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Penjaga Hati Miliuner Italia - The Italian's Christmas Housekeepe
Awalnya, Molly Miller hanya diperintahkan untuk menyiapkan kamar tamu bagi Salvio De Gennaro. Namun, siapa sangka kamar yang ia siapkan bisa dinikmatinya bersama miliuner dari Napoli itu.
Karena kebersamaan mereka, Molly dipecat dari pekerjaannya. Ia pun ditawarkan pekerjaan lebih dari sekadar penata gerha oleh sang miliuner. Molly harus memastikan akan mampu menjaga hatinya sebelum mengambil tawaran tersebut.
Karena kebersamaan mereka, Molly dipecat dari pekerjaannya. Ia pun ditawarkan pekerjaan lebih dari sekadar penata gerha oleh sang miliuner. Molly harus memastikan akan mampu menjaga hatinya sebelum mengambil tawaran tersebut.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 16, 2018
81 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Kendrick
1,236 books454 followersI was told off as a child for making up stories—little did I know that one day I’d earn my living by writing them!
To the horror of my parents, I left school at sixteen and held a bewildering variety of jobs: I was a London DJ (in the now-trendy Primrose Hill), a decorator and a singer. After that I became a cook, a photographer and, eventually, a nurse. I waitressed in the south of France, drove an ambulance in Australia, saw lots of beautiful sights but could never settle down. Everywhere I went I felt like a square peg—until one day I started writing again and then everything just fell into place. I felt like Cinderella must have when the glass slipper fit!
Today, I have the best job in the world, writing passionate romances for Harlequin. I like writing stories which are sexy and fast-paced, yet packed full of emotion—stories that readers will identify with, laugh and cry along with.
My interests are many and varied—chocolate and music, fresh flowers and bubble baths, films, cooking and trying to keep my home from looking burglarized! Simple pleasures—you can’t beat them!
I live in Winchester, one of the most stunning cities in the world, but don’t take my word for it—come see for yourself! I regularly visit London and Paris. Oh, and I love hearing from my readers all over the world…so I think it’s over to you!
To the horror of my parents, I left school at sixteen and held a bewildering variety of jobs: I was a London DJ (in the now-trendy Primrose Hill), a decorator and a singer. After that I became a cook, a photographer and, eventually, a nurse. I waitressed in the south of France, drove an ambulance in Australia, saw lots of beautiful sights but could never settle down. Everywhere I went I felt like a square peg—until one day I started writing again and then everything just fell into place. I felt like Cinderella must have when the glass slipper fit!
Today, I have the best job in the world, writing passionate romances for Harlequin. I like writing stories which are sexy and fast-paced, yet packed full of emotion—stories that readers will identify with, laugh and cry along with.
My interests are many and varied—chocolate and music, fresh flowers and bubble baths, films, cooking and trying to keep my home from looking burglarized! Simple pleasures—you can’t beat them!
I live in Winchester, one of the most stunning cities in the world, but don’t take my word for it—come see for yourself! I regularly visit London and Paris. Oh, and I love hearing from my readers all over the world…so I think it’s over to you!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
October 11, 2018
3.5 stars.
And that's how the MC's are brought together in this novel. It's a bit reminiscent of the vintage HP's because the H has some serious assholish tendencies. However, the author tempers his mean streak with a good dose of kindness and inherent humanity that was often lacking in the old school asshole hunks. The novel opens with the narrative being viewed via the H's POV. Salvio De Gennaro ( full name Salvatore ) is a former professional footballer ( soccer ) who is now a billionaire property/investments tycoon. He's visiting Lord and Lady Avery's Cornish estate in order to conduct some business, when he meets the heroine Molly Miller. Molly is the long suffering, overworked housekeeper/chef for the Avery's and she's spent her entire adult life caring for her terminally ill mother and then for her wayward, selfish younger brother Robbie.
This is the H, Salvio ( Salvatore )
And this is the heroine, Molly:
Neither MC is looking for love. The H has been burnt by that emotion since his former fiancee, Lauren, had dumped him when he'd declared bankruptcy, after his manager had absconded with most of his money. His predicament, at that time, had been worsened by the fact that he'd been suffering from a career ending leg injury. Molly, on the other hand, believes that her life is destined to be a loveless one filled with boring drudgery, because she's taken it upon herself to pay off her brother's gambling debts. After all, not many men will choose to saddle themselves with a woman whose salary is tied up with a relative's long term debt payments.
Salvio's not enjoying his visit because the plastic fantastic Lady Avery, who's at least 15 years older, is flirting with him at every opportunity. Lady Avery is the classic type of trash princess socialite who'll be perfect for one of those tacky Real Housewives reality shows: she is botoxed to the limit and can't smile properly since her duck lips are rubbery looking and super inflated with lip fillers. Lol. She's also uncaring of the fact that she's lusting after the H right in front of her oblivious elderly husband. Salvio, however, finds her tacky, mean, classless, unattractive and distasteful. His old fashioned, patriarchal Neapolitan principles are offended by her blatant willingness to commit adultery. She's also a proud homewrecker who boasts about how Lord Avery fell in love with her and divorced his first wife.
The heroine is worked to the bone by Lady Avery, who also treats her with ridicule, contempt and disrespect. Molly puts up with all of it because she's well paid and has a roof over her head. Salvio's lust is kicked into overdrive when he sees Molly because her voluptuous curves and earthy wholesome beauty remind him of the women he used to be infatuated with back in Naples when he'd hit puberty. She's the polar opposite of the tall, elegant and model slim women who are a part of his current world. But, as is usual with introverted heroines, Molly's very insecure about her physical appearance and Lady Avery's nasty gibes don't remedy the heroine's low self esteem issues. It is seriously annoying and pitiful that some women can only uplift themselves, and their own standards of beauty, by denigrating others.
The MC's end up in bed after the H comforts a crying Molly; the heroine had been the convenient scapegoat for Lady Avery's bullying after the H had declined the hagwitch's not so subtle offer to polish his penis. They end up engaging in multiple rounds of hot sex and both agree that it's just going to be a one night stand. Salvio ends up leaving early the following morning, in an effort to avoid another encounter with the hagwitch. Molly, however, is not so fortunate; the hagwitch was waiting right outside Salvio's guest bedroom when the heroines leaves to return to her own bedchamber !
The heroine ends up being bullied and overworked even more, because Lady Avery is filled with jealous envy that Salvio had refused her plastic charms and fallen into Molly's arms instead. Molly tolerates all the bullying because she has no option but even she miscalculates the extent of Lady A's maliciousness. The nauseating hagwitch waits until a few days before Christmas, before ceremoniously firing her without giving extended notice. Lady A even states that her reason for sacking Molly is all due to the fact that he preferred the heroine. Lady Avery doesn't count as an OW since the H wasn't interested in her, but she's right up there with those vile ladies who have made life hell for heroines in HPlandia. What's even more awful is that she gets no comeuppance for her behaviour and is never mentioned again. I think she deserved a harsh bitch slap !
Molly ends up getting hired to work as Salvio's temporary housekeeper in the Cotswolds after his permanent employee has a family emergency. This is when the H undergoes a 180 degree personality change from the kind, comforting and solicitous lover she'd known in Cornwwall to the rude and mean stranger who's her temporary employer; his assholery knows no bounds and he accuses Molly of trying to ingratiate herself and wheedle her way into his life again. The entire tone of the storyline changes dramatically from this point onwards and the angst factor is amped up as well. This actually made the story more entertaining for me because Salvio's assholery reminded me of the way many of the old school H's behaved and I've recently become addicted to the vintage trainwrecky HP's. Lol. One of Salvio's cruellest comments occurs when he accuses the pregnant Molly of having plotted to trap him:
‘You think I pretended to cry? That I deliberately got myself pregnant to get you to pay off my brother’s debts? That I would cold-bloodedly use my baby as a bargaining tool?’
‘No, I’m not saying that. But I do think that fate has played right into your hardworking little hands,’ he said slowly. ‘Don’t you?’
Her voice was shaking as she shook her head. ‘No. No, I don’t.’
I couldn't believe this was the same guy who'd been so sweet and sexy to Molly ! But it did provide for a great deal of entertaining OTT drama...
Salvio, to give him some credit, doesn't demand a DNA test and he proposes to Molly. The awed heroine gets the usual makeover, which includes the right type of outfits that complement her voluptuous figure. Then it's off to Italy to meet the future in laws. The MC's relationship improves slowly but everything is once again derailed after Molly has a miscarriage and the donkey douchebag implies that she probably hadn't been pregnant to begin with ! It's only when Molly threatens to leave his ass that he finally starts to communicate with her and proposes to her again. Salvio was a very complicated character because of his inability to trust any female. I think he'd been in love with Molly when he proposed the second time, after her miscarriage but he'd still been living in denial of his feelings at that time.
The MC's are only reconciled to their final HEA after Molly dumps him when her brother sent her email of a paparazzi article which showed Salvio sitting in a restaurant with his former fiancee, Lauren. The H had previously admitted to having been in love with Lauren when he'd been in his 20's, so Molly thought that he'd reunited with the woman. The truth was that his feelings for Lauren had been the youthful idealistic fancies of an immature football star, who was blinded by his newfound wealth and fame:
‘No. Please. Let me finish,’ he said and his voice was shaking now. ‘You need to understand that all this is true, because there is no way I would say it if it wasn’t.’ His black eyes raked over her. ‘Do you believe me, Molly? That I would walk to the ends of the earth for you and further, if that’s what you wanted? And that I love you in a way I’ve never loved before?’
The epilogue is lovely since it is set at Christmastime again and the MC's have a 10 month old son called Marco. Molly's a lot more confident and Salvio's more lovable and no longer an asshole:
He stroked his fingers through her hair. ‘It’s because I love you, Molly. You’re so easy to love.’
‘And so are you. At least, you are now,’ she added darkly.
He laughed. ‘Was I such a terrible man before?’ ‘Terrible,’ she agreed, mock-seriously.
Safety: No cheating, no OW, no OM and the MC's are both celibate during their separation.
And that's how the MC's are brought together in this novel. It's a bit reminiscent of the vintage HP's because the H has some serious assholish tendencies. However, the author tempers his mean streak with a good dose of kindness and inherent humanity that was often lacking in the old school asshole hunks. The novel opens with the narrative being viewed via the H's POV. Salvio De Gennaro ( full name Salvatore ) is a former professional footballer ( soccer ) who is now a billionaire property/investments tycoon. He's visiting Lord and Lady Avery's Cornish estate in order to conduct some business, when he meets the heroine Molly Miller. Molly is the long suffering, overworked housekeeper/chef for the Avery's and she's spent her entire adult life caring for her terminally ill mother and then for her wayward, selfish younger brother Robbie.
This is the H, Salvio ( Salvatore )
And this is the heroine, Molly:
Neither MC is looking for love. The H has been burnt by that emotion since his former fiancee, Lauren, had dumped him when he'd declared bankruptcy, after his manager had absconded with most of his money. His predicament, at that time, had been worsened by the fact that he'd been suffering from a career ending leg injury. Molly, on the other hand, believes that her life is destined to be a loveless one filled with boring drudgery, because she's taken it upon herself to pay off her brother's gambling debts. After all, not many men will choose to saddle themselves with a woman whose salary is tied up with a relative's long term debt payments.
Salvio's not enjoying his visit because the plastic fantastic Lady Avery, who's at least 15 years older, is flirting with him at every opportunity. Lady Avery is the classic type of trash princess socialite who'll be perfect for one of those tacky Real Housewives reality shows: she is botoxed to the limit and can't smile properly since her duck lips are rubbery looking and super inflated with lip fillers. Lol. She's also uncaring of the fact that she's lusting after the H right in front of her oblivious elderly husband. Salvio, however, finds her tacky, mean, classless, unattractive and distasteful. His old fashioned, patriarchal Neapolitan principles are offended by her blatant willingness to commit adultery. She's also a proud homewrecker who boasts about how Lord Avery fell in love with her and divorced his first wife.
The heroine is worked to the bone by Lady Avery, who also treats her with ridicule, contempt and disrespect. Molly puts up with all of it because she's well paid and has a roof over her head. Salvio's lust is kicked into overdrive when he sees Molly because her voluptuous curves and earthy wholesome beauty remind him of the women he used to be infatuated with back in Naples when he'd hit puberty. She's the polar opposite of the tall, elegant and model slim women who are a part of his current world. But, as is usual with introverted heroines, Molly's very insecure about her physical appearance and Lady Avery's nasty gibes don't remedy the heroine's low self esteem issues. It is seriously annoying and pitiful that some women can only uplift themselves, and their own standards of beauty, by denigrating others.
The MC's end up in bed after the H comforts a crying Molly; the heroine had been the convenient scapegoat for Lady Avery's bullying after the H had declined the hagwitch's not so subtle offer to polish his penis. They end up engaging in multiple rounds of hot sex and both agree that it's just going to be a one night stand. Salvio ends up leaving early the following morning, in an effort to avoid another encounter with the hagwitch. Molly, however, is not so fortunate; the hagwitch was waiting right outside Salvio's guest bedroom when the heroines leaves to return to her own bedchamber !
The heroine ends up being bullied and overworked even more, because Lady Avery is filled with jealous envy that Salvio had refused her plastic charms and fallen into Molly's arms instead. Molly tolerates all the bullying because she has no option but even she miscalculates the extent of Lady A's maliciousness. The nauseating hagwitch waits until a few days before Christmas, before ceremoniously firing her without giving extended notice. Lady A even states that her reason for sacking Molly is all due to the fact that he preferred the heroine. Lady Avery doesn't count as an OW since the H wasn't interested in her, but she's right up there with those vile ladies who have made life hell for heroines in HPlandia. What's even more awful is that she gets no comeuppance for her behaviour and is never mentioned again. I think she deserved a harsh bitch slap !
Molly ends up getting hired to work as Salvio's temporary housekeeper in the Cotswolds after his permanent employee has a family emergency. This is when the H undergoes a 180 degree personality change from the kind, comforting and solicitous lover she'd known in Cornwwall to the rude and mean stranger who's her temporary employer; his assholery knows no bounds and he accuses Molly of trying to ingratiate herself and wheedle her way into his life again. The entire tone of the storyline changes dramatically from this point onwards and the angst factor is amped up as well. This actually made the story more entertaining for me because Salvio's assholery reminded me of the way many of the old school H's behaved and I've recently become addicted to the vintage trainwrecky HP's. Lol. One of Salvio's cruellest comments occurs when he accuses the pregnant Molly of having plotted to trap him:
‘You think I pretended to cry? That I deliberately got myself pregnant to get you to pay off my brother’s debts? That I would cold-bloodedly use my baby as a bargaining tool?’
‘No, I’m not saying that. But I do think that fate has played right into your hardworking little hands,’ he said slowly. ‘Don’t you?’
Her voice was shaking as she shook her head. ‘No. No, I don’t.’
I couldn't believe this was the same guy who'd been so sweet and sexy to Molly ! But it did provide for a great deal of entertaining OTT drama...
Salvio, to give him some credit, doesn't demand a DNA test and he proposes to Molly. The awed heroine gets the usual makeover, which includes the right type of outfits that complement her voluptuous figure. Then it's off to Italy to meet the future in laws. The MC's relationship improves slowly but everything is once again derailed after Molly has a miscarriage and the donkey douchebag implies that she probably hadn't been pregnant to begin with ! It's only when Molly threatens to leave his ass that he finally starts to communicate with her and proposes to her again. Salvio was a very complicated character because of his inability to trust any female. I think he'd been in love with Molly when he proposed the second time, after her miscarriage but he'd still been living in denial of his feelings at that time.
The MC's are only reconciled to their final HEA after Molly dumps him when her brother sent her email of a paparazzi article which showed Salvio sitting in a restaurant with his former fiancee, Lauren. The H had previously admitted to having been in love with Lauren when he'd been in his 20's, so Molly thought that he'd reunited with the woman. The truth was that his feelings for Lauren had been the youthful idealistic fancies of an immature football star, who was blinded by his newfound wealth and fame:
‘No. Please. Let me finish,’ he said and his voice was shaking now. ‘You need to understand that all this is true, because there is no way I would say it if it wasn’t.’ His black eyes raked over her. ‘Do you believe me, Molly? That I would walk to the ends of the earth for you and further, if that’s what you wanted? And that I love you in a way I’ve never loved before?’
The epilogue is lovely since it is set at Christmastime again and the MC's have a 10 month old son called Marco. Molly's a lot more confident and Salvio's more lovable and no longer an asshole:
He stroked his fingers through her hair. ‘It’s because I love you, Molly. You’re so easy to love.’
‘And so are you. At least, you are now,’ she added darkly.
He laughed. ‘Was I such a terrible man before?’ ‘Terrible,’ she agreed, mock-seriously.
Safety: No cheating, no OW, no OM and the MC's are both celibate during their separation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2018
I could have sworn I've read several variations of this theme.
Overweight housekeeper (let's be honest, being fat in HP world is probably UK size 10), gorgeous alpha (itc, an ex-footballer turned mogul), one-night stand leads to baby, love ever after. Still, quite enjoyable
October 14, 2018
Aww that was a very sweet love story. Heroine was adorable and hero was your typical sexy and ruthless tycoon. Loved them together! Sweet epilogue with a baby boy. Safe: heroine is a virgin and hero is faithful. Also I think this is the first time a Presents hero has zero mother or father issues. But naturally he has a money hungry ex fiancé.
October 10, 2018
I really liked it. Classic emotion phobic hero cruelly undermined our innocent and meek heroine. And she was aware of it. However, she couldn’t get rid of treacherous body syndrome.
Anyway the cruel hero + naive heroine + angst (as possible as a modern HP of course) = satisfying formula for me so 4,25 stars.
Anyway the cruel hero + naive heroine + angst (as possible as a modern HP of course) = satisfying formula for me so 4,25 stars.
November 20, 2018
Well now... this was one suite but frustrating Sizzling romance...
The blurb says this is a Cinderella story, but somebody failed to notify the hero in this book! This book was very reminiscent of a oldschool Harlequin romance... you know the type you picked up at the neighbors garage sale? I mean this in the best possible way, sometimes it’s just nice to escape... also I have not read a romance like this in a long time, so it was quite nostalgic...
Molly is Shy and stressed with the burden of her brothers gambling debt... while working as a Housekeeper for a very evil woman she meets Salvio.... after a night of passion Molly end Salvio agree this is just a one night stand... BUT after evil lady finds out she sacks Molly and Molly ends up working for Salvio... and then our prince Salvio has a complete personality change....
Molly was very likable although a little too insecure...Salvio started out as a dashing hero, but then he turned into a pompous ass... will the real Salvio, please stand up... I was as frustrated with Salvio if not more then Molly... so did these two resolve their issues? Does prince charming ever show up? You will need to read this book to find out!
Recommend two all true romance lovers...
*** many thanks to harlequin for my copy of this book ***
The blurb says this is a Cinderella story, but somebody failed to notify the hero in this book! This book was very reminiscent of a oldschool Harlequin romance... you know the type you picked up at the neighbors garage sale? I mean this in the best possible way, sometimes it’s just nice to escape... also I have not read a romance like this in a long time, so it was quite nostalgic...
Molly is Shy and stressed with the burden of her brothers gambling debt... while working as a Housekeeper for a very evil woman she meets Salvio.... after a night of passion Molly end Salvio agree this is just a one night stand... BUT after evil lady finds out she sacks Molly and Molly ends up working for Salvio... and then our prince Salvio has a complete personality change....
Molly was very likable although a little too insecure...Salvio started out as a dashing hero, but then he turned into a pompous ass... will the real Salvio, please stand up... I was as frustrated with Salvio if not more then Molly... so did these two resolve their issues? Does prince charming ever show up? You will need to read this book to find out!
Recommend two all true romance lovers...
*** many thanks to harlequin for my copy of this book ***
August 9, 2020
"The Italian's Christmas Housekeeper" is the story of Molly and Salvio.
A very sweet romance between a shy, innocent housekeeper and her alpha, cynical, sexy houseguest/boss. There is instant attraction, hot lovemaking, pregnancy shock, drama, a pretend engagement, surprise proposal, a good confession and HEA. The characters were likable, there was not much denial- even when miscommunication happened, it was resolved in a few pages.
Quick and nice read.
Safe
3/5
A very sweet romance between a shy, innocent housekeeper and her alpha, cynical, sexy houseguest/boss. There is instant attraction, hot lovemaking, pregnancy shock, drama, a pretend engagement, surprise proposal, a good confession and HEA. The characters were likable, there was not much denial- even when miscommunication happened, it was resolved in a few pages.
Quick and nice read.
Safe
3/5
October 11, 2019
I thought this was going to be such a good story but it was just so so. The hero was hot and cold and I just didn't understand him. He was obsessed with her body. And I could never get a fix on what she looked like. It was very ambiguous. Just an odd story. And I couldn't understand why she didn't go to the doctor when she lost the baby? It was just weird all the way around.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2018
My review on www.bookread2day.wordpress.com
I do love reading about a bossy strong person. Lady Avery is a hard person to please. Housekeeper Molly Milller wanted the job in Lady Avery’s big house, as for her it was a place to live in rent free. But she has to work hard and with saying yes Lady Avery to every demand that she is given. When an Neapolitan billionaire Salvio De Gennaro is a guest, staying with Lady Avery and Lord Avery, a night of passion with the guest poor Molly is given the sack. I really liked the character Molly Miller as she was most greateful for everything. Highly recommend buying.
I do love reading about a bossy strong person. Lady Avery is a hard person to please. Housekeeper Molly Milller wanted the job in Lady Avery’s big house, as for her it was a place to live in rent free. But she has to work hard and with saying yes Lady Avery to every demand that she is given. When an Neapolitan billionaire Salvio De Gennaro is a guest, staying with Lady Avery and Lord Avery, a night of passion with the guest poor Molly is given the sack. I really liked the character Molly Miller as she was most greateful for everything. Highly recommend buying.
September 10, 2018
Thanks to NetGalley for this title in exchange for an honest review.
Okay, something I just want to say that, it's really me nit picking but it bothers me deeply. Through this whole novel almost... it's known that the main character is curvy.... the way some character characters go on about her it's more like she's overweight... does that cover model even look curvy at all? Not not me, she's just as thin as any other model on these kinds of books and that doesn't bother me, the thin models.... what bothers me is in this book, the MC isn't a skinny chick, so the cover model should fit the MC. At least in my opinion.
Anyway! Now to the story, it was a cute little romance read, it said something about a Cinderella tell but the prince in this story is a little more.... mean than the Disney tale we all know and love. He has his reasons to be the way he is and we do learn them and it all makes sense but I still feel so freaking bad for our girl, having to deal with all this heartache till it all works out.
The writing is perfectly fine, easy to follow, the romance does build up, at least on the part of our prince, it hits our girl pretty early but girls are usually better with their emotions than guys, so that all made sense to me.
Overall, it's a cute read that will bring tears to your eyes but leave you with a bright smile on your lips.
Okay, something I just want to say that, it's really me nit picking but it bothers me deeply. Through this whole novel almost... it's known that the main character is curvy.... the way some character characters go on about her it's more like she's overweight... does that cover model even look curvy at all? Not not me, she's just as thin as any other model on these kinds of books and that doesn't bother me, the thin models.... what bothers me is in this book, the MC isn't a skinny chick, so the cover model should fit the MC. At least in my opinion.
Anyway! Now to the story, it was a cute little romance read, it said something about a Cinderella tell but the prince in this story is a little more.... mean than the Disney tale we all know and love. He has his reasons to be the way he is and we do learn them and it all makes sense but I still feel so freaking bad for our girl, having to deal with all this heartache till it all works out.
The writing is perfectly fine, easy to follow, the romance does build up, at least on the part of our prince, it hits our girl pretty early but girls are usually better with their emotions than guys, so that all made sense to me.
Overall, it's a cute read that will bring tears to your eyes but leave you with a bright smile on your lips.
October 18, 2018
This one started out promising but took a rather unexpected turn (spoiler below) which ruined my enjoyment of the book. Not going on my Christmas list.
The full review can be found at Harlequin Junkie: http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-the...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.
The full review can be found at Harlequin Junkie: http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-the...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.
December 1, 2018
Sweet housekeeper/tycoon romance that started with a one night stand and ended in marriage. But you knew that already.
There's nothing new here, but that's okay. I would classify this as a comfort read. The virgin heroine is sweet without being a total doormat. Hero is a nurturing alpha. Sharon Kendrick's writing goes down as easily as hot chocolate.
See Ivy's review for all the details.
There's nothing new here, but that's okay. I would classify this as a comfort read. The virgin heroine is sweet without being a total doormat. Hero is a nurturing alpha. Sharon Kendrick's writing goes down as easily as hot chocolate.
See Ivy's review for all the details.
November 20, 2019
Sharon es mi autora-debilidad, pero tiene algo... Y eso es que sus héroes son tan cínicos y hdp que me cuesta creerles el HEA.
En este caso, la protagonista es un poco vividora y eso no me gustó. Me gustan esas que se alejan y el protagonista la encuentra con un embarazo de nueve meses y sirviendo mesas todavía, pero esta acepta el trabajo que le dan y va a buscar ayuda del héroe.
Algo que me llamó la atención y no está bien explicado en la versión en español (o S. Kendrick estaba cansada y no quiso escribirlo) fue el aborto espontáneo. Molly se entera que está embarazada, pero no le muestra nada al prota y luego lo pierde en el baño (?) y tampoco va al médico para que le diga que está todo bien. Qué raro todo.
En este caso, la protagonista es un poco vividora y eso no me gustó. Me gustan esas que se alejan y el protagonista la encuentra con un embarazo de nueve meses y sirviendo mesas todavía, pero esta acepta el trabajo que le dan y va a buscar ayuda del héroe.
Algo que me llamó la atención y no está bien explicado en la versión en español (o S. Kendrick estaba cansada y no quiso escribirlo) fue el aborto espontáneo. Molly se entera que está embarazada, pero no le muestra nada al prota y luego lo pierde en el baño (?) y tampoco va al médico para que le diga que está todo bien. Qué raro todo.
September 22, 2022
Is it really that hard for a woman to use her brain to defend herself instead of letting her desire control her opinions??
This was the kind of books that you read in one setting and not because it was good, but because you knew if you dropped it, you will lose your interest and won't pick it up again.
It was a mess. The attraction between Salvio & Molly happened way too quickly which I didn't like, and since basically the whole plot revolve about what happened that made me dislike the book even more.
Salvio said hurtful things to Molly even when they were intimate and the end didn't convince me of their love. Idiot hero and weak heroine
This was the kind of books that you read in one setting and not because it was good, but because you knew if you dropped it, you will lose your interest and won't pick it up again.
It was a mess. The attraction between Salvio & Molly happened way too quickly which I didn't like, and since basically the whole plot revolve about what happened that made me dislike the book even more.
Salvio said hurtful things to Molly even when they were intimate and the end didn't convince me of their love. Idiot hero and weak heroine
June 4, 2021
The hero is a billionaire and the heroine is a maid. They have a ons and after some weeks she’s fired and pregnant. She calls the number the hero gave her, in case she had problems and the pa hires her at the hero’s house as a maid. She tells him she’s pregnant and he offers marriage. There’s a miscarriage but the hero proposes again because he wants a family. There’s a little ow drama, but all is well in the end. My opinion: meh. Not much passion or angst. Some things I didn’t like:
- there’s a new type of demeaning here: the first time the hero proposes he tells the heroine that she doesn’t have much to choose so she has to accept to marry him because for her it’s like to win the lottery. He isn’t sarcastic, he’s very cool but I found his words offensive and demeaning to the heroine. Yes she’s a maid and didn’t study too much but who’s he to judge her? And she accepts because she understands he’s right.
- his second proposal is similarly shallow: he wants a family and she’s sweet and demure. Mmm most romantic proposal ever. She accepts, even if he told her he doesn’t do love.
He tells her he doesn’t do emotions. All species do emotions because they are fundamental for survival. Fear, anger, disgust, joy, sadness are instinctive reactions for sane and normal people. Only schizophrenics, sociopaths and people with severe ptsd don’t have many emotions. It’s one thing to be able to control and rule our emotions, another is not feeling them. It’s pathological, so if a man really is like that, girls please run. This dumb heroine accepts him nonetheless. Not very smart.
-the heroine is upset because he loved his girlfriend years before. Eventually he tells her he never really loved, and that he loves the heroine instead. I think that it’s possible to love more than one person in one’s life, because we change during our life, and years later we understand we have changed and our needs have changed too, so a young love and a mature love can be very different but equally real. Why deny a past affection?
- the book was quite mild, even if there is a little ow drama/ misunderstanding it’s not big thing.
What I liked
- there’s no insta love after their ons, it’s ok because they don’t even know each other
- the hero is smitten with heroine sexually, he can’t but think about her.
-the heroine is not a skinny model, she’s curvy and nice, anyway he finds her beautiful. Cute hero
-the hero is never cruel and even if he has prejudice and doubts it’s understandable because they don’t know each other. His assumptions are understandable. He’s ready to believe the heroine when she explains her reasons.
It’s a reading I recommend because it’s safe and entertaining.
- there’s a new type of demeaning here: the first time the hero proposes he tells the heroine that she doesn’t have much to choose so she has to accept to marry him because for her it’s like to win the lottery. He isn’t sarcastic, he’s very cool but I found his words offensive and demeaning to the heroine. Yes she’s a maid and didn’t study too much but who’s he to judge her? And she accepts because she understands he’s right.
- his second proposal is similarly shallow: he wants a family and she’s sweet and demure. Mmm most romantic proposal ever. She accepts, even if he told her he doesn’t do love.
He tells her he doesn’t do emotions. All species do emotions because they are fundamental for survival. Fear, anger, disgust, joy, sadness are instinctive reactions for sane and normal people. Only schizophrenics, sociopaths and people with severe ptsd don’t have many emotions. It’s one thing to be able to control and rule our emotions, another is not feeling them. It’s pathological, so if a man really is like that, girls please run. This dumb heroine accepts him nonetheless. Not very smart.
-the heroine is upset because he loved his girlfriend years before. Eventually he tells her he never really loved, and that he loves the heroine instead. I think that it’s possible to love more than one person in one’s life, because we change during our life, and years later we understand we have changed and our needs have changed too, so a young love and a mature love can be very different but equally real. Why deny a past affection?
- the book was quite mild, even if there is a little ow drama/ misunderstanding it’s not big thing.
What I liked
- there’s no insta love after their ons, it’s ok because they don’t even know each other
- the hero is smitten with heroine sexually, he can’t but think about her.
-the heroine is not a skinny model, she’s curvy and nice, anyway he finds her beautiful. Cute hero
-the hero is never cruel and even if he has prejudice and doubts it’s understandable because they don’t know each other. His assumptions are understandable. He’s ready to believe the heroine when she explains her reasons.
It’s a reading I recommend because it’s safe and entertaining.
October 15, 2018
If this was from the sixties or even the seventies... But it's from this millennium?!? Ouch!
November 19, 2018
I love Christmas. And I love HP’s. But it’s rare to find a good Christmas HP. This one was ok. It wasn’t the greatest but it was satisfying.
The h was a maid at the home the H was visiting. She was the chubby, wholesome, innocent virgin and he was the hot, sexy, Italian ex-soccer god turned billionaire. He seduced her. Her bitchy boss found out and fired her because the H wanted the housekeeper and not the scary, married, witch.
The h got pregnant from their one night stand. She took a temporary job working at the H’s house when his housekeeper had an emergency. He found out she was pregnant. A MOC and all the associated drama ensues.
This book was the equivalent of watching one of those cheesy Christmas love stories on the Hallmark channel. It was awful, but it’s christmasy so you suspend your belief and relish it for a couple of hours. It’s not great, but leaves you satisfied.
The h was a maid at the home the H was visiting. She was the chubby, wholesome, innocent virgin and he was the hot, sexy, Italian ex-soccer god turned billionaire. He seduced her. Her bitchy boss found out and fired her because the H wanted the housekeeper and not the scary, married, witch.
The h got pregnant from their one night stand. She took a temporary job working at the H’s house when his housekeeper had an emergency. He found out she was pregnant. A MOC and all the associated drama ensues.
This book was the equivalent of watching one of those cheesy Christmas love stories on the Hallmark channel. It was awful, but it’s christmasy so you suspend your belief and relish it for a couple of hours. It’s not great, but leaves you satisfied.
October 12, 2018
God this H was an asshole 🤨
August 16, 2020
I'm a sucker for housekeeper stories, but this one was definitely not my favourite.
The hero was pretty mean and cruel. I didn't like the way he treated the heroine, and belittled her. It seemed the only thing he was interested in was her body. I didn't feel like he found her pretty, or sweet, or cared about her, he was just attracted to her body.
Moreover, I think he was celibate after hooking up with her, but he did have a girfriend he "flirted with during the past few months", however it wasn't clear if he saw her again after the heroine. Although I'm pretty sure he didn't sleep with anyone after the h.
Also, the hero was engaged before to a woman who only cared about his fame. He loved her, and when she left him, he became bitter.
Not a very memorable book for me, but bare in mind that these were just my impressions. Maybe I am too pessimistic. Maybe he did love her like we are supposed to believe. It's just that I personally did not buy it, and nothing for me can justify the way he treated her, and the harsh way he talked to her.
The hero was pretty mean and cruel. I didn't like the way he treated the heroine, and belittled her. It seemed the only thing he was interested in was her body. I didn't feel like he found her pretty, or sweet, or cared about her, he was just attracted to her body.
Moreover, I think he was celibate after hooking up with her, but he did have a girfriend he "flirted with during the past few months", however it wasn't clear if he saw her again after the heroine. Although I'm pretty sure he didn't sleep with anyone after the h.
Also, the hero was engaged before to a woman who only cared about his fame. He loved her, and when she left him, he became bitter.
Not a very memorable book for me, but bare in mind that these were just my impressions. Maybe I am too pessimistic. Maybe he did love her like we are supposed to believe. It's just that I personally did not buy it, and nothing for me can justify the way he treated her, and the harsh way he talked to her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2019
3.5 stars
This was your typical Harelquin fare. We have a shy, sweet, virginal housekeeper and a cynical, billionaire Italian businessman. They share a night of passion and a little souvenir of their night together compels them to get married.
This book has minimal angst. He's an unfeeling brute, but kind underneath. She's a bit of a mouse but not a doormat. They have conflict but nothing too painful. All the way to the ILUs at the end. This was a nice, no-stress read.
I did find it strange that
Safety
This was your typical Harelquin fare. We have a shy, sweet, virginal housekeeper and a cynical, billionaire Italian businessman. They share a night of passion and a little souvenir of their night together compels them to get married.
This book has minimal angst. He's an unfeeling brute, but kind underneath. She's a bit of a mouse but not a doormat. They have conflict but nothing too painful. All the way to the ILUs at the end. This was a nice, no-stress read.
I did find it strange that
Safety
December 11, 2018
Despite being a Lynne Graham recommended read, I just didn’t care for this one especially the beginning. I just didn’t care for Molly and Salvio as a couple, or their romance. A big reason that I didn’t like them together was just how they began a couple. There was very little development or build up between them aside from the fact they were deeply attracted to one another but very little else. They just happened way too quickly for my liking and without too much urging they fell into bed together with a strong emphasis on their lust for one another and the fact that this was a one night stand type of thing. Aside from a select few, I hate the one night stand trope, and this was one of them. No buildup. No connection aside from the physical. No really sense of caring at all aside from pleasure with the intent of leaving as soon as it was over. It just felt very insignificant between them. All the focus was on the lust between them. They had some passionate scenes but that wasn’t enough for me and it started from their one night stand and that carried through the rest of the book for me. And there were no really soft aftermath scenes between them either in the entire book. No cuddling. No talking. No nothing, which left me a little cold if I’m honest. Didn’t like it at all.
It was very hard to believe that they were falling in love with each other in the book when so much of their relationship was based off the physical and nothing more. That was the intent and focus of their entire relationship. Yes, they showed each other their vulnerable sides and got to know each other, but even that was not enough for me. There were no real gestures on his part to say that he was falling in love with her until the very end, and it made it very unbelievable when he declared his love for her at the end of the story. I didn’t get at all that he was in love with her. Cared about her. Was in lust with her. Sure, but nothing beyond that. I wish I could felt that love and its development, but I didn’t, which made it really disappointing.
The best part of the story for me was when the misunderstandings started, then it became more interesting. That was where the bulk of their tension and angst came from as they fought one another as they tried to come to terms with their relationship. That part was really good, and I wish that carried over to the development of their love story, and I thought with all the tension and angst that would lead to that. I didn’t see it though. At times it was brutal what Molly had to endure at the hands of Salvio and his attitude towards her. He really treated her like an object, and though Molly did eventually stand up for herself, she needed to give little kick in the head before it got to that point, however it made for a more entertaining read to see them butting heads. It really kept the story moving.
With all of Salvio’s bonehead moves, I was expecting a great big grovel/big gesture scene to come because he had a lot to make up for, but I found myself disappointed because there wasn’t one. There needed to be. Just to show that he did care about her and had softer emotions towards her that weren’t directed towards the bedroom only. It could have been a small gesture like him holding her hand in public or just cuddling her bed. Something to show that he aired about her. No, the only time he was really close to her or forming a connection was in the bedroom. I needed more, and I needed that grand gesture to happen.
The passionate scenes were really what they had going most for them in the entire time. They shared some really sexy and hot scenes together from their first time and onwards. They couldn’t keep their hands off of each other because their passion for one another was that strong. This was the only way to see the closeness that was in fact between them otherwise there was very little and it was few and for in between. I did very much enjoy the love scenes and found them entertaining even though I do wish they went deeper on an emotional level. They were entertaining.
This did have a slight Christmassy feel to it, but compared to the other two that I have recently read, it wasn’t that warm and fuzzy Christmassy feeling. Yes, it was a part of the book and played a role in their relationship, but I didn’t feel the Christmas romance aspect to it all like I did in the other books. There were no romantic times by the fire or gift by the tree or other romantic elements that Christmas can bring. It was more part of the background than actual a part of the story.
Though this book didn’t hit a lot of marks for me, not everything about it was a disaster. There were little highlights here and there that made me like that part of the story. The angst and tension being one while the love scenes were the second even if I wish there were more to them. It wasn’t the worst book I have read nor did I skim through the book at any point and I could get through it pretty easily. However I was expecting a lot more both before I was reading it and during it. There were a few miss opportunities I think to develop this into a deep, emotional and believable romance. Just so much was focused on the physical aspect that it took away from other aspects of their relationship. There needed to be more of a balance between the emotional and the physical part of their relationship. I just didn’t like them together from the beginning so it was hard to back the romance between the two of them. And that is huge for a romance novel. This one just didn’t do it for me.
It was very hard to believe that they were falling in love with each other in the book when so much of their relationship was based off the physical and nothing more. That was the intent and focus of their entire relationship. Yes, they showed each other their vulnerable sides and got to know each other, but even that was not enough for me. There were no real gestures on his part to say that he was falling in love with her until the very end, and it made it very unbelievable when he declared his love for her at the end of the story. I didn’t get at all that he was in love with her. Cared about her. Was in lust with her. Sure, but nothing beyond that. I wish I could felt that love and its development, but I didn’t, which made it really disappointing.
The best part of the story for me was when the misunderstandings started, then it became more interesting. That was where the bulk of their tension and angst came from as they fought one another as they tried to come to terms with their relationship. That part was really good, and I wish that carried over to the development of their love story, and I thought with all the tension and angst that would lead to that. I didn’t see it though. At times it was brutal what Molly had to endure at the hands of Salvio and his attitude towards her. He really treated her like an object, and though Molly did eventually stand up for herself, she needed to give little kick in the head before it got to that point, however it made for a more entertaining read to see them butting heads. It really kept the story moving.
With all of Salvio’s bonehead moves, I was expecting a great big grovel/big gesture scene to come because he had a lot to make up for, but I found myself disappointed because there wasn’t one. There needed to be. Just to show that he did care about her and had softer emotions towards her that weren’t directed towards the bedroom only. It could have been a small gesture like him holding her hand in public or just cuddling her bed. Something to show that he aired about her. No, the only time he was really close to her or forming a connection was in the bedroom. I needed more, and I needed that grand gesture to happen.
The passionate scenes were really what they had going most for them in the entire time. They shared some really sexy and hot scenes together from their first time and onwards. They couldn’t keep their hands off of each other because their passion for one another was that strong. This was the only way to see the closeness that was in fact between them otherwise there was very little and it was few and for in between. I did very much enjoy the love scenes and found them entertaining even though I do wish they went deeper on an emotional level. They were entertaining.
This did have a slight Christmassy feel to it, but compared to the other two that I have recently read, it wasn’t that warm and fuzzy Christmassy feeling. Yes, it was a part of the book and played a role in their relationship, but I didn’t feel the Christmas romance aspect to it all like I did in the other books. There were no romantic times by the fire or gift by the tree or other romantic elements that Christmas can bring. It was more part of the background than actual a part of the story.
Though this book didn’t hit a lot of marks for me, not everything about it was a disaster. There were little highlights here and there that made me like that part of the story. The angst and tension being one while the love scenes were the second even if I wish there were more to them. It wasn’t the worst book I have read nor did I skim through the book at any point and I could get through it pretty easily. However I was expecting a lot more both before I was reading it and during it. There were a few miss opportunities I think to develop this into a deep, emotional and believable romance. Just so much was focused on the physical aspect that it took away from other aspects of their relationship. There needed to be more of a balance between the emotional and the physical part of their relationship. I just didn’t like them together from the beginning so it was hard to back the romance between the two of them. And that is huge for a romance novel. This one just didn’t do it for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2018
Salvio is just enchanted by his woman's charms so at times he's glad she has some modesty, "Salvio climbed into bed, disappointed yet strangely relieved that her magnificent breasts weren’t on show, meaning he’d be able to concentrate on what he needed..." I liked this book, I loved Salvio the man just needed a good woman to show him some sense.
October 20, 2018
Molly Millar (such an alliterative name), is a housekeeper in Cornwall trying to earn money to put her brother through college. She's preparing for her employers to have a wealthy guest, Salvio de Gennaro, who is drop dead gorgeous but completely off limits for the virginal, innocent and lower class housekeeper. But Salvio is nice to her, especially in the face of her employer's ill treatment of her. And when he overhears her crying, he ends up seducing her and rocking her world. But Salvio doesn't do love or commitment, makes that clear and leaves the next day. Of course, Molly gets fired for her little indiscretion, especially since the lady of the house wanted a piece of Salvio herself and got rejected. She tracks down Salvio's assistant to ask for a job and she assigns him at Salvio's house for the Christmas party. Salvio is pretty shocked to see Molly, having thought the message about no commitment was understood. But he's even more shocked to learn that Molly is pregnant and even more suspicious about the circumstances of the pregnancy and Molly's motivations in seeking him out. Still, Salvio sees some benefit in marrying the little woman and manages to convince her, which isn't such an easy task. But Molly soon realizes that love is the only reason to stay with Salvio and she fears she'll never receive it from him.
This was a pretty strong start for me, since it's a somewhat unique situation - heroine doesn't work for the hero but is still an employee and technically "beneath him." What I liked the most though was that Salvio was KIND - he's wealthy, dramatic, Italian and powerful, but also kind (He was also not a manwhore). And unfortunately, once Molly came back into his life, she and the reader come to understand that he ceases to be kind when he's trying to protect his heart. He never really reached asshole proportions, but he toed the line, especially after . For that matter, I don't feel like that whole thing was actually dealt with - neither of them really expressed their grief and they never really talk about it. So that was strange to me. Likewise he makes some nasty comment about her not having any rights in his life, and she realizes that she's still a "housekeeper" or rather a lower class individual in Salvio's life. But this also never gets dealt with, being tossed aside for the whole OW plot. That was disappointing. But I did like the ending, as she makes him say how he feels before offering forgiveness. And this was the first time in the entire story that she stopped being a doormat. The heroine even jokes about being a card-carrying member of the doormat club and she frequently makes resolutions to stand up for herself and not take the abuse from people, but she doesn't follow through. This is part of her growth as a character, but I wish the author had focused more on this aspect of her personality and her coming out of it. As it was, it just felt like she was a permanent doormat and had one moment where she didn't succumb. And I'm not a fan of doormat heroines really. Still, a pretty cute holiday story, probably worth the read.
This was a pretty strong start for me, since it's a somewhat unique situation - heroine doesn't work for the hero but is still an employee and technically "beneath him." What I liked the most though was that Salvio was KIND - he's wealthy, dramatic, Italian and powerful, but also kind (He was also not a manwhore). And unfortunately, once Molly came back into his life, she and the reader come to understand that he ceases to be kind when he's trying to protect his heart. He never really reached asshole proportions, but he toed the line, especially after . For that matter, I don't feel like that whole thing was actually dealt with - neither of them really expressed their grief and they never really talk about it. So that was strange to me. Likewise he makes some nasty comment about her not having any rights in his life, and she realizes that she's still a "housekeeper" or rather a lower class individual in Salvio's life. But this also never gets dealt with, being tossed aside for the whole OW plot. That was disappointing. But I did like the ending, as she makes him say how he feels before offering forgiveness. And this was the first time in the entire story that she stopped being a doormat. The heroine even jokes about being a card-carrying member of the doormat club and she frequently makes resolutions to stand up for herself and not take the abuse from people, but she doesn't follow through. This is part of her growth as a character, but I wish the author had focused more on this aspect of her personality and her coming out of it. As it was, it just felt like she was a permanent doormat and had one moment where she didn't succumb. And I'm not a fan of doormat heroines really. Still, a pretty cute holiday story, probably worth the read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2018
The docility of our heroine, Molly, will have you gritting your teeth, the author seems to take inordinate pleasure in reiterating in various ways the fact that Molly is overweight throughout this modern romance, and also refers to the hero as The “Neapolitan” throughout, all three of which are odd or off-putting. Nevertheless, this is an okay read and the reader will be interested enough in the outcome of Molly’s one night stand with The Neapolitan, Salvio De Gennaro. - Megan Osmond
This review appears in Romantic Intentions Quarterly #3 - October 2018
This review appears in Romantic Intentions Quarterly #3 - October 2018
November 30, 2018
A nice story
February 14, 2021
He was forgiven a bit too quickly for me 😅😂
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2018
Well written, engaging story, but predictable of course. A nice way to spend 3 to 4 hours. 🙂
January 5, 2022
This book was very funny to me. But, I guess for all the wrong reasons.
Full disclosure, I only picked up The Italian's Christmas Housekeeper because I’ve noticed manga based on it had a plus sized heroine on the cover. And it was sort of Christmas-themed.
I've drifted away from Harlequin published romance novels long time ago, but they still hold a strong nostalgic place in my heart, as they were the very first romances I’ve ever read. But boy, oh boy, how cheese and awkward they seem to me now.
This book weakest part is – unfortunately – the heroine.
I don’t usually even use the term “too dumb/stupid to live”, but for Molly you couldn’t find better description. The whole theme in the book is that she is such innocent and “pure” person, but my goodness she seems completely detached from the world she’s in.
We are going into a heavy spoiler territory here, just a heads up.
I just… Molly is so naïve and oblivious it hurts. Salvio is no better, but still.
Maybe I’m not so fast to judge Salvio, because he’s your typical cold, asshol-ish, alpha hero old-school romances love. There were some bits and pieces mentioned that could make him a more developed character, and not this one-dimensional cardboard cutout. It’s a shame all those interesting aspects of his character were never really explored.
To make matter worse, this story has a very jarring view on what makes a woman, I don’t know, special or worthy? Molly is lovable and good, because she’s innocent and quite, knows her place (I mean, really…), doesn’t need much, doesn’t even paint her toenails? It doesn’t matter she’s hard working and supports her brother, because for most of the book she’s a doormat, no other way to say it. And Salvio, who proclaims he’s full bloodied Neapolitan (🙄), thus likes tradition and old-fashioned views on men and women (???), loves that. His mother too, so that’s nice… Only at the end Molly grows some backbone, but it’s really awkward and sort of shallow.
I don’t know, asshol-ish heroes mixed with this narrative that a heroine is “true lady” worth more than some more “modern” behaving women is so… bad. I noticed this old-fashioned view in Too Much Temptation, but it’s so much worse here. It’s curious, because lot of historical romances are labeled as too problematic, because of how they portray gender dynamics, but honestly most of them show women as much more empowered than stories like this.
Last, but not least, there is no much chemistry between Molly and Salvio. Or any romance development, really. They don’t even seem to like each other, and the final love confession from Salvio is so bad and awkward.
In the end, The Italian's Christmas Housekeeper is funny for all the wrong reasons, but doesn’t have an ounce of charm to make it so bad, it’s good book.
I should seriously steer clear of Harlequins.
~2/5 stars
Full disclosure, I only picked up The Italian's Christmas Housekeeper because I’ve noticed manga based on it had a plus sized heroine on the cover. And it was sort of Christmas-themed.
I've drifted away from Harlequin published romance novels long time ago, but they still hold a strong nostalgic place in my heart, as they were the very first romances I’ve ever read. But boy, oh boy, how cheese and awkward they seem to me now.
This book weakest part is – unfortunately – the heroine.
I don’t usually even use the term “too dumb/stupid to live”, but for Molly you couldn’t find better description. The whole theme in the book is that she is such innocent and “pure” person, but my goodness she seems completely detached from the world she’s in.
We are going into a heavy spoiler territory here, just a heads up.
I just… Molly is so naïve and oblivious it hurts. Salvio is no better, but still.
Maybe I’m not so fast to judge Salvio, because he’s your typical cold, asshol-ish, alpha hero old-school romances love. There were some bits and pieces mentioned that could make him a more developed character, and not this one-dimensional cardboard cutout. It’s a shame all those interesting aspects of his character were never really explored.
To make matter worse, this story has a very jarring view on what makes a woman, I don’t know, special or worthy? Molly is lovable and good, because she’s innocent and quite, knows her place (I mean, really…), doesn’t need much, doesn’t even paint her toenails? It doesn’t matter she’s hard working and supports her brother, because for most of the book she’s a doormat, no other way to say it. And Salvio, who proclaims he’s full bloodied Neapolitan (🙄), thus likes tradition and old-fashioned views on men and women (???), loves that. His mother too, so that’s nice… Only at the end Molly grows some backbone, but it’s really awkward and sort of shallow.
I don’t know, asshol-ish heroes mixed with this narrative that a heroine is “true lady” worth more than some more “modern” behaving women is so… bad. I noticed this old-fashioned view in Too Much Temptation, but it’s so much worse here. It’s curious, because lot of historical romances are labeled as too problematic, because of how they portray gender dynamics, but honestly most of them show women as much more empowered than stories like this.
Last, but not least, there is no much chemistry between Molly and Salvio. Or any romance development, really. They don’t even seem to like each other, and the final love confession from Salvio is so bad and awkward.
In the end, The Italian's Christmas Housekeeper is funny for all the wrong reasons, but doesn’t have an ounce of charm to make it so bad, it’s good book.
I should seriously steer clear of Harlequins.
~2/5 stars
August 4, 2018
I have to say that I loved loved loved this book! I read it in one day and I couldn't put it down. Molly was sweet and kind and she was housekeeper for the Avery family when she met Salvio. He was rich, handsome and the sexiest
man she had ever seen. Salvio couldn't take his eyes off of her and that one night he heard her crying and invited her up to his room was the start of something neither had any control of. From there all hell broke loose and the chemistry between these two was off the charts, honestly it was awesome. Yes I know this has been done before but it never gets old and this writer did a wonderful job telling this story. I would highly recommend this book.
man she had ever seen. Salvio couldn't take his eyes off of her and that one night he heard her crying and invited her up to his room was the start of something neither had any control of. From there all hell broke loose and the chemistry between these two was off the charts, honestly it was awesome. Yes I know this has been done before but it never gets old and this writer did a wonderful job telling this story. I would highly recommend this book.
May 5, 2021
3.5 ⭐️
Hero is a rich, ex-footballer who has instant chemistry with our heroine who is the housekeeper at a house he is spending the night at.
The heroine is referred to as overweight which of course means Marilyn Monroe proportions...BTW MM was like a size 6/8 most of her career weighing around 117.
SPOILERS ALERT!!!! 🛑 NOW!!!
Hero and heroine act on their mutual chemistry and have a night filled with endless sex. The heroine was a virgin and the H was well endowed 😬 . In the morning he leaves as was always the plan. The h knew the score and accepted it. Unfortunately the mistress of the house, (or plastic surgery addict) who was trying her darndest to get the H in bed herself was miffed to see the h coming out of his room. The mistress didn’t want to be left in the lurch so she used the h for a few more weeks then fired her! On top of that the h is pregnant. With nowhere to go, she uses the business card the H left with her in case she ever wanted a job. Thinking she would be placed randomly, she was shocked to be placed directly with the H. He is shocked/aroused to see her in his home and makes some snide remarks. When she drops the pregnancy bombshell, he really gets suspicious about her true intentions and gets nastier, then sleeps with her, then proposes a marriage merger. Although not in love with her, he could do worse. He takes her to meet his parents(who are lovely ☺️)
Then the h experiences cramps and starts spotting at just a few weeks pregnant. With no baby, she tells the H that she will go back home. BUT our H was warming up to the idea of an heir and still wants to marry her(ok dude. guess what? you are in love!) They marry in a very nice ceremony. Pregnancy isn’t happening quite as quickly. He has to go the states on business and the paparazzi snap photos of him and his ex fiancé, who he loved ...or did he 🤔...He comes back to an empty apartment and a note written by the h releasing him. Hell no! He finds her quickly, confesses his undying love for the h. He tells her the ex gold digging fiancé did want to get with him and he told her that he loved his wife!
Epilogue: Main home in the cotswolds with a baby boy...sex is still good...family members are all happy.
This book was enjoyable. I may not feel an overwhelming need to read again, but enjoyed the time I spent reading it.
I definitely left out details about their backgrounds etc....
Hero is a rich, ex-footballer who has instant chemistry with our heroine who is the housekeeper at a house he is spending the night at.
The heroine is referred to as overweight which of course means Marilyn Monroe proportions...BTW MM was like a size 6/8 most of her career weighing around 117.
SPOILERS ALERT!!!! 🛑 NOW!!!
Hero and heroine act on their mutual chemistry and have a night filled with endless sex. The heroine was a virgin and the H was well endowed 😬 . In the morning he leaves as was always the plan. The h knew the score and accepted it. Unfortunately the mistress of the house, (or plastic surgery addict) who was trying her darndest to get the H in bed herself was miffed to see the h coming out of his room. The mistress didn’t want to be left in the lurch so she used the h for a few more weeks then fired her! On top of that the h is pregnant. With nowhere to go, she uses the business card the H left with her in case she ever wanted a job. Thinking she would be placed randomly, she was shocked to be placed directly with the H. He is shocked/aroused to see her in his home and makes some snide remarks. When she drops the pregnancy bombshell, he really gets suspicious about her true intentions and gets nastier, then sleeps with her, then proposes a marriage merger. Although not in love with her, he could do worse. He takes her to meet his parents(who are lovely ☺️)
Then the h experiences cramps and starts spotting at just a few weeks pregnant. With no baby, she tells the H that she will go back home. BUT our H was warming up to the idea of an heir and still wants to marry her(ok dude. guess what? you are in love!) They marry in a very nice ceremony. Pregnancy isn’t happening quite as quickly. He has to go the states on business and the paparazzi snap photos of him and his ex fiancé, who he loved ...or did he 🤔...He comes back to an empty apartment and a note written by the h releasing him. Hell no! He finds her quickly, confesses his undying love for the h. He tells her the ex gold digging fiancé did want to get with him and he told her that he loved his wife!
Epilogue: Main home in the cotswolds with a baby boy...sex is still good...family members are all happy.
This book was enjoyable. I may not feel an overwhelming need to read again, but enjoyed the time I spent reading it.
I definitely left out details about their backgrounds etc....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2020
Kesal bacanya.
Molly adalah pelayan di tempat Salvio menginap. Tuan rumahnya, Lady Avery, seorang wanita yang selalu mencari kesalahan Molly. Sampai akhirnya Molly tidak tahan dan menangis. Mendengar Molly menangis, Salvio bermaksud menghibur, yang akhirnya berujung pada Molly yang melepas keperawanannya pada Salvio. Sebenarnya Salvio merasa bersalah, tapi ya tetap aja dilanjutin sampai berkali-kali make love dalam semalam. Besoknya Salvio pergi, tapi masih sempat berpesan pada Molly kalau butuh pekerjaan bisa menelpon asistennya.
Molly yang ketahuan tidur dengan tamu, dipecat oleh Lady Avery. Udah gitu Molly hamil. Karena butuh pekerjaan, Molly nekat menelpon asisten Salvio. Kebetulan asisten Salvio butuh seorang penata gerha untuk mengatur pesta Natal di rumah Salvio. Molly akhirnya menyanggupi dan bekerja di rumah Salvio. Ketika Salvio mendapati Molly, Salvio langsung menuduh Molly ngejar-ngejar dia. Apalagi waktu Molly ngasih tahu dia hamil, Salvio tambah menuduh Molly pengeruk harta. Tentu saja Molly marah. Tapi pas "dipegang" sama Salvio ya luluh juga.
Akhirnya Salvio menawarkan pernikahan. Belum juga menikah, Molly keguguran. Salvio menuduh Molly lagi selama ini hanya berbohong biar dinikahi sama Salvio. Molly sudah mau pergi, ditahan sama Salvio. Singkat cerita, mereka nikah. Ketika Molly minta kerjaan, Salvio ngasih Molly mengurus badan amal-nya. Saat Molly kasih masukan, Salvio bilang Molly ga berhak ngatur keuangannya.
Cih.. kesal banget sama Salvio yang suka nuduh sembarangan. Kalau alasannya karena masa lalunya suram, ga perlu sampai memperlakukan Molly kayak keset. Giliran mau ena-ena aja dia memperlakukan Molly layaknya kekasih. Molly juga ga tegas. Sudah tahu diperlakukan kayak keset, tetap aja tinggal kalau sudah "bersentuhan" dengan Salvio. Pas sudah nikah aja liat berita ttg Salvio dan mantan tunangannya, dia langsung main kabur tanpa minta penjelasan dulu.
Capeklah.
Molly adalah pelayan di tempat Salvio menginap. Tuan rumahnya, Lady Avery, seorang wanita yang selalu mencari kesalahan Molly. Sampai akhirnya Molly tidak tahan dan menangis. Mendengar Molly menangis, Salvio bermaksud menghibur, yang akhirnya berujung pada Molly yang melepas keperawanannya pada Salvio. Sebenarnya Salvio merasa bersalah, tapi ya tetap aja dilanjutin sampai berkali-kali make love dalam semalam. Besoknya Salvio pergi, tapi masih sempat berpesan pada Molly kalau butuh pekerjaan bisa menelpon asistennya.
Molly yang ketahuan tidur dengan tamu, dipecat oleh Lady Avery. Udah gitu Molly hamil. Karena butuh pekerjaan, Molly nekat menelpon asisten Salvio. Kebetulan asisten Salvio butuh seorang penata gerha untuk mengatur pesta Natal di rumah Salvio. Molly akhirnya menyanggupi dan bekerja di rumah Salvio. Ketika Salvio mendapati Molly, Salvio langsung menuduh Molly ngejar-ngejar dia. Apalagi waktu Molly ngasih tahu dia hamil, Salvio tambah menuduh Molly pengeruk harta. Tentu saja Molly marah. Tapi pas "dipegang" sama Salvio ya luluh juga.
Akhirnya Salvio menawarkan pernikahan. Belum juga menikah, Molly keguguran. Salvio menuduh Molly lagi selama ini hanya berbohong biar dinikahi sama Salvio. Molly sudah mau pergi, ditahan sama Salvio. Singkat cerita, mereka nikah. Ketika Molly minta kerjaan, Salvio ngasih Molly mengurus badan amal-nya. Saat Molly kasih masukan, Salvio bilang Molly ga berhak ngatur keuangannya.
Cih.. kesal banget sama Salvio yang suka nuduh sembarangan. Kalau alasannya karena masa lalunya suram, ga perlu sampai memperlakukan Molly kayak keset. Giliran mau ena-ena aja dia memperlakukan Molly layaknya kekasih. Molly juga ga tegas. Sudah tahu diperlakukan kayak keset, tetap aja tinggal kalau sudah "bersentuhan" dengan Salvio. Pas sudah nikah aja liat berita ttg Salvio dan mantan tunangannya, dia langsung main kabur tanpa minta penjelasan dulu.
Capeklah.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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