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Robeson Family
The Forgotten Wife
Even I knew it was an archaic practice.
Still...
When my father informed me that I would be married to a man that he needed to merge his business with - in order to save it - I agreed.
Of course, I agreed reluctantly until I realized exactly what all was at stake. The man I was to marry, he was even less keen to walk down the aisle with me, but he had his own risks to weight in all of this.
I didn’t expect a perfect marriage.
I didn’t even believe they existed.
What I didn’t expect was to say, “I do” and then be completely forgotten.
...
At least, that was how it started out.
It just got more complicated from there, until it wasn’t.
Happiness was just around the corner, and maybe even, in time, the perfect marriage too.
Still...
When my father informed me that I would be married to a man that he needed to merge his business with - in order to save it - I agreed.
Of course, I agreed reluctantly until I realized exactly what all was at stake. The man I was to marry, he was even less keen to walk down the aisle with me, but he had his own risks to weight in all of this.
I didn’t expect a perfect marriage.
I didn’t even believe they existed.
What I didn’t expect was to say, “I do” and then be completely forgotten.
...
At least, that was how it started out.
It just got more complicated from there, until it wasn’t.
Happiness was just around the corner, and maybe even, in time, the perfect marriage too.
454 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2021
215 people are currently reading
613 people want to read
About the author
Christine Michelle
65 books723 followersChristine Michelle runs on coffee and giggles as she writes her angst-fueled romance stories (motorcycle club, rockstar, paranormal, college, & other contemporary as well as women's fiction and marriage in trouble novels).
She is a mom to four humans (2 girls, 2 boys – all grown now).
When she's not writing books, she enjoys reading, drawing, hiking, or feeding her soul with live music at concerts.
Christine is a traveler and has lived all over the USA (and other parts of the world). She currently lives in Rapid City, South Dakota with her two fur babies.
Universal links to everything
(website, social media, book links, and more)
https://linktr.ee/christinemichelle
She is a mom to four humans (2 girls, 2 boys – all grown now).
When she's not writing books, she enjoys reading, drawing, hiking, or feeding her soul with live music at concerts.
Christine is a traveler and has lived all over the USA (and other parts of the world). She currently lives in Rapid City, South Dakota with her two fur babies.
Universal links to everything
(website, social media, book links, and more)
https://linktr.ee/christinemichelle
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
April 25, 2021
I know this was not insta love but come on there should have been some chemistry at least! The guy was a wimp and there was nothing sexy about him no matter how many times the author went on about his looks. His character was so wimpy and bland that I could have wept. As for heroine, how many times did she forgive the craphead?! Too many times to count in my opinion. She was so determined no one would call her a fool but I think she did it herself with how many times she let him get away with his behaviour after a little anger from her part. Again there was absolutely no chemistry between the main characters even at the end they were both like cardboard and the fact he admitted so many times physically he wasn’t attracted to her stayed in my head throughout the whole book. I do like this authors works (well some of them) but this book was definitely not one of them. The fact that the main male character was willing to take his cheating ex back and dump the heroine and the fact he never manned up to his father or grandfather just made it even harder to like or respect him. A very very disappointing read for me!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2021
2 ⭐⭐ - Meh!
=============
Wow! Our Zeroine accepts to be disrespected in all ways and continues an arranged marriage which neither she nor her father was in such need of, it was said several times that he could sell his part of the business. Who needed the merger most was Zero and his family. Still, he was completely disgusting with her. She showed a little backbone and pride, but then she immediately accepted Zero back.
If the two women who were making out with Zero and a friend the night before show up to be witnesses of the wedding, I put my foot in Zero's ass right away. Just saying.
Shit show of disrespect.
=============
Wow! Our Zeroine accepts to be disrespected in all ways and continues an arranged marriage which neither she nor her father was in such need of, it was said several times that he could sell his part of the business. Who needed the merger most was Zero and his family. Still, he was completely disgusting with her. She showed a little backbone and pride, but then she immediately accepted Zero back.
If the two women who were making out with Zero and a friend the night before show up to be witnesses of the wedding, I put my foot in Zero's ass right away. Just saying.
Shit show of disrespect.
Last I heard, Sammy-boy was out slutting it up all over Atlanta, the Hollywood Hills, some dodgy beach in California, more beaches in Florida, and even at some wild party in Vancouver.
“No. Look, you aren’t a troll, but you’re still not my type at all.” He glanced at the door to the office and back at me. “You saw Aria, and all those other women. Let’s be real here, none of them look anything like you.”
Mina: Okay then, I’ll just be the napkin cleaning up everyone else’s messes and then tossed aside when I’m no longer useful. Actually, that’s pretty accurate.
Apparently, I wasn’t welcome either since panicked eyes flicked from me to somewhere off to the left. I followed Wes’s line of sight and found my future husband standing there entertaining two leggy brunettes by the blackjack tables.
“Don’t worry, I’m used to his infidelity,” I countered. “You’re not hurting my feelings.” “How could you allow him to do that?” The other woman asked. “Because I don’t give a shit about him,” I informed them. “I barely know him. Why would I care? I’m just marrying him because he’s a convenience.”
“Good call, having your Vegas hookups come to the wedding. Thanks for ruining the five peaceful moments I had today.”
“No, you listen, I get that we needed another witness, but using women you hooked up with – or planned to hook up with – was,” I took in a deep breath, trying to find the right word, and failing. “It was so disrespectful to me. I can’t even comprehend putting another human being in that position. If you thought I needed a reminder of where I stand, I assure you I did not. You’ve made yourself perfectly clear how you feel about me and this marriage.”
My husband’s best friend was standing there, having just gotten out of the silver BMW that was parked in front of the building. He glanced up and saw me, clearly shocked by my presence for some reason. That reason became apparent when my husband removed himself from the back seat and attempted to peel off the woman who was in there with him. She looked like a damn octopus, trying to drag him back inside the car with her.
I also couldn’t believe, after everything we had discussed, and all that he had on the line, that he would make such a public display of his bullshit again.
“You weren’t supposed to make me look like a fool who condones the cheating bullshit, and you already managed to screw that up. Now, I either have to get a quick annulment from you or look like a complete and total idiot who believes your lies when you cheat.”
“Why don’t you have anyone, Mina?” “Because people are very disappointing,”
“I won’t tell you nothing happened with her, because I won’t lie, or insult your intelligence. But it wasn’t what you’re probably thinking either. We kissed. She kissed me, and I let it happen, because damn it she was the woman I had planned on marrying not even a year ago. Being intoxicated helped me forget why it was that I never got around to asking her to marry me.”
I just stared at him, as if kissing another woman, having her publicly sit on his lap, or so obviously taking her to his room wasn’t enough?
“I didn’t speak to you, that’s true. I also didn’t cheat on you at any point, even though I had every reason to.”
“First of all, I didn’t cheat – not really. Secondly, why do you even care? You said yourself that you don’t have any friends, so who’s really going to judge you?
If you want me to promise to only fuck you in the future, I’ll fucking agree to it. It has to be better than going through all this drama all the time.”
While they spoke, I searched my husband’s name in conjunction with Canoe, and sure enough, there were tons of pictures with him bringing different women to this very spot. Maybe not the exact table, but he could certainly be called a regular and even though I was his wife, which didn’t matter since this was our first official date, I suddenly felt like I was just another bimbo he brought here.
“This is where you bring all your dates, or a good portion of them, isn’t it?”
It wasn’t special. More importantly, it sucked to know that our first date hadn’t been special, or that I had not been worthy of any kind of forethought before he took me out. If I had been, common sense should have ruled this place out in his mind.
“Now, you’re embarrassed to be seen with me?” “I just don’t want to be one of the many women,” I whispered, while trying not to cause a scene.
It was a veritable collage of Tucker and a ridiculous number of women leaving this very establishment together.
May 22, 2022
I really enjoyed this,
But only because of the h.
The H...
IS AN IDIOT!
But I suppose, but the end, he was a lovable idiot... I guess.
Well, no, he's actually not very lovable either.
He messes up not once, not twice... 4 GD times! Sure others were setting him up for a couple of those, but he was the fool who put himself in those situations to begin with.
It's not a love match. It's a modern arranged marriage for stupid reasons. But just roll with it.
The thing I like best about this author is that she doesn't dumb down her heroines.
The h has a life plan and despite the crap that's happened to her in the past, she's ready to take life by the horns.
She's a tiny dynamo and he's the quintessential trust baby. Good thing he meets her, because that's the only way he's ever going to get any respect. He's thoughtless, inconsiderate, foolish and has no respect for his body.
Safety is not great
Is it a romance? Not really. But I still liked it ; )
I liked it because the h has a backbone of steel and she reads him the riot act, with exceptional comedic timing, ...on several occasions. This story is for those of us who are never as eloquent as we wish we could be, until way after the fact.
But only because of the h.
The H...
IS AN IDIOT!
But I suppose, but the end, he was a lovable idiot... I guess.
Well, no, he's actually not very lovable either.
He messes up not once, not twice... 4 GD times! Sure others were setting him up for a couple of those, but he was the fool who put himself in those situations to begin with.
It's not a love match. It's a modern arranged marriage for stupid reasons. But just roll with it.
The thing I like best about this author is that she doesn't dumb down her heroines.
The h has a life plan and despite the crap that's happened to her in the past, she's ready to take life by the horns.
She's a tiny dynamo and he's the quintessential trust baby. Good thing he meets her, because that's the only way he's ever going to get any respect. He's thoughtless, inconsiderate, foolish and has no respect for his body.
Safety is not great
Is it a romance? Not really. But I still liked it ; )
I liked it because the h has a backbone of steel and she reads him the riot act, with exceptional comedic timing, ...on several occasions. This story is for those of us who are never as eloquent as we wish we could be, until way after the fact.
August 2, 2021
Just the angst hit I needed!
3.75*
The h's mouthy in-your-face attitude instantly repelled me in the first chapter or two. She seems to have no filter and with an attitude to match. I cannot imagine a 20 yo girl saying all that and that much in front of her father, lawyers, the H and his father. A definite Mary Sue, the kickass kinds.
And at this point, I wasn't even ready to fully analyze the antics of the said H - a manho of epic proportions.
Suddenly, the low reviews seemed justified. And it seemed like a potential dnf.
But, hang on. Things get better and so does the initial disjointed voice.
The title is blurb enough. An MoC between two business families. Surprisingly, here the h is given a choice to back out but she agrees despite misgivings, for her own reasons.
But what’s new is that instead of a limp doormat h, we get a little snarky terrier who gives back better than she gets. With very clear thoughts and comebacks. She’s in last year of college and she’s an aspiring writer of ‘mommy porn’. This being written in first person seems like her own effort though is very low steam actually. She had a terrible experience during college that’s shaped her and unbeknownst to her, she suffers from PTSD. The episode was truly heartrending actually.
While the H (26) is stupid and clueless, a walking dick basically. He just cannot keep it zipped up. Technically, he doesn't cheat but it’s bad enough. H’s an entitled and brainless trust fund prep boy who gets to inherit/run a multibillion-dollar business which I feel he'd run to ground within
a coupla years.
The author tries to redeem him and I did buy it at the end.
The prenup allows them to have other sexual partners and the h’s no wide-eyed virgin and her only condition is that he keeps it private and doesn’t humiliate her. Expectedly, he’s repeatedly featured in the tabloids. This H, btw, says ‘sorry’ more times than any other I know of. I just couldn’t understand how stupid one can be but he kept pushing the envelope again and again. Ably enabled by his bff, Wes. Now I was getting very mixed signals from Wes and wasn’t sure if he’s a good guy or not. He's a lawyer and should have had better sense. The H and him are completely joined at the hip. True bromance.
The pace slags towards the end and even the ott action drama does nothing for the book. But still, I enjoyed this book and the h is highly likable. As are her comebacks - sometimes a tad too lengthy though.
There are some plotholes but I ignored them.
I like that most ow (yes, multiple) are not dehumanized into one-dimensional bimbos and are more grey than black.
3.75*
The h's mouthy in-your-face attitude instantly repelled me in the first chapter or two. She seems to have no filter and with an attitude to match. I cannot imagine a 20 yo girl saying all that and that much in front of her father, lawyers, the H and his father. A definite Mary Sue, the kickass kinds.
And at this point, I wasn't even ready to fully analyze the antics of the said H - a manho of epic proportions.
Suddenly, the low reviews seemed justified. And it seemed like a potential dnf.
But, hang on. Things get better and so does the initial disjointed voice.
The title is blurb enough. An MoC between two business families. Surprisingly, here the h is given a choice to back out but she agrees despite misgivings, for her own reasons.
But what’s new is that instead of a limp doormat h, we get a little snarky terrier who gives back better than she gets. With very clear thoughts and comebacks. She’s in last year of college and she’s an aspiring writer of ‘mommy porn’. This being written in first person seems like her own effort though is very low steam actually. She had a terrible experience during college that’s shaped her and unbeknownst to her, she suffers from PTSD. The episode was truly heartrending actually.
While the H (26) is stupid and clueless, a walking dick basically. He just cannot keep it zipped up. Technically, he doesn't cheat but it’s bad enough. H’s an entitled and brainless trust fund prep boy who gets to inherit/run a multibillion-dollar business which I feel he'd run to ground within
a coupla years.
The author tries to redeem him and I did buy it at the end.
The prenup allows them to have other sexual partners and the h’s no wide-eyed virgin and her only condition is that he keeps it private and doesn’t humiliate her. Expectedly, he’s repeatedly featured in the tabloids. This H, btw, says ‘sorry’ more times than any other I know of. I just couldn’t understand how stupid one can be but he kept pushing the envelope again and again. Ably enabled by his bff, Wes. Now I was getting very mixed signals from Wes and wasn’t sure if he’s a good guy or not. He's a lawyer and should have had better sense. The H and him are completely joined at the hip. True bromance.
The pace slags towards the end and even the ott action drama does nothing for the book. But still, I enjoyed this book and the h is highly likable. As are her comebacks - sometimes a tad too lengthy though.
There are some plotholes but I ignored them.
I like that most ow (yes, multiple) are not dehumanized into one-dimensional bimbos and are more grey than black.
May 5, 2021
This book broke the fourth wall so fucking hard in Chapter 1 I thought it would be better suited as a prologue. Then a page into Chapter 2 it gets worse. Breaking the 4th wall in writing is a difficult art. I’ve read it done well in this genre many times (here’s looking at you Emma Chase). But it can’t be done as an info dump as it is here. It needs to progress the plot, not plug the holes of background info.
I just can’t with this heroine.
I just can’t with this writing.
I just can’t with the PTSD.
2 stars.
I just can’t with this heroine.
I just can’t with this writing.
I just can’t with the PTSD.
2 stars.
January 9, 2024
Lately I chose books that make me angry and sad. This one was not enough to make me either angry or sad. Or anything.
It’s messy.
It’s like a pizza with too many toppings on it that you are unable to taste anything in particular.
We have:
- marriage of convenience between manho and girl who suffers from PTSD.
- the heroine doesn’t care for the hero and he tells her he doesn’t like her because she’s far below his usual dates.
- the heroine only asks him to be discreet. He’s anything but.
- there is a grandfather who could give lessons to some mob bosses.
- there is a father (of the hero) who is just disgusting as his own son and shags his fiancée and even gets her pregnant
- the hero does the only thing the heroine asked him not to. He goes out with ow and there are pictures of him everywhere: the night before their marriage, after the marriage and after he promised the heroine they would be exclusive.
- the reason why the heroine had asked him to be discreet is that she was bullied and abused by her college friends and now she doesn’t want them to see her husband is cheating on her.
- the heroine has ptsd issues, very severe.
- the hero is bah. Just worthless. He doesn’t actually have sex with ow after he meets and accepts to marry the heroine but he kisses his ex gf just because and stops because he doesn’t want her. He explains to the heroine his reality. That is, he saw her some time before their engagement, when she was dating someone, and he fell in love with her, BUT, since he thought he was not worthy of her he tried to scare her away thinking she deserved better, AND, he was not a manwhore until his ex gf cheated on him and betrayed him, then he had a crazy year even if he loved the heroine BUT when his ex asked him to forgive her was tempted because he still loved her even if she had been with his father… oh Jesus I am lost…
- there’s a drama where he’s injured and his father is killed.
But in the end the book was all over the place, the hero is inconsistent and his feelings are not believable.
The heroine should be strong but yes, she is because she actually doesn’t care a fugg for the hero and doesn’t think a lot of him but…in the end she accepts him and all in ok.
Well, in the end all this drama and the hero is drama queen nr 1, my thought is : does it look like I care?
It’s messy.
It’s like a pizza with too many toppings on it that you are unable to taste anything in particular.
We have:
- marriage of convenience between manho and girl who suffers from PTSD.
- the heroine doesn’t care for the hero and he tells her he doesn’t like her because she’s far below his usual dates.
- the heroine only asks him to be discreet. He’s anything but.
- there is a grandfather who could give lessons to some mob bosses.
- there is a father (of the hero) who is just disgusting as his own son and shags his fiancée and even gets her pregnant
- the hero does the only thing the heroine asked him not to. He goes out with ow and there are pictures of him everywhere: the night before their marriage, after the marriage and after he promised the heroine they would be exclusive.
- the reason why the heroine had asked him to be discreet is that she was bullied and abused by her college friends and now she doesn’t want them to see her husband is cheating on her.
- the heroine has ptsd issues, very severe.
- the hero is bah. Just worthless. He doesn’t actually have sex with ow after he meets and accepts to marry the heroine but he kisses his ex gf just because and stops because he doesn’t want her. He explains to the heroine his reality. That is, he saw her some time before their engagement, when she was dating someone, and he fell in love with her, BUT, since he thought he was not worthy of her he tried to scare her away thinking she deserved better, AND, he was not a manwhore until his ex gf cheated on him and betrayed him, then he had a crazy year even if he loved the heroine BUT when his ex asked him to forgive her was tempted because he still loved her even if she had been with his father… oh Jesus I am lost…
- there’s a drama where he’s injured and his father is killed.
But in the end the book was all over the place, the hero is inconsistent and his feelings are not believable.
The heroine should be strong but yes, she is because she actually doesn’t care a fugg for the hero and doesn’t think a lot of him but…in the end she accepts him and all in ok.
Well, in the end all this drama and the hero is drama queen nr 1, my thought is : does it look like I care?
August 15, 2021
This was an entertaining read for the first 2/3rds and then I found myself skimming to the end.
The h was incredibly mature and worldly for a 20 year old and the H was Easy with a capital E after being cheated on by his ex with his father.
There were plot holes that were never answered and some editing issues and generally everything was over the top but for the most part, it was entertaining.
Edited to add in trigger warnings: cheating, h had been emotionally and physically assaulted (recap on page) which she now suffers from PTSD
The h was incredibly mature and worldly for a 20 year old and the H was Easy with a capital E after being cheated on by his ex with his father.
There were plot holes that were never answered and some editing issues and generally everything was over the top but for the most part, it was entertaining.
Edited to add in trigger warnings: cheating, h had been emotionally and physically assaulted (recap on page) which she now suffers from PTSD
July 15, 2022
3.5 stars. This is a surprisingly enjoyable angsty “marriage of convenience” story. All the 1 star reviews say that it’s a cheating book and the heroine is a doormat. Neither of those things are true, so I must have read a different book than those reviewers.
The hero (who’s around 26 and a male socialite), and the heroine (who’s 20 and a college student), are strangers who are pushed to marry for Reasons involving their wealthy parents’ companies. He’s a slut, but she’s aware of this. She tries to get out of the marriage towards the beginning by showing a SLIDESHOW of the hero being a slut in the tabloids to him, their dads, and their lawyers. The beginning of this book is ROUGH (the heroine wants to be a writer, so it starts like she’s writing her own story, and her writing voice is cringey). But, during the “here’s what a slut you are, so I’m not marrying you” slide show that she presents, I started thinking, “Maybe I like this girl.”
The marriage happens anyway, and it’s a business arrangement. She’s not planning to sleep with him and she’s aware that he’s still going to sleep around. That’s why I’m BAFFLED by the reviews calling this a cheating book. After they’re married, there IS some OW drama, but he doesn’t have sex with anyone else (but he does kiss his ex girlfriend one time). But, he and the heroine are only married on paper at this point. The heroine is upset about the OW incident not because she has feelings for him, but because he made her look stupid when there are photos of it online.
He’s a dick for that, but it’s not “cheating” if the hero and heroine aren’t in a real relationship. After they're together for real, he doesn’t do anything with OW. I also fail to see how other reviewers think the heroine is a “doormat” since she cuts him down with VERY harsh words after each incident where he does something dumb (that usually involves getting photographed with OW). She also moves away and plans to leave his ass on more than one occasion. Maybe people think she’s a “doormat” because she doesn’t end up leaving? But each time he convinces her to stay, it worked for me as character development for both of them. They’re both unlikable in the beginning, but they evolve.
Her trauma backstory is also a unique one that I haven’t seen done before. Because of that, it makes sense why she doesn’t trust anyone, so she enters marriage with this man-slut because she knows exactly what she’s getting with him.
I didn't give it a higher star rating because it's a bit too long, the first few chapters from her are cringey, as I said, and the trauma backstory should have been revealed sooner so that we could understand her. For too far into the book, I was like, "I kind of like this heroine, but a lot of her behavior is baffling since WHY is she even with this hero?" Also, a few times, she annoyed me for being so wounded about the hero's behavior when she KNEW what kind of guy he was, and willingly signed up for this. But, she made up for this each time she dragged him, that was fun.
This book is messy, and full of angst and drama, and some OW stuff. So it’s not a read if you can’t handle that. But if you can, it’s surprisingly enjoyable (after a rough first couple chapters). It's also possible my enjoyment was enhanced because my expectations going into this were SO low after reading those misleading 1 star reviews.
The hero (who’s around 26 and a male socialite), and the heroine (who’s 20 and a college student), are strangers who are pushed to marry for Reasons involving their wealthy parents’ companies. He’s a slut, but she’s aware of this. She tries to get out of the marriage towards the beginning by showing a SLIDESHOW of the hero being a slut in the tabloids to him, their dads, and their lawyers. The beginning of this book is ROUGH (the heroine wants to be a writer, so it starts like she’s writing her own story, and her writing voice is cringey). But, during the “here’s what a slut you are, so I’m not marrying you” slide show that she presents, I started thinking, “Maybe I like this girl.”
The marriage happens anyway, and it’s a business arrangement. She’s not planning to sleep with him and she’s aware that he’s still going to sleep around. That’s why I’m BAFFLED by the reviews calling this a cheating book. After they’re married, there IS some OW drama, but he doesn’t have sex with anyone else (but he does kiss his ex girlfriend one time). But, he and the heroine are only married on paper at this point. The heroine is upset about the OW incident not because she has feelings for him, but because he made her look stupid when there are photos of it online.
He’s a dick for that, but it’s not “cheating” if the hero and heroine aren’t in a real relationship. After they're together for real, he doesn’t do anything with OW. I also fail to see how other reviewers think the heroine is a “doormat” since she cuts him down with VERY harsh words after each incident where he does something dumb (that usually involves getting photographed with OW). She also moves away and plans to leave his ass on more than one occasion. Maybe people think she’s a “doormat” because she doesn’t end up leaving? But each time he convinces her to stay, it worked for me as character development for both of them. They’re both unlikable in the beginning, but they evolve.
Her trauma backstory is also a unique one that I haven’t seen done before. Because of that, it makes sense why she doesn’t trust anyone, so she enters marriage with this man-slut because she knows exactly what she’s getting with him.
I didn't give it a higher star rating because it's a bit too long, the first few chapters from her are cringey, as I said, and the trauma backstory should have been revealed sooner so that we could understand her. For too far into the book, I was like, "I kind of like this heroine, but a lot of her behavior is baffling since WHY is she even with this hero?" Also, a few times, she annoyed me for being so wounded about the hero's behavior when she KNEW what kind of guy he was, and willingly signed up for this. But, she made up for this each time she dragged him, that was fun.
This book is messy, and full of angst and drama, and some OW stuff. So it’s not a read if you can’t handle that. But if you can, it’s surprisingly enjoyable (after a rough first couple chapters). It's also possible my enjoyment was enhanced because my expectations going into this were SO low after reading those misleading 1 star reviews.
June 25, 2024
DNF-ed at 62%
I think it takes remarkable skill to write something this logic-deficient and soul-sucking.
The progression of the plot (if you could even call it one) was bizarre. All the left turns taken by the author were wrong choice after wrong choice and everything culminated into a flaming hot mess. This book was so dreadfully dire it's now on my worst reads shelf.
When the heroine's backstory was revealed (in the middle of nowhere), I knew I had to get out. It's so dramatic and bad I laughed out loud. The author's choice in crafting the event that led to the heroine's trauma was a ..... choice one. That alone was enough to warrant -5 stars. It's weird and made my skin crawl.
Only rating this one star because GR won't let me rate it -17 stars. I'm never going to pick anything up by this author ever.
I think it takes remarkable skill to write something this logic-deficient and soul-sucking.
The progression of the plot (if you could even call it one) was bizarre. All the left turns taken by the author were wrong choice after wrong choice and everything culminated into a flaming hot mess. This book was so dreadfully dire it's now on my worst reads shelf.
When the heroine's backstory was revealed (in the middle of nowhere), I knew I had to get out. It's so dramatic and bad I laughed out loud. The author's choice in crafting the event that led to the heroine's trauma was a ..... choice one. That alone was enough to warrant -5 stars. It's weird and made my skin crawl.
Only rating this one star because GR won't let me rate it -17 stars. I'm never going to pick anything up by this author ever.
July 15, 2022
The whole situation is extreme. I can't get behind it as a romance, but it is a great example of romantic wrangling. The H is an idiot but ultimately good-hearted and in love with the h. He needs a lot of work, and many skillets would need to be worn out in training him. The h is so encased in ice that the unholy agreement with the H is actually comforting for her.
SAFETY: There is the appearance of cheating throughout the book; the intention to cheat; but the actual cheating does not involve sex -- he kisses an ex and sleeps next to her because he is drunk and pouty because the h calls him on his BS.
Side note: This author specializes in h's who can more than hold their own in arguments. She calmly and thoroughly trounced the dim-bulb H on almost every occasions.
SAFETY: There is the appearance of cheating throughout the book; the intention to cheat; but the actual cheating does not involve sex -- he kisses an ex and sleeps next to her because he is drunk and pouty because the h calls him on his BS.
Side note: This author specializes in h's who can more than hold their own in arguments. She calmly and thoroughly trounced the dim-bulb H on almost every occasions.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2024
Entertaining and surprisingly lighthearted for Christine Michelle, but not much of a romance and some serious continuity issues.
The heroine has a sad backstory that she doesn't let get to her for the most part. She wants to write dark romance but gets wrangled into a MOC for her dad. She's pretty much....whatever. That is until she meets the H. He's the equivalent of an un-neutered dog that ate some Ritalin that fell on the floor. How STD walking is going to run a billion dollar company between his skirt chasing I do not know. He's pretty mean to the heroine but she's more than capable of tossing some home truths to the walking petrie dish as she calls him. She really gets him when she shows him pics of him with two women and points out if people are sending them to her, they are sending them to his mom too.
All she asks is that when he cheats and she knows he will, please don't embarrass her. That doesn't work out so well. The guy is all id and no superego. The issues are he said he didn't cheat, probably didn't cheat, but he can't help it if half naked women proposition him when people have cell phones.
Long story short, they end up together at the 95% mark.
Continuity issues are Michelle writes about her perfect sister in terms that I went looking for her book then she drops her. Same treatment to the h's parents, much is made of the mother's inability to appreciate her daughter, the H's evil grandfather that needs a comeuppance, the evildoers that hurt the heroine needed an on page comeuppance as well, and who was the attacker?
The heroine has a sad backstory that she doesn't let get to her for the most part. She wants to write dark romance but gets wrangled into a MOC for her dad. She's pretty much....whatever. That is until she meets the H. He's the equivalent of an un-neutered dog that ate some Ritalin that fell on the floor. How STD walking is going to run a billion dollar company between his skirt chasing I do not know. He's pretty mean to the heroine but she's more than capable of tossing some home truths to the walking petrie dish as she calls him. She really gets him when she shows him pics of him with two women and points out if people are sending them to her, they are sending them to his mom too.
All she asks is that when he cheats and she knows he will, please don't embarrass her. That doesn't work out so well. The guy is all id and no superego. The issues are he said he didn't cheat, probably didn't cheat, but he can't help it if half naked women proposition him when people have cell phones.
Long story short, they end up together at the 95% mark.
Continuity issues are Michelle writes about her perfect sister in terms that I went looking for her book then she drops her. Same treatment to the h's parents, much is made of the mother's inability to appreciate her daughter, the H's evil grandfather that needs a comeuppance, the evildoers that hurt the heroine needed an on page comeuppance as well, and who was the attacker?
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October 24, 2023This is an arranged marriage, enemies to lovers, second chance romance.
READER CONTENT WARNING:
Arranged Marriage, Cheating (not after couple agrees to “real” relationship, but definitely after they already said, “I do”.), Murder, Betrayal, Bullying, Sexual Assault (not by main character), and maybe some others.
READER CONTENT WARNING:
Arranged Marriage, Cheating (not after couple agrees to “real” relationship, but definitely after they already said, “I do”.), Murder, Betrayal, Bullying, Sexual Assault (not by main character), and maybe some others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2021
I am normally not one for cheating but I make an exception for this author because I am guaranteed a good story . She does have talent for writing the most obnoxious men that I love to hate .
That being said there is a trigger warning for cheating in the front of the book. I have to be honest the cheating didn’t bother me because they had never even met before their father’s had arranged their marriage. They both had lives and they both knew the marriage was one on paper only .
The lying to her did bother me at some point but once they made the commitment to try to be a real couple they did change.
I loved Mina! She was so smart and witty but a bit broken. Luna turned out to be my favorite character in the book because she was so loyal.
This is a great read and like I said the cheating wasn’t so much really cheating in my mind . It was even stated in their contract that it would happen . It wasn’t the cruel cheating I usually have issues with in stories . If you can get past that and remember these were two strangers you will love this story !
That being said there is a trigger warning for cheating in the front of the book. I have to be honest the cheating didn’t bother me because they had never even met before their father’s had arranged their marriage. They both had lives and they both knew the marriage was one on paper only .
The lying to her did bother me at some point but once they made the commitment to try to be a real couple they did change.
I loved Mina! She was so smart and witty but a bit broken. Luna turned out to be my favorite character in the book because she was so loyal.
This is a great read and like I said the cheating wasn’t so much really cheating in my mind . It was even stated in their contract that it would happen . It wasn’t the cruel cheating I usually have issues with in stories . If you can get past that and remember these were two strangers you will love this story !
June 26, 2021
I kept seeing this rec’d on FB, so I finally gave it a try.
Well, the 4th wall was broken in chapter 1—not a great start. Not a bad story concept, but execution was a little wonky, some strange plot choices and dangling sub plots.
And, honestly, the book should have had trigger warnings beyond the one about the story set up and cheating. The heroine’s backstory includes an extreme bullying incident that included sexual harassment and assault. It wasn’t an issue for me, but I could easily see this being an issue for others. And, strangely the author uses her PTSD as part of the story, so I would imagine she was somewhat sensitive to the situation.
Well, the 4th wall was broken in chapter 1—not a great start. Not a bad story concept, but execution was a little wonky, some strange plot choices and dangling sub plots.
And, honestly, the book should have had trigger warnings beyond the one about the story set up and cheating. The heroine’s backstory includes an extreme bullying incident that included sexual harassment and assault. It wasn’t an issue for me, but I could easily see this being an issue for others. And, strangely the author uses her PTSD as part of the story, so I would imagine she was somewhat sensitive to the situation.
August 21, 2022
The H is a wimpy playboy and the h tells him off to his face a million times. I liked her sass but eventually she should have just ended his ass.
April 20, 2021
Oh my. When Christine writes a book called The Forgotten Wife you just know you're in for angst, ow drama and tears.
Well, she didn't disappoint. Tucker, Tucker, Tucker. Just how unlucky and damned by his past can one man be. And as for poor Mena, she really did not fair well with her previous relationships.
For much of the book these two were a train wreck that just kept crashing and derailing. Eventually you could see that he really just was making silly, ill informed decisions. As soon as this corner was turned, I for one, fell hard for him. I also still wanted to smack him upside the head at times, but that did dwindle towards the end of the book.
I love this author, and this book is another addition to the 5* reads she produces.
Well, she didn't disappoint. Tucker, Tucker, Tucker. Just how unlucky and damned by his past can one man be. And as for poor Mena, she really did not fair well with her previous relationships.
For much of the book these two were a train wreck that just kept crashing and derailing. Eventually you could see that he really just was making silly, ill informed decisions. As soon as this corner was turned, I for one, fell hard for him. I also still wanted to smack him upside the head at times, but that did dwindle towards the end of the book.
I love this author, and this book is another addition to the 5* reads she produces.
June 12, 2021
A lot of somethings missing
This book missed the mark for me. It was non stop conflict and misunderstandings and a heroine constantly on a verbal tirade. Not that the hero wasn't deserving but 80% of the book was him being emotionally inept/either trying to hook up with girls or being perceived as hooking up with girl - find a different flavor author-and the heroine having soap box moments. The angst want the issue but the monotony of the angst flavor was. Some conflict was never fleshed out (grandpa trying to cheat her through the prenup. Why heroines father supposedly loved her, didn't need the money but still asked her to out up with an arranged marriage to a irresponsible playboy. The emotionally unavailable mother. The attempted murder plot. I really could go on). I should be thankful therapy was used in this book but by the time we get there I just didn't care about the characters. The pacing seriously needs work too. How am I supposed to believe love happened when over 80% of the book is conflict due to lack of trust over heroes crappy behavior? And don't let other reviews fool you. Hero cheated. He deliberately left his wedding ring in his room with the intent of something happening and it did. Plug might not of went into socket but plenty else happened. This was after hero and heroine came to an agreement. So other reviewers can eat an egg.
This book missed the mark for me. It was non stop conflict and misunderstandings and a heroine constantly on a verbal tirade. Not that the hero wasn't deserving but 80% of the book was him being emotionally inept/either trying to hook up with girls or being perceived as hooking up with girl - find a different flavor author-and the heroine having soap box moments. The angst want the issue but the monotony of the angst flavor was. Some conflict was never fleshed out (grandpa trying to cheat her through the prenup. Why heroines father supposedly loved her, didn't need the money but still asked her to out up with an arranged marriage to a irresponsible playboy. The emotionally unavailable mother. The attempted murder plot. I really could go on). I should be thankful therapy was used in this book but by the time we get there I just didn't care about the characters. The pacing seriously needs work too. How am I supposed to believe love happened when over 80% of the book is conflict due to lack of trust over heroes crappy behavior? And don't let other reviews fool you. Hero cheated. He deliberately left his wedding ring in his room with the intent of something happening and it did. Plug might not of went into socket but plenty else happened. This was after hero and heroine came to an agreement. So other reviewers can eat an egg.
December 30, 2021
Good story. I think hero doesnt care attitude about anyone else caused him to land in compromising situation and making such decision. Once he started to care about how his decisions would affect others around him, he can control his fidelity.
I dont get his grandfather, mother and father. They were so evil and yet they got scot free. There was no confrontation by anyone. His father's death at the hand of someone whom we dont even know was very convenient. I liked that plot twist but author didnt cover it satisfactorily. The author didnt even go into detail about why the merger was needed.
I liked the heroine but her panic attacks starting suddenly was out of blue too. Why was she not having them when she saw all those pictures of her husband's infidelity before marriage? Could it be the trigger is when someone she loves does something like that it sets her panic attack? Once she started to feel something for him and her new friend's, then entertaining betrayal caused that but then again why did she have it when that random student in college story triggered it. She had backbone. I wouldnt say that she forgave him for his transgressions. She made him work for forgiveness and that was good. She handled the situation maturely IMO.
I liked Wes, the hero's friend albeit there were some situations where I was not comfortable with the level of comfort between Wes, Mina and Tucker. (BTW hate MC's name).
I hate the press and this story made me hate them more. I was so happy when that student posted the full interview rather than what the "reporter" censored interview. It was good.
The story had more potential.
I dont get his grandfather, mother and father. They were so evil and yet they got scot free. There was no confrontation by anyone. His father's death at the hand of someone whom we dont even know was very convenient. I liked that plot twist but author didnt cover it satisfactorily. The author didnt even go into detail about why the merger was needed.
I liked the heroine but her panic attacks starting suddenly was out of blue too. Why was she not having them when she saw all those pictures of her husband's infidelity before marriage? Could it be the trigger is when someone she loves does something like that it sets her panic attack? Once she started to feel something for him and her new friend's, then entertaining betrayal caused that but then again why did she have it when that random student in college story triggered it. She had backbone. I wouldnt say that she forgave him for his transgressions. She made him work for forgiveness and that was good. She handled the situation maturely IMO.
I liked Wes, the hero's friend albeit there were some situations where I was not comfortable with the level of comfort between Wes, Mina and Tucker. (BTW hate MC's name).
I hate the press and this story made me hate them more. I was so happy when that student posted the full interview rather than what the "reporter" censored interview. It was good.
The story had more potential.
April 20, 2021
Christine Michelle is known for her fantastic MC series, Aces High MC. If you're used to those books, well this is a completely different book! Tucker and Mina's story is S-L-O-W burning and then some! The moment we "meet" Tucker---you'll hate him. He makes it so easy. I found myself rooting for Mina to bury him before the first chapter was complete. However, that wouldn't make this story completely epic. Believe me, you're going to want to finish this book!
Tucker and Mina must marry to save their families. Well, one family more than the other. Tucker is definitely an easy hero to hate. I was always on Team Mina because she was so refreshing. Instead of being whiny, she took matters into her own hands. She stood her ground, defended her rights, and even defended Tucker when he had no balls. Literally, most of the book. Yet, you don't really see what's going on until you're ready to call it quits for the couple. Mina is strong because she's had no choice. Tucker wants out of his family situation, but feels stuck. He honestly doesn't want Mina to be stuck with him. So we go through the book waiting to see what happens! Well, read the book because it was worth the wait!
Tucker and Mina must marry to save their families. Well, one family more than the other. Tucker is definitely an easy hero to hate. I was always on Team Mina because she was so refreshing. Instead of being whiny, she took matters into her own hands. She stood her ground, defended her rights, and even defended Tucker when he had no balls. Literally, most of the book. Yet, you don't really see what's going on until you're ready to call it quits for the couple. Mina is strong because she's had no choice. Tucker wants out of his family situation, but feels stuck. He honestly doesn't want Mina to be stuck with him. So we go through the book waiting to see what happens! Well, read the book because it was worth the wait!
April 28, 2021
This author can write angst really, really well, but I got stuck on the premise that Aria thought she could trust him to not embarrass her with his antics. Why? She barely knew him. The guy was a slimy, slutty douche who was photographed doing lines of coke off half-naked chicks. Regularly.
Anyway, it wasn't bad, he was immature, she was overmature, he had horribly family, she had painful past, they come together etc. Pretty typical for this trope, which I do enjoy.
Anyway, it wasn't bad, he was immature, she was overmature, he had horribly family, she had painful past, they come together etc. Pretty typical for this trope, which I do enjoy.
May 5, 2024
Sweet!
This was a really good book. The title is a misnomer but it turned out to be a great story.
Thus wife was not forgotten as much as just not considered in the main male’s world.
It was a story of learning to love, when your past and/or your family teaches love is not real.
The main couple had lots to go through until their HEA and it was a journey that was interesting and engaging to take with them.
As my first book from the author it was a great introduction to her writing.
This was a really good book. The title is a misnomer but it turned out to be a great story.
Thus wife was not forgotten as much as just not considered in the main male’s world.
It was a story of learning to love, when your past and/or your family teaches love is not real.
The main couple had lots to go through until their HEA and it was a journey that was interesting and engaging to take with them.
As my first book from the author it was a great introduction to her writing.
April 4, 2025
Wow, I loved Mina's character when she was telling people off. I however felt bad for what made her that way. Tucker is a playboy but he eventually works it out with Mina.
I just wished there had been a confrontation with the Grandfather after the Annulment paper scene.
Also what happened to the people that killed the Father and attacked him or did I miss it?
I just wished there had been a confrontation with the Grandfather after the Annulment paper scene.
Also what happened to the people that killed the Father and attacked him or did I miss it?
February 13, 2023
I really love this story.. The drama and the angst.. So so good. I did feel that his actions didn't always need to be explained sometimes a reader just loves a good @$$h0le!
May 7, 2024
This is so much better than I expected I don’t understand the low ratings. I’m only 46% of the way through and I’m riveted.
September 24, 2024
Good lord. This was a ride and a half. A play boy husband and a damaged wife in an arranged marriage. I loved it.
November 2, 2024
I went in totally blind, didn't read any reviews at all... All I can say is, I read up to 85% in one sitting.... Had to stop as real life interrupted (rude).
The angst, the gut punches, the need to kick the H in the 🏀⚽️ and the tears!
The H & h both have their own damage, but the h broke my heart ❤️🩹
The only ‘complaint’ I have is I would have loved another epilogue to find out what happened with all the drama in Finland (I wanted to see that karma dammit 😜) and what/if any consequences for the H’s Grandad for being such a 💩
I LOVE this series, this is the prequel to When the Last Petal Falls which I loved.
The angst, the gut punches, the need to kick the H in the 🏀⚽️ and the tears!
The H & h both have their own damage, but the h broke my heart ❤️🩹
The only ‘complaint’ I have is I would have loved another epilogue to find out what happened with all the drama in Finland (I wanted to see that karma dammit 😜) and what/if any consequences for the H’s Grandad for being such a 💩
I LOVE this series, this is the prequel to When the Last Petal Falls which I loved.
October 11, 2024
We were warned about the cheating so I can't complain about that. However, I don't see the sincerity in Tucker's want for her to trust him. It's more of trying to save his business that he tolerates her enough. Not to mention, the only thing she asked of him was to not humiliate her and he went ahead and did that several times. He also called reporters to clarify what he did which to me isn't a good insight of their relationship because she's still in the mum publicly. Also, why is it that it's only when the H learns about the h's past traumas that they change their ways ? Can't basic human decency be a good enough reason to respect people ????
Mina seems to appreciate being treated like a doormat because girl you didn't need that marriage, he did. I can't fathom why she went ahead and married a manwhore when she had nothing to lose/gain with the marriage. She also mentioned the trauma that she had endured being reason for it. Personally I see her running away from Tucker with a divorce and never looking back due to her trauma. AND WHY WAS WES A BETTER LOVE INTEREST THAT TMAN??? The flirting between them was way better and he seemed to be respectful of her. Shoutout to the hot gentleman in the casino for giving her $10 000, I need me one.
Mina seems to appreciate being treated like a doormat because girl you didn't need that marriage, he did. I can't fathom why she went ahead and married a manwhore when she had nothing to lose/gain with the marriage. She also mentioned the trauma that she had endured being reason for it. Personally I see her running away from Tucker with a divorce and never looking back due to her trauma. AND WHY WAS WES A BETTER LOVE INTEREST THAT TMAN??? The flirting between them was way better and he seemed to be respectful of her. Shoutout to the hot gentleman in the casino for giving her $10 000, I need me one.
October 20, 2024
I'm on the angst overload train so a cheating book it was.
I actually liked it, although it needed a good edit because it dragged on way too long. Loved the first two thirds - Mina is such a strong character that really doesn't take any prisoners. Tucker's an eejit, there's really no other word for him and I struggled with his stupidity at times. Yes, there's cheating and yes, he pays for it so I'm good.
I actually liked it, although it needed a good edit because it dragged on way too long. Loved the first two thirds - Mina is such a strong character that really doesn't take any prisoners. Tucker's an eejit, there's really no other word for him and I struggled with his stupidity at times. Yes, there's cheating and yes, he pays for it so I'm good.
April 20, 2021
🤷♀️
Didn’t really care for this story. As always this authors writing was spot on but I was bored. The warning the author put in the front of the book had me excited but then the warning was to appease the readers who hate cheating books. This was not a cheating book.
Didn’t really care for this story. As always this authors writing was spot on but I was bored. The warning the author put in the front of the book had me excited but then the warning was to appease the readers who hate cheating books. This was not a cheating book.
July 14, 2021
Loved it.
Didn't think I would like it. But I loved it. Not surprising since I love reading anything by this author .
Didn't think I would like it. But I loved it. Not surprising since I love reading anything by this author .
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