Reclusive billionaire Gabe Montebello hates Christmas with a passion. From the carols to the decorations to the endless spirit of love and optimism, he takes himself away from the world every December, determined to shut everyone out. Only his memories pursue him mercilessly, memories that reflect the scars he bears – physically and emotionally.
Australian Isabella Moss loves everything about Christmas and this one’s going to be her best ever. Two weeks in an idyllic Italian village, she’s all set for a season of festive merriment when she takes a wrong turn and ends up stranded by the side of a road. With snow falling heavily, a mysterious mansion offers the only hope for safety.
Trapped together in his Italian palace, Gabe is determined to keep the beautiful stranger at arm’s length, but her joy for life and irrepressible Christmas spirit almost seem capable of removing the curse that has dogged his every step since a tragic accident that changed him forever.
An homage to the much-loved Beauty and the Beast, this is a heart-warming story of trauma, grief and the magic of Christmas. Book 6 in The Montebellos, fall in love with brooding bad-boy Gabe this Christmas.
For all things Clare Connelly, please see www.clareconnelly.co.uk, the official home of Clare Connelly on the web.
Clare Connelly grew up in a small country town in Australia. Surrounded by rainforests, and rickety old timber houses, magic was thick in the air, and stories and storytelling were a huge part of her childhood.
From early on in life, Clare realised her favourite books were romance stories, and read voraciously. Anything from Jane Austen to Georgette Heyer, to Mills & Boon and (more recently) 50 Shades, Clare is a romance devotee. She first turned her hand to penning a novel at fifteen (if memory serves, it was something about a glamorous fashion model who fell foul of a high-end designer. Sparks flew, clothes flew faster, and love was born.)
Clare has a small family and a bungalow near the sea. When she isn't chasing after energetic little toddlers, or wiping fingerprints off furniture, she's writing, thinking about writing, or wishing she were writing.
I think this was one of the best of the Montebello series. I totally loved it. Gabe and Isabella are fabulously, well rounded characters and their story is beautifully developed.
Touching, emotional, rewarding, satisfying, sexy - Just brilliant, Clare Connelly is such a talented writer. Her prose flows easily and her plotting is delightful. Loved it!
Gabe Montebello is holed up in his hideaway called "il nido" meaning birds nest. He is hiding from his past and not concerned about a future. He does his job with his family but its Christmas time and he avoids that at all times. The last thing he needs is to have his house invaded by Isabella Moss. Isabella traveling for her job runs into a snowbank and has to try to find shelter before she freezes. She may avoid freezing with the snow but she may freeze with the cold that roles off of Gabe. He doesn't want her here but knows he can't put her out in the weather. A big problem. This is the 6th book in Ms. Connelly's Montebello series and I have loved all but Gabe is truly special. Isabella is alone with no family and Gabe has a family and wants to be alone truly an enigma. In truly Ms. Connelly way she puts these two together and sparks fly but the heat can melt all the snow outside. Another amazing book from a truly amazing author.
Strong characters who discover hope in each other.
Gabe is a reclusive billionaire who choses to avoid human connection to stop the pain from his past. Along comes snow storm and an unexpected guest and their journey begins. Isabella is a challenge just because she invades his privacy seeking refuge from storm. He is not very likable and is just plain rude but he does take her in. How they navigate through their own struggles and each other's is fascinating, funny and heartwarming. I laughed, I cried and loved the sexual tension between them. There is a second story included in this book that was wonderful.
Beautiful, tragic, angry Gabe... this book served up the youngest Montebello on a delicious platter (pun intended). A beast locked in his castle, waiting to be saved - even if he didn't ask to be - by a modern day Belle. I loved how a knock-about Aussie girl managed to bring all of the Montebello's to their knees. And I so wish I had a Yaya who could tell if I'd met my soul-mate just by looking at them. So much more I want to say, but I won't be the one to give away the spoilers! Can't wait for Book 7.
I have enjoyed this series in it's entirety and loved Gabe and Isabella's story. It had everything a reader could ask for in the romance genre. These Montebello men have all been tough nuts to crack and the women have had their worked cut out for them. Isabella was no different and Gabe was the smoldering, difficult character that you expect from these Montebello men.
It was a beautifully told story hitting just the right spots with a slow build/attraction; a sexual connection neither character expected that finally explodes into a HEA. Both characters have their share of baggage, sadness, and old wounds that are exposed over the length of the book so that their story can begin.
This book was very swoon worthy with plenty of old fashion hot sex and attraction for any reader to get lost in. If you like a story that is complicated with history but has characters that evolve as time passes into a beautiful love story, then you'll enjoy this book.
I enjoyed Gabe's story, finding out what made him tick and why he cut himself off from really living. I liked seeing Isabella break through the wall he'd built up around himself and at the same time learn that she is worthy of being loved. She was a down to earth breath of fresh air to his brooding. I look forward to Samir's story next.
Gabe is so lost with his inner demons that he fails to see any future but pain. Isabella is caught up in his world and dilemma but sees a clearer picture. Really good view of dealing with difficult experiences.
The Montebello series was awesome. I am a huge fan of cleare Donnelly . Her books are a must read, they are words cannot explain how addictive I am to her books
This book has me crying real tears. My heart broke for them both. Their stories of loss and heartbreak broke my heart. Finding each other mended them both so beautifully.
I love the Montebellos especially after the men get a grip on life. The women are always such sweet hearts who win the love of such strong hard headed men.