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Ravensdale Scandals #1
Ravensdale's Defiant Captive
"I don't take orders. Not from you or anyone."
Holly Perez has one last chance to sort out the train wreck her life has become. But being housekeeper to reclusive CEO Julius Ravensdale is as close to a prison as Holly could imagine. Julius may be devastatingly gorgeous, but he's also brooding, formal and completely off-limits!
Julius is renowned for his ironclad control, but provocative whirlwind Holly pushes him to his breaking point! Especially when he discovers the vulnerabilities behind her wild-child bravado. With every touch, he wants Holly more, and once he's had her in his bed, holding her captive there becomes an irresistible temptation…
Holly Perez has one last chance to sort out the train wreck her life has become. But being housekeeper to reclusive CEO Julius Ravensdale is as close to a prison as Holly could imagine. Julius may be devastatingly gorgeous, but he's also brooding, formal and completely off-limits!
Julius is renowned for his ironclad control, but provocative whirlwind Holly pushes him to his breaking point! Especially when he discovers the vulnerabilities behind her wild-child bravado. With every touch, he wants Holly more, and once he's had her in his bed, holding her captive there becomes an irresistible temptation…
Audible Audio
First published November 17, 2015
5 people are currently reading
408 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Milburne
1,152 books395 followersI grew up on a small farm on the outskirts of Sydney and as a keen horse rider, often competed in local gymkhanas and even broke in a few horses from time to time. As I was surrounded by animals, I decided at an early age to become a nurse, however I couldn’t stand the sight of blood and so opted for a career in teaching. It’s a bit ironic that I married a surgeon.
I read my first Mills & Boon novel when I was 17 and that encouraged me to continue reading romance novels; the lure of the tall dark handsome hero, who in reality I fell in love with and knew I was going to marry on our second date! After marrying a year later, we moved to Scotland with our six week old baby so my husband could work and study for his MD in surgery. After the birth of our second son we came back to Australia to settle in Tasmania.
I went back to University and up-graded my teaching diploma to a degree and then went on to do a Masters but still I felt as if something was missing. I sat down one day and began writing and everything clicked into place - I had finally found ‘my brilliant career’! I used to write from instinct rather than a specific plan, but now, so many books later I find a loose plan doesn't go astray. An idea will pop into my head, sometimes it will be just a simple phrase or a what if question and I'm away.
Writing is a skill that can be learned and the best way to learn it is to read and to write. So many people feel they have a novel in them and very probably they are right-the only trick is to get it out. My advice to ‘would be’ writers is to write, write, and write even more. Carry a notebook at all times and jot down ideas. And like any other activity the more you do, the more it feels comfortable.
I hope you enjoy my stories and look forward to hearing from you.
I read my first Mills & Boon novel when I was 17 and that encouraged me to continue reading romance novels; the lure of the tall dark handsome hero, who in reality I fell in love with and knew I was going to marry on our second date! After marrying a year later, we moved to Scotland with our six week old baby so my husband could work and study for his MD in surgery. After the birth of our second son we came back to Australia to settle in Tasmania.
I went back to University and up-graded my teaching diploma to a degree and then went on to do a Masters but still I felt as if something was missing. I sat down one day and began writing and everything clicked into place - I had finally found ‘my brilliant career’! I used to write from instinct rather than a specific plan, but now, so many books later I find a loose plan doesn't go astray. An idea will pop into my head, sometimes it will be just a simple phrase or a what if question and I'm away.
Writing is a skill that can be learned and the best way to learn it is to read and to write. So many people feel they have a novel in them and very probably they are right-the only trick is to get it out. My advice to ‘would be’ writers is to write, write, and write even more. Carry a notebook at all times and jot down ideas. And like any other activity the more you do, the more it feels comfortable.
I hope you enjoy my stories and look forward to hearing from you.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 19, 2015
Software designer Julius Ravensdale agrees with much trepidation , after being informed by his much loved housekeeper, to supervise Holly Perez’s probation for a month as part of his community service he does. Well, I would have hesitated as well, if I was told….
Julius, cool, organized and always in control. He likes his life to run smoothly and quietly. His love life is just as organized and controlled and that’s the way he wants it to be. He cannot understand why he’s so attracted to Holly…she’s certainly not his kind of woman.
Holly, audacious, bold and with a street-smart mouth. A survivor who hides from the world the pain and sad of her childhood at the hands of her wicked stepfather, who will do anything to bring her down. Despite the attraction she feels for Julius, she’s not prepared to do anything with him…..men are not to be trusted!!! She knows that so well for her experiences with them.
Julius soon realizes that there’s something more to Holly and she also begins to trust enough to confide in him about the reason for her present predicament.
The build-up of their relationship and the sexual tension was written really well.
A fairy-tale of a woman finding her Prince and living happily ever after………how could I not like this story????
'Just a girl who's in need of a bit of direction.' Julius mentally rolled his eyes. Of all the housekeepers he could have chosen, he had employed the Argentinian reincarnation of Mother Teresa. 'I thought we agreed your lame ducks were restricted to the stables or the gardens?'Holly Perez is not a shy, wilting and timid heroine. She’s smart, spirited and not afraid to speak her mind…
'I know, but this girl will go to prison if—' 'Prison?' he said. 'You're bringing a convicted criminal here?'
'She's only been in trouble a couple of times,' Sophia said. 'Anyway, maybe the guy deserved it.'
Sophia beamed at him. 'Just wait until you meet her. You're going to love her.'
Holly hitched up her chin, flashing him an I-know-what-you're-up-to glare. 'I want to let you know straight from the outset I'm not here to be your sex toy.'I fell in love with these two characters immediately.
Julius, cool, organized and always in control. He likes his life to run smoothly and quietly. His love life is just as organized and controlled and that’s the way he wants it to be. He cannot understand why he’s so attracted to Holly…she’s certainly not his kind of woman.
Holly, audacious, bold and with a street-smart mouth. A survivor who hides from the world the pain and sad of her childhood at the hands of her wicked stepfather, who will do anything to bring her down. Despite the attraction she feels for Julius, she’s not prepared to do anything with him…..men are not to be trusted!!! She knows that so well for her experiences with them.
Julius soon realizes that there’s something more to Holly and she also begins to trust enough to confide in him about the reason for her present predicament.
The build-up of their relationship and the sexual tension was written really well.
A fairy-tale of a woman finding her Prince and living happily ever after………how could I not like this story????
I can’t wait for Julius’s sister’s book next!!!
August 25, 2018
Bad girl heroine was abused as a child and has been set up by her evil stepfather to go to jail unless she completes community service. Buttoned-up software writer/Phd hero agrees to take her into his household for 30 days at the request of his sweet housekeeper.
This is all well and good, but the "feisty" heroine is ridiculously aggressive toward the hero from their first meeting, saying outrageous and sexual things that a hormone-addled teenager might say in the heat of anger/defiance, but not a 25 year-old woman.
The H/h dance around each other and eventually go to bed together. She has all kinds of trauma (like fear of balconies) that the hero tries to help her through. And for his pains she leaves him three days before her 30 days is up. His mother had shown up unexpectedly and called her trailer trash etc. . Hero throws his mother out, but the heroine doesn't see his sincerity.
Hero realizes he has to get her to trust him, so he arranges for the heroine's stepfather to be investigated for money laundering and he is eventually brought to justice. Now in London, the heroine sees the story in the paper. Hero's mother visits her in the cafe where she is working and apologizes. Hero is right behind. HEA.
The romance was okay. The H/h were very sexually attracted to each other. I never warmed up to the heroine. Her pity party went on too long and she was horrible to everyone who tried to help her.
The book was set in Argentina with English characters, which was kind of weird/unnecessary. This was a case of being happy if the hero is happy.
This book also set up the four book series. The hero's parents were famous actors who were constantly in the tabloids. The hero has a womanizing twin brother and a much younger sister whose boy friend died when she was 16 and she's vowed to never love again. They also discover they have an illegitimate half sister who is the same age as the youngest legitimate sister. The four books are about the four siblings.
This is all well and good, but the "feisty" heroine is ridiculously aggressive toward the hero from their first meeting, saying outrageous and sexual things that a hormone-addled teenager might say in the heat of anger/defiance, but not a 25 year-old woman.
The H/h dance around each other and eventually go to bed together. She has all kinds of trauma (like fear of balconies) that the hero tries to help her through. And for his pains she leaves him three days before her 30 days is up. His mother had shown up unexpectedly and called her trailer trash etc. . Hero throws his mother out, but the heroine doesn't see his sincerity.
Hero realizes he has to get her to trust him, so he arranges for the heroine's stepfather to be investigated for money laundering and he is eventually brought to justice. Now in London, the heroine sees the story in the paper. Hero's mother visits her in the cafe where she is working and apologizes. Hero is right behind. HEA.
The romance was okay. The H/h were very sexually attracted to each other. I never warmed up to the heroine. Her pity party went on too long and she was horrible to everyone who tried to help her.
The book was set in Argentina with English characters, which was kind of weird/unnecessary. This was a case of being happy if the hero is happy.
This book also set up the four book series. The hero's parents were famous actors who were constantly in the tabloids. The hero has a womanizing twin brother and a much younger sister whose boy friend died when she was 16 and she's vowed to never love again. They also discover they have an illegitimate half sister who is the same age as the youngest legitimate sister. The four books are about the four siblings.
May 25, 2016
I don't understand how this book gets such a low rating!! It's was freaking adorable!!! I really really enjoyed it!!!
November 7, 2015
RAVENSDALE’S DEFIANT CAPTIVE by author Melanie Milburne is a Harlequin Presents series release for December 2015.
On the say so of his housekeeper, Julius Ravensdale agrees to do community service and host a Holly Perez in his house. He was supposed to be her guardian for one month and be responsible for her. Yet he increasingly finds himself at odds with her.
Holly was used to men using her all the time for their own needs so she couldn’t think any different about Julius. So she went in with guns blazing to let him know what she thought of him. Yet, she finds he was different to men she was used to…could she trust him? Could she open her heart to him or would it lead to more heart ache for her?
RAVENSDALE’S DEFIANT CAPTIVE is an explosive romance with witty dialogue and full of tension. The love scenes have shimmering sensuality. Author Melanie Milburne brought this sensual romance and once again astounds and hooks her readers in the story.
Highly recommended to all readers of romance.
On the say so of his housekeeper, Julius Ravensdale agrees to do community service and host a Holly Perez in his house. He was supposed to be her guardian for one month and be responsible for her. Yet he increasingly finds himself at odds with her.
Holly was used to men using her all the time for their own needs so she couldn’t think any different about Julius. So she went in with guns blazing to let him know what she thought of him. Yet, she finds he was different to men she was used to…could she trust him? Could she open her heart to him or would it lead to more heart ache for her?
RAVENSDALE’S DEFIANT CAPTIVE is an explosive romance with witty dialogue and full of tension. The love scenes have shimmering sensuality. Author Melanie Milburne brought this sensual romance and once again astounds and hooks her readers in the story.
Highly recommended to all readers of romance.
December 5, 2015
Decent enough HP. It really needed to be longer to accommodate the evil stepfather plot. Also although I don't say this often, I think maybe it would have been better with less POV from the hero. He just wasn't enigmatic enough. I did like her OTT sassiness though. Usually it is gratuitous but here it made perfect sense considering her history.
April 18, 2016
This is book one in the series Ravensdale scandals.
It's the story of Juluis and Holly.
From the day she barged into his study, Juluis knew that Holly would be a real trouble. He was not prepared for the things he felt for her but he couldn't resist the temptation to be with her and taste every inch of her sweet body.
She was enigmatic, a puzzle he wanted to solve and a challenge he wanted to take willingly.
"She was light and dark. Moon shadaows and bright sunlight. She reminded him of a complicated puzzle that would need more than one attempt to solve it".
I love happily ever after stories and I love it when the woman has much control of her feelings.
Juluis was a descent man who was not ashame or afraid of showing his feelings.
"I think I am falling in love with you. No, strike that-I'm in love with you".
It was a lovely story.
It's the story of Juluis and Holly.
From the day she barged into his study, Juluis knew that Holly would be a real trouble. He was not prepared for the things he felt for her but he couldn't resist the temptation to be with her and taste every inch of her sweet body.
She was enigmatic, a puzzle he wanted to solve and a challenge he wanted to take willingly.
"She was light and dark. Moon shadaows and bright sunlight. She reminded him of a complicated puzzle that would need more than one attempt to solve it".
I love happily ever after stories and I love it when the woman has much control of her feelings.
Juluis was a descent man who was not ashame or afraid of showing his feelings.
"I think I am falling in love with you. No, strike that-I'm in love with you".
It was a lovely story.
December 15, 2015
I just didn't get into this story. At the beginning I was confused about how old the female mc was, the writing made it seem like she was a teenager. Honestly, the female mc is primarily what ruined the story for me.
July 10, 2025
Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers
Overall: 2.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖 (nothing was wrong with the writing/book format, I just really didn’t like it and was so angry I was reading it for the first half)
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋 (I like just a touch more explicit details and emotional pull in my scenes)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑 (some of these are on the light /short side)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: A bit, though much of it is an enemies to lovers banter (more on her side)
Perspective: third person from both the hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: almost immediately, 1% (chapter 1)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after for the mains
Epilogue: No
Format: voluntarily listened to an advanced reader copy audiobook on the NetGalley app
Why I chose this book: I have been listening to a lot of audiobooks lately and getting into harlequin reads so I wanted to try this boxset
Mains: This is a M/F relationship between a cishet hero and heroine
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
This is the first in Milburnes’ Ravensdale Scandals series.
Basic plot:
Holly needs to work for a month at Julius’s house to avoid prison time and get her life back on track.
Give this a try if you want:
- contemporary romance
- Argentina setting
- employer/employee
- close proximity – she works and lives in his house
- heroine has a criminal record
- celibate hero
- enemies to lovers feelings – on her side. She instigates him
- mid to higher steam – 4ish full scenes but know that some are shorter and close together so this probably will feel a bit lighter than that
Ages:
- hero is early 30s (I think around 33ish), heroine is 25
First line:
Julius Ravensdale knew his housekeeper was up to something as soon as she brought in his favorite dessert.
My thoughts:
If you’re looking for a quick workplace romance with plenty of feisty banter this might be for you!
Like many other reviewers stated, this heroine is so hard to enjoy. And I know as a society and a reading genre, we can be riddled with internalized misogyny and way too hard on our heroines. I wanted to give her all the chances, but for me – this heroine just took it too far and too long.
I totally understand her personality fitting her perfectly with her background and the trauma she had gone through. She had been let down by everyone and had to cut before she was hurt. But I think this could have been established and not drug out through the entire book. Because I wanted to see her vulnerability and I wanted to see them fall for each other, not her bait him and be mean to him the whole time. The other thing is the fact that she kept sexually baiting him, it kind of gave their intimate encounters an ick factor I didn’t really like.
I would have loved to have had the animosity and anger established from her, then a tension build while she slowly lowers her guard. And these things DID happen but it was so late in the story for me – I guess I just wish it had been a bit more balanced.
I did like the ending a lot – but again it felt a bit rushed with the character turnaround and the whole ending wrap up. But it did turn around for me and I started to like both mains by the end.
As for the narration, it was okay. I think I was coming off a narrator I really loved, so going to Carolyn Morris was a bit jarring to me. But I've liked her previous narration (specifically a Sarah MacLean and a Tessa Dare title). This time - it was fine. I didn't have to change the narration speed. She did fine altering voices. I think I just didn't LOVE her but that's okay.
Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: 1
Average rating from me: 3 stars
Favorite book: This one be default??
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:
Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs
Overall: 2.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖 (nothing was wrong with the writing/book format, I just really didn’t like it and was so angry I was reading it for the first half)
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋 (I like just a touch more explicit details and emotional pull in my scenes)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑 (some of these are on the light /short side)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: A bit, though much of it is an enemies to lovers banter (more on her side)
Perspective: third person from both the hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: almost immediately, 1% (chapter 1)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after for the mains
Epilogue: No
Format: voluntarily listened to an advanced reader copy audiobook on the NetGalley app
Why I chose this book: I have been listening to a lot of audiobooks lately and getting into harlequin reads so I wanted to try this boxset
Mains: This is a M/F relationship between a cishet hero and heroine
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
This is the first in Milburnes’ Ravensdale Scandals series.
Basic plot:
Holly needs to work for a month at Julius’s house to avoid prison time and get her life back on track.
Give this a try if you want:
- contemporary romance
- Argentina setting
- employer/employee
- close proximity – she works and lives in his house
- heroine has a criminal record
- celibate hero
- enemies to lovers feelings – on her side. She instigates him
- mid to higher steam – 4ish full scenes but know that some are shorter and close together so this probably will feel a bit lighter than that
Ages:
- hero is early 30s (I think around 33ish), heroine is 25
First line:
Julius Ravensdale knew his housekeeper was up to something as soon as she brought in his favorite dessert.
My thoughts:
If you’re looking for a quick workplace romance with plenty of feisty banter this might be for you!
Like many other reviewers stated, this heroine is so hard to enjoy. And I know as a society and a reading genre, we can be riddled with internalized misogyny and way too hard on our heroines. I wanted to give her all the chances, but for me – this heroine just took it too far and too long.
I totally understand her personality fitting her perfectly with her background and the trauma she had gone through. She had been let down by everyone and had to cut before she was hurt. But I think this could have been established and not drug out through the entire book. Because I wanted to see her vulnerability and I wanted to see them fall for each other, not her bait him and be mean to him the whole time. The other thing is the fact that she kept sexually baiting him, it kind of gave their intimate encounters an ick factor I didn’t really like.
I would have loved to have had the animosity and anger established from her, then a tension build while she slowly lowers her guard. And these things DID happen but it was so late in the story for me – I guess I just wish it had been a bit more balanced.
I did like the ending a lot – but again it felt a bit rushed with the character turnaround and the whole ending wrap up. But it did turn around for me and I started to like both mains by the end.
As for the narration, it was okay. I think I was coming off a narrator I really loved, so going to Carolyn Morris was a bit jarring to me. But I've liked her previous narration (specifically a Sarah MacLean and a Tessa Dare title). This time - it was fine. I didn't have to change the narration speed. She did fine altering voices. I think I just didn't LOVE her but that's okay.
Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: 1
Average rating from me: 3 stars
Favorite book: This one be default??
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:
Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs
December 1, 2015
I have never been disappointed with any of MS Milburne's stories and this one delivers a fast paced sensual story of two people from opposite sides of the track who have a rocky road to such a beautiful HEA.
Julius Ravensdale leads a quiet life working in astrophysics his parents are famous actors but he prefers to stay out of the limelight he likes his life organized and calm so when his housekeeper convinces him to take in a young woman who has one last chance to sort her life out before she may end up in prison he reluctantly says yes never realizing that this young woman will turn his life upside down and change his life forever.
Holly Perez has had a rotten childhood but she covers it well she is feisty and arrives at the Villa full of bravado she is determined not be used and to show Julius who has the stronger will power and puts on a brave front but she is rather taken with the gorgeous man who is to be her guardian for one month.
Julius is hard pressed to keep control of himself around the beautiful Holly he sees through her wall of bravado and she sees a lot in Julius as well and when they are left alone for a few days they cannot help but fall into each others arms but Holly finds it hard to believe that anyone can love her and when they are thrown into the spotlight Julius is determined to protect Holly and this will make you smile.
This is a beautifully written story the characters are rich and come to life on the pages and I am very much looking forward to more of The Ravensdale family do yourself a favour and don't miss this one.
Julius Ravensdale leads a quiet life working in astrophysics his parents are famous actors but he prefers to stay out of the limelight he likes his life organized and calm so when his housekeeper convinces him to take in a young woman who has one last chance to sort her life out before she may end up in prison he reluctantly says yes never realizing that this young woman will turn his life upside down and change his life forever.
Holly Perez has had a rotten childhood but she covers it well she is feisty and arrives at the Villa full of bravado she is determined not be used and to show Julius who has the stronger will power and puts on a brave front but she is rather taken with the gorgeous man who is to be her guardian for one month.
Julius is hard pressed to keep control of himself around the beautiful Holly he sees through her wall of bravado and she sees a lot in Julius as well and when they are left alone for a few days they cannot help but fall into each others arms but Holly finds it hard to believe that anyone can love her and when they are thrown into the spotlight Julius is determined to protect Holly and this will make you smile.
This is a beautifully written story the characters are rich and come to life on the pages and I am very much looking forward to more of The Ravensdale family do yourself a favour and don't miss this one.
October 31, 2015
Author Melanie Milburne delivers a full on entertaining story in Ravensdale's Defiant Captive. Reading this brand-new novel has been a wonderful experience! The first book in Ms. Milburne's new series: Ravensdale Scandals will grip from page one. This engrossing tale will take you out for a drama filled spin. You will be breathlessly satisfied throughout the novel. High-octane drama, lots of feisty attitude, spot-on dialogue and well developed characters will get under your skin. The heroine, Holly Perez, is a breath of fresh air. Her entire life has been jarred and broken. I loved her attitude, her personality. She is wicked in a naughty, fun-loving way. The hero, Julius Ravensdale, is gorgeous and the perfect alpha as much as he is kind, considerate and hot. I must say that the chemistry between him and Holly explodes between the pages. I think this novel might be my favorite MM Harlequin Presents!
Highly Recommended
November 17, 2015
Starting off as a way of helping the community at large and at the same time to help his housekeeper, Julian agrees to let the State send a woman to his place so that she has a chance to reform her ways and avoid jail fro good.
Holly is not a petty criminal rather a victim of circumstances.
The spark between the two come to life with the very first meeting. Keeping the boundaries intact for being a guardian and his charge is difficult as when they are together, they are man and woman.
A sensuous fairy tale with some sprinkling of sweet moments.
Holly is not a petty criminal rather a victim of circumstances.
The spark between the two come to life with the very first meeting. Keeping the boundaries intact for being a guardian and his charge is difficult as when they are together, they are man and woman.
A sensuous fairy tale with some sprinkling of sweet moments.
November 10, 2015
Ravensdale’s Defiant Captive by Melanie Milburne
Julius Ravensdale was suspicious of his housekeeper when she brought out his favorite dessert, Queen’s Pudding. Is it a special occasion??
Sophia the housekeeper looked at him sheepishly and told him about the girl she was bringing in to help with the house since her tendonitis was acting up. The girl just needs some direction so I will be doing a bit for society.
Who is this girl?? Her name is Holly Perez. If I don’t bring her here to help me she will end up in prison!
Holly is used to not taking orders. Not from Julius or anyone! Holly pushes all the limits to the maximum.
This will be an interesting time since Julius is known for his ironclad control. But Holly is going to change all kinds of things with Julius and he will soon lose some of his control.
Sophia takes some time to really rest her arm and goes for an extended visit with her sister.
Now that means Julius and Holly will be in the house alone.
Julius has sent Holly clothing, a hair stylist, and other things. Holly rebels and say that Julius cannot buy her.
Julius finally finds out what Holly’s step father had done to her all these years and what led her to do the things she has done. He finds why she would not take the first bedroom they offered her, it has a balcony and Holly is scared beyond belief of them.
It is a wonderful story and as always Melanie Milburne has wrote it perfectly. A must read and you will have a hard time waiting till January 2016 when another Ravensdale story comes out.
Julius Ravensdale was suspicious of his housekeeper when she brought out his favorite dessert, Queen’s Pudding. Is it a special occasion??
Sophia the housekeeper looked at him sheepishly and told him about the girl she was bringing in to help with the house since her tendonitis was acting up. The girl just needs some direction so I will be doing a bit for society.
Who is this girl?? Her name is Holly Perez. If I don’t bring her here to help me she will end up in prison!
Holly is used to not taking orders. Not from Julius or anyone! Holly pushes all the limits to the maximum.
This will be an interesting time since Julius is known for his ironclad control. But Holly is going to change all kinds of things with Julius and he will soon lose some of his control.
Sophia takes some time to really rest her arm and goes for an extended visit with her sister.
Now that means Julius and Holly will be in the house alone.
Julius has sent Holly clothing, a hair stylist, and other things. Holly rebels and say that Julius cannot buy her.
Julius finally finds out what Holly’s step father had done to her all these years and what led her to do the things she has done. He finds why she would not take the first bedroom they offered her, it has a balcony and Holly is scared beyond belief of them.
It is a wonderful story and as always Melanie Milburne has wrote it perfectly. A must read and you will have a hard time waiting till January 2016 when another Ravensdale story comes out.
December 1, 2015
"Ravensdale's Defiant Captive (Ravensdale Scandals #1) by Melanie Milburne is a wonderful, quick read. Holly Perez and Julius Ravensdale's story. Holly came to work as a housekeeper in Julius's home to assist his current housekeeper. She is very direct and hold's nothing back when she speaks her mind. Julius is more serious and wants nothing to do with his parents fame and fortune.
December 23, 2015
I did not manage to read beyond page 55. Agree with the reviewer who said that the h felt like a petulant teenager. I don't care if the book becomes good later. I cannot imagine a level headed man falling for this kind of absurdity.
November 29, 2015
heroine is too forceful and childish. also she's so unladylike.
July 10, 2018
Only got about an hour into the audiobook before I had to quit. Holly acts like a bratty teenager and I just could not get my head around the fact that she was a grown woman. This made it difficult to believe that Julius would like her and that their attraction wasn't creepy as hell, so I just couldn't continue.
January 19, 2018
Didn't like the heroine.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2020
Audible Romance Package
AUDIOBOOK: Read 6 September 2020
6hrs 45min
Narrator: Carolyn Morris, Carly Robins were ok
Well this wasn't interesting at all. Would even say boring.
AUDIOBOOK: Read 6 September 2020
6hrs 45min
Narrator: Carolyn Morris, Carly Robins were ok
Well this wasn't interesting at all. Would even say boring.
September 13, 2020
Didn't really like it. I didn't like the heroine, she was too combative. Hero wasn't awful but didn't really like him either. Np.
February 5, 2016
8/10 Hard to get into at the beginning of the book with the female hero being soooo arrogant, catty and rude. Acted very teenage-ish until the final 3 or 4 chapters where she seems a totally different character. More mature. Found some of Hollys thoughts and dialogue annoying, it was as if the author was trying to get phrases etc into the book when maybe they didn't belong. Like when the hero suggests getting some new clothes brought in so she can dress more appropriately - she responds by asking if he is being her sugar daddy. (Shes a member of staff!) The first half of the book Holly constantly refers to herself as 'living with him'. What will the press do if they find out she is living with him, his parents too etc. she is a member of staff STAYING for a month! That's hardly living with him. Despite the annoying first half of the book it does settle down and the second half becomes an easier read. Maybe a rushed ending but overall the book deserves a chance.
January 24, 2016
I enjoyed getting to know Holly & Julius! Even though they each detested the other on sight, the chemistry that poured off of them when they were in the same room was electrifying!
Julius Ravensdale likes his privacy and likes to be left alone so he can bury himself in the work that he loves. He agrees to bring Holly on board as a temporary helper to his housekeeper, but he's not overly happy about it.
Holly Perez needs this job with Julius to avoid winding up somewhere she doesn't want to go, but she comes in with a feisty, take no prisoners attitude because she's not willing to roll over and be at any man's beck and call.
Even though they rub each other the wrong way from the start, neither of them can seem to turn their back on the unusual attraction they are feeling at the same time. Will they act on their desire?
** Received free in exchange for an honest review **
Julius Ravensdale likes his privacy and likes to be left alone so he can bury himself in the work that he loves. He agrees to bring Holly on board as a temporary helper to his housekeeper, but he's not overly happy about it.
Holly Perez needs this job with Julius to avoid winding up somewhere she doesn't want to go, but she comes in with a feisty, take no prisoners attitude because she's not willing to roll over and be at any man's beck and call.
Even though they rub each other the wrong way from the start, neither of them can seem to turn their back on the unusual attraction they are feeling at the same time. Will they act on their desire?
** Received free in exchange for an honest review **
April 6, 2016
Melanie Milburne wrote one of my all time favorite HPs (His Inconvenient Wife) and for that reason alone I always "kick the tires" on a book when I see her name. This one was okay but I am not a fan of Cinderella stories even if Cinderella is a mouthy, button pushing terror.
I enjoyed Holly immensely. Julius was sweet. Unfortunately, they were flat together. Their romance progressed way too fast (the first 50% of the kindle edition covers one day, then a few random time jumps to the end) and the end felt anticlimactic. Not bad but not a keeper.
I enjoyed Holly immensely. Julius was sweet. Unfortunately, they were flat together. Their romance progressed way too fast (the first 50% of the kindle edition covers one day, then a few random time jumps to the end) and the end felt anticlimactic. Not bad but not a keeper.
December 24, 2015
Won this on Goodreads Firstreads Giveaway. Thank You.
This story was enjoyable and held my interest. Very Sensual relationship, between the two main characters, Julius and Holly. The problem I had was believing that Julius could be attracted to such an immature and childish heroine, but love is like that sometimes, you don't know when it will hit you.
Looking forward to reading more from this author.
This story was enjoyable and held my interest. Very Sensual relationship, between the two main characters, Julius and Holly. The problem I had was believing that Julius could be attracted to such an immature and childish heroine, but love is like that sometimes, you don't know when it will hit you.
Looking forward to reading more from this author.
July 17, 2025
Utterly dreadful. Seriously repulsive and utterly unengaging.
It was like reading about an aggressive adolescent and I just couldn’t take it seriously.
I think the author came up with an interesting premise but then totally overcooked it. Holly was just too unpleasant and uninteresting for words! How on earth did this get through the editorial inspection? There was nothing romantic in this set up. Yuck!
It was like reading about an aggressive adolescent and I just couldn’t take it seriously.
I think the author came up with an interesting premise but then totally overcooked it. Holly was just too unpleasant and uninteresting for words! How on earth did this get through the editorial inspection? There was nothing romantic in this set up. Yuck!
March 21, 2016
Holly and Julius this is the first of the Ravensdale scandal series. I like reading series or inter connected books. That is a sure fire way to get me interested. I like Julius and Holly I like the bickering. I get their story . It is sad in away she really had a tough time in life and I hope Julius will be balm and protector. This is a good read for me.
October 19, 2016
HP3386 Dec15. Ravendale Scandals #1. Holly Perez and Julius Ravendale's story had very interesting ups and downs. Their romance had ups and downs and Holly did not trust anyone. Her life was filled with fear and loneliness and she has protected herself with her "wild-child bravado". Good back story supports the characters.
Read
January 12, 2016"Milburne’s story is interesting and fun. Holly’s sassy attitude makes her likable, and the buildup of sexual tension between her and Julius is quite well written" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).
Miniseries: The Ravensdale Scandals
Miniseries: The Ravensdale Scandals
November 4, 2015
Terrific romance!
November 29, 2015
I really don't know what to say! I mean if people actually act like this, then I hope I never meet those people!! The immaturity and childishness!!! I mean my gosh!!!!!
January 8, 2016
Just did not like the first few chapters, so I skipped to the last five chapters; hate endings that seem rushed, know that this is a series; hope they are mention in the next book.
2.5 rating
2.5 rating
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