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Marco's Pride
When making love, Marco D'Angelo was sensual and passionate. But when it came to declaring his love, he was unable to open his heart. When their whirlwind marriage fell apart, Payton left him, taking their two young daughters with her. Two years later, Payton has returned to Italy the time has come for the girls to get to know their father. At first Payton is determined to keep her distance from Marco. But on seeing him again her feelings for him can no longer be ignored...she's forced to admit that her body still yearns for her husband's touch...
Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 2007
28 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
Jane Porter
547 books2,052 followersBorn in Visalia, California, I'm a small town girl at heart. I love central California's golden foothills, oak trees, and the miles of farmland. In my mind, there's nothing sweeter in the world than the heady fragrance of orange blossoms on a sultry summer night.
As a little girl I spent hours on my bed, staring out the window, dreaming of far off places, fearless knights, and happy-ever-after endings. In my imagination I was never the geeky bookworm with the thick coke-bottle glasses, but a princess, a magical fairy, a Joan-of-Arc crusader.
My parents fed my imagination by taking our family to Europe for a year when I was thirteen. The year away changed me (I wasn't a geek for once!) and overseas I discovered a huge and wonderful world with different cultures and customs. I loved everything about Europe, but felt especially passionate about Italy and those gorgeous Italian men (no wonder my first very Presents hero was Italian).
I confess, after that incredible year in Europe, the travel bug bit, and bit hard. I spent much of my high school and college years abroad, studying in South Africa, Japan and Ireland. South Africa remains a country of my heart, the people, the land and politics complex and heart-wrenching.
After my years of traveling and studying I had to settle down and earn a living. With my Bachelors degree from UCLA in American Studies, a program that combines American literature and American history, I've worked in sales and marketing, as well as a director of a non-profit foundation. Later I earned my Masters in Writing from the University of San Francisco and taught jr. high and high school English.
I now live in Seattle and Hawaii with my three sons. I never mind a rainy day, either, because that's when I sit at my desk and write stories about far-away places, fascinating people, and most importantly of all, love. I like a story with a happy ending. We all do.
As a little girl I spent hours on my bed, staring out the window, dreaming of far off places, fearless knights, and happy-ever-after endings. In my imagination I was never the geeky bookworm with the thick coke-bottle glasses, but a princess, a magical fairy, a Joan-of-Arc crusader.
My parents fed my imagination by taking our family to Europe for a year when I was thirteen. The year away changed me (I wasn't a geek for once!) and overseas I discovered a huge and wonderful world with different cultures and customs. I loved everything about Europe, but felt especially passionate about Italy and those gorgeous Italian men (no wonder my first very Presents hero was Italian).
I confess, after that incredible year in Europe, the travel bug bit, and bit hard. I spent much of my high school and college years abroad, studying in South Africa, Japan and Ireland. South Africa remains a country of my heart, the people, the land and politics complex and heart-wrenching.
After my years of traveling and studying I had to settle down and earn a living. With my Bachelors degree from UCLA in American Studies, a program that combines American literature and American history, I've worked in sales and marketing, as well as a director of a non-profit foundation. Later I earned my Masters in Writing from the University of San Francisco and taught jr. high and high school English.
I now live in Seattle and Hawaii with my three sons. I never mind a rainy day, either, because that's when I sit at my desk and write stories about far-away places, fascinating people, and most importantly of all, love. I like a story with a happy ending. We all do.
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March 20, 2025
SPOILERS
Marco, the head of Milan's top fashion house, was with his fiancee ( of one month) Princess Marilena, at his salon.
He was in a foul mood. He just learned that his ex wife, Payton and his 3 year old twin girls, were coming to Italy from America for a holiday.
He was overwrought, telling his fiancee that he would not allow his ex to break up the wedding which was going to take place in two months.
Marilena tried to calm him down telling him that Payton was not a threat to them. He said when Payton comes he would sue for custody of the twins.
He thought that the marriage with his ex was a disaster, a nightmare.
Payton arrived at Milan's airport with the girls, two years after she left vowing never to come back. When she saw Marco, 39, waiting for them all the pain came back. She remembered the last words she had spoken to him before she left " Nothing short of death would make me come back to you ".
Now she was out of options, she had cancer and she had to leave the children with him while she would be receiving treatment in America. Marco did not know about this yet.
He received her with coldness, resentment, irritation and suspicion.
That night he returned home from work after the girls went to bed. He told Payton that Princess Marilena would be there soon and warned her to keep her distance and not to try to come between them.
Payton reassured him that she wanted to achieve the opposite as if something happened to her the children would go to him and his future wife.
The Princess arrived and the brief conversation that took place was cordial even though the Princess did not condescend to shake Payton's hand when offered.
The newly engaged couple went out to dinner and when Marco returned that night he told Payton how much he loved the twins and missed them. She accused him of not coming to see the kids except of a few times in the last two years.
He said it was her fault for moving to America. She pointed out that she came back in order for him to form a loving relationship with the girls.
Been privy to his inner thoughts we know that he had stayed away not because he wanted to but because visiting Payton and the girls hurt more than helped.
He always blamed Payton for the failure of the marriage but deep down he knew that it was his fault too. He had let her go.
At this point l got the feeling that Marco felt so much resentment and hostility towards Payton because he knew she had the power to change his life. She got under his skin, he did not trust himself to resist, he did not trust his feelings and actions where Payton was concerned. He was a control freak and Payton was making him lose control. She always had the ability to engage his emotions.
The next day they had lunch together, Marilena included. Marco did not speak a word to Payton during lunch.
Afterwards, when the Princess left and the children were napping, Marco asked Payton for a private talk.
He told her she was a danger to him, that he feared she would destroy everything. He loved Marilena and with Payton there he couldn't concentrate on his work and he couldn't ignore the attraction he felt for her. He couldn't let this strong feeling he had for Payton destroy the course of his future life with Marilena. The Princess apparently deserved better.
Four years earlier Marco was involved with the Princess for some years and been set to marry, though no official engagement. Payton was a young intern from America at his fashion house and she was infatuated with him.
One night at a party Marco, who felt an irresistible attraction to Payton, slept with her and it resulted in a pregnancy.
He married her but he was feeling guilty for his treatment and betrayal of Marilena. This cast a shadow on their marriage, made him feel resentment for Payton and hostility set in their marriage.
Payton wasn't happy, she felt as not good enough, not worthy and inferior as she came from modest background and Marco was a member of high society.
He was verbally cruel to her ,told her she was a one night stand, called her ungrateful upstart and called their marriage a mistake. He said he could never love her.
Payton packed up the kids and went back to America, and he let her, although he felt terrible about it.
The day after her arrival he asked her to stay and settle back in Italy. He would buy her a house nearby and give her a job at his company as Payton was an extremely talented and well sought designer.
He didn't want to lose his children again, he wanted them close by.
She said the children would be confused that their parents weren't together and he replied that as he was going to marry Marilena the girls would have two mothers just like someday they would have two fathers.
Payton could not imagine ever falling in love with anyone else. She would always love him.
Marco tried to reassure her that Marilena was very accepting of the girls and she would make a good stepmother even though they were planning to have children of their own.
After putting the girls to sleep they went downstairs for a drink. He asked her if she would accept his proposal and stay in Italy. She said maybe in six months but she would leave the kids with him at the present. She started to cry at this point and he kissed her passionately.
She pushed him away after a while and Marco realising what he just done became angry at her and himself asking what is the matter with him and he can't resist her.
He said he broke Marilena's heart once and he wasn't about to do it again.
Livid he lashed out at her " l want you to go. I want you to get your things, your luggage, your children and go. Now.
It's what you wanted that's why you kept them from me and l became a stranger to them. You are destroying my relationship with Marilena. Again!
I am engaged to her and l'had done the unthinkable and both times with you. I am ashamed.
This time l know exactly what to do.
Get rid of you. Fast."
She said she would leave in the morning but she would leave the kids with him.she didn't want them to watch her go through chemo. She had cancer.
Shattered he accused her that she did had an ulterior motive in coming to see him after all.
She pleated with him to help her. She was to leave in 9 days. She was desperate.
Next morning Marco visited his fiancee. He informed her about the situation, about the need to postpone the wedding as they would need to take care of the girls while Payton received treatment in America.
Marilena said the twins were delightful and charming but she wanted to be a bride before a mother. They should stick to their plans of starting a family together, having their own babies. She didn't want to be a mother to children that were not her own and American.
Marco did not respond to that and left clearly disappointed.
Arriving home he took a look at his ex wife and his children and thought he rather liked his Americans.
He proposed to go on a week's holiday to Capri. He said they needed calm and quiet, a restful week with their children.
Arriving at their destination he told Payton he would never had married her if he did not had feelings for her. He complimented her on been a good mother.
They both had a post-mortem of their lives, their mistakes. They apologised to each other, put their differences aside.
They spend the next few days doing touristy things, having picnics, swimming and having a good time.
Marco told Payton he was glad her and the girls were back. He tried to kiss her but she hold back reminding him of Marilena.
He said he'll end it with her and proceeded to kiss her. She resisted, told him he couldn't do this to his fiancee again, she didn't want to interfere, he said they were inevitable, realising that he was lying to himself the whole time.
He was tired of fighting off Payton, because he was in love with her all along.
Marilena was regal and controlled. Payton was warm, funny and passionate.
The next day he went back to Milan for the day and straight to the Princess apartment. He knew she was not the right woman for him. The last two years he was sleepwalking and now he was awake at last. He was never in love with her.
He told her so and she told him he was a fool. She accused Payton of been destructive and manipulative, of been there to break them up and succeeding.
She told him he would regret it when he realize Payton had tricked him again.
Back in Capri Marco invited Payton out to dinner. She kissed the girls goodnight, left them with the babysitter, got into the car and fell apart.
She told Marco she wanted to have forever with them, to be healthy and a good mother always. At least, she said, if things go wrong the girls would still have him.
He said fiercely that they need HER always so she'd better fight and beat this illness.
He will be at her side all the way.
They had a romantic dinner, they danced and back home he told her he ended it with Marilena. He was playing it safe with his ex fiancee the whole time but he didn't want to continue on that path with Marilena, he wanted Payton's fire.
He loved her. He proposed to her but Payton was sceptical. They had tried this before and it failed.
He said they were not ready then and were immature. This time it was going to work out. Besides this time they had love on their side.
They got married.
They spend their wedding night at a Hotel. An envelope was slipped under their door addressed to Marco. Inside were Payton's lab results. She had no cancer, there's been a mistake. The date of delivery was before they went to Capri.
He shattered. He confronted her. She knew nothing about it, she never received it.
He did not believe her,to him she had tricked him again, her pregnancy, his jilting of Marilena twice and now this.
He left and Payton was devastated.
Marco drove furiously. How could she trick him like that? He was going to file for divorce and full custody of the children.
He arrived home. It was after midnight. The phone rang, it was Marilena telling him that Payton was there with her.
When Marco met Marilena at a Cafe Payton was not with her. She left and the Princess did not know where she was.
Apparently Marilena was so jealous of Payton that when she got a chance to have a weapon against her,she took it in case she needed it.
She was at Marco's house ten days earlier when the envelope was delivered and she took it.
She slipped the envelope under their Hotel room door that night.
For revenge.
Payton realised that Marilena was behind the whole thing that's why she visited her asking for help.
Marco returned to the house knowing he'd wronged and humiliated Payton. He was an arrogant fool. He was worried about Payton walking the streets at this hour.
Would she ever forgive him? He did love her and now that cancer wasn't hanging over her head the sky was the limit for them.
He was so scared she would not stay with him after what he did.
At dawn she returned.
Marco upon seeing her started to cry, apologising for losing his temper, been an idiot, cruel, not listening, not trusting her,for walking out on her.
Payton told him he was a proud man who felt betrayed. She told him she was not going anywhere. They belong together.
He said he had good news, she was not sick, it was a terrible mistake. They had their whole life right in front of them to live with their children.
Marco, the head of Milan's top fashion house, was with his fiancee ( of one month) Princess Marilena, at his salon.
He was in a foul mood. He just learned that his ex wife, Payton and his 3 year old twin girls, were coming to Italy from America for a holiday.
He was overwrought, telling his fiancee that he would not allow his ex to break up the wedding which was going to take place in two months.
Marilena tried to calm him down telling him that Payton was not a threat to them. He said when Payton comes he would sue for custody of the twins.
He thought that the marriage with his ex was a disaster, a nightmare.
Payton arrived at Milan's airport with the girls, two years after she left vowing never to come back. When she saw Marco, 39, waiting for them all the pain came back. She remembered the last words she had spoken to him before she left " Nothing short of death would make me come back to you ".
Now she was out of options, she had cancer and she had to leave the children with him while she would be receiving treatment in America. Marco did not know about this yet.
He received her with coldness, resentment, irritation and suspicion.
That night he returned home from work after the girls went to bed. He told Payton that Princess Marilena would be there soon and warned her to keep her distance and not to try to come between them.
Payton reassured him that she wanted to achieve the opposite as if something happened to her the children would go to him and his future wife.
The Princess arrived and the brief conversation that took place was cordial even though the Princess did not condescend to shake Payton's hand when offered.
The newly engaged couple went out to dinner and when Marco returned that night he told Payton how much he loved the twins and missed them. She accused him of not coming to see the kids except of a few times in the last two years.
He said it was her fault for moving to America. She pointed out that she came back in order for him to form a loving relationship with the girls.
Been privy to his inner thoughts we know that he had stayed away not because he wanted to but because visiting Payton and the girls hurt more than helped.
He always blamed Payton for the failure of the marriage but deep down he knew that it was his fault too. He had let her go.
At this point l got the feeling that Marco felt so much resentment and hostility towards Payton because he knew she had the power to change his life. She got under his skin, he did not trust himself to resist, he did not trust his feelings and actions where Payton was concerned. He was a control freak and Payton was making him lose control. She always had the ability to engage his emotions.
The next day they had lunch together, Marilena included. Marco did not speak a word to Payton during lunch.
Afterwards, when the Princess left and the children were napping, Marco asked Payton for a private talk.
He told her she was a danger to him, that he feared she would destroy everything. He loved Marilena and with Payton there he couldn't concentrate on his work and he couldn't ignore the attraction he felt for her. He couldn't let this strong feeling he had for Payton destroy the course of his future life with Marilena. The Princess apparently deserved better.
Four years earlier Marco was involved with the Princess for some years and been set to marry, though no official engagement. Payton was a young intern from America at his fashion house and she was infatuated with him.
One night at a party Marco, who felt an irresistible attraction to Payton, slept with her and it resulted in a pregnancy.
He married her but he was feeling guilty for his treatment and betrayal of Marilena. This cast a shadow on their marriage, made him feel resentment for Payton and hostility set in their marriage.
Payton wasn't happy, she felt as not good enough, not worthy and inferior as she came from modest background and Marco was a member of high society.
He was verbally cruel to her ,told her she was a one night stand, called her ungrateful upstart and called their marriage a mistake. He said he could never love her.
Payton packed up the kids and went back to America, and he let her, although he felt terrible about it.
The day after her arrival he asked her to stay and settle back in Italy. He would buy her a house nearby and give her a job at his company as Payton was an extremely talented and well sought designer.
He didn't want to lose his children again, he wanted them close by.
She said the children would be confused that their parents weren't together and he replied that as he was going to marry Marilena the girls would have two mothers just like someday they would have two fathers.
Payton could not imagine ever falling in love with anyone else. She would always love him.
Marco tried to reassure her that Marilena was very accepting of the girls and she would make a good stepmother even though they were planning to have children of their own.
After putting the girls to sleep they went downstairs for a drink. He asked her if she would accept his proposal and stay in Italy. She said maybe in six months but she would leave the kids with him at the present. She started to cry at this point and he kissed her passionately.
She pushed him away after a while and Marco realising what he just done became angry at her and himself asking what is the matter with him and he can't resist her.
He said he broke Marilena's heart once and he wasn't about to do it again.
Livid he lashed out at her " l want you to go. I want you to get your things, your luggage, your children and go. Now.
It's what you wanted that's why you kept them from me and l became a stranger to them. You are destroying my relationship with Marilena. Again!
I am engaged to her and l'had done the unthinkable and both times with you. I am ashamed.
This time l know exactly what to do.
Get rid of you. Fast."
She said she would leave in the morning but she would leave the kids with him.she didn't want them to watch her go through chemo. She had cancer.
Shattered he accused her that she did had an ulterior motive in coming to see him after all.
She pleated with him to help her. She was to leave in 9 days. She was desperate.
Next morning Marco visited his fiancee. He informed her about the situation, about the need to postpone the wedding as they would need to take care of the girls while Payton received treatment in America.
Marilena said the twins were delightful and charming but she wanted to be a bride before a mother. They should stick to their plans of starting a family together, having their own babies. She didn't want to be a mother to children that were not her own and American.
Marco did not respond to that and left clearly disappointed.
Arriving home he took a look at his ex wife and his children and thought he rather liked his Americans.
He proposed to go on a week's holiday to Capri. He said they needed calm and quiet, a restful week with their children.
Arriving at their destination he told Payton he would never had married her if he did not had feelings for her. He complimented her on been a good mother.
They both had a post-mortem of their lives, their mistakes. They apologised to each other, put their differences aside.
They spend the next few days doing touristy things, having picnics, swimming and having a good time.
Marco told Payton he was glad her and the girls were back. He tried to kiss her but she hold back reminding him of Marilena.
He said he'll end it with her and proceeded to kiss her. She resisted, told him he couldn't do this to his fiancee again, she didn't want to interfere, he said they were inevitable, realising that he was lying to himself the whole time.
He was tired of fighting off Payton, because he was in love with her all along.
Marilena was regal and controlled. Payton was warm, funny and passionate.
The next day he went back to Milan for the day and straight to the Princess apartment. He knew she was not the right woman for him. The last two years he was sleepwalking and now he was awake at last. He was never in love with her.
He told her so and she told him he was a fool. She accused Payton of been destructive and manipulative, of been there to break them up and succeeding.
She told him he would regret it when he realize Payton had tricked him again.
Back in Capri Marco invited Payton out to dinner. She kissed the girls goodnight, left them with the babysitter, got into the car and fell apart.
She told Marco she wanted to have forever with them, to be healthy and a good mother always. At least, she said, if things go wrong the girls would still have him.
He said fiercely that they need HER always so she'd better fight and beat this illness.
He will be at her side all the way.
They had a romantic dinner, they danced and back home he told her he ended it with Marilena. He was playing it safe with his ex fiancee the whole time but he didn't want to continue on that path with Marilena, he wanted Payton's fire.
He loved her. He proposed to her but Payton was sceptical. They had tried this before and it failed.
He said they were not ready then and were immature. This time it was going to work out. Besides this time they had love on their side.
They got married.
They spend their wedding night at a Hotel. An envelope was slipped under their door addressed to Marco. Inside were Payton's lab results. She had no cancer, there's been a mistake. The date of delivery was before they went to Capri.
He shattered. He confronted her. She knew nothing about it, she never received it.
He did not believe her,to him she had tricked him again, her pregnancy, his jilting of Marilena twice and now this.
He left and Payton was devastated.
Marco drove furiously. How could she trick him like that? He was going to file for divorce and full custody of the children.
He arrived home. It was after midnight. The phone rang, it was Marilena telling him that Payton was there with her.
When Marco met Marilena at a Cafe Payton was not with her. She left and the Princess did not know where she was.
Apparently Marilena was so jealous of Payton that when she got a chance to have a weapon against her,she took it in case she needed it.
She was at Marco's house ten days earlier when the envelope was delivered and she took it.
She slipped the envelope under their Hotel room door that night.
For revenge.
Payton realised that Marilena was behind the whole thing that's why she visited her asking for help.
Marco returned to the house knowing he'd wronged and humiliated Payton. He was an arrogant fool. He was worried about Payton walking the streets at this hour.
Would she ever forgive him? He did love her and now that cancer wasn't hanging over her head the sky was the limit for them.
He was so scared she would not stay with him after what he did.
At dawn she returned.
Marco upon seeing her started to cry, apologising for losing his temper, been an idiot, cruel, not listening, not trusting her,for walking out on her.
Payton told him he was a proud man who felt betrayed. She told him she was not going anywhere. They belong together.
He said he had good news, she was not sick, it was a terrible mistake. They had their whole life right in front of them to live with their children.
January 17, 2018
Trainwreck! Second chance story.
Marco is the owner/designer of a fashion house in Milan.
Marco had a one night stand with an American intern(virgin) from his fashion house.
Marco married the American intern because she was pregnant with twins
Marco broke off his unofficial engagement with an Italian princess in order to marry.
Marco ran away from his feelings.
Marco told the heroine he would never love her and that she had no talent.
Marco divorced her after she walked out.
Marco has seen his twins six times in two years. He missed their third birthday party.
Marco is now engaged to his princess again.
Marco thinks . . . okay let’s not finish this sentence, because Marco never thinks. He shoots his mouth off, he emotes, he fights unfairly, he leaps to conclusions, in short . . .
Marco is from another planet and still hasn’t assimilated to think and act like a human.
It’s the only reason I can think of for the “black moment” after the H/h
The heroine seems to understand that the hero is a fish out of water in our atmosphere and forgives him the next day when he is in tears for a dubious HEA.
Don’t let me deter you from reading this – it’s is delicious angst as the poor heroine tries to apply earth logic to this sexy alien from Planet Fashion House(?)The OW (the princess) is also from other realms since she took him back the first time and still wants him back enough to come up with a harebrained scheme of The OW predicted her comrade’s reactions perfectly, which makes think they are both on the same mission to infiltrate HP romances with their brand of PFH logic.
I’m worried about the twins, though. Will they be accepted when their father returns to the mother ship? Hard to say, but their mama is happy with this pathetic creature, so they’re going to have to figure it out.
Marco is the owner/designer of a fashion house in Milan.
Marco had a one night stand with an American intern(virgin) from his fashion house.
Marco married the American intern because she was pregnant with twins
Marco broke off his unofficial engagement with an Italian princess in order to marry.
Marco ran away from his feelings.
Marco told the heroine he would never love her and that she had no talent.
Marco divorced her after she walked out.
Marco has seen his twins six times in two years. He missed their third birthday party.
Marco is now engaged to his princess again.
Marco thinks . . . okay let’s not finish this sentence, because Marco never thinks. He shoots his mouth off, he emotes, he fights unfairly, he leaps to conclusions, in short . . .
Marco is from another planet and still hasn’t assimilated to think and act like a human.
It’s the only reason I can think of for the “black moment” after the H/h
The heroine seems to understand that the hero is a fish out of water in our atmosphere and forgives him the next day when he is in tears for a dubious HEA.
Don’t let me deter you from reading this – it’s is delicious angst as the poor heroine tries to apply earth logic to this sexy alien from Planet Fashion House(?)The OW (the princess) is also from other realms since she took him back the first time and still wants him back enough to come up with a harebrained scheme of The OW predicted her comrade’s reactions perfectly, which makes think they are both on the same mission to infiltrate HP romances with their brand of PFH logic.
I’m worried about the twins, though. Will they be accepted when their father returns to the mother ship? Hard to say, but their mama is happy with this pathetic creature, so they’re going to have to figure it out.
May 1, 2019
4/30/2019
I just re-read this and I forgot parts of it but I did like that the evil OW came clean about how she tried to sabotage them. I still hate Marco and always will but at least I didn't fly into a rage over it like I did the first time. I think old age is mellowing me maybe. I loved the little girls and I actually felt sorry for the evil heinous witch. He dumped her twice for the same woman. I hated how he treated the heroine though. And he blamed her for everything when he was the total ass. He wouldn't even visit his kids. And that Princess was just awful. I can't believe he said he loved her either. I don't like that. But he did say he was kind of sleepwalking for the last two years. I just don't know. At least he came to his senses and became human again. Until his temper tantrum and he even knew he was being unfair. If there wasn't any angst, I wouldn't have so many good friends on Goodreads I guess so I'll take it. I won't read it again. Two times was enough.
And again, I seriously am worried about myself. Maybe its because I read it before but I didn't hate it as much as I did. I still can't believe I almost believed in the HEA and I almost did. I thought it was kind of cute when he acted like he had just got the letter and results and he was telling her she didn't have cancer at the very end so they could celebrate. She played along too. It was sweet. Nice ending for a horrible, horrible story.
First Read
Hated this book with a passion. It is in My Most Hated Books of all time. Marco sucked!!!
I just re-read this and I forgot parts of it but I did like that the evil OW came clean about how she tried to sabotage them. I still hate Marco and always will but at least I didn't fly into a rage over it like I did the first time. I think old age is mellowing me maybe. I loved the little girls and I actually felt sorry for the evil heinous witch. He dumped her twice for the same woman. I hated how he treated the heroine though. And he blamed her for everything when he was the total ass. He wouldn't even visit his kids. And that Princess was just awful. I can't believe he said he loved her either. I don't like that. But he did say he was kind of sleepwalking for the last two years. I just don't know. At least he came to his senses and became human again. Until his temper tantrum and he even knew he was being unfair. If there wasn't any angst, I wouldn't have so many good friends on Goodreads I guess so I'll take it. I won't read it again. Two times was enough.
And again, I seriously am worried about myself. Maybe its because I read it before but I didn't hate it as much as I did. I still can't believe I almost believed in the HEA and I almost did. I thought it was kind of cute when he acted like he had just got the letter and results and he was telling her she didn't have cancer at the very end so they could celebrate. She played along too. It was sweet. Nice ending for a horrible, horrible story.
First Read
Hated this book with a passion. It is in My Most Hated Books of all time. Marco sucked!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
avoid
February 28, 2017Ummm....WHERE THE FUCK IS THE GROVELLING? the sad SOB walked out on the bride on their wedding night because she DIDNT have cancer!
And he wasn't worried for her wellbeing UNTILL he had proof of her innocence. He didn't even care. And once he knew, he was suddenly so worried he was claiming he was about to ring the police. Umm no...you were planning divorce and soul custody you pig!
And he wasn't worried for her wellbeing UNTILL he had proof of her innocence. He didn't even care. And once he knew, he was suddenly so worried he was claiming he was about to ring the police. Umm no...you were planning divorce and soul custody you pig!
March 29, 2011
This quote from the book says it all, "...even if you were a complete barbarian today, you still deserved a second chance."
The only problem is that it was like his hundredth chance!
They meet, fall in love, she gets preggers, they get married-oh, he was somewhat committed at the time all this happened-marriage doesn't work out, she leaves with their one year old twin daughters, he lets her leave, she makes a life for herself and the children, he goes back to the former love interest.
Flash forward some two years...he's been getting regular nooky from the former love interest who is now his fiancée and due to be his wife in two months, the ex-wife has gotten no nooky during the same two years finds out she has cancer and brings the kids for a long overdue it's time to get to know your father session.
Blah Blah Blah
He dumps, again, the fiancée, sleeps with then marries the heroine, then leaves her, quite cruelly during their honeymoon, when an envelope shows up under their door revealing that the heroine does not have cancer.
She forgives him. He has to hear it from his twice spurned fiancée before he admits he's been an idiot.
So...back to the beginning. "Second chance" my foot! He's a a-hole with no regard for anyone's feeling except his own. A very unlikable hero!!
The only problem is that it was like his hundredth chance!
They meet, fall in love, she gets preggers, they get married-oh, he was somewhat committed at the time all this happened-marriage doesn't work out, she leaves with their one year old twin daughters, he lets her leave, she makes a life for herself and the children, he goes back to the former love interest.
Flash forward some two years...he's been getting regular nooky from the former love interest who is now his fiancée and due to be his wife in two months, the ex-wife has gotten no nooky during the same two years finds out she has cancer and brings the kids for a long overdue it's time to get to know your father session.
Blah Blah Blah
He dumps, again, the fiancée, sleeps with then marries the heroine, then leaves her, quite cruelly during their honeymoon, when an envelope shows up under their door revealing that the heroine does not have cancer.
She forgives him. He has to hear it from his twice spurned fiancée before he admits he's been an idiot.
So...back to the beginning. "Second chance" my foot! He's a a-hole with no regard for anyone's feeling except his own. A very unlikable hero!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2013
Not a good read. The writing was bad, I felt no connection to the characters at all. Maybe because they were so one dimensional. Hero was an ass who didn't deserve the lovely innocent heroine or their sweet kids. He should have stayed with his bitchy princess. They deserved each other.
December 17, 2016
The hero was a creep, granted not the biggest one in harlequin history but he has to be at least in the top twenty. The hero and heroine had an affair and the heroine got pregnant. He married her. Things hit the fan and she leaves with the twin girls. She remains loyal while he whores around with another whore. It's the same story written about a thousand times. The heroine might have cancer, so he marries her again, then he finds out the heroine doesn't have cancer and he leaves her again. Then he finally comes back and begs for forgiveness. Gee Golly! It just kept going back and fourth, back and fourth. I wanted to rip out my hair by the time it was done.
May 1, 2019
2 ⭐⭐ - Meh!
June 25, 2015
I scanned this book and the little I read about the story I could realize what an assh*** this hero was! One of the worst heros I ever read, I hated him! Poor heroine :(
October 29, 2021
Reread 10/29/2021: Didn't hate it, I'm not sure what that says for the book--LOL
Skimmed
Skimmed
March 20, 2023
One of the worst and unromantic romances I’ve read recently.
The characters are divorced and the hero is marrying his fiancée, the same woman he was engaged when he met and had sex with the heroine. Yes, the lowlife cheater Mac cheat cheated on his fiancée and got the heroine pregnant, then married her and basically deserted while he worked day and night.
The heroine left and he never ever called her or looked for her.
Or for his daughters.
Then he stopped seeing his children because it was painful for him to see them and then leave them.
Talking about selfish bastard sob.
So now the heroine thinks she’s sick and about to die and goes to Italy where the hero lives trying to help him and their children to build a relationship together.
Because she plans to leave the twins with this bastard sorry excuse for a man.
Because sadly she hasn’t anyone else.
The bastard is now with his cheated former fiancée but it takes him two days to cheat on her again with the heroine.
He’s a worthless man, I’ve never seen anything worse in Hp and believe me I’ve read some.
Worst father, worst husband and sure as hell worst fiancée.
Of course the heroine is not sick and eventually she’ll take the scumbag back again because I think she’s afraid that if something happens to her at least her children won’t go to adoption.
Which I think that being their father the casual worthless mass of cells he is, it wouldn’t be definitely a bad idea.
In Italy we are very severe about adoptive parents and surely the poor children can find a nice and honest family that care for them.
The hero has no redeeming quality.
Not one.
He’s cold and selfish, he’s unable of committing himself and surely is a faithless cheater.
The heroine is not my fave one but I wouldn’t wish this hero to my worst enemy.
I even pitied his twice cheated fiancée.
That poor woman.
She was cheated once, saw him married and took him back when he was divorced and even tried to persuade him to be nice to his twins.
And he cheated on her again.
Unbelievable.
The author tries to make her pay evil in the end but my god even if she mowed him with the car he gave her as a present she couldn’t be evil enough after what he did to her.
So, both women have been very much wronged by the bastard hero and no, I would not recommend this waste of time that is this book.
The characters are divorced and the hero is marrying his fiancée, the same woman he was engaged when he met and had sex with the heroine. Yes, the lowlife cheater Mac cheat cheated on his fiancée and got the heroine pregnant, then married her and basically deserted while he worked day and night.
The heroine left and he never ever called her or looked for her.
Or for his daughters.
Then he stopped seeing his children because it was painful for him to see them and then leave them.
Talking about selfish bastard sob.
So now the heroine thinks she’s sick and about to die and goes to Italy where the hero lives trying to help him and their children to build a relationship together.
Because she plans to leave the twins with this bastard sorry excuse for a man.
Because sadly she hasn’t anyone else.
The bastard is now with his cheated former fiancée but it takes him two days to cheat on her again with the heroine.
He’s a worthless man, I’ve never seen anything worse in Hp and believe me I’ve read some.
Worst father, worst husband and sure as hell worst fiancée.
Of course the heroine is not sick and eventually she’ll take the scumbag back again because I think she’s afraid that if something happens to her at least her children won’t go to adoption.
Which I think that being their father the casual worthless mass of cells he is, it wouldn’t be definitely a bad idea.
In Italy we are very severe about adoptive parents and surely the poor children can find a nice and honest family that care for them.
The hero has no redeeming quality.
Not one.
He’s cold and selfish, he’s unable of committing himself and surely is a faithless cheater.
The heroine is not my fave one but I wouldn’t wish this hero to my worst enemy.
I even pitied his twice cheated fiancée.
That poor woman.
She was cheated once, saw him married and took him back when he was divorced and even tried to persuade him to be nice to his twins.
And he cheated on her again.
Unbelievable.
The author tries to make her pay evil in the end but my god even if she mowed him with the car he gave her as a present she couldn’t be evil enough after what he did to her.
So, both women have been very much wronged by the bastard hero and no, I would not recommend this waste of time that is this book.
June 23, 2022
Not even worth reviewing.
August 9, 2017
After a failed marriage, Peyton moves back home to raise her twin daughters on her own. An illness brings her back to Italy to her ex-husband, Marco, in hopes he will take care of his daughters while she goes through cancer treatments. But, just being back with him again brings back all kinds of feelings she tried to put behind her. Marco is engaged to be married to someone else now. This book goes through a lot of emotions from Peyton and Marco as they try to figure out what they will do next. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves a good romance.
November 17, 2020
Was this kind of romance popular 17 years ago? Innocent has a wild night with boss who’s planning to marry a Princess. She gets pregnant, they marry but he’s awful and so they divorce. Two years later she comes back and he’s ready to marry the Princess again. I can’t go on because it’s just full of nastiness.
The hero is a total jerk and treats the heroine abysmally throughout the book. I mean he’s really awful and yet we’re supposed to believe a half page grovel at the end means they’ll be happy? Deeply unsatisfying.
The hero is a total jerk and treats the heroine abysmally throughout the book. I mean he’s really awful and yet we’re supposed to believe a half page grovel at the end means they’ll be happy? Deeply unsatisfying.
November 22, 2016
"She might not be perfect but he liked her" Yuck, sad book,dreary hero.
October 17, 2014
İlk çevirim diye biraz torpil geçebilirim kendisine dicem ama kitabı da sevdim şimdi ben de yalan yok :D
April 20, 2014
What sweet emotionally charged read....lots of buried passion and a charming tale.
May 8, 2024
The plot was different until it wasn’t.
January 7, 2013
Peyton is raising her twin daughters in California alone. When she's diagnosed with cancer, like her mom and aunt were previously, she decides to take the girls to Italy to be with their father. Although the girls consider their father (Marco) to be a stranger, Payton knows that he is the only person that can care for them if something were to happen to her.
This book was full of love, love lost and love rekindled. The story was written wonderfully and kept you captivated from the beginning. I found myself rooting for Payton and wanting to dislike Marco. At the end Marco realizes the mistakes he's made in letting his pride get in the way.
I would definitely recommend this book. There are a bunch of twists and turns in this book. You never know what's going to happen next and it makes it hard to put the book down. This is a must read!
This book was full of love, love lost and love rekindled. The story was written wonderfully and kept you captivated from the beginning. I found myself rooting for Payton and wanting to dislike Marco. At the end Marco realizes the mistakes he's made in letting his pride get in the way.
I would definitely recommend this book. There are a bunch of twists and turns in this book. You never know what's going to happen next and it makes it hard to put the book down. This is a must read!
March 2, 2021
First Jane Porter read!
I knew this book would get dragged in the reviews! Readers for HP are sooo particular. I get it, they love the category but let authors try new things. I liked that there was some other woman drama, but she didn't over shadow hero and heroine.
This is a second chance story between a divorced with two kids couple. The biggest obstacle for them is misunderstanding, but JP is a smart writer. Even though everyone is over the top rich, Jane brings a certain down to earth quality to them that I liked. Also, scenes with the twin girls were so sweet.
Payton and Marco were very sexy, especially towards the end and I just enjoyed the romance overall.
I knew this book would get dragged in the reviews! Readers for HP are sooo particular. I get it, they love the category but let authors try new things. I liked that there was some other woman drama, but she didn't over shadow hero and heroine.
This is a second chance story between a divorced with two kids couple. The biggest obstacle for them is misunderstanding, but JP is a smart writer. Even though everyone is over the top rich, Jane brings a certain down to earth quality to them that I liked. Also, scenes with the twin girls were so sweet.
Payton and Marco were very sexy, especially towards the end and I just enjoyed the romance overall.
January 21, 2013
I couldn't out this book down. I thought I would just read a chapter or two before bed, boy was I wrong. I had to know what happened to Marco, Payton and their children. I loved that Payton was so strong in spite of all that she was feeling and going through. Porter did an excellent job of making feel all the emotions the characters were feeling. I found myself even tearing up at certain points. I loved this book!
December 30, 2010
Damn you, Jane Porter! You kept me up waaaaay past my bedtime. I could not put this story down! Fabulous book, fabulous characters. Heartbreaking and uplifting all at once. I really, really loved this book.
January 18, 2024
This was an emotional roller coaster. I cried reading this more than the last few years combined. You know a book is a great one if it tugs on your emotions.
A second chance romance with sweet babies, a non whicked OW. Angst and chemistry leading to a forever HEA!
A second chance romance with sweet babies, a non whicked OW. Angst and chemistry leading to a forever HEA!
March 4, 2023
What a jerk H! Also, we can always use more groveling...h needed more backbone. H didn't deserve either the h or OW! Fail, JP!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2019
The H proves how little he actually loves in the last chapter and truly though there is a HEA harlequin style it highlights exactly why its not true love.
February 18, 2023
Another second read
Loved this book the second time around. Italian men are something else and they make you want to punch them. There is a happy ending.
Loved this book the second time around. Italian men are something else and they make you want to punch them. There is a happy ending.
Read
November 8, 2020this was a strange and sad and angsty book. I liked it but didn't feel satisfied with it.
The heroes had one night stand and I don't think he would have married the heroine if she hadn't got pregnant, but she loved him. I didn't feel that the hero really loved the heroine that much, even at the ending.
He was quite distant and cold and tried to start a fight with the heroine from second one, he put all the blame on the poor heroine. It seemed like he had said to her very cruel, unfair things in the past. I hated that he didn't give the heroine the cred for her talent and work. He behaved like an immature teenager but was 12 years older than the heroine and she ran away from their problems. They could have tried to make their marriage work instead of taking the easy way out by divorce
When the heroine told the hero she has cancer he didn't seem much worried. I hoped that at that moment he would realize that if she dies he will lose her forever and never get the second chance.
I felt very sorry for the heroine and wish they had talked more about their feelings, both past and present because they seemed oblivious of each other on a deeper level.
The heroes had one night stand and I don't think he would have married the heroine if she hadn't got pregnant, but she loved him. I didn't feel that the hero really loved the heroine that much, even at the ending.
He was quite distant and cold and tried to start a fight with the heroine from second one, he put all the blame on the poor heroine. It seemed like he had said to her very cruel, unfair things in the past. I hated that he didn't give the heroine the cred for her talent and work. He behaved like an immature teenager but was 12 years older than the heroine and she ran away from their problems. They could have tried to make their marriage work instead of taking the easy way out by divorce
When the heroine told the hero she has cancer he didn't seem much worried. I hoped that at that moment he would realize that if she dies he will lose her forever and never get the second chance.
I felt very sorry for the heroine and wish they had talked more about their feelings, both past and present because they seemed oblivious of each other on a deeper level.
September 2, 2012
Küçük Mucizeler- Jane porter
Bu ayki Harlequin Classicsdeki romanlar içinde Jane Porte'in Küçük Mucizelerindeki erkek karaktere çok sinir oldum..Adam tam anlamı ile bir baş belasıydı.
Bu hikayede iki modacının aşkı ve aralarındaki kara çalı ise bir prenses idi..Prenses de olsa kara çalı kara çalıdır...
Marco D'Angelo ve Payton iki yıl önce fırtınalı evliliklerini bitirmişlerdi..Payton bu ayrılıktan çok acı çekmişti..Boşandıktan sonra kocası ile hiç görüşmemişti ki bu evliliklerinden olan ikiz kız çocukları vardı..
İlişkilerinin başından beri aralarında olan kişi öteki kadın dı..Ama kim öteki kadın belli değildi..Çünkü Marco Payton ile hamile kaldığı için evlenmişti..Ama bu evlilik boyunca bir kaç ay hariç hiç de hoş bir şekilde geçmemişti..
Çok yaralı olan Payton bir türlü hayatına yeni birini sokmamıştı..Ama şimdi onun başında çok daha büyük dertler vardı..Kanserdi!!..Annesini yeni kaybettikten sonra kendiside bu melun hastalığa yakalanmıştı..Ölebilirdi..Çocuklarının Marco ile aralarını yapıp gerekirse eski kocasına teslim etmesi gerekiyordu...
Bu ayki Harlequin Classicsdeki romanlar içinde Jane Porte'in Küçük Mucizelerindeki erkek karaktere çok sinir oldum..Adam tam anlamı ile bir baş belasıydı.
Bu hikayede iki modacının aşkı ve aralarındaki kara çalı ise bir prenses idi..Prenses de olsa kara çalı kara çalıdır...
Marco D'Angelo ve Payton iki yıl önce fırtınalı evliliklerini bitirmişlerdi..Payton bu ayrılıktan çok acı çekmişti..Boşandıktan sonra kocası ile hiç görüşmemişti ki bu evliliklerinden olan ikiz kız çocukları vardı..
İlişkilerinin başından beri aralarında olan kişi öteki kadın dı..Ama kim öteki kadın belli değildi..Çünkü Marco Payton ile hamile kaldığı için evlenmişti..Ama bu evlilik boyunca bir kaç ay hariç hiç de hoş bir şekilde geçmemişti..
Çok yaralı olan Payton bir türlü hayatına yeni birini sokmamıştı..Ama şimdi onun başında çok daha büyük dertler vardı..Kanserdi!!..Annesini yeni kaybettikten sonra kendiside bu melun hastalığa yakalanmıştı..Ölebilirdi..Çocuklarının Marco ile aralarını yapıp gerekirse eski kocasına teslim etmesi gerekiyordu...
June 25, 2015
Encontré la autora de este libro en algun blog donde descargaba novelas de Harlequin. Decían que escribía unas buenas historias de jeques. Nunca había escuchado hablar de ella así que descargué algunas de sus novelas. Como hago casi SIEMPRE, debo asegurarme de NO encontrar cosas desagradables (violación, maltrato...) hice una lectura por encima de esta novela. Debo confesarles que de lo poco que leí, me encontré con uno de los héroes mas estúpidos, patán, boludo... etc de todas las Harlequin que he leido. Ni porque la heroína tenia cáncer este pendejo la trató decentemente.
Yo no se que carajos piensan las autoras de Harlequin cuando se inventan sus protagonistas masculinos. Sera que ese es su hombre ideal? Les gustaría que en la vida real las trataran así?
Como seria tanmalparido este héroe que aun en 2015 no lo he podido olvidar :( Se quedo en mi cabeza para despreciarlo y para evadir unas cuantas historias más de esta autora.
Yo no se que carajos piensan las autoras de Harlequin cuando se inventan sus protagonistas masculinos. Sera que ese es su hombre ideal? Les gustaría que en la vida real las trataran así?
Como seria tan
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