What do you think?
Rate this book
The Spanish Billionaire's Hired Bride
He bought her with cold, hard cash, but can she stop him from stealing her heart?
Blackmailed to marry against his will, Ricardo Almanza needs a wife before he’s thirty, and time is running out. A notorious playboy, marriage is the last thing he wants, but his stepmother’s sexy, debt-ridden personal assistant is the perfect solution. He makes her a business deal she can’t refuse—one million euros for three months as his wife. He might even enjoy being married to her … if she doesn’t kick the crap out of him again.
Helen Marshall can’t believe she’s considering Almanza’s outrageous proposal, but she must help clear her parents’ debts or they face financial ruin. The small print on the marriage contract changes to read three months as his wife in every way—including in the bedroom. Has she gotten in too deep, or will she need a new contract addendum, extending their marriage forever?
Blackmailed to marry against his will, Ricardo Almanza needs a wife before he’s thirty, and time is running out. A notorious playboy, marriage is the last thing he wants, but his stepmother’s sexy, debt-ridden personal assistant is the perfect solution. He makes her a business deal she can’t refuse—one million euros for three months as his wife. He might even enjoy being married to her … if she doesn’t kick the crap out of him again.
Helen Marshall can’t believe she’s considering Almanza’s outrageous proposal, but she must help clear her parents’ debts or they face financial ruin. The small print on the marriage contract changes to read three months as his wife in every way—including in the bedroom. Has she gotten in too deep, or will she need a new contract addendum, extending their marriage forever?
150 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 7, 2012
28 people are currently reading
510 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Lyndhurst
11 books133 followersRachel lives on the South Coast of England with her partner, two children and a silver Bengal cat.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 42 reviews
November 7, 2012
Helen Marshall needs to raise a large sum of money and fast if she's to have any chance of saving her parents' farm back in England. Working as a gopher to the Contesa in Ibiza town isn't going to get her there but marrying her stepson just might and he's ready to make Helen an offer she wants to refuse, if it wouldn't solve all her problems with a cool £1million for a mere three-month-long "marriage of convenience". Wilful, headstrong and used to getting his own, playboy Riccardo Almanza doesn't have any plans to settle down. He just needs to get married to win a bet and settle an old score. But Riccardo gets more than he bargained for when he raises the ante with some extra contractual terms of his own.
I knew from having read her previous two books that Rachel Lyndhurst was incredibly good at writing a very sexy read and she's done exactly that here. The way she describes Riccardo Almanza's lifestyle and the world that he inhabits is wickedly indulgent. She'll have you salivating over the luxurious homes, yachts, cars, clothes and even the food and drink that all form the trappings of his billionaire lifestyle but she'll also have you finding it hard to resist the demands Riccardo himself makes for your attention. He's a very physical character and most definitely an alpha male. Happily, Helen Marshall may have seemed like a pushover when they first met but she has strengths of her own and Riccardo isn't going to have it all his own way. This is an indulgent and fast-paced sizzler of a read with some real Spanish heat to it.
I knew from having read her previous two books that Rachel Lyndhurst was incredibly good at writing a very sexy read and she's done exactly that here. The way she describes Riccardo Almanza's lifestyle and the world that he inhabits is wickedly indulgent. She'll have you salivating over the luxurious homes, yachts, cars, clothes and even the food and drink that all form the trappings of his billionaire lifestyle but she'll also have you finding it hard to resist the demands Riccardo himself makes for your attention. He's a very physical character and most definitely an alpha male. Happily, Helen Marshall may have seemed like a pushover when they first met but she has strengths of her own and Riccardo isn't going to have it all his own way. This is an indulgent and fast-paced sizzler of a read with some real Spanish heat to it.
October 22, 2018
Dnf at 22%
I dunno, maybe its just me, i rarely put down a book unfinished, my another star is for the belief that the author is good, its just this book and MC esp the h are not just for me
I dunno, maybe its just me, i rarely put down a book unfinished, my another star is for the belief that the author is good, its just this book and MC esp the h are not just for me
November 1, 2012
Helen and Ricardo's story is one with many ups and downs. Helen enters the marriage with good intentions to save her family's farm. Ricardo enters to win a bet. Real feelings develop but when someone from both there past sets sights to destroy what they have. I loved the book and will read more from the author.
January 18, 2013
Reviewed by: JoAnne
Book provided by: Publisher
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
This was a quick and easy chick lit romance that I was able to devour in one sitting. There was romance, hot and steamy love scenes, family and employees that are like family but really no friends to speak of. There was the unexpected happily ever after that took many twists and turns to reach. There was some closure but I felt it needed a little bit more story rather than leave it up to my imagination on what happens next.
Wow – the descriptions of the lands in Spain, the seaside, the homes and the countryside were so vivid I could picture myself there. Ricardo, the billionaire, really knows how to live life when money is absolutely no object. Helen quickly finds herself getting used to the lavish lifestyle although she comes from humble beginnings growing up on a farm in England. The chemistry between them is immediate although they each fight it thinking they were only entering into a business arrangement where each one gets what they needed and that their emotions would not be involved.
The characters were more multifaceted than I was first led to believe and it’s sometimes fun and sometimes sad to see them reveal themselves to each other and then pull back thinking it is all one sided. When they each slipped at various times to show their feelings they immediately became withdrawn thinking that’s not the way the other expected them to act. This book was reminiscent to me of The Boss’s Fake Fiancee by Inara Scott except it takes it one step further and they get married within days of entering into a contract. I have not read books by this author before but look forward to doing so especially if this is her caliber of writing.
Favorite Quote:She despised herself for the way looking at him made her feel. His dark hair lifted and fell in the breeze, and the way he could start at her for moments at a time without flinching set her blood on fire. Helen wished the distance between them wasn’t so wide so she could feel his breath on her skin. She wished her would roll down the crisp white silk of his shirt to hide the corded muscles of his tanned forearms. She wished she could stop her heart dancing the tarantella in her chest.
She wished he would take her to bed.
Book provided by: Publisher
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
This was a quick and easy chick lit romance that I was able to devour in one sitting. There was romance, hot and steamy love scenes, family and employees that are like family but really no friends to speak of. There was the unexpected happily ever after that took many twists and turns to reach. There was some closure but I felt it needed a little bit more story rather than leave it up to my imagination on what happens next.
Wow – the descriptions of the lands in Spain, the seaside, the homes and the countryside were so vivid I could picture myself there. Ricardo, the billionaire, really knows how to live life when money is absolutely no object. Helen quickly finds herself getting used to the lavish lifestyle although she comes from humble beginnings growing up on a farm in England. The chemistry between them is immediate although they each fight it thinking they were only entering into a business arrangement where each one gets what they needed and that their emotions would not be involved.
The characters were more multifaceted than I was first led to believe and it’s sometimes fun and sometimes sad to see them reveal themselves to each other and then pull back thinking it is all one sided. When they each slipped at various times to show their feelings they immediately became withdrawn thinking that’s not the way the other expected them to act. This book was reminiscent to me of The Boss’s Fake Fiancee by Inara Scott except it takes it one step further and they get married within days of entering into a contract. I have not read books by this author before but look forward to doing so especially if this is her caliber of writing.
Favorite Quote:She despised herself for the way looking at him made her feel. His dark hair lifted and fell in the breeze, and the way he could start at her for moments at a time without flinching set her blood on fire. Helen wished the distance between them wasn’t so wide so she could feel his breath on her skin. She wished her would roll down the crisp white silk of his shirt to hide the corded muscles of his tanned forearms. She wished she could stop her heart dancing the tarantella in her chest.
She wished he would take her to bed.
September 3, 2015
I received an ARC through NetGalley.
I generally really love fake relationships turned real, but The Spanish Billionaire's Hired Bride just fell flat for me. Helen needs money quick to help her parents' farm, and Ricardo needs a wife to satisfy a bet. He draws up a contract that she'll be married to him for three months in exchange for 2 million Euros. Sounds like a great deal, but as always, the two get more than they bargained for.
The Spanish Billionaire's Hired Bride started off really boring to me. I never felt connected to either Helen or Ricardo. They were just names on a page doing stuff. I also really didn't like how he almost treats her as a prostitute in the beginning, wanting sex as part of their deal, even going so far as telling her what kind of birth control to go on. It's her body! Let her decide! Obviously they have to be super attracted to each other and want the sex in spite of the contract, as the Romance formula predicts. So it was a bit of drama for the sake of drama.
After the initial boringness, the story suddenly heads into Soap Opera levels of drama! It nearly made my head spin! There's suddenly so many secrets, and lies, and some woman comes out of nowhere causing trouble, and there's misunderstandings, and just aaah! It was a lot all at once, and none of it felt natural. It was just thrown in there to throw a wrench in their budding romance, force them to break up, then make up before living happily ever after. Helen's surprise secret at the end was also super ridiculous. That's not even a secret!
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
I generally really love fake relationships turned real, but The Spanish Billionaire's Hired Bride just fell flat for me. Helen needs money quick to help her parents' farm, and Ricardo needs a wife to satisfy a bet. He draws up a contract that she'll be married to him for three months in exchange for 2 million Euros. Sounds like a great deal, but as always, the two get more than they bargained for.
The Spanish Billionaire's Hired Bride started off really boring to me. I never felt connected to either Helen or Ricardo. They were just names on a page doing stuff. I also really didn't like how he almost treats her as a prostitute in the beginning, wanting sex as part of their deal, even going so far as telling her what kind of birth control to go on. It's her body! Let her decide! Obviously they have to be super attracted to each other and want the sex in spite of the contract, as the Romance formula predicts. So it was a bit of drama for the sake of drama.
After the initial boringness, the story suddenly heads into Soap Opera levels of drama! It nearly made my head spin! There's suddenly so many secrets, and lies, and some woman comes out of nowhere causing trouble, and there's misunderstandings, and just aaah! It was a lot all at once, and none of it felt natural. It was just thrown in there to throw a wrench in their budding romance, force them to break up, then make up before living happily ever after. Helen's surprise secret at the end was also super ridiculous. That's not even a secret!
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
June 9, 2014
PREDICTABLE BUT CUTE
Helen enters into a marriage of convenience with her employers stepson Ricardo. He needs to get married to regain a family possession, while Helen needs the money for personal reasons.
He's the biggest playboy of the western world, although that's not readily apparent in this story. Helen is an English young woman trying to make her way in the world. They are as different as chalk and cheese, his is a life of hedonistic pleasures and big business deals, while she's a farmers daughter. They do have a couple of things in common. They are both determined and a bit cynical.
A nice read if rather predictable. I liked the story even though it's not a new idea, the characters were very well defined and relatable. This is ideal if you're looking for a little light reading.
Helen enters into a marriage of convenience with her employers stepson Ricardo. He needs to get married to regain a family possession, while Helen needs the money for personal reasons.
He's the biggest playboy of the western world, although that's not readily apparent in this story. Helen is an English young woman trying to make her way in the world. They are as different as chalk and cheese, his is a life of hedonistic pleasures and big business deals, while she's a farmers daughter. They do have a couple of things in common. They are both determined and a bit cynical.
A nice read if rather predictable. I liked the story even though it's not a new idea, the characters were very well defined and relatable. This is ideal if you're looking for a little light reading.
November 7, 2012
Oh, I do like stories where they pretend to be a couple wishing it were real - a marriage of convenience.
Rachel has a wonderful way with words. Lovely, colourful descriptions of the beautiful places in this book make you believe you're in the exotic location of these Spanish islands.
And I love her sex scenes! Hot and with two fiery characters, you can't help but love.
Helen is no softy, and Ricardo is the strong Alpha male we love to read - but don't worry, Helen can handle him.
Rachel has a wonderful way with words. Lovely, colourful descriptions of the beautiful places in this book make you believe you're in the exotic location of these Spanish islands.
And I love her sex scenes! Hot and with two fiery characters, you can't help but love.
Helen is no softy, and Ricardo is the strong Alpha male we love to read - but don't worry, Helen can handle him.
November 6, 2012
IT WAS JUST OKAY. SOMETHING WAS MISSING IN THE FORMULA. I DIDN'T FEEL ANY EMOTIONAL TIES TO THE CHARACTERS OR UNDERSTAND WHY, HOW OR WHEN THEY DECIDED IT WAS LOVE....ONE MINUTE THEY HAD A BUSINESS ARRANGMENT TO MARRY, THEN THEY HAD SEX AND THEN THEY WERE IN LOVE......NOTHING OF SUBSTANCE BETWEEN ANY OF THESE EVENTS THAT WOULD MAKE YOU GO "OH...I GET IT....."
October 30, 2012
Sexy, intense, harlequin-esque love story. Both MCs are prickly, prideful, and prone to jumping to conclusions. Smoking hot love scenes and a lovely enemies to lovers plot. I do wish it hadn't ended so abruptly though.
September 29, 2019
My review originally posted on Romancing-the-Book.com is below:
This was a quick and easy chick lit romance that I was able to devour in one sitting. There was romance, hot and steamy love scenes, family and employees that are like family but really no friends to speak of. There was the unexpected happily ever after that took many twists and turns to reach. There was some closure but I felt it needed a little bit more story rather than leave it up to my imagination on what happens next.
Wow – the descriptions of the lands in Spain, the seaside, the homes and the countryside were so vivid I could picture myself there. Ricardo, the billionaire, really knows how to live life when money is absolutely no object. Helen quickly finds herself getting used to the lavish lifestyle although she comes from humble beginnings growing up on a farm in England. The chemistry between them is immediate although they each fight it thinking they were only entering into a business arrangement where each one gets what they needed and that their emotions would not be involved.
The characters were more multifaceted than I was first led to believe and it’s sometimes fun and sometimes sad to see them reveal themselves to each other and then pull back thinking it is all one sided. When they each slipped at various times to show their feelings they immediately became withdrawn thinking that’s not the way the other expected them to act. This book was reminiscent to me of The Boss’s Fake Fiancee by Inara Scott except it takes it one step further and they get married within days of entering into a contract. I have not read books by this author before but look forward to doing so especially if this is her caliber of writing.
Favorite Quote:She despised herself for the way looking at him made her feel. His dark hair lifted and fell in the breeze, and the way he could start at her for moments at a time without flinching set her blood on fire. Helen wished the distance between them wasn’t so wide so she could feel his breath on her skin. She wished her would roll down the crisp white silk of his shirt to hide the corded muscles of his tanned forearms. She wished she could stop her heart dancing the tarantella in her chest.
She wished he would take her to bed.
This was a quick and easy chick lit romance that I was able to devour in one sitting. There was romance, hot and steamy love scenes, family and employees that are like family but really no friends to speak of. There was the unexpected happily ever after that took many twists and turns to reach. There was some closure but I felt it needed a little bit more story rather than leave it up to my imagination on what happens next.
Wow – the descriptions of the lands in Spain, the seaside, the homes and the countryside were so vivid I could picture myself there. Ricardo, the billionaire, really knows how to live life when money is absolutely no object. Helen quickly finds herself getting used to the lavish lifestyle although she comes from humble beginnings growing up on a farm in England. The chemistry between them is immediate although they each fight it thinking they were only entering into a business arrangement where each one gets what they needed and that their emotions would not be involved.
The characters were more multifaceted than I was first led to believe and it’s sometimes fun and sometimes sad to see them reveal themselves to each other and then pull back thinking it is all one sided. When they each slipped at various times to show their feelings they immediately became withdrawn thinking that’s not the way the other expected them to act. This book was reminiscent to me of The Boss’s Fake Fiancee by Inara Scott except it takes it one step further and they get married within days of entering into a contract. I have not read books by this author before but look forward to doing so especially if this is her caliber of writing.
Favorite Quote:She despised herself for the way looking at him made her feel. His dark hair lifted and fell in the breeze, and the way he could start at her for moments at a time without flinching set her blood on fire. Helen wished the distance between them wasn’t so wide so she could feel his breath on her skin. She wished her would roll down the crisp white silk of his shirt to hide the corded muscles of his tanned forearms. She wished she could stop her heart dancing the tarantella in her chest.
She wished he would take her to bed.
November 19, 2012
A marriage born out of a contract: she needs the money and he needs to win a bet, what could go wrong? With a whirlwind courtship, complete with contracts, lawyers and lots of hasty jumping to conclusions about intentions and situations, Rachel Lyndhurst has managed to create two very likable characters despite their obvious misguided impressions of one another. Despite those personal character quirks that made this reader want to slap them upside the head more than once, the author has created characters that breathe and appear as three dimensional as the people at the grocers. That is a very good thing.
Their miscommunications are frustrating, but the chemistry between the two – the interior dialogue each character has in questioning the real feelings of the other speaks clearly, without chance for misinterpretation. These are two characters with an intense chemistry, and are far more alike than different – which makes for some interesting clashes of wills and words. As the story progresses and they are able to learn more about each other, and correct misimpressions their interactions take on a life of their own, feeling almost voyeuristic in the reading. Of course, this wouldn’t be a marriage of contradictions and missteps without sex: hot, steamy and increasingly prevalent in the latter half of the book. A happy for now with a satisfying conclusion and room to imagine them living happily ever after. Certainly a nice introduction to this author, and one that makes me want to read her other titles.
I received and eBook copy from author for purpose of honest review for Jeep Diva. I was not compensated for this review, and all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Their miscommunications are frustrating, but the chemistry between the two – the interior dialogue each character has in questioning the real feelings of the other speaks clearly, without chance for misinterpretation. These are two characters with an intense chemistry, and are far more alike than different – which makes for some interesting clashes of wills and words. As the story progresses and they are able to learn more about each other, and correct misimpressions their interactions take on a life of their own, feeling almost voyeuristic in the reading. Of course, this wouldn’t be a marriage of contradictions and missteps without sex: hot, steamy and increasingly prevalent in the latter half of the book. A happy for now with a satisfying conclusion and room to imagine them living happily ever after. Certainly a nice introduction to this author, and one that makes me want to read her other titles.
I received and eBook copy from author for purpose of honest review for Jeep Diva. I was not compensated for this review, and all conclusions are my own responsibility.
December 3, 2012
Been caught stealing – that is what came to mind when I started reading The Spanish Billionaire’s Hired Bride because that is how Ricardo Almanza met Helen Marshall – he thought she was stealing, which lead me to believe she was a high society thief and this uber rich man was going to get sucked into her devious web.
Nope.
Helen is his stepmother’s girl Thursday – or cocktail maker who quickly catches the eye of the dapper Almanza. When he offers Helen a ride home to her ghetto apartment an idea takes form. One date later and he a proposition for her.
Helen needs money to help save her family farm in England. A wretched hag is hell bent on creating some luxurious shopping centers, home and apartments and needs the Marshall land to complete the project. So Helen does what any dutiful daughter would do, she marries for money.
While their marriage may be one of convenience, Ricardo treats her like his wife. Taking her to his family estate and integrating her into his life. They fight. Fall in love. Fight some more. Leave each other only for both of them to realize they are in love.
The characters of Helen and Ricardo have a strong connection and the chemistry is there. Dishonesty or secrets on Helen’s part, of course, leads to some strongly exchanged words. Lack of communication and proper questioning is their demise.
The only real issue I had with this is the missing quotation marks. There were times when I wasn’t sure if a character was talking out loud or to themselves.
Nope.
Helen is his stepmother’s girl Thursday – or cocktail maker who quickly catches the eye of the dapper Almanza. When he offers Helen a ride home to her ghetto apartment an idea takes form. One date later and he a proposition for her.
Helen needs money to help save her family farm in England. A wretched hag is hell bent on creating some luxurious shopping centers, home and apartments and needs the Marshall land to complete the project. So Helen does what any dutiful daughter would do, she marries for money.
While their marriage may be one of convenience, Ricardo treats her like his wife. Taking her to his family estate and integrating her into his life. They fight. Fall in love. Fight some more. Leave each other only for both of them to realize they are in love.
The characters of Helen and Ricardo have a strong connection and the chemistry is there. Dishonesty or secrets on Helen’s part, of course, leads to some strongly exchanged words. Lack of communication and proper questioning is their demise.
The only real issue I had with this is the missing quotation marks. There were times when I wasn’t sure if a character was talking out loud or to themselves.
November 1, 2015
I loved the way Helen first met Ricardo. He thought she was in his step mothers house stealing. He didn't know his step mother had hired her. He was going to search her, and before he could she kneed him hard enough to make everything go dark.
Ricardo needed to marry soon, so he could get back what was taking from his family. Helen needed a large sum of money so she could pay off her family's debt. He offered her a sum she couldn't turn down to marry him for 3 months.
I would give the book a better rating but the miscommunications between the hero, and Heroine was a bit annoying. I wished they would have just told each other how they felt, and why they did what they did. Making the other person believe the worse made me want to shake them, and say wake up!!! The two did have good chemistry, and the plot itself wasn't bad.
Ricardo needed to marry soon, so he could get back what was taking from his family. Helen needed a large sum of money so she could pay off her family's debt. He offered her a sum she couldn't turn down to marry him for 3 months.
I would give the book a better rating but the miscommunications between the hero, and Heroine was a bit annoying. I wished they would have just told each other how they felt, and why they did what they did. Making the other person believe the worse made me want to shake them, and say wake up!!! The two did have good chemistry, and the plot itself wasn't bad.
November 28, 2012
I really enjoyed this story, but I felt cheated at times. There were a couple of instances where I felt the author could have dug deeper with the emotions, and the ending left me wanting some more closure.
But having, said, this book has some fabulous descriptions, beautiful locations, hot sex, and an alpha hero to die for.
The heroine is feisty, yet vulnerable, just as I like them, so all in all, a great read!
But having, said, this book has some fabulous descriptions, beautiful locations, hot sex, and an alpha hero to die for.
The heroine is feisty, yet vulnerable, just as I like them, so all in all, a great read!
October 27, 2012
Damn! Ricardo is one hot self made billionaire, I really liked it.. read it in one sitting because I just had to see what was going to happen between them. I would have given it a 5* rating if we got a epilogue at the end :( but sadly there wasn't.. I wanna know if there was a 'special' reason in the end for not being able to fit her ring? or was it as Helen said because of her eating?!
November 20, 2012
Wasn't a bad novel, the villain was super creepy and definitely mentally disturbed. I wish the heroine had a bit more self esteem and stuck up for herself. I would of punched the villain in the face when she went on about how she hooked up with the hero, which turned out to be a lie.
November 28, 2012
3.5 stars.
OK so this book is a little corny and yep it's predictable but sometimes we all love a romance exactly like that. It's an easy quick read, so don't expect twists and turns, just expect money and romance and you won't be disappointed.
OK so this book is a little corny and yep it's predictable but sometimes we all love a romance exactly like that. It's an easy quick read, so don't expect twists and turns, just expect money and romance and you won't be disappointed.
October 26, 2012
3.5 stars.
November 10, 2012
Reviewed on my blog here -> http://mscandyreadsalot.blogspot.com/...
February 6, 2017
I liked this one- A lot! It's a typical marriage of convenience book. No demanding wills though. I liked the little plotting and scheming (somewhat cliched) but I really chowed down on it. It was fast so I didnt have any time to get bored or annoyed. loved the H/h!
December 18, 2012
After I finished reading this book I was slightly at odds with myself. I found it to be an enjoyable read but I wasn’t attached to either character in the end, making it hard to write a review. When I love a book I want to sing to the heavens and tell everyone about it. When I hate the book….well I want to tell everyone about it heh.
I found both characters of Helen and Ricardo to be very strong willed. Ricardo being used to people doing what he wants simply because of who he is and Helen having to constantly stand up for her family and requiring a backbone of steel to do so. When Helen takes a job in the Almanza household she never thought she’d be accused of stealing and get a marriage proposal in one night…let alone from the same man. Ricardo needs to settle an old debt and to do so he needs a bride. Helen provides him with exactly what he needs and the money he offers in exchange could finally free her family from the financial burdens they have been facing.
I liked both characters and I thought the story line was well wrote…I just didn’t connect with either character. The majority of the time Ricardo came off as a huge ass. His money and stature made for a huge ego that took a lot of time to deflate. Lyndhurst did an excellent job at the ass part but I thought he played that card a little too long and when he finally did thaw out it felt a bit rushed. I never did quite understand what Helen saw in the man. You know, other then the body…..the accent….and the loads and loads of money.
The financial woes Helen’s family faced were in a round about way tied to Ricardo himself, or well, his company. A land developer company that was trying to buy the farm out from under them to develop new buildings was headed by a common foe. Helen of course, jumps to the conclusion that Ricardo has been behind it all and was simply seducing her for fun. Though Ricardo comes to his own sudden conclusions as well so both are to blame there.
I think there was a missed opportunity with Ricardo’s nemesis. There is much buildup to his part in the book and then nothing really comes from it. I would have thought that including him, perhaps in a slight suspense-esqe twist, it would have bonded the two characters faster and unthawed Ricardo a bit better. Lyndhurst does try to soften him by throwing him into a selfless act…but I didn’t think it was enough to win me completely over in the span of time I was given.
The Spanish Billionaire’s Hired Bride reminded me of the romance books I started out with…those short, happily ever afters that my grandma used to get in the mail monthly. Rachel Lyndhurst is definitely an author whom I will read again. Her writing was strong and though I didn’t particularly love it, I think readers that like short, sensual reads, will likely enjoy it.
I give The Spanish Billionaire’s Hired Bride by Rachel Lyndhurst 3 stars!
I found both characters of Helen and Ricardo to be very strong willed. Ricardo being used to people doing what he wants simply because of who he is and Helen having to constantly stand up for her family and requiring a backbone of steel to do so. When Helen takes a job in the Almanza household she never thought she’d be accused of stealing and get a marriage proposal in one night…let alone from the same man. Ricardo needs to settle an old debt and to do so he needs a bride. Helen provides him with exactly what he needs and the money he offers in exchange could finally free her family from the financial burdens they have been facing.
I liked both characters and I thought the story line was well wrote…I just didn’t connect with either character. The majority of the time Ricardo came off as a huge ass. His money and stature made for a huge ego that took a lot of time to deflate. Lyndhurst did an excellent job at the ass part but I thought he played that card a little too long and when he finally did thaw out it felt a bit rushed. I never did quite understand what Helen saw in the man. You know, other then the body…..the accent….and the loads and loads of money.
The financial woes Helen’s family faced were in a round about way tied to Ricardo himself, or well, his company. A land developer company that was trying to buy the farm out from under them to develop new buildings was headed by a common foe. Helen of course, jumps to the conclusion that Ricardo has been behind it all and was simply seducing her for fun. Though Ricardo comes to his own sudden conclusions as well so both are to blame there.
I think there was a missed opportunity with Ricardo’s nemesis. There is much buildup to his part in the book and then nothing really comes from it. I would have thought that including him, perhaps in a slight suspense-esqe twist, it would have bonded the two characters faster and unthawed Ricardo a bit better. Lyndhurst does try to soften him by throwing him into a selfless act…but I didn’t think it was enough to win me completely over in the span of time I was given.
The Spanish Billionaire’s Hired Bride reminded me of the romance books I started out with…those short, happily ever afters that my grandma used to get in the mail monthly. Rachel Lyndhurst is definitely an author whom I will read again. Her writing was strong and though I didn’t particularly love it, I think readers that like short, sensual reads, will likely enjoy it.
I give The Spanish Billionaire’s Hired Bride by Rachel Lyndhurst 3 stars!
October 3, 2015
An enemies-to-lovers fairy tale...
Ricardo Almanza is a most sought after Spanish playboy who happens to need a wife ASAP. He needs someone who is willing to handle the situation in a business like manner, and he promises to pay her back handsomely. The thing is, he can't strike a deal like this with just anyone. He needs assurance all will be treated confidentially, while to the eyes of the world they look as the most besotted couple. He is running out of time and hasn't found anyone to fit the bill until he stumbles upon Helen, who he thinks is a thief.
Helen Marshall knows more languages than she can count in one hand, but all of that doesn't help her one bit. She needs money and fast or she'll lose the place she's always known as home. When dark and dangerous Ricardo approaches her with his tempting proposition Helen throws it back at him. She wants nothing from him, or anything to do with him, the problem is her family is in great need of funds and only he can help. Accepting his proposal feels like bargaining with the Devil himself, but Helen has no choice and concedes.
Ricardo makes his intentions known, their marriage may be a sham but he wants Helen in his bed. Helen makes it clear there will be no marriage bed, but temptation is a bitch, especially when drop dead gorgeous Ricardo is sleeping in the room next to hers. Where's the harm in giving into his demands? He looks like a sex god after all, and she'll sure have a great time while at it. And, there is no way she'll fall in love with him because their deal will only last three months, right? As if!
This is another fabulous read by Rachel Lyndhurst. There's excellent dialogue, the sensual tension is pretty, pretty high, the hero is GORGEOUS, the heroine is feisty, and the sex is HAWT. What more can you ask for, really?
Blurb:
He bought her with cold, hard cash, but can she stop him from stealing her heart?
Blackmailed to marry against his will, Ricardo Almanza needs a wife before he’s thirty, and time is running out. A notorious playboy, marriage is the last thing he wants, but his stepmother’s sexy, debt-ridden personal assistant is the perfect solution. He makes her a business deal she can’t refuse—one million euros for three months as his wife. He might even enjoy being married to her … if she doesn’t kick the crap out of him again.
Helen Marshall can’t believe she’s considering Almanza’s outrageous proposal, but she must help clear her parents’ debts or they face financial ruin. The small print on the marriage contract changes to read three months as his wife in every way—including in the bedroom. Has she gotten in too deep, or will she need a new contract addendum, extending their marriage forever?
Ricardo Almanza is a most sought after Spanish playboy who happens to need a wife ASAP. He needs someone who is willing to handle the situation in a business like manner, and he promises to pay her back handsomely. The thing is, he can't strike a deal like this with just anyone. He needs assurance all will be treated confidentially, while to the eyes of the world they look as the most besotted couple. He is running out of time and hasn't found anyone to fit the bill until he stumbles upon Helen, who he thinks is a thief.
Helen Marshall knows more languages than she can count in one hand, but all of that doesn't help her one bit. She needs money and fast or she'll lose the place she's always known as home. When dark and dangerous Ricardo approaches her with his tempting proposition Helen throws it back at him. She wants nothing from him, or anything to do with him, the problem is her family is in great need of funds and only he can help. Accepting his proposal feels like bargaining with the Devil himself, but Helen has no choice and concedes.
Ricardo makes his intentions known, their marriage may be a sham but he wants Helen in his bed. Helen makes it clear there will be no marriage bed, but temptation is a bitch, especially when drop dead gorgeous Ricardo is sleeping in the room next to hers. Where's the harm in giving into his demands? He looks like a sex god after all, and she'll sure have a great time while at it. And, there is no way she'll fall in love with him because their deal will only last three months, right? As if!
This is another fabulous read by Rachel Lyndhurst. There's excellent dialogue, the sensual tension is pretty, pretty high, the hero is GORGEOUS, the heroine is feisty, and the sex is HAWT. What more can you ask for, really?
Blurb:
He bought her with cold, hard cash, but can she stop him from stealing her heart?
Blackmailed to marry against his will, Ricardo Almanza needs a wife before he’s thirty, and time is running out. A notorious playboy, marriage is the last thing he wants, but his stepmother’s sexy, debt-ridden personal assistant is the perfect solution. He makes her a business deal she can’t refuse—one million euros for three months as his wife. He might even enjoy being married to her … if she doesn’t kick the crap out of him again.
Helen Marshall can’t believe she’s considering Almanza’s outrageous proposal, but she must help clear her parents’ debts or they face financial ruin. The small print on the marriage contract changes to read three months as his wife in every way—including in the bedroom. Has she gotten in too deep, or will she need a new contract addendum, extending their marriage forever?
August 9, 2016
I really am consideirngg a 3.5 star rating here! First, its not all that predictable and I appreciate that so much I could provide 2 stars off the gate! The storyline is pretty original and cute, and it’s a good read. I also like that the story/ characters evolve into love and it isn’t just some insta-love situation. They really fall, and you see it.
But I do want to complain about the author’s editor, if they have one, because sometimes it isn’t clear who’s talking. ….That could be a program issue?
But I do want to complain about the author’s editor, if they have one, because sometimes it isn’t clear who’s talking. ….That could be a program issue?
March 29, 2013
Ugh, it would've been great if she really got pregnant at the end, I mean she's always hungry, and all! But then, liked everything, albeit the last part where both of them are saying everything got a little awkward, for me though. I mean, I was like, "were they just standing and???" It's silly of me, but really liked everything. ;)
And another was, I really thought the author was from Spain with all those setting and knowledge about the country.
And another was, I really thought the author was from Spain with all those setting and knowledge about the country.
August 20, 2016
3.5*
The sex scenes were definitely hot. Ricardo was a really good leading male and I liked Helen. I just feel that the story could have gotten a different way. Still it is not that I was disappointed.
At the end I was confused about her being pregnant for real or not, because she just believed she wasn't and she thought that her period was coming. But she did not have a test or something to validate that. So she could very well be.
The sex scenes were definitely hot. Ricardo was a really good leading male and I liked Helen. I just feel that the story could have gotten a different way. Still it is not that I was disappointed.
At the end I was confused about her being pregnant for real or not, because she just believed she wasn't and she thought that her period was coming. But she did not have a test or something to validate that. So she could very well be.
August 11, 2016
You can see my full review at My Book Addiction Reviews.
Want to read
November 1, 2012NOR
Read
November 6, 2012Detailed review to be posted soon.
December 27, 2012
I love marriage of convenience stories. This was one of my favorites. I loved how problems kept popping up where they shouldn't. I also love how they worked themselves out. :)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 42 reviews