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A Billion-Dollar Revenge #1
Bound by the Italian's ''I Do''
In this battle of wills, the only winner will be passion in this exhilarating marriage romance by Michelle Smart .
In this game of revenge,
She’ll meet her enemy at the altar…
Billionaire Gianni Rossi destroyed Issy Seymore’s family legacy…and it’s time for payback. Issy has a she’ll get him onto a yacht headed for the Caribbean, distract him then take down his company!
Gianni has been onto Issy from the start, outmaneuvering her at every turn. But, as the heat between them rises, it’s the Italian who begins to feel out of his depth. To finally end the charade, he calls her bluff with an outrageous marriage proposal. Then Issy makes one last move—by saying yes !
From Harlequin Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.
Read all the A Billion-Dollar Revenge books
Book 1: Bound by the Italian's ''I Do'' by Michelle Smart
Book 2: Expecting Her Enemy's Heir by Pippa Roscoe
In this game of revenge,
She’ll meet her enemy at the altar…
Billionaire Gianni Rossi destroyed Issy Seymore’s family legacy…and it’s time for payback. Issy has a she’ll get him onto a yacht headed for the Caribbean, distract him then take down his company!
Gianni has been onto Issy from the start, outmaneuvering her at every turn. But, as the heat between them rises, it’s the Italian who begins to feel out of his depth. To finally end the charade, he calls her bluff with an outrageous marriage proposal. Then Issy makes one last move—by saying yes !
From Harlequin Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.
Read all the A Billion-Dollar Revenge books
Book 1: Bound by the Italian's ''I Do'' by Michelle Smart
Book 2: Expecting Her Enemy's Heir by Pippa Roscoe
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published March 28, 2023
48 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Smart
707 books257 followersMichelle Smart is a Publishers Weekly bestselling romance author with a slight-to-severe coffee addiction. With over four million copies of her books sold worldwide, Michelle is now embracing the indie book world to write the passionate romance books she knows her readers love whilst continuing to write for Harlequin Mills & Boon. She is also the author of Butterflies, a standalone romantic and humorous time travel novel set in the 1990s.
A bookworm since birth, Michelle can usually be found hiding behind a paperback, or if it’s an author she really loves, a hardback.
Michelle loves hearing from readers and can be contacted directly via her website.
A bookworm since birth, Michelle can usually be found hiding behind a paperback, or if it’s an author she really loves, a hardback.
Michelle loves hearing from readers and can be contacted directly via her website.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 27, 2022
ARC provided by NetGalley and Harlequin in exchange for an honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Rating 3.5
Revenge plot.
Two sister believe that the hero and his cousin destroy their Father's business and in turn he died an early death due to their actions.
They have both been planning for years for their retaliation and destruction of their company.
Issy's part in the "revenge" plot was to transform herself into the type of woman that Gianni (one of the cousin's) was attracted to and always had on his arm. That entails becoming a blond bombshell.
The time came for Issy to enact their "meeting" which was at a bar that Gianni was at. Her hope was he would notice her and approaches her at the bar and make a play for her. Well everything played out beautifully and Gianni was snared. Issa played the part of flirtatious and hard to get at the same time. During their encounter his hope was for a ONS but she unfortunately had a "meeting" with a friend and was sad their encounter had to be cut short. But what Izzy shared how she was going on vacation in a couple months and wouldn't it be great if they could meet up then (she new he vacationed yearly at this place so that was part of the girls revenge plan). Gianni was then shared how he actually would be there and that the two can meet up then see where this attraction went.
Issy's sister works for the cousins in their company and this was also part of their plan for years, for her to get a job there. They have devised a plan to destroy company from within. But that entails Issy getting Gianni isolated on the yacht. Reason being is it's Gianni's job in the company to go through contracts/deals with a fine tooth comb to make sure everything lines up and is legal. So keeping Gianni on the yacht, isolated and away from communication while the deal goes through. And that deal is what will put the company under. A deal that is fake and designed to destroy them.
Issy meets and enacts her plan. But what she didn't prepare for or expect was her strong pull and attractions to Gianni. And another unexpected development is Gianni finds out about their plan and then devises his own to see what and why she and her sister did this.
Gianni ends up taking Issy to his island and getting to the bottom of why her sister and her are trying to destroy his and his cousins company. A lot is uncovered/revealed about what happened to Issy's Father's company, why and the truth both perspectives is disclosed. In the meantime the two encounter an attraction and feelings for each other. A relationship begins to develop between them.
What takes place is an emotional and angsty relationship with a lot of insecurity. What I found frustrating is Issy's issues of who she really is and the belief the Gianni would never love her for true self.
And this is my struggle with this book. Issy spent a long time in "loosing weight" exercising and transforming herself. What Gianni liked and was attracted to were women who were tall, thin, blond and beautiful. We hear snippets of her being the opposite of that he's always been attracted, that she is more plump, with mousey chestnut hair and nothing he would have normally looked at. And there are a couple scenes in the book that just added to my disbelief of them getting together to be honest. In one scene is he get's a hold of her phone at the beginning of their yacht trip and he see's a picture of her and her sister (this where he realizes his definitely been played) and is shocked to see what she really looks like and thinks she's plain if I remember correctly. Another is he and Issy are having a discussion and he tells her honestly that if they passed each other in the street a few years back he would never have given her a second glance. But he then goes on to explain he realized how shallow he was back then and she's opened his eyes to what really matters now. This is an underlying theme throughout the book. It just didn't ring true and didn't feel like that was really who Gianni was and totally out of character of his life style. And another question I constantly had was how does she transform herself so drastically, from one extreme to the other??I struggled with that issue throughout the story and in the end it didn't sit well with me. Also the story line of his character was off and the revenge plot just didn't work either. Oh one more thing, the cover for this HP was a major Pet peeve for me, the heroine was the blond bombshell, that just added to the irritation.
The epilogue helped to up the rating to a 3.o rating.
Rating 3.5
Revenge plot.
Two sister believe that the hero and his cousin destroy their Father's business and in turn he died an early death due to their actions.
They have both been planning for years for their retaliation and destruction of their company.
Issy's part in the "revenge" plot was to transform herself into the type of woman that Gianni (one of the cousin's) was attracted to and always had on his arm. That entails becoming a blond bombshell.
The time came for Issy to enact their "meeting" which was at a bar that Gianni was at. Her hope was he would notice her and approaches her at the bar and make a play for her. Well everything played out beautifully and Gianni was snared. Issa played the part of flirtatious and hard to get at the same time. During their encounter his hope was for a ONS but she unfortunately had a "meeting" with a friend and was sad their encounter had to be cut short. But what Izzy shared how she was going on vacation in a couple months and wouldn't it be great if they could meet up then (she new he vacationed yearly at this place so that was part of the girls revenge plan). Gianni was then shared how he actually would be there and that the two can meet up then see where this attraction went.
Issy's sister works for the cousins in their company and this was also part of their plan for years, for her to get a job there. They have devised a plan to destroy company from within. But that entails Issy getting Gianni isolated on the yacht. Reason being is it's Gianni's job in the company to go through contracts/deals with a fine tooth comb to make sure everything lines up and is legal. So keeping Gianni on the yacht, isolated and away from communication while the deal goes through. And that deal is what will put the company under. A deal that is fake and designed to destroy them.
Issy meets and enacts her plan. But what she didn't prepare for or expect was her strong pull and attractions to Gianni. And another unexpected development is Gianni finds out about their plan and then devises his own to see what and why she and her sister did this.
Gianni ends up taking Issy to his island and getting to the bottom of why her sister and her are trying to destroy his and his cousins company. A lot is uncovered/revealed about what happened to Issy's Father's company, why and the truth both perspectives is disclosed. In the meantime the two encounter an attraction and feelings for each other. A relationship begins to develop between them.
What takes place is an emotional and angsty relationship with a lot of insecurity. What I found frustrating is Issy's issues of who she really is and the belief the Gianni would never love her for true self.
And this is my struggle with this book. Issy spent a long time in "loosing weight" exercising and transforming herself. What Gianni liked and was attracted to were women who were tall, thin, blond and beautiful. We hear snippets of her being the opposite of that he's always been attracted, that she is more plump, with mousey chestnut hair and nothing he would have normally looked at. And there are a couple scenes in the book that just added to my disbelief of them getting together to be honest. In one scene is he get's a hold of her phone at the beginning of their yacht trip and he see's a picture of her and her sister (this where he realizes his definitely been played) and is shocked to see what she really looks like and thinks she's plain if I remember correctly. Another is he and Issy are having a discussion and he tells her honestly that if they passed each other in the street a few years back he would never have given her a second glance. But he then goes on to explain he realized how shallow he was back then and she's opened his eyes to what really matters now. This is an underlying theme throughout the book. It just didn't ring true and didn't feel like that was really who Gianni was and totally out of character of his life style. And another question I constantly had was how does she transform herself so drastically, from one extreme to the other??I struggled with that issue throughout the story and in the end it didn't sit well with me. Also the story line of his character was off and the revenge plot just didn't work either. Oh one more thing, the cover for this HP was a major Pet peeve for me, the heroine was the blond bombshell, that just added to the irritation.
The epilogue helped to up the rating to a 3.o rating.
March 20, 2023
Despite of the sweet H and plot holes I liked the pacing and the story!
September 14, 2024
I usually love this author’s books and I did enjoy this one some of the time.however there were certain plot elements which lacked credibility to me and elements of the storyline which I really disliked.
As always MS writes beautifully and creates a world that I can lose myself in. Gianni is a great hero and I loved the way he handled Issy’s plotting.
Issy, and Amelia (who we never actually meet) are sisters who have spent ten years (yes TEN ), plotting revenge against the cousins Gianni and Alessandro because they believe the latter are corrupt and ruined their father.
As part of the planning, Issy spends two years starving herself so that she can replicate the kind of woman Gianni normally goes for. She is apparently normally a curvy, dark haired girl who works with children and is a virgin. We’re supposed to believe that she is somehow able to get a personality transplant as effective as the one that changed her appearance and can suddenly attract, flirt and seduce Gianni.
As for the transformation- I felt really uncomfortable about the way she spent so long changing her very essence. What kind of message does that signal?
We’re supposed to believe that she can carry off this impersonation on board a luxury yacht with a crew of 20 - and persuade Gianni she really is a woman of the world. That for me was a real problem. Totally ridiculous.
But for me, the worst aspect of the plot was the idea these girls had wasted 10 years of their lives devoted to the idea of vengeance against two men who had actually done nothing to deserve it.
Even when Issy realises this, she is still prepared to leave Gianni because she doesn’t want to betray her sister? I found that part so annoying and bizarre.
However, it’s a tribute to the author’s skill that I still enjoyed a lot of it - just not as much as some of her other books.
As always MS writes beautifully and creates a world that I can lose myself in. Gianni is a great hero and I loved the way he handled Issy’s plotting.
Issy, and Amelia (who we never actually meet) are sisters who have spent ten years (yes TEN ), plotting revenge against the cousins Gianni and Alessandro because they believe the latter are corrupt and ruined their father.
As part of the planning, Issy spends two years starving herself so that she can replicate the kind of woman Gianni normally goes for. She is apparently normally a curvy, dark haired girl who works with children and is a virgin. We’re supposed to believe that she is somehow able to get a personality transplant as effective as the one that changed her appearance and can suddenly attract, flirt and seduce Gianni.
As for the transformation- I felt really uncomfortable about the way she spent so long changing her very essence. What kind of message does that signal?
We’re supposed to believe that she can carry off this impersonation on board a luxury yacht with a crew of 20 - and persuade Gianni she really is a woman of the world. That for me was a real problem. Totally ridiculous.
But for me, the worst aspect of the plot was the idea these girls had wasted 10 years of their lives devoted to the idea of vengeance against two men who had actually done nothing to deserve it.
Even when Issy realises this, she is still prepared to leave Gianni because she doesn’t want to betray her sister? I found that part so annoying and bizarre.
However, it’s a tribute to the author’s skill that I still enjoyed a lot of it - just not as much as some of her other books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2023
Not sure how the H made himself a billionaire when he has thoughts like this:
He suspected that when those heels were removed, Issy would reveal herself to be much shorter than she carried herself.
Yes, that’s how high heels work.
The plot was kind of charming and I could see it being a TV movie: the con-woman gets conned herself. Nobody says anything toxic to anyone, so it was pretty low-angst, I suppose. High on gorgeous atmosphere, if you love to dream of yachting on the Caribbean, which seems like it would be pretty great to me.
He suspected that when those heels were removed, Issy would reveal herself to be much shorter than she carried herself.
Yes, that’s how high heels work.
The plot was kind of charming and I could see it being a TV movie: the con-woman gets conned herself. Nobody says anything toxic to anyone, so it was pretty low-angst, I suppose. High on gorgeous atmosphere, if you love to dream of yachting on the Caribbean, which seems like it would be pretty great to me.
September 22, 2023
This is an enemies to lovers romance. The first in the two part Billion Dollar Revenge series. Written by Michelle Smart, Bound by the Italians’ I Do, tells the story of Issy Seymore and billionaire Gianni Rossi.
Issy and her sister Amelia believe Gianni and his cousin Alessandro have destroyed the Seymore family. Their father’s death and mother’s spiral into addiction and destruction of the family business and their legacy/ inheritance was caused by that one fateful day when the Rossi brothers visited their father. . For the past 10 years they have planned the downfall of the Rossi empire. They are now ready to execute this plan.
Issy is going to accost Gianni during his traditional 2 week holiday to the Caribbean, unfortunately for her he already is suspicious and totally turns the tables on her, calling her bluff by asking her to marry him! Issy also discovers that her father scammed the two cousins, nearly destroying their business, There is lots of chemistry between the pair but will they be able to overcome the bitterness of both sides wasting so many years of their lives planning the destruction of each others’ empires?
An enjoyable read, well thought out with some funny interludes with Gianni’s phone being thrown in the sea. I look forward to reading Pippa Roscoe’s book Expecting her Enemy’s Heir, which is the second book in the series and tells Amelia and Alessandros’ story.
Issy and her sister Amelia believe Gianni and his cousin Alessandro have destroyed the Seymore family. Their father’s death and mother’s spiral into addiction and destruction of the family business and their legacy/ inheritance was caused by that one fateful day when the Rossi brothers visited their father. . For the past 10 years they have planned the downfall of the Rossi empire. They are now ready to execute this plan.
Issy is going to accost Gianni during his traditional 2 week holiday to the Caribbean, unfortunately for her he already is suspicious and totally turns the tables on her, calling her bluff by asking her to marry him! Issy also discovers that her father scammed the two cousins, nearly destroying their business, There is lots of chemistry between the pair but will they be able to overcome the bitterness of both sides wasting so many years of their lives planning the destruction of each others’ empires?
An enjoyable read, well thought out with some funny interludes with Gianni’s phone being thrown in the sea. I look forward to reading Pippa Roscoe’s book Expecting her Enemy’s Heir, which is the second book in the series and tells Amelia and Alessandros’ story.
December 20, 2022
Quick Summary: An enemies to lovers romance
My Review: Bound by the Italian's "I Do" by Michelle Smart was perfect. It was explosive and sweet. The depth of emotion that Issy and Gianni experienced was moving. In the end, all that can be said is that the heart wants what it wants.
My Final Say: This love story was epic, in my opinion. It was special.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
I voluntarily read this book via NetGalley. The words I have shared are my own. Thanks to the author and to the publisher, who provided access to this title in exchange for an honest review.
My Review: Bound by the Italian's "I Do" by Michelle Smart was perfect. It was explosive and sweet. The depth of emotion that Issy and Gianni experienced was moving. In the end, all that can be said is that the heart wants what it wants.
My Final Say: This love story was epic, in my opinion. It was special.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
I voluntarily read this book via NetGalley. The words I have shared are my own. Thanks to the author and to the publisher, who provided access to this title in exchange for an honest review.
August 27, 2023
Well...
It was not so bad...2.5 stars....
It had a great plot - enemies to lovers with revenge... 😬
Main h is ready for her revenge...muhehehah!🫡🤤
There is cca 10 years age gab between her and main H, so when she was like 13 years old, she saw him and his cousin treating main h's father...🥴
Which let to his dead....🥴
And her mother to be in rehab 🥴
She has a sister. They BOTH work on mission "destroy cousins company"😛
Main h looks exactly like his favorite lovers - so she is the one who will distract him, while her sister will find some corruption in his company - where she even "undercover" works.
He is smitten the first time he sees her. Blonde, tall, gorgeous...exactly his type. 🥵
She is telling him like she is so rich, doesn't want any relationship etc etc...
Not gold digger - check
Doesn't want relationship- check
Beautiful- check
❤️
He would eat it, unless she would not tell him that she is expexting her girlfriend to sent for her...🚘
And then leaves with taxi.🚕
She knows that he every year comes to Caribbian- so she tells him, that they should go together - on her ship.
She had some kind of deal with her "friend" she worked for free - like for 6 monts - for few days on the big rich boat with croaw...🛟⛵️
But her "friend" received a lot of money from main H to PRETEND, that his boat is the one he will give her....🛳
So she pretends that it is her boat.🤭
But he knows it isn't...🤪
He finds more, more and more until he finds out that she is the 13 years scared old...😮💨
They have like a lot of sexual attraction...And it was when he almost took her virginity, when he tells her that he knows her...like HER. 🤯😵💫😵
And before this moment, she even told him that she is "saving for marriage..." which he didn't believe, but told her anyway, that he will marry her - hence part of the plot.😳
And they will marry...😀
Cause he wanted to provoce her with this and didn't expect for her to say "yes"👰♂️🤵
After they land on eart, she wants to go home. Everything is lost - he finds out about ther "plan" a with his cousin stop it.🙅♀️
So she just wants to go hoooooome.🏠
But he doesn't want to let her go, so he "kidnaped her" to his destination.🏖
They have some big "themes" they talk about. Like her father - that he was not such a Saint...
😇
But - in my eyes - they should think more about their actions the moment they took him his businnes...
And saw their little girls...
From rich they became poor...🫠
But they were like 20 years old...they didn't think...🤷♂️🤷
I don't know how...but she fell in love with him. Everything was rusch....🩵💜❤️❤️🔥
Too much! It was 95% about revenge and 5% about their love.
🥺😤
When I was on 70% read or something, it started to be really boring...
That's why 2 stars 🫢
It was not so bad...2.5 stars....
It had a great plot - enemies to lovers with revenge... 😬
Main h is ready for her revenge...muhehehah!🫡🤤
There is cca 10 years age gab between her and main H, so when she was like 13 years old, she saw him and his cousin treating main h's father...🥴
Which let to his dead....🥴
And her mother to be in rehab 🥴
She has a sister. They BOTH work on mission "destroy cousins company"😛
Main h looks exactly like his favorite lovers - so she is the one who will distract him, while her sister will find some corruption in his company - where she even "undercover" works.
He is smitten the first time he sees her. Blonde, tall, gorgeous...exactly his type. 🥵
She is telling him like she is so rich, doesn't want any relationship etc etc...
Not gold digger - check
Doesn't want relationship- check
Beautiful- check
❤️
He would eat it, unless she would not tell him that she is expexting her girlfriend to sent for her...🚘
And then leaves with taxi.🚕
She knows that he every year comes to Caribbian- so she tells him, that they should go together - on her ship.
She had some kind of deal with her "friend" she worked for free - like for 6 monts - for few days on the big rich boat with croaw...🛟⛵️
But her "friend" received a lot of money from main H to PRETEND, that his boat is the one he will give her....🛳
So she pretends that it is her boat.🤭
But he knows it isn't...🤪
He finds more, more and more until he finds out that she is the 13 years scared old...😮💨
They have like a lot of sexual attraction...And it was when he almost took her virginity, when he tells her that he knows her...like HER. 🤯😵💫😵
And before this moment, she even told him that she is "saving for marriage..." which he didn't believe, but told her anyway, that he will marry her - hence part of the plot.😳
And they will marry...😀
Cause he wanted to provoce her with this and didn't expect for her to say "yes"👰♂️🤵
After they land on eart, she wants to go home. Everything is lost - he finds out about ther "plan" a with his cousin stop it.🙅♀️
So she just wants to go hoooooome.🏠
But he doesn't want to let her go, so he "kidnaped her" to his destination.🏖
They have some big "themes" they talk about. Like her father - that he was not such a Saint...
😇
But - in my eyes - they should think more about their actions the moment they took him his businnes...
And saw their little girls...
From rich they became poor...🫠
But they were like 20 years old...they didn't think...🤷♂️🤷
I don't know how...but she fell in love with him. Everything was rusch....🩵💜❤️❤️🔥
Too much! It was 95% about revenge and 5% about their love.
🥺😤
When I was on 70% read or something, it started to be really boring...
That's why 2 stars 🫢
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2023
Maybe it’s because lately I’ve read such disappointing books, but this one really was good and I enjoyed it finishing it in one afternoon.
The plot is good and well developed, there’s a double misunderstanding and both the heroine and the hero are hooked by their unwanted feelings for each other. The heroine’s father died and lost everything because the hero and his cousin ruined him a decade before. The heroine’s world crumbled and she and her sister swore they would make them pay. So she pretends to be a socialite and keeps him interested until her sister ruins a big deal with his company. The hero though, finds out almost at once that she’s a hustler and decides to have some fun until he finds out what she wants from him. The book is well done, there’s a lot of chemistry between them, a lot of passion, and both are thorn between their feelings and what they have to do.
It turns out her father was a man who ruined people and he deceived the hero and his cousin, so they took over his company.
Eventually the hero is the first to say ily and even if the end was a bit messy, I really enjoyed it.
The hero is not bad at all, a previous shallow manwhore, but as soon as he meets the heroine he changes his lifestyle.
The marriage was what I really didn’t understand and could have done without, and the story could have been good all the same.
The heroine seems to me a girl who has some eating disorder, since it’s clear that she has been on a diet for one year to be like the leggy models the hero usually date, but she’s actually addicted to sugar and junk food. Her references to food are not those a sane girl would do, her references to missing fast food, sugars and carbs is telling. It’s not about being skinny, but being healthy here. A woman who dreams of cakes and fast food and doesn’t appreciate healthy food (she eats fresh tuna and dreams fast food…) is not an example to follow. I think her deprived childhood after his father died and her mother went to rehab made her addicted to food… sad but true. It seems that in the end she found a balance, but I wish weight wasn’t seen as a matter of aesthetic but as a matter of health.
The plot is good and well developed, there’s a double misunderstanding and both the heroine and the hero are hooked by their unwanted feelings for each other. The heroine’s father died and lost everything because the hero and his cousin ruined him a decade before. The heroine’s world crumbled and she and her sister swore they would make them pay. So she pretends to be a socialite and keeps him interested until her sister ruins a big deal with his company. The hero though, finds out almost at once that she’s a hustler and decides to have some fun until he finds out what she wants from him. The book is well done, there’s a lot of chemistry between them, a lot of passion, and both are thorn between their feelings and what they have to do.
It turns out her father was a man who ruined people and he deceived the hero and his cousin, so they took over his company.
Eventually the hero is the first to say ily and even if the end was a bit messy, I really enjoyed it.
The hero is not bad at all, a previous shallow manwhore, but as soon as he meets the heroine he changes his lifestyle.
The marriage was what I really didn’t understand and could have done without, and the story could have been good all the same.
The heroine seems to me a girl who has some eating disorder, since it’s clear that she has been on a diet for one year to be like the leggy models the hero usually date, but she’s actually addicted to sugar and junk food. Her references to food are not those a sane girl would do, her references to missing fast food, sugars and carbs is telling. It’s not about being skinny, but being healthy here. A woman who dreams of cakes and fast food and doesn’t appreciate healthy food (she eats fresh tuna and dreams fast food…) is not an example to follow. I think her deprived childhood after his father died and her mother went to rehab made her addicted to food… sad but true. It seems that in the end she found a balance, but I wish weight wasn’t seen as a matter of aesthetic but as a matter of health.
April 15, 2023
I liked it, the chemistry between the hero and heroine was palpable and all the dialogue between them was so entertaining. I loved the witty banter between them, both lying to the other at different times and outwitting the other (how they ended up married was great, each not wanting to fold first and before they knew it they were married).
I liked the hero, even though he was such a playboy and tried to get back to enjoying his 1 vacation a year (after heroine refused to talk to him) he flirted with other woman for hours but realized he didn't want her. After that how vulnerable he got and how he treated heroine was so sweet. He didn't react well when she said she couldn't be with him (said sister would never be ok with it), but was understandable with his childhood. It was cute them joking about him not handling rejection well when they reconciled.
I adored the heroine and how she tried to take the hero down. I loved the part where she dieted for 2 years and once her cover was blown she ate everything she dreamed about for 2 years.
I didn't love that heroine studied all his ex-lovers so extensively to look like them (but he admitted he wouldn't have looked twice at her as brunette and heavier set before). It's disappointing that for him to originally be attracted to her she had to look like all his other women. P.
I liked the hero, even though he was such a playboy and tried to get back to enjoying his 1 vacation a year (after heroine refused to talk to him) he flirted with other woman for hours but realized he didn't want her. After that how vulnerable he got and how he treated heroine was so sweet. He didn't react well when she said she couldn't be with him (said sister would never be ok with it), but was understandable with his childhood. It was cute them joking about him not handling rejection well when they reconciled.
I adored the heroine and how she tried to take the hero down. I loved the part where she dieted for 2 years and once her cover was blown she ate everything she dreamed about for 2 years.
I didn't love that heroine studied all his ex-lovers so extensively to look like them (but he admitted he wouldn't have looked twice at her as brunette and heavier set before). It's disappointing that for him to originally be attracted to her she had to look like all his other women. P.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2023
Issy’s family was destroyed by Gianni, her father’s former business partner. Along with her sister, Issy has a plan for revenge posing as a socialite and seducing Gianni so her sister can take down the business. Gianni instantly clocks Issy for a con woman but lets her plan take place and soon discovers her real identity allowing him to hatch a plan of his own. The pair impulsively marry as part of there respective plans only to have their schemes fall apart when real feelings take over.
I adore Harlequin Presents books. True to their reputation this book was filled with rich schemers and beautiful locations. I love Below Deck so I really enjoyed having the majority of this book take place on a super yacht. I liked both Issy and Gianni. The book is dual POV so I felt like I got to know both characters. This book does lead into a second book featuring Issy’s sister and Gianni’s cousin, so the book does have a slight cliff hanger, but does work on its own.
I adore Harlequin Presents books. True to their reputation this book was filled with rich schemers and beautiful locations. I love Below Deck so I really enjoyed having the majority of this book take place on a super yacht. I liked both Issy and Gianni. The book is dual POV so I felt like I got to know both characters. This book does lead into a second book featuring Issy’s sister and Gianni’s cousin, so the book does have a slight cliff hanger, but does work on its own.
February 27, 2023
I love the connection between Issy and Gianni in this emotional and twisty enemies-to-lovers revenge romance. Two sisters whose lives were irreparably damaged by the perceived actions of the Rossi cousins plot their revenge. The plan involves taking the cousins' corporation down from the inside. The successful outcome for the sisters depends on taking Gianni out of the arena during his annual two-week retreat to the Caribbean. Issy reinvents herself to attract Gianni's attention with far-reaching consequences that make her question her life to date.
The dialogue and passion in this story are engaging, as is the glamorous setting. It's an enjoyable story full of betrayal, heartbreak and sensual romance. I look forward to reading the second sister's story, which follows next month and is written by a different author.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
The dialogue and passion in this story are engaging, as is the glamorous setting. It's an enjoyable story full of betrayal, heartbreak and sensual romance. I look forward to reading the second sister's story, which follows next month and is written by a different author.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
March 30, 2023
Rich in strife and desire! The first book in the Billion-Dollar Revenge duo is fast paced and quick to snag a reader's attention. I loved the characters and the back story of each and was invested in their happily ever after. I did feel like it wasn't truly a stand-alone story though because we are left wondering about a lot having to do with her sister instead of having it play out in both books of the duet. I'm looking forward to reading the conclusion in the final book.
I was more drawn to Gianni and his success story with his cousin than I was in Issy's revenge plot. I felt like he was successful after hardship and continued to work hard to gain the prestige he wants while she believes what she remembers from childhood without truly getting her facts straight. They complement each other with an intriguing storyline.
I was more drawn to Gianni and his success story with his cousin than I was in Issy's revenge plot. I felt like he was successful after hardship and continued to work hard to gain the prestige he wants while she believes what she remembers from childhood without truly getting her facts straight. They complement each other with an intriguing storyline.
August 25, 2025
Nicely done revenge story with the heroine carrying out the ineffectual revenge scheme on the property developer hero. Hero is on to her from the start but thinks she's a scam artist. Since he wants to know how far she will go to dupe him, they end up on *his* new yacht with *his* employees - even though heroine thinks she has hired/borrowed them from her broker.
I'm not fond of heroines being in the wrong, but I could tolerate it here because hero was so captivated by her that they ended up married after a game of snooker and one-upmanship. The author got the tongue-in-cheek tone exactly right. Also, hero did the pursuing in the end.
I had to knock off a star for not getting the whole story. The reader has to wait for the book about her sister in order to find out what the consequences were for her sister.
I'm not fond of heroines being in the wrong, but I could tolerate it here because hero was so captivated by her that they ended up married after a game of snooker and one-upmanship. The author got the tongue-in-cheek tone exactly right. Also, hero did the pursuing in the end.
I had to knock off a star for not getting the whole story. The reader has to wait for the book about her sister in order to find out what the consequences were for her sister.
March 10, 2023
Because I had recently finished several stories with a complex premise, I decided to read this one as a palate cleanser. Surprisingly, it was better than what I'd imagined, and I appreciated reading Issy and Gianni's story. Though it is predictable, I did enjoy reading through their journey towards forgiveness and true happiness. I'm looking forward to reading Amelia and Alessandro's book next month.
hq-to-read
March 17, 2024Billionaire Gianni Rossi destroyed Issy Seymore’s family legacy…and it’s time for payback. Issy has a she’ll get him onto a yacht headed for the Caribbean, distract him then take down his company!
Gianni has been onto Issy from the start, outmaneuvering her at every turn. But, as the heat between them rises, it’s the Italian who begins to feel out of his depth. To finally end the charade, he calls her bluff with an outrageous marriage proposal. Then Issy makes one last move—by saying yes
Gianni has been onto Issy from the start, outmaneuvering her at every turn. But, as the heat between them rises, it’s the Italian who begins to feel out of his depth. To finally end the charade, he calls her bluff with an outrageous marriage proposal. Then Issy makes one last move—by saying yes
April 12, 2023
Simple easy read. I like to read a couple of these fantasy love stories every once in a while. This story was the girl hates boy but it all turns out to be a misunderstanding. The characters are not too complex. The story is total fantasy really as I can never imagine this happening but as a book to lose yourself in and have a few smiles along the way then this is fine.
March 17, 2023
Love Michelle Smart's books and this one didn't disappoint. Eagerly looking forward to her next one.
Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.
April 9, 2023
I am still reading this book, but chapter 5 has me cracking up laughing so hard about the water slide scene and Izzy coming down the slide into the sea! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Really good story, can’t wait for book two, the sister’s story. Two really good authors.
Really good story, can’t wait for book two, the sister’s story. Two really good authors.
Read
March 1, 2023Contemporary Romance
Miniseries
A Billion-Dollar Revenge (Book #1)
Miniseries
A Billion-Dollar Revenge (Book #1)
Read
March 1, 2023Contemporary Romance
Miniseries
A Billion-Dollar Revenge (Book #1)
Miniseries
A Billion-Dollar Revenge (Book #1)
May 14, 2023
Love it
December 22, 2023
Didn’t expect to read about billionaire cloning and spying on her phone. Was totally not expected but equally funny what followed with situation
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2024
3.75 ***
April 1, 2023
A very good start
This is the first book in the series and it was awesome. The h and her sister planned to take revenge against the H and his cousin. They believed they were responsible for the break up of their family. In actually, her father had stolen from the H and his cousin. The plan fell apart but along the way they got to really know each other and fell in love. Looking forward to the next book. Great epilogue.
This is the first book in the series and it was awesome. The h and her sister planned to take revenge against the H and his cousin. They believed they were responsible for the break up of their family. In actually, her father had stolen from the H and his cousin. The plan fell apart but along the way they got to really know each other and fell in love. Looking forward to the next book. Great epilogue.
April 18, 2023
Reviewed at Happily Ever After Romance
Bound by the Italian’s “I Do” begins the Billion-Dollar Revenge duet with a romance that defies all logic when the couple involved should be on totally opposite sides but… Issy didn’t count on the strong attraction to Gianni, and he didn’t consider the red-hot passion flowing between them. The saying “revenge is a dish best served cold” comes to mind for this romance when Issy and her sister, Amelia have worked toward this moment for a decade. Ten years of having one ultimate goal, one focus, to bring down the two men who completely destroyed their world. Their father’s eventual death, and their mother’s addictions all can be traced back to one visit to the sisters’ childhood home… and now the Rossi cousins are about to get a unique taste of payback.
I found Gianni and Issy to be a fascinating couple in a very unique situation. And I’m also not sure how to really voice my feelings about this novel without giving away spoilers which I really try not to do. I could easily understand each main character’s reasons for the things that they did, both in the past and in the present. I can imagine two young girls having their lives torn apart vowing to protect each other and make those responsible pay. Yes, their actions also stole ten years of their own lives in the process but revenge, seeking any kind of justice (no matter how misguided) becomes a bit of an obsession where nothing else matters but the end goal. The same can be said for Gianni and his cousin, Alessandro with their need to teach the sisters’ father a lesson in just how it feels to be scammed, lied to, and destroyed. That also took years of their lives as well. All four people in this situation lost so much, including all those years with revenge as the end goal. So, while the premise is unique on many levels, it is also fascinating to watch it all play out once Issy and Amelia’s plan can finally be put into action.
The physical attraction between Issy and Gianni is obvious from the beginning. Yet as their story deepens so does another emotion come to life that neither expected. There is justifiable anger in this story, and there is so much anguish as well when they both confide what their past was like to each other and finally got a look at the other side of the situation. Both were wrong, and yet both were right depending on your personal viewpoint. I loved watching the love grow between them. It wasn’t easy by any means, but it was there beneath the surface as they worked through the overload of emotions going on in their own minds.
I enjoyed Issy and Gianni’s story very much, and now it’s on to Amelia and Alessandro’s romance up next. If you love a fiery, passionate, emotional romance that will have you questioning your own views of right and wrong while watching two deserving people finally find the love that can heal and last a lifetime… then you’d love this novel.
I own a Kindle edition of this title.
Bound by the Italian’s “I Do” begins the Billion-Dollar Revenge duet with a romance that defies all logic when the couple involved should be on totally opposite sides but… Issy didn’t count on the strong attraction to Gianni, and he didn’t consider the red-hot passion flowing between them. The saying “revenge is a dish best served cold” comes to mind for this romance when Issy and her sister, Amelia have worked toward this moment for a decade. Ten years of having one ultimate goal, one focus, to bring down the two men who completely destroyed their world. Their father’s eventual death, and their mother’s addictions all can be traced back to one visit to the sisters’ childhood home… and now the Rossi cousins are about to get a unique taste of payback.
I found Gianni and Issy to be a fascinating couple in a very unique situation. And I’m also not sure how to really voice my feelings about this novel without giving away spoilers which I really try not to do. I could easily understand each main character’s reasons for the things that they did, both in the past and in the present. I can imagine two young girls having their lives torn apart vowing to protect each other and make those responsible pay. Yes, their actions also stole ten years of their own lives in the process but revenge, seeking any kind of justice (no matter how misguided) becomes a bit of an obsession where nothing else matters but the end goal. The same can be said for Gianni and his cousin, Alessandro with their need to teach the sisters’ father a lesson in just how it feels to be scammed, lied to, and destroyed. That also took years of their lives as well. All four people in this situation lost so much, including all those years with revenge as the end goal. So, while the premise is unique on many levels, it is also fascinating to watch it all play out once Issy and Amelia’s plan can finally be put into action.
The physical attraction between Issy and Gianni is obvious from the beginning. Yet as their story deepens so does another emotion come to life that neither expected. There is justifiable anger in this story, and there is so much anguish as well when they both confide what their past was like to each other and finally got a look at the other side of the situation. Both were wrong, and yet both were right depending on your personal viewpoint. I loved watching the love grow between them. It wasn’t easy by any means, but it was there beneath the surface as they worked through the overload of emotions going on in their own minds.
I enjoyed Issy and Gianni’s story very much, and now it’s on to Amelia and Alessandro’s romance up next. If you love a fiery, passionate, emotional romance that will have you questioning your own views of right and wrong while watching two deserving people finally find the love that can heal and last a lifetime… then you’d love this novel.
I own a Kindle edition of this title.
April 3, 2023
This is the first book in the Billion-Dollar Revenge. Two sister believe that the hero and his cousin destroy their Father's business and in turn he died an early death due to their actions. The plan involves taking the cousins' corporation down from the inside. The successful outcome for the sisters depends on taking Gianni out of the arena during his annual two-week retreat to the Caribbean. Issy reinvents herself to attract Gianni's attention with far-reaching consequences that make her question her life to date. Gianni takes Issy to his island and try to uncovered/revealed about what happened to Issy's Father's company, why and the truth both perspectives is disclosed. In the meantime the two encounter an attraction and feelings for each other. Issy reinvents herself to attract Gianni's attention with far-reaching consequences that make her question her life to date. What can be said is that the heart wants what it wants.
January 29, 2023
A big thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Presents for the eARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This was pretty far fetched for me, but I still thought it was fun to read. It did make me laugh. I found the ending (before the epilogue) was an odd way to end. Sort of a cliff hanger. 3.5 stars
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