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Innocent In The Sheikh's Palace
Onverwacht zwanger van de troonopvolger... Omdat ze de ware niet kan vinden, besluit bibliothecaresse Hannah om in haar eentje het gezin te stichten dat ze zo graag wil, via ivf. Om vervolgens te ontdekken dat haar baby de troonopvolger is van woestijnstaat Baaqi! En nu staat sjeik Akin Sarraf voor haar, donker en knap - en met een schokkende eis... Voor Akin is er geen andere de enige zoon van zijn overleden broer moet opgroeien in het land waarover hij ooit zal heersen, en hijzelf moet met Hannah trouwen om daarvoor te zorgen. Een tijdelijk verstandshuwelijk, dat is het plan. Alleen heeft hij buiten de lastige gevoelens gerekend die Hannah in hem ergernis, ongeduld... hartstocht, verlangen...
192 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 29, 2020
72 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Dani Collins
679 books1,180 followersUSA Today Bestselling author Dani Collins thrives on giving readers emotional, compelling, heart-soaring romance with laughter and heat, just like real life.
Mostly she writes contemporary romance, but she has also writes Historical Western, erotic romance, and romcom.
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Mostly she writes contemporary romance, but she has also writes Historical Western, erotic romance, and romcom.
Want to be notified of Dani's latest release along with getting sneak peeks, price drops, behind the scene's gossip and other special offers? Join Dani's VIP list. Join Now!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
October 13, 2020
DNF @10%. Per reasons stated in the reading update.
Read
August 2, 2021Wow this was...
So different!!! I had to stop and double check the author. I wasn't sure at first because the heroine was totally described as unattractive with braces, short hair, glasses with 'mousy' brown eyes and chubby. Of course she is pregnant too by a sperm donor who happened to be a dead prince. Akin is his brother who was supposed to be King now but now they know about the baby is will just be regent. But he was actually a really good hero. His mother despised him for some reason and he was the second son who never got love from his parents. I just felt so bad for him but Hannah was a good heroine. I loved their honesty with each other and their relationship.yes there is angst because the trolls were calling her ugly, and honestly I could not get over the braces and a heroine actuAlly being unattractive, but that description definitely kept on through the book but the hero actually liked her and her 'force's and all. She eventually gets more attractive but not like beautiful except to the hero. I liked that. It was just different and I am glad I liked it. Safe and free on KU
So different!!! I had to stop and double check the author. I wasn't sure at first because the heroine was totally described as unattractive with braces, short hair, glasses with 'mousy' brown eyes and chubby. Of course she is pregnant too by a sperm donor who happened to be a dead prince. Akin is his brother who was supposed to be King now but now they know about the baby is will just be regent. But he was actually a really good hero. His mother despised him for some reason and he was the second son who never got love from his parents. I just felt so bad for him but Hannah was a good heroine. I loved their honesty with each other and their relationship.yes there is angst because the trolls were calling her ugly, and honestly I could not get over the braces and a heroine actuAlly being unattractive, but that description definitely kept on through the book but the hero actually liked her and her 'force's and all. She eventually gets more attractive but not like beautiful except to the hero. I liked that. It was just different and I am glad I liked it. Safe and free on KU
Read
October 6, 2020Heroine has borne child of Hero's dead brother through IVF and although the brother & h never met the constant reference to the child as "his son" in the dialogues between H-h just put me off especially with dialogues like, “Was your brother a boxer? Feel what his son is doing to my kidneys.”
I did read ahead a little until the birth of the baby and the dialogues continued in the same vein, so gave up.
June 17, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Concept is out there, but it works. Both characters are wonderful and the epilogue adorable.
November 29, 2020
Ever since I read a sample of this one in the author's newsletter, I knew I had to read this as soon as it was released.
While Hannah Meeks and The Crown Prince of Baaqi, Sheikh Akin bin Raju bin Dagar Al-Sarraf's first meet at a fertility clinic was a given, still the way they met was so swoon-worthy cute.
Hannah is a twenty-five-year-old University librarian who was confident that her looks would never land her a man. But, she wanted a family and hence opted for artificial insemination to have a baby.
In a royal family where being the youngest led him to be treated like the spare, at thirty-two, it wasn't easy that the mantle of being a King was suddenly thrust upon him. And close on its heels, came the news about his brother's unborn child, which again relegated Akin to the second position.
A lot of firsts I'm getting in my recent reads, here it was the heroine marrying while wearing glasses. And that she had braces. Cheers to Harlequin for finally normalising their heroines and cheers to Dani Collins for creating such beautiful and heartwarming characters.
Akin made sarcastic jokes with such straight expressions that sometimes I had to double back and read a paragraph again. To believe that he really had made a quip like that. Just imagine, someone of royalty delivering punchlines, but with a straight face. Ha! It was the funniest thing ever.
This was quite an amusing read since Akin and Hannah seemed to have been moulded in somewhat of the same childhood. Akin was authoritative without being an asshole and Hannah was fiery in spite of being mousy. Quite the contrary characters they were. But their banter was so sweet. Their humorous exchange was such a breath of fresh air, especially looking at often serious desert romances.
In a meeting between neighbouring kingdoms, Collins' previous books' characters also made an appearance, from Sheikh's Princess of Convenience, The Sheikh's Sinful Seduction, and Pursued by the Desert Prince.
This was a purely slow burn romance, which was beautifully executed. And the 'seven years into the future' epilogue made my day!
While Hannah Meeks and The Crown Prince of Baaqi, Sheikh Akin bin Raju bin Dagar Al-Sarraf's first meet at a fertility clinic was a given, still the way they met was so swoon-worthy cute.
Hannah is a twenty-five-year-old University librarian who was confident that her looks would never land her a man. But, she wanted a family and hence opted for artificial insemination to have a baby.
In a royal family where being the youngest led him to be treated like the spare, at thirty-two, it wasn't easy that the mantle of being a King was suddenly thrust upon him. And close on its heels, came the news about his brother's unborn child, which again relegated Akin to the second position.
A lot of firsts I'm getting in my recent reads, here it was the heroine marrying while wearing glasses. And that she had braces. Cheers to Harlequin for finally normalising their heroines and cheers to Dani Collins for creating such beautiful and heartwarming characters.
Akin made sarcastic jokes with such straight expressions that sometimes I had to double back and read a paragraph again. To believe that he really had made a quip like that. Just imagine, someone of royalty delivering punchlines, but with a straight face. Ha! It was the funniest thing ever.
This was quite an amusing read since Akin and Hannah seemed to have been moulded in somewhat of the same childhood. Akin was authoritative without being an asshole and Hannah was fiery in spite of being mousy. Quite the contrary characters they were. But their banter was so sweet. Their humorous exchange was such a breath of fresh air, especially looking at often serious desert romances.
In a meeting between neighbouring kingdoms, Collins' previous books' characters also made an appearance, from Sheikh's Princess of Convenience, The Sheikh's Sinful Seduction, and Pursued by the Desert Prince.
This was a purely slow burn romance, which was beautifully executed. And the 'seven years into the future' epilogue made my day!
March 7, 2021
I could write a thesis on all the ways this book is problematic. The obvious would be the sheikh hero, but this also features a fertility clinic mix-up where the heroine is impregnated with the hero's dead brother's sperm by mistake. The brother who was heir to the throne. Which means the baby the heroine is carrying is now the heir. Only in a Presents could a 25-year-old heroine think her last resort for having a baby would be a sperm donor, and her motivations for having a baby are....not great (she's an ugly duckling, with no family left, and is basically having the kid for reasons related to that). Naturally the fertility clinic breaks eleventy billion laws but suing the pants off them is never mentioned - and naturally the heroine is then basically railroaded into going to the hero's made-up country and they marry for convenience.
But, and here's the thing, this is the second book I've read by Collins and she can write her face off. This does get better as it goes along - because of course our ugly duckling and the hero, "the spare," have more in common than they think. If you can get past the problematic elements, this is an absorbing read - but....yeah, problematic.
But, and here's the thing, this is the second book I've read by Collins and she can write her face off. This does get better as it goes along - because of course our ugly duckling and the hero, "the spare," have more in common than they think. If you can get past the problematic elements, this is an absorbing read - but....yeah, problematic.
October 22, 2020
This book was so much more than I expected. I could NOT put it down! Hannah Meeks was intriguing and Sheik Akin Sarraf was not what I expected. There is so much to this story that explains why Hannah and Akin are who they are today. LOVED it.
November 14, 2020
Such a delightful book with all my favorite ingredients.
I can’t get enough of these two adorable protagonists.
Safe and recommended.
I can’t get enough of these two adorable protagonists.
Safe and recommended.
November 16, 2020
I enjoyed this. I wasn’t sure at first that I liked either Hannah or Akin but it didn’t take long for me to be drawn into the story and engage with both h/H.
I really liked the fact that both of them behaved and talked like adults. Yes, there were problems but they challenged each other, negotiated and worked through their problems. Akin’s slow seduction of Hannah was just exquisite and made me very happy. I loved the way the baby was part of the story and especially how Akin opened up to him.
A thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying read - I highly recommend it.
I really liked the fact that both of them behaved and talked like adults. Yes, there were problems but they challenged each other, negotiated and worked through their problems. Akin’s slow seduction of Hannah was just exquisite and made me very happy. I loved the way the baby was part of the story and especially how Akin opened up to him.
A thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying read - I highly recommend it.
May 16, 2021
Requisite ridiculous HP title and a dodgy blurb had me almost passing on this gem. My lack of interest in looking for something to read(laziness) saved the day.
This one is worth the read
This one is worth the read
December 12, 2020
Dani back at it!
Dani Collins is my top HP authors. She brings the glamour and sexiness that is promised for the series, but does so in such an innovative way. I feel like none of her books are similar. Every character is so unique. I don't know how she balances emotion and humor without bogging the reader down with so much angst. I usually don't read royalty/Sheikh books, but this one I really enjoyed.
The best thing about this book is the heroine, Hannah. I know readers always say they related to the character but it's downright scary how close Hannah and I are. Neither of us have many close friends, raised with mainly a single parent, and are at a point in our lives where a change was desperately needed. Hannah made a list of things she wanted to achieve to get herself out of her comfort zone. I did the same things a few days ago. Wrote down my goals and how I wanted to achieve them!
Another thing Hannah and I have in common is our love of books. We both love libraries. I adored her humor and moxie even while struggling with self-image. Hannah is such a well-drawn heroine. The hero, Akin was great too but so closed off that it felt towards the end we only got to see a different side of him.
The epilogue was adorable! I live for them and plan to include cute ones in my own books.
Dani Collins is my top HP authors. She brings the glamour and sexiness that is promised for the series, but does so in such an innovative way. I feel like none of her books are similar. Every character is so unique. I don't know how she balances emotion and humor without bogging the reader down with so much angst. I usually don't read royalty/Sheikh books, but this one I really enjoyed.
The best thing about this book is the heroine, Hannah. I know readers always say they related to the character but it's downright scary how close Hannah and I are. Neither of us have many close friends, raised with mainly a single parent, and are at a point in our lives where a change was desperately needed. Hannah made a list of things she wanted to achieve to get herself out of her comfort zone. I did the same things a few days ago. Wrote down my goals and how I wanted to achieve them!
Another thing Hannah and I have in common is our love of books. We both love libraries. I adored her humor and moxie even while struggling with self-image. Hannah is such a well-drawn heroine. The hero, Akin was great too but so closed off that it felt towards the end we only got to see a different side of him.
The epilogue was adorable! I live for them and plan to include cute ones in my own books.
October 27, 2020
A royal romance with so many feels! INNOCENT IN THE SHEIKH'S PALACE by Dani Collins does not disappoint! I immediately was drawn to the story of this fertility mix-up and as drama unfolded page after page I found it hard to put down. Definitely an exciting read!
Hannah is a joy. She's self-assured and kind-hearted, so when learning of the circumstances of her baby's conception, she agrees to accompany Akin back to his home country.
Akin started out as gruff and demanding and I thought for sure I was going to have to dislike him, but as we begin to unravel his backstory and learn the place he's held in his family for so many years, I couldn't help but sympathize. The side of him that Hannah brings to life is beautiful.
I highly recommend this story to anyone who loves a complex royal romance with lots of drama and temptation.
Hannah is a joy. She's self-assured and kind-hearted, so when learning of the circumstances of her baby's conception, she agrees to accompany Akin back to his home country.
Akin started out as gruff and demanding and I thought for sure I was going to have to dislike him, but as we begin to unravel his backstory and learn the place he's held in his family for so many years, I couldn't help but sympathize. The side of him that Hannah brings to life is beautiful.
I highly recommend this story to anyone who loves a complex royal romance with lots of drama and temptation.
November 21, 2020
INNOCENT IN THE SHEIKH’S PALACE by author Dani Collins is a October 2020 release by Harlequin Presents series.
Hannah Meeks is pregnant and alone. But then she finds out her IVF baby was a prince and baby could be an heir to a throne. And his uncle, Sheikh Akin wanted her in the palace to give birth. Could she just up and move her life to a new country and a new way of life? And now she had to marry Akin as well.
INNOCENT IN THE SHEIKH’S PALACE is a sensational romance. Author Dani Collins has a spell-binding way with her writing. I could visualise the story as it unfolded on the pages. She also did a marvellous job of bringing these two characters together for their happy ever despite their emotional baggage. This is an emotional and thrilling story with an ugly duckling theme. As well as family warmth and relationships.
Highly recommended for all readers of romance.
Hannah Meeks is pregnant and alone. But then she finds out her IVF baby was a prince and baby could be an heir to a throne. And his uncle, Sheikh Akin wanted her in the palace to give birth. Could she just up and move her life to a new country and a new way of life? And now she had to marry Akin as well.
INNOCENT IN THE SHEIKH’S PALACE is a sensational romance. Author Dani Collins has a spell-binding way with her writing. I could visualise the story as it unfolded on the pages. She also did a marvellous job of bringing these two characters together for their happy ever despite their emotional baggage. This is an emotional and thrilling story with an ugly duckling theme. As well as family warmth and relationships.
Highly recommended for all readers of romance.
maybe-in-another-life
January 26, 2021no, thanks.
January 4, 2021
Major plot spoilers ahead. Read at your own risk
While I was reading this I didn’t think this was going to a five star for me, however I was very committed to this being a 4.5 star because I was still enjoying it very much even though it did take me a bit to get into. Then there was a turning point that suddenly was just like a jolt, and suddenly the story just hit it out of the park in so many different ways. It just hit all the good spots in me. In fact, I marked more than 80 percent of the book up with some of my favorites parts, gut wrenching, and just parts that gave me all the feels that I want while reading a Harlequin Presents. Dani Collins just knows how to hit me in the right spot and is why she’s one favorite Presents author. I always will buy her books no matter what they are about because I know that they are going to be good, and that I am going to love them. I loved this one so much more. So be prepared for the gush because it’s coming.
First off, I had been anticipating this story for quite awhile now. Dani Collins has been teasing this in her newsletters for months and months. As soon as I heard that this story was inspired by Ugly Duckling , I was immediately sold. I knew I was going to want to read it as soon as possible. It was different than typical fairy tale inspiration that have been know to be done in Presents with typical retelling being Beauty and the Beast and of coarse Cinderella . So I was excited for a new retelling in the line because it was atypical one.
The story stared off interestingly with the setup that had been done before in Presents type story with a mixup at a fertility clinic with a royal’s sperm being accidentally implanted in the heroine, Hannah, who decided to have a child on her own due to not having romantic prospects because she believed she was an ugly duckling. But unlike the typical of the person’s sperm coming to claim his heir, in this story it was his brother, Akim that came calling, which was a bit of twist. However it was even more complicated being the child that Hannah was pregnant with was to be the future king to the kingdom of Baaqi since the biological father was dead. Akim was set to become regent until the child was of age. His job was to protect as well as teach the child of how to rule a kingdom. The only way he could do that was to marry Hannah in order for his people to accept the child as king. Upending Hannah’s entire world in the process when it was the last she wanted was man in her life.
It was a little slow in pacing at the start even though there was a clear attraction between them as they set about to marry. A lot of insecurities played in her mind as people pointed out her less than physical beauty. That kind of isolated her and put her in the dumps. Plus Akim wasn’t really there for her at the time, and there wasn’t a lot togetherness between them. It was just her getting used to her knew life.
The turning point was the birth of the baby then the feels came alive. The first thing that struck me was just right after the baby was born, and Akim burst into the delivery room to find Hannah cuddling her son on her chest. His reaction was just priceless because he was awestruck and found it the most beautiful moment that he had ever witness. Then the guilt came in that he should have been there with her and support her. It just showed how much he was beginning to care and connect with Hannah. He wanted to make her life as comfortable as possible. Then he couldn’t stop thinking about her or wanting to be around her. He just wanted to be close to her.
It was very emotional and raw because of what Hannah was feeling not only about her insecurities but him. She was getting deeper and deeper with him especially once they connected emotionally. They bonded over similar plights of rejected they had experienced at the hands of other people. They understood each other of how much hurt and humiliation that could cause. It was just so well developed and good. It ripped my heart in various places. It just gave all the feels that I wanted to feel.
While they were connecting and developing a friendship, Hannah was dealing with the fact that he seemingly didn’t want to be around her or want her, which just increased her insecurities. Akim didn’t help either because he kept pulling away from here after bridging the distance then cycle would continue. It confused Hannah to know end, but she wound up standing up to him and giving it back to him. That just increased the sexual tension between them. Again it was so good. I loved every moment of it.
In between all this emotional turmoil, there were some romantic and tender moments between them. Moments that really showed that he cared about her as did Hannah care about him. The Christmas scene was the freaking best and showed so much. First all he didn’t celebrate Christmas because he was Muslim as was the country, yet he came to her and gave her a very sweet gift that complimented the gift he gave her when she gave birth. Her gift was just as meaningful as well with her setting out to create a biography for him that had never been done unlike had been done for his parents and brother to show him that he was just as important part of the royal family as Akim was. That touched my heart so much when she did that. It made me choke up a little bit. I just loved that she wanted to give him that.
As for the sensual scenes between them, OMG they had to be some of the hottest scenes that I have ever read in a Harlequin Presents before, and I have read a lot of Harlequin Presents in my lifetime. It made me feel like I was reading something that wasn’t Presents and gave me vibes of independently published romances that I have read like books from On Dublin Street series by Samantha Young or Abbi Glines books, etc. That wasn’t a bad thing because I love those stories, but I just wasn’t expecting how saucy it was going to get between Hannah and Akim. The reason might have been because they did other things together that weren’t full blown love making scenes yet they were very much giving each other pleasure type scenes. Those two pool scenes holy cow were spicy, spicy, and spicy. They got the pulse racing and the blood boiling. It was sexy. It showed off that they could be vulnerable with each other while making each other enjoy each other. Then there was the sexy library scene that topped the previous pool scene in a way I didn’t think could happen. I thought nothing could top that moment but I was wrong because that bedroom scene. Wow. That was some heat and spice and really, really naughty, yet worked so well because it showed off their chemistry as well as their emotional connection to one another. It confirmed how much they cared about each other. He wanted to show her how beautiful she was to him with every touch of his fingers. OMG, it was just so amazing. I loved every second of it because it really cemented what they were as a couple. I think that might possibly by favorite love scene that Dani Collins had every wrote, and she wrote a lot of love scenes that I throughly enjoyed and loved, but this one just took the cake for so many reasons. It was amazing.
What I really loved about this story was that Akim wanted her for who she was. He was attracted who she was. There wasn’t that big makeover moment that happened then he was suddenly in lust with her. No, he was in lust/love with her way before Hannah had that itty bitty makeover in order to make her feel confident. It was so amazing to see him become aware of her the more time he spent with her. He noticed things that attracted her. He saw things in her that no one else really saw. He saw her beauty way before she saw it in herself. He definitely saw it before anyone else. It was magical. I loved that so much. It showed how he was attracted to her as person both inside and out.
This was just an amazing ride of a book. I could go on and on some more because there were so many more wonderful things about this story, but this was just the highlights that really hit me hard that caused me to love it so much. Mainly it gave me all the feels that I was looking for. I choked up and teared up quite a few times during the story. I was gutted. My heart ripped out of a couple times. The emotional journey was raw one, but a wonderful and satisfying one by book’s end. I loved Hannah. I loved Akim. I loved the number of romantic gestures that were in here to show signs of affection and caring, which was done on both sides. I loved their connection. I loved the heartfelt conversations and emotional intimacies they engaged in. I loved the build up between these as they learn to have each other in their lives. There were a number of touching moments that just warmed my heart so much. Then the passionate side just hit it out of the part because they were spicy and sensual yet showed how much of connection and intimacy that they truly had with one another. They needed that closeness with one another because they needed each other. It was brilliantly done. Even while I was reading this, I knew I would be rereading this one again and looking forward to before the last word was spoken. I knew this was going to be another favorite read from Dani Collins. I wasn’t wrong. I can’t wait to read this one again. This blew it out of the water. It’s gonna be hard to top this one.
Highly recommend for Presents lovers, lovers of fairy tale retellings, emotional reads, sexy reads, and just Dani Collins in general because he really did it with this one. Bravo.
While I was reading this I didn’t think this was going to a five star for me, however I was very committed to this being a 4.5 star because I was still enjoying it very much even though it did take me a bit to get into. Then there was a turning point that suddenly was just like a jolt, and suddenly the story just hit it out of the park in so many different ways. It just hit all the good spots in me. In fact, I marked more than 80 percent of the book up with some of my favorites parts, gut wrenching, and just parts that gave me all the feels that I want while reading a Harlequin Presents. Dani Collins just knows how to hit me in the right spot and is why she’s one favorite Presents author. I always will buy her books no matter what they are about because I know that they are going to be good, and that I am going to love them. I loved this one so much more. So be prepared for the gush because it’s coming.
First off, I had been anticipating this story for quite awhile now. Dani Collins has been teasing this in her newsletters for months and months. As soon as I heard that this story was inspired by Ugly Duckling , I was immediately sold. I knew I was going to want to read it as soon as possible. It was different than typical fairy tale inspiration that have been know to be done in Presents with typical retelling being Beauty and the Beast and of coarse Cinderella . So I was excited for a new retelling in the line because it was atypical one.
The story stared off interestingly with the setup that had been done before in Presents type story with a mixup at a fertility clinic with a royal’s sperm being accidentally implanted in the heroine, Hannah, who decided to have a child on her own due to not having romantic prospects because she believed she was an ugly duckling. But unlike the typical of the person’s sperm coming to claim his heir, in this story it was his brother, Akim that came calling, which was a bit of twist. However it was even more complicated being the child that Hannah was pregnant with was to be the future king to the kingdom of Baaqi since the biological father was dead. Akim was set to become regent until the child was of age. His job was to protect as well as teach the child of how to rule a kingdom. The only way he could do that was to marry Hannah in order for his people to accept the child as king. Upending Hannah’s entire world in the process when it was the last she wanted was man in her life.
It was a little slow in pacing at the start even though there was a clear attraction between them as they set about to marry. A lot of insecurities played in her mind as people pointed out her less than physical beauty. That kind of isolated her and put her in the dumps. Plus Akim wasn’t really there for her at the time, and there wasn’t a lot togetherness between them. It was just her getting used to her knew life.
The turning point was the birth of the baby then the feels came alive. The first thing that struck me was just right after the baby was born, and Akim burst into the delivery room to find Hannah cuddling her son on her chest. His reaction was just priceless because he was awestruck and found it the most beautiful moment that he had ever witness. Then the guilt came in that he should have been there with her and support her. It just showed how much he was beginning to care and connect with Hannah. He wanted to make her life as comfortable as possible. Then he couldn’t stop thinking about her or wanting to be around her. He just wanted to be close to her.
It was very emotional and raw because of what Hannah was feeling not only about her insecurities but him. She was getting deeper and deeper with him especially once they connected emotionally. They bonded over similar plights of rejected they had experienced at the hands of other people. They understood each other of how much hurt and humiliation that could cause. It was just so well developed and good. It ripped my heart in various places. It just gave all the feels that I wanted to feel.
While they were connecting and developing a friendship, Hannah was dealing with the fact that he seemingly didn’t want to be around her or want her, which just increased her insecurities. Akim didn’t help either because he kept pulling away from here after bridging the distance then cycle would continue. It confused Hannah to know end, but she wound up standing up to him and giving it back to him. That just increased the sexual tension between them. Again it was so good. I loved every moment of it.
In between all this emotional turmoil, there were some romantic and tender moments between them. Moments that really showed that he cared about her as did Hannah care about him. The Christmas scene was the freaking best and showed so much. First all he didn’t celebrate Christmas because he was Muslim as was the country, yet he came to her and gave her a very sweet gift that complimented the gift he gave her when she gave birth. Her gift was just as meaningful as well with her setting out to create a biography for him that had never been done unlike had been done for his parents and brother to show him that he was just as important part of the royal family as Akim was. That touched my heart so much when she did that. It made me choke up a little bit. I just loved that she wanted to give him that.
As for the sensual scenes between them, OMG they had to be some of the hottest scenes that I have ever read in a Harlequin Presents before, and I have read a lot of Harlequin Presents in my lifetime. It made me feel like I was reading something that wasn’t Presents and gave me vibes of independently published romances that I have read like books from On Dublin Street series by Samantha Young or Abbi Glines books, etc. That wasn’t a bad thing because I love those stories, but I just wasn’t expecting how saucy it was going to get between Hannah and Akim. The reason might have been because they did other things together that weren’t full blown love making scenes yet they were very much giving each other pleasure type scenes. Those two pool scenes holy cow were spicy, spicy, and spicy. They got the pulse racing and the blood boiling. It was sexy. It showed off that they could be vulnerable with each other while making each other enjoy each other. Then there was the sexy library scene that topped the previous pool scene in a way I didn’t think could happen. I thought nothing could top that moment but I was wrong because that bedroom scene. Wow. That was some heat and spice and really, really naughty, yet worked so well because it showed off their chemistry as well as their emotional connection to one another. It confirmed how much they cared about each other. He wanted to show her how beautiful she was to him with every touch of his fingers. OMG, it was just so amazing. I loved every second of it because it really cemented what they were as a couple. I think that might possibly by favorite love scene that Dani Collins had every wrote, and she wrote a lot of love scenes that I throughly enjoyed and loved, but this one just took the cake for so many reasons. It was amazing.
What I really loved about this story was that Akim wanted her for who she was. He was attracted who she was. There wasn’t that big makeover moment that happened then he was suddenly in lust with her. No, he was in lust/love with her way before Hannah had that itty bitty makeover in order to make her feel confident. It was so amazing to see him become aware of her the more time he spent with her. He noticed things that attracted her. He saw things in her that no one else really saw. He saw her beauty way before she saw it in herself. He definitely saw it before anyone else. It was magical. I loved that so much. It showed how he was attracted to her as person both inside and out.
This was just an amazing ride of a book. I could go on and on some more because there were so many more wonderful things about this story, but this was just the highlights that really hit me hard that caused me to love it so much. Mainly it gave me all the feels that I was looking for. I choked up and teared up quite a few times during the story. I was gutted. My heart ripped out of a couple times. The emotional journey was raw one, but a wonderful and satisfying one by book’s end. I loved Hannah. I loved Akim. I loved the number of romantic gestures that were in here to show signs of affection and caring, which was done on both sides. I loved their connection. I loved the heartfelt conversations and emotional intimacies they engaged in. I loved the build up between these as they learn to have each other in their lives. There were a number of touching moments that just warmed my heart so much. Then the passionate side just hit it out of the part because they were spicy and sensual yet showed how much of connection and intimacy that they truly had with one another. They needed that closeness with one another because they needed each other. It was brilliantly done. Even while I was reading this, I knew I would be rereading this one again and looking forward to before the last word was spoken. I knew this was going to be another favorite read from Dani Collins. I wasn’t wrong. I can’t wait to read this one again. This blew it out of the water. It’s gonna be hard to top this one.
Highly recommend for Presents lovers, lovers of fairy tale retellings, emotional reads, sexy reads, and just Dani Collins in general because he really did it with this one. Bravo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2020
Good book
November 6, 2020
Loved this book about a mix up with sperm at a fertility clinic.
November 2, 2020
Not his baby
I liked the twist of this story. Hannah chose to have a baby on her own. Except, she is carrying the child of a Sheik. What follows is a tale of two people trying to navigate getting to know each other in undesirable circumstances. But what Akin and Hannah gain in the end is so worth it.
I liked the twist of this story. Hannah chose to have a baby on her own. Except, she is carrying the child of a Sheik. What follows is a tale of two people trying to navigate getting to know each other in undesirable circumstances. But what Akin and Hannah gain in the end is so worth it.
October 2, 2020
I LOVED THIS BOOK.... If I could give it more than 5 stars I would. And I think it is my favorite HP published so far this year.
I am a sucker for the IVF mixup. I do have to suspend reality for a bit though because as a family law lawyer, the legal/reality aspect of these stories are so, so wrong. So I banish that part of my brain and read on.
Akin, the hero, is an alpha without being an asshat. He is strong, has a sense of duty, but he is also wounded. Hannah, our heroine, is quirky, funny, and wounded. They both grow together in a short period of time. Akin is a pessimist because life has taught him to be guarded. Hannah is an optimist even though life has dished out to her some of the very same lessons as Akin has experienced. I gotta tell you there is a poolside accidental peepshow scene that was hot, but hilarious too - and original. I am a Dani Collins fan and this book gave me a peek into three of her past sheikh couples and what they are up to. I love how the author did this - she totally knocked it out of the park with this book.
This is a cinderella love story filled with humor, wit, and healing of broken hearts. I think Akin is my new favorite alpha.
I am a sucker for the IVF mixup. I do have to suspend reality for a bit though because as a family law lawyer, the legal/reality aspect of these stories are so, so wrong. So I banish that part of my brain and read on.
Akin, the hero, is an alpha without being an asshat. He is strong, has a sense of duty, but he is also wounded. Hannah, our heroine, is quirky, funny, and wounded. They both grow together in a short period of time. Akin is a pessimist because life has taught him to be guarded. Hannah is an optimist even though life has dished out to her some of the very same lessons as Akin has experienced. I gotta tell you there is a poolside accidental peepshow scene that was hot, but hilarious too - and original. I am a Dani Collins fan and this book gave me a peek into three of her past sheikh couples and what they are up to. I love how the author did this - she totally knocked it out of the park with this book.
This is a cinderella love story filled with humor, wit, and healing of broken hearts. I think Akin is my new favorite alpha.
September 1, 2020
Akin and Hannah are worlds apart and meet in the most unlikely and stunning way. Destined to become the mother of one of the most important babies in the world is the last thing Hannah ever dreamed of or desired or believed was a possible reality regardless of what what a bunch of stangers were telling her. Even flying to Akin's beautiful home of Baaqui wasn't helping reality sink in.
Sprinkled throughout this inventive story is Dani Collins trademark humour. I give full credit to the author for the inventiveness and originality of Akin and Hannah's path to love and the depth of description helps creates a wonderfully in-depth story full of strength, intensity and richness and it's not just the sands that's hot!
Exploring unknown territories in both love, land, birth and tradition, Innocent in the Sheikh's Palace soars wonderfully concluding with a brilliant epilogue.
I loved it.
Sprinkled throughout this inventive story is Dani Collins trademark humour. I give full credit to the author for the inventiveness and originality of Akin and Hannah's path to love and the depth of description helps creates a wonderfully in-depth story full of strength, intensity and richness and it's not just the sands that's hot!
Exploring unknown territories in both love, land, birth and tradition, Innocent in the Sheikh's Palace soars wonderfully concluding with a brilliant epilogue.
I loved it.
October 10, 2020
Hannah Meeks has always been bullied whether by friends or not she has suffered feeling so little for herself. She makes the decision that since she will forever have no one to love she will have a baby. So happy to be delivering soon what a shock to find out a short time before her baby will be born that she was accidently impregnated with a Kings sperm. Not just any king one that has died. Got you interested? it should because Ms. Collins has written a story of Palace life but castle not a home, where the second son has never been loved either. What happens when they are forced together for the heir, enjoy finding out another fantastic story by a wonderful author.
October 6, 2020
Another great read by Dani Collins! Sheikh Akin meets Hannah after it is discovered that she was artificially inseminated with his dead brother’s sperm. She will go to Baaqi with him where they will marry.Little do they know that the fake marriage will bring out true feelings.
December 5, 2020
An okay story
My Rating System
5 stars--WOW
4 stars--would read again
3 stars--was good, won't read again
2 stars--read it, but didn't enjoy it
1 star--didn't finish, it was so awful
Do I need to read books before this one: no
Cliffhanger: no
Summary
The fertility clinic calls Hannah, tells her she must come by tonight. She gets there, but her car door has frozen shut. Luckily a SUV pulls up. She honks to get their attention. Akin helps her discover her doors are locked. Inside, the clinic director reveals that her baby's sperm was from the Crown Prince of Baaqi, who had banked sperm in case chemotherapy caused infertility. He has since died. Akin is here to take her to Baaqi because her baby must be born on home soil. She resists. He gives her no choice.
Evaluation
The two characters (there are no others) felt flat to me. Hannah gave up her life a little too easily; I get late pregnancy tired, but I also know mama bear, and she would have had enough adrenaline to resist being kidnapped by a nice guy who doesn't want to hurt her. And Akin went from thinking she was wholly unattractive to being interested in her too quickly, considering they'd had minimal interaction and she still had a terrible haircut and braces. So if character development is lacking, plot should be great, right? Nope. The only conflict is they both don't think they deserve love, and since character development is lacking…. Setting? We get no Middle East geography or culture, and only some clothing (that she doesn't react to having to wear). Overall, it was lacking.
I do have one question: What would've happened if it'd been a girl?
Recommendation
This story is for those who like Middle East palaces. Other than that, it's generic and I'd recommend finding something else. It's not even a Christmas story, though it happens over Christmas. Read Dani's His Christmas Miracle. Now *that* is a fabulous story!
Favorite Quotes (Dani has a way with words!)
“Our rulers are born in Baaqi, Ms. Meeks. Therefore, you are coming with me. You may stay as our guest and provide the loving care and guidance you clearly intended to bestow on him as he grows up there, but that is where he will grow up.” “*Counteroffer.* You ask Dr. Peters for a referral to a psychiatrist, because you’re clearly delusional. Goodbye.”
snow falling like clumps of mashed potatoes
When Nura [personal maid] rubbed moisturizer into her feet, she decided it was as good a reason as any to marry Akin.
[The baby] always settled the minute she took him, which made her feel like the most powerful person in the world.
Between the padding in the bra and the swell of milk, she had a chest that could get her hired in a booty bar.
Nura was wringing her hands, gaze casting about as if she were hoping a dropping piano would save her.
It was such a strong, sincere sentiment coming straight from his gut that it shook his heart on its way by.
Maybe she was overreacting. She lived in her own bubble here. Perhaps the zombie apocalypse was in full swing and Akin had been tied up with digging a moat around Baaqi. Perhaps zombies choked on pearls and that was why he’d sent them.
“If you feel down on yourself, if you feel bloated or you have a spot or some other thing that makes you feel less than beautiful, that’s okay. Your feelings are yours and I’m not going to tell you not to feel them. And if a stranger says something that hurts you, your hurt is valid. But they’re trying to hurt you. That’s not honesty. It’s cruelty. Believing what they say is like believing you would deserve it if they hit you. They’re not the type of people you would admire or respect if you met them, so please don’t give more weight to their remarks than the things said by people who care about you.”
“Okay but tell me again how the doctors just *mixed it up.* Because it’s not like when the maid accidentally puts your socks away in your brother’s drawer, is it? It seems like something that’s pretty important. Shouldn’t they have been more organized?”
Possible Triggers (spoilers)
Sex: multiple scenes, including masturbation and oral
Language: 0 F words, 4 Lord's name in vain, 0 S words
Violence: none
My Rating System
5 stars--WOW
4 stars--would read again
3 stars--was good, won't read again
2 stars--read it, but didn't enjoy it
1 star--didn't finish, it was so awful
Do I need to read books before this one: no
Cliffhanger: no
Summary
The fertility clinic calls Hannah, tells her she must come by tonight. She gets there, but her car door has frozen shut. Luckily a SUV pulls up. She honks to get their attention. Akin helps her discover her doors are locked. Inside, the clinic director reveals that her baby's sperm was from the Crown Prince of Baaqi, who had banked sperm in case chemotherapy caused infertility. He has since died. Akin is here to take her to Baaqi because her baby must be born on home soil. She resists. He gives her no choice.
Evaluation
The two characters (there are no others) felt flat to me. Hannah gave up her life a little too easily; I get late pregnancy tired, but I also know mama bear, and she would have had enough adrenaline to resist being kidnapped by a nice guy who doesn't want to hurt her. And Akin went from thinking she was wholly unattractive to being interested in her too quickly, considering they'd had minimal interaction and she still had a terrible haircut and braces. So if character development is lacking, plot should be great, right? Nope. The only conflict is they both don't think they deserve love, and since character development is lacking…. Setting? We get no Middle East geography or culture, and only some clothing (that she doesn't react to having to wear). Overall, it was lacking.
I do have one question: What would've happened if it'd been a girl?
Recommendation
This story is for those who like Middle East palaces. Other than that, it's generic and I'd recommend finding something else. It's not even a Christmas story, though it happens over Christmas. Read Dani's His Christmas Miracle. Now *that* is a fabulous story!
Favorite Quotes (Dani has a way with words!)
“Our rulers are born in Baaqi, Ms. Meeks. Therefore, you are coming with me. You may stay as our guest and provide the loving care and guidance you clearly intended to bestow on him as he grows up there, but that is where he will grow up.” “*Counteroffer.* You ask Dr. Peters for a referral to a psychiatrist, because you’re clearly delusional. Goodbye.”
snow falling like clumps of mashed potatoes
When Nura [personal maid] rubbed moisturizer into her feet, she decided it was as good a reason as any to marry Akin.
[The baby] always settled the minute she took him, which made her feel like the most powerful person in the world.
Between the padding in the bra and the swell of milk, she had a chest that could get her hired in a booty bar.
Nura was wringing her hands, gaze casting about as if she were hoping a dropping piano would save her.
It was such a strong, sincere sentiment coming straight from his gut that it shook his heart on its way by.
Maybe she was overreacting. She lived in her own bubble here. Perhaps the zombie apocalypse was in full swing and Akin had been tied up with digging a moat around Baaqi. Perhaps zombies choked on pearls and that was why he’d sent them.
“If you feel down on yourself, if you feel bloated or you have a spot or some other thing that makes you feel less than beautiful, that’s okay. Your feelings are yours and I’m not going to tell you not to feel them. And if a stranger says something that hurts you, your hurt is valid. But they’re trying to hurt you. That’s not honesty. It’s cruelty. Believing what they say is like believing you would deserve it if they hit you. They’re not the type of people you would admire or respect if you met them, so please don’t give more weight to their remarks than the things said by people who care about you.”
“Okay but tell me again how the doctors just *mixed it up.* Because it’s not like when the maid accidentally puts your socks away in your brother’s drawer, is it? It seems like something that’s pretty important. Shouldn’t they have been more organized?”
Possible Triggers (spoilers)
Sex: multiple scenes, including masturbation and oral
Language: 0 F words, 4 Lord's name in vain, 0 S words
Violence: none
hq-to-read
January 12, 2022His desert vow…
...to crown the virgin’s baby!
Having failed to find Mr. Right, plain librarian Hannah Meeks decided to start the family she’s desperately wanted on her own. Only to discover that her miracle baby is actually the heir to the throne of Baaqi…
Sheikh Akin Sarraf was the unwanted spare. Now, finding out his late brother had unknowingly fathered a child, Akin’s duty is to bring Hannah to his palace and make her his wife! Marrying for love was always out of the question. But Hannah’s independent spirit is exasperating…until it’s intoxicating…
...to crown the virgin’s baby!
Having failed to find Mr. Right, plain librarian Hannah Meeks decided to start the family she’s desperately wanted on her own. Only to discover that her miracle baby is actually the heir to the throne of Baaqi…
Sheikh Akin Sarraf was the unwanted spare. Now, finding out his late brother had unknowingly fathered a child, Akin’s duty is to bring Hannah to his palace and make her his wife! Marrying for love was always out of the question. But Hannah’s independent spirit is exasperating…until it’s intoxicating…
May 10, 2025
So I love the plot/premise of the book. Sperm donor mixup and suddenly your baby is heir to a country and you have to marry hot royalty. I’m here for it.
What I didn’t love was the writing style or the over-the-top insecurity of the “ugly duckling” FMC. I had to double check what year this book was written because it felt in some ways really old. I also didn’t buy how the FMC got into the MMC’s car at the start and basically allowed herself to be abducted (never tried calling the police?).
I’m glad they got their HEA but I won’t read any other books in the series.
What I didn’t love was the writing style or the over-the-top insecurity of the “ugly duckling” FMC. I had to double check what year this book was written because it felt in some ways really old. I also didn’t buy how the FMC got into the MMC’s car at the start and basically allowed herself to be abducted (never tried calling the police?).
I’m glad they got their HEA but I won’t read any other books in the series.
January 23, 2021
Innocent in the Sheikh’s Place by Dani Collins. Hannah is pregnant and alone, and that is how she had planned it. She finds out the father of her IVF baby was a prince and his brother has turned up to claim the heir to his kingdom. Sheik Akin wants her to marry him and give birth in the palace. Can she just up and move to a new life – a life she was not expecting for her or her baby. A great read.
August 20, 2021
It was ok but I just don't love that heroes brother is biological father of heroines baby (I do like that heroine never had sex with his brother or even met him). I didn't really feel like their connection was very strong and heroine came across as genuinely not pretty (not in a she has no confidence way but I could picture by her description as very unattractive). P.
December 20, 2020
Definitely different
Definitely different but I will always love a good sheikh romance and am glad they found love together. The characters were amazing and loved everything about it.
Definitely different but I will always love a good sheikh romance and am glad they found love together. The characters were amazing and loved everything about it.
January 31, 2021
I loved this book! The h wasn't the typical beautiful beyond belief woman, she's pregnant and she's feisty, sort of ordinary looking. I loved that about her, and I loved the H too, gorgeous, of course, and very sexy.
March 27, 2021
Not at all surprised by the high rating for this book. It is really quite a lot of fun to read, with a wonderful heroine in Hannah. Yes, she does indulge in a bit too much “I’m not pretty!”, but she also has many redeeming qualities. And she and her prince have some genuinely funny lines.
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