What do you think?
Rate this book
Beauty and the Greek
Though she's in love with Andreas, her gorgeous Greek boss, Beth Farley feels he views her as just another piece of office furniture. But Andreas's brother, the arrogant, wealthy Theo Kyriakis, has a plan. If Beth pretends to be his lover, Andreas will surely want what he can't have….One makeover later, Beth has gone from sensible secretary to sensational bombshell! Now she'll show her beloved boss what he's been missing! But Beth soon realizes she wants someone else to initiate her into the world of pleasurable abandon far more…Theo!
190 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2011
40 people are currently reading
597 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
January 18, 2011
Beauty and the Greek immediately went to the top of my HP to-read pile when I got it in the mail. I liked the idea of the admin assistant who is hopelessly in love with one brother, and who gets help from the other brother to snare her man, and falls in love with him in the process. I am not a big fan of the 'makeover/Pygmalion' theme, because I believe that people should be loved for who they are. However, I am not adverse to it being handled the way Ms. Lawrence did in this book. In the case of Beth, Theo didn't really pay attention to her because she was his brother's AA, she dressed very prim and proper-like, and she treated him with very noxious disdain. One day, after being talked to very nastily by her (which is usual, but it was just more than he was willing to put up with that day from an employee), he is about to give her a set-down, when he notices that she is crying. This happens to be the day when Theo's brother Andreas proposes to Theo's ex, Ariana, who is a piece of work who cheated on Theo when they were together. In other words, not a woman he'd want his brother to marry. When he realizes that Beth is 'in love' with Andreas, and he sees the potential she has, really quite pretty with beautiful hazel eyes, thick dark hair, and a sexy, slim but curvaceous body that she hides behind grandma suits, he decides that he's going to help her get Andreas' attention.
I liked that this plan allowed Beth and Theo to spend some time together. After being played by Ariana, Theo has closed his heart off to love. His relationships are all with career women with no interest in anything beyond satisfying sex and themselves. Beth stands out because she's honest and real (and appealingly sweet, although that's not his normal type). She's not afraid to tell him off, and he admires her loyalty to his brother. They have a blistering attraction that makes hanging Beth out as bait for his brother inspire some serious jealousy in Theo. As for Beth, she can't reconcile why she would be so attracted to Theo when she's been in love with Andreas.
I really liked Beth. I admired her devotion to her ailing grandmother. Her conservative dress and morals made sense, considering she was raised by an elderly woman who instilled her own values into her young granddaughter. Theo seemed kind of arrogant at first, but he wasn't dismissive and cruel about Beth as much as I was expecting. He was more matter-of-fact, saying that she wasn't going to get Andreas' attention without 'gilding the lily,' since Andreas went for the cheap and available-type girls. Theo really won me over when he ministered to Beth after her loss that she suffered. That gave me a few 'sigh' moments. I loved the first time they made love. It was hot but also tender, and it was just what Beth needed at the time.
This one is hard to rate because the writing seemed a bit disjointed at times. On the other hand, I stayed up really late trying to read it, even though my eyes were practically rolling back in my head, I was so tired. That's a good sign. Moreover, the things that make books by this author appealing were apparent. I thought the ending was very sweet, and Theo turns out to have a very romantic soul. It was more than clear how much Beth had come to mean to him, and I love a hero who can make the gestures that speak louder than words, although he delivered the words beautifully as well. Theo and Beth are such a good couple, and I had a smile on my face when I finished this book. It had the elements that make a good modern romance for this reader. How can I not give this book at least 4.25 stars considering that it left me more than satisfied?
I liked that this plan allowed Beth and Theo to spend some time together. After being played by Ariana, Theo has closed his heart off to love. His relationships are all with career women with no interest in anything beyond satisfying sex and themselves. Beth stands out because she's honest and real (and appealingly sweet, although that's not his normal type). She's not afraid to tell him off, and he admires her loyalty to his brother. They have a blistering attraction that makes hanging Beth out as bait for his brother inspire some serious jealousy in Theo. As for Beth, she can't reconcile why she would be so attracted to Theo when she's been in love with Andreas.
I really liked Beth. I admired her devotion to her ailing grandmother. Her conservative dress and morals made sense, considering she was raised by an elderly woman who instilled her own values into her young granddaughter. Theo seemed kind of arrogant at first, but he wasn't dismissive and cruel about Beth as much as I was expecting. He was more matter-of-fact, saying that she wasn't going to get Andreas' attention without 'gilding the lily,' since Andreas went for the cheap and available-type girls. Theo really won me over when he ministered to Beth after her loss that she suffered. That gave me a few 'sigh' moments. I loved the first time they made love. It was hot but also tender, and it was just what Beth needed at the time.
This one is hard to rate because the writing seemed a bit disjointed at times. On the other hand, I stayed up really late trying to read it, even though my eyes were practically rolling back in my head, I was so tired. That's a good sign. Moreover, the things that make books by this author appealing were apparent. I thought the ending was very sweet, and Theo turns out to have a very romantic soul. It was more than clear how much Beth had come to mean to him, and I love a hero who can make the gestures that speak louder than words, although he delivered the words beautifully as well. Theo and Beth are such a good couple, and I had a smile on my face when I finished this book. It had the elements that make a good modern romance for this reader. How can I not give this book at least 4.25 stars considering that it left me more than satisfied?
September 14, 2019
3.5 stars. the h is a veritable shrew. The H was decent and deserved better. the story started out slow but picked up towards the middle and was quite fun and entertaining. I enjoyed the Sabrina-esque vibes. good modern romance.
June 7, 2016
One problem with this story: the heroine. She was more than a little strident, touchy and at times down right bitchy. I think the author was trying to create tension between the H and the h, but the heroine ended up being more strident than sassy. The H was a little brooding at first, but comes through like Prince Charming pretty quickly.
Premise is that the h has been in love with Andreas, her boss and younger brother to the boss. He has just become engaged to the older brother's ex. The h is devastated and is angry with the H for whatever reason. He cautions her that being mousy is no way to catch a man and sets her up for a makeover. He'll take her to the younger brother's party and her new look and sibling rivalry will take care of the rest. It works as the brother tries to play footsy with her. Problem number two is that while the makeover is a huge success, but the h is such an idiot about it she thinks she looks terrible. She goes on and on...
Some family drama happens (spoiler) and the H and h end up in bed. She's horrified she could be so fickle and in her embarrassment rejects the H. He, in turn, is horrified with himself for taking advantage of her grief and her virginity. Nice guy!!!
Toss in an evil woman that should have been drowned at birth but goes largely unpunished, and an H that is a secret artist with an anguishing backstory on top of the unpleasant heroine I ended up at two stars. It's too bad as with a little work on the heroine this could easily have been a three or four star.
Premise is that the h has been in love with Andreas, her boss and younger brother to the boss. He has just become engaged to the older brother's ex. The h is devastated and is angry with the H for whatever reason. He cautions her that being mousy is no way to catch a man and sets her up for a makeover. He'll take her to the younger brother's party and her new look and sibling rivalry will take care of the rest. It works as the brother tries to play footsy with her. Problem number two is that while the makeover is a huge success, but the h is such an idiot about it she thinks she looks terrible. She goes on and on...
Some family drama happens (spoiler) and the H and h end up in bed. She's horrified she could be so fickle and in her embarrassment rejects the H. He, in turn, is horrified with himself for taking advantage of her grief and her virginity. Nice guy!!!
Toss in an evil woman that should have been drowned at birth but goes largely unpunished, and an H that is a secret artist with an anguishing backstory on top of the unpleasant heroine I ended up at two stars. It's too bad as with a little work on the heroine this could easily have been a three or four star.
December 14, 2024
I loved this one. I am on a Greek spree and this was perfect.
December 31, 2010
This is the American Harlequin edition of Unworldly Secretary, Untamed Greek. Same story, different titles.
Tropes: Makeover, Pretend dating
Content warning: none
Sensuality level: didnt get to that part so cant comment altho I read over 60% of it
This was my third KL and probably my last. Two were DNFs.
On one hand, her stories feel modern, not still set in the 1980s like some other Presents authors. Characters refer to "bunny-boilers" and I dont know of many Presents authors who would have her hero say ‘You do realise that most men find the doormat mentality a real turn-off?’ which I found awesome.
However, I find the amount of interior reflections between lines of dialogue keeps me from ever getting immersed into her stories. I just find her story-telling a bit disjointed. Three strikes and she's out. I threw out the rest of her bks from Mt. TBR.
Grade: DNF
Tropes: Makeover, Pretend dating
Content warning: none
Sensuality level: didnt get to that part so cant comment altho I read over 60% of it
This was my third KL and probably my last. Two were DNFs.
On one hand, her stories feel modern, not still set in the 1980s like some other Presents authors. Characters refer to "bunny-boilers" and I dont know of many Presents authors who would have her hero say ‘You do realise that most men find the doormat mentality a real turn-off?’ which I found awesome.
However, I find the amount of interior reflections between lines of dialogue keeps me from ever getting immersed into her stories. I just find her story-telling a bit disjointed. Three strikes and she's out. I threw out the rest of her bks from Mt. TBR.
Grade: DNF
June 21, 2016
Leona's review is on spot. This was a good book and the hero super sweet and caring but the heroine was so rude and immature she ruined the book for me. The hero was treating her like a queen and she was just rude to him and hysterical! If the heroine was likable this would have been a 5 stars read. I give this 3 stars for the wonderful hero who deserved better!
March 12, 2012
I really debated between it's okay and I liked it. Probably a 2.5. The storyline was great. I really liked the plot and the events and the supporting characters. I liked the Hero as well. Macho, alpha..yet realistic and very caring. What really turned me off was the heroine. She had absolutely no common sense, was extremely rude and often very immature. This could have been a 5+ star if the heroine were more likable and the pace was a little better. Seemed like too much time was spent on the set up and not enough time on the interaction between H/h and getting to know one another.
November 14, 2018
This was really close to being a much better book. The OW was toothless until a WTF moment at the end that I actually appreciated. The h was never likable, although I didn't actively dislike her. The H had all the right characteristics for H greatness, but he spent way too much time agonizing and too little time in active denial. Two and a half stars.
February 5, 2016
What a great book and it had all the elements of a Cinderella story plus a handsome prince and baby on the way! Story reminds me of Diana Palmers book Diamond girl with sex and the girl gets to keep her hair. For once!!! I loved loved loved it. I would recommend for all those loving the sweet hot romance stories.
March 30, 2014
A sweet read....just love how the shy gal gets the sexy Greek! Both of them had misconceptions about each other but as they go along with their plan they come to realize how much they are attracted & like each other.....then comes love.
March 7, 2017
Its a bit like Cinderella in magic ball and I love Cinderella theme stories .
July 7, 2017
Forgettable story, unlikable heroine.
January 27, 2024
Pleasant romance with a really evil OW.
Reread, didn’t recognize at first.
Reread, didn’t recognize at first.
Read
February 28, 2011This is the M&B edition of Beauty and the Greek. Same story, different titles.
Tropes: Makeover, Pretend dating
Content warning: none
Sensuality level: didnt get to that part so cant comment altho I read over 60% of it
This was my third KL and probably my last. Two were DNFs.
On one hand, her stories feel modern, not still set in the 1980s like some other Presents authors. Characters refer to "bunny-boilers" and I dont know of many Presents authors who would have her hero say ‘You do realise that most men find the doormat mentality a real turn-off?’ which I found awesome.
However, I find the amount of interior reflections between lines of dialogue keeps me from ever getting immersed into her stories. I just find her story-telling a bit disjointed. Three strikes and she's out. I threw out the rest of her bks from Mt. TBR.
Grade: DNF
Tropes: Makeover, Pretend dating
Content warning: none
Sensuality level: didnt get to that part so cant comment altho I read over 60% of it
This was my third KL and probably my last. Two were DNFs.
On one hand, her stories feel modern, not still set in the 1980s like some other Presents authors. Characters refer to "bunny-boilers" and I dont know of many Presents authors who would have her hero say ‘You do realise that most men find the doormat mentality a real turn-off?’ which I found awesome.
However, I find the amount of interior reflections between lines of dialogue keeps me from ever getting immersed into her stories. I just find her story-telling a bit disjointed. Three strikes and she's out. I threw out the rest of her bks from Mt. TBR.
Grade: DNF
February 20, 2015
I love makeover books! This was great until the rushed ending. It had an awesome "reveal" moment when the dowdy secretary walks out all glammed up and her Greek boss almost falls over. Hee! Love that. But the rushed HEA and totally unnecessary baby-on-board brought the grade down to 4 stars.
Harlequin needs to work on these endings. After the author works so hard for the entire book to ramp up sexual tension and conflict, then the resolution is over in a sentence with proclamations of love and Greek Tycoon Junior on the way. Why not devote a couple of chapters to the resolution? Some of them do have an epilogue which they need.
Okay, I'm done bitching. I did love this one. I laughed out loud a lot--some great dialogue.
4 stars
Harlequin needs to work on these endings. After the author works so hard for the entire book to ramp up sexual tension and conflict, then the resolution is over in a sentence with proclamations of love and Greek Tycoon Junior on the way. Why not devote a couple of chapters to the resolution? Some of them do have an epilogue which they need.
Okay, I'm done bitching. I did love this one. I laughed out loud a lot--some great dialogue.
4 stars
May 19, 2020
I should've just dnf'd this at the halfway point. Urgh.
Where to start? Perhaps most of all, the dual POVs that flicked from one perspective to the other made my head spin. At least put a paragraph break or something similar to delineate the POVs.
The story had potential: dowdily-dressed Cinderella gets made over, and the two lovers in this fake dating scenario fall in love with one another. Great. Except that the execution of the story had the subtlety of a sledge hammer and even the heart thumping scenes and their misunderstandings didn't do it for me.
I really should've stopped before things got too ridiculously far-fetched.
Where to start? Perhaps most of all, the dual POVs that flicked from one perspective to the other made my head spin. At least put a paragraph break or something similar to delineate the POVs.
The story had potential: dowdily-dressed Cinderella gets made over, and the two lovers in this fake dating scenario fall in love with one another. Great. Except that the execution of the story had the subtlety of a sledge hammer and even the heart thumping scenes and their misunderstandings didn't do it for me.
I really should've stopped before things got too ridiculously far-fetched.
February 24, 2021
Made over…to make love!
Though she’s in love with Andreas, her gorgeous Greek boss, Beth Farley knows he views her as just another piece of office furniture. But Andreas’s brother, the darkly arrogant, wealthy Theo Kyriakis, has a plan. If Beth pretends to be his lover, Andreas will surely want what he can’t have…
One makeover later, and Beth has gone from sensible secretary to sensational bombshell! Now she’ll knock her beloved boss for six! But Beth soon realizes she wants someone else to initiate her into the world of sensual abandon far more…Theo!
Though she’s in love with Andreas, her gorgeous Greek boss, Beth Farley knows he views her as just another piece of office furniture. But Andreas’s brother, the darkly arrogant, wealthy Theo Kyriakis, has a plan. If Beth pretends to be his lover, Andreas will surely want what he can’t have…
One makeover later, and Beth has gone from sensible secretary to sensational bombshell! Now she’ll knock her beloved boss for six! But Beth soon realizes she wants someone else to initiate her into the world of sensual abandon far more…Theo!
September 19, 2012
A very sweet book. Not a lot of OTT angst just two people falling in love with each other sort of to their own surprise. There were a few misunderstandings to work out but nothing major. He fell for her pretty hard and quick. The dialog was fresh and believable. I'm really liking this author.
February 17, 2015
A lovely Cinderella type story about a plain girl catching the billionaire boss's eye and heart.
I liked Beth. She was a bit of an innocent but held her own with Theo. It was a typical Harlequin Presents story but still a satisfying read.
I liked Beth. She was a bit of an innocent but held her own with Theo. It was a typical Harlequin Presents story but still a satisfying read.
April 10, 2015
if you love romantic novels you will love this story it's about a Greek millionaire who falls in love with the secretary of his younger brother who is already hopelessly in love with his brother . honestly , I enjoyed it a lot
April 2, 2013
One word: Woww!!
April 2, 2017
I liked this book despite the fact that the heroine annoyed me at times! But nevertheless, I enjoyed it and I absolutely liked the hero, Theo!
July 28, 2014
4.75 stars. A delightful story.
March 25, 2019
This book is akin to slow torture. The first sign you notice, is a conspicuous lack of the proper use of commas. Some sentences must be read and reread to make sense of the general point of the sentence. Now, that is annoying. But it is not the last of the issues with this book.
Next, you find your mind getting whiplash. Conversations are broken with thoughts from either party, paragraphs of them, that makes it extremely difficult to follow basic conversations. And those thoughts, those perspective? They go from Beth to Theo and back again in a never ending ping pong match, a quest of how many times (and how fast) a perspective can change until you deem this book unworthy, a trust test of patience.
And if that did not put you off as well, we have in Beth the classic underdog: she doesn’t know how beautiful and amazing she is... but GOD she is annoying. It would be more fun if she’s not contrary just for the damn point of being contrary. It’s like she has a switch: On to work with Theo and Off to not work with him. The damn switch is stuck in Off. With superglue. Most of the time she pushes too hard the “I don’t see the beauty in myself” trope, and I swear she’d die if she didn’t argue with Theo on the most stupid basic shit. Does she have a spine, or is it take up by the multitude of complaints she has, hardened into a semblance of one?
Which is all very sad really. The plot sounded really interesting hence my picking up the book. It’s just saddening to have such a weak female protagonist.
Next, you find your mind getting whiplash. Conversations are broken with thoughts from either party, paragraphs of them, that makes it extremely difficult to follow basic conversations. And those thoughts, those perspective? They go from Beth to Theo and back again in a never ending ping pong match, a quest of how many times (and how fast) a perspective can change until you deem this book unworthy, a trust test of patience.
And if that did not put you off as well, we have in Beth the classic underdog: she doesn’t know how beautiful and amazing she is... but GOD she is annoying. It would be more fun if she’s not contrary just for the damn point of being contrary. It’s like she has a switch: On to work with Theo and Off to not work with him. The damn switch is stuck in Off. With superglue. Most of the time she pushes too hard the “I don’t see the beauty in myself” trope, and I swear she’d die if she didn’t argue with Theo on the most stupid basic shit. Does she have a spine, or is it take up by the multitude of complaints she has, hardened into a semblance of one?
Which is all very sad really. The plot sounded really interesting hence my picking up the book. It’s just saddening to have such a weak female protagonist.
December 5, 2017
Carino. Anche se la traduzione pare in difetto, di tanto in tanto, e ci siano un po’ troppi “vortici di passione”, ma è lo stile harmony! Un incrocio tra la classica favola del brutto anatroccolo e cenerentola.
December 9, 2018
Favourite
Can't remember how many times I have read this book but always really enjoy it and intend to carry on re-reading it.
Can't remember how many times I have read this book but always really enjoy it and intend to carry on re-reading it.
December 12, 2018
Loved the characters and the story line. One moan though, the ending was a bit abrupt. (was she or wasn't she?)
November 17, 2021
This was my second time reading this book. It was okay. I liked the main characters.
April 8, 2016
Beth is Andreas's secretary and she's been in love with him for ages, just as she's felt nothing but contempt for his older brother, Theo. But now, Andreas is engaged to Theo's ex-fiancee and Beth is heartbroken. Theo also isn't such a fan of it, which prompts him to come up with a plan. If he makes over Beth and presents her as his girlfriend, Andreas (being as competitive as he is) will suddenly want her for himself. Which would mean he gives up the girl and Beth gets what she wants as well. Only while trying to go through with the plan, neither Theo nor Beth expect to fall in love with one another.
I liked this one well enough. It was a plot line I hadn't seen very often - with the heroine supposedly loving one brother, but falling for the other. I liked Theo quite a bit - with his internal battle to remain cold and aloof and yet wanting to be there for Beth. I didn't like her as much. I couldn't quite figure out why she hated Theo as much as she did - it's not like he'd done anything to her. He just wasn't as outgoing as Andreas. I also felt that their misunderstanding (after their night together) was a little ridiculous...But such is the world of Harlequin.
I liked this one well enough. It was a plot line I hadn't seen very often - with the heroine supposedly loving one brother, but falling for the other. I liked Theo quite a bit - with his internal battle to remain cold and aloof and yet wanting to be there for Beth. I didn't like her as much. I couldn't quite figure out why she hated Theo as much as she did - it's not like he'd done anything to her. He just wasn't as outgoing as Andreas. I also felt that their misunderstanding (after their night together) was a little ridiculous...But such is the world of Harlequin.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2013
Re-read. I like the storyline but not the execution much. The h was pretty interesting in the beginning with her temper and such. I cannot imagine how she would not be able to notice she became a lot more attractive after a makeover, she seems overly naive and ignorant from that point onwards. It's not like she just came out to work or she was from cyberspace, so her blissful ignorance is a bit overkill for me.
She then went on to become a mopping airhead with not much of a personality afterwards. There also is the problem of their knowing each other virtually an extremely short time only over the whole book, so I cannot relate much how they can be head over heels and all...H actually is pretty decent and sweet...
She then went on to become a mopping airhead with not much of a personality afterwards. There also is the problem of their knowing each other virtually an extremely short time only over the whole book, so I cannot relate much how they can be head over heels and all...H actually is pretty decent and sweet...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews