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Three Rich Husbands #2
The Billionaire's Bride of Convenience
Kathryn thought she knew Hugh Parkinson, a charming, rakish playboy who was used to women being served to him on a plate. In his eyes she was just his utterly efficient, slightly uptight assistant.
Until she nearly lost the thing that mattered most to her, and unexpectedly Hugh was there to he was prepared to marry her! But the catch... Hugh wanted this convenient marriage to keep Kathryn not only as his trusty assistantbut also to warm his bed....
Until she nearly lost the thing that mattered most to her, and unexpectedly Hugh was there to he was prepared to marry her! But the catch... Hugh wanted this convenient marriage to keep Kathryn not only as his trusty assistantbut also to warm his bed....
181 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 5, 2010
33 people are currently reading
354 people want to read
About the author
Miranda Lee
815 books236 followersMaureen Mary was born on 1945 at Port Macquarie, a popular seaside town on the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales, Australia, and is the youngest of four children. Her sister was the novelist Wendy Brennan (Emma Darcy). Her father was a country school teacher and brilliant sportsman. Her mother was a talented dressmaker. When Miranda was ten, her father was transferred to Gosford, another coastal town in the countryside, much closer to Sydney. After leaving her convent school, she briefly studied the cello before moving to Sydney, where she embraced the emerging world of computers. Her career as a programmer ended after she married, had three daughters and bought a small acreage in a semi-rural community. Following this, she attempted greyhound training, as well as horse and goat breeding, but was left dissatisfied.
Miranda yearned to find a creative career from which she could earn money. When her sister suggested writing romances, it seemed like a good idea. She could do it at home, and it might even be fun! It took a decade of trial and error before her first romance, After the Affair, was accepted and published. At that time, Miranda, her husband Tony, and her three daughters had moved back to the Central Coast, where they could enjoy the sun and the surf lifestyle once again. Not long into her writing career, Miranda committed herself to writing a six-book series entitled, The Hearts of Fire, with a deadline of just nine short months. Bravely, her husband left his executive position to stay home and support Miranda’s writing career. He learned to cook and to clean, two invaluable household skills. Numerous successful stories followed, each embodying Miranda’s trademark style: pacy and sexy rhythms; passionate, real-life characters; and enduring, memorable story lines. She has one credo when writing romances: Don’t bore the reader! Millions of fans world-wide agree she never does.
Miranda was the sister of the late author, Emma Darcy.
Miranda yearned to find a creative career from which she could earn money. When her sister suggested writing romances, it seemed like a good idea. She could do it at home, and it might even be fun! It took a decade of trial and error before her first romance, After the Affair, was accepted and published. At that time, Miranda, her husband Tony, and her three daughters had moved back to the Central Coast, where they could enjoy the sun and the surf lifestyle once again. Not long into her writing career, Miranda committed herself to writing a six-book series entitled, The Hearts of Fire, with a deadline of just nine short months. Bravely, her husband left his executive position to stay home and support Miranda’s writing career. He learned to cook and to clean, two invaluable household skills. Numerous successful stories followed, each embodying Miranda’s trademark style: pacy and sexy rhythms; passionate, real-life characters; and enduring, memorable story lines. She has one credo when writing romances: Don’t bore the reader! Millions of fans world-wide agree she never does.
Miranda was the sister of the late author, Emma Darcy.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 6, 2018
Trigger Warning: Domestic Violence
This is a marriage of convenience story between the billionaire hero and his PA. He has been lusting after his PA since he hired her and when she breaks off her engagement because her jealous ex hit her, hero is ready to move in for a seduction. When he hears the heroine needs a marriage of convenience to inherit a house, he decides to help her out if she'll have sex with him.
Heroine is just as attracted to the hero and agrees.
This is fun because the H/h are so in to each other. It's obvious the hero is in love to everyone but the heroine and the hero. I also enjoyed the description of the heroine's inherited beach house and the hero's beach house. For a hero who thought he'd never commit to anyone, he certainly liked his homey house. I also liked how the hero stood up for the heroine against her abusive ex.
Miranda Lee likes to write series with one couple having their story arc mentioned in every volume. In this episode the couple from the third book are experiencing troubles. The heroine has had a miscarriage and the hero's friends are continuing to speculate that he is still hung up on his ex-wife.
This is a marriage of convenience story between the billionaire hero and his PA. He has been lusting after his PA since he hired her and when she breaks off her engagement because her jealous ex hit her, hero is ready to move in for a seduction. When he hears the heroine needs a marriage of convenience to inherit a house, he decides to help her out if she'll have sex with him.
Heroine is just as attracted to the hero and agrees.
This is fun because the H/h are so in to each other. It's obvious the hero is in love to everyone but the heroine and the hero. I also enjoyed the description of the heroine's inherited beach house and the hero's beach house. For a hero who thought he'd never commit to anyone, he certainly liked his homey house. I also liked how the hero stood up for the heroine against her abusive ex.
Miranda Lee likes to write series with one couple having their story arc mentioned in every volume. In this episode the couple from the third book are experiencing troubles. The heroine has had a miscarriage and the hero's friends are continuing to speculate that he is still hung up on his ex-wife.
December 28, 2021
3.5 stars
Loved the pining H, liked how crazy he was for her, how he didn’t believe in trying to steal girls away from other men, and I liked that the h was curvy and not flat chested. I enjoyed this.😁
The h is a 30 yr old non virgin ( if a 30yr h was a virgin I would’ve rolled my eyes hard, and DNF it🙄), who had a healthy, normal sex life with her lived in fiancé. Her fiancé smacked her in a jealous rage one night, and that’s how she finally ends up with the H, who is her billionaire boss. Unbeknownst to her, the Hs been secretly obsessed with her for months, so he falls first and is the one doing all the chasing in this story.
Safe
Loved the pining H, liked how crazy he was for her, how he didn’t believe in trying to steal girls away from other men, and I liked that the h was curvy and not flat chested. I enjoyed this.😁
The h is a 30 yr old non virgin ( if a 30yr h was a virgin I would’ve rolled my eyes hard, and DNF it🙄), who had a healthy, normal sex life with her lived in fiancé. Her fiancé smacked her in a jealous rage one night, and that’s how she finally ends up with the H, who is her billionaire boss. Unbeknownst to her, the Hs been secretly obsessed with her for months, so he falls first and is the one doing all the chasing in this story.
Safe
May 4, 2009
I found this one rather sweet. This is mostly told from Hugh's POV.
He's a drop dead gorgeous billionaire playboy, born with a silver spoon and a laid back attitude. He's had the hots for his PA for a while and lately it's even affecting his golf game.
Unfortunately, his PA is engaged so she is off-limits. Until the day her fiancee wallops her. Then Hugh sees his chance and will do anything to get her into his bed. Cause he's desperate, yo.
Kat is a typical ML heroine. They are often engaged to a loser and likes sex. A lot.
This is the second of a trilogy about 3 Aussie billionaires. The other 2 heroes and their friendship with Hugh are quite prominent in this story.
Trope: obsessed hero
He's a drop dead gorgeous billionaire playboy, born with a silver spoon and a laid back attitude. He's had the hots for his PA for a while and lately it's even affecting his golf game.
Unfortunately, his PA is engaged so she is off-limits. Until the day her fiancee wallops her. Then Hugh sees his chance and will do anything to get her into his bed. Cause he's desperate, yo.
Kat is a typical ML heroine. They are often engaged to a loser and likes sex. A lot.
This is the second of a trilogy about 3 Aussie billionaires. The other 2 heroes and their friendship with Hugh are quite prominent in this story.
Trope: obsessed hero
April 8, 2018
Actual quote from first page of this book...
"Cavewomen had invariably been attracted to cavemen who could best protect and provide for them; physically blessed alpha males whose prepotent genes ensured strong offspring. A modern woman might imagine she chose her mates differently; that she was attracted to other attributes such as kindness and a good sense of humour. Recent research, however, showed that was false thinking. Apparently, the most attractive quality a man could possess was tallness.
The male trio striding confidently through the bar-room were all tall....they were also handsome and dark-haired, and yes, very rich indeed."
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!
Oh, Harlequin Presents, never change. How I love you.
This quote should probably be printed at the top of each HP. In a nutshell, this is what you're about to get. Enjoy!
Hee hee.
Book was fun, although I'm not sure I'll read the others in the series. But I did enjoy this one!
"Cavewomen had invariably been attracted to cavemen who could best protect and provide for them; physically blessed alpha males whose prepotent genes ensured strong offspring. A modern woman might imagine she chose her mates differently; that she was attracted to other attributes such as kindness and a good sense of humour. Recent research, however, showed that was false thinking. Apparently, the most attractive quality a man could possess was tallness.
The male trio striding confidently through the bar-room were all tall....they were also handsome and dark-haired, and yes, very rich indeed."
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!
Oh, Harlequin Presents, never change. How I love you.
This quote should probably be printed at the top of each HP. In a nutshell, this is what you're about to get. Enjoy!
Hee hee.
Book was fun, although I'm not sure I'll read the others in the series. But I did enjoy this one!
February 19, 2021
I had so much fun reading this book! I enjoyed it. I liked the fact that it wasn't the usual secretary-fell-for-her-boss kind of book. Nope! Kathryn wasn't attracted to Hugh, well, not on sight. It was the hero who first became aware of her, and I liked that. But he can't do anything about his growing attraction to his secretary because she's engaged, but when Kathryn called off the wedding, all bets are off! He was more than ready to seduce his sexy secretary! It was fun to watch him struggled to comprehend why she wouldn't fall into his lap like all the women he knew.
I adored Kathryn. It’s adorable and hilarious watching her trying to act calm and unaffected, and you can’t help but root for her. And I loved how honest Hugh was, how charming, charismatic, laid back, and funny. And very irresistible. Yeah, right! How can anyone possibly resist Hugh for long? The man is damn persistent when he knows what he wants. He’s not shy about voicing his desires, and he was desiring Kathryn! But I loved how she could quickly put him in his place when need be.
The chemistry between these two was white-hot! The steamy scenes were explosive! Seriously.. it was scorchingly hot! Well, to me, they were anyways. That part didn’t disappoint. And there's nothing sweeter than a man who finds a very long movie worth his time to get to know the woman he desires.
December 12, 2025
This was such a fun, quick, and easy read. The plot kept me interested without ever feeling heavy, the romance had just the right amount of spice 🔥, and the happy ending wrapped things up perfectly 💒. The chemistry between the main characters was great, and the whole story had that cosy, effortless feel I love.
I have to say, Hugh definitely gave me Mr. Grey vibes — the big ego, the control, and even a bit of emotional blackmail sprinkled in. It added an extra layer of drama that kept things entertaining.
And I still laugh thinking about the main characters name shifting between Kathryn and Katherine. It became its own little running joke for me.
Big thank-you to my Secret Santa book club for this pick 👍🏻🎄
I have to say, Hugh definitely gave me Mr. Grey vibes — the big ego, the control, and even a bit of emotional blackmail sprinkled in. It added an extra layer of drama that kept things entertaining.
And I still laugh thinking about the main characters name shifting between Kathryn and Katherine. It became its own little running joke for me.
Big thank-you to my Secret Santa book club for this pick 👍🏻🎄
May 24, 2024
The couple needed more time together, feels very empty and flat. Wanted to like it. Skip it.
September 17, 2013
The Billionaire’s Bride of Convenience is the second book in the Three Rich Husbands series by popular Australian romance author Miranda Lee. Kathryn Hart is media heir, Hugh Parkinson’s highly efficient and slightly irritating PA. Kathryn has her life all planned out: marriage to Daryl before she reached thirty would ensure, through a strange condition in the will, that she inherited her friend Val’s beloved cottage by the sea. But Hugh had recently begun to notice his PA’s attractions: what a pity she was already taken. He wasn’t like his philandering father, and would never break up an established relationship. Still, when Kathryn’s engagement was broken, he was more than happy to come to the rescue with a marriage of convenience, as long as he got to bed Kathryn in the bargain. This is another sweet romance where the characters have a bit of depth and the setting and dialogue will feel familiar to Sydneysiders. Lee also gives a bit of background on the characters in the final romance of this series. Enjoyable.
October 5, 2019
I think Ms. Lee was all mellowed out when she wrote this - despite hints of alpha-heroes and blackmail adventures there wasn’t much of that here. The hero was a sweetheart and clueless in the matter of the hearts on the best tradition of HQ mails. I also liked the stroppiness of the PA heroine. Overall, a sweet read. I would have rated it more if there was a little more romance between the leads. They spend time pining and then sexing which of course leads to love. I was actually surprised at how little had happens 60% of the way in.
I would recommend this for HQ fan though it is different from the authors usual books. Plus, it has the most (unintentionally) hilarious biology line ever:
“Cavewomen has invariably been attracted to cavemen who could protect and provide ... A modern woman might image she chose her mates differently; ... [but] Recent research showed that was false thinking . Apparently, the most attractive quality a man could possess was tallness.”
This has nothing to do with the book or why the heroine is attracted to the hero but it made me laugh. So plus points for that.
I would recommend this for HQ fan though it is different from the authors usual books. Plus, it has the most (unintentionally) hilarious biology line ever:
“Cavewomen has invariably been attracted to cavemen who could protect and provide ... A modern woman might image she chose her mates differently; ... [but] Recent research showed that was false thinking . Apparently, the most attractive quality a man could possess was tallness.”
This has nothing to do with the book or why the heroine is attracted to the hero but it made me laugh. So plus points for that.
October 30, 2021
She is engaged to another man and she lives with that other man in an appartment. The other man is good in bed and that’s why they have a relationship. She’s sexually experienced and she’s been with ‘a lot of men’.
It’s a very modern book. Is it a Harlequin Presents? In my opinion, a HP is like a fairy tale. This isn’t a fairy tale, this is just reality.
It’s just a man and a woman who have both been sleeping around a lot with other men and other women, who are falling in love with each other. So just a normal, ordinary story, nothing fairy tale or nightmare or dreamy about that.
He is a billionaire, but so what. Him being rich doesn’t make it a HP fairy tale. He’s a nice guy, not an alpha male.
I like a HP h to be a virgin. She is the opposite of a virgin. That’s why I found it annoying when - after their night together with them doing everything to and with each other - she suddenly started to play the act of the shy, uneasy wall-flower by withdrawing herself from his sexual wants.
I didn’t like this book. The only thing I liked was that she isn’t slender, but curvy.
It’s a very modern book. Is it a Harlequin Presents? In my opinion, a HP is like a fairy tale. This isn’t a fairy tale, this is just reality.
It’s just a man and a woman who have both been sleeping around a lot with other men and other women, who are falling in love with each other. So just a normal, ordinary story, nothing fairy tale or nightmare or dreamy about that.
He is a billionaire, but so what. Him being rich doesn’t make it a HP fairy tale. He’s a nice guy, not an alpha male.
I like a HP h to be a virgin. She is the opposite of a virgin. That’s why I found it annoying when - after their night together with them doing everything to and with each other - she suddenly started to play the act of the shy, uneasy wall-flower by withdrawing herself from his sexual wants.
I didn’t like this book. The only thing I liked was that she isn’t slender, but curvy.
June 20, 2020
The Billionaire's Bride of Convenience
This is the second book in this trilogy. Here Kathryn and Hugh work together. He is her boss. She had a bf whom she was going to marry. The reason why is in the story. But his jealousy ended the relationship when he struck her. How she ends up with marrying her boss is most of the story. He has held a secret from her for over a year. What happens when he tells her the secret is the rest of the story line.
This is the second book in this trilogy. Here Kathryn and Hugh work together. He is her boss. She had a bf whom she was going to marry. The reason why is in the story. But his jealousy ended the relationship when he struck her. How she ends up with marrying her boss is most of the story. He has held a secret from her for over a year. What happens when he tells her the secret is the rest of the story line.
July 31, 2023
A light, quick read. The writing was quite engaging and it was easy to read. The plot is a little bit daft in parts but on the whole it was entertaining. I found Hugh to be an amusing main character and the dynamic between him and Kathryn worked well, it was a lot of fun. I didn’t care for a lot of the secondary plots involving his friends, but that aside I found this entertaining.
Content Notes: Marriage of convenience, boss/employee, personal assistant, bargains/deals/wagers.
Warnings:
Other: .
Content Notes: Marriage of convenience, boss/employee, personal assistant, bargains/deals/wagers.
Warnings:
Other: .
October 2, 2018
Romantica como todas estas novelas, esta cuenta la historia de uno de los amigos de Russell y pues me gusto mucho leida en un dia, son cortas y de facil lectura...voy por la historia de James me tiene intrigada
February 27, 2023
Loved it!
The first time I fell in love with a romance novel🥰
The first time I fell in love with a romance novel🥰
October 26, 2023
Vlot lezend tussendoortje.
August 20, 2025
Instant turn off and the reasons for Dnf
Alpha male, prepotent genes, cavewomen, offspring, busty women all these words in a contemporary romance book.
Alpha male, prepotent genes, cavewomen, offspring, busty women all these words in a contemporary romance book.
February 26, 2013
3.5* Hugh is arrogant, irresponsible, unreliable and the fact that he really likes it that way made me smile,he isn`t drinking or playing hard to forget except maybe of his PA,he inherited money,lots ,made even more and likes spending it-nice cars,women,sailing,golf...But lately most of the time he counts days when she`ll leave-on honeymoon,maternity,whatever... Oh he`s sweet and easygoing!
Kathryn has a plan,she`s a controller,predictable,competent,reasonable and engaged,she`s almost thirty and could inherit worth property if she marries before coming birthday. Shes a doer,studied hard,works hard, goes to the gym,follows plans and rules,with a good reason of course. Then after one dinner with Hugh her fiancee goes crazy,slaps her and she trows him out! So hero offers her to stay in Dad’s penthouse till he gets back from honeymoon no.5,she won’t have to go home tonight in case brute returns. She wants to resign nothing keeps her in town anymore and there are just 5 weeks till her birthday but Hugh will marry her so she can get weekender ...
His smile was wry. ‘We’re both mad. You, about this house. And me…about you.’ ...
‘If I learned one thing from watching `Gone with the Wind’ he growled, twisting the chair away from the table then scooping her up into his arms, ‘it’s never to ask for sex. Much better to just take. And take. And take…’
Kathryn has a plan,she`s a controller,predictable,competent,reasonable and engaged,she`s almost thirty and could inherit worth property if she marries before coming birthday. Shes a doer,studied hard,works hard, goes to the gym,follows plans and rules,with a good reason of course. Then after one dinner with Hugh her fiancee goes crazy,slaps her and she trows him out! So hero offers her to stay in Dad’s penthouse till he gets back from honeymoon no.5,she won’t have to go home tonight in case brute returns. She wants to resign nothing keeps her in town anymore and there are just 5 weeks till her birthday but Hugh will marry her so she can get weekender ...
His smile was wry. ‘We’re both mad. You, about this house. And me…about you.’ ...
‘If I learned one thing from watching `Gone with the Wind’ he growled, twisting the chair away from the table then scooping her up into his arms, ‘it’s never to ask for sex. Much better to just take. And take. And take…’
January 11, 2016
Kathryn is working as a personal assistant to Hugh. Her fiance Daryl is not happy about this as Hugh is a well known rake. Hugh is starting to feel attracted to Kathryn but knows that she is engaged so he is trying to steer clear but he is very distracted because of her.
Daryl, in a fit of jealousy, hits Kathryn and she throws him out. Hugh becomes very protective of her. He realizes that she is not upset over Daryl but something else. He gets her to tell him about a will where she is required to be married before she turns 30 (5 weeks away) or she loses the house. He offers her a marriage of convenience. They will get divorced after she turns 30 and has the house. There is a saying about "best laid plans" and it definitely applies here.
This book was a quick and easy read. I wouldn't say there was anything that stood out above other romance novels like it. It is still well written and definitely worth a read. It is one of those books that you curl up with on a cold day.
Daryl, in a fit of jealousy, hits Kathryn and she throws him out. Hugh becomes very protective of her. He realizes that she is not upset over Daryl but something else. He gets her to tell him about a will where she is required to be married before she turns 30 (5 weeks away) or she loses the house. He offers her a marriage of convenience. They will get divorced after she turns 30 and has the house. There is a saying about "best laid plans" and it definitely applies here.
This book was a quick and easy read. I wouldn't say there was anything that stood out above other romance novels like it. It is still well written and definitely worth a read. It is one of those books that you curl up with on a cold day.
November 1, 2016
Entertaining
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were really great. They were so down to earth and real in how they expressed themselves. I particularly liked the H. His demeanor was a refreshing change from the normal A type, intense, high achieving personality. Don't be mistaken that he is not the very masculine, highly intelligent guy. His approach to life was just different. He just asserted himself only when there was need, and but how! His seemingly spoilt, lazy, laid back way was quite entertaining. They were a perfect foil for each other, because she was the no nonsense, intense partner. A great, light story with very little angst.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were really great. They were so down to earth and real in how they expressed themselves. I particularly liked the H. His demeanor was a refreshing change from the normal A type, intense, high achieving personality. Don't be mistaken that he is not the very masculine, highly intelligent guy. His approach to life was just different. He just asserted himself only when there was need, and but how! His seemingly spoilt, lazy, laid back way was quite entertaining. They were a perfect foil for each other, because she was the no nonsense, intense partner. A great, light story with very little angst.
August 18, 2010
This one was a sweet one. And there was no misunderstandings and misconstrued situations or misconceptions like most of these little romances.
If you like these quick little simple romance reads this one is a must!!
If you like these quick little simple romance reads this one is a must!!
Read
July 27, 2011Kathryn knows her boss is not a man to rely on, but she falls for him anyways. Hugh does not want a loving relationship, sex is the only thing he wants from Kathryn. In the end, they both get love.
A nice story.
A nice story.
March 3, 2013
Cute, silly and fast. Set in Australia.
October 24, 2014
Biasa aja
April 12, 2016
Me gusto, tan ligera y entretenida, tuvo todo lo que me gusta en un libro.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews