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Cinderella Seductions #1
A Cinderella to Secure His Heir
The Italian billionaire's vow:
She'll be his wife!
Alessio Palvetti will do anything to bring his young nephew into the family business. To secure his heir, he'll use his incredible chemistry with the boy's legal guardian, Beth Hardingstone, and command her to marry him! For Alessio, the Palvetti empire always comes first, but all orphaned Beth has ever wanted is to matter to someone. Will their intensely passionate marriage be enough for this innocent Cinderella?
Fall in love with this Cinderella story...
She'll be his wife!
Alessio Palvetti will do anything to bring his young nephew into the family business. To secure his heir, he'll use his incredible chemistry with the boy's legal guardian, Beth Hardingstone, and command her to marry him! For Alessio, the Palvetti empire always comes first, but all orphaned Beth has ever wanted is to matter to someone. Will their intensely passionate marriage be enough for this innocent Cinderella?
Fall in love with this Cinderella story...
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published April 16, 2019
163 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Smart
739 books258 followersMichelle Smart is a Publishers Weekly bestselling romance author with a slight-to-severe coffee addiction. With over four million copies of her books sold worldwide, Michelle is now embracing the indie book world to write the passionate romance books she knows her readers love whilst continuing to write for Harlequin Mills & Boon. She is also the author of Butterflies, a standalone romantic and humorous time travel novel set in the 1990s.
A bookworm since birth, Michelle can usually be found hiding behind a paperback, or if it’s an author she really loves, a hardback.
Michelle loves hearing from readers and can be contacted directly via her website.
A bookworm since birth, Michelle can usually be found hiding behind a paperback, or if it’s an author she really loves, a hardback.
Michelle loves hearing from readers and can be contacted directly via her website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
April 16, 2019
3.5 stars.
I think this is the second best novel from among all 8 that were released in this month's Harlequin Presents category. I've also started to wonder whether Harlequin Presents is gradually phasing out the asshole alpha H trope. That's because none of this month's 8 H's pushed the boundaries of bad behaviour.
This was an average month in HPlandia, with Carol Marinelli's awesome Claimed for the Sheikh's Shock Son topping all eight and Cathy Williams' Marriage Bargain with His Innocent being the only DNF, because I literally lost interest halfway. I'm tired of her re-writing the same MC's ( frumpy heroine and oblivious manwhore H ) in revisionist incarnations.
Michelle Smart is very popular among my Goodreads friends but she isn't one of my favourite HP authors. So, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself enjoying this marriage of convenience romance.
My Goodreads' friend Esther has written an excellent and comprehensive review, that covers all key points. You should check it out. I'm feeling very tired right now, so I'll just list some brief thoughts:
1. Alessio was am amazing H, who stood up for Beth and protected her from his mean relatives.
2. Beth was the self sacrificial Mary Sue heroine who wasn't a doormat. She was a soft and feminine character, who saved her battles for the important stuff. That's preferable to the many illogical shrews who argue just to be contrary.
3. The pacing of the plot was good, but I found that there was still too much dependence on internal monologues. That seems to be a growing trend in modern HPlandia.
4. The H's big, selfless sacrifice, at the end, made him seem a little clueless but it proved that he'd come a long way from the stoic but polite businessman he'd been at the beginning.
5. The nasty relative Gina was redeemed a little conveniently. In real life, people don't usually get rid of resentment so easily.
6. An intense reconciliation scene filled with tears and grovelling, was a worthy ending to this love story.
7. Interesting and tragic back stories for both MC's.
8. A cute epilogue that's focused on celebrating the MC's growing nuclear family, which includes 4 year old Dom, their 2 year old toddler Bruno and the unborn baby the heroine's carrying.
Safety: No cheating, no OW and no OM.
I think this is the second best novel from among all 8 that were released in this month's Harlequin Presents category. I've also started to wonder whether Harlequin Presents is gradually phasing out the asshole alpha H trope. That's because none of this month's 8 H's pushed the boundaries of bad behaviour.
This was an average month in HPlandia, with Carol Marinelli's awesome Claimed for the Sheikh's Shock Son topping all eight and Cathy Williams' Marriage Bargain with His Innocent being the only DNF, because I literally lost interest halfway. I'm tired of her re-writing the same MC's ( frumpy heroine and oblivious manwhore H ) in revisionist incarnations.
Michelle Smart is very popular among my Goodreads friends but she isn't one of my favourite HP authors. So, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself enjoying this marriage of convenience romance.
My Goodreads' friend Esther has written an excellent and comprehensive review, that covers all key points. You should check it out. I'm feeling very tired right now, so I'll just list some brief thoughts:
1. Alessio was am amazing H, who stood up for Beth and protected her from his mean relatives.
2. Beth was the self sacrificial Mary Sue heroine who wasn't a doormat. She was a soft and feminine character, who saved her battles for the important stuff. That's preferable to the many illogical shrews who argue just to be contrary.
3. The pacing of the plot was good, but I found that there was still too much dependence on internal monologues. That seems to be a growing trend in modern HPlandia.
4. The H's big, selfless sacrifice, at the end, made him seem a little clueless but it proved that he'd come a long way from the stoic but polite businessman he'd been at the beginning.
5. The nasty relative Gina was redeemed a little conveniently. In real life, people don't usually get rid of resentment so easily.
6. An intense reconciliation scene filled with tears and grovelling, was a worthy ending to this love story.
7. Interesting and tragic back stories for both MC's.
8. A cute epilogue that's focused on celebrating the MC's growing nuclear family, which includes 4 year old Dom, their 2 year old toddler Bruno and the unborn baby the heroine's carrying.
Safety: No cheating, no OW and no OM.
June 13, 2019
Why yes, I am on a bit of a crusade reading (Cinderella themed) Harlequin/M&B’s. I have no urge to read anything particularly long, am totally onboard with marriages of convenience, surprise pregnancies, virgins and wealthy Greek and Italian men with aching loins.
If there was a word to describe rampant male sexuality that word would be Alessio.”
I guzzled this up that fast I’m surprised I didn’t get indigestion, Michelle Smart writes said rampant male sexuality particularly well and that’s why I’ve just spent several of my very hard-earned English pounds on another half a dozen of her books.
If there was a word to describe rampant male sexuality that word would be Alessio.”
I guzzled this up that fast I’m surprised I didn’t get indigestion, Michelle Smart writes said rampant male sexuality particularly well and that’s why I’ve just spent several of my very hard-earned English pounds on another half a dozen of her books.
August 20, 2024
Reread-Just as good as the first time.
I even bought a hardcopy to keep.
ARC provided by NetGalley and Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a romantic, sweet, sexy and beautiful love story. The characters in the book were perfect.
Beth has been given custody of baby Dom. Dom's mother was Beths best friend and died of cancer (her husband died in a car crash). Dom's uncle, Alessio Palvetti has been harassing her for custody, offering large amounts of money, but she turns down all his offers and tells him to stop harassing her.
Beth has been off work for almost a year taking care of Dom, her funds are being to run low. She has been asked to do a special event in Viennese for a gentleman named Giannis, it was to be an outlandish masquerade ball for a large sum of money. Her contact is "Valente" (who in reality is Alessio). They communicated daily with emails and video calls. Beth was drawn to him immediately. The worked well together and even developed somewhat of a friendship.
Beth and Dom travel to Vienna. Valente picks her up and immediately Beth realizes that she is VERY drawn to Valente and that it will take a lot of will power to keep this professional and business like. As the ball draws near the attraction only intensifies and Valente is nothing but helpful and attentive. Everything runs smoothly and the day of the ball her and Valente definitely know there is something between them and sparks are flying. Beth is given a beautiful gown to wear for the ball (she questions her uniform but was told this was requested). Valente is by her side during the majority of the evening and towards the end lets her know she is now "off duty" and asks her to dance. The magic begins for the two. But as they head out to the terrace for the fire works later that evening Beth learns a shocking and frightful truth, a gentlemen comes up to them and calls Valente, Alessio (Alessio is furious as he was going to tell Beth later that night is true identity).
Alessio is Dom's brother. Dom was estranged from the family and Alessio didn't know of his death till months later. He learned also that he had a nephew and that his nephew was given custody to a woman name Beth (he was furious and hurt). Alessio had Beth investigated (he investigated the last 5years of her life throughly) and what he learned about her intrigued him. So he had his friend Giannis plan this ball and asked that Beth be the event planner for it. He wanted to find out who this woman really was that refused the large amounts of money he offered and seemed to truly care and love his nephew. So he devised the plan of being the go between and used an alias name (Alessio family was very secretive. They are a wealthy family that create and sell perfume and jewelry). But the more time he spends with Beth and got to know her he came up with a plan that would benefit them all. Alessio needed to marry here soon and Beth was a perfect fit for the Palvettis. But Alessio was finding that his emotions and the physical attraction was strong and Palvetiss do not marry for love, he needed to keep reminding himself of that. He felt terrible that Beth learned the truth in the shocking manner that she did. He wanted to present his plan in a calm and reasonable manner, believing she would see it was a win for all.
I'm not going to go into great detail from this point on because I'll pretty much tell the whole story at the rate I'm going here LOL. But I will say the two came to a mutual agreement to marry. Beth knowing that she could never lose or leave baby Dom. And she realized that Alessio presentation made sense and he was being accommodating to some of her request. The two really respected each other and their relationship was very adult like for an HP and I mean that in a good way. Allessio was an alpha male (for some readers here is an FYI~ he wasn't cruel or over the top Alpha) but yet the way he treated and cared for Beth melted my heart, he was an absolute hero in my book. And Beth was about the best heroine I read in a long time. She had a heart of gold.
The entire flow of the book was excellent, the storyline was very well written and the character development was very good. I loved both these two and their respect and caring for each other. The ending was emotional and so well done. But the epilogue was the best. So as you can see, I loved this HP. Highly recommend!!!!!! I still have a happy smile 24hours later after reading this.
I even bought a hardcopy to keep.
ARC provided by NetGalley and Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a romantic, sweet, sexy and beautiful love story. The characters in the book were perfect.
Beth has been given custody of baby Dom. Dom's mother was Beths best friend and died of cancer (her husband died in a car crash). Dom's uncle, Alessio Palvetti has been harassing her for custody, offering large amounts of money, but she turns down all his offers and tells him to stop harassing her.
Beth has been off work for almost a year taking care of Dom, her funds are being to run low. She has been asked to do a special event in Viennese for a gentleman named Giannis, it was to be an outlandish masquerade ball for a large sum of money. Her contact is "Valente" (who in reality is Alessio). They communicated daily with emails and video calls. Beth was drawn to him immediately. The worked well together and even developed somewhat of a friendship.
Beth and Dom travel to Vienna. Valente picks her up and immediately Beth realizes that she is VERY drawn to Valente and that it will take a lot of will power to keep this professional and business like. As the ball draws near the attraction only intensifies and Valente is nothing but helpful and attentive. Everything runs smoothly and the day of the ball her and Valente definitely know there is something between them and sparks are flying. Beth is given a beautiful gown to wear for the ball (she questions her uniform but was told this was requested). Valente is by her side during the majority of the evening and towards the end lets her know she is now "off duty" and asks her to dance. The magic begins for the two. But as they head out to the terrace for the fire works later that evening Beth learns a shocking and frightful truth, a gentlemen comes up to them and calls Valente, Alessio (Alessio is furious as he was going to tell Beth later that night is true identity).
Alessio is Dom's brother. Dom was estranged from the family and Alessio didn't know of his death till months later. He learned also that he had a nephew and that his nephew was given custody to a woman name Beth (he was furious and hurt). Alessio had Beth investigated (he investigated the last 5years of her life throughly) and what he learned about her intrigued him. So he had his friend Giannis plan this ball and asked that Beth be the event planner for it. He wanted to find out who this woman really was that refused the large amounts of money he offered and seemed to truly care and love his nephew. So he devised the plan of being the go between and used an alias name (Alessio family was very secretive. They are a wealthy family that create and sell perfume and jewelry). But the more time he spends with Beth and got to know her he came up with a plan that would benefit them all. Alessio needed to marry here soon and Beth was a perfect fit for the Palvettis. But Alessio was finding that his emotions and the physical attraction was strong and Palvetiss do not marry for love, he needed to keep reminding himself of that. He felt terrible that Beth learned the truth in the shocking manner that she did. He wanted to present his plan in a calm and reasonable manner, believing she would see it was a win for all.
I'm not going to go into great detail from this point on because I'll pretty much tell the whole story at the rate I'm going here LOL. But I will say the two came to a mutual agreement to marry. Beth knowing that she could never lose or leave baby Dom. And she realized that Alessio presentation made sense and he was being accommodating to some of her request. The two really respected each other and their relationship was very adult like for an HP and I mean that in a good way. Allessio was an alpha male (for some readers here is an FYI~ he wasn't cruel or over the top Alpha) but yet the way he treated and cared for Beth melted my heart, he was an absolute hero in my book. And Beth was about the best heroine I read in a long time. She had a heart of gold.
The entire flow of the book was excellent, the storyline was very well written and the character development was very good. I loved both these two and their respect and caring for each other. The ending was emotional and so well done. But the epilogue was the best. So as you can see, I loved this HP. Highly recommend!!!!!! I still have a happy smile 24hours later after reading this.
April 21, 2019
It was mediocre. Hero and heroine had zero chemistry. Hero was not alpha or sexy. Love scenes were lame. Disappointing! I usually love this author's books. Safe! Heroine was a virgin and hero was not a manwhore.
May 3, 2019
"A Cinderella to Secure His Heir" is the story of Beth and Alessio.
An age old HQN plot, where the H wants to claim his orphaned nephew, who is under the guardianship of the heroine, and goes around manipulating her to obtain the Palvetti heir.
Our h was left incharge of Dom, who she considers as her own child- having taken care of him since birth- when her beloved foster sister post partum from a terminal disease. When Dom's family tries to bribe her into giving him up, she ignores them until the H weasels his way into her life by lying to her. He soon manipulates her into marrying him, threatening to take the baby away if she doesn't, and she reluctantly agrees. I think everyone can predict what happens then.
I had quite a few problems with this one. The main one- THE HERO. He was pompous, cynical and utterly heartless. I did not like him at all, and his sudden realization of love in the end left me more confused than satisfied. The scenes that followed later were even more absurd. My heart broke for all what the h had gone through, and that she had to end up with this bastard, when all she wanted was to love and provide for Dom. Why was everyone whining privately, instead of COMMUNICATING with one another?! Humbug!
Nope.
Safe
1.5/5
An age old HQN plot, where the H wants to claim his orphaned nephew, who is under the guardianship of the heroine, and goes around manipulating her to obtain the Palvetti heir.
Our h was left incharge of Dom, who she considers as her own child- having taken care of him since birth- when her beloved foster sister post partum from a terminal disease. When Dom's family tries to bribe her into giving him up, she ignores them until the H weasels his way into her life by lying to her. He soon manipulates her into marrying him, threatening to take the baby away if she doesn't, and she reluctantly agrees. I think everyone can predict what happens then.
I had quite a few problems with this one. The main one- THE HERO. He was pompous, cynical and utterly heartless. I did not like him at all, and his sudden realization of love in the end left me more confused than satisfied. The scenes that followed later were even more absurd. My heart broke for all what the h had gone through, and that she had to end up with this bastard, when all she wanted was to love and provide for Dom. Why was everyone whining privately, instead of COMMUNICATING with one another?! Humbug!
Nope.
Safe
1.5/5
May 11, 2019
Marriage of convenience stories between a poor virgin and a powerful, wealthy hero are hard to pull off in a contemporary story but MS manages it beautifully. Heroine is the legal guardian of the hero’s nephew. (Hero’s brother died in a motorcycle accident while his wife was pregnant. Heroine’s foster sister died of cancer a few months after giving birth, leaving her son an orphan.)
Events planner heroine has taken care of hero’s nephew for almost a year when the chance to plan a ball in Venice puts her in the hero’s orbit. Hero has been corresponding with the heroine for six weeks under an assumed name. He is planning on marrying her to secure custody of his nephew, but he wants to get to know her first.
Heroine falls for hero right away. Hero is very attracted as well. It all looks promising until the hero’s true identity is outed at the ball in Venice.
It doesn’t matter because heroine is strong-armed into marrying the H and learning the family jewelry business.
That was a nice twist, since heroine was expected to pull her own weight and not just be a trophy wife. It was also an interesting examination of work/life balance – a test the hero failed a few times before he clued in.
No major angst or cruelty here. Just two people getting to know each other after marriage instead of before.
Events planner heroine has taken care of hero’s nephew for almost a year when the chance to plan a ball in Venice puts her in the hero’s orbit. Hero has been corresponding with the heroine for six weeks under an assumed name. He is planning on marrying her to secure custody of his nephew, but he wants to get to know her first.
Heroine falls for hero right away. Hero is very attracted as well. It all looks promising until the hero’s true identity is outed at the ball in Venice.
It doesn’t matter because heroine is strong-armed into marrying the H and learning the family jewelry business.
That was a nice twist, since heroine was expected to pull her own weight and not just be a trophy wife. It was also an interesting examination of work/life balance – a test the hero failed a few times before he clued in.
No major angst or cruelty here. Just two people getting to know each other after marriage instead of before.
May 21, 2019
Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined Alessio Palvetti could be so selfless. And understanding.
And boring. No slut shame, no angst, no jealousy. Where are my vintage HPs with cruel heroes? Lol
And boring. No slut shame, no angst, no jealousy. Where are my vintage HPs with cruel heroes? Lol
June 23, 2019
3.5 stars.
Saccharin sweet HP.
Loved the epilogue.
Saccharin sweet HP.
Loved the epilogue.
August 4, 2019
Alessio Palvetti will do anything to gain custody of his nephew and raise his dead brother's child with the family fortune, influence and priviledge...every thing his brother did not approve of, what his brother wanted to keep his child away from. He didn't want his child to be raised with the pressure that was placed on him to learn the family business from the time he was born.
Beth Hardingstone became the legal guardian of her best friends baby. Her best friend was married to Alessio Palvetti's brother and he detested his family because all they cared about was the family business. Business came before everything and none of them believed in love. Beth's best friend had been diagnosed when she was pregnant with a hereditary type of breast cancer that three of her relatives had parished from. Her husband was so broken hearted that he had a motorcycle accident after drinking too much and he died. A few months later his wife followed him in death and the child was left to Beth to raise for a lifetime. This is a decision the parents had labored over and they knew Beth could give their child the love they wanted him to have. They knew the father's family would leave the raising of their child to nannies and governesses. This was something that was very harmful to the youngest son and he didn't want it repeated to his own baby son.
After finding out that his brother was in fact dead as well as his wife he was furious that a stranger would be raising his nephew and schemed to get custody. He ended up blackmailing the heroine to marry him or else lose the child. He was ready to steal the child away.
What I did not care for concerning the story is that the entire focus became the family business! All wives were required to be business partners with their husbands, meaning they went to work every day, seven days a week, most of the time not arriving home until after their children were already in bed for the night. Those spouses were expected to take a big chunk of responsibility in the business leaving their children to the nannies to raise. This infuriated me. I have never heard of any family making such demands on a new spouse coming into the family. That spouse would have been chosen for what they could add to the family business and if they didn't fit the mold...well it seemed there was no other option. They never considered what the new wife would want and didn't care as long as she followed how the family did things.
I was also troubled that the h loved the child so much then barely saw him only on weekends because she did demand to be off some to mother him, but only on the weekends. Where did the woman who loved this child beyond reason disappear to? Why did she let the husband/family force her to work in the family business?
When our H began to see that this was a positive step his wife was making by spending more time with the children he thought he was getting too soft and then tried to push her from his life.
I recommend this book.
Beth Hardingstone became the legal guardian of her best friends baby. Her best friend was married to Alessio Palvetti's brother and he detested his family because all they cared about was the family business. Business came before everything and none of them believed in love. Beth's best friend had been diagnosed when she was pregnant with a hereditary type of breast cancer that three of her relatives had parished from. Her husband was so broken hearted that he had a motorcycle accident after drinking too much and he died. A few months later his wife followed him in death and the child was left to Beth to raise for a lifetime. This is a decision the parents had labored over and they knew Beth could give their child the love they wanted him to have. They knew the father's family would leave the raising of their child to nannies and governesses. This was something that was very harmful to the youngest son and he didn't want it repeated to his own baby son.
After finding out that his brother was in fact dead as well as his wife he was furious that a stranger would be raising his nephew and schemed to get custody. He ended up blackmailing the heroine to marry him or else lose the child. He was ready to steal the child away.
What I did not care for concerning the story is that the entire focus became the family business! All wives were required to be business partners with their husbands, meaning they went to work every day, seven days a week, most of the time not arriving home until after their children were already in bed for the night. Those spouses were expected to take a big chunk of responsibility in the business leaving their children to the nannies to raise. This infuriated me. I have never heard of any family making such demands on a new spouse coming into the family. That spouse would have been chosen for what they could add to the family business and if they didn't fit the mold...well it seemed there was no other option. They never considered what the new wife would want and didn't care as long as she followed how the family did things.
I was also troubled that the h loved the child so much then barely saw him only on weekends because she did demand to be off some to mother him, but only on the weekends. Where did the woman who loved this child beyond reason disappear to? Why did she let the husband/family force her to work in the family business?
When our H began to see that this was a positive step his wife was making by spending more time with the children he thought he was getting too soft and then tried to push her from his life.
I recommend this book.
September 25, 2022
Nice story. Liked both H and h.
April 6, 2019
What the heck was up with the ending? It was just soooo ... abrupt.
The book was ok. It didn’t wow me or blow me away. It was mediocre. I just couldn’t get into the story or feel any chemistry between the h and H. They were not strong or memorable. Their story was the same. And then the ending annoyed me.
Really disappointed.
The book was ok. It didn’t wow me or blow me away. It was mediocre. I just couldn’t get into the story or feel any chemistry between the h and H. They were not strong or memorable. Their story was the same. And then the ending annoyed me.
Really disappointed.
March 27, 2019
Talk about an amazing story this is one. Beth Hardingstone can't seem to cut a break. Sadly losing her parents and having been put in foster care should have been enough. However she befriends her foster care sister thinking life finally will be good. Not happening, Domenico Palvetti who wants nothing to do with his family in Italy, finds out that his wife Caroline is diagnosed with cancer that she refuses to get treatment as she is pregnant. To protect the child in case something happens to them they make a will and make Beth guardian to their unborn child. Probably not necessary. When Domenico is killed in a motorcycle accident before the birth of their child and Caroline passes right after Beth knows she must keep the child safe from the Palvetti family. Financially in a bind she takes a job as an event planner in a castle and has no idea that the person using a fake name is the uncle to the child and his goal is to get the child back into the fold of the Palvetti family. Sounds cut and dried but this is an incredible story of family and Beth's love for the child and Ms. Smart wraps you up into an fantastic story of two people truly finding each other and how some things are not written in stone. Loved it from the first page a book not to be missed
April 29, 2019
3.5 stars
A good read with likable characters and sweet epilogue.
A good read with likable characters and sweet epilogue.
April 17, 2019
I’m enjoying Michelle Smart’s conceit in her latest HP series: “Cinderella” heroine and wealthy hero, especially because the Cinderella brings the “prince” to his feet. In Smart’s latest, A Cinderella To Secure His Heir, the Cinderella in question is 24-year-old Beth Hardingstone, a product of the foster system who made a career out of event planning. She has fallen on hard times, however, because she had to leave her job to care for baby Dom, entrusted to her after the death of best friend and fellow fosteree, Caroline Palvetti. Dom’s father, Domenico, also dead, in a motorcycle accident, is the hero’s, Alessio Palvetti’s, estranged older brother “RIP”.
When the novel opens, Alessio has deceived Beth into coming to Vienna, for quite a sum of money, to organize a Viennese ball for Alessio’s business partner and friend. Under the guise of working as Alessio’s assistant, Valente Cortada, aka Alessio himself, arranged for Beth’s job and transport, with baby Dom in tow. Thankfully, Valente reveals his identity pronto and moves to Phase 2 of his plan: threaten Beth with fighting her for Dom’s custody (a nebulous claim, but hey, it’s an HP and I’ll bypass laws and last wishes if I want to) unless she marry him.
Alessio is a workaholic, devoted, like all the Palvettis, except for Dominic Sr., to the success and expansion of their exclusive perfumery and jewelry empire. Family and a place in the family business mean everything. Alessio wants to claim Dom, groom him, as all Palvettis are, for a future in the business, and marry a competent, career-minded woman, who can easily integrate into the family ethos. With Beth, he kills many birds: mommy for Dom, loyal employee for the Palvetti empire, sexy wife between the sheets. Possibly, Beth will refuse and leave Dom to Alessio. She doesn’t. Alessio is surprised at Beth’s love for and devotion to Dom and glad to have found a wife so motherly, sexy, and event-planner-extraordinaire.
In Smart’s usual and sympathetic insouciance, Alessio and Beth follow HP conventions, but on Smart’s terms. Beth may be a virgin, but I found her and Alessio’s wedding night tender and realistic, honest and trope-upending. Stars may burst and the earth may shake, but there’s a candour to Beth and Alessio’s conversation that I loved. I was also delightfully surprised at the work-home-life conflict that arose in Alessio and Beth’s young marriage. Alessio expected Beth to become a full partner in his business and, like his and his siblings’ childhoods, leave the child-rearing to nannies. I thought Beth’s holding out for work-life balance and her desire to spend time with Dom, to nurture and mother, made for a compelling conflict, which is, btw, organically and believably resolved because of who Alessio and Beth are.
Smart created a hero and heroine who are reasonable and thoughtful. They evolve in their relationship because they’re able to listen to the other, take in their point of view, admit when they’re wrong, and change. Alessio and Beth are still glamorous and sexy, but it’s not the most important thing about them or this HP. The glamor and luxury are trappings for two flawed, vulnerable people working out their relationship. Unfortunately, the dark moment arrives when Alessio turns himself into a sacrificial lamb without consulting Beth on whether she wants to partake of his particular feast of self-flagelation. Fortunately, Beth’s cooler head prevails — after she delivers Alessio a glorious dressing down.
I think Smart’s previous Cinderella, The Sicilian’s Bought Cinderella might out-good the present volume. There might’ve been more compelling development between the characters? Aislin and Dante might have been more vibrant? What I do know and can say is that Smart, whose only matches are Lynne Graham and Sarah Morgan in HP incarnation, is writing clever, funny, tender, and emotionally savvy romances, within a category too often rife with emotional shortcuts, cardboard cut-out characterization, and trite thematic treatment. With Miss Austen, we agree A Cinderella to Secure His Heir offers “a mind lively and at ease,” Emma.
Michelle Smart’s A Cinderella To Secure His Heir is published by Harlequin Books. It releases today, April 16, and may be found at your preferred vendor. I received an e-ARC from Harlequin Books, via Netgalley.
When the novel opens, Alessio has deceived Beth into coming to Vienna, for quite a sum of money, to organize a Viennese ball for Alessio’s business partner and friend. Under the guise of working as Alessio’s assistant, Valente Cortada, aka Alessio himself, arranged for Beth’s job and transport, with baby Dom in tow. Thankfully, Valente reveals his identity pronto and moves to Phase 2 of his plan: threaten Beth with fighting her for Dom’s custody (a nebulous claim, but hey, it’s an HP and I’ll bypass laws and last wishes if I want to) unless she marry him.
Alessio is a workaholic, devoted, like all the Palvettis, except for Dominic Sr., to the success and expansion of their exclusive perfumery and jewelry empire. Family and a place in the family business mean everything. Alessio wants to claim Dom, groom him, as all Palvettis are, for a future in the business, and marry a competent, career-minded woman, who can easily integrate into the family ethos. With Beth, he kills many birds: mommy for Dom, loyal employee for the Palvetti empire, sexy wife between the sheets. Possibly, Beth will refuse and leave Dom to Alessio. She doesn’t. Alessio is surprised at Beth’s love for and devotion to Dom and glad to have found a wife so motherly, sexy, and event-planner-extraordinaire.
In Smart’s usual and sympathetic insouciance, Alessio and Beth follow HP conventions, but on Smart’s terms. Beth may be a virgin, but I found her and Alessio’s wedding night tender and realistic, honest and trope-upending. Stars may burst and the earth may shake, but there’s a candour to Beth and Alessio’s conversation that I loved. I was also delightfully surprised at the work-home-life conflict that arose in Alessio and Beth’s young marriage. Alessio expected Beth to become a full partner in his business and, like his and his siblings’ childhoods, leave the child-rearing to nannies. I thought Beth’s holding out for work-life balance and her desire to spend time with Dom, to nurture and mother, made for a compelling conflict, which is, btw, organically and believably resolved because of who Alessio and Beth are.
Smart created a hero and heroine who are reasonable and thoughtful. They evolve in their relationship because they’re able to listen to the other, take in their point of view, admit when they’re wrong, and change. Alessio and Beth are still glamorous and sexy, but it’s not the most important thing about them or this HP. The glamor and luxury are trappings for two flawed, vulnerable people working out their relationship. Unfortunately, the dark moment arrives when Alessio turns himself into a sacrificial lamb without consulting Beth on whether she wants to partake of his particular feast of self-flagelation. Fortunately, Beth’s cooler head prevails — after she delivers Alessio a glorious dressing down.
I think Smart’s previous Cinderella, The Sicilian’s Bought Cinderella might out-good the present volume. There might’ve been more compelling development between the characters? Aislin and Dante might have been more vibrant? What I do know and can say is that Smart, whose only matches are Lynne Graham and Sarah Morgan in HP incarnation, is writing clever, funny, tender, and emotionally savvy romances, within a category too often rife with emotional shortcuts, cardboard cut-out characterization, and trite thematic treatment. With Miss Austen, we agree A Cinderella to Secure His Heir offers “a mind lively and at ease,” Emma.
Michelle Smart’s A Cinderella To Secure His Heir is published by Harlequin Books. It releases today, April 16, and may be found at your preferred vendor. I received an e-ARC from Harlequin Books, via Netgalley.
May 1, 2019
A Cinderella to Secure his Heir by Michelle Smart is a passionate romance for a wealthy Italian determined to claim his nephew back into the family fold, even if it means marriage to the child’s guardian.
Alessio Palvetti isn’t above a little subterfuge to get his nephew Dom into Palvetti hands. When his estranged brother and sister-in-law had passed away and granted guardianship to their friend Beth Hardingstone, he’d had her investigated and she clearly had the attributes needed to be part of the family. But he’d had to pretend to be someone else to lure her to Vienna under the guise of planning a society event through her company before telling her the truth.
Beth loves the little boy who’s come into her care and still grieves the loss of her friends. Domenico had told such horror stories about his family that she had rebuffed any communication from his brother Alessio. She never suspected that the event she was planning was actually all a plot to get her onto Palvetti territory. She’s frightened when she finds out the truth, worried that Alessio (whom she’d been feeling rather attracted to in his false identity) will take baby Dom away from her. Instead, Alessio offers her a deal. He’ll let her continue to be Dom’s guardian and in return she’ll get marriage, a job with Palvetti’s jewelry and perfumery business, money and societal prestige, and passionate sensual nights – but not love. Alessio doesn’t do love. Beth accepts the offer, but can she convince Alessio that they could have so much more if he’d be willing to open his heart?
For more of this review please visit Harlequin Junkie: https://harlequinjunkie.com/review-a-...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.
Alessio Palvetti isn’t above a little subterfuge to get his nephew Dom into Palvetti hands. When his estranged brother and sister-in-law had passed away and granted guardianship to their friend Beth Hardingstone, he’d had her investigated and she clearly had the attributes needed to be part of the family. But he’d had to pretend to be someone else to lure her to Vienna under the guise of planning a society event through her company before telling her the truth.
Beth loves the little boy who’s come into her care and still grieves the loss of her friends. Domenico had told such horror stories about his family that she had rebuffed any communication from his brother Alessio. She never suspected that the event she was planning was actually all a plot to get her onto Palvetti territory. She’s frightened when she finds out the truth, worried that Alessio (whom she’d been feeling rather attracted to in his false identity) will take baby Dom away from her. Instead, Alessio offers her a deal. He’ll let her continue to be Dom’s guardian and in return she’ll get marriage, a job with Palvetti’s jewelry and perfumery business, money and societal prestige, and passionate sensual nights – but not love. Alessio doesn’t do love. Beth accepts the offer, but can she convince Alessio that they could have so much more if he’d be willing to open his heart?
For more of this review please visit Harlequin Junkie: https://harlequinjunkie.com/review-a-...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.
June 19, 2019
Marriage of convenience type of storylines is not a favourite of mine, however this one was rather good. In spite of the MOC, this book was sweet and romantic, and a beautiful love story. Alessio was very kind to Beth and he was always trying to protect from his mean relatives. A great epilogue tied the book up rather well. Another wonderful read by this author.
April 5, 2019
The Italian billionaire’s vow:
She’ll be his wife!
Alessio Palvetti will do anything to bring his young nephew into the family business. To secure his heir, he’ll use his incredible chemistry with the boy’s legal guardian, Beth Hardingstone, and command her to marry him! For Alessio, the Palvetti empire always comes first, but all orphaned Beth has ever wanted is to matter to someone. Will their intensely passionate marriage be enough for this innocent Cinderella?
Fall in love with this Cinderella story
She’ll be his wife!
Alessio Palvetti will do anything to bring his young nephew into the family business. To secure his heir, he’ll use his incredible chemistry with the boy’s legal guardian, Beth Hardingstone, and command her to marry him! For Alessio, the Palvetti empire always comes first, but all orphaned Beth has ever wanted is to matter to someone. Will their intensely passionate marriage be enough for this innocent Cinderella?
Fall in love with this Cinderella story
May 1, 2019
l love it!!
January 12, 2020
Interesting reading ... H who comes from an emotionless family and tbh I got tired of him carping on about how his family was so efficient and businesslike ... it was like he came from a genetically engineered family where partners were selected to work in the business and produce a superior brand of offspring ...
it was good to see a h who actively fought for the little child ...
H made up for his robot behavior with his defence of the h so it worked out for me ...
it was good to see a h who actively fought for the little child ...
H made up for his robot behavior with his defence of the h so it worked out for me ...
June 28, 2019
Modern Romance May 2019: Books 1-4
You could read this book for free on Google Play Books and Amazon Kindle provided by HarperCollins UK.
Hope something more suspense or exciting story development. I know it's difficult to write this kind of novel, for we already know the ending must be a "happy ending". But we also need something different for this kind of novel.
You could read this book for free on Google Play Books and Amazon Kindle provided by HarperCollins UK.
Hope something more suspense or exciting story development. I know it's difficult to write this kind of novel, for we already know the ending must be a "happy ending". But we also need something different for this kind of novel.
January 4, 2020
3.5 stars
May 5, 2019
A Cinderella to Secure His Heir by Michelle Smart is book 1 in the Cinderella Seductions Series. This is the story of Beth Hardingstone and Alessio Palvetti.
Beth's best friend died which gave her guardianship of her friends son Dom, due to that the father has also past also. Alessio is Dom's Uncle and would like custody of the child. When Alessio uses another name to go under the radar to build trust and get to know Beth they start to fall for each other until the truth is found out.
Classic Harlequin Romance...loved it.
Beth's best friend died which gave her guardianship of her friends son Dom, due to that the father has also past also. Alessio is Dom's Uncle and would like custody of the child. When Alessio uses another name to go under the radar to build trust and get to know Beth they start to fall for each other until the truth is found out.
Classic Harlequin Romance...loved it.
April 18, 2019
Privilege heartbreak loss are all part of this emotional romance. wonderful read.
February 1, 2019
Alessio is going to have so much learning to do about his woman, she's not intimidated by him what so ever, ‘me?’ He’d never held a child in his life. That was what nannies and other childcare workers were for. She gave him a look that showed how unimpressed she was and thrust his nephew forward to him.' Alessio is always willing to give his woman reassurance, ‘listen to me,’ he said quietly. ‘You look beautiful. Your dress is perfect. Your hair is perfect. Nothing is going to go wrong.’ I liked this book, I really like Alessio.
August 3, 2020
Sometimes i need to cleanse my mental palate with some HP
I notice whenever life gets too traumatic, these refreshing, simple and classic romances are a great mental recalibration. This book was no different
Lovely heroine who has taken the custody of her soul-sisters child. And a hero who wants his nephew, but he also wants the woman that comes with the little guy.
The passion was great and I loved the heroine’s self-respect and courage.
I notice whenever life gets too traumatic, these refreshing, simple and classic romances are a great mental recalibration. This book was no different
Lovely heroine who has taken the custody of her soul-sisters child. And a hero who wants his nephew, but he also wants the woman that comes with the little guy.
The passion was great and I loved the heroine’s self-respect and courage.
August 6, 2021
This is a 5 star because the hero is really nice and not in a boring way. And also we have an English heroine who doesn't argue all the time , nice for a change...
July 4, 2019
Beth and Caroline were fostered together. Caroline married Domenico Palvetti, a musician shunned by his rich family (jewelry ,Milan ). Now the pair is dead, leaving Beth as the legal guardian of their baby son, Dom.
Beth is offered a job to organize a Viennese masquerade -she is an event planner. So Beth travels to Vienna with the baby. She meets Alessio, Domenico's older brother, there,using a pseudonym.Domenico ,who died over an year ago, had no contacts with his family for the last 4 years and wanted his child as far as possible from his brother.
Alessio heads the family business ,being CEO .He wants his nephew to grow up in Milan and offers to marry Beth.She is angry about his name deceit, but agrees to marry him.
Beth learns that al wives are expected to join the business .Alessio's cousin Gina dislikes Beth and looks down at her. Gina mentions the boarding school in England all Palvetti kids go to at 10-11.Beth is vehement -no boarding school for Dom.
Beth organise a special party at Lake Como for a few select clients. The party is a success and Gina apologizes to her.At the same time Alessio offers Beth her freedom...
Set mostly in Milan, the pair has different views on parenting due to their upbringing. Beth learns Alessio's version of the events which happened 4 years ago-nothing is black and white.And Alessio weeps at one point- for not being closer to his brother, not taking interest in his life.
And Beth is like Cinderella- from poverty to riches, with several balls thrown in .But is Alessio Prince Charming ?
Beth is offered a job to organize a Viennese masquerade -she is an event planner. So Beth travels to Vienna with the baby. She meets Alessio, Domenico's older brother, there,using a pseudonym.Domenico ,who died over an year ago, had no contacts with his family for the last 4 years and wanted his child as far as possible from his brother.
Alessio heads the family business ,being CEO .He wants his nephew to grow up in Milan and offers to marry Beth.She is angry about his name deceit, but agrees to marry him.
Beth learns that al wives are expected to join the business .Alessio's cousin Gina dislikes Beth and looks down at her. Gina mentions the boarding school in England all Palvetti kids go to at 10-11.Beth is vehement -no boarding school for Dom.
Beth organise a special party at Lake Como for a few select clients. The party is a success and Gina apologizes to her.At the same time Alessio offers Beth her freedom...
Set mostly in Milan, the pair has different views on parenting due to their upbringing. Beth learns Alessio's version of the events which happened 4 years ago-nothing is black and white.And Alessio weeps at one point- for not being closer to his brother, not taking interest in his life.
And Beth is like Cinderella- from poverty to riches, with several balls thrown in .But is Alessio Prince Charming ?
April 11, 2019
Growing up in foster care, all Beth Hardingstone ever wanted was to be loved and part of a family, so when her foster sister names her guardian of her infant son before she dies, she is determined to give him all of the love she never got as a child. She is also determined to keep her son out of the clutches of his birth father's family, no matter how much money they offer her to walk away.
Alessio Palvetti is stunned to learn that, not only has has younger brother been dead for a year, but he left a son behind. When he discovers that the child has been left in the care of a guardian, and that the mother is also dead, he assumes she will be more than happy to give him the responsibility of the boy. When she turns down every overture, he begins to look at her differently. He works out a scheme to get her and the boy onto his home turf, then proposes marriage as the only viable solution. He knows he's getting a woman he desires, but can he convince her that life with him is a prize to be excited about?
I really liked this one. Beth is fierce in her love for baby Dom, and Alessio is basically clueless to what makes her tick. He's never really felt love, so doesn't recognize it when it smacks him between the eyes. What happens when Beth opens his heart and makes him see that blackmail isn't really the way to a girl's heart?
Alessio Palvetti is stunned to learn that, not only has has younger brother been dead for a year, but he left a son behind. When he discovers that the child has been left in the care of a guardian, and that the mother is also dead, he assumes she will be more than happy to give him the responsibility of the boy. When she turns down every overture, he begins to look at her differently. He works out a scheme to get her and the boy onto his home turf, then proposes marriage as the only viable solution. He knows he's getting a woman he desires, but can he convince her that life with him is a prize to be excited about?
I really liked this one. Beth is fierce in her love for baby Dom, and Alessio is basically clueless to what makes her tick. He's never really felt love, so doesn't recognize it when it smacks him between the eyes. What happens when Beth opens his heart and makes him see that blackmail isn't really the way to a girl's heart?
March 25, 2021
A Cinderella to Secure His Heir is the first installment in the Cinderella Seductions. I loved the storyline and how creative Ms. Smart was with this romance story. The characters were easy to fall in love with. Alessio and Beth were very different they were raised different and I could tell that Beth came from a loving family and Alessio didn’t have the same upbringing. Alessio was raised by nannies and then boarding school he didn’t have the parents that raised him with their own hands. Then there was Beth even though she lost her parents at a very young age she knew what love was and that is exactly what she wanted for her bestfriend or should I say sister’s son. Dom was a beautiful little boy that deserved everything a little boy could want but what he should have is unconditional love and an upbringing by loving parents. Beth is willing to leave everything behind and be Alessio’s wife if that means she can be with Dom. The only part of Alessio’s plan was not to fall in love with Beth and his brother’s son Dom. That little boy melted his heart and, in the process, he also realized that he fell in love with his wife. He didn’t think he deserved her so what does he do he spews so many lies that Beth runs. I truly enjoyed this read and I can’t wait to read more books by Ms. Smart.
June 7, 2020
5 star worthy! Really sweet MOC story about two souls who deserved all the love! Beth is the legal guardian of little Dom who has lost both his parents. Dom’s uncle who belongs to one of the wealthiest families in Italy has just found out that his brother left behind a little boy. This brother was estranged from the rest of his family and hence no one knew about Dom.
Now the uncle wants the remnants of the memory of his deceased brother to have a permanent place in his life. He tries to reason with Beth to give up Dom but she’s impossible to convince. Now Alessio the H, has no other option but to outplay Beth and have her work for him and hence get close to Dom and maybe device a plan to have custody of him.
There’s a MOC and I’ve to say it was a sweet read. Alessio was an alpha husband but maybe too focused on pushing a working-spouse agenda on Beth. Inwardly Beth may have wanted a respite from working around the clock to meet her financial needs and would have much preferred to spend time with Dom. While they weren’t my favourite from this writer, the mc’s were nice and sweet! I was glad to see Beth come run back to her HEA.
Now the uncle wants the remnants of the memory of his deceased brother to have a permanent place in his life. He tries to reason with Beth to give up Dom but she’s impossible to convince. Now Alessio the H, has no other option but to outplay Beth and have her work for him and hence get close to Dom and maybe device a plan to have custody of him.
There’s a MOC and I’ve to say it was a sweet read. Alessio was an alpha husband but maybe too focused on pushing a working-spouse agenda on Beth. Inwardly Beth may have wanted a respite from working around the clock to meet her financial needs and would have much preferred to spend time with Dom. While they weren’t my favourite from this writer, the mc’s were nice and sweet! I was glad to see Beth come run back to her HEA.
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