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A Whirlwind Marriage
Zeke Buchanan had swept Marianne off her feet, and their two-year marriage had been perfect—until recently….Their physical passion was as strong as ever, but was Zeke starting to regret their impulsive wedding?
The beautiful Liliana was clearly interested in more than a business relationship with Zeke. Was he tempted? Marianne was determined to save her marriage and prove to her husband that their honeymoon wasn't over, it was only just beginning!
The beautiful Liliana was clearly interested in more than a business relationship with Zeke. Was he tempted? Marianne was determined to save her marriage and prove to her husband that their honeymoon wasn't over, it was only just beginning!
192 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2000
88 people are currently reading
920 people want to read
About the author
Helen Brooks
405 books119 followersRita Bradshaw was born on 1949 in Northampton, England, where she was educated as a good Christian. She met Clive, her husband, at the age of 16 andnow the magic is still there. They have three lovely children, Cara, Faye, and Benjamin, and have always had a menagerie of animals in the house, which at the present is confined to two endearing and very comical dogs who would make a great double act on TV! The children, friends, and pets all keep the house buzzing and the food cupboards empty but Helen wouldn't have it any other way. She still lives today in Northampton with her family. Although having enjoyed some wonderful holidays abroad she has never been tempted to live anywhere else, although she rather likes the idea of a holiday home close to the sea one day.
Being a committed Christian and fervent animal lover she finds spare time is always at a premium, but long walks in the countryside with her husband and dogs, meals out followed by the cinema or theatre, reading, swimming, and having friends over for dinner are all fitted in somehow. She also enjoys sitting in her wonderfully therapeutic, rambling old garden in the sun with a glass of red wine, (under the guise of resting while thinking of course!)
For years, she was a secretary. She began writing in 1990 as she approached that milestone of a birthday 40! She realized her two teenage ambitions (writing a novel and learning to drive) had been lost amid babies and hectic family life, so set about resurrecting them.
Her first novel was for Mills and Boon and was accepted after one rewrite in 1992 as Helen Brooks, and she passed her driving test (the former was a joy and the latter an unmitigated nightmare!) She has written 50 novels as well as several sagas as Rita Bradshaw.
Since becoming a full-time writer she has found her occupation one of pure joy and often surprised when her characters develop a mind of their own but she loves exploring what makes people tick and finds the old adage "truth is stranger than fiction" to be absolutely true. She would love to hear from any readers care of Mills & Boon.
Being a committed Christian and fervent animal lover she finds spare time is always at a premium, but long walks in the countryside with her husband and dogs, meals out followed by the cinema or theatre, reading, swimming, and having friends over for dinner are all fitted in somehow. She also enjoys sitting in her wonderfully therapeutic, rambling old garden in the sun with a glass of red wine, (under the guise of resting while thinking of course!)
For years, she was a secretary. She began writing in 1990 as she approached that milestone of a birthday 40! She realized her two teenage ambitions (writing a novel and learning to drive) had been lost amid babies and hectic family life, so set about resurrecting them.
Her first novel was for Mills and Boon and was accepted after one rewrite in 1992 as Helen Brooks, and she passed her driving test (the former was a joy and the latter an unmitigated nightmare!) She has written 50 novels as well as several sagas as Rita Bradshaw.
Since becoming a full-time writer she has found her occupation one of pure joy and often surprised when her characters develop a mind of their own but she loves exploring what makes people tick and finds the old adage "truth is stranger than fiction" to be absolutely true. She would love to hear from any readers care of Mills & Boon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
November 24, 2019
I was expecting great things as marriage on rocks is one of my favorite tropes.
And it had a good ‘rocky’ beginning. I loved all the simmering discontent between the two. Impatience and irritation from his side; and anger, growing rebellion from hers. Theirs was a whirlwind marriage with both falling hard for each. Love is not a problem. They say those words to each often enough. So this is not the story where the three magical words suddenly bring on a hea.
**Spoilerish**
And it had a good ‘rocky’ beginning. I loved all the simmering discontent between the two. Impatience and irritation from his side; and anger, growing rebellion from hers. Theirs was a whirlwind marriage with both falling hard for each. Love is not a problem. They say those words to each often enough. So this is not the story where the three magical words suddenly bring on a hea.
**Spoilerish**
July 10, 2021
Helen Brooks is one of the best hp authors i have come across since i read her Lovers Not Friends which is amongst my very favourites!"Whirlwind Marriage" is another angst-filled romance about a married couple whose marriage are falling apart.Marianne and Zeke Buchanan have been married for 2 years,and while they both feel equal in love and passion, Zeke`s frightening jealousy and possessiveness is what makes his wife so unhappy.She leaves him under a cause of misunderstanding and later on knows that her husband is so tortured and vulnerable that emotions of love isn`t easy for him to show.In this story they get to start over in a new page...a journey filled with christmas joy of love-making and longing.Zeke and Marianne are both very extraordinary characters that are madly in love with each other,they need each other with their very being...as it is also clear in the stormy way Zeke swept his beloved off her feet with marriage directly after when he first met her.
I love Zeke`s dark,rugged and sexy muscularity.The danger and sex he oozed,and the way he filled every scene with his charismatic presence.If it was for him he would have locked her in a tower and thrown away the key,but as unhealthy as that notion is...Marianne teaches him to trust in her love for him.
I just love reading about married couples,its so swoony and romantic!I find this book a unforgettable keeper that i will re-read in the future!
I love Zeke`s dark,rugged and sexy muscularity.The danger and sex he oozed,and the way he filled every scene with his charismatic presence.If it was for him he would have locked her in a tower and thrown away the key,but as unhealthy as that notion is...Marianne teaches him to trust in her love for him.
I just love reading about married couples,its so swoony and romantic!I find this book a unforgettable keeper that i will re-read in the future!
November 23, 2019
Re A Whirlwind Marriage -I love this book, it is one of my top five HPlandia outings of all time. Helen Brooks does an excellent job of taking the standard unicorn grooming h and Alpha H in a much needed new direction where the H has to learn to stop being so controlling.
The big drama in this is that the h leaves H cause he basically wants her to stay home and only think about him. There is some interference from a former lover - who gets a nice smackdown from botht the h and the H, (and I have to say expecting your wife to live in an apartment decorated by ex lover and then expect her to tolerate you working with her is a bit tacky).
Anyhoo, the h dumps his sorry hiney and the H has to work on getting over being a controlling domineering ass to get her back. He does, she does and huge HEA with a baby bonus that doesn't preclude the h having a career of her own.
I enjoyed this book cause everybody grows up and acts like adults, except there is all the possessive domineering H qualities I like too
The big drama in this is that the h leaves H cause he basically wants her to stay home and only think about him. There is some interference from a former lover - who gets a nice smackdown from botht the h and the H, (and I have to say expecting your wife to live in an apartment decorated by ex lover and then expect her to tolerate you working with her is a bit tacky).
Anyhoo, the h dumps his sorry hiney and the H has to work on getting over being a controlling domineering ass to get her back. He does, she does and huge HEA with a baby bonus that doesn't preclude the h having a career of her own.
I enjoyed this book cause everybody grows up and acts like adults, except there is all the possessive domineering H qualities I like too
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2020
I’ve read this several times and I’ve never reviewed since I really don’t know what I think of it as a romance. I really enjoy the first half with the cheating storyline and how the hero puts the wannabe OW in her place.
It’s the second half that bothers me. Maybe the author didn’t set it up well enough for me? I was all in on the cheating/you-don’t-pay-attention-to-my-needs storyline. But the second storyline about the heroine finding herself and the hero opening up about his vulnerability didn’t feel like drilling deeper into this marriage – it felt like moving the goal posts.
And that’s when I came to dislike the heroine – cheating is solved, so now I’ll produce this hoop for the hero to leap through.
I also had problems with the ending. To me, the heroine was given her dream house and her baby and her job opportunity by the hero. As much as she wants the trappings of independence, it’s still the hero who provides everything. And what does he get in return? The heroine will stay with him?
Big whoop – she’ll be unhappy again in a few years. And the hero will still have that giant hole of insecurity. While it’s understandable the heroine wants to break out of her gilded cage – that’s work she has to do for herself – not make the hero do it for her after six weeks in a bedsit.
So, I didn’t have good feelings about this couple. Heroine is too exacting and hero is too vulnerable for marriage of true minds.
It’s still an entertaining read for the angst junkies out there.
It’s the second half that bothers me. Maybe the author didn’t set it up well enough for me? I was all in on the cheating/you-don’t-pay-attention-to-my-needs storyline. But the second storyline about the heroine finding herself and the hero opening up about his vulnerability didn’t feel like drilling deeper into this marriage – it felt like moving the goal posts.
And that’s when I came to dislike the heroine – cheating is solved, so now I’ll produce this hoop for the hero to leap through.
I also had problems with the ending. To me, the heroine was given her dream house and her baby and her job opportunity by the hero. As much as she wants the trappings of independence, it’s still the hero who provides everything. And what does he get in return? The heroine will stay with him?
Big whoop – she’ll be unhappy again in a few years. And the hero will still have that giant hole of insecurity. While it’s understandable the heroine wants to break out of her gilded cage – that’s work she has to do for herself – not make the hero do it for her after six weeks in a bedsit.
So, I didn’t have good feelings about this couple. Heroine is too exacting and hero is too vulnerable for marriage of true minds.
It’s still an entertaining read for the angst junkies out there.
September 8, 2019
After attempting to read a plethora of shitty stories, and dnf-ing about 99% of them, I finally got my hands on this little gem, and the Book Gods were good to me. I loved every second of this story. This was literally me after I finished the last page.
This has all the angst I could dream of from a woman who leaves her husband after discovering her suspicions are true that he's having an affair with his skank whore ex Liliana, The drama and heartbreak created by Zeke spending way more time with Liliana than his own wife sucked me right in, and I loved how it all blew up in his face, resulting in Marianne packing her few things she came into the marriage with and leaving him. Then I loved Marianne trying to find herself again and getting her career goals back on track again after leaving her husband and making her own way in the world. I adored every iota of angstiness (and the jealousies) these two experienced trying to find their way back to each other again, working through all the other problems their marriage suffered long before Liliana's monkeywrenching. This story was much richer than most of the other HP stories I've read before and I loved it. This one is absolutely going on my re-read list, and I'm definitely going to be checking out other stories by this author.
September 20, 2021
"I don't want you to see or to speak to anyone but me"
Ok, this is the hero.
He's a control freak and very very possessive. He married the heroine thinking she was young, naive, and would be a perfect barefoot-and-pregnant- tied-in-the kitchen kind of wife.
She's not satisfied with the lifestyle the hero proposes.
-she's nothing but a trophy wife, waiting for him and organising parties for his business partners
-after the marriage he takes her living in his bachelor flat which is also decorated by his ex-mistress
(yuck)
-he hires said ex-mistress for a job that is still trying to seduce him even under the heroine's nose.
-he's jealous and possessive and controls all her moves. He's also jealous and disapproving of her bf Pat
-one evening the hero calls the heroine saying he's staying out the night and she hears the ow's voice
-immediately after this she receives a call from a man who tells her he's ow's ex lover and ow and hero are having an affair.
-The heroine packs and leaves the hero.
-The hero is frantic and tries all tricks to win her back.
-The heroine wants a divorce.
That was a good book.
The hero was a control freak who wanted to own the heroine and was afraid that if she worked and met other men she would have left him-
He had traumatic childhood and thinks he's unlovable (how cuuuute), so he's afraid to lose her.
I loved how he immediately solved the issue of ow, even if I found a bit tacky that he had to hire her for the job.
Was not any other decorator available in all the world???
Ridiculous.
He asked for it.
Then I loved that the heroine wanted to solve all their issues before giving up and coming back to him.
I loved Pat, heroine's friend.
Very good indeed.
Ok, this is the hero.
He's a control freak and very very possessive. He married the heroine thinking she was young, naive, and would be a perfect barefoot-and-pregnant- tied-in-the kitchen kind of wife.
She's not satisfied with the lifestyle the hero proposes.
-she's nothing but a trophy wife, waiting for him and organising parties for his business partners
-after the marriage he takes her living in his bachelor flat which is also decorated by his ex-mistress
(yuck)
-he hires said ex-mistress for a job that is still trying to seduce him even under the heroine's nose.
-he's jealous and possessive and controls all her moves. He's also jealous and disapproving of her bf Pat
-one evening the hero calls the heroine saying he's staying out the night and she hears the ow's voice
-immediately after this she receives a call from a man who tells her he's ow's ex lover and ow and hero are having an affair.
-The heroine packs and leaves the hero.
-The hero is frantic and tries all tricks to win her back.
-The heroine wants a divorce.
That was a good book.
The hero was a control freak who wanted to own the heroine and was afraid that if she worked and met other men she would have left him-
He had traumatic childhood and thinks he's unlovable (how cuuuute), so he's afraid to lose her.
I loved how he immediately solved the issue of ow, even if I found a bit tacky that he had to hire her for the job.
Was not any other decorator available in all the world???
Ridiculous.
He asked for it.
Then I loved that the heroine wanted to solve all their issues before giving up and coming back to him.
I loved Pat, heroine's friend.
Very good indeed.
October 5, 2024
Nice one. He adores her but is emotionally damaged because of his unhappy childhood. She adores him but finally realises she’s more than just a wife. He makes idiotic decisions and hurts her in the process: like hiring his ex gf who is a nasty pos when he’s not around. He brushes off her concerns about the ow (whom he isn’t interested in). Isolates her in their apartment that the ow designed, no less.
She leaves their wealthy unhappy life and starts over in a little bedsit. She does not budge despite his efforts to reconcile. She’s sticking to her guns: give her the freedom she needs to grow, to study, to work, to have friends and a life outside of confines of their marriage, work on opening up to her, etc. Until then, she’s not interested in coming home.
The man didn’t know his ass from his elbow. I felt sorry for him LOL.
He fires the OW in a spectacular fashion. I read that scene a few times over LOL.
He makes significant changes, really big strides in the right direction, especially considering he’s obsessed with her. OTT possessive. Agonisingly jealous and territorial. Poor tortured soul of a man. 🤭
Only then does she go home.
She falls pregnant and still he makes changes, adjustments, and puts her first every time.
They have a lovely HEA and I know he’ll never hurt her again
“And…and me?’ She didn’t want to ask, she just wanted to fly into his arms and believe all was well, but she couldn’t. She needed and loved him more than life itself, but she was still frightened of the future. ‘You would be happy for me to go to college and train for a career, Zeke?’
A muscle moved in his hard jaw but the devastating grey eyes didn’t blink. ‘You want the truth?’ he asked grittily.
“I don’t want you to see or speak to anyone but me,’ he ground out painfully. ‘That’s the truth. I’m working on it, Marianne—hell, you couldn’t call me anything I haven’t called myself—but I’m not there yet and I can’t pretend. But…’ He paused, and for the first time since he had walked into the bedsit she saw his face relax a little. ‘I know that would be no good for you and you’d be unhappy, desperate. Reason says I want you to be everything you want to be, and my heart says the same thing; it’s just in here—’ he tapped his forehead with a hand she saw was shaking ‘—when I start thinking, imagining what it would be like if you left me—”
She leaves their wealthy unhappy life and starts over in a little bedsit. She does not budge despite his efforts to reconcile. She’s sticking to her guns: give her the freedom she needs to grow, to study, to work, to have friends and a life outside of confines of their marriage, work on opening up to her, etc. Until then, she’s not interested in coming home.
The man didn’t know his ass from his elbow. I felt sorry for him LOL.
He fires the OW in a spectacular fashion. I read that scene a few times over LOL.
He makes significant changes, really big strides in the right direction, especially considering he’s obsessed with her. OTT possessive. Agonisingly jealous and territorial. Poor tortured soul of a man. 🤭
Only then does she go home.
She falls pregnant and still he makes changes, adjustments, and puts her first every time.
They have a lovely HEA and I know he’ll never hurt her again
“And…and me?’ She didn’t want to ask, she just wanted to fly into his arms and believe all was well, but she couldn’t. She needed and loved him more than life itself, but she was still frightened of the future. ‘You would be happy for me to go to college and train for a career, Zeke?’
A muscle moved in his hard jaw but the devastating grey eyes didn’t blink. ‘You want the truth?’ he asked grittily.
“I don’t want you to see or speak to anyone but me,’ he ground out painfully. ‘That’s the truth. I’m working on it, Marianne—hell, you couldn’t call me anything I haven’t called myself—but I’m not there yet and I can’t pretend. But…’ He paused, and for the first time since he had walked into the bedsit she saw his face relax a little. ‘I know that would be no good for you and you’d be unhappy, desperate. Reason says I want you to be everything you want to be, and my heart says the same thing; it’s just in here—’ he tapped his forehead with a hand she saw was shaking ‘—when I start thinking, imagining what it would be like if you left me—”
August 5, 2017
Oh no! Another one I completely forgot I had read already until I started re-reading it. Oooops...
August 8, 2011
I really enjoyed A Whirlwind Marriage, it felt so real and I loved how Marianne and Zeke worked through their issues, even though they loved each other it was not enough.
Marianne and Zeke had a whirlwind romance and got married two years ago but now Zeke is not that same guy. They came from separate background, she from a warm loving family and he was abandoned by his mother but now he's rich. Marianne left university to take care of her father after her mother died but she always planned to go back but she got married and now she feels as if she is suffocating, she loves Zeke but she needs more and not just be an ornament her busy husband notices at the end of the day. She wants to study again and she hates their apartment and the fact that Zeke is now working with his ex. She had tries telling him all of it but he refuses to listen.
She leave him when she thinks he is a having an affair, even when that turns out to be false she refuses to go back to that old life. She tells Zeke that she loves him but she needs him to trust her and let her do what she wants, after much anger Zeke confesses that he is not used to vocalizing what he thinks and feels and even though they love each other it takes time for them to work through their issues.
I disliked Zeke at first seeing how Marianne was hurting but he loved her and wanted to just keep her to himself keeping in mind his abandoned past and I was rooting for them all through.
Marianne and Zeke had a whirlwind romance and got married two years ago but now Zeke is not that same guy. They came from separate background, she from a warm loving family and he was abandoned by his mother but now he's rich. Marianne left university to take care of her father after her mother died but she always planned to go back but she got married and now she feels as if she is suffocating, she loves Zeke but she needs more and not just be an ornament her busy husband notices at the end of the day. She wants to study again and she hates their apartment and the fact that Zeke is now working with his ex. She had tries telling him all of it but he refuses to listen.
She leave him when she thinks he is a having an affair, even when that turns out to be false she refuses to go back to that old life. She tells Zeke that she loves him but she needs him to trust her and let her do what she wants, after much anger Zeke confesses that he is not used to vocalizing what he thinks and feels and even though they love each other it takes time for them to work through their issues.
I disliked Zeke at first seeing how Marianne was hurting but he loved her and wanted to just keep her to himself keeping in mind his abandoned past and I was rooting for them all through.
June 20, 2021
Great read for angst junkies. I loved the first half of the book, but the cheating misunderstanding resolved too early, and left me feeling pretty bored for the rest of the book. I get that the wife is bored and wants a compromise with the hub, but by the end, I felt like she wanted it all her way and she did get it all her way. I actually ended up feeling bad for the hero.
4 stars when I first read it years ago, 3 stars when I re read it today.
4 stars when I first read it years ago, 3 stars when I re read it today.
August 17, 2011
Absolutely wonderful terrific intense emotional read,Zeke-Marianne both love each other very much but the issues here are Lack of trust from Marianne and lack of listening and lack of time from Zeke's side,
Marianne has been telling him she is unhappy,does'nt likes the house and wants to work but Zeke is ignoring it by pushing it on tomorrow-next week and it does'nt comes
Second big mistake he did was working with his ex,Marianne has told him she does'nt wants him working with her cause she has made it very clear to Marianne she wants Zeke back and will have him and is trying to come between them but here again Zeke ignores it even goes on saying she is being over emotional
Marianne has been really sad frustrating and angry and it been penting up and the final nail being the call and she leaves then Zeke tracks her down and he clears the misunderstanding and even accepts that he made a huge mistake by employing the OW
Marianne does'nt goes back as the ex was only a part of the problems between them she stands her grounds and says she will work and not go back to that life again,there is more anger fights and seperation but finally Zeke comes to senses
Zeke reveals how he is unable to express his emotion but he really loves her a lot and can't stay without her and Marianne meets him half way they both get back together and they have their well deserved HEA
Really liked was how both Zeke-Marianne love each other very much but cause of neglect,ignorance,lack of time they have lost the love,both want their marriage to work and even work on it and their efforts are not wasted they finally manage to get pass all the issues and find their love and happiness back
Great read
Marianne has been telling him she is unhappy,does'nt likes the house and wants to work but Zeke is ignoring it by pushing it on tomorrow-next week and it does'nt comes
Second big mistake he did was working with his ex,Marianne has told him she does'nt wants him working with her cause she has made it very clear to Marianne she wants Zeke back and will have him and is trying to come between them but here again Zeke ignores it even goes on saying she is being over emotional
Marianne has been really sad frustrating and angry and it been penting up and the final nail being the call and she leaves then Zeke tracks her down and he clears the misunderstanding and even accepts that he made a huge mistake by employing the OW
Marianne does'nt goes back as the ex was only a part of the problems between them she stands her grounds and says she will work and not go back to that life again,there is more anger fights and seperation but finally Zeke comes to senses
Zeke reveals how he is unable to express his emotion but he really loves her a lot and can't stay without her and Marianne meets him half way they both get back together and they have their well deserved HEA
Really liked was how both Zeke-Marianne love each other very much but cause of neglect,ignorance,lack of time they have lost the love,both want their marriage to work and even work on it and their efforts are not wasted they finally manage to get pass all the issues and find their love and happiness back
Great read
August 24, 2019
Not angsty enough for me even with stupid heroine. Lol
October 20, 2021
3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK decent reads.
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She knew one of Zeke’s old girlfriends—a very successful and glamorous redhead by the exotic name of Liliana de Giraud, who was the interior designer to the rich and famous—had designed the penthouse, and once she had discovered that some twelve months ago her dislike of the brazen bachelor pad had turned to revulsion.
‘That’s because she’s very pleased with life at the moment,’ Marianne said painfully. ‘Zeke has just acquired her services for a massive development deal that will provide luxury homes for the élite in one of the best parts of London. Apparently he was very fortunate to get her.’
‘I’m perfectly composed, thank you very much.’ She drew herself up to her full five feet six inches, her voice icy. ‘Then get this off and do something with your hair.’
Liliana was in Stoke with him. He had taken Liliana with him. After all she had said to him about how she felt about the other woman he had chosen, deliberately, to take Liliana with him on this trip. And now they were staying overnight.
‘You don’t know me, Mrs Buchanan, but I have been seeing Liliana,’ the somewhat oily voice said smoothly. ‘Liliana de Giraud. Are you aware that she is having an affair with your husband?’ ‘Yes.’
He had deliberately chosen to play with fire and it had burnt both of them.
Josh looked straight at Zeke now, as he continued to grip his daughter’s hand beneath the table, and said drily, ‘It seems to me you shouldn’t have offered it to her anyway. Not one of your best decisions, Zeke.’
‘Devious, manipulative, selfish, downright evil…’ Zeke included Josh in the turn of his head. ‘You’re right, Josh. Not one of my best decisions.’
October 11, 2014
A story centered around trust issues and marriage equality.
August 8, 2012
First of all, I just need to say that the book summary on here is a touch bit misleading and ridiculous. LOL I mean sure, there was a lovely woman working with the h’s gabajillionaire husband but it really wasn’t the main focus.
I’m normally hesitant about reading Harlequin romances mainly because c’mon, how many Greek gabajillionaires can I really have sympathy for? “Oh no! How can I top my husband’s gift of an island? Gah!! I must leave!“
Before you get mad at me for spoiling any part of the story, I’m just going to say this.
Seriously?... dude… it’s a Harlequin. {insert blank stare}
A Whirlwind Marriage does have a very wealthy man (not Greek! {gasp}) who falls in love with an ordinary woman. Sound familiar? Yeah yeah, I know. The gabajillionaire has deep-rooted childhood issues (no, really?!) that affects his relationship with his homely wife. That could be any of the Harlequins right? Yeah, I know (again.) Just hear me out.
I approached this book with so little expectation aside from it being like all the others where the marriages are rocky or start off with a forced union, cue the misunderstanding with another woman, big rescue/realization, release the doves of happiness and call it a day.
I’m not going to lie and say this book didn’t contain some of those elements. It is after all a Harlequin Romance. But where my eye rolling quickly changed to weepy-hand-me-the-damn-box-of-hankies was that we have a marriage that started off with love and a heroine that actually wanted to grow, to be her own woman, and to have her own identity aside from being Mrs. Studly Gabajillionaire. After the big (and what a shocker here) misunderstanding, the wife didn’t just cave and go back to her husband so he can put another island on her finger. No. She remembered who she was before marrying the studmuffin and said,” no way Zeke” (seriously, that was his name, folks), “I wanted to go to university and BE something. Until you get that through your gorgeous, sexy, studly… wait, is it getting hot in here? Where was I? Oh, that’s right…to get that through your head, I’m staying in my dumpy place, supported by moi and my wages at the grocery store while I enroll at the university. You can deal with that or not. But it’s happening, Buddy.”
I loved that she stuck to her guns. She didn’t just throw her tantrum for a couple of days and then fall back into him. Oh no NO! She held out for MONTHS. He’d come and visit, try and convince her to come back, enjoyed some sexy time, but was rebuffed with his compromises, and he’d leave with his tail between his gorgeous legs while she patted his behind and said “try again, sweet cheeks.” Not until he knew she was serious and he worked on making himself a better husband for her and realized that the issues were HIS to fix, not hers.
Ok... If you're wondering about it... he does.
NOW cue the release of the doves of happiness.
I’ll be honest. I would have caved at the first "come home, Love... I saw you had your eye on that lovely mansion..." but, I’m shallow like that.
I’m normally hesitant about reading Harlequin romances mainly because c’mon, how many Greek gabajillionaires can I really have sympathy for? “Oh no! How can I top my husband’s gift of an island? Gah!! I must leave!“
Before you get mad at me for spoiling any part of the story, I’m just going to say this.
Seriously?... dude… it’s a Harlequin. {insert blank stare}
A Whirlwind Marriage does have a very wealthy man (not Greek! {gasp}) who falls in love with an ordinary woman. Sound familiar? Yeah yeah, I know. The gabajillionaire has deep-rooted childhood issues (no, really?!) that affects his relationship with his homely wife. That could be any of the Harlequins right? Yeah, I know (again.) Just hear me out.
I approached this book with so little expectation aside from it being like all the others where the marriages are rocky or start off with a forced union, cue the misunderstanding with another woman, big rescue/realization, release the doves of happiness and call it a day.
I’m not going to lie and say this book didn’t contain some of those elements. It is after all a Harlequin Romance. But where my eye rolling quickly changed to weepy-hand-me-the-damn-box-of-hankies was that we have a marriage that started off with love and a heroine that actually wanted to grow, to be her own woman, and to have her own identity aside from being Mrs. Studly Gabajillionaire. After the big (and what a shocker here) misunderstanding, the wife didn’t just cave and go back to her husband so he can put another island on her finger. No. She remembered who she was before marrying the studmuffin and said,” no way Zeke” (seriously, that was his name, folks), “I wanted to go to university and BE something. Until you get that through your gorgeous, sexy, studly… wait, is it getting hot in here? Where was I? Oh, that’s right…to get that through your head, I’m staying in my dumpy place, supported by moi and my wages at the grocery store while I enroll at the university. You can deal with that or not. But it’s happening, Buddy.”
I loved that she stuck to her guns. She didn’t just throw her tantrum for a couple of days and then fall back into him. Oh no NO! She held out for MONTHS. He’d come and visit, try and convince her to come back, enjoyed some sexy time, but was rebuffed with his compromises, and he’d leave with his tail between his gorgeous legs while she patted his behind and said “try again, sweet cheeks.” Not until he knew she was serious and he worked on making himself a better husband for her and realized that the issues were HIS to fix, not hers.
Ok... If you're wondering about it... he does.
NOW cue the release of the doves of happiness.
I’ll be honest. I would have caved at the first "come home, Love... I saw you had your eye on that lovely mansion..." but, I’m shallow like that.
February 25, 2017
No secret pregnancy, no blackmail, no marriage of convenience. Even the evil OW was vanquished within the first third of the book! The H and h openly reassure each other of their love throughout the book! Is this really a HP?
This was a straightforward story of two people trying to work on their troubled marriage, and it was great! But junkie, you ask, with no OW or evil in-laws or surprise baby, where does the drama come in? All of it comes in the form of Zeke's demons from his childhood, which leave him so troubled that his love for Marianne manifests in complete and utter possessiveness. He literally does not want her to look or speak to anyone but himself, and virtually has her locked up in a gilded cage at the start of the story. They both love each other to bits but Marianne knows their marriage won't bring true happiness the way it stands, and she breaks free.
I liked this story so much. Respect to Marianne- she decided on a separation despite loving him because she didn't want to be locked up anymore. She knew a truly happy marriage would have room for her to follow her own dream of working in a lab, and she wanted to finish university. Moreover, she wanted Zeke to show her his demons and open up to her, which wasn't happening as long as she allowed him to keep her cloistered in his tower. So she made the break, but she always kept open arms for her husband and showed a lot of maturity, understanding, and love. She wasn't a saint, she had her moments of insecurity and it made her oh-so-relatable, but she was brave and forthright in laying her feelings out and trying to make Zeke feel as secure as possible while demanding an equal relationship.
Zeke was terrific. I mean obviously he wasn't perfect, but I liked the way he realized that he had a problem and that he was destroying her with his possessiveness. I liked how even though he let her go he wanted to keep providing for her, and making sure she was safe and fed, and he couldn't stay away even during the separation. He always showed up when she was feeling sad and lonely, like on Christmas. She refused an allowance, rejected his checks, declined an offer of a new apartment or even the house of her dreams, but he still made her at least take a phone for her own safety. He wanted her to be happy and secure no matter what, with or without him. In my eyes, Zeke really proved his love through his actions in a way few HP heroes ever do. And boy, did he ever come through in the end!
Great read. Leaves you happy. I'm definitely gonna look up more by this author.
This was a straightforward story of two people trying to work on their troubled marriage, and it was great! But junkie, you ask, with no OW or evil in-laws or surprise baby, where does the drama come in? All of it comes in the form of Zeke's demons from his childhood, which leave him so troubled that his love for Marianne manifests in complete and utter possessiveness. He literally does not want her to look or speak to anyone but himself, and virtually has her locked up in a gilded cage at the start of the story. They both love each other to bits but Marianne knows their marriage won't bring true happiness the way it stands, and she breaks free.
I liked this story so much. Respect to Marianne- she decided on a separation despite loving him because she didn't want to be locked up anymore. She knew a truly happy marriage would have room for her to follow her own dream of working in a lab, and she wanted to finish university. Moreover, she wanted Zeke to show her his demons and open up to her, which wasn't happening as long as she allowed him to keep her cloistered in his tower. So she made the break, but she always kept open arms for her husband and showed a lot of maturity, understanding, and love. She wasn't a saint, she had her moments of insecurity and it made her oh-so-relatable, but she was brave and forthright in laying her feelings out and trying to make Zeke feel as secure as possible while demanding an equal relationship.
Zeke was terrific. I mean obviously he wasn't perfect, but I liked the way he realized that he had a problem and that he was destroying her with his possessiveness. I liked how even though he let her go he wanted to keep providing for her, and making sure she was safe and fed, and he couldn't stay away even during the separation. He always showed up when she was feeling sad and lonely, like on Christmas. She refused an allowance, rejected his checks, declined an offer of a new apartment or even the house of her dreams, but he still made her at least take a phone for her own safety. He wanted her to be happy and secure no matter what, with or without him. In my eyes, Zeke really proved his love through his actions in a way few HP heroes ever do. And boy, did he ever come through in the end!
Great read. Leaves you happy. I'm definitely gonna look up more by this author.
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December 14, 2025I really loved the FMC; she’s such a refreshing change from the women I’ve come across in some Harlequin romances. She really showed her bravery and stood firm when it mattered the most. She had a clear vision of what she wanted and wasn't afraid about going after it. I really liked her, but I wasn't a fan of her BBS. That's always my problem with women in romance fiction, no matter the genre. Anyway, once that's taken care of, she starts to think clearly again. So, I liked her most of the time.
As for Zeke, he's just your broken boy that needed therapy to work on his issues. He's not bad entirely, just set on his ways and beliefs because of his abandonment issues. It took him a long while, though, to finally pull his head out of his ass, as in he did that in the last chapter. 🫠 He carries a lot of emotional baggage, and he didn't know how to handle these things. He wasn't even interested in dealing with them, even after Marianne left him. Like I said, stubborn in his ways. But then he realized he couldn't live without her, so he had no choice but to get his act together.
It was not very angsty, imo, but it's still entertaining nonetheless. I just wish there had been an epilogue to show what their lives had become years later.
Book info:
- Age gap (14??)
- Marriage in peril
- Separation (living apart for 2 mos??)
- Minor OW
- No cheating
- V FMC 🙄, Experienced MMC (bc ofc)
- Novella length
- HEA
Notes:
-OW. Zeke's previous lover, and the one who designed his bachelor pad where he and Marianne had been living for the last two years, did cause some problems in the beginning. He was not interested in her anymore, and I think he ended things between them 5 years ago. This OW concocted a plan with her brother to make it look like Zeke was having an affair with her. Marianne believed it, and that was the last straw she needed to leave him.
- The MCs have been married for two years at the present. It was one of those instant connections because they met and then got married pretty quickly. Anyhoo, she really didn't know much about him, even after being married for two years. He just shared the surface stuff with her, and she was okay with it until she realized she wasn't anymore.
As for Zeke, he's just your broken boy that needed therapy to work on his issues. He's not bad entirely, just set on his ways and beliefs because of his abandonment issues. It took him a long while, though, to finally pull his head out of his ass, as in he did that in the last chapter. 🫠 He carries a lot of emotional baggage, and he didn't know how to handle these things. He wasn't even interested in dealing with them, even after Marianne left him. Like I said, stubborn in his ways. But then he realized he couldn't live without her, so he had no choice but to get his act together.
It was not very angsty, imo, but it's still entertaining nonetheless. I just wish there had been an epilogue to show what their lives had become years later.
Book info:
- Age gap (14??)
- Marriage in peril
- Separation (living apart for 2 mos??)
- Minor OW
- No cheating
- V FMC 🙄, Experienced MMC (bc ofc)
- Novella length
- HEA
Notes:
-OW. Zeke's previous lover, and the one who designed his bachelor pad where he and Marianne had been living for the last two years, did cause some problems in the beginning. He was not interested in her anymore, and I think he ended things between them 5 years ago. This OW concocted a plan with her brother to make it look like Zeke was having an affair with her. Marianne believed it, and that was the last straw she needed to leave him.
- The MCs have been married for two years at the present. It was one of those instant connections because they met and then got married pretty quickly. Anyhoo, she really didn't know much about him, even after being married for two years. He just shared the surface stuff with her, and she was okay with it until she realized she wasn't anymore.
September 14, 2021
3.5 Stars
Marriage in Trouble
This one had all the trappings of a 5-Star read. Sadly, midway through, I started skimming. The first half was intriguingly angsty but the story lost its appeal after that. I struggled to stay focused. And I don't know if that has anything to do with the book or if it's just me and my perpetual reading rut. Who knows.
The hero, Zeke, was the fictional character of my dreams--majorly possessive and alpha. The heroine, Marianne, was a bit too whiny. Or maybe I just didn't see what was so terrible about her situation. Granted, she had a right to seek her independence, to pursue a degree and a career, and to demand a more equal role in her marriage. I absolutely understand that; I'm a feminist after all. But idk...personally, I think I'd be more than content living in a golden cage with the tall, dark and handsome Zeke LOL Working is overrated, ya'll. And did I mention Zeke's mesmerizing eyes?
I'd gladly wait for him at home like...
How was your day, dear?
Marriage in Trouble
This one had all the trappings of a 5-Star read. Sadly, midway through, I started skimming. The first half was intriguingly angsty but the story lost its appeal after that. I struggled to stay focused. And I don't know if that has anything to do with the book or if it's just me and my perpetual reading rut. Who knows.
The hero, Zeke, was the fictional character of my dreams--majorly possessive and alpha. The heroine, Marianne, was a bit too whiny. Or maybe I just didn't see what was so terrible about her situation. Granted, she had a right to seek her independence, to pursue a degree and a career, and to demand a more equal role in her marriage. I absolutely understand that; I'm a feminist after all. But idk...personally, I think I'd be more than content living in a golden cage with the tall, dark and handsome Zeke LOL Working is overrated, ya'll. And did I mention Zeke's mesmerizing eyes?
I'd gladly wait for him at home like...
How was your day, dear?
April 22, 2016
One of the reasons I always go back to old HQNs- alpha hero- innocent heroine- loads of running away and bitchy OW- and then HEA! Solid 3.5 stars :)
June 26, 2023
Great read, enjoyed it.
It's a marriage in trouble trope but I find the blurb to be misleading. There was a small OW drama but that's resolved fast by Hero. The rest of the book deals with their real issues.
Please bear in mind that this is HP. You'll have to take the grovel and solution as is and just enjoy the angsty ride!
However, I liked how the heroine stood up for what she wanted. Although I expected Liliana to have a little more spine and not fall into bed with Zeke at every available chance even though they are separated, but she did not bend to his will right after or go back to him.
It's a marriage in trouble trope but I find the blurb to be misleading. There was a small OW drama but that's resolved fast by Hero. The rest of the book deals with their real issues.
Please bear in mind that this is HP. You'll have to take the grovel and solution as is and just enjoy the angsty ride!
However, I liked how the heroine stood up for what she wanted. Although I expected Liliana to have a little more spine and not fall into bed with Zeke at every available chance even though they are separated, but she did not bend to his will right after or go back to him.
August 7, 2020
I have mixed feelings about this one. I thought it was ok, but didn’t have the emotional connection so many other readers did that loved it. This story follows Zeke and Marianna, and their troubled marriage of two years. It’s almost like there are two separate plots squeezed into one book, and for me, it just didn’t flow right.
The first half surrounds the conflict of Zeke’s interior design ex Liliana trying to meddle into her marriage. This is compounded by Zeke being a bit blind to L’s snark, and hiring her for a major project at his company. (and having the h live in an apartment she decorated) Things come to a head when she suspects the two are having an affair, and moves out. I found this entertaining enough, but it was glaringly obvious what was going on, so I didn’t find it angsty or overly dramatic. I was simply waiting for Marianna to catch up. The conclusion was satisfying as the OW received the comeuppance she deserved. BUT… This only takes us 50% in, and then things went a little sideways for the last half, because now the marital issues shift to surround Zeke’s stifling possessiveness, and Marianna’s desire to spread her wings and fly.
It just didn’t work for me, instead of feeling authentic; it felt like manufactured obstacles thrown up to make Zeke jump higher, and push more page length of filler fluff. Part of the problem was the lack of any real development of the said “stifling behaviors” most of her complaints are that she wants a new house, and to go to college, but Zeke keeps putting her off with “later” or “tomorrow”. Ok, so go… look for a house or visit a college… nothing presented hinted that she was a prisoner, or had zero resources, or that he’d go postal if she took the initiative rather than talking…. So, it felt like fluff, and elicited no angsty feels for me.
After cycling the same issues for 100 pages, poof all the sudden she’s ready to devote to her marriage with no compromise or real work except having lusty sex a few times and getting a house. The HEA…she gets everything she wanted but it was all provided by Zeke, which sorta defeats the whole purpose of her “spreading her wings” and finding herself. She basically told him what she wanted and he delivered it… so now she’s happy… Yay!!
Bottom Line- The pacing/flow just didn’t work for me, and instead of finding Marianna’s struggles angsty… I lost patience with her, and got bored. Overall, it was entertaining enough to keep going… it was ok… just not great for me.
The first half surrounds the conflict of Zeke’s interior design ex Liliana trying to meddle into her marriage. This is compounded by Zeke being a bit blind to L’s snark, and hiring her for a major project at his company. (and having the h live in an apartment she decorated) Things come to a head when she suspects the two are having an affair, and moves out. I found this entertaining enough, but it was glaringly obvious what was going on, so I didn’t find it angsty or overly dramatic. I was simply waiting for Marianna to catch up. The conclusion was satisfying as the OW received the comeuppance she deserved. BUT… This only takes us 50% in, and then things went a little sideways for the last half, because now the marital issues shift to surround Zeke’s stifling possessiveness, and Marianna’s desire to spread her wings and fly.
It just didn’t work for me, instead of feeling authentic; it felt like manufactured obstacles thrown up to make Zeke jump higher, and push more page length of filler fluff. Part of the problem was the lack of any real development of the said “stifling behaviors” most of her complaints are that she wants a new house, and to go to college, but Zeke keeps putting her off with “later” or “tomorrow”. Ok, so go… look for a house or visit a college… nothing presented hinted that she was a prisoner, or had zero resources, or that he’d go postal if she took the initiative rather than talking…. So, it felt like fluff, and elicited no angsty feels for me.
After cycling the same issues for 100 pages, poof all the sudden she’s ready to devote to her marriage with no compromise or real work except having lusty sex a few times and getting a house. The HEA…she gets everything she wanted but it was all provided by Zeke, which sorta defeats the whole purpose of her “spreading her wings” and finding herself. She basically told him what she wanted and he delivered it… so now she’s happy… Yay!!
Bottom Line- The pacing/flow just didn’t work for me, and instead of finding Marianna’s struggles angsty… I lost patience with her, and got bored. Overall, it was entertaining enough to keep going… it was ok… just not great for me.
September 11, 2016
4 Stars! ~ After her mother died unexpectedly, Marianne stepped in to help her Dad in his busy family physician practice. This meant putting off her dreams of university and then a career in medical research. And as her father gets himself back together, Marianne met Zeke and as the title suggests, he swept her off her feet and they married. Marianne had hoped that she could still attend school and later have her own career, but Zeke insisted that he loved to take care of her and that working wasn't necessary. After two years, Marianne felt trapped; Zeke had completely taken her over. When she tried to tell him how she felt he always used their physical chemistry to overwhelm her. Until he went out of town on business, and Marianne receives a call that he is spending his time with a lover. So she runs, leaving a note behind telling him she wants a divorce. Zeke proves to her that there is no affair, but Marianne continues to refuse to go home with him until he realizes that things must change.
This is a unique plot line in that the love is there but the marriage is almost destroyed. When the story begins Marianne is regaining her inner strength to stand up to Zeke and go after what she needs to be her own person. We see Zeke as controlling and immovable in his opinions, until we learn why he can't trust Marianne's love to last. An emotional story, well written.
This is a unique plot line in that the love is there but the marriage is almost destroyed. When the story begins Marianne is regaining her inner strength to stand up to Zeke and go after what she needs to be her own person. We see Zeke as controlling and immovable in his opinions, until we learn why he can't trust Marianne's love to last. An emotional story, well written.
September 13, 2021
"But I still love you, more than ever. Because love, real love, doesn't choose where it wants to go; it just happens. There's no rhyme or reasons to it very often, and certainly, it defies logic. But it happens, and that's that. Fait accompli.Marriage-on-the-rocks trope is a staple when it comes to the HP line and one of my favorite tropes. That's why when I came across this book, I immediately started reading it. The anger, the angst, and the passion all sucked me in that I read it in one sitting.
Honestly, I wouldn't say I liked Zeke at all initially. I thought the worst of him. But there are moments that you could see how he was feeling and that he's genuinely hurting even though we don't get to see his POV. You could still see it through Marianne's eyes. And I began to understand the real Zeke finally. My heart broke for the little boy who was abandoned and feeling unloved. And while he was a tortured, bossy, possessive, controlling man, I so loved him! I adored Marianne. Although there are times that she annoyed me, I respected her decisions and admired her for having the courage to stand up for herself and do what she thinks is the best, not only for her but also for Zeke.
It takes someone exceptional to deal with a guy like Zeke. But Marianne is the perfect woman for the job. It was beautiful to see them grow in their relationship, become more emotionally intimate, and open up to one another about their thoughts, feelings, fears, and pasts.
October 26, 2019
The story starts two years into a marriage that Marianne thinks is in trouble. Her rich husband Zeke swept her off her feet and has kept her there ever since. He doesn't want his wife working outside the home aka sterile apartment, not even to take classes or volunteer for a charity. He wants her to be available to him at all times. Marianne feels like she's dying as a person and is determined that something needs to change.
I know many others gave this 4 or 5 *'s, but it just didn't quite work for me. It was OK, with some very intense moments, but maybe because the ending was too "pat"?
I know many others gave this 4 or 5 *'s, but it just didn't quite work for me. It was OK, with some very intense moments, but maybe because the ending was too "pat"?
October 7, 2024
This is what I imagined King of Greed should have been. Or how marriage in crisis should’ve been and how they dealt with it.
I LOVE the h, Marianne. She’s got a backbone and never back down from her decisions. She made some wrong assumptions yes but the way the H is so closed off, I don’t blame her. Instead of wallowing in misery and sadness, she did what she actually wanted to do. Getting a job and pursuing her education. Some might say she’s stupid for not accepting the money H gave to her but that’s the point really. She didn’t care for the money. She just wanted her husband to understand and trust her.
The H, Zeke infuriated me so much. I really wanted to reach inside the book and shook him and tell him to come to his senses. But in a way, I understand why he’s like that and I like that he didn’t get an instant character growth because we get to see how he’s changing to be better for her and working on his insecurities and traumas. In the end, I just wanted to give him a big hug.
There’s a OW drama early in the book where an ex concocted a plan to make it seem like the H cheated on the h and a lil OM drama where a coworker showed an interest in the h.
They’re separated pretty much from the start but eventhough there was not enough backstory on their love life but I could still feel the deep love they have for each other throughout the book which was incredible really because 1) not much flashbacks on their love story and 2) the book is pretty short too. I just wish there’s actually POVs from Zeke and not only from Marianne.
✔️3rd POV
✔️marriage in crisis done right
✔️faithful lovebirds (throughout marriage & during separation)
✔️HEA
However, there’s no epilogue so boohoooo
I LOVE the h, Marianne. She’s got a backbone and never back down from her decisions. She made some wrong assumptions yes but the way the H is so closed off, I don’t blame her. Instead of wallowing in misery and sadness, she did what she actually wanted to do. Getting a job and pursuing her education. Some might say she’s stupid for not accepting the money H gave to her but that’s the point really. She didn’t care for the money. She just wanted her husband to understand and trust her.
The H, Zeke infuriated me so much. I really wanted to reach inside the book and shook him and tell him to come to his senses. But in a way, I understand why he’s like that and I like that he didn’t get an instant character growth because we get to see how he’s changing to be better for her and working on his insecurities and traumas. In the end, I just wanted to give him a big hug.
There’s a OW drama early in the book where an ex concocted a plan to make it seem like the H cheated on the h and a lil OM drama where a coworker showed an interest in the h.
They’re separated pretty much from the start but eventhough there was not enough backstory on their love life but I could still feel the deep love they have for each other throughout the book which was incredible really because 1) not much flashbacks on their love story and 2) the book is pretty short too. I just wish there’s actually POVs from Zeke and not only from Marianne.
✔️3rd POV
✔️marriage in crisis done right
✔️faithful lovebirds (throughout marriage & during separation)
✔️HEA
However, there’s no epilogue so boohoooo
September 12, 2024
Even as a feminist u will never catch me refusing money from my billionaire husband and wanting to pursuit a career instead
He sounds suffocating not gonna lie
Safe reading for cheating haters like me, ow drama exists tho
But whats with the all bbs??? Can't stand that 😒
He sounds suffocating not gonna lie
Safe reading for cheating haters like me, ow drama exists tho
But whats with the all bbs??? Can't stand that 😒
August 1, 2023
My rating: 3 stars
What I liked: I liked the ow drama and how Zeke(H) put her in her place. I liked how much he loved Marianne(h) and how he knew he needed to work on himself to make his marriage work.
What I didn’t like: Unfortunately I skimmed through some of this. A lot of same ramblings in what she is thinking.
***Major Spoilers/ Details/Triggers: H and h are married for two years and the h isn’t happy. She is tired of just staying home doing nothing and she also wants to buy a house instead of living in the place the H’s ex fwb(ow) decorated. H has jealous issues and wants h for himself. H didn’t have a great upbringing and was in foster care. When H hires his previous ow for a job, h isn’t happy. Ow makes mean comments to the h and makes it seem she will get the H back. H gets called away on business and when he calls the h hears the ow in the background. h gets a phone supposedly from ow boyfriend stating that the ow and the H are having an affair. h ups and leaves. H runs home when h doesn’t answer and the phone is off the hook. h stays away and H finally finds her. They talk. h stays at her bedsit H leaves. He comes back with the h’s dad and takes them out where the ow and her brother join them. We find out that the ow’s brother is the one to make the phone call. H tells ow that she is done and to never come around him or his wife. H thinks this will bring his wife back but the h tells him she wants to work and go back to college. H is isn’t happy. They do a separation. H finally gets his head out of his ass and they get their HEA with a baby on the way.
Final thoughts: This is my first book from this author and it was just an ok read for me. I probably won’t be reading anymore from her/him.
What I liked: I liked the ow drama and how Zeke(H) put her in her place. I liked how much he loved Marianne(h) and how he knew he needed to work on himself to make his marriage work.
What I didn’t like: Unfortunately I skimmed through some of this. A lot of same ramblings in what she is thinking.
***Major Spoilers/ Details/Triggers: H and h are married for two years and the h isn’t happy. She is tired of just staying home doing nothing and she also wants to buy a house instead of living in the place the H’s ex fwb(ow) decorated. H has jealous issues and wants h for himself. H didn’t have a great upbringing and was in foster care. When H hires his previous ow for a job, h isn’t happy. Ow makes mean comments to the h and makes it seem she will get the H back. H gets called away on business and when he calls the h hears the ow in the background. h gets a phone supposedly from ow boyfriend stating that the ow and the H are having an affair. h ups and leaves. H runs home when h doesn’t answer and the phone is off the hook. h stays away and H finally finds her. They talk. h stays at her bedsit H leaves. He comes back with the h’s dad and takes them out where the ow and her brother join them. We find out that the ow’s brother is the one to make the phone call. H tells ow that she is done and to never come around him or his wife. H thinks this will bring his wife back but the h tells him she wants to work and go back to college. H is isn’t happy. They do a separation. H finally gets his head out of his ass and they get their HEA with a baby on the way.
Final thoughts: This is my first book from this author and it was just an ok read for me. I probably won’t be reading anymore from her/him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2019
Zeke Buchanan had swept Marianne off her feet, and their two-year marriage had been perfect—until recently….Their physical passion was as strong as ever, but was Zeke starting to regret their impulsive wedding?
The beautiful Liliana was clearly interested in more than a business relationship with Zeke. Was he tempted? Marianne was determined to save her marriage and prove to her husband that their honeymoon wasn't over, it was only just beginning!
The beautiful Liliana was clearly interested in more than a business relationship with Zeke. Was he tempted? Marianne was determined to save her marriage and prove to her husband that their honeymoon wasn't over, it was only just beginning!
February 9, 2022
I just didn’t like the second half, the hero had stuck the heroine in an apartment decorated by his ex lover, was working closely with said ex lover, mad the heroine stay at home, and then he acted as if if he did her a favour by allaying her fears about him cheating with set lover, in an OW set down he’d masterfully arranged. Then he leaves the heroine to run after him. Well. By doing exactly that the heroine proved she deserved the asshole.
June 9, 2021
So this is an unusual Harlequin because the H and h are already married. When it starts off you think the H is one of those obsessive, possessive, irrationally jealous sicko husbands and I did not like him. He has discouraged her from working or seeing her friends or furthering her studies at university, so basically her life revolves around him and sitting at home being his perfect wife. Alarm bells are ringing but our h has an epiphany and moves out, deciding to fight for what she wants.
It turns out the H does love her but has trust issues due to A Painful Past. For almost all of the book they are living apart, but because 97% of it is in her POV we don't really see how he comes to terms with his fears. However, we do get to experience them talking things out and see him slowly opening up to her. It was good to see that she was no doormat although she loved him quite desperately. Of course he comes around in the end, but it is quite sudden and we aren't given glimpses into what caused this 180-degree turn.
It turns out the H does love her but has trust issues due to A Painful Past. For almost all of the book they are living apart, but because 97% of it is in her POV we don't really see how he comes to terms with his fears. However, we do get to experience them talking things out and see him slowly opening up to her. It was good to see that she was no doormat although she loved him quite desperately. Of course he comes around in the end, but it is quite sudden and we aren't given glimpses into what caused this 180-degree turn.
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