Priceless

Bennett Family #2

by Kelly Hunter

Clothes, look, attitude - jeweller Erin reckons she can tell at a glance a man's occupation. But Tristan Bennett has her fooled: he's tall, sexy and enigmatic - and she can't tell whether he's a gem or a rough diamond. But Tristan admits he can drive, and has a week to spare - and he'll act as protector to Erin while she goes up-country to Australia's gem mines to buy precious stones. And Erin knows they're headed for trouble - unless they can keep the lid on the sensual attraction growing between them!

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Harlequin Presents, Harlequin, Category Romance, Road Trip, Contemporary Romance

203 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2007

About the author

Australian born Kelly Hunter is a three time Romance Writers of America Rita finalist, a USA Today Bestselling author and loves writing to the demands of the short category romance form.

Reviews

[Ridley · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a shame they saddled this book with such a dumbass title, because it was a joy to read and anything but a cookie-cutter HP. The book does make the common mistake of imagining Interpol as an investigative police agency rather than the liason/information bank it is in reality, and that takes it down a notch. Nonetheless, I'd call it a 4.5* story about reconciling what you think you want with what you realize you need.

[Saly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second in the series, about the Interpol brother, who is burnt out from his job so goes back home, his cab driver is the heroine, who does this as a side job while she tries to get her jewellery thing going. He hears that her brother the army man backed off a stone buying spree, he in jest volunteers his services never thinking she will take it up and she has no intention to but agrees when she can find no-one else and before a full yes he has to attend a brunch with her mother, in which he finds himself thoroughly interrogated. I loved the heroine, she was so spunky and could look through the hero and his walls and his nightmares, his job is an aversion to her because she wants a man who doesn't have to keep secrets for his job's sake but their attraction is undeniable. I loved the sexual tension filled banter between them and how he fell like a ton of bricks for her and didn't want to since he saw his father fall apart after his mother died and he didn't want to make himself that vulnerable. I loved every part of the book, these two were amazing.

[*CJ* · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Bedded for Diamonds" is the story of Erin and Tristan.

Firstly: What a fab book!

Secondly: I agree with the other reviews in the fact that the name is utterly ridiculous for such a well written book.

Instead of a typical HQN trope with virgin heroines/brooding dbag heroes- which I do like (but not all the time)- we have a

-self assured, independent, witty and insanely funny heroine who works as a taxi driver during the day and jewellery designer at night

-mildly PTSD but still complicit and caring hero on a sabbitial from his CIA job

-a jewel acquiring road trip

-kind and interesting supporting characters

Instead of focusing on sex and their past trauma which makes them whiny, the author instead pivoted the book on character development. She made them reluctantly fall for each other while trying to deny their feelings, and miserably failing to do so.

So many laugh out loud moments in this sweet read.

Safe
4.5/5

[Jacqueline J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tristan's story. It was good. Not quite as light hearted as the other 2 I've read in this series. Still the hero and heroine are well developed and you care what happens to them. She does a good job of helping him get over some bad mental stuff resulting from his job with Interpol. And it was creepily bad. The plot is a basically a road trip and focuses on their relationship. No evil exes or interfereing family etc. Worth the read if you're doing the series.

[Sruthi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is a disappointment after the first book and hence I drop the series , I was looking forward to read this series after the first book , and I read the second book WHAM ! Good Bye to this series .

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize when I picked this up that it was part of the series that starts with Wife for a Week. I read and enjoyed that book a while back.

Kelly Hunter has a knack for clever dialog and really likeable characters. Bedded for Diamonds was smooth, fun, and escapist. Just what I wanted. The author does a great job with characterizations and showing emotions, especially in such a short format. It didn't seem like the traditional HP formula, but I'm not complaining. I'll definitely read the rest of the Bennet family series.

RANT: Someone at Harlequin needs to get a clue about titles. There's no excuse for saddling their books with such idiotic and embarrassing titles. They are meaningless, and rarely have anything to do with the book itself. Wife for a Week isn't terrible, but Bedded for Diamonds is inexcusable. I refuse to buy any paperback of theirs except used. I'm not supporting their title madness. I occasionally buy the ebooks (I want to support them for not joining any agency pricing scheme), where people can't see the title and I don't have to attempt to convince my kids I'm not losing brain cells by reading the book.

[Susan in Perthshire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Kelly Hunter’s books. She has a fabulous writing style and she creates amazingly real and engaging characters. I like the Bennett series and Tristan’s story is so satisfying. Erin is a wonderful heroine, exciting, caring and funny. Great dialogue and great world building. I felt I was there with them on the drive and gem buying trip.

[Gaufre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stupid misleading title for an ok story. It ends abruptly.

[Kaili · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este libro me ha gustado bastante, al principio me costó un poco adentrarme en la historia, lo único que no me gusta es que hay una cosa que queda inconclusa que no sé si en sus otros libros se aclare, la historia me gustó muchísimo y lo recomiendo ampliamente.

[MissKitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super unfortunate title that had nothing to do w the story.

I liked that the Hero was not another billionaire. Instead he was a working guy. He worked for Interpol and when he meets the heroine, he is at the point of burn out.

I liked their dynamic, the heroine was upbeat and chipper, she took him out of his funk. There is instant attraction between them and their chemistry was hot.

It sort of dragged in the end despite both of them finally admitting their feelings, but all in all an okay read.

[Chachic · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like how each of the Bennett books are set in different countries. The first one was in Hong Kong and this second one is in Australia. I also think it's interesting how Kelly Hunter's characters have unusual jobs - in this one, the female MC is a jewely designer while the male MC is an Interpol cop. The humor that I really enjoyed in the first book was here as well but I would have liked more of it. There was a little too much angst in this book. Also, I thought it was a bit unrealistic for Erin to take Tristan rock climbing without prior training - couldn't they have gone wall climbing first? I got the feeling climbing outdoors like that is too dangerous for someone who has never done it before. I really liked this snippet though:

"The sky was ablaze with colour. Fiery oranges, and reds streaked with indigo, and a smattering of wispy grey cloud. Not your typical tropical island sunset, nothing like it, she thought in awe. This sky was all about power and raw, undiluted glory over an earth that was stark and barren. It was primitive and overwhelming and it slammed into her like a fist, daring her to be as bold when it came to living her life and making the most of the moments she was given. Like now, beneath a cinnamon sky at a secluded oasis. With a man she couldn't even look at without wanting. And wondering what it would take to chase the shadows from his eyes."

[Late To Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up a very reasonable paperback with 3 Kelly Hunter novellas from the Bennett Brothers series and this story was the first one in the collection
I recently discovered this author, loved what I had read and was keen to read more.
I have to say I struggled a little bit through this collection. They felt older than the stories I have just read- characters are a bit brasher, sex scenes are toned down- the hero and heroine outwardly acknowledge instant attraction to one another, but for varying reasons are slow to proceed or commit to a relationship. It is not a bad read at all and I still recommend them-it just feels as though the author’s style has developed and moved on from these earlier stories.
I thought that this story was quite similar to Hunter’s more recent The Honeymoon Trap, but not quite as good! The hero Tristan is quite tortured (albeit for different reasons to the hero in The Honeymoon Trap), on a break from Interpol in London after a particularly disturbing case. He is definitely not seeking a relationship, but things change when Erin, a chauffeur(!), picks him up from the airport. In an unlikely plot twist, Tristan volunteers to go bush with Erin to search search for stones (she is a jewellery maker). This was a slight but fun story. Amazing title!

[Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kelly Hunter does it again. This had everything - humour, chemistry, romance, and great storytelling, and the (small) subplot around stolen diamonds tugged at my heartstrings. Both the h/h concede gracefully at the end and both end up winners. I haven't been reading any Kelly Hunters before now - obviously I've been missing out.

[Valerie Noble · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better of the romance novels I've been reading these days. Love the Australian setting. The main female character, Erin, was well rounded as was Tristan, the male character. I enjoyed their adventures along the way to falling in love. :)

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dude more or less upends his entire life because he falls in love with a taxi driver/jewelry artist on a road trip to buy gems. And then woos her quietly while she is trying to create competition work while also paying her rent.

THIS WAS A THING I WAS INTO.

[Perdani Budiarti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Temanya sih seru, pencarian batu berharga yg akan digunakan tokoh wanita untuk berkompetisi di lomba desain perhiasan. Jadi kedua tokoh utama berkunjung ke kota2 tambang batu berharga tersebut untuk membelinya. Tentu saja dibumbui hubungan instan kedua tokoh utama yang langsung find the right one since the day one they met.

Lagi2 konfliknya nggak banyak2, lebih ke pemantauan diri sendiri oleh kedua tokoh tersebut. Terutama tokoh pria yang sedang dalam masa pemulihan mentalnya selepas menyelesaikan kasus di pekerjaannya sebagai interpol. A fast reading today.

3/*5

[Afaf · Rating 4 out of 5]

هذه الرواية الثانية من سلسلة روايات آل بينيت وعددها ٥
الرواية رائعة جدا رغم أنها ليست كالرواية الأولى ولكنها جميلة جدا
في أولها كانت الرواية باردة ولا تشد القاريء نوعا ما
ثم بدأت الأحداث تتوالى بحماس ليس بالكثير
ولكن النهاية كانت رائعة
لا أعرف ربما لأنني قرأت الرواية الأولى بحماس ثم قرأت الثانية على أمل ان تكون بنفس الحماس
عموما أنصح بقراءة الرواية

[Nightwitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of those books Kelly Hunter does so well, where the category romance shenanigans are kept to a minimum (the hero is an Interpol officer on furlough, that's about it) and it's just two funny people falling in love.

[Calysta · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a lovely leisurely journey to a happy ending. :D

[Diane Haag · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed how Erin continued to throw Tristan for a loop throughout the story. It was fun to read how they clashed against each other while still attracted.

[elstaffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounds up to 4 stars for me. I think I was hoping for more tying in with the first book in this series of connected siblings, but I still quite enjoyed it as an atypical HP.

Pull quote/note
"Her first instinct was to go to him, hold him, and let him take from her what comfort he could. Her second instinct was to feed him. Damn!" (68) bahaha love the "women want to feed men they care about" taunt from earlier in the book coming back

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tristan was the brother we met in Hallie’s story. He was in some type of law enforcement and Hallie thought he needed a break. This starts out with him initiating said break by returning to Austrália. He takes Erin’s luxury táxi and the two banter on the way to his house.

Erin is a jewellery designer who is about to go on a roadtrip to mines in what I assume is the outback. Her military brother is unable to go with her so she asks Tristan to accompany her. Cue roadtrip to opal and sapphire mining towns.

The conflict was that her father and brother were in the military and she didn’t want to get involved with someone in that line of work becos of the toll it takes on families.

Cute story – doesn’t compare to my favourites by this author but still an interesting story.

[Ms_prue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Currently re-released and retitled "Priceless" (EXCELLENT MOVE, THANK YOU M&B AUSTRALIA). I mean, there's a fine line between Harlequin/M&B titles that are hilariously OTT and offputtingly OTT and the old title was absolutely on the offputting side. Anyway, four stars from me because the bits where I had to work to maintain the suspension of disbelief were more than countered by things I am totally cheap for - road trips out west, shiny things, and protagonists who are considerate of each other's needs. There is so much (unavoidably given the format) untapped visual potential in this story too, it would be delightful were it to have a movie adaptation. Just saying.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love, love, love the hero and the heroine in this story. Actually, just about everything about it I ended up falling in love with. The characters are exquisite, and I was there laughing and sighing, fanning myself, and crying along. Unfortunate that the title isn't a match (really now, the diamonds didn't even figure until the end, and it definitely was not the reason for any bedding).

I picked this book up after reading about Hallie, and wanted to learn more about the Bennett siblings. I can't believe I only have two more stories to read. I'm definitely glomming Kelly Hunter's books now.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a 2 1/2* -- I bought it because Wife for a Week was so good but this was a pretty predictable next sibling in the family book. There was too much info-dumping (diamonds/jewelry design/rock climbing). I dunno, it was ok but I want more than ok in the books I read.

IF another Kelly Hunter got a great review from people I knew (and I could harrass them behind the scenes to make sure I'd really like it), I would read her again.

[Melissa Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I loved Tristian and Erin's story. Their meeting is somewhat fated when she is his taxi driver on his return trip to Australia. She is a jewelry maker and needs someone to go get gems but her brother has to go on a mission so she asks Tristian because he seems trustworthy. I loved the development of the story because even though it was fast it felt real. I loved hearing about Hallie and Nick and loved the ending.

[MJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's obviously been a repackage. I read this book under the title Priceless. And gotta say, not sure I would have read Bedded for Diamonds without a great deal of pressure. The covers of the Bennett's series are also a hell of a lot better than they were. But to clear it up, this would have been a classic 'don't judge the book by the cover' moment if I have of skipped it. Same type of witty, fun banter as book one.

[RomLibrary · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tristan Bennet is tall, sexy and enigmatic--and jeweler Erin can't tell whether he's a gem or a rough diamond.

But Tristan has a week to spare--so he'll act as protector to Erin while she goes to Australia's gem mines to buy precious stones.

Once she and Tristan are on the road, the heat they generate drives them both to distraction. Erin knows they're headed for trouble--unless they can keep the lid on the attraction growing between them....

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

another book about a member of the bennett family. and best of all, these characters are not rich, titled, famous, etc.; they are fairly ordinary people, except for the beautiful part, that is. but this is HPlandia. i especially liked the heroine who had an interesting job as a jewelry designer and as a taxi cab driver!

[Cecilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and cheerful, with just enough regular-person unhappiness to make it a satisfying read. Protagonists are witty and have actual interests, and it's easy to believe that they would find each other meaningfully attractive, and could have a HEA.