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The Virgin's Shock Baby
The Italian's one-night heir
Vulnerable Megan Whittaker has orders to find out if tycoon Dario De Rossi plans to acquire her father's business. Reluctantly, she agrees, but doesn't expect to be so distracted by their searing chemistry that she ends up in his bed!
Dario does have takeover ambitions, but when Megan is violently punished for her night with the enemy, he feels honor-bound to protect her. They escape to Italy, but this commanding businessman soon discovers a deeper problem. Not only is Megan suffering from amnesia, meaning she believes they're engaged and passionately in love...but she's also carrying his baby!
Vulnerable Megan Whittaker has orders to find out if tycoon Dario De Rossi plans to acquire her father's business. Reluctantly, she agrees, but doesn't expect to be so distracted by their searing chemistry that she ends up in his bed!
Dario does have takeover ambitions, but when Megan is violently punished for her night with the enemy, he feels honor-bound to protect her. They escape to Italy, but this commanding businessman soon discovers a deeper problem. Not only is Megan suffering from amnesia, meaning she believes they're engaged and passionately in love...but she's also carrying his baby!
185 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2017
142 people are currently reading
569 people want to read
About the author
Heidi Rice
604 books411 followersMy name's Heidi Rice, I'm a USA Today Bestselling author. I'm married with two sons (which gives me rather too much of an insight into the male psyche!).
I love my job because it involves sitting down at my computer and getting swept up in a world of high emotions, sensual excitement, funny feisty women, sexy tortured men and glamourous locations where laundry doesn't exist ...
I also tutor a 14-week in-depth online Write a Romance Novel course. So, if you have ever wanted to learn how to write romance from a bestselling author, check it out here: www.profwritingacademy.com/course/wri...
Now I believe wholeheartedly that readers should give honest and open reviews on Goodreads and Amazon and elsewhere. If you didn't like a book you are entitled to say so (even if it's mine! ouch). But you may notice that none of my book reviews are less than four-stars. That's simply because as an author myself I know how pathetically sensitive I am about bad reviews and with that in mind I prefer to spread the love among other authors — and don't do public reviews of books I didn't like. Just thought I'd clarify that!
You can find out about my latest releases and all my other books at www.heidi-rice.com
I love my job because it involves sitting down at my computer and getting swept up in a world of high emotions, sensual excitement, funny feisty women, sexy tortured men and glamourous locations where laundry doesn't exist ...
I also tutor a 14-week in-depth online Write a Romance Novel course. So, if you have ever wanted to learn how to write romance from a bestselling author, check it out here: www.profwritingacademy.com/course/wri...
Now I believe wholeheartedly that readers should give honest and open reviews on Goodreads and Amazon and elsewhere. If you didn't like a book you are entitled to say so (even if it's mine! ouch). But you may notice that none of my book reviews are less than four-stars. That's simply because as an author myself I know how pathetically sensitive I am about bad reviews and with that in mind I prefer to spread the love among other authors — and don't do public reviews of books I didn't like. Just thought I'd clarify that!
You can find out about my latest releases and all my other books at www.heidi-rice.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
romance-covers-i-have-loved
October 7, 2017although i have put this on my "romance covers i have loved" shelf, this would be a much better cover:
June 25, 2019
Once I got over the fact that the heroine was willing to commit a crime (hack into the hero's computer) for her father, I settled in to enjoy the last two thirds of the story.
Crime does not pay in this story, thank goodness. Heroine's "father" beat her for *not* committing the hacking crime. The hero felt so guilty about the one night stand and the echoes of his mother's death that he invented an engagement so he could protect heroine as she lay in a coma. Heroine had no memory of her father's attack or how they parted after their one night stand, so H/h spent a blissful few weeks on the hero's Italian island.
It all falls apart when heroine remembers what really happened. I liked their reunion at the father's trial. Finally justice in a romance novel.
Hero was a good guy - with the standard poverty-stricken background and traumatic childhood. Heroine was sweet and needed a minder. I'm guessing the body guard and younger sister get together in another story. Found it: Captive At Her Enemy's Command
Crime does not pay in this story, thank goodness. Heroine's "father" beat her for *not* committing the hacking crime. The hero felt so guilty about the one night stand and the echoes of his mother's death that he invented an engagement so he could protect heroine as she lay in a coma. Heroine had no memory of her father's attack or how they parted after their one night stand, so H/h spent a blissful few weeks on the hero's Italian island.
It all falls apart when heroine remembers what really happened. I liked their reunion at the father's trial. Finally justice in a romance novel.
Hero was a good guy - with the standard poverty-stricken background and traumatic childhood. Heroine was sweet and needed a minder. I'm guessing the body guard and younger sister get together in another story. Found it: Captive At Her Enemy's Command
March 9, 2018
3.5 STARS
I am not a huge fan of the amnesia story line, so I had postponed reading this novel and only got around to it after I finished the 2nd book Mills & Boon : Captive At Her Enemy's Command, which dealt with this heroine's younger sister. After finishing the second novel, I was excited to go back and read this one because the cameo appearances of Dario and Megan were so adorable. They were so in love and happy with their son and daughter that I just had to go and read this novel to uncover how they arrived at their HEA. This novel had a lot of drama and some intense issues such as parental abuse. Our heroine Megan is a shy, unassertive young lady who allows her bullying father to pimp her out on a date with the H, Dario. Pimp Daddy Whittaker wants the heroine to do some corporate espionage via the bedroom because he thinks the H is trying to takeover his company.
Megan is perplexed by this demand because she's insecure about her seduction skills, but she goes along with her father's plan because she wants to please the old bully. Megan doesn't know that he's not her biological father and thinks that he treats her so horribly because she resembles her late mother. He hates her late mother because that lady had cheated on him and then dumped him for a succession of lovers. The MC's are hot for each other and their date ends up with them having a sizzling one night stand. Dario forgets to use a condom and Megan isn't on the pill since she's a virgin ( who probably doesn't have menstrual issues ). Anyway, the H suggests that she buy herself a morning after pill and that just about kills the romance for the poor girl. She does agree with him, though, because Megan's not the kind of girl to make waves and cause trouble. Megan has also failed in her corporate espionage scheme because she incorrectly assumes that Dario is not going to destroy her father's firm. The smart H had used a bit of cunning word play when he told her that; what he actually meant was that his plans included a takeover and reconstruction of the business, rather than mere corporate raiding for the usual asset sell off scheme.
Megan's father is so angry at her failure that he locks her in a room and beats her badly. Dario turns up in time to take her to the hospital but one of the results of her assault is the amnesia. The H then devises the not so ingenious scheme of the fake engagement in an effort to care for Megan and take her to his Mediterranean island of Isadora. The poor amnesiac heroine is filled with dazed eye wonder that such a hottie is actually her fiance. Dario tries hard to avoid intimacy with her for a week or so, by using the excuse of her injuries. Megan, however, is more than eager for some love making since she thinks they're in love. They eventually start having sex again but Dario is still determined not to have a long term relationship. He's one of the brooding tortured type of alpha male H's, since he blames himself for his mother's murder. It wasn't actually his fault because he'd only been 8 yrs old when his stepfather had murdered the lady. But he allows this misplaced sense of guilt to prevent him from having any meaningful relationship with a woman.
Megan ends up pregnant and this causes a lot of turmoil for Dario because the last thing he wants is a child. He doesn't think he will be a good father and has no plans to ever have kids in his future. When Megan's memory returns, things fall apart for them because the heroine feels like a fool. She knows they're not really engaged and she remembers that he had asked her to take the morning after pill. She runs away from Isadora and leaves him a cryptic note stating that she will get an abortion. Dario is tormented when he reads the note because he feels anguish, rather than relief, at the thought of her terminating their unborn child. They meet again in a few weeks' time when Pimp Daddy Whittaker's trial begins. PD Whittaker's lawyer dredges up Dario's mother's murder when the H is on the witness stand and this is the catalyst that brings about the MC's reconciliation.
Dario's relieved and ecstatic to hear that Megan is still pregnant with their unborn daughter and they both declare their love for each other. PD Whittaker is disposed of via the legal system since he's given the prison sentence he deserves and the H proposes to Megan. The epilogue is set when their daughter is a a few months old and it's nice to see them all happy and bonding as a family. In the second novel Mills & Boon : Captive At Her Enemy's Command, I was so happy to see that they had a toddler son as well and in that novel's epilogue, Megan announces her third pregnancy. It was great to see that their HEA really did conquer the test of time.
I am not a huge fan of the amnesia story line, so I had postponed reading this novel and only got around to it after I finished the 2nd book Mills & Boon : Captive At Her Enemy's Command, which dealt with this heroine's younger sister. After finishing the second novel, I was excited to go back and read this one because the cameo appearances of Dario and Megan were so adorable. They were so in love and happy with their son and daughter that I just had to go and read this novel to uncover how they arrived at their HEA. This novel had a lot of drama and some intense issues such as parental abuse. Our heroine Megan is a shy, unassertive young lady who allows her bullying father to pimp her out on a date with the H, Dario. Pimp Daddy Whittaker wants the heroine to do some corporate espionage via the bedroom because he thinks the H is trying to takeover his company.
Megan is perplexed by this demand because she's insecure about her seduction skills, but she goes along with her father's plan because she wants to please the old bully. Megan doesn't know that he's not her biological father and thinks that he treats her so horribly because she resembles her late mother. He hates her late mother because that lady had cheated on him and then dumped him for a succession of lovers. The MC's are hot for each other and their date ends up with them having a sizzling one night stand. Dario forgets to use a condom and Megan isn't on the pill since she's a virgin ( who probably doesn't have menstrual issues ). Anyway, the H suggests that she buy herself a morning after pill and that just about kills the romance for the poor girl. She does agree with him, though, because Megan's not the kind of girl to make waves and cause trouble. Megan has also failed in her corporate espionage scheme because she incorrectly assumes that Dario is not going to destroy her father's firm. The smart H had used a bit of cunning word play when he told her that; what he actually meant was that his plans included a takeover and reconstruction of the business, rather than mere corporate raiding for the usual asset sell off scheme.
Megan's father is so angry at her failure that he locks her in a room and beats her badly. Dario turns up in time to take her to the hospital but one of the results of her assault is the amnesia. The H then devises the not so ingenious scheme of the fake engagement in an effort to care for Megan and take her to his Mediterranean island of Isadora. The poor amnesiac heroine is filled with dazed eye wonder that such a hottie is actually her fiance. Dario tries hard to avoid intimacy with her for a week or so, by using the excuse of her injuries. Megan, however, is more than eager for some love making since she thinks they're in love. They eventually start having sex again but Dario is still determined not to have a long term relationship. He's one of the brooding tortured type of alpha male H's, since he blames himself for his mother's murder. It wasn't actually his fault because he'd only been 8 yrs old when his stepfather had murdered the lady. But he allows this misplaced sense of guilt to prevent him from having any meaningful relationship with a woman.
Megan ends up pregnant and this causes a lot of turmoil for Dario because the last thing he wants is a child. He doesn't think he will be a good father and has no plans to ever have kids in his future. When Megan's memory returns, things fall apart for them because the heroine feels like a fool. She knows they're not really engaged and she remembers that he had asked her to take the morning after pill. She runs away from Isadora and leaves him a cryptic note stating that she will get an abortion. Dario is tormented when he reads the note because he feels anguish, rather than relief, at the thought of her terminating their unborn child. They meet again in a few weeks' time when Pimp Daddy Whittaker's trial begins. PD Whittaker's lawyer dredges up Dario's mother's murder when the H is on the witness stand and this is the catalyst that brings about the MC's reconciliation.
Dario's relieved and ecstatic to hear that Megan is still pregnant with their unborn daughter and they both declare their love for each other. PD Whittaker is disposed of via the legal system since he's given the prison sentence he deserves and the H proposes to Megan. The epilogue is set when their daughter is a a few months old and it's nice to see them all happy and bonding as a family. In the second novel Mills & Boon : Captive At Her Enemy's Command, I was so happy to see that they had a toddler son as well and in that novel's epilogue, Megan announces her third pregnancy. It was great to see that their HEA really did conquer the test of time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2017
My thoughts on this book will contain random thoughts and spoilers galore as I attempt to spill my guts about this book :)
I have not read many books by this author and based on a review by my lovely Goodreads friend, Jenny,I decided to read this as my post Hurricane Irma book.I needed romance and this seemed to fit the bill.I have only read 2 books by this author prior to reading this one.I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by the intensity of this couple and their relationship .
Cast of Characters
Megan,heroine,a young up and comming executive at her father's company.She is a virgin who had a few "encounters " at college and uses a vibrator now for her pleasure.Her mother deserted her and her younger sister when they were very young,her Father unloving and distant as a result,a bit of a megalomaniac who cannot manage his company,in other words a wastrel.He will do anything and use anyone to get what he wants. Megan is a petite redhead with a lush figure.
Dario,hero,Roma Italian by birth who is illegitimate and watched his Mother die at the hands of his brutal Father when he was a very young child and as a result,this has caused him to have issues as an adult.He is a billionaire who is a love em and leave em sorta guy.He lives in an exclusive building in the best part of New York with a view to die for.He is tall,dark,and handsome.
This couple comes together when the heroine's father informs her that she is to be the date of the hero at a big party the following day,she is to seduce him into getting information from the hero as the hero plans an overthrow of her father's company.The heroine has reservations about doing this but agrees.She met the hero at the Met Gala a month back and he made a lasting impression ,but she feels inadequate as his date was a super model and the hero has quite the rep as a super lover.
So they go to the party,at first she attempts to play it low,but the hero after a while has had enough and decides to take matters in hand and asks the heroine to dance.They dance and the sexual chemistry is off the chart explosive and off they go to the penthouse apartment and have amazing non protected sex.After sex,they realize that no protection was used and the hero tells her that she can take "the morning after pill",she agrees ,more sex for the two.Heroine now thinks that since they had sex,the hero would no longer be willing to take over her father's company,or so she thinks.
Morning comes and she relieves a vitriolic text from her father calling her a slut and how the company was taken over by the hero.The heroine feels no I'll will towards the hero and goes home to her younger sister who tells her that their father is there and he is very angry.The heroine goes to see him and he locks the door and hits her and beats her with his belt.He also tells her that he is not their father and that their now dead mother was a whore.By this time the hero is on his way to see the heroine and is met by the hysterical younger sister in the lobby.They go up to the apartment to find the heroine half beaten on the floor.Hero decks the father and police are called to arrest him,meanwhile the heroine is taken to the hospital and is put in a medically induced coma.
When the heroine awakens,she finds out that she and the hero are engaged and has a partial amnesia with no recollection of the events leading up to her hospital stay.
For the heroine's safety and protection,the hero decides to take her away to his private Italian island to recuperate. Of course the heroine is pregnant and is concerned that the hero may not want the baby ...or does he....
I liked this story ,it had elements that I liked ,the hero was imo good to the heroine though he did lie to protect her,it was for her own good and saftey.There were some passionate love scenes and the epilogue was fantastic.
I do see a story between the heroine's younger sister and the hero's best friend.
I have not read many books by this author and based on a review by my lovely Goodreads friend, Jenny,I decided to read this as my post Hurricane Irma book.I needed romance and this seemed to fit the bill.I have only read 2 books by this author prior to reading this one.I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by the intensity of this couple and their relationship .
Cast of Characters
Megan,heroine,a young up and comming executive at her father's company.She is a virgin who had a few "encounters " at college and uses a vibrator now for her pleasure.Her mother deserted her and her younger sister when they were very young,her Father unloving and distant as a result,a bit of a megalomaniac who cannot manage his company,in other words a wastrel.He will do anything and use anyone to get what he wants. Megan is a petite redhead with a lush figure.
Dario,hero,Roma Italian by birth who is illegitimate and watched his Mother die at the hands of his brutal Father when he was a very young child and as a result,this has caused him to have issues as an adult.He is a billionaire who is a love em and leave em sorta guy.He lives in an exclusive building in the best part of New York with a view to die for.He is tall,dark,and handsome.
This couple comes together when the heroine's father informs her that she is to be the date of the hero at a big party the following day,she is to seduce him into getting information from the hero as the hero plans an overthrow of her father's company.The heroine has reservations about doing this but agrees.She met the hero at the Met Gala a month back and he made a lasting impression ,but she feels inadequate as his date was a super model and the hero has quite the rep as a super lover.
So they go to the party,at first she attempts to play it low,but the hero after a while has had enough and decides to take matters in hand and asks the heroine to dance.They dance and the sexual chemistry is off the chart explosive and off they go to the penthouse apartment and have amazing non protected sex.After sex,they realize that no protection was used and the hero tells her that she can take "the morning after pill",she agrees ,more sex for the two.Heroine now thinks that since they had sex,the hero would no longer be willing to take over her father's company,or so she thinks.
Morning comes and she relieves a vitriolic text from her father calling her a slut and how the company was taken over by the hero.The heroine feels no I'll will towards the hero and goes home to her younger sister who tells her that their father is there and he is very angry.The heroine goes to see him and he locks the door and hits her and beats her with his belt.He also tells her that he is not their father and that their now dead mother was a whore.By this time the hero is on his way to see the heroine and is met by the hysterical younger sister in the lobby.They go up to the apartment to find the heroine half beaten on the floor.Hero decks the father and police are called to arrest him,meanwhile the heroine is taken to the hospital and is put in a medically induced coma.
When the heroine awakens,she finds out that she and the hero are engaged and has a partial amnesia with no recollection of the events leading up to her hospital stay.
For the heroine's safety and protection,the hero decides to take her away to his private Italian island to recuperate. Of course the heroine is pregnant and is concerned that the hero may not want the baby ...or does he....
I liked this story ,it had elements that I liked ,the hero was imo good to the heroine though he did lie to protect her,it was for her own good and saftey.There were some passionate love scenes and the epilogue was fantastic.
I do see a story between the heroine's younger sister and the hero's best friend.
October 16, 2017
If you can get through the first 15-20% with its cheesy dialogue and overwhelmed panting and exploding lady parts you have a decent read.
The h's father has asked the h to play Mata Hari regarding a possible corporate buyout and get some information after she seduces the hero. Eyes are rolling as the father makes his case. Too bad the h is a VIRGIN and has this thing called morals, but she takes the case because her dad IS NOT a bad guy. He's just a little stressed. Hint: if he's willing to have YOU break the law as well as pimp you or your younger sister out, then the odds are he IS a bad guy.
The H and h meet and, well, let's just skip over the Rico Suave part of the night. "Nuff said, she's no longer a virgin, and he morphs from Euro-trash into a pretty darn nice guy. Words no alpha hero wants to hear.
She gets home after her night of love in need of the morning after pill (yeah- that's a downer) and gets the living hell beaten out of her by herfather. Turns out dad is not her dad as mumsy was a bad girl. It's a rather brutal and dramatic scene, and the H rescues her.
Mega guilt and mommy issues force him to take her to a small island off Sicily along with a pretend betrothal where his insta-lust succumbs to LOVE. Apparently a loss of virginity AND memory triggers a personality and spirit change as the h is sassy and up for some Italian tycoon lovin'. The Lynne Graham syndrome of unknowingly besotted hero and quirky heroine kicks in.
Things go dark again when the heroine finds out she's pregnant and gets her memory back. Betrayal and duped are the prime emotions. The H makes his ambivalence/fear of her pregnancy known, and the heroine escapes on a fishing boat. Aces for an innovative escape.
In a rare instance of legal justice in HarleyLand, the H and h see each other at her father's trial.
You can guess what happens after that.
SYNOPSIS: As I mentioned, the first 20% or so were nauseating, but the latter part were heartfelt, amusing or erotic depending on the scene. Both characters end up adorably in love. I am not sure where the leap was made, but sipping the Kool-aid always helps.
The h's father has asked the h to play Mata Hari regarding a possible corporate buyout and get some information after she seduces the hero. Eyes are rolling as the father makes his case. Too bad the h is a VIRGIN and has this thing called morals, but she takes the case because her dad IS NOT a bad guy. He's just a little stressed. Hint: if he's willing to have YOU break the law as well as pimp you or your younger sister out, then the odds are he IS a bad guy.
The H and h meet and, well, let's just skip over the Rico Suave part of the night. "Nuff said, she's no longer a virgin, and he morphs from Euro-trash into a pretty darn nice guy. Words no alpha hero wants to hear.
She gets home after her night of love in need of the morning after pill (yeah- that's a downer) and gets the living hell beaten out of her by herfather. Turns out dad is not her dad as mumsy was a bad girl. It's a rather brutal and dramatic scene, and the H rescues her.
Mega guilt and mommy issues force him to take her to a small island off Sicily along with a pretend betrothal where his insta-lust succumbs to LOVE. Apparently a loss of virginity AND memory triggers a personality and spirit change as the h is sassy and up for some Italian tycoon lovin'. The Lynne Graham syndrome of unknowingly besotted hero and quirky heroine kicks in.
Things go dark again when the heroine finds out she's pregnant and gets her memory back. Betrayal and duped are the prime emotions. The H makes his ambivalence/fear of her pregnancy known, and the heroine escapes on a fishing boat. Aces for an innovative escape.
In a rare instance of legal justice in HarleyLand, the H and h see each other at her father's trial.
You can guess what happens after that.
SYNOPSIS: As I mentioned, the first 20% or so were nauseating, but the latter part were heartfelt, amusing or erotic depending on the scene. Both characters end up adorably in love. I am not sure where the leap was made, but sipping the Kool-aid always helps.
February 16, 2022
Megan Whittaker is a beautiful young woman who is quite vulnerable. Extremely intelligent, she's also very naive which works against her. She works for her father and has a younger sister, Katie. Her father knows someone is buying up the stock in his company as he is prime for a hostile
takeover. He actually asks Megan to seduce the man he suspects is the culprit.
Tycoon, Dario De Rossi, a gorgeous and wealthy playboy, finds weak companies and proceeds with a hostile takeover, usually dismantling them and selling it off in pieces. Mr. Whittaker asks him to escort his daughter to a ball but what Whittaker has in mind is ruthless. He wants his virgin daughter to seduce De Rossi, to sleep with him to gain access to his computer. They do have an explosive night together but it's because they want to and he tells her he is not going to dismantle her family's business...but he lies...or misleads, only telling a partial truth. He doesn't plan to dismantle the business but takes it over in its entirety. Of course, he only tells her a half-truth and the next morning when she and Dario awaken she finds out he did indeed take over her father's company. She is extremely upset and blames herself, quickly leaving Dario's home.
When Megan makes it home to the apartment she shares with her sister, her father is there in a crazed rage and almost beats her to death, using his fists and a belt all over her body. Dario is feeling a bit guilty and decides to drive over to Megan's apartment and check on her. He expected her to be livid with him but instead she is very angry with herself and takes all the blame. When he arrives she has been beaten unconscious and Katie, her sister, is running to the front desk of their apartment building and screaming for an ambulance. She is taken to the hospital with a long recovery process awaiting her. After the doctor discontinues her induced coma she is diagnosed as having selective amnesia blocking out all the bad that transpired on that fateful day, bless her. It was truly an awful beating. Because Dario feels the need to go check on her at the hospital and isn't allowed entrance because he's not a family member, he tells the doctor she is his fiance and is finally allowed in to see her. He takes her out of the country to protect her from the the vicious press and also to relax and heal. Once they arrive he has nothing to do with her for the first week. He doesn't love her, he loves no one, and he is not going to lead her on. You can imagine what she thinks and feels because she believes they are engaged and in love.
I enjoyed the story a great deal. The epilogue was super an I highly recommend this book.
takeover. He actually asks Megan to seduce the man he suspects is the culprit.
Tycoon, Dario De Rossi, a gorgeous and wealthy playboy, finds weak companies and proceeds with a hostile takeover, usually dismantling them and selling it off in pieces. Mr. Whittaker asks him to escort his daughter to a ball but what Whittaker has in mind is ruthless. He wants his virgin daughter to seduce De Rossi, to sleep with him to gain access to his computer. They do have an explosive night together but it's because they want to and he tells her he is not going to dismantle her family's business...but he lies...or misleads, only telling a partial truth. He doesn't plan to dismantle the business but takes it over in its entirety. Of course, he only tells her a half-truth and the next morning when she and Dario awaken she finds out he did indeed take over her father's company. She is extremely upset and blames herself, quickly leaving Dario's home.
When Megan makes it home to the apartment she shares with her sister, her father is there in a crazed rage and almost beats her to death, using his fists and a belt all over her body. Dario is feeling a bit guilty and decides to drive over to Megan's apartment and check on her. He expected her to be livid with him but instead she is very angry with herself and takes all the blame. When he arrives she has been beaten unconscious and Katie, her sister, is running to the front desk of their apartment building and screaming for an ambulance. She is taken to the hospital with a long recovery process awaiting her. After the doctor discontinues her induced coma she is diagnosed as having selective amnesia blocking out all the bad that transpired on that fateful day, bless her. It was truly an awful beating. Because Dario feels the need to go check on her at the hospital and isn't allowed entrance because he's not a family member, he tells the doctor she is his fiance and is finally allowed in to see her. He takes her out of the country to protect her from the the vicious press and also to relax and heal. Once they arrive he has nothing to do with her for the first week. He doesn't love her, he loves no one, and he is not going to lead her on. You can imagine what she thinks and feels because she believes they are engaged and in love.
I enjoyed the story a great deal. The epilogue was super an I highly recommend this book.
September 8, 2017
Romantic and sweet love story. Especially the hero was a wonderful complex character. Heroine's abuse by her father was disgusting and so sad. It broke my heart what the heroine and hero went through, they surely deserved their sweet HEA! Ending was adorable, seeing hero as a doting father melted my heart!
October 8, 2017
Rating this a 3.5
I had a little difficulty with the heroine at the start. Can't put my finger on it but it centered around her and how she responded to him.
Also, I don't think I've read a HP with a violent scene like what transpired between the heroine and her Father. Unsettling, for sure.
I had a little difficulty with the heroine at the start. Can't put my finger on it but it centered around her and how she responded to him.
Also, I don't think I've read a HP with a violent scene like what transpired between the heroine and her Father. Unsettling, for sure.
August 23, 2025
לסקירה מפורטת בעברית, קישור לבלוג שלי -
https://sivi-the-avid-reader.com/זיכר...
https://sivi-the-avid-reader.com/זיכר...
October 24, 2017
My first try at this author. On the whole I enjoyed it. I did like how the sisters were friends and loved each other. At least half the time in HPland the heroine's sister is a little s**t. The first half of the book was nicely done. I thought it lost steam a bit at the end.
January 12, 2021
Not convinced about hero’s love though epilogue was super cute.
Safe.
Safe.
November 10, 2017
Loved the chemistry
I loved the heroine. She really was sweet and so into the H and she didn't know he was faking their engagement. He only wanted a one night stand and of course he forgets the condom and he sends her home telling her to go take the morning after pill. I was like how many women did you tell that too??!! And she just said okay and then she went home. Little did she know but her drug crazed Father was waiting to beat the stuffing out of her because the H had just taken his company and she had slept with him. Forget the fact the sleazy dad told her to do it in the first place. Lots of drama and the H rescues her and tells the hospital that they are engaged so he can be with her. He whisked her off, never tells her the truth just had monkey sex every night. The scene where she remembers everything is heart breaking and the H is like I don't love you and i don't want the baby. It made me so mad. There is the trial and they are there and kismet its love. Almost made me throw up. I did like the book just wasnt happy with the hero.
I loved the heroine. She really was sweet and so into the H and she didn't know he was faking their engagement. He only wanted a one night stand and of course he forgets the condom and he sends her home telling her to go take the morning after pill. I was like how many women did you tell that too??!! And she just said okay and then she went home. Little did she know but her drug crazed Father was waiting to beat the stuffing out of her because the H had just taken his company and she had slept with him. Forget the fact the sleazy dad told her to do it in the first place. Lots of drama and the H rescues her and tells the hospital that they are engaged so he can be with her. He whisked her off, never tells her the truth just had monkey sex every night. The scene where she remembers everything is heart breaking and the H is like I don't love you and i don't want the baby. It made me so mad. There is the trial and they are there and kismet its love. Almost made me throw up. I did like the book just wasnt happy with the hero.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2017
loved it alot especially the epilogue ( probably the best part in the book).
July 24, 2019
This book made me so sad in some places. So much violence! But a really good read, with a sweet epilogue. Good job, Heidi!
November 29, 2017
Megan Whitaker was ordered by her father to seduce billionaire Dario de Rossi and steal corporate secrets from him. Dario was in the process of a hostile takeover of her father’s company.
Megan spent the night with Dario, giving him her virginity, after he promised not to tear her father’s company apart. The following morning she learned that Dario had taken over the company and her father was lividly angry. When she got home, her father’s response to her was horrific causing her injuries and loss of memory.
Dario came in, like a knight on a white charger, and saved her. He took her to his private island so she could recuperate and regain her memory. What should have been a simple “help Megan heal” situation turned it much, much more. And it was wonderful!
I enjoyed this book. The “father” in the book was a true bastard! How he treated the girls left in his care was pure cruelty. I loved Dario. Even though his past was full of pain and uncertainty, he treated Megan with such tenderness and care. Megan was the quintessential “girl trying to please everyone”. She was willing to sacrifice herself for her fathers company to prove her love for him, when he didn’t give a damn about her.
I also loved Katie and Jared. Cannot wait for their story. This is one’s a definite “must read”!
Megan spent the night with Dario, giving him her virginity, after he promised not to tear her father’s company apart. The following morning she learned that Dario had taken over the company and her father was lividly angry. When she got home, her father’s response to her was horrific causing her injuries and loss of memory.
Dario came in, like a knight on a white charger, and saved her. He took her to his private island so she could recuperate and regain her memory. What should have been a simple “help Megan heal” situation turned it much, much more. And it was wonderful!
I enjoyed this book. The “father” in the book was a true bastard! How he treated the girls left in his care was pure cruelty. I loved Dario. Even though his past was full of pain and uncertainty, he treated Megan with such tenderness and care. Megan was the quintessential “girl trying to please everyone”. She was willing to sacrifice herself for her fathers company to prove her love for him, when he didn’t give a damn about her.
I also loved Katie and Jared. Cannot wait for their story. This is one’s a definite “must read”!
September 8, 2017
First time read a book by this author and liked it immensely. Loved both Dario and Megan. Dario was exactly the kind of alpha male I like - ruthless, tortured by his past, yet caring even if he doesn't want to be so. Megan too, was a nice, compassionate and vulnerable girl, who cared deeply for her father and her younger sister, Katie, and doing everything to keep the three of them bonded together as a family. She didn't want to be anything like her late promiscuous mother, who had left the three of them and taken off with her lover. She's very different from her sister who was more worldly and didn't have Megan's faith in the inherent goodness of people. And, yet, they were so very close. Loved their sisterly bond.
Hated Megan's father though. Such a horrible man, calling his daughter, who always did everything to please him, a slut, and blackmailing her into seducing Dario for the sake of his company. Gosh the beating he gave her was so brutal.
Although, heart-breaking, the execution of the scene was brilliantly done. I could feel Megan's excruciating pain, Katie's helplessness and anguish as she rushes to find help, her part anger at Dario for being the cause of her sister's plight, yet blind trust in him to save Megan. Loved the scene between her and Dario in the lift. Then Dario's shock at seeing Megan's condition, then the fury and rage that incited him to hit the father which was soon overtaken by the worry and fear for Megan's condition. That whole incident reeled like a movie in front of my eyes, leaving me totally moved to tears .
The amnesia part was also very nice. Dario claiming they're engaged in order to gain permission to see Megan at the hospital, then avoiding her after taking her to his island for her protection and Megan's confusion and frustration on why wouldn't he touch her when they were engaged, going after him until he couldn't help but succumb to her seduction. The court scene in the end was good, Megan finally got to know the reason behind Dario's indifference towards her and their unborn baby.
Loved the epilogue too. Dario's six month old daughter has him royally wrapped around her tiny little finger. His, ‘You are a bad bambina. You mustn’t scare papa like that,’ made me laugh with them.
I'm hoping there is a book for Katie and Dario's friend, Jared. Felt romantic sparks there. Loved Dario and Jared's relationship too.
Overall, a fantastic read. Not to be missed.
Hated Megan's father though. Such a horrible man, calling his daughter, who always did everything to please him, a slut, and blackmailing her into seducing Dario for the sake of his company. Gosh the beating he gave her was so brutal.
Although, heart-breaking, the execution of the scene was brilliantly done. I could feel Megan's excruciating pain, Katie's helplessness and anguish as she rushes to find help, her part anger at Dario for being the cause of her sister's plight, yet blind trust in him to save Megan. Loved the scene between her and Dario in the lift. Then Dario's shock at seeing Megan's condition, then the fury and rage that incited him to hit the father which was soon overtaken by the worry and fear for Megan's condition. That whole incident reeled like a movie in front of my eyes, leaving me totally moved to tears .
The amnesia part was also very nice. Dario claiming they're engaged in order to gain permission to see Megan at the hospital, then avoiding her after taking her to his island for her protection and Megan's confusion and frustration on why wouldn't he touch her when they were engaged, going after him until he couldn't help but succumb to her seduction. The court scene in the end was good, Megan finally got to know the reason behind Dario's indifference towards her and their unborn baby.
Loved the epilogue too. Dario's six month old daughter has him royally wrapped around her tiny little finger. His, ‘You are a bad bambina. You mustn’t scare papa like that,’ made me laugh with them.
I'm hoping there is a book for Katie and Dario's friend, Jared. Felt romantic sparks there. Loved Dario and Jared's relationship too.
Overall, a fantastic read. Not to be missed.
October 2, 2017
Another scorching hot, passionate read from Ms Rice. It delivers everything a classic Presents promises - a gorgeous Alpha male hero and a totally empathetic and beautiful heroine. Intrigue, drama and passion!
Megan's love and loyalty to her father blinds her to his faults, so when he asks her to carry out an outrageous assignment - seduce Dario De Rossi! - she agrees reluctantly. She's no seductress! Her mission is to find out if ruthless businessman Dario De Rossi is out to crush her father's company...she doesn't expect Dario to look at her twice, but sparks fly and the chemistry is white hot. After a night that surpasses Megan's every fantasy, she wakes up to cruel reality and the knowledge that her lover has betrayed her. Now all she cares about is protecting her sister and licking her wounds. What happens next though, is a violent retribution that shows her how naive she'd been to trust the one person in the world who should never have hurt her.
When Dario insists on taking Megan to Italy, away from the press and the painful episode with her father, she hardly knows the man - but she must love him because they're engaged! And, more than that...she's expecting! But, not all is as it seems and when Megan learns the full truth, is this one betrayal too many to bear?
Megan's love and loyalty to her father blinds her to his faults, so when he asks her to carry out an outrageous assignment - seduce Dario De Rossi! - she agrees reluctantly. She's no seductress! Her mission is to find out if ruthless businessman Dario De Rossi is out to crush her father's company...she doesn't expect Dario to look at her twice, but sparks fly and the chemistry is white hot. After a night that surpasses Megan's every fantasy, she wakes up to cruel reality and the knowledge that her lover has betrayed her. Now all she cares about is protecting her sister and licking her wounds. What happens next though, is a violent retribution that shows her how naive she'd been to trust the one person in the world who should never have hurt her.
When Dario insists on taking Megan to Italy, away from the press and the painful episode with her father, she hardly knows the man - but she must love him because they're engaged! And, more than that...she's expecting! But, not all is as it seems and when Megan learns the full truth, is this one betrayal too many to bear?
June 1, 2021
This was pretty hard. The heroine works in her father's company, he has zero respect for her and asks her to seduce the hero who is a businessman and wants to buy her father's business. She, an insecure virgin in her twenties, is seduced by the hero and misunderstands him thinking he will not buy the company. The hero has already bought the company and is aware that she was sent to seduce him out of his intention. They have hot sex, she go back home and her daddy beats her senseless because the hero has bought his business. The hero arrives and saves the heroine, but she has an amnesia and doesn't remember the last hours. He lies and keeps her because she may be pregnant. Then she recovers, remembers everything, feels cheated and after some groveling from the hero all is well. I enjoyed this book. The hero was of course upset by the heroine's plot to make him change his mind but he didn't lie to her to bed her, she went willingly. She was very stupid and naive and I really don't have any simpathy for an intelligent young woman who doesn't ask for respect from her own father. The man was a madman and a criminal, heroine, please, a little bit of self esteem!
December 17, 2018
On page 146 I gave up. I couldn't feel the romance. I didn't feel the chemistry. The heroine had a coldness about her and her goal was so focused on work and being this feminist who didn't need a man or want a baby, I couldn't warm to her character. I felt the talk of a morning after pill was so damn preachy. This is a fiction HP. I'm not reading it for reality. Hell, the hero is a young billionaire and really good looking. That isn't reality either.
I was also annoyed at the speed the heroine's home was repossessed...that's not reality. So when the morning after pill is talked about I get annoyed because on one hand the book tries to be realistic and on the other hand it doesn't. I wish harlequin would tell authors its ok to embrace the fantasy and realistic situations don't need to be used in this line.
I tried to like the Virgin's Shock Baby but the amnesia part was too much. She remembered too much and totally believed the hero was her fiance after a one night stand she remembers. Lynne Graham did this trope better in her book Tempestuous Reunion. I just couldn't believe the heroine in the Virgin's Baby Shock really believed she was engaged to the hero. When I began to think about why she believed she was engaged when she knew she wasn't in a relationship with the hero, I knew I reached my DNF point. I was no longer interested in the hea.
I was also annoyed at the speed the heroine's home was repossessed...that's not reality. So when the morning after pill is talked about I get annoyed because on one hand the book tries to be realistic and on the other hand it doesn't. I wish harlequin would tell authors its ok to embrace the fantasy and realistic situations don't need to be used in this line.
I tried to like the Virgin's Shock Baby but the amnesia part was too much. She remembered too much and totally believed the hero was her fiance after a one night stand she remembers. Lynne Graham did this trope better in her book Tempestuous Reunion. I just couldn't believe the heroine in the Virgin's Baby Shock really believed she was engaged to the hero. When I began to think about why she believed she was engaged when she knew she wasn't in a relationship with the hero, I knew I reached my DNF point. I was no longer interested in the hea.
September 10, 2017
I liked this story, mild cute adorably sweet. Looking forward to Katie and Jared's story. Just feel it it the bones that it will be one with angst.
October 7, 2017
Megan Whittaker steps out of her comfort zone to try and get the dirt on her father's enemy Dario De Rossi. Dario has a history of taking over companies and stripping them down. Her family business is at risk after generations. Trying to play the femme fatale might be beyond her, but Dario sure does make the sparks fly.
Dario knows that he might have given the wrong impression to Megan about his plans for the family business, but nothing about how he feels for her is as it should be. Finding himself once again trying to help a victim of domestic violence, he steps in and claims Megan is his fiancée. Trying to protect her until she regains her memory and health. At least, that is what he tries to make himself believe.
Sometimes the hardest thing to do is let go and love. To take the chance. The risk though, well worth the reward.
Dario knows that he might have given the wrong impression to Megan about his plans for the family business, but nothing about how he feels for her is as it should be. Finding himself once again trying to help a victim of domestic violence, he steps in and claims Megan is his fiancée. Trying to protect her until she regains her memory and health. At least, that is what he tries to make himself believe.
Sometimes the hardest thing to do is let go and love. To take the chance. The risk though, well worth the reward.
August 17, 2018
When blazing blue eyes meet glowing green ones
Sparks are bound to fly
The Whittaker Sisters Duology by Heidi Rice regales you with the tale of Megan and Katherine Whittaker, who meet their respective partners courtesy the very hateful antagonist Mr. Whittaker, their father.
The story of Megan and Dario is there in The Virgin's Shock Baby while Katie and Jared find their own space in Captive At Her Enemy's Command .
Synopsis :
It all starts when Whittaker senior demands that his elder daughter, Megan, seduce wealthy Italian tycoon, Dario De Rossi, in order to prevent the takeover planned by him of Whittaker Enterprises. To call Dario and Mr. Whittaker business rivals would be giving a name to their relationship, where there is none, and never could be. Whittaker makes his daughter attend a special event with Dario, by threatening her younger sister, Katie's well-being. What follows is a night of sensual abandon, the shocking fallout of the Whittaker family and an irreversible consequence!
Review :
This is by far the perfect M&B for me. It has all the ingredients of a flawless story. The meeting of the protagonists, followed by the abuse Megan suffered at the hands of her so-called father, the traumatic episode leading to amnesia, and then the joy of motherhood, followed by the unravelling of Dario's past and their reunion. My heart goes out to the complex characters who all are detailed with such precision. And then comes the writing, there are so many memorable lines throughout the book, that I cannot resist sharing a few here. The sexual tension is off-the-charts. And it is for the readers to see, as to who seduces whom in the end.
For all his alpha male tendencies, Dario comes out as the most caring and understanding person on the planet.
And the above coming from a man who believes,
And then there is quite meaningful humour in spades:
The two-month time lapse nearing the end of the book was a bit disappointing. It feels that those two months are loaded with emotions, which the reader misses out on.
But, the build-up throughout the story leading to Dario's past being revealed is nothing short of a marvel. The shocking place from where Dario comes, finally explains his behaviour throughout the book to a great extent.
The epilogue, the sweet, sweet epilogue sums up the story like nothing else can!
Originally posted on:
https://sassyshaina.wordpress.com/201...
Sparks are bound to fly
The Whittaker Sisters Duology by Heidi Rice regales you with the tale of Megan and Katherine Whittaker, who meet their respective partners courtesy the very hateful antagonist Mr. Whittaker, their father.
The story of Megan and Dario is there in The Virgin's Shock Baby while Katie and Jared find their own space in Captive At Her Enemy's Command .
Synopsis :
It all starts when Whittaker senior demands that his elder daughter, Megan, seduce wealthy Italian tycoon, Dario De Rossi, in order to prevent the takeover planned by him of Whittaker Enterprises. To call Dario and Mr. Whittaker business rivals would be giving a name to their relationship, where there is none, and never could be. Whittaker makes his daughter attend a special event with Dario, by threatening her younger sister, Katie's well-being. What follows is a night of sensual abandon, the shocking fallout of the Whittaker family and an irreversible consequence!
Review :
This is by far the perfect M&B for me. It has all the ingredients of a flawless story. The meeting of the protagonists, followed by the abuse Megan suffered at the hands of her so-called father, the traumatic episode leading to amnesia, and then the joy of motherhood, followed by the unravelling of Dario's past and their reunion. My heart goes out to the complex characters who all are detailed with such precision. And then comes the writing, there are so many memorable lines throughout the book, that I cannot resist sharing a few here. The sexual tension is off-the-charts. And it is for the readers to see, as to who seduces whom in the end.
For all his alpha male tendencies, Dario comes out as the most caring and understanding person on the planet.
'He might not want this responsibility, but he was not about to shirk it–until he had come up with a coherent plan for Megan's recovery.'
'Something about the way she was looking at him, as if he could harness the moon and the stars for her if she asked him to, made him want to say yes.'
And the above coming from a man who believes,
'You cannot love me,' he said on a broken breath, 'I do not deserve it.'
And then there is quite meaningful humour in spades:
'After getting up at dawn to spend an entire day hauling fish so he could get a stranglehold on his libido, everything south of his belt buckle had lost the plot in less than a second.'
'Stop right there. I’m not going to my own rooms,’ she shouted, and all but threw herself out of his arms—a bit too brave and spirited for his liking.
He swore as he scrambled to gather her back up. ‘Come back here.’
‘No.’ She batted his hands away.
‘You need to sleep. You must do as I tell you.’'
'Throwing back the cover, she sat up.
Mission: Puddle of Lust, here I come.'
The two-month time lapse nearing the end of the book was a bit disappointing. It feels that those two months are loaded with emotions, which the reader misses out on.
But, the build-up throughout the story leading to Dario's past being revealed is nothing short of a marvel. The shocking place from where Dario comes, finally explains his behaviour throughout the book to a great extent.
The epilogue, the sweet, sweet epilogue sums up the story like nothing else can!
Originally posted on:
https://sassyshaina.wordpress.com/201...
December 27, 2021
Heidi Rice NEVER disappoints ,period .
October 15, 2017
Big fan of Heidi Rice. This one certainly had intense moments - possibly the worst beating by a father I've ever read. It was truly awful. Loved the way the hero stepped in to look after her AND I'm a sucker for an amnesia book, even though Megan really only forgets part of the night before and the assault from her father. Brothers and Sisters series beat this one, however I would rate this book an even 4.
April 6, 2020
Heid Rice is my (relatively) new discovery on Mills and Boon and I really love her style and her stories. She writes like a dream and creates magical stories with amazing main characters and I just love her. This one has its fair share of angst but it all makes sense. The coming together of h/H in this one is just wonderful and I love the fact they make a reappearance in the next book. I like my romances to be intelligent, witty, hot and satisfying and this one definitely fits the bill.
July 10, 2021
Me gustó mucho la historia de Megan y Darío, como la cuida, a pesar del miedo que tiene de confiar en las personas y que ella recuerde lo que le pasó.
Megan no está acostumbrada a recibir cuidados, a pesar de no tener recuerdos, confía en Darío, ambos ocultan cosas, pero se tienen el uno al otro, eso me gusto, que de a poco empiezan a confiar y arriesgarse a amar.
Megan no está acostumbrada a recibir cuidados, a pesar de no tener recuerdos, confía en Darío, ambos ocultan cosas, pero se tienen el uno al otro, eso me gusto, que de a poco empiezan a confiar y arriesgarse a amar.
October 1, 2017
At times an intense, passionate romantic story with strong characters in both the hero and heroine and both characters deserved the HEA. Loved it.
October 6, 2017
Megan Whittaker is forced by her father to do whatever she must to find out if he is going to destroy his business. Dario DeRossi is planning a hostile takeover that will be done at midnight. He has been asked by her father to take her to a ball, however he is aware she is going to try to find out info. From this point the story takes you on a journey of two people with secrets of their own. When her father finds out his business is gone he takes it out on Megan, Dario comes to her rescue but she has lost her memory and is pregnant. Dario will do what he must to protect her and their child. A fantastic story from page one. Ms. Rice has written a wonder story that holds you in its grasp till the last page.
June 15, 2020
It's very enjoyable. The heroine was sent by his father to seduce the hero because he needed to know whether the hero would destroy his company. Turned out, the hero would take the company from his hand but saying that he wouldn't destroy it to seduce the heroine. The had an unprotected one-night stand.
When her father found out what happened, he abused her. And the hero came to rescue her. She had an amnesia about what actually happened to her, and how she was injured. So the hero took her to Isadora. She found out the truth after they also found out that she was pregnant. She ran away from him saying that she would terminate their child. But of course she didn't. The hero met her again at court and proposed to her for real this time.
When her father found out what happened, he abused her. And the hero came to rescue her. She had an amnesia about what actually happened to her, and how she was injured. So the hero took her to Isadora. She found out the truth after they also found out that she was pregnant. She ran away from him saying that she would terminate their child. But of course she didn't. The hero met her again at court and proposed to her for real this time.
November 3, 2017
This book I enjoyed although the heroine was a little bit naive and I can't ever understand some of the naitivity that comes through. Explosive chemistry between Dario and Megan. I kind of want to see what his friend brings to the table if there happens to be another book, it would be fun to read.
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