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The Greek Billionaire and His Secretary
That mouth of hers had better uses, and he was just the man to teach her.
It started as one of the worst nights in 27-year-old Stavros Manolis’ life. A powerful and lethally good-looking Greek billionaire, he could have had any woman – but the one he wanted, he had lost, and so here he was now, attending her farewell party, forced to bear the sight of her in her husband’s arms.
But that was just the start.
When Willow Somerset, a curvy 24-year-old junior editor, joined his table, taunting and embarrassing him with her mocking laughter and sly words, he burned with a mixture of offended pride, anger…and desire. She was everything he disliked in a woman, but his body felt differently.
Someone clearly needed to teach her some manners, needed to let her know there were better uses for her mouth than letting it run away from her.
Luckily for Willow, that person was him.
It started as one of the worst nights in 27-year-old Stavros Manolis’ life. A powerful and lethally good-looking Greek billionaire, he could have had any woman – but the one he wanted, he had lost, and so here he was now, attending her farewell party, forced to bear the sight of her in her husband’s arms.
But that was just the start.
When Willow Somerset, a curvy 24-year-old junior editor, joined his table, taunting and embarrassing him with her mocking laughter and sly words, he burned with a mixture of offended pride, anger…and desire. She was everything he disliked in a woman, but his body felt differently.
Someone clearly needed to teach her some manners, needed to let her know there were better uses for her mouth than letting it run away from her.
Luckily for Willow, that person was him.
47 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 27, 2015
187 people are currently reading
612 people want to read
About the author
Marian Tee
276 books2,063 followersHi! I love talking about books as much as the next bibliophile - doesn't matter whose books - so feel free to chat with me here. :)
As for other stuff you may want to know, you could visit my website or author page in Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/authormariantee.
As for other stuff you may want to know, you could visit my website or author page in Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/authormariantee.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
December 13, 2021
This is the first time I’m tempted to give a book I actually finished 1 star. I give this rating only to my dnfs which aren’t many because 1) I hate not finishing books and 2) I don’t feel good after giving this rating. I don’t want to be mean or anything, but I’m really tempted to change my rating system just for this book.
First of all, this is written in 3rd person pov which is usually a hit-or-miss for me and this was definitely a miss. From the very first pages I had a really hard time understanding everything, even though I did read the blurb to have an idea about what’s going to happen. Granted, English is not my first language and I’m not as fluent as a native speaker, but I have read hundreds of books in English, and I don’t usually have such problems.
I couldn’t get into the story at all and after 75% I just skim-read it. The heroine too childish for a 24-year-old woman, who constantly thought that no one liked her (was that necessary? I doubt it) and the hero was just an alpha male that didn’t interest me at all. The steamy scenes might be the worst I’ve ever read with the heroine either moaning “yes” and “more” or calling the hero names.
The only thing that I have to say is that “curiosity killed the cat” since I only added this to my tbr because I was interested in reading what other people think about Greeks (thankfully it was free). This is a prequel but I have absolutely no interest in reading the rest of the series, even though I already have some of the books on my kindle (again, they were free).
I would totally recommend this book to you if you’re interested in reading a book with a heroine that says the word sh*t all the time (with variable number of “i”s in it)! In a matter of 44 pages this word is written 15 times, I kid you not. I’m even kind enough to share all my highlights just to convince everyone 😊
March 15, 2015
This is a first time author for me.ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
This is the prequel in what appears to he a three part series and I was curious about the characters.The heroine I found hard to like,she is ill mannered,prone to blurt out whatever thoughts pop into her head,the word "shiit" frequently used by her along with the "F" word.The hero I liked,but then again,I have a bad habit of liking the heros more than the heroines.
This couple had met prior and when they meet up again at a friend's wedding,an attraction forms.Cliff hanger ending that leaves the reader wanting more so I will continue with this series to see it untill HEA.
This is the prequel in what appears to he a three part series and I was curious about the characters.The heroine I found hard to like,she is ill mannered,prone to blurt out whatever thoughts pop into her head,the word "shiit" frequently used by her along with the "F" word.The hero I liked,but then again,I have a bad habit of liking the heros more than the heroines.
This couple had met prior and when they meet up again at a friend's wedding,an attraction forms.Cliff hanger ending that leaves the reader wanting more so I will continue with this series to see it untill HEA.
March 5, 2015
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Enticing prequel to a sure to be steamy serial book.
The set up is right out of Harlequin Presents land.....and I really like it there.
We have the requisite tortured Greek billionaire hero and the unloved-by-her-family heroine who tries to keep her vulnerabilities well hidden. The hero has his own heartaches he tries hard to conceal. Their one-night stand leaves her still a virgin, but crushed by his quick departure the next morning. Sparks flew and I'm betting they will flare up again when these two meet up in the next part.
Enticing prequel to a sure to be steamy serial book.
The set up is right out of Harlequin Presents land.....and I really like it there.
We have the requisite tortured Greek billionaire hero and the unloved-by-her-family heroine who tries to keep her vulnerabilities well hidden. The hero has his own heartaches he tries hard to conceal. Their one-night stand leaves her still a virgin, but crushed by his quick departure the next morning. Sparks flew and I'm betting they will flare up again when these two meet up in the next part.
March 3, 2015
I recieved this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Greek Billionaire and His Secretary is an engaging Taming of the Shrew romance.
What worked- The hero. Edgy and badass; The heroine. She uses her snark and shrewish attitude to hide hurts;
The chemistry. Palpable. Was so palpable the cliffie ending was too soon. I wanted more of this hero and heroine. The clicked emotionally.
What didn't work- ended too soon. Would have given five stars had it ended on a happier note.
The Greek Billionaire and His Secretary is an engaging Taming of the Shrew romance.
What worked- The hero. Edgy and badass; The heroine. She uses her snark and shrewish attitude to hide hurts;
The chemistry. Palpable. Was so palpable the cliffie ending was too soon. I wanted more of this hero and heroine. The clicked emotionally.
What didn't work- ended too soon. Would have given five stars had it ended on a happier note.
March 8, 2015
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a very interesting prequel. I haven't read anything else by this author and normally do not like cliffhangers, but this story was different and engrossing enough that I am glad I gave it a try.
The h took a bit to grow on me as she has deliberate rudeness down to an art form. While I could appreciate her very blunt speech to the H of the story, her actions that affected other people really annoyed me. I don't mind a heroine that is straight forward and blunt, I do mind a heroine that deliberately leaves wreckage for other people to clean up. (In the beginning she is chewing gum at a formal social event, then she wraps it up in tissue and throws it on the floor.) There is being anti-social and then there is flat out disgusting and rude. This h had a few of the latter moments but as more of her inner thoughts were expressed, I began to be a bit sorry for her.
The H of this story is rather enigmatic, as you expect from this genre, but he seems to be a fairly decent person overall. I actually had more empathy for him having to be in public with the h and her behavior than I was irked by his fairly callous treatment of the h during their one night stand. There was enough of his POV to understand that his actions were more self-defensive than malicious, and I thought he would have been justified in acting out of malice given the h's previous behavior.
Overall though, this was a good beginning to what promises to be a fairly interesting relationship and a well developed story. I look forward to finding out more about Stavros and Willow but will probably wait until the whole story is out.
This was a very interesting prequel. I haven't read anything else by this author and normally do not like cliffhangers, but this story was different and engrossing enough that I am glad I gave it a try.
The h took a bit to grow on me as she has deliberate rudeness down to an art form. While I could appreciate her very blunt speech to the H of the story, her actions that affected other people really annoyed me. I don't mind a heroine that is straight forward and blunt, I do mind a heroine that deliberately leaves wreckage for other people to clean up. (In the beginning she is chewing gum at a formal social event, then she wraps it up in tissue and throws it on the floor.) There is being anti-social and then there is flat out disgusting and rude. This h had a few of the latter moments but as more of her inner thoughts were expressed, I began to be a bit sorry for her.
The H of this story is rather enigmatic, as you expect from this genre, but he seems to be a fairly decent person overall. I actually had more empathy for him having to be in public with the h and her behavior than I was irked by his fairly callous treatment of the h during their one night stand. There was enough of his POV to understand that his actions were more self-defensive than malicious, and I thought he would have been justified in acting out of malice given the h's previous behavior.
Overall though, this was a good beginning to what promises to be a fairly interesting relationship and a well developed story. I look forward to finding out more about Stavros and Willow but will probably wait until the whole story is out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
dnf
October 27, 2017Over the top crazy writing and actions. Nope.
March 2, 2015
This is the prequel to the beginning of a series starring one of Mairi’s suitors from the Greek Billionaire How To series, Stavros Manolis and another of the characters that appeared briefly in the same series, Willow Somerset.
We have yet another Greek Billionaire, this time a supposedly ‘good’ one, not that Willow thinks that after her encounters with him. Regardless of the fact that this could possibly have come about due to her inability to not say the first thing that pops into her head, those things generally being one word insult! Let me give you an insight into the type of one liners, Crybaby, Loser, Chauvinist to name a few. The other thing that she tends to do is say things as she sees them with no sugar coating, when I say this I mean literally no sugar coating WHATSOEVER!
I have to say that I adore Willow for that! That and the word that she says in her head whenever she has made one of her faux pas. A word that I cannot put in this review for fear of it being removed. lets just say it begins with an S, ends with a T and in the way Willow uses it has more I’s in the middle than it should have, oh yeah there is also an H!!
Stavros on the other hand…..In the How To series I have to say that I adored him and thought that Mairi should have given Damen the boot and chosen one of her other suitors, namely Stavros. In this not only do we learn that Stavros didn’t love Mairi (I KNOW! Shocked the hell out of me too), but that indeed he is a bit of an (again can’t use the word I want) ass. This is never more prominent then when Stavros walks out on Willow ‘the morning after’ and his parting shot. Seriously ASS, and a huge one at that!
I will again sing from the rooftops that Ms Tee seems to be back to her best and having read the blurb for the next instalment I. Cannot. Wait! All I can say is ‘Go on Willow, give him hell!’
Please note I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
We have yet another Greek Billionaire, this time a supposedly ‘good’ one, not that Willow thinks that after her encounters with him. Regardless of the fact that this could possibly have come about due to her inability to not say the first thing that pops into her head, those things generally being one word insult! Let me give you an insight into the type of one liners, Crybaby, Loser, Chauvinist to name a few. The other thing that she tends to do is say things as she sees them with no sugar coating, when I say this I mean literally no sugar coating WHATSOEVER!
I have to say that I adore Willow for that! That and the word that she says in her head whenever she has made one of her faux pas. A word that I cannot put in this review for fear of it being removed. lets just say it begins with an S, ends with a T and in the way Willow uses it has more I’s in the middle than it should have, oh yeah there is also an H!!
Stavros on the other hand…..In the How To series I have to say that I adored him and thought that Mairi should have given Damen the boot and chosen one of her other suitors, namely Stavros. In this not only do we learn that Stavros didn’t love Mairi (I KNOW! Shocked the hell out of me too), but that indeed he is a bit of an (again can’t use the word I want) ass. This is never more prominent then when Stavros walks out on Willow ‘the morning after’ and his parting shot. Seriously ASS, and a huge one at that!
I will again sing from the rooftops that Ms Tee seems to be back to her best and having read the blurb for the next instalment I. Cannot. Wait! All I can say is ‘Go on Willow, give him hell!’
Please note I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
June 30, 2020
I didn't want this story to end.
May 29, 2018
Review Coming
March 26, 2023
this was JUST a prequel and it altered my brain chemistry so idk where i will end up when i read the series
November 19, 2024
I actually do not know why i torture myself.
March 5, 2015
I was one of the lucky ones to receive an advance copy of The Greek Billionaire And His Secretary from author Marian Tee. It is a prequel to a trilogy. It was short but very good. Greek billionaire Stavros Manolis thought he was in love with a woman who ended up marrying another man. He was invited to the wedding. At the reception he was put at the same table as Willow Somerset. Stavros had met her before. Willow says whatever she wants to. She is loud and some stuff she says could hurt a persons feelings. She is attracted to Stavros but doesn’t want him to know it. Stavros is attracted to her also. She is everything he doesn’t like in a woman. She has a sassy mouth. She is a rebel. Stavros ends up getting her back to his motel room. Willow is a virgin. They end up having non penetrating sex. She doesn’t want him to leave in the morning but he does and goes to the states. Months later she applies for a job as his secretary. Next book to come.
August 15, 2016
After having read the entire series I would like to warn against reading it for those, like I, who do not enjoy infidelity in a romance. Cheating occurs. It occurs in such an unrepentive manner too... Whilst the female lead has to sit and listen to the sounds of another woman with the male.
It does not happen in this book but why start a series and set yourself up for the turmoil? I thoroughly believe that author's should put warnings on their books if infidelity occurs. I feel robbed of the time invested in this series. And would like prevent anyone from going through the same feeling.
It does not happen in this book but why start a series and set yourself up for the turmoil? I thoroughly believe that author's should put warnings on their books if infidelity occurs. I feel robbed of the time invested in this series. And would like prevent anyone from going through the same feeling.
March 7, 2015
This Prequel Sure Got My Attention
Now I have to buy "Dear Greek Billionaire" to find out why Willow is such a smartass and Stavros such a cold fish. This short story takes place in a 24 hour timeframe. Willow and Stavros are seated together at a ball that is a going away party for Mairi and Damen. After a rude altercation they leave together, spend the night in his hotel and part ways in the morning. But baby WHAT A NIGHT!
Now I have to buy "Dear Greek Billionaire" to find out why Willow is such a smartass and Stavros such a cold fish. This short story takes place in a 24 hour timeframe. Willow and Stavros are seated together at a ball that is a going away party for Mairi and Damen. After a rude altercation they leave together, spend the night in his hotel and part ways in the morning. But baby WHAT A NIGHT!
March 8, 2015
I was given a copy of The Greek Billionaire and his Secretary for an honest review. This was a strong start to the story of two complex characters. Stavros and Willow both are using their acerbic wit and aloof personality to keep from being hurt. I thought the story was a good strong read. I am looking forward to the next book in this series. My one pet peeve is that the book could have been a little longer.
December 11, 2015
Oh Marian!
LoL .
She gives you just enough to hook you and then just when you're like "what's going to happen next " and then you have to wait for the first book. She's got the prequel thing down completely.
I really enjoyed this book.
I laughed out loud a few times . Literally.
I definitely suggest you read this before the first book.
Given an Arc for an honest review.
LoL .
She gives you just enough to hook you and then just when you're like "what's going to happen next " and then you have to wait for the first book. She's got the prequel thing down completely.
I really enjoyed this book.
I laughed out loud a few times . Literally.
I definitely suggest you read this before the first book.
Given an Arc for an honest review.
March 8, 2015
"The Greek Billionaire and His Secretary" by Marian Tee is a Prequel to her series. It is also my first read by this author. This is a very short novella which introduces us to Stavros Manolis and Willow Somerset. If you enjoy books erotic romance you'll really enjoy this book. I liked it and I'm looking forward to reading her series.
June 17, 2015
Poor character development. Author lacks vocabulary.
I'm not certain why an author would choose to use vulgar language in every other sentence and think that's writing is beyond me. I'm not opposed to expletives but the type and frequency was disappointing. A prequel needs very strong character development. The author missed it in this one.
I'm not certain why an author would choose to use vulgar language in every other sentence and think that's writing is beyond me. I'm not opposed to expletives but the type and frequency was disappointing. A prequel needs very strong character development. The author missed it in this one.
March 2, 2015
Great way to start a new series..
Loved loved loved!! Could not put it down and can't wait for number 1 to come out. If you enjoyed other books by Marian Tee you will love this prequel. A short but great opening. Mahalo n excited for the next book.
Loved loved loved!! Could not put it down and can't wait for number 1 to come out. If you enjoyed other books by Marian Tee you will love this prequel. A short but great opening. Mahalo n excited for the next book.
March 2, 2015
A cliffhanger
Ahhh. Super dang good loving book. It was spectacular. I hate cliffhanger s but it was sooook with reading. I want more and I want it now. It was that good. I read it in one go. I won't spoil it at all just read it and get into it!
Ahhh. Super dang good loving book. It was spectacular. I hate cliffhanger s but it was sooook with reading. I want more and I want it now. It was that good. I read it in one go. I won't spoil it at all just read it and get into it!
March 5, 2015
Too short
Romance readers will enjoy this book. Those who don't like graphic sex may not. If you only have ten minutes in the Doctors office or anywhere you have to wait, however you will be frustrated because you want to know what happens next.
Romance readers will enjoy this book. Those who don't like graphic sex may not. If you only have ten minutes in the Doctors office or anywhere you have to wait, however you will be frustrated because you want to know what happens next.
March 8, 2015
Still can't get enough of Marian Tee's writing! Awesome and captivating. All these Greek billionaire stories were all swoon-worthy.
April 10, 2015
I always love Marian Tee books and this is no different! I love billionaires and broken hearts and dark pasts so this is perfect! I can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy!
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January 30, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (1/30/2019)! 🎁
August 3, 2015
I was provided with an ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I was contacted by the author due to me reading Julia James' Baby of Shame and was told this book was similar to/inspired by Harlequin (Presents) romances. So, I read it with that in mind. I know it's not meant to be a clone, but I was looking out for similarities and differences.
2.5-ish
Meh, for the most part. There were some things I had issues with, but I'm considering giving the next book a try to see if this was just a one time thing or not.
I'd call it more along the lines of New Adult HQN Presents-lite. Or something. Though it reminded me more of vintage HQNs due to the attitude of the hero.
It's got the common Presents tropes/elements - virgin heroine (at 24), an arrogant Greek billionaire, a naive/socially inept heroine that's not the hero's usually type, the hostility as flirting, an agreement and a boss/secretary deal.
A few nitpicks...
---"She should have used the back exit, Willow thought." -- Comes off sounding weird, like Willow is thinking about herself in 3rd person in her own thoughts. Should have started with an "I" not a "she," I think.
---I hope the use of "shiiiiit" isn't used so often in the other books. It was used at least 16 times in what amounts to a 24 page story, which seemed a bit much to me. I have no problem with swearing, it's just it started to get old. It was repeated so often that it started to stand out and that lead to it becoming more of an annoyance.
---I didn't like how their first kiss went. If this was sex, it would have been rape. Seriously. As it is now, it's assault. He kissed her, she tried to fight him off (pounding his chest with her fists), he didn't budge. He slipped his tongue in her mouth (which she didn't want), she tried to bite it, but he jerked back before she could. He then threatened her with: "try it, and I'll bite you all over your body." He then went back to kissing her and she started to cry, still trying to get him off of her. And then, eventually she started to get into it. Which also bothered me, because it gives the impression that because she eventually wanted it or accepted it, the previous assault was okay and wanted - when it wasn't. It doesn't matter that she eventually got into it, it was still assault. Just like there are men and women that experience orgasm with rape, it doesn't make it any less of a rape. So while this featured a lesser assault, I saw the same flawed thinking being applied.
Especially because, he says:
"You kissed me back."
She shook her head furiously.
"Yes, you did, don't deny it. And I bet if I touched you down there, you'll be fucking wet..."
He then takes his hands and touches her down here, finding her wet. To which she says, "stop it!"
It doesn't matter that at the last moments she got into the kiss, it was still an assault and he should have stopped. Her getting into it the last moments also doesn't make his previous actions okay. It's doesn't even matter that by the end of the story, she wants to have sex with him. All that matters was what occurred in that moment of the kiss.
It doesn't matter that she got wet, it's still assault. The two are not linked. Often times the body reactions differently than what the mind wants. She didn't want to be kissed and wanted him to stop. That's what counts, not her nipples being hard or her being wet in the end.
I did not find this sexy or romantic. Her resistance didn't seem to me as someone into it, but reluctant. It read as someone thing being forced into something they didn't want. There's a difference. I understand he's pissed off and has pent up emotions, but it's not okay to force someone to kiss you or to keep kissing someone that very clearly doesn't want it. No should mean no, whether it's a kiss or sex. Her pounding on his chest, trying to get him off was her saying no - at the least it should have clued him in. He should have stopped, took a step back, not compound the assault further by sticking his tongue in her mouth. Or returning to kiss her after he pulled back. That should have been the end of it.
This didn't endear the hero to me, because I don't like men who act or treat women like this! I don't mind dub-con and have even read romance/erotica with what amounts to non-con, but it has to be written well and in books where it applies/makes sense to feature it (a book featuring a kidnapping, for example), not a romance such as this, as I expect a sort of lighter tone. While I could get on board with this sort of scene in another context where it'd make more sense, in a different type of book, I don't expect or really want it in my standard, mainstream romances.
I was expecting an arrogant, domineering male, but not exactly like this. In HQN Presents books, the heroes, unless you're going for the really old, vintage ones (which do all kinds of unappealing things - assault, rape, etc), don't act this badly with kissing or sex. I don't recall reading a HQN Presents hero that treated the heroine this aggressively with kissing (though I don't read vintage ones). I mean, I'm trying to remember any, but none are coming to mind. I would have pointed out how problematic their actions were as well and I can't recall ever doing so. I also don't read a ton of New Adult books, so don't really have a clue if this is common hero behavior with them or not. It probably is....given some of the various New Adult books I read reviews for.
Anyway, some might feel I'm focusing too much on this aspect, but with a story so short and this being their first real physical moment together, it stood out and I felt it deserved to be analysed. I hope for the sake of the series, this was more of a one-off - the later sex-scene after was totally fine, so I'm hoping that kissing thing won't be happening again.
Plus the ARC was provided that I provided an honest review and these are my honest thoughts. If the heroine didn't resists so much, if the hero didn't so clearly ignore her wishes, it wouldn't have been so bad, IMO. As it was written it seems more predatory than sexy. *shrug*
All that being said, I'm willing to read the next book, to see how things are developed. I'll be keeping a watch for things though.
I was contacted by the author due to me reading Julia James' Baby of Shame and was told this book was similar to/inspired by Harlequin (Presents) romances. So, I read it with that in mind. I know it's not meant to be a clone, but I was looking out for similarities and differences.
2.5-ish
Meh, for the most part. There were some things I had issues with, but I'm considering giving the next book a try to see if this was just a one time thing or not.
I'd call it more along the lines of New Adult HQN Presents-lite. Or something. Though it reminded me more of vintage HQNs due to the attitude of the hero.
It's got the common Presents tropes/elements - virgin heroine (at 24), an arrogant Greek billionaire, a naive/socially inept heroine that's not the hero's usually type, the hostility as flirting, an agreement and a boss/secretary deal.
A few nitpicks...
---"She should have used the back exit, Willow thought." -- Comes off sounding weird, like Willow is thinking about herself in 3rd person in her own thoughts. Should have started with an "I" not a "she," I think.
---I hope the use of "shiiiiit" isn't used so often in the other books. It was used at least 16 times in what amounts to a 24 page story, which seemed a bit much to me. I have no problem with swearing, it's just it started to get old. It was repeated so often that it started to stand out and that lead to it becoming more of an annoyance.
---I didn't like how their first kiss went. If this was sex, it would have been rape. Seriously. As it is now, it's assault. He kissed her, she tried to fight him off (pounding his chest with her fists), he didn't budge. He slipped his tongue in her mouth (which she didn't want), she tried to bite it, but he jerked back before she could. He then threatened her with: "try it, and I'll bite you all over your body." He then went back to kissing her and she started to cry, still trying to get him off of her. And then, eventually she started to get into it. Which also bothered me, because it gives the impression that because she eventually wanted it or accepted it, the previous assault was okay and wanted - when it wasn't. It doesn't matter that she eventually got into it, it was still assault. Just like there are men and women that experience orgasm with rape, it doesn't make it any less of a rape. So while this featured a lesser assault, I saw the same flawed thinking being applied.
Especially because, he says:
"You kissed me back."
She shook her head furiously.
"Yes, you did, don't deny it. And I bet if I touched you down there, you'll be fucking wet..."
He then takes his hands and touches her down here, finding her wet. To which she says, "stop it!"
It doesn't matter that at the last moments she got into the kiss, it was still an assault and he should have stopped. Her getting into it the last moments also doesn't make his previous actions okay. It's doesn't even matter that by the end of the story, she wants to have sex with him. All that matters was what occurred in that moment of the kiss.
It doesn't matter that she got wet, it's still assault. The two are not linked. Often times the body reactions differently than what the mind wants. She didn't want to be kissed and wanted him to stop. That's what counts, not her nipples being hard or her being wet in the end.
I did not find this sexy or romantic. Her resistance didn't seem to me as someone into it, but reluctant. It read as someone thing being forced into something they didn't want. There's a difference. I understand he's pissed off and has pent up emotions, but it's not okay to force someone to kiss you or to keep kissing someone that very clearly doesn't want it. No should mean no, whether it's a kiss or sex. Her pounding on his chest, trying to get him off was her saying no - at the least it should have clued him in. He should have stopped, took a step back, not compound the assault further by sticking his tongue in her mouth. Or returning to kiss her after he pulled back. That should have been the end of it.
This didn't endear the hero to me, because I don't like men who act or treat women like this! I don't mind dub-con and have even read romance/erotica with what amounts to non-con, but it has to be written well and in books where it applies/makes sense to feature it (a book featuring a kidnapping, for example), not a romance such as this, as I expect a sort of lighter tone. While I could get on board with this sort of scene in another context where it'd make more sense, in a different type of book, I don't expect or really want it in my standard, mainstream romances.
I was expecting an arrogant, domineering male, but not exactly like this. In HQN Presents books, the heroes, unless you're going for the really old, vintage ones (which do all kinds of unappealing things - assault, rape, etc), don't act this badly with kissing or sex. I don't recall reading a HQN Presents hero that treated the heroine this aggressively with kissing (though I don't read vintage ones). I mean, I'm trying to remember any, but none are coming to mind. I would have pointed out how problematic their actions were as well and I can't recall ever doing so. I also don't read a ton of New Adult books, so don't really have a clue if this is common hero behavior with them or not. It probably is....given some of the various New Adult books I read reviews for.
Anyway, some might feel I'm focusing too much on this aspect, but with a story so short and this being their first real physical moment together, it stood out and I felt it deserved to be analysed. I hope for the sake of the series, this was more of a one-off - the later sex-scene after was totally fine, so I'm hoping that kissing thing won't be happening again.
Plus the ARC was provided that I provided an honest review and these are my honest thoughts. If the heroine didn't resists so much, if the hero didn't so clearly ignore her wishes, it wouldn't have been so bad, IMO. As it was written it seems more predatory than sexy. *shrug*
All that being said, I'm willing to read the next book, to see how things are developed. I'll be keeping a watch for things though.
December 21, 2017
How can ANYONE give this book anything higher than 2 stars is beyond me. Oh no wait, I forget, they probably received them as ARCS. Here's how this went for me :
* saw it in my daily book shark email, checked the blurb, it was free, sounded ok
* opened it, wait, is that the first chapter? are there chapters? what the hell kind of formatting is this? moving on ...
* how freaking old is this "woman"? My 11 year old daughter has better manners than that. does she suffer from turrets ?
* oh look, an "adult" is engaging with her and acting the same way .... so maybe NOT an adult after all
* who the hell are these people ? there is no character development or even little background info. (Now I know, this is supposed to be a prequel, but I'm beginning to wonder if it was necessary to write it at all)
* nope, nope, just nope. I can't read "shiiiit" anymore, ever, in any book.
* if any man ever treated my daughter the way he did her in the elevator - his ass would be in jail. that was assault.
After reading this so called prequel, do I want to read the rest of the books? What's more, do I want to pay the $3 for each subsequent book in this series just so I can be subjected to mediocre writing at best ? Absolutely not. Especially after reading the (bad) reviews of said books and seeing where the author has taken the story. No thanks !!!
* saw it in my daily book shark email, checked the blurb, it was free, sounded ok
* opened it, wait, is that the first chapter? are there chapters? what the hell kind of formatting is this? moving on ...
* how freaking old is this "woman"? My 11 year old daughter has better manners than that. does she suffer from turrets ?
* oh look, an "adult" is engaging with her and acting the same way .... so maybe NOT an adult after all
* who the hell are these people ? there is no character development or even little background info. (Now I know, this is supposed to be a prequel, but I'm beginning to wonder if it was necessary to write it at all)
* nope, nope, just nope. I can't read "shiiiit" anymore, ever, in any book.
* if any man ever treated my daughter the way he did her in the elevator - his ass would be in jail. that was assault.
After reading this so called prequel, do I want to read the rest of the books? What's more, do I want to pay the $3 for each subsequent book in this series just so I can be subjected to mediocre writing at best ? Absolutely not. Especially after reading the (bad) reviews of said books and seeing where the author has taken the story. No thanks !!!
September 27, 2017
I seem to be in the minority here. I just didn't like this one for so many reasons. First and foremost though are the hero and heroine. The hero pretty much assaults her and it's supposed to be ok? But even if we disregard the fact that he kind of assaulted her by ramming his tongue down her throat, he follows that up by threatening to check "down there" (and yes, that is the terminology used) to prove that she's wet from their kiss. Then, of course, there's the heroine herself. From the very first page, she was an obnoxious brat who could use a few years in charm school. She's rude, socially inept, and should probably be kept locked up at home until she learns manners or at the very least how to comport herself in a public setting. She's supposed to be 24 but she acts like she's 12. No, scratch that, I know plenty of 12 year olds who know how to behave in public. She's acting like a 4 year old. The story premise sounded promising, like something I would actually enjoy reading, but I detest the characters so much just can't bring myself to actually read the next book.
February 2, 2017
illionaire for myself. PLEASE… Oh well Ill have to live vicariously through these books till its my turn to either live my dream or write it.
Stavros, is Tall, Dark, Handsome, Rich. What more could you ask for? How about ‘Not’ stuck up and void of emotions. Something has to change in him so he can really fall in love. Not this pretend love that he thought he had but the real stuff that could rip his heart out.
Willow is what a lot of us identify with, average height, curves with a hell of a mouth to cover the fear of rejection and hurt from the past. Well Stavros has chosen the wrong person to push with his oh, so gorgeous looks and those manors and etiquette that mothers love but Willow wouldn't use just out of principle.
Stubborn as anything Willow was going to make his life hell and just as stubborn, he was going to show her that sass mouth of hers could be used for more then cutting remarks.
As I said….. Cant wait for the next book to download.
Stavros, is Tall, Dark, Handsome, Rich. What more could you ask for? How about ‘Not’ stuck up and void of emotions. Something has to change in him so he can really fall in love. Not this pretend love that he thought he had but the real stuff that could rip his heart out.
Willow is what a lot of us identify with, average height, curves with a hell of a mouth to cover the fear of rejection and hurt from the past. Well Stavros has chosen the wrong person to push with his oh, so gorgeous looks and those manors and etiquette that mothers love but Willow wouldn't use just out of principle.
Stubborn as anything Willow was going to make his life hell and just as stubborn, he was going to show her that sass mouth of hers could be used for more then cutting remarks.
As I said….. Cant wait for the next book to download.
March 2, 2024
The Greek Billionaire and His Secretary by Marian Tee – I don’t know how a couple that awkward still manages to seem plausible, but this was an interesting prequel and I will be looking for the series! Happy Reading!
March 8, 2024
2.5 Stars!
It was an okay read. I'll admit the start was promising and the plot seemed interesting (at least the start; then, around 30% of the book, it all went downhill). And the constant push and pull between them was exhausting.
It was an okay read. I'll admit the start was promising and the plot seemed interesting (at least the start; then, around 30% of the book, it all went downhill). And the constant push and pull between them was exhausting.
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