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Traditional Greek Husbands #1
Melodía para la seducción
¡Él era un maestro en el arte de la seducción!
De pequeña, Cassandra fascinaba al público de sus conciertos noche tras noche…Pero, cuando murieron sus padres, Cass se encerró en su propio mundo, llegando a ser incluso demasiado tímida como para salir de casa. Una vez al año, compartía su amor por la música ofreciendo clases de piano en una subasta benéfica…Ese año consiguió la puja más alta. ¡Nada menos que cien mil dólares!
El comprador fue Neo Stamos, un arrogante empresario griego. Deseaba a Cass con ardiente pasión, aunque sabía que la dulce y tímida joven necesitaría su tiempo…
De pequeña, Cassandra fascinaba al público de sus conciertos noche tras noche…Pero, cuando murieron sus padres, Cass se encerró en su propio mundo, llegando a ser incluso demasiado tímida como para salir de casa. Una vez al año, compartía su amor por la música ofreciendo clases de piano en una subasta benéfica…Ese año consiguió la puja más alta. ¡Nada menos que cien mil dólares!
El comprador fue Neo Stamos, un arrogante empresario griego. Deseaba a Cass con ardiente pasión, aunque sabía que la dulce y tímida joven necesitaría su tiempo…
160 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
161 people are currently reading
1146 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Monroe
619 books1,587 followersI write spicy romance books that end in an HEA. Contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance…I write it all. The two things my books all have in common is lots of emotion and spice. Last year, I fell in love with a new subgenre: mafia romance. Since I write what I love to read, I started a new standalone series, Syndicate Rules where you’ll meet over the top alpha heroes in the Italian and Greek mafias as well as the Irish mob. There are arranged marriages, forced marriages, enemies to lovers, stalkers, forced proximity and lots of mafia intrigue. Morally gray is my new favorite color.
Follow me on BookBub for alerts on my next release: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lucy-...
I’ve been published a while and most of my 90+ books have hit the Nielson Bookscan bestseller list, a few ended up on the USA Today bestseller list and some even hit national bestseller lists in the UK and Australia. My books have been translated into numerous languages and are for sale in dozens of countries around the world. I’ve won awards and been published with most of the big houses in New York, but my greatest achievement is touching readers’ hearts. When I hear from a reader who got caught up in one of my books, I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do.
I love writing emotionally deep stories with snappy dialogue and solid plots. I’m more grateful than I’ll ever be able to express that so many readers have taken my stories into their hearts and put my books on their reread and keeper shelves.
Follow me on BookBub for alerts on my next release: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lucy-...
I’ve been published a while and most of my 90+ books have hit the Nielson Bookscan bestseller list, a few ended up on the USA Today bestseller list and some even hit national bestseller lists in the UK and Australia. My books have been translated into numerous languages and are for sale in dozens of countries around the world. I’ve won awards and been published with most of the big houses in New York, but my greatest achievement is touching readers’ hearts. When I hear from a reader who got caught up in one of my books, I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do.
I love writing emotionally deep stories with snappy dialogue and solid plots. I’m more grateful than I’ll ever be able to express that so many readers have taken my stories into their hearts and put my books on their reread and keeper shelves.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
April 13, 2010
I've never read LM before but since I am a big Presents reader and this is brand spanking new, I thought this would be a good one to start with as any.
First of all, the title. I should be happy about a normal title instead of a tabloid-like one with possessives but the title still sucks. The heroine isnt a bride. Only on the second to last page is there a marriage proposal. It should have been called "The Greek Tycoon's Agoraphobic Friend with Benefits."
Both the H/H were interesting to me. The heroine had real-life issues. She was a reclusive world-class pianist who suffers from agoraphobia among other things. She's 29 and never been kissed. She doesnt see anyone in person except her manager. All of her friends are online only.
The hero may seem like a typical self-made billionaire Greek tycoon from HQN central casting but he is a reasonable one. The heroine is reasonable too, despite all her neuroses. And that is the problem. The romance is so tepid. No passion. No conflict. Most of their conversation comes across as insipid because it's so boring. This short novel took three days for me to read because I would read a sentence or two and then my mind would begin to wander.
This is a perfectly "nice" romance."Nice" means dull in this case.
Grade: C
First of all, the title. I should be happy about a normal title instead of a tabloid-like one with possessives but the title still sucks. The heroine isnt a bride. Only on the second to last page is there a marriage proposal. It should have been called "The Greek Tycoon's Agoraphobic Friend with Benefits."
Both the H/H were interesting to me. The heroine had real-life issues. She was a reclusive world-class pianist who suffers from agoraphobia among other things. She's 29 and never been kissed. She doesnt see anyone in person except her manager. All of her friends are online only.
The hero may seem like a typical self-made billionaire Greek tycoon from HQN central casting but he is a reasonable one. The heroine is reasonable too, despite all her neuroses. And that is the problem. The romance is so tepid. No passion. No conflict. Most of their conversation comes across as insipid because it's so boring. This short novel took three days for me to read because I would read a sentence or two and then my mind would begin to wander.
This is a perfectly "nice" romance."Nice" means dull in this case.
Grade: C
August 13, 2017
"The Shy Bride" is the story of Cassandra and Neo, and a wonderful read.
Unlike it name of the book, the story is actually about two unlikely people falling in love.
Cassandra is a famous but recluse pianist who suffers from agoraphobia. When Billionaire Neo purchases her lessons for an year, both are entranced by each other.
You have a shy heroine, a caring alpha hero, sweet love scenes and no angst.
I really liked the way the H dealt with the heroine's anxiety, and did not push or persuade her against her wishes. She on the other hand was talented but no afraid to take chances.
A thoroughly enjoyable read!
Safe
4/5
Unlike it name of the book, the story is actually about two unlikely people falling in love.
Cassandra is a famous but recluse pianist who suffers from agoraphobia. When Billionaire Neo purchases her lessons for an year, both are entranced by each other.
You have a shy heroine, a caring alpha hero, sweet love scenes and no angst.
I really liked the way the H dealt with the heroine's anxiety, and did not push or persuade her against her wishes. She on the other hand was talented but no afraid to take chances.
A thoroughly enjoyable read!
Safe
4/5
January 9, 2016
I read this book in 2013. I don't remember too much details, but I don't remember anything that bothered me about the story. I need to reread or skim the book. I only remember the hero wasn't a jerk, he was more like a betta hero (^_^)
September 4, 2013
"Why yes my cripplingly anxious and traumatized new age pianist, I can cure all your problems because I am so fabulously good looking and rich."
"And you, poor fabulously wealthy man who I will now call "tycoon" a dozen times even though no one uses that word, I can see past your gym-toned exterior to the unloved little orphan boy who secretly yearns for the home life he never had and will teach you to listen to the music of your heart while I give you piano lessons."
"And you, poor fabulously wealthy man who I will now call "tycoon" a dozen times even though no one uses that word, I can see past your gym-toned exterior to the unloved little orphan boy who secretly yearns for the home life he never had and will teach you to listen to the music of your heart while I give you piano lessons."
May 29, 2019
Cassandra is a world class pianist that suffers from agoraphobia.
Neo is a Greek Tycoon who has just been given a years worth of piano lessons from Cassandra won by his partner that were won in an auction.
Having not experienced mild/moderate agoraphobia, I have no idea how unusual it might be for someone suffering from this to actually be able to auction themselves off like that. Her anxiety levels were to up and down to be believable.
The book read fast, but when I made it half-way through I wondered "where is the conflict?" I finally discovered conflict tucked away neatly on page 178 - which was then very quickly resolved by 184.
Rated: 2 stars because it wasn't bad, but it wasn't what I would call a satisfying HP read.
Warning: this is a no-conflict romance
My Ratings:
5*****I loved this book, consider it an all time favorite
4**** Thoroughly enjoyed the book and will recommend it
3*** I liked it well enough,
2** Brain Candy - It was okay. Writing mediocre, will
keep/re-read if part of a series
1* didn't like/possibly not finished. (less)
Neo is a Greek Tycoon who has just been given a years worth of piano lessons from Cassandra won by his partner that were won in an auction.
Having not experienced mild/moderate agoraphobia, I have no idea how unusual it might be for someone suffering from this to actually be able to auction themselves off like that. Her anxiety levels were to up and down to be believable.
The book read fast, but when I made it half-way through I wondered "where is the conflict?" I finally discovered conflict tucked away neatly on page 178 - which was then very quickly resolved by 184.
Rated: 2 stars because it wasn't bad, but it wasn't what I would call a satisfying HP read.
Warning: this is a no-conflict romance
My Ratings:
5*****I loved this book, consider it an all time favorite
4**** Thoroughly enjoyed the book and will recommend it
3*** I liked it well enough,
2** Brain Candy - It was okay. Writing mediocre, will
keep/re-read if part of a series
1* didn't like/possibly not finished. (less)
December 27, 2013
Beautiful simple love story about a lonely sexy tycoon and a shy agoraphobic pianist. Neither of them has much experience with love so they start a friends with benefits thing, are in denial about their feelings but realize they can't live without each other.
Loved how Neo treats Cass like a princess. He is a gentle, sweet hero. I loved how he helped her overcome her fears and how she made him see he is worthy of love. They were truly soulmates!
Loved how Neo treats Cass like a princess. He is a gentle, sweet hero. I loved how he helped her overcome her fears and how she made him see he is worthy of love. They were truly soulmates!
June 29, 2015
2.5 Stars...Meh.
own-have-read
September 2, 2013No longer free.
Untouched - and bought for $100,000!
Thrust into the limelight, child star Cassandra timidly enchanted audiences night after night… But when her parents died Cass retreated into her own world - too shy to leave her home. Once a year she shares her musical passion by offering lessons in a charity auction… This year money talks… The winning bid $100,000!
Enter Neo Stamos, arrogant Greek tycoon. He wants Cass with a burning desire, though he knows that, shy and sweet, she will need a gentle awakening… But Neo’s the master of seduction!
Traditional Greek Husbands
Notorious Greek tycoons seek brides!
August 26, 2021
I adored the protagonists, their friendship, love and passion.
A wonderful book.
Safe and recommended.
A wonderful book.
Safe and recommended.
January 9, 2017
A great read.
Cassie may be shy but she also sweet and no doormat. She has no problem telling arrogant Neo where to go. But she is also attracted to the sexy man. They banter back and forth making for an interesting read......and the sexual tension is hot! Neo turns out to one caring man undernearth that handsome exterior. He sets out to free Cassie from her fears with his love......What a man!
Well written and one of the author's best books.
Cassie may be shy but she also sweet and no doormat. She has no problem telling arrogant Neo where to go. But she is also attracted to the sexy man. They banter back and forth making for an interesting read......and the sexual tension is hot! Neo turns out to one caring man undernearth that handsome exterior. He sets out to free Cassie from her fears with his love......What a man!
Well written and one of the author's best books.
April 11, 2012
I have to say that I found this extremely boring, which shocks me because LM is one of my all time HP authors. It just felt like the chemistry was lacking and many scenes felt so forced.
April 11, 2011
J'ai perdu 3h de ma vie...
September 21, 2021
I really liked the first 60-70% of this. I thought the heroine's agoraphobia was pretty well done and the hero was a real good guy and largely didn't try to "fix" her. (He did suggest hypnotherapy, but it felt very much like helping her live the life she wants, not trying to fix her.)
Buuuut once they got together, it just felt like there wasn't much left to tell I did kinda like the conflict.
Owned ebook 2/2 for the month
Overall owned book 3/5 for the month
Buuuut once they got together, it just felt like there wasn't much left to tell I did kinda like the conflict.
Owned ebook 2/2 for the month
Overall owned book 3/5 for the month
September 22, 2018
Cassandra Baker is a former child piano prodigy who is now a recluse because of agoraphobia that developed after her mother's death and being pushed into continuing public performances. However, she still offers piano lessons for a full year, as part of a charity contribution. The winner is Neo Stamos, thanks to his friend Zephyr, who paid $100,000 for the lessons, as he believes Neo is too focused on work. There is an immediate attraction between Cass and Neo, but he is insistent that they are friends, not lovers.
The reason I really enjoyed this could be the reason others don't like it! It is admittedly low on drama and conflict. However, I really got a feel for the H and h as people, and quite liked them. Neo was an arrogant billionaire, to be sure, but he wasn't an asshole. Cass was a bit of a hot mess because of her agoraphobia, but she wasn't a weak person. The book clearly established how she was able to stand up to Neo. I do prefer a heroine who isn't quivering and quaking constantly in the H's presence! Her agoraphobia was plausible, and provided a plausible reason why she would still be a virgin!
I found Neo to be very swoon-worthy, that's for sure! And picturing him as the hunk on the cover didn't hurt any! I liked that he was arrogant, but he didn't treat Cass like crap. I enjoyed reading about their journey from friends to lovers. I do like when characters can confront their relationship like adults and discuss it as level-headed people! This probably isn't the type of HPlandia book most fans would like, due to the lack of drama and lack of an asshole H. Ironically, that's the reason I liked it so much!
The reason I really enjoyed this could be the reason others don't like it! It is admittedly low on drama and conflict. However, I really got a feel for the H and h as people, and quite liked them. Neo was an arrogant billionaire, to be sure, but he wasn't an asshole. Cass was a bit of a hot mess because of her agoraphobia, but she wasn't a weak person. The book clearly established how she was able to stand up to Neo. I do prefer a heroine who isn't quivering and quaking constantly in the H's presence! Her agoraphobia was plausible, and provided a plausible reason why she would still be a virgin!
I found Neo to be very swoon-worthy, that's for sure! And picturing him as the hunk on the cover didn't hurt any! I liked that he was arrogant, but he didn't treat Cass like crap. I enjoyed reading about their journey from friends to lovers. I do like when characters can confront their relationship like adults and discuss it as level-headed people! This probably isn't the type of HPlandia book most fans would like, due to the lack of drama and lack of an asshole H. Ironically, that's the reason I liked it so much!
June 20, 2020
Uhh, cringe alert. Definitely not one of her better works. Cass the h is a gifted piano player but suffers from severe shyness syndrome. Which translates to having panic issues in meeting strangers or performing on the stage for an audience.
Neo is your alpha Greek tycoon. Neo’s buddy arranged for him to have piano lessons with Cass to get him off of work for a well deserved break.
What follows (for the longest time) is sweet friendship until crazy psycho arguing takes over. With all these books that I’ve read in my life, I’d say with assertion that I can tell sparring/pre-foreplay bickering from arguing. Gosh. This girl with all of her fancy phobias and sad childhood memories was one crazy argumentative woman.
Everything that Neo said in a gentlemanly way or to watch out for her, this woman would argue her point to death and that’s all I felt she was good at. I also have to point that her phobias only worked on strangers who were poor and inconsequential. She had no issues offering her performance for Neo’s billionaire partner or practising in a high-end piano store. Such a damn hypocrite.
Sorry for sounding insensitive to someone who has this kind of a disability to deal with. But tbh there was no saving Cass from her own doom. I rushed to the end and couldn’t care less for Cass’s HEA.
Neo is your alpha Greek tycoon. Neo’s buddy arranged for him to have piano lessons with Cass to get him off of work for a well deserved break.
What follows (for the longest time) is sweet friendship until crazy psycho arguing takes over. With all these books that I’ve read in my life, I’d say with assertion that I can tell sparring/pre-foreplay bickering from arguing. Gosh. This girl with all of her fancy phobias and sad childhood memories was one crazy argumentative woman.
Everything that Neo said in a gentlemanly way or to watch out for her, this woman would argue her point to death and that’s all I felt she was good at. I also have to point that her phobias only worked on strangers who were poor and inconsequential. She had no issues offering her performance for Neo’s billionaire partner or practising in a high-end piano store. Such a damn hypocrite.
Sorry for sounding insensitive to someone who has this kind of a disability to deal with. But tbh there was no saving Cass from her own doom. I rushed to the end and couldn’t care less for Cass’s HEA.
February 20, 2013
As a agoraphobic myself, I can say that this was a fairly accurate portrayal of the complications. The premise was awesome, and I would heartily recommend it based on the glimpse into the life of an agoraphobic soul. On the other hand--and I can't believe this is my complaint--there were too many details. The sexual tension couldn't compete with the anatomy lesson at times. And there were play-by-play accounts of actions when it wasn't necessary. Then, the author would skip across moments that might have been great for emotional impact and relationship building like the trip to Napa or the first few piano lessons with quick summary paragraphs. It felt like the book should have been longer but the author was forced to cut and did so by summarizing entire chapters. I guess it's rarely a bad thing to do as an author to leave your audience wanting more--but I still wish there'd been more.
I did love this book and intend to recommend it--I just wish there'd been more to it in some places and less of it in others.
I did love this book and intend to recommend it--I just wish there'd been more to it in some places and less of it in others.
April 14, 2024
3-3.5 stars
It was all going so well until in chapter 8 the hero suggested the friends with benefits arrangement.
And what's worse, the heroine agreed.
And I rolled my eyes so hard, I was afraid they'd stay like this.
But it was a nice read, gotta admit. Would've given it more if it wasn't for the 'friends with benefits' nonsense.
But I liked it, anyway.
It was all going so well until in chapter 8 the hero suggested the friends with benefits arrangement.
And what's worse, the heroine agreed.
And I rolled my eyes so hard, I was afraid they'd stay like this.
But it was a nice read, gotta admit. Would've given it more if it wasn't for the 'friends with benefits' nonsense.
But I liked it, anyway.
January 5, 2015
I loved everything about this except for the ending. It was just too quick and perfect.
***Details***
Everything impressed me about THE SHY BRIDE except for the ending.
Pianist Cassandra Baker stays always from the limelight due to her agoraphobic fears after years of being forced to perform. When Greek tycoon Neo Stamos is given piano lessons for a year from her, her secluded life is turned upside down.
Concerned for Neo’s health, best friend and business partner, Zephyr Nikos buys him the lessons as a way to get him to relax each week learning an instrument he always wanted to play when they were orphans.
I loved the chemistry between these two different people when they first met. Cassandra was so alone with only her music while Neo was so focused on only his work. I enjoyed reading about Cassandra’s fear and how Neo was perfectly understanding to her limitations. The comfort she found with him was so easily loved. Her slow pace life was exactly what he needed, while he helped her face her fears.
When the friends with benefits started, which did progress at a good pace, Neo introduces Cassandra into the world of pleasure. It’s not long before Cassandra is in over her head in love with Neo, however, Neo insistent on keeping the terms ‘friends’.
The end went a little quickly for me. Time is skipped and when Neo brings up a hypnotherapist, Cassandra takes it well, despite her claims how everyone eventually wants to change or ‘fix’ her.
After hearing Neo claim he still doesn’t want a life with her, things look to be going south, but Neo finally takes stock on his life and what he wants.
Overall, a great free read. I just wish the ending wouldn’t have been such a quick wrap up with a perfectly tied bow.
***Details***
Everything impressed me about THE SHY BRIDE except for the ending.
Pianist Cassandra Baker stays always from the limelight due to her agoraphobic fears after years of being forced to perform. When Greek tycoon Neo Stamos is given piano lessons for a year from her, her secluded life is turned upside down.
Concerned for Neo’s health, best friend and business partner, Zephyr Nikos buys him the lessons as a way to get him to relax each week learning an instrument he always wanted to play when they were orphans.
I loved the chemistry between these two different people when they first met. Cassandra was so alone with only her music while Neo was so focused on only his work. I enjoyed reading about Cassandra’s fear and how Neo was perfectly understanding to her limitations. The comfort she found with him was so easily loved. Her slow pace life was exactly what he needed, while he helped her face her fears.
When the friends with benefits started, which did progress at a good pace, Neo introduces Cassandra into the world of pleasure. It’s not long before Cassandra is in over her head in love with Neo, however, Neo insistent on keeping the terms ‘friends’.
The end went a little quickly for me. Time is skipped and when Neo brings up a hypnotherapist, Cassandra takes it well, despite her claims how everyone eventually wants to change or ‘fix’ her.
After hearing Neo claim he still doesn’t want a life with her, things look to be going south, but Neo finally takes stock on his life and what he wants.
Overall, a great free read. I just wish the ending wouldn’t have been such a quick wrap up with a perfectly tied bow.
September 23, 2013
This is a simply wonderful character driven romance. The heroine suffers from agroaphobia caused by being forced to perform as a small child despite her shyness. Our hero is a self made man who is a workaholic. His best friend buys him piano lessons. The hero and heroine meet and a relationship blooms. Each character grows. Niether lead is a cartoon--they are layered and reasonable and charming.
The ending needed to be a bit more but overall I loved this. I especially loved the handling of her disability by both the hero and the heroine. There is no miracle cure but a gentle loving and self acceptance as well.
I like category romances but I am always a bit saddened by the cliches. This one has cliche wrapping (see the blurb and the Greek hottie) but the inside are wonderfully compelling. This is often the case.
Enjoy this delightful read.
The ending needed to be a bit more but overall I loved this. I especially loved the handling of her disability by both the hero and the heroine. There is no miracle cure but a gentle loving and self acceptance as well.
I like category romances but I am always a bit saddened by the cliches. This one has cliche wrapping (see the blurb and the Greek hottie) but the inside are wonderfully compelling. This is often the case.
Enjoy this delightful read.
August 4, 2013
I have read a lot of romance books, and this is by far one of the best books! I will be adding it to my favorite list. I love the friendship, playfulness, passion, and romance between Neo, and Cass. Their light hearted banter back and forth was a joy to read. Cass may be a very shy person, but she had no problem putting neo in his place. He was a bossy man, and she told him so. She also did not let him steamroll over her. Neo had experience with women, but he had never experienced the kind of passion that he felt with Cass, with anyone else. He knew that she was special. I loved the way he cherished her, and made her feel special.
August 28, 2010
This was okay. There was almost no conflict. He was a nice guy and treated her fine but he told himself to the very end that they were just friends. Not a lot going on in the book. Her agoraphobia was an interesting twist.
September 13, 2016
Really? How tedious!This book snailed like molasses and the Hs were downright boring. This is part 2 of "The Greeks Pregnant Lover", which was just as excruciating. Avoid this one.
October 25, 2020
A lot sweeter than I expected. I enjoyed it.
Read
August 24, 2024DNF
THIS BOOK WAS SO BORINGGGGG LIKE NOTHING HAPPENS AND THE CHEMISTRY IS NON EXISTENT SO BYE
THIS BOOK WAS SO BORINGGGGG LIKE NOTHING HAPPENS AND THE CHEMISTRY IS NON EXISTENT SO BYE
June 20, 2025
So slow and boring. I am surprised at how boring this story was. The dialogue was flat and almost too detailed about daily life. I really pushed to finish this, hoping that it would pick up.
October 29, 2013
This is a wonderfully written story that captures you from the first page and makes you want to keep reading. If I didn’t need sleep I probably would have read this in one sitting ;). The Shy Bride is a contemporary romance that introduces the reader to two Greek billionaires, Neo Stamos and Zephyr (Zee) Nikos. These two gorgeous Greek men came from humble beginnings with a desire to better themselves and their circumstances. “Brothers of the heart” they set out together to find the opportunities that will help them achieve their goals.
They went into business together and made their dreams a reality many times over. After Neo has a physical, his GP tells him needs to slow down and relax a little. When Neo mentions this to Zee, Zee takes it upon himself while at a charity auction to bid $100,000 for piano lessons offered by a reclusive classically trained pianist and composer. He presents the gift certificate for the lessons to Neo on his 35th birthday. Neo feels that it is ridiculous for him to take piano lessons at this age. Zee and Neo hammer out a deal, with Neo agreeing to take 2 months of lessons and if he doesn’t like them, he is allowed to quit.
Cassandra Baker is a world renowned pianist who suffers from debilitating agoraphobia. She is usually not too nervous when a new student starts but most of her students are children, not multi-billionaire Greek tycoons. Neo is not what Cass expects and Cass is not what Neo expects, from their first encounter they both feel that this is something unexpected. They become friends. Then they decide to take it a step further and change their relationship to one of “friends with benefits”. They enter into the relationship with their eyes open, knowing that there won’t be any entanglements or emotions involved, or so they so smugly believe….
I enjoyed this story very much because it was mainly about Neo and Cassandra’s growing relationship. There aren’t a lot of distractions from this main focal point. I like how the author wrote about Cass’ “societal” problems that stem from her early years as a child prodigy; made to play the piano in public to huge crowds, by her father, while her mother was suffering from an illness at home.
They went into business together and made their dreams a reality many times over. After Neo has a physical, his GP tells him needs to slow down and relax a little. When Neo mentions this to Zee, Zee takes it upon himself while at a charity auction to bid $100,000 for piano lessons offered by a reclusive classically trained pianist and composer. He presents the gift certificate for the lessons to Neo on his 35th birthday. Neo feels that it is ridiculous for him to take piano lessons at this age. Zee and Neo hammer out a deal, with Neo agreeing to take 2 months of lessons and if he doesn’t like them, he is allowed to quit.
Cassandra Baker is a world renowned pianist who suffers from debilitating agoraphobia. She is usually not too nervous when a new student starts but most of her students are children, not multi-billionaire Greek tycoons. Neo is not what Cass expects and Cass is not what Neo expects, from their first encounter they both feel that this is something unexpected. They become friends. Then they decide to take it a step further and change their relationship to one of “friends with benefits”. They enter into the relationship with their eyes open, knowing that there won’t be any entanglements or emotions involved, or so they so smugly believe….
I enjoyed this story very much because it was mainly about Neo and Cassandra’s growing relationship. There aren’t a lot of distractions from this main focal point. I like how the author wrote about Cass’ “societal” problems that stem from her early years as a child prodigy; made to play the piano in public to huge crowds, by her father, while her mother was suffering from an illness at home.
March 4, 2017
First of all - there's no bride in this book...so the title makes no sense. Could have been called, "The Shy Pianist." So, Cassandra is a world renowned pianist with agoraphobia - although not really so much...she has sociophobia for sure though. Neo's friend bought him a year's worth of piano lessons with Cassandra to give him something else to do besides work. The two become intrigued with one another, they become friends and it eventually develops into more. The characters were pretty great. Cassandra didn't feel too sorry for herself all the time - she had moments where she was self-deprecating or insecure because of her fears, but on the whole she seemed well-adjusted (especially considering her past). And Neo wasn't an asshole. He was pretty domineering and arrogant, but I think I loved more than anything that he noticed a real friendship blossoming and he didn't want to muck it up. And he wasn't insensitive to her...he was really quite caring. Although, I did at times struggle with his seemingly not realizing how his insistence in updating Cass's home and changing things in her life affected her. And despite all his claims about wanting life to be better for her, I couldn't help thinking at times that it seemed like he was trying to fix her...even if it was for her benefit.
My biggest peeve with this book though, has nothing to do with plot or characters, but with the author's apparent rush to finish the book at the 80% mark. Suddenly she starts telling instead of showing. They're kissing downstairs on the piano bench, then suddenly they're upstairs in the next paragraph and then boom, it's over, they're done and it's several weeks later. Things started feeling very disjointed in the last couple chapters and I didn't like how rushed it felt.
My biggest peeve with this book though, has nothing to do with plot or characters, but with the author's apparent rush to finish the book at the 80% mark. Suddenly she starts telling instead of showing. They're kissing downstairs on the piano bench, then suddenly they're upstairs in the next paragraph and then boom, it's over, they're done and it's several weeks later. Things started feeling very disjointed in the last couple chapters and I didn't like how rushed it felt.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2014
This was a very cute story. Our heroine was still a virgin at 29, but with good reason and she was virginal but not innocent in the ways of the world. A child piano prodigy, she was forced to perform world-wide while her mother slowly died. As a result, she shuns strangers and never performs in public. But she composes, she records and she gives piano lessons, particularly to a charitable cause. This year those lessons brought $100K. The recipient was a reluctant Greek tycoon who had built his life on the ashes of orphanhood. So focused on his goal of ensuring his empire that he didn't have a life. Forcing himself to take an hour a week to learn the piano, something that was a childhood pipedream, from an artist whose work he adores, turns out to be good for him. And delightful for the reader. Sure, Neo is every stereotype of a fallen alpha male but it is so fun to watch these strong men turn into a pile of goo when they fall in love. It was a light story that doesn't make light of agoraphobia and treats both characters with respect.
November 17, 2011
I completely enjoyed this book. After a few meh books, it was refreshing to sit down with a book that I couldn’t put down because I was enjoying it so much.
My only complaint, and it isn’t really a complaint was that Cass and Neo actually got together…or maybe I should say how quickly they got together.
I’ve had this book for a long time, and it’s been sitting on my TBR pile for ages. I’m just sorry that it’s taken me so long to read it.
My only complaint, and it isn’t really a complaint was that Cass and Neo actually got together…or maybe I should say how quickly they got together.
I’ve had this book for a long time, and it’s been sitting on my TBR pile for ages. I’m just sorry that it’s taken me so long to read it.
March 4, 2012
TBR Challenge 2012: Personal Challenge. Added to Amazon wish list Aug 9, 2010.
Grade B-/C+
The Shy Bride is an unexpectedly sweet, non-angsty romance. The Greek billionaire tycoon turns out to be arrogant and somewhat controlling, but never mean or dismissive. The author write him with just enough vulnerability to make him sympathetic and likeable. The agoraphobia story line was interesting, as well.
The writing is serviceable with no major eye-rolling moments. After all, these books aren't suppose to be believable, they're contemporary fantasies. Overall a fun way to spend a few hours.
Grade B-/C+
The Shy Bride is an unexpectedly sweet, non-angsty romance. The Greek billionaire tycoon turns out to be arrogant and somewhat controlling, but never mean or dismissive. The author write him with just enough vulnerability to make him sympathetic and likeable. The agoraphobia story line was interesting, as well.
The writing is serviceable with no major eye-rolling moments. After all, these books aren't suppose to be believable, they're contemporary fantasies. Overall a fun way to spend a few hours.
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