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The Italian's Bought Bride
Allegra Avesti never realized that her fiancé, wickedly handsome tycoon Stefano Capozzi, saw her as just another item on his agenda. How could she share her life with a man who'd negotiated the terms of their marriage in the boardroom rather than the bedroom? Years later, Stefano needs Allegra—and is determined to claim his runaway bride. The defiant Allegra will return to Italy with him—and if he has to seduce her into agreeing, then that will make it all the more pleasurable for him….
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 2010
15 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Kate Hewitt
902 books1,739 followersKate is the USA Today-bsetselling author of many books of both historical and contemporary fiction. Under the name Katharine Swartz, she is the author of the Tales from Goswell books, a series of time-slip novels set in the village of Goswell.
She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, as well as historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.
Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and two Golden Retrievers.
She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, as well as historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.
Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and two Golden Retrievers.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 13, 2017
A second chance story between an H who is looking for help with a boy who won't speak and the art therapy heroine who jilted him at the altar 7 years before. The heroine jilted him because she was 19 and wanted reassurances of his love after she overheard the business deal between the H and her father. (Her place in society in exchange for money). The H cannot give her those reassurances and her mother encourages her to leave because she wants to embarrass her husband. No one thinks of the hero's feelings in all of this.
The heroine journeys to England. Is ostracized by that side of the family and scrimps and saves and puts herself through school. Her father commits suicide and her mother takes up with other men.
The hero is told that the heroine had a breakthrough with a child who was misdiagnosed as autistic when the child was actually grieving. The hero thinks the same thing happened with his housekeeper's son and he wants the heroine to help.
The heroine was in love with the hero and isn't surprised when he doesn't seem angry with her (since she thinks he was indifferent to her the whole time). Both of these characters are so repressed and in denial that they have these circular arguments that, while realistic, get to be very repetitious. They both cling to their points of view for a long, long time. The hero *was* angry and *was* hurt by the heroine.
The grieving boy is cured and he finally opens up when the heroine asks the right question. The H/h go through the same process although there isn't one dramatic moment when they open up.
I liked both the H/h. The heroine caused a lot of trouble by jilting the H, but I don't think either one of them were mature enough to marry back then. There is a streak of melancholy that runs through this story. I would have liked an epilogue to see them happy.
The heroine journeys to England. Is ostracized by that side of the family and scrimps and saves and puts herself through school. Her father commits suicide and her mother takes up with other men.
The hero is told that the heroine had a breakthrough with a child who was misdiagnosed as autistic when the child was actually grieving. The hero thinks the same thing happened with his housekeeper's son and he wants the heroine to help.
The heroine was in love with the hero and isn't surprised when he doesn't seem angry with her (since she thinks he was indifferent to her the whole time). Both of these characters are so repressed and in denial that they have these circular arguments that, while realistic, get to be very repetitious. They both cling to their points of view for a long, long time. The hero *was* angry and *was* hurt by the heroine.
The grieving boy is cured and he finally opens up when the heroine asks the right question. The H/h go through the same process although there isn't one dramatic moment when they open up.
I liked both the H/h. The heroine caused a lot of trouble by jilting the H, but I don't think either one of them were mature enough to marry back then. There is a streak of melancholy that runs through this story. I would have liked an epilogue to see them happy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2012
3.5 stars. I didn't enjoy this quite as much on second reading; there's a lot of repetition in the language which become very apparent. I think Allegra will have "He treated me like a possession" carved on her tombstone. But I do like the general tone of the story (which is angsty yet feels essentially real) as well as the characters. Stephano isn't vengeful towards Allegra, although she hurt him more than she ever realized, and she's matured in the seven years since she left him at the alter. (Also, a Harlequin Presents heroine who actually slept with another man she and the hero were apart? Rarer than a unicorn!)
October 19, 2021
Did not like it, what the heroine overheard 7 years before was awful and I totally agree with her running away (she told hero what she overheard and he didn't reassure her so her not showing up is on him in my mind). He never ran after her and actually married another woman a mere 3 months later (sleeping with her as well, as he said he wasn't celibate). Heroine wasn't celibate either as she slept with a doctor year before start of book. I just didn't like the characters or the plot at all. Np.
April 7, 2015
A lot of introspection from the heroine which I've come to expect from this author. It does go on and on and sometimes is repetitive and confusing. Overall a good m&b story.
Btw I'm glad that for once the heroine slept with someone else while she and the hero were apart rather than the usual - he sleeps around while she faithfully 'saves herself' ugh.
Btw I'm glad that for once the heroine slept with someone else while she and the hero were apart rather than the usual - he sleeps around while she faithfully 'saves herself' ugh.
May 22, 2020
The Italian's Bought Bride
They had meet when she turned eighteen. Was all set to marry a year later. But she had overheard her father and him talking about the marriage being a sound business deal. She was devastated and left. Now seven years later he needs her help. What price of revenge is to be paid for her desertion years before. Will they get their own happy ending?.
They had meet when she turned eighteen. Was all set to marry a year later. But she had overheard her father and him talking about the marriage being a sound business deal. She was devastated and left. Now seven years later he needs her help. What price of revenge is to be paid for her desertion years before. Will they get their own happy ending?.
October 16, 2020
Just OK. The parts with the little boy were the best.
July 3, 2010
I've pretty much stuck with Jacqueline Baird and Lynne Graham in the past, and stayed away from other Harlequin Presents. This book was a freebie with my purchase on eHarlequin.com. I'm very glad I got it. I've always thought of HP's as cookie-cutter. The hero seems like a jerk, but he's really caring. The heroine is always a virgin, and the word, "frisson" has to be used at least twice.
This HP was different from others I've read. There were no love scenes. Not a single one, which surprised me because the HP's I've read in the past have been saturated with them. The heroine was strong, and I really liked her.
On the eve of her wedding, Allegra finds out her fiance has bought her. The marriage is arranged. Devestated, she flees and is cut off completely from her family and wealthy lifestyle. However, seven years later, her former fiance comes in search of her. Stefano needs Allegra's help reaching a little boy dear to him. Stefano is convinced little Lucio is not autistic, but instead is traumatized from his father's death. Allegra is an art therapist with a history of helping such children. She agrees to come to Stefano's home in order to treat Lucio, but she ends up teaching Stefano and herself how to open up and come to terms with their own painful past in the process.
I really enjoyed this book, not the usual HP I've become accustomed to. Oh, and the author only used the word,"frisson" once. (-;
This HP was different from others I've read. There were no love scenes. Not a single one, which surprised me because the HP's I've read in the past have been saturated with them. The heroine was strong, and I really liked her.
On the eve of her wedding, Allegra finds out her fiance has bought her. The marriage is arranged. Devestated, she flees and is cut off completely from her family and wealthy lifestyle. However, seven years later, her former fiance comes in search of her. Stefano needs Allegra's help reaching a little boy dear to him. Stefano is convinced little Lucio is not autistic, but instead is traumatized from his father's death. Allegra is an art therapist with a history of helping such children. She agrees to come to Stefano's home in order to treat Lucio, but she ends up teaching Stefano and herself how to open up and come to terms with their own painful past in the process.
I really enjoyed this book, not the usual HP I've become accustomed to. Oh, and the author only used the word,"frisson" once. (-;
March 4, 2014
great.....I love it...
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews