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The Christmas the Greek Claimed Her
This marriage of convenience romance from Harlequin Presents author Millie Adams is brimming with dangerously addictive drama and high-stakes attraction.
Her fairy-tale future…
didn’t include a husband!
Maren Hargreave always dreamed of being a princess. So when she wins a castle and a crown in a poker game, she’s convinced she’s found her hard-earned happily-ever-after. But she hadn’t realized that in claiming her prize, she’s also married a billionaire!
In making Maren his wife, Acastus Diakos finally rights the wrongs done to him by her predecessor. But true satisfaction only comes when she yields to their intoxicating passion! Securing his legacy was always his aim, but is Acastus ready for Maren’s Christmas confession? She’s expecting his heirs!
From Harlequin Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.
Read all the From Destitute to Diamonds
Book 1: The Billionaire's Accidental Legacy
Book 2: The Christmas the Greek Claimed Her
Her fairy-tale future…
didn’t include a husband!
Maren Hargreave always dreamed of being a princess. So when she wins a castle and a crown in a poker game, she’s convinced she’s found her hard-earned happily-ever-after. But she hadn’t realized that in claiming her prize, she’s also married a billionaire!
In making Maren his wife, Acastus Diakos finally rights the wrongs done to him by her predecessor. But true satisfaction only comes when she yields to their intoxicating passion! Securing his legacy was always his aim, but is Acastus ready for Maren’s Christmas confession? She’s expecting his heirs!
From Harlequin Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.
Read all the From Destitute to Diamonds
Book 1: The Billionaire's Accidental Legacy
Book 2: The Christmas the Greek Claimed Her
181 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 24, 2023
86 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 20, 2023
This one was okay, not my favorite of MY.
November 2, 2023
The first one was better!
October 26, 2023
I’ve found it very difficult to rate this book. I was rather disappointed - and having been similarly disappointed with some of Mills and Boon’s recent books, I am wondering how much that is because of the author, and how much is because Mills and Boon are trying new directions.
I have loved almost all the books this author has written (whichever incarnation she’s occupying, and from whichever publisher). However, I’ve noticed of late, a development in her books for Mills and Boon which have left me somewhat unimpressed and disgruntled, because they have ceased to be simply entertaining and aspirational and become utterly unbelievable in terms of plot and. character. One expects to suspend disbelief a little, in Mills and Boon but I don’t want to read something where I have to suspend all belief for the duration!
Her writing continues to shine. MA (or whichever name she used) couldn’t write a bad piece of prose if she tried. I love the way she shows what her characters are feeling - not telling as so many inferior writers do. The language is thoughtful and polished. In all of her books, the prose flows beautifully.
But the premise of her books have moved into decidedly more and more unrealistic and downright laughable territory, and the characters have become more like caricatures, one dimensional pantomime figures.
In this duo about two con-artist sisters, the mother abandons her children and leaves them with the sociopathic, gang leader father. The damage done to the children can be barely imagined.
.
In this book the hero despises love, seeing it as a cage and has spent his life attempting to ‘earn’ his mother’s love whilst condemning his father as a weakling. Acquiring the palace island kingdom and having an heir will somehow make him feel he has succeeded?
The plot sees our hero and heroine brought together in the most unbelievable and bizarre circumstances because both want a child (for hugely different reasons), and immediately succumb to their sexual chemistry.
One can almost see the black moment being choreographed from a huge distance and of course we know that we’ll get a happy ending.
I enjoyed a lot of this but I miss the joy of books like ‘Bound to the Warrior’ where there was so much emotional satisfaction and where the h/H can be seen to fall in love as the story develops.
Writing = 5+ stars, premise, plot and characters 2 stars.
I have loved almost all the books this author has written (whichever incarnation she’s occupying, and from whichever publisher). However, I’ve noticed of late, a development in her books for Mills and Boon which have left me somewhat unimpressed and disgruntled, because they have ceased to be simply entertaining and aspirational and become utterly unbelievable in terms of plot and. character. One expects to suspend disbelief a little, in Mills and Boon but I don’t want to read something where I have to suspend all belief for the duration!
Her writing continues to shine. MA (or whichever name she used) couldn’t write a bad piece of prose if she tried. I love the way she shows what her characters are feeling - not telling as so many inferior writers do. The language is thoughtful and polished. In all of her books, the prose flows beautifully.
But the premise of her books have moved into decidedly more and more unrealistic and downright laughable territory, and the characters have become more like caricatures, one dimensional pantomime figures.
In this duo about two con-artist sisters, the mother abandons her children and leaves them with the sociopathic, gang leader father. The damage done to the children can be barely imagined.
.
In this book the hero despises love, seeing it as a cage and has spent his life attempting to ‘earn’ his mother’s love whilst condemning his father as a weakling. Acquiring the palace island kingdom and having an heir will somehow make him feel he has succeeded?
The plot sees our hero and heroine brought together in the most unbelievable and bizarre circumstances because both want a child (for hugely different reasons), and immediately succumb to their sexual chemistry.
One can almost see the black moment being choreographed from a huge distance and of course we know that we’ll get a happy ending.
I enjoyed a lot of this but I miss the joy of books like ‘Bound to the Warrior’ where there was so much emotional satisfaction and where the h/H can be seen to fall in love as the story develops.
Writing = 5+ stars, premise, plot and characters 2 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2024
Maren and Acastus (what a mouthful).
The first book wasn’t great, but it was interesting how the author tried to capture the frenetic thinking of the FMC. So I was curious about this one.
I couldn’t get on board with this one. The “feelings”-brained sister didn’t translate as well to this experiment. For someone so “smart”, from such a threatening, abusive background, the idea that this girl whose never been kissed will be like, “Sure, I’ll tie myself for life to this stranger who just withheld documents to facilitate a marriage I know nothing about, and who’s emotional unavailable and promised to be absent and unfaithful.” was just completely untenable. (Aside from all the legalities of this story’s premise….suspend belief! Suspend belief!) She’s just starting her free, adult life, and she immediately scuttles the possibility of love, fidelity and companionship?
But then to top it with the idea that she’d be like, “OK” we can make a baby with such a person…because he’s sexy and I’m alone…where are her common sense and well-honed street smarts.
And then they’re surprised that they will both be responsible for an actual child. 🤦♀️
The author attempted to make the story angsty. But the characters just circled around the same issues with essentially no change. It got redundant and boring.
Acastus was an ass. Sorry, if a stranger says they just want sex, and they take off without even a goodbye…if they then go no contact for four plus months while knowing I’m pregnant…I would need A LOT to get involved with them again if they suddenly showed up at my door. Instead, Maren is pouring out her issues and spoiling her advantages from the get-go. Girl deserves better.
Overall, not great.
The first book wasn’t great, but it was interesting how the author tried to capture the frenetic thinking of the FMC. So I was curious about this one.
I couldn’t get on board with this one. The “feelings”-brained sister didn’t translate as well to this experiment. For someone so “smart”, from such a threatening, abusive background, the idea that this girl whose never been kissed will be like, “Sure, I’ll tie myself for life to this stranger who just withheld documents to facilitate a marriage I know nothing about, and who’s emotional unavailable and promised to be absent and unfaithful.” was just completely untenable. (Aside from all the legalities of this story’s premise….suspend belief! Suspend belief!) She’s just starting her free, adult life, and she immediately scuttles the possibility of love, fidelity and companionship?
But then to top it with the idea that she’d be like, “OK” we can make a baby with such a person…because he’s sexy and I’m alone…where are her common sense and well-honed street smarts.
And then they’re surprised that they will both be responsible for an actual child. 🤦♀️
The author attempted to make the story angsty. But the characters just circled around the same issues with essentially no change. It got redundant and boring.
Acastus was an ass. Sorry, if a stranger says they just want sex, and they take off without even a goodbye…if they then go no contact for four plus months while knowing I’m pregnant…I would need A LOT to get involved with them again if they suddenly showed up at my door. Instead, Maren is pouring out her issues and spoiling her advantages from the get-go. Girl deserves better.
Overall, not great.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2024
I did like it, but not as much as the first book (Billionaire's Accidental Legacy). The hero in this one was not as enamored with heroine as I would have liked, after getting her pregnant he was able to stay away for 4 months (he said was difficult, but there wasn't any perspective from him during those 4 months). Also his only response to her saying she was pregnant was "good".
I did like the last few chapters when they were finally together. That's when hero finally made decision to stay and make marriage work, to not lead seperate lives.
They did agree that could see other people, but he was faithful during 4 month seperation. He had made decision first time he was with her that he would not be with anyone else and neither would she.
Heroine was good, but she kept making the first moves. When they were in fights and not speaking, she always gave in first. I liked she did not try to contact him during 4 months he stayed away.
She did kind of fall apart though and stayed in her bed for weeks, because she had issues about being abandoned. P.
I did like the last few chapters when they were finally together. That's when hero finally made decision to stay and make marriage work, to not lead seperate lives.
They did agree that could see other people, but he was faithful during 4 month seperation. He had made decision first time he was with her that he would not be with anyone else and neither would she.
Heroine was good, but she kept making the first moves. When they were in fights and not speaking, she always gave in first. I liked she did not try to contact him during 4 months he stayed away.
She did kind of fall apart though and stayed in her bed for weeks, because she had issues about being abandoned. P.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2024
3,5 stars
Tropes : marriage of convenience, cynical hero, grumpy x sunshine
Ending : HEA (6 months old twins and a baby on the way)
Triggers : child abandonment, abuse
Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5
Angst: 🔥🔥🔥/5
OM/OW drama: none
Celibate while separated: yes
Standalone/Series: part of a series but can be read as a standalone
Hero: Acastus Diakos (idk)
Heroine: Maren Hargreave (22)
A quick safe story about a woman with photographic memory running away from her criminal father and still hung up from being left by her mother; a man that dislike his dad for being a failure and having a mom that never appreciated him.
The h basically won a castle from gambling and didn't know a husband was part of a package deal. She wanted a baby to love and he wanted a baby for his legacy.
I enjoyed this quite a bit, nothing exciting nor new so for you who need something safe and quick to read, this would be for you.
Tropes : marriage of convenience, cynical hero, grumpy x sunshine
Ending : HEA (6 months old twins and a baby on the way)
Triggers : child abandonment, abuse
Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5
Angst: 🔥🔥🔥/5
OM/OW drama: none
Celibate while separated: yes
Standalone/Series: part of a series but can be read as a standalone
Hero: Acastus Diakos (idk)
Heroine: Maren Hargreave (22)
A quick safe story about a woman with photographic memory running away from her criminal father and still hung up from being left by her mother; a man that dislike his dad for being a failure and having a mom that never appreciated him.
The h basically won a castle from gambling and didn't know a husband was part of a package deal. She wanted a baby to love and he wanted a baby for his legacy.
I enjoyed this quite a bit, nothing exciting nor new so for you who need something safe and quick to read, this would be for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2024
Another great romance novel, I'm on a roll. Another one I couldn't put down. It starts out interesting, diving right in. And stays interesting, the male and female seem to be equally capable, wealthy and with their hang-ups, compatible in that way, they can understand each other. Really liked that things got going right away, loved the way the heroine handles things, liked the dialogue between the two, seemed at times as if they were verbally dueling. Great romance novel. In fact, I think I will see what else the author has done, might be worth taking a look.
November 1, 2023
A good ending
This is the 2nd book in the series and it was good. The h won a castle in a poker game and she became a princess, unbeknownst to her, she was married to the H due to a clause in the contract. The H was determined to get the castle, he felt it was due to his family. Both had childhood issues and didn’t believe in love. Along the way, they were able to solve their issues and find their HEA. Great epilogue.
This is the 2nd book in the series and it was good. The h won a castle in a poker game and she became a princess, unbeknownst to her, she was married to the H due to a clause in the contract. The H was determined to get the castle, he felt it was due to his family. Both had childhood issues and didn’t believe in love. Along the way, they were able to solve their issues and find their HEA. Great epilogue.
November 2, 2023
Millie Adams is becoming one of my new favorite Harlequin Presents authors. This is the second book in the series and while it was not as good as the first in my opinion there were some passionate and romantic scenes that I loved. I just think she focused too much on their mom/dad issues and less on the romance but still I really enjoyed it!
May 10, 2024
from destitute to diamonds
This book was a awesome read. I love the sisters and their spouses and their stories of abandonment by one patient, and the abuse of another parent that was supposed to love and protect them, and the fight to be better parents than they had to teach them about love and family
This book was a awesome read. I love the sisters and their spouses and their stories of abandonment by one patient, and the abuse of another parent that was supposed to love and protect them, and the fight to be better parents than they had to teach them about love and family
Read
January 3, 2024Bonkers premise for marriage. She wins a castle and title in a poker game. The previous lord owed the hero a bride, so the heroine is now married. Thank you Harlequin for another wild kickoff to a book.
Read
October 2, 2023Contemporary Romance, Holiday, Holiday Romance
Miniseries
From Destitute to Diamonds (Book #2)
Miniseries
From Destitute to Diamonds (Book #2)
Read
October 2, 2023Contemporary Romance, Holiday, Holiday Romance
Miniseries
From Destitute to Diamonds (Book #2)
Miniseries
From Destitute to Diamonds (Book #2)
December 5, 2023
let’s not ask why i ended up reading this book but this was BONKERS crazy to the wall 😭😭😭 no further comment xxx
April 7, 2024
Maren Hargreave always dreamed of being a princess. So when she wins a castle and a crown in a poker game, she’s convinced she’s found her hard-earned happily-ever-after. But she hadn’t realized that in claiming her prize, she’s also married a billionaire!
In making Maren his wife, Acastus Diakos finally rights the wrongs done to him by her predecessor. But true satisfaction only comes when she yields to their intoxicating passion! Securing his legacy was always his aim, but is Acastus ready for Maren’s Christmas confession? She’s expecting his heirs!
From Harlequin Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.
In making Maren his wife, Acastus Diakos finally rights the wrongs done to him by her predecessor. But true satisfaction only comes when she yields to their intoxicating passion! Securing his legacy was always his aim, but is Acastus ready for Maren’s Christmas confession? She’s expecting his heirs!
From Harlequin Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews