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The Greek's Duty-Bound Royal Bride
A convenient marriage deal…
Sealed in the royal bed!
Princess Elizsaveta must walk down the aisle. It’s the only way to save her exiled family from bankruptcy. For duty, she’ll accept brooding Greek Leon’s bargain: her royal status in exchange for his financial support. And she’ll bury her dreams of a real relationship…
Ellie’s wholly unprepared for the all-consuming chemistry that ignites between them! But although his touch is addictive, falling for Leon’s masculine appeal is deeply dangerous. He’s always been clear: his heart is under lock and key. Unless Ellie can change his mind…
Sealed in the royal bed!
Princess Elizsaveta must walk down the aisle. It’s the only way to save her exiled family from bankruptcy. For duty, she’ll accept brooding Greek Leon’s bargain: her royal status in exchange for his financial support. And she’ll bury her dreams of a real relationship…
Ellie’s wholly unprepared for the all-consuming chemistry that ignites between them! But although his touch is addictive, falling for Leon’s masculine appeal is deeply dangerous. He’s always been clear: his heart is under lock and key. Unless Ellie can change his mind…
224 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2020
81 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Julia James
721 books164 followersJulia lives in England with her family. Mills and Boon novels were Julia's first "grown up" books she read as a teenager ("Alongside Georgette Heyer and Daphne du Maurier."), and she's been reading them ever since.
Julia adores the English countryside ("And the Celtic countryside!"), in all its seasons, and is fascinated by all things historical, from castles to cottages. She also has a special love for the Mediterranean ("The most perfect landscape after England!") — she considers both are ideal settings for romance stories! In between writing she enjoys walking, gardening, needlework and baking "extremely gooey chocolate cakes" — and trying to stay fit!
Julia adores the English countryside ("And the Celtic countryside!"), in all its seasons, and is fascinated by all things historical, from castles to cottages. She also has a special love for the Mediterranean ("The most perfect landscape after England!") — she considers both are ideal settings for romance stories! In between writing she enjoys walking, gardening, needlework and baking "extremely gooey chocolate cakes" — and trying to stay fit!
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 11, 2020
He felt his features lighten—everything inside him lighten. Because everything now was just perfect.
As perfect as she is!
His eyes rested on her, his gaze brilliant.
‘Princess...’
A sweeter, softer romance than what Julia James usually writes.
Leon, the outwardly tough billionaire H, turns out to be the epitome of kindness, love and consideration, in his role as besotted admirer of the heroine, Ellie.
Although he's a wealthy, sexy and accomplished adult, Leon is still, deep down inside, the insecure and unloved little boy who feels that he needs to continually prove his worth to the outside world.
This is the H, Leon:
His billions haven't been able to gain him access to the inner social circles of Europe's blue blooded aristocracy. I don't understand why he's so obsessed with this, when he can buy and sell these people many times over. But perhaps his need to earn acceptance and acknowledgement from this elite group, is just his weird means of compensating for a childhood filled with scorn, deprivation and rejection.
When the Grand Duke of Karylya is stripped of his wealth and banished, the H manipulates this situation to his advantage. The penniless duke has little choice but to accept the H's largesse and...
It was a difficulty that suited Leon—bankrolling the Grand Duke’s exile was not largesse on his part in the slightest.
The H's determined to bide his time impatiently, until his grand plan comes to fruition...
The exiled duke is austere and forbidding while his wife is entitled and snobbish. They assume that the H is interested in brokering a marriage of convenience with their daughter, Marika and hoping it's true because they just want a billionaire son in law to keep fuelling the gravy train.
It's true that Leon's goal is a marriage of convenience with Marika, the pretty brunette princess. He's not even attracted to her, but he's willing to sacrifice his lack of lust at the altar of social ambition. He even muses that he'll be a faithful husband, since he's uninterested in following the poor example of his faithless father:
The girl, though a brunette, and quiet in her manner, was very pretty, and if his own tastes actually ran to blondes—well, for the sake of a princess bride surely he could change his tastes...
But the first hurdle arrives too soon; on one of his visits to the exiled royals' penthouse suite, he encounters a beautiful blonde who inflames his passion, the way that Marika isn't able to:
Yet that didn’t matter in the least.
Because she was, without doubt, breathtakingly, stunningly beautiful... Instantly desirable.
He felt a rush of adrenaline quicken in his bloodstream.
Who is she?
He had never seen her before—no woman that stunning would have escaped his eye.
The H's insta-lust for the unknown blonde is almost immediately crushed, though, when he brutally reminds himself that he's got to focus on the brunette princess:
The breathtaking blonde, whoever she was, could be no concern of his. He had a princess to woo...
Fate deals him a good card, when he learns that the beautiful blonde just happens to be Marika's older half sister. Since he'd not yet raised the issue of marriage to Marika, he decided that he'd much rather marry Eliszaveta, the hotter sister - even though she's already formed a negative opinion of him.
This is the heroine, Elizsaveta ( aka Ellie ):
The MC's marriage of convenience starts off well, because the H is very sweet, chivalrous, understanding and patient with his new bride. For a minute or two, I even wondered if I was actually reading a HPlandia romance - especially when the H's thoughts reveal how more considerate he is, when compared to the usual types of heroes:
I must not rush her—it must be in her own time—only when she is truly ready to accept what is between us.
And if that's not a pleasant enough surprise, it goes on:
Cheerfulness was going to be his watchword. Cheerfulness, friendliness and easy-going companionship.
Julia James also uses the stream of consciousness narrative, very effectively and simply, to show us exactly what the MC's are thinking and feeling. She often interspersed direct interior monologue ( set in italics ) with the more common use of indirect interior monologue.
Example #1 from the H's perspective:
How incredibly beautiful she was! How enchantingly so!
How I ache for her...
Had something of his longing for her shown in his eyes as their glasses touched? It must have, because there was a sudden answering flare in her eyes...
Example #2 from the heroine's perspective:
But how?
What certainties were hers?
One above all.
He can arouse in me a response that no other man has ever drawn from me. A single glance from him can make me tremble...a single touch can set my every sense aflame...
She had fled from that flame, confused and overwhelmed. Unable to cope with it. But in the week that had passed he had given her time and space to think again.
I won't provide further detailed spoilers, except to add that the MC's marriage was filled with passion and harmony, even though they hadn't yet said they loved each other. It's obvious that the H fell in love sooner than the heroine, even though he wasn't aware of what was happening to him:
No woman had ever gazed at him like that, with everything in her eyes...
He felt a warmth start to fill him—as if... as if something frozen deep inside him was thawing... It was as if something he had held on to for too long—so many years—was melting away from him.
But what it was he did not know.
If you're a fan of safe, sweet and adorable, with minimal angst, then you should try this. Leon even went out his way to make her happy. Not many H's do this for a wife of convenience. He even pulled out all the stops to help her brother regain the family's position and wealth, in Karylya. And, he confessed his love for her before she said those all important words.
The epilogue was a fitting finale to the tale, because the heroine's father cedes the grand dukedom to her brother Nikolai after they return to Karylya, her parents and their respective spouses become good friends and the MC's announce their pregnancy. Her annoying stepmother even becomes mildly human, after she gets her own dog: an entitled Pomeranian named Chou Chou.
Safety: No OW, no OM, the heroine's a virgin and both MC's are celibate during their short separation.
As perfect as she is!
His eyes rested on her, his gaze brilliant.
‘Princess...’
A sweeter, softer romance than what Julia James usually writes.
Leon, the outwardly tough billionaire H, turns out to be the epitome of kindness, love and consideration, in his role as besotted admirer of the heroine, Ellie.
Although he's a wealthy, sexy and accomplished adult, Leon is still, deep down inside, the insecure and unloved little boy who feels that he needs to continually prove his worth to the outside world.
This is the H, Leon:
His billions haven't been able to gain him access to the inner social circles of Europe's blue blooded aristocracy. I don't understand why he's so obsessed with this, when he can buy and sell these people many times over. But perhaps his need to earn acceptance and acknowledgement from this elite group, is just his weird means of compensating for a childhood filled with scorn, deprivation and rejection.
When the Grand Duke of Karylya is stripped of his wealth and banished, the H manipulates this situation to his advantage. The penniless duke has little choice but to accept the H's largesse and...
It was a difficulty that suited Leon—bankrolling the Grand Duke’s exile was not largesse on his part in the slightest.
The H's determined to bide his time impatiently, until his grand plan comes to fruition...
The exiled duke is austere and forbidding while his wife is entitled and snobbish. They assume that the H is interested in brokering a marriage of convenience with their daughter, Marika and hoping it's true because they just want a billionaire son in law to keep fuelling the gravy train.
It's true that Leon's goal is a marriage of convenience with Marika, the pretty brunette princess. He's not even attracted to her, but he's willing to sacrifice his lack of lust at the altar of social ambition. He even muses that he'll be a faithful husband, since he's uninterested in following the poor example of his faithless father:
The girl, though a brunette, and quiet in her manner, was very pretty, and if his own tastes actually ran to blondes—well, for the sake of a princess bride surely he could change his tastes...
But the first hurdle arrives too soon; on one of his visits to the exiled royals' penthouse suite, he encounters a beautiful blonde who inflames his passion, the way that Marika isn't able to:
Yet that didn’t matter in the least.
Because she was, without doubt, breathtakingly, stunningly beautiful... Instantly desirable.
He felt a rush of adrenaline quicken in his bloodstream.
Who is she?
He had never seen her before—no woman that stunning would have escaped his eye.
The H's insta-lust for the unknown blonde is almost immediately crushed, though, when he brutally reminds himself that he's got to focus on the brunette princess:
The breathtaking blonde, whoever she was, could be no concern of his. He had a princess to woo...
Fate deals him a good card, when he learns that the beautiful blonde just happens to be Marika's older half sister. Since he'd not yet raised the issue of marriage to Marika, he decided that he'd much rather marry Eliszaveta, the hotter sister - even though she's already formed a negative opinion of him.
This is the heroine, Elizsaveta ( aka Ellie ):
The MC's marriage of convenience starts off well, because the H is very sweet, chivalrous, understanding and patient with his new bride. For a minute or two, I even wondered if I was actually reading a HPlandia romance - especially when the H's thoughts reveal how more considerate he is, when compared to the usual types of heroes:
I must not rush her—it must be in her own time—only when she is truly ready to accept what is between us.
And if that's not a pleasant enough surprise, it goes on:
Cheerfulness was going to be his watchword. Cheerfulness, friendliness and easy-going companionship.
Julia James also uses the stream of consciousness narrative, very effectively and simply, to show us exactly what the MC's are thinking and feeling. She often interspersed direct interior monologue ( set in italics ) with the more common use of indirect interior monologue.
Example #1 from the H's perspective:
How incredibly beautiful she was! How enchantingly so!
How I ache for her...
Had something of his longing for her shown in his eyes as their glasses touched? It must have, because there was a sudden answering flare in her eyes...
Example #2 from the heroine's perspective:
But how?
What certainties were hers?
One above all.
He can arouse in me a response that no other man has ever drawn from me. A single glance from him can make me tremble...a single touch can set my every sense aflame...
She had fled from that flame, confused and overwhelmed. Unable to cope with it. But in the week that had passed he had given her time and space to think again.
I won't provide further detailed spoilers, except to add that the MC's marriage was filled with passion and harmony, even though they hadn't yet said they loved each other. It's obvious that the H fell in love sooner than the heroine, even though he wasn't aware of what was happening to him:
No woman had ever gazed at him like that, with everything in her eyes...
He felt a warmth start to fill him—as if... as if something frozen deep inside him was thawing... It was as if something he had held on to for too long—so many years—was melting away from him.
But what it was he did not know.
If you're a fan of safe, sweet and adorable, with minimal angst, then you should try this. Leon even went out his way to make her happy. Not many H's do this for a wife of convenience. He even pulled out all the stops to help her brother regain the family's position and wealth, in Karylya. And, he confessed his love for her before she said those all important words.
The epilogue was a fitting finale to the tale, because the heroine's father cedes the grand dukedom to her brother Nikolai after they return to Karylya, her parents and their respective spouses become good friends and the MC's announce their pregnancy. Her annoying stepmother even becomes mildly human, after she gets her own dog: an entitled Pomeranian named Chou Chou.
Safety: No OW, no OM, the heroine's a virgin and both MC's are celibate during their short separation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2020
Color me shocked that this was written by Julia James. This incredibly angsty romance with a capital R doesn’t have any of her usual cruel, slut shaming, twisted mind games that make me want to toss my computer out the window. Oh yes, it is angsty, but it’s a slow burn, besotted yearning kind of angst where the hero can’t comprehend what has happened to him. Coup de foudre, love at first sight, is mentioned several times.
Plot:
The damaged billionaire hero needs validation of how far he has come in life and wants a Princess Bride, and he believes any will do until he sees the heroine, the beautifully bland heroine. She is also incredibly attracted to the H, but she marries him more out of duty to save her half-sister from a loveless marriage and save her royal father from being destitute now that he’s banished from his kingdom. The H is going to bankroll him in exchange for his Princess Bride. Princess Bride, Princess Bride, Princess Bride! Ugh! The phrase Princess Bride is slung around way too many times, and the H’s obsession of parading his Princess Bride after they got married was a little much. Why it isn't The Greek's Duty Bound PRINCESS Bride instead of Royal, I don't know. Irksome.
After the wedding, the H is more than willing to court his virgin Princess Bride and the consummation awaits us all. Tender, steamy, and romantic! The couple are besotted with each other despite being very upfront about why they married each other. He may be the only H billionaire that not only takes time off from work, but extends his honeymoon to house hunt.
But things change….
The heroine…
Her eyes glowed with it every time she looked at Leon, met his glance at her. She felt her hopes soar. Oh, surely soon Leon would realise he felt for her what she felt for him? Surely her hopes would be fulfilled! It was just a matter of time, that was all...
And until then she would wait patiently, loyally, bathing in the happiness she had, and in the wonderful future she was looking forward to. Making a home with Leon. Being his loving wife for ever! How happy I am! How absolutely happy! The thought ran in Ellie’s head constantly, like a silent companion. Nothing could spoil it now—she was certain of it.
Oh dear, famous last words. The hero makes his distorted views on love very clear when her little sister runs back to the ex-kingdom for love reasons. The hero is furious over the half-sister’s emotional stupidity killing any future declaration from the heroine.
‘So I will never tell a woman I love her. Will never tell her that lie.’
‘And I never want to hear a woman tell me she loves me—never. I don’t want any woman to say she loves me—and certainly not you!’ he finished emphatically.
The secondary story kicks in with the h’s younger siblings which was fun. Mum’s the word as I don’t want to spoil it.
The story falters as the heroine and hero do some dumb stuff to protect each other, but love rules all.
The hero rules in this story rather than the Princess Bride as she is somewhat bland. Yes, she is beautiful and honorable but b-l-a-n-d. The hero on the other hand is dramatic, caring and intensely romantic. He is also completely deluded regarding his own feelings as only an extremely intelligent rags to riches Greek billionaire can be.
Plot:
The damaged billionaire hero needs validation of how far he has come in life and wants a Princess Bride, and he believes any will do until he sees the heroine, the beautifully bland heroine. She is also incredibly attracted to the H, but she marries him more out of duty to save her half-sister from a loveless marriage and save her royal father from being destitute now that he’s banished from his kingdom. The H is going to bankroll him in exchange for his Princess Bride. Princess Bride, Princess Bride, Princess Bride! Ugh! The phrase Princess Bride is slung around way too many times, and the H’s obsession of parading his Princess Bride after they got married was a little much. Why it isn't The Greek's Duty Bound PRINCESS Bride instead of Royal, I don't know. Irksome.
After the wedding, the H is more than willing to court his virgin Princess Bride and the consummation awaits us all. Tender, steamy, and romantic! The couple are besotted with each other despite being very upfront about why they married each other. He may be the only H billionaire that not only takes time off from work, but extends his honeymoon to house hunt.
But things change….
The heroine…
Her eyes glowed with it every time she looked at Leon, met his glance at her. She felt her hopes soar. Oh, surely soon Leon would realise he felt for her what she felt for him? Surely her hopes would be fulfilled! It was just a matter of time, that was all...
And until then she would wait patiently, loyally, bathing in the happiness she had, and in the wonderful future she was looking forward to. Making a home with Leon. Being his loving wife for ever! How happy I am! How absolutely happy! The thought ran in Ellie’s head constantly, like a silent companion. Nothing could spoil it now—she was certain of it.
Oh dear, famous last words. The hero makes his distorted views on love very clear when her little sister runs back to the ex-kingdom for love reasons. The hero is furious over the half-sister’s emotional stupidity killing any future declaration from the heroine.
‘So I will never tell a woman I love her. Will never tell her that lie.’
‘And I never want to hear a woman tell me she loves me—never. I don’t want any woman to say she loves me—and certainly not you!’ he finished emphatically.
The secondary story kicks in with the h’s younger siblings which was fun. Mum’s the word as I don’t want to spoil it.
The story falters as the heroine and hero do some dumb stuff to protect each other, but love rules all.
The hero rules in this story rather than the Princess Bride as she is somewhat bland. Yes, she is beautiful and honorable but b-l-a-n-d. The hero on the other hand is dramatic, caring and intensely romantic. He is also completely deluded regarding his own feelings as only an extremely intelligent rags to riches Greek billionaire can be.
March 9, 2020
Enjoyable read.
Liked both hero and heroine. Story development was good as well.
Hero wants a princess to prove that he's made something of himself after his poor upbringing. Princess needs to save her family from being in the poor house after her family is exiled from their country. Hence a marriage of convince for both.
She wanted to marry for love.
He doesn't believe in love.
The two marry and find they enjoy each others company, have some incredible chemistry and develop a friendship. But she's finding she developing feelings and could fall in love with this guy. The hero is starting to realize that something is happening here and he's developing feelings that are not okay.
Throw in some family issues for a little drama, then the hero and heroine's confrontation of their feelings for each other and you end up with a HEA.
Epilogue was good, but could have been a little better.
Liked both hero and heroine. Story development was good as well.
Hero wants a princess to prove that he's made something of himself after his poor upbringing. Princess needs to save her family from being in the poor house after her family is exiled from their country. Hence a marriage of convince for both.
She wanted to marry for love.
He doesn't believe in love.
The two marry and find they enjoy each others company, have some incredible chemistry and develop a friendship. But she's finding she developing feelings and could fall in love with this guy. The hero is starting to realize that something is happening here and he's developing feelings that are not okay.
Throw in some family issues for a little drama, then the hero and heroine's confrontation of their feelings for each other and you end up with a HEA.
Epilogue was good, but could have been a little better.
March 30, 2020
3.5
This book was just too sweet with minimal angst, and had a very smitten hero.
Anything to make his " princess bride" happy ,he did it.
And if the author wrote " princess bride" 1 time too many,it was too much for me.
I have been leary of this author because of her heros,but this hero was the Beta-ist of Betas.I like an Alpha hero.
Very sweet read if you're in the mood for low key.
This book was just too sweet with minimal angst, and had a very smitten hero.
Anything to make his " princess bride" happy ,he did it.
And if the author wrote " princess bride" 1 time too many,it was too much for me.
I have been leary of this author because of her heros,but this hero was the Beta-ist of Betas.I like an Alpha hero.
Very sweet read if you're in the mood for low key.
April 5, 2020
"The Greek's Duty-Bound Royal Bride" is the story of Elizsaveta and Leons.
Our h is a princess, who is coerced to marry the billionaire H to save her royal family from bankruptcy. The H is a tycoon who has come from very impoverished beginnings, and the relation with the royal family is going to make him finally be accepted in the society. He takes one look at the h, is smitten, and proposes a temporary marriage in lieu of helping her family. Then the story becomes a typical HQN novel and ends in a HEA.
Beta, extremely smitten hero who referred to the h as the "princess" or "princess bride" for what seemed like a million times. There were too many exclamation marks, inner monologues and dramatic dialogues in this book, and the characters were too emotionally impulsive for me. Her family sucked.
It was overall OK, but I do like an obsessed H.
Safe
3/5
Our h is a princess, who is coerced to marry the billionaire H to save her royal family from bankruptcy. The H is a tycoon who has come from very impoverished beginnings, and the relation with the royal family is going to make him finally be accepted in the society. He takes one look at the h, is smitten, and proposes a temporary marriage in lieu of helping her family. Then the story becomes a typical HQN novel and ends in a HEA.
Beta, extremely smitten hero who referred to the h as the "princess" or "princess bride" for what seemed like a million times. There were too many exclamation marks, inner monologues and dramatic dialogues in this book, and the characters were too emotionally impulsive for me. Her family sucked.
It was overall OK, but I do like an obsessed H.
Safe
3/5
April 10, 2020
Not JJ's usual fare of cruel heroes, angst and drama. But it was a sweet story of a reluctant royal and a billionaire who was afraid to love because his mother The H/h have a sweet marriage of convenience until the hero insists on never saying those three words. (I Love You) Of course he has to do a 180 and grovel very nicely for his HEA.
The drama was replaced by clever court intrigue and politics, so if you enjoy that in your romance novels, you'll like this one.
Heroine was a virgin. No OWs or OMs.
The drama was replaced by clever court intrigue and politics, so if you enjoy that in your romance novels, you'll like this one.
Heroine was a virgin. No OWs or OMs.
February 11, 2020
Something in Greek broke from him
Ms. James was a little bit lazy I think. And the H was too perfect despite of the usual fear of love.
Ms. James was a little bit lazy I think. And the H was too perfect despite of the usual fear of love.
October 18, 2020
Wow talk about Combustion!
This was a very steamy love story. Not graphic but very hot. I could feel the passion rolling off the pages. The force was strong with this couple. I loved this book. There was a part at the end where the hero pissed me off but he totally redeemed himself. I loved Niki the younger brother and I hope there is a story about him someday. The hero had a tragic childhood and he denied love clear until the end. But when he finally realized he loved her I thought it was a little over the top but dreamy. Very dreamy. It's fantasy for sure but wow it was amazing. Very good book. Safe and highly recommend.
This was a very steamy love story. Not graphic but very hot. I could feel the passion rolling off the pages. The force was strong with this couple. I loved this book. There was a part at the end where the hero pissed me off but he totally redeemed himself. I loved Niki the younger brother and I hope there is a story about him someday. The hero had a tragic childhood and he denied love clear until the end. But when he finally realized he loved her I thought it was a little over the top but dreamy. Very dreamy. It's fantasy for sure but wow it was amazing. Very good book. Safe and highly recommend.
February 28, 2020
What a disappointment this was. It shouldn’t have been because the plot premise could have worked. I am all for the “heroine marries rich man to take care of deserving family” but this wasn’t a deserving family and quite frankly I would have been much happier if Elle had told her selfish father and impossibly entitled stepmother where to go.
On another level, I am so fed up with the number of royal families that have been created in Mills and Boon’s version of Europe. I mean how many small, island kingdoms can actually exist in the Mediterranean before they all collapse form fantasy exhaustion. The names given to some of these kingdoms don’t even relate to the geography and historical culture of the region. I know we’re supposed to suspend disbelief in Mills and Boon land - but seriously, there needs to be an element of credibility!
Anyway, back to the book. I found the language used by the writer really strange and unreal - so forced and formal and pretentious and robotic and desperately un-engaging.
The hero, Leon, was actually quite a nice guy and in fact very much a sweetie at times, but I could not understand why he felt marrying a Princess would elevate him. He was such a successful guy in his own right. I just couldn’t buy into his apparent desire to be recognised by marrying into royalty.
Elle never came to life for me. I couldn’t develop any interest in her and right through to the epilogue, she remained out of reach and I really had no feeling for her at all.
It just missed the target for me, on so many levels. I have read a couple of this writer’s books and been less than impressed. Her style just doesn’t work for me so I think I will call it a day and give up!
On another level, I am so fed up with the number of royal families that have been created in Mills and Boon’s version of Europe. I mean how many small, island kingdoms can actually exist in the Mediterranean before they all collapse form fantasy exhaustion. The names given to some of these kingdoms don’t even relate to the geography and historical culture of the region. I know we’re supposed to suspend disbelief in Mills and Boon land - but seriously, there needs to be an element of credibility!
Anyway, back to the book. I found the language used by the writer really strange and unreal - so forced and formal and pretentious and robotic and desperately un-engaging.
The hero, Leon, was actually quite a nice guy and in fact very much a sweetie at times, but I could not understand why he felt marrying a Princess would elevate him. He was such a successful guy in his own right. I just couldn’t buy into his apparent desire to be recognised by marrying into royalty.
Elle never came to life for me. I couldn’t develop any interest in her and right through to the epilogue, she remained out of reach and I really had no feeling for her at all.
It just missed the target for me, on so many levels. I have read a couple of this writer’s books and been less than impressed. Her style just doesn’t work for me so I think I will call it a day and give up!
March 31, 2020
Extremely boring
April 19, 2020
Very lovely read , the h was a real Princess with her elegance and beauty, the H was sexy with troubled past , happy for them ❤
February 29, 2020
I started this book because @Ivy H had a nice review about it and she was right: it is a minimal angst story about a billionaire who was a princess for his wife. But when he sees Ellie for the first time, only she will do. It takes him the entire length of the book to realize that he fell in love with her at first sight and he almost screws it up because he can't conceive he could fell love for anyone. Besides being a complete ignorant of his feelings, Leon is very sweet and patient - no wonder Ellie fell in love with him.
Want to read
July 26, 2020«Corazón bajo llave»
May 5, 2022
4 stars
My heart and head were not fully into this I guess so I couldn't give this full marks. The h was lovely and the H was a typical cynical hero. Poor him, have been falling for her day by day and didn't know what it was the 'thawing' in his heart. The ending was okay. They found their HEA with a baby on the way. The politics were a 'meh' by me. This is an okay read for me.
A trigger caution for people: H's mom commited suicide, was described a bit explicitly.
My heart and head were not fully into this I guess so I couldn't give this full marks. The h was lovely and the H was a typical cynical hero. Poor him, have been falling for her day by day and didn't know what it was the 'thawing' in his heart. The ending was okay. They found their HEA with a baby on the way. The politics were a 'meh' by me. This is an okay read for me.
A trigger caution for people: H's mom commited suicide, was described a bit explicitly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2020
I loved some parts and liked the other but it didn’t blow my mind.
Loved the hero though.
Safe and recommended.
Loved the hero though.
Safe and recommended.
May 1, 2022
i really enjoyed this story my only real complant is that alot of the tension happened at the end of the book and was resovled too easily but still a good read
Read
June 2, 2020Corazón Bajo Llave (Versión)
April 16, 2022
This was a cute fairytale-esque romance - more gentle and cute than what I was expecting. This author is typically more angsty but I like that she went for more fluff here. The hero is pretty quickly head over heels for our heroine and kind of confused as to what has happened to him. He spends a lot of the book pining for me - but in a cute fashion.
As a result, it provided an easy break for a lazy Sunday afternoon. It was all very Cinderella - (literal) princess romance. I will direct you to a more coherent review from Ivy (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) - who was the real reason I put this on my TBR in the first place.
For saving my Sunday I am giving this 4 stars.
As a result, it provided an easy break for a lazy Sunday afternoon. It was all very Cinderella - (literal) princess romance. I will direct you to a more coherent review from Ivy (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) - who was the real reason I put this on my TBR in the first place.
For saving my Sunday I am giving this 4 stars.
May 3, 2024
3.5/5
Corto y entretenido. Me gusta que el sexo no sea un tabú, pero me aburre que cada capítulo tengan relaciones. La protagonista es buena, medianamente insípida y se disculpa por todo (me hartó eso un poquito). El interés amoroso es... Normal, no es fastidioso, tiene puntos a su favor y es muy respetuoso.
Tiene cosas que no me gusta y es este trauma que actualmente se le pone a todo hombre con la mamá, siento que aquí no se manejó bien, solo querían hacer entender que el poder del amor supera cualquier trauma con la mamá que el tipo haya tenido. En otro punto, tampoco me gustó que el tipo dijera siempre "mi princesa deseada" y todas esas babosadas y después se las diera del 0 enamorado. Bueno ajá.
3.5/5
Corto y entretenido. Me gusta que el sexo no sea un tabú, pero me aburre que cada capítulo tengan relaciones. La protagonista es buena, medianamente insípida y se disculpa por todo (me hartó eso un poquito). El interés amoroso es... Normal, no es fastidioso, tiene puntos a su favor y es muy respetuoso.
Tiene cosas que no me gusta y es este trauma que actualmente se le pone a todo hombre con la mamá, siento que aquí no se manejó bien, solo querían hacer entender que el poder del amor supera cualquier trauma con la mamá que el tipo haya tenido. En otro punto, tampoco me gustó que el tipo dijera siempre "mi princesa deseada" y todas esas babosadas y después se las diera del 0 enamorado. Bueno ajá.
3.5/5
hq-to-read
June 6, 2020A convenient marriage deal…
Sealed in the royal bed!
Princess Elizsaveta must walk down the aisle. It’s the only way to save her exiled family from bankruptcy. For duty, she’ll accept brooding Greek Leon’s bargain: her royal status in exchange for his financial support. And she’ll bury her dreams of a real relationship…
Ellie’s wholly unprepared for the all-consuming chemistry that ignites between them! But although his touch is addictive, falling for Leon’s masculine appeal is deeply dangerous. He’s always been clear: his heart is under lock and key. Unless Ellie can change his mind…
Sealed in the royal bed!
Princess Elizsaveta must walk down the aisle. It’s the only way to save her exiled family from bankruptcy. For duty, she’ll accept brooding Greek Leon’s bargain: her royal status in exchange for his financial support. And she’ll bury her dreams of a real relationship…
Ellie’s wholly unprepared for the all-consuming chemistry that ignites between them! But although his touch is addictive, falling for Leon’s masculine appeal is deeply dangerous. He’s always been clear: his heart is under lock and key. Unless Ellie can change his mind…
November 24, 2022
I didn't like it, the whole royalty storyline was quite boring. I also did not like that hero wanted a Princess first and foremost, he was attracted to heroine but wouldn't have pursued her until he learned she was a princess. The hero always thought of how beautiful she was but not much else about her. The heroine was very weak and didn't really have a backbone. P.
December 22, 2023
Julia James siempre ha sido de mis escritoras favoritas de Harlequin porque escribe buen drama sobre heroínas desamparadas y alfas arrogantes que se enamoran al final. Este libro fue muy diferente, muy ligero, con una protagonista princesa y un protagonista masculino que sí tenía sus momentos autoritarios debido a su pasado y sus ambiciones.
May 26, 2020
Good book except
Usual good story but so disappointed that the heroine drank while pregnant. Please learn the facts about the devastating preventable disability . P!ease don't be a role model for harming one's unborn child through prenatal exposure to alcohol.
Usual good story but so disappointed that the heroine drank while pregnant. Please learn the facts about the devastating preventable disability . P!ease don't be a role model for harming one's unborn child through prenatal exposure to alcohol.
February 20, 2020
Love it
August 18, 2020
2/3 stars
Read
October 31, 2020DNF at 44%. I’m appalled at myself, my boredom threshold has certainly moved down recently.
December 5, 2020
I usually enjoy her writing but I could not muster the energy to finish this book.
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