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The Perfect Cazorla Wife
‘Nothing in life comes free, cariño.’
Charley Cazorla strides uninvited into an exclusive Barcelona party, steeling herself against facing her soon-to-be ex-husband. Her dreams for the children’s centre she’s dedicated her new life to are slipping away, and proud and powerful Raul is Charley’s last hope.
Except Charley has underestimated the depth of Raul’s fury towards her. In return for saving her business the suave Spaniard demands his own brand of payment: Charley must resume her role as the perfect Cazorla wife—in every sense!
Back in her husband’s imposing world, Charley finds their all-consuming lust rekindled. Can she escape its hold a second time?
Charley Cazorla strides uninvited into an exclusive Barcelona party, steeling herself against facing her soon-to-be ex-husband. Her dreams for the children’s centre she’s dedicated her new life to are slipping away, and proud and powerful Raul is Charley’s last hope.
Except Charley has underestimated the depth of Raul’s fury towards her. In return for saving her business the suave Spaniard demands his own brand of payment: Charley must resume her role as the perfect Cazorla wife—in every sense!
Back in her husband’s imposing world, Charley finds their all-consuming lust rekindled. Can she escape its hold a second time?
192 pages, Paperback
First published July 9, 2015
About the author
Michelle Smart
772 books261 followersMichelle Smart is a Publishers Weekly bestselling romance author with a slight-to-severe coffee addiction. With over four million copies of her books sold worldwide, Michelle is now embracing the indie book world to write the passionate romance books she knows her readers love whilst continuing to write for Harlequin Mills & Boon. She is also the author of Butterflies, a standalone romantic and humorous time travel novel set in the 1990s.
A bookworm since birth, Michelle can usually be found hiding behind a paperback, or if it’s an author she really loves, a hardback.
Michelle loves hearing from readers and can be contacted directly via her website.
A bookworm since birth, Michelle can usually be found hiding behind a paperback, or if it’s an author she really loves, a hardback.
Michelle loves hearing from readers and can be contacted directly via her website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
July 7, 2017
This is a second chance story about an H/h who love one another, but are doomed to repeat the patterns of their childhood during their first three years of marriage. The heroine feels inadequate because she had a distant father who made promises he never kept, thus eroding her self-esteem. He is still not showing up for her birthday, etc during the course of this story - so this hurt is ongoing.
The hero was raised in a wealthy Spanish family where appearances were everything and perfection is required and expected. (Hence the title)
The H/h broke up when the heroine left after the H expressed a wish to have a baby. The heroine was miserable trying to change herself to fit into his family so she demurred (with a hell no). The hero called her a gold digger - and it was all over except for the crying.
Fast forward two years and the heroine has burned through all the money (buying her worthless dad a house, etc. ) the H gave her, but she wants to the H to help her secure a loan for a building for a group of handicapped kids she has been helping. She crashes a party to see him since he's been putting her off for a year. The H is with another woman (he's been celibate for the two years - she's window dressing)and turns her down flat.
After realizing he no longer felt dead inside after seeing the h, he comes up with a blackmail scheme. Live with me for 3 months and I'll give you the money and the divorce. Heroine agrees, but is resentful.
Soon, the H starts to see that the heroine has changed - she's learned to drive, she's focused, etc. . . The heroine realizes the H's family is pretty messed up and she took the perfection thing too seriously. The h decides to seduce the hero to show she is sleeping with him of her own free will and not blackmail. The H is optimistic that they can stay married and be happy. He voices this and explains where his perfectionism came from. Heroine, who was just rejected again by her father, is afraid and brutally turns him down.
I was not loving the heroine at this point - because (A) the hero had gone beyond the call of alpha duty by explaining himself and being vulnerable (B) she got out of the car in a traffic jam, causing the H to follow her, causing the rest of Barcelona to sit on the highway until they sorted things out.
The hero was devastated, but not undaunted. Eventually they see each other again. The heroine has had a change of heart - but I don't feel *she* groveled enough - HEA with a two kid epilogue.
I was happy the heroine finally confronted her father and put him in his place, cutting off the money spigot. The hero in this was great once he realized what his faults were. The heroine has a way to go, but she learned a lot during the course of the story.
The hero was raised in a wealthy Spanish family where appearances were everything and perfection is required and expected. (Hence the title)
The H/h broke up when the heroine left after the H expressed a wish to have a baby. The heroine was miserable trying to change herself to fit into his family so she demurred (with a hell no). The hero called her a gold digger - and it was all over except for the crying.
Fast forward two years and the heroine has burned through all the money (buying her worthless dad a house, etc. ) the H gave her, but she wants to the H to help her secure a loan for a building for a group of handicapped kids she has been helping. She crashes a party to see him since he's been putting her off for a year. The H is with another woman (he's been celibate for the two years - she's window dressing)and turns her down flat.
After realizing he no longer felt dead inside after seeing the h, he comes up with a blackmail scheme. Live with me for 3 months and I'll give you the money and the divorce. Heroine agrees, but is resentful.
Soon, the H starts to see that the heroine has changed - she's learned to drive, she's focused, etc. . . The heroine realizes the H's family is pretty messed up and she took the perfection thing too seriously. The h decides to seduce the hero to show she is sleeping with him of her own free will and not blackmail. The H is optimistic that they can stay married and be happy. He voices this and explains where his perfectionism came from. Heroine, who was just rejected again by her father, is afraid and brutally turns him down.
I was not loving the heroine at this point - because (A) the hero had gone beyond the call of alpha duty by explaining himself and being vulnerable (B) she got out of the car in a traffic jam, causing the H to follow her, causing the rest of Barcelona to sit on the highway until they sorted things out.
The hero was devastated, but not undaunted. Eventually they see each other again. The heroine has had a change of heart - but I don't feel *she* groveled enough - HEA with a two kid epilogue.
I was happy the heroine finally confronted her father and put him in his place, cutting off the money spigot. The hero in this was great once he realized what his faults were. The heroine has a way to go, but she learned a lot during the course of the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2016
Did not even finish the second chapter.
I know nobody's perfect, some people got more issues than others and all that stuff but... I couldn't stand Charley after reading the first chapter.
I get she wasn't happy in her marriage because Raúl was trying to change her (the poor unsophisticated girl) into the elegant woman that fits in his world, but I can't believe she couldn't talk about it with her husband in the THREE YEARS they were married.
I don't hold against her that she failed and failed trying to build a successful business of her own (though I gathered she used her husband's money for them so I don't see the point), what I can't understand why some people think that the only way someone can be proud of them is if they're successful in business or have a brilliant career.
Anyways, I'm writing more in here than I do in books I like so I'll leave it be.
I know nobody's perfect, some people got more issues than others and all that stuff but... I couldn't stand Charley after reading the first chapter.
I get she wasn't happy in her marriage because Raúl was trying to change her (the poor unsophisticated girl) into the elegant woman that fits in his world, but I can't believe she couldn't talk about it with her husband in the THREE YEARS they were married.
I don't hold against her that she failed and failed trying to build a successful business of her own (though I gathered she used her husband's money for them so I don't see the point), what I can't understand why some people think that the only way someone can be proud of them is if they're successful in business or have a brilliant career.
Anyways, I'm writing more in here than I do in books I like so I'll leave it be.
July 4, 2015
Heroine was a typical MS heroine. She was hateful. She kept sabotaging her relationship with her husband deliberately and she was so selfish I wanted to slap her! She didn't deserve his love or forgiveness.
September 8, 2015
Heroine had issues which led to her marriage ending. She couldn't see the hero's point. It was all about her Her needs. She blew thru millions and didn't own her failures. In the two years she was seperated from the hero she didn't grow emotionally. Got all that from the first two chapters. Discovered I didn't like the heroine at all with the knowledge. DNF'd early.
November 2, 2015
Michelle Smart is an author that wow's with every single story she writes. And this time it was no exception , she wrote a story about a " perfect wife" but it was not only that it was THE PERFECT STORY!
It tells of Charley Cazorla, striding into the exclusive Barcelona party of the year, uninvited of course, with every stride she steels herself against facing her soon to be ex husband. Her hopes and dreams are slipping away and sadly Raul is her last hope. But to stay strong in his presence is far easier said then done. But she knows she can do it, all she has to do is breath, talk, make the deal and get out.
But Charley underestimates the depth of fury Raul feels toward her. Because in return for saving her failing business this bastard of a man, in every sense of the word, is demanding his own brand of payment. Charley will resume her role as the perfect Cazorla wife , in every sense of the word!
But back in her husband's imposing world is the last place she wants to be, but needs must and soon she discovers that their lust for each other is still burning strong. Will Charley be able to escape it's hold a second time around? Or will Raul and Charley finally find the true meaning of love and understanding?
I adore second chance romances, it's what gives me that all too special grin on my face and makes the world seem like a better place. But sadly in some reads it's a very line by line , left to right , a to b , kind of plot. There are no surprises, no make it pop moments, no in your face attention grabbing scenes.
Thank the heavens above there are author such as Michelle Smart, because I got all of that and it kept me on the edge of my seat. Raul is a real jerk, and I mean the kind of jerk that you wish you could squish like a bug. Rich , marries the poor girl and then once the wedding night is over , he's all about changing her to fit into his perfect little image of a rich man's wife. Naturally I did not feel badly for this man when Charley walks out on his pathetic wanting to change her attitude, instead I could not get enough of the adrenaline rush I felt when Charley walks back into his life two years later and voila, she sends his senses reeling !
Charley was my kind of heroine, fun and funky but with loads of the perfect I fell, I lost , I walked out and I won't fall again instead I will fight back attitude that I love oh so very much! I was rooting for her from page one!
Something that I really liked about this read , was Raul always turning the situations into sexual ones, Charley would say something completely innocent and Raul would turn into something so sexy and so alluring that my heart could not stop beating with excitement, even though I was still hating him , very much so! It was very 50 Shades like but so, so , so much better! It had more flair, more depth, more meaning. more this is real in your face than anything I have ever come across.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...#
I highly recommend this read for each and every single romance fan out there, if you want passion with energy, romance with a kick, sex with so hot the pages will go up in flames and a second chance romance that will blow you away, go read this book!!
5/5 star review
" The flames of perfection meets the flames of desire and everything goes up in smoke! "
It tells of Charley Cazorla, striding into the exclusive Barcelona party of the year, uninvited of course, with every stride she steels herself against facing her soon to be ex husband. Her hopes and dreams are slipping away and sadly Raul is her last hope. But to stay strong in his presence is far easier said then done. But she knows she can do it, all she has to do is breath, talk, make the deal and get out.
But Charley underestimates the depth of fury Raul feels toward her. Because in return for saving her failing business this bastard of a man, in every sense of the word, is demanding his own brand of payment. Charley will resume her role as the perfect Cazorla wife , in every sense of the word!
But back in her husband's imposing world is the last place she wants to be, but needs must and soon she discovers that their lust for each other is still burning strong. Will Charley be able to escape it's hold a second time around? Or will Raul and Charley finally find the true meaning of love and understanding?
I adore second chance romances, it's what gives me that all too special grin on my face and makes the world seem like a better place. But sadly in some reads it's a very line by line , left to right , a to b , kind of plot. There are no surprises, no make it pop moments, no in your face attention grabbing scenes.
Thank the heavens above there are author such as Michelle Smart, because I got all of that and it kept me on the edge of my seat. Raul is a real jerk, and I mean the kind of jerk that you wish you could squish like a bug. Rich , marries the poor girl and then once the wedding night is over , he's all about changing her to fit into his perfect little image of a rich man's wife. Naturally I did not feel badly for this man when Charley walks out on his pathetic wanting to change her attitude, instead I could not get enough of the adrenaline rush I felt when Charley walks back into his life two years later and voila, she sends his senses reeling !
Charley was my kind of heroine, fun and funky but with loads of the perfect I fell, I lost , I walked out and I won't fall again instead I will fight back attitude that I love oh so very much! I was rooting for her from page one!
Something that I really liked about this read , was Raul always turning the situations into sexual ones, Charley would say something completely innocent and Raul would turn into something so sexy and so alluring that my heart could not stop beating with excitement, even though I was still hating him , very much so! It was very 50 Shades like but so, so , so much better! It had more flair, more depth, more meaning. more this is real in your face than anything I have ever come across.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...#
I highly recommend this read for each and every single romance fan out there, if you want passion with energy, romance with a kick, sex with so hot the pages will go up in flames and a second chance romance that will blow you away, go read this book!!
5/5 star review
" The flames of perfection meets the flames of desire and everything goes up in smoke! "
October 17, 2018
h lacks self esteem, she was unsatisfied with herself .. but she was nice and so sweet .. i hated her father , he didn't deserved her as a daughter
April 30, 2016
Absolutely loved. Loved. Loved this book. It ticked off all my boxes of what I expect from a really good romance. It was angsty. It was emotional. It was passionate. It was intense. It had plenty of tension between Charley and Raul. There was great backstory between them that caused all that yummy friction. Lots of misunderstandings that caused lots of hurt feelings as well as caused them to have a broken relationship. And I loved that this was a story where they were getting a second chance at saving their marriage.
Lots of feels going on in this book. It ripped my heart more than a few times over their emotional issues that caused the destruction of their marriage in the first place. If they communicated their issues and fears then their marriage would have turned out completely different. Later on the book Raul came to that realization himself and stated it to Charley so they could they have a bright future together. I just loved seeing their struggles and what they had to work through in order to get a second chance. It was a very emotional ride for both of them. I loved seeing that journey. It was just so good.
I adored the characters of Raul and Charley. I sided with both of them seeing both of their points of view based on their upbringings. They were each justified in feeling what they were feeling based on what wasn't being said between them. I understood them. I sympathized with them. I felt for them. I hurt right along with them. I felt their pain. I felt their love. I felt everything right along with them. I loved them.
Their love was present all the way through even though it was hidden by hurt and anger over what happened in their marriage. Now due to circumstances they were brought back together again. But their love was strong and very much felt especially on his side. This was one of the rare books were it was perfectly clear that the hero was unabashedly in love with the heroine from the first page an onwards. There was no question in my mind, and I loved that because I never questioned why he was so angry. It was cause he was hurt by the woman he loved who left him. So immediately his blackmail was seen as a ruse to get her back his love in his life and being his love was clear made his actions more palatable. And that was nice. All his actions showed that he cared. Once he got over his anger his tenderness, passion and live shone through.
The love scenes/passionate moments were really good. They had a nice balance of emotional and physical. But they were very steamy as well with all that pent up tension and emotion behind them. They just added to their closeness. My one regret was that one scene wasn't shown in more detailed and just summarized. I wanted to see more of the "long and tender" scene because I think that would have shown their love really well in the physical sense. I just wanted to see it. That's really my only beef which really is nothing.
I immensely enjoyed this book with all pain and joy it brought to the love story of Charley and Raul. It was sweet and tender as it was heart wrenching and painful at others. I felt so much while reading. Every moment I savored and enjoyed and I know that I will reread this one over and over again. I want to relive it all with Charley and Raul all over again. This book touched me on so many levels. I was so happy when they found their way back to each other again in a healthier and honest way. It was just really good all the way around.
I really loved this one. So well done Michelle Smart. I can't wait to read more by her in the future.
Highly recommended for Presents and romance lovers alike.
Lots of feels going on in this book. It ripped my heart more than a few times over their emotional issues that caused the destruction of their marriage in the first place. If they communicated their issues and fears then their marriage would have turned out completely different. Later on the book Raul came to that realization himself and stated it to Charley so they could they have a bright future together. I just loved seeing their struggles and what they had to work through in order to get a second chance. It was a very emotional ride for both of them. I loved seeing that journey. It was just so good.
I adored the characters of Raul and Charley. I sided with both of them seeing both of their points of view based on their upbringings. They were each justified in feeling what they were feeling based on what wasn't being said between them. I understood them. I sympathized with them. I felt for them. I hurt right along with them. I felt their pain. I felt their love. I felt everything right along with them. I loved them.
Their love was present all the way through even though it was hidden by hurt and anger over what happened in their marriage. Now due to circumstances they were brought back together again. But their love was strong and very much felt especially on his side. This was one of the rare books were it was perfectly clear that the hero was unabashedly in love with the heroine from the first page an onwards. There was no question in my mind, and I loved that because I never questioned why he was so angry. It was cause he was hurt by the woman he loved who left him. So immediately his blackmail was seen as a ruse to get her back his love in his life and being his love was clear made his actions more palatable. And that was nice. All his actions showed that he cared. Once he got over his anger his tenderness, passion and live shone through.
The love scenes/passionate moments were really good. They had a nice balance of emotional and physical. But they were very steamy as well with all that pent up tension and emotion behind them. They just added to their closeness. My one regret was that one scene wasn't shown in more detailed and just summarized. I wanted to see more of the "long and tender" scene because I think that would have shown their love really well in the physical sense. I just wanted to see it. That's really my only beef which really is nothing.
I immensely enjoyed this book with all pain and joy it brought to the love story of Charley and Raul. It was sweet and tender as it was heart wrenching and painful at others. I felt so much while reading. Every moment I savored and enjoyed and I know that I will reread this one over and over again. I want to relive it all with Charley and Raul all over again. This book touched me on so many levels. I was so happy when they found their way back to each other again in a healthier and honest way. It was just really good all the way around.
I really loved this one. So well done Michelle Smart. I can't wait to read more by her in the future.
Highly recommended for Presents and romance lovers alike.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2019
Charley Cazorla is an idiot!
She really did bugger the H around and I could totally see why he got frustrated with her. The poor guy must have the patience of a saint or she has a magical lady garden! Either way I felt for the poor H.
She really did bugger the H around and I could totally see why he got frustrated with her. The poor guy must have the patience of a saint or she has a magical lady garden! Either way I felt for the poor H.
February 5, 2017
too dumb heroin
February 18, 2024
رواية رومانسية من ترجمة منتدى ليلاس
بعنوان زوج مثالي
قصة مسلية ومليئة بالرومانسية
أحببتها
بعنوان زوج مثالي
قصة مسلية ومليئة بالرومانسية
أحببتها
August 9, 2015
The Perfect Cazorla Wife Michelle Smart
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: Romance
this is a shortish read at around 2000 kindle locations ( about 220-40 pages I’d guess) but covers a couple of months so that works for me. I do like a romance that’s given time to play out properly.
Charley – well, when I first looked at her from Raul’s POV I didn’t like her. She seems nice and yet he says she was a gold digger, just wanted the spa days, the designer clothes and jewels and refused to have his child. He even supported her through three business start ups that she just got bored with and let fail. She seems a flake, so how come when we see her from the other side she’s nice, even though all that he says seems true? Well, once we get to know her and see why she acted that way – the clothes etc were her trying to fit his world, she came from a 2 bed flat she shared with her mum, her dad had another family and let her down all the while and she just didn’t feel she fitted in properly. The businesses too have another side to them, and in all we can see that Charley just felt that she was never good enough, that she subjugated herself in an attempt to fit in. How could she bring a baby into that? She still loves Raul though, even though she hates how they were together. Now she needs his help and his money...
Raul is actually a really nice man, but his past has shaped him and his actions in just the way Charley’s has affected her. Now they are together again for a few months, and they can see each other differently, and maybe reassess their views. They still have the same steam between them – that’s something that hasn’t changed and they don’t want it to. Its a question of can they find a way to be together now – have they learned from their previous failure?
Its a fun read, was good seeing just how much Charley changed when she had to rely on herself and didn’t feel she was being unfairly judged. I liked that Raul finally opened his mind and could admit he was wrong about some things – it takes a big man to do that. Its pretty standard of this type of romance, no great surprises or dramas and one that’s easy to relax with.
Stars:Four, its a fun read, but a one off for me.
ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers
If you enjoyed my review I'd love it if you would please click “Like” and if you didn't I'd love to know why, in case I've inadvertently added a spoiler and need to edit.
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: Romance
this is a shortish read at around 2000 kindle locations ( about 220-40 pages I’d guess) but covers a couple of months so that works for me. I do like a romance that’s given time to play out properly.
Charley – well, when I first looked at her from Raul’s POV I didn’t like her. She seems nice and yet he says she was a gold digger, just wanted the spa days, the designer clothes and jewels and refused to have his child. He even supported her through three business start ups that she just got bored with and let fail. She seems a flake, so how come when we see her from the other side she’s nice, even though all that he says seems true? Well, once we get to know her and see why she acted that way – the clothes etc were her trying to fit his world, she came from a 2 bed flat she shared with her mum, her dad had another family and let her down all the while and she just didn’t feel she fitted in properly. The businesses too have another side to them, and in all we can see that Charley just felt that she was never good enough, that she subjugated herself in an attempt to fit in. How could she bring a baby into that? She still loves Raul though, even though she hates how they were together. Now she needs his help and his money...
Raul is actually a really nice man, but his past has shaped him and his actions in just the way Charley’s has affected her. Now they are together again for a few months, and they can see each other differently, and maybe reassess their views. They still have the same steam between them – that’s something that hasn’t changed and they don’t want it to. Its a question of can they find a way to be together now – have they learned from their previous failure?
Its a fun read, was good seeing just how much Charley changed when she had to rely on herself and didn’t feel she was being unfairly judged. I liked that Raul finally opened his mind and could admit he was wrong about some things – it takes a big man to do that. Its pretty standard of this type of romance, no great surprises or dramas and one that’s easy to relax with.
Stars:Four, its a fun read, but a one off for me.
ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers
If you enjoyed my review I'd love it if you would please click “Like” and if you didn't I'd love to know why, in case I've inadvertently added a spoiler and need to edit.
June 22, 2015
Review by Lisa Kane
4.5 stars I loved this book! I am a sucker for second chance at love romances, but they sometimes follow a scripted format. This one was original and quite interesting. The rich guy married the poor girl and tried to change her to conform and fit in with his life style. When she became more and more unhappy he pushed for them to have a baby, she cracked and they separated.
Two years later she volunteers at a day care for handicapped children. The money her husband gave her is almost gone (she gave the bulk of it to her ungrateful family-that part drove me nuts. She was a total sap for them!) Their divorce will be final in a few weeks, but she needs him to cosign a loan to keep the daycare going. He refuses but realized he has never felt so alive in the 2 years since they separated. He makes her an offer-she will get her loan (in fact he will gift it) but she will return as his wife until the renovations are done for the day care.
Of course he sees all the changed in her and comes to appreciate the mistakes he made in his marriage. She is no longer the doormat and realizes she let her insecurities come between them.
All ends well, but this one was a real pleasure to read.
4.5 stars I loved this book! I am a sucker for second chance at love romances, but they sometimes follow a scripted format. This one was original and quite interesting. The rich guy married the poor girl and tried to change her to conform and fit in with his life style. When she became more and more unhappy he pushed for them to have a baby, she cracked and they separated.
Two years later she volunteers at a day care for handicapped children. The money her husband gave her is almost gone (she gave the bulk of it to her ungrateful family-that part drove me nuts. She was a total sap for them!) Their divorce will be final in a few weeks, but she needs him to cosign a loan to keep the daycare going. He refuses but realized he has never felt so alive in the 2 years since they separated. He makes her an offer-she will get her loan (in fact he will gift it) but she will return as his wife until the renovations are done for the day care.
Of course he sees all the changed in her and comes to appreciate the mistakes he made in his marriage. She is no longer the doormat and realizes she let her insecurities come between them.
All ends well, but this one was a real pleasure to read.
July 2, 2015
The Perfect Cazorla Wife was an enjoyable read. I received a copy through NetGalley and admit that for me this was a great story. What resonated most with me was the work Charley did in her new city. I wish there would have been more about the locations, both Valencia and Barcelona. I love when a book that has a foreign backdrop gives the reader a bit of armchair travel. What was done pretty well was the description of Charley's relationships with her father and her husband, Raul. We also really get an in-depth look into how she and Raul work through their differences. It was great to see how things were resolved. I was left wondering why Charley never mentioned her wedding rings to Raul. I look forward to more stories by Michelle Smart.
May 3, 2018
Charley has been estranged from her husband Raul for the past two years, after realizing the pressure of being a Cazorla wife was too much and that she was no longer happy. Raul thinks it's because he started demanding children and she didn't want them. In the present day, Charley needs funding for a children's center that she's helping and she's out of time for getting it. So she goes to her last resort, Raul, to get the funds. However, he's still furious with Charley and very attracted to her, so he demands she return to her place as his wife and in his bed until the center is finished. Charley agrees, but Raul notices that she seems to be a different woman, no longer trying to be perfect, she's just Charley and he can't help but fall in love.
I didn't have a problem with the heroine, strangely enough. I totally understood her dissatisfaction with the marriage the first time through, with not only pressure from Raul to be perfect (less pressure and more expectation) but also pressure from herself - she wants to make Raul proud and she wants to be something before she has kids. I can also see it's totally on her for not trying to communicate that, but I'm not sure Raul would have heard it or understood it, as later conversations in the book seemed to indicate. It's only after she leaves that he has his epiphany about it all. And thank you, for finally having both characters completely celibate while apart from each other.
I also like how that whole angst thing that went down with her leaving him and him coming to her in absolute humility, not begging and manipulating to get her back, but with the express intention of ensuring that she's happy. Now, he was pretty much an arsehole for the first half of the book and I was pretty uncomfortable with how okay both Raul and later Charley were with her prostituting herself. In fact, rather than keep fighting the attraction, Charley tells herself that she's already giving up the sex, why not initiate it as well? Felt like a line was crossed there...like it was tacit approval of his blackmailing her. And of course the whole blackmail thing was never discussed and he never apologized for it. So not a perfect blackmail-second-chance story, but definitely one that I liked.
I didn't have a problem with the heroine, strangely enough. I totally understood her dissatisfaction with the marriage the first time through, with not only pressure from Raul to be perfect (less pressure and more expectation) but also pressure from herself - she wants to make Raul proud and she wants to be something before she has kids. I can also see it's totally on her for not trying to communicate that, but I'm not sure Raul would have heard it or understood it, as later conversations in the book seemed to indicate. It's only after she leaves that he has his epiphany about it all. And thank you, for finally having both characters completely celibate while apart from each other.
I also like how that whole angst thing that went down with her leaving him and him coming to her in absolute humility, not begging and manipulating to get her back, but with the express intention of ensuring that she's happy. Now, he was pretty much an arsehole for the first half of the book and I was pretty uncomfortable with how okay both Raul and later Charley were with her prostituting herself. In fact, rather than keep fighting the attraction, Charley tells herself that she's already giving up the sex, why not initiate it as well? Felt like a line was crossed there...like it was tacit approval of his blackmailing her. And of course the whole blackmail thing was never discussed and he never apologized for it. So not a perfect blackmail-second-chance story, but definitely one that I liked.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2023
I like this usual story about a ruthless (but not so much) spanish tycoon and a young, poor english rose, because it merged a lot of realistic themes. This is a realistic tale of what is bound to happen after these two archetypes have been married for a few months/years and reality have come rushing to them: cultural shock, self-doubt, insecurities, etc... I like that nobody is pure evil or pure goodness (except for maybe her deadbeat dad). Even the hero's deep seated issues stem from a very mundane source (basically parents screwing up, even with the best of intentions). This was a good dose of realism in a overused trope. Add to that a few hot sex scenes and a nice, if superficial, forray into the start-up of a charity day-care for handicapped children, and you get 4 stars from me.
July 28, 2015
THE PERFECT CAZORLA WIFE by Michelle Smart is sinfully delicious. Raul and Charley shared a stormy marriage and hence their relationship fell apart. Even though they still had feelings for each other, they never once connected in the two years they've been estranged, but now, even when their divorce is weeks away from finalization, Charley sashays back into Raul's life. She needs his help. Raul is stubborn into giving into Charley's request, eventually in the end agrees. But he has his own stipulations in helping his wife. She must grace his bed for four months. Badly needing any help Raul has to offer, she agrees. And so the drama begins...
Charley is impulsive and daring. She says things like...'Are seriously serious?' and her energy and her determination makes for a strong woman who knows just what she wants. Raul is devastatingly hot and somewhat proprietorial towards Charley yet all he wants is to make her happy even if it means giving her every worldly possession she desires.
In the end, The Perfect Cazorla Wife is a well written, super sexy, super angsty read and Ms. Smart's fans would definitely enjoy this story until the last page.
Recommended
5/5 Stars
August 10, 2015
Charlotte Cazorla walked out on her marriage for reasons she has never told her husband. Not far away from a divorce she now needs him to be able to purchase a property for a place for children with needs that she greatly cares about. She finds her way into a party Raul is attending to confront him with her needs. What she doesn't expect is for him to demand more than she wants to give to get what she wants. Raul and Charlotte find out that all is not as it seems and love can smother and hurt as well as make someone happy.
I am not going to give away too much of this story because it is truly one that any romance reader will savor and I don't want to ruin that. Its a wonderful book and Michelle Smart has done it again with a story that I didn't want to put down till I finished. Raul is a strong dominant man and Charlotte has a lot of reasons why she left and trust me you will love it from page one to the end. Its a keeper
I am not going to give away too much of this story because it is truly one that any romance reader will savor and I don't want to ruin that. Its a wonderful book and Michelle Smart has done it again with a story that I didn't want to put down till I finished. Raul is a strong dominant man and Charlotte has a lot of reasons why she left and trust me you will love it from page one to the end. Its a keeper
February 6, 2022
I love Michelle Smart’s books. Fabulous characters who have flaws as well as stupendous qualities and who really engage interest from the start. Charley and Raul are just so perfect for one another. I love the fact that both made and make mistakes but manage to work through them and their problems as they re-discover their love for each other. I actually found myself disliking Charley towards the end but then she got real with herself and did something to redeem herself so I forgave her.
Great story and I totally recommend.
One star taken off because I wanted her father and half brothers to get a better comeuppance.
Great story and I totally recommend.
One star taken off because I wanted her father and half brothers to get a better comeuppance.
June 24, 2016
Well written but too much going on for a smooth romance. I didn't get the whole premise, too many holes and issues. I even found some bits offensive which I rarely do in other romances. Why didn't he just get a blow up doll with batteries? Enough said. I'm done.
May 25, 2015
*ARC courtesy of Netgalley and Harlequin*
January 16, 2016
I adore this book.
December 30, 2015
Beautifully written
January 26, 2023
It was ok. I wanted to like it, but the heroine was not my favorite. I feel like I should really like her, she volunteers at a daycare for disabled kids and she fought hard to get funding for them, she doesn't care about money and buys her whole family houses.
However her buying houses for her whole family (her father and brothers) irritated me alot. I could not stand how for majority of the book she defended her father and brothers when hero tried to tell her they were only using her.
I didn't like how she left hero 2 years before and in the book, she never put much effort into fixing their issues her answer was to just run away each time.
Her thoughts were always of herself and her insecurities, she was never really curious about hero's thoughts or who he really was. The one time he ever opened up to her about how his childhood really was (explaining why he was the way he was and the things he did were to protect her from people's judgement) she left him and told him he doesn't make her happy.
I did like that both heroine and hero were both celibate for the 2 years they were seperated (even though book starts with him dating another woman for a month, but he didn't sleep with her).
I liked the hero, I understood why he did the things he did and why he thought what he did about heroine (that she was a gold-digger).
His memories of her were quite unflattering with how much of his money she spent and then after leaving him coming back 2 years later demanding more money from him on top of the 10 million he gave her (that she spent on her family).
I don't think she was a gold-digger necessarily but she had zero respect for money and how hard he worked to earn it. I do I get he's rich but he spends majority of his life earning that money and she just started businesses (using his money) and then got bored and abandoned them. Then she spent millions on her family who don't even care about her. The hero was not pleased she spent his money on her father and brothers and she didn't feel at all guilty. Never once does she feel bad about all the money she wasted. P.
However her buying houses for her whole family (her father and brothers) irritated me alot. I could not stand how for majority of the book she defended her father and brothers when hero tried to tell her they were only using her.
I didn't like how she left hero 2 years before and in the book, she never put much effort into fixing their issues her answer was to just run away each time.
Her thoughts were always of herself and her insecurities, she was never really curious about hero's thoughts or who he really was. The one time he ever opened up to her about how his childhood really was (explaining why he was the way he was and the things he did were to protect her from people's judgement) she left him and told him he doesn't make her happy.
I did like that both heroine and hero were both celibate for the 2 years they were seperated (even though book starts with him dating another woman for a month, but he didn't sleep with her).
I liked the hero, I understood why he did the things he did and why he thought what he did about heroine (that she was a gold-digger).
His memories of her were quite unflattering with how much of his money she spent and then after leaving him coming back 2 years later demanding more money from him on top of the 10 million he gave her (that she spent on her family).
I don't think she was a gold-digger necessarily but she had zero respect for money and how hard he worked to earn it. I do I get he's rich but he spends majority of his life earning that money and she just started businesses (using his money) and then got bored and abandoned them. Then she spent millions on her family who don't even care about her. The hero was not pleased she spent his money on her father and brothers and she didn't feel at all guilty. Never once does she feel bad about all the money she wasted. P.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2021
The heroine left the hero because he tried to change her. Now she needs his help and he blackmails her. If she wanst his help she will be his lover as long as her project is completed. I loved the heroine, she has self-esteem issues, she wants to show the hero that she's able to do something good and she's not only a trophy wife. The hero thinks she doesn't want his children and is furious. He tells her to leave during a row and she leaves him for good. it was beautiful to see how heroine reveals her real self and the hero understands he really made many huge mistakes with her when he tried to change her. He hired not only a language teacher, to teach her spanish, that is understandable, but also a styilist, a deportment tutor, a diction tutor and a dietician (really???). Obviously, having a low self esteem, she felt very unadequate as his wife, and in the end she was very unhappy because the person in that marriage was not her at all. I loved how the hero tries to win her back, how he was faithful even when they were estranged, I loved the end. Nice and good.
June 22, 2017
This was a well written book with the usual Harlequin theme of girl, boy, conflict in relationship to an HEA. The plot was well thought out. The main character Charley being driven to aid the school to provide care the special needs children needed to give them a more normal life with typical experiences. That being said I did enjoy the growth of the two characters as they both come to self-realizations that guide them at the end. Too often individuals do not truly discuss what is bothering them with their partner in fear of what the other will think or how they will (re)act. Past experiences often allow us to shut ourselves down instead of guide us to better resolutions. This story picked up on that and it was an integral part of the story. Will be searching out more books by this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2018
Not too bad
I like the story's flow. It kept my attention to the end, which is surprising because I'm not a fan of romance novels. Charley was a believable character. I found myself relating to her in many ways, except for the whole Ï hate him, but I'll sleep with him”thing. Not a bad story...for a romance.
I like the story's flow. It kept my attention to the end, which is surprising because I'm not a fan of romance novels. Charley was a believable character. I found myself relating to her in many ways, except for the whole Ï hate him, but I'll sleep with him”thing. Not a bad story...for a romance.
December 6, 2023
4.5 stars actually for the way they found their way back to each other after all the imperfections in them .. it didn't start so good but it picked up after the mmc started realising that he was wrong, which was, surprisingly, pretty early then most HPs .. both of them weren't hateful, albeit a little annoying at times, but I can look above that
December 24, 2017
Good story even if Charley was a tad annoying and exasperating at times. I enjoyed it though.
Read
January 28, 2022Really good book
June 5, 2022
It was okay. Steamy If you're into erotica and the storyline was good too
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