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Claiming the Virgin's Baby
She’s never been touched
But she’s carrying his heir!
Seven months pregnant, innocent surrogate Rosalie realizes she can’t bear to give away the child she’s carrying for a childless Italian couple. She flies to Venice to beg forgiveness, only to discover brooding Alex Falconeri is a widower…and he has no idea she is expecting his baby!
Alex can’t throw away this chance to know his surprise heir. But Rosalie is torturously sweet temptation… After his cold, loveless marriage, Alex has sworn he will not marry again. But he’s starting to think he’ll do anything to make Rosalie his!
But she’s carrying his heir!
Seven months pregnant, innocent surrogate Rosalie realizes she can’t bear to give away the child she’s carrying for a childless Italian couple. She flies to Venice to beg forgiveness, only to discover brooding Alex Falconeri is a widower…and he has no idea she is expecting his baby!
Alex can’t throw away this chance to know his surprise heir. But Rosalie is torturously sweet temptation… After his cold, loveless marriage, Alex has sworn he will not marry again. But he’s starting to think he’ll do anything to make Rosalie his!
224 pages, Paperback
Published April 21, 2020
158 people are currently reading
123 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!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
April 2, 2020
3.5 stars.
She took a deep breath. She’d thought she could do this—be a surrogate mother for a childless married couple. She’d convinced herself that at the end of her pregnancy she’d be able to joyfully give the baby into the arms of his true, loving family.
She’d been a fool.
This is the second heroine as a surrogate mother trope I've personally encountered, in HPlandia. The first was Lynne Graham's Contract Baby.
In Lynne G's novel, the H himself had made the surrogacy arrangements with that story's heroine. But in Jennie Lucas ' tale, our H Alexander isn't even cognizant of the situation, since it's his late ex-wife, Chiara, who'd stolen his stored sperm sample and forged his name on the surrogacy contract.
This is the H, Alexander, the Conte di Rialto:
Alexander's golddigging ex-wife knew that he'd ignore their pre-nuptial contract and give her half of his fortune, if she used his biological child as leverage. Since Chiara had no interest in motherhood, she hired the heroine, Rosalie, to be the baby's biological surrogate mother:
“To hold me hostage,” he said softly.
“She meant to tell me I had a child, then hide him away from me, until I gave her what she wanted. Not just a divorce. She also wanted me to tear up our prenuptial agreement. She wanted to keep all her own money, but also take half of mine. It was the only way her lover said he’d marry her. If she could keep him in Ferraris and cocaine for the rest of his life.”
This is the heroine, Rosalie:
Rosalie's parents had just died in their homestead, during the tragic California wildfires and the grieving heroine thought it would be a wonderful idea to do a good deed for a childless couple. But, as soon as the artificial insemination was completed, Rosalie's regrets grew:
She’d realized she’d be giving up her own baby, not just carried by her body, but even related to her biologically.
In Venice, she's shock to discover that:
📍 The H has no idea who she is;
📍Hiswhoring wife had recently died in a car crash, along with her married, drug addicted, musician lover.
Alexander's marriage had been one of convenience; he'd chosen his wife because he didn't love her and bec he'd wanted to merge her parents vineyards with his. His wife hadn't loved him either; she'd been in love with the married musician and agreed to marry the H, to fulfil her inheritance requirements.
Their dismal marital sex life hadn't even lasted for half a year, because the wife resumed her affair with her lover as soon as she got her inheritance. The H wasn't hurt, jealous or bothered by the scandal because he'd had zero affection for the woman:
“You just described Chiara,” Alex said flatly. “And I never wanted her. Not even on our wedding day. Kissing her was like kissing a flagpole in winter.”
He'd even refused to divorce her, because he didn't want to be bothered with marriage again and thought she'd eventually agree to fulfil her part of the marital bargain, by providing him with his heir.
This annoyed me a lot, because I expect my H's to want to rid themselves of scandalous, adulterous and mercenary wives...
But Alexander just didn't give a damn about the woman or about her innumerable scandals. As Rosalie later told him, it's as if his heart was made of ice. Both MC's are plagued with guilt, over the deaths of their respective parents/siblings. The H responds to the guilt by ( predictably ) refusing to care for anyone, while the heroine believes that love is the only cure for her battered heart.
When Rosalie asks him to relinquish his rights to her unborn son, the H agrees bec he thinks she's an actress who'd been paid to cause further scandal. After all, he'd neither met the heroine nor knowingly provided any sperm sample for the insemination.
The questions only start to circle in his mind, after she leaves and he's confused by her refusal to blackmail, or beg him, for money. That's when he recalls the sperm sample he'd stored, in a Swiss clinic, a few years ago. A quick investigation reveals exactly how his ex-wife had used bribery and forgery to accomplish her goal.
Most importantly, he's stunned to learn that Rosalie could indeed be telling the truth...
One significant flaw in the plot was the lack of comeuppance, for the clinics and technicians ( in both Switzerland and California ), who'd been complicit in his late wife's criminal actions. I realize that this might've swerved the storyline into slightly irrelevant/boring territory, but it could've been mentioned, in a sentence, in the epilogue, that the accomplices were jailed or charged.
Despite hissupposedly stone cold heart and initial refusal to offer marriage to Rosalie, the H turns out to be extremely sweet, considerate and loving. She's the first woman who activates his libido, in years, and he makes many sweet gestures ( like taking her on the Orient Express, after seeing her with a copy of Agatha Christie's celebrated mystery novel ).
He's also perceptive enough to protect her from the sly machinations of a scorned, wannabe OW, who also happens to be his late wife's best friend. In vintage HPlandia, heroes are infamous for being either passively oblivious or smirking mockingly whenever vicious OW throw verbal barbs towards the heroines.
The H is also kind enough to give a large chunk of his late wife's money, to the widow of her musician lover. That public bequest, which shocked all of his dead wife's loser pals, was the perfect comeuppance for the evil, marriage wrecking succubus.
It closed the door on the dead wife's storyline and was a fitting memorial for an absolutely useless and vile human being...
After he does this, it's as if a huge weight is lifted off the H. He's still afraid to admit he loves the heroine, but he proposes because he cares for her and wants to be a husband and father. The birth of their son forges a stronger bond, but simultaneously causes the H to withdraw into himself.
A surprise visit from his cousin Cesare, the H from The Consequences of That Night upends the MC's marital bliss. Alexander dislikes being around Cesare, Emma and their kids, because it guts him to see a family that's filled with love and harmony.
The H thinks his cousin's happiness is just a pretty mirage, fated to disappear before the kids reach adolescence. This flawed opinion is based solely on his own late parents' acrimonious marriage; one that was filled with adultery, arguments and threats to divorce. It was a toxic love-hate marriage, where both parties couldn't live together but were unable to be apart.
Rosalie also realizes that she wants more from her marriage than just hot sex and mutual respect. She wants what Cesare and Emma share. The H's refusal to unbend and oblige her, is the final straw for the heroine. It's only after she's taken her baby and returned to California, that the H finally begins to address all his inner demons.
Both MC's have to exorcise their pent up guilt, address their fears and forgive them for their self hate and previous misconceptions, befo they're finally able to love each other properly. Alexander, who'd developed a bad case of aerophobia, after his parents and siblings had died in successive plane crashes, gets on a jet for the first time in a decade, just to chase after the heroine and grovel.
This wasn't very angst filled or trainwrecky, despite the tropes involved. That's largely due to the fact that the H made a huge effort to be kind and considerate, after the initial conflict issues had been sorted out. Alexander, despite his issues, was definitely a sweeter H than his cousin Cesare had been, in The Consequences of That Night.
I'd read that book, in my pre-Goodreads era, so I don't recall all the details, but I remember how much emotional suffering Cesare had brought upon poor Emma, before they'd achieved their HEA. In this story, though, Cesare is a sexy, cuddly 40something year old father of 3, who's had a personality transplant 😂.
Maybe it's just me, but Jennie Lucas' recent heroes seem more sensitive and open to communication, when compared to her earlier assholish HPlandia hunks. Thankfully, her heroines are still the same adorable, selfless sweethearts, though. Alexander and Rosalie end their story, by celebrating the heroine's second pregnancy and the birth of Cesare and Emma's 4th child.
Safety: No OM, a wannabe OW, no cheating and both MC's are celibate during their week long separation. The H had been celibate for a few years before meeting the heroine. His wife had been a cheating whore but he'd chosen not to have any mistresses.
She took a deep breath. She’d thought she could do this—be a surrogate mother for a childless married couple. She’d convinced herself that at the end of her pregnancy she’d be able to joyfully give the baby into the arms of his true, loving family.
She’d been a fool.
This is the second heroine as a surrogate mother trope I've personally encountered, in HPlandia. The first was Lynne Graham's Contract Baby.
In Lynne G's novel, the H himself had made the surrogacy arrangements with that story's heroine. But in Jennie Lucas ' tale, our H Alexander isn't even cognizant of the situation, since it's his late ex-wife, Chiara, who'd stolen his stored sperm sample and forged his name on the surrogacy contract.
This is the H, Alexander, the Conte di Rialto:
Alexander's golddigging ex-wife knew that he'd ignore their pre-nuptial contract and give her half of his fortune, if she used his biological child as leverage. Since Chiara had no interest in motherhood, she hired the heroine, Rosalie, to be the baby's biological surrogate mother:
“To hold me hostage,” he said softly.
“She meant to tell me I had a child, then hide him away from me, until I gave her what she wanted. Not just a divorce. She also wanted me to tear up our prenuptial agreement. She wanted to keep all her own money, but also take half of mine. It was the only way her lover said he’d marry her. If she could keep him in Ferraris and cocaine for the rest of his life.”
This is the heroine, Rosalie:
Rosalie's parents had just died in their homestead, during the tragic California wildfires and the grieving heroine thought it would be a wonderful idea to do a good deed for a childless couple. But, as soon as the artificial insemination was completed, Rosalie's regrets grew:
She’d realized she’d be giving up her own baby, not just carried by her body, but even related to her biologically.
In Venice, she's shock to discover that:
📍 The H has no idea who she is;
📍His
Alexander's marriage had been one of convenience; he'd chosen his wife because he didn't love her and bec he'd wanted to merge her parents vineyards with his. His wife hadn't loved him either; she'd been in love with the married musician and agreed to marry the H, to fulfil her inheritance requirements.
Their dismal marital sex life hadn't even lasted for half a year, because the wife resumed her affair with her lover as soon as she got her inheritance. The H wasn't hurt, jealous or bothered by the scandal because he'd had zero affection for the woman:
“You just described Chiara,” Alex said flatly. “And I never wanted her. Not even on our wedding day. Kissing her was like kissing a flagpole in winter.”
He'd even refused to divorce her, because he didn't want to be bothered with marriage again and thought she'd eventually agree to fulfil her part of the marital bargain, by providing him with his heir.
This annoyed me a lot, because I expect my H's to want to rid themselves of scandalous, adulterous and mercenary wives...
But Alexander just didn't give a damn about the woman or about her innumerable scandals. As Rosalie later told him, it's as if his heart was made of ice. Both MC's are plagued with guilt, over the deaths of their respective parents/siblings. The H responds to the guilt by ( predictably ) refusing to care for anyone, while the heroine believes that love is the only cure for her battered heart.
When Rosalie asks him to relinquish his rights to her unborn son, the H agrees bec he thinks she's an actress who'd been paid to cause further scandal. After all, he'd neither met the heroine nor knowingly provided any sperm sample for the insemination.
The questions only start to circle in his mind, after she leaves and he's confused by her refusal to blackmail, or beg him, for money. That's when he recalls the sperm sample he'd stored, in a Swiss clinic, a few years ago. A quick investigation reveals exactly how his ex-wife had used bribery and forgery to accomplish her goal.
Most importantly, he's stunned to learn that Rosalie could indeed be telling the truth...
One significant flaw in the plot was the lack of comeuppance, for the clinics and technicians ( in both Switzerland and California ), who'd been complicit in his late wife's criminal actions. I realize that this might've swerved the storyline into slightly irrelevant/boring territory, but it could've been mentioned, in a sentence, in the epilogue, that the accomplices were jailed or charged.
Despite his
He's also perceptive enough to protect her from the sly machinations of a scorned, wannabe OW, who also happens to be his late wife's best friend. In vintage HPlandia, heroes are infamous for being either passively oblivious or smirking mockingly whenever vicious OW throw verbal barbs towards the heroines.
The H is also kind enough to give a large chunk of his late wife's money, to the widow of her musician lover. That public bequest, which shocked all of his dead wife's loser pals, was the perfect comeuppance for the evil, marriage wrecking succubus.
It closed the door on the dead wife's storyline and was a fitting memorial for an absolutely useless and vile human being...
After he does this, it's as if a huge weight is lifted off the H. He's still afraid to admit he loves the heroine, but he proposes because he cares for her and wants to be a husband and father. The birth of their son forges a stronger bond, but simultaneously causes the H to withdraw into himself.
A surprise visit from his cousin Cesare, the H from The Consequences of That Night upends the MC's marital bliss. Alexander dislikes being around Cesare, Emma and their kids, because it guts him to see a family that's filled with love and harmony.
The H thinks his cousin's happiness is just a pretty mirage, fated to disappear before the kids reach adolescence. This flawed opinion is based solely on his own late parents' acrimonious marriage; one that was filled with adultery, arguments and threats to divorce. It was a toxic love-hate marriage, where both parties couldn't live together but were unable to be apart.
Rosalie also realizes that she wants more from her marriage than just hot sex and mutual respect. She wants what Cesare and Emma share. The H's refusal to unbend and oblige her, is the final straw for the heroine. It's only after she's taken her baby and returned to California, that the H finally begins to address all his inner demons.
Both MC's have to exorcise their pent up guilt, address their fears and forgive them for their self hate and previous misconceptions, befo they're finally able to love each other properly. Alexander, who'd developed a bad case of aerophobia, after his parents and siblings had died in successive plane crashes, gets on a jet for the first time in a decade, just to chase after the heroine and grovel.
This wasn't very angst filled or trainwrecky, despite the tropes involved. That's largely due to the fact that the H made a huge effort to be kind and considerate, after the initial conflict issues had been sorted out. Alexander, despite his issues, was definitely a sweeter H than his cousin Cesare had been, in The Consequences of That Night.
I'd read that book, in my pre-Goodreads era, so I don't recall all the details, but I remember how much emotional suffering Cesare had brought upon poor Emma, before they'd achieved their HEA. In this story, though, Cesare is a sexy, cuddly 40something year old father of 3, who's had a personality transplant 😂.
Maybe it's just me, but Jennie Lucas' recent heroes seem more sensitive and open to communication, when compared to her earlier assholish HPlandia hunks. Thankfully, her heroines are still the same adorable, selfless sweethearts, though. Alexander and Rosalie end their story, by celebrating the heroine's second pregnancy and the birth of Cesare and Emma's 4th child.
Safety: No OM, a wannabe OW, no cheating and both MC's are celibate during their week long separation. The H had been celibate for a few years before meeting the heroine. His wife had been a cheating whore but he'd chosen not to have any mistresses.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2020
Another book with a poor pregnant heroine who uproots her entire life just because the hero said so.
The archaic representation of women in these Harlequin novels has got to go. Women are more than wombs or virginity and, as shocking as it might sound, have been known to have a career/their own money.
April 26, 2020
This one needs to be read with rose colored glasses, but I thoroughly enjoyed it,sparkly unicorns and all.Lovely to meet up with Ceasare, Emma,and their brood...need to reread their story!
April 5, 2020
I don't love beta heroes who whines throughout the book.
April 5, 2020
Lovely read. I loved the heroine. She was pure, sweet and a great mother. Alex was brooding but he was not cruel he was kind of a beta hero and I prefer cruel heroes but at least the author gave me some angst towards the end of the book when hero realized he wanted a divorce because he could never love Rosalie the way she deserved to be loved. Nice epilogue with their baby boy and pregnant heroine. Totally safe: no cheating, heroine is a virgin and hero has been celibate for years. His first wife was trash and he never loved her.
October 25, 2020
Far-fetched, escapist, sweet heroine steamrollered by a wealthy Italian Count and exactly what I was after.
April 6, 2020
3.5 stars
A nice read , nothing special, the h Rosalie is a typical JL heroine, she is kind and sweet and loving, the H Alex !!🤔 a little bit too kind for me ! I wanted him to be a little bit mean and a jerk 🥴 yes 😁 in general it was ok and nice
A nice read , nothing special, the h Rosalie is a typical JL heroine, she is kind and sweet and loving, the H Alex !!🤔 a little bit too kind for me ! I wanted him to be a little bit mean and a jerk 🥴 yes 😁 in general it was ok and nice
February 2, 2021
"Claiming the Virgin's Baby" is the story of Rosalie and Alex.
A beautiful love story between a surrogate and a baby daddy. The heroine has had a tragic past, and decides to help out a couple with their baby by being their egg donor and carrier. Unbeknown to her, the woman dies and the man has no idea she's having his baby. At seven months of pregnancy, she discovers the truth when she goes to beg him to let her keep the baby. The hero is shocked, and initially agrees.. soon realizing he would be giving up his heir. He then asks the heroine to be the baby's nanny, but circumstances lead to a marriage. Soon passion intrudes, but so do the demons from his past, his inhibitions and refusal to love again. Will the heroine be able to melt his heart?
Mother Teresa heroine who was very loving and forgiving, scarred but very moody hero, loads of pushing away and drama, tragic pasts, sweet lovemaking, heartfelt confessions and HEA.
Enjoyed it!
Safe
4/5
A beautiful love story between a surrogate and a baby daddy. The heroine has had a tragic past, and decides to help out a couple with their baby by being their egg donor and carrier. Unbeknown to her, the woman dies and the man has no idea she's having his baby. At seven months of pregnancy, she discovers the truth when she goes to beg him to let her keep the baby. The hero is shocked, and initially agrees.. soon realizing he would be giving up his heir. He then asks the heroine to be the baby's nanny, but circumstances lead to a marriage. Soon passion intrudes, but so do the demons from his past, his inhibitions and refusal to love again. Will the heroine be able to melt his heart?
Mother Teresa heroine who was very loving and forgiving, scarred but very moody hero, loads of pushing away and drama, tragic pasts, sweet lovemaking, heartfelt confessions and HEA.
Enjoyed it!
Safe
4/5
May 25, 2020
Excellent Romance
I loved this book! I loved the heroine and towards the end I even liked the Conte. I actually cried at his cruelty at one point but he definitely redeemed himself. I liked that he was not a stone cold hero, where nothing mattered and he was impervious to emotipn. His fear of flying astonished me. HP heroes are never afraid. But this one was. I liked that we were privy to his thoughts and it made me see that he was just a man who grew up in a volatile household that was afraid to care. I loved that the heroine and their baby made him human again. When he talked to Cesare his cousin, I was like men don't talk this way, but I put on my unicorn glasses and pretended they did. And I liked it. This was a very different storyline, and yet familiar, but it was the heroine who made it lovely. And let's not forget her Great Aunt Odette who almost stole the story. She was a firecracker and I loved her comments. Highly recommended to HP lovers everywhere! Finally a good one.
I loved this book! I loved the heroine and towards the end I even liked the Conte. I actually cried at his cruelty at one point but he definitely redeemed himself. I liked that he was not a stone cold hero, where nothing mattered and he was impervious to emotipn. His fear of flying astonished me. HP heroes are never afraid. But this one was. I liked that we were privy to his thoughts and it made me see that he was just a man who grew up in a volatile household that was afraid to care. I loved that the heroine and their baby made him human again. When he talked to Cesare his cousin, I was like men don't talk this way, but I put on my unicorn glasses and pretended they did. And I liked it. This was a very different storyline, and yet familiar, but it was the heroine who made it lovely. And let's not forget her Great Aunt Odette who almost stole the story. She was a firecracker and I loved her comments. Highly recommended to HP lovers everywhere! Finally a good one.
November 17, 2020
Loved the first half and heroine so much. But because there wasn’t any grovel I was still irked even after finishing the book.
Recommended and safe.
P.s I loved that hero was celibate for more than 2 years and refused to sleep with his lying, cheating late wife.
Recommended and safe.
P.s I loved that hero was celibate for more than 2 years and refused to sleep with his lying, cheating late wife.
May 18, 2020
My first harlequin presents since 2018 and this one was a very tamed and average one. I didn't feel much passion between the characters and felt a lot of telling not showing.
September 24, 2020
3.5 stars. A beta hero in an HP is always a bit disappointing. Still an enjoyable read, but definitely middle of the road.
April 11, 2020
The H was a coward. The h, a doormat.
They both had massive guilt over the deaths of family members.
She’s the surrogate who no longer wants to give the baby up. So she travels from Cali to Venice to tell the couple this. Then learns the wife who contracted the surrogacy was dead and lied about the entire situation.
The H needed an heir so he decides he wants his baby and his baby mama too. She wants love, the romantic sappy love, and he can’t love. At all. Cold, frozen heart.
It all went well until the baby was born and his feelings shocked the hell out of him. So he became scared and acted like a douche. She was willing to have him walk all over her just to keep things the way they were.
I disliked both main characters. I felt no sympathy for either. I luuurved the great aunt. She told it like it was and had me craving an omelette.
I gave 3 generous stars cause there was some okayness to the story. But for the most part, the main characters just annoyed me.
They both had massive guilt over the deaths of family members.
She’s the surrogate who no longer wants to give the baby up. So she travels from Cali to Venice to tell the couple this. Then learns the wife who contracted the surrogacy was dead and lied about the entire situation.
The H needed an heir so he decides he wants his baby and his baby mama too. She wants love, the romantic sappy love, and he can’t love. At all. Cold, frozen heart.
It all went well until the baby was born and his feelings shocked the hell out of him. So he became scared and acted like a douche. She was willing to have him walk all over her just to keep things the way they were.
I disliked both main characters. I felt no sympathy for either. I luuurved the great aunt. She told it like it was and had me craving an omelette.
I gave 3 generous stars cause there was some okayness to the story. But for the most part, the main characters just annoyed me.
May 2, 2020
What drew my attention to this one was the blurb which seemed uncannily similar to The Italian's Pregnant Virgin by Maisey Yates. But the premise is of course very, very different. The reason the respective heroines had for agreeing to surrogacy is different, even though both the respective heroes are Italians residing in their native country where surrogacy is not allowed while the heroines are American. Also, the heroes had separate issues.
The story opens on seven months pregnant Rosalie Brown, a surrogate mother who's regretting her decision, made during a difficult period in her life. She realises she won't be able to give up her baby. A deal struck with an Italian woman, Chiara Falconeri and her husband Alex. And that is what makes her go to Venice, to do exactly what even she doesn't know. She never met Alex and saw Chiara only once.
Alexander Falconeri is the Conte di Rialto, who is surprised to see a very pregnant woman on his doorstep and astonished and angry when she claims that the baby is his when he knows it can never be. He doesn't believe this woman who travelled from San Francisco to Venice just to lie to him.
I loved Chiara's French great aunt Odette Lancel, who runs a world-famous omelette restaurant on Mont-Saint-Michel.
She makes an appearance only twice, and both of them are impactful. But I felt that she should have been there at the end as well. Together with an epilogue, which I'd have loved.
Rosalie is a Christie fan, you guys. And there is some related Christie activity as well. But beyond that, there is so much tragedy in both their pasts. While Rosalie has hearts in her eyes, Alex is disillusioned by love. There was this certain sensuous quality to the prose which made this a read that I breezed through. Even with their heavy pasts, and the heartbreaks, this was a light read. It had a dreamy quality to it.
Alex is the second cousin of Cesare Falconeri from The Consequences of That Night, and the events of this book happen three-four years after that one. Cesare and Emma and their brood make an appearance in this book and I liked them more here than in their own story.
Chased by paparazzi, however frustrating it is, the creative getaways employed by Rosalie and Alex were fun! But Alex made it very tough to love or for someone to love him since his fear of losing everyone kept getting in the way. I loved the author here for showing this man in such a vulnerable state where he overcomes his fear in the end. But I really missed having an epilogue.
P.S. This is my twelfth read by Jennie Lucas and my favourite reads by her are:
Virgin Mistress, Scandalous Love-Child
Carrying the Spaniard's Child
Uncovering Her Nine Month Secret
The story opens on seven months pregnant Rosalie Brown, a surrogate mother who's regretting her decision, made during a difficult period in her life. She realises she won't be able to give up her baby. A deal struck with an Italian woman, Chiara Falconeri and her husband Alex. And that is what makes her go to Venice, to do exactly what even she doesn't know. She never met Alex and saw Chiara only once.
Alexander Falconeri is the Conte di Rialto, who is surprised to see a very pregnant woman on his doorstep and astonished and angry when she claims that the baby is his when he knows it can never be. He doesn't believe this woman who travelled from San Francisco to Venice just to lie to him.
I loved Chiara's French great aunt Odette Lancel, who runs a world-famous omelette restaurant on Mont-Saint-Michel.
That is why young people need the older ones. To tell you about life.
She makes an appearance only twice, and both of them are impactful. But I felt that she should have been there at the end as well. Together with an epilogue, which I'd have loved.
Rosalie is a Christie fan, you guys. And there is some related Christie activity as well. But beyond that, there is so much tragedy in both their pasts. While Rosalie has hearts in her eyes, Alex is disillusioned by love. There was this certain sensuous quality to the prose which made this a read that I breezed through. Even with their heavy pasts, and the heartbreaks, this was a light read. It had a dreamy quality to it.
Alex is the second cousin of Cesare Falconeri from The Consequences of That Night, and the events of this book happen three-four years after that one. Cesare and Emma and their brood make an appearance in this book and I liked them more here than in their own story.
Chased by paparazzi, however frustrating it is, the creative getaways employed by Rosalie and Alex were fun! But Alex made it very tough to love or for someone to love him since his fear of losing everyone kept getting in the way. I loved the author here for showing this man in such a vulnerable state where he overcomes his fear in the end. But I really missed having an epilogue.
P.S. This is my twelfth read by Jennie Lucas and my favourite reads by her are:
Virgin Mistress, Scandalous Love-Child
Carrying the Spaniard's Child
Uncovering Her Nine Month Secret
July 31, 2021
4.5 stars
Sweet surrogate story. He didn't know that his dead ex wife tried to blackmail him using a baby that she paid the h carry. The h thought she could give up her baby but then changed her mind. When she was 6 months pregnant, she tried to find the couple to tell them she couldn't give up her baby. She had a very strong maternal instinct which was adorable. The H said yes to her having full custoday of the baby when he thought she was lying. Then he found her in France when he was sure the baby was his. They didn't want to get married at first bcs the H was not keen on marriage when he was married to a faithless cold OW. He had been celibate for 3 years of his marriage to OW while the OW was out with her lover and died with him a month prior to the MCs meeting.
The H was a bit irrational but maybe it was because of his trauma. Apparently every one of his family member died in plane crashes. He had a phobia of flying so he traveled everywhere by car or ship. Soon after he decided that he wanted to marry her without loving her. He knew the h wanted a marriage full of love but thought to settle at making her happy and provided for her financially.
In the end the h fell in love with the H and somehow the H drew a strange conclusion that every single person that were close to him will somehow die so he pushed the h away and asked for divorce, despite him telling th h at first that they'd not divorce under any circumstances. The h heartbroken and brought the baby home to America. The H had a heart to heart with his second cousin and realized he was in love with his wife then took a plane to go to his wife. A sweet ending with 9 month old baby Oliver and a baby on the way.
Sweet surrogate story. He didn't know that his dead ex wife tried to blackmail him using a baby that she paid the h carry. The h thought she could give up her baby but then changed her mind. When she was 6 months pregnant, she tried to find the couple to tell them she couldn't give up her baby. She had a very strong maternal instinct which was adorable. The H said yes to her having full custoday of the baby when he thought she was lying. Then he found her in France when he was sure the baby was his. They didn't want to get married at first bcs the H was not keen on marriage when he was married to a faithless cold OW. He had been celibate for 3 years of his marriage to OW while the OW was out with her lover and died with him a month prior to the MCs meeting.
The H was a bit irrational but maybe it was because of his trauma. Apparently every one of his family member died in plane crashes. He had a phobia of flying so he traveled everywhere by car or ship. Soon after he decided that he wanted to marry her without loving her. He knew the h wanted a marriage full of love but thought to settle at making her happy and provided for her financially.
In the end the h fell in love with the H and somehow the H drew a strange conclusion that every single person that were close to him will somehow die so he pushed the h away and asked for divorce, despite him telling th h at first that they'd not divorce under any circumstances. The h heartbroken and brought the baby home to America. The H had a heart to heart with his second cousin and realized he was in love with his wife then took a plane to go to his wife. A sweet ending with 9 month old baby Oliver and a baby on the way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2020
A rather sweet story (but even unrealistic by HQP standards) about a young woman who agrees to act as a surrogate for an Italian couple, only to decide to keep her baby.
Others have written better reviews with spoilers, but over all, I ended this with a smile. Even the angst wasn't very high and Alex's black moments were understandable. It was nice to have a H with what could be considered a weakness. (He was afraid to fly after his parents, brother & sister were killed in two different plane crashes.)
My favorite parts-
The "award" dinner, when Alex really got even with the OW Guilia for her. "Total uproar took over the ballroom. Giulia, standing behind him, had a shocked, slack-jawed expression as Alex turned and took the small crystal “award” from her limp hands. Smiling, he kissed her on the cheek, as if to say Checkmate."
When he trying to figure out how to prove to Rosalie that he loves her. "He remembered how she’d insisted on accompanying him to the charity ball that he’d dreaded. How she’d endured labor, how she’d needed him there, how she’d squeezed his hand so hard. “But how can I show her? How can I prove—” His eyes went wide. “I’ll take a plane.” "
His cousin, Cesare, "helping" Alex to get on the plane. "“Perhaps I can help with that too.” “How?” Cesare gave a low laugh. “I can punch you in the face till you pass out, then tie you up and toss you on my plane. If you want.” For a moment, Alex actually considered it. Then he shook his head. “No?” Cesare pretended to sigh. “I will do it sober,” Alex said. "
Others have written better reviews with spoilers, but over all, I ended this with a smile. Even the angst wasn't very high and Alex's black moments were understandable. It was nice to have a H with what could be considered a weakness. (He was afraid to fly after his parents, brother & sister were killed in two different plane crashes.)
My favorite parts-
The "award" dinner, when Alex really got even with the OW Guilia for her. "Total uproar took over the ballroom. Giulia, standing behind him, had a shocked, slack-jawed expression as Alex turned and took the small crystal “award” from her limp hands. Smiling, he kissed her on the cheek, as if to say Checkmate."
When he trying to figure out how to prove to Rosalie that he loves her. "He remembered how she’d insisted on accompanying him to the charity ball that he’d dreaded. How she’d endured labor, how she’d needed him there, how she’d squeezed his hand so hard. “But how can I show her? How can I prove—” His eyes went wide. “I’ll take a plane.” "
His cousin, Cesare, "helping" Alex to get on the plane. "“Perhaps I can help with that too.” “How?” Cesare gave a low laugh. “I can punch you in the face till you pass out, then tie you up and toss you on my plane. If you want.” For a moment, Alex actually considered it. Then he shook his head. “No?” Cesare pretended to sigh. “I will do it sober,” Alex said. "
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2020
For me this author can be a bit hit and miss, but this was a really lovely read.
April 7, 2021
قراءتها بعنوان الاغراء المعذب بترجمة منتدى روايتي
لم احبها كثيرا
لم احبها كثيرا
March 12, 2024
I'm slowly becoming obsessed with Jennie Lucas' writing and her characters. Alex and Rosalia are one of best main characters I've ever read and their stories were portrayed beautifully. I laughed with them, cried for them and rooted for them to overcome their fears. Oh such a beautiful book! The post-reading heaven was magical~
February 4, 2022
Well, that's a wrap. How I feel about it is still a dilemma. How did I change from loving M & B crazily to just read it during boredom? I honestly don't know.
The repeated elements of helpless female lead meets alpha male, sparks fly irrespective of the circumstances. They make intense love and ta da there is a baby (not in this book though). Both realise their love for each other, yet the female lead goes away only for the alpha male to run to her clearing hurdles he himself had installed to confess his love!
The typical tale. Some elements are good and some I seriously don't feel for anymore. This is a 2.5 🌟 for me but my love for the location - Venice, Italy amped up half a ⭐
The repeated elements of helpless female lead meets alpha male, sparks fly irrespective of the circumstances. They make intense love and ta da there is a baby (not in this book though). Both realise their love for each other, yet the female lead goes away only for the alpha male to run to her clearing hurdles he himself had installed to confess his love!
The typical tale. Some elements are good and some I seriously don't feel for anymore. This is a 2.5 🌟 for me but my love for the location - Venice, Italy amped up half a ⭐
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September 18, 2020Entre El Deseo Y El Temor (Versión)
August 12, 2020
Read through rose colored glasses this was a sweet book. I had to roll my eyes at the 25-year-old virgin, but besides that, it was a good story. Rosalie may be innocent, but she was brave, and had a backbone. Rosalie, and Alex were both grieving the loss of their family. They both feel responsible for the deaths. Alex was the typical hero, and was afraid of love. He didn’t realize he had already fallen in love with Rosalie until later on in the story. At times I wanted to shake him… He did finally come to senses, and the end of the book was sweet.
Sample from chapter 5 – And yet, innocent as she was, she’d noticed the way his gaze had lingered on her. And then, on the platform at the train station in Paris, the way he’s kissed her! His embrace had been a wonder, magical. As he’d kissed her, all the world had whirled around them like a storm, lightning crackling through her veins. When he finally pulled away, she’d been lost,
Sample from chapter 5 – And yet, innocent as she was, she’d noticed the way his gaze had lingered on her. And then, on the platform at the train station in Paris, the way he’s kissed her! His embrace had been a wonder, magical. As he’d kissed her, all the world had whirled around them like a storm, lightning crackling through her veins. When he finally pulled away, she’d been lost,
July 7, 2023
Dumb, dumb, dumb.
An evil Italian countess bribes a fertility clinic in California to steal her husband's sperm from a Swiss clinic, to impregnate a virgin surrogate so she can grow a blackmail baby to use to force a divorce, all without the husband knowing about it.
The ridiculous plot aside, the 'romance' boils down to no more than lust and money. We are treated to the usual fare of simmering sex looks an boring-as-fuck shopping scenes. Idolizing the rich is always a feature in these modern M&B romances, the author pantingly informs us how expensive everything is, how exclusive, how the H is so powerful and rich that the scurrying peons known as normal people slither before him like mere worms, begging to do his bidding.
I laughed at one point when the H and h are in an exclusive boutique and he insists on buying her a fancy cocktail dress, (the most expensive one in the shop we are informed, of course), which he does there and then. The h is 8 months pregnant at this point... are we to believe a designer boutique in Venice has a maternity range? I also hate how she goes to a party 'tottering' on high heels when she's so heavily pregnant.
Every now and again I'll try read these modern M&B, but I just hate them. It's all about shallow people, the author gushing in her kecks about how rich some dude is, lust and loveless sex. I honestly think romance is dead in the M&B modern line.
An evil Italian countess bribes a fertility clinic in California to steal her husband's sperm from a Swiss clinic, to impregnate a virgin surrogate so she can grow a blackmail baby to use to force a divorce, all without the husband knowing about it.
The ridiculous plot aside, the 'romance' boils down to no more than lust and money. We are treated to the usual fare of simmering sex looks an boring-as-fuck shopping scenes. Idolizing the rich is always a feature in these modern M&B romances, the author pantingly informs us how expensive everything is, how exclusive, how the H is so powerful and rich that the scurrying peons known as normal people slither before him like mere worms, begging to do his bidding.
I laughed at one point when the H and h are in an exclusive boutique and he insists on buying her a fancy cocktail dress, (the most expensive one in the shop we are informed, of course), which he does there and then. The h is 8 months pregnant at this point... are we to believe a designer boutique in Venice has a maternity range? I also hate how she goes to a party 'tottering' on high heels when she's so heavily pregnant.
Every now and again I'll try read these modern M&B, but I just hate them. It's all about shallow people, the author gushing in her kecks about how rich some dude is, lust and loveless sex. I honestly think romance is dead in the M&B modern line.
April 15, 2020
The H really doesn't have any kind of common sense or financial sense. He first refuses to divorce his first wife who flaunts his affair with a married drug addict musician who wants H's money to keep him in ferraris. He lets her stay in his mansion so its more convenient for her to carry on her affair and stays celibate himself. Then on her death, donates her money to the musician's wife. Then trades in his lamborgini to some worker's 2 seater. He spends his time and effort on wines he doesn't sell. He also wanted to sell his mother's share when faced with a takeover rather than get on a plane and negotiate. The h falls in love with this idiot but is no less of an idiot who literally signs a surrogacy contract without once receiving any counseling or legal advise. She is ofcourse a virgin with some weird ideas about love. Together they are a match made in Harlequin heaven.
November 11, 2021
Lov ed this Mills and Boon Large Print Romances I read it over night could not put it down. It is story of young woman been a surrogate mother for a couple when at 7 months she decides she doesn't want to give her baby up. So she travels to Italy to give the couple the news but when she get there she learns her babies father in unaware of the the baby or the surrogacy and his wife is dead. He is count.
It is here Alex the baby's father suggests they marry inwhich Rosalie agrees it here they build a relationship with each other even though Alex said he can never love and also about his fear of flying due the deaths of his family members in plane crashes carries the guilt. Rosalie also has her guilt too over her parents deaths too. It is story of love, bravery and family a great read.
It is here Alex the baby's father suggests they marry inwhich Rosalie agrees it here they build a relationship with each other even though Alex said he can never love and also about his fear of flying due the deaths of his family members in plane crashes carries the guilt. Rosalie also has her guilt too over her parents deaths too. It is story of love, bravery and family a great read.
priority
June 6, 2020She’s never been touched
But she’s carrying his heir!
Seven months pregnant, innocent surrogate Rosalie realizes she can’t bear to give away the child she’s carrying for a childless Italian couple. She flies to Venice to beg forgiveness, only to discover brooding Alex Falconeri is a widower…and he has no idea she is expecting his baby!
Alex can’t throw away this chance to know his surprise heir. But Rosalie is torturously sweet temptation… After his cold, loveless marriage, Alex has sworn he will not marry again. But he’s starting to think he’ll do anything to make Rosalie his!
But she’s carrying his heir!
Seven months pregnant, innocent surrogate Rosalie realizes she can’t bear to give away the child she’s carrying for a childless Italian couple. She flies to Venice to beg forgiveness, only to discover brooding Alex Falconeri is a widower…and he has no idea she is expecting his baby!
Alex can’t throw away this chance to know his surprise heir. But Rosalie is torturously sweet temptation… After his cold, loveless marriage, Alex has sworn he will not marry again. But he’s starting to think he’ll do anything to make Rosalie his!
September 10, 2021
First, this was a 'sweet' read. Not a lot of angst, but enough; not a lot of romance, but enough; not a lot of character development, but sorta enough. Two hurt people helped each other heal and in the process healed themself. Note: I did love how the H handled the 'charity' event to honor his dead, cheating wife and her chronies: karma.
December 26, 2025
A sweet, undemanding romance read
I enjoyed this story, although I did need to keep my rose-colored glasses firmly in place! Rosalie is strong and sweetly earnest as the female lead. Alex is far more angst-riddled than I expect (want?) in a titled billionaire romantic lead, but I am happy for Rosalie's well deserved HEA.
I enjoyed this story, although I did need to keep my rose-colored glasses firmly in place! Rosalie is strong and sweetly earnest as the female lead. Alex is far more angst-riddled than I expect (want?) in a titled billionaire romantic lead, but I am happy for Rosalie's well deserved HEA.
May 22, 2020
Very good quick read, relationship moved a little to fast for my liking I didn't like the overly used word "huskily" other then that I liked it i also liked how they two protagonist has similar experiences and learned how to move forward and look to the future
February 19, 2023
This one was pretty good. These two were brought together by the sinister machinations of another (twirl that mustache honey) and the situation is difficult, because there is a baby involved. Everyone wants to do the best for themselves and the child. I can appreciate that.
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