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The Bond of Brothers #1
His Unexpected Legacy
Every action has a reaction…
Sergio Castellano is dealing with a scandal of epic proportions. An alleged engagement, the arrival of an ex-lover and a business deal in ruins. Throw in to the mix a three-year-old son he never knew he had? He's furious!
Sergio will do everything in his power to keep his heir, but the longer he spends with the child and his ex-lover Kristen Russell, the more he realizes that the cracks she made in his armor are still there. Now to get what he wants, Sergio must face the pain he's kept at bay for so long….
Sergio Castellano is dealing with a scandal of epic proportions. An alleged engagement, the arrival of an ex-lover and a business deal in ruins. Throw in to the mix a three-year-old son he never knew he had? He's furious!
Sergio will do everything in his power to keep his heir, but the longer he spends with the child and his ex-lover Kristen Russell, the more he realizes that the cracks she made in his armor are still there. Now to get what he wants, Sergio must face the pain he's kept at bay for so long….
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
67 people are currently reading
249 people want to read
About the author
Chantelle Shaw
660 books158 followersI grew up without a TV, let alone DVD’s, computer games etc that my kids spend so much time engrossed in, but I learned to read at an early age and from then on I was always entertained – so much so that my friends used to hide their books when I visited them because all I wanted to do was read!
When I was a teenager I discovered Mills & Boon romances in my local library, and so began a lifelong love affair. I still remember that feeling of anticipation when I settled down with a pile of books - all bearing the famous rose logo - knowing that I would be drawn into a world of love, passion and emotional intensity that I have never found in any other books. I enjoy reading a wide range of books, especially historical novels, and I am a big fan of Agatha Christie, mainly I think because her characters seem so real, but I love romances and unashamedly admit that I only want to read books with a guaranteed happy ending. Reading is my joy and pleasure and I don’t want to cry buckets at the end of a book or have my sleep disturbed by its gruesome content.
For me, the characters in Harlequin Mills & Boon romances are the key. I love reading and writing about strong, alpha heroes and feisty, independent heroines who find that they can’t fight the blazing attraction between them.
When I married my own tall, dark, but sadly not wealthy hero, we moved out of London to the Kent coast and started a family that grew and grew. I adore my six children, and when they were small I loved being a stay-at-home mum, but there can be days, as I’m sure many of you know, when you feel isolated and – dare I say it – bored of conversing with three-year-olds. Harlequin Mills & Boon romances were my life-line and my sanity and I read them whenever I had a spare five minutes (in the bath, pacing the floor at three am with colicky baby on one shoulder and a book in the other hand!)
My imagination soared and I decided to try and write a book myself. My first attempt was typed up on a manual type-writer with the full-stop key and the letter p missing. Luckily my hero and heroine were not called Paul and Poppy, but it still meant going over my manuscript with a pen to fill in the gaps!
That first book was duly rejected as were my next two. I suppose I was disheartened and by now I had four small children and very little spare time, so although I continued to read romances, I gave up writing. It wasn’t until my youngest son started school that I tried writing again. I was struggling to come to terms with the death of my darling mum Gabrielle and writing became my therapy. Mum had always nagged me to get on and write a book and had an unshakeable belief that I would one day be published – I’m so glad that she was proved right and my biggest regret is that she isn’t here to share my success with me.
I wrote two more books which were both rejected by HM&B, but I was given some advice on my writing from the editorial team that encouraged me to try again. Third time lucky certainly applied to me – the day I received ‘the call’ was exactly four years after Mum had died. It was one of the most exciting moments of my life - but instead of chatting to the editor about contracts I had to dash off and pick my sick daughter up from school. Reality is never far away in my house!
I have now had nine books published - At the Sheikh's Bidding was released in September 08. My next book, Argentinian Playboy, Unexpected Love-Child will be out in the UK in July 09, and The Greek Billionaire's Innocent Princess in the UK in August 09. I have just had my twelfth book accepted and am already busy on my thirteenth. Now that my children are growing up I am able to write every day between 9 am and 3 pm, but often I become so involved with my characters that I sneak off to write again in the evening!
I feel I must be one of the luckiest people in the world to be doing something that I love, but I work hard at my luck and I believe that w
When I was a teenager I discovered Mills & Boon romances in my local library, and so began a lifelong love affair. I still remember that feeling of anticipation when I settled down with a pile of books - all bearing the famous rose logo - knowing that I would be drawn into a world of love, passion and emotional intensity that I have never found in any other books. I enjoy reading a wide range of books, especially historical novels, and I am a big fan of Agatha Christie, mainly I think because her characters seem so real, but I love romances and unashamedly admit that I only want to read books with a guaranteed happy ending. Reading is my joy and pleasure and I don’t want to cry buckets at the end of a book or have my sleep disturbed by its gruesome content.
For me, the characters in Harlequin Mills & Boon romances are the key. I love reading and writing about strong, alpha heroes and feisty, independent heroines who find that they can’t fight the blazing attraction between them.
When I married my own tall, dark, but sadly not wealthy hero, we moved out of London to the Kent coast and started a family that grew and grew. I adore my six children, and when they were small I loved being a stay-at-home mum, but there can be days, as I’m sure many of you know, when you feel isolated and – dare I say it – bored of conversing with three-year-olds. Harlequin Mills & Boon romances were my life-line and my sanity and I read them whenever I had a spare five minutes (in the bath, pacing the floor at three am with colicky baby on one shoulder and a book in the other hand!)
My imagination soared and I decided to try and write a book myself. My first attempt was typed up on a manual type-writer with the full-stop key and the letter p missing. Luckily my hero and heroine were not called Paul and Poppy, but it still meant going over my manuscript with a pen to fill in the gaps!
That first book was duly rejected as were my next two. I suppose I was disheartened and by now I had four small children and very little spare time, so although I continued to read romances, I gave up writing. It wasn’t until my youngest son started school that I tried writing again. I was struggling to come to terms with the death of my darling mum Gabrielle and writing became my therapy. Mum had always nagged me to get on and write a book and had an unshakeable belief that I would one day be published – I’m so glad that she was proved right and my biggest regret is that she isn’t here to share my success with me.
I wrote two more books which were both rejected by HM&B, but I was given some advice on my writing from the editorial team that encouraged me to try again. Third time lucky certainly applied to me – the day I received ‘the call’ was exactly four years after Mum had died. It was one of the most exciting moments of my life - but instead of chatting to the editor about contracts I had to dash off and pick my sick daughter up from school. Reality is never far away in my house!
I have now had nine books published - At the Sheikh's Bidding was released in September 08. My next book, Argentinian Playboy, Unexpected Love-Child will be out in the UK in July 09, and The Greek Billionaire's Innocent Princess in the UK in August 09. I have just had my twelfth book accepted and am already busy on my thirteenth. Now that my children are growing up I am able to write every day between 9 am and 3 pm, but often I become so involved with my characters that I sneak off to write again in the evening!
I feel I must be one of the luckiest people in the world to be doing something that I love, but I work hard at my luck and I believe that w
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
August 5, 2013
Four years ago,Kristen had an affair with Sergio when she went to Sicily .Sergio did not want to commit to anything long term ,so after a heartbreaking tragegy,Kristen leaves and goes back to her life in London.
Fastforward to four years later and Kristen is the young mother of a three year old son,Sergio's son.It seemed that one twin died and one twin survived.Kristen did not know that she was expecting twins when she miscarried.
She never told Sergio of the baby because two months later ,he married another woman and she did not want to intrude on his new life because after all,he had told her that the miscarriage was all for the best.
I did not like Sergio for 3/4 of this book.But ,he redeemed himself towards the end.Sergio had had an abusive childhood with his divorced mother and he had never felt love when he was growing up.He believed his father had not loved him enough to come and take him away from all the abuse he suffered.I can see where Sergio is afraid to commit and love someone.He never had it growing up as a child.Sergio is truly an Alpha male,and when he had tears in his eyes after the big confession,I truly felt for him.
The heroine was great,she loved her child and would do anything for him.I could see why she kept her son a secret from his father,not that I am condonning what she did.
This couple truly deserved their HEA.I would have enjoyed an epilogue to see this family grown into the future.
An emotional read that I enjoyed.
Fastforward to four years later and Kristen is the young mother of a three year old son,Sergio's son.It seemed that one twin died and one twin survived.Kristen did not know that she was expecting twins when she miscarried.
She never told Sergio of the baby because two months later ,he married another woman and she did not want to intrude on his new life because after all,he had told her that the miscarriage was all for the best.
I did not like Sergio for 3/4 of this book.But ,he redeemed himself towards the end.Sergio had had an abusive childhood with his divorced mother and he had never felt love when he was growing up.He believed his father had not loved him enough to come and take him away from all the abuse he suffered.I can see where Sergio is afraid to commit and love someone.He never had it growing up as a child.Sergio is truly an Alpha male,and when he had tears in his eyes after the big confession,I truly felt for him.
The heroine was great,she loved her child and would do anything for him.I could see why she kept her son a secret from his father,not that I am condonning what she did.
This couple truly deserved their HEA.I would have enjoyed an epilogue to see this family grown into the future.
An emotional read that I enjoyed.
July 1, 2017
This is such a sweet story. I liked that heroine was a successful gymnast and hero a hot Sicilian banker. Sergio and Kristen had an affair in the past but after a tragic miscarriage heroine abandoned him because she realized his reluctance to commit and so she left him to pursue her career and studies. Four years later hero discovers heroine has a three year old boy. Of course he wants little Nico, who by the way is a precious kid, by his side and he also wants to ease his fears that Kristen is an unsuitable mother.
Sergio was cocky, arrogant and cold until he reunites with Kristen and his son and then he undergoes a complete transformation. He becomes charming, lovable and a great father to Nico. But he's just too brooding, too tortured, and that makes his relationship with Kristen impossible.
I thought heroine was wonderful! I admired her compassion, warmth and honesty. She knew Sergio was damaged and she tried her hardest to help him heal and find peace. She and Nico showed him that he was capable of love and her deep love healed him and completed him.
This is a wonderful, touching story about the power of love. Gotta love an alpha male who is not afraid to break down and cry!
Sergio was cocky, arrogant and cold until he reunites with Kristen and his son and then he undergoes a complete transformation. He becomes charming, lovable and a great father to Nico. But he's just too brooding, too tortured, and that makes his relationship with Kristen impossible.
I thought heroine was wonderful! I admired her compassion, warmth and honesty. She knew Sergio was damaged and she tried her hardest to help him heal and find peace. She and Nico showed him that he was capable of love and her deep love healed him and completed him.
This is a wonderful, touching story about the power of love. Gotta love an alpha male who is not afraid to break down and cry!
June 8, 2020
HP Trope trophy award!
Heroine’s tropes:
Secret baby
Cue Betraying Body Alert as in BETRAYING BODY ALERRRRTTTTTTTT!
Wants to be more than a mistress
Plot moppet is hero’s doppelgänger so no DNA tests are necessary
Hero’s tropes:
Mommy and Daddy issues
Emotionally shutdown
Twin brother with equal emotional issues to be explored in a sequel.
Sicilian but without the raging need for revenge- I guess that qualifies as non-trope
Married right after the heroine left him which makes her very angry
Reasons for first marriage would make a stone weep, but not this stone cold reviewer.
General HP tropes:
Miscommunication
A yacht with a pool because the Mediterranean is simply not enough
Heroine’s tropes:
Secret baby
Cue Betraying Body Alert as in BETRAYING BODY ALERRRRTTTTTTTT!
Wants to be more than a mistress
Plot moppet is hero’s doppelgänger so no DNA tests are necessary
Hero’s tropes:
Mommy and Daddy issues
Emotionally shutdown
Twin brother with equal emotional issues to be explored in a sequel.
Sicilian but without the raging need for revenge- I guess that qualifies as non-trope
Married right after the heroine left him which makes her very angry
Reasons for first marriage would make a stone weep, but not this stone cold reviewer.
General HP tropes:
Miscommunication
A yacht with a pool because the Mediterranean is simply not enough
March 6, 2017
He married someone else right after they broke up. WTH? Enough said. I hated Sergio.
May 25, 2018
A solid secret baby story with an emotionally unavailable hero with an abusive childhood as his excuse and an exhausted physiotherapist heroine who feels guilty about putting her three year-old in daycare.
To add to the angst, the virgin heroine has had lots of tragedy since her Sicilian romance with the hero four years before. She lost a twin in a miscarriage before she left Sicily, the hero married someone else, she lost her gymnastics career, her evil stepfather threw her and her mother out of the house. Her mother took care of the h's son until she was run down on her way home from the shops. Heroine realizes she needs help and decides to finally contact the hero for some money so she can take her son on a badly needed holiday.
The hero has his own backstory and his reasons for his short-lived marriage and his fierce protectiveness once he meets his son. He is nicely redeemed by the end of the story.
Chantelle Shaw always stays true to the HP formula I know and love. She might not be the best prose stylist and her plots/characters/motivations are not all that original, but she always delivers a solid story. This is one of them.
To add to the angst, the virgin heroine has had lots of tragedy since her Sicilian romance with the hero four years before. She lost a twin in a miscarriage before she left Sicily, the hero married someone else, she lost her gymnastics career, her evil stepfather threw her and her mother out of the house. Her mother took care of the h's son until she was run down on her way home from the shops. Heroine realizes she needs help and decides to finally contact the hero for some money so she can take her son on a badly needed holiday.
The hero has his own backstory and his reasons for his short-lived marriage and his fierce protectiveness once he meets his son. He is nicely redeemed by the end of the story.
Chantelle Shaw always stays true to the HP formula I know and love. She might not be the best prose stylist and her plots/characters/motivations are not all that original, but she always delivers a solid story. This is one of them.
May 26, 2018
I hate wimpy TSTL jelly blobfish heroines who can't control their dubious lust and this H needed about a gazillion skillets to the head. Which is why I totally stay out of modern HPlandia. These people disgusted me and the poor kid has to suffer.
Who in their right mind kidnaps an ill and grieving child? What an utter ass for an H, he did not redeem himself at all and hopefully died three pages after this book.
Who in their right mind kidnaps an ill and grieving child? What an utter ass for an H, he did not redeem himself at all and hopefully died three pages after this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2024
The hero and the heroine broke up after she miscarried a child, he’s a manwhore.
He married a woman soon afterwards so the heroine didn’t tell him she was expecting another child. Years later she decides to ask him for money since she’s as poor as a church mouse. The hero is shocked, misunderstanding are cleared and they get married and are in the end happy. He wasn’t celibate but she was. Yuck.
No love from the hero here who is said to have trauma from his childhood and mum issues. Heroine has also childhood issues, but I didn’t care for both of them.
He married a woman soon afterwards so the heroine didn’t tell him she was expecting another child. Years later she decides to ask him for money since she’s as poor as a church mouse. The hero is shocked, misunderstanding are cleared and they get married and are in the end happy. He wasn’t celibate but she was. Yuck.
No love from the hero here who is said to have trauma from his childhood and mum issues. Heroine has also childhood issues, but I didn’t care for both of them.
April 12, 2018
It wasn't too bad. Kristen got on my nerves with her stupidity after a while though. It wasn't a bad story, just a little slow. I think I'm getting harder to please with these Harlequin stories.
September 6, 2013
4.5 stars
This is a deeply emotional book.
An abusive childhood taught Sergio to suppress his emotions and stir away from any commitment. Thats why, when he met Kristin, he was uncomfortable with the feelings she stirred in him. And Kristin, suffering from a miscarriage and from Sergio's lake of feelings, although loving him so much, had to leave him and refuse to be just his mistress. And when she discovered she is still carrying a baby after all, she decided to hide her son's birth from him.
Four year later, they meet again and Sergio is faced with a gamut of emotions : desire, anger, love for his unexpected son and love for the one woman he couldn't forget ?
Kristin is a typical HP heroine who melt into a puddle at the first touch from Sergio. But she is not a pushover. And her love for her son is so strong, she is ready to fight for him to the end.
At first, I kept greeting my teeth at Sergio's all macho and arrogant attitude, and at his accusations that Kristin is an irresponsible mother. But once his heartbreaking childhood is revealed, you can't help but sympathize with him. And his transformation to a loving father and an attentive lover is heartwarming. But a masho hero crying at the thought of losing the woman he loves is my undoing.
This is a deeply emotional book.
An abusive childhood taught Sergio to suppress his emotions and stir away from any commitment. Thats why, when he met Kristin, he was uncomfortable with the feelings she stirred in him. And Kristin, suffering from a miscarriage and from Sergio's lake of feelings, although loving him so much, had to leave him and refuse to be just his mistress. And when she discovered she is still carrying a baby after all, she decided to hide her son's birth from him.
Four year later, they meet again and Sergio is faced with a gamut of emotions : desire, anger, love for his unexpected son and love for the one woman he couldn't forget ?
Kristin is a typical HP heroine who melt into a puddle at the first touch from Sergio. But she is not a pushover. And her love for her son is so strong, she is ready to fight for him to the end.
At first, I kept greeting my teeth at Sergio's all macho and arrogant attitude, and at his accusations that Kristin is an irresponsible mother. But once his heartbreaking childhood is revealed, you can't help but sympathize with him. And his transformation to a loving father and an attentive lover is heartwarming. But a masho hero crying at the thought of losing the woman he loves is my undoing.
December 6, 2016
Chantelle Shaw is a new author for me but I enjoyed her writing style. The hero, Sergio, is a wealthy ruthless and driven man, yet he has this vulnerable and damaged spirit. This author managed this so well while not making you feel contempt for him, just sympathy for his past. Kristen (Krissie) was sweet but sometimes came off as weak and gullible but it was understandable because Sergio was her first love after all. Little Nico is too adorable for words, and though he is only a baby, he fills in the plot so nicely when he is there. His Unexpected Legacy is a romantic tale of how love and forgiveness (yourself and others) can heal the deepest wounds in our lives.
March 8, 2020
The man is worthless and nothing he did or said at the end absolved him from STEALING HER CHILD AND TAKING HIM OUT OF COUNTRY. JFC.
The woman is a certified moron.
Honestly, if a man did to me what this man did to her he would not survive the night once I found him again.
The woman is a certified moron.
Honestly, if a man did to me what this man did to her he would not survive the night once I found him again.
October 13, 2014
mais do mesmo
June 18, 2025
‘It was always you, my golden girl. Having Nico is a bonus. You are the love of my life’
Bullshit!
Bullshit!
November 26, 2022
They had sex within an hour of meeting each other again after 4 years. 🙄 He only unzips his trousers and she is way too willing.
She came to the H to ask for financial help for their son (he doesn’t know he has a son because she has never told him). Their 3-year old son has troubles mentally after the h’s mother suddenly died.
The little boy is pining away from grief, sadness and he has anxiety and fears about being abandoned.
And what does his mother do? Instead of asking the H for help for their son, she is instantly h*rny and she has sex with the H immediately.
After the sex she flees. She had not even mentioned their son to the H.
Then I stopped reading.
The first 50 pages were enough.
It was sickening that she did not ask for help for her poor little son, but she only thought about the H’s d*ck as soon as she saw him. Her h*rny *** was more important and more urgent at that moment.
Awful. Just awful. Hate her.
What kind of mother prioritizes the need between her legs over the need of her grief-stricken little son. 🙄
She came to the H to ask for financial help for their son (he doesn’t know he has a son because she has never told him). Their 3-year old son has troubles mentally after the h’s mother suddenly died.
The little boy is pining away from grief, sadness and he has anxiety and fears about being abandoned.
And what does his mother do? Instead of asking the H for help for their son, she is instantly h*rny and she has sex with the H immediately.
After the sex she flees. She had not even mentioned their son to the H.
Then I stopped reading.
The first 50 pages were enough.
It was sickening that she did not ask for help for her poor little son, but she only thought about the H’s d*ck as soon as she saw him. Her h*rny *** was more important and more urgent at that moment.
Awful. Just awful. Hate her.
What kind of mother prioritizes the need between her legs over the need of her grief-stricken little son. 🙄
July 1, 2017
this is what love story means .
January 15, 2020
Way too angsty for my mood lately. Sergio was an enigma and Kristen’s dilemma was too far stretched for me to believe. But well, HP.
Kristen meets Sergio in Italy 4 years ago. They sleep and well she’s pregnant. Sergio takes her to a clinic and she finds out she miscarried. Sergio was your average alpha. He wanted sex, Kristen wanted commitment and promises. Not sure why Kristen thought that possible from a filthy rich, Italian heir when she herself is on the cusp of starting a gymnast career and Sergio is just wildly sowing his oats here and there.
So she walks away and at present is raising Sergio’s son by herself. Sergio has no idea that post the miscarriage, there was yet another twin who survived the mishap and hence Kristen is a single mom to their son Nico.
I loved how Sergio was a doting father the second he laid eyes on Nico. I didn’t warm up to Kristen. She was stuck on the past of being betrayed by Sergio. I didn’t see a betrayal as such tbh. They were too young and had just met to be able to hold such expectations from the other. The H also marries someone soon after Kristen takes off after her initial miscarriage.
The angst picked up. Kristen got too whiny while Sergio was doing his damnedest best to make up for years he lost as Nico’s parent. Kristen was ok for a quick roll with him several times in the book, but turns a total prude when Sergio brought up marriage. Like isn’t that the reason she’d walked away initially, Sergio wasn’t bringing commitment to their brief affair. Now when he finally does, she keeps denying him for reasons that she made up in her own head.
In the end, Kristen got too annoying for me. But well, not the total worst I could’ve read!
Kristen meets Sergio in Italy 4 years ago. They sleep and well she’s pregnant. Sergio takes her to a clinic and she finds out she miscarried. Sergio was your average alpha. He wanted sex, Kristen wanted commitment and promises. Not sure why Kristen thought that possible from a filthy rich, Italian heir when she herself is on the cusp of starting a gymnast career and Sergio is just wildly sowing his oats here and there.
So she walks away and at present is raising Sergio’s son by herself. Sergio has no idea that post the miscarriage, there was yet another twin who survived the mishap and hence Kristen is a single mom to their son Nico.
I loved how Sergio was a doting father the second he laid eyes on Nico. I didn’t warm up to Kristen. She was stuck on the past of being betrayed by Sergio. I didn’t see a betrayal as such tbh. They were too young and had just met to be able to hold such expectations from the other. The H also marries someone soon after Kristen takes off after her initial miscarriage.
The angst picked up. Kristen got too whiny while Sergio was doing his damnedest best to make up for years he lost as Nico’s parent. Kristen was ok for a quick roll with him several times in the book, but turns a total prude when Sergio brought up marriage. Like isn’t that the reason she’d walked away initially, Sergio wasn’t bringing commitment to their brief affair. Now when he finally does, she keeps denying him for reasons that she made up in her own head.
In the end, Kristen got too annoying for me. But well, not the total worst I could’ve read!
September 10, 2013
Have to agree with several others. There is no excuse for taking a child away from his mother in such a manner. I couldn't "like" Sergio at all.
January 28, 2017
Secret baby trope! Woot woot!
November 23, 2018
This is Book 1 of The Bond of Brothers (twin brothers), and since Book 2 is more on drama than angst, it's not for me.
The story starts with Kristen Russell reading the newapaper about Sicilian billionaire Sergio Castellano's wedding plans to Lady Felicity Denholm. She remembers the time spent with him in Sicily four years ago. She has a three-year-old son Nico, Sergio's son, whom he knows nothing about. She is a physiotherapist, who was a gymnast-in-the-making under her forceful stepfather's watch (he was abominable), when she met Sergio. He wanted a no-strings-attached affair, and she didn't tell him about their baby, but there are more twists than that. Of course, there are more reasons for that as well; she lost the other baby, then her mother too. Her mother's loss hit her and Nico hard, and she was dealt a double blow. To get Nico out of his melancholic mood, she must be with him for as much time as possible, and as bad as her financial condition is, she has to approach Sergio now for her son's sake.
Sergio has issues with commitment, after what her mother did to their family. There are scars from his childhood which never healed, and then the things that happened to Kristen and then Annamaria, his wife, further increased his pain. Situations of past and present lead him to believe that Kristen is as bad as his mother, and he threatens her with custody.
I know it should never have happened; but, I agreed with Kristen's reasons for not telling Sergio about their son. What was his story though? The way he behaved with Kristen based on how his mother was, was so not done; always judging her and waiting for her to fail as a mother. He even wanted full custody of Nico, just because he can! Though he did suffer from physical abuse when he was young, it didn't justify the way he literally snatched Nico from his mother's arms and flew to Sicily without Kristen's knowledge. Ugh...just because of a misunderstanding. He has a lot of grovelling to do, and he does. All their misunderstandings cleared, they finally get their HEA.
Giving out a
P.S. The books' name is perfect but, the series' name doesn't do it justice. Was there really a bond between the brothers? Twins separated from each other in their childhood, when they were only five, for the next ten years. Sergio living with their volatile mother and Salvatore with their father.
I've read 9 books by Chantelle Shaw till now, and this makes it 10th, and I loved 'em all but, I still haven't found a clear favourite!
The story starts with Kristen Russell reading the newapaper about Sicilian billionaire Sergio Castellano's wedding plans to Lady Felicity Denholm. She remembers the time spent with him in Sicily four years ago. She has a three-year-old son Nico, Sergio's son, whom he knows nothing about. She is a physiotherapist, who was a gymnast-in-the-making under her forceful stepfather's watch (he was abominable), when she met Sergio. He wanted a no-strings-attached affair, and she didn't tell him about their baby, but there are more twists than that. Of course, there are more reasons for that as well; she lost the other baby, then her mother too. Her mother's loss hit her and Nico hard, and she was dealt a double blow. To get Nico out of his melancholic mood, she must be with him for as much time as possible, and as bad as her financial condition is, she has to approach Sergio now for her son's sake.
Sergio has issues with commitment, after what her mother did to their family. There are scars from his childhood which never healed, and then the things that happened to Kristen and then Annamaria, his wife, further increased his pain. Situations of past and present lead him to believe that Kristen is as bad as his mother, and he threatens her with custody.
I know it should never have happened; but, I agreed with Kristen's reasons for not telling Sergio about their son. What was his story though? The way he behaved with Kristen based on how his mother was, was so not done; always judging her and waiting for her to fail as a mother. He even wanted full custody of Nico, just because he can! Though he did suffer from physical abuse when he was young, it didn't justify the way he literally snatched Nico from his mother's arms and flew to Sicily without Kristen's knowledge. Ugh...just because of a misunderstanding. He has a lot of grovelling to do, and he does. All their misunderstandings cleared, they finally get their HEA.
Giving out a
P.S. The books' name is perfect but, the series' name doesn't do it justice. Was there really a bond between the brothers? Twins separated from each other in their childhood, when they were only five, for the next ten years. Sergio living with their volatile mother and Salvatore with their father.
I've read 9 books by Chantelle Shaw till now, and this makes it 10th, and I loved 'em all but, I still haven't found a clear favourite!
June 19, 2019
There is nothing I loved more than a rocking Sicilian Billionaire and his attitude. Sergio was Sicilian thoroughly, a package of savagery and passions. Due to an abusive childhood, he was the 'Ice man' with women and business associates alike. Which made strikingly more appealing. This tormented hero have up on being a family man so when he met Kirsten all they had was a fling. Predictably, Kirsten got pregnant and lost the baby after, unknown to them she was carrying twins. With the loss of the baby, communication frazzled and a broken hearted Kirsten left Sergio. Being hurt Sergio buried his loss in work. Four years later, Kirsten finds herself in financial difficulties, she decided to confront a new engaged Sergio to own up maintenance for his son. A quite dramatic reunion between these two, finally Sergio met his son and love grew. I'm making some huge wrong inferences Sergio kidnaps the child and flew him to Sicily. Kirsten followed and they had to thrash out his wrong impressions. Soon They found themselves in a relationship with high uncertainties. When the truth was revealed their finally found their HEA! I enjoy this one and I am looking fwd to the next twin's ,Salvatore 's story...I recommend if you love Scilian hero's like me.
September 8, 2013
My dislike of the hero is what prevented me from giving this book a higher rating. It realiy made me angry how Sergio took his son away from Kristen while she was still sleeping after getting so angry about the fact that she kept Nico hidden from him for 3 years. He made up a whole story about how she was a terrible mother on very weak circumstantial evidence because he was so caught up in his whole horrible past. Even after finding out how wrong he was, he didn't even offer her an apology for putting her through that kind of emotional trauma and even at the end, his apology of his treatment of her 4 years before was weak. I also hated how he then resorted to a kind of emotional blackmail to keep Kristen and Nic in him in Siciliy by giving her an ultimatum. I just couldn't garner any empathy to approve of his actions even from his pov or even make them ok. Also felt her easily falling into bed with him with a little seduction here and their relationship a little cheap imo. made Aside from massive gripe about Sergio, I did enjoy the story and am looking forward to reading the next in this series.
August 19, 2013
His Unexpected Legacy was almost like reading an old school hp.
What I liked- the secret baby; the fabulously wealthy alpha hero; the virgin heroine; heroine wasn't always being defiant and challenging; the story began with the heroine; the angst & drama was nice; the 3 year old acted like a 3 year old; the hero/heroine talked.
The issues I had- the heroine smexes the hero before telling him about his child; the heroine had the nerve to be annoyed the hero had a wealthy life while she struggled with the child she kept secret. Really? Her struggle was her fault; the heroine reminded the hero of his prior mistrisses. He was single and lived like a single man; the heroine didn't grovel, the hero apologized and had to work to get the heroine to marry! Seriously? She kept his child secret for no good reason and he's groveling....wtf!
What I liked- the secret baby; the fabulously wealthy alpha hero; the virgin heroine; heroine wasn't always being defiant and challenging; the story began with the heroine; the angst & drama was nice; the 3 year old acted like a 3 year old; the hero/heroine talked.
The issues I had- the heroine smexes the hero before telling him about his child; the heroine had the nerve to be annoyed the hero had a wealthy life while she struggled with the child she kept secret. Really? Her struggle was her fault; the heroine reminded the hero of his prior mistrisses. He was single and lived like a single man; the heroine didn't grovel, the hero apologized and had to work to get the heroine to marry! Seriously? She kept his child secret for no good reason and he's groveling....wtf!
August 3, 2021
Sergio Castellano is dealing with a scandal of epic proportions. An alleged engagement, the arrival of an ex-lover and a business deal in ruins. Throw in to the mix a three-year-old son he never knew he had? He's furious!
Sergio will do everything in his power to keep his heir, but the longer he spends with the child and his ex-lover Kristen Russell, the more he realizes that the cracks she made in his armor are still there. Now to get what he wants, Sergio must face the pain he's kept at bay for so long…
Sergio will do everything in his power to keep his heir, but the longer he spends with the child and his ex-lover Kristen Russell, the more he realizes that the cracks she made in his armor are still there. Now to get what he wants, Sergio must face the pain he's kept at bay for so long…
December 4, 2013
Review Posted on HarlequinJunkie.com
Kristen Russell had put Sergio Castellano and their affair well behind her. It wasn’t easy, especially when she could see his eyes every time she looked at her three-year-old son. Sergio had made it clear at the time – he didn’t want a commitment. In fact, his exact words when he was under the impression she’d lost the baby were “It was for the best”.Read More
Kristen Russell had put Sergio Castellano and their affair well behind her. It wasn’t easy, especially when she could see his eyes every time she looked at her three-year-old son. Sergio had made it clear at the time – he didn’t want a commitment. In fact, his exact words when he was under the impression she’d lost the baby were “It was for the best”.Read More
May 17, 2018
A sweet story about second chances the main character, Sergio and Kristen, were mature adults that had been through a lot in the past and because of misunderstanding and being young Kristen thought it best to not tell Sergio about their son, Nico, but after 4 years decided to reach out and though he was hurt and angry for all the missed moments in his son's life he soon realized that she was a wonderful loving mother nothing like his own and they were able to forgive and move on and put the son and his happiness ahead of their own. Sergio did use some strongarm tactics and try to control the situation and force Kristen to give into his demands but each time it was completely understandable and he did it for what he believed was best for Nico. I only wish there had been an epilogue where we were soon more babies but hopefully that will be handled in the next book written about Sergio's brother.
June 3, 2020
i love CS stories, but this wasn't an interesting one. kristen is an idiot and falls into bed w/sergio once they meet again after 4 years. and again she "runs away." sergio was a boring H ... i felt no love and anger in this personality - they belonged together because they were so boring. but as in all HR they had their HEA which was very abrupt.
December 18, 2020
4 stars
There's a plot hole where both MCs bathed their son and the H didn't see the bruises on his son and the next day he saw the bruises that had been there for days. Just didn't make sense. But if I could dismiss that, everything else was okay. I quite enjoy this one. Just the fact that the H hadn't been celibate left a sour taste in my mouth.
There's a plot hole where both MCs bathed their son and the H didn't see the bruises on his son and the next day he saw the bruises that had been there for days. Just didn't make sense. But if I could dismiss that, everything else was okay. I quite enjoy this one. Just the fact that the H hadn't been celibate left a sour taste in my mouth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2023
Keep the tissues handy
A lovely story of lost love and rediscovery. I confess to shedding a few tears but that’s what makes romance so enjoyable. I’m off to read the next book and possibly cry a little bit more. Absolutely recommended.
A lovely story of lost love and rediscovery. I confess to shedding a few tears but that’s what makes romance so enjoyable. I’m off to read the next book and possibly cry a little bit more. Absolutely recommended.
September 15, 2025
A story about two people who couldn’t and wouldn’t communicate if their lives depended on it. The author wants you to think it’s a love story and deep, but it was a lust story and shallow. Miserable.
May 7, 2017
good read
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