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Vows of Convenience #1
His for a Price
Greek tycoon Nicodemus Stathis was never able to forget beautiful heiress Mattie Whitaker. And now, ten years of delicious tension later, Nic finally has her right where he wants her.
Mattie's once powerful family dynasty now lies in ruin, and only Nic can offer them a solution - a solution with vows! She might not have a choice, but Mattie refuses to be the sacrificial queen to his king.
But Nic's slow, deliberate seduction wears down his new bride, and the word "checkmate" lies on his lips like a promise.
Mattie's once powerful family dynasty now lies in ruin, and only Nic can offer them a solution - a solution with vows! She might not have a choice, but Mattie refuses to be the sacrificial queen to his king.
But Nic's slow, deliberate seduction wears down his new bride, and the word "checkmate" lies on his lips like a promise.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
About the author
Caitlin Crews
1,222 books606 followersCaitlin Crews discovered her first romance novel at the age of twelve, in a bargain bin at the local five and dime. It involved swashbuckling pirates, grand adventures, a heroine with rustling skirts and a mind of her own, and a seriously mouthwatering and masterful hero. The book (the title of which remains lost in the mists of time) made a serious impression. Caitlin was immediately smitten with romances and romance heroes, to the detriment of her middle school social life. And so began her life-long love affair with romance novels, many of which she insists on keeping near her at all times, thus creating a fire hazard of love wherever she lives.
Caitlin has made her home in places as far-flung as York, England and Atlanta, Georgia. She was raised near New York City, and fell in love with London on her first visit when she was a teenager. She has backpacked in Zimbabwe, been on safari in Botswana, and visited tiny villages in Namibia. She has, while visiting the place in question, declared her intention to live in Prague, Dublin, Paris, Athens, Nice, the Greek Islands, Rome, Venice, and/or any of the Hawaiian islands. Writing about exotic places seems like the next best thing to actually moving there.
She currently lives in Oregon with her animator/comic book artist husband and their menagerie of ridiculous animals.
Caitlin has made her home in places as far-flung as York, England and Atlanta, Georgia. She was raised near New York City, and fell in love with London on her first visit when she was a teenager. She has backpacked in Zimbabwe, been on safari in Botswana, and visited tiny villages in Namibia. She has, while visiting the place in question, declared her intention to live in Prague, Dublin, Paris, Athens, Nice, the Greek Islands, Rome, Venice, and/or any of the Hawaiian islands. Writing about exotic places seems like the next best thing to actually moving there.
She currently lives in Oregon with her animator/comic book artist husband and their menagerie of ridiculous animals.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
August 29, 2014
Oh man, I loved the hero in this book. He was scrumptious. He reminded me of Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent from Devil in Winter in that he's a long, lean panther who talks like a panther purrs. He screams "I'm Bad For You, but I'm So Good!" He was delicious. He definitely goes on my lickable hero shelf. I fell hard for him because he is so super-sexy, and because he gave Hattie steadfast love in a way she'd never had before. At one point, he withdraws from her, and Hattie can't deal with that. He does it because it was difficult for him to deal with the fact that she refused to be honest with him. Hattie doesn't know how to deal with him not being in her life the way he's been for over ten years, and that is the impetus for change. That was when he realized she didn't know how. She didn't know what unconditional love was and the concept of being accepted no matter what. She spends most of the book pushing him away emotionally, and being a bit of a brat, so that tiptoes on the edge of being a bit tedious. Crews managed to change the tone soon enough that I was just burned out on it. I think the reveal for why Hattie has behaved the way she has so long was a pit too rapid in its delivery (and it felt a bit lightweight to be honest), and I would have liked better pacing in that regard. I did love the surprise that Nicodemus gets. I was really surprised myself. I like a good twist in a story.
This book is pretty heavy on internal dialogue and that probably wouldn't work for some. But I felt it was well done, and I think the characters are wonderfully complex. I think this is a nice mix of modern cultural awareness but with the old school intensity dynamic that makes many of us Harlequin Presents readers such advocates of the vintage novels. The sensuality is intrinsic and hot and underlined by the fact that these two people really love each other and can't imagine a life without each other.
I'm hoping that I enjoy His for Revenge, about Hattie's brother, as much as I did this book.
Overall rating: 4.25/5.0 stars.
This book is pretty heavy on internal dialogue and that probably wouldn't work for some. But I felt it was well done, and I think the characters are wonderfully complex. I think this is a nice mix of modern cultural awareness but with the old school intensity dynamic that makes many of us Harlequin Presents readers such advocates of the vintage novels. The sensuality is intrinsic and hot and underlined by the fact that these two people really love each other and can't imagine a life without each other.
I'm hoping that I enjoy His for Revenge, about Hattie's brother, as much as I did this book.
Overall rating: 4.25/5.0 stars.
June 6, 2014
Paris Hilton heroine + doormat hero = 1 star!
October 29, 2014
I love this author but this book didn't do it for me.
I disliked the characters....the heroine was boring and the hero was a total twit.....
The storyline felt a bit unrealistic to me.
I disliked the characters....the heroine was boring and the hero was a total twit.....
The storyline felt a bit unrealistic to me.
November 12, 2019
2 star story plus ½ star for intensity rounded up to 3 since I like conflict.
This is a case of dog-catching-car.
Hero has pursued the poor little rich girl heroine for ten years – since she was 18. Heroine has resisted him until her father’s will forces her to marry him.
They engage in a weird power play with the hero thinking he holds all the cards, the heroine manipulating him back, one night of sex, the hero running away, the heroine finally negotiating an HEA. (Honestly, that’s the plot.)
The H/h have great sexual chemistry but realize they don’t really know each other. That’s an interesting premise. The problem is that the characters are so simple and boring that it’s really no revelation for reader when they finally trust each other with their stories of guilt and trauma.
Since neither of those traumas underline what is happening between the H/h they seem random rather than thematic. Add in the fact that the heroine has had nightmares every night for 20 years until she had sex with the hero – and my disbelief is not suspended – it’s scoffing.
The sex scenes are very fifty shades. There’s a lot of humiliation talk, spanking talk, punishment talk – but it’s all talk.
Such a strange story, really.
For those who need to know:
Heroine was a virgin.
Hero was not a womanizer - he mentioned a gf who betrayed him
There is an epilogue with a pregnancy mentioned.
This is a case of dog-catching-car.
Hero has pursued the poor little rich girl heroine for ten years – since she was 18. Heroine has resisted him until her father’s will forces her to marry him.
They engage in a weird power play with the hero thinking he holds all the cards, the heroine manipulating him back, one night of sex, the hero running away, the heroine finally negotiating an HEA. (Honestly, that’s the plot.)
The H/h have great sexual chemistry but realize they don’t really know each other. That’s an interesting premise. The problem is that the characters are so simple and boring that it’s really no revelation for reader when they finally trust each other with their stories of guilt and trauma.
Since neither of those traumas underline what is happening between the H/h they seem random rather than thematic. Add in the fact that the heroine has had nightmares every night for 20 years until she had sex with the hero – and my disbelief is not suspended – it’s scoffing.
The sex scenes are very fifty shades. There’s a lot of humiliation talk, spanking talk, punishment talk – but it’s all talk.
Such a strange story, really.
For those who need to know:
Heroine was a virgin.
Hero was not a womanizer - he mentioned a gf who betrayed him
There is an epilogue with a pregnancy mentioned.
July 10, 2014
Enjoyable read. Lots of angst which I love.
Heroine was irritating the first third of the book and it was a little much on the word play between the two. But once I passed that point I really found their story and romance to be a good read.
Heroine was irritating the first third of the book and it was a little much on the word play between the two. But once I passed that point I really found their story and romance to be a good read.
January 23, 2015
Adored the passion, drama and intensity - how you're thrown into the middle of a relationship and stay there and don't want to come up for air or stop reading. Adore Caitlin's writing. Loved Nicodemus and Mattie. The ending made me cry.
August 14, 2014
This book was very different than I thought was described in the book description. Before I start I want to say I loved the ending and I couldn't put this book down. It was enthralling and I loved both characters in the story.
And now about my description of the story, this possibly will contain spoilers so beware.
The story features Mattie, a spoiled, heiress who is a big party girl. Think Paris Hilton. Ten years ago she was 18 and she met our hero, Nicodermus (Nico). The second he met her he asked her to marry him. She said no and for the next ten years he has followed her and been devoted to her. She has not loved it while also she has flirted and caused media sensations.
She is now 28, her father has died and her brother wants her to marry Nico so they can merge companies. She agrees to do it but she goes kicking and screaming into it. Why? Essentially if she doesn't the company will flounder and go under and she will have nothing. She doesn't believe Nico will make her do it and so the beginning of the book is her seeing how far she can push him and him pushing back.
And that should be the description of the book.
Again I enjoyed it but I wanted to see more of Nico and Mattie's married life, because they were a very fun couple.
And now about my description of the story, this possibly will contain spoilers so beware.
The story features Mattie, a spoiled, heiress who is a big party girl. Think Paris Hilton. Ten years ago she was 18 and she met our hero, Nicodermus (Nico). The second he met her he asked her to marry him. She said no and for the next ten years he has followed her and been devoted to her. She has not loved it while also she has flirted and caused media sensations.
She is now 28, her father has died and her brother wants her to marry Nico so they can merge companies. She agrees to do it but she goes kicking and screaming into it. Why? Essentially if she doesn't the company will flounder and go under and she will have nothing. She doesn't believe Nico will make her do it and so the beginning of the book is her seeing how far she can push him and him pushing back.
And that should be the description of the book.
Again I enjoyed it but I wanted to see more of Nico and Mattie's married life, because they were a very fun couple.
October 13, 2014
I love Caitlin Crews, I really do. THE REPLACEMENT WIFE and MAN BEHIND THE SCARS are modern classics. This one, however, I couldn't get into. Here's quick sample!
****
"What are you doing? Is that a cigarette? Hey, you can't smoke in here!" Nicodemus hadn't even seen her reach for her lighter in those pockets he didn't even realize she had on. Oh, how he hated her, this woman who kept him off balance, whom he could never read, this fabulous temptress who kept him guessing at riddles, working on mysteries without any clues, trying to make some front page drive-in news, forever working on his night moves!
"Oh, yeah?" Mattie shot back, sizzling awareness coursing through her. "Is this going to be a Medieval marriage? Are we going all Stone Age here? Is this going to be some savage Paleolithic encounter where you maintain a primitive control over my every move? Just what am I supposed to stick in my brutally tempting mouth if cigarettes are off limits?"
****
"What are you doing? Is that a cigarette? Hey, you can't smoke in here!" Nicodemus hadn't even seen her reach for her lighter in those pockets he didn't even realize she had on. Oh, how he hated her, this woman who kept him off balance, whom he could never read, this fabulous temptress who kept him guessing at riddles, working on mysteries without any clues, trying to make some front page drive-in news, forever working on his night moves!
"Oh, yeah?" Mattie shot back, sizzling awareness coursing through her. "Is this going to be a Medieval marriage? Are we going all Stone Age here? Is this going to be some savage Paleolithic encounter where you maintain a primitive control over my every move? Just what am I supposed to stick in my brutally tempting mouth if cigarettes are off limits?"
July 25, 2014
I loved seeing Nicodemus & Mattie's relationship unfold, but the one that that I didn't like was that the issues that they seemed to have could have been resolved had they both been willing to learn about the other & let each other in. Obviously the book wouldn't have been as exciting if they had communicated well from the beginning. Besides that, I loved the story! I thought Nicodemus & Mattie were absolutely perfect for each other.
This is the first book by Caitlin Crews that I have read but I can guarantee it won't be the last!
This is the first book by Caitlin Crews that I have read but I can guarantee it won't be the last!
November 9, 2015
I had gotten this book because of the really good looking guy on the cover and well the old saying ‘You can’t judge a book by it’s cover’ rang true because I didn’t like this book much at all.
Mattie Whitaker is in her words being ‘Sold – Off’ to Tycoon Nicodemus Stathis. She wants to save the family company after her dad dies. She went along with her brother’s plan, but she is fighting it even after the marriage.
Nic, (as I called him) has been chasing Mattie for ten years and he finally gets what he wanted, her. It’s just not the way he thought it would be. I liked him a lot and after he told about his dad I could understand his drive and why he hated lies and secrets which was all Mattie told.
They took time to work things out and fought like crazy at first because she only told lies. I couldn’t get into this book and the only thing that saved it from two stars was Nick, the love scenes and the very end. I probably won’t keep this book even if Nic is good looking on the cover.
Mattie Whitaker is in her words being ‘Sold – Off’ to Tycoon Nicodemus Stathis. She wants to save the family company after her dad dies. She went along with her brother’s plan, but she is fighting it even after the marriage.
Nic, (as I called him) has been chasing Mattie for ten years and he finally gets what he wanted, her. It’s just not the way he thought it would be. I liked him a lot and after he told about his dad I could understand his drive and why he hated lies and secrets which was all Mattie told.
They took time to work things out and fought like crazy at first because she only told lies. I couldn’t get into this book and the only thing that saved it from two stars was Nick, the love scenes and the very end. I probably won’t keep this book even if Nic is good looking on the cover.
December 21, 2018
Re-read 11/12/2019- I thought maybe I had misjudged Nicodemus, but he was *still* so creepy in his obsession!
****************
Original review
This one was very high on angst, but by the end I kept asking "what just happened?!". Nicodemus was insanely obsessed with the heroine Mattie since he saw her at a ball when she was 18 years old.
“Have we ever determined what was wrong with you that you wanted to marry a teenager in the first place?” she asked him now, trying to divert whatever was coming. But he only stopped a scant few inches in front of her. “Couldn’t find a woman your own age?”
Nicodemus told her right then & there that she will marry him. Then, instead of getting to know her, he was constantly stalking her, looming over her, pushing her. Because of the intense feelings this caused, Mattie pushed back, especially after she was forced to marry him.
And this was love?! No, just.... no.
I downloaded the sequel & I hope it's better.
****************
Original review
This one was very high on angst, but by the end I kept asking "what just happened?!". Nicodemus was insanely obsessed with the heroine Mattie since he saw her at a ball when she was 18 years old.
“Have we ever determined what was wrong with you that you wanted to marry a teenager in the first place?” she asked him now, trying to divert whatever was coming. But he only stopped a scant few inches in front of her. “Couldn’t find a woman your own age?”
Nicodemus told her right then & there that she will marry him. Then, instead of getting to know her, he was constantly stalking her, looming over her, pushing her. Because of the intense feelings this caused, Mattie pushed back, especially after she was forced to marry him.
And this was love?! No, just.... no.
I downloaded the sequel & I hope it's better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
December 18, 2016Not my favorite HP. Beware: spoilers ahead.
1. The repetition about him wanting her, her fighting him...went on pretty much to the end of the book.
2. The virgin thing? Why? And I hated how he dealt with that...took off and left her alone after they consummated their marriage.
3. Ridiculous: She has this huge childhood trauma that is FINALLY revealed and he basically says "it wasn't your fault, you were a child"---ONE sentence, and...poof. Done with that. After years of nightmares and trauma and that's it? My eyes were rolling out of my head.
4. The build-up to sex was very well-done...and then the sex scene was totally unsatisfactory because his take-home message was..."you're a liar." Um, really? Geez. So not satisfying for the reader! Ugh.
5. Ridiculously fast resolution at the end. Also unsatisfying. Also...unbelievable. The "I love you" part was not believable in any way.
This is not going on my "favorite HP" shelf.
Don't think I'll be reading this author again.
1. The repetition about him wanting her, her fighting him...went on pretty much to the end of the book.
2. The virgin thing? Why? And I hated how he dealt with that...took off and left her alone after they consummated their marriage.
3. Ridiculous: She has this huge childhood trauma that is FINALLY revealed and he basically says "it wasn't your fault, you were a child"---ONE sentence, and...poof. Done with that. After years of nightmares and trauma and that's it? My eyes were rolling out of my head.
4. The build-up to sex was very well-done...and then the sex scene was totally unsatisfactory because his take-home message was..."you're a liar." Um, really? Geez. So not satisfying for the reader! Ugh.
5. Ridiculously fast resolution at the end. Also unsatisfying. Also...unbelievable. The "I love you" part was not believable in any way.
This is not going on my "favorite HP" shelf.
Don't think I'll be reading this author again.
November 7, 2014
Nico has been chasing after Mattie from the time that they met and proposed to her countless time but all he gets was a NO answer. Mattie wanted some times to herself hence she refused each time Nico proposed to her. But now circumstances changed. Nico still wanted to marry her and marrying him will benefit her in the long run. She realised that she have no option but to say yes.
It is a story about marriage of convenience at first for both the main characters. I wouldn’t say that love was not in the picture when Nico propose to Mattie but it was not so transparent then. I guess it could be because of the way he was depicted as an alpha hero who gets what he wants. I do agreed with the review that Mattie is a spoiled heiress at first but I like how well she turned out in the end. Overall, it is a good read for me.
It is a story about marriage of convenience at first for both the main characters. I wouldn’t say that love was not in the picture when Nico propose to Mattie but it was not so transparent then. I guess it could be because of the way he was depicted as an alpha hero who gets what he wants. I do agreed with the review that Mattie is a spoiled heiress at first but I like how well she turned out in the end. Overall, it is a good read for me.
January 3, 2016
En realidad son 3.5 ⭐
January 5, 2016
Ahh, esta mujer casi hace que me de una apoplejía, casi no da el brazo a torcer....
October 9, 2014
Title: His For A Price
Series: Vows of Convenience Book #1
Author: Caitlin Crews
Genre: Romance
Blurb: "This is all a big chess game to you, and I the convenient pawn…"
Greek tycoon Nicodemus Stathis was never able to forget beautiful heiress Mattie Whitaker. And now, ten years of delicious tension later, Nic finally has her right where he wants her. Mattie's once powerful family dynasty now lies in ruin, and only Nic can offer them a solution—a solution with vows! She might not have a choice, but Mattie refuses to be the sacrificial queen to his king. But Nic's slow, deliberate seduction wears down his new bride, and the word "checkmate" lies on his lips like a promise.
Thoughts: If you've heard the phrase, "The lady doth protest too much" - well, not only does that phrase fit, but goes a little overboard with it. To be honest, Mattie got on my nerves frequently with her constant complaining - from the beginning up till the end she never let up! While, of course, I expected this with a forced-into-it marriage-of-convenience, and it was acceptable in the beginning of the story, it just really started fraying on my nerves toward later on. As Nic repeatedly pointed out to her, she had choices...she may not like the ones she has, but they are choices just the same. If you're going through with it, quit b@%#&ing and moaning about it and do it already. I liked Mattie in the beginning, and love her spirit (at first), but she quickly became a tedious heroine.
The reasons behind Mattie feeling "forced" into the marriage just didn't fly for me either, and neither did the "secret" and the whole reasoning behind fighting her feelings for Nic. Just didn't ring true for me at all. The chemistry between these characters was great, and if the rest of it had come together for me, I would have rated it higher. A solid C for me.
Rate: C
Review by: Sarah
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com
Series: Vows of Convenience Book #1
Author: Caitlin Crews
Genre: Romance
Blurb: "This is all a big chess game to you, and I the convenient pawn…"
Greek tycoon Nicodemus Stathis was never able to forget beautiful heiress Mattie Whitaker. And now, ten years of delicious tension later, Nic finally has her right where he wants her. Mattie's once powerful family dynasty now lies in ruin, and only Nic can offer them a solution—a solution with vows! She might not have a choice, but Mattie refuses to be the sacrificial queen to his king. But Nic's slow, deliberate seduction wears down his new bride, and the word "checkmate" lies on his lips like a promise.
Thoughts: If you've heard the phrase, "The lady doth protest too much" - well, not only does that phrase fit, but goes a little overboard with it. To be honest, Mattie got on my nerves frequently with her constant complaining - from the beginning up till the end she never let up! While, of course, I expected this with a forced-into-it marriage-of-convenience, and it was acceptable in the beginning of the story, it just really started fraying on my nerves toward later on. As Nic repeatedly pointed out to her, she had choices...she may not like the ones she has, but they are choices just the same. If you're going through with it, quit b@%#&ing and moaning about it and do it already. I liked Mattie in the beginning, and love her spirit (at first), but she quickly became a tedious heroine.
The reasons behind Mattie feeling "forced" into the marriage just didn't fly for me either, and neither did the "secret" and the whole reasoning behind fighting her feelings for Nic. Just didn't ring true for me at all. The chemistry between these characters was great, and if the rest of it had come together for me, I would have rated it higher. A solid C for me.
Rate: C
Review by: Sarah
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com
January 23, 2017
Hmm. This book probably won't work for most people who follow my reviews. The premise is problematic and it takes a reaaaally long time to get sort of better. The basic issue is that the heroine's brother requests that she marry a business associate of their father's after his death in order to secure their stake in the company he founded. For some reason, the heroine does not tell her brother to fuck off.
The hero isn't a complete asshole so even though he knows she's not totally keen on marriage, he doesn't make her have sex with him right away. By the time the get around to it, it's mostly consensual. The entire book is so stupidly arranged though that I couldn't quite bring myself to be mad about it. It's like... eye-rollingly bad. That's about the best thing I can say about it.
The only interesting part is when the heroine remembers that men are easy and confidence and blowjobs will get you far in managing them. This is terribly cynical, but in the land of patriarchy, I'm not actually totally sure that it's always wrong. Particularly not with a guy who would coerce a woman into marriage for the sake of a business merger.
Anyway, I probably don't need to read another Caitlin Crews book, but the plus side is that I got a couple recommendations for current Harlequin Presents writers I might like better: Jennifer Haywood and Michelle Smart. So I'll try again with those the next time I hit a used bookstore.
The hero isn't a complete asshole so even though he knows she's not totally keen on marriage, he doesn't make her have sex with him right away. By the time the get around to it, it's mostly consensual. The entire book is so stupidly arranged though that I couldn't quite bring myself to be mad about it. It's like... eye-rollingly bad. That's about the best thing I can say about it.
The only interesting part is when the heroine remembers that men are easy and confidence and blowjobs will get you far in managing them. This is terribly cynical, but in the land of patriarchy, I'm not actually totally sure that it's always wrong. Particularly not with a guy who would coerce a woman into marriage for the sake of a business merger.
Anyway, I probably don't need to read another Caitlin Crews book, but the plus side is that I got a couple recommendations for current Harlequin Presents writers I might like better: Jennifer Haywood and Michelle Smart. So I'll try again with those the next time I hit a used bookstore.
October 8, 2014
I have really mixed feelings about this one. Though it was superbly written with a sizzling hot romance and a well executed marriage of convenience plot, the characters did not work that well for me personally.
Nicodemus has wanted Mattie for ten years and she has resisted him steadfastly for that duration. He finally gets her with the help of blackmail. Nic is the ultimate alpha hero who gets what he wants, no questions asked. It was strange that after pursuing Mattie for so long he suddenly decides to leave her towards the end of the book. I generally don’t like super alphas like him and therefore he was not my kind of hero personally. Mattie is a spoiled heiress turned damsel in distress. She was what many people call a Paris Hilton kind of heroine. I don’t have any problems with heroines having wild pasts and therefore Mattie was likable enough but her present actions did contradict her past ones.
Overall, His for a Price by Caitlin Crews is a well written marriage of convenience romance.Read More
Nicodemus has wanted Mattie for ten years and she has resisted him steadfastly for that duration. He finally gets her with the help of blackmail. Nic is the ultimate alpha hero who gets what he wants, no questions asked. It was strange that after pursuing Mattie for so long he suddenly decides to leave her towards the end of the book. I generally don’t like super alphas like him and therefore he was not my kind of hero personally. Mattie is a spoiled heiress turned damsel in distress. She was what many people call a Paris Hilton kind of heroine. I don’t have any problems with heroines having wild pasts and therefore Mattie was likable enough but her present actions did contradict her past ones.
Overall, His for a Price by Caitlin Crews is a well written marriage of convenience romance.Read More
December 21, 2014
"His for a Price" by Caitlin Crews was a likeable story about Greek tycoon Nicodemus Stathis and heiress Mattie Whitaker. They meet when Mattie has just turned 18 and Nicodemus wants to marry her. She refuses him because he is much 'older' than she is and she wants to experience life a little more before marrying.
Fast forward a few years and the circumstances in Mattie's life is not what is was in the past. Nicodemus still wants her because he 'always gets what he wants.' You'll find that there are parts to the story where you wish you could reach into the story and punch Nicodemus in the face, and slap Mattie for letting him treat her that way but there is also a love story here. Many things come up that make them turn from disrespect to love for each other. Just don't give up on the story because Nicodemus can be such a heal.
I've read many books by Caitlin Crews and you'll enjoy this one. It is not a fast read, because if you try to rush through the story you might miss some 'interesting' details that come up.
Fast forward a few years and the circumstances in Mattie's life is not what is was in the past. Nicodemus still wants her because he 'always gets what he wants.' You'll find that there are parts to the story where you wish you could reach into the story and punch Nicodemus in the face, and slap Mattie for letting him treat her that way but there is also a love story here. Many things come up that make them turn from disrespect to love for each other. Just don't give up on the story because Nicodemus can be such a heal.
I've read many books by Caitlin Crews and you'll enjoy this one. It is not a fast read, because if you try to rush through the story you might miss some 'interesting' details that come up.
August 30, 2019
Another of Caitlin Crews angst ridden dramas with an alpha hero and tortured, bitter, heroine.
Nico and Mattie have known each other for 10 years and he has wanted her all that time. She has given everyone the illusion that she is a good time party girl with loads of lovers and yet we discover she’s still a virgin. I love the way Ms Crews puts her h/H in a locale with no other people and then let’s them get on with it. It makes for tight, focussed, dramatic and emotional exchanges and this is no exception.
CC’s skill with language,especially dialogue is evident throughout, but… the continuous, sharp, challenging, aggressive, spewing of words becomes rather tiring. I wanted to hear Mattie have just a normal conversation for twenty seconds; give me a break from the unstoppable torrent of verbiage. Sometimes, a little of something good, goes a long way!
Beautifully written as always, the heroine’s behaviour becomes understandable although initially I was annoyed! I almost disliked the heroine but the author managed to avoid that. Great story!
Nico and Mattie have known each other for 10 years and he has wanted her all that time. She has given everyone the illusion that she is a good time party girl with loads of lovers and yet we discover she’s still a virgin. I love the way Ms Crews puts her h/H in a locale with no other people and then let’s them get on with it. It makes for tight, focussed, dramatic and emotional exchanges and this is no exception.
CC’s skill with language,especially dialogue is evident throughout, but… the continuous, sharp, challenging, aggressive, spewing of words becomes rather tiring. I wanted to hear Mattie have just a normal conversation for twenty seconds; give me a break from the unstoppable torrent of verbiage. Sometimes, a little of something good, goes a long way!
Beautifully written as always, the heroine’s behaviour becomes understandable although initially I was annoyed! I almost disliked the heroine but the author managed to avoid that. Great story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2017
"This is all a big chess game to you, and I the convenient pawn…"
Greek tycoon Nicodemus Stathis was never able to forget beautiful heiress Mattie Whitaker. And now, ten years of delicious tension later, Nic finally has her right where he wants her.
Mattie's once powerful family dynasty now lies in ruin, and only Nic can offer them a solution—a solution with vows! She might not have a choice, but Mattie refuses to be the sacrificial queen to his king.
But Nic's slow, deliberate seduction wears down his new bride, and the word "checkmate" lies on his lips like a promise
Greek tycoon Nicodemus Stathis was never able to forget beautiful heiress Mattie Whitaker. And now, ten years of delicious tension later, Nic finally has her right where he wants her.
Mattie's once powerful family dynasty now lies in ruin, and only Nic can offer them a solution—a solution with vows! She might not have a choice, but Mattie refuses to be the sacrificial queen to his king.
But Nic's slow, deliberate seduction wears down his new bride, and the word "checkmate" lies on his lips like a promise
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October 1, 2014"Crews fills her poignant, non-stop drama-thon romance with acerbic humor and heart-rending dialogue and sets it in lavishness on soothing Aegean shores. The banter and sexual tension make this intense page-turner burn" (RT Book Reviews, 4 1/2 stars).
Miniseries: Vows of Convenience
Miniseries: Vows of Convenience
July 19, 2014
*ARC courtesy of Netgalley and Harlequin*
September 20, 2014
I enjoyed the latest by Crews and though I am not a fan of the Paris Hilton heroine I liked Mattie a lot. As for Nic..... Yum! Good read.
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October 1, 2014received 4 1/2 stars @ RT Book Reviews
Miniseries: Vows of Convenience
Miniseries: Vows of Convenience
June 9, 2021
I have no idea what these two were fighting so hard about but eh I enjoyed it.
July 24, 2018
Well-written but kind of creepy. This is one of those revenge marriage scenarios - the hero has forced the heroine to marry him to save her brother's company - but the big fuss seems to be that the first time they met, when the heroine was eighteen (yes, eighteen), the hero (who was significantly older than eighteen) asked her to marry him and she said no and proceeded to make a scene of herself in the tabloids over the next nine years. That's it, that's what he wants revenge for: having to watch her be semi-naked in the tabloids for nine years rather than having married him when she was a teenager. This is super creepy, which the heroine points out, but the author tries to bend over backwards to make it not creepy... which she really can't manage, not that anyone really could. At a certain point the hero realizes that he was not in fact in love with the heroine, he was in love with a version of her which he made up in his head, which is also true... but the subsequent yammering on about how the real version of her is so much better doesn't make a lot of sense because she's not actually GIVEN a lot of depth, just some mysterious backstory trauma.
July 23, 2018
I enjoyed this story very much, although it was a bit heavy on angst. Both Mattie and Nicodemus have dark secrets that have haunted them since childhood, making them both quite brittle people. Nicodemus has focussed on work as a result, and become very, very successful, whereas Mattie has just drifted, haunted by nightmares that wake her every night. They meet when she is eighteen, and she always treats him with disdain, but deep down and without realising it she relies on him being there.
Tragedy happens, her father dies, and the company business needs shoring up. Her brother suggests that she marry Nicodemus to save the business. She does so, she feels obliged to. But she doesn't make it easy for any of them. It takes a lot of home truths, and Nicodemus leaving her for Mattie to sort herself out and be honest with herself, and with Nicodemus. An interesting scenario.
Worth reading.
Tragedy happens, her father dies, and the company business needs shoring up. Her brother suggests that she marry Nicodemus to save the business. She does so, she feels obliged to. But she doesn't make it easy for any of them. It takes a lot of home truths, and Nicodemus leaving her for Mattie to sort herself out and be honest with herself, and with Nicodemus. An interesting scenario.
Worth reading.
April 25, 2024
Intense
So this was a lot more raw than you usually find with a romance with adult content. Maddie and Nic really have a rough road to walk as they both are fighting past hurts and scars and fears. Can't say it was my favorite read, but I appreciated the backstory and how it played out.
So this was a lot more raw than you usually find with a romance with adult content. Maddie and Nic really have a rough road to walk as they both are fighting past hurts and scars and fears. Can't say it was my favorite read, but I appreciated the backstory and how it played out.
March 18, 2025
This was very depressing. The whole thing played like a tragedy with two primarily unlikable characters. Let's not forget her brother, who is also a tool. While the enemy-to-lover trope is alive and well, there was no reason for their enmity except a lot of completely random thoughts that we were subjected to ad nauseam.
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