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Princes Untamed #2
A Reputation for Revenge
Playing a very dangerous game…
Josie Dalton's heart pounds in her chest as she approaches the imposing penthouse of formidable Russian prince Kasimir Xendzov. She might have agreed to marry him to save her sister, but the icy glitter in Kasimir's unflinching eyes warns that he's not a man to be toyed with.
The final piece of the puzzle has fallen into place and revenge is at Kasimir's fingertips; the champagne's on ice and his new wife waits in the bedroom—victory has never been sweeter. But Josie's purity tests the one thing Kasimir didn't know he had—honor.
Josie Dalton's heart pounds in her chest as she approaches the imposing penthouse of formidable Russian prince Kasimir Xendzov. She might have agreed to marry him to save her sister, but the icy glitter in Kasimir's unflinching eyes warns that he's not a man to be toyed with.
The final piece of the puzzle has fallen into place and revenge is at Kasimir's fingertips; the champagne's on ice and his new wife waits in the bedroom—victory has never been sweeter. But Josie's purity tests the one thing Kasimir didn't know he had—honor.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
18 people are currently reading
328 people want to read
About the author
Jennie Lucas
558 books331 followersJennie Lucas had a tragic beginning for any would-be writer: a very happy childhood. Her parents owned a bookstore, and she grew up surrounded by books, dreaming about faraway lands. Her mother read aloud to her in French when she was little; when she was ten, her father secretly paid her a dollar for every classic novel (Jane Eyre, War and Peace) that she read. As a chubby teenager, Jennie covered her bedroom with travel posters and always had her nose in a book.
At fifteen, she went to a Connecticut boarding school on scholarship. She took her first solo trip to Europe at sixteen, then put off college and traveled around the U.S., supporting herself with jobs as diverse as gas station cashier and newspaper advertising assistant.
At 22, she met the man who would be her husband. For the first time in her life, she wanted to stay in one place, as long as she could be with him. After their marriage, she graduated from Kent State University with a degree in English, and started writing books a year later.
Jennie was a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart contest in 2003 and won the award in 2005. A fellow 2003 finalist, Australian author Trish Morey, read Jennie’s writing and told her that she should write for Harlequin Presents. It seemed like too big a dream, but Jennie took a deep breath and went for it. A year later, after seven years of writing and eight finished manuscripts, Jennie got the magical call from London that turned her into a published author.
Since then, life has been hectic, juggling a writing career, a sexy husband and two young children, but Jennie loves her crazy, chaotic life. Who needs a clean house? Every day, Jennie gets swept into drama, glamour and passion. Now if she can only figure out how to pack up her family and live in all the places she’s writing about!
At fifteen, she went to a Connecticut boarding school on scholarship. She took her first solo trip to Europe at sixteen, then put off college and traveled around the U.S., supporting herself with jobs as diverse as gas station cashier and newspaper advertising assistant.
At 22, she met the man who would be her husband. For the first time in her life, she wanted to stay in one place, as long as she could be with him. After their marriage, she graduated from Kent State University with a degree in English, and started writing books a year later.
Jennie was a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart contest in 2003 and won the award in 2005. A fellow 2003 finalist, Australian author Trish Morey, read Jennie’s writing and told her that she should write for Harlequin Presents. It seemed like too big a dream, but Jennie took a deep breath and went for it. A year later, after seven years of writing and eight finished manuscripts, Jennie got the magical call from London that turned her into a published author.
Since then, life has been hectic, juggling a writing career, a sexy husband and two young children, but Jennie loves her crazy, chaotic life. Who needs a clean house? Every day, Jennie gets swept into drama, glamour and passion. Now if she can only figure out how to pack up her family and live in all the places she’s writing about!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
December 29, 2014
2.5-3*
It was hard not to like the heroine. She reminded me a bit of the heroine from Graham's The Spanish Groom. She tended toward being a bit plump (depending on your POV). She was the type who'd never met a stranger, had no filter, and would give her lunch to a homeless guy. Kind of a Mary Sue, but so goofy that she's likeable. Still, even in HP land, it was hard to buy how naive she was. 22 yrs old - didn't know how to drive and never been kissed.
I liked the hero less so. His little-brother-lost vengeance routine was just bordering on pathetic. He seemed the cold calculating vengeful HP tycoon on the surface, but it didn't take much digging to see that he was really just trying to get his big brother's attention and respect. For me that kind of knocked down his alpha status a bit.
The only reason their romance worked for me was that it was clear that the H was really more like the heroine than the big-bad-wolf he'd made himself into. Like her, he grew up in rural Alaska and unlike his "hated" older brother, he had loved the simple life. He wasn't the one with the ambitions of regaining the family wealth and position. He had followed his brother in those things, when really all he wanted to do was be able to take care of the ones he loved and keep the family home.
Technically Kasmira was a Russian Prince, but the title meant nothing beyond impressing the business world/society. His great grandfather had managed to smuggled his wife and child to Alaska during the Communist revolution before returning to face the fate of all the royals of that period. In reality, Kasimir was raised as an American citizen living the rugged life of a rural Alaskan. Of course there were always the stories of the family's past, but it was far from his reality. I normally don't go in for the prince marries Cinderella stories, but - like the heroine - I saw the title as 'meaningless'.
The saccharine way that everything came together in the end nearly gave me a toothache. Too many Hallmark moments.
I would recommend it for fans of Cinderella stories where the Prince really just wants to be a regular family guy.
It was hard not to like the heroine. She reminded me a bit of the heroine from Graham's The Spanish Groom. She tended toward being a bit plump (depending on your POV). She was the type who'd never met a stranger, had no filter, and would give her lunch to a homeless guy. Kind of a Mary Sue, but so goofy that she's likeable. Still, even in HP land, it was hard to buy how naive she was. 22 yrs old - didn't know how to drive and never been kissed.
I liked the hero less so. His little-brother-lost vengeance routine was just bordering on pathetic. He seemed the cold calculating vengeful HP tycoon on the surface, but it didn't take much digging to see that he was really just trying to get his big brother's attention and respect. For me that kind of knocked down his alpha status a bit.
The only reason their romance worked for me was that it was clear that the H was really more like the heroine than the big-bad-wolf he'd made himself into. Like her, he grew up in rural Alaska and unlike his "hated" older brother, he had loved the simple life. He wasn't the one with the ambitions of regaining the family wealth and position. He had followed his brother in those things, when really all he wanted to do was be able to take care of the ones he loved and keep the family home.
Technically Kasmira was a Russian Prince, but the title meant nothing beyond impressing the business world/society. His great grandfather had managed to smuggled his wife and child to Alaska during the Communist revolution before returning to face the fate of all the royals of that period. In reality, Kasimir was raised as an American citizen living the rugged life of a rural Alaskan. Of course there were always the stories of the family's past, but it was far from his reality. I normally don't go in for the prince marries Cinderella stories, but - like the heroine - I saw the title as 'meaningless'.
The saccharine way that everything came together in the end nearly gave me a toothache. Too many Hallmark moments.
I would recommend it for fans of Cinderella stories where the Prince really just wants to be a regular family guy.
January 3, 2015
I think Jennie Lucas might give Lynne Graham a run for her money with the sweet, naive heroine theme. Josie is as sweet as they come. She really seems out of her league with Kasimir. It seems like shooting fish in the barrel. But Kasimir never knew what hit him. Before he knew it, his plans for revenge that involved Josie were flying away like birdies, and he was stone cold in love.
Jennie Lucas understands the appeal of escapist fantasy romance and she delivers it. While most of the readers of this genre won't know what it's like to swept off our feet by a ruthless billionaire, and probably don't want it in real life, Lucas gives us a 2 hour read that allows us to explore the possibilities. That's why I like this series of books so much. It's a different world and I like that I can spend two hours in that world.
Kasimir is a very bad man. Well, at least he was. I mean, he wants to be. But I think deep down, he's a decent fellow who forgot what was important in life. He lost everything, and when you lose everything, you have nothing to lose. Josie teaches him what it means to love and to sacrifice for love. She teaches him what it means to be a genuine person. And she teaches him to follow his heart and love passionately.
I really liked the first book, Dealing Her Final Card, but I think I liked this one even more. It felt more like Princess fantasy. I liked that they are actually married, and she's not just a mistress. And I think the change in Kasimir is more dramatic than in Vladimir. I also think it's because this was not a reunion romance. The feelings between Josie and Kasimir develop on the page before my mesmerized eyes, and I enjoyed every page of it.
Plus the ending was so sweetly romantic, it made me sigh.
I have to give this one 4.5/5.0 stars.
Jennie Lucas understands the appeal of escapist fantasy romance and she delivers it. While most of the readers of this genre won't know what it's like to swept off our feet by a ruthless billionaire, and probably don't want it in real life, Lucas gives us a 2 hour read that allows us to explore the possibilities. That's why I like this series of books so much. It's a different world and I like that I can spend two hours in that world.
Kasimir is a very bad man. Well, at least he was. I mean, he wants to be. But I think deep down, he's a decent fellow who forgot what was important in life. He lost everything, and when you lose everything, you have nothing to lose. Josie teaches him what it means to love and to sacrifice for love. She teaches him what it means to be a genuine person. And she teaches him to follow his heart and love passionately.
I really liked the first book, Dealing Her Final Card, but I think I liked this one even more. It felt more like Princess fantasy. I liked that they are actually married, and she's not just a mistress. And I think the change in Kasimir is more dramatic than in Vladimir. I also think it's because this was not a reunion romance. The feelings between Josie and Kasimir develop on the page before my mesmerized eyes, and I enjoyed every page of it.
Plus the ending was so sweetly romantic, it made me sigh.
I have to give this one 4.5/5.0 stars.
April 30, 2020
As KatieV wrote, this has a strong Lynne Graham vibe. The heroine is a daffy little duck struggling through life and the hero is not even near the villain he pretends to be.
The H wants revenge and some stuff (family property and a corporation) from his older brother (what he really wants is lovvins) and is going to use the heroine's devotion to her overbearing sister who conveniently happens to be the big brother's lover.
MOC is engaged and the hero is in lusty love. To make a long story short they make love and he decides to hurt her for her own good and give her up.
There were parts toward the end that were saccharine sweet, but the tortured hero act is engaged and we end up with s HEA.
From what I read the H and h's older siblings sound kind of awful although I am sure they are redeemed in their own book for being the controlling know-it-alls as they are presented in this one.
This cynical review was brought to you by the Corona Virus so please take it with a grain of salt.
October 27, 2016
Josie, the unemployed virgin housemaid, arrives back in Honolulu to throw herself at the mercy of Prince Kasimir, the mining magnate. She will marry him, and sell him a house in Alaska, if he will rescue her sister from his wicked elder brother, Prince Vladimir. Why does she have to marry him before she can sell him a house? Complicated will stuff.
In a book that I haven’t read, Prince Vladimir has very excitingly won Josie’s older sister in a card game, and whisked her off to parts unknown. At least, parts unknown to Josie. It all sounds awesome, and made me immediately think that ‘A Reputation for Revenge’ was a book about the B team.
And after that … I couldn’t help it. They are the B team, which means I spent the book thinking they weren’t trying hard enough not to be Bs, or that they were trying too desperately to be As, which is something only Bs do.
Kasimir and Josie are the younger siblings and it’s possible to put their whole deal down to petulance that they really need to outgrow right now. Josie can’t drive, and can’t survive without her sister telling her what to do. Her sunniness is lovely, but can’t quite cover the occasional twinges of resentment at her sister’s controlling ways. Even Kasimir, who thinks she’s hot and really wants in her pants all the time, points out that this is nonsense, since Josie is a 22-year-old grownup. This is a departure from Kasimir’s policy of smarming Josie into compliance and bed. Fortunately, for him, she’s waiting for a much bigger attack before she stops putting out.
Not that Kasimir is any better at being a grownup. The house in Alaska he’s buying from Josie was his family home, and he was really cross when Vladimir sold it, because even though they were poor as dirt, that was their home, and sacred to their mother. Boohoo, cry baby youngest child. Vladimir and Kasimir went into the mining business and were doing very well until Josie’s older sister showed up and Vladimir fell in love with her, but then she was conning him sort of, and Kasimir drunkenly told a reporter, and Vladimir threw the sister out and got even with Kasimir by doing a half-billion dollar deal without him.
That was all ten years ago, and Kasimir is holding a great big sulky grudge against both Vladimir and the sister. He’s got plenty of his own mining money, because I guess we, as readers, would think he was a bit pathetic if he didn’t. Npw he’s kind of conning Josie, as to exactly how much help he’s planning on giving her in the sister rescue space. But she’s so sexy and adorable that he doesn’t want her to know, because then she won’t keep giving up her sweet virgin goodies.
Exotic location time: Kasimir gets his naughty Sheikh on in a luxury desert tent with a badly dressed Josie. He and Josie have a thrillingly good sexy time of it, until Josie starts to work out that she’s been had. In addition to the above locations, there’s Russia. My theory is that Lucas works on the rule of three when it comes to destinations. It’s a good rule, as long as the reader doesn’t start calculating flight times in her head, and wondering just how much first class luxury can actually compensate for that constant noise, dehydration and jetlag.
Josie’s a little younger than the usual Lucas virgin. She still thinks her hymen, and her mouth, must be saved for some special firsts, but she didn’t bang on about it too much so I gave her a pass. She’s also all perky and bubbly and self-deprecating, because Josie is actually something of an autodidact genius. She knows a lot of stuff and understands Russian. Her least attractive quality was that she insisted on being a crappy dresser. Kasimir gifts her with the obligatory designer wardrobe and she’s all ‘no thanks, I want to be comfortable, can I wear your jeans and t-shirt?’ No. Just: no. Especially when he’s in robes and you’re in a tent, would it KILL you to put on a sparkly bra and see-through harem pants?
Of course Kasimir is the first man to really appreciate her brains and beauty and sexiness. It’s just a shame he spent much of the book being a B-grade villain about his stupid revenge scheme.
Once again, this is all over the top and super entertaining. I have a feeling that I may end up not liking the A team when I read their book half as much as I liked Josie and Kasimir, because even with all their cry baby faults, at least they weren’t insufferably smug.
In a book that I haven’t read, Prince Vladimir has very excitingly won Josie’s older sister in a card game, and whisked her off to parts unknown. At least, parts unknown to Josie. It all sounds awesome, and made me immediately think that ‘A Reputation for Revenge’ was a book about the B team.
And after that … I couldn’t help it. They are the B team, which means I spent the book thinking they weren’t trying hard enough not to be Bs, or that they were trying too desperately to be As, which is something only Bs do.
Kasimir and Josie are the younger siblings and it’s possible to put their whole deal down to petulance that they really need to outgrow right now. Josie can’t drive, and can’t survive without her sister telling her what to do. Her sunniness is lovely, but can’t quite cover the occasional twinges of resentment at her sister’s controlling ways. Even Kasimir, who thinks she’s hot and really wants in her pants all the time, points out that this is nonsense, since Josie is a 22-year-old grownup. This is a departure from Kasimir’s policy of smarming Josie into compliance and bed. Fortunately, for him, she’s waiting for a much bigger attack before she stops putting out.
Not that Kasimir is any better at being a grownup. The house in Alaska he’s buying from Josie was his family home, and he was really cross when Vladimir sold it, because even though they were poor as dirt, that was their home, and sacred to their mother. Boohoo, cry baby youngest child. Vladimir and Kasimir went into the mining business and were doing very well until Josie’s older sister showed up and Vladimir fell in love with her, but then she was conning him sort of, and Kasimir drunkenly told a reporter, and Vladimir threw the sister out and got even with Kasimir by doing a half-billion dollar deal without him.
That was all ten years ago, and Kasimir is holding a great big sulky grudge against both Vladimir and the sister. He’s got plenty of his own mining money, because I guess we, as readers, would think he was a bit pathetic if he didn’t. Npw he’s kind of conning Josie, as to exactly how much help he’s planning on giving her in the sister rescue space. But she’s so sexy and adorable that he doesn’t want her to know, because then she won’t keep giving up her sweet virgin goodies.
Exotic location time: Kasimir gets his naughty Sheikh on in a luxury desert tent with a badly dressed Josie. He and Josie have a thrillingly good sexy time of it, until Josie starts to work out that she’s been had. In addition to the above locations, there’s Russia. My theory is that Lucas works on the rule of three when it comes to destinations. It’s a good rule, as long as the reader doesn’t start calculating flight times in her head, and wondering just how much first class luxury can actually compensate for that constant noise, dehydration and jetlag.
Josie’s a little younger than the usual Lucas virgin. She still thinks her hymen, and her mouth, must be saved for some special firsts, but she didn’t bang on about it too much so I gave her a pass. She’s also all perky and bubbly and self-deprecating, because Josie is actually something of an autodidact genius. She knows a lot of stuff and understands Russian. Her least attractive quality was that she insisted on being a crappy dresser. Kasimir gifts her with the obligatory designer wardrobe and she’s all ‘no thanks, I want to be comfortable, can I wear your jeans and t-shirt?’ No. Just: no. Especially when he’s in robes and you’re in a tent, would it KILL you to put on a sparkly bra and see-through harem pants?
Of course Kasimir is the first man to really appreciate her brains and beauty and sexiness. It’s just a shame he spent much of the book being a B-grade villain about his stupid revenge scheme.
Once again, this is all over the top and super entertaining. I have a feeling that I may end up not liking the A team when I read their book half as much as I liked Josie and Kasimir, because even with all their cry baby faults, at least they weren’t insufferably smug.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2013
Aww this was one perfect read! The heroine was adorable! I was like I just wanna put you in my pocket and take you home! She was naive but in a good way. She had a loving, trusting heart and so she choose to believe the best about Kasimir. She was completely honest about her feelings and nothing like the typical annoying Harlequin heroines that all they do is whine cause the hero doesn't pay enough attention to them. Ugh!
Kasimir was also very likable. He wanted to appear ruthless of course but in reality he was a softie. His wife's innocence disarmed him completely and when he thought he lost her my heart broke for him. I was so happy Josie ended up pregnant and got her white picket fence dream and the man of her dreams! 5 stars for sure!
Kasimir was also very likable. He wanted to appear ruthless of course but in reality he was a softie. His wife's innocence disarmed him completely and when he thought he lost her my heart broke for him. I was so happy Josie ended up pregnant and got her white picket fence dream and the man of her dreams! 5 stars for sure!
July 14, 2013
4 stars
I really enjoyed this book mainly because of the heroine who was just so real. She was 22 and an innocent who saw the good in people. Having lost her mother, she was raised by her father who was always gone with her sister, playing poker. Then her sister Bree cosseted her, now Josie's foolishness cost her sister so to make up for that she accepts the hero's proposition, marriage. He'll get her land and in return he will save her sister, from his enemy, his brother.
The hero adored his older brother but his drunken mistake humiliated his brother and on top of what he perceived as a betrayal by Bree(the previous book Dealing her final card), he cut off his brother, cheating him. The hero was all betrayed by the first woman he had been with and he became bitter, focusing the last decade on revenge.
Bree's book was fine but this is so much better. Josie's doesn't have that much confidence but the hero is so great with her. Despite having hidden motives, he doesn't treat her badly except for when he ties her up once( when she is creating a huge ruckus). She is all things good and he doesn't want to sully her. He gives her what she wants and allows her freedom and the chance to be herself.
Though in the end his fear and desperation to hold on to her and hide the truth drives her away. I loved Josie for being all grown up at that moment. He had to work hard to get her back.
I really enjoyed this book mainly because of the heroine who was just so real. She was 22 and an innocent who saw the good in people. Having lost her mother, she was raised by her father who was always gone with her sister, playing poker. Then her sister Bree cosseted her, now Josie's foolishness cost her sister so to make up for that she accepts the hero's proposition, marriage. He'll get her land and in return he will save her sister, from his enemy, his brother.
The hero adored his older brother but his drunken mistake humiliated his brother and on top of what he perceived as a betrayal by Bree(the previous book Dealing her final card), he cut off his brother, cheating him. The hero was all betrayed by the first woman he had been with and he became bitter, focusing the last decade on revenge.
Bree's book was fine but this is so much better. Josie's doesn't have that much confidence but the hero is so great with her. Despite having hidden motives, he doesn't treat her badly except for when he ties her up once( when she is creating a huge ruckus). She is all things good and he doesn't want to sully her. He gives her what she wants and allows her freedom and the chance to be herself.
Though in the end his fear and desperation to hold on to her and hide the truth drives her away. I loved Josie for being all grown up at that moment. He had to work hard to get her back.
October 12, 2019
If I could, I would’ve given it 10 stars 🌟!
I absolutely loved this story.
Heroine was a precious gem. Such a sweet, innocent character. I thought she would’ve forgiven hero in a blink but she made him grovel and I liked her more for it.
Hero was a tortured soul. Even though he is known as selfish and ruthless, he treated heroine with respect and kindness from the beginning.
He also wasn’t afraid to say sorry and grovel.
Loved the ending and epilogue.
Recommended.
I absolutely loved this story.
Heroine was a precious gem. Such a sweet, innocent character. I thought she would’ve forgiven hero in a blink but she made him grovel and I liked her more for it.
Hero was a tortured soul. Even though he is known as selfish and ruthless, he treated heroine with respect and kindness from the beginning.
He also wasn’t afraid to say sorry and grovel.
Loved the ending and epilogue.
Recommended.
March 29, 2022
Not angsty and interesting enough but nice!
March 24, 2015
“And I promise you,” he whispered, “for the rest of my life, even if I make a mistake here or there, I’ll love you both with everything I’ve got. And if I screw up, or if we fight, I’ll always be the first to say I’m sorry.”
I love Bree's story but I love this one more. Hero and heroine are so cute! Josie was so real and I want to punch myself for not liking her in the first book. (The reason why I haven't read this one immediately) I loved her dream of having a simple life. She was very lovable. And so was Kasimir, too.
Definitely a five star. I missed reading Jennie Lucas books. She is one author that never ever really disappoints!
I love Bree's story but I love this one more. Hero and heroine are so cute! Josie was so real and I want to punch myself for not liking her in the first book. (The reason why I haven't read this one immediately) I loved her dream of having a simple life. She was very lovable. And so was Kasimir, too.
Definitely a five star. I missed reading Jennie Lucas books. She is one author that never ever really disappoints!
March 25, 2015
I loved this book. It was a great second book about Russian brothers. He was slowly falling for her and it was amazing how it developed. I can't believe how radically I changed my mind about both the characters. I thought she was naive and foolish and he was unfeeling and revengeful. Not the case at the end. This was a more believable story of love then the traditional I love-lust after you. Got to read.
February 24, 2013
4.5
The second installment in The Princes Duet is a very intense read.
Kasimir - Vladimir's brother and sworn enemy - has a perfect plan for revenge. Temporarily marry Josie - Bree's little sister - to gain access to his ancestors land that his brother sold to Josie's father ten years ago. And, to make his revenge even more sweet, he ll blackmail Bree to trick Vladimir into signing his company over to him , if she wants to see her little sister again.
All Josie wants is to get her sister back safe. she is a sweet heroine. She is no match to the very ruthless prince Kasimir. Or is she? She may be naive and innocent but she is not a pushover. And her innocence has the power to melt the ice around Kasimir's heart. Turns out, beneath the cold exterior,the ruthless prince is a big softie. Only for Josie will Kasimir envisage the unthinkable : forget about his revenge.
The second installment in The Princes Duet is a very intense read.
Kasimir - Vladimir's brother and sworn enemy - has a perfect plan for revenge. Temporarily marry Josie - Bree's little sister - to gain access to his ancestors land that his brother sold to Josie's father ten years ago. And, to make his revenge even more sweet, he ll blackmail Bree to trick Vladimir into signing his company over to him , if she wants to see her little sister again.
All Josie wants is to get her sister back safe. she is a sweet heroine. She is no match to the very ruthless prince Kasimir. Or is she? She may be naive and innocent but she is not a pushover. And her innocence has the power to melt the ice around Kasimir's heart. Turns out, beneath the cold exterior,the ruthless prince is a big softie. Only for Josie will Kasimir envisage the unthinkable : forget about his revenge.
March 5, 2014
This book made me laugh so much at the beginning and I didn't hate the heroine, which is an accomplishment. The hero was a softy inside a selfish bastard, but I liked him though.
January 31, 2013
Closely linked to Dealing Her Final Card as the Heroes are brothers and Heroines are sisters.
February 4, 2013
I was overall pretty impressed by this novel. It was emotional yet beautiful. There was a few things I disliked but they didn't seem to bother me after the story was read fully. So enjoyable, 4 stars!
November 3, 2018
Book 2 of this mini series and its little bro's turn to romance blackmail into marriage little sister of the h in book 1.
This H is a bit more likable despite him doing awful things to his brother/the h and again all his woes can be firmly laid at the door of the h from book 1.
He is at business war with his brother who made him break his deathbed promise to their dad by selling their family land (to the h's dad) behind his back and moving their mother away, not beliving him that his girlfriend was a skanky con artist out to trick him, then ruthlessly tricking him out of the business they started together too. So he has the most right to be angry at the previous MC's. However, when we hear the back story he used to be like the h, worshipping his older brother, blindly following him and waiting for true love to find him.
The story runs on the same timeline as the first book and after big sis disappears with big bro she enlists the help of Kasimir the H to get her sister back and she will do anything to achieve this. This means marrying the H so he can break the trust on the her land in Alaska and get it back for himself but what he doesn't mention is that while he receives his land back he can also use his marriage as a bargaining tool to finish his brother off once and for all by trading her to her sister for the company.
Our h is the opposite of her sister in fact she is rather like a Disney princess in that she makes friends with literally anyone, would give a stranger her last time is a little ditzy (yet well read) and all she is missing is an ability to talk to the animals. She also has the other tropiest of the tropes in that she likes her food too much therefore perceives herself as fat and frumpy while the H sees her as curvy
Anyway of course he cannot resist her curves and love happens in the dessert. It all goes downhill form there when H and h from book 1 turn up with the documents for that H's company and the poop hits the fan when all his lies come out.
h finds this unforgivable and heads back to Hawaii with the sis and her fiancee and of course is naturally pregnant because this is HPlandia.
H comes to find her at his brothers wedding the brothers kiss and makeup and decide to merge their 2 mining companies and move their HQ's to Hawaii then he goes and does a token grovel to the h. Of course shes mad about him and forgives far too easily and these 2 are happy with her as a homemaker happy to stay at home and have tons of babies while he will help run the mega global domination mining corporation while mowing the lawn and solving global warming and poverty in sub Saharan Africa.
This H is a bit more likable despite him doing awful things to his brother/the h and again all his woes can be firmly laid at the door of the h from book 1.
He is at business war with his brother who made him break his deathbed promise to their dad by selling their family land (to the h's dad) behind his back and moving their mother away, not beliving him that his girlfriend was a skanky con artist out to trick him, then ruthlessly tricking him out of the business they started together too. So he has the most right to be angry at the previous MC's. However, when we hear the back story he used to be like the h, worshipping his older brother, blindly following him and waiting for true love to find him.
The story runs on the same timeline as the first book and after big sis disappears with big bro she enlists the help of Kasimir the H to get her sister back and she will do anything to achieve this. This means marrying the H so he can break the trust on the her land in Alaska and get it back for himself but what he doesn't mention is that while he receives his land back he can also use his marriage as a bargaining tool to finish his brother off once and for all by trading her to her sister for the company.
Our h is the opposite of her sister in fact she is rather like a Disney princess in that she makes friends with literally anyone, would give a stranger her last time is a little ditzy (yet well read) and all she is missing is an ability to talk to the animals. She also has the other tropiest of the tropes in that she likes her food too much therefore perceives herself as fat and frumpy while the H sees her as curvy
Anyway of course he cannot resist her curves and love happens in the dessert. It all goes downhill form there when H and h from book 1 turn up with the documents for that H's company and the poop hits the fan when all his lies come out.
h finds this unforgivable and heads back to Hawaii with the sis and her fiancee and of course is naturally pregnant because this is HPlandia.
H comes to find her at his brothers wedding the brothers kiss and makeup and decide to merge their 2 mining companies and move their HQ's to Hawaii then he goes and does a token grovel to the h. Of course shes mad about him and forgives far too easily and these 2 are happy with her as a homemaker happy to stay at home and have tons of babies while he will help run the mega global domination mining corporation while mowing the lawn and solving global warming and poverty in sub Saharan Africa.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2013
2.5 stars
Ah, once again I find myself so damned conflicted about this one!! The practical side of me says that this was a good one, but the romantic side of me wants, well, a bit more romance and sweetness.
In all fairness, Jennie Lucas is a great author. Her plots really are very well though out and executed, twisting and turning unexpectedly. She plays havoc with your heartstrings, Jennie Lucas. But, for me at least, this isn't the kind of havoc I enjoy. I like the Diana Palmer kind of havoc. Anyhoo, I digress.
I liked this heroine quite a bit more than I liked the previous one. There were only two things about her that irked me - her reluctance to admit her love for the hero, and the fact that she left him. (Although saying that her leaving the hero 'irked' me would be an understatement.)
She was a total sweetheart, and overly innocent. But *cough cough* she leaves him. I just want a heroine who loves the hero unconditionally and stays and fights and never gives up on him. Is that too much to ask?
End of rant. Back to review.
So the heroine was a sweetheart, the hero was deliciously cynical, and the chemistry sizzling. I loved how the hero's love for her mellowed him and turned him softer, and I also loved how the hero's brother's love for the heroine's sister made him (the brother) softer too. The reunion between the two brothers at the end was so heartbreaking-ly beautiful. <3
This was was another well-written one by Lucas. Her flow really is smooth, and she manages to cram so much into her books without giving the impression that it's been rushed. And once again, her characters were so realistic, three dimensional. She is a great author, Jennie Lucas. But she's just not my cup of tea.
*
Oh crap, I forgot to add the one thing I hated about the hero - the way he lied to the heroine, even when he could have told her the truth. I hate deception, lying, in a novel. He was too much of a coward. Yes, I understand that that makes him more human, but I still find it unforgivable. LOL yes, that was why the heroine runs away from him, but then I turn into defensive mode and start taking the hero's side. Like I said, I'm befuddled by what this book made me feel. I can't decide.
Ah, once again I find myself so damned conflicted about this one!! The practical side of me says that this was a good one, but the romantic side of me wants, well, a bit more romance and sweetness.
In all fairness, Jennie Lucas is a great author. Her plots really are very well though out and executed, twisting and turning unexpectedly. She plays havoc with your heartstrings, Jennie Lucas. But, for me at least, this isn't the kind of havoc I enjoy. I like the Diana Palmer kind of havoc. Anyhoo, I digress.
I liked this heroine quite a bit more than I liked the previous one. There were only two things about her that irked me - her reluctance to admit her love for the hero, and the fact that she left him. (Although saying that her leaving the hero 'irked' me would be an understatement.)
She was a total sweetheart, and overly innocent. But *cough cough* she leaves him. I just want a heroine who loves the hero unconditionally and stays and fights and never gives up on him. Is that too much to ask?
End of rant. Back to review.
So the heroine was a sweetheart, the hero was deliciously cynical, and the chemistry sizzling. I loved how the hero's love for her mellowed him and turned him softer, and I also loved how the hero's brother's love for the heroine's sister made him (the brother) softer too. The reunion between the two brothers at the end was so heartbreaking-ly beautiful. <3
This was was another well-written one by Lucas. Her flow really is smooth, and she manages to cram so much into her books without giving the impression that it's been rushed. And once again, her characters were so realistic, three dimensional. She is a great author, Jennie Lucas. But she's just not my cup of tea.
*
Oh crap, I forgot to add the one thing I hated about the hero - the way he lied to the heroine, even when he could have told her the truth. I hate deception, lying, in a novel. He was too much of a coward. Yes, I understand that that makes him more human, but I still find it unforgivable. LOL yes, that was why the heroine runs away from him, but then I turn into defensive mode and start taking the hero's side. Like I said, I'm befuddled by what this book made me feel. I can't decide.
August 28, 2018
I enjoyed both books, but a reputation for Revenge was my favorite of the two books.
In A Reputation for Revenge, Josie gave herself to Kasimir to be his wife on paper only, to save her sister. Josie always saw herself as flumpy, and overweight. She had only had one boyfriend up until now, and now she had to swallow hard would be a wife. Kasimir only had a taste for revenge. He wanted to hurt his brother, and Josie’s sister. He would do that by taking his brothers company. At the end of the book Kasimir realized once he won all he had dremt of, that he didn’t feel like the winner. All he wanted was to be with Josie for real. Could he let go of revenge, to be with Josie? I really loved this beautifully written book.
In the Greek Billionaire’s baby Revenge, Anna was trying to be a good mother, and support her baby. She had run from Nikos, the father of her baby. Nikos found her, and brought her, and the baby back to his palace. There were a lot of misunderstandings that were cleared up just by talking. They learned to trust one another again. Nikos had agreed to Marry Anna, but changed his mind the day of, letting Anna go. Giving her the freedom that she had wanted. He wanted Anna to have a good life, and to have the chance to be with a good man. At times the way they felt for each other changed often throughout the book, giving one whip lash. One minute they were trusting each other, and the next the didn’t…One minute they were ready to fall into bed, and the next they couldn’t stand the sight of one another. All in all a good book. I loved the end, for it was sweet.
In A Reputation for Revenge, Josie gave herself to Kasimir to be his wife on paper only, to save her sister. Josie always saw herself as flumpy, and overweight. She had only had one boyfriend up until now, and now she had to swallow hard would be a wife. Kasimir only had a taste for revenge. He wanted to hurt his brother, and Josie’s sister. He would do that by taking his brothers company. At the end of the book Kasimir realized once he won all he had dremt of, that he didn’t feel like the winner. All he wanted was to be with Josie for real. Could he let go of revenge, to be with Josie? I really loved this beautifully written book.
In the Greek Billionaire’s baby Revenge, Anna was trying to be a good mother, and support her baby. She had run from Nikos, the father of her baby. Nikos found her, and brought her, and the baby back to his palace. There were a lot of misunderstandings that were cleared up just by talking. They learned to trust one another again. Nikos had agreed to Marry Anna, but changed his mind the day of, letting Anna go. Giving her the freedom that she had wanted. He wanted Anna to have a good life, and to have the chance to be with a good man. At times the way they felt for each other changed often throughout the book, giving one whip lash. One minute they were trusting each other, and the next the didn’t…One minute they were ready to fall into bed, and the next they couldn’t stand the sight of one another. All in all a good book. I loved the end, for it was sweet.
March 24, 2020
Setelah puluhan purnama nggak baca harlequin, situasi saat ini #dirumahaja mendorong saya untuk kembali melirik rak buku, memastikan saya mengisi waktu dengan membaca. Apalagi masih banyak banget buku yang belum tersentuh sama sekali.
Sengaja pilih ini karena temanya adalah tema favorit: arranged marriage, sex after marriage, virgin heroine, heroine yang masih polos, apa adanya, bukan yang seksi dan cantik, ng... Apalagi ya?
Anyway, mungkin kalo bacanya beberapa tahun lalu pas masih jomblo, ini ngena banget buat saya. Bisalah bintang 4-5. Sekarang rasanya kok flat ya? Apakah karena setelah menikah saya tahu kenyataan yang sesungguhnya banyak rasa dan perjuangan ya? Wakakakak...
Saya kasih bintang 3 ajalah, buat Josie. As for Kashimir, biasa aja. Nggak membuatku berdebar. Kecuali kekayaannya. Hihihi...
Sengaja pilih ini karena temanya adalah tema favorit: arranged marriage, sex after marriage, virgin heroine, heroine yang masih polos, apa adanya, bukan yang seksi dan cantik, ng... Apalagi ya?
Anyway, mungkin kalo bacanya beberapa tahun lalu pas masih jomblo, ini ngena banget buat saya. Bisalah bintang 4-5. Sekarang rasanya kok flat ya? Apakah karena setelah menikah saya tahu kenyataan yang sesungguhnya banyak rasa dan perjuangan ya? Wakakakak...
Saya kasih bintang 3 ajalah, buat Josie. As for Kashimir, biasa aja. Nggak membuatku berdebar. Kecuali kekayaannya. Hihihi...
May 27, 2019
4.75 stars!
It's one of my fav hp books. But it didn't catch my 5 stars. Not sure why but it lack something.. something that I didn't know of. I love the heroine that's so adorable and naive and cute and kind. Love the hero that brooding but sweet at heart and I believe that both of them love each other. I got an epilogue with a baby girl. The hero groveled earnestly and it's a one hella sweet and cute story with small angst.
It's one of my fav hp books. But it didn't catch my 5 stars. Not sure why but it lack something.. something that I didn't know of. I love the heroine that's so adorable and naive and cute and kind. Love the hero that brooding but sweet at heart and I believe that both of them love each other. I got an epilogue with a baby girl. The hero groveled earnestly and it's a one hella sweet and cute story with small angst.
June 6, 2018
Love this book!!!!
April 27, 2025
Ok e' carino anche se è il secondo di un altro e l ho capito a capitolo due ... però scivola come burro l audiolibro .
January 3, 2022
I started off disliking Josie intensely. She was naive, juvenile and downright ignorant. She’s 22 and she thought her first Kiss should be with someone she loved? And she slashed Kasimir? Can you imagine the reaction if the hero had hit the heroine?
However I liked this one better than Bree and Vladimir’s story, although theirs wasn’t too bad at all.
Kasimir was much nicer and actually more interesting than Vladimir and in spite of her sentimentality, I liked Josie better than Bree. I thought the characterisation was much better developed in this second part of the duo and despite Josie’s soft heart - it became a strength not a weakness.
Jennie Lucas is relatively new to me but I like her style.
However I liked this one better than Bree and Vladimir’s story, although theirs wasn’t too bad at all.
Kasimir was much nicer and actually more interesting than Vladimir and in spite of her sentimentality, I liked Josie better than Bree. I thought the characterisation was much better developed in this second part of the duo and despite Josie’s soft heart - it became a strength not a weakness.
Jennie Lucas is relatively new to me but I like her style.
October 2, 2023
Josie. Oh Josie.
I've been looking for something like this to read for such a long time and I'm so glad I got to read this book! It was beautiful, played with my emotions so good.
Needless to say I love Josie. And I love Kasimir. And I love everything about this book. I have no more words to describe how I feel, just bliss. Pure bliss.
I've been looking for something like this to read for such a long time and I'm so glad I got to read this book! It was beautiful, played with my emotions so good.
Needless to say I love Josie. And I love Kasimir. And I love everything about this book. I have no more words to describe how I feel, just bliss. Pure bliss.
Read
December 29, 2014Miniseries: Princes Untamed
Category: Passion
Category: Passion
April 2, 2013
Josie Dalton hopes to save her sister by marrying Kasimir Xendzov. In exchange for the land held in trust for her, Kasimir will get her sister away from his brother.
Very nice.
Very nice.
November 10, 2017
SENTIDO DEL HONOR (Spanish Version)
August 27, 2020
Three and a Half Stars
I enjoyed this one, thought not as much as the first in the series, Dealing Her Final Card but it was well done and great fun seeing some of the scenes from the first book from a different POV.
The h, Josie Dalton, was one of the naive innocents from the Lynne Graham mould as others have mentioned, and just a bit too annoying for me but I guess she had to be that way to work her magic on Kasimir Xendzov, the brother of the H from book 1.
Great locations - Hawaii, Russia, Morocco.
As well as Vladimir and Bree, there is a mention of Eduardo from To Love, Honour and Betray
I enjoyed this one, thought not as much as the first in the series, Dealing Her Final Card but it was well done and great fun seeing some of the scenes from the first book from a different POV.
The h, Josie Dalton, was one of the naive innocents from the Lynne Graham mould as others have mentioned, and just a bit too annoying for me but I guess she had to be that way to work her magic on Kasimir Xendzov, the brother of the H from book 1.
Great locations - Hawaii, Russia, Morocco.
As well as Vladimir and Bree, there is a mention of Eduardo from To Love, Honour and Betray
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2020
Classico Harmony, che non leggevo da tanto, tantissimo tempo; una volta li divoravo, insieme agli inserti di "Intimità". Una storia, semplice, carina, classico stile Harmony, amore, incomprensione e poi di nuovo amore.
Oggi se proprio voglio un po' di spensieratezza, preferisco leggere Premoli, Kingsley, Hoover, dove oltre al mieloso trovi anche ironia. 😅
Oggi se proprio voglio un po' di spensieratezza, preferisco leggere Premoli, Kingsley, Hoover, dove oltre al mieloso trovi anche ironia. 😅
December 1, 2018
4.5 Stars...
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