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Not a Marrying Man
Not a Marrying Man
192 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2011
27 people are currently reading
353 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 - 30 of 40 reviews
November 29, 2017
This one was really hard to rate with some strong positives and equally strong negatives - so three stars as a balance in between?
So premise: heroine has given up her job, her fiance, and her relationship with her family in order to be with the hero. He has asked her to be his girlfriend for 12 months - with no extensions. It's month ten and he's starting to pull away from her. Great angsty opening.
Hero wants his two additional months with the heroine but she is adamant that they break up now. She's just inherited a B&B from her aunt and she can be independent from him and her disapproving family. While they drive to the B&B, the heroine lays down the law. Great back bone.
Once at the B&B, the hero chases the heroine to prove that the she can't resist him. The heroine falls down the stairs and breaks her ankle. Then there are many boring chapters about the hero feeling guilty and learning to use the washing machine as he takes care of the heroine for six weeks. It's a snooze fest.
Other negatives during this boring passage:
I really did like the opening and the way the hero's angst was handled at the end - but there were a lot of elements that bothered me as well.
So premise: heroine has given up her job, her fiance, and her relationship with her family in order to be with the hero. He has asked her to be his girlfriend for 12 months - with no extensions. It's month ten and he's starting to pull away from her. Great angsty opening.
Hero wants his two additional months with the heroine but she is adamant that they break up now. She's just inherited a B&B from her aunt and she can be independent from him and her disapproving family. While they drive to the B&B, the heroine lays down the law. Great back bone.
Once at the B&B, the hero chases the heroine to prove that the she can't resist him. The heroine falls down the stairs and breaks her ankle. Then there are many boring chapters about the hero feeling guilty and learning to use the washing machine as he takes care of the heroine for six weeks. It's a snooze fest.
Other negatives during this boring passage:
I really did like the opening and the way the hero's angst was handled at the end - but there were a lot of elements that bothered me as well.
February 4, 2011
Warwick is a 40 year old British gazillionaire who likes to risk his life doing extreme sports and is a notorious womanizer. Just like his daddy. He's never had a girlfriend last 12 months and he doesnt do marriage or kids, as he tells Australian girl Amber when he asks her to move in with him.
Ten months later, Amber is feeling the death throes of their relationship. Warwick has been neglecting her and is every bit The Bad Boyfriend.
What she doesnt know is that Warwick has been feeling guilty about taking advantage of Amber's youth and is trying to be - as the Nick Lowe song goes - "cruel to be kind" so that when their relationship does end, she will be well rid of him.
Miranda Lee does an interesting twist on the ubiquitous Billionaire and the Mistress story found in most Presents. Initially, I was slightly bored with the story thinking it was the Same Ole, Same Old but it started taking unexpected twists and turns. It is eventually revealed that Warwick has a Deep Dark Secret that explains his user behavior and that Secret makes sense for once and is emotionally satisfying. ML shows again why she is one of the most daring authors working in the Harlequin Presents today.
Note: the couple from the author's earlier The Magnate's Mistress makes a large cameo in the book.
Trope: older man (15 years)
Ten months later, Amber is feeling the death throes of their relationship. Warwick has been neglecting her and is every bit The Bad Boyfriend.
What she doesnt know is that Warwick has been feeling guilty about taking advantage of Amber's youth and is trying to be - as the Nick Lowe song goes - "cruel to be kind" so that when their relationship does end, she will be well rid of him.
Miranda Lee does an interesting twist on the ubiquitous Billionaire and the Mistress story found in most Presents. Initially, I was slightly bored with the story thinking it was the Same Ole, Same Old but it started taking unexpected twists and turns. It is eventually revealed that Warwick has a Deep Dark Secret that explains his user behavior and that Secret makes sense for once and is emotionally satisfying. ML shows again why she is one of the most daring authors working in the Harlequin Presents today.
Note: the couple from the author's earlier The Magnate's Mistress makes a large cameo in the book.
Trope: older man (15 years)
June 2, 2020
This lacked the high drama, angst and passion that's inherent to the Harlequin Presents line, but I still empathized with the struggles of the protagonists and definitely believed in their HEA.
I admired Amber because she didn't let her love for Warwick transform her into a doormat. Less endearing was her last-minute plan to keep a memento of their relationship to herself.
I liked how Warwick finally decided to wear his big-boy pants and take a chance on love before being reassured that things would work out. Granted, another character had to point him in the right direction but it is what it is.
I felt the resolution of Warwick's dilemma tied up too neatly, but other than giving him an even more miraculous solution I don't know how this could have been avoided.
Aside from the romance, I found it amusing to see the author poke slight fun at the genre they are writing within. Lee illustrates that she understands how some romance tropes can be unrealistic or, worse yet, paint characters in an unflattering light as demonstrated by Amber and Warwick's introspections.
1. Love at first sight: Amber knows it was insta lust, not love, that she felt for Warwick initially. The love came later.
2. The unrepentant man whore: Warwick admits he treated women horribly in the past. Sleeping with them, then discarding them when they wanted more. It didn't matter that he'd justified his behavior by sleeping with gold diggers who gladly took his payoffs.
3. The alpha-hole hero: Warwick muses there are men who take what they want with force. He thinks no modern woman would tolerate such ravishment, nor would such a man get away with it without going to jail. Warwick agrees that he might have been a playboy but he at least was a gentleman playboy. LOL
I admired Amber because she didn't let her love for Warwick transform her into a doormat. Less endearing was her last-minute plan to keep a memento of their relationship to herself.
I liked how Warwick finally decided to wear his big-boy pants and take a chance on love before being reassured that things would work out. Granted, another character had to point him in the right direction but it is what it is.
I felt the resolution of Warwick's dilemma tied up too neatly, but other than giving him an even more miraculous solution I don't know how this could have been avoided.
Aside from the romance, I found it amusing to see the author poke slight fun at the genre they are writing within. Lee illustrates that she understands how some romance tropes can be unrealistic or, worse yet, paint characters in an unflattering light as demonstrated by Amber and Warwick's introspections.
1. Love at first sight: Amber knows it was insta lust, not love, that she felt for Warwick initially. The love came later.
2. The unrepentant man whore: Warwick admits he treated women horribly in the past. Sleeping with them, then discarding them when they wanted more. It didn't matter that he'd justified his behavior by sleeping with gold diggers who gladly took his payoffs.
3. The alpha-hole hero: Warwick muses there are men who take what they want with force. He thinks no modern woman would tolerate such ravishment, nor would such a man get away with it without going to jail. Warwick agrees that he might have been a playboy but he at least was a gentleman playboy. LOL
April 2, 2022
Miranda Lee is obsessed with blonde h’s. Her h’s all look the same. Tall, blonde, slender. Always and always the same. 😴
Miranda Lee isn’t the only HP (or in that category, like Silhouette) writer obsessed with blonde h’s.
I’m 49 years old and in 40 years time (I started reading these books when I was 8 or 9) I’ve read thousands of such romances and I think 98% of the h’s in them were blondes.
This h doesn’t start out as a blonde, but the H requests her to dye her hair blonde (yeah, really!), so she does end up to be a blonde too. 😴
Anyway, about this book. The h lives with the H out of free will. He warned her before she slept with him that he will never take their relationship to another level.
So she went in it with eyes wide open. And now after 10 months living with him she starts whining that he doesn’t take it to another level.
This is one of those h’s that really needs to stfu.
Miranda Lee isn’t the only HP (or in that category, like Silhouette) writer obsessed with blonde h’s.
I’m 49 years old and in 40 years time (I started reading these books when I was 8 or 9) I’ve read thousands of such romances and I think 98% of the h’s in them were blondes.
This h doesn’t start out as a blonde, but the H requests her to dye her hair blonde (yeah, really!), so she does end up to be a blonde too. 😴
Anyway, about this book. The h lives with the H out of free will. He warned her before she slept with him that he will never take their relationship to another level.
So she went in it with eyes wide open. And now after 10 months living with him she starts whining that he doesn’t take it to another level.
This is one of those h’s that really needs to stfu.
June 20, 2017
First half of the book was riveting. Then second half with heroine's accident it became very predictable and boring. Went downhill.
December 27, 2017
4.5 stars
June 2, 2020
Boring, really boring.
June 20, 2011
The story begins with diary entries from the female character Amber describing her first meeting with her new boss and her instant attraction to him. Ten months later we discover that Amber and Warwick have been living together since their first date, however while Amber's feelings for Warwick have grown into love, Warwick has distanced himself. Amber discovers she has inherited a home from her beloved Aunt and decides that this is fate as she will now have something to fall back on when their relationship ends, which she is certain will happen very soon. Amber decides to take the initiative and end the relationship before Warwick does, but after breaking her ankle she is forced to rely on Warwick to look after her.
