The Sheikh's Bartered Bride

Royal Brides #1

by Lucy Monroe

After a whirlwind courtship, Sheikh Hakim bin Omar al Kadar proposes marriage. Shy, innocent Catherine Benning has already fallen head-over-heels in love and she accepts....

After their wedding day--and night--when the sheikh claims his virgin wife, Catherine and Hakim travel to his desert kingdom. There Catherine discovers that this is no love match for Hakim--he's bought her!

Genres: Harlequin, Romance, Harlequin Presents, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Marriage Of Convenience, Royalty

186 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

I write spicy romance books that end in an HEA. Contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance…I write it all. The two things my books all have in common is lots of emotion and spice. Last year, I fell in love with a new subgenre: mafia romance. Since I write what I love to read, I started a new standalone series, Syndicate Rules where you’ll meet over the top alpha heroes in the Italian and Greek mafias as well as the Irish mob. There are arranged marriages, forced marriages, enemies to lovers, stalkers, forced proximity and lots of mafia intrigue. Morally gray is my new favorite color.

Follow me on BookBub for alerts on my next release: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lucy-...

I’ve been published a while and most of my 90+ books have hit the Nielson Bookscan bestseller list, a few ended up on the USA Today bestseller list and some even hit national bestseller lists in the UK and Australia. My books have been translated into numerous languages and are for sale in dozens of countries around the world. I’ve won awards and been published with most of the big houses in New York, but my greatest achievement is touching readers’ hearts. When I hear from a reader who got caught up in one of my books, I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do.

I love writing emotionally deep stories with snappy dialogue and solid plots. I’m more grateful than I’ll ever be able to express that so many readers have taken my stories into their hearts and put my books on their reread and keeper shelves.

Reviews

[StMargarets · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet, day-dreamer heroine meets and marries the Seattle-based sheikh hero and then discovers their relationship had been arranged by her father and his uncle. She is hurt by the deception.

The conflict doesn't occur until the second half and the reader already knows the hero is smitten, so the angst is fairly mild.

I think I would enjoy this more during a second reading without any expectations of angst. The H/h are both great characters and their story is sweet.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book! Beautiful romance between an arrogant Sheikh and a romantic librarian. In my opinion, LM never fails to deliver a touching, sexy romance. Hero's arrogance was so funny and endearing. He respects and protects the heroine and his old fashioned courtship made me swoon. He is an alpha male with heart, very much in love with Catherine. He doesn't express his feelings with words but his actions show a devoted honorable husband.

Catherine was so sweet, shy and naive originally but I liked how she decided to stay and fight for her marriage even when she thought Hakim had married her out of duty. I felt her vulnerability and desperate need to belong and I felt the warmth and the lust from Hakim when he was around Catherine. Sweet and heart warming romance!!

[AvidReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one had it all. The delicious angst, drama, passion, feisty heroine and alpha hero!
I adored the hero. Arrogant but compassionate. You could see from the beginning itself how enamored he was with the heroine. His actions made me swoon. Heroine- she had sass and spine. She was sweet and bold.
Loved the story, setup and dialogues. The bedouin scenes were written very well.
Ending I enjoyed especially.
Recommended.

[MelissaB · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of this book was hard to read because the heroine had no self-esteem and seemed way too naive about men for a 24 year old. Plus we know the whole time the hero is deliberately courting her to make her fall for him so he can marry her as part of a business deal, so I couldn't trust anything he said.

The second half really picks up after Catherine finds out about Hakim's real motivation. She grew a backbone but she also thought things through and gave their marriage a chance. I thought Hakim could have been a little more apologetic but he does show Catherine that she is important to him.

It's not the best Harlequin I have read and the first half is slow and frustrating but the second half turned it into a decent story with a sweet ending.

[Donnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet romance. I loved Catherine and Hakim!

[*CJ* · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Sheikhs Bartered Bride" is the story of Hakim and Catherine.
Catherine, the shy librarian is swept away by the Arab Sheikh Hakim into a whirlwind courtship and marriage.
However what she though originated from love actually turns out to be a agreement between Hakim's uncle and her father!
What I liked about this story was
-the h stood up for herself
-the H wasn't a manwhore
-A persistent hero who fought to keep the marriage going and as the book progresses you actually see him starting to care for the h
-Sizzling chemistry and love making
-cute ending
I only wished it had an epilogue!
Overall, it was one of the better sheikh books and totally enjoyed it.
Safe
3.5/5

[Danielle The Book Huntress · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, more than I thought I would. Although Catherine was insecure, it was very believable why she had her insecurities. And although Karim did marry her without telling her it was an arranged marriage, he had good reasons. I was glad that although Catherine did spend a short time being angry with him, she did try to put that behind her and make the most of her marriage because she did see that he had best intentions to be a good husband to her.

[Mou: Fae of Heartfelt ARC · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[RomLibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a whirlwind courtship, Sheikh Hakim bin Omar al Kadar proposes marriage. Shy, innocent Catherine Benning has already fallen head-over-heels in love and she accepts....After their wedding day--and night--when the sheikh claims his virgin wife, Catherine and Hakim travel to his desert kingdom. There Catherine discovers that this is no love match for Hakim--he's bought her!
After a whirlwind courtship, Sheikh Hakim bin Omar al Kadar proposes marriage. Shy, innocent Catherine Benning has already fallen head-over-heels in love and she accepts....

[Jacqueline J · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just okay. She was pretty wimpy and he didn't come out of it smelling like a rose. I guess it just wasn't romantic enough for me. The first part where he was fake romancing her was too long for my tastes and the end was just so so

[Lu Bielefeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK decent reads.
======================
Reread: July, 2019
Read: September, 2012 (paperback)

Catherine Marie Benning was unaware that she was to become his wife. Her father wanted it that way.

Harold Benning also saw the marriage as beneficial. His concern over the continued single state of his twenty-four-year old daughter had been obvious. According to him, she never even dated.

This was unexpected. Her picture had revealed a pretty woman, but nothing like the exotic beauties he had bedded in the past. That he should react so readily to such an innocent sight made him stop in his journey toward her.

A genuine physical attraction on his part would make the job of her seduction that much easier.

She was too shy to pursue men and too ordinary to be pursued. Yet something about Hakim compelled her to step outside her comfort zone.

The latent and untapped passion he sensed in her would play to his advantage, making it easy for him to seduce her into marriage and fulfill his duty.

Catherine had agreed to be his wife. His uncle would be pleased. Her father would be pleased. Hakim was pleased. Marriage to Catherine would be no hardship.

“We considered marriage.” “But you broke up.” “She did not fancy life in a backwater like Jawhar.” The way he said the words, Catherine got the impression he was quoting the faceless woman he had once considered marrying verbatim.

Satisfaction coursed through her at the knowledge that her father had had nothing to do with her and Hakim meeting. She wasn’t a pity date, or being eyed as a possible way into her father’s good graces.

He could never tell her of the plans associated with their marriage. She would not understand.

“I was just a pity date.”

Catherine’s mind was still stuck on the concept that a marriage had been part of the mining deal. Her marriage? “You mean Hakim’s duty was to marry me?” Catherine whispered in dawning horror.

Catherine wondered if there was any other way of putting it. “The further benefits of my marriage to your husband’s cousin were the long-term living visas in case political dissidents made them necessary?” she asked, clarifying it in her mind as she spoke.

She’d been betrayed on every level. Her father had lied to her. Her husband had lied to her. She’d been used as a means to an end by a king she’d never even met before today.

She’d felt the pain of rejection many times in her life, but nothing had ever been like this.

“I thought you loved me.” “I never said I loved you.” Her heart felt like it shattered in her chest. “No. You didn’t, but you knew I believed it was me you wanted.” “I did want to marry you, Catherine.” “Because it fulfilled your duty to your uncle and because my father made it part of his filthy mining deal with an opportunistic king.”

“You married me because your uncle told you to.” His arms tightened around her, but he did not deny it.

She had believed he loved her and he didn’t. She felt betrayed by him, by her father and by her own misreading of the situation.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars! ~ Sheikh Hakim bin Omar al Kadar set out to woe Catherine Benning and he succeeded in sweeping her off her feet. Catherine was very much in love when she accepted his marriage proposal and she thought Hakim felt the same way. After their fairy tale wedding in Seattle, they flew to Jawhar to meet his family and have another ceremony prepared by his grandfather. At their first dinner in Jawhar, Catherine learns that her marriage had been arranged by the King and her father; her father's company received lucrative mining contracts and the royal family of Jawhar earned family status for emergency visas to the US because Catherine was an American citizen. There is civil unrest, and the King feared there may be a time those visas would be necessary to protect the family. Catherine is devastated to learn that Hakim married her out of duty. Hakim has to convince her that whatever the reason the marriage began, that it was how they lived from then on that really mattered.

Another wonderful story by Ms. Monroe. Hakim is a honourable man very much rooted to his country and thoroughly enchanted with Catherine. Theirs is a perfect match

[Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Synopsis - Catherine Benning is a 24-year-old virgin librarian. During her formative years, she felt like an outcast among her peers and her family due to an early growth spurt and disfiguring acne. After her ugly duckling days were behind her, she never gained confidence in her own appeal. This was only compounded when her parents tried to set her up with men who she thought were more interested in a connection to her wealthy father than in her personally. She's unaware that the sexy sheikh sweeping her off her feet is her father's latest attempt to marry her off. When she learns that her marriage to Hakim is part of a business arrangement between his uncle and her father, and that they deliberately kept her in the dark, she is hurt and unsure whether she can stay in this marriage, let alone trust her husband again.

Hakim bin Omar al Kadar was ten when he and his sister escaped the assassination attempt that claimed his parents. Since that day, his duties to his family and country have left him isolated. Arranged marriages and dowries are common in his world, but he will protect Catherine's feelings if the reasons bringing them together will cause her pain. He finally has a woman to build a life and family with, and as with his family and people, he will do whatever he must to take care of and protect what is his. When Catherine learns the details of her father's arrangement and acknowledges that Hakim never actually claimed to love her, she wants to end their marriage. Her sheikh will not allow that, even if he has to kidnap her himself.

Review - Finally finished Lucy Monroe's Royal Brides series! Yeah, this one was supposed to go first, but while these characters popped up a few times, none of the other stories depended on this plot. There were a few points when I wanted to give up on this story, because Catherine was really getting on my nerves! I'm glad I held onto my past experiences with Monroe. One thing I appreciate about her HP books: she often challenges her characters to a higher standard of living out the love they profess. The heroines don't get a free pass to sulk, just because they have declared love but are feeling hurt.

Hakim isn't perfect, but he is usually trying to act in everyone's best interests. There are no real villains here, just misunderstandings and questionable/debatable choices. He keeps his promises, and he has promised Catherine fidelity, honesty, and to consider her interests above those of others. While he's still learning to get Catherine's input in what might be her best interests, he's usually patient and considerate with her. He rightfully calls her out about claiming to love him and threatening to divorce him so shortly afterward. What ultimately keeps these two apart for so long is their individual insecurities and ignorance of those belonging to the other.

The "love" scenes were generally awkward, especially the first make-out session, but maybe that was just me. The last scene of the book also felt sort of disjointed and inconsistent, but the HEA glow kind of dulled that. Catherine annoyed me for the vast majority of the book, although she did eventually grow and get better. Monroe effectively bought back some sympathy for her by restricting us to her perspective during the time she sorts through her reactions to finding out about the arrangement. It was fun, but I don't think I would read this again.

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of those stories that is so filled with angsty drama that I can't put it down. It was a short and engaging story. But the characters! Argh. Catherine is a 24-year-old virgin who has never been on a date, likes astronomy and is a librarian. She has more self-esteem issues than you can shake a stick at...from her being so tall (not really) to not being model slender (she's average) to the stretch marks on her arms and legs from her teenage growth spurt. She's also somewhat traumatized by her experience of having had horrible acne scars that she had removed when she was 19. Quite frankly she's a naive doormat who has a similar personality to a dishrag. Her father arranges her marriage to Sheikh Hakim, who is doing his duty to his uncle, who was the other party in the arranging. He's an arrogant borderline asshat who emanates fury rather often and thinks his little woman should do his bidding. In fact, he likes how biddable his wife is, until she isn't. He wooes her, proposes and they marry. And how does no one think that this isn't going to turn out badly? She finds out of course. Then her personality shines as she is livid! I loved it! But then I had to get a bit upset because, although she waited a proper amount of time to bestow forgiveness, she didn't get an apology and the hero never really saw anything bad about what he'd done. So that was extremely disappointing. And how could she forgive Hakim and not her father in the same breath? I didn't one hundred percent like the way it all ended, I think Hakim was disastrously short on the grovel overall, but I did like reading this story.

[Roub · Rating 1 out of 5]

the heroine clearly had no pride n was really dumb..he never said he loved her !? hw can she assume he did ? n she still wanted 2 be his wife after learning the truth. the book was well written n entertaining but i cud not bear the naivete of the heroine. it disgusts me. in her place, i wud have made him grovel

[Penny Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hated the first half of this book. UGH! But then the 2nd half perked up. One of those.

[Desi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leído el 23/09/2010

[amanda s. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, this one is.. Good.

Catharine with her shy attitude's falling all over Hakim, Prince of Jawhar. When he asked her to marry him, she said yes right away and flew happily to Jawhar. Until she found out that Hakim insisted to marry her only for her father and his uncle's benefits..

The ending is kind of disappointing. Because I expect some action where Cat got hurt or got shot or something like that and Hakim's sooo sad and regret for not telling her that he loves her. I expect scene like that but eventually.. Nothing. The storyline's good, and Catharine's one strong hellcat for arguing with him. She just don't give up and I adore her for that.
And Hakim, he should be more open or at least more "bending" because he's so stiff and official towards Cat. Weird.

But so far, this book is good. Short reading but good.

[Dean MacKinnon-Thomson · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5

A enjoyably enough piece with big letdowns.

Let down one: the female protagonist is the ultimate anti-feminist wrapped in pretendie feminist clothing. She eventually just abandons her apparent principles and values on equal treatment in favour of Hakim cock, his brooding stares and 'cos she gets knocked up preggers

Let down two: there was a total anti-climax twice in this novel. Firstly between Catherine & Hakim after she discovered the truth about their marriage. And two, with her father when she at the end simply let the matter drop. This female protag is a total failure, a smack, a left-hook in the face of the feminist movement.

Let down three: there is no subplot. The hinted at stuff about political dissidents fails to materialise into any kind of subplot device. What you see is what you get.

#lesigh

[Leona · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I liked that the hero..Hakim was so different. I thought the author did a wonderful job of portraying an alpha character but within the limitations of his culture. Catherine's shyness and naivete were credible. Hakims use of language and courteous manners fit the image. I loved the whole courtship thing..and it was a nice change of pace to see the two of them really wiling to work out their differences and respecting that their marriage was not disposable.

If you are looking for something a little bit different from the typical HP, try this one. I don't think you will be disappointed!

[Jazzysmum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable reread for me.
It had just enough angst not to be off putting, The heart break that Catherine our h felt when she discovered that she had been part of deal between her new husband - Sheik Hakim , her father and his uncle the King was palpable.
I'm not so sure I would have been as quick to forgive my father if he felt he needed to meddle in my life when I was shy and unmarried at only 24!!

But a HEA ensues for Catherine and her sexy sheikh :)

[MaryD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sheikh Hakim bin Omar al Kadar's uncle has made an agreement with Catherine Benning's father concerning mining rights. As part of the agreement, Hakim is to marry Catherine. The problem? Catherine doesn't know about the agreement and believes that Hakim is marrying her for love. She finds out that both her new husband and her father have lied to her and betrayed her.

A good story, well-told, though I wish Hakim had grovelled a little.

[Kit Sinatra · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

SO SO GOOD THE ANGST THE CHEMISTRY JUST CHEFS KISS

[Laini · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really have a failing. If I could just stop as soon a book disappoints me... this level of anger would not happen. But noooo. My OCD brings on the compulsion to mechanically finish it.

I'd read reviews before starting and expected a tame story. Something sweet and less angsty.

Hero makes a deal with heroine's father to marry her, seeks her out and woos her. She falls head over heels. Then she finds out about the deal and feels betrayed by her father and her husband.

Rightfully so.

My hard limit was when Hakim shows Catherine in no uncertain terms, how much power he really weilds. He stops a plane she takes to try to leave him. Forces her to go meet his grandfather and have a second marriage ceremony.

And she just has to swallow this because he's brought her out into the middle of the desert and sent the helicopter away. Effectively isolating her.

AND THEN, has the audacity to ask if she's thought about the fact that she might be pregnant. And ALSO how shameful it would be to him and his family if she doesn't go through with all of the ceremony.

Boy oh boy. This guy is a real winner.

What about her feelings buddy?

Time and again she is shocked as he turns into a stranger that really frightens her. He ignores her feelings and shouts quite a couple times at her.

But then in a warped discussion tells HER, what is this love that would make her want a divorce right after marrying him when he would stand by her because of his duty and honor.

Well I really want to use some bad words here.

A woman wrote this book right? And yet she draws the scene to his favor, having the heroine question her own feelings now.

Since when are we supposed to love until the point where we can't stand up for ourselves? So if I love you, I'm supposed to love you regardless of how many times you hurt me?

I'll never decide to do what's in my best interest? I'll just keep falling on that sword for years to come?

This is the shit that messes us up when we grow up reading these things and then behave the same in real relationships.

If anyone is reading this and saying well it's all fiction. You should know better. I'll tell you I'm that example. No good role models so I lived in books from an early age.

If I ever get published I'm determined to spread something woman positive. Something that teaches confused people like I was, that being in love does not mean you have to be a fool.

Like this heroine.

And I'be really left this story feeling quite worried about her future to be honest. With that selfish, manipulative, dick.

End rant.

[Sania · Rating 3 out of 5]

Standalone/Cliffhanger: Standalone
Ages of H and h:Catherine is 24 and Hakim is 30
Multi-Luv'n/Ménages: No
Was There Descriptive Sex: Yes
Descriptive Sex &/Or Drama Between H/h With OW/OM: No, but Hakim was hurt by a past love
>>If So, Before or After H/h Hookup: N/A
Contains Cheating: No
Amount of Sex In The Book: A decent amount.
HEA/HFN/etc Ending: HEA
Will This Meet My 'Safety Gang' Buddies' Approval: Yes
Any Triggers/Warnings: No
>>Detail: N/A
Do You Recommend This Book: Yes.
Will You Re-read This Book: No
Would You Read More Books By This Author: Yes

My Thoughts
For starters I kept reading the title as The Sheikh's Battered Bride which wasn't good! I've been on a LM book kick lately. It's your typical Harlequin story, virgin heroine, chauvinistic hero, conflict and then a happy ending

[Donna]

I won this as a prize from the authors website. What little girl hasn't at one time wanted to be stolen away by a gorgeous desert sheikh? Twenty four year old virgin Cat Benning lives in her world of dreams working at the library and looking at the stars. Into that world comes Sheikh Hakim. He sweeps her off her feet with a whirlwind courtship and marriage. Then Cat discovers she’s been set up. Her father is working a deal with Hakim’s king and the marriage is part of the deal. There is a clash of cultures and emotions. I like the way that at one point the girl gets a spine. I like the gentle way that Hakim never gives up. I think however I would have been less polite with the dad.

[Mtve41 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well not the best sheikh book I’ve read. It didn’t pick my interest till the romance picks up halfway and the h and H are married.

The h is a librarian, rather lost and dreamy, creating a fantasy in her head that one day a magical sheikh would come and woo her. Uhhhh. She also lacked sass and her hobbies included star gazing and astronomy which are a total antithesis of mine. So no.

Enters sheikh Hakim who was a charming, old fashioned and extremely well mannered H. He has accepted an arranged marriage with the h with some trade deal between the families but the h is unaware.

He starts as a perfect gentleman with a clear intention of wooing the h. The h is caught unawares but later admits to falling in love with him in some short weeks. But as soon as she finds out, post marriage, that their union was “arranged” and their meeting was no chance meeting, she loses her marbles.

The h was SO opposed to an arranged marriage that she was ready to do anything to bring collateral damage. She felt violated for being misled to believe that her marriage was a union of “love”. I couldn’t find any place where the H confesses that, but since the h is all lost in her day dreaming, she possibly conjures all that in her head and the rest of the book is her throwing a hissy fit about it.

The H was a tender lover who was just about laying the world down at his wife’s feet to tell her that despite their meeting circumstances he was still honest to their marriage. The h was stupidly singing the same tune of being duped and humiliated and this and that.

Hakim was a tender lover and mature to always put down an argument. He never wanted to fight with the h, or have the last word. He was such a calm, grounded and honorable gentleman. You could but love him and you could but want to bitch slap the h.

Either ways. Hakim deserved better than miss average and ungrateful.

[Z N · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mills & Boon-O-Meter : 4 out of 5

- I had to give this one such a high score because the guy changed! Men don't change from their misogynistic bullshit in any M&Bs, and they don't even change in real life! Like wow, this really is escapism
- Like, Hakim went from being a man stubbornly serving his country at the cost of the woman who loves him, to serving the woman he loves with no care for the country he has to serve. He ends up putting her first, hence keeping his promise to her



- Although him kidnapping her from the airport and then taking her to the desert without her permission wasn't very impressive (it was entertaining though lmao), it was kind of borne through a reasonable motivation
- The chemistry Hakim and Catherine shared in the first two chapters is restrained and tasteful. But then it completely loses all its steam factor and honestly, for books whose selling points are steamy romances, it seems pretty dead to me.
- What I do quite like though is that the author seems to actually give a shit when it comes to feelings and what's right and what's frigging wrong! The heroine is justified in her anger, and it does get angsty, but Catherine and Hakim actually talk! Them sorting through all the shit that's happened and coming to an amicable resolution is so much more satisfying than a hot steamy romance



- The confrontation with Catherine's dad is soooo satisfying as well! Just reading about people getting their comeuppance is just 💯

[Caz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dimwitted doormat tricked into marriage by selfish, deceitful pig who's looking for quickie American citizenship. She's basically sold into it by her equally selfish, deceitful father. Perhaps this book should have had a historical, not contemporary, setting to make the FMC's jaw-dropping naivety and gauche ignorance less painful. Her "breasts swell" when the MMC is in her vicinity; she's in love by date 2; she has no concept of sex whatsoever and cries after her first orgasm; she's never seen an erection; ad nauseum. Not only is she clueless about sex, she also makes no attempt to learn about his country, background, customs or current political situation. (Yes, she's a repressed virgin, but this book was written in 2004 and she's a reference librarian ... who evidently never heard of the Internet.)