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Vows on the Virgin's Terms
The penniless heiress needs a husband…immediately! Get swept away by this intense wedding-of-convenience romance by Clare Connelly.
Bargaining with the billionaire
For his ring!
Innocent Olivia may have the prestigious Thornton-Rose name, but her father’s will demands that unless she marries Luca Giovanardi, that’s all she’ll have! With her loved ones nearing destitution, she proposes a four-week marriage… on paper!
If guarded Luca is to rebuild his family’s tarnished legacy, he can’t refuse Olivia’s offer. But their Italian honeymoon unlocks a desire he didn’t expect when virgin Olivia asks for a real wedding night. Luca’s feelings are off-limits, but their heat will test his defenses as the expiry date of their union quickly approaches…
From Harlequin Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.
Read all of The Cinderella Sisters
Book 1: Vows on the Virgin's Terms
Book 2: Forbidden Nights in Barcelona
Bargaining with the billionaire
For his ring!
Innocent Olivia may have the prestigious Thornton-Rose name, but her father’s will demands that unless she marries Luca Giovanardi, that’s all she’ll have! With her loved ones nearing destitution, she proposes a four-week marriage… on paper!
If guarded Luca is to rebuild his family’s tarnished legacy, he can’t refuse Olivia’s offer. But their Italian honeymoon unlocks a desire he didn’t expect when virgin Olivia asks for a real wedding night. Luca’s feelings are off-limits, but their heat will test his defenses as the expiry date of their union quickly approaches…
From Harlequin Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.
Read all of The Cinderella Sisters
Book 1: Vows on the Virgin's Terms
Book 2: Forbidden Nights in Barcelona
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published December 28, 2021
104 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Clare Connelly
517 books405 followersFor all things Clare Connelly, please see www.clareconnelly.co.uk, the official home of Clare Connelly on the web.
Clare Connelly grew up in a small country town in Australia. Surrounded by rainforests, and rickety old timber houses, magic was thick in the air, and stories and storytelling were a huge part of her childhood.
From early on in life, Clare realised her favourite books were romance stories, and read voraciously. Anything from Jane Austen to Georgette Heyer, to Mills & Boon and (more recently) 50 Shades, Clare is a romance devotee. She first turned her hand to penning a novel at fifteen (if memory serves, it was something about a glamorous fashion model who fell foul of a high-end designer. Sparks flew, clothes flew faster, and love was born.)
Clare has a small family and a bungalow near the sea. When she isn't chasing after energetic little toddlers, or wiping fingerprints off furniture, she's writing, thinking about writing, or wishing she were writing.
Clare Connelly grew up in a small country town in Australia. Surrounded by rainforests, and rickety old timber houses, magic was thick in the air, and stories and storytelling were a huge part of her childhood.
From early on in life, Clare realised her favourite books were romance stories, and read voraciously. Anything from Jane Austen to Georgette Heyer, to Mills & Boon and (more recently) 50 Shades, Clare is a romance devotee. She first turned her hand to penning a novel at fifteen (if memory serves, it was something about a glamorous fashion model who fell foul of a high-end designer. Sparks flew, clothes flew faster, and love was born.)
Clare has a small family and a bungalow near the sea. When she isn't chasing after energetic little toddlers, or wiping fingerprints off furniture, she's writing, thinking about writing, or wishing she were writing.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 6, 2021
Finally a true alpha hero. His first marriage was a total disaster so when he enters a marriage of convinience with our heroine he does not expect she will steal his heart. Heroine comes from a dysfunctional family so when she enters a MOC with our hero she is not looking for love either but their chemistry can not be denied. Soon sex enters the picture and feelings change.
Amazing love story. The angst was delicious, hero was alpha, heroine was sweet and their HEA with their kids was the sweetest. Lately I am not a fan of Harlequin Presents but Clare Connelly lured me back!
Safety info. Virginal heroine, playboy hero, no cheating.
Amazing love story. The angst was delicious, hero was alpha, heroine was sweet and their HEA with their kids was the sweetest. Lately I am not a fan of Harlequin Presents but Clare Connelly lured me back!
Safety info. Virginal heroine, playboy hero, no cheating.
May 14, 2022
Wow....what a great romance read for me..ticked all my romance read boxes and a beautiful epilogue made this a favorite read by Clare Connelly.
A marriage of convenience trope that was only supposed to last 1 month turned to everlasting love for this Italian billionaire and his Proseco loving heroine.
This couple quickly turned to lust and the hero happily divested the heroine of her virginity and let the sexy times commence.
They were a great pairing and I really liked this hero.
A marriage of convenience trope that was only supposed to last 1 month turned to everlasting love for this Italian billionaire and his Proseco loving heroine.
This couple quickly turned to lust and the hero happily divested the heroine of her virginity and let the sexy times commence.
They were a great pairing and I really liked this hero.
March 7, 2022
I can barely remember the details of this story and I only read it a week ago. Not a good sign - or a good sign. It just depends on what you're looking for in a reading experience. I enjoyed this marriage of convenience story while I was reading it and it left no lasting impact. LOL. Sometimes that's enough in these trying times. A mental break for a couple of hours.
January 10, 2022
Quick review.
Rating 4.5
This was a little slow for me at the beginning but when it picked up it was great.
Marriage of convenience, benefitted both characters.
Strictly business not emotions or sex.
On second thought strictly business with sex, but again no emotions.
Okay really marriage, sex and emotions. The whole shebang.
Really like the communication between the two and their ability to discuss and work through their issues.
Steamy, chemistry and emotion/heart were ever present.
And absolutely loved, loved the epilogue. That was a ten and the author hit that out of the ball park.
Rating 4.5
This was a little slow for me at the beginning but when it picked up it was great.
Marriage of convenience, benefitted both characters.
Strictly business not emotions or sex.
On second thought strictly business with sex, but again no emotions.
Okay really marriage, sex and emotions. The whole shebang.
Really like the communication between the two and their ability to discuss and work through their issues.
Steamy, chemistry and emotion/heart were ever present.
And absolutely loved, loved the epilogue. That was a ten and the author hit that out of the ball park.
February 6, 2022
This is Clare Connelly on top form.
This is an absolutely brilliant love story with fabulous characters who really spark, and emerge off the page as living breathing people who I am immediately interested in.
I’m really fed up of reading about how cruel a h/H can be to one another, so this romance was exactly what the doctor ordered.
A marriage of convenience which took on a life of its own and turned into a lifelong love affair. Clare’s ability to set the scene, create engaging individuals, write fabulous and realistic dialogue is just wonderful. And the sex scenes are excellent!
Definitely a five star read!
This is an absolutely brilliant love story with fabulous characters who really spark, and emerge off the page as living breathing people who I am immediately interested in.
I’m really fed up of reading about how cruel a h/H can be to one another, so this romance was exactly what the doctor ordered.
A marriage of convenience which took on a life of its own and turned into a lifelong love affair. Clare’s ability to set the scene, create engaging individuals, write fabulous and realistic dialogue is just wonderful. And the sex scenes are excellent!
Definitely a five star read!
January 9, 2022
Unexpectedly a toe curling hot pursuit in a very real sounding MOC.
Olivia has barely a month left to meet the terms of her fathers’ will before her inheritance goes to a cousin and leaves her and her sister and mother in biting penury. Tbh I had a bit of a hard time believing that one given Olivia’s father was well known and from old money. With his death, Olivia has to marry before she’s 25, a man of his choice so she can stake claim at her inheritance and stop penny pinching.
Luca is a the son of a man who was once Olivia’s father’s friend. Olivia approaches him with a proposal and he agrees. It was all pretty straight forward until they’re married and have to fight their burning chemistry day in and day out to keep it platonic.
Luca is experienced and of course in HPlandia, his own wife is the one who burns him down with wanting and he can’t have her. Olivia is shy initially and plays cool around her husband until she gets hot and bothered. She’s then begging Luca to just do her so she can just off with her v-card and move on in life.
Tbh it wasn’t my favourite twist in the tale. Olivia was doing just fine and had she lingered just a bit her husband would’ve found it impossible to desist her presence anyways. They then get on with it and it’s pretty addictive.
The h was still rather original and unsure in worldly terms. She gets married to this man without her sister or her mother finding out half way across the planet so I was still coming in terms with that. She was not exactly wet behind her ears and yet had sweetly innocent vibes about her. She was not calculating and genuinely wary of showing herself as too needy cuz that would ensure her one way ticket out of their MOC.
Loved the epilogues and the game changing expression of ownership that came from the H by the end. Highly recommend.
Olivia has barely a month left to meet the terms of her fathers’ will before her inheritance goes to a cousin and leaves her and her sister and mother in biting penury. Tbh I had a bit of a hard time believing that one given Olivia’s father was well known and from old money. With his death, Olivia has to marry before she’s 25, a man of his choice so she can stake claim at her inheritance and stop penny pinching.
Luca is a the son of a man who was once Olivia’s father’s friend. Olivia approaches him with a proposal and he agrees. It was all pretty straight forward until they’re married and have to fight their burning chemistry day in and day out to keep it platonic.
Luca is experienced and of course in HPlandia, his own wife is the one who burns him down with wanting and he can’t have her. Olivia is shy initially and plays cool around her husband until she gets hot and bothered. She’s then begging Luca to just do her so she can just off with her v-card and move on in life.
Tbh it wasn’t my favourite twist in the tale. Olivia was doing just fine and had she lingered just a bit her husband would’ve found it impossible to desist her presence anyways. They then get on with it and it’s pretty addictive.
The h was still rather original and unsure in worldly terms. She gets married to this man without her sister or her mother finding out half way across the planet so I was still coming in terms with that. She was not exactly wet behind her ears and yet had sweetly innocent vibes about her. She was not calculating and genuinely wary of showing herself as too needy cuz that would ensure her one way ticket out of their MOC.
Loved the epilogues and the game changing expression of ownership that came from the H by the end. Highly recommend.
January 28, 2022
Okay this is my first time reading a Clare Connelly book and let me tell you. Never again.
The book itself just dragged on and on and kept repeating the same information we already knew. Like we get it Olivia, your dead father was emotional abusive. You don’t need to tell us everything 3 line. Much like Luca and his last marriage. Mate we get it. She’s a bitch. How long are you going to hold on to that??
The ending really made no sense whatsoever. Luca wanting to stay married because he doesn’t want to fall in love again and to just stay friends with Olivia and the to turn around and declare his undying love for Olivia when she says no? Like come on now!!
Also you never see them actually start to fall in love. There are no casual moment between them. All they do is eat, have sex or complain about their past traumas that have happened so long ago that I think they both need to get over it.
In my opinion, do not waste your time reading this book. I would have preferred to watch paint dry.
The book itself just dragged on and on and kept repeating the same information we already knew. Like we get it Olivia, your dead father was emotional abusive. You don’t need to tell us everything 3 line. Much like Luca and his last marriage. Mate we get it. She’s a bitch. How long are you going to hold on to that??
The ending really made no sense whatsoever. Luca wanting to stay married because he doesn’t want to fall in love again and to just stay friends with Olivia and the to turn around and declare his undying love for Olivia when she says no? Like come on now!!
Also you never see them actually start to fall in love. There are no casual moment between them. All they do is eat, have sex or complain about their past traumas that have happened so long ago that I think they both need to get over it.
In my opinion, do not waste your time reading this book. I would have preferred to watch paint dry.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2022
This book kicks off another stellar duet from Clare Connelly. The book had a well developed story, with a wonderful main couple. I really enjoyed this different take the usual MOC trope.
The cherry on top has to be the epilogue! It is one of the best I've come across in a HP.
Overall, an extremely satisfying read.
The cherry on top has to be the epilogue! It is one of the best I've come across in a HP.
Overall, an extremely satisfying read.
priority
December 10, 2021The penniless heiress needs a husband…immediately! Get swept away by this intense wedding-of-convenience romance by Clare Connelly.
Bargaining with the billionaire
For his ring!
Innocent Olivia may have the prestigious Thornton-Rose name, but her father’s will demands that unless she marries Luca Giovanardi, that’s all she’ll have! With her loved ones nearing destitution, she proposes a four-week marriage…on paper!
If guarded Luca is to rebuild his family’s tarnished legacy, he can’t refuse Olivia’s offer. But their Italian honeymoon unlocks a desire he didn’t expect when virgin Olivia asks for a real wedding night. Luca’s feelings are off-limits, but their heat will test his defenses as the expiry date of their union quickly approaches…
Bargaining with the billionaire
For his ring!
Innocent Olivia may have the prestigious Thornton-Rose name, but her father’s will demands that unless she marries Luca Giovanardi, that’s all she’ll have! With her loved ones nearing destitution, she proposes a four-week marriage…on paper!
If guarded Luca is to rebuild his family’s tarnished legacy, he can’t refuse Olivia’s offer. But their Italian honeymoon unlocks a desire he didn’t expect when virgin Olivia asks for a real wedding night. Luca’s feelings are off-limits, but their heat will test his defenses as the expiry date of their union quickly approaches…
January 22, 2022
Very good book
This is the 1st book in the series and it didn’t disappoint l I love this author. The h and H married for convenience, she could get her inheritance, he would get respectability. The terms were no sex but that didn’t last long. They were 2 people who were afraid to love due to their pasts but were able to find love. Great ending.
This is the 1st book in the series and it didn’t disappoint l I love this author. The h and H married for convenience, she could get her inheritance, he would get respectability. The terms were no sex but that didn’t last long. They were 2 people who were afraid to love due to their pasts but were able to find love. Great ending.
April 23, 2023
Very goid.
The story. It was beautifully written and held my attention.
Would highly recommend.
Loved it.
and the reader will agree.
The story. It was beautifully written and held my attention.
Would highly recommend.
Loved it.
and the reader will agree.
January 17, 2022
Refreshing reading, with a too sweet heroine and a damaged hero.
They agree to get married for one month, for her to have her inheritance and for him to make his granny happy.
The marriage will be on paper only but we can say that there's an insta lust that is almost overwhelming so we readers already know how it will end.
As soon as they are married they have sex, and the thing goes on until the heroine understands she is in love with him.
The hero is a little bit harder in his head and refuses to admit he's in love with her, but this only lasts a couple of hours, then he realized she's the love of his life and stops her before she's leaving.
A nice and cute story, very low angst and very little drama.
The hero is not cruel or mean, he's a nice guy but damaged by his past experiences.
The heroine is super sweet.
I have the impression that lately, since the global situation is so heavy and severe, and people are really suffering all around the world with enough anxiety, romance writers, both unconsciously or consciously, write stories that are low in angst and very sweet and light.
It's an event which happened for example during and after the 2nd world war, when there were many fun and light movies, with dancing and singing (i.e. with Ginger Rogers and Fred Astair) to cheer people up.
I don't know if I enjoy this thing.
As far as I'm concerned, I find more cathartic to read a very angsty and passionate reading, where I can really "forget" for some hours the heaviness of the present situation.
Anyway, it was a pleasant reading.
They agree to get married for one month, for her to have her inheritance and for him to make his granny happy.
The marriage will be on paper only but we can say that there's an insta lust that is almost overwhelming so we readers already know how it will end.
As soon as they are married they have sex, and the thing goes on until the heroine understands she is in love with him.
The hero is a little bit harder in his head and refuses to admit he's in love with her, but this only lasts a couple of hours, then he realized she's the love of his life and stops her before she's leaving.
A nice and cute story, very low angst and very little drama.
The hero is not cruel or mean, he's a nice guy but damaged by his past experiences.
The heroine is super sweet.
I have the impression that lately, since the global situation is so heavy and severe, and people are really suffering all around the world with enough anxiety, romance writers, both unconsciously or consciously, write stories that are low in angst and very sweet and light.
It's an event which happened for example during and after the 2nd world war, when there were many fun and light movies, with dancing and singing (i.e. with Ginger Rogers and Fred Astair) to cheer people up.
I don't know if I enjoy this thing.
As far as I'm concerned, I find more cathartic to read a very angsty and passionate reading, where I can really "forget" for some hours the heaviness of the present situation.
Anyway, it was a pleasant reading.
December 28, 2021
Olivia Thornton-Rose is on a mission. Her father who passed and never loved his family made a stipulation in his will that in order to save her home and her inheritance she must marry Luca Giovanardi. Sounds like a simple plan except Luca wants nothing to do with marriage or love. Will he do it because of his grandmother? Can this 24 year old virgin talk him into it? I am not giving any more away of this outstanding book. Ms. Connelly never fails to give her readers phenomenal stories and this is in one word Awesome. It has every element that a romance reader could want and she even adds an epilogue. On my keeper shelf and deserves more than 5 stars.
May 24, 2022
Fantastic!
MOC is the best trope! Luca and Olivia perfectly developed couple and the pacing of this book was excellent. It’s challenging in category to have fleshed out characters but I feel readers got a clear understanding of their personalities and motivations.
Sexy and swoony, I enjoyed this HP and definitely would recommend!
MOC is the best trope! Luca and Olivia perfectly developed couple and the pacing of this book was excellent. It’s challenging in category to have fleshed out characters but I feel readers got a clear understanding of their personalities and motivations.
Sexy and swoony, I enjoyed this HP and definitely would recommend!
December 30, 2021
Rated 4.5. It was kind of boring at the beginning but it gets better. The heroine proposed to the hero to marry her because she needed to save her family's house. She came from a broken family with a misogynistic father and needed to be married in order to claim his father's fortune. His father was also a bad man that he had to face the consequence of his father's action. It was like "friends with benefits" at first but they started to fall for each other.
December 5, 2021
“There is nothing cold between us.”
Except that’s exactly what their relationship felt like - clinical, emotionless and cold.
I’m usually a fan of Claire Connelly’s writing but this one left me cold. I didn’t feel the connection or any chemistry between the MCs.
Safety: she’s a virgin, no cheating.
2.5
Except that’s exactly what their relationship felt like - clinical, emotionless and cold.
I’m usually a fan of Claire Connelly’s writing but this one left me cold. I didn’t feel the connection or any chemistry between the MCs.
Safety: she’s a virgin, no cheating.
2.5
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December 1, 2021Categories
Contemporary Romance
Miniseries
The Cinderella Sisters (Book #1)
Contemporary Romance
Miniseries
The Cinderella Sisters (Book #1)
Read
December 1, 2021Categories
Contemporary Romance
Miniseries
The Cinderella Sisters (Book #1)
Contemporary Romance
Miniseries
The Cinderella Sisters (Book #1)
December 23, 2021
Love it
January 26, 2022
A very good book and interesting. I loved Hero and Heroine.
November 12, 2022
again just shit plot but with some smut
July 18, 2024
This was fabulous! A delightful premise and a beautifully executed convenient marriage trope. Interesting and engaging characters, a fabulous denouement and even better epilogue. CC at her best!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews