poppy and Sebastiano were a cute couple and I loved their banter,each giving and taking.The bathroom scene had me chuckling and smiling.Loved the Venice tour,so romantic.....wish there was an epilogue to this one,so wanted them married, Poppy graduated from her schooling and this couple being proud parents.
4.5stars.
August 6, 2017
Virginal but very feisty heroine and sexy alpha hero pretend to be in love so that hero will gain control of his family company but Poppy is an adorable spitfire and Sebastiano can't help falling in love with her. Very entertaining book. Heroine was so strong and a fighter. Her childhood was tragic and my heart broke for her. Hero is filled with guilt and regrets but with Poppy he finds happiness. These two have great chemistry and there is lots of sexual tension! Plus the descriptions of Venice were superb. Very romantic. Sadly there was no future epilogue and so I am giving this 4 stars instead of 5! I highly recommend this book.
July 6, 2019
3 stars for this one. Average modern romance. Does have some lol moments though, that made this a lot more entertaining than it would have been without them.
But there was one thing I really didn’t like about this author’s writing style - the similes she used. Sample this: ‘their getting together would be like Zeus pairing up with a Hyde Park squirrel’ and ‘somehow she milked information from him like a zookeeper getting venom from a snake’. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry and in general thought it wholly inappropriate for the tone she was trying to set.and that’s where this book lost a star for me.
The book featured your regular modern, commitment-phobe H and your destitute, but possessed of a heart of gold h. The HEA is predictably realised the moment the H gets over his fear of commitment. But I’m thankful there was no baby involved in bringing it about.
Ok if you have no better books to read in your pile.
But there was one thing I really didn’t like about this author’s writing style - the similes she used. Sample this: ‘their getting together would be like Zeus pairing up with a Hyde Park squirrel’ and ‘somehow she milked information from him like a zookeeper getting venom from a snake’. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry and in general thought it wholly inappropriate for the tone she was trying to set.and that’s where this book lost a star for me.
The book featured your regular modern, commitment-phobe H and your destitute, but possessed of a heart of gold h. The HEA is predictably realised the moment the H gets over his fear of commitment. But I’m thankful there was no baby involved in bringing it about.
Ok if you have no better books to read in your pile.
September 5, 2020
מעביר את הזמן היטב אם כי מהירות ההתפתחות של העיניינים ממש לא מייצרת אמינות בסיפור והסוף ממש חפוז (אין לי ציפייה שהספרים האלה יהיו ספרי מופת, אבל בכל זאת אני מרגישה איזה זילזול באינטיליגנציה שלי, כשאחרי שבועיים היכרות וכמה לילות סוערים, רווק נחשק ועשיר, שנמנע מנישואים בכל מחיר, ירצה לרוץ ולקשור את עצמו בטבעת).
הדמות של פופי קונלי מפותחת הרבה יותר מדמויות אחרות בז'אנר וספציפית מדמויות נשיות בספרי אינסטנט מבית ההוצאה של הרלקווין. היא גברת עם עמוד שידרה מפתיע ורגלים על הקרקע.
הגבר טיפוסי לספרים מהז'אנר: עשיר, רווק הולל, שרוט במידה מסויימת.
ושוב, מי בוחר את השמות של הספרים, מה זה "התמחות מעשירה"? במה בדיוק היא העשירה את הדמויות ואיך השם הזה קשור לעלילת הספר? רק למתרגם וההוצאה פיתרונים.
הדמות של פופי קונלי מפותחת הרבה יותר מדמויות אחרות בז'אנר וספציפית מדמויות נשיות בספרי אינסטנט מבית ההוצאה של הרלקווין. היא גברת עם עמוד שידרה מפתיע ורגלים על הקרקע.
הגבר טיפוסי לספרים מהז'אנר: עשיר, רווק הולל, שרוט במידה מסויימת.
ושוב, מי בוחר את השמות של הספרים, מה זה "התמחות מעשירה"? במה בדיוק היא העשירה את הדמויות ואיך השם הזה קשור לעלילת הספר? רק למתרגם וההוצאה פיתרונים.
September 4, 2018
Totally in love with Michelle Conder. Adored this book. Fake engagement, three wishes! LOVE! Scrappy adorable heroine, rich sexy Italian hero with a tortured past. SWOOOOOOONING!
Heading off to buy more Michelle Conder books. Woo hoo!
Grade: A
Heading off to buy more Michelle Conder books. Woo hoo!
Grade: A
August 6, 2017
l liked this , it was a little bit different , but I liked it alot but sadly there was no epilogue and no baby .
October 21, 2018
4.5 Stars
Very cute and emotional story about an intern posing as temporary love-interest of her sexy, gorgeous boss on whom she has a crush, so that his Nonno will make him CEO of the company once he sees the two together and satisfied Sebastiano is headed toward a stable family life.
I loved Sebastino & Poppy. They made an awesome and lively pair. Loved the beginning scene at the office - she spilling coffee on his shirt, the tying his tie, also when she agrees with his grandfather that Sebastiano needs a firm hand.
Also liked all the main characters of the book - Sebastian's grandparents, his cousin sister who loves to tease him & gangs up with Poppy, Poppy's disabled brother, her best friend who'd taken her and her brother into her home when Poppy was seventeen, even Sebastian's friend Lukas & his wife Eleanore (they are hero-heroine of Russian's Ruthless Demand by same author & Chastfield 14)
I was however disappointed there was no epilogue. Epilogues gives a happy feel seeing the progress the couple has made over the year/s, especially since the main part of this book (the getting to know each other and falling in love) was over three days.
Nevertheless, a very enjoyable read.
Very cute and emotional story about an intern posing as temporary love-interest of her sexy, gorgeous boss on whom she has a crush, so that his Nonno will make him CEO of the company once he sees the two together and satisfied Sebastiano is headed toward a stable family life.
I loved Sebastino & Poppy. They made an awesome and lively pair. Loved the beginning scene at the office - she spilling coffee on his shirt, the tying his tie, also when she agrees with his grandfather that Sebastiano needs a firm hand.
Also liked all the main characters of the book - Sebastian's grandparents, his cousin sister who loves to tease him & gangs up with Poppy, Poppy's disabled brother, her best friend who'd taken her and her brother into her home when Poppy was seventeen, even Sebastian's friend Lukas & his wife Eleanore (they are hero-heroine of Russian's Ruthless Demand by same author & Chastfield 14)
I was however disappointed there was no epilogue. Epilogues gives a happy feel seeing the progress the couple has made over the year/s, especially since the main part of this book (the getting to know each other and falling in love) was over three days.
Nevertheless, a very enjoyable read.
April 19, 2020
قرأتها بترجمة منتدى روايتي بعنوان
عرض مغري
رواية رومانسية ممتعه وخفيفه
البطل الايطالي مدير الشركة الثري
يقابل بوبي الفتاة الجريئة والجميله
روايه رائعه وممتتعه
عرض مغري
رواية رومانسية ممتعه وخفيفه
البطل الايطالي مدير الشركة الثري
يقابل بوبي الفتاة الجريئة والجميله
روايه رائعه وممتتعه
April 10, 2022
A well written, feel good romance with some steamy scenes. A fairly predictable story, but one I enjoyed; fake relationship for the weekend that morphs into more. 😍
June 19, 2021
The Italian's convenient deal! Sebastiano Castiglione has a problem. His lifestyle of decadent hedonism has convinced his grandfather to retain control of the family dynasty. To take what's owed him, Bastian must prove he's a changed man. The sight of his stunning intern sparks an idea--and the flames of a burning desire! Innocent Poppy Connolly will not become another Castiglione acquisition--but she cannot refuse Bastian's offer of three chances to change her family's life. Her response to his smoldering physicality is shocking, and it won't be long before the molten heat of Bastian's gaze melts away all her resistance
September 1, 2017
I love this book so much! God! This was really cute and funny and adorable. All the characters were lovable... But Poppy was the best. She was blunt and bright and bubbly even after suffering so much! You can't help but admire her character.
Sebastiano was grumpy and drowning in his guilt until Poppy dropped coffee over him ;)
Read it and love it!
Sebastiano was grumpy and drowning in his guilt until Poppy dropped coffee over him ;)
Read it and love it!
December 27, 2018
I gave up reading on page 74. The heroine annoyed me by being so judgmental about the hero. Here he was offering her an opportunity to escape poverty and she rejected it with sanctimonious offence. She had a brother who could have used that money to be in a better environment. She rejected half a million dollars. I thought she was silly for that.
The fake relationship. I'm not a fan of these plots and this book is why. By page 74, I expect the hero and heroine to bond. The heroine keeps pushing the hero away and being judgmental about him. He explained that his grandfather is too old to be running the business and that is why he wants the fake romance. This info doesn't bring the heroine closer to the hero. It should be a bonding moment.
I didn't feel the heroine getting closer to the hero. A fake romance plot needs to do that and do it quickly. A judgemental heroine doesn't help move the romance forward.
Last, I'm not a fan of a hero needing a fake romance to acquire a business. I like the hero being in control of his business and his life.
I noticed this year a trend in fake romance plots. I didn't buy those books. I gave this one a try. It didn't impress me.
The fake relationship. I'm not a fan of these plots and this book is why. By page 74, I expect the hero and heroine to bond. The heroine keeps pushing the hero away and being judgmental about him. He explained that his grandfather is too old to be running the business and that is why he wants the fake romance. This info doesn't bring the heroine closer to the hero. It should be a bonding moment.
I didn't feel the heroine getting closer to the hero. A fake romance plot needs to do that and do it quickly. A judgemental heroine doesn't help move the romance forward.
Last, I'm not a fan of a hero needing a fake romance to acquire a business. I like the hero being in control of his business and his life.
I noticed this year a trend in fake romance plots. I didn't buy those books. I gave this one a try. It didn't impress me.
February 10, 2019
Sweet. Funny. Charming. Happy.
I adored Poppy, the h. She was the definition of joyful. Even with all the challenges she’s had to overcome for herself and her brother, she found a way to stay positive.
Sebastino, the H, was the complete opposite. He had his own challenges but was holding on to guilt and the dark place in him. Not wanting to be happy.
The H’s grandfather, after meeting Poppy, knew she would be good for his grandson and invited them both to Italy for his 60th wedding anniversary. So they pretended to be a couple for the weekend and in true HP fashion, ended up closer than they ever expected.
I loved the characters and the tone of the book. It had it’s sad moments, but the author told the characters’ stories with a lightness that transferred to the reader, leaving them happier for reading the book.
Worth the read!
I adored Poppy, the h. She was the definition of joyful. Even with all the challenges she’s had to overcome for herself and her brother, she found a way to stay positive.
Sebastino, the H, was the complete opposite. He had his own challenges but was holding on to guilt and the dark place in him. Not wanting to be happy.
The H’s grandfather, after meeting Poppy, knew she would be good for his grandson and invited them both to Italy for his 60th wedding anniversary. So they pretended to be a couple for the weekend and in true HP fashion, ended up closer than they ever expected.
I loved the characters and the tone of the book. It had it’s sad moments, but the author told the characters’ stories with a lightness that transferred to the reader, leaving them happier for reading the book.
Worth the read!
September 18, 2018
Okay but not riveting as witnessed by the fact that I read half of it then put it down for two weeks before I picked it back up and finished it. I guess mainly the hero and heroine were just too nice and the hero was not an ass at all. Not very crazy for a Harlequin Presents. And that’s why I read them, for the crazy.
November 19, 2017
Wow, I really liked this book. I loved the characters, both H and h, they were nicely fleshed out, but not too stereotypical. I felt like I hit a gold mine because there wasn't a sheik, royal somebody from a made up land or secret baby/pregnancy in sight. Just some good old fashion single peeps with issues in a forced situation. Gotta love it.
The story was well-paced, especially with the slow build-up of sexual tension. MC really does that well. This is the 2nd book I've read of hers and I think that's her forte, the gradual increase in sexual tension. I also like her characters, they're believable, but not ridiculous in their fears or preconceived notions about relationships, the world, etc.
My one little quibble, and it's really just a small thing, is the dialogue during sex. It's probably just me, but it kinda comes off a little porn-ish. As in: "you like that, huh?" smirk; or "I'm gonna give you what you want" double smirk 😳. Idk, like I said, it's probably just me. I will say that it won't keep me from reading any more books by this author because all the other things are far too above the norm for a presents!
The story was well-paced, especially with the slow build-up of sexual tension. MC really does that well. This is the 2nd book I've read of hers and I think that's her forte, the gradual increase in sexual tension. I also like her characters, they're believable, but not ridiculous in their fears or preconceived notions about relationships, the world, etc.
My one little quibble, and it's really just a small thing, is the dialogue during sex. It's probably just me, but it kinda comes off a little porn-ish. As in: "you like that, huh?" smirk; or "I'm gonna give you what you want" double smirk 😳. Idk, like I said, it's probably just me. I will say that it won't keep me from reading any more books by this author because all the other things are far too above the norm for a presents!
August 26, 2020
Now, this was a simply lovely story - Sebastiano and Poppy made a lovely couple. The banter was fantastic and the development of their romance was perfect. I've read a few of this author's books and liked some and not others. Usually, because I've disliked her heroines for being too unpleasant and nasty.
But I really liked both hero and heroine here and their journey to a happy ever after. Very enjoyable.
But I really liked both hero and heroine here and their journey to a happy ever after. Very enjoyable.
December 27, 2017
Poppy and Simon were orphaned when she was 12 and he was 2.They were in foster care till she was 17.She was afraid they'll be separated. Now Poppy is 25, studying law and doing internsdhip in Sebastiano's office.Simon is 15.He is deaf, but this doesn't stop him from being a teenager- using his phone (with a special app for turning voice into text) or going to movies with friends.They live with Maryann, a motherly figure, who has MS (multiple sclerosis).
Sebastiano (Bastian) is 30.He lost his parents in a car accident 15 years ago and still blames himself for causing it.His grandfather, Giovanni, still runs the family business at 80+ and Bastian dreams o b astian.f the day his nonno steps down .Giovanni thinks his grandson is a playboy and needs a good woman to settle down with.
Both men meet Poppy tbhe same day,as Giovanni comes to London to see Bastian.Now giuseppe wants the two come to Italy for the weekend, to celebrate his 60th wedding anniversary to Evelina.
Poppy agrees to come and poretend tney are a couple,but she refuses Bastian's offer of new clothes.So he offers her three wishes, instead. Poppy asks for sport shoes for Simon and a new apartment for Maryann-nothing for herself.
in Italy Poppy meets Evelina ,also Bastian's cousins Julietta and Nicoletta (Niciole,24) and likes them.She also learns that this is a double anniversary, as it also the day his parents died.
Bastian wants Poppy in his bed and gets his wish.They go to Venice for a day- to meet Lucas and Eleanore.
Bastian is jealous oif Simon ,not knowing who he is .
Poppy is proud, independent,clucks over Simon , good friend to Maryann .She and Bastian have in common the fact that both have lost their parents as teenagers.But Bastian is arrogant, ambitious, changes his girlfriends .He is generous with his money (apartment in London isn't cheep).
I want to point out that there is no such surname in Russian- KuznetzKov.The closest is KuzneTSov .Also,there is no Prospekt Avenue in St.Petersburg- there is Nevsky Prospekt.
Sebastiano (Bastian) is 30.He lost his parents in a car accident 15 years ago and still blames himself for causing it.His grandfather, Giovanni, still runs the family business at 80+ and Bastian dreams o b astian.f the day his nonno steps down .Giovanni thinks his grandson is a playboy and needs a good woman to settle down with.
Both men meet Poppy tbhe same day,as Giovanni comes to London to see Bastian.Now giuseppe wants the two come to Italy for the weekend, to celebrate his 60th wedding anniversary to Evelina.
Poppy agrees to come and poretend tney are a couple,but she refuses Bastian's offer of new clothes.So he offers her three wishes, instead. Poppy asks for sport shoes for Simon and a new apartment for Maryann-nothing for herself.
in Italy Poppy meets Evelina ,also Bastian's cousins Julietta and Nicoletta (Niciole,24) and likes them.She also learns that this is a double anniversary, as it also the day his parents died.
Bastian wants Poppy in his bed and gets his wish.They go to Venice for a day- to meet Lucas and Eleanore.
Bastian is jealous oif Simon ,not knowing who he is .
Poppy is proud, independent,clucks over Simon , good friend to Maryann .She and Bastian have in common the fact that both have lost their parents as teenagers.But Bastian is arrogant, ambitious, changes his girlfriends .He is generous with his money (apartment in London isn't cheep).
I want to point out that there is no such surname in Russian- KuznetzKov.The closest is KuzneTSov .Also,there is no Prospekt Avenue in St.Petersburg- there is Nevsky Prospekt.
Read
August 4, 2019A Hugely Satisfying read!!
This MODERN showed all Michelle Conder's skills as a romance writer to their best effect, confirming her as one of M & B[s] best authors. The pace was set to rollicking from the start and that continued throughout a hugely enjoyable read. Poppy was a well drawn heroine while the hero Sebastiano had all the credentials readers expect from a M & B hero. Aside from her 2012 debut for MODERN which was UTTERLY stunning this will probably be one of her best books to date!
A MUST read for romance lovers!
This MODERN showed all Michelle Conder's skills as a romance writer to their best effect, confirming her as one of M & B[s] best authors. The pace was set to rollicking from the start and that continued throughout a hugely enjoyable read. Poppy was a well drawn heroine while the hero Sebastiano had all the credentials readers expect from a M & B hero. Aside from her 2012 debut for MODERN which was UTTERLY stunning this will probably be one of her best books to date!
A MUST read for romance lovers!
March 12, 2023
El tipo multimillonario decide iniciar una relación falsa con su becaria y ambos con traumas eventualmente se enamoran, buen cliché, aunque me ha dado cierto cringe ha estado divertido. La diferencia de lo que leía antes, a lo que leo ahora, es que estos libros son el tipo de realidad que te pintan haciéndote creer los romances tan perfectos y idealizados, para pasar el rato esta bien, más no es una lectura revolucionaria.
September 4, 2017
Loved this book! The determination to survive an ugly childhood, yet still willing to see the good in people, made Poppy the best character. Will her boss continue to give her that perspective on life. A fantastic read!
August 30, 2017
Excellent romance.
September 7, 2017
This was written really well for a Harlequin romance! The characters were pretty good and there was actually a story that didn't revolve around sex. Very impressed!
September 26, 2017
Romantic & good.
January 4, 2018
Charming banter. Loved the hero. The heroine was wonderfully feisty.
March 5, 2019
this was fun
June 14, 2020
It's okay I guess. But the story is fun tho. Not many challenge and angst.
July 13, 2022
3.5. Nice characters
September 14, 2017
Review Posted at HarlequinJunkie.com
Sebastian Castiglione will do anything to get his grandfather to step down from being in charge of the family business so he can finally take the reins, even if he has to pretend he’s in a relationship with Poppy Connolly. However, Poppy isn’t easy to convince to go along with them being in a fake relationship until he grants her three wishes that could help her and her family. Yet, neither imagined their fake relationship could turn real, but that’s the way it’s headed. Will Sebastian be able to convince Poppy to give him a shot at forever after? Read More
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews