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A review by theeditorreads
Androletti's Mistress by Melanie Milburne
5.0
Mrs Nikki Ferliani is at the funeral of her late husband Joseph, where she's being questioned by reporters on the takeover of their company - Ferliani Fashions - by her husband's stepson, Massimo Androletti. Nikki and Massimo were lovers five years back, and now Massimo owns everything since Joseph made some questionable investment decisions and died a poor man. They had a six-day courtship followed by his very sweet proposal for marriage just before she married Joseph when she was nineteen, without being aware that Massimo was Joseph's stepson. She is now the face of Ferliani Fashions.
Nikki had her reasons for marrying Joseph who was twenty-five years older than her. She just wanted to escape from her not so desirable childhood and Joseph was providing just that. And in exchange of being Joseph's trophy wife, in name only, she got the money she needed for her brother Jayden who's two years her junior. When they met before, Nikki and Massimo, this is the first M&B I've read, I think, where they feel an instant connection instead of an instant lust! And also, one where the male protagonist is sharing about himself from the get-go. Whereas Nikki has kept her past hidden and continues to hide. Massimo is back, after having promised her five years ago he's back for revenge from Nikki who lied about them at that time.
And as revenge, he would have Nikki as his 'mistress of convenience'. Ah! A new twist to the old term, I see. Though that lout Joseph made it difficult for Nikki by spinning a pack of lies in front of Massimo when he went to beg for money from him. Joseph had her boxed in with no way out. May God have mercy on all this male pride going around. Ha! This story was an emotional one. So many layers it has that your mind will spin. She comes from a criminal family, with a past that is still in danger of spilling out.
Set in Melbourne, Nikki's childhood, her growing up years are horrifying! I wouldn't even wish it on my enemy. Even after all that ruthlessness, Massimo couldn't help but be affected by the vulnerability he sensed in Nikki. Massimo is thirty-three now and wants to have children someday. And we know where the story will head next. To pregnancy...
There is a friendly neighbourhood cat, Pia, all black. And so cute is she. The story gradually reveals Nikki having moved from Perth under witness protection. I wonder how good this story had been if it had been written as an Intrigue. In all of that grimness, it was amusing to see them exchanging barbs and going at each other till the very end. It will make you cry, Nicola's situation will make you cry (yep, that's Nikki's name).
The pregnancy and the closure come right at the end of the story though. And that is also where you will bawl your eyes out. It is so sad, and there hasn't been more sad as well as a happy epilogue. Where even Pia the meow gets her own ending.
Another five star read by [a:Melanie Milburne|71685|Melanie Milburne|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1438216141p2/71685.jpg], my seventh read by her and a second five star one.
Nikki had her reasons for marrying Joseph who was twenty-five years older than her. She just wanted to escape from her not so desirable childhood and Joseph was providing just that. And in exchange of being Joseph's trophy wife, in name only, she got the money she needed for her brother Jayden who's two years her junior. When they met before, Nikki and Massimo, this is the first M&B I've read, I think, where they feel an instant connection instead of an instant lust! And also, one where the male protagonist is sharing about himself from the get-go. Whereas Nikki has kept her past hidden and continues to hide. Massimo is back, after having promised her five years ago he's back for revenge from Nikki who lied about them at that time.
And as revenge, he would have Nikki as his 'mistress of convenience'. Ah! A new twist to the old term, I see. Though that lout Joseph made it difficult for Nikki by spinning a pack of lies in front of Massimo when he went to beg for money from him. Joseph had her boxed in with no way out. May God have mercy on all this male pride going around. Ha! This story was an emotional one. So many layers it has that your mind will spin. She comes from a criminal family, with a past that is still in danger of spilling out.
Set in Melbourne, Nikki's childhood, her growing up years are horrifying! I wouldn't even wish it on my enemy. Even after all that ruthlessness, Massimo couldn't help but be affected by the vulnerability he sensed in Nikki. Massimo is thirty-three now and wants to have children someday. And we know where the story will head next. To pregnancy...
There is a friendly neighbourhood cat, Pia, all black. And so cute is she. The story gradually reveals Nikki having moved from Perth under witness protection. I wonder how good this story had been if it had been written as an Intrigue. In all of that grimness, it was amusing to see them exchanging barbs and going at each other till the very end. It will make you cry, Nicola's situation will make you cry (yep, that's Nikki's name).
The pregnancy and the closure come right at the end of the story though. And that is also where you will bawl your eyes out. It is so sad, and there hasn't been more sad as well as a happy epilogue. Where even Pia the meow gets her own ending.
Another five star read by [a:Melanie Milburne|71685|Melanie Milburne|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1438216141p2/71685.jpg], my seventh read by her and a second five star one.