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The Bellini Bride
Wanted: a suitable bride...
Marco Bellini thinks he has it all: success, wealth...and Antonia -- his beautiful, sensual mistress.Then his father becomes ill, and Marco feels bound to marry and produce an heir to the famous Bellini fortune.
But who should Marco choose as a bride? Antonia isn't suitable, but she's the only woman he wants in his life and his bed. Dare he take his mistress to be his lawful wedded wife?
Marco Bellini thinks he has it all: success, wealth...and Antonia -- his beautiful, sensual mistress.Then his father becomes ill, and Marco feels bound to marry and produce an heir to the famous Bellini fortune.
But who should Marco choose as a bride? Antonia isn't suitable, but she's the only woman he wants in his life and his bed. Dare he take his mistress to be his lawful wedded wife?
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 2001
60 people are currently reading
909 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Reid
388 books637 followersHi, my name is Michelle Reid and I’ve been writing for Harlequin Mills & Boon for the last twenty years, and the crazy part about it is that I only realised it had been twenty years while updating this page!
So, hang on for a minute while I take this huge milestone in....
Twenty years with almost forty books published or in the pipeline ... I know it isn’t a great average when compared with some authors but it sounds pretty good to me!
So what was I doing twenty years ago before I wrote books? Well, I did the all of the usual things, like growing up and attending school, finishing at secretarial college, which I hated, then spent the next several years wandering aimlessly from job to job. Eventually I met my husband, we married and produced two daughters who then grew up and between them presented us with two gorgeous grandsons and one beautiful granddaughter. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Somewhere in between my girls growing up and the grandchildren arriving on the scene, I started writing. To this day I don’t know why, unless it was a natural progression from my never being without a book close by—often several—because books have always been an important part of my life for as far back as I can recall.
So, I started to write, by hand at first, scribbling short stories in notebooks which never saw the light of day. At some point I discovered Mills & Boon Romance books and that was pretty much it for me. I’d found my new love, as in reading romantic fiction and inevitably writing it too.
So twenty years on and almost forty books on, here I am still writing and still loving it!
So, hang on for a minute while I take this huge milestone in....
Twenty years with almost forty books published or in the pipeline ... I know it isn’t a great average when compared with some authors but it sounds pretty good to me!
So what was I doing twenty years ago before I wrote books? Well, I did the all of the usual things, like growing up and attending school, finishing at secretarial college, which I hated, then spent the next several years wandering aimlessly from job to job. Eventually I met my husband, we married and produced two daughters who then grew up and between them presented us with two gorgeous grandsons and one beautiful granddaughter. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Somewhere in between my girls growing up and the grandchildren arriving on the scene, I started writing. To this day I don’t know why, unless it was a natural progression from my never being without a book close by—often several—because books have always been an important part of my life for as far back as I can recall.
So, I started to write, by hand at first, scribbling short stories in notebooks which never saw the light of day. At some point I discovered Mills & Boon Romance books and that was pretty much it for me. I’d found my new love, as in reading romantic fiction and inevitably writing it too.
So twenty years on and almost forty books on, here I am still writing and still loving it!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
October 10, 2021
*5th re-read and it never fails to evoke sighs and starry-eyes*
Initial review:
Charged with sexual tension (the cover is apt on many levels). An all-time favourite
May 2, 2021
Delicious. HQ in all its old school glory.
May 8, 2021
It had been a long time since i read anything by Reid and reading "The Bellini Bride" was a GREAT pleasure...full of heartbreaking hot romance...
Marco Bellini is a italian rich tycoon,with a great disgusting arrogance,full-headed pride and such a alpha-male...but oh how i fell for him!
Every time he thought of himself "not be in love with Antonia" i just laughed. You are so so so stupid Marco!!!!How can you not love her when you show her gentleness and affection,when you are jealous of her being with other men,when you only want her attention to yourself,when it breaks you to see her sad,when you don`t want any other woman,when you want her trust,and when you fear of her ever leaving you...
All this showed that he was utterly and madly in love with her.When it comes to the heroine,Antonia Carson,she truly and deeply love him and knows already from the start that she can`t live without him.In real life i would have no respect for her...knowing you are a mistress to a man you love,but doesn`t love you and have no pride in yourself.But reading this book and getting to know this heroine, i admire her courage, her honesty and her goodness.She is honest about her feelings and isn`t afraid to show her love.
I really enjoyed this book,the hot sexual chemistry between Marco and Antonia was WOW and utterly entertaining.
Spoiler WARNING!: In fact i was actually surprised when Antonia didn`t get jealous when Marcos ex-mistress kissed him. I mean, Reids heroines truly are famous for getting coldly and madly jealous. In here it was only Marco who got jealous all the time.
Marco Bellini is a italian rich tycoon,with a great disgusting arrogance,full-headed pride and such a alpha-male...but oh how i fell for him!
Every time he thought of himself "not be in love with Antonia" i just laughed. You are so so so stupid Marco!!!!How can you not love her when you show her gentleness and affection,when you are jealous of her being with other men,when you only want her attention to yourself,when it breaks you to see her sad,when you don`t want any other woman,when you want her trust,and when you fear of her ever leaving you...
All this showed that he was utterly and madly in love with her.When it comes to the heroine,Antonia Carson,she truly and deeply love him and knows already from the start that she can`t live without him.In real life i would have no respect for her...knowing you are a mistress to a man you love,but doesn`t love you and have no pride in yourself.But reading this book and getting to know this heroine, i admire her courage, her honesty and her goodness.She is honest about her feelings and isn`t afraid to show her love.
I really enjoyed this book,the hot sexual chemistry between Marco and Antonia was WOW and utterly entertaining.
Spoiler WARNING!: In fact i was actually surprised when Antonia didn`t get jealous when Marcos ex-mistress kissed him. I mean, Reids heroines truly are famous for getting coldly and madly jealous. In here it was only Marco who got jealous all the time.
February 15, 2021
A picture is worth a thousand words. Unfortunately, in this case the picture, (a nude painting of the heroine)is a thousand words of misunderstandings and lies of omission. Not my favorite conflict in a romance. However, this is Michelle Reid - the writing and the intensity of the story did sweep me along. I just never warmed up to either the H/h.
The H/h have been dating/living together for a year. H is a rich Italian business man and art collector. The heroine is his longest running mistress - something all of his acquaintances tell her on a regular basis. The heroine's mother was also a beautiful woman, and had never married. The heroine seems resigned that this will be her fate although she loves the H with all of her heart.
The hero is also conflicted. He can't quit the h, but he hates how jealous he is of her other lover, the artist who painted the nude portrait.
They both contemplate breaking it off from each other because they have reached that point in the relationship - stay and invest? or cut loses and go? MR does a great job with those very uncomfortable feelings.
The H/h have been dating/living together for a year. H is a rich Italian business man and art collector. The heroine is his longest running mistress - something all of his acquaintances tell her on a regular basis. The heroine's mother was also a beautiful woman, and had never married. The heroine seems resigned that this will be her fate although she loves the H with all of her heart.
The hero is also conflicted. He can't quit the h, but he hates how jealous he is of her other lover, the artist who painted the nude portrait.
They both contemplate breaking it off from each other because they have reached that point in the relationship - stay and invest? or cut loses and go? MR does a great job with those very uncomfortable feelings.
July 25, 2020
4 Marco & Antonia ⭐️s
Everything I hate in other romance books, I love in Harlequins.
The OTT drama, the endless miscommunications, the angst, the betraying body syndrome, the stupid fights... I love it all.
And of course, the possessiveness, the jealousy, the banter, the push and pull, the sexual tension... I live for that.
One word : DELICIOUS
Recommend to all Harlequin readers out there, this is a must read.
Everything I hate in other romance books, I love in Harlequins.
The OTT drama, the endless miscommunications, the angst, the betraying body syndrome, the stupid fights... I love it all.
And of course, the possessiveness, the jealousy, the banter, the push and pull, the sexual tension... I live for that.
One word : DELICIOUS
Recommend to all Harlequin readers out there, this is a must read.
His eyes didn't waver, not for a second. 'Do you prefer to stay?' he repeated.
Hers did, though; they flickered away on a frown of irritation. 'Of course I would rather be with you,' she sighed. 'But not under duress, and not because you feel it's your only option!'
'I could throw you out. That's another option.'
'I could walk!' she lashed back. 'That's an even better one!'
'Are you coming?' The wretched man wasn't fazed in the slightest.
'Yes!' she snapped, and dislodged his hand by pushing back her chair and shooting to her feet with a jolt of anger.
November 30, 2020
3.5-4! OTT drama and angst, which I’m a sucker for!
March 14, 2021
I loved everything about this story, including the mystery of it all. This is definitely going on my re-read shelf for the future!
September 11, 2014
I usually love Michelle Reid, but this wasn't one of her best IMHO. I was torn on whether to go with a 2 or 3. I suppose it's technically a 2.5.
There were some interesting twists, which gave it that extra .5 stars and Reid always keeps me interested. But my major problem was with the heroine. I'm not so sure she was very bright and, given her background, I think she'd have been more cautious about getting herself into the situation she was in.
Also, the hero was such a belittling ass who very clearly did not think the h was good enough for him. I still think he was ashamed of her. This can be a fun wall banging/angsty plot at times, but their were reasons this didn't work as well for me and most of them had to do with the heroine.
HP fans know the score. An often sheltered/naive young lady falls head over heels for some Mediterranean tycoon. She eventually ends up losing all her independence to him and wearing fancy clothes, jewels to please him. She believes she's his girlfriend. He, of course, sees her as a mistress. Then there's the inevitable moment where that misunderstanding comes to light and she is hurt/mortified. Ahhhh I love that trope.
This was different in that the heroine knew exactly what she was. True, she wasn't a money grubber and she didn't ask for material things. She was there simply because she loved the H. But she had a background that should have given her a flipping clue as to how unwise the situation was. She knew good and well that becoming a rich man's mistress was not the way to HEA (unless you know you're in an HP). In my opinion a mistress is a very exclusive, highly paid prostitute with extra perks.
Also (and this is bit spoilery, so stop reading now if you want to go in unspoiled...)
There were some interesting twists, which gave it that extra .5 stars and Reid always keeps me interested. But my major problem was with the heroine. I'm not so sure she was very bright and, given her background, I think she'd have been more cautious about getting herself into the situation she was in.
Also, the hero was such a belittling ass who very clearly did not think the h was good enough for him. I still think he was ashamed of her. This can be a fun wall banging/angsty plot at times, but their were reasons this didn't work as well for me and most of them had to do with the heroine.
HP fans know the score. An often sheltered/naive young lady falls head over heels for some Mediterranean tycoon. She eventually ends up losing all her independence to him and wearing fancy clothes, jewels to please him. She believes she's his girlfriend. He, of course, sees her as a mistress. Then there's the inevitable moment where that misunderstanding comes to light and she is hurt/mortified. Ahhhh I love that trope.
This was different in that the heroine knew exactly what she was. True, she wasn't a money grubber and she didn't ask for material things. She was there simply because she loved the H. But she had a background that should have given her a flipping clue as to how unwise the situation was. She knew good and well that becoming a rich man's mistress was not the way to HEA (unless you know you're in an HP). In my opinion a mistress is a very exclusive, highly paid prostitute with extra perks.
Also (and this is bit spoilery, so stop reading now if you want to go in unspoiled...)
April 10, 2021
4.5 stars.
I rated this 4 stars when I first read it back in 2010. I just did a re-read and upped my rating. Loved this intense, wonderful story!
I rated this 4 stars when I first read it back in 2010. I just did a re-read and upped my rating. Loved this intense, wonderful story!
December 21, 2021
These two were so intense it was exhausting. You know their friends make fun of them for the constant drama.
November 4, 2023
Reread 10/30/2023
I still like this one.
Not a typical HP, she’s been his mistress for a year. She’s the model in a series of nude paintings and he likes that she’s his, but she’s not good enough to be his wife.
Everything isn’t what it seems, she doesn’t trust him with her truths and honestly she shouldn’t.
Another reread 12/11/2021… and again, arrogant and still clicks, even though he twists things around to her not trusting him instead of him judging her.
Reread... he’s still too arrogant for words, but the story clicks for me.
I still like this one.
Not a typical HP, she’s been his mistress for a year. She’s the model in a series of nude paintings and he likes that she’s his, but she’s not good enough to be his wife.
Everything isn’t what it seems, she doesn’t trust him with her truths and honestly she shouldn’t.
Another reread 12/11/2021… and again, arrogant and still clicks, even though he twists things around to her not trusting him instead of him judging her.
Reread... he’s still too arrogant for words, but the story clicks for me.
January 7, 2015
Moved to 4.5 stars on reread. Awesome drama compared to a lot of the lukewarm crap out there. A hero who loves a woman and isn't a cheater. But the usual cowardly copout on heroine's bad rep. Silly neat fairy tale resolution that never would happen in real life. Would have been so much braver had heroine's reputation been founded in truth and hero loved her anyway. What a dunce that he couldn't tell she was a virgin... There are very few Italian billionaires, even in a booming economy...but her father is also one?
But hero's love rocked because he truly loved and chose her even given what he thought of her (and the ridiculous double standard). I didn't mine the cruelty as it was part of their volatile rages at each other and their love was so powerful and passionate. Why was his other lover fine but heroine beyond the pale? Was this secretly set in the 1800s? There were scenes of piercing dialogue and several powerful moments (the original proposal....wow!). Best ever line to her POS father..."I want everything you are worth" and then she clarifies that he is worth "nothing". More needed to be made of the mother's cut direct.
But hero's love rocked because he truly loved and chose her even given what he thought of her (and the ridiculous double standard). I didn't mine the cruelty as it was part of their volatile rages at each other and their love was so powerful and passionate. Why was his other lover fine but heroine beyond the pale? Was this secretly set in the 1800s? There were scenes of piercing dialogue and several powerful moments (the original proposal....wow!). Best ever line to her POS father..."I want everything you are worth" and then she clarifies that he is worth "nothing". More needed to be made of the mother's cut direct.
December 24, 2011
Wonderful Intense story,enjoyed it from pg 1 till the end,wanted to smack Marco sometimes but he did redeem himself and all my anger melted.Antonia adored her one strong woman who stood for whatever she believed and way she fought fair with Marco what ever cruel things for way he treated Antonia made sure she gave him back the taste of his won medicine:)
Wanted to
Anton Gabrielli specially the way she hurted and said those cruel words to his own daughter and not a remorse he has for the way he treated his wife and mistress:(
Overall a good read
Recommend it
Wanted to
Anton Gabrielli specially the way she hurted and said those cruel words to his own daughter and not a remorse he has for the way he treated his wife and mistress:(Overall a good read
Recommend it
May 9, 2021
I was in the mood to read a Harlequin since I haven't read one in a while. Sometimes they're just decent like this one, other times they're really good. I saw this one from Val's review and wanted to dive in.
The story opens with the couple, the wealthy businessman Marco & his beautiful mistress Antonia, already having been with each other for a year now (?). Antonia's in love with Marco, but Marco isn't exactly sure of his feelings yet. He would propose to Antonia as his father is dying but everyone knows that Antonia was the nude subject of Stefan Kranst's paintings, which brought him fame. So obviously both of his parents won't approve of Antonia.
The way the story started I found myself kind of caring less about this couple. A lot of couples in romances I'm rooting for but this one...just seemed fake as in I thought to myself how this was a plot contrived for a Harlequin and probably not a naturally organic came to the author couple that she needed to write down. That also made me wonder to myself does Harlequin give their authors plots or do the authors come up with it on their own, but have to stay within the specific formula (wealthy man, mistress woman, Italian/European background setting)?
Also, Marco & Antonia seemed to be at odds (mad) with each other for most of the book, in some argument or another. I did find
It was a decent read, but next time I'm in the mood for Harlequins, I think I'll stick with Natalie Anderson, as she's penned my favorite Harlequin of all time (or at least so far).
The story opens with the couple, the wealthy businessman Marco & his beautiful mistress Antonia, already having been with each other for a year now (?). Antonia's in love with Marco, but Marco isn't exactly sure of his feelings yet. He would propose to Antonia as his father is dying but everyone knows that Antonia was the nude subject of Stefan Kranst's paintings, which brought him fame. So obviously both of his parents won't approve of Antonia.
The way the story started I found myself kind of caring less about this couple. A lot of couples in romances I'm rooting for but this one...just seemed fake as in I thought to myself how this was a plot contrived for a Harlequin and probably not a naturally organic came to the author couple that she needed to write down. That also made me wonder to myself does Harlequin give their authors plots or do the authors come up with it on their own, but have to stay within the specific formula (wealthy man, mistress woman, Italian/European background setting)?
Also, Marco & Antonia seemed to be at odds (mad) with each other for most of the book, in some argument or another. I did find
It was a decent read, but next time I'm in the mood for Harlequins, I think I'll stick with Natalie Anderson, as she's penned my favorite Harlequin of all time (or at least so far).
October 12, 2021
I read it again, and I must say that my first impression is confirmed.
The book reminds me of a movie with Gina Lollobrigida, Go naked for the world, that is dated 1961, where there are all this kind of prejudices ( that are quite ok for the period) and actually the heroine is a prostitute who eventually commits suicide.
- Anyway I could list some women who came from common people and were muses (and maybe lovers) of artists in the 60s and have married italian royalty and was never ostracized.
-The whole affair is very weird and bizarre, from the hero's mother who refuses to even recognize her in front of other people, to the embarassment of H/h when the world marriage is ever uttered.
- We live in a world where no matter who you are or where you come from, even royals marries commoners and some of them have a past too, and this has been going on for decades, so if the book is not set in the 50s or before I find it hard to stay tuned and to give some credibility to all the plot.
- MR is anyway one of my favourite writers, you are never bored and her writing style is compelling, but in this case I was all the time like yeah, right, sure, sure, are you serious... So I lost interest after some time, and it was a pity because the book had such good potential. Instead of going around with the "not worth to be a wife, only good to be a mistress" trope, it could have been better if it was focused on his commitment-phobic attitude.
So, my rate is confirmed.
I'd have given 4 stars if the book were historical, maybe set in 1860. Since it's been written (and set) in the 21st century I think it is very much unrealistic. The author sees a mistress as a kept woman who is not fit for marriage. In this century and since the nineties I don't think this happened any longer in any civilized country. These days a woman who has a relationship with a man, even if he pays for her, is his girlfriend, and if they don't marry this is a mutual choice. The situation described in this book is very anachronistic and I couldn't really appreciate anything because of this initial bias. I mean, a man who consider the woman whom he lives with not worthy to be his wife??? Is she a prostitute then? I cannot understand. And his mother who refuses to acknoledge during a party? Is this the 1800? And in the end she's dressed as a scarlet woman, even if she is anything but... Sorry but these kind of things must be revised.
The book reminds me of a movie with Gina Lollobrigida, Go naked for the world, that is dated 1961, where there are all this kind of prejudices ( that are quite ok for the period) and actually the heroine is a prostitute who eventually commits suicide.
- Anyway I could list some women who came from common people and were muses (and maybe lovers) of artists in the 60s and have married italian royalty and was never ostracized.
-The whole affair is very weird and bizarre, from the hero's mother who refuses to even recognize her in front of other people, to the embarassment of H/h when the world marriage is ever uttered.
- We live in a world where no matter who you are or where you come from, even royals marries commoners and some of them have a past too, and this has been going on for decades, so if the book is not set in the 50s or before I find it hard to stay tuned and to give some credibility to all the plot.
- MR is anyway one of my favourite writers, you are never bored and her writing style is compelling, but in this case I was all the time like yeah, right, sure, sure, are you serious... So I lost interest after some time, and it was a pity because the book had such good potential. Instead of going around with the "not worth to be a wife, only good to be a mistress" trope, it could have been better if it was focused on his commitment-phobic attitude.
So, my rate is confirmed.
I'd have given 4 stars if the book were historical, maybe set in 1860. Since it's been written (and set) in the 21st century I think it is very much unrealistic. The author sees a mistress as a kept woman who is not fit for marriage. In this century and since the nineties I don't think this happened any longer in any civilized country. These days a woman who has a relationship with a man, even if he pays for her, is his girlfriend, and if they don't marry this is a mutual choice. The situation described in this book is very anachronistic and I couldn't really appreciate anything because of this initial bias. I mean, a man who consider the woman whom he lives with not worthy to be his wife??? Is she a prostitute then? I cannot understand. And his mother who refuses to acknoledge during a party? Is this the 1800? And in the end she's dressed as a scarlet woman, even if she is anything but... Sorry but these kind of things must be revised.
February 17, 2018
"The Bellini Bride" is the story of Marco and Antonia.
Marco is the Bellini heir, and has been having the gorgeous Antonia for his mistress for almost an year now. But, although he feels magnetic attraction to her, he is sure he doesnt love her. His feelings go haywire when Stefan, an artist that Antonia had once known and posed nude for returns, and so does Marco's distrust.
Are his feelings more complicated than what he imagined.
I think this book has finally forced me to make a new book shelf: toxic love. The couple is hopelessly addicted to one another, especially the heroine, so much so that despite hurtful words and actions, she cannot leave the hero. The hero has his own trust issues, and always thinks worst of the heroine. But since they boink pretty well, they cannot let go.
The whole plot with artist-dad-family-secret talent was a small surprise, but I would have liked if the hero was less possessive and more loving, because at times he just seemed obsessed with her without consideration for her feelings.
Anyways, alls well that ends well.
Safe/ SWME
2.75/5
Marco is the Bellini heir, and has been having the gorgeous Antonia for his mistress for almost an year now. But, although he feels magnetic attraction to her, he is sure he doesnt love her. His feelings go haywire when Stefan, an artist that Antonia had once known and posed nude for returns, and so does Marco's distrust.
Are his feelings more complicated than what he imagined.
I think this book has finally forced me to make a new book shelf: toxic love. The couple is hopelessly addicted to one another, especially the heroine, so much so that despite hurtful words and actions, she cannot leave the hero. The hero has his own trust issues, and always thinks worst of the heroine. But since they boink pretty well, they cannot let go.
The whole plot with artist-dad-family-secret talent was a small surprise, but I would have liked if the hero was less possessive and more loving, because at times he just seemed obsessed with her without consideration for her feelings.
Anyways, alls well that ends well.
Safe/ SWME
2.75/5
February 9, 2017
I liked this one - much better the second time around. The first time I read it a few years ago, I thought is was good. I re-read because of the $0.99 kindle price and the low to high ratings between my GR friends and those I follow. I liked both the H/h. I liked that the H was into the h and the reader was able to see his realizations regarding his feelings toward the h. H was tested to some degree and not only did he pass the test, he exceeded in making sure h knew he loved her and only her. 4 2nd time around stars.
April 16, 2022
First review
2014/2015
Original rating 5 🌟 stars.
Updated
Reread April 11/2022
I hope to organize a review about the book, the main reason I low my rating is posted as spoiler in Chitra's review 🙊😒👍🏼
I also would have liked an epilogue with a baby🤰🤱🏻👶🏻 or at least with the big new 😍
2014/2015
Original rating 5 🌟 stars.
Updated
Reread April 11/2022
I hope to organize a review about the book, the main reason I low my rating is posted as spoiler in Chitra's review 🙊😒👍🏼
I also would have liked an epilogue with a baby🤰🤱🏻👶🏻 or at least with the big new 😍
dnf
April 19, 2022DNF - h is older woman and a glorified prostitute who seems grasping and shallow. No wonder his momma wasn’t impressed. 👀😬😵💫
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2017
I'm in one of those moods where all I want to do is sit around watching campy 1950's horror movies, like Them!, and reading ridiculous melodramatic serial romances. It’s why I spent close to two hours trolling for Harlequin Presents titles that tickled my fancy. (Even though I'm convinced that nothing can beat Lightning That Lingers which featured a male stripper with a heart of gold who owned a pet owl and used his g-string dollars to fund a nature preserve.) However, The Bellini Bride managed to stray spectacularly into crazy soap-opera territory mid-way through the story.
Antonia once posed nude for a painting that became famous and brought billionaire Marco Bellini to her door. When the book opens it’s been a little over a year since they got together and things look to be going a little sour. Marco's father is dying and wants to see his son married before he kicks the bucket, so Marco is trying to work up the courage to either break things off with Antonia or grow a pair of balls and marry her.
Marco, of course, is a douche nugget. The way he handles the stress coming from family and society is to verbally lash out at Antonia. His favorite barb is to constantly remind her that everyone thinks she's a big ole' ho-bag because she's naked in some fine art painting drawn by her ex-lover. His other favorite thing to throw out is that pretty women are a dime a dozen and he can replace her with a snap of his fingers. Such a dreamboat, eh?
For the first half of the book I didn't find Marco's ass-y behavior all that infuriating because Antonia bit back just as hard and made him apologize for being a dick. And for a terrifying moment I thought that I had accidentally stumbled across a Presents title that lacked the wonderful flavor of absurdity that I had been looking for. After all, I had an awesome heroine who was experienced and unashamed of her past despite the fact that everyone around her seemed to want to shame her, including the hero. That was until I hit the halfway point and Reid pulled the rug out from under Antonia’s character.
The crazy hits the fan when Antonia and Marco attend her ex-lover's newest art exhibition. Suddenly it’s revealed that Hahaha... awesome.
After the craziness that was this art exhibition, Antonia turns into a wishy-washy mess of a woman who can’t seem to dredge up any self-respect and leave Marco’s ass. Even though she does think about it frequently and After this, the plot is basically all about Antonia groveling for Marco’s forgiveness for not trusting him and for making an aborted attempt at leaving him. Hahaha, seriously? Marco’s sense of entitlement knows no bounds. I love how we’re supposed to believe that Marco deserves Antonia’s trust and commitment despite him never having done anything to earn it. At one point Antonia is close to leaving Marco when she thinks this: “He wanted her. What more could she ask of him, for goodness’ sake?” Uhhh… maybe his respect or, you know, love? But nah, she’ll settle for him just wanting her around. Girl needs to find that self-esteem she lost somewhere around the halfway point.
Honestly, I really enjoyed this one. I was in the right mood for the ridiculousness that this book managed to dish out in spades. The only thing that could’ve made this book better is if Reid had decided to pursue the melodrama that Marco’s catty ex-lover could’ve dished out.
Antonia once posed nude for a painting that became famous and brought billionaire Marco Bellini to her door. When the book opens it’s been a little over a year since they got together and things look to be going a little sour. Marco's father is dying and wants to see his son married before he kicks the bucket, so Marco is trying to work up the courage to either break things off with Antonia or grow a pair of balls and marry her.
Marco, of course, is a douche nugget. The way he handles the stress coming from family and society is to verbally lash out at Antonia. His favorite barb is to constantly remind her that everyone thinks she's a big ole' ho-bag because she's naked in some fine art painting drawn by her ex-lover. His other favorite thing to throw out is that pretty women are a dime a dozen and he can replace her with a snap of his fingers. Such a dreamboat, eh?
For the first half of the book I didn't find Marco's ass-y behavior all that infuriating because Antonia bit back just as hard and made him apologize for being a dick. And for a terrifying moment I thought that I had accidentally stumbled across a Presents title that lacked the wonderful flavor of absurdity that I had been looking for. After all, I had an awesome heroine who was experienced and unashamed of her past despite the fact that everyone around her seemed to want to shame her, including the hero. That was until I hit the halfway point and Reid pulled the rug out from under Antonia’s character.
The crazy hits the fan when Antonia and Marco attend her ex-lover's newest art exhibition. Suddenly it’s revealed that Hahaha... awesome.
After the craziness that was this art exhibition, Antonia turns into a wishy-washy mess of a woman who can’t seem to dredge up any self-respect and leave Marco’s ass. Even though she does think about it frequently and After this, the plot is basically all about Antonia groveling for Marco’s forgiveness for not trusting him and for making an aborted attempt at leaving him. Hahaha, seriously? Marco’s sense of entitlement knows no bounds. I love how we’re supposed to believe that Marco deserves Antonia’s trust and commitment despite him never having done anything to earn it. At one point Antonia is close to leaving Marco when she thinks this: “He wanted her. What more could she ask of him, for goodness’ sake?” Uhhh… maybe his respect or, you know, love? But nah, she’ll settle for him just wanting her around. Girl needs to find that self-esteem she lost somewhere around the halfway point.
Honestly, I really enjoyed this one. I was in the right mood for the ridiculousness that this book managed to dish out in spades. The only thing that could’ve made this book better is if Reid had decided to pursue the melodrama that Marco’s catty ex-lover could’ve dished out.
August 21, 2021
3.5 🌟’s
The unsuitable wife is one of my favorite HP tropes. They’re totally old school, but sometimes it’s nice to get back to mindless fun. Antonia has been in a 1-year affair (mistress relationship not the married variety) with Marco. She lives on his dime, in his homes, but dreams for more… the true love of her Italian tycoon. Marco is torn, Antonia is super-hot, and total mistress goals, but completely unsuitable to be his bride. She’s poor and scandalously posed for a nude painting with her ex-lover. Most seasoned Hp’ers can already see where this is going to go.
Bottom Line- I liked it. It was good enough to round up, just not a solid four. The secrets, and Antonia’s childish games played a little long for my patience. BUT, has all the HP goodies expected… jealousy, miscommunication, ASSumptions, BBS, bickering, and OTT drama-llama. The only thing really missing for me was the potential wannabe OW that would be tycoon wife goals. No epilogue, but great ending.
The unsuitable wife is one of my favorite HP tropes. They’re totally old school, but sometimes it’s nice to get back to mindless fun. Antonia has been in a 1-year affair (mistress relationship not the married variety) with Marco. She lives on his dime, in his homes, but dreams for more… the true love of her Italian tycoon. Marco is torn, Antonia is super-hot, and total mistress goals, but completely unsuitable to be his bride. She’s poor and scandalously posed for a nude painting with her ex-lover. Most seasoned Hp’ers can already see where this is going to go.
Bottom Line- I liked it. It was good enough to round up, just not a solid four. The secrets, and Antonia’s childish games played a little long for my patience. BUT, has all the HP goodies expected… jealousy, miscommunication, ASSumptions, BBS, bickering, and OTT drama-llama. The only thing really missing for me was the potential wannabe OW that would be tycoon wife goals. No epilogue, but great ending.
April 8, 2025
Понякога тъкмо добрите стари арлекини внасят малко подходяща за момента ведра кукувича прежда…
Никаква липса на комуникация! Просто героят не беше наясно какво иска и какво изпитва, а мацката пък дълбоко в себе си го считаше за твърде безнадежден, за да му се довери истински. И двамата грешаха, и щом този факт най-сетне им просветна, потеглиха като тежкотоварни влакове към хепи енда, газейки пречките без да мигнат.
Никаква липса на комуникация! Просто героят не беше наясно какво иска и какво изпитва, а мацката пък дълбоко в себе си го считаше за твърде безнадежден, за да му се довери истински. И двамата грешаха, и щом този факт най-сетне им просветна, потеглиха като тежкотоварни влакове към хепи енда, газейки пречките без да мигнат.
December 31, 2014
Here is an unusual book – Antonia is not Marco’s mistress because she has to financially nurture family members or repair a house – she’s with him because she quite likes the sex. Oh and she’s in love. Marco’s in denial. He first saw Antonia naked in a painting, and he bought the painting and now it’s a famous image on postcards and while he’s thrilled to have the real thing in the flesh, he’s a bit too posh to marry a girl everyone’s seen with her kit off.
Marco and Antonia have a lot of fights about how Marco treats Antonia, and she’s not asking him for anything he’s not prepared to commit to, although he could maybe be a bit nicer to her in public sometimes and not get all weird about her being friends with the artist who painted her naked. So most of what’s going wrong is them being passionate and jealous and not going into what’s important to each of them.
Antonia is refreshingly different because she’s not gloomy, has her own stuff going on which thanks very much, has nothing to do with Marco and he can keep out of it unless and until they take their relationship to a deeper level. Marco’s fine once he decides he might actually start talking to Antonia, rather than giving her orders and then giving her presents to compensate for the orders.
Marco and Antonia have a lot of fights about how Marco treats Antonia, and she’s not asking him for anything he’s not prepared to commit to, although he could maybe be a bit nicer to her in public sometimes and not get all weird about her being friends with the artist who painted her naked. So most of what’s going wrong is them being passionate and jealous and not going into what’s important to each of them.
Antonia is refreshingly different because she’s not gloomy, has her own stuff going on which thanks very much, has nothing to do with Marco and he can keep out of it unless and until they take their relationship to a deeper level. Marco’s fine once he decides he might actually start talking to Antonia, rather than giving her orders and then giving her presents to compensate for the orders.
April 14, 2014
Soo much angst, drama and intensity. Unsuitable mistress isn't wife material but she and hero love each other so much u can feel their pain at not being able to really be together. Heroine's secrets came as a shock to me and hero's final act of love and devotion was super romantic. Great book that only needed a better epilogue!
April 28, 2021
FOUR STARS
Different Social Classes
A quick read...maybe too quick, at least that's how it felt. It started out GREAT, it ended okay. It might have lost steam towards the end. Overall, I enjoyed the writing. The hero was my type of hero--alpha, possessive. Arrogant. Redeemable. The heroine I didn't connect to quite as much. There was something about her I wasn't feeling...perhaps she came off a bit weak. I didn't dislike her, but I didn't love her. One thing about her that stood out as a negative, was that I didn't entirely understand why she kept so many HUGE secrets from him. He was right in making a big deal about that when he found out. Last thing I will add without too much detail: The ending was somewhat unrealistic. And the nude paintings of them he displayed at the party...well, that was awkward lol
I read this because of a Goodreads' friend review update (and a few others have given it positive ratings). I'm glad I decided to read it because I was going through another one of my common reading slumps. 'The Billini Bride' hooked me.
Different Social Classes
A quick read...maybe too quick, at least that's how it felt. It started out GREAT, it ended okay. It might have lost steam towards the end. Overall, I enjoyed the writing. The hero was my type of hero--alpha, possessive. Arrogant. Redeemable. The heroine I didn't connect to quite as much. There was something about her I wasn't feeling...perhaps she came off a bit weak. I didn't dislike her, but I didn't love her. One thing about her that stood out as a negative, was that I didn't entirely understand why she kept so many HUGE secrets from him. He was right in making a big deal about that when he found out. Last thing I will add without too much detail: The ending was somewhat unrealistic. And the nude paintings of them he displayed at the party...well, that was awkward lol
I read this because of a Goodreads' friend review update (and a few others have given it positive ratings). I'm glad I decided to read it because I was going through another one of my common reading slumps. 'The Billini Bride' hooked me.
August 25, 2021
I didn’t manage to warm up to either of the main characters and the h’s lengthy inner monologues and utter indecisiveness made me grind my teeth through most of the book. Oh how I wished she’d just up and go someplace else and he’d just up and go to hell.
November 26, 2019
Not a favorite from this author. One of the bigger things that bugged me is that the heroine was so identical to her mother. That's just not realistic. If the woman in the portrait had been a twin I might have bought it. But no one is identical to their parent. Have you ever seen those facebook stories about famous actors and their supposedly identical children? Well they're not. There can certainly be a strong resemblance but not identical. I mean my sons are definitely their father's children. There is a strong undeniable resemblance but no one would ever mistake them for the same person.
Leaving all that aside, the book was just okay. The angst wasn't quite there. There was a great set up for angst and running away and all those tropes we love but then they would just peter out. There as a lot of rolling around in their own heads for the hero and the heroine. Probably will not reread.
Leaving all that aside, the book was just okay. The angst wasn't quite there. There was a great set up for angst and running away and all those tropes we love but then they would just peter out. There as a lot of rolling around in their own heads for the hero and the heroine. Probably will not reread.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2019
This book has a spectacular, independent and fiery heroine yet who is completely in love with the Hero. I love the plot and the characters but most especially the dialogues. This hea has some pretty explosive emotional scenes and some very intense dialogues.
‘Leave my mother out of this,’ he rasped back angrily.
‘But why should I?’ she spun round to demand.
He looked so grim and remote it was almost as if he was already climbing back up that ladder and away from her.
‘In truth,’ she said, ‘I’m actually grateful for what your mother did tonight. Because she forced me to take a good look and see just how I had been wasting my life living here with you.’
‘Wasting it because I haven’t asked you to marry me?’ he threw back with contempt.
‘Is that what your year-long investment in me has really been about, cara? Give a man what you think he wants. Lie to him, cheat him if necessary, in the wild hope that the dividend will give back the jackpot billionaire with all the luxury trimmings?’
He saw himself as the jackpot? ‘You arrogant bastard,’ she said scornfully.
‘I invested in love!’ she cried. ‘As in my love for you being strong enough to ignite some love back by return! But it never happened, did it, Marco?’
Her eyes began to shine like the diamond at her throat.
‘And even after a whole year of living together you can still freeze up in dismay when confronted with the disapproval of your mother, and still stand here and toss your contempt at me for actually daring to think myself fit to marry you!’
Bravo Miss Reid!
‘Leave my mother out of this,’ he rasped back angrily.
‘But why should I?’ she spun round to demand.
He looked so grim and remote it was almost as if he was already climbing back up that ladder and away from her.
‘In truth,’ she said, ‘I’m actually grateful for what your mother did tonight. Because she forced me to take a good look and see just how I had been wasting my life living here with you.’
‘Wasting it because I haven’t asked you to marry me?’ he threw back with contempt.
‘Is that what your year-long investment in me has really been about, cara? Give a man what you think he wants. Lie to him, cheat him if necessary, in the wild hope that the dividend will give back the jackpot billionaire with all the luxury trimmings?’
He saw himself as the jackpot? ‘You arrogant bastard,’ she said scornfully.
‘I invested in love!’ she cried. ‘As in my love for you being strong enough to ignite some love back by return! But it never happened, did it, Marco?’
Her eyes began to shine like the diamond at her throat.
‘And even after a whole year of living together you can still freeze up in dismay when confronted with the disapproval of your mother, and still stand here and toss your contempt at me for actually daring to think myself fit to marry you!’
Bravo Miss Reid!
August 28, 2012
Marco Bellini is the typical gorgeous millionaire Italian alpha male Michelle Reid does so well. Antonia is his mistress, note that is mistress not lover, clearly defined. The reason for this is that Antonia is notorious for being the artists model and presumed mistress of Stefan Kransky who is known for his nude portraiture. She is therefore not suitable as a potential bride for a Bellini. Unfortunately Marco is under pressure to marry and he seriously doesn't want anyone else. But he knows Antonia wont be acceptable to his family.
This story gets very angsty as we discover more about Antonia's past and Marco gets the opportunity for some serious grovelling. Both hero and heroine start second guessing each other as they react to the changed circumstances so it seems like it is the beginning of the end.
One of the things I particularly liked about this is that there is really no doubt about the protagonists feelings for each other. Even Marco while he is busy denying is revealing his emotions.
This story gets very angsty as we discover more about Antonia's past and Marco gets the opportunity for some serious grovelling. Both hero and heroine start second guessing each other as they react to the changed circumstances so it seems like it is the beginning of the end.
One of the things I particularly liked about this is that there is really no doubt about the protagonists feelings for each other. Even Marco while he is busy denying is revealing his emotions.
November 23, 2010
Wow! Again! What a story! Talk about pulling no punches, in your face drama, passion, and intriuge. I really disliked the hero at the beginning with his claims of not loving her given her past. Idiot! I found myself, however, cheering for him, for them. A beautiful love story.
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