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The Guardian's Forbidden Mistress
He couldn't resist her innocence…
Nick Coleman was one of Sydney's most eligible billionaires. Love 'em and leave 'em—that was Nick's mantra. But he couldn't do that to Sarah; he had promised he would act as her guardian and protect her. Yet he wanted her, badly…. Sarah was soon to claim her inheritance.
She'd be a sitting duck to predators looking for a rich, innocent girl. Perhaps it was Nick's responsibility to personally teach her how wicked and seductive a man could be….
Nick Coleman was one of Sydney's most eligible billionaires. Love 'em and leave 'em—that was Nick's mantra. But he couldn't do that to Sarah; he had promised he would act as her guardian and protect her. Yet he wanted her, badly…. Sarah was soon to claim her inheritance.
She'd be a sitting duck to predators looking for a rich, innocent girl. Perhaps it was Nick's responsibility to personally teach her how wicked and seductive a man could be….
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 4, 2008
About the author
Miranda Lee
825 books239 followersMaureen Mary was born on 1945 at Port Macquarie, a popular seaside town on the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales, Australia, and is the youngest of four children. Her sister was the novelist Wendy Brennan (Emma Darcy). Her father was a country school teacher and brilliant sportsman. Her mother was a talented dressmaker. When Miranda was ten, her father was transferred to Gosford, another coastal town in the countryside, much closer to Sydney. After leaving her convent school, she briefly studied the cello before moving to Sydney, where she embraced the emerging world of computers. Her career as a programmer ended after she married, had three daughters and bought a small acreage in a semi-rural community. Following this, she attempted greyhound training, as well as horse and goat breeding, but was left dissatisfied.
Miranda yearned to find a creative career from which she could earn money. When her sister suggested writing romances, it seemed like a good idea. She could do it at home, and it might even be fun! It took a decade of trial and error before her first romance, After the Affair, was accepted and published. At that time, Miranda, her husband Tony, and her three daughters had moved back to the Central Coast, where they could enjoy the sun and the surf lifestyle once again. Not long into her writing career, Miranda committed herself to writing a six-book series entitled, The Hearts of Fire, with a deadline of just nine short months. Bravely, her husband left his executive position to stay home and support Miranda’s writing career. He learned to cook and to clean, two invaluable household skills. Numerous successful stories followed, each embodying Miranda’s trademark style: pacy and sexy rhythms; passionate, real-life characters; and enduring, memorable story lines. She has one credo when writing romances: Don’t bore the reader! Millions of fans world-wide agree she never does.
Miranda was the sister of the late author, Emma Darcy.
Miranda yearned to find a creative career from which she could earn money. When her sister suggested writing romances, it seemed like a good idea. She could do it at home, and it might even be fun! It took a decade of trial and error before her first romance, After the Affair, was accepted and published. At that time, Miranda, her husband Tony, and her three daughters had moved back to the Central Coast, where they could enjoy the sun and the surf lifestyle once again. Not long into her writing career, Miranda committed herself to writing a six-book series entitled, The Hearts of Fire, with a deadline of just nine short months. Bravely, her husband left his executive position to stay home and support Miranda’s writing career. He learned to cook and to clean, two invaluable household skills. Numerous successful stories followed, each embodying Miranda’s trademark style: pacy and sexy rhythms; passionate, real-life characters; and enduring, memorable story lines. She has one credo when writing romances: Don’t bore the reader! Millions of fans world-wide agree she never does.
Miranda was the sister of the late author, Emma Darcy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
October 18, 2012
There's a weird little thing that niggles at me about Harlequin Mills&Boons, which is the use of the word 'female' where 'woman' would have been better, IMO. Did 'woman' get over-used and have to be retired, or something? I have no idea whether it's an editorial decision or whether authors have just all decided to do it for themselves, because it's pretty consistent across the HM&B books I've read, this strange, almost clinical 'female' where the word 'woman' would have done. To the point where it even crops up in dialogue, though I'm sure noone on earth ever says "...because you're a female" or "us females", etc.
Anyway, I think it's strange, and it bothers me, and sometimes it even takes me out of the story completely.
But back to this book - if you don't find ward/guardian sexual dynamics creepy, and you're prepared not to be disgusted at the lengths of effort and even deception our heroine will go to in order to capture her guardian's attention, and you don't want too much angsting about before the sexy bits (or even afterwards, to be frank) this book should deliver.
My ex-library Australian edition also had a short story by Cathy Williams at the back, which I liked better than the novel itself, although it still had some questionable elements - hard-as-nails secretary goes on a work trip to a tropical island with her movie-star sexy boss, who puts the moves on her.
Anyway, I think it's strange, and it bothers me, and sometimes it even takes me out of the story completely.
But back to this book - if you don't find ward/guardian sexual dynamics creepy, and you're prepared not to be disgusted at the lengths of effort and even deception our heroine will go to in order to capture her guardian's attention, and you don't want too much angsting about before the sexy bits (or even afterwards, to be frank) this book should deliver.
My ex-library Australian edition also had a short story by Cathy Williams at the back, which I liked better than the novel itself, although it still had some questionable elements - hard-as-nails secretary goes on a work trip to a tropical island with her movie-star sexy boss, who puts the moves on her.
June 30, 2010
Wasn't as romancy as I was looking forward too. Soon to be heiress Sarah Steinway has always had a crush on her guardian Nick Coleman. When she comes home for Christmas after losing weight, she is prepared to make a splash in Nick's life. But Nick is the love'em and leave'em type guy. Claiming to unable to fall in love. But finally giving in the temptation, Nick decides to show Sarah just how cruel men can be.
March 11, 2011
OK, this is the 3rd boring ho-hum HP I've read this week and it did not hold my interest... where is the tension and the angst??? Sorry, but I'm going back to Betty Neels again. She knew how to write.
September 19, 2013
the start was good, very promising n promised some gr8 angst. but sara spoilt dat when she confessed derek was not her bf n was actually gay. now come 2 nick..what kind of ass was dat!? he actually thought fucking sara mindless wud help her learn abt men!? abt the real world !? wud be 4 her own good !! it was pathetic, it was just an excuse 2 satisfy his rampant lust..
January 19, 2013
I've read this one before under another title and I did think it was pretty good. Especially the dramatic ending. I was glad the heroine never gave up.
December 4, 2021
I don't like MCs who had been with others when they loved/besotted with each other.
July 15, 2013
The Guardian’s Forbidden Mistress is the 18th stand-alone romance novel by Australian author, Miranda Lee. Sarah Steinway has been in love with Nick Coleman since she was eight and her father employed him as a chauffeur. Nick has been attracted to Sarah since she appeared in a tiny bikini on her sixteenth birthday, but, of course, he can’t act on the attraction because, as her guardian, he promised her father on his deathbed he would protect her. And while he is now Sydney’s most handsome and eligible billionaire, she needs protecting from Nick most of all. Nick’s parade of beautiful women has always irritated Sarah, and he puts all her male admirers through the third degree, but this Christmas, she plans to catch his eye herself. Nick is not all that likeable: Sarah is OK, but the best character is gay Derek. There are a few hot sex scenes, but this is not Miranda Lee’s best effort.
April 21, 2018
La verdad, leer que la razón del H para no involucrarse con la h es su juventud e "inocencia"... y luego leerla a ella hablando de que ha tenido amantes ("Sus anteriores amantes" Plural) pues como que queda un poco estúpido la excusa que da la autora.
January 1, 2018
I called him a Bastard at one stage in the story. Still not sure about him. I think my favourite person in the book was her gay gym trainer.
August 4, 2026
The Guardian's Forbidden Mistress by Miranda Lee was underwhelming for me, and while it wasn't a bad reading experience, it also wasn't one that left much of an impression on me. As much as I love Miranda Lee’s Harlequin Novellas, this one wasn’t for me.
This is a very quick Harlequin-style romance at under 200 pages, so I went into it expecting a fast-paced, trope-heavy love story. It certainly delivers on the tropes, but I found myself wishing there had been more emotional depth to make the central romance truly memorable.
🧠 Story, Premise & Setup (Spoiler-Free)
The premise is immediately intriguing.
Sarah has spent years quietly carrying feelings for Nick, her late father's best friend and the man who became her guardian when she was a teenager. Their complicated history creates plenty of built-in tension before the romance even begins, and the forbidden nature of their relationship gives the story an interesting emotional foundation.
I typically loathe fake relationship elements unless it’s a celebrity/PR relationship or the characters are in college or high school; I wasn’t initially excited that this was a micro trope in this story. However, I entrusted Lee to do it well and deliver as she usually does in these novellas, but she fell short with this storyline.
Unfortunately, because this is such a short novella, many of the emotional beats move a little too quickly. The story introduces several compelling ideas, but it doesn't always have enough page time to fully explore them.
❤️ Characters & Romance
Sarah was the character I connected with the most.
Her backstory helps explain why she developed such deep feelings for Nick from a young age. The emotional neglect she experienced and her longing to feel seen made her attachment understandable, even when I didn't always agree with her decisions.
I appreciated that the story gives readers enough context to understand where her insecurities come from rather than asking us to simply accept them.
Nick was a little harder for me to fully connect with.
His internal conflict makes sense, and I appreciated getting both characters' perspectives through the third-person dual POV, but I never felt like his emotional journey was explored deeply enough for the romance to reach its full potential.
Because of that, I understood why these two characters ended up together, but I didn't necessarily feel emotionally invested in their relationship.
✍🏽 Writing Style & Storytelling
Miranda Lee's writing is simple, accessible, and very easy to read.
The third-person dual POV works well for this type of romance because it allows readers to understand both Sarah's and Nick's motivations without creating unnecessary misunderstandings.
The pacing moves quickly, which is expected for a novella, but I think the shorter length ultimately works against the story. Several emotional moments feel rushed simply because there isn't enough space to fully develop them.
Rather than feeling emotionally immersive, the book often feels like it's moving from one plot point to the next.
🌪️ Emotional Depth & Character Development
This is where I found myself wanting more.
The story introduces themes surrounding emotional neglect, childhood attachment, self-esteem, and complicated family dynamics that could have added significant emotional weight to the romance.
Instead, many of those ideas are acknowledged but not explored in enough depth to create a strong emotional payoff.
I kept waiting for a conversation or moment that would completely change how I viewed the relationship, but it never quite arrived.
The result is a romance that feels pleasant enough while reading but ultimately fades from memory fairly quickly.
🔥 Romance & Spice
The romance leans much more into emotional longing than high spice.
There are intimate moments, but the chemistry never felt as emotionally charged as I hoped given the history between the characters. Because I wasn't fully invested in their emotional connection, the romance itself never quite reached the level of tension the premise promised.
⭐ Overall Ratings
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐ /5
Storyline: ⭐⭐ /5
Writing Style: ⭐⭐ /5
Character Development: ⭐⭐ /5
Romance Level: ⭐⭐⭐ /5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ /5
Emotional Impact: ⭐ /5
World Building: ⭐⭐ /5
💭 Final Thoughts
The Guardian's Forbidden Mistress has an interesting premise built around forbidden love, complicated family dynamics, and long-held feelings, but it never fully capitalizes on the emotional potential of those ideas.
The novella format makes for a quick, easy read, and I appreciated the dual POV and Sarah's backstory, but I finished the book wishing the characters had been explored with more emotional depth. Nothing about it was particularly bad; it just never gave me a reason to become truly invested.
For me, this falls into the category of "read it, enjoyed parts of it, but probably won't remember much about it a few months from now."
📖 You Might Enjoy This Book If You Like:
✨ Books under 200 pages
✨ Forbidden Love
✨ Guardian-Ward Taboo Romance
✨ Age Gap Dynamic
✨ Billionaire Romance
✨Jealous MMC
This is a very quick Harlequin-style romance at under 200 pages, so I went into it expecting a fast-paced, trope-heavy love story. It certainly delivers on the tropes, but I found myself wishing there had been more emotional depth to make the central romance truly memorable.
🧠 Story, Premise & Setup (Spoiler-Free)
The premise is immediately intriguing.
Sarah has spent years quietly carrying feelings for Nick, her late father's best friend and the man who became her guardian when she was a teenager. Their complicated history creates plenty of built-in tension before the romance even begins, and the forbidden nature of their relationship gives the story an interesting emotional foundation.
I typically loathe fake relationship elements unless it’s a celebrity/PR relationship or the characters are in college or high school; I wasn’t initially excited that this was a micro trope in this story. However, I entrusted Lee to do it well and deliver as she usually does in these novellas, but she fell short with this storyline.
Unfortunately, because this is such a short novella, many of the emotional beats move a little too quickly. The story introduces several compelling ideas, but it doesn't always have enough page time to fully explore them.
❤️ Characters & Romance
Sarah was the character I connected with the most.
Her backstory helps explain why she developed such deep feelings for Nick from a young age. The emotional neglect she experienced and her longing to feel seen made her attachment understandable, even when I didn't always agree with her decisions.
I appreciated that the story gives readers enough context to understand where her insecurities come from rather than asking us to simply accept them.
Nick was a little harder for me to fully connect with.
His internal conflict makes sense, and I appreciated getting both characters' perspectives through the third-person dual POV, but I never felt like his emotional journey was explored deeply enough for the romance to reach its full potential.
Because of that, I understood why these two characters ended up together, but I didn't necessarily feel emotionally invested in their relationship.
✍🏽 Writing Style & Storytelling
Miranda Lee's writing is simple, accessible, and very easy to read.
The third-person dual POV works well for this type of romance because it allows readers to understand both Sarah's and Nick's motivations without creating unnecessary misunderstandings.
The pacing moves quickly, which is expected for a novella, but I think the shorter length ultimately works against the story. Several emotional moments feel rushed simply because there isn't enough space to fully develop them.
Rather than feeling emotionally immersive, the book often feels like it's moving from one plot point to the next.
🌪️ Emotional Depth & Character Development
This is where I found myself wanting more.
The story introduces themes surrounding emotional neglect, childhood attachment, self-esteem, and complicated family dynamics that could have added significant emotional weight to the romance.
Instead, many of those ideas are acknowledged but not explored in enough depth to create a strong emotional payoff.
I kept waiting for a conversation or moment that would completely change how I viewed the relationship, but it never quite arrived.
The result is a romance that feels pleasant enough while reading but ultimately fades from memory fairly quickly.
🔥 Romance & Spice
The romance leans much more into emotional longing than high spice.
There are intimate moments, but the chemistry never felt as emotionally charged as I hoped given the history between the characters. Because I wasn't fully invested in their emotional connection, the romance itself never quite reached the level of tension the premise promised.
⭐ Overall Ratings
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐ /5
Storyline: ⭐⭐ /5
Writing Style: ⭐⭐ /5
Character Development: ⭐⭐ /5
Romance Level: ⭐⭐⭐ /5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ /5
Emotional Impact: ⭐ /5
World Building: ⭐⭐ /5
💭 Final Thoughts
The Guardian's Forbidden Mistress has an interesting premise built around forbidden love, complicated family dynamics, and long-held feelings, but it never fully capitalizes on the emotional potential of those ideas.
The novella format makes for a quick, easy read, and I appreciated the dual POV and Sarah's backstory, but I finished the book wishing the characters had been explored with more emotional depth. Nothing about it was particularly bad; it just never gave me a reason to become truly invested.
For me, this falls into the category of "read it, enjoyed parts of it, but probably won't remember much about it a few months from now."
📖 You Might Enjoy This Book If You Like:
✨ Books under 200 pages
✨ Forbidden Love
✨ Guardian-Ward Taboo Romance
✨ Age Gap Dynamic
✨ Billionaire Romance
✨Jealous MMC
May 1, 2024
Nope, again. This author is hit or miss for me. This is a ward guardian love, he’s ten years older and has been lusting after her since she was 16, quite the pervert, but ok, I would have understood until she was like 20, but as the story begins she is basically mid twenties, and experienced. And he’s still screwing around and not willing to be with her anyway. It’s only because she takes a gay friend to Christmas party that he gets mad and dumps his actual mistress he’s been having sex just the day before. Oh so romantic.
And then they start having sex for weeks until she eventually decides to dump his sorry ass and start her life without him. But you know. Sadly she’s stuck with him and in a couple of lines he makes a complete turnaround and wants marriage and children.
Nope. I allow the ward guardian thing to go on until the ward is of age. And maybe about 20 or so, but since he would never have acted after his supposed lust for her I didn’t like this book at all.
Only positive thing, she was not a virgin and didn’t stay celibate while he screwed around. Thank god for small mercies.
There’s also a brief reference to body shaming. He not only had girlfriends around her but they also were slut and bitches, calling her fat and obese, which she was not. Yuck.
And then they start having sex for weeks until she eventually decides to dump his sorry ass and start her life without him. But you know. Sadly she’s stuck with him and in a couple of lines he makes a complete turnaround and wants marriage and children.
Nope. I allow the ward guardian thing to go on until the ward is of age. And maybe about 20 or so, but since he would never have acted after his supposed lust for her I didn’t like this book at all.
Only positive thing, she was not a virgin and didn’t stay celibate while he screwed around. Thank god for small mercies.
There’s also a brief reference to body shaming. He not only had girlfriends around her but they also were slut and bitches, calling her fat and obese, which she was not. Yuck.
April 6, 2023
Sydney, Australia? This story could have taken place anywhere. There wasn’t much in the whole story to give you the impression that the story takes place in Australia. It could have been any English-speaking country.
This story also didn’t hold up to the change of time. Written 15 years ago and now we’re much more advanced about attitudes towards the LGBTQ people and fat-shaming. Sarah and her gay personal trainer go on-and-on about her weight at the beginning of the story and that was enough to spoil the story for me.
I’m also really confused about the whole back story and Nick’s obsession with his age difference to Sarah.
This story also didn’t hold up to the change of time. Written 15 years ago and now we’re much more advanced about attitudes towards the LGBTQ people and fat-shaming. Sarah and her gay personal trainer go on-and-on about her weight at the beginning of the story and that was enough to spoil the story for me.
I’m also really confused about the whole back story and Nick’s obsession with his age difference to Sarah.
August 30, 2025
3.5/5⭐
Un romance apasionado que mezcla la inocencia con la atracción prohibida. La protagonista, joven y vulnerable, se encuentra bajo el cuidado de un hombre que debía ser su guía, pero pronto descubre que lo que late entre ellos es mucho más fuerte que cualquier regla.
La tensión, las emociones a flor de piel y la inevitable entrega hacen de esta historia un torbellino de sentimientos. Miranda Lee nos regala una novela corta, intensa y sumamente adictiva, donde el amor surge en el lugar más inesperado y transforma la vida de ambos protagonistas.
Un romance apasionado que mezcla la inocencia con la atracción prohibida. La protagonista, joven y vulnerable, se encuentra bajo el cuidado de un hombre que debía ser su guía, pero pronto descubre que lo que late entre ellos es mucho más fuerte que cualquier regla.
La tensión, las emociones a flor de piel y la inevitable entrega hacen de esta historia un torbellino de sentimientos. Miranda Lee nos regala una novela corta, intensa y sumamente adictiva, donde el amor surge en el lugar más inesperado y transforma la vida de ambos protagonistas.
January 27, 2019
It was an okay read. I started reading around Christmas, but after half of the story I lost my interest and started to read something else, and after 1 month I read it again till the end this time. I'm not blaming the story, it was all on my mood. I enjoyed it, it was kinda meh and the ending was kinda rushed in my opinion.
March 19, 2018
Plot a bit of a slow burner
May 10, 2021
Typical Harlequin romance set in Australia. The girl grows up and wants her childhood love who is now her guardian. some hot scenes.
April 4, 2024
Mi primera reseña en español :-)
Cuando comprè este libro, he buscado por un libro romantico en español, facilmente para leer. Querìa mejorar mi español pero desafortunadamente para mi...... este libro no era el indicado para el trabajo :(((
No se porque yo pensìa lo contrario, pero este libro fue escrito en ingles, y luego, traducido al español. Yyyyyy, la traducciòn es muy mala y confusa. La mayorìa de las frases estan en un tiempo extraño debido a un malentendido entre ingles a espanol
Sin embargo, mi novio y yo nos divertimos leyendolo en voz alta. Hay muchas partes ridiculos y chistosos. Y a mi, como Sara, me encanta eBay.
Si mi español es mala en esta reseña, recomenda libros faciles fueron escrito en espanol!! Este libro no me ayudò nada!
Cuando comprè este libro, he buscado por un libro romantico en español, facilmente para leer. Querìa mejorar mi español pero desafortunadamente para mi...... este libro no era el indicado para el trabajo :(((
No se porque yo pensìa lo contrario, pero este libro fue escrito en ingles, y luego, traducido al español. Yyyyyy, la traducciòn es muy mala y confusa. La mayorìa de las frases estan en un tiempo extraño debido a un malentendido entre ingles a espanol
Sin embargo, mi novio y yo nos divertimos leyendolo en voz alta. Hay muchas partes ridiculos y chistosos. Y a mi, como Sara, me encanta eBay.
Si mi español es mala en esta reseña, recomenda libros faciles fueron escrito en espanol!! Este libro no me ayudò nada!
January 5, 2017
2.5 Unimpressed Stars
This one did not do it for me. I couldn't relate to the H&h. I found the story superficial with no real depth to it. The H was the guardian to the h. He lusted after her since she was 16 - mind you, he's many many years older than she is. He restrained himself until right before her 25th birthday and then decided to have a dirty affair with her.
There wasn't ever a real feeling that these two really loved each other. The H is a whore and the h is an idiot. They were just as shallow as their story and perfect for each other. This isn't one I would revisit in the future.
This one did not do it for me. I couldn't relate to the H&h. I found the story superficial with no real depth to it. The H was the guardian to the h. He lusted after her since she was 16 - mind you, he's many many years older than she is. He restrained himself until right before her 25th birthday and then decided to have a dirty affair with her.
There wasn't ever a real feeling that these two really loved each other. The H is a whore and the h is an idiot. They were just as shallow as their story and perfect for each other. This isn't one I would revisit in the future.
August 19, 2015
Tener una obsesión con un tutor es algo interesante. Habia una gran conexion entre ellos, awww senti esa emocion como cuando mi zerrie estaban juntos. Lee es una gran escritora, me encanto el trama y cada uno de los personajes.Ya sabemos debemos estar frente a la muerte para reconocer si amamos o no a alguien
own-but-wont-read-or-wallbanger
June 9, 2021He couldn't resist her innocence...Nick Coleman was one of Sydney's most eligible billionaires. Love 'em and leave 'em--that was Nick's mantra. But he couldn't do that to Sarah; he had promised he would act as her guardian and protect her. Yet he wanted her, badly.... Sarah was soon to claim her inheritance.She'd be a sitting duck to predators looking for a rich, innocent girl. Perhaps it was Nick's responsibility to personally teach her how wicked and seductive a man could be..
July 1, 2015
Saw that a girl,Sarah, set to inherit from her fathers estate as she turns 25 has fallen in love with Nick who her dad appointed as her quardian. He is the one afraid to give his heart because he doesn't think he is worthy and is jealous of all her boyfriends. So romantic how they do end up coming together
Want to Read
January 14, 200801/14/08 rec via pbs
Read
September 2, 2008Guardian's Forbidden Mistress (Romance Large Print) by Miranda Lee (2008)
September 25, 2009
Modern
November 11, 2012
Tear jerker
August 2, 2015
Me gusto, siempre que leo un personaje así de terco pienso "que se le muera para que entienda el idiota que la ama" y fue algo así xD
November 8, 2016
I loved this book until the point where the charade was over, then I only liked it. I'd like to read a book where the charade last so much later in the book. Still, though, great HP.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews