What do you think?
Rate this book
Contract with Consequences
He can give her everything she’s ever wanted…
Last year Scarlet King was a blushing bride-to-be, but now she’s alone and more than anything longs for a baby. This time she’s determined to prove she doesn’t need a man! Successful, spine-tinglingly gorgeous John Mitchell has desired Scarlet for years, so seizes the chance to claim her.
But his proposal comes with a devilish if she wants a baby, they’ll do it the old-fashioned way! John reminds Scarlet of the pleasures she’s been missing, but when the affair is over will Scarlet gain her wish but lose her heart?
Last year Scarlet King was a blushing bride-to-be, but now she’s alone and more than anything longs for a baby. This time she’s determined to prove she doesn’t need a man! Successful, spine-tinglingly gorgeous John Mitchell has desired Scarlet for years, so seizes the chance to claim her.
But his proposal comes with a devilish if she wants a baby, they’ll do it the old-fashioned way! John reminds Scarlet of the pleasures she’s been missing, but when the affair is over will Scarlet gain her wish but lose her heart?
153 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2012
33 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
About the author
Miranda Lee
815 books236 followersMaureen Mary was born on 1945 at Port Macquarie, a popular seaside town on the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales, Australia, and is the youngest of four children. Her sister was the novelist Wendy Brennan (Emma Darcy). Her father was a country school teacher and brilliant sportsman. Her mother was a talented dressmaker. When Miranda was ten, her father was transferred to Gosford, another coastal town in the countryside, much closer to Sydney. After leaving her convent school, she briefly studied the cello before moving to Sydney, where she embraced the emerging world of computers. Her career as a programmer ended after she married, had three daughters and bought a small acreage in a semi-rural community. Following this, she attempted greyhound training, as well as horse and goat breeding, but was left dissatisfied.
Miranda yearned to find a creative career from which she could earn money. When her sister suggested writing romances, it seemed like a good idea. She could do it at home, and it might even be fun! It took a decade of trial and error before her first romance, After the Affair, was accepted and published. At that time, Miranda, her husband Tony, and her three daughters had moved back to the Central Coast, where they could enjoy the sun and the surf lifestyle once again. Not long into her writing career, Miranda committed herself to writing a six-book series entitled, The Hearts of Fire, with a deadline of just nine short months. Bravely, her husband left his executive position to stay home and support Miranda’s writing career. He learned to cook and to clean, two invaluable household skills. Numerous successful stories followed, each embodying Miranda’s trademark style: pacy and sexy rhythms; passionate, real-life characters; and enduring, memorable story lines. She has one credo when writing romances: Don’t bore the reader! Millions of fans world-wide agree she never does.
Miranda was the sister of the late author, Emma Darcy.
Miranda yearned to find a creative career from which she could earn money. When her sister suggested writing romances, it seemed like a good idea. She could do it at home, and it might even be fun! It took a decade of trial and error before her first romance, After the Affair, was accepted and published. At that time, Miranda, her husband Tony, and her three daughters had moved back to the Central Coast, where they could enjoy the sun and the surf lifestyle once again. Not long into her writing career, Miranda committed herself to writing a six-book series entitled, The Hearts of Fire, with a deadline of just nine short months. Bravely, her husband left his executive position to stay home and support Miranda’s writing career. He learned to cook and to clean, two invaluable household skills. Numerous successful stories followed, each embodying Miranda’s trademark style: pacy and sexy rhythms; passionate, real-life characters; and enduring, memorable story lines. She has one credo when writing romances: Don’t bore the reader! Millions of fans world-wide agree she never does.
Miranda was the sister of the late author, Emma Darcy.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 19, 2017
Heroine is 34 years old and desperate to become a mother. Our hero, her childhood friend John is willing to help her fall pregnant, in the traditional way but they fall in love! Passionate, steamy and John and Scarlet had great sizzling chemistry. Hero was sex on legs. Epilogue with their twin girls was super cute and adorable! Not a fan of this author but this is definitely my favorite Miranda Lee book.
September 3, 2012
I usually find Miranda Lee's books enjoyable, and this one is certainly that but it doesn't quite have the sparkle that her other books have.
The plot is relatively simple, and I'm all for non-bogged down romances, but this just came across as a little lacking,
The heroine feels a little immature, not at all like her 34 years. With her want to have a baby and her lack of success in relationships there was a chance to give the heroine a really emotional past and make the story a little more deep, but this was missed.
The hero was also a little disappointing, I could see what the author was trying to do with his 'emotional unavailability' as a result of his childhood, but it didn't quite work.
I really liked the shared history between the hero and heroine, especially that the hero had always harboured feelings for the heroine.
Overall this is a really sweet romance that is also full of sizzle. A nice read, not anything more.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
The plot is relatively simple, and I'm all for non-bogged down romances, but this just came across as a little lacking,
The heroine feels a little immature, not at all like her 34 years. With her want to have a baby and her lack of success in relationships there was a chance to give the heroine a really emotional past and make the story a little more deep, but this was missed.
The hero was also a little disappointing, I could see what the author was trying to do with his 'emotional unavailability' as a result of his childhood, but it didn't quite work.
I really liked the shared history between the hero and heroine, especially that the hero had always harboured feelings for the heroine.
Overall this is a really sweet romance that is also full of sizzle. A nice read, not anything more.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
July 23, 2012
A lot better of a novel in my opinion than recent ones. I'd of liked a lot more angst and frustration but it all worked in the end. My only negative would be that this was a 'lite read', as in there is nothing too special about it but it was enjoyable. The plot was all too simplistic.
October 4, 2012
3.5 stars
An enjoyable read. Not quite the usual friends-to-lovers story, it's rather childhood-nemesis-to-lovers.
I liked Scarlet & John, their attraction was sizzling and the verbal sparring between them was just humorous.
An enjoyable read. Not quite the usual friends-to-lovers story, it's rather childhood-nemesis-to-lovers.
I liked Scarlet & John, their attraction was sizzling and the verbal sparring between them was just humorous.
September 9, 2012
Love Harlequin Romances. Been reading them since I was 17. 48 yrs in all. Miranda Lee wrote my favorite book from Harlequin-Love Slave to the Sheikh. Yummy.
October 21, 2022
Bueno para pasar el rato, aunque esperaba más drama
February 14, 2022
This showed up on my feed. It looked interesting. So, I decided to try it out. It was an enjoyable read, yet didn’t invoke any huge emotion in me(no butterflies in the stomach or murderous hate!) I really appreciated the epilogue at the end.
This is the story of Scarlett and John. They were next door neighbors growing up. The H was always stand offish with the h and at times downright rude. In the beginning she attempted to befriend the H, but gave up after awhile and settled on being polite, distant enemies.
The H moved away to South America. Due to some early family drama, our H shied away from any permanent relationships and enjoyed honing his skills as the next Don Juan…plus he became very rich.
The h stayed home with her mom. She was super bright and was encouraged to go to University but chose being a hair stylist instead(or hair artist, because let’s face it good hair stylists are worth their weight in gold!)She has longed to be married and have children. The few relationships she has had with men have left her unsatisfied, unmarried, not pregnant, and questioning her abilities in the bedroom. She is now 34. The bio clock is ticking. She turns to artificial insemination without the desired results. It is at this point the boy next door returns.
The H offers his stud services to the h. He has actually always been attracted to her, and she finds the older John attractive as well. The rest of the story are these two connecting(passionately). Both highly intelligent, they enjoy their little sparring episodes and get to know each other. The black moment comes when the h realizes she cannot keep her emotions separate from the sex. She leaves the commitment phobe H to go back home. (She went to his place under the guise of being on a vacay so no family members would know)
The H follows her 3 days later. It looks like the confirmed bachelor H is ready to set down some roots.
The story ends with an epilogue about 15 months later.
So an enjoyable read? Yes. The heroine can be a bit prickly at times, but she is wound just a little too tight. This is why the H is good for her. I don’t see myself reading this again, as I like my stories with a little more angst or some overwhelming emotion of sweetness. This was middle of the road for me.
This is the story of Scarlett and John. They were next door neighbors growing up. The H was always stand offish with the h and at times downright rude. In the beginning she attempted to befriend the H, but gave up after awhile and settled on being polite, distant enemies.
The H moved away to South America. Due to some early family drama, our H shied away from any permanent relationships and enjoyed honing his skills as the next Don Juan…plus he became very rich.
The h stayed home with her mom. She was super bright and was encouraged to go to University but chose being a hair stylist instead(or hair artist, because let’s face it good hair stylists are worth their weight in gold!)She has longed to be married and have children. The few relationships she has had with men have left her unsatisfied, unmarried, not pregnant, and questioning her abilities in the bedroom. She is now 34. The bio clock is ticking. She turns to artificial insemination without the desired results. It is at this point the boy next door returns.
The H offers his stud services to the h. He has actually always been attracted to her, and she finds the older John attractive as well. The rest of the story are these two connecting(passionately). Both highly intelligent, they enjoy their little sparring episodes and get to know each other. The black moment comes when the h realizes she cannot keep her emotions separate from the sex. She leaves the commitment phobe H to go back home. (She went to his place under the guise of being on a vacay so no family members would know)
The H follows her 3 days later. It looks like the confirmed bachelor H is ready to set down some roots.
The story ends with an epilogue about 15 months later.
So an enjoyable read? Yes. The heroine can be a bit prickly at times, but she is wound just a little too tight. This is why the H is good for her. I don’t see myself reading this again, as I like my stories with a little more angst or some overwhelming emotion of sweetness. This was middle of the road for me.
October 27, 2025
Tym razem, w romansie Mirandy Lee z serii "Światowe Życie Extra", przenosimy się do Australii. Poznajemy Scarlet King, która bardzo pragnie zostać matką. Jednak nie układa jej się w związkach, dlatego decyduje się skorzystać ze sztucznego zapłodnienia i zostać samotną matką. Pewnego dnia do jej kraju przyjeżdża John Mitchell, przystojny poszukiwacz diamentów i znajomy Scarlet z dzieciństwa. Mężczyzna sam nie wie czy zechce pozostać w miasteczku na dłużej. Zakładał jednak, że jego pobyt będzie tylko chwilową przygodą. Kiedy poznaje plany Scarlet dotyczące in vitro, postanawia wziąć sprawy w swoje ręce...
Co postanowi Scarlet? Jak potoczą się losy tej pary? Czy uda się pomóc dawnej znajomej w kwestii dziecka? Odpowiedzi na te i inne pytania należy szukać w książce.
Mamy tu motyw enemies to lovers. Początkowa relacja głównej pary jest daleka od ideału. Znają się z dzieciństwa, ale nigdy nie było im po drodze - raczej sobie dokuczali niż była to przyjaźń. Teraz, po latach także więcej jest między nimi chłodu, niż ciepła.
Ta dwójka ma jednak konkretny plan i chce go zrealizować. Choć początkowo fabuła nawet się kleiła, a propozycja John'a mogła wydać się racjonalna (choć nieco szalona), tak z biegiem czasu nabrałam całkiem odmiennego przekonania. Ona naiwna i zbyt uległa - zgadza się na wszystkie mniej lub bardziej poważne propozycje John'a. Natomiast on to antypatyczny, chwilami irytujący swoim ciągłym rozkazywaniem i coraz większą śmiałością do rządzenia każdą wspólnie spędzaną ze Scarlet chwilą. Nie da się polubić tego faceta.
Można się tu spodziewać lekko erotycznych opisów oraz klimatu australijskich plenerów. Niestety nie rekompensują one naiwnej fabuły, która choć początkowo zapowiadała się nieźle, ostatecznie została mocno spłycona.
Plusem są krótkie rozdziały, dzięki czemu czyta się szybko, aczkolwiek jest to niezobowiązująca lektura na raz.
Opinia opublikowana na moim blogu:
https://literackiepodrozebooki.blogsp...
Co postanowi Scarlet? Jak potoczą się losy tej pary? Czy uda się pomóc dawnej znajomej w kwestii dziecka? Odpowiedzi na te i inne pytania należy szukać w książce.
Mamy tu motyw enemies to lovers. Początkowa relacja głównej pary jest daleka od ideału. Znają się z dzieciństwa, ale nigdy nie było im po drodze - raczej sobie dokuczali niż była to przyjaźń. Teraz, po latach także więcej jest między nimi chłodu, niż ciepła.
Ta dwójka ma jednak konkretny plan i chce go zrealizować. Choć początkowo fabuła nawet się kleiła, a propozycja John'a mogła wydać się racjonalna (choć nieco szalona), tak z biegiem czasu nabrałam całkiem odmiennego przekonania. Ona naiwna i zbyt uległa - zgadza się na wszystkie mniej lub bardziej poważne propozycje John'a. Natomiast on to antypatyczny, chwilami irytujący swoim ciągłym rozkazywaniem i coraz większą śmiałością do rządzenia każdą wspólnie spędzaną ze Scarlet chwilą. Nie da się polubić tego faceta.
Można się tu spodziewać lekko erotycznych opisów oraz klimatu australijskich plenerów. Niestety nie rekompensują one naiwnej fabuły, która choć początkowo zapowiadała się nieźle, ostatecznie została mocno spłycona.
Plusem są krótkie rozdziały, dzięki czemu czyta się szybko, aczkolwiek jest to niezobowiązująca lektura na raz.
Opinia opublikowana na moim blogu:
https://literackiepodrozebooki.blogsp...
October 8, 2020
This could have been a fabulous story except for the heroine. I disliked Scarlett intensely - selfish, judgemental and unpleasant at times. For a 34 year old, her behaviour was more like a spoiled adolescent. The so called ‘witty banter’ between her and John was so miserable and unpleasant that I kept wondering why John didn’t just walk away and leave her to sort herself out.
She was forever dismissing him, judging him and generally showing herself up as a priggish, unforgiving bitch.
And a 34 year old - on holiday - having to phone her mother every night? Please! No matter how loving the relationship I just could not accept that level of being tied to the apron strings.
John was nice and sexy and deserved someone much better than Scarlett.
This writer has a habit of writing miserable heroines. I think I’ve had enough of them. Brittle and nasty ripostes do not make for witty banter. That kind of dialogue would be fun - this wasn’t.
She was forever dismissing him, judging him and generally showing herself up as a priggish, unforgiving bitch.
And a 34 year old - on holiday - having to phone her mother every night? Please! No matter how loving the relationship I just could not accept that level of being tied to the apron strings.
John was nice and sexy and deserved someone much better than Scarlett.
This writer has a habit of writing miserable heroines. I think I’ve had enough of them. Brittle and nasty ripostes do not make for witty banter. That kind of dialogue would be fun - this wasn’t.
July 3, 2013
An OK read. Light and fun IF you ignore some serious double-standardized/sexist issues.I know it's harlequin, I know it's 'Harlequin Presents' and such but...it was hard to believe this book is 'contemporary romance'. I think a 1800 historical romance would fit it way better.
"Scarlet was lovely looking, but she had impossibly high standards when it came to men. They only had to put a single foot wrong and they were out the door. If Scarlet hadn’t been searching for perfection in a partner, she would long have been married by now. Of course, Janet didn’t condone men who were unfaithful the way Jason had been. But a girl sometimes had to turn a blind eye to minor failings if she wanted to become a wife and mother as much as Scarlet did."
Oh seriously!? facepalm
Oh and BTW, there aren't VOLCANOES in Brazil... Just saying.
February 23, 2013
I loved the book and the fact that as a youth Scarlet and John lived across the street but due to his insecurities and rebellion they never became friends. Scarlet want a baby badly but since she is thirty four she decides to do artificial pregnancy. She tried this a few times but it never stick. John hearing about this offers to be the father but similar to the sperm doner he does not but a little contact. She refuses at first but after another failed attempt she calls him up. He plans to make her forget about making a baby in order for her to lose stress which will make it easier to conceive. I love the development of their relationship because they both quickly realized that it was something more than expected but both tried to deny it. I loved the epilogue I am a sucker for a good epilogue and this was a great one.
December 28, 2013
Contract with Consequences is the 22nd romance novel by Australian author, Miranda Lee. At 34, Scarlet King’s biological clock is ticking loudly, and, with a failed engagement behind her and no Mr Wonderful in sight, the fertility clinic seemed to be the answer. Except she still wasn’t pregnant. Enter John Mitchell, that annoying kid down the road, now all grown up and wow! John informs her he’s not the marrying kind, but is willing to help her fall pregnant, in the traditional manner, of course. In this boy-next-door-with-a-difference romance, Lee gives the reader appealing characters, credible dialogue, commentary on Terrigal traffic disruption, a Darwin travelogue, some hot sex scenes and, of course, a happy ending. Sweet.
August 24, 2013
A nice fluffy read. Like another reader had said, I like the fact that the main leads are just normal people, no tycoons and magnate. I love the fact that both h and H are pretty honest and direct so there is no great misunderstanding possibilities. Another thing that is quite different is the H, whom even though we are told he is antisocial and taciturn, has quite an easy going and quirky sense of humour. He is also very observant and can quickly figure out what is bothering the h, which does endear me to him. Though I would have thought he would have figured himself out way earlier in the story...
August 25, 2012
with any luck the growing trend in HP's to have relatively normal main characters will continue, as the heroine in this book was a hairdresser, and the hero a geologist. granted, he was rich, but he still worked, as did she. their problems were real, like others can and do experience in their own lives, which made this book even more appealing.
April 28, 2013
Quick reading romance that features a mid-thirties couple that have known each other since they were kids. The two meet up at a family party and discover they have the hots for each other. The two make a pact that involves the heroine's biological clock.
July 12, 2012
I just couldn't get into it like I usually do. I Love Maranda Lee's books but this one was just not what I usually get from her.
December 31, 2022
It is my end of the year Harlequin marathon to get my book numbers up.
But they also are a guilty pleasure, crying at happy endings. Plus, this one takes place in Australia and was a particularly lovely story. Boy has crush on girl but has low self esteem so he is mean to her. Comes back years later, handsome and confident. Meanwhile, she is still unmarried at 34 and has decided to become a single mother by insemination. He offers to help. What could go wrong?
But they also are a guilty pleasure, crying at happy endings. Plus, this one takes place in Australia and was a particularly lovely story. Boy has crush on girl but has low self esteem so he is mean to her. Comes back years later, handsome and confident. Meanwhile, she is still unmarried at 34 and has decided to become a single mother by insemination. He offers to help. What could go wrong?
December 17, 2018
Simple straightforward romance between the H and the girl next door h. The plot was realistic and there was chemistry and the best was the conversations not just between H/h but also between a h and a mom who are best friends.
June 21, 2019
Nothing bad, just not quite the right story for me.
July 12, 2020
Was ok, didn't hate it but wasn't anything in it really memorable. P.
November 17, 2021
É uma história curta e que se lê muito bem, mas o conteúdo é que não foi muito do meu agrado, honestamente. Penso que a história podia ter sido melhor, mesmo sendo curta. Não me aquece nem arrefece.
January 11, 2024
A rather light- weight author!! Nothing much happens in the book! A passable read!!
December 10, 2015
Ammetto che è stata una vera delusione leggere di nuovo un Harmony, complice forse una certa maturità e il non avere più la spensieratezza e la curiosità adolescenziale. Troppo scontato e troppo prevedibile. Do due stelle solo per la scorrevolezza del testo, abbastanza leggibile. Spero che gli altri cinque che ho in libreria, non siano tanto deludenti.
Read
December 27, 2014Category: Classic Romance
November 2, 2014
Thought it would be better.
February 12, 2014
Good story line
February 9, 2016
This book was funny (at times) but the ending felt rushed.My favorite character was probably the heroine's mom though I'm not sure why her point of view was included in the book.
December 7, 2014
This book is a light read and there is nothing special about the plot.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews