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The Italian's Revenge
Re-discover this passionate Harlequin Presents from Michelle Reid
Catherine knows Vito Giordani, her soon-to-be ex-husband, has never forgiven her for ending their marriage and leaving Italy with their child. Now to reassure her son, she must confront the Italian tycoon about his rumored plans to remarry.
But Vito seizes the advantage, demanding that Catherine returns to Maples to resume her role as wife and mother. It's Vito's chance for the revenge he's been waiting for. His plan will see his son back under his roof…and his wife back in his bed!
Originally published in 2000
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2000
117 people are currently reading
1294 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 114 reviews
May 29, 2025
Re-read on Dec. 2, 2017
Still a four star. The angst is still delicious.
Their son is just the cutest thing and he was brave to stand up to the scary OW when it seemed like every adult in the room was against him. I want to read *his* next generation story.
Original review:
A second chance story that begins because of the H/h's son's distress over the OW. This is the OW, goddaughter of her mother-in-law and friend of the family's, that the h was convinced was with the H on the day of her miscarriage. She is the straw that broke the camel's back the first time and she's back with a vengeance this time convincing their son that the H doesn't love him. My inner mama bear was roused as was the h's.
The H and h haven't seen each other in the flesh for 3 years, having the H's sweet mother being the one to bring the son back and forth between Italy and England. The upshot is that the h agrees to return to Italy for the sake of her son.
Whether you see those scales of justice as balanced is going to determine how much you like the ending and believe in an HEA. I thought the H/h had suffered without each other, that they are learning to slow down and listen to each other and that their love for their son is genuine and a tie that can never be broken. I think that these two crazy kids will be fine with the OW out of the way for good. And I'm glad for the son - he was an endearing little bugger.
Still a four star. The angst is still delicious.
Their son is just the cutest thing and he was brave to stand up to the scary OW when it seemed like every adult in the room was against him. I want to read *his* next generation story.
Original review:
A second chance story that begins because of the H/h's son's distress over the OW. This is the OW, goddaughter of her mother-in-law and friend of the family's, that the h was convinced was with the H on the day of her miscarriage. She is the straw that broke the camel's back the first time and she's back with a vengeance this time convincing their son that the H doesn't love him. My inner mama bear was roused as was the h's.
The H and h haven't seen each other in the flesh for 3 years, having the H's sweet mother being the one to bring the son back and forth between Italy and England. The upshot is that the h agrees to return to Italy for the sake of her son.
Whether you see those scales of justice as balanced is going to determine how much you like the ending and believe in an HEA. I thought the H/h had suffered without each other, that they are learning to slow down and listen to each other and that their love for their son is genuine and a tie that can never be broken. I think that these two crazy kids will be fine with the OW out of the way for good. And I'm glad for the son - he was an endearing little bugger.
July 30, 2019
The h is in process of divorcing H for basically being a disloyal schmuck, but their son's problems force them to reunite.
I enjoyed the book. But srsly, if your wife is divorcing your butt cause she strongly believes you're having a lurve club event frequently with another woman, it would be very logical to ensure that that OW was no longer in your life-- if you want your marriage to continue.
However this is MR, so it isn't supposed to make sense. The stars are more for the future HP H who is the son, Santo in this one, rather than the utterly lyin', maybe cheatin' nematode snot snarfer that is the supposed H in this.
I enjoyed the book. But srsly, if your wife is divorcing your butt cause she strongly believes you're having a lurve club event frequently with another woman, it would be very logical to ensure that that OW was no longer in your life-- if you want your marriage to continue.
However this is MR, so it isn't supposed to make sense. The stars are more for the future HP H who is the son, Santo in this one, rather than the utterly lyin', maybe cheatin' nematode snot snarfer that is the supposed H in this.
Read
July 18, 2019Twist this story on its ear and it’s not an angst fest of quivering loins, it’s a Rulebook of Toxic Parenting.
Big DNF for me as I don’t feel like swimming against the stream of GR friend reviewers and rating it a negative million stars. Adding criminal stupidity in regard to the evil OW machinations as well as toxic l-o-v-e the story is only saved by Santos, future strong-willed HP H in the making who is the only one to call the evil OW on her BS. Other than sex they have nothing in common, and I am including their son Santos who has been their favorite tool of revenge. The heroine is spiteful and vengeful, and the hero is chauvinistic and a liar.
Santo completely ignored Vito’s presence in the room to level his defiant dark brown eyes on his mother. ‘I’m running away,’ he announced. ‘And you’re not to follow.’
When the son, AT FIVE, sees his parents together for the first time.
Vito uttered a soft curse beneath his breath as understanding hit him. Catherine was a second behind him before she realised what it was that was holding Santo’s attention so. And now the tears really did flood her eyes, because it wasn’t Santo’s fault that this had to be the first time in his young memory that his parents’ two faces had appeared in the same living frame in front of him!
Santos confronted with the heavy-handed OW. He has her number.
Both Luisa and Vito were staring at a surly-faced Santo, who was standing there belligerently facing up to—none other than Marietta. Of course it had to be Marietta causing all of this mayhem, Catherine grimly acknowledged as she watched the other woman bend at her slender waist to smile sweetly at Santo and say gently. ‘But, darling, you told me that you would like your papà to marry me.’
‘No, I didn’t.’ Santo angrily denied it. ‘Why would I say that when I don’t even like you?’
*********************
For his face was hot, his eyes aflame, and his stance was more than ready for combat. Turning his glare on his father, he spat, ‘No!’ with enough force to make Vito stiffen. ‘She’s lying, and I won’t let her!’
So, instead of a GR rating I am starting a fictional fundraiser to raise sufficient money to engage trope #7: death in a fiery crash. Once they are out of the way sweet but gullible grandmother Luisa can raise Santos.
Big DNF for me as I don’t feel like swimming against the stream of GR friend reviewers and rating it a negative million stars. Adding criminal stupidity in regard to the evil OW machinations as well as toxic l-o-v-e the story is only saved by Santos, future strong-willed HP H in the making who is the only one to call the evil OW on her BS. Other than sex they have nothing in common, and I am including their son Santos who has been their favorite tool of revenge. The heroine is spiteful and vengeful, and the hero is chauvinistic and a liar.
Santo completely ignored Vito’s presence in the room to level his defiant dark brown eyes on his mother. ‘I’m running away,’ he announced. ‘And you’re not to follow.’
When the son, AT FIVE, sees his parents together for the first time.
Vito uttered a soft curse beneath his breath as understanding hit him. Catherine was a second behind him before she realised what it was that was holding Santo’s attention so. And now the tears really did flood her eyes, because it wasn’t Santo’s fault that this had to be the first time in his young memory that his parents’ two faces had appeared in the same living frame in front of him!
Santos confronted with the heavy-handed OW. He has her number.
Both Luisa and Vito were staring at a surly-faced Santo, who was standing there belligerently facing up to—none other than Marietta. Of course it had to be Marietta causing all of this mayhem, Catherine grimly acknowledged as she watched the other woman bend at her slender waist to smile sweetly at Santo and say gently. ‘But, darling, you told me that you would like your papà to marry me.’
‘No, I didn’t.’ Santo angrily denied it. ‘Why would I say that when I don’t even like you?’
*********************
For his face was hot, his eyes aflame, and his stance was more than ready for combat. Turning his glare on his father, he spat, ‘No!’ with enough force to make Vito stiffen. ‘She’s lying, and I won’t let her!’
So, instead of a GR rating I am starting a fictional fundraiser to raise sufficient money to engage trope #7: death in a fiery crash. Once they are out of the way sweet but gullible grandmother Luisa can raise Santos.
September 4, 2021
3 thoughts.
- how can a grown ass woman continue to sleep with a hub who she thinks is cheating on her still.,.
- The H lied about sleeping with the ow. He not only lied and said he never did, but he was quite arrogant about it when the truth came out about how he DID have a sexual “relationship” with the ow. We are not talking about a ONS, he had a relationship.
How am I suppose to believe anything he says or said in the past now? Big mistake by the author.
‘You lied to me,’ she said. ‘About your previous relationship with Marietta.’
His answering sigh was heavy. ‘Yes,’ he finally admitted. And as that little truth came right out into the open he walked forwards, to come and lean against the rail beside her.
he acknowledged wryly, ‘I did not think you had any right questioning me about my life before you came into it.’
- NO grovel
This assoles been telling his wife that he never slept with the ow for 6 years and acting like she was the crazy one for acting jealous, and then when the wife finds out that she was right all along that he lied, she does nothing. Wtf… he doesn’t even say sorry!! She’s not even that mad!! He made you think you’re crazy for thinking they were old lovers, the ow kept hinting at things only lovers would know….. and for years he said they were never lovers, and that gave the ow power to hurt her.
He also said he was celibate during their 3 yr separation, I suppose we can assume he lied there too? Raise your hand if you think he was celibate…. No, I didn’t think so.
- how can a grown ass woman continue to sleep with a hub who she thinks is cheating on her still.,.
- The H lied about sleeping with the ow. He not only lied and said he never did, but he was quite arrogant about it when the truth came out about how he DID have a sexual “relationship” with the ow. We are not talking about a ONS, he had a relationship.
How am I suppose to believe anything he says or said in the past now? Big mistake by the author.
‘You lied to me,’ she said. ‘About your previous relationship with Marietta.’
His answering sigh was heavy. ‘Yes,’ he finally admitted. And as that little truth came right out into the open he walked forwards, to come and lean against the rail beside her.
he acknowledged wryly, ‘I did not think you had any right questioning me about my life before you came into it.’
- NO grovel
This assoles been telling his wife that he never slept with the ow for 6 years and acting like she was the crazy one for acting jealous, and then when the wife finds out that she was right all along that he lied, she does nothing. Wtf… he doesn’t even say sorry!! She’s not even that mad!! He made you think you’re crazy for thinking they were old lovers, the ow kept hinting at things only lovers would know….. and for years he said they were never lovers, and that gave the ow power to hurt her.
He also said he was celibate during their 3 yr separation, I suppose we can assume he lied there too? Raise your hand if you think he was celibate…. No, I didn’t think so.
December 28, 2014
Damn! I usually LOVE a Michelle Reid. this one had great potential and perhaps I'm judging it too harshly on gut reaction because it made me so angry. That tends to happen.
I'd have loved this if the grovel had been better or even existed at all.
Okay, I can hang with the fact that the H was smart yet blind to a wicked OW's manipulations. Guys can be dense when it comes to seeing through a mean girl's crap. But, this took it too far to the point that I wanted to beat him to death with a blunt object.
He should have listened to his wife and trusted that she had a reason to fear this OW. Instead he decides (based on what, I'm not sure) that his wife is paranoid/delusional/obsessed with this family friend or no reason and that the family friend is perfect. Supposedly, he never loved this OW, but that's some coke-bottle-sized rose colored glasses to be wearing for someone you supposedly only see as a coworker/friend.
Okay, so we're setup for an AMAZING grovel when he finally sees through the OW and realizes his wife was telling the truth all along. I was stoked.
**fizzle**
He does kick the other woman out of his and his family's life and she's thoroughly taken down, but I'm not sure he even said the word 'sorry' to his wife. Maybe he did, but if so, it was such a minor thing I blinked and missed it. He felt all should be forgiven once he realized what a blind douche he'd been and the heroine disagreed for 2 seconds until he revealed he loved her.
I don't have faith in their ability to sustain a HEA if this is the level of communication they have going. They'd been married for 5-6 years and never said 'I love you'?!?
I'd have loved this if the grovel had been better or even existed at all.
Okay, I can hang with the fact that the H was smart yet blind to a wicked OW's manipulations. Guys can be dense when it comes to seeing through a mean girl's crap. But, this took it too far to the point that I wanted to beat him to death with a blunt object.
He should have listened to his wife and trusted that she had a reason to fear this OW. Instead he decides (based on what, I'm not sure) that his wife is paranoid/delusional/obsessed with this family friend or no reason and that the family friend is perfect. Supposedly, he never loved this OW, but that's some coke-bottle-sized rose colored glasses to be wearing for someone you supposedly only see as a coworker/friend.
Okay, so we're setup for an AMAZING grovel when he finally sees through the OW and realizes his wife was telling the truth all along. I was stoked.
**fizzle**
He does kick the other woman out of his and his family's life and she's thoroughly taken down, but I'm not sure he even said the word 'sorry' to his wife. Maybe he did, but if so, it was such a minor thing I blinked and missed it. He felt all should be forgiven once he realized what a blind douche he'd been and the heroine disagreed for 2 seconds until he revealed he loved her.
I don't have faith in their ability to sustain a HEA if this is the level of communication they have going. They'd been married for 5-6 years and never said 'I love you'?!?
May 11, 2023
Re-read May 11, 2023. Enjoyed it all over again. ❤️❤️❤️
***FOUR STARS***
This story had all the elements that I love, broken marriage over husband cheating with another woman , and the evil other woman getting what she deserves in the end, then a HEA. Good stuff!
***FOUR STARS***
This story had all the elements that I love, broken marriage over husband cheating with another woman , and the evil other woman getting what she deserves in the end, then a HEA. Good stuff!
November 12, 2011
WONDERFUL HEART-WRENCHING!intense emotional second chance at love story,one of my favourite books now,enjoyed it very much,adored Catherine-Vito both were strong headed yet stubborn & stupid at the same time,their relationship lacked trust and keeping things from each other which created such a havoc and that Bit*h Marietta took advantage of it
Vito made me really angry with his loyalty towards that Bit*h and after losing their second child and big misunderstanding Catherine walks out with her son,Catherine is very strong woman and when it comes to welfare of her child Catherine fought tooth n nail and won but in that process she hurted Vito
Its been 3 years for their son Santino they decide to give their marriage a second chance,there were fights anger bitterness ultimatums 7 threats but this time their love won,Vito-Catherine both talk out their issues & they have their much deserved HEA
Overall a very good read,its a keeper for me
Recommend it
Vito made me really angry with his loyalty towards that Bit*h and after losing their second child and big misunderstanding Catherine walks out with her son,Catherine is very strong woman and when it comes to welfare of her child Catherine fought tooth n nail and won but in that process she hurted Vito
Its been 3 years for their son Santino they decide to give their marriage a second chance,there were fights anger bitterness ultimatums 7 threats but this time their love won,Vito-Catherine both talk out their issues & they have their much deserved HEA
Overall a very good read,its a keeper for me
Recommend it
December 1, 2014
Kept from being 5 star because H does tell a major lie . This lie causes h to rightfully mistrust him. He never really gets punished for it, he got off pretty easily.
Second read:'
The Italian's Revenge was a 4 star on first read, but drops to a 3 star on second read. why? Writing is still great, heroine is still strong and a protective mom, one of the few HP heroines intelligent enough to enforce her legal rights. (She was too sophisticated a character to have been such a virginal bride at 23 and not slept with the great guy pursuing her, but that's just par for the HP course). Hero stays celibate during the separation so you can even believe that the hero is sort of devoted to his wife (in that "fond of you because you're my wife and the mother of my child, but of course, you are well below my vast Italian pride on the food chain" way). But on a second read you know the truth about a lie that is repeated by the "hero" multiple times, Clintonian style, and you read what you know to be his lie expressed in several different ways throughout the book and accompanied but outrageous accusations against the heroine (the she has "the mouth of a slut", is "sick", "obsessive" and "crazy") all because she doesn't believe her husband's lie!!!! You know he is genuinely indignant and outraged that his wife doesn't believe him! Does he even know he's lying during his rants???? Also get to see hero: betray the very foundation of parenting, which is to believe your child when he tells you someone is abusive to him. And do nothing when he learns OW kept him from his wife's hospital bed. And demand that his child apologize to the abuser that you know is his scorned lover! and each time you feel more ragey towards the hero. Then the truth comes out and he totally gets away with it. Seriously, no consequence for lying to heroine about something that is so fundamental that it caused the breakdown of their marriage and devastated their child. By the end of the second read I wanted that discovery to lead to heroine walking out with the excellent option for another man.
Second read:'
The Italian's Revenge was a 4 star on first read, but drops to a 3 star on second read. why? Writing is still great, heroine is still strong and a protective mom, one of the few HP heroines intelligent enough to enforce her legal rights. (She was too sophisticated a character to have been such a virginal bride at 23 and not slept with the great guy pursuing her, but that's just par for the HP course). Hero stays celibate during the separation so you can even believe that the hero is sort of devoted to his wife (in that "fond of you because you're my wife and the mother of my child, but of course, you are well below my vast Italian pride on the food chain" way). But on a second read you know the truth about a lie that is repeated by the "hero" multiple times, Clintonian style, and you read what you know to be his lie expressed in several different ways throughout the book and accompanied but outrageous accusations against the heroine (the she has "the mouth of a slut", is "sick", "obsessive" and "crazy") all because she doesn't believe her husband's lie!!!! You know he is genuinely indignant and outraged that his wife doesn't believe him! Does he even know he's lying during his rants???? Also get to see hero: betray the very foundation of parenting, which is to believe your child when he tells you someone is abusive to him. And do nothing when he learns OW kept him from his wife's hospital bed. And demand that his child apologize to the abuser that you know is his scorned lover! and each time you feel more ragey towards the hero. Then the truth comes out and he totally gets away with it. Seriously, no consequence for lying to heroine about something that is so fundamental that it caused the breakdown of their marriage and devastated their child. By the end of the second read I wanted that discovery to lead to heroine walking out with the excellent option for another man.
July 6, 2012
I so love a book by Michelle Reid and this one does not disappoint.
The Italian's Revenge is about second chances at love between two people ripped apart after a devastating loss and the manipulations of a truly evil woman. Both Vito and Catherine are wonderful and strong protagonists that you will cheer on to their HEA. The angst is high, but it is tolerable because both are so strong. Vito claims their reconciliation is about revenge...NOT!!! Catherine claims this is for her son's peace of mind. NOT!!!!
Even though they never reveal their feelings to one another, you just know this is all about re-capturing their love.
So sit back, relax in your favorite chair with your beverage of choice and start reading.. You are not going to want to miss this one.
The Italian's Revenge is about second chances at love between two people ripped apart after a devastating loss and the manipulations of a truly evil woman. Both Vito and Catherine are wonderful and strong protagonists that you will cheer on to their HEA. The angst is high, but it is tolerable because both are so strong. Vito claims their reconciliation is about revenge...NOT!!! Catherine claims this is for her son's peace of mind. NOT!!!!
Even though they never reveal their feelings to one another, you just know this is all about re-capturing their love.
So sit back, relax in your favorite chair with your beverage of choice and start reading.. You are not going to want to miss this one.
March 16, 2024
Reread 10/31/2023 Happy Halloween
Original review still works ⬇️
Something about this book works for me, it shouldn't but it does.
These two are toxic, their breakup and separation has been very acrimonious. They have not spoken in 3 years, his mother is the go between that shuttles their son back and forth between Naples and England. At the start of the book their son is refusing to go back to Naples because he hates his future step-mother, and the whole thing gets ugly quick.
But underneath it all there is love and hurt, and a lack of trust on both sides. Michelle Reid is a master at revealing the past while telling the story in the present.
Original review still works ⬇️
Something about this book works for me, it shouldn't but it does.
These two are toxic, their breakup and separation has been very acrimonious. They have not spoken in 3 years, his mother is the go between that shuttles their son back and forth between Naples and England. At the start of the book their son is refusing to go back to Naples because he hates his future step-mother, and the whole thing gets ugly quick.
But underneath it all there is love and hurt, and a lack of trust on both sides. Michelle Reid is a master at revealing the past while telling the story in the present.
March 17, 2012
Pretty angsty read. This time the break up of their marriage was mostly her fault. Although of course he wasn't blameless. Their marriage troubles were pretty heavily influenced by the other woman though. I liked how their son stuck to his guns about disliking the other woman. Here was another man who grabbed his chance to get his wife back at any cost. Another good MR read for me.
May 3, 2015
Angst galore! Loved it!
September 8, 2022
Gobbled this one up. It had most of my soapy boxes checked. ✔Troubled marriage,✔ cheating allegations, ✔spunky mini-tycoon, ✔h w/ a spine, ✔wicked OW, and ✔a broody alpha-hole who’s completely blind to OW manipulations. Yum!
Vito and Catherine have volatile/passionate chemistry, but have been separated for years because she insists, he had an affair (w/ family friend/business partner Marietta) Vito persist he didn’t, but Catherine isn’t listening. She goes a little off the deep end, leaving the country, and filing a court order that makes it difficult for Vito to see his son. He also isn’t allowed to speak directly to Catherine at all. I admit her behavior in pretty crazy-town, but in her defense she’d suffered a miscarriage so maybe her hormones were off the chain. Regardless, Catherine didn’t make the best first impression; I found her immature and selfish by putting her needs in front of her son, who loves his daddy dearly. BUT She makes up for it because she’s a total Momma Bear protecting little Santo like a boss to the evil skanky bitch, Marietta. And holy cow is Marietta evil; she’s a deliciously wicked OW!!
Vito is just the right balance of broody and alpha, and clueless to Marietta’s manipulations which made for tons of angsty drama, and entertaining outbursts from C. In his defense, Catherine is kinda nutty, and tends to not think before she leaps into accusations, threats, vitriol, so she can appear irrational at times. He’s not wimpy by any stretch, but he is IMO more the wronged/abused/bullied spouse which was pretty refreshing. (but he’s not perfect so don’t feel sorry for him)
“You don’t deserve me, Catherine,” he informed her darkly. “You give me nothing but arguments, heartache and grief and yet I love you. You mistrust me, leave me, and make me go through the horror of fighting to see my own son, and still I continue to love you!”
Bottom Line- I really enjoyed reading this one. Both MC’s had enough good & bad/stupid actions to fuel the plot with buckets of drama-llama. I LOVED that they were both faithful during the 3-year separation because they LURVE each other so much… I loved that Catherine was a bit nuts…I loved that Vito put up with Catherine’s crazy ass. I loved that by the end C was humbled, V got a kick in the ass, and M got what for.
Vito and Catherine have volatile/passionate chemistry, but have been separated for years because she insists, he had an affair (w/ family friend/business partner Marietta) Vito persist he didn’t, but Catherine isn’t listening. She goes a little off the deep end, leaving the country, and filing a court order that makes it difficult for Vito to see his son. He also isn’t allowed to speak directly to Catherine at all. I admit her behavior in pretty crazy-town, but in her defense she’d suffered a miscarriage so maybe her hormones were off the chain. Regardless, Catherine didn’t make the best first impression; I found her immature and selfish by putting her needs in front of her son, who loves his daddy dearly. BUT She makes up for it because she’s a total Momma Bear protecting little Santo like a boss to the evil skanky bitch, Marietta. And holy cow is Marietta evil; she’s a deliciously wicked OW!!
Vito is just the right balance of broody and alpha, and clueless to Marietta’s manipulations which made for tons of angsty drama, and entertaining outbursts from C. In his defense, Catherine is kinda nutty, and tends to not think before she leaps into accusations, threats, vitriol, so she can appear irrational at times. He’s not wimpy by any stretch, but he is IMO more the wronged/abused/bullied spouse which was pretty refreshing. (but he’s not perfect so don’t feel sorry for him)
“You don’t deserve me, Catherine,” he informed her darkly. “You give me nothing but arguments, heartache and grief and yet I love you. You mistrust me, leave me, and make me go through the horror of fighting to see my own son, and still I continue to love you!”
Bottom Line- I really enjoyed reading this one. Both MC’s had enough good & bad/stupid actions to fuel the plot with buckets of drama-llama. I LOVED that they were both faithful during the 3-year separation because they LURVE each other so much… I loved that Catherine was a bit nuts…I loved that Vito put up with Catherine’s crazy ass. I loved that by the end C was humbled, V got a kick in the ass, and M got what for.
January 6, 2019
"The Italian's Revenge" is the story of Catherine and Vito.
An intensely passionate story of love and distrust between two explosive individuals, this Michelle Reid gem has a separated couple reuniting for the well being of their beloved son.
Catherine had left her husband Vito Giordani 3 years ago, taking away their son Sonto with her after a tragic miscarriage, which was surrounded by misunderstandings. Since then, a lot has gone wrong between them, including court mandates and supervised visits.
But when their 3 year old son Sonto refuses to go back to his father because of Michelle, who Catherine believes is Vito's mistress and soon to be ex wife, Catherine decides to involve Vito in the matter.
What transpires then is Vito arriving and whisking them away to Naples, where never ending passion explodes between the two. But with the pain of the past, misconceptions about potential lovers and a disturbed child between them, can they resolve their issues and find their HEA?
A really angsty yet emotional as well as sexy story between a couple whose chemistry is so intense they always spontaneously combust, and how the evil machiavellianism of OW succeeded in separating their volatile relationship. I really adored Sonto, and how both respected their marriage vows despite being separated (though the h dated).
Really enjoyed this one!
Safe
4.5/5
An intensely passionate story of love and distrust between two explosive individuals, this Michelle Reid gem has a separated couple reuniting for the well being of their beloved son.
Catherine had left her husband Vito Giordani 3 years ago, taking away their son Sonto with her after a tragic miscarriage, which was surrounded by misunderstandings. Since then, a lot has gone wrong between them, including court mandates and supervised visits.
But when their 3 year old son Sonto refuses to go back to his father because of Michelle, who Catherine believes is Vito's mistress and soon to be ex wife, Catherine decides to involve Vito in the matter.
What transpires then is Vito arriving and whisking them away to Naples, where never ending passion explodes between the two. But with the pain of the past, misconceptions about potential lovers and a disturbed child between them, can they resolve their issues and find their HEA?
A really angsty yet emotional as well as sexy story between a couple whose chemistry is so intense they always spontaneously combust, and how the evil machiavellianism of OW succeeded in separating their volatile relationship. I really adored Sonto, and how both respected their marriage vows despite being separated (though the h dated).
Really enjoyed this one!
Safe
4.5/5
November 14, 2023
Тези Арлекини били къде по-добри от отвратителния New Adult! И най-важното - кратки 🤭
3,5⭐️
3,5⭐️
January 1, 2014
Being Italian and living in Italy I usually stay very far from titles which contains the word Italy... so many stereotypes... not to mention about really bad local language words, often more Spanish than Italian but... I was curious and so I read it.
The story is a classical separation-after-marriage but those two had a child and they love him very much and are ready to compromise for their child. Good! A very good point!
And so they're back in Naples, where he lives and where the usual OW lives. But this time the heroine is strong and smart and the hero is not so stupid (it's the OW lacking a bit in intelligence compartment).
So they fight together and we have our HEA.
Really good!
The story is a classical separation-after-marriage but those two had a child and they love him very much and are ready to compromise for their child. Good! A very good point!
And so they're back in Naples, where he lives and where the usual OW lives. But this time the heroine is strong and smart and the hero is not so stupid (it's the OW lacking a bit in intelligence compartment).
So they fight together and we have our HEA.
Really good!
April 20, 2018
3.75
I like reading books with angst in them and like most MR's books this one was an angst-fest. Also, it had all the tropes I usually like - a second-chance romance between an arrogant, stubborn hero and spunky stubborn heroine who end their separation of three years and try to work their way back to each other as they resume their marriage while the OW is still around to create mischief and angst.
And, I was also totally floored by Catherine and Vito's love for their son. I loved how united they were when handling their son's fears, insecurities or impertinence and how they did not let the bitterness they felt for each other seep into his love for them. On the contrary, if their son had even a fleeting doubt of either of his parent's love for him, the other would ensure that he knows it isn't true. Like the instance where Catherine points out to Santo the fact that Vito had flown the night over just because his son was upset with him or the time when Santo was rude to Catherine, Vito immediately tells him to apologize to his mother. And, it was mainly to ease Santos's fear of his father marrying Marietta --as the OW had led the child to believe-- that the two called of their divorce plans and decide to stay married and give their son the family he craved for. Santo was going to be their only child because after Catherine had miscarried their second child, the doctor had warned of risks to Catherine's life in future pregnancies. So they poured all their love into Santo.
I loved Santo. He was such an adorable kid. Like Catherine and Vito, I too, wanted to squeeze him in my arms during that scene when he walks into kitchen with a packed bag and tells his parents that he was running away. I loved that scene, loved how calmly and beautifully Catherine and Vito handled the situation while all along bridling their surging urge to hug their little boy who was upset and confused. I also liked Louise, Vito's mother a lot, how wonderful she was with both Santo and Catherine.
Now, coming to Vito and Catherine, the two had awesome chemistry and I liked that both were celibate during their separation. However, where in most second-chance books, the MCs work their way through past misunderstandings and anger, I didn't like that in this book the lies, deceptions, distrust and bitterness went on right until the end of the book. It made it difficult for me to digest the fact that the two loved each other.
I have to say I didn't like that Vito lied to Catherine about his past relationship with Marietta even though it was before Catherine had come into his life. I can understand with Marietta being his mother's goddaughter and a partner in his business, and like family to them, it was not possible for him to stay away from her, but I wanted to knock him in the head when he refused to believe Catherine when she tried to impress upon him that Marietta was causing mischief between them, especially after Santo also tells him about Marietta telling him she and his father were going to marry and they didn't want Santo in their lives. That dense man kept passing it off as a misunderstanding due to different languages on his son's part or a figment of his wife's imagination bordering on paranoia and it took him quite long --although not as long as Catherine took which was toward the end of the book-- to figure out that the two were telling the truth. Nevertheless, the moment he caught wisp of Marietta's ulterior motive, he immediately took steps to remove her from his life. Moreover, we did get to see glimpses of his sensitive side toward Catherine like the time she'd forgotten to take her contraceptive pill and there was likelihood of her conceiving, you could sense his fear for her life. He immediately organized the pills that would counter it, also sweetly waking her up and reminding her to take it. I also loved the scene where he steps back when Santo runs to greet him and Catherine on their return home after an emotional moment so that Santo hugs his mother first, knowing that she needed the hug from their son more than he did. There was no doubt that he loved his wife, his son and his mother.
As for Catherine, I loved her fierce love for her son. She was an excellent mother. But, I found it very difficult to believe her claim that she loved Vito when she was so distrustful of him right until the very end. I fully understand her anger and the reason for her walking out on the marriage. Any woman would feel cheated and betrayed on learning that while she was losing her baby, her husband, whom she needed the most at that time, was so busy with the OW that he reached his wife hours after everything had ended . No he didn't sleep with Marietta; he'd drunk himself into oblivion and not wanting his wife to see him in that condition, accepted Marietta's offer to straighten himself at her place where he ended up falling into a drunken asleep, which gave Marietta the opportunity to tell Catherine that he slept with her. Which is why, even though, Vito claimed he didn't sleep with Marietta, Catherine believed the OW's words over him. In HP land, even knowing how manipulative OW can be, the heroines go by the motto that the OW is always right. Besides, considering the frame of mind Catherine was in after having lost her baby and also her husband to the OW, it was natural that she'd be boiling with anger and wanting to lash out. And, considering that they never spoke after she'd walked out on the marriage, the anger, betrayal and animosity between them hovered like a dark cloud when they resumed their marriage three years later.
However, as the days progressed, as they begin to forge a new closeness as husband and wife and as a family, you'd expect her distrust of her husband would have waned, that she'd be able to deduce the truth gradually, but no; nothing of that sort happens. Her distrust went on until the big revelation at the very end of the book. So while she was playing happy families with Vito and having sex with him, she continued to believe that he was sleeping with Marietta, that he was having nightly trysts with the OW right under her nose. Even when the two go to Paris on work and he calls her every night, she believes the OW is there with him in the room. And, when he returns without Marietta, she's happy she got one week to play happy family and have bountiful sex with her hubby until the OW returned. And, this was my biggest peeve. It made me wonder how could she even bear to be touched by such a man, a man for whom she has this level of distrust where every time she sees or knows he's with the OW, she finds it impossible to believe that he could be doing anything other than having sex with the woman. Which is why, I felt having been inflicted by the treacherous body syndrome that made her melt every time her husband touched her, she kept confusing sex with love. Because to me, when there's not an iota of trust, there can be no love.
Nothing could shake her distrust of her husband. Not even instances where Vito was clearly harsh toward Marietta --deservedly of course-- like when he tells Marietta to take all her stuff from the room next to his and transfer it to his mother's wing of the house because he and Catherine needed space or the time he rudely tells her to go away because he wanted to be alone with Catherine. Furthermore, it never occurred to her that just like how Vito refused to believe she hadn't slept with Marcus while they were separated considering she, herself, had initially misled him into believing that lie and also he'd heard her screaming Marcus's name in her sleep with his own ears that perhaps Marietta too, had lied about Vito sleeping with her the night she miscarried the baby and that even now she was misleading her into believing that the two were sleeping together.
Woman to woman, she knew very well how manipulative Marietta could be, how sweet she was to Catherine and Santo in front of Vito and his mother, but a total witch behind their backs or how in front of Vito she sugar-coated every vicious insinuation meant for Catherine. Besides, she'd deduced on her own --which was one big wonder-- from Marietta's own twisted words during her showdown with Santo that Vito never had any intention of marrying the OW as she'd led Santo to believe. And yet, she let that witch play her, let her come between her and Vito and into the marital bed, instead of believing in her capabilities and power to keep her husband devoted to her and taking the woman full on, daring her to snatch her husband away from her. I wouldn't have expected this from someone timid and mousy, but Catherine was supposedly a smart, independent and spunky woman and that is why, in retrospective, to me all that spunk and independence she'd shown at the beginning like going to the courts forcing Vito to communicate with her only through the lawyers --as in Vito's words, "A pride you took from me and wiped the floor with the day you forced me into court to beg for the right to love my own son!'-- and every vitriolic lashing she gave Vito every now and then, came off as pure spite on her part. I was very disappointed to see someone supposedly as smart as her playing the victim and martyr as she stood steadfast in her distrust of her husband instead making use of some brain cells and making a few deductions of her own. Which is also why, I found difficult to believe in her love for Vito.
Had the lies, deceptions and distrust not carried on until the very end, this would have been an awesome read because the two of them, as I said earlier, had a wonderful chemistry and were absolutely amazing where their son was concerned, which is also the main reason I liked the book.
The epilogue was sweet, but would have been so much better if their baby had come into the world.
So, despite my peeve over Catherine's long-drawn out mistrust, I still liked the book a lot.
I like reading books with angst in them and like most MR's books this one was an angst-fest. Also, it had all the tropes I usually like - a second-chance romance between an arrogant, stubborn hero and spunky stubborn heroine who end their separation of three years and try to work their way back to each other as they resume their marriage while the OW is still around to create mischief and angst.
And, I was also totally floored by Catherine and Vito's love for their son. I loved how united they were when handling their son's fears, insecurities or impertinence and how they did not let the bitterness they felt for each other seep into his love for them. On the contrary, if their son had even a fleeting doubt of either of his parent's love for him, the other would ensure that he knows it isn't true. Like the instance where Catherine points out to Santo the fact that Vito had flown the night over just because his son was upset with him or the time when Santo was rude to Catherine, Vito immediately tells him to apologize to his mother. And, it was mainly to ease Santos's fear of his father marrying Marietta --as the OW had led the child to believe-- that the two called of their divorce plans and decide to stay married and give their son the family he craved for. Santo was going to be their only child because after Catherine had miscarried their second child, the doctor had warned of risks to Catherine's life in future pregnancies. So they poured all their love into Santo.
I loved Santo. He was such an adorable kid. Like Catherine and Vito, I too, wanted to squeeze him in my arms during that scene when he walks into kitchen with a packed bag and tells his parents that he was running away. I loved that scene, loved how calmly and beautifully Catherine and Vito handled the situation while all along bridling their surging urge to hug their little boy who was upset and confused. I also liked Louise, Vito's mother a lot, how wonderful she was with both Santo and Catherine.
Now, coming to Vito and Catherine, the two had awesome chemistry and I liked that both were celibate during their separation. However, where in most second-chance books, the MCs work their way through past misunderstandings and anger, I didn't like that in this book the lies, deceptions, distrust and bitterness went on right until the end of the book. It made it difficult for me to digest the fact that the two loved each other.
I have to say I didn't like that Vito lied to Catherine about his past relationship with Marietta even though it was before Catherine had come into his life. I can understand with Marietta being his mother's goddaughter and a partner in his business, and like family to them, it was not possible for him to stay away from her, but I wanted to knock him in the head when he refused to believe Catherine when she tried to impress upon him that Marietta was causing mischief between them, especially after Santo also tells him about Marietta telling him she and his father were going to marry and they didn't want Santo in their lives. That dense man kept passing it off as a misunderstanding due to different languages on his son's part or a figment of his wife's imagination bordering on paranoia and it took him quite long --although not as long as Catherine took which was toward the end of the book-- to figure out that the two were telling the truth. Nevertheless, the moment he caught wisp of Marietta's ulterior motive, he immediately took steps to remove her from his life. Moreover, we did get to see glimpses of his sensitive side toward Catherine like the time she'd forgotten to take her contraceptive pill and there was likelihood of her conceiving, you could sense his fear for her life. He immediately organized the pills that would counter it, also sweetly waking her up and reminding her to take it. I also loved the scene where he steps back when Santo runs to greet him and Catherine on their return home after an emotional moment so that Santo hugs his mother first, knowing that she needed the hug from their son more than he did. There was no doubt that he loved his wife, his son and his mother.
As for Catherine, I loved her fierce love for her son. She was an excellent mother. But, I found it very difficult to believe her claim that she loved Vito when she was so distrustful of him right until the very end. I fully understand her anger and the reason for her walking out on the marriage. Any woman would feel cheated and betrayed on learning that while she was losing her baby, her husband, whom she needed the most at that time, was so busy with the OW that he reached his wife hours after everything had ended . No he didn't sleep with Marietta; he'd drunk himself into oblivion and not wanting his wife to see him in that condition, accepted Marietta's offer to straighten himself at her place where he ended up falling into a drunken asleep, which gave Marietta the opportunity to tell Catherine that he slept with her. Which is why, even though, Vito claimed he didn't sleep with Marietta, Catherine believed the OW's words over him. In HP land, even knowing how manipulative OW can be, the heroines go by the motto that the OW is always right. Besides, considering the frame of mind Catherine was in after having lost her baby and also her husband to the OW, it was natural that she'd be boiling with anger and wanting to lash out. And, considering that they never spoke after she'd walked out on the marriage, the anger, betrayal and animosity between them hovered like a dark cloud when they resumed their marriage three years later.
However, as the days progressed, as they begin to forge a new closeness as husband and wife and as a family, you'd expect her distrust of her husband would have waned, that she'd be able to deduce the truth gradually, but no; nothing of that sort happens. Her distrust went on until the big revelation at the very end of the book. So while she was playing happy families with Vito and having sex with him, she continued to believe that he was sleeping with Marietta, that he was having nightly trysts with the OW right under her nose. Even when the two go to Paris on work and he calls her every night, she believes the OW is there with him in the room. And, when he returns without Marietta, she's happy she got one week to play happy family and have bountiful sex with her hubby until the OW returned. And, this was my biggest peeve. It made me wonder how could she even bear to be touched by such a man, a man for whom she has this level of distrust where every time she sees or knows he's with the OW, she finds it impossible to believe that he could be doing anything other than having sex with the woman. Which is why, I felt having been inflicted by the treacherous body syndrome that made her melt every time her husband touched her, she kept confusing sex with love. Because to me, when there's not an iota of trust, there can be no love.
Nothing could shake her distrust of her husband. Not even instances where Vito was clearly harsh toward Marietta --deservedly of course-- like when he tells Marietta to take all her stuff from the room next to his and transfer it to his mother's wing of the house because he and Catherine needed space or the time he rudely tells her to go away because he wanted to be alone with Catherine. Furthermore, it never occurred to her that just like how Vito refused to believe she hadn't slept with Marcus while they were separated considering she, herself, had initially misled him into believing that lie and also he'd heard her screaming Marcus's name in her sleep with his own ears that perhaps Marietta too, had lied about Vito sleeping with her the night she miscarried the baby and that even now she was misleading her into believing that the two were sleeping together.
Woman to woman, she knew very well how manipulative Marietta could be, how sweet she was to Catherine and Santo in front of Vito and his mother, but a total witch behind their backs or how in front of Vito she sugar-coated every vicious insinuation meant for Catherine. Besides, she'd deduced on her own --which was one big wonder-- from Marietta's own twisted words during her showdown with Santo that Vito never had any intention of marrying the OW as she'd led Santo to believe. And yet, she let that witch play her, let her come between her and Vito and into the marital bed, instead of believing in her capabilities and power to keep her husband devoted to her and taking the woman full on, daring her to snatch her husband away from her. I wouldn't have expected this from someone timid and mousy, but Catherine was supposedly a smart, independent and spunky woman and that is why, in retrospective, to me all that spunk and independence she'd shown at the beginning like going to the courts forcing Vito to communicate with her only through the lawyers --as in Vito's words, "A pride you took from me and wiped the floor with the day you forced me into court to beg for the right to love my own son!'-- and every vitriolic lashing she gave Vito every now and then, came off as pure spite on her part. I was very disappointed to see someone supposedly as smart as her playing the victim and martyr as she stood steadfast in her distrust of her husband instead making use of some brain cells and making a few deductions of her own. Which is also why, I found difficult to believe in her love for Vito.
Had the lies, deceptions and distrust not carried on until the very end, this would have been an awesome read because the two of them, as I said earlier, had a wonderful chemistry and were absolutely amazing where their son was concerned, which is also the main reason I liked the book.
The epilogue was sweet, but would have been so much better if their baby had come into the world.
So, despite my peeve over Catherine's long-drawn out mistrust, I still liked the book a lot.
August 10, 2017
I loved it! Michelle Reid's The Italian's Revenge had me captivated till the end. I am not really a fan of angsty romance,but the characters truly enthralled me.There were lots of mistrust and misunderstandings in their relationship which resulted in their separation and neverending scuffles.
Most of the time, I tend to miss the hero's POV because I always feel that I can't really get their true feelings.However, even without the hero's POV, his feelings came through to me. Vito's desperation was quite palpable. Not for one moment did I hate Vito, quite the opposite in fact, I actually wanted Catherine to go easy on him most of the time.
Although the intimate scenes were very sensually written and the passion between them quite evident, but their love never seemed to take a back seat to all of it. A highly recommended second-chance romance.
Most of the time, I tend to miss the hero's POV because I always feel that I can't really get their true feelings.However, even without the hero's POV, his feelings came through to me. Vito's desperation was quite palpable. Not for one moment did I hate Vito, quite the opposite in fact, I actually wanted Catherine to go easy on him most of the time.
Although the intimate scenes were very sensually written and the passion between them quite evident, but their love never seemed to take a back seat to all of it. A highly recommended second-chance romance.
January 22, 2022
One thing I hate more than cheating is lying and this guy lied to her about something important. What a jerk. This is liked The third time I read this and I forgot how much I hated him and Marietta. She was one of the most evil OW ever. She picked on a little boy that was only five! Are you kidding me!??! And the hero was a liar. I would never ever believe a word out of his mouth again. Ever. And if he knew his wife hated her, how did he end up at her apartment??? That was shady as heck! His lie ruined a book I would have actually loved. And his continuous denial on it makes me wonder if he really was unfaithful!?!?! Whatever he was not one of my favorite heroes not a hero at all really. Poor Santo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2014
4.5 stars. it's a very angsty and great books.
however i found it difficult to believe that Vito was a smart-ass genius. Vito was blindly believe in that b***h OW, that he couldn't believe in his own son! i mean it's okay if he didn't immediately trust his son, because of course the OW was a long-time friend. but hey, NO, he didn't even begun to DOUBT her!
everybody knows that if someone call you ugly then they are mean, if children call you ugly, then you are ugly.
beside it's just ridiculous to think that a 5 yo child could have a 'various' vocabulary if not caused by adult's influences. he's dumb or what?
and then Vito thought it's because his wife! wow! i don't know how he dared to say he loved her when all he did was believing the worst of her. INSTEAD, he believed an angel born in OW, who he had claimed he didn't love. he just believed it when the OW revealed herself in front of him. it's just weird.
although to be fair, he had started to doubt her before, of course after his wife told him a hundredth time.
geez, now i feel like giving it 4 stars.
but anyway, it's very well written. and michelle reid is still one of fav author.
and OH! the ultimate reason i give it 4-4.5 stars instead of 2 is because the celibate hero. don't you all love them? *grin*
however i found it difficult to believe that Vito was a smart-ass genius. Vito was blindly believe in that b***h OW, that he couldn't believe in his own son! i mean it's okay if he didn't immediately trust his son, because of course the OW was a long-time friend. but hey, NO, he didn't even begun to DOUBT her!
everybody knows that if someone call you ugly then they are mean, if children call you ugly, then you are ugly.
beside it's just ridiculous to think that a 5 yo child could have a 'various' vocabulary if not caused by adult's influences. he's dumb or what?
and then Vito thought it's because his wife! wow! i don't know how he dared to say he loved her when all he did was believing the worst of her. INSTEAD, he believed an angel born in OW, who he had claimed he didn't love. he just believed it when the OW revealed herself in front of him. it's just weird.
although to be fair, he had started to doubt her before, of course after his wife told him a hundredth time.
geez, now i feel like giving it 4 stars.
but anyway, it's very well written. and michelle reid is still one of fav author.
and OH! the ultimate reason i give it 4-4.5 stars instead of 2 is because the celibate hero. don't you all love them? *grin*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2021
5 Perfetto Stars to The Italian's Revenge
Oh, what sweet revenge it was. I highly enjoyed both main characters, Catherine & Vito. These two made me think of Pat Benatar's Love Is A Battlefield. They were constantly at each other's throats but only because they were incredibly passionate people..and the makeup sex was even more (so hot). She had a spine of steel, this girl. A spitfire that gave as good as she got. A heroine this gutsy isn't easy to find in Harlequin romance. And Vito...*breathes dreamily* I've added Vito to my Top Book Boyfriends Shelf. Vittorio Adriano Lucio Giordani--to give him his full and impressive title. He was perfect even when he wasn't, if that makes any sense. Everything I look for in my fictional men. Even when he said things that would make my inner feminist gasp in real life, I ate it up with absolute delight. A ridiculously delicious alpha. I honestly can't say there's anything I didn't like about this Harlequin romance. It was such a treat!
Oh, what sweet revenge it was. I highly enjoyed both main characters, Catherine & Vito. These two made me think of Pat Benatar's Love Is A Battlefield. They were constantly at each other's throats but only because they were incredibly passionate people..and the makeup sex was even more (so hot). She had a spine of steel, this girl. A spitfire that gave as good as she got. A heroine this gutsy isn't easy to find in Harlequin romance. And Vito...*breathes dreamily* I've added Vito to my Top Book Boyfriends Shelf. Vittorio Adriano Lucio Giordani--to give him his full and impressive title. He was perfect even when he wasn't, if that makes any sense. Everything I look for in my fictional men. Even when he said things that would make my inner feminist gasp in real life, I ate it up with absolute delight. A ridiculously delicious alpha. I honestly can't say there's anything I didn't like about this Harlequin romance. It was such a treat!
August 14, 2014
I did wish for that virtual hammer few times to knock it over Vito's head. I loved Catherine, she was strong and sensitive at the same time. I adored their son, such a lion cub. I liked the MIL. I blame Vito for everything that happened because of his lie and closing his eyes to the faults of the OW for many, many years. I thought the view about the morning after pill was very strong and it felt like a lecture.
July 15, 2022
I can tolerate a certain amount of anti-choice rhetoric in older books, but the repetitive "Plan B = abortion/killing my child" was too much for me. I mean, Plan B! Come on. Read via library.
January 28, 2021
GOOD
My absolute favorite HP h ever ! This is a really good HP. This is a sexy read by MR.
My absolute favorite HP h ever ! This is a really good HP. This is a sexy read by MR.
April 10, 2020
I was enjoying this book until the heroine referred to the morning after pill as “little abortions”. The morning after pill is emergency contraception! It works by preventing ovulation! It is not an abortion pill and will not work if a woman is already pregnant!!! I know the heroine is just a character in a book, but I have a feeling that the heroine’s POV is actually the author’s as well. I hope no one believes the author’s unscientific bull crap.
August 17, 2024
re-read. Still a delicious serving of angst, second chance and evil other woman. Michelle Reid can definitely write a tight story that makes you want to yell at the H to wake up, smack the OW wanna be and hug the h's mother-in-law.
It all ends well: the starring couple do reconcile, the little boy is happy, the OW is exiled. Old school harlequin that is still meeting my needs on a cold, rainy night.
It all ends well: the starring couple do reconcile, the little boy is happy, the OW is exiled. Old school harlequin that is still meeting my needs on a cold, rainy night.
July 4, 2023
Catherine knows Vito Giordani has never forgiven her for ending their marriage and leaving Italy with their child. Now to reassure her son, she must confront the Italian tycoon about his rumored plans to remarry.
March 31, 2021
I loved this one. There's a would-be bitchy OW that wants the hero. There's a hero who's tstl and a darling boy who's better that all other characters in the book. He really sees persons as they are, he really sees evil OW for what she is and what she's trying to do, but his father has a very low IQ and cannot believe his son is telling the truth, imagine if he believes his running wife... The heroine left the hero, I don't think this was the right thing to do, anyway for their son's sake they decide to be back together. Angst and drama happens, but hero is really on the dumb side and slow so it's only in the end that he believes that this OW is not so good as he thought. I loved this book, MR at her best, a faithful and celibate hero and a lovely boy. The heroine was a little passive aggressive and slave to his magic wand but she was ok. One thing I must say is I don't find such stupid and shortsighted heroes so sexy, stupid is not alpha at all, since no alpha male of any species would survive and be in command if he can't recognise dangers around him... whatever...
January 9, 2019
Well Michelle Reid for sure knows how to write a perfect husband. I'm honestly running out of words to describe these old fashioned alphas, extremely territorial and slightly bully-ish (in a sweet way) to their wives. This was just another of those plots. Lots of angst too and a sweet boy to pull both the h and H together.
Nice, warm read. Also a venomous OW and weirdly the H is just oblivious to her conniving ways. This thick headedness and utter disregard of the H to believe the h and her truth didn't pull the book across so great for me. But still, it's a nice sweet one.
Nice, warm read. Also a venomous OW and weirdly the H is just oblivious to her conniving ways. This thick headedness and utter disregard of the H to believe the h and her truth didn't pull the book across so great for me. But still, it's a nice sweet one.
February 17, 2014
Decent book for a HP, it got a bit preachy with the pregnancy bit which I found a bit annoying, but overall I really enjoyed it. (Lynne Graham another favorite of mine is guilty of the same)
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