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Pure Princess, Bartered Bride
As quiet and dangerous as a jungle cat, achieving the impossible is one of Luc Garnier's defining characteristics.Princess Gabrielle is invaluable—a pearl beyond price. Yet Luc has defied the odds, and a contract for marriage is drawn up. This will be a union on paper first, and in the bedroom later….Except Gabrielle is just the same in private as in public—well-bred, well behaved and a credit to her country. Luc is determined to find the wanton within and leave his pure princess in total disarray!
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2009
26 people are currently reading
476 people want to read
About the author
Caitlin Crews
1,096 books595 followersCaitlin Crews discovered her first romance novel at the age of twelve, in a bargain bin at the local five and dime. It involved swashbuckling pirates, grand adventures, a heroine with rustling skirts and a mind of her own, and a seriously mouthwatering and masterful hero. The book (the title of which remains lost in the mists of time) made a serious impression. Caitlin was immediately smitten with romances and romance heroes, to the detriment of her middle school social life. And so began her life-long love affair with romance novels, many of which she insists on keeping near her at all times, thus creating a fire hazard of love wherever she lives.
Caitlin has made her home in places as far-flung as York, England and Atlanta, Georgia. She was raised near New York City, and fell in love with London on her first visit when she was a teenager. She has backpacked in Zimbabwe, been on safari in Botswana, and visited tiny villages in Namibia. She has, while visiting the place in question, declared her intention to live in Prague, Dublin, Paris, Athens, Nice, the Greek Islands, Rome, Venice, and/or any of the Hawaiian islands. Writing about exotic places seems like the next best thing to actually moving there.
She currently lives in Oregon with her animator/comic book artist husband and their menagerie of ridiculous animals.
Caitlin has made her home in places as far-flung as York, England and Atlanta, Georgia. She was raised near New York City, and fell in love with London on her first visit when she was a teenager. She has backpacked in Zimbabwe, been on safari in Botswana, and visited tiny villages in Namibia. She has, while visiting the place in question, declared her intention to live in Prague, Dublin, Paris, Athens, Nice, the Greek Islands, Rome, Venice, and/or any of the Hawaiian islands. Writing about exotic places seems like the next best thing to actually moving there.
She currently lives in Oregon with her animator/comic book artist husband and their menagerie of ridiculous animals.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
February 8, 2010
Caitlin Crews is a new writer on the Harlequin Presents scene that has gotten my attention. I picked this book up based on the blurb. I love arranged marriage/marriage of convenience as a theme in a romance novel. I think there is so much inherent tension with this storyline. A lot more is at stake when the hero and heroine are married and getting to know each other. They can't just walk away like an unmarried couple could. But can they make a marriage work, between strangers? Will their hearts be put at risk in a marriage that started out of obligation? In the right hands, this can be a very intense read. I'm happy to say that Ms. Crews succeeded in taking a well-loved premise and giving it life.
Luc is one of those heroes that is literally seething with emotions. He has been taught by his parent's rocky marriage, lived out in front of the tabloids, to keep very close control over his emotions. But still waters run deep. I knew he'd keep me reading. The man is like a volcano in the quiet hours before it erupts suddenly and with deadly force.
Gabrielle also wears a calm mask of composure. She has been conditioned since an early age to be the perfect, pretty princess. Her father's love was denied to her, and her goal in life was to do everything she could to earn it. The next thing she knows, she's bartered off to a billionaire businessman of aristocratic heritage, without being consulted or asked if she wants the marriage first. Gabrielle sucks it up like a good future Queen and walks down the aisle...to a man that scares the life out of her. He's tall, dark, handsome, and full of intense masculinity. And he's her husband. She never balks at duty, but this is more than she can take. There's not question that this man wants to be in charge and run things, has plans to control his new bride within an inch of her life. She feels as though she's merely traded one prison for another. After her husband claims his kiss of possession on their wedding night, she flees the scene, leaving him to be exposed to mockery in the tabloids (his worst nightmare, thanks to his parents). Well, we know Gabrielle won't stay hidden for long from a ruthless, unstoppable man like her husband. He tracks her down to her friend's bungalow in California, and he's determined to claim his bride as is his right. Yes, this is one of those 'mine' heroes. Works for me!
This book has the right ingredients for a very good, entertaining Harlequin Presents. The powerful attraction between Gabrielle and Luc radiated off the pages when I was reading. Luc is one of those heroes that you don't exactly love initially, but you can't resist, at the same time. He's so strict and arrogant about what he wants in a biddable wife, and he's sure he's going to get it. But he gets more than he bargains for. He doesn't seem to know what he wants. With Gabrielle he gets the perfect, decorous wife in the public eye, but in bed, she's wild for him. But he hates when she retreats behind the facade she's used to protect herself from the derision she's come to expect from the one man she couldn't make happy, her father. How does she know her husband will be any different?
Ms. Crews uses the sensual moments to fantastic effect in this book. They are the lens through which we see the walls break down between these two people who are controlled and afraid of emotions for different reasons. We see Luc go from being a man who hates emotions to one who wants nothing but emotional honesty from his wife. The way she tries to hide herself drives him crazy. Gabrielle tries very hard to keep herself from loving Luc, but she fails in the attempt. It's simply heartbreaking when Luc throws her love back in her face because he believes she betrays him.
The climax of this book had me hanging on the edge of my seat. I couldn't put it down as I kept reading to see how things would resolve. I really admire how Ms. Crews pulled it all together. Both Gabrielle and Luc had to reach an epiphany where they realized that their love was more important than any shallow thing like public image or looking bad to others, even their pride. They had to take leaps of faith, to come to trust their hearts in each other's hands.
This book is heavy on internal dialogue and description. But it was used to excellent effect. The emotions came off the pages at me, which is what I look for in a good book. As I said above, I really enjoyed the love scenes, because they showed so much about the feelings between Gabrielle and Luc. My favorite was the limo scene. Well done!
If you're looking for a new Harlequin Presents author, you should definitely give Ms. Crews a try. I look forward to reading further books by her.
Luc is one of those heroes that is literally seething with emotions. He has been taught by his parent's rocky marriage, lived out in front of the tabloids, to keep very close control over his emotions. But still waters run deep. I knew he'd keep me reading. The man is like a volcano in the quiet hours before it erupts suddenly and with deadly force.
Gabrielle also wears a calm mask of composure. She has been conditioned since an early age to be the perfect, pretty princess. Her father's love was denied to her, and her goal in life was to do everything she could to earn it. The next thing she knows, she's bartered off to a billionaire businessman of aristocratic heritage, without being consulted or asked if she wants the marriage first. Gabrielle sucks it up like a good future Queen and walks down the aisle...to a man that scares the life out of her. He's tall, dark, handsome, and full of intense masculinity. And he's her husband. She never balks at duty, but this is more than she can take. There's not question that this man wants to be in charge and run things, has plans to control his new bride within an inch of her life. She feels as though she's merely traded one prison for another. After her husband claims his kiss of possession on their wedding night, she flees the scene, leaving him to be exposed to mockery in the tabloids (his worst nightmare, thanks to his parents). Well, we know Gabrielle won't stay hidden for long from a ruthless, unstoppable man like her husband. He tracks her down to her friend's bungalow in California, and he's determined to claim his bride as is his right. Yes, this is one of those 'mine' heroes. Works for me!
This book has the right ingredients for a very good, entertaining Harlequin Presents. The powerful attraction between Gabrielle and Luc radiated off the pages when I was reading. Luc is one of those heroes that you don't exactly love initially, but you can't resist, at the same time. He's so strict and arrogant about what he wants in a biddable wife, and he's sure he's going to get it. But he gets more than he bargains for. He doesn't seem to know what he wants. With Gabrielle he gets the perfect, decorous wife in the public eye, but in bed, she's wild for him. But he hates when she retreats behind the facade she's used to protect herself from the derision she's come to expect from the one man she couldn't make happy, her father. How does she know her husband will be any different?
Ms. Crews uses the sensual moments to fantastic effect in this book. They are the lens through which we see the walls break down between these two people who are controlled and afraid of emotions for different reasons. We see Luc go from being a man who hates emotions to one who wants nothing but emotional honesty from his wife. The way she tries to hide herself drives him crazy. Gabrielle tries very hard to keep herself from loving Luc, but she fails in the attempt. It's simply heartbreaking when Luc throws her love back in her face because he believes she betrays him.
The climax of this book had me hanging on the edge of my seat. I couldn't put it down as I kept reading to see how things would resolve. I really admire how Ms. Crews pulled it all together. Both Gabrielle and Luc had to reach an epiphany where they realized that their love was more important than any shallow thing like public image or looking bad to others, even their pride. They had to take leaps of faith, to come to trust their hearts in each other's hands.
This book is heavy on internal dialogue and description. But it was used to excellent effect. The emotions came off the pages at me, which is what I look for in a good book. As I said above, I really enjoyed the love scenes, because they showed so much about the feelings between Gabrielle and Luc. My favorite was the limo scene. Well done!
If you're looking for a new Harlequin Presents author, you should definitely give Ms. Crews a try. I look forward to reading further books by her.
September 1, 2019
A sweet, untouched, duty-bound Princess and a cold, ruthless businessman.
He picks her up from a list of suitable brides – of noble lineage, scandal free and someone who understands and respects rules. All boxes ticked!
She marries him (without even meeting him) as per her father’s wishes.
Both act as programmed for years to behave.
Then they change the rules.
She rebels against this cold, mesmerizing stranger she married as she sees her life changing hands from one controlling man to another.
While he finds he doesn’t want a controlled, compliant wife anymore. The flashes of emotion and spirit underneath the cool royal façade call out to him.
The mu-trap was too under-developed and silly for them to have fallen for (at least the H should have seen through it) and then to not clear it when it could have been done so with 2-3 lucid lines is frustrating.
And it's the h who goes to him in the end – not crawling but in warrior-princess-wants-her-man-back mode, which I liked per se but he had no potential poa to get her back (even as he learns the truth) or even any guilt/remorse/grovel later.
Overall, it was a sweet and emotional story with intense personal/sexual chemistry between the h/H. And I’m a sucker for ‘pure princesses’ reforming/redeeming asshat Hs. Add a forced moc and you get me slobbering!
He picks her up from a list of suitable brides – of noble lineage, scandal free and someone who understands and respects rules. All boxes ticked!
She marries him (without even meeting him) as per her father’s wishes.
Both act as programmed for years to behave.
Then they change the rules.
She rebels against this cold, mesmerizing stranger she married as she sees her life changing hands from one controlling man to another.
While he finds he doesn’t want a controlled, compliant wife anymore. The flashes of emotion and spirit underneath the cool royal façade call out to him.
The mu-trap was too under-developed and silly for them to have fallen for (at least the H should have seen through it) and then to not clear it when it could have been done so with 2-3 lucid lines is frustrating.
And it's the h who goes to him in the end – not crawling but in warrior-princess-wants-her-man-back mode, which I liked per se but he had no potential poa to get her back (even as he learns the truth) or even any guilt/remorse/grovel later.
Overall, it was a sweet and emotional story with intense personal/sexual chemistry between the h/H. And I’m a sucker for ‘pure princesses’ reforming/redeeming asshat Hs. Add a forced moc and you get me slobbering!
February 8, 2010
Surprisingly good for a debut HP.
Of course, the author has previously published some women fiction as Megan Crane.
Our heroine is the Crown Princess of some Adriatic island kingdom. Our hero has been looking years for some purebred to marry with no scandal attached to her because he has Mommy Issues as the son to some infamous promiscuous famewhore. Finally, he finds the proverbial Caesar Wife ("above suspicion") in our heroine and makes arrangements to marry her. He doesn't bother to meet her before the wedding and she is understandably freaked out and runs away right after the wedding.
There was an old skool vibe to this book. By that, I do not mean that it's Lynne Graham/Penny Jordan melodramatic. I mean, like, Judith McNaught Old School. Lots of mentions of how he cant stop staring at her because she is sooo-so beautiful and how she cant stop staring at him because he is Teh Sex. Oh, and did I mention the stupid Big Mis at the end? The Big Mis lowered my grade to a B.
Tropes: Arranged marriage, Older Hero (he's 40, she's 25), Virginity = Good
Of course, the author has previously published some women fiction as Megan Crane.
Our heroine is the Crown Princess of some Adriatic island kingdom. Our hero has been looking years for some purebred to marry with no scandal attached to her because he has Mommy Issues as the son to some infamous promiscuous famewhore. Finally, he finds the proverbial Caesar Wife ("above suspicion") in our heroine and makes arrangements to marry her. He doesn't bother to meet her before the wedding and she is understandably freaked out and runs away right after the wedding.
There was an old skool vibe to this book. By that, I do not mean that it's Lynne Graham/Penny Jordan melodramatic. I mean, like, Judith McNaught Old School. Lots of mentions of how he cant stop staring at her because she is sooo-so beautiful and how she cant stop staring at him because he is Teh Sex. Oh, and did I mention the stupid Big Mis at the end? The Big Mis lowered my grade to a B.
Tropes: Arranged marriage, Older Hero (he's 40, she's 25), Virginity = Good
avoid
September 4, 2017Hero laughing at heroine's face at declaration of love is a hard limit for me.
There is no rescuing this piece of shit from that!
Also wanting a virgin bride when you're not one? Calls for castration. (No he didn't "ask" for it, but it was strongly implied throughout whole book!)
There is no rescuing this piece of shit from that!
Also wanting a virgin bride when you're not one? Calls for castration. (No he didn't "ask" for it, but it was strongly implied throughout whole book!)
January 3, 2011
3.5 stars. I had some trouble getting into this; after hearing praise of this author, I was expecting something a bit more original than the hero who mistrusts all women because of his skank of a mom, and I particularly dislike the type of romance heroine who loses her mind whenever the hero walks into the room or touches her or breathes. But by the end, I appreciated how the author turned the spinelessness around and made it part of an overall theme that worked.
July 25, 2011
This was a intense emotional read,Luc is searching for a wife as he is now 40 years old and now its time to take on duty to provide with heir to carry on his legacy,he does not do love n all cause he has seen his parents disastrous marriage that was on love,his father love his mother deeply so he forgave all his mother's behaviour and affairs which cause so much scandal in papers and brought shame on his father's name,his parents were busy with their own issues and neglected Luc,then they were together in boating accident this happened when he was 23 years old,from then on Luc has carried on business ruthlessly,he has vowed that never ever he will let any scandal to rock his name,he never expresses any emotions all his affairs are carried out discreetly,now at 40 he is searching a wife who will be great hostess will know how to be calm composed and serene and will not have any past scandals,who will be responsible and practical
Gabrielle is princess,she has been trained and drilled in her that she will be a queen and she has to behave accordingly,she lost her mother when she was 5 years old from then on her only wish is to gain her fathers approval and love,she always obeys him does what he wants and has always been a dutiful daughter and queen but still her father never ever appreciates her or even acknowledges her,now he has fixed her marriage to Luc which leaves her shocked but still she goes ahead and marries Luc yet another way just to gain her father's respect and love
But as soon as she get married she is so sure she has made a mistake,she is angry at herself why she did'nt backed out but then she gets a chance and runs away leaving Luc angry and humiliated,Luc hunts her down and now he does'nt trust her only says you have married me and taken vows now its time to obey those vows and from there on starts their journey of HEA
Luc-Gabrielle two people who have suffered emotionally so much,their relationship lacked trust and communication Luch never listened what Gabrielle said or felt and Gabrielle she does'nt knows how to say what she wants and what she feels,Luc's all thoughts and decisions are based on his mother's actions,he constantly judges Gabrielle and after she runs ways he is cruel and keeps taunting her but then as they spent time together he accepts that it was his fault that he never acknowledged Gabrielle's feeling but then again there's a misunderstanding and Luc does'nt gives any chance to Gabrielle he jumps to conclusions and walks out saying its over
Gabrielle is shattered,her father cruelly said hurtful things to her finally she realises she can never ever live to upto her father's expectations and walks out and she decides she will not give up,she goes and hunts down Luc where as other side Luc realises he was wrong and misunderstandings are cleared and we have the HEA
Good read
Gabrielle is princess,she has been trained and drilled in her that she will be a queen and she has to behave accordingly,she lost her mother when she was 5 years old from then on her only wish is to gain her fathers approval and love,she always obeys him does what he wants and has always been a dutiful daughter and queen but still her father never ever appreciates her or even acknowledges her,now he has fixed her marriage to Luc which leaves her shocked but still she goes ahead and marries Luc yet another way just to gain her father's respect and love
But as soon as she get married she is so sure she has made a mistake,she is angry at herself why she did'nt backed out but then she gets a chance and runs away leaving Luc angry and humiliated,Luc hunts her down and now he does'nt trust her only says you have married me and taken vows now its time to obey those vows and from there on starts their journey of HEA
Luc-Gabrielle two people who have suffered emotionally so much,their relationship lacked trust and communication Luch never listened what Gabrielle said or felt and Gabrielle she does'nt knows how to say what she wants and what she feels,Luc's all thoughts and decisions are based on his mother's actions,he constantly judges Gabrielle and after she runs ways he is cruel and keeps taunting her but then as they spent time together he accepts that it was his fault that he never acknowledged Gabrielle's feeling but then again there's a misunderstanding and Luc does'nt gives any chance to Gabrielle he jumps to conclusions and walks out saying its over
Gabrielle is shattered,her father cruelly said hurtful things to her finally she realises she can never ever live to upto her father's expectations and walks out and she decides she will not give up,she goes and hunts down Luc where as other side Luc realises he was wrong and misunderstandings are cleared and we have the HEA
Good read
April 15, 2013
Another arranged marriage book--one of my favorite tropes.
The hero was arrogant, sexy and brooding but clueless. He is swoon worthy but he has a damaged past that he is trying to move on from.
The heroine was so strong and feisty I wanted to high-five her. Luc marries princess Gabrielle because he thinks she is prim and proper and will never cause him scandal, but he soon discovers innocent perfect Gabrielle will turn his life upside down.
I loved Luc and Gabrielle, they were two parts of a whole, that under the craziest circumstances, met and fell for each other. Luc was exactly what Gabrielle needed and vice verse. The sexual chemistry between them is off the charts!
Good romance with lots of tension and amazing characters.
The hero was arrogant, sexy and brooding but clueless. He is swoon worthy but he has a damaged past that he is trying to move on from.
The heroine was so strong and feisty I wanted to high-five her. Luc marries princess Gabrielle because he thinks she is prim and proper and will never cause him scandal, but he soon discovers innocent perfect Gabrielle will turn his life upside down.
I loved Luc and Gabrielle, they were two parts of a whole, that under the craziest circumstances, met and fell for each other. Luc was exactly what Gabrielle needed and vice verse. The sexual chemistry between them is off the charts!
Good romance with lots of tension and amazing characters.
November 27, 2020
"Pure Princess, Bartered Bride" is the story of Gabrielle and Luc.
Cynical, controlling hero wants a pure, sedate, scandal-less wife. He has one look at the princess heroine and barters with her dad for her hand in marriage. She has no choice but to meet him at the altar. Post wedding, she decides to make a dash for her freedom but the hero tracks her down and sexes her hard. They fall in love, there's some journalist drama, the heroine finally grows a backbone, and they have their HEA.
Nothing special. Average read with lots of sex.
Safe
2.5/5
Cynical, controlling hero wants a pure, sedate, scandal-less wife. He has one look at the princess heroine and barters with her dad for her hand in marriage. She has no choice but to meet him at the altar. Post wedding, she decides to make a dash for her freedom but the hero tracks her down and sexes her hard. They fall in love, there's some journalist drama, the heroine finally grows a backbone, and they have their HEA.
Nothing special. Average read with lots of sex.
Safe
2.5/5
June 12, 2011
The arranged marriage to end all arranged marriages! I was sooooo prepared to NOT like this book, but I couldn't pass it up. I mean "Danielle" gave it 5 stars! What's a reader to do? Also, I wanted to see the new direction HP is going-they mentioned listening to reader complaints about "predictability" at an RT forum in April this year.
Well, Caitilin hit the ball out of the park in the first try. I was lusting after the hero, and wanted to "high-five" the heroine. She was strong. He was vulnerable. There was no OTHER WOMAN!!
Yay!!
Well, Caitilin hit the ball out of the park in the first try. I was lusting after the hero, and wanted to "high-five" the heroine. She was strong. He was vulnerable. There was no OTHER WOMAN!!
Yay!!
May 8, 2017
Heartfelt arranged marriage story between an emotionally abused princess and a control freak tycoon. I wasn't too impressed with the heroine running out in the middle of her wedding day - it's understandable, but not really in character. The hero's reaction was fairly low-key for a guy who is feared by all. The blackmailing from the paparazzi guy was laughably amateur, but these sophisticated people fell for it.
And really, that's all that happened in this story. Three Acts - the wedding and establishing characters. The honeymoon in LA. The blackmailing conflict. What took up page time were the long, long inner monologues, the descriptions of deep breaths, pulses visible under the skin, glints of emotion in the eye . . . etc. . .
Going deep into a moment is Caitlin Crew's strength and weakness. Some moments are worth delving into - others not so much. I found myself skimming the repetitious parts.
I was happy when the heroine decides not to take her father's word to heart any more and to be proactive for once. The H/h talked to each other at the end instead of thinking at each other. Baby steps.
And really, that's all that happened in this story. Three Acts - the wedding and establishing characters. The honeymoon in LA. The blackmailing conflict. What took up page time were the long, long inner monologues, the descriptions of deep breaths, pulses visible under the skin, glints of emotion in the eye . . . etc. . .
Going deep into a moment is Caitlin Crew's strength and weakness. Some moments are worth delving into - others not so much. I found myself skimming the repetitious parts.
I was happy when the heroine decides not to take her father's word to heart any more and to be proactive for once. The H/h talked to each other at the end instead of thinking at each other. Baby steps.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2010
This is an arranged marriage book--one of my favorite tropes--with an arrogant sexy jerk of a hero who is brought to his knees by the heroine by the end of the book. Perfect! Can't wait for Caitlin Crews' next HQ Presents!!!
July 11, 2015
A good Presents story by Caitlin Crews.
Gabrielle who is the Princess of Miravakia had always tried to do her duty and please her father but always feels that she never manages to do so. Her father declares that she is to marry and she doesn't meet her husband until she faces him at the alter.
Luc had made up his mind that he wanted a reputable and biddable bride which would of course give him a happy life. He sets his sights on Gabrielle but as he had seen her at a previous function (although they never actually met and introduced!) he feels that he doesn't need to meet and woo her before the marriage which of course was the root of the problem.
Gabrielle was absolutely petrified standing at the alter but went through with the ceremony in the name of duty but freaked out afterwards and disappeared. Luc tracked her down a week later and demanded that she carry out the duties as his wife as she had promised. They eventually start their life together and it looks like everything will end up rosy but then Luc thinks that she had betrayed him. Without giving her a real chance to defend herself he sends her packing and laughs in her face when she declares her love for him. This part was very moving and sad. Gabrielle goes home back to her father who quite frankly is not a very nice man and should never have been a parent!
After several weeks Gabrielle decides she is not going to let Luc go without a fight and jumps on a plane to go and sort things out with him. In the meantime Luc discovers that Gabrielle was in fact innocent of what he accused her and realises that he has had an awful few weeks due to the fact that he loves her and decides to go to her. Just as he is about to leave she arrives and they get their HEA.
Gabrielle who is the Princess of Miravakia had always tried to do her duty and please her father but always feels that she never manages to do so. Her father declares that she is to marry and she doesn't meet her husband until she faces him at the alter.
Luc had made up his mind that he wanted a reputable and biddable bride which would of course give him a happy life. He sets his sights on Gabrielle but as he had seen her at a previous function (although they never actually met and introduced!) he feels that he doesn't need to meet and woo her before the marriage which of course was the root of the problem.
Gabrielle was absolutely petrified standing at the alter but went through with the ceremony in the name of duty but freaked out afterwards and disappeared. Luc tracked her down a week later and demanded that she carry out the duties as his wife as she had promised. They eventually start their life together and it looks like everything will end up rosy but then Luc thinks that she had betrayed him. Without giving her a real chance to defend herself he sends her packing and laughs in her face when she declares her love for him. This part was very moving and sad. Gabrielle goes home back to her father who quite frankly is not a very nice man and should never have been a parent!
After several weeks Gabrielle decides she is not going to let Luc go without a fight and jumps on a plane to go and sort things out with him. In the meantime Luc discovers that Gabrielle was in fact innocent of what he accused her and realises that he has had an awful few weeks due to the fact that he loves her and decides to go to her. Just as he is about to leave she arrives and they get their HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2018
Danielle The Book Huntress has written an excellent review of this book here.
Quite intense in many places, I wasn't sure there was any way Luc would change enough for me to accept the expected HEA, especially since he was so much like Gabrielle's abusive father.
Quite intense in many places, I wasn't sure there was any way Luc would change enough for me to accept the expected HEA, especially since he was so much like Gabrielle's abusive father.
Read
July 17, 2018Caitlin Crews's writing style is lovely and relaxing to read. I had an irritated reaction to one of her Megan Crane chick lit books, but the thing that annoyed me most about that book (a tepid, doormat heroine) is actually a staple trope in Harlequin Presents and, in this case, used effectively instead of annoyingly. Or, I suppose, with this book at least I knew what I was getting into.
It's an HP, so there weren't really any surprises, and the external conflict was annoying and the hero fell smack dab in the stock HP "I am misogynistic and hate women because my mommy was awful!" territory. Meh. I did, however, enjoy the two of them negotiating a relationship and then their feelings, and I found I cared enough about the characters to keep reading through the refusals to communicate and the hero's jerkitude and the heroine's doormat tendencies. HPs really aren't my thing, but sometimes I want to read one, and I found this one at least skillfully written, even if it was full of tropes I didn't like.
It's an HP, so there weren't really any surprises, and the external conflict was annoying and the hero fell smack dab in the stock HP "I am misogynistic and hate women because my mommy was awful!" territory. Meh. I did, however, enjoy the two of them negotiating a relationship and then their feelings, and I found I cared enough about the characters to keep reading through the refusals to communicate and the hero's jerkitude and the heroine's doormat tendencies. HPs really aren't my thing, but sometimes I want to read one, and I found this one at least skillfully written, even if it was full of tropes I didn't like.
July 29, 2016
I read this when it came out and although I can't remember everything that went into it, I thought it was pretty damn good. Caitlin Crews in the past couple years has become so relevant to harlequin readers. She has great skills as an author. Her story lines and plots are always straight forward and although I don't recall being displeased with any of her books I've read, there might be one or two out there but this one definitely surpassed my expectations!
April 29, 2010
My cousin's first foray in writing for Harlequin (aka Caitlin Crews) and my first foray in reading one! I have to say, it's been the perfect anti-stresser. Love having to explain why it's on my coffee table :-)
January 24, 2010
Loved this book. You really either love Presents or find the melodrama revolting or simply incomprehensible, but I love them. And this is one of the best. Highly recommend for Presents fans!
October 26, 2013
The first half of the book, 2 stars, take it or leave it. I really enjoyed the 2nd half. Simply pure entertainment.
February 16, 2015
It's a good thing my gag reflexes are strong. Reading this gave me indigestion and made me nauseous.
April 3, 2015
I wanted to throttle Luc on several occasions but he redeems himself. Very fast read and my only complaint is that I wish the book had continued. :)
October 4, 2019
surprisingly l love it
March 5, 2012
A wonderful debut by Caitlin Crews! Our heroine is sought after by our hero for her lineage and her pure lifestyle. She is the perfect Princess and has never allowed herself to be young and carefree. Our hero Luc is determined that this perfection is his ideal woman, one that will never cause him scandal or threaten his reputation. How wrong he could be! I loved this story! Both Luc and Gabrielle are truly suited for each other and the passion... phew! There's some delicious heat with this one :)
February 26, 2010
I think my rzting of this book was more about my non-preference for this type of book series. It was obviously well written and loved the vocab.
October 30, 2013
My first foray into a harlequin novel. Written by my favorite author-cousin. :)
January 15, 2014
This was an enjoyable read for me. Couldn't put the book down. ;)
June 10, 2014
Durağan bir romandı
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2014
That feeling you loved the hero in the beginning and end up feeling disgusted with him in the end. Ugghh, thats just a little misunderstanding.
But yet, I love how Gabrielle grew in the book.
But yet, I love how Gabrielle grew in the book.
December 30, 2015
I really like this book! It covered a lot of feelings and growth within the couple. This is a must read for romance readers.
January 10, 2019
He is a too arrogant, and she takes too long to grow a spine. Read it through, but wished I hadn't.
April 16, 2019
I was really looking forward to this one, but after only a couple of chapters I wanted to throw it across the room. Luc is unbelievably arrogant, controlling, and expects his bride to be completely submissive. As soon as I realized this, and it did not take long, I honestly expected this book to have BDSM undertones (it doesn't, in case you're wondering, but it sure seemed to be heading that way!) I HATED Luc. How dare a Harlequin protagonist be such an overbearing, how-dare-anyone-defy-him-in-any-way misogynist!
Flip that coin, and Gabrielle is an absolute doormat! Her father and Luc walk all over her, and she barely puts up the slightest objection. But then, she really doesn't dare or she risks their rage.
I really, REALLY wanted to like this one - the whole modern-day arranged marriage thing sort of intrigued me - but the whole fact that she was not 'willing really got to me. I can understand 'doing your duty' and obeying your parents, but when that parent takes things this far I have a major problem with that.
Flip that coin, and Gabrielle is an absolute doormat! Her father and Luc walk all over her, and she barely puts up the slightest objection. But then, she really doesn't dare or she risks their rage.
I really, REALLY wanted to like this one - the whole modern-day arranged marriage thing sort of intrigued me - but the whole fact that she was not 'willing really got to me. I can understand 'doing your duty' and obeying your parents, but when that parent takes things this far I have a major problem with that.
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