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Bedding his Innocent Mistress
Sometimes the only way to fix the past is to create a whole new future...
A one night stand is just what Ivy needs to get over the disastrous end to her engagement. Her ex has certainly moved on, so why shouldn't she? But a quick, sexy fling turns into so much more when Ivy's billionaire lover turns out to be her sexy new boss!
Rafe Santoro had no idea who the stunning red head was when he took her to his bed, but now that fate has thrown them together, he's not going to let her go again... not until he's ready. She wants to get over the man who broke her heart? He'll help her with that, pulling her apart, piece by sensual piece, until the only man she can think of is Rafe.
But Ivy's heart isn't up for grabs, just her body, and the longer she spends in Rafe's bed, the harder it becomes for Rafe to accept that she'll never be truly his... Can he put the past out of Ivy's head once and for all, or will she insist that the only place he has in her life is as a temporary lover?
A one night stand is just what Ivy needs to get over the disastrous end to her engagement. Her ex has certainly moved on, so why shouldn't she? But a quick, sexy fling turns into so much more when Ivy's billionaire lover turns out to be her sexy new boss!
Rafe Santoro had no idea who the stunning red head was when he took her to his bed, but now that fate has thrown them together, he's not going to let her go again... not until he's ready. She wants to get over the man who broke her heart? He'll help her with that, pulling her apart, piece by sensual piece, until the only man she can think of is Rafe.
But Ivy's heart isn't up for grabs, just her body, and the longer she spends in Rafe's bed, the harder it becomes for Rafe to accept that she'll never be truly his... Can he put the past out of Ivy's head once and for all, or will she insist that the only place he has in her life is as a temporary lover?
- GenresRomanceContemporary
182 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 6, 2018
82 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Clare Connelly
517 books406 followersFor all things Clare Connelly, please see www.clareconnelly.co.uk, the official home of Clare Connelly on the web.
Clare Connelly grew up in a small country town in Australia. Surrounded by rainforests, and rickety old timber houses, magic was thick in the air, and stories and storytelling were a huge part of her childhood.
From early on in life, Clare realised her favourite books were romance stories, and read voraciously. Anything from Jane Austen to Georgette Heyer, to Mills & Boon and (more recently) 50 Shades, Clare is a romance devotee. She first turned her hand to penning a novel at fifteen (if memory serves, it was something about a glamorous fashion model who fell foul of a high-end designer. Sparks flew, clothes flew faster, and love was born.)
Clare has a small family and a bungalow near the sea. When she isn't chasing after energetic little toddlers, or wiping fingerprints off furniture, she's writing, thinking about writing, or wishing she were writing.
Clare Connelly grew up in a small country town in Australia. Surrounded by rainforests, and rickety old timber houses, magic was thick in the air, and stories and storytelling were a huge part of her childhood.
From early on in life, Clare realised her favourite books were romance stories, and read voraciously. Anything from Jane Austen to Georgette Heyer, to Mills & Boon and (more recently) 50 Shades, Clare is a romance devotee. She first turned her hand to penning a novel at fifteen (if memory serves, it was something about a glamorous fashion model who fell foul of a high-end designer. Sparks flew, clothes flew faster, and love was born.)
Clare has a small family and a bungalow near the sea. When she isn't chasing after energetic little toddlers, or wiping fingerprints off furniture, she's writing, thinking about writing, or wishing she were writing.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 12, 2018
A perfect Clare Connelly book if you know what I mean. I love that for a change heroine was the one who didn’t want a relationship after a nasty breakup. She fought her feelings throughout the book but luckily came to her senses soon. I loved how hero was patient in his feelings, how he helped her in each occasion she was upset. The description of spain and his home was beautiful. I loved the last chapter and epilogue very much.
Recommended.
Recommended.
March 14, 2018
Look, I liked the book. But I didn’t love it.
What I really liked was the role reversals.
Hero didn’t know whether he was coming or going.
That brings me to the title. Kinda misleading. If anything, hero was heroine’s male equivalent to a mistress.
Second thing. Zero slut shaming on hero’s part.
He did call her ex some names which he did deserve.
Hero was alpha according to my standards. He was protective but not controlling. He was actually pretty mad at the heroine at the last chapter because she begged him. He didn’t understand how she could think so low of him that she’d beg in front of him. Yes she hurt him. BUT HE was the one in love, she never claimed any love, so it was HIS job to forgive her and his love wasn’t so weak that it would die because of a quick rejection when she was confused.
He WAS upset, understandably so, which would explain his temper and his not opening his arms for her instantly. But he actually was offended when heroine suggested she ruined everything because she made a mistake.
Hero had no plans of abandoning heroine and going back to his manwhoring way. He actually was ready to watch her with the OM and stay true to her while doing it. Because HE loved her not the other way round.
Hero was extremely respectful of heroine’s job, and actually encouraged her with her career even through epilogue. He was proud of her. At no point of time did he blackmail her or threaten her. At no point of time does he treat her like a whore, and even when he tries to pull himself together to think “sex only” that does NOT mean disrespect.
He also meets with his on again off again sex buddy but that’s as far as it goes. He pretty much takes a vow of abstinence until heroine is out of his mind, at no point of time does he think “ill fuck OW like rabbit to get heroine out of my system”.
What didn’t work for me:
Hero was a massive manwhore until he met heroine.
Heroine had her ex, and was REALLY inexperienced, not even decent oral experience.
Not cool.
And he was a manwhore. He never actually had a relationship. He told heroine he has
“never been with anyone for more than a few night”
But then claimed
“Until I met you,” he corrected. “Then, I threw my life open, welcomed you into it. You, I have needed and wanted unendingly.”
That was a heck lot of telling not showing. I didn’t FEEL his love. I felt his feel of challenge, his dented ego, yes. Love, not so much. I didn’t see what made the heroine so different. Unless we go by the fact she’s next best thing to a virgin and the only woman to ever walk out on him. Neither of which is good enough reason for love. It gives you more of an idea that hero really wants to win over the h’s ex.
Then there was the heroine. Her actions weren’t really great either. Let me make it clear. I had NO problem with her using him for only sex. However I also couldn’t believe her declaration of love. It seemed shallow. Her realisation of love for hero really didn’t seem anything beyond skin deep. He was better looking than her ex, a better lover than her ex and he has declared his love and was respectful whereas the ex hasn’t only disrespected the heroine but was blatantly disrespecting his current fiancée. There was no showing of HER love for hero throughout the story either. So I’m sorry I’m not as easily convinced as the hero that he wasn’t the second best.
The meeting with the ex was necessary and unnecessary at the same time. Yes. She needed closures. BUT, when hero gave her the ultimatum, and I didn’t blame him because SHE WAS hurtful, she needed to use words to let him know that she needed closure.
Heroine also wasn’t strong enough for my liking. Yes, she ran the hero in circles, used him for sex, gave as good as she got, but none of it was done with confidence. I know not everyone will be Kenzi, but when you’re going to act like a bitch, please own it. The confidence was very much lacking.
At the end of the day, I don’t regret reading it. I’m also ok with the ending where she chases him. It was understandable. It wasn’t cheapened and at the end of it hero was still the one bowing down to her. So yeah. An ok read.
What I really liked was the role reversals.
Hero didn’t know whether he was coming or going.
That brings me to the title. Kinda misleading. If anything, hero was heroine’s male equivalent to a mistress.
Second thing. Zero slut shaming on hero’s part.
He did call her ex some names which he did deserve.
Hero was alpha according to my standards. He was protective but not controlling. He was actually pretty mad at the heroine at the last chapter because she begged him. He didn’t understand how she could think so low of him that she’d beg in front of him. Yes she hurt him. BUT HE was the one in love, she never claimed any love, so it was HIS job to forgive her and his love wasn’t so weak that it would die because of a quick rejection when she was confused.
He WAS upset, understandably so, which would explain his temper and his not opening his arms for her instantly. But he actually was offended when heroine suggested she ruined everything because she made a mistake.
Hero had no plans of abandoning heroine and going back to his manwhoring way. He actually was ready to watch her with the OM and stay true to her while doing it. Because HE loved her not the other way round.
Hero was extremely respectful of heroine’s job, and actually encouraged her with her career even through epilogue. He was proud of her. At no point of time did he blackmail her or threaten her. At no point of time does he treat her like a whore, and even when he tries to pull himself together to think “sex only” that does NOT mean disrespect.
He also meets with his on again off again sex buddy but that’s as far as it goes. He pretty much takes a vow of abstinence until heroine is out of his mind, at no point of time does he think “ill fuck OW like rabbit to get heroine out of my system”.
What didn’t work for me:
Hero was a massive manwhore until he met heroine.
Heroine had her ex, and was REALLY inexperienced, not even decent oral experience.
Not cool.
And he was a manwhore. He never actually had a relationship. He told heroine he has
“never been with anyone for more than a few night”
But then claimed
“Until I met you,” he corrected. “Then, I threw my life open, welcomed you into it. You, I have needed and wanted unendingly.”
That was a heck lot of telling not showing. I didn’t FEEL his love. I felt his feel of challenge, his dented ego, yes. Love, not so much. I didn’t see what made the heroine so different. Unless we go by the fact she’s next best thing to a virgin and the only woman to ever walk out on him. Neither of which is good enough reason for love. It gives you more of an idea that hero really wants to win over the h’s ex.
Then there was the heroine. Her actions weren’t really great either. Let me make it clear. I had NO problem with her using him for only sex. However I also couldn’t believe her declaration of love. It seemed shallow. Her realisation of love for hero really didn’t seem anything beyond skin deep. He was better looking than her ex, a better lover than her ex and he has declared his love and was respectful whereas the ex hasn’t only disrespected the heroine but was blatantly disrespecting his current fiancée. There was no showing of HER love for hero throughout the story either. So I’m sorry I’m not as easily convinced as the hero that he wasn’t the second best.
The meeting with the ex was necessary and unnecessary at the same time. Yes. She needed closures. BUT, when hero gave her the ultimatum, and I didn’t blame him because SHE WAS hurtful, she needed to use words to let him know that she needed closure.
Heroine also wasn’t strong enough for my liking. Yes, she ran the hero in circles, used him for sex, gave as good as she got, but none of it was done with confidence. I know not everyone will be Kenzi, but when you’re going to act like a bitch, please own it. The confidence was very much lacking.
At the end of the day, I don’t regret reading it. I’m also ok with the ending where she chases him. It was understandable. It wasn’t cheapened and at the end of it hero was still the one bowing down to her. So yeah. An ok read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2024
I really enjoyed this in spite of the heroine Ivy. I just found her beyond irritating.
On the other hand, the hero, Rafe, is a superb, interesting and wonderful hero. He is adult, caring, sensual, intelligent and loving. The role reversal is beautifully done. Quite frankly, by the end, I almost wanted him to tell Ivy where to go and find someone more deserving of his love.
The story starts so well. Ivy is still hurting from a breakup of her ten year relationship with Steve. She has a one night stand with Rafe to escape her pain and to discover herself again. Rafe shows her what she’s been missing sexually and she realises the relationship with Steve had been missing out a lot. She runs out on Rafe but the following day discovers he is her new boss and they embark on a sex only fling.
I found the head-hopping really distracting but I love a dual POV and it was great to get inside Rafe’s head.
Ivy is a pain a lot of the time. Her determination that because Steve had fallen for someone else and broken up withIvy, ALL men were liars and only interested in sex - seemed a flawed and unreal premise. She treated Rafe abysmally.
I loved the final resolution and the epilogue. Rafe was so brilliant! He is one of CC’s best heroes ever, but Ivy was a crashing disappointment. I could not empathise with her at all.
On the other hand, the hero, Rafe, is a superb, interesting and wonderful hero. He is adult, caring, sensual, intelligent and loving. The role reversal is beautifully done. Quite frankly, by the end, I almost wanted him to tell Ivy where to go and find someone more deserving of his love.
The story starts so well. Ivy is still hurting from a breakup of her ten year relationship with Steve. She has a one night stand with Rafe to escape her pain and to discover herself again. Rafe shows her what she’s been missing sexually and she realises the relationship with Steve had been missing out a lot. She runs out on Rafe but the following day discovers he is her new boss and they embark on a sex only fling.
I found the head-hopping really distracting but I love a dual POV and it was great to get inside Rafe’s head.
Ivy is a pain a lot of the time. Her determination that because Steve had fallen for someone else and broken up withIvy, ALL men were liars and only interested in sex - seemed a flawed and unreal premise. She treated Rafe abysmally.
I loved the final resolution and the epilogue. Rafe was so brilliant! He is one of CC’s best heroes ever, but Ivy was a crashing disappointment. I could not empathise with her at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2023
This one didn’t really do it for me. The was broken up with by her ex six months prior. She wasn’t over him at all despite him sounding pretty awful. They were high school sweethearts and had been together for years. They had “made love a handful of times” and it wasn’t all that great but she was mega hung up on him.
She meets H and spontaneously decides to have a ONS. She sneaks out before he wakes which, of course, had never happened to him before. She fumes over it for weeks before coincidentally and miraculously discovering he has just purchased the company she works for.
She’s still really hung up in the loser ex but he convinces her to continue hooking up with him. She convinced herself it would be ok as long as she never spent the night. He gets increasingly annoyed at her resolve to not stay over.
The loser ex pops up here and there to traumatize h. H always soothes the hurts. They continue on. Until he can’t anymore he’s supposedly fallen for her and gives her an ultimatum when loser ex pops again wanting to meet for coffee. They argue and he bounces. The h meets with loser ex and realizes she’s made a mistake. She goes to bed for his forgiveness which he gives pretty easily imo.
Just a blah story.
She meets H and spontaneously decides to have a ONS. She sneaks out before he wakes which, of course, had never happened to him before. She fumes over it for weeks before coincidentally and miraculously discovering he has just purchased the company she works for.
She’s still really hung up in the loser ex but he convinces her to continue hooking up with him. She convinced herself it would be ok as long as she never spent the night. He gets increasingly annoyed at her resolve to not stay over.
The loser ex pops up here and there to traumatize h. H always soothes the hurts. They continue on. Until he can’t anymore he’s supposedly fallen for her and gives her an ultimatum when loser ex pops again wanting to meet for coffee. They argue and he bounces. The h meets with loser ex and realizes she’s made a mistake. She goes to bed for his forgiveness which he gives pretty easily imo.
Just a blah story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2023
Bedding His Innocent Mistress was about Ivy Hennessey, the new Director for Online Content at GBRTV, and Rafe Santoro, the new owner of the network.
Ivy was six months into the end of her ten-year relationship when she was at a casino with her cousin, who pointed out a man who had been staring at Ivy for some time. When she turned around to see what her cousin Lisette was talking about, she encountered the steel gray eyes of the man behind her...who just happened to be Rafe Santoro. Although Ivy wasn't a virgin at the time she met Rafe, and in spite of having been in a ten-year relationship, she'd only had sex a handful of times. Rafe convinced her to go home with him, and they ended up back at his luxury apartment where they spent the rest of the night in one passionate embrace after another, only for Rafe to wake up the next morning to find Ivy gone, having left no trace she'd ever been there, and no way for him to contact her again.
Three weeks later, Rafe returned to London from his home in Spain. He had been unable to get the night he'd spent with Ivy out of his mind, and he had not wanted to be with anyone else since their encounter. He was also more than a little miffed that she had been the one to walk away because it was something that no other woman had ever done before. He had always been the one to leave first.
Slowly, over the course of time, Rafe and Ivy began a relationship. One that she claimed was merely sex, to get over her ex. In the beginning, he agreed to look at it that way but it wasn't long before that began to irritate him. He had no problem helping her forget the hurt her ex had put her through, but Rafe wasn't willing to play second fiddle to any man, no matter how much he was starting to fall for Ivy.
After being together for a while, Ivy's ex started showing signs of wanting to reconcile, which made Rafe angry and caused further hurt and confusion for Ivy. It also made her less willing to analyze her true feelings for Rafe. When they had been together for over a month, things came to a head, and Ivy was faced with a decision. She'd either choose to go back to her ex and lose Rafe, or she would choose Rafe and tell her ex to leave her alone.
This story was so full of angst and drama that it tugged at the heartstrings. It was definitely an emotional rollercoaster ride with many twists and turns. There was anger, frustration, heartache, passion, and even fear.
The characters were fully developed, fleshed out, and with a maturity that is unusual for most romance novels. It was interesting to watch how each of the main characters changed and grew with each new nuance that was thrown into the story. Both were strong and successful in their own rights. It was also nice to see the groveling roles switched for a change. Normally, the Hero is the one who needs to do that, but in this story, it was the heroine who ended up doing a bit of groveling.
The story did have a few issues that were unresolved, but they were minor blips. With that said, the book easily earned a five-star rating, and its place among my Keeper for the Shelves collection.
Ivy was six months into the end of her ten-year relationship when she was at a casino with her cousin, who pointed out a man who had been staring at Ivy for some time. When she turned around to see what her cousin Lisette was talking about, she encountered the steel gray eyes of the man behind her...who just happened to be Rafe Santoro. Although Ivy wasn't a virgin at the time she met Rafe, and in spite of having been in a ten-year relationship, she'd only had sex a handful of times. Rafe convinced her to go home with him, and they ended up back at his luxury apartment where they spent the rest of the night in one passionate embrace after another, only for Rafe to wake up the next morning to find Ivy gone, having left no trace she'd ever been there, and no way for him to contact her again.
Three weeks later, Rafe returned to London from his home in Spain. He had been unable to get the night he'd spent with Ivy out of his mind, and he had not wanted to be with anyone else since their encounter. He was also more than a little miffed that she had been the one to walk away because it was something that no other woman had ever done before. He had always been the one to leave first.
Slowly, over the course of time, Rafe and Ivy began a relationship. One that she claimed was merely sex, to get over her ex. In the beginning, he agreed to look at it that way but it wasn't long before that began to irritate him. He had no problem helping her forget the hurt her ex had put her through, but Rafe wasn't willing to play second fiddle to any man, no matter how much he was starting to fall for Ivy.
After being together for a while, Ivy's ex started showing signs of wanting to reconcile, which made Rafe angry and caused further hurt and confusion for Ivy. It also made her less willing to analyze her true feelings for Rafe. When they had been together for over a month, things came to a head, and Ivy was faced with a decision. She'd either choose to go back to her ex and lose Rafe, or she would choose Rafe and tell her ex to leave her alone.
This story was so full of angst and drama that it tugged at the heartstrings. It was definitely an emotional rollercoaster ride with many twists and turns. There was anger, frustration, heartache, passion, and even fear.
The characters were fully developed, fleshed out, and with a maturity that is unusual for most romance novels. It was interesting to watch how each of the main characters changed and grew with each new nuance that was thrown into the story. Both were strong and successful in their own rights. It was also nice to see the groveling roles switched for a change. Normally, the Hero is the one who needs to do that, but in this story, it was the heroine who ended up doing a bit of groveling.
The story did have a few issues that were unresolved, but they were minor blips. With that said, the book easily earned a five-star rating, and its place among my Keeper for the Shelves collection.
March 11, 2018
Ivy was dumped by her highschool boyfriend who decided to engage with other woman. Ivy had a one night stand with Rafe, a billionaire from Spain. She sneaked out the morning after. Apparently he was the new owner of her company. He demanded they sleep together for her to forget her ex. She agreed but kept her heart guarded. Every night she had sex with him at his place but she will left and not stay the night. Rafe fell for her and told her he loves her. Her ex wanted to come back.
Rafe gave her ultimatum to see Steve and their arrangement ends. She met Steve but decided she didnt love him anymore. She flew to Spain to fight for their love.
Rafe gave her ultimatum to see Steve and their arrangement ends. She met Steve but decided she didnt love him anymore. She flew to Spain to fight for their love.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2021
Bedding His Innocent Mistress
She met him when her life was spiralling out of control. Her long time boyfriend had broken up with her and was now engaged to another. He has his own secrets. Their sexual experiences was right out of left field for her. She had never had any other man before. And his pleasing her was beyond her knowledge. He was willing to help her forget the cheating ex. But somehow they both crossed a line that could led them apart or forever together.
She met him when her life was spiralling out of control. Her long time boyfriend had broken up with her and was now engaged to another. He has his own secrets. Their sexual experiences was right out of left field for her. She had never had any other man before. And his pleasing her was beyond her knowledge. He was willing to help her forget the cheating ex. But somehow they both crossed a line that could led them apart or forever together.
February 28, 2022
I don’t know what phase Clare was going through, but this and the last 2 novels that I read were awesome. Damaged or hurt Heroine and the H actually the one declaring his love first and wanting a commitment, while the Her is like I’m not sure about this! 😂😂😂
April 3, 2023
Sizzling and hot
Well written. Storyline believable. Full of suspense . I love how the make feelings are felt throughout the book. Normally we get the females thought but not the makes. Really enjoyed this book. Full of passion and real feelings.
Well written. Storyline believable. Full of suspense . I love how the make feelings are felt throughout the book. Normally we get the females thought but not the makes. Really enjoyed this book. Full of passion and real feelings.
March 15, 2018
Ok book
This was an okay book to read. I liked the characters and their insta-love and chemistry. I only wish it was longer to read
This was an okay book to read. I liked the characters and their insta-love and chemistry. I only wish it was longer to read
March 24, 2024
I did not enjoy this book. Sam old plot and same old ending. Too much sex and not enough drama. Disappointing,
October 14, 2021
Another wonderful story by Clare Connelly
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews