What do you think?
Rate this book
Bought with His Name
'I don't intend to share you,' he said
To discourage him, Genista had deliberately let the arrogantly handsome Luke Ferguson believe that she was a promiscuous adventuress. She knew from experience the hurt a man could carelessly inflict on an innocent heart, and she realized how vulnerable she was to his brand of magnetism.
Luke's proposal of marriage was a shock, as was his method of asking. It sounded very much like blackmail, and in the circumstances she had no alternative but to accept.
To discourage him, Genista had deliberately let the arrogantly handsome Luke Ferguson believe that she was a promiscuous adventuress. She knew from experience the hurt a man could carelessly inflict on an innocent heart, and she realized how vulnerable she was to his brand of magnetism.
Luke's proposal of marriage was a shock, as was his method of asking. It sounded very much like blackmail, and in the circumstances she had no alternative but to accept.
186 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 1982
13 people are currently reading
496 people want to read
About the author
Penny Jordan
1,124 books662 followersPenelope Jones Halsall
aka Caroline Courtney, Annie Groves, Lydia Hitchcock, Melinda Wright
Penelope "Penny" Jones was born on November 24, 1946 at about seven pounds in a nursing home in Preston, Lancashire, England. She was the first child of Anthony Winn Jones, an engineer, who died at 85, and his wife Margaret Louise Groves Jones. She has a brother, Anthony, and a sister, Prudence "Pru".
She had been a keen reader from the childhood - her mother used to leave her in the children's section of their local library whilst she changed her father's library books. She was a storyteller long before she began to write romantic fiction. At the age of eight, she was creating serialized bedtime stories, featuring make-believe adventures, for her younger sister Prue, who was always the heroine. At eleven, she fell in love with Mills & Boon, and with their heroes. In those days the books could only be obtained via private lending libraries, and she quickly became a devoted fan; she was thrilled to bits when the books went on full sale in shops and she could have them for keeps.
Penny left grammar school in Rochdale with O-Levels in English Language, English Literature and Geography. She first discovered Mills & Boon books, via a girl she worked with. She married Steve Halsall, an accountant and a "lovely man", who smoked and drank too heavily, and suffered oral cancer with bravery and dignity. Her husband bought her the small electric typewriter on which she typed her first novels, at a time when he could ill afford it. He died at the beginning of 21st century.
She earned a living as a writer since the 1970s when, as a shorthand typist, she entered a competition run by the Romantic Novelists' Association. Although she didn't win, Penny found an agent who was looking for a new Georgette Heyer. She published four regency novels as Caroline Courtney, before changing her nom de plume to Melinda Wright for three air-hostess romps and then she wrote two thrillers as Lydia Hitchcock. Soon after that, Mills and Boon accepted her first novel for them, Falcon's Prey as Penny Jordan. However, for her more historical romance novels, she adopted her mother's maiden-name to become Annie Groves. Almost 70 of her 167 Mills and Boon novels have been sold worldwide.
Penny Halsall lived in a neo-Georgian house in Nantwich, Cheshire, with her Alsatian Sheba and cat Posh. She worked from home, in her kitchen, surrounded by her pets, and welcomed interruptions from her friends and family.
aka Caroline Courtney, Annie Groves, Lydia Hitchcock, Melinda Wright
Penelope "Penny" Jones was born on November 24, 1946 at about seven pounds in a nursing home in Preston, Lancashire, England. She was the first child of Anthony Winn Jones, an engineer, who died at 85, and his wife Margaret Louise Groves Jones. She has a brother, Anthony, and a sister, Prudence "Pru".
She had been a keen reader from the childhood - her mother used to leave her in the children's section of their local library whilst she changed her father's library books. She was a storyteller long before she began to write romantic fiction. At the age of eight, she was creating serialized bedtime stories, featuring make-believe adventures, for her younger sister Prue, who was always the heroine. At eleven, she fell in love with Mills & Boon, and with their heroes. In those days the books could only be obtained via private lending libraries, and she quickly became a devoted fan; she was thrilled to bits when the books went on full sale in shops and she could have them for keeps.
Penny left grammar school in Rochdale with O-Levels in English Language, English Literature and Geography. She first discovered Mills & Boon books, via a girl she worked with. She married Steve Halsall, an accountant and a "lovely man", who smoked and drank too heavily, and suffered oral cancer with bravery and dignity. Her husband bought her the small electric typewriter on which she typed her first novels, at a time when he could ill afford it. He died at the beginning of 21st century.
She earned a living as a writer since the 1970s when, as a shorthand typist, she entered a competition run by the Romantic Novelists' Association. Although she didn't win, Penny found an agent who was looking for a new Georgette Heyer. She published four regency novels as Caroline Courtney, before changing her nom de plume to Melinda Wright for three air-hostess romps and then she wrote two thrillers as Lydia Hitchcock. Soon after that, Mills and Boon accepted her first novel for them, Falcon's Prey as Penny Jordan. However, for her more historical romance novels, she adopted her mother's maiden-name to become Annie Groves. Almost 70 of her 167 Mills and Boon novels have been sold worldwide.
Penny Halsall lived in a neo-Georgian house in Nantwich, Cheshire, with her Alsatian Sheba and cat Posh. She worked from home, in her kitchen, surrounded by her pets, and welcomed interruptions from her friends and family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
February 7, 2022
First of all, let me put on my shoes,
apply my daily makeup,
and bring a trademark smile.
There. 😌 Now I shall stop laughing at myself and explain in a few words why my future self needs to be back for the dose of absolutely unpolitically-correct wackiness.
That dramatic staircase fainting scene or in other words my Gone with the Wind eternal hangover mitigated... 🤤
I need closure so desperately that any resemblance to the masterpiece by Ms. Mitchell has my stomach tied up in knots.
The hero carrying his woman up the stairs to make passionate love to her?
Consider me gone with the wind.
Right after he saves her from falling?
It's a rare almost 5 star read for me. I won't settle for anything less. ✋🏻
But now I'll try to stifle the irrational part of my personality and admit that even my rose-tinted glasses, which I never dare to take off my face, proved impotent when confronted with the reality of this book.
Luke (H) and Genista (h) are officially insane in the membrane. 👏🏻
They tend to make wild assumptions, believe they possess the superpower to read each other's minds (spoiler alert:they don't) and... act in accordance with the aforementioned.
A sane person would try to come up with a few options on how to resolve a particular problem. Luke and Genista in their turn? They will choose the option that is not even on the table. Something that wouldn't even cross an ordinary person's mind.
Imagine two handsome people shaking off their straitjackets and facing the dull reality outside their ward for the first time in their lives. Luke and Genista are them. ❤️
I felt tingles run down my spine because the description of their first encounter sounded like the scene taken straight from the horror movie. 💔
HOW ABSOLUTELY STUPID HAVE I BEEN TO FEEL EVEN SLIGHTLY SCARED AND ANXIOUS ABOUT THE HEROINE'S FATE??
The cherished first meeting of this legendary couple😍:
I bet their child would love to hear all about it one day. ❤️
My reading experience was filled with vague anxiousness residing somewhere in my tummy, and a lot of obnoxious laughter mingled with improper giggling once Genista really fell for the guy and agreed to marry his blackmailing ass for a reason so stupid I won't even dare to elaborate on it since I am not quite sure I want y'all to guess the extent of schizophrenia the blackmail aspect provided the readers with. 😂
I've already exposed myself too much for my comfort to talk about how 99% of the book I rated 4 stars is composed of sheer absurdity.
Incoherent rambling:
She drank 2 glasses of wine while fully aware of her pregnancy? 👁️👁️
She refused to take medicine, but the wine was another story apparently.
On second thought, a month ago I read a harlequin book in which the hero poured the pregnant heroine a glass of whisky. 🥃👁️👅👁️
This hero fed her alcoholism with something lighter, we can give him that. 🤡
Also, the man on the cover looks like a serial killer planning to stalk his next prey and subsequently disembody her.
As far as I can tell, it pretty much fits the storyline. The accuracy... 🤌🏻
DOES IT GIVE ME LIFE TO RATE 4 STARS THE BOOK WITH AN AVERAGE RATING OF LESS THAN 3.5?
—Yes. Yes, it does. Always. 😌
apply my daily makeup,
and bring a trademark smile.
There. 😌 Now I shall stop laughing at myself and explain in a few words why my future self needs to be back for the dose of absolutely unpolitically-correct wackiness.
She blinked, trying to focus, and swayed, reaching dizzily for the banister. The small sound of protest in her throat alerted Luke. As the stairs rushed up to meet her, he dropped his briefcase and started to run. She felt herself falling and cried out fearfully.
‘It’s all right, you’re quite safe.’
Luke’s arms closed round her, the soft wool of his suit beneath her cheek, his voice rough and uneven.
That dramatic staircase fainting scene or in other words my Gone with the Wind eternal hangover mitigated... 🤤
I need closure so desperately that any resemblance to the masterpiece by Ms. Mitchell has my stomach tied up in knots.
The hero carrying his woman up the stairs to make passionate love to her?
Consider me gone with the wind.
Right after he saves her from falling?
It's a rare almost 5 star read for me. I won't settle for anything less. ✋🏻
But now I'll try to stifle the irrational part of my personality and admit that even my rose-tinted glasses, which I never dare to take off my face, proved impotent when confronted with the reality of this book.
Luke (H) and Genista (h) are officially insane in the membrane. 👏🏻
They tend to make wild assumptions, believe they possess the superpower to read each other's minds (spoiler alert:they don't) and... act in accordance with the aforementioned.
A sane person would try to come up with a few options on how to resolve a particular problem. Luke and Genista in their turn? They will choose the option that is not even on the table. Something that wouldn't even cross an ordinary person's mind.
Imagine two handsome people shaking off their straitjackets and facing the dull reality outside their ward for the first time in their lives. Luke and Genista are them. ❤️
She had walked several yards before she became aware of the soft purr of a car engine behind her. At first, it did not alarm her; all the old houses along this road had been converted into flats, and the sound of a car slowing to a halt was nothing to get frightened about. Only the car wasn’t stopping.
I felt tingles run down my spine because the description of their first encounter sounded like the scene taken straight from the horror movie. 💔
She refused to glance at the car, or be panicked into any foolish action, and yet as the driver menacingly kept pace with her she found her eyes flickering nervously towards it, her heart coming into her mouth as she recognised the hardly handsome profile of the driver.
HOW ABSOLUTELY STUPID HAVE I BEEN TO FEEL EVEN SLIGHTLY SCARED AND ANXIOUS ABOUT THE HEROINE'S FATE??
The cherished first meeting of this legendary couple😍:
Nothing moved. She must have been imagining those faint sounds, Genista told herself. She turned, her sharp cry of protest cut off as strong fingers circled her throat.
‘So you thought you’d eluded me, and now instead you find you’ve run straight into a trap’ Luke jeered in a whisper. ‘Oh, don’t worry, I’m not going to harm you—much as I’d like to squeeze this soft throat of yours until you’re begging me for mercy. Surely you didn’t think I’d let you get away with humiliating me so easily?’
His grip of her throat prevented Genista from replying. Terror had given way to anger, and she struggled wildly, trying to free herself from the steel-like arm he had flung round her waist, pulling her back against him.
I bet their child would love to hear all about it one day. ❤️
My reading experience was filled with vague anxiousness residing somewhere in my tummy, and a lot of obnoxious laughter mingled with improper giggling once Genista really fell for the guy and agreed to marry his blackmailing ass for a reason so stupid I won't even dare to elaborate on it since I am not quite sure I want y'all to guess the extent of schizophrenia the blackmail aspect provided the readers with. 😂
I've already exposed myself too much for my comfort to talk about how 99% of the book I rated 4 stars is composed of sheer absurdity.
Incoherent rambling:
She drank 2 glasses of wine while fully aware of her pregnancy? 👁️👁️
She refused to take medicine, but the wine was another story apparently.
On second thought, a month ago I read a harlequin book in which the hero poured the pregnant heroine a glass of whisky. 🥃👁️👅👁️
This hero fed her alcoholism with something lighter, we can give him that. 🤡
Also, the man on the cover looks like a serial killer planning to stalk his next prey and subsequently disembody her.
As far as I can tell, it pretty much fits the storyline. The accuracy... 🤌🏻
DOES IT GIVE ME LIFE TO RATE 4 STARS THE BOOK WITH AN AVERAGE RATING OF LESS THAN 3.5?
—Yes. Yes, it does. Always. 😌
March 16, 2010
****The Bought With His Name Drinking Game****
(because, baby, you need to be drunk in order to read this book)
Take one chug every time:
- there is a mention of how beautiful or innocent-looking the Heroine is
- the Hero mentions that the Heroine is in love with her old and married boss
- the word "virgin" comes up and how the Heroine will nevah, evah forgive the hero for taking her virginity
- the word "rape" comes up
- whenever the Hero threatens the Heroine if she even looks at him wonky
- whenever the Evil Other Woman shows off her vampy red talons
- whenever the Evil Other Woman insists the hero still wants/loves her
Drain the whole glass every time:
- there is a mention how the Heroine's first boyfriend scarred her for life (hey, this *IS* a Penny Jordan story after all)
Take the whole keg when:
- the Hero explains away all his cruelty throughout the book as due to him falling in love with her at first sight
If you follow these prompts, you're sure to be feeling "happy" as you finish this classic Harlequin Presents :-)
April 11, 2017
Right so this book is a little crazy but loved it.
It was extremely crazy that she never told him about her boss wife being sick but I still enjoyed the crazy!
Just an old Harley with loads of double standards and gender stereotypes.
Enjoyable for me but it's not for everyone.
It was extremely crazy that she never told him about her boss wife being sick but I still enjoyed the crazy!
Just an old Harley with loads of double standards and gender stereotypes.
Enjoyable for me but it's not for everyone.
April 18, 2017
Welcome to Trainwreck, an Explainer:
Today's trainwreck is Bought with His Name by Penny Jordan. As always, we've brought a sane, rational reader to explain this trainwreck of a romance. Their reactions are what normal readers would expect and we explain why this isn't so . . .
Explainer: The hero loved her all along
Eyes meet across a crowded room.
They dance perfectly together
Reader: That sounds romantic.
Ex: He follows her home and threatens her after being rebuffed in public.
R:He’s a proud guy – I’m sure after he’s had time to cool off -
Ex: The next day he sees her at work and he leaps to the following conclusions:
She is a kept woman because of her nice apartment and car
She is her boss’s mistress because she is standing next to him
She has had many men in her past.
R: All right that’s a bit crazy. But he doesn’t really know her and he’s convinced she’s a goddess among women -
Ex: He blackmails her into marriage by threatening to tell Bob’s wife about their non existent affair
They wed in a church
R: Okay that’s a bit impetuous – but at least he offered marriage.
Ex: He freaks when she is a virgin.
He finds new ways to seek reassurance: you’re not thinking about Bob now are you?
The heroine has decided she loves him by now.
R: I’m sure if they just spent some time alone together -
Ex: He dumps her at his country home with his adolescent niece who needs reassurance about her parents getting back together.
R: Well – this might be good for the heroine – get her out of herself and her resentments.
Ex: The reason his sister’s marriage broke up is because his fiancé took aim at a guy with a bigger wallet – his brother in law.
R: But that has nothing to do with the heroine? She’s got money of her own.
Ex: The fiancé is now on the loose and shows up at the house to inform the heroine she will get the hero back. That he never got over her. To make matters worse, heroine thinks she's pregnant.
R: Oh, dear. The godmother did tell her the hero was upset for a long time – And she’s pregnant now so she’s a bit hormonal -
Ex: The heroine decides to leave the hero – but is involved in a car accident. Hero is at her side when she wakes up in the hospital.
R: Now he’ll say ILY
Ex: The hero now knows about the baby and takes her home to be waited on. He has removed all his clothes to another bedroom.
R: That’s not –
Ex: A few days later he sets her free. Heroine agrees with a broken heart.
R: Why didn’t she say something?
Ex:Hero comes back because he forgot something. Heroine is still there – Hero grovels for four pages. HEA.
R: So all those crazy things they said and did are just now forgotten?
Ex: HEA. Period. End of Sentence.
R. Thank you for explaining. I think I'll - um - go get a drink or something.
Today's trainwreck is Bought with His Name by Penny Jordan. As always, we've brought a sane, rational reader to explain this trainwreck of a romance. Their reactions are what normal readers would expect and we explain why this isn't so . . .
Explainer: The hero loved her all along
Eyes meet across a crowded room.
They dance perfectly together
Reader: That sounds romantic.
Ex: He follows her home and threatens her after being rebuffed in public.
R:He’s a proud guy – I’m sure after he’s had time to cool off -
Ex: The next day he sees her at work and he leaps to the following conclusions:
She is a kept woman because of her nice apartment and car
She is her boss’s mistress because she is standing next to him
She has had many men in her past.
R: All right that’s a bit crazy. But he doesn’t really know her and he’s convinced she’s a goddess among women -
Ex: He blackmails her into marriage by threatening to tell Bob’s wife about their non existent affair
They wed in a church
R: Okay that’s a bit impetuous – but at least he offered marriage.
Ex: He freaks when she is a virgin.
He finds new ways to seek reassurance: you’re not thinking about Bob now are you?
The heroine has decided she loves him by now.
R: I’m sure if they just spent some time alone together -
Ex: He dumps her at his country home with his adolescent niece who needs reassurance about her parents getting back together.
R: Well – this might be good for the heroine – get her out of herself and her resentments.
Ex: The reason his sister’s marriage broke up is because his fiancé took aim at a guy with a bigger wallet – his brother in law.
R: But that has nothing to do with the heroine? She’s got money of her own.
Ex: The fiancé is now on the loose and shows up at the house to inform the heroine she will get the hero back. That he never got over her. To make matters worse, heroine thinks she's pregnant.
R: Oh, dear. The godmother did tell her the hero was upset for a long time – And she’s pregnant now so she’s a bit hormonal -
Ex: The heroine decides to leave the hero – but is involved in a car accident. Hero is at her side when she wakes up in the hospital.
R: Now he’ll say ILY
Ex: The hero now knows about the baby and takes her home to be waited on. He has removed all his clothes to another bedroom.
R: That’s not –
Ex: A few days later he sets her free. Heroine agrees with a broken heart.
R: Why didn’t she say something?
Ex:Hero comes back because he forgot something. Heroine is still there – Hero grovels for four pages. HEA.
R: So all those crazy things they said and did are just now forgotten?
Ex: HEA. Period. End of Sentence.
R. Thank you for explaining. I think I'll - um - go get a drink or something.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2021
I love a besotted, jealous, and possessive hero! Luke had it bad for Genista so I forgave him his angry rants which were amusing, annoying, and sad in turn. Amusing because it's a sight to see when a grown alpha male reverts to adolescent behavior. Annoying because Luke was not an adolescent. Sad because he was hurting considerably.
Misery loves company so Genista suffered as well. Her shortsighted decision to teach Luke a lesson and her unwillingness to clear her name led to a lot of the tension between them, complicating the situation was Genista's discovery that she loved him. Their exchanges were frequently fiery and angst-inducing which I happily lapped up. LOL
The last quarter of the book dragged a bit because Genista and Luke spent less time together. Nor was I happy with how Luke allowed the bitchy other woman free reign, but it turns out he had noble intentions regarding that scenario. I did enjoy the grovelific grovel scene where Luke bared his soul and Genista finally put him out of his misery.
A quintessential example of an old-school romance by Penny Jordan.
Misery loves company so Genista suffered as well. Her shortsighted decision to teach Luke a lesson and her unwillingness to clear her name led to a lot of the tension between them, complicating the situation was Genista's discovery that she loved him. Their exchanges were frequently fiery and angst-inducing which I happily lapped up. LOL
The last quarter of the book dragged a bit because Genista and Luke spent less time together. Nor was I happy with how Luke allowed the bitchy other woman free reign, but it turns out he had noble intentions regarding that scenario. I did enjoy the grovelific grovel scene where Luke bared his soul and Genista finally put him out of his misery.
A quintessential example of an old-school romance by Penny Jordan.
June 30, 2013
I have a soft spot for old school Harlequins and this one didn't disappoint! Genista is a heroine who has been hurt in the past. She was in a relationship with a guy she was in love with and she thought he loved her back. When she proposes they get married he turns her down because apparently she is good for a fling but not good enough for marriage. Since then Genista avoids men and commitment.
She works at a company and at a party she meets Luke. She doesn't know he is her new boss. He is also smitten with her and propositions her but she rejects him. But an alpha hero does not take rejection well especially when he thinks she is dating her married colleague. Hero is forcing her to marry him and soon after Genista realizes she is in love with her husband. The hero's niece comes to stay with them for a while and they have to pretend to be the happy couple. We learn that the hero was once engaged but his fiancee left him for his brother in law. But apparently their fling has ended and the cheating ex is now back with a vengeance.
The heroine is unhappy because she thinks the hero will never return her feelings plus his ex and single again fiancée enters the picture and tries to destroy their fragile marriage. The heroine insecure and now pregnant as well flees determined to not stand in true love's way without letting the hero know she is pregnant. But a car accident changes everything.
Fantastic read! Dark alpha hero meets vulnerable but strong heroine. Fast paced, full of intrigue and passion! Never a boring moment with this book!
She works at a company and at a party she meets Luke. She doesn't know he is her new boss. He is also smitten with her and propositions her but she rejects him. But an alpha hero does not take rejection well especially when he thinks she is dating her married colleague. Hero is forcing her to marry him and soon after Genista realizes she is in love with her husband. The hero's niece comes to stay with them for a while and they have to pretend to be the happy couple. We learn that the hero was once engaged but his fiancee left him for his brother in law. But apparently their fling has ended and the cheating ex is now back with a vengeance.
The heroine is unhappy because she thinks the hero will never return her feelings plus his ex and single again fiancée enters the picture and tries to destroy their fragile marriage. The heroine insecure and now pregnant as well flees determined to not stand in true love's way without letting the hero know she is pregnant. But a car accident changes everything.
Fantastic read! Dark alpha hero meets vulnerable but strong heroine. Fast paced, full of intrigue and passion! Never a boring moment with this book!
August 23, 2021
This is the one where the hero is a psychopath and the heroine is a bitch.
Difficult to find a couple of characters more unpleasant that those two.
She’s a stupid bitch.
He’s a stalker psychopath.
They meet at a party.
He sees her, she’s a beautiful woman and he’s attracted to her. She notices him and plans to flirts with him then dump him publicly shaming him.
Because once she had a boyfriend who didn’t want to marry her, only to bed her, now she wants to make it pay to all the men who flirt with her.
Crazy stupid woman.
Of course he’s furious.
And being a stalker and a madman he follows her on her way home, manhandling and mauling her, forcibly kissing her then forcing her to get on his car and go to her home with him.
Luckily she’s saved by the doorman.
At this point I was like WTF????
He’s a madman!!! Call the police!
Then the book took a dive in fantasyland because the day after she finds out he’s her new boss.
Psychopath and stalker are not enough because he’s also a paranoid and he is absolutely convinced that she’s having an affair with her much older and married boss.
Instead of explaining him that he needs help, professional and skilled help, she doesn’t deny his accusations so the psycho blackmails her: she must marry him or he will tell her boss’ wife she’s having an affair with her husband.
The heroine accepts.
What????
No, really. You cannot be serious!!!
But why???
Actually the madness of this man has no limit and even the stupid heroine can’t understand why instead of a ons he wants to marry her.
He even tells her he’s obsessed with her so the only thing to do would be run as far as she can but no, she marries him.
The wedding night is a nightmare where he forces himself on her, she’s a virgin so he hurts her and then of course does the right thing ( for a psychopath abusive madman) that is, blaming her for his criminal behavior.
So, of course, being her a product of PJ fantasy, she falls in love with him.
Why, a man who, unable to accept a refusal from a woman, manhandles her repeatedly, forces her to marry him, basically rapes her and then blames her for all this mess, who wouldn’t love a man like that???
Shock.
The stupid heroine instead of telling him the truth, that she doesn’t have an affair with om, keeps on pretending, so the psycho hero is furious and the awfulness goes on and on.
They don’t even spare the poor hero’s niece, a teenager who had already her issues.
And then enter ow, the hero’s ex, who was the woman who broke the hero’s sister’s marriage.
Now she’s back with a vengeance and wants the hero back.
And he dates her.
At this point I was hoping that they all died in a fire, or a flood, or some catastrophic event that managed to wipe out all three of them, h, H and ow.
Sadly I wasn’t so lucky.
The heroine has an accident, she’s also pregnant, she tries to leave the hero and eventually, when she’s leaving, he confess that he loved her at first sight and all he did was trying to have her for himself.
Oh, and the heroine is so happy that he loves her so much that all is well and forgiven.
Really, she deserves him, next time he sees her talking to a man he probably will kill them both, and himself eventually.
One can only hope.
Whatever.
Three stars because the description of a psychopath, stalker and suffering from paranoid delusion of jealousy is very very good and accurate.
He’s true to himself until the end.
And the madness of the story was really entertaining.
Difficult to find a couple of characters more unpleasant that those two.
She’s a stupid bitch.
He’s a stalker psychopath.
They meet at a party.
He sees her, she’s a beautiful woman and he’s attracted to her. She notices him and plans to flirts with him then dump him publicly shaming him.
Because once she had a boyfriend who didn’t want to marry her, only to bed her, now she wants to make it pay to all the men who flirt with her.
Crazy stupid woman.
Of course he’s furious.
And being a stalker and a madman he follows her on her way home, manhandling and mauling her, forcibly kissing her then forcing her to get on his car and go to her home with him.
Luckily she’s saved by the doorman.
At this point I was like WTF????
He’s a madman!!! Call the police!
Then the book took a dive in fantasyland because the day after she finds out he’s her new boss.
Psychopath and stalker are not enough because he’s also a paranoid and he is absolutely convinced that she’s having an affair with her much older and married boss.
Instead of explaining him that he needs help, professional and skilled help, she doesn’t deny his accusations so the psycho blackmails her: she must marry him or he will tell her boss’ wife she’s having an affair with her husband.
The heroine accepts.
What????
No, really. You cannot be serious!!!
But why???
Actually the madness of this man has no limit and even the stupid heroine can’t understand why instead of a ons he wants to marry her.
He even tells her he’s obsessed with her so the only thing to do would be run as far as she can but no, she marries him.
The wedding night is a nightmare where he forces himself on her, she’s a virgin so he hurts her and then of course does the right thing ( for a psychopath abusive madman) that is, blaming her for his criminal behavior.
So, of course, being her a product of PJ fantasy, she falls in love with him.
Why, a man who, unable to accept a refusal from a woman, manhandles her repeatedly, forces her to marry him, basically rapes her and then blames her for all this mess, who wouldn’t love a man like that???
Shock.
The stupid heroine instead of telling him the truth, that she doesn’t have an affair with om, keeps on pretending, so the psycho hero is furious and the awfulness goes on and on.
They don’t even spare the poor hero’s niece, a teenager who had already her issues.
And then enter ow, the hero’s ex, who was the woman who broke the hero’s sister’s marriage.
Now she’s back with a vengeance and wants the hero back.
And he dates her.
At this point I was hoping that they all died in a fire, or a flood, or some catastrophic event that managed to wipe out all three of them, h, H and ow.
Sadly I wasn’t so lucky.
The heroine has an accident, she’s also pregnant, she tries to leave the hero and eventually, when she’s leaving, he confess that he loved her at first sight and all he did was trying to have her for himself.
Oh, and the heroine is so happy that he loves her so much that all is well and forgiven.
Really, she deserves him, next time he sees her talking to a man he probably will kill them both, and himself eventually.
One can only hope.
Whatever.
Three stars because the description of a psychopath, stalker and suffering from paranoid delusion of jealousy is very very good and accurate.
He’s true to himself until the end.
And the madness of the story was really entertaining.
June 24, 2020
I am addicted to the meaningless angst and pure silliness when it involves an obsessed H. 🤪
August 24, 2014
Crazy old skool. If only the heroine had not played an unkind trick on the hero at the beginning. Did her mother teach her no manners? Then she refused to tell the truth about her relationship with her boss. Then the hero jumped to bunches of conclusions. And he's kind of silly. He tells her he won't put up with her thinking of Bob, the boss, while he is making love to her and then in the moment tells her "make love to me the way you make love to Bob." Way to keep thoughts of Bob out of he mind while he is making love to her. Then he goes back to threatening her again if she thinks of Bob in their bed. Hmmm... He's angry all the time and believes everyone but her and lets the evil OW ex fiancé back into their lives to cause trouble.
Extra star for a pretty good grovel scene.
Extra star for a pretty good grovel scene.
September 7, 2015
ok, so the H and h could have had their HEA quite early in the story had the h been more forthcoming about certain things. That wouldn't leave room for much angst though and this book had quite a bit of it. The Hero on the other hand all but confesses his love when he's trying to coerce the h to marry him in the first part of the book and that was what made me like it so much. The chemistry between the two is explosive and it was so obvious that the protagonists were mutually besotted. Hence the four stars. This is a fun and sensual read and definitely going on my re-read shelf.
October 9, 2015
Sorry. I just was not into it.
Silly beyond words.
Silly beyond words.
September 21, 2019
Penny Jordan...with this one extravagant and impressive angsty-filled romantic tale you have colored my whole world,Madam.
"Bought With His Name" is a extraordinary romance with severe hero and heroine i have come to love.
I knew instantly the moment Genista gives Luke Ferguson the cold shoulder and humilates him in front of many people,i just got shit-crazed and wanted to hide.
I knew that Luke would be a ruthless hero after revenge...and i was right.
‘Why marriage?’ she demanded again. ‘Why not a brief affair? A one-night stand, even? After all, that’s all I’m fit for, according to you, isn’t it?’
Dark colour ran up under his skin as she flung the words at him. He came to stand over her, his fingers biting into the soft flesh of her upper arms, his eyes burning so hotly that she wondered how she could ever have thought of them as cold.
‘I’ve told you why. I can’t analyse my need for you, Genista. It defies all the laws of logic. I know you’re a cheap little tramp who sells her favours in return for financial gain; I know you don’t give a damn who you hurt or how, but God help me, I still want you so badly it’s like an ache in the gut, and it won’t be assuaged simply by one act of possession. You might as well offer a starving man a crumb of bread!’
But in all this,he was a tortured man who had fallen in love in first sight,in a woman he thought are a mistress to a married man.He truly were a byronic type of hero,a very uncommon man in real life,but very common when it comes to The Romantic world of Books.
He was a man who loved her obsessively and intensevily,his words and actions made you aware of that,and i was deeply intruged by him...and i was glad when Gestina eventually fell in love with him.How could she not,when she got to know of his passionate nature.
"Then you gave me that brush-off. I wanted to hate you, to hurt you as you’d hurt me, and then I found out that you were the girl Greg had told me was having an affair with Bob. I nearly went mad with jealousy. I couldn’t bear to think of him looking at you, touching you…I had to take you away from him, so I forced you into marriage. I told myself that in time you would come to love me. You had to love me. That night when I made love to you, I thought I was going out of my mind. Every instinct told me that you’d never known any man, but I couldn’t rely on my instincts. I knew you and Bob had been lovers! When I discovered the truth I could have killed myself. But I didn’t.’
His mouth twisted bitterly. ‘Perhaps it would have been better if I had done, that at least would have been a quick death. This way, dying slowly inch by inch, hurts far more."
How i love Lukes epic confession of love in the end.One of the far best i have ever read.He gave his heart to her..begging for her love.
Everyone knew of his love of her except for herself,and i just wanted to shake her at times when she broke his heart without her knowing it.And the battle between them,oh god how i enjoyed their stormy dialuge,their passionate love-scenes and the instant fight-scenes between them...but oh isn`t it what we love in Romance..!
"Bought With His Name" is a extraordinary romance with severe hero and heroine i have come to love.
I knew instantly the moment Genista gives Luke Ferguson the cold shoulder and humilates him in front of many people,i just got shit-crazed and wanted to hide.
I knew that Luke would be a ruthless hero after revenge...and i was right.
‘Why marriage?’ she demanded again. ‘Why not a brief affair? A one-night stand, even? After all, that’s all I’m fit for, according to you, isn’t it?’
Dark colour ran up under his skin as she flung the words at him. He came to stand over her, his fingers biting into the soft flesh of her upper arms, his eyes burning so hotly that she wondered how she could ever have thought of them as cold.
‘I’ve told you why. I can’t analyse my need for you, Genista. It defies all the laws of logic. I know you’re a cheap little tramp who sells her favours in return for financial gain; I know you don’t give a damn who you hurt or how, but God help me, I still want you so badly it’s like an ache in the gut, and it won’t be assuaged simply by one act of possession. You might as well offer a starving man a crumb of bread!’
But in all this,he was a tortured man who had fallen in love in first sight,in a woman he thought are a mistress to a married man.He truly were a byronic type of hero,a very uncommon man in real life,but very common when it comes to The Romantic world of Books.
He was a man who loved her obsessively and intensevily,his words and actions made you aware of that,and i was deeply intruged by him...and i was glad when Gestina eventually fell in love with him.How could she not,when she got to know of his passionate nature.
"Then you gave me that brush-off. I wanted to hate you, to hurt you as you’d hurt me, and then I found out that you were the girl Greg had told me was having an affair with Bob. I nearly went mad with jealousy. I couldn’t bear to think of him looking at you, touching you…I had to take you away from him, so I forced you into marriage. I told myself that in time you would come to love me. You had to love me. That night when I made love to you, I thought I was going out of my mind. Every instinct told me that you’d never known any man, but I couldn’t rely on my instincts. I knew you and Bob had been lovers! When I discovered the truth I could have killed myself. But I didn’t.’
His mouth twisted bitterly. ‘Perhaps it would have been better if I had done, that at least would have been a quick death. This way, dying slowly inch by inch, hurts far more."
How i love Lukes epic confession of love in the end.One of the far best i have ever read.He gave his heart to her..begging for her love.
Everyone knew of his love of her except for herself,and i just wanted to shake her at times when she broke his heart without her knowing it.And the battle between them,oh god how i enjoyed their stormy dialuge,their passionate love-scenes and the instant fight-scenes between them...but oh isn`t it what we love in Romance..!
June 12, 2020
PJ delivers a hot mess in this one, channeling an unsuccessful Charlotte-Lambish hero who falls violently in love/obsession with the dipshit heroine at first sight. A lazily written alpha (rapey threats are no substitute for good menacing forced seduction threats) and one of the least-likeable PJ heroines I've come across among her many neurotic, shaky messes. A real trainwreck, and not in a good way.
September 27, 2018
"Bought with His Name" is the story of Genista and Luke.
What a hot mess!
The story begins when our h and H meet at a party- the heroine instantly brands him as a playboy, the hero her a cocktease. She leads him on only to publicly humiliate him to "teach a lesson", and in return he stalks and threatens to rape her, saying oh so pleasantly if she cries foul who would believe her.
The next day, she learns he is her new boss, and tormentor too. When her old boss's wife has to undergo a life changing operation, the h shows empathy for her only for the H to mistake it for love vibes between the h and her married boss. Soon he blackmails her into a marriage..
Well they have hot sex, they fight, they have verbal spars, they humiliate each other, he thinks she's in love with someone else and wants to sleep with all men possible, she accepts the accusations and throws other men at his face, OW drama begins, niece and sister intrudes, some angst and HEA.
If you don't mind 150+ pages of almost non-con sex, slut shaming of a virgin, accepting accusations and walking in at the exact wrong time, this would be just the book for you.
Safe
2.5/5
What a hot mess!
The story begins when our h and H meet at a party- the heroine instantly brands him as a playboy, the hero her a cocktease. She leads him on only to publicly humiliate him to "teach a lesson", and in return he stalks and threatens to rape her, saying oh so pleasantly if she cries foul who would believe her.
The next day, she learns he is her new boss, and tormentor too. When her old boss's wife has to undergo a life changing operation, the h shows empathy for her only for the H to mistake it for love vibes between the h and her married boss. Soon he blackmails her into a marriage..
Well they have hot sex, they fight, they have verbal spars, they humiliate each other, he thinks she's in love with someone else and wants to sleep with all men possible, she accepts the accusations and throws other men at his face, OW drama begins, niece and sister intrudes, some angst and HEA.
If you don't mind 150+ pages of almost non-con sex, slut shaming of a virgin, accepting accusations and walking in at the exact wrong time, this would be just the book for you.
Safe
2.5/5
March 28, 2012
What a horrid romance... and I mean, in the best possible way. This is plain crack.
The heroine is a dumb bunny, and although in the beginning shows a bit of likable spark, by the end she's a dizzy idiot, unable to even walk upright without falling over or feeling queasy(sort of like Bella from Twilight!). Every one of her issues could be cleared up by just explaining a misunderstanding, but she refuses to tell anyone the truth about anything.
The "hero" is a total asshole. And should be arrested. Not only does he threaten to rape the heroine numerous times, but he goes so far as to say he's going to treat her like a prostitute (maybe someone should look into unsolved murders of prostitutes around where he lives?!) and that if she continues to look at him the wrong way, he's going to make their wedding night as horrific as possible. Real charmer. Of course the heroine falls in love with him for absolutely no reason and in the end, it turns out he loved her all along! That's why he's so tortured and manly and anguished!
Right.
The heroine is a dumb bunny, and although in the beginning shows a bit of likable spark, by the end she's a dizzy idiot, unable to even walk upright without falling over or feeling queasy(sort of like Bella from Twilight!). Every one of her issues could be cleared up by just explaining a misunderstanding, but she refuses to tell anyone the truth about anything.
The "hero" is a total asshole. And should be arrested. Not only does he threaten to rape the heroine numerous times, but he goes so far as to say he's going to treat her like a prostitute (maybe someone should look into unsolved murders of prostitutes around where he lives?!) and that if she continues to look at him the wrong way, he's going to make their wedding night as horrific as possible. Real charmer. Of course the heroine falls in love with him for absolutely no reason and in the end, it turns out he loved her all along! That's why he's so tortured and manly and anguished!
Right.
May 23, 2014
I liked the fact that the heroine was not all over him as I have found in many of PJ other books.
March 4, 2021
I love a passionate, jealous alpha male H who is so crazy in love as this H. He knows what he wants and who he wants. And he wastes no time going for it.
June 29, 2021
Old harlequin books are CRAZY but that's what I really love about them ! And of course old is gold.
March 4, 2014
The best word I can use to describe this book is cringe-worthy. In reading older Mills & Boon books, I'll be the first to acknowledge that allowances have to be made for their context and audience. In general, the 'heroes' are always creepily overbearing and describing the heroines as whimpering fools is not too far from the truth. Even with this in mind, this book was in a league of its own.
To put it simply, the hero of this book, Luke, is a controlling, victim-blaming asshole. He makes assumptions about Genista (the heroine) and her sexual history from the beginning, repeatedly verbally abusing her for what he perceives as her faults. Then, in light of his intense and abiding need to possess her, forces her into marriage and sex. When it turns out that she was in fact a virgin, he puts on as if the pain she suffered was HER fault for not letting him know of her innocence. This coming from a man who repeatedly refused to allow her to defend herself or to believe any denials as to what he arbitrarily decided was fact.
In a particularly unpalatable scene while Genista is having a panic attack and Luke is comforting her, he feels the need to warn that this physical contact will inevitably lead to sex. "I'm a man, not a monk, Genista. We both know the danger of what we were just doing." SERIOUSLY?
But then, as it turns out, Luke has been in love with her the entire time, which explains and excuses all his actions. Um, what? The last time I checked, 'love' wasn't a justification for anything.
To be honest, Genista was a pretty terrible character as well, justifying Luke's abuse to herself because she's sexually attracted to him. And there were many point in the book that she remained infuriatingly silent when just a denial could have sorted out all of her issues.
I've read other, older Mills & Boon books that aren't as rapey and off-putting as this one. If this book wasn't so short, I wouldn't have finished it. But, unfortunately for me, I saw it through to its bitter end.
To put it simply, the hero of this book, Luke, is a controlling, victim-blaming asshole. He makes assumptions about Genista (the heroine) and her sexual history from the beginning, repeatedly verbally abusing her for what he perceives as her faults. Then, in light of his intense and abiding need to possess her, forces her into marriage and sex. When it turns out that she was in fact a virgin, he puts on as if the pain she suffered was HER fault for not letting him know of her innocence. This coming from a man who repeatedly refused to allow her to defend herself or to believe any denials as to what he arbitrarily decided was fact.
In a particularly unpalatable scene while Genista is having a panic attack and Luke is comforting her, he feels the need to warn that this physical contact will inevitably lead to sex. "I'm a man, not a monk, Genista. We both know the danger of what we were just doing." SERIOUSLY?
But then, as it turns out, Luke has been in love with her the entire time, which explains and excuses all his actions. Um, what? The last time I checked, 'love' wasn't a justification for anything.
To be honest, Genista was a pretty terrible character as well, justifying Luke's abuse to herself because she's sexually attracted to him. And there were many point in the book that she remained infuriatingly silent when just a denial could have sorted out all of her issues.
I've read other, older Mills & Boon books that aren't as rapey and off-putting as this one. If this book wasn't so short, I wouldn't have finished it. But, unfortunately for me, I saw it through to its bitter end.
September 25, 2021
Are they really that ridiculous? Surely they are just being obtuse? Nope. They really are bonkers
The wild conclusions these two draw about each other, and their inexplicable (over) reactions, for 80% of this book are so crazy-town, it’s comical. I both hated it, rolling my eyes at each wild accusation, and luuuurrrved it, eating up the angst like it was cookies and cream frozen custard with hot fudge.
Truly, these two are a hot mess.
Here’s what you can expect:
- instalust/hate
- threatened rape in a back alley by the H (Prince Charming 😈)
- surprise! He turns out to be her boss 🤡
- blackmail into marriage
- H assumes the h is a whooooore
- surprise virgin
- car wreck and hospital stay
- delicious dramatic fainting spells 🤩
I mean, it’s a good time. 👀🤷🏼♀️
Bottom Line? I loved it. I hated it. It was so terrible, it was awesome. 😈😅 So, obviously ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🤷🏼♀️
⚠️SAFETY SQUAD SPOILERS⚠️
- no cheating or sharing
- OW drama - the h assumes the H cheats with his ex
- OM drama - the H assumes the h sleeps with all the men
- dubcon and threatened noncon
- h is a virgin
- H’s history isn’t discussed much except that we know he was engaged 4 years earlier
The wild conclusions these two draw about each other, and their inexplicable (over) reactions, for 80% of this book are so crazy-town, it’s comical. I both hated it, rolling my eyes at each wild accusation, and luuuurrrved it, eating up the angst like it was cookies and cream frozen custard with hot fudge.
Truly, these two are a hot mess.
Here’s what you can expect:
- instalust/hate
- threatened rape in a back alley by the H (Prince Charming 😈)
- surprise! He turns out to be her boss 🤡
- blackmail into marriage
- H assumes the h is a whooooore
- surprise virgin
- car wreck and hospital stay
- delicious dramatic fainting spells 🤩
I mean, it’s a good time. 👀🤷🏼♀️
Bottom Line? I loved it. I hated it. It was so terrible, it was awesome. 😈😅 So, obviously ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🤷🏼♀️
⚠️SAFETY SQUAD SPOILERS⚠️
- no cheating or sharing
- OW drama - the h assumes the H cheats with his ex
- OM drama - the H assumes the h sleeps with all the men
- dubcon and threatened noncon
- h is a virgin
- H’s history isn’t discussed much except that we know he was engaged 4 years earlier
August 23, 2020
A real trainwreck!!! This is one of the books that make PJ a go-to author. The story: insta-love/lust, blackmail and forced marriage, constant misunderstanding, bruising kisses and hot (for that time) lovemaking, verbal sparring/bickering aimed only to increase misunderstanding and pain.
Our heroine Genista hates the hero Luke but is unable to resist him and keeps on torturing himself for the unwanted sexual attraction..... a delightful way to spend a lazy summer day 😉
Our heroine Genista hates the hero Luke but is unable to resist him and keeps on torturing himself for the unwanted sexual attraction..... a delightful way to spend a lazy summer day 😉
April 9, 2017
Luke saw Genista from across the room at a party and it was instant attraction. Genista noticed him looking and assumed that he was looking for a quick hook-up so she decided to teach him a lesson. She led him on all night and then humiliated him in front of everyone. The next day, Genista learned that Luke was the new owner of the company that she worked for when her immediate boss, Bob, brought him by to introduce them.
That is the start of a relationship that was built of misinformation and jealousy. The h and H went out of their way to hide their true feelings from one another, causing each other unnecessary heartache and pain.
The h was supposed to be a home wrecking slut who allowed her boss/lover to buy her an apartment, her clothes and a new car all while supporting his wife and child. And yet, she seemed so sweet and innocent.
The poor H was so confused he couldn't see the truth right in front of his nose. All he knew was that he wanted the h and even if it took blackmailing her into a marriage to get her, he would. And did.
This was a fun read. A lot of angst on both sides but the chemistry between the h and H was so obvious that everyone but them could see the truth.
That is the start of a relationship that was built of misinformation and jealousy. The h and H went out of their way to hide their true feelings from one another, causing each other unnecessary heartache and pain.
The h was supposed to be a home wrecking slut who allowed her boss/lover to buy her an apartment, her clothes and a new car all while supporting his wife and child. And yet, she seemed so sweet and innocent.
The poor H was so confused he couldn't see the truth right in front of his nose. All he knew was that he wanted the h and even if it took blackmailing her into a marriage to get her, he would. And did.
This was a fun read. A lot of angst on both sides but the chemistry between the h and H was so obvious that everyone but them could see the truth.
December 8, 2015
"I don't intend to share you," he said
To discourage him, Genista had deliberately let the arrogantly handsome Luke Ferguson believe that she was a promiscuous adventuress.
She knew from experience the hurt a man could carelessly inflict on an innocent heart, and she realized how vulnerable she was to his brand of magnetism.
Luke's proposal of marriage was a shock, as was his method of asking. It sounded very much like blackmail, and in the circumstances she had no alternative but to accept.
To discourage him, Genista had deliberately let the arrogantly handsome Luke Ferguson believe that she was a promiscuous adventuress.
She knew from experience the hurt a man could carelessly inflict on an innocent heart, and she realized how vulnerable she was to his brand of magnetism.
Luke's proposal of marriage was a shock, as was his method of asking. It sounded very much like blackmail, and in the circumstances she had no alternative but to accept.
October 16, 2022
A total looney tune. Wtf really. The h and H rile each other up with their pretence and lies until the very last page. The H accused the h of being a tramp, even post marriage and the crafty h won’t bother correcting him. Instead she hosts the accused OM behind her husband’s back and extends love and compassion with her hugging and private meetings.
I hated the h. The H was just head over heels and that was his fault for loving the high and mighty shrew who thought the world revolved around her because she was wealthy on her own. I also hated how the h could easily take OM’s wife for a ride by hanging out with her husband (the OM) while she was dealing with cancer.
Do not recommend.
I hated the h. The H was just head over heels and that was his fault for loving the high and mighty shrew who thought the world revolved around her because she was wealthy on her own. I also hated how the h could easily take OM’s wife for a ride by hanging out with her husband (the OM) while she was dealing with cancer.
Do not recommend.
May 20, 2022
Too many misunderstandings for too long.
May 9, 2020
Duo book The Sicilian's Bought Bride by Carol Marinelli. 'I don't intend to share you,' he said
To discourage him, Genista had deliberately let the arrogantly handsome Luke Ferguson believe that she was a promiscuous adventuress. She knew from experience the hurt a man could carelessly inflict on an innocent heart, and she realized how vulnerable she was to his brand of magnetism.
Luke's proposal of marriage was a shock, as was his method of asking. It sounded very much like blackmail, and in the circumstances she had no alternative but to accept.
To discourage him, Genista had deliberately let the arrogantly handsome Luke Ferguson believe that she was a promiscuous adventuress. She knew from experience the hurt a man could carelessly inflict on an innocent heart, and she realized how vulnerable she was to his brand of magnetism.
Luke's proposal of marriage was a shock, as was his method of asking. It sounded very much like blackmail, and in the circumstances she had no alternative but to accept.
November 23, 2011
I can't see how they can love each other when they have never ever "know" each other's true self at all throughout the whole book. The so called "love" is just purely based on "lust" and this is not my type of romance.
December 5, 2017
3.5 stars
November 8, 2018
3.5 stars. The story is okay. There is angst with from hero's jealousy. Worth your time.
April 3, 2022
Don’t remember. Must have been ok. Know the name. That I read it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews