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My Shocking Monte Carlo Confession
One night in Monte Carlo…
Now I’m about to change the playboy’s life—forever!
He’s Monaco racing royalty and I, Belle Simpson, was his housekeeper. But that evening, Alexi Galanti’s searing blue gaze exhilarated me. Neither of us could think about anything beyond our desire for one another…
Now, five years later, I finally have the chance to reveal my scandalous secret—Alexi’s a father! Even though he’s scarred by his parents’ abandonment, I know Alexi will never desert his son. But falling for him would be a dangerous mistake, even if I’ve never stopped yearning for his touch!
Now I’m about to change the playboy’s life—forever!
He’s Monaco racing royalty and I, Belle Simpson, was his housekeeper. But that evening, Alexi Galanti’s searing blue gaze exhilarated me. Neither of us could think about anything beyond our desire for one another…
Now, five years later, I finally have the chance to reveal my scandalous secret—Alexi’s a father! Even though he’s scarred by his parents’ abandonment, I know Alexi will never desert his son. But falling for him would be a dangerous mistake, even if I’ve never stopped yearning for his touch!
256 pages, Paperback
Published March 17, 2020
33 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Heidi Rice
604 books411 followersMy name's Heidi Rice, I'm a USA Today Bestselling author. I'm married with two sons (which gives me rather too much of an insight into the male psyche!).
I love my job because it involves sitting down at my computer and getting swept up in a world of high emotions, sensual excitement, funny feisty women, sexy tortured men and glamourous locations where laundry doesn't exist ...
I also tutor a 14-week in-depth online Write a Romance Novel course. So, if you have ever wanted to learn how to write romance from a bestselling author, check it out here: www.profwritingacademy.com/course/wri...
Now I believe wholeheartedly that readers should give honest and open reviews on Goodreads and Amazon and elsewhere. If you didn't like a book you are entitled to say so (even if it's mine! ouch). But you may notice that none of my book reviews are less than four-stars. That's simply because as an author myself I know how pathetically sensitive I am about bad reviews and with that in mind I prefer to spread the love among other authors — and don't do public reviews of books I didn't like. Just thought I'd clarify that!
You can find out about my latest releases and all my other books at www.heidi-rice.com
I love my job because it involves sitting down at my computer and getting swept up in a world of high emotions, sensual excitement, funny feisty women, sexy tortured men and glamourous locations where laundry doesn't exist ...
I also tutor a 14-week in-depth online Write a Romance Novel course. So, if you have ever wanted to learn how to write romance from a bestselling author, check it out here: www.profwritingacademy.com/course/wri...
Now I believe wholeheartedly that readers should give honest and open reviews on Goodreads and Amazon and elsewhere. If you didn't like a book you are entitled to say so (even if it's mine! ouch). But you may notice that none of my book reviews are less than four-stars. That's simply because as an author myself I know how pathetically sensitive I am about bad reviews and with that in mind I prefer to spread the love among other authors — and don't do public reviews of books I didn't like. Just thought I'd clarify that!
You can find out about my latest releases and all my other books at www.heidi-rice.com
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 5, 2020
‘We didn’t love him. We killed him. Now we’re both going to have to live with that betrayal. If I see you at the villa when I return, I’ll have you arrested. You’ve got two hours to get your stuff together and leave. Send a forwarding address to my lawyers and I’ll wire you a severance payment.’
Misplaced guilt;
A huge misunderstanding;
The H's awful error in judgement.
All of the above led to the bitter 5 year separation between the MC's in this second chance/secret baby romance.
Alexi Galanti, the scorchingly sexy H, was introduced in Claiming My Untouched Mistress. He'd been a mysterious man of few words, but he'd made such an impact on me, that I'd really hoped he'd get an opportunity to tell his story.
So, when this novel was released earlier this month, I was excited to dive in, renew my acquaintance with this hottie and read all about his HEA romantic journey...
Written in alternating first person narrative, this novel pairs a cynical, resentful H with a warm and loving heroine. Alexi's the owner of a championship racing team, in a league that's reminiscent of Formula 1. He's the surviving son of an physically abusive alcoholic father and is also emotionally crippled by his mother's abandonment.
This is the H, Alexi:
Belle, the heroine, had lived on the Galanti estate from the age of 10, when her late mother was hired as the housekeeper. Her infatuation with the H evolved into love, as time passed but Alexi always maintained a courteous distance.
For one thing, he thought she was too young and for another, he believed that she was romantically involved with his younger brother Remy. And, as a protective big brother, the H wasn't willing to destroy this fraternal bond, over their young housekeeper.
Or, maybe he thought that the younger brother is the one who ends up with the hot housekeeper ? That's what happened in the classic sitcom, Frasier...😂
Anyway, this is the heroine, Belle:
All of this changed when Belle got her serendipitous opportunity to break the impasse with Alexi. His brother Remy, who'd noticed the longing looks and sexual chemistry between the MC's, encouraged the heroine to give the H a chance:
‘My brother needs you, bellissima. Alexi is lonely. He always has been. Just make me a promise, bellissima. Don’t let him push you away. Okay?’
This resulted in a poolside one night stand when Belle spied the naked, wet H and swooned at the sight of all that alpha hotness...
It ultimately ended in rejection when the H's cold, post coital, remarks ruined Belle's romantic expectations. And, if that's not depressing enough, the death of the H's younger brother, Remy, anhilated any remaining chance of a relationship between the MC's.
This is where the H's guilt and shame play the major role. Alexi's under the misapprehension that heartbreak had caused Remy to lose focus on the testing track:
‘Stop playing the innocent. Remy knew what we’d done. He pretended it didn’t matter, made some joke about it at the track that day before he went out, but you were always his girl. I should never have touched you. That’s why he got distracted on the track, took the turn too fast.’
‘But I… I was never Remy’s girl, not like that. We were just friends,’ I said,...
The H refused to countenance any arguments to the contrary, fired the heroine and kicked her out.
His threat to have her arrested, if she ever returned, was even more heartbreaking. Not only did he throw her out of the only home she'd ever known, he might as well have just pissed all over her idealistic, romantic dreams...
It's 5 years later when they're reunited. This time, the heroine's no longer a housekeeper. She's got an engineering degree and works in the R+D department of Alexi's main competitor's team. Alexi is confused when she refuses his employment offer, but realises what's really going on when he sees her cutiedorable 4 year old son, Cai.
This is Cai:
Our H takes one glance at the child, who reminds him of his dead brother, and immediately begins to ponder...
His conclusion isn't the obvious: i.e. that he's the lucky daddy. Nope. He comes to the douchedonkey conclusion that his brother had impregnated the heroine. This makes him even angrier.
He's now thinking all sorts of wicked, unbelievable thoughts about the *siren* heroine seducing his brother around the same time she'd slept with him.
And when the heroine reminds him that she'd been a virgin, he's skeptical. In his mind, the lack of bloodstains, combined with her passionate zeal, didn't signify virginal innocence. Nothing less than a DNA test will satisfy his suspicious mind.
He even schemes about claiming the little boy, even if his brother turns out to be the father. After all, the child would still be a Galanti and that made him an heir. Obviously the results confirm the heroine's story and Alexi's determined that his son must live closer to him.
The truth, about Remy, is soon revealed and that prevented the narrative from sinking into toxic depths where the MC's swim around in a cycle of lies and accusations. Thankfully, the heroine is spared the somewhat Sisyphean task of always being on the brink, but never revealing that Remy wasn't her lover, because he'd been gay.
I sometimes get frustrated in other HPlandia stories, when heroines wait until the last chapter, to reveal exculpatory evidence. That's because it reduces the storytelling to a mismash caricature of a vengeful H deploying punishing kisses, while the martyr heroine suffers in silence, keeping someone else's secret at the cost of her own happiness.
This early revelation of Remy's closeted homosexuality, meant that the H had no excuse for further bad behaviour, since there was less reason to distrust her. It's also quite sad that this lovable minor character, who'd been instrumental in bringing the MC's together, was no longer alive. And it's sweet that the H never once judged his late brother, or loved him less, after finding out he'd been gay.
The storyline could then be focused entirely on the MC's budding romantic relationship and the H's fragile bond with his son. Cai is a cute, brave and bold little boy, who's very protective of his mother. When the H visits their home, the little boy is adorably impertinent when he interrogates the strange man.
The MC's are unable to keep their hands off each other and are soon burning up the sheets once again. The H keeps telling himself that's it's just an affair with his son's mother, so what could possibly go wrong ?
It's only after they spend time with the MC's from Claiming My Untouched Mistress, that the H begins to get cold feet. He's starts to yearn for more and this scares him, leading him to end his sexual relationship with Belle. But, there's a lovely grovelling scene, where he's near to tears when he finally confesses his love.
It's also highly entertaining and hilarious that his enlightenment is helped by a heavy dose of alpha male jealousy and possessiveness, over Belle's friendship with her sexy former employer - a very handsome and hunky Italian named Renzo Camaro, who's also his chief competitor.
I loved seeing Dante and Edie from Claiming My Untouched Mistress. It's always great to meet old favourites who are still in love, have a little daughter and are expecting another baby. In the epilogue, the heroine Belle is also pregnant and she and Alexi are newlyweds.
Safety: No OW, no OM and no cheating. The H's not celibate during their 5 year separation but that's not unexpected, after their acrimonious parting when he'd said he never wanted to see her again. The heroine was celibate, however. During their second short, one month separation, both MC's are celibate.
Misplaced guilt;
A huge misunderstanding;
The H's awful error in judgement.
All of the above led to the bitter 5 year separation between the MC's in this second chance/secret baby romance.
Alexi Galanti, the scorchingly sexy H, was introduced in Claiming My Untouched Mistress. He'd been a mysterious man of few words, but he'd made such an impact on me, that I'd really hoped he'd get an opportunity to tell his story.
So, when this novel was released earlier this month, I was excited to dive in, renew my acquaintance with this hottie and read all about his HEA romantic journey...
Written in alternating first person narrative, this novel pairs a cynical, resentful H with a warm and loving heroine. Alexi's the owner of a championship racing team, in a league that's reminiscent of Formula 1. He's the surviving son of an physically abusive alcoholic father and is also emotionally crippled by his mother's abandonment.
This is the H, Alexi:
Belle, the heroine, had lived on the Galanti estate from the age of 10, when her late mother was hired as the housekeeper. Her infatuation with the H evolved into love, as time passed but Alexi always maintained a courteous distance.
For one thing, he thought she was too young and for another, he believed that she was romantically involved with his younger brother Remy. And, as a protective big brother, the H wasn't willing to destroy this fraternal bond, over their young housekeeper.
Or, maybe he thought that the younger brother is the one who ends up with the hot housekeeper ? That's what happened in the classic sitcom, Frasier...😂
Anyway, this is the heroine, Belle:
All of this changed when Belle got her serendipitous opportunity to break the impasse with Alexi. His brother Remy, who'd noticed the longing looks and sexual chemistry between the MC's, encouraged the heroine to give the H a chance:
‘My brother needs you, bellissima. Alexi is lonely. He always has been. Just make me a promise, bellissima. Don’t let him push you away. Okay?’
This resulted in a poolside one night stand when Belle spied the naked, wet H and swooned at the sight of all that alpha hotness...
It ultimately ended in rejection when the H's cold, post coital, remarks ruined Belle's romantic expectations. And, if that's not depressing enough, the death of the H's younger brother, Remy, anhilated any remaining chance of a relationship between the MC's.
This is where the H's guilt and shame play the major role. Alexi's under the misapprehension that heartbreak had caused Remy to lose focus on the testing track:
‘Stop playing the innocent. Remy knew what we’d done. He pretended it didn’t matter, made some joke about it at the track that day before he went out, but you were always his girl. I should never have touched you. That’s why he got distracted on the track, took the turn too fast.’
‘But I… I was never Remy’s girl, not like that. We were just friends,’ I said,...
The H refused to countenance any arguments to the contrary, fired the heroine and kicked her out.
His threat to have her arrested, if she ever returned, was even more heartbreaking. Not only did he throw her out of the only home she'd ever known, he might as well have just pissed all over her idealistic, romantic dreams...
It's 5 years later when they're reunited. This time, the heroine's no longer a housekeeper. She's got an engineering degree and works in the R+D department of Alexi's main competitor's team. Alexi is confused when she refuses his employment offer, but realises what's really going on when he sees her cutiedorable 4 year old son, Cai.
This is Cai:
Our H takes one glance at the child, who reminds him of his dead brother, and immediately begins to ponder...
His conclusion isn't the obvious: i.e. that he's the lucky daddy. Nope. He comes to the douchedonkey conclusion that his brother had impregnated the heroine. This makes him even angrier.
He's now thinking all sorts of wicked, unbelievable thoughts about the *siren* heroine seducing his brother around the same time she'd slept with him.
And when the heroine reminds him that she'd been a virgin, he's skeptical. In his mind, the lack of bloodstains, combined with her passionate zeal, didn't signify virginal innocence. Nothing less than a DNA test will satisfy his suspicious mind.
He even schemes about claiming the little boy, even if his brother turns out to be the father. After all, the child would still be a Galanti and that made him an heir. Obviously the results confirm the heroine's story and Alexi's determined that his son must live closer to him.
The truth, about Remy, is soon revealed and that prevented the narrative from sinking into toxic depths where the MC's swim around in a cycle of lies and accusations. Thankfully, the heroine is spared the somewhat Sisyphean task of always being on the brink, but never revealing that Remy wasn't her lover, because he'd been gay.
I sometimes get frustrated in other HPlandia stories, when heroines wait until the last chapter, to reveal exculpatory evidence. That's because it reduces the storytelling to a mismash caricature of a vengeful H deploying punishing kisses, while the martyr heroine suffers in silence, keeping someone else's secret at the cost of her own happiness.
This early revelation of Remy's closeted homosexuality, meant that the H had no excuse for further bad behaviour, since there was less reason to distrust her. It's also quite sad that this lovable minor character, who'd been instrumental in bringing the MC's together, was no longer alive. And it's sweet that the H never once judged his late brother, or loved him less, after finding out he'd been gay.
The storyline could then be focused entirely on the MC's budding romantic relationship and the H's fragile bond with his son. Cai is a cute, brave and bold little boy, who's very protective of his mother. When the H visits their home, the little boy is adorably impertinent when he interrogates the strange man.
The MC's are unable to keep their hands off each other and are soon burning up the sheets once again. The H keeps telling himself that's it's just an affair with his son's mother, so what could possibly go wrong ?
It's only after they spend time with the MC's from Claiming My Untouched Mistress, that the H begins to get cold feet. He's starts to yearn for more and this scares him, leading him to end his sexual relationship with Belle. But, there's a lovely grovelling scene, where he's near to tears when he finally confesses his love.
It's also highly entertaining and hilarious that his enlightenment is helped by a heavy dose of alpha male jealousy and possessiveness, over Belle's friendship with her sexy former employer - a very handsome and hunky Italian named Renzo Camaro, who's also his chief competitor.
I loved seeing Dante and Edie from Claiming My Untouched Mistress. It's always great to meet old favourites who are still in love, have a little daughter and are expecting another baby. In the epilogue, the heroine Belle is also pregnant and she and Alexi are newlyweds.
Safety: No OW, no OM and no cheating. The H's not celibate during their 5 year separation but that's not unexpected, after their acrimonious parting when he'd said he never wanted to see her again. The heroine was celibate, however. During their second short, one month separation, both MC's are celibate.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2020
3.75
The hero,Alexi,really should have gotten some intensive psychological therapy in this book as he was a huge bag of mixed up Mommy, Daddy,and brother issues.
His Mother left the family to go with her lover at a very young age.
His Daddy beat the living daylights outta him from a young age till his mid twenties.
His younger brother up and died on him in a race car crash,and he suffers extreme pangs of guilt thinking he slept with his brother's girl,the heroine,Belle.
Belle is no stranger to angst either.....she has loved the hero since she was a young girl and one night when she was 19 and the hero freshly physically abused by his father,he and the virgin heroine had sex and the next day all was over as he thinks he slept with his brother's girl and his brother crashed his race car during a practice. This leads to a confrontation between the two and the heroine goes off to London to stay with her cousin.The heroine soon discovers she is pregnant with the hero's baby but decides not to tell him,instead she finishes school with her Master's Degree and is now the proud mother to her baby boy with the help of her cousin.
The story opens 5 years later when the H/h meet again at a race track in Barcelona, he is there incognito at a rival's track to see a new driver for his racing team,he wants to poach this driver.
The driver is the heroine who was only testing out the car.They meet,he discovers he has a son and soon later he has them ensconced in a Nice villa.They become lovers,he tells the little boy,Cai,that yes Cai,I am your Father.
Bliss does not last long and he gives the heroine her walking papers and his excuse is that he does not fratenize with his employees,they will make visitation with their son
A month later,they meet up again when his racing team wins in Milan and he spies her with his rival,and her prior employer,Camaro.His head explodes and he carts off the heroine,but not before telling Camaro to go back to the gutter because that is where he came from.
Discussion,declarations of love, tears shed by both parties,and HEA at the dead brother's grave.
It took me a while to warm up to this duo,I had a hard time with the heroine and I wondered why a grown man in his mid twenties allowed his father to use him as a punching bag.However,the little boy came off as adorable .
I wonder if Camaro and the cousin of the heroine will have a story....
A good read and it was good to see Dante again.
The hero,Alexi,really should have gotten some intensive psychological therapy in this book as he was a huge bag of mixed up Mommy, Daddy,and brother issues.
His Mother left the family to go with her lover at a very young age.
His Daddy beat the living daylights outta him from a young age till his mid twenties.
His younger brother up and died on him in a race car crash,and he suffers extreme pangs of guilt thinking he slept with his brother's girl,the heroine,Belle.
Belle is no stranger to angst either.....she has loved the hero since she was a young girl and one night when she was 19 and the hero freshly physically abused by his father,he and the virgin heroine had sex and the next day all was over as he thinks he slept with his brother's girl and his brother crashed his race car during a practice. This leads to a confrontation between the two and the heroine goes off to London to stay with her cousin.The heroine soon discovers she is pregnant with the hero's baby but decides not to tell him,instead she finishes school with her Master's Degree and is now the proud mother to her baby boy with the help of her cousin.
The story opens 5 years later when the H/h meet again at a race track in Barcelona, he is there incognito at a rival's track to see a new driver for his racing team,he wants to poach this driver.
The driver is the heroine who was only testing out the car.They meet,he discovers he has a son and soon later he has them ensconced in a Nice villa.They become lovers,he tells the little boy,Cai,that yes Cai,I am your Father.
Bliss does not last long and he gives the heroine her walking papers and his excuse is that he does not fratenize with his employees,they will make visitation with their son
A month later,they meet up again when his racing team wins in Milan and he spies her with his rival,and her prior employer,Camaro.His head explodes and he carts off the heroine,but not before telling Camaro to go back to the gutter because that is where he came from.
Discussion,declarations of love, tears shed by both parties,and HEA at the dead brother's grave.
It took me a while to warm up to this duo,I had a hard time with the heroine and I wondered why a grown man in his mid twenties allowed his father to use him as a punching bag.However,the little boy came off as adorable .
I wonder if Camaro and the cousin of the heroine will have a story....
A good read and it was good to see Dante again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2020
Decent book. I hated the fact that the hero referred to his son as 'the boy' though. It seemed so cold and clinical. I loved the heroine but I couldn't warm up to the hero. :(
March 6, 2020
‘I was so scared to love you,’ he said, his voice breaking. ‘So scared that if I did I would lose you, the way I lost my mother. The way I lost Remy. The way I lost you when I turned you away. Can you ever forgive me?’
Heroine should have said "no!"
My rose-colored glasses still should be dirty because even if I adore mean heroes, when they are not besotted, it doesn't work for me. 😒
Heroine should have said "no!"
My rose-colored glasses still should be dirty because even if I adore mean heroes, when they are not besotted, it doesn't work for me. 😒
July 4, 2021
"My Shocking Monte Carlo Confession" is the story of Belle and Alexi.
So this has the whole shabang- secret love, one night stand, dismissal of the poor heroine, secret baby, virgin heroine/ playboy non celibate hero, loads of drama before the final climax.
I didnt connect to the characters and for some reason intensely disliked the hero.
Unsafe
2/5
So this has the whole shabang- secret love, one night stand, dismissal of the poor heroine, secret baby, virgin heroine/ playboy non celibate hero, loads of drama before the final climax.
I didnt connect to the characters and for some reason intensely disliked the hero.
Unsafe
2/5
March 7, 2020
The 2 stars goes to Cai and his friend Imran ❤
The rest of the book was crap!
The rest of the book was crap!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2020
Race cars and circuit driving has never held my interest and neither did this story based on it. The H was cold and the h was a wilted wallflower.
The h was the housekeeper’s daughter and grew up together with the H’s family. She was also best friends with the H’s brother who passes away on a freak accident. The h and H find solace in a ONS and all’s forgotten.
Until present times when the h and H meet again and the H finds out he has a son from that ons! He’s shocked and with his own abusive upbringing, extremely wary of taking on a child who is his own flesh and blood. Also withstands the angst where the H thinks the h slept with him as a rebound when she was destined to be with his deceased brother.
Their second meeting is another ONS. I had issues with the h. She was easy and extremely eager to just open up her legs. A little inhibition wouldn’t have killed her. And as a housekeeper’s daughter I’d be distrusting of her high flying motives. Given she’s young and also enjoys circuit driving, her personality was that of a granma. She had no sass or spine. Just easy sex and some misplaced refusal to accept the H’s help to raise “her” son when right alongside it she’s clinging and crying for sex.
The h was the housekeeper’s daughter and grew up together with the H’s family. She was also best friends with the H’s brother who passes away on a freak accident. The h and H find solace in a ONS and all’s forgotten.
Until present times when the h and H meet again and the H finds out he has a son from that ons! He’s shocked and with his own abusive upbringing, extremely wary of taking on a child who is his own flesh and blood. Also withstands the angst where the H thinks the h slept with him as a rebound when she was destined to be with his deceased brother.
Their second meeting is another ONS. I had issues with the h. She was easy and extremely eager to just open up her legs. A little inhibition wouldn’t have killed her. And as a housekeeper’s daughter I’d be distrusting of her high flying motives. Given she’s young and also enjoys circuit driving, her personality was that of a granma. She had no sass or spine. Just easy sex and some misplaced refusal to accept the H’s help to raise “her” son when right alongside it she’s clinging and crying for sex.
March 22, 2020
I rather enjoy the trope of secret pregnancy but I have to say that I am never happy when there is a huge gap in time before the hero discovers his child and the 5 year gap here is far too long in my opinion. However, I do appreciate that Belle could not have had her baby, gained an engineering degree and become a key part of Renzo’s team without that period of time, so I’ll let that go.
What I find much harder is that Alexi never thought to find out how Belle was after he kicked her out so shabbily. She had been, essentially, part of that family for so long and he flung her out with barely any notice and never wondered if she was okay but in the meantime had loads of sex with other women. His lack of concern about her was simply unforgivable in my opinion and made it incredibly difficult to empathise with him. However, once he’s accepted his son, his obvious love for his son and determination to be a good dad, really tugged at the heartstrings.
However, putting all my concerns aside, Heidi writes a fabulously entertaining and emotional story and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
What I find much harder is that Alexi never thought to find out how Belle was after he kicked her out so shabbily. She had been, essentially, part of that family for so long and he flung her out with barely any notice and never wondered if she was okay but in the meantime had loads of sex with other women. His lack of concern about her was simply unforgivable in my opinion and made it incredibly difficult to empathise with him. However, once he’s accepted his son, his obvious love for his son and determination to be a good dad, really tugged at the heartstrings.
However, putting all my concerns aside, Heidi writes a fabulously entertaining and emotional story and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
March 27, 2020
I rather enjoy the trope of secret pregnancy but I have to say that I am never happy when there is a huge gap in time before the hero discovers his child and the 5-year gap here is far too long in my opinion. However, I do appreciate that Belle could not have had her baby, gained an engineering degree and become a key part of Renzo’s team without that period of time, so I’ll let that go.
What I find much harder is that Alexi never thought to find out how Belle was after he kicked her out so shabbily. She had been, essentially, part of that family for so long and he flung her out with barely any notice and never wondered if she was okay but in the meantime had loads of sex with other women. His lack of concern about her was simply unforgivable in my opinion and made it incredibly difficult to empathise with him. However, once he’s accepted his son, his obvious love for his son and determination to be a good dad, really tugged at the heartstrings.
However, putting all my concerns aside, Heidi writes such a fabulously entertaining and emotional story and I thoroughly enjoyed it
What I find much harder is that Alexi never thought to find out how Belle was after he kicked her out so shabbily. She had been, essentially, part of that family for so long and he flung her out with barely any notice and never wondered if she was okay but in the meantime had loads of sex with other women. His lack of concern about her was simply unforgivable in my opinion and made it incredibly difficult to empathise with him. However, once he’s accepted his son, his obvious love for his son and determination to be a good dad, really tugged at the heartstrings.
However, putting all my concerns aside, Heidi writes such a fabulously entertaining and emotional story and I thoroughly enjoyed it
March 7, 2020
The H isa horrible person. DNF @40%
August 31, 2021
4.5 Stars
This book was off the charts hot.
I have wanted to read this book ever since it was released simply because of the beautiful woman on the cover, I didn't even know what it was about, but unfortunately I forgot about it until last night so I immediately started it.
I loved this book with all its misunderstanding, sexual tension and hot, steamy scenes. I had to take a break after reading the first 50 pages bc Alexi was a real a**hole and he made my blood boil with his harshness towards Belle. I almost DNFed it bc I didn't think he could be redeemed. I was afraid that he was going to do or say hurtful things when he finally realised he had a son, but as I read more and more it was clear he wasn't a ruthless bastard, only a man with a difficult past that still have effects on him.
My only disappointment is that I needed more from Alexi at the end but I'm still rounding the book to 5 stars bc the epilogue made me cry.
I think this is going to be one of my favorite books from HP from now on.
This book was off the charts hot.
I have wanted to read this book ever since it was released simply because of the beautiful woman on the cover, I didn't even know what it was about, but unfortunately I forgot about it until last night so I immediately started it.
I loved this book with all its misunderstanding, sexual tension and hot, steamy scenes. I had to take a break after reading the first 50 pages bc Alexi was a real a**hole and he made my blood boil with his harshness towards Belle. I almost DNFed it bc I didn't think he could be redeemed. I was afraid that he was going to do or say hurtful things when he finally realised he had a son, but as I read more and more it was clear he wasn't a ruthless bastard, only a man with a difficult past that still have effects on him.
My only disappointment is that I needed more from Alexi at the end but I'm still rounding the book to 5 stars bc the epilogue made me cry.
I think this is going to be one of my favorite books from HP from now on.
April 22, 2020
This is the seventh book that I'm reading by Heidi Rice. The Virgin's Shock Baby is my favourite read of hers!
It starts with a prologue from Belle Simpson's perspective, who is at the funeral of her best friend Remy Galanti. Standing at some distance is Alexi, the deceased's older brother. Both brothers are from Monaco, where the Galanti family is in the motor racing business. After a long time, I read a Harlequin which starts with a prologue. Or is it the first time?
A week before Remy's death, Alexi and Belle had had a one-night stand. But after his brother's death, for which Alexi blames both himself and Belle, he drives Belle out of the home she knew since she was a ten-year-old kid who had come with her mother to the Galanti house. It is after five years that the actual story starts, in Alexi's perspective, and that is when I realised that it is in the first person. I know, not even writing 'perspective' made me aware as Harlequin's rarely use that mode of narration and I had just finished a book in the first-person narration. So, nothing struck me out of the ordinary at first.
Alexi is out scouting for fresh talent since his current race car driver has been diagnosed with cancer. That is when he spots exactly who he's looking for, one who can drive the beast of a car with ease. Belle was nineteen when she found out about her pregnancy two months after leaving Monaco. Alexi's thirty now and never did Belle tell him that he was the father of an adorable boy, Cai. Though the harsh words that Alexi had treated Belle with all those years ago left much to be desired.
Belle is the fuel-efficiency expert for a rival team's R&D department and a racing enthusiast! An inspiring heroine, with the brains and the oomph to pull off a stellar career in tow with a kid, is all I need in a book. The author glided into Alexi's past, the abuse he suffered at his father's hands, and the memories he shared with Belle.
This was a worldly story. From Monte Carlo to London to Barcelona and back. But this was also a balanced story where the alpha doesn't just bulldoze his way in. He recognised his faults along with being angry at the heroine. And that is what I loved, the way the author objectively presented both the characters. Especially after the way Alexi grew up. Special mention to the adorable Cai, who is so intuitive, as children often are.
But Alexi blowing hot and cold rankled me a little. Even though I always tried to remember where he came from. All in all, this was a wonderful read as the author created a new age heroine who stands shoulder to shoulder with the hero and also, made the book an inclusive one. You will know when you read it!
P.S. Alexi Galanti is best friends with Dante Allegri from Claiming My Untouched Mistress. Dante and Edie have a baby girl now, named Celeste. I wonder if Renzo Camaro, Alexi's rival, gets his own story. Let's just say he was an interesting character.
I received an e-copy of the book from the author. Ms Rice held a signed paperback giveaway of this book, but due to the ongoing situation, she instead offered an e-copy of the book to all the participants of the giveaway.
It starts with a prologue from Belle Simpson's perspective, who is at the funeral of her best friend Remy Galanti. Standing at some distance is Alexi, the deceased's older brother. Both brothers are from Monaco, where the Galanti family is in the motor racing business. After a long time, I read a Harlequin which starts with a prologue. Or is it the first time?
A week before Remy's death, Alexi and Belle had had a one-night stand. But after his brother's death, for which Alexi blames both himself and Belle, he drives Belle out of the home she knew since she was a ten-year-old kid who had come with her mother to the Galanti house. It is after five years that the actual story starts, in Alexi's perspective, and that is when I realised that it is in the first person. I know, not even writing 'perspective' made me aware as Harlequin's rarely use that mode of narration and I had just finished a book in the first-person narration. So, nothing struck me out of the ordinary at first.
Alexi is out scouting for fresh talent since his current race car driver has been diagnosed with cancer. That is when he spots exactly who he's looking for, one who can drive the beast of a car with ease. Belle was nineteen when she found out about her pregnancy two months after leaving Monaco. Alexi's thirty now and never did Belle tell him that he was the father of an adorable boy, Cai. Though the harsh words that Alexi had treated Belle with all those years ago left much to be desired.
Nothing ever lasted, especially not physical desire—it was transient, fleeting—but for us, I suspected, the intensity was increased by all the other commitments we shared, to the dead and to the living, to the past and the future.
Belle is the fuel-efficiency expert for a rival team's R&D department and a racing enthusiast! An inspiring heroine, with the brains and the oomph to pull off a stellar career in tow with a kid, is all I need in a book. The author glided into Alexi's past, the abuse he suffered at his father's hands, and the memories he shared with Belle.
This was a worldly story. From Monte Carlo to London to Barcelona and back. But this was also a balanced story where the alpha doesn't just bulldoze his way in. He recognised his faults along with being angry at the heroine. And that is what I loved, the way the author objectively presented both the characters. Especially after the way Alexi grew up. Special mention to the adorable Cai, who is so intuitive, as children often are.
But Alexi blowing hot and cold rankled me a little. Even though I always tried to remember where he came from. All in all, this was a wonderful read as the author created a new age heroine who stands shoulder to shoulder with the hero and also, made the book an inclusive one. You will know when you read it!
P.S. Alexi Galanti is best friends with Dante Allegri from Claiming My Untouched Mistress. Dante and Edie have a baby girl now, named Celeste. I wonder if Renzo Camaro, Alexi's rival, gets his own story. Let's just say he was an interesting character.
I received an e-copy of the book from the author. Ms Rice held a signed paperback giveaway of this book, but due to the ongoing situation, she instead offered an e-copy of the book to all the participants of the giveaway.
July 8, 2020
ne night in Monte Carlo…
Now I’m about to change the playboy’s life—forever!
He’s Monaco racing royalty and I, Belle Simpson, was his housekeeper. But that evening, Alexi Galanti’s searing blue gaze exhilarated me. Neither of us could think about anything beyond our desire for one another…
Now, five years later, I finally have the chance to reveal my scandalous secret—Alexi’s a father! Even though he’s scarred by his parents’ abandonment, I know Alexi will never desert his son. But falling for him would be a dangerous mistake, even if I’ve never stopped yearning for his touch! (less)
Now I’m about to change the playboy’s life—forever!
He’s Monaco racing royalty and I, Belle Simpson, was his housekeeper. But that evening, Alexi Galanti’s searing blue gaze exhilarated me. Neither of us could think about anything beyond our desire for one another…
Now, five years later, I finally have the chance to reveal my scandalous secret—Alexi’s a father! Even though he’s scarred by his parents’ abandonment, I know Alexi will never desert his son. But falling for him would be a dangerous mistake, even if I’ve never stopped yearning for his touch! (less)
February 7, 2021
Weak heroine, but am I surprised? Not really.
March 24, 2020
A lovely read
This book was wonderful to read a very emotional. It literally made my heart ache. I do hope to read more of Heidi Rice's novels. It literally cheered me up and had made me laugh and smile am awful lot too.
This book was wonderful to read a very emotional. It literally made my heart ache. I do hope to read more of Heidi Rice's novels. It literally cheered me up and had made me laugh and smile am awful lot too.
June 15, 2020
This is by far my favourite book by Heidi. It's not boring and it's very enjoyable to read.
The heroine had been having a crush with the hero since she was young as she lived with him and his family bc she was their maid's daughter. She was friends with his brother, and the hero thought that they were lovers while in fact that his brother was gay. When his brother died, he felt guilty for having one night with her, so he banished her from home. Turned out, she was carrying their baby.
They met again 5 years later, and when the hero saw his son he tought that he was his brother's, but the heroine told him the truth though he didn't believe her; so he insisted on DNA test.
The hero was a very charming and good father, though he had a bad past with his father. His father was abusive and hut him many times even when he was already an adult. And the heroine was also very independent, which i like about her. Though i don't like that she was such a sucker with the hero.
The heroine had been having a crush with the hero since she was young as she lived with him and his family bc she was their maid's daughter. She was friends with his brother, and the hero thought that they were lovers while in fact that his brother was gay. When his brother died, he felt guilty for having one night with her, so he banished her from home. Turned out, she was carrying their baby.
They met again 5 years later, and when the hero saw his son he tought that he was his brother's, but the heroine told him the truth though he didn't believe her; so he insisted on DNA test.
The hero was a very charming and good father, though he had a bad past with his father. His father was abusive and hut him many times even when he was already an adult. And the heroine was also very independent, which i like about her. Though i don't like that she was such a sucker with the hero.
December 8, 2021
My Shocking Monte Carlo Confession
They knew each other for years. His brother was her best friend. He thought that his brother had a claim on her. But after his death secrets came to light. No not right away. That took time. She has found her niche in the F1 world. But when he finds out her secret their world's collide. Can he figure out that she is what he always wanted?
They knew each other for years. His brother was her best friend. He thought that his brother had a claim on her. But after his death secrets came to light. No not right away. That took time. She has found her niche in the F1 world. But when he finds out her secret their world's collide. Can he figure out that she is what he always wanted?
August 18, 2020
Emotional
March 16, 2021
I like the plote like these, about the hiddne child, and I like she didn´t was the typical helpless-poor girl, of course the H was an ass*ole in almost all the book, I just wanted to slap him.
November 15, 2022
I hated this one, the hero slept with so so so so many other women after the heroine. He was cruel to the heroine and called her a whore and threatened to have cops escort her out of his home. So of course she wouldn't want to tell him she was pregnant. I hate when the guy is terrible and then years later when finds out had a child they are so mad. He knew they had unprotected sex how about checking on her months later and seeing if she was pregnant??
He wasn't the worst after finding out about his son, he didn't try and take full custody. However he was pretty terrible to sleep with her for close to a month and then dump her AGAIN. Then he realized he missed her and just assumed they would resume sleeping together and then could dump her again once he got out of his system. P.
He wasn't the worst after finding out about his son, he didn't try and take full custody. However he was pretty terrible to sleep with her for close to a month and then dump her AGAIN. Then he realized he missed her and just assumed they would resume sleeping together and then could dump her again once he got out of his system. P.
February 17, 2023
Yowza, that hero is kinda trash. He hurts the heroine in every scene. He is very selfish and so condescending toward the heroine. Gold digger, whore, cheater, sleeping with every man within spitting distance, only cares that she is good at her career. Hero also really doesn't care about his son, he just want the bang the heroine whenever. I say skip this one, it is very short though so that is a good reason to read it.
Read
April 1, 2020Categories
Romance, Contemporary Romance
Miniseries
Passion in Paradise (Book #12)
Romance, Contemporary Romance
Miniseries
Passion in Paradise (Book #12)
Read
January 4, 2021Una Noche En Montecarlo (SM Pasión En El Paraíso #12)
Read
April 1, 2020Categories
Romance, Contemporary Romance
Miniseries
Passion in Paradise (Book #12)
Romance, Contemporary Romance
Miniseries
Passion in Paradise (Book #12)
March 13, 2020
Can you forgive me?
No — that’s the answer she should have given.
Ms. Rice wrote quite a tale, so I hate to give it a low rating, but this “Hero” really doesn’t deserve better.
Other reviews summarize the plot, so I won’t repeat those.
While sharing the H’s POV kept this from being a total loss, his arrogance in his own mind negated much of his other ‘redeeming’ thoughts. I’m hard-pressed to think of anything loving (non-sexual) he did toward her. He belittled her claims about her virginity. He dumped her more than once. He was a complete man-hoe. Had he shown true character growth, the rest could be forgiven but he didn’t make up for it at the end. (Sorry, his last-minute grovel wasn’t enough... she deserved more and so did we.)
His dismissive attitude about anyone but himself wa unattractive. (For instance... of the h’s cousin who had taken her in and helped raise his child... “I’ve already forgotten her name.” Uh... you should be thanking her profusely and writing her a fat check.)
And the h... I don’t like the word doormat for her, but she allowed repeated poor treatment with no rebuttal. (For instance, H says to/about her: “I don’t screw around with employees” and she lets it go without comment. Screw around? Yeah, that’s not how a Hero should talk to the mother of his child.)
It had great possibilities but the lack of redeeming behavior left me with bad feelings.
I’m sorry she didn’t run off with someone else... he deserved the wake-up call.
If the Hero never looks the heroine in the eye to say a sincere and heartfelt I love you, it’s poor writing on the part of the romance novelist. Especially when the Hero has repeatedly treated the heroine like disposable trash.
I hope future efforts by Ms. Rice will leave a better feeling at the book’s end.
No — that’s the answer she should have given.
Ms. Rice wrote quite a tale, so I hate to give it a low rating, but this “Hero” really doesn’t deserve better.
Other reviews summarize the plot, so I won’t repeat those.
While sharing the H’s POV kept this from being a total loss, his arrogance in his own mind negated much of his other ‘redeeming’ thoughts. I’m hard-pressed to think of anything loving (non-sexual) he did toward her. He belittled her claims about her virginity. He dumped her more than once. He was a complete man-hoe. Had he shown true character growth, the rest could be forgiven but he didn’t make up for it at the end. (Sorry, his last-minute grovel wasn’t enough... she deserved more and so did we.)
His dismissive attitude about anyone but himself wa unattractive. (For instance... of the h’s cousin who had taken her in and helped raise his child... “I’ve already forgotten her name.” Uh... you should be thanking her profusely and writing her a fat check.)
And the h... I don’t like the word doormat for her, but she allowed repeated poor treatment with no rebuttal. (For instance, H says to/about her: “I don’t screw around with employees” and she lets it go without comment. Screw around? Yeah, that’s not how a Hero should talk to the mother of his child.)
It had great possibilities but the lack of redeeming behavior left me with bad feelings.
I’m sorry she didn’t run off with someone else... he deserved the wake-up call.
If the Hero never looks the heroine in the eye to say a sincere and heartfelt I love you, it’s poor writing on the part of the romance novelist. Especially when the Hero has repeatedly treated the heroine like disposable trash.
I hope future efforts by Ms. Rice will leave a better feeling at the book’s end.
June 1, 2020
2.5 didn't care for the hero or the dual first person POV
January 28, 2021
A light reading, typical Harlequin, to disconnect a bit. It has been entertaining.
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