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Έρωτας και Μίσος
Ήταν ειρωνεία της μοίρας!
Η Γκαμπριέλα ερωτεύτηκε τον Ρέιφ από την πρώτη στιγμή που τον αντίκρισε. Όμως εκείνος απέκρουσε όλς τις κοριτσίστικες απόπειρές της να τον σαγηνεύσει, θεωρώντας πως ο μόνος λόγος που τον πολιορκούσε ήταν για να βρει έναν πλούσιο σύζυγο -ακριβώς όπως η μητέρα της.
Τώρα, πέντε χρόνια μετά, ο όρος μιας διαθήκης τους αναγκάζει να παντρευτούν ο ένας τον άλλον για να μπορέσουν να πάρουν την κληρονομιά τους. Η Γκαμπριέλα θα 'θελε να μπορούσε να αρνηθεί. Δεν έχει πάψει ποτέ να τον αγαπάει, αλλά ξέρει ότι ο Ρέιφ δεν έχει αλλάξει γι' αυτήν. Και ή θα προτιμήσει να χάσει τα πάντα ή θα αποφασίσει να ζήσει κάτω από την ίδια στέγη μ' έναν άντρα που την περιφρονεί!
Η Γκαμπριέλα ερωτεύτηκε τον Ρέιφ από την πρώτη στιγμή που τον αντίκρισε. Όμως εκείνος απέκρουσε όλς τις κοριτσίστικες απόπειρές της να τον σαγηνεύσει, θεωρώντας πως ο μόνος λόγος που τον πολιορκούσε ήταν για να βρει έναν πλούσιο σύζυγο -ακριβώς όπως η μητέρα της.
Τώρα, πέντε χρόνια μετά, ο όρος μιας διαθήκης τους αναγκάζει να παντρευτούν ο ένας τον άλλον για να μπορέσουν να πάρουν την κληρονομιά τους. Η Γκαμπριέλα θα 'θελε να μπορούσε να αρνηθεί. Δεν έχει πάψει ποτέ να τον αγαπάει, αλλά ξέρει ότι ο Ρέιφ δεν έχει αλλάξει γι' αυτήν. Και ή θα προτιμήσει να χάσει τα πάντα ή θα αποφασίσει να ζήσει κάτω από την ίδια στέγη μ' έναν άντρα που την περιφρονεί!
160 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
47 people are currently reading
575 people want to read
About the author
Carole Mortimer
1,296 books907 followersI have written almost 250 romance novels in contemporary and Regency.
I am a USA Today Bestselling Author and recipient of the 2015 RWA Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2014 I received a Pioneer of Romance Award from Romantic Times in the US and in 2012 I was recognised by Queen Elizabeth II for my 'outstanding service to literature'.
I am very happily married to Peter with six sons, and live on the Isle of Man
I am a USA Today Bestselling Author and recipient of the 2015 RWA Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2014 I received a Pioneer of Romance Award from Romantic Times in the US and in 2012 I was recognised by Queen Elizabeth II for my 'outstanding service to literature'.
I am very happily married to Peter with six sons, and live on the Isle of Man
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
July 6, 2015
Does step-sibs getting together turn you off? You might still like this book. Gabriella fell like a ton of bricks for her new stepbrother Rufus. He saw it and ultimately gave into her amorous advances. Well sort of. Then he walks away. From then on, Gabriella hates him. Five years later, they are brought back together by a clause in Rufus' father's will that states if they don't marry, Rufus will lose control of the family business, a department store chain, and fifty million dollars to his feckless cousin. Gabriella gets half of the fortune if she marries and lives with Rufus for six months and she gets ownership of the restaurant in the London store. The problem is she can't stand Rufus and he doesn't respect her. He thinks she's a gold-digger, like her mother (who wasn't) and his ex-wife, who he had to buy off to get custody of his then infant daughter. Gabriella has another incentive to marry Rufus. She can't stand his cousin since an altercation that occurred three months prior, and the idea of his inheriting is detestable and the implications it would have for her. Can they make a marriage work, even for such a short time?
I liked this a lot. I admit I was a bit turned off by how Gabrielle just melts like a ton of bricks whenever Rufus touches her. It doesn't shed the best light on a heroine who is so gaga over someone who thinks so little of her. However, that's more or less standard vintage HP fare, and I think that it's apparent that she's still deeply in love with Rufus, although her so-called loved has appeared to turn into hate. I would have liked Rufus to treat her better and not be such a jerk to her, even though I knew it was because he did have feelings for her and was afraid to feel for her, due to the situation with his ex.
I really liked Gabriella. She had grown into a pretty strong woman and had a good head on her shoulders. I liked that she was a chef and made a pretty good career for herself in the five years (although she did have a financial crisis that made her need a loan from her step-dad, which of course made her look bad to Rufus). She managed to hold her own against Rufus, for the most part, although she did have a bad case of putty knees for him. I like how she gently takes on the role of stepmother to a reluctant and spoiled stepdaughter who really does need to have more discipline for a father who spoils her too much.
I gave this four stars because it had drama, passion and angst, and a likable heroine. Rufus was a bit of a jerk, but with this line, that's not a deal breaker. A nice older HP to keep me busy for a couple of hours.
I liked this a lot. I admit I was a bit turned off by how Gabrielle just melts like a ton of bricks whenever Rufus touches her. It doesn't shed the best light on a heroine who is so gaga over someone who thinks so little of her. However, that's more or less standard vintage HP fare, and I think that it's apparent that she's still deeply in love with Rufus, although her so-called loved has appeared to turn into hate. I would have liked Rufus to treat her better and not be such a jerk to her, even though I knew it was because he did have feelings for her and was afraid to feel for her, due to the situation with his ex.
I really liked Gabriella. She had grown into a pretty strong woman and had a good head on her shoulders. I liked that she was a chef and made a pretty good career for herself in the five years (although she did have a financial crisis that made her need a loan from her step-dad, which of course made her look bad to Rufus). She managed to hold her own against Rufus, for the most part, although she did have a bad case of putty knees for him. I like how she gently takes on the role of stepmother to a reluctant and spoiled stepdaughter who really does need to have more discipline for a father who spoils her too much.
I gave this four stars because it had drama, passion and angst, and a likable heroine. Rufus was a bit of a jerk, but with this line, that's not a deal breaker. A nice older HP to keep me busy for a couple of hours.
February 12, 2016
For starters, Gabriella and Rufus are step-siblings.
After that pleasant sojourn, the story opens up five years later at the dad's funeral. Long story short, Gabriella and Rufus have to marry to get the inheritance. Sexual tension abounds, and good ole Rufus continues to harangue and belittle our little heroine while enjoying sexual relations with her. She stands up to him for a while and Rufus gets a grip, but still he needs to SUFFER.
Then somehow, someway a big ole case of insta-love hits and HEA.
After that pleasant sojourn, the story opens up five years later at the dad's funeral. Long story short, Gabriella and Rufus have to marry to get the inheritance. Sexual tension abounds, and good ole Rufus continues to harangue and belittle our little heroine while enjoying sexual relations with her. She stands up to him for a while and Rufus gets a grip, but still he needs to SUFFER.
Then somehow, someway a big ole case of insta-love hits and HEA.
October 9, 2018
First time reading a romance where the hero had the same name as my husband. First off the premise was a bit weak. There was no reason that the hero should think that the heroine was a gold digger. I think most 30 year old men would be aware of what's going on when a 17-18 year old girl comes on to him all the time. I mean he could have been annoyed by her crush or whatever but assuming she was after his money with no more basis than what was provided was weak.
After they meet again 5 years later I enjoyed the story. I liked the way they could not keep their hands off each other and the hero was led around by his manly bits just as much as the heroine was by her lady bits. I like to see that equality there. They had believable chemistry. The hero was confused by his feelings for her but you could clearly see him falling.
The situation with his daughter by his first wife was well done.
Enjoyable pretty much all around.
After they meet again 5 years later I enjoyed the story. I liked the way they could not keep their hands off each other and the hero was led around by his manly bits just as much as the heroine was by her lady bits. I like to see that equality there. They had believable chemistry. The hero was confused by his feelings for her but you could clearly see him falling.
The situation with his daughter by his first wife was well done.
Enjoyable pretty much all around.
November 26, 2012
This novel was VERY emotional all the way through for me. I think Gabriella was dealt a hard blow that she didn't deserve because Rufus was so cynical due to his first marriage. I was glad they worked it out and became a proper couple. All throughout the novel my heart was with our dear heroine, hoping she would get the hero.
September 13, 2021
I am a sucker for step-siblings/marriage-in-name-only or marriage of convenience stories. And this just ticked all the boxes. I found myself enjoying this one so much and was so invested in this story by the time the end came around. And to be honest, this book could have been a disaster if it wasn’t because the author did a great job with the characters' development and the story's pacing.
At first, I wasn't sure if I would like Gabriella or not. But as the story progressed, I can see that she was feisty, vulnerable, smart, and relatable, and was no pushover either. She didn’t allow him to walk all over her even though it was clear as a day that she was still in love with him. And she had her moments like any other female lead out there, but I ended up genuinely liking her.
As for Rufus, he was an ass to Gabriella for the most part. He was burned by his ex-wife and has decided that all women are like her. But he has wanted her for so long, he can’t resist her, even though he tries his best. Though I wanted to smack him more than once and tell him to stop being such a blind fool, I still love him. When he would let himself go and be sweet, he just melted my heart. He is lucky that she is more forgiving.
The chemistry between these two was off the charts! There’s an undeniable attraction that smolders on the page. I love their “verbal sparring,” and the sex is wow! I never get tired of seeing a couple of fights. It shows passion! I loved how the author wove these two wonderful characters together without all the horrible misunderstandings and tensions traditional in HPs. And even though the plot is very predictable, I really enjoyed it. It's another winner and delightfully penned by the very talented Ms. Carole Mortimer.
At first, I wasn't sure if I would like Gabriella or not. But as the story progressed, I can see that she was feisty, vulnerable, smart, and relatable, and was no pushover either. She didn’t allow him to walk all over her even though it was clear as a day that she was still in love with him. And she had her moments like any other female lead out there, but I ended up genuinely liking her.
As for Rufus, he was an ass to Gabriella for the most part. He was burned by his ex-wife and has decided that all women are like her. But he has wanted her for so long, he can’t resist her, even though he tries his best. Though I wanted to smack him more than once and tell him to stop being such a blind fool, I still love him. When he would let himself go and be sweet, he just melted my heart. He is lucky that she is more forgiving.
The chemistry between these two was off the charts! There’s an undeniable attraction that smolders on the page. I love their “verbal sparring,” and the sex is wow! I never get tired of seeing a couple of fights. It shows passion! I loved how the author wove these two wonderful characters together without all the horrible misunderstandings and tensions traditional in HPs. And even though the plot is very predictable, I really enjoyed it. It's another winner and delightfully penned by the very talented Ms. Carole Mortimer.
February 16, 2023
A bare three. I think I'm getting ready for a break. And what's with CM and the liberal use of !s
Can't even be bothered to summarise. She's Gabriella, he's her stepbrother Rufus (don't get too excited, it's not KU although he's got a fast tongue and he isn't afraid to use it), there's a will and a Harrods like store - Gresham's - in the mix. There's a ridiculously unconvincing wannabe rapist OM cousin called Toby and a stepbrat called Holly.
Repetitive, paint by numbers stuff. Sex with not much else. Ignore me, I'm feeling stale. One more vintage then I'm switching to a palate cleanser.
Can't even be bothered to summarise. She's Gabriella, he's her stepbrother Rufus (don't get too excited, it's not KU although he's got a fast tongue and he isn't afraid to use it), there's a will and a Harrods like store - Gresham's - in the mix. There's a ridiculously unconvincing wannabe rapist OM cousin called Toby and a stepbrat called Holly.
Repetitive, paint by numbers stuff. Sex with not much else. Ignore me, I'm feeling stale. One more vintage then I'm switching to a palate cleanser.
December 26, 2012
I have never loved the heroine more in any book, Gabriella's only crime was to fall in love with a cynical man who assumed too much with no evidence, only what he had heard but having said that, he wasn't someone who was unreedemable. I grinned at the ending, it was a perfect book, sorely recommend it.
Read
August 15, 2013CM used to write amazing books! I can't even finish this one. It's that bad :(
April 25, 2017
ok - portuguese edition - paper
July 24, 2018
Harlequins are what they are and Carole Mortimer is still one of my favorite authors, that said-- a lot of HR and her books have the same formula and story and she has gotten a little racier then what I remembered these are still my quick, guilty pleasure reads.
February 4, 2014
promising plot, great story, BAD writing. that's pretty summed it up.
March 1, 2022
Nice book. The cultural believes of the author are clearly displayed in this story. In all her stories, really:
- A woman must be a virgin until she meets the love of her life. If she is not, the sexual experience must have occurred only once and been umpleasant.
- The man must be attractive and have had multiple sexual parters before meeting the love of his life. A traumatic experience, often by some gold digger bitch, might stop him from his playboy ways so he becomes selective of his partners or forget about women altogether.
- No LGBTIQ+ character.
- There is always a baby at the end.
- The man can be an asshole, arrogant, demanding, cruel, bordering in violent (bruises are permitted), insulting, offensive, childish and not demonstrate a single kind act towards the heroine, because he is the protagonist and love of her life. All will be forgiven at the end and a lousy explanation given.
- She must fall in love with him no matter what and never love or want anyone else for the rest of her life. Even 5 or 10 years later, she must remain loyal in act and feelings toward him, while he is permitted to have other sexual partners.
Yeah, all her books are good and dandy until you see the patterns. The story is still good, if you keep in mind all is fiction and must never be replicated in real life.
- A woman must be a virgin until she meets the love of her life. If she is not, the sexual experience must have occurred only once and been umpleasant.
- The man must be attractive and have had multiple sexual parters before meeting the love of his life. A traumatic experience, often by some gold digger bitch, might stop him from his playboy ways so he becomes selective of his partners or forget about women altogether.
- No LGBTIQ+ character.
- There is always a baby at the end.
- The man can be an asshole, arrogant, demanding, cruel, bordering in violent (bruises are permitted), insulting, offensive, childish and not demonstrate a single kind act towards the heroine, because he is the protagonist and love of her life. All will be forgiven at the end and a lousy explanation given.
- She must fall in love with him no matter what and never love or want anyone else for the rest of her life. Even 5 or 10 years later, she must remain loyal in act and feelings toward him, while he is permitted to have other sexual partners.
Yeah, all her books are good and dandy until you see the patterns. The story is still good, if you keep in mind all is fiction and must never be replicated in real life.
November 30, 2024
An emotional read
Another gem by CM. A hero marked by a marriage gone wrong & left with a bitter distrust of love. A heroine just discovering love, lead to an emotional encounter that scars them. Even with their parents new marriage, they somehow manage to avoid each for the next five years. With the death of his father and the will they are drawn back together. Their chemistry and passion explode and the truth can't be denied......love is in the air! From 2007. A good read that kept me reading.
Another gem by CM. A hero marked by a marriage gone wrong & left with a bitter distrust of love. A heroine just discovering love, lead to an emotional encounter that scars them. Even with their parents new marriage, they somehow manage to avoid each for the next five years. With the death of his father and the will they are drawn back together. Their chemistry and passion explode and the truth can't be denied......love is in the air! From 2007. A good read that kept me reading.
September 25, 2025
3 star generally, 4 star for a mills & boon
This was an enjoyable quick read. nothing deep or special, but nothing offputting either. skimmed some of it. good amount of heightened emotions and angst, perfect amount of regret and agonising by the mmc when he realised his mistakes. Steam was present but no very descriptive, but it fit well into the story and added that extra emotion. I would read more by this author.
This was an enjoyable quick read. nothing deep or special, but nothing offputting either. skimmed some of it. good amount of heightened emotions and angst, perfect amount of regret and agonising by the mmc when he realised his mistakes. Steam was present but no very descriptive, but it fit well into the story and added that extra emotion. I would read more by this author.
January 20, 2024
"Wife by Contract, Mistress by Demand" is the story of Gabriella and Rufus.
Rival stepsiblings forced to marry due to their parents' will. Ofcourse, there is a pompous woman hating hero who keeps slut shaming the heroine, and doesnt believe her when she confesses to being assaulted. I have no patience for male leads like this.
Fall into a ditch Rufus.
Unsafe
-100000/5
Rival stepsiblings forced to marry due to their parents' will. Ofcourse, there is a pompous woman hating hero who keeps slut shaming the heroine, and doesnt believe her when she confesses to being assaulted. I have no patience for male leads like this.
Fall into a ditch Rufus.
Unsafe
-100000/5
May 26, 2021
Qué manera de reír y disfrutar el libro. Una trama entretenida y fácil de llevar. Empero, son los capítulos finales los que te dan una sensación de apresurado, como si tuviera que acabarse la historia de golpe.
4,8/5🌟
4,8/5🌟
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2024
Unexpected family.
Gabriella has always !over Rufus even though he treated her bad. When her stepfather dies she discovers they next to get married for the company to stay in Rufus hands. I like the interplay and that they have trouble staying apart. A great story
Gabriella has always !over Rufus even though he treated her bad. When her stepfather dies she discovers they next to get married for the company to stay in Rufus hands. I like the interplay and that they have trouble staying apart. A great story
January 11, 2018
487 شعاع خلف الغيوم (كارول مورتيمر) wife by contract mistress by demand
روايات احلام
روايات احلام
January 14, 2019
3 1/2 stars. Could've been a 5 star book except Rufus was such as jerk for most of the story.
July 30, 2020
Carole Mortimer usually includes sympathetic characters and some plot along with sexual tension, but forgot those elements with this book.
March 21, 2023
Enjoyed this story. I do like Carole Mortimer books, Five star.
May 12, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. Harlequin is the best and Carol Mortimer can tell a story!’
June 7, 2024
It was good. Kept me involved. After so many of these, knowing the outcome, it becomes redundant. This had a good chunk of spice to it which made it sing a little.
June 11, 2019
Bleh, it was ok. Not much memorable about it. The anger that the hero has is kind of contrived.
February 15, 2021
"Έρωτας και μίσος" - Κάρολ Μόρτιμερ, Σειρά Χρυσά, νούμερο 1363
ΤΕΛΕΙΟ ΚΑΙ ΑΓΑΠΗΜΕΝΟ!!!!!
ΤΕΛΕΙΟ ΚΑΙ ΑΓΑΠΗΜΕΝΟ!!!!!
April 15, 2019
This book had two of my pet peeves. A h that melts every time the H touches her (but acts defiantly and argues rest of the time, before she loses her spine again) and wasted virginity (There was no reason why it should be in the story. The H doesn't notice it and the h have to tell him about it at the end of the book amids all the groveling whining he does. I’m assuming that it is to show that she couldn't love anybody since meting him and blah blah
There were zero chemistry between the MCs. The writing was choppy
The H for no apparent reason all of a sudden starts to care for the h.
Long explanations at the end. With a remorseful H.
It felt like CM dug up an old manuscript from the 80:s and put in some modern sex scenes
Nahh, this story was flat with no dept.
Do it over. Do it right
There were zero chemistry between the MCs. The writing was choppy
The H for no apparent reason all of a sudden starts to care for the h.
Long explanations at the end. With a remorseful H.
It felt like CM dug up an old manuscript from the 80:s and put in some modern sex scenes
Nahh, this story was flat with no dept.
Do it over. Do it right
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2015
If u looking for something to fill up your boring day, grab this one.It's an easy read, predictable romance with bit of emotions.
Hero : Is having trust and love problem to move on after her 1st marriage failed.Thus he is acting stupid and annoying but in the end he suffered with his own issues and try to make ammend to get his woman back.cheesey lol
Heroin : Soft hearted and likeable heroin. Can be fierce if she want to be.
Overall this book is a good read if u want a light romance
Hero : Is having trust and love problem to move on after her 1st marriage failed.Thus he is acting stupid and annoying but in the end he suffered with his own issues and try to make ammend to get his woman back.cheesey lol
Heroin : Soft hearted and likeable heroin. Can be fierce if she want to be.
Overall this book is a good read if u want a light romance
Read
May 20, 2016شعاع خلف الغيوم / كارول مورتيمور
أغرمت غابرييلا بنيتو بابن زوج أمها الثري روفوس غريشام، ما إن رأته للمرة الأولى.
لكن روفوس أفشل محاولاتها الطفولية للتقرب منه، معتقداً أن السبب الوحيد الذي يدفعها نحوه هو الحصول على زوج ثري تماماً كما فعلت أمها.
بعد مرور خمس سنوات، أجبر روفوس وغابرييلا على الزواج من بعضهما من أجل الحفاظ على ميراثهما.
ويوم زفافهما، فوجئت غابرييلا عندما عانقها روفوس بشغف وشوق، لكنها شعرت بانزعاج لأنها استجابت لذلك العناق.
فهل سيرغب روفوس باعتبار زواجهما حقيقياً!!
أغرمت غابرييلا بنيتو بابن زوج أمها الثري روفوس غريشام، ما إن رأته للمرة الأولى.
لكن روفوس أفشل محاولاتها الطفولية للتقرب منه، معتقداً أن السبب الوحيد الذي يدفعها نحوه هو الحصول على زوج ثري تماماً كما فعلت أمها.
بعد مرور خمس سنوات، أجبر روفوس وغابرييلا على الزواج من بعضهما من أجل الحفاظ على ميراثهما.
ويوم زفافهما، فوجئت غابرييلا عندما عانقها روفوس بشغف وشوق، لكنها شعرت بانزعاج لأنها استجابت لذلك العناق.
فهل سيرغب روفوس باعتبار زواجهما حقيقياً!!
August 26, 2020
Gabriella Benito fell for wealthy Rufus Gresham the first time she saw him. But Rufus believed Gabriella only wanted a rich husband-- just like her mother. Five years later, Rufus and Gabriella must marry to obtain their inheritances. On their wedding day, Gabriella is shocked when Rufus kisses her passionately! Will Rufus use their marriage as an excuse to have her in his bed-- whenever he wants
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews