What do you think?
Rate this book
Sale Or Return Bride
The bride may be getting married in white...
It's the wedding of the year--two of Greece's oldest dynasties are uniting. Their feud is over and Sebastien Fiorukis is to marry Alesia Philipos.
But she has been purchased for her husband's pleasure!
Alesia is not a willing wife--she's been bought by Sebastien! He needs an heir...but a child is something she will never give him...!
It's the wedding of the year--two of Greece's oldest dynasties are uniting. Their feud is over and Sebastien Fiorukis is to marry Alesia Philipos.
But she has been purchased for her husband's pleasure!
Alesia is not a willing wife--she's been bought by Sebastien! He needs an heir...but a child is something she will never give him...!
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2006
82 people are currently reading
1478 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Morgan
697 books7,275 followersAbout Sarah
USA Today and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah Morgan writes romance and contemporary women's fiction and her trademark humour and warmth have gained her fans across the globe. Sarah lives near London, England, and when she isn't reading or writing she loves being outdoors.
Look out for Sarah's latest novel - All Together for Christmas (UK title)/ A Merry Little Lie (US/Canadian title)
Join Sarah on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSarahM...
Follow Sarah on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SarahMorgan_
Follow Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmorgan...
Website: www.sarahmorgan.com
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
USA Today and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah Morgan writes romance and contemporary women's fiction and her trademark humour and warmth have gained her fans across the globe. Sarah lives near London, England, and when she isn't reading or writing she loves being outdoors.
Look out for Sarah's latest novel - All Together for Christmas (UK title)/ A Merry Little Lie (US/Canadian title)
Join Sarah on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSarahM...
Follow Sarah on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SarahMorgan_
Follow Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmorgan...
Website: www.sarahmorgan.com
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews
February 5, 2021
Re-read 4/2020. What is it about April that compels me to read this? LOL
Re-read. 4/2019 My god that Grandfather was evil. Why didn't someone throw a bucket of water on him so he could dissolve in a puddle of "I'm melting." No comeuppance is too awful for him.
Re-read. This was the perfect ramp-down from my re-read of The Price of a Bride, one of the best forced marriage HPs out there. This is also a forced marriage story with a reluctant H/h - but the angst is mitigated by a lighter tone and a great scene with the heroine getting happy drunk after her first visit to a nightclub and then spilling a few secrets. The hero was then smart enough to do his own research and finding a way to a happy ending.
There are some lovely twists and turns for both the H/h and the reader, which made this a superior HP. The HEA is believable for a trope that is very hard to pull off.
****
First review:
The grandfather was truly evil. The heroine was trying her best in bad circumstances. The hero was quick to judge at first so it was fun to watch him climb off of his high horse. A believable HEA.
Re-read. 4/2019 My god that Grandfather was evil. Why didn't someone throw a bucket of water on him so he could dissolve in a puddle of "I'm melting." No comeuppance is too awful for him.
Re-read. This was the perfect ramp-down from my re-read of The Price of a Bride, one of the best forced marriage HPs out there. This is also a forced marriage story with a reluctant H/h - but the angst is mitigated by a lighter tone and a great scene with the heroine getting happy drunk after her first visit to a nightclub and then spilling a few secrets. The hero was then smart enough to do his own research and finding a way to a happy ending.
There are some lovely twists and turns for both the H/h and the reader, which made this a superior HP. The HEA is believable for a trope that is very hard to pull off.
****
First review:
The grandfather was truly evil. The heroine was trying her best in bad circumstances. The hero was quick to judge at first so it was fun to watch him climb off of his high horse. A believable HEA.
March 12, 2013
After reading the disaster that was "Once a Ferrara Wife" I'm glad I read this one. The chemistry and passion between Alesia and Sebastien was sizzling. Usually Sarah Morgan's heroes are saints and her heroines are extremely bitchy so I tend to avoid her books.
I was shocked to discover I loved the heroine, She was strong and feisty but also vulnerable and sweet. Killer combination. Sebastien was a hunk! Very protective of his wife and as a typical Greek tycoon possessive and macho. Once he realized his wife was not a gold digger but only her grandfather's victim he did everything in his power to heal her and make her happy. What a swoon-worthy hero!
I was shocked to discover I loved the heroine, She was strong and feisty but also vulnerable and sweet. Killer combination. Sebastien was a hunk! Very protective of his wife and as a typical Greek tycoon possessive and macho. Once he realized his wife was not a gold digger but only her grandfather's victim he did everything in his power to heal her and make her happy. What a swoon-worthy hero!
November 5, 2008
I really enjoyed this book. It has some familiar conventions for the Harlequin Presents line, but the old saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" is very apt. I loved the fact that the heroine had had so much misfortune, and what turned out to be the worst thing, turns out to be the best thing. This is marrying her hero. This book is a feel good book in my opinion. It definitely shows that a good person has to have faith and good will come to them for their actions. You need to read books like this sometimes.
September 10, 2016
Alesia needed the money for her mother surgery, and the only person she could seek for help was her wicked grandfather.
He had exiled her and her mother out of Greek since her father's death in an explosion, which was believed caused by the Philipos's sworn enemy, the Fiorukis.
He planned for a revenge on his son's death by offering Sebastien Fiorukis marriage to his barren grand-daughter in a business proposition, of which he knew nothing. Alesia would get a huge sum of money transferred to her account from Sebastien in monthly basis, which she would use for her mother's recuperation. He would be tied in as long as she didn't give him an heir, which was impossible for her to give him one.
Sebastien saw his new wife as a gold-digger right from the start, and always thought the worse of her, and she couldn't tell him the truth. But his opinion of her was a confusion, he just couldn't match it with the fact how his new bride behaved oppositely.
This excerpt puts in best what is being said here:
As time went by, they didn't realise they had fallen in love for each other.
But the truth wasn't out as yet, it was just like a black cloud over their feelings for each other.
Sebastien starts questioning who his bride really is, but what will happen when he learns the truth?
What would Sebastian do when he knows the truth, that she was using the money for her mother (who was supposed to be dead), and that she couldn't bear him any children?
Sebastien is a man of convictions, instinct and opinionated.
What is different is that he doesn't go barging through the entire novel clutching his pre-conceived notions.
Sebastian is a rare male character in the Harlequin world that actually assesses emerging factors and fits them into a breath holding jig saw puzzle.
He knows there is more to what meets the eye, with Alesia, her grandfather, the contractual marriage and even the original feud between the two powerful dynasties.
Initially his prejudice against Alesia, based on the family animosity to Alesia's totally evil and twisted grandfather, has Sebastien behaving badly.
However each insult backfires as Alesia's innocence finds a way to prove Sebastien's accusations to be groundless. Sebastien's effort to downgrade Alesia in the night-club scene backfires in an especially spectacular way and left Sebastien with egg on his face, it was one of the most hilarious.
Alesia's deprived family status, her hard working values and unstinting love for her invalid mother will move you. It is this purity of spirit that keeps her triumphing against Sebastien's initial behaviour. Her innocence cannot help but shine through. She is very funny in parts and floors Sebastien with some of the things she comes out with.
This novel is like blossoming flower revealing new colours and a dizzying fragrance.
It has intrigue, twists, and a passionate chemistry between the characters.
Every time a new twist or fresh depth was offered, I fell more in love with the guileless Alesia and was more intrigued with the well-balanced alpha Sebastian.
There are a lots of touching moments as Sebastien falls in love with his bride of unexpected depths.
Strong, dependable, responsible. Everything that her grandfather wasn’t - in Alesia's own words
He is a man to fiercely protect his family. You really would not want to miss the end, it was one of the best HP endings (those that don't have epilogues, I mean, because this one really missed one).
This is one of those books that make SM one of my favourite authors.
He had exiled her and her mother out of Greek since her father's death in an explosion, which was believed caused by the Philipos's sworn enemy, the Fiorukis.
He planned for a revenge on his son's death by offering Sebastien Fiorukis marriage to his barren grand-daughter in a business proposition, of which he knew nothing. Alesia would get a huge sum of money transferred to her account from Sebastien in monthly basis, which she would use for her mother's recuperation. He would be tied in as long as she didn't give him an heir, which was impossible for her to give him one.
Sebastien saw his new wife as a gold-digger right from the start, and always thought the worse of her, and she couldn't tell him the truth. But his opinion of her was a confusion, he just couldn't match it with the fact how his new bride behaved oppositely.
This excerpt puts in best what is being said here:
Never before had he had reason to question his mental acuity, but nothing about his new wife was making sense.
She was an heiress in her own right, had demanded an extortionate sum of money from him on her wedding day, a sum which he knew had already vanished from her account—and yet there were no visible signs of profligate spending.
She’d led a pampered and privileged existence from the day she was born, and yet she’d been in the kitchen making her own lunch as if she did it every day.
And she’d been wearing a pair of ancient jeans that no previous woman of his acquaintance would have been seen dead in.
It did not add up.
As time went by, they didn't realise they had fallen in love for each other.
But the truth wasn't out as yet, it was just like a black cloud over their feelings for each other.
Sebastien starts questioning who his bride really is, but what will happen when he learns the truth?
What would Sebastian do when he knows the truth, that she was using the money for her mother (who was supposed to be dead), and that she couldn't bear him any children?
Sebastien is a man of convictions, instinct and opinionated.
What is different is that he doesn't go barging through the entire novel clutching his pre-conceived notions.
Sebastian is a rare male character in the Harlequin world that actually assesses emerging factors and fits them into a breath holding jig saw puzzle.
He knows there is more to what meets the eye, with Alesia, her grandfather, the contractual marriage and even the original feud between the two powerful dynasties.
Initially his prejudice against Alesia, based on the family animosity to Alesia's totally evil and twisted grandfather, has Sebastien behaving badly.
However each insult backfires as Alesia's innocence finds a way to prove Sebastien's accusations to be groundless. Sebastien's effort to downgrade Alesia in the night-club scene backfires in an especially spectacular way and left Sebastien with egg on his face, it was one of the most hilarious.
Alesia's deprived family status, her hard working values and unstinting love for her invalid mother will move you. It is this purity of spirit that keeps her triumphing against Sebastien's initial behaviour. Her innocence cannot help but shine through. She is very funny in parts and floors Sebastien with some of the things she comes out with.
This novel is like blossoming flower revealing new colours and a dizzying fragrance.
It has intrigue, twists, and a passionate chemistry between the characters.
Every time a new twist or fresh depth was offered, I fell more in love with the guileless Alesia and was more intrigued with the well-balanced alpha Sebastian.
There are a lots of touching moments as Sebastien falls in love with his bride of unexpected depths.
Strong, dependable, responsible. Everything that her grandfather wasn’t - in Alesia's own words
He is a man to fiercely protect his family. You really would not want to miss the end, it was one of the best HP endings (those that don't have epilogues, I mean, because this one really missed one).
This is one of those books that make SM one of my favourite authors.
July 25, 2018
Re-read number 93764926141
The only family feud I can aspire to live is my parents fighting the dog owners that don't pick up their dog's poops in our front yard. So, this is a forever favorite and I need another HP like this.
Re-read number 93764926140
Just noticed I didn't add a review but I'll take the lazy way because Emona wrote my same thoughts and feelings so read her review xD
The only family feud I can aspire to live is my parents fighting the dog owners that don't pick up their dog's poops in our front yard. So, this is a forever favorite and I need another HP like this.
Re-read number 93764926140
Just noticed I didn't add a review but I'll take the lazy way because Emona wrote my same thoughts and feelings so read her review xD
August 26, 2015
Oh, beyond terrible.
I went into this with an open mind, having been recommended other books by a subscriber that I thought were decent. And despite having tried different new Harlequin authors, I've always been disappointed. So, when I saw that this was a "favorite of the newer authors," I was quite excited.
But FAIL.
Here's why:
(1) Newer Harlequin authors have no idea how to do the professional segue that older authors do and with aplomb. Older authors are able to segue a span of 2 years in a matter of paragraphs, beautifully too.
(2) Newer Harlequin authors overload on trite, cliched adjectives and adverbs. Do I really need to know, multiple times, of his masculine charms, his masculine manhood, his masculine magnetism? Can we please, PLEASE find another adjective?? Anything. Then, there's the word, "achingly." If I never see this word again in romance novels, I will die a happy woman. I hate that word with a passion.
Then, there's the overuse of "gasping" for the woman. Geez louise, can anyone tell me who gasps after high school? I don't mean gasping for air after one has nearly drowned, or had a fainting spell. That's understandable. I'm talking about when one hears something mildly surprising. The grandfather said something rude to Sebastien. She GASPS in shock. Seriously? The grandfather has always been rude. Is that REALLY so surprising? Really? REALLY? When the heroine gasps three times in the first chapter, I know whose side I'm rooting for. (The grandfather. Who has evil plans for the heroine.) She gasps in pain. A surprised gasp. A shocked gasp. She was LITERALLY gasping All The Time.
(3) Overuse of italics. Have these authors never read Anne of Green Gables? That is, beyond the first book. Do they not know that overusing italics is the sign of an immature writer? (Yes, I used it in the previous point, but only as a segue, thank you for noticing.) This writer just would not stop with the damn italics.
------------------------------
The kiss had wakened something in her. Taken her by storm. Changed her.
Suddenly she was aware of him as a man. And for the first time in her life she was aware of herself as a woman.
Like a rabbit in a trap, she stared at him.
-----------------------------
Ladies and gentlemen, please tell me you saw the number of trite cliches in that above example. The three phrases most used to describe first kisses, the third being italicized. The fact that she was now a woman, again, italicized. And then, the ever so trite simile of being compared to a scared prey.
It went beyond this. Everyone spoke in random italics in the book. "It's huge," she would say. She had to concentrate. Her repeating what he just said in her mind, in...you guessed it, ITALICS.
----------------------------
If she didn't look, she wouldn't feel. Wouldn't want.
...at that point she closed her eyes, just knowing [yadda yadda]
----------------------------
All right, you say to yourself. Maybe she's a damn teenybopper, being only 22. Nope. Not the case. The hero also spoke in italics too. Just random words in the sentence. Within the same page. Words that weren't even emphasized ironically or mockingly. Just because they all spoke like that. Annoyingly.
Pro
Let's also put on the record that in this day and age, it's not easy to contrive a good marriage of convenience, blackmailed situation in which the girl cannot, for a good reason, reveal. This book came as close as possible to that ideal. The girl needs an operation for her mother, which she can't afford, despite having three jobs, and goes to her evil grandfather who is rich but has disowned all of them for being, blast it, English of all things. He contrives it so she will be a tool of his revenge on the family that killed his son. The heroine will marry Sebastien, who will, in turn, get back the company that the grandfather once took from Sebastien's family. The heroine can't reveal how estranged she actually is from the grandfather or else Sebastien will figure it out and back out of the deal. If he backs out of the deal, she doesn't get the money that Sebastien gives her on a monthly basis. Oh yeah, and she's barren because the accident when she was a kid damaged her lady parts somehow, and that's going to be the basis of the revenge. To ensure Sebastien's line doesn't continue.
THE CONS
What in the name of all that's holy happened after this setup? The heroine goes from a brave but desperate girl (that I thought was maybe mid-twenties) to being the dumbest, giggliest, gaspiest girl in the world. Suddenly she had a piano scholarship to boarding school because she was a musical prodigy? And she was able to go on to college? Supporting her mother who has been ill/handicapped/something never specified and really needed to be? And she was able to finish college working two jobs as a waitress and playing piano in a bar? Seriously? Dude, if she were such a musical prodigy AND ABLE TO GO TO COLLEGE DESPITE THEIR FAMILY BEING SO DESTITUTE, she really should have worked harder and gotten an actual job teaching piano, maybe. Which actually makes more than waitressing, if one is so gifted. But, right, I forgot she was a dumb idiot. Oh, and she never bought a single piece of clothing in her life? REALLY? Being 22 and having a virtually bedridden mother, she NEVER bought a piece of clothing in her life? How would that be possible, unless she just wore the same thing since the accident that scarred herself and her mom and killed her father?
Another thing. This 22yo chicky with glossy long blond hair, killer legs, and ginormous boobs...apparently never had a man be interested in her? HOW? HOW? I know for a fact that guys will try to chat up a girl even if she has no makeup on and is wearing a bag. A blond, boobular waitress? NEVER had a guy express interest in her? Even blind guys chat girls up!
And was the damn accident when she was 6 or 7? At the beginning of the book, it was when she was 6. Then it miraculously went to being 7. I'll let that go as being a product of bad editing.
But the rest of it.
Oh, give me strength to read another day.
I went into this with an open mind, having been recommended other books by a subscriber that I thought were decent. And despite having tried different new Harlequin authors, I've always been disappointed. So, when I saw that this was a "favorite of the newer authors," I was quite excited.
But FAIL.
Here's why:
(1) Newer Harlequin authors have no idea how to do the professional segue that older authors do and with aplomb. Older authors are able to segue a span of 2 years in a matter of paragraphs, beautifully too.
(2) Newer Harlequin authors overload on trite, cliched adjectives and adverbs. Do I really need to know, multiple times, of his masculine charms, his masculine manhood, his masculine magnetism? Can we please, PLEASE find another adjective?? Anything. Then, there's the word, "achingly." If I never see this word again in romance novels, I will die a happy woman. I hate that word with a passion.
Then, there's the overuse of "gasping" for the woman. Geez louise, can anyone tell me who gasps after high school? I don't mean gasping for air after one has nearly drowned, or had a fainting spell. That's understandable. I'm talking about when one hears something mildly surprising. The grandfather said something rude to Sebastien. She GASPS in shock. Seriously? The grandfather has always been rude. Is that REALLY so surprising? Really? REALLY? When the heroine gasps three times in the first chapter, I know whose side I'm rooting for. (The grandfather. Who has evil plans for the heroine.) She gasps in pain. A surprised gasp. A shocked gasp. She was LITERALLY gasping All The Time.
(3) Overuse of italics. Have these authors never read Anne of Green Gables? That is, beyond the first book. Do they not know that overusing italics is the sign of an immature writer? (Yes, I used it in the previous point, but only as a segue, thank you for noticing.) This writer just would not stop with the damn italics.
------------------------------
The kiss had wakened something in her. Taken her by storm. Changed her.
Suddenly she was aware of him as a man. And for the first time in her life she was aware of herself as a woman.
Like a rabbit in a trap, she stared at him.
-----------------------------
Ladies and gentlemen, please tell me you saw the number of trite cliches in that above example. The three phrases most used to describe first kisses, the third being italicized. The fact that she was now a woman, again, italicized. And then, the ever so trite simile of being compared to a scared prey.
It went beyond this. Everyone spoke in random italics in the book. "It's huge," she would say. She had to concentrate. Her repeating what he just said in her mind, in...you guessed it, ITALICS.
----------------------------
If she didn't look, she wouldn't feel. Wouldn't want.
...at that point she closed her eyes, just knowing [yadda yadda]
----------------------------
All right, you say to yourself. Maybe she's a damn teenybopper, being only 22. Nope. Not the case. The hero also spoke in italics too. Just random words in the sentence. Within the same page. Words that weren't even emphasized ironically or mockingly. Just because they all spoke like that. Annoyingly.
Pro
Let's also put on the record that in this day and age, it's not easy to contrive a good marriage of convenience, blackmailed situation in which the girl cannot, for a good reason, reveal. This book came as close as possible to that ideal. The girl needs an operation for her mother, which she can't afford, despite having three jobs, and goes to her evil grandfather who is rich but has disowned all of them for being, blast it, English of all things. He contrives it so she will be a tool of his revenge on the family that killed his son. The heroine will marry Sebastien, who will, in turn, get back the company that the grandfather once took from Sebastien's family. The heroine can't reveal how estranged she actually is from the grandfather or else Sebastien will figure it out and back out of the deal. If he backs out of the deal, she doesn't get the money that Sebastien gives her on a monthly basis. Oh yeah, and she's barren because the accident when she was a kid damaged her lady parts somehow, and that's going to be the basis of the revenge. To ensure Sebastien's line doesn't continue.
THE CONS
What in the name of all that's holy happened after this setup? The heroine goes from a brave but desperate girl (that I thought was maybe mid-twenties) to being the dumbest, giggliest, gaspiest girl in the world. Suddenly she had a piano scholarship to boarding school because she was a musical prodigy? And she was able to go on to college? Supporting her mother who has been ill/handicapped/something never specified and really needed to be? And she was able to finish college working two jobs as a waitress and playing piano in a bar? Seriously? Dude, if she were such a musical prodigy AND ABLE TO GO TO COLLEGE DESPITE THEIR FAMILY BEING SO DESTITUTE, she really should have worked harder and gotten an actual job teaching piano, maybe. Which actually makes more than waitressing, if one is so gifted. But, right, I forgot she was a dumb idiot. Oh, and she never bought a single piece of clothing in her life? REALLY? Being 22 and having a virtually bedridden mother, she NEVER bought a piece of clothing in her life? How would that be possible, unless she just wore the same thing since the accident that scarred herself and her mom and killed her father?
Another thing. This 22yo chicky with glossy long blond hair, killer legs, and ginormous boobs...apparently never had a man be interested in her? HOW? HOW? I know for a fact that guys will try to chat up a girl even if she has no makeup on and is wearing a bag. A blond, boobular waitress? NEVER had a guy express interest in her? Even blind guys chat girls up!
And was the damn accident when she was 6 or 7? At the beginning of the book, it was when she was 6. Then it miraculously went to being 7. I'll let that go as being a product of bad editing.
But the rest of it.
Oh, give me strength to read another day.
March 2, 2012
This was one of the better HP's I have read. Though the story line is overused (two people being forced to marry for business gains) it really seemed to work. Sarah Morgan did a terrific job in creating a wonderful Hero (there were a couple of times, I did want to smack him) and the heroine was truly lovable... She had pride, backbone, kindness and compassion. The story moves...and you see two total strangers, wary of each other, coming together and conquering their fears and focusing on building a marriage. It has a super great twist at the end, that will have you cheering.
September 24, 2018
4,5 stars
October 12, 2011
Wonderful Emotional read,the story starts out with so much tension and Sebastian being so cruel and mean to Alesia but as he spends time with her he sees that Alesia is pretending to be shallow,he starts his investigations to unravel who real Alesia is and dig out the truth.Alesia what to say she was trapped so badly,she had no choice but to pretend and take all the hurt-humiliation.When Sebastian unravels the truth he regrets his behaviour and vows to protect Alesia but Alesia is reluctant to trust him,Sebastian has one goal to make Alesia trust him and make the grandfather pay for his doings
Enjoyed the tension,the passion,the determination of Sebastian to find the truth and his frustration,anger,bitterness,regret and finally to make Alesia his and love her protect her and give her all the happiness
Loved Sebastian-Alesia,the twist & turns kept me glued to the book,overall i enjoyed the book very much,its a keeper for me
Wonderful read
Recommend it
Enjoyed the tension,the passion,the determination of Sebastian to find the truth and his frustration,anger,bitterness,regret and finally to make Alesia his and love her protect her and give her all the happiness
Loved Sebastian-Alesia,the twist & turns kept me glued to the book,overall i enjoyed the book very much,its a keeper for me
Wonderful read
Recommend it
September 7, 2024
I’m on a Sarah Morgan roll I believe. This was sweet and intense. Alesia was such a sweet h, and Sebastian a very strong possessive alpha. A very feel good book and excellent reviews by my friends here on GR.
The plot was a MOC between two Greek families and as always, unsuspectingly the h and H are falling for each other. The book has left me all warm and fuzzy and I’ll be dreaming of Sebastian for many nights!
If real life could be just like this. There’s a reveal at the end and my heart almost collapsed. When Alesia finds out how Sebastian had been that special dark faced male that she recalled in her vague recollection of her past!
Insanely sweet and a very hot at your heels, alpha Greek possessive Hero. Doesn’t get any better!
The plot was a MOC between two Greek families and as always, unsuspectingly the h and H are falling for each other. The book has left me all warm and fuzzy and I’ll be dreaming of Sebastian for many nights!
If real life could be just like this. There’s a reveal at the end and my heart almost collapsed. When Alesia finds out how Sebastian had been that special dark faced male that she recalled in her vague recollection of her past!
Insanely sweet and a very hot at your heels, alpha Greek possessive Hero. Doesn’t get any better!
March 2, 2014
A plot that has been used many times before but I loved it. Innocent heroine forced into marriage by family member, hero believing she nothing but a money grabbing strumpet but she really needing money for saintly reasons....full of angst, just my cuppa!
March 1, 2021
This is a bit of a mess, too many plot holes to go more than 2.5 ⭐️ and I’m rounding down.
1. The grandfather is evil to a new level.
2. She should have come clean at least about her mom from the start. Why let anyone think she’s in cahoots with evil grandpa?
3. Suck it up buddy, your dad talks you into marrying her. Do you really need to treat her like crap, it’s obvious something is wrong, but you just keep dumping on her.
4. You can drive a Mack truck through her childhood and mother backstory plot holes.
But, having said all that, it’s entertaining and both characters are rather likable.
1. The grandfather is evil to a new level.
2. She should have come clean at least about her mom from the start. Why let anyone think she’s in cahoots with evil grandpa?
3. Suck it up buddy, your dad talks you into marrying her. Do you really need to treat her like crap, it’s obvious something is wrong, but you just keep dumping on her.
4. You can drive a Mack truck through her childhood and mother backstory plot holes.
But, having said all that, it’s entertaining and both characters are rather likable.
December 11, 2022
Update
December 11/2022
I want to reread it... I hope it happens soon. I'm curious about the 3.8 rating 🤔🕵🏻♂️
Update:
June/7/2015
I gave this book 4 stars the first time, but I lowed to 3.5 stars after I checked my list of read books and saw I gave it 7.5 out of 10. I will skim the book to find out what I didn't like about the story ;)
December 11/2022
I want to reread it... I hope it happens soon. I'm curious about the 3.8 rating 🤔🕵🏻♂️
Update:
June/7/2015
I gave this book 4 stars the first time, but I lowed to 3.5 stars after I checked my list of read books and saw I gave it 7.5 out of 10. I will skim the book to find out what I didn't like about the story ;)
June 21, 2018
“Sale or Return Bride” is the story of Alesia and Sebastien.
An innocent bride..
A ruthless groom..
An evil grandfather with vendetta against both bride and groom..
A marriage with many hidden agendas..
Honestly I picked up this book on a whim, well because I saw it on a Best HQN list. No regrets!
A sweet h, working hard to make ends meet, needs money for her money’s treatment- something her ruthless estranged grandfather agrees to provide..if she marries the man responsible for the biggest tragedy of her life!
A brooding hero, who considers his wife to be a gold digger and slut, and never fails to remind her so.
Honestly in the first half it’s difficult to like the hero, especially for his behavior after the first night and mistress threats. But as passion ignites, he slowly realizes there’s more to his wife than meets the eye..
I did like the second half, especially how he does accept and love her, even though there’s that small problem . Also, it was great to see the heroine emerging from her shell.
I really enjoyed it! Especially the end.
Safe
4/5
An innocent bride..
A ruthless groom..
An evil grandfather with vendetta against both bride and groom..
A marriage with many hidden agendas..
Honestly I picked up this book on a whim, well because I saw it on a Best HQN list. No regrets!
A sweet h, working hard to make ends meet, needs money for her money’s treatment- something her ruthless estranged grandfather agrees to provide..if she marries the man responsible for the biggest tragedy of her life!
A brooding hero, who considers his wife to be a gold digger and slut, and never fails to remind her so.
Honestly in the first half it’s difficult to like the hero, especially for his behavior after the first night and mistress threats. But as passion ignites, he slowly realizes there’s more to his wife than meets the eye..
I did like the second half, especially how he does accept and love her, even though there’s that small problem . Also, it was great to see the heroine emerging from her shell.
I really enjoyed it! Especially the end.
Safe
4/5
August 21, 2018
Sebastien and Alesia possessed intense chemistry which they explored via hot and frequent sex. Oh la la! Sexual bliss, however, couldn't prevent Alesia's secrets from creating a wedge between them. I understood Alesia's motives, but felt she should have been honest with Sebastien. Other than that, I liked her loving, spirited nature and her enthusiasm for new experiences like fashion, sex, dancing, sex, food, and yes, more fabulous sex. Hehe.
Sebastien was a great hero; strong, ethical and so protective. However, I wasn't a fan of the way he treated Alesia after they first bumped body parts. I guess it shouldn't have been such a surprise though considering what he believed of her character. Oh well. They were able to achieve a HEA which was sprinkled with the sweetest of surprises.
Sebastien was a great hero; strong, ethical and so protective. However, I wasn't a fan of the way he treated Alesia after they first bumped body parts. I guess it shouldn't have been such a surprise though considering what he believed of her character. Oh well. They were able to achieve a HEA which was sprinkled with the sweetest of surprises.
April 4, 2016
At the very beginning, this book reminded me of 'The Cozakis Bride' by Lynne Graham - a favorite. The grandfather pushes the heroine into marriage with the hero; but that's where the similarity ends. What follows is a story that's immensely readable and likeable with well etched main characters who seem genuinely interested in each other and don't just fall in love for the sake of it. Sale or Return Bride may not be in the same league as TCB but it can definitely hold it's own amongst most other modern romances now available.So, there is a little bit of stereotyping with the constant emphasis on the 'cold English' and the 'Hot blooded Greek' but that's ok, and you kind of enjoy the contrast. A good read for a rainy day!
April 2, 2021
4.5 stars ⭐️.
Safe and recommended.
Safe and recommended.
October 13, 2019
Ini novel HQ terjemahan ke-4 yg bikin saya "berdarah-darah" mendidih saking keselnya...HHHHHHHHHHH......
Jadi ini kisahnya mirip A Romance Story about Serena by Santhy Agatha, yg sudah pernah baca dan demen banget ARSAS pasti bersorak sorai utk novel ini. Kemiripannya luar biasa, plus heroine-nya yg di over glorifikasi secara membabi buta.
Alesia ini emang hidupnya udah sial sejak usia 7 tahun, kehilangan ayahnya dan ibunya yg sakit parah sejak kecelakaan tsb, membuat dia hrs banting tulang utk membiayai pengobatan ibunya (ini kemiripan yg pertama dgn ARSAS). Lalu Alesia minta tolong pada kakeknya yg culasnya minta disambit pake bom. Eh eh eh... si kakek malah menjual cucunya ke musuh keluarganya (kemiripan #2, walau kalau di ARSAS heroinenya gak nikah sih cuma diperawani sama bosnya, sama-sama demi uang utk pengobatan). Dan sialnya si Sebastien Fiorukis ini sudah su'udzon dari awal bhw Alesia ini gadis manja dan cuma punya body bohay super mematikan. Menikahi Alesia tidak menghalangi si Sebastien utk melecehkan Alesia, persis spt kakek Alesia.
Yg membuat saya bingung dgn cerita ini banyak banget.
Bagaimana bisa seorang wanita mencintai pria yg kerap melecehkan dirinya mulu?
Bagaimana bisa seorang jutawan luar biasa kaya raya spt Sebastien gak membuat penyelidikan sblm menikahi Alesia? Masa kalah dgn kakeknya Alesia yg sudah menyelidiki cucunya ini.
Bagaimana bisa seorang gadis kecil berumur 7 thn divonis gak bisa hamil gara-gara kecelakaan tenggelam?
Karakter Alesia terlampau diagung-agungkan bagi saya spt kerapuhan Alesia (rapuhnya kebangetan digambarkan oleh author- terlalu sering pingsan- it's very very annoying me), loyalitasnya pada ibunya sampai dipendam rahasianya segala (nah ini juga membingungkan saya, buat apa merahasiakan uangnya utk mengobati ibunya? Apa ada yg memalukan utk membiayai penyakit ibunya? Kenapa ibunya hrs disembunyikan dari suaminya?). Sosok Alesia dikatakan dulunya pekerja keras dgn bekerja di 3 tempat berbeda, luar biasa staminanya tetapi herannya bisa gampang pingsan setelah menikah dgn Sebastien. Penderitaan Alesia juga gak kalah dilebih-lebihkan menurut saya, tapi capek ahhh ngetiknya.
Banyak hal magical yg gak make sense bagi saya di novel ini. Satu-satunya poin yg bagus dari novel ini adalah Sebastien punya rasa tanggungjawab tinggi utk melindungi istrinya dan tidak punya niat utk melepaskan istrinya apapun yg terjadi. Seperti itulah seharusnya seorang pria sejati kan?
Jadi ini kisahnya mirip A Romance Story about Serena by Santhy Agatha, yg sudah pernah baca dan demen banget ARSAS pasti bersorak sorai utk novel ini. Kemiripannya luar biasa, plus heroine-nya yg di over glorifikasi secara membabi buta.
Alesia ini emang hidupnya udah sial sejak usia 7 tahun, kehilangan ayahnya dan ibunya yg sakit parah sejak kecelakaan tsb, membuat dia hrs banting tulang utk membiayai pengobatan ibunya (ini kemiripan yg pertama dgn ARSAS). Lalu Alesia minta tolong pada kakeknya yg culasnya minta disambit pake bom. Eh eh eh... si kakek malah menjual cucunya ke musuh keluarganya (kemiripan #2, walau kalau di ARSAS heroinenya gak nikah sih cuma diperawani sama bosnya, sama-sama demi uang utk pengobatan). Dan sialnya si Sebastien Fiorukis ini sudah su'udzon dari awal bhw Alesia ini gadis manja dan cuma punya body bohay super mematikan. Menikahi Alesia tidak menghalangi si Sebastien utk melecehkan Alesia, persis spt kakek Alesia.
Yg membuat saya bingung dgn cerita ini banyak banget.
Bagaimana bisa seorang wanita mencintai pria yg kerap melecehkan dirinya mulu?
Bagaimana bisa seorang jutawan luar biasa kaya raya spt Sebastien gak membuat penyelidikan sblm menikahi Alesia? Masa kalah dgn kakeknya Alesia yg sudah menyelidiki cucunya ini.
Bagaimana bisa seorang gadis kecil berumur 7 thn divonis gak bisa hamil gara-gara kecelakaan tenggelam?
Karakter Alesia terlampau diagung-agungkan bagi saya spt kerapuhan Alesia (rapuhnya kebangetan digambarkan oleh author- terlalu sering pingsan- it's very very annoying me), loyalitasnya pada ibunya sampai dipendam rahasianya segala (nah ini juga membingungkan saya, buat apa merahasiakan uangnya utk mengobati ibunya? Apa ada yg memalukan utk membiayai penyakit ibunya? Kenapa ibunya hrs disembunyikan dari suaminya?). Sosok Alesia dikatakan dulunya pekerja keras dgn bekerja di 3 tempat berbeda, luar biasa staminanya tetapi herannya bisa gampang pingsan setelah menikah dgn Sebastien. Penderitaan Alesia juga gak kalah dilebih-lebihkan menurut saya, tapi capek ahhh ngetiknya.
Banyak hal magical yg gak make sense bagi saya di novel ini. Satu-satunya poin yg bagus dari novel ini adalah Sebastien punya rasa tanggungjawab tinggi utk melindungi istrinya dan tidak punya niat utk melepaskan istrinya apapun yg terjadi. Seperti itulah seharusnya seorang pria sejati kan?
September 1, 2024
UPDATE: Sep 2024
I remember writing a review for this one back in 2017 but I noticed today that it was completely blank. This is becoming a habit lately on old reviews. Either they are wiped out or the rating changes to 5 stars for ones that I never rated or low rated. I have NEVER and will NEVER rate high ANY cheating books or other tropes that I loathe so I find this strange that I am coming across all this non-consensual editing. Hmmm....🕵🏻♀️
So it begs the question - Why is GR deleting reviews & changing ratings? Is it just me or is this happening to others as well?
Anyway, since I rated this apparently 5 stars, it is a good one though I tend to give Harlequins typically 4 stars - not 5 - unless I really, really loved it. Since I can't remember anything about it now, can't be sure if GR changed my rating along with my review.....
I remember writing a review for this one back in 2017 but I noticed today that it was completely blank. This is becoming a habit lately on old reviews. Either they are wiped out or the rating changes to 5 stars for ones that I never rated or low rated. I have NEVER and will NEVER rate high ANY cheating books or other tropes that I loathe so I find this strange that I am coming across all this non-consensual editing. Hmmm....🕵🏻♀️
So it begs the question - Why is GR deleting reviews & changing ratings? Is it just me or is this happening to others as well?
Anyway, since I rated this apparently 5 stars, it is a good one though I tend to give Harlequins typically 4 stars - not 5 - unless I really, really loved it. Since I can't remember anything about it now, can't be sure if GR changed my rating along with my review.....
January 11, 2013
What a great book.
This was the first Sarah Morgan novel I read and I really loved it. Alesia and Sebastien have to overcome many hurdles such as hate, trust, family feud, deception and attraction. Alesia is sweet and innocent but at same time fun and sexy. When faced with adversity, people show their true colors and in Alesia's case I had no other choice but to want justice and ultimate happiness for her. This book deserves a five star because the main and secondary characters were complex and well developed; it was paced perfectly and very well written.
Thank you Leona for bringing this book to my attention.
This was the first Sarah Morgan novel I read and I really loved it. Alesia and Sebastien have to overcome many hurdles such as hate, trust, family feud, deception and attraction. Alesia is sweet and innocent but at same time fun and sexy. When faced with adversity, people show their true colors and in Alesia's case I had no other choice but to want justice and ultimate happiness for her. This book deserves a five star because the main and secondary characters were complex and well developed; it was paced perfectly and very well written.
Thank you Leona for bringing this book to my attention.
May 3, 2022
2.5-3 stars?
This book had potential to be really great.
With the marriage of convenience trope mixed with enemies to lovers, with a tad of evil family members and the thirst for revenge?
Hell, I was on it like a rat on a cheeto.
Unfortunately, the unexplainable passiveness of the heroine that had me scratch my head multiple times throughout the story, combined with all the dumb decisions she made, managed to cool down my enthusiasm about this book.
Plus, the very anticlimactic ending was a major letdown.
But aside from that, it was a decent read.
Not what I expected, true, but decent nonetheless.
I like my HQ heroines strong and feisty and they're usually a rarity in HQ romance landia.
So I'll keep on searching with my fingers crossed.
This book had potential to be really great.
With the marriage of convenience trope mixed with enemies to lovers, with a tad of evil family members and the thirst for revenge?
Hell, I was on it like a rat on a cheeto.
Unfortunately, the unexplainable passiveness of the heroine that had me scratch my head multiple times throughout the story, combined with all the dumb decisions she made, managed to cool down my enthusiasm about this book.
Plus, the very anticlimactic ending was a major letdown.
But aside from that, it was a decent read.
Not what I expected, true, but decent nonetheless.
I like my HQ heroines strong and feisty and they're usually a rarity in HQ romance landia.
So I'll keep on searching with my fingers crossed.
January 13, 2013
At the beginning stages of this book I was tense with the knowledge that things wouldn't end well for a heroine I was starting to like a great deal. As a fairly experienced HP reader, the points the story would hit became apparent pretty quickly, and things were not stocking up well for her. I kept thinking the whole way through, juxtaposed with my portent of disaster, that this was an example of beautifully-shaped conflict! The heroine is not a push-over, the hero is not irredeemable, and so, the book served to mock me with the fact that I’d had it on my to-read shelf for years and hadn't touched it while I've been mucking through lesser books, feeling unfulfilled. I think I have to get my Sarah Morgan read on now.
July 20, 2011
Seriously old skool Presents with doormat martyr virgin baby-producer heroine, and hyper-rich untrusting-of-women-because-they're-materialistic-sluts dinosaur hero. She "thinks helplessly" and he groans a lot once he's learned that she's pure and better than all the skanks out there.
Definitely could have done without reading this one.
Definitely could have done without reading this one.
July 1, 2021
5 Stars, new Keeper!!!! Stop whatever you’re doing and go read this! I was expecting something very boring and typical, boy meets girl and fall in love story, but it was so much way more than that..I am totally shook, I LOVED loved this in every way possible!
Safe
Safe
July 9, 2012
This was the first Sarah Morgan novel I read and I really loved it. The tension (sexual and otherwise) between Sebastian and Alyshia is fabulously portrayed. Love Sarah's Greek men !
September 14, 2017
3.75 Stars
May 2, 2024
Ridiculous, OTT, soap opera, cheesy, implausible smut. I didn’t hate it, but I rolled my eyes too much to say I liked it.
July 14, 2019
3 1/2 Stars! ~ For three generations the Phillipos and Fiorukis families were bitter enemies. Now it’s time to settle the scores once and for all. Dimitrios Phillipos has the ultimate revenge in mind. For the return of the company he swindled from his former business partner to the Fiorukis family, he’d demand the youngest Fiourukis marry his granddaughter, Alesia. Sebastien Fiorukis finds this bargain distasteful until he meets Alesia and becomes intrigued. He wonders what she has to gain from this deal, and then her grandfather voices her demands … hard, cold cash to be deposited to her own account at the beginning of each and every month of their marriage -- a marriage that cannot be ended until they conceive a child. Alesia is desperate; she must have the money from Sebastien, money her grandfather has refused her. And if this makes her appear to be the ultimate gold digger, she will have to live with it. Until the day Sebastien discovers her secret.
Sebastien does not hide his contempt for Alesia, and feels self loathing because he can’t help his attraction to her. But right from the wedding night, Alesia is a contradiction to the spoiled heiress he’d believed her to be. Ms. Morgan drew me in and I couldn’t put this one down until the whole truth was finally unraveled. Fast paced, emotionally charged, sizzling passion … a real page turner.
Sebastien does not hide his contempt for Alesia, and feels self loathing because he can’t help his attraction to her. But right from the wedding night, Alesia is a contradiction to the spoiled heiress he’d believed her to be. Ms. Morgan drew me in and I couldn’t put this one down until the whole truth was finally unraveled. Fast paced, emotionally charged, sizzling passion … a real page turner.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2011
3.5 stars
April 6, 2023
Sale Or Return Bride was about Alesia Philipos, the granddaughter of Dimitrios Philipos, and Sebastien Fiorukis, a Greek billionaire tycoon.
When her father died in an explosion, Alesia's paternal grandfather banished her and her mother from Greece. Reluctantly returning years later in order to ask the man for the money she needed to cover an operation that would hopefully save her mother's life, the old man sought to make a bargain with her. He would give her the money she needed, but only if she agreed to marry Sebastien Fiorukis, the son of her grandfather's sworn enemy. Appalled at the idea of marrying into the family that was suspected of being responsible for her father's death, Alesia asked him why. Her grandfather stated that, since they had ended his bloodline with the death of his son, he would return the favor by ending their bloodline with the Fiorukis' son's marriage to her, which made Alesia realize that her grandfather knew she could never have a baby...and that it would not be revealed to the Fiorukis before the marriage was a done deal. Knowing that truth brought her to the understanding that her grandfather also knew what she needed the money for...and he confirmed it by saying he had been expecting her and that she had not disappointed him by arriving when she did.
The man expected to make Sebastien sign a marriage agreement that stated he would stay married to Alesia until an heir was produced, all the while knowing she couldn't give him one, thus binding them together in a childless marriage "forever"...and she would be forbidden to tell Sebastien the truth or lose the money needed to save her mother's life. But when Alesia said she couldn't do it because it was wrong, her grandfather's responded with, "'It's justice,'...'Justice that we should have meted out to the Fiorukis family a long time ago. The Greek always avenge their dead and you, even though you are only half Greek, should know this.'". As much as she hated the man...hated everything Greek, she had told herself she would do anything to save her mother, and that might just include marrying Sebastien.
When Alesia said the man more than likely wouldn't marry her, her grandfather apparently had the solution to that little problem. He had something that Sebastien wanted, though he didn't tell Alesia what it was. But the man was even more diabolical than Alesia thought. When she asked him if he would give her the money she needed...he said no, that Sebastien would be the one to give it to her via a monthly allowance, that it would be written into the marriage contract. "'How you spend that will be up to you.'" What a b*st*rd! She should have walked away with that statement and knowledge.
Apparently, the thing her grandfather had was Sebastien's birthright...in the form of Philipos Industries, which was the Fiorukis' family business that Dimitrios Philipos fraudulently took from Sebastien's grandfather many years ago...in return for marrying Alesia.
For some reason, the Fiorukis thought Alesia's mother had died in the same explosion that killed Alesia's father. Sebastien also remembered saving Alesia's life that day. Sebastien agreed to meet with Alesia's grandfather...and her...but reserved the right to turn down the deal.
On the day they were to meet, the old tyrant ordered Alesia to keep her eyes on the floor, not to speak, and "to be meek and obedient like a good Greek girl". The man even had her decked out in a dress that, for her, showed too much. When she said as much, he said, " 'Precisely. A man likes to know what he's buying.'"
After meeting Alesia, Sebastien was a bit confused. From the way she dressed and acted (at least around her grandfather), she was every bit the Pilipos heiress. But when he got her away from the b*st*rd, she changed almost before his eyes. But the more they talked, the more they both agreed they didn't like each other, but that didn't stop them from getting married.
What Alesia wasn't expecting by marrying him was all the media exposure. She didn't enjoy that at all. She was horrified. She was afraid of the media finding out that her mother, who was supposed to be dead but was, in fact, very much alive. She felt like an impostor.
During their wedding reception, Sebastien had no qualms about calling Alesia a wh*re and a prostitute because he believed that's what she was. He told her that she had sold him her body, "...which you've doubtless used on countless occasions to persuade men to part with their money".
It was obvious their match was going to be contentious, and Alesia was having a hard time living down to his expectations, for it wasn't who she was and she had her grandfather to thank for her tremendous fall from grace.
Sebastien was shocked to learn that, no matter how experienced he had believed her to be, Alesia had been a virgin on their wedding night. But though he had never experienced anything like their union before, he didn't see or touch her for two weeks. When he did see her again, he was surprised to find her in the kitchen making her own lunch...and in a pair of old jeans that he "wouldn't use to clean his tiled floor with". When he understood she had not gotten pregnant from their first sexual encounter, he determined to bed her again. But once again, after it was over, his comments hurt her. First, she said to him, "'I don't know how you can make love to me when you so clearly hate me.'" To which he responded, "'Because we don't make love,' he drawled flatly, his eyes hard as they locked with hers. ‘We have sex, Alesia. And, fortunately for you, having sex does not require emotional attachment. If it did then men would never use the services of prostitutes.'"
Her added response was, "She gave a gasp of pain and curled her fingers into the sheets. 'Are you comparing me to a prostitute?'" And his even more hurtful return, "'Not at all.' He gave her a cool smile and sprang out of bed, lithe and energetic, as if he hadn't just spent an entire afternoon engaged in extremely physical activity. 'You're much more expensive.'" Hateful prick. Another thing I didn't like about Sebastien was his demanding that Alesia "'wear what I want to see you in". What an a$$h*le!
When Sebastien told her he was taking her to a nightclub, she told him she didn't have anything to wear. He reminded her of the "indecent sum of money" he had added to her "already indecent fortune", she told him she hadn't bought anything. He didn't believe her because he knew the money he had deposited into her account was already gone. Surely she had something to show for it? Still not believing her, he went to her closets...and found nothing new. In fact, they were totally empty. He wondered what she had done with the money.
When Sebastien had a store deliver several racks of clothes for her to choose from, she picked up "a silk skirt so short that it was almost indecent." He hurtfully stated, "'Good choice,' he said cynically from immediately behind her. That skirt has "slut" written all over it, and seeing as that's what you are you might as well advertise the fact.'" He said a few more hateful things, then added, "'Just don't be tempted to flirt with anyone else tonight,' he warned. 'You may be a slut but you're mine alone. I never share.'" OH! I detested him!
OH! But I loved how she made him eat his words when she came out of the bathroom in the "slutty" outfit he made her wear...and his reaction was PRICELESS! "She was drop-dead gorgeous. Beautiful. Her skin was pale and flawless, the faint brush of colour on her cheeks simply emphasizing the perfect shape of her face. Her incredible violet eyes looked larger than ever and the subtle sheen of colour applied to her lips simply accentuated the tempting curve of her mouth. Sebastian bit back a groan of lust as his eyes raked every delectable inch of her in unashamed masculine appreciation. She shouldn't have looked like that in the outfit he'd chosen. She should have looked like a cheap tart. Instead, she managed to look innocent and seductively feminine at the same time, although how a woman could contrive to look innocent in a skirt barely wider than a belt, he couldn't imagine...It was just as well he had a reliable team of bodyguards, he reflected grimly as he wrestled his emotions under control because otherwise, he'd have trouble keeping people away from her. Men away from her. Sebastien ground his teeth, astonished by how possessive he felt over a woman he didn't even like...Not given to making mistakes, Sebastien was forced to admit that in this case, he'd made a serious error of judgment. He'd intended her to dress like a tart to remind him of the woman she really was because he was finding those huge eyes and that innocent expression profoundly distracting. Instead, he'd turned her into nothing short of a walking temptation." I.FREAKING.LOVED.IT!
While at the nightclub, the owner made possessive moves on Sebastien in front of Alesia, which caused her to have a spurt of jealousy...and to drink too much. When it appeared they both had tuned her out, she got up to dance...and made Sebastien extremely jealous in return. But she made one critical error. She forgot to keep her mouth shut and said very revealing things that led Sebastien to start changing his "stinking thinking" about her.
Determined to learn her secrets, Sebastien decided they needed some time alone, so he took her to an island where it would be just the two of them. But one of the things he didn't pay any attention to and, therefore never realized...Alesia hated the ocean with a passion, all because of what happened to her father, mother, and nearly to herself all those years ago. She had a deep-seated fear of dying in the water. He thought she was afraid of flying, but the fact that she didn't quite recover once the plane had landed never quite registered with him.
Sebastien was such a control freak that, while Alesia slept, he threw out her old clothes and replaced them with clothes he had chosen for her to wear. Then he did something else that was utterly cruel and stupid...he threw her into the swimming pool, where she sank and blacked out. When he flew a doctor to the island to check on her, the doctor stated, "'Physically she's fine. Swallowed a bit of water when she went under so she might be feeling a bit sick, but apart from that no lasting effects. Mentally it's another matter. At a guess, I'd say that she suffers from a phobia about water. Probably wasn't such a good idea to drop her in the pool.'" Dumb jerk! Sebastien had never taken the time to realize she was terrified of the water...never put two and two together to realize her experience from the past now affected her current situation when it came to swimming pools or any other large body of water.
When Sebastien got her talking about her fear of water, he asked her what had happened. She told him she had been on his father's boat the day it exploded...when her father had died. He refuted that, saying, "That's not true,' he said finally, his voice sounding nothing like his own. 'There were no children invited on the boat that day— '"...only to have her reply back, "'I wasn't invited.' Still shivering, Alesia huddled deeper in the blankets, her blue eyes blank of expression. 'I went on board only moments before the explosion. I was supposed to have stayed at the hotel in Athens with my nanny but I was desperate to show my mother a new doll I'd been given.'"
They had been getting along so well on the island with just the two of them. Then they returned to the mainland, only for Sebastien to be called in for an emergency at work. Thinking he would be back as soon as it was taken care of, Alesia set about preparing for his return. But...good things don't always last forever, and he didn't return when he said he would. In fact, when he did, he was not the happy guy who had left her in their home. He had learned some of her secrets and was very angry. He was adamant to learn the rest. He wanted to know what her grandfather was up to...and why she was going along with it. So she told him about how the explosion had injured her in such a way that the doctors were certain she could not have children. And Sebastien realized the horrible truth...her grandfather had gotten his revenge by forcing the marriage to a woman who could not give his own parents the grandchildren they longed for. When she tried to make him understand, he wouldn't listen, and his response was, "That I married a woman completely bereft of human decency? I should have been more wary of your lineage. The Philipos blood runs in your veins and you have clearly inherited his complete lack of moral code.'"
When he returned much later and she told him she would be returning to England, he said he didn't want her to go. But the reasons he wanted her to stay were only out of guilt and a sense of responsibility for what had happened to her family fifteen years before. He believed, no matter what had caused the explosion, his family was to blame for what had happened to hers and, therefore, she was entitled to have been "greedy" in marrying him for his money. He believed his family "owed her" and he intended to honor that debt. However, he still didn't know the whole truth, and she didn't know what to do at that point, but she wasn't happy. Especially as they were no longer intimate. He slept in a different room...when he was home. He did his best to never run into her again, working long hours only to return when he believed she would be asleep.
When she learned her mother had developed an infection and had gotten worse, she packed a bag and left for England, believing he wouldn't miss her...especially as he was in France. She arrived at the hospital, got an update from the doctor, then went to sit with her mother. As they talked, her mom asked her how much time she could spend with her, only to hear a voice behind her that said as much time as she needed. It was Sebastien...a very angry Sebastien. When Alesia's mother saw who was standing behind her, she recognized him...and more truths from the past were revealed, throwing Alesia into more turmoil, and Sebastien into more self-loathing.
The twists and turns in this book were as plentiful as they were astonishing at times. The angst and drama were over the top, but there was a little humor to help ease them...but only a bit, for there was no call for a lot of humor in this book. The distrust, the secrets, and even the lies were also liberally sprinkled throughout this story. But there was plenty of passion and chemistry, as well as love, hope, caring, and loyalty.
The characters were well-developed and mature, though at times I struggled to like Sebastien. He was, for all intents and purposes, very hateful to Alesia, and he really didn't pay much attention to her phobias, fears, or even her health until it was almost too late. Alesia was a very likable character though. She was so mature for her age, and she was loyal to a fault. While she was still a bit naive, she was also determined to do whatever she had to in order to help her mother get better, which was admirable, if a little unworldly. Some would even say she was a doormat, but I wouldn't agree. Her grandfather all but blackmailed her...well no, he DID emotionally blackmail her into doing what he wanted because he used her love for her mother against her.
This book was definitely an emotional rollercoaster ride but, in the end, at least for this particular reader, earned a five-star rating...much to my surprise, and it will join the other Keeper for the Shelves collection.
When her father died in an explosion, Alesia's paternal grandfather banished her and her mother from Greece. Reluctantly returning years later in order to ask the man for the money she needed to cover an operation that would hopefully save her mother's life, the old man sought to make a bargain with her. He would give her the money she needed, but only if she agreed to marry Sebastien Fiorukis, the son of her grandfather's sworn enemy. Appalled at the idea of marrying into the family that was suspected of being responsible for her father's death, Alesia asked him why. Her grandfather stated that, since they had ended his bloodline with the death of his son, he would return the favor by ending their bloodline with the Fiorukis' son's marriage to her, which made Alesia realize that her grandfather knew she could never have a baby...and that it would not be revealed to the Fiorukis before the marriage was a done deal. Knowing that truth brought her to the understanding that her grandfather also knew what she needed the money for...and he confirmed it by saying he had been expecting her and that she had not disappointed him by arriving when she did.
The man expected to make Sebastien sign a marriage agreement that stated he would stay married to Alesia until an heir was produced, all the while knowing she couldn't give him one, thus binding them together in a childless marriage "forever"...and she would be forbidden to tell Sebastien the truth or lose the money needed to save her mother's life. But when Alesia said she couldn't do it because it was wrong, her grandfather's responded with, "'It's justice,'...'Justice that we should have meted out to the Fiorukis family a long time ago. The Greek always avenge their dead and you, even though you are only half Greek, should know this.'". As much as she hated the man...hated everything Greek, she had told herself she would do anything to save her mother, and that might just include marrying Sebastien.
When Alesia said the man more than likely wouldn't marry her, her grandfather apparently had the solution to that little problem. He had something that Sebastien wanted, though he didn't tell Alesia what it was. But the man was even more diabolical than Alesia thought. When she asked him if he would give her the money she needed...he said no, that Sebastien would be the one to give it to her via a monthly allowance, that it would be written into the marriage contract. "'How you spend that will be up to you.'" What a b*st*rd! She should have walked away with that statement and knowledge.
Apparently, the thing her grandfather had was Sebastien's birthright...in the form of Philipos Industries, which was the Fiorukis' family business that Dimitrios Philipos fraudulently took from Sebastien's grandfather many years ago...in return for marrying Alesia.
For some reason, the Fiorukis thought Alesia's mother had died in the same explosion that killed Alesia's father. Sebastien also remembered saving Alesia's life that day. Sebastien agreed to meet with Alesia's grandfather...and her...but reserved the right to turn down the deal.
On the day they were to meet, the old tyrant ordered Alesia to keep her eyes on the floor, not to speak, and "to be meek and obedient like a good Greek girl". The man even had her decked out in a dress that, for her, showed too much. When she said as much, he said, " 'Precisely. A man likes to know what he's buying.'"
After meeting Alesia, Sebastien was a bit confused. From the way she dressed and acted (at least around her grandfather), she was every bit the Pilipos heiress. But when he got her away from the b*st*rd, she changed almost before his eyes. But the more they talked, the more they both agreed they didn't like each other, but that didn't stop them from getting married.
What Alesia wasn't expecting by marrying him was all the media exposure. She didn't enjoy that at all. She was horrified. She was afraid of the media finding out that her mother, who was supposed to be dead but was, in fact, very much alive. She felt like an impostor.
During their wedding reception, Sebastien had no qualms about calling Alesia a wh*re and a prostitute because he believed that's what she was. He told her that she had sold him her body, "...which you've doubtless used on countless occasions to persuade men to part with their money".
It was obvious their match was going to be contentious, and Alesia was having a hard time living down to his expectations, for it wasn't who she was and she had her grandfather to thank for her tremendous fall from grace.
Sebastien was shocked to learn that, no matter how experienced he had believed her to be, Alesia had been a virgin on their wedding night. But though he had never experienced anything like their union before, he didn't see or touch her for two weeks. When he did see her again, he was surprised to find her in the kitchen making her own lunch...and in a pair of old jeans that he "wouldn't use to clean his tiled floor with". When he understood she had not gotten pregnant from their first sexual encounter, he determined to bed her again. But once again, after it was over, his comments hurt her. First, she said to him, "'I don't know how you can make love to me when you so clearly hate me.'" To which he responded, "'Because we don't make love,' he drawled flatly, his eyes hard as they locked with hers. ‘We have sex, Alesia. And, fortunately for you, having sex does not require emotional attachment. If it did then men would never use the services of prostitutes.'"
Her added response was, "She gave a gasp of pain and curled her fingers into the sheets. 'Are you comparing me to a prostitute?'" And his even more hurtful return, "'Not at all.' He gave her a cool smile and sprang out of bed, lithe and energetic, as if he hadn't just spent an entire afternoon engaged in extremely physical activity. 'You're much more expensive.'" Hateful prick. Another thing I didn't like about Sebastien was his demanding that Alesia "'wear what I want to see you in". What an a$$h*le!
When Sebastien told her he was taking her to a nightclub, she told him she didn't have anything to wear. He reminded her of the "indecent sum of money" he had added to her "already indecent fortune", she told him she hadn't bought anything. He didn't believe her because he knew the money he had deposited into her account was already gone. Surely she had something to show for it? Still not believing her, he went to her closets...and found nothing new. In fact, they were totally empty. He wondered what she had done with the money.
When Sebastien had a store deliver several racks of clothes for her to choose from, she picked up "a silk skirt so short that it was almost indecent." He hurtfully stated, "'Good choice,' he said cynically from immediately behind her. That skirt has "slut" written all over it, and seeing as that's what you are you might as well advertise the fact.'" He said a few more hateful things, then added, "'Just don't be tempted to flirt with anyone else tonight,' he warned. 'You may be a slut but you're mine alone. I never share.'" OH! I detested him!
OH! But I loved how she made him eat his words when she came out of the bathroom in the "slutty" outfit he made her wear...and his reaction was PRICELESS! "She was drop-dead gorgeous. Beautiful. Her skin was pale and flawless, the faint brush of colour on her cheeks simply emphasizing the perfect shape of her face. Her incredible violet eyes looked larger than ever and the subtle sheen of colour applied to her lips simply accentuated the tempting curve of her mouth. Sebastian bit back a groan of lust as his eyes raked every delectable inch of her in unashamed masculine appreciation. She shouldn't have looked like that in the outfit he'd chosen. She should have looked like a cheap tart. Instead, she managed to look innocent and seductively feminine at the same time, although how a woman could contrive to look innocent in a skirt barely wider than a belt, he couldn't imagine...It was just as well he had a reliable team of bodyguards, he reflected grimly as he wrestled his emotions under control because otherwise, he'd have trouble keeping people away from her. Men away from her. Sebastien ground his teeth, astonished by how possessive he felt over a woman he didn't even like...Not given to making mistakes, Sebastien was forced to admit that in this case, he'd made a serious error of judgment. He'd intended her to dress like a tart to remind him of the woman she really was because he was finding those huge eyes and that innocent expression profoundly distracting. Instead, he'd turned her into nothing short of a walking temptation." I.FREAKING.LOVED.IT!
While at the nightclub, the owner made possessive moves on Sebastien in front of Alesia, which caused her to have a spurt of jealousy...and to drink too much. When it appeared they both had tuned her out, she got up to dance...and made Sebastien extremely jealous in return. But she made one critical error. She forgot to keep her mouth shut and said very revealing things that led Sebastien to start changing his "stinking thinking" about her.
Determined to learn her secrets, Sebastien decided they needed some time alone, so he took her to an island where it would be just the two of them. But one of the things he didn't pay any attention to and, therefore never realized...Alesia hated the ocean with a passion, all because of what happened to her father, mother, and nearly to herself all those years ago. She had a deep-seated fear of dying in the water. He thought she was afraid of flying, but the fact that she didn't quite recover once the plane had landed never quite registered with him.
Sebastien was such a control freak that, while Alesia slept, he threw out her old clothes and replaced them with clothes he had chosen for her to wear. Then he did something else that was utterly cruel and stupid...he threw her into the swimming pool, where she sank and blacked out. When he flew a doctor to the island to check on her, the doctor stated, "'Physically she's fine. Swallowed a bit of water when she went under so she might be feeling a bit sick, but apart from that no lasting effects. Mentally it's another matter. At a guess, I'd say that she suffers from a phobia about water. Probably wasn't such a good idea to drop her in the pool.'" Dumb jerk! Sebastien had never taken the time to realize she was terrified of the water...never put two and two together to realize her experience from the past now affected her current situation when it came to swimming pools or any other large body of water.
When Sebastien got her talking about her fear of water, he asked her what had happened. She told him she had been on his father's boat the day it exploded...when her father had died. He refuted that, saying, "That's not true,' he said finally, his voice sounding nothing like his own. 'There were no children invited on the boat that day— '"...only to have her reply back, "'I wasn't invited.' Still shivering, Alesia huddled deeper in the blankets, her blue eyes blank of expression. 'I went on board only moments before the explosion. I was supposed to have stayed at the hotel in Athens with my nanny but I was desperate to show my mother a new doll I'd been given.'"
They had been getting along so well on the island with just the two of them. Then they returned to the mainland, only for Sebastien to be called in for an emergency at work. Thinking he would be back as soon as it was taken care of, Alesia set about preparing for his return. But...good things don't always last forever, and he didn't return when he said he would. In fact, when he did, he was not the happy guy who had left her in their home. He had learned some of her secrets and was very angry. He was adamant to learn the rest. He wanted to know what her grandfather was up to...and why she was going along with it. So she told him about how the explosion had injured her in such a way that the doctors were certain she could not have children. And Sebastien realized the horrible truth...her grandfather had gotten his revenge by forcing the marriage to a woman who could not give his own parents the grandchildren they longed for. When she tried to make him understand, he wouldn't listen, and his response was, "That I married a woman completely bereft of human decency? I should have been more wary of your lineage. The Philipos blood runs in your veins and you have clearly inherited his complete lack of moral code.'"
When he returned much later and she told him she would be returning to England, he said he didn't want her to go. But the reasons he wanted her to stay were only out of guilt and a sense of responsibility for what had happened to her family fifteen years before. He believed, no matter what had caused the explosion, his family was to blame for what had happened to hers and, therefore, she was entitled to have been "greedy" in marrying him for his money. He believed his family "owed her" and he intended to honor that debt. However, he still didn't know the whole truth, and she didn't know what to do at that point, but she wasn't happy. Especially as they were no longer intimate. He slept in a different room...when he was home. He did his best to never run into her again, working long hours only to return when he believed she would be asleep.
When she learned her mother had developed an infection and had gotten worse, she packed a bag and left for England, believing he wouldn't miss her...especially as he was in France. She arrived at the hospital, got an update from the doctor, then went to sit with her mother. As they talked, her mom asked her how much time she could spend with her, only to hear a voice behind her that said as much time as she needed. It was Sebastien...a very angry Sebastien. When Alesia's mother saw who was standing behind her, she recognized him...and more truths from the past were revealed, throwing Alesia into more turmoil, and Sebastien into more self-loathing.
The twists and turns in this book were as plentiful as they were astonishing at times. The angst and drama were over the top, but there was a little humor to help ease them...but only a bit, for there was no call for a lot of humor in this book. The distrust, the secrets, and even the lies were also liberally sprinkled throughout this story. But there was plenty of passion and chemistry, as well as love, hope, caring, and loyalty.
The characters were well-developed and mature, though at times I struggled to like Sebastien. He was, for all intents and purposes, very hateful to Alesia, and he really didn't pay much attention to her phobias, fears, or even her health until it was almost too late. Alesia was a very likable character though. She was so mature for her age, and she was loyal to a fault. While she was still a bit naive, she was also determined to do whatever she had to in order to help her mother get better, which was admirable, if a little unworldly. Some would even say she was a doormat, but I wouldn't agree. Her grandfather all but blackmailed her...well no, he DID emotionally blackmail her into doing what he wanted because he used her love for her mother against her.
This book was definitely an emotional rollercoaster ride but, in the end, at least for this particular reader, earned a five-star rating...much to my surprise, and it will join the other Keeper for the Shelves collection.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews