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Princes of Europe #1
Expecting the Prince's Baby
Abby Loretto's decision to become a surrogate mother to the Mediterranean's premier royal couple is the bravest thing she's ever done…
When Prince Vincenzo is tragically widowed shortly after Abby becomes pregnant, her heart goes out to the prince. Abby quickly becomes the focus of Vincenzo's hope, but she must use all her courage to ignore their growing attraction…she is a commoner, after all.
But Vincenzo is determined: he will fight royal protocol. Because Abby is his baby's mother…and to stay that way she must become his wife!
When Prince Vincenzo is tragically widowed shortly after Abby becomes pregnant, her heart goes out to the prince. Abby quickly becomes the focus of Vincenzo's hope, but she must use all her courage to ignore their growing attraction…she is a commoner, after all.
But Vincenzo is determined: he will fight royal protocol. Because Abby is his baby's mother…and to stay that way she must become his wife!
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
About the author
Rebecca Winters
1,165 books206 followersaka Rebecca Brown Burton, Rebecca Burton
Rebecca Winters, born Rebecca Brown Burton, was the author of over 175 romance novels published with Harlequin, delighting readers worldwide for more than 35 years. Her stories, translated into many languages, have sold nearly thirty million copies. A French teacher turned novelist, she combined her love of language, family, and storytelling into a remarkable literary legacy.
Rebecca Winters, born Rebecca Brown Burton, was the author of over 175 romance novels published with Harlequin, delighting readers worldwide for more than 35 years. Her stories, translated into many languages, have sold nearly thirty million copies. A French teacher turned novelist, she combined her love of language, family, and storytelling into a remarkable literary legacy.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 13, 2014
Good book. Abby had volunteered to be the gestational surrogate for Vincenzo and his wife because she felt it was a way to repay him for saving her life when she was seventeen. She and Vincenzo had been friends since her family had moved to Arancia when she was twelve. When his wife died shortly after Abby became pregnant she knew things were going to be hard for him. He begins to focus on the coming baby and making sure all is well with Abby.
Vincenzo was carrying a bit of guilt over his marriage. It had been an arranged one, and though his wife had loved him, his feelings for her were closer to friendship and respect. She had wanted a baby very badly, but after three miscarriages the odds weren't good. He went along with her plan to use a surrogate because it would make her happy. They were pleased when Abby was one of the applicants because they knew her well. After his wife's death, Vincenzo found himself spending more time with Abby, not just because of the baby, but also because of their longstanding friendship. He didn't expect to start feeling more than friendship with her.
Abby had had feelings for Vincenzo for years. She knew nothing could every come of it, so she was content to be his friend. She considered her offer to bear their child the greatest gift she could give them. Abby was heartbroken when his wife died, knowing that his child would grow up without its mother. The longer she carried the baby, the more she felt like it was hers, but she had promised that she would have no contact after the baby was born.
Abby is very aware of the fact that if Vincenzo is seen spending time with her, there will be gossip about whether they'd had an affair while he was married. She works hard at keeping him at a distance in order to protect him. Vincenzo sees the truth of what she says, but doesn't want to give up his time with her. I liked his creativity in finding a way that both can have what they need. I loved the slow growth of their relationship from friendship to love. Vincenzo eventually realized that he'd always loved Abby. I loved seeing him figure out how to find her after the baby's birth and then to go after what he really wants for his life.
Vincenzo was carrying a bit of guilt over his marriage. It had been an arranged one, and though his wife had loved him, his feelings for her were closer to friendship and respect. She had wanted a baby very badly, but after three miscarriages the odds weren't good. He went along with her plan to use a surrogate because it would make her happy. They were pleased when Abby was one of the applicants because they knew her well. After his wife's death, Vincenzo found himself spending more time with Abby, not just because of the baby, but also because of their longstanding friendship. He didn't expect to start feeling more than friendship with her.
Abby had had feelings for Vincenzo for years. She knew nothing could every come of it, so she was content to be his friend. She considered her offer to bear their child the greatest gift she could give them. Abby was heartbroken when his wife died, knowing that his child would grow up without its mother. The longer she carried the baby, the more she felt like it was hers, but she had promised that she would have no contact after the baby was born.
Abby is very aware of the fact that if Vincenzo is seen spending time with her, there will be gossip about whether they'd had an affair while he was married. She works hard at keeping him at a distance in order to protect him. Vincenzo sees the truth of what she says, but doesn't want to give up his time with her. I liked his creativity in finding a way that both can have what they need. I loved the slow growth of their relationship from friendship to love. Vincenzo eventually realized that he'd always loved Abby. I loved seeing him figure out how to find her after the baby's birth and then to go after what he really wants for his life.
October 2, 2019
I almost know what to expect from all the Harlequin imprints except maybe their Romance, also known as Mills and Boon Cherish, line. But that is bound to happen when out of 394 reads, you have only read eight 'Cherish' titles! This being the ninth. This is also my first read by author Rebecca Winters. Wondering why I mentioned the imprints? I have stated the reason at the end of the review.
Vincenzo Di Laurentis is the thirty-three-year-old crown prince of the Principality of Arancia. It's been six weeks since the funeral of his wife, Princess Michelina. A wife whom he couldn't grow to love in spite of a fourteen-year betrothal. After suffering through three miscarriages, they'd become pregnant with the help of a gestational surrogate, Abby Loretto, his Italian chief of security's American daughter. Abby is his very good friend as she's been living in the palace since she was of twelve years of age, and they bonded over losing their mothers at a young age.
Twenty-eight years old Abigail herself decided to become a surrogate for the crown prince. She's an attorney who feels sad for Vincenzo while the latter has moved on from the death of his wife. She always had a soft spot for him. While she maintains a professional distance with him being the crown prince and all, he wants more from their friendship. He loves her, is possessive about her. What Vincenzo isn't aware of is that she too holds a special place for him in her heart.
Michelina's mother, the Queen of Gemelli, who didn't know anything about the surrogacy till the day her daughter revealed it, which was only a few hours before she died, is apprehensive of the entire thing. She's afraid that they may be in a relationship, Vincenzo and Abby. Abby feels guilty for harbouring thoughts about making a family with Vincenzo when she is aware of her duty of giving up the baby and leaving the palace.
Queen Bianca is a puritan to boot. She thinks it is an unnatural way of bringing a child into the world. And she totally disapproves of the surrogacy. She runs her country single-handedly after the death of her husband and is known to be a conservative leader.
Being royalty and having recently lost his wife, Abby tiptoes around Vincent. But their banter is so teasing and hilarious! Even their Skype chats.
It is a very, very vanilla book. Maybe Harlequin Romance line is that only, I don't know. The entire book passes through her pregnancy, with both of them tiptoeing around each other, only a few kisses to acknowledge the feelings they have for each other. Because of his royal status, even after staying in the palace grounds, they Skype and don't meet each other much, its mostly a long-distance relationship. Their coming together seemed a bit like too little too late, but if you want a charming read this is it. I take the sex scenes for granted before I read a book from the Cherish/Romance imprint and bam! It's a very odd and a disconcerting feeling, to be reading such a staid M&B, even if the story is good. Ha! I can't recall what the other Cherish books are like.
Vincenzo Di Laurentis is the thirty-three-year-old crown prince of the Principality of Arancia. It's been six weeks since the funeral of his wife, Princess Michelina. A wife whom he couldn't grow to love in spite of a fourteen-year betrothal. After suffering through three miscarriages, they'd become pregnant with the help of a gestational surrogate, Abby Loretto, his Italian chief of security's American daughter. Abby is his very good friend as she's been living in the palace since she was of twelve years of age, and they bonded over losing their mothers at a young age.
Twenty-eight years old Abigail herself decided to become a surrogate for the crown prince. She's an attorney who feels sad for Vincenzo while the latter has moved on from the death of his wife. She always had a soft spot for him. While she maintains a professional distance with him being the crown prince and all, he wants more from their friendship. He loves her, is possessive about her. What Vincenzo isn't aware of is that she too holds a special place for him in her heart.
Michelina's mother, the Queen of Gemelli, who didn't know anything about the surrogacy till the day her daughter revealed it, which was only a few hours before she died, is apprehensive of the entire thing. She's afraid that they may be in a relationship, Vincenzo and Abby. Abby feels guilty for harbouring thoughts about making a family with Vincenzo when she is aware of her duty of giving up the baby and leaving the palace.
Queen Bianca is a puritan to boot. She thinks it is an unnatural way of bringing a child into the world. And she totally disapproves of the surrogacy. She runs her country single-handedly after the death of her husband and is known to be a conservative leader.
Being royalty and having recently lost his wife, Abby tiptoes around Vincent. But their banter is so teasing and hilarious! Even their Skype chats.
It is a very, very vanilla book. Maybe Harlequin Romance line is that only, I don't know. The entire book passes through her pregnancy, with both of them tiptoeing around each other, only a few kisses to acknowledge the feelings they have for each other. Because of his royal status, even after staying in the palace grounds, they Skype and don't meet each other much, its mostly a long-distance relationship. Their coming together seemed a bit like too little too late, but if you want a charming read this is it. I take the sex scenes for granted before I read a book from the Cherish/Romance imprint and bam! It's a very odd and a disconcerting feeling, to be reading such a staid M&B, even if the story is good. Ha! I can't recall what the other Cherish books are like.
January 17, 2019
Nombres: Vincenzo & Abby
Pais: Inventado - Europa
Profesiones: Principe & Abogada.
Pais: Inventado - Europa
Profesiones: Principe & Abogada.
May 19, 2019
The almost goodbye of abby to vicenzo after delivering max somehow made me crying .. Lol .. Like the hurt that was so deep, i felt it
November 9, 2021
I truly enjoyed reading this book. I want to read the others in the series
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May 2, 2014Miniseries: Princes of Europe
June 10, 2014
I usually enjoy Ms. Winters' stories, but this one was very predictable and not much fun.
July 21, 2014
I usually love these books, but this one started with about twenty pages of exposition and did not pick up from there. I'm disappointed, I really usually love these books. :(
August 29, 2014
hmmm. I enjoyed this. interesting to read others say they did not.
September 7, 2014
Pek hazetmediğim bir konu taşıyıcı annelik ile ilgili idi. Kurgu fena değildi ama bana ters gelen bir konu olduğu için çok da severek okumadım..
June 8, 2015
The dialogue and story were so painful at times. I'd recommend skipping this one.
August 20, 2015
This was alright. I didn't love it and I didn't hate it either. It was a quick read so I recommend.
October 3, 2014
Fun sweet read. enjoyed the story and the characters
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews