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A Convenient Arrangement: The Italian's Wife / The Spanish Groom
Two women in desperate circumstances find love where they least expect it in these two classic stories by USA TODAY bestselling author Lynne Graham!
The Italian's Wife
Holly Sansom has hit rock bottom. Homeless, broke and without friends, she has no way to care for herself, let alone her precious eight-month-old son. Then a chance encounter with the handsome Italian CEO Rio Lombardi changes everything. Suddenly she's living in luxury, wanting for nothing, and if she accepts Rio's proposal, all her worries will be forever behind her. But Holly knows he's keeping something from her. Is it really the perfect life if she doesn't have his love?
The Spanish Groom
Dixie Robinson has never been good at anything. She's clumsy, far too trusting and couldn't keep a job if her life depended on it. The one thing she's done right is to befriend an elderly man and keep him from being lonely. She'll do anything for Jasper, especially when he falls ill—except marry his godson. After all, Cesar Valverde doesn't even like her. But as Jasper is rushed to the operating room, Dixie is rushed to the altar. Before she knows it, for Jasper's sake, she's saying "I do." Is this yet another mistake, or the smartest thing Dixie has ever done?
The Italian's Wife
Holly Sansom has hit rock bottom. Homeless, broke and without friends, she has no way to care for herself, let alone her precious eight-month-old son. Then a chance encounter with the handsome Italian CEO Rio Lombardi changes everything. Suddenly she's living in luxury, wanting for nothing, and if she accepts Rio's proposal, all her worries will be forever behind her. But Holly knows he's keeping something from her. Is it really the perfect life if she doesn't have his love?
The Spanish Groom
Dixie Robinson has never been good at anything. She's clumsy, far too trusting and couldn't keep a job if her life depended on it. The one thing she's done right is to befriend an elderly man and keep him from being lonely. She'll do anything for Jasper, especially when he falls ill—except marry his godson. After all, Cesar Valverde doesn't even like her. But as Jasper is rushed to the operating room, Dixie is rushed to the altar. Before she knows it, for Jasper's sake, she's saying "I do." Is this yet another mistake, or the smartest thing Dixie has ever done?
448 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 17, 2011
49 people are currently reading
149 people want to read
About the author
Lynne Graham
1,763 books1,448 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Lynne Graham was born on July 30, 1956 of Irish-Scottish parentage. She has livedin Northern Ireland all her life. She grew up in a seaside village with herbrother. She learnt to read at the age of 3, and haven't stopped since then.
Lynne first met her husband when she was 14. At 15, she wrote her firstbook, but it was rejected everywhere. Lynne married after she completed adegree at Edinburgh University. She started writing again when she was athome with her first child. It took several attempts before she sold herfirst book in 1987 and the delight of seeing that first book for sale in thelocal newsagents has never been forgotten. Now, there are over 10 million ofher books in print worldwide.
Lynne always wanted a large family and has five children. Her eldest and heronly natural child is 19 and currently at university. Her other fourchildren, who are every bit as dear to her heart, are adopted. She has two9-year-olds adopted from Sri Lanka and a 5- and a 3-year-old adopted fromGuatemala. In Lynne's home, there is a rich and diverse cultural mix, whichadds a whole extra dimension of interest and discovery to family life. Thefamily lives in a country house surrounded by a woodland garden, which iswonderfully private. The family has two pets. Thomas, a very large andaffectionate black cat, bosses the dog and hunts rabbits. The dog is Daisy,an adorable but not very bright white West Highland terrier, who loves beingchased by the cat. At night, dog and cat sleep together in front of thekitchen stove. Lynne loves gardening, cooking, collects everything from oldtoys to rock specimens and is crazy about every aspect of Christmas.
Lynne Graham was born on July 30, 1956 of Irish-Scottish parentage. She has livedin Northern Ireland all her life. She grew up in a seaside village with herbrother. She learnt to read at the age of 3, and haven't stopped since then.
Lynne first met her husband when she was 14. At 15, she wrote her firstbook, but it was rejected everywhere. Lynne married after she completed adegree at Edinburgh University. She started writing again when she was athome with her first child. It took several attempts before she sold herfirst book in 1987 and the delight of seeing that first book for sale in thelocal newsagents has never been forgotten. Now, there are over 10 million ofher books in print worldwide.
Lynne always wanted a large family and has five children. Her eldest and heronly natural child is 19 and currently at university. Her other fourchildren, who are every bit as dear to her heart, are adopted. She has two9-year-olds adopted from Sri Lanka and a 5- and a 3-year-old adopted fromGuatemala. In Lynne's home, there is a rich and diverse cultural mix, whichadds a whole extra dimension of interest and discovery to family life. Thefamily lives in a country house surrounded by a woodland garden, which iswonderfully private. The family has two pets. Thomas, a very large andaffectionate black cat, bosses the dog and hunts rabbits. The dog is Daisy,an adorable but not very bright white West Highland terrier, who loves beingchased by the cat. At night, dog and cat sleep together in front of thekitchen stove. Lynne loves gardening, cooking, collects everything from oldtoys to rock specimens and is crazy about every aspect of Christmas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
February 4, 2021
2/2021 I just read again and it was amazing and it made me feel better. I just love this story. So much. I could read it a million times and still find something else to love. Nice read for a sick day.
The Spanish Groom has to be one of the best HPs ever
I love this book. I have read it at least five times and it just keeps getting better. I wish there were more like this and less of those horrible hero's that can't keep their stuff in their pants! This was everything you could want in a book. A great heroine, a Cinderella type story, a makeover, a cannibalistic gold fish, a hero who was totally gobsmacked by the heroine, passionate and romantic. I adore it. Hopefully, there will be more like this someday!! I am having to resort to re-reads lately due to the horrible garbage that has been available from HP. Great story, and very charming. I love how Caesar changes from the beginning of the book to the end. He is truly one of my favorite heroes.
The Spanish Groom has to be one of the best HPs ever
I love this book. I have read it at least five times and it just keeps getting better. I wish there were more like this and less of those horrible hero's that can't keep their stuff in their pants! This was everything you could want in a book. A great heroine, a Cinderella type story, a makeover, a cannibalistic gold fish, a hero who was totally gobsmacked by the heroine, passionate and romantic. I adore it. Hopefully, there will be more like this someday!! I am having to resort to re-reads lately due to the horrible garbage that has been available from HP. Great story, and very charming. I love how Caesar changes from the beginning of the book to the end. He is truly one of my favorite heroes.
July 26, 2012
I love this two for one edition -- wish Harlequin would do more!
This is a "halfway" review since I just finished the first novel, THE ITALIAN'S WIFE. It was good, but not the best Lynne Graham has ever done. (That would be AN ARABIAN COURTSHIP.) Holly is a bit weak and weepy, even by LG standards. Can you really believe a heroine so weak and dumb she ends up an unwed mother in the UK, homeless and on the street? (Unlike SOME countries, they do have a safety net!) The hero falls for her after nearly smacking into her with his limousine. Because she's too dumb to know how to cross a street by herself?
Then there was the whole misunderstanding about Rio and his girlfriend Christobel. Okay, she's a blonde supermodel, so she's eeeeevil. Great. But would a major player like Rio totally freak out just because he caught her making out with ANOTHER WOMAN? What's with all the weirdo lesbian bashing all of a sudden? Granted, not many gay women read Harlequin romance -- but we all have gay friends, sisters, coworkers. Do we really need a lesbian with devil horns to make us believe that Rio and Holly love one another?
But it gets worse than that! Late in the book Christobel gets out of control on drugs, gets sent to rehab (seeminly Rio is the ONLY person who cares enough to intervene in her life) and then announces that she's "dating men" again. Because we all know women only become lesbians if they're insane or on drugs. And as soon as they get off the drugs they're normal again!
Please understand -- I adore Lynne Graham. I can't wait to read THE SPANISH GROOM, which is included in this great 2 for 1 Edition. I just wish she'd leave the weirdo lesbian bashing to conservative commentators on FOX.
This is a "halfway" review since I just finished the first novel, THE ITALIAN'S WIFE. It was good, but not the best Lynne Graham has ever done. (That would be AN ARABIAN COURTSHIP.) Holly is a bit weak and weepy, even by LG standards. Can you really believe a heroine so weak and dumb she ends up an unwed mother in the UK, homeless and on the street? (Unlike SOME countries, they do have a safety net!) The hero falls for her after nearly smacking into her with his limousine. Because she's too dumb to know how to cross a street by herself?
Then there was the whole misunderstanding about Rio and his girlfriend Christobel. Okay, she's a blonde supermodel, so she's eeeeevil. Great. But would a major player like Rio totally freak out just because he caught her making out with ANOTHER WOMAN? What's with all the weirdo lesbian bashing all of a sudden? Granted, not many gay women read Harlequin romance -- but we all have gay friends, sisters, coworkers. Do we really need a lesbian with devil horns to make us believe that Rio and Holly love one another?
But it gets worse than that! Late in the book Christobel gets out of control on drugs, gets sent to rehab (seeminly Rio is the ONLY person who cares enough to intervene in her life) and then announces that she's "dating men" again. Because we all know women only become lesbians if they're insane or on drugs. And as soon as they get off the drugs they're normal again!
Please understand -- I adore Lynne Graham. I can't wait to read THE SPANISH GROOM, which is included in this great 2 for 1 Edition. I just wish she'd leave the weirdo lesbian bashing to conservative commentators on FOX.
June 16, 2021
The Spanish Groom
Dixie Robinson has never been good at anything. She's clumsy, far too trusting and couldn't keep a job if her life depended on it. The one thing she's done right is to befriend an elderly man and keep him from being lonely. She'll do anything for Jasper, especially when he falls ill—except marry his godson. After all, Cesar Valverde doesn't even like her. But as Jasper is rushed to the operating room, Dixie is rushed to the altar. Before she knows it, for Jasper's sake, she's saying "I do." Is this yet another mistake, or the smartest thing Dixie has ever done?
Dixie Robinson has never been good at anything. She's clumsy, far too trusting and couldn't keep a job if her life depended on it. The one thing she's done right is to befriend an elderly man and keep him from being lonely. She'll do anything for Jasper, especially when he falls ill—except marry his godson. After all, Cesar Valverde doesn't even like her. But as Jasper is rushed to the operating room, Dixie is rushed to the altar. Before she knows it, for Jasper's sake, she's saying "I do." Is this yet another mistake, or the smartest thing Dixie has ever done?
September 19, 2015
4 stars for The Spanish Groom. I had to re-read this one to appreciate it.
August 23, 2025
Only Read The Italians Wife.
I loved this book! Very dramatic and full of twists. I only wish it didn’t have so many time skips and that it was much longer. Perhaps 300 pages longer!
I loved this book! Very dramatic and full of twists. I only wish it didn’t have so many time skips and that it was much longer. Perhaps 300 pages longer!
Read
May 12, 2014I'm not sure how to rate this book. I really liked the first story, THE ITALIAN WIFE, but THE SPANISH GROOM was not my favorite.
May 10, 2020
A Convenient Arrangment
This is a Two for One book.
The first story started out with him getting back early and surprising his fiancee. Only he was the one to be surprised. Walking out a short time later he runs into a young mother and child. Their story of a convenient marriage starts out fast. Can they be able to work through the angst of their own past to find out that they are ment to be?
The second part starts with him wanting to please his godfather. So he temporarily finds a woman who needs his help and support. He then asks her to pretend to be his fiancee. But things don't go as planned. For when he finds out that she was a virgin he sets out to marry her. Their marriage was rocky but he is willing to keep them together. Will she be willing or will her own feelings get hurt?
This is a Two for One book.
The first story started out with him getting back early and surprising his fiancee. Only he was the one to be surprised. Walking out a short time later he runs into a young mother and child. Their story of a convenient marriage starts out fast. Can they be able to work through the angst of their own past to find out that they are ment to be?
The second part starts with him wanting to please his godfather. So he temporarily finds a woman who needs his help and support. He then asks her to pretend to be his fiancee. But things don't go as planned. For when he finds out that she was a virgin he sets out to marry her. Their marriage was rocky but he is willing to keep them together. Will she be willing or will her own feelings get hurt?
September 19, 2021
Two of my favorites
To me these two books are at the height of Lynn graham s writing career. They are quirky, heart warming and extremely hot! Not just another typical cookie cutter romance.
To me these two books are at the height of Lynn graham s writing career. They are quirky, heart warming and extremely hot! Not just another typical cookie cutter romance.
March 3, 2023
The best book I've read so far. Loved the two people in the book, their sarcasm and sense of humor.
Best book I've read of this author so far, lots of laughs and great timing. Hoping for more of the same.
Best book I've read of this author so far, lots of laughs and great timing. Hoping for more of the same.
April 15, 2024
Great read
One of my favorites! Read it again after finding it again. Lynne Graham one of the best. Love the character development between h and male character. Has a little bit of humor as well.
One of my favorites! Read it again after finding it again. Lynne Graham one of the best. Love the character development between h and male character. Has a little bit of humor as well.
June 4, 2018
A Convenient Arrangement
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting and the story line was good. I couldn’t put this book down until I finished it.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting and the story line was good. I couldn’t put this book down until I finished it.
October 11, 2018
Fantastic stories
Both romances are so well written and grasp the reader's attention from the first page to the very end. The dialogue in both stories is realistic.
Both romances are so well written and grasp the reader's attention from the first page to the very end. The dialogue in both stories is realistic.
August 19, 2024
I enjoyed this book very much
October 23, 2025
The italians wife - it was ok
The spanish groom - I liked it
The spanish groom - I liked it
September 12, 2019
Notes under individual titles
July 15, 2017
I've reviewed each title separately.
July 24, 2013
The Spanish Groom
I cut my teeth on category romance lifted from my grandmother and her mobile home park library. I have always enjoyed them but know I am getting into uber alphas with silly amounts of power, money, and lack of self reflection when dealing with a Harlequin Presents.
This is a fun one because of the great opposites attract in a very uptight focused and a very floaty heroine. I love them.
I love the pretend relationship and the cynical ruthlessness that collapses in the face of kind cluelessness.
Fun.
The Italian's Wife
This story has a theme of down on the luck and last straw heroine meets super alpha hero. There is a baby in the mix and the heroine is very young. One of the pleasures of this book is we know we the hero is so so very strung up and tense about the heroine doesn't. He falls in love with her anyway because she is just so refreshing to his jaded mega wealthy self and he loves her baby. This is book is ridiculous, of course, but its also sweet and lovely. It has the super confessional avalanche of finally admitting exactly how everyone feels which I could have done without but overall is lovely read when paired with The excellent Spainish Groom.
I cut my teeth on category romance lifted from my grandmother and her mobile home park library. I have always enjoyed them but know I am getting into uber alphas with silly amounts of power, money, and lack of self reflection when dealing with a Harlequin Presents.
This is a fun one because of the great opposites attract in a very uptight focused and a very floaty heroine. I love them.
I love the pretend relationship and the cynical ruthlessness that collapses in the face of kind cluelessness.
Fun.
The Italian's Wife
This story has a theme of down on the luck and last straw heroine meets super alpha hero. There is a baby in the mix and the heroine is very young. One of the pleasures of this book is we know we the hero is so so very strung up and tense about the heroine doesn't. He falls in love with her anyway because she is just so refreshing to his jaded mega wealthy self and he loves her baby. This is book is ridiculous, of course, but its also sweet and lovely. It has the super confessional avalanche of finally admitting exactly how everyone feels which I could have done without but overall is lovely read when paired with The excellent Spainish Groom.
February 21, 2011
I remember both stories these are reprints so check to make sure you haven't read them already. Ms. Graham still writes well but lately the plots are so so i'm still one of her biggest fans.
The Italian's wife
Nice read Holly seems really naive but its was still a good read from start to end the beginning got you into the story and it didn't take forever to get into. The characters were likable as well.
The Spanish Groom
I love this book I remember reading a long time ago I still have my Lynn Graham books that I have kept and collect. Good read.
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Feel free to join my book group on facebook ( Romance Novel Junkies) we have well known and indie authors and avid readers as members who are apart of this group who would love to hear about new books and thoughts.
The Italian's wife
Nice read Holly seems really naive but its was still a good read from start to end the beginning got you into the story and it didn't take forever to get into. The characters were likable as well.
The Spanish Groom
I love this book I remember reading a long time ago I still have my Lynn Graham books that I have kept and collect. Good read.
***********
Feel free to join my book group on facebook ( Romance Novel Junkies) we have well known and indie authors and avid readers as members who are apart of this group who would love to hear about new books and thoughts.
July 4, 2015
Two books with accidental relationships
These are typical Harlequin romances, written with happy endings.
The Italian's Wife has a rich benefactor taking care of Holly, an unfortunate unmarried mother and her young son, Timmie. After almost killing her with his limo, Rio Lombardi takes it upon himself to care for both and in the process falls in love with the struggling family. Holly likewise falls for Rio after their relationship becomes physical.
The Spanish Groom is yet another "I need a cover wife" story, with romance developing after marriage for bride Dixie and groom Cesar. He is attempting to appease his benefactor, the man who raised him and is in ill health, by marrying a woman the benefactor is friends with. Over time their relationship becomes physical, then emotional, and they eventually admit this to each other.
These are typical Harlequin romances, written with happy endings.
The Italian's Wife has a rich benefactor taking care of Holly, an unfortunate unmarried mother and her young son, Timmie. After almost killing her with his limo, Rio Lombardi takes it upon himself to care for both and in the process falls in love with the struggling family. Holly likewise falls