theeditorreads's reviews
995 reviews

Finally, we have reached the final book of this quartet. To Cameron Hollingsworth's story, the reclusive, brooding, cynical one.

Pippa Laingley was always caught in awkward situations by Cameron Hollingsworth. Another one presented itself while she is catering for her best friend Ashley and his best friend Devon's housewarming party. As if partnering with him at their wedding wasn't enough (she's attracted to him, and what she doesn't know is that Cam is also interested, very much, so much that he has erotic fantasies. Ahem!)

This is the same Pippa from the previous book on whom Ashley went all mopey and who taught her cooking, at least tried.

Cam and Pippa both agree on a one night stand. And what an interesting one it is, oh my...till it is marred by worry over the chances that she may be pregnant. And pregnant she turns out to be, in a few weeks. To which, Cam suggests a mutually beneficial partnership, which Pippa's pride doesn't agree to, whereas he's adamant on keeping them safe.

The camaraderie between Pippa and Ashley is fun. As is the one between Devon and Cameron, infact all four friends, it is just superb. I loved it in the previous book and I loved it here again. 'I need the girls.' Only the words have to be said and they are all together, being the strongest support system for each other. It makes me wonder, after Ashley and Pippa, do Sylvia, Carly, and Tabitha have their own stories too?

There's a time jump of a few months, necessary for the storyline, I think. Cam continues to blow hot and cold, he just can't make up his mind whether he wants to be with Pippa or not. He couldn't move on from his painful past, a past where he had loved and lost both his wife, Elise and his son, Colton. He has nightmares due to it, this time imagining Pippa in place of his dead wife. It's so intense, the way he feels, and he doesn't share his fears with her. (It seems he should have got himself a psychologist! That much pain and remembrance couldn't have been good...)

And then comes Devon and Ashley's daughter into the world, Katelynn. This book had some cute friendship between Devon and Pippa.

There is some funny grovelling, and much needed too, especially after all the nasty things he's said to her. It has a beautiful ending with the birth of their baby boy Maverick. After which his cave in Greenwich is transformed into a proper house.

P.S. Gloria Copeland (Ashley's mother), oh how I loved her in the previous book, and in this one too. She is the mother everyone dreams of.

The main thing I liked about this book was that till everything was sorted out, Pippa maintains her independence, staying in her own apartment, and not falling all over Cam. You go, girl!

We already know from Book One how Ryan Beardsley is searching for his fiancée, oops ... make it ex, after she vanished from the scene, after sleeping with his brother.

Ryan is curious as to what happened with Kelly, why didn't she encash the cheque he gave her and this much he confides in Devon as well while they attend the wedding of Rafe and Bryony on Moon Island. And then his investigator calls saying that Kelly's in Houston. And he takes off from Texas to finally get to her.

Kelly Christian had left New York six months ago. And when she comes face-to-face with Ryan in the diner she's working in, where he finds her, almost seven months pregnant, she is furious! And he couldn't understand why she's angry when he thinks that he was the one who was wronged.

When she'd needed him the absolute most, he'd let her down and treated her like a paid whore. She would never forgive him for that.

No, she didn't have his money, his connections, his breeding or heritage. But who even cared about that stuff in this day and age?

I love Kelly. Because she is strong and can hold her own. She even thinks about getting a restraining order against Ryan. He takes her with him to New York to better care for her, after the doctor warns her to be off her feet.

Kelly's mother is a piece of work, who doesn't support their own children?
On the other hand, there's Ryan's mother who keeps throwing another woman, Roberta Maxwell, on him.

Ryan still believes she slept with his younger brother Jarrod. When the three of them are in a room again, it's finally revealed what had actually happened in the past. Ryan and Kelly are both hurting. If not for their hurtful past between them, Ryan's TLC on St. Angelo beach (mini-vacation) was pure adoration. My heart went out to Kelly, for what horrible things she went through on the day she should have been the happiest. What I liked most was that in spite of their bittersweet past, they both were willing to trust each other again, to move forward, without letting anything affect them.

The final confrontation, it will shred your emotions. The story has been so beautifully etched out. And the comeuppance mother and son get was great. But for the assault, Jarrod should have been jailed, a punch was too less of a punishment.

The grovelling scene at the end was perfect. Highly recommended.

P.S. Among all the four books, Ryan and Kelly's story is the one I liked the most, and while all the stories got proper closure in the next book, I believe Kelly got the short end of the stick. She and Ryan get a mention only at the end of the fourth book [b:Undone by Her Tender Touch|14061430|Undone by Her Tender Touch (Pregnancy & Passion, #4)|Maya Banks|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1337552392s/14061430.jpg|17467319], and that they have a daughter, Emma. Even in the fourth book, it is apparent how Kelly is still a little bit detached as opposed to Bryony, Ashley, and Pippa's easy friendship.

Rafael de Luca, Ryan Beardsley, Devon Carter, and Cameron Hollingsworth are friends since their freshman year in college. Together they run an investment company which invests in property and hotels. At present, the other three have his back when Rafael doesn't recall anything. He has an awful headache but refuses to leave his business party midway. Rafael has selective amnesia from an accident four months ago, which obliterated his memory of almost a month before that.

“Excuse me, but have we met?” became the worst pick up line ever as Rafael receives a punch to the nose for asking this to Bryony Morgan (who says she's pregnant with his baby). Aaah... She's feisty!

Set in equal parts in New York and Moon Island, I found it really funny that, for a change, during their entire Moon Island stay, she was the one driving him around. I want to settle down in Moon Island, with a book, it is so idyllic. And Mamaw, Bryony's grandma, is a piece of cake, providing all the laughter. Mamaw is one sassy lady! The little snatched moments are so beautiful when they both try to remind him of their past. And their chemistry, oh so sexy.

I was anxiously waiting for the moment when Rafael's memory comes back. But, the author decided she had to keep the suspense a little longer. And when it all stumbled out, oops...I never expected to face a Harlequin hero like that. But, in the end, it was so adorable, the way everyone conspired against her to make her listen to what Rafael had to say.

P.S. Ryan and Bryony's fellow-feeling at the end was endearing. I can't wait to read his story, which is in the second book [b:Wanted by Her Lost Love|11394468|Wanted by Her Lost Love (Pregnancy & Passion, #2)|Maya Banks|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388691272s/11394468.jpg|16326781] by [a:Maya Bans|24978|Maya Banks|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1490067531p2/24978.jpg].

Devon's marriage with the Copeland's daughter Ashley finds a mention here (they are the couple from the third book: [b:Tempted|12482534|Tempted (Pregnancy & Passion, #3)|Maya Banks|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1414421474s/12482534.jpg|17467280]).

Spoiler

Rafe and Bryony have a baby girl, Amy, which revealed in the third book.

I have joined Manali Dey, a friend on Bookstagram, for the #MillsandBoonReadathon for which we are reading 18 books, coz it's '18! This is Book 18.

Synopsis:
The story has an unconventional beginning where Mia, the heroine, is literally sold/prostituted by her 'father' for a male heir (to replace his dead son). And for this, he coerces the hero, Alexander, who is desperate to buy his family's island (which is one of Mia's father's possessions). Alex's motivation is clear from the beginning, and becomes more plausible, as he reveals the truth behind his desperation to own the land. But Mia discloses her actual motive behind this sordid deal much later, while she presents herself as a very selfish person to Alex. While Mia puts Alex in the same category of males as her father (what with the prenup he has drawn up), their wedding moves forwards with a sex fest. But as they both let their guards down with the shared intimacy, Mia's pregnancy announcement and Mia's little 'sister' Suzanna's surgery, do they find their happiness?

Review:
1999 – Yep, it is that old! But it did warm the cockles of my heart. And it left me in a happy daze at the end. But more of that later. Let's start at the beginning!

The hero's full name, Alexander Doumas (Greek) made me think of 'The Three Musketeers' writer, Alexandre Dumas (French). Not that there's a connection or anything, it just made me think.

Literally, the story relates to the price of Mia, as a bride – as she passes between two cynical businessmen as nothing less than a piece of property. I found the 'negotiations' between Mia and Alex over the prenup quite funny, and, ugh, it's not something to laugh about! The story has some hard-hitting dialogues.

The father is despicable, who doesn't give a shit about either of his daughters (Mia or her seven-year-old sister, Suzanna, who lives in a boarding school). The reveal that comes about halfway through the book is totally unexpected (about Mia's true motives behind agreeing to the deal), and it certainly raises the emotional quotient of the story. What a bastard Mia's father is, and the same goes for her long-dead younger brother, Tony! Though the other characters, especially Alex's younger brother, Leon, and his wife Carol, leave a warm and fuzzy feeling in the reader's heart. Whereas Suzanna, she has a permanent place there right now. In fact, I loved the chatty/sometimes mouthy Carol so much that I wish that Leon-Carol had a book of their own.
The bond shown between Mia-Carol and Mia-Suzanna is too sweet. And my heart went out to Suzanna, how starved for affection she is, what with that pathetic excuse for a 'father'.

Mia, in her mama-bear avatar, is so formidable, that her wrath spares not even Alex! And the reader can't help but feel one with Alex on the revelations of the depth of his desires, especially the way he protects both Mia and Suzanna from the father after the entire truth is in front of him.

I have one complaint though – the story ending as abruptly as it did. It left much to be desired:
• I so wanted Alex to have his island back (of course, for the reasons stated in the book),
• I was expecting an epilogue, at least, where there is a description of the happy family down the line, and
• I wished that Suzanna had acknowledged Mia-Alex for what they truly were to her.

This one is for keeps and recommended for a re-read.

Originally posted on:
https://sassyshaina.wordpress.com/2018/12/31/the-price-of-a-bride-by-michelle-reid/

P.S. This is my third and favourite [a:Michelle Reid|81218|Michelle Reid|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1260580903p2/81218.jpg] read. So much, that within the same year, I re-read it for the readathon.

I read this book as a part of the author's paperback collection titled 'Bridal Bargains'.

I have joined Manali Dey, a friend on Bookstagram, for the #MillsandBoonReadathon for which we are reading 18 books, coz it's '18! This is Book 17.

The story starts with Xander (Alexander) Pascalis facing a barrage of questions from reporters about the accident his wife has been in, and they're quite uncomfortable questions. He married Nell (Helen) Garrett a year ago, in a big society wedding, but their marriage didn't progress from there. Not only her, but he also blames it on the affair he had with Vanessa DeFriess until a week before the wedding. And now, he had been photographed with her, on the heels of which Helen's accident happened. Though apparently, she was not only running away from him but, running to her French lover, Marcel Dubois.

As soon as she's ready to travel, Xander takes her to his Greek island, where they're met with his great-aunt Sophia Theodora Pascalis (she is such a darling). His sole aim for taking her there is full-blown seduction.

I felt really bad for Nell, two emotionally closed off men in her life (daddy, then hubby). Sigh! Moreover, Xander plunged the knife in further when, to preserve his ego, he casually admitted that he was still seeing his mistress. He abandons her again, and again, whatever the reasons he gives. It gave me great pleasure when his Thea Sophia gave him hell for the way he treated Nell! But, such is their insecurity that each time they are intimate, it's as if they are having revenge sex. Ugh... To top it off, half the book, they fought like cats and dogs. Never have I enjoyed reading fight scenes more. Coz [a:Michelle Reid|81218|Michelle Reid|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1260580903p2/81218.jpg] certainly has a fiery way to write them!

The Purchased Wife, an apt title much? Xander had loaned her father fifty million pounds for his business, whereas Nell had married him for love. I would have loved to see her father get some comeuppance though. And all the above is only a series of misunderstandings which get cleared at the end, though none of it is evident at first.

Recommended only and only for the funny dialogues, as well as the reveal about his and her, lovers! And also for the picture-perfect ending.

P.S. I read this book as a part of the author's paperback collection titled 'Bridal Bargains'.

I have joined Manali Dey, a friend on Bookstagram, for the #MillsandBoonReadathon for which we are reading 18 books, coz it's '18! This is Book 16.

Twenty-one year old Claire Stenson's aunt, Laura Cavell, wants her to give up her baby sister Melanie, so that Laura can help her come out of the near poverty she finds herself in. She is alone, left University to care for her sister after her mother died due to haemorrhaging at birth; is without a job, and Melanie is only her half-sister! But, Claire is adamant, especially after what their family had to go through the past few years. She doesn't want to lose her only family now, though two months of grief has wearied her down.

And then in the most dramatic way, she is in a minor accident, which is witnessed by both Laura and her hot-shot tycoon boss, owner of a merchant bank, Andreas Markopoulou (who is as old as the hills, in his own words; rightly so, he's thirty-six). He helps her, takes her and her sister to his home for recovery, while her aunt is out of the country on business.

It appears that Andreas knows more about her aunt than he's letting on, because she works for him, or is there something else? And then he offers her a marriage of convenience, in order to secure himself from a 'personal problem' likely to cause him 'embarassment'. He also offers to straighten Melanie's whole life, by adopting her and giving her his name, by which she will become his sole heir. He then flies them both to his grandmother's home in Greece for their impending nuptials.

Books with babies always ensnare me, and this wasn't any different. I fell in love with it from the first page itself. Claire and Andreas go for the other's jugular whenever they can, for the smallest of things. While her pride cringes from taking his help, he is equally apologetic for his angry demeanour. His devotion to and need for Melanie is so sweet. No less arrogant, or seductive; but, the Greek hero in this book is a lot calmer and wiser (coz he's old, with the age-gap mentioned quite a few times). He is an ass, though he admits to it himself after behaving stupidly. Surprise, surprise! It was amusing to read about how Andreas easily read everything that went on in Claire's head. After two bombshells towards the end, which I didn't expect them to pan out the way they did, came the perfect end.

I love [a:Michelle Reid|81218|Michelle Reid|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1260580903p2/81218.jpg]'s writing. It has an enchanting quality about it. It is as powerful as it is humorous and immerses the reader into the story. I've read her eight of her books before this one, and almost all of them are my favourites!

P.S. I read this book as a part of the author's paperback collection titled 'Bridal Bargains'.

I have joined Manali Dey, a friend on Bookstagram, for the #MillsandBoonReadathon for which we are reading 18 books, coz it's '18! This is Book 15.

The story of the third and the youngest Anetakis brother, The Tycoon's Secret Affair starts five months before with Jewel Henley who thinks she's having a one-night-stand with a tourist. But of course, it is the sweetest and the sexiest ONS ever! And they don't even know each other's names. But, they do feel as if it was something more than a ONS.

Two days later, on her first day at work, they face each other. Prospective boss and employee. He fires her, for which there are two reasons; something which happened in his past as well as after what happened with Chrysander's personal assistant (in Book One).

In the lonely world which she and Kirk (her only family with no blood relation) inhabit, she doesn't have any choice but to return to San Francisco, having exhausted all other options, and praying that Kirk would be out on his travels.

Within the first few chapters, the story starts in the present with Jewel summoning Piers to the hospital where she is admitted, not that Piers hasn't tried to find her. Pregnant, and needing surgery, she will only be discharged in someone's care. Not wanting to repeat what happened in his past, Piers demands a paternity test as well as marriage. Jewel has her own sad and sordid past to contend with, and she vows to love her yet to be born baby girl unconditionally.

This is yet another emotional read by [a:Maya Banks|24978|Maya Banks|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1490067531p2/24978.jpg]. Piers' conversation with Chrysander is somewhat similar to the one Chrysander had with Theron in Book Two. And his jealousy is amusing, going to the extent of deleting the reply to an email Jewel sent to whom he supposed was her lover/boyfriend.

I loved Bella more in this book than her own, her pregnancy jokes are the best. Haha!

The story is very heartfelt. Both of their pasts have hurt them so much that they have trust issues.

A fitting end to the series.

P.S. This is my fourth read by the author.

I have joined Manali Dey, a friend on Bookstagram, for the #MillsandBoonReadathon for which we are reading 18 books, coz it's '18! This is Book 14.

Now that Chrysander Anetakis and his wife, Marley, have settled down on Anetakis island; the running of their New York office lies on the shoulders of Theron Anetakis (the middle brother). Theron has traded places with Chrysander, leaving him the responsibility of their London office. Moreover, after facing disloyalty of epic proportions from such close quarters (Chrysander's PA was responsible for their almost downfall in the first book), the brothers are wary of trusting any employee again, to that degree.

In comes a letter, from the daughter of their late father's late friend. Isabella Caplan has just graduated and is now coming to New York. After her father's death, Chrysander had been responsible for her welfare as promised to each other by their respective fathers.

Isabella has always been in love with Theron, not that he has ever noticed, and now she has full plans to seduce him. Bella is a force to reckon with, baiting Theron at all times. And not only her but, everyone, it seems, is conspiring to bring them together.

It's been years since they last saw each other, face-to-face, and it comes as a shock to Theron when he first lays eyes on Bella. Gone is the gangly teen with braces, and enters a stunning woman! And his first line is "What the hell are you wearing?" With her belly ring and tattoo, Theron is smitten.

He himself has arranged to settle down with Alannis Gianopolous, a Greek girl, daughter to his late father's friend who is a shipping magnate. While for Bella, he intends to find a suitable groom for her to settle down, as per her wishes to marry quickly.

Theron himself arranges suitable grooms for Bella and then gets jealous seeing her with them. At one point, I felt really bad for Bella, she was just constantly trying to get him to love her - talk about unrequited love! For Theron I'll only say, make up your mind man!

It has just the sweetest and a devilish ending.

P.S. I loved how the author provided glimpses of Chrysander and Marley's life. After all, Book One of this series will always be the best one for me.

I have joined Manali Dey, a friend on Bookstagram, for the #MillsandBoonReadathon for which we are reading 18 books, coz it's '18! This is Book 13.

I'm re-reading this book. I hadn't reviewed it earlier, so here's my review.

Book One of The Anetakis Tycoons Series; the series is about the three Anetakis Brothers, Chrysander, Theron, and Piers.

I'm so crazy about this book that I'll start praising it straightaway. The author's description says that 'Today her stories are only slightly less dramatic, but no less romantic.' I disagree, coz this story is totally dramatic, over-the-top; and that is why I love it more. Haha!

Leaving her security detail behind, Marley Jameson visits her doctor and comes to know that she is eight weeks pregnant. Six months of loving, and living with Chrysander Anetakis (Greek hotelier, tycoon, owner of Anetakis International) doesn't decrease her apprehension as to his reaction to her pregnancy. And then the unthinkable happens, he finds some damning evidence against her, of her being the traitor who's trying to sell his company, and he throws her out. Out of his house, and out of his life. And this is just the beginning when she gets kidnapped.

The story then starts three months later, with a now five-month pregnant Marley being rescued from captivity. She has no memory of herself, except her name, and in the most dramatic way, Chrysander comes to know about it all through television news. Of her kidnapping, captivity, and pregnancy.

He doesn't trust her in spite of her condition, neither does she because of the cold vibe he gives off. But, to stake a claim on his child, he whisks her off from New York to his Greek island (Anetakis Island) to take care of her.

There's an evil Other Woman, Chrysander's personal assistant, Roslyn Chambers. She's always in front of Chrysander, making catty eyes at him. And pops in at the most inopportune times, ruining romantic moments between the main characters. And taking advantage of Marley's amnesia, she tries to further drive a wedge between them.

Chrysander considers Marley as his mistress (oops... that's apparent from the title itself). Though, taking advantage of her amnesia, he claims that she is his fianceé. However rude he is, you have got to hand it down to him, the care he shows towards her later, though that may be only due to the precious baby on board. I loved how without even intending to, she seemed to keep him on his toes! She provokes him, which has him coming after her. Had this not been a Mills and Boon romance, it would have been a little erotica-ish. There is a pool scene too, hot, hot, hot. In spite of wanting to hate Marley, Chrysander starts falling in love with her, unknowingly. And that is so magical.

The parallel short story of Dr Karounis and Nurse Patrice Cahill is a delight to read. As is the camaraderie between Marley and Stavros (her security detail), it is just so cute.

And when the entire truth comes out, it all seems plausible. I have read reviews which berated the heroine's frequent fainting and weak disposition. While this being an M&B book, it's sometimes bound to be overly dramatic; though I'd like to make a point here about not knowing how someone who has gone through such a trauma reacts! Especially someone in her condition! There is no specific formula, everyone is different after all.

Highly recommended. (It also has a sweet epilogue!)

P.S. This was my first [a:Maya Banks|24978|Maya Banks|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1490067531p2/24978.jpg] book and I must say, what a book to discover an author! I have since read 'Tempted by Her Innocent Kiss' by the same author. I have both the paperbacks now, I loved them so much! I hope that the stories of the other two Anetakis brothers live up to the expectation since I have the [b:At the Tycoon's Service|23768589|At the Tycoon's Service (The Anetakis Tycoons, #1-3)|Maya Banks|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1420792531s/23768589.jpg|43160752] three-in-one book, and I am going to read both of them next.

It's such a sweet story! I think I fell in love with the book from the intro itself (coz I don't like sports - any sports, myself!) and to read the author who wrote a book with a sporting hero saying the same, made my day! And that particular kitchen scene was just laughing out loud hilarious, as were a few more. As for that reveal or should I say reveals, it came totally out of the blue, which I never could have guessed, it did certainly add a suspicious charm to the storyline!

Updated Review:
I have joined Manali Dey, a friend on Bookstagram, for the #MillsandBoonReadathon for which we are reading 18 books, coz it's '18! This is Book 12.

I had loved this one so much that I went on to get a paperback, coz this one's definitely for keeps.

And now I'm re-reading it.

The first thing is the author's introduction which completely gelled with me. Neither she, nor Sierra Evans, the heroine, and nor me, love sports, so much that "they all bore me to tears" (the author's words, not mine; haha!)

The story starts with Cooper Landon who is one of the favourite hockey players of New York. His only family, his brother Ash and sister-in-law Susan, have recently died in an accident, leaving behind their adopted twin daughters in Coop's care. With his attorney Ben Hearst, Coop is searching for the perfect nanny for caring for the twins when he comes across Sierra Evans. Sierra is a pediatric nurse who wants to give up her job in order to earn more so that she can put her sick father, who can't care for himself, in a top-notch facility.

Coop and Ash had lost their parents when he was twelve and the latter eighteen. After being looked after by Ash, he feels that he has to do the best by his late brother's daughters.

Sierra and her younger sister Joy were raised single-handedly by their father. Sierra had to give up her twins, due to various problems, for adoption. And now, out of her worry for them that their adoptive parents are dead, she decides to take the nanny's job. She doesn't trust Coop one iota. Especially not with her five-month-old twins.

It was adorable to see how Coop always guesses what is going on in Sierra's mind accurately. And their late night dates, they are something else. Coop is so sweet, the complete opposite of what Sierra believed him to be like. And the build-up to their first kiss is as hilarious as it is intense.

Coop is the one who falls in love with her, while Sierra is still guarding her secret protectively, fearing his acceptance of her reality.

Aptly titled, the double secret was a bombshell. Also, this was a book of many firsts. The hero orgasming first without shaming him. The heroine having a huge secret, that's the premise of the story. I love M&B Desire more than Modern sometimes. But, the hero is really very sweet. And understanding. And caring. He grovels, oh, how he grovels.

P.S. This is the second book I read by [a:Michelle Celmer|33879|Michelle Celmer|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/f_50x66-6a03a5c12233c941481992b82eea8d23.png] after [b:The Millionaire's Pregnant Mistress|1530865|The Millionaire's Pregnant Mistress|Michelle Celmer|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1184796290s/1530865.jpg|1522888]. While that was an okay-ish read, this one's my favourite!