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The Italian Billionaire's Abandoned Wife
He abandoned her on their wedding night...
His name is Marcus Ravelli, and he's very, very Italian. Utterly wicked, absolutely arrogant, and smoldering hot. He's one of my brother's closest friends, and we met one unforgettable summer, when he was eighteen, and I was nineteen.
I've never forgotten him, and when we meet again, sparks start flying like ten years haven't gone by. I want him more than ever, and so when he asks me to marry him, I say yes...only to have him break my heart in the most cruel way there is.
I want a divorce, but my Italian billionaire husband offers me a deal instead...
This is the single-title version of My Italian Billionaire Pt. 1 and 2. Steamy, angsty romance. No cliffhangers.
I've never forgotten him, and when we meet again, sparks start flying like ten years haven't gone by. I want him more than ever, and so when he asks me to marry him, I say yes...only to have him break my heart in the most cruel way there is.
I want a divorce, but my Italian billionaire husband offers me a deal instead...
This is the single-title version of My Italian Billionaire Pt. 1 and 2. Steamy, angsty romance. No cliffhangers.
341 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 22, 2022
609 people are currently reading
259 people want to read
About the author
Marian Tee
282 books2,064 followersHi! I love talking about books as much as the next bibliophile - doesn't matter whose books - so feel free to chat with me here. :)
As for other stuff you may want to know, you could visit my website or author page in Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/authormariantee.
As for other stuff you may want to know, you could visit my website or author page in Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/authormariantee.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
April 5, 2023
This is another tough one to rate. I haven’t read much from this author, but it feels like she’s a bit all over. At times plot devices are delved into thoroughly, and other times she drives the plot off the road. It definitely has an overdramatic/soap opera tone with soapy themes, but there’s one part that is quite heavy for the genre, so I’m going to put the trigger spoilers towards the top.
The prologue opens with Marcus learning his grandma’s will stipulates that he must marry or lose his company. Then we immediately backtrack 10-years earlier to the H and h spending a summer together when they were 18/19. It takes about 25% (8 chapters) to get caught up with the reconnection. And it’s BAM instant connection… like she Things go well until the wedding night when the shit hits the fan.
Triggers-
Safety-
Now the annoying bits…
❌ Being stuck in Anneke’s head was annoying AF at times. Riiiight.. Crap. Riiiight. Crap.
❌There’re a ton of time jumps, months at a time where the couple are separated and not really working on their stuff.
❌ The writing style is at times unorganized. The POV changes mid conversation making it repetitive and clunky.
“M—-” But she caught herself in time, her face paling as soon as she realized she had almost allowed herself to say his name.
Marcus’ eyes darkened. She had been about to say his name.
❌ Many of the plot devices are shallow or illogical. Pushing the safety/trigger ones aside there’s also
Bottom Line- It was ok if you don’t dig deep. I really wanted to round up because I’ve been handing out 2⭐’s like hot cakes, but the writing and plot had issues. I would be open to a reread in the future, so who knows.
The prologue opens with Marcus learning his grandma’s will stipulates that he must marry or lose his company. Then we immediately backtrack 10-years earlier to the H and h spending a summer together when they were 18/19. It takes about 25% (8 chapters) to get caught up with the reconnection. And it’s BAM instant connection… like she Things go well until the wedding night when the shit hits the fan.
Triggers-
Safety-
Now the annoying bits…
❌ Being stuck in Anneke’s head was annoying AF at times. Riiiight.. Crap. Riiiight. Crap.
❌There’re a ton of time jumps, months at a time where the couple are separated and not really working on their stuff.
❌ The writing style is at times unorganized. The POV changes mid conversation making it repetitive and clunky.
“M—-” But she caught herself in time, her face paling as soon as she realized she had almost allowed herself to say his name.
Marcus’ eyes darkened. She had been about to say his name.
❌ Many of the plot devices are shallow or illogical. Pushing the safety/trigger ones aside there’s also
Bottom Line- It was ok if you don’t dig deep. I really wanted to round up because I’ve been handing out 2⭐’s like hot cakes, but the writing and plot had issues. I would be open to a reread in the future, so who knows.
Did not finish
July 3, 2023DNF @ 32% - the heros nickname for the h was “bambina”… something he seemed to have decided on before he knew her… and I found it super not sexy. Not to mention the fact that she’s actually a year older than him, I think?? So it doesn’t even make much sense. I wasn’t feeling the chemistry here and found it weird when he got all sexual with her out of the clear blue sky. Then he ghosts her ass after a bunch of heavy petting and aggressively pursuing her…. And TEN YEARS LATER… she sees him at a funeral and immediately drops to her knees and swallows his dick.
No really.
He sees her… takes her out of his granny’s funeral and the h immediately reaches for his dick and starts sucking. This cat hasn’t seen or spoken to her in
TEN
F*CKING
YEEEEAAAAARRRRS.
Girl. No.
And girlfriend is still a virgin.
Too many levels of cringe here for me.
No really.
He sees her… takes her out of his granny’s funeral and the h immediately reaches for his dick and starts sucking. This cat hasn’t seen or spoken to her in
TEN
F*CKING
YEEEEAAAAARRRRS.
Girl. No.
And girlfriend is still a virgin.
Too many levels of cringe here for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2023
There is NO redemption for abandoning your virginal wife in bed on your wedding night to bring a sub to your basement and masturbating to her 😐
The icing on the cake is when your still virginal wife catches the sub leaving and you don’t do anything except walk away while she’s crying on the floor….
The icing on the cake is when your still virginal wife catches the sub leaving and you don’t do anything except walk away while she’s crying on the floor….
May 22, 2023
**SPOILERS**
Marcus cheats on their wedding night. He has trauma from his childhood that causes him to think he’s too dirty for Anneka so when he finds out she’s a virgin he walks away from her because he doesn’t want to “dirty” her. So, instead of “dirtying her” know what he does? He goes to his basement, calls a Sub from a sex club to whip her and at the very least master bates with her while she orgasms, he says he didn’t have sex with her but it’s never fully explained what went on because at one point he says, no he didn’t have sex with her and then it says, “that’s a lie”. It was hard to tell if that was just Anneka’s inner dialogue that was calling him a liar or if it was his inner dialogue or if it was the 3rd person narrator stating that. Either way he cheated and I wanted to put that in my review to warn people because I know some readers think that’s a deal breaker with books they read, it is for me. Also, Anneka witnessed the woman and Marcus coming out of the room together when he was done after she heard the noises from the woman. She knows that he has orgasmed apparently because she knows his post orgasm face. She collapses on the floor devastated and He just walks away from Anneka and they don’t see each other for a year. Also, his trauma is related to A BDSM incident when he was a child with his parents that was fairly disturbing and I had to skim through that part. While I do sympathize with people that have trauma and because of that trauma they can do things that hurt people they love, I believe that what he did was unforgivable. Why couldn’t he just walk away from her because he didn’t want to dirty her and not cheat on her while she was in the same house. It was too messed up for me. Anyway, they did get their happy ending a few years later but I wasn’t really rooting for him. Of course she wasn’t with anyone else that whole time and saved herself for him. I guess he healed his trauma in the first year after he left her by going to a priest but that’s not really talked about very much. I wish she would have ended up with someone else to be honest.
Marcus cheats on their wedding night. He has trauma from his childhood that causes him to think he’s too dirty for Anneka so when he finds out she’s a virgin he walks away from her because he doesn’t want to “dirty” her. So, instead of “dirtying her” know what he does? He goes to his basement, calls a Sub from a sex club to whip her and at the very least master bates with her while she orgasms, he says he didn’t have sex with her but it’s never fully explained what went on because at one point he says, no he didn’t have sex with her and then it says, “that’s a lie”. It was hard to tell if that was just Anneka’s inner dialogue that was calling him a liar or if it was his inner dialogue or if it was the 3rd person narrator stating that. Either way he cheated and I wanted to put that in my review to warn people because I know some readers think that’s a deal breaker with books they read, it is for me. Also, Anneka witnessed the woman and Marcus coming out of the room together when he was done after she heard the noises from the woman. She knows that he has orgasmed apparently because she knows his post orgasm face. She collapses on the floor devastated and He just walks away from Anneka and they don’t see each other for a year. Also, his trauma is related to A BDSM incident when he was a child with his parents that was fairly disturbing and I had to skim through that part. While I do sympathize with people that have trauma and because of that trauma they can do things that hurt people they love, I believe that what he did was unforgivable. Why couldn’t he just walk away from her because he didn’t want to dirty her and not cheat on her while she was in the same house. It was too messed up for me. Anyway, they did get their happy ending a few years later but I wasn’t really rooting for him. Of course she wasn’t with anyone else that whole time and saved herself for him. I guess he healed his trauma in the first year after he left her by going to a priest but that’s not really talked about very much. I wish she would have ended up with someone else to be honest.
June 22, 2024
If this is what romance is, i don’t want none of it 😟
February 19, 2024
Oh, boy. Wasn't sure how to rate this, but I have to say I was very underwhelmed with this one. Especially the ending. The h Anneke completely chickened out. 🤷 Anyways, if you read the book then you know what I'm talking about. Now on to the characters... Unfortunately I did not like Anneke at all. She's a Dutch heiress in the Netherlands and supposed to be smart, but she was an idiot. Hey she even called herself an idiot over and over again and I'd have to agree. Her naiveness was unrealistic. She's a vice president of a big company, and over the age of 30. It just wasn't believable to be honest. She was not a boss lady. I don't really have that much to gripe about with Marcus other than he did cheat on their wedding night. Spoiler. He whipped and masturbated along with a regular of his he called on his wedding night. No skin contact, but that's still cheating. Man the balls on that one. He thought he was too dirty for Anneke after finding out she was still a virgin. He has past trauma from his creepy ass bdsm parents. Not gonna lie. That was uncomfortable to read as hell.
The writing was ok. A few grammatical mistakes, but nothing to throw my kindle over. BUT if I ever have to read another book where the FMC's favorite word is crap, I'm going to tap out. She must have said crap a million times. I really should have counted. Crap, crap, crappity, crap. Oh crap! And I mustn't forget riiiight. 😂 Over and over it went. Being in her head was a tad tiring. I mean I know she was a goody two shoes and didn't curse a day in her life but.. no. Also, she apologized for every bad thought in her head.
Overall it was an ok read, but I was expecting more. Especially with how it started. It was sweet, and then it slowly went downhill from there.
CW: sexual child abuse. Marcus was forced to watch his parents bdsm lifestyle and made to masturbate while watching. He was 8 yrs old. Like I said very uncomfortable and his parents should have been arrested for that shit
The writing was ok. A few grammatical mistakes, but nothing to throw my kindle over. BUT if I ever have to read another book where the FMC's favorite word is crap, I'm going to tap out. She must have said crap a million times. I really should have counted. Crap, crap, crappity, crap. Oh crap! And I mustn't forget riiiight. 😂 Over and over it went. Being in her head was a tad tiring. I mean I know she was a goody two shoes and didn't curse a day in her life but.. no. Also, she apologized for every bad thought in her head.
Overall it was an ok read, but I was expecting more. Especially with how it started. It was sweet, and then it slowly went downhill from there.
CW: sexual child abuse. Marcus was forced to watch his parents bdsm lifestyle and made to masturbate while watching. He was 8 yrs old. Like I said very uncomfortable and his parents should have been arrested for that shit
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
November 9, 2023This author’s books have such potential for juicy OTT drama, but she swerves sometimes and the opportunity is lost. This book got close, but didn’t actually take the turns it needed to to get to real drama. Sorry I’m being so vague but I can’t think of a better way to explain why this book missed the mark.
November 27, 2022
3.5 stars
not-for-me
July 3, 2023Just read Melluvsbooks review 🥴
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
June 2, 2023
Okay read
While I enjoyed the author's writing, I was a little disappointed with the characters and their behavior! Granted he was broken, but he was a stupid jerk!
While I enjoyed the author's writing, I was a little disappointed with the characters and their behavior! Granted he was broken, but he was a stupid jerk!
August 1, 2023
TW: sexual abuse/incest
I wasn't prepared going in for this level of trauma inducing story. I would've skipped it had I known.
It was truly awful.
I wasn't prepared going in for this level of trauma inducing story. I would've skipped it had I known.
It was truly awful.
June 16, 2024
★. He messes up but she chases him? Girlie get a backbone
August 7, 2024
these books are not good, if not addicting
A truly messed up and diabolical scene happens, that changes Marcus’ life. You don’t realize it coming or happening until it does, in part three. I saw the writing on the wall, but again there’s abuse. This time, child abuse with a touch of incest (yay!) WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?? Why write these terrible back stories?!
The thing is, until you understand why Marcus is the way he is with his past- nothing makes sense. The characters are good. Anneke is good and I have questions about her family - I’m still confused where she’s based if Marcus is Italian and she had to learn the language but then they’re also speaking about and in American cities, where is she based???
Like … I’m still conflicted on if finishing this story is worth it. Because leaving their wedding night to go with his playmate instead, there isn’t a single redeemable quality we’ve gotten in the “ten years” they’ve known each other.
Also, these stories are written weirdly. They’re first person pov kinda but doesn’t specify who is speaking or thinking, you’re left to assume.
I cannot believe Anneke got married without her siblings there or knowing and now we have this weird trauma dumping and catch up of Marcus’ pov to where Anneke left us.
DUTCH! Anneke is Dutch! How could a Dutch person & an Italian get married in America??? & it be legally binding?!
I am just speechless as to whether or not the intention of the author is to write a truly heinous backstory or story in general for the characters “for them to overcome”.
Anneke’s family was more entertaining than the main couple and we only got fragments of what was happening there.
I don’t know you guys, it was fine. There’s a huge deal when she finds out the reason for the marriage and I genuinely forgot too. It was such a lame thing for her to consider the end. Crazy that his mom had to get involved.
RE: the mom - The mom and the son were victims of the dad … the mom has been truly crass because she’s ‘trying to protect herself’ … but she keeps saying “tell her about us” “cause you know about us” … and like … you were victims not a couple. It’s a lot.
These books are not good, but they are addicting. I wouldn’t suggest it but it’s something else.
A truly messed up and diabolical scene happens, that changes Marcus’ life. You don’t realize it coming or happening until it does, in part three. I saw the writing on the wall, but again there’s abuse. This time, child abuse with a touch of incest (yay!) WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?? Why write these terrible back stories?!
The thing is, until you understand why Marcus is the way he is with his past- nothing makes sense. The characters are good. Anneke is good and I have questions about her family - I’m still confused where she’s based if Marcus is Italian and she had to learn the language but then they’re also speaking about and in American cities, where is she based???
Like … I’m still conflicted on if finishing this story is worth it. Because leaving their wedding night to go with his playmate instead, there isn’t a single redeemable quality we’ve gotten in the “ten years” they’ve known each other.
Also, these stories are written weirdly. They’re first person pov kinda but doesn’t specify who is speaking or thinking, you’re left to assume.
I cannot believe Anneke got married without her siblings there or knowing and now we have this weird trauma dumping and catch up of Marcus’ pov to where Anneke left us.
DUTCH! Anneke is Dutch! How could a Dutch person & an Italian get married in America??? & it be legally binding?!
I am just speechless as to whether or not the intention of the author is to write a truly heinous backstory or story in general for the characters “for them to overcome”.
Anneke’s family was more entertaining than the main couple and we only got fragments of what was happening there.
I don’t know you guys, it was fine. There’s a huge deal when she finds out the reason for the marriage and I genuinely forgot too. It was such a lame thing for her to consider the end. Crazy that his mom had to get involved.
RE: the mom - The mom and the son were victims of the dad … the mom has been truly crass because she’s ‘trying to protect herself’ … but she keeps saying “tell her about us” “cause you know about us” … and like … you were victims not a couple. It’s a lot.
These books are not good, but they are addicting. I wouldn’t suggest it but it’s something else.
December 16, 2022
I like Marion Tee as an author, but she leaves me befuddled at times.
The depth of her writing really impresses me in parts; then she has me scratching my head in others.
Little things bother me. Like a marriage that lasts less than 24 hours and is never consummated should easily be annulled. Why would the Hero be dumb enough to invite a sub into his home while his new wife still resides within? Make a lot of noise whipping her or whatever and then think "she didn't deserve to find out like this."
But, it's fiction at the end of the day and I did enjoy the read.
The depth of her writing really impresses me in parts; then she has me scratching my head in others.
Little things bother me. Like a marriage that lasts less than 24 hours and is never consummated should easily be annulled. Why would the Hero be dumb enough to invite a sub into his home while his new wife still resides within? Make a lot of noise whipping her or whatever and then think "she didn't deserve to find out like this."
But, it's fiction at the end of the day and I did enjoy the read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2023
hiding behind trauma
The heroine forgave the hero wayyyy to fast…
Felt like he got away with everything without really explaining in depth and communicating. Like yes, I know he had severe trauma but i felt like he ended up being forgiven for his mistakes because of it instead of being held accountable. Also the heroine needed to grow a spin. She didn’t deal with her emotions and issues and ran back to the hero without really making him grovel.
The heroine forgave the hero wayyyy to fast…
Felt like he got away with everything without really explaining in depth and communicating. Like yes, I know he had severe trauma but i felt like he ended up being forgiven for his mistakes because of it instead of being held accountable. Also the heroine needed to grow a spin. She didn’t deal with her emotions and issues and ran back to the hero without really making him grovel.
April 21, 2023
A good book!
I like this book and the story was good too.
But the thing is I felt it incomplete. There should be an Epilogue thay would have been beautiful.
I like this book and the story was good too.
But the thing is I felt it incomplete. There should be an Epilogue thay would have been beautiful.
February 16, 2025
This book simultaneously surprised and whelmed me...I found it a bit jarring how the narration abruptly switched to omni third-person midaway through the story, although I didn't necessarily miss access to the heroine's thoughts as her personality felt a bit too tryhard with the nods to "millennial relatable" speak (couldn't stand the repetitions of "riiiiight", also a lot of the referenced pop culture events were oddly dated for the time that this book was published; yes the author can choose what time their book is set in, but it just always jars me when an author sets an almost-contemporary story in a timeline that isn't far back enough to be considered historical, yet also has no significant impact on the plot to be necessary?).
The dark themes in the story were appreciable as a lot of people would pick up this book expecting a quick sensual read, only to discover that the author explores topics that aren't normally addressed in genres like romance. I did find the resolution and character arcs messy, but what mainly bumped my rating was the quality of the steamy scenes and the fact that the author took a risk.
Narration could benefit from more description (a lot of scenes suffered from "white background syndrome"; from the vague references we were given, the main characters' features vastly differ from the models on the book cover). Italian felt a bit ham-fisted in Marcus's dialogue. I also don't understand billionaire romance author's obsession (maybe not an obsession, as I've only recently dove into two books, including this one, in the genre so far) with casting a spotlight on age-gap romances that start when the female love interest is barely legal. Why did Anneke's eldest brother have to get with an eighteen-year-old intern that he "knew was the one" (or at least that is what I believe was implied, the wording was unclear) when he took her under his mentorship at his company when she was fourteen? And apparently they got an entire spinoff book too.
The dark themes in the story were appreciable as a lot of people would pick up this book expecting a quick sensual read, only to discover that the author explores topics that aren't normally addressed in genres like romance. I did find the resolution and character arcs messy, but what mainly bumped my rating was the quality of the steamy scenes and the fact that the author took a risk.
Narration could benefit from more description (a lot of scenes suffered from "white background syndrome"; from the vague references we were given, the main characters' features vastly differ from the models on the book cover). Italian felt a bit ham-fisted in Marcus's dialogue. I also don't understand billionaire romance author's obsession (maybe not an obsession, as I've only recently dove into two books, including this one, in the genre so far) with casting a spotlight on age-gap romances that start when the female love interest is barely legal. Why did Anneke's eldest brother have to get with an eighteen-year-old intern that he "knew was the one" (or at least that is what I believe was implied, the wording was unclear) when he took her under his mentorship at his company when she was fourteen? And apparently they got an entire spinoff book too.
February 24, 2026
The hero was sexually abused as a child by his father basically by making him watch the bdsm chain whip sex between the dad and mom! He made the boy masturbate while watching. I think he was only 8 years old. He met innocent heroin at 18 and loved her but he thought he was too deviant so left. He almost married another woman, A sub, who is in another book but she went back yo her evil boyfriend. I won't read that one for sure. He is told he must marry Anneke , the young girl, or lose his inheritance. The heroine doesn't know that. They marry and on his wedding night he learns she's still a virgin, so he walks.out on her and calls for a sub to come to the hotel and he beats the girl in chains and masturbates. The girl has an orgasm at the same time as him, gets clean, and leaves the room naked, while the heroine who had overheard it is standing there in shock. He comes out and she loses it and he just leaves. She falls apart and that is the saddest scene ever. He says he hasn't been with antone.in the years they are apart. He actually tells her he didn't have sex with that girl on the wedding night which I guess is true but it still sucked. He never touched the girl except for with the whip.but it still grossed me out. It was three years apart but he fought the divorce and would not let her go. I just hated the story with the sick parents and all. Just awful. There's s meeting with his Mother that will just destroy you too. it was so emotional. He did go to counselling with a priest for a year after that night to become a better man. He really did love the h.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2024
I got this free on sykd and I now know why it was free.
Frankly I’m annoyed that j couldn’t just finish it in December and have it be part of last year’s book’s of nonsense.
It actually started off pretty strong. I liked the first half of the book or the first 1/3 maybe. Then it all went to shit.
Cheating, miscommunication, other women drama, third person pov. Mind you, I don’t mind this shit half the time because I like the angst. BUT I COULDNT EVEN ENJOY ANY OF IT because it was just so stupid. Idk
Also after they get back together a year later, they break up like three times more for various different stupid reasons only to make up after like three pages because she loves him so much and she knows he loves her enough to let her go rather than fight for her cause he literally thinks so low of him self.
His self esteem issues were honestly concerning and none of it was attractive. Like mans has been going to therapy since he was 8 and he still hasn’t cracked it. Wtf is going on.
And her, like she needed to grow a spine. Idk. Yea he didn’t really cheat on her in the sense that no vaginas were penetrated on his behalf but like yea he did still cheat. And that’s fine, whatver, he was dealing with trauma, but he was always so quick to walk away. That’s not cute.
2/5 and it’s a very generous two
Frankly I’m annoyed that j couldn’t just finish it in December and have it be part of last year’s book’s of nonsense.
It actually started off pretty strong. I liked the first half of the book or the first 1/3 maybe. Then it all went to shit.
Cheating, miscommunication, other women drama, third person pov. Mind you, I don’t mind this shit half the time because I like the angst. BUT I COULDNT EVEN ENJOY ANY OF IT because it was just so stupid. Idk
Also after they get back together a year later, they break up like three times more for various different stupid reasons only to make up after like three pages because she loves him so much and she knows he loves her enough to let her go rather than fight for her cause he literally thinks so low of him self.
His self esteem issues were honestly concerning and none of it was attractive. Like mans has been going to therapy since he was 8 and he still hasn’t cracked it. Wtf is going on.
And her, like she needed to grow a spine. Idk. Yea he didn’t really cheat on her in the sense that no vaginas were penetrated on his behalf but like yea he did still cheat. And that’s fine, whatver, he was dealing with trauma, but he was always so quick to walk away. That’s not cute.
2/5 and it’s a very generous two
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2026
I liked it but...
...as is typical with books I have read by this author, the editing could have been better. Missed or misused words, grammar issues, etc. Overall I did enjoy the story, Marcus and Anneke's journey to their HEA taking over a decade, from young adulthood to being grown-ups. His tumultuous childhood revealed a darker side of his nature, making him think himself unworthy of innocent Anneke. Leaving her was safer for her heart, but all but broke him. Good thing he finally gathered the mettle to reveal all to his love.
Anneke actually was stronger than she gave herself credit for, moving on with her life after her dreams were crushed into so much dust. Her family and friends shored her up as well, a bastion of support she sorely needed. Letting him back in was painful, but so much better than not having him. His voice was her kryptonite.
This story is a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, Marcus's backstory laid bare for readers to understand the MMC. Anneke might be the older of the MCs but she is by far the least inexperienced in the ways of love. Her waiting was a novelty that is unheard of in these modern times, her gift to Marcus a sweet gesture he likely never received before. An enjoyable read / listen with some heat included. The AI narrator didn't take much from the story.
...as is typical with books I have read by this author, the editing could have been better. Missed or misused words, grammar issues, etc. Overall I did enjoy the story, Marcus and Anneke's journey to their HEA taking over a decade, from young adulthood to being grown-ups. His tumultuous childhood revealed a darker side of his nature, making him think himself unworthy of innocent Anneke. Leaving her was safer for her heart, but all but broke him. Good thing he finally gathered the mettle to reveal all to his love.
Anneke actually was stronger than she gave herself credit for, moving on with her life after her dreams were crushed into so much dust. Her family and friends shored her up as well, a bastion of support she sorely needed. Letting him back in was painful, but so much better than not having him. His voice was her kryptonite.
This story is a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, Marcus's backstory laid bare for readers to understand the MMC. Anneke might be the older of the MCs but she is by far the least inexperienced in the ways of love. Her waiting was a novelty that is unheard of in these modern times, her gift to Marcus a sweet gesture he likely never received before. An enjoyable read / listen with some heat included. The AI narrator didn't take much from the story.
July 11, 2023
3.5 stars
This was a wild ride that takes place over a large gap, possibly 12 years, and is Anneke and Marcus's love story.
It's hard not to empathize with Marcus and all the angst and emotional drama culminate in a very satisfying ending.
The H and h meet as teenagers, she's 19 and he's 18 physically, mentally however the h is much younger and extremely naive. Marcus pursues and seduces her then leaves her behind for 9 years when his father passes away.
Ironically enough it's his grandmother's death that brings them into each other's orbit once again. They marry and on their wedding night the H panics and cheats on the h causing her to leave him and serve him with divorce papers. The H refuses to let go and they meet back up a year later.
It was a long but satisfying journey for them to reach their hea. Would recommend.
This was a wild ride that takes place over a large gap, possibly 12 years, and is Anneke and Marcus's love story.
It's hard not to empathize with Marcus and all the angst and emotional drama culminate in a very satisfying ending.
The H and h meet as teenagers, she's 19 and he's 18 physically, mentally however the h is much younger and extremely naive. Marcus pursues and seduces her then leaves her behind for 9 years when his father passes away.
Ironically enough it's his grandmother's death that brings them into each other's orbit once again. They marry and on their wedding night the H panics and cheats on the h causing her to leave him and serve him with divorce papers. The H refuses to let go and they meet back up a year later.
It was a long but satisfying journey for them to reach their hea. Would recommend.
March 28, 2024
This was one of the strangest books I have ever read.
It was different style of writing than I am used to. It seems more “romantic” in style than contemporary. There were time gaps that I’m not used to in most contemporary romance books I’m reading. But the oddest thing was the treatment of BDSM. It really gave off the vibe that because he was SA as a child he now has a kink for BDSM. And that this kink is bad. I get it if it’s not for you, and if you don’t want to read about it but I’ve never encountered a book before that definitely conveys that the MMC has to get over this kink. Don’t get me wrong- he was abused as a child and if he doesn’t have healthy habits then they shouldn’t continue. But this is a work of fiction with an HEA so maybe not try to make it so deep? Weird. Seriously gave me the impression that the author has a personal thing against BDSM.
It was different style of writing than I am used to. It seems more “romantic” in style than contemporary. There were time gaps that I’m not used to in most contemporary romance books I’m reading. But the oddest thing was the treatment of BDSM. It really gave off the vibe that because he was SA as a child he now has a kink for BDSM. And that this kink is bad. I get it if it’s not for you, and if you don’t want to read about it but I’ve never encountered a book before that definitely conveys that the MMC has to get over this kink. Don’t get me wrong- he was abused as a child and if he doesn’t have healthy habits then they shouldn’t continue. But this is a work of fiction with an HEA so maybe not try to make it so deep? Weird. Seriously gave me the impression that the author has a personal thing against BDSM.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2025
This is terrible and unbelievable coz he’s a jerk and didn’t deserve her there was NO reason to do what he did to her on their wedding night unforgivable and even when he tries to get her back he lies keeps stuff from her and IF he truly cared about her he would have lost everything to give her the divorce she wanted not just keep leaving for a year then come back then coz she stills wants a divorce he goes for another year! Literally wasting her life and she in her 30s before she loses her virginity what a waste and thats another thing hello! Virgin she can have an annulment anytime coz they never consummated the marriage its not an legal marriage without it! She only need to be examined to get away from him. Im sorry about his bad past but its not enough for me to see him as a good guy. She was silly to go back to him she deserved better
January 22, 2024
Cheating = on their wedding night, H abandons h to go to the basement and have a BSDM session with a sub. Both H and OW come to completion (supposedly, H never touched the OW, just directed her to do what he wanted and he whipped her which led to her O while he was spanking his monkey; and oh, joy, it was so perfect they came at the same time)
h sees H with OW = after their "session" when the OW and H exit the room, h is there and sees them. h sees H and knows what his post-orgasm look is, so she immediately knows what happened (not everything, but enough to know the H got off)
Grovel = H grovels for about 2 years with words, deeds and schemes to get h back. H had a traumatizing childhood filled with sexual abuse so he went to therapy to deal with his trauma to also better himself.
h sees H with OW = after their "session" when the OW and H exit the room, h is there and sees them. h sees H and knows what his post-orgasm look is, so she immediately knows what happened (not everything, but enough to know the H got off)
Grovel = H grovels for about 2 years with words, deeds and schemes to get h back. H had a traumatizing childhood filled with sexual abuse so he went to therapy to deal with his trauma to also better himself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2023
Moving
This book has a deep psychological depth to it and it was moving. It is different from any of her other books, and by far my favorite of hers so far. It delves into the psychological mind of disturbance, trauma, and pain—how (past) childhood trauma can and does affect future years if left untreated, but through help and love, the human mind can heal. It is all about your perspective while reading the book. This book is so deep, in my opinion, and it brought tears to me—there were certain parts that made me thought back on my own experience. It is so beautifully, strongly, and well written, beginning to end.
This book has a deep psychological depth to it and it was moving. It is different from any of her other books, and by far my favorite of hers so far. It delves into the psychological mind of disturbance, trauma, and pain—how (past) childhood trauma can and does affect future years if left untreated, but through help and love, the human mind can heal. It is all about your perspective while reading the book. This book is so deep, in my opinion, and it brought tears to me—there were certain parts that made me thought back on my own experience. It is so beautifully, strongly, and well written, beginning to end.
October 4, 2023
Alright
This was a decent ahort read that started of strong, albeit a bit fast, with endearing characters that are only a bit too hyperfocused on nationality compared to most of the author's other books. Sadly, it started to become repetitive and slow and dragged in all the wrong spots. This book seemed more focused on Marcus's tragic childhood abuse and trauma than the relationship and chemistry between the characters. The epilogue felt a bit lacking considering all the intense emotion from before.
This was a decent ahort read that started of strong, albeit a bit fast, with endearing characters that are only a bit too hyperfocused on nationality compared to most of the author's other books. Sadly, it started to become repetitive and slow and dragged in all the wrong spots. This book seemed more focused on Marcus's tragic childhood abuse and trauma than the relationship and chemistry between the characters. The epilogue felt a bit lacking considering all the intense emotion from before.
November 8, 2023
Sooo good!
This was the 2nd book I've read by Marian Tee. She is definitely going to be my new go-to author when I want cheating/betrayal/OW drama.
I love me a good betrayal-to-HEA story and this one delivered! My heart literally STOPPED and I was nauseated when THE act hit. But by the end I was very nicely put back together. And there was just the right amount of groveling to make me happy. 5⭐️ for sure! I really like the writing style of this author. Can't wait for my next Marian heartbreak!
This was the 2nd book I've read by Marian Tee. She is definitely going to be my new go-to author when I want cheating/betrayal/OW drama.
I love me a good betrayal-to-HEA story and this one delivered! My heart literally STOPPED and I was nauseated when THE act hit. But by the end I was very nicely put back together. And there was just the right amount of groveling to make me happy. 5⭐️ for sure! I really like the writing style of this author. Can't wait for my next Marian heartbreak!
February 25, 2024
In Regency romance novels an abandoned wife is usually sent away to a country estate while the husband returns to his previous life. This can be for a variety of reasons. In this book, the H leaves the bedroom on their wedding night when he discovers, during consummation, that his new wife is.still a virgin.. A secret Dom he feels he cannot "dirty' her. She leaves him when she goes looking for him and finds him with a sub. The rest of the book is his attempts to win her back after he sought help for his childhood trauma.
April 4, 2025
Well, Marian Tee has the whole Mills & Boon/Harlequin romance thing going. And going strong. Good thing that is a guilty pleasure for me.
This had a few things that totally turned me off and disgusted me. I honestly almost did not finish after the flashback to Marcus's childhood. Totally uncalled for. At the same time, that horrible scene gives reason to why he is as he is and thinks he isn't good enough for Anneke even though he loves her. I just wish the author would have tried to not make it seem like BDSM is something that should be vilified.
This had a few things that totally turned me off and disgusted me. I honestly almost did not finish after the flashback to Marcus's childhood. Totally uncalled for. At the same time, that horrible scene gives reason to why he is as he is and thinks he isn't good enough for Anneke even though he loves her. I just wish the author would have tried to not make it seem like BDSM is something that should be vilified.
December 31, 2023
The slowest of burns
I enjoyed this read. It deals with some heavy issues like child SA, $exu@l trauma and the stigma surrounding bd$m. The pain and angst are tangible. The large time frames feel a bit unrealistic - the book takes place over 12 years. I would also have liked a deeper exploration of how they resolved the differences in their preferences. Otherwise, it was a solid, enjoyable read that I’m glad I took a chance on.
I enjoyed this read. It deals with some heavy issues like child SA, $exu@l trauma and the stigma surrounding bd$m. The pain and angst are tangible. The large time frames feel a bit unrealistic - the book takes place over 12 years. I would also have liked a deeper exploration of how they resolved the differences in their preferences. Otherwise, it was a solid, enjoyable read that I’m glad I took a chance on.
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