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A Spanish Awakening
In the chaos of an airport strike, Madrid's most sought-after bachelor Emilio Rios stumbles across old flame Megan Armstrong. In the past, he bowed to duty and married the "right" woman—leaving the less sophisticated Megan on the sidelines.
Staying away from Megan has been the hardest thing Emilio's ever done, but now that he's free he isn't going to waste a single minute! He's got twenty-four hours—plenty of time for a full seduction.…
Staying away from Megan has been the hardest thing Emilio's ever done, but now that he's free he isn't going to waste a single minute! He's got twenty-four hours—plenty of time for a full seduction.…
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
26 people are currently reading
434 people want to read
About the author
Kim Lawrence
807 books212 followersThough lacking much authentic Welsh blood, Kim Lawrence comes from English-Irish stock. She was born and brought up in North Wales. She returned there when she married, and her sons were both born on Anglesey, an island off the coast. Though not isolated, Anglesey is a little off the beaten track, but lively Dublin, which Kim loves, is only a short ferry ride away. Today they live on the farm her husband was brought up on. Welsh is the first language of many people in this area and Kim's husband and sons are all bilingual she is having a lot of fun, not to mention a few headaches, trying to learn the language! She is a keen gardener and cook and enjoys running often on the beach, as living on an island the sea is never very far away. She is usually accompanied by her Jack Russell, Sprout don't ask, it's long story!
With small children, the unsocial hours of nursing didn't look attractive so encouraged by a husband who thinks she can do anything she sets her mind to, Kim tried her hand at writing. Always a keen Mills & Boon reader, it seemed natural for her to write a romance novel. In 1995, she published her first novels and now she can't imagine doing anything else.
With small children, the unsocial hours of nursing didn't look attractive so encouraged by a husband who thinks she can do anything she sets her mind to, Kim tried her hand at writing. Always a keen Mills & Boon reader, it seemed natural for her to write a romance novel. In 1995, she published her first novels and now she can't imagine doing anything else.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
August 11, 2012
I squeezed this on in between review reads. I needed a quick, satisfying romance, something I could read even though I wasn't feeling great. It did the trick.
My Thoughts:
Megan was a bit frustrating to me with her self-esteem issues. I understand why she had them, but I think her brain was turned off. I think that Emilio couldn't have been more clear about his feelings unless he hit her over the head with a club and drug her off to his cave. I'm glad he didn't do that. He did take her off to his penthouse and then picked her up and put her in his limo at the end, so close enough. I wanted to say, "Girl, this guy is into you!" I mean, no man goes to those extremes for a woman he doesn't care about. The other thing was her insistence on hanging onto what happened two years ago. Stuff happens, and people say mean things. You have to move on and not put your confidence in with others say about you. Your confidence has to come from within. What I did like was her concrete reasons for remaining a virgin. I am not one of those readers who scoffs at a virgin heroine. I don't find them unrealistic or dated. Nor do I doubt that a woman a certain age can be a virgin. It does happen, more than the media tries to present. What I have a problem with is the neblous-minded accidental virgin so common. Yes, that can happen too, although I think they are overrepresented in the fictional virgin arena. There are more than a few virgins due to a lack of opportunity, and I can go along with that. But at the end of the day, there are some virgins by choice. I like that Megan was one of those. I can see why she made that choice based on her parents' actions and its affects on her upbringing. I also found it realistic when she decided not to be a virgin anymore when she encountered Emilio. He was the man of her dreams, the only man she wanted. He wasn't married anymore, and she went into their encounter with open eyes. So that part was suitable to me as a reader. As I said, my major issue was her self-esteem issues. It didn't ruin the read, but definitely knocked down my rating to a four star.
I liked Emilio. He knew what he wanted and went after it. He was honest enough to realize that his actions two years ago weren't rational and were based on his jealousy and his uncontrollable love for Megan, doomed to be denied since he was married. I loved that he was determined to be faithful to his wife, even if it was a convenient marriage. Fidelity is a huge stickler for me. To have a hero who believes in it is a real plus for me. I think he was very patient with Megan, through her determined actions not to believe he wanted her for her. He sure does know how to show what he feels. Another thing I love in a hero.
End Verdict:
Not a ground-breaker, but a pleasant read. Nice pick-me-up for a Sunday when I wasn't feeling very well and just needed something relaxing to read. I love a good love story and this one had some aspects that appealed to me despite its shortcomings.
My Thoughts:
Megan was a bit frustrating to me with her self-esteem issues. I understand why she had them, but I think her brain was turned off. I think that Emilio couldn't have been more clear about his feelings unless he hit her over the head with a club and drug her off to his cave. I'm glad he didn't do that. He did take her off to his penthouse and then picked her up and put her in his limo at the end, so close enough. I wanted to say, "Girl, this guy is into you!" I mean, no man goes to those extremes for a woman he doesn't care about. The other thing was her insistence on hanging onto what happened two years ago. Stuff happens, and people say mean things. You have to move on and not put your confidence in with others say about you. Your confidence has to come from within. What I did like was her concrete reasons for remaining a virgin. I am not one of those readers who scoffs at a virgin heroine. I don't find them unrealistic or dated. Nor do I doubt that a woman a certain age can be a virgin. It does happen, more than the media tries to present. What I have a problem with is the neblous-minded accidental virgin so common. Yes, that can happen too, although I think they are overrepresented in the fictional virgin arena. There are more than a few virgins due to a lack of opportunity, and I can go along with that. But at the end of the day, there are some virgins by choice. I like that Megan was one of those. I can see why she made that choice based on her parents' actions and its affects on her upbringing. I also found it realistic when she decided not to be a virgin anymore when she encountered Emilio. He was the man of her dreams, the only man she wanted. He wasn't married anymore, and she went into their encounter with open eyes. So that part was suitable to me as a reader. As I said, my major issue was her self-esteem issues. It didn't ruin the read, but definitely knocked down my rating to a four star.
I liked Emilio. He knew what he wanted and went after it. He was honest enough to realize that his actions two years ago weren't rational and were based on his jealousy and his uncontrollable love for Megan, doomed to be denied since he was married. I loved that he was determined to be faithful to his wife, even if it was a convenient marriage. Fidelity is a huge stickler for me. To have a hero who believes in it is a real plus for me. I think he was very patient with Megan, through her determined actions not to believe he wanted her for her. He sure does know how to show what he feels. Another thing I love in a hero.
End Verdict:
Not a ground-breaker, but a pleasant read. Nice pick-me-up for a Sunday when I wasn't feeling very well and just needed something relaxing to read. I love a good love story and this one had some aspects that appealed to me despite its shortcomings.
August 6, 2018
Courtship story that spans 24 hours, but flashes back to the H/h's encounters when hero was married to someone else. I found the flashbacks and the inner monologues inserted into the dialogue to be annoying. For example, heroine would think what she really meant and then say something else. If you missed the punctuation, it was hard to follow what was actually said.
Hero fell in love with the heroine while he was married to his first wife. Virgin heroine had always fancied the hero since he was her brother's friend and she saw him on holidays. She was overweight and had a lot of self esteem issues because she was the illegitimate daughter of the housekeeper and they didn't let her forget it. I found the heroine to be a pathetic character. She puts up with her father's verbal abuse, but continues to work for him even though she knows she can go elsewhere. And she accepts her brother's condescending dismissive attitude as her due. She is prickly with the hero, complains about her weight, and fibs about what she really means. I honestly couldn't see what the hero saw in her.
I guess I should credit the hero for not being unfaithful to his straying wife, but he really didn't care about the woman and that coldness was a bit off-putting. While the heroine kept lying, the hero was at least honest with her, so he comes off as the better character.
I wish the heroine's father had gotten a comeuppance - or at least had the heroine push back on his verbal abuse. The creepy, condescending brother is going to marry the hero's ex-wife so these lucky couples will probably spend awkward holidays together. Oh, to put the cherry on top of the hostility sundae, for the black moment, the hero's father was opposed to the heroine because of her parentage. So - yeah. No one liked the heroine but the hero - and that includes the heroine. With so much negative energy, this romance feels doomed.
Hero fell in love with the heroine while he was married to his first wife. Virgin heroine had always fancied the hero since he was her brother's friend and she saw him on holidays. She was overweight and had a lot of self esteem issues because she was the illegitimate daughter of the housekeeper and they didn't let her forget it. I found the heroine to be a pathetic character. She puts up with her father's verbal abuse, but continues to work for him even though she knows she can go elsewhere. And she accepts her brother's condescending dismissive attitude as her due. She is prickly with the hero, complains about her weight, and fibs about what she really means. I honestly couldn't see what the hero saw in her.
I guess I should credit the hero for not being unfaithful to his straying wife, but he really didn't care about the woman and that coldness was a bit off-putting. While the heroine kept lying, the hero was at least honest with her, so he comes off as the better character.
I wish the heroine's father had gotten a comeuppance - or at least had the heroine push back on his verbal abuse. The creepy, condescending brother is going to marry the hero's ex-wife so these lucky couples will probably spend awkward holidays together. Oh, to put the cherry on top of the hostility sundae, for the black moment, the hero's father was opposed to the heroine because of her parentage. So - yeah. No one liked the heroine but the hero - and that includes the heroine. With so much negative energy, this romance feels doomed.
June 7, 2016
I love the way Kim Lawrence did the intimacy/interaction scenes in this book. I absolutely loved the sex scene too- it was simple yet was not the usual routine routine. I so adore a besotted H who is all out to get his girl once and for all. Even his falling in love with the lonely overweight clueless girl while he was married dint put me off. It all seemed so right. His waiting to woo her so that she does not become targeted as the ow in his (friendly) divorce got him all my brownie points. I could almost visualize the h through his eyes- chubby or slim, she was lovely to him. I love a guy who is concerned with the h’s eating habits n tries to feed her (n cooks for her too). So as you can see, I totally adored this guy.
The h shown as shy kinds, was actually screechy n grating at times but all par for the course. Doesn’t deter from the beauty of the plot.
The whole story wraps up in 24 hours (with flashbacks). Rarely done but quite well done by the author, although at times it did seem as she was stretching out things to fill up pages but no real complaints.
Oh oh...n he follows the runaway h to the airport on his bike, leather jacketed and bed headed (as i visualized him ;)). Final nail in the coffin of his straitlacedness. How's that for overkill,eh?
Leaves you with a real feel good sighy mmmarshmallowy kind of feeling.
Totally recommended for like minded suckers :)
The h shown as shy kinds, was actually screechy n grating at times but all par for the course. Doesn’t deter from the beauty of the plot.
The whole story wraps up in 24 hours (with flashbacks). Rarely done but quite well done by the author, although at times it did seem as she was stretching out things to fill up pages but no real complaints.
Oh oh...n he follows the runaway h to the airport on his bike, leather jacketed and bed headed (as i visualized him ;)). Final nail in the coffin of his straitlacedness. How's that for overkill,eh?
Leaves you with a real feel good sighy mmmarshmallowy kind of feeling.
Totally recommended for like minded suckers :)
February 4, 2016
The story is awesome what romance should be. I will not give away the magic but wow did he love her. Soooo sweet and hot. They really had it bad on both sides. It was amazing. And epilogue would have been nice here.
August 13, 2011
Wow! A hero who actually honored his vows and WAITED an appropriate amount of time after the dissolution of his marriage to start a new relationship even though he was NOT the one who cheated.
What a concept...thank you!!
It was a face-paced bit of fluff that I truthfully enjoyed reading despite my wanting to whack the heroine (and members of her family) every now and then.
What a concept...thank you!!
It was a face-paced bit of fluff that I truthfully enjoyed reading despite my wanting to whack the heroine (and members of her family) every now and then.
May 25, 2012
There were some negative reviews written about this book because it transpires over one day, and some readers struggled with the fact that Emilio had been married when he met the heroine. Because of this, I was a bit hesitant to purchase it, but I am glad I did. It was a wonderful story and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
The book is a terrific change in pace from the traditional story lines. Megan and Emilio have known each other for a long time. He is a friend and acquaintance of Megan's brother. Megan has always loved Emilio, but unfortunately he married someone else. However, two years ago Emilio realized that he was in love with someone other than his wife so he divorced. It had been a marriage of convenience linking two dynastic families together. When he realizes he is in love, he takes action to free himself from the marriage and pursue the love of his life!
The story begins when they meet again at the airport. Emilio goes to the airport to pick someone up and sees Megan. There is an air traffic controller strike which grounds her for 24 hours. If Emilio ever has a chance for a happy ending, he needs to convince Megan to not get back on that plane. And so it all begins!
Though the story takes place over 24 hours, it actually has a set of flashbacks that helps knit it together. It is told from both POV's so as a reader you get to understand where each is in their thinking, how they got there, and most importantly what they want/need to do to move things forward.
It's a very entertaining read and one I highly recommend. You won't be disappointed.
The book is a terrific change in pace from the traditional story lines. Megan and Emilio have known each other for a long time. He is a friend and acquaintance of Megan's brother. Megan has always loved Emilio, but unfortunately he married someone else. However, two years ago Emilio realized that he was in love with someone other than his wife so he divorced. It had been a marriage of convenience linking two dynastic families together. When he realizes he is in love, he takes action to free himself from the marriage and pursue the love of his life!
The story begins when they meet again at the airport. Emilio goes to the airport to pick someone up and sees Megan. There is an air traffic controller strike which grounds her for 24 hours. If Emilio ever has a chance for a happy ending, he needs to convince Megan to not get back on that plane. And so it all begins!
Though the story takes place over 24 hours, it actually has a set of flashbacks that helps knit it together. It is told from both POV's so as a reader you get to understand where each is in their thinking, how they got there, and most importantly what they want/need to do to move things forward.
It's a very entertaining read and one I highly recommend. You won't be disappointed.
March 5, 2011
The whole one day premise was a bit disbelieving and the editing bad because I got jarred out of the story in few place but a good Lawrence. The heroine had a touch for the dramatic but that is nothing new in HP-land. I liked it because in this book the hero fell first for the heroine and not the other way round. A nice enough read.
August 13, 2011
I remember it clearly i had added my review where has it gone*angry* this time will add a brief review
Absolutely terrific read though heroine Megan's constant thoughts of always putting herself down irritates me but Megan has lots of insecurities fears and even lacks confidence its cause two men who are important for her,the way she has been treated by her father and an incident which includes the hero Emilio which made her more unsure of herself
as the story progresses we see how Emilio realises his harsh actions made an negative impact on Megan,he clears to Megan why he acted that way and even apologises to her and makes Megan see that she is a beautiful intelligent passionate woman
What i really liked was Emilio took his vows and even respected it and lived it and when he understood its Megan he loves and his wife is also unhappy they got divorced and he took all the blame for it(his wife cheated on him) and then he waits for 1 and half years then starts to approach Megan and as he realises how his actions and behaviour has affected Megan he is really ashamed of it and apologises for it
It made me think most of the time in anger we never realise how our harsh words and actions can make negative impact on a person.It was a very good read
Absolutely terrific read though heroine Megan's constant thoughts of always putting herself down irritates me but Megan has lots of insecurities fears and even lacks confidence its cause two men who are important for her,the way she has been treated by her father and an incident which includes the hero Emilio which made her more unsure of herself
as the story progresses we see how Emilio realises his harsh actions made an negative impact on Megan,he clears to Megan why he acted that way and even apologises to her and makes Megan see that she is a beautiful intelligent passionate woman
What i really liked was Emilio took his vows and even respected it and lived it and when he understood its Megan he loves and his wife is also unhappy they got divorced and he took all the blame for it(his wife cheated on him) and then he waits for 1 and half years then starts to approach Megan and as he realises how his actions and behaviour has affected Megan he is really ashamed of it and apologises for it
It made me think most of the time in anger we never realise how our harsh words and actions can make negative impact on a person.It was a very good read
February 13, 2018
Hero made a comment to his friend that he was hardly “living like a monk” since divorce but it seemed like just something you’d say to your ex wife’s boyfriend and your friend without letting them know you’re pinning after someone (specially that friend’s sister).
He dropped very heavy hints that he waited for heroine, specially six months before and after divorce. His wife gave him option to stray. He only wanted heroine and he didn’t want her as a mistress. So I’m willing to accept he was celibate.
However, I’m not so sure if he had sex with his wife, this one I can accept. He WAS married, and he had no intention of cheating, and as a decent man he DID think about his wife’s feelings.
I’m taking a star away for lack of epilogue!
#wherethefuckistheepilogue
He dropped very heavy hints that he waited for heroine, specially six months before and after divorce. His wife gave him option to stray. He only wanted heroine and he didn’t want her as a mistress. So I’m willing to accept he was celibate.
However, I’m not so sure if he had sex with his wife, this one I can accept. He WAS married, and he had no intention of cheating, and as a decent man he DID think about his wife’s feelings.
I’m taking a star away for lack of epilogue!
#wherethefuckistheepilogue
September 13, 2021
Without spoiling readers, I would say that this one was a terrific read! I freaking loved every single second of it. Every word, every line, I couldn’t help but love. Thinking back over the story makes me want to pick up the book and start it all over again. And oh man! I'm freakin' in love with the hero, Emilio. He is just so freaking delicious. I was swooning all over the place. And Megan was a very likable heroine. Having an extra pound myself, I was able to relate to Megan in a big way.
I think Kim Lawrence did a great job bringing out that incredible sexual chemistry between these two. It was white-hot, slow, sensual, and at times, the sexual tension is completely addictive, as is the verbal banter/sparring between them. You can also feel every single touch, lick, and kiss between Emilio and Megan as if you were there with them. I love, loved that Emilio fell in love first and how he waited for Megan for two freakin' years! How sweet and romantic is that? Ugh! I just can't even... it made me want an Emilio of my own.
Overall, A Spanish Awakening was a truly excellent read. The story itself was romantic, passionate, and swoon-worthy. And I will be re-reading this in the future!
July 13, 2011
Wonderful read,loved Emilio-Megan,Emilio's determination to fight for his love and make Megan his touched my heart,he duly respects and takes his marriage vows seriously,he was never unfaithful even though he was never in love with his wife it was just for Duty he had to get married but as soon as Emilio-Rosanna are unhappy and he realised he loves Megan,he files for divorve though it was Rosanna who betrayed the vows yet he takes all the blame of it and then goes on to fight and bring his love in his life
Megan had self esteem and confidence issues which Emilio had caused cause of his behaviour but then everything is talked out and cleared and then there's one misunderstanding still Emilio does'nt gives up he goes and brings Megan back and they have their HEA
It also makes us think how our behaviour or words can hurt a person and have nagative impacts on him/her like here Megan had negative impact,but them Emilio takes on when he realises it he really regrets it and is shamed by his behaviour for tht night and then by end he even forbids Megan to have any diets he says it clearly i will never ever let you diet anytime(i was like awww so sweet)
Wonderful read
Recommend it
Megan had self esteem and confidence issues which Emilio had caused cause of his behaviour but then everything is talked out and cleared and then there's one misunderstanding still Emilio does'nt gives up he goes and brings Megan back and they have their HEA
It also makes us think how our behaviour or words can hurt a person and have nagative impacts on him/her like here Megan had negative impact,but them Emilio takes on when he realises it he really regrets it and is shamed by his behaviour for tht night and then by end he even forbids Megan to have any diets he says it clearly i will never ever let you diet anytime(i was like awww so sweet)
Wonderful read
Recommend it
January 13, 2013
I think this book was written weirdly. Not because the events only spanned a few hours, which I found a refreshing change of pace to the forced extensions most authors do (think of the obligatory two months a hero MUST spend unable to find the heroine ‘cause she runs away after misunderstanding some fundamental bit); nor because of the flashbacks (technically, they were a bit weirdly introduced and equally weirdly left behind at points), because I love flashbacks (sue me!); but it was perhaps the fact that we were practically 50/50 with the hero’s POV.
I know, I know. Don’t stone me yet! We should love this, right? Ordinarily I do. And it made Emilio’s (almost) every action to die for. However, it gave me an insight into the overwrought thinking of most HP heroines. While Megan wasn’t a doormat out loud, her insecurities were shown in a harsher light than normal because we were able to see how completely wrong her interpretations of Emilio’s words and deeds were. WE know what he meant by this or that, and didn’t have to guess or hope right along with her, so it made her wild mental meanderings seem the height of either stupidity or an alarmingly low self-esteem.
It was still a more than decent book though; the heat level and Emilio’s fully fleshed-out character, humour and all, made me see past the flaws and give it 4 stars.
I know, I know. Don’t stone me yet! We should love this, right? Ordinarily I do. And it made Emilio’s (almost) every action to die for. However, it gave me an insight into the overwrought thinking of most HP heroines. While Megan wasn’t a doormat out loud, her insecurities were shown in a harsher light than normal because we were able to see how completely wrong her interpretations of Emilio’s words and deeds were. WE know what he meant by this or that, and didn’t have to guess or hope right along with her, so it made her wild mental meanderings seem the height of either stupidity or an alarmingly low self-esteem.
It was still a more than decent book though; the heat level and Emilio’s fully fleshed-out character, humour and all, made me see past the flaws and give it 4 stars.
March 30, 2014
Man! what a hot charming man....too bad the girl was so slow on how much he digs her that it takes 2 years for them to get it together.....(and those kisses are hot enough to knock your socks off!).....women dream of a man that into them but sometimes you just need the words.
July 16, 2011
The story beings with the hero Emilio going to pick his ex wife up from the airport. When he gets there he sees the heroine Megan, the sister of one of his friends and also the girl he fell in love with a few years back. At the time Emilio was stuck in a marriage of convenience and by the time he was free Megan was involved with someone else, or so he thought. Megan is stuck in Madrid to a strike and Emilio offers her a place to stay, Megan is initially reluctant to accept as she believes Emilio doesn't like her, and when he kisses her she thinks it is in order to make his ex wife jealous. Emilio knows that his offer is a front to him finally getting a chance to be with Megan and he is determined to seduce her.
As I said earlier the blurb made this sound really exciting, I was expecting more chaos, perhaps the characters being trapped in the airport... I don't know, maybe I have watched too many episodes of 24! The whole back story of Emilio and Megan's love was just a load of misunderstandings and assumptions, that could have been resolved with just a few words. Megan was a bit annoying as a character, a bit hysterical and written with too little self esteem. Emilio's character saved this book, he was strong and confident with principles and a caring side.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
As I said earlier the blurb made this sound really exciting, I was expecting more chaos, perhaps the characters being trapped in the airport... I don't know, maybe I have watched too many episodes of 24! The whole back story of Emilio and Megan's love was just a load of misunderstandings and assumptions, that could have been resolved with just a few words. Megan was a bit annoying as a character, a bit hysterical and written with too little self esteem. Emilio's character saved this book, he was strong and confident with principles and a caring side.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
October 23, 2015
Unfortunately, I didn't feel the sexual tension. The author told me, repeatedly, in almost every sentence how Emilio wanted to do the dirty with Megan and how Megan wanted to do the dirty with Emilio, but it fell flat for me. It's nice setting at the beginning, but after a while I was like okay I get it you want to do dirty with each other can we move on to other subjects please.
Megan supposed to be this smart and classy young woman but she scream, shout and shrill her way through Emilio's taunting. Her woe is me act was annoying, even Emilio said so, and of course she need a man to improve her self worth.
The writing style wasn't for me. The characters jump into flashback mode too often and not enough nice conversation.
Megan supposed to be this smart and classy young woman but she scream, shout and shrill her way through Emilio's taunting. Her woe is me act was annoying, even Emilio said so, and of course she need a man to improve her self worth.
The writing style wasn't for me. The characters jump into flashback mode too often and not enough nice conversation.
June 27, 2014
Ah, Kim Lawrence. What is there to say?
The author’s tenuous grip on reality is exposed in the second sentence of the book, when Emilio ties his silk tie one-handed. Now, I’m not going to assert flat-out that such a thing is impossible—I’ve seen TV conjurers do some very impressive tricks—but it’s a curious party piece for a practical businessman to devote extraordinary effort into developing, given that it doesn’t really lead anywhere. There is (spoiler alert) some undressing going on later in the book, and while it is performed with energy and verve, there are no spectacular feats of prestidigitation such as the “Chekov’s Gun” of the opening dressing scene would suggest.
There is no story to the book whatsoever: the hero and heroine are already hopelessly in love with each other before it starts, they merely have to meet, argue, have sex, and get engaged. The hero has no personality at all, just an ill-defined “financial business” that requires both his genius and branches all over the world.
There is no scenery. Madrid might just as well be Mansfield, clothes, cars, people go past largely undescribed.
Wish-fulfillment is probably a necessary element of these books, but a little subtlety would help. “You’ll never have to diet again”. I mean, really, I get the thing about fashion models being too skinny to be actually sexy, I agree fully, but, you know, subtlety....
As with Mrs Lawrence’s other books, everything else is just box-ticking to get to the two things that matter: arguing and sex. The streets of Madrid, the back-story, the secondary characters have all the importance of the topping on the pizza that the porn actor delivers to the bored housewife. She should really write “gonzo romance” where couples just argue and have sex without any justification or explanation whatsoever.
Me, I read them for the arguing. The heroines—Megan here included—are just so gorgeously dotty in their idiotic determination to believe anything but the truth, driving their improbable beaus to hilarious heights of perplexity. I love it.
The author’s tenuous grip on reality is exposed in the second sentence of the book, when Emilio ties his silk tie one-handed. Now, I’m not going to assert flat-out that such a thing is impossible—I’ve seen TV conjurers do some very impressive tricks—but it’s a curious party piece for a practical businessman to devote extraordinary effort into developing, given that it doesn’t really lead anywhere. There is (spoiler alert) some undressing going on later in the book, and while it is performed with energy and verve, there are no spectacular feats of prestidigitation such as the “Chekov’s Gun” of the opening dressing scene would suggest.
There is no story to the book whatsoever: the hero and heroine are already hopelessly in love with each other before it starts, they merely have to meet, argue, have sex, and get engaged. The hero has no personality at all, just an ill-defined “financial business” that requires both his genius and branches all over the world.
There is no scenery. Madrid might just as well be Mansfield, clothes, cars, people go past largely undescribed.
Wish-fulfillment is probably a necessary element of these books, but a little subtlety would help. “You’ll never have to diet again”. I mean, really, I get the thing about fashion models being too skinny to be actually sexy, I agree fully, but, you know, subtlety....
As with Mrs Lawrence’s other books, everything else is just box-ticking to get to the two things that matter: arguing and sex. The streets of Madrid, the back-story, the secondary characters have all the importance of the topping on the pizza that the porn actor delivers to the bored housewife. She should really write “gonzo romance” where couples just argue and have sex without any justification or explanation whatsoever.
Me, I read them for the arguing. The heroines—Megan here included—are just so gorgeously dotty in their idiotic determination to believe anything but the truth, driving their improbable beaus to hilarious heights of perplexity. I love it.
September 17, 2014
No puedo decir nada mas,mas que ME ENCANTO! Jaja así es que me gustan las lecturas sencillas,una buena historia para disfrutar rápido.
Les cuento que me pareció tierno que Emilio se hubiera enamorado de Megan desde hace años.Lo único que le impide acercarse a su amor es el hecho que el esta casado,por conveniencia o por un ridículo mandato de su padre con una mujer a la que no ama y encima ella le fue infiel.Pero el colmo de los colmos es que ella ahora se enamoro del amigo de Emilio que es medio hermano de Megan.
La pobre Megan es la hija de la criada y el jefe y por eso su familia la menosprecia un poco y por esa razón se siente tan insegura con Emilio.Pero nada tal como la sinopsis dice en menos de 24 horas ya Megan y Emilio están juntos y la sorpresa que el descubre que ella es virgen,ya que el pensaba que tenia una relación con el chico con quien vive que finalmente es guapo y todo pero gay.
Si quieren leer una Harlequin super,pero super tierna les recomiendo esta historia.Hay amor y ternura de principio a fin.
Les cuento que me pareció tierno que Emilio se hubiera enamorado de Megan desde hace años.Lo único que le impide acercarse a su amor es el hecho que el esta casado,por conveniencia o por un ridículo mandato de su padre con una mujer a la que no ama y encima ella le fue infiel.Pero el colmo de los colmos es que ella ahora se enamoro del amigo de Emilio que es medio hermano de Megan.
La pobre Megan es la hija de la criada y el jefe y por eso su familia la menosprecia un poco y por esa razón se siente tan insegura con Emilio.Pero nada tal como la sinopsis dice en menos de 24 horas ya Megan y Emilio están juntos y la sorpresa que el descubre que ella es virgen,ya que el pensaba que tenia una relación con el chico con quien vive que finalmente es guapo y todo pero gay.
Si quieren leer una Harlequin super,pero super tierna les recomiendo esta historia.Hay amor y ternura de principio a fin.
August 27, 2014
Sweet sweet oh so sweet. These two have been secretly In love with each other for years. But it took Emilio sometime to finally acknowledge his feelings, but it was already too late as he was married to a woman he doesn't love. After his divorce came through, he accidentally ran into Megan at the airport. The attraction was instantaneous and Emilio vowed then and there to make her his forever. But he only had 24hrs to win her. Megan on the other hand feels betrayed that he never loved her and chose another woman over her. She vowed never to allow any man liberty to break her heart again. But she couldn't resist his seduction!
This was a great read.. I couldn't wait to flip the pages.. Couldn't get enough.. So yum!
This was a great read.. I couldn't wait to flip the pages.. Couldn't get enough.. So yum!
June 28, 2021
In the chaos of an airport strike, Madrid's most sought-after bachelor Emilio Rios stumbles across old flame Megan Armstrong. In the past, he bowed to duty and married the "right" woman—leaving the less sophisticated Megan on the sidelines.
Staying away from Megan has been the hardest thing Emilio's ever done, but now that he's free he isn't going to waste a single minute! He's got twenty-four hours—plenty of time for a full seduction.…
Staying away from Megan has been the hardest thing Emilio's ever done, but now that he's free he isn't going to waste a single minute! He's got twenty-four hours—plenty of time for a full seduction.…
April 3, 2021
I’m currently on a Kim Lawrence marathon. The books that I have read by her(so far) basically happen in a 24 hour period. She uses lots of dialogue which is often witty and paint a vivid picture in your head when you are reading.
In this story, the action starts in an airport terminal and moves on to the a Hero’s penthouse in Madrid.
The hero is late 20’s?...he went to University with the heroine’s brother and met her when she was 13(now 23) She developed a crush on him and would follow the hero around when he visited. Through flashbacks we see that the hero notices how the heroine is treated rather dismissively by her family(she is the bastard daughter of the dead housekeeper and bio dad) The bio dad Charles has 2 legitimate older children. His son Phillip and gorgeous model daughter are put on a higher pedestal although his daughter Megan, the heroine, is the only one involved in the family business.
Our hero realizes he loves the heroine a couple of years ago. Unfortunately he was forced into a marriage of convenience and although he doesn’t love his wife, he won’t cheat. He saves the heroine from a drunk, gropey party goer who is bringing her home. Our hero is so overwhelmed with love and jealousy that he accuses the h of being a tart. ( the gropey drunk defended himself by saying she used her d cup breasts as enticement😠)
Our h already suffers from a severe inferiority complex and this puts her over the edge. Her crush has crushed her! She loses 20 pounds (not needed) to try and look like the models our H squires about town...she drives her flat mate Josh crazy with her interest in the tabloids of the H.
Present day Madrid....h is stuck in Airport and needs a flight back to London...she is talking on phone to her dad and thinks she sees the H...then dismissed it. Next thing you know the hero is there by her shoulder and they kiss....
He is there to talk to his exwife( they parted amicably, and are friends) about her not feeling guilty about being in love with Phillip( the h’s brother) Since h is there he doesn’t get to talk to ex about that and the h is thinking he is still hung up on ex.
Hero whisks heroine against her wishes to his penthouse. The majority of the story is these two finally succumbing to all that sexual tension. (It’s daytime sex at its finest) The H is shocked that the h is a virgin(he went to her apt a year ago to claim her, only to be greeted by her towel clad roommate Josh) Josh says Megan’s in the shower and the H just assumes they are a thing(Josh is gay though)
The H keeps trying to declare his love for her but somehow never gets to it.
A phone call from her brother caused a misunderstanding...but they quickly get back in bed. The h wakes up to get water and hears a very disturbing message fro the hero���s father which causes her to leave quickly with her tail between her legs. The hero, wakes up in time to race to the airport and intercept her. He forces her into his car and all the longing love and misunderstandings are expressed. They pull up to the penthouse with a promise of marriage.
The witty banter, sexual longing, and well written flashbacks really kept me engaged. The biggest fault as others pointed out, was the heroine’s continuous inferiority complex. Our poor hero could have taken out a full page ad declaring the h was the sexiest most beautiful woman ever and she would probably think it was talking about a different Emilio and Megan!!!
In this story, the action starts in an airport terminal and moves on to the a Hero’s penthouse in Madrid.
The hero is late 20’s?...he went to University with the heroine’s brother and met her when she was 13(now 23) She developed a crush on him and would follow the hero around when he visited. Through flashbacks we see that the hero notices how the heroine is treated rather dismissively by her family(she is the bastard daughter of the dead housekeeper and bio dad) The bio dad Charles has 2 legitimate older children. His son Phillip and gorgeous model daughter are put on a higher pedestal although his daughter Megan, the heroine, is the only one involved in the family business.
Our hero realizes he loves the heroine a couple of years ago. Unfortunately he was forced into a marriage of convenience and although he doesn’t love his wife, he won’t cheat. He saves the heroine from a drunk, gropey party goer who is bringing her home. Our hero is so overwhelmed with love and jealousy that he accuses the h of being a tart. ( the gropey drunk defended himself by saying she used her d cup breasts as enticement😠)
Our h already suffers from a severe inferiority complex and this puts her over the edge. Her crush has crushed her! She loses 20 pounds (not needed) to try and look like the models our H squires about town...she drives her flat mate Josh crazy with her interest in the tabloids of the H.
Present day Madrid....h is stuck in Airport and needs a flight back to London...she is talking on phone to her dad and thinks she sees the H...then dismissed it. Next thing you know the hero is there by her shoulder and they kiss....
He is there to talk to his exwife( they parted amicably, and are friends) about her not feeling guilty about being in love with Phillip( the h’s brother) Since h is there he doesn’t get to talk to ex about that and the h is thinking he is still hung up on ex.
Hero whisks heroine against her wishes to his penthouse. The majority of the story is these two finally succumbing to all that sexual tension. (It’s daytime sex at its finest) The H is shocked that the h is a virgin(he went to her apt a year ago to claim her, only to be greeted by her towel clad roommate Josh) Josh says Megan’s in the shower and the H just assumes they are a thing(Josh is gay though)
The H keeps trying to declare his love for her but somehow never gets to it.
A phone call from her brother caused a misunderstanding...but they quickly get back in bed. The h wakes up to get water and hears a very disturbing message fro the hero���s father which causes her to leave quickly with her tail between her legs. The hero, wakes up in time to race to the airport and intercept her. He forces her into his car and all the longing love and misunderstandings are expressed. They pull up to the penthouse with a promise of marriage.
The witty banter, sexual longing, and well written flashbacks really kept me engaged. The biggest fault as others pointed out, was the heroine’s continuous inferiority complex. Our poor hero could have taken out a full page ad declaring the h was the sexiest most beautiful woman ever and she would probably think it was talking about a different Emilio and Megan!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2021
Mau bilang cerita ini enggak rasional karena serba disetir cinta, tapi takut dikutuk kayak Emilio. Cerai, selibat, cemburu buta, dan terkesan enggak punya hati. Haduh, mimpi buruk.
Landasan hubungan Emilio dan Megan bikin saya kesulitan berkata-kata. Pihak laki-lakinya cinta lebih dulu sampai nahan perasaan selama dua tahun, tapi berakhir gelap mata waktu lihat sosok laki-laki lain di apartemen Megan. Setahun jengkel, ternyata di-prank gay. Enggak bisa bayangin nyeseknya jadi Emilio.
Saya suka cara penulis mendeskripsikan detail adegan. Enggak banyak setting yang dipakai, hanya dua. Di bandara sama apartemen Emilio. Tapi kemahiran bercerita membuat novel ini jauh dari kata membosankan meskipun minim setting. Konflik berporos ke emosional dan terekspos dengan baik. Full romance dan asli bacaan ringan.
Hanya saja, yang saya sayangkan adalah penyelesaian untuk Luis Rios dan Emilio. Hanya diceritakan sambil lalu tanpa pernah mempertemukan mereka. Sejak awal sudah disinggung-singgung soal pentingnya bibit, bebet, bobot di keluarga Rios, masa sih masalah selesai tanpa konfrontasi alot hanya karena Emilio yang mengelola kekayaan ayahnya? Gantungnya di situ. But overall, this story deserve your spare time, really.
Landasan hubungan Emilio dan Megan bikin saya kesulitan berkata-kata. Pihak laki-lakinya cinta lebih dulu sampai nahan perasaan selama dua tahun, tapi berakhir gelap mata waktu lihat sosok laki-laki lain di apartemen Megan. Setahun jengkel, ternyata di-prank gay. Enggak bisa bayangin nyeseknya jadi Emilio.
Saya suka cara penulis mendeskripsikan detail adegan. Enggak banyak setting yang dipakai, hanya dua. Di bandara sama apartemen Emilio. Tapi kemahiran bercerita membuat novel ini jauh dari kata membosankan meskipun minim setting. Konflik berporos ke emosional dan terekspos dengan baik. Full romance dan asli bacaan ringan.
Hanya saja, yang saya sayangkan adalah penyelesaian untuk Luis Rios dan Emilio. Hanya diceritakan sambil lalu tanpa pernah mempertemukan mereka. Sejak awal sudah disinggung-singgung soal pentingnya bibit, bebet, bobot di keluarga Rios, masa sih masalah selesai tanpa konfrontasi alot hanya karena Emilio yang mengelola kekayaan ayahnya? Gantungnya di situ. But overall, this story deserve your spare time, really.
June 15, 2017
Would have been a memorable story, but ruined by jerky narration and OTT sexual banter.
The plot is of a girl who has seen a lot of rejection from family and society for being illegitimate. Added to this, she loves her foster brother's rich friend, who yells at her mistakenly for being a promiscuous tart.
So poor little miss virgin manages Daddy's business and is content with crumbs from family.
He married in a haste as per Daddy's orders and promptly got divorced too. Now he's is free to pursue miss virgin, so he does just that.
Giving her a sex Ed class and proposing undying love is what he does for the rest of the book.
Had the treatment of the story been more emotional and deep, it would have made a good book. But it lands up as mediocre. 2.5 stars.
The plot is of a girl who has seen a lot of rejection from family and society for being illegitimate. Added to this, she loves her foster brother's rich friend, who yells at her mistakenly for being a promiscuous tart.
So poor little miss virgin manages Daddy's business and is content with crumbs from family.
He married in a haste as per Daddy's orders and promptly got divorced too. Now he's is free to pursue miss virgin, so he does just that.
Giving her a sex Ed class and proposing undying love is what he does for the rest of the book.
Had the treatment of the story been more emotional and deep, it would have made a good book. But it lands up as mediocre. 2.5 stars.
February 3, 2020
Uwahh, this is sucks. Sebenernya pengen DNF, kirain endingnya akan menyelamatkan ceritanya yg udah ga bisa dimengerti lagi. Oh ya, terjemahannya juga bikin pusing, jadi ga ngerti maksudnya mereka ngomong apa.
Alurnya juga ga jelas antara lg flashback sama sekarang, mungkin seharusnya bisa dibantu klo lg flashback dibuat italic. Tapi ga tau deh, mungkin buku aslinya juga sama membingungkan. Bahkan dialognya aja ga jelas siapa yg lagi ngomong apa di beberapa part. Or it's just me yg emang udah malas banget buat nyelesaiin buku ini.
Alurnya juga ga jelas antara lg flashback sama sekarang, mungkin seharusnya bisa dibantu klo lg flashback dibuat italic. Tapi ga tau deh, mungkin buku aslinya juga sama membingungkan. Bahkan dialognya aja ga jelas siapa yg lagi ngomong apa di beberapa part. Or it's just me yg emang udah malas banget buat nyelesaiin buku ini.
August 7, 2017
So it was an nice romance but I definitely need an epilogue for this book like I felt it was missing something or maybe I just wanted more and I did I wanted to see what would happen next.
October 14, 2018
It took a bit to get used to the interjecting jumps of perceptions throughout this story n flashbacks to previous events
May 26, 2016
I adore every single character in this book - even the wicked fathers because their quirks or flaws are explained so cutely.
I think this is the first book where the evil villain was low self-esteem. The H, Emilio is a heart throb who entered into a marriage of convenience with Rosanna. They both realised they cannot make it work when she cheated and he fell in love with Megan.
After the divorce, Emilio waited a year to ensure no negative press comes Megan's way and then decided to pursue her. Due to a misunderstanding, he ended up having to wait another year and spotting her when he was on the lookout for his now ex-wife Rosanna in the airport.
The reaction from him is a kiss which I thought was so cute - also crazy considering it is an airport?
Megan is shocked because she hasn't seen him for two years and thinks he dislikes her. She has very bad problems with self-esteem and is very insecure about her appearance due to her past. Emilio spends most of this book simply convincing her that she is beautiful and he loves her.
One star reduced for the scenario of her getting molested and him blaming it on her clothes. Come on? I know he loved her and was jealous but that's brutal and ridiculous. There was no proper acknowledgement from him that it was unfair to say that. Though the h did show considerable scorn for it. It truly doesn't fit the H tbh because he is such an honourable guy otherwise.
All in all it is a lovely love story which is worth a read - not much angst so make it a light read between two wallbangers like I did.
I think this is the first book where the evil villain was low self-esteem. The H, Emilio is a heart throb who entered into a marriage of convenience with Rosanna. They both realised they cannot make it work when she cheated and he fell in love with Megan.
After the divorce, Emilio waited a year to ensure no negative press comes Megan's way and then decided to pursue her. Due to a misunderstanding, he ended up having to wait another year and spotting her when he was on the lookout for his now ex-wife Rosanna in the airport.
The reaction from him is a kiss which I thought was so cute - also crazy considering it is an airport?
Megan is shocked because she hasn't seen him for two years and thinks he dislikes her. She has very bad problems with self-esteem and is very insecure about her appearance due to her past. Emilio spends most of this book simply convincing her that she is beautiful and he loves her.
One star reduced for the scenario of her getting molested and him blaming it on her clothes. Come on? I know he loved her and was jealous but that's brutal and ridiculous. There was no proper acknowledgement from him that it was unfair to say that. Though the h did show considerable scorn for it. It truly doesn't fit the H tbh because he is such an honourable guy otherwise.
All in all it is a lovely love story which is worth a read - not much angst so make it a light read between two wallbangers like I did.
November 21, 2025
I like this. True KL’s style can annoy but I don’t usually mind. What I don’t like is how h constantly misinterprets everything H says. He kisses her in airport in front of ex wife. Why?
A. He wants to kiss her.
B. He wants to make ex jealous.
C. He is pretending to convince ex to move on.
Extra clues: He makes it clear he wants her - badly.
Her dismissive brother, good friend to H, calls h to thank her for playing along with H because brother wants to marry the ex.
Extra extra clues: H has already explained his ex dumped him because he didn’t love her, was in love with someone else. H has seduced h twice.
If you need more clues you must be the h. Discount brother. B makes no sense. Gosh! Must be A!
Of course h goes with B.
H is idiot and uses the Betty Neels declaration method and says he loves someone but does not say it is the h.
If you can ignore the silliness and the internal musings that contradict what h says it is a good read. I like KL but she’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
Reread. This is dumb and slow.
A. He wants to kiss her.
B. He wants to make ex jealous.
C. He is pretending to convince ex to move on.
Extra clues: He makes it clear he wants her - badly.
Her dismissive brother, good friend to H, calls h to thank her for playing along with H because brother wants to marry the ex.
Extra extra clues: H has already explained his ex dumped him because he didn’t love her, was in love with someone else. H has seduced h twice.
If you need more clues you must be the h. Discount brother. B makes no sense. Gosh! Must be A!
Of course h goes with B.
H is idiot and uses the Betty Neels declaration method and says he loves someone but does not say it is the h.
If you can ignore the silliness and the internal musings that contradict what h says it is a good read. I like KL but she’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
Reread. This is dumb and slow.
May 12, 2018
I really liked this book sure it was fast paced been set over a 24 hour period but so what I think in this case it worked. Our H fell in love with the h when he was married but there was no affair so bonus points to him - he went off and sorted his life out so he could come back n sweep her off her feet. Only problem is a shirtless man answers the door when he does so he slinks off with his tail between his legs.
When he spots her at the airport in the midst of a Air traffic control strike he doesn't miss the opportunity because he is still in love and he whisks the h off to his apt and hi bed.
Our h has been in love with our h for years since she was a girl so no problem there. There were no evil OW/OM only interfering family. Loved the H deducted a star cause the h was a little bit of an insecure whiner he loves you as you are woman and doesn't care you're the housekeepers illegitimate daughter so get over it.
When he spots her at the airport in the midst of a Air traffic control strike he doesn't miss the opportunity because he is still in love and he whisks the h off to his apt and hi bed.
Our h has been in love with our h for years since she was a girl so no problem there. There were no evil OW/OM only interfering family. Loved the H deducted a star cause the h was a little bit of an insecure whiner he loves you as you are woman and doesn't care you're the housekeepers illegitimate daughter so get over it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2013
I think one of the things I really loved about this book was just how in love the hero was with the heroine and just how determined he was to make sure she was going to be come a permanent fixture in his life (I am going to conveniently ignore that he fell in love with her while he was stuck in a marriage of convenience). The 24 hour strike happening at the airport I thought was plausible.
I was annoyed about how insecure and how much of a doormat Meghan was. I wanted Emilio at times to shake some sense into her. Even he was angry at the way she allowed her family to dismiss and treat her in contempt because she was the result of an affair with the housekeeper. Lady, that should tell you something- GROW A SPINE!
I was annoyed about how insecure and how much of a doormat Meghan was. I wanted Emilio at times to shake some sense into her. Even he was angry at the way she allowed her family to dismiss and treat her in contempt because she was the result of an affair with the housekeeper. Lady, that should tell you something- GROW A SPINE!
December 26, 2015
Initially I thought this is an incredible book as the story spans 24 hours and they gad lots to...talk about haha! But then I realised it's a mini series called One Night In...so I'm pretty impressed with how much the author has packed into these 24 hours. A satisfying and credible live story between Emilio and Megan. Their back story and second chance is sweet indeed. Funny and witty thoughts from both Megan and Emilio made me LOL at times. Good read! I like that Emilio had chosen to be faithful even in a marriage of convenience and he had ended things properly before even thinking to look up Megan again. Both of them have obnoxious families I have to say...
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