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The Whitney Heiresses #1
The Replacement Wife
Becca Whitney has always lived with the knowledge that her aristocratic family disowned her as a baby. So when she receives a summons to return to the ancestral mansion, she's intrigued.Theo Markou Garcia needs a wife—or at least someone who looks strikingly similar to his infamous fiancée. Becca would be the perfect replacement.…The masquerade as the Whitney heiress in exchange for your own true fortune, but do not fall for your husband!
184 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2011
55 people are currently reading
241 people want to read
About the author
Caitlin Crews
1,093 books594 followersCaitlin Crews discovered her first romance novel at the age of twelve, in a bargain bin at the local five and dime. It involved swashbuckling pirates, grand adventures, a heroine with rustling skirts and a mind of her own, and a seriously mouthwatering and masterful hero. The book (the title of which remains lost in the mists of time) made a serious impression. Caitlin was immediately smitten with romances and romance heroes, to the detriment of her middle school social life. And so began her life-long love affair with romance novels, many of which she insists on keeping near her at all times, thus creating a fire hazard of love wherever she lives.
Caitlin has made her home in places as far-flung as York, England and Atlanta, Georgia. She was raised near New York City, and fell in love with London on her first visit when she was a teenager. She has backpacked in Zimbabwe, been on safari in Botswana, and visited tiny villages in Namibia. She has, while visiting the place in question, declared her intention to live in Prague, Dublin, Paris, Athens, Nice, the Greek Islands, Rome, Venice, and/or any of the Hawaiian islands. Writing about exotic places seems like the next best thing to actually moving there.
She currently lives in Oregon with her animator/comic book artist husband and their menagerie of ridiculous animals.
Caitlin has made her home in places as far-flung as York, England and Atlanta, Georgia. She was raised near New York City, and fell in love with London on her first visit when she was a teenager. She has backpacked in Zimbabwe, been on safari in Botswana, and visited tiny villages in Namibia. She has, while visiting the place in question, declared her intention to live in Prague, Dublin, Paris, Athens, Nice, the Greek Islands, Rome, Venice, and/or any of the Hawaiian islands. Writing about exotic places seems like the next best thing to actually moving there.
She currently lives in Oregon with her animator/comic book artist husband and their menagerie of ridiculous animals.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
January 18, 2017
Wow, what an unpleasant book. Honestly left a bad taste.
Cruel uncle that really deserved a beat down, seriously, and I am a Quaker. No not really, but he needed a verbal visceration as he is one of the meanest characters ever, and I saw Les Miserables.
Hero not much better, not to mention there is no discernible explanation as to why our self-sacrificing heroine (Yes, HEROINE, not heroin; she's not a drug) fell for Mr. Rico Suave Mean Guy.
Cruel uncle that really deserved a beat down, seriously, and I am a Quaker. No not really, but he needed a verbal visceration as he is one of the meanest characters ever, and I saw Les Miserables.
Hero not much better, not to mention there is no discernible explanation as to why our self-sacrificing heroine (Yes, HEROINE, not heroin; she's not a drug) fell for Mr. Rico Suave Mean Guy.
July 5, 2011
I thought I may like The Replacement Wife but I am not sure I do.
The book had such shallow and horrid people, the only person I liked was Becca the heroine, she agreed to be her comatose cousin, for her sister's education and allowed herself to be dolled up and paraded for that purpose and even prostituted I say.
I didn't like the hero Theo. He was a shallow, mean jerk to whom money was everything. He first used Larissa his fiancee to make his way into the moneyed world, even though they didn't have an ounce of love between them. Then, the way he treated Becca, like she didn't matter. I don't know why Becca loved him or even slept with him. He didn't even defend her when her uncle was stripping pieces of her though I loved how Becca saw through everything and gave as good as it gets, but even after he starts seeing her as Becca and not Larissa(or how the thought she should be) and feels something for her, he allows her to go to another man, it doesn't happen of course Larissa wakes up and he say's he wouldn't have let it happen, but as Becca says we will never know.
I was glad when she walked away from him, so glad but she took him back so easily when he suddenly says he left everything for her, after being a cold jerk most of the book.
The book had such shallow and horrid people, the only person I liked was Becca the heroine, she agreed to be her comatose cousin, for her sister's education and allowed herself to be dolled up and paraded for that purpose and even prostituted I say.
I didn't like the hero Theo. He was a shallow, mean jerk to whom money was everything. He first used Larissa his fiancee to make his way into the moneyed world, even though they didn't have an ounce of love between them. Then, the way he treated Becca, like she didn't matter. I don't know why Becca loved him or even slept with him. He didn't even defend her when her uncle was stripping pieces of her though I loved how Becca saw through everything and gave as good as it gets, but even after he starts seeing her as Becca and not Larissa(or how the thought she should be) and feels something for her, he allows her to go to another man, it doesn't happen of course Larissa wakes up and he say's he wouldn't have let it happen, but as Becca says we will never know.
I was glad when she walked away from him, so glad but she took him back so easily when he suddenly says he left everything for her, after being a cold jerk most of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2017
Even more than MAN BEHIND THE SCARS, this book is a classic which places Caitlin Crews in the forefront of the new breed of Harlequin Presents authors.
The plot is very familiar Harlequin -- a poor heroine suddenly becomes the plaything of a rich and powerful man. But what makes this story so intense is Caitlin Crews' unique gift for making powerless heroines seem cool, smart, sexy and in control at all times -- even when they're wise-cracking about how the hero's got a hold over them they can't ever break! Becca is never cowed by Theo, she talks back from the beginning to the end.
Theo is a great hero, though he's a lot sexier seen from Becca's jaded point of view than he is in his own right. The idea of needing Becca to take the place of someone perfect and unattainable (as in THE GREAT GATSBY) made him seem a little sappy at first. But not when the two of them are together!
The thing about Caitlin Crews' books is that when you describe them, they *sound* like all the rest. But when you read them, they're unique. Where else can you hear a Harlequin Presents heroine dropping references to "Narnia" for no reason at all? ("Where did that servant come from? Narnia?") Of course, there are times when she can't help sounding like Tom Joad in her defiance of the rich and all their decadent pleasures. But there's one pleasure she can't resist, and that's passion!
The plot is very familiar Harlequin -- a poor heroine suddenly becomes the plaything of a rich and powerful man. But what makes this story so intense is Caitlin Crews' unique gift for making powerless heroines seem cool, smart, sexy and in control at all times -- even when they're wise-cracking about how the hero's got a hold over them they can't ever break! Becca is never cowed by Theo, she talks back from the beginning to the end.
Theo is a great hero, though he's a lot sexier seen from Becca's jaded point of view than he is in his own right. The idea of needing Becca to take the place of someone perfect and unattainable (as in THE GREAT GATSBY) made him seem a little sappy at first. But not when the two of them are together!
The thing about Caitlin Crews' books is that when you describe them, they *sound* like all the rest. But when you read them, they're unique. Where else can you hear a Harlequin Presents heroine dropping references to "Narnia" for no reason at all? ("Where did that servant come from? Narnia?") Of course, there are times when she can't help sounding like Tom Joad in her defiance of the rich and all their decadent pleasures. But there's one pleasure she can't resist, and that's passion!
July 23, 2011
The heroine Becca is summoned to the home of her upper class relatives, the same relatives that have ignored her all her life and disowned her mother. When she arrives and after a verbal battle with her vile uncle and aunt she meets the hero Theo, whom she immediately feels attracted to. It turns out that Becca's well known heiress cousin has had an accident and is in a coma, and before that happened she apparently changed her will to give away a controlling stake in the family business to one of her lovers. Those shares were meant to go to Theo when they married. They need to find the will and they ask Becca, who looks similar to her cousin, to pretend to be her in order to get the will back from the lover. Becca is disgusted at the events and initially refuses, but agrees when the family agree to give Becca the inheritance that her mother should have got. Becca goes through weeks of learning how to act like her high society cousin and she finds it torture, and the most difficult part is trying to hide her desire for Theo. But when they do start a fling she can't help but think she is just a substitute for her cousin in Theo's eyes.
The plot idea is certainly different and well thought out. I adored the upper class Manhattan setting, and the attitudes of the snobbish relatives were really well portrayed. Some of the best parts of the book are the moments when Becca goes head to head with her horrible uncle, the verbal sparring is masterful. Becca is a wonderful feisty heroine and really made this book. I have to be honest and say that I didn't like Theo as a hero, at times I felt he came across as mean and shallow.
I enjoyed this book the plot is well thought out and the book as a whole is written beautifully, definitely worth reading. The back cover blurb is a little misleading though, so bear that in mind.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
The plot idea is certainly different and well thought out. I adored the upper class Manhattan setting, and the attitudes of the snobbish relatives were really well portrayed. Some of the best parts of the book are the moments when Becca goes head to head with her horrible uncle, the verbal sparring is masterful. Becca is a wonderful feisty heroine and really made this book. I have to be honest and say that I didn't like Theo as a hero, at times I felt he came across as mean and shallow.
I enjoyed this book the plot is well thought out and the book as a whole is written beautifully, definitely worth reading. The back cover blurb is a little misleading though, so bear that in mind.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
May 2, 2012
I adored it! But this is no surprise. Caitlin Crews could write a grocery list and I'd find it entertaining. I love dark, tormented heroes who are so bad you wonder if they can be redeemed, so Theo's questionable morals didn't bother me in the least. *shrug*
If you don't like a shady hero, think twice. But if you do, this is a good one!
If you don't like a shady hero, think twice. But if you do, this is a good one!
September 29, 2012
This is a book which I cannot say I would recommend for a couple of reasons: Firstly, although the story concept intrigued me, the execution left much to be desired. Conflists where resolved with litttle or no real rationale. The characters remained pretty one dimensional and their motivations VERY questionable. I do like it when characters are faced with untenable choices, and even if they make the "wrong" choice but have a shot at redemption. I don't enjoy it when the character just suddenly loves someone, or changes the path they have been on, with no insight, I just feel it is a puppeteer story. BTW, the title is quite misleading. the is no "wife" in the story.
January 15, 2025
This was a good book, different than most others. It was a bit weird but I can’t explain why. Maybe the plot line, the anger both main characters felt and let show.
You definitely felt the pull and connection between the main characters even when they only expressed themselves with anger and insults.
Eventually they get to their HEA, but it was abrupt and the awful protagonists did not get their just desserts which was disappointing.
You definitely felt the pull and connection between the main characters even when they only expressed themselves with anger and insults.
Eventually they get to their HEA, but it was abrupt and the awful protagonists did not get their just desserts which was disappointing.
June 26, 2011
This book may actually deserve a 5* rating but it's not my kind of book. It's very dramatic, not alot of dialogue, lots of introspection. Despite not being my kind of book I couldn't put it down.
At first I thought that if this was a movie it would star Bette Davis or Joan Crawford and I never could watch their movies (when I was 11 or 12 I saw HUSH, HUSH SWEET CHARLOTTE and WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE and after that those ladies terrified me). However then I decided this was more like Katherine Hepburn in a drama, with great dramatic lines and sarcastic one liners.
This is a story about two tortured people finding themselves in each other but in a horrendous situation.
The synopsis above says she cannot fall in love with her husband and this is misinformation as he is not her husband. She takes on the role of pretending to be her cousin who is the H's fiance. BTW this takes place in New York amoung the upper echelon of blue blood ultra rich society. Her relatives are despicable villains that you love to hate. They truly have no redeeming virtues. The H is torn between good and evil.
At first I thought that if this was a movie it would star Bette Davis or Joan Crawford and I never could watch their movies (when I was 11 or 12 I saw HUSH, HUSH SWEET CHARLOTTE and WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE and after that those ladies terrified me). However then I decided this was more like Katherine Hepburn in a drama, with great dramatic lines and sarcastic one liners.
This is a story about two tortured people finding themselves in each other but in a horrendous situation.
The synopsis above says she cannot fall in love with her husband and this is misinformation as he is not her husband. She takes on the role of pretending to be her cousin who is the H's fiance. BTW this takes place in New York amoung the upper echelon of blue blood ultra rich society. Her relatives are despicable villains that you love to hate. They truly have no redeeming virtues. The H is torn between good and evil.
June 28, 2016
I know this book gets an average of 3 stars but I act silly enjoyed it. A few tweaks here and there and it would have been superb!!! Fun filled cheese!! Lol
November 25, 2020
I REALLY enjoyed this one. The h was everything you would want -- fierce and strong but also vulnerable, while the H goes from spiritually bankrupt to one worth having.
August 12, 2011
A solid 3.5 rating. I found the book well written. There was no over-the-top emotion which I hate. She was strong, but feminine, willing to give up and sacrifice much for what she believes in. He on the other hand is such a masterful hero who walks away from his own life-long quest for her. I love that. I adored the minor characters, and Larissa, who we only see in person at the end of the book is so well drawn. There is no fauning and overblow sentiment. It is all restrained and therefore all the more powerful. One of the best modern romances I have read in a long time.
February 25, 2016
I hated this book. The nasty family got off scott free, despite their appalling, hypocritical behaviour. The hero, supposedly in love, doesn't stand up for the heroine when her family call her vile names. They even say they will withhold the money she was promised, not a peep from our hero. I like a book with a bit of justice in it, this book had none. And an alpha hero stands up for his woman, which makes this hero a weak, rude, arrogant tosser. The heroine should have kicked him to the kerb when he tried to weasle his way back in.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2012
unexpectedly emotion-ridden for me. the hero worked his way up to the almost-top from nothing, and the heroine is the illegitimate daughter of the family for whom he works. a bargain is proposed whereby she takes her cousin's place as the hero's fiance, since she is a dead ringer for the comatose cousin, in order to swing a deal that will benefit both the despicable family and the hero. i really liked this book--it seemed to have real emotion and depth for me
June 6, 2011
Really enjoyed this book - something very Gossip Girl about it (programme I adore). Great dialogue too as usual. Can't wait for next title.
April 6, 2012
Becca Whitney has always lived with the knowledge that her blue-blooded family disowned her as a baby. So when she receives a summons to return to the ancestral mansion she’s intrigued. It transpires that Becca bears a striking resemblance to the comatose fiancee of Theo Markou Garcia and he needs Becca to impersonate his fiancee in order to complete an important deal. Becca agrees to pose as Larissa in return for the inheritance she's entitled to but which has so far been denied her.
Becky is a feisty heroine who's not afraid to speak her mind. Some of her best moments are her interactions with her vile uncle. Not bad.
Becky is a feisty heroine who's not afraid to speak her mind. Some of her best moments are her interactions with her vile uncle. Not bad.
July 11, 2012
3.5 stars. Becca is from Old Money, American Royalty by blood only, as her mother was kicked out of the family because of her (by getting pregnant); she’s summons back to the Family home to act as a stand in for the cousin she knows by tabloid stories only, and act as the fiancé to Theo, the all-powerful, hot CEO who wants to be owner. Their attraction is instantaneous. It's undeniable, and they don’t deny it for very long; steamy sex and a love that must have been destiny as it had little time to develop. Overall, it’s a great story, lacking in dialogue for my tastes, but their introspection adds an unexpected element.
Rec'd for free through First Reads program.
Rec'd for free through First Reads program.
August 15, 2016
Εκπληκτικό!!!!!
Τόσο συναίσθημα! Η σκιαγράφηση των χαρακτήρων και των δύο ηρώων, τα συναισθήματά τους, η χημεία μεταξύ τους!!! Όλα ήταν τόσο όμορφα δοσμένα που κυριολεκτικά το ρούφηξα ....
Μου άρεσε πάρα πολύ η περιγραφή των συναισθημάτων και των σκέψεων του ήρωα ... Η πάλη που έδινε με τον εαυτό του και τα συναισθήματά του, τόσο έντονα αποτυπωμένα!!!
Από τα καλύτερα που έχω διαβάσει ...
Άλλη μια συγγραφέας που θα μπει στη λίστα μου!!!
Τόσο συναίσθημα! Η σκιαγράφηση των χαρακτήρων και των δύο ηρώων, τα συναισθήματά τους, η χημεία μεταξύ τους!!! Όλα ήταν τόσο όμορφα δοσμένα που κυριολεκτικά το ρούφηξα ....
Μου άρεσε πάρα πολύ η περιγραφή των συναισθημάτων και των σκέψεων του ήρωα ... Η πάλη που έδινε με τον εαυτό του και τα συναισθήματά του, τόσο έντονα αποτυπωμένα!!!
Από τα καλύτερα που έχω διαβάσει ...
Άλλη μια συγγραφέας που θα μπει στη λίστα μου!!!
July 19, 2012
I usually enjoy Ms. Crewes’ books and her angsty, damaged heroes. But this one failed to engage me. There’s some ick factor at play, with the hero’s falling for his comatose girlfriend’s doppelganger. Overall it was meh. Didn’t like the hero, didn’t like the heroine, didn’t even love to hate the villains. Everyone was average. I say pass.
August 1, 2012
Overall, I enjoyed the storyline and internal conflicts of not feeling good enough for her own person and having prideful goals. But I think the title was misleading and the end a little too easy. I'm a little prejudiced too since I prefer financially 'secure' men
May 31, 2013
I have to say Caitlin Crews blew me away with this wonderful story. I am a lover for love stories that don't always go perfectly right there is always something bad to happen but maybe there will be a happy ending
July 10, 2013
I enjoyed Becca as a heroine. Feisty, but the whole pretending to be someone else and its related confusion and insecurities were dealt with sensitively by Caitlin Crews. Theo was a great alpha male. Very commanding. Enjoyed this book.
September 17, 2012
This was a good quick read for me that I finished in one sitting. Sweet Cinderella type story.
January 1, 2013
Aşkın Gerçek Yüzü..
2,5
yazarın tarzını beğendim aslında ama tam olmamış beni mutlu edemedi istediğim kadar:)
2,5
yazarın tarzını beğendim aslında ama tam olmamış beni mutlu edemedi istediğim kadar:)
January 1, 2013
I couldn't get into it after reading over 100 pages. Not my sorta book but it may be someone elses.
May 1, 2013
This is going to be a general light read. Yay for libraries!
February 2, 2014
too much in their thoughts. I did finish it, but can't say I liked it.
April 14, 2021
We would have a very good material here for a great love story.
My hero has to be mega rich. He has to be rich in his own right. He wanted to own his fiancee's father's company by her giving him her shares as a wedding present. :) haha
We don't how much money he has. He promised he would make his own fortune at the end. I am sure he will.
But because I felt that great tension, chemistry and intelligence, determination, force in him I enjoyed reading this book a lot and I gave it five stars.
My hero has to be mega rich. He has to be rich in his own right. He wanted to own his fiancee's father's company by her giving him her shares as a wedding present. :) haha
We don't how much money he has. He promised he would make his own fortune at the end. I am sure he will.
But because I felt that great tension, chemistry and intelligence, determination, force in him I enjoyed reading this book a lot and I gave it five stars.
February 7, 2019
Did this book have two different authors? Cause it changed gears rapidly so it felt like you missed things when you didn't. The story is good the writing is not, no flow or consistency. The couple boom in love....when? How? Why? Just cause. Don't read, it was too close to be a good story but didn't get anywhere close to being decent. Skippers.
July 22, 2019
Nice but unrealistic that she went from hating her whole family, wealth in general and everything it stands for to falling in love with a guy forcing her to embrace all that for very dubious motives. Nice but I did t really get the motivations of a single member of the Whitney family. Like did they really think this plan would work? Basically the parent trap for girlfriends
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews