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The Sicilian's Bought Cinderella
A pretend engagement between a billionaire and a beauty in financial need becomes much more than a business deal in this sexy international romance.Posing as commanding billionaire Dante Moncada’s fiancée at a glamorous society wedding is a far cry from Aislin O’Reilly’s modest life, but she’ll do anything to secure money for her sick nephew. The deal with Dante is strictly business—the gorgeous Sicilian playboy is danger personified. Yet soon their mutual explosive passion rips through the terms of their arrangement, leaving them both hungry for more . . .
193 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2019
83 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Smart
710 books257 followersMichelle Smart is a Publishers Weekly bestselling romance author with a slight-to-severe coffee addiction. With over four million copies of her books sold worldwide, Michelle is now embracing the indie book world to write the passionate romance books she knows her readers love whilst continuing to write for Harlequin Mills & Boon. She is also the author of Butterflies, a standalone romantic and humorous time travel novel set in the 1990s.
A bookworm since birth, Michelle can usually be found hiding behind a paperback, or if it’s an author she really loves, a hardback.
Michelle loves hearing from readers and can be contacted directly via her website.
A bookworm since birth, Michelle can usually be found hiding behind a paperback, or if it’s an author she really loves, a hardback.
Michelle loves hearing from readers and can be contacted directly via her website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
November 13, 2018
ARC provided by NetGalley and Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.
Rating 3.5
Our heron and heroine meet, Aislin and Dante, at a cabin that Dante own. Aislin broke into the cabin on his property to get his attention so he will help their sister and nephew who are both ill/health issues (no they are not related, it's explained in the story). Dante has been ignoring all of Aislin correspondents so this was her way of getting his attention. She lets him know that he needs to help financial. Dante is so not into family and is closed off. But he's got is own dilemma. His parents were scandalous, affairs, cheating, etc... Dante's reputation is so great either. Well known playboy. And of course he has a business proposition that's in jeopardy, the gentleman is old fashion and has issues with Dante's life style.
Aislin and Dante come to a mural satisfying deal. She poses as his fiancé (she is nothing like his past, lose and unacceptable woman) and he'll help their sister as well as her.
And so the fun begins. The two are very attracted to each other (of course) and work really hard in keep it business only. Well that doesn't last long and all. And all bets are off when the two give in to their mutual attraction.
I did have some issues with the storyline and their character development. Found the build up to be too quick and almost too much (sick sister, sick nephew, terrible parents for hero). But then again I guess this is HP land, but even that this was a little over the top. And both seemed to be determined and resilient in their not scumming to their attraction, but you blink and they are both all in. It was a nice read but nothing great.
Rating 3.5
Our heron and heroine meet, Aislin and Dante, at a cabin that Dante own. Aislin broke into the cabin on his property to get his attention so he will help their sister and nephew who are both ill/health issues (no they are not related, it's explained in the story). Dante has been ignoring all of Aislin correspondents so this was her way of getting his attention. She lets him know that he needs to help financial. Dante is so not into family and is closed off. But he's got is own dilemma. His parents were scandalous, affairs, cheating, etc... Dante's reputation is so great either. Well known playboy. And of course he has a business proposition that's in jeopardy, the gentleman is old fashion and has issues with Dante's life style.
Aislin and Dante come to a mural satisfying deal. She poses as his fiancé (she is nothing like his past, lose and unacceptable woman) and he'll help their sister as well as her.
And so the fun begins. The two are very attracted to each other (of course) and work really hard in keep it business only. Well that doesn't last long and all. And all bets are off when the two give in to their mutual attraction.
I did have some issues with the storyline and their character development. Found the build up to be too quick and almost too much (sick sister, sick nephew, terrible parents for hero). But then again I guess this is HP land, but even that this was a little over the top. And both seemed to be determined and resilient in their not scumming to their attraction, but you blink and they are both all in. It was a nice read but nothing great.
August 22, 2019
Engagement of convenience story that is super sweet. H/h meet when heroine breaks into his cottage in Sicily in order to gain the tycoon’s attention. Seems his father died a few months before and hero knows nothing about a half-sister with a cerebral palsy toddler who could really use some money from the estate.
Playboy hero knows nothing about a half-sister (who is also the heroine’s half sister through her mother) , but he’s intrigued with the heroine and realizes her wholesome manner and looks could help him convince a business partner to sign a contract he needs. He offers money for the masquerade and money for the half-sister after DNA tests are complete.
And what follows is as expected. H/h fall for each other but hero’s distrust of women rears its head for the black moment. There’s no new ground here, but the author manages to write a very nice H/h and not be soppy or boring. So well done, MS!
Playboy hero knows nothing about a half-sister (who is also the heroine’s half sister through her mother) , but he’s intrigued with the heroine and realizes her wholesome manner and looks could help him convince a business partner to sign a contract he needs. He offers money for the masquerade and money for the half-sister after DNA tests are complete.
And what follows is as expected. H/h fall for each other but hero’s distrust of women rears its head for the black moment. There’s no new ground here, but the author manages to write a very nice H/h and not be soppy or boring. So well done, MS!
January 16, 2019
Nice love story. Both hero and heroine were likable. This author has written better Harlequins though. Safe: sadly no virgins here but they are both faithful. Epilogue was nice. They are getting married and heroine is pregnant.
January 31, 2025
לסקירה מפורטת בעברית, קישור לבלוג שלי -
https://sivi-the-avid-reader.com/עסקה...
https://sivi-the-avid-reader.com/עסקה...
January 29, 2019
Just when I think I’m done with the HP, Michelle Smart comes along with The Sicilian’s Bought Cinderella and hauls me back in …
The HP is romance at its most undiluted and when it’s good, it’s totally sigh-worthy immersive. The last two greats I read were Sarah Morgan’s Playing By the Greek’s Rules (possibly my favourite HP ever) and Caitlin Crews’s Bride By Royal Decree. Smart is a contender thanks to this latest. In typical HP fashion, the premise is ludicrous, the trope-ishness over the top … and reading it, sheer delight. Bought Cinderella opens with hero Dante Moncado in Palermo. He’s fuming over an aborted business deal. Billionaire Riccardo D’Amore won’t let his son, Alessio, sign a deal with Dante because Dante lives fast and loose with women. He’s a player and a playboy. He’s also grieving his father’s death, conflicted though he is about a dad who was both loving and loyal, yet gambled and needed Dante’s constant bailouts. Dante’s called to his abandoned childhood home, a cottage he can’t seem to give up, because an intruder was detected.
Said intruder turns out to be a shower-head-as-weapon-yielding beautiful banshee, Aislin O’Reilly, bearing news for Dante. Turns out Dante’s father had a daughter and that daughter happens to be Aislin’s older sister, Orla (it’s convoluted, but Orla and Aislin share a mother, while Orla and Dante share a dad). Orla, Aislin, and Orla’s son, Finn, are in dire straits. Orla had an accident, gave birth to Finn prematurely, was in a coma for months, Finn has cerebral palsy, and they’re broke. Aislin cared for them these past months. She’s here to ask Dante to give Orla and Finn their modest due of Dante’s father’s family estate. Dante is shocked at Aislin’s revelations and reluctantly agrees to give Orla half the estate’s worth. He also offers Aislin an opportunity to help her tiny, precious family even more: by agreeing to pose as his respectable fiancée when he attends the D’Amore wedding this weekend, thus redeeming his reputation with the D’Amores, thanks to Aislin’s fresh-faced beauty and brainiac ways. Of course, the proximity of sharing a room and pretend fiancé(e)-touching lead to giving in to their attraction, getting to know each other, love feelings surfacing, and emotional intensity between them stretching to the breaking point.
It sounds mundane and HP-typical, but Smart’s masterful hand draw Aislin and Dante in at times hilarious, at times heart-wrenching, at times, incredibly sexy, lines. Aislin is a hoot of integrity, throwing truths like spitballs onto Dante’s arrogant, gorgeous face and physique. Dante, in turn, is as vulnerable as he is an overbearing eschewer of love and commitment. Smart constantly surprises and delights with droll writing and by turning many an HP-convention on its head (more thoughts on that later). Firstly, here’s a funny bit I loved, Aislin’s thoughts on Dante’s superb looks: “She would hazard a guess that, if he asked a roomful of women if any wanted to go with him, ninety-nine per cent of them would bob their heads up to agree like over-caffeinated meerkats”. When Aislin tells Dante about Orla and Finn’s circumstances, though he wants some proof, he also reasonably agrees to help, “She had expected an arrogant monster and found, instead, an arrogant man who could be compelled to listen to reason.” So many surprises.
More tropish upending occurs when we realize Aislin doesn’t possess the HP-required virginal state, but sports a healthy attraction to Dante: “Aislin was attracted to Dante Moncado. Properly, heart-beatingly, swoon-makingly attracted.” They’re so funny together, especially Aislin who has a way of speaking that is no-nonsense and a hoot. Witness their conversation at Dante’s offer of a million euros to pretend to be his fiancée:
“Am I to assume you’re going to accept my offer?”
“A million euros to act as your arm candy for a few days? Yep, I can do that … But before I can accept your deal, I should point out that no one is going to believe we’re engaged. You’ve only just dumped your last girlfriend.”
He winked, sank onto the sofa and stretched his legs out. His legs were so long his feet slid under the coffee table. “Anyone who knows me knows I’m a fast mover.”
“That’s nothing to be proud of,” she said tartly.
“Trust me, I know when to go slow.”
Heated colour spread like wildfire over her cheeks. “I won’t accept any funny business.” She needed to make that very clear. Just because her body reacted so strongly to him did not mean she had any intention of allowing anything to happen between them. She would not be one of those overcaffeinated meerkats.
This pretty much sets the tone for Dante and Aislin and Aislin really makes the book. She’s funny, honest, open, and boy, can she scream and fight and make her point. It’s quite marvelous. Dante’s a good match for her, laconically funny and smoldering. He gives as good as he gets. But he’s no match for her wit, smarts, and chutzpah. She doesn’t wilt, or resign herself, or play the dewy-eyed innocent. She’s simply a good person, loving to her family, giving of herself, but she doesn’t suffer fools or hypocrites. Inevitably, Dante will run scared. He puts a time-end to their affair and doesn’t admit to his feelings. In Aislin’s immortal words in one of their earlier fights: ” ‘You, Moncada, are an eejit.’ ”
The discourse around romance these days is that it needs to prove itself to so many, to gain legitimacy, to convince that it’s worthy, that it’s intellectually healthy to consume it. But no one bothers to say how much fun it can be, until a romance like Smart’s comes along. Yet, it still has something to say. I’ve thought long and hard about the HP and the scorn that is often heaped upon it, rightfully so when its practitioners hide behind the tired, droopy tropes like overblown Polonius fools. Or you can use it in a lively, thoughtful, tongue-in-cheek way, without losing sight of the HP’s raison d’être, the confrontation of corruption with innocent goodness.
The HP hero is a man who lived and is living in a corrupt, rapacious world of venal values. He’s a survivor, keeping a tiny core of standards (Dante’s are he won’t gamble, sleep with married women, or cheat at business), but he can navigate this world just fine. He can’t, however, navigate the heroine’s decency, too often focused on her virginity. Thank goodness for Aislin: she can debate and defeat Dante and therefore, in time, when he returns for a truly humble grovel, win him. Dante describes his corrupt world:
“I look at my extended family and see nothing but misery; siblings hating and bitching about siblings, spouses cheating, hypocritical parents moralising, all pretending that their lives are great, when underneath it’s all rotten.” [Emphases mine.]
Instead of soothing him and “there, there”ing him, Ailsin laces into Dante with his own participation in that corrupt world, a world that knows “the other” only by transaction:
“You’re just another selfish bastard but you have the money to throw at your problems and make them go away. Ooh, I need to fake an engagement … let’s pay someone. Ooh, a sister I’ve never met … have some money. Job done, because obviously that’s all they would ever want from you, and it’s a good thing that’s all you have to offer because you’re not fit to lick my sister’s shoes.”
I loved Aislin’s moral truth-telling. Dante’s life can’t be redeemed, nor his heart resurrected, unless he realizes and acts on giving of himself. Happily, this hero rises to all occasions beautifully and Aislin gets the committed husband and father she deserves. With Miss Austen, we say that Smart’s The Sicilian’s Bought Cinderella is evidence of “a mind lively and at ease,” Emma.
Michelle Smart’s The Sicilian’s Bought Cinderella is published by Harlequin Books. It was released on January 15th and may be found at your preferred vendor. I received an e-ARC from Harlequin, via Netgalley.
The HP is romance at its most undiluted and when it’s good, it’s totally sigh-worthy immersive. The last two greats I read were Sarah Morgan’s Playing By the Greek’s Rules (possibly my favourite HP ever) and Caitlin Crews’s Bride By Royal Decree. Smart is a contender thanks to this latest. In typical HP fashion, the premise is ludicrous, the trope-ishness over the top … and reading it, sheer delight. Bought Cinderella opens with hero Dante Moncado in Palermo. He’s fuming over an aborted business deal. Billionaire Riccardo D’Amore won’t let his son, Alessio, sign a deal with Dante because Dante lives fast and loose with women. He’s a player and a playboy. He’s also grieving his father’s death, conflicted though he is about a dad who was both loving and loyal, yet gambled and needed Dante’s constant bailouts. Dante’s called to his abandoned childhood home, a cottage he can’t seem to give up, because an intruder was detected.
Said intruder turns out to be a shower-head-as-weapon-yielding beautiful banshee, Aislin O’Reilly, bearing news for Dante. Turns out Dante’s father had a daughter and that daughter happens to be Aislin’s older sister, Orla (it’s convoluted, but Orla and Aislin share a mother, while Orla and Dante share a dad). Orla, Aislin, and Orla’s son, Finn, are in dire straits. Orla had an accident, gave birth to Finn prematurely, was in a coma for months, Finn has cerebral palsy, and they’re broke. Aislin cared for them these past months. She’s here to ask Dante to give Orla and Finn their modest due of Dante’s father’s family estate. Dante is shocked at Aislin’s revelations and reluctantly agrees to give Orla half the estate’s worth. He also offers Aislin an opportunity to help her tiny, precious family even more: by agreeing to pose as his respectable fiancée when he attends the D’Amore wedding this weekend, thus redeeming his reputation with the D’Amores, thanks to Aislin’s fresh-faced beauty and brainiac ways. Of course, the proximity of sharing a room and pretend fiancé(e)-touching lead to giving in to their attraction, getting to know each other, love feelings surfacing, and emotional intensity between them stretching to the breaking point.
It sounds mundane and HP-typical, but Smart’s masterful hand draw Aislin and Dante in at times hilarious, at times heart-wrenching, at times, incredibly sexy, lines. Aislin is a hoot of integrity, throwing truths like spitballs onto Dante’s arrogant, gorgeous face and physique. Dante, in turn, is as vulnerable as he is an overbearing eschewer of love and commitment. Smart constantly surprises and delights with droll writing and by turning many an HP-convention on its head (more thoughts on that later). Firstly, here’s a funny bit I loved, Aislin’s thoughts on Dante’s superb looks: “She would hazard a guess that, if he asked a roomful of women if any wanted to go with him, ninety-nine per cent of them would bob their heads up to agree like over-caffeinated meerkats”. When Aislin tells Dante about Orla and Finn’s circumstances, though he wants some proof, he also reasonably agrees to help, “She had expected an arrogant monster and found, instead, an arrogant man who could be compelled to listen to reason.” So many surprises.
More tropish upending occurs when we realize Aislin doesn’t possess the HP-required virginal state, but sports a healthy attraction to Dante: “Aislin was attracted to Dante Moncado. Properly, heart-beatingly, swoon-makingly attracted.” They’re so funny together, especially Aislin who has a way of speaking that is no-nonsense and a hoot. Witness their conversation at Dante’s offer of a million euros to pretend to be his fiancée:
“Am I to assume you’re going to accept my offer?”
“A million euros to act as your arm candy for a few days? Yep, I can do that … But before I can accept your deal, I should point out that no one is going to believe we’re engaged. You’ve only just dumped your last girlfriend.”
He winked, sank onto the sofa and stretched his legs out. His legs were so long his feet slid under the coffee table. “Anyone who knows me knows I’m a fast mover.”
“That’s nothing to be proud of,” she said tartly.
“Trust me, I know when to go slow.”
Heated colour spread like wildfire over her cheeks. “I won’t accept any funny business.” She needed to make that very clear. Just because her body reacted so strongly to him did not mean she had any intention of allowing anything to happen between them. She would not be one of those overcaffeinated meerkats.
This pretty much sets the tone for Dante and Aislin and Aislin really makes the book. She’s funny, honest, open, and boy, can she scream and fight and make her point. It’s quite marvelous. Dante’s a good match for her, laconically funny and smoldering. He gives as good as he gets. But he’s no match for her wit, smarts, and chutzpah. She doesn’t wilt, or resign herself, or play the dewy-eyed innocent. She’s simply a good person, loving to her family, giving of herself, but she doesn’t suffer fools or hypocrites. Inevitably, Dante will run scared. He puts a time-end to their affair and doesn’t admit to his feelings. In Aislin’s immortal words in one of their earlier fights: ” ‘You, Moncada, are an eejit.’ ”
The discourse around romance these days is that it needs to prove itself to so many, to gain legitimacy, to convince that it’s worthy, that it’s intellectually healthy to consume it. But no one bothers to say how much fun it can be, until a romance like Smart’s comes along. Yet, it still has something to say. I’ve thought long and hard about the HP and the scorn that is often heaped upon it, rightfully so when its practitioners hide behind the tired, droopy tropes like overblown Polonius fools. Or you can use it in a lively, thoughtful, tongue-in-cheek way, without losing sight of the HP’s raison d’être, the confrontation of corruption with innocent goodness.
The HP hero is a man who lived and is living in a corrupt, rapacious world of venal values. He’s a survivor, keeping a tiny core of standards (Dante’s are he won’t gamble, sleep with married women, or cheat at business), but he can navigate this world just fine. He can’t, however, navigate the heroine’s decency, too often focused on her virginity. Thank goodness for Aislin: she can debate and defeat Dante and therefore, in time, when he returns for a truly humble grovel, win him. Dante describes his corrupt world:
“I look at my extended family and see nothing but misery; siblings hating and bitching about siblings, spouses cheating, hypocritical parents moralising, all pretending that their lives are great, when underneath it’s all rotten.” [Emphases mine.]
Instead of soothing him and “there, there”ing him, Ailsin laces into Dante with his own participation in that corrupt world, a world that knows “the other” only by transaction:
“You’re just another selfish bastard but you have the money to throw at your problems and make them go away. Ooh, I need to fake an engagement … let’s pay someone. Ooh, a sister I’ve never met … have some money. Job done, because obviously that’s all they would ever want from you, and it’s a good thing that’s all you have to offer because you’re not fit to lick my sister’s shoes.”
I loved Aislin’s moral truth-telling. Dante’s life can’t be redeemed, nor his heart resurrected, unless he realizes and acts on giving of himself. Happily, this hero rises to all occasions beautifully and Aislin gets the committed husband and father she deserves. With Miss Austen, we say that Smart’s The Sicilian’s Bought Cinderella is evidence of “a mind lively and at ease,” Emma.
Michelle Smart’s The Sicilian’s Bought Cinderella is published by Harlequin Books. It was released on January 15th and may be found at your preferred vendor. I received an e-ARC from Harlequin, via Netgalley.
January 21, 2019
I'm a huge fan of Mills and Boon Modern books as you can see by all my reviews. But although I enjoyed The Sicilian's Bought Cinderella by Michelle Smart I have found and read quite a books by Mills and Boon with the same wording Cinderella in it. I would like to see a different name now added to the modern Collection instead of Cinderella. It may get a little confusing for some to remember what title with Cinderella in that you have read by which author.
February 6, 2019
I wasn’t sure this would be my cup of tea but I LOVED it! I read it all in one sitting! You know that guilty pleasure relaxation that you get from a beach vacation or a cruise? That’s exactly what this book is like! Highly recommend!
January 3, 2019
3.5 Stars - Thanks to NetGalley for this title in exchange for an honest review
Our girl, Aislin O’Reilly, just wants to see her sister and nephew taken care of and she's willing to do anything for them, even entering a fake engagement with a stone hearted man that just recently lost his father.
I love Aislin, she's strong and not scared to stand up for herself and what she believes is right. When she loves someone, she gives them her all, going to the far reaches of the earth for them. I love how selfless she is.
Dante Moncada is tired of being left so he closes his heart to everyone. He has no one left now but he keeps pretending that's what he wants, until his feelings for our girl become too much for him to deny and he has to make her his.
I love this book but there was some weird words used to describe things that really took me out of the story and made me laugh my butt off. I even read a passage to my partner and he busted a gut laughing. So I had to knock a star for that.
Overall, it's a cute read, a fun time, just not my personal favorite.
Our girl, Aislin O’Reilly, just wants to see her sister and nephew taken care of and she's willing to do anything for them, even entering a fake engagement with a stone hearted man that just recently lost his father.
I love Aislin, she's strong and not scared to stand up for herself and what she believes is right. When she loves someone, she gives them her all, going to the far reaches of the earth for them. I love how selfless she is.
Dante Moncada is tired of being left so he closes his heart to everyone. He has no one left now but he keeps pretending that's what he wants, until his feelings for our girl become too much for him to deny and he has to make her his.
I love this book but there was some weird words used to describe things that really took me out of the story and made me laugh my butt off. I even read a passage to my partner and he busted a gut laughing. So I had to knock a star for that.
Overall, it's a cute read, a fun time, just not my personal favorite.
November 26, 2023
Not high on angst, but good story any way. I'm looking forward to the sequel, which I have on pre-order.
January 28, 2019
*** I forgot to add - Dante rocks a hot beard. So sexy!!
I sighed a big, juicy sigh at the end of this book.
I adored Aslin and Dante. From the way they met, to their constant banter, and the red hot sex. Then there’s Orla, Aslin and Dante’s sister and her son Finn.
Dante is grieving from the recent loss of his father when he learns that his father had a daughter that he knew nothing about. And that she had a child. He wanted nothing to do with them, but was willing to offer money once a DNA test verified her claim. He also offered Aslin a million Euros to accompany him to a wedding as his fiancée so he can land a business deal.
Aslin, knowing what the money will mean to her sister and nephew, agreed. The chemistry between them was sizzlin hot. They didn’t have to pretend to be into each other. But as with all good HP’s, Dante was shy of commitment. He saw his parents and their disastrous marriages and decided to avoid it all cost.
Sadly, he and Aslin were destined to tear each other apart before they gained sense and gave me a delicious HEA to sigh over.
I am really enjoyingMichelle Smart’s books. I’m hoping that Orla will have her own story soon because it is set up to be an interesting one. Orla was pregnant, (father unknown but hinted at) when she got into a car accident almost killing her and sending her into premature labor. Because of the accident, Finn was born with cerebral palsy.
Looking forward to reading more of Ms. Smart’s work.
I sighed a big, juicy sigh at the end of this book.
I adored Aslin and Dante. From the way they met, to their constant banter, and the red hot sex. Then there’s Orla, Aslin and Dante’s sister and her son Finn.
Dante is grieving from the recent loss of his father when he learns that his father had a daughter that he knew nothing about. And that she had a child. He wanted nothing to do with them, but was willing to offer money once a DNA test verified her claim. He also offered Aslin a million Euros to accompany him to a wedding as his fiancée so he can land a business deal.
Aslin, knowing what the money will mean to her sister and nephew, agreed. The chemistry between them was sizzlin hot. They didn’t have to pretend to be into each other. But as with all good HP’s, Dante was shy of commitment. He saw his parents and their disastrous marriages and decided to avoid it all cost.
Sadly, he and Aslin were destined to tear each other apart before they gained sense and gave me a delicious HEA to sigh over.
I am really enjoyingMichelle Smart’s books. I’m hoping that Orla will have her own story soon because it is set up to be an interesting one. Orla was pregnant, (father unknown but hinted at) when she got into a car accident almost killing her and sending her into premature labor. Because of the accident, Finn was born with cerebral palsy.
Looking forward to reading more of Ms. Smart’s work.
January 17, 2019
A good read .
October 20, 2019
Nice love story :) I like Michelle Smart's heroines
January 17, 2019
I have to say, THE SICILIAN’S BOUGHT CINDERELLA surprised me in a good way! I really enjoyed this quick novel. Dante is a wealthy Sicilian businessman dealing with the recent loss of his father when he finds Aislin, a feisty and smart Irishwoman, is squatting on one of his properties. Aislin is just trying to get his attention so she can take care of her family. Dante needs a fake fiancé for a wedding he is attending, so they strike a deal.
Once Aislin and Dante get over their rocky first start, I really began getting into this story. It was so refreshing reading about two characters who just genuinely like each other. They enjoy each other’s company, and it was fun watching them become acquainted. Aislin is such a likable and down-to-earth heroine. She balanced out Dante who is a little out of touch with reality, but he is also kind and generous. I love that he appreciates Aislin precisely the way she is.
The chemistry and longing in this book are expertly portrayed. I felt for the main characters as they figured each other, and themselves, out. The romance was beautiful and the steamy times were fun. Both the beginning and the end were a little melodramatic and jumbled, but it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the story.
Overall, I absolutely recommend this book if you’re looking for a fun escape for a few hours. I am officially a Michelle Smart fan. I can’t wait to see what she writes next.
**I received an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review**
Find/Follow me on Twitter Instagram and my blog !!
Once Aislin and Dante get over their rocky first start, I really began getting into this story. It was so refreshing reading about two characters who just genuinely like each other. They enjoy each other’s company, and it was fun watching them become acquainted. Aislin is such a likable and down-to-earth heroine. She balanced out Dante who is a little out of touch with reality, but he is also kind and generous. I love that he appreciates Aislin precisely the way she is.
The chemistry and longing in this book are expertly portrayed. I felt for the main characters as they figured each other, and themselves, out. The romance was beautiful and the steamy times were fun. Both the beginning and the end were a little melodramatic and jumbled, but it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the story.
Overall, I absolutely recommend this book if you’re looking for a fun escape for a few hours. I am officially a Michelle Smart fan. I can’t wait to see what she writes next.
**I received an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review**
Find/Follow me on Twitter Instagram and my blog !!
November 3, 2018
I dont think Dante knows what to do with the warm fuzzies he gets from his woman, "...so please don’t ruin my happy thoughts towards you.’ She had happy thoughts towards him? That should not make his chest puff up." At least Dante knows his weaknesses, ‘because, dolcezza, me driving with a rock-hard erection is going to get us killed. I need a distraction. Tell me something interesting about European medieval history.’ I liked this book, I liked Dante.
February 8, 2019
The Sicilian’s Bought Cinderella by Michelle Smart is an enjoyable and sexy romance for a couple brought together by family ties.
Aislin O’Reilly has figured out a way to capture Dante Moncada’s attention – by breaking into a cottage on his family estate and waiting for him to discover her! She’s on a mission to make him aware of their unique family bond. Her half sister Orla, with whom she shares the same mother, has the same father as Dante, making Orla and Dante half siblings. Unknown to Dante, his father had been sending money for Orla but he’d since passed away.
Orla is in financial difficulty, her three year old son having medical issues and Aislin figures that her sister is entitled to some of the money Dante has inherited. When Dante does indeed find her, and Aislin explains their connection, he agrees to help her. But he’s also in his own particular bind. A business contract is in danger of falling through if Dante can’t show that he’s mending his playboy ways and he makes a deal with Aislin. If she’ll pretend to be his fiancee at a society wedding, Dante will pay her handsomely, on top of the money he’s already promised for Orla. Aislin agrees and things are set in motion. But neither of them counts on how enticing playing at a fake engagement will be, and when real feelings emerge, will they think about a possible future together?
For more of this review please visit Harlequin Junkie: https://harlequinjunkie.com/review-th...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.
Aislin O’Reilly has figured out a way to capture Dante Moncada’s attention – by breaking into a cottage on his family estate and waiting for him to discover her! She’s on a mission to make him aware of their unique family bond. Her half sister Orla, with whom she shares the same mother, has the same father as Dante, making Orla and Dante half siblings. Unknown to Dante, his father had been sending money for Orla but he’d since passed away.
Orla is in financial difficulty, her three year old son having medical issues and Aislin figures that her sister is entitled to some of the money Dante has inherited. When Dante does indeed find her, and Aislin explains their connection, he agrees to help her. But he’s also in his own particular bind. A business contract is in danger of falling through if Dante can’t show that he’s mending his playboy ways and he makes a deal with Aislin. If she’ll pretend to be his fiancee at a society wedding, Dante will pay her handsomely, on top of the money he’s already promised for Orla. Aislin agrees and things are set in motion. But neither of them counts on how enticing playing at a fake engagement will be, and when real feelings emerge, will they think about a possible future together?
For more of this review please visit Harlequin Junkie: https://harlequinjunkie.com/review-th...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.
March 21, 2019
Michelle Smart whips up yet another fabulous, super sexy romance that will make your reader heart happy. A well-balanced plot and detailed writing brings to life two vibrant, passionate protagonists. I was drawn into the stunning story from chapter one and I couldn’t get enough of Dante and Aislin!
Highly Recommended
4.5 Stars
Highly Recommended
4.5 Stars
February 29, 2020
Liked the characters and the storyline
January 24, 2019
What a wonderful strong heroine who has been through so much but is still willing to go that extra mile for those she loves and cares for. Dante appears her polar opposite but their chemistry is evident from the start and Aislin is the type of heroine that i think could reach the most cynical heart. Loved their story.
January 30, 2019
"The Sicilian's Bought Cinderella" is a quick, one-sit-reading romance that follows Dante and Aislin. Dante is a powerful and wealthy Sicilian businessman, who is trying to close a big deal. The man who owns the controlling shares of the company he wants to do business with, however, is concerned about Dante's family history; he only wants to do business with people who have similar morals, and Dante's parents affairs/multiple marriages/father's gambling addiction do not fit the bill. Unless Dante can prove to him that he is different, the deal is off.
Aislin broke into Dante's cottage, formerly owned by his father. She is on a mission for her sister- they share a mother but have different fathers. Her sister Orla is Dante's half-sister, sharing his father. Orla was kept a secret from Dante, but she really need some of the inheritance she hopes exist to help care for her three-year-old son Finn. Aislin is determined to get what is owed to Orla from Dante. Dante has had many "siblings" come out of the woodwork, but seeing the birth certificate and photos shows an unexpected resemblance. His father's inheritance is basically gone as his father had used it to cover gambling debts before his death, but he offers a small (to him- 100k euros) sum if the DNA test checks out.
However, he has something else in mind for the intelligent woman who has shown up at his door- he offers her a million euros if she will pretend to be his fiance for an upcoming wedding- for one weekend. At the wedding, he will use this to show the other company that he is different and get them to sign the deal. After being assured that there will be no physical component to this relationship, Aislin agrees to get the money to help her sister and nephew.
As they spend time together at the wedding, they realize that they are both attracted to each other, and their fake relationship turns into something more. Overall, it was a quick and cute read with a fake-relationship-turned-real premise. At times, it had a "Pretty Woman" feel with the shopping and wealth disparity, but of course, without her being a prostitute. There are some scenes where they are getting to know each other and both have histories of tragedies/family difficulties that bring them together.
Overall, it's a solid romance, despite the fast speed of the relationship and the premise (I am not sure why he decided that she is the one that he needs for the business deal). There's also a happy ending, and it's a light-hearted book so it can be fun if in the right mood.
Please note that I received a copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Aislin broke into Dante's cottage, formerly owned by his father. She is on a mission for her sister- they share a mother but have different fathers. Her sister Orla is Dante's half-sister, sharing his father. Orla was kept a secret from Dante, but she really need some of the inheritance she hopes exist to help care for her three-year-old son Finn. Aislin is determined to get what is owed to Orla from Dante. Dante has had many "siblings" come out of the woodwork, but seeing the birth certificate and photos shows an unexpected resemblance. His father's inheritance is basically gone as his father had used it to cover gambling debts before his death, but he offers a small (to him- 100k euros) sum if the DNA test checks out.
However, he has something else in mind for the intelligent woman who has shown up at his door- he offers her a million euros if she will pretend to be his fiance for an upcoming wedding- for one weekend. At the wedding, he will use this to show the other company that he is different and get them to sign the deal. After being assured that there will be no physical component to this relationship, Aislin agrees to get the money to help her sister and nephew.
As they spend time together at the wedding, they realize that they are both attracted to each other, and their fake relationship turns into something more. Overall, it was a quick and cute read with a fake-relationship-turned-real premise. At times, it had a "Pretty Woman" feel with the shopping and wealth disparity, but of course, without her being a prostitute. There are some scenes where they are getting to know each other and both have histories of tragedies/family difficulties that bring them together.
Overall, it's a solid romance, despite the fast speed of the relationship and the premise (I am not sure why he decided that she is the one that he needs for the business deal). There's also a happy ending, and it's a light-hearted book so it can be fun if in the right mood.
Please note that I received a copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
February 28, 2019
Fast paced and delightful! I was quickly drawn into the story and didn’t want to put it down. The characterization was pleasant and easy to connect with and the general telling of the story was believable and left us with a satisfying outcome. Enjoyed it!
Billionaire Dante Moncada is less than thrilled when he hears he has an intruder on his property, but when he finds a beautiful woman who sends tingles throughout his body with just a look, he’s intrigued!
Aislin O’Reilly will do just about anything in order to take care of her sister and sick nephew. She has approached Dante regarding a family connection and gotten blown off time and time again, so she decides to take matters into her own hands. He can’t very well ignore her if she’s taking up residence in one of his houses! She finally gets to tell her story, and in return for his eventual fairness, she agrees to help him out with a business deal and pretends to be his fiancee at a weekend wedding. All would be fine if they weren’t entirely too tempted by each other and suddenly getting up close and personal!
Billionaire Dante Moncada is less than thrilled when he hears he has an intruder on his property, but when he finds a beautiful woman who sends tingles throughout his body with just a look, he’s intrigued!
Aislin O’Reilly will do just about anything in order to take care of her sister and sick nephew. She has approached Dante regarding a family connection and gotten blown off time and time again, so she decides to take matters into her own hands. He can’t very well ignore her if she’s taking up residence in one of his houses! She finally gets to tell her story, and in return for his eventual fairness, she agrees to help him out with a business deal and pretends to be his fiancee at a weekend wedding. All would be fine if they weren’t entirely too tempted by each other and suddenly getting up close and personal!
March 28, 2021
The Sicilian’s Bought Cinderella was a good read. Dante and Aislin were great characters and I loved how confident Aislin was and her caring nature. She was trying to find a way to get help not only for her sister but also for her nephew but that was not the only thing it was also to give her sister the opportunity to know her brother. Dante was a jerk in the very beginning and I didn’t want for him to have his happily ever after with Aislin because she was too good for him. It wasn’t until the very end when he pushes her away from him and the love he has for her that’s when I felt sorry for him. He thought the world of his father didn’t think his father would lie to him about him having a sister. I felt sorry for him in the end because he deserved love to love someone and have her love him back.
February 17, 2023
I liked it. They had good chemistry,
I liked the hero falling for her against his will and how miserable he was without her.
I liked the heroine's personality and how she was such a good person (taking care of her sister for years).
I liked that even though she was heartbroken, she was making plans for her future and not wallowing in misery (even if she was feeling miserable).
I didn't love that the heroine got on a plane and chased after hero. He may have written a letter and apologized, but he didn't try to see her or talk to her again when he showed up at her house and she wasn't there. He made only 1 attempt to see her and a letter, then he gave up on her forgiving him. I felt she deserved to be pursued and apologized to in person.
The epilogue was ok, but a little too short. P.
* Sister's book is Her Sicilian Baby Revelation
I liked the hero falling for her against his will and how miserable he was without her.
I liked the heroine's personality and how she was such a good person (taking care of her sister for years).
I liked that even though she was heartbroken, she was making plans for her future and not wallowing in misery (even if she was feeling miserable).
I didn't love that the heroine got on a plane and chased after hero. He may have written a letter and apologized, but he didn't try to see her or talk to her again when he showed up at her house and she wasn't there. He made only 1 attempt to see her and a letter, then he gave up on her forgiving him. I felt she deserved to be pursued and apologized to in person.
The epilogue was ok, but a little too short. P.
* Sister's book is Her Sicilian Baby Revelation
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2019
Formulaic modern romance that is okay, nothing more, nothing less. Aislin needs to get millionaire Dante Moncada’s attention on behalf of her sister, who happens to be Dante’s illegitimate half-sister seeking a share of their deceased father’s non-existent fortune. Conveniently, Dante needs a fake wife to play happy families for a weekend to seal a lucrative business deal, and so offers Aislin a million dollars in exchange for her compliance. Of course, Aislin gets a make-over, there’s lots of money splashed around, the two have an irresistible attraction to one another, and you get where this is going, but it is pleasant enough for the duration. -- Megan Osmond
This review appears in Romantic Intentions Quarterly #4
This review appears in Romantic Intentions Quarterly #4
November 4, 2018
When Dante meets Aislin, life as he knew it, changed. And, for the better. Their passion and their character development made me rooting for their happy-ever-after. I enjoyed this story and read it in hours.
Great quotes:
"The betrayal of those you loved was the worse of all deceits."
"It's only when you're in a specific situaton that you can appreciate the depths you would go to or the heights you would climb for someone you love."
"If people were in a committed relationship then they should respect that, not go fishing for bigger catch."
Thank you, Netgalley
Great quotes:
"The betrayal of those you loved was the worse of all deceits."
"It's only when you're in a specific situaton that you can appreciate the depths you would go to or the heights you would climb for someone you love."
"If people were in a committed relationship then they should respect that, not go fishing for bigger catch."
Thank you, Netgalley
December 21, 2018
ARC provided by NetGalley and Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this book! I took it on vacation with me....was a prefect story to read on the beach.
Aislin broke into the cabin on Dante's property to get his attention so he would help their sister and nephew who are both ill. (they are not related). Aislin and Dante come to a mural deal, where Aislin would act as his fiancé.
And so then fun begins. They are both attracted to each other, with amazing chemistry.
I though the storyline was great, with a good flow.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this book! I took it on vacation with me....was a prefect story to read on the beach.
Aislin broke into the cabin on Dante's property to get his attention so he would help their sister and nephew who are both ill. (they are not related). Aislin and Dante come to a mural deal, where Aislin would act as his fiancé.
And so then fun begins. They are both attracted to each other, with amazing chemistry.
I though the storyline was great, with a good flow.
January 19, 2019
The Sicilian's Bought Cinderella by Michelle Smart is the story of Aislin O'Reilly and Dante Moncada.
Aislin looking to help her sister and nephew confronts Dante to get him to act on their needs. Dante turns the table and makes a bargain if Aislin will pretend to be his fake fiancé he will help them and her. So a deal is struck but what they both end up with is more than they planned on.
A classic Harlequin story that turned me into a Romance Reader so many years ago...loved their story.
Aislin looking to help her sister and nephew confronts Dante to get him to act on their needs. Dante turns the table and makes a bargain if Aislin will pretend to be his fake fiancé he will help them and her. So a deal is struck but what they both end up with is more than they planned on.
A classic Harlequin story that turned me into a Romance Reader so many years ago...loved their story.
doubtful-because-not-v
December 2, 2019Bought for his convenience…
But their chemistry is impossible to resist!
Posing as commanding billionaire Dante Moncada’s fiancée at a glamorous society wedding is a far cry from Aislin O’Reilly’s modest life, but she’ll do anything to secure money for her sick nephew. The deal with Dante is strictly business—the gorgeous Sicilian playboy is danger personified. Yet soon their mutual explosive passion rips through the terms of their arrangement, leaving them both hungry for more… (less)
But their chemistry is impossible to resist!
Posing as commanding billionaire Dante Moncada’s fiancée at a glamorous society wedding is a far cry from Aislin O’Reilly’s modest life, but she’ll do anything to secure money for her sick nephew. The deal with Dante is strictly business—the gorgeous Sicilian playboy is danger personified. Yet soon their mutual explosive passion rips through the terms of their arrangement, leaving them both hungry for more… (less)
January 28, 2019
Really enjoyed this one. Big fan of this author; jumped straight to book 4 in Feb. Modern 1-4 set.
Looks like it will be a *long wait for Orla's story - the seed was definitely planted (firmly) so not sure why it's at least eight months away.
*summary for Michelle Smart's next two novels listed on fictiondb - neither is follow-up to this one.
Looks like it will be a *long wait for Orla's story - the seed was definitely planted (firmly) so not sure why it's at least eight months away.
*summary for Michelle Smart's next two novels listed on fictiondb - neither is follow-up to this one.
August 27, 2019
A big thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Publishing for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. I enjoyed this book. There were some things I found odd, but that's ok. It's a great quick beach read. It's always nice to know that there are families out there more screwed up then mine. Aislin is a hoot, loved her personality. DAnte is a tortured soul. Good read. 3.5 stars
November 7, 2018
Needing to secure money for an ill nephew, Aislin O'Reilly agrees to pose as playboy billionaire Dante Moncada’s fiancée at a society wedding. Their strictly business deal soon turns steamy hot when the attraction between the two explodes. A quick but enjoyable read.
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