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Bought for the Billionaire's Revenge
Sold to the ruthless tycoon!
Innocent socialite Marnie Kenington was devastated when her parents forced her to spurn Nikos Kyriazis. She's never forgotten him, nor his raw sensuality. So years later, when Nikos insists on a meeting, Marnie's heart leaps...until Nikos strikes a cold, hard deal. Her family is on the verge of bankruptcy and he will rescue them--if she becomes his wife!
Marnie's rejection drove self-made billionaire Nikos to unimaginable success. Now, he'll take his revenge. Marnie's poise is legendary, but he knows in the bedroom he can take her apart, piece by sensual piece...
Innocent socialite Marnie Kenington was devastated when her parents forced her to spurn Nikos Kyriazis. She's never forgotten him, nor his raw sensuality. So years later, when Nikos insists on a meeting, Marnie's heart leaps...until Nikos strikes a cold, hard deal. Her family is on the verge of bankruptcy and he will rescue them--if she becomes his wife!
Marnie's rejection drove self-made billionaire Nikos to unimaginable success. Now, he'll take his revenge. Marnie's poise is legendary, but he knows in the bedroom he can take her apart, piece by sensual piece...
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published July 18, 2017
125 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
About the author
Clare Connelly
517 books406 followersFor all things Clare Connelly, please see www.clareconnelly.co.uk, the official home of Clare Connelly on the web.
Clare Connelly grew up in a small country town in Australia. Surrounded by rainforests, and rickety old timber houses, magic was thick in the air, and stories and storytelling were a huge part of her childhood.
From early on in life, Clare realised her favourite books were romance stories, and read voraciously. Anything from Jane Austen to Georgette Heyer, to Mills & Boon and (more recently) 50 Shades, Clare is a romance devotee. She first turned her hand to penning a novel at fifteen (if memory serves, it was something about a glamorous fashion model who fell foul of a high-end designer. Sparks flew, clothes flew faster, and love was born.)
Clare has a small family and a bungalow near the sea. When she isn't chasing after energetic little toddlers, or wiping fingerprints off furniture, she's writing, thinking about writing, or wishing she were writing.
Clare Connelly grew up in a small country town in Australia. Surrounded by rainforests, and rickety old timber houses, magic was thick in the air, and stories and storytelling were a huge part of her childhood.
From early on in life, Clare realised her favourite books were romance stories, and read voraciously. Anything from Jane Austen to Georgette Heyer, to Mills & Boon and (more recently) 50 Shades, Clare is a romance devotee. She first turned her hand to penning a novel at fifteen (if memory serves, it was something about a glamorous fashion model who fell foul of a high-end designer. Sparks flew, clothes flew faster, and love was born.)
Clare has a small family and a bungalow near the sea. When she isn't chasing after energetic little toddlers, or wiping fingerprints off furniture, she's writing, thinking about writing, or wishing she were writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
October 28, 2017
I don’t know what to say about this story. It’s a revenge story. To-the-manor-born heroine jilted the Greek peasant scholarship hero when she was 17 after her parents, still reeling from the grief at the death of their perfect daughter, pressured her.
It is now six years later. The under-30 hero is a billionaire and realizes he is one of the few people with enough money to bail out the heroine’s father. He summons the heroine to his London office and proposes marriage for five years in exchange for helping her father. The heroine agrees and signs a nonsensical pre-nup that has all kinds of provisions that are never addressed again. (I’m told 50 Shades of Grey has something similar) The point is making the heroine feel humiliated rather than any plot point. (Denying her a child was a loving cherry on the asshole sundae.)
To further muddy the waters, the father doesn’t know why the heroine is marrying the hero and when the hero does offer help after their wedding, he doesn’t want it. In fact, he only takes the bare minimum and he doesn’t soften towards his only surviving daughter – at all. Her mother is equally cold and equally devoted to the narrative that the wrong daughter died.
This isn’t angst – this is despair. And all sorts of shades of sadness keep coming for the heroine.
The heroine barely dated and is still a virgin when she marries the hero. She kinda sorta admits to herself that she’s not doing this for her parents, she just wants to be with the hero, no matter what. She gives in to the hero on every demand, but doesn’t show her feelings. She is a house-elf – compelled to obey her new master – whether its her parents or her husband. This isn’t doormat behavior – it alarmingly goes further than that.
We get the hero’s point of view during some of these scenes, but the head hopping is hard to follow sometimes. And the hero is erratic in his thoughts as well as his actions. He is cruel in his lashing out at the heroine. But these incidents are like papercuts - there are quick bouts of searing pain and then all is quiet for awhile.
For instance, the heroine makes the hero dinner when he gets home from work. At first he reluctantly sits down and eats one scallop. Then he realizes he doesn’t have to comprise with anything the heroine does. He coldly gets up and tells her that he never eats when he first arrives home, but has a swim first. Then he leaves for the swimming pool. The heroine is hurt, left sitting there alone. It’s a papercut hurt, swift and searing.
Then, as a good House Elf, the heroine decides to join the hero in the pool, they have sex and the dinner is burned – like we’re supposed to believe they were so overcome with passion after the hero scolded her like she was the new hired help.
There are other petty incidents – like the hero never telling her she looks nice before going out – he just looks her over and says nothing. The heroine feels off balance and not sure if she’s pleased him or not. He never says. It’s mean and creepy and I came to hate this guy. He also keeps saying in a monotone that he doesn’t want to hurt the heroine when he watches her cry her eyes out.
Hate him.
This is very much in the tradition of the cruel hero vintages from days gone by. There's no manhandling, but the angsty emotional weight a heroine is supposed to bear gives Lillian Peake or Margaret Pargeter a run for their money. I understand this is the author's debut novel. She can really write pain and angst and I look forward to reading something else by her, even though this was a miss for me.
It is now six years later. The under-30 hero is a billionaire and realizes he is one of the few people with enough money to bail out the heroine’s father. He summons the heroine to his London office and proposes marriage for five years in exchange for helping her father. The heroine agrees and signs a nonsensical pre-nup that has all kinds of provisions that are never addressed again. (I’m told 50 Shades of Grey has something similar) The point is making the heroine feel humiliated rather than any plot point. (Denying her a child was a loving cherry on the asshole sundae.)
To further muddy the waters, the father doesn’t know why the heroine is marrying the hero and when the hero does offer help after their wedding, he doesn’t want it. In fact, he only takes the bare minimum and he doesn’t soften towards his only surviving daughter – at all. Her mother is equally cold and equally devoted to the narrative that the wrong daughter died.
This isn’t angst – this is despair. And all sorts of shades of sadness keep coming for the heroine.
The heroine barely dated and is still a virgin when she marries the hero. She kinda sorta admits to herself that she’s not doing this for her parents, she just wants to be with the hero, no matter what. She gives in to the hero on every demand, but doesn’t show her feelings. She is a house-elf – compelled to obey her new master – whether its her parents or her husband. This isn’t doormat behavior – it alarmingly goes further than that.
We get the hero’s point of view during some of these scenes, but the head hopping is hard to follow sometimes. And the hero is erratic in his thoughts as well as his actions. He is cruel in his lashing out at the heroine. But these incidents are like papercuts - there are quick bouts of searing pain and then all is quiet for awhile.
For instance, the heroine makes the hero dinner when he gets home from work. At first he reluctantly sits down and eats one scallop. Then he realizes he doesn’t have to comprise with anything the heroine does. He coldly gets up and tells her that he never eats when he first arrives home, but has a swim first. Then he leaves for the swimming pool. The heroine is hurt, left sitting there alone. It’s a papercut hurt, swift and searing.
Then, as a good House Elf, the heroine decides to join the hero in the pool, they have sex and the dinner is burned – like we’re supposed to believe they were so overcome with passion after the hero scolded her like she was the new hired help.
There are other petty incidents – like the hero never telling her she looks nice before going out – he just looks her over and says nothing. The heroine feels off balance and not sure if she’s pleased him or not. He never says. It’s mean and creepy and I came to hate this guy. He also keeps saying in a monotone that he doesn’t want to hurt the heroine when he watches her cry her eyes out.
Hate him.
This is very much in the tradition of the cruel hero vintages from days gone by. There's no manhandling, but the angsty emotional weight a heroine is supposed to bear gives Lillian Peake or Margaret Pargeter a run for their money. I understand this is the author's debut novel. She can really write pain and angst and I look forward to reading something else by her, even though this was a miss for me.
June 26, 2017
ARC provided by NetGalley and Harlequin for an honest review.
Marnie and Nikos first meet when she's a teenager. They fall in love and are in a relationship for a few months. But tragedy strikes Marnie's family, her sister dies and her Father opposes her relationship with Nikos. Marnie's family is well to do and Nikos is working class. She ends the relationship to Nikos to make her parents happy and with her not knowing her Father pays Nikos off to disappear. Both are devistated and heartbroken. Nikos is hurt and angry and swears he will make something of himself with the money he's given.
Six years later they meet again. Marnie has grown into a composed young woman and is sought after by the paparazzi,she's been labeled Lady Heiress. She's been labeled because of her cool, composed and put together appearance. All a defense to hide and shield her heart from all the pain and hurt she's endured with the lost of her sister, the pressure and expectations her parents have of her and most of all her loss of her soul mate, Nikos. Nikos on the other hand has accomplished what he set out to do, become a successful billionaire with the opportunity for revenge against Marnie and her Father. Marnie's Father is in financial trouble. Nikos invites Marnie to his office, informs her what her Fathers situation is (she knew something was up with her Father but no idea he was in so much financial trouble) and that the only way he'll assist in helping her Father is by her becoming his wife.
Marnie and Nikos find that neither has ever gotten over what they had together. Marnie closed herself off and shut down all feeling and emotions to survive. Nikos determined not to be hurt or made to feel inferior as he had in the past, so he worked hard and closed himself off to emotions as well. But as the two plan their wedding and future life together all those feeling and emotions come back to the surface like a rushing wind. What I appreciated was their unraveling of the past in a honest, open dialogue. I appreciated the gradual development of their relationship as they sorted through their past and future together. Would they stay married and what about children. Would her parents ever play a part and does the truth all come out.
I found I liked both these characters and their multi demential personalities. Their character development throughout the story was layered and grew into two people I liked and wanted to have their HEA. Liked the secondary characters but not Marnie's parents.
Really enjoyable read with characters that communicated and worked through issues adult like.
But I have to say I did have issues with writing. Some of the scenes would stop abruptly and suddenly you find you are thrown into a completely different scene and having to recalibrate. Needs improvement in transition and delivery.
Marnie and Nikos first meet when she's a teenager. They fall in love and are in a relationship for a few months. But tragedy strikes Marnie's family, her sister dies and her Father opposes her relationship with Nikos. Marnie's family is well to do and Nikos is working class. She ends the relationship to Nikos to make her parents happy and with her not knowing her Father pays Nikos off to disappear. Both are devistated and heartbroken. Nikos is hurt and angry and swears he will make something of himself with the money he's given.
Six years later they meet again. Marnie has grown into a composed young woman and is sought after by the paparazzi,she's been labeled Lady Heiress. She's been labeled because of her cool, composed and put together appearance. All a defense to hide and shield her heart from all the pain and hurt she's endured with the lost of her sister, the pressure and expectations her parents have of her and most of all her loss of her soul mate, Nikos. Nikos on the other hand has accomplished what he set out to do, become a successful billionaire with the opportunity for revenge against Marnie and her Father. Marnie's Father is in financial trouble. Nikos invites Marnie to his office, informs her what her Fathers situation is (she knew something was up with her Father but no idea he was in so much financial trouble) and that the only way he'll assist in helping her Father is by her becoming his wife.
Marnie and Nikos find that neither has ever gotten over what they had together. Marnie closed herself off and shut down all feeling and emotions to survive. Nikos determined not to be hurt or made to feel inferior as he had in the past, so he worked hard and closed himself off to emotions as well. But as the two plan their wedding and future life together all those feeling and emotions come back to the surface like a rushing wind. What I appreciated was their unraveling of the past in a honest, open dialogue. I appreciated the gradual development of their relationship as they sorted through their past and future together. Would they stay married and what about children. Would her parents ever play a part and does the truth all come out.
I found I liked both these characters and their multi demential personalities. Their character development throughout the story was layered and grew into two people I liked and wanted to have their HEA. Liked the secondary characters but not Marnie's parents.
Really enjoyable read with characters that communicated and worked through issues adult like.
But I have to say I did have issues with writing. Some of the scenes would stop abruptly and suddenly you find you are thrown into a completely different scene and having to recalibrate. Needs improvement in transition and delivery.
July 6, 2017
Rich socialite heroine rejected poor hero when they were young and years later he is back for revenge. He will pay her father's debt if she agrees to marry him. But what he doesn't know is that Marnie married him not because of his blackmail but because she never stopped loving him.
Amazing marriage of convenience story. This is Clare's debut Harlequin Presents novel and I am hoping she writes many more Harlequin Presents. Heroine was my kind of heroine. Virginal, loving, forgiving and self-sacrificing. Hero was your typical presents hero ruthless and cruel at first but it quickly becomes obvious how much he cares for his wife. Very emotional, romantic book. Epilogue with their baby girl was so sweet. I recommend!
Amazing marriage of convenience story. This is Clare's debut Harlequin Presents novel and I am hoping she writes many more Harlequin Presents. Heroine was my kind of heroine. Virginal, loving, forgiving and self-sacrificing. Hero was your typical presents hero ruthless and cruel at first but it quickly becomes obvious how much he cares for his wife. Very emotional, romantic book. Epilogue with their baby girl was so sweet. I recommend!
July 24, 2017
This is the author's HP debut,but I have read her before and enjoyed her stories as they were HP in style .This was a tale of marriage for revenge plot.The couple were young 17/21,she landed English gentry,he peasant Greek "scolarship"boy.But the course of true love did not last long as the heroine was forced to choose between her young love and love for her family that had recently seen their golden child daughter die of leukemia.Our poor heroine was always in the background,never front and center.The poor Greek peasant was given a large sum of money and sent on his way after a few well chosen words.From then on,he had plans to become richer and more powerful ,revenge is now the name of the game.
Six years later ,our star-crossed lovers to be meet up when our heroine is summoned to the lion's den (hero)and his plan of revenge takes form.Marry me he tells her and I will
make all your father's financial worries disappear.What's a girl to do but comply and away to Greece to begin a marriage founded on revenge.
I found this to be a good story.I liked both characters,the hero's rise to billionaire status in six years seems to be a bit farfetched,but hey,it's Harleyville.
Nice epilogue with baby and all family comming together.I am wondering if Anderson will get a story.
Six years later ,our star-crossed lovers to be meet up when our heroine is summoned to the lion's den (hero)and his plan of revenge takes form.Marry me he tells her and I will
make all your father's financial worries disappear.What's a girl to do but comply and away to Greece to begin a marriage founded on revenge.
I found this to be a good story.I liked both characters,the hero's rise to billionaire status in six years seems to be a bit farfetched,but hey,it's Harleyville.
Nice epilogue with baby and all family comming together.I am wondering if Anderson will get a story.
April 5, 2022
Hot, fast, relationship-intense read
The boardroom barter always makes for a strong, Presents’ first impression. What I really liked about this beginning though, is that the relationship conflict is right out in the open between them.
I also liked the Greek setting with its older-Presents' vibe, an impression reinforced by voice and how the romance is very conflict-driven.
Nikos also reinforces that classic Presents' feel when you’re first introduced, but you're waiting, or at least I was, for him to become more 3D.
This is more the heroine's story than the hero's. Marnie is easy to empathise with. You understand how she made the decision she did as a grieving 17-year-old, even if it takes the hero a while to.
The pace is disorientating at times as you sometimes wonder where you are and whose head you’re in.
Marnie says she’s seen inside Nikos' soul, but I didn’t really feel as though the reader had, and I would have happily sacrificed secondary-character scenes and love-scene intense for more internal insight into Nikos' heart and soul.
3 classic Presents' stars for this easy-to-read page turner that skates the surface of the emotion and the hero
Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley in return for feedback
The boardroom barter always makes for a strong, Presents’ first impression. What I really liked about this beginning though, is that the relationship conflict is right out in the open between them.
I also liked the Greek setting with its older-Presents' vibe, an impression reinforced by voice and how the romance is very conflict-driven.
Nikos also reinforces that classic Presents' feel when you’re first introduced, but you're waiting, or at least I was, for him to become more 3D.
This is more the heroine's story than the hero's. Marnie is easy to empathise with. You understand how she made the decision she did as a grieving 17-year-old, even if it takes the hero a while to.
The pace is disorientating at times as you sometimes wonder where you are and whose head you’re in.
Marnie says she’s seen inside Nikos' soul, but I didn’t really feel as though the reader had, and I would have happily sacrificed secondary-character scenes and love-scene intense for more internal insight into Nikos' heart and soul.
3 classic Presents' stars for this easy-to-read page turner that skates the surface of the emotion and the hero
Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley in return for feedback
August 11, 2018
I've read non-HP by Clare Connelly and liked them better.
Here, the h rubbed me the wrong way from the beginning and the H wasn't outstanding 😐
The best part was Anderson 😍
Here, the h rubbed me the wrong way from the beginning and the H wasn't outstanding 😐
The best part was Anderson 😍
August 7, 2018
Clare Connelly. A debut hp author. I have her non HP's but have yet to read them. I was so happy this author got signed onto harlequin. I got her books because I was told she writes alpha heroes & her heroines are mostly virgins. Tropes I prefer.
Unfortunately Bought for the Billionaire's Revenge failed to live up to my expectations. The problems- the storytelling was mediocre and sluggish; the hero shows no jealousy or possessiveness and the hero pushed the heroine away toward the end. He was willing to let the pregnant heroine go!
Also a problem- the parents suffer no consequences for destroying the hero & heroine's romance.
I guess this week I'll finally read Connelly's non HP's. I need to see if the writing style is different.
I'm disappointed. I expected much from this new addition to harlequin. Sigh.
Unfortunately Bought for the Billionaire's Revenge failed to live up to my expectations. The problems- the storytelling was mediocre and sluggish; the hero shows no jealousy or possessiveness and the hero pushed the heroine away toward the end. He was willing to let the pregnant heroine go!
Also a problem- the parents suffer no consequences for destroying the hero & heroine's romance.
I guess this week I'll finally read Connelly's non HP's. I need to see if the writing style is different.
I'm disappointed. I expected much from this new addition to harlequin. Sigh.
June 23, 2017
I don't think I've read any Mills & Boon books by this author before but it did feel like I had read a similar plot before as this is a very unoriginal plot which I have read time and again in a Mills&Boon however, I enjoyed it and would recommend to a M&B fan but don't expect anything original.
At 17, Marnie had ended things with Nikos due to pressure from her parents. I felt a bit confused here as her dead sister is mentioned but the author doesn't take us back to the past much and it wasn't really explained enough. Marnie was unaware that her father also paid Nikos off. He was angry and so he used the money to make something of himself and only six years later, he's a billionaire! He finds out Marnie's father is in trouble financially and sees it as his way to finally get Marnie back.
I liked Nikos. He wasn't ever particularly horrible to Marnie but he does hurt her but I felt the emotion was lacking. Marnie seemed a bit of an insipid character that never really stood up for herself with her parents or Nikos. I felt the author didn't expand on enough...their past, her dead sister, Marnie's job. I would say Nikos was the saving grace of the story.
ARC provided by Netgalley.
At 17, Marnie had ended things with Nikos due to pressure from her parents. I felt a bit confused here as her dead sister is mentioned but the author doesn't take us back to the past much and it wasn't really explained enough. Marnie was unaware that her father also paid Nikos off. He was angry and so he used the money to make something of himself and only six years later, he's a billionaire! He finds out Marnie's father is in trouble financially and sees it as his way to finally get Marnie back.
I liked Nikos. He wasn't ever particularly horrible to Marnie but he does hurt her but I felt the emotion was lacking. Marnie seemed a bit of an insipid character that never really stood up for herself with her parents or Nikos. I felt the author didn't expand on enough...their past, her dead sister, Marnie's job. I would say Nikos was the saving grace of the story.
ARC provided by Netgalley.
August 2, 2017
Bought for the Billionaire’s Revenge by Clare Connelly is a debut story for the author with the Harlequin Presents line, and in classic HP fashion is a passionate second chance romance with lust, revenge, money and power leading to a well deserved happy ever after.
The daughter of wealthy socialite parents, Marnie Kenington’s first love Nikos Kyriasiz is four years older than her and as far as her family is concerned, totally unsuited as a prospective partner. When Marnie’s sister dies of leukemia, her grief stricken parents can’t chance losing another daughter and give Marnie an ultimatum – them or Nikos. Heartbroken, Marnie breaks things off with Nikos.
Six years later, Nikos has the chance to enact his revenge for being so easily cast off by Marnie. He’s become a very wealthy man and upon hearing how much debt her father has accumulated he arranges a meeting with Marnie and a deal – marry him, and he’ll take care of those debts. Once again, Marnie is in a position where she feels that she has no choice, and agrees. Nikos plans to keep his heart intact even as he seduces Marnie into bed, and Marnie knows she’d be a fool to let her feelings for Nikos come back to the surface. Can these two find a way to forgive each other for past hurts and give themselves a second chance at love?
For more of this review please visit Harlequin Junkie: http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-bou...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.
The daughter of wealthy socialite parents, Marnie Kenington’s first love Nikos Kyriasiz is four years older than her and as far as her family is concerned, totally unsuited as a prospective partner. When Marnie’s sister dies of leukemia, her grief stricken parents can’t chance losing another daughter and give Marnie an ultimatum – them or Nikos. Heartbroken, Marnie breaks things off with Nikos.
Six years later, Nikos has the chance to enact his revenge for being so easily cast off by Marnie. He’s become a very wealthy man and upon hearing how much debt her father has accumulated he arranges a meeting with Marnie and a deal – marry him, and he’ll take care of those debts. Once again, Marnie is in a position where she feels that she has no choice, and agrees. Nikos plans to keep his heart intact even as he seduces Marnie into bed, and Marnie knows she’d be a fool to let her feelings for Nikos come back to the surface. Can these two find a way to forgive each other for past hurts and give themselves a second chance at love?
For more of this review please visit Harlequin Junkie: http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-bou...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.
July 15, 2018
This was yet again another disappointing Harlequin Presents read. Just lately I have been really craving a good old Harlequin Presents read these last few days, and I just haven’t found it. Then again I set my expectations pretty high, and I know what I have been looking for, but I just haven’t found it.
I thought this one was going to match my expectations with lots of tension and spectacular angst. This one did have angst. Plenty of misunderstandings. Marnie and Nikos had a history so all the more friction because of their past relationship where she rejected him and all the hurt build up because of that. And all the building of a really angsty romance, but it wasn’t pleasurable angst if you know what I mean. In fact it was downright disturbing and kind of annoying. There just was no real softness to their relationship that would make me root for them. At times, it was just a plain turnoff especially Nikos’s overly cruel to her.
I don’t know I just didn’t like them as a couple. I didn’t connect with them at all or their story. To me they just didn’t have it. They didn’t have that spark that I was looking for. I wanted to see more intimate moments between them, not of the physical variety, but the emotional variety. Yes, they kind of had a moment at the end, but it wasn’t enough for me. They just didn’t have a lot going on for them. I was just turned off by their entire romance.
The love scenes were okay, but once again nothing special about them. There was something about them that had an important missing piece, and that was the emotional intimacy of the scene. It was more about the lust, and despite the fact that they claimed to never stop loving each other, it didn’t feel like it. It felt like that they finally scratched the itch that they had after never having consummated their relationship in the past where she was only seventeen and him not much older. They were kids in love. A less mature love, so I was expecting that they would have that more mature love and love scenes, but they didn’t, and that was really disappointing.
Overall the story wasn’t a bad one with many typical Harlequin Presents themes that I enjoy and love, but the way that Marnie and Nikos story played out just really didn’t do it for me. There was that spark missing. The interest just wasn’t there. Just how it all played out was not enjoyable. There just needed to be more depth and intimacy more throughout the book instead of the focus being on the sex and romance of the entire situation. That wasn’t appealing to me. I wish there was more of the enjoyable angst between them then I think my review would have been very different and I would have been more engrossed in the story. This one just felt really flat to me, and I did skim a majority because there was nothing holding me to it. I needed to be more immersed than I was. I had to believe in their relationship. Their love, and I just didn’t.
I thought this one was going to match my expectations with lots of tension and spectacular angst. This one did have angst. Plenty of misunderstandings. Marnie and Nikos had a history so all the more friction because of their past relationship where she rejected him and all the hurt build up because of that. And all the building of a really angsty romance, but it wasn’t pleasurable angst if you know what I mean. In fact it was downright disturbing and kind of annoying. There just was no real softness to their relationship that would make me root for them. At times, it was just a plain turnoff especially Nikos’s overly cruel to her.
I don’t know I just didn’t like them as a couple. I didn’t connect with them at all or their story. To me they just didn’t have it. They didn’t have that spark that I was looking for. I wanted to see more intimate moments between them, not of the physical variety, but the emotional variety. Yes, they kind of had a moment at the end, but it wasn’t enough for me. They just didn’t have a lot going on for them. I was just turned off by their entire romance.
The love scenes were okay, but once again nothing special about them. There was something about them that had an important missing piece, and that was the emotional intimacy of the scene. It was more about the lust, and despite the fact that they claimed to never stop loving each other, it didn’t feel like it. It felt like that they finally scratched the itch that they had after never having consummated their relationship in the past where she was only seventeen and him not much older. They were kids in love. A less mature love, so I was expecting that they would have that more mature love and love scenes, but they didn’t, and that was really disappointing.
Overall the story wasn’t a bad one with many typical Harlequin Presents themes that I enjoy and love, but the way that Marnie and Nikos story played out just really didn’t do it for me. There was that spark missing. The interest just wasn’t there. Just how it all played out was not enjoyable. There just needed to be more depth and intimacy more throughout the book instead of the focus being on the sex and romance of the entire situation. That wasn’t appealing to me. I wish there was more of the enjoyable angst between them then I think my review would have been very different and I would have been more engrossed in the story. This one just felt really flat to me, and I did skim a majority because there was nothing holding me to it. I needed to be more immersed than I was. I had to believe in their relationship. Their love, and I just didn’t.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2017
This was the first Clare Connelly book that I'd read and I liked it so much that it got me venturing into reading her other books, even though they weren't HPs and came across quite a few of her books that I liked, especially her Sheikh books. Most of her books have my fav tropes, alpha, ruthless hero, sweet, virginal heroine, angst and pregnancy or secret child.
This one had all the above tropes though pregnancy came at the end. I liked both Nikos and Marnie. Despite the separation, hurt, and angst, they'd never stopped loving the other. They only thought they did. And, although, Nikos, had blackmailed Marnie to marry him in his quest for revenge, spoke coldly and rudely to her like telling her to call him Nikos when she called him Nik like she once used to, he actually kept doing stuff that would make Marnie happy. For example, willing to accept the invitation from Marnie's parents for her father's birthday party so that he could convince the man on the brink of bankruptcy to accept his help, the man whom he hated the most. His vengeful mission had been to buy Marnie's ancestral mansion and gloat over it, but when he actually bought it, he changed plans. Such an adorable dolt. Giving her divorce papers thinking it was the best thing for her, not getting it that he was her happiness, her entire world. Loved the blasting Marnie gave him for that and I literally laughed imagining the stunned expression on his face.
His ice-sculpture in the epilogue also had me laughing. Very sweet epilogue.
Overall, a very touching and enjoyable book.
This one had all the above tropes though pregnancy came at the end. I liked both Nikos and Marnie. Despite the separation, hurt, and angst, they'd never stopped loving the other. They only thought they did. And, although, Nikos, had blackmailed Marnie to marry him in his quest for revenge, spoke coldly and rudely to her like telling her to call him Nikos when she called him Nik like she once used to, he actually kept doing stuff that would make Marnie happy. For example, willing to accept the invitation from Marnie's parents for her father's birthday party so that he could convince the man on the brink of bankruptcy to accept his help, the man whom he hated the most. His vengeful mission had been to buy Marnie's ancestral mansion and gloat over it, but when he actually bought it, he changed plans. Such an adorable dolt. Giving her divorce papers thinking it was the best thing for her, not getting it that he was her happiness, her entire world. Loved the blasting Marnie gave him for that and I literally laughed imagining the stunned expression on his face.
His ice-sculpture in the epilogue also had me laughing. Very sweet epilogue.
Overall, a very touching and enjoyable book.
July 23, 2017
I didn’t know what to expect since I had never read this author before, but I absolutely loved this story. There was something about the heroine’s reserved personality that really resonated with me, especially when she worked so hard to present a mask to the world. She was not as tempestuous and irrational as some other Presents heroines, which is what I really enjoyed about her. I found it easy to sympathize with her difficult family situation, being overshadowed by her sister, undervalued by her own parents. There is one scene of the hero with the heroine’s father that perfectly explains how her parents thought of her—every year they would do a family picture, but after her sister died, they stopped doing it. Her father says, “What was the point?” As if a picture of the heroine wasn’t worth the effort without her sister. That scene really made me ache for how the heroine has been treated her whole life and why she made the choices she did.
The hero’s reasons for marrying her smack of complete self-delusion, but for a man who had been so shamed and who hated himself so much for taking her father’s money, I would expect a lot of self-delusion to come into the picture.
The story has a great deal of emotional conflict, which kept me interested and engaged for the entire book. I also liked the author’s lyrical writing style and how she expressed each character’s emotions. It was very intelligent but also very moving.
The ending was a tad cheesy, but I was primed for that happy ending and really enjoyed it. Overall, a really great book with characters I liked. I would definitely read this author’s other works.
The hero’s reasons for marrying her smack of complete self-delusion, but for a man who had been so shamed and who hated himself so much for taking her father’s money, I would expect a lot of self-delusion to come into the picture.
The story has a great deal of emotional conflict, which kept me interested and engaged for the entire book. I also liked the author’s lyrical writing style and how she expressed each character’s emotions. It was very intelligent but also very moving.
The ending was a tad cheesy, but I was primed for that happy ending and really enjoyed it. Overall, a really great book with characters I liked. I would definitely read this author’s other works.
June 30, 2017
This is MS Connelly’s debut for Harlequin and what a beauty it is there is sensuality oozing from the pages and sparks flying in so many directions between the hero Nikos Kyriazis who is after revenge and the heroine Marnie Kenington, Marnie is the socialite known of Lady Heiress but there is a lot more to Marnie than most people see and I loved getting to know her and Nikos on this very sizzling journey to a very well deserved HEA.
Marine met and fell in love with the boy from the wrong side of the tracks when she was seventeen he was friends with her sister Libby’s fiancé but when Libby passes away and devastates the family Marnie’s parents force her to get rid of Nikos she cannot refuse them so hurts herself and Nikos and she never forgets him and although she has a few dates here and there no one will ever be Nikos.
Nikos is devastated when firstly Marnie drops him and he is bought off by her father but it makes him so very determined to make something of himself and that he does he works hard becomes a billionaire and is so sure that one day he will have his revenge and when he finds out that Marnie’s father is almost bankrupt he steps in with cash on the condition that Marnie marry him finally his revenge, but in the end his life is about to change forever.
Oh what a story the emotion and the depth of the characters had me turning the pages my heart went out to Marnie so many times and Nikos I could have hit him but I knew that his love for Marnie was so very strong as hers was for Nikos. I loved Marnie’s strength and courage to stand up to Nikos throughout the story and her caring and loyalty to her family and of course to Nikos yes there were a few tears lots of sighing and lots of smiles in the end. Thank you for a fabulous story MS Connelly one that I thoroughly enjoyed and can highly recommend.
Marine met and fell in love with the boy from the wrong side of the tracks when she was seventeen he was friends with her sister Libby’s fiancé but when Libby passes away and devastates the family Marnie’s parents force her to get rid of Nikos she cannot refuse them so hurts herself and Nikos and she never forgets him and although she has a few dates here and there no one will ever be Nikos.
Nikos is devastated when firstly Marnie drops him and he is bought off by her father but it makes him so very determined to make something of himself and that he does he works hard becomes a billionaire and is so sure that one day he will have his revenge and when he finds out that Marnie’s father is almost bankrupt he steps in with cash on the condition that Marnie marry him finally his revenge, but in the end his life is about to change forever.
Oh what a story the emotion and the depth of the characters had me turning the pages my heart went out to Marnie so many times and Nikos I could have hit him but I knew that his love for Marnie was so very strong as hers was for Nikos. I loved Marnie’s strength and courage to stand up to Nikos throughout the story and her caring and loyalty to her family and of course to Nikos yes there were a few tears lots of sighing and lots of smiles in the end. Thank you for a fabulous story MS Connelly one that I thoroughly enjoyed and can highly recommend.
October 6, 2017
6 years earlier, 17-year-old Marnie Kenington was pressured by her parents into giving up the love of her life, which set him on a vengeful path. Now, Marnie's father is completely bankrupt and in financial danger and Nikos Kyriazis is ready to bail him out, for a price. He wants Marnie to marry him so he can more or less punish her, show her how much she wants him and how little he cares and hold his now, much loftier position over Marnie's and her family's heads. But he doesn't expect to actually start to like her again. Nor does Marnie expect Nikos to have so much anger. But she knows she still loves him and hopes they can make their marriage work.
So not a bad opener for this author in the Harlequin Presents series. I liked the set up which was nice and angsty. Nikos blackmails Marnie into marriage and holds on to his anger for a surprisingly long time, and while he's not exactly kind to her, he's not exactly an ass either. He hurts her feelings plenty, but mostly through his disdain, his sneers and his neglect. Later, when he gets all grovelly, and kind of bumbles it since he it gets kind of endearing. All he wants to do is undo his mistake and he doesn't realize he's making it worse. Marnie I didn't like as much. She was a good character with a level head and a lot of kindness, but she had an underlying doormat streak that irked me. It really felt like she was living at Nikos's whim and just hoping and dreaming that he'd see the truth all the while tolerating his disdainful attitude and outright anger. I especially didn't like all their justifications there at the end...instead of admitting that anyone was in the wrong, they gloss over everything with lies. Marnie makes an excuse for Nikos that he blackmailed her into marriage because he'd loved her all along and wanted to help her family, to which Nikos later agrees. Meanwhile, Marnie's also telling him that all along she married him because she'd loved him and couldn't imagine a life without him... Then in epilogue they work together to completely rewrite the story with falsehoods - she claims she never doubted his love for her and he claims that he called her "agape" because even through his anger, he hoped they'd be in love again. I didn't really buy that given their behavior in the story. Still this was a pretty good blackmail story without a tantruming heroine or asshole hero and you do feel Nikos melting throughout the story and trying to fight it, while Marnie's suffering is pretty well conveyed. This was a well-written story - I'd be curious to see more by this author, but using different tropes.
So not a bad opener for this author in the Harlequin Presents series. I liked the set up which was nice and angsty. Nikos blackmails Marnie into marriage and holds on to his anger for a surprisingly long time, and while he's not exactly kind to her, he's not exactly an ass either. He hurts her feelings plenty, but mostly through his disdain, his sneers and his neglect. Later, when he gets all grovelly, and kind of bumbles it since he it gets kind of endearing. All he wants to do is undo his mistake and he doesn't realize he's making it worse. Marnie I didn't like as much. She was a good character with a level head and a lot of kindness, but she had an underlying doormat streak that irked me. It really felt like she was living at Nikos's whim and just hoping and dreaming that he'd see the truth all the while tolerating his disdainful attitude and outright anger. I especially didn't like all their justifications there at the end...instead of admitting that anyone was in the wrong, they gloss over everything with lies. Marnie makes an excuse for Nikos that he blackmailed her into marriage because he'd loved her all along and wanted to help her family, to which Nikos later agrees. Meanwhile, Marnie's also telling him that all along she married him because she'd loved him and couldn't imagine a life without him... Then in epilogue they work together to completely rewrite the story with falsehoods - she claims she never doubted his love for her and he claims that he called her "agape" because even through his anger, he hoped they'd be in love again. I didn't really buy that given their behavior in the story. Still this was a pretty good blackmail story without a tantruming heroine or asshole hero and you do feel Nikos melting throughout the story and trying to fight it, while Marnie's suffering is pretty well conveyed. This was a well-written story - I'd be curious to see more by this author, but using different tropes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2018
What a page turner! Nikos and Marnie's story is about second chances. The chemistry between them is palpable and leaps of the pages. So much hurt and misunderstanding and yet so much love.... this one will stay with me for a long while. Well done, Clare Connelly.
March 21, 2023
Quick Summary: A revenge love romance
My Review: Bought for the Billionaire's Revenge by Clare Connelly was an I hate you but I love you romance.
About the Book:
Rejected by the woman he loved once upon a time, Nikos Kyriazis set out to get even with Marnie Kenington and her family. Little did he know that the feelings he once had for her were still there. Is he willing to give her his heart again, or will he push her out of his life for good?
After suffering two great losses in her life, Lady Heiress and society princess, Marnie Kenington finds herself in an unusual predicament. The only way she can help her family is to get in bed with her ex, who just so happens to be the only man she has ever loved.What will she choose for herself - him or something else?
My Final Say: Readers who enjoy stories with angry Greek tycoons out for vengeance yet brought down by love will like this romance.
Rating: 3/5
Recommend: Yes (+/-)
Audience: A
# libraryread
My Review: Bought for the Billionaire's Revenge by Clare Connelly was an I hate you but I love you romance.
About the Book:
Rejected by the woman he loved once upon a time, Nikos Kyriazis set out to get even with Marnie Kenington and her family. Little did he know that the feelings he once had for her were still there. Is he willing to give her his heart again, or will he push her out of his life for good?
After suffering two great losses in her life, Lady Heiress and society princess, Marnie Kenington finds herself in an unusual predicament. The only way she can help her family is to get in bed with her ex, who just so happens to be the only man she has ever loved.What will she choose for herself - him or something else?
My Final Say: Readers who enjoy stories with angry Greek tycoons out for vengeance yet brought down by love will like this romance.
Rating: 3/5
Recommend: Yes (+/-)
Audience: A
# libraryread
July 21, 2020
This was a good but uneven book. There were some really great moments, and then there were others where I wasn’t sure what the character was trying to say or how they felt. One minute, the Hero would say something really nasty, and the next he’s thinking something completely at odds with what he just did. He actually said and did quite a few mean, manipulative things...
For example, he says it “would never be magical or wonderful” for her to get pregnant... and considering she’d supposedly been his one love in life, that seemed like a harsh statement. (Later, he was pretty darn disconnected emotionally by the news that his wife was expecting.)
He should’ve been called out for the facts that he took a payoff from her dad to leave her and had a quantity of women he paraded for six years (while claiming the heroine had done wrong by him). (The lines describing his women were great!)
Overall, better editing would’ve helped this book, but there were good moments.
7/20 reread — downgrading this because he’s so mean throughout. He’s not just going for revenge against the decision of 17-year-old girl who was in mourning, he’s going for total humiliation and degradation. Why he claims he doesn’t want to hurt her when every single action he takes belittles her, I’ll never understand. She had almost no self-esteem going in to this revenge marriage, but he worked hard to chip away any that was left. His inability to coherently say, “I love you, I’ve always loved you, I can’t live without you” made this a poorer story. (Maybe he didn’t.) He was a total man whore who had a lot of nerve saying she was the one who didn’t care enough about them. Bottom line: he was hateful.
On a positive note, the cover artwork was very well-done.
I’ve read several Clare Connelly books now and really wish she’d get it together on better endings. (And her heroes could work on their fidelity.)
For example, he says it “would never be magical or wonderful” for her to get pregnant... and considering she’d supposedly been his one love in life, that seemed like a harsh statement. (Later, he was pretty darn disconnected emotionally by the news that his wife was expecting.)
He should’ve been called out for the facts that he took a payoff from her dad to leave her and had a quantity of women he paraded for six years (while claiming the heroine had done wrong by him). (The lines describing his women were great!)
Overall, better editing would’ve helped this book, but there were good moments.
7/20 reread — downgrading this because he’s so mean throughout. He’s not just going for revenge against the decision of 17-year-old girl who was in mourning, he’s going for total humiliation and degradation. Why he claims he doesn’t want to hurt her when every single action he takes belittles her, I’ll never understand. She had almost no self-esteem going in to this revenge marriage, but he worked hard to chip away any that was left. His inability to coherently say, “I love you, I’ve always loved you, I can’t live without you” made this a poorer story. (Maybe he didn’t.) He was a total man whore who had a lot of nerve saying she was the one who didn’t care enough about them. Bottom line: he was hateful.
On a positive note, the cover artwork was very well-done.
I’ve read several Clare Connelly books now and really wish she’d get it together on better endings. (And her heroes could work on their fidelity.)
July 7, 2017
Reunited ... no matter the cost! This is a really great reunion story! They were star-crossed lovers ... she a teen from a prestigious family and he was only slightly older and from poverty. When forced to make an impossible choice, Marnie spurned Nikos's love and sent him away. Years later he's back ... and he's determined to claim what should have been his!
Lady Marnie Kenington is shocked to hear from Nikos after all of these years. She can't imagine why he needs to see her so urgently, but she won't disappoint him by not showing. He was her first love ... the one she has never forgotten, nor moved past.
Nikos Kyriazis used his ire over her rejection as fuel to make something of himself. He worked harder than everyone around him to prosper and become the self-made billionaire he is today. Now her father is on the verge of ruin, and he's come to get his revenge ... and prove that he was more than good enough for the likes of her!
Lady Marnie Kenington is shocked to hear from Nikos after all of these years. She can't imagine why he needs to see her so urgently, but she won't disappoint him by not showing. He was her first love ... the one she has never forgotten, nor moved past.
Nikos Kyriazis used his ire over her rejection as fuel to make something of himself. He worked harder than everyone around him to prosper and become the self-made billionaire he is today. Now her father is on the verge of ruin, and he's come to get his revenge ... and prove that he was more than good enough for the likes of her!
September 1, 2017
I enjoyed this story, although the set up is a little awkward. He marries her for revenge, in a plot that makes little sense until you realise that he's still in love with her and can't do without her. Then he has a bunch of spoilt brat 'I don't want to love' moments - which sound awful when I write it like that, but it's written nicely so that me as the reader doesn't hate him!
The ending is gorgeous. Very satisfying.
The ending is gorgeous. Very satisfying.
October 25, 2017
Leave it up to Clare Connelly to bring a fresh new voice to the Harlequin Presents line. Bought for the Billionaire’s Revenge is a fascinating, sexy and exotic read - one I consumed in a matter of hours. Her writing is addictive, the chemistry and sensual detail between Marnie and Nikos is red-hot and zings with sexual tension. Painting breathtaking vistas as backdrop, it’s only natural to say Ms. Connelly knows the art of making you obsess with Harlequin Presents all over again!
Highly Recommended
5 Stars
August 29, 2018
So much angst-- I really enjoyed this one, and I'd love to read Anderson's story at some point...
May 27, 2017
I received an ARC in return for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this story. It was full of some great angst. But I never really warmed to Marnie. She never really came into her own.
Marnie married Nikos to help save her father. Regardless of how her parents treated her and how they only saw her in her late sister's shadow she bent over backwards to please. She broke off with Nikos when they were younger because her parents wanted her to. But she did it in a cold, heartless way. But as the story progressed she did not mature to me.
But that is the beauty of Clare Connelly's writing. I still enjoyed the story. Nikos deserved a happy ending to the drama as well. He was not cruel deliberately. He was struggling in dealing with his emotions of still wanting a woman who tossed him aside.
This is an enjoyable read, and even though her parents do not seem to fully appreciate their son in law, the reader will.
I really enjoyed this story. It was full of some great angst. But I never really warmed to Marnie. She never really came into her own.
Marnie married Nikos to help save her father. Regardless of how her parents treated her and how they only saw her in her late sister's shadow she bent over backwards to please. She broke off with Nikos when they were younger because her parents wanted her to. But she did it in a cold, heartless way. But as the story progressed she did not mature to me.
But that is the beauty of Clare Connelly's writing. I still enjoyed the story. Nikos deserved a happy ending to the drama as well. He was not cruel deliberately. He was struggling in dealing with his emotions of still wanting a woman who tossed him aside.
This is an enjoyable read, and even though her parents do not seem to fully appreciate their son in law, the reader will.
July 12, 2017
Niko's Kyriazis and Marnie Kenington have loved in the past but her father felt Niko's was a nothing . Her family in the midst of a tragedy with a very ill daughter convinced Marnie who is not strong enough to lose her family, to end things with Niko's and just to be sure her dad paid him off. Love that is true does not end that easily as Marnie finds out in the future. When her father is in financial trouble in walks Nikos now a billionaire willing to help him keep his home and business, for a small price, her hand in marriage. Ms. Connelly has put so many emotions in this book that you will find you love then hate Nikos, will cheer the strength that is Marnie, but mostly you will enjoy the emotional pull of two lovers that never stopped loving each other. Her debut Presents is wonderful and she is an author you will put on your follow list.
June 10, 2021
Sold to the ruthless tycoon!
Innocent socialite Marnie Kenington was devastated when her parents forced her to spurn Nikos Kyriazis. She's never forgotten him, nor his raw sensuality. So years later, when Nikos insists on a meeting, Marnie's heart leaps...until Nikos strikes a cold, hard deal. Her family is on the verge of bankruptcy and he will rescue them--if she becomes his wife!
Marnie's rejection drove self-made billionaire Nikos to unimaginable success. Now, he'll take his revenge. Marnie's poise is legendary, but he knows in the bedroom he can take her apart, piece by sensual piece.
Innocent socialite Marnie Kenington was devastated when her parents forced her to spurn Nikos Kyriazis. She's never forgotten him, nor his raw sensuality. So years later, when Nikos insists on a meeting, Marnie's heart leaps...until Nikos strikes a cold, hard deal. Her family is on the verge of bankruptcy and he will rescue them--if she becomes his wife!
Marnie's rejection drove self-made billionaire Nikos to unimaginable success. Now, he'll take his revenge. Marnie's poise is legendary, but he knows in the bedroom he can take her apart, piece by sensual piece.
Read
July 15, 2018Un Juego De Venganza (Versión)
December 30, 2025
Marnie & Nikos.
I can’t put my finger on why, but this book is 8 years old, and it feels at least that dated, if not more so.
This was a second chance story, but I think it wasn’t successful, because although both protagonists were told by someone close to the other, that their ex had never gotten over them…the MMC at least did NOT act like that.
He’d deliberately say and do terrible things to the FMC, and then say, “I don’t mean to hurt you.” And the thing is, he’s not gaslighting her. He’s supposed to mean it. But his actions never back him up.
So inconsistent. I kept waiting for him to thaw and start to come around, but the author left it much too late.
And then he finally figures out that she’s been terrible to her and wants to “right” things…but not because they were inherently wrong, but because he learned that Marnie was “Marnie, his faithful first love”, and not “Marnie, the cold bitch ex-gf”.
As if to say his actions would have been okay if Marnie had truly been a 17-year old who’d just lost her sister and was being threatened to be kicked out with nothing and no family when she capitulated to her parents. That Marnie deserves his abuse. (Like 6 years of adulthood have given him no perspective on that.) But the Marnie who’d been regretfully pining for him like Anne Elliot for six years? Treating *her* badly was his mistake. MMC is not a catch.
Add to that that these were adults that hadn’t moved on from a teen-ish romance 6 years earlier…and yet, as adults, they seemed to have nothing to base a relationship on other then sex and their memories of their teen relationship. In the “present”, there was no affection, no trust, no mental/emotional exchange that upon which to base a new, adult relationship. The whole thing was very unhealthy.
(And the timeline with the sister toward the end was also strange…she was the reason the MMC met the FMC…but also she was dead when the FMC and MMC broke up? Like, the sister died during their relationship, and that was never mentioned?)
TL;DR I guess is, MMC spent too much time being an ass to (a) sell the idea that he loved her the whole time or (b) leave space for second-chance relationship building (which is not the same as sex).
I can’t put my finger on why, but this book is 8 years old, and it feels at least that dated, if not more so.
This was a second chance story, but I think it wasn’t successful, because although both protagonists were told by someone close to the other, that their ex had never gotten over them…the MMC at least did NOT act like that.
He’d deliberately say and do terrible things to the FMC, and then say, “I don’t mean to hurt you.” And the thing is, he’s not gaslighting her. He’s supposed to mean it. But his actions never back him up.
So inconsistent. I kept waiting for him to thaw and start to come around, but the author left it much too late.
And then he finally figures out that she’s been terrible to her and wants to “right” things…but not because they were inherently wrong, but because he learned that Marnie was “Marnie, his faithful first love”, and not “Marnie, the cold bitch ex-gf”.
As if to say his actions would have been okay if Marnie had truly been a 17-year old who’d just lost her sister and was being threatened to be kicked out with nothing and no family when she capitulated to her parents. That Marnie deserves his abuse. (Like 6 years of adulthood have given him no perspective on that.) But the Marnie who’d been regretfully pining for him like Anne Elliot for six years? Treating *her* badly was his mistake. MMC is not a catch.
Add to that that these were adults that hadn’t moved on from a teen-ish romance 6 years earlier…and yet, as adults, they seemed to have nothing to base a relationship on other then sex and their memories of their teen relationship. In the “present”, there was no affection, no trust, no mental/emotional exchange that upon which to base a new, adult relationship. The whole thing was very unhealthy.
(And the timeline with the sister toward the end was also strange…she was the reason the MMC met the FMC…but also she was dead when the FMC and MMC broke up? Like, the sister died during their relationship, and that was never mentioned?)
TL;DR I guess is, MMC spent too much time being an ass to (a) sell the idea that he loved her the whole time or (b) leave space for second-chance relationship building (which is not the same as sex).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2017
This story was enthralling from the beginning to the very end. The storyline was interesting just like the characters. Marine and Nikos had a relationship when they were teenager but because he was poor and her family was wealthy there was no way her parents were going to let her be with him. So of course they give her an ultimatum and she chose her parents. Her family had just lost their daughter, a sister and there was no way that she could leave the home where all her memories of her sister were. Did she fight for the person that she loved, No but it wasn't that she did love him. Then there is Nikos he now has the possibility for revenge and he is going to take advantage of it. But what he doesn't expect is to find out that she never stopped loving him. Nikos ends up having second thoughts of what he did he shouldn't have blackmailed her into marrying him. Should he give her a divorce? Will she sign the paperwork knowing that she loves him? Will she throw away the possibility of a seond chance?
Bought for the Billionaire's Revenge was a good read. I loved the creativity of the author and how she was able to bring everything together. The chemistry between Nikos and Marine is explosive and sensual. I loved them together.
Received ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an Honest Review
Bought for the Billionaire's Revenge was a good read. I loved the creativity of the author and how she was able to bring everything together. The chemistry between Nikos and Marine is explosive and sensual. I loved them together.
Received ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an Honest Review
March 25, 2023
So this was interesting.
I was fully invested in both main characters from the beginning. As always I was looking forward to the groveling because our guy was setting the perfect stage for it. And he did grovel. Just not enough.
More like he groveled in his head but didn't do much in the form of action. Buying her family home from her father for her wasn't enough after the way he'd treated her.
I understood her reaction of not running away again and fighting for it this time when he pulled the divorce thing. But she should also have made him jumps through at least one hoop!
One more thing, nobody talked about how H had taken the money h's father had given H to leave h. Nobody talked about how he'd used that to start his business. I understand that he'd done out of anger at h for telling him he's not good enough for her. But still. If the roles had been reversed I just know he would not have let her live that money down.
But anyways, all that only amounts to the one star I deducted. It was interesting and kept me reading it in one sitting. It was a good book.
Many of the people wouldn't mind the above mentioned things go into the book with an open mind. Just cuz those were not my cup of tea doesn't nobody else would be excited about them. Ha[[y reading!
I was fully invested in both main characters from the beginning. As always I was looking forward to the groveling because our guy was setting the perfect stage for it. And he did grovel. Just not enough.
More like he groveled in his head but didn't do much in the form of action. Buying her family home from her father for her wasn't enough after the way he'd treated her.
I understood her reaction of not running away again and fighting for it this time when he pulled the divorce thing. But she should also have made him jumps through at least one hoop!
One more thing, nobody talked about how H had taken the money h's father had given H to leave h. Nobody talked about how he'd used that to start his business. I understand that he'd done out of anger at h for telling him he's not good enough for her. But still. If the roles had been reversed I just know he would not have let her live that money down.
But anyways, all that only amounts to the one star I deducted. It was interesting and kept me reading it in one sitting. It was a good book.
Many of the people wouldn't mind the above mentioned things go into the book with an open mind. Just cuz those were not my cup of tea doesn't nobody else would be excited about them. Ha[[y reading!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2024
It was ok, but wouldn't want to re-read.
The did have a good connection and I did believe they loved each other, but 6 years before they were so young (h-17, H-21) and heroine was very weak.
Not a fan of the 6 year seperation and that he slept with so many other women, while she stayed a virgin. However I'm not overly mad about that since she is the one who broke up with him because her parents made her. Plus he didn't think about the other women, heroine is the one who was constantly thinking of the other women and bringing it up.
Hero was a jerk at times, but I can understand why he was with what heroine did/said 6 years before. It wasn't a misunderstanding and he left because something someone said but rather she litetally told him he wasn't good enough for her and broke up with him (she didn't really feel like that but wanted to not be disowned from her parents).
I found the heroine to be a little too weak, she kept aquiscing to other people's demands, she would put up a little fight but then just give in. She didn't fight for hero 6 years before and just did what her parents demanded. P.
The did have a good connection and I did believe they loved each other, but 6 years before they were so young (h-17, H-21) and heroine was very weak.
Not a fan of the 6 year seperation and that he slept with so many other women, while she stayed a virgin. However I'm not overly mad about that since she is the one who broke up with him because her parents made her. Plus he didn't think about the other women, heroine is the one who was constantly thinking of the other women and bringing it up.
Hero was a jerk at times, but I can understand why he was with what heroine did/said 6 years before. It wasn't a misunderstanding and he left because something someone said but rather she litetally told him he wasn't good enough for her and broke up with him (she didn't really feel like that but wanted to not be disowned from her parents).
I found the heroine to be a little too weak, she kept aquiscing to other people's demands, she would put up a little fight but then just give in. She didn't fight for hero 6 years before and just did what her parents demanded. P.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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