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The Italian's Ruthless Marriage Bargain
Plain, poor and inexperienced, Jude struggles to hold down a full-time job as well as being guardian to her brother's three little children. So she can't believe her eyes when she opens her front door to handsome Luca Di Rossi, the man whom the newspapers call the world's most notorious playboy!
Jude knows that in any other circumstances, wealthy, powerful Luca wouldn't look twice at her. But he needs a wife— pronto! Now the ruthless billionaire's demanding a marriage of convenience!
Jude knows that in any other circumstances, wealthy, powerful Luca wouldn't look twice at her. But he needs a wife— pronto! Now the ruthless billionaire's demanding a marriage of convenience!
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
About the author
Kim Lawrence
869 books214 followersThough lacking much authentic Welsh blood, Kim Lawrence comes from English-Irish stock. She was born and brought up in North Wales. She returned there when she married, and her sons were both born on Anglesey, an island off the coast. Though not isolated, Anglesey is a little off the beaten track, but lively Dublin, which Kim loves, is only a short ferry ride away. Today they live on the farm her husband was brought up on. Welsh is the first language of many people in this area and Kim's husband and sons are all bilingual she is having a lot of fun, not to mention a few headaches, trying to learn the language! She is a keen gardener and cook and enjoys running often on the beach, as living on an island the sea is never very far away. She is usually accompanied by her Jack Russell, Sprout don't ask, it's long story!
With small children, the unsocial hours of nursing didn't look attractive so encouraged by a husband who thinks she can do anything she sets her mind to, Kim tried her hand at writing. Always a keen Mills & Boon reader, it seemed natural for her to write a romance novel. In 1995, she published her first novels and now she can't imagine doing anything else.
With small children, the unsocial hours of nursing didn't look attractive so encouraged by a husband who thinks she can do anything she sets her mind to, Kim tried her hand at writing. Always a keen Mills & Boon reader, it seemed natural for her to write a romance novel. In 1995, she published her first novels and now she can't imagine doing anything else.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 16, 2009
Man the blurb is a bit misleading. They make Jude seem like a wallflower. She really isn't. She's got a PhD (ladies who are looking for HP heroines with a higher education and a good career read this one), she's got a nice place to live, and I would consider her successful. She sounds pretty attractive to me. Not drop dead gorgeous, but an attractive woman. She just feels like she's not attractive at times because of her mother's overbearing ways. So I wouldn't exactly call her a Plain Jane although I would add this under that theme in my bookshelf because that's how Jude sees herself.
It was a good book, a quick read. I've read better by Lawrence, but it was enjoyable. It had some angst, but not too much. One thing I didn't like was you really didn't get to know Luca's daughter, Valentina, that well. You got more glimpses of Jude's nieces and nephews than you get of Valentina. I think if you're going to plot a book around a child, he or she should make more than a token appearance. Otherwise, the child is merely a plot point.
Luca started off being a bossy alpha who was on the judgemental side. But he didn't stay that way long enough to be annoying, a frequent occurence in the world of Harlequin Presents. Another staple of the HP land is the enormously tall, so hot he can melt off your panties Italian hero. This book is no different. Jude can't seem to keep her hands off his body and blurting out things about how gorgeous he is. She even propositions him. Of course, he accepts, but his plan is marriage all along (that's refreshing, isn't it?) She just wants an affair. The reasons weren't clear except I think she felt he couldn't possibly want a girl like her. Yes, I think that's what it was (I was really tired when I was trying to finish this book, so forgive me). Anyway, I personally would be rather embarrassed to proposition my neighbor like that. But heroines can get away with things that us real life girls don't dream of doing.
There was some good steam and I wanted Jude and Luca to be together. The ending was nice, but nothing to write home about. I think I would have enjoyed this book more if I wasn't half-dead from exhaustion from working a six day week last week, and twelve hour days and getting up at 4 am every stinking morning six days in a row with one day off.
If you like Kim Lawrence, read it. If you want a couple hours of light entertainment, I think you'd also enjoy it. If you are a fan of HP books, it would be a worthwhile read. But I don't think it would knock your socks off. If I could, I'd give it 3.5 stars instead of 3 stars.
It was a good book, a quick read. I've read better by Lawrence, but it was enjoyable. It had some angst, but not too much. One thing I didn't like was you really didn't get to know Luca's daughter, Valentina, that well. You got more glimpses of Jude's nieces and nephews than you get of Valentina. I think if you're going to plot a book around a child, he or she should make more than a token appearance. Otherwise, the child is merely a plot point.
Luca started off being a bossy alpha who was on the judgemental side. But he didn't stay that way long enough to be annoying, a frequent occurence in the world of Harlequin Presents. Another staple of the HP land is the enormously tall, so hot he can melt off your panties Italian hero. This book is no different. Jude can't seem to keep her hands off his body and blurting out things about how gorgeous he is. She even propositions him. Of course, he accepts, but his plan is marriage all along (that's refreshing, isn't it?) She just wants an affair. The reasons weren't clear except I think she felt he couldn't possibly want a girl like her. Yes, I think that's what it was (I was really tired when I was trying to finish this book, so forgive me). Anyway, I personally would be rather embarrassed to proposition my neighbor like that. But heroines can get away with things that us real life girls don't dream of doing.
There was some good steam and I wanted Jude and Luca to be together. The ending was nice, but nothing to write home about. I think I would have enjoyed this book more if I wasn't half-dead from exhaustion from working a six day week last week, and twelve hour days and getting up at 4 am every stinking morning six days in a row with one day off.
If you like Kim Lawrence, read it. If you want a couple hours of light entertainment, I think you'd also enjoy it. If you are a fan of HP books, it would be a worthwhile read. But I don't think it would knock your socks off. If I could, I'd give it 3.5 stars instead of 3 stars.
October 2, 2016
4 CONVENIENTLY MARRIED STARS
This is a story about a marriage of convenience. A favorite story line of mine I must admit.
The heroine Jude is a struggling "guardian-mother" figure to her brother's orphaned three children. Now these children sound like actual real kids should sound.
So BRAVO Ms. KL on your honest portrayal of kids in this book here.
The hero Luca Di Rossi is your typical hero here with him being rich, tall, handsome and with enough luggage to fill a whole baggage kart. He needs to quickly find a woman to marry, preferably with children. Which would allow him to appear more established in order to gain full custody of 'his" daughter Valentina.
When he spots the overwhelmed heroine he sees his an opportunity for them to solve each others problems. Enter the marriage of convenience. Now in HP land nothing is ever this easy and these two must navigate through many obstacles in order to achieve their HEA.
Also, this author is on my auto buy list. I have very few disappointing reads from her.
And this book was NOT a disappointment for me.
Worth a read and a reread for me.
Safety: no cheating, some drama with OW but mostly from crazy ex family, some pushing and pulling, and hero used condoms in his past, heroine is virgin.
This is a story about a marriage of convenience. A favorite story line of mine I must admit.
The heroine Jude is a struggling "guardian-mother" figure to her brother's orphaned three children. Now these children sound like actual real kids should sound.
So BRAVO Ms. KL on your honest portrayal of kids in this book here.
The hero Luca Di Rossi is your typical hero here with him being rich, tall, handsome and with enough luggage to fill a whole baggage kart. He needs to quickly find a woman to marry, preferably with children. Which would allow him to appear more established in order to gain full custody of 'his" daughter Valentina.
When he spots the overwhelmed heroine he sees his an opportunity for them to solve each others problems. Enter the marriage of convenience. Now in HP land nothing is ever this easy and these two must navigate through many obstacles in order to achieve their HEA.
Also, this author is on my auto buy list. I have very few disappointing reads from her.
And this book was NOT a disappointment for me.
Worth a read and a reread for me.
Safety: no cheating, some drama with OW but mostly from crazy ex family, some pushing and pulling, and hero used condoms in his past, heroine is virgin.
April 22, 2018
A marriage of convenience story of a "playboy" hero who needs a ready-made family in order to keep custody of his daughter from her ruthless grandmother. The heroine is guardian of her brother's three children after he and his wife were killed in a car accident. They meet when the heroine's nephew wanders off in their apartment building to the hero's half-brother's flat. The hero returns him along with choice words for the heroine.
The heroine is supposed to be a university lecturer, but she gasps and jumps to conclusions and takes umbrage at everything the hero does because she is fighting her attraction. The hero is equally ridiculous. He won't explain anything to the heroine and expects her to trust him that his terrible reputation is undeserved.
To round out the annoying characters - there's the heroine's hyper-critical and unhelpful mother, the hero's Machiavellian stepmother (she framed a servant because she didn't like how close he was to the family), the nosy neighbor calling social services on the heroine, and the half-brother who never takes responsibility for anything.
I just didn't like any of the characters in this one. Nothing rang true to me. Sorry, Kim Lawrence fans.
The heroine is supposed to be a university lecturer, but she gasps and jumps to conclusions and takes umbrage at everything the hero does because she is fighting her attraction. The hero is equally ridiculous. He won't explain anything to the heroine and expects her to trust him that his terrible reputation is undeserved.
To round out the annoying characters - there's the heroine's hyper-critical and unhelpful mother, the hero's Machiavellian stepmother (she framed a servant because she didn't like how close he was to the family), the nosy neighbor calling social services on the heroine, and the half-brother who never takes responsibility for anything.
I just didn't like any of the characters in this one. Nothing rang true to me. Sorry, Kim Lawrence fans.
November 27, 2016
4.5 stars
Being left as guardian of your three young nephew and nieces, having no time to grieve your loss and having zero experience and and even less help (I'm looking at you heroine's mom) would drive anyone nuts sooner or later and our heroine (Jude) is loosing it.
Our hero (Luca) has a very bad reputation just because he doesn't like to defend himself, he just doesn't care what people say. BUT now that his daughter's grandparents are asking for her custody he's in need of a new reputation even though he would win a court case. The thing is he doesn't want to expose his daughter to the media circus so he'll do anything to be granted the custody before the trial, so now he needs a wife... With kids.
Of course Luca appears in Jude's worst moment so he thinks she's incompetent. Of course she hates him because he's perfect and she's a disaster. Of course everything happens to her to make her look stupid and him like a God. Of course she's falling hard for him and he doesn't do love.
I'm a sucker for this.
Now, there were details I didn't agree with but I was really content with the overall.
Just saying, that big surprise almost in the end... I saw it coming since about the first quarter of the book. Maybe I've read too many HPs.
Being left as guardian of your three young nephew and nieces, having no time to grieve your loss and having zero experience and and even less help (I'm looking at you heroine's mom) would drive anyone nuts sooner or later and our heroine (Jude) is loosing it.
Our hero (Luca) has a very bad reputation just because he doesn't like to defend himself, he just doesn't care what people say. BUT now that his daughter's grandparents are asking for her custody he's in need of a new reputation even though he would win a court case. The thing is he doesn't want to expose his daughter to the media circus so he'll do anything to be granted the custody before the trial, so now he needs a wife... With kids.
Of course Luca appears in Jude's worst moment so he thinks she's incompetent. Of course she hates him because he's perfect and she's a disaster. Of course everything happens to her to make her look stupid and him like a God. Of course she's falling hard for him and he doesn't do love.
I'm a sucker for this.
Now, there were details I didn't agree with but I was really content with the overall.
Just saying, that big surprise almost in the end... I saw it coming since about the first quarter of the book. Maybe I've read too many HPs.
January 17, 2017
Goodreads deleted the review, because of someone flagging it, guess I got to write it all over again!
Strange reason: It contains too many spoilers and - what the heck? Mine was similar to anothers!? Whoever flagged it had to be crazy!
Just because some spoilers coincidentally are nearly same does not mean I have taken it from them, you really got to be kidding yourself!
Anyway, getting back to the review:
Jude was supposed to be this strong, independent, educated working woman with a career she "worked hard for" - but instead she acted like a petulant child with little to no backbone at all.
Her childish behaviour brought down the rating.
I wouldn’t call Lucas’s bargain - ruthless, as described in the title, because he didn’t seem like much of a manipulator.
Again, he never blackmailed her in any way, though he was very persuasive.
Another spoiler here:
A few light-hearted funny moments but a solid romance, minus the bickering, Jude would throw in here and there.
Chantal, thank you very much for the recommendation, and although this one was not a great one, it was a fun read.
Strange reason: It contains too many spoilers and - what the heck? Mine was similar to anothers!? Whoever flagged it had to be crazy!
Just because some spoilers coincidentally are nearly same does not mean I have taken it from them, you really got to be kidding yourself!
Anyway, getting back to the review:
Jude was supposed to be this strong, independent, educated working woman with a career she "worked hard for" - but instead she acted like a petulant child with little to no backbone at all.
Her childish behaviour brought down the rating.
I wouldn’t call Lucas’s bargain - ruthless, as described in the title, because he didn’t seem like much of a manipulator.
Again, he never blackmailed her in any way, though he was very persuasive.
Another spoiler here:
A few light-hearted funny moments but a solid romance, minus the bickering, Jude would throw in here and there.
Chantal, thank you very much for the recommendation, and although this one was not a great one, it was a fun read.
March 24, 2018
Plain, poor and inexperienced, Jude struggles to hold down a full-time job as well as being guardian to her brother's three little children. So she can't believe her eyes when she opens her front door to handsome Luca Di Rossi, the man whom the newspapers call the world's most notorious playboy!
Jude knows that in any other circumstances, wealthy, powerful Luca wouldn't look twice at her. But he needs a wife--pronto! Now the ruthless billionaire's demanding a marriage of convenience!
Jude knows that in any other circumstances, wealthy, powerful Luca wouldn't look twice at her. But he needs a wife--pronto! Now the ruthless billionaire's demanding a marriage of convenience!
November 14, 2011
Playboy billionaire Luca Di Rossi is in need of a wife, one with a ready made family would do nicely as a solution to his current problem. Although he had a plan in place for a marriage of convience, he had not expected to stumble upon Jude. Jude who most recently became the guardian of her deceased brothers little children. Luca believes in fate, but he also believes in letting Jude figure out that they were meant to be on her terms. Proposing frequently and inserting himself into are just the little nudges she needs to get her to realize he is the one for her.
I liked the idea of this, the synopsis on the book really is misleading though. There were a few things that made no sense to me though in the story, like Jude an author on parenting and yet she has 0 experience and struggling with her new role as guardian. She seemed clueless and it didn't match with the persona she had in the story. Fun read though to see how it all unfolds.
I liked the idea of this, the synopsis on the book really is misleading though. There were a few things that made no sense to me though in the story, like Jude an author on parenting and yet she has 0 experience and struggling with her new role as guardian. She seemed clueless and it didn't match with the persona she had in the story. Fun read though to see how it all unfolds.
November 13, 2018
A book about a MOC that turned out to be amusing, sweet, sexy and a really good read.
The h’s brother and sister-in-law were killed in a car crash, making her guardian to their three children. Five year old twins and an eighteen month old. She had a degree in child psychology but is quickly learning that intellectual knowledge and practical application are two totally different things. She is over her head and in serious need of some help.
The H has a seven year old daughter who her maternal relatives are trying to get custody of. He will do anything to keep her safe from them. Even if that means a MOC to a stranger.
Fate happens and the H finds the h’s five year old nephew who snuck out and went to visit the H’s brother’s apartment. Although their first meeting was hostile and a bit mental, there was no denying the sparks between them. This all led to a proposal of marriage that led to a story that was great fun to read.
The h’s brother and sister-in-law were killed in a car crash, making her guardian to their three children. Five year old twins and an eighteen month old. She had a degree in child psychology but is quickly learning that intellectual knowledge and practical application are two totally different things. She is over her head and in serious need of some help.
The H has a seven year old daughter who her maternal relatives are trying to get custody of. He will do anything to keep her safe from them. Even if that means a MOC to a stranger.
Fate happens and the H finds the h’s five year old nephew who snuck out and went to visit the H’s brother’s apartment. Although their first meeting was hostile and a bit mental, there was no denying the sparks between them. This all led to a proposal of marriage that led to a story that was great fun to read.
September 23, 2011
Luca Di Rossi Gianluca wants to retain custody of his little girl from her dead mother’s family. He doesn’t want the child around her nasty grandmother at all, so he needs to have a wife and preferably one with kids to make his stand more solid. Luca is a very rich, playboy and he needs to show that he has a settled down life that would be good for a child. Luca doesn’t like to explain his actions he feels that he shouldn’t be questioned as he would never lead you wrong.
Dr. Jude Lucas is guardian to her orphaned nieces and nephew. She seems to be doing well for herself and even though she is an author and child expert, she’s not an expert w/ hands on experience. Guess knowing what to do and actually being able to do it are two different things. Jude has a soft, gentle heart and she is forgiving.
Their first encounter was hard to get past. Here is this doctor that seemed to be speechless w/ H, I later chalked it up to him throwing her for such a loop that her intelligence drained away from her brain. However that didn’t last long. Sure they get lost in themselves and tend to forget things, but do remember later and they are so good together. I wouldn’t call his bargain ruthless because he didn’t seem like much of a manipulator. Not sure why the back of the book described her as plain because the H didn’t seem to think so. She doesn’t seem to be a weak h either. I’m pretty sure she knows what she wants and goes after it even though she has to be slightly pushed to do it sometimes. I liked that she trusted him even when at first there was a knee jerk reaction by her and she doubted him. It didn’t go far but it showed the humanness of people and how sometimes they do think about that at first but then rationality returns and they figure it all out. Truly believe the HEA in this and believe they all deserve it too! A few light hearted funny moments overall a solid believable romance . . . sweet! They both seem so grown up and not stuck on childish heartaches, carrying around baggage from the past. Each comes to the relationship, and are seen for themselves not what someone else did to them. I liked the he didn’t blackmail her either he placed his cards on the table and let her decide.
Dr. Jude Lucas is guardian to her orphaned nieces and nephew. She seems to be doing well for herself and even though she is an author and child expert, she’s not an expert w/ hands on experience. Guess knowing what to do and actually being able to do it are two different things. Jude has a soft, gentle heart and she is forgiving.
Their first encounter was hard to get past. Here is this doctor that seemed to be speechless w/ H, I later chalked it up to him throwing her for such a loop that her intelligence drained away from her brain. However that didn’t last long. Sure they get lost in themselves and tend to forget things, but do remember later and they are so good together. I wouldn’t call his bargain ruthless because he didn’t seem like much of a manipulator. Not sure why the back of the book described her as plain because the H didn’t seem to think so. She doesn’t seem to be a weak h either. I’m pretty sure she knows what she wants and goes after it even though she has to be slightly pushed to do it sometimes. I liked that she trusted him even when at first there was a knee jerk reaction by her and she doubted him. It didn’t go far but it showed the humanness of people and how sometimes they do think about that at first but then rationality returns and they figure it all out. Truly believe the HEA in this and believe they all deserve it too! A few light hearted funny moments overall a solid believable romance . . . sweet! They both seem so grown up and not stuck on childish heartaches, carrying around baggage from the past. Each comes to the relationship, and are seen for themselves not what someone else did to them. I liked the he didn’t blackmail her either he placed his cards on the table and let her decide.
February 11, 2017
hasting ending, but otherwise an unique read!
5++ stars!
5++ stars!
July 17, 2020
I did not like it. The heroine was such a freaking porcupine throughout most of the book that I don't see why the hero didn't cut his losses and choose someone else. I did not like her at all, she was supposed to be a Dr. but how she reacted to things was ludicrous. I did like the hero for most part didn't really like the "daughter" storyline though. I don't really like books with heroes or heroines raising their nieces/nephews. Np.
July 19, 2021
Reread. Interesting characters, especially the 3 kids for whom h is the new guardian and her mother. The H of course is gorgeous and enigmatic, honorable, decent who needs love. The h shows her psychology background when she leaps into counseling mode to H’s daughter’s grandmother.
Original : The story here was pretty good but author should have concentrated on the people more and bed scenes less.
Original : The story here was pretty good but author should have concentrated on the people more and bed scenes less.
April 13, 2012
Not a bad story. I liked premise which seemed a bit different.
I found the title and the blurb to be misleading. I didn't find anything ruthless about the H or his relationship with the h. Actually I enjoyed the parts where he spent with the h and her family.
I just found the insta-lust followed quickly by the insta-love to be a bit unbelievable and a little too fast.
I found the title and the blurb to be misleading. I didn't find anything ruthless about the H or his relationship with the h. Actually I enjoyed the parts where he spent with the h and her family.
I just found the insta-lust followed quickly by the insta-love to be a bit unbelievable and a little too fast.
April 4, 2021
This is probably 3 to 3.5 for me. Unlike some of the other books I have read by KL, I just never reached that emotional turmoil feeling. The interactions between the h and H seemed repetitive at times. Like more action needed maybe? I would have liked to have seen the daughter of the H more. I think taking some pages away in the middle and spending time on a really good epilogue would have been nice. I mean the H had a 9 bedroom house...so I see a few more kids in their future...Overall it was enjoyable and I read it straight through...there are many reviews that will walk you through the plot, mine doesn’t...
SPOILERS below but nothing too damaging to plot:
My wonderings?(irritations, gripes)
If your son (the H) is the only child you had with the woman that you professed to love then why would you treat him so shabbily???(please no garbage about how the son was too painful to look at because he reminded him of his mother😡)
The h’s father has pretty much ignored her and continues to but he is flown in to give her away at the wedding? Is this for appearances? I mean don’t tell me daddy is going to tear up at giving his daughter away when he can’t even bother to see her on a regular basis...she has never met her 1/2 siblings......
The H’s father allows his trusted driver to be set up by his 2nd wife and now has a criminal record...”Hey, H’s dad did your balls get buried with your 1st wife?” I mean come on where is your Italian Alpha hiding???
The h is a psychologist who writes a book on child rearing but has not had children...When she gets children she is overwhelmed and struggling....I’m sure this was written to be ironic, maybe funny, or maybe it was the authors way of applauding our unsung heroes (MOMS) because keeping your sh@&together raising kids singularly or in a committed relationship is not for the faint of heart! I just wish she hadn’t been portrayed as so incompetent with the addition of her expert book. This could also be a dig at people who are “experts” on things and try to tell the common folk how to be better🙄
SPOILERS below but nothing too damaging to plot:
My wonderings?(irritations, gripes)
If your son (the H) is the only child you had with the woman that you professed to love then why would you treat him so shabbily???(please no garbage about how the son was too painful to look at because he reminded him of his mother😡)
The h’s father has pretty much ignored her and continues to but he is flown in to give her away at the wedding? Is this for appearances? I mean don’t tell me daddy is going to tear up at giving his daughter away when he can’t even bother to see her on a regular basis...she has never met her 1/2 siblings......
The H’s father allows his trusted driver to be set up by his 2nd wife and now has a criminal record...”Hey, H’s dad did your balls get buried with your 1st wife?” I mean come on where is your Italian Alpha hiding???
The h is a psychologist who writes a book on child rearing but has not had children...When she gets children she is overwhelmed and struggling....I’m sure this was written to be ironic, maybe funny, or maybe it was the authors way of applauding our unsung heroes (MOMS) because keeping your sh@&together raising kids singularly or in a committed relationship is not for the faint of heart! I just wish she hadn’t been portrayed as so incompetent with the addition of her expert book. This could also be a dig at people who are “experts” on things and try to tell the common folk how to be better🙄
October 9, 2013
3.5 stars -- I really enjoyed the passionate bantering and arguing/bickering between Jude and Luca.... I LOVED how Jude wouldn't cower to Luca, and frequently put him in his place. She was definitely a perfect match for Luca. The children were kind of side notes, but in the end that didn't bother me.... Even the big climatic misunderstanding was resolved in a way where I still forgave both characters and believed it.... So all in all enjoyable read.
Read
July 27, 2011Jude is left custody of her 3 nieces and nephew. Despite being a psycologist and having written a book on child care, she is ou of her depths when it comes to putting that knowledge to actual use. Being shown up by the devastatingly handsome playboy Luca is really too muc.h.
A delightful story.
A delightful story.
October 5, 2013
The bickering between the two protagonists were really obnoxious. And even though the heroine was supposed to be this strong, independent, educated working woman with a career she "worked hard for" - she (unsurprisingly) acted like a petulant child with little to no backbone at all. I originally rated this a 2 star out of 5, but after thinking about it, I'm going to give it a 1 star out of 5.
January 14, 2015
I enjoyed the verbal sparring in this book though occasionally I found the wording awkward.
July 10, 2015
No idea was this was in my hated ebooks file. Really reread.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews