What do you think?
Rate this book
Separate Lives
Was it marriage for money or love?
Gwen Shaughnessy's marriage to Brad Robilliard, the cold, controlled founder of Robilliard Enterprises, was a business deal strictly for money. If they stayed together for one year, Brad's uncle, a misguided matchmaker, promised to solve both their financial problems.
Gwen filled Brad's ordered life with domesticity and fun, while he awakened a range of new emotions in her. Unintentionally, yet inevitably, they fell in love.
It should have been perfect. But doubts and the very contract that had brought them together now threatened to drive them apart.
Gwen Shaughnessy's marriage to Brad Robilliard, the cold, controlled founder of Robilliard Enterprises, was a business deal strictly for money. If they stayed together for one year, Brad's uncle, a misguided matchmaker, promised to solve both their financial problems.
Gwen filled Brad's ordered life with domesticity and fun, while he awakened a range of new emotions in her. Unintentionally, yet inevitably, they fell in love.
It should have been perfect. But doubts and the very contract that had brought them together now threatened to drive them apart.
186 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1986
13 people are currently reading
442 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
March 15, 2012
Rating 4.5
What a delightful book & the best part it had kittens. They both get married for convenience but it becomes so much more, they become friends & lovers & I loved Gwen and how she treated Brad & changed him. The ending was mighty sweet as well, though there was mis-communication at the end, their love for each other was never in doubt.
What a delightful book & the best part it had kittens. They both get married for convenience but it becomes so much more, they become friends & lovers & I loved Gwen and how she treated Brad & changed him. The ending was mighty sweet as well, though there was mis-communication at the end, their love for each other was never in doubt.
September 3, 2018
Both the MCs were way too obtuse!
Heroine was just too stubborn about her studies, which was I guess expected at 21 and hero was just hung up on getting in her pants and both the heroine and I were somehow supposed to decipher that as his desire to commit?
At the EOD, he was weaker than her.
SHE without any expectation was ready to give him benefit of doubt, at 21 and him with his experience and SO much love and ready to commit attitude and by his own confession after trying to deliberately get the heroine pregnant, couldn’t trust the heroine an ounce?
Also that was BS about giving the heroine space. Heroine spelled it out for him that she loves him and where she would be and if he wants ANY future with her he needs to go to her, yet his first reaction is hey! Let’s keep radio silence and let my already upset wife go into a massive depression. Oh I don’t even know if she has a support system. I’m now going to blame everyone but myself and shout at my uncle but I won’t bother to ask him who she has in her family and if it’s enough.
And for fucks sake you spineless woman. Yes i know you have just discovered sex. I know it’s all very exciting. Been there done that. But can you let this bastard grovel?
I can forgive an alpha jerk if they grovel and if they change and I can forgive ruthlessness. But I can’t forgive deliberate cruelty because you’re unable to control your boner. Your lack of self control is no body’s fault but yours and being rude and cruel because of that makes you a plain shitface not an alpha male.
Kitten bonus was worthy of the two star. They have contributed adequate scratching to drouse some boner.
Heroine was just too stubborn about her studies, which was I guess expected at 21 and hero was just hung up on getting in her pants and both the heroine and I were somehow supposed to decipher that as his desire to commit?
At the EOD, he was weaker than her.
SHE without any expectation was ready to give him benefit of doubt, at 21 and him with his experience and SO much love and ready to commit attitude and by his own confession after trying to deliberately get the heroine pregnant, couldn’t trust the heroine an ounce?
Also that was BS about giving the heroine space. Heroine spelled it out for him that she loves him and where she would be and if he wants ANY future with her he needs to go to her, yet his first reaction is hey! Let’s keep radio silence and let my already upset wife go into a massive depression. Oh I don’t even know if she has a support system. I’m now going to blame everyone but myself and shout at my uncle but I won’t bother to ask him who she has in her family and if it’s enough.
And for fucks sake you spineless woman. Yes i know you have just discovered sex. I know it’s all very exciting. Been there done that. But can you let this bastard grovel?
I can forgive an alpha jerk if they grovel and if they change and I can forgive ruthlessness. But I can’t forgive deliberate cruelty because you’re unable to control your boner. Your lack of self control is no body’s fault but yours and being rude and cruel because of that makes you a plain shitface not an alpha male.
Kitten bonus was worthy of the two star. They have contributed adequate scratching to drouse some boner.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2018
Latest review - Yes, a book that passes the re-read test!
Adorable, adorable, adorable is the word for Max, Bomber and Gwen. Ummm, while Brad is the as-remembered swoonilicious sob.
I'd have preferred if he had gone after her sooner - both times.
A/N: Doubly swoonilicious sob Trace and the sweet Allegra are so obviously dying to be shipped. But there's no other book by the author.
1st Review - god i just found this old time fav of mine....dint remember Gwen/Brad's names but never forgot max n bomber! how i adore this book ... must be at least 10 years since i last read it..wont write a review yet as i wont be able to do full justice. :)
A/N: n guys any idea why this author wrote only this one book?!
April 13, 2018
5 harlequin style stars (you know what I mean)
Gwen the girl who gives as good as she gets and Bradley the guy who keeps underestimating her.
Leo plays matchmaker for his goddaughter Gwen and his nephew Bradley, tricking them into a one year MOC. She has hospital bills (which by the way is complete horseshit... I mean this is supposed to take place in Canada for cryin' out loud... Hello author... OHIP in Ontario aka national health care. Unless you are getting plastic surgery (elective) or want a private room at the hospital, you don't owe the big bucks. sheesh!!)
... where was I? Oh yeah, she has her sister's and niece's hospital bills to pay and Bradley desperately needs a loan from his Uncle.
Bradley has been burned quite badly by his first fiancee and his grandfather in the past and has kept himself safe behind a cold mask since then. When he meets Gwen she is at her lowest. Skinny from lost weight and sickly from lack of sleep... she looks like a limp dish rag. Part of the arrangement is that she will live with him, but he leaves town for the first few weeks so when they meet again, she is all healthy and happy. She's been redecorating and generally invading his space.
Most harlequin anti-heroes would lose their sh*t at this point, and he does bluster, but Gwen likes to stick to her guns. Before you know it they are playing board games and sharing cooking duties. It was sweet.
Still the story would be boring if that was it, so they do have their misunderstandings. Not because they don't talk, but because they both have tempers and tend to let their mouths run off before they stop and think.
Gonna be a fiery marriage ; )
The kicker is Leo, their erstwhile matchmaker. He just doesn't know when to leave well enough alone!
Anyways, I just loved the back and forth (which normally gets annoying) and the way they were both reasonable people and honest about their feelings even if they do fight them for a while.
Safety is good
Gwen the girl who gives as good as she gets and Bradley the guy who keeps underestimating her.
Leo plays matchmaker for his goddaughter Gwen and his nephew Bradley, tricking them into a one year MOC. She has hospital bills (which by the way is complete horseshit... I mean this is supposed to take place in Canada for cryin' out loud... Hello author... OHIP in Ontario aka national health care. Unless you are getting plastic surgery (elective) or want a private room at the hospital, you don't owe the big bucks. sheesh!!)
... where was I? Oh yeah, she has her sister's and niece's hospital bills to pay and Bradley desperately needs a loan from his Uncle.
Bradley has been burned quite badly by his first fiancee and his grandfather in the past and has kept himself safe behind a cold mask since then. When he meets Gwen she is at her lowest. Skinny from lost weight and sickly from lack of sleep... she looks like a limp dish rag. Part of the arrangement is that she will live with him, but he leaves town for the first few weeks so when they meet again, she is all healthy and happy. She's been redecorating and generally invading his space.
Most harlequin anti-heroes would lose their sh*t at this point, and he does bluster, but Gwen likes to stick to her guns. Before you know it they are playing board games and sharing cooking duties. It was sweet.
Still the story would be boring if that was it, so they do have their misunderstandings. Not because they don't talk, but because they both have tempers and tend to let their mouths run off before they stop and think.
Gonna be a fiery marriage ; )
The kicker is Leo, their erstwhile matchmaker. He just doesn't know when to leave well enough alone!
Anyways, I just loved the back and forth (which normally gets annoying) and the way they were both reasonable people and honest about their feelings even if they do fight them for a while.
Safety is good
September 25, 2013
Full Review at: http://thereadgreed.blogspot.com/2013...
January 3, 2021
4 Stars ~ This is a gem of a romance. I'm so disappointed that this is Ms. Jantz's one and only published romance. It feels as if this was plotted around a "Godfather aka Uncle" matchmaker theme with perhaps books to follow for this hero's brother and sister. I would gladly read their stories.
When Brad reaches out to his Uncle Leo for a loan to save his company, he's surprised when Leo agrees with conditions. Leo's god-daughter Gwen also is need of a large amount of money, but she refuses Leo's charity. In order for Brad to gain his loan, he has to offer a marriage of convenience to Gwen with the money that she needs as her incentive. However, Brad can't tell Gwen that Leo is the money-lending Uncle, only that the condition of the loan is marriage, which can be platonic and annulled in one year.
Gwen's family across the country is in dire need of funds to pay for extensive medical care. Her sister faces numerous operations and then therapy after a horrendous motor accident. An accident that took their parents and Gwen's sister's husband, and nearly their four year old daughter. Gwen's niece also needs therapy as she recovers with Gwen's grandparents. Gwen has one final year of university, and holding down the two jobs she has will soon be impossible when the fall semester starts. She doesn't know how Brad knows she needs the money but she can't refuse.
Leo's matchmaking is spot on. Gwen, still grieving, has been working herself into exhaustion, both for the money and to escape being alone. Brad has consumed his life with the success of his business, after being betrayed years before by his grandfather and fiancée. Gwen needs to be needed and Brad surely needs Gwen's innocent nurturing to tear down the wall around his heart. They spark off each other in a lovely often hilarious way which balance out the more intense emotional moments.
I would love to know if this talented Canadian author wrote under another name. I'd love to read more like this gem that is for the keeper shelf.
When Brad reaches out to his Uncle Leo for a loan to save his company, he's surprised when Leo agrees with conditions. Leo's god-daughter Gwen also is need of a large amount of money, but she refuses Leo's charity. In order for Brad to gain his loan, he has to offer a marriage of convenience to Gwen with the money that she needs as her incentive. However, Brad can't tell Gwen that Leo is the money-lending Uncle, only that the condition of the loan is marriage, which can be platonic and annulled in one year.
Gwen's family across the country is in dire need of funds to pay for extensive medical care. Her sister faces numerous operations and then therapy after a horrendous motor accident. An accident that took their parents and Gwen's sister's husband, and nearly their four year old daughter. Gwen's niece also needs therapy as she recovers with Gwen's grandparents. Gwen has one final year of university, and holding down the two jobs she has will soon be impossible when the fall semester starts. She doesn't know how Brad knows she needs the money but she can't refuse.
Leo's matchmaking is spot on. Gwen, still grieving, has been working herself into exhaustion, both for the money and to escape being alone. Brad has consumed his life with the success of his business, after being betrayed years before by his grandfather and fiancée. Gwen needs to be needed and Brad surely needs Gwen's innocent nurturing to tear down the wall around his heart. They spark off each other in a lovely often hilarious way which balance out the more intense emotional moments.
I would love to know if this talented Canadian author wrote under another name. I'd love to read more like this gem that is for the keeper shelf.
April 10, 2016
Very sweet story of a MOC set up by the godfather to the heroine, uncle to the hero.
Essentially the story evolves around Gwen's sweet nature dissolving the ice that surrounds Brad, or as the h calls him, Bradley. It may be the most unromantic hero's name ever. Lots of miscommunication and dropped leads with secondary characters that seemed like they were going somewhere.
The ending implies a sequel would be coming regarding Bradley's equally shut down brother, but sadly this seems to be the only book Caroline Jantz has ever written.
Essentially the story evolves around Gwen's sweet nature dissolving the ice that surrounds Brad, or as the h calls him, Bradley. It may be the most unromantic hero's name ever. Lots of miscommunication and dropped leads with secondary characters that seemed like they were going somewhere.
The ending implies a sequel would be coming regarding Bradley's equally shut down brother, but sadly this seems to be the only book Caroline Jantz has ever written.
November 19, 2012
It's a fun book. I really enjoyed the hero and heroine and their oh, so, interfering family. The ending seemed a bit rushed..and I wished she would have settled for more in depths scenes versus a lot of scenes with little depth.
January 4, 2016
I liked it well enough. There was a lot going on with this marriage of convenience - some light-hearted stuff with kittens and plants - and darker stuff with the grandfather and the family business. Sometimes the tone seemed uneven.
December 12, 2020
This book was quiet a surprise !!!! A MOC between a feisty h w/ lot of backbone, a scarred H ruthless from the outside, tender from the inside. The h stormed into H s well ordered life & turned it upside down! She is like a ray of sunshine, she transforms his sterile app into a real home, she brings home 2 kittens, persuades him to do his share in cooking & even baking, and forces him to quite his bad habits (like smoking in the living room) their relationship develops beautifuly, the book is written in the 80s and already the H s POV appears from time to time thru the book.
CJ is such a talented writer and this book is the only book she wrote ?!! Althu there is a hint for another book for H s brother, but I can't find it anywhere :-(
CJ is such a talented writer and this book is the only book she wrote ?!! Althu there is a hint for another book for H s brother, but I can't find it anywhere :-(
April 6, 2012
ANOTHER BIRTHDAY BOOK SPREE READ...I LOVE DOLLAR BOOKS...although, I did pay $10 for 20 books. :-)
It took me several attempts to get into this book, but I am glad I finally got into it. What a treasure! Smart, funny, sexy, heart-warming, and ABSOLUTELY NO CHEATING-although, he did try to make her jealous. I kinda missed the cheating-sick, I know!!
Anyway, our young heroine (turns 21 in the book) is more mature and less naive than the older HP heroines of late. Go figure! She's feisty, gives as good as she gets, but her youthful inexperience still shines through in her reactions to several situations. I liked her.
It took me several attempts to get into this book, but I am glad I finally got into it. What a treasure! Smart, funny, sexy, heart-warming, and ABSOLUTELY NO CHEATING-although, he did try to make her jealous. I kinda missed the cheating-sick, I know!!
Anyway, our young heroine (turns 21 in the book) is more mature and less naive than the older HP heroines of late. Go figure! She's feisty, gives as good as she gets, but her youthful inexperience still shines through in her reactions to several situations. I liked her.
March 24, 2012
Enjoyed it,adored Gwen-Brad,liked the way story progressed and finally they clear the MU and have their HEA,looking forward for Trace's book but i want Leo to be paid for his actions,hopefully get it in Trace's book.
July 26, 2021
I wish Ms. Jantz wrote more than this one romance. In a way, the story reads like an early visit to Hplandia.
Neither Gwen nor Brad wanted to get married, but Brad's uncle has other ideas. He'll infuse money into Brad's business and give Gwen enough money to help her pay her family's medical bills, if they can stay married for one year. They agree to this marriage of convenience with no hanky-panky.
Yeah, right.
It was fun watching Brad go from an uptight bachelor to a guy who desired Gwen's presence. There was a (possible) OW, but even she didn't bother me.
All in all, I enjoyed their story. Though I read an old paperback, it is available for all of you to read at Open Library.
Neither Gwen nor Brad wanted to get married, but Brad's uncle has other ideas. He'll infuse money into Brad's business and give Gwen enough money to help her pay her family's medical bills, if they can stay married for one year. They agree to this marriage of convenience with no hanky-panky.
Yeah, right.
It was fun watching Brad go from an uptight bachelor to a guy who desired Gwen's presence. There was a (possible) OW, but even she didn't bother me.
All in all, I enjoyed their story. Though I read an old paperback, it is available for all of you to read at Open Library.
May 12, 2015
Adorable book, I love a good MOC story.
May 18, 2018
very old school and sweet.
September 21, 2017
"Separate Lives" is the story of Bradley and Gwen..and is everything I ever want..& love in a HQN romance.
Bradley is a workaholic cynic, who is blackmailed by his uncle Leo to marry his god-daughter Gwen in lieu for financial support to his company..but Gwen doesn't know.
What starts as a purely professional and platonic relationship slowly morphs into love..
I LOVED THIS BOOK. ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!
From the way the characters are written- the reasons behind Brad's distrust and Gwen's need for financial support- to them gradually falling in love is just beautiful. There are some hilarious laugh out loud scenes (i.e. the scene with the h throwing endearments and pretending to be a stepford wife infront of the ex, Corinne) and some just adorable ones, esp with the kittens Max and Bomber! (Yes, the kittens were among the best parts of this book). I loved the way the heroine came into the H's colorless life, and literally brightened it.
To my delight, there was angst too-especially when the couple denies their feelings and later when the truth is revealed, followed by sweet love making.
I am so so so disappointed that the author only wrote one book, because I'd have loved to read more by her- esp Trace's story (it was hinted!). Alas, this will go in my hall of fame!
Awesome epilogue.
Safe
5/5
Bradley is a workaholic cynic, who is blackmailed by his uncle Leo to marry his god-daughter Gwen in lieu for financial support to his company..but Gwen doesn't know.
What starts as a purely professional and platonic relationship slowly morphs into love..
I LOVED THIS BOOK. ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!
From the way the characters are written- the reasons behind Brad's distrust and Gwen's need for financial support- to them gradually falling in love is just beautiful. There are some hilarious laugh out loud scenes (i.e. the scene with the h throwing endearments and pretending to be a stepford wife infront of the ex, Corinne) and some just adorable ones, esp with the kittens Max and Bomber! (Yes, the kittens were among the best parts of this book). I loved the way the heroine came into the H's colorless life, and literally brightened it.
To my delight, there was angst too-especially when the couple denies their feelings and later when the truth is revealed, followed by sweet love making.
I am so so so disappointed that the author only wrote one book, because I'd have loved to read more by her- esp Trace's story (it was hinted!). Alas, this will go in my hall of fame!
Awesome epilogue.
Safe
5/5
August 27, 2018
Based in Vancouver, Leo Bennett, uncle of Brad Robilliard, proposes a marriage between Brad and his goddaughter Gwen Shaughnessy. This is his condition to help both of them, as they need his financial assistance. His motives are not clear, though, behind this one year marriage of convenience.
Ahh... This book has that old world writing charm.
I was of one mind with Gwen's friend, Kelly, I just couldn't agree with the motivations for marriage of both the parties; marriage for money, really?
This is my first Caroline Jantz, and damn, it was a well thought out story with a perfect title.
I love books with pets, this one had Bomber and Max, two fiery kittens.
Brad is such a bigot, but Gwen keeps him in line, and how! Their flirty banter was so cute! Also the friendly camaraderie, before anything else, is a delight to read.
There was a funny episode where Brad was being all territorial with his brother Trace over Gwen.
This book has so many different stories, of Trace, and their sister, Kristin.
I was searching for a book on Shane and Kelly, they were spitting fire at each other, and also Jack and Allegra, another possible couple, before I found out that this is the only book the author ever wrote.
Kudos to Gwen for seeing Brad for what he really wanted, sex.
Gwen is so sassy. Her extra sweet demeanor in front of Corrine had me chortling. They are such a sweet pair!
As much as Leo 's involvement in the beginning was unnecessary but good, later it was just irritating.
Leo the loaded man, and Julia, the unconventional mediator. Oh, oh, oh, the reunion is so sweet! And a perfect ending!
Ahh... This book has that old world writing charm.
I was of one mind with Gwen's friend, Kelly, I just couldn't agree with the motivations for marriage of both the parties; marriage for money, really?
This is my first Caroline Jantz, and damn, it was a well thought out story with a perfect title.
I love books with pets, this one had Bomber and Max, two fiery kittens.
Brad is such a bigot, but Gwen keeps him in line, and how! Their flirty banter was so cute! Also the friendly camaraderie, before anything else, is a delight to read.
There was a funny episode where Brad was being all territorial with his brother Trace over Gwen.
This book has so many different stories, of Trace, and their sister, Kristin.
I was searching for a book on Shane and Kelly, they were spitting fire at each other, and also Jack and Allegra, another possible couple, before I found out that this is the only book the author ever wrote.
Kudos to Gwen for seeing Brad for what he really wanted, sex.
Gwen is so sassy. Her extra sweet demeanor in front of Corrine had me chortling. They are such a sweet pair!
As much as Leo 's involvement in the beginning was unnecessary but good, later it was just irritating.
Leo the loaded man, and Julia, the unconventional mediator. Oh, oh, oh, the reunion is so sweet! And a perfect ending!
July 14, 2020
I loved this! I didn't see any other novels by this author , and that is a shame. The writing is witty and flows wonderfully, the story is absorbing, the characters like-able - it played in my head like a great Romantic Comedy from the 80s...part MOC, part love/hate, it had all the elements that I look for in a Harley. 5 fun and romance-filled stars for me!
May 22, 2025
KITTENS.
3.5 stars
It’s a shame that it seems this is the author’s only book.
3.5 stars
It’s a shame that it seems this is the author’s only book.
January 18, 2021
Great heroine, mostly mature, intelligent and prideful. Jerk H just I like. 😎
And Bomber & Max 😻😻
And Bomber & Max 😻😻
June 2, 2018
Bradley Robilliard wants money to save his own company and his uncle is willing to give this money to him in one condition; that he marries his god-daughter, Gwen, and stays married to her for one whole year. Bradley proposes and Gwen accepts because it is a way to pay the bills of her sister's hospital and her injured daughter. both Gwin and Bradley were strangers at first thrown at each other for financial problems, but soon their relationship develops from complete strangers to friends, yet they both needed to face personal issues before they confess their love to each other.
A sweet story and would do as a pass-time on a comfortable sofa one rainy day. ;)
A sweet story and would do as a pass-time on a comfortable sofa one rainy day. ;)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
October 9, 2023It lacks desire. It lacks passion. I want the man in a romance to hunger for the woman. He doesn’t. He finds her attractive but he’s not in lust.
Vintage HP writers like Charlotte Lamb and Sara Holland could depict alpha male hunger while still having the woman hold out on him.
They live together for months (at least it felt like months) but nothing really happens. They’re more like friends. He’s not an alpha male and she is a nice girl.
No rating because I DNF-ed.
Vintage HP writers like Charlotte Lamb and Sara Holland could depict alpha male hunger while still having the woman hold out on him.
They live together for months (at least it felt like months) but nothing really happens. They’re more like friends. He’s not an alpha male and she is a nice girl.
No rating because I DNF-ed.
June 8, 2023
Seemed to have higher ratings with my friends so I was disappointed. It is a slow burn of sorts but I couldn’t handle the OTT h who was trying to be cutesy. The H could be more brooding and assertive to pique my interest. I’d still overlook him or the basic writing and old adages if the h didn’t rub me the wrong way.
Was happy to see a local van city romance for a change. If you can tolerate a chatty, tacky and hyper h then this is for you. The h was the total antithesis of a woman I could tolerate. Definitely not a memorable one!
Was happy to see a local van city romance for a change. If you can tolerate a chatty, tacky and hyper h then this is for you. The h was the total antithesis of a woman I could tolerate. Definitely not a memorable one!
October 12, 2016
Boring and juvenile.
March 11, 2017
I don't really know what happened. I love the first half of the book but things went downhill from then on. Pretty good first effort and it is disappointing this author didn't write more for a potentially good series.
I really adore this h. She is very aware of her actions and wants all along and her decisions were all made after she had a thorough examination of her thoughts. Very well put together and even when her actions are to follow her heart, I didn't once feel like she is a doormat as she is consciously aware of what she is doing and is doing it to take a gamble on love and happiness, which is unlike the typical tstl type that fell into bed with H then get all her knickers in a knot claiming H is too good a seducer and she lost her mind. She is strong, funny, and compassionate. She also is brave in both facing her emotions and voicing them. Just a very lovable h.
I find my problem with this book is with the H and his actions from halfway point onwards. At the beginning he is great. He was this cold slab of stone that was unapproachable, rude and mean. Then he thawed for our h and we see a teasing tender rogue that actually enjoys quiet time at home with his love. Yet he also shows posessiveness if anyone goes near our h and I love that even though he didn't realise why, he still didn't like h being out of his sight. Halfway point onwards, we never see this proactive side from him again. He just kept being passive and we kept seeing h make the effort and it annoys me. There were lengthy periods where neither make any efforts even though we know from his pov how much h meant to him, his actions are not echoing the sentiment and I just totally didn't like that he seems to be fine when she leaves time and again. I also expect more grovelling from him which didn't really happen.
Need to keep in mind that this is a v old book and there are a few things modern book will not include much, like smoking, unprotected sex without discussion, rough manhandling and also some phrases that modern H can sprout time and again without upsetting the h.
Still I really enjoy this one. I love their time spent together especially, their easy bantering and domesticated nights show us exactly how this couple will be along the road, happy, fun loving and sweet.
I also love the plot and its supporting casts. There are potentials here with a few characters and I wish again the author would have continued writing them.
Still, this is a pretty enjoyable read.
I really adore this h. She is very aware of her actions and wants all along and her decisions were all made after she had a thorough examination of her thoughts. Very well put together and even when her actions are to follow her heart, I didn't once feel like she is a doormat as she is consciously aware of what she is doing and is doing it to take a gamble on love and happiness, which is unlike the typical tstl type that fell into bed with H then get all her knickers in a knot claiming H is too good a seducer and she lost her mind. She is strong, funny, and compassionate. She also is brave in both facing her emotions and voicing them. Just a very lovable h.
I find my problem with this book is with the H and his actions from halfway point onwards. At the beginning he is great. He was this cold slab of stone that was unapproachable, rude and mean. Then he thawed for our h and we see a teasing tender rogue that actually enjoys quiet time at home with his love. Yet he also shows posessiveness if anyone goes near our h and I love that even though he didn't realise why, he still didn't like h being out of his sight. Halfway point onwards, we never see this proactive side from him again. He just kept being passive and we kept seeing h make the effort and it annoys me. There were lengthy periods where neither make any efforts even though we know from his pov how much h meant to him, his actions are not echoing the sentiment and I just totally didn't like that he seems to be fine when she leaves time and again. I also expect more grovelling from him which didn't really happen.
Need to keep in mind that this is a v old book and there are a few things modern book will not include much, like smoking, unprotected sex without discussion, rough manhandling and also some phrases that modern H can sprout time and again without upsetting the h.
Still I really enjoy this one. I love their time spent together especially, their easy bantering and domesticated nights show us exactly how this couple will be along the road, happy, fun loving and sweet.
I also love the plot and its supporting casts. There are potentials here with a few characters and I wish again the author would have continued writing them.
Still, this is a pretty enjoyable read.
May 11, 2019
Book started out strong, but somewhere after their wedding, it went down.
At first we had gorgeous Brad who wants nothing to do with Gwen but will marry her to save his company. She was not at her best, because she recently lost her parents and had to work 2 jobs to support her family. She lost weight, had dark circles under her eyes, looked mousy when they first met so Brad thought it would be an easy marriage of convenience.
I was so excited and the story was promising... But then after the wedding she starts looking good again and boom, Brad wants her! He becomes nice all of sudden. And boringly annoying! There was not enough tension between them, they were just fighting for silly reasons and I lost interest in their romance.
I also didn't understand Gwen: you said you are willing to do anything for your family, even marry a stranger for a year. Yet you won't accept money from your god-father? Isn't that also ''anything for your family''?
And the uncle/god-father was such an ass! What a twisted mind he has to manipulate people like this...
It was an ok story, typical Harlequin I would say, 2.5 stars...
At first we had gorgeous Brad who wants nothing to do with Gwen but will marry her to save his company. She was not at her best, because she recently lost her parents and had to work 2 jobs to support her family. She lost weight, had dark circles under her eyes, looked mousy when they first met so Brad thought it would be an easy marriage of convenience.
I was so excited and the story was promising... But then after the wedding she starts looking good again and boom, Brad wants her! He becomes nice all of sudden. And boringly annoying! There was not enough tension between them, they were just fighting for silly reasons and I lost interest in their romance.
I also didn't understand Gwen: you said you are willing to do anything for your family, even marry a stranger for a year. Yet you won't accept money from your god-father? Isn't that also ''anything for your family''?
And the uncle/god-father was such an ass! What a twisted mind he has to manipulate people like this...
It was an ok story, typical Harlequin I would say, 2.5 stars...
August 31, 2017
A lovely book. Read it a long time ago. Owned a copy too.
November 6, 2017
مترجمة للغة العربية بعنوان ايام في العذاب
ممتعة مضحكة وانصح بقراءتها.
ممتعة مضحكة وانصح بقراءتها.
November 11, 2019
Was it marriage for money or love?
Gwen Shaughnessy's marriage to Brad Robilliard, the cold, controlled founder of Robilliard Enterprises, was a business deal strictly for money. If they stayed together for one year, Brad's uncle, a misguided matchmaker, promised to solve both their financial problems.
Gwen filled Brad's ordered life with domesticity and fun, while he awakened a range of new emotions in her. Unintentionally, yet inevitably, they fell in love.
It should have been perfect. But doubts and the very contract that had brought them together now threatened to drive them apart. (
Gwen Shaughnessy's marriage to Brad Robilliard, the cold, controlled founder of Robilliard Enterprises, was a business deal strictly for money. If they stayed together for one year, Brad's uncle, a misguided matchmaker, promised to solve both their financial problems.
Gwen filled Brad's ordered life with domesticity and fun, while he awakened a range of new emotions in her. Unintentionally, yet inevitably, they fell in love.
It should have been perfect. But doubts and the very contract that had brought them together now threatened to drive them apart. (
February 13, 2022
Lovely story with a big helping of kittens
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews