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Those Notorious Romanos #1
Italy's Most Scandalous Virgin
Secrets are unraveled and enemies become lovers in this gripping pregnancy romance from USA TODAY bestselling author Carol Marinelli.Untouched, unavailable…and utterly impossible for him to resist!Dante Romano has no doubt Mia Hamilton, his father’s much younger widow, is a ruthless gold digger. Yet the sparks between him and Mia are an inferno waiting to erupt. And erupt it does—into an unforgettable encounter that leaves Dante stunned by Mia’s innocence and his craving for more.Giving in to her undeniable attraction to Dante makes it harder for Mia to hide the secrets she’s sworn to keep. She’s brought enough scandal to the legendary Romano family. And that’s before her shocking bombshell!From Harlequin Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.
204 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2020
141 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
Carol Marinelli
1,411 books450 followersCarol Marinelli was born in England to Scottish parents, then emigrated to Australia, where there are loads of Scottish and English people who did exactly the same, so she’s very at home there.
She lives in the outer suburbs of Melbourne—pretty much in her car, driving her three children to their various commitments.
Carol writes for the Harlequin Presents and Medical lines and she also writes contemporary women's fiction (with a dark twist).
When she's not writing she's reading, when she's not reading she's writing.
She lives in the outer suburbs of Melbourne—pretty much in her car, driving her three children to their various commitments.
Carol writes for the Harlequin Presents and Medical lines and she also writes contemporary women's fiction (with a dark twist).
When she's not writing she's reading, when she's not reading she's writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
July 2, 2020
3.5 stars
‘What did you have to go and marry her for, Pa?’
Dante wasn’t referring to the pain his father’s second marriage had caused.
It was the agony of wanting his father’s wife.
Forbidden love, is one of the most intriguing tropes in romance, because it skirts territory that some might find icky, while acting like a magnet to those of us who are drawn to all trainwrecks.
In this novel, the MC's are a stepmother and stepson.
She's at least a decade younger than him and they've been burning up for each other, since the first time they met.
This is the H, Dante:
Women adored him.
Adored him!
It wasn’t just his undeniably handsome looks, with thick raven hair and black, bedroom eyes. Neither was it all about his stunning body,
This is the heroine, Mia:
She had been branded as a gold-digger seeking a sugar daddy, and it had been a sustained and savage attack.The Ice Queen, many had later called her—the press, his family, the board—for she never betrayed even a hint of emotion.
Castelli's Virgin Widow is the only other HP I can think of, that has dealt with this stepmom-stepson coupling. But I can't recall the details of that storyline.
Since this is set in the tamer world of current HPlandia, it's obviously not gonna be a case of sleaze and adultery. Carol Marinelli manages to avoid such pitfalls, by removing the usual taints from a sexy stepmom-stepson relationship:
📍 The stepmother/heroine was never sexually or romantically involved with the H's late father. He'd been using her as a beard for his secret gay relationship with Roberto - his one true love.
📍The stepmother/heroine had actually been doing a favour for the H's ( secretly ) gay dad, helping him to salvage his manly pride after the H's mom demanded a divorce, so that she could marry her secret lover.
📍The stepmother/heroine had only agreed to the marriage, because her family had huge medical debts.
📍The MC's never broke the bonds of decency while the H's dad had been alive. The H obviously loved and respected his father too much, to give into his fevered desires to bang the brains out of stepmommy dearest. And the heroine incorrectly interrupted his attitude as disdain, instead of the lust-filled combo of jealousy, possessiveness and self recrimination:
And while he told himself he wanted her on her knees, begging, the deeper truth was that he just wanted her on her knees.
It's not the best I've read from this author, but I wasn't, at any point in time, bored. There's:
📍Combustible sexual tension between the MC's. I was surprised that these 2 had been able to keep their hands off each other, while his father had been alive.
📍 Intense and very complicated family drama, exacerbated by a lifetime of scandalous parental secrets and lies.
📍Repercussions from an unexpected pregnancy; this happened when the heroine's travel sickness led her to puke up the morning after pill, that she and the H had agreed she'd take, after their bout of unprotected sex.
THE LONG TERM PUBLIC PERCEPTION ISSUES:
Despite all of this, however, the MC's might always have to live with the public notoriety of being former stepmother and stepson, because the family's secrets were obviously not disclosed publicly. Mia could always carry around that unwanted tainted lady baggage and the H's parents will be revered as *innocent* in a situation, that's entirely of their own making.
And, one can always argue that if Brooke Logan-Forrester ( the Bold & the Beautiful daytime soap opera ) can ignore/surmount her well deserved notoriety, then it might be a piece of cake for someone like Mia. 🤷♀️😂😏
I suppose this might not matter to those who know the truth. But, the long term fallout, which obviously isn't dealt with in this novel, might affect their future kids. However, as readers, we're bound by the limits of what's actually written within the confines of the story and not by any additional supposition or What ifs?
Nevertheless, sometimes HPlandia fans are often left with the niggling What ifs, if a situation is too complicated for a simple HEA to be the final word. That's the main problem I had with this novel, because I hate to think of future kids being taunted, or bullied, by their peers about the history of their parents' ( MC's ) relationship.
I think an epilogue, set 15 years in the future, might've set my mind at greater ease. That way, I'd be able to see how well adjusted were the MC's twins, and any subsequent kids. As it is, the novel ends on their wedding day, when they reveal to their guests, that they're expecting twins.
But maybe the author's planning future novels with the H's siblings, so that option might be left open for more details on these MC's future HEA. It certainly seemed as if the H's sister Ariana and a certain hot Italian Duke, might have something going on. I'm just guessing, of course.
Safety: No cheating and both MC's are celibate during their short separation. Obviously, during the time the heroine had been married platonically to the H's dad, the H had been involved with other women. I don't count that as being significant.
‘What did you have to go and marry her for, Pa?’
Dante wasn’t referring to the pain his father’s second marriage had caused.
It was the agony of wanting his father’s wife.
Forbidden love, is one of the most intriguing tropes in romance, because it skirts territory that some might find icky, while acting like a magnet to those of us who are drawn to all trainwrecks.
In this novel, the MC's are a stepmother and stepson.
She's at least a decade younger than him and they've been burning up for each other, since the first time they met.
This is the H, Dante:
Women adored him.
Adored him!
It wasn’t just his undeniably handsome looks, with thick raven hair and black, bedroom eyes. Neither was it all about his stunning body,
This is the heroine, Mia:
She had been branded as a gold-digger seeking a sugar daddy, and it had been a sustained and savage attack.The Ice Queen, many had later called her—the press, his family, the board—for she never betrayed even a hint of emotion.
Castelli's Virgin Widow is the only other HP I can think of, that has dealt with this stepmom-stepson coupling. But I can't recall the details of that storyline.
Since this is set in the tamer world of current HPlandia, it's obviously not gonna be a case of sleaze and adultery. Carol Marinelli manages to avoid such pitfalls, by removing the usual taints from a sexy stepmom-stepson relationship:
📍 The stepmother/heroine was never sexually or romantically involved with the H's late father. He'd been using her as a beard for his secret gay relationship with Roberto - his one true love.
📍The stepmother/heroine had actually been doing a favour for the H's ( secretly ) gay dad, helping him to salvage his manly pride after the H's mom demanded a divorce, so that she could marry her secret lover.
📍The stepmother/heroine had only agreed to the marriage, because her family had huge medical debts.
📍The MC's never broke the bonds of decency while the H's dad had been alive. The H obviously loved and respected his father too much, to give into his fevered desires to bang the brains out of stepmommy dearest. And the heroine incorrectly interrupted his attitude as disdain, instead of the lust-filled combo of jealousy, possessiveness and self recrimination:
And while he told himself he wanted her on her knees, begging, the deeper truth was that he just wanted her on her knees.
It's not the best I've read from this author, but I wasn't, at any point in time, bored. There's:
📍Combustible sexual tension between the MC's. I was surprised that these 2 had been able to keep their hands off each other, while his father had been alive.
📍 Intense and very complicated family drama, exacerbated by a lifetime of scandalous parental secrets and lies.
📍Repercussions from an unexpected pregnancy; this happened when the heroine's travel sickness led her to puke up the morning after pill, that she and the H had agreed she'd take, after their bout of unprotected sex.
THE LONG TERM PUBLIC PERCEPTION ISSUES:
Despite all of this, however, the MC's might always have to live with the public notoriety of being former stepmother and stepson, because the family's secrets were obviously not disclosed publicly. Mia could always carry around that unwanted tainted lady baggage and the H's parents will be revered as *innocent* in a situation, that's entirely of their own making.
And, one can always argue that if Brooke Logan-Forrester ( the Bold & the Beautiful daytime soap opera ) can ignore/surmount her well deserved notoriety, then it might be a piece of cake for someone like Mia. 🤷♀️😂😏
I suppose this might not matter to those who know the truth. But, the long term fallout, which obviously isn't dealt with in this novel, might affect their future kids. However, as readers, we're bound by the limits of what's actually written within the confines of the story and not by any additional supposition or What ifs?
Nevertheless, sometimes HPlandia fans are often left with the niggling What ifs, if a situation is too complicated for a simple HEA to be the final word. That's the main problem I had with this novel, because I hate to think of future kids being taunted, or bullied, by their peers about the history of their parents' ( MC's ) relationship.
I think an epilogue, set 15 years in the future, might've set my mind at greater ease. That way, I'd be able to see how well adjusted were the MC's twins, and any subsequent kids. As it is, the novel ends on their wedding day, when they reveal to their guests, that they're expecting twins.
But maybe the author's planning future novels with the H's siblings, so that option might be left open for more details on these MC's future HEA. It certainly seemed as if the H's sister Ariana and a certain hot Italian Duke, might have something going on. I'm just guessing, of course.
Safety: No cheating and both MC's are celibate during their short separation. Obviously, during the time the heroine had been married platonically to the H's dad, the H had been involved with other women. I don't count that as being significant.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2020
ARC provided by NetGalley and Harlequin in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Harlequin.
Beautiful Mia Hamilton married a much older man. She entered into an agreement to save face for her husband and also to help with medical bills for her family. With that came a lot of heartache for Mia. She was labeled a gold digger, her husbands family hated her and the most tragic of all was she was attracted to her "step son" Dante Romano. From day one when they first met there were sparks but unfortunately the deal had already been struck for her to marry. She did everything in her power to keep it together and not let Dante or anyone else know she was attracted to him. When Mia's husband dies all Mia wants to do is run away from the Romano family and especially Dante, who she knows just hates her.
Dante couldn't believe his father married a gold-digger!!! And what made the whole matter worse is the day they met he was struck speechless by his attraction to her, only to find out she was in a "relationship" with his father. He fought that attraction for 2 years.
Dante runs the family business and keeps all his family in line. The hate for Mia is strong but he kept things in check with his family and himself. But now that his father has died he's sure she going to contest his will and try to take all she can for herself. But surprisingly during the funeral and reading of the will he sees that things were not what they seemed to be. He also see cracks in Mia's composed demeanor.
Well this is HP land so of course days after the death/funeral Mia and Dante give into their attraction and sleep together. Mia leaves but Dante advises her to let him know if there are consequences as he didn't use any protection. Mia becomes pregnant and at first doesn't let Dante know.
Three months later Dante invites Mia to fundraiser banquet that the family throws yearly. He finds he really misses her. He's reassured early in a phone call with Mia that isn't pregnant, she had said she was fine. She can't stay away from Dante, she really misses him and decides to attend, plus she needs to tell him that he will be a Father (she's ready to tell him now but when he called she was still processing).
They of course can't keep their hands off each other and spend the night together. But the next morning when Mia lets Dante know she's pregnant he believes she planned all this to trap him. Well everything implodes because the family also finds out about them.
The two now have to deal with the outside world as well as family hurling accusations and insults at them. And Dante begins to question his fathers marriage to Mia and begins to wonder if there was some hinden agenda for their marriage. The truth starts coming out. Dante and Mia also work through their trust issues as well as their feelings for each other. Everything is brought out into the open about the past, the marriage, as well as their true feeling for each other. The love between the two prevails and they get their HEA.
This had potential but the execution of the characters was poorly done. More so Mia then Dante. She comes across strong and composed but as the story progresses she becomes weak and somewhat of a mess. And there was a situation in the story that didn't sit well with me at all, so that turned me off to the characters as well.
Beautiful Mia Hamilton married a much older man. She entered into an agreement to save face for her husband and also to help with medical bills for her family. With that came a lot of heartache for Mia. She was labeled a gold digger, her husbands family hated her and the most tragic of all was she was attracted to her "step son" Dante Romano. From day one when they first met there were sparks but unfortunately the deal had already been struck for her to marry. She did everything in her power to keep it together and not let Dante or anyone else know she was attracted to him. When Mia's husband dies all Mia wants to do is run away from the Romano family and especially Dante, who she knows just hates her.
Dante couldn't believe his father married a gold-digger!!! And what made the whole matter worse is the day they met he was struck speechless by his attraction to her, only to find out she was in a "relationship" with his father. He fought that attraction for 2 years.
Dante runs the family business and keeps all his family in line. The hate for Mia is strong but he kept things in check with his family and himself. But now that his father has died he's sure she going to contest his will and try to take all she can for herself. But surprisingly during the funeral and reading of the will he sees that things were not what they seemed to be. He also see cracks in Mia's composed demeanor.
Well this is HP land so of course days after the death/funeral Mia and Dante give into their attraction and sleep together. Mia leaves but Dante advises her to let him know if there are consequences as he didn't use any protection. Mia becomes pregnant and at first doesn't let Dante know.
Three months later Dante invites Mia to fundraiser banquet that the family throws yearly. He finds he really misses her. He's reassured early in a phone call with Mia that isn't pregnant, she had said she was fine. She can't stay away from Dante, she really misses him and decides to attend, plus she needs to tell him that he will be a Father (she's ready to tell him now but when he called she was still processing).
They of course can't keep their hands off each other and spend the night together. But the next morning when Mia lets Dante know she's pregnant he believes she planned all this to trap him. Well everything implodes because the family also finds out about them.
The two now have to deal with the outside world as well as family hurling accusations and insults at them. And Dante begins to question his fathers marriage to Mia and begins to wonder if there was some hinden agenda for their marriage. The truth starts coming out. Dante and Mia also work through their trust issues as well as their feelings for each other. Everything is brought out into the open about the past, the marriage, as well as their true feeling for each other. The love between the two prevails and they get their HEA.
This had potential but the execution of the characters was poorly done. More so Mia then Dante. She comes across strong and composed but as the story progresses she becomes weak and somewhat of a mess. And there was a situation in the story that didn't sit well with me at all, so that turned me off to the characters as well.
September 1, 2020
Tycoon hero has sex with his father's virgin widow and she falls pregnant. What will they do now?
What?
Oh, you want to know about the virgin widow:
I won't spoil the "how" of H/h's HEA, but Ivy has an excellent review with more details.
I enjoyed the heroine's angst in this one. The hero's brutal honesty (so cruel at the beginning!). And the slow unfolding of the backstory.
Heroine's angst about her parent's death and morbid concerns about the accident when she was trapped in the car were also interesting.
What?
Oh, you want to know about the virgin widow:
I won't spoil the "how" of H/h's HEA, but Ivy has an excellent review with more details.
I enjoyed the heroine's angst in this one. The hero's brutal honesty (so cruel at the beginning!). And the slow unfolding of the backstory.
Heroine's angst about her parent's death and morbid concerns about the accident when she was trapped in the car were also interesting.
June 24, 2020
Heroine takes the morning after pill! I can’t believe my favorite author wrote this shit! Not ok when I am reading a romance!
January 4, 2021
I enjoyed this misjudged herione story. Dante and the family put Mia through hell with their hate and nastiness towards her. I never saw the secret reveal coming either, so that was a plus. This was an entertaining way to spend my afternoon.
July 8, 2020
Couldn't connect with any of the characters! Or with the story ! BORING
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2020
Untouched, unavailable…
And utterly impossible for him to resist!
Dante Romano has no doubt Mia Hamilton, his father’s much younger widow, is a ruthless gold digger. Yet the sparks between him and Mia are an inferno waiting to erupt. And erupt it does—into an unforgettable encounter that leaves Dante stunned by Mia’s innocence and his craving for more.
Giving in to her undeniable attraction to Dante makes it harder for Mia to hide the secrets she’s sworn to keep. She’s brought enough scandal to the legendary Romano family. And that’s before her shocking bombshell!
And utterly impossible for him to resist!
Dante Romano has no doubt Mia Hamilton, his father’s much younger widow, is a ruthless gold digger. Yet the sparks between him and Mia are an inferno waiting to erupt. And erupt it does—into an unforgettable encounter that leaves Dante stunned by Mia’s innocence and his craving for more.
Giving in to her undeniable attraction to Dante makes it harder for Mia to hide the secrets she’s sworn to keep. She’s brought enough scandal to the legendary Romano family. And that’s before her shocking bombshell!
July 2, 2020
I loved it so, so much.
Seems like HP's offerings this month are fairly low-angst, which is good for me atm.
Seems like HP's offerings this month are fairly low-angst, which is good for me atm.
August 9, 2020
I love this author’s books - I don’t think she can write a bad piece of prose and her characters are always well drawn and engaging.
I am always unsure about this trope - the ‘step mum as love interest for the step son’. It feels wrong to me .
However, Carol managed to get past my reservations and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. As always, Carol writes deliciously sexy and emotional love scenes and they go a long way to powering the romance. Really enjoyable story.
I was annoyed with the mother, who despite having been in on the secret reason for the Father’s marriage, had no compunction in bad-mouthing Mia in public. Hypocrite much!
Mia and Dante were lovely!
I am always unsure about this trope - the ‘step mum as love interest for the step son’. It feels wrong to me .
However, Carol managed to get past my reservations and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. As always, Carol writes deliciously sexy and emotional love scenes and they go a long way to powering the romance. Really enjoyable story.
I was annoyed with the mother, who despite having been in on the secret reason for the Father’s marriage, had no compunction in bad-mouthing Mia in public. Hypocrite much!
Mia and Dante were lovely!
December 18, 2020
wow I loved this book! I was so afraid I wouldn’t like it because of the taboo topic of the h being married to the H’s father, but it was navigated very well and didn’t feel gross.
This book is so steamy, like hot damn🔥🔥🔥!! Also, the H was the perfect balance of asshole and sweet/head over heals for h. Even their dialogues were so good—the cute bickering and flirting ♥️♥️♥️ my heart 😩.
Also, while reading this, I really felt like the author put in a lot of thought and creativity to this story, which is something I feel is sorely lacking lately in harlequin romance books. Carol Marinelli really upped her game!
This book is so steamy, like hot damn🔥🔥🔥!! Also, the H was the perfect balance of asshole and sweet/head over heals for h. Even their dialogues were so good—the cute bickering and flirting ♥️♥️♥️ my heart 😩.
Also, while reading this, I really felt like the author put in a lot of thought and creativity to this story, which is something I feel is sorely lacking lately in harlequin romance books. Carol Marinelli really upped her game!
July 12, 2020
Italy's Most Scandalous Virgin
Carol Marinelli
https://www.facebook.com/Carol-Marine...
Release date paperback 07/21/2020, ebook 08/01/2020
Publisher Harlequin Presents
Blurb :
Untouched, unavailable… ��And utterly impossible for him to resist!��Dante Romano has no doubt Mia Hamilton, his father’s much younger widow, is a ruthless gold digger. Yet the sparks between him and Mia are an inferno waiting to erupt. And erupt it does—into an unforgettable encounter that leaves Dante stunned by Mia’s innocence and his craving for more.
Giving in to her undeniable attraction to Dante makes it harder for Mia to hide the secrets she’s sworn to keep. She’s brought enough scandal to the legendary Romano family. And that’s before her shocking bombshell!
My review :
Will he be able to put behind his resentment and trust her ...
I was intrigued to learn more about the why behind Mia’s marriage as the blurb lead to think it was not a love match.
And oh my!
What a drama, a real Comedia del Arte.
For two years Dante and Mia have fought their chemistry, an instant lust awakened on the day they meet, the same day he learned she was to be his father’s future wife.
From there, the love-hate relationship was established, him reminding her she was the woman having broken his parents union.
Mia endured the press gossips and being named with the worst epithets possible. But she bore it as she had few other choices. But now a widow, she promised to keep her late husband’s secrets, if only she was not so much attracted to Dante, a ruthless businessman and reckless lover.
This is a fast read with a lot of plights, not very good but not bad if there had not been the secret behind Mia’s marriage.
I can not understand that in 2020, it could still be an issue in a romance, even if alas being European, I know nothing is easy even if laws were voted, they are still not always accepted and applied.
3 stars
I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Harlequin, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
Carol Marinelli
https://www.facebook.com/Carol-Marine...
Release date paperback 07/21/2020, ebook 08/01/2020
Publisher Harlequin Presents
Blurb :
Untouched, unavailable… ��And utterly impossible for him to resist!��Dante Romano has no doubt Mia Hamilton, his father’s much younger widow, is a ruthless gold digger. Yet the sparks between him and Mia are an inferno waiting to erupt. And erupt it does—into an unforgettable encounter that leaves Dante stunned by Mia’s innocence and his craving for more.
Giving in to her undeniable attraction to Dante makes it harder for Mia to hide the secrets she’s sworn to keep. She’s brought enough scandal to the legendary Romano family. And that’s before her shocking bombshell!
My review :
Will he be able to put behind his resentment and trust her ...
I was intrigued to learn more about the why behind Mia’s marriage as the blurb lead to think it was not a love match.
And oh my!
What a drama, a real Comedia del Arte.
For two years Dante and Mia have fought their chemistry, an instant lust awakened on the day they meet, the same day he learned she was to be his father’s future wife.
From there, the love-hate relationship was established, him reminding her she was the woman having broken his parents union.
Mia endured the press gossips and being named with the worst epithets possible. But she bore it as she had few other choices. But now a widow, she promised to keep her late husband’s secrets, if only she was not so much attracted to Dante, a ruthless businessman and reckless lover.
This is a fast read with a lot of plights, not very good but not bad if there had not been the secret behind Mia’s marriage.
I can not understand that in 2020, it could still be an issue in a romance, even if alas being European, I know nothing is easy even if laws were voted, they are still not always accepted and applied.
3 stars
I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Harlequin, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
March 30, 2024
I dont know… this was just tasteless all around.
For once the title is apt. The heroine was indeed a scandalous 24 year old 🙄 virgin.
Spoilers :
Yes she is married to the Hero’s father, but its all a big cover up. The father is gay but cant admit it. His mother is having an affair on the side with the Hero’s tutor, and wants a divorce but, heaven forbid anyone find out that she wants to move on and that her husband is gay!!
Big loophole, why couldn’t they just have gotten a divorce, after a year, mama can more on and papa can stay in the closet if he wants? So yes, this is the weak backstory thats supposed to hold the plot together.
To hide all this from everyone, they drag in the heroine (who is desperate for money, because her brother has been injured) to marry the father and hide everything.
Mama gets to play the discarded wife who is the poor victim. The heroine gets to be a martyr, scorned and vilified in the press as a gold-digger, home wrecker. The Hero and his whole family treat her w disrespect. Of course the father who put her in this position never bothers to defend her. Supposedly he is a loving father, but was willing to sacrifice his relationship w his children by marrying the heroine who is younger than his daughter.
Al throughout, the heroine suffers in silence 🙄 I couldn’t stand it! The Hero is particularly nasty to her, but it turns out he has had the hots for her ever since. So in ANOTHER tasteless move, they have sex on the night of the father’s funeral! Oh and for one more; just before going to a board meeting where the Hero is already late and his phone is ringing… he makes the heroine give him a BJ in his office!! 🤦🏻♀️ Ayayay! Everything was just so tawdry and cheap!
Its too bad because the Hero and heroine had hot chemistry. And unless they share all these extenuating details w the press and the public, the heroine will forever be seen as the slut who slept with her stepson on the day her husband was buried!
How do you get a HEA from that.
For once the title is apt. The heroine was indeed a scandalous 24 year old 🙄 virgin.
Spoilers :
Yes she is married to the Hero’s father, but its all a big cover up. The father is gay but cant admit it. His mother is having an affair on the side with the Hero’s tutor, and wants a divorce but, heaven forbid anyone find out that she wants to move on and that her husband is gay!!
Big loophole, why couldn’t they just have gotten a divorce, after a year, mama can more on and papa can stay in the closet if he wants? So yes, this is the weak backstory thats supposed to hold the plot together.
To hide all this from everyone, they drag in the heroine (who is desperate for money, because her brother has been injured) to marry the father and hide everything.
Mama gets to play the discarded wife who is the poor victim. The heroine gets to be a martyr, scorned and vilified in the press as a gold-digger, home wrecker. The Hero and his whole family treat her w disrespect. Of course the father who put her in this position never bothers to defend her. Supposedly he is a loving father, but was willing to sacrifice his relationship w his children by marrying the heroine who is younger than his daughter.
Al throughout, the heroine suffers in silence 🙄 I couldn’t stand it! The Hero is particularly nasty to her, but it turns out he has had the hots for her ever since. So in ANOTHER tasteless move, they have sex on the night of the father’s funeral! Oh and for one more; just before going to a board meeting where the Hero is already late and his phone is ringing… he makes the heroine give him a BJ in his office!! 🤦🏻♀️ Ayayay! Everything was just so tawdry and cheap!
Its too bad because the Hero and heroine had hot chemistry. And unless they share all these extenuating details w the press and the public, the heroine will forever be seen as the slut who slept with her stepson on the day her husband was buried!
How do you get a HEA from that.
Read
November 24, 2022Was it worth it?
Alon in dark storm
future ghost chant
alone
alone
ma hand go cold
lies lies with snak hoal
enemies with benfet
lover with heart
scandlous baby calling
hart
had it worth it ?
Yes yes yes
hold the past to forgive the love
still the storm chant alone
had it worth it?
Alon in dark storm
future ghost chant
alone
alone
ma hand go cold
lies lies with snak hoal
enemies with benfet
lover with heart
scandlous baby calling
hart
had it worth it ?
Yes yes yes
hold the past to forgive the love
still the storm chant alone
had it worth it?
July 4, 2020
I just can't resist the temptation of reading this after reading the blurb. A salacious story of hated stepmom and billionaire stepson; the H was actually older. So yeah, salacious. But, it wasn't anything too taboo nor too scandalous.
The story was quite decent though I had a bit problem with the H and his family. Well, basically the whole dynamic between characters here were questionable. You see, the h received backlash because she is said to be a homewrecker and married the H's father. Yet, when the truth came out and it turned out she's all but a sinner, all problems and hated were just resolved by saying sorry. If it's me, I want some decent grovelling and sincere apology. Granted, the h got a financial reward for her "sacrifice" but, still, it didn't mean that she was less than this billionaire family, right?! Just because someone has money and willing to pay for your service/work/contract, it didn't mean that they have the right to buy your dignity. Well, I guess that's just me :(
Virgin h, experienced H
Failed contraception
Safe read, HEA, No OW/OM, No cheating
Overall score: 2.5 arrogant romance stars
The story was quite decent though I had a bit problem with the H and his family. Well, basically the whole dynamic between characters here were questionable. You see, the h received backlash because she is said to be a homewrecker and married the H's father. Yet, when the truth came out and it turned out she's all but a sinner, all problems and hated were just resolved by saying sorry. If it's me, I want some decent grovelling and sincere apology. Granted, the h got a financial reward for her "sacrifice" but, still, it didn't mean that she was less than this billionaire family, right?! Just because someone has money and willing to pay for your service/work/contract, it didn't mean that they have the right to buy your dignity. Well, I guess that's just me :(
Virgin h, experienced H
Failed contraception
Safe read, HEA, No OW/OM, No cheating
Overall score: 2.5 arrogant romance stars
August 3, 2020
Italy's Most Scandalous Virgin by Carol Marinelli. This is the story of Mia Hamilton and Dante Romano. This being a true Harlequin story that I have always loved. Mia was in a marriage of continence with Dante's father but unknown to him the reason for their marriage. Although Dante was instantly attracted to Mia he labeled her a 'Gold Digger' and had only contempt for her. Now in their present day, Mia is a widower who just wants peace and to leave the family who hates her as soon as she can do so. Dante starts to see that there may have been more going on behind the scene with Mia and his father. But, after a night of them both releasing their pent-up passions they find consequences to that night...which leads Romano back to his first opinion of her. I enjoyed this book.
Read
August 12, 2021DNF at 60%. I didn’t feel the lurve.
July 3, 2020
I thought i would've loved it, but i couldn't get into the story. It's decent andd nice tho. The heroine was the hero's stepmother, and they had a one-night stand. Despite having the plan b pill, the heroine still got pregnant. Yes, it was very scandalous. Also turned out that the hero's father was gay, that's why he married her.
September 13, 2020
The H had the hots for his elderly and infirm father’s gold digging, beautiful, young new wife. When his father dies, he and his stepmother finally give into their passion. Only, instead of the gold digger he expected, he found a virgin. A virgin he can’t get out of his head and can’t stop craving. He soon realizes that things aren’t what they seem and that the h isn’t what she appeared.
An enjoyable read.
An enjoyable read.
June 24, 2020
I did not like this book. The heroine spent part of the book behaving like an ice queen and then just one look and she melts and becomes this weak creature. she is strong for her family but here comes the hero and she melts in his presence. Mia needed to show some restrain, I mean how could she not have a stronger self-preservation feeling. Dante was out to get her for any reason under the sun that did not suit his silly ego. I cannot find anything good to say about this book.
August 13, 2020
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free copy of the book via NetGalley.
I fell right into Marinelli’s first Those Notorious Romanos book, Italy’s Most Scandalous Virgin. From the first page it’s emotional and intense, a story about a rich family whose had its share of scandals and notoriety. (As the series title would suggest!) Dante and Mia have a lot standing between them, but their attraction for each other is crystal clear. The issues that they have to face are painful on all sides, and there are family secrets that must be uncovered – and strong reasons why they cannot, or perhaps should not, be told. I absolutely loved this romance novel, with its beautifully drawn scenes of the Romano mansion, the emotional depth of the events that the characters live through, and above all the feelings and revelations and decisions that the heroine and hero themselves must face – and make – in order to find their Happily Ever After. Marinelli did a great job pulling in some more modern elements as well, lifting what might have been an over-tired trope novel into something new and yet familiar enough to really savor. This is an excellent Presents novel, and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series!
I fell right into Marinelli’s first Those Notorious Romanos book, Italy’s Most Scandalous Virgin. From the first page it’s emotional and intense, a story about a rich family whose had its share of scandals and notoriety. (As the series title would suggest!) Dante and Mia have a lot standing between them, but their attraction for each other is crystal clear. The issues that they have to face are painful on all sides, and there are family secrets that must be uncovered – and strong reasons why they cannot, or perhaps should not, be told. I absolutely loved this romance novel, with its beautifully drawn scenes of the Romano mansion, the emotional depth of the events that the characters live through, and above all the feelings and revelations and decisions that the heroine and hero themselves must face – and make – in order to find their Happily Ever After. Marinelli did a great job pulling in some more modern elements as well, lifting what might have been an over-tired trope novel into something new and yet familiar enough to really savor. This is an excellent Presents novel, and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series!
August 22, 2024
Mia Hamilton è la giovane vedova di un uomo molto ricco e molto più grande di lei. I tre figli del suo defunto marito la odiano: pensano che lei sia solo un'arrampicatrice sociale in cerca di soldi. Daniele è il più agguerrito, ma è anche molto combattuto perchè prova una forza attrazione per quella che è a tutti gli effetti la sua matrigna.
Il giorno del funerale i due cedono alla passione e Daniele scopre un particolare inaspettato della relazione che c'era tra suo padre e Mia. Daniele non vuole comunque avere a che fare con Mia ma è preoccupato che la loro notte di passione abbia lasciato qualche strascico. Ed in effetti è così.
Daniele si sforza di comprendere Mia e quello che scoprirà sarà sorprendente.
Forse c'è per loro un futuro felice insieme?
E' stata una lettura molto scorrevole e devo dire che mi ha appassionata. Ho scoperto che nella versione italiana hanno cambiato il nome del protagonista da Dante a Daniele, e non capisco proprio perchè.
Mi è piaciuta la storia, posso capire il patto tra Raffaele e Mia, e l'astio tra Daniele e Mia. Naturalmente è un po' tutto esagerato e veloce ma il libro fa il suo dovere di intrattenimento.
Il giorno del funerale i due cedono alla passione e Daniele scopre un particolare inaspettato della relazione che c'era tra suo padre e Mia. Daniele non vuole comunque avere a che fare con Mia ma è preoccupato che la loro notte di passione abbia lasciato qualche strascico. Ed in effetti è così.
Daniele si sforza di comprendere Mia e quello che scoprirà sarà sorprendente.
Forse c'è per loro un futuro felice insieme?
E' stata una lettura molto scorrevole e devo dire che mi ha appassionata. Ho scoperto che nella versione italiana hanno cambiato il nome del protagonista da Dante a Daniele, e non capisco proprio perchè.
Mi è piaciuta la storia, posso capire il patto tra Raffaele e Mia, e l'astio tra Daniele e Mia. Naturalmente è un po' tutto esagerato e veloce ma il libro fa il suo dovere di intrattenimento.
April 19, 2021
A very good book
This was a very good book. The h married the H’s father because of a secret, they were never lovers. When the father died, the h and H had a one night stand which led to an unexpected pregnancy. The secrets started coming out about the marriage. The h and H had fell in love with each other the 1st time they met. They were able to find their way back to each other. Good ending.
This was a very good book. The h married the H’s father because of a secret, they were never lovers. When the father died, the h and H had a one night stand which led to an unexpected pregnancy. The secrets started coming out about the marriage. The h and H had fell in love with each other the 1st time they met. They were able to find their way back to each other. Good ending.
October 8, 2020
This is not your average romance novel. Nope, the premise itself is intriguing and unique and the twist toward the end was really good. Worth reading on the strength of those two things alone. The characters... maybe a little above average. I wasn't impressed by them but they were strong enough to carry the story along well. As a romance novel I would think it's a must-read.
December 24, 2020
3.8 ***
Parts of the book were strange but overall a good romance. The realisation of love on the H’s part seemed sudden and contracted. While the h knows she’s in love with the H, I don’t think she ever said it to him.
H’s mother was such a bitch to the h, I’m not sure why when she was aware of the whole truth.
Parts of the book were strange but overall a good romance. The realisation of love on the H’s part seemed sudden and contracted. While the h knows she’s in love with the H, I don’t think she ever said it to him.
H’s mother was such a bitch to the h, I’m not sure why when she was aware of the whole truth.
February 13, 2021
Harlequin never let's me down. These authors never let's me down. Wow.
Just the title have me enough information to let me know that I'll enjoy. From the first chapter I was very intrigued by Dante. I love ready about taboo characters and he gave me everything and more.
At times I got a little bored and then it picked back up so I'm thankful for that.
Just the title have me enough information to let me know that I'll enjoy. From the first chapter I was very intrigued by Dante. I love ready about taboo characters and he gave me everything and more.
At times I got a little bored and then it picked back up so I'm thankful for that.
July 18, 2022
Unconventional
Oh what tangled webs we weave!! Mia and Dante could have had a better start to their story had it not been for the selfishness of many people in their lives. That they do finally get together is a little bit of a miracle but I'm glad that they finally get their happily ever after. This was an unconventional, but very moving, love story.
Oh what tangled webs we weave!! Mia and Dante could have had a better start to their story had it not been for the selfishness of many people in their lives. That they do finally get together is a little bit of a miracle but I'm glad that they finally get their happily ever after. This was an unconventional, but very moving, love story.
January 5, 2021
3.5 stars, but not enough to round up to 4. I had a hard time with the sudden happiness and support of the family members at the end, there was just no build up to it. Mia deserved some on-page apologies from them.
January 15, 2022
An uplifting romance
This was a wonderful and uplifting romance novel. I have enjoyed this book, great story plots that hold my interest. I would recommend this book to family and friends.
This was a wonderful and uplifting romance novel. I have enjoyed this book, great story plots that hold my interest. I would recommend this book to family and friends.
Read
August 1, 2020Categories
Contemporary Romance, Romance
Miniseries
Those Notorious Romanos (Book #1)
Contemporary Romance, Romance
Miniseries
Those Notorious Romanos (Book #1)
Read
August 1, 2020Categories
Contemporary Romance, Romance
Miniseries
Those Notorious Romanos (Book #1)
Contemporary Romance, Romance
Miniseries
Those Notorious Romanos (Book #1)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews