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Heirs Before Vows #3
Seducida por el italiano
Serás mi esposa. Esther Abbott se había marchado de casa y estaba recorriendo Europa con una mochila a cuestas cuando una mujer le pidió que aceptase gestar a su hijo. Desesperada por conseguir dinero, Esther aceptó, pero después del procedimiento la mujer se echó atrás, dejándola embarazada y sola, sin nadie a quien pedir ayuda… salvo el padre del bebé.
Descubrir que iba a tener un hijo con una mujer a la que no conocía era un escándalo que el multimillonario Renzo Valenti no podía permitirse. Después de su reciente y amargo divorcio, y con una impecable reputación que mantener, Renzo no tendrá más alternativa que reclamar a ese hijo… y a Esther como su esposa.
Descubrir que iba a tener un hijo con una mujer a la que no conocía era un escándalo que el multimillonario Renzo Valenti no podía permitirse. Después de su reciente y amargo divorcio, y con una impecable reputación que mantener, Renzo no tendrá más alternativa que reclamar a ese hijo… y a Esther como su esposa.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2017
132 people are currently reading
268 people want to read
About the author
Maisey Yates
1,175 books3,005 followersNew York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Maisey Yates lives in rural Oregon with her three children and her husband, whose chiseled jaw and arresting features continue to make her swoon. She feels the epic trek she takes several times a day from her office to her coffee maker is a true example of her pioneer spirit. In 2009, at the age of twenty-three Maisey sold her first book.
Since then it’s been a whirlwind of sexy alpha males and happily ever afters, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Maisey divides her writing time between dark, passionate category romances set just about everywhere on earth and light sexy contemporary romances set practically in her back yard.
She believes that she clearly has the best job in the world.
Since then it’s been a whirlwind of sexy alpha males and happily ever afters, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Maisey divides her writing time between dark, passionate category romances set just about everywhere on earth and light sexy contemporary romances set practically in her back yard.
She believes that she clearly has the best job in the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
April 28, 2018
4/29/2018
I don't know how I missed this, but this may be one of the worst covers ever.
Starring on . I may have to start a list of Worst Covers Ever or Bad Covers with Pregnant Virgins.
Cussing..
What the ever loving hell.
The h meets the H to tell him she is going to have his baby. Never having had sex with her, he doesn't buy it. Turns out his cheating, wackadoodle wife he divorced the day before, after six months of wedded hell, set the IVF situation up. The ex-wife has refused to pay for services rendered so the h searches Daddy out.
The h has fled from a restrictive commune where she was completely and totally rejected by her father, mother, and six brothers. She left her whole behind because all she wants to do is get educated and see the world. Yep, meeting up with an arrogant, self-centered, amoral Italian alpha ass-hat with arrogant, self-centered ass-hat parents only concerned about the family name is just what she needs. I would and could feel more indignation for the heroine if she had a bit more spirit or personality, but I don't. She adapts to the high life a tad too quickly for someone who wants true independence, but overall, she stays her simple self.
Given that the H was forced by his parents to relinquish his claim on his first child, a daughter he had with a married woman when he was 16, he is bound and determined to keep this child. He strong-arms the h into an engagement. When he finds out that it's not just one baby but twins, he decides to seduce her into marrying him. Why, I don't know, as the h is clear from the beginning she is only there to be the surrogate. Underlying currents are that the main reason he wants the h to stay is to minimize gossip: it's all about the family and their antiquated reputation. There is very little to suggest Insta-love or even the more base Insta-lust.
The H finally has sex with the h, professing love, but he can't keep the pretense up. As soon as he confesses he doesn't love her, he does.
REALITY CHECK
Okay, pretending that this is real life and not a Harlequin...
The tiny h was raised and essentially emotionally abused by her family. She wants a normal life, you know, big stuff like listening to music and reading books. She meets the H, and he's not a wonderfully alpha male, he is a manipulative bastard ready to deprive the heroine from the life she wants to explore: college, travel. It's one thing for our Greek/Italian/Spanish heroes to put their thumbs down on regular heroines, but this one is in a different category. She's so clueless she has to evaluate facial cues as she knows she is inept at it.
This book was so depressing as, I believe, in the guise of trying to do something different Maisey Yates created an abused heroine that never stood a chance. She went from the umbrella of one emotionally abusive and controlling man to another.
I did not buy her attraction to him or vice versa.
DEPRESSING.
P.S.
When the Ob tells tells them that a twin pregnancy can be higher risk, he blows it off as he's too overwhelmed.
I don't know how I missed this, but this may be one of the worst covers ever.
Starring on . I may have to start a list of Worst Covers Ever or Bad Covers with Pregnant Virgins.
Cussing..
What the ever loving hell.
The h meets the H to tell him she is going to have his baby. Never having had sex with her, he doesn't buy it. Turns out his cheating, wackadoodle wife he divorced the day before, after six months of wedded hell, set the IVF situation up. The ex-wife has refused to pay for services rendered so the h searches Daddy out.
The h has fled from a restrictive commune where she was completely and totally rejected by her father, mother, and six brothers. She left her whole behind because all she wants to do is get educated and see the world. Yep, meeting up with an arrogant, self-centered, amoral Italian alpha ass-hat with arrogant, self-centered ass-hat parents only concerned about the family name is just what she needs. I would and could feel more indignation for the heroine if she had a bit more spirit or personality, but I don't. She adapts to the high life a tad too quickly for someone who wants true independence, but overall, she stays her simple self.
Given that the H was forced by his parents to relinquish his claim on his first child, a daughter he had with a married woman when he was 16, he is bound and determined to keep this child. He strong-arms the h into an engagement. When he finds out that it's not just one baby but twins, he decides to seduce her into marrying him. Why, I don't know, as the h is clear from the beginning she is only there to be the surrogate. Underlying currents are that the main reason he wants the h to stay is to minimize gossip: it's all about the family and their antiquated reputation. There is very little to suggest Insta-love or even the more base Insta-lust.
The H finally has sex with the h, professing love, but he can't keep the pretense up. As soon as he confesses he doesn't love her, he does.
REALITY CHECK
Okay, pretending that this is real life and not a Harlequin...
The tiny h was raised and essentially emotionally abused by her family. She wants a normal life, you know, big stuff like listening to music and reading books. She meets the H, and he's not a wonderfully alpha male, he is a manipulative bastard ready to deprive the heroine from the life she wants to explore: college, travel. It's one thing for our Greek/Italian/Spanish heroes to put their thumbs down on regular heroines, but this one is in a different category. She's so clueless she has to evaluate facial cues as she knows she is inept at it.
This book was so depressing as, I believe, in the guise of trying to do something different Maisey Yates created an abused heroine that never stood a chance. She went from the umbrella of one emotionally abusive and controlling man to another.
I did not buy her attraction to him or vice versa.
DEPRESSING.
P.S.
When the Ob tells tells them that a twin pregnancy can be higher risk, he blows it off as he's too overwhelmed.
January 7, 2017
On page 71 I gave up. The heroine annoyed me too much to continue. She's pregnant via surrogacy and by page 71 after learning she's carrying twins this heroine still shows no maternal feelings for the babies. When I read a hp I expect the heroine to show motherly feelings for babies. This heroine shows none. It makes her callous and cold and unlikable.
Next issue...the sexual chemistry. The heroine is feeling desire for the hero however the hero feels none by page 71 towards the heroine.
These two issues left me not caring if the hero & heroine had a hea.
This book is supposed to be a romance. I didn’t see the romance. I saw a stupid heroine with no maternal instinct feeling desire for a hero who had none toward her. I kept waiting for the hero to have sexual desire for the heroine but by page 71 I gave up as it was still not described.
Oh and the heroine was stupid because she decided to become a surrogate to a married couple without meeting both spouses. What an idiot.
Next issue...the sexual chemistry. The heroine is feeling desire for the hero however the hero feels none by page 71 towards the heroine.
These two issues left me not caring if the hero & heroine had a hea.
This book is supposed to be a romance. I didn’t see the romance. I saw a stupid heroine with no maternal instinct feeling desire for a hero who had none toward her. I kept waiting for the hero to have sexual desire for the heroine but by page 71 I gave up as it was still not described.
Oh and the heroine was stupid because she decided to become a surrogate to a married couple without meeting both spouses. What an idiot.
November 2, 2018
Absolutely not. Wouldn't touch it. Pregnant virgin...surrogate mother. Left to help raise a child she was having for another couple who is not of her own biologically speaking.
April 19, 2017
3.5 stars
I haven’t read a Harlequin Presents (or Mills and Boon Modern , as we call them here in Blighty) for quite a while, so I picked one up for the April’s TBR Challenge prompt of Contemporary Romance.
Sometimes, a girl just needs to get sucked into that glitzy world of rich, alpha playboys who are eventually tamed by love that the Presents line does so well, and The Italian’s Pregnant Virgin certainly didn’t disappoint on that score. Maisey Yates also comes up with one of the most believable reasons for her twenty-three year old heroine being a virgin that I’ve come across. It must be harder and harder these days to convincingly write about a young woman in her twenties who has no sexual experience whatsoever (outside of Inspirationals, perhaps), but making Esther Abbott the product of a strict upbringing in a commune that allowed no contact with the outside world makes her inexperience completely plausible.
Esther left the commune and her family following a confrontation – in front of everyone - with her incredibly strict father during which he told her she could denounce all the ‘evil’ things (like books and CDs) she had brought in from the outside or be thrown out – and she left. Determined to make her own way and her own life, her ambition is to go to college, but for now, she is travelling and working abroad with the intent of seeing a bit of the world while she makes sufficient money to support herself through her studies.
But she’s not earned enough yet, and has run out of money in Rome, where she is currently working at a bar waiting tables. Completely out of the blue, she is approached by a woman about becoming a surrogate for her and her husband – and the amount of money involved convinces Esther to agree to the idea. But just a few short weeks later, the woman tells Esther that her plans have changed and that she wants her to terminate the pregnancy. Esther baulks at this, believing that the father should at least have some say in the matter. Which is how she ends up on Renzo Valenti’s doorstep, explaining that she’s carrying his child.
Renzo is astonished and - not unreasonably - extremely sceptical. It seems that his ex-wife had planned the whole thing without his knowledge (and here I had to stop to wonder if doing something like that without the consent of both potential parents is even possible), but even knowing this, he finds himself unable to believe such a ridiculous story, and Esther leaves, believing she’s at least done the right thing by telling him. But over the next few days the thought that she might possibly be carrying his baby nags at Renzo, and he eventually seeks her out at the bar and insists she accompanies him home.
Renzo is heir to the vast Valenti business empire and is the product of a fairly strict, old-fashioned upbringing. His disastrous marriage to the most unsuitable woman he could find was made, in part, to spite his father for something that happened a long time ago, and partly out of Renzo’s deep-seated feelings of worthlessness. At the age of sixteen, he fathered a child as the result of a brief affair with a married woman, but was forced to give up all claim to his daughter and to agree never to acknowledge her. He hates himself for the ease with which he allowed himself to be manipulated – although he was only sixteen, which poses the question as to what he thought he could have done instead? – but it makes him even more determined to keep Esther’s child – or, as it turns out, children. He pretty much tells her they’re going to get married, but when Esther turns him down flat, he realises he’s going to have to tread more carefully. He very reasonably points out that she will be able to do all the things she wants to do – travel, go to college – if she marries him, and makes it clear that he will not interfere; but the only marriages Esther has ever seen are ones in which the husband has complete control and in which the love they profess isn't love, but a way of exerting that control. Even her father’s supposed love was a way of tying her down and that’s something she certainly doesn’t want. When Esther refuses Renzo’s proposal of a marriage of convenience, he plans a seduction instead - something that certainly won’t be a hardship for him considering that he is already attracted to Esther - fully confident that he can make her fall in love with him and agree to marry him. They strike a bargain; Esther will move in with him and act the part of his fiancée until the babies are born, which will afford Renzo the necessary time to convince her that marrying him is the best way forward… and to put his planned seduction into action.
I won’t deny that the premise is more than a bit implausible. Surrogacy is illegal in Italy, but the author gets around that by having Esther travel across the border to undergo the procedure; and I can’t deny that I rolled my eyes at the throwaway line about Renzo’s ex-wife getting his sperm from a condom! But if you can get past the unlikely set up, then the story is a reasonably enjoyable rags-to-riches tale buoyed up somewhat by Esther, who, despite her upbringing, isn’t a doormat and isn’t prepared to just roll over, do what she’s told and put up with Renzo’s crap. He’s got issues of his own, too, although I didn’t really buy that whole “I married a crazy-pants woman because I’m not worth anything better” thing; he’s thirty-two now and I was puzzled as to why he’d waited so long to pull that particular stunt.
Overall, however, Renzo and Esther make an engaging pair. He admires her spirit and finds her innocence and lack of artifice refreshing, while she can’t help falling for this man who, she realises, is much more than the rich playboy he is widely believed to be.
The Italian’s Pregnant Virgin satisfied my temporary craving for a quick, fairytale-like fix and I enjoyed reading it. It’s not something I’m likely to pick up again, but it did the job, and I think perhaps other HP devotees may enjoy it.
I haven’t read a Harlequin Presents (or Mills and Boon Modern , as we call them here in Blighty) for quite a while, so I picked one up for the April’s TBR Challenge prompt of Contemporary Romance.
Sometimes, a girl just needs to get sucked into that glitzy world of rich, alpha playboys who are eventually tamed by love that the Presents line does so well, and The Italian’s Pregnant Virgin certainly didn’t disappoint on that score. Maisey Yates also comes up with one of the most believable reasons for her twenty-three year old heroine being a virgin that I’ve come across. It must be harder and harder these days to convincingly write about a young woman in her twenties who has no sexual experience whatsoever (outside of Inspirationals, perhaps), but making Esther Abbott the product of a strict upbringing in a commune that allowed no contact with the outside world makes her inexperience completely plausible.
Esther left the commune and her family following a confrontation – in front of everyone - with her incredibly strict father during which he told her she could denounce all the ‘evil’ things (like books and CDs) she had brought in from the outside or be thrown out – and she left. Determined to make her own way and her own life, her ambition is to go to college, but for now, she is travelling and working abroad with the intent of seeing a bit of the world while she makes sufficient money to support herself through her studies.
But she’s not earned enough yet, and has run out of money in Rome, where she is currently working at a bar waiting tables. Completely out of the blue, she is approached by a woman about becoming a surrogate for her and her husband – and the amount of money involved convinces Esther to agree to the idea. But just a few short weeks later, the woman tells Esther that her plans have changed and that she wants her to terminate the pregnancy. Esther baulks at this, believing that the father should at least have some say in the matter. Which is how she ends up on Renzo Valenti’s doorstep, explaining that she’s carrying his child.
Renzo is astonished and - not unreasonably - extremely sceptical. It seems that his ex-wife had planned the whole thing without his knowledge (and here I had to stop to wonder if doing something like that without the consent of both potential parents is even possible), but even knowing this, he finds himself unable to believe such a ridiculous story, and Esther leaves, believing she’s at least done the right thing by telling him. But over the next few days the thought that she might possibly be carrying his baby nags at Renzo, and he eventually seeks her out at the bar and insists she accompanies him home.
Renzo is heir to the vast Valenti business empire and is the product of a fairly strict, old-fashioned upbringing. His disastrous marriage to the most unsuitable woman he could find was made, in part, to spite his father for something that happened a long time ago, and partly out of Renzo’s deep-seated feelings of worthlessness. At the age of sixteen, he fathered a child as the result of a brief affair with a married woman, but was forced to give up all claim to his daughter and to agree never to acknowledge her. He hates himself for the ease with which he allowed himself to be manipulated – although he was only sixteen, which poses the question as to what he thought he could have done instead? – but it makes him even more determined to keep Esther’s child – or, as it turns out, children. He pretty much tells her they’re going to get married, but when Esther turns him down flat, he realises he’s going to have to tread more carefully. He very reasonably points out that she will be able to do all the things she wants to do – travel, go to college – if she marries him, and makes it clear that he will not interfere; but the only marriages Esther has ever seen are ones in which the husband has complete control and in which the love they profess isn't love, but a way of exerting that control. Even her father’s supposed love was a way of tying her down and that’s something she certainly doesn’t want. When Esther refuses Renzo’s proposal of a marriage of convenience, he plans a seduction instead - something that certainly won’t be a hardship for him considering that he is already attracted to Esther - fully confident that he can make her fall in love with him and agree to marry him. They strike a bargain; Esther will move in with him and act the part of his fiancée until the babies are born, which will afford Renzo the necessary time to convince her that marrying him is the best way forward… and to put his planned seduction into action.
I won’t deny that the premise is more than a bit implausible. Surrogacy is illegal in Italy, but the author gets around that by having Esther travel across the border to undergo the procedure; and I can’t deny that I rolled my eyes at the throwaway line about Renzo’s ex-wife getting his sperm from a condom! But if you can get past the unlikely set up, then the story is a reasonably enjoyable rags-to-riches tale buoyed up somewhat by Esther, who, despite her upbringing, isn’t a doormat and isn’t prepared to just roll over, do what she’s told and put up with Renzo’s crap. He’s got issues of his own, too, although I didn’t really buy that whole “I married a crazy-pants woman because I’m not worth anything better” thing; he’s thirty-two now and I was puzzled as to why he’d waited so long to pull that particular stunt.
Overall, however, Renzo and Esther make an engaging pair. He admires her spirit and finds her innocence and lack of artifice refreshing, while she can’t help falling for this man who, she realises, is much more than the rich playboy he is widely believed to be.
The Italian’s Pregnant Virgin satisfied my temporary craving for a quick, fairytale-like fix and I enjoyed reading it. It’s not something I’m likely to pick up again, but it did the job, and I think perhaps other HP devotees may enjoy it.
November 1, 2016
Wow! A heroine who says she never wants kids and is about to give birth to a baby and coldly give it up for adoption? no thanks! I can't believe my favorite author wrote this.
November 11, 2018
I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed this one! The Modern/Sexy/Harlequin Presents line can be problematic for me, because it holds on to too many tropes that I feel are nowadays outdated, a bit sexist and a bit offensive. However, this was a solid story with a well-developed H and h, whose thoughts, feelings and actions consistently made sense from beginning to end.
Esther Abbott was raised in a commune/cult, and now wants to experience the world. In order to get some funds, she agrees to be a surrogate. However, the woman who organises the pregnancy backs out and asks that Esther terminate, as her marriage is over. Esther declines, and goes to the father, Renzo Valenti, to inquire as to what he wishes to do. Considering this is a genre where the h so often keeps paternity a secret, this was very refreshing!
Surrogacy is not allowed in Italy, and Renzo wants to avoid scandal, so he wants Esther to pretend to be his bride. Once the child is delivered, she is free to do what she wants. Of course, the two of them being in close proximity makes them both reassess what they might really want out of the fake engagement.
Both h and H come with a backstory that fully inform their characters and makes you understand why they say what they say and why they do what they do. As a result, I was very much engaged in seeing how everything would turn out for them! I never once thought "WTF" over their actions, which is all too common in this genre! The lack of over the top angst might disappoint some readers, but I do prefer stories where the h and H can act like level-headed adults while still dealing with their issues. That's what I got here!
While there were some tropes that did make me roll my eyes (of course it turns out they're actually having twins, plus the whole Cinderella makeover thing), and that title was pretty cringeworthy, this was also imbued with a nice sense of droll humour that made me chuckle out loud a couple of times. I love when I can understand and sympathise with the words and actions of the h and H, and as a result, I really enjoyed this!
Esther Abbott was raised in a commune/cult, and now wants to experience the world. In order to get some funds, she agrees to be a surrogate. However, the woman who organises the pregnancy backs out and asks that Esther terminate, as her marriage is over. Esther declines, and goes to the father, Renzo Valenti, to inquire as to what he wishes to do. Considering this is a genre where the h so often keeps paternity a secret, this was very refreshing!
Surrogacy is not allowed in Italy, and Renzo wants to avoid scandal, so he wants Esther to pretend to be his bride. Once the child is delivered, she is free to do what she wants. Of course, the two of them being in close proximity makes them both reassess what they might really want out of the fake engagement.
Both h and H come with a backstory that fully inform their characters and makes you understand why they say what they say and why they do what they do. As a result, I was very much engaged in seeing how everything would turn out for them! I never once thought "WTF" over their actions, which is all too common in this genre! The lack of over the top angst might disappoint some readers, but I do prefer stories where the h and H can act like level-headed adults while still dealing with their issues. That's what I got here!
While there were some tropes that did make me roll my eyes (of course it turns out they're actually having twins, plus the whole Cinderella makeover thing), and that title was pretty cringeworthy, this was also imbued with a nice sense of droll humour that made me chuckle out loud a couple of times. I love when I can understand and sympathise with the words and actions of the h and H, and as a result, I really enjoyed this!
January 2, 2017
The Heirs before Vows series by Maisey Yates has a pretty self explanatory title, but the circumstances of this third story in the series, The Italian's Pregnant Virgin, are definitely unique. It's not uncommon to have a one night stand lead to an unexpected pregnancy in a romance novel, but I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've encountered this particular scenario.
Esther is a bright eyed innocent, fresh from a restrictive life in a religious commune. Leaving the only home and life she's ever known, she's in Rome taking in the sights and sounds and exploring the world around her. She wants to go to college, but knows she needs to earn more money than what she's been making as a waitress at the bar where she was able to get a job when she arrived. When a woman approached her with the idea of being a surrogate for her and her husband, it was the money involved that convinced her that it would be worth it. But now the woman has changed her mind, wanting Esther to terminate the pregnancy.
Esther believes the unborn child's father should have a say in what happens to the baby, but when she approaches Renzo Valenti, the heir to the Valenti fortune, he's completely in the dark. His now ex-wife planned all this behind his back and it's a complete shock to him (and frankly, unbelievable) that this woman could be carrying his child. At first he sends her away, but the thought that it could really be his child nags at him and he eventually seeks her out. Deciding that he wants the baby, he and Esther strike an agreement for her to live with him and carry the baby to term, with a pretend engagement to appease his family as surrogacy is illegal in Italy. No one needs to know the actual details of the pregnancy except them. But as Esther and Renzo spend time together, the attraction between them blossoms. Can their unexpected alliance lead to a happy ending?
I have to say that the plot idea of this one is pretty far-fetched, especially as Esther is pregnant through a surrogacy procedure (done in a neighbouring country since it's not possible to have it done in Italy) yet is still a virgin. It's hard to wrap my mind around the idea that a young woman in her twenties would choose to have a baby for another couple for the money. But Esther's upbringing is sufficiently unique to make her decision making not what the average young woman in her twenties would choose, so putting that aside and suspending one's disbelief about the circumstances that bring Esther and Renzo together, the story is quite enjoyable.
Renzo made some mistakes as an older teenager that resulted in a child being born that he is unable to lay claim to, a young woman who he sees in social circles but can never acknowledge as his own. It's this that makes him take Esther at her word (though he does investigate to determine that the baby is indeed his) and realize that he will do anything to keep the child in his life, including marrying Esther. He finds her a refreshing change from the jaded society women he normally associates with (and definitely a vast improvement over his crazy ex-wife!) and falls for her innocence and charm. She has no artifice about her, she says what she thinks, and Renzo finds that very attractive. They share some tender and sensual love scenes as Esther becomes his partner in more than just name only.
The contrast between Renzo's wealthy lifestyle and Esther's restrictive upbringing is quite stark. Esther worries about going from one man's control (her father) to Renzo's, though Renzo makes it clear that being with him means she'll still be able to do all the things she wants to, just with him at her side. It's not what she pictured for her future but neither did she envision having a baby so soon either. In the end, the two of them fall for each other and there is a lovely ending and epilogue to round out this tale of improbable beginnings leading to love.
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review
This review appears at Harlequin Junkie: http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-the...
Esther is a bright eyed innocent, fresh from a restrictive life in a religious commune. Leaving the only home and life she's ever known, she's in Rome taking in the sights and sounds and exploring the world around her. She wants to go to college, but knows she needs to earn more money than what she's been making as a waitress at the bar where she was able to get a job when she arrived. When a woman approached her with the idea of being a surrogate for her and her husband, it was the money involved that convinced her that it would be worth it. But now the woman has changed her mind, wanting Esther to terminate the pregnancy.
Esther believes the unborn child's father should have a say in what happens to the baby, but when she approaches Renzo Valenti, the heir to the Valenti fortune, he's completely in the dark. His now ex-wife planned all this behind his back and it's a complete shock to him (and frankly, unbelievable) that this woman could be carrying his child. At first he sends her away, but the thought that it could really be his child nags at him and he eventually seeks her out. Deciding that he wants the baby, he and Esther strike an agreement for her to live with him and carry the baby to term, with a pretend engagement to appease his family as surrogacy is illegal in Italy. No one needs to know the actual details of the pregnancy except them. But as Esther and Renzo spend time together, the attraction between them blossoms. Can their unexpected alliance lead to a happy ending?
I have to say that the plot idea of this one is pretty far-fetched, especially as Esther is pregnant through a surrogacy procedure (done in a neighbouring country since it's not possible to have it done in Italy) yet is still a virgin. It's hard to wrap my mind around the idea that a young woman in her twenties would choose to have a baby for another couple for the money. But Esther's upbringing is sufficiently unique to make her decision making not what the average young woman in her twenties would choose, so putting that aside and suspending one's disbelief about the circumstances that bring Esther and Renzo together, the story is quite enjoyable.
Renzo made some mistakes as an older teenager that resulted in a child being born that he is unable to lay claim to, a young woman who he sees in social circles but can never acknowledge as his own. It's this that makes him take Esther at her word (though he does investigate to determine that the baby is indeed his) and realize that he will do anything to keep the child in his life, including marrying Esther. He finds her a refreshing change from the jaded society women he normally associates with (and definitely a vast improvement over his crazy ex-wife!) and falls for her innocence and charm. She has no artifice about her, she says what she thinks, and Renzo finds that very attractive. They share some tender and sensual love scenes as Esther becomes his partner in more than just name only.
The contrast between Renzo's wealthy lifestyle and Esther's restrictive upbringing is quite stark. Esther worries about going from one man's control (her father) to Renzo's, though Renzo makes it clear that being with him means she'll still be able to do all the things she wants to, just with him at her side. It's not what she pictured for her future but neither did she envision having a baby so soon either. In the end, the two of them fall for each other and there is a lovely ending and epilogue to round out this tale of improbable beginnings leading to love.
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review
This review appears at Harlequin Junkie: http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-the...
December 11, 2016
I didn't like this story which is a shame because Maisey Yates is one of my fav authors. The whole surrogacy thing did not work for me. I dont know perhaps I missed it but I'm still wondering if the babies were from the heroine's or the ex-wife's eggs?
December 14, 2016
I disliked the H. He was cold... Very cold. He lied to h that he loves her. Also, I disliked his past coz I hate such past stories.
That's why the story lost the 3 stars.
That's why the story lost the 3 stars.
August 18, 2021
This is the 3rd and thankfully last in this distasteful series of related characters and here we have the surrogacy trope. Not the mix up in the clinic one, the one where the h is impregnated with the sperm of a rich and married H without his knowledge to trap him by his evil wife.
Low and behold this illegal practice happened across the border in the country of the horrible H from book 2. I knew he would have his nefarious paws into something like that, he has no morals so underhand surrogacy seems right up his royal street.
Anyway H and wife are now divorced and so wifey no longer requires the baby and asks h to get rid she also hasn't paid her the promised money. h isn't totally mercenary so turns up on H's doorstep to ask what he wants to do. He is understandably surprised as he knew nothing about this and wife has stolen his sperms from a used condom. This H has no qualms about putting himself about with people he was divorcing/didn't like he married her only because she was horrible to prove a point.
This H also has issues. At 16 he had an affair and was in love with an older married woman and got her pregnant. She stayed with husband and they raised child together and he is tormented about signing away his parental rights even though at 16 he wasn't in a position to raise a baby. He then decided to go off the rails and womanize and drink himself into oblivion for the rest of his days and blame himself and his parents.
This is where MY's characters bug me (though none more so than the one from Carides Wife) the H had an affair with a married woman - this is OM behaviour and while I adore a reformed rake/badboy I find cheaters no matter the age pretty abhorrent and it crosses a line I don't like in my romances.
Anyway, the H is not going to lose another child so he spends all his time wooing the h who has issues of her own so that she will marry him. She grew up in a cult and escaped to see the world she doesn't want kids or a husband as she sees men as very controlling. She agreed to the surrogacy purely for the money so she could continue to see the world and the babies are not hers.
Turns out its twins and H is in full on seduction mode now the h is a virgin and overwhelmed and he lies to her face and tells her he loves her to get her to agree to sleeping with him and marriage and only after the sexy times does she catch him in the lie. h is devastated that he would do that to her knowing her background and states she will now never be able to trust him because he lied to her face and was believable. He goes off to fight with his parents and blame them for all his misdeeds before heading back for a grovel because he does love her. At this point my head was swivelling and have promised myself a break from this authors books for a while.
Surrogacy is illegal in Italy and what happens when the babies were born was never explained so god knows how that was resolved. She isn't their bio mum but in my opinion it is implied that they would lie and say she was the birth mum to the authorities to save family scandal.
Low and behold this illegal practice happened across the border in the country of the horrible H from book 2. I knew he would have his nefarious paws into something like that, he has no morals so underhand surrogacy seems right up his royal street.
Anyway H and wife are now divorced and so wifey no longer requires the baby and asks h to get rid she also hasn't paid her the promised money. h isn't totally mercenary so turns up on H's doorstep to ask what he wants to do. He is understandably surprised as he knew nothing about this and wife has stolen his sperms from a used condom. This H has no qualms about putting himself about with people he was divorcing/didn't like he married her only because she was horrible to prove a point.
This H also has issues. At 16 he had an affair and was in love with an older married woman and got her pregnant. She stayed with husband and they raised child together and he is tormented about signing away his parental rights even though at 16 he wasn't in a position to raise a baby. He then decided to go off the rails and womanize and drink himself into oblivion for the rest of his days and blame himself and his parents.
This is where MY's characters bug me (though none more so than the one from Carides Wife) the H had an affair with a married woman - this is OM behaviour and while I adore a reformed rake/badboy I find cheaters no matter the age pretty abhorrent and it crosses a line I don't like in my romances.
Anyway, the H is not going to lose another child so he spends all his time wooing the h who has issues of her own so that she will marry him. She grew up in a cult and escaped to see the world she doesn't want kids or a husband as she sees men as very controlling. She agreed to the surrogacy purely for the money so she could continue to see the world and the babies are not hers.
Turns out its twins and H is in full on seduction mode now the h is a virgin and overwhelmed and he lies to her face and tells her he loves her to get her to agree to sleeping with him and marriage and only after the sexy times does she catch him in the lie. h is devastated that he would do that to her knowing her background and states she will now never be able to trust him because he lied to her face and was believable. He goes off to fight with his parents and blame them for all his misdeeds before heading back for a grovel because he does love her. At this point my head was swivelling and have promised myself a break from this authors books for a while.
Surrogacy is illegal in Italy and what happens when the babies were born was never explained so god knows how that was resolved. She isn't their bio mum but in my opinion it is implied that they would lie and say she was the birth mum to the authorities to save family scandal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2017
UM. Alright, well that was weird. Lots of spoilers ahead.
First off, the why Renzo needs to call Ashley, the ex, to confirm Esther's story is beyond me, they have these little things called DNA tests. They can even be done while pregnant! However, the claim that Ashley took Esther to a neighboring province to get the procedure done with a condom full of Renzo's swimmers is abso-fricken-ridiculous. First of all, condoms are usually coated in spermicide, so they die within hours. Pretending that there was no spermicide, unless crazy pants Ashley kept the condom in a dark and anaerobic condition, they swimmers would have died within a few days. And since we don't really have a timeline for when Ashley took said condom to said doctor, I guess its kind of possible, but improbable. But what freaking doctor would take a sperm sample and simply impregnate a surrogate? There is a lot of paperwork that goes into that kind of stuff.
Besides that, when Esther and Renzo do hook up, OMG DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEY DON'T USE? A FREAKING CONDOM. He just says, "I am clean and healthy, I was tested after Ashley", and Esther says, "Yes please, give me the uncovered sausage I have no experience in this but I am sure it is a great idea, I am already pregnant, so the worst that can happen is some unexpected STI, and you are rich and don't lie because I have known you for 3 weeks." I think you can all guess how I feel about contemporary romances not using condoms.
/endrant
First off, the why Renzo needs to call Ashley, the ex, to confirm Esther's story is beyond me, they have these little things called DNA tests. They can even be done while pregnant! However, the claim that Ashley took Esther to a neighboring province to get the procedure done with a condom full of Renzo's swimmers is abso-fricken-ridiculous. First of all, condoms are usually coated in spermicide, so they die within hours. Pretending that there was no spermicide, unless crazy pants Ashley kept the condom in a dark and anaerobic condition, they swimmers would have died within a few days. And since we don't really have a timeline for when Ashley took said condom to said doctor, I guess its kind of possible, but improbable. But what freaking doctor would take a sperm sample and simply impregnate a surrogate? There is a lot of paperwork that goes into that kind of stuff.
Besides that, when Esther and Renzo do hook up, OMG DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEY DON'T USE? A FREAKING CONDOM. He just says, "I am clean and healthy, I was tested after Ashley", and Esther says, "Yes please, give me the uncovered sausage I have no experience in this but I am sure it is a great idea, I am already pregnant, so the worst that can happen is some unexpected STI, and you are rich and don't lie because I have known you for 3 weeks." I think you can all guess how I feel about contemporary romances not using condoms.
/endrant
March 18, 2017
Finished the book before I realized that it was the third book in a trilogy.
An interesting concept. The h was raised in a cult commune, rebelled against the rules and was kicked out by her father. Her desire to see the world leads her to Italy where she decided to assist a couple by becoming a surrogate for them. That backfired when she learns that the couple divorced and the wife tells her to terminate the pregnancy.
The H is the husband in the couple and learns about the surrogacy when the h shows up on his doorstep to tell him about the pregnancy. He decides that he wants his baby and decided to marry the h to save face.
While a little long winded and very introspective, I still found the story interesting. I loved the h. She is sweet, innocent, naive and just a wonderful person.
The H is a tormented soul because of a decision that his parents made in his teen years. This left an indelible mark on his soul leaving him angry and devastated.
A better book than I expected so now I have to read the first two in the series.
An interesting concept. The h was raised in a cult commune, rebelled against the rules and was kicked out by her father. Her desire to see the world leads her to Italy where she decided to assist a couple by becoming a surrogate for them. That backfired when she learns that the couple divorced and the wife tells her to terminate the pregnancy.
The H is the husband in the couple and learns about the surrogacy when the h shows up on his doorstep to tell him about the pregnancy. He decides that he wants his baby and decided to marry the h to save face.
While a little long winded and very introspective, I still found the story interesting. I loved the h. She is sweet, innocent, naive and just a wonderful person.
The H is a tormented soul because of a decision that his parents made in his teen years. This left an indelible mark on his soul leaving him angry and devastated.
A better book than I expected so now I have to read the first two in the series.
May 6, 2023
I’ve read few years ago and as I remembered it was a 3 stars read!
January 1, 2017
I skipped every other page and I'm still wondering if the twins were from the heroine's or the ex-wife's eggs!
March 18, 2017
What a let down to a good series.
This series is Ok maybe a little bit of a stretch to say 'good' the first book was fine, the second book was less fine and this one just crashed into a big pile of smoke.
The series was a little bit off putting, I don't funnily enough like series with abuse sub plots but they can be good. Abuse is something to talk about as awareness will help combat it (in theory). So I stuck with book 1 and 2 but I just can't for this one.
How is she pregnant without him knowing? This literally couldn't happen. Like no way can I make myself believe this. Sorry but I can't. I didnt even get past chapter 1. I just kept reading and thinking what? This is going in my charity bag of books like the rest of the series.
Think this is the longest review I have done of Mills and boon books!
This series is Ok maybe a little bit of a stretch to say 'good' the first book was fine, the second book was less fine and this one just crashed into a big pile of smoke.
The series was a little bit off putting, I don't funnily enough like series with abuse sub plots but they can be good. Abuse is something to talk about as awareness will help combat it (in theory). So I stuck with book 1 and 2 but I just can't for this one.
How is she pregnant without him knowing? This literally couldn't happen. Like no way can I make myself believe this. Sorry but I can't. I didnt even get past chapter 1. I just kept reading and thinking what? This is going in my charity bag of books like the rest of the series.
Think this is the longest review I have done of Mills and boon books!
January 1, 2017
This is cereal, people. They had a lot of cereal talks. I'm being cereal here, this one "free-spirit" action was mentioned in their (almost) every cereal talk. She ate her cereal in a bowl, sitting on the floor in front of a window! What kind of animal does that?! Be cereal!
January 9, 2020
Oh this is an absolute first for me. I absolutely love Maisey Yates (she's one of my top 5 Mills and Boon writers), and have read lots of her books. I have been catching up on her back catalogue and found this one.
What can I say? I mean Maisey really cannot write a bad book, and she is incapable of writing bad prose; but the plot in this one? I just could not buy any of it.
Esther has escaped from a cult where she lived with her abusive controlling father and enormous family to try and be free, independent and live a great life. Okay - that I understand - it explains her innocence, ambition, naivety and downright stupidity at times. She's sweet and she deserves good things to happen to her.
Whilst waitressing, she's approached by a woman who asks her to be a surrogate. Just what a virgin would automatically do to make money! (Of course, it's illegal in Italy so they have to go across the border - to where? a fictitious country of course. )
Since we learn later in the book, that should there be any DNA tests, it would be proved that Esther had nothing to do with the babies - that means the ex-wife donated eggs - why? it was never satisfactorily explained what Ashley's motivation was in all this.) The sperm she needs? - she saves a used condom!! seriously - like that would work, and in any case, no IVF clinic worth its salt would use it without the owner's permission. Another totally unbelievable factor in the IVF story.
Now - Ashley changes her mind and wants Esther to abort. Esther thinks the father, Renzo has a right to know so goes to tell him - only to discover he knew nothing about it. Okay - now we have a starting point that can work (if you disregard all the things which mean that it can't!).
From this point on, I simply suspended all disbelief and enjoyed the rest of the story. The back story to Renzo's angst is the fact he was forced to abandon all claims to his daughter when he was 16. We get nothing about the awful married woman who had an affair with a 16-year-old boy. I was utterly horrified by the way the poor lad was abused by her and his family. No wonder he feels like he does.
Eventually, the h/H get it together, all is wonderful and the daughter Samantha is accepted into the family when she discovers who her Dad is. We never satisfactorily explain how they all deal with the fact that the twins are a product of Renzo's sperm and Ashley's eggs but that's okay.
I love the fact that Maisey Yates is prepared to experiment and try new ways of dealing with the traditional Mills and Boon tropes but I found it really difficult to like this one. Worth a read - but I doubt I'll read it again which is a first for one of Maisey's books.
What can I say? I mean Maisey really cannot write a bad book, and she is incapable of writing bad prose; but the plot in this one? I just could not buy any of it.
Esther has escaped from a cult where she lived with her abusive controlling father and enormous family to try and be free, independent and live a great life. Okay - that I understand - it explains her innocence, ambition, naivety and downright stupidity at times. She's sweet and she deserves good things to happen to her.
Whilst waitressing, she's approached by a woman who asks her to be a surrogate. Just what a virgin would automatically do to make money! (Of course, it's illegal in Italy so they have to go across the border - to where? a fictitious country of course. )
Since we learn later in the book, that should there be any DNA tests, it would be proved that Esther had nothing to do with the babies - that means the ex-wife donated eggs - why? it was never satisfactorily explained what Ashley's motivation was in all this.) The sperm she needs? - she saves a used condom!! seriously - like that would work, and in any case, no IVF clinic worth its salt would use it without the owner's permission. Another totally unbelievable factor in the IVF story.
Now - Ashley changes her mind and wants Esther to abort. Esther thinks the father, Renzo has a right to know so goes to tell him - only to discover he knew nothing about it. Okay - now we have a starting point that can work (if you disregard all the things which mean that it can't!).
From this point on, I simply suspended all disbelief and enjoyed the rest of the story. The back story to Renzo's angst is the fact he was forced to abandon all claims to his daughter when he was 16. We get nothing about the awful married woman who had an affair with a 16-year-old boy. I was utterly horrified by the way the poor lad was abused by her and his family. No wonder he feels like he does.
Eventually, the h/H get it together, all is wonderful and the daughter Samantha is accepted into the family when she discovers who her Dad is. We never satisfactorily explain how they all deal with the fact that the twins are a product of Renzo's sperm and Ashley's eggs but that's okay.
I love the fact that Maisey Yates is prepared to experiment and try new ways of dealing with the traditional Mills and Boon tropes but I found it really difficult to like this one. Worth a read - but I doubt I'll read it again which is a first for one of Maisey's books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2018
"The Italian's Pregnant Virgin" is the story of Esther and Renzo.
Basically, our heroine is backpacking across Europe after escaping from a cult *cough* her stifling fam, when she runs out of money. When a woman offers her exuberant amount of cash to be her surrogate, she agrees..only for the chick to come some months later and demand an abortion!
The h decides to approach the hero for help then, who then tries to woo and seduce her- As he gets an ultimatum from his father to make things right, if he wants to retain his fortune!
Basically, another manipulative hero with a sad sob story.
Another heroine trying to find happiness.
Hot sex.
Naivety.
Some sub par groveling.
HEA.
My least favorite in this series, though the epilogue was nice.
Safe
2.5/5
Basically, our heroine is backpacking across Europe after escaping from a cult *cough* her stifling fam, when she runs out of money. When a woman offers her exuberant amount of cash to be her surrogate, she agrees..only for the chick to come some months later and demand an abortion!
The h decides to approach the hero for help then, who then tries to woo and seduce her- As he gets an ultimatum from his father to make things right, if he wants to retain his fortune!
Basically, another manipulative hero with a sad sob story.
Another heroine trying to find happiness.
Hot sex.
Naivety.
Some sub par groveling.
HEA.
My least favorite in this series, though the epilogue was nice.
Safe
2.5/5
February 13, 2020
I thought this started out okay, but went downhill around the halfway mark. I liked the plot, which was different than the typical HP. Unfortunately the couple didn't have much chemistry, the HEA was not believable.
This wasn't a horrible novel, but kind of dull. I wouldn't recommend.
2.5 Stars
This wasn't a horrible novel, but kind of dull. I wouldn't recommend.
2.5 Stars
July 13, 2018
I thought I was going to hate it because of the ridiculous title and plot but it was a lot cuter than I expected.
August 8, 2017
This was a good book. I just had a hard time staying interested in the story like. It really didn't have much emotions.
January 16, 2017
Loved everything about this book. A true Harlequin rags to riches story. Angst, romance, deception and innocence, this book had it all. A great read!
January 3, 2017
Different slant on the usual story as she has been raised in a very sheltered community and he has made some serious mistakes.
December 12, 2016
Take Esther Abbot a young women raised in a commune and turned away by her parents needing a way to survive. Enter Ashley a women playing a dangerous game to hold a husband that doesn't love her. In the mix add Renzo Valenti, a man who has ghosts from his past haunting him and responsible for a lot of his reckless mistakes at present and he have an incredible story my Maisey Yates. Esther agrees , for the money to be a surrogate for Ashley and her husband but their marriage ends and she no longer wants the baby. She approaches Renzo Valenti who is the father of the child. From this point on she takes you on a journey of discovery for both. One trying to find her place and the other trying to forgive himself. An amazing story and one to add to your reading list. Ms. Yates never disappoints and this one is worth every star.
July 13, 2020
His ex wife hires her for surrogacy without telling him. I think baby is the wife's egg but it is unclear. Anyway ex doesn't want baby so they marry. He has an grown up daughter he had to give up and the daughter doesnt know about him. You will be my wife..."
Esther Abbott was backpacking across Europe when she was approached about being a surrogate. Desperately in need of the money, Esther agreed. But when the deal falls apart, she's left pregnant and alone, with no one to turn to...except the baby's father!
Learning he is to have a child with a woman he's never met is a scandal Italian billionaire Renzo Valenti can't afford. Following his recent bitter divorce and with an impeccable reputation to maintain, Renzo has no choice but to claim the child...and Esther as his wife!
Esther Abbott was backpacking across Europe when she was approached about being a surrogate. Desperately in need of the money, Esther agreed. But when the deal falls apart, she's left pregnant and alone, with no one to turn to...except the baby's father!
Learning he is to have a child with a woman he's never met is a scandal Italian billionaire Renzo Valenti can't afford. Following his recent bitter divorce and with an impeccable reputation to maintain, Renzo has no choice but to claim the child...and Esther as his wife!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2017
Well this was a bit disappointing
I couldn't help but think that these two characters were not only boring but quite immature. Maybe "immature" is the right description but there were a lot of times when their dialogue was like something out of high school.
Did the hero have to mention that he was a "billionaire"? It made him sound childish.
I didn't feel any chemistry from H/h and no real character development. Often times they sounded like brother and sister.
I couldn't help but think that these two characters were not only boring but quite immature. Maybe "immature" is the right description but there were a lot of times when their dialogue was like something out of high school.
Did the hero have to mention that he was a "billionaire"? It made him sound childish.
I didn't feel any chemistry from H/h and no real character development. Often times they sounded like brother and sister.
December 28, 2016
Really loved this book. Maisey Yates is amazing, she makes every character in her book seem real and the plot is so interesting that it's hard to put down !!!!! Highly recommend it !!!!
August 29, 2022
Renzo Valenti no pese creer lo que le esta diciendo esa muchacha que parece una mochilera que esta embarazada de un hijo suyo y el sabe que no es verdad porque no le a sido infiel a su esposa en los 6 meses que llevan casados.
Aunque Ashley si lo fue con varios hombres por eso se acabava de divorciar de ella, así que ahora que Esther le decía que esta embarazada de un hijo suyo no podía ser verda hasta que ella le contó que Ashley la contrato para ser el vientre de alquiler y que ahora que se habían divorciado ya no quería que continuará con el embarazo por eso había ido a habar con Renzo.
Renzo al principo no le creyó y la corrió de su casa pero ya más relajado se puso a reflexionar y se dio cuenta que Ashley si seria capas de hacer eso, así que fue en busca de Esther y la llevo a su casa.
Acordaron hacerce pasar por prometidos hasta que el bebe naciera y después Esther se iría y le dejaría el niño, pero cuando los padres de Renzo conocen a Esther y descubren que esta embarazada su papá le dice que se tiene que casar con ella o le quitara la empresa.
Asi que el decide seducir a Esther y así acepte casarse con el.
Aunque Ashley si lo fue con varios hombres por eso se acabava de divorciar de ella, así que ahora que Esther le decía que esta embarazada de un hijo suyo no podía ser verda hasta que ella le contó que Ashley la contrato para ser el vientre de alquiler y que ahora que se habían divorciado ya no quería que continuará con el embarazo por eso había ido a habar con Renzo.
Renzo al principo no le creyó y la corrió de su casa pero ya más relajado se puso a reflexionar y se dio cuenta que Ashley si seria capas de hacer eso, así que fue en busca de Esther y la llevo a su casa.
Acordaron hacerce pasar por prometidos hasta que el bebe naciera y después Esther se iría y le dejaría el niño, pero cuando los padres de Renzo conocen a Esther y descubren que esta embarazada su papá le dice que se tiene que casar con ella o le quitara la empresa.
Asi que el decide seducir a Esther y así acepte casarse con el.
February 5, 2017
I enjoyed this trope-tastic read. I mean, virgin heroine...unexpected baby...oppressive parents...and billionaire? How many tropes can we fit into one book?! It was deliciously trope-y, but also entertaining. An interesting read, for sure, but I look for more detail and growth between the characters, so I cannot push it to four or five stars. I will be keeping an eye on the author and series, though!
Ruckie
Ruckie
May 7, 2017
One of my favourite authors, but sorry, but the initial surrogate plot didn't make sense. The romance could have been built on something a bit more believeable as I was trying to constantly wrap myself around the reason an ex wife would even try something so weird, especially when the divorce was almost finalised. Excellent writing style.
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