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The De Santis Marriage
Italian tycoon Luciano De Santis is breathtaking in every way: he has power, success, and a devastating effect on women. Now Luc needs a bride and he's decided that ordinary Lizzy Hadley will be his wife! He's set his trap and blackmailed her, and he knows she can't refuse him. But there's one condition Luc fails to mention; as his wife, Lizzy must produce an heir!
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
About the author
Michelle Reid
395 books639 followersHi, my name is Michelle Reid and I’ve been writing for Harlequin Mills & Boon for the last twenty years, and the crazy part about it is that I only realised it had been twenty years while updating this page!
So, hang on for a minute while I take this huge milestone in....
Twenty years with almost forty books published or in the pipeline ... I know it isn’t a great average when compared with some authors but it sounds pretty good to me!
So what was I doing twenty years ago before I wrote books? Well, I did the all of the usual things, like growing up and attending school, finishing at secretarial college, which I hated, then spent the next several years wandering aimlessly from job to job. Eventually I met my husband, we married and produced two daughters who then grew up and between them presented us with two gorgeous grandsons and one beautiful granddaughter. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Somewhere in between my girls growing up and the grandchildren arriving on the scene, I started writing. To this day I don’t know why, unless it was a natural progression from my never being without a book close by—often several—because books have always been an important part of my life for as far back as I can recall.
So, I started to write, by hand at first, scribbling short stories in notebooks which never saw the light of day. At some point I discovered Mills & Boon Romance books and that was pretty much it for me. I’d found my new love, as in reading romantic fiction and inevitably writing it too.
So twenty years on and almost forty books on, here I am still writing and still loving it!
So, hang on for a minute while I take this huge milestone in....
Twenty years with almost forty books published or in the pipeline ... I know it isn’t a great average when compared with some authors but it sounds pretty good to me!
So what was I doing twenty years ago before I wrote books? Well, I did the all of the usual things, like growing up and attending school, finishing at secretarial college, which I hated, then spent the next several years wandering aimlessly from job to job. Eventually I met my husband, we married and produced two daughters who then grew up and between them presented us with two gorgeous grandsons and one beautiful granddaughter. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Somewhere in between my girls growing up and the grandchildren arriving on the scene, I started writing. To this day I don’t know why, unless it was a natural progression from my never being without a book close by—often several—because books have always been an important part of my life for as far back as I can recall.
So, I started to write, by hand at first, scribbling short stories in notebooks which never saw the light of day. At some point I discovered Mills & Boon Romance books and that was pretty much it for me. I’d found my new love, as in reading romantic fiction and inevitably writing it too.
So twenty years on and almost forty books on, here I am still writing and still loving it!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
November 28, 2016
Hero first meets the heroine at one of the pre-wedding parties for his marriage to her best friend. Heroine is attracted but knows he's much too wealthy and experienced for her. Her best friend seems indifferent to the hero, showing up late and generally being a diva. So it's no real surprise to the heroine when her best friend jilts the hero two weeks before the wedding and runs off with the heroine's brother (who just embezzled 5 million from their father's ailing business). What does surprise the heroine is that the hero blackmails her into marriage.
It's a white wedding with all the trimmings and a honeymoon at a family home in the Caribbean. An astute reader will begin to guess the hero feels something more than just lust for the heroine - and he doesn't necessarily like this new feeling. The heroine remarks on his cynicism and it seems that it is his defense mechanism whenever the heroine throws him for a loop.
The heroine throws him for a loop by her honesty and her insecurity and her passion. For once, I didn't skim the sex scenes - they really did illuminate their growing relationship.
The best friend shows up at the end for the requisite black moment.
I liked the H/h in this. I liked that the heroine was naive, but honest about her feelings. I liked that the hero was complicated and selfish and completely baffled by the heroine at times. They will both do each other good over time. He'll help her with the self-esteem issues her father thrust on her and she'll make him human.
It's a white wedding with all the trimmings and a honeymoon at a family home in the Caribbean. An astute reader will begin to guess the hero feels something more than just lust for the heroine - and he doesn't necessarily like this new feeling. The heroine remarks on his cynicism and it seems that it is his defense mechanism whenever the heroine throws him for a loop.
The heroine throws him for a loop by her honesty and her insecurity and her passion. For once, I didn't skim the sex scenes - they really did illuminate their growing relationship.
The best friend shows up at the end for the requisite black moment.
I liked the H/h in this. I liked that the heroine was naive, but honest about her feelings. I liked that the hero was complicated and selfish and completely baffled by the heroine at times. They will both do each other good over time. He'll help her with the self-esteem issues her father thrust on her and she'll make him human.
October 31, 2013
I can’t decide if I liked this story. I didn’t exactly hate it, but I didn’t love it either. I think the mc’s were the cause of the problem….especially in the first half of the story!!!
Elizabeth (it’s beyond my comprehension that anyone would prefer to be called Lizzy instead…….such a horrid nickname IMO!!) is in Italy , as her best friend’s bridesmaid, who is getting married to the uber rich, uber gorgeous, uber sexy Luc De Santis. This heroine has not had a great life so far – her father ignores her, she wears cast-outs from Bianca, her best friend and thinks that she’s a pretty uninteresting woman……..but really she’s not!!! We all know that underneath all that drabness is a raving beauty, otherwise why would the hero WANT her!!!!
But wait…I’m getting ahead of the story here.
So, a few days before the wedding of the century between Bianca and Luc...what happens???? Bianca disappears with the heroine’s brother, leaving poor Elizabeth the honor of informing the hero that he no longer has a bride available to carry on his dynasty. What a catastrophe!!!
Now, the hero is furious…no, he’s gone ballistic ….his reputation is on the line. What will the world think….him being ditched at the last minute!!!! He has to act quickly and fast……….and what could be better than blackmailing the poor heroine to take her best friend’s place as THE BRIDE!!!! She’ll do. After all they almost kissed on the balcony at the pre-wedding party!!!! In fact, it doesn’t really matter who the woman is, as long as she fills the role he wants. And he tells her exactly what her role will be.
He offered a shrug. “I am ready to mate. I want - cubs.Ooh, she just can’t do this. How could he be so horrid!!! She has to fight back!!
“You are more than 10 years older than me, and that makes you really old in my eyes, signor.” .Is she serious????
“Thirty-four to twenty-two is a good difference cara.” It was the first time he had used that endearment to her and it quivered down her spine like a terrible sin. “It means I can offer you experience and fidelity, having worked out my studding period when I was your age.”…..Really, did he just say that????
“Whereas you will give me your youth, your beauty, your wonderful smooth, tight, creamy white body ….” Jeez….this guy is beyond alpha-male!!!!
And what does Lizzy say to that……
“How cold you are.”No, really????
“Not between the sheets.”…..his reply ……seriously!!! I kid you not!!!
You have to love the interaction between these two………..
“So if I decided one day to, say, stroll into your office and demand sex with you while you’re busy on the phone making more millions?” she challenged.Wow, is this woman for real???? Of course Luc is never lost for words…..
“Is that one of your fantasies?” he quizzed, bringing a flush crawling up her throat. .Uh!!!!!
“Then, of course, I would do my best to accommodate you – just make sure you arrive wearing no tights.” .This man knows what he wants…..
”Panties can be dealt with, tights demand a distinct lack of finesse, .- I so totally agree Luc -
and if your fantasy forces me to make millions while I accommodate you then, the easier you make it for me, the more pleasure you will get out of me.” .
Now, this is a man who is totally in tune with himself!!!!!!!!!!!! He “cock-sure” about his lovemaking skills no doubt!!! And boy, does Lizzy discover those skills within a short time….
So, Luc is busy playing with her breasts and what does Lizzy think and feel?????
“Her nipples sprang out in a blatant leap and she squirmed in embarrassment . . .” What….oh yes, forgot….she’s a virgin and never done this before so I suppose she could be forgiven …but only this one time. Of course, Luc being the super lover…..
“He wasn’t embarrassed. He just used his long fingers to shape the quivering (am I mistaken or is there a lot of quivering going on here!!!) globe in preparation to take that tight dark rosebud into his mouth. A piercing hot sting struck from the centre of her nipple and shot all the way down to her thighs, bending her body like a wand.” .Oh my…. How could Lizzy ever doubt this man’s sexual expertise?????
Soon Lizzy is swept into Luc’s the jet-setting lifestyle – limos, villas, private jets and helicopters, grand homes all over the world – Lake Como, Milan, the Caribbean, designer wardrobes….you know the things we all dream about and never come true…..hell, it certainly came true for Lizzy…and does she appreciate it??? You guessed right!!! She’s a constant whinger, whiner and is totally horrid and immature and ungrateful towards poor Luc every chance she’s given.
By the time Luc flies her on his private jet...natch!!...to the beautiful island for their honeymoon, I was feeling really sorry for him. Okay, so the guy used some underhand methods to get her but he’s turned out to be someone nicer underneath that sardonic attitude. No, he does not have a dark past or secret…well his grandfather was a bit of a Romeo…but nothing too heavy and awful….
In fact I was warming up to him pretty fast but hey not old Lizzy. She continued with her complaints and threats and accusations about how awful and horrid Luc was!!!
Let me just say that …….I DID NOT LIKE THIS ELIZABETH!!!
Why couldn’t Luc fall in love with someone who really saw the real him???? And him having to grovel in the end to get her back!!!!!!!!!
Well, I truly hope that their HEA is everlasting. After all, Lizzy does tell him at the end….
“Just something else I owe you,” Lizzy shied mock tragically. “Five and half million kisses -.oh yes, that was the way that Luc told Lizzy in the beginning, how she could repay that amount, which he used to bail her dolt family out of trouble, back to him –
"a few De Santis cubs."– oh yay, she agreed!!!
So, finally, what else can I say…..I liked the story of Luc & Lizzy…but not exactly one of my favorites by this author.
January 15, 2019
There are plenty of psychotic HP's out there, but this was more schizophrenic. Did the fiancee OW leave or was she kicked out? Why did Michelle Reid have to destroy a ten-plus year long best friend relationship? That is the real tragedy in this book.
The heroine, who really is not much of a heroine as she licks her best friend's fiancee's throat at their engagement party, lusts after the hero. At least I think she does, she's such an out of touch nincompoop at the beginning of the book, who knows.
As for the hero, who is in an engagement because it's right dynastically, falls for the heroine then manipulates a sordid and convoluted escape plan where he has his fiancee run off with the h's brother. Then he sets up the heroine to marry him to cover the debt her stupid brother created. The H also sets her up to be the bad guy with all of society and her own father. Why not let his ex-fiancee take the fall? He could have paid the chick who sounded like trouble from the gitgo.
For that matter, wouldn't it just have been easier to have the fiancee simply break off the engagement? Or he could have acted the cad and done it himself. Why am I applying reason to an HP anyway?
The heroine, who really is not much of a heroine as she licks her best friend's fiancee's throat at their engagement party, lusts after the hero. At least I think she does, she's such an out of touch nincompoop at the beginning of the book, who knows.
As for the hero, who is in an engagement because it's right dynastically, falls for the heroine then manipulates a sordid and convoluted escape plan where he has his fiancee run off with the h's brother. Then he sets up the heroine to marry him to cover the debt her stupid brother created. The H also sets her up to be the bad guy with all of society and her own father. Why not let his ex-fiancee take the fall? He could have paid the chick who sounded like trouble from the gitgo.
For that matter, wouldn't it just have been easier to have the fiancee simply break off the engagement? Or he could have acted the cad and done it himself. Why am I applying reason to an HP anyway?
November 12, 2019
I loved the story. But I had some problems with the book especially in last chapter. And I think Mattew and Bianca got away easily. For such strong main character Luc never defended Lizzy not that she needed it. She was a courageous heroine with so many likable traits. And I hated the last revelation about Luc’s past relationship and I felt somebody cheated someone in this book. For the life of me I couldn’t decide who it was protagonists,brother or ex.
That said I liked how their relationship evolved. And the dialogues and spitfire replies between main character. The Caribbean setting and backstory about Luc’s grandparents was interesting. liked that protagonists had depth and how their past were similar (dysfunctional family) without dragging it too much. It was refreshing to see a HP cynical hero saying I Love You so many times in a book.
Lack of an epilogue and cute babies were a disappointment for sure.
Definitely recommended.
That said I liked how their relationship evolved. And the dialogues and spitfire replies between main character. The Caribbean setting and backstory about Luc’s grandparents was interesting. liked that protagonists had depth and how their past were similar (dysfunctional family) without dragging it too much. It was refreshing to see a HP cynical hero saying I Love You so many times in a book.
Lack of an epilogue and cute babies were a disappointment for sure.
Definitely recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2014
Hero falls hard for his fiancé's young and naive best friend and blackmails her into marriage.
I loved this book. I loved the sexy, arrogant, smitten hero and the feisty but vulnerable heroine. I really liked how Lizzy, and Luc couldn't keep their hands off each other. The chemistry between them was HOT! Oh and MR sure knows how to write a good long grovel scene!
I loved this book. I loved the sexy, arrogant, smitten hero and the feisty but vulnerable heroine. I really liked how Lizzy, and Luc couldn't keep their hands off each other. The chemistry between them was HOT! Oh and MR sure knows how to write a good long grovel scene!
November 13, 2017
Really liked this one - although it took me ages to finish it; all due to the distractions of everyday life. The book has the right amount of angst and chemistry between the H and the h and draws in the reader from chapter one. Luc and the Elizabeth were both likeable and their romance was passionate and heartwarming. And I love how MR provides us with little glimpses of what's going on in the H's mind that proves how smitten he is with the h.
I did have an issue with a couple of things though. One was the H's constant comparison of the h to his late grandmother and how they looked like each other. I found that a little creepy. He even addresses his wife with a term that was used for his grandmother while in the throes of passion. I mean it was obvious that the H loved his granny but to think of her when he's making love to his wife was downright odd for me.
Other than that one flaw, the book was mostly faultless as most of MR's books are. I would definitely recommend it.
I did have an issue with a couple of things though. One was the H's constant comparison of the h to his late grandmother and how they looked like each other. I found that a little creepy. He even addresses his wife with a term that was used for his grandmother while in the throes of passion. I mean it was obvious that the H loved his granny but to think of her when he's making love to his wife was downright odd for me.
Other than that one flaw, the book was mostly faultless as most of MR's books are. I would definitely recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2018
I'm frustrated with this book because Michelle Reid ended it without fully explaining, in my opinion, exactly how events transpired between the hero breaking his engagement (and thus blackmailing the heroine into marrying him) and his ex-fiancee having an affair with the heroine’s brother. From what I gather, the ex-fiancee was having an affair with the heroine's brother before the breakup, so was the ex-fiancee telling the truth of lying when she said she saw the hero and heroine flirting? If the hero truly wanted the heroine, why lie and pretend the ex-fiancee dumped him? He still could have blackmailed the heroine into marrying him because her brother DID steal the money from the family firm. Maybe I'm having an off day or something however, too much reality is intruding when I read the last few chapters and it made me unable to suspend my belief, which I usually do easily when reading Harlequin Presents books.
I actually really liked the book up until the last few chapters when the ex-fiancee returned. From that point on, the book took a steep nosedive for me. Michelle Reid added all this dialogue and provided all this information towards the end but did not do a good job explaining anything nor tye up loose ends. I love an epilogue but realize that not every writer provides one, not every story needs one however, this book NEEDED an epilogue. Whatever happened with the heroine’s dad? Did he finally realize the sacrifice his daughter made for his family? At the end of the book the heroine still doesn't know if the father's little speech about regret was about just her brother, herself, both of them or what. Michelle Reid never makes that distinction clear. The brother goes to rehab for maybe 2 weeks. What sort of rehab was he in? He owed people a lot of money. Was he a gambler, into drugs etc...? I mean what was his addiction or problem? Did the brother already plan on being in Milan with the ex-fiancee before his sister/the heroine flew out for the wedding? The ex-fiancee's parents already knew their daughter left with another man, so why had-mouth the heroine to the press? The hero is richer and more powerful than the ex-fiancee's family, so why not use his influence to keep the family quiet? Why did the hero have to jeopardize his integrity by lying to authorities about not knowing what the heroine's brother did? He knew and I hated that his character lied. The ex-fiancee lied at the end. Why did she not have to atone for her lies? And the one thing that bothered me the most is that the hero supposedly loved the heroine so much yet he let her take all the flack in the press due to his blackmailing of her. How is that love by letting your wife get ripped to shreds in the media and you, the “hero,” comes out looking squeaky clean? That really upset me!
Michelle Reid took what was to easily be a 4 Star book for me and made it 2.5 Stars (rounded to 3 Stars) with the last two chapters. This heroine was a doormat who let people tell her what to do her entire life and we were shown no glimpses of her changing. I have read quite a few Michelle Reid books but this is the second book of hers, that I can remember, in which the heroine is left looking like the guilty party in the media, when she is actually innocent. If this is a normal trope she uses in her books then I don't like it. I hate finishing a book frustrated and with a ton of unanswered questions and that is how I felt at the end of this book.
I actually really liked the book up until the last few chapters when the ex-fiancee returned. From that point on, the book took a steep nosedive for me. Michelle Reid added all this dialogue and provided all this information towards the end but did not do a good job explaining anything nor tye up loose ends. I love an epilogue but realize that not every writer provides one, not every story needs one however, this book NEEDED an epilogue. Whatever happened with the heroine’s dad? Did he finally realize the sacrifice his daughter made for his family? At the end of the book the heroine still doesn't know if the father's little speech about regret was about just her brother, herself, both of them or what. Michelle Reid never makes that distinction clear. The brother goes to rehab for maybe 2 weeks. What sort of rehab was he in? He owed people a lot of money. Was he a gambler, into drugs etc...? I mean what was his addiction or problem? Did the brother already plan on being in Milan with the ex-fiancee before his sister/the heroine flew out for the wedding? The ex-fiancee's parents already knew their daughter left with another man, so why had-mouth the heroine to the press? The hero is richer and more powerful than the ex-fiancee's family, so why not use his influence to keep the family quiet? Why did the hero have to jeopardize his integrity by lying to authorities about not knowing what the heroine's brother did? He knew and I hated that his character lied. The ex-fiancee lied at the end. Why did she not have to atone for her lies? And the one thing that bothered me the most is that the hero supposedly loved the heroine so much yet he let her take all the flack in the press due to his blackmailing of her. How is that love by letting your wife get ripped to shreds in the media and you, the “hero,” comes out looking squeaky clean? That really upset me!
Michelle Reid took what was to easily be a 4 Star book for me and made it 2.5 Stars (rounded to 3 Stars) with the last two chapters. This heroine was a doormat who let people tell her what to do her entire life and we were shown no glimpses of her changing. I have read quite a few Michelle Reid books but this is the second book of hers, that I can remember, in which the heroine is left looking like the guilty party in the media, when she is actually innocent. If this is a normal trope she uses in her books then I don't like it. I hate finishing a book frustrated and with a ton of unanswered questions and that is how I felt at the end of this book.
August 28, 2012
3.5 stars
Well written forced marriage novel. The writing was emotional and interesting. My biggest problem is with the hero's motives and actions. He is engaged to her best friend but come to find out that he fell in love with the heroine at first sight months ago at a party hosted by his in-laws to be. After which he no longer sleeps with the fiance. But he makes no effort to break up with her and the story starts a week before the wedding. The fiance runs off and he immediately blackmails the heroine into marriage. At the end he says, "I married you as soon as I could arrange it." And I've got to wonder, if the fiance hadn't run out on him was he intending to just marry her and the heck with the heroine?
However there was a good long grovel scene at the end that was fun and fulfilling to read.
Well written forced marriage novel. The writing was emotional and interesting. My biggest problem is with the hero's motives and actions. He is engaged to her best friend but come to find out that he fell in love with the heroine at first sight months ago at a party hosted by his in-laws to be. After which he no longer sleeps with the fiance. But he makes no effort to break up with her and the story starts a week before the wedding. The fiance runs off and he immediately blackmails the heroine into marriage. At the end he says, "I married you as soon as I could arrange it." And I've got to wonder, if the fiance hadn't run out on him was he intending to just marry her and the heck with the heroine?
However there was a good long grovel scene at the end that was fun and fulfilling to read.
November 30, 2017
This might be my new favorite. Def in the top 3.
**Just finished another re-read of this book. The hero is absolutely devious and delicious, and the heroine has no clue how he really feels about her.
Also, I love that the sexy scenes are not "I hate you but I'm horny" scenes. The sex scenes actually show how the emotional relationship between H/h develops. Hey! That's what they're supposed to do in a romance novel. Woo hoo!
Bonus: Italian whispered sweet-nothings...Nice!
**Just finished another re-read of this book. The hero is absolutely devious and delicious, and the heroine has no clue how he really feels about her.
Also, I love that the sexy scenes are not "I hate you but I'm horny" scenes. The sex scenes actually show how the emotional relationship between H/h develops. Hey! That's what they're supposed to do in a romance novel. Woo hoo!
Bonus: Italian whispered sweet-nothings...Nice!
February 13, 2020
To think I’d thunk I’d read all of the greatest MR books when this was still unread. I will however add : WTF. I being a woman, for the life of me could really not conjure whatever was stuck up in the h’s rear end. Sounds crude but she really got me screaming for life being so unfair (even in un-reality).
Luc is engaged to the OW when he comes across the OW’s best friend Lizzy. Lizzy also feels the hots for Luc but obv maintains distance and discretion since the OW is her bff. But the fateful night of the pre-party to their engagement (Luc and OW), Lizzy catches herself unawares in Luc’s arms almost making out with him. The funny part, Luc is also aware and seems to be initiating this recurring close contact with his fiancee’s bff.
Tables turn and Luc is married to Lizzy in a MOC. Luc has to be the most perfect, alpha hot husband imaginable. I will dream of him for the rest of my life.. Lizzy is almost deserving of him but keeps pushing him away and keeps coming at him with petty accusations when in all honesty, Luc hasn’t even said anything!
I was weak in my knees with Luc’s possessive love making and the burning chemistry of the h and H. No wonder MR has written some of my favourite HP’s ever!
I almost want to take away a star because Lizzy was just getting weirder by the page. She was continuously playing hot and cold with Luc and even I was baffled as to what was really going on in her head! Luc was gentlemanly and loving and extremely territorial of the bride of his choice, even though their marriage may seem as plan B to everyone else.
He even says the 3 words way before the h can come about to confess and that just makes her run away from him. She reminded me of a woozy toddler high on sugar; every other instance, Lizzy would just run away from wherever she had been previously standing/sitting and create a rift in her head and say extremely crabby things to her husband. Her husband who wanted her to pay her debt back to him in kisses.
Someone give Luc De Santis to ME for life. I will pay him back in kisses to my last breath. Sigh. What a waste of a perfect husband on this ungrateful, hormonal woman.
Luc is engaged to the OW when he comes across the OW’s best friend Lizzy. Lizzy also feels the hots for Luc but obv maintains distance and discretion since the OW is her bff. But the fateful night of the pre-party to their engagement (Luc and OW), Lizzy catches herself unawares in Luc’s arms almost making out with him. The funny part, Luc is also aware and seems to be initiating this recurring close contact with his fiancee’s bff.
Tables turn and Luc is married to Lizzy in a MOC. Luc has to be the most perfect, alpha hot husband imaginable. I will dream of him for the rest of my life.. Lizzy is almost deserving of him but keeps pushing him away and keeps coming at him with petty accusations when in all honesty, Luc hasn’t even said anything!
I was weak in my knees with Luc’s possessive love making and the burning chemistry of the h and H. No wonder MR has written some of my favourite HP’s ever!
I almost want to take away a star because Lizzy was just getting weirder by the page. She was continuously playing hot and cold with Luc and even I was baffled as to what was really going on in her head! Luc was gentlemanly and loving and extremely territorial of the bride of his choice, even though their marriage may seem as plan B to everyone else.
He even says the 3 words way before the h can come about to confess and that just makes her run away from him. She reminded me of a woozy toddler high on sugar; every other instance, Lizzy would just run away from wherever she had been previously standing/sitting and create a rift in her head and say extremely crabby things to her husband. Her husband who wanted her to pay her debt back to him in kisses.
Someone give Luc De Santis to ME for life. I will pay him back in kisses to my last breath. Sigh. What a waste of a perfect husband on this ungrateful, hormonal woman.
September 29, 2018
"The De Santis Marriage" is the story of Lizzy "Elizabeth" and Luc "Luciano".
Well, phew.
That was..No.
The book begins with our heroine Lizzy (poor-ish) being best friends with Bianca (rich-rich!)
Bianca is engaged to Luc (Billionaire rich!)
Lizzy is attracted to Luc and licks his neck while dancing with him on his engagement party (Wut)
Bianca is discovered next morning absconding with Lizzy's destitute brother Matthew, taking away all their savings (Shock!)
Luc decides to blackmail Lizzy to marry him (eyeroll #1)
Lizzy agrees to save her family name (eyeroll #2)
Lizzy and Luc make sweet lurve after some hymen drama (frown emoji)
Paparazzi drama and hidden secrets (Gasp)
Mocking love confessions (narrows eyes)
Catty neighbors and slapping Biancas (eyes rolled back to my butthole)
Manipulative PDA and final revelations (cringe)
HEA (for your sanity because you've gone through this and survived)
Do you want to know the creepiest parts?
1. The hero wanted the heroine because she resembled his NONNA whom he adored very much
2. He continued sleeping with her best friend, and when finally confronted in the end with a fake pregnancy, replies to the heroine ‘I’m a thirty-four-year-old man and I did not embrace celibacy while getting to this age. and Bianca and I were engaged to be married so of course we were intimate. This is the twenty-first century, cara, an age in which most women expect their relationships to be intimate! But the intimacy stopped when I met you,’ he admitted.
I just wanted her to push this horndog away, and the fact that they were practically sisters, made it even weirder. However, after this fantastic confession, legit the NEXT line the heroine utters is "I want your baby". Because nothing gets her worked up as the image of her husband boinking her bff.
In the end, a shitty controlling hero, a stupid heroine, and a headache is all what you get from this book.
Just avoid it. Another brain bleach.
And you know what Luc, FUCK YOU.
Yuk
Safe
1/5
Well, phew.
That was..No.
The book begins with our heroine Lizzy (poor-ish) being best friends with Bianca (rich-rich!)
Bianca is engaged to Luc (Billionaire rich!)
Lizzy is attracted to Luc and licks his neck while dancing with him on his engagement party (Wut)
Bianca is discovered next morning absconding with Lizzy's destitute brother Matthew, taking away all their savings (Shock!)
Luc decides to blackmail Lizzy to marry him (eyeroll #1)
Lizzy agrees to save her family name (eyeroll #2)
Lizzy and Luc make sweet lurve after some hymen drama (frown emoji)
Paparazzi drama and hidden secrets (Gasp)
Mocking love confessions (narrows eyes)
Catty neighbors and slapping Biancas (eyes rolled back to my butthole)
Manipulative PDA and final revelations (cringe)
HEA (for your sanity because you've gone through this and survived)
Do you want to know the creepiest parts?
1. The hero wanted the heroine because she resembled his NONNA whom he adored very much
2. He continued sleeping with her best friend, and when finally confronted in the end with a fake pregnancy, replies to the heroine ‘I’m a thirty-four-year-old man and I did not embrace celibacy while getting to this age. and Bianca and I were engaged to be married so of course we were intimate. This is the twenty-first century, cara, an age in which most women expect their relationships to be intimate! But the intimacy stopped when I met you,’ he admitted.
I just wanted her to push this horndog away, and the fact that they were practically sisters, made it even weirder. However, after this fantastic confession, legit the NEXT line the heroine utters is "I want your baby". Because nothing gets her worked up as the image of her husband boinking her bff.
In the end, a shitty controlling hero, a stupid heroine, and a headache is all what you get from this book.
Just avoid it. Another brain bleach.
And you know what Luc, FUCK YOU.
Yuk
Safe
1/5
November 11, 2010
I'm having a love-hate feeling about this book. It's something I've read somewhere before, the fiancé of her best friend that sends shivers to her spine. It's promising in the beginning but as the story progressed there's that heavy feeling lingering about. Lizzy is depressing as hell, she's shy and has very low self-esteem, and Luc is a domineering ass who plays dirty.
I was hoping somewhere along the way he'd soften up and confess that he wanted her from the beginning but this is one of those stories where the authors have to meet a deadline and stash everything in the end. I didn't feel the redemption there, Luc always had the upper hand and when he was declaring his love I didn't feel the romance at all. It's like he's outlining all the good stuff he's done for her to shove in to her face.
Lizzy's character is weak and never developed. The author sure put a twist to the story and we have more than one conflict here but it didn't work for me. I hate it when the only time they're in good terms are during their lovemaking. I have to admit the love scenes were hot but like I said, it didn't work for me because of the bitterness and lies. The characters weren't able to communicate effectively and so everything was rushed in the end. The author's writing style was good but the story and plot needs a little polishing.
I was hoping somewhere along the way he'd soften up and confess that he wanted her from the beginning but this is one of those stories where the authors have to meet a deadline and stash everything in the end. I didn't feel the redemption there, Luc always had the upper hand and when he was declaring his love I didn't feel the romance at all. It's like he's outlining all the good stuff he's done for her to shove in to her face.
Lizzy's character is weak and never developed. The author sure put a twist to the story and we have more than one conflict here but it didn't work for me. I hate it when the only time they're in good terms are during their lovemaking. I have to admit the love scenes were hot but like I said, it didn't work for me because of the bitterness and lies. The characters weren't able to communicate effectively and so everything was rushed in the end. The author's writing style was good but the story and plot needs a little polishing.
July 31, 2020
The chemistry between Luciano and Lizzy sizzled. It was also interesting to see how the conundrum Lizzy was placed in would play out.
However all the promise of a good read fell apart as Lizzy's character developed, especially after they left for their honeymoon. Her whiny, over-sensitive attitude lessened my enjoyment. She seemed to make mountains out of a mole hill, and unfairly criticized Luciano for his mockery and condescending attitude. Arrogant and sardonic at times? Yes. Condescending? I didn't see that.
Other issues were the dialogue, it seemed stilted at times, and there were a few plot threads left hanging.
However all the promise of a good read fell apart as Lizzy's character developed, especially after they left for their honeymoon. Her whiny, over-sensitive attitude lessened my enjoyment. She seemed to make mountains out of a mole hill, and unfairly criticized Luciano for his mockery and condescending attitude. Arrogant and sardonic at times? Yes. Condescending? I didn't see that.
Other issues were the dialogue, it seemed stilted at times, and there were a few plot threads left hanging.
January 23, 2022
I'm a little confused. Did Luc's fiance, Bianca, dump him for the h's brother as the story showed the plot unfolding or did he dump *her* so he could marry Lizzy because he wanted her from the beginning as the publicity said?
To be honest, I thought he was a real *** through most of the book, so the HEA wasn't quite believable to me. That said, I thought it was an OK story, but nothing spectacular.
To be honest, I thought he was a real *** through most of the book, so the HEA wasn't quite believable to me. That said, I thought it was an OK story, but nothing spectacular.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2017
I skip lovemaking scenes in books,
Most of the time they feel useless and seem repetitive,
the same boring process going on and on in the same sequence in every and each book.
But Michelle Reid did an amazing job of writing this book, (I read them)
hero smitten from the very first--> tick ******** stars for this alone
hero acknowledges love long before end---> tick
likable, feisty, heroine--->tick
heroine not doormat, nor stubborn and unreasonable--->tick
very believable love-scenes,
love-scene contributes to the storyline,
Only negative point , heroine's best friend Bianca is hero's ex fiance. Hero not celibate during engagement. :(:(
I love how Heroine points it out to the hero.
I hate those books where hero is "heroine's best-friend's exboyfriend",
or "heroine's sisters's ex-boyfriend".
It simply grosses me out, the fact that "your husband knows another member of your family intimately" ewww.
But eww factor aside, one of the good harlequin romances.
Most of the time they feel useless and seem repetitive,
the same boring process going on and on in the same sequence in every and each book.
But Michelle Reid did an amazing job of writing this book, (I read them)
hero smitten from the very first--> tick ******** stars for this alone
hero acknowledges love long before end---> tick
likable, feisty, heroine--->tick
heroine not doormat, nor stubborn and unreasonable--->tick
very believable love-scenes,
love-scene contributes to the storyline,
Only negative point , heroine's best friend Bianca is hero's ex fiance. Hero not celibate during engagement. :(:(
I love how Heroine points it out to the hero.
I hate those books where hero is "heroine's best-friend's exboyfriend",
or "heroine's sisters's ex-boyfriend".
It simply grosses me out, the fact that "your husband knows another member of your family intimately" ewww.
But eww factor aside, one of the good harlequin romances.
March 30, 2011
Luciano Genovese De Santis "Luc" to his friends was every girls alpha dream man and so much more. Elizabeth "Lizzie" to everyone else but Luc was infatuated with Luc, but who wouldn't be six foot three, drop dead gorgeous, suave, and mega rich but engaged to her best friend. Lizzie was in Milan the week before the wedding and all hell broke loose because Bianca Lizzie's best friend ran off with Lizzie's brother. Bianca's parents asked Lizzie to go to Lake Como and tell Luc the news of what Bianca had done. Luc told Lizzie he was getting married the following week with or without Bianca. Lizzie thought Luc had lost his grip on reality because of his grief, Luc made it clear to Lizzie that she was going to marry him, and he was prepared to blackmail her. I don't want to tell you the whole story and spoil it for you. This story is fabulous and the characters are perfect.
Recommend It
Recommend It
September 13, 2021
I'm not sure what to say. I mean, the book was okay. Good start, good writing. The plot is pretty good too, well, it's Michelle Reid! But unfortunately, I didn’t connect to any of it. For me, everything about this one felt flat except the chemistry between Luc and Lizzy. It was white-hot and off the charts! I didn't give it more stars due to things that bothered me, such as Lizzy's attitude after the wedding and their honeymoon. She became whiny and always jumping to conclusions. The second reason was that some issues were left unexplained - did Luc break off his engagement and sent Bianca away, as Bianca said? Why wait until the wedding to break it off? Why he seemed upset when Lizzy informed him that she was a virgin? Another reason was I didn't get to see Luc's POV because it was told mainly from Lizzy's. And lastly, there's no epilogue! What a bummer!
December 25, 2014
hilarious one! luc was absolutely crazy! crazy about elizabeth! i absolutely loved this one! very entertaining! & the sex was too hot, mind-blowing! it was obvious luc was besotted wid his wife, had been for a longtime. i'm confused about the end as i understood he told bianca to go away! but i saw other reviews where bianca actually lied about this. what i understood is dat she lied about being pregnant but the rest was the truth. luc sent her away and she knew he was falling for lizzy. i minused one star bcoz this part was not clear.
September 5, 2021
I couldn’t get into this, I think it’s me and not really the book that’s the problem.
Note to self :
- h is a super insecure, whiny wet blanket who licked and kissed her best friends fiancé’s neck at their engagement party, because he’s just so friggin hot!
-H blackmailed the h into marrying him, when the BFF friend ran off with her ex , her brother. Marry a super rich, gorgeous man she’s been panting over for months?…her life’s totally over! So she spends rest of the book being a downer and boring me to tears..
DNF 45%
Note to self :
- h is a super insecure, whiny wet blanket who licked and kissed her best friends fiancé’s neck at their engagement party, because he’s just so friggin hot!
-H blackmailed the h into marrying him, when the BFF friend ran off with her ex , her brother. Marry a super rich, gorgeous man she’s been panting over for months?…her life’s totally over! So she spends rest of the book being a downer and boring me to tears..
DNF 45%
June 13, 2020
almost gave it 5 stars but because of the last chapter, I decided to give it 4. It was just soooo weird and disturbing that the H had been intimate with the h's bestie and like a sister to her.. Just ugh. Then the fact that the h looked like the H's grandma was creepy too lol idk omg but I discarded that thought because it would be very uncomfortable to me if I kept thinking about that. They both had been in love with each other when they got married although none of them admitted that, he blackmailed her into marriage. The bestie was a bitch. Some drama here and there. Not my fav, this could be if those 2 things were not in the story and they got kids in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2017
Loved this one.
Lizzy was forced to replace the bride of Wealthy mogul Luc De Santis when his bride and her best friend ran off with her brother.
Luc is the typical Latin alpha male and ran roughshod over sweet, innocent Lizzy from the very beginning. Until she started fighting back, making sparks fly and Luc's interest deepen.
What could have been a typical read was so much better because of the chemistry between the characters. The constant banter and tension between them built until the bedroom was the only logical place to release it. And release it they did! In fabulous fashion too.
This was a great read. It was fun and totally engrossing. Made me want a hot, sexy, arrogant Italian with a passionate temper and awesome bedroom skills! 😊
Lizzy was forced to replace the bride of Wealthy mogul Luc De Santis when his bride and her best friend ran off with her brother.
Luc is the typical Latin alpha male and ran roughshod over sweet, innocent Lizzy from the very beginning. Until she started fighting back, making sparks fly and Luc's interest deepen.
What could have been a typical read was so much better because of the chemistry between the characters. The constant banter and tension between them built until the bedroom was the only logical place to release it. And release it they did! In fabulous fashion too.
This was a great read. It was fun and totally engrossing. Made me want a hot, sexy, arrogant Italian with a passionate temper and awesome bedroom skills! 😊
April 19, 2022
4 stars
I actually liked it.
It had a good dose of drama, a good dose of steam and the heroine, Lizzy, was likeable.
Maybe just a tad too naive.
Bianca, the bf of our heroine was a total fake ass bitch.
And the hero, Luc, was a jerk but I loved him anyway.
Because it was obvious from the get-go he had eyes only for Lizzy.
The storyline was good as well, just the ending wasn't exactly my cuppa.
But I love Michelle Reid and I keep waiting for something as good as The Price of a Bride, my absolute favourite when it comes to harlequin romance fiction.
This one is a solid, full of drama 4-star HQ read.
I actually liked it.
It had a good dose of drama, a good dose of steam and the heroine, Lizzy, was likeable.
Maybe just a tad too naive.
Bianca, the bf of our heroine was a total fake ass bitch.
And the hero, Luc, was a jerk but I loved him anyway.
Because it was obvious from the get-go he had eyes only for Lizzy.
The storyline was good as well, just the ending wasn't exactly my cuppa.
But I love Michelle Reid and I keep waiting for something as good as The Price of a Bride, my absolute favourite when it comes to harlequin romance fiction.
This one is a solid, full of drama 4-star HQ read.
May 10, 2022
I would’ve enjoyed this so much more if the heroine had been less bitchy and judgemental, and totally insensitive to the hero.
Michelle Reid has a very individual and clever way of writing. Her characters are three-dimensional, emotionally engaging and interesting. But I disliked Lizzie a lot of the time.
I am getting really fed up with these heroines who have such low self-esteem and seem chronically unable to interpret the heroes behaviour accurately. Throughout the story the reader can see the hero is in love, but of course the heroine sees nothing.
I really disliked the ploy of the X claiming to be pregnant. It was really unpleasant.
Well written as always with sparkling dialogue but just a bit too much over the top melodrama.
Michelle Reid has a very individual and clever way of writing. Her characters are three-dimensional, emotionally engaging and interesting. But I disliked Lizzie a lot of the time.
I am getting really fed up with these heroines who have such low self-esteem and seem chronically unable to interpret the heroes behaviour accurately. Throughout the story the reader can see the hero is in love, but of course the heroine sees nothing.
I really disliked the ploy of the X claiming to be pregnant. It was really unpleasant.
Well written as always with sparkling dialogue but just a bit too much over the top melodrama.
October 31, 2013
I normally don’t like books about blackmail, or revenge. However this was a really good story. I really liked how Lizzy, and Luc was drawn to one another. The chemistry between them was HOT! Luc never questioned his destiny. It was just known he would marry Bianca. They both came from wealth. The day he met Lizzy, Bianca’s best friend is the day he questioned his life, and choices. It was one week before his wedding to Bianca. I don’t won’t to spoil the book for you, but it was a good book. I’m rating this a 3, because I really don’t like cheating.
April 7, 2025
I like this, combines 3 favorite tropes, a sorta MOC (with lovemaking), forced/blackmailed marriage, replacement. Of course our h can’t see H loves her, she’s still spinning around after blackmail and believes H wanted her best friend and she’s merely the face saving substitute.
Somewhat similar to Greeks Forced Marriage by this author but not as good.
And we still don’t know whether former best friend/ex fiancée left or was dumped, although I believe original story that she left makes more sense. If H loves h why would he concoct a story to make her look bad and not the ex? It makes most sense that events occurred exactly as stated: ex dumps H, h gets stuck telling him, H is furious, wants to save face, partially blames h because he’s pretty sure ex knows he is attracted, decides to take h (after all why not? He wants her and needs a wife who will shut up without expectations), resents h because he’s falling in love and he’s making some grayish actions for her sake. He’s not averse to h being the fall guy, which is reprehensible, in part because she’s not slotting in as he expects and the resentment.
This is in my favorite shelf, reread when I’m tired or want to wallow in delicious familiar romance.
What can I say, tired, it’s hard to concentrate and this hits the spot. I’ve reread several times in last few months, evidence of relentless feeling dragged out and out of sorts.
Somewhat similar to Greeks Forced Marriage by this author but not as good.
And we still don’t know whether former best friend/ex fiancée left or was dumped, although I believe original story that she left makes more sense. If H loves h why would he concoct a story to make her look bad and not the ex? It makes most sense that events occurred exactly as stated: ex dumps H, h gets stuck telling him, H is furious, wants to save face, partially blames h because he’s pretty sure ex knows he is attracted, decides to take h (after all why not? He wants her and needs a wife who will shut up without expectations), resents h because he’s falling in love and he’s making some grayish actions for her sake. He’s not averse to h being the fall guy, which is reprehensible, in part because she’s not slotting in as he expects and the resentment.
This is in my favorite shelf, reread when I’m tired or want to wallow in delicious familiar romance.
What can I say, tired, it’s hard to concentrate and this hits the spot. I’ve reread several times in last few months, evidence of relentless feeling dragged out and out of sorts.
January 13, 2016
3 1/2 stars It was full of passion but re-reading some of the parts again yeah it does seem a little confusing. (In regards to did Bianca break with H first by running away with h’s brother or did Luc broke with Bianca on that pre-wedding party dance?? And maybe Bianca left that note to do one last attempt to get Luc/or maybe humiliate Luc first by saying she was running away with Matthew??? ) I choose to think it was the latter… Yeah and the HEA was a little disjointed and rushed but I still enjoyed reading it hence 3.5 stars!
UPDATE: Ok I checked again (lol) and Luc did say close to the end of their HEA "I let Bianca go" so yeah, I think that was what happened as Bianca said (except she lied about the pregnancy) I think Bianca was just humiliated by everything that happened . And now I think I've overthought this too much LOL!
UPDATE: Ok I checked again (lol) and Luc did say close to the end of their HEA "I let Bianca go" so yeah, I think that was what happened as Bianca said (except she lied about the pregnancy) I think Bianca was just humiliated by everything that happened . And now I think I've overthought this too much LOL!
November 23, 2021
Loved this! An arrogant, passionate H and a virgin h. A bit of blackmail. Steamy scenes.
The h is weird and fickle. But he is everything.
What I didn’t like, was that the H is (or was) engaged to be married to the h’s best friend. Why did it have to be her best friend and not some random other woman.
The h is weird and fickle. But he is everything.
What I didn’t like, was that the H is (or was) engaged to be married to the h’s best friend. Why did it have to be her best friend and not some random other woman.
March 10, 2022
Amazing
I have lost count on the amount of times i had read this story its brilliant, i just wish i could be lizzy in this story as im yet to find the love of my life or any for that matter. So these sort of stories help me in a way.
I have lost count on the amount of times i had read this story its brilliant, i just wish i could be lizzy in this story as im yet to find the love of my life or any for that matter. So these sort of stories help me in a way.
August 9, 2022
I remember this one for possibly one of my favourite ever virginity-taking sex scenes! Just builds so well and he comes across brilliantly in it. At her best she's amazing MR!
August 24, 2019
This book is going onto my favourites list. The writing was fresh and witty, and had me laughing out loud in places. All the talk of lions and cubs were so funny. This hero and heroine were fantastic. Both Luc and Lizzy were unapologetically themselves and the chemistry was so evident. Beautifully satisfying read.
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