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The Anetakis Tycoons #2

The Tycoon's Rebel Bride

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Tycoon Theron Anetakis had only one problem--and she just walked through his door. With his business takeover complete, he'd intended to arrange a marriage for himself to further secure his future. However...Little Isabella Caplan had blossomed into a voluptuous vixen with plans of her own, and they didn't include letting the executor of her father's estate also arrange a marriage for her to another man! She had pined for Theron long enough. Now it was time to seduce her hot-blooded hotel tycoon and bring him to one bended knee.

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

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About the author

Maya Banks

347 books20.3k followers
Maya Banks is the #1 New York Times, #1 USA Today and international bestselling author of over 50 novels. A wife and mother of three, she lives in Texas.

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5 stars
1,102 (29%)
4 stars
1,277 (33%)
3 stars
1,058 (28%)
2 stars
257 (6%)
1 star
78 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
Profile Image for ren ♡ .
312 reviews529 followers
January 28, 2021
Honestly, I'm never going to understand rich people and their rich people problems... 😂

I have no aversion to pining heroines, in fact, they can be quite cute when written well! But I can't say this story did that. The hero was oddly dim witted for a Tycoon and the heroine was just so immature. All in all, I think the hero and the heroine were both deserving of each other because they were both equally infuriating. The only person I was cheering for was Alannis, who the hero had set out to marry... poor girl, getting dragged into the hero's mess. She was too good for him.

The Tycoon's Rebel Bride wasn't necessarily a bad read, there were some pretty cute moments but it fell flat in the characterization and romance department. Luckily, I've read some of Maya Banks's better works...

Rating: 2/5
Profile Image for StMargarets.
2,818 reviews469 followers
March 15, 2018
I had to add a shelf for this - there aren't that many heroine chasing the hero books and I don't seek them out. But this is such a story and here we are.

So this heroine is no rebel bride. She's a spoiled rich girl who has set her sights on the hero - the middle tycoon in the trio of brothers who make up this series. She has had a crush on him since she was young and is hoping that her close proximity (and tattoo and naval ring and cropped tops) will make him forget his role as protector / guardian.

The problem is that the clock is ticking because he's going to ask a nice Greek girl to marry him. Heroine has to work fast - so she:



I was never that young.

I can't imagine how these two will ever face a crisis or even raise a goldfish together. This girl is pure Id and the hero is thinking with his little head, but - thankfully - they have enough money between them to indulge themselves. Not my cuppa, but if you need a break from angst or mean characters this frothy story will do nicely.


Profile Image for Kiki.
1,217 reviews498 followers
March 23, 2017
Ok, this one is my favourite in the whole collection. Clearly Theron has both grey cells and a little bit of a heart along with the P, compared to his massive asshole brothers! May be he was adopted!
The heroine is childish. But I forgave her. It wasn't even about her for me. The book to me about how it is not emasculating for a hero to be humbled.
Here's why I liked this book.
1. He remained celibate after meeting the "grown up" heroine. Let's admit it, if he felt anything beforehand, it'd have been creepy.
2. Yes, he was looking for a bride, and pursuing a woman for engagement, but at no point was he disrespectful to either woman. He was really rather shocked at his own weak behaviour. He needed to figure out whether he was really a weak character or whether his attraction to heroine was real or not.
3. The relationship was slightly taboo, he WAS a protector, so I understood his hesitation and actually respected him for that.
4. I absolutely loved how he said he'd NEVER pursue the heroine while he belonged to anyone else. That was honourable. He didn't break off relationship with OW AFTER sleeping with heroine, he never started the relationship to begin with. They were honestly just friends. If he proposed, they'd have transitioned to engaged couples without even dating.
5. He was ACTUALLY honoured that the heroine pursued him. I'm sad to admit this, but not many heroes feel this way, they like to do their own pursuing. They like to chase their woman not be chased.
6. At no point in the whole story did they insult the OW. She was really rather nice. He might have thought of her as cold compared to heroine in his very personal moment, that doesn't count. They didn't bring her down to make heroine seem glorious!
One whole star down because of Theron's stupidity regarding the dodgy proposal. He made it seem so cold and necessary evil. As if he was proposing because of a possible pregnancy and because she was a virgin but in fact he really proposed because he honestly WANTED to marry HER.
Profile Image for Jasbell76.
286 reviews141 followers
December 15, 2020
I liked the book, it was entertaining and fun but it wasn't amazing. I felt the was something missing in the romance, I don't know... Even though I never stopped read it since I started the story, I wanted the hero more passionated, but it was a surprise that heroine was who pursued him! :D
I didn't like the favor the heroine's best friend asked her, while I was reading, I said "No, no, no! Please don't do that, the hero wouln't like that! Say NO to her"
I could never do a favor like that :/ in the real life that favor couldn't end well u_u* But you know... it has to be Maya Blake.
I liked the end, it was nice!
🥺

Re-read
December 13/2020
3.5 🌟
Profile Image for Julie (jjmachshev).
1,069 reviews282 followers
May 10, 2009
I find myself thoroughly underwhelmed by "The Tycoon's Rebel Bride". I like Maya Banks' writing, apparently I like it better when her heroines and heroes have more to offer than cliches. I realize that when writing for category romance there's less flexibility with a plot line. I also know that the editors probably wield a wicked red pen. But I still need characters with character and a plot that I can pretend to believe.

Isabella is in love with Theron. She's been in love with him since she was a girl, even though she's only actually seen and interacted with him on a random basis. Now she's 22, has her college degree, and sets out to snare Theron. But there's a glitch. Theron has a woman he intends to propose to in one week!

Theron is 32 and figures it's time to settle down. So he chooses the daughter of a family friend and makes his plans. All is going smoothly until Isabella sweeps into his life and changes everything.

Isabella acts like a childish, spoiled, and immature GIRL. She sets her cap for a man she doesn't really know and then does everything but assault him to get him to pay attention to her. Theron acts more like 50 than 32. He treats Isabella like a child, but then kisses her and lusts after her. Ick. I didn't care for either hero or heroine. Neither seemed to have much to offer and this made the story even harder to enjoy.

"The Tycoon's Rebel Bride" was NOT one of Maya Banks' better books (for me anyway). I'm not sure if it's the switch to mainstream press or category romance, but either way I wish she'd put more of her normal style into it. This one just didn't hit any high notes for me.
Profile Image for Jenny.
3,090 reviews465 followers
March 30, 2017
To quote another review: "Isabella was childish. She was only concerned with her feelings and her wants - it didn't matter if those around her got affected by her actions. She wasn't so much a rebel bride as a spoilt rich girl."
Profile Image for Caro.
509 reviews30 followers
April 13, 2017
La protagonista conoce desde hace muchos años al héroe y está enamorada. Sólo le preocupa ella, ella y ella, apareciéndose con ropa slutty y comprando en mercados baratos y usando bisutería (?), así que no es un buen comienzo.
La historia hace aguas por todas partes, comenzando por el hecho de que la heroína es una egoísta caprichosa, pero no tanto como la de Dani Collins que también leí en la semana, así que sólo porque me entretuvo le doy dos estrellas redondeando hacia abajo.
P.D.: el detalle final del tatuaje BERRETA y tumbero del diablito, ¡qué innecesario!
Profile Image for Melody Cox.
1,499 reviews136 followers
February 10, 2022
I loved 'The Anetakis Tycoon's' books one and three which I read before this book but this was such a let-down.

I'm not sure how to explain it but there was just a disconnect in this story for me. I kept waiting for something to click but it never did.

I thought the hero brought a lot of this on himself because he was too cowardly to tell the heroine he was getting engaged to someone else. When there is another woman involved making it a bit of a triangle it is disconcerting for this reader. I cannot recommend it and it definitely won't be on my reread list.
Profile Image for Vashti.
1,080 reviews29 followers
May 5, 2014
Reread 5/4,still an enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Missy.
843 reviews22 followers
January 18, 2017
A nice series read.

Sweet little Isabella has been in love with sexy Theron forever but getting him to see her as a woman is tough going. He became her guardian so to him any such thoughts are forbidden and to keep his mind there, he will make himself an arranged marriage for business purposes and arrange a loveless marriage for Isabella too.

Finding out his plans makes her more determined than ever to seduce him to save them both, but getting up the nerve is hard as she really has no experience. She will show him! I loved her feistyness in face of his emotionalness descision, which he will come to regret making when things blow up in his face. He realizes how much he cares for Isabella and does't like to see her sad. They share some heated passion and some steamy sexual tension.

A steamy well written read.
Profile Image for Cheesecake.
2,680 reviews368 followers
February 21, 2020
.
I love these old school Maya Banks Harlequins.
But this one was a little TOOOooo old school for me.
It bothered me that Bella's only goal was to get married to Theron. There's no mention whatsoever of what she'd like to do with her life other than be married to Theron.
All I could think of was, 'Girl... you need to get a LIFE!'

But, it was entertaining and I did enjoy it quite a bit. This is especially surprising, since I generally avoid books where the h chases the H.
And she chases him big time. She has a strategy and everything.
She even has to step up her game as he is intent on marrying an old family friend just for the sake of settling down with a convenient wife and family to be.
This story is the lowest in angst by far of the 4 in this series, so it was really just a sweet read about a clueless work-a-holic getting lambasted by love when he least expected it.

Safety is good

Profile Image for GuisBell.
1,285 reviews29 followers
August 10, 2020
A diferencia del primer libro en donde el protagonista es tremendo cretino, este hermano nos salio mas cuerdo jajajaja, aunque tenia varios planes para su futuro supo tomar mejores decisiones que lo hacían mucho mas feliz...
Profile Image for Kelli.
469 reviews43 followers
June 21, 2012
Ohhh this book made me feel something! It was like candy - delicious and naughty. I don't care that others are calling it cliched or unbelievable or archaic. I loved it. I ate it up. It was exactly what I love about a historical book mixed with exactly what I love with novellas and contemporary romance.
I'm a sucker for a quick, sexy read with a bossy alpha hero who is sideswiped by the heroine, and has no idea that she's slowly bit by bit wrapping him around her finger.
I have a habit of jumping right into the middle of a series but in this instance it didn't really matter. I was breathless and had a fluttering heart through the entire book.
For me this was one of those books where I kept saying one more page - one more chapter and it resulted in me flying through the whole book in just a couple hours. It completely melted me and I couldn't put it down.
Maya Banks I think you've just made me a huge fan. I can't wait to get my hands on more.
Profile Image for Christina Ruskjær.
347 reviews12 followers
October 22, 2017
Jeg hadet den kvindelige hovedpersom 99,9% af tiden. Hvorfor er hun forelsket i ham? Hvorfor i alverden er han forelsket i hende? Det gav ingen mening. Den får alligevel 3 stjerner fordi slutningen lige er lidt anderledes end jeg havde regnet med.
Profile Image for Verity.
278 reviews234 followers
May 20, 2009
Not bad for a Silhouette, but in the end I didn't feel like they were in luv, it's more like lust on both sides. I think if they'd spent more time to get to know each other, I'd have believed that their mutual attraction was based on more than just physical attributes. I like guardian - ward theme but in this case, instead of luring him thru' her own personalities as a more worthy & compatible lifemate for Theron than Alannis (his almost-fiancee), Bella tries too hard in her mission (w/ the help of 1 of her suitors, her BFF & also Theron's secretary) to get noticed, by wearing mouth-watering outfits, flashing her cleavage, tattoo, belly ring etc. She comes across as v. desperate in her determined pursuit to tempt him. It's kinda cute how overprotective Theron is & that he initially wants her off his hands, by having his secretary draw up a list of potential hubbies for Bella, but later on he blurts out to his amused secretary, his objections to each of the eligible bachelors, then he's insanely jealous of her suitor. He seems a bit slow that he doesn't really realize what his ward's trying to do. There's the usual conflict towards the end, she eavesdrops & gets upset by what Theron says to his bro' & sis-in-law. She breaks off their engagement & tries to do the right thing by confessing to Alannis. Overall, a good fluffy, enjoyable read. Like her racy books better tho'.
Profile Image for Janie.
311 reviews25 followers
August 17, 2015
August 07 2015 reread
Rating: 4.5 stars

Even after rereading this book, I still find it as refreshing as when I first read it. I usually don't like stories where the heroine chases the hero, but this was very enjoyable!

Would have loved to read the other books in this series, and I tried them! But I can't get past the non-Virgin heroine hurdle. Don't know how I used to be able to read non Virgin heroine, but nowadays can't stand the thought of it.
Profile Image for Raffaella.
1,060 reviews104 followers
May 31, 2021
I loved this one, it was a really nice and funny reading, with also a touch of angst in it. Belle is a 22 year old who’s always been in love with the hero, that is her guardian. Now she’s finished her studies and wants him. So she plans to seduce him, even if he’s about to propose to a woman he thinks suitable as his bride. The dumb hero plans to find her a husband as soon as he can, the heroine wants to prevent his engagement. Then there is a stripper bf, a club, so much passion and of course misunderstandings. I loved it. I know that it seems a silly plot and maybe it is but it was really well written. It seems to me like one of those romantic movies from the 50s with a besotted and not too smart hero and a feisty cute heroine, a bombshell like Marilyn, a lot of misunderstandings and funny acts, and love in the end. The hero was really nice, he is a bit like a control freak that wants his life all planned and when the heroine enters in his office he cannot take his eyes off her. From that moment on he is absolutely hers! He tries to resist but he really can’t! And he acts like a caveman, so possessive and jealous of every man that it’s obvious that he’s crazy for her. I consider it a safe reading because they only met once before and she was 12 with braces and all, the hero is ten years older so it should be creepy if he was celibate for her, she was only a child! They met again 10 years later and from the first time he sees her he can’t think of nothing else, so it’s ok. I recommend it if you want a nice entertaining reading.
Profile Image for Jac K.
2,007 reviews224 followers
June 9, 2020
I read the paperback (The Tycoon's Rebel Bride) years ago, and stumbled on a free copy so I thought I’d revisit. This is Theron’s story (the nice brother) and Bella. Bella is not the typical soapy virgin h; she has moxie, and goes after what she wants… which is Theron. Theron has decided it’s time to “settle down” now that he’s laying roots in NYC; he plans on proposing to Alannis, a respectable Greek woman whom he has a close friendship with. That won't happen if Bella gets her way.

Bottom line- This one was just ok for me, there really isn’t anything OTT, or any real drama. I guess Bella is technically the meddling OW, but that's all swept aside easily, and suddenly both Alannis and her mother are totally fine with her not marrying Theron. I liked that she had some lady balls, but can’t say I found her very likeable; I felt lust between her and Theron, but not love. Overall, it was a bit boring.

Profile Image for Katherine 黄爱芬.
2,032 reviews230 followers
March 16, 2021
Buku kedua seri ini msh gak ok mnrt gw. Interaksi Theron dan Isabella ini ky "maksa" utk jadian. Dan tingkah keduanya nyebelin hampir di sebagian besar ceritanya.

Theron adalah wali dari Isabella Caplan yg berusia 22 thn. Dana perwalian Isabella baru bs diperoleh gadis ini stl berusia 25 thn atau menikah. Gadis gegabah ini memilih opsi kedua dan menyasar pd Theron yg sdh dia dambakan sejak Isabella beranjak remaja. Dan cara² Isabella utk mendptkan Theron jauh dari elegan (tapi jg gak lucu mnrt saya). Selalu memakai busana "silakan-lahap-diriku-yayang-Theron" malah bikin saya muak bacanya. Over pamer body walau tubuhmu seindah supermodel itu cara paling dangkal mnrt saya.

Theron jg gak lebih baik drpd Isabella. Theron sdh memutuskan utk menikahi Alannis tapi ujug² pikirannya berkelana terus ke Isabella yg childish dan hobi kabur²an itu. Saya gak ngerti kecuali Theron emang masokis dan lebih suka tipe penggoda dan pembangkang yg kekanak-kanakan yg membuatnya selalu "sibuk".

Sisi bagusnya cuma di akhir cerita Isabella mengakui dgn jujur tindak-tanduknya yg attention whore sekaligus manipulasinya yg payah. Selain itu, GAK ADA. Saya heran bagi
yg suka dgn seri ini, soalnya 2 buku ini udah "mental" dan gak cocok bagi saya.
Profile Image for Ishara.
560 reviews7 followers
July 28, 2019
I did not enjoy this book as much as the first one in the series. Bella just plain irritated me. I have read many books with heroines of a similar age, but this one was simply too juvenile for my taste.
Profile Image for amanda s..
2,966 reviews93 followers
May 20, 2013
Thank God it's not as angsty as Chrysander and Marley's story! Because the angsty level of Maya Banks is alaways THIS high!

Theron's thirty two years old, handsome, rich and soon-to-be married. But suddenly he has to be the guardian of twenty two years old Isabella. Bella, she's been in love with Theron since a little girl, found out that he's going to get married, determined to seduced her. But apparently, her plan worked out all too well..

Kind of expecting Theron to be much gentler tha Chrysander. I mean, with Marley he seems to be so sweet and tender. But again, this is his own story and now he's the Alpha.

I love Bella! She's independent and somehow her brain works better than any other heroine I've ever read. She passes her bodyguard twice, for crying out loud! :)

And no huge angsty in this story, I'm grateful. Recommended to you who love Alpha Male!
Profile Image for Karyn.
509 reviews36 followers
March 30, 2015
They were both annoying.. Isabella was childish and Theron was an idiot.
She was only concerned with her feelings and her wants - it didn't matter if those around her got affected by her actions. She wasn't so much a rebel bride as a spoilt rich girl.

Theron, besides the handsome physical description, didn't have much else going for him. He always seemed the last to know or figure things out.. i liked his brother from book 1 The Tycoon's Pregnant Mistress (The Anetakis Tycoons Series, #1) a lot better. Theron's character wasn't developed much here

Frankly i expected more from Maya Banks.
Profile Image for Lynsey A.
1,766 reviews
March 21, 2012
It took me awhile to get through this book. I guess the whole idea of this story line just wasn't exciting for me. The girl chasing the guy just wasn't interesting to me. There were some decent angsty parts but not enough that I felt this book should get added to my "angsy goodness" shelf.

I will probably wait a bit before reading another Desire book by Maya Banks. I am in no rush to read Piers's story.
Profile Image for Susan (susayq ~).
2,105 reviews121 followers
February 25, 2012
Another great Maya Banks book! Words can't describe how much I utterly LOVED Isabella in this book! She was witty, sly, slightly manipulative, and totally in love with Theron. She knew exactly who she wanted and figured out how to get him. Of course, Theron being a man and all, he never knew what hit him until it was too late ;0)

I just might have to go find the others in this series :)
Profile Image for Tia.
Author 6 books130 followers
August 9, 2012
This novel deals with Bella and Theron. Bella has been in love with Theron since she could remember but when her father died, he made Theron her guardian. Now Theron in trying to marry her off to the first eligible bachelor. However Bella has other plans and that includes marrying Theron and taking him to bed.
Profile Image for shms.
1,178 reviews
August 12, 2016
This was a re-read for me and it went from 2* to 3*. I can't remember reading it first time round, this time I enjoyed this one. Liked the h chasing the H, the amusing almost light hearted tone of the book. The wrap up is super quick but that's not unusual from most series romances.

Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews

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