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Rich, Ruthless and Renowned #3
El playboy implacable
His most challenging conquest
When you're as handsome, dynamic and wealthy as British tycoon Jeremy Barker-Whittle, there's no shortage of stunning women willing to share your bed. So when Alice Waterhouse says no, it's a challenge the jaded playboy can't refuse.
But discovering Alice's carefully guarded innocence brings an end to Jeremy's thoughts of briefly stolen passion. The cynical CEO must put aside this delicate beauty…until Alice shocks him by asking him to take her virginity!
As Jeremy toys with the temptation to be the first man to show Alice pleasure, he's unaware that she could be the first woman to tame him…
178 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 2, 2020
About the author
Miranda Lee
820 books238 followersMaureen Mary was born on 1945 at Port Macquarie, a popular seaside town on the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales, Australia, and is the youngest of four children. Her sister was the novelist Wendy Brennan (Emma Darcy). Her father was a country school teacher and brilliant sportsman. Her mother was a talented dressmaker. When Miranda was ten, her father was transferred to Gosford, another coastal town in the countryside, much closer to Sydney. After leaving her convent school, she briefly studied the cello before moving to Sydney, where she embraced the emerging world of computers. Her career as a programmer ended after she married, had three daughters and bought a small acreage in a semi-rural community. Following this, she attempted greyhound training, as well as horse and goat breeding, but was left dissatisfied.
Miranda yearned to find a creative career from which she could earn money. When her sister suggested writing romances, it seemed like a good idea. She could do it at home, and it might even be fun! It took a decade of trial and error before her first romance, After the Affair, was accepted and published. At that time, Miranda, her husband Tony, and her three daughters had moved back to the Central Coast, where they could enjoy the sun and the surf lifestyle once again. Not long into her writing career, Miranda committed herself to writing a six-book series entitled, The Hearts of Fire, with a deadline of just nine short months. Bravely, her husband left his executive position to stay home and support Miranda’s writing career. He learned to cook and to clean, two invaluable household skills. Numerous successful stories followed, each embodying Miranda’s trademark style: pacy and sexy rhythms; passionate, real-life characters; and enduring, memorable story lines. She has one credo when writing romances: Don’t bore the reader! Millions of fans world-wide agree she never does.
Miranda was the sister of the late author, Emma Darcy.
Miranda yearned to find a creative career from which she could earn money. When her sister suggested writing romances, it seemed like a good idea. She could do it at home, and it might even be fun! It took a decade of trial and error before her first romance, After the Affair, was accepted and published. At that time, Miranda, her husband Tony, and her three daughters had moved back to the Central Coast, where they could enjoy the sun and the surf lifestyle once again. Not long into her writing career, Miranda committed herself to writing a six-book series entitled, The Hearts of Fire, with a deadline of just nine short months. Bravely, her husband left his executive position to stay home and support Miranda’s writing career. He learned to cook and to clean, two invaluable household skills. Numerous successful stories followed, each embodying Miranda’s trademark style: pacy and sexy rhythms; passionate, real-life characters; and enduring, memorable story lines. She has one credo when writing romances: Don’t bore the reader! Millions of fans world-wide agree she never does.
Miranda was the sister of the late author, Emma Darcy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 19, 2017
Alice is a shut down (frigid) little heroine due to an attempted date rape and some other mean men issues. She meets up with the charming, smooth, gentlemanly, sophisticated, urbane, charming (it bears repeating) but commitment phobic Jeremy. He will be mine, all mine.
They meet as he will be the replacement auctioneer for a charity function Alice is running. Jeremy is a publisher and has to stand for one of his authors. The two are smitten with each other, and Jeremy does a little inner monologuing on how he can seduce her. He soon realizes it won't work as she has issues. She really does have issues regarding men and sex relating to some family business as well as the attempted rape, but Alice is no fool. She knows a good one when she sees one and decides Jeremy is the one to introduce her to sex. Jeremy is very upfront about his disdain for marriage as apparently half his family have divorce attorneys on speed dial, but he's not a gross and disdainful manwhore. He is such a NICE guy.
Sadly, since we are dealing with two very nice and intelligent characters, one could even call them believable, we have low level angst.
Eventually the two have sex, and there is a little jockeying for position in the relationship, but it's all very realistic.
I enjoyed reading about a charming nice guy and the equally sane heroine with self-respect. Yes, there could have been a little more of the contrivances I bitch about yet make these books so much fun, but it's still a keeper.
Save this one for when you are exhausted from the sturm and drang of the old skool arm-twisters, slut-shamers, etc.
They meet as he will be the replacement auctioneer for a charity function Alice is running. Jeremy is a publisher and has to stand for one of his authors. The two are smitten with each other, and Jeremy does a little inner monologuing on how he can seduce her. He soon realizes it won't work as she has issues. She really does have issues regarding men and sex relating to some family business as well as the attempted rape, but Alice is no fool. She knows a good one when she sees one and decides Jeremy is the one to introduce her to sex. Jeremy is very upfront about his disdain for marriage as apparently half his family have divorce attorneys on speed dial, but he's not a gross and disdainful manwhore. He is such a NICE guy.
Sadly, since we are dealing with two very nice and intelligent characters, one could even call them believable, we have low level angst.
Eventually the two have sex, and there is a little jockeying for position in the relationship, but it's all very realistic.
I enjoyed reading about a charming nice guy and the equally sane heroine with self-respect. Yes, there could have been a little more of the contrivances I bitch about yet make these books so much fun, but it's still a keeper.
Save this one for when you are exhausted from the sturm and drang of the old skool arm-twisters, slut-shamers, etc.
July 10, 2016
It has been a while since I picked up a book that has been written by Miranda Lee ,usually I tend to have a love hate relationship with her heroines as some of them are a bit brittle in my opinion,I prefer a softer type of heroine.While this heroine is not a " softie" ,she was likeable,and the hero,well he was all together a different kettle of fish,in a good way mind you.He was a charming man,billionaire extraordinaire playboy who did not do the love and commitment thing,poor man,his family's multiple divorces and remarriages put him off for life! Little did he know that he would meet his match with this heroine,she led him a merry chase straight to the alter at St Paul's cathedral at the epilogue.A really great read that I enjoyed,plus who does not love when a man cries over his woman !
July 9, 2016
Oh my god this was amazing! Super sweet hero u will all fall in love with him! I love a hero who cries for the heroine. Heroine was feisty and adorable and the ending emotional and touching! Best harlequin of this month for sure!
April 17, 2022
Both MCs were nice and his proposal at the end was quite moving.
October 23, 2016
Oh my this was boring...boring hero...boring heroine...boring...by the time I got to chapter 6 I was comatose with the boredom.
Ruthless is in the title...in 5 chapters in saw the hero being a pansy not ruthless. His inner thinking was bland & a bit feminine
Once the hero met the heroine there was no romance connection...no chemistry...no spark.
In 5 chapters the story didn’t move past the introduction and work and charity event....zzzzzzzz....boring
Ruthless is in the title...in 5 chapters in saw the hero being a pansy not ruthless. His inner thinking was bland & a bit feminine
Once the hero met the heroine there was no romance connection...no chemistry...no spark.
In 5 chapters the story didn’t move past the introduction and work and charity event....zzzzzzzz....boring
July 9, 2016
Rating: 3.5
Third bk in a series about college friends but they can all be read standalone. I would say that this was the best of the trio and read more like classic Lee: fast paced with lots of H POV.
Tags: Virgin h, London
Third bk in a series about college friends but they can all be read standalone. I would say that this was the best of the trio and read more like classic Lee: fast paced with lots of H POV.
Tags: Virgin h, London
February 6, 2017
The Playboy’s Ruthless Pursuit is the third book in the Rich, Ruthless and Renowned series by Australian author, Miranda Lee. When the popular author has to back out of her fund-raiser auction, counsellor and refuge volunteer, Alice Waterhouse has to settle for his publisher, Jeremy Barker-Whittle. But when she learns of his playboy reputation, she’s wary: she has no intention of succumbing to his good looks and charm.
Jeremy’s secretary volunteered his services for the charity auction, but he wasn’t expecting this beautiful young woman to be running the show. Nor was he expecting resistance to his advances: this confirmed bachelor has never been refused by a woman he wants. Sweet romance with a predictable outcome once the hero and heroine deal with their emotional baggage, which is just a bit too easily explained away.
Jeremy’s secretary volunteered his services for the charity auction, but he wasn’t expecting this beautiful young woman to be running the show. Nor was he expecting resistance to his advances: this confirmed bachelor has never been refused by a woman he wants. Sweet romance with a predictable outcome once the hero and heroine deal with their emotional baggage, which is just a bit too easily explained away.
July 30, 2016
It becomes really annoying to a reader like me, when an author uses repetitive words in a specific sequence.
And this one really had a theme sentence: "You are incorrigible!"
The writing style bored me to tears.
I did not hate it, but the h was annoying, "Don't do this!", "Don't do that!";
and then, "Do me, do me!"; I felt like shaking her and shouting, "Make up your mind, girl!".
and the H was, "Did I do the right thing?", "Should I pursue her?", like he can't make the right decisions, and even if he does, he's guilty about it.
(I'm paraphrasing the dialogues here, but that's exactly how it sounded to me).
And this one really had a theme sentence: "You are incorrigible!"
The writing style bored me to tears.
I did not hate it, but the h was annoying, "Don't do this!", "Don't do that!";
and then, "Do me, do me!"; I felt like shaking her and shouting, "Make up your mind, girl!".
and the H was, "Did I do the right thing?", "Should I pursue her?", like he can't make the right decisions, and even if he does, he's guilty about it.
(I'm paraphrasing the dialogues here, but that's exactly how it sounded to me).
June 16, 2021
His most challenging conquest
When you're as handsome, dynamic and wealthy as British tycoon Jeremy Barker-Whittle, there's no shortage of stunning women willing to share your bed. So when Alice Waterhouse says no, it's a challenge the jaded playboy can't refuse.
But discovering Alice's carefully guarded innocence brings an end to Jeremy's thoughts of briefly stolen passion. The cynical CEO must put aside this delicate beauty…until Alice shocks him by asking him to take her virginity!
As Jeremy toys with the temptation to be the first man to show Alice pleasure, he's unaware that she could be the first woman to tame him
When you're as handsome, dynamic and wealthy as British tycoon Jeremy Barker-Whittle, there's no shortage of stunning women willing to share your bed. So when Alice Waterhouse says no, it's a challenge the jaded playboy can't refuse.
But discovering Alice's carefully guarded innocence brings an end to Jeremy's thoughts of briefly stolen passion. The cynical CEO must put aside this delicate beauty…until Alice shocks him by asking him to take her virginity!
As Jeremy toys with the temptation to be the first man to show Alice pleasure, he's unaware that she could be the first woman to tame him
August 18, 2019
ספר חביב אם כי היה יכול להיות הרבה יותר.
בניגוד לספרים אחרים שמפרסמת ההוצאה ושקראתי, בספר ישנה עלילה עם בשר. הדמות של אליס, הגיבורה פחות שטוחה מדמויות אחרות שנתקלתי בהן ומאחורי הדמות ישנו סיפור חיים מעיניין.
הדמות של ג'רמי סובלת מפלאקטיות יתר וככל הנראה מאוד קשה לבנות דמות של נוול אמיתי. אף על פי שהצהרתית הוא פלייבוי שאינו מעוניין במערכת יחסים או נישואים, בפועל הוא סובל מהדחקה והוא דמות מאוד נחמדה ורחוקה מדמות המניאק חסר הלב שהסופרת מנסה לצייר אותו.
בספר 2 סצנות סקס, לא מסעירות וגם לא מפורטות ביחס לז'אנר.
ואין בו שום חלק שיפתיע את הקוראות.
החלק שהכי פגם לי בהנאה זה כל הסיום התלוש של הספר, שבו הגיבורה מתעוררת מ- 6 ימים ולילות שבהם היתה בהרדמה בשל פגיעת ראש בתאונת דרכים ומיד הם נמרחים אחד על השני כאילו אין לה כרגע ריח מהפה של איש מערות שאכל פגר, נו באמת. אפילו לשתות הוא לא נותן לה לפני שהוא שולף את הטבעת בהתלהבות של מורעל חתונה שכל חייו חיכה חרגע שבו יכרע ברך לפני מיטת בית החולים של חברתו 🤦♀️
לזכות הסופר יאמר שלאורך כל הספר ברור המשחק הכפול של הדמויות במיוחד כשהסיפור נמסר מצידו של ג'רמי שברור שחי בהדחקה.
בניגוד לספרים אחרים שמפרסמת ההוצאה ושקראתי, בספר ישנה עלילה עם בשר. הדמות של אליס, הגיבורה פחות שטוחה מדמויות אחרות שנתקלתי בהן ומאחורי הדמות ישנו סיפור חיים מעיניין.
הדמות של ג'רמי סובלת מפלאקטיות יתר וככל הנראה מאוד קשה לבנות דמות של נוול אמיתי. אף על פי שהצהרתית הוא פלייבוי שאינו מעוניין במערכת יחסים או נישואים, בפועל הוא סובל מהדחקה והוא דמות מאוד נחמדה ורחוקה מדמות המניאק חסר הלב שהסופרת מנסה לצייר אותו.
בספר 2 סצנות סקס, לא מסעירות וגם לא מפורטות ביחס לז'אנר.
ואין בו שום חלק שיפתיע את הקוראות.
החלק שהכי פגם לי בהנאה זה כל הסיום התלוש של הספר, שבו הגיבורה מתעוררת מ- 6 ימים ולילות שבהם היתה בהרדמה בשל פגיעת ראש בתאונת דרכים ומיד הם נמרחים אחד על השני כאילו אין לה כרגע ריח מהפה של איש מערות שאכל פגר, נו באמת. אפילו לשתות הוא לא נותן לה לפני שהוא שולף את הטבעת בהתלהבות של מורעל חתונה שכל חייו חיכה חרגע שבו יכרע ברך לפני מיטת בית החולים של חברתו 🤦♀️
לזכות הסופר יאמר שלאורך כל הספר ברור המשחק הכפול של הדמויות במיוחד כשהסיפור נמסר מצידו של ג'רמי שברור שחי בהדחקה.
October 14, 2017
I sooo love this book!
June 20, 2019
The ending was quite rushed.
July 11, 2016
A wonderful emotional read with a heroine that is just perfect for the hero
June 17, 2019
I liked how ... messed up Jeremy and Alice were, actually - although I did (as usual) find the ending quite rushed.
I also REALLY liked how the heroine was all "F marriage - no thanks for me!" Although of course she didn't stick with it, even before the big HEA.
However - same from Jeremy.
They were both emotionally stunted, and didn't communicate - but it wasn't as annoying as it might've been for me, considering both their histories.
The whole "bachelor club" pfft - obviously this was book 3, but I didn't care so much.
I did think it was a bit too pat how Alice's stuff was "resolved" although I did like how they explained/showed her mom was in the wrong and Alice got to work that out.
I liked Jeremy being a bit uncertain and jealous - although I wish Alice had called him out on being a jackass when he was in his feelings and taking it out on her each time.
It did annoy me that Alice had such trauma, and she's a counselor herself, but it didn't seem that she herself had ever had counseling for her trauma.
Much side eye there.
It was also cute to have an older secondary couple, but I did think their proposal, however short, during the wedding was a bit meh.
Cute read overall
C maybe C-
I also REALLY liked how the heroine was all "F marriage - no thanks for me!" Although of course she didn't stick with it, even before the big HEA.
However - same from Jeremy.
They were both emotionally stunted, and didn't communicate - but it wasn't as annoying as it might've been for me, considering both their histories.
The whole "bachelor club" pfft - obviously this was book 3, but I didn't care so much.
I did think it was a bit too pat how Alice's stuff was "resolved" although I did like how they explained/showed her mom was in the wrong and Alice got to work that out.
I liked Jeremy being a bit uncertain and jealous - although I wish Alice had called him out on being a jackass when he was in his feelings and taking it out on her each time.
It did annoy me that Alice had such trauma, and she's a counselor herself, but it didn't seem that she herself had ever had counseling for her trauma.
Much side eye there.
It was also cute to have an older secondary couple, but I did think their proposal, however short, during the wedding was a bit meh.
Cute read overall
C maybe C-
January 5, 2022
Alice dirige una fundación que ayuda a las mujer que sufren algún tipo de violencia y por eso la recaudacion de fondos siempre es necesaria y este año lo sera mas ya que planeo una subasta, en el ultimo minuto el orador se enferma y el editor de hombre se ofrece para ocupar su lugar.
El Playboy Jeremy esta acostumbrado a tener lo que quiere y en temas de faldas mas todavía así que cuando se encuentra con esa dulzura de mujer sabe que tiene que tenerla en su cama. Lo que no se esperaba fue su tajante rechazo y que se mostrara tan fría con el. Nunca su afamada reputación le había jugado en su contra.
Pero el sabe que bajo esa fachada de hielo se esconde una chica que quema como las llamas del infierno, a pesar de saber que el amor no existe para el y que nunca se casara no puede evitar querer mas de ella una vez va descongelando las capas de hielo que la rodean.
El Playboy Jeremy esta acostumbrado a tener lo que quiere y en temas de faldas mas todavía así que cuando se encuentra con esa dulzura de mujer sabe que tiene que tenerla en su cama. Lo que no se esperaba fue su tajante rechazo y que se mostrara tan fría con el. Nunca su afamada reputación le había jugado en su contra.
Pero el sabe que bajo esa fachada de hielo se esconde una chica que quema como las llamas del infierno, a pesar de saber que el amor no existe para el y que nunca se casara no puede evitar querer mas de ella una vez va descongelando las capas de hielo que la rodean.
December 19, 2019
4 stars
was a bit sceptical about this at first but I pushed through and found both H and h were kinda silly, especially the H. He had a huge ego and acted like a snob sometimes. The h was a bit confusing with the on and off attitude. But typical HP we got to know the 'why' behind her actions. The H was adorably stupid and delusional but well.. again, typical HP the H realised how much he loved the h and they got their HEA. I give this 4 stars because it was pretty enjoyable and I find myself to not have a heart to give it less star. What a story.
was a bit sceptical about this at first but I pushed through and found both H and h were kinda silly, especially the H. He had a huge ego and acted like a snob sometimes. The h was a bit confusing with the on and off attitude. But typical HP we got to know the 'why' behind her actions. The H was adorably stupid and delusional but well.. again, typical HP the H realised how much he loved the h and they got their HEA. I give this 4 stars because it was pretty enjoyable and I find myself to not have a heart to give it less star. What a story.
November 2, 2019
Book three behind Sergio and Alex's stories. Loved it. I want to read the other two stories again now. Yes, Jeremy was a Playboy and yes he was fighting to stay one but he had no chance when he met the lovely Alice.
April 12, 2020
Ah was just okay. Miranda Lee can do so much better.
Low on angst. Attractive couple fall into lust with each other.
Each one fearing the other one wants more than they are willing to give.
Each hiding their true feelings from the other 🙄
Each one w issues from the past 🙄
Blah blah blah...
Low on angst. Attractive couple fall into lust with each other.
Each one fearing the other one wants more than they are willing to give.
Each hiding their true feelings from the other 🙄
Each one w issues from the past 🙄
Blah blah blah...
April 1, 2023
I got introduced to the romance world reading the graphic novel of this book and went into the actual book itself eventually. I was originally just into young adult and popular fictional reads, but this was an opening to a door that has now led me to the romance reader I am.
February 6, 2017
I found it a bit boring. I think it's because it didn't have the usual conflicts. No unplanned pregnancies. No vindictive hero. Not even a OW. I missed the drama.
January 9, 2018
its amazing that the people who swear never to get married are the ones who do so quickly!
April 4, 2020
Everything a little romance novel should be. Well done Miranda Lee.
May 8, 2020
Gedreven door begeerte
April 1, 2026
3.5 🌟
August 8, 2016
Jeremy Barker-Whittle is a playboy with no intention of ever finding the one to settle down with. The many divorces in his family prove that love and marriage is a joke.
Alice Waterhouse is a counselor for a women's refuge. From a formerly rich family, she is now working to better the lives of women that are struggling in life. Her own struggles play little part in things, until Jeremy enters her world. Can she put the past behind her and let Jeremy teach more than fun.
Alice Waterhouse is a counselor for a women's refuge. From a formerly rich family, she is now working to better the lives of women that are struggling in life. Her own struggles play little part in things, until Jeremy enters her world. Can she put the past behind her and let Jeremy teach more than fun.
April 16, 2026
This was okay - but a little boring, but it’s so well written and so different that I really enjoyed it. Jeremy was right on the edge of being an unattractive hero but the author managed to (mostly) keep me liking him and rooting for him. Alice was a pain sometimes but I did understand what drove her. A neat premise and well executed.good to see Sergio and Bella, and Alex and Harriet again.
August 15, 2016
This is the last book in the trilogy Rich Ruthless and Renowed. This is the story of playboy Jeremy and how he actually has to work to get Alice a counselor he meets at a fundraiser interested in seeing him. Nice ending to the series!
July 30, 2016
fluffy!!
August 2, 2017
Either I'm burning out on these or they are just OK.
I don't want to give it a 4 star because it wasn't fantastic but it was a good read.
I don't want to give it a 4 star because it wasn't fantastic but it was a good read.
January 20, 2017
Ties up the trilogy about international tycoons Sergio, Alex and Jeremy very nicely.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews