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Greek Tycoons Tamed #1
Claimed for His Duty
The wedding night they never had
Leah Huntington's safety was entrusted to Greek tycoon Stavros Sporades, but the rebellious heiress was a beacon for fortune hunters. The only way for Stavros to protect her was to marry her himself
But their marriage was just a facade. Five years later, the sassy woman who sashays back into Stavros's life demanding a divorce is completely different from the wayward girl he married.
Stavros demands Leah prove her troubled past is behind her before he grants her freedom. But one night in their marital bed reveals that his alluring wife might have been innocent all along...
Leah Huntington's safety was entrusted to Greek tycoon Stavros Sporades, but the rebellious heiress was a beacon for fortune hunters. The only way for Stavros to protect her was to marry her himself
But their marriage was just a facade. Five years later, the sassy woman who sashays back into Stavros's life demanding a divorce is completely different from the wayward girl he married.
Stavros demands Leah prove her troubled past is behind her before he grants her freedom. But one night in their marital bed reveals that his alluring wife might have been innocent all along...
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 21, 2015
37 people are currently reading
424 people want to read
About the author
Tara Pammi
508 books197 followersTara Pammi can't remember a moment when she wasn't lost in a book, especially a romance which, for a teenager, was much more exciting than mathematics textbook. Before long, she was hiding romance novels within bigger textbooks, smuggling them into the home through her unsuspecting younger cousin’s school bag, and cycling more than a few miles to her favorite library to borrow more.
Through numerous ‘true’ loves :-) and traveling thousands of miles from family and friends, her attachment to books and especially romance novels stayed constant.
One fine day, toiling away as a grad student in a basement lab, Tara started typing the beginning of a story instead of her thesis. But it wasn’t until years later, encouraged by her real life hero, Tara realized what she truly wanted to do was to write.
Tara lives in Texas with her real life hero and her two little girls. When she isn't writing or reading, Tara can be found failing in the kitchen, watching TV or making resolutions to exercise more, or even a little.
Through numerous ‘true’ loves :-) and traveling thousands of miles from family and friends, her attachment to books and especially romance novels stayed constant.
One fine day, toiling away as a grad student in a basement lab, Tara started typing the beginning of a story instead of her thesis. But it wasn’t until years later, encouraged by her real life hero, Tara realized what she truly wanted to do was to write.
Tara lives in Texas with her real life hero and her two little girls. When she isn't writing or reading, Tara can be found failing in the kitchen, watching TV or making resolutions to exercise more, or even a little.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
July 7, 2017
there may be one or two spoilers OR maybe not!!
Okay, so this author hasn’t been an automatic Mills & Boon buy for me. The few that I have read by Tara Pammi haven’t exactly blown me away….but just when I was about to pass over her latest release, Claimed for His Duty, I noticed that there were a huge amount of very very good reviews about this book…..Hey, wait a minute….maybe there’s a “hidden gem” inside this one!!!!
And what do you know!!!!
Surprise…
It was rather a smashing read….yes, despite a few misgivings after reading the synopsis…..
But let me begin….the blurb….a sexy, arrogant and rich Greek tycoon marries an heiress to protect her from all those golddiggers out there for her money and not for love….then he holds her “prisoner” for 5 years…no contact, no call….nothing…he just checks with the bodyguards and the housekeeper if she’s behaving herself….how could she not be doing that???? Does that sound like house arrest or not?????
Listen, let me just remind you…you are reading a Mills & Boon/Harlequin Presents story…didn’t I tell you before that in here..ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE….THERE IS NO IMPOSSIBLE HERE!!!!
Now, let me continue….the story begins with the heroine/heiress, Leah Huntington, arriving at her absent husband’s best friend’s yacht party in Greece somewhere….her plan??? Get drunk and embarrass her “protector” husband….that’s the only way she will get him to see her…he’s been ignoring all her requests..for 5 years…and she’s HAD ENOUGH!!!! She’s made up her mind…..she’s seen the light….
Hell, her plan backfires!!! Stavros, the hidden husband, arrives, throws her over his shoulder and from then onwards…..the heat is on!!!!!
A bit more elaboration here…Stavros, who just by the way, I kind of liked…yes, I know he’s a total arrogant pr!@#$% most of the time…no wait…about half-way…until then…yikes…he agrees to give Leah the divorce but there are some huge conditions!!!! Yes, he will decide if she’s capable of running her life on her own, if she’s serious about setting up her designing business and if she behaves herself!!!! And she has to spend 3 months living as his wife...with him……!!!!
This guy is insane!!!! But what’s a girl got to do if she wants to make a change in her life….she will just have to show him that she’s more than just the person to blame for the death of Stavros sister, who died from a drug overdose and for which he blames Leah for!!!!
I had my doubts about Leah at first, but soon I was captivated by the person underneath the façade she showed the world. I loved watching the journey she took to find herself and growing stronger by the day.
Faced to being with each other, they slowly begin to open up and seeing who they really are. There has always been a bond between each other and as time passes, not only does that become stronger but the sizzling attraction for each other as well.
The sexual chemistry is really sizzling…
They have a lot of baggage…Leah will have to face up to and let go of her fears and the lies and guilt she has been carrying for all these years.
And Stavros must look inside his heart and see beyond his prejudices….. He has a lot of self-analyzing when…..yes he has to…because…at last….
OMG….I think I’ve been gushing a bit about this book…but honestly…I really loved it……and I am not going to write anymore…..I think by now, you have an idea about how good Stavros and Leah’s story is…..
Oh and what a hell of a bonus….Stavros best friend, Dimitri, who was a character I adored a LOT…..he’s going to have his own book next!!! Let me not wait too long….I might give up on breathing!!! Just kidding!!
Okay, you love romance, HEA’s, love, endearing characters, fantastic settings, sensuality…think that should be enough….if you do…get this book!!!!
Okay, so this author hasn’t been an automatic Mills & Boon buy for me. The few that I have read by Tara Pammi haven’t exactly blown me away….but just when I was about to pass over her latest release, Claimed for His Duty, I noticed that there were a huge amount of very very good reviews about this book…..Hey, wait a minute….maybe there’s a “hidden gem” inside this one!!!!
And what do you know!!!!
Surprise…
It was rather a smashing read….yes, despite a few misgivings after reading the synopsis…..
But let me begin….the blurb….a sexy, arrogant and rich Greek tycoon marries an heiress to protect her from all those golddiggers out there for her money and not for love….then he holds her “prisoner” for 5 years…no contact, no call….nothing…he just checks with the bodyguards and the housekeeper if she’s behaving herself….how could she not be doing that???? Does that sound like house arrest or not?????
Shut your mouth, girl! What do you mean it’s totally so over unbelievable?
Listen, let me just remind you…you are reading a Mills & Boon/Harlequin Presents story…didn’t I tell you before that in here..ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE….THERE IS NO IMPOSSIBLE HERE!!!!
Now, let me continue….the story begins with the heroine/heiress, Leah Huntington, arriving at her absent husband’s best friend’s yacht party in Greece somewhere….her plan??? Get drunk and embarrass her “protector” husband….that’s the only way she will get him to see her…he’s been ignoring all her requests..for 5 years…and she’s HAD ENOUGH!!!! She’s made up her mind…..she’s seen the light….
divorce the guy and become a fashion designer and of course get her hands into her trust fund…which by the way, the husband controls…look, it’s too complicated to go into why she has to beg him for money when she’s an heiress!!!!. So yes, Leah is no longer the pathetic person that has been crushing on Stavros since she first met him…and all he’s done is IGNORE HER!! Her time has come..
Hell, her plan backfires!!! Stavros, the hidden husband, arrives, throws her over his shoulder and from then onwards…..the heat is on!!!!!
A bit more elaboration here…Stavros, who just by the way, I kind of liked…yes, I know he’s a total arrogant pr!@#$% most of the time…no wait…about half-way…until then…yikes…he agrees to give Leah the divorce but there are some huge conditions!!!! Yes, he will decide if she’s capable of running her life on her own, if she’s serious about setting up her designing business and if she behaves herself!!!! And she has to spend 3 months living as his wife...with him……!!!!
What, you want me to repeat it..because why? You think you heard incorrectly??? No, you did not!!!!
This guy is insane!!!! But what’s a girl got to do if she wants to make a change in her life….she will just have to show him that she’s more than just the person to blame for the death of Stavros sister, who died from a drug overdose and for which he blames Leah for!!!!
I had my doubts about Leah at first, but soon I was captivated by the person underneath the façade she showed the world. I loved watching the journey she took to find herself and growing stronger by the day.
Faced to being with each other, they slowly begin to open up and seeing who they really are. There has always been a bond between each other and as time passes, not only does that become stronger but the sizzling attraction for each other as well.
The sexual chemistry is really sizzling…
They have a lot of baggage…Leah will have to face up to and let go of her fears and the lies and guilt she has been carrying for all these years.
And Stavros must look inside his heart and see beyond his prejudices….. He has a lot of self-analyzing when…..yes he has to…because…at last….
Yes, Stavros was damn stupid…..not wanting to own up to the real truth, to his real feelings…..because if this is what he feels right now…..
and he doesn’t fight for her love……..to get her back….his life will forever be filled with darkness and no joy!!!!
OMG….I think I’ve been gushing a bit about this book…but honestly…I really loved it……and I am not going to write anymore…..I think by now, you have an idea about how good Stavros and Leah’s story is…..
Oh and what a hell of a bonus….Stavros best friend, Dimitri, who was a character I adored a LOT…..he’s going to have his own book next!!! Let me not wait too long….I might give up on breathing!!! Just kidding!!
Okay, you love romance, HEA’s, love, endearing characters, fantastic settings, sensuality…think that should be enough….if you do…get this book!!!!
August 10, 2015
I decided to take a chance on this author,never read her prior books and this one seemed like something I would enjoy.It has the angsty Greek hero,vunerable virginal heroine,older man/ younger woman,and the trope that is one of my favorites,arranged marriage of convience.And I must make mention of the love/sex scenes,my oh my,they were scorchers,the sizzling build up was hot,hot,hot and off the charts!
Well,this book did not disappoint.Well written with dual pov,I loved it.The read started out 4**, but by the end it became a huge 5** read for me.It was packed with so much emotion that I just sucked it up like a well used sponge.I really want to read the hero's best friend Dimitri's story,that one looks really promising.
I would have liked the epilogue to show them with a family,but then again,I want all my reads to end that way.
Well,this book did not disappoint.Well written with dual pov,I loved it.The read started out 4**, but by the end it became a huge 5** read for me.It was packed with so much emotion that I just sucked it up like a well used sponge.I really want to read the hero's best friend Dimitri's story,that one looks really promising.
I would have liked the epilogue to show them with a family,but then again,I want all my reads to end that way.
July 2, 2015
Wow! First time I love a book from this author. Hero and heroine had crazy, sizzling chemistry, sexual tension drove me crazy and sex scenes were steamy. Most importantly I loved the very innocent, very feisty heroine and the complex alpha hero! My only complaint is that the epilogue needed a cute baby.
Oh greatest thing about this book is that H and h kept their wedding vows while apart and remained faithful to each other!
Oh greatest thing about this book is that H and h kept their wedding vows while apart and remained faithful to each other!
July 6, 2017
This one was hard to rate because there is a lot of mystery at the beginning and the heroine lies to the hero a lot (to protect her feelings), so it's difficult to know just what is going on.
You don't even find out that H/h have been married for 5 years until 19 pages in. There are very few characters with speaking parts in this story. The H/h of course, the H's best friend, the h's grandfather. That's it.
The H's dead sister (and heroine's best friend) casts a pall on the entire story - and it's only in the last few pages that the H/h are finally ready to let her go and move on to the future.
Okay - now my review has a lot of mystery! Sorry - it's that kind of a story.
The action: Heroine is fed up with living a nun's life in an apartment the hero installed her in right after their wedding. She was 19 and the hero thought she was using the same drugs that killed his sister. He married her to protect her from fortune hunters and because he owes a debt and duty the h's grandfather, his mentor. The heroine wants to launch her own designs, but needs money to buy fabric, etc. . . The hero won't answer her calls, so to get his attention, she crashes a party on his best friend's yacht and proceeds to drink 3 Cosmopolitans in a row before the hero can get there and rescue her from herself.
The hero is none too kind. He's worried she's lapsing back into drugs and he's upset that he is even more attracted to the h, now that she's lost her baby fat. The heroine tells him what she wants (after a lot of lies, back and forths, and guilty secrets). He agrees to release the money if she'll come and live with him for 3 months on his island and show him she is hard working and mature.
They don't get to the island until half way through the story - that's how long it took to cover all of this emotional territory. Once there, the heroine works on her dresses, runs around the villa and gets to know the hero. She is angry when he arranges a meeting with her grandfather (she doesn't want to know him, so she won't miss him when he dies). But she goes and spends two happy weeks with the old guy.
The heroine has arranged to show her designs to the H's old (current?) girlfriend and it goes well. But her night of triumph dissolves in the morning when the H tells her that her grandfather has died in the night. The heroine realizes her stoic husband is hurting and she moves to seduce him. He resists, but he hasn't had sex in five years, so she doesn't have to work too hard.
They have a wonderful month together until one of the drug dealers who sold to the H's sister is released from prison and is threatening to tell the real story of his "innocent" sister. The hero realizes that he tried to protect his sister, but he didn't show her enough love and he didn't really know her. Because the heroine lied about what his sister was really like, he thinks she will continue to lie. Heroine tells him she lied to protect *him* and not herself because she loves him.
They break up for two weeks, but the hero has done a lot of thinking and realizes he was wrong. He doesn't know how to love or to ask for love, but he's going to try. He grovels beautifully and these two broken people are finally healed.
It's worth slogging through the first 80 or so pages to get to the very emotional ending. The hero was truly a good man (five years of wearing a wedding ring and keeping his vows), if a little hard headed. The heroine had had a lot of loss in her life (mother, father, best friend) that she hadn't dealt with, which explained her behavior. They had both been attracted to each other before the sister's death and it was like they didn't feel they deserved to be happy because they each felt guilt about the sister's overdose. An angst fest - but a satisfying ending.
You don't even find out that H/h have been married for 5 years until 19 pages in. There are very few characters with speaking parts in this story. The H/h of course, the H's best friend, the h's grandfather. That's it.
The H's dead sister (and heroine's best friend) casts a pall on the entire story - and it's only in the last few pages that the H/h are finally ready to let her go and move on to the future.
Okay - now my review has a lot of mystery! Sorry - it's that kind of a story.
The action: Heroine is fed up with living a nun's life in an apartment the hero installed her in right after their wedding. She was 19 and the hero thought she was using the same drugs that killed his sister. He married her to protect her from fortune hunters and because he owes a debt and duty the h's grandfather, his mentor. The heroine wants to launch her own designs, but needs money to buy fabric, etc. . . The hero won't answer her calls, so to get his attention, she crashes a party on his best friend's yacht and proceeds to drink 3 Cosmopolitans in a row before the hero can get there and rescue her from herself.
The hero is none too kind. He's worried she's lapsing back into drugs and he's upset that he is even more attracted to the h, now that she's lost her baby fat. The heroine tells him what she wants (after a lot of lies, back and forths, and guilty secrets). He agrees to release the money if she'll come and live with him for 3 months on his island and show him she is hard working and mature.
They don't get to the island until half way through the story - that's how long it took to cover all of this emotional territory. Once there, the heroine works on her dresses, runs around the villa and gets to know the hero. She is angry when he arranges a meeting with her grandfather (she doesn't want to know him, so she won't miss him when he dies). But she goes and spends two happy weeks with the old guy.
The heroine has arranged to show her designs to the H's old (current?) girlfriend and it goes well. But her night of triumph dissolves in the morning when the H tells her that her grandfather has died in the night. The heroine realizes her stoic husband is hurting and she moves to seduce him. He resists, but he hasn't had sex in five years, so she doesn't have to work too hard.
They have a wonderful month together until one of the drug dealers who sold to the H's sister is released from prison and is threatening to tell the real story of his "innocent" sister. The hero realizes that he tried to protect his sister, but he didn't show her enough love and he didn't really know her. Because the heroine lied about what his sister was really like, he thinks she will continue to lie. Heroine tells him she lied to protect *him* and not herself because she loves him.
They break up for two weeks, but the hero has done a lot of thinking and realizes he was wrong. He doesn't know how to love or to ask for love, but he's going to try. He grovels beautifully and these two broken people are finally healed.
It's worth slogging through the first 80 or so pages to get to the very emotional ending. The hero was truly a good man (five years of wearing a wedding ring and keeping his vows), if a little hard headed. The heroine had had a lot of loss in her life (mother, father, best friend) that she hadn't dealt with, which explained her behavior. They had both been attracted to each other before the sister's death and it was like they didn't feel they deserved to be happy because they each felt guilt about the sister's overdose. An angst fest - but a satisfying ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2024
Reread #3 still 5 star rating.
Reread!!! Loved this the second time around as much as the first.
So much angst and emotion. And the two were perfect for each other.
Both Hero and Heroine were great characters and their romance evolved in a timely manner and talk about sparks!!!
Reread!!! Loved this the second time around as much as the first.
So much angst and emotion. And the two were perfect for each other.
Both Hero and Heroine were great characters and their romance evolved in a timely manner and talk about sparks!!!
August 27, 2015
I wanted to like it, but for me it came across as bland.
With HPs, I'd rather have a hero to really love or hate rather than one that feels neutral.
With HPs, I'd rather have a hero to really love or hate rather than one that feels neutral.
August 26, 2016
It could have been one of my favorites...
Spoilt (misunderstood) Leah wants freedom to follow her dreams as a fashion designer. To get Stavros attention she behaves as nasty as she can. Stavros married Leah because of the duty he felt towards her grandfather and to let her go she must prove she is a good girl. That thing with Leah and her grandfather didn't convince me much either.
I had some problems at the beginning, can't put my finger on it but I couldn't connect with the story.
For me, this story had very good points but it dwelled too much on the past and that rested to the romance.
Still I'm interested in Dimitri's story
Spoilt (misunderstood) Leah wants freedom to follow her dreams as a fashion designer. To get Stavros attention she behaves as nasty as she can. Stavros married Leah because of the duty he felt towards her grandfather and to let her go she must prove she is a good girl. That thing with Leah and her grandfather didn't convince me much either.
I had some problems at the beginning, can't put my finger on it but I couldn't connect with the story.
For me, this story had very good points but it dwelled too much on the past and that rested to the romance.
Still I'm interested in Dimitri's story
September 4, 2016
This book left me with very conflicting feelings. This is my first read from the author, and I somehow get the feeling, she's a fan of Michelle Reid's writing style. She clearly tries to draw out every emotion and sizzle, much in the manner of the great MR. However, unfortunately, for her, she lacks the finesse or experience? to pull it off completely. Whereas, in Ms. Reid's writing, the tension and the angst is extremely palpable, in Tara Pammi's writing, it just seems repetitive and overemphasised.
She also pays a lot of attention to detail (which is great if you're not trying to fit in a truly touching romance within a 180 odd pages) and after sometime that becomes boring. I came away with a huge amount of information on cocktail dresses and fabrics post reading this book. And most of it I could have done without (given that I'm no fashion design student).
The h (Leah) is an aspiring fashion designer without funds, a dark past (which includes the death of her sister in law), an estranged husband and a grandfather she hasn't seen in a long while, but wants to reconcile with. In my opinion, this made for a particularly complicated plot with too many threads and the first half of the novel was super tedious to read. I actually enjoyed her writing in the first couple of chapters though, but after that it just felt like I was reading out scenes from a soap opera (in slow motion). It was like Ms. Pammi was almost forcing us to feel 'angst' by underlining every emotion or action by the h and the H. The hero on the other hand is quite justifiably described as 'austere' by the author herself. He's not cruel in the tradition of most HP heroes; but he is cold on most occasions. And somehow, I find it difficult to reconcile the coldness with the passion that H (Stavros) seemingly feels for the h.
however, there were some redeeming factors to this book. For example, the fact, that it was the h and not the H that initiated the intimacy they finally share. It's almost a 'forced seduction' in reverse, with Leah taking the lead and prompting Stavros into making love to her. I loved that about the heroine - the fact that she was willing to make the first move, instead of behaving like a wilting flower, waiting for the hero to make a move for her. Their lovemaking was hot and so was the final grovel/HEA scene where she and Stavros finally come together and confess their love. And they made it all worth it!
So while I'm not very optimistic about other titles from this author, I can safely say this book at least qualifies for a one time read - if only for the sex and the grovel. Three stars ***
She also pays a lot of attention to detail (which is great if you're not trying to fit in a truly touching romance within a 180 odd pages) and after sometime that becomes boring. I came away with a huge amount of information on cocktail dresses and fabrics post reading this book. And most of it I could have done without (given that I'm no fashion design student).
The h (Leah) is an aspiring fashion designer without funds, a dark past (which includes the death of her sister in law), an estranged husband and a grandfather she hasn't seen in a long while, but wants to reconcile with. In my opinion, this made for a particularly complicated plot with too many threads and the first half of the novel was super tedious to read. I actually enjoyed her writing in the first couple of chapters though, but after that it just felt like I was reading out scenes from a soap opera (in slow motion). It was like Ms. Pammi was almost forcing us to feel 'angst' by underlining every emotion or action by the h and the H. The hero on the other hand is quite justifiably described as 'austere' by the author herself. He's not cruel in the tradition of most HP heroes; but he is cold on most occasions. And somehow, I find it difficult to reconcile the coldness with the passion that H (Stavros) seemingly feels for the h.
however, there were some redeeming factors to this book. For example, the fact, that it was the h and not the H that initiated the intimacy they finally share. It's almost a 'forced seduction' in reverse, with Leah taking the lead and prompting Stavros into making love to her. I loved that about the heroine - the fact that she was willing to make the first move, instead of behaving like a wilting flower, waiting for the hero to make a move for her. Their lovemaking was hot and so was the final grovel/HEA scene where she and Stavros finally come together and confess their love. And they made it all worth it!
So while I'm not very optimistic about other titles from this author, I can safely say this book at least qualifies for a one time read - if only for the sex and the grovel. Three stars ***
October 2, 2015
What began as an interesting romance soon became a story about two people psychoanalyizing their past. Too much time spent on past baggage. It went on and on and on and on. It exhausted me. The time spent on the past baggage ruined a potentially good romance. The romance felt almost secondary to the hero and heroine dealing with history.
This would have been a 5 star book had the time spent on history been less.
This would have been a 5 star book had the time spent on history been less.
abandoned-for-now
August 13, 2015I did not find her to my liking - she pretends to be a slot, selfish, etc etc and even blackmails the hero, against her own grandfather, whom the hero is very close to, to get what she wants. I might pick it up later when I'm in the mood. If I'm in the mood.
November 16, 2017
Not a good read in my opinion...not that it counts for much. What is with the Tycoons, Sheikhs, Princes, Kings, and other dignitaries that they treat women terribly? In HP a lot of the men are emotionally stunted, emotionally abusive, even physically and sexually rough and hold a woman/women captive. What is up with that? Is this the Formula Harlequin Presents puts forth for authors to follow? And why won't these dastardly men let the woman/women talk and explain what is going on. But no, they are so high and mighty that they think they know what everyone else thinks and feels. Let's not forget how hard-headed they are.
This young woman was held prisoner for five unnecessary years and was not guilty of what Stavros accused her of. The only reason I gave this two-stars instead of one is because during her five-year captivity Stavros remained faithful. I was shocked by that bit of a moral compass. Maybe HP is just not for me although I have read several good ones.
This young woman was held prisoner for five unnecessary years and was not guilty of what Stavros accused her of. The only reason I gave this two-stars instead of one is because during her five-year captivity Stavros remained faithful. I was shocked by that bit of a moral compass. Maybe HP is just not for me although I have read several good ones.
October 8, 2019
The Hero was Hard to Like
I really did not like him. But at the end even though he really didn't grovel he was better and the epilogue was great. I loved that he stayed faithful during the five years of his marriage even though it wasn't consummated. He did keep her a prisoner though but that didn't bother me. He held her responsible for his sister's death and married her to keep fortune hunters away and punish her. They had no contact and he refused to talk to her so she desperately dressed up rather sleazily and went to one of his friends parties and that got his attention and boy did she. I really did like this book and when He went her away it broke my heart. Very good read though and He was definitely hot. Loved the epilogue!!
I really did not like him. But at the end even though he really didn't grovel he was better and the epilogue was great. I loved that he stayed faithful during the five years of his marriage even though it wasn't consummated. He did keep her a prisoner though but that didn't bother me. He held her responsible for his sister's death and married her to keep fortune hunters away and punish her. They had no contact and he refused to talk to her so she desperately dressed up rather sleazily and went to one of his friends parties and that got his attention and boy did she. I really did like this book and when He went her away it broke my heart. Very good read though and He was definitely hot. Loved the epilogue!!
November 12, 2017
Wow, this is a very emotional and angst-filled book. I liked it a lot. I liked the hero, Stravos, a lot, too. I liked that he was very loyal to his mentor (the heroine's grandfather), that he was supportive of Leah in her line of work and that he remained celibate in the five years he'd been separated from her.
And, although, I liked Leah too, I didn't like her constant lies even if it was for self-preservation. It disturbed me how relationships and lives had been ruined and lost because of her lies and immaturity like those of her grandfather and Stravos's sister. She wouldn't even have had those last few days of bonding with her grandfather before his death had Stravos not forced her to go with him to her grandfather's estate. She was however a pillar of strength to Stravos on the death of her grandfather. My heart bled for Stravos' when he learns the truth about his sister --exactly why Leah did not tell him about her, for once she lied to protect him from pain. Him breaking up with her because of it was equally heartbreaking.
This is the second of the three books written by MR that I liked. I agree with some of the reviewers. Would've loved the epilogue more if it had a pregnancy or a baby/ies
Nevertheless, this is a must read.
And, although, I liked Leah too, I didn't like her constant lies even if it was for self-preservation. It disturbed me how relationships and lives had been ruined and lost because of her lies and immaturity like those of her grandfather and Stravos's sister. She wouldn't even have had those last few days of bonding with her grandfather before his death had Stravos not forced her to go with him to her grandfather's estate. She was however a pillar of strength to Stravos on the death of her grandfather. My heart bled for Stravos' when he learns the truth about his sister --exactly why Leah did not tell him about her, for once she lied to protect him from pain. Him breaking up with her because of it was equally heartbreaking.
This is the second of the three books written by MR that I liked. I agree with some of the reviewers. Would've loved the epilogue more if it had a pregnancy or a baby/ies
Nevertheless, this is a must read.
July 1, 2015
*4.5 stars*
August 15, 2021
OH-My-God!
Let me just say ... I absolutely adored the hero and heroine in this story.
From the beginning, the story gripped me so hard,
my heart literally ached.
I almost shed some tears reading the heroine's POV.
It's that GOOD!
My tummy tingled ... all those angst.
Leah, the beautiful, fragile yet formidable, misjudged and thoroughly misunderstood 25 y/o, who had to bear her friend- Callista's - misconduct that led to Callista's own death - by marrying the hero.
Stavros, a hardened successful Greek God, I mean, businessman. He's built the textile empire to its epitome of success. Not knowing anything but duty and protecting what's his; his sister, Callista, whom he lost and hence, never endingly blamed Leah for.
The sexual tension between the two was so palpable.
I could feel it through the words.
Their hatred for each other in the beginning ... albeit stemmed from misunderstandings.
Oh ... the glorious angst.
Loved it. Loved it. Loved it.
The couple got married but never consummated their marriage. It was an intense slow burn. Scorching hot.
Let me just say ... I absolutely adored the hero and heroine in this story.
From the beginning, the story gripped me so hard,
my heart literally ached.
I almost shed some tears reading the heroine's POV.
It's that GOOD!
My tummy tingled ... all those angst.
Leah, the beautiful, fragile yet formidable, misjudged and thoroughly misunderstood 25 y/o, who had to bear her friend- Callista's - misconduct that led to Callista's own death - by marrying the hero.
Stavros, a hardened successful Greek God, I mean, businessman. He's built the textile empire to its epitome of success. Not knowing anything but duty and protecting what's his; his sister, Callista, whom he lost and hence, never endingly blamed Leah for.
The sexual tension between the two was so palpable.
I could feel it through the words.
Their hatred for each other in the beginning ... albeit stemmed from misunderstandings.
Oh ... the glorious angst.
Loved it. Loved it. Loved it.
The couple got married but never consummated their marriage. It was an intense slow burn. Scorching hot.
November 22, 2015
I found it sad that the hero, and Heroine let so much time slip by, before getting to know one another. They kept so many secrets from one another, causing each other to mistrust the other. Leah married Stavros when she was only 18. He married her to keep her safe. So he only married her out of duty. He was true to his word. A very honorable man. He put her up in a nice apartment, and made sure she had everything she needed. She felt like the apartment was a jail cell. She always had a security detail that tracked her every movement, and reported back to Stavros. He never came by and checked on her, or talked to her. Both were carrying around guilt over the death of his sister, and her best friend. He had blamed Leah for his sister's death.
Leah had called Stavros many times, but he never took the time to call her back. She wanted to get on with her life, and follow her dreams. She wanted to be a fashion designer. She loves creating clothes, and she is good at it. She can't touch her trust fund without his permission. She needs to dip into it, to get started. So she had to find a way to bring him to her. She put on a slinky dress, and showed up to a party. She got drunk, and out of nowhere there he was. After she sobered up, Stavros realized that his wife wasn't the young girl that he remembered. She was all grown up, and sexy as heck. He had no idea that she designed outfits, and he wanted to get to know his wife. He wanted to know more about her, and her life. He did seem to hold his self back, and so did she.
The one thing that impressed me about the hero, and heroine, is they didn't cheat. He still wore his wedding band, and was never with another woman. The first time they did make love, she was a virgin.
I see others loved this book, but for me, the story, plot, and characters didn't pull me into the book like I had hoped. I did finish it. It wasn't a bad book, but it wasn't by any means my favorite book.
Leah had called Stavros many times, but he never took the time to call her back. She wanted to get on with her life, and follow her dreams. She wanted to be a fashion designer. She loves creating clothes, and she is good at it. She can't touch her trust fund without his permission. She needs to dip into it, to get started. So she had to find a way to bring him to her. She put on a slinky dress, and showed up to a party. She got drunk, and out of nowhere there he was. After she sobered up, Stavros realized that his wife wasn't the young girl that he remembered. She was all grown up, and sexy as heck. He had no idea that she designed outfits, and he wanted to get to know his wife. He wanted to know more about her, and her life. He did seem to hold his self back, and so did she.
The one thing that impressed me about the hero, and heroine, is they didn't cheat. He still wore his wedding band, and was never with another woman. The first time they did make love, she was a virgin.
I see others loved this book, but for me, the story, plot, and characters didn't pull me into the book like I had hoped. I did finish it. It wasn't a bad book, but it wasn't by any means my favorite book.
July 21, 2015
Leah Huntington married Stavros Sporades, five years ago to keep her safe. However he only married her to protect her but that is where it ended he wants nothing to do with her. What happened five years ago is enough for Stavros to stay away from Leah. However she needs him to purchase a fashion house for her designs, Stavros knows nothing about her designs. He still wears his ring but they have not been together. Truth that has been hidden and the reason for his feelings finally come to the surface but is it too late to make their marriage work. A lovely story of secrets and love that is kept under wraps because of a feeling of betrayal. Sometimes things aren't always what they seem. a keeper
June 8, 2021
The hero's fellow greek tycoon best friend's's book is Bought For Her Innocence
The wedding night they never had
Leah Huntington's safety was entrusted to Greek tycoon Stavros Sporades, but the rebellious heiress was a beacon for fortune hunters. The only way for Stavros to protect her was to marry her himself
But their marriage was just a facade. Five years later, the sassy woman who sashays back into Stavros's life demanding a divorce is completely different from the wayward girl he married.
Stavros demands Leah prove her troubled past is behind her before he grants her freedom. But one night in their marital bed reveals that his alluring wife might have been innocent all along
The wedding night they never had
Leah Huntington's safety was entrusted to Greek tycoon Stavros Sporades, but the rebellious heiress was a beacon for fortune hunters. The only way for Stavros to protect her was to marry her himself
But their marriage was just a facade. Five years later, the sassy woman who sashays back into Stavros's life demanding a divorce is completely different from the wayward girl he married.
Stavros demands Leah prove her troubled past is behind her before he grants her freedom. But one night in their marital bed reveals that his alluring wife might have been innocent all along
April 7, 2018
This book was heading in a very positive direction for the majority the book and I even saw myself giving this a four and half or even five stars, but then it took a turn as I neared the end. It just got really slow and dragged a little bit too much near the end that it left me feeling disappointed by it. It took forever for Leah and Stavros to get a love scene in fact it was like the last third of the book. I was ready for them to get on already especially with all the lovely setup and anticipation that built up between the two of them, which was really good.
Then I was kind of disappointed with the first time scene, not because it wasn’t steamy or hot because it was, but the mindset going into the scene wasn’t exactly perfect, at least for their first time in my opinion. I think if it happened during their second or third time during that situation but not the first. I just wish it didn’t happen in circumstance in that way and place especially it being her first time and all. I was expecting more of an actual bedroom scene that headed in that direction because their passions exploded and they could no longer resist the temptation and gave into their attraction, instead the scene happened in part because of their attraction but more fraught emotions brought on by grief and wanting to make it go away by doing something more pleasurable by not thinking of the unpleasant emotions going on.
And because their coming together took forever in the book, there were a lack of physically intimate scenes between the pair. There were scenes but they were just summarized and really rushed. There wasn’t a lot of them showing them bond in that moment in that very special way associated with love scenes. I just thought a few more detailed scenes could be thrown in there to show them getting closer and closer and falling deeper and deeper in love. Jus more intimacy thrown in, and I also wished there was an aftermath scene where they were just talking as they held each other. I missed that.
Despite some of those concerns over the book, I did really enjoy it and savor it. I loved the beginning and the middle, leading up to them getting to the love scene point. I took my time with this book and savored it as all the fraught emotions were surrounding them and causing tension between the pair. It was really good, and I was really enmeshed in the world that Leah and Stavros were in that moment. And I very much enjoyed going on that journey with them as their relationship changed and grew as they time progressed in the book as they got to know each other more and more.
I loved all the build up in anticipation between them that was really amazing because of that angst and tension that was there. It was so lovely, and it consumed me in the way that angsty romance books tend to do. That angst and tension was what propelled the story forward and kept me on my toes. I was hanging on by fingernails just waiting for that first kiss, first embrace, and first love scene between them.
I also loved, loved, loved that they had a history together before the story even began. It relates to the point above about the angst, but because they had this history and numerous misunderstandings between them there was a lot going on between them tension wise, sexual and otherwise, and that I love. There were so much hurt feelings going on as well as residual feeling of what happened in the past. In this instance, Leah had a crush on Stavros for years while he more viewed her as a pest that got under his skin. He married her in order to punish her for her sister’s death, which he blamed her for, but they never truly acted like husband and wife. They never lived together and had not seen each other for five years. Conflict city with many, many layers to it from both sides. It wasn’t an easy relationship to say the least. It was very complicated, but I love complicated. It was very easy to be consumed with the story and just be in their emotional turmoil with them like whenever Stavros hurt Leah, I hurt for Leah because what he did was unfair and she didn’t deserve it, but it also gave her strength to because she stood up to him and made her grow as a person, and I loved seeing that. Just when there is a backstory to a romance it makes it all the more complex emotionally and I love that.
Overall, for the most part I really did enjoy this book, and for a majority I thought it was amazing and really loved it. I really did anticipate giving this a five stars until it started to really drag and slow down near the end. I just thought they should have consummated their relationship a lot early. I understand that Stavros had to get over his prejudice of her and want to get to know her, but they still could have been together and come to realize what a mistake he made and grovel from there. There wasn’t a lot of groveling nor overly romantic scene aside from the epilogue. I will say however that I did like that they spent more time together and got to know each other more as they revealed some truths about themselves especially when Leah talked about the wedding dress that was like a punch in the heart. And I will admit that I did tear up a couple of times in the book over the emotional turmoil going on. For the majority of the book, I got the feels just not so much in the end and was a little disappointed by their first time, but other than that I really did like it, and I am curious to read Dmitri’s story sometime in the future because he was quite the character.
Then I was kind of disappointed with the first time scene, not because it wasn’t steamy or hot because it was, but the mindset going into the scene wasn’t exactly perfect, at least for their first time in my opinion. I think if it happened during their second or third time during that situation but not the first. I just wish it didn’t happen in circumstance in that way and place especially it being her first time and all. I was expecting more of an actual bedroom scene that headed in that direction because their passions exploded and they could no longer resist the temptation and gave into their attraction, instead the scene happened in part because of their attraction but more fraught emotions brought on by grief and wanting to make it go away by doing something more pleasurable by not thinking of the unpleasant emotions going on.
And because their coming together took forever in the book, there were a lack of physically intimate scenes between the pair. There were scenes but they were just summarized and really rushed. There wasn’t a lot of them showing them bond in that moment in that very special way associated with love scenes. I just thought a few more detailed scenes could be thrown in there to show them getting closer and closer and falling deeper and deeper in love. Jus more intimacy thrown in, and I also wished there was an aftermath scene where they were just talking as they held each other. I missed that.
Despite some of those concerns over the book, I did really enjoy it and savor it. I loved the beginning and the middle, leading up to them getting to the love scene point. I took my time with this book and savored it as all the fraught emotions were surrounding them and causing tension between the pair. It was really good, and I was really enmeshed in the world that Leah and Stavros were in that moment. And I very much enjoyed going on that journey with them as their relationship changed and grew as they time progressed in the book as they got to know each other more and more.
I loved all the build up in anticipation between them that was really amazing because of that angst and tension that was there. It was so lovely, and it consumed me in the way that angsty romance books tend to do. That angst and tension was what propelled the story forward and kept me on my toes. I was hanging on by fingernails just waiting for that first kiss, first embrace, and first love scene between them.
I also loved, loved, loved that they had a history together before the story even began. It relates to the point above about the angst, but because they had this history and numerous misunderstandings between them there was a lot going on between them tension wise, sexual and otherwise, and that I love. There were so much hurt feelings going on as well as residual feeling of what happened in the past. In this instance, Leah had a crush on Stavros for years while he more viewed her as a pest that got under his skin. He married her in order to punish her for her sister’s death, which he blamed her for, but they never truly acted like husband and wife. They never lived together and had not seen each other for five years. Conflict city with many, many layers to it from both sides. It wasn’t an easy relationship to say the least. It was very complicated, but I love complicated. It was very easy to be consumed with the story and just be in their emotional turmoil with them like whenever Stavros hurt Leah, I hurt for Leah because what he did was unfair and she didn’t deserve it, but it also gave her strength to because she stood up to him and made her grow as a person, and I loved seeing that. Just when there is a backstory to a romance it makes it all the more complex emotionally and I love that.
Overall, for the most part I really did enjoy this book, and for a majority I thought it was amazing and really loved it. I really did anticipate giving this a five stars until it started to really drag and slow down near the end. I just thought they should have consummated their relationship a lot early. I understand that Stavros had to get over his prejudice of her and want to get to know her, but they still could have been together and come to realize what a mistake he made and grovel from there. There wasn’t a lot of groveling nor overly romantic scene aside from the epilogue. I will say however that I did like that they spent more time together and got to know each other more as they revealed some truths about themselves especially when Leah talked about the wedding dress that was like a punch in the heart. And I will admit that I did tear up a couple of times in the book over the emotional turmoil going on. For the majority of the book, I got the feels just not so much in the end and was a little disappointed by their first time, but other than that I really did like it, and I am curious to read Dmitri’s story sometime in the future because he was quite the character.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2015
I hadn't heard of Tara Pammi until early this year or late last year and was amazed about the style of her books. She has such a connection when writing some of them, that it only reminds me of one author, Penny Jordan. This one was pretty damn amazing and I just wished it would go on and on. It was perfect.
March 4, 2021
Hero married a teenager heroine because her grandpa asked him. Hero lost his sister for an overdose when she was out partying with heroine so, since h is an heiress and a reckless party girl, he marries and hides her away in a flat without friends and any contact with the world. He never sees her for 5 years. After 5 years heroine wants to start her fashion design business and asks H for her funds ( he’s taking care of her money and all) and for divorce. he proposes 3 months trial where she has to show her value (!!!). Ok he thought she was addicted to drugs like his sister, but is this a reason to keep a young woman isolated indefinitely??? Are you crazy????? They fall in love but he push her away again and again, even when he finds out she’s innocent of every filthy accusation!!! In the end he grovels but not nearly enough! I didn’t like this hero, he was cold and judgmental without even knowing what to do with a young woman with issues. I think there are professional helps for this kind of problem, hero and grandpa should have sent her to a counselor at least! This do-it-yourself attitude is very dangerous and I wonder how young heroine could come out unscathed after 5 years of loneliness with no support. I think the author went too far with this. Heroine was very brave and I loved her resilience, she should have left the hero and gone by herself after not 5 but 1 year! She should have left him anyway in the end, she deserved better that a control freak of a man. I gave 3 stars because I liked inner dialogue and introspection, and because hero was celibate for 5 years even if theirs was a MOC.
October 24, 2022
I’ve read many of this author’s books and enjoyed them.
I’m afraid this was a real disappointment. The basic problem for me was that I instantly disliked the heroine, and, by the time she started to behave like a reasonable adult woman, I had totally lost interest.
She was so in your face insensitive, egocentric and downright unpleasant for much of the book. Her Behaviour literally made no sense to me. For example, at the beginning she wants to confront Stavros (her marriage of convenience husband) and persuade him to release her trust fund. So she dresses inappropriately, crashes a party on a yacht, gets drunk drapes herself over young man, and is then surprised when Stratos fails to see her transformation into a steady, professional, trustworthy young woman. Oh please - She was totally unbelievable I just couldn’t buy her angst at all.
The hero had misjudged her but basically I didn’t blame him too much. She went out of her way to present herself in the worst possible light. He was basically an honourable man who made mistakes. I was impressed with the five year celibacy! Cool.
When we finally got to the love scene that was really disappointing too. As for the additional three months celibacy - I laughed!
Sorry this was not my cup of tea.
I’m afraid this was a real disappointment. The basic problem for me was that I instantly disliked the heroine, and, by the time she started to behave like a reasonable adult woman, I had totally lost interest.
She was so in your face insensitive, egocentric and downright unpleasant for much of the book. Her Behaviour literally made no sense to me. For example, at the beginning she wants to confront Stavros (her marriage of convenience husband) and persuade him to release her trust fund. So she dresses inappropriately, crashes a party on a yacht, gets drunk drapes herself over young man, and is then surprised when Stratos fails to see her transformation into a steady, professional, trustworthy young woman. Oh please - She was totally unbelievable I just couldn’t buy her angst at all.
The hero had misjudged her but basically I didn’t blame him too much. She went out of her way to present herself in the worst possible light. He was basically an honourable man who made mistakes. I was impressed with the five year celibacy! Cool.
When we finally got to the love scene that was really disappointing too. As for the additional three months celibacy - I laughed!
Sorry this was not my cup of tea.
November 19, 2018
Liked the slow burn romance in this because it made the most sense. Our hero and heroine had only gotten married due to unfavourable circumstances and there was no love between them, so the build up of their relationship before the sex was necessary. If you like angst, an ambitious heroine and a tortured hero, you'll probably like this.
July 23, 2017
Love it and I recommend this book and the author. Love how it started and drew you in to keep reading to find what happens with Stavos and Leah.
April 24, 2019
Dnf @41%
Can't finish it. Disliking the characters.
Can't finish it. Disliking the characters.
April 29, 2020
Will be reviewed and shelved later when i have find time and energy after this tiring times.
February 21, 2022
Very well done. The H is spectacular. And Dmitri is a wonderful supporting character. Thank you, Tara Pammi! It’s Harlequins like this that make it worth while to read them in the first place.
March 19, 2022
3.5/5 Stars
July 17, 2025
Dnf at 35
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