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The Encounter #1
Bartered [The Encounter Trilogy]
Hugo Xavier, a French playboy hell-bent on possessing Isobel, a gorgeous Greek pauper.
Set in Monaco, this is a story about a man who has it all but his past ensures he can't acquire what he yearns the most...and a woman, whose heart isn't up for bargaining, no matter the cost.
A tug-of war of seduction, of wills, of pride.
A whirlwind affair that will change both of their lives forever.
A woman could be… Everything. Anything. Nothing.
I was a connoisseur of beautiful things, women included. I didn't just have one, but three—all exotic, stunning and would do anything I asked.
My life was grand. It was perfect and I was content with it all, until a little minx came along. The second our eyes clashed, giving me a glimpse of her violet blue depths that had a mixture of stubbornness and will but with a hint of something else…
Choices were made. Decisions were done.
And for the very first time in my life, I was challenged with something risky, merely igniting the animal in me.
206 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 24, 2014
176 people are currently reading
949 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Ann
106 books2,735 followersis a New York Times and USA Today Best Selling Author. She studied Fashion Marketing in United Kingdom and a degree in Business. She has a penchant for pastries, dogs, renaissance paintings, angst-filled novels, travelling and is fascinated with the Italian language and culture.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
May 24, 2016
After reading the blurb for this book, I expected a dark captivity story. All of the elements seemed to be there. Instead, this was a surprisingly "light" read, even with the tenuous circumstances that brought the hero and heroine together.
Isobel is given to Hugo for a six month period to work off her father's bad gambling debts. She is young and innocent. He is a notorious playboy that keeps multiple live-in girlfriends to satisfy his every sexual whim.
From the time these two meet, Hugo makes it clear that he wants Isobel in his bed. Isobel, however, is in love with another man. She plans to honor the contract, but has some rather unusual ideas of how she plans to do this. Never one to back down from a challenge, Hugo decides that he won't have sex with Isobel until she asks him to.
What ensues is an enjoyable, slow-building romance. Hugo and Isobel spend a lot of time flirting and courting. It would almost feel like a sweet, run of the mill, romance, if it weren't for the fact that he had two other live-in girlfriends at the same time. That was a little hard for me to get past, especially since he continued to be sexually active with them.
Despite the fact that Hugo is adamant about only wanting sex, and not being relationship material, his actions were confusing in that regard. It was clear that he was growing much more intimate with Isobel, even without the sex. He lived in his own personal harem, but would get jealous if she talked with another guy. There was an obvious double-standard when it came to their relationship.
Ultimately, Isobel betrays Hugo's trust. By this point, I felt like I was having my heart ripped out of my chest. I was far more emotionally invested in this story than I'd anticipated. I wanted to scream that it wasn't fair. Damn those double-standards!
Needless to say, I dived immediately into the second book. I have found myself completely engrossed with this story. If it weren't for the fair amount of grammatical errors, I would've rated this 4 - stars. As it is, I give it 3 - stars. If you're looking for an angsty, sweet, and kind of kinky read, this is a great choice.
Isobel is given to Hugo for a six month period to work off her father's bad gambling debts. She is young and innocent. He is a notorious playboy that keeps multiple live-in girlfriends to satisfy his every sexual whim.
From the time these two meet, Hugo makes it clear that he wants Isobel in his bed. Isobel, however, is in love with another man. She plans to honor the contract, but has some rather unusual ideas of how she plans to do this. Never one to back down from a challenge, Hugo decides that he won't have sex with Isobel until she asks him to.
What ensues is an enjoyable, slow-building romance. Hugo and Isobel spend a lot of time flirting and courting. It would almost feel like a sweet, run of the mill, romance, if it weren't for the fact that he had two other live-in girlfriends at the same time. That was a little hard for me to get past, especially since he continued to be sexually active with them.
Despite the fact that Hugo is adamant about only wanting sex, and not being relationship material, his actions were confusing in that regard. It was clear that he was growing much more intimate with Isobel, even without the sex. He lived in his own personal harem, but would get jealous if she talked with another guy. There was an obvious double-standard when it came to their relationship.
Ultimately, Isobel betrays Hugo's trust. By this point, I felt like I was having my heart ripped out of my chest. I was far more emotionally invested in this story than I'd anticipated. I wanted to scream that it wasn't fair. Damn those double-standards!
Needless to say, I dived immediately into the second book. I have found myself completely engrossed with this story. If it weren't for the fair amount of grammatical errors, I would've rated this 4 - stars. As it is, I give it 3 - stars. If you're looking for an angsty, sweet, and kind of kinky read, this is a great choice.
September 6, 2015
What an asshole. The nerve of this sleazeabag. He spends more than half the book EVERY day screwing 2 other females, including actually in front of the heroine. The disgusting PIG. And then he has THE NERVE to kick her out & feel righteously betrayed because she slept with the man she loved? HEllooo....sleazebag hypocrite much!! She didn't spend weeks on weeks DAILY screwing other men like he did his women, No, just once with the man she loved after this immoral moron kept trying to seduce her, after he accepted her father's payment of her. This was total crap, BUT, I will read the second book to because I would like to see the author redeem herself by redeeming her so called hero! THis dirtbag should come crawling after the heroine on his hands & knees begging forgiveness & the heroine should really make him work for it. What would be a nice change of pace FOR ONCE would be to see the heroine tell the sleazebag to get lost & find love with someone who actually deserves. Come on author, give at least one of your heroine's an actual backbone & strength. So fed up with these women magically forgiving these loser men with no redeeming actions on the men's parts. Seriously.
August 27, 2014
Bleh the female lead was such a bitch and a cheat!
January 25, 2015
I just hated that he had 3 lovers and kept sleeping with them through their relationship. He actually fucked them right in front of her! In front of her, and then tells her, "well, you knew what you were getting into". Ugh, he's a sleezebag. Why is she the bad guy, he fucked other women while they were together??? Again literally right in front of her! This just isn't my type of romance at all.
kindle-freebies
April 28, 2016Kindle Freebie 4/28/16
September 11, 2016
Pamela specializes in the emotion of being torn in love, having feelings for more than one person at a time. She loves old books like Pride and Prejudice and Anna Karenina so she tends to write modern versions of these up and down, back and forth romances with usually a hefty dose of sex added.
In this book, there isn't as much angst as is present with most of Pamela's other books. Although erotic in nature it is not full of sex. It's more about the desire, the chase, the wanting. Also Bartered is told from both Hugo and Isobel's points of view so we know how each is feeling at certain points.
Hugo is a very wealthy and prominent man. He seems to have a great life, but there is pain in his past that isn't fully explained yet.
Isobel is a girl just trying to find her place in the world. She's a young college student with a long-time boyfriend. She has crap parents and is offered to Hugo as repayment for a debt by her father.
This isn't a human trafficking type story. It's a bargain that Isobel will be will Hugo's for 6 months, after which her father's debt will be considered paid in full. Keep in mind that Hugo really is a decent man, and her father is not. Hugo did not seek out this agreement. Also, Isobel agrees to this setup, which was suppose to be a no feelings involved deal, but of course it doesn't quite work out that way.
If you are familiar with Pamela's other books, you know that characters from one of her series tend to pop up for a cameo appearance in another. We come across several here: Callum, Jacques, Luca, Dimi and more.
I have mixed feelings about Isobel. I know she's young and dealing with a lot so I try to look past some of her actions. I really like Hugo. He isn't perfect, but he comes off as a really genuine person. I plan to continue with this story when the next installment comes out.
***Copy given in exchange for an honest review***
FULL REVIEW CAN BE FOUND AT http://fangirlmomentsandmytwocents.bl...
In this book, there isn't as much angst as is present with most of Pamela's other books. Although erotic in nature it is not full of sex. It's more about the desire, the chase, the wanting. Also Bartered is told from both Hugo and Isobel's points of view so we know how each is feeling at certain points.
Hugo is a very wealthy and prominent man. He seems to have a great life, but there is pain in his past that isn't fully explained yet.
How often did I see these demure, beautiful women and think them angelic, only to be proven wrong when they turned out to be after one thing? Money was a powerful thing to behold.
Isobel is a girl just trying to find her place in the world. She's a young college student with a long-time boyfriend. She has crap parents and is offered to Hugo as repayment for a debt by her father.
And though I despised my situation, I couldn't very well hate the man who'd agreed to my father's bartering tactics.
This isn't a human trafficking type story. It's a bargain that Isobel will be will Hugo's for 6 months, after which her father's debt will be considered paid in full. Keep in mind that Hugo really is a decent man, and her father is not. Hugo did not seek out this agreement. Also, Isobel agrees to this setup, which was suppose to be a no feelings involved deal, but of course it doesn't quite work out that way.
If you are familiar with Pamela's other books, you know that characters from one of her series tend to pop up for a cameo appearance in another. We come across several here: Callum, Jacques, Luca, Dimi and more.
I have mixed feelings about Isobel. I know she's young and dealing with a lot so I try to look past some of her actions. I really like Hugo. He isn't perfect, but he comes off as a really genuine person. I plan to continue with this story when the next installment comes out.
***Copy given in exchange for an honest review***
FULL REVIEW CAN BE FOUND AT http://fangirlmomentsandmytwocents.bl...
August 31, 2014
This is one of Pamela Ann’s best! A definite page turner!!
HUGO. The love of his life is his work. A five-star hotel with one of Europe’s finest casinos that had been in his family for generations.
“This was all I had.
The power.
The prestige.
The privilege.”
ISOBEL. A 23 year old student in her final year of college student, with a wonderful boyfriend, who she’s completely in love with, and not so great parents.
Isobel ends up being offered to Hugo, by her father (who, to me, is a poor excuse of a man), as a means to pay for his debts to Hugo. Isobel signs a 6 month contract to be Hugo’s mistress. To do this though, she has to quit school. She also decides to break up with Damen while she under contract with Hugo. She wants to remain faithful to Damen because that is who she wants her future with.
She lets Hugo know from the beginning that this is strictly a business arrangement and she reminds him of it many times. She is extremely attracted to Hugo and Hugo also feels the same magnetic pull towards her. Hugo definitely wants more. If only she would give it.
Everything seems to be going well with the arrangement until Isobel gets a phone call and has to go back home for a while. While she’s at home, she makes a decision that will deliver a consequence she isn't expecting and or prepared for.
Every page of this book is so full of suspense. I couldn't put it down I just had to know what was going to happen next. I love Hugo!! His personality can be a little harsh but you can tell he’s a good man. I also love the mystery surrounding him. I have a feeling we still have a lot more to learn about him. I’m not quite sure about Isobel yet. About halfway through the story, I wanted one thing for her. By the end, I wanted something else for her. Right now I’m just not sure what she needs.
Pamela’s passion for writing really shines through in this book. I cannot wait to read the rest of this series!
HUGO. The love of his life is his work. A five-star hotel with one of Europe’s finest casinos that had been in his family for generations.
“This was all I had.
The power.
The prestige.
The privilege.”
ISOBEL. A 23 year old student in her final year of college student, with a wonderful boyfriend, who she’s completely in love with, and not so great parents.
Isobel ends up being offered to Hugo, by her father (who, to me, is a poor excuse of a man), as a means to pay for his debts to Hugo. Isobel signs a 6 month contract to be Hugo’s mistress. To do this though, she has to quit school. She also decides to break up with Damen while she under contract with Hugo. She wants to remain faithful to Damen because that is who she wants her future with.
She lets Hugo know from the beginning that this is strictly a business arrangement and she reminds him of it many times. She is extremely attracted to Hugo and Hugo also feels the same magnetic pull towards her. Hugo definitely wants more. If only she would give it.
Everything seems to be going well with the arrangement until Isobel gets a phone call and has to go back home for a while. While she’s at home, she makes a decision that will deliver a consequence she isn't expecting and or prepared for.
Every page of this book is so full of suspense. I couldn't put it down I just had to know what was going to happen next. I love Hugo!! His personality can be a little harsh but you can tell he’s a good man. I also love the mystery surrounding him. I have a feeling we still have a lot more to learn about him. I’m not quite sure about Isobel yet. About halfway through the story, I wanted one thing for her. By the end, I wanted something else for her. Right now I’m just not sure what she needs.
Pamela’s passion for writing really shines through in this book. I cannot wait to read the rest of this series!
September 14, 2014
4.5 Stars
I am not sure if this book deserves 4.5 stars but it definitely sucked me in. I read it in one go and can't wait for book 2!
I am not sure if this book deserves 4.5 stars but it definitely sucked me in. I read it in one go and can't wait for book 2!
March 18, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. I feel bad for Isobel, since she was practically sold as a sex slave. I like that Hugo tries as hard as he can to resist the pull towards her. I like that she is kind and doesn't hate Hugo for what happened to her. I love how the two of them grow together and become lovers. I definitely rate this a 5 star book.
January 18, 2015
Pamela specializes in the emotion of being torn in love, having feelings for more than one person at a time. She loves old books like Pride and Prejudice and Anna Karenina so she tends to write modern versions of these up and down, back and forth romances with usually a hefty dose of sex added.
In this book, there isn't as much angst as is present with most of Pamela's other books. Although erotic in nature it is not full of sex. It's more about the desire, the chase, the wanting. Also Bartered is told from both Hugo and Isobel's points of view so we know how each is feeling at certain points.
Hugo is a very wealthy and prominent man. He seems to have a great life, but there is pain in his past that isn't fully explained yet.
Isobel is a girl just trying to find her place in the world. She's a young college student with a long-time boyfriend. She has crap parents and is offered to Hugo as repayment for a debt by her father.
This isn't a human trafficking type story. It's a bargain that Isobel will be will Hugo's for 6 months, after which her father's debt will be considered paid in full. Keep in mind that Hugo really is a decent man, and her father is not. Hugo did not seek out this agreement. Also, Isobel agrees to this setup, which was suppose to be a no feelings involved deal, but of course it doesn't quite work out that way.
If you are familiar with Pamela's other books, you know that characters from one of her series tend to pop up for a cameo appearance in another. We come across several here: Callum, Jacques, Luca, Dimi and more.
I have mixed feelings about Isobel. I know she's young and dealing with a lot so I try to look past some of her actions. I really like Hugo. He isn't perfect, but he comes off as a really genuine person. I plan to continue with this story when the next installment comes out.
***Copy given in exchange for an honest review***
FULL REVIEW CAN BE FOUND AT http://fangirlmomentsandmytwocents.bl...
In this book, there isn't as much angst as is present with most of Pamela's other books. Although erotic in nature it is not full of sex. It's more about the desire, the chase, the wanting. Also Bartered is told from both Hugo and Isobel's points of view so we know how each is feeling at certain points.
Hugo is a very wealthy and prominent man. He seems to have a great life, but there is pain in his past that isn't fully explained yet.
How often did I see these demure, beautiful women and think them angelic, only to be proven wrong when they turned out to be after one thing? Money was a powerful thing to behold.
Isobel is a girl just trying to find her place in the world. She's a young college student with a long-time boyfriend. She has crap parents and is offered to Hugo as repayment for a debt by her father.
And though I despised my situation, I couldn't very well hate the man who'd agreed to my father's bartering tactics.
This isn't a human trafficking type story. It's a bargain that Isobel will be will Hugo's for 6 months, after which her father's debt will be considered paid in full. Keep in mind that Hugo really is a decent man, and her father is not. Hugo did not seek out this agreement. Also, Isobel agrees to this setup, which was suppose to be a no feelings involved deal, but of course it doesn't quite work out that way.
If you are familiar with Pamela's other books, you know that characters from one of her series tend to pop up for a cameo appearance in another. We come across several here: Callum, Jacques, Luca, Dimi and more.
I have mixed feelings about Isobel. I know she's young and dealing with a lot so I try to look past some of her actions. I really like Hugo. He isn't perfect, but he comes off as a really genuine person. I plan to continue with this story when the next installment comes out.
***Copy given in exchange for an honest review***
FULL REVIEW CAN BE FOUND AT http://fangirlmomentsandmytwocents.bl...
August 25, 2014
Editorial Review
This book was different than others Pamela Ann has written. There was none of that angst from her main characters. In fact, while there was chemistry, there was also...detachment? Not the bad, empty kind of detachment; more like the "I want you, but refuse to admit it to you or me, so I will ignore you so I don't jump your bones."
I really loved the dynamic of the story. The male character, while the Pamela alpha male, was very gentle, sweet, and caring. Not at all like males she typically writes. I really like Hugo.
The female protagonist was in a difficult situation she didn't want to be in. She still stood her ground and wouldn't give up on what she believed in. She was self-conscious, yet extremely alluring.
I can't wait to see what happens next in this series because the ending was a complete one-eighty to how the book started out. I couldn't believe the change in direction. And, there is still so much mystery in this book. So many questions left unanswered that I feel I NEED to know!
This book was different than others Pamela Ann has written. There was none of that angst from her main characters. In fact, while there was chemistry, there was also...detachment? Not the bad, empty kind of detachment; more like the "I want you, but refuse to admit it to you or me, so I will ignore you so I don't jump your bones."
I really loved the dynamic of the story. The male character, while the Pamela alpha male, was very gentle, sweet, and caring. Not at all like males she typically writes. I really like Hugo.
The female protagonist was in a difficult situation she didn't want to be in. She still stood her ground and wouldn't give up on what she believed in. She was self-conscious, yet extremely alluring.
I can't wait to see what happens next in this series because the ending was a complete one-eighty to how the book started out. I couldn't believe the change in direction. And, there is still so much mystery in this book. So many questions left unanswered that I feel I NEED to know!
September 2, 2014
I was graciously gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Holy hell bells Ms. Pamela!!
I am totally crushed, the very first with all of your books I've read.
My heart ached for Hugo thru the whole book.
A daughter paying her fathers debt, what does faith hold for you??
A smart, sexy male whore with a heart of gold even though he goes thru woman like tampons.
Isobel, a woman with a future planned out with her love back home.
Even with future plans laid out, faith has other plans for these two.
It's a roller coaster of emotions between these two.
Hugo's fighting to win Isobel's heart but she won't have it any other way than what's already her future.
How far will you go to win a loves heart, when's enough enough??
I can't wait for book 2!!
Hurry up Ms. Pamela!!
Holy hell bells Ms. Pamela!!
I am totally crushed, the very first with all of your books I've read.
My heart ached for Hugo thru the whole book.
A daughter paying her fathers debt, what does faith hold for you??
A smart, sexy male whore with a heart of gold even though he goes thru woman like tampons.
Isobel, a woman with a future planned out with her love back home.
Even with future plans laid out, faith has other plans for these two.
It's a roller coaster of emotions between these two.
Hugo's fighting to win Isobel's heart but she won't have it any other way than what's already her future.
How far will you go to win a loves heart, when's enough enough??
I can't wait for book 2!!
Hurry up Ms. Pamela!!
August 28, 2014
4.5 stars. WOW!
I received an ARC for an honest review.
Bartered is unlike anything Pamela Ann has written before. Very refreshing. I love how she brings some characters from other series into the mix. Hugo the typical playboy was genuinely a stand up guy. Every now and again he shows us a part of a great guy. So I wonder what his ex did to him to make him the way he was.
Isobel seems very determined but also quite naive to the point where you just want to shake her! LOL We get to see her stand her ground and then in the end get all wishy washy and undecisive.
Can't wait for the next one. Great Job on this one Pamela!
I received an ARC for an honest review.
Bartered is unlike anything Pamela Ann has written before. Very refreshing. I love how she brings some characters from other series into the mix. Hugo the typical playboy was genuinely a stand up guy. Every now and again he shows us a part of a great guy. So I wonder what his ex did to him to make him the way he was.
Isobel seems very determined but also quite naive to the point where you just want to shake her! LOL We get to see her stand her ground and then in the end get all wishy washy and undecisive.
Can't wait for the next one. Great Job on this one Pamela!
September 8, 2014
Somewhat of a spoiler, read at your own choice.
I love love love Pamela Ann. I love that I continued on reading and this is going to be such an exciting trilogy. Hugo is uniquely mesmerizing. Wealthy, reserved, amazing lover and sensitive towards Isobel. She broke down his hardened walls. He was finally tenatively lowering his cynical walls and beginning to feel, treading lightly and falling swiftly. She f'd up and regrets it, beyond measure. In his normal fashion, she's dismissed, no love, no emotion and we're all left up in the air!!! What will happen? I have no clue but I am anxiously awaiting the next book. Kudos to Pamela Ann, just another GREAT series!
I love love love Pamela Ann. I love that I continued on reading and this is going to be such an exciting trilogy. Hugo is uniquely mesmerizing. Wealthy, reserved, amazing lover and sensitive towards Isobel. She broke down his hardened walls. He was finally tenatively lowering his cynical walls and beginning to feel, treading lightly and falling swiftly. She f'd up and regrets it, beyond measure. In his normal fashion, she's dismissed, no love, no emotion and we're all left up in the air!!! What will happen? I have no clue but I am anxiously awaiting the next book. Kudos to Pamela Ann, just another GREAT series!
September 4, 2014
Bartered
I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book. I loved it! I love the feelings between the two main characters Isobel and Hugo. You know they both want each other but other personal things are stopping them. This book leaves off on a cliffhanger that makes you want MORE, MORE, hopefully the wait is not long, Pamela Ann!!! :) This is a super hot intense read, that leaves you on the edge of your seat. Who will run to who? Can't wait to read more!!
I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book. I loved it! I love the feelings between the two main characters Isobel and Hugo. You know they both want each other but other personal things are stopping them. This book leaves off on a cliffhanger that makes you want MORE, MORE, hopefully the wait is not long, Pamela Ann!!! :) This is a super hot intense read, that leaves you on the edge of your seat. Who will run to who? Can't wait to read more!!
August 27, 2014
I CANNOT WAIT FOR BOOK 2. I HOPE ITS RELEASE WILL BE SOON!
September 20, 2014
Different from all of her other books so far, anxiously await the follow-up book. Very HOT and sexy as hell. I Love HUGO!!!
September 7, 2015
Can't stop
I start Pamela' s series and I can't ever stop. When I started reading this book, I didn't think I could get into it. I was so wrong!!!
I start Pamela' s series and I can't ever stop. When I started reading this book, I didn't think I could get into it. I was so wrong!!!
Want to read
July 21, 2016Free on Amazon 7/20/16
December 26, 2024
This is some of the weird stuff that you stir up if you dig deep into Kindle freebies.
Hugo is a casino owner. He meets Isobel when her father bets more money than he can afford and offers his daughter as compensation. Hugo isn't inclined to agree -- he already has two live-in mistresses. But then he sees Isobel and she's very beautiful . . . blah blah blah. So he agrees to a six-month arrangement despite the fact that she tells him she is in love with someone else. She's unwilling to give him access to the main thing that he wants, but tells him that everything else in on the table, including what used to be euphemistically called "Greek love." This is because she thinks this will allow her to somehow be technically faithful to her boyfriend (who doesn't know anything about this six-month arrangement and I guess is being told she's just spending the summer away). Hugo doesn't take the obvious that I would take from this -- that she's done it before and is willing to do it again with a stranger for money. No, he decides -- without discussion -- that he would be a cad to take her up on the backdoor offer because she HASN'T done it before. It's puzzling!
Anyway, the entire thing quickly devolves into a sloppily written story where Hugo spends most of his time obsessing over Isobel and the one thing she's unwilling to do, asking himself things like "I don't believe in love or having true affection for women, so why am I feeling these things for Isobel?" and Isobel asking herself things like "Why am I jealous of these other women since I don't feel anything for Hugo?"
The whole thing ends with a whimper violates her agreement not to be alone with other men by repeatedly doing her boyfriend, not doing anything to prevent Hugo finding out about it, and then being hurt and confused when he ends their arrangement and doesn't want to be pals with her. It's utterly inane and easily one of the worst takes on "Beauty and the Beast" that I've ever read.
I had so many questions like:
Why have Hugo sprinkle basic French into his instructions to retainers who presumably spoke French as their main language and then clumsily translate them for readers who can't figure out things like "mon roi"? If he's a French speaker and speaking to others who speak French, just put it in English because we'll assume he's speaking to them in French, right?
Why does the author insist on writing at a basic grade school level and then throw in "word of the day" things like "perfervid"? It doesn't fit at all.
Hugo is a casino owner. He meets Isobel when her father bets more money than he can afford and offers his daughter as compensation. Hugo isn't inclined to agree -- he already has two live-in mistresses. But then he sees Isobel and she's very beautiful . . . blah blah blah. So he agrees to a six-month arrangement despite the fact that she tells him she is in love with someone else. She's unwilling to give him access to the main thing that he wants, but tells him that everything else in on the table, including what used to be euphemistically called "Greek love." This is because she thinks this will allow her to somehow be technically faithful to her boyfriend (who doesn't know anything about this six-month arrangement and I guess is being told she's just spending the summer away). Hugo doesn't take the obvious that I would take from this -- that she's done it before and is willing to do it again with a stranger for money. No, he decides -- without discussion -- that he would be a cad to take her up on the backdoor offer because she HASN'T done it before. It's puzzling!
Anyway, the entire thing quickly devolves into a sloppily written story where Hugo spends most of his time obsessing over Isobel and the one thing she's unwilling to do, asking himself things like "I don't believe in love or having true affection for women, so why am I feeling these things for Isobel?" and Isobel asking herself things like "Why am I jealous of these other women since I don't feel anything for Hugo?"
The whole thing ends with a whimper violates her agreement not to be alone with other men by repeatedly doing her boyfriend, not doing anything to prevent Hugo finding out about it, and then being hurt and confused when he ends their arrangement and doesn't want to be pals with her. It's utterly inane and easily one of the worst takes on "Beauty and the Beast" that I've ever read.
I had so many questions like:
Why have Hugo sprinkle basic French into his instructions to retainers who presumably spoke French as their main language and then clumsily translate them for readers who can't figure out things like "mon roi"? If he's a French speaker and speaking to others who speak French, just put it in English because we'll assume he's speaking to them in French, right?
Why does the author insist on writing at a basic grade school level and then throw in "word of the day" things like "perfervid"? It doesn't fit at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
May 26, 2024NOT CONTINUING THIS SERIES. THE CORNIEST EROTICA EVER.
I couldn't help eye-rolling all the way, and maybe I'm just being cynical, but this book reminds of the all those other wannabe stories that rode on the coattail of FIFTY SHADES OF GREY's fame. It was absolutely...paper thin and shallow.
Heroine was fucking gorgeous, and the MMC was a rich horndog. I don't know what mysterious history they may have had, but there was A LOT OF MONOLOGUE ASSUMPTIONS on the characters' behalf about each other, it was ridiculous! The angst wasn't even good. I think 50 shades might have had better depth than this.
I'm disappointed this came recommended by a favourite reviewer, because seriously, I wouldn't want any woman to measure love by this standard.
HUGO was a double standard dick, and ISOBEL was a doe-eyed young adult who believed herself in love with another man, only to fall into lust and love with HUGO - the older man. I get why she would be swept away by passion from an older man, I think it's normal for most sexually inexperienced young ladies (having one partner doesn't count), and while HUGO wasn't a true sexual predator because he made his terms clear to the other party before indulging, so I don't get why people called him a pig when he was very upfront about his sexual needs. He wasn't no damned rapist or pervert.
I wasn't even miffed that he had three lovers, lol, I anticipated the angst, but was SORELY DISAPPOINTED when Isobel turned out to be like every other heroine who melted at his first touch. BORING!! Where was my kitty cat with real claws? And the whole reason why HUGO would cut things off with her later was just....meh...
STORY LACKED REAL DEPTH OR A CAPTIVATING PLOT. UBER PREDICTABLE. And sorry, I'm just not into Frenchmen haha.
I couldn't help eye-rolling all the way, and maybe I'm just being cynical, but this book reminds of the all those other wannabe stories that rode on the coattail of FIFTY SHADES OF GREY's fame. It was absolutely...paper thin and shallow.
Heroine was fucking gorgeous, and the MMC was a rich horndog. I don't know what mysterious history they may have had, but there was A LOT OF MONOLOGUE ASSUMPTIONS on the characters' behalf about each other, it was ridiculous! The angst wasn't even good. I think 50 shades might have had better depth than this.
I'm disappointed this came recommended by a favourite reviewer, because seriously, I wouldn't want any woman to measure love by this standard.
HUGO was a double standard dick, and ISOBEL was a doe-eyed young adult who believed herself in love with another man, only to fall into lust and love with HUGO - the older man. I get why she would be swept away by passion from an older man, I think it's normal for most sexually inexperienced young ladies (having one partner doesn't count), and while HUGO wasn't a true sexual predator because he made his terms clear to the other party before indulging, so I don't get why people called him a pig when he was very upfront about his sexual needs. He wasn't no damned rapist or pervert.
I wasn't even miffed that he had three lovers, lol, I anticipated the angst, but was SORELY DISAPPOINTED when Isobel turned out to be like every other heroine who melted at his first touch. BORING!! Where was my kitty cat with real claws? And the whole reason why HUGO would cut things off with her later was just....meh...
STORY LACKED REAL DEPTH OR A CAPTIVATING PLOT. UBER PREDICTABLE. And sorry, I'm just not into Frenchmen haha.
July 7, 2018
I read this book in a box version called Crave. It has 10 books by Pamela Ann, but only the first book in each series. This is the first book in the set and at first I wasn't sure but the characters grow on you fairly quickly. Hugo is a rich Frenchman who owns a slew of Casinos and has a trio of women he keeps for his pleasure. He obtains the ravishing Isobel in payment for her father's gambling debt for 6 months, even though she already has a boyfriend whom she loves dearly. She will not have vaginal intercourse with him. Hugo is infatuated with her and hopes to change her mind. This book is so good! I can't wait to delve into book 2 now!!!
June 14, 2019
Initially I thought that the story would be good however I felt that the material was repeated . There were grammatical and spelling errors which put me off . I also do not like to buy books that are in a series I can understand a two book series if the author has given the first book free as a taster ,however any more than that & I feel the author wants to milk the cow dry . In this day and age I thought that the story line was inappropriate
December 17, 2021
I enjoyed this story. I’m not going to lie, I felt horrible for Hugo. Even though Isobel was put in a situation she didn’t wanted, she should’ve waited to continue things with Damien or at least tell him what happened. The chemistry between the two MC’s was amazing. This author knew how to write those parts quite well.
March 12, 2025
Peeked my interest to want to buy the other books in the series. I have loved Hugo and Isabel they are a couple I think about at least once a year that I want to read their story again. Love the French Man Hugo and his love interest Isabel. Like I said I usually read this trilogy once a year, it is that good. I have read this trilogy since 2019 I do believe I read this trilogy.
February 6, 2018
Very good
I read this first in a collection of stories in a book called enthralled and was so engrossed that I bought the whole trilogy. Be warned that you need to read all three, I wasn't disappointed.
I read this first in a collection of stories in a book called enthralled and was so engrossed that I bought the whole trilogy. Be warned that you need to read all three, I wasn't disappointed.
July 13, 2019
Once I started reading it was hard to put this book down. The story keeps you hooked until the end. There are a lot of unfinished plot parts yet and a cliff hanger ending. I will have to continue the series if I want to find out what happens.
April 26, 2020
Bartered
Enjoyed reading this story, hard to put down at times. Looking for next book in series! Interesting story line, I’m English so not sure I would expect an English woman to have no backbone. So find mother’s position surprising. Not father’s though.
Enjoyed reading this story, hard to put down at times. Looking for next book in series! Interesting story line, I’m English so not sure I would expect an English woman to have no backbone. So find mother’s position surprising. Not father’s though.
February 24, 2018
Whew! That was a whirlwind story full of lust, money, playboys and girls of their choosing....
March 16, 2018
This was okay, but I just found it hard to get into and really care about any of the characters unfortunately.
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