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At His Service #5
An Enticing Debt to Pay
Dial R for Revenge...Forgiveness is a foreign concept to wealthy investment trader Jonas Deveson. Someone has been stealing from him. He's got a good idea who it is and she's going to pay...Seeing the harsh lines that bitterness has carved into Jonas's handsome features, Ravenna Ruggiero knows he'll never see the shades of grey in her actions. Jonas blackmails Ravenna into working as his housekeeper to pay off her debt, but living under the same roof with her leads to unexpected and forbidden temptation - and Jonas is no longer sure who is being punished! 'A romance packed with humour, steamy sensuality and heart-tugging pathos.' - Sherryl, 52, Chippenham www.annie-west.com
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
29 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
Annie West
923 books557 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Hello! I love writing passionate, intense love stories about sexy alpha men and the women who are their perfect match. Look out for my books with Harlequin (Presents) or Mills & Boon (Modern/Sexy) and for my indie stories, full of passion and intense emotion with a touch of glamour. My latest stories are my Hot Italian Nights series including 'Bound to the Italian Boss' June '17, 'The Italian's Bold Reckoning' July '17, 'At the Italian's Bidding' August '17 and 'Falling for the Brooding Italian' September '17.
Yes, I do like a dark, handsome hero!
You can catch up with my news at www.annie-west.com (where you can also sign up for my exclusive reader newsletter with giveaways and behind the scenes info). I'm on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/anniewest.au... and I adore hearing from readers. You can also contact me at annie(at)annie-west(dot)com
I live with my family at beautiful Lake Macquarie on the east Coast of Australia and my favourite things when not writing are good food, good company, great books, getting outside in nature and travel.
Bookwise, I'm a multi USA Today bestselling author with millions of books sold, in English as well as in lots of other languages. I've won the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award and the Romantic Book of the Year (Romance Writers of Australia). One of my favourite review quotes is from Romantic Times which said in its review of The Sheikh's Ransomed Bride 'This is what a love story could be.'.
Hello! I love writing passionate, intense love stories about sexy alpha men and the women who are their perfect match. Look out for my books with Harlequin (Presents) or Mills & Boon (Modern/Sexy) and for my indie stories, full of passion and intense emotion with a touch of glamour. My latest stories are my Hot Italian Nights series including 'Bound to the Italian Boss' June '17, 'The Italian's Bold Reckoning' July '17, 'At the Italian's Bidding' August '17 and 'Falling for the Brooding Italian' September '17.
Yes, I do like a dark, handsome hero!
You can catch up with my news at www.annie-west.com (where you can also sign up for my exclusive reader newsletter with giveaways and behind the scenes info). I'm on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/anniewest.au... and I adore hearing from readers. You can also contact me at annie(at)annie-west(dot)com
I live with my family at beautiful Lake Macquarie on the east Coast of Australia and my favourite things when not writing are good food, good company, great books, getting outside in nature and travel.
Bookwise, I'm a multi USA Today bestselling author with millions of books sold, in English as well as in lots of other languages. I've won the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award and the Romantic Book of the Year (Romance Writers of Australia). One of my favourite review quotes is from Romantic Times which said in its review of The Sheikh's Ransomed Bride 'This is what a love story could be.'.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
October 16, 2019
Hero's father was an unfaithful husband and a lousy dad. When hero's father took up with his housekeeper (heroine's mother) and moved to Paris, his wife committed suicide and his son (hero) stopped speaking to him.
Now daddy dearest is dead and his mistress has stolen money from the son. Heroine (who is in remission from cancer) decides to lie and tell hero she stole the money so her mother won't go to jail. Hero decides he will punish heroine by making her do manual labor.
*sigh*
It sounds like a great premise except:
Heroine doesn't feel guilty about her mother stealing from the hero or breaking up his family.
If heroine doesn't feel guilty, then all that punishment is just an exercise for the heroine to feel self-righteousness about how mean the hero is . (But stealing is wrong, heroine)
Why the hero has to feel guilty about misjudging her when she lied to his face is beyond me.
But that is the twisted ethics of this story.
Add in the easy sexual capitulation *while heroine is acting as his housekeeper and is still in debt* and it starts getting real tacky, real fast.
Then heroine makes a big deal about not wearing the dress hero bought her for the ball and instead wearing a dress made out of curtains leftover from the manor house restoration and I was so done.
Now daddy dearest is dead and his mistress has stolen money from the son. Heroine (who is in remission from cancer) decides to lie and tell hero she stole the money so her mother won't go to jail. Hero decides he will punish heroine by making her do manual labor.
*sigh*
It sounds like a great premise except:
Heroine doesn't feel guilty about her mother stealing from the hero or breaking up his family.
If heroine doesn't feel guilty, then all that punishment is just an exercise for the heroine to feel self-righteousness about how mean the hero is . (But stealing is wrong, heroine)
Why the hero has to feel guilty about misjudging her when she lied to his face is beyond me.
But that is the twisted ethics of this story.
Add in the easy sexual capitulation *while heroine is acting as his housekeeper and is still in debt* and it starts getting real tacky, real fast.
Then heroine makes a big deal about not wearing the dress hero bought her for the ball and instead wearing a dress made out of curtains leftover from the manor house restoration and I was so done.
April 12, 2015
This month HP releases are all awful so far. Even Annie West's book. So boring I almost slept while reading it. Also it was extremely depressing!
September 8, 2020
1.5⭐
I think I have outgrown stories like this.
I’m not for Harlequin romances anymore, this one even annoyed me at some points.
I think I have outgrown stories like this.
I’m not for Harlequin romances anymore, this one even annoyed me at some points.
September 22, 2013
I am sure that none of us ever stops to think what the life of the hired help is like, nor their children.
They work hard to provide for their families but they also face being treated badly by their employers, and having to face their children being bullied and ridiculed for being the hired help's child.
It is a tough life but they do realise that without a job they will not be able to provide for their children so they do their job and take whatever comes their way, all the while trying everything within their power to protect their children.
But when life throws them a opportunity of a lifetime could anyone blame them for grabbing the chance to put their feet up and for once allow themselves to wallow away in luxury. Silvia Ruggiero does just this, when Pier's takes her as his mistress and the housekeeper becomes the number one woman in his life, only Piers does not stop to think what this indiscretion will do to his wife and son and nor does Silvia think what the outcome will be one day when Piers's son wants revenge and she will not be there when judgement day comes around to offer her daughter protection.
Here is where the focus comes in on Ravenna and Jonas. Jonas leans of a theft in his finances and goes after the culprit only the culprit is not who he thought it would be and instead he faces the housekeeper's daughter Ravenna, or rather daughter the to gold-digging no good woman who lured his father to her bed and away from his mother. He will extract revenge by making her pay and pay dearly, punishment will be the highlight of his plan, but once he has her at his command for-filling his every whim he falls for the temptation that is Ravenna, but he vows that having her in his bed will not make him a fool as his father had been.
The character of Ravenna was well written and I liked that the author dug a little into what life is like when you are the child of the hired help. It showed clearly that people never stop to take the time and see the person behind the title how ever low the title may be, they instead carry on with their lives never stopping to think that the person behind the title is also human and has feelings, hopes and dreams. I liked that the author gave Ravenna a backbone to stand up and fight for what needs to be done, never breaking down and allowing people to see their hurtful words and actions getting to her. A strong capable heroine.
The character of Jonas was less likeable as he pretty much treats Ravenna as scum making her work so hard her fingers are raw , but the author did also show that it all comes down to the hurt he needed to face when his mother's world crumbled and there was nothing he could do except stand by and watch as she lost the will to live. It also reminded me that once we are set on revenge their is very little that will open our eyes to the truth and we tend to push through and most of the time it is too late and the realisation of wrong hits after the damage is already too severe.
The backdrop was mostly set in a huge, expensive old and very run down mansion , for me as reader this mirrored the lives of both Ravenna and Jonas, for Jonas it represented how empty his life is even though he has it all and for Ravenna the state that her life has always been, alone in the big world trying to always face her way out of some or another situation.
The dialogue was very emotional with a touch of sensual and sexy. I am taking away a message of regret comes to late and when faced with revenge or stopping to grab hold of the life you realise you need, the best is to follow your heart instead of your actions, for when looking into your heart you will find the space for hatred is so small and overshadowed by love that nothing not even pity and guilt can kill that love once found.
I highly recommend this read for all fans of romance reads with a deep emotional and heart-warming look at the lives of the rich vs the poor and the masks kept in place for the sake of hiding pain, all blended together with a touch of sensuality.
4 star review
" He needs revenge but the revenge turns into a temptation he cannot resist"
They work hard to provide for their families but they also face being treated badly by their employers, and having to face their children being bullied and ridiculed for being the hired help's child.
It is a tough life but they do realise that without a job they will not be able to provide for their children so they do their job and take whatever comes their way, all the while trying everything within their power to protect their children.
But when life throws them a opportunity of a lifetime could anyone blame them for grabbing the chance to put their feet up and for once allow themselves to wallow away in luxury. Silvia Ruggiero does just this, when Pier's takes her as his mistress and the housekeeper becomes the number one woman in his life, only Piers does not stop to think what this indiscretion will do to his wife and son and nor does Silvia think what the outcome will be one day when Piers's son wants revenge and she will not be there when judgement day comes around to offer her daughter protection.
Here is where the focus comes in on Ravenna and Jonas. Jonas leans of a theft in his finances and goes after the culprit only the culprit is not who he thought it would be and instead he faces the housekeeper's daughter Ravenna, or rather daughter the to gold-digging no good woman who lured his father to her bed and away from his mother. He will extract revenge by making her pay and pay dearly, punishment will be the highlight of his plan, but once he has her at his command for-filling his every whim he falls for the temptation that is Ravenna, but he vows that having her in his bed will not make him a fool as his father had been.
The character of Ravenna was well written and I liked that the author dug a little into what life is like when you are the child of the hired help. It showed clearly that people never stop to take the time and see the person behind the title how ever low the title may be, they instead carry on with their lives never stopping to think that the person behind the title is also human and has feelings, hopes and dreams. I liked that the author gave Ravenna a backbone to stand up and fight for what needs to be done, never breaking down and allowing people to see their hurtful words and actions getting to her. A strong capable heroine.
The character of Jonas was less likeable as he pretty much treats Ravenna as scum making her work so hard her fingers are raw , but the author did also show that it all comes down to the hurt he needed to face when his mother's world crumbled and there was nothing he could do except stand by and watch as she lost the will to live. It also reminded me that once we are set on revenge their is very little that will open our eyes to the truth and we tend to push through and most of the time it is too late and the realisation of wrong hits after the damage is already too severe.
The backdrop was mostly set in a huge, expensive old and very run down mansion , for me as reader this mirrored the lives of both Ravenna and Jonas, for Jonas it represented how empty his life is even though he has it all and for Ravenna the state that her life has always been, alone in the big world trying to always face her way out of some or another situation.
The dialogue was very emotional with a touch of sensual and sexy. I am taking away a message of regret comes to late and when faced with revenge or stopping to grab hold of the life you realise you need, the best is to follow your heart instead of your actions, for when looking into your heart you will find the space for hatred is so small and overshadowed by love that nothing not even pity and guilt can kill that love once found.
I highly recommend this read for all fans of romance reads with a deep emotional and heart-warming look at the lives of the rich vs the poor and the masks kept in place for the sake of hiding pain, all blended together with a touch of sensuality.
4 star review
" He needs revenge but the revenge turns into a temptation he cannot resist"
September 16, 2013
An Enticing Debt to Pay is one of the most frustrating books I've read this year. And it's all the heroine's fault.
This book should have had the heroine groveling in apology but no it's the hero who does this. See his revenge in the author's view was all wrong wrong wrong tho it was completely justified. I had major issues with that. This heroine lied to the hero. The heroine's mom was a homewrecker and a thief. The heroine was hard and judgmental toward the hero. The heroine sleeps with a hero she doesn't like but thinks he used her tho they aren't in a relationship. So that was the heroines actions toward the hero yet she never grovels instead not only does she not grovel her unrepentant homewrecking mom never apologizes for her theft! Homewrecker mom gets to live in a mansion!
And what's worse, the only thing I felt was the heroines hostile judgment for the hero. The romantic chemistry fell flat. The realization of love feel flat. And the hea wasn't believable. I felt the heroine will be testing the hero alot. Not a good way to begin a future.
I find it so bizarre the heroine never groveled. She and her mom should have done major groveling cause the hero had good cause for vengeance.
ETA
The heroine also lacked a moral compass as she defended righteously her homewrecker mom. At one point she tries to slap the hero for pointing out what her mom was. The heroine never seemed to feel compassion for the hero tho he suffered as a result of her mom's actions.
This was more of a feminist lustmance than a romance. An alternate reality where a bad behaving heroine reaps a reward, an undeserved hea.
This book should have had the heroine groveling in apology but no it's the hero who does this. See his revenge in the author's view was all wrong wrong wrong tho it was completely justified. I had major issues with that. This heroine lied to the hero. The heroine's mom was a homewrecker and a thief. The heroine was hard and judgmental toward the hero. The heroine sleeps with a hero she doesn't like but thinks he used her tho they aren't in a relationship. So that was the heroines actions toward the hero yet she never grovels instead not only does she not grovel her unrepentant homewrecking mom never apologizes for her theft! Homewrecker mom gets to live in a mansion!
And what's worse, the only thing I felt was the heroines hostile judgment for the hero. The romantic chemistry fell flat. The realization of love feel flat. And the hea wasn't believable. I felt the heroine will be testing the hero alot. Not a good way to begin a future.
I find it so bizarre the heroine never groveled. She and her mom should have done major groveling cause the hero had good cause for vengeance.
ETA
The heroine also lacked a moral compass as she defended righteously her homewrecker mom. At one point she tries to slap the hero for pointing out what her mom was. The heroine never seemed to feel compassion for the hero tho he suffered as a result of her mom's actions.
This was more of a feminist lustmance than a romance. An alternate reality where a bad behaving heroine reaps a reward, an undeserved hea.
September 24, 2013
3.5 stars
Quite enjoyable read with a good amount of tension and emotions. But not one of AW's best books. The story is well-written but predictable. The characters are likable and well- rounded but they spend more time in their own heads than interacting with each other. Which makes the story's path slow down considerably.
I liked the end. Jonas declaration of love was so emotional and heart-warming. And the epilogue left me with a smile on the face
Quite enjoyable read with a good amount of tension and emotions. But not one of AW's best books. The story is well-written but predictable. The characters are likable and well- rounded but they spend more time in their own heads than interacting with each other. Which makes the story's path slow down considerably.
I liked the end. Jonas declaration of love was so emotional and heart-warming. And the epilogue left me with a smile on the face
September 30, 2013
AN ENTICING DEBT TO PAY by USA Today Bestselling Author Annie West is a Harlequin Presents release for October 2013.
Jonas Deveson doesn’t forget or forgive. So when he found out that he had been ripped off and by none other than his father’s mistress, he is thirsty for revenge.
Ravenna Ruggiero hated her life as the daughter of a working class mother and later as of the other woman. She had been bullied and scorned at. Only at one time Jonas had shown kindness to her.
Now Jonas was after revenge and there was no kindness in him. Where was the man Ravenna remembered? It was an intriguing concept for Ravenna and she had to find out even while Jonas blackmailed her into working for him. Yet all sort of sparks fly being alone with him. Would they give in to their passion and forget who they were?
AN ENTICING DEBT TO PAY is a sizzling romance packed with emotional and sensual tension. There is mystery as well. Why has Ravenna agreed when she didn’t steal? Who was she trying to cover for? And why?
Read this astounding romance to find out all answers. Annie West once again mesmerizes her readers with her characters emotions. You will be hooked in from the very first page to find answers to your questions.
Highly recommended for all lovers of romance.
Jonas Deveson doesn’t forget or forgive. So when he found out that he had been ripped off and by none other than his father’s mistress, he is thirsty for revenge.
Ravenna Ruggiero hated her life as the daughter of a working class mother and later as of the other woman. She had been bullied and scorned at. Only at one time Jonas had shown kindness to her.
Now Jonas was after revenge and there was no kindness in him. Where was the man Ravenna remembered? It was an intriguing concept for Ravenna and she had to find out even while Jonas blackmailed her into working for him. Yet all sort of sparks fly being alone with him. Would they give in to their passion and forget who they were?
AN ENTICING DEBT TO PAY is a sizzling romance packed with emotional and sensual tension. There is mystery as well. Why has Ravenna agreed when she didn’t steal? Who was she trying to cover for? And why?
Read this astounding romance to find out all answers. Annie West once again mesmerizes her readers with her characters emotions. You will be hooked in from the very first page to find answers to your questions.
Highly recommended for all lovers of romance.
October 3, 2013
Jonas Deveson vows he will have his revenge against the woman that destroyed his mother. With his father dead, his mistress has now stolen money from him. Finding Ravenna Ruggiero instead of her mother, he finds her much better suited to the revenge he has planned.
Ravenna finds out that her other has stolen money to help her out. Facing up to Jonas is difficult, but resisting him is beyond her.
Very nice.
Ravenna finds out that her other has stolen money to help her out. Facing up to Jonas is difficult, but resisting him is beyond her.
Very nice.
October 9, 2013
Jonas Deveson is set on revenge. He is looking for Silvia Ruggiero. Jonas is convinced she forged the checks against his late father’s account. Silvia was his father’s mistress, and what better way to make her pay not only for the missing money but for the destruction he believes Silvia caused his family. What Jonas finds is Ravenna Ruggiero, Silvia’s daughter. Ravenna tells Jonas she took the money and will work to pay off the debt. But sometimes things are not always as they appear.
The character of Ravenna Ruggiero was the best part of this novel. She has gone through so much in her life. She was a fierce warrior when faced with a life threatening illness. She defended the one that helped her the most, in her time of need. She was passionate and so very strong for one that has suffered so much.
I have mixed emotions about Jonas’s character. While I understand his wanting the money back, he was brutal at times with the way he talked to Ravenna. His tongue cut quicker than a knife ever could. I think the thing that saved this character somewhat was his change of attitude after learning the truth. Of course he did redeem himself in the end. But I would have preferred a bit more groveling.
I thought the author did a really good job showing the differences that others perceive between the upper class and working class society. I loved how Jonas’s whole attitude changed when he learned the truth behind everything. I really enjoyed the Epilogue in this book. I loved how it showed the changes in the couple and what had transpired. I recommend this book to readers who love contemporary romances.
Favorite lines:
“If that was you being unaffected,’ he drawled, ‘I look forward to seeing what you’re like when you put a little effort into sex.’ He drew a slow breath, watching her stumble to a halt. ‘I was willing to test the waters to see how far you’d go. And I wasn’t disappointed.’
4/5 stars
I received an Autographed Copy of this book from the Author in exchange for an honest review.
The character of Ravenna Ruggiero was the best part of this novel. She has gone through so much in her life. She was a fierce warrior when faced with a life threatening illness. She defended the one that helped her the most, in her time of need. She was passionate and so very strong for one that has suffered so much.
I have mixed emotions about Jonas’s character. While I understand his wanting the money back, he was brutal at times with the way he talked to Ravenna. His tongue cut quicker than a knife ever could. I think the thing that saved this character somewhat was his change of attitude after learning the truth. Of course he did redeem himself in the end. But I would have preferred a bit more groveling.
I thought the author did a really good job showing the differences that others perceive between the upper class and working class society. I loved how Jonas’s whole attitude changed when he learned the truth behind everything. I really enjoyed the Epilogue in this book. I loved how it showed the changes in the couple and what had transpired. I recommend this book to readers who love contemporary romances.
Favorite lines:
“If that was you being unaffected,’ he drawled, ‘I look forward to seeing what you’re like when you put a little effort into sex.’ He drew a slow breath, watching her stumble to a halt. ‘I was willing to test the waters to see how far you’d go. And I wasn’t disappointed.’
4/5 stars
I received an Autographed Copy of this book from the Author in exchange for an honest review.
October 6, 2013
Things are not only quite the way they seem.
Jonas thinks he has the measure of Ravenna. She is, he believes, a predatory gold digger like her husband-stealing mother. Now that he's discovered that her mother, Silvia, has stolen money from his family, he's determined to make her pay - preferably behind prison bars. When Ravenna owns up to the theft and offers to work to repay the money, he thinks it's a case of 'like mother, like daughter'.
Ravenna alone knows how her mother has suffered down through the years. Thrown out of her family home as an unmarried, pregnant teen, she has also suffered while working as a servant, having been wrongly accused of theft in the past, without receiving an apology when her innocence was discovered and continually being treated as a social inferior. She's just lost the man she loved and Ravenna won't see her thrown into jail.
As Ravenna works on refurbishing Jonas' childhood home, a bond develops. Suddenly, Jonas realizes that maybe he's misjudged Ravenna after all.
An engaging and beautifully written romance story about how there are in fact, two sides to every story and learning the other side of the story can be surprising.
Jonas thinks he has the measure of Ravenna. She is, he believes, a predatory gold digger like her husband-stealing mother. Now that he's discovered that her mother, Silvia, has stolen money from his family, he's determined to make her pay - preferably behind prison bars. When Ravenna owns up to the theft and offers to work to repay the money, he thinks it's a case of 'like mother, like daughter'.
Ravenna alone knows how her mother has suffered down through the years. Thrown out of her family home as an unmarried, pregnant teen, she has also suffered while working as a servant, having been wrongly accused of theft in the past, without receiving an apology when her innocence was discovered and continually being treated as a social inferior. She's just lost the man she loved and Ravenna won't see her thrown into jail.
As Ravenna works on refurbishing Jonas' childhood home, a bond develops. Suddenly, Jonas realizes that maybe he's misjudged Ravenna after all.
An engaging and beautifully written romance story about how there are in fact, two sides to every story and learning the other side of the story can be surprising.
September 8, 2013
This is such a great story I fell into this one from the first page MS West always has me cheering for her hero and heroine I have never been disappointed in one of her stories and I loved this one, Ravenna and Jonas have a past from an early age as Ravenna's mother and Jonas's father end up together Jonas has had such a sad childhood but he is gifted in his business life and when he finds out money is missing from one of his accounts he sets out on revenge which is just not like him but when he meets Ravenna again after all these years there is an instant spark the electricity is so strong and so the journey begins to such and awesome HEA I highly recommend this one. It is sensual and emotional so loved it.
October 1, 2013
A good read, I devoured it in one sitting! Ravenna and Jonas's story is feisty and their zinging chemistry is well constructed. I really liked that they were the focus - most of the action sees the two of them alone, with no associate characters to draw away attention from their relationship. The manor house is well realised and I especially liked the fact that Ravenna shuns Jonas's gift of a gorgeous dress and instead wears one she has made of curtains - a cute and endearing nod to "The Sound of Music" perhaps? It made me smile!
July 15, 2017
La madre de la protagonista falsifica la firma de un hombre muerto para poder costearle el tratamiento contra la leucemia. Y durante todo el libro, la heroína se siente con la moral suficientemente alta como para rebajar al prota y no hacerse cargo del robo de su madre, siempre victimizándose. Ella y él, ambos en una relación retorcida y enferma =_=.
November 2, 2013
This book was absolutely sizzling. The chemistry between Jonas and Ravenna was just hot hot hot! It started from their initial meeting and just didn't stop for a single minute, the chemistry was that fierce on both sides. When I was reading I could practically feel the sizzle coming off the page and into my imagination, showing me the passion that these two possessed for one another both when they were in the room together and when they weren't. The wanting was just so apparent, and even though they both fought it with each of them claiming they hated (because of the circumstances) the other that didn't last long. They gave into their passion, and it was pretty hot, but emotion was there too. Especially how they came about making love the first time was, yes partly because of the physical, but more in Ravenna's response to Jonas being hurt and wanting to comfort him and make him feel better and soothe him. Because she didn't want him to feel any pain because she began to care for him and she wanted to be there for him. So there was emotion there that prompted the deed not that they were hot and bothered and decided to go at it. No there was that need for emotional closeness and connection in that scene that made it more about intimacy and closeness than just the physical. And it was emotional an emotional, yet hot scene, showing these two in fact were starting to build a bond with one another and it was developing and growing with this scene building upon that, and though after that special moment together they had a few bumps in the road, the connection never fully went away for either of them. They both needed and wanted each other and not just in a physical way but emotional ways as well, paving the way for their bond and feelings to grow into love. And they missed that part of that relationship when they went through a little hiccup along the way.
But again that didn't last too long and they did make up and boy that scene after the ball was so steamy that it was practically scorching. When they gave into their passion for one another the second time after denying it for so long, there was a whole lot of passion going on and this was more of "I couldn't wait any longer without giving into my want for you and I need you now" scene. And though that scene was more steamy than the first one and more hungry, fast paced, and raw with their physical needs, it didn't mean the emotion wasn't there because there was. The desperation was due to them missing each other so deeply and having to have denied their passion and connection to one another for so long and not want anyone else except the other person, showing the growing love between them. And it made for an intense and passionate scene that readers love reading about in love stories and seeing through these love scenes how their emotions were growing and changing as their love story continued on, which I enjoy reading myself. And it was hot!
There was lots of tension between them, in a totally good way I might add, but it wasn't just the sexual tension, which like I said was pretty hot since they were practically attracted to one another from meeting one, and just continued throughout, it was more to do with the conflict that added to their tension of why they couldn't be together or develop feelings for one another. It was the whole basis for this plot that was meant to keep them apart and I enjoyed seeing it unfold in my eyes and seeing what was going to happen to them and how they were going to get past it or resolve it so they could be together in the end, and enjoying the ride I took as a reader on their emotional, love story and journey.
Basically the set up was that Ravenna's mother, who was Jonas's father's mistress, stole money from Jonas to pay for Ravenna's cancer treatments. Jonas's dad had just died and Ravenna's mom knew she would get no help from Jonas being that he hated both his dad and Ravenna's mother blaming her for the breakup of their family and his mom killing herself. So when Jonas found this information out, just about the stolen money not the cancer treatments for Ravenna, he was livid and promised to make Ravenna's mother pay. Only instead of finding her mother he found Ravenna instead, who was shocked to hear what her mother did and didn't condone that her mom did that, but understood why so Ravenna, knowing what her mom did for her, decided to take the blame herself, vowing to face the consequences herself. Though he was very angry at Ravenna when she told him about the money, he didn't really believe her, but let his anger take over and he decided since Ravenna was taking responsibility for it he would make her pay by forcing her to fix up his family home all on her own, thinking it would be good for her to earn her way. And that was the basic setup with passion, chemistry, and lots of emotions along the way as they dealt with dealing with each other and dealing with developing this relationship with one another and coming to terms with the fact that they wanted each other, and later come to care about one another.
So, lots going on there with lots of misjudgments and conflict along the way especially on his part. He was distrustful and hated her mom, though he had every right to, and vowed to have his revenge for Ravenna taking his money, and was at times cruel to Ravenna when she didn't deserve it once he found out the truth about everything he was a completely different guy with his whole perspective shifted, and it was nice to see the change in him. And even though Jonas was a little hard on Ravenna, I didn't hate or not like him for a second because the only reason he acted that way was because he didn't understand what was going on and that fact that Ravenna took the wrap for her mother didn't help matter either. But even when he was first introduced, I didn't hate him or despise him I even liked him despite the fact he was a little bit of a hard ass. I could tell there so much more to him than this anger, which was the easiest emotion to express and safer where he didn't have to explore the hurt and the pain that he faced while his father cheated on his mother from what it sounds like the get go. So, he had a lot of resentment towards his father and not only for hurting his mother, but also for being an absent parent in his life just like his mother was who cared more with her husband's affairs than her own child, leaving Jonas basically alone and not having that perfect family that he wanted and hope to achieve someday for himself. He had a lot of emotions going on and didn't know how to deal with them so he dealt with the anger at Ravenna instead, but you could totally tell that he was a lost lonely little boy that just wanted some love and affection and Ravenna gave that to him, what he needed him the most. These emotions just made me feel for him and feel bad for what he had to go through in his life where he practically the breadwinner taking care of everyone who should have been taking care of him at a young age. So, I really understood him and where he was coming from even though he could have been a bit nicer to Ravenna, and got it and never felt anything negative towards him and I absolutely loved him as the hero because he was so real and flawed. Plus he made up for the fact that he was a jerk to Ravenna, showing her his softer side and that he did in fact care and care about her. And he showed her how much he did in fact care about her and that the only thing that mattered to him was that they should be together, proving it with not only words, but action too. I can't complain about him really, and his was still pretty great guy, who was very much an alpha male.
As for Ravenna, I really loved her too. She had this heart of gold and really persevered and pushed through when hard times came in her life, showing that she had this innate strength to her that helped her through. I mean she would had to have strength to get through all those cancer treatments and fight for her life the way she did and came out on top, beating her disease. That strength carried over to her regular life when she had to deal with Jonas, not backing down from him and standing up to him when he confronted her about the money and even took the blame for her mother, knowing full well that Jonas would punish her and not her mother, but Ravenna wanted to spare her poor mother after what her mother did to save Ravenna's life so Ravenna felt like she could pay her mother back this way and faced Jonas head on. When he gave her that impossible task of getting his house ready for the ball, she never balked or complained and took to the task head on so she could repay this debt to Jonas and that strength helped her do that. But even though Ravenna had this inner strength to her, she also had this vulnerable side as well that I enjoyed seeing because that made her into this well rounded character. She was vulnerable not only because she feared her cancer might come back, but she was also vulnerable to Jonas, who she was really beginning to care about and want to be with and hoped that they could mean something to each other. But after their first night together, he basically stomped on her heart saying that their night was nothing but physical to him and nothing changed on his part with her repaying the debt and they could maybe have a physical relationship as well. But he also compared her to her mother and his father's relationship, saying he won't fall for that trap and he thought that was why Ravenna slept with him in the first place, which really wounded her heart as well as some of the other unflattering things that he said to her. And it hurt because she began to wish that they could have a relationship and hoping that they would and that he did in fact care for her, but from his careless words she found out that she was very wrong on that score, and their night together wasn't special for him like it was for her. That broke her heart, but made her come back to reality and she kept on moving forward with the project. But yeah that scene was killer to read as I was in Ravenna's head and just all the emotions that were going through her and piercing her heart, believing that something good would come that year after she had a bad one, but it was ripped away pretty quickly. She realized then that she was a fool to think he would want her permanently, a poor nobody, who couldn't give him children because the cancer treatments left her infertility. So, that was a reality check, but it didn't stop her from doing her job or wanting him. And order to do her job yet be in his presence required strength on her part even though she was still vulnerable to him, and I liked that balance in her and seeing her deal with the situation and him while craving him and missing that special connection to him that she felt she had with him the first time they made love. Though she did her best to deny it and stay out of his way, but that could only go for so long while knowing she would have to leave in the end so he could get his family that he desperately wanted. I really liked her and enjoyed her and thought she deserved a happily ever after more than anyone.
Didn't like Joans's dad for obvious reason of cheating on his wife and leaving his son alone to deal with the harshness of reality. He was more of a teenager than an adult man, seeking his own pleasures along the way without worrying about the consequences of his actions or who he was hurting along the way. He was a very selfish man, and for the life of me I didn't quite understand why or if he even loved Ravenna's mother, since he had all these affairs and apparently only married his wife for her money. And if he did love Ravenna's mother, then why? What made his do an about face all of a sudden was it because it was the woman that made him change or what? Though Ravenna's mother did say that even though they were together, he still liked to live in luxury and have expensive tastes, but that didn't mean he loved her. And as for Ravenna's mother, though missed guided did care about her daughter and what she did to Jonas's family along the way and she did love Jonas's dad, but for the life of me I couldn't figure out why. What was it about him? Was it that he charmed her like Jonas said by giving her expensive presents along the way, but Ravenna's mother didn't seemed move by that only by her love for his father not the money and the gifts he could give her. So that I didn't quite get unless it was the whole adage "love is blind", but I still didn't get it or I understand why she fell for him so hard because he didn't seem to have an redeemable qualities to me that would cause someone to fall in love with him not after all that he done to his family, but the point was she did and that complicated matters for all involved.
Everything in this story really worked well together between the plot, the characters, the conflict, the passion, and just the whole love story aspect of the book. It was a really well developed story with a believable and growing love story along the way. I really liked how it developed and grew over time without dragging it out too long nor rushing into anything that felt unbelievable or unrealistic. This was a satisfying and steady pace with lots of up and downs along the way that made the story flow so well with both character development and relationship development with their emotions changing towards one another as the story progress with the underlying tension still there. And the tension and build up was great so when they finally did come together it was a satisfying scene and almost like a sigh of relief that they finally gave into their passion, which was steamy and lovely to watch.
It was just lovely to watch this love story unfold with completely likable characters, and I don't really have any complaints about the book, really because everything just fit so well together and like I said above worked, and I got through this fairly quickly as I followed Jonas's and Ravenna's romantic journey and love story that they both deserved and got with both of them healing the other and providing what the other needs out of life while loving each other whole heartedly. Nothing was really missing for me and everything was in perfect balance in the story that made me really devour and enjoy it hence the high rating.
Well done, Annie West. Another great one, and I can't wait to read more books by you in the future.
But again that didn't last too long and they did make up and boy that scene after the ball was so steamy that it was practically scorching. When they gave into their passion for one another the second time after denying it for so long, there was a whole lot of passion going on and this was more of "I couldn't wait any longer without giving into my want for you and I need you now" scene. And though that scene was more steamy than the first one and more hungry, fast paced, and raw with their physical needs, it didn't mean the emotion wasn't there because there was. The desperation was due to them missing each other so deeply and having to have denied their passion and connection to one another for so long and not want anyone else except the other person, showing the growing love between them. And it made for an intense and passionate scene that readers love reading about in love stories and seeing through these love scenes how their emotions were growing and changing as their love story continued on, which I enjoy reading myself. And it was hot!
There was lots of tension between them, in a totally good way I might add, but it wasn't just the sexual tension, which like I said was pretty hot since they were practically attracted to one another from meeting one, and just continued throughout, it was more to do with the conflict that added to their tension of why they couldn't be together or develop feelings for one another. It was the whole basis for this plot that was meant to keep them apart and I enjoyed seeing it unfold in my eyes and seeing what was going to happen to them and how they were going to get past it or resolve it so they could be together in the end, and enjoying the ride I took as a reader on their emotional, love story and journey.
Basically the set up was that Ravenna's mother, who was Jonas's father's mistress, stole money from Jonas to pay for Ravenna's cancer treatments. Jonas's dad had just died and Ravenna's mom knew she would get no help from Jonas being that he hated both his dad and Ravenna's mother blaming her for the breakup of their family and his mom killing herself. So when Jonas found this information out, just about the stolen money not the cancer treatments for Ravenna, he was livid and promised to make Ravenna's mother pay. Only instead of finding her mother he found Ravenna instead, who was shocked to hear what her mother did and didn't condone that her mom did that, but understood why so Ravenna, knowing what her mom did for her, decided to take the blame herself, vowing to face the consequences herself. Though he was very angry at Ravenna when she told him about the money, he didn't really believe her, but let his anger take over and he decided since Ravenna was taking responsibility for it he would make her pay by forcing her to fix up his family home all on her own, thinking it would be good for her to earn her way. And that was the basic setup with passion, chemistry, and lots of emotions along the way as they dealt with dealing with each other and dealing with developing this relationship with one another and coming to terms with the fact that they wanted each other, and later come to care about one another.
So, lots going on there with lots of misjudgments and conflict along the way especially on his part. He was distrustful and hated her mom, though he had every right to, and vowed to have his revenge for Ravenna taking his money, and was at times cruel to Ravenna when she didn't deserve it once he found out the truth about everything he was a completely different guy with his whole perspective shifted, and it was nice to see the change in him. And even though Jonas was a little hard on Ravenna, I didn't hate or not like him for a second because the only reason he acted that way was because he didn't understand what was going on and that fact that Ravenna took the wrap for her mother didn't help matter either. But even when he was first introduced, I didn't hate him or despise him I even liked him despite the fact he was a little bit of a hard ass. I could tell there so much more to him than this anger, which was the easiest emotion to express and safer where he didn't have to explore the hurt and the pain that he faced while his father cheated on his mother from what it sounds like the get go. So, he had a lot of resentment towards his father and not only for hurting his mother, but also for being an absent parent in his life just like his mother was who cared more with her husband's affairs than her own child, leaving Jonas basically alone and not having that perfect family that he wanted and hope to achieve someday for himself. He had a lot of emotions going on and didn't know how to deal with them so he dealt with the anger at Ravenna instead, but you could totally tell that he was a lost lonely little boy that just wanted some love and affection and Ravenna gave that to him, what he needed him the most. These emotions just made me feel for him and feel bad for what he had to go through in his life where he practically the breadwinner taking care of everyone who should have been taking care of him at a young age. So, I really understood him and where he was coming from even though he could have been a bit nicer to Ravenna, and got it and never felt anything negative towards him and I absolutely loved him as the hero because he was so real and flawed. Plus he made up for the fact that he was a jerk to Ravenna, showing her his softer side and that he did in fact care and care about her. And he showed her how much he did in fact care about her and that the only thing that mattered to him was that they should be together, proving it with not only words, but action too. I can't complain about him really, and his was still pretty great guy, who was very much an alpha male.
As for Ravenna, I really loved her too. She had this heart of gold and really persevered and pushed through when hard times came in her life, showing that she had this innate strength to her that helped her through. I mean she would had to have strength to get through all those cancer treatments and fight for her life the way she did and came out on top, beating her disease. That strength carried over to her regular life when she had to deal with Jonas, not backing down from him and standing up to him when he confronted her about the money and even took the blame for her mother, knowing full well that Jonas would punish her and not her mother, but Ravenna wanted to spare her poor mother after what her mother did to save Ravenna's life so Ravenna felt like she could pay her mother back this way and faced Jonas head on. When he gave her that impossible task of getting his house ready for the ball, she never balked or complained and took to the task head on so she could repay this debt to Jonas and that strength helped her do that. But even though Ravenna had this inner strength to her, she also had this vulnerable side as well that I enjoyed seeing because that made her into this well rounded character. She was vulnerable not only because she feared her cancer might come back, but she was also vulnerable to Jonas, who she was really beginning to care about and want to be with and hoped that they could mean something to each other. But after their first night together, he basically stomped on her heart saying that their night was nothing but physical to him and nothing changed on his part with her repaying the debt and they could maybe have a physical relationship as well. But he also compared her to her mother and his father's relationship, saying he won't fall for that trap and he thought that was why Ravenna slept with him in the first place, which really wounded her heart as well as some of the other unflattering things that he said to her. And it hurt because she began to wish that they could have a relationship and hoping that they would and that he did in fact care for her, but from his careless words she found out that she was very wrong on that score, and their night together wasn't special for him like it was for her. That broke her heart, but made her come back to reality and she kept on moving forward with the project. But yeah that scene was killer to read as I was in Ravenna's head and just all the emotions that were going through her and piercing her heart, believing that something good would come that year after she had a bad one, but it was ripped away pretty quickly. She realized then that she was a fool to think he would want her permanently, a poor nobody, who couldn't give him children because the cancer treatments left her infertility. So, that was a reality check, but it didn't stop her from doing her job or wanting him. And order to do her job yet be in his presence required strength on her part even though she was still vulnerable to him, and I liked that balance in her and seeing her deal with the situation and him while craving him and missing that special connection to him that she felt she had with him the first time they made love. Though she did her best to deny it and stay out of his way, but that could only go for so long while knowing she would have to leave in the end so he could get his family that he desperately wanted. I really liked her and enjoyed her and thought she deserved a happily ever after more than anyone.
Didn't like Joans's dad for obvious reason of cheating on his wife and leaving his son alone to deal with the harshness of reality. He was more of a teenager than an adult man, seeking his own pleasures along the way without worrying about the consequences of his actions or who he was hurting along the way. He was a very selfish man, and for the life of me I didn't quite understand why or if he even loved Ravenna's mother, since he had all these affairs and apparently only married his wife for her money. And if he did love Ravenna's mother, then why? What made his do an about face all of a sudden was it because it was the woman that made him change or what? Though Ravenna's mother did say that even though they were together, he still liked to live in luxury and have expensive tastes, but that didn't mean he loved her. And as for Ravenna's mother, though missed guided did care about her daughter and what she did to Jonas's family along the way and she did love Jonas's dad, but for the life of me I couldn't figure out why. What was it about him? Was it that he charmed her like Jonas said by giving her expensive presents along the way, but Ravenna's mother didn't seemed move by that only by her love for his father not the money and the gifts he could give her. So that I didn't quite get unless it was the whole adage "love is blind", but I still didn't get it or I understand why she fell for him so hard because he didn't seem to have an redeemable qualities to me that would cause someone to fall in love with him not after all that he done to his family, but the point was she did and that complicated matters for all involved.
Everything in this story really worked well together between the plot, the characters, the conflict, the passion, and just the whole love story aspect of the book. It was a really well developed story with a believable and growing love story along the way. I really liked how it developed and grew over time without dragging it out too long nor rushing into anything that felt unbelievable or unrealistic. This was a satisfying and steady pace with lots of up and downs along the way that made the story flow so well with both character development and relationship development with their emotions changing towards one another as the story progress with the underlying tension still there. And the tension and build up was great so when they finally did come together it was a satisfying scene and almost like a sigh of relief that they finally gave into their passion, which was steamy and lovely to watch.
It was just lovely to watch this love story unfold with completely likable characters, and I don't really have any complaints about the book, really because everything just fit so well together and like I said above worked, and I got through this fairly quickly as I followed Jonas's and Ravenna's romantic journey and love story that they both deserved and got with both of them healing the other and providing what the other needs out of life while loving each other whole heartedly. Nothing was really missing for me and everything was in perfect balance in the story that made me really devour and enjoy it hence the high rating.
Well done, Annie West. Another great one, and I can't wait to read more books by you in the future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2021
The hero grew soft very quickly. I'm also not comfortable with heroines having infertility issues in my romances.
October 12, 2013
Once again Annie has done a great job with this book. "An Enticing Debt to Pay" I mean when you read the title, one wonders what does the title mean? What is the payment for the debt. So we start reading, and its the typical theft story. But as you read...its not. I was just going to start the book and read it here and there. BUT I couldn't put it down. Heck it was hard to put the book down to get my recycling cashed in and some pies bought. LOL. Because all I could think of was what happens? So once I got back, I carried on reading.
I loved all the back stories... I mean you've got Jonas and his strong, perfectionist character who is angry with his father and the woman he'd left Jonas' mother for.
And then you have Ravenna and I love that name. And this woman is trying to clean up the place her mother lived in with Jonas father. And its clear Ravenna didn't completely approve. So when they meet Jonas and Rave, you see she is weak...but not like the willowy useless frail woman, because there's more to her weakness. Right then, I needed to know why and what was the cause of her frailness.
And when she finds out why Jonas is out for her mother, you get a sneak peek at the issue going on with Rave.
Page after page I turned and read and read. It was nice to have the hero open up about his weaknesses first. While she held strong on her own demons.
I loved the way he hated her at first- though they had briefly met once before. :) And then how she stood up to him as much as it exhausted her.
Having the passion between them grow and grow. Then having them embrace it only for his indifference towards her to stand in the way. Having them take a step back and work together, where they built more on their combined loves and similarities, was like sitting on a fence-as you waited for what you knew was in their hearts.
When I finally caught up to the scene... I had tears in my eyes. I had suspected that was an area Annie were going. But she wrote it so well. And I've read other novels where they jump at the (epilogue of her story) sooner then later. When he found out, -and I love that he trusted his gutt and followed her. He cared right from the start, and he had when they met the one time prior. I love how the honesty came to be. Though it frustrated me how she put her love aside so he could have what she felt was right for him. Though it hurt her deeply.
The ball topped it off...lol. I thought he was going to do something rash, but you kept him as he was, though it was wonderful to know he was silently going insane! :P LOL
This novel is one of her bests! Again Annie touched on a serious matter/issue happening in society. I felt like I was reading a version of beauty and the beast. Most importantly this novel if read by the women who do suffer from infertility, I believe it will give them enlightenment. Because don't we all want a baby to hold in our arms. And to know that having adopted your child, shouldn't make the love for that child no less then if it were from your own womb and blood.
Fabulous JOB!!! Keep them coming Annie, she's a very talented, witty author. A must read!!!
Cheers H. L. Laffin
May 25, 2019
After his much hated father's death, Jonas learns that his father's mistress/former housekeeper (whom he hates equally) has spent some of his money, which would be stealing. So he hies off to confront her and instead ends up confronting her daughter, Ravenna. She realizes that her mother stole the money to pay for Ravenna's cancer treatments and so she takes the blame herself. Jonas, disappointed that the girl he was fond of when she was a teenager (and mom was the housekeeper) has turned into a gold-digger, plans his punishment. He'll make her work as his housekeeper at the estate he's rebuilding (the one that's going to earn him his dream family) and she'll suffer from all that hard work. He's surprised to find she's an honorable, respectful and hard-working and not at all the greedy gold-digger he took her for. The two learn to work together and have something of a friendship, though Ravenna longs for romance after the one night they spend together. But she also knows that she can't give him his dream, even if he did decide he wanted her.
I liked how unusual this revenge story ended up being. It's not your standard revenge story where the hero sets out to seduce the heroine or anything. Jonas wasn't nice about it or anything, but he really did just want her to be his housekeeper - granted it was to work her ass off so he could force her to give up and then press charges, but there weren't any plans for a cruel seduction or anything. And Jonas has good reason to hate Ravenna's mother, which makes Ravenna's reason for lying more believable. In fact, Ravenna's mother, who was the woman his father left Jonas's mother for (and then she committed suicide), is a character of definitely dubious morals, although she isn't evil...she was just in love and sorry for the people it hurt. But Jonas's acceptance of Ravenna's mother into their life later, was a very good statement of how very much Jonas wanted Ravenna in his life.
This was also paced differently from other stories in this genre. The big misunderstanding here is that Ravenna's mother took the money to cover the costs of Ravenna's cancer treatment. I expected this to get drawn out for the entire book, but it was nicely wrapped up by about the 50% mark and after that it was down to Ravenna's infertility because of the cancer treatments and how that made her ineligible for Jonas's dream life. Ravenna and Jonas actually become friends in this story. They do sleep together initially, and there was a nice bit of angst to follow that, but then they become friends and co-workers, putting the attraction on hold. But Jonas begins to realize he needs Ravenna in his life...in some capacity or another. I think I might have liked just a bit more angst in this section of the book. There were little disagreements or tiny moments of angst that were wrapped up quickly mostly. I did like the reunion as well there at the end, and Jonas's devotion was absolutely clear, but I might have liked a bit more of an emotional punch too. Overall though, this was an enjoyable story and pretty refreshing in its structure. Not this author's absolute best, but it's up there for me.
I liked how unusual this revenge story ended up being. It's not your standard revenge story where the hero sets out to seduce the heroine or anything. Jonas wasn't nice about it or anything, but he really did just want her to be his housekeeper - granted it was to work her ass off so he could force her to give up and then press charges, but there weren't any plans for a cruel seduction or anything. And Jonas has good reason to hate Ravenna's mother, which makes Ravenna's reason for lying more believable. In fact, Ravenna's mother, who was the woman his father left Jonas's mother for (and then she committed suicide), is a character of definitely dubious morals, although she isn't evil...she was just in love and sorry for the people it hurt. But Jonas's acceptance of Ravenna's mother into their life later, was a very good statement of how very much Jonas wanted Ravenna in his life.
This was also paced differently from other stories in this genre. The big misunderstanding here is that Ravenna's mother took the money to cover the costs of Ravenna's cancer treatment. I expected this to get drawn out for the entire book, but it was nicely wrapped up by about the 50% mark and after that it was down to Ravenna's infertility because of the cancer treatments and how that made her ineligible for Jonas's dream life. Ravenna and Jonas actually become friends in this story. They do sleep together initially, and there was a nice bit of angst to follow that, but then they become friends and co-workers, putting the attraction on hold. But Jonas begins to realize he needs Ravenna in his life...in some capacity or another. I think I might have liked just a bit more angst in this section of the book. There were little disagreements or tiny moments of angst that were wrapped up quickly mostly. I did like the reunion as well there at the end, and Jonas's devotion was absolutely clear, but I might have liked a bit more of an emotional punch too. Overall though, this was an enjoyable story and pretty refreshing in its structure. Not this author's absolute best, but it's up there for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2013
An Enticing Read to Remember
When Jonas Deveson decides to exact revenge on the woman who ran away with his father and left his mother a broken woman, he doesn't realise just how sweet that revenge will be. Presented with evidence of fraudulent withdrawals from the family account, Jonas travels to Paris to confront his dead father's mistress. Instead, he finds her daughter, Ravenna Ruggiero, who claims to have committed the theft. In a nice touch of irony and with the mother missing, Jonas decides to put the Ruggiero women back where they belong--as servants--by forcing Ravenna to become his housekeeper at the ancestral home, just like her mother before her. And if he can enjoy his pound of flesh with the luscious Ravenna, even better.
I love how Annie West creates such powerful tension and apparently insurmountable conflicts between her characters, forcing them to examine their deepest fears and insecurities on the way to finding their happy-ever-after. Her writing sparkles with powerful emotions and sizzling tension, and entices the reader to take the emotional rollercoaster ride she puts her characters through. Long after you've turned the last page, you won't be able to forget them, and you'll have that lovely feeling of contentment that their happy-ever-after was fully deserved.
When Jonas Deveson decides to exact revenge on the woman who ran away with his father and left his mother a broken woman, he doesn't realise just how sweet that revenge will be. Presented with evidence of fraudulent withdrawals from the family account, Jonas travels to Paris to confront his dead father's mistress. Instead, he finds her daughter, Ravenna Ruggiero, who claims to have committed the theft. In a nice touch of irony and with the mother missing, Jonas decides to put the Ruggiero women back where they belong--as servants--by forcing Ravenna to become his housekeeper at the ancestral home, just like her mother before her. And if he can enjoy his pound of flesh with the luscious Ravenna, even better.
I love how Annie West creates such powerful tension and apparently insurmountable conflicts between her characters, forcing them to examine their deepest fears and insecurities on the way to finding their happy-ever-after. Her writing sparkles with powerful emotions and sizzling tension, and entices the reader to take the emotional rollercoaster ride she puts her characters through. Long after you've turned the last page, you won't be able to forget them, and you'll have that lovely feeling of contentment that their happy-ever-after was fully deserved.
July 25, 2022
Thoroughly unpleasant heroine. She doesn’t accept either she or her mother has done anything wrong. The hero has to grovel? No, this wasn’t right.
I am so upset as I love Annie West and have loved so many of her books but this just failed for me.
I am so upset as I love Annie West and have loved so many of her books but this just failed for me.
December 16, 2014
Confieso que.. llore
October 27, 2018
Somehow I feel uncomfortable reading about house keepers turning mistresses, since very few lucky ones like our heroine Ravenna who manage to become wives. Exploitation of women working at people's homes is a real world issue, often glazed upon in romance stories. This story deals with the prejudices involved quite nicely.
Ravenna, the housekeeper's daughter is a bag of tragedies. Her mother is a kept woman, though the man seems fairly faithful. She has grown up facing prejudices in society about her being illegitimate, her mother's kept woman status, being the house keeper's daughter etc. To add to all this, the girl is a cancer survivor !!!
Now in comes the hero - Ravenna's mother is the hero'es dad's mistress - and he comes in all guns blazing at the mother and daughter duo. Apparently, the mother , in desperate need embezzled funds from hero'es family for Ravenna's treatment.
To atone for the money laundering, the hero asks Ravenna to pay off the debt by being his housekeeper. Like father like son. Quite against her grain, but she reluctantly agrees.
His animosity slowly gives way to reluctant admiration at her professional efforts in restoring his family home. And of course, finding a sexy bed mate in her adds to the charm !!
But mentally, he still compartmentalizes her as house keeper cum sex buddy. The transition to lover, and ultimately becoming his wife is the crux of the story. The cancer treatment is meant to generate sympathy in the minds of the reader for the heroine. It works to an extent, but does make the girl sound like a charity case.
The guy finally marries her - in spite of a million obstacles - class conflict, money laundering, illness, infertility, etc. The author manages to make a martyr out of him. I din't like that part.
Otherwise, a well told story. A touchy subject, dealt with sensitivity.
Ravenna, the housekeeper's daughter is a bag of tragedies. Her mother is a kept woman, though the man seems fairly faithful. She has grown up facing prejudices in society about her being illegitimate, her mother's kept woman status, being the house keeper's daughter etc. To add to all this, the girl is a cancer survivor !!!
Now in comes the hero - Ravenna's mother is the hero'es dad's mistress - and he comes in all guns blazing at the mother and daughter duo. Apparently, the mother , in desperate need embezzled funds from hero'es family for Ravenna's treatment.
To atone for the money laundering, the hero asks Ravenna to pay off the debt by being his housekeeper. Like father like son. Quite against her grain, but she reluctantly agrees.
His animosity slowly gives way to reluctant admiration at her professional efforts in restoring his family home. And of course, finding a sexy bed mate in her adds to the charm !!
But mentally, he still compartmentalizes her as house keeper cum sex buddy. The transition to lover, and ultimately becoming his wife is the crux of the story. The cancer treatment is meant to generate sympathy in the minds of the reader for the heroine. It works to an extent, but does make the girl sound like a charity case.
The guy finally marries her - in spite of a million obstacles - class conflict, money laundering, illness, infertility, etc. The author manages to make a martyr out of him. I din't like that part.
Otherwise, a well told story. A touchy subject, dealt with sensitivity.
August 28, 2018
El libro se me hizo interesante diferente a lo usual pero me tenia estresada el hecho de saber que ocultaba ravenna era deseperante pero luego de que lo sabes entiendes todo me gusto enterarme al mismo tiempo que jonas y esos momentos de disculpa fueron hermoso saber que el se sacrifico por ella que podia dejarlo todo hasta el no tener hijo fue hermoso pero es un hombre muy vengativo eso me asustaba un poco igual me gusto bastante si se los recomiendo
June 15, 2019
This story lacked backstory and a past intertwined with our two lead characters. The needs a bit of a past that their parents' wrecked by messing up the dynamic. But we kinda got a flat story that didn't have a lot of pay off as the story went on, which makes the story not stand out when it could. Skip.
November 12, 2017
I liked this one. A tearjerker which was very enjoyable. If u like the teary type, this 1 is 4 u!
October 9, 2020
DNF 35%
November 3, 2021
NIce book
September 21, 2022
4.5 stars
I loved it so much. So cute and entertaining. Amazing spice
I loved it so much. So cute and entertaining. Amazing spice
October 15, 2023
This was a nice read.
I liked them both their characters were easy to like and not too irritating.
Short and simple.
I liked them both their characters were easy to like and not too irritating.
Short and simple.
October 27, 2015
Jonas Deveson sees red when he finds out he has been robbed. And not just by anybody, by his father’s mistress, the woman he left his wife for, the same wife who killed herself because of it. And Jonas totally blames Silvia Ruggiero for the death of his mother.
When he finds Silvia’s daughter Ravenna in his father’s apartment instead of her mother, and she confesses to stealing the money instead, he takes out his revenge on her. That is fine with Ravenna, her mother is still devastated with grief for the loss of the man she loved so much, and Ravenna benefited from the money after all.
With the death of his father, Jonas has finally decided to re-open Deveson Hall, and he will make Ravenna clean it all, top to bottom, as his new housekeeper. He doesn’t know the extremely neglected state of it though, and Ravenna doesn’t tell him she is not fit to do such hard work either. She will protect her mother, cost what cost.
They both met only once, when Ravenna was a young girl, crying her eyes out, and Jonas comforted her. Ravenna has grown up an absolute beauty, and of course Jonas is handsome and rich. He build up the family fortune all by himself, even while he still was in university, as his father just flaunted it and lived the good life with his wife’s money.
Are those memories all that attracts them to each other? Jonas, who has sworn never to be like his father, and now desires his father’s mistress’ daughter? The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree after all? And Ravenna, who has sworn never to be in service like her mother was all her life, now working as a housekeeper? She who is a trained chef!
But two stubborn people fall in love, and it was very much fun to watch.
8 stars.
When he finds Silvia’s daughter Ravenna in his father’s apartment instead of her mother, and she confesses to stealing the money instead, he takes out his revenge on her. That is fine with Ravenna, her mother is still devastated with grief for the loss of the man she loved so much, and Ravenna benefited from the money after all.
With the death of his father, Jonas has finally decided to re-open Deveson Hall, and he will make Ravenna clean it all, top to bottom, as his new housekeeper. He doesn’t know the extremely neglected state of it though, and Ravenna doesn’t tell him she is not fit to do such hard work either. She will protect her mother, cost what cost.
They both met only once, when Ravenna was a young girl, crying her eyes out, and Jonas comforted her. Ravenna has grown up an absolute beauty, and of course Jonas is handsome and rich. He build up the family fortune all by himself, even while he still was in university, as his father just flaunted it and lived the good life with his wife’s money.
Are those memories all that attracts them to each other? Jonas, who has sworn never to be like his father, and now desires his father’s mistress’ daughter? The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree after all? And Ravenna, who has sworn never to be in service like her mother was all her life, now working as a housekeeper? She who is a trained chef!
But two stubborn people fall in love, and it was very much fun to watch.
8 stars.
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