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The Millionaire's Mistress
Made to be his mistress!
Justine Montgomery desperately needed a loan, otherwise she and her mom would be out on the street. So she steeled herself to ask handsome millionaire banker Marcus Osborne for help.
Marcus had no illusions about the Justines of this world. He could tell just by looking at her that she was a gold digger, out to target a rich husband. Just like his ex-wife.... But Marcus was also glad when Justine told him she'd do anything if he'd lend her money, because he desired her--badly. He'd give her the finances she wanted, and she'd repay him in his bed!
Justine Montgomery desperately needed a loan, otherwise she and her mom would be out on the street. So she steeled herself to ask handsome millionaire banker Marcus Osborne for help.
Marcus had no illusions about the Justines of this world. He could tell just by looking at her that she was a gold digger, out to target a rich husband. Just like his ex-wife.... But Marcus was also glad when Justine told him she'd do anything if he'd lend her money, because he desired her--badly. He'd give her the finances she wanted, and she'd repay him in his bed!
185 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 14, 1998
About the author
Miranda Lee
827 books241 followersMaureen Mary was born on 1945 at Port Macquarie, a popular seaside town on the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales, Australia, and is the youngest of four children. Her sister was the novelist Wendy Brennan (Emma Darcy). Her father was a country school teacher and brilliant sportsman. Her mother was a talented dressmaker. When Miranda was ten, her father was transferred to Gosford, another coastal town in the countryside, much closer to Sydney. After leaving her convent school, she briefly studied the cello before moving to Sydney, where she embraced the emerging world of computers. Her career as a programmer ended after she married, had three daughters and bought a small acreage in a semi-rural community. Following this, she attempted greyhound training, as well as horse and goat breeding, but was left dissatisfied.
Miranda yearned to find a creative career from which she could earn money. When her sister suggested writing romances, it seemed like a good idea. She could do it at home, and it might even be fun! It took a decade of trial and error before her first romance, After the Affair, was accepted and published. At that time, Miranda, her husband Tony, and her three daughters had moved back to the Central Coast, where they could enjoy the sun and the surf lifestyle once again. Not long into her writing career, Miranda committed herself to writing a six-book series entitled, The Hearts of Fire, with a deadline of just nine short months. Bravely, her husband left his executive position to stay home and support Miranda’s writing career. He learned to cook and to clean, two invaluable household skills. Numerous successful stories followed, each embodying Miranda’s trademark style: pacy and sexy rhythms; passionate, real-life characters; and enduring, memorable story lines. She has one credo when writing romances: Don’t bore the reader! Millions of fans world-wide agree she never does.
Miranda was the sister of the late author, Emma Darcy.
Miranda yearned to find a creative career from which she could earn money. When her sister suggested writing romances, it seemed like a good idea. She could do it at home, and it might even be fun! It took a decade of trial and error before her first romance, After the Affair, was accepted and published. At that time, Miranda, her husband Tony, and her three daughters had moved back to the Central Coast, where they could enjoy the sun and the surf lifestyle once again. Not long into her writing career, Miranda committed herself to writing a six-book series entitled, The Hearts of Fire, with a deadline of just nine short months. Bravely, her husband left his executive position to stay home and support Miranda’s writing career. He learned to cook and to clean, two invaluable household skills. Numerous successful stories followed, each embodying Miranda’s trademark style: pacy and sexy rhythms; passionate, real-life characters; and enduring, memorable story lines. She has one credo when writing romances: Don’t bore the reader! Millions of fans world-wide agree she never does.
Miranda was the sister of the late author, Emma Darcy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
April 18, 2019
Re The Millionaire's Mistress - Miranda Lee takes on the blackmailed to be a mistress trope in this one. She gives us a sweet little romance with a lot of boudoir romps, as she attempts to overturn the usual HP h becomes a mistress to save a relative conventions.
The former socialite h in this has a unicorn grooming mind with a body built for sin. The H, a staid bank president who has already been burned by a gold digging society babe and carries a lot of baggage from it, takes one look at the luscious h and instantly thinks Trampy Tart Gold Digger Alert.
Tho her curvaceous form does get his motillators ready to rumble and we can all feel the Lurve Force Mojo gathering to strike.
Things do not improve for our h when her father is found dead in a brothel and the family fortune is flung to the gambling and high paid lady escort winds.
The h's mum, who tends to be rather vague about most things in life, cannot possibly deal with the fallout of the loss of the family fortune and it is up to the h to step up to the plate and earn her HP h credentials.
Which the h does, in a snarky, snazzy style. She manages to figure out that if she sells a lot of family antiques and art, she can pay down her father's debt and if she can get a loan from the bank, she can take in boarding students from the local uni and pay off the rest and thus keep her mum in her beloved family home.
To achieve her goals, the h gets her society BFF to figure out which of the wealthy banking scions they know will give the h a loan. The BFF comes up trumps with a loan officer that is more than happy to succumb to a bit of feminine wiles in return for a stamp of approval upon a loan application.
To be clear, the h has no intention of sleeping with the friendly loan officer, but she does have a figure hugging lime green dress and really tan long legs, so if he mistakes her natural friendliness for something else, well the h doesn't have a tow line on mind control and besides, she REALLY needs that loan.
It is just pure HP deity intervention that puts the h into a loan meeting with the H instead - the original Loaning Lothario got the boot when it was discovered he was granting loans on the basis of quid pro quo.
The H is is kinda mean and does some name calling when he denies the h her shot at financial salvation. So while the h's hormones are waking up, the h is very angry that the H dismisses her as a selfish tart and tells her to sell her mum's house and get over her shallow self.
The h is furious and tells the H, who she thinks is the loan officer, to take a running jump. Then she goes home to break the horrifying news to her mum that their happy family home living days are numbered.
The h sells off most of her couture clothes and starts making an inventory of the family heirlooms that can be sold. Her BFF wants her to come for a last hurrah society party and it is remarked in the H's hearing that the h should just wiggle her hiney for a rich husband instead.
Then the h sees the H at the party and finds out she was royally duped, since discretion has no part of valor in this h's mind, she goes right over and gives the H another dressing down.
This H is kinda beta, even tho he worked his way up from unwanted foster child to bank president, so when the h takes charge and tells him off, the H can't help but respond to her Alpha authority. The H offers a the h a personal loan to save the family home and then he figures he can run his own scheme of quid pro quo.
But the h doesn't take the bait. She is happy to get the loan and sell the H her family heirlooms, but she doesn't sleep with men for money and she is not tarting herself out for cash.
The H's Lurve Force Mojo overwhelms them both and the h decides that the best things in life are free and she is happy to learn the fine art of dragon riding from the H, after a big roofie kissing moment.
The H and h meet up to go over the loan and the roofie kisses get out of hand again. There is a great build up to the actual event that ends with a painful initiation. The H is completely shocked that the h was really a virgin.
This only increases his interest and after fixing the h up with a temporary job as an office cleaner, the H and h are soon lurving it up all over the place.
The h makes no demands on the H and as the H realizes that this h is really sincere in her efforts and not the usual society babe, the H starts to work on putting his own baggage to rest.
The big clincher is when the H offers marriage and the h thinks it is a test. She tells the H that he is great on the floor or in bed, but when she marries it is going to be for True Love Forever and not just because she is sexy and has a lot of natural talent.
The H is triumphant that he finally found a silk purse instead of a sow's ear, but then he is despondent because he loves the h madly and she obviously loves to lurve it up with him, but doesn't love him enough to marry him.
The H decides he is going to change all that and little does he know that the h has been in love with him for the last three chapters. The h is holding out, she knows all about the H's really bad first marriage and that his first wife spent a lot of his money and then cheated on him.
Our h is playing the long game and hoping that her hot lovin' and honest devotion will make an husbandly believer out of the H. Meanwhil,e the H is doing his best to show that he is with the h no matter what and that he can be very handy in all types of situations.
The H demonstrates this magnificently when the h's family home burns down and the h's mum is going to move in with the gardener, (who also has a fortune from his prior line of work.)
The H finally tells the h that he loves her, knows she is pure gold in a world of dross and he would like nothing better than for the h to marry him, have his babies and be his Forever Beloved Lover.
The h is overcome with joy and happily accepts while proclaiming her own love and devotion. We leave the two of them lurving it up and married, they have rebuilt the h's family home and have lots of kids and laughter for the cute HPlandia Rosy Sunset HEA
This one was fun, fast and there was a LOT of lurve club antics between the H and h going on. It was also very cute that the H and h's kids think that their mum is really strict, but the H knows better and remarks that when the lights go out, the h is definitely his favorite bedtime comforter.
Pick this one up when you need a sassy read with some spice, this isn't a angstfest wrecky drama, but it was a very entertaining HPlandia outing and the h really grows on you as the story progresses.
The former socialite h in this has a unicorn grooming mind with a body built for sin. The H, a staid bank president who has already been burned by a gold digging society babe and carries a lot of baggage from it, takes one look at the luscious h and instantly thinks Trampy Tart Gold Digger Alert.
Tho her curvaceous form does get his motillators ready to rumble and we can all feel the Lurve Force Mojo gathering to strike.
Things do not improve for our h when her father is found dead in a brothel and the family fortune is flung to the gambling and high paid lady escort winds.
The h's mum, who tends to be rather vague about most things in life, cannot possibly deal with the fallout of the loss of the family fortune and it is up to the h to step up to the plate and earn her HP h credentials.
Which the h does, in a snarky, snazzy style. She manages to figure out that if she sells a lot of family antiques and art, she can pay down her father's debt and if she can get a loan from the bank, she can take in boarding students from the local uni and pay off the rest and thus keep her mum in her beloved family home.
To achieve her goals, the h gets her society BFF to figure out which of the wealthy banking scions they know will give the h a loan. The BFF comes up trumps with a loan officer that is more than happy to succumb to a bit of feminine wiles in return for a stamp of approval upon a loan application.
To be clear, the h has no intention of sleeping with the friendly loan officer, but she does have a figure hugging lime green dress and really tan long legs, so if he mistakes her natural friendliness for something else, well the h doesn't have a tow line on mind control and besides, she REALLY needs that loan.
It is just pure HP deity intervention that puts the h into a loan meeting with the H instead - the original Loaning Lothario got the boot when it was discovered he was granting loans on the basis of quid pro quo.
The H is is kinda mean and does some name calling when he denies the h her shot at financial salvation. So while the h's hormones are waking up, the h is very angry that the H dismisses her as a selfish tart and tells her to sell her mum's house and get over her shallow self.
The h is furious and tells the H, who she thinks is the loan officer, to take a running jump. Then she goes home to break the horrifying news to her mum that their happy family home living days are numbered.
The h sells off most of her couture clothes and starts making an inventory of the family heirlooms that can be sold. Her BFF wants her to come for a last hurrah society party and it is remarked in the H's hearing that the h should just wiggle her hiney for a rich husband instead.
Then the h sees the H at the party and finds out she was royally duped, since discretion has no part of valor in this h's mind, she goes right over and gives the H another dressing down.
This H is kinda beta, even tho he worked his way up from unwanted foster child to bank president, so when the h takes charge and tells him off, the H can't help but respond to her Alpha authority. The H offers a the h a personal loan to save the family home and then he figures he can run his own scheme of quid pro quo.
But the h doesn't take the bait. She is happy to get the loan and sell the H her family heirlooms, but she doesn't sleep with men for money and she is not tarting herself out for cash.
The H's Lurve Force Mojo overwhelms them both and the h decides that the best things in life are free and she is happy to learn the fine art of dragon riding from the H, after a big roofie kissing moment.
The H and h meet up to go over the loan and the roofie kisses get out of hand again. There is a great build up to the actual event that ends with a painful initiation. The H is completely shocked that the h was really a virgin.
This only increases his interest and after fixing the h up with a temporary job as an office cleaner, the H and h are soon lurving it up all over the place.
The h makes no demands on the H and as the H realizes that this h is really sincere in her efforts and not the usual society babe, the H starts to work on putting his own baggage to rest.
The big clincher is when the H offers marriage and the h thinks it is a test. She tells the H that he is great on the floor or in bed, but when she marries it is going to be for True Love Forever and not just because she is sexy and has a lot of natural talent.
The H is triumphant that he finally found a silk purse instead of a sow's ear, but then he is despondent because he loves the h madly and she obviously loves to lurve it up with him, but doesn't love him enough to marry him.
The H decides he is going to change all that and little does he know that the h has been in love with him for the last three chapters. The h is holding out, she knows all about the H's really bad first marriage and that his first wife spent a lot of his money and then cheated on him.
Our h is playing the long game and hoping that her hot lovin' and honest devotion will make an husbandly believer out of the H. Meanwhil,e the H is doing his best to show that he is with the h no matter what and that he can be very handy in all types of situations.
The H demonstrates this magnificently when the h's family home burns down and the h's mum is going to move in with the gardener, (who also has a fortune from his prior line of work.)
The H finally tells the h that he loves her, knows she is pure gold in a world of dross and he would like nothing better than for the h to marry him, have his babies and be his Forever Beloved Lover.
The h is overcome with joy and happily accepts while proclaiming her own love and devotion. We leave the two of them lurving it up and married, they have rebuilt the h's family home and have lots of kids and laughter for the cute HPlandia Rosy Sunset HEA
This one was fun, fast and there was a LOT of lurve club antics between the H and h going on. It was also very cute that the H and h's kids think that their mum is really strict, but the H knows better and remarks that when the lights go out, the h is definitely his favorite bedtime comforter.
Pick this one up when you need a sassy read with some spice, this isn't a angstfest wrecky drama, but it was a very entertaining HPlandia outing and the h really grows on you as the story progresses.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2017
This is a sweet, fluffy and funny read. And immensely satisfying too.
The h is especially likable – sweet, spirited and a wee bit spoilt. She is a rich kid who admits that she never gave education or career much thought, as it was never a priority. But her inner strength of character shines through, as rather than having a meltdown on finding herself rendered penniless by her father’s shenanigans, she tightens her belt and gets ready to do battle. With her bff as sidekick, they come up with few harebrained ideas to get her out of the hole she finds herself in.
All of which brings her in confrontation with the stuffy banker H, whose disapproval only matches his lustful interest in the h. His morals fight a losing battle against ‘doing business’ with the ‘gold-digger’!
Unlike the impression given by the blurb, she doesn’t sleep with him for the money. She leads from the heart and lands in several tight (read funny) situations. But she holds her own in the relationship with the older and very cynical H, and makes him back down and do a rethink many a times.
I even liked the way she confides in and shares every small itty bitty thing with her bff. Rather than appearing annoying and unnecessary, it only reinforces her relative youth and trusting innocence (in contrast to the H).
The h is especially likable – sweet, spirited and a wee bit spoilt. She is a rich kid who admits that she never gave education or career much thought, as it was never a priority. But her inner strength of character shines through, as rather than having a meltdown on finding herself rendered penniless by her father’s shenanigans, she tightens her belt and gets ready to do battle. With her bff as sidekick, they come up with few harebrained ideas to get her out of the hole she finds herself in.
All of which brings her in confrontation with the stuffy banker H, whose disapproval only matches his lustful interest in the h. His morals fight a losing battle against ‘doing business’ with the ‘gold-digger’!
Unlike the impression given by the blurb, she doesn’t sleep with him for the money. She leads from the heart and lands in several tight (read funny) situations. But she holds her own in the relationship with the older and very cynical H, and makes him back down and do a rethink many a times.
I even liked the way she confides in and shares every small itty bitty thing with her bff. Rather than appearing annoying and unnecessary, it only reinforces her relative youth and trusting innocence (in contrast to the H).
February 17, 2017
Feeling VERY generous so 4 stars, but, with a couple of exceptions, this was fun, sweet and frothy. Just what a romance should be.
The H first sees the h laughing at a pool party and thinks she's a shallow, spoiled bimbo. He's not too far off, but she a shallow, spoiled bimbo with a good heart. Her jackass father dies in a brothel and leaves her and her scatty mother destitute. The h wants to start a boarding house, but needs a loan.
Mr. Cranky Pants meets her for the loan, and it's a clash. He thinks she's a floozy, and she thinks he is a judgmental stuffed shirt. He denies her loan because, frankly, it is ridiculous, but eventually offers her the loan personally. He inner monologues on the wickedness and greed of women occasionally, but he keeps it under control for the most part because he has big ants in his pants for the h.
They almost have sex which does not go well for either of them as she's a virgin, and he's enthusiastic. A little too enthusiastic. He drops a little in my estimation here as the inner monologuing kicks in as he thinks she's saved her virginity for the big prize, marriage. He had an evil ex-wife that he found in bed with the pool boy so he's a little negative on spoiled rich chicks.
The h convinces him she just wants him for sex and is pretty cute about it. She's never liked kissing boys, in fact I think she actually uses the word, "Yuck". He thinks he just wants her for sex until he realizes he may have to convince her to fall in love with him.
He's a teeny bit of a jerk, but makes up for it by his lustful machinations and OTT fall into loooovvvvvveeee.
The H first sees the h laughing at a pool party and thinks she's a shallow, spoiled bimbo. He's not too far off, but she a shallow, spoiled bimbo with a good heart. Her jackass father dies in a brothel and leaves her and her scatty mother destitute. The h wants to start a boarding house, but needs a loan.
Mr. Cranky Pants meets her for the loan, and it's a clash. He thinks she's a floozy, and she thinks he is a judgmental stuffed shirt. He denies her loan because, frankly, it is ridiculous, but eventually offers her the loan personally. He inner monologues on the wickedness and greed of women occasionally, but he keeps it under control for the most part because he has big ants in his pants for the h.
They almost have sex which does not go well for either of them as she's a virgin, and he's enthusiastic. A little too enthusiastic. He drops a little in my estimation here as the inner monologuing kicks in as he thinks she's saved her virginity for the big prize, marriage. He had an evil ex-wife that he found in bed with the pool boy so he's a little negative on spoiled rich chicks.
The h convinces him she just wants him for sex and is pretty cute about it. She's never liked kissing boys, in fact I think she actually uses the word, "Yuck". He thinks he just wants her for sex until he realizes he may have to convince her to fall in love with him.
He's a teeny bit of a jerk, but makes up for it by his lustful machinations and OTT fall into loooovvvvvveeee.
December 14, 2021
3.5 stars
An ok romance, but the title is misleading. She was never his mistress.
Low angst, sweet story.
- virgin h
- H loved his ex wife (who cheated on him).
*the book is worth 3 stars, but the scene where they confess their love is too cute, so I added a half star. **
Safe
Self note
Not worth rereading.
An ok romance, but the title is misleading. She was never his mistress.
Low angst, sweet story.
- virgin h
- H loved his ex wife (who cheated on him).
*the book is worth 3 stars, but the scene where they confess their love is too cute, so I added a half star. **
Safe
Self note
Not worth rereading.
February 13, 2024
This author really didn't understand what mistress meant, especially when writing romance novels. Once again her hero is someone who was cuckolded by his first wife and despite telling us he is bitter, he treats the heroine with respect and is quickly in her thrall. She becomes his girlfriend in normal sense, no forced mistress scenario here. Just overall bland.
I am getting through these surprisingly quickly but these books fail to make the connection between couples seem genuine.
I am getting through these surprisingly quickly but these books fail to make the connection between couples seem genuine.
January 21, 2018
"The Millionaire's Mistress" is the story of Justine and Marcus.
Rich princess and spoiled child Justine gets awakening of her life when her father passes away cheating on her mother, leaving them destitute after spending all their savings.
Desperate to save her mother and herself from homelessness, Justine, who has never taken her life seriously decides to set up their ancestral property as a boarding house as well as sell all her possessions, all the while trying to get loan from a bank for the same.
In order to get that, she aims to seduce the loan manager- but however comes across Marcus, the owner- and accusations fly!
While Marcus thinks of Justine as a gold digging tramp, she thinks of him as overbearing and obnoxious, and soon they give into their passions.
I honestly didnt like many things about this.
The hero was snooty and full of suspicions, the heroine was honestly a bit dumb- I mean she did plan on seducing the manager, so when the wrong man didnt respond- she acted all offended. Like seriously?!
The story takes a sharp turn after the virginity drama. Suddenly everyone was in love with each other, and I was so not in love with this book.
It then turns into a soppy mess with mild drama and confessions, but by then I was glazed over with boredom
Safe/SWE
1.5/5
Rich princess and spoiled child Justine gets awakening of her life when her father passes away cheating on her mother, leaving them destitute after spending all their savings.
Desperate to save her mother and herself from homelessness, Justine, who has never taken her life seriously decides to set up their ancestral property as a boarding house as well as sell all her possessions, all the while trying to get loan from a bank for the same.
In order to get that, she aims to seduce the loan manager- but however comes across Marcus, the owner- and accusations fly!
While Marcus thinks of Justine as a gold digging tramp, she thinks of him as overbearing and obnoxious, and soon they give into their passions.
I honestly didnt like many things about this.
The hero was snooty and full of suspicions, the heroine was honestly a bit dumb- I mean she did plan on seducing the manager, so when the wrong man didnt respond- she acted all offended. Like seriously?!
The story takes a sharp turn after the virginity drama. Suddenly everyone was in love with each other, and I was so not in love with this book.
It then turns into a soppy mess with mild drama and confessions, but by then I was glazed over with boredom
Safe/SWE
1.5/5
December 3, 2010
MINI-REVIEW:
Miranda Lee's "The Millionaire's Mistress" is a bit of an uneven read.
What begins with a great sexual build up, is kind of a let down on the delivery.
Marcus is a "stuffed shirt" hero with a heart of gold. Justine is young, sexy and spoiled (but despite her hot-to-trot ways, a virgin).
I enjoyed Justine's character development, but Marcus was too good to be true. I like Lee's nice guys, but prefer her (rare) bad boy heroes.
Still, it's an enjoyable, quick read. Miranda Lee is almost always entertaining.
3 1/2 stars/ B-
Miranda Lee's "The Millionaire's Mistress" is a bit of an uneven read.
What begins with a great sexual build up, is kind of a let down on the delivery.
Marcus is a "stuffed shirt" hero with a heart of gold. Justine is young, sexy and spoiled (but despite her hot-to-trot ways, a virgin).
I enjoyed Justine's character development, but Marcus was too good to be true. I like Lee's nice guys, but prefer her (rare) bad boy heroes.
Still, it's an enjoyable, quick read. Miranda Lee is almost always entertaining.
3 1/2 stars/ B-
December 9, 2021
Unfortunately for me, H was quite a decent hero except some of his misguided thoughts about the h!
July 20, 2009
This is one of those HQNs that has a misleading title and backblurb.
It's a simple and sweet story, despite Lee's usual sensuality. The heroine is a pampered 22 year old college student who has a lot of growing up to do when her father dies leaving a huge debt. She learns to come into her own without trading in her looks for money. The hero is a stodgy banker in his mid 30s who is still bitter about his gold-digger ex-wife and is determined to think the same of the heroine.
One of the few Lee stories I have read where the heroine is a virgin.
It's a simple and sweet story, despite Lee's usual sensuality. The heroine is a pampered 22 year old college student who has a lot of growing up to do when her father dies leaving a huge debt. She learns to come into her own without trading in her looks for money. The hero is a stodgy banker in his mid 30s who is still bitter about his gold-digger ex-wife and is determined to think the same of the heroine.
One of the few Lee stories I have read where the heroine is a virgin.
July 31, 2018
Disappointed!
March 26, 2012
I laughed a lot! Some places I don't even think Ms. Lee intended laughter (in a good way). I loved these characters, they were exactly what the other needed. Justine was a sweet, but spoilt girl who started making steps on her own before meeting Marcus, but really got a great catalyst for change and growth when she met him - at first just to prove his smug preconceptions wrong and then later, without knowing how it happened, to make him proud of her.
Marcus had been hurt in the past and didn't like to be made a fool of. She fixed him by being so similar in looks and background to his ex-wife, or what he'd thought her to be, yet so different in all the ways that counted. While he had some of the usual Harlequin H's proclivities to misconstrue the heroine's behavior and actions (though he had good reason some of the time), it doesn't take some big revelation (oops, you're a virgin - though this does happen - to get him to see her worth). He reaches those places slowly, weighing what he thinks he knows against what he sees - and then there are revelations too that he can't ignore.
Things I loved:
1. How the playing field changed regularly between them. They were both constantly reassessing what they thought of each other (Marcus constantly changing his 'tactic') as they learned the other gradually (well, over a few weeks actually).
2. The heat level between the two was palpable. And, in true Miranda Lee fashion, the scenes of intimacy were deserving of a more than cursory glance ;).
3. How and when Marcus realizes he loves her (hehehe, read it and find out, but it goes great with item #2...)
Marcus had been hurt in the past and didn't like to be made a fool of. She fixed him by being so similar in looks and background to his ex-wife, or what he'd thought her to be, yet so different in all the ways that counted. While he had some of the usual Harlequin H's proclivities to misconstrue the heroine's behavior and actions (though he had good reason some of the time), it doesn't take some big revelation (oops, you're a virgin - though this does happen - to get him to see her worth). He reaches those places slowly, weighing what he thinks he knows against what he sees - and then there are revelations too that he can't ignore.
Things I loved:
1. How the playing field changed regularly between them. They were both constantly reassessing what they thought of each other (Marcus constantly changing his 'tactic') as they learned the other gradually (well, over a few weeks actually).
2. The heat level between the two was palpable. And, in true Miranda Lee fashion, the scenes of intimacy were deserving of a more than cursory glance ;).
3. How and when Marcus realizes he loves her (hehehe, read it and find out, but it goes great with item #2...)
March 28, 2018
Made to be his mistress!
Justine Montgomery desperately needed a loan, otherwise she and her mom would be out on the street. So she steeled herself to ask handsome millionaire banker Marcus Osborne for help.
Marcus had no illusions about the Justines of this world. He could tell just by looking at her that she was a gold digger, out to target a rich husband. Just like his ex-wife.... But Marcus was also glad when Justine told him she'd do anything if he'd lend her money, because he desired her--badly. He'd give her the finances she wanted, and she'd repay him in his bed! (
Justine Montgomery desperately needed a loan, otherwise she and her mom would be out on the street. So she steeled herself to ask handsome millionaire banker Marcus Osborne for help.
Marcus had no illusions about the Justines of this world. He could tell just by looking at her that she was a gold digger, out to target a rich husband. Just like his ex-wife.... But Marcus was also glad when Justine told him she'd do anything if he'd lend her money, because he desired her--badly. He'd give her the finances she wanted, and she'd repay him in his bed! (
January 8, 2013
Cute and funny story about a spoiled little rich girl and a bitter cynical banker.
Just adore the heroine. She was not your usual poor and humble heroine. The hero was brooding but not an ass to her.
Funny, heart warming, charming and romantic. Worth reading!
Just adore the heroine. She was not your usual poor and humble heroine. The hero was brooding but not an ass to her.
Funny, heart warming, charming and romantic. Worth reading!
May 24, 2018
Hidup Justine sangat bahagia, terlahir kaya raya dengan orang tua yang memberi kebebasan untuk Justine melakukan apa saja. Suatu malam, ketika ayahnya meninggal karena serangan jantung di sebuah rumah bordil, hidup Justine berubah drastis. Ayahnya meninggalkan banyak hutang akibat kebiasaannya berjudi dan bermain dengan pelacur kelas atas. Saking bangkrutnya, rumah terakhir peninggalan nenek dari pihak ibu mesti dijual untuk melunasi hutang. Demi mempertahankan rumah, Justine rela memohon-mohon ke Marcus sebagai presiden bank untuk memberinya pinjaman dengan pengembalian enam bulan. Marcus yang skeptis karena Justine terkenal sebagai gadis manja dan penuh hura-hura terkaget-kaget ketika Justine mau melakukan pekerjaan bersih-bersih di bank tersebut selama dua minggu menggantikan pekerja yang sakit demi mendapatkan penghasilan. Suka dengan karakter Justine yang tidak takut kerja keras, realistis dengan keadaan barunya sayangnya Marcus selalu menebak-nebak motif setiap kelakuan Justine dan pastinya berprasangka yang terburuk, mungkin karena mantan istrinya yang matre dan selingkuh bikin Marcus parno.
3,7🌟
3,7🌟
July 5, 2013
Armadilha da Paixão
Miranda Lee
Uma ótima estória para ser lida debaixo das cobertas num dia de chuva...
Não tem nada de mais... homem incrédulo, empresário na área financeira, que perdeu a confianças nas mulheres... garota inocente e desesperada, que faria qualquer coisa para conservar a casa da família..
Obvio que apesar dos obstáculos, impostos por eles mesmo, vão se apaixonarem e viver felizes para sempre...
Tá pensando que vou entrar em detalhes... perdeu seu tempo... pra saber exatamente o que acontece, terá que ler o bendito livrinho...rs
Estou cruel!!!
3 estrelinhas, porque a mamãe de nossa heroína é muito egoísta e deixou todas as responsabilidades nas costas da coitada, em vários momentos....
RECOMENDO!!!!
Miranda Lee
Uma ótima estória para ser lida debaixo das cobertas num dia de chuva...
Não tem nada de mais... homem incrédulo, empresário na área financeira, que perdeu a confianças nas mulheres... garota inocente e desesperada, que faria qualquer coisa para conservar a casa da família..
Obvio que apesar dos obstáculos, impostos por eles mesmo, vão se apaixonarem e viver felizes para sempre...
Tá pensando que vou entrar em detalhes... perdeu seu tempo... pra saber exatamente o que acontece, terá que ler o bendito livrinho...rs
Estou cruel!!!
3 estrelinhas, porque a mamãe de nossa heroína é muito egoísta e deixou todas as responsabilidades nas costas da coitada, em vários momentos....
RECOMENDO!!!!
April 13, 2014
What in the Tom Sawyer....
I'm curious about the hero calling women out of their name (female dog). This is the second or third Harlequin book in a row in which either the lead character of secondary has been a derogatory name. Now that is a turn off.
I'm curious about the hero calling women out of their name (female dog). This is the second or third Harlequin book in a row in which either the lead character of secondary has been a derogatory name. Now that is a turn off.
April 23, 2021
4 stars
First off, the title of the book is misleading and an insult to the heroine. She very specifically tells the hero that he can be her friend and her lover but not her sugar daddy because she's standing on her own two feet and taking care of herself and her mom. The hero may think she's a gold digger at various times in the book but she never takes advantage of his wealth. Title choice = rude.
I liked this book because it was funny and light. I appreciated the heroine's journey from young and spoiled socialite to hardworking and scrappy business woman. She made sacrifices and was willing to go the extra mile to ensure that her mom could keep their house after her father's death and subsequent debts bankrupted them.
I didn't like the hero's baggage with women being gold diggers and how much he distrusted the heroine. I also really dislike their first sexual encounter. Luckily, the rest of their encounters are enjoyable for both parties. I found it entertaining that the stuffed shirt hero couldn't help himself when it came to the heroine. The ending was sweet and funny.
First off, the title of the book is misleading and an insult to the heroine. She very specifically tells the hero that he can be her friend and her lover but not her sugar daddy because she's standing on her own two feet and taking care of herself and her mom. The hero may think she's a gold digger at various times in the book but she never takes advantage of his wealth. Title choice = rude.
I liked this book because it was funny and light. I appreciated the heroine's journey from young and spoiled socialite to hardworking and scrappy business woman. She made sacrifices and was willing to go the extra mile to ensure that her mom could keep their house after her father's death and subsequent debts bankrupted them.
I didn't like the hero's baggage with women being gold diggers and how much he distrusted the heroine. I also really dislike their first sexual encounter. Luckily, the rest of their encounters are enjoyable for both parties. I found it entertaining that the stuffed shirt hero couldn't help himself when it came to the heroine. The ending was sweet and funny.
May 14, 2023
Ogni tanto mi viene voglia di leggere qualcosa di breve così mi è capitata tra le mani questa storia.
Si nota che si tratta di un libro vintage ma è stato abbastanza piacevole.
Justine è una ragazza ricca e viziata che improvvisamente si ritrova sul lastrico dopo la morte del padre, a quel punto decide di rimboccarsi le maniche e aprire un'attività così si reca in banca per chiedere un prestito. La sua amica però le rivela che l'uomo con cui dovrà parlare glielo concederà solo se andrà a letto con lui. Justine però è vergine e non ha intenzione di fare una cosa del genere così tenta la carta di far credere all'uomo che andrà a letto con lui in cambio del prestito. Il problema è che non sa di parlare con il presidente della Banca e che per di più non ha una buona opinione di lei e le rifiuta il prestito...
Marcus, il protagonista maschile, ha molti pregiudizi nei confronti di Justine a causa della sua ex moglie. Inoltre è un tipo che tende a restare molto sulle sue.
Lettura piacevole e veloce.
Si nota che si tratta di un libro vintage ma è stato abbastanza piacevole.
Justine è una ragazza ricca e viziata che improvvisamente si ritrova sul lastrico dopo la morte del padre, a quel punto decide di rimboccarsi le maniche e aprire un'attività così si reca in banca per chiedere un prestito. La sua amica però le rivela che l'uomo con cui dovrà parlare glielo concederà solo se andrà a letto con lui. Justine però è vergine e non ha intenzione di fare una cosa del genere così tenta la carta di far credere all'uomo che andrà a letto con lui in cambio del prestito. Il problema è che non sa di parlare con il presidente della Banca e che per di più non ha una buona opinione di lei e le rifiuta il prestito...
Marcus, il protagonista maschile, ha molti pregiudizi nei confronti di Justine a causa della sua ex moglie. Inoltre è un tipo che tende a restare molto sulle sue.
Lettura piacevole e veloce.
August 13, 2025
Such a sweet story. Spoiled rich girl heroine has her life turned upside down when her father dies in a brothel and leaves nothing but debts. Heroine goes to hero's bank to get a loan to save her mother's childhood home and hero cynically grants it.
Hero's first wife was a golddigger and he thinks heroine is also a golddigger. But her sweetness (and virginity) save their relationship.
The climax of the story is a wildfire that burns the childhood home to the ground. Both heroine and her mother had been out with their new loves and now that the house is gone, they can move on from the past.
Hero's first wife was a golddigger and he thinks heroine is also a golddigger. But her sweetness (and virginity) save their relationship.
The climax of the story is a wildfire that burns the childhood home to the ground. Both heroine and her mother had been out with their new loves and now that the house is gone, they can move on from the past.
September 24, 2021
3 starsss
untuk ukuran harlequin, boleh lah, ceritanya lumayan komplek dibanding harlequin lainnya. tetap, intinya adalah misunderstanding. hero nya seorang banker, very rich, duda. heroine nya ini masih muda, looks like a gold digger, rich juga, tapi jatuh miskin karena hutang keluarga. akhirnya jadi mistress nya si hero, demi mendapat loan dari bank si H untuk bisnis. kelamaan si H ini suka beneran sama si heroine nya, dan masih virgin (dikira party girl yang suka hura-hura). si Heroine juga lama-lama suka sama si H. akhirnya jadi deh.
untuk ukuran harlequin, boleh lah, ceritanya lumayan komplek dibanding harlequin lainnya. tetap, intinya adalah misunderstanding. hero nya seorang banker, very rich, duda. heroine nya ini masih muda, looks like a gold digger, rich juga, tapi jatuh miskin karena hutang keluarga. akhirnya jadi mistress nya si hero, demi mendapat loan dari bank si H untuk bisnis. kelamaan si H ini suka beneran sama si heroine nya, dan masih virgin (dikira party girl yang suka hura-hura). si Heroine juga lama-lama suka sama si H. akhirnya jadi deh.
October 22, 2019
Not terrible, not great.
The beginning was a bit too long (approx 67 pages), and the ending was a bit too short for my liking. Points for having a man who's not a complete dick the whole way through.
The beginning was a bit too long (approx 67 pages), and the ending was a bit too short for my liking. Points for having a man who's not a complete dick the whole way through.
April 4, 2020
This one is so good. Both the characters are likable. Miranda Lee is my favorite Presents author. Each book I read that she wrote is special.
June 20, 2020
A delightful love story! Full of heart-warming moments! Thank you for writing this story!!
January 22, 2022
Relecture - toujours aussi bien
February 20, 2022
Really liked this one!!
March 21, 2023
2.5*
Nice epilogue
Nice epilogue
April 12, 2024
Kind of a boring book. Mostly all telling no showing. I have no idea how these two could possibly fall in love with each other. They spent no time with each other to do so.
October 8, 2024
3.5 stars A bit messy to be rounded up, but enjoyable all the same.
October 10, 2016
Ceritanya sebenarnya klise karena pasti sudah banyak dikisahkan oleh author lain dg versi yang berbeda tapi satu hal yang saya suka adalah karakter Justine yg sangat kuat, mandiri & pantang menyerah meski dalam situasi hopeless.
Tough woman bgt dh secara Justine sangat Mandiri bahkan disaat keluarganya bangkrut dia mampu survive dan berusaha membangun rumah kos sebagai usaha tuk mengembalikan uang pinjamannya dari Marcus plus Justine pun tak ragu menjadi office girl di malam hari.
Di lain pihak, Marcus memandang Justine sebagai 'gold digger' karena ia yakin wanita itu akan memanfaatkan pesonanya semata tuk menjerat pria kaya sebagai targetnya. Oleh karena itu, saat Justine datang ke kantornya dan menyangka bahwa lelaki yang dihadapannya adalah Wade Hampton, ia pun berusaha menjelaskan proposal pinjamannya.
Namun sialnya, itu bukanlah Wade Hampton melainkan Marcus Osborne, big boss perusahaan itu. Dan permainan pun dimulai, Justine yang awalnya salah menduga malah terjerat permainan itu bersama Marcus yang ingin merasakan objek hasratnya bersama Justine yang polos.
Hingga di suatu pesta, ia menyadari kekeliruannya dan menuduh Marcus dengan sengaja menjebaknya. Tapi anehnya, sikap Marcus santai sekali meski ia ketahuan menyamar sebagai Wade Hampton. Nah, disinilah Justine mulai berusaha menghindari Marcus dan berusaha membuktikan bahwa dirinya bukanlah 'cewek matre'...
Dan konflik batin pun dimulai, Marcus yg semula menganggap Justine hanya mengincar hartanya saja tapi perlahan-lahan ia sadar bahwa Justine adalah gadis yg mandiri dan bukan cewek matre. Lalu, ia mulai luluh dan menginginkan Justine menikah dengannya. Di sisi lain, Justine ragu dengan pernikahan itu karena ia hanya ingin menikah berdasarkan cinta.
Marcus... seorang lelaki yang ingin dicintai tapi tidak tahu cara mencintai.
Justine.. seorang Gadis yang penuh semangat dan cinta murni... ia bisa mencintai tapi lelaki itu hanya menginginkan gairahnya semata tanpa cinta.
Kutipan POV:
Marcus: "bermain curang dengan melakukan insider trading. Dan malah soal tidur dengan wanita demi alasan selain cinta.. Ah, Ms. Montgomery, zaman sekarang cinta sudah dianggap langka. Meski begitu, saya selalu memilih pasangan yang saya sukai dan hormati."
Justine Montgomery: " Tapi bukan uangmu yang kuincar, Marcus, juga bukan ajakanmu untuk menikah, walaupun bukan berarti aku keberatan menikah denganmu. Suatu hari kelak. Tapi tentu saja hanya jika kau mencintaiku, Marcus".
Tough woman bgt dh secara Justine sangat Mandiri bahkan disaat keluarganya bangkrut dia mampu survive dan berusaha membangun rumah kos sebagai usaha tuk mengembalikan uang pinjamannya dari Marcus plus Justine pun tak ragu menjadi office girl di malam hari.
Di lain pihak, Marcus memandang Justine sebagai 'gold digger' karena ia yakin wanita itu akan memanfaatkan pesonanya semata tuk menjerat pria kaya sebagai targetnya. Oleh karena itu, saat Justine datang ke kantornya dan menyangka bahwa lelaki yang dihadapannya adalah Wade Hampton, ia pun berusaha menjelaskan proposal pinjamannya.
Namun sialnya, itu bukanlah Wade Hampton melainkan Marcus Osborne, big boss perusahaan itu. Dan permainan pun dimulai, Justine yang awalnya salah menduga malah terjerat permainan itu bersama Marcus yang ingin merasakan objek hasratnya bersama Justine yang polos.
Hingga di suatu pesta, ia menyadari kekeliruannya dan menuduh Marcus dengan sengaja menjebaknya. Tapi anehnya, sikap Marcus santai sekali meski ia ketahuan menyamar sebagai Wade Hampton. Nah, disinilah Justine mulai berusaha menghindari Marcus dan berusaha membuktikan bahwa dirinya bukanlah 'cewek matre'...
Dan konflik batin pun dimulai, Marcus yg semula menganggap Justine hanya mengincar hartanya saja tapi perlahan-lahan ia sadar bahwa Justine adalah gadis yg mandiri dan bukan cewek matre. Lalu, ia mulai luluh dan menginginkan Justine menikah dengannya. Di sisi lain, Justine ragu dengan pernikahan itu karena ia hanya ingin menikah berdasarkan cinta.
Marcus... seorang lelaki yang ingin dicintai tapi tidak tahu cara mencintai.
Justine.. seorang Gadis yang penuh semangat dan cinta murni... ia bisa mencintai tapi lelaki itu hanya menginginkan gairahnya semata tanpa cinta.
Kutipan POV:
Marcus: "bermain curang dengan melakukan insider trading. Dan malah soal tidur dengan wanita demi alasan selain cinta.. Ah, Ms. Montgomery, zaman sekarang cinta sudah dianggap langka. Meski begitu, saya selalu memilih pasangan yang saya sukai dan hormati."
Justine Montgomery: " Tapi bukan uangmu yang kuincar, Marcus, juga bukan ajakanmu untuk menikah, walaupun bukan berarti aku keberatan menikah denganmu. Suatu hari kelak. Tapi tentu saja hanya jika kau mencintaiku, Marcus".
February 3, 2011
Cetak ulang dengan kover baru tanpa ada kode pernah terbit, jadi cukup menjebak bagi yang tidak hapal judul dan alur cerita, termasuk saya. Untuk saya golongan cumi rental jadi tidak merasa rugi untuk membacanya lagi.
Setelah membaca buku ini kembali, terjemahannya bagus dan tidak bertele-tele jadi alurnya terasa cepat. Pemikiran kedua karakter utamanya selalu diceritakan dan terkesan saling berprasangka yang berlawanan karena kesan pertama pertemuan keduanya. Sayangnya saking sederhananya konflik tadi sehingga ceritanya terasa terlalu cepat selesai.
FYI, yang terkenang dari buku ini sejak pertama membacanya semasa SMA dulu adalah "the wastafel scene" :P
You'll now what I mean after you read it :)
Setelah membaca buku ini kembali, terjemahannya bagus dan tidak bertele-tele jadi alurnya terasa cepat. Pemikiran kedua karakter utamanya selalu diceritakan dan terkesan saling berprasangka yang berlawanan karena kesan pertama pertemuan keduanya. Sayangnya saking sederhananya konflik tadi sehingga ceritanya terasa terlalu cepat selesai.
FYI, yang terkenang dari buku ini sejak pertama membacanya semasa SMA dulu adalah "the wastafel scene" :P
You'll now what I mean after you read it :)
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