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للحب الشرف والخيانة
She thought she'd found the perfect man in her dangerously seductive boss, Eduardo Cruz, but "Get out!" wasn't exactly the morning-after treatment she'd hoped for.
Holding her wilting bouquet, Callie waits for her groom—her best friend, a man she'd never kissed, or even wanted to kiss.
But once the eminently powerful Eduardo knows about the bump concealed under Callie's oversize, secondhand wedding dress, there's no way he's going to let her walk up the aisle with someone else.
Holding her wilting bouquet, Callie waits for her groom—her best friend, a man she'd never kissed, or even wanted to kiss.
But once the eminently powerful Eduardo knows about the bump concealed under Callie's oversize, secondhand wedding dress, there's no way he's going to let her walk up the aisle with someone else.
179 pages, ebook
First published July 1, 2012
129 people are currently reading
746 people want to read
About the author
Jennie Lucas
559 books331 followersJennie Lucas had a tragic beginning for any would-be writer: a very happy childhood. Her parents owned a bookstore, and she grew up surrounded by books, dreaming about faraway lands. Her mother read aloud to her in French when she was little; when she was ten, her father secretly paid her a dollar for every classic novel (Jane Eyre, War and Peace) that she read. As a chubby teenager, Jennie covered her bedroom with travel posters and always had her nose in a book.
At fifteen, she went to a Connecticut boarding school on scholarship. She took her first solo trip to Europe at sixteen, then put off college and traveled around the U.S., supporting herself with jobs as diverse as gas station cashier and newspaper advertising assistant.
At 22, she met the man who would be her husband. For the first time in her life, she wanted to stay in one place, as long as she could be with him. After their marriage, she graduated from Kent State University with a degree in English, and started writing books a year later.
Jennie was a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart contest in 2003 and won the award in 2005. A fellow 2003 finalist, Australian author Trish Morey, read Jennie’s writing and told her that she should write for Harlequin Presents. It seemed like too big a dream, but Jennie took a deep breath and went for it. A year later, after seven years of writing and eight finished manuscripts, Jennie got the magical call from London that turned her into a published author.
Since then, life has been hectic, juggling a writing career, a sexy husband and two young children, but Jennie loves her crazy, chaotic life. Who needs a clean house? Every day, Jennie gets swept into drama, glamour and passion. Now if she can only figure out how to pack up her family and live in all the places she’s writing about!
At fifteen, she went to a Connecticut boarding school on scholarship. She took her first solo trip to Europe at sixteen, then put off college and traveled around the U.S., supporting herself with jobs as diverse as gas station cashier and newspaper advertising assistant.
At 22, she met the man who would be her husband. For the first time in her life, she wanted to stay in one place, as long as she could be with him. After their marriage, she graduated from Kent State University with a degree in English, and started writing books a year later.
Jennie was a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart contest in 2003 and won the award in 2005. A fellow 2003 finalist, Australian author Trish Morey, read Jennie’s writing and told her that she should write for Harlequin Presents. It seemed like too big a dream, but Jennie took a deep breath and went for it. A year later, after seven years of writing and eight finished manuscripts, Jennie got the magical call from London that turned her into a published author.
Since then, life has been hectic, juggling a writing career, a sexy husband and two young children, but Jennie loves her crazy, chaotic life. Who needs a clean house? Every day, Jennie gets swept into drama, glamour and passion. Now if she can only figure out how to pack up her family and live in all the places she’s writing about!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
February 11, 2018
I'm going to go against the tide on this one, but I hated this heroine. I know the hero was a jealous, insecure jerk - but that heroine would drive anyone around the bend.
When the story opens, she was going to marry a guy "her best friend" to give her secret baby a name and NEVER TELL THE HERO.
No, just no.
I don't care if he was a jerk after your one night stand, you don't enter a marriage of convenience with your "best friend" and live a lie to your child. I don't believe that her family would have shunned her if she was an unwed mother. Not in this day and age - yes, even in North Dakota.
Her sister told the hero the day before the wedding. Why? Because she was in love with the heroine's "best friend" and she wasn't going to stand by and let them enter a loveless marriage. The heroine was absolutely right when she realized HOW MANY lives she was going to ruin with that ill-advised marriage.
And her "best friend" who lived on her couch for a year? With no job? WTH? What kind of guy is that? I didn't see a lot of "best friend" I saw a lot of "Nice guy" antics going on.
And her loving family? She was afraid to go home pregnant and when she did call them after having the baby, they were abusive on the phone. No. Just no. These are toxic people and no wonder the heroine is such a mess.
So the jealous, controlling, possessive hero?
I felt for him.
After his ONS with the heroine he was celibate, even though he thought the heroine was cheating on her fiance (the "best friend" from the couch) with him. He also had no road map for his feelings and he felt betrayed by the heroine. Well, guess what? He *was* betrayed by the heroine. She didn't tell him she was living with Mr. Nice Guy and she didn't tell him she was pregnant. Why should he trust her? Especially when she goes on and on about her "best friend" after they are married.
Who does that?
The Spanish billionaire going huntn' and fishin' with the heroine's father and "best friend" at the end was a bit much. Her father hated him at the beginning because he was rich and owned a bunch of the oil fields around his farm. The 180 gave me whiplash.
The jealous, controlling hero seemed like the only sincere, consistent character in the whole story. (The "best friend" latched on to the heroine's sister) Hopefully, Marisol (love that name) will take after her dad and not her lying, passive aggressive mother.
When the story opens, she was going to marry a guy "her best friend" to give her secret baby a name and NEVER TELL THE HERO.
No, just no.
I don't care if he was a jerk after your one night stand, you don't enter a marriage of convenience with your "best friend" and live a lie to your child. I don't believe that her family would have shunned her if she was an unwed mother. Not in this day and age - yes, even in North Dakota.
Her sister told the hero the day before the wedding. Why? Because she was in love with the heroine's "best friend" and she wasn't going to stand by and let them enter a loveless marriage. The heroine was absolutely right when she realized HOW MANY lives she was going to ruin with that ill-advised marriage.
And her "best friend" who lived on her couch for a year? With no job? WTH? What kind of guy is that? I didn't see a lot of "best friend" I saw a lot of "Nice guy" antics going on.
And her loving family? She was afraid to go home pregnant and when she did call them after having the baby, they were abusive on the phone. No. Just no. These are toxic people and no wonder the heroine is such a mess.
So the jealous, controlling, possessive hero?
I felt for him.
After his ONS with the heroine he was celibate, even though he thought the heroine was cheating on her fiance (the "best friend" from the couch) with him. He also had no road map for his feelings and he felt betrayed by the heroine. Well, guess what? He *was* betrayed by the heroine. She didn't tell him she was living with Mr. Nice Guy and she didn't tell him she was pregnant. Why should he trust her? Especially when she goes on and on about her "best friend" after they are married.
Who does that?
The Spanish billionaire going huntn' and fishin' with the heroine's father and "best friend" at the end was a bit much. Her father hated him at the beginning because he was rich and owned a bunch of the oil fields around his farm. The 180 gave me whiplash.
The jealous, controlling hero seemed like the only sincere, consistent character in the whole story. (The "best friend" latched on to the heroine's sister) Hopefully, Marisol (love that name) will take after her dad and not her lying, passive aggressive mother.
January 28, 2013
I have this feeling that Jennie Lucas always has fun writing her books. They are so dramatic! She doesn't seem fearful about going for it with story ideas. This book has some very iconic imagery, such as Callie sitting on the steps of her old apartment, in a too-big wedding dress hiding her pregnant belly. Her hand full of wilting flowers for her bridal bouquet. And Eduardo shows up and demands the truth about her pregnancy. Drags her off to his car and away from her best friend, who is about to marry Callie. That was powerful. Other moments, like Callie going into labor and the Judge hurriedly marrying them. The characters are very intense, particularly Eduardo. He has such a little boy lost feel to him. Confused by his powerful feelings for Callie. His fear of losing her, but holding back because he thinks that love will make that loss even more inevitable. What he does, in desperation to keep her to himself, in their nuclear family with their baby, is pretty ruthless. I didn't know how I felt about that. I mean, it was very wrong, but I felt bad for this guy that he was so desperate to go to those extremes. I wasn't exactly sure about Brandon. Was he a little bit calculated when it came to Callie? Maybe obsessive? I wish this part had been more clear. As it was, it felt like a mix of Eduardo's paranoia and some intentional behavior on Brandon's part.
I sort of didn't like the way things went towards the end. I felt that both of them weren't truly fighting for what they wanted. Yeah, it was angsty, but a romance buzz-kill. One part gave me an icky feeling. Kind of hard to describe. I didn't find it that romantic, is the best way to put it.
To Love, Honor and Betray overall, was an enjoyable read. Definitely a bit over the top in some ways. The love scenes were very sensual and kinda spicy. If you like your Harlequin Presents with lotsa drama, this one will work for you. If you don't like that 'out there' kind of HP drama, pass this one by. I admit that the soapy drama-loving gal inside of me definitely does.
I sort of didn't like the way things went towards the end. I felt that both of them weren't truly fighting for what they wanted. Yeah, it was angsty, but a romance buzz-kill. One part gave me an icky feeling. Kind of hard to describe. I didn't find it that romantic, is the best way to put it.
To Love, Honor and Betray overall, was an enjoyable read. Definitely a bit over the top in some ways. The love scenes were very sensual and kinda spicy. If you like your Harlequin Presents with lotsa drama, this one will work for you. If you don't like that 'out there' kind of HP drama, pass this one by. I admit that the soapy drama-loving gal inside of me definitely does.
July 4, 2012
I love Jennie Lucas's books and this one is no exception.At first reading,I really wanted to clobber the hero ,but as the story went on ,I became to understand him,this man who is so full of his insecurities and the lenghts he took to keep the heroine all to himself.While I don't condone what he did,I understood why.Jennie Lucas can write some truly beautiful romances and this one did deliver for me,after all ,what young girl does not believe in a Prince Charming when she is young,and when she does finally meet him,he is not perfect,and somewhat tarnished ,but still the man of her dreams.Why 5*** and not 4***,because I simply loved it.
March 28, 2020
Whew! My first book by Jennie Lucas and . . . I liked it. Trying out new authors can be a bit like Russian roulette, it's not lethal but still risky. Anyway, this was a decent and rather sappy romance filled with some passion, angst, and betrayal.
Some of that sappiness came from the ending and some from the heroine. Callie might have moved to New York City, but she still retained the heart of a Midwest girl. It's not a bad thing in of itself, but Callie was a little too sweet and sentimental for her own good which made her vulnerable to being taken advantage of. Being a pushover was the reason why she let her "best friend" off the hook so easily for his betrayal. It annoyed me that he also received his own happy ending. That was a bit much especially since he didn't express any remorse for his meddling and stalking.
Speaking of controlling behavior, Eduardo was a sympathetic hero in spite of his flaws. He, at least, expressed remorse for his bad behavior later. The author did a good job delving into Eduardo's psyche, which clarified the reasons behind his trust and insecurity issues. I liked how he actually took steps to improve himself as a person , which showed a maturity and self-awareness. Eduardo was already a loving, wonderful father and, by the time the story ended, on his way to becoming a better husband.
A sweet love story reaffirming how the love of a good woman can indeed inspire a man to become a better person.
Some of that sappiness came from the ending and some from the heroine. Callie might have moved to New York City, but she still retained the heart of a Midwest girl. It's not a bad thing in of itself, but Callie was a little too sweet and sentimental for her own good which made her vulnerable to being taken advantage of. Being a pushover was the reason why she let her "best friend" off the hook so easily for his betrayal. It annoyed me that he also received his own happy ending. That was a bit much especially since he didn't express any remorse for his meddling and stalking.
Speaking of controlling behavior, Eduardo was a sympathetic hero in spite of his flaws. He, at least, expressed remorse for his bad behavior later. The author did a good job delving into Eduardo's psyche, which clarified the reasons behind his trust and insecurity issues. I liked how he actually took steps to improve himself as a person , which showed a maturity and self-awareness. Eduardo was already a loving, wonderful father and, by the time the story ended, on his way to becoming a better husband.
A sweet love story reaffirming how the love of a good woman can indeed inspire a man to become a better person.
November 28, 2012
This was such a cute love story……..Cinderella gets her Prince…..well he wasn't exactly a prince when she first met him!!! Talk about missing lines of communication between two “torn” lovers.
I always enjoy reading Jennie Lucas novels and this one is one of them. Not going much into the story synopsis – here’s a short version of it:
She thought she'd found the perfect man in her dangerously seductive boss, Eduardo Cruz, but "Get out!" wasn't exactly the morning-after treatment she'd hoped for.
Holding her wilting bouquet, Callie waits for her groom—her best friend, a man she'd never kissed, or even wanted to kiss.
But once the eminently powerful Eduardo knows about the bump concealed under Callie's oversize, secondhand wedding dress, there's no way he's going to let her walk up the aisle with someone else.
So after an enjoyable and quick read…. what did I think and feel -
...LOTS OF SPOILERS....BEWARE........
• The beautiful and lovely and adorable farm girl from Nebraska arrives in the big city and gets a dream job working for the dreamiest guy, flying on private jets all over the world etc etc.
• One night the boss is switched on to her after a few years I have to add and he takes her virginity and immediately tells her to get out of his penthouse..ugh????
• I had a smile on my face for most of the time that I was reading…..Callie, short for Calliope – how on earth would someone living in a farm in the Nebraskan boondocks come up with a name like that…I don’t mean to disrespect anyone from Nebraska but I was kind of taken by that!!!! She’s sweet, she loves her rogue now ex-boss so much but decides to keep a HUGE secret from him…hello…the scene where she’s waiting for her to be bridegroom is beyond hilarious…loved it,
• Now, something I found a bit OTT….okay so she WRITES letters to her family and they write letters back to her………hey don’t they have email in the countryside????? Oh, I did find out later in the story that they do indeed because Callie’s mother posts the news of Callie’s sister’s upcoming wedding on…………yes THE WEB!!!! I was hysterical by this time!!!!
• I found the secondary characters absolutely fabulous…..her best friend who thinks he loves her but really in one day discovers that he loves her sister…And Callie’s sister…thank you so much – your interference saved Callie’s day and made sure she made the right decision and lived happily ever after with her handsome BILLIONAIRE…….too bad about the Rolls Royce but at least you do get a small farm so you can live happily ever after with the idiot who never realized you were his heartthrob whilst he was doing all the wicked things he did to Callie which could have really resulted in a lot of heartache and tears.
• Now Callie’s parents – too lovable….i loved the whole family arriving in Morocco…and the scene in the souk…..omg I was rolling on the floor……talk about misunderstandings!!!!!!!!
• Eduardo……did I think he was a twit in the beginning but how could I not warm up to him and be dazzled by the chance of heart…no, an alpha male that actually willingly goes to a “head doctor” to fix himself up for the woman he loves beyond anything in the world has to grab my heart………and then…boohoo….he gives in….compromises and he and Callie now have this beautiful baby doll named MARISOL…………I have to check something out here….are there a lot of people in Nebraska with such exciting names? I was so enamored with this man that I even forgave him for hiding all those LETTERS that were written to and fro between the Woodville family and that pesky Brandon, who just kept hovering around not only in the USA but MOROCCO as well……….a lot of travelling the world was done here!!!!
• The ending was so much more than just sweet and cute………getting married in Callie’s farm, in one of the barns….swoon swoon!!!!! And to know that Callie and her family will also be near each other….because why????? Read this book and find out WHY.
• OH GOSH………I almost forgot a VERY important part in this book……..the sex scenes………where they HOT or not???? I had to remind myself that I was actually reading a Mills & Boon novel……….adventurous, sexy, erotic, sensual...Eduardo is some hottie………in bed…Oooh, I had to fan my cheeks a few times…..JUST KIDDING. But really this was a seriously sexy and hot book.
I loved this book – put a smile on my face, surprised by those unexpected twists and turns and the quirky characters that will I remember once in a while, leaving a smile on my face all over again.
Jenny, I LOVED IT. Give us romance “foxes” more of your fab stories and characters.
January 9, 2013
Loved this book, love Jeannie Lucas's writing. The hero was brooding, possessive, intense and I thought he was powerful and hunky but never a jerk! In fact he was very sensitive and had a lot of issues that made me wanna hug him! He is an amazing man.
The level of emotional and physical passion was high and the love scenes steamy and intense. One of the most romantic and passionate books I've ever read!
The level of emotional and physical passion was high and the love scenes steamy and intense. One of the most romantic and passionate books I've ever read!
November 7, 2021
This is the first book I have read by this author and I really liked it! I will be reading more of her work and I highly recommend this book! I have to say the hero was beyond cruel. He did and said awful things that ate at me. Yes, he redeemed himself towards the last.
At this time in my life I have a much clearer understanding and perspective of how affected you can still be as an adult that stems from a childhood that was less than.
Callie is a sweet, innocent young woman of twenty-four. She thought she had found the love of her life in her gorgeous and powerful boss, Eduardo Cruz. The morning after their only night together, he kicked her out of his bed, out of his home, out of his life, and fired her making sure she would never work in the city again. Unfortunately for her, she has no idea why he is doing this and it breaks her heart. She discovers a gift he left her with a couple of months later and her best friend, Brandon, comes to the rescue and offers to marry her. They have been friends since childhood but she has no desire for him. Eduardo finds out about the hidden secret under her too large wedding dress and intercepts her, determined to marry her himself.
Eduardo Cruz was orphaned at ten-years-old and was brought to the U.S. by an Aunt. He started at the bottom and has worked his way up in the business realm that has increased his bank account by the billions. He is an arrogant, bossy, controlling, and gorgeous man (did I say he was to die for) who goes through women faster than you can snap your fingers. They all know up front that they will never have him...it is just a physical release.
I enjoyed viewing both sides of this story. Learning where Eduardo came from, the struggles he faced in his life and how they made him what he is today was interesting and explained much of his behavior. Callie's background was so different and she was raised in a loving home. Knowing how they each got to where they are now and how all of the misunderstandings came about was a very nice touch and drew me deeper into the story.
At this time in my life I have a much clearer understanding and perspective of how affected you can still be as an adult that stems from a childhood that was less than.
Callie is a sweet, innocent young woman of twenty-four. She thought she had found the love of her life in her gorgeous and powerful boss, Eduardo Cruz. The morning after their only night together, he kicked her out of his bed, out of his home, out of his life, and fired her making sure she would never work in the city again. Unfortunately for her, she has no idea why he is doing this and it breaks her heart. She discovers a gift he left her with a couple of months later and her best friend, Brandon, comes to the rescue and offers to marry her. They have been friends since childhood but she has no desire for him. Eduardo finds out about the hidden secret under her too large wedding dress and intercepts her, determined to marry her himself.
Eduardo Cruz was orphaned at ten-years-old and was brought to the U.S. by an Aunt. He started at the bottom and has worked his way up in the business realm that has increased his bank account by the billions. He is an arrogant, bossy, controlling, and gorgeous man (did I say he was to die for) who goes through women faster than you can snap your fingers. They all know up front that they will never have him...it is just a physical release.
I enjoyed viewing both sides of this story. Learning where Eduardo came from, the struggles he faced in his life and how they made him what he is today was interesting and explained much of his behavior. Callie's background was so different and she was raised in a loving home. Knowing how they each got to where they are now and how all of the misunderstandings came about was a very nice touch and drew me deeper into the story.
March 16, 2016
When it comes to dramatic romance, Jennie takes the cake.
A reader experiences the perfect blend of all emotions tied in a story.
Eduardo is an alpha-male, putting on a facade of coldness, ruthlessness, and toughness;
when in actuality, he was very affectionate, and concerned about Callie (we see that from the begining when she stated she was in labour).
And the only reason he does not allow her to meet up with Brandon or her family, is because he could not bear to see Callie in tears.
He was never a "lousy" husband.
(He did do the right thing, because if Callie had met up with them any time earlier, history would repeat itself - like that time at the hospital)
In my opinion, Eduardo's actions are perfectly justified, when he told her to leave the next morning after their passionate night together - he thought he was betrayed....and who would not?.....when the next morning he found another man in Callie's house (someone like Brandon...ugh....he could not even inform Callie that he was coming over).
Honestly, I did not like Brandon - in my opinions Samantha did not deserve such an unforgiving jerk....(he was still "scowling", when Callie made recompensation for Eduardo's behaviour towards him).
And yet, Eduardo loved Callie; he had not been with anyone (for a year!), after being with her.
Callie is a bit stupid, it took some time for common sense to get knocked into her head.
She believed the worst of Eduardo, and even after finding out what he did to the letters, she should have simply understood why he did so! (I can't get how she could not understand even after meeting with Brandon who demanded a divorce).
She left him in the middle of the night, instead of sorting out her problems like an adult (like I said, it took some time for common sense to get knocked into her head)
After 2 months of their seperation, Eduardo's love for her did not vanish, and Callie, at last, well, just realised how much he meant to her.
I would really love an epilogue, but even without it, this still deserves a 5-star.
A reader experiences the perfect blend of all emotions tied in a story.
Eduardo is an alpha-male, putting on a facade of coldness, ruthlessness, and toughness;
when in actuality, he was very affectionate, and concerned about Callie (we see that from the begining when she stated she was in labour).
And the only reason he does not allow her to meet up with Brandon or her family, is because he could not bear to see Callie in tears.
He was never a "lousy" husband.
(He did do the right thing, because if Callie had met up with them any time earlier, history would repeat itself - like that time at the hospital)
In my opinion, Eduardo's actions are perfectly justified, when he told her to leave the next morning after their passionate night together - he thought he was betrayed....and who would not?.....when the next morning he found another man in Callie's house (someone like Brandon...ugh....he could not even inform Callie that he was coming over).
Honestly, I did not like Brandon - in my opinions Samantha did not deserve such an unforgiving jerk....(he was still "scowling", when Callie made recompensation for Eduardo's behaviour towards him).
And yet, Eduardo loved Callie; he had not been with anyone (for a year!), after being with her.
Callie is a bit stupid, it took some time for common sense to get knocked into her head.
She believed the worst of Eduardo, and even after finding out what he did to the letters, she should have simply understood why he did so! (I can't get how she could not understand even after meeting with Brandon who demanded a divorce).
She left him in the middle of the night, instead of sorting out her problems like an adult (like I said, it took some time for common sense to get knocked into her head)
After 2 months of their seperation, Eduardo's love for her did not vanish, and Callie, at last, well, just realised how much he meant to her.
I would really love an epilogue, but even without it, this still deserves a 5-star.
December 1, 2016
Yay!! Really enjoyable book.
Super cute. Really fun read. I found this on accident while looking through my library app and I read the synopsis, I just couldn't resist.
Super cute. Really fun read. I found this on accident while looking through my library app and I read the synopsis, I just couldn't resist.
March 31, 2016
Communication is the key, people.
October 11, 2017
***3.5 STARS***
Not bad. Exactly what would be expected from this kind of HR story. :)
Not bad. Exactly what would be expected from this kind of HR story. :)
August 11, 2012
4.5 stars
When it comes to dark, dramatic stories Jennie Lucas is one of the best, and this book is no exception.
This book has such a frantic pace, right from the word go, and is very exciting to read.
The hero is complex, very complex. He is damaged and confused, and his actions towards the heroine are a result of his background. No excuses are made for his, at times, appalling behaviour, it's not a case of 'he's an alpha-male so it's ok' Jennie Lucas makes it clear he has some serious issues and needs help, which is brilliant to read. Very gripping.
The heroine is the perfect match to the hero, she's so kind and caring but also tough. The sparks that fly between these two are immense!
This book has everything I like in a good Modern/Presents, plenty of drama and emotion plus an added layer of brutal reality that really kept me hooked all the way through.
Loved the ending! A very good read.
Originally posted at http://www.everyday-is-the-same.blogs...
When it comes to dark, dramatic stories Jennie Lucas is one of the best, and this book is no exception.
This book has such a frantic pace, right from the word go, and is very exciting to read.
The hero is complex, very complex. He is damaged and confused, and his actions towards the heroine are a result of his background. No excuses are made for his, at times, appalling behaviour, it's not a case of 'he's an alpha-male so it's ok' Jennie Lucas makes it clear he has some serious issues and needs help, which is brilliant to read. Very gripping.
The heroine is the perfect match to the hero, she's so kind and caring but also tough. The sparks that fly between these two are immense!
This book has everything I like in a good Modern/Presents, plenty of drama and emotion plus an added layer of brutal reality that really kept me hooked all the way through.
Loved the ending! A very good read.
Originally posted at http://www.everyday-is-the-same.blogs...
December 30, 2018
3,5 stars
October 7, 2019
Hero's insane in the membrane, but this was unputdownable!
September 13, 2016
Callie is waiting for fiancé Brandon to come get her for their courthouse wedding. She’s 8.5 months pregnant with another man’s baby, but dear Brandon doesn't mind. Callie’s wearing an ill-fitting cheap second-hand wedding dress, and clutching a wilted bouquet, and she’s really pregnant and really grumpy.
Brandon is such a great pal. They’ve known each other forever and now that Callie is jobless and homeless in New York, unemployed Brandon is her meal ticket home. He’s fully prepped to never have sex with her, and claim the baby as his own. When they get to North Dakota, they’ll move in with Callie’s farmer parents, and Callie’s little sister Sami. Although maybe Sami should go. Yes, Sami should definitely go, because when Callie rang her last night with the good news, Sami yelled at her for being the most selfish person alive and hung up. Sami’s a wee bit jealous because she’s in love with Brandon.
But everything will be great when Callie’s back mooching off her parents in North Dakota! She and her baby will live a simple, pleasant rural life, and Callie will forget all about the handsome billionaire boss who stole her virginity and her heart. And then he fired her! And because she’d been living rent free in the swanky apartment he’d got for her, she can’t stay there either! So mean. He is the worst man alive, she’s spent months telling everyone so, and she’s never going to let him know he’s got a child, because he’ll wreck everything.
Then Callie notices that a posh big car is on her street. It’s Eduardo, her billionaire ex-boss. He’s handsome and angry and demanding his parental rights. Brandon shows up as Eduardo bundles Callie into the car, and gets to watch helplessly as they drive away.
Then, they get down to business. They are getting married, so the baby will have Eduardo’s name, and they are staying married for three months.
Back after they had sex that one time, Eduardo found out that Brandon had been living with Callie in her one-bedroom apartment for ages. Sure, she still had a hymen, but what else had those two been up to, hmm? And besides, Brandon told Eduardo that he and Callie were engaged.
Callie starts to protest that they weren’t, and by the way doesn’t Eduardo remember she had a hymen, and therefore knows literally nothing about sexy-times? But then she remembers that in high school she and Brandon pledged to marry if they were still single at 30, and maybe Brandon was thinking about that?
So how did Eduardo find out about the baby, and find the time to get this pre-nup together? Which, by the way, Callie has only glanced through so she can find the money section, and demonstrate how great she is by protesting that it’s too much.
Eduardo found out from Sami, and why is Callie grimacing like that and breathing funny? Oh no reason, she’s just in labour!
I completely loved this beginning. Callie and Eduardo drove around New York picking up documents and bickering. Then they got Callie to the hospital and she started having the baby without anaesthetics and they started bickering about what they would call her. It was incredibly funny, but Callie’s awful.
And Eduardo is kind of awful too. He’s gorgeous and sexy and rich. He’s got some hang ups from his parent’s marriage ... and he’s a tiny bit crazy. He’s very alpha, and he’s very good at getting his own way.
I’d have been a bit more concerned about his patriarchal attitudes towards Callie, and the fact that he keeps her a prisoner, if I’d been at all worried about Callie. I wasn’t. The whole plot bubbles along being completely over the top. Eduardo is busy preventing Callie from leaving. He doesn’t have to be too smart about it either, because Callie, bless her, is a bit thick. Sure, she’s just had a baby and she’s all distracted, but Callie is happiest when relying on someone else to make sure everything’s running smoothly. She doesn’t want to do confrontation, or be bothered with the details. She doesn’t want to be bothered by how others feel about her actions (Brandon, Sami, her parents, Eduardo), can’t they see how busy she is having her own, far more important feelings? And being a mother?
This is one of those romances where I can’t connect to the characters, and the heroine in particular. I thought she was at best, silly, and at worst, incredibly self-centred. I wasn’t ever frustrated or angry on either Callie or Eduardo’s behalf. I didn’t worry for them or get caught up in their emotional journey. But I was also never frustrated with them, or found that they tipped over into being just horrible people. The Brandon story is particularly awesome. He was not going to give up on his chance at a lifetime of unrequited love. He was bizarrely competent in some ways, but also completely hopeless in others.
I thought they were entertaining and the plot is a wonderful piece of romance drama, and that the book is proper over the top HP. This is another recommendation from Emona, thank you :) I may not love the characters, but I love the way JL tells a story.
Brandon is such a great pal. They’ve known each other forever and now that Callie is jobless and homeless in New York, unemployed Brandon is her meal ticket home. He’s fully prepped to never have sex with her, and claim the baby as his own. When they get to North Dakota, they’ll move in with Callie’s farmer parents, and Callie’s little sister Sami. Although maybe Sami should go. Yes, Sami should definitely go, because when Callie rang her last night with the good news, Sami yelled at her for being the most selfish person alive and hung up. Sami’s a wee bit jealous because she’s in love with Brandon.
But everything will be great when Callie’s back mooching off her parents in North Dakota! She and her baby will live a simple, pleasant rural life, and Callie will forget all about the handsome billionaire boss who stole her virginity and her heart. And then he fired her! And because she’d been living rent free in the swanky apartment he’d got for her, she can’t stay there either! So mean. He is the worst man alive, she’s spent months telling everyone so, and she’s never going to let him know he’s got a child, because he’ll wreck everything.
Then Callie notices that a posh big car is on her street. It’s Eduardo, her billionaire ex-boss. He’s handsome and angry and demanding his parental rights. Brandon shows up as Eduardo bundles Callie into the car, and gets to watch helplessly as they drive away.
Then, they get down to business. They are getting married, so the baby will have Eduardo’s name, and they are staying married for three months.
Back after they had sex that one time, Eduardo found out that Brandon had been living with Callie in her one-bedroom apartment for ages. Sure, she still had a hymen, but what else had those two been up to, hmm? And besides, Brandon told Eduardo that he and Callie were engaged.
Callie starts to protest that they weren’t, and by the way doesn’t Eduardo remember she had a hymen, and therefore knows literally nothing about sexy-times? But then she remembers that in high school she and Brandon pledged to marry if they were still single at 30, and maybe Brandon was thinking about that?
So how did Eduardo find out about the baby, and find the time to get this pre-nup together? Which, by the way, Callie has only glanced through so she can find the money section, and demonstrate how great she is by protesting that it’s too much.
Eduardo found out from Sami, and why is Callie grimacing like that and breathing funny? Oh no reason, she’s just in labour!
I completely loved this beginning. Callie and Eduardo drove around New York picking up documents and bickering. Then they got Callie to the hospital and she started having the baby without anaesthetics and they started bickering about what they would call her. It was incredibly funny, but Callie’s awful.
And Eduardo is kind of awful too. He’s gorgeous and sexy and rich. He’s got some hang ups from his parent’s marriage ... and he’s a tiny bit crazy. He’s very alpha, and he’s very good at getting his own way.
I’d have been a bit more concerned about his patriarchal attitudes towards Callie, and the fact that he keeps her a prisoner, if I’d been at all worried about Callie. I wasn’t. The whole plot bubbles along being completely over the top. Eduardo is busy preventing Callie from leaving. He doesn’t have to be too smart about it either, because Callie, bless her, is a bit thick. Sure, she’s just had a baby and she’s all distracted, but Callie is happiest when relying on someone else to make sure everything’s running smoothly. She doesn’t want to do confrontation, or be bothered with the details. She doesn’t want to be bothered by how others feel about her actions (Brandon, Sami, her parents, Eduardo), can’t they see how busy she is having her own, far more important feelings? And being a mother?
This is one of those romances where I can’t connect to the characters, and the heroine in particular. I thought she was at best, silly, and at worst, incredibly self-centred. I wasn’t ever frustrated or angry on either Callie or Eduardo’s behalf. I didn’t worry for them or get caught up in their emotional journey. But I was also never frustrated with them, or found that they tipped over into being just horrible people. The Brandon story is particularly awesome. He was not going to give up on his chance at a lifetime of unrequited love. He was bizarrely competent in some ways, but also completely hopeless in others.
I thought they were entertaining and the plot is a wonderful piece of romance drama, and that the book is proper over the top HP. This is another recommendation from Emona, thank you :) I may not love the characters, but I love the way JL tells a story.
June 5, 2012
Liked it but Eduardo's cold and hot behaviour had me frustrated,Callie was weak,took all cruel mean behaviour of Eduardo in hope of winning his love,though Eduardo's childhood made my heart ache for him,he suffered so much but still his treatment towards Callie angered me.He was always cruel and mean,hurting Callie with words,jealous possessive and his mistrust brought misery to them both.
Eduardo was a very very good father,in early marriage he was a lousy husband.he jumped to conclusion and literally made Callie a prisoner in their home.Finally Callie tells him what let to misunderstanding,he believes her but still he kept things from her thinking he was protecting but yet again hurt her and the mistrust was till there which seperated them but then both realize they still love each other too much and Eduardo also acknowledges his share of mistakes and goes to Callie,a tragedy strikes which yet again causes a minor misunderstanding but it is soon cleared and finally after trust issues,misunderstandings and jealousy they manage to get their HEA.
Eduardo was a very very good father,in early marriage he was a lousy husband.he jumped to conclusion and literally made Callie a prisoner in their home.Finally Callie tells him what let to misunderstanding,he believes her but still he kept things from her thinking he was protecting but yet again hurt her and the mistrust was till there which seperated them but then both realize they still love each other too much and Eduardo also acknowledges his share of mistakes and goes to Callie,a tragedy strikes which yet again causes a minor misunderstanding but it is soon cleared and finally after trust issues,misunderstandings and jealousy they manage to get their HEA.
July 19, 2012
I was just thrilled that this somehow managed to avoid my HP Pet Peeves lol Great if you're in the mood for a (typical to Harlequin Presents) overbearing hero, TONS of heartache, a BIG misunderstanding (originating from before the start of the book) and a dash of heat. Which, apparently, I was. 4.5/5 Stars, full review to follow.
February 9, 2022
3 ½ Stars ~ I was browsing through my tbr's and a few passages in this from Ms. Lucas, compelled me to read more.
Callie is a North Dakota farm girl who fell in love at first sight with her gorgeous Latin boss. Eduardo is a self-made oil tycoon whose painful childhood shaped him into an over achiever. He worked hard and kept his heart locked safely away. He thought Callie was different, and slowly he let his guard down and allowed their attraction to ignite. For one blissful night, both were entranced with the other, and then morning came and everything fell apart. Shocked Callie found herself kicked out of his bed, fired and bad mouthed from finding a new job. And then she found herself pregnant. If it hadn't been for the fact that Eduardo had earlier paid a years lease on her apartment, she'd have been homeless too.
And that brings her to her last day before heading back to North Dakota and the start of this book. Her best friend, Brandon, has persuaded her to marry him for the sake of the baby and to save her family scandal. Waiting on the curb outside her empty apartment waiting for her fiancé to arrive to take her to City Hall, along comes Eduardo to sweep her away to marry her himself. Only this isn't a happy ever after dream come true, for Eduardo had found out about the baby from Callie's sister and he's furious that Callie would allow another many to steal his right to fatherhood.
There are a lot of topsy-turvy emotions going on, both from Callie and Eduardo. The losses he experienced as a child dominates Eduardo's psyche. All he knows is that he has to protect his "family" at all costs, even if this means he has place his wife and child in a bubble where not even her family can come in. Of course Callie is oblivious to the fact that Eduardo has been cutting off her contacts with her family, she thinks they want nothing to do with her. Ah, but that little deception has to come to an end, and with it once again they find their whole world falling apart.
For the most part I really loved this story. Eduardo comes off rather badly at first, until the author lets us in to what he's experiencing and we can see that it's based on insecurities deeply ingrained. Callie has some guts and quickly pushes the right buttons to expose that Eduardo really won't take her baby from her, and with that knowledge she begins to trust him again. The parts I didn't care for have to do with that so called best friend Brandon and his obsession with Callie (which then moves on to Callie's sister Sami). While I understand the character, he just didn't work for me.
All in all, this was a bit of an angsty read and I enjoyed it very much. The HEA is done well. I love a hero who wakes up and goes after his heroine, of course, with a helping of crow. This is my first romance written by Ms Lucas, and I'm looking forward to read more of her books.
Callie is a North Dakota farm girl who fell in love at first sight with her gorgeous Latin boss. Eduardo is a self-made oil tycoon whose painful childhood shaped him into an over achiever. He worked hard and kept his heart locked safely away. He thought Callie was different, and slowly he let his guard down and allowed their attraction to ignite. For one blissful night, both were entranced with the other, and then morning came and everything fell apart. Shocked Callie found herself kicked out of his bed, fired and bad mouthed from finding a new job. And then she found herself pregnant. If it hadn't been for the fact that Eduardo had earlier paid a years lease on her apartment, she'd have been homeless too.
And that brings her to her last day before heading back to North Dakota and the start of this book. Her best friend, Brandon, has persuaded her to marry him for the sake of the baby and to save her family scandal. Waiting on the curb outside her empty apartment waiting for her fiancé to arrive to take her to City Hall, along comes Eduardo to sweep her away to marry her himself. Only this isn't a happy ever after dream come true, for Eduardo had found out about the baby from Callie's sister and he's furious that Callie would allow another many to steal his right to fatherhood.
There are a lot of topsy-turvy emotions going on, both from Callie and Eduardo. The losses he experienced as a child dominates Eduardo's psyche. All he knows is that he has to protect his "family" at all costs, even if this means he has place his wife and child in a bubble where not even her family can come in. Of course Callie is oblivious to the fact that Eduardo has been cutting off her contacts with her family, she thinks they want nothing to do with her. Ah, but that little deception has to come to an end, and with it once again they find their whole world falling apart.
For the most part I really loved this story. Eduardo comes off rather badly at first, until the author lets us in to what he's experiencing and we can see that it's based on insecurities deeply ingrained. Callie has some guts and quickly pushes the right buttons to expose that Eduardo really won't take her baby from her, and with that knowledge she begins to trust him again. The parts I didn't care for have to do with that so called best friend Brandon and his obsession with Callie (which then moves on to Callie's sister Sami). While I understand the character, he just didn't work for me.
All in all, this was a bit of an angsty read and I enjoyed it very much. The HEA is done well. I love a hero who wakes up and goes after his heroine, of course, with a helping of crow. This is my first romance written by Ms Lucas, and I'm looking forward to read more of her books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2014
Holy regressive Batman!
I love doormat-douchehole stuff, but reproductive dictatorship when I unwind? Don't we get enough of that from our government and society?
Consider this epitome of manliness,borderline raping his wife- just three months after she gave birth:
“I want to get you pregnant. Now.”
“We have eight bedrooms. I want to fill them. I want the noise and joy of many children."
“I’m your husband. I had every right.”
Just wow. How can you not love this stud? He who thinks his wife and possibly all women exist to breed. By Jove, how CAN someone resist his glorius sperm?
And of course, the excuse is shitty childhood.
It's a CONTEMPORARY romance. Update your thoughts.
I love doormat-douchehole stuff, but reproductive dictatorship when I unwind? Don't we get enough of that from our government and society?
Consider this epitome of manliness,borderline raping his wife- just three months after she gave birth:
“I want to get you pregnant. Now.”
“We have eight bedrooms. I want to fill them. I want the noise and joy of many children."
“I’m your husband. I had every right.”
Just wow. How can you not love this stud? He who thinks his wife and possibly all women exist to breed. By Jove, how CAN someone resist his glorius sperm?
And of course, the excuse is shitty childhood.
It's a CONTEMPORARY romance. Update your thoughts.
October 5, 2012
4.5 stars
A great read. As it's always expected from Jennie Lucas, this book has the right amount of emotions, tension & angst.
Callie is a sweet & innocent heroine but she isn't weak. She loved Eduardo from the first moment she saw him.
Eduardo is messed up by his dark childhood and by his insecurities. He can be ruthless even heartless in his dealing with Callie. first because of her supposed betrayal & secret pregnancy , and then because of his feeling of not being good enough for her & his fear of losing her. But his love for Callie shines in all his actions, and that somehow make me warm to him and understand - but not accept - his cruel decisions.
A great read. As it's always expected from Jennie Lucas, this book has the right amount of emotions, tension & angst.
Callie is a sweet & innocent heroine but she isn't weak. She loved Eduardo from the first moment she saw him.
Eduardo is messed up by his dark childhood and by his insecurities. He can be ruthless even heartless in his dealing with Callie. first because of her supposed betrayal & secret pregnancy , and then because of his feeling of not being good enough for her & his fear of losing her. But his love for Callie shines in all his actions, and that somehow make me warm to him and understand - but not accept - his cruel decisions.
July 21, 2012
It was a fairy good harlequin, except it didn't have the angst I typically liked. It started right off into the story pretty much and we weren't given too much background information. I didn't feel a lot of emotional connection to the characters unfortunately, which makes it hard for me to give it a good review. Everyone likes to relate. The hero was quite the liar and manipulator though, which left you waiting for him to get caught. The ending was a bit abrupt.
November 5, 2012
3.5 stars. I really wanted to punch Eduardo at one time in this book. He was awful to keep her from her family. He did have some serious hang ups, though.
At times he was loving and sweet, which is why I upped it half a star. Callie was a bit OTT at times but it was good enough to keep interested.
At times he was loving and sweet, which is why I upped it half a star. Callie was a bit OTT at times but it was good enough to keep interested.
February 5, 2017
So much around an impossible drama. Who writes letters and sends cards pictures nowadays and not even attempt to call, email, text message when their parents do not respond for seven long worrying months???!!!
Many contemporary writers do not know how to write a romance story around a likely plot.
Many contemporary writers do not know how to write a romance story around a likely plot.
October 18, 2017
It was a very nice, very intense and emotional read. I found the beginning both intriguing and amusing with Eduardo kidnapping Callie -- who's eight-month pregnant with his baby-- from Brandon, the best-friend she was about to marry in few minutes-- followed by their banter as they procure the marriage license --second for Callie this time to Eduardo-- she going into labour and their marriage minutes before she gave birth to their daughter. The judge who married them was one amusing character too. “Congratulations, you crazy kids,” the justice said, beaming at them. “You’re married.”
Eduardo was one of those complex, tortured heroes who're confused about the emotion of love and caring and so end up doing bad stuff that make you want to hate them. Even though, I was irked when he kept letters between Callie and her family and kept her like a prisoner not allowing her to meet her family, I was able to get why he did it. He felt very deeply for Callie and his daughter and he didn't want anyone tearing his little family apart and since her father had yelled at Callie, making her cry, when she called to inform him she'd given birth to her daughter, he was under the impression her family didn't love. That's what he's seen when he was growing up in his family. And, he thought only if family were rich they were loving toward one another. I felt sorry for him when he watches Callie being smothered with love from her family.
"Your family isn’t rich.”
She drew back, confused at the turn in conversation. “No. Especially not these days. My parents’ farm has had a rough couple years….”
He came closer, something strangely intense in his dark eyes. “But you all still love each other.”
“Of course we do,” she said, bewildered. “Like you said—we’re family.”
His jaw twitched as he rubbed his wrist. In the shadowy bedroom, she saw the flash of his platinum watch. “Growing up, I thought money made a family. That it made people actually love each other enough to stay.”
Right from the beginning it was evident he was totally into Callie. Especially his helplessness at the time of her delivery when he's unable to see Callie in pain and pleads to the nurse to" Help her," then kissing her at least twice on her sweaty forehead while she's in labour.
“Thank you, Callie, for the greatest gift of my life,” Eduardo said softly, stroking the baby’s cheek. He looked up, and his dark, luminous eyes pierced her soul. “A family.”
Callie was nice and caring and totally in love with Eduardo. I didn't like her blindness where Brandon was concerned though. I didn't like the Brandon angle. I didn't think he was the true friend that Callie thought he was. How can Callie not know he was in love with her? Why would a guy give up his life as farmer and land up in New York with no job to live with her for a year in the apartment Eduardo gave her when she was working for him? He had his own selfish motives when he lied to Eduardo telling him Callie was his fiancee when he felt she was falling in love with Eduardo, proposing marriage to Callie when she was pregnant with Eduardo's child and too interfering in Callie and Eduardo's affair. Yet, he was excused on the grounds of him being protective. Then, conveniently when he realized Callie would never love him, he suddenly fell madly in love with Callie's sister.
Eduardo and Callie's separation was heartbreaking especially the night before when he tells her he loves her and sets her free and their last love-making. Glad to see he took professional help to deal with his issue. Loved their daughter, Marisol. Such a doll.
Overall, a nice, emotional read.
Eduardo was one of those complex, tortured heroes who're confused about the emotion of love and caring and so end up doing bad stuff that make you want to hate them. Even though, I was irked when he kept letters between Callie and her family and kept her like a prisoner not allowing her to meet her family, I was able to get why he did it. He felt very deeply for Callie and his daughter and he didn't want anyone tearing his little family apart and since her father had yelled at Callie, making her cry, when she called to inform him she'd given birth to her daughter, he was under the impression her family didn't love. That's what he's seen when he was growing up in his family. And, he thought only if family were rich they were loving toward one another. I felt sorry for him when he watches Callie being smothered with love from her family.
"Your family isn’t rich.”
She drew back, confused at the turn in conversation. “No. Especially not these days. My parents’ farm has had a rough couple years….”
He came closer, something strangely intense in his dark eyes. “But you all still love each other.”
“Of course we do,” she said, bewildered. “Like you said—we’re family.”
His jaw twitched as he rubbed his wrist. In the shadowy bedroom, she saw the flash of his platinum watch. “Growing up, I thought money made a family. That it made people actually love each other enough to stay.”
Right from the beginning it was evident he was totally into Callie. Especially his helplessness at the time of her delivery when he's unable to see Callie in pain and pleads to the nurse to" Help her," then kissing her at least twice on her sweaty forehead while she's in labour.
“Thank you, Callie, for the greatest gift of my life,” Eduardo said softly, stroking the baby’s cheek. He looked up, and his dark, luminous eyes pierced her soul. “A family.”
Callie was nice and caring and totally in love with Eduardo. I didn't like her blindness where Brandon was concerned though. I didn't like the Brandon angle. I didn't think he was the true friend that Callie thought he was. How can Callie not know he was in love with her? Why would a guy give up his life as farmer and land up in New York with no job to live with her for a year in the apartment Eduardo gave her when she was working for him? He had his own selfish motives when he lied to Eduardo telling him Callie was his fiancee when he felt she was falling in love with Eduardo, proposing marriage to Callie when she was pregnant with Eduardo's child and too interfering in Callie and Eduardo's affair. Yet, he was excused on the grounds of him being protective. Then, conveniently when he realized Callie would never love him, he suddenly fell madly in love with Callie's sister.
Eduardo and Callie's separation was heartbreaking especially the night before when he tells her he loves her and sets her free and their last love-making. Glad to see he took professional help to deal with his issue. Loved their daughter, Marisol. Such a doll.
Overall, a nice, emotional read.
January 1, 2019
Standalone/Cliffhanger: Standalone
Ages of H and h: Late 20s and early 30s
Multi-Luv'n/Ménages:
Was There Descriptive Sex:
Descriptive Sex &/Or Drama Between H/h With OW/OM:
>>If So, Before or After H/h Hookup:
Contains Cheating:
Amount of Sex In The Book:
HEA/HFN/etc Ending:
Will This Meet My 'Safety Gang' Buddies' Approval:
Any Triggers/Warnings: Yes
>>Detail: Callie was gonna marry her best friend in an effort to give her baby a 'father'. Her sister is in love with said best friend and tells Eduardo about the baby.
Do You Recommend This Book: Yes.
Will You Re-read This Book: No
Would You Read More Books By This Author: Yes
My Thoughts
What I liked about this book is that there were significant parts of the book where they all interacted as a family, where the baby was involved. it's nice to see that with a harlequin. However I'm glad that Eduardo let Callie go for a short while. It was very important for their relationship and I'm glad that Eduardo went to therapy for his issues.
Ages of H and h: Late 20s and early 30s
Multi-Luv'n/Ménages:
Was There Descriptive Sex:
Descriptive Sex &/Or Drama Between H/h With OW/OM:
>>If So, Before or After H/h Hookup:
Contains Cheating:
Amount of Sex In The Book:
HEA/HFN/etc Ending:
Will This Meet My 'Safety Gang' Buddies' Approval:
Any Triggers/Warnings: Yes
>>Detail: Callie was gonna marry her best friend in an effort to give her baby a 'father'. Her sister is in love with said best friend and tells Eduardo about the baby.
Do You Recommend This Book: Yes.
Will You Re-read This Book: No
Would You Read More Books By This Author: Yes
My Thoughts
What I liked about this book is that there were significant parts of the book where they all interacted as a family, where the baby was involved. it's nice to see that with a harlequin. However I'm glad that Eduardo let Callie go for a short while. It was very important for their relationship and I'm glad that Eduardo went to therapy for his issues.
September 14, 2017
Aku membaca versi manga-nya, dan aku suka dengan gaya pemenggalan sang mangaka dalam membuat komiknya. Balon-balon dialognya juga tidak menyakiti mata, tapi yang lebih utama adalah aku suka dengan kisahnya!
September 28, 2016
This is one of the best Harlequin books that I have ever read. Passion, and intense emotions was felt throughout the story.
At the start of this book it was so easy to hate Eduardo who was Callie's boss of 3 years. At the end of the book he won my heart over. He made mistakes, but some of his mistakes were out of the love he found in his heart for Callie. He didn't think he could ever love anyone, and was shocked at his own feelings, and emotions that he found he did have for Callie. Callies character was easy to love too, she pulled at my heartstrings as I read this book. I would recommend this book, if you like a really good romance. I love books where people change for the better. The characters who you love to hate, would love to shout at, or throw something at, weave a place into your heart by the end of the book!
Eduardo didn't believe in love, or happy ever after's. His childhood tugged at my own heart. Here is a sample of the book from chapter 3. - Eduardo's stomach growled. there was no food at home, but that wasn't the reason. He'd been sent home from school early today for getting into a fight, but his father hadn't cared about what caused the fight. He'd just hit Eduardo across the face and kicked him from the house. He was too disabled and too drunk to do anything but lie on the couch and rage against his faithless wife. Eduardo's mother, who worked as a barmaid in the next village, had been coming home less and less, and three days ago, she'd disappeared completely. The boys at school had taunted Eduardo. Not even your mother thinks you're worth staying for.
Here is a sample from chapter 7 - " I Love you, Eduardo," Closing her eyes, she pressed her cheek against his bare chest. "I never stopped loving you, and I never will." A tremble went through his body as he stroked her hair,. Hearing those words on his wife's lips - the words he'd detested and avoided hearing from any other woman - was a sudden, precious gift. Sweet beyond measure. Poison in heart. Now he had even more to lose. Even more to protect. His arms tightened around her.
Here is a sample of the playful banter between Callie, and Eduardo. taking from chapter 8 - "You look hot, in all those clothes." She giggled. "You always say that. You told me I looked hot when it was pouring rain in London in January. I was shivering like a drowned rat and you started taking off my clothes.!" "I'm always available to help take off your clothes." Taking her hand in his own, he said innocently, "care for a nice refreshing swim?"
At the start of this book it was so easy to hate Eduardo who was Callie's boss of 3 years. At the end of the book he won my heart over. He made mistakes, but some of his mistakes were out of the love he found in his heart for Callie. He didn't think he could ever love anyone, and was shocked at his own feelings, and emotions that he found he did have for Callie. Callies character was easy to love too, she pulled at my heartstrings as I read this book. I would recommend this book, if you like a really good romance. I love books where people change for the better. The characters who you love to hate, would love to shout at, or throw something at, weave a place into your heart by the end of the book!
Eduardo didn't believe in love, or happy ever after's. His childhood tugged at my own heart. Here is a sample of the book from chapter 3. - Eduardo's stomach growled. there was no food at home, but that wasn't the reason. He'd been sent home from school early today for getting into a fight, but his father hadn't cared about what caused the fight. He'd just hit Eduardo across the face and kicked him from the house. He was too disabled and too drunk to do anything but lie on the couch and rage against his faithless wife. Eduardo's mother, who worked as a barmaid in the next village, had been coming home less and less, and three days ago, she'd disappeared completely. The boys at school had taunted Eduardo. Not even your mother thinks you're worth staying for.
Here is a sample from chapter 7 - " I Love you, Eduardo," Closing her eyes, she pressed her cheek against his bare chest. "I never stopped loving you, and I never will." A tremble went through his body as he stroked her hair,. Hearing those words on his wife's lips - the words he'd detested and avoided hearing from any other woman - was a sudden, precious gift. Sweet beyond measure. Poison in heart. Now he had even more to lose. Even more to protect. His arms tightened around her.
Here is a sample of the playful banter between Callie, and Eduardo. taking from chapter 8 - "You look hot, in all those clothes." She giggled. "You always say that. You told me I looked hot when it was pouring rain in London in January. I was shivering like a drowned rat and you started taking off my clothes.!" "I'm always available to help take off your clothes." Taking her hand in his own, he said innocently, "care for a nice refreshing swim?"
March 25, 2013
Callie had one night w/ her ruthless boss billionaire and then he kicked her out of his bed. There were repercussions from their night but Callie still hurting from his rejection of her opted not to tell him.
Didn’t use to bother me when the h opted not to tell H about bun in oven, but now….it kind of does. He had a right to know no matter how he treated her before. I wondered why Eduardo had done that awful thing to Callie and so I carried on through the story. He wasn’t a bad guy, he was misled - BAD! He also had a few hang-ups that caused him to do some pretty questionable things (like a virtual prisoner) to Callie – but really there has to be some angst (yet, this seemed rather soap operay at times) in some of these stories or they just get rather mundane. I felt that Eduardo’s misbehavior was explained well and that he learned that sometimes love involves RISK and not CONTROL. The story had a little bit of a tearful moment at the ending, but something didn’t make sense either. If he was told critical condition why wouldn’t he wonder about seeing her in the hall and then continue to believe engaged to OM?? I also felt that the player that instigated the misleading of Eduardo – got tied up pretty conveniently. It didn’t make a lot of sense that he carried a torch for so long and then directed it elsewhere quickly! He claimed that Callie had agreed that they would marry each other if neither did before 30 and so he took it upon himself to take away those extra 5 years from her because he felt she might find someone else. She was 25! He interfered and then apparently he was in contact w/ her sister whom he quickly falls for and yet sis acts like she has to go home to call him! Really, you had been in contact all along, right? Some of the soap stuff was created by Callie as well. She claims she can no longer be his wife and yet, she is hurt that he agrees!!
Overall I liked the story and believed in their HEA because some of the actions Eduardo made only made sense to me if he had feelings for Callie early on. He did. He just hid them and she
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2019
Meh. A total bogus read, surprisingly! Was expecting much more from most reviews. Started off with quite a romp and then totally fell apart.
The H has some insecurity issues and the h, just annoying. You say day to her, she'd argue on night. I personally thought the marriage was working just fine. The H saves the day quite dramatically by marrying her while she's in labor, and the h actually holds off on her recurrent contractions while she's running about signing pre-nups. Yeah ok. Does no woman ever.
The h annoyingly kept pining for her so-called best friend who's male. She had issues with being told what to do since Eduardo is old school (but my argument: marriage IS old school) and expects his wife to give the time of day to what he tells her to do or dont. The wife seemed like a total ungrateful tart. The non-existent bff who the h keeps wanting to see to the extent that the H is now divorcing her cuz he's sick of this weird attitude. (I agree).
Right after the divorce the bff is now married to the h's sister. h is now left missing her loving, possessive husband.
Tbh, not sure what the writer wanted to convey. A total fuck up of opinions. A woman who has no qualms for preferring to talk to her male bff as opposed to staying with her caveman husband, does not deserve the caveman husband. She should remain single and unaccomodating and have a male best friend and not pine for a "husband".
Mad as hell. Total waste of time.
The H has some insecurity issues and the h, just annoying. You say day to her, she'd argue on night. I personally thought the marriage was working just fine. The H saves the day quite dramatically by marrying her while she's in labor, and the h actually holds off on her recurrent contractions while she's running about signing pre-nups. Yeah ok. Does no woman ever.
The h annoyingly kept pining for her so-called best friend who's male. She had issues with being told what to do since Eduardo is old school (but my argument: marriage IS old school) and expects his wife to give the time of day to what he tells her to do or dont. The wife seemed like a total ungrateful tart. The non-existent bff who the h keeps wanting to see to the extent that the H is now divorcing her cuz he's sick of this weird attitude. (I agree).
Right after the divorce the bff is now married to the h's sister. h is now left missing her loving, possessive husband.
Tbh, not sure what the writer wanted to convey. A total fuck up of opinions. A woman who has no qualms for preferring to talk to her male bff as opposed to staying with her caveman husband, does not deserve the caveman husband. She should remain single and unaccomodating and have a male best friend and not pine for a "husband".
Mad as hell. Total waste of time.
July 10, 2012
This was ok, but it isn't one of my favourite JL books
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