What do you think?
Rate this book
Italian Prince, Wedlocked Wife
Single mom Lucy Abbott is working as many hours as she can, but still can barely afford to feed her baby daughter.Then Prince Maximo d'Aquilla offers her millions, and a way out of her desperate life. Max whisks her away to Italy...and soon she's totally his
Max has seduced her completely. But is he driven by revenge, or desire? And is he ruthless enough to walk away from his captive bride?
Max has seduced her completely. But is he driven by revenge, or desire? And is he ruthless enough to walk away from his captive bride?
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 2008
47 people are currently reading
300 people want to read
About the author
Jennie Lucas
554 books331 followersJennie Lucas had a tragic beginning for any would-be writer: a very happy childhood. Her parents owned a bookstore, and she grew up surrounded by books, dreaming about faraway lands. Her mother read aloud to her in French when she was little; when she was ten, her father secretly paid her a dollar for every classic novel (Jane Eyre, War and Peace) that she read. As a chubby teenager, Jennie covered her bedroom with travel posters and always had her nose in a book.
At fifteen, she went to a Connecticut boarding school on scholarship. She took her first solo trip to Europe at sixteen, then put off college and traveled around the U.S., supporting herself with jobs as diverse as gas station cashier and newspaper advertising assistant.
At 22, she met the man who would be her husband. For the first time in her life, she wanted to stay in one place, as long as she could be with him. After their marriage, she graduated from Kent State University with a degree in English, and started writing books a year later.
Jennie was a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart contest in 2003 and won the award in 2005. A fellow 2003 finalist, Australian author Trish Morey, read Jennie’s writing and told her that she should write for Harlequin Presents. It seemed like too big a dream, but Jennie took a deep breath and went for it. A year later, after seven years of writing and eight finished manuscripts, Jennie got the magical call from London that turned her into a published author.
Since then, life has been hectic, juggling a writing career, a sexy husband and two young children, but Jennie loves her crazy, chaotic life. Who needs a clean house? Every day, Jennie gets swept into drama, glamour and passion. Now if she can only figure out how to pack up her family and live in all the places she’s writing about!
At fifteen, she went to a Connecticut boarding school on scholarship. She took her first solo trip to Europe at sixteen, then put off college and traveled around the U.S., supporting herself with jobs as diverse as gas station cashier and newspaper advertising assistant.
At 22, she met the man who would be her husband. For the first time in her life, she wanted to stay in one place, as long as she could be with him. After their marriage, she graduated from Kent State University with a degree in English, and started writing books a year later.
Jennie was a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart contest in 2003 and won the award in 2005. A fellow 2003 finalist, Australian author Trish Morey, read Jennie’s writing and told her that she should write for Harlequin Presents. It seemed like too big a dream, but Jennie took a deep breath and went for it. A year later, after seven years of writing and eight finished manuscripts, Jennie got the magical call from London that turned her into a published author.
Since then, life has been hectic, juggling a writing career, a sexy husband and two young children, but Jennie loves her crazy, chaotic life. Who needs a clean house? Every day, Jennie gets swept into drama, glamour and passion. Now if she can only figure out how to pack up her family and live in all the places she’s writing about!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
November 9, 2018
This story started out as a Cinderella meets Prince (not so) Charming but later evolves into a Romeo Juliet type family feud and intrigue. It was mostly a sweet and easy flowing story with the h holding it up with her sense and sensibility. I liked her independence and refusal to be easily swayed by the manipulative man candy.
One, it was moving at supersonic speed and so the H going one fine day from don’t-fall-in-love-with-me and I-will-find-you-a-good-husband-later, to I-love-her was a bit hard to believe. Though his actions towards the end of the book were amazingly sweet and make it easier to swallow the hea.
Secondly, the coincidences and chance happenings in this book stretched things to snowballs-in-hell proportions.
And then on their way to Rome to meet the om, the H starts talking of a secret deal the om was making with the grandfather. I was like what deal? Till here, the reader is not aware of any connection between these two men. This was a completely new element and the h doesn't question or comment about it. It gets explained later but at this point it was a head scratcher.
The H should have felt greater guilt at finding the h in such near-poverty as he had a big role in her being in that state. The argument that she ended up with a better parent or even that he was a kid himself cannot alleviate his wrongdoing. Guilt should have been more pervasive in his life.
But he was more interested in getting his vengeance and seducing her than really setting things right for her. Although he was not really a bad guy and redeems himself nicely at the end (if too abruptly).
And one broken heart had been enough. She had to protect herself for Chloe’s sake. She wanted to be a joyful, loving mother, not a depressed, empty shell of a woman.But the story had at least two problems.
One, it was moving at supersonic speed and so the H going one fine day from don’t-fall-in-love-with-me and I-will-find-you-a-good-husband-later, to I-love-her was a bit hard to believe. Though his actions towards the end of the book were amazingly sweet and make it easier to swallow the hea.
Secondly, the coincidences and chance happenings in this book stretched things to snowballs-in-hell proportions.
And then on their way to Rome to meet the om, the H starts talking of a secret deal the om was making with the grandfather. I was like what deal? Till here, the reader is not aware of any connection between these two men. This was a completely new element and the h doesn't question or comment about it. It gets explained later but at this point it was a head scratcher.
The H should have felt greater guilt at finding the h in such near-poverty as he had a big role in her being in that state. The argument that she ended up with a better parent or even that he was a kid himself cannot alleviate his wrongdoing. Guilt should have been more pervasive in his life.
But he was more interested in getting his vengeance and seducing her than really setting things right for her. Although he was not really a bad guy and redeems himself nicely at the end (if too abruptly).
March 7, 2017
This is a fun story in the tell-me-a-story way. There are some twists and turns for the heroine that make this a fun and interesting ride.
I don't want to give spoilers, because half the fun is not knowing where this story is going. I will put up some reminders for myself, however:
Notes to self:
This is the one that opens in Chicago on New Year's Eve. The heroine is working in a gross gas station/Quick Trip type place. Her boss tries to assault her, but the hero scares him off.
The hero whisks her and her baby off to a grand hotel and marries her at the stroke of midnight. She then signs a pre-nup that will allow the hero revenge on . . . someone.
The hero is really generous with the h -- with money, with compliments, with interacting with the baby.
This is the one with the crying grandpa at the side of the road.
Don't question how this particular penniless heroine could have a passport to travel to Italy. This is an HP.
Parents are not made by blood, but by love. There are two examples of that and I appreciate the author for not spelling it out in huge letters.
Just because you are a blood-thirsty reader doesn't mean that the hero should have behaved differently at the end. He is a better person than you (and he really did prove his love for the heroine).
Urge HP fans to read this with a helping of suspended disbelief.
I don't want to give spoilers, because half the fun is not knowing where this story is going. I will put up some reminders for myself, however:
Notes to self:
This is the one that opens in Chicago on New Year's Eve. The heroine is working in a gross gas station/Quick Trip type place. Her boss tries to assault her, but the hero scares him off.
The hero whisks her and her baby off to a grand hotel and marries her at the stroke of midnight. She then signs a pre-nup that will allow the hero revenge on . . . someone.
The hero is really generous with the h -- with money, with compliments, with interacting with the baby.
This is the one with the crying grandpa at the side of the road.
Don't question how this particular penniless heroine could have a passport to travel to Italy. This is an HP.
Parents are not made by blood, but by love. There are two examples of that and I appreciate the author for not spelling it out in huge letters.
Just because you are a blood-thirsty reader doesn't mean that the hero should have behaved differently at the end. He is a better person than you (and he really did prove his love for the heroine).
Urge HP fans to read this with a helping of suspended disbelief.
November 17, 2017
I thought I wouldn't like a single mom's story but I can't resist Jennie Lucas. Good melodramatic love story and even steamy but sadly no epilogue and a kind of abrupt ending. Still an enjoyable book!
January 16, 2011
The ending moved this to a 5* review. I loved how Maximo proved his love for Lucy. It was great the way he gave up his revenge for her.
As usual with Jennie Lucas some parts were very dramatic. In fact, I have to say this one was classic HP.
I think my favorite part was when Maximo asked "Where is our baby daughter?" even though Chloe wasn't his. So sweet.
I added this book to my "made me cry" shelf because I got a little teary-eyed when I read the note Maximo wrote to Lucy. sigh
Now I am out of Jennie Lucas books. What to do? What to do? I guess wait until June for her next release. =)
As usual with Jennie Lucas some parts were very dramatic. In fact, I have to say this one was classic HP.
I think my favorite part was when Maximo asked "Where is our baby daughter?" even though Chloe wasn't his. So sweet.
I added this book to my "made me cry" shelf because I got a little teary-eyed when I read the note Maximo wrote to Lucy. sigh
Now I am out of Jennie Lucas books. What to do? What to do? I guess wait until June for her next release. =)
June 14, 2021
Lucy and Maximo's story reminded me a little of "Cinderella", this isn't a drawback, I actually loved it! Their story has its twist and turns and a happy-ever-after. Just wonderful!
Re-Read: 12/2019
Re-Read: 12/2019
September 5, 2019
4 stars. I find the female lead character quite childish. But, it was an enjoyable ride 😉
September 15, 2016
This is between a 3.5 and a 4 stars. I can tell this is an earlier book by Lucas because her older books were in full steam ahead drama mode. She's tamed that down a little in later books. Maximo toes the line between complete villainy and dark hero. He makes no bones about his desire to use Lucy to get revenge. But he is also very attentive to her needs and is fantastic with her young daughter Chloe. The beginning is set up for the reader to think the absolute worst about Maximo, with his shallow relationships, including discarded casual sex partners who are still part of his social circle. Lucy is a bonafide Cinderella, and part of me was happy that Maximo was there to rescue her, even with the negative motives. However, it's clear that Lucy is not just a victim needing saving, she has her own motivations and is determined to be her own woman, independent. If it wasn't for her daughter, she would have sent Maximo on his way.
I knocked this down to 3.5 stars because I felt the events prior to the ending were melodramatic and unnecessary, including an old man out of the Gothic novels. I could understand Lucy's betrayal at Maximo not being honest, but the way she called him on it, I didn't like at all. I did love his gesture of love though.
Lucas' books are always readable and thoroughly entertaining. I think I've liked some of her newer books a lot more and they show a maturity in her writing that makes me grade this older book more critically. However, those who find Cinderella romance irresistible and like an antihero romance lead, will appreciate this book.
I knocked this down to 3.5 stars because I felt the events prior to the ending were melodramatic and unnecessary, including an old man out of the Gothic novels. I could understand Lucy's betrayal at Maximo not being honest, but the way she called him on it, I didn't like at all. I did love his gesture of love though.
Lucas' books are always readable and thoroughly entertaining. I think I've liked some of her newer books a lot more and they show a maturity in her writing that makes me grade this older book more critically. However, those who find Cinderella romance irresistible and like an antihero romance lead, will appreciate this book.
January 20, 2011
Classic HP. Very good revenge plot which had an actual, pretty solid reason for the revenge. A twist at the end that was surprising and yet foreshadowed enough not to have come out of nowhere. Arrogant hero fell hard for the heroine. The heroine tried hard to resist him but he was pretty hard to resist. He was not as ass to her so she had reason to fall for him. There was a spot where the author could have gone all Disney fairy tale but chose not to make everyone so nicey nice and I appreciated that. If you're an HP fan you should like this one
June 8, 2021
3.5 ⭐
I thought I wouldn't like a single mother in harlequins but I really loved Lucy. She's strong and really loved her daughter.
She only was searching for love .
No epilogue with other children sadly .
I thought I wouldn't like a single mother in harlequins but I really loved Lucy. She's strong and really loved her daughter.
She only was searching for love .
No epilogue with other children sadly .
November 8, 2018
4.5 ⭐️.
A re-read!
Such a poignant heartfelt story.
I loved the main characters so much. After so much sorrow they deserve happiness. My only complain is the absence of much needed epilogue.
And the villainous grandfather got the company even though hero did that to prove his love for heroine.
Strongly Recommended.
A re-read!
Such a poignant heartfelt story.
I loved the main characters so much. After so much sorrow they deserve happiness. My only complain is the absence of much needed epilogue.
And the villainous grandfather got the company even though hero did that to prove his love for heroine.
Strongly Recommended.
August 28, 2017
Sicilian hero..check.....revenge.....check.....passion...check....grovelling or powerful remorse....check. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I cannot believe I neglected to read this wonderful story. I think I'm going to go on a Jennie Lucas binge. This was a fairytale of the prince rescuing his love since he was a child. They grew up and loved ! I loved this hero,Maximo!!! I recommend this read.
October 12, 2016
Hmmm just too outlandish for me. Cinderella story that was just as unbelievable as the fairytale. We all read these romances as an escape, but somehow this was way too over the top.
The H is a Prince, gorgeous, hot and uber rich. Finds the heroine and her baby in poverty and rescues them. She is a secret heiress and he wants revenge on her grandfather who ruined his family. Coincidentally, her baby daddy who abandoned her and her baby is also working w the grandfather to declare the missing heiress dead and release her shares fr the trust fund. He is a fortune hunter who has another rich fiancée lined up and doesn't want her to know of his previous lover and baby. He didn't know his abandoned lover, the heroine, was the heiress all along. It's almost comical how he rejects her and his baby so totally and not a second after he finds out she is the heiress, he is practically on his knees declaring his undying love, spurning his current fiancée. Sooo OTT!
The hero, the Prince keeps warning her not to fall in love w him, that theirs is merely a business arrangement so they can both get their revenge, but he treats her w the utmost caring and tenderness, as if he was in love w her, after knowing her for just 2 days.
SPOILERS:
Furthermore the TSTL heroine humiliates the hero during their wedding ceremony, in front of everyone and paparazzi - and leaves him standing at the altar allowing her evil grandfather to have the last laugh. When she comes to her senses and realizes that he loved her all along, she goes to him and without a sorry, he forgives her! If this were the other way around and the hero had humiliated the heroine in such a manner, we would all have been clamoring for a 2-page grovel, at least.
The H is a Prince, gorgeous, hot and uber rich. Finds the heroine and her baby in poverty and rescues them. She is a secret heiress and he wants revenge on her grandfather who ruined his family. Coincidentally, her baby daddy who abandoned her and her baby is also working w the grandfather to declare the missing heiress dead and release her shares fr the trust fund. He is a fortune hunter who has another rich fiancée lined up and doesn't want her to know of his previous lover and baby. He didn't know his abandoned lover, the heroine, was the heiress all along. It's almost comical how he rejects her and his baby so totally and not a second after he finds out she is the heiress, he is practically on his knees declaring his undying love, spurning his current fiancée. Sooo OTT!
The hero, the Prince keeps warning her not to fall in love w him, that theirs is merely a business arrangement so they can both get their revenge, but he treats her w the utmost caring and tenderness, as if he was in love w her, after knowing her for just 2 days.
SPOILERS:
Furthermore the TSTL heroine humiliates the hero during their wedding ceremony, in front of everyone and paparazzi - and leaves him standing at the altar allowing her evil grandfather to have the last laugh. When she comes to her senses and realizes that he loved her all along, she goes to him and without a sorry, he forgives her! If this were the other way around and the hero had humiliated the heroine in such a manner, we would all have been clamoring for a 2-page grovel, at least.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2019
جميلة
حبيتها جدًا..
حبيتها جدًا..
December 5, 2018
Awe this one was cute. It had a lot of pacing problems, like it was rushed in certain areas that the plot practically skipped and then dragged out in other spots. The heroine and her baby did not seem like a package deal, the baby was just there to be adorable but she didn't seem to motherly all the way through the book. And the end got waay too soap operay to be real or interesting. Wish we had chosen a villain but we really had mean other women, a crotchety old grandpa who has like 4 lines, and the baby daddy. Like commit a bit. And the hero's pressuring the heroine doesn't read too great but he cares for them both, and immediately starts being a father to her baby. I liked that the heroine was very smart, desperate as hell, but still smart and determined. She never let the hero push her around, except when he wanted to bang. Very quick and sweet read after everything has been read and done.
July 3, 2021
Did not like it, I want to like it because how much at the end hero did love heroine however the rest of the book wasn't great. In the beginning hero having two ex bed partners being the witnesses to marriage was gross. Hero then planned on sleeping with heroine and then finding her a husband. I really didn't understand the whole inclusion of Alex at all, take him out of the story and would be better (that of all the women in the whole wide world he met and impregnated the person he was looking for and didn't even know it til too late, that all is very hard to believe). Np.
October 11, 2023
It's been too long since I read Jennie Lucas! After Caitlin Crews, JL is one of my favorite Presents authors. This royalty romance featured the usual made-up kingdom but this time we had plenty of vengeful melodrama to keep the pages turning. Seriously, this was like 90s soap opera antics. So many implausible moments that I actually laughed at the rival character's antics.
Maximo like any other Hero is all "I'll never love" - famous last words. He is such a sap towards the end of the novel and I loved the grand gesture this time. One thing Jennie always gives readers is swoony moments.
Maximo like any other Hero is all "I'll never love" - famous last words. He is such a sap towards the end of the novel and I loved the grand gesture this time. One thing Jennie always gives readers is swoony moments.
December 28, 2020
3.5 Stars. I like her insistance on the truth and that she knew things that are too good to be true are just that. I liked him and his innate kindness and yes, he needed to get a comeuppance after treating others shabbily for years.
Good story about people with a silly plot. Do wish Harlequin would forget about all the princes and counts and not worry about titles, maybe that's the American in me!
Good story about people with a silly plot. Do wish Harlequin would forget about all the princes and counts and not worry about titles, maybe that's the American in me!
doubtful-because-not-v
May 24, 2020Single mom Lucy Abbott is working as many hours as she can, but still can barely afford to feed her baby daughter.Then Prince Maximo d'Aquilla offers her millions, and a way out of her desperate life. Max whisks her away to Italy...and soon she's totally his
Max has seduced her completely. But is he driven by revenge, or desire? And is he ruthless enough to walk away from his captive bride?
Max has seduced her completely. But is he driven by revenge, or desire? And is he ruthless enough to walk away from his captive bride?
November 6, 2025
A family for sure
Harlequin at its finest! This is why when I am feeling down I immediately purchase a Harlequin because they are as good as their word at making love light up your life!
Harlequin at its finest! This is why when I am feeling down I immediately purchase a Harlequin because they are as good as their word at making love light up your life!
May 12, 2017
Leído el 01/07/2012
June 13, 2017
I could give a 5 star but so sad no epilogue.
March 16, 2019
This is a good one. He gets his awful revenge by..giving her everything she wants and needs and then falling in love with her. Perfecto. :D
February 18, 2021
Está novela no vale ni media estrella!!!
December 8, 2021
This author was recommended by some other members of this community and so I picked up this book as my first book by her. Ending seemed a tad unravelled.
January 14, 2022
Why did she embarrass him at their wedding ceremony? This was so unforgivable.
November 14, 2008
Most definitely a Cinderella story literally from rags to wealth beyond imagine for Lucy Abbott and her daughter Chloe. Add revenge, desire and mystery; it’s an incredible love story and journey as wonderfully written by author Jennie Lucas.
For most of her life Lucy and her mother lived from payday to payday and moved from town to town. Her mother died at an early age leaving Lucy to survive in foster care. Now on top of everything else, Lucy finds herself nearly destitute trying to support herself and an infant. She’s working at a gas station convenience store, with a letch for a boss, working more than one job just to support them. On top of everything else, the father of her child denies his paternity and wants nothing to do with either of them.
Lucy is determined to provide and care for Chloe and will go to any lengths to do so. As one will learn she is a woman of honour and extreme strength and wants the family she never experienced for her daughter and herself. A father for Chloe is at the top of her list since she never knew her own father nor experienced the warmth of family.
The handsome and wealthy Prince Maximo has a grudge and seeks revenge. He returns to the US and has a plan, one in which will benefit him in a business sense but it all revolves around Lucy. He sits waiting to make his move, gets Lucy fired from her job, takes Lucy and Chloe to his hotel and in the end forces Lucy to sign documents with the pretence she will get revenge from her daughter’s father. He takes them with him to his palace in Italy and guarantees her security and financial support in return for the signed documents. Unknown to her, she is giving up more than she’s aware and you will be shocked to learn the truth.
The Italian Prince, Wedlocked Wife is an amazing love story full of lust, lies, deceit and revenge. It’s also about healing, coming home and the true lessons that money isn’t everything. Maximo with his blindness for revenge softens when he actually gets to know Lucy and Chloe. He is brought to his knees and your heart will melt when you read how love creeps into his heart. Jennie Lucas’s talent shines through in this very intense and beautiful love story!
Book Description:
From rags to riches…
Single mum Lucy Abbott will do anything to protect her child. She’s working all the hours she can, but can still barely afford to feed her baby daughter.
An arranged marriage…
So when Prince Maximo d’Aquilla offers her millions, and a way out of her desperate life, Lucy grabs the chance. Max whisks her to Italy…and soon she’s totally his!?
By royal command!
Max has seduced her entirely. But he is driven by revenge, not desire…is he ruthless enough to walk away from his captive bride…?
For most of her life Lucy and her mother lived from payday to payday and moved from town to town. Her mother died at an early age leaving Lucy to survive in foster care. Now on top of everything else, Lucy finds herself nearly destitute trying to support herself and an infant. She’s working at a gas station convenience store, with a letch for a boss, working more than one job just to support them. On top of everything else, the father of her child denies his paternity and wants nothing to do with either of them.
Lucy is determined to provide and care for Chloe and will go to any lengths to do so. As one will learn she is a woman of honour and extreme strength and wants the family she never experienced for her daughter and herself. A father for Chloe is at the top of her list since she never knew her own father nor experienced the warmth of family.
The handsome and wealthy Prince Maximo has a grudge and seeks revenge. He returns to the US and has a plan, one in which will benefit him in a business sense but it all revolves around Lucy. He sits waiting to make his move, gets Lucy fired from her job, takes Lucy and Chloe to his hotel and in the end forces Lucy to sign documents with the pretence she will get revenge from her daughter’s father. He takes them with him to his palace in Italy and guarantees her security and financial support in return for the signed documents. Unknown to her, she is giving up more than she’s aware and you will be shocked to learn the truth.
The Italian Prince, Wedlocked Wife is an amazing love story full of lust, lies, deceit and revenge. It’s also about healing, coming home and the true lessons that money isn’t everything. Maximo with his blindness for revenge softens when he actually gets to know Lucy and Chloe. He is brought to his knees and your heart will melt when you read how love creeps into his heart. Jennie Lucas’s talent shines through in this very intense and beautiful love story!
Book Description:
From rags to riches…
Single mum Lucy Abbott will do anything to protect her child. She’s working all the hours she can, but can still barely afford to feed her baby daughter.
An arranged marriage…
So when Prince Maximo d’Aquilla offers her millions, and a way out of her desperate life, Lucy grabs the chance. Max whisks her to Italy…and soon she’s totally his!?
By royal command!
Max has seduced her entirely. But he is driven by revenge, not desire…is he ruthless enough to walk away from his captive bride…?
September 18, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't like other books when you know whats going to happen before it ends, it had a different twist that made this book sooo enjoyable. The characters weren't perfect which made them more interesting, they had their quirks even though it was a fantasy that probably would never happen in real life. In the beginning i felt that the prince was too cold towards her, but at the end that made their romance seem sweeter in a way.
September 21, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. Lucy struggling to support herself and her baby Chloe when Maximo finds her and offers marriage and fortune for her long lost shares. Both struggle with the agreement especially when both start to have real feeling for each other. Really good family secret mystery with good twist in end. Great HEA.
January 7, 2014
the book was very good, but the wedding scene and the confession is over the top. hello too drama world. lets humiliate H and h runs from him and it's ok. i my book she would be hit by car at the end.
August 16, 2014
I should give this 4 stars but because of that blast ending, I believe it deserves to have 5.
I thought I wouldn't like single mom's story. I don't know, those stories didn't appeal to me. But Maximo is just a hero to die for.
I thought I wouldn't like single mom's story. I don't know, those stories didn't appeal to me. But Maximo is just a hero to die for.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews