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The Contaxis Baby
In the gossip rags, socialite Lizzie Denton's situation looks pretty ugly—Lizzie meets boy, Lizzie dumps boy, brokenhearted boy dies in horrificcar crash. Suddenly she's public enemy number one. And a disinheritedheiress, to boot. No job, no home and only a designer wardrobe to keepher company. But the worst part is that the papers got it wrong, and Lizziepromised not to tell anyone the truth.
Devastated by the death of his half brother, Greek tycoon Sebasten Contaxisdecides to punish the woman Lizzie Denton. But when hediscovers that the stunning woman he can't keep his hands off—aninexplicable case of lust at first sight—is the same woman he's beenseeking, Sebasten alters his scheme. After all, one broken heart deservesanother, right?
And revenge is so much sweeter when it's served in bed—that is, untilLizzie has some surprising news for him—.
Devastated by the death of his half brother, Greek tycoon Sebasten Contaxisdecides to punish the woman Lizzie Denton. But when hediscovers that the stunning woman he can't keep his hands off—aninexplicable case of lust at first sight—is the same woman he's beenseeking, Sebasten alters his scheme. After all, one broken heart deservesanother, right?
And revenge is so much sweeter when it's served in bed—that is, untilLizzie has some surprising news for him—.
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 28, 2001
159 people are currently reading
739 people want to read
About the author
Lynne Graham
1,763 books1,448 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Lynne Graham was born on July 30, 1956 of Irish-Scottish parentage. She has livedin Northern Ireland all her life. She grew up in a seaside village with herbrother. She learnt to read at the age of 3, and haven't stopped since then.
Lynne first met her husband when she was 14. At 15, she wrote her firstbook, but it was rejected everywhere. Lynne married after she completed adegree at Edinburgh University. She started writing again when she was athome with her first child. It took several attempts before she sold herfirst book in 1987 and the delight of seeing that first book for sale in thelocal newsagents has never been forgotten. Now, there are over 10 million ofher books in print worldwide.
Lynne always wanted a large family and has five children. Her eldest and heronly natural child is 19 and currently at university. Her other fourchildren, who are every bit as dear to her heart, are adopted. She has two9-year-olds adopted from Sri Lanka and a 5- and a 3-year-old adopted fromGuatemala. In Lynne's home, there is a rich and diverse cultural mix, whichadds a whole extra dimension of interest and discovery to family life. Thefamily lives in a country house surrounded by a woodland garden, which iswonderfully private. The family has two pets. Thomas, a very large andaffectionate black cat, bosses the dog and hunts rabbits. The dog is Daisy,an adorable but not very bright white West Highland terrier, who loves beingchased by the cat. At night, dog and cat sleep together in front of thekitchen stove. Lynne loves gardening, cooking, collects everything from oldtoys to rock specimens and is crazy about every aspect of Christmas.
Lynne Graham was born on July 30, 1956 of Irish-Scottish parentage. She has livedin Northern Ireland all her life. She grew up in a seaside village with herbrother. She learnt to read at the age of 3, and haven't stopped since then.
Lynne first met her husband when she was 14. At 15, she wrote her firstbook, but it was rejected everywhere. Lynne married after she completed adegree at Edinburgh University. She started writing again when she was athome with her first child. It took several attempts before she sold herfirst book in 1987 and the delight of seeing that first book for sale in thelocal newsagents has never been forgotten. Now, there are over 10 million ofher books in print worldwide.
Lynne always wanted a large family and has five children. Her eldest and heronly natural child is 19 and currently at university. Her other fourchildren, who are every bit as dear to her heart, are adopted. She has two9-year-olds adopted from Sri Lanka and a 5- and a 3-year-old adopted fromGuatemala. In Lynne's home, there is a rich and diverse cultural mix, whichadds a whole extra dimension of interest and discovery to family life. Thefamily lives in a country house surrounded by a woodland garden, which iswonderfully private. The family has two pets. Thomas, a very large andaffectionate black cat, bosses the dog and hunts rabbits. The dog is Daisy,an adorable but not very bright white West Highland terrier, who loves beingchased by the cat. At night, dog and cat sleep together in front of thekitchen stove. Lynne loves gardening, cooking, collects everything from oldtoys to rock specimens and is crazy about every aspect of Christmas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
February 1, 2017
Okay, I am going to attribute my recent impatience, intolerance and disdain for the usual ass-hattery of Romanceland heroes (example: review of Evan), something of which has entertained me in the past, to the insane levels of menthol zooming through my system. Approximately 250 cough drops consumed daily raises levels of cynicism and lowers the inherent need to suspend ALL disbelief that is necessary in order to enjoy a Harlequin. That and my self-imposed exile to the guest bedroom to cough has reduced my empathy for Romanceland's protoganists.
Anyhoo, let's talk about this asshat. I love Lynne Graham. When she's on, SHE'S ON! The Spanish Groom, The Italian's Inexperienced MistressRuthless Magnate, Convenient Wife, oy vey is there a trend, The Petrakos Bride, The Trophy Husband etc...all have bamboozled, in-over-their-head heroes that are slayed by the sometimes twee simplicity, honesty and innocence of a good girl. One might even call some of these girls stupid as eyes roll, girl parts explode, spines may dissolve and all rational thought flees but usually only in regard to the hero or the occasional evil, self-centered mother, sister, or lookalike cousin.
Okay, where am I going with this? I almost, but not quite, bought the scenario in The Contaxis Baby.
The h bears the brunt and blame of her pseudo boyfriend's apparent suicide. She, of course, is innocent in all this and is protecting someone who DOES NOT DESERVE IT. So, being the good girl she is, she is punished by all who know her. Her friends abandon her, the press blasts her, the mother of the victim yells at her, her father cuts off her allowance after ensuring she grows up without skills to survive, and then we have the asshat. On the basis of one uninformed conversation THE HARD-HEARTED BITCH WHO REJECTED CONNOR WILL PAY!
If you have read a couple or a thousand HP's, I don't think I need to tell where this is going. Once again, we have a bazillionaire tycoon (Greek this time) who is so stupid one wonders how he ever made a drachma much less a fortune. In his quest for revenge, he has some one point out the evil spawn. He ends up getting the girls mixed up and has a one night stand with the very girl he wants to rip apart. It's a very awkward ONS as well as she gets drunk. I think it was supposed to be charming and scatty, but it was annoying. Again, this may be the menthol talking.
Then our pretty but dumb hero inner monologues like a Pixar villain.
Insert villainous laugh.
No, she's not. She is incompetent.
Contaxis, the H, seemed to be prettier, bigger and more lustful than some of the other asshats LG writes, but his arrogance totters between humorous and aggravating.
I am going to recommend this as it is entertaining. The hero is such a blithering idiot and does just about everything wrong from beginning to end. On the basis of that alone, it would be a 3 to 3.5 star, but the heroine's easy access and willing to take anything dished out to her was dismaying. Yep, plucky girl got a job, but she caved on the big emotional issues. yes, I like my heroines sweet, but please, let's have the others do a little work.
Bottom line: needs more groveling!
Anyhoo, let's talk about this asshat. I love Lynne Graham. When she's on, SHE'S ON! The Spanish Groom, The Italian's Inexperienced MistressRuthless Magnate, Convenient Wife, oy vey is there a trend, The Petrakos Bride, The Trophy Husband etc...all have bamboozled, in-over-their-head heroes that are slayed by the sometimes twee simplicity, honesty and innocence of a good girl. One might even call some of these girls stupid as eyes roll, girl parts explode, spines may dissolve and all rational thought flees but usually only in regard to the hero or the occasional evil, self-centered mother, sister, or lookalike cousin.
Okay, where am I going with this? I almost, but not quite, bought the scenario in The Contaxis Baby.
The h bears the brunt and blame of her pseudo boyfriend's apparent suicide. She, of course, is innocent in all this and is protecting someone who DOES NOT DESERVE IT. So, being the good girl she is, she is punished by all who know her. Her friends abandon her, the press blasts her, the mother of the victim yells at her, her father cuts off her allowance after ensuring she grows up without skills to survive, and then we have the asshat. On the basis of one uninformed conversation THE HARD-HEARTED BITCH WHO REJECTED CONNOR WILL PAY!
If you have read a couple or a thousand HP's, I don't think I need to tell where this is going. Once again, we have a bazillionaire tycoon (Greek this time) who is so stupid one wonders how he ever made a drachma much less a fortune. In his quest for revenge, he has some one point out the evil spawn. He ends up getting the girls mixed up and has a one night stand with the very girl he wants to rip apart. It's a very awkward ONS as well as she gets drunk. I think it was supposed to be charming and scatty, but it was annoying. Again, this may be the menthol talking.
Then our pretty but dumb hero inner monologues like a Pixar villain.
The vixen refused offer of my apartment, has sold her jewelry and her car, is getting a job so...she must be holding out for the big prize...
Insert villainous laugh.
No, she's not. She is incompetent.
Contaxis, the H, seemed to be prettier, bigger and more lustful than some of the other asshats LG writes, but his arrogance totters between humorous and aggravating.
I am going to recommend this as it is entertaining. The hero is such a blithering idiot and does just about everything wrong from beginning to end. On the basis of that alone, it would be a 3 to 3.5 star, but the heroine's easy access and willing to take anything dished out to her was dismaying. Yep, plucky girl got a job, but she caved on the big emotional issues. yes, I like my heroines sweet, but please, let's have the others do a little work.
Bottom line: needs more groveling!
September 14, 2017
Rich and popular heiress Lizzie finds out her boyfriend is a cheater and on top of that he dies in horrific car crash. Her father kicks her out so she is jobless penniless and miserable. Sebasten our hero is determined to punish the woman who caused his brother's downfall but he falls hard and fast for Lizzie. Pregnancy leads to marriage and angst ensues.
One of the best Harlequin Presents I have ever read. Hero is alpha, sexy, possessive and so jealous of his dead brother and his relationship with Lizzie. He comes out as clueless and vulnerable and very smitten with Lizzie. Lizzie is the perfect heroine. Unlike most annoying HP heroines she doesn't play the victim and she doesn't blame Sebasten for everything. She looks into his heart and tries to understand him. She is sassy, cute and super adorable. Their chemistry is hot. I've never seen their chemistry together matched by any other Harlequin couple. Superb writing by Lynne Graham!
One of the best Harlequin Presents I have ever read. Hero is alpha, sexy, possessive and so jealous of his dead brother and his relationship with Lizzie. He comes out as clueless and vulnerable and very smitten with Lizzie. Lizzie is the perfect heroine. Unlike most annoying HP heroines she doesn't play the victim and she doesn't blame Sebasten for everything. She looks into his heart and tries to understand him. She is sassy, cute and super adorable. Their chemistry is hot. I've never seen their chemistry together matched by any other Harlequin couple. Superb writing by Lynne Graham!
August 4, 2020
So much fun! I don't remember the last time I laughed so much while reading. Although much of the humor ran at Sebasten's expense, I didn't feel it damaged the arrogant billionaire's feelings or ego all that much. One of my favorite scenes had to be the dinner scene where Sebasten demonstrated his infuriating lack of tact and Lizzie's fiery response. Gotta love a girl with balls! And then there's this dialogue where the author pokes fun at the Greek tycoon cliche:
‘You’re taking me to your home there?’
‘A private island.’ Not the brightest spark of inspiration he had had this century, Sebasten decided with grim irony.
‘Whose island?’
‘Mine.’
‘You own your own island?’
‘Doesn’t every Greek tycoon?’ Sebasten shrugged.
I loved how Sebasten fumbled his own revenge scheme. The poor man was besotted with Lizzie from the start, but struggled between accepting his feelings for her and doling out vengeance. So it was satisfying to see him finally realizing how hurting Lizzie wasn't a solution, which made his declaration of love more believable when it came.
Lizzie, for her part, ran circles around Sebasten without even trying yet also found it difficult to resist him. I liked her sweet and spirited personality, but thought her pride over a contentious topic dragged down the book's last quarter.
Anyway, there's not much to dislike. Lizzie's blood relative wasn't even the villain and, equally amazing, Lizzie was tall and skinny (which are rarities in the Graham romances I've read so far).
‘You’re taking me to your home there?’
‘A private island.’ Not the brightest spark of inspiration he had had this century, Sebasten decided with grim irony.
‘Whose island?’
‘Mine.’
‘You own your own island?’
‘Doesn’t every Greek tycoon?’ Sebasten shrugged.
I loved how Sebasten fumbled his own revenge scheme. The poor man was besotted with Lizzie from the start, but struggled between accepting his feelings for her and doling out vengeance. So it was satisfying to see him finally realizing how hurting Lizzie wasn't a solution, which made his declaration of love more believable when it came.
Lizzie, for her part, ran circles around Sebasten without even trying yet also found it difficult to resist him. I liked her sweet and spirited personality, but thought her pride over a contentious topic dragged down the book's last quarter.
Anyway, there's not much to dislike. Lizzie's blood relative wasn't even the villain and, equally amazing, Lizzie was tall and skinny (which are rarities in the Graham romances I've read so far).
December 31, 2013
I loved this story.....it had a bit of a twist that I wasn't expecting...
The two mc's, Lizzie & Sebastan were beyond adorable.
Sebastan, the rich and gorgeous alpha-male, who turned out to have a heart so soft and filled with gold.....who would have expected that from him?
And Lizzie - you just had to love this woman. Quirky, cute and totally adorable.
Loved their chemistry together, their dialogue which was filled with wit.
One of my LG favourites.......and one of my fav hero/heroine.
The two mc's, Lizzie & Sebastan were beyond adorable.
Sebastan, the rich and gorgeous alpha-male, who turned out to have a heart so soft and filled with gold.....who would have expected that from him?
And Lizzie - you just had to love this woman. Quirky, cute and totally adorable.
Loved their chemistry together, their dialogue which was filled with wit.
One of my LG favourites.......and one of my fav hero/heroine.
November 17, 2019
When Lynne Graham wants to, she can write a wonderful romance. And I think this is one. I loved this book. The hero actually redeems himself very well but it was touch and go in a couple of places. But all along you knew the hero was obsessed with her. And not because of the dead half brother, but because she was made for him. Even when he was being an ass, he still had thoughts of regret and tried to fix it. And why would the heroine cover for her stepmother. She was a truly evil person. First she has an affair with the heroines boyfriend and then she lies about beeing pregnant from the heroines Father. Then the heroines ex drives himself into a wall and dies and she is cut by all her friends, her Father and it was really hard to read about. I liked that she wanted to do it all by herself. She was strong and wouldn't take handouts from the hero and I admired her for that too.
It was a wonderful story and one I will read again. It was a feel good story at heart.
It was a wonderful story and one I will read again. It was a feel good story at heart.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2020
Lots of great reviews that give a run down of the plot, but to jog my own memory, I'll just state that this is the one where the heroine inadvertently makes 400 copies of the hero when she's supposed to copying documents at work.
It's also the one:
1. Where everyone thinks the heroine was responsible for the hero's half-brother's suicide
2. The half brother was having an affair with the heroine's stepmother, but since she is pregnant, the heroine will take the blame.
3. The hero is smitten at first sight and doesn't know her real identity until the next day.
4. The hero messes up his own revenge plan by sending decorators to paint her bedsit, he buys back her car and jewels, he gets her a job that she will be fired from, but she finds a better job on her own.
I enjoyed this up to the last act when the H/h are married and LG keeps up the conflict with a bunch of silly misunderstandings.
All in all an enjoyable read with a ridiculous hero who can't keep his revenge straight and a ditzy heroine who really, really needed to marry someone with buckets of money since she is useless in the real world.
Oh, yes - the evil stepmom had no comeuppance and the heroine's father never groveled for throwing his clawless kitten of a daughter to the wolves.
It's also the one:
1. Where everyone thinks the heroine was responsible for the hero's half-brother's suicide
2. The half brother was having an affair with the heroine's stepmother, but since she is pregnant, the heroine will take the blame.
3. The hero is smitten at first sight and doesn't know her real identity until the next day.
4. The hero messes up his own revenge plan by sending decorators to paint her bedsit, he buys back her car and jewels, he gets her a job that she will be fired from, but she finds a better job on her own.
I enjoyed this up to the last act when the H/h are married and LG keeps up the conflict with a bunch of silly misunderstandings.
All in all an enjoyable read with a ridiculous hero who can't keep his revenge straight and a ditzy heroine who really, really needed to marry someone with buckets of money since she is useless in the real world.
Oh, yes - the evil stepmom had no comeuppance and the heroine's father never groveled for throwing his clawless kitten of a daughter to the wolves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2015
3-3.5 stars
It was good. Some may appreciate the twist on some of the old school themes. Mostly, the hero realizing it's against his honor as a HP Greek Tycoon to seek vengeance against a woman.
Wait... wut? *mind blown* That's the foundation of that universe.
So, the revenge plot was scrapped before it ever got off the ground. Disappointing to me as a revenge junky, but the book was still good enough to hold my interest. There was some insider humor too, such as the hero stating that all Greek Tycoons had their own private island.
Sort of typical LG quirky, outspoken heroine. Except this time she was tall and thin rather than short and busty.
It was good. Some may appreciate the twist on some of the old school themes. Mostly, the hero realizing it's against his honor as a HP Greek Tycoon to seek vengeance against a woman.
Wait... wut? *mind blown* That's the foundation of that universe.
So, the revenge plot was scrapped before it ever got off the ground. Disappointing to me as a revenge junky, but the book was still good enough to hold my interest. There was some insider humor too, such as the hero stating that all Greek Tycoons had their own private island.
Sort of typical LG quirky, outspoken heroine. Except this time she was tall and thin rather than short and busty.
August 25, 2018
4.5 stars ?
First of all I don't trust a playboy hero that doesn't use condoms with the woman he met 5 seconds ago (even if that woman was the heroine and he did ask her if she was safe, as if pregnancy was the only concern, not that her taking the pill helped at all)... BUT I want to believe he really got it bad the moment he saw her (I mean really really bad) because in clear light of day he doesn't trust women one little bit.
Also I'm not a fan of heroes that take their flavor of the month to their houses/apartments, I rather the heroine was the first invading his private places.
Having said that, I did fell for Sebasten anyway, he was your typical alpha that claims is always in control and doesn't do emotions but when it comes to the heroine his control flees and his emotions run wild all over the place. As Lizzie noticed (point for her!) he was flawed, had many issues and oh, he had zero romantic bones in him BUT he had that something that makes my heart melt for him.
Lizzie was amazing too. She was a spoiled rich girl and didn't deny it but when challenged she tried her best to overcome her shortcomings. She let her pride get in the way sometimes which I didn't like much, because other times she was too passive with people walking over her (I'm looking at you Felicity), had it been me hell would have unleashed.
First of all I don't trust a playboy hero that doesn't use condoms with the woman he met 5 seconds ago (even if that woman was the heroine and he did ask her if she was safe, as if pregnancy was the only concern, not that her taking the pill helped at all)... BUT I want to believe he really got it bad the moment he saw her (I mean really really bad) because in clear light of day he doesn't trust women one little bit.
Also I'm not a fan of heroes that take their flavor of the month to their houses/apartments, I rather the heroine was the first invading his private places.
Having said that, I did fell for Sebasten anyway, he was your typical alpha that claims is always in control and doesn't do emotions but when it comes to the heroine his control flees and his emotions run wild all over the place. As Lizzie noticed (point for her!) he was flawed, had many issues and oh, he had zero romantic bones in him BUT he had that something that makes my heart melt for him.
Lizzie was amazing too. She was a spoiled rich girl and didn't deny it but when challenged she tried her best to overcome her shortcomings. She let her pride get in the way sometimes which I didn't like much, because other times she was too passive with people walking over her (I'm looking at you Felicity), had it been me hell would have unleashed.
May 8, 2012
A satisfying read by Lynne Graham. This one sucks you in right from the start with a cheating boyfriend and conniving evil stepmother. A heroine who is forced to carry the blame for the boyfriends reckless death....(Believe it or not, we aren't even past page 5 yet!) This is a story about revenge, infidelity and unwanted pregnancy. It's about a hero who tries to be an Asshat, but can't pull it off, because he is basically a decent guy. It's about a heroine that is tougher than she looks and isn't afraid to stand up for herself.
if you want an absorbing, quick, entertaining read, then this one should do the trick.
if you want an absorbing, quick, entertaining read, then this one should do the trick.
June 2, 2020
I found myself frustrated right from the start when Knowing that I'm reading a harlequin, and a Lynne Graham at that, I had to put that aside and just enjoy the ride. Unfortunately, the story veered into miscommunication and misunderstandings and I lost all patience. The book was saved by a lovely grovel at the 11th hour and the ending was quite romantic. Not enough to salvage any sort of rating from me. There are loads of reviewers who loved this book so maybe it's just a "me thing".
Safety
Safety
August 4, 2019
"The Contaxis Baby" is the story of Lizzie and Sebastian.
Reading the blurb, I was expecting this to be an angsty read with a douchy hero and martyr heroine. This was so much more!
The story begins when the heroine dumps the OM, her fiance, after finding him cheating on her with her stepmother. The ahole then goes and dies in an accident. The heroine gets blamed for his death, and gets abandoned by her family and friends. Despondent and destitute, she goes to de-stress in a club. It is there she meets the hero, and there are instant sparks which soon culminate in passionate lovemaking. What she is unaware of is that the hero is OM's step-brother, and when he realizes that the heroine is his jilting fiance, he decides to use her and take revenge.
It is pretty straightforward until this point. What made this different and refreshing is that the misunderstandings and confessions took place in the middle of the book, instead of the very end. The heroine and hero realize the truth almost midway, and the rest is them coming to terms with fruits of their passion, dealing with their attraction, realizing their new found love and resolving conflicts. The heroine had a backbone, and the hero was not an ahole. And that's a win-win.
Safe
4/5
Reading the blurb, I was expecting this to be an angsty read with a douchy hero and martyr heroine. This was so much more!
The story begins when the heroine dumps the OM, her fiance, after finding him cheating on her with her stepmother. The ahole then goes and dies in an accident. The heroine gets blamed for his death, and gets abandoned by her family and friends. Despondent and destitute, she goes to de-stress in a club. It is there she meets the hero, and there are instant sparks which soon culminate in passionate lovemaking. What she is unaware of is that the hero is OM's step-brother, and when he realizes that the heroine is his jilting fiance, he decides to use her and take revenge.
It is pretty straightforward until this point. What made this different and refreshing is that the misunderstandings and confessions took place in the middle of the book, instead of the very end. The heroine and hero realize the truth almost midway, and the rest is them coming to terms with fruits of their passion, dealing with their attraction, realizing their new found love and resolving conflicts. The heroine had a backbone, and the hero was not an ahole. And that's a win-win.
Safe
4/5
March 31, 2020
Re-read and still 4 stars. She should have made him grovel more!
avoid
June 27, 2017Apparently if a guy comes up to me with a proposition I'm to say yes DESPITE my feelings and position.
I wonder if polygamy would be acceptable to the Greek tycoons for their females because I personally had to let down more than one guys.
Now I can't just tell a guy no just because I'm in a relationship, how do I know they wouldn't go and kill themselves, and their Greek billionaire relatives won't come to me for revenge?
And I can't also dump my current relationship because by the HP rules, a) I am their property, b) only guys are allowed to walk away for better model and c) also above scenario may apply to this guy too.
So yeah. Polygamy. Only for women. Because clearly all these guys just LOVES the one female, so they wouldn't need to look anywhere else.
I wonder if polygamy would be acceptable to the Greek tycoons for their females because I personally had to let down more than one guys.
Now I can't just tell a guy no just because I'm in a relationship, how do I know they wouldn't go and kill themselves, and their Greek billionaire relatives won't come to me for revenge?
And I can't also dump my current relationship because by the HP rules, a) I am their property, b) only guys are allowed to walk away for better model and c) also above scenario may apply to this guy too.
So yeah. Polygamy. Only for women. Because clearly all these guys just LOVES the one female, so they wouldn't need to look anywhere else.
November 9, 2021
Read this in one sitting last evening and it will not be going on my reread list.
So what was my reasoning for a 2-star rating?? The hero was a bit of a dim bulb and very thick headed making assumptions about the heroine without checking facts. His goal in life was to make her pay for a man's (his half brother unknown to him at the time) death by suicide which she was completely innocent of. The half bro's mother asked our hero to destroy the h's life.
The heroine's father was an a$$ and kicked her out of his home and cut off all her money. He refused to listen to her truth of what happened. What made this even worse is that throughout her life she was not allow to gain the skills for a career and her father's belief was that women of wealthy families DID NOT WORK. This hindered her terribly. He just kicked her to the curb and put her out on the street with no place to lay her head for the night and not a penny for food.
Her step-mother was a lying, cheating slut and didn't much want her step-daughter (heroine) around. When her father married the step mom the h was moved to a garage apartment. She actually stole her step-daughter's boyfriend and was having a hot and heavy affair with him and the heroine walked in on them while they were getting it on with the proper sound affects of moaning and groaning in bed.
She lost all her friends, even family. They said horrible things about her in the newspapers and rags. Her stepmother lied to her and told her she was preggars. She knew how the truth would devastate her father and tried to protect him from the pain while he threw her to the wolves. So she kept her secrets.
For me this story was all over the place. I was never quite sure from scene to scene if the hero was being sincere or if it was part of his plan to destroy her.
I don't feel the Hero was redeemed enough for me.
I don't recommend.
So what was my reasoning for a 2-star rating?? The hero was a bit of a dim bulb and very thick headed making assumptions about the heroine without checking facts. His goal in life was to make her pay for a man's (his half brother unknown to him at the time) death by suicide which she was completely innocent of. The half bro's mother asked our hero to destroy the h's life.
The heroine's father was an a$$ and kicked her out of his home and cut off all her money. He refused to listen to her truth of what happened. What made this even worse is that throughout her life she was not allow to gain the skills for a career and her father's belief was that women of wealthy families DID NOT WORK. This hindered her terribly. He just kicked her to the curb and put her out on the street with no place to lay her head for the night and not a penny for food.
Her step-mother was a lying, cheating slut and didn't much want her step-daughter (heroine) around. When her father married the step mom the h was moved to a garage apartment. She actually stole her step-daughter's boyfriend and was having a hot and heavy affair with him and the heroine walked in on them while they were getting it on with the proper sound affects of moaning and groaning in bed.
She lost all her friends, even family. They said horrible things about her in the newspapers and rags. Her stepmother lied to her and told her she was preggars. She knew how the truth would devastate her father and tried to protect him from the pain while he threw her to the wolves. So she kept her secrets.
For me this story was all over the place. I was never quite sure from scene to scene if the hero was being sincere or if it was part of his plan to destroy her.
I don't feel the Hero was redeemed enough for me.
I don't recommend.
May 29, 2019
KILL ME PLEASE!!
No me soporto.
Tenía ganas de leer un drama telenovelesco de esos de las 10 de la noche y me acordé de los harlequins y obvio me dio lo que necesitaba en ese momento lo disfruté no lo voy a negar
Don´t judge me.
Pero ya al final me acordé porque no leo casi Harlequins en serio ¿Por qué este tipo de protagonistas tienen que ser so stupid? ¿Qué les cuesta hacer sufrir al tipo y que se arrastre por perdón?
No me soporto.
Tenía ganas de leer un drama telenovelesco de esos de las 10 de la noche y me acordé de los harlequins y obvio me dio lo que necesitaba en ese momento lo disfruté no lo voy a negar
Don´t judge me.
Pero ya al final me acordé porque no leo casi Harlequins en serio ¿Por qué este tipo de protagonistas tienen que ser so stupid? ¿Qué les cuesta hacer sufrir al tipo y que se arrastre por perdón?
September 7, 2011
Another solid story by Lynne Graham. The story sucked me right in. The story developed slightly askew from how you think it's going to. The spoiled socialite heroine, Lizzie, is pretty gutsy and stands up for herself. After she gets unfairly blamed for the suicide of a former boyfriend, everyone turns their backs on her. When her father kicks her out, she just digs in and starts trying to change her life and do for herself. She can't help that that very night she meets Sebasten the dead man's half brother who is out for revenge.
Here's where the story starts to leave track. Sebasten tries hard to be an asshat but really can't follow through. He is insanely jealous but the different part is that Lizzie sees the jealousy and understands that his asshat actions are driven by it and calls him on it instead of whimpering 'poor little me, I don't understand why he's so mean' like most HP heroine's do.
Sebasten in fact is almost an alpha beta character. He's rich and arrogant and is continually trying to arrange things his way but she just won't roll over and stay downtrodden. There's quite a bit in his POV and you see him thinking or planning something and getting it all wrong and basically being a clueless guy.
There were a bunch of misunderstandings, most of them dealt with fairly quickly. There was one that happened where the heroine said something that Sebasten misunderstood that I just don't think she would have said given the situation between them. That contrived misunderstanding was one of the only sour notes in the book so I forgave it.
I thought the explanations and groveling at the end were pretty thorough. Satisfying read, especially considering I read it at the end of a crappy day so I really needed something to get swept up in.
Here's where the story starts to leave track. Sebasten tries hard to be an asshat but really can't follow through. He is insanely jealous but the different part is that Lizzie sees the jealousy and understands that his asshat actions are driven by it and calls him on it instead of whimpering 'poor little me, I don't understand why he's so mean' like most HP heroine's do.
Sebasten in fact is almost an alpha beta character. He's rich and arrogant and is continually trying to arrange things his way but she just won't roll over and stay downtrodden. There's quite a bit in his POV and you see him thinking or planning something and getting it all wrong and basically being a clueless guy.
There were a bunch of misunderstandings, most of them dealt with fairly quickly. There was one that happened where the heroine said something that Sebasten misunderstood that I just don't think she would have said given the situation between them. That contrived misunderstanding was one of the only sour notes in the book so I forgave it.
I thought the explanations and groveling at the end were pretty thorough. Satisfying read, especially considering I read it at the end of a crappy day so I really needed something to get swept up in.
April 26, 2013
I know, I know, everyone rolls their eyes at Harlequins of any sort. I can't blame you for most of that, but I have a weird but impossible-to-kill love for Lynne Graham. It is true that most of her books follow a certain set of guidelines (especially the males' coloring, for some reason - personal preference on the part of the author? If not, her husband may want to dye his hair black...and get some whiskey-colored eyes), but there are times I like a business-minded-but-unbelievably-clueless-in-romance man who stumbles about but eventually figures it out. This one has been pretty much my favorite of hers for years. I think the best part is where the hero (Sebasten, also a good name) says something like "This romance stuff? Easy as falling off a log." This is, by the way, after he's done something that is not particularly romantic in the normal sense...but I don't want to ruin it. I suppose it's romantic in a misguided way. At any rate, good times all around!
November 22, 2012
the book was awesome !! i simply adored it, so entertaining !! can't forget that scene where a brunette asked sebastian who was his latest lady and he replied he was still looking..when actually he was having an affair with lizzie. lizzie actually got up n threw her glass contents in his face and gasped out "when i find a real man, i'll let you know!" she did not hesitate one minute or bother that there were many people around them. she gave the callous man what he deserved ! dat was the best part in the book and there were many good parts mind you ! lizzie was very different from the usual doormat heroines we come across in harlequin books
January 20, 2024
Reread, dropped a star, not so well done, but still a decent twist on the rich girl trope.
Well done. Nice twist on the rich girl trope.
Well done. Nice twist on the rich girl trope.
September 5, 2015
3.5 stars
The first 75% was a solid four star read. The last part was a little less engrossing, but still a very good LG read.
The first 75% was a solid four star read. The last part was a little less engrossing, but still a very good LG read.
January 3, 2014
This was a very entertaining book. A real page turner. LynnE Graham writes really good, engaging stories. Thanks Roub for recommending this one to one.
I didn't like the hero Sebastan much. He was extremely mean to the heroine, Lizzie. I felt like smacking his face a couple of times. I hated the jaunty, smug way he replied to the cameraman parked outside her house that she would be too happy and willing to pick up where they left off.
I particularly hate it when men suddenly develop a conscience after they are told they are going to be a father. I don't understand this quick change of heart when previously they had been emphatic about how they feel about babies. I don't understand when they say, "we must marry, obviously." What's so obvious about it? First of all you knock the woman up and then try to act as if you are doing some kind of favor by offering to marry her.
I wish HPs would stop using this trope to bring the hero to his heels. Specially when they act magnanimous by offering to marry the "poor" woman, all because she is carrying the heir apparent.
I liked the heroine, Lizzie. She was kind of cute. Seemed very real. She talked a lot and was a bit messy. :D But fiercely independent and trying her best to cope with the situation.
I wish she had made the suffer hero a lot more. He made her go through a lot and it was terrible of him to extract revenge the way he went about and later forced her to marry him. She forgave him too easily. I would not have minded to see a little more grovelling.
But overall, in spite of all my ranting, I really enjoyed reading the book. Very formulaic. But works.And credit must be given to Lynne Graham for being such a fantastic story teller. Lots of twists and turns. Lots of angst. Wonderful characters and an engaging plot. No wonder I am addicted to HPs. :)
I didn't like the hero Sebastan much. He was extremely mean to the heroine, Lizzie. I felt like smacking his face a couple of times. I hated the jaunty, smug way he replied to the cameraman parked outside her house that she would be too happy and willing to pick up where they left off.
I particularly hate it when men suddenly develop a conscience after they are told they are going to be a father. I don't understand this quick change of heart when previously they had been emphatic about how they feel about babies. I don't understand when they say, "we must marry, obviously." What's so obvious about it? First of all you knock the woman up and then try to act as if you are doing some kind of favor by offering to marry her.
I wish HPs would stop using this trope to bring the hero to his heels. Specially when they act magnanimous by offering to marry the "poor" woman, all because she is carrying the heir apparent.
I liked the heroine, Lizzie. She was kind of cute. Seemed very real. She talked a lot and was a bit messy. :D But fiercely independent and trying her best to cope with the situation.
I wish she had made the suffer hero a lot more. He made her go through a lot and it was terrible of him to extract revenge the way he went about and later forced her to marry him. She forgave him too easily. I would not have minded to see a little more grovelling.
But overall, in spite of all my ranting, I really enjoyed reading the book. Very formulaic. But works.And credit must be given to Lynne Graham for being such a fantastic story teller. Lots of twists and turns. Lots of angst. Wonderful characters and an engaging plot. No wonder I am addicted to HPs. :)
September 3, 2015
Hero is a jerk to heroine because he thinks she ditched his half brother, causing him to get drunk, crash he car and kill himself.
The heroine has been a social pariah since the accident because everyone loved the other guy and think she's just a queen B. Really she found him boinking her stepmother and only agreed to keep it secret because stepmommy is pregnant with her half-sibling.
Heroine tries to make a life for herself and hero is there setting her up for a big fall. I loved the heroine set down in this one and the turn around. But I didn't like the forgiveness from the heroine. I thought it happened too soon and the hero didn't really have to work very hard for it.
The heroine has been a social pariah since the accident because everyone loved the other guy and think she's just a queen B. Really she found him boinking her stepmother and only agreed to keep it secret because stepmommy is pregnant with her half-sibling.
Heroine tries to make a life for herself and hero is there setting her up for a big fall. I loved the heroine set down in this one and the turn around. But I didn't like the forgiveness from the heroine. I thought it happened too soon and the hero didn't really have to work very hard for it.
October 20, 2017
This is one of my fave HP and the book that made me a Lynne Graham fan. I love love love how Sebastian is such an alpha-hole and I love the obliviousness of Lizzie! Then Sebastian goes very remorseful and trying to get to Lizzie’s good graces once she realized that he approached her initially to get revenge for his dead half-bro (who was a cheating douche)
I have this book in all my readers and also in actual paper book format coz I just love re-reading this novel.
I have this book in all my readers and also in actual paper book format coz I just love re-reading this novel.
July 29, 2020
Loved this story!
A heroine who was ‘plucky’ but not annoying or cutesy about it.
The H was besotted and in circles to the end, caught in his own revenge-gone-awry plan.
Really liked them together!
A heroine who was ‘plucky’ but not annoying or cutesy about it.
The H was besotted and in circles to the end, caught in his own revenge-gone-awry plan.
Really liked them together!
July 13, 2020
3 Low Suds Stars
Ok, but a little tame for what I like in my soapy-smut. This is a popular ditzy h, Greek Tycoon H revenge story. It’s currently free to read with KU.
Lizzie was pretty stupid, but I also found her entertaining… like when she made 400 color copies of Sebastian’s picture on her first day at the new job. 😊 Sebastian is like the worst Greek hellbent on revenge ever. He uses such tactics as… getting her a job… painting her bedsit… buying her pawned items so he can re-gift her at a later date.
These two were made for each other. He loved her at first sight, freckles and all, and she really needed a rich hubs to take care of her because she possessed zero life skills. I lost patience towards the end when the conflict persisted with multiple miscommunications and misunderstandings. I also was bummed that her evil step-mom had zero consequences, and her dad got a new house for being an asshole.
Bottom Line- Not very angsty or drama-llama, both MC’s are pretty nice. There’s no OW, or really any revenge.
Ok, but a little tame for what I like in my soapy-smut. This is a popular ditzy h, Greek Tycoon H revenge story. It’s currently free to read with KU.
Lizzie was pretty stupid, but I also found her entertaining… like when she made 400 color copies of Sebastian’s picture on her first day at the new job. 😊 Sebastian is like the worst Greek hellbent on revenge ever. He uses such tactics as… getting her a job… painting her bedsit… buying her pawned items so he can re-gift her at a later date.
These two were made for each other. He loved her at first sight, freckles and all, and she really needed a rich hubs to take care of her because she possessed zero life skills. I lost patience towards the end when the conflict persisted with multiple miscommunications and misunderstandings. I also was bummed that her evil step-mom had zero consequences, and her dad got a new house for being an asshole.
Bottom Line- Not very angsty or drama-llama, both MC’s are pretty nice. There’s no OW, or really any revenge.
April 4, 2016
3.5 Stars!
September 11, 2016
Own in The Arabian Mistress & The Contaxis Baby bundle.
November 12, 2022
So I didn't like how Lizzie's father didn't apologize, not once, for wrongfully judging her and cutting her out. On top of that, he knew his daughter didn't want to marry this man (our MMC, he heard her refuse to marry him) but he went ahead and gave him her birth certificate behind her back. I absolutely hated that.
I could care less he was saddened because of his wife's betrayal and all that. After being unjustly cruel to his daughter he had no right to pretty much force this marriage on her, that MMC convinced him he will change her mind didn't matter. He's a terrible father and I can't explain just how infuriated I am because of him.
I started this review on a sour note but I'd end it on a good one. I adored the grovelling. I adored the scare Sebasten had at the end. I adored how he was torturing himself by misunderstanding her meaning. I adored every second of it. Yes, I rejoice in his misery. *insert evil laugh here*
Never said I'm a nice person and almost all Harlequin MMC's deserve their misery.. *cough* they're all arrogant jerks *cough*
Ending on a good note indeed. Or not.
Either way, I'm pleasantly surprised by this book. Looking forward to finding more like it!!
I could care less he was saddened because of his wife's betrayal and all that. After being unjustly cruel to his daughter he had no right to pretty much force this marriage on her, that MMC convinced him he will change her mind didn't matter. He's a terrible father and I can't explain just how infuriated I am because of him.
I started this review on a sour note but I'd end it on a good one. I adored the grovelling. I adored the scare Sebasten had at the end. I adored how he was torturing himself by misunderstanding her meaning. I adored every second of it. Yes, I rejoice in his misery. *insert evil laugh here*
Never said I'm a nice person and almost all Harlequin MMC's deserve their misery.. *cough* they're all arrogant jerks *cough*
Ending on a good note indeed. Or not.
Either way, I'm pleasantly surprised by this book. Looking forward to finding more like it!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2023
One of the old school Lynne Graham’s from the time she still wrote awake rather than sleepwalk through some trite plot.
Loved it.
The hero and heroine were both cute.
No cruelty to the man was seen. I do hate that.
Simple plot.
The girl is tarred with the wrong brush. She never even had an affair with other man. Only dreams. Her step mother was the one who broke his heart and drove him to have an accident.
The hero is that man’s half brother.
They are instantly attracted to each other and have a one night stand. Though he wants it to continue he sees her driving licence and now decides she’s a slut and a bitch and so on.
Usual story.
All ends well.
Worth a read.
No dogs though. No parrot either.
Hero is as usual without any parents. He has an army of invisible servants and bodyguards.
Loved it.
The hero and heroine were both cute.
No cruelty to the man was seen. I do hate that.
Simple plot.
The girl is tarred with the wrong brush. She never even had an affair with other man. Only dreams. Her step mother was the one who broke his heart and drove him to have an accident.
The hero is that man’s half brother.
They are instantly attracted to each other and have a one night stand. Though he wants it to continue he sees her driving licence and now decides she’s a slut and a bitch and so on.
Usual story.
All ends well.
Worth a read.
No dogs though. No parrot either.
Hero is as usual without any parents. He has an army of invisible servants and bodyguards.
June 27, 2017
isn't lizzie the cutest heroine ever! !!!??
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