Warwick is trying hard to distance himself from Amber as he feels he can't offer her a future due to a family genetic history of early onset Alzheimer's disease. As he spends time looking after Amber he realises that he also has feelings for Amber, which makes it even more difficult to distance himself from her.
Although I enjoyed this book I felt it didn't live up to previous Miranda Lee books. It was a little boring to start with and I couldn't find any empathy with the characters. Warwick's behaviour towards Amber wasn't nice and Amber just seemed weak by letting him walk all over her. There were many illusions made to Warwick's family history and how he was not going to let himself live long enough to experience this, which made me feel a little uneasy. I didn't feel that Warwick's issues with his family history justified his behaviour.
I did like the sporadic diary entries included, this is very different than the standard romance narrative and worked well within the story, perhaps more could have been made of this.
I thought it was an OK book and it was an interesting twist on the standard 'rich man and normal girl' story and had a really romantic thread running through it with a satisfying ending.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
Warwick is trying hard to distance himself from Amber as he feels he can't offer her a future due to a family genetic history of early onset Alzheimer's disease. As he spends time looking after Amber he realises that he also has feelings for Amber, which makes it even more difficult to distance himself from her.
Although I enjoyed this book I felt it didn't live up to previous Miranda Lee books. It was a little boring to start with and I couldn't find any empathy with the characters. Warwick's behaviour towards Amber wasn't nice and Amber just seemed weak by letting him walk all over her. There were many illusions made to Warwick's family history and how he was not going to let himself live long enough to experience this, which made me feel a little uneasy. I didn't feel that Warwick's issues with his family history justified his behaviour.
I did like the sporadic diary entries included, this is very different than the standard romance narrative and worked well within the story, perhaps more could have been made of this.
I thought it was an OK book and it was an interesting twist on the standard 'rich man and normal girl' story and had a really romantic thread running through it with a satisfying ending.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
July 1, 2012
The HP mistress theme can be really hit and miss and in this case I think the angst or misery, of this type of relationship far outwieghted any underpinnings of romance the book tried to portray.
Synopsis of cover
He doesn’t do for ever… British billionaire Warwick Kincaid likes to take risks – though they don’t include marriage and children. Twelve months is his limit when it comes to relationships. Warwick asks beautiful Sydney receptionist Amber Roberts to move into his luxury penthouse, and she dares to hope he might have changed… But after they’ve been together ten months Warwick starts to act cold and withdrawn. Is Amber’s time up, just like the women before her? The chemistry between them remains white-hot, and she finds it hard to believe that her time with Warwick is really over…
Synopsis of cover
He doesn’t do for ever… British billionaire Warwick Kincaid likes to take risks – though they don’t include marriage and children. Twelve months is his limit when it comes to relationships. Warwick asks beautiful Sydney receptionist Amber Roberts to move into his luxury penthouse, and she dares to hope he might have changed… But after they’ve been together ten months Warwick starts to act cold and withdrawn. Is Amber’s time up, just like the women before her? The chemistry between them remains white-hot, and she finds it hard to believe that her time with Warwick is really over…
May 19, 2015
This was an ok read. I liked the book ok but I really couldn't get into the characters so much. I understood and got them, but I really couldn't connect or get with them. (I guess that's how I'd say that) This was written well and it had a lot of emotions, stubbornness, a little self-growth, and a good ending. Not something I would read again but it was good for passing time or just for something to read. Good Luck
May 7, 2011
Good, but not a favorite. I enjoyed revisiting old characters, but wanted more.
I am also quickly getting tired of the man who uses "illness" as an excuse for everything. I love an ultra alpha man in an HP (as opposed to reality) but this one just didn't quite do it.
If you like HP's it's still a good read.
I am also quickly getting tired of the man who uses "illness" as an excuse for everything. I love an ultra alpha man in an HP (as opposed to reality) but this one just didn't quite do it.
If you like HP's it's still a good read.
February 10, 2014
Hero and heroine get together, hero starts being an ass to heroine. Heroine finds out that hero doesn't want to leave her, he is in love with her but he can't give her a baby due to him having a vasectomy. Heroine and hero have baby, miraculously and live HEA.
February 6, 2023
Rating: 3 Stars!!
Review:
This was my first time reading a book by this author so i wasnt sure what to expect even tho i was optimistic during the first chapter but then that died down and i felt disappointed throughout the rest of the book.
The Characters were interesting to read about. Amber was my favorite. Couldnt stand Warwick's attitude.
The Setting was okay but not very descriptive.
The Storyline was too discriptive with not alot going on which is why i rated it 3 Stars.
Overall an OK Romance but ive read better!! I'll probably read more by Miranda in the future but i hope not all her books are like this one was!!
Review:
This was my first time reading a book by this author so i wasnt sure what to expect even tho i was optimistic during the first chapter but then that died down and i felt disappointed throughout the rest of the book.
The Characters were interesting to read about. Amber was my favorite. Couldnt stand Warwick's attitude.
The Setting was okay but not very descriptive.
The Storyline was too discriptive with not alot going on which is why i rated it 3 Stars.
Overall an OK Romance but ive read better!! I'll probably read more by Miranda in the future but i hope not all her books are like this one was!!
September 7, 2019
((I'l take my it back and give 5 stars, because i really enjoyed re-reading this book, flaws and everything.))
Good reading. Not mind-blowing-drama-angsty-trainwreck, but good enough. The hero is an alpha wannabe, but is actually a torturated beta and she had way more power over him than she ever noticed.
Its hard to believe of someone this freaked out by alzheimer since do many grandparents suffer from it nowdays, buet i guess it was rare back then.
Good reading. Not mind-blowing-drama-angsty-trainwreck, but good enough. The hero is an alpha wannabe, but is actually a torturated beta and she had way more power over him than she ever noticed.
Its hard to believe of someone this freaked out by alzheimer since do many grandparents suffer from it nowdays, buet i guess it was rare back then.
August 20, 2017
Pretty dull. The hero's reason for not wanting to get married and have kids was valid but sorta out of left field. Side characters added nothing but were shoved in at weird times. I liked that the heroine wanted to make it on her own and broke things off on her own terms, making the hero work to get her back to how things were.
August 17, 2017
Kind of what I expected from a typical Mills & Boon novel. However there were some unexpected twists that I didn't see coming. There were some extreme jumps in time, within the story, that I thought would have been quite interesting to read about, but oh well.
May 16, 2017
Truthfully I am surprised I finished this book! I was not a fan.
August 17, 2019
I enjoy reading these kinds of books. The ones where the hero or heroine denies their love. The whole process is fascinating to read.
July 11, 2021
A frivolous little read but I enjoyed it.
December 29, 2021
This was a good read.
February 1, 2025
What a heartwarming story
November 11, 2012
No únicamente se trata de como Warwick le huye al matrimonio si no las razones que lo hacen huir de una relación seria y es debido a creer heredar una condición que a los hombres de su familia les causa demencia.
Pero por mas que huye del amor no puede evitar enamorarse de Amber que la atracción fue instantánea.Para adelantar sin dar mucho "spoiler" les cuento que como una nota bien diferente Amber estaba comprometida con otro novio para casarse.Pero al darse cuenta que deseaba a Warwick dejo al rompió el compromiso y acepto lo único que le puede ofrecer Warwick vivir con el hasta que se cansara y casi siempre le sucedía cerca del ano.
Cuando la relación esta llegando a su fin Amber se da cuenta que lo ama,pero al este no aceptar su amor lo deja y el en un ataque de celos causa un accidente por lo cual se ve en cierta obligación de atender a Amber en su combalecencia y aprender a hacer labores domesticas a las que no esta acostumbrado,esta parte me gusta mas porque me encanta ver a los hombres haciendo los quehaceres del hogar(Como quisiera un hombre así).Ahí se da cuenta de lo mas que teme que esta enamorado de Amber y esta hace hasta lo imposible por alcanzar su felicidad al lado del hombre que ama.Pero Warwick no se queda atrás el se da cuenta de su amor por ella y aunque sufre y se va ,regresa por el amor de ella y trata de vivir el tiempo que le queda sano con su amor.
Una historia muy grata de esas que leemos y no olvidamos.
Pero por mas que huye del amor no puede evitar enamorarse de Amber que la atracción fue instantánea.Para adelantar sin dar mucho "spoiler" les cuento que como una nota bien diferente Amber estaba comprometida con otro novio para casarse.Pero al darse cuenta que deseaba a Warwick dejo al rompió el compromiso y acepto lo único que le puede ofrecer Warwick vivir con el hasta que se cansara y casi siempre le sucedía cerca del ano.
Cuando la relación esta llegando a su fin Amber se da cuenta que lo ama,pero al este no aceptar su amor lo deja y el en un ataque de celos causa un accidente por lo cual se ve en cierta obligación de atender a Amber en su combalecencia y aprender a hacer labores domesticas a las que no esta acostumbrado,esta parte me gusta mas porque me encanta ver a los hombres haciendo los quehaceres del hogar(Como quisiera un hombre así).Ahí se da cuenta de lo mas que teme que esta enamorado de Amber y esta hace hasta lo imposible por alcanzar su felicidad al lado del hombre que ama.Pero Warwick no se queda atrás el se da cuenta de su amor por ella y aunque sufre y se va ,regresa por el amor de ella y trata de vivir el tiempo que le queda sano con su amor.
Una historia muy grata de esas que leemos y no olvidamos.
June 4, 2023
Is "fall pregnant" a common phrase in Australia? Because to me it seems just as oddly dated as a young woman with a decent career giving it up to become the "kept woman" of a man who isn't interested in long-term relationships or starting a family (two things she does want), just because she's horny. And then . I'm not bothered by the 15-year age gap (she's 25, he's 40), but the heroine seems younger. The hero is kind of a douche, though in a much more mild way than many HP heroes, but the heroine is just all over the place.
November 10, 2013
Not A Marrying Man is the 19th stand-alone romance novel by Australian author, Miranda Lee. When the boutique hotel where Amber Roberts works is taken over by British billionaire, Warwick Kincaid, she abandons her fiancé, job and family to be with him. But Warwick is a notorious womaniser, and when she has been living with him for ten months, she can tell he is trying to ease out of their relationship. Warwick believes he has a good reason to limit his relationships, but Amber has fallen in love, and he cares enough not to hurt her. Then a fall puts them both in a challenging situation. This sexy Aussie romance has a feisty heroine and a plot that takes a turn or two. The hero seems a little naïve regards his heritage and the genetic testing aspect sounds a little dubious. Apart from that, an enjoyable read.
July 22, 2014
Meh. Didn't like this one much. The hero is far too Ultra-Alpha for my taste, and the heroine has less spine than a mackerel fillet. He treats her so incredibly badly and with so little respect at the beginning of the book, and refuses to accept it when she ends the relationship, saying something like 'It's not over until I say so, madam'.
I get that he's Alpha, and that sometimes they don't take no for an answer, but we are usually fairly convinced that the heroine wants him to fight her. In this case, she really didn't. She was horribly upset and wanted him gone and he just didn't listen. Also, 'I decide when this relationship ends, not you' isn't 'Alpha'. It's disrespectful and ... well, it's a massive red flag for abuse.
I was with Aunt Kate. She could do better.
I get that he's Alpha, and that sometimes they don't take no for an answer, but we are usually fairly convinced that the heroine wants him to fight her. In this case, she really didn't. She was horribly upset and wanted him gone and he just didn't listen. Also, 'I decide when this relationship ends, not you' isn't 'Alpha'. It's disrespectful and ... well, it's a massive red flag for abuse.
I was with Aunt Kate. She could do better.
February 24, 2013
I loved Warwick and Ambers story. Amber leaves her life behind for a man that Gentiles so much passion in her. Warwick does not do long term usually with in a year her as a new mistress and new residence. He is trying to distance himself from Amber but finds it extremely hard unlike the others. I love the development of the story it was well paced. She kind off gave away the ending early but I had predicted it earlier anyway. I love epilogues and she has a mastery of them.
December 8, 2013
I can't believe I actually bought this book. The female lead was simply too attached to that controlling bastard! I've read books that had men who were a thousand times more controlling but at least the female leads had played a strong roll--which could make you forgive their controlling attitude, however in this novel the female lead didn't have a very strong role at all. I am very disappointed in this book because from the summary, I thought the book would be great.
July 18, 2014
In my opinion the book is good to pass the time when you're bored. It has a story ehich is not really interesting. Characters without a real backstory and it has some mistakes. A little sex in there but all in all it's not the book to read if you want a thrilling story that won't let you put the book aside...
August 12, 2016
Its been a long time since I read a Mills & Boon book where I didn't predict the ending, yes I knew they were going to end up together because well its a Mills and Boon book but I didn't know how that was going to happen...This would probably be the last one. So I deffinitely recommend.
March 30, 2014
A good read. Never understood why people just don't go to a specialist and get confirmation that they have an illness and will die? They just believe what they are told.....what's with that? Not a healthy or realistic approach to life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews