What do you think?
Rate this book
Sin elección (Bianca)
Tras una larga separación, descubrió que su marido era aún más apasionado de lo que recordaba… Tres años atrás, obligada por el ultimátum que le había dado su padre para que abandonara a Eduardo Álvarez, Kayla se había quitado la alianza de boda sólo setenta y dos horas después de casarse… Ahora otras circunstancias igualmente desesperadas obligaban a Kayla a suplicar la ayuda de su ex marido. Pero Eduardo exigía un precio muy alto por su ayuda: si no se casaba con él, se marcharía… Kayla no tenía elección, por lo que accedió a casarse por obligación… pero resultó que la obligación tenía sus momentos de placer.
152 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2006
81 people are currently reading
276 people want to read
About the author
Helen Bianchin
380 books228 followersHelen Shirley was born on February 20 1939 in New Zealand, where she grew up, an only child possessed by a vivid imagination and a love for reading. She wrote stories for amusement in her early teenage years, and when she left leaving school, she took a secretarial job at a father-and-son legal firm.
At age twenty-one Helen joined a girlfriend and embarked on a working holiday in Australia, travelling via cruise ship from Auckland to Melbourne. Alas, no shipboard romance, as she spent all four days in her cabin suffering from sea-sickness! After fifteen months working in Melbourne, Helen and her friend bought a vehicle and took three months to drive the length and breadth of Australia, choosing to work in Cairns in order to fund the final leg of our journey to Sydney.
It was in Cairns that Helen met her future husband, Danilo Bianchin, an Italian immigrant from Treviso. He was a tobacco sharefarmer from the tobacco farming community of Mareeba. His English was pitiful, and her command of Italian was nil. Six months later they married, and Helen was flung into cooking for up to nine tobacco pickers, stringing tobacco, feeding 200 chickens, a few turkeys, ducks... plus killing, cleaning and cooking the same! Her knowledge of Italian improved, and there were hilarious moments in retrospect. Some of what she endured was cooking on a wood-burning stove, having no running hot water, a primitive shower and toilet facilities, washing uniforms for two soccer teams during the soccer season... floods, horrendous hailstone damage to tobacco crops, hardship, and the stillbirth of their first child. Then, to their joy, Helen's daughter, Lucia, was born. Three years later the couple returned to New Zealand, where they settled for sixteen years. During those early years, they added two sons, Angelo and Peter, to the family.
With multiple anecdotes of farm life in an Italian community to friends, the idea of writing a book occurred. A romance, set on a tobacco farm in Australia's far north, Queensland, featuring an Italian hero. Helen says, "the background was authentic, believe me!" However the hero was rich and owned the farm artistic license! It took her a year to complete a passable manuscript, typed on a portable typewriter at the dining room table. That first effort was deemed too short with insufficient detail. Helen rewrote it. This time it was considered too long with too much extraneous detail. She revised, then sent it to London. Four months later she received a telegram from Alan Boon (Mills & Boon) to say they intended to publish and a contract would be sent in the mail. It was the most wonderful news!
Helen wrote ten more books while living in New Zealand, then in 1981, her family resettled in Australia, on Queensland's Gold Coast. She has since published twenty-five more books. Today, with computer technology, the mechanics of writing are much easier. However, the writing process doesn't change. Helen says that she's having a good day if she can achieve 5 good pages, which she is likely to change, edit and rewrite the following day.
She loves creating characters, giving them life and providing a situation where their emotions are tested and love wins out. For her, the greatest praise is for a reader to say they couldn't put the book down... then Helen knows that she has achieved what she set out to do -- "create a moving enjoyable story which holds the reader entertained from beginning to end."
Helen's hobbies are tennis, table-tennis, judo, reading. She loves movies, and leads an active social life.
At age twenty-one Helen joined a girlfriend and embarked on a working holiday in Australia, travelling via cruise ship from Auckland to Melbourne. Alas, no shipboard romance, as she spent all four days in her cabin suffering from sea-sickness! After fifteen months working in Melbourne, Helen and her friend bought a vehicle and took three months to drive the length and breadth of Australia, choosing to work in Cairns in order to fund the final leg of our journey to Sydney.
It was in Cairns that Helen met her future husband, Danilo Bianchin, an Italian immigrant from Treviso. He was a tobacco sharefarmer from the tobacco farming community of Mareeba. His English was pitiful, and her command of Italian was nil. Six months later they married, and Helen was flung into cooking for up to nine tobacco pickers, stringing tobacco, feeding 200 chickens, a few turkeys, ducks... plus killing, cleaning and cooking the same! Her knowledge of Italian improved, and there were hilarious moments in retrospect. Some of what she endured was cooking on a wood-burning stove, having no running hot water, a primitive shower and toilet facilities, washing uniforms for two soccer teams during the soccer season... floods, horrendous hailstone damage to tobacco crops, hardship, and the stillbirth of their first child. Then, to their joy, Helen's daughter, Lucia, was born. Three years later the couple returned to New Zealand, where they settled for sixteen years. During those early years, they added two sons, Angelo and Peter, to the family.
With multiple anecdotes of farm life in an Italian community to friends, the idea of writing a book occurred. A romance, set on a tobacco farm in Australia's far north, Queensland, featuring an Italian hero. Helen says, "the background was authentic, believe me!" However the hero was rich and owned the farm artistic license! It took her a year to complete a passable manuscript, typed on a portable typewriter at the dining room table. That first effort was deemed too short with insufficient detail. Helen rewrote it. This time it was considered too long with too much extraneous detail. She revised, then sent it to London. Four months later she received a telegram from Alan Boon (Mills & Boon) to say they intended to publish and a contract would be sent in the mail. It was the most wonderful news!
Helen wrote ten more books while living in New Zealand, then in 1981, her family resettled in Australia, on Queensland's Gold Coast. She has since published twenty-five more books. Today, with computer technology, the mechanics of writing are much easier. However, the writing process doesn't change. Helen says that she's having a good day if she can achieve 5 good pages, which she is likely to change, edit and rewrite the following day.
She loves creating characters, giving them life and providing a situation where their emotions are tested and love wins out. For her, the greatest praise is for a reader to say they couldn't put the book down... then Helen knows that she has achieved what she set out to do -- "create a moving enjoyable story which holds the reader entertained from beginning to end."
Helen's hobbies are tennis, table-tennis, judo, reading. She loves movies, and leads an active social life.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
April 19, 2013
Kayla and her brother are desperate for money. When her father died and left them in debt, she called her billionaire ex husband for help. He will help her on the condition that they will get married again.
Satisfying read. I loved the arrogant but vulnerable hero who is still deeply in love with his ex-wife and would do anything for her.
Kayla is a girl who knows how to hold her own. She is strong and independent and fights her feelings for her gorgeous husband.
Good, but not great story.
Satisfying read. I loved the arrogant but vulnerable hero who is still deeply in love with his ex-wife and would do anything for her.
Kayla is a girl who knows how to hold her own. She is strong and independent and fights her feelings for her gorgeous husband.
Good, but not great story.
August 4, 2021
You read one book by Helen Bianchin you read them all.
July 8, 2017
2.5 stars
A good intention doesn't make hurtful behaviour hurt any less.
A good intention doesn't make hurtful behaviour hurt any less.
April 19, 2012
I thought this book was pretty good considering the numerous wedlock books I've read. The heroine's father made her break up her marriage and then held her hostage, despite loving the hero immensely. When the heroine's father finally died and left the heroine and her brother in massive debt, she called the hero for help. The heroes one ultimatum for the help was none other than remarriage.
March 19, 2017
*trigger*
As mentioned by a lot of fellow goodreaders, Bianchin employs a similar formula for a lot of her books. I still like reading them as I like her more gentle and kind Hs'.
I usually steer well clear of second chance romance, especially in Harlequin land, as H usually will have tons of ow around in between, which leaves a very bad taste in my mouth, especially if we learnt he has been pining away all along. It just leaves me wondering if the couple will one day argue about who goes to grab grocery and on the way back with a carton of 2%, H might be pissed enough to get it going with whoever...This one didn't say much regarding what happened in the interim with the H, yet I am going to go on a limb here to say H didn't stray based on his thoughts when h was talking about it, it also makes more sense to me based on his behavior as all along he just is waiting for h to come back.
H is not going for revenge here, obviously. Instead he just wants the h back. While he is bitter about their separation, he understands why h did it and tries to lay this to rest soon as they got back together. He is sweet and understanding, basically just spoils our h rotten. Pretty great lead.
Plot is more or less standard formula, with evil ows trying to separate the pair. I enjoy it but this is getting a bit like all the books Bianchin writes. Always the high society with totally zero nice and genuine people, just glitz and fashion slaves and shallow personalities. While I am sure not everyone is nice in any society level, I am getting a bit annoyed by such a one dimensional portrayal and the smug distaste h always has for her circle. Honestly if she looks at her peers like this, I am not surprised she didn't make any close friends.
Other than that though, this is a decent read. H is a devoted sweetheart that only is waiting for the chance to get h back and give her the world. Our h has grown up and is mature enough to take a situation and make the best of it, and voice her wants.
As mentioned by a lot of fellow goodreaders, Bianchin employs a similar formula for a lot of her books. I still like reading them as I like her more gentle and kind Hs'.
I usually steer well clear of second chance romance, especially in Harlequin land, as H usually will have tons of ow around in between, which leaves a very bad taste in my mouth, especially if we learnt he has been pining away all along. It just leaves me wondering if the couple will one day argue about who goes to grab grocery and on the way back with a carton of 2%, H might be pissed enough to get it going with whoever...This one didn't say much regarding what happened in the interim with the H, yet I am going to go on a limb here to say H didn't stray based on his thoughts when h was talking about it, it also makes more sense to me based on his behavior as all along he just is waiting for h to come back.
H is not going for revenge here, obviously. Instead he just wants the h back. While he is bitter about their separation, he understands why h did it and tries to lay this to rest soon as they got back together. He is sweet and understanding, basically just spoils our h rotten. Pretty great lead.
Plot is more or less standard formula, with evil ows trying to separate the pair. I enjoy it but this is getting a bit like all the books Bianchin writes. Always the high society with totally zero nice and genuine people, just glitz and fashion slaves and shallow personalities. While I am sure not everyone is nice in any society level, I am getting a bit annoyed by such a one dimensional portrayal and the smug distaste h always has for her circle. Honestly if she looks at her peers like this, I am not surprised she didn't make any close friends.
Other than that though, this is a decent read. H is a devoted sweetheart that only is waiting for the chance to get h back and give her the world. Our h has grown up and is mature enough to take a situation and make the best of it, and voice her wants.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2011
This isn't a bad read it's one of your typical harlequin presents plot line of revenage and blackmail if you will. Kayla and her brother are struggling to pay off their father's debt who has died, Kayla has no choice but to ask her ex husband billionaire Guardo for help in turn Guardo wants Kayla and he wants her the way he didn't get to have her fully. This wasn't bad and it wasnt perfect but I still enjoyed it it was a quickie and a decent read. I think the ending had a little action and was good.
***********************
Feel free to join my book group on facebook ( Romance Novel Junkies) we have well known and indie authors and avid readers as members who are apart of this group who would love to hear about new books and thoughts also check out our kindle and ebook lending library.. (ignorant and rude comments need not comment below)
***********************
Feel free to join my book group on facebook ( Romance Novel Junkies) we have well known and indie authors and avid readers as members who are apart of this group who would love to hear about new books and thoughts also check out our kindle and ebook lending library.. (ignorant and rude comments need not comment below)
January 11, 2022
In Helen Bianchin’s HP’s you can find some wonderful H’s: sexy, handsome, rich, powerful, loving, generous, charismatic, supportive, passionate alpha males.
In Helen Bianchin’s HP’s you can also find the most violent, abusive heroines.
In this book, the h asks for financial help from the H. She gets that help, but only on his terms. She agrees with his terms, but after that she acts out violently throughout the book. You agreed, woman, so stfu.
There is a scene in which he gently caresses her mouth with his finger and she then bites him so hard that his finger bleeds. I mean, wtf?? She is crazy AF.
This h is an uncontrollable psychopath who kicks, bites, beats, scolds the man. He needs to call the cops on her.
She was so violent with him that it was disturbing. He is 5 stars, but she is a mental freak. So only two stars.
In Helen Bianchin’s HP’s you can also find the most violent, abusive heroines.
In this book, the h asks for financial help from the H. She gets that help, but only on his terms. She agrees with his terms, but after that she acts out violently throughout the book. You agreed, woman, so stfu.
There is a scene in which he gently caresses her mouth with his finger and she then bites him so hard that his finger bleeds. I mean, wtf?? She is crazy AF.
This h is an uncontrollable psychopath who kicks, bites, beats, scolds the man. He needs to call the cops on her.
She was so violent with him that it was disturbing. He is 5 stars, but she is a mental freak. So only two stars.
August 1, 2011
bianchin's books are starting to look so much alike, the names and occupations just have to be switched from book to book. this book also has the obligatory OW who somehow manages to have heroine injured and her business firebombed.
August 12, 2022
Καταπληκτικό!!! Δεν ήθελα να τελειώσει ❤
December 22, 2013
I love Harlequin Presents books and Helen Bianchin is one of my favorite authors. This book was very enjoyable to read although at times the story did drag with not enough action to move the story along. And the ending left a few things hanging: was she pregnant and will she restart her business. But I loved how I knew that the hero was not seeking revenge. Overall a decent read.
June 27, 2018
3.75*
This has the typical Helen Bianchin stilted style of writing. Lots of tiny details about daily minutiae but I cannot stop reading!
This has one of the better plots I dare say...Duardo was such a swoon-worthy hero! So masterful! Kayla was in an untenable position three years ago, when she married Duardo in a whirlwind romance and was roundly blamed for the death of her mother;her mother had suffered a heart attack because they so did not approve of Duardo!
Now Kayla thought Duardo's actions were all motivated by revenge. Now why on earth would such an eligible man saddle himself with an unwanted wife?! He could have humiliated her by asking her to be his mistress instead!
All his actions clearly showed he cared for and loved Kayla, he wanted to protect her! Instead she's too pigheaded and proud to see the truth. Probably her guilt too, at choosing her father and brother over husband three years ago, and as such she did not believe Duardo could love her again.
SPOILERS
The stabbing and arson was so dramatic! It's awesome to see Duardo swooping in to take care of Kayla. That Sunshine Coast getaway was so sweet. My heart broke for the burnt cottage boutique though, but like Duardo said all those could be replaced, when you have the kind of money he had...
I love the ahem product demo episode! When he requested for a repeat after his NY trip, she let slip that she'd miss him, his smile... I could imagine his happiness that finally Kayla was softening towards him! Aww... Little wonder he'd abandon his dealings in NY to rush home after she got stabbed during his absence.
This has the typical Helen Bianchin stilted style of writing. Lots of tiny details about daily minutiae but I cannot stop reading!
This has one of the better plots I dare say...Duardo was such a swoon-worthy hero! So masterful! Kayla was in an untenable position three years ago, when she married Duardo in a whirlwind romance and was roundly blamed for the death of her mother;her mother had suffered a heart attack because they so did not approve of Duardo!
Now Kayla thought Duardo's actions were all motivated by revenge. Now why on earth would such an eligible man saddle himself with an unwanted wife?! He could have humiliated her by asking her to be his mistress instead!
All his actions clearly showed he cared for and loved Kayla, he wanted to protect her! Instead she's too pigheaded and proud to see the truth. Probably her guilt too, at choosing her father and brother over husband three years ago, and as such she did not believe Duardo could love her again.
SPOILERS
The stabbing and arson was so dramatic! It's awesome to see Duardo swooping in to take care of Kayla. That Sunshine Coast getaway was so sweet. My heart broke for the burnt cottage boutique though, but like Duardo said all those could be replaced, when you have the kind of money he had...
I love the ahem product demo episode! When he requested for a repeat after his NY trip, she let slip that she'd miss him, his smile... I could imagine his happiness that finally Kayla was softening towards him! Aww... Little wonder he'd abandon his dealings in NY to rush home after she got stabbed during his absence.
February 11, 2019
*****A very beautiful story..
The H love the h Kayla whole heatedly, though she left him becoz of her father , still he made it a point to bring her back...
*He has always been loyal to her,this the first alpha billionaire who remained loyal to the woman he loves,no other relationship with any OW , though he never had any shortage of female attention...
*The best part he not only exposes the bitch OW before his wife but also punishes her by s
handing her to the cops
Very beautifully written and nerrated story
The H love the h Kayla whole heatedly, though she left him becoz of her father , still he made it a point to bring her back...
*He has always been loyal to her,this the first alpha billionaire who remained loyal to the woman he loves,no other relationship with any OW , though he never had any shortage of female attention...
*The best part he not only exposes the bitch OW before his wife but also punishes her by s
handing her to the cops
Very beautifully written and nerrated story
May 18, 2019
Purchased By The Billionaire
This the story by H. Bianchin has a dark background. It starts with the h brother being beaten up by thugs, whom he owes money to. She goes to her ex husband for help. He will only help if she remarried him. Her father had broken up their marriage years ago. Now that he is gone things change. But as with all Bianchin stories that I have read there is the OW who is out for blood of the wife.
This the story by H. Bianchin has a dark background. It starts with the h brother being beaten up by thugs, whom he owes money to. She goes to her ex husband for help. He will only help if she remarried him. Her father had broken up their marriage years ago. Now that he is gone things change. But as with all Bianchin stories that I have read there is the OW who is out for blood of the wife.
November 27, 2024
I did enjoy this book but I do have a problem with the fact that she is the one who walks away and even when he proves her father lied she still seemed to act like he was the one in the wrong she didn't have to agree to remarry and constantly picking a fight a spanking would have done some good there now I didn't say beating there's a difference
May 23, 2019
3.75 stars!
It's an okay read. H and h were great and likeable. but the story doesn't have any punching effect to me and it's just a good read. Longer than most hp that I've read but there's no baby and I love babies in a book.
It's an okay read. H and h were great and likeable. but the story doesn't have any punching effect to me and it's just a good read. Longer than most hp that I've read but there's no baby and I love babies in a book.
October 10, 2018
Enjoyed
Really enjoyed this book...haven't read one I have enjoyed in a while. There was no real ugliness, just someone waiting as long as it took. :-)
Really enjoyed this book...haven't read one I have enjoyed in a while. There was no real ugliness, just someone waiting as long as it took. :-)
May 4, 2019
Love again
Getting a second chance to love someone again is rare. This is a beautiful story of a man who keeps at it despite the odds.
Getting a second chance to love someone again is rare. This is a beautiful story of a man who keeps at it despite the odds.
December 25, 2020
This is I think the best book of Helen Bianchin I have ever read. I like it a lot!
January 27, 2021
Gedwongen Overgave , (mannen met
macht, harlequin).
macht, harlequin).
November 21, 2021
My second time reading this book. It's nice. I like it.
August 2, 2023
Love Helen Bianchin Romance Books
I have read this book several times. One of the writer's best romance books.
Never gotten bored rereading her books.
I have read this book several times. One of the writer's best romance books.
Never gotten bored rereading her books.
June 10, 2020
Libro rápido de leer, genial como lectura de verano.
December 20, 2013
Not a bad read. Pretty much like all other books in this genre. Kayla and her brother Jacob had found themselves in dire straits financially, thanks to their father. Now that their father was dead, Kayla was being forced to work nonstop just to try and keep their heads above water. This is how she ends up reunited with her ex-husband Duerdo. He is her only hope to pay off all of their acquired debts. He agrees, but only for a price.
February 7, 2017
Es una historia entretenida de leer , la sinopsis me resulto intrigante igual que el inicio del libro pero es esa clase de libro que te atrapa y no puedes dejar de leer porque los personajes son interesantes y también resulta un poco cliché en ciertas partes pero de verdad me agrada como se entrelaza la historia, es un buen contemporáneo te des aburres leyendo todo lo que le pasa ala protagonista aunque no todo es malo, ya que hubo partes que de verdad me gustaron de la historia.
own-but-wont-read-or-wallbanger
March 13, 2018Her father made her leave him. Kayla removed Spanish billionaire Duardo Alvarez's wedding ring after just seventy-two hours of marriage. But now desperate circumstances have forced Kayla to beg her ex-husband for help. Duardo's price is high: marry him again, or he'll walk away.
A trophy wife by day and Duardo's mistress by night, Kayla discovers her "duty" marriage is as passionate as ever... .
A trophy wife by day and Duardo's mistress by night, Kayla discovers her "duty" marriage is as passionate as ever... .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2013
I liked this book and how Duardo remained true to form to Kayla. He waited his time before he could have his Kayla back. Very nice when you can read a good Wedlocked book. (Married but he's never said I love you.)
December 13, 2010
2h à tuer et pas forcément envie de lire beaucoup. Mauvais choix, j'aurais mieux fait de me mettre devant un épisode de série. Tant pis!
Not worth reading.
Not worth reading.
June 4, 2021
Kayla left Spanish billionaire Duardo Alvarez's days after their marriage when her father lied to her about his motivation.
June 25, 2014
Loved it short nice and sweet
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews