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When He Was Bad...
The good girl When landscaper Ellie meets hotshot architect Matt in a bar the attraction is electric! Matt doesn't only ignite a fire in her belly - one look into his eyes and Ellie almost forgets everything experience has taught her about self-preservation! And the bad billionaire! Matt has playboy written all over him, with his cocky smile and confident stride, and Ellie decides to stay well clear...until the next day, when she learns he's now her temporary boss! Dark and dangerous, Matt is also determined...and Ellie soon finds resistance is futile!
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First published October 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 20, 2015
Primero de todo, para ser Deseo es muy flojita.
Los primeros capítulos fueron más de lo mismo, pero una vez que Anne Oliver te da el perfil de los protas, cambió bastante. Ella es una pobre alma trabajadora que ha tenido relaciones humanas desastrosas y a la cual todos defraudaron (?) y él es un arquitecto playboy con una niñez triste. Hasta aquí, me gustó mucho que la protagonista tuviera una vida, corriera y, principalmente, se esforzara por ser independiente (creo que todo personaje que lo haga me gusta y me engancha enseguida, porque son cualidades que considero muy valiosas). Los escarceos de los protas antes de "concretar" son lindos, ayudan mucho a la química entre los dos. ¡Qué lástima que la escritora no pudiera evitar caer en lo de siempre! Dame ese lápiz que yo lo hago mejor, vení, dámelo xD.
Ellie, la heroína, a la mitad de la novela echa por los aires su determinación. Chau a los sueños, chau al huerto y su trabajo, chau a everythig por un hammmbree. Tristeza. Digamos que además del amor instantáneo (ese que tannto odio), se acostumbró muy rápido a los yates y a la vida de lujo.
Termina bien, como todos los de Harlequin. Una lástima que Anne Oliver no hay sabido darle un giro a la historia y no hubiera explotado un poco más la tensión sexual, para resolverlo de una forma tan insípida. Sigue sin ser una de mis autoras interesantes.
Los primeros capítulos fueron más de lo mismo, pero una vez que Anne Oliver te da el perfil de los protas, cambió bastante. Ella es una pobre alma trabajadora que ha tenido relaciones humanas desastrosas y a la cual todos defraudaron (?) y él es un arquitecto playboy con una niñez triste. Hasta aquí, me gustó mucho que la protagonista tuviera una vida, corriera y, principalmente, se esforzara por ser independiente (creo que todo personaje que lo haga me gusta y me engancha enseguida, porque son cualidades que considero muy valiosas). Los escarceos de los protas antes de "concretar" son lindos, ayudan mucho a la química entre los dos. ¡Qué lástima que la escritora no pudiera evitar caer en lo de siempre! Dame ese lápiz que yo lo hago mejor, vení, dámelo xD.
Ellie, la heroína, a la mitad de la novela echa por los aires su determinación. Chau a los sueños, chau al huerto y su trabajo, chau a everythig por un hammmbree. Tristeza. Digamos que además del amor instantáneo (ese que tannto odio), se acostumbró muy rápido a los yates y a la vida de lujo.
Termina bien, como todos los de Harlequin. Una lástima que Anne Oliver no hay sabido darle un giro a la historia y no hubiera explotado un poco más la tensión sexual, para resolverlo de una forma tan insípida. Sigue sin ser una de mis autoras interesantes.
January 10, 2018
This book is definitely for an audience no older than teenagers.
Two complete strangers fall "in love" with each other, and the so-called playboy not only wishes to marry a girl he barely knows at the culmination, but also confess that he wants her to bear his children, even though he's never had that desire before, ever. This utter stranger so changes his mind on, apparently, everything, because she's "one-in-a-million" for being both vulnerable and somehow "independent", even though her "independence" is really just her saying "no" a few times to Matt while simultaneously wanting whatever she's refusing according to her inner monologue, and he forces her into it anyway, whether it be going to a party or coming along with him. Their sex is "the best sex they've ever had" when it's literally just them immediately getting into seemingly two-pump penetration with no foreplay whatsoever.
The characters are boring, the story's progression is preposterous, and the dialogue is eyeroll-inducing, not to mention that it breaks the suspension of disbelief.
The book is ridiculous. Baby's first "romance".
Two complete strangers fall "in love" with each other, and the so-called playboy not only wishes to marry a girl he barely knows at the culmination, but also confess that he wants her to bear his children, even though he's never had that desire before, ever. This utter stranger so changes his mind on, apparently, everything, because she's "one-in-a-million" for being both vulnerable and somehow "independent", even though her "independence" is really just her saying "no" a few times to Matt while simultaneously wanting whatever she's refusing according to her inner monologue, and he forces her into it anyway, whether it be going to a party or coming along with him. Their sex is "the best sex they've ever had" when it's literally just them immediately getting into seemingly two-pump penetration with no foreplay whatsoever.
The characters are boring, the story's progression is preposterous, and the dialogue is eyeroll-inducing, not to mention that it breaks the suspension of disbelief.
The book is ridiculous. Baby's first "romance".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2017
Ellie considers herself a wanderer, a free-spirit and tends not to dwell on the fact that she's alone, because at least it means she's safe and she can't have her heart broken again. This is why she avoids relationships with men and Matt, the playboy who tries to pick her up at the bar, is not going to be the exception. She's extremely drawn to him, but is determined not to give in - he'd surely break her heart. What she doesn't know is that he's exactly like her. When Ellie ends up working for his "aunt" and finds that he's housesitting for her, she's forced into close quarters and has to work double time not to give in to his advances.
As Matt discovers for himself, Ellie is not as independent and free-spirited as she'd like to believe. She's starved for love and attachment, but too afraid of being rejected to seek them out. This isn't difficult to recognize either. Which kind of makes Matt a bit of a douche for looking to have a no-strings fling with a woman who is so vulnerable to becoming attached. I don't really like that he doesn't respect what she wants (even if he recognizes her body is saying something different) and continues to try to seduce her. But he wasn't a complete asshole. The story was well-written, their romance was pretty good and neither of the characters made me want to reach in and smack them. This did feel a bit long at times, even though it's only 150 pages, but I think that might have something to do with a lack of driving action or angst. There's building sexual tension, then resolved tension and then a teensy bit of angst, but that comes late in the story. And the secondary family plot with Belle didn't really feel all that integral to the story. It's good; it's a solid story with an interesting plot and characters, but it didn't make me squee or anything.
As Matt discovers for himself, Ellie is not as independent and free-spirited as she'd like to believe. She's starved for love and attachment, but too afraid of being rejected to seek them out. This isn't difficult to recognize either. Which kind of makes Matt a bit of a douche for looking to have a no-strings fling with a woman who is so vulnerable to becoming attached. I don't really like that he doesn't respect what she wants (even if he recognizes her body is saying something different) and continues to try to seduce her. But he wasn't a complete asshole. The story was well-written, their romance was pretty good and neither of the characters made me want to reach in and smack them. This did feel a bit long at times, even though it's only 150 pages, but I think that might have something to do with a lack of driving action or angst. There's building sexual tension, then resolved tension and then a teensy bit of angst, but that comes late in the story. And the secondary family plot with Belle didn't really feel all that integral to the story. It's good; it's a solid story with an interesting plot and characters, but it didn't make me squee or anything.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2023
snel tussendoortje. Leest vlot, maar weinig uitdieping
July 16, 2012
This book is classic Harlequin Presents. It's a good story told succinctly, but it's riddled with the clichés that make romance what it is. Ellie has impossibly colored eyes (violet) and an unconventional job (she's a landscaper). She's got big boobs and a tiny waist and she's totally not Matt's type, but he wants her anyway. There are family secrets and misunderstandings out the whazoo, but if this type of story didn't sell, Harlequin wouldn't keep buying them.
It's a good story with solid characters and a happily ever after wrapped up in a shiny silver bow. There were places that could have created more tension that were glossed over and tension where it could have been avoided, but that's romance, baby. My biggest complaint was toward the end things happened - dangerous, scary things, but I don't want to spoil it - that never were explained. Still it's a nice escape and sometimes that's all anyone needs.
It's a good story with solid characters and a happily ever after wrapped up in a shiny silver bow. There were places that could have created more tension that were glossed over and tension where it could have been avoided, but that's romance, baby. My biggest complaint was toward the end things happened - dangerous, scary things, but I don't want to spoil it - that never were explained. Still it's a nice escape and sometimes that's all anyone needs.
January 14, 2011
He was surprisingly tame. Okay. Good book. Nice characters but not that well defined in my mind. You kinda know there's some sort of familial connection between Ellie and Belle; so, it comes as no suprise in the end.
I love flowers and enjoyed looking up some of the varieties mentioned in the book.
I love flowers and enjoyed looking up some of the varieties mentioned in the book.
October 15, 2014
Matt is a typical playboy. Hurt by his past he won't commit. Until he meets Ellie, what starts out as a temporary fling. Becomes much more.
As Matt realises he is getting in too deep, he decides now is the time to run. Mean while Ellie has given up hope. And is trying to prepare herself for when he departs.
As Matt realises he is getting in too deep, he decides now is the time to run. Mean while Ellie has given up hope. And is trying to prepare herself for when he departs.
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December 24, 2014Miniseries: Maverick Millionaires
March 20, 2016
I loved the hero in this one. Been awhile since I've read a good Harlequin
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews