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Holt Sisters #1
Bound to Me
This is an exciting re-release of one of USA TODAY Bestselling author Maisey Yate's most popular books. Find out what happens when dangerous passions and forbidden desire collide in Bound to Me…
His need for control…
Ajax Korous knows the depths of his desire and is determined to hold them at bay. But his convenient new wife, Leah Holt, is threatening to lift the lid on the darkness within him. Ajax must find a way to master her!
Her need to challenge him!
Marrying her childhood fantasy is fine in theory, but reality is very different! Leah soon realizes that she likes him when he's rough. When he's uncivilized. When he's the man beneath the veneer. But the sexual awakening Ajax brings Leah comes with a price…her heart!
167 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
79 people are currently reading
470 people want to read
About the author
Maisey Yates
1,176 books3,007 followersNew York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Maisey Yates lives in rural Oregon with her three children and her husband, whose chiseled jaw and arresting features continue to make her swoon. She feels the epic trek she takes several times a day from her office to her coffee maker is a true example of her pioneer spirit. In 2009, at the age of twenty-three Maisey sold her first book.
Since then it’s been a whirlwind of sexy alpha males and happily ever afters, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Maisey divides her writing time between dark, passionate category romances set just about everywhere on earth and light sexy contemporary romances set practically in her back yard.
She believes that she clearly has the best job in the world.
Since then it’s been a whirlwind of sexy alpha males and happily ever afters, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Maisey divides her writing time between dark, passionate category romances set just about everywhere on earth and light sexy contemporary romances set practically in her back yard.
She believes that she clearly has the best job in the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
October 10, 2013
I loved this book.
What made this story so poignant, touching and amazing for me:
The characters:
I loved getting to know their backstories, their goals, their feelings and becoming so engaged in their lives that made me want them to find happiness and joy.
The heroine – Leah is not your typical Mills & Boon h. She’s not a skinny supermodel type,
she’s smart and independent and is not afraid to speak her mind. I loved the way she challenged Ajax and that she wasn’t one of those helpless and whining women.
Living in the shadow of her beautiful sister, she has worked hard at building her own candy stores business and tries getting on with her life and do what she’s best at….using her brain instead of her looks.She’s been in love with Ajax like….forever!!!! But he fell in love with her beautiful, outgoing, perfect and “small” size sister and she has to contend with the position of the bridesmaid at their wedding.
The hero- Ajax - here’s this successful, gorgeous and complicated man, who has for years been hiding something dark and secretive from everyone. He’s tortured, broken and afraid to let loose the monster he believes lives inside him. The darkness in him is overwhelming.
He has a PLAN in his life and has worked at attaining his goals without any deviation or letting emotions and feelings get in his way.
But Leah does something to him that makes him afraid for the feelings he has been hiding most of his life.
He’d never felt like this. Had never been a slave to his desires in the way he was now. He’d experienced sexual arousal—of course he had. But the truth was, he hadn’t had sex in seventeen years. And desire, adult desire, a man to a woman, was utterly foreign to him. He’d ensured that it But in this moment nothing mattered. Because there was something about Leah that made the past feel not just foggy, but nonexistent.
He wanted to drown in that feeling. Be baptized in it. Come out clean and new.
An illusion, he knew it, but he wanted to cling to it. Just for a while.
I loved the character development and watching Leah and Ajax go through such turbulent times was heartbreaking at times. She thought she knew Ajax but in reality so not true. He’s nothing like she thought he was.
And the struggle Ajax goes through trying to keep the monster inside him from Leah – such sadness in his heart. For the first time, someone is threatening the shell he’s built around his heart and body and destroying everything he’s worked all his life for.
The plot – Leah’s sister runs away from her wedding and Leah offers to stands in as the bride so she can save Ajax’s business contract and because she loves him, has always loved him, and perhaps he will see the real HER. But sometimes things happen differently….
“So it seems. But we must attempt to make this look real.”
“It is real. As you pointed out, I signed a license, I took vows. It’s all real, man.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Love,” she said, looking up at him. “You want it to look like love. You want me to gaze at you in adoration so no one doubts my happiness or your penis size—I got it.”
His throat tightened, a strange kind of heat prickling his face. “You do not normally talk this way.”
He agrees, even though he wants and still loves her sister (idiota….you don’t really….you just think you do….because it’s just part of your PLAN!!! )
The story is driven by conflict, tension, romance, with some strong sexual elements which form part of the story and add meaning to the two main characters relationship.
The author delves into a subject not usually seen in Mills & Boon books. Yes, there are some sweet and tender moments but there’s an added edge with some dark, erotic and sensual scenes, with a touch of light BDSM that just blew me away. It was written so beautifully and in such a way that it never becomes in your face or perverse in any way……
“I want to break the rules,” she said.
“You will follow the rules, or I won’t allow you to come,” he said, his tone hard.
Her breath caught. “Oh.”
“Will you be good?”
“Yes,” she said, swallowing hard, her stomach tightening.
There was something about being tied up that she liked. His dominance was arousing, his skill was wonderful. And if it had been a game, nothing more than a power play between lovers, she wouldn’t have had a complaint.
But Ajax was using it for something else. Using it to keep control. To hold himself at a distance.
She wasn’t an equal in it. Wasn’t able to give back.
Wow…the heat, the sensuality….
Will Leah be able to reach inside Ajax’s heart and heal him? Will Ajax ever break the walls he’s build around himself? Will these two endearing characters finally find their HEA?
Well, you will have to read this book yourself to find the answers….believe me, you will take a journey that will remain with you or a long time…just like it’s been for me!!!
Allright….here’s a little teaser ………….
A tender, beautiful and hot love story with some unexpected twists and with set in exciting NYC and beautiful St. Lucia.
I hope we get Leah’s sister’s book………….now that would be something to look forward to.
August 1, 2013
The man with the plan. I've been waiting for this book to arrive for a while now. Ajax Kouros is just...stoopid...but in the sexiest yummiest way. This whole plan thing he's got going. Three pages in I knew he was in sooooo much trouble.
And the whole Leah and Rachel thing...*snickers* I see what you did there Ms Author. Poor Ajax didn't see it coming. The culmination of his plan all blown up...wisps of smoke drifting out to a lovely Mediterranean sea.
Leah is the other sister, the one that is the backup plan. Never mind that once upon a time she wanted to be numero uno and had to see her sister ease into first position without even trying. What were you thinking Ajax?
And that's the point, the whole gosh-darned point. Cos Ajax had a plan and it wasn't just about becoming the hottest Billionaire on the planet. It was about controlling who he was in every possible way.
Leah, feisty, snarky, sexy Leah was not the right person to help Ajax keep in control. *cue maniacal laughter* If you want to see the yummiest control freak on the planet brought to his knees by a curvy younger sister with a chain of candy stores this is the story for you. Candy...stores...so...inspirational...
I love the humour in the story, especially the snark from the heroine. Very nice grovelling from hero and a very satisfying Happy Ever After. And Ajax satisfies one of my kinks...a non-slutty hero. *swoons*
And the whole Leah and Rachel thing...*snickers* I see what you did there Ms Author. Poor Ajax didn't see it coming. The culmination of his plan all blown up...wisps of smoke drifting out to a lovely Mediterranean sea.
Leah is the other sister, the one that is the backup plan. Never mind that once upon a time she wanted to be numero uno and had to see her sister ease into first position without even trying. What were you thinking Ajax?
And that's the point, the whole gosh-darned point. Cos Ajax had a plan and it wasn't just about becoming the hottest Billionaire on the planet. It was about controlling who he was in every possible way.
Leah, feisty, snarky, sexy Leah was not the right person to help Ajax keep in control. *cue maniacal laughter* If you want to see the yummiest control freak on the planet brought to his knees by a curvy younger sister with a chain of candy stores this is the story for you. Candy...stores...so...inspirational...
I love the humour in the story, especially the snark from the heroine. Very nice grovelling from hero and a very satisfying Happy Ever After. And Ajax satisfies one of my kinks...a non-slutty hero. *swoons*
February 21, 2018
Very satisfying read as it deals with the tropes we love to hate and hate to love, but allows the characters to be flawed without falling into a vat of quivering loins and stupid decisions. Don’t worry, it’s still an HP, so angst alert.
Ajax (LOOOOVEEE the name) is kind of the man in the Emotional Iron Body Mask due to serious daddy issues . Nope, not kidding this time as . Ajax escapes and begins to work for a mogul with two daughters.
Ajax is set to marry the perfect, blonde (and I suspect BORING) Rachel when she scarpers off to Australia to what turns out to be Ajax's arch-nemesis. Leah, the less perfect, rounder and both more sensible and complex sister, agrees to the MOC. One, she has a candy business that she wants to protect, and, two, she has had a huge crush on Ajax forever.
It’s a tense honeymoon and is not consummated right away as the hero is too afraid he may hurt his bride.
After 17/18 years of celibacy, Yes Kiki - CELIBACY, due to fears and guilt over his father’s house and its shenanigans, they commune so to speak. Given his guilt and fear he may hurt Leah, he resorts to hand constraints which virginal but kickass Leah finds kind of exciting. I think we all find it exciting and Fifty Shades.. should take a gander at what real angst and the exchange of fear and power.
Nothing any more graphic than any other HP.
The tension and enjoyment comes from the fact that the two grow from a MOC into a layered, adult relationship that is edgy and intense. The heroine admits she knows she was never really in love with the H, but merely looked at the facade. After that she THEN falls in love. She puts herself out there not as some nymph in search of mighty mighty loving, but as someone who wants to love and be loved. She knowingly accepts sex without love and cuts the TSTL doormat heroine label off at its knees.
Very well done.
Ajax (LOOOOVEEE the name) is kind of the man in the Emotional Iron Body Mask due to serious daddy issues . Nope, not kidding this time as . Ajax escapes and begins to work for a mogul with two daughters.
Ajax is set to marry the perfect, blonde (and I suspect BORING) Rachel when she scarpers off to Australia to what turns out to be Ajax's arch-nemesis. Leah, the less perfect, rounder and both more sensible and complex sister, agrees to the MOC. One, she has a candy business that she wants to protect, and, two, she has had a huge crush on Ajax forever.
It’s a tense honeymoon and is not consummated right away as the hero is too afraid he may hurt his bride.
After 17/18 years of celibacy, Yes Kiki - CELIBACY, due to fears and guilt over his father’s house and its shenanigans, they commune so to speak. Given his guilt and fear he may hurt Leah, he resorts to hand constraints which virginal but kickass Leah finds kind of exciting. I think we all find it exciting and Fifty Shades.. should take a gander at what real angst and the exchange of fear and power.
Nothing any more graphic than any other HP.
The tension and enjoyment comes from the fact that the two grow from a MOC into a layered, adult relationship that is edgy and intense. The heroine admits she knows she was never really in love with the H, but merely looked at the facade. After that she THEN falls in love. She puts herself out there not as some nymph in search of mighty mighty loving, but as someone who wants to love and be loved. She knowingly accepts sex without love and cuts the TSTL doormat heroine label off at its knees.
Very well done.
July 7, 2017
It's a classic case of its me not you.
This author's writing does nothing for me and I PERSONALLY didn't feel the chemistry between MCs.
The reading felt like a chore, so I think 1.5 stars rounded down is just about fair.
I'd have loved me some candy though!
This author's writing does nothing for me and I PERSONALLY didn't feel the chemistry between MCs.
The reading felt like a chore, so I think 1.5 stars rounded down is just about fair.
I'd have loved me some candy though!
August 6, 2013
All most any woman who has a sister or sisters will tell you that even though you argue sometimes even to the point of hitting each other, yes it does happen, yet you always remain friends and you will always be there for each other. Sisterhood is a bond that simply cannot be broken.
In the new Maisey Yates read this is proven by the character Leah. It is her sister's wedding day, a day everyone should be happy and ready to drop in and help the bride with any crisis she may encounter, but standing in for her as the actual bride is pushing it.
Yet this is exactly what Leah does, telling herself it is simply for the sake of her family business and to ensure her own company does not go down, and it has nothing to do with the fact that the groom is all dark and sweet Ajax, that she has been in love with since forever!
But once she marries him, she finds there is so much more to the man behind the mask then she ever thought, and getting him to release that mask and show the real him that lurks inside is a backup plan she has to play by feeling and not by instinct, afterall look what instinct reactions got her, married to a man she never really knew!
The character of Leah was not your typical Harlequin Presents heroine, yes she is fun, feisty, always ready to fight, yes the kind I simply adore! But where other heroines from this line are the kind to be described as if they are supermodel thin, Leah is curved and totally owns it, when she can. I liked that the author lets Leah have a issue with the little bit of extra weight but also lets her hit a low here and there with it all, it made her more realistic to me as reader. The fact that she owns a candy shop was a little bit of a "And you feel self conscious over your weight at times" moment for me, but I also found it to again feel very realistic and brought the read closer to real life. Nicely incorporated Maisey!
The character of Ajax, was in the start one that I thought was going to be one of those yummy, delicious, sweeter than candy hero's and guess what, I was not disappointed , I got that and a whole more! The author has written some pretty dark hero's before and yes some of their actions have touched base with the dangerous Mr. Grey, but this time the author delved deeper into the dom/sub world and the hero was so much more than just dark, the man was so dark he was darn right scary at times, but oh so very hot!Yes, the kind where you forget you're a lady and simply say " Come here let me take off your pants".
But if you are thinking that it is sounds more like a erotica, then you need to remember is that Harlequin Presents reads are known to be very hot and spicy but also keep it very nicely compressed into a sweet and sensual little bubble, perfect reading material for those of us that prefer 'love is forever and not to un-vanilla me completely 'reading fans, and that this read will not quite go that way.
Instead this read hit all of the high's and low's with sweet and sensual romance touching base with erotica but not full on, just enough to maybe wet your appetite to go looking for a real erotic read if you have never read one, and enough to let you know this is going to be awesome, bring on the deep, dark hidden emotions!
The read was full of tension right till the very end, really left me feeling as is if I was not reading a Harlequin Presents, because it simply felt as if that sweet, kind (and what Harlequin Presents are know for) moment is not going to come and this is a ending I will surly not like, however the author did not disappoint, and I will advise when reading this book that you repeat the mantra " Keep going the best part is coming".
I am taking away a message of sometimes masked are indeed needed, but they can ultimately cost you dearly. When the right person comes along you need to find the courage to drop the mask and look deeper for your answer of happiness lies in the eyes of the person looking back at you with pure, un-judgemental love.
The secondary characters of Leah's runaway sister and the "love of her life" Alexios, was incorporated into the story just enough to make you know, that when the author sets that one loose on the world you will be first in line to grab a copy.
A hot page-turner of a read! I highly recommend this read for all romance fans that love a good old fashioned brideswap story but with the added bonus of a so not expected hero.
5/5 star review
" A ring is not the only thing that he will be binding her with"
August 5, 2013
I had a hard time trying to rate this book,it is leaning to a very strong 4.5*** read.
Ajax was such a tortured hero with a tragic past.At the beginning ,I really disliked him and his meaness towards the heroine, Leah.I did not really connect with him till the book was almost finished and he grovelled and confessed his love.This is one of the most tortured hero that Maisey Yates,for that matter any HP author that I have read has written.
Leah,the heroine,was snarky,prickly,somewhat caustic,and not a loveable character at all.She had a hardness that I don't like in my heroines.I guess I would be this way too if I was always compared to the prettier,slimmer sister ,always the media darling.
When the story starts,Leah's sister has run off on her wedding day to Ajax with only two hours to spare before the big event.Leah offers herself as the substutite bride.What follows is a very emotional relationship between the two as they come to terms with this sudden marriage.This was not a light and fluffy read,it had tension throughout and lightness did not appear till the end.Thank God there was an epilogue.
I hope that Maisey writes the sister, Rachel's story with Alexios,now that looks interesting.
Ajax was such a tortured hero with a tragic past.At the beginning ,I really disliked him and his meaness towards the heroine, Leah.I did not really connect with him till the book was almost finished and he grovelled and confessed his love.This is one of the most tortured hero that Maisey Yates,for that matter any HP author that I have read has written.
Leah,the heroine,was snarky,prickly,somewhat caustic,and not a loveable character at all.She had a hardness that I don't like in my heroines.I guess I would be this way too if I was always compared to the prettier,slimmer sister ,always the media darling.
When the story starts,Leah's sister has run off on her wedding day to Ajax with only two hours to spare before the big event.Leah offers herself as the substutite bride.What follows is a very emotional relationship between the two as they come to terms with this sudden marriage.This was not a light and fluffy read,it had tension throughout and lightness did not appear till the end.Thank God there was an epilogue.
I hope that Maisey writes the sister, Rachel's story with Alexios,now that looks interesting.
September 7, 2013
I think this author is officially not for me. I've tried several of hers and just no. This one while it had an interesting premise was almost painful to read. It was almost entirely wallowing around in the thoughts of the hero and heroine. Page after page of saying the same things over and over and over.
Also as I have noted before with this author there is a lack of concrete details in the book that just doesn't work for me.
Also as I have noted before with this author there is a lack of concrete details in the book that just doesn't work for me.
January 14, 2015
This is one of those YMMV sort of books. There was nothing wrong with it. I think it's a story that would appeal to many. It's not exactly my cuppa though. So, I have a hard time rating it. Guess I'll go with 3 since it's in the middle and that's how I felt about it overall.
I appreciated the heroine's snark. I love snark. Sarcasm is a sacred art if done correctly. Lol on when the overly serious H comments that the situation is like a Greek tragedy and Leah says (possibly a slightly inaccurate quote) "All the catharsis of Oedipus Rex without the incest".
However, I'm not sure if she was more or less proud than she should be. Maybe she was just more confident than I am. I don't know. I'll be damned if I'd demand sex from someone who said they didn't want me. He'd have to BEG me and do some serious seducing. Then again, I think he did need a girl like Leah to force himself out of his shell. There's being out of touch with your feelings and then there's this guy.
The hero needs therapy. Serious, deep therapy for his sexual guilt issues. I have a hard time seeing him getting past that. He's like the HP answer to Christian Grey in some ways. They both like bondage (sounds fun), both think they're monsters, both have control issues and issues in general. But Ajax doesn't like to hurt women and is less crazy overall. So, yay.
Bottom line if you like the following themes you'll probably love this.
- Heroine in pursuit
- Emotionally damaged hero who hates himself
- Chubby and/or plain Jane overlooked heroine who catches the big fish
I appreciated the heroine's snark. I love snark. Sarcasm is a sacred art if done correctly. Lol on when the overly serious H comments that the situation is like a Greek tragedy and Leah says (possibly a slightly inaccurate quote) "All the catharsis of Oedipus Rex without the incest".
However, I'm not sure if she was more or less proud than she should be. Maybe she was just more confident than I am. I don't know. I'll be damned if I'd demand sex from someone who said they didn't want me. He'd have to BEG me and do some serious seducing. Then again, I think he did need a girl like Leah to force himself out of his shell. There's being out of touch with your feelings and then there's this guy.
The hero needs therapy. Serious, deep therapy for his sexual guilt issues. I have a hard time seeing him getting past that. He's like the HP answer to Christian Grey in some ways. They both like bondage (sounds fun), both think they're monsters, both have control issues and issues in general. But Ajax doesn't like to hurt women and is less crazy overall. So, yay.
Bottom line if you like the following themes you'll probably love this.
- Heroine in pursuit
- Emotionally damaged hero who hates himself
- Chubby and/or plain Jane overlooked heroine who catches the big fish
October 4, 2018
That he wasn’t a shining beacon of male perfection, but a damaged, wounded soul who was starving for love, for affection, and to find some kind of peace within himself.
"His Ring Is Not Enough" is the story of Leah and Ajax.
WOW.
This was...AMAZING. Keep your tissues ready!
The book begins on a wedding day.
Our female protagonist, Leah discovers that the bride, her sister Rachel has run away and has to convey the message to her father, and the groom Ajax. She has loved Ajax forever, and he had been her confidant growing up- until 6 years ago when he fell in love with her sister. Utterly heartbroken, she distances herself from him, but still cares for him in her own way.
Now as they both face losing their companies because of Rachel's rash decision, Leah offers herself as the substitute bride, and Ajax has to reluctantly agree, having been groomed to take over the Holt empire.
Soon begins a tumultuous marriage, between a heroine in love but who has learned to hide her feelings, and a hero who fancies himself in love with an illusion.
There is SO MUCH ANGST in this one, and its so good.
The hero has a heartbreaking and mental scarring past, and uses words as his weapon of choice. Hence we get many, many instances with him throwing Rachel and his preference for her on Leah's face. Leah testes his patience and control, which he prizes, so he uses her insecurities and his attachment to her sister to hurt her. He is aloof and unkind at times, but as we seen him unwinding and opening up bit by bit, he's like a scared jungle cat and show his occasional vulnerability.
However, our heroine is no doormat or pansy. Always having known that Rachel would be the pretty socialite, and despite loving her sister, she made a name for herself. Strong, independent, curvy business owner, she gave it as good as she was served. She went for what she wanted- whether it was sex, her rights or her husband's favors. Instead of hiding her hurt and secrets, she confessed her feelings honestly and coerced him to reveal the truth, calling him out when he acted like an ass or was just plain mean. I loved her.
Their lovemaking is beautiful, sad, sexy and kinky at the same time. I loved the exchange and loss of control on both sides, but especially the hero's. Their fights were filled with passion, and their futility heartbreaking.
I adored that the author spent last 40% of the book making the characters realize their feelings, confronting each other and dealing with their issues instead of it happening at the very end.
I also have to give kudos to Leah for not giving up and going through all that mental anguish and barbs. I was so proud of her for fighting, despite being brutally kicked down every single time.
They were each others firsts in so many different way, and that is what makes this a great read!
Safe
5/5
"His Ring Is Not Enough" is the story of Leah and Ajax.
WOW.
This was...AMAZING. Keep your tissues ready!
The book begins on a wedding day.
Our female protagonist, Leah discovers that the bride, her sister Rachel has run away and has to convey the message to her father, and the groom Ajax. She has loved Ajax forever, and he had been her confidant growing up- until 6 years ago when he fell in love with her sister. Utterly heartbroken, she distances herself from him, but still cares for him in her own way.
Now as they both face losing their companies because of Rachel's rash decision, Leah offers herself as the substitute bride, and Ajax has to reluctantly agree, having been groomed to take over the Holt empire.
Soon begins a tumultuous marriage, between a heroine in love but who has learned to hide her feelings, and a hero who fancies himself in love with an illusion.
There is SO MUCH ANGST in this one, and its so good.
The hero has a heartbreaking and mental scarring past, and uses words as his weapon of choice. Hence we get many, many instances with him throwing Rachel and his preference for her on Leah's face. Leah testes his patience and control, which he prizes, so he uses her insecurities and his attachment to her sister to hurt her. He is aloof and unkind at times, but as we seen him unwinding and opening up bit by bit, he's like a scared jungle cat and show his occasional vulnerability.
However, our heroine is no doormat or pansy. Always having known that Rachel would be the pretty socialite, and despite loving her sister, she made a name for herself. Strong, independent, curvy business owner, she gave it as good as she was served. She went for what she wanted- whether it was sex, her rights or her husband's favors. Instead of hiding her hurt and secrets, she confessed her feelings honestly and coerced him to reveal the truth, calling him out when he acted like an ass or was just plain mean. I loved her.
Their lovemaking is beautiful, sad, sexy and kinky at the same time. I loved the exchange and loss of control on both sides, but especially the hero's. Their fights were filled with passion, and their futility heartbreaking.
I adored that the author spent last 40% of the book making the characters realize their feelings, confronting each other and dealing with their issues instead of it happening at the very end.
I also have to give kudos to Leah for not giving up and going through all that mental anguish and barbs. I was so proud of her for fighting, despite being brutally kicked down every single time.
They were each others firsts in so many different way, and that is what makes this a great read!
Safe
5/5
October 18, 2020
A plump-y h and alpha broody H. Except that h was playing the role of the H and the actual H was getting jitters and cold feet whenever things heated up between them.
Ajax is destined to marry Leah’s sister. They’ve been family friends and Ajax has worked this out in his head and forced his heart to follow along. Day of the wedding, Rachel takes a run, leaving Leah to grab the reigns (or here, the groom) and make the best of the situation. Leah has been holding a lifelong crush on Ajax so she jumps in happily and faces brutal reality. Ajax is still fixated on Rachel.
It was all good up to here until Leah decides to play the groom. She’s forever hinting, trying, begging for Ajax to sleep with her while he’s clearly stating a no out loud and clear. Tbh this is just an unforgivable crime imho. You can’t chase someone’s affection. You can maybe try to stir it but if they’re not coming for you, you can’t make them and pretend like it was real.
Leah turned me off with her desperate antics. I can’t fathom a woman playing that role and being satisfied that the man she hooked up with came because he wanted to. Nope for me.
Ajax is destined to marry Leah’s sister. They’ve been family friends and Ajax has worked this out in his head and forced his heart to follow along. Day of the wedding, Rachel takes a run, leaving Leah to grab the reigns (or here, the groom) and make the best of the situation. Leah has been holding a lifelong crush on Ajax so she jumps in happily and faces brutal reality. Ajax is still fixated on Rachel.
It was all good up to here until Leah decides to play the groom. She’s forever hinting, trying, begging for Ajax to sleep with her while he’s clearly stating a no out loud and clear. Tbh this is just an unforgivable crime imho. You can’t chase someone’s affection. You can maybe try to stir it but if they’re not coming for you, you can’t make them and pretend like it was real.
Leah turned me off with her desperate antics. I can’t fathom a woman playing that role and being satisfied that the man she hooked up with came because he wanted to. Nope for me.
October 26, 2014
Seriously strong heroine, perfect match for tortured hero. Some reviewers call her hard but I just think she has more self-respect than we are used to seeing from HP heroines. She actually gives in to his needs, but then stands up for her own...and is really funny with some of her caustic comments. The one about putting up appearances for the press so they don't question his penis size? Hilarious.
Also, one of the few heroines who risks her pride repeatedly, including by confessing her love. Most of the doormat heroines will do anything they can to avoid telling hero of their love, often for the same of their pride, which is the ultimate irony. I loved this heroine but also loved the hero. He doubts, even reviles, himself, but as heroine points out, he is truly heroic. Character is doing the right thing when it is really hard, not when it's easy...this hero transformed himself and rejected everything he'd been taught because of an innate decency that his upbringing couldn't suppress. And he did it at 16...a very special man.
Also, one of the few heroines who risks her pride repeatedly, including by confessing her love. Most of the doormat heroines will do anything they can to avoid telling hero of their love, often for the same of their pride, which is the ultimate irony. I loved this heroine but also loved the hero. He doubts, even reviles, himself, but as heroine points out, he is truly heroic. Character is doing the right thing when it is really hard, not when it's easy...this hero transformed himself and rejected everything he'd been taught because of an innate decency that his upbringing couldn't suppress. And he did it at 16...a very special man.
August 22, 2013
I have really mixed feelings about this book. I m a fan of MY and I never gave a low rate to any of her books. But I didn't like the main characters and couldn't connect with them.
MY is renowned for her gentle yet strong heroines and her dark damaged heroes but Leah is not a sweetheart and Ajax takes darkness to a whole new level. The storyline is good but there is too much darkness. I felt cheated from the warm, heart-lifting feelings I like to associate with reading an HP.
Leah has always been a shadow of her perfect sister. All her life she has been compared to Rachel and found lacking. She may appears hard but she has learned how to cover up pain under a layer of armor. She’d spent years cultivating her mask of indifference that kept her from getting hurt.
As a teenager, she fell in love with Ajax and followed him around till the day she found that he has eyes only for her sister. When Ajax is jilted at the altar by Rachel , who chose his rival over him, Leah steps in to take her sister place to save her father company and her own business.
Ajax. The wretched man and his plans !!!
At the age of sixteen, he had already over-indulged himself in every sin. But he left this life behind him and forged a new one with iron control, afraid of unleashing the beast he thinks lives inside him. He is so cold, so in control, but Leah is testing the bonds of his control.
He fights hard treating Leah abominably. The only good thing : he knows how to grovel.
MY is renowned for her gentle yet strong heroines and her dark damaged heroes but Leah is not a sweetheart and Ajax takes darkness to a whole new level. The storyline is good but there is too much darkness. I felt cheated from the warm, heart-lifting feelings I like to associate with reading an HP.
Leah has always been a shadow of her perfect sister. All her life she has been compared to Rachel and found lacking. She may appears hard but she has learned how to cover up pain under a layer of armor. She’d spent years cultivating her mask of indifference that kept her from getting hurt.
As a teenager, she fell in love with Ajax and followed him around till the day she found that he has eyes only for her sister. When Ajax is jilted at the altar by Rachel , who chose his rival over him, Leah steps in to take her sister place to save her father company and her own business.
Ajax. The wretched man and his plans !!!
At the age of sixteen, he had already over-indulged himself in every sin. But he left this life behind him and forged a new one with iron control, afraid of unleashing the beast he thinks lives inside him. He is so cold, so in control, but Leah is testing the bonds of his control.
He fights hard treating Leah abominably. The only good thing : he knows how to grovel.
April 25, 2023
1 star
DNFed @ around 35%.
It didn't work for me.
Right at the beginning when the dumb heroine told the hero she would be his substitute bride and he told her he still loved her sister?
You know what she did?
She started kissing him and told him she wants him in her bed for the duration of their marriage.
And if that's not stupid and annoying, I srsly dunno what is.
Plus, the writing wasn't exactly to my liking.
Certain scenes dragged and suddenly the hero, despite being in love with the annoying heroine's sister, started having hot pants for her.
I mean, wtf?
I like my heroes broody, fucked up and tortured, I really do.
But this just wasn't it.
Pity, since I really wanted to like it.
Since the DNF and the rating.
DNFed @ around 35%.
It didn't work for me.
Right at the beginning when the dumb heroine told the hero she would be his substitute bride and he told her he still loved her sister?
You know what she did?
She started kissing him and told him she wants him in her bed for the duration of their marriage.
And if that's not stupid and annoying, I srsly dunno what is.
Plus, the writing wasn't exactly to my liking.
Certain scenes dragged and suddenly the hero, despite being in love with the annoying heroine's sister, started having hot pants for her.
I mean, wtf?
I like my heroes broody, fucked up and tortured, I really do.
But this just wasn't it.
Pity, since I really wanted to like it.
Since the DNF and the rating.
August 5, 2013
I don't know how to rate this book. All I know is that I didn't love it and I'm a big fan of M. Yates. I felt there wasn't a real plot and I couldn't connect with the characters. I love this author's heroines but Leah was crass and bitter and pretty butch. I like my heroines more feminine and soft.
Hero is your typical broken dark hero who hates himself and feels he is unworthy of love. I thought he lacked depth and his character was one-dimensional. Oh he was also a dom so this is a dom/sub relationship.
Still the epilogue was nice. Leah stops hiding and pretending, she lays her heart on the line and makes hero see the light.
Hero is your typical broken dark hero who hates himself and feels he is unworthy of love. I thought he lacked depth and his character was one-dimensional. Oh he was also a dom so this is a dom/sub relationship.
Still the epilogue was nice. Leah stops hiding and pretending, she lays her heart on the line and makes hero see the light.
May 5, 2018
boring!
December 23, 2020
◐.̃◐ ◑.◑
#RetoRita4 #RitaYates
#RetoRita4 #RitaYates
September 10, 2013
Another great read by Maisey Yates, who does it again by creating a broken, dark, tortured, alpha, yet lovable hero with a innocent, insecure yet feisty heroine that compliments into his life, providing him much need love that he deserves even when he thought he didn't. And this isn't the first time that Maisey has created lovable characters just like that and she has done it with all her books, sucking me as well as a reader into the story while rooting for the pair to get together and have a happily ever after. That's why I love Maisey Yates books in the first place not only with the compelling storylines, but also the compelling complex characters as well. Maisey also manages to up the bar each time when writing these book by making her heroes more tortured with dark pasts yet making the reader root for them despite all the horrible things and even making them more likable as well as seeing where their strengths come from and make up this alpha male.
And this story was no exception with the character of Ajax Kouros, who grew up in horrible circumstances with an equally evil, horrible father who was raising him when he had no business to. Basically Ajax grew up in a brothel where women were prostitutes and drugs were a plenty with his father being the ring leader of it all and was raising Ajax in hopes of him taking over. So Ajax basically grew up believing that whatever he wanted all he had to take whether it was the drugs or the woman seeing the example set by the people around him, where only their own selfish needs were paramount and not anything including the girls. And Ajax was very much in that lifestyle and would have basically grown up to be a scum bag like his dad if not for a certain incident having occurred that flipped a switch in him and showed him how wrong this lifestyle was and how much of a monster that he could become if he followed on this path and he wanted no part of it. So he along with a girl who he saved (found out she was kidnapped by his dad), he escaped his father's compound and vowed to make a better life for himself than the one he had witnessed. And he did just that and made a life for himself with the help of Leah's (heroine)father who helped show the ropes to business and make a name for himself and make money. But while he was setting his life straight, he decided to change himself and make sure he had utter control over himself and never letting himself go for even a little second. He planned everything in his life to ensure that he knew what was coming and nothing could throw him off kilter and release what he called the beast which he attributed to his former self out for his own selfish needs and his just taking and hurting people. Because that was what he feared if he let go for even a second he would hurt someone so he kept his control locked. But even still despite doing good and not hurting anyone he still felt very dirty and feared his beast and just had a lot of guilt surrounding his past, and anyone reading this could tell how truly tortured he was over it. He punished himself daily, refusing to let in emotion even the good ones like love and even threw them aside like he didn't want them or more to the point he didn't deserve them because of the past. Which was so not true, and just seeing how tortured he truly was and just needed to accept himself and accept the love the heroine was given him, but it was a journey.
The heroine, Leah had had feelings for him forever and thought she was in love with him as a young teenage girl, and was devastated when he chose her perfect, beautiful sister to have a relationship with and claimed to love. Then poor Leah, who had always had this insecurity issue especially in regards to her and her sister, feeling everyone favored her sister over her and didn't want her. So, she was hurt when Ajax picked Rachel instead of her and she just shut down and distanced herself from him and kept to her shell and just focus on her business.
But their world's collided when Rachel left Ajax at the altar for another man, who happened to be Ajax's enemy, and would lose the family business, which he would gain control when he married Rachel, who he claimed to love. With her business tied up in the family business, Leah offered herself in her sister place so they would both get what they wanted and keep the business safe and secure. Ajax reluctantly agreed especially since he planned to marry Rachel and saw his life with her going according to his plan perfectly that he planned for years, but he accepted Leah's offer at marriage.
Then their rocky marriage began with Ajax not sure how to deal with Leah in the marriage while Leah feared that Ajax would compare her to her sister and wouldn't want her like she wanted him. So, they had bumps in the road to say the least, but come to get to know each other over that time with each showing their skeletons to each other along the way while dealing with the press and negative conation of her being the backup bride who he didn't really want.
Ajax was reluctant to tell her about his past and wanted full control in their physical relationship by putting all types of rules on it so he got what he wanted while she couldn't show him what she wanted because he never allowed her to. The love scenes were brilliantly done as well as passionate with each encounter that they had together, but I think more to the point was the love scenes showed the development of their relationship and how their walls would come down and feelings would seep into it where the sex wasn't just sex it was more. Though it took them a little while to figure it all out and with his rules and such and him letting go that was a battle too, but the love scenes were so hot and passionate yet loving too. They were just great scenes in the books and I loved each one especially in relation to how it reflected on their relationship and its growth, though it wasn't all sun and roses, it was an uphill climb especially on his part and him having to deal with his issues he had with sex and loosing control of himself with him seeing that as a bad thing and that he would hurt her if he did and it scared him to be like that with her and how profound it could be with someone, and what it truly means to be with someone instead of the messed up way he was introduced to sex where it was nothing but a commodity and nothing more. And Maisey showed this so well and I was really in his head while he was trying to deal with everything that was going on in his physical relationship with Leah while dealing with the feelings he had for her. He had never wanted a woman like he wanted Leah, ever in his life, plus this was desires of a man not a teenage boy when he last had sex. In fact he hadn't had sex for 17 years because of what he went through in his past and he didn't want to use anyone. So, he was celibate all that time and never wanted anyone before so he never had to give into temptation or be with anyone intimately. And it was very believable and not like eye roll worthy when he said he never been with anyone for 17 years, and something that wouldn't make sense or be even believable. But the way Maisey did it as well as us as readers getting to know Ajax it was very believable and easy to understand his reason why of him not being with a woman in so long. He had major issues that he had to get through not only with himself, but with his past as well and Leah helped him through that and showed him what true intimacy should be instead of what he had in his head even despite her being a virgin, but that made no difference because he was practically a virgin as well, having never being with a woman as an adult, which was kind of endearing and a sweet moment that these two character were having their first together. It was beautiful and so well portrayed in the book and all the love scenes along the way, showing this was the way it should of been all along especially between two loving and consenting adults. And showed him how beautiful physical loving could be and not something warped like it was in his head, though it took him awhile to get there and finally let go with her, but he did, and it showed him what physical intimacy could be with Leah.
Of coarse they both dealt with their issues along the way with Leah and her insecurities and her hiding herself while he dealt with his passions and desires for her and finding it was okay to let go with her and not be in complete control of himself all the time because he could trust Leah and find comfort and love in her arms. And it did take them awhile for both of them to get their and truly let their guard down for one another, but eventually they did, realizing that they in fact had something special together and would be fools to give up because of their fears. And I loved that, and how they both healed one another and getting what they both deserved because they both were very lovable people.
I'll say it again, but I really love Maisey books because they immerse the reader into the love story of the complex characters on the page, just like this one did, who have very real issues going on with them, and Maisey finding a way to present them (and very successfully) to show how tortured these characters are and how they have to work to get through them so they can accept and give love to their significant other of coarse the significant other is usually the catalyst for them dealing with the issues and getting through them with love being the biggest healing force behind them, which is what love should be about. The characters aren't perfect and aren't prince charming's or princesses with perfect lives, they are very flawed with real issues to deal with, but it makes them that more real and that more interesting and makes the love story stronger and that much more believable which is what I love about her books. With each new book she ups the ante every time and sets the bar so high that readers can't help but to fall in love along with the characters in this story while we follow along on their journey together. And she comes up with some doozy of how screwed up and tortured the characters are and what they dealt with in their past, which is usually really screwed up that you think she can't come up with a more screwed up, tortured character and then the next character comes along and you find that character more screwed up than the previous one, which is amazing. But also she does in a way that despite some of the things or some of the things they did, you relate to them and like them despite all that and root for them like I said above because they are special people who deserve love and probably deserve the most especially after what they been through. And it just blows my mind how she does it and creates these characters that are so dark yet very lovable and rootable and that's with every character she creates especially the males and showing that they do have deep emotions and are redeemable and need love in their lives. Also just showing the complexity of the male characters and all the layers that they have creating this very much 3 dimensional image that comes to mind with their wants, needs, fears, and past shown so we get the full picture of the character and making them very real, at least in my mind, and sometimes romance novels don't do that creating these types of characters that have that type if complexity to them and make the male characters kind of unbelievable as well as the fact that they fall in love with her heroine so quickly without rise or reason, but not with Maisey's heroes. And us as readers don't want to turn away from her heroes, but embrace them. The hot, tortured alpha male that anyone would come to love while reading her books, and I love how she does it and not only that the passion between the characters is usually really hot as well which adds to the appeal plus she has some very different and creative yet no less hot love scenes while creating all that sexual tension between them, which is very much a bonus. And besides I love a good tortured hero that comes out into the light with the love of his life. I hope she does it for years to come because I can't wait to see what she creates next and what she comes up with next and possibly blowing my mind because I look forward to reading them in the future.
I guess the whole point of my big explanation was that I really enjoyed this book and the love story between Ajax and Leah. I really loved Ajax if you couldn't tell and really felt for him and hurt for him and what he went through in his life and all the issues he had to deal with. He was such a considerate guy especially when he was determined not to hurt Leah by loosing control of himself, even though he had no need to and I as well as Leah knew that he would never physically hurt her and he should have unleashed his passion without restraint because he wanted her and no other woman would have done and he could be himself with her. He very much deserved Leah's love and her his. I look forward to reading the story of Rachel and Alex, who were introduced in this book because there are lots of questions there and I want to find the answers to them. And soon.
And this story was no exception with the character of Ajax Kouros, who grew up in horrible circumstances with an equally evil, horrible father who was raising him when he had no business to. Basically Ajax grew up in a brothel where women were prostitutes and drugs were a plenty with his father being the ring leader of it all and was raising Ajax in hopes of him taking over. So Ajax basically grew up believing that whatever he wanted all he had to take whether it was the drugs or the woman seeing the example set by the people around him, where only their own selfish needs were paramount and not anything including the girls. And Ajax was very much in that lifestyle and would have basically grown up to be a scum bag like his dad if not for a certain incident having occurred that flipped a switch in him and showed him how wrong this lifestyle was and how much of a monster that he could become if he followed on this path and he wanted no part of it. So he along with a girl who he saved (found out she was kidnapped by his dad), he escaped his father's compound and vowed to make a better life for himself than the one he had witnessed. And he did just that and made a life for himself with the help of Leah's (heroine)father who helped show the ropes to business and make a name for himself and make money. But while he was setting his life straight, he decided to change himself and make sure he had utter control over himself and never letting himself go for even a little second. He planned everything in his life to ensure that he knew what was coming and nothing could throw him off kilter and release what he called the beast which he attributed to his former self out for his own selfish needs and his just taking and hurting people. Because that was what he feared if he let go for even a second he would hurt someone so he kept his control locked. But even still despite doing good and not hurting anyone he still felt very dirty and feared his beast and just had a lot of guilt surrounding his past, and anyone reading this could tell how truly tortured he was over it. He punished himself daily, refusing to let in emotion even the good ones like love and even threw them aside like he didn't want them or more to the point he didn't deserve them because of the past. Which was so not true, and just seeing how tortured he truly was and just needed to accept himself and accept the love the heroine was given him, but it was a journey.
The heroine, Leah had had feelings for him forever and thought she was in love with him as a young teenage girl, and was devastated when he chose her perfect, beautiful sister to have a relationship with and claimed to love. Then poor Leah, who had always had this insecurity issue especially in regards to her and her sister, feeling everyone favored her sister over her and didn't want her. So, she was hurt when Ajax picked Rachel instead of her and she just shut down and distanced herself from him and kept to her shell and just focus on her business.
But their world's collided when Rachel left Ajax at the altar for another man, who happened to be Ajax's enemy, and would lose the family business, which he would gain control when he married Rachel, who he claimed to love. With her business tied up in the family business, Leah offered herself in her sister place so they would both get what they wanted and keep the business safe and secure. Ajax reluctantly agreed especially since he planned to marry Rachel and saw his life with her going according to his plan perfectly that he planned for years, but he accepted Leah's offer at marriage.
Then their rocky marriage began with Ajax not sure how to deal with Leah in the marriage while Leah feared that Ajax would compare her to her sister and wouldn't want her like she wanted him. So, they had bumps in the road to say the least, but come to get to know each other over that time with each showing their skeletons to each other along the way while dealing with the press and negative conation of her being the backup bride who he didn't really want.
Ajax was reluctant to tell her about his past and wanted full control in their physical relationship by putting all types of rules on it so he got what he wanted while she couldn't show him what she wanted because he never allowed her to. The love scenes were brilliantly done as well as passionate with each encounter that they had together, but I think more to the point was the love scenes showed the development of their relationship and how their walls would come down and feelings would seep into it where the sex wasn't just sex it was more. Though it took them a little while to figure it all out and with his rules and such and him letting go that was a battle too, but the love scenes were so hot and passionate yet loving too. They were just great scenes in the books and I loved each one especially in relation to how it reflected on their relationship and its growth, though it wasn't all sun and roses, it was an uphill climb especially on his part and him having to deal with his issues he had with sex and loosing control of himself with him seeing that as a bad thing and that he would hurt her if he did and it scared him to be like that with her and how profound it could be with someone, and what it truly means to be with someone instead of the messed up way he was introduced to sex where it was nothing but a commodity and nothing more. And Maisey showed this so well and I was really in his head while he was trying to deal with everything that was going on in his physical relationship with Leah while dealing with the feelings he had for her. He had never wanted a woman like he wanted Leah, ever in his life, plus this was desires of a man not a teenage boy when he last had sex. In fact he hadn't had sex for 17 years because of what he went through in his past and he didn't want to use anyone. So, he was celibate all that time and never wanted anyone before so he never had to give into temptation or be with anyone intimately. And it was very believable and not like eye roll worthy when he said he never been with anyone for 17 years, and something that wouldn't make sense or be even believable. But the way Maisey did it as well as us as readers getting to know Ajax it was very believable and easy to understand his reason why of him not being with a woman in so long. He had major issues that he had to get through not only with himself, but with his past as well and Leah helped him through that and showed him what true intimacy should be instead of what he had in his head even despite her being a virgin, but that made no difference because he was practically a virgin as well, having never being with a woman as an adult, which was kind of endearing and a sweet moment that these two character were having their first together. It was beautiful and so well portrayed in the book and all the love scenes along the way, showing this was the way it should of been all along especially between two loving and consenting adults. And showed him how beautiful physical loving could be and not something warped like it was in his head, though it took him awhile to get there and finally let go with her, but he did, and it showed him what physical intimacy could be with Leah.
Of coarse they both dealt with their issues along the way with Leah and her insecurities and her hiding herself while he dealt with his passions and desires for her and finding it was okay to let go with her and not be in complete control of himself all the time because he could trust Leah and find comfort and love in her arms. And it did take them awhile for both of them to get their and truly let their guard down for one another, but eventually they did, realizing that they in fact had something special together and would be fools to give up because of their fears. And I loved that, and how they both healed one another and getting what they both deserved because they both were very lovable people.
I'll say it again, but I really love Maisey books because they immerse the reader into the love story of the complex characters on the page, just like this one did, who have very real issues going on with them, and Maisey finding a way to present them (and very successfully) to show how tortured these characters are and how they have to work to get through them so they can accept and give love to their significant other of coarse the significant other is usually the catalyst for them dealing with the issues and getting through them with love being the biggest healing force behind them, which is what love should be about. The characters aren't perfect and aren't prince charming's or princesses with perfect lives, they are very flawed with real issues to deal with, but it makes them that more real and that more interesting and makes the love story stronger and that much more believable which is what I love about her books. With each new book she ups the ante every time and sets the bar so high that readers can't help but to fall in love along with the characters in this story while we follow along on their journey together. And she comes up with some doozy of how screwed up and tortured the characters are and what they dealt with in their past, which is usually really screwed up that you think she can't come up with a more screwed up, tortured character and then the next character comes along and you find that character more screwed up than the previous one, which is amazing. But also she does in a way that despite some of the things or some of the things they did, you relate to them and like them despite all that and root for them like I said above because they are special people who deserve love and probably deserve the most especially after what they been through. And it just blows my mind how she does it and creates these characters that are so dark yet very lovable and rootable and that's with every character she creates especially the males and showing that they do have deep emotions and are redeemable and need love in their lives. Also just showing the complexity of the male characters and all the layers that they have creating this very much 3 dimensional image that comes to mind with their wants, needs, fears, and past shown so we get the full picture of the character and making them very real, at least in my mind, and sometimes romance novels don't do that creating these types of characters that have that type if complexity to them and make the male characters kind of unbelievable as well as the fact that they fall in love with her heroine so quickly without rise or reason, but not with Maisey's heroes. And us as readers don't want to turn away from her heroes, but embrace them. The hot, tortured alpha male that anyone would come to love while reading her books, and I love how she does it and not only that the passion between the characters is usually really hot as well which adds to the appeal plus she has some very different and creative yet no less hot love scenes while creating all that sexual tension between them, which is very much a bonus. And besides I love a good tortured hero that comes out into the light with the love of his life. I hope she does it for years to come because I can't wait to see what she creates next and what she comes up with next and possibly blowing my mind because I look forward to reading them in the future.
I guess the whole point of my big explanation was that I really enjoyed this book and the love story between Ajax and Leah. I really loved Ajax if you couldn't tell and really felt for him and hurt for him and what he went through in his life and all the issues he had to deal with. He was such a considerate guy especially when he was determined not to hurt Leah by loosing control of himself, even though he had no need to and I as well as Leah knew that he would never physically hurt her and he should have unleashed his passion without restraint because he wanted her and no other woman would have done and he could be himself with her. He very much deserved Leah's love and her his. I look forward to reading the story of Rachel and Alex, who were introduced in this book because there are lots of questions there and I want to find the answers to them. And soon.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2020
Leído en Oct 2014
Estuvo bien, entretenido
Estuvo bien, entretenido
August 26, 2013
Maisey Yates hits it out of the ballpark with this brilliant novel.
Leah Holt has no problem stepping in for her sister, after she does a runner on her wedding day, after all she has secretly been in love with Ajax for years. So marrying him should not be an issue. She also has other reasons for marrying him, seems she might lose the business she has built on her own and that just cannot happen. I loved the character of Leah, she was independent, strong even though she was tormented for not being as good looking as her sister. But she loved with her whole heart.
At first I really didn’t care for the character of Ajax Kouros. He had a few too many hurtful things that he said to Leah. But I cannot stress enough to readers to stay the course and finish this amazing read. He agrees to marry Leah but to save everything he has worked hard to make his. And he feels his heart belonged to Leah’s sister “Rachel” who jilted him. Ajax came from a VERY dark background, and he has kept his pass to himself. And Leah will help bring his darkness to light, and help him see what is right in front of his eyes.
The passion in this book leans towards the erotic side, with hands being tied. To me the reader, it was written in very good taste and had me craving more. Another nice part had to do with some candy.
One of my favorite passages :
“Love,” she said, looking up at him. “You want it to look like love. You want me to gaze at you in adoration so no one doubts my happiness or your penis size – I got it.”
5/5 stars
I received a copy from the Author in exchange for an honest review.
Leah Holt has no problem stepping in for her sister, after she does a runner on her wedding day, after all she has secretly been in love with Ajax for years. So marrying him should not be an issue. She also has other reasons for marrying him, seems she might lose the business she has built on her own and that just cannot happen. I loved the character of Leah, she was independent, strong even though she was tormented for not being as good looking as her sister. But she loved with her whole heart.
At first I really didn’t care for the character of Ajax Kouros. He had a few too many hurtful things that he said to Leah. But I cannot stress enough to readers to stay the course and finish this amazing read. He agrees to marry Leah but to save everything he has worked hard to make his. And he feels his heart belonged to Leah’s sister “Rachel” who jilted him. Ajax came from a VERY dark background, and he has kept his pass to himself. And Leah will help bring his darkness to light, and help him see what is right in front of his eyes.
The passion in this book leans towards the erotic side, with hands being tied. To me the reader, it was written in very good taste and had me craving more. Another nice part had to do with some candy.
One of my favorite passages :
“Love,” she said, looking up at him. “You want it to look like love. You want me to gaze at you in adoration so no one doubts my happiness or your penis size – I got it.”
5/5 stars
I received a copy from the Author in exchange for an honest review.
August 21, 2013
HIS RING IS NOT ENOUGH by Maisey Yates is a Harlequin Presents release for September 2013.
At long last Leah Holt had a chance to do something out of her famous sister's shadow. To be a stand in bride for her sister when the latter did a runner on the day of her wedding to business tycoon Ajax Kouros.
But would it be enough for Leah just being his wife? She wanted his heart too! Read this brilliant romance to find out how Leah manages to get Ajax's, the person with no heart, heart.
HIS RING IS NOT ENOUGH is a sensual and emotional tale shimmering with breath taking romance. There are many complexities to the hero and heroine's character which makes reading this story amazing.
Highly recommended for all lovers of romance.
At long last Leah Holt had a chance to do something out of her famous sister's shadow. To be a stand in bride for her sister when the latter did a runner on the day of her wedding to business tycoon Ajax Kouros.
But would it be enough for Leah just being his wife? She wanted his heart too! Read this brilliant romance to find out how Leah manages to get Ajax's, the person with no heart, heart.
HIS RING IS NOT ENOUGH is a sensual and emotional tale shimmering with breath taking romance. There are many complexities to the hero and heroine's character which makes reading this story amazing.
Highly recommended for all lovers of romance.
June 19, 2020
#RetoRita4
Una historia simple y sin pretensiones. Personalmente, creo que le ha faltado de todo: romanticismo, profundidad a los personajes y a la trama..., y le sobran repeticiones.
No hay ambientación, tan solo sabemos que la trama se sitúa en Grecia, y se ofrecen algunas descripciones pero que no llegan a darnos una idea del paisaje que enmarca la historia.
Quizás la misma simpleza de la trama hace que no sea necesaria la ambientación. Lo que parecía un buen argumento, una hermana que se intercambia por otra en el día de la boda, termina en un devenir plano de acontecimientos que no son más que discusiones de pareja. No hay giros inesperados ni tramas secundarias; además, la única cuestión que causa interrogante (por qué Rachel no puede casarse con Ajax y tiene que estar con Alex) queda sin resolver.
Los protagonistas son Ajax, un multimillonario griego, y Leah, la hija de un hombre de negocios rico. Para mi gusto, ambos carecen de profundidad psicológica. Sus encuentros se basan en diatribas, trifulcas y deseo. Él arrastra un problema del pasado que va dejando caer poco a poco y al que supedita todos sus sentimientos y sus actuaciones. Lo malo es que resulta demasiado repetitivo en la visión negativa de sí mismo y en eso se basa la autora para condicionar toda la trama y la relación de pareja.
Leah, a pesar de decir estar enamorada de Ajax, se muestra cínica y desagradable con él.
En ningún momento se ve que haya un despertar de sentimientos románticos, su relación se basa más en el miedo, el deseo y la pasión que en un proceso de enamoramiento. En realidad, todo el trato entre ellos es siempre frío, a pesar de las confesiones de debilidad.
Aunque la autora escribe bien, el estilo me parece carente de emociones, como si la historia se viviera solo en una dimensión (no hay sonidos, ni sensaciones, no involucra el tacto ni la dimensión psicológica) y, por lo tanto, no llega a tocar el corazón.
Una historia simple y sin pretensiones. Personalmente, creo que le ha faltado de todo: romanticismo, profundidad a los personajes y a la trama..., y le sobran repeticiones.
No hay ambientación, tan solo sabemos que la trama se sitúa en Grecia, y se ofrecen algunas descripciones pero que no llegan a darnos una idea del paisaje que enmarca la historia.
Quizás la misma simpleza de la trama hace que no sea necesaria la ambientación. Lo que parecía un buen argumento, una hermana que se intercambia por otra en el día de la boda, termina en un devenir plano de acontecimientos que no son más que discusiones de pareja. No hay giros inesperados ni tramas secundarias; además, la única cuestión que causa interrogante (por qué Rachel no puede casarse con Ajax y tiene que estar con Alex) queda sin resolver.
Los protagonistas son Ajax, un multimillonario griego, y Leah, la hija de un hombre de negocios rico. Para mi gusto, ambos carecen de profundidad psicológica. Sus encuentros se basan en diatribas, trifulcas y deseo. Él arrastra un problema del pasado que va dejando caer poco a poco y al que supedita todos sus sentimientos y sus actuaciones. Lo malo es que resulta demasiado repetitivo en la visión negativa de sí mismo y en eso se basa la autora para condicionar toda la trama y la relación de pareja.
Leah, a pesar de decir estar enamorada de Ajax, se muestra cínica y desagradable con él.
En ningún momento se ve que haya un despertar de sentimientos románticos, su relación se basa más en el miedo, el deseo y la pasión que en un proceso de enamoramiento. En realidad, todo el trato entre ellos es siempre frío, a pesar de las confesiones de debilidad.
Aunque la autora escribe bien, el estilo me parece carente de emociones, como si la historia se viviera solo en una dimensión (no hay sonidos, ni sensaciones, no involucra el tacto ni la dimensión psicológica) y, por lo tanto, no llega a tocar el corazón.
December 4, 2021
His Ring is Not Enough
3.5 Stars
When her sister Rachel leaves her fianće, Ajax Kouras, at the alter, Leah Holt agrees to marry him in her stead in order to save her father's company. For Leah this is no real hardship as she has always loved Ajax from afar, but will she be able to convince him that it is her and not her sister that he truly loves...
Given the awkward premise, this is a surprisingly entertaining read primarily due to the chemistry between Leah and Jax (yes, the biblical allusions of Rachel, Leah and Jacob were not lost on me ...)
The details of Jax's dark past and his guilt and remorse add an interesting layer of nuance to his character and transform an otherwise stereotypical broody male into a more multi-dimensional hero.
Leah is a likable character, and it is entertaining to see her take the reins and come into her own. That said, she is a bit too "doormatty" for my tastes for most of the book.
Overall, a satisfying read and it will be interesting to read the companion book to see why Rachel jilted Jax (I really hope she has a good reason as heroines who behave in this way are a turn-off).
3.5 Stars
When her sister Rachel leaves her fianće, Ajax Kouras, at the alter, Leah Holt agrees to marry him in her stead in order to save her father's company. For Leah this is no real hardship as she has always loved Ajax from afar, but will she be able to convince him that it is her and not her sister that he truly loves...
Given the awkward premise, this is a surprisingly entertaining read primarily due to the chemistry between Leah and Jax (yes, the biblical allusions of Rachel, Leah and Jacob were not lost on me ...)
The details of Jax's dark past and his guilt and remorse add an interesting layer of nuance to his character and transform an otherwise stereotypical broody male into a more multi-dimensional hero.
Leah is a likable character, and it is entertaining to see her take the reins and come into her own. That said, she is a bit too "doormatty" for my tastes for most of the book.
Overall, a satisfying read and it will be interesting to read the companion book to see why Rachel jilted Jax (I really hope she has a good reason as heroines who behave in this way are a turn-off).
August 24, 2013
WOW! What a story! So many great aspects of this story I'm not sure where to start.
The opening chapter is brilliant, Leah's sister has left her groom waiting at the alter. Leah suggests she step in and marry the groom, Ajax, because it was for business purposes anyway, it means that she gets to keep her business and Ajax gets to take over as CEO as agreed between him and Leah's father who's retiring. As the first daughter married it means if Leah marries Ajax then the enemy who Leah's sister has runaway with wont inherit the business empire if they marry. I did a little research and am so so so pleased to read Leah's sister will get her story next year (can.not.wait)
As soon as the ring's on the finger you learn that all is not as it seems with Ajax, he's not the perfect man Leah has spent her childhood running around after, his past has truly haunted him and he refuses to lose control ever ever ever again. Leah's not having it tho, she knows what she wants and goes after it full throttle, determined theirs will be a marriage in every possible way it can be. Ajax is as dark as night to Leah's light as day which makes for many interesting interactions for the two.
Maisey Yates is now an Auto Buy for me. The more of her stories I read the more I'm left with the WOW feeling when I reach the last page. I want to heap praise on Maisey for this story because she has changed up almost every mould there is for a Harlequin Presents story. In NZ the Presents line is called Sexy. If you want to heat things up even more you read a "Blaze". His Ring is Not Enough is a brilliant mix of the two. Maisey deserves praise because she has taken the marriage for business scenario and changed it up in so many brilliant unique ways it's original. I'm not really going to elaborate on what precisely is original because it'll spoil the plot. You'll know what I mean when you read it.
HRINE is for you if you love dark tortured heroes and enjoy the heroine kicking butt, knows what she wants and will try everything no matter how many times the answer is no. Heroine's that don't give up or play by the rules. It's pretty intense in the bedroom and would be right at home in a Blaze line. This story breaks almost every Presents mould and has a very original back story and original approaches by the lead characters. Even as I write this i'm still thinking WOW! And as I said before I can.not.wait for Leah's sister's story next year.
The opening chapter is brilliant, Leah's sister has left her groom waiting at the alter. Leah suggests she step in and marry the groom, Ajax, because it was for business purposes anyway, it means that she gets to keep her business and Ajax gets to take over as CEO as agreed between him and Leah's father who's retiring. As the first daughter married it means if Leah marries Ajax then the enemy who Leah's sister has runaway with wont inherit the business empire if they marry. I did a little research and am so so so pleased to read Leah's sister will get her story next year (can.not.wait)
As soon as the ring's on the finger you learn that all is not as it seems with Ajax, he's not the perfect man Leah has spent her childhood running around after, his past has truly haunted him and he refuses to lose control ever ever ever again. Leah's not having it tho, she knows what she wants and goes after it full throttle, determined theirs will be a marriage in every possible way it can be. Ajax is as dark as night to Leah's light as day which makes for many interesting interactions for the two.
Maisey Yates is now an Auto Buy for me. The more of her stories I read the more I'm left with the WOW feeling when I reach the last page. I want to heap praise on Maisey for this story because she has changed up almost every mould there is for a Harlequin Presents story. In NZ the Presents line is called Sexy. If you want to heat things up even more you read a "Blaze". His Ring is Not Enough is a brilliant mix of the two. Maisey deserves praise because she has taken the marriage for business scenario and changed it up in so many brilliant unique ways it's original. I'm not really going to elaborate on what precisely is original because it'll spoil the plot. You'll know what I mean when you read it.
HRINE is for you if you love dark tortured heroes and enjoy the heroine kicking butt, knows what she wants and will try everything no matter how many times the answer is no. Heroine's that don't give up or play by the rules. It's pretty intense in the bedroom and would be right at home in a Blaze line. This story breaks almost every Presents mould and has a very original back story and original approaches by the lead characters. Even as I write this i'm still thinking WOW! And as I said before I can.not.wait for Leah's sister's story next year.
August 23, 2013
I was given an ARC by the author.
Maisey Yates writes some lovely stories. Unfortunately, I had a really difficult time connecting with these characters. Ajax suffered very severe traumas as a child and young teen, and he's formed all of his life plans around his actions as a child. Leah has lived her whole life in the shadow of her sister. Both of these themes were repeated time and again and AGAIN in the text. I found myself skimming the paragraphs where each character went through their hangups and issues. The "I'm a monster" and "I'm as good as my sister. Quick! Put on an ice queen snark mask" words were redundant. Issues, you got 'em. I got it.
Also, Leah continuously SAID she protected herself and was putting up walls. When? I didn't see that. From nearly the first time they interact, she starts telling him she wants him and wants the marriage to be for real. Why? Why do you want a business-arrangement marriage to be real? I would have found this more believable if they said, "We'll fake it for a while and then divorce." At least then the "business arrangement" makes sense.
There was some good sex. I liked those bits. Good chemistry between them, and I appreciate that Ajax was scared to hurt her. His struggle with his past was painful, and I'm glad they got to HEA.
Maisey Yates writes some lovely stories. Unfortunately, I had a really difficult time connecting with these characters. Ajax suffered very severe traumas as a child and young teen, and he's formed all of his life plans around his actions as a child. Leah has lived her whole life in the shadow of her sister. Both of these themes were repeated time and again and AGAIN in the text. I found myself skimming the paragraphs where each character went through their hangups and issues. The "I'm a monster" and "I'm as good as my sister. Quick! Put on an ice queen snark mask" words were redundant. Issues, you got 'em. I got it.
Also, Leah continuously SAID she protected herself and was putting up walls. When? I didn't see that. From nearly the first time they interact, she starts telling him she wants him and wants the marriage to be for real. Why? Why do you want a business-arrangement marriage to be real? I would have found this more believable if they said, "We'll fake it for a while and then divorce." At least then the "business arrangement" makes sense.
There was some good sex. I liked those bits. Good chemistry between them, and I appreciate that Ajax was scared to hurt her. His struggle with his past was painful, and I'm glad they got to HEA.
February 6, 2022
Yet another brilliant tale from Maisey Yates: the characters Ajax and Leah marry after the intended bride (Rachel), runs off. Leah is the younger sister of Rachel who has always felt in the shadow of her sister and also has long harboured a love for Ajax the young man who appeared in their lives at the age of 16 and became a surrogate son. His backstory is tragic and gothic and has left him living in a world of icy control. Marriage to Leah proves to be the catalyst which breaks down that control and eventually results in their happy ever after. I loved these 2 characters. Maisey draws masterly multi levelled people who draw you in, engage your sympathy and has you rooting for them. The story is deep, passionate, troubled, intense, sensual and ultimately satisfying. I really enjoyed this story and look forward to reading Rachel’s.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2014
Ay que me dolió el final.
No porque sea malo sino porque no era lo que esperaba.
Amé este libro porque es distinto, él super mandón, arrogante, pero ella no es la típica sumisa pobre heroína llorona... por el contrario es muy decidida. Pero lo sentí apresurado al final, no llegué a conectarme con él, más con ella si un poco. La historia de Rachel queda inconclusa. Daba para más.
No porque sea malo sino porque no era lo que esperaba.
Amé este libro porque es distinto, él super mandón, arrogante, pero ella no es la típica sumisa pobre heroína llorona... por el contrario es muy decidida. Pero lo sentí apresurado al final, no llegué a conectarme con él, más con ella si un poco. La historia de Rachel queda inconclusa. Daba para más.
February 14, 2020
This book left me rather confused.... it had many of the tropes I enjoy in romance novels:
- cold/ruthless alpha billionaire
- heroine in love with him since forever but hiding her true feelings
- marriage for business
- self esteem issues by the heroine
- broken/flawed hero (quite a dramatic and realistic backstory for a HP)
All of the above mixed up with hot steamy scenes.
All OK then.... unfortunately, it turned out to be an “unemotional” story; I could not connect with the main characters and had a hard time even finishing it!
I usually appreciate the author but this one did not work for me😔
- cold/ruthless alpha billionaire
- heroine in love with him since forever but hiding her true feelings
- marriage for business
- self esteem issues by the heroine
- broken/flawed hero (quite a dramatic and realistic backstory for a HP)
All of the above mixed up with hot steamy scenes.
All OK then.... unfortunately, it turned out to be an “unemotional” story; I could not connect with the main characters and had a hard time even finishing it!
I usually appreciate the author but this one did not work for me😔
November 8, 2020
uhmm la trama se veía bien pero sentí falto más, te quiero pero no te quiero esta ruleta rusa de confusión termino por confundirme y como que no era creíble la historia.
September 14, 2017
Sorprendida. Me gusto.
August 6, 2016
From a strictly execution standpoint, I think we all have authors who write a certain way that we prefer. Whether it's detailed prose, snappy dialogue, character evolution, all of those things or other factors. Whatever you want to call it, I think I'm ready to admit that this author doesn't really work for me. Too much character introspection. I wouldn't mind that if the characters were working through their problems, but that wasn't the case with this book. Pages upon pages of rehashing the same thoughts, fears, anxieties and then, whammo, some sudden change with little or no reason given. Then back to the same old thoughts, fears, etc.
I love a good Marriage of Convenience story. This had a great set-up, it just didn't pan out in any believable way for me. The h was just a little too pushy to be someone that was harboring a lifelong crush, even when she had her so called "armor" on. Just too, too obnoxious for me. I think it was supposed to read as inner strength and the character advocating for what she wanted, but like I said, too forward, too irritating and very tiresome even given the H's character and his actions.
And speaking of the H, he was just so incredibly one-dimensional. For someone who overcame so much and went on to succeed in business, he sure lacked a whole lot of insight. All he could do was think about his PLAN, the Plan. I never really bought into him finally finding the h attractive, which was pretty fast. Then it took forever for them to finally proceed to the marriage bed...*yawn*.
I think this book is exactly why there's so many different beloved authors. I needed something a little more, this was just too much telling and not enough showing.
I love a good Marriage of Convenience story. This had a great set-up, it just didn't pan out in any believable way for me. The h was just a little too pushy to be someone that was harboring a lifelong crush, even when she had her so called "armor" on. Just too, too obnoxious for me. I think it was supposed to read as inner strength and the character advocating for what she wanted, but like I said, too forward, too irritating and very tiresome even given the H's character and his actions.
And speaking of the H, he was just so incredibly one-dimensional. For someone who overcame so much and went on to succeed in business, he sure lacked a whole lot of insight. All he could do was think about his PLAN, the Plan. I never really bought into him finally finding the h attractive, which was pretty fast. Then it took forever for them to finally proceed to the marriage bed...*yawn*.
I think this book is exactly why there's so many different beloved authors. I needed something a little more, this was just too much telling and not enough showing.
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