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The Forced Marriage
Powerful Italian Marco Valante was used to taking what he wanted—and he wouldn't let a little thing like Flora's engagement stand in the way! Flora had been trying to convince herself she was happy with her steady fiance,but her head hadn't stopped spinning since she'd literally bumped into Marco! The sexy tycoon wasted no time in whisking her away to his villa—for privacy, passion and a surprise marriage proposal. Marco was determined to marry Flora before she could discover their accidental meeting hadn't been quite so innocent....
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
About the author
Sara Craven
498 books270 followersAnne Bushell was born on October 1938 in South Devon, England, just before World War II and grew up in a house crammed with books. She was always a voracious reader, some of her all-time favorites books are: "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen, "Middlemarch" by George Eliot, "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë, "Gone With the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell and "The Code of the Woosters" by P. G. Wodehouse.
She worked as journalist at the Paignton Observer, but after her marriage, she moved to the north of England, where she worked as teacher. After she returned to journalism, she joined the Middlesbrough Writers' Group, where she met other romance writer Mildred Grieveson (Anne Mather). She started to wrote romance, and she had her first novel "Garden of Dreams" accepted by Mills & Boon in 1975, she published her work under the pseudonym of Sara Craven. In 2010 she became chairman of the Southern Writers' Conference, and the next year was elected the twenty-six Chairman (2011–2013) of the Romantic Novelists' Association.
Divorced twice, Annie lives in Somerset, South West England, and shares her home with a West Highland white terrier called Bertie Wooster. In her house, she had several thousand books, and an amazing video collection. When she's not writing, she enjoys watching very old films, listening to music, going to the theatre, and eating in good restaurants. She also likes to travel in Europe, to inspire her romances, especially in France, Greece and Italy where many of her novels are set. Since the birth of her twin grandchildren, she is also a regular visitor to New York City, where the little tots live. In 1997, she was the overall winner of the BBC's Mastermind, winning the last final presented by Magnus Magnusson.
She worked as journalist at the Paignton Observer, but after her marriage, she moved to the north of England, where she worked as teacher. After she returned to journalism, she joined the Middlesbrough Writers' Group, where she met other romance writer Mildred Grieveson (Anne Mather). She started to wrote romance, and she had her first novel "Garden of Dreams" accepted by Mills & Boon in 1975, she published her work under the pseudonym of Sara Craven. In 2010 she became chairman of the Southern Writers' Conference, and the next year was elected the twenty-six Chairman (2011–2013) of the Romantic Novelists' Association.
Divorced twice, Annie lives in Somerset, South West England, and shares her home with a West Highland white terrier called Bertie Wooster. In her house, she had several thousand books, and an amazing video collection. When she's not writing, she enjoys watching very old films, listening to music, going to the theatre, and eating in good restaurants. She also likes to travel in Europe, to inspire her romances, especially in France, Greece and Italy where many of her novels are set. Since the birth of her twin grandchildren, she is also a regular visitor to New York City, where the little tots live. In 1997, she was the overall winner of the BBC's Mastermind, winning the last final presented by Magnus Magnusson.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
February 4, 2017
Our heroine Flora is engaged to marry Christopher. Their sex life sucks in fact they only had sex once and it was not a great experience for Flora. However she is determined to marry him because he is nice and safe. After having lunch with her best friend, Flora is leaving the restaurant when a man attempts to mug her. Our hero Marco comes to her rescue. He takes Flora back to his hotel and eventually he seduces her. Flora breaks off her engagement. Marco whisks her away to his villa and they spend passionate days and nights together. Flora is happy and in love until she finds out Marco's secret revenge plan. She is heartbroken, she leaves him but she finds out she is pregnant and of course they get married.
I loved this book! It had everything: angst, melodrama, secrets. The last chapter was so emotional. I love it when an alpha vulnerable crazy in love hero cries for the heroine. Good grovel! Marco and Flora were just the perfect couple and i loved the development of their love! So excited Sara Craven has a new Presents book out soon!
I loved this book! It had everything: angst, melodrama, secrets. The last chapter was so emotional. I love it when an alpha vulnerable crazy in love hero cries for the heroine. Good grovel! Marco and Flora were just the perfect couple and i loved the development of their love! So excited Sara Craven has a new Presents book out soon!
March 3, 2017
Excellent revenge story with a twist. The poor heroine was so bowled over by the H and was treated so poorly by her fiance, that I couldn't blame her for throwing her ideals out the window for an affair with the H. She suffered a broken engagement and the disapprobation of her family, but she was true to her feelings.
Once the fiance was dispatched, the H took her to his castle in Italy and there the worm turned. Once the H was called away for work, the H's evil godmother and his ex-fiance go to work on the heroine. Seems his ex had an affair with the heroine's fiance and his revenge was to break up that relationship, too. The heroine returns to England without confronting the hero.
Of course the h is pregnant by the time the H catches up with her. This means marriage - but she is too angry about the H's lies and doesn't trust him, so their relationship is frosty. The H takes her rejection badly and spends all his time at work. It's only when the ex-fiance tries to run her down and lands her in the hospital does the H finally break down and beg for forgiveness in a nice grovel.
Just a fun HP - I liked both the H/h and her stray dog, Mutt.
Once the fiance was dispatched, the H took her to his castle in Italy and there the worm turned. Once the H was called away for work, the H's evil godmother and his ex-fiance go to work on the heroine. Seems his ex had an affair with the heroine's fiance and his revenge was to break up that relationship, too. The heroine returns to England without confronting the hero.
Of course the h is pregnant by the time the H catches up with her. This means marriage - but she is too angry about the H's lies and doesn't trust him, so their relationship is frosty. The H takes her rejection badly and spends all his time at work. It's only when the ex-fiance tries to run her down and lands her in the hospital does the H finally break down and beg for forgiveness in a nice grovel.
Just a fun HP - I liked both the H/h and her stray dog, Mutt.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2019
Clearly an entertaining read but the choices heroine made wasn’t one I’m comfortable. She was in a relationship with OM when she slept with hero.
Still the roller coaster of emotions this book created was almost worth it. Epilogue was very sadly missed.
Recommended.
Still the roller coaster of emotions this book created was almost worth it. Epilogue was very sadly missed.
Recommended.
July 23, 2011
The heroine Flora is on the verge if getting married when she meets the hero Marco, after he saves her from an attempted mugging. Flora is awkward and tense around Marco's very obvious flattery and attentions, and she tries to ignore his advances. However when she becomes frustrated over the lack of affection from her fiancé she agrees to have dinner with Marco. The attraction between them is fierce and Marco seduces her, showing her what she had been missing. She knows she has to end her engagement but this is taken out of her hands when Marco takes her away for the weekend to the same hotel her fiancé is staying at. Flora is left feeling unsure of herself after her fiancé's lack of care about her betrayal and scorn from her family over her actions. But when Marco takes her to his home in Italy she is whisked into paradise and begins to fall in love with him. However all this comes crashing down around her when she learns that she was a pawn in a revenge act and discovers she is pregnant.
This is a fantastic book, which I think has it all; deception, hurt, passion, regret etc. Sara Craven is really a master when it comes to writing a traditional Modern book. The writing in this book is flawless, and really sets the mood perfectly. Flora is a great female character and she is very believable . There are a lot of elements of mystery to this book and it keeps you guessing about what will happen next.
I do think this would have benefited by including Marco's point of view, instead of just Flora's.
This is a really great book, definitely recommended.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
This is a fantastic book, which I think has it all; deception, hurt, passion, regret etc. Sara Craven is really a master when it comes to writing a traditional Modern book. The writing in this book is flawless, and really sets the mood perfectly. Flora is a great female character and she is very believable . There are a lot of elements of mystery to this book and it keeps you guessing about what will happen next.
I do think this would have benefited by including Marco's point of view, instead of just Flora's.
This is a really great book, definitely recommended.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
January 10, 2019
This romance hit almost all the right notes for me:
1. I love a revenge-gone-awry plotline, especially when it's the hero seeking retribution. This one delivered the emotions I expected to see including anxiety, betrayal, anguish and remorse.
2. I will never tire of a hero and heroine who are cra-a-zy for each other, and that's what Marco and Flora were! Longing and palpable chemistry laced their verbal exchanges, while the sensual love scenes were some of the hottest I've read by the author.
3. The inclusion of humor. Flora's friend, Hes, added some surprising fun and levity to balance out the angst.
4. No flashback scenes. These do not bother me, but it's noteworthy because I know some readers dislike them.
I would have given this a slightly higher rating if Marco had fought harder for Flora after their big breakup. His efforts seemed weak considering how much he loved her. I admit his feelings of helplessness were a normal reaction. But this is romantic fantasy so why not give us the ideal response? Of course, the story would probably have ended then and there if Marco had been persistent.
1. I love a revenge-gone-awry plotline, especially when it's the hero seeking retribution. This one delivered the emotions I expected to see including anxiety, betrayal, anguish and remorse.
2. I will never tire of a hero and heroine who are cra-a-zy for each other, and that's what Marco and Flora were! Longing and palpable chemistry laced their verbal exchanges, while the sensual love scenes were some of the hottest I've read by the author.
3. The inclusion of humor. Flora's friend, Hes, added some surprising fun and levity to balance out the angst.
4. No flashback scenes. These do not bother me, but it's noteworthy because I know some readers dislike them.
I would have given this a slightly higher rating if Marco had fought harder for Flora after their big breakup. His efforts seemed weak considering how much he loved her. I admit his feelings of helplessness were a normal reaction. But this is romantic fantasy so why not give us the ideal response? Of course, the story would probably have ended then and there if Marco had been persistent.
September 2, 2022
Another great read by SC. This one had some surprises in it. So it actually might have been a 5 star for me if I hadn’t been a sneaky devil and looked at some spoilers ahead.
Things I liked without any major spoilers:
There is a dog.
The h has a best friend for support
The chemistry and sex between h and H is hot
The h cheats on her fiancé’ with the hero which would usually make me think less of the h, but SC pulls this off with no bad feelings
Our h runs a successful business, so she is not destitute
The reality that one’s first time is usually not earth shattering and can be very painful…I think more so if you aren’t really into your partner and are just going along with it
The ending where it is clear that the H is ott in love with the heroine
If you like some angst with a few WTH and WTF thrown in for good measure, then give this one a whirl.
Things I liked without any major spoilers:
There is a dog.
The h has a best friend for support
The chemistry and sex between h and H is hot
The h cheats on her fiancé’ with the hero which would usually make me think less of the h, but SC pulls this off with no bad feelings
Our h runs a successful business, so she is not destitute
The reality that one’s first time is usually not earth shattering and can be very painful…I think more so if you aren’t really into your partner and are just going along with it
The ending where it is clear that the H is ott in love with the heroine
If you like some angst with a few WTH and WTF thrown in for good measure, then give this one a whirl.
July 6, 2017
What's with the ridiculous titles that HP comes up with? The Forced Marriage? The marriage was hardly forced on the h and it only occurs in the last eighth of the book. And it was pretty much a non-event and not the best part of the novel at all.
Love how they met, how the H skilfully got her to come out with him despite her being engaged. And he did it without being a douchebag. No forcefulness just pure charm and patience. I like how she's a virgin-non-virgin as in technically not a virgin but sexually pretty much one (like a lot of women, dare I say). This green-eyed gentle hunk of an Italian hero was romantic, gentle and yet passionate. Yummy.
I'm glad I didn't read the reviews beforehand. So the twists involving their non-incidental meeting made for an entertaining read. Craven did a great job in sliding them in without losing focus on their falling in love. But I didn't quite like the lack of interaction between them after the marriage so it knocked off a star for me.
A nice read nonetheless. Thanks, KC, for the recommendation!
Love how they met, how the H skilfully got her to come out with him despite her being engaged. And he did it without being a douchebag. No forcefulness just pure charm and patience. I like how she's a virgin-non-virgin as in technically not a virgin but sexually pretty much one (like a lot of women, dare I say). This green-eyed gentle hunk of an Italian hero was romantic, gentle and yet passionate. Yummy.
I'm glad I didn't read the reviews beforehand. So the twists involving their non-incidental meeting made for an entertaining read. Craven did a great job in sliding them in without losing focus on their falling in love. But I didn't quite like the lack of interaction between them after the marriage so it knocked off a star for me.
A nice read nonetheless. Thanks, KC, for the recommendation!
September 7, 2016
the forced marriage !? it was only towards the very end of the book that he blackmailed her into marriage. the story was not about a forced marriage at all. it was about betrayal of the worst kind. that's why i did not particularly like this book. what the hero did was unforgivable !!true his cousin had been betrayed in the worst possible way but did that give him the right to take revenge on the heroine, the only innocent party in this whole mess. it's unthinkable. i don't know how his mind works or his godmother to have such appalling ideas. the cousin i can understand, she herself was in pain and of course would like to lash out on the heroine whom she considered a rival
August 17, 2017
Italian style revenge served hot. Loved the chemistry between the characters - the plot not so much. And the ending was decidedly abrupt. I wanted to see a passionate reconciliation between Marco and Flora, but instead, there is a sweet romantic conclusion in a sterile hospital room. Talk about buzzkill!
I have read much better stuff from this author and if I had to pick a romance with an 'Italian' hero and the word 'Forced' in it's title - I would pick 'The Forced Bride'. Now that was angsty, passionate and a truly satisfying M&B read. This is just meh! but still better than some of the other romance novels I've come across lately.
I have read much better stuff from this author and if I had to pick a romance with an 'Italian' hero and the word 'Forced' in it's title - I would pick 'The Forced Bride'. Now that was angsty, passionate and a truly satisfying M&B read. This is just meh! but still better than some of the other romance novels I've come across lately.
November 18, 2022
First review
Aprril 06, 2016
In 2008 this was one of the first books I read by the author and "I liked it", but I don't think I would read it again. I am really hard with cheating heros, so no "double standards" here. She should had broke her engagement first before she ended in bed with the hero :/ But the author wanted that their romance story started in that way :(
Aprril 06, 2016
In 2008 this was one of the first books I read by the author and "I liked it", but I don't think I would read it again. I am really hard with cheating heros, so no "double standards" here. She should had broke her engagement first before she ended in bed with the hero :/ But the author wanted that their romance story started in that way :(
August 21, 2019
Powerful Italian Marco Valante was used to taking what he wanted—and he wouldn't let a little thing like Flora's engagement stand in the way! Flora had been trying to convince herself she was happy with her steady fiancé, but her head hadn't stopped spinning since she'd literally bumped into Marco! The sexy tycoon wasted no time in whisking her away to his villa—for privacy, passion and a surprise marriage proposal. Marco was determined to marry Flora before she could discover their accidental meeting hadn't been quite so innocent…
March 29, 2018
This book made me feel like a fraud because there were a few things in the book that didn't sit well with me like the deception and betrayal carried out by the MCs and yet I liked it a lot and liked both MCs. They had awesome chemistry and belonged together.
However, I must get out the stuff that bothered me. One was Flora was ready to spend the weekend with Marco without breaking her engagement. I totally understand her reasons for having sex with him the first time - she was overwhelmed by the passion she felt for the first time in her life and it occurred at a time whan she was vacillating whether she should go ahead and marry Chris or not because she felt something huge missing between them. In the first place there was never any great love between them, they were marrying because it was a comfortable idea and secondly there was not even a tiny bit of passion between them, in fact, the one time they attempted to have sex, it ended before it even started because she was unable to go through with the first stab of pain. Enters Marco while she's this vulnerable state and sweeps her away with his irresistible charm and passion. Still, she should have somehow broken the engagement with Chris before continuing with her affair with Marco, even a cold text would have done it for me. But then, Marco's revenge was based on the very idea of Chris seeing him and Flora together while she was engaged to him. Which brings me to the other thing that bothered me - the way Marco used Flora to take revenge on Chris. It however backfired on him. He hadn't reckoned that he would fall for her and after that he couldn't bear to lose her by telling her the truth. When he was ready to tell her the truth, he was called away on an urgent business matter and his godmother and ex-fiancee swooped in with the truth.
Nevertheless, I was so glad that Flora was saved from marrying Chris, who didn't really care or love her. Moreover, he cheated on her with Marco's fiancee. I only wished there was more interaction between Flora and Marco during that frosty phase of their MoC. Felt bad that they spent Christmas and New Year as cold as the weather. It was clear that both were pining for each other, but didn't know how to reach the other. The baby's kicking would set off a spark, but then they'd retreated to their sad corners.
‘No.’ She marshalled a smile. ‘On the contrary. I think the baby just moved.’
He took a half-step towards her, his hand going out, then stopped, the dark face closing over.
He said quietly, ‘That is—wonderful news. But I hope you will not become too uncomfortable.’
‘No,’ she said, choking back the threatened tears of disappointment. ‘I—I gather that can happen.’ She gave him a brief, meaningless smile, and went back into the castello. By the time she came down to dinner he was already on his
way back to Milan.
I'm so glad that Flora didn't lose the baby when she was almost run down by Marco's ex-fiancee. I can't believe that woman got away with it. Hers and the baby's life was saved because of adorable Mutt, the stray dog she'd adopted.
I liked Flora's friend Hester. She made me chuckle with her wise-cracks. The conversation between Flora and her mother regarding Marco was funny too. Just because Marco is Italian she's sure he is Mafia and when Flora tells her he's an accountant, she tells Flora he could be doing money-laundering, which made Flora glad she didn't tell her mother he was in the pharmaceutical company or she'd think that he was a drug-dealer.
The book had fun moments, romantic and angsty moments too. Kept me engaged right through.
However, I must get out the stuff that bothered me. One was Flora was ready to spend the weekend with Marco without breaking her engagement. I totally understand her reasons for having sex with him the first time - she was overwhelmed by the passion she felt for the first time in her life and it occurred at a time whan she was vacillating whether she should go ahead and marry Chris or not because she felt something huge missing between them. In the first place there was never any great love between them, they were marrying because it was a comfortable idea and secondly there was not even a tiny bit of passion between them, in fact, the one time they attempted to have sex, it ended before it even started because she was unable to go through with the first stab of pain. Enters Marco while she's this vulnerable state and sweeps her away with his irresistible charm and passion. Still, she should have somehow broken the engagement with Chris before continuing with her affair with Marco, even a cold text would have done it for me. But then, Marco's revenge was based on the very idea of Chris seeing him and Flora together while she was engaged to him. Which brings me to the other thing that bothered me - the way Marco used Flora to take revenge on Chris. It however backfired on him. He hadn't reckoned that he would fall for her and after that he couldn't bear to lose her by telling her the truth. When he was ready to tell her the truth, he was called away on an urgent business matter and his godmother and ex-fiancee swooped in with the truth.
Nevertheless, I was so glad that Flora was saved from marrying Chris, who didn't really care or love her. Moreover, he cheated on her with Marco's fiancee. I only wished there was more interaction between Flora and Marco during that frosty phase of their MoC. Felt bad that they spent Christmas and New Year as cold as the weather. It was clear that both were pining for each other, but didn't know how to reach the other. The baby's kicking would set off a spark, but then they'd retreated to their sad corners.
‘No.’ She marshalled a smile. ‘On the contrary. I think the baby just moved.’
He took a half-step towards her, his hand going out, then stopped, the dark face closing over.
He said quietly, ‘That is—wonderful news. But I hope you will not become too uncomfortable.’
‘No,’ she said, choking back the threatened tears of disappointment. ‘I—I gather that can happen.’ She gave him a brief, meaningless smile, and went back into the castello. By the time she came down to dinner he was already on his
way back to Milan.
I'm so glad that Flora didn't lose the baby when she was almost run down by Marco's ex-fiancee. I can't believe that woman got away with it. Hers and the baby's life was saved because of adorable Mutt, the stray dog she'd adopted.
I liked Flora's friend Hester. She made me chuckle with her wise-cracks. The conversation between Flora and her mother regarding Marco was funny too. Just because Marco is Italian she's sure he is Mafia and when Flora tells her he's an accountant, she tells Flora he could be doing money-laundering, which made Flora glad she didn't tell her mother he was in the pharmaceutical company or she'd think that he was a drug-dealer.
The book had fun moments, romantic and angsty moments too. Kept me engaged right through.
June 28, 2018
Flora had a very civil engagement to Christopher. She had her life planned out as his wife and was perfectly happy until she met Marco. Hot, Italian Marco, with ALL the sexy!
Marco made Flora feel things she never felt before and had her questioning her relationship with Chris. Marco soon had Flora in bed feeling feels she had never felt before! It was all fun and games until a sexy weekend away turned out to be at the same country hotel as Chris and his golfing buddies/business associates.
Flora was slut shamed by Chris, his mother, her mother, her sister-in-law. To get away from it all she decided to take Marco’s offer to travel to Italy with him for two weeks.
She had a wonderful time until his evil godmother bursts her happy bubble. She learns some unsavory things about Marco and his relationship with her. This causes her to run home and rebuild her self esteem and life.
All was well until she learns that she is pregnant. Then Marco shows up in an attempt to get her back. He learns about her pregnancy and forces her to marry him. (Hence the title of the book.) And what starts as a MOC of course turns into true luuurve.
I liked the H and h in this book. Marco did some dirty stuff, but you could tell that he was haunted by it and really wanted to tell Flora and make amends. Flora, with the exception of her insecurity about sex, was a decent h. She ran a successful business, she stood up to her loser fiancé and to the H. She was a decently strong character with a good heart. She took in a stray dog. That makes her a winner in my book!
A light, enjoyable read that will leave you smiling.
Marco made Flora feel things she never felt before and had her questioning her relationship with Chris. Marco soon had Flora in bed feeling feels she had never felt before! It was all fun and games until a sexy weekend away turned out to be at the same country hotel as Chris and his golfing buddies/business associates.
Flora was slut shamed by Chris, his mother, her mother, her sister-in-law. To get away from it all she decided to take Marco’s offer to travel to Italy with him for two weeks.
She had a wonderful time until his evil godmother bursts her happy bubble. She learns some unsavory things about Marco and his relationship with her. This causes her to run home and rebuild her self esteem and life.
All was well until she learns that she is pregnant. Then Marco shows up in an attempt to get her back. He learns about her pregnancy and forces her to marry him. (Hence the title of the book.) And what starts as a MOC of course turns into true luuurve.
I liked the H and h in this book. Marco did some dirty stuff, but you could tell that he was haunted by it and really wanted to tell Flora and make amends. Flora, with the exception of her insecurity about sex, was a decent h. She ran a successful business, she stood up to her loser fiancé and to the H. She was a decently strong character with a good heart. She took in a stray dog. That makes her a winner in my book!
A light, enjoyable read that will leave you smiling.
April 29, 2025
“The Forced Marriage” is the story of Flora and Marco.
Heroine is a satisfied, engaged woman who is literally whisked away by the very ardent hero. After a long pursuit, she gives in and falls in love with him.
But as the heroine finds out the real reason behind his courtship, she is heartbroken and decides to leave him. But a bun in the oven changes plans..
Actually a pretty sweet romance with loads of lies and deception, but with a happy ending.
Enjoyed it
Safe- but heroine cheats on her fiancé with the hero
3/5
Heroine is a satisfied, engaged woman who is literally whisked away by the very ardent hero. After a long pursuit, she gives in and falls in love with him.
But as the heroine finds out the real reason behind his courtship, she is heartbroken and decides to leave him. But a bun in the oven changes plans..
Actually a pretty sweet romance with loads of lies and deception, but with a happy ending.
Enjoyed it
Safe- but heroine cheats on her fiancé with the hero
3/5
November 20, 2018
Típica novela rosa. :3
December 23, 2017
Ha estado bastante bien la verdad.
Ha tenido cosas que me han sorprendido para haber sido un estilo Harlequin. Sabemos que las mujeres en este tipo de libros suelen perdonar fácilmente a los hombres cualquier cosa, pero en este caso, la protagonista ha puesto al tipo en su sitio como debe de ser. Sí, después se resolvió rápido hacia el final pero vamos que el meollo de la cuestión fue como tenía que ir jajaja
Son libros para pasar el rato, ya se sabe
Ha tenido cosas que me han sorprendido para haber sido un estilo Harlequin. Sabemos que las mujeres en este tipo de libros suelen perdonar fácilmente a los hombres cualquier cosa, pero en este caso, la protagonista ha puesto al tipo en su sitio como debe de ser. Sí, después se resolvió rápido hacia el final pero vamos que el meollo de la cuestión fue como tenía que ir jajaja
Son libros para pasar el rato, ya se sabe
November 22, 2012
A very entertaining read! Highly recommend, filled with lust, lies, betrayal, and regret.
September 3, 2022
3.5 - 4
I liked the smitten Marco. I liked the Titian haired h Flora. I thought their instant physical attraction was ratcheted up really well. The fiance and the fiancee were a bit OTT and I'm never a fan of gothic family vendetta type complications but this is a good SC.
I liked the smitten Marco. I liked the Titian haired h Flora. I thought their instant physical attraction was ratcheted up really well. The fiance and the fiancee were a bit OTT and I'm never a fan of gothic family vendetta type complications but this is a good SC.
February 1, 2016
Well written but I didn't really like it much.
SPOILERS:
Marco meets Flora and pursues her aggressively so much so that she acts out of character and sleeps with him. She then is put in a position of breaking her engagement to Chris. They run into Chris and before flora can do anything Marco spills the beans Ina very public humiliating scene. A lot of bad fallout then Marco takes Flora to Italy where they continue their affair. It's a passionate time and they both seem to be falling for each other. One day when Marco is out of town Flora is picked up while shopping and is brought to the house of a neighbor. There she meets a girl who supposedly was Marco's fiancée but broke it off to have an affair with Chris - Flora's ex-fiancée. So everything has been an elaborate plot to pay him back in the same way. Why Flora (the victim) bore the brunt of this scheme is still unclear. She runs back to England but finds out she is pregnant. When Marco finds her he forces her to marry him for the sake of the baby. There are many estranged months, and an accident before they confess their HEA. It really was a revenge plot but Marco ended up falling in love w her. What I still can't get is - the real culprit which was Chris- he two timed both Flora and the OW - he gets away scot free!! Ok he lost Flora but he told all the families she was the one who had an affair so they were all sympathetic to him while reviling her!!!
SPOILERS:
Marco meets Flora and pursues her aggressively so much so that she acts out of character and sleeps with him. She then is put in a position of breaking her engagement to Chris. They run into Chris and before flora can do anything Marco spills the beans Ina very public humiliating scene. A lot of bad fallout then Marco takes Flora to Italy where they continue their affair. It's a passionate time and they both seem to be falling for each other. One day when Marco is out of town Flora is picked up while shopping and is brought to the house of a neighbor. There she meets a girl who supposedly was Marco's fiancée but broke it off to have an affair with Chris - Flora's ex-fiancée. So everything has been an elaborate plot to pay him back in the same way. Why Flora (the victim) bore the brunt of this scheme is still unclear. She runs back to England but finds out she is pregnant. When Marco finds her he forces her to marry him for the sake of the baby. There are many estranged months, and an accident before they confess their HEA. It really was a revenge plot but Marco ended up falling in love w her. What I still can't get is - the real culprit which was Chris- he two timed both Flora and the OW - he gets away scot free!! Ok he lost Flora but he told all the families she was the one who had an affair so they were all sympathetic to him while reviling her!!!
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November 2, 2017CASADA A LA FUERZA (Spanish Version)
Nunca entenderé como, para algunos, la infidelidad es pasable mientras se cometa con el Héroe y el cornudo sea la pareja U.u
Ya luego, si le son infieles a los Héroes, o incluso, Héroes están con otras en una separación, ¡Dios, llamen al pelotón de fusilamiento, porque son infieles, tramposos!
Ya ven. Curioso.
Nunca entenderé como, para algunos, la infidelidad es pasable mientras se cometa con el Héroe y el cornudo sea la pareja U.u
Ya luego, si le son infieles a los Héroes, o incluso, Héroes están con otras en una separación, ¡Dios, llamen al pelotón de fusilamiento, porque son infieles, tramposos!
Ya ven. Curioso.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2020
Some times the name of the book creates false anticipation by telling the very end result at the beginning. We all know in HP land they will get get married eventually and HEA but the name is about marriage reader expect to see a forced marriage fairly early int he book and story going around the marriage.
Also H`s distant behavior after the marriage didn't make any sense.
Also H`s distant behavior after the marriage didn't make any sense.
November 1, 2021
I didn't like the actions of the male character when his secret was out and the woman was way too forgiving considering the treatment he gave her. There was no excuse
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2024
The book was.......... meh...
There was nothing new or different to the story (not that i was expecting any).
Things i didnt like:-
The FMC made terrible choices, lacked a backbone and acted totally naive and childish.
The MMC was completely toxic, extremely manipulative, and a total b-word.
And it was downright stupid the way the FMC let herself be manipulated and coerced by the MMC into doing things she didnt want to do.
Also, the FMC cheated on her fiancé, all the while acting like it was no big deal. And why? Because she felt that he didnt prioritize or desire her enough. And the same FMC, later on in the book, admits that her fiance wanted to be intimate with her, but she herself found excuses to put it off!
Right at the beginning of the book, FMC tells her BFF that she is crazy about her fiancé and then ends up cheating on him and ditching him in the next few days. And she doesnt even feel very guilty about that.
And if the story didnt already have problems, more characters are added to give a 'vengeance angle' to the story which somehow dont seem to make logical sense.
The way the MMC manipulated and slept with the FMC, it would have been understandable if it had been a personal vendetta against her, or if he had loved his own cheating fiancee desperately despite her infidelity and therefore wished to destory her lover (provided he assumed thay the said lover was head-over-heels in love with the FMC - i know its all very complicated), but the reasoning given in the story is so lukewarm that no one would buy it as a justification of what he did.
Conclusion:-
The story was ok. Nothing great or logical. Have read several other books with similar revenge storylines which have much better plots and engaging MCs.
There was nothing new or different to the story (not that i was expecting any).
Things i didnt like:-
The FMC made terrible choices, lacked a backbone and acted totally naive and childish.
The MMC was completely toxic, extremely manipulative, and a total b-word.
And it was downright stupid the way the FMC let herself be manipulated and coerced by the MMC into doing things she didnt want to do.
Also, the FMC cheated on her fiancé, all the while acting like it was no big deal. And why? Because she felt that he didnt prioritize or desire her enough. And the same FMC, later on in the book, admits that her fiance wanted to be intimate with her, but she herself found excuses to put it off!
Right at the beginning of the book, FMC tells her BFF that she is crazy about her fiancé and then ends up cheating on him and ditching him in the next few days. And she doesnt even feel very guilty about that.
And if the story didnt already have problems, more characters are added to give a 'vengeance angle' to the story which somehow dont seem to make logical sense.
The way the MMC manipulated and slept with the FMC, it would have been understandable if it had been a personal vendetta against her, or if he had loved his own cheating fiancee desperately despite her infidelity and therefore wished to destory her lover (provided he assumed thay the said lover was head-over-heels in love with the FMC - i know its all very complicated), but the reasoning given in the story is so lukewarm that no one would buy it as a justification of what he did.
Conclusion:-
The story was ok. Nothing great or logical. Have read several other books with similar revenge storylines which have much better plots and engaging MCs.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2018
The first half of the book lasted way too long, it didn't allow us to see the hero as anything other than a creepy stalker who happened to be hot. The 'reason' for the deception was choppy at best. The other woman, yes I felt bad for, but she needed to get over herself! Honey, the dude is a dick! That doesn't mean you attack the girl who doesn't know anything, oh and you were sleeping with her man, which makes you a hoe and you tried to kill someone we think. Our poor heroine! She is jerked every which way in this book and its hard to tell if she is worth rooting for or not. So much cheating all around and the pregnancy should have come way sooner, in Italy the first trip probably. But gotta say hero's behavior in the beginning turned me off for the rest of the book, and as a reader you know he is up to something but not listening to the heroine, following her around, forcing her to be with you not a good look. And a huge element that could have pissed off the other woman too that wasn't explored was that the heroine got both of her dudes. That is enough to be a bit ticked off. But her and her mother, nothing will satisfy them, the jerk fiancé could have got hit by a truck they'd been upset that his death was too quick. Ladies use your powers of evil on something interest! Not a lame dude.
September 7, 2020
Hero meets heroine. (Staged)
Instalust. Sigh!
After an accidental run-in with the Fiancee / OM (again staged) Hero whiskes the heroine away to Italy.
They're cocooned in the Hero's castle and there are some nice and sensual passion moments.
Heroine has Mommy issues - disapproval.
Heroine decides to be with the Hero for as long as it lasts.
Enemy camp enlightens heroine about the revenge plot.
Backstory -
Heroine is engaged to OM.
Hero is unofficially engaged to OW.
OM and OW have an affair.
OW falls pregnant.
OM rejects her for heroine.
OW's aunty is Hero's Godmother.
Hero out for revenge on behalf of Godmother.
Enemy camp coerces Heroine to leave.
I'm-feeling-betrayed heroine quietly and predictably runs back home.
Predictably Heroine is pregnant.
Hero comes to grovel.
Heroine rebuffs him.
Hero finds out and forces marriage.
Heroine reluctantly accepts.
Some mild angst.
Seperate bedrooms.
OW causing accident.
Heroine injured.
Adopted stray dog named Mutt to the rescue.
Reconciliation scene in the hospital.
No epilogue.
No baby announcement either.😐
Instalust. Sigh!
After an accidental run-in with the Fiancee / OM (again staged) Hero whiskes the heroine away to Italy.
They're cocooned in the Hero's castle and there are some nice and sensual passion moments.
Heroine has Mommy issues - disapproval.
Heroine decides to be with the Hero for as long as it lasts.
Enemy camp enlightens heroine about the revenge plot.
Backstory -
Heroine is engaged to OM.
Hero is unofficially engaged to OW.
OM and OW have an affair.
OW falls pregnant.
OM rejects her for heroine.
OW's aunty is Hero's Godmother.
Hero out for revenge on behalf of Godmother.
Enemy camp coerces Heroine to leave.
I'm-feeling-betrayed heroine quietly and predictably runs back home.
Predictably Heroine is pregnant.
Hero comes to grovel.
Heroine rebuffs him.
Hero finds out and forces marriage.
Heroine reluctantly accepts.
Some mild angst.
Seperate bedrooms.
OW causing accident.
Heroine injured.
Adopted stray dog named Mutt to the rescue.
Reconciliation scene in the hospital.
No epilogue.
No baby announcement either.😐
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2026
It should have another tile like a betrayal the revenge would have been better if they though that the fiancé has something to do with the acts of Chris who cheated on his fiance but again I think the h was wrong she should have told the fuance before embarking on her lust wishes it would have better if the fiancé revealed the scheme and the H regretted it or was no longer doing it but his godmother went with it tge dishonesty of the h is not forgiven by making her fiance cheating first and who would go to Bahamas by himself while he is engaged !! That should tell the dumb if the h donething!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2022
All was ok. But the maniacal psychopathic Ottavia. That was her name? That issue didn’t get resolved. She needed to go to a prison or a mental hospital.
What’s to stop her from attacking our heroine again?
Now the story. Good as Sara Craven’s usually are.
It was love at first sight. And the hero very quickly insinuated himself in heroines affections. So that was nice.
That’s it. That’s the review.
What’s to stop her from attacking our heroine again?
Now the story. Good as Sara Craven’s usually are.
It was love at first sight. And the hero very quickly insinuated himself in heroines affections. So that was nice.
That’s it. That’s the review.
March 23, 2020
I enjoyed this, but damn that woman went through a lot.
May 11, 2020
Verleiding of vendetta?
July 10, 2020
The antagonist didn't get her comeuppance.She tried to kill the pregnant heroine.Its not right...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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