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Rich Man's Revenge
Hell-bent on revenge, Italian businessman Rico D'Alessio would stop at nothing to destroy the Sinclair family. Taking eldest daughter Danielle Sinclair as his bride was a start. Making her pregnant with his heir would prove the ultimate payback. But falling for his bride of revenge? Even this most cunning of rich men had not counted on that turn of events or the secrets such a shocking union would reveal.
179 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 2007
18 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Tessa Radley
240 books71 followersUSA Today Bestselling author Tessa Radley considers herself a reader at heart and discovered books at an early age. Growing up in a world surrounded by Nancy Drew, Ken and Flicka, Cherry Ames, Anne of Green Gables, Bilbo Baggins and the ponies of the Pullein-Thompson sisters, she eventually moved on to reading everything she could lay her hands on.
Tessa loves writing books with a little edge and a lot of emotion—the kind she loves to read. Her favourite kind of characters are those caught in seemingly insurmountable circumstances and Tessa wrestles all day long with how to get them in and out of those impossible situations.
Sign up and get updates about Tessa's next book here.
Read excerpts of (most of!) Tessa's books here.
Tessa loves writing books with a little edge and a lot of emotion—the kind she loves to read. Her favourite kind of characters are those caught in seemingly insurmountable circumstances and Tessa wrestles all day long with how to get them in and out of those impossible situations.
Sign up and get updates about Tessa's next book here.
Read excerpts of (most of!) Tessa's books here.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 20, 2021
Just a strange story all around.
Hero worked for the heroine’s father as part of his security team. When heroine was 16, she and the hero were in the same car accident that killed her mother and grievously wounded the driver. Hero was concerned about the heroine’s quiet grief and trauma after the accident and was nice to her. Heroine thought he was in love with her and visited his room one night. Hero was happily married and threw her out. The next night the heroine’s jealous younger sister tried the same thing and he also threw her out. For his troubles, he was accused of rape, was fired and drummed out of the country.
This caused his wife to miscarry, his father to stroke out and for his wife to later commit suicide. Hero has inherited his wealthy wife’s estate and he is now back in New Zealand ready for revenge. Since heroine’s sister is happily married, heroine is the target.
He wants a $, shares in the company, an executive position, and one of the daughters to impregnate. Oh, and the heroine has a stalker as well, so he will be her bodyguard while also blackmailing her and her father.
So – yeah – it doesn’t make a lot of sense. Are you an avenging alpha or a protective alpha? Pick a lane.
Heroine is equally odd. She is traumatized, submissive to her father, but also a talented, workaholic executive.
Heroine’s sister never gets a comeuppance for falsely accusing the hero of rape. Hero’s father was part of it all? He is supposed to be a tyrant, but crumbles at the first hint of a threat from the hero and then has a good cry with the heroine at the end.
Oh, and there’s a kidnapping from the stalker, just for funsies.
I give up.
Hero worked for the heroine’s father as part of his security team. When heroine was 16, she and the hero were in the same car accident that killed her mother and grievously wounded the driver. Hero was concerned about the heroine’s quiet grief and trauma after the accident and was nice to her. Heroine thought he was in love with her and visited his room one night. Hero was happily married and threw her out. The next night the heroine’s jealous younger sister tried the same thing and he also threw her out. For his troubles, he was accused of rape, was fired and drummed out of the country.
This caused his wife to miscarry, his father to stroke out and for his wife to later commit suicide. Hero has inherited his wealthy wife’s estate and he is now back in New Zealand ready for revenge. Since heroine’s sister is happily married, heroine is the target.
He wants a $, shares in the company, an executive position, and one of the daughters to impregnate. Oh, and the heroine has a stalker as well, so he will be her bodyguard while also blackmailing her and her father.
So – yeah – it doesn’t make a lot of sense. Are you an avenging alpha or a protective alpha? Pick a lane.
Heroine is equally odd. She is traumatized, submissive to her father, but also a talented, workaholic executive.
Heroine’s sister never gets a comeuppance for falsely accusing the hero of rape. Hero’s father was part of it all? He is supposed to be a tyrant, but crumbles at the first hint of a threat from the hero and then has a good cry with the heroine at the end.
Oh, and there’s a kidnapping from the stalker, just for funsies.
I give up.
September 2, 2009
I’m not really into SD stories, but this one was a truly nice surprise. It was a nice combination of a little bit of everything I like in a story – drama, suspense, romance, laughter, tears, steam (that last bedroom scene was hot!), and a nice little revenge scheme thrown in for the fun of it.
I don’t particularly like revenge-driven plots in HQ and S books, because they’re usually pretty shallow and fall short. This was different, the hero actually had a pretty good reason for wanting revenge and though his plan was cruel and heartless, I somehow understood him (if not condoned his actions). The guy had lost everything, his wife, his child, his home, his reputation.
But despite his rage and disdain for everything to do with the heroine’s family, there was that little spark, always hovering in the background. It turned him from cruel and heartless bastard intent on revenge into a man that had lost everything, wanted to make the heroine and her family pay, yet he somehow still couldn’t bring himself to go all the way.
Danielle, the heroine, wasn’t your typical SD chick (though, I’m no expert on what makes SD heroines tick). Under her father’s thumb for years, she desperately wanted to get free and took the opportunity Rico offered with both hands. Yet, she was no pushover. She had her goals, she had her vision, and she wanted to live her fantasy life for as long as she could. Because her secret, the last lie and ultimate betrayal, would surely drive him away sooner than he expected.
Their romance was sweet, tender, and slow-blooming, covering all ranges from traumatic-events-inspired friendship of four years ago, to disdain and hate (thanks to Danielle’s little sister), to fury and revenge-driven rage, to tentative companionship and friendship, and ultimately love…With the requisite happy ending of course.
The only thing spoiling this was the predictability of the resolution to the heroine’s dark little secret (like we didn’t see that one coming a mile away!), the villain (though the suspense undertone set everything in motion, the villain and his motivations just didn’t convince me), and the extremely poor editing on some pages (I usually don’t notice that, small and few mistakes don’t bother me, but the sometimes sloppy editing in this story really caught my eye).
A really great story, with two wonderful – and realistic – characters with amazing chemistry. A keeper! 4 ½ stars
I don’t particularly like revenge-driven plots in HQ and S books, because they’re usually pretty shallow and fall short. This was different, the hero actually had a pretty good reason for wanting revenge and though his plan was cruel and heartless, I somehow understood him (if not condoned his actions). The guy had lost everything, his wife, his child, his home, his reputation.
But despite his rage and disdain for everything to do with the heroine’s family, there was that little spark, always hovering in the background. It turned him from cruel and heartless bastard intent on revenge into a man that had lost everything, wanted to make the heroine and her family pay, yet he somehow still couldn’t bring himself to go all the way.
Danielle, the heroine, wasn’t your typical SD chick (though, I’m no expert on what makes SD heroines tick). Under her father’s thumb for years, she desperately wanted to get free and took the opportunity Rico offered with both hands. Yet, she was no pushover. She had her goals, she had her vision, and she wanted to live her fantasy life for as long as she could. Because her secret, the last lie and ultimate betrayal, would surely drive him away sooner than he expected.
Their romance was sweet, tender, and slow-blooming, covering all ranges from traumatic-events-inspired friendship of four years ago, to disdain and hate (thanks to Danielle’s little sister), to fury and revenge-driven rage, to tentative companionship and friendship, and ultimately love…With the requisite happy ending of course.
The only thing spoiling this was the predictability of the resolution to the heroine’s dark little secret (like we didn’t see that one coming a mile away!), the villain (though the suspense undertone set everything in motion, the villain and his motivations just didn’t convince me), and the extremely poor editing on some pages (I usually don’t notice that, small and few mistakes don’t bother me, but the sometimes sloppy editing in this story really caught my eye).
A really great story, with two wonderful – and realistic – characters with amazing chemistry. A keeper! 4 ½ stars
April 24, 2012
In a book where most of the characters do something that is pretty bad, the craziest part was the heroine, who was blackmailed by the hero into marrying him and promising to sign over all rights of her first child, starts to feel really guilty that she didn't tell the guy who wanted to steal her hypothetical child that she probably couldn't get pregnant. Really?
This book would have worked better as a Presents with more angst. The set up was kind of ridiculous, it didn't make sense. Then people who did crazy bad things, like her sister falsely accusing the hero of rape years ago, was just totally forgiven.
Overall, I wasn't impressed with the story or writing.
This book would have worked better as a Presents with more angst. The set up was kind of ridiculous, it didn't make sense. Then people who did crazy bad things, like her sister falsely accusing the hero of rape years ago, was just totally forgiven.
Overall, I wasn't impressed with the story or writing.
June 19, 2014
4 Stars ~ Four years ago, forced to leave New Zealand, Rico had lost everything; his dignity, his reputation, his wife and his unborn child, all because of a lie told by Danielle's sister, Kim. And now Kim finding happiness with a man she loves confesses her lie. Rico receives the call from his attorney that he's in the clear from the false charges, just as he learns his father has suffered a stroke. At his father's bedside, Rico responds to his plea for a male heir to carry on the family name with a heartfelt promise. It's time for Kim to pay for her deceit, and for her father to pay for his role in his wife's miscarriage and then suicide.
Danielle was relieved to see her sister happily married. Ever since the tragic death of their mother when Danielle was 16 and Kim was 15, Danielle had taken responsibility for her sister. Danielle had had a huge crush on Rico, he'd been the one holding her hand in the crushed car during the hours the firemen tried desperately to cut her and her mother out. Faced with her mother's dying breaths and her own injuries, Rico had comforted her. And all during the year after the accident when Danielle seemed to withdraw from the world, Rico had always been kind to her. Her feelings for him grew and one night she had gone to him, but he'd rejected her, reminding her that he was married and had a child on the way. And then Kim had told her lies, lies that Rico had tried to seduce her, and when he and his wife had fled New Zealand, Danielle could only believe in the lies.
Summoned to her father's study, Danielle is shocked to find Rico there. He's back and Danielle learns that truth about Kim's lies. Rico wants retribution; first with the shares in her father's company that had been taken from him, and he wants the position in the company that should rightfully be his, he wants to be CEO. Rico is a security specialist and when it comes to light that Danielle has a stalker, one that is escalating in his threats, he takes her protection personally. In fact, he concocts the plan that they undergo a fake wedding, and let the world see them as happily married. This will help to reinstate his tattered reputation and warn off the stalker that Danielle is no longer vulnerable. When hours after the very public pretend wedding, Rico demands that they privately marry legally, Danielle is shocked to learn his reason. He wants Danielle to pay the price he would have demanded from Kim, that a child be created to take the place of the one he lost. If Danielle disagrees, Rico will use all his resources to ruin Kim's marriage, and then he'll take Kim. What Rico doesn't know is that Danielle still desires him, and she's more than willing to let him be her lover, but he'll never have that child, the accident years ago had seen to that.
This is an emotionally charged story that had me hooked from the first pages. Rico's ruthless in what he thinks he wants, but Danielle's always held a soft spot for him. Still grieving for his wife and child, he feels guilt over the desire and protectiveness Danielle inspires in him. Danielle has always been under her father's control, but now a marriage to Rico can finally be the tool to break out and be on her own. They use each other for their own benefits, but their explosive chemistry soon makes it clear there is much more to their marriage than just lust and revenge. I thoroughly enjoyed this angsty romance from Ms. Radley.
Danielle was relieved to see her sister happily married. Ever since the tragic death of their mother when Danielle was 16 and Kim was 15, Danielle had taken responsibility for her sister. Danielle had had a huge crush on Rico, he'd been the one holding her hand in the crushed car during the hours the firemen tried desperately to cut her and her mother out. Faced with her mother's dying breaths and her own injuries, Rico had comforted her. And all during the year after the accident when Danielle seemed to withdraw from the world, Rico had always been kind to her. Her feelings for him grew and one night she had gone to him, but he'd rejected her, reminding her that he was married and had a child on the way. And then Kim had told her lies, lies that Rico had tried to seduce her, and when he and his wife had fled New Zealand, Danielle could only believe in the lies.
Summoned to her father's study, Danielle is shocked to find Rico there. He's back and Danielle learns that truth about Kim's lies. Rico wants retribution; first with the shares in her father's company that had been taken from him, and he wants the position in the company that should rightfully be his, he wants to be CEO. Rico is a security specialist and when it comes to light that Danielle has a stalker, one that is escalating in his threats, he takes her protection personally. In fact, he concocts the plan that they undergo a fake wedding, and let the world see them as happily married. This will help to reinstate his tattered reputation and warn off the stalker that Danielle is no longer vulnerable. When hours after the very public pretend wedding, Rico demands that they privately marry legally, Danielle is shocked to learn his reason. He wants Danielle to pay the price he would have demanded from Kim, that a child be created to take the place of the one he lost. If Danielle disagrees, Rico will use all his resources to ruin Kim's marriage, and then he'll take Kim. What Rico doesn't know is that Danielle still desires him, and she's more than willing to let him be her lover, but he'll never have that child, the accident years ago had seen to that.
This is an emotionally charged story that had me hooked from the first pages. Rico's ruthless in what he thinks he wants, but Danielle's always held a soft spot for him. Still grieving for his wife and child, he feels guilt over the desire and protectiveness Danielle inspires in him. Danielle has always been under her father's control, but now a marriage to Rico can finally be the tool to break out and be on her own. They use each other for their own benefits, but their explosive chemistry soon makes it clear there is much more to their marriage than just lust and revenge. I thoroughly enjoyed this angsty romance from Ms. Radley.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2020
leído marzo 2014
**1.5 estrellas
Malaso con mucho drama innecesario
**1.5 estrellas
Malaso con mucho drama innecesario
April 13, 2011
Rico D'Alessio is out for revenge on the Sinclair family. Once a faithful employee and happily married, Rico was accused of raping his boss' daughter, Kimberly. Father, Robert, made sure Rico had no choice but to leave the country. But Rico's horrors didn't end their. After his wife lost their child, she committed suicide. Leaving Rico richer than he ever wanted to pay the price for. Now, he's determined to have revenge, only to find, Kimberly has just gotten married.
Danielle is shocked to find Rico in her father's office. Adding to the shock she learns her sister lied about Rico ever touching her. If that's not bad enough, her life is being threatened and Rico is going to be her unofficial bodyguard. Although if Danielle is honest with herself, spending time with Rico isn't that bad.
Danielle has had a crush of Rico up until he turned her down the night she went to his room in only undergarments when she was 18. Soon after that he was accused and she never thought she would see him again.
Although Rico can't take revenge on Kimberly, he sets his plan in motion using Danielle. For her underwear was also found in his room, which only made the evidence stronger. Using the threats against her, Rico suggest a 'fake marriage'. Thinking whoever is after her will make a move if he thinks Danielle is taken.
But once the fake ceremony is over, Rico sees this as his perfect opportunity to fulfill his father's wishes. Telling Danielle is she doesn't make their wedding official and bear him a son, then he will destroy her sister's new marriage.
Furious at the way things have turned, Danielle agrees, signing away legal rights to the child they will have, but she has her own card up her sleeve. In return he helps her get out from under her father's control.
As time goes on, both get accustomed to the other. Rico begins questioning whether he can really take Danielle's child away from her after losing her mother in a car crash that he and Danielle were both in.
Finally realizing she loves Rico, Danielle tells Rico the accident left her sterile. That she can't give him the one thing he and his father wants. Furious, Rico flies home after receiving a phone call about his father in the hospital. There he begins questioning what's truly important to him in his life. Although the prospect of not having a child is not something he ever considered, living without Danielle he isn't willing to do.
However before he can get back to her, she is taken. Fighting the fear of losing her forever, Rico realizes revenge isn't what he wants anymore. When he saves her he promises nothing will stop him from loving her, not even not having a baby. Which she responds....I think I'm pregnant.
Danielle is shocked to find Rico in her father's office. Adding to the shock she learns her sister lied about Rico ever touching her. If that's not bad enough, her life is being threatened and Rico is going to be her unofficial bodyguard. Although if Danielle is honest with herself, spending time with Rico isn't that bad.
Danielle has had a crush of Rico up until he turned her down the night she went to his room in only undergarments when she was 18. Soon after that he was accused and she never thought she would see him again.
Although Rico can't take revenge on Kimberly, he sets his plan in motion using Danielle. For her underwear was also found in his room, which only made the evidence stronger. Using the threats against her, Rico suggest a 'fake marriage'. Thinking whoever is after her will make a move if he thinks Danielle is taken.
But once the fake ceremony is over, Rico sees this as his perfect opportunity to fulfill his father's wishes. Telling Danielle is she doesn't make their wedding official and bear him a son, then he will destroy her sister's new marriage.
Furious at the way things have turned, Danielle agrees, signing away legal rights to the child they will have, but she has her own card up her sleeve. In return he helps her get out from under her father's control.
As time goes on, both get accustomed to the other. Rico begins questioning whether he can really take Danielle's child away from her after losing her mother in a car crash that he and Danielle were both in.
Finally realizing she loves Rico, Danielle tells Rico the accident left her sterile. That she can't give him the one thing he and his father wants. Furious, Rico flies home after receiving a phone call about his father in the hospital. There he begins questioning what's truly important to him in his life. Although the prospect of not having a child is not something he ever considered, living without Danielle he isn't willing to do.
However before he can get back to her, she is taken. Fighting the fear of losing her forever, Rico realizes revenge isn't what he wants anymore. When he saves her he promises nothing will stop him from loving her, not even not having a baby. Which she responds....I think I'm pregnant.
July 28, 2021
No tiene sentido. Todos los sucesos son confusos, hay errores graves que hacen los personajes y son facil y rapidamente olvidados y perdonados como si tal cosa. No digo que no sea entretenido pero no es lo mejor.
December 18, 2021
this book sucked ngl, it read like fanfic written by a 12 year old on wattpad. the main character’s actions were pretty aggravating at times. i also personally hated the ending lol
November 21, 2014
Normalita. Le faltó intensidad sexual
September 25, 2009
Modern
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews