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Virgin on Her Wedding Night
Already haunted by a youth of illegitimacy and poverty, Valente Lorenzatto has never forgiven Caroline Hale's abandonment of him at the altar. But now Valente has made millions and claimed his aristocratic Venetian birthright, and he's poised to buy Caroline's family, lock, stock and barrel. So she'll have to submit to his revenge! Perhaps his new-found wealth and lineage will soften her up when he demands that she give him their wedding night, for which he's waited five long years.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
97 people are currently reading
441 people want to read
About the author
Lynne Graham
1,339 books1,455 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Lynne Graham was born on July 30, 1956 of Irish-Scottish parentage. She has livedin Northern Ireland all her life. She grew up in a seaside village with herbrother. She learnt to read at the age of 3, and haven't stopped since then.
Lynne first met her husband when she was 14. At 15, she wrote her firstbook, but it was rejected everywhere. Lynne married after she completed adegree at Edinburgh University. She started writing again when she was athome with her first child. It took several attempts before she sold herfirst book in 1987 and the delight of seeing that first book for sale in thelocal newsagents has never been forgotten. Now, there are over 10 million ofher books in print worldwide.
Lynne always wanted a large family and has five children. Her eldest and heronly natural child is 19 and currently at university. Her other fourchildren, who are every bit as dear to her heart, are adopted. She has two9-year-olds adopted from Sri Lanka and a 5- and a 3-year-old adopted fromGuatemala. In Lynne's home, there is a rich and diverse cultural mix, whichadds a whole extra dimension of interest and discovery to family life. Thefamily lives in a country house surrounded by a woodland garden, which iswonderfully private. The family has two pets. Thomas, a very large andaffectionate black cat, bosses the dog and hunts rabbits. The dog is Daisy,an adorable but not very bright white West Highland terrier, who loves beingchased by the cat. At night, dog and cat sleep together in front of thekitchen stove. Lynne loves gardening, cooking, collects everything from oldtoys to rock specimens and is crazy about every aspect of Christmas.
Lynne Graham was born on July 30, 1956 of Irish-Scottish parentage. She has livedin Northern Ireland all her life. She grew up in a seaside village with herbrother. She learnt to read at the age of 3, and haven't stopped since then.
Lynne first met her husband when she was 14. At 15, she wrote her firstbook, but it was rejected everywhere. Lynne married after she completed adegree at Edinburgh University. She started writing again when she was athome with her first child. It took several attempts before she sold herfirst book in 1987 and the delight of seeing that first book for sale in thelocal newsagents has never been forgotten. Now, there are over 10 million ofher books in print worldwide.
Lynne always wanted a large family and has five children. Her eldest and heronly natural child is 19 and currently at university. Her other fourchildren, who are every bit as dear to her heart, are adopted. She has two9-year-olds adopted from Sri Lanka and a 5- and a 3-year-old adopted fromGuatemala. In Lynne's home, there is a rich and diverse cultural mix, whichadds a whole extra dimension of interest and discovery to family life. Thefamily lives in a country house surrounded by a woodland garden, which iswonderfully private. The family has two pets. Thomas, a very large andaffectionate black cat, bosses the dog and hunts rabbits. The dog is Daisy,an adorable but not very bright white West Highland terrier, who loves beingchased by the cat. At night, dog and cat sleep together in front of thekitchen stove. Lynne loves gardening, cooking, collects everything from oldtoys to rock specimens and is crazy about every aspect of Christmas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
October 1, 2017
Two stars - maybe a weak three star story. Virgin widow is blackmailed into sex/marriage by the hero whom she stood up at the altar four years before. In that four years he's gone from truck driver to recogized grandson of an Italian count and is a millionaire.
The hero never read the heroine's letters explaining why she stood him up - that's his mistake.
The heroine was a doormat and married the posh creep her parent's wanted - that's her mistake.
The heroine makes more mistakes in that she is still bending over backwards for her horrible parents and she still is by the epilogue.
One memorable scene- the heroine being so nervous about blackmailed sex that she gets drunk and passes out on the hero. When the hero summons a doctor, the doctor demands to see the heroine's i.d. because he thinks the hero has been giving alcohol to a minor.
We don't find out until very late in the story why the heroine stood up the hero, so she looks pretty bad throughout. Even finding out that info, I couldn't warm up to this mealy mouthed heroine. Hero was your standard LG hero.
The hero never read the heroine's letters explaining why she stood him up - that's his mistake.
The heroine was a doormat and married the posh creep her parent's wanted - that's her mistake.
The heroine makes more mistakes in that she is still bending over backwards for her horrible parents and she still is by the epilogue.
One memorable scene- the heroine being so nervous about blackmailed sex that she gets drunk and passes out on the hero. When the hero summons a doctor, the doctor demands to see the heroine's i.d. because he thinks the hero has been giving alcohol to a minor.
We don't find out until very late in the story why the heroine stood up the hero, so she looks pretty bad throughout. Even finding out that info, I couldn't warm up to this mealy mouthed heroine. Hero was your standard LG hero.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2017
What worked for me :
1 Valente
He was meticulous as he plotted against the bride who stood him up at the altar. He returns in a position of power and influence, leaving nothing to chance. When he is ready, everything falls like dominoes. I would have loved to see him in a heist story.
2 Caroline
The h is in the weakest possible position but she responds with dignity and considers the welfare of others. She goes through a difficult marriage and emerges as a cautious, wary woman.
3 Sensitive issues
Caroline's deceased husband was abusive and this has made her nervous and insecure. When Valente learns the facts, he is patient and kind towards her. He doesn't forgive or forget what happened, but he always treats her with care. He continues living in an emotional fortress.
4 Backstory
Both of their pasts were constructed well and explain their decisions, fear and worldview.
5 Reasons for Separation
When the truth is revealed, you understand both Caroline and Valente's reactions to that day. Valente is ruthless for self preservation and Caroline got a manipulated version of events. She was young, naive and betrayed.
What didn't work for me :
1 I didn't see any reason for Caroline's rebound marriage...
She gave into pressure and dug her own grave. Then she suffered in silence during her marriage and this bothered me.
1 Valente
He was meticulous as he plotted against the bride who stood him up at the altar. He returns in a position of power and influence, leaving nothing to chance. When he is ready, everything falls like dominoes. I would have loved to see him in a heist story.
2 Caroline
The h is in the weakest possible position but she responds with dignity and considers the welfare of others. She goes through a difficult marriage and emerges as a cautious, wary woman.
3 Sensitive issues
Caroline's deceased husband was abusive and this has made her nervous and insecure. When Valente learns the facts, he is patient and kind towards her. He doesn't forgive or forget what happened, but he always treats her with care. He continues living in an emotional fortress.
4 Backstory
Both of their pasts were constructed well and explain their decisions, fear and worldview.
5 Reasons for Separation
When the truth is revealed, you understand both Caroline and Valente's reactions to that day. Valente is ruthless for self preservation and Caroline got a manipulated version of events. She was young, naive and betrayed.
What didn't work for me :
1 I didn't see any reason for Caroline's rebound marriage...
She gave into pressure and dug her own grave. Then she suffered in silence during her marriage and this bothered me.
March 6, 2012
I seem to be swimming against the tide with my rating on this one but I liked it. It had some elements that were definitely different from the norm for LG. The heroine here did not melt every time the hero touched her. She had had a bad previous marriage and even though she still loved the hero, she did not just get over it the first time he kissed her. He does not have things all his way. She gets what she wants too. And he doesn't really have appalling knee jerk reactions. For example Of course he wasn't perfect. This is an HP after all, he had to have some issues. Mostly I enjoyed it because while it had the requisite OTT melodrama, she wasn't a doormat and he wasn't an asshat.
December 2, 2014
Do not like when a book goes to ridiculous lengths to make heroine a virgin while hero's bedmate centers right up in the story, right up to the point that heroine is wearing the mistress's bathrobe. YUCK! it just takes all the beauty away from the first time between hero and heroine. Hero was just ridiculous in not checking at all on his bride or reading her letter, heroine is dumb because she can't remember that hero keeps telling her he didn't read the letter, and it just doesn't make sense that the husband couldn't enjoy heroine because he likes bustier women??? Make him gay or severely dysfunctional...unable to perform somehow...but that was just silly. The only lovely part was hero's patience with heroine's fears. But read Blackmailed into Marriage for similar patience with a much more deserving hero.
Book would have been 3 stars as it entertained, but I don't understand how heroine could so easily accept and forgive hero's revenge causing her beloved father's decline in health. That takes revenge to another level, practically felony-murder, and makes the heroine seem disloyal.
Book would have been 3 stars as it entertained, but I don't understand how heroine could so easily accept and forgive hero's revenge causing her beloved father's decline in health. That takes revenge to another level, practically felony-murder, and makes the heroine seem disloyal.
April 6, 2016
Nothing to recommend with this book despite... nope, not even that.
The heroine is a damp, wimpy, doormat martyr for her shallow parents, and the hero is an equally big IDIOT. His only redeeming quality is his patience with the heroine's unrelenting virginity despite being married.
The heroine is a damp, wimpy, doormat martyr for her shallow parents, and the hero is an equally big IDIOT. His only redeeming quality is his patience with the heroine's unrelenting virginity despite being married.
November 7, 2013
Your basic blackmail her into bed/marriage scheme. H was your typical arrogant, manipulative Italian Tycoon. h was a little bit of a doormat, but the author handled explaining how her thinking was a product of her upbringing quite well. I'd have giving it more stars if the 'forgive me, I'm a jerk' scene had been longer.
August 26, 2014
A very enjoyable read by Ms. Graham. I don't think of lovers reunited stories as my favorite, because they can have some drama elements that are problematic. However, I do like when there is an unrequited or unfulfilled love that never dies between two people. I did feel that between Valente and Caroline. Truth is, they both made mistakes and also some lies and conniving relatives came between them. Valente is pretty dark in some ways, his drive to destroy Caroline's parents' fortunes out of revenge. I liked that Caroline confronted him about that. However, Valente obviously truly loved Caroline, and even though he didn't want to admit it to himself, he never stopped loving her.
I like the descriptions and language in this novel. I think Lynne Graham is an underrated writer in the sense that because people can be snooty about category romance, it's assumed that writers in this genre just crank out books and don't put their artistic skills and talent to use. I don't think that's the case. I feel that when I read one of her books, she believes in what she's writing. Her writing is very vivid and descriptive, bringing all the emotions to life and using the characters' body language to reveal who the characters are and what they are feeling.
While I didn't like the way Valente's ex-lover was handled (I'm tend to be a jealous person, working on that, so I would have been way more bothered about finding his ex-mistress's used robe in his bathroom than Caroline was). Understandably, since she was married for four years, he would have moved on, but that was tacky, and I think he knew it. Maybe subconsciously he wanted to taunt Caroline with it, to let her feel what it was like for him, knowing she had dumped him and married someone more suitable.
Caroline's parents were a hot mess. I liked that while this is a happy ending book, her parents' negative traits weren't glossed over. However, Valente took responsibility for taking care of them because he knew Caroline loved her parents. For someone who supposedly has no pity or heart, Valente was actually a good person and a good husband. You could tell how much he loved Caroline. Caroline had to grow up the hard way. While she had been coddled and sheltered, she learned the hard way the cost of that life and denying her own needs to make her family happy. I liked her a lot.
I give this books a thumbs up. Nothing much I didn't like about it (except for the tacky part with the ex-mistress).
I like the descriptions and language in this novel. I think Lynne Graham is an underrated writer in the sense that because people can be snooty about category romance, it's assumed that writers in this genre just crank out books and don't put their artistic skills and talent to use. I don't think that's the case. I feel that when I read one of her books, she believes in what she's writing. Her writing is very vivid and descriptive, bringing all the emotions to life and using the characters' body language to reveal who the characters are and what they are feeling.
While I didn't like the way Valente's ex-lover was handled (I'm tend to be a jealous person, working on that, so I would have been way more bothered about finding his ex-mistress's used robe in his bathroom than Caroline was). Understandably, since she was married for four years, he would have moved on, but that was tacky, and I think he knew it. Maybe subconsciously he wanted to taunt Caroline with it, to let her feel what it was like for him, knowing she had dumped him and married someone more suitable.
Caroline's parents were a hot mess. I liked that while this is a happy ending book, her parents' negative traits weren't glossed over. However, Valente took responsibility for taking care of them because he knew Caroline loved her parents. For someone who supposedly has no pity or heart, Valente was actually a good person and a good husband. You could tell how much he loved Caroline. Caroline had to grow up the hard way. While she had been coddled and sheltered, she learned the hard way the cost of that life and denying her own needs to make her family happy. I liked her a lot.
I give this books a thumbs up. Nothing much I didn't like about it (except for the tacky part with the ex-mistress).
February 6, 2012
This one annoyed me so much. I couldn’t believe in the HEA at the end, even though I really wanted to.
Valente Lorensatto was abandoned at the altar five years ago and he hasn’t gotten over it. Instead Valente has decided that the best thing to do is to take revenge upon the perpetrator of his heartache, Caroline Hale. So even though as a rule, Valente isn’t a patient man or a VENGEFUL man he becomes one. Valente tossed away all but one convenient letter from Caroline Hale his runaway bride. He says, “Some errors of judgment cannot be explained away or forgiven.” Valente even told Caroline several times that that he threw her letters away, but she can’t get that through her thick head because she still asks him about them.
He only wanted sex from her something that she couldn’t provide because of a hang-up from her first hubby. He is angry when she can’t fulfill that dream of his and says, “You cheated me, and I don’t allow anyone who does that to walk away unscathed.” This implies that petty little VENGEFUL man thing again. Right afterwards he is thinking, “Even though it was late, Valente wanted to phone is legal team and put them to work on ridding him of his brand new wife.” Now he wants to get rid of her for her false promises of sex which she can’t fulfill – “But the prospect of telling anyone alive that his bride had just refused him froze him into rare inactivity.” This sounded like he didn’t want anyone to know he didn’t/couldn’t consummate the marriage YET when Caroline says something about this later he says, “My reputation is such that it would not have caused me embarrassment.” Does he confuse you as much as me?
Valente had set out to cold-bloodedly destroy her father’s business because of what he perceived of her abandonment of him at the altar. Not once did he attempt to seek the truth. Guess the truth wasn’t worth it to him. She still believed he had read the letter that he knew why she didn’t show up, YET he told her before that he hadn’t! Valente was so “confident” that Caroline loved him before the fateful altar incident, of course that suddenly disappears when she doesn’t show up – a bit fickle in his confidence, huh? She did love him she told him all in her letters, but he doesn’t do emotions or forgiveness – oh but he forgave the family that raped his mother! Caroline tells him if he really loved her he would have overcome his hurt pride and sought the truth, but he didn’t. It was like he never cared to begin w/ that is how she saw it when she married OM on rebound. Suddenly he explains that he thought she had used him to make OM jealous! Okay, how does that make sense when before he claimed he was confident in her love of him and didn’t want to tell her what her father had attempted to do?
She claims his plan of revenge at any costs truly horrifies her and she is a poor judge of character. To which he replies, “I’m not like you, bella mia. When someone injures me I don’t turn the other cheek, and I never will.” Once again this alludes to him seeking revenge, but he claimed to himself that he doesn’t!!! “. . . acts of revenge were a waste of time, and that it was better to move on and forget the past, for the future should hold a more exciting and worthwhile challenge.” If he hadn’t thought this in the beginning of the story then I might have thought differently of him, but as it is he comes across as not even being truthful to himself.
I can NOT believe that this businessman didn’t study his prey a bit more and know more things about them before enacting his revenge! Caroline still seems shocked that he didn’t read any of the letters – um woman he told you long time ago he didn’t, why are they still stuck on this? He has no answer for why he couldn’t forgive her and her family, but he could forgive the family of the man that raped his mother and begot him!! Nice and in fact he takes care of those vultures!! She is scared of him and his plotting. Oh but this suddenly changes as she rationalizes he was never loved by anyone and that is why he is like this. Of course her great all healing love will make it all better. And he must have felt something for her to want revenge and plot over the five years – OMGosh seriously?! So all those bad guys in other books that plot to seek revenge and will stop at nothing really feel something for you – yes they feel something for you woman it could very well be hate he feels for you NOT love!
The convenient letter – yep he hung on to that one and lucky for the deceptive witch that she has proof that supports the letter because he doesn’t trust her little letter. He “reels” in shock, but is NOT devastated, not full of remorse for what he did or does he wonder how she felt when he never showed up. Things could have ended badly for her, but he doesn’t even consider that. No true thoughts or reflections on that. Nope instead he must talk to her, “as he had never talked to her in the entirety of their relationship.” So I guess even in the beginning he wasn’t completely open with her and this should be a great conversation, right?
He dumped letters w/out reading he tells her again! Because she can’t seem to understand that he dumped them, but he admits he kept the first. Thinks chalked up to his pride, he is obstinate and proud and he should have had more faith in her and that is what finished them. (does he feel awful for that? Does he show remorse? NOT AT ALL!!)) He wasn’t there when she needed him and she makes excuses for him - oh no one told you – WTH? Oh yeah Caroline realized he had no love in his life and hers is so healing so of course he will get a free pass. No he claims that he believed that she loved him but had doubts and insecurities – wait a minute before he said he thought she may have been trying to make OM jealous!
She blackmailed him into marriage and he blackmailed her into bed w/ him so they squared and all else doesn’t matter. Oh but she should have gotten the slightest vibe when a man loves her are you freaking kidding me? I didn’t get the slightest vibe and I was reading his dang thoughts! Sure I know it’s a romance and I know how it is to turn out and that he is supposed to love her, but I never felt like he was contrite about what he set out to destroy because of his belief when he could have sought her out then. Besides seems he doesn’t back down so he should have stood up and fought instead of running w/ tail b/w legs and then claiming pride! Such a cop out! Now he says he married her even though not part of the plan, but just a few minutes before he claimed she blackmailed him into marriage!! He stayed w/ her even though didn’t work out in the bedroom – he is trying to convince her of his love! He didn’t believe her when she claimed to love him before thought she was trying to soften him up – guess what that is exactly what I believe of him. Only you don’t have to because she doesn’t need softening up she has already melted into the cracks of the floorboard! Bam! All hunky dory and their argument and anger for what he did and what he caused doesn’t matter at all.
Valente Lorensatto was abandoned at the altar five years ago and he hasn’t gotten over it. Instead Valente has decided that the best thing to do is to take revenge upon the perpetrator of his heartache, Caroline Hale. So even though as a rule, Valente isn’t a patient man or a VENGEFUL man he becomes one. Valente tossed away all but one convenient letter from Caroline Hale his runaway bride. He says, “Some errors of judgment cannot be explained away or forgiven.” Valente even told Caroline several times that that he threw her letters away, but she can’t get that through her thick head because she still asks him about them.
He only wanted sex from her something that she couldn’t provide because of a hang-up from her first hubby. He is angry when she can’t fulfill that dream of his and says, “You cheated me, and I don’t allow anyone who does that to walk away unscathed.” This implies that petty little VENGEFUL man thing again. Right afterwards he is thinking, “Even though it was late, Valente wanted to phone is legal team and put them to work on ridding him of his brand new wife.” Now he wants to get rid of her for her false promises of sex which she can’t fulfill – “But the prospect of telling anyone alive that his bride had just refused him froze him into rare inactivity.” This sounded like he didn’t want anyone to know he didn’t/couldn’t consummate the marriage YET when Caroline says something about this later he says, “My reputation is such that it would not have caused me embarrassment.” Does he confuse you as much as me?
Valente had set out to cold-bloodedly destroy her father’s business because of what he perceived of her abandonment of him at the altar. Not once did he attempt to seek the truth. Guess the truth wasn’t worth it to him. She still believed he had read the letter that he knew why she didn’t show up, YET he told her before that he hadn’t! Valente was so “confident” that Caroline loved him before the fateful altar incident, of course that suddenly disappears when she doesn’t show up – a bit fickle in his confidence, huh? She did love him she told him all in her letters, but he doesn’t do emotions or forgiveness – oh but he forgave the family that raped his mother! Caroline tells him if he really loved her he would have overcome his hurt pride and sought the truth, but he didn’t. It was like he never cared to begin w/ that is how she saw it when she married OM on rebound. Suddenly he explains that he thought she had used him to make OM jealous! Okay, how does that make sense when before he claimed he was confident in her love of him and didn’t want to tell her what her father had attempted to do?
She claims his plan of revenge at any costs truly horrifies her and she is a poor judge of character. To which he replies, “I’m not like you, bella mia. When someone injures me I don’t turn the other cheek, and I never will.” Once again this alludes to him seeking revenge, but he claimed to himself that he doesn’t!!! “. . . acts of revenge were a waste of time, and that it was better to move on and forget the past, for the future should hold a more exciting and worthwhile challenge.” If he hadn’t thought this in the beginning of the story then I might have thought differently of him, but as it is he comes across as not even being truthful to himself.
I can NOT believe that this businessman didn’t study his prey a bit more and know more things about them before enacting his revenge! Caroline still seems shocked that he didn’t read any of the letters – um woman he told you long time ago he didn’t, why are they still stuck on this? He has no answer for why he couldn’t forgive her and her family, but he could forgive the family of the man that raped his mother and begot him!! Nice and in fact he takes care of those vultures!! She is scared of him and his plotting. Oh but this suddenly changes as she rationalizes he was never loved by anyone and that is why he is like this. Of course her great all healing love will make it all better. And he must have felt something for her to want revenge and plot over the five years – OMGosh seriously?! So all those bad guys in other books that plot to seek revenge and will stop at nothing really feel something for you – yes they feel something for you woman it could very well be hate he feels for you NOT love!
The convenient letter – yep he hung on to that one and lucky for the deceptive witch that she has proof that supports the letter because he doesn’t trust her little letter. He “reels” in shock, but is NOT devastated, not full of remorse for what he did or does he wonder how she felt when he never showed up. Things could have ended badly for her, but he doesn’t even consider that. No true thoughts or reflections on that. Nope instead he must talk to her, “as he had never talked to her in the entirety of their relationship.” So I guess even in the beginning he wasn’t completely open with her and this should be a great conversation, right?
He dumped letters w/out reading he tells her again! Because she can’t seem to understand that he dumped them, but he admits he kept the first. Thinks chalked up to his pride, he is obstinate and proud and he should have had more faith in her and that is what finished them. (does he feel awful for that? Does he show remorse? NOT AT ALL!!)) He wasn’t there when she needed him and she makes excuses for him - oh no one told you – WTH? Oh yeah Caroline realized he had no love in his life and hers is so healing so of course he will get a free pass. No he claims that he believed that she loved him but had doubts and insecurities – wait a minute before he said he thought she may have been trying to make OM jealous!
She blackmailed him into marriage and he blackmailed her into bed w/ him so they squared and all else doesn’t matter. Oh but she should have gotten the slightest vibe when a man loves her are you freaking kidding me? I didn’t get the slightest vibe and I was reading his dang thoughts! Sure I know it’s a romance and I know how it is to turn out and that he is supposed to love her, but I never felt like he was contrite about what he set out to destroy because of his belief when he could have sought her out then. Besides seems he doesn’t back down so he should have stood up and fought instead of running w/ tail b/w legs and then claiming pride! Such a cop out! Now he says he married her even though not part of the plan, but just a few minutes before he claimed she blackmailed him into marriage!! He stayed w/ her even though didn’t work out in the bedroom – he is trying to convince her of his love! He didn’t believe her when she claimed to love him before thought she was trying to soften him up – guess what that is exactly what I believe of him. Only you don’t have to because she doesn’t need softening up she has already melted into the cracks of the floorboard! Bam! All hunky dory and their argument and anger for what he did and what he caused doesn’t matter at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2021
This is a standard LG HPlandia outing for the most part - it gets five stars from me for only one reason.
The h commits the Cardinal Sin of not showing up for her wedding, leaving the H standing at the altar alone. That is enough Totally Tacky behavior for me to write the h off and never care if she gets an HEA.
However, LG knows her HP rules and we eventually find out that the direly ill h was in hospital for an appendectomy and that is the Best Reason Ever to miss the wedding appointment. Even Miss Manners would make an exception for that, so I am calling it a win for the HP outing experience.
The rest of the story is typical LG and the H comes around by the end for a pretty nice little HEA.
The h commits the Cardinal Sin of not showing up for her wedding, leaving the H standing at the altar alone. That is enough Totally Tacky behavior for me to write the h off and never care if she gets an HEA.
However, LG knows her HP rules and we eventually find out that the direly ill h was in hospital for an appendectomy and that is the Best Reason Ever to miss the wedding appointment. Even Miss Manners would make an exception for that, so I am calling it a win for the HP outing experience.
The rest of the story is typical LG and the H comes around by the end for a pretty nice little HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2011
Maybe it was the male narrator, but I just could not get into this one. Then again, maybe it was how TSTL everyone in the freaking book was!! My goodness. This book was like the proverbial "train wreck"-you just help but stop and gawk. I am NOT published, but every author has to admit to missing the mark every now and then. To me, the mark was missed....by a wide margin on this one.
I keep thinking that maybe I just need to read (actually read instead of listening to the audio), but I don't think it will help.
At least she's "more important than business" to him and business is, after all, "very important" to him. [Rolling eyes and gagging] I would have told him where to put his "bitterness"!
I keep thinking that maybe I just need to read (actually read instead of listening to the audio), but I don't think it will help.
At least she's "more important than business" to him and business is, after all, "very important" to him. [Rolling eyes and gagging] I would have told him where to put his "bitterness"!
September 27, 2015
This might have been okay right up to the end with the whole revealing of secrets...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2016
A decent read about a young woman who married an ass in rebound after losing the man she loved. Five years later, the ass died and she is blackmailed by the guy she loved and thought loved her.
Caroline's character was a little too weak for me to truly like her and Valente was a bully. She allowed everyone to walk all over her, including her social climbing mother. It wasn't until her first orgasm that she learned to stand up for herself. All hail the power of the mighty orgasm!!!
Anyhooo... an ok book. I had to force myself to continue at times because I wanted to shake some sense into Caroline, but I made it to the end. So.... Yay me!!! :-D
Caroline's character was a little too weak for me to truly like her and Valente was a bully. She allowed everyone to walk all over her, including her social climbing mother. It wasn't until her first orgasm that she learned to stand up for herself. All hail the power of the mighty orgasm!!!
Anyhooo... an ok book. I had to force myself to continue at times because I wanted to shake some sense into Caroline, but I made it to the end. So.... Yay me!!! :-D
October 31, 2021
Meh!
May 2, 2024
I couldn’t warm up to her. She had married another guy several years ago for no real reason. The first day she and the H saw each other again, she got drunk and she threw up in his home. That’s tacky. And she was a doormat to her b*tchy mother and to the H.
But what put me off the most was that she was nagging the H to marry her (he only wanted her as his mistress) and that she was the first to say ‘I love you’.
This is supposed to be a romantic book. Where is the romance when you have to force the guy into marrying you.
But what put me off the most was that she was nagging the H to marry her (he only wanted her as his mistress) and that she was the first to say ‘I love you’.
This is supposed to be a romantic book. Where is the romance when you have to force the guy into marrying you.
December 13, 2024
Nope. When a man insults a woman she doesn't just jump in bed with him the next day. He also refused to listen to why she left him at the altar and continued to berate her. Her late husband abuses her mentally and emotionally and her parents do the same thing and she protects them all. Just wrong. So many red flags in this, that I couldn't see the romance.
May 8, 2020
Ugh.. bullshit hero!
July 30, 2012
Synopsis - Five years ago, Caroline Hales jilted Valente Lorenzatto at the altar and wed Michael Bailey - a richer and more socially prominent man. Building a business empire and even taking over the fortune of the family that disowned his pregnant mother have not brought Valente peace, but surely taking the home and business of his ex’s family (and that ex as his lover) will help him leave the past behind. He’ll have everything the proud Hales family denied him when he was a poor laborer who fell in love with Caro, but now he recognizes her for the gold digger that she is.
Caroline spent her who life trying to please her adopted parents, including giving up the man she loved to marry the one she had thought was her best friend. After four years of a very unhappy and unconsummated marriage, she lives with her aging and ailing parents. When Valente offers to rebuild her father’s old company and allow her parents to stay in their home in exchange for Caro as his mistress, she’s not sure she can let down everyone else for the sake of her pride. Neither one knows the whole truth about what happened 5 years ago, but that may not be enough to overcome so much bitterness.
Review -Too much head-jumping! I pity the situations in which Caroline finds herself, but I don’t particularly like her. She knew her husband was dishonest, if not the full extent, so why did she slap Valente when he laid it out? Not that I’m a big fan of Valente either… By chapter 6 I was thoroughly disgusted with the hero, the heroine, the heroine’s deceased husband, and the heroine’s mother. While Caroline has an occasional temper, loyalty, and an apparent work ethic, she doesn’t seem to be strong. Being married to a bully could certainly weaken you, but I struggled to see her in a positive light.
With Harlequin Presents it’s not unusual to find rich, powerful men behaving badly, and Valente is certainly an example. There’s no rhyme or reason to when he decides to be honest/vulnerable, and it always feels forced. Caroline’s bouts of emotion are also all over the place, and every time I thought I couldn’t despise her any more, she said or did something stupid. It was way too convenient that Valente just happened to save her first letter without reading it, but tossed the others. And a poor delivery driver threw his cell phone into the river? I guess they weren’t too expensive in 2005…
Normally I love a good sappy ending, but since I didn’t like or respect these two, I just wanted to gag. Unfortunately I had some sort of bizarre, masochistic need to see the end of this story, which kept me going countless times when I wanted to give up. Worse: I know I have read this one before, but evidently the resolution was too weak to stick with me.
Caroline spent her who life trying to please her adopted parents, including giving up the man she loved to marry the one she had thought was her best friend. After four years of a very unhappy and unconsummated marriage, she lives with her aging and ailing parents. When Valente offers to rebuild her father’s old company and allow her parents to stay in their home in exchange for Caro as his mistress, she’s not sure she can let down everyone else for the sake of her pride. Neither one knows the whole truth about what happened 5 years ago, but that may not be enough to overcome so much bitterness.
Review -Too much head-jumping! I pity the situations in which Caroline finds herself, but I don’t particularly like her. She knew her husband was dishonest, if not the full extent, so why did she slap Valente when he laid it out? Not that I’m a big fan of Valente either… By chapter 6 I was thoroughly disgusted with the hero, the heroine, the heroine’s deceased husband, and the heroine’s mother. While Caroline has an occasional temper, loyalty, and an apparent work ethic, she doesn’t seem to be strong. Being married to a bully could certainly weaken you, but I struggled to see her in a positive light.
With Harlequin Presents it’s not unusual to find rich, powerful men behaving badly, and Valente is certainly an example. There’s no rhyme or reason to when he decides to be honest/vulnerable, and it always feels forced. Caroline’s bouts of emotion are also all over the place, and every time I thought I couldn’t despise her any more, she said or did something stupid. It was way too convenient that Valente just happened to save her first letter without reading it, but tossed the others. And a poor delivery driver threw his cell phone into the river? I guess they weren’t too expensive in 2005…
Normally I love a good sappy ending, but since I didn’t like or respect these two, I just wanted to gag. Unfortunately I had some sort of bizarre, masochistic need to see the end of this story, which kept me going countless times when I wanted to give up. Worse: I know I have read this one before, but evidently the resolution was too weak to stick with me.
September 3, 2013
This was so close to a mere two-star book for me, but the hero did a redemptive thing that nudged it up for me. Of course, there was a lot of boneheadedness on both sides, which is why it wavered on the cusp there. I didn't hate the story, but apart from the aforementioned element, it was just too trite for me. It's like ...and now I've almost talked myself into knocking it back down to two stars.
January 22, 2018
I found the plot refreshing because it differed so much from the fare the author usually offers. However, it also lacked much of the romance, angst and passion contained within her other books.
The biggest problem? I wasn't convinced Valente and Caroline even loved each other that much. I didn't feel they'd yearned for one another during their separation. The fact that they gave up too easily on their relationship didn't change my impression. Even after reuniting, the love and chemistry felt lukewarm.
The biggest problem? I wasn't convinced Valente and Caroline even loved each other that much. I didn't feel they'd yearned for one another during their separation. The fact that they gave up too easily on their relationship didn't change my impression. Even after reuniting, the love and chemistry felt lukewarm.
September 16, 2012
The writing was flawless. But this is 1st Lynne Graham book in which i had trouble believing their HEA. The hero seemed an idiot and not to mention lacking faith in his and her love enough to atleast once call the girl an ask why she jilted him at the alter. Caroline was always at the verge of taking a strong stand against him but she never actually did anything formidable. I wanted Valentte to suffer just a little bit in the end for his Stupidity !
September 2, 2011
There's the inevitable moment of the hero realizing How Wrong He Was, but in balance with how bizarrely he acts before that in order to get his revenge, plus pretty much every character and situation being exaggerated to the point of parody, this was not the best of LG's oeuvre. Plus, for the love of Pete, could someone give her some Italian lessons?
July 30, 2025
Lynne Graham has always been a master at weaving revenge, passion, and redemption into a seamless whole, and Virgin on Her Wedding Night is no exception. This is a story that starts with bitterness, as Valente Lorenzatto seeks to even the score for the humiliation of being abandoned at the altar years ago.
He has built himself up from a youth of poverty and illegitimacy into a man of staggering wealth and power, determined to use every ounce of it to exact revenge. What he does not anticipate is how the woman who once broke him still holds the power to undo him completely.
Caroline Hales as a heroine surprised me. On the surface, she seems meek, almost too pliant, the kind of woman who shoulders guilt that is not hers to bear. But underneath all that is someone marked by an upbringing that taught her little of love or independence.
An adopted daughter raised in privilege, Caroline’s moments of rebellion were few, and the greatest of them had been falling for Valente years earlier. The irony, of course, is that the very act that destroyed their love, her jilting him at the altar—was not the selfish betrayal it appeared to be, but the consequence of circumstances that had spiraled beyond her control.
Valente, on the other hand, is all steel and fire. There’s a ruthlessness in the way he pursues revenge, but also a deep vulnerability that makes him more than a mere avenger. Underneath his arrogance lies the man who once loved Caroline with all the single-mindedness of youth, and though he tells himself he no longer feels that way, his actions betray him. His pursuit of Caroline is as much about rekindling what they lost as it is about punishing her, even if he cannot admit it to himself.
The tension between them is deliciously high, and the seduction is classic Graham—slow, heady, and filled with that irresistible push-pull dynamic. What really works here is the way the past shadows their every interaction, forcing both Caroline and Valente to re-examine what really happened, and whether love still has a place between them. If Caroline at times frustrates with her martyrdom, Valente’s determination and the sheer force of their chemistry more than make up for it. And when he finally lowers his defenses, the fireworks are worth it.
What I loved most was the blend of passion and tenderness that defined their journey. Valente’s seduction of Caroline is written with such care that you feel the shift from vengeance to love in every encounter. What I found weaker was Caroline’s tendency to play the victim—her lack of backbone in some moments grated, even when her circumstances explained much of it. Still, watching her grow, and seeing Valente gradually surrender to his feelings, carried the story beautifully to its end.
Recommended for: readers who love revenge-to-redemption arcs, heroes who burn with intensity beneath their polished armor, and heroines of quite indomitable strength.
Final Verdict: Passionate and intense, Valente and Caroline’s story is classic Lynne Graham—scorching seduction wrapped around a second chance at love.
Rating = 4/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance
He has built himself up from a youth of poverty and illegitimacy into a man of staggering wealth and power, determined to use every ounce of it to exact revenge. What he does not anticipate is how the woman who once broke him still holds the power to undo him completely.
Caroline Hales as a heroine surprised me. On the surface, she seems meek, almost too pliant, the kind of woman who shoulders guilt that is not hers to bear. But underneath all that is someone marked by an upbringing that taught her little of love or independence.
An adopted daughter raised in privilege, Caroline’s moments of rebellion were few, and the greatest of them had been falling for Valente years earlier. The irony, of course, is that the very act that destroyed their love, her jilting him at the altar—was not the selfish betrayal it appeared to be, but the consequence of circumstances that had spiraled beyond her control.
Valente, on the other hand, is all steel and fire. There’s a ruthlessness in the way he pursues revenge, but also a deep vulnerability that makes him more than a mere avenger. Underneath his arrogance lies the man who once loved Caroline with all the single-mindedness of youth, and though he tells himself he no longer feels that way, his actions betray him. His pursuit of Caroline is as much about rekindling what they lost as it is about punishing her, even if he cannot admit it to himself.
The tension between them is deliciously high, and the seduction is classic Graham—slow, heady, and filled with that irresistible push-pull dynamic. What really works here is the way the past shadows their every interaction, forcing both Caroline and Valente to re-examine what really happened, and whether love still has a place between them. If Caroline at times frustrates with her martyrdom, Valente’s determination and the sheer force of their chemistry more than make up for it. And when he finally lowers his defenses, the fireworks are worth it.
What I loved most was the blend of passion and tenderness that defined their journey. Valente’s seduction of Caroline is written with such care that you feel the shift from vengeance to love in every encounter. What I found weaker was Caroline’s tendency to play the victim—her lack of backbone in some moments grated, even when her circumstances explained much of it. Still, watching her grow, and seeing Valente gradually surrender to his feelings, carried the story beautifully to its end.
Recommended for: readers who love revenge-to-redemption arcs, heroes who burn with intensity beneath their polished armor, and heroines of quite indomitable strength.
Final Verdict: Passionate and intense, Valente and Caroline’s story is classic Lynne Graham—scorching seduction wrapped around a second chance at love.
Rating = 4/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance
August 2, 2024
Technically I didn't finish this, because I was listening for free on YouTube and the robotic AI narrator gave me the creeps. But it was an average Lynn Graham read. The heroine has a real job, which was a nice change. And she has a lot of everyday worries about keeping her parents' trucking company afloat. The hero wants what he wants, and you can guess what that is. Would have liked more luxury and more exotic locations, but I'm assuming that was coming in the later chapters. Sorry for the incomplete review!
July 12, 2022
Aquela história sempre previsível mas que dispõe bem…
March 29, 2015
4.5 stars
With reading so many Harlequins lately, it's a nice chance to have a situation so different. Caroline Haye's isn't the typical strong and fiesty heroine, although she does have some fight there too. She's a pretty flawed person and I enjoy reading relationship stories where the hero strengthens the self-esteem of the heroine. Her situation and hangups made for a different twist in the bedroom department, one rarely explored, so I was hooked and stayed up way too late to finish this one. At times Valente (wondering how to pronounce that name) came across too cold but I liked him overall as the star of the show. The ending dished out super sweetness as well. Pacing was relentlessly delicious and much was at stake. It's a newer Graham and those typically get less stars in reviews that her older stuff, but for this one it's highly recommended. The writing style wasn't sappy at all and it wasn't unrealistically written (for this type of book.) I dug her father enough but her mother? Ick.
With reading so many Harlequins lately, it's a nice chance to have a situation so different. Caroline Haye's isn't the typical strong and fiesty heroine, although she does have some fight there too. She's a pretty flawed person and I enjoy reading relationship stories where the hero strengthens the self-esteem of the heroine. Her situation and hangups made for a different twist in the bedroom department, one rarely explored, so I was hooked and stayed up way too late to finish this one. At times Valente (wondering how to pronounce that name) came across too cold but I liked him overall as the star of the show. The ending dished out super sweetness as well. Pacing was relentlessly delicious and much was at stake. It's a newer Graham and those typically get less stars in reviews that her older stuff, but for this one it's highly recommended. The writing style wasn't sappy at all and it wasn't unrealistically written (for this type of book.) I dug her father enough but her mother? Ick.
January 26, 2025
“Segunda boda” de Lynne Graham me atrapó con su intensidad emocional y su drama apasionado. La historia entre Valente y Caroline está cargada de tensión, secretos y una mezcla de amor y rencor que me tuvo entretenida todo el tiempo. Me encantó cómo ambos personajes enfrentan sus errores del pasado, aunque sus actitudes me frustraron en algunos momentos, especialmente por lo orgullosos que son. A pesar de ser una novela corta, la trama tiene giros interesantes y mantiene un ritmo ágil. Es un romance clásico de Harlequin que cumple perfectamente con su promesa de drama y pasión que es lo que me atraen de estas novelas.
October 23, 2014
good one though the things which happened were ludicrous. i was disappointed by LG as she did go too highly on the melodrama part here. lots of things here did not make sense like why valente did not read her letters, did not inquire, why caroline did not go to him instead of marrying matthew on the rebound, how come matthew never raped her!? lol he had no scruples so why not!?. valente was supposedly hell-bent on revenge, yet he never did anything. he was marshmallow where she was concerned, even agreed to marriage wid no definite time period.
July 8, 2021
Already haunted by a youth of illegitimacy and poverty, Valente Lorenzatto never forgave Caroline Hales's abandonment of him at the altar.But now he's made millions and claimed his aristocratic Venetian birthright--and he's poised to get his revenge. He'll ruin Caroline's family by buying out their company and throwing them out of their mansion...unless she agrees to give him the wedding night she denied him five years ago....
February 6, 2011
Its ok still readable but not her best work it dragged on i skip through bits and pieces but like it said its ok the parts i didn't skip through.
September 5, 2012
Throughout the novel, I am not sure if I should slap Valente or feel sorry for him.
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