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The Rings That Bind
On his terms only...
The day Rosa agreed to wear Nicolai Baranski's ring she wasn't so foolish as to expect love. Yet nothing could have prepared her for the aching loneliness of her husband's constant indifference—an indifference that proved too much to bear.
Nico is furious—no one turns their back on a Baranski. Rosa has some nerve if she thinks he will just let her walk away. He'll use every sensual trick at his disposal to bring her back, begging for more. And once he's got her where he wants her? He'll let her go. But only when he's ready!
The day Rosa agreed to wear Nicolai Baranski's ring she wasn't so foolish as to expect love. Yet nothing could have prepared her for the aching loneliness of her husband's constant indifference—an indifference that proved too much to bear.
Nico is furious—no one turns their back on a Baranski. Rosa has some nerve if she thinks he will just let her walk away. He'll use every sensual trick at his disposal to bring her back, begging for more. And once he's got her where he wants her? He'll let her go. But only when he's ready!
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
37 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Smart
706 books257 followersMichelle Smart is a Publishers Weekly bestselling romance author with a slight-to-severe coffee addiction. With over four million copies of her books sold worldwide, Michelle is now embracing the indie book world to write the passionate romance books she knows her readers love whilst continuing to write for Harlequin Mills & Boon. She is also the author of Butterflies, a standalone romantic and humorous time travel novel set in the 1990s.
A bookworm since birth, Michelle can usually be found hiding behind a paperback, or if it’s an author she really loves, a hardback.
Michelle loves hearing from readers and can be contacted directly via her website.
A bookworm since birth, Michelle can usually be found hiding behind a paperback, or if it’s an author she really loves, a hardback.
Michelle loves hearing from readers and can be contacted directly via her website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
March 2, 2016
PS………..SOME SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
Russian hero who rose up from the Siberian wastelands to billionaire status in London. He hires a new PA…English heroine brought up in foster care.
He doesn’t do commitments or love. She’s trying to get rid of a pesky ex-boyfriend.
Hero and Heroine agree to a marriage of convenience as a solution to their men/women problems. Conditions – open marriage – no sex between each other…and okay with discreet affairs.
Eleven months later……..heroine wants a divorce!!! She wants more from a marriage. Hero does not!! She tells him…the husband in her open marriage that she slept with her ex-boyfriend......
Yes, she did. Yes I know it’s an open marriage……….Okay, I am not crazy about open marriages…..why marry someone when you’re going to sleep with someone else??? Doesn’t make sense to me.….but hey, that’s just me!!!
Anyway, the reason the heroine slept with said ex-boyfriend??? Her husband didn’t come home on her birthday….she felt lonely and unloved……sob sob sob…………
What an irritating and unlikeable heroine!!
The hero realizes that he wants heroine…..he doesn’t want a divorce. He’s going to make her fall in love with her, despite her “betrayal”!!!! Is this guy an idiot or something???? He was quite a likeable guy but when it came to the heroine…totally sappy wappy!!!!!
Let me stop my ranting here………….and end this off by saying…
I have read other books by this author, which I actually liked but The Ring that Binds, her debut novel just did not do it for me.
Russian hero who rose up from the Siberian wastelands to billionaire status in London. He hires a new PA…English heroine brought up in foster care.
He doesn’t do commitments or love. She’s trying to get rid of a pesky ex-boyfriend.
Hero and Heroine agree to a marriage of convenience as a solution to their men/women problems. Conditions – open marriage – no sex between each other…and okay with discreet affairs.
Eleven months later……..heroine wants a divorce!!! She wants more from a marriage. Hero does not!! She tells him…the husband in her open marriage that she slept with her ex-boyfriend......
Yes, she did. Yes I know it’s an open marriage……….Okay, I am not crazy about open marriages…..why marry someone when you’re going to sleep with someone else??? Doesn’t make sense to me.….but hey, that’s just me!!!
Anyway, the reason the heroine slept with said ex-boyfriend??? Her husband didn’t come home on her birthday….she felt lonely and unloved……sob sob sob…………
What an irritating and unlikeable heroine!!
The hero realizes that he wants heroine…..he doesn’t want a divorce. He’s going to make her fall in love with her, despite her “betrayal”!!!! Is this guy an idiot or something???? He was quite a likeable guy but when it came to the heroine…totally sappy wappy!!!!!
Let me stop my ranting here………….and end this off by saying…
I have read other books by this author, which I actually liked but The Ring that Binds, her debut novel just did not do it for me.
July 13, 2013
This is Ms Smart's first Harlequin book and I think it is gonna be what I would call a 'Marmite' book (I think it known as Vegemite in the US?), there are gonna be two camps of readers as some will like it and some will hate it! I thought it was fairly well written and full of angst (which ticks huge boxes for me) that we see from both the H and the h's side and does have a HEA so does have a lot of potential.
BUT.....
If you haven't read the book then maybe it would be a good idea not to read the spoiler....
If I am honest I am not even sure if I liked these two as went through different stages thinking no I don't, to yes I do and back to no I don't again and I think the no I don't won out in the end so I am never gonna read this book again and I am not even sure if I will try this author again either.
BUT.....
If you haven't read the book then maybe it would be a good idea not to read the spoiler....
If I am honest I am not even sure if I liked these two as went through different stages thinking no I don't, to yes I do and back to no I don't again and I think the no I don't won out in the end so I am never gonna read this book again and I am not even sure if I will try this author again either.
July 10, 2013
Okay,this book started out promising to me.I enjoy the MOC trope,as a matter of fact,it is one of my favorites.What is not my favorite is cheating.Not the hero in this case , but the heroine.She has sex with her ex fiance because she was upset with her MOC husband and it was her birthday and he was not there to celebrate with her.She goes out with the ex and has a one night stand with him!This is not my idea of a Harlequin Presents ,I prefer the more traditional,call me old fashioned, but it is ,what it is.I gave this one star for the portions of the book that I read, then dnf the rest.I look forward to new authors in the HP line,but the cheating in this book just colored the entire book for me.
April 11, 2014
this bk is a bloody gem!!!!
I freakin loved it! plz excuse me im super giddy right now! u don't know how long its been since ive picked a really really reeeeaaaallllly good HP!!!
I have new fav author!! ands its MICHELLE SMART! damn the lady sure knows how to write heartwrenching stories with spanking great heroines! its just so rare to absofuckinlutely love a heroine in HP! So rare ! the TSTL heroines are the majority so yeah its hard to find a heroine that u just love ! This h (GAWD)just made my heart bleed so bloody much ! Life has given her such a shitty hand but shes still super strong and smart and compassionate! I would have no sympathy for the stupid jerk aka H I would have pushed him overboard and become a very wealthy widow! but you know what? I absolutely loved him in the end, he totally won me over! I wont tell ya what he did but it'll shock ya!
Really good read! I highly highly recommend it!
Def a hidden gem *_^
I freakin loved it! plz excuse me im super giddy right now! u don't know how long its been since ive picked a really really reeeeaaaallllly good HP!!!
I have new fav author!! ands its MICHELLE SMART! damn the lady sure knows how to write heartwrenching stories with spanking great heroines! its just so rare to absofuckinlutely love a heroine in HP! So rare ! the TSTL heroines are the majority so yeah its hard to find a heroine that u just love ! This h (GAWD)just made my heart bleed so bloody much ! Life has given her such a shitty hand but shes still super strong and smart and compassionate! I would have no sympathy for the stupid jerk aka H I would have pushed him overboard and become a very wealthy widow! but you know what? I absolutely loved him in the end, he totally won me over! I wont tell ya what he did but it'll shock ya!
Really good read! I highly highly recommend it!
Def a hidden gem *_^
March 12, 2017
Hero was ok heroine was annoying and whiny. Couldn't even finish it. Read it only if you like cheating heroines!
July 9, 2013
It cannot be a good thing when you constantly feel like b*tch slapping the h, can it? Whiniest, most annoying and insecure h I've seen in a while. She had some serious emotional/mental issues. The beginning started out with a lot of promise and I was fully engaged. Then it all just went to hell in a hand basket when the h's neurosis started to be revealed. Michelle Smart is a new HP writer and I have to say, I thought the writing needed some finesse. The writing and the story felt overly cartoonish to me. More of a good thing does not always equal good+. Tone it down a bit.
January 9, 2014
Let me start off by saying this was not your average normal everyday Harlequin Presents read! Yes it had the same story line as most, a bastard of a hero and strong and determined heroine both with secrets from the past and then coming together and up against a world of obstacles. But with so many delicious, totally yummy to die for super intense differences, that yes it had me more than once flipping back to the cover to confirm I was indeed reading Harlequin Presents book.
The read is about Rosa, abandoned by her mother at the age of five Rosa has always been focused on rather getting her work done and not getting emotionally entangled with anyone, for the second she does the person is bound to walk away from her, she knows they have reason, there is something wrong with her she has just never really been sure what.
However, eleven months ago in a mutual agreement of" you help me I help you" she married her come-for-me-and-only-for-me boss Nico. But soon she realises that her attraction to him has become far more serious than the day she started working for him, she needs to get out and she needs to get out now, before she finds herself attached by more than just the ring on her finger. That is until Nico touches her for the first time, will all be lost or will they both find what they have been seeking for?
The characters of Rosa and Nico where both extremely well written and clawed their way into my hearts very early on in this read. I felt true sadness for poor Rosa, having your mother abandon you at such a young age must be a terrible set of cards to deal with, but the author also made Rosa strong, confident and ready to show the world she is ready to make it, unlike some unfortunate children from the same background that go the route of drugs or crime, yes ladies I cried my eyes out at the intense sadness the author used to describe the life of Rosa.
Nico was the perfect 'tortured' hero, that much like Rosa had to fend for himself from a young age even with his father around, but he had more intensity than other tortured hero's from similar reads, the author gave him more drama, more flair, more passion for life, and even though the man is a complete bastard at some stages, I still fell for him and could not wait for him to discover the true man he could be.
The backdrop settings were simply exquisitely described by the author and it was as if I could smell the ocean and touch the waves, simply magical! The dialogue was unlike another Harlequin Presents I have come across, the author really packed a emotional punch with her words, the emotions being played out were all levels of serious intense, I laughed, I yelled, I cried ,I felt each and every emotion right along with the characters and I could not stop reading, the author had me entertained, intrigued and simply fascinated at all times.
I will also add there is a serious, serious very hot, passionate and steamy storm-sex scene in this read that left me thinking " Now why can other Harlequin Presents books not have this much heat?" Absolutely brilliantly done Michelle, you had me double checking the cover again!
I am taking away a message of when lost one will always be found by the one special person that will show you the road ahead is much better faced in unity then alone, all you need to do is never look back, always look forward.
The author brought the past, future, conflict, passion, insecurities and despair into play so perfectly, the read had me wishing for my very own Nico to come and rescue me!
I highly recommend this read for any fan or romance reading, if you have never ever even considered reading a Michelle Smart book or so much as looking at a Harlequin Presents book, this is the one to start with, it will leave you running for the stores to grab any and every copy you can find in order to escape the world and all it's troubles. Michelle has the gift to transport any reader to a world of romance so scorching hot you will feel like you just stepped into the hottest place on earth! Pure, magical, sexy, sensual romance at it's very best!
I look forward to the next read from this author, write faster Michelle I want more as in NOW!
"5/5 star review
"Vodka shots leads to a lifetime of commitment, trust and love"
January 3, 2014
Snooze-fest...
I never seem to learn my lesson well. I end up doing the same mistake again and again. I have promised myself not to get lured by beautiful covers and my favorite romantic tropes but I can't stand the temptation. These new HPs are such a waste of time.
It started with a lot of promise. I was actually looking forward to the unfolding of the story though I did find it hard to forgive the heroine for sleeping with her ex because the hero couldn't make it on her birthday. Now some might justify it saying that they did agree to be discreet and it wasn't really a "real" marriage. But I am old fashioned and I don't take marriage vows casually. So even if you had an agreement of continuing the way you did before marriage, I think it is extremely dishonorable. I just couldn't get over the fact and more so because the heroine didn't seem to regret it.
Anyway, give some credit to the hero for taking it in his stride. The heroine openly admits to sleeping with her ex. Our "noble" hero realizes he must do something to save his marriage though it was quite late in the day. He refused to let the heroine walk out of the marriage and decided to give it his all to make it work.
Sadly, I found the heroine extremely cold. I couldn't relate to her. Neither could I sympathize with her. She was almost determined to not give her marriage a second chance.
I really wanted to like it but it just didn't work for me.
I never seem to learn my lesson well. I end up doing the same mistake again and again. I have promised myself not to get lured by beautiful covers and my favorite romantic tropes but I can't stand the temptation. These new HPs are such a waste of time.
It started with a lot of promise. I was actually looking forward to the unfolding of the story though I did find it hard to forgive the heroine for sleeping with her ex because the hero couldn't make it on her birthday. Now some might justify it saying that they did agree to be discreet and it wasn't really a "real" marriage. But I am old fashioned and I don't take marriage vows casually. So even if you had an agreement of continuing the way you did before marriage, I think it is extremely dishonorable. I just couldn't get over the fact and more so because the heroine didn't seem to regret it.
Anyway, give some credit to the hero for taking it in his stride. The heroine openly admits to sleeping with her ex. Our "noble" hero realizes he must do something to save his marriage though it was quite late in the day. He refused to let the heroine walk out of the marriage and decided to give it his all to make it work.
Sadly, I found the heroine extremely cold. I couldn't relate to her. Neither could I sympathize with her. She was almost determined to not give her marriage a second chance.
I really wanted to like it but it just didn't work for me.
March 12, 2017
The thing about this book is, it's not memorable. I can't remember half the shit in the book, therefore one star is quite generous. I don't actually have problem with the heroine sleeping with her ex. I'm quite surprised at myself, and actually I think if you have an open marriage, your husband doesn't give a shit about you and your birthday and your brother decided to tell you he's not interested in reconnecting, I'd look for an easy lay too. I have the issue with open marriages to begin with! It's just not done, and I THINK heroine actually didn't commit adultery, she stuffed that up too. But then again, I DON'T remember, that's how terrible this book was!
July 13, 2013
I had the good fortune to read this story prior to its release, and I've ordered a paper copy for my keeper shelf.
I don't like to give away the story in reviews, or go book-report style, but I want to highlight a couple aspects of this story and Ms. Smart's writing that I find compelling.
1. She's very good with the emotion sucker-punch. There's a difference between simply being informed of the emotions a character feels, and actually feeling them as you read. When you're this along for the ride, you get the highs but you also get the lows. By the time you reach the Happily Ever After, you've Earned It.
2. It's rare for me to write reviews, but from the few I've done it is probably clear that I love broken characters. I wouldn't really classify either the hero or heroine as fully broken, or the hot messes I do adore, but they've made mistakes. That makes them more real to me. And strangely, I feel like it ups the escapist fantasy aspect I love about reading romance. There are things in Real Life that few people can bounce back from, but there's always room for redemption in a romance.
I'm very unlikely to marry a uber-wealthy tycoon. I'm very unlikely to engage in a paper marriage of any kind. But I Will Mess Up. I'm Very Likely to make whopping mistakes in my life. Whether or not I can bounce back from them, I love my escapist fantasy where Everything Can Be Fixed.
I don't like to give away the story in reviews, or go book-report style, but I want to highlight a couple aspects of this story and Ms. Smart's writing that I find compelling.
1. She's very good with the emotion sucker-punch. There's a difference between simply being informed of the emotions a character feels, and actually feeling them as you read. When you're this along for the ride, you get the highs but you also get the lows. By the time you reach the Happily Ever After, you've Earned It.
2. It's rare for me to write reviews, but from the few I've done it is probably clear that I love broken characters. I wouldn't really classify either the hero or heroine as fully broken, or the hot messes I do adore, but they've made mistakes. That makes them more real to me. And strangely, I feel like it ups the escapist fantasy aspect I love about reading romance. There are things in Real Life that few people can bounce back from, but there's always room for redemption in a romance.
I'm very unlikely to marry a uber-wealthy tycoon. I'm very unlikely to engage in a paper marriage of any kind. But I Will Mess Up. I'm Very Likely to make whopping mistakes in my life. Whether or not I can bounce back from them, I love my escapist fantasy where Everything Can Be Fixed.
May 4, 2017
Rosa and Nico have a marriage of convenience. After months of loneliness, Rosa strays and decides she wants a divorce. Nico will not agree to this. He wants Rosa to give him time so that he can convince her to stay with him and make another go of their marriage.
Enjoyable story despite a few slow parts here and there. I liked Rosa a lot and sympathized with her. I also liked Nico even though he didn’t really seem to have any romantic/sexual interest in Rosa until his pride took a hit and he thought that she was leaving him for another man. I enjoyed the time they spent on the yacht when they finally took the time to get to know each other better and learn things about one another. The story was engaging with some emotional bits, as well.
Enjoyable story despite a few slow parts here and there. I liked Rosa a lot and sympathized with her. I also liked Nico even though he didn’t really seem to have any romantic/sexual interest in Rosa until his pride took a hit and he thought that she was leaving him for another man. I enjoyed the time they spent on the yacht when they finally took the time to get to know each other better and learn things about one another. The story was engaging with some emotional bits, as well.
July 17, 2014
*Readers of a more traditional romanace novel nature should pass this book by!*
Let's just get this out of the way first and foremost, shall we? This is not going to be a book for everyone. It pushes buttons, ones that for some people are a deal breaker when it comes to romance novels. Now, I like an ol' traditional style romance (you know the ones - shy untouched virgin heroine vs alpha/kind of a dick hero) as much as the next person. But I also love reading modern books, ones that deal with today's issues and has a voice that I can relate to a lot more. I also like my books to push boundaries, and I got everything I wanted from Michelle Smart here.
One fantastic thing about this book, and there are quite a few fantastic things, is that Michelle has used a really traditional trope - in this case Marriage of Convenience - but has brought it bang up to date and has managed to make this rather out dated idea fit into a modern ideal.
The hero and heroine are both broken characters, but they also seem like very different people. At times I actually did wonder how on earth they could ever find their HEA. But as the story progresses, all the outer layers of the hero and heroine's personalities are stripped away to reveal two very lonely people that really did need each other.
Rosa is a wonderful character; so strong yet so hurt. There is a scene towards the All Is Lost moment where Rosa breaks down and begs Nico to tell her what is wrong with her, why no one ever wants her, which is so emotional and intense it almost had me in tears and I felt this was when I truly learned why Rosa was what she was and did what she did.
There is so much drama in this book and the storytelling, in my opinion, is faultless. I wasn't just told about every high and low, I actually felt them.
The depth of this book surprised me, and I am so glad it did. It is packed full of passion, emotion, joy, and redemption, as well as all the other stuff that makes reading romance so wonderful!
Great stuff, Chellebell!
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
Let's just get this out of the way first and foremost, shall we? This is not going to be a book for everyone. It pushes buttons, ones that for some people are a deal breaker when it comes to romance novels. Now, I like an ol' traditional style romance (you know the ones - shy untouched virgin heroine vs alpha/kind of a dick hero) as much as the next person. But I also love reading modern books, ones that deal with today's issues and has a voice that I can relate to a lot more. I also like my books to push boundaries, and I got everything I wanted from Michelle Smart here.
One fantastic thing about this book, and there are quite a few fantastic things, is that Michelle has used a really traditional trope - in this case Marriage of Convenience - but has brought it bang up to date and has managed to make this rather out dated idea fit into a modern ideal.
The hero and heroine are both broken characters, but they also seem like very different people. At times I actually did wonder how on earth they could ever find their HEA. But as the story progresses, all the outer layers of the hero and heroine's personalities are stripped away to reveal two very lonely people that really did need each other.
Rosa is a wonderful character; so strong yet so hurt. There is a scene towards the All Is Lost moment where Rosa breaks down and begs Nico to tell her what is wrong with her, why no one ever wants her, which is so emotional and intense it almost had me in tears and I felt this was when I truly learned why Rosa was what she was and did what she did.
There is so much drama in this book and the storytelling, in my opinion, is faultless. I wasn't just told about every high and low, I actually felt them.
The depth of this book surprised me, and I am so glad it did. It is packed full of passion, emotion, joy, and redemption, as well as all the other stuff that makes reading romance so wonderful!
Great stuff, Chellebell!
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
August 25, 2013
I very much enjoyed this debut from Michelle Smart, tugging at the heartstrings as the story went along and making me really feel for the characters especially Rosa.
I know a lot of people who have read this story didn't like the fact that Rosa cheated on her husband, Nico and made her unappealing than most heroine's in these types of books and even not like her. Though I don't condone what she did or even liked what she did when she cheated on her husband and I find cheating never acceptable in any type of circumstances and usually I would have hated her like many others have, but I don't I even feel sorry for her and sympathized with her all through out the book even though I found her actions to be wrong, and thought that she should have decided to leave before she did what she did. At the same time, at least for me, the reason I didn't totally dislike her as a character after she cheated on Nico was one it was an open marriage with both of them agreeing on that term before they even married and she believed that he was sleeping with other woman as well so technically she wasn't cheating on him since the did agree to the open marriage in the first place, which made my sympathize with her more than I would have if she just outright cheated on him. And number two, they weren't sleeping together at the time either, which would have been a whole new ball of wax because then I would find it unforgivable and gross that she had slept with anyone else (as well as if he did it too)sharing her body and intimacy with two people instead of one, but that wasn't the case at all. And though not inexcusable I could understand where she was coming from and why she did sleep with her ex while Nico was away when he was suppose to be there for her on her birthday, and she was upset and feeling completely alone and she just wanted to be with someone and have human contact and with someone after all she wasn't getting that in her marriage both physically or otherwise, though again this doesn't excuse, and if this happened in real life I would probably have been more disgusted and aghast at what she did and care what prompted her to be with another man and I would totally not root for her. But since this was fiction and the reasons above made me soften towards her especially after learning her loneliness and her background where she had been rejected time and time again by the people she cared about until she put a wall up. Unfortunately the wall started to break down where Nico was concerned and by sleeping with her ex made her realize how much she wanted to be with Nico and have that intimacy that all marriages had, but knew she would never get it from him since he considered her a convenience and nothing more, and she couldn't take that any more from him. And she just wanted more from her husband than she was getting and knew she had to get out before he broke her with his lack of feelings for her. So she decided she wanted to end her marriage to him.
Well, Nico didn't take that to kindly, as well as the revelation that she was with someone else, which didn't set well with him at all and was very hurt by it as one can imagine, but he realized that he didn't want to lose her or have her end his marriage so he set about to change her mind. He thought that if they became physical intimate then she would be more apt to staying and set to do just that while they were on a business trip to Butterfly Island and he used very sneaky tricks to try and seduce her and try to convince her that he did want her. (And he really did)
But she didn't believe it at all, and thought he was just trying to seduce her in order to save his pride or even in revenge for her having slept with someone else so she kept her guard up, being very suspicious of him and all his motive while he tried to break them down. She refused to give in to him, and didn't make it easy for him while trying not to fall all over him in the process even though she really really wanted to, wanting him for so long and it was proving difficult to resist him.
Let me tell you those build up scenes were pretty intense and steamy as they flirted with one another while Nico threw out innuendo after innuendo until my own pulse quickened along with Rosa, though Rosa held on a lot longer than I thought she would. But those scenes were the greatest and prepared for what was to come, and I just loved those moments between the two of them.
Of coarse she did give in and finally decided to let go and let him and let her walls down because she believed she could trust him. And that love scene was pretty hot as well, though I thought the scene would have been a lot longer than it was, but it didn't make it any less hot, beginning with that massage and just going from there. The anticipation was killing me until they finally consummated their relationship and it was just a great moment. And I could totally see the change in her and just her more carefree, relaxed attitude where she let her hair down and just let herself feel and have that human connection she was missing with another person.
Now of coarse things didn't go smoothly after that, and this was probably the moment I was like "Don't do it, Nico." because I could totally tell where this was going and I was suddenly right and made my heart break for Rosa even more after she finally learned to let her guard down and let Nico in, trusting him. And a part of me kind of didn't like Nico for a moment once he stated he wanted to leave the marriage after learning her heartbreaking past of always being rejected by her love ones. Now I get he was trying to do the right thing, and that he believed he couldn't give her what she deserve, love like she wanted, because he didn't have it in him to give so he decided to end things with them, hurting her in the process. I just shook my head, saying to myself, "You should have gotten to know her before you slept with her. Ever think of that, buddy? No, you were just interested in the physical and thought that would make it all better instead of getting to know Rosa as a person, and now that she gave in to you, what are you going to do, but reject her just like everyone else had in her life." It just made me so mad at him because I could see, as well as he could, that she was starting to blossom, but he cut her down so quickly and kind of brushed he off. And I didn't like that, though I was glad he didn't pretend to feel what he didn't just to make her feel better and earned her trust even more, but even still just the cold way he did it was not right at all, and I felt even more for Rosa.
Once he rejected her of coarse Rosa closed up again and felt deeply hurt over the rejection, and couldn't believe she actually trusted him. She thought that he used her by finally getting her into his bed and then discarding when he was done with her without a second thought. She even blamed herself for being so naïve and actually thinking that they would work out, having that intimacy that she craved. And I couldn't blame her for being upset and mad at him for what she felt he did to her because he spent so much time trying to seduce her then when he finally got her and learned more about her, even though she didn't want to reveal to him about her past, but did because she trusted him, then he just gave her the brush off and said he wanted to end their relationship when she thought it was just beginning. I know he didn't want to hurt her and hated that he did, but it didn't make it any less heartbreaking to read while seeing Rosa become more dejected and sad over the rejection and even felt like something was wrong with her for no one to want her, feeling like she did as a kid. The most heartbreaking scene in the book was when she was outside on the deck in the rain with a drink in her hand just staring out at the churning sea with dejected eyes, wondering why no one cared about her or cared whether she lived or died. It was just horrible to watch, Michelle Smart showed it so well just the inner turmoil that she felt and it oozed from the pages and hit me in the gut, knowing how Nico's rejection really pierced Rosa's heart and made her want to retreat in her bubble again and I don't blame her. The scene was just very well done as heartbreaking as it was to read, but it got the point across very efficiently. And then for Nico to see it and see what his actions did to Rosa, nearly crippled him and made him understand what he really did to her. He immediately felt guilty in the part he played in hurting her, and tried to make her understand that it wasn't her that it was all him, revealing to her why he couldn't care or love her. Which was the stupidest excuse known to man and showed him as cowardly and Rosa saw that as well as well as the fact that she wasn't worth it enough for him to try with her, making even more heart wrenching for her.
But Rosa decided that she would leave on her terms and have one last night with him on her terms because she wanted this final goodbye. And that scene was both heartbreaking, passionate, hot, and very emotional between both the characters. Rosa was in control the entire time and was the one who pulled and way and made sure their was no more intimacy between them even though Nico realized that maybe he wanted more from her than just the sex, but realized that it was too late when she turned her back on him, refusing to allow for emotional closeness because she didn't want that and thought that was all he wanted anyway.
That didn't last long, and he realized that he loved her and wanted to be with her in the end, not being able to live without her, and as these stories are known for happy endings, she forgave him and revealed that she loved him too, and loved him for a long time, which was why she was ending the marriage in the first place. That was a sweet moment between them and she was very forgiving after all the hurt that he caused her, but decided she wanted his love more than she wanted bitterness and anger directed at him. And I was glad she got her happy ending because she deserved it after all she been though.
This story was passionate, loving, heartbreaking, full of anticipation, and showing the development of their feelings for one another. I'll admit that I cried a few tears while reading the scene where he told he wanted to end their marriage, making my heart break for her especially seeing the aftermath of it. I was just really invested in their story and especially in Rosa, rooting for her to get her happy ending with Nico liked she wanted. Though I didn't like her actions, I understood her and why she did what she did and how she just wanted connection with someone, and she wanted that with Nico. And though was a hot specimen of man, I didn't like how he ruthlessly seduced her then rejected her so and not even softening the blow as he brought the big boom down on her head, and I thought he could have done a little bit more groveling than he did, but he did redeem himself in the end and I was happy the ended up together.
But overall I enjoyed the story very much and felt what the characters felt as the story went along, which any good romance should do. It was a great debut from Michelle Smart, and I will definitely be picking up more of her books in the future once they are released.
I know a lot of people who have read this story didn't like the fact that Rosa cheated on her husband, Nico and made her unappealing than most heroine's in these types of books and even not like her. Though I don't condone what she did or even liked what she did when she cheated on her husband and I find cheating never acceptable in any type of circumstances and usually I would have hated her like many others have, but I don't I even feel sorry for her and sympathized with her all through out the book even though I found her actions to be wrong, and thought that she should have decided to leave before she did what she did. At the same time, at least for me, the reason I didn't totally dislike her as a character after she cheated on Nico was one it was an open marriage with both of them agreeing on that term before they even married and she believed that he was sleeping with other woman as well so technically she wasn't cheating on him since the did agree to the open marriage in the first place, which made my sympathize with her more than I would have if she just outright cheated on him. And number two, they weren't sleeping together at the time either, which would have been a whole new ball of wax because then I would find it unforgivable and gross that she had slept with anyone else (as well as if he did it too)sharing her body and intimacy with two people instead of one, but that wasn't the case at all. And though not inexcusable I could understand where she was coming from and why she did sleep with her ex while Nico was away when he was suppose to be there for her on her birthday, and she was upset and feeling completely alone and she just wanted to be with someone and have human contact and with someone after all she wasn't getting that in her marriage both physically or otherwise, though again this doesn't excuse, and if this happened in real life I would probably have been more disgusted and aghast at what she did and care what prompted her to be with another man and I would totally not root for her. But since this was fiction and the reasons above made me soften towards her especially after learning her loneliness and her background where she had been rejected time and time again by the people she cared about until she put a wall up. Unfortunately the wall started to break down where Nico was concerned and by sleeping with her ex made her realize how much she wanted to be with Nico and have that intimacy that all marriages had, but knew she would never get it from him since he considered her a convenience and nothing more, and she couldn't take that any more from him. And she just wanted more from her husband than she was getting and knew she had to get out before he broke her with his lack of feelings for her. So she decided she wanted to end her marriage to him.
Well, Nico didn't take that to kindly, as well as the revelation that she was with someone else, which didn't set well with him at all and was very hurt by it as one can imagine, but he realized that he didn't want to lose her or have her end his marriage so he set about to change her mind. He thought that if they became physical intimate then she would be more apt to staying and set to do just that while they were on a business trip to Butterfly Island and he used very sneaky tricks to try and seduce her and try to convince her that he did want her. (And he really did)
But she didn't believe it at all, and thought he was just trying to seduce her in order to save his pride or even in revenge for her having slept with someone else so she kept her guard up, being very suspicious of him and all his motive while he tried to break them down. She refused to give in to him, and didn't make it easy for him while trying not to fall all over him in the process even though she really really wanted to, wanting him for so long and it was proving difficult to resist him.
Let me tell you those build up scenes were pretty intense and steamy as they flirted with one another while Nico threw out innuendo after innuendo until my own pulse quickened along with Rosa, though Rosa held on a lot longer than I thought she would. But those scenes were the greatest and prepared for what was to come, and I just loved those moments between the two of them.
Of coarse she did give in and finally decided to let go and let him and let her walls down because she believed she could trust him. And that love scene was pretty hot as well, though I thought the scene would have been a lot longer than it was, but it didn't make it any less hot, beginning with that massage and just going from there. The anticipation was killing me until they finally consummated their relationship and it was just a great moment. And I could totally see the change in her and just her more carefree, relaxed attitude where she let her hair down and just let herself feel and have that human connection she was missing with another person.
Now of coarse things didn't go smoothly after that, and this was probably the moment I was like "Don't do it, Nico." because I could totally tell where this was going and I was suddenly right and made my heart break for Rosa even more after she finally learned to let her guard down and let Nico in, trusting him. And a part of me kind of didn't like Nico for a moment once he stated he wanted to leave the marriage after learning her heartbreaking past of always being rejected by her love ones. Now I get he was trying to do the right thing, and that he believed he couldn't give her what she deserve, love like she wanted, because he didn't have it in him to give so he decided to end things with them, hurting her in the process. I just shook my head, saying to myself, "You should have gotten to know her before you slept with her. Ever think of that, buddy? No, you were just interested in the physical and thought that would make it all better instead of getting to know Rosa as a person, and now that she gave in to you, what are you going to do, but reject her just like everyone else had in her life." It just made me so mad at him because I could see, as well as he could, that she was starting to blossom, but he cut her down so quickly and kind of brushed he off. And I didn't like that, though I was glad he didn't pretend to feel what he didn't just to make her feel better and earned her trust even more, but even still just the cold way he did it was not right at all, and I felt even more for Rosa.
Once he rejected her of coarse Rosa closed up again and felt deeply hurt over the rejection, and couldn't believe she actually trusted him. She thought that he used her by finally getting her into his bed and then discarding when he was done with her without a second thought. She even blamed herself for being so naïve and actually thinking that they would work out, having that intimacy that she craved. And I couldn't blame her for being upset and mad at him for what she felt he did to her because he spent so much time trying to seduce her then when he finally got her and learned more about her, even though she didn't want to reveal to him about her past, but did because she trusted him, then he just gave her the brush off and said he wanted to end their relationship when she thought it was just beginning. I know he didn't want to hurt her and hated that he did, but it didn't make it any less heartbreaking to read while seeing Rosa become more dejected and sad over the rejection and even felt like something was wrong with her for no one to want her, feeling like she did as a kid. The most heartbreaking scene in the book was when she was outside on the deck in the rain with a drink in her hand just staring out at the churning sea with dejected eyes, wondering why no one cared about her or cared whether she lived or died. It was just horrible to watch, Michelle Smart showed it so well just the inner turmoil that she felt and it oozed from the pages and hit me in the gut, knowing how Nico's rejection really pierced Rosa's heart and made her want to retreat in her bubble again and I don't blame her. The scene was just very well done as heartbreaking as it was to read, but it got the point across very efficiently. And then for Nico to see it and see what his actions did to Rosa, nearly crippled him and made him understand what he really did to her. He immediately felt guilty in the part he played in hurting her, and tried to make her understand that it wasn't her that it was all him, revealing to her why he couldn't care or love her. Which was the stupidest excuse known to man and showed him as cowardly and Rosa saw that as well as well as the fact that she wasn't worth it enough for him to try with her, making even more heart wrenching for her.
But Rosa decided that she would leave on her terms and have one last night with him on her terms because she wanted this final goodbye. And that scene was both heartbreaking, passionate, hot, and very emotional between both the characters. Rosa was in control the entire time and was the one who pulled and way and made sure their was no more intimacy between them even though Nico realized that maybe he wanted more from her than just the sex, but realized that it was too late when she turned her back on him, refusing to allow for emotional closeness because she didn't want that and thought that was all he wanted anyway.
That didn't last long, and he realized that he loved her and wanted to be with her in the end, not being able to live without her, and as these stories are known for happy endings, she forgave him and revealed that she loved him too, and loved him for a long time, which was why she was ending the marriage in the first place. That was a sweet moment between them and she was very forgiving after all the hurt that he caused her, but decided she wanted his love more than she wanted bitterness and anger directed at him. And I was glad she got her happy ending because she deserved it after all she been though.
This story was passionate, loving, heartbreaking, full of anticipation, and showing the development of their feelings for one another. I'll admit that I cried a few tears while reading the scene where he told he wanted to end their marriage, making my heart break for her especially seeing the aftermath of it. I was just really invested in their story and especially in Rosa, rooting for her to get her happy ending with Nico liked she wanted. Though I didn't like her actions, I understood her and why she did what she did and how she just wanted connection with someone, and she wanted that with Nico. And though was a hot specimen of man, I didn't like how he ruthlessly seduced her then rejected her so and not even softening the blow as he brought the big boom down on her head, and I thought he could have done a little bit more groveling than he did, but he did redeem himself in the end and I was happy the ended up together.
But overall I enjoyed the story very much and felt what the characters felt as the story went along, which any good romance should do. It was a great debut from Michelle Smart, and I will definitely be picking up more of her books in the future once they are released.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2013
Michelle Smart breathes new life into the marriage of convenience trope with her impressive debut novel for Harlequin Presents, The Rings That Bind.
Rosa learned at a very early age never to trust anybody. Having kept her heart firmly under lock and key for as long as she can remember, Rosa puts all of her time, emotions and energy into her career. With her job being her number one priority, Rosa has got no desire to commit to her current boyfriend Stephen – even though he has made it perfectly clear that he would like their relationship to be more than just a casual arrangement. Having realized that she cannot continue to string her boyfriend along, Rosa decided to break things off with him. However, Stephen doesn’t seem to be getting the message. Fed up with his constant texts and pleading phone calls, Rosa realizes that she needs to take drastic action to ensure that she doesn’t cause Stephen any further heartache. But Rosa is surprised when, on hearing about her predicament, her boss, Russian billionaire Nicolai Baranski, comes up with an outrageous solution to her problem: a marriage of convenience…
Rosa is one of the best employees Nicolai has ever had. Conscientious, efficient and meticulous in her work, Nicolai knows that Rosa is absolutely irreplaceable. Aware of all the problems that she’s currently having with her boyfriend, Nicolai decides to propose to Rosa on a whim. Adamant that their marriage will be unfettered by emotion and feelings, Nicolai and Rosa begin their married life fully cognizant of the fact that love will never be on the agenda for either of them.
Rosa is initially thrilled that she managed to get Stephen off her back. However, Nicolai’s indifference and coldness towards her soon becomes too much to bear. Well aware that she cannot continue to live her life in a gilded cage with a man who seems completely and utterly detached from her, Rosa decides to pack her bags and ask Nicolai for a divorce. With their marriage having been a spectacular disaster, Rosa thinks that Nicolai will have no problems signing the divorce papers and setting her free. But Rosa soon realizes that her convenient husband is not about to let his wife walk away from him!
Having worked his way up from nothing to become one of the richest men in the world, the word failure is simply not in Nicolai’s dictionary. He will not accept that his wife had the nerve to even think about walking out on him, so he decides to teach her a lesson in seduction that will leave her begging for more. But when their nights of sizzling passion and unbridled desire give way to something more, will Nicolai and Rosa be strong enough to admit the truth about their feelings for one another? Or will stubborn pride and debilitating fear condemn them to a lifetime of loneliness?
Michelle Smart has just made her way onto my favourite authors list with this outstanding romance! I absolutely adored The Rings That Bind and I loved the way that this talented could so easily and deftly juggle deeply emotional and affecting pathos with humour and tenderness.
Nicolai and Rosa were terrific characters. They were flawed, damaged and vulnerable. They made mistakes and were not the typically perfect characters that so frequently populate the pages of romantic fiction, which only served to make them more real and believable to the reader. Written with depth and sensitivity, it was absolutely impossible not to care about these characters and root for them to have the courage to grasp this chance at happiness.
Stirring, wonderfully written and absolutely impossible to put down, The Rings That Bind is the best Harlequin Presents novel I read this year!
This review was originally published on Cataromance.
Rosa learned at a very early age never to trust anybody. Having kept her heart firmly under lock and key for as long as she can remember, Rosa puts all of her time, emotions and energy into her career. With her job being her number one priority, Rosa has got no desire to commit to her current boyfriend Stephen – even though he has made it perfectly clear that he would like their relationship to be more than just a casual arrangement. Having realized that she cannot continue to string her boyfriend along, Rosa decided to break things off with him. However, Stephen doesn’t seem to be getting the message. Fed up with his constant texts and pleading phone calls, Rosa realizes that she needs to take drastic action to ensure that she doesn’t cause Stephen any further heartache. But Rosa is surprised when, on hearing about her predicament, her boss, Russian billionaire Nicolai Baranski, comes up with an outrageous solution to her problem: a marriage of convenience…
Rosa is one of the best employees Nicolai has ever had. Conscientious, efficient and meticulous in her work, Nicolai knows that Rosa is absolutely irreplaceable. Aware of all the problems that she’s currently having with her boyfriend, Nicolai decides to propose to Rosa on a whim. Adamant that their marriage will be unfettered by emotion and feelings, Nicolai and Rosa begin their married life fully cognizant of the fact that love will never be on the agenda for either of them.
Rosa is initially thrilled that she managed to get Stephen off her back. However, Nicolai’s indifference and coldness towards her soon becomes too much to bear. Well aware that she cannot continue to live her life in a gilded cage with a man who seems completely and utterly detached from her, Rosa decides to pack her bags and ask Nicolai for a divorce. With their marriage having been a spectacular disaster, Rosa thinks that Nicolai will have no problems signing the divorce papers and setting her free. But Rosa soon realizes that her convenient husband is not about to let his wife walk away from him!
Having worked his way up from nothing to become one of the richest men in the world, the word failure is simply not in Nicolai’s dictionary. He will not accept that his wife had the nerve to even think about walking out on him, so he decides to teach her a lesson in seduction that will leave her begging for more. But when their nights of sizzling passion and unbridled desire give way to something more, will Nicolai and Rosa be strong enough to admit the truth about their feelings for one another? Or will stubborn pride and debilitating fear condemn them to a lifetime of loneliness?
Michelle Smart has just made her way onto my favourite authors list with this outstanding romance! I absolutely adored The Rings That Bind and I loved the way that this talented could so easily and deftly juggle deeply emotional and affecting pathos with humour and tenderness.
Nicolai and Rosa were terrific characters. They were flawed, damaged and vulnerable. They made mistakes and were not the typically perfect characters that so frequently populate the pages of romantic fiction, which only served to make them more real and believable to the reader. Written with depth and sensitivity, it was absolutely impossible not to care about these characters and root for them to have the courage to grasp this chance at happiness.
Stirring, wonderfully written and absolutely impossible to put down, The Rings That Bind is the best Harlequin Presents novel I read this year!
This review was originally published on Cataromance.
July 3, 2013
I couldn't finish. The story was well written, the heroine had a tragic histroy but I didn't care for the her.
January 1, 2015
3.5 stars
The book is about a marriage of convenience between two emotionally unavailable individuals. The male lead character decided he wanted to make it real when Rosa, the wife, asked for a divorce
I felt the main characters were both very cold. I hated Rosa's insecurities about her look. Nicolai's excuses were due to his selfish nature.
The book is about a marriage of convenience between two emotionally unavailable individuals. The male lead character decided he wanted to make it real when Rosa, the wife, asked for a divorce
I felt the main characters were both very cold. I hated Rosa's insecurities about her look. Nicolai's excuses were due to his selfish nature.
July 3, 2013
This only loses a star because the blurb-thing isnt accurate. He doesnt want to sleep with her so he can walk out on her at the end, quite the opposite, he wants her to stay. He's just stupid enough to assume sex is enough for her.
Seriously, at points, this book was so sad, I cried a little. I empathized with Rosa a lot and the writing style was such that you could feel her pain and sadness.
Seriously, at points, this book was so sad, I cried a little. I empathized with Rosa a lot and the writing style was such that you could feel her pain and sadness.
October 26, 2013
I was given a copy of this book by the author. As I have watched their progress to publication, I also wanted to review it here.
First of all - if you don't like cheating in Mills and Boon novels - don't think that this isn't for you! But beware, as you may not like the first chapter at the very least. What you do need to know about Nico and Rosa, the hero and heroine in question is that at this stage of the book they may be married - but technically speaking they are not in love.
Like many marriages in these stories - it is one that is a business relationship, and particularly so in The Rings That Bind - it was never intended to be anything else but convenient. No previous knowledge of one another, no secret feelings/babies or anything else. What it does eventually contain in a hot-house relationship that is slightly claustrophobically played out in a yacht. But I'm ahead of myself here.
Nico Baranski (who I'm adding to my love Russian heroes list) is a very successful businessman. As such, he marries Rosa to their mutual satisfaction. He gets a very efficient woman permanently in his life, but mainly to stay as his PA. She gets to move on from her clingy ex and to continue to enjoy her successful business relationship with Nico. Win/win you might say for a couple that don't require love. This is what brings me back to the first chapter. Rosa realises that in the eleven months that they have been married she is falling in love with Nico. From now on we are allowed to glimpse Rosa's extreme loneliness and barren childhood. The warmth and security, albeit a working one has shown her how life could be if she and Nico loved one another, and why she should end the marriage now. Why she falls into the arms of her ex (ouch).
Neither the hero or heroine know how to act with this information they now have before them. Rosa tries to run - Nico tries to shape and control it as a business exercise via a trip abroad to sign some contracts. What they get is the chance to live a week of their lives like they are in love in a yacht off the island they are staying on. A chance to become intimate - which they never did before and there are some sensual scenes here - and the chance to become honest with one another about who they actually are, come from and want to be.
As such I found this story a refreshing read, the marriage effectively ends at the beginning, a relationship blooms in the middle, and the marriage begins at the end. Very clever. My only quibble is that although Nico is Russian and I get the fact has travelled extensively, I did find some of his British slang a little off putting at times. Having said that, I look forward to Michelle's next book.
First of all - if you don't like cheating in Mills and Boon novels - don't think that this isn't for you! But beware, as you may not like the first chapter at the very least. What you do need to know about Nico and Rosa, the hero and heroine in question is that at this stage of the book they may be married - but technically speaking they are not in love.
Like many marriages in these stories - it is one that is a business relationship, and particularly so in The Rings That Bind - it was never intended to be anything else but convenient. No previous knowledge of one another, no secret feelings/babies or anything else. What it does eventually contain in a hot-house relationship that is slightly claustrophobically played out in a yacht. But I'm ahead of myself here.
Nico Baranski (who I'm adding to my love Russian heroes list) is a very successful businessman. As such, he marries Rosa to their mutual satisfaction. He gets a very efficient woman permanently in his life, but mainly to stay as his PA. She gets to move on from her clingy ex and to continue to enjoy her successful business relationship with Nico. Win/win you might say for a couple that don't require love. This is what brings me back to the first chapter. Rosa realises that in the eleven months that they have been married she is falling in love with Nico. From now on we are allowed to glimpse Rosa's extreme loneliness and barren childhood. The warmth and security, albeit a working one has shown her how life could be if she and Nico loved one another, and why she should end the marriage now. Why she falls into the arms of her ex (ouch).
Neither the hero or heroine know how to act with this information they now have before them. Rosa tries to run - Nico tries to shape and control it as a business exercise via a trip abroad to sign some contracts. What they get is the chance to live a week of their lives like they are in love in a yacht off the island they are staying on. A chance to become intimate - which they never did before and there are some sensual scenes here - and the chance to become honest with one another about who they actually are, come from and want to be.
As such I found this story a refreshing read, the marriage effectively ends at the beginning, a relationship blooms in the middle, and the marriage begins at the end. Very clever. My only quibble is that although Nico is Russian and I get the fact has travelled extensively, I did find some of his British slang a little off putting at times. Having said that, I look forward to Michelle's next book.
August 9, 2013
I gave this one 2 stars but not for the reason that others are giving it low ratings. This is the story of two people in an arranged marriage of convenience. It is a non consummated marriage for business reasons. The book starts as the heroine decides she's had enough and wants out so she can find a real marriage.
The reason that it is getting only two stars from me is that it lacked conflict and what little there was, was sort of unbelievable. So just meh.
Still it works for the bingo challenge as an Unusual Theme.
The reason that it is getting only two stars from me is that it lacked conflict and what little there was, was sort of unbelievable. So just meh.
Still it works for the bingo challenge as an Unusual Theme.
Read
December 29, 2014"Smart's debut will pull at heartstrings with its arrogant yet compassionate hero and longing heroine. The dialogue flows well and the love scenes ignite all the senses." RT Book Reviews, rated 4 stars
November 30, 2018
Horrid. Cheating, heartless, unrepentant “heroine” and dopey hero who wastes time trying to win back a woman who will cheat again whenever pathetic husband lets her down. Garbage plots like this renders the romance genre to joke status.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2013
I loved this book, had the pleasure of getting to read before it became a paperback and can't wait to read it again. Review coming soon.
August 17, 2013
Cried twice. The emotion behind this book earned it every one of those stars. Review to follow.
March 13, 2017
Os dois tem problemas emocionais devido a infância deles e não conseguem manter um relacionamento baseado no amor, então resolvem se casar e ter um relacionamento baseado somente nos negócios e nada de intimidade. Eles tem um casamento aberto, cada um pode procurar sexo fora desde que seja discreto.
Quando a heroína tem sexo com um ex e resolve pedir o divórcio o herói resolve que o acordo dele está bom para ele e se nega a dar o divórcio.
Daí a estória se desenrola com cada um se abrindo mais e descobrindo mais sobre o outro até o resultado final.
A autora escreve bem.
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Both have emotional issues because of their childhood and can't maintain a relationship based on love, then resolve to marry and have a relationship based solely on business and no intimacy. They have an open marriage, each one can seek out sex as long as it is discreet.
When the heroine has sex with an ex and decides to get a divorce the hero resolves that this arrangement is good for him and refuses to give the divorce.
Then the story unfolds with each opening up more and finding out more about the other until the final result.
The author writes well.
Quando a heroína tem sexo com um ex e resolve pedir o divórcio o herói resolve que o acordo dele está bom para ele e se nega a dar o divórcio.
Daí a estória se desenrola com cada um se abrindo mais e descobrindo mais sobre o outro até o resultado final.
A autora escreve bem.
-----------
Both have emotional issues because of their childhood and can't maintain a relationship based on love, then resolve to marry and have a relationship based solely on business and no intimacy. They have an open marriage, each one can seek out sex as long as it is discreet.
When the heroine has sex with an ex and decides to get a divorce the hero resolves that this arrangement is good for him and refuses to give the divorce.
Then the story unfolds with each opening up more and finding out more about the other until the final result.
The author writes well.
September 4, 2016
I know, I know...it's an HP. In actual fact, I read a lot of these because they're a quick read and often have the right amount of angst in them. Granted, the endings usually leave me feeling like I want to bang my head against the wall, but normal romance rules don't apply to these books, so I just go with it.
Having said that, I really liked it because this one was different. The hero and heroine are in a marriage-of-convenience when after 11 months, the heroine does something stupid (usually the same stupid that the hero normally does) and the hero is gutted. He decides he wants more and things go on from there.
Super quick read. Nothing too crazy, and a likeable hero and heroine. Obviously these books won't work for everyone, but I really enjoyed this one :)
(Don't judge! Lol)
Having said that, I really liked it because this one was different. The hero and heroine are in a marriage-of-convenience when after 11 months, the heroine does something stupid (usually the same stupid that the hero normally does) and the hero is gutted. He decides he wants more and things go on from there.
Super quick read. Nothing too crazy, and a likeable hero and heroine. Obviously these books won't work for everyone, but I really enjoyed this one :)
(Don't judge! Lol)
September 8, 2013
I adored this book. From the prickly, difficult start of a marriage of convenience that had stopped being convenient, all the way through to the poignant, moving ending, I couldn't put it down - I needed to know how Rosa and Nico could possibly work things out! And I was not disappointed. Definitely one to read and savour.
September 9, 2013
Emotionally raw and intense. After having been through my own divorce and having experienced the feelings of rejection of it, I could really relate to Rosa's character. However, I thought it was a little strange that they went through 11 months without having consummated their marriage in that entire period of time.
August 31, 2013
A great read!
September 6, 2013
this is an amazing debut story. I will certainly be looking out for more books from Michelle Smart.
July 7, 2015
Rosa and Nico marry for convenience and unlike other books, it really is just for convenience. The marriage isn't even consummated. Which is all fine and dandy until Rosa has had enough of ignoring the mighty fine Russian she is married to. When it hurts Nico doesnt come home for her birthday Rosa knows it's time to leave; feelings weren't a part of the agreement and that amongst other things cause Rosa to take a deep breath and tell Nico it's over. It's shocking and inconceivable to her that Nico says No. "There will be NO divorce!"
Fantastic story with brilliant aconcept. From the first page until the last I read and read and devoured this story right up. Dinner was late!
Rosa and Nico have personal baggage that is very much part of the make up of who they are as people. It's the similarities that made Nico realise he'd pretty much married the perfect person for him. The moment Rosa says she wants out all he knows is he doesnt want this brilliantly minded, beautiful girl to go, after all she is also the best PA he's ever had, and a most talented linguist.
Reluctantly agreeing to give Nico one month to let him try and convince her she should stay The Rings that Bind then swept me away, to beautiful Butterfly Island where Nico tried his best to convince. Of course being a man he's got it all wrong, it's not just about injecting a bit of sex into their relationship.
One reason I read this book is because of the reviews and when I reached "the scene" everyone refers to - it was just as described - so emotional and heartfelt - it was perfect!
I'm a huge fan of Michelle Smart! I highly recommend this read!
Fantastic story with brilliant aconcept. From the first page until the last I read and read and devoured this story right up. Dinner was late!
Rosa and Nico have personal baggage that is very much part of the make up of who they are as people. It's the similarities that made Nico realise he'd pretty much married the perfect person for him. The moment Rosa says she wants out all he knows is he doesnt want this brilliantly minded, beautiful girl to go, after all she is also the best PA he's ever had, and a most talented linguist.
Reluctantly agreeing to give Nico one month to let him try and convince her she should stay The Rings that Bind then swept me away, to beautiful Butterfly Island where Nico tried his best to convince. Of course being a man he's got it all wrong, it's not just about injecting a bit of sex into their relationship.
One reason I read this book is because of the reviews and when I reached "the scene" everyone refers to - it was just as described - so emotional and heartfelt - it was perfect!
I'm a huge fan of Michelle Smart! I highly recommend this read!
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