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A Baby to Bind His Bride
Claiming his wedding night!
Presumed dead after a tragic accident, billionaire CEO Leonidas Betancur does not recall the vows he made four years ago. But after he is tracked down by his wife, Susannah, fragments of his memory reappear. He denied her of a wedding night, and now he is ready to collect!
Abandoned in her bridal gown and believing herself a widow, Susannah now wants Leonidas to reclaim his empire so she can be free. But he is more untamed and dangerously attractive than she remembers! With a single touch she surrenders her innocence... And now the consequences of their passion will bind them together forever!
Presumed dead after a tragic accident, billionaire CEO Leonidas Betancur does not recall the vows he made four years ago. But after he is tracked down by his wife, Susannah, fragments of his memory reappear. He denied her of a wedding night, and now he is ready to collect!
Abandoned in her bridal gown and believing herself a widow, Susannah now wants Leonidas to reclaim his empire so she can be free. But he is more untamed and dangerously attractive than she remembers! With a single touch she surrenders her innocence... And now the consequences of their passion will bind them together forever!
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published December 19, 2017
118 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
About the author
Caitlin Crews
1,096 books595 followersCaitlin Crews discovered her first romance novel at the age of twelve, in a bargain bin at the local five and dime. It involved swashbuckling pirates, grand adventures, a heroine with rustling skirts and a mind of her own, and a seriously mouthwatering and masterful hero. The book (the title of which remains lost in the mists of time) made a serious impression. Caitlin was immediately smitten with romances and romance heroes, to the detriment of her middle school social life. And so began her life-long love affair with romance novels, many of which she insists on keeping near her at all times, thus creating a fire hazard of love wherever she lives.
Caitlin has made her home in places as far-flung as York, England and Atlanta, Georgia. She was raised near New York City, and fell in love with London on her first visit when she was a teenager. She has backpacked in Zimbabwe, been on safari in Botswana, and visited tiny villages in Namibia. She has, while visiting the place in question, declared her intention to live in Prague, Dublin, Paris, Athens, Nice, the Greek Islands, Rome, Venice, and/or any of the Hawaiian islands. Writing about exotic places seems like the next best thing to actually moving there.
She currently lives in Oregon with her animator/comic book artist husband and their menagerie of ridiculous animals.
Caitlin has made her home in places as far-flung as York, England and Atlanta, Georgia. She was raised near New York City, and fell in love with London on her first visit when she was a teenager. She has backpacked in Zimbabwe, been on safari in Botswana, and visited tiny villages in Namibia. She has, while visiting the place in question, declared her intention to live in Prague, Dublin, Paris, Athens, Nice, the Greek Islands, Rome, Venice, and/or any of the Hawaiian islands. Writing about exotic places seems like the next best thing to actually moving there.
She currently lives in Oregon with her animator/comic book artist husband and their menagerie of ridiculous animals.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
December 21, 2017
2.5 stars
A four-star read but for that ending. I needed Leon to grovel something fierce, Susannah shouldn't have had to convince him that he loved her. How??😣😣 *frustrated sigh*
April 21, 2023
Keeper shelf.
Reread!!!
Just as good the second time around.
ARC provided by NetGalley and Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.
Rating 4.5
Great character development and storyline.
Couple points before I go into my review.
~This author does have a tendency to go over board on dialogue (inter dialogue), but I found this one more balanced and hopeful her writing is improving in that one area.
~The hero's disappearance/didn't return is a little far fetched (not the amnesia but the Cult storyline), but yet the overall storyline and character development was so well done that it was a small issue in the whole scheme of the story, for me anyway.
Leonidas was one of the most powerful and wealthiest CEO. His parents and family are a vile bunch of vultures . His upbringing was horrible and abusive. He learned to become the best business man and CEO. But he also closed his heart and learned it was best not to feel too much.
Susannah, grew up with Mommy dearest and a Father who was greedy and only wanted to advance in the social ladder as well as wealth and connections. So Susannah was groomed from an early age to become the means for the best connection for advancement for her parents. Sent away to boarding school she lived a very lonely and solitary life. When Susannah was fairly young she was promised to Leonidas to unite the two families and further their power and status.
Susannah found she was drawn to Leonidas, his strength and stature gave her a sense that there would be stability and a hopeful future and family for her. On her wedding day that dream was shattered as Leonidas made it clear they would live separate lives and this was more a business venture. He spent more time talking about and with his business associates then he did Susannah. He left her right after the reception to fly to a business venture he was pursuing. The next day Susannah learns he died in a plane crash somewhere in the American Rockies but no body was recovered.
Susannah becomes a widow at nineteen. Her dear sweet Mother (sarcasm) said some horrible things to Susannah that invigorated and challenged her. Susannah decided she would not be ruled or dictated to from that point on, by anyone. She became the face and CEO of Betancur. Susannah was then known as the Widow Betancur. She became one of the most powerful women in the business world. A woman who was determined and strong, one of the most successful woman CEO's! Susannah closed herself off emotionally, especially her horrible family as well as Leonidas family, who tried to control and dictate what she should or shouldn't do. But Susannah was her own person and what she never believed or gave up on was finding her husband. She believed he was still alive as no body was every recovered from the crash site. She had investigators and detectives that were searching for him and now it looks like there was a possible lead that Leonidas was alive.
We thaen open with Susannah tracking up a mountain side with a guide who had information about a possible cult that lived up in the mountains with a leader who was called The Count. The pictures, though grainy looked just like him, Leonidas and the description's that Susannah had been given fit her husband to a tee.
The story continues as you guessed, it was Leonidas. He was badly injured and took a year and a half to recover as well having lost his memory. He was found by the people who lived in the compound they rescued him and tended too his recovery and return to full health He became their leader.
The meeting and confrontation between the two main characters brings the slow return of Leonidas memory. What also happens is a combustible physical attraction, that each can’t resist. Susannah deep down has always been drawn to Leonidas and the fairytale dream she harbored for both of them. Leonidas evolved and had found something deeper and more meaningful about/in himself those four lonely years. Hisperspective on life did change. Susannah and Leonidas learn to lean on each other, as well as begin to peel away the years, decades of hurt, pain and loneliness that they both feel. They find in each other goodness and fulfillment, as well as possible dreams of love and family.
Susannah and Leonidas are two wounded souls that you just want to cheer for. Both display this cool, controlled outward person. But inside they are both hurt and lonely. I found these two character multi dimensional and they had such wonderful character growth as the story progressed. My heart ached for each of them. Susannah came across as controlled but you see her hurt and love for Leonidas even thought she doesn't really fully comprehend or acknowledge it to herself. And Leonidas, with his horrible upbringing, ugh you just wanted to hug him. He slowly realized what Susannah did/ sacrificed for him and what a beautiful heart she had. And that she was a gem he wanted to keep forever.
I was cheering for the HEA and boy did I get it. I did find towards the end that the final ILU could have been done somewhat smoother and devoted more pages as it seemed abrupt and clunky. But the epilogue was FANTASTIC, absolutely loved, loved it.
This HP shows that this author has improved and is working on the dialogue issue I've had with her past books.
Reread!!!
Just as good the second time around.
ARC provided by NetGalley and Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.
Rating 4.5
Great character development and storyline.
Couple points before I go into my review.
~This author does have a tendency to go over board on dialogue (inter dialogue), but I found this one more balanced and hopeful her writing is improving in that one area.
~The hero's disappearance/didn't return is a little far fetched (not the amnesia but the Cult storyline), but yet the overall storyline and character development was so well done that it was a small issue in the whole scheme of the story, for me anyway.
Leonidas was one of the most powerful and wealthiest CEO. His parents and family are a vile bunch of vultures . His upbringing was horrible and abusive. He learned to become the best business man and CEO. But he also closed his heart and learned it was best not to feel too much.
Susannah, grew up with Mommy dearest and a Father who was greedy and only wanted to advance in the social ladder as well as wealth and connections. So Susannah was groomed from an early age to become the means for the best connection for advancement for her parents. Sent away to boarding school she lived a very lonely and solitary life. When Susannah was fairly young she was promised to Leonidas to unite the two families and further their power and status.
Susannah found she was drawn to Leonidas, his strength and stature gave her a sense that there would be stability and a hopeful future and family for her. On her wedding day that dream was shattered as Leonidas made it clear they would live separate lives and this was more a business venture. He spent more time talking about and with his business associates then he did Susannah. He left her right after the reception to fly to a business venture he was pursuing. The next day Susannah learns he died in a plane crash somewhere in the American Rockies but no body was recovered.
Susannah becomes a widow at nineteen. Her dear sweet Mother (sarcasm) said some horrible things to Susannah that invigorated and challenged her. Susannah decided she would not be ruled or dictated to from that point on, by anyone. She became the face and CEO of Betancur. Susannah was then known as the Widow Betancur. She became one of the most powerful women in the business world. A woman who was determined and strong, one of the most successful woman CEO's! Susannah closed herself off emotionally, especially her horrible family as well as Leonidas family, who tried to control and dictate what she should or shouldn't do. But Susannah was her own person and what she never believed or gave up on was finding her husband. She believed he was still alive as no body was every recovered from the crash site. She had investigators and detectives that were searching for him and now it looks like there was a possible lead that Leonidas was alive.
We thaen open with Susannah tracking up a mountain side with a guide who had information about a possible cult that lived up in the mountains with a leader who was called The Count. The pictures, though grainy looked just like him, Leonidas and the description's that Susannah had been given fit her husband to a tee.
The story continues as you guessed, it was Leonidas. He was badly injured and took a year and a half to recover as well having lost his memory. He was found by the people who lived in the compound they rescued him and tended too his recovery and return to full health He became their leader.
The meeting and confrontation between the two main characters brings the slow return of Leonidas memory. What also happens is a combustible physical attraction, that each can’t resist. Susannah deep down has always been drawn to Leonidas and the fairytale dream she harbored for both of them. Leonidas evolved and had found something deeper and more meaningful about/in himself those four lonely years. Hisperspective on life did change. Susannah and Leonidas learn to lean on each other, as well as begin to peel away the years, decades of hurt, pain and loneliness that they both feel. They find in each other goodness and fulfillment, as well as possible dreams of love and family.
Susannah and Leonidas are two wounded souls that you just want to cheer for. Both display this cool, controlled outward person. But inside they are both hurt and lonely. I found these two character multi dimensional and they had such wonderful character growth as the story progressed. My heart ached for each of them. Susannah came across as controlled but you see her hurt and love for Leonidas even thought she doesn't really fully comprehend or acknowledge it to herself. And Leonidas, with his horrible upbringing, ugh you just wanted to hug him. He slowly realized what Susannah did/ sacrificed for him and what a beautiful heart she had. And that she was a gem he wanted to keep forever.
I was cheering for the HEA and boy did I get it. I did find towards the end that the final ILU could have been done somewhat smoother and devoted more pages as it seemed abrupt and clunky. But the epilogue was FANTASTIC, absolutely loved, loved it.
This HP shows that this author has improved and is working on the dialogue issue I've had with her past books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2018
This opening made me giggle and I hope the author was too as well as having tongue firmly in cheek as she wrote it.
We all know what incredibly awesome egos our HP tycoons have, well this one goes one step further and sets himself up as a cult divinity aka The Count. In fairness to the H, he is the victim of sabotaged plane on his wedding day resulting in 4 years of amnesia and the role of resident celibate divinity at a cult in Idaho. Sadly, for an HP, the most ridiculously unbelievable part of that statement is that he was “celibate”.
The resigned, emotionally strong gazelle of a virgin heroine clad in the black she has embraced to keep suitors away since her plot husband went missing has finally found him, and she is seriously unamused and unimpressed by his divinity status. I believe her words to him are,
“You’ve got to be kidding!”
A kiss and a roll in the hay, and his divinity status is lifted as well as his celibacy and amnesia. A rare sighting of the magical vagina.
They fly home and not much happens but he’s strong and stalwart; she’s cold and repressed. I guess to hold back all the feelings they are stamping down.
His evil relatives swim by but CC doesn’t really let them get a word in. His even more evil mother and the heroine’s horrible parents make an appearance. Both are in need of serious takedowns, but as usual they get a pass.
Big spoiler. ..
Two star enjoyment for me, but the drama llama runs wild and free, so three stars for my angst buddies out there.
P.S.
Love the Harlequin logic of it all in this quote…
amalgam of everything that was beautiful in him. His Greek mother. His Spanish father. His Brazilian grandparents on one side, his French and Persian grandparents on the other.
Okay, once again HarleyLand defies the laws of biology, genetics, physics and common sense with a GreekMedea mother and a Spanish father, BUT he has Brazilian grandparents one side and French/Persian GP’s on the other. Correct me of I am wrong, but if he has a Greek Medea mother shouldn’t he have at least one set of Greek grandparents? I am not even going there with the French/Persian side of the family.
We all know what incredibly awesome egos our HP tycoons have, well this one goes one step further and sets himself up as a cult divinity aka The Count. In fairness to the H, he is the victim of sabotaged plane on his wedding day resulting in 4 years of amnesia and the role of resident celibate divinity at a cult in Idaho. Sadly, for an HP, the most ridiculously unbelievable part of that statement is that he was “celibate”.
The resigned, emotionally strong gazelle of a virgin heroine clad in the black she has embraced to keep suitors away since her plot husband went missing has finally found him, and she is seriously unamused and unimpressed by his divinity status. I believe her words to him are,
“You’ve got to be kidding!”
A kiss and a roll in the hay, and his divinity status is lifted as well as his celibacy and amnesia. A rare sighting of the magical vagina.
They fly home and not much happens but he’s strong and stalwart; she’s cold and repressed. I guess to hold back all the feelings they are stamping down.
His evil relatives swim by but CC doesn’t really let them get a word in. His even more evil mother and the heroine’s horrible parents make an appearance. Both are in need of serious takedowns, but as usual they get a pass.
Big spoiler. ..
Two star enjoyment for me, but the drama llama runs wild and free, so three stars for my angst buddies out there.
P.S.
Love the Harlequin logic of it all in this quote…
amalgam of everything that was beautiful in him. His Greek mother. His Spanish father. His Brazilian grandparents on one side, his French and Persian grandparents on the other.
Okay, once again HarleyLand defies the laws of biology, genetics, physics and common sense with a Greek
August 29, 2025
What a delight this was! Harlequins are a master class in tight plotting and packing as much story in under 200 pages as possible, because what do you MEAN a billionaire disappears in a plane crash and is presumed dead, only to resurface as a cult leader with amnesia? And that's barely the first 15% of the book!
Obviously, I had a good time while reading this. Caitlin Crews is one of my autobuy authors. I love her Harlequins and I think she does a great job keeping what made the original HPs fun and over the top, while also adding modern feminist twists. Susannah, the heroine, has a tough backbone. She needed to, in order to survive the hero's conniving family. And even though I got this book for lolzy shenanigans, I ended up staying for the surprisingly deep emotional development of two damaged souls who find healing in one another.
3.5 stars
Obviously, I had a good time while reading this. Caitlin Crews is one of my autobuy authors. I love her Harlequins and I think she does a great job keeping what made the original HPs fun and over the top, while also adding modern feminist twists. Susannah, the heroine, has a tough backbone. She needed to, in order to survive the hero's conniving family. And even though I got this book for lolzy shenanigans, I ended up staying for the surprisingly deep emotional development of two damaged souls who find healing in one another.
3.5 stars
February 19, 2018
And I thought the days of crazy scenarios for HPs were over and done with. Well, shut my mouth. Billionaire hero has been presumed dead for four years while his 19 year-old virgin widow has been running things and staving off his horrible family and hers. She doesn't think he's dead - and surprise. He's not. He was rescued by cult members in the Rocky Mountains and promoted to their leader/god. His physical injuries have been healed, but he has amnesia.
LOL
With one kiss hero remembers her and he has the wedding night he didn't have four years before. As unlikely as the scenario is, it's all very sweet as the H/h fight their attraction because they are both dead inside from being raised by sociopaths.
The heroine is pregnant (see title) and the hero now has an excuse to never let her go. However, when he finds out who planned the plane crash that almost killed him
I loved the heroine in this - the Penelope and Odysseus references were great. She was loyal and strong and yet still had that idealism of youth that made her fall for the hero so many years ago. I also liked the hero who had good reason to feel dead and inside and yet didn't turn into a terrible person. As the heroine points out, he was a cult leader, with absolute power, yet he never abused that power.
The H/h were celibate in their separation and the hero didn't have a reputation as a ladies man to begin with.
Lots of thinky thoughts in this one. I do like this author. I just wish she'd dial down those interior monologues.
LOL
With one kiss hero remembers her and he has the wedding night he didn't have four years before. As unlikely as the scenario is, it's all very sweet as the H/h fight their attraction because they are both dead inside from being raised by sociopaths.
The heroine is pregnant (see title) and the hero now has an excuse to never let her go. However, when he finds out who planned the plane crash that almost killed him
I loved the heroine in this - the Penelope and Odysseus references were great. She was loyal and strong and yet still had that idealism of youth that made her fall for the hero so many years ago. I also liked the hero who had good reason to feel dead and inside and yet didn't turn into a terrible person. As the heroine points out, he was a cult leader, with absolute power, yet he never abused that power.
The H/h were celibate in their separation and the hero didn't have a reputation as a ladies man to begin with.
Lots of thinky thoughts in this one. I do like this author. I just wish she'd dial down those interior monologues.
January 10, 2018
I have a love/hate relationship with this author's books,though they are mostly the latter. Why you say?well its because it's the seemingly unending internal dialogues of both MC's. Mind you I like to know what is circulating in the couples head,but not take over the entire story where there is little actual verbal conversations being said.
This romance had some positive reviews,and one of my dear Goodreads friend (Esther) seemed to really enjoy this one :)Plus there was the unique storyline of the hero who was presumed deceased,but now found years later as a cult leader.Never before in the land of Harley that I know of that the hero is a cult leader,he may be a God among us lesser mortals and rule is domain,but no cult leader to be sure.
I took the plunge and read this,yes to the excessive monologues,and the heroine constantly being referred to as the "widow Betancur",but I wound up enjoying this one,really I did.
This couple has got to have to worst set of parents/family members I have read about in Harleyville.The Mother was ultimately the one who engineers her own son's attempted murder,his cousins all backstabbing,and d the heroine's own parents are no better.If the hero did not wind up in the plane crash,he may just have ended up like his family and the heroine just as vapid.
A good read with a lovely epilogue.My gripe is the Mother was never brought to justice in the role she played in her son's plane crash,instead she was reprimanded by the MC'S and living in SA with a lover.
This romance had some positive reviews,and one of my dear Goodreads friend (Esther) seemed to really enjoy this one :)Plus there was the unique storyline of the hero who was presumed deceased,but now found years later as a cult leader.Never before in the land of Harley that I know of that the hero is a cult leader,he may be a God among us lesser mortals and rule is domain,but no cult leader to be sure.
I took the plunge and read this,yes to the excessive monologues,and the heroine constantly being referred to as the "widow Betancur",but I wound up enjoying this one,really I did.
This couple has got to have to worst set of parents/family members I have read about in Harleyville.The Mother was ultimately the one who engineers her own son's attempted murder,his cousins all backstabbing,and d the heroine's own parents are no better.If the hero did not wind up in the plane crash,he may just have ended up like his family and the heroine just as vapid.
A good read with a lovely epilogue.My gripe is the Mother was never brought to justice in the role she played in her son's plane crash,instead she was reprimanded by the MC'S and living in SA with a lover.
December 3, 2017
The books opens with hero becoming a cult leader which was totally absurd and ridiculous. Once again I have a problem with this author's writing style. Endless long descriptions and internal long monologues and zero dialogue. On the plus side my favorite tropes were here: virginal heroine, alpha hero and pregnancy so if u don't have a problem with this author's writing style u might enjoy this!
July 25, 2018
The book was ok.
Both of the hero and heroine was celibate during their separation time. The positive part of the book was the heroine. She was a very strong woman and hold her head high during her tough times. This was the part which saved the book for me.
Both of the hero and heroine was celibate during their separation time. The positive part of the book was the heroine. She was a very strong woman and hold her head high during her tough times. This was the part which saved the book for me.
January 4, 2018
I LOVED how proactive Susannah is (love the name! ) at the beginning, despite her Presents’ ivory tower for heiresses awaiting arranged marriages. I loved how heroic she comes across in searching for her missing husband. I was unsure about the hero being missing for 4 years, but the amnesia works here, and the cult is a prison for him, too.
Leonidas having been celibate, untempted, and then his bride waltzes up and they have their wedding night 4 years after the wedding works well! I didn’t know how Crews would pull that off, but she does.
There’s an intensity about them being married, about her looking out for his interests, and using her widowhood as her armour, about the wedding night 4 years late, and how she’s been looking for him all that time, and the lengths she’s gone to to survive in his rich man's world, that I loved. They’re married, they’ve consummated the marriage, there’s lots of intensity, so it gets going really well, and really quickly. The external stuff is also intriguing enough to keep you turning the pages.
The pace slows as they skate around the edges of a relationship, which started so powerfully but then doesn’t move, forward or backwards for a while. The pregnancy bombshell breaks this and is nicely played from a dialogue, emotion, characterisation and voice point of view and I'm immersed more deeply in this relationship and loving it.
As the relationship progresses, plot injects pace into backstory, characterisation and emotion and fits the relationship. Weaving together fast-paced plot with enough character-driven elements works.
Writing Lesson: Plot elements inject pace into introspection, emotion and backstories.
I loved the high emotion that culminates in another ungeneric love scene that's right for the characters.
The kidnapping felt unnecessary. Maybe page 157 is too late for forced proximity? Or maybe there are quite a few tropes without needing another? The heroine sleeping through being transferred from the townhouse and not waking til on the plane was another off note; I would have preferred her to have continued to have agency here, for me to stay connected to her feelings and motivations. Leonidas also loses some heroic points as his place in the cult is represented slightly differently later in the story and is a bit unPresents and overdone.
Four stars for heroic, proactive heroine, ruthless alpha hero, relationship intensity & depth, fab beginning & passion-fuelled, emotionally satisfying ending and epilogue.
Arc received from Harlequin via NetGalley in return for my thoughts and feedback
Leonidas having been celibate, untempted, and then his bride waltzes up and they have their wedding night 4 years after the wedding works well! I didn’t know how Crews would pull that off, but she does.
There’s an intensity about them being married, about her looking out for his interests, and using her widowhood as her armour, about the wedding night 4 years late, and how she’s been looking for him all that time, and the lengths she’s gone to to survive in his rich man's world, that I loved. They’re married, they’ve consummated the marriage, there’s lots of intensity, so it gets going really well, and really quickly. The external stuff is also intriguing enough to keep you turning the pages.
The pace slows as they skate around the edges of a relationship, which started so powerfully but then doesn’t move, forward or backwards for a while. The pregnancy bombshell breaks this and is nicely played from a dialogue, emotion, characterisation and voice point of view and I'm immersed more deeply in this relationship and loving it.
As the relationship progresses, plot injects pace into backstory, characterisation and emotion and fits the relationship. Weaving together fast-paced plot with enough character-driven elements works.
Writing Lesson: Plot elements inject pace into introspection, emotion and backstories.
I loved the high emotion that culminates in another ungeneric love scene that's right for the characters.
The kidnapping felt unnecessary. Maybe page 157 is too late for forced proximity? Or maybe there are quite a few tropes without needing another? The heroine sleeping through being transferred from the townhouse and not waking til on the plane was another off note; I would have preferred her to have continued to have agency here, for me to stay connected to her feelings and motivations. Leonidas also loses some heroic points as his place in the cult is represented slightly differently later in the story and is a bit unPresents and overdone.
Four stars for heroic, proactive heroine, ruthless alpha hero, relationship intensity & depth, fab beginning & passion-fuelled, emotionally satisfying ending and epilogue.
Arc received from Harlequin via NetGalley in return for my thoughts and feedback
December 7, 2017
I'll start with the good points about this book
1) I liked both Leonidas and Susannah. Liked Susannah's determination to find Leonidas even if she wrongly let herself think it was because she wanted to relinquish the helms of the organization into his hands and get free of him, her parents and everything Bentacur.
2) I liked that there was nothing on the rituals of the cult or the other devotees (except for Leonidas interaction with his right-hand man, who'd saved him and tended to him for the two years he needed to heal from the accident), although Leonidas being leader of a cult was bit far-fetched. Leonidas being a leader is totally believable.
3) I liked how the story got bit intense from the moment Leonidas and Susannah realized that she could be pregnant. Really have to thank Susannah's mother --one of the meanest mothers any child could ever have, oh wait, Leonidas' mother beats her to it-- for making that snide remark to her daughter. It was after that that the story perked up with Leonidas dragging Susannah to his home where after the doctor confirms the pregnancy, he kidnaps her to his island in Greece. It was the only time that the two had some sweet, tender moments like the one in the tub, even if it came up while Leonidas was ruminating over the past few days on the island with Susannah after she'd ended her cold treatment of him and surrendered to his love-making
Now, to the not good points.
There was very little action and interaction between the two main characters. Rest was, as another reviewer said, filled with repetitive reflections and internal monologues
Repeated again and again and again in these internal monologues and reflections was the fact that Susannah was sixteen when she was promised to marry Leonidas, whom she married at nineteen, but he took off on their wedding day without consummating the marriage and died in the plane crash. Then, she took over and became the Bentacur Widow, which she, herself, seemed to have some perverse pleasure mentioning it often, sometimes with dialogues like "I am the widow..." or "you don't know the Bentacur Widow," implying how powerful she was or her black attire as if she were selling an iconic doll.
Also repeatedly mentioned were the Bentacur cousins, the jackals supposedly after Susannah to marry one of them so as to grab Leonidas position as the head of organization. Again, mostly in the internal monlogues except for the one time when Susannah tells Leonidas about her fear of eating and drinking anything offered by the family lest that she be drugged and wake up finding herself married to one of them.
As it is there were five to six scenes in the entire book where Leonidas and Susannah actually spoke to each other and even in those few scenes most of the discussions would centre around those useless cousins, once was even when they were joined together right in the middle of the sex --the first time they had sex at the cult compound.
Same thing about Leonidas' evil mother. There were frequent internal monologues about her but we do not know what exactly she did to Susannah for her not to react with any sort of sympathy toward Leonidas when he received the shocking news about his mother's betrayal. We at least know from Leonidas memories about his mother's uncaring attitude and even his father's abusive treatment of him growing up.
Funnily, when Leonidas releases Susannah from his cage --that's what she'd been calling their marriage-- and gives her the freedom she's been repeatedly asking for, there was no internal monologue or reflection or moping then. At least there was some sort of reflection on Leonidas part to show he was missing Susannah, but nothing on her side. After she'd left the island, there was a week's leap and we find her angrily barging into Leonidas' office and starts spouting the very words that the reader has already repeatedly been told throughout the book, that she was a nineteen year old when she married him...mother...cousins... being Bentacur widow, etc. etc. Then, she calls him a coward for giving up on her and he and the readers have to assume that she wants to stay married to him.
Yet, there was something very endearing about the two of them that made me feel they belonged to each other, made me want them to get their HEA. I just felt that the pages spent on those repetitive reflections about their past and their dysfunctional family, should have been used to have more sweet tender moments and interaction between the two. Nevertheless, the pregnancy and the epilogue in the end sweetened up the whole experience for me. And, I have to say it was a much better experience than the last book I'd read from this author.
1) I liked both Leonidas and Susannah. Liked Susannah's determination to find Leonidas even if she wrongly let herself think it was because she wanted to relinquish the helms of the organization into his hands and get free of him, her parents and everything Bentacur.
2) I liked that there was nothing on the rituals of the cult or the other devotees (except for Leonidas interaction with his right-hand man, who'd saved him and tended to him for the two years he needed to heal from the accident), although Leonidas being leader of a cult was bit far-fetched. Leonidas being a leader is totally believable.
3) I liked how the story got bit intense from the moment Leonidas and Susannah realized that she could be pregnant. Really have to thank Susannah's mother --one of the meanest mothers any child could ever have, oh wait, Leonidas' mother beats her to it-- for making that snide remark to her daughter. It was after that that the story perked up with Leonidas dragging Susannah to his home where after the doctor confirms the pregnancy, he kidnaps her to his island in Greece. It was the only time that the two had some sweet, tender moments like the one in the tub, even if it came up while Leonidas was ruminating over the past few days on the island with Susannah after she'd ended her cold treatment of him and surrendered to his love-making
Now, to the not good points.
There was very little action and interaction between the two main characters. Rest was, as another reviewer said, filled with repetitive reflections and internal monologues
Repeated again and again and again in these internal monologues and reflections was the fact that Susannah was sixteen when she was promised to marry Leonidas, whom she married at nineteen, but he took off on their wedding day without consummating the marriage and died in the plane crash. Then, she took over and became the Bentacur Widow, which she, herself, seemed to have some perverse pleasure mentioning it often, sometimes with dialogues like "I am the widow..." or "you don't know the Bentacur Widow," implying how powerful she was or her black attire as if she were selling an iconic doll.
Also repeatedly mentioned were the Bentacur cousins, the jackals supposedly after Susannah to marry one of them so as to grab Leonidas position as the head of organization. Again, mostly in the internal monlogues except for the one time when Susannah tells Leonidas about her fear of eating and drinking anything offered by the family lest that she be drugged and wake up finding herself married to one of them.
As it is there were five to six scenes in the entire book where Leonidas and Susannah actually spoke to each other and even in those few scenes most of the discussions would centre around those useless cousins, once was even when they were joined together right in the middle of the sex --the first time they had sex at the cult compound.
Same thing about Leonidas' evil mother. There were frequent internal monologues about her but we do not know what exactly she did to Susannah for her not to react with any sort of sympathy toward Leonidas when he received the shocking news about his mother's betrayal. We at least know from Leonidas memories about his mother's uncaring attitude and even his father's abusive treatment of him growing up.
Funnily, when Leonidas releases Susannah from his cage --that's what she'd been calling their marriage-- and gives her the freedom she's been repeatedly asking for, there was no internal monologue or reflection or moping then. At least there was some sort of reflection on Leonidas part to show he was missing Susannah, but nothing on her side. After she'd left the island, there was a week's leap and we find her angrily barging into Leonidas' office and starts spouting the very words that the reader has already repeatedly been told throughout the book, that she was a nineteen year old when she married him...mother...cousins... being Bentacur widow, etc. etc. Then, she calls him a coward for giving up on her and he and the readers have to assume that she wants to stay married to him.
Yet, there was something very endearing about the two of them that made me feel they belonged to each other, made me want them to get their HEA. I just felt that the pages spent on those repetitive reflections about their past and their dysfunctional family, should have been used to have more sweet tender moments and interaction between the two. Nevertheless, the pregnancy and the epilogue in the end sweetened up the whole experience for me. And, I have to say it was a much better experience than the last book I'd read from this author.
January 19, 2018
It had interesting parts with the H's life while being dead. The h was something else, keeping the company afloat for 4 years when she was 19 and having no degree (at least it wasn't mentioned) and surviving the piranhas (both in-laws and her own family).
I didn't like that she was the one to go to him, that the best mom ever didn't die a painful death and other details here and there.
More info with Vashti...
I didn't like that she was the one to go to him, that the best mom ever didn't die a painful death and other details here and there.
More info with Vashti...
May 21, 2020
A Baby to Bind his Bride began with a boom unfortunately the boom didn't continue. The heroine was emotionally distant from the hero when she should have been growing romantically attached to the hero. I lost interest in their journey to hea. I did like seeing the hero and heroine be parents but it wasn't enough to make the romance development great.
August 23, 2020
2.5 stars but it felt painful to read so I'm not rounding up.
A lot of great reviews so just random remarks...
The overall premise — powerful businessman husband back from the dead — was awesome. (Done years ago by Janet Dailey with some similar flaws.)
Too much internal dialogue! This book desperately needed understandable dialogue — the two main characters were almost talking in two different languages they were working so hard to hide everything from each other and others. And too many repetitive thoughts.
It needed more romance, even more sexy on-page sex. (They had a bizarre, lengthy conversation while he was taking her virginity!) They followed up that faux wedding night hookup with seven weeks of avoiding each other in the same house! They’d both been celibate for four years, yet apparently these married romance novel characters didn’t think “I’d like to try more of that!” Inexplicable!!
And while she’d run the company for four years, apparently he walked right back in? We could’ve had a few business dinners where he needed information... or here’s a crazy thought, a moment where he thanks her for keeping the darn thing afloat. Why didn’t we *see* in real time the press conference where he’s back from the dead? No confrontations with the evil cousins? So. Many. Missed. Opportunities.
As I find a problem with Caitlin Crews (and Clare Connelly)... the motivations and feelings need to be more clear. It doesn’t mean they shouldn’t evolve, but these characters are often confusing and I have no idea what they want from one moment to the next. What are they after? If I can’t understand them, it’s hard to connect with them. It becomes so much WORK to read the story trying to grasp what’s going on and why they’re taking or not taking action.
There were cutoffs from scenes where it would’ve been more powerful to keep the scene going to see the fallout. The fact that he didn’t grovel big-time was a huge mistake. He made unilateral choices all along. He was an a** on their wedding day, and I’m not sure he ever recognized it. (He was an a** the entire book, yet still someone you wanted to see end up happy.) The end right before the Epilogue should have been so much better. And no comeuppance for the villain who tried to kill him! Awful.
The Epilogue was better, and saved it from being a total loss.
The author is very talented but I rarely want to read her books more than once, because the turmoil is always so high, but it’s never balanced enough with other elements like actual character dialogue, events that show don’t tell, a relief moment perhaps, forward progress for the romance, and so forth.
I want to be on a romantic journey, not feel like I’ve had the stuffing kicked out me for 2 hours.
A lot of great reviews so just random remarks...
The overall premise — powerful businessman husband back from the dead — was awesome. (Done years ago by Janet Dailey with some similar flaws.)
Too much internal dialogue! This book desperately needed understandable dialogue — the two main characters were almost talking in two different languages they were working so hard to hide everything from each other and others. And too many repetitive thoughts.
It needed more romance, even more sexy on-page sex. (They had a bizarre, lengthy conversation while he was taking her virginity!) They followed up that faux wedding night hookup with seven weeks of avoiding each other in the same house! They’d both been celibate for four years, yet apparently these married romance novel characters didn’t think “I’d like to try more of that!” Inexplicable!!
And while she’d run the company for four years, apparently he walked right back in? We could’ve had a few business dinners where he needed information... or here’s a crazy thought, a moment where he thanks her for keeping the darn thing afloat. Why didn’t we *see* in real time the press conference where he’s back from the dead? No confrontations with the evil cousins? So. Many. Missed. Opportunities.
As I find a problem with Caitlin Crews (and Clare Connelly)... the motivations and feelings need to be more clear. It doesn’t mean they shouldn’t evolve, but these characters are often confusing and I have no idea what they want from one moment to the next. What are they after? If I can’t understand them, it’s hard to connect with them. It becomes so much WORK to read the story trying to grasp what’s going on and why they’re taking or not taking action.
There were cutoffs from scenes where it would’ve been more powerful to keep the scene going to see the fallout. The fact that he didn’t grovel big-time was a huge mistake. He made unilateral choices all along. He was an a** on their wedding day, and I’m not sure he ever recognized it. (He was an a** the entire book, yet still someone you wanted to see end up happy.) The end right before the Epilogue should have been so much better. And no comeuppance for the villain who tried to kill him! Awful.
The Epilogue was better, and saved it from being a total loss.
The author is very talented but I rarely want to read her books more than once, because the turmoil is always so high, but it’s never balanced enough with other elements like actual character dialogue, events that show don’t tell, a relief moment perhaps, forward progress for the romance, and so forth.
I want to be on a romantic journey, not feel like I’ve had the stuffing kicked out me for 2 hours.
January 5, 2018
“A baby to Bind his Bride” is the story of Leonidas and Susannah.
When Leonidas’s plane crashes and he went missing four years ago, everyone presumed him dead and rushed to misuse his widow in order to get their clutches on the Banticur fortune- only to be thwarted by Susannah, Leo’s bride who stood her ground and protected her husband’s legacy despite him abandoning her on their wedding night..
4 years of desperate searching leads her to him. Leonidas, suffering from amnesia is called the Count- and is leader of a cult- but one kiss brings his memory back.
Soon Susannah brings him back to his elite world, but the only thing she asks in lieu is her freedom from the vain Banticur barracudas. But a pregnancy changes things. Can Leonidas let her go?
This might be my first read by this author and was pretty good. I liked the chemistry and emotions- especially that the hero remained faithful by default and his feelings and yearning for her were explicitly expressed.
Hot lovemaking scenes and minimal drama- if only the hero was less cocky and more considerate, I would have liked this even more. Strong heroine who didn’t take shit from anyone. Needed a bit more grovel but sweet HEA.
Safe
3.5/5
When Leonidas’s plane crashes and he went missing four years ago, everyone presumed him dead and rushed to misuse his widow in order to get their clutches on the Banticur fortune- only to be thwarted by Susannah, Leo’s bride who stood her ground and protected her husband’s legacy despite him abandoning her on their wedding night..
4 years of desperate searching leads her to him. Leonidas, suffering from amnesia is called the Count- and is leader of a cult- but one kiss brings his memory back.
Soon Susannah brings him back to his elite world, but the only thing she asks in lieu is her freedom from the vain Banticur barracudas. But a pregnancy changes things. Can Leonidas let her go?
This might be my first read by this author and was pretty good. I liked the chemistry and emotions- especially that the hero remained faithful by default and his feelings and yearning for her were explicitly expressed.
Hot lovemaking scenes and minimal drama- if only the hero was less cocky and more considerate, I would have liked this even more. Strong heroine who didn’t take shit from anyone. Needed a bit more grovel but sweet HEA.
Safe
3.5/5
April 2, 2018
I absolutely adore the theme of the hero coming back from the 'dead' to wreck havoc on everyone. This book was awesome , The H didnt waste time making the h his wife in the the full sense the minute he recognised her. Iliked that he was not the same man nor her the soft child he married. He got softer not beta but more understanding and she toughen up to match him. It is quite understandable he wasn't sure of how he felt due to child abuse. He especially primitively protective of her! I loved his grovel, he was on his knees embracing her and their unborn baby.....an awesome read....I recommend!
January 3, 2018
Plot: 3/5
Characterisation: 4.5/5
Prose: 4/5
How much I enjoyed it: 4/5
Rating are rough estimation. Read this in December 2017 but didn't remember much.
Characterisation: 4.5/5
Prose: 4/5
How much I enjoyed it: 4/5
Rating are rough estimation. Read this in December 2017 but didn't remember much.
May 10, 2019
A Presents that wants the reader to think it's progressive, but it's not. It's the same ol' Presents folks. We're told the heroine turns into a ball-buster after her husband is presumed dead but we never actually SEE her doing anything particularly interesting and when the hero isn't protecting her, he's kidnapping her (literally) after he finds out she's pregnant so she can't divorce him. Naturally she gives this big speech at the end about how she's always loved him and HE DOESN'T GROVEL, which frankly ticked me right the heck off. Oh, and of course she has a baby boy. Because OF COURSE she does. But it's OK - they're apparently running the multi-million dollar corporation together at the end. You know what would have been hot? Seeing the heroine actually, oh I don't know, run the business herself. Or see her doing battle with the hero's vile relatives. I mean, anything. This is progressive and "not-your-usual" Presents in sheep's clothing.
November 18, 2019
Within the first five minutes the hero is revealed as an amnesia-stricken business tycoon who was thought to have died in a plane crash but is actually ALIVE AND LEADING A CULT IN IDAHO. This book is bananapants.
August 25, 2020
Only HP could pull off this storyline...
He is a god with amnesia... yes, a god!
It also takes evil family members to a new low.
He is a god with amnesia... yes, a god!
It also takes evil family members to a new low.
February 2, 2020
3.75 - 4 stars
As I began this story, I thought I was really going to love and adore this story especially with that fresh and unique beginning that I was really digging, but about half way through the story started to drag a bit. I just felt like there was too much inner monologue going on and not enough action (and not just of the physical nature either). It just kind stopped as both Susannah and Leonidas went through how they felt about the situation and their feelings for one another and whatnot. That’s okay to have in a romance, but not when it distrusts the flow of the story and the romance between the couple, which was how it felt here. There just needed to be a little bit more showing than telling. I would have liked to see more scenes between Susannah and Leonidas where there was building of intimacy between the two of them or just some more romantic moments in general. They were in this story don’t get me wrong, but not enough for my liking especially the building of emotional intimacy between the two of them. I needed more of that. I think if that had happened then the story would have picked a bit more and the flow little bit better in my opinion.
Another thing that I think was a missed opportunity in this story was the lack of angst in this story. I was expecting there to be a lot more of it especially considering the premise behind the story plus I love me angst so anytime where there are premises where it sounds like there’s going to be major angst feels then I tend to gravitate towards those types of stories. There was a little bit of angst in the story, but not an abundance like I was expecting there to be. In the story, there were setups where the angst could have been really played up and over the top, which I would have loved, but instead was kind of brushed aside and put on the back burner a little bit. For instance, the fact that Leonidas left his new bride immediately after their wedding reception for business and leaving her alone on their wedding night when it was very clear that Susannah was in love with him could have been a deluge of angst between them when they were reunited again. Yes, it could be said that it toughened Susannah up and help her shell so that she wasn’t that starry eyed school girl that she was four years previous after the hurt that he administered to her poor heart, but I think it could have been played up way more than it was and created more lovely tension between them. I don’t even remember if they discuss how much he hurt her when he left or not on that day. If they did, they it was just blip in the story, and I think it could have developed a bit more just to provide more conflict in the story and made it more interesting of a story at least for me.
From the sounds of this review so far, it sounds like I hated the book, which wasn’t true. As I said above the beginning I thought was really good and fresh and unique. I was expecting the beginning to be a little different when I started the story. I was surprised that Leonidas got his memory back so early on in the story and was expecting that to be drawn out at least till half way throughout the book, which would have made for a really interesting story and nice tension between them. That would have been a great middle to the story if he didn’t get his memory back early on. I also was surprised that their first time happened as quickly as it did. I thought that would have been drawn out a bit bit too just like the amnesia part of the story. Again that could have been great development and tension to make the story really, really engaging and I think would have made for a better middle portion of the book. Despite the fact that I expected both the first time scene and the amnesia portion story to be drawn out a bit more than it was, I wasn’t bothered or upset that it happened so quickly in the story. I was more bothered with the lack of emotional intimate scenes and romance between Leonidas and Susannah than I was by how quick the love scene happened the amnesia cured.
I loved the amnesia in this story, and really got me hooked as well as the fact that everyone had thought that Leonidas was dead with Susannah the only one believing he was still alive and still looking for him even after four years. The story jumped right into the action with Susannah finally finding Leonidas after all this time in a cult in Idaho with Leonidas being the leader of it, which was very interesting. Even though it jumped right into the action, the setup was there and understood the backstory immediately in the first few pages so that was good. It was just really well done and got me interesting right away.
Another interesting aspect of this book was that there was a cult in this book. I don’t think I have read a romance where a cult was every present especially one that Leonidas was suppose to be the leader of. It was interesting to see Susannah infiltrate that. It also added to the suspense in this story that I felt like I was reading a Harlequin Intrigue book, instead of a Harlequin Presents book, which was good because it made it different than other Presents book and made it fresh and new and intriguing to read. It would have been cool if that was played up a bit more if Leonidas memory didn’t return almost immediately and Susannah was stuck with him in this cult, trying to convince him that he was in fact her husband. Just all the back and forth there as they could have developed feelings for one another then succumbed their passion then him getting his memory back and then them going back to reality. I think that would have been a very interesting story and had more action in the story than there was. That was yet another thing that really hooked me onto the story because it was such a different approach to different Presents books.
They did have some steamy moments throughout the story that were really good. Their attraction and chemistry with one another was in no question here. They fought that attraction to one another in the story with each believing the other didn’t want the other. It was interesting to see them debating back and forth within themselves of wanting each other but not wanting to give into that. When they finally did it seemed like they couldn’t keep their hands off of each other because they couldn’t contain it any longer. The scenes were pretty scorching. They did have a connection that went beyond the physical in those moments, but I think the emotion needed to be played a bit more just to show off more of their emotional intimacy growing and developing each time they came together again just my personal opinion.
I really liked the fact that they did have a connection and an understanding of one another because they both had very similar backgrounds in this super rich power hunger world that they both grew up in. They both suffered abuses at the hands of their parents with neither of them having loving childhood. They could recognize the pain and hurt they both faced as children and understand each other in way that no one else could. That was something that brought them together and did make closer as a couple. It both effected them as adults because of those abuses and how they had relationships. It also effected their relationship and how they wanted these walls up between them and not to let emotions get the way. That was a nice thing to see them bond over as well as see them have understanding between the other because they got what they other went through because they went through it too.
Even though I wish there were more romantic moments in the book, there were a few that I truly did adore. I loved the scene where he rubbed pressure points in her palm in order to help relive a severe headache that she was experiencing. It showed how much he cared and didn’t want to see her pain. It also showed off his tender side that I wish we got to see more of. The second scene was when they danced together. It was romantic. It was tender. It was passionate. It showed them building some sort of connection and bond in that moment that I loved. The last scene was when he kept taking her from the guest room to his room so they could wake up all cuddled up together. It was very sweet that he wanted to wake up next to her and promote that intimacy and bond between them. Plus it upped their desire for one another, which didn’t hurt either, and I adored that.
Overall I did enjoy the book ends of this story. It had some really nice elements to it with some hooks here and there that kept me interested in the story. It was just the middle that dragged and really slowed down the pacing of the story. It needed more action and less internal monologues going on. They were just way too long. A lot of them I had to skip through because it was getting to the heart and soul of the story. I think if the middle contained more romantic or emotional intimate scenes between the two of them that would have developed and built their relationship a bit more than I think I would have been on board more, but instead it just felt like there were analyzing their thoughts and feelings than just experiencing them and living it. Or I think if the amnesia plot line would have been drawn out a bit more that would have made for an interesting story because it would have promoted angst and tension in the story between the two of them. There would have been more action there and just more of hook than the dragging one that was the middle. The middle was just not compelling at all and really dragged the story down in my opinion.
As I began this story, I thought I was really going to love and adore this story especially with that fresh and unique beginning that I was really digging, but about half way through the story started to drag a bit. I just felt like there was too much inner monologue going on and not enough action (and not just of the physical nature either). It just kind stopped as both Susannah and Leonidas went through how they felt about the situation and their feelings for one another and whatnot. That’s okay to have in a romance, but not when it distrusts the flow of the story and the romance between the couple, which was how it felt here. There just needed to be a little bit more showing than telling. I would have liked to see more scenes between Susannah and Leonidas where there was building of intimacy between the two of them or just some more romantic moments in general. They were in this story don’t get me wrong, but not enough for my liking especially the building of emotional intimacy between the two of them. I needed more of that. I think if that had happened then the story would have picked a bit more and the flow little bit better in my opinion.
Another thing that I think was a missed opportunity in this story was the lack of angst in this story. I was expecting there to be a lot more of it especially considering the premise behind the story plus I love me angst so anytime where there are premises where it sounds like there’s going to be major angst feels then I tend to gravitate towards those types of stories. There was a little bit of angst in the story, but not an abundance like I was expecting there to be. In the story, there were setups where the angst could have been really played up and over the top, which I would have loved, but instead was kind of brushed aside and put on the back burner a little bit. For instance, the fact that Leonidas left his new bride immediately after their wedding reception for business and leaving her alone on their wedding night when it was very clear that Susannah was in love with him could have been a deluge of angst between them when they were reunited again. Yes, it could be said that it toughened Susannah up and help her shell so that she wasn’t that starry eyed school girl that she was four years previous after the hurt that he administered to her poor heart, but I think it could have been played up way more than it was and created more lovely tension between them. I don’t even remember if they discuss how much he hurt her when he left or not on that day. If they did, they it was just blip in the story, and I think it could have developed a bit more just to provide more conflict in the story and made it more interesting of a story at least for me.
From the sounds of this review so far, it sounds like I hated the book, which wasn’t true. As I said above the beginning I thought was really good and fresh and unique. I was expecting the beginning to be a little different when I started the story. I was surprised that Leonidas got his memory back so early on in the story and was expecting that to be drawn out at least till half way throughout the book, which would have made for a really interesting story and nice tension between them. That would have been a great middle to the story if he didn’t get his memory back early on. I also was surprised that their first time happened as quickly as it did. I thought that would have been drawn out a bit bit too just like the amnesia part of the story. Again that could have been great development and tension to make the story really, really engaging and I think would have made for a better middle portion of the book. Despite the fact that I expected both the first time scene and the amnesia portion story to be drawn out a bit more than it was, I wasn’t bothered or upset that it happened so quickly in the story. I was more bothered with the lack of emotional intimate scenes and romance between Leonidas and Susannah than I was by how quick the love scene happened the amnesia cured.
I loved the amnesia in this story, and really got me hooked as well as the fact that everyone had thought that Leonidas was dead with Susannah the only one believing he was still alive and still looking for him even after four years. The story jumped right into the action with Susannah finally finding Leonidas after all this time in a cult in Idaho with Leonidas being the leader of it, which was very interesting. Even though it jumped right into the action, the setup was there and understood the backstory immediately in the first few pages so that was good. It was just really well done and got me interesting right away.
Another interesting aspect of this book was that there was a cult in this book. I don’t think I have read a romance where a cult was every present especially one that Leonidas was suppose to be the leader of. It was interesting to see Susannah infiltrate that. It also added to the suspense in this story that I felt like I was reading a Harlequin Intrigue book, instead of a Harlequin Presents book, which was good because it made it different than other Presents book and made it fresh and new and intriguing to read. It would have been cool if that was played up a bit more if Leonidas memory didn’t return almost immediately and Susannah was stuck with him in this cult, trying to convince him that he was in fact her husband. Just all the back and forth there as they could have developed feelings for one another then succumbed their passion then him getting his memory back and then them going back to reality. I think that would have been a very interesting story and had more action in the story than there was. That was yet another thing that really hooked me onto the story because it was such a different approach to different Presents books.
They did have some steamy moments throughout the story that were really good. Their attraction and chemistry with one another was in no question here. They fought that attraction to one another in the story with each believing the other didn’t want the other. It was interesting to see them debating back and forth within themselves of wanting each other but not wanting to give into that. When they finally did it seemed like they couldn’t keep their hands off of each other because they couldn’t contain it any longer. The scenes were pretty scorching. They did have a connection that went beyond the physical in those moments, but I think the emotion needed to be played a bit more just to show off more of their emotional intimacy growing and developing each time they came together again just my personal opinion.
I really liked the fact that they did have a connection and an understanding of one another because they both had very similar backgrounds in this super rich power hunger world that they both grew up in. They both suffered abuses at the hands of their parents with neither of them having loving childhood. They could recognize the pain and hurt they both faced as children and understand each other in way that no one else could. That was something that brought them together and did make closer as a couple. It both effected them as adults because of those abuses and how they had relationships. It also effected their relationship and how they wanted these walls up between them and not to let emotions get the way. That was a nice thing to see them bond over as well as see them have understanding between the other because they got what they other went through because they went through it too.
Even though I wish there were more romantic moments in the book, there were a few that I truly did adore. I loved the scene where he rubbed pressure points in her palm in order to help relive a severe headache that she was experiencing. It showed how much he cared and didn’t want to see her pain. It also showed off his tender side that I wish we got to see more of. The second scene was when they danced together. It was romantic. It was tender. It was passionate. It showed them building some sort of connection and bond in that moment that I loved. The last scene was when he kept taking her from the guest room to his room so they could wake up all cuddled up together. It was very sweet that he wanted to wake up next to her and promote that intimacy and bond between them. Plus it upped their desire for one another, which didn’t hurt either, and I adored that.
Overall I did enjoy the book ends of this story. It had some really nice elements to it with some hooks here and there that kept me interested in the story. It was just the middle that dragged and really slowed down the pacing of the story. It needed more action and less internal monologues going on. They were just way too long. A lot of them I had to skip through because it was getting to the heart and soul of the story. I think if the middle contained more romantic or emotional intimate scenes between the two of them that would have developed and built their relationship a bit more than I think I would have been on board more, but instead it just felt like there were analyzing their thoughts and feelings than just experiencing them and living it. Or I think if the amnesia plot line would have been drawn out a bit more that would have made for an interesting story because it would have promoted angst and tension in the story between the two of them. There would have been more action there and just more of hook than the dragging one that was the middle. The middle was just not compelling at all and really dragged the story down in my opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2017
Naughtiness 3*
Absolutely fantastic read, as always Caitlin never disappoints. This is most definitely another fantastic read.
As always I never give spoilers but will say I utterly adore this story very much and could not put it down, it has everything from heart break to heartwarming, mystery, Naughtiness and a very powerful story in which at more than one point I wept for our heroine and was enraged for our hero and heroine I was definitely able to connect closely to both and utterly adored the ending.
Thank you Caitlin for this awesome book xxxx
Absolutely fantastic read, as always Caitlin never disappoints. This is most definitely another fantastic read.
As always I never give spoilers but will say I utterly adore this story very much and could not put it down, it has everything from heart break to heartwarming, mystery, Naughtiness and a very powerful story in which at more than one point I wept for our heroine and was enraged for our hero and heroine I was definitely able to connect closely to both and utterly adored the ending.
Thank you Caitlin for this awesome book xxxx
April 28, 2019
When reviewing, I try to judge a book on what it's trying to achieve. This book is a Harlequin Presents, which has the ethos of "let's jam every damn trope we can into this sucker and you will love it." And this is a FUCKING PERFECT example of what HPs are trying to achieve. The heroine is Susannah Betancur, who is known worldwide as the Widow Betancur because when she was 19 on the day of her wedding, her husband "died" in a plane crash.
Me: VIRGIN WIDOW TROPE?
She searches for him, because she just knows that until she sees proof that her MANLY, POSSESSIVE, DID I MENTION MANLY husband, Leonidas Betancur is dead--she won't believe it.
4 years later, she finds him. In Idaho. As the leader of a cult. That's chapter 1.
Pluses: I used to devour Harlequin Presents like candy back in the day, and this hits all those notes: amnesia, DRAMA, money, jet-setting, evil family, possessive men, you name it. The big change is a stronger heroine that is his match rather than an 80s doormat-heroine.
Wishes: If you don't like Harlequin Presents, then all the OTT plot points: the amnesia, DRAMA, money, jet-setting, evil family, possessive men, will probably make you want to throw the book through the window.
Verdict: UTTER PERFECTION, but in that Harlequin Presents way. YMMV
Copied & Pasted from Twitter as part of a project where I'm reviewing the 2019 RITA finalists.
Me: VIRGIN WIDOW TROPE?
She searches for him, because she just knows that until she sees proof that her MANLY, POSSESSIVE, DID I MENTION MANLY husband, Leonidas Betancur is dead--she won't believe it.
4 years later, she finds him. In Idaho. As the leader of a cult. That's chapter 1.
Pluses: I used to devour Harlequin Presents like candy back in the day, and this hits all those notes: amnesia, DRAMA, money, jet-setting, evil family, possessive men, you name it. The big change is a stronger heroine that is his match rather than an 80s doormat-heroine.
Wishes: If you don't like Harlequin Presents, then all the OTT plot points: the amnesia, DRAMA, money, jet-setting, evil family, possessive men, will probably make you want to throw the book through the window.
Verdict: UTTER PERFECTION, but in that Harlequin Presents way. YMMV
Copied & Pasted from Twitter as part of a project where I'm reviewing the 2019 RITA finalists.
February 27, 2018
A very unusual premise- the day 19-year-old Susannah marries Leonidas Betancur as had been arranged by their families, he leaves on a business trip only to have his plane crash and is presumed dead. Susannah becomes "The Widow Betancur" to hold evil family members at bay while she searches for her lost husband and kept the company going. The story opens with her dressed in her "widow's clothes", climbing a mountain with a guide described as "wearing more flannel and plaid than Susannah Betancur had ever seen on a single person".
The interaction between Susannah and her husband is very intense, especially on the island:
While the premise of "The Count" was a little over-the-top,and the villains , I was deeply involved in this from the beginning.
The interaction between Susannah and her husband is very intense, especially on the island:
While the premise of "The Count" was a little over-the-top,and the villains , I was deeply involved in this from the beginning.
January 5, 2018
A Baby to Bind his Bride by Caitlin Crews is a sexy and unique romance about lost loves and second chances.
For four years, it’s been assumed that billionaire Leonidas Betancur died in a plane crash – but his new bride Susannah doesn’t believe it. Taking over his business on his ‘death’ and holding off his cousins and other family members from gaining control, her suspicions about his sudden demise led to a wholehearted but secret search. And now she’s found him.
Leonidas lost his memory in the crash, and having been found by local cult members, became their leader. His character as a driven, ruthless man holds true even if he doesn’t know who he is. When Susannah finds him and tell him she’s his wife, his attraction to her leads to a kiss, and the return of some of his memories. Regaining his place as head of his family empire is only possible with Susannah standing by his side. But now that she’s got him back where he belongs, will she stay and give their marriage the chance it deserves?
For more of this review please visit Harlequin Junkie: http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-a-b...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.
For four years, it’s been assumed that billionaire Leonidas Betancur died in a plane crash – but his new bride Susannah doesn’t believe it. Taking over his business on his ‘death’ and holding off his cousins and other family members from gaining control, her suspicions about his sudden demise led to a wholehearted but secret search. And now she’s found him.
Leonidas lost his memory in the crash, and having been found by local cult members, became their leader. His character as a driven, ruthless man holds true even if he doesn’t know who he is. When Susannah finds him and tell him she’s his wife, his attraction to her leads to a kiss, and the return of some of his memories. Regaining his place as head of his family empire is only possible with Susannah standing by his side. But now that she’s got him back where he belongs, will she stay and give their marriage the chance it deserves?
For more of this review please visit Harlequin Junkie: http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-a-b...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.
December 5, 2017
great book with strong characters (especially the heroine , I loved her ♡)
it's just the cult thing that I didn't like! but in general it was a great read .
it's just the cult thing that I didn't like! but in general it was a great read .
Read
August 23, 2020TW/CW:
Mention of death, cults, amnesia, child abuse/neglect, slight fatphobia, past attempted murder.
Mention of death, cults, amnesia, child abuse/neglect, slight fatphobia, past attempted murder.
June 6, 2018
Well this book is so totally dramatic I can forgive the fact that somehow the 19 year old h manages to get a backstabbing board to agree to her running a mega powerful, rich multi-national business with only a finishing school education behind her. Who cares this story had DRAMA!
We start the book 4 years after the innocent, unworldly and naive 19 year old enters her dynastic arranged marriage to Leonidas the H who ignores her for most of the wedding, doesn't consummate it then flies off on business to the US where his plane explodes and he is declared dead.
Our feisty h grows a spine of titanium overnight, there is no way her hubby is dead but she is playing along for now and promptly becomes "the widow" taking over his assets and company overnight and secretly kicking ass and taking names all while secretly investigating where the MIA H is at.
Shes finally tracked theasshole H down to a cult in the USA where he is worshiped as a God. LOL turns out he escaped the exploding plane (although we never find out how) and he has amnesia and a cult lifestyle which he rather enjoys. this h has had enough of being the boss now though and its time for him to suck it up and get back to his life because she wants out. They have a mutual moment of magical insta lust mojo and she finally loses her virginity then they are outta the cult and back to the real world.
This h is uber awesome she wants out but is happy to help the H find his feet and make sure he is ok before she goes. He is slightly reeling because he has memory gaps, wants his wife like mad, someone in his family tried to kill him by plane sabotage and his sweet amenable wife is a ninja warrior in both the business stakes and holding her own against his entire slime slurping family of evilness. As soon as the H had "died" they tried to manipulate her into marriage with one of his cousins with immediate effect.
No virgin love mojo comes without consequences though in HPlandia and it turns out our h is in the family way. The H is well chuffed at this turn of events because that means the h is stuck with him and he immediately lures her back to bed after avoiding her since their return and then kidnaps her to a random island to make sure there is no escape. They get to know each other better and it turns out they both have really bloody awful parents. Hers just wanted to marry her off to the H ASAP and sent her away to school at an early age to ensure she was the right wife for him and his were just pure evil. his dad beat him and his mum let him. In fact it turns out mummy dearest arranged to have him killed when he argued with her about her allowance.
When the H is rather sad here realising even his own flesh and blood didn't want him they just hurt him all the time and tried to make him into what they wanted him to be. He worries he has nothing to offer and that he doesn't know how to love and after some more lurving they have a huge row and he sends her away. Our h gets another great line in here where she choses Sydney, Australia as her base because
Shes also not taking it lying down though and she storms back a week later and gives him some more verbal missiles until he gets the message and declares himself.
I loved theses 2 and only deducted a star because I can't see any board allowing a 19 year old to be in charge no matter how many shares they control and the fact the h came to the H he didn't chase her for a grovel. He owed it to her really seen as she had already rescued his ass from a cult.
I liked her and her bossy ways
We start the book 4 years after the innocent, unworldly and naive 19 year old enters her dynastic arranged marriage to Leonidas the H who ignores her for most of the wedding, doesn't consummate it then flies off on business to the US where his plane explodes and he is declared dead.
Our feisty h grows a spine of titanium overnight, there is no way her hubby is dead but she is playing along for now and promptly becomes "the widow" taking over his assets and company overnight and secretly kicking ass and taking names all while secretly investigating where the MIA H is at.
Shes finally tracked the
This h is uber awesome she wants out but is happy to help the H find his feet and make sure he is ok before she goes. He is slightly reeling because he has memory gaps, wants his wife like mad, someone in his family tried to kill him by plane sabotage and his sweet amenable wife is a ninja warrior in both the business stakes and holding her own against his entire slime slurping family of evilness. As soon as the H had "died" they tried to manipulate her into marriage with one of his cousins with immediate effect.
No virgin love mojo comes without consequences though in HPlandia and it turns out our h is in the family way. The H is well chuffed at this turn of events because that means the h is stuck with him and he immediately lures her back to bed after avoiding her since their return and then kidnaps her to a random island to make sure there is no escape. They get to know each other better and it turns out they both have really bloody awful parents. Hers just wanted to marry her off to the H ASAP and sent her away to school at an early age to ensure she was the right wife for him and his were just pure evil. his dad beat him and his mum let him. In fact it turns out mummy dearest arranged to have him killed when he argued with her about her allowance.
When the H is rather sad here realising even his own flesh and blood didn't want him they just hurt him all the time and tried to make him into what they wanted him to be. He worries he has nothing to offer and that he doesn't know how to love and after some more lurving they have a huge row and he sends her away. Our h gets another great line in here where she choses Sydney, Australia as her base because
I not only wish to be on a different continent from you but across the international dateline whenever possible so we won't even share a day in common
Shes also not taking it lying down though and she storms back a week later and gives him some more verbal missiles until he gets the message and declares himself.
I loved theses 2 and only deducted a star because I can't see any board allowing a 19 year old to be in charge no matter how many shares they control and the fact the h came to the H he didn't chase her for a grovel. He owed it to her really seen as she had already rescued his ass from a cult.
I liked her and her bossy ways
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2019
I loved this book.
Susannah was an amazing heroine. She transformed herself from a scared nineteen year old bride whose husband walked out during their wedding reception and died in a planned crash, to the Widow Betancur who was a forced to be reckoned with. The most powerful widow in the world.
Then there’s her husband, Leonidas, aka The Count; cult leader extraordinaire, aka Lazarus. He came back from the dead. He was a hard man with a such horrible family, one of them tried to take him out. After he was “resurrected” and returned to his life, he had to learn to be a husband and to be a husband to the Widow Betancur.
It was fun to read. My only complaints is about the person who attempted to kill Leonidas. I wanted more done there, but I guess I understand why it was handled the way it was.
I also loved the final scene with the susannah and Leonidas in the office. It was wonderful.
Really loved this book.
Susannah was an amazing heroine. She transformed herself from a scared nineteen year old bride whose husband walked out during their wedding reception and died in a planned crash, to the Widow Betancur who was a forced to be reckoned with. The most powerful widow in the world.
Then there’s her husband, Leonidas, aka The Count; cult leader extraordinaire, aka Lazarus. He came back from the dead. He was a hard man with a such horrible family, one of them tried to take him out. After he was “resurrected” and returned to his life, he had to learn to be a husband and to be a husband to the Widow Betancur.
It was fun to read. My only complaints is about the person who attempted to kill Leonidas. I wanted more done there, but I guess I understand why it was handled the way it was.
I also loved the final scene with the susannah and Leonidas in the office. It was wonderful.
Really loved this book.
June 8, 2021
Claiming his wedding night!
Presumed dead after a tragic accident, billionaire CEO Leonidas Betancur does not recall the vows he made four years ago. But after he is tracked down by his wife, Susannah, fragments of his memory reappear. He denied her of a wedding night, and now he is ready to collect!
Abandoned in her bridal gown and believing herself a widow, Susannah now wants Leonidas to reclaim his empire so she can be free. But he is more untamed and dangerously attractive than she remembers! With a single touch she surrenders her innocence... And now the consequences of their passion will bind them together forever!
Presumed dead after a tragic accident, billionaire CEO Leonidas Betancur does not recall the vows he made four years ago. But after he is tracked down by his wife, Susannah, fragments of his memory reappear. He denied her of a wedding night, and now he is ready to collect!
Abandoned in her bridal gown and believing herself a widow, Susannah now wants Leonidas to reclaim his empire so she can be free. But he is more untamed and dangerously attractive than she remembers! With a single touch she surrenders her innocence... And now the consequences of their passion will bind them together forever!
October 27, 2017
Leonidas has a take charge kind of woman on his hands, “what concerns me is that we have to construct a decent narrative to explain where you’ve been for the past four years,” she said evenly, turning around to face him as she spoke..." Leonidas is a possessive man, “I don’t know what kind of man you think I am, but I don’t give away what’s mine, Susannah.” I liked this book, Leonidas was one moody man.
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