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Alpha Heroes Meet Their Match #3
Protecting the Desert Princess
CALOR DA PROTEÇÃO - CAROL MARINELLIAprisionada pelos deveres reais, a princesa Layla sempre sonhou em ter uma vida comum. Quando desembarca na Austrália, está determinada a realizar seu desejo. Mas procurar a ajuda de Mikael Romanov, estaria correndo o risco de quebrar a regra mais manter-se pura!
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published October 21, 2014
12 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Carol Marinelli
1,359 books449 followersCarol Marinelli was born in England to Scottish parents, then emigrated to Australia, where there are loads of Scottish and English people who did exactly the same, so she’s very at home there.
She lives in the outer suburbs of Melbourne—pretty much in her car, driving her three children to their various commitments.
Carol writes for the Harlequin Presents and Medical lines and she also writes contemporary women's fiction (with a dark twist).
When she's not writing she's reading, when she's not reading she's writing.
She lives in the outer suburbs of Melbourne—pretty much in her car, driving her three children to their various commitments.
Carol writes for the Harlequin Presents and Medical lines and she also writes contemporary women's fiction (with a dark twist).
When she's not writing she's reading, when she's not reading she's writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 15, 2021
Refreshing change of pace. Has a madcap, Mel Brook-sian quality to it. More later....
Princess Layla of Ishla just wants one week of freedom before she has to marry her very disagreeable MOC fiancee so she plays gooseberry to her brother's honeymoon in Australia. Her plans are to leave the couple and have the very famous, very stern, very shut down barrister Mikael (Russian hero) talk her brother and SIL down. Yes, she knows she's being selfish as her SIL points out, but her response is all she's asking for is one week of happiness before she goes back compared to her SIL and brother's lifetime of happiness.
Princess Layla wants to wear a red dress, have a romantic dinner, smoke a joint, have Irish coffee, an orgasm, and dance the night away but still come home a virgin. Princess Layla is a nut, but luckily for us, the readers, and the very bemused and bamboozled Mikael she is a charming nut. I don't know which scene I like better so far: the one where she calls room service and tries to order a joint along with her sliced apple or casually tosses out to Mikael that she would like an orgasm please. At times, she comes across as someone with Asperger's she's so direct.
Mikael had a rough, VERY rough, beginning in Russia which led him to his role as a defense barrister in Australia. We see little of his gruffness as he is so disarmed by the bizarre behavior of the Princess, and Princess she is. His reactions to her antics are incredibly funny.
Uh oh. At 73% the hero cries. I love this guy.
Layla almost gets a complete week of freedom until all hell breaks loose, and she is forced home. The journey from a tad bit of angts to HEA is pretty charming and cleverly done.
This is not a typical HP by any means.
Thank you to the reviewers who recommended this.
Princess Layla of Ishla just wants one week of freedom before she has to marry her very disagreeable MOC fiancee so she plays gooseberry to her brother's honeymoon in Australia. Her plans are to leave the couple and have the very famous, very stern, very shut down barrister Mikael (Russian hero) talk her brother and SIL down. Yes, she knows she's being selfish as her SIL points out, but her response is all she's asking for is one week of happiness before she goes back compared to her SIL and brother's lifetime of happiness.
Princess Layla wants to wear a red dress, have a romantic dinner, smoke a joint, have Irish coffee, an orgasm, and dance the night away but still come home a virgin. Princess Layla is a nut, but luckily for us, the readers, and the very bemused and bamboozled Mikael she is a charming nut. I don't know which scene I like better so far: the one where she calls room service and tries to order a joint along with her sliced apple or casually tosses out to Mikael that she would like an orgasm please. At times, she comes across as someone with Asperger's she's so direct.
Mikael had a rough, VERY rough, beginning in Russia which led him to his role as a defense barrister in Australia. We see little of his gruffness as he is so disarmed by the bizarre behavior of the Princess, and Princess she is. His reactions to her antics are incredibly funny.
Uh oh. At 73% the hero cries. I love this guy.
Layla almost gets a complete week of freedom until all hell breaks loose, and she is forced home. The journey from a tad bit of angts to HEA is pretty charming and cleverly done.
This is not a typical HP by any means.
Thank you to the reviewers who recommended this.
March 8, 2018
I loved this story from the very first page, definitely my favorite by Carol Marinelli.
Layla is a small child discovering there's a world outside from her sheltered bubble; Mikael, in return, has seen too much of the bad side of human nature.
When their worlds collidefunny situations unexpected emotions are stirred and an impossible love is born.
Layla is a small child discovering there's a world outside from her sheltered bubble; Mikael, in return, has seen too much of the bad side of human nature.
When their worlds collide
October 6, 2014
If you love smitten crazy in love heroes this is the book for you. Heroine was funny as hell because she was so clueless and naive about the real world. She was like Amy Adams in Enchanted. Princess Layla escapes palace walls, arrives in Australia meets a hot lawyer they fall in love but she is a princess and he is a commoner, there is no future for them so he has to let her go.
I liked the hilarious heroine and the crazy in love hero but I had a huge problem with the lack of an epilogue. Heroine is scared to death of having children and the author never dealt with this issue. I wanted to see an epilogue where Layla overcame her fears and she and Mikael had one or two adorable cute little babies. The lack of a happy epilogue left me cold and disappointed when the book was over! Not a fairy tale ending at all.
I liked the hilarious heroine and the crazy in love hero but I had a huge problem with the lack of an epilogue. Heroine is scared to death of having children and the author never dealt with this issue. I wanted to see an epilogue where Layla overcame her fears and she and Mikael had one or two adorable cute little babies. The lack of a happy epilogue left me cold and disappointed when the book was over! Not a fairy tale ending at all.
October 1, 2014
Protecting the Desert Princess is a fairytale with moments of lol humor but beneath all that is a layer of sadness from the past that the hero and heroine overcome on the journey to happy ever after.
What I liked- everything. The prose, the chemistry, the hero and the heorine. I really enjoyed the humor. I lol alot. It was light then not so light. This story had depth. I enjoyed seeing Layla break down Mikael's barriers and I enjoyed Mikael tame this headstrong Princess.
Oh just realized one negative issue I had with this book. No epilogue!!! I wanted more of Mikael and Layla!!!
If one is looking for the perfect escape into romance, this book fills that category.
What I liked- everything. The prose, the chemistry, the hero and the heorine. I really enjoyed the humor. I lol alot. It was light then not so light. This story had depth. I enjoyed seeing Layla break down Mikael's barriers and I enjoyed Mikael tame this headstrong Princess.
Oh just realized one negative issue I had with this book. No epilogue!!! I wanted more of Mikael and Layla!!!
If one is looking for the perfect escape into romance, this book fills that category.
February 15, 2019
Princess Layla has been sheltered her whole life and when she finally gets the chance to leave her country of Ishla to accompany her brother and his wife on their honeymoon, she makes plans to get her week of freedom. For this, she relies on top barrister, Mikael Romanov who at first grates at the idea of having to babysit this naive, troublesome little princess, but who eventually comes to appreciate her ability to make him smile and enjoy life. But Layla and Mikael don't have a future. Layla needs to return to her family and her home and choose an acceptable husband. They would never let her choose a commoner and live overseas with him, no matter how much she might long for it.
I can totally see how this could be a refreshing change of pace in the Harlequin World. This is nothing like the typical style, involves a lot more slapsticky kind of humor and fun times following a clueless ingenue and a lot less of the angst (that's saved for later). But this kind of change of pace isn't really for me. I could NOT with this heroine. Many will probably find her adorable and endearing, but I found her pampered, silly and selfish. It bugged me that she was proud to admit that, "Every word I say is with the intent to get what I want.." That really smacks of selfishness and self-indulgence. Even in the end she failed to feel any remorse for causing any worry, especially to the servant who was like a mother to her. In fact, she remained angry because this woman sold her out. Then, instead of approaching the husband thing maturely, she throws another temper tantrum. This girl made me think of a toddler every time with the tantrums, the "I like!" and constant need for guidance and direction. I couldn't help but see a lot of her personality as a bit more tragedy than comedy, because no way is she set up with the necessary skills (communication, relating to others on an equal level or even taking orders from someone with authority) to cope in the real world. I know, I know - maybe take this stuff a little less seriously, but I think I need a certain degree of reality in my romance. Sorry to be in the minority on this one, but I didn't like Layla and didn't understand what the hero found so enchanting about her.
I did totally understand why the heroine found the hero enchanting though. He was surprisingly patient with her, even in the restraint he showed when losing his temper. He also was the first to admit his feelings, the first to cry at the idea of a life without her and the first to drop everything and run to her. And yet I don't feel like he lost his alpha-ness in doing so. I liked him a lot. But sadly, he wasn't enough to bring this book into 3 star territory.
I can totally see how this could be a refreshing change of pace in the Harlequin World. This is nothing like the typical style, involves a lot more slapsticky kind of humor and fun times following a clueless ingenue and a lot less of the angst (that's saved for later). But this kind of change of pace isn't really for me. I could NOT with this heroine. Many will probably find her adorable and endearing, but I found her pampered, silly and selfish. It bugged me that she was proud to admit that, "Every word I say is with the intent to get what I want.." That really smacks of selfishness and self-indulgence. Even in the end she failed to feel any remorse for causing any worry, especially to the servant who was like a mother to her. In fact, she remained angry because this woman sold her out. Then, instead of approaching the husband thing maturely, she throws another temper tantrum. This girl made me think of a toddler every time with the tantrums, the "I like!" and constant need for guidance and direction. I couldn't help but see a lot of her personality as a bit more tragedy than comedy, because no way is she set up with the necessary skills (communication, relating to others on an equal level or even taking orders from someone with authority) to cope in the real world. I know, I know - maybe take this stuff a little less seriously, but I think I need a certain degree of reality in my romance. Sorry to be in the minority on this one, but I didn't like Layla and didn't understand what the hero found so enchanting about her.
I did totally understand why the heroine found the hero enchanting though. He was surprisingly patient with her, even in the restraint he showed when losing his temper. He also was the first to admit his feelings, the first to cry at the idea of a life without her and the first to drop everything and run to her. And yet I don't feel like he lost his alpha-ness in doing so. I liked him a lot. But sadly, he wasn't enough to bring this book into 3 star territory.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2015
3.5☆
Tiene Spoilers:
Resumen de la novela:
Me gustó mucho. Layla es un personaje bien particular. Es una princesa que perdió a su madre el día en que nació por lo que es bien mimada por su nana y su papá el Rey. Pero está cansada ya de su vida tan rutinaria,por lo que decide escaparse en un viaje con su hermano y su nueva cuñada y tener la semana de su vida. Por eso tiene una lista de deseos, que quiere cumplir antes de volver al palacio a escoger a su futuro esposo como le ha ordenado su padre.
Cuando llega a su destino,busca a un abogado al que le ha seguido su carrera por Internet. Porque sabe que no tiene escrúpulos y le pide que intervenga ante su hermano para que le de una semana libre,que costee sus cosas y que luego le pase factura.
Mikel acepta a regaña dientes,pues no sabe que hacer con la princesa y se da cuenta que ella no sabe nada de la vida,ni como cuidarse sola. Así que decide ayudarla y le va cumpliendo todos sus caprichos por esa semana,total lo único que tiene que hacer es que no le pase nada y que ella vuelva virgen a su palacio a escoger su futuro esposo.
Layla como dije es un personaje bien particular, es insoportable, egocéntrica,caprichosa,algo grosera y sobretodo muy egoísta. No sabe haer nada,está acostumbrada a que la bañen, la peinen,la cuiden y la protejan tanto. Pero las situaciones que le pasan en la historia,son muy cómicas. Aunque la mayor parte del tiempo quieras golpearla. De verdad que era irritante, pero la historia estaba muy buena y bastante original. Lo más risa que me dio fue su costumbre en comerse manzanas picadas en lonchas muy finas para refrescarse la garganta, que cuando Mikel no le quedó otra que presentar la fractura,en una semana se había comido $500 dólares en manzanas. Bastante exagerado,pero muy cómica la reacción del príncipe.
En fin,hubo uno que otro detalle que la autora pudo haber desarrollado un poco mejor,pero es una buena historia y un tanto diferente de las del género.
Tiene Spoilers:
Resumen de la novela:
Me gustó mucho. Layla es un personaje bien particular. Es una princesa que perdió a su madre el día en que nació por lo que es bien mimada por su nana y su papá el Rey. Pero está cansada ya de su vida tan rutinaria,por lo que decide escaparse en un viaje con su hermano y su nueva cuñada y tener la semana de su vida. Por eso tiene una lista de deseos, que quiere cumplir antes de volver al palacio a escoger a su futuro esposo como le ha ordenado su padre.
Cuando llega a su destino,busca a un abogado al que le ha seguido su carrera por Internet. Porque sabe que no tiene escrúpulos y le pide que intervenga ante su hermano para que le de una semana libre,que costee sus cosas y que luego le pase factura.
Mikel acepta a regaña dientes,pues no sabe que hacer con la princesa y se da cuenta que ella no sabe nada de la vida,ni como cuidarse sola. Así que decide ayudarla y le va cumpliendo todos sus caprichos por esa semana,total lo único que tiene que hacer es que no le pase nada y que ella vuelva virgen a su palacio a escoger su futuro esposo.
Layla como dije es un personaje bien particular, es insoportable, egocéntrica,caprichosa,algo grosera y sobretodo muy egoísta. No sabe haer nada,está acostumbrada a que la bañen, la peinen,la cuiden y la protejan tanto. Pero las situaciones que le pasan en la historia,son muy cómicas. Aunque la mayor parte del tiempo quieras golpearla. De verdad que era irritante, pero la historia estaba muy buena y bastante original. Lo más risa que me dio fue su costumbre en comerse manzanas picadas en lonchas muy finas para refrescarse la garganta, que cuando Mikel no le quedó otra que presentar la fractura,en una semana se había comido $500 dólares en manzanas. Bastante exagerado,pero muy cómica la reacción del príncipe.
En fin,hubo uno que otro detalle que la autora pudo haber desarrollado un poco mejor,pero es una buena historia y un tanto diferente de las del género.
October 26, 2014
This book was unbelievably touching and funny and sweet. I really, really liked it a lot. Layla and Mikael were so good together.
Even though I don't typically go for the insta-love romance stories, I must say that this one got to me. When Layla's time with Mikael came to a close the way that it did, I think I cried for two whole chapters. No kidding!
This story was just beautiful.
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: Fairy-tale romance lovers
Status: A
Romantic Tension/Chemistry: Yes
Conflict/Drama: Yes
Keeper/Re-read: Yes
HEA: Yes
A complimentary e-copy of this title was made available for review by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest critique.
Even though I don't typically go for the insta-love romance stories, I must say that this one got to me. When Layla's time with Mikael came to a close the way that it did, I think I cried for two whole chapters. No kidding!
This story was just beautiful.
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: Fairy-tale romance lovers
Status: A
Romantic Tension/Chemistry: Yes
Conflict/Drama: Yes
Keeper/Re-read: Yes
HEA: Yes
A complimentary e-copy of this title was made available for review by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest critique.
November 12, 2015
O MELHOR DA SÉRIE!!! HAHAHAHAH
November 9, 2014
Protecting the Desert Princess is a well written romance on the runaway princess theme. The plot is a little different than the usual Presents in the way the romance is portrayed but in a good way. Layla is not your average heroine because she has no idea what she is doing half of the time. She has lived her life with certain amount of restrictions and when she is given a chance to throw all the rules away, she steps into a world which is very different from what she has been raised in.She was like Rapunzel in Tangled after she steps out of her castle to explore a whole new world. I should have been irritated at her naivety but I loved her because of it. Mikael has a dark past but it does not overpower his personality and affect the romance in a negative way. I loved how he really cared for Layla and was totally in love with her. The characters fall in love really quickly and I never got to know if Layla overcame her fear of having children.
Overall, Protecting the Desert Princess is a well written and totally enjoyable romance which does not fail to keep you hooked with its amazing characters.Read More
Overall, Protecting the Desert Princess is a well written and totally enjoyable romance which does not fail to keep you hooked with its amazing characters.Read More
October 27, 2021
Not for me I’m afraid.
Carol Marinelli is one of my favourite Mills and Boon authors. She has a unique voice and generally her characters are fabulous, well drawn and engaging and her plots are imaginative and credible. Her writing is so good, with prose that flows easily and dialogue which moves the story forward and develops the characters.
So it makes me very sad to say this one disappointed me.
I liked the premise of the ‘innocent abroad’ but sadly I could not like Layla a lot of the time. Yes, there were times when her actions and dialogue were really funny, but mostly I found her self-centred and her naivety bordered on stupidity. Her unwillingness to even try to fight for Mikael struck me as cowardly and cruel.
In contrast Mikael was delicious. What a fabulous hero! But I could not believe that he fell in love with this girl.
I loved meeting Zaid and Trinity, and Demyan and Alina again so that was a bonus. But, the whole obstacle of who Layla could marry and the rush to make her choose an acceptable husband, went on far too long.
I think this was a really brilliant idea from Carol - of trying something very different, but it just didn’t work for me. It’s really well written as one would expect, but the heroine’s character just didn’t appeal to me.
Carol Marinelli is one of my favourite Mills and Boon authors. She has a unique voice and generally her characters are fabulous, well drawn and engaging and her plots are imaginative and credible. Her writing is so good, with prose that flows easily and dialogue which moves the story forward and develops the characters.
So it makes me very sad to say this one disappointed me.
I liked the premise of the ‘innocent abroad’ but sadly I could not like Layla a lot of the time. Yes, there were times when her actions and dialogue were really funny, but mostly I found her self-centred and her naivety bordered on stupidity. Her unwillingness to even try to fight for Mikael struck me as cowardly and cruel.
In contrast Mikael was delicious. What a fabulous hero! But I could not believe that he fell in love with this girl.
I loved meeting Zaid and Trinity, and Demyan and Alina again so that was a bonus. But, the whole obstacle of who Layla could marry and the rush to make her choose an acceptable husband, went on far too long.
I think this was a really brilliant idea from Carol - of trying something very different, but it just didn’t work for me. It’s really well written as one would expect, but the heroine’s character just didn’t appeal to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2015
I liked this one, it worked well for me. I liked the hero and heroine. Some might see her as spoiled, but I saw her as being really sheltered, naive and clueless about the real world. I found myself feeling sad for her at times, that at 25 (I believe), she was so sheltered and clueless due to her strict upbringing. All the things she missed out on, and like how just having an Irish coffee was an exciting, amazing thing to her. Puts some things in perspective, I guess. She reveled in things most people would take for granted. I also liked how it was a change from the male hero Sheikh romances, this is sort of the other side of the coin, focusing on a Middle Eastern heroine.
hq-to-read
June 14, 2021Seven days without her crown!
Princess Layla of Ishla craves just one week outside the gilded cage of her palace. A chance to try absolutely everything that is forbidden!
1. Sharing a romantic dinner
2. Dancing the night away
3. Kissing a gorgeous man…
The only exception? She must remain pure for her future husband! When she arrives in Australia, she finds there's only one man who can help her fulfill this dream….
Revered yet feared, Mikael Romanov has earned his ruthless legal reputation, yet spirited Layla quickly gets beneath his skin. Mikael's sworn to protect her, but can he protect Layla from himself?
Princess Layla of Ishla craves just one week outside the gilded cage of her palace. A chance to try absolutely everything that is forbidden!
1. Sharing a romantic dinner
2. Dancing the night away
3. Kissing a gorgeous man…
The only exception? She must remain pure for her future husband! When she arrives in Australia, she finds there's only one man who can help her fulfill this dream….
Revered yet feared, Mikael Romanov has earned his ruthless legal reputation, yet spirited Layla quickly gets beneath his skin. Mikael's sworn to protect her, but can he protect Layla from himself?
November 1, 2014
Notes (not a review):
- Feisty heroine, unbelievably naive, but surprisingly charming
- Sydney cabs are not yellow
- Roman Holiday meets Mills & Boon
- Completely OTT plot
- No sex before marriage!
- Not sure why hero had to be Russian - this was either a line promise thing or a Marinelli thing, I haven't quite decided which
- This should not have worked for me, but I cried buckets and was completely delighted by how the h/h get to their HEA
- Feisty heroine, unbelievably naive, but surprisingly charming
- Sydney cabs are not yellow
- Roman Holiday meets Mills & Boon
- Completely OTT plot
- No sex before marriage!
- Not sure why hero had to be Russian - this was either a line promise thing or a Marinelli thing, I haven't quite decided which
- This should not have worked for me, but I cried buckets and was completely delighted by how the h/h get to their HEA
Read
January 12, 2016received 4 1/2 stars @ RT Book Reviews
Miniseries: Alpha Heroes Meet Their Match
Miniseries: Alpha Heroes Meet Their Match
January 31, 2015
Esa princesa me hizo reír como loca, verlo luchando por hacerle entender muchas cosas fue lindo.
February 16, 2017
very cute and romantic book.it had lots of fun elements and I loved the smitten hero and innocent heroine,also I found the ending very beautiful.
September 22, 2017
Big Carol Marinelli fan but I can't. I just can't. The heroine was too silly for words, however reading other reviews perhaps I need a little more patience, so I'll try again.
October 5, 2021
4 stars
Would be perfect if they had a baby or two or even planning to have it. But apparently the h was not a huge fan of babies so they decided to wait. I mean it's pretty normal for couples to wait for a while to havr vabies but with hp books it's pretty rare for me to read the couples not very keen of having baby/ies straight away. The h was pampered and unknowingly to her acted quite childish and demanding, pretty much a brat. I got that she was being served her whole life and when she went without servant she was clueless but it was borderline OTT tbh but that was entertaining. She was pretty selfish but very beautiful so she most of the time got her way. The H was likeable as well. A bit alpha and he found himself doing things that he wasn't used to do like bent to another's wishes. Low angst but quite enjoyable. No OW OM drama here. The h was so naive and straightforward. The H was quite cynical and cold at first.
Would be perfect if they had a baby or two or even planning to have it. But apparently the h was not a huge fan of babies so they decided to wait. I mean it's pretty normal for couples to wait for a while to havr vabies but with hp books it's pretty rare for me to read the couples not very keen of having baby/ies straight away. The h was pampered and unknowingly to her acted quite childish and demanding, pretty much a brat. I got that she was being served her whole life and when she went without servant she was clueless but it was borderline OTT tbh but that was entertaining. She was pretty selfish but very beautiful so she most of the time got her way. The H was likeable as well. A bit alpha and he found himself doing things that he wasn't used to do like bent to another's wishes. Low angst but quite enjoyable. No OW OM drama here. The h was so naive and straightforward. The H was quite cynical and cold at first.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2024
One of the earliest I read by this author. The spoilt princess goes to Australia hell bent on finding the hotshot lawyer hero so he can help her cut the smothering ties her family has on her.
She gives him a huge jewel as a retainer when she hires him because of course she has no money.
He puts her up at a hotel. She wants to experience the western world so he agrees to show her things.
Soon she’s wearing his shirt in bed and he’s gritting his teeth and shampooing her hair because she can’t even bathe herself.
They fall madly in love. Nothing happens. He’s honourable.
She goes back. Is throwing a tantrum when faced with suitors when he turns up. They are married off.
Hopefully she did not drive him crazy afterwards.
It was sweet.
She gives him a huge jewel as a retainer when she hires him because of course she has no money.
He puts her up at a hotel. She wants to experience the western world so he agrees to show her things.
Soon she’s wearing his shirt in bed and he’s gritting his teeth and shampooing her hair because she can’t even bathe herself.
They fall madly in love. Nothing happens. He’s honourable.
She goes back. Is throwing a tantrum when faced with suitors when he turns up. They are married off.
Hopefully she did not drive him crazy afterwards.
It was sweet.
June 6, 2020
It's been a long, long time since I laughed aloud at a book. This one made me laugh like a loon at the h's antics. And then it made me cry like a baby - like actual tears that made reading a bit tricky, and the ending was just perfect.
I agree with other reviewers that an epilogue to see whether the h got over her fears of having a baby would have been nice but that's the only criticism I can find with the book.
If this isn't CM's best book I don't think I can survive her best.
I agree with other reviewers that an epilogue to see whether the h got over her fears of having a baby would have been nice but that's the only criticism I can find with the book.
If this isn't CM's best book I don't think I can survive her best.
February 13, 2019
Wow! Loved it
This was a great read! I laughed and I cried. This author is just fabulous! So much fun and emotions in this one. I wished I had read it sooner. I will gladly read this again!
This was a great read! I laughed and I cried. This author is just fabulous! So much fun and emotions in this one. I wished I had read it sooner. I will gladly read this again!
October 25, 2020
20 chapters, not ordinary for harlequin novels. But the content still the same, a princess who run away and then fall in love with commoner. Then her father not that angry, no political turmoil, and voila the wedding was approved. Too good to be true in real life 🙃
June 13, 2021
Es la típica historia de la princesa criada con privaciones de libertad y quiere vivir en el mundo real. La princesa Layla y el abogado Mikael viven una historia de pasión y amor en ese tiempo de libertad, dónde al final triunfa el amor.
August 22, 2021
I loved this story! Princess Kayla is a wonderful character and so easy to love. She finds Mikael and turns his life upside down. They are great together. Loved the ending.
April 5, 2015
Layla has been protected all her life in her castle by her father. Being able to go see the outside world is something that she dream of doing. And the opportunity arises when her father allow her to accompany her brother and sister in law to Australia. She has it all plan. She leave the hotel that they booked in and seek the help of Mikael to prevent her brother to go after her and allow her to stay and do what she have planned. Mikael, taken aback by the request and relented when he saw just how desperate she was. Mikael, took her into his stride and introduce to her (on her own instigation) things that in her bucket list. During the course, Layla found herself to be attracted to him but Mikael knows that there are both from a different world and there is no way that they can be together.
It is a fun story of a princess that keen to see the world and prepared months before her outing to runaway as soon as she arrive her destination in order for her to experience her freedom eventhough it is temporary. I admired her courage for the action that she undertakes though it was rather irresponsible in her part. I also love her naivety and her absolutely clueless of the reality world that makes the story fun to read.
It is a fun story of a princess that keen to see the world and prepared months before her outing to runaway as soon as she arrive her destination in order for her to experience her freedom eventhough it is temporary. I admired her courage for the action that she undertakes though it was rather irresponsible in her part. I also love her naivety and her absolutely clueless of the reality world that makes the story fun to read.
June 2, 2023
Cute story with a fun sense of humor. I've read a few books by Carol Marinelli now and I like that her characters tend to be a bit more original than the HP standard. Even when they fit into stereotypes, she gives them a different twist that makes them feel fresh. I also like that the barriers of culture, experiences, and class (she's a princess, obviously, while he was homeless as a child before becoming a rich and successful barrister, and his level of wealth seems more normal than your average tycoon hero) are very much there but h/h manage to understand each other despite their differences. Marinelli does a good job balancing the physical attraction with plenty of scenes that show how they fit together in personality, and how they're better together than apart. The steamy scenes were fun because they're the opposite of generic filler; they further the plot and the h/h stay totally in character.
July 13, 2015
Mikael is a real nice hero...from the get go he took care of Layla who seems really selfish and childish. Her intelligence made her decide to seize the day and live a week as she would have if she were not a princess of Isla...quite reasonable in view of her expected drab rest of the life. But to tuin her brother's honeymoon and let her handmaiden worry...Just when I thought I dislike Layla's self-centredness she shows her cute and innocent sides. Her funny comments like it's a global warming snow globe of Sydney...and Mikael's bad pun on pawn all made me smile. Oh and Australia is the land of expensive apples haha! All in a very enjoyable read.
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January 12, 2016"Marinelli’s romance is an exquisitely told modern-day fairytale, a delightful mix of laugh-out-loud pampered-princess antics and solemn realities. The first kiss between the ruthless, sexy Aussie lawyer and tempestuous Arabian royal temptress kicks off an erotic fantasy" (RT Book Reviews, 4 1/2 stars).
Miniseries: Alpha Heroes Meet Their Match
Miniseries: Alpha Heroes Meet Their Match
September 20, 2014
Really didn't care for this book at all.
December 24, 2014
stupid plot. the way the story was constructed was very unrealistic. but I'll give it 2 stars for the heroine's stupid antics. 'cos it did manage to entertain me.
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