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The Passion Bargain
The Passion Bargain by Michelle Reid released on Jun 24, 2004 is available now for purchase.
187 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 2004
34 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Reid
388 books637 followersHi, my name is Michelle Reid and I’ve been writing for Harlequin Mills & Boon for the last twenty years, and the crazy part about it is that I only realised it had been twenty years while updating this page!
So, hang on for a minute while I take this huge milestone in....
Twenty years with almost forty books published or in the pipeline ... I know it isn’t a great average when compared with some authors but it sounds pretty good to me!
So what was I doing twenty years ago before I wrote books? Well, I did the all of the usual things, like growing up and attending school, finishing at secretarial college, which I hated, then spent the next several years wandering aimlessly from job to job. Eventually I met my husband, we married and produced two daughters who then grew up and between them presented us with two gorgeous grandsons and one beautiful granddaughter. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Somewhere in between my girls growing up and the grandchildren arriving on the scene, I started writing. To this day I don’t know why, unless it was a natural progression from my never being without a book close by—often several—because books have always been an important part of my life for as far back as I can recall.
So, I started to write, by hand at first, scribbling short stories in notebooks which never saw the light of day. At some point I discovered Mills & Boon Romance books and that was pretty much it for me. I’d found my new love, as in reading romantic fiction and inevitably writing it too.
So twenty years on and almost forty books on, here I am still writing and still loving it!
So, hang on for a minute while I take this huge milestone in....
Twenty years with almost forty books published or in the pipeline ... I know it isn’t a great average when compared with some authors but it sounds pretty good to me!
So what was I doing twenty years ago before I wrote books? Well, I did the all of the usual things, like growing up and attending school, finishing at secretarial college, which I hated, then spent the next several years wandering aimlessly from job to job. Eventually I met my husband, we married and produced two daughters who then grew up and between them presented us with two gorgeous grandsons and one beautiful granddaughter. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Somewhere in between my girls growing up and the grandchildren arriving on the scene, I started writing. To this day I don’t know why, unless it was a natural progression from my never being without a book close by—often several—because books have always been an important part of my life for as far back as I can recall.
So, I started to write, by hand at first, scribbling short stories in notebooks which never saw the light of day. At some point I discovered Mills & Boon Romance books and that was pretty much it for me. I’d found my new love, as in reading romantic fiction and inevitably writing it too.
So twenty years on and almost forty books on, here I am still writing and still loving it!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
February 23, 2018
Half English/half Italian heroine is engaged to a cheater who cheats (with her roommate). Hero is a wealthy Italian businessman who was smitten with her at first sight. Heroine finds out on the night of her engagement party about her roommate and fiance and the hero whisks her away.
There are further complications: Is she an heiress or not? Is the hero seducing her for revenge?
Poor muddled heroine isn't sure of the hero or her fickle self as she falls for him the second half of the story. The hero is sardonic and cryptic and impatient and ardent. No wonder the
poor heroine didn't know whether she was coming or going. The OM makes a last minute appeal for the black moment - but the heroine has finally wised up.
A fun little story with the heroine giving some good set downs to her roommate and the OM.
There are further complications: Is she an heiress or not? Is the hero seducing her for revenge?
Poor muddled heroine isn't sure of the hero or her fickle self as she falls for him the second half of the story. The hero is sardonic and cryptic and impatient and ardent. No wonder the
poor heroine didn't know whether she was coming or going. The OM makes a last minute appeal for the black moment - but the heroine has finally wised up.
A fun little story with the heroine giving some good set downs to her roommate and the OM.
January 28, 2019
I loved it! The Passion Bargain was a sexy, fun and romantic read. I smiled stupidly throughout the book and continued to hold that expression all the way to the satisfying conclusion, at times even laughing out loud at the smitten antics of the lead characters who were equally likable. Their first onscreen meeting in the book appeared early, and it was scorching hot.
Carlo was the typical Italian, HP hero: sexy and charmingly arrogant. He was also very passionate about protecting Francesca, and swooped in like a knight in shining armor to offer his support when Francesca really needed it. Being a trusting and loyal person, Francesca was blindsided when she discovered her best friend and roommate had been doing something she shouldn't be doing. There's more to the fortune subplot, but I won't get into it here. However, it did create more conflict and caused Francesca to distrust Carlo's interest in her.
As Francesca fell for Carlo a few meager days after her broken engagement, she tormented herself for being so fickle and with doubts over Carlo's intentions towards her. I certainly believe it's possible to love two people at the same time (in different ways), so having Francesca fall for Carlo so soon after her broken engagement didn't bother me. And really, her attraction for Angelo was never on the same level as they were for Carlo, who was worthy of Francesca and proved it by the time the novel ended.
Carlo was the typical Italian, HP hero: sexy and charmingly arrogant. He was also very passionate about protecting Francesca, and swooped in like a knight in shining armor to offer his support when Francesca really needed it. Being a trusting and loyal person, Francesca was blindsided when she discovered her best friend and roommate had been doing something she shouldn't be doing. There's more to the fortune subplot, but I won't get into it here. However, it did create more conflict and caused Francesca to distrust Carlo's interest in her.
As Francesca fell for Carlo a few meager days after her broken engagement, she tormented herself for being so fickle and with doubts over Carlo's intentions towards her. I certainly believe it's possible to love two people at the same time (in different ways), so having Francesca fall for Carlo so soon after her broken engagement didn't bother me. And really, her attraction for Angelo was never on the same level as they were for Carlo, who was worthy of Francesca and proved it by the time the novel ended.
January 21, 2018
Francesca works as a tour operator in Rome and just wants to have a good relationship with her Great Uncle, to marry the cute Italian man she’s engaged to, and have some good friends.
She’s plum out of luck. Which is a shame, because I can really get behind a heroine who has such straightforward and easily identifiable goals. But, can’t always get what you want, and if you can’t, awesome sexy times with a really hot guy who is totally into you, even if you can’t trust him, isn’t a bad deal.
Carlo thinks Francesca is hot. He’s hot too, and casually a billionaire, like it’s no big deal. He has a fantastic ancient villa where you can open double doors out of the house and there’s a stone arch framing a lake. If that was all, and this was just a plot where he lifts her out of what soon becomes a melodrama of broken relationships and lost opportunities there wouldn’t be all that much going on. So, he’s keeping secrets from her. On balance though, the sexy times are fantastic. And you can forgive a guy a lot when he has a lake at the end of his terrace.
Really liked this one.
She’s plum out of luck. Which is a shame, because I can really get behind a heroine who has such straightforward and easily identifiable goals. But, can’t always get what you want, and if you can’t, awesome sexy times with a really hot guy who is totally into you, even if you can’t trust him, isn’t a bad deal.
Carlo thinks Francesca is hot. He’s hot too, and casually a billionaire, like it’s no big deal. He has a fantastic ancient villa where you can open double doors out of the house and there’s a stone arch framing a lake. If that was all, and this was just a plot where he lifts her out of what soon becomes a melodrama of broken relationships and lost opportunities there wouldn’t be all that much going on. So, he’s keeping secrets from her. On balance though, the sexy times are fantastic. And you can forgive a guy a lot when he has a lake at the end of his terrace.
Really liked this one.
January 21, 2022
Reread
January 8th/2021
🤯😳😰 I don't know... I'm not sure if this book was written by Michelle Reid 🙈 It's hard to believe because it was published in 2004, she already had written great books before, it is like she was pressured to write anything 🤷🏻♀️
They felt in love so fast
January 8th/2021
🤯😳😰 I don't know... I'm not sure if this book was written by Michelle Reid 🙈 It's hard to believe because it was published in 2004, she already had written great books before, it is like she was pressured to write anything 🤷🏻♀️
They felt in love so fast
December 6, 2011
"'Good,' he said. 'Great,' he added. 'Then that brings an end to it all.'
'Just like that?'
'Si, just like that.'"
A very apt ending for this book, which pretty much demands a "just like that?" from the reader. There's secrets, betrayals, uncertain motives... and then it's all wiped clean with a few words. A pretty good read, but could have been much better.
'Just like that?'
'Si, just like that.'"
A very apt ending for this book, which pretty much demands a "just like that?" from the reader. There's secrets, betrayals, uncertain motives... and then it's all wiped clean with a few words. A pretty good read, but could have been much better.
September 28, 2018
**Just reread it.
Very odd: TONS of hints about her being pregnant, she’s ill, dizzy, exhausted, etc. And then...nothing.
Just an abrupt ending and the hinted-at pregnancy is totally ignored and never mentioned.
I am still confused.
Original Review:
I AM SO CONFUSED!!!!!!
I have to reread this because there was no ending. None.
What the hecka did I just read?
Very odd: TONS of hints about her being pregnant, she’s ill, dizzy, exhausted, etc. And then...nothing.
Just an abrupt ending and the hinted-at pregnancy is totally ignored and never mentioned.
I am still confused.
Original Review:
I AM SO CONFUSED!!!!!!
I have to reread this because there was no ending. None.
What the hecka did I just read?
June 13, 2014
If you like a super smitten, desperately in love hero you will adore this book. The melodrama is very intense and the sexual tension between hero and heroine sizzling. I am not a fan of love triangles so heroine annoyed and frustrated me but still it was so ANGSTY I could not put it down!
February 27, 2018
I'm really not sure I can call this a "romance". To me it read more as a brain-washing for sex story than a true "I love you so much that I have to have you" story. If it weren't for the few times when we get that Carlo is thinking about how he is "protecting" Francesca, there would be no clue whatsoever that he has any "tender feelings" toward her. Add to that the secret agreement that would give his family back stock in their business if Francesca married "an Italian from a good family" (AKA HIM), and his lying to her about what she was signing and it just didn't sit well with me at all. He wasn't in love with her- he was obsessed with her and with what marrying her would give him in terms of more power.
The ending was not satisfactory at all, rather abrupt, and nothing that was said can convince me that he really loved her. Love means wanting what is best for the other person, not using and lying to her. How was he any better than her ex who also used her?! Oh, he gave her good sex, but seriously?!
Question: Toward the end she was not feeling well, nauseous a lot. Pregnant or not?
The ending was not satisfactory at all, rather abrupt, and nothing that was said can convince me that he really loved her. Love means wanting what is best for the other person, not using and lying to her. How was he any better than her ex who also used her?! Oh, he gave her good sex, but seriously?!
Question: Toward the end she was not feeling well, nauseous a lot. Pregnant or not?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2018
"The Passion Bargain" is the story of Francesca and Carlo.
Basically, our naive and maybe rich heroine falls for the bad guy, but on the eve of her engagement announcement, finds the truth..
Then she is whisked away by her hero to security, where he relentlessly seduces her and she gives into his passionate and lust-filled lovemaking. But then he proposes, and she has to refuse. Is he having an ulterior motive too?
Tbh, this had a crazy hero, a super innocent and confused heroine, and oodles and oodles and oodles of sex. This combo usually works for me, but in this one there was tad bit too much drama. The heroine was played by all the men, and I wished that there was more groveling in the end...from both the sides.
However, this did keep me engaged for 1/2 hour.
Safe?
3/5
Basically, our naive and maybe rich heroine falls for the bad guy, but on the eve of her engagement announcement, finds the truth..
Then she is whisked away by her hero to security, where he relentlessly seduces her and she gives into his passionate and lust-filled lovemaking. But then he proposes, and she has to refuse. Is he having an ulterior motive too?
Tbh, this had a crazy hero, a super innocent and confused heroine, and oodles and oodles and oodles of sex. This combo usually works for me, but in this one there was tad bit too much drama. The heroine was played by all the men, and I wished that there was more groveling in the end...from both the sides.
However, this did keep me engaged for 1/2 hour.
Safe?
3/5
July 6, 2016
A passionate read.
Francesa is one of those unawakened innocent woman looking for true love that she believes she has found it in her golden man Angelo. Who makes her feel loved, protected, and cherished.....trying to never question the way the sexy Carlo makes her feel....because she loves Angelo?????
Sexy Carlo can't believe his luck, the woman he wants and desires in love with another! He can't resist the attraction he feels for her and when the chance araises to claim her as his own he takes it.
Francesa reeling from the betrayal of 2 she loved most gives into the attraction between her and Carlo only to learn he is harboring some secrets.
The sexual tension and passion between Francesa and Carlo is off the charts hot and steamy.....so so sexy! It was such a tender moment when Carlo realizes she is past her breaking point and is crying, that you discover his eyes are wet too and his throat is tight....that maybe he is not as heartless or cruel as he has portayed but that he might just care more about her than he has let on.
A wildly romantic and so passionate read.
Francesa is one of those unawakened innocent woman looking for true love that she believes she has found it in her golden man Angelo. Who makes her feel loved, protected, and cherished.....trying to never question the way the sexy Carlo makes her feel....because she loves Angelo?????
Sexy Carlo can't believe his luck, the woman he wants and desires in love with another! He can't resist the attraction he feels for her and when the chance araises to claim her as his own he takes it.
Francesa reeling from the betrayal of 2 she loved most gives into the attraction between her and Carlo only to learn he is harboring some secrets.
The sexual tension and passion between Francesa and Carlo is off the charts hot and steamy.....so so sexy! It was such a tender moment when Carlo realizes she is past her breaking point and is crying, that you discover his eyes are wet too and his throat is tight....that maybe he is not as heartless or cruel as he has portayed but that he might just care more about her than he has let on.
A wildly romantic and so passionate read.
August 21, 2020
This was a busy little story that had so much happening it was a job to keep up. I liked the characters especially the two leads the intensity between them was well written. The supporting cast were were obviously nasty people only out for themselves.
Although this was quite passionate and emotional, I was left feeling like I’d been cheated out of a proper ending, overall this was okay but it needed fleshing out more as there were a couple of things left unanswered, but of course the author had to adhere to the publishers page count, so maybe she should have not tried to have so many twists and turns in this.
Although this was quite passionate and emotional, I was left feeling like I’d been cheated out of a proper ending, overall this was okay but it needed fleshing out more as there were a couple of things left unanswered, but of course the author had to adhere to the publishers page count, so maybe she should have not tried to have so many twists and turns in this.
June 14, 2016
i was wavering between a 3.5 and 3.75 stars but I think the final answer is 3.75 stars. Review to come...
So I kind of read through this fast. The story is that the h is engaged to another man but the H is absolutely smitten with her and does all that he can to get her – and of course protects her as he suspects her fiancé is a fortune hunter.
What I like:
1. Yay for an absolutely lovestruck, smitten, “I will have her no matter what” attitude H! And the usual Hot, Sexy, Controlling, Alpha an dall that.
2. Lots and lots of lovin’ and boiling hot!
3. The drama
What I didn’t like:
1. The h was a tad annoying. I mean talk about clueless and naïve! And stop wishy washy-ing! Go get him, he B sexaay!! (talking about the H of course)
2. I thought the drama of the h’s family history was a little confusing, or I don’t know, not really that developed.
3. Even though I do love all those love scenes after scene, for awhile there I was like when will it end, LOL! I wasn’t sure when the story/drama/conflict was going to continue/get resolved. Also, what, did h’s “friend” really had honest to goodness sincere feelings for the h – like please I still want to be your friend? Or was that all for show?? And 2nd, did the ex-fiance really develop sincere feelings in the end or was that still a trick??
4. I felt there were some skips/edits. I mean in the end when the h was sick – uhhh… those were the first signs of being pregnant right? Right?! Or was she just really honest to goodness ill??? But if she actually was pregnant, I was hoping ya know that whole cheesy – you are pregnant with my child? Yes! I love you blah blah blah :P
Final Thoughts: I think that’s the reason I wavered between the 3.50 and 3.75 stars. I’m leaning to the 3.75 stars because of the wonderful H. He was sexxxxyy, he knew what he wanted, he went after it, he protected her, and even though the h was hee hawing all over the place the H stood his ground and was persistent and he didn’t slink off to drink his sorrows and all that. I’m sure I will re-read this book again the future!
So I kind of read through this fast. The story is that the h is engaged to another man but the H is absolutely smitten with her and does all that he can to get her – and of course protects her as he suspects her fiancé is a fortune hunter.
What I like:
1. Yay for an absolutely lovestruck, smitten, “I will have her no matter what” attitude H! And the usual Hot, Sexy, Controlling, Alpha an dall that.
2. Lots and lots of lovin’ and boiling hot!
3. The drama
What I didn’t like:
1. The h was a tad annoying. I mean talk about clueless and naïve! And stop wishy washy-ing! Go get him, he B sexaay!! (talking about the H of course)
2. I thought the drama of the h’s family history was a little confusing, or I don’t know, not really that developed.
3. Even though I do love all those love scenes after scene, for awhile there I was like when will it end, LOL! I wasn’t sure when the story/drama/conflict was going to continue/get resolved. Also, what, did h’s “friend” really had honest to goodness sincere feelings for the h – like please I still want to be your friend? Or was that all for show?? And 2nd, did the ex-fiance really develop sincere feelings in the end or was that still a trick??
4. I felt there were some skips/edits. I mean in the end when the h was sick – uhhh… those were the first signs of being pregnant right? Right?! Or was she just really honest to goodness ill??? But if she actually was pregnant, I was hoping ya know that whole cheesy – you are pregnant with my child? Yes! I love you blah blah blah :P
Final Thoughts: I think that’s the reason I wavered between the 3.50 and 3.75 stars. I’m leaning to the 3.75 stars because of the wonderful H. He was sexxxxyy, he knew what he wanted, he went after it, he protected her, and even though the h was hee hawing all over the place the H stood his ground and was persistent and he didn’t slink off to drink his sorrows and all that. I’m sure I will re-read this book again the future!
October 26, 2017
En su fiesta de compromiso, Francesca descubre que su novio Angelo le ha estado montando los cuernos con su compañera de piso; por cosas del destino, tenía días pensando en el sensual Carlo un hombre hermoso, que conoció por el círculo de su novio y que no deja de tratar de llevarla por el camino del mal a su cama.
Es divertido de leer sí, pero está como inconcluso, no me gustó ese final tan rápido.
Es divertido de leer sí, pero está como inconcluso, no me gustó ese final tan rápido.
February 7, 2019
Safe read. Hero loves the heroine unconditionally even though the h is engaged to someone else. Not much plot progression other than lots of kissing and sweet love making. I dislike how all these heroines from decades ago would refuse these dreamy, super rich men who'd bring back the moon for them for any reason at all. Try finding men like those in these days ladies..
August 7, 2013
i actually thought about giving it one star bcoz it quite got on my nerves..due to too much melodrama hahaxd very entertaining though..dunt miss it:p
January 15, 2026
Bumped up from 3🌟 to 4🌟 after reread.
July 31, 2018
Francesca was in Italy to meet the last member of her mother’s family. After her mum ran off with an Englishman, she was disinherited from her family. When she dies, Francesca travelled to Italy to find her Italian roots.
While in Italy, she and her best friend, Sonya, become roomies, they get jobs and the same company as tour guides and bff introduces her to the man of her dreams.
She met and fell head over heels in love with Angelo. They were in love, and it didn’t take long before he proposed. In her state of perpetual bliss, she didn’t notice what was going on with her bff until it was thrown in her face on the night of her engagement party.
Carlo is “the” wealthy, powerful bachelor in Italy. Tall, dark and sexy, he see’s Francesca and decided he wants her. He’s there on the night of her engagement party and picks her up when her world seemingly fell apart and takes her away to his lakeside villa. That is where the story really starts and the secrets begin to unravel.
Lord, I loved Carlo. Snarky, arrogant, savage bastard won he over when he pulled up next to Francesca in his red sports car blasting Puccini and making improper advances. While he is all that is arrogance, he is also so caring with Francesca when she falls apart. And she did that a lot. That girl can weep!
Not that I blame her. Her bff is a cow. Her ex-fiancé is a pig and the wolf that dragged her off is an ass. She’s sweet and innocent with an easy trust in people who all had alternate reasons for wanting her in their lives. She just didn’t know it.
And then there’s Uncle Bruno. Smh! I couldn’t believe that he would be so unkind to his last living relative. In spite of the terms of the will, he did not have to be so damned cold to her.
I absolutely enjoyed devouring this book. Michelle. Reid is one of my favorite authors and I love finding random gems from her. Definitely worth reading again.
While in Italy, she and her best friend, Sonya, become roomies, they get jobs and the same company as tour guides and bff introduces her to the man of her dreams.
She met and fell head over heels in love with Angelo. They were in love, and it didn’t take long before he proposed. In her state of perpetual bliss, she didn’t notice what was going on with her bff until it was thrown in her face on the night of her engagement party.
Carlo is “the” wealthy, powerful bachelor in Italy. Tall, dark and sexy, he see’s Francesca and decided he wants her. He’s there on the night of her engagement party and picks her up when her world seemingly fell apart and takes her away to his lakeside villa. That is where the story really starts and the secrets begin to unravel.
Lord, I loved Carlo. Snarky, arrogant, savage bastard won he over when he pulled up next to Francesca in his red sports car blasting Puccini and making improper advances. While he is all that is arrogance, he is also so caring with Francesca when she falls apart. And she did that a lot. That girl can weep!
Not that I blame her. Her bff is a cow. Her ex-fiancé is a pig and the wolf that dragged her off is an ass. She’s sweet and innocent with an easy trust in people who all had alternate reasons for wanting her in their lives. She just didn’t know it.
And then there’s Uncle Bruno. Smh! I couldn’t believe that he would be so unkind to his last living relative. In spite of the terms of the will, he did not have to be so damned cold to her.
I absolutely enjoyed devouring this book. Michelle. Reid is one of my favorite authors and I love finding random gems from her. Definitely worth reading again.
July 21, 2020
Rating 4, then 2, then 2.5
Not one of the better ones by MR.
Too bad because it started off quite nicely with 4⭐️with a hot exchange at a traffic light between the Hero in his top down sports car and the heroine on her vespa, with her flowing hair, in a tank top and shorts displaying her long sexy legs.
Went downhill to 2⭐️ at the half way mark when heroine catches her fiance and BFF cheating on her, at their own engagement party. She also overhears their unrestrained lust for each other.
The Hero hurriedly takes her away to another room so she can deal with her heartbreak and betrayal. He helps her out by passionately kissing her and awakening an equally uncontrollable lust within her. So am thinking these two couples are no better than each other...
Soon after they are also caught by the cheating fiance. Strong words and insults are exchanged by all aggrieved parties and she leaves w the Hero. He takes her to his palazzo and, despite her anguish, more uncontrolled lust is springing up between them.
She is practically prostrate in her distress and yet...
“Tears burned. Her heart burned. That place between her thighs grew hot on a fresh flurry of excitement because she wanted him.”
Excerpt From
The Passion Bargain
Michelle Reid
This material may be protected by copyright.
🙄 Ugh! I cannot even...
It does improve a bit. Hero does propose, but heroine is not ready to marry anyone. They start a relationship. The Hero has obviously been smitten from the start, but the heroine is suspicious, and who can blame her.
There is the added mystery of her being an heiress and all, which was why rhe gold digging ex fiance was after her in the first place. The Hero has her signing docs apparently to protect her...
There was one point where she was getting dizzy and having headaches, and I thought here goes... baby equals marriage, but no, those clues didnt go anywhere.
Its HEA in the end with a planned wedding but no epilogue. 2.5⭐️ tops
Not one of the better ones by MR.
Too bad because it started off quite nicely with 4⭐️with a hot exchange at a traffic light between the Hero in his top down sports car and the heroine on her vespa, with her flowing hair, in a tank top and shorts displaying her long sexy legs.
Went downhill to 2⭐️ at the half way mark when heroine catches her fiance and BFF cheating on her, at their own engagement party. She also overhears their unrestrained lust for each other.
The Hero hurriedly takes her away to another room so she can deal with her heartbreak and betrayal. He helps her out by passionately kissing her and awakening an equally uncontrollable lust within her. So am thinking these two couples are no better than each other...
Soon after they are also caught by the cheating fiance. Strong words and insults are exchanged by all aggrieved parties and she leaves w the Hero. He takes her to his palazzo and, despite her anguish, more uncontrolled lust is springing up between them.
She is practically prostrate in her distress and yet...
“Tears burned. Her heart burned. That place between her thighs grew hot on a fresh flurry of excitement because she wanted him.”
Excerpt From
The Passion Bargain
Michelle Reid
This material may be protected by copyright.
🙄 Ugh! I cannot even...
It does improve a bit. Hero does propose, but heroine is not ready to marry anyone. They start a relationship. The Hero has obviously been smitten from the start, but the heroine is suspicious, and who can blame her.
There is the added mystery of her being an heiress and all, which was why rhe gold digging ex fiance was after her in the first place. The Hero has her signing docs apparently to protect her...
There was one point where she was getting dizzy and having headaches, and I thought here goes... baby equals marriage, but no, those clues didnt go anywhere.
Its HEA in the end with a planned wedding but no epilogue. 2.5⭐️ tops
June 14, 2017
Saya tidak tahu harus memaki diri sendiri atau Francesca. Heroine satu ini benar-benar TSTL (Too Stupid to Live). Setelah mengetahui perselingkuhan calon suaminya dgn teman baiknya, eh... malah dia menyerahkan diri ke pelukan Carlo. Ibarat keluar mulut buaya, masuk mulut singa, itulah yg dialami Francesca. Kepribadiannya yg super labil dan plin-plan abis bikin saya muak pengen jedotin nih cewq. Karakter Carlo masih lumayan walau terlalu alpha buat saya. Tapi chemistry mereka juga terlalu insta lust dan gak masuk nalar saya.
Hampir 3/4 awal cerita hanya ttg seharian yg penuh drama sinetron dgn selingkuh, skandal dan airmata. Cuma tertolong oleh sex scene nya yg lumayan hot. Nyaris inti ceritanya cuma menceritakan kegalauan dan kecengengan Francesca. Ini mungkin novel Harlequin paling angst yg pernah saya baca.
Hampir 3/4 awal cerita hanya ttg seharian yg penuh drama sinetron dgn selingkuh, skandal dan airmata. Cuma tertolong oleh sex scene nya yg lumayan hot. Nyaris inti ceritanya cuma menceritakan kegalauan dan kecengengan Francesca. Ini mungkin novel Harlequin paling angst yg pernah saya baca.
May 17, 2020
The heroine is an heiress who doesn't know she's an heiress; her fiance is a snake who's in it for the money (while sleeping with her best friend, which I refuse to spoiler-tag because if you've ever read a Harlequin Presents novel you know this); the hero fell in love with her at first sight and is determined to save her from herself... with seduction! The heroine is spunky and in many ways as dumb as a pile of rocks but the hero is unbothered by this because the sex is good and he wants to run her life for her anyway; I feel like these two crazy kids will make it.
July 3, 2024
Rating~3.5 stars
December 27, 2020
Woah, woah, woah, slow down. That's how I felt about this book. It started out very strong, with a totally unique premise (half English, half Roman tour guide Francesca is engaged to a man but stirred with desire for another man) & a whole betrayal/revelation (when reading the premise, I had assumed that this Angelo guy was old & ugly and it wouldn't be too hard for the new guy to steal Francesca away from Angelo--it didn't happen exactly like that...Angelo was actually very handsome) & scorching heat & steam with the first sex scene in the middle of the book. I really liked the first sex scene and stupidly expected & hoped for just as good and detailed later sex scenes. Sadly, that did not happen. I would have definitely liked this book better if the other, later sex scenes were as detailed as the first. (I would have rated most of the book a 4, verging maybe to a 5.)
No, the main problem with the book was the whole ending. I as the reader was given whiplash with who was telling the truth over her inheritance. Even Carlo seemed to be deceitful. I mean, he definitely took advantage of her. At the end of the book, I feel like neither man even cared for her enough to let her decide what SHE wanted to do, who SHE wanted to be with. Also, Carlo didn't seem to respect her enough. He was just like you're mine, I want you so badly, I'm the boss.
Also, it was terrible how they were wrapping up the conflict on the second to last page, and I as the reader was confused to the very end. Then, Francesca seemed sick in a way that I assumed her to be pregnant, but it wasn't even confirmed at the end of the novel, so it seemed like a loose plot point!
And LASTLY, Francesca definitely fit the trope of TSTL (too stupid to live). I hated when I would read other reviews, and people would write that about the female characters who I loved & respected, and felt that title was quite far from the truth. But Francesca really fit it. She was not the sharpest tool in the shed, to be honest. I got pissed off when she signed Carlo's documents without reading what they were about! You never do that!! That's how you get taken advantage of. Any high functioning adult should be able to figure that out.
Okay, I know I said lastly, but one more thing: I'm not sure how Carlo was even in love with her at the end of the novel because her personality (extreme naivety, not too bright, her hostility towards him) was not too amazing. So he must have been enamored with her because of the amazing chemistry, desire, and sex between them, idk! I liked her personality in the beginning, as I like most heroines, but she let 2 ppl very close to her fool her. Didn't have a good taste in friends (Sonya was a terrible friend & not the best person either!)
It was a shame that the end of the novel pissed me off because the first half and middle were so promising, exciting, & hot! If only it had continued & there had been less talk of this whole inheritance that confused me & even Francesca! Seriously, did an editor even read this? There were no grammatical errors I noticed, but bad point plots! With some editing, this book would have been great. I also felt like the author either had a deadline, page limit count or something, because she was rushing the end of the book, and it was like why. If I was Michelle Reid, I would have thought to myself you know, this end is really not good. Let me go back and fix it, lol. Like omg!!!
No, the main problem with the book was the whole ending. I as the reader was given whiplash with who was telling the truth over her inheritance. Even Carlo seemed to be deceitful. I mean, he definitely took advantage of her. At the end of the book, I feel like neither man even cared for her enough to let her decide what SHE wanted to do, who SHE wanted to be with. Also, Carlo didn't seem to respect her enough. He was just like you're mine, I want you so badly, I'm the boss.
Also, it was terrible how they were wrapping up the conflict on the second to last page, and I as the reader was confused to the very end. Then, Francesca seemed sick in a way that I assumed her to be pregnant, but it wasn't even confirmed at the end of the novel, so it seemed like a loose plot point!
And LASTLY, Francesca definitely fit the trope of TSTL (too stupid to live). I hated when I would read other reviews, and people would write that about the female characters who I loved & respected, and felt that title was quite far from the truth. But Francesca really fit it. She was not the sharpest tool in the shed, to be honest. I got pissed off when she signed Carlo's documents without reading what they were about! You never do that!! That's how you get taken advantage of. Any high functioning adult should be able to figure that out.
Okay, I know I said lastly, but one more thing: I'm not sure how Carlo was even in love with her at the end of the novel because her personality (extreme naivety, not too bright, her hostility towards him) was not too amazing. So he must have been enamored with her because of the amazing chemistry, desire, and sex between them, idk! I liked her personality in the beginning, as I like most heroines, but she let 2 ppl very close to her fool her. Didn't have a good taste in friends (Sonya was a terrible friend & not the best person either!)
It was a shame that the end of the novel pissed me off because the first half and middle were so promising, exciting, & hot! If only it had continued & there had been less talk of this whole inheritance that confused me & even Francesca! Seriously, did an editor even read this? There were no grammatical errors I noticed, but bad point plots! With some editing, this book would have been great. I also felt like the author either had a deadline, page limit count or something, because she was rushing the end of the book, and it was like why. If I was Michelle Reid, I would have thought to myself you know, this end is really not good. Let me go back and fix it, lol. Like omg!!!
September 29, 2021
4 stars.
He is a smitten, passionate, virile, jealous, dominant, mega rich, handsome H. He is everything a woman would want and more. Wow.
The reason that I don’t give this HP 5 stars, but 4 stars is because of the h. She seems to always cry or when she doesn’t cry, she doesn’t feel well. She slaps him in his face out of emotion. She just comes across as mentally unstable.
I hated the scene in which she thinks he is going away from her and she follows him and she throws herself at him and she practically begs him to stay and she cries and cries. I just hate it when the woman throws herself at the man’s feet.
She goes so often to the hairdresser and have manicures that she even needs to borrow money from the H. Wtf? She’s like a superficial Kim Kardashian with nothing to worry about other than her looks and dressing sexy.
Also: having sex with the H on the same night that her engagement to another man would have been announced, is way too quick. She was a virgin until then, but still. She hardly knew the H and she was thinking that she loved the other man.
And she’s the only one in Italy that didn’t know that she was the beneficiary of a family fortune. How come everyone knew and she didn’t. She knew about the rumours. If she had half a brain, she would have tried to find out the truth.
The first half of the book was a bit dreary. Too much about what the h was thinking and feeling made one evening last around 70 pages or so.
He is a smitten, passionate, virile, jealous, dominant, mega rich, handsome H. He is everything a woman would want and more. Wow.
The reason that I don’t give this HP 5 stars, but 4 stars is because of the h. She seems to always cry or when she doesn’t cry, she doesn’t feel well. She slaps him in his face out of emotion. She just comes across as mentally unstable.
I hated the scene in which she thinks he is going away from her and she follows him and she throws herself at him and she practically begs him to stay and she cries and cries. I just hate it when the woman throws herself at the man’s feet.
She goes so often to the hairdresser and have manicures that she even needs to borrow money from the H. Wtf? She’s like a superficial Kim Kardashian with nothing to worry about other than her looks and dressing sexy.
Also: having sex with the H on the same night that her engagement to another man would have been announced, is way too quick. She was a virgin until then, but still. She hardly knew the H and she was thinking that she loved the other man.
And she’s the only one in Italy that didn’t know that she was the beneficiary of a family fortune. How come everyone knew and she didn’t. She knew about the rumours. If she had half a brain, she would have tried to find out the truth.
The first half of the book was a bit dreary. Too much about what the h was thinking and feeling made one evening last around 70 pages or so.
March 15, 2020
Back of the book blurb:
Businessman Carlo Carlucci won't take no for an answer. The passionate Italian has set his sights on British tour guide Francesca Bernard, who stirs him with her beauty and innocence more than any other woman...
But Francesca is also an heiress, and already engaged to a man whom Carlo believes is a gold-digger. There's only one way he can protect Francesca—and fulfil his desire—and that's to claim her for himself, as his wife. So begins Carlo's slow, but intense, and incredibly sensual, seduction to persuade Francesca to become his bride...
A good romance, lots of angst, and a happily ever after!
Businessman Carlo Carlucci won't take no for an answer. The passionate Italian has set his sights on British tour guide Francesca Bernard, who stirs him with her beauty and innocence more than any other woman...
But Francesca is also an heiress, and already engaged to a man whom Carlo believes is a gold-digger. There's only one way he can protect Francesca—and fulfil his desire—and that's to claim her for himself, as his wife. So begins Carlo's slow, but intense, and incredibly sensual, seduction to persuade Francesca to become his bride...
A good romance, lots of angst, and a happily ever after!
October 3, 2018
This book wasn't like other books that I've read by this author. Lots of drama made it entertaining but it felt rushed. I also didn't like the last few pages. It felt like there was a chapter/epilogue missing.
January 16, 2018
3.5-3.75
August 3, 2021
The set up for the initial deception was to notch but the drawn out discussions about will she or won’t she inherit were ott. All she had to do was talk to a competent lawyer.
October 20, 2021
THE PASSION BARGAIN
ONE OF THE BEST REID. IT KEPT ME UP AT NIGHT
UNTIL I FINISHED IT. WILL BUY THE BOOK SO I
CAN RE READ IT SLOWLY. MARY STASIAK
ONE OF THE BEST REID. IT KEPT ME UP AT NIGHT
UNTIL I FINISHED IT. WILL BUY THE BOOK SO I
CAN RE READ IT SLOWLY. MARY STASIAK
September 21, 2024
Loved it but I'll give it 4.5 rather than five because it ends very abruptly.
June 3, 2020
If you're fan of more classic-style romance with more sensuality, this will be right up your alley, with Francesca the innocent and naive beauty awakened to her hidden and profuse passions by the dominating, sometimes-cruel, ruthless, all-powerful and impossibly-handsome Carlos. The romance part of this is quite sweet, with both parties swept away by unblockable emotions, watching them fight each other and themselves is quite touching.
The storyline is quite well handled, although I'm not sure I can quite suspend my sense of disbelief as to only two men in Rome being interested in her. I didn't really believe Sonya either, she seemed very undeveloped and unmotivated but I'll let it ride, this is a fantasy right?
The subplot of Francesca's family background tangling with his was well done, and provided extra drama and rationale for the tension point before the fall. Once it begins, it doesn't stop, I had to check I was reading a Sexy imprint, not a Blaze one, because from about half way through the book the leads can't keep their hands off each other and it's seduction after seduction.
Note: Apparently some versions have a truncated ending. You can find the original(?) ending here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The storyline is quite well handled, although I'm not sure I can quite suspend my sense of disbelief as to only two men in Rome being interested in her. I didn't really believe Sonya either, she seemed very undeveloped and unmotivated but I'll let it ride, this is a fantasy right?
The subplot of Francesca's family background tangling with his was well done, and provided extra drama and rationale for the tension point before the fall. Once it begins, it doesn't stop, I had to check I was reading a Sexy imprint, not a Blaze one, because from about half way through the book the leads can't keep their hands off each other and it's seduction after seduction.
Note: Apparently some versions have a truncated ending. You can find the original(?) ending here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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