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Hot-Blooded Husbands #4
The Arabian Love-Child
Rafiq chose to believe ugly lies about Melanie and blew her out of his life like a grain of desert sand... Unbeknown to him, she gave birth to his child and is now determined Rafiq will accept his son...even if he can never forgive her...
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2002
About the author
Michelle Reid
389 books640 followersHi, my name is Michelle Reid and I’ve been writing for Harlequin Mills & Boon for the last twenty years, and the crazy part about it is that I only realised it had been twenty years while updating this page!
So, hang on for a minute while I take this huge milestone in....
Twenty years with almost forty books published or in the pipeline ... I know it isn’t a great average when compared with some authors but it sounds pretty good to me!
So what was I doing twenty years ago before I wrote books? Well, I did the all of the usual things, like growing up and attending school, finishing at secretarial college, which I hated, then spent the next several years wandering aimlessly from job to job. Eventually I met my husband, we married and produced two daughters who then grew up and between them presented us with two gorgeous grandsons and one beautiful granddaughter. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Somewhere in between my girls growing up and the grandchildren arriving on the scene, I started writing. To this day I don’t know why, unless it was a natural progression from my never being without a book close by—often several—because books have always been an important part of my life for as far back as I can recall.
So, I started to write, by hand at first, scribbling short stories in notebooks which never saw the light of day. At some point I discovered Mills & Boon Romance books and that was pretty much it for me. I’d found my new love, as in reading romantic fiction and inevitably writing it too.
So twenty years on and almost forty books on, here I am still writing and still loving it!
So, hang on for a minute while I take this huge milestone in....
Twenty years with almost forty books published or in the pipeline ... I know it isn’t a great average when compared with some authors but it sounds pretty good to me!
So what was I doing twenty years ago before I wrote books? Well, I did the all of the usual things, like growing up and attending school, finishing at secretarial college, which I hated, then spent the next several years wandering aimlessly from job to job. Eventually I met my husband, we married and produced two daughters who then grew up and between them presented us with two gorgeous grandsons and one beautiful granddaughter. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Somewhere in between my girls growing up and the grandchildren arriving on the scene, I started writing. To this day I don’t know why, unless it was a natural progression from my never being without a book close by—often several—because books have always been an important part of my life for as far back as I can recall.
So, I started to write, by hand at first, scribbling short stories in notebooks which never saw the light of day. At some point I discovered Mills & Boon Romance books and that was pretty much it for me. I’d found my new love, as in reading romantic fiction and inevitably writing it too.
So twenty years on and almost forty books on, here I am still writing and still loving it!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
February 23, 2017
I'm glad there were so many beds to fall on since the heroine had no spine and couldn't stand up for herself in the vicinity of the hero for longer than 10 minutes. She was truly pathetic in her sexual neediness and how she berated herself for it before, during and after. Spare me the misplaced guilt.
The hero was a judgmental pig who fueled his grievances (including those against his mother who died in childbirth, his former girlfriend, and of course the h) with huge logs of resentment, slut-shaming, mistrust, and half-stories. The heroine was *afraid* of him at one point when he was so angry. That's not a good look on a hero. Sorry, no.
I didn't believe in their "love." They basically had a one-night stand that resulted in a pregnancy. They hardly knew each other and then they were apart for 8 years. The fact that they couldn't keep their hands off of each other in between insults and threats to walk away, didn't spell mature relationship to me.
The h did try to contact the H about her pregnancy, but his brother lied to her and to him and didn't let him know. That he forgave his brother so easily, but not the h, is a bit rich - but then there wasn't much page time left after all of the dark and frankly depressing drama for actual healing or happiness. Not a feel good effort at all.
The hero was a judgmental pig who fueled his grievances (including those against his mother who died in childbirth, his former girlfriend, and of course the h) with huge logs of resentment, slut-shaming, mistrust, and half-stories. The heroine was *afraid* of him at one point when he was so angry. That's not a good look on a hero. Sorry, no.
I didn't believe in their "love." They basically had a one-night stand that resulted in a pregnancy. They hardly knew each other and then they were apart for 8 years. The fact that they couldn't keep their hands off of each other in between insults and threats to walk away, didn't spell mature relationship to me.
The h did try to contact the H about her pregnancy, but his brother lied to her and to him and didn't let him know. That he forgave his brother so easily, but not the h, is a bit rich - but then there wasn't much page time left after all of the dark and frankly depressing drama for actual healing or happiness. Not a feel good effort at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2014
Really enjoyed this. This is a secret baby story. Generally I don't have a problem with how an author sets up the whole secret baby thing as I think that people don't always make the wisest decisions. I particularly think that young girls who end up pregnant don't make the wisest decisions. That is not the case however here. I don't think that anyone would have a problem with this set up. The author did a good job with the scenario. The heroine, Melanie, tried several times to inform the hero, Rafiq, of her pregnancy but he was being such as ass about her perceived betrayal of him that he refused to even listen to her.
The book starts when the boy is 7 years old and Melanie has decided that Rafiq has to know about his son since she has no other family and the boy Robbie has begun to worry that she will die and leave him alone. Rafiq continues to be an absolute ass to the her but she follows through anyway. He acknowledges to himself that he is still upset over her and refuses to believe that she was innocent in the scene he witnessed years ago. Melanie is a pretty strong character even though she acknowledges to herself that he can still get to her. She tells him she was innocent and then refuses to discuss it further. She just tells him Robbie needs him. The scenes with Robbie and Rafiq meeting and getting to know each other are well done and emotional. Robbie is a very well written character and I quite enjoyed him.
They do have a physical relationship but since the story is told from both her and his POV, you know that it is painful and meaningful to each of them. There is a clear progression of feeling from both of them as they fall back in love, or at least admit to themselves and each other that they still love each other. Rafiq knows as he's doing it that he is treating her poorly and is usually immediately ashamed of himself. At the end when all is explained, he did a pretty good job of admitting that it was all his fault and that he was a prideful fool who had caused them to waste 8 years. There is a lot of pathos and angst before the whole situation is worked out.
Highly recommended to angst lovers.
The book starts when the boy is 7 years old and Melanie has decided that Rafiq has to know about his son since she has no other family and the boy Robbie has begun to worry that she will die and leave him alone. Rafiq continues to be an absolute ass to the her but she follows through anyway. He acknowledges to himself that he is still upset over her and refuses to believe that she was innocent in the scene he witnessed years ago. Melanie is a pretty strong character even though she acknowledges to herself that he can still get to her. She tells him she was innocent and then refuses to discuss it further. She just tells him Robbie needs him. The scenes with Robbie and Rafiq meeting and getting to know each other are well done and emotional. Robbie is a very well written character and I quite enjoyed him.
They do have a physical relationship but since the story is told from both her and his POV, you know that it is painful and meaningful to each of them. There is a clear progression of feeling from both of them as they fall back in love, or at least admit to themselves and each other that they still love each other. Rafiq knows as he's doing it that he is treating her poorly and is usually immediately ashamed of himself. At the end when all is explained, he did a pretty good job of admitting that it was all his fault and that he was a prideful fool who had caused them to waste 8 years. There is a lot of pathos and angst before the whole situation is worked out.
Highly recommended to angst lovers.
September 18, 2016
Arrrgggghhhhh. I am giving this two stars because I know I've been negative lately so...
The H is brooding in his tower of power as he feels like a fool. His sexy Spanish señorita mistress just got married on the fly, and he's been made a fool as the gossip rags are going to town. Nobody makes a fool of Rafiq; he makes fools of other people. Rafiq is not just brooding on his ex-mistress but all the women who have betrayed him: his mother who wanted to abort him but died at his birth (what father tells his son that???), and the ultimate betrayal by the love of his life. Love of life betrayed him years ago. She was a virgin when they got together, but betrayed him just a week later with her step-cousin. Yes, 'cause that's what virgins do. They take on legions of lovers just 'cause.
Guess who walks in asking for help with her investments? The love of his life. He kicks her out, but finds out via some papers left behind that he left behind something. She has a son who looks remarkably dark, striking and Arabian (nod to the title) for a little boy in Great Britain.
Rafiq follows Melanie down to wherever she lives and throws shade at her and reminds her of the good old times when he thought she was a lying, conniving, gold-digger slut. I can't remember if they had sex before or later, but sex they do have as she can not resist his magic P.
The H finally meets his son who is ABSOLUTELY adorable and knows more about the H's homeland than the H does due to the awesome man that helped raise him. There is quite a cute scene where the son shows his father the path from an oasis to the sheikh's palace on a map as if the H didn't already know. After Melanie was kicked to the curb, she ended up hooking up with a great uncle. Great uncle helped raise the boy and instilled a love and respect for the boy's father and his homeland. Honestly, the kid is so great I want to read his story. Please Michelle!
The hero never lets up. He's not the meanest man in Harley-Land, but he won't give an inch on the "You betrayed me, you evil slut, and you kept my son from me." Hello, present the two by four now please!
They marry and have one of the worst honeymoon nights ever, again thanks to the hero's cold and cruel treatment of the h. A call home and the elder King/sultan/sheikh or whatever has found out about the marriage and the child and wants a come to Allah meeting. The cards are stacked against the heroine as the sheikh assumes she kept the child hidden and is not pleased. There is another very cute scene with the son and his grandfather. Very nice touch.
The h is pretty much a wet blanket as they say in all those old British novels. She tries to stand up for herself; she tries to stand tall against the magic penis of the H, but like a weeble she wobbles and just falls down.
As a reader, I get so frustrated with the heroes that will not even listen and even more frustrated when the heroines just fall over. There is a lot to like here as the couple are in love, but the hero is just so cruel and she just takes it.
The H is brooding in his tower of power as he feels like a fool. His sexy Spanish señorita mistress just got married on the fly, and he's been made a fool as the gossip rags are going to town. Nobody makes a fool of Rafiq; he makes fools of other people. Rafiq is not just brooding on his ex-mistress but all the women who have betrayed him: his mother who wanted to abort him but died at his birth (what father tells his son that???), and the ultimate betrayal by the love of his life. Love of life betrayed him years ago. She was a virgin when they got together, but betrayed him just a week later with her step-cousin. Yes, 'cause that's what virgins do. They take on legions of lovers just 'cause.
Guess who walks in asking for help with her investments? The love of his life. He kicks her out, but finds out via some papers left behind that he left behind something. She has a son who looks remarkably dark, striking and Arabian (nod to the title) for a little boy in Great Britain.
Rafiq follows Melanie down to wherever she lives and throws shade at her and reminds her of the good old times when he thought she was a lying, conniving, gold-digger slut. I can't remember if they had sex before or later, but sex they do have as she can not resist his magic P.
The H finally meets his son who is ABSOLUTELY adorable and knows more about the H's homeland than the H does due to the awesome man that helped raise him. There is quite a cute scene where the son shows his father the path from an oasis to the sheikh's palace on a map as if the H didn't already know. After Melanie was kicked to the curb, she ended up hooking up with a great uncle. Great uncle helped raise the boy and instilled a love and respect for the boy's father and his homeland. Honestly, the kid is so great I want to read his story. Please Michelle!
The hero never lets up. He's not the meanest man in Harley-Land, but he won't give an inch on the "You betrayed me, you evil slut, and you kept my son from me." Hello, present the two by four now please!
They marry and have one of the worst honeymoon nights ever, again thanks to the hero's cold and cruel treatment of the h. A call home and the elder King/sultan/sheikh or whatever has found out about the marriage and the child and wants a come to Allah meeting. The cards are stacked against the heroine as the sheikh assumes she kept the child hidden and is not pleased. There is another very cute scene with the son and his grandfather. Very nice touch.
The h is pretty much a wet blanket as they say in all those old British novels. She tries to stand up for herself; she tries to stand tall against the magic penis of the H, but like a weeble she wobbles and just falls down.
As a reader, I get so frustrated with the heroes that will not even listen and even more frustrated when the heroines just fall over. There is a lot to like here as the couple are in love, but the hero is just so cruel and she just takes it.
September 20, 2020
I had high hopes for Rafiq's story as he seemed like an intriguing secondary character in The Sheikh's Chosen Wife, book 2, but the man revealed here didn't bear any resemblance to the person I remembered. This Rafiq was too bitter, cynical, and unforgiving to like much less love.
For her part Melanie was very much the wronged party in the relationship. However, this didn't prevent her from jumping Rafiq's bones way too quickly—even after eight long, cold years apart AND before receiving any apology or grovel! Melanie wasn't a total doormat though. She showed spirit in how much she loved and protected their son, Robbie.
This could have earned a slightly higher rating if Rafiq had shown deeper remorse for his and his brother Hassan's unfair treatment of Melanie. He admitted he had wronged her, but it didn't come off as very heartfelt or passionate. If I recall correctly, his apology consisted of a mere sentence or two. (I might be incorrect, but that's how brief it felt.)
Out of the books in this series my favorite is the last one A Passionate Marriage, book 5.
For her part Melanie was very much the wronged party in the relationship. However, this didn't prevent her from jumping Rafiq's bones way too quickly—even after eight long, cold years apart AND before receiving any apology or grovel! Melanie wasn't a total doormat though. She showed spirit in how much she loved and protected their son, Robbie.
This could have earned a slightly higher rating if Rafiq had shown deeper remorse for his and his brother Hassan's unfair treatment of Melanie. He admitted he had wronged her, but it didn't come off as very heartfelt or passionate. If I recall correctly, his apology consisted of a mere sentence or two. (I might be incorrect, but that's how brief it felt.)
Out of the books in this series my favorite is the last one A Passionate Marriage, book 5.
May 19, 2012
I cannot believe that Michelle Reid wrote this book...It was awful especially since the hero Rafiq was such an incredible character in The Sheik's Chosen Wife . She took the absolutely ultra in heroes (dark, brooding, charismatic, but caring to those he loved) and turned him into a monster. Throw in a doormat of a heroine who constantly cowers, whimpers and repeatedly begs for sex and you have an absolute disaster.
Even Rafiq himself sees it.... I have been treating you without honor from the moment I met you, and have done it all from a superior stance that deserves nothing but your contempt.
Yup, you got that right!!!
The only redeeming thing about the book was their son, Robbie. He was well written and a truly enjoyable character.
Even Rafiq himself sees it.... I have been treating you without honor from the moment I met you, and have done it all from a superior stance that deserves nothing but your contempt.
Yup, you got that right!!!
The only redeeming thing about the book was their son, Robbie. He was well written and a truly enjoyable character.
September 5, 2016
I really don't know why but I liked it, maybe because is written by Michelle Reid, I don't know.
First, I'm not a fan of secret child stories, in fact I hate when the heroines keep the baby as a secret because the hero didn't love her or broke up with her or something like that, but the reasons in this book convinced me enough.
And then, if you're going to use a word/phrase in other language you should be sure it means what you want it to mean, but it made me laugh so much it ended up being positive for me.
First, I'm not a fan of secret child stories, in fact I hate when the heroines keep the baby as a secret because the hero didn't love her or broke up with her or something like that, but the reasons in this book convinced me enough.
And then, if you're going to use a word/phrase in other language you should be sure it means what you want it to mean, but it made me laugh so much it ended up being positive for me.
May 1, 2018
"The Arabian Love-Child" is the story of Melanie and Rafiq.
I should learn to stop binging on authors, especially when Im on a good reading streak with them- but I dont, and Oh so do I regret thee..
So lets recap this craptastic fest:
Our dbag hero LURVED the heroine 8 years ago, but then someone told him she was cheating on him with her step bro- so he brutally kicks her out calling her all kinds of names in the abuse book.
Since then he happily hoes around.
Now 8 years later the heroine re-enters his life, and SURPRISE, Mr dbag has a son which he's now pissed he was not made aware about. Totally NOT his fault that he kicked out the heroine TWICE- even when in the present tense she goes to inform him about the same, slut shames her, abuses her, and uses her own body against her (because obv this is a HQN novel- so while he struts around with all the b!es, she has to be pure and hence only HE knows her G and D and Z spots).
Then he continues to manipulate her in many ways, taking over her life and seducing her to marry him all because boo-freaking-hoo-he had a sad past, until kaboom the obvious truth comes out and Im like "YAY! torture over!!"
I hated that while the heroine was occasionally strong, she didn't have enough spine to stand up to his BS just because he was a "Sheikh"- even on the two occasions when he almost got violent. Also his jealousy with William really ticked me off, because he acted really amateur, complete with temper tantrums.
Please, LORD, grant me a tonic I can prescribe to these spineless heroines who literally give up all pride for a good humping session.
UNSAFE
1/5
I should learn to stop binging on authors, especially when Im on a good reading streak with them- but I dont, and Oh so do I regret thee..
So lets recap this craptastic fest:
Our dbag hero LURVED the heroine 8 years ago, but then someone told him she was cheating on him with her step bro- so he brutally kicks her out calling her all kinds of names in the abuse book.
Since then he happily hoes around.
Now 8 years later the heroine re-enters his life, and SURPRISE, Mr dbag has a son which he's now pissed he was not made aware about. Totally NOT his fault that he kicked out the heroine TWICE- even when in the present tense she goes to inform him about the same, slut shames her, abuses her, and uses her own body against her (because obv this is a HQN novel- so while he struts around with all the b!es, she has to be pure and hence only HE knows her G and D and Z spots).
Then he continues to manipulate her in many ways, taking over her life and seducing her to marry him all because boo-freaking-hoo-he had a sad past, until kaboom the obvious truth comes out and Im like "YAY! torture over!!"
I hated that while the heroine was occasionally strong, she didn't have enough spine to stand up to his BS just because he was a "Sheikh"- even on the two occasions when he almost got violent. Also his jealousy with William really ticked me off, because he acted really amateur, complete with temper tantrums.
Please, LORD, grant me a tonic I can prescribe to these spineless heroines who literally give up all pride for a good humping session.
UNSAFE
1/5
December 25, 2014
the book was dark and intense. it was heart-wrenching how rafiq was cruel and unforgiving where melanie was concerned. i was sadly disappointed when he forgave hassam so easily for the part he played in their estrangement. he found it so easily to forgive his brother but not the woman he professed to love!? i felt for melanie but found her pathetic at the same time. she was so easy, just fell back into bed wid him! add to dat, she had been living like a nun the past 8 years while HE had been whoring himself! laughable!
March 11, 2018
***FOUR STARS!***
Loved, loved, LOVED this one!! Totally my kind of story!
Loved, loved, LOVED this one!! Totally my kind of story!
March 4, 2023
I wish I could unread it.
I wish I could puke it out of my brain.
I’m so disappointed because it is MR, and she usually has some good heroes that even when they are chauvinist or alpha assholes they are somehow redeemable in the end.
But she also has some awful and unforgivable ones- a few- and this one is one of those few.
He dumped the heroine without even giving her a chance to explain when he saw her holding her step cousin, and her uncle told him some unpleasant things about her that he was ready to believe.
He never seek her out again.
His equally asshole brother lied to him and told him she was with another man while she went to him asking to speak to the hero, since she was pregnant and wanted to tell him about the child.
Then the asshole hero became a manho who screwed every hole around for years while the heroine struggled to raise their child.
His chauvinism when he finds out she had his child, his continuous slut shaming and his lack of feelings… I don’t even know what enraged me the most.
Maybe what I found really unbearable was the fact that this heroine is really a loser and a pushover.
She forgave everyone from the nasty hero’s brother to her awful relatives to the hero’s mistress, no please save me from this bullshit.
I can’t believe that a woman who has an ounce of self respect can love such an awful excuse of a man, the only thing he didn’t do to her was physically beating her, as regards the rest he was a monster and undeserving of being loved or respected. He should have died alone and ridden with guilt and std.
Worst hp I’ve read recently.
I wish I could puke it out of my brain.
I’m so disappointed because it is MR, and she usually has some good heroes that even when they are chauvinist or alpha assholes they are somehow redeemable in the end.
But she also has some awful and unforgivable ones- a few- and this one is one of those few.
He dumped the heroine without even giving her a chance to explain when he saw her holding her step cousin, and her uncle told him some unpleasant things about her that he was ready to believe.
He never seek her out again.
His equally asshole brother lied to him and told him she was with another man while she went to him asking to speak to the hero, since she was pregnant and wanted to tell him about the child.
Then the asshole hero became a manho who screwed every hole around for years while the heroine struggled to raise their child.
His chauvinism when he finds out she had his child, his continuous slut shaming and his lack of feelings… I don’t even know what enraged me the most.
Maybe what I found really unbearable was the fact that this heroine is really a loser and a pushover.
She forgave everyone from the nasty hero’s brother to her awful relatives to the hero’s mistress, no please save me from this bullshit.
I can’t believe that a woman who has an ounce of self respect can love such an awful excuse of a man, the only thing he didn’t do to her was physically beating her, as regards the rest he was a monster and undeserving of being loved or respected. He should have died alone and ridden with guilt and std.
Worst hp I’ve read recently.
March 17, 2024
What happened to the Rafiq from the first book? He was a fabulous character - loyal, loving and rather interesting. This one was a miserable jerk who continued to hold on to his belief that the heroine had betrayed him 8 years ago. The way he treated her was appalling and the way she treated him was ridiculous. She gave into him every time and really was a doormat. I don’t like these tropes - ‘doormat dominated by ultra cruel hero.’
Also - Hassan’s behaviour didn’t fit into the honourable person we knew in Book 1. I was appalled at his cruelty.
Also - Hassan’s behaviour didn’t fit into the honourable person we knew in Book 1. I was appalled at his cruelty.
November 17, 2016
Heroína que parece un trapo de piso y que jadea por sex mientras el Jeque del desierto de una de las cien millones de tribus árabes en Harlequin sólo la insulta, es demasiado intro para este review.
Pero es así.
Cansó este argumento de las últimas novelitas que estuve leyendo y ahora estoy con Stephen King y Jude Deveraux a la par, a ver si dejo de leer tanto discurso digno del #niunamenos xD
Pero es así.
Cansó este argumento de las últimas novelitas que estuve leyendo y ahora estoy con Stephen King y Jude Deveraux a la par, a ver si dejo de leer tanto discurso digno del #niunamenos xD
April 23, 2014
Both hero and heroine were extremely unlikable and the ending flat!
June 16, 2016
A very emotional read.
One powerful sexy stubborn man and one beautiful innocent young woman who fell in love only to be tricked into believing each other's love was false.
Rafiq is really an arrogent jerk so intent on believing lies that he can't see what is right in front of him and treats Melanie horribly. Melanie had a tough time being so young alone and pregnant but with the death of her elderly uncle she is determined to reach Rafiq for the sake of her son.
Melanie takes everything Rafiq dishes out as she believes he will never accept the truth. But her son deserves to have his father's love and security.....and that makes everything worth it.
Realizing that their love never died makes all the years apart tough to accept and blame each other.
A very emotional read. I liked how she was strong in realizing her son needed his dad and would not stand in the way of them forming a bond. She also would protect her son from his father's neglect, if needed. I didn't like how she always gave into the sex between them and then made herself feel ashamed. He really does a number on her self respect trying to make all the lies true so he doesn't have to accept blame. When he can no longer hide his head in the sand, he does a wonderful job of taking the blame and making everything right......but personally I would have like to see him suffer a little more.
A great read.
One powerful sexy stubborn man and one beautiful innocent young woman who fell in love only to be tricked into believing each other's love was false.
Rafiq is really an arrogent jerk so intent on believing lies that he can't see what is right in front of him and treats Melanie horribly. Melanie had a tough time being so young alone and pregnant but with the death of her elderly uncle she is determined to reach Rafiq for the sake of her son.
Melanie takes everything Rafiq dishes out as she believes he will never accept the truth. But her son deserves to have his father's love and security.....and that makes everything worth it.
Realizing that their love never died makes all the years apart tough to accept and blame each other.
A very emotional read. I liked how she was strong in realizing her son needed his dad and would not stand in the way of them forming a bond. She also would protect her son from his father's neglect, if needed. I didn't like how she always gave into the sex between them and then made herself feel ashamed. He really does a number on her self respect trying to make all the lies true so he doesn't have to accept blame. When he can no longer hide his head in the sand, he does a wonderful job of taking the blame and making everything right......but personally I would have like to see him suffer a little more.
A great read.
February 14, 2014
Very emotionally draining. The hero was way too unforgiving and rude at the start, he even at times, made me want to shudder. The heroine was treated unjustly and horribly, my heart went out to her.
August 22, 2021
I’ve never wanted to throw my phone at the floor more than I did when in the last pages of the book instead pf grovelling and begging for forgiveness this asshole hero gaslighted the heroine and she ran panting like a lame puppy trying to comfort and please him Good lord what misogynistic crap was this?!
August 31, 2021
DRAAAMMAAAA
This book had some cringy moments with the whole "Arab" hero theme, but if you can skate over those stereotypes, given the age of the book, it's a pretty decent read. It has all the fun drama and angst to keep you reading.
The H is one of those raging jackass heros that I love so much. He's very possessive of the h and isn't shy to take what he wants. He thinks she's the worse kind of woman, but of course, all is not as it seems. The h is sweet and selfless.
For the Safety Squad:
- no cheating/sharing
- OW drama - the H had casual relationships during their 7 year separation
- the h was a virgin before the H and has been celibate during their separation
- dubcon-ish
This book had some cringy moments with the whole "Arab" hero theme, but if you can skate over those stereotypes, given the age of the book, it's a pretty decent read. It has all the fun drama and angst to keep you reading.
The H is one of those raging jackass heros that I love so much. He's very possessive of the h and isn't shy to take what he wants. He thinks she's the worse kind of woman, but of course, all is not as it seems. The h is sweet and selfless.
For the Safety Squad:
- no cheating/sharing
- OW drama - the H had casual relationships during their 7 year separation
- the h was a virgin before the H and has been celibate during their separation
- dubcon-ish
January 22, 2025
I liked it but I was a little irritated with the bullying demeanour of Rafiq. Melanie didn’t help because any time Rafiq touched her, she literally lost her mind. Still, the love story was thrilling, I’m not going to lie. So I’m giving this book three stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 10, 2011
I avoided reading this one (even though I've read pretty much all of Michelle Reid's books and generally think she's great) because of the Arabian theme, which I usually really dislike. Not sure why, but I think it's just too unbelievable to me that all of these sheiks can marry these no-longer-virgin women they've knocked up.
Anyway, this one didn't focus all that much on the Arabian/sheik aspect (they only go to the palace for the requisite meet-my-angry-sheik-father at the very end), and I found it still compelling and full of that Michelle Reid emotional angst. So, if you like Michelle Reid, you'll probably like this one too.
Anyway, this one didn't focus all that much on the Arabian/sheik aspect (they only go to the palace for the requisite meet-my-angry-sheik-father at the very end), and I found it still compelling and full of that Michelle Reid emotional angst. So, if you like Michelle Reid, you'll probably like this one too.
October 11, 2010
Er . . . gag. It was everything I thought it would be! I read one of these books, a very long time ago and this one was like reading the same one again. Same basic plot, same basic characters, same basic descriptions . . . just a change in names and places. I must say I disliked it just as much now as I did then. But at least I got through it. Please . . . NO MORE!
September 15, 2013
Definitely old skool! I enjoyed this one quite a lot, but not as much as I loved THE SHEIKH'S CHOSEN WIFE. I wanted to slap Melanie and Rafiq both, but I was still invested. And I loved getting a glimpse of Sheikh Khalifa -- and Hassan and Leona! Good book if you like old skool Presents. If not, you might be a bit alarmed. :)
March 18, 2014
What an awful story. Such a pity this is my first story with Michelle Reid - truly pathetic characters from the insulting, self absorbed Rafiq to the grovelling, sex absorbed Melanie - neither deserving as parents to likeable and innocent Robbie. Not one satisfying moment, no sass, no fire-in-the-belly and definitely a non-event poor excuse ending.
November 28, 2016
#ogro #doormat #lovechild #cruel #euchutavaele
September 13, 2019
This is one of those Harlequins where everything could have been cleared up with a 5 minute conversation.
Of course, if that happened, we wouldn't be able to enjoy the "hero"'s slut shaming behaviour and OTT rage, would we? Nor would we have time to marvel at the heroine's complete unraveling in the vicinity of sexual desire, or her self-flagellation for having ... gasp, feelings.
My favourite part about this is that the "hero" spends eight years fuming over the heroine's "betrayal" and yet his brother does a way worse thing and he forgives him in *checks notes* 3.4 seconds.
Regardless, Michelle Reid is a talented writer. I enjoyed this for the pure cheese factor.
Of course, if that happened, we wouldn't be able to enjoy the "hero"'s slut shaming behaviour and OTT rage, would we? Nor would we have time to marvel at the heroine's complete unraveling in the vicinity of sexual desire, or her self-flagellation for having ... gasp, feelings.
My favourite part about this is that the "hero" spends eight years fuming over the heroine's "betrayal" and yet his brother does a way worse thing and he forgives him in *checks notes* 3.4 seconds.
Regardless, Michelle Reid is a talented writer. I enjoyed this for the pure cheese factor.
February 29, 2020
Michelle Reid tells a good story. Newer (self published) authors could learn something from good HP authors, you can tell a compelling story in 180 pages, filled with the right balance of angst. Longer stories are wonderful, but don’t use filler to up word counts.
February 15, 2012
4 Stars! ~ Eight years before, Melanie had been shattered when Sheikh Rafiq had refused to speak with her, and then later when she had spoken to Rafiq’s brother Hassan it was clear that if the child she carried turned out to be Rafiq’s, the mighty Sheikh would use all his powers to take the child from her. Now upon the death of her great-uncle, Melanie has her own financial security and sees that her son needs his father. Rafiq is devastated that he has missed so much of his son’s life, and demands that Melanie marry him so that Robbie will have a family. But how can their marriage work, if Rafiq continues to believe that Melanie had betrayed him with another man all those years before.
Fantastic story! Rafiq is tortured with insecurities of his own upbringing and when he discovers he has a son, he is determined that the boy shall never know those same insecurities. Ms. Reid gives us great insight into Rafiq’s inner torment, and into Melanie’s pain of being so ruthlessly discarded and then the fear for her child. Their’s is an emotionally and passionately charged love story. Their HEA was well fought and achieved a huge sigh from this reader. It was also a great treat to revisit the other characters in the previous books from this series
Fantastic story! Rafiq is tortured with insecurities of his own upbringing and when he discovers he has a son, he is determined that the boy shall never know those same insecurities. Ms. Reid gives us great insight into Rafiq’s inner torment, and into Melanie’s pain of being so ruthlessly discarded and then the fear for her child. Their’s is an emotionally and passionately charged love story. Their HEA was well fought and achieved a huge sigh from this reader. It was also a great treat to revisit the other characters in the previous books from this series
February 19, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. I'm always a sucker for second-chance romances and secret-baby-trope. This book is one of my favorites by Michelle Reid. It's got the perfect mix of steam, angst, and romance. Plus, this story was told in dual POV's which I love. You will be able to see inside their heads, and it will help you understand the choices they made that brought them to their current situation. I really loved reading how their relationship progressed, especially when they fell in love with each other all over again or rather admitted that they actually never stopped loving each other even after eight long years.
These two were meant to be with each other, and I had so much reading their story.
These two were meant to be with each other, and I had so much reading their story.
March 9, 2015
Great story
I enjoyed reading this book. Very good writing along with connecting plots. I really like the way the conclusion of the story came together. Great writer, good job Mrs. "M".
I enjoyed reading this book. Very good writing along with connecting plots. I really like the way the conclusion of the story came together. Great writer, good job Mrs. "M".
September 30, 2018
Train wreck
August 18, 2015
H thought h slept with her cousin (high levels of trust), and dumped her. Caution: H is/was very cruel. but atleast he isn't defending himself all the way through.
He's macho, he's cruel... and if you're looking for an flighty, angsty read to pass the time, it's not so bad.
oh, and the ow Serena the dancer has just married at the beginning of this novel.
So why the 3 stars? I wouldn't have read it if it wasn't part of the bundle. And since all the other ones were 4 starrers for me, I decided to give it a go.
It's not bad, for a lousy romance with a jealously suspicious hero, who has been going rounds with the ladies in the last 8 years while the h has been sitting pretty with her baby.
I think I might have actually read this already o_O.
The brother knew... he had met her as liaison between H and h, and she told him she was pregnant with H's baby, and he didn't believe her, so he convinced her that little bro wouldn't either.
‘I don’t know what I am supposed to say to you, Melanie,’ he muttered. ‘You make me realise what a fool I was eight years ago. You make me face the high price I paid for my own pompous pride. You make me see that I have been treating you without honour from the moment I met you, and have done it all from a superior stance that deserves nothing but your contempt.’
ooh, I would agree... :) but that's why i gave it 3 stars (even though i dislike these reunion stories where the H has been whoring around, and the h has only ever had him).
He's macho, he's cruel... and if you're looking for an flighty, angsty read to pass the time, it's not so bad.
oh, and the ow Serena the dancer has just married at the beginning of this novel.
So why the 3 stars? I wouldn't have read it if it wasn't part of the bundle. And since all the other ones were 4 starrers for me, I decided to give it a go.
It's not bad, for a lousy romance with a jealously suspicious hero, who has been going rounds with the ladies in the last 8 years while the h has been sitting pretty with her baby.
I think I might have actually read this already o_O.
The brother knew... he had met her as liaison between H and h, and she told him she was pregnant with H's baby, and he didn't believe her, so he convinced her that little bro wouldn't either.
‘I don’t know what I am supposed to say to you, Melanie,’ he muttered. ‘You make me realise what a fool I was eight years ago. You make me face the high price I paid for my own pompous pride. You make me see that I have been treating you without honour from the moment I met you, and have done it all from a superior stance that deserves nothing but your contempt.’
ooh, I would agree... :) but that's why i gave it 3 stars (even though i dislike these reunion stories where the H has been whoring around, and the h has only ever had him).
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