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The Windsors #2
La esposa temporal: La historia de Luca y Valentina
When Luca Windsor’s secretary suddenly quits her job shortly after his family forces him into an unwanted engagement, he sets out to solve both problems.
… by secretly marrying his secretary, Valentina, instead.
The rules are simple:
Don’t fall in love
Keep their marriage a secret at work
Share a bed every night
It was meant to be a straightforward and mutually beneficial deal, but with each day that passes, it becomes clearer to Luca that the one thing Valentina wants is the only thing he can never do:
Letting her go.
Publisher's Note: Each book in the Windsors series features a different Windsor sibling, and as such, each book can be read as a standalone. The Temporary Wife contains a guaranteed happily-ever-after and no cheating.
… by secretly marrying his secretary, Valentina, instead.
The rules are simple:
Don’t fall in love
Keep their marriage a secret at work
Share a bed every night
It was meant to be a straightforward and mutually beneficial deal, but with each day that passes, it becomes clearer to Luca that the one thing Valentina wants is the only thing he can never do:
Letting her go.
Publisher's Note: Each book in the Windsors series features a different Windsor sibling, and as such, each book can be read as a standalone. The Temporary Wife contains a guaranteed happily-ever-after and no cheating.
416 pages, Paperback
First published February 3, 2023
15317 people are currently reading
54405 people want to read
About the author
Catharina Maura
34 books16.6k followersCatharina Maura is a USA Today and Amazon #1 bestselling author. She writes angsty, fast-paced contemporary romance novels that break your heart before they lead you to a hard-won happily ever after.
Cat lives in Hong Kong with her husband and a dozen houseplants that all have names. When she isn't daydreaming about future characters, she's exploring the world and seeking out new adventures.
You can find Cat's socials and latest updates here: https://hi.catharinamaura.com/bio
Cat lives in Hong Kong with her husband and a dozen houseplants that all have names. When she isn't daydreaming about future characters, she's exploring the world and seeking out new adventures.
You can find Cat's socials and latest updates here: https://hi.catharinamaura.com/bio
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 6,445 reviews
dnf
July 13, 2023Luca is a weird little fucking loser.
imagine exploiting the deterioration of the health of someone’s grandmother to force them to do what you want 😭😭
Valentina’s grandmother has Alzheimer’s and within the span of two chapters, Luca manages to manipulate Valentina to marry him and stay in her job as his assistant twice— first when she goes missing, the second time when Valentina can’t afford the healthcare... im supposed to be rooting for this nasty crusty weirdo?????
when Valentina’s grandmother goes missing, Luca is already using his resources to find her but Val doesn’t know this. so she goes to him to make a deal and says she’ll stay on as his assistant (since she had handed in her resignation which Luca was viciously resistant to) if he finds her grandmother. instead, he says he’ll find her if Valentina marries him.
then the following chapter when she’s found and they go visit her, Luca makes it clear that her grandmother is going to need constant monitoring by healthcare professionals. Valentina can’t afford this and i really got the impression Luca knew this and said it purposefully to further manipulate Valentina into doing what he wanted. so she decides she’ll marry him in exchange for funding her grandmother’s healthcare.
i already felt icky about him anyway because he was purposefully blocking her attempts at finding another job, getting her blacklisted from everywhere she applied. as well as being engaged to OW (granted it’s arranged but it doesn’t change the fact he’s not single) while trying to pursue Valentina knowing he can’t offer her an actual relationship and spoils any attempts she makes at dating.
i just did not feel comfortable reading this after that whole exchange. i found it such a foul exploitative thing to do, literally anything else would have sufficed as a catalyst to spur them into this arranged marriage. but since Luca had very obvious ulterior motives from early on, it was easy to see he was willing to do anything to get Valentina...
and usually a possessive, active hero who would do anything to get the woman he wants is hot as hell. but maybe just don’t use the ill grandmother as a way to make your move.
Luca does admit it’s an asshole thing to do. you say asshole, i say pathetic! tomato tomato, huh.
dnf @ 30%
imagine exploiting the deterioration of the health of someone’s grandmother to force them to do what you want 😭😭
Valentina’s grandmother has Alzheimer’s and within the span of two chapters, Luca manages to manipulate Valentina to marry him and stay in her job as his assistant twice— first when she goes missing, the second time when Valentina can’t afford the healthcare... im supposed to be rooting for this nasty crusty weirdo?????
when Valentina’s grandmother goes missing, Luca is already using his resources to find her but Val doesn’t know this. so she goes to him to make a deal and says she’ll stay on as his assistant (since she had handed in her resignation which Luca was viciously resistant to) if he finds her grandmother. instead, he says he’ll find her if Valentina marries him.
then the following chapter when she’s found and they go visit her, Luca makes it clear that her grandmother is going to need constant monitoring by healthcare professionals. Valentina can’t afford this and i really got the impression Luca knew this and said it purposefully to further manipulate Valentina into doing what he wanted. so she decides she’ll marry him in exchange for funding her grandmother’s healthcare.
i already felt icky about him anyway because he was purposefully blocking her attempts at finding another job, getting her blacklisted from everywhere she applied. as well as being engaged to OW (granted it’s arranged but it doesn’t change the fact he’s not single) while trying to pursue Valentina knowing he can’t offer her an actual relationship and spoils any attempts she makes at dating.
i just did not feel comfortable reading this after that whole exchange. i found it such a foul exploitative thing to do, literally anything else would have sufficed as a catalyst to spur them into this arranged marriage. but since Luca had very obvious ulterior motives from early on, it was easy to see he was willing to do anything to get Valentina...
and usually a possessive, active hero who would do anything to get the woman he wants is hot as hell. but maybe just don’t use the ill grandmother as a way to make your move.
Luca does admit it’s an asshole thing to do. you say asshole, i say pathetic! tomato tomato, huh.
dnf @ 30%
January 28, 2025
I ABSOLUTELY DEVOURED THIS!!!! Gahhhhhhhhh Luca Windsor had my soul leaving my body. The way I was sat from the moment he opened his mouth. BYE. I’m in love. I think I highlighted every word that came out of this man’s mouth. If you want a man that is so PATHETICALLY DOWN BAD FOR HER, who worships the ground she walks on, who literally gets on his knees for her?!!!! With the filthiest mouth?!!!! Luca. I need to go take a cold shower now.
The way that this was a complete 180 from the travesty that was book 1 in this series!!! I’m so so happy I kept going this was everything I didn’t know I needed!
The way that this was a complete 180 from the travesty that was book 1 in this series!!! I’m so so happy I kept going this was everything I didn’t know I needed!
February 14, 2023
mientras escribo esta reseña son las cinco de la mañana, hace ya seis horas que estoy en el aeropuerto esperando que se haga la hora para que me pasen a buscar y estoy seriamente pensando en gastarme mil pesos en un café poronga de starbucks… como podran ver estoy lo suficientemente demente como para hacer esta reseña: lets fucking go.
primero contexto: el primer libro no lo lei pero vi muchos tiktoks diciendo que era una tremenda falopeada y en resumen: malo (si montse dijo que es malo ES MALO OK) pero bueno me rompieron tanto las pelotas las gringas en twitter que dije BUENO VAMOS A VER QUE ONDA (aparte tenia pinta buena)
*sonido de grillos*
todo el plot “principal” por así decirlo, que te venden en la sinopsis se resuelve medianamente temprano y la autora entonces decide proceder de la mejor manera posible: convertir un LIBRO en una novela de wattpad, no solo por las veces que me dio cringe, si no por la estructura, es como si la autora fue haciendo el libro capitulo por capitulo poniendo lo que se le pintó en el dia en vez de anteriormente crear cierto hilo que es distintivo de mmm no se LIBROS???? literalmente hay conflictos que comienzan y se resuelven en el mismo capítulo (son bastante cortos), hay personajes que los introducen en ese capitulo, les dan una historia mas o menos y despues nunca mas se habla de ellos. Es literalmente estar leyendo una novela sacada de wattpad donde las autoras solo te tenían que mantener atrapadas capitulo a capitulo.
NO ME HAGAN HABLAR DE LOS DESARROLLOS DE PERSONAJES. Esta chabona piensa que porque me pongas dos oraciones diciendo “yo los quiero como mi propia familia” automáticamente se lava las manos de tener que ESCRIBIR. Hay una escena donde ella esta hablando con el hermano de él y este le dice algo como “sos mi hermanita mas chica y te re amo” ESKIUSMI??? QUIEN SOS?? TE VI DOS VECES EN TODO EL LIBRO
del mismo modo que la autora es incapaz de armar un buen hilo estructural para un libro de ROMANCE (no te estoy pidiendo mucho hermana) tambien es incapaz que hacer un desarrollo orgánico de personajes, el chabon pasa de 0 a 100 en dos capítulos y vos pensas que me voy a creer todo?? soy estupida pero no pelotuda
llega un punto que es asquerosamente cheesy, hace dos días se casaron (por conveniencia) y ya le estas diciendo “my love” chupame la poronga
traigo de vuelta lo de wattpad porque hay una escena particular donde van a un baile y dura un solo capitulo y básicamente se resumen en esto: -el le saca una foto a ella con el vestido lindo - llegan al baile - hablan con un millonario ricachon - se rien - termina el capítulo
LA PUTA QUE TE PARIO QUIEN PIJA TE ENSEÑO A ESCRIBIR, NO PODES PASAR POR ALTO TODOS LOS TROPES/PASOS QUE CONVELLA ESCRIBIR UNA ESCENA DE UN BAILE, NI PARA ESO SERVIS.
hay como 10 plots uno seguido del otro (de vuelta, formato wattpad) que terminan en pocos capitulos y todos son CRINGE, esta el ex novio que OOOOHHHH trabaja en la misma oficina que ella pero ella nunca supo, después no nos olvidemos de la casi esposa de el (matrimonio arreglado), después una ex novia chota de el, CHICOS EL PAPÁ DE ELLA TERMINA SIENDO UN BILLONARIO CONCHUDO SUPER IMPORTANTE Y ELLA ES PRÁCTICAMENTE DE LA REALEZA EMPRESARIAL TAMBIÉN, YA BASTA
aparte los dos son infumables, la mina me tenia las pelotas por el suelo y el chabon tampoco se quedaba atrás, literalmente tienen conversaciones repetidas como cinco veces cada dos capitulos, la puta que los pario me tienen HARTA
hermanas el ultimo 20% es una falopeada tremenda, ya me da paja escribirlo, ME DIO PAJA LEERLO IMAGINENSE, me inhalo estos libros de romance en cinco horas pero estuve como tres dias con esta poronga
en fin; lei cosas peores pero igual sigue siendo una porqueria, ocupen su tiempo leyendo otras cosas o de ultima vayan a wattpad seguro hay cosas mejores que esto
primero contexto: el primer libro no lo lei pero vi muchos tiktoks diciendo que era una tremenda falopeada y en resumen: malo (si montse dijo que es malo ES MALO OK) pero bueno me rompieron tanto las pelotas las gringas en twitter que dije BUENO VAMOS A VER QUE ONDA (aparte tenia pinta buena)
*sonido de grillos*
todo el plot “principal” por así decirlo, que te venden en la sinopsis se resuelve medianamente temprano y la autora entonces decide proceder de la mejor manera posible: convertir un LIBRO en una novela de wattpad, no solo por las veces que me dio cringe, si no por la estructura, es como si la autora fue haciendo el libro capitulo por capitulo poniendo lo que se le pintó en el dia en vez de anteriormente crear cierto hilo que es distintivo de mmm no se LIBROS???? literalmente hay conflictos que comienzan y se resuelven en el mismo capítulo (son bastante cortos), hay personajes que los introducen en ese capitulo, les dan una historia mas o menos y despues nunca mas se habla de ellos. Es literalmente estar leyendo una novela sacada de wattpad donde las autoras solo te tenían que mantener atrapadas capitulo a capitulo.
NO ME HAGAN HABLAR DE LOS DESARROLLOS DE PERSONAJES. Esta chabona piensa que porque me pongas dos oraciones diciendo “yo los quiero como mi propia familia” automáticamente se lava las manos de tener que ESCRIBIR. Hay una escena donde ella esta hablando con el hermano de él y este le dice algo como “sos mi hermanita mas chica y te re amo” ESKIUSMI??? QUIEN SOS?? TE VI DOS VECES EN TODO EL LIBRO
del mismo modo que la autora es incapaz de armar un buen hilo estructural para un libro de ROMANCE (no te estoy pidiendo mucho hermana) tambien es incapaz que hacer un desarrollo orgánico de personajes, el chabon pasa de 0 a 100 en dos capítulos y vos pensas que me voy a creer todo?? soy estupida pero no pelotuda
llega un punto que es asquerosamente cheesy, hace dos días se casaron (por conveniencia) y ya le estas diciendo “my love” chupame la poronga
traigo de vuelta lo de wattpad porque hay una escena particular donde van a un baile y dura un solo capitulo y básicamente se resumen en esto: -el le saca una foto a ella con el vestido lindo - llegan al baile - hablan con un millonario ricachon - se rien - termina el capítulo
LA PUTA QUE TE PARIO QUIEN PIJA TE ENSEÑO A ESCRIBIR, NO PODES PASAR POR ALTO TODOS LOS TROPES/PASOS QUE CONVELLA ESCRIBIR UNA ESCENA DE UN BAILE, NI PARA ESO SERVIS.
hay como 10 plots uno seguido del otro (de vuelta, formato wattpad) que terminan en pocos capitulos y todos son CRINGE, esta el ex novio que OOOOHHHH trabaja en la misma oficina que ella pero ella nunca supo, después no nos olvidemos de la casi esposa de el (matrimonio arreglado), después una ex novia chota de el, CHICOS EL PAPÁ DE ELLA TERMINA SIENDO UN BILLONARIO CONCHUDO SUPER IMPORTANTE Y ELLA ES PRÁCTICAMENTE DE LA REALEZA EMPRESARIAL TAMBIÉN, YA BASTA
aparte los dos son infumables, la mina me tenia las pelotas por el suelo y el chabon tampoco se quedaba atrás, literalmente tienen conversaciones repetidas como cinco veces cada dos capitulos, la puta que los pario me tienen HARTA
hermanas el ultimo 20% es una falopeada tremenda, ya me da paja escribirlo, ME DIO PAJA LEERLO IMAGINENSE, me inhalo estos libros de romance en cinco horas pero estuve como tres dias con esta poronga
en fin; lei cosas peores pero igual sigue siendo una porqueria, ocupen su tiempo leyendo otras cosas o de ultima vayan a wattpad seguro hay cosas mejores que esto
February 6, 2023
i can’t believe chatgpt wrote a romance novel
October 28, 2024
THIS BOOOK! LUCA HAD ME SCREAMING, CRYING AND THROWING UP THE WHOLE TIME! I LITERALKY didn’t expect it from this book at all, in fact I usually try not to give 5⭐️ to like typical romance plots but THIS BOOK AND THIS MAN WON ME OVER
September 15, 2024
3.5 stars
It isn’t until you throw a resignation letter at your boss that he finally gets his head out of the gutter and looks at you in a new light, as the respectable lady that you are. this book made me realize that some books aren’t THAT bad just because you were in a ‘slump.’
⌞ Luca Windsor & Valentina Diaz ⌝
ᯓ 34-29
• Luca & Valentina have this professional boss x assistant relationship going on for 8 years. of course, she got a little comfortable sharing her opinions and remarks, but at Ares Windsor's wedding, thanks to Luca's impulsiveness and jealousy, they hooked up. And things went downhill (not really) from there.
Initially, i stamped Luca with an ASSHOLE label for how he behaved post-hookup, saying all the dumb things to Val, that made me scream FUCK YOU in capital letters, bold, underline, and italics. i even agreed with all the one-star reviews because why not?
BUT
I was proved WRONG.
The man groveled guys!!!! 😩 Not the 'after the big plot twist or betrayal' kind of, BUT the 'I'm sorry for ever hurting you' kind. He treated her nicely, kindly, gently, prettily, and left me wondering... am I the asshole? (Just for the summer ref lol)
A lot of reviews stated that he trapped her in marriage by using her grandmother's sickness. I mean, he didn’t really USE it since Val was the one who said she’d do anything for her grandma, and because Luca did everything to stop her from leaving, he proposed marriage. I found that oddly romantic... 😭
rest assured, it went from ‘I won’t fall in love EVER’ to ‘I can’t live without you,’ and I ate up every scene! like the previous one, it was good but not THE BEST. It had its moments! but idc about the past scenes or backstories— the couple had a decent push-pull relationship, tension, jealousy, and all the cute stuff!! 💗
⌞ ratings ⌝
The Wrong Bride [AresRaven]- 2.5 stars
The Unwanted Marriage [DionFaye] - 1 star
The Broken Vows [ZaneCeleste] - tbr
The Secret Fiancée [LexRaya] - tbr
The Devious Husband [XavierSierra]- tbr
It isn’t until you throw a resignation letter at your boss that he finally gets his head out of the gutter and looks at you in a new light, as the respectable lady that you are. this book made me realize that some books aren’t THAT bad just because you were in a ‘slump.’
⌞ Luca Windsor & Valentina Diaz ⌝
ᯓ 34-29
• Luca & Valentina have this professional boss x assistant relationship going on for 8 years. of course, she got a little comfortable sharing her opinions and remarks, but at Ares Windsor's wedding, thanks to Luca's impulsiveness and jealousy, they hooked up. And things went downhill (not really) from there.
Initially, i stamped Luca with an ASSHOLE label for how he behaved post-hookup, saying all the dumb things to Val, that made me scream FUCK YOU in capital letters, bold, underline, and italics. i even agreed with all the one-star reviews because why not?
BUT
I was proved WRONG.
The man groveled guys!!!! 😩 Not the 'after the big plot twist or betrayal' kind of, BUT the 'I'm sorry for ever hurting you' kind. He treated her nicely, kindly, gently, prettily, and left me wondering... am I the asshole? (Just for the summer ref lol)
A lot of reviews stated that he trapped her in marriage by using her grandmother's sickness. I mean, he didn’t really USE it since Val was the one who said she’d do anything for her grandma, and because Luca did everything to stop her from leaving, he proposed marriage. I found that oddly romantic... 😭
“Valentina, you make me wish it were possible to pluck a star from the sky, just so I could make you smile".
rest assured, it went from ‘I won’t fall in love EVER’ to ‘I can’t live without you,’ and I ate up every scene! like the previous one, it was good but not THE BEST. It had its moments! but idc about the past scenes or backstories— the couple had a decent push-pull relationship, tension, jealousy, and all the cute stuff!! 💗
⌞ ratings ⌝
The Wrong Bride [AresRaven]- 2.5 stars
The Unwanted Marriage [DionFaye] - 1 star
The Broken Vows [ZaneCeleste] - tbr
The Secret Fiancée [LexRaya] - tbr
The Devious Husband [XavierSierra]- tbr
September 26, 2023
I read this because it's been on some bestseller lists for weeks and it has some tropes that I like, but it was pretty weird. Honestly, 3 stars might be generous. This book is a very average marriage of convenience. There is no fun tension; the characters are obsessed with each other from chapter 1. Seriously, they were making out by 9% into the book. The book is fine, maybe even good. However, in my humble opinion, no contemporary romance book should be 404 pages, especially a book where the characters are consumed with each other from the start. The length of this book was especially problematic because the book was so repetitive.
This book is 72 chapters long, and I can think of about 15 chapters (at least) that could have been scrapped completely. About 80% of this book was just Luca and Valentina forgiving each other. They were constantly having conversations about if or when they will forgive each other for some minor offense. The spicy scenes were all exactly the same, so I just skimmed over all of them (and there were a lot). Even the language was repetitive. If I had to read that there was a "flash of pain" in someone's eyes one more time...
Finally, literally every single character in this book was psychotic. I don't mean psychotic in a hot, sexy, or even funny way; I mean they were all crazy manipulative people. Luca's Grandmother was fully insane, but I think you're supposed to respect her as smart and think she's such a clever matchmaker. The whole drama that Luca's grandma created was freaking bizarre. I would have never forgiven my family if they pretended to disinherit me, made me be literally homeless for several weeks, and generally made me believe I had lost my job, family, and fortune. The instant forgiveness for that scheme was weird. There were 100 villains in this book outside of the families (Ben, Miguel, Jessica, etc.), and yet, somehow I feel like the biggest villains were Luca and Val's "loving" families.
This book is 72 chapters long, and I can think of about 15 chapters (at least) that could have been scrapped completely. About 80% of this book was just Luca and Valentina forgiving each other. They were constantly having conversations about if or when they will forgive each other for some minor offense. The spicy scenes were all exactly the same, so I just skimmed over all of them (and there were a lot). Even the language was repetitive. If I had to read that there was a "flash of pain" in someone's eyes one more time...
Finally, literally every single character in this book was psychotic. I don't mean psychotic in a hot, sexy, or even funny way; I mean they were all crazy manipulative people. Luca's Grandmother was fully insane, but I think you're supposed to respect her as smart and think she's such a clever matchmaker. The whole drama that Luca's grandma created was freaking bizarre. I would have never forgiven my family if they pretended to disinherit me, made me be literally homeless for several weeks, and generally made me believe I had lost my job, family, and fortune. The instant forgiveness for that scheme was weird. There were 100 villains in this book outside of the families (Ben, Miguel, Jessica, etc.), and yet, somehow I feel like the biggest villains were Luca and Val's "loving" families.
February 7, 2023
⭐⭐⭐.5/5 - 🌶🌶🌶/5 --- All the making of a delightful enemies-to-lovers smutty bit of brain-candy... however...
While I very much enjoyed the story's premise, (there's a little mystery and a long-standing working relationship with two non-virginal successful adults), I think the way the characters talk to each other once they get into the schmexy phase gave me cringe vibes more than a few times.
I even created a new category called 'things escalated quickly' because the smut came in hard and fast. *pun-intended*
More than a few times, I felt like Ariana Grande in that meme where she's scared of all the Victoria's Secret models on the runway because they're giants, because she's literally imp sized?
I might read another one in the series because the author has room for growth.
NOTES:
- Available on KU (I listed to it as an audiobook.)
- 2nd in series, and while you don't have to read them in order, there are definitely some spoilers for the first book.
- OPEN DOOR ROMANCE
- Enemies to lovers trope
- TWs: Parental abandonment, cheating (not by main characters)
While I very much enjoyed the story's premise, (there's a little mystery and a long-standing working relationship with two non-virginal successful adults), I think the way the characters talk to each other once they get into the schmexy phase gave me cringe vibes more than a few times.
I even created a new category called 'things escalated quickly' because the smut came in hard and fast. *pun-intended*
More than a few times, I felt like Ariana Grande in that meme where she's scared of all the Victoria's Secret models on the runway because they're giants, because she's literally imp sized?
I might read another one in the series because the author has room for growth.
NOTES:
- Available on KU (I listed to it as an audiobook.)
- 2nd in series, and while you don't have to read them in order, there are definitely some spoilers for the first book.
- OPEN DOOR ROMANCE
- Enemies to lovers trope
- TWs: Parental abandonment, cheating (not by main characters)
February 5, 2023
written by a 12 year-old
February 21, 2023
Catharina Maura knows how to write a marriage of convenience so well and this was no exception. I loved how Valentina worked Luca for so many years and nothing every happened between them. Now, though, Luca can't resist showing Valentina just how much he wants her, and that includes asking her to be his wife. His grandmother has picked a match for him, but Luca knows that Valentina is the only person he could ever stand being married to and around 24/7, so he proposes marriage in order to escape a marriage he doesn't want while still getting his inheritance from his grandmother. I really enjoyed the dynamics between our two characters and their families and how much Luca's family loved Valentina. I also loved how protective Luca was over Valentina and would hurt anyone who dared touch her. And I loved how ambitious Valentina was and how Luca wholeheartedly supported on her ambition. The epilogue!? I actually loved! This was another fun and emotional romance from Catharina Maura!
February 10, 2023
Exaggerated !
Honestly i liked the book but i didn’t like so many things about it and most of the things were so much exaggerated. The sex scenes … the fmc’s insecurities and fears … the continuous & repetitive meddling of grandmother … and the last 50-60 pages … i just barely suppressed my urge to dnf the book at 94% 🤷🏻♀️
Like so many pages could’ve been saved if Val had just gone to get therapy!!
2 stars are only for Luca (he deserved better tho)… man’s OBSESSED WITH HIS WIFE. This is the type of love i love .. OBSESSED WITH A TOUCH OF TOXIC IN IT 🥵. He actually deserved some grovelling from Valentina after she broke up with him but he forgave her too easily🤷🏻♀️. Okay i understand she was in a depressive stage and had just lost her grandma but after everything luca did for her .. ensuring her at every step and erasing her insecurities & fear … being there for the whole time and making her happy … taking care of her and her family even before she uttered anything out of her mouth …. she had to end things & say Luca could never make her happy ??!?!? Say what girl !!!!
A MMC deserves grovelling as much aa a FMC and LUCA DESERVES GROVELLING !
Honestly i liked the book but i didn’t like so many things about it and most of the things were so much exaggerated. The sex scenes … the fmc’s insecurities and fears … the continuous & repetitive meddling of grandmother … and the last 50-60 pages … i just barely suppressed my urge to dnf the book at 94% 🤷🏻♀️
Like so many pages could’ve been saved if Val had just gone to get therapy!!
2 stars are only for Luca (he deserved better tho)… man’s OBSESSED WITH HIS WIFE. This is the type of love i love .. OBSESSED WITH A TOUCH OF TOXIC IN IT 🥵. He actually deserved some grovelling from Valentina after she broke up with him but he forgave her too easily🤷🏻♀️. Okay i understand she was in a depressive stage and had just lost her grandma but after everything luca did for her .. ensuring her at every step and erasing her insecurities & fear … being there for the whole time and making her happy … taking care of her and her family even before she uttered anything out of her mouth …. she had to end things & say Luca could never make her happy ??!?!? Say what girl !!!!
A MMC deserves grovelling as much aa a FMC and LUCA DESERVES GROVELLING !
November 6, 2023
Enemies to Lovers
Office Love
Arranged Marriage
¿Si han visto el k-drama Qué le pasa a la secretaria Kim?
Ella lleva casi una década siendo la asistente del CEO, es su mano derecha y alguien esencial en su vida, un día ella renuncia porque no tiene vida propia y quiere casarse, pero él no lo acepta no la puede dejar ir y hace todo lo posible para que se quede hasta proponerle matrimonio.
La historia de este libro va así, Valentina ha sido la asistente de Luca por nueve años, los dos aparentemente no se soportan, pero ella ha sido fundamental en el éxito de él.
Han anunciado a la novia de Luca en matrimonio arreglado como es tradición en su familia y Valentina decide que es tiempo de cambiar de aires y renuncia por lo que Luca hace hasta lo imposible para que ella se quede pero no lo está logrando hasta que Valentina necesita su ayuda y él le propone un trato casarse.
Ahora sí, ¿Ven las similitudes?
Últimamente los matrimonio por conveniencia/arreglados se están volviendo mi trope favorito junto con el fake dating.
Este libro me gustó mucho más que el primero y otro que había leído de la autora.
Para empezar la protagonista no es sumisa ni dejada al contrario es un personaje fuerte y decido a veces un poco bitch pero nunca llegué a odiarla.
Dos, Luca, es un amor, a pesar de que era frio y distante y por arrebatos decía cosas que no quería siempre se disculpaba y trataba de hacer las cosas mejor, nunca se comportó como un imbécil con ella todo lo contrario hizo todo para conquistarla.
Es típico que en el drama final el que la riega es el hombre y tiene que arreglar las cosas en éste caso es ella, me dolió como el sufrió que hasta derramé unas lagrimillas y si me hubiera gustado que ella sufriera más por él.
Al final todo es muy bonito, romántico, cheesy.
El siguiente libro no me emociona tanto pero lo voy a leer.
Office Love
Arranged Marriage
¿Si han visto el k-drama Qué le pasa a la secretaria Kim?
Ella lleva casi una década siendo la asistente del CEO, es su mano derecha y alguien esencial en su vida, un día ella renuncia porque no tiene vida propia y quiere casarse, pero él no lo acepta no la puede dejar ir y hace todo lo posible para que se quede hasta proponerle matrimonio.
La historia de este libro va así, Valentina ha sido la asistente de Luca por nueve años, los dos aparentemente no se soportan, pero ella ha sido fundamental en el éxito de él.
Han anunciado a la novia de Luca en matrimonio arreglado como es tradición en su familia y Valentina decide que es tiempo de cambiar de aires y renuncia por lo que Luca hace hasta lo imposible para que ella se quede pero no lo está logrando hasta que Valentina necesita su ayuda y él le propone un trato casarse.
Ahora sí, ¿Ven las similitudes?
Últimamente los matrimonio por conveniencia/arreglados se están volviendo mi trope favorito junto con el fake dating.
Este libro me gustó mucho más que el primero y otro que había leído de la autora.
Para empezar la protagonista no es sumisa ni dejada al contrario es un personaje fuerte y decido a veces un poco bitch pero nunca llegué a odiarla.
Dos, Luca, es un amor, a pesar de que era frio y distante y por arrebatos decía cosas que no quería siempre se disculpaba y trataba de hacer las cosas mejor, nunca se comportó como un imbécil con ella todo lo contrario hizo todo para conquistarla.
Es típico que en el drama final el que la riega es el hombre y tiene que arreglar las cosas en éste caso es ella, me dolió como el sufrió que hasta derramé unas lagrimillas y si me hubiera gustado que ella sufriera más por él.
Al final todo es muy bonito, romántico, cheesy.
El siguiente libro no me emociona tanto pero lo voy a leer.
May 31, 2023
3.5⭐️ not as infuriating as the first :) very fun read
March 13, 2023
oh my god this book took me by surprise in the absolute best way - i could not put it down!!
luca and valentina are boss and assistant who’ve always had a fiery relationship that bordered on hatred. all those intense feelings come to a head when luca sees a competitor flirting with her. but, he gets engaged shortly after. to circumvent his arranged marriage, he begs valentina to marry him in secret and she agrees despite her reservations.
THIS WAS SO FUCKING GOOD Y’ALL.
this was giving the favor x terms and conditions x the lancaster family
luca is my absolute favorite kind of hero. he’s dominant, possessive, a billionaire, and ridiculously hot but he was soooo down bad for valentina. like boy was obsessed and he didn’t even know it. the way he encouraged her and believed in her work was so hot. i can’t. he was just such a good main character.
this story was so interesting. so many different little twists and turns and the build up of tension between the two main characters was sooooo good.
luca and valentina are boss and assistant who’ve always had a fiery relationship that bordered on hatred. all those intense feelings come to a head when luca sees a competitor flirting with her. but, he gets engaged shortly after. to circumvent his arranged marriage, he begs valentina to marry him in secret and she agrees despite her reservations.
THIS WAS SO FUCKING GOOD Y’ALL.
this was giving the favor x terms and conditions x the lancaster family
luca is my absolute favorite kind of hero. he’s dominant, possessive, a billionaire, and ridiculously hot but he was soooo down bad for valentina. like boy was obsessed and he didn’t even know it. the way he encouraged her and believed in her work was so hot. i can’t. he was just such a good main character.
this story was so interesting. so many different little twists and turns and the build up of tension between the two main characters was sooooo good.
February 6, 2023
don't understand how the rating for this book is so high, it's badly written and promote toxic relationship. The leads aren't interesting or loveable, like I thought I was gonna have problem only with the H, but the h get on my nerves even more.
April 23, 2025
3.5⭐️ i hated the first book (the wrong bride) so much but this was better !!
November 6, 2025
4 STARS ROUNDED UP!!!
“I’m just in love with you,” he counters. “I’m irrevocably, insanely, unconditionally, in love with you.”
Woah guys, this book is something out of this world. It's definitely been a while where i read a book that had me HOOKED from start to finish to the extent that i was actually so excited while reading it🫢 Definitely did NOT binge this in 3 sittings 🤭🤭🤭 The whole storyline, the characters, the romance, the dynamics ughh, who was gonna tell me it was THIS good???? (My rating shows how good it is 😌)
After reading the first book i was like why not give this book a chance and HOPEFULLY I'll enjoy it.
Damn, should've picked it up earlier😮💨 This book was perfect to read after so many heavy Fanatsy books, my braincells weren't even needed LMAOO💀 This book was romance with a side of drama. And oh boyyyyy DON'T GET ME STARTED ON THE DRAMA ✋️✋️✋️ (jk, I'm gonna be writing a full paragraph on it rn😝😝😝)
When i tell you i was litterly LIVING for the drama i mean it. THE TEA IN THIS BOOK WAS BOILING and as soon as any drama happens—
I'M SAT–criss cross apple sauce–ON THE COUCH WITH POPCORN IN HAND CUZ THIS IS ABOUT TO GET INTERESTING 😌
The whole reading experience was basically me being shocked at the tea that was being spilled and the INSANE plot twists like WOAHHHHH, no way in hell would i have expected any of this. This book would LITTERLY be perfect for some rants to your friends. The perfect buddy read? Yeah probably CUZ THE TEAAAA—
ANYWAYS, do not expect that this book is just pure drama, noooooo. The romance on the other hand tho🤭🤭🤭 AHHHH LUCA AND VAL ARE LITTERLY SO CUTE I LOVE THIS BOOK, I CANT😭😭🫶
It started of with them being rivals (he's her boss and she's his secretary and he's trying to do everything in his power to get rid of her BUT EVENTUALLY HE STARTS TO DEPEND ON HER AND LOOK FORWARD FOR THE SMALLEST THINGS SHE DOES. She writes him stuff on pink sticky notes, HE DOESN'T EVEN LIKE PINK BUT STILL KEEPS THE STICKY NOTES 😭😭😭😭 IT'S SO CUTE). Unfortunately i won't be able to go into details of their relationship but oh my, rivals to marriage of convenience SLOW BURN to true love? hell yeah. But the way they grew together and the way Luca treated Val the entire book i was like AHHH☹️❤️ MY SHAYLAAAAAAAAS 🥹 Luca might've started as a red flag being so grumpy and annoying but he gets some crazy character development. Val might have not even realised it but she had him wrapped around her finger.
“You were never a pawn,” he says, his voice soft. “You were always my queen. Everyone knew it but you.”
There were times in this book where i was like PLEASE NOTHING BAD HAPPENS RN, and then they get hit with this random plot twist that makes me wanna sob cuz WHY IS THIS HAPPENING, but you don't see me complaining. I mean it when i said this book was perfect🤌🤌🤌 (can't guarantee no emotional damage tho... )
But Luca Windsor makes this book so worth it. My guy was YEARNING. He truely did love his wife and IT'S THE CUTES THING EVER WITNESSED😭
THE QUOTES IN THIS BOOK TOO, THEY LIVE IN MY HEART😔🫶 ugh, i need yall to read this already.
The only downside of this book is that i had no one to rant to without burning the whole book for them. Which is honestly a struggle when I WANT THEM TO READ IT 😔😔😔 so now im trying to convince you guys to do so 😝
If you're still wondering if this book is worth it after this review...🧍♀️ I mean..this is your sign to add it to your tbr already 😭
Can't wait to read the next book and hopefully it's just as amazing 😌
~~~
Ugh, i did not expect to love this book so freaking much 🙈 It's definitely unexpected but woah, it's so worth it. RTC SOON!! (prepare yourself for endless yapping)
~~~
Preread🪻
Turning my brain off so I'm only here for the drama and the vibes🤭 I kinda enjoyed the first book so i can't wait to check this one out too😛 (it's such a vibe so far omg)
“I’m just in love with you,” he counters. “I’m irrevocably, insanely, unconditionally, in love with you.”
Woah guys, this book is something out of this world. It's definitely been a while where i read a book that had me HOOKED from start to finish to the extent that i was actually so excited while reading it🫢 Definitely did NOT binge this in 3 sittings 🤭🤭🤭 The whole storyline, the characters, the romance, the dynamics ughh, who was gonna tell me it was THIS good???? (My rating shows how good it is 😌)
After reading the first book i was like why not give this book a chance and HOPEFULLY I'll enjoy it.
Damn, should've picked it up earlier😮💨 This book was perfect to read after so many heavy Fanatsy books, my braincells weren't even needed LMAOO💀 This book was romance with a side of drama. And oh boyyyyy DON'T GET ME STARTED ON THE DRAMA ✋️✋️✋️ (jk, I'm gonna be writing a full paragraph on it rn😝😝😝)
When i tell you i was litterly LIVING for the drama i mean it. THE TEA IN THIS BOOK WAS BOILING and as soon as any drama happens—
I'M SAT–criss cross apple sauce–ON THE COUCH WITH POPCORN IN HAND CUZ THIS IS ABOUT TO GET INTERESTING 😌
The whole reading experience was basically me being shocked at the tea that was being spilled and the INSANE plot twists like WOAHHHHH, no way in hell would i have expected any of this. This book would LITTERLY be perfect for some rants to your friends. The perfect buddy read? Yeah probably CUZ THE TEAAAA—
ANYWAYS, do not expect that this book is just pure drama, noooooo. The romance on the other hand tho🤭🤭🤭 AHHHH LUCA AND VAL ARE LITTERLY SO CUTE I LOVE THIS BOOK, I CANT😭😭🫶
It started of with them being rivals (he's her boss and she's his secretary and he's trying to do everything in his power to get rid of her BUT EVENTUALLY HE STARTS TO DEPEND ON HER AND LOOK FORWARD FOR THE SMALLEST THINGS SHE DOES. She writes him stuff on pink sticky notes, HE DOESN'T EVEN LIKE PINK BUT STILL KEEPS THE STICKY NOTES 😭😭😭😭 IT'S SO CUTE). Unfortunately i won't be able to go into details of their relationship but oh my, rivals to marriage of convenience SLOW BURN to true love? hell yeah. But the way they grew together and the way Luca treated Val the entire book i was like AHHH☹️❤️ MY SHAYLAAAAAAAAS 🥹 Luca might've started as a red flag being so grumpy and annoying but he gets some crazy character development. Val might have not even realised it but she had him wrapped around her finger.
“You were never a pawn,” he says, his voice soft. “You were always my queen. Everyone knew it but you.”
There were times in this book where i was like PLEASE NOTHING BAD HAPPENS RN, and then they get hit with this random plot twist that makes me wanna sob cuz WHY IS THIS HAPPENING, but you don't see me complaining. I mean it when i said this book was perfect🤌🤌🤌 (can't guarantee no emotional damage tho... )
But Luca Windsor makes this book so worth it. My guy was YEARNING. He truely did love his wife and IT'S THE CUTES THING EVER WITNESSED😭
THE QUOTES IN THIS BOOK TOO, THEY LIVE IN MY HEART😔🫶 ugh, i need yall to read this already.
The only downside of this book is that i had no one to rant to without burning the whole book for them. Which is honestly a struggle when I WANT THEM TO READ IT 😔😔😔 so now im trying to convince you guys to do so 😝
If you're still wondering if this book is worth it after this review...🧍♀️ I mean..this is your sign to add it to your tbr already 😭
Can't wait to read the next book and hopefully it's just as amazing 😌
~~~
Ugh, i did not expect to love this book so freaking much 🙈 It's definitely unexpected but woah, it's so worth it. RTC SOON!! (prepare yourself for endless yapping)
~~~
Preread🪻
Turning my brain off so I'm only here for the drama and the vibes🤭 I kinda enjoyed the first book so i can't wait to check this one out too😛 (it's such a vibe so far omg)
June 24, 2023
endless/5★
I don’t care what anyone says about this book, whether they liked it or not… THIS IS IT FOR ME!!! Another new favourite romance read of mine and I couldn’t be happier!!! Before I started this book, I already knew that I would love it but boy did it EXCEED my expectations!!!!
I saw a video of this book on tiktok which is why I picked up this series in the first place, just so I could read this book and it definitely lived up to the hype I had for it!!! I was soooooo excited last night to read this book today and I’m just sooooo happy that I did because it was everything I EVER wanted in an office romance book!!
Boss x secretary, forbidden romance (at first), amazing grovelling, man obsessed with his woman, he falls first AND HARDER, he literally begs for her (!!!), grumpy x grumpy, marriage of convenience and so so so much more!!
This combination alone had me freaking SOLD!!
Let me sum up the plot:
She is his secretary, she’s cold and closed off and a mystery to him. He’s very much intrigued by her and has been in love with her pretty much since the beginning of the book (we love) but he makes a mistake that causes her to distance herself from him. He grovels sooooo good for her forgiveness (boy was that satisfying to read about). Once things start to get better between them, he gets arranged to get married…
She decides to quit cause she can’t work under these circumstances (cause she loves him too duh) and… HE IS DEVASTATED THAT SHE QUIT!!! Girl literally had him begging on his knees for her!! And the only solution for her to stay was for him to marry her and BOOM!!.. Marriage of convenience, falling in love and so on and forth…
Now if this isn’t absolute PERFECTION… then idk what is…
It was literally perfect from beginning to end and not only the plot but also the characters.. ESPECIALLY LUCA!!! Boy was he an amazing MMC, I’m literally in love with him and would drop on my goddamn knees for this man!!!
Obviously the grovelling and begging part had me already sold but not only was he determined to get her back, he was also so freaking charming and hot ugh… I was literally (s)creaming!!!! He also always reassured her, was there for her through hard times and loved her even when she cost him his career!!! He loved her through EVERYTHING!!! I NEED a man like him.. it’s a MUST!!!
Don’t even get me started on Valentina.. ugh this woman was LITERALLY TOO AMAZING FOR HER OWN GOOD!!! The way I would also be begging on my knees for her if I was Luca... She is everything I want to be.. but I also relate to her in so many aspects when it came to trust issues and being closed off!! Relating to her made me love her even more!! She carried this book ON HER BACK!!
The thing is the plot of this book reminded me a lot of the kdrama/manhwa ‘what is wrong with secretary kim’ (the main reason why I picked it up as well) but spicier!! So if you love this manhwa/kdrama then I highly recommend reading this book because it has a lot of resemblances to the plot and also a bit of the characters’ personalities! Soooo good!!
And one more thing that made me give this book more than five stars was the extended epilogue (iykyk). It just rounded up the story so well and made me fall in love even more with the characters and their relationship than I already have!
These were the best 2 hours I ever spend reading a book and I wouldn’t even hesitate for a millisecond to reread this book!! It had me giggling, screaming, crying, grinning and so so much more while reading it!
I highly highly recommend this book and honestly it deserves a WAY higher average rating on goodreads! It was just THAT good to me!!
Overall, I’m absolutely and utterly IN LOVE with this book and I would literally sell my soul just to read it again for the first time! Literally had the best time of my life reading this book!!
I don’t care what anyone says about this book, whether they liked it or not… THIS IS IT FOR ME!!! Another new favourite romance read of mine and I couldn’t be happier!!! Before I started this book, I already knew that I would love it but boy did it EXCEED my expectations!!!!
I saw a video of this book on tiktok which is why I picked up this series in the first place, just so I could read this book and it definitely lived up to the hype I had for it!!! I was soooooo excited last night to read this book today and I’m just sooooo happy that I did because it was everything I EVER wanted in an office romance book!!
Boss x secretary, forbidden romance (at first), amazing grovelling, man obsessed with his woman, he falls first AND HARDER, he literally begs for her (!!!), grumpy x grumpy, marriage of convenience and so so so much more!!
This combination alone had me freaking SOLD!!
Let me sum up the plot:
She is his secretary, she’s cold and closed off and a mystery to him. He’s very much intrigued by her and has been in love with her pretty much since the beginning of the book (we love) but he makes a mistake that causes her to distance herself from him. He grovels sooooo good for her forgiveness (boy was that satisfying to read about). Once things start to get better between them, he gets arranged to get married…
She decides to quit cause she can’t work under these circumstances (cause she loves him too duh) and… HE IS DEVASTATED THAT SHE QUIT!!! Girl literally had him begging on his knees for her!! And the only solution for her to stay was for him to marry her and BOOM!!.. Marriage of convenience, falling in love and so on and forth…
Now if this isn’t absolute PERFECTION… then idk what is…
It was literally perfect from beginning to end and not only the plot but also the characters.. ESPECIALLY LUCA!!! Boy was he an amazing MMC, I’m literally in love with him and would drop on my goddamn knees for this man!!!
Obviously the grovelling and begging part had me already sold but not only was he determined to get her back, he was also so freaking charming and hot ugh… I was literally (s)creaming!!!! He also always reassured her, was there for her through hard times and loved her even when she cost him his career!!! He loved her through EVERYTHING!!! I NEED a man like him.. it’s a MUST!!!
Don’t even get me started on Valentina.. ugh this woman was LITERALLY TOO AMAZING FOR HER OWN GOOD!!! The way I would also be begging on my knees for her if I was Luca... She is everything I want to be.. but I also relate to her in so many aspects when it came to trust issues and being closed off!! Relating to her made me love her even more!! She carried this book ON HER BACK!!
The thing is the plot of this book reminded me a lot of the kdrama/manhwa ‘what is wrong with secretary kim’ (the main reason why I picked it up as well) but spicier!! So if you love this manhwa/kdrama then I highly recommend reading this book because it has a lot of resemblances to the plot and also a bit of the characters’ personalities! Soooo good!!
And one more thing that made me give this book more than five stars was the extended epilogue (iykyk). It just rounded up the story so well and made me fall in love even more with the characters and their relationship than I already have!
These were the best 2 hours I ever spend reading a book and I wouldn’t even hesitate for a millisecond to reread this book!! It had me giggling, screaming, crying, grinning and so so much more while reading it!
I highly highly recommend this book and honestly it deserves a WAY higher average rating on goodreads! It was just THAT good to me!!
Overall, I’m absolutely and utterly IN LOVE with this book and I would literally sell my soul just to read it again for the first time! Literally had the best time of my life reading this book!!
February 5, 2023
dnf at 38%
went from “hate” to obsessed with each other in like one week.
also the writing is off idk like it seems so disassociated from the story and the pacing is crazy too. i did try to read this bc of tiktok…. need to stop doing that.
went from “hate” to obsessed with each other in like one week.
also the writing is off idk like it seems so disassociated from the story and the pacing is crazy too. i did try to read this bc of tiktok…. need to stop doing that.
August 29, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
this couple gave me darvey (donna and harvey) vibes from suits 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻 love them both (❤️❤️😭)
that’s my fav show immm not much of a Netflix girlie but for suits any day (🤭)
this couple gave me darvey (donna and harvey) vibes from suits 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻 love them both (❤️❤️😭)
that’s my fav show immm not much of a Netflix girlie but for suits any day (🤭)
February 3, 2023
5 pink post it notes for Luca and Val
”’You were never a pawn.’ He says, his voice soft. ‘You were always my queen. Everyone knew it but you.’””
There is no better feeling in the world than when one of your anticipated releases not only meets your expectations but exceeds them. That’s exactly what happened with me and The Temporary Wife. All my friends can attest to how excited about this book I was. I’m pretty sure they were begging me to shut up about it, but I fear my obsession is now only going to get worse.
CHARACTERS
Luca
Luca Windsor the man that you are. Catharina Maura teased that her husband was jealous of Luca in the weeks leading up to release. And let me tell you I completely understand why. There is no man that can compete with Luca Windsor. They will try and they will fail. Luca started out as your typical grumpy CEO type character, but truthfully he was so much more than that. My man saw an opportunity to lock Valentina up after getting a small taste of what it would be like to lose her and he jumped on it. The “boy falls first and harder” trope was made for Luca Windsor. I was surprised by how much of this book was in his POV, but I absolutely ate it up. I need a Luca for myself. Where can I get one????
Valentina
Valentina my favorite ice queen. God I love this woman. She was the perfect equal to Luca in every way. From the beginning when they “hated” each other and she purposefully tried to annoy him to the end when we finally got to see her let her guard down she was just the strongest character. I loved that we never saw her bow to Luca’s dominance. Instead she matched him. We got to see her battle her own demons and open her heart up and it was such a beautiful journey to watch. I also loved the glimpses of friendship we got to see with her and Raven and Sierra. i cannot wait to see the little girl gang the Windsor girls create!
Romance
I’m going to try and keep this brief because I could rave about the romance between Luca and Val for HOURS. They were just that good. Like I mentioned earlier they are definitely boy falls first and harder trope and that is a personal favorite of mine. Luca was down bad from beginning to end and while it took Val a little longer to get there it made sense as to why. Luca had some of the most heart stopping lines I’ve ever read, including the one I have at the beginning of this review. Luca and Val have the angst we’ve come to expect from Catharina Maura, but the happy ending makes it all worth it. Watching Luca and Val fall in love was the highlight of my January! I am a terrible highlighter when I read because I get so caught up in the moment but I have almost 200 highlights from this book that’s how much I loved it. Also their spicy scenes were some of the best I’ve read from this author.
”She’s as devoid of emotion as I am, and I wouldn’t have it any other way” Luca says this in chapter one folks. Denial is a river in Egypt and Luca visits often.
Side Characters
Finally, I want to talk about the side characters because this book set up a lot for the future of this series.
Aresraven: it was so good to see my babies again. Getting to see their wedding again was magical, and I loved all the comments Luca and Val made about them being oblivious idiots. hello pot meet kettle.
Dion: We have a name for Dion’s fiancée and I cannot wait for their book. I was sold from the moment we learned Dion and Faye don’t speak to one another. I was so interested in their dynamic after seeing it through Luca’s eyes. I’m so happy their book is next. Someone wake me up when it’s June please.
Zane: Zane and Celeste I am looking at you very hard. I love second chance romance and I have a feeling Zane and Celeste may become one of my favorites from that trope.
Lexington: I claimed Lexington after The Wrong Bride and I am still riding that train hard. We still don’t know the name of his girl, but just know I am their number one fan. (Also Cat if you’re looking for a name for his LI, Gretchen is a perfectly nice name *cough cough*)
Xaviersierra: A serve as always. I know Cat hasn’t confirmed them as a couple, but their scenes are so explosive together. They will be a perfect end to this perfect series.
Overall, if you’re looking for an office romance mixed with a marriage of convenience you’ll be hard pressed to find a better one than The Temporary Wife. This series has everything I’m looking for in an interconnected standalone series. Cat telling me to jump and I’ll say “how high.” See you all in June for the Unwanted Marriage!
Post reading reaction:
screaming crying shaking throwing up. This was my favorite book of January. I am feeling so many things. Full review to come but the Windsor family is the best fictional family I’ve ever read about
Prerelease:
I need LucaVal in my hands like I need air
”’You were never a pawn.’ He says, his voice soft. ‘You were always my queen. Everyone knew it but you.’””
There is no better feeling in the world than when one of your anticipated releases not only meets your expectations but exceeds them. That’s exactly what happened with me and The Temporary Wife. All my friends can attest to how excited about this book I was. I’m pretty sure they were begging me to shut up about it, but I fear my obsession is now only going to get worse.
CHARACTERS
Luca
Luca Windsor the man that you are. Catharina Maura teased that her husband was jealous of Luca in the weeks leading up to release. And let me tell you I completely understand why. There is no man that can compete with Luca Windsor. They will try and they will fail. Luca started out as your typical grumpy CEO type character, but truthfully he was so much more than that. My man saw an opportunity to lock Valentina up after getting a small taste of what it would be like to lose her and he jumped on it. The “boy falls first and harder” trope was made for Luca Windsor. I was surprised by how much of this book was in his POV, but I absolutely ate it up. I need a Luca for myself. Where can I get one????
Valentina
Valentina my favorite ice queen. God I love this woman. She was the perfect equal to Luca in every way. From the beginning when they “hated” each other and she purposefully tried to annoy him to the end when we finally got to see her let her guard down she was just the strongest character. I loved that we never saw her bow to Luca’s dominance. Instead she matched him. We got to see her battle her own demons and open her heart up and it was such a beautiful journey to watch. I also loved the glimpses of friendship we got to see with her and Raven and Sierra. i cannot wait to see the little girl gang the Windsor girls create!
Romance
I’m going to try and keep this brief because I could rave about the romance between Luca and Val for HOURS. They were just that good. Like I mentioned earlier they are definitely boy falls first and harder trope and that is a personal favorite of mine. Luca was down bad from beginning to end and while it took Val a little longer to get there it made sense as to why. Luca had some of the most heart stopping lines I’ve ever read, including the one I have at the beginning of this review. Luca and Val have the angst we’ve come to expect from Catharina Maura, but the happy ending makes it all worth it. Watching Luca and Val fall in love was the highlight of my January! I am a terrible highlighter when I read because I get so caught up in the moment but I have almost 200 highlights from this book that’s how much I loved it. Also their spicy scenes were some of the best I’ve read from this author.
”She’s as devoid of emotion as I am, and I wouldn’t have it any other way” Luca says this in chapter one folks. Denial is a river in Egypt and Luca visits often.
Side Characters
Finally, I want to talk about the side characters because this book set up a lot for the future of this series.
Aresraven: it was so good to see my babies again. Getting to see their wedding again was magical, and I loved all the comments Luca and Val made about them being oblivious idiots. hello pot meet kettle.
Dion: We have a name for Dion’s fiancée and I cannot wait for their book. I was sold from the moment we learned Dion and Faye don’t speak to one another. I was so interested in their dynamic after seeing it through Luca’s eyes. I’m so happy their book is next. Someone wake me up when it’s June please.
Zane: Zane and Celeste I am looking at you very hard. I love second chance romance and I have a feeling Zane and Celeste may become one of my favorites from that trope.
Lexington: I claimed Lexington after The Wrong Bride and I am still riding that train hard. We still don’t know the name of his girl, but just know I am their number one fan. (Also Cat if you’re looking for a name for his LI, Gretchen is a perfectly nice name *cough cough*)
Xaviersierra: A serve as always. I know Cat hasn’t confirmed them as a couple, but their scenes are so explosive together. They will be a perfect end to this perfect series.
Overall, if you’re looking for an office romance mixed with a marriage of convenience you’ll be hard pressed to find a better one than The Temporary Wife. This series has everything I’m looking for in an interconnected standalone series. Cat telling me to jump and I’ll say “how high.” See you all in June for the Unwanted Marriage!
Post reading reaction:
screaming crying shaking throwing up. This was my favorite book of January. I am feeling so many things. Full review to come but the Windsor family is the best fictional family I’ve ever read about
Prerelease:
I need LucaVal in my hands like I need air
February 9, 2023
This book lived up to the hype for me. Just a couple of idiots in love who deny their attraction to each other and think a three-year marriage of convenience won’t deepen it, and I LOVE IT.
Luca and Valentina have been at each other’s throats since she started working for him eight years ago. At some point, their dislike turned into a friendship neither of them acknowledge until Luca kisses her, confusing both of them.
The Temporary Wife has so many cute moments that had me squealing. I loved their antagonistic banter, their idiotic denial of their feelings, and their confessions. There’s also a point where Luca makes Valentina his phone background, and right then, I forgave him for all his past transgressions.
The characters have insecurities and traumas from past relationships, but it was frustrating to watch them have the same conversation a million times. They’d reassure each other they weren’t attracted to anyone and then the next page it would be like, “they’re talking to their ex.” The first two times the jealousy over it was fun (in a guilty pleasure kind of way), but after that, it was old.
The last 85 pages before the epilogue were insufferable. The relationship conflict was ridiculous and the fallout with the family was even more ridiculous. Both of these characters need to limit contact with their families (mainly parents/grandparents) because they wereexhausting, toxic, and manipulative too much. Most of the side-characters were interesting and likable, with moments of support and interesting plots of their own. I adored Abuela and Luca’s relationship so much.
My heart was shattered by this novel. It captured my attention, breaking the reading rut I’ve been in. I adore it just for that. This was my first time reading a book by Catharina Maura, but it will not be my last.
★★★★★
Luca and Valentina have been at each other’s throats since she started working for him eight years ago. At some point, their dislike turned into a friendship neither of them acknowledge until Luca kisses her, confusing both of them.
The Temporary Wife has so many cute moments that had me squealing. I loved their antagonistic banter, their idiotic denial of their feelings, and their confessions. There’s also a point where Luca makes Valentina his phone background, and right then, I forgave him for all his past transgressions.
The characters have insecurities and traumas from past relationships, but it was frustrating to watch them have the same conversation a million times. They’d reassure each other they weren’t attracted to anyone and then the next page it would be like, “they’re talking to their ex.” The first two times the jealousy over it was fun (in a guilty pleasure kind of way), but after that, it was old.
The last 85 pages before the epilogue were insufferable. The relationship conflict was ridiculous and the fallout with the family was even more ridiculous. Both of these characters need to limit contact with their families (mainly parents/grandparents) because they were
My heart was shattered by this novel. It captured my attention, breaking the reading rut I’ve been in. I adore it just for that. This was my first time reading a book by Catharina Maura, but it will not be my last.
★★★★★
February 12, 2023
2.5 Stars
Luca’s story was introduced in the first book when Grams announced he would be marrying Natalia the spoiled daughter of a Russian oil tycoon, and it ended with him announcing he married Valentina his PA. I was expecting hella OW drama (the only thing that kept me reading in book 1)
This book has a lot of feelings being discussed (anxiety, depression, abandonment, love, hate, lust) but no actual feels.
Bottom Line- This was actually longer that the last book with none of the drama to spice it up. Natalia (potential OW) was a pussy cat and added nothing to the plot. What was the plot? We cycled through the same stuff for hundreds of pages. I needed like 200 less pages of filler and repetitive bits. This one does have an epilogue 10 years. It was nice to see them settled after the first book just dropped its couple. I’m over Gma and think I’m sticking a fork in the series.
Luca’s story was introduced in the first book when Grams announced he would be marrying Natalia the spoiled daughter of a Russian oil tycoon, and it ended with him announcing he married Valentina his PA. I was expecting hella OW drama (the only thing that kept me reading in book 1)
This book has a lot of feelings being discussed (anxiety, depression, abandonment, love, hate, lust) but no actual feels.
Bottom Line- This was actually longer that the last book with none of the drama to spice it up. Natalia (potential OW) was a pussy cat and added nothing to the plot. What was the plot? We cycled through the same stuff for hundreds of pages. I needed like 200 less pages of filler and repetitive bits. This one does have an epilogue 10 years. It was nice to see them settled after the first book just dropped its couple. I’m over Gma and think I’m sticking a fork in the series.
February 4, 2023
I waited for Valentina's story for months and now I'm disappointed ☹️ this was not interesting enough. The MCs went from indifference to love in 1.5 seconds and Valentina 's abandonment issues were OTT
August 19, 2023
“You are the love of my life, and I will never stop fighting for you, for us. I know that I’m not worthy of you, Valentina, but you truly are the light in my life. You brighten up my darkest days, and you give me purpose when everything feels hopeless. At the core of all that I am, there is you. Until I breathe my last breath, that will be true.”
This was cute and also very dramatic the characters were at a 10 they needed to be at a 5 lol. It was easy to read, smutty and I like the characters and family. I think I like workplace romance, it may be slightly unethical sometimes but it hardly ever disappoints. This book was so angsty and not always in a good way. There were so many things tearing Luca and Valentina apart and some of the stuff felt repetitive and it was tiring. Grandma Windsor in this series has way too much time on her hand she’s a little annoying with her matchmaking and arranged marriages. There’s a lot of smut in this and it was okay but I’m so tired of seeing “good girl” in smut let’s change it up. This book is probably closer to 3.5 ⭐️ but I’ll give it a 4 because of the smut scene that was in public in front of Luca’s ex🤭.
Tropes/themes:
- Workplace romance
- Boss/secretary
- Marriage of convenience
- Angsty
- Billionaire romance
- 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This was cute and also very dramatic the characters were at a 10 they needed to be at a 5 lol. It was easy to read, smutty and I like the characters and family. I think I like workplace romance, it may be slightly unethical sometimes but it hardly ever disappoints. This book was so angsty and not always in a good way. There were so many things tearing Luca and Valentina apart and some of the stuff felt repetitive and it was tiring. Grandma Windsor in this series has way too much time on her hand she’s a little annoying with her matchmaking and arranged marriages. There’s a lot of smut in this and it was okay but I’m so tired of seeing “good girl” in smut let’s change it up. This book is probably closer to 3.5 ⭐️ but I’ll give it a 4 because of the smut scene that was in public in front of Luca’s ex🤭.
Tropes/themes:
- Workplace romance
- Boss/secretary
- Marriage of convenience
- Angsty
- Billionaire romance
- 🌶️🌶️🌶️
January 3, 2024
Wattpad called… and they don’t even want this book.
August 12, 2024
3⭐️
I already knew that I was gonna enjoy reading this, but unfortunately, I was far from obsessed as I was with the first book. We get a brief glimpse into Luca and Valentina in the first book, but nothing prepared me for what I was gonna actually read in this book.
Right off the bat, this book had some problems. I understand going to great lengths to get someone to stay, but Luca in the beginning of this book was absolutely psychotic. 😭 It really seemed like all of a sudden was head over heels for this girl even if it's written otherwise. He just decided to BLACKLIST Valentina because she wanted to quit her job working for him. I'm sorry, but we get zero build up to this tension and the way we were just thrown in didn't really appeal to me. It just didn't feel that these two had a long history; the words on the pages were not matching the vibe.
I can't write a review on this book and NOT talk about just how childish and selfish Valentina was at points in this book. This girl was so insecure and she let her insecurities control her entire life. That just doesn't sit well with me. There was absolutely zero effort into trying to work on her insecurities. She just ended up taking it out on everyone around her and, god, it drove me insane. She really needed to work on herself more so she was completely sabotaging herself and everyone around her.
Once both of them started to open up more and actually TALK like adult human beings, the book went along really well. Their chemistry felt a bit off sometimes and, frankly, forced. When I read about these two, I just don't picture them as a great duo. The spice was, of course, a lot at times. I'm finding that to be a common theme in this series. However, I did enjoy it.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, but I wouldn't say that it's great or amazing. There were a lot of flaws, but I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish. This had me wanting more since it felt like it lacked in some areas. I can only hope that the other books in this series are better than this one.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This one is for those of us that fight to break the cycles were trapped in. Just because it’s all you’ve ever known doesn’t mean it’s right.
Starting the next book asap I need to stay in this universe 🥹
I already knew that I was gonna enjoy reading this, but unfortunately, I was far from obsessed as I was with the first book. We get a brief glimpse into Luca and Valentina in the first book, but nothing prepared me for what I was gonna actually read in this book.
Right off the bat, this book had some problems. I understand going to great lengths to get someone to stay, but Luca in the beginning of this book was absolutely psychotic. 😭 It really seemed like all of a sudden was head over heels for this girl even if it's written otherwise. He just decided to BLACKLIST Valentina because she wanted to quit her job working for him. I'm sorry, but we get zero build up to this tension and the way we were just thrown in didn't really appeal to me. It just didn't feel that these two had a long history; the words on the pages were not matching the vibe.
I can't write a review on this book and NOT talk about just how childish and selfish Valentina was at points in this book. This girl was so insecure and she let her insecurities control her entire life. That just doesn't sit well with me. There was absolutely zero effort into trying to work on her insecurities. She just ended up taking it out on everyone around her and, god, it drove me insane. She really needed to work on herself more so she was completely sabotaging herself and everyone around her.
Once both of them started to open up more and actually TALK like adult human beings, the book went along really well. Their chemistry felt a bit off sometimes and, frankly, forced. When I read about these two, I just don't picture them as a great duo. The spice was, of course, a lot at times. I'm finding that to be a common theme in this series. However, I did enjoy it.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, but I wouldn't say that it's great or amazing. There were a lot of flaws, but I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish. This had me wanting more since it felt like it lacked in some areas. I can only hope that the other books in this series are better than this one.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This one is for those of us that fight to break the cycles were trapped in. Just because it’s all you’ve ever known doesn’t mean it’s right.
Starting the next book asap I need to stay in this universe 🥹
February 11, 2023
how can u finish this… it’s literally written so poorly it’s worse than wattpad fanfics
November 13, 2024
4.75 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
~Summary~
This book reminded me exactly why I fell in love with reading all over again in all the right ways. The romance between Luca and Valentina was so cute to read I genuinely couldn't stop smiling as their story and love continued to develop. I did have a few doubts going into this one because of my opinions regarding the first book but I heard great things about the second and third book so I just had to continue and I can officially say that I have no regrets.
However, despite how much I really wanted to give this book 5 stars, the one thing that held me back was yet again the third act. It wasn't as bad as the wrong bride's third act but in my opinion the grandmothers involvement was just so dramatic and unnecessary honestly. I still love the book but it just held it back slightly for me.
"There's nothing common about you" I tell her, my voice soft. "Not a single thing"
💚Luca💚
"He raises his hand and grabs a strand of my hair. "I always used to wonder what your hair would feel like, and then I found out, so I started to wonder what it would look like spread all over my pillows. It kills me that I'll never know."
LUCA. I genuinely fear that this man has stolen my naïve heart.
Initially I hated him for what he did in the first 10% of the book but the more I read the more I loved him more. He is literally everything you would dream of having in your own love story and more. He's attentive, caring, possessive and SELF AWARE, what a rare quality 👀
His love for Valentina was present from beginning to end and I was rooting for their romance every step of the way. There was a specific scene where he was trying to make it up to Valentina for something he had done and the genuine care and thoughtfulness that went into it just made my heart melt. He's just way too good to be true.
"They seemed to make you happy, so I searched through all of your favourite YouTube food channels to find a recipe." He glances at the mess, his expression tormented. "It looked a lot easier than it was." A soft chuckle escapes my lips as I reach for him and cup his face. "You did this for me?"
🩷Valentina🩷
"She's so beautiful, it's unreal. When she smiles at me that way, I become utterly useless. I truly think she's slowly driving me insane"
Valentina's story continuously captivated me. Her past easily explains why she is the cold and closed off woman she was at the beginning of the book and I feel for her in every way possible. Her resilience and devotion to making a name for herself showed and I couldn't help but cheer for her every step of the way.
Her romance with Luca was honestly perfect, they are so great together I couldn't imagine her deserving anything less. Her insecurities were warranted and her guarded persona was understandable but the way she slowly allowed Luca to learn more and more about her was so rewarding to read. The ending both her and Luca got was all I could've asked for and if it wasn't for the issue I have at the third act this would've easily been a 5 star for me because it definitely wasn't an issue with their relationship.
"He tucks my hair behind my ear and sighs. "There is nothing you could do or say that will make me want you any less. You're my wife, Valentina, for better or worse. I don't just want the best parts of you, baby. I want all of you"
~Overall~
This was such an amazing read for me. I could genuinely gush about this book to anyone for hours because each moment made me smile from ear to ear. Of course I had my gripes but it didn't diminish the overall story for me. The more Catharina Maura books I read, the more interested I become, I'm not sure if it's the way she writes her romances or if it's the way she teases her upcoming books but either way it's only making me want more and I cannot wait to read Dion and Faye's story next.
~Summary~
This book reminded me exactly why I fell in love with reading all over again in all the right ways. The romance between Luca and Valentina was so cute to read I genuinely couldn't stop smiling as their story and love continued to develop. I did have a few doubts going into this one because of my opinions regarding the first book but I heard great things about the second and third book so I just had to continue and I can officially say that I have no regrets.
However, despite how much I really wanted to give this book 5 stars, the one thing that held me back was yet again the third act. It wasn't as bad as the wrong bride's third act but in my opinion the grandmothers involvement was just so dramatic and unnecessary honestly. I still love the book but it just held it back slightly for me.
"There's nothing common about you" I tell her, my voice soft. "Not a single thing"
💚Luca💚
"He raises his hand and grabs a strand of my hair. "I always used to wonder what your hair would feel like, and then I found out, so I started to wonder what it would look like spread all over my pillows. It kills me that I'll never know."
LUCA. I genuinely fear that this man has stolen my naïve heart.
Initially I hated him for what he did in the first 10% of the book but the more I read the more I loved him more. He is literally everything you would dream of having in your own love story and more. He's attentive, caring, possessive and SELF AWARE, what a rare quality 👀
His love for Valentina was present from beginning to end and I was rooting for their romance every step of the way. There was a specific scene where he was trying to make it up to Valentina for something he had done and the genuine care and thoughtfulness that went into it just made my heart melt. He's just way too good to be true.
"They seemed to make you happy, so I searched through all of your favourite YouTube food channels to find a recipe." He glances at the mess, his expression tormented. "It looked a lot easier than it was." A soft chuckle escapes my lips as I reach for him and cup his face. "You did this for me?"
🩷Valentina🩷
"She's so beautiful, it's unreal. When she smiles at me that way, I become utterly useless. I truly think she's slowly driving me insane"
Valentina's story continuously captivated me. Her past easily explains why she is the cold and closed off woman she was at the beginning of the book and I feel for her in every way possible. Her resilience and devotion to making a name for herself showed and I couldn't help but cheer for her every step of the way.
Her romance with Luca was honestly perfect, they are so great together I couldn't imagine her deserving anything less. Her insecurities were warranted and her guarded persona was understandable but the way she slowly allowed Luca to learn more and more about her was so rewarding to read. The ending both her and Luca got was all I could've asked for and if it wasn't for the issue I have at the third act this would've easily been a 5 star for me because it definitely wasn't an issue with their relationship.
"He tucks my hair behind my ear and sighs. "There is nothing you could do or say that will make me want you any less. You're my wife, Valentina, for better or worse. I don't just want the best parts of you, baby. I want all of you"
~Overall~
This was such an amazing read for me. I could genuinely gush about this book to anyone for hours because each moment made me smile from ear to ear. Of course I had my gripes but it didn't diminish the overall story for me. The more Catharina Maura books I read, the more interested I become, I'm not sure if it's the way she writes her romances or if it's the way she teases her upcoming books but either way it's only making me want more and I cannot wait to read Dion and Faye's story next.
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