Forbidden Cinderella In His Castello

by Michelle Douglas

The latest romance by Michelle Douglas, a Cinderella, forbidden romance in Italy!


Once upon an off-limits kiss...

The timing is ideal for antiques expert Sadie to be invited to work at the Lombardi Castello. She’ll avoid a painful run-in with her estranged mother. The catch? Sharing the castle with her best friend’s stepbrother, Lorenzo. They surrendered to a magical stolen moment, before their different worlds opened a chasm between them. Yet after a near-fatal accident, his easy charm has taken on a brooding edge that draws her in again. And as Sadie’s sunshine brings light back to Enzo’s life, it illuminates old temptation...



Mills & Boon Forever — Be swept away by glamorous and heartfelt love stories.

218 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2026

About the author

"This is Mills & Boon/Harlequin romance at its best!" Goodreads reviewer

Michelle is an award-winning author who has been writing for romance publisher Harlequin Mills & Boon since 2007. "Truly funny and moving", “Poignant and absolutely impossible to put down,” and “Sparkling with warmth, humour and charm” is just a small sample of what the critics have had to say about her romances. In 2019 she graduated with her PhD (her topic area was Contemporary Romance and Feminism). She’s a sucker for happy endings, heroines who have a secret stash of chocolate, and heroes who know how to laugh. She lives in Newcastle on Australia's east coast with her own romantic hero, a house full of dust and books, and an eclectic collection of 60s and 70s vinyl.

Be sure to follow Michelle on:

Bookbub for the latest on sales: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/miche...
Facebook for book gossip: https://www.facebook.com/michelleDoug...
Instagram for pics of the beach: https://www.instagram.com/michelledou...

Reviews

[Susan in Perthshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Reader copy from the author. My review is my honest opinion.

I think writing category Romance is so much more difficult than one might initially think. The shorter word count puts enormous pressure on the writer to tell a story without padding and empty words This author achieves these goals so easily - or at least she makes it look like that.

This story is basically a two hander between Sadie and Enzo - living in his beautiful castle in Italy. Sadie is there because his family is concerned about him but he doesn’t want anybody interfering in his recovery however Sadie is a bright bubbly and interested woman who is determined to help her best friend, take care of her brother. This is a story inspired by beauty and the beast and is so well done. I found both characters totally believable and very engaging and watching them get closer and learn to love each other and sort out their problems was an absolute joy.

The setting is really well done so much so that I felt I was there living in the castle. Another entertaining and emotionally satisfying romance from Michelle Douglas. .

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh MS Douglas you have taken me on a magical trip to the Italian Riviera, with a castle and grumpy hero and a bright, full of positive energy off limits heroine I loved getting to know Enzo and Sadie come along and meet them.

Enzo Lombardi has holed himself in his family Castello after an accident that could have taken his life, Enzo is brooding and grumpy and has decided that love will never be for him not only because of his last girlfriend but because of his father and grandfather, so when his half-sister Chelsea asks her best friend Sadie to come and sort out the old toys in the attic, he agrees after all the Sadie he knew was quiet and shy, all should be good.

When Sadie who is an antique expert is asked by her friend to take a trip to Italy and sort through some old toys and maybe keep any eye on her injured brother she jumps at the chance this is what she needs to be able to stay away from her estranged mother she is convinced that the crush she had on Enzo all those years ago is gone, they are both different people now, that stolen kiss years before changed things then, they are from such different worlds after all Sadie is from working class Australia.

When Sadie arrives Enzo is shocked this Sadie is filled with sunshine and energy, she is witty and soon she is making this grumpy man smile, and for Sadie she feels his new scars add to his handsomeness and Enzo is soon building Sadie’s confidence making her see that she should not be putting herself down, the pull between them grows and they decide on a fling but only a fling no hearts are to be involved they are friends with benefits.

This is such a gorgeous story, fun, witty, moving and sensual as Enzo and Sadie do what they were not supposed to do and that is fall in love but will they open up and own the love that is there? I loved this one so much and highly recommend it, a gorgeous setting, wonderful characters, Sadie is filled with everything happy and Enzo is caring and loving and they make the best couple, I was smiling after finishing this one.

My thanks to the author for my copy to read and review.

[Patty Duplechin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enzo Lombardi is hiding out in Italy in his castle because he was in a car accident that could have killed him. He’s scarred and was hurt badly. It wasn’t his fault. Because of the woman who was supposedly to care about him, assaulted him, he doesn’t want any kind of relationship. He doesn’t trust women anymore. His family is worried about him, but they have a plan. Sadie, who is best friends with Enzo’s sister, is an antique expert and is taking a trip to the castle to sort through and restore old toys. She knows that Enzo is grumpy, brooding and angry. She has a job to do and won’t put up with his meanness. She’s outspoken and honest. She is staying away from her mother who abandoned her and her grandparents who was forced to raise her. She was never good enough. Now they picked her mother over her. So to Italy she goes. Gives her time to figure out her next career. Brodie is surprised by her smile and sunshine. It’s hard not to smile around her. Sadie thinks Enzo is still handsome, even with his scars. She did have a small crush on him but she’s over it, right? Brodie does come out of his shell with Sadie there. He even enjoys doing things with her. He’s getting stronger by the day. The two has chemistry but Sadie knows she’s not good enough. That’s all she’s ever heard. She deserves better. Will they avoid a fling? They have this pull. If they both agree to have a fling it would not go any further that a fling. Neither want a relationship. Will she leave when her job is done? Will he let her? Will she get another job? The characters are wonderful. Both were hurt and have trust issues. Can they let ithe past go to move forward with their futures? They both deserve happiness. I was rooting for these two. I received this book for my honest review. I give it voluntarily.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful story about a second chance for Sadie and Enzo. She's the best friend of his younger stepsister so he knew her way back when, but their lives were worlds apart in Australia and Italy. But now, Enzo's secluded himself in his Castello after an accident that left him scared and broken, both physically and emotionally. So his sister sends in her BFF to check on his welfare and help bring him back to life. Sadie hardly hesitates. Why would she? She's always loved Enzo and has nothing left for her at home after those who were supposed to love her the most wiped their hands of her.

I felt truly sorry and horrified for Sadie for how she lost her family. Her mother abandoned her with her parents as a baby and never returned. Until more than 20 years later with no insight whatsoever in how she might have hurt Sadie by never wanting her. Then to make things worse, her grandparents welcome their daughter back, and kick Sadie out. So running off to a castle in Italy? Yes please!

Thankfully, Sadie finds herself a true home with Enzo and he also manages to overcome his emotional pain so they can find their happily ever after. It was a beautiful journey for these two in another heartwarming story from Michelle.

Fav bits: she fixes antique toys, he's a sexy Italian millionaire still using a cane after the terrible car accident, warm beach scenes, a themed birthday party, she falls into the pool by accident...haha.

[Danielle Amor · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story in 3 emojis: 🏰🇮🇹🧸

Highlights from the book:
•Set in Italy
•Billionaire MMC
•Best Friends Brother Trope

ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Forbidden Cinderella in His Castello is the perfect fairytale story set in a castle in Italy.

Sadie and Lorenzo’s second chance X Best Friends Brother was great to read and I was rooting for them both from the start.

I also really enjoyed the toy restoration and toy hospital elements and not forgetting the pool party!

Thank you Michelle for sending me a copy of your new book.

[Louise - romance.movies.and.books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know when I pick up a book by this I am in for one good read.

This book is a mixture of Cinderella and the Beast from Beauty and the Beast. Our beast in this book Enzo has taken to hiding out in his own castle with a pool house.

Our Cinderella Sadie even with her personal struggles she is the shining light to help to bring Enzo out of the dark.

Enzo and Sadie have known each other for a long time but both have personal struggles/miscommunication which they need to overcome before love can win.

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book by the author for an honest review.

[Sara Leitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sadie and Enzo are perhaps my favourite characters this year! This beautifully crafted, charming story inspired by Beauty and the Beast has so much heart, so much depth in Enzo and Sadie who are both wary of their deepening relationship because of their past experiences with family. The setting of a castle is as magical as you expect. Michelle has once again woven a beautiful story together, one that you won’t want to put down! Thank you Michelle for sharing Enzo and Sadie’s story with me!

[Malvina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can cope with a trip to the Italian Riviera, especially in a book as lushly romantic as this one by Michelle Douglas. This was a beautiful second chance at love for this couple, him being her best friend's step-sister. Perfect holiday read.