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The Balfour Brides #8
El despertar de Olivia
After her uncharacteristic behavior made headline news, buttoned-up Olivia Balfour has been sent far away from home. The English rose will work for Clint McAlpine—a cattle baron who's as fierce and untamed as his Outback station. But she's shocked when Clint informs her that she's entirely at his beck and call.
The cattle king is determined to get beyond Olivia's prim exterior...and, under the heat of the Australian sun, he'll enjoy slowly unbuttoning her at each and every step of the way!
Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2010
31 people are currently reading
333 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Way
611 books161 followersMargaret Way was born and educated in the river city of Brisbane, Australia. Before her marriage she was a well-known pianist, teacher, vocal coach and accompanist, but her hectic musical career came to a halt when her son was born and the demands of motherhood dictated a change of pace.
On a fortuitous impulse she decided to try her hand at romance writing and was thrilled when Mills & Boon accepted her first effort, Time of the Jacaranda, which they published less than a year later in 1970; a feat that brought tears to her father's eyes. Some seventy odd books have followed resulting in a loyal readership whose letters provide a source of support and encouragement. A driving force in all her writing has been the promotion of her much loved country, Australia. She delights in bringing it alive for her readers; its people, way of life, environment, flora and fauna. Her efforts so far have not excited official recognition, but she expects one day she will be awarded the "Order of Australia."
Her interests remain with the arts. She still plays the piano seriously, but her "top Cs" have gone. She is still addicted to collecting antiques and paintings and browsing through galleries. She now lives within sight and sound of beautiful Moreton Bay and its islands, inspiration for some of her books. Her house is full of books, spectacular plants, Chinese screens and pots. She is devoted to her garden and spends much time "directing the design and digging and providing cold drinks and chocolates."
On a fortuitous impulse she decided to try her hand at romance writing and was thrilled when Mills & Boon accepted her first effort, Time of the Jacaranda, which they published less than a year later in 1970; a feat that brought tears to her father's eyes. Some seventy odd books have followed resulting in a loyal readership whose letters provide a source of support and encouragement. A driving force in all her writing has been the promotion of her much loved country, Australia. She delights in bringing it alive for her readers; its people, way of life, environment, flora and fauna. Her efforts so far have not excited official recognition, but she expects one day she will be awarded the "Order of Australia."
Her interests remain with the arts. She still plays the piano seriously, but her "top Cs" have gone. She is still addicted to collecting antiques and paintings and browsing through galleries. She now lives within sight and sound of beautiful Moreton Bay and its islands, inspiration for some of her books. Her house is full of books, spectacular plants, Chinese screens and pots. She is devoted to her garden and spends much time "directing the design and digging and providing cold drinks and chocolates."
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 4, 2018
The last edition of the 8(!) part Balfour Brides series.
This gets three stars for being a typical Margaret Way:
The hero is king of all he surveys.
The OW is his ex-wife and she is evil-lite. (She only sent a lying email to break them up - no homicidal tendencies, alas)
The hero has a 12 year-old daughter whom the heroine bonds with.
Australian history, flora and fauna are described in loving detail.
Mothers are either evil or dead in her world and the heroine is always vowing to be the best mother she can be.
As for the romance, it is also typical MW - the hero knows the heroine better than she knows herself and he has some poetry memorized to spout at the right time. It's a two star romance at best. So be warned if you don't enjoy the MW brand of romance.
I've read a few of these Balfour stories and I didn't get/agree with the premise at all. The patriarch of the family - thrice wed and affairs to boot - isn't exactly a moral paragon and I don't get why they all needed to please him/earn his approval/whatever. I'm so over Daddy issues. There is an extended epilogue that catches the reader up on the 8 couples from the series. Some are written as emails, some as newspaper stories, some as letters from their children.
This gets three stars for being a typical Margaret Way:
The hero is king of all he surveys.
The OW is his ex-wife and she is evil-lite. (She only sent a lying email to break them up - no homicidal tendencies, alas)
The hero has a 12 year-old daughter whom the heroine bonds with.
Australian history, flora and fauna are described in loving detail.
Mothers are either evil or dead in her world and the heroine is always vowing to be the best mother she can be.
As for the romance, it is also typical MW - the hero knows the heroine better than she knows herself and he has some poetry memorized to spout at the right time. It's a two star romance at best. So be warned if you don't enjoy the MW brand of romance.
I've read a few of these Balfour stories and I didn't get/agree with the premise at all. The patriarch of the family - thrice wed and affairs to boot - isn't exactly a moral paragon and I don't get why they all needed to please him/earn his approval/whatever. I'm so over Daddy issues. There is an extended epilogue that catches the reader up on the 8 couples from the series. Some are written as emails, some as newspaper stories, some as letters from their children.
July 28, 2023
Galvojau nesu baisiai išlepus meilės romanuose😅 bet šis pergreitas, nerealistiškas (na neveltui yra net keli ir magijos elementai) ir nuobodus. Susitiko - bam, nekenčia viens kito - bam, meilė - bam, aistra - bam ir t.t. viskas taip pat greitai eina. Vienintelis kas patiko tai Australijos gamta. 😅
March 23, 2018
"Olivia and the Billionaire Cattle King" is the story of Olivia and Clint.
Olivia is the oldest and the most responsible Balfour- as well as twin to Bella. Post scandal, our Brit is banished to Australia- to act as the hostess to the Cattle King Clint- who has previously mocked her princess lifestyle. Now she is forced to work with him as unwilling attraction soars..
Filled with loads of ex drama, magic, and adorable daughters- one or two secondary characters are more likable than the primary one- and as an ending to this average series- this one was below average.
The epilogue too was underwhelming.
Safe
1.5/5
Olivia is the oldest and the most responsible Balfour- as well as twin to Bella. Post scandal, our Brit is banished to Australia- to act as the hostess to the Cattle King Clint- who has previously mocked her princess lifestyle. Now she is forced to work with him as unwilling attraction soars..
Filled with loads of ex drama, magic, and adorable daughters- one or two secondary characters are more likable than the primary one- and as an ending to this average series- this one was below average.
The epilogue too was underwhelming.
Safe
1.5/5
April 23, 2013
the last book in the series of the Balfour Brides. It lived up to the standard of most other books in the series, just mediocre.
April 16, 2011
I can't believe how long it took me to finish this book. I would have rated it a one- or two-star selection but the descriptions of Australia, Darwin and surrounding area were fantastic. You almost want to go there.
Other than that, Olivia and Clint's story was v.very boring. I found almost no hooks in the story to keep me reading and it took me four days to finish 192 pp. That's crazy. I had to literally force myself to finish this book chapter by chapter.
Other than that, Olivia and Clint's story was v.very boring. I found almost no hooks in the story to keep me reading and it took me four days to finish 192 pp. That's crazy. I had to literally force myself to finish this book chapter by chapter.
September 8, 2025
I read the French edition which isn't my mother tongue so my review is based on my pathetic French.
It was a solid OK. I'll say this for Maggy Way, she sure as shit likes to describe every flower and chunk of rock within a hundred mile radius.
I didn't really get the appeal of Clint, and any women worth her salt would not put up with that maniac ex-wife coming within a mile of the place. Why did Clint put up with having his ex around so much? Pathetic.
It was a solid OK. I'll say this for Maggy Way, she sure as shit likes to describe every flower and chunk of rock within a hundred mile radius.
I didn't really get the appeal of Clint, and any women worth her salt would not put up with that maniac ex-wife coming within a mile of the place. Why did Clint put up with having his ex around so much? Pathetic.
July 4, 2019
Mengapa, mengapa, dan mengapa? Novel ini menarik perhatian saya ketika berada di toko buku, tetapi ending-nya hanya membuat saya mendesah kecewa dengan jalinan alur yang ada. Karakter Olivia benar-benar tidak saya sukai. Seakan belum cukup, drama mantan istri yang tidak terima mantan suaminya menikah lagi benar-benar membuat muak.
February 27, 2018
Foi fofinho... E uma série terminada... ^_^
February 3, 2021
Não gostei tanto da história e acabou muito rapidamente, faltou mais desenvolvimento embora tenha gostado da relação dela com a filha dele e das paisagens australianas...
July 6, 2021
Lame! Didn't care for this book at all!
September 19, 2021
Me ha encantado el epílogo en especial el de bella y el jeque
September 4, 2012
Olivia es la mayor de las hijas del magnate inglés Oscar Balfour. Es la hermana gemela de Bella, conocida por su sobre exposición en los medios y su vida de frivolidad. Olivia vive a la sombra de su hermana, ya que considera que con su belleza y carisma no hay quien se le compare.
Es conocida por ser una mujer fría, reservada. Su vida se divide entre hacer de anfitriona de su padre, a cuidar de sus hermanas pequeñas y todas sus obras de Caridad.
Después de que su inusitado comportamiento saltara a los titulares de los periódicos, la recatada Olivia Balfour fue enviada muy lejos de casa, a trabajar para Clint McAlpine, un barón del ganado tan salvaje e indomable como su hacienda del interior de Australia. Se llevó una sorpresa cuando él la informó de que tendría que estar completamente a su disposición. Clint estaba decidido a ver más allá del remilgado exterior de Olivia. Y bajo el calor del sol australiano, iba a disfrutar desabrochándole todos y cada uno de los botones.
Olivia es demasiado estirada y refinada para la sociedad, y principalmente para Clin, quien la apodo "la princesa del hielo" y años atrás en un encuentro le había dicho que debía bajarse del pedestal. Por eso, verde ahora trabajando para él, ella lo considera un castigo por parte de su padre.
Con un no muy buen comienzo de las relaciones, rápidamente ambos descubren que no todo es lo que se ve desde el exterior, y la pasión empieza a florecer.
Clin es demasiado sexy y apasionado, pero tiene un gran fracaso matrimonial a sus espaldas, y una hija pre-adolescente que no se la esta haciendo pasar nada bien. ¿podrá darle su corazón a la no tan fría y hermosa Olivia?
Es una pareja simpática, donde claramente se nota el amor, pero me pareció que el final estuvo bastante apurado.
Me hubiera gustado, como lo dije en los 7 libros anteriores, ver mas de las hermanas interactuando entre ellas y mas de la relación de estas co su padre. Pero al parecer, eso no fue posible.... una lástima.
Por lo demás, lo mejor fue el epílogo, donde nos cuenta que fue de cada una de ellas.... Agradable para personajes tan lindos...
Es conocida por ser una mujer fría, reservada. Su vida se divide entre hacer de anfitriona de su padre, a cuidar de sus hermanas pequeñas y todas sus obras de Caridad.
Después de que su inusitado comportamiento saltara a los titulares de los periódicos, la recatada Olivia Balfour fue enviada muy lejos de casa, a trabajar para Clint McAlpine, un barón del ganado tan salvaje e indomable como su hacienda del interior de Australia. Se llevó una sorpresa cuando él la informó de que tendría que estar completamente a su disposición. Clint estaba decidido a ver más allá del remilgado exterior de Olivia. Y bajo el calor del sol australiano, iba a disfrutar desabrochándole todos y cada uno de los botones.
Olivia es demasiado estirada y refinada para la sociedad, y principalmente para Clin, quien la apodo "la princesa del hielo" y años atrás en un encuentro le había dicho que debía bajarse del pedestal. Por eso, verde ahora trabajando para él, ella lo considera un castigo por parte de su padre.
Con un no muy buen comienzo de las relaciones, rápidamente ambos descubren que no todo es lo que se ve desde el exterior, y la pasión empieza a florecer.
Clin es demasiado sexy y apasionado, pero tiene un gran fracaso matrimonial a sus espaldas, y una hija pre-adolescente que no se la esta haciendo pasar nada bien. ¿podrá darle su corazón a la no tan fría y hermosa Olivia?
Es una pareja simpática, donde claramente se nota el amor, pero me pareció que el final estuvo bastante apurado.
Me hubiera gustado, como lo dije en los 7 libros anteriores, ver mas de las hermanas interactuando entre ellas y mas de la relación de estas co su padre. Pero al parecer, eso no fue posible.... una lástima.
Por lo demás, lo mejor fue el epílogo, donde nos cuenta que fue de cada una de ellas.... Agradable para personajes tan lindos...
June 8, 2014
Olivia Balfour had been involved in a scandal (seriously that slap and confrontation w/ her sister was a scandal? What about the stuff in the news today? Have you seen the celebs getting sent to a time out?) and her father sent her away to grow some. Off to Australia the belle is sent to stay w/ Clint McAlpine. Of course, he has her number – don’t they all – yet he really doesn’t know half of what he thinks he does! Olivia also believes the worst of Clint but they both come to enlightenment as would be expected.
Olivia seemed to hide behind a façade and eventually Clint gets to the real hear which helps a LOT. There was a bit of a scare tossed in where one steps up to save the day and an ex that needs to grow up but she added some drama to the story. It was a bit bad form on Olivia’s part to believe what she did as anyone w/ two eyes could see through that! However, that brought about the conclusion to their story and a quick wrap up of the other sisters in The Balfour Bride series. Again, it was just a comforting read that past the time.
Olivia seemed to hide behind a façade and eventually Clint gets to the real hear which helps a LOT. There was a bit of a scare tossed in where one steps up to save the day and an ex that needs to grow up but she added some drama to the story. It was a bit bad form on Olivia’s part to believe what she did as anyone w/ two eyes could see through that! However, that brought about the conclusion to their story and a quick wrap up of the other sisters in The Balfour Bride series. Again, it was just a comforting read that past the time.
June 2, 2021
After her uncharacteristic behavior made headline news, buttoned-up Olivia Balfour has been sent far away from home. The English rose will work for Clint McAlpine—a cattle baron who's as fierce and untamed as his Outback station. But she's shocked when Clint informs her that she's entirely at his beck and call.The cattle king is determined to get beyond Olivia's prim exterior…and, under the heat of the Australian sun, he'll enjoy slowly unbuttoning her at each and every step of the way!
August 28, 2013
I have been noticing that with the Austrialian novels i dont like the main guys as much - overly macho. the magic bit was a little out of placel. but i did love reading about the outback, the wildlife and the plants and landscape that was cool.
Read
December 24, 2014Miniseries: The Balfour Brides
Category: Classic Romance
Category: Classic Romance
May 6, 2011
I liked one of the secondary characters better than the two main characters in the book, the book was ok but really nothing fantastic.
Read
July 25, 2012will read first
August 10, 2012
love this author
December 16, 2012
Only finished because it was the last in a series.
July 14, 2013
it was an ok read nothing extraordinary and too slow paced and lacking the usual passion and chemistry I expect from a harlequin..
November 26, 2013
Way too old-fashioned. The author is giving shout outs to Joan Collins?!?!
December 22, 2013
Buku ke 8 balfour bride...
Read
December 24, 2014Miniseries: The Balfour Brides
Category: Classic Romance
Category: Classic Romance
August 24, 2011
Last in The Balfour Brides series.
Very nice!
Very nice!
April 15, 2012
Amé el epilogo OMG lindos los 8 libros. Definitivamente mi serie Harlequin favorita ^^
May 3, 2017
Leído el 27/07/2011
8.EL DESPERTAR DE OLIVIA
Después de que su inusitado comportamiento saltara a los titulares de los periódicos, la recatada Olivia Balfour había sido enviada muy lejos de casa, a trabajar para Clint McAlpine, un barón del ganado tan salvaje e indomable como su hacienda del interior de Australia. Y Olivia se llevó una sorpresa cuando él la informó de que tendría que estar completamente a su disposición. Clint estaba decidido a ver más allá del remilgado exterior de Olivia. Y bajo el calor del sol australiano, iba a disfrutar desabrochándole todos y cada uno de los botones.
8.EL DESPERTAR DE OLIVIA
Después de que su inusitado comportamiento saltara a los titulares de los periódicos, la recatada Olivia Balfour había sido enviada muy lejos de casa, a trabajar para Clint McAlpine, un barón del ganado tan salvaje e indomable como su hacienda del interior de Australia. Y Olivia se llevó una sorpresa cuando él la informó de que tendría que estar completamente a su disposición. Clint estaba decidido a ver más allá del remilgado exterior de Olivia. Y bajo el calor del sol australiano, iba a disfrutar desabrochándole todos y cada uno de los botones.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews