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The Italian Billionaire's Secretary Mistress

Riccardo Castellari has never seen Angie as anything other than his mousy secretary— until she flaunts a silky red dress that hangs on her every curve. Now he doesn't just look once, but twice!

Angie is helpless to refuse one night of exquisite pleasure with Riccardo. But back at work her cheeks are burning. Mortified, she tries to resign. Riccardo has other ideas— in order to leave, Angie must serve out her notice as his very personal mistress…

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

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About the author

Sharon Kendrick

1,261 books462 followers
I was told off as a child for making up stories—little did I know that one day I’d earn my living by writing them!

To the horror of my parents, I left school at sixteen and held a bewildering variety of jobs: I was a London DJ (in the now-trendy Primrose Hill), a decorator and a singer. After that I became a cook, a photographer and, eventually, a nurse. I waitressed in the south of France, drove an ambulance in Australia, saw lots of beautiful sights but could never settle down. Everywhere I went I felt like a square peg—until one day I started writing again and then everything just fell into place. I felt like Cinderella must have when the glass slipper fit!

Today, I have the best job in the world, writing passionate romances for Harlequin. I like writing stories which are sexy and fast-paced, yet packed full of emotion—stories that readers will identify with, laugh and cry along with.

My interests are many and varied—chocolate and music, fresh flowers and bubble baths, films, cooking and trying to keep my home from looking burglarized! Simple pleasures—you can’t beat them!

I live in Winchester, one of the most stunning cities in the world, but don’t take my word for it—come see for yourself! I regularly visit London and Paris. Oh, and I love hearing from my readers all over the world…so I think it’s over to you!

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Community Reviews

5 stars
84 (22%)
4 stars
76 (20%)
3 stars
120 (32%)
2 stars
67 (18%)
1 star
21 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Profile Image for Ladyacct.
863 reviews
October 21, 2011
A typical HP in that the Heroine has no backbone around the Hero, and he is the wrong end of a dog with diarrhea. Just saying.....sometimes though you have to read that kinda stuff to remind yourself that guys are sometimes not good for you - no matter how great the orgasm.

I finished the read so it was okay, but sometimes I do get tired of the regular scenario of Hero = horse's butt, Heroine = Innocent no backbone.

Just sayin....

No typos/editing issues.
Profile Image for Lisa Kay.
924 reviews557 followers
June 10, 2011
I usually love the Pygmalion - or "Makeover" - theme, but Riccardo is kind of an a$$hat in this one, breaking it off too many times, changing the understanding of their "relationship" - working or otherwise - too many times. Alternating between cavalier, snarky, possessive, patronizing, to downright cruel at times. Angie is also suppose to have ESP with regards to his sister's history. At least she learns to speak up to him. Still, I'm not sure I would have stayed his secretary, let alone his lover. Acceptable groveling scene at the end and good epilogue, though.
Profile Image for Vintage.
2,756 reviews763 followers
February 9, 2016
The hero, hah, is a complete and total cruel bully. Any woman, fictional or otherwise that falls for him is either an idiot or a masochist or both.

Not enough groveling to redeem him.

His brother's a jackass too, no surprise there.
Profile Image for Mtve41.
690 reviews24 followers
July 28, 2023
Cold H, clingy h who didn’t know how to say NO. The man really treated her like a tart and she played right into that role. Even by the end he comes to reclaim her as his “partner” and confesses love and the h agreeeeees!
Next page -epilogue- they’re getting married but I’d say the relationship happened and survived cuz the h was hanging around too much without being asked to.
Profile Image for MaryD.
1,738 reviews2 followers
April 21, 2018
First, the blurb has nothing to do with this book.

I picked this up from a book exchange at my doctor's office and I wish I hadn't. It was really, really frustrating for me that someone who was supposedly so intelligent as Angie was had no backbone. Seriously? And for Riccardo to use his secretary like that (granted it was with her full cooperation) and not think there would be repercussions is unbelievable. He was way too arrogant and unlikable to me. The revelation of the origin of the "red dress" put it over the top for me.

The only redeeming part for me was the celebrated "sponging" while Angie was delirious with the 'flu. While I liked the scene where Riccardo finally confesses his love for her, I don't think that he really grovelled enough for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Caro.
515 reviews41 followers
October 15, 2015
La heroína cayó demasiado rápido por su jefe. Personalmente para mí la historia estuvo bien, pero pasa sin penas ni gloria.
Profile Image for MBR.
1,409 reviews361 followers
October 28, 2023
He certainly hadn’t wasted any time in driving home her real status! Flinging a load of mundane tasks at her even though they’d only just arrived. Angie picked up a brush and began to pull it through her wet hair. Well, the work could wait. She was through with being useful, doormat Angie. Angie who took just whatever Riccardo Castellari cared to chuck at her. Because she was slowly beginning to realise that Riccardo treated her the way he did because she let him!
And she wasn’t going to let him. Not any more.


The Italian Billionaire's Secretary Mistress by Sharon Kendrick (I know it is a mouthful), first published in 2009, brings to readers the story of Riccardo Castellari and 27 year old Angie Patterson, the latter who has been in love with her boss Riccardo for the better part of the five years since she has been working for him in the capacity of a secretary.

However, Angie has decided that enough is enough and come New Year, she would tender her resignation after finding herself a new employment opportunity. Angie knows Riccardo unlike any other, his likes and dislikes, his family and their birthdays, how he is like when he is in pursuit of a new woman, and what it is like when he wants to end things when the affairs run their course.

She however, is the invisible secretary to the man who owns her heart, and the toll it takes on Angie has hit a point where she is unwilling to let it destroy her anymore, especially as time passes on and she is witness to societal pages bearing gossip of Riccardo's newest liaisons with beautiful women, not to mention the role that she has to play when Riccardo is in pursuit.

Riccardo hires Angie based on her plain looks, so that she would not be a distraction nor harbor any illusions of grandeur when it comes to him. Over time, she has become the only person who could get away with teasing him, even be it occasionally, and the only one who can lay it down as it is to him. He does not particularly appreciate what his lethal good looks and sex appeal means when it comes to the fairer sex even though he benefits largely from the fact, the "burden" that he has to shoulder with countless women showering their unwanted attentions on him is not something he particularly wants.

Things take a turn when Riccardo carelessly gifts Angie a red dress after one of his trips to New York which changes the power dynamics between the two. Riccardo for the very first time is forced to take notice of the bombshell that Angie is, and the dynamite that she is to his senses is not something he recovers from henceforth.

Riccardo is honest to a fault when it comes to his archaic views on marriage, and the fact that he has no intention of tying himself down with a woman for a lifetime until he is well and ready and finds the virgin female he is looking for to school her in the art of seduction and lovemaking (solely for his benefit) and bear his children.

The affair that begins between Riccardo and Angie (if you could call it that), is one filled with moments of mirth, sheer disbelief on the part of Riccardo, and bliss and heartache for Angie whose tender emotions don't stand a chance with Riccardo's lethal sexuality unleashed on her. Riccardo resists at every turn from succumbing to the emotional aspect of his relationship with Angie, and that is where the angst factor comes from, giving the story the edge it deserves.

I loved both Angie and Riccardo; Angie because she realizes at one point that she is done being at the beck and call of Riccardo and so over being a doormat variety of heroine and stands up for herself, and Riccardo because he is totally clueless when it comes the havoc that Angie creates inside his heart when all is said and done.

The fact that Riccardo does the pursuing in the end is what sealed the deal for me - a rarity in romances these days, where every conflict is resolved before it becomes an issue, because everyone loves "healthy communicating adults" in a relationship. Well let me tell you, not so much when we want the drama associated with some levels of misunderstanding between a couple!

Recommended for fans of Sharon Kendrick, some of her books are to die for and this is one I enjoyed immensely!

Final Verdict: Riccardo and Angie are the perfect boss-secretary combo until a red dress changes all that. Blindsided heroes make for the best romance novels!

Rating = 4/5

For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance
Profile Image for Pauline Destinugrainy.
Author 1 book278 followers
February 16, 2018
Ricardo, atasan Angie, memberikan sebuah gaun merah untuk Angie gunakan di malam Natal. Dalam sekejap Angie berubah dari sekretaris membosankan menjadi wanita tercantik di mata Ricardo. Gaun merah yang memperlihatkan belahan dada Angie membuat Ricardo ingin memiliki Angie. Ketika Angie minum terlalu banyak malam itu, Ricardo mengantar Angie pulang dan tidur bersama gadis itu. Angie sih iya-iya saja... sedari awal dia memang menyukai bosnya itu. Bahkan Angie sudah punya niat mengundurkan diri dari pekerjaannya karena tidak sekalipun dirinya dilirik oleh Ricardo.

Dan terjadilah Ricardo menganggap Angie hanya sekadar kekasih, sementara Angie berharap lebih. Berkali-kali Angie diperlakukan tidak adil lewat perkataan Ricardo. Tapi setiap kali Ricardo menyetuhnya, Angie langsung luluh.

Ga suka dengan hero-nya yg kasar dan mulutnya minta dicuci. Lebih ga suka sama Angie yang kayak ga punya harga diri.
Profile Image for Emona.
118 reviews20 followers
May 16, 2016
The Italian Billionaire's Secretary Mistress was both explosive and a sensual journey with one determined and demanding Italian boss which takes alpha to a new level.
For some this book might seem offensive because Riccardo Castellari was blunt, had his own set of opinions, determined and demanding with his secretary Angie. In the beginning his demeanour and the way he spoke t was somewhat difficult to comprehend but in the end it was brilliant that he would come to love.
From the moment she was asked to be his secretary when he moved her from the typing pool she admired and soon....loved him.
She was challenged by the Italian successful billionaire and worked very hard for him, making sure she was the very best secretary ever, from planning his schedule, to typing his memos, to making his coffee, and buying gifts for his family.
As much as they worked well together and she knew he appreciated her skills, he really didn't see her for who she was....sweet, warm, caring - as a woman because she knew he considered her as a "plain Jane".
Riccardo made sure he chose well the new replacement for his secretary, and he was glad because Angie was the very best and catered to his every need. He didn't want someone fawning over him or trying to get into his bed. He wanted efficiency and that's exactly was she had, so he counted on her.
Now on the eve of the office Christmas party he surprises her with the most beautiful designer red silk dress she's ever seen and asks her to wear it to the company party.
Riccardo has never seen Angie as anything other than his mousy secretary—until she flaunts a silky red dress that hangs on her every curve. Now he doesn’t just look once, but twice!
He sees that she's not mousy at all, she's full of curves and his desire escalates, especially when he gives her a ride home after the party.
The chemistry explodes between them in her apartment and her very sexy boss ends up spending the night with her, however making it very clear he doesn't want to repeat it, he doesn't do "love" or marriage and this leaves Angie heartbroken.
After the holidays, she realizes that she needs to get another job not only because she's embarrassed, she's also hurt.
And then the unthinkable happens, he is relentless in his sexual pursuit in the boardroom and suggests they go to his sister's wedding in Tuscany and continue their affair and upon return to England, she can move on and work elsewhere.
Angie was helpless to refuse one night of exquisite pleasure with Riccardo. But back at work her cheeks are burning. Mortified, she tries to resign.
Apparently, Riccardo has other ideas—in order to leave, Angie must serve out her notice as his very personal mistress…
Lastly, the ending of the story put a smile on my face. Riccardo travels across half the world to find Angie, and is so matter-of-fact about his love. It’s sweet, and so very fitting for them.
Their journey is of course rocky and at times hurtful but overall it is exceptional!
(Spoiler Alert: Heroine is not a virgin.)
It's of no surprise that this book made the USA Today Bestseller List.
But I do wish that Romano too has a story.
Profile Image for Lisa (Remarkablylisa).
2,600 reviews1,802 followers
January 7, 2016
This is my first time reading a harlequin that was dated so far back! I picked up this copy today at the thrift shop thinking it will be the regular standard billionaire harlequin presents book I was hoping for but my, oh my...times have definitely changed! Not saying that back then in 2010 when this book was publishing was a bad thing. It was great to read a harlequin that didn't have a heroine turn into a submissive and fall into her boss's arms. And it was also a nice twist to have the boss not be so demanding and arrogant right from the beginning towards the end! However, this story was messy. Readers weren't sure of what the characters really wanted because of their actions and the ending was fairly disappointing. It felt rushed.
Profile Image for di.
104 reviews
August 7, 2018
Blurbnya cukup membuat aku tertarik, kisah seorang sekretaris dengan gaya kuno dengan Bos yang tak pernah kesulitan menemukan kekasih. Akibat gaun yang diberikan si bos, semuanya menjadi berubah.
Udah ketebak dong ya alurnya bakal seperti apa. Tapi, kedua tokohnya yaitu Angie dan Riccardo sama-sama bikin jengkel, yang satu arogan minta disleding yang satu cinta mati sampai lupa akal sehat 😒. Jadi kenapa aku tetep lanjut baca ? Aku nunggu dimana Angie akhirnya menyadari kalau Riccardo tidak membalas perasaannya dan harus menghadapi kesedihannya , dan saat itulah aku bakal tertawa kerass 🤣🤣🤣.
Karena novelnya terbilang tipis jadi alurnya lumayan cepat,kalo gk terlalu konsentrasi saat membacanya mungkin akan sedikit terasa loncat loncat ceritanya. Paling enggak bisa menambah mood bacaku. Satu yg membuat aku agak terganggu ketika perubahan latar tempat dari satu ke yg lainnya hanya ditandai dng paragraf baru, menurutku harusnya ditambah satu spasi lagi untuk memberikan jarak.
Profile Image for Chantelle Hale.
85 reviews
May 23, 2025
OK for a quick read it's not that bad. As usual, the hero must be an asshole BUT I like the heroine. She was a sensible woman, just tad bit delusional when it came to the hero. Thank goodness, she wanted to fight to not be a pathetic woman, stood up when the hero was being a chauvinistic pig and she was brave to leave it all behind when it looks like she was not treated right.

This part was so hilarious:

𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘦𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘴𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘹𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴.

𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘢𝘯 𝘶𝘯𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯-𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘶𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳.

'𝘙𝘪𝘤𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘰-'

'𝘋𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘐'𝘮 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨!' 𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥.

'𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘷𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘧𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘰𝘯.'

Kskskskskskskksks
Profile Image for RomLibrary.
5,788 reviews
hq-to-read
September 14, 2018
Riccardo Castellari has never seen Angie as anything other than his mousy secretary -- until she flaunts a silky red dress that hangs on her every curve. Now he doesn't just look once, but twice!

Angie is helpless to refuse one night of exquisite pleasure with Riccardo. But back at work her cheeks are burning. Mortified, she tries to resign. Riccardo has other ideas -- in order to leave, Angie must serve out her notice as his very personal mistress...
Profile Image for Mattie.
2,084 reviews10 followers
July 13, 2021
I did not like it, the hero was a huge jerk and he is totally vain and wasn't one iota attracted to heroine for 5 years until she put on a pretty dress (does she not have a pretty face at least??). I didn't like how big of a doormat heroine was and she had such low self esteem that I am convinced he could have had sex with another woman in front of her and he could have talked her into being with him again, no matter what he said to her or how mean he was she always slept with him again. Np.
Profile Image for Martha.
534 reviews1 follower
February 8, 2021
Angie has decided she must leave Riccardo's employement after the holidays as she has fallen for her boss. He gives her a red dress for a Christmas Party and she puts it on. He wasn't expecting sparks to fly as he didn't think she was anything, but mousy based on her normal clothing. It is a good story although a few times I felt like smacking Riccardo upside the head because of his remarks.
Profile Image for Natha.
780 reviews73 followers
February 16, 2018
Banyak nih yang tipikal kisahnya begini. Si heroine berada di sekitar si hero, menyelesaikan segalanya buat hidup si hero menjadi lebih mudah, tapi tidak lebih hanya sekadar keset buat si hero. Ya elah, nyebelin banget ga c? :))

Sweet di bagian bound-nya, tapi selebihnya ngga masuk. Kelakuan si hero super menyebalkan, dan si heroine koq ya menggemaskan. Kalau memang mau tinggal, ya tinggal, jangan kaya plin plan tanpa harga diri begitu. Khan minta ditampol saja rasanya. =.=a
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
84 reviews1 follower
October 29, 2018
Powerful love story

I chose the ratings because it was heart stopping with great storylines. It was written beautifully with all the twist an turns of the story. I would definitely recommend book to friends and family.
Profile Image for elstaffe.
1,373 reviews5 followers
August 11, 2020
Did I buy this book because the title had FOUR, count em, 4 tropes in it? Yes, yes I did. Will this be the book that teaches me the lesson of don't do that, self? ...probably not, but it really ought to
Profile Image for Jess Schira.
Author 16 books38 followers
Read
September 1, 2023
I was not a fan of this book. I liked the premise, but found the MMC extremely off-putting. While he turned me off the book, the author did an excellent job plotting the book and has a lovely writing style.
Profile Image for Christine.
1,190 reviews21 followers
June 18, 2024
Great story

I love the trope of secretary/boss especially when the MFC grows enough to stand up for herself and not be a doormat.

This has all the feels you wandering a HQN and quite a bit of steam.

A great way to spend an afternoon!
Profile Image for Lily Amalia.
200 reviews16 followers
February 22, 2019
Sekretaris sama Bos
Gitulah... Hubungan kasual berubah panas.
Dan ya.. Tarik ulur yang berakhir happyly evee after.
Profile Image for ♡︎.
691 reviews3 followers
July 15, 2021
This just did not do it for me.
379 reviews3 followers
May 3, 2023
Riccardo is an a***h*le.
Angie has some good growth, but is still a fool for him.
Profile Image for Bibi.
1,287 reviews166 followers
September 13, 2016
This book had so much promise but fell short by an acre. The H was a bully, and the h was spineless & nondescript, to the point I didn't care if they had the HEA as both were undeserving. Save your money and time. No story here.
Profile Image for Pam.
526 reviews3 followers
May 18, 2014
I loved the book. Yes the Hero is an ass but soon learns the error of his way. I did not feel the Heroine had no guts. I believe until she saw her self as the gorgeous sexy women and the man she covetted for years sees her in the same light she had no idea the power she held. She wanted to be the perfect assistant. This made her strong! this is what made her worth not how he treated her. when she realizes.she wanted more and it was not satisfying her need to succeed she stood up to him. It was not that red dress that made things change it was only a catalyst. Sometimes it takes a small drop of water to overflow a dam and it burst. The preverbial straw on the camel's back.
Profile Image for Dragana.
1,931 reviews155 followers
March 26, 2012
This was a quick read, but it lacked a lot of things for a bigger rating.
I usually like confident people but Riccardo was just over-confident for my taste. He was annoying most of the time. I think Angie was real angel (or plain stupid) to put up with him that long.
Some bright spots in book are description of Italy & Pygmalion theme. I like makeover books. And I liked it that Angie did not change her style into sex-kitten or vogue-cover-style but only improved her existing wardrobe by adding details.
Profile Image for Tonya Warner.
1,214 reviews13 followers
December 12, 2012
Riccardo Castellari gives his secretary a designer dress to wear for the company Christmas party. Suddenly he discovers that his dowdy secretary is hiding a passionate body behind her mousy outfits.

Angie knew that she would need to leave her job. She was in love with her boss and knew she would never fit in to his life. Wearing the dress to the Christmas party gives her a chance to pretend for a while.

Overall, the story is just ok. There is never any real explainations about why Angie would have downplayed herself to begin with. Or why Riccardo would have been so against love.
Profile Image for Kristal Enid.
98 reviews
June 20, 2020
1. Did I liked the resolution? Cliche
2. Had a good plot-twist? Which one?
3. Where Characters personalities relevant? Noup, they we more conscious than usual but still not enough.
4. Did it had Intelligent dialogue? Mej
5. Did the Story had coherence? It was all over the place.
6. Would I read it again? No.
7.Did you skips over at some point? Yes
8. Did you consider DNF? Yes
9.If it is a whole serie would you consider reading it? No


I did not enjoy the experience so mucha as I have others.
Profile Image for Sweety.
174 reviews16 followers
February 28, 2011
Mau gw kasih lbh dr 3 tp tengah2nya ngeselin.
sweetnya pas ricardo ngerawat Angie pas lagi demam.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews