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Wife by Contract
Knowing the truth deeply shook Teri
Marriage to Damian Nikerios was the only solution to Teri's desperate situation. Her father's debt to him would be canceled, her family saved from ruin.
Damian was the attractive son of a Greek millionaire, and even though she had not married for love, her life on the isle of Skios was a pleasant one.
Then she discovered the real reason why Damian had married her--to hide his affair with his father's third wife! But why should she be angry? She didn't want him herself ...did she?
Marriage to Damian Nikerios was the only solution to Teri's desperate situation. Her father's debt to him would be canceled, her family saved from ruin.
Damian was the attractive son of a Greek millionaire, and even though she had not married for love, her life on the isle of Skios was a pleasant one.
Then she discovered the real reason why Damian had married her--to hide his affair with his father's third wife! But why should she be angry? She didn't want him herself ...did she?
320 pages, Paperback
First published October 31, 1980
About the author
Flora Kidd
136 books34 followersFlora Mildred Cartwright was born on 1926 in Liverpool, England, UK. The youngest of four children, Flora and her family lived in the same house until she was a teen. In 1949, she graduated from Liverpool University, where she met Robert Kidd, her husband. They moved to her beloved Scotland, where she began teaching, writing, and raised their four children: Richard, Patricia, Peter and David.
Flora Kidd published her first novel, Visit To Rowanbank, in 1966 at Mills & Boon. In 1977, the family moved to Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, where she continued her romance career with Mills & Boon until 1989, when she retired. In 1994, she published the first of the The Marco Polo Project novels, to support a project to build a replica of the 19th century ship Marco Polo.
Flora Kidd passed away on March 19, 2008 at Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada.
Flora Kidd published her first novel, Visit To Rowanbank, in 1966 at Mills & Boon. In 1977, the family moved to Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, where she continued her romance career with Mills & Boon until 1989, when she retired. In 1994, she published the first of the The Marco Polo Project novels, to support a project to build a replica of the 19th century ship Marco Polo.
Flora Kidd passed away on March 19, 2008 at Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 9, 2020
An out of work actress who has a nerve disease and a neurologist H .
This is different on many counts as usually Hs are busy with the devious glamorous ow while the h plays second fiddle. But, here we have a totally besotted, sensitive hero (love at first sight kinds) who turns his whole life around for the h (taking up a job in the Middle east so that he can cook up the excuse to the h about needing a wife asap to appease his conservative host’s sensitivities).
Then a nice understanding and benign ow who in spite of being in love with the H gently nudges the h towards him.
So, where is the problem? Of course, the h who is so tstl that she still pines for her pos ex-fiance, whom she even after having found in a cinch with her acting rival, doesn’t confront but rather keeps pestering him to set a date for their wedding! Tstl much? While she keeps this absolutely perfect guy-her husband- at arm’s length reminding him and herself, over and over again, that this is a practical setup. I felt she totally had her cake n wanted to eat it too- firstly she was out of work, and about to be homeless/destitute. And so when the H marries her, she has it made, living with him comfortably, shopping at upscale places, socializing, partying et al.
Secondly, her husband is a world class neurologist, so she gets free treatment and support! While contributing nothing herself.
Well maybe not so tstl after all! lolz….
This is different on many counts as usually Hs are busy with the devious glamorous ow while the h plays second fiddle. But, here we have a totally besotted, sensitive hero (love at first sight kinds) who turns his whole life around for the h (taking up a job in the Middle east so that he can cook up the excuse to the h about needing a wife asap to appease his conservative host’s sensitivities).
Then a nice understanding and benign ow who in spite of being in love with the H gently nudges the h towards him.
So, where is the problem? Of course, the h who is so tstl that she still pines for her pos ex-fiance, whom she even after having found in a cinch with her acting rival, doesn’t confront but rather keeps pestering him to set a date for their wedding! Tstl much? While she keeps this absolutely perfect guy-her husband- at arm’s length reminding him and herself, over and over again, that this is a practical setup. I felt she totally had her cake n wanted to eat it too- firstly she was out of work, and about to be homeless/destitute. And so when the H marries her, she has it made, living with him comfortably, shopping at upscale places, socializing, partying et al.
Secondly, her husband is a world class neurologist, so she gets free treatment and support! While contributing nothing herself.
Well maybe not so tstl after all! lolz….
February 11, 2011
Heroine's dead dad owed money to rich Greek hero, he wants heroine, she marries him but thinks he doesn't love her, yadda yadda yadda.
It seems like shooting fish in a barrel to call a Harlequin Presents "superficial"... perhaps a better word would be "flat." There was a lot of potential drama in this story that just fell flat. I'm not exactly sure why I want to give it three stars instead of two, but I think it's because the hero Damien somehow outshines the stereotypical role he falls into. I liked this exchange:
"Most couples start their marriage with a honeymoon."
"Yes, but only if they're in love with each other," she argued.
"So? Aren't we in love?" he countered.
Although this was one of the "heroine POV only, hero inexplicably blurts out every damn thing he was feeling in the last two pages" books I tend to hate, I didn't mind it so much here, because there was some set up for Damien's feelings, so it didn't feel utterly ridiculous or have to go on forever.
So basically it was fairly meh, yet I kind of liked it.
It seems like shooting fish in a barrel to call a Harlequin Presents "superficial"... perhaps a better word would be "flat." There was a lot of potential drama in this story that just fell flat. I'm not exactly sure why I want to give it three stars instead of two, but I think it's because the hero Damien somehow outshines the stereotypical role he falls into. I liked this exchange:
"Most couples start their marriage with a honeymoon."
"Yes, but only if they're in love with each other," she argued.
"So? Aren't we in love?" he countered.
Although this was one of the "heroine POV only, hero inexplicably blurts out every damn thing he was feeling in the last two pages" books I tend to hate, I didn't mind it so much here, because there was some set up for Damien's feelings, so it didn't feel utterly ridiculous or have to go on forever.
So basically it was fairly meh, yet I kind of liked it.
October 19, 2016
My rating is 2.5 stars - it was OK and the stars are more for the H.
The back cover of the book tells you what the plot is. This book was written in 1980 and unfortunately for me it didn't have enough drama to keep my interest riveted. There were no punishing kisses or mean, conniving OWs nothing of the sort. There wasn't even any flower poetry of the union of the H/h just hints leading to that for the HEA. I want to read the poor H finally getting his! ~_~
Surprisingly, we the readers get to read the H's thoughts and feelings - he has fallen love at first sight with the h. If I'm not mistaken possibly 2 or 3 instances where we get to read the H's thoughts. That is well and good but this just made me feel SOOOOO sorry for his predicament.... and kind of slightly despise the h lol! She was going on and on about her ex-fiance and she had all these innerthoughts about the H but I don't think gave much lovin' to him -_- Anyhow this book was a little blah to me. It was just OK, nothing too spectacular.
The back cover of the book tells you what the plot is. This book was written in 1980 and unfortunately for me it didn't have enough drama to keep my interest riveted. There were no punishing kisses or mean, conniving OWs nothing of the sort. There wasn't even any flower poetry of the union of the H/h just hints leading to that for the HEA. I want to read the poor H finally getting his! ~_~
Surprisingly, we the readers get to read the H's thoughts and feelings - he has fallen love at first sight with the h. If I'm not mistaken possibly 2 or 3 instances where we get to read the H's thoughts. That is well and good but this just made me feel SOOOOO sorry for his predicament.... and kind of slightly despise the h lol! She was going on and on about her ex-fiance and she had all these innerthoughts about the H but I don't think gave much lovin' to him -_- Anyhow this book was a little blah to me. It was just OK, nothing too spectacular.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2012
A quick fast read about a marriage of convenience which happens to be my least favorite trope. But I thought this one was well done.
The heroine is a little slow on the uptake and I thought that brought the story down a couple of stars for me.
However, the hero is wonderful and the book has a surprisingly kind and generous OW. It was nice to see how the dynamics of an OW with great integrity played out. It was a nice change of pace.
The heroine is a little slow on the uptake and I thought that brought the story down a couple of stars for me.
However, the hero is wonderful and the book has a surprisingly kind and generous OW. It was nice to see how the dynamics of an OW with great integrity played out. It was a nice change of pace.
September 28, 2015
This one had the potential to be better. The storyline was interesting but it didn't hang together very well. It was almost as if too much was crammed in. So some important stuff was skimmed over. Plus the heroine was one of those spunky in a stupid way girls.
January 9, 2012
Well done marriage of convenience story. There was some POV from the hero so you knew he was in love with her from the beginning.
November 23, 2014
This was weird. Heroine smoked non-stop and while she was married to the hero she was kissing other men like it's no big deal lol
June 25, 2020
Unable for her family's sake to end her marriage to Damien Nikerios, Teri suffers the humiliation of knowing he only married her to cover up his affair with his father's wife.
Did Not Finish
June 17, 2024DNF @ 33% - the heroine is off-putting. Her resistance doesn’t make much sense since she gave it up to the hero immediately. Can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube so don’t know what she’s going on about. He seems pretty great, TBH 🤷🏼♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2012
Very unusual story for Hp written in 1980. The h, knowing that her family was in desperate financial situation after fathers death, tried to make it up by gambling. she ended up worse off than before. She had been avoiding the H because the lawyer had already told her that he held the morgage of their home as well as controlling interest in the family business as collateral for a huge loan he had made to her father. He tracked her down at the casino and insisted that they talk. They go to restaurant and being unused to alcohol she became intoxicated on two drinks. She tries to run out on him and get mugged and knocked unconscious. He tskes her home with him and the end up in bed and make love. He offers her the chance to save her family by marrying him. It's a pretty cold blooded, business proposotion. When he takes her to the family Island in Greece there are all kinds of twisted fsmily relationships due to his fsther's current wife and 3 ex-wives and the Hero's step siblings.
The h winds up running away because she thinks the H is having an affair with his step-mother and only married her to cover up the affair. Turns out she is pregnant and she doesnn't tell the H.
This could have been entertaing, unusual romance except that the H/h just weren't that interesting or likeable.
The h winds up running away because she thinks the H is having an affair with his step-mother and only married her to cover up the affair. Turns out she is pregnant and she doesnn't tell the H.
This could have been entertaing, unusual romance except that the H/h just weren't that interesting or likeable.
June 24, 2012
This was one of the first mills and boon romance novel. I was aged 11 and i read it in secret under the bed. i thought damien was so perfect.... though sadly i only got to page 133 where damian meets his son. i have been curious about the ending for 22 years... thanks to the great reviews i now know.
July 28, 2016
loved it ! though i wish it had been more passionate. they shared a more or less platonic relationship n juliet was rather cold, not what i wud call a warm n emphatic person. it's no wonder perry escaped while he cud lol! poor damon was so besotted, he was stuck wid her! he wud do anythg, tolerate anythg just 2 be wid her.
December 7, 2010
One of those marriages of convenience plots, but this was generally more "plausible" than most. Certainly both characters were likeable enough, no sign of severe Alpha leanings on the hero's part, or waif-like cowering from the heroine.
March 11, 2015
Fun, quick read. I do so enjoy a happy ending.
October 13, 2018
I enjoyed this well told tale and is number 12 in my Flora Kidd collection.
February 20, 2021
The blurb here refers to a different book, in fact one I liked. This book, the real Wife by Contract by Flora Kidd skims along the surface of his and her hearts and minds, far too superficial to be good.
April 13, 2025
Heroine isn’t relatable or likable in my opinion. The whole premise was just silly. She was gambling money to win money, oh lord. A witless woman! Also, they fell into bed instantly and that ruined the whole romance for me. Dnf.
May 12, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was well written, has a good story line,and interesting and believable characters. I enjoyed the passages written from Damon's point of view.
July 26, 2019
Συμβόλαιο γάμου...
February 28, 2012
Teri was in trouble from her deceased father's death, he left their family with tons of debts and Teri didn't know how she was going to pay it. She took her savings and tried gambling with it, which in turn just put her into even more debt.
Damian knew of Teri, her father owned him a debt. So when Damian met Teri, knew she couldn't pay the debt, he offered her a solution. Damian was falling in love with Teri, so he offered her to marry him. That would pay off her fathers debt in total.
Teri married Damian, it was her only option but not too soon after their marriage, meddling people began in on their life. Melina was Damian's fathers third wife and she made it look like she was Damian's mistress. The there was Paul who made it sound all that more convincing.
Not knowing it was a plot to separate Damian from his father and Teri from Damian, she played right into Paul and Melina's hands by leaving Damian. Soon she discovers she is pregnant with Damian's son, not to mention Damian's father is dying and wants to see Teri. So Damian drags her back..
The book was alright I guess, I wasn't quite amuse, the story wasn't touching and the characters seemed fake to me. Which totally came as a surprise as well because I've read other Flora Kidd books and found them truly delightful.
Damian knew of Teri, her father owned him a debt. So when Damian met Teri, knew she couldn't pay the debt, he offered her a solution. Damian was falling in love with Teri, so he offered her to marry him. That would pay off her fathers debt in total.
Teri married Damian, it was her only option but not too soon after their marriage, meddling people began in on their life. Melina was Damian's fathers third wife and she made it look like she was Damian's mistress. The there was Paul who made it sound all that more convincing.
Not knowing it was a plot to separate Damian from his father and Teri from Damian, she played right into Paul and Melina's hands by leaving Damian. Soon she discovers she is pregnant with Damian's son, not to mention Damian's father is dying and wants to see Teri. So Damian drags her back..
The book was alright I guess, I wasn't quite amuse, the story wasn't touching and the characters seemed fake to me. Which totally came as a surprise as well because I've read other Flora Kidd books and found them truly delightful.
November 20, 2010
Tropes: marriage in name only, older hero (16 yrs)
Sensuality: kisses only
Content warning: none
Grade: B
Sensuality: kisses only
Content warning: none
Grade: B
April 11, 2024
Very dated, but the MMC wasn't the borderline-violent type and the MFC had some backbone.
Read
March 1, 2019Welllllllll the synopsis does not match this book in the slightest. Hero and heroine are told by other people lies about each other which drives them apart...blah blah skip.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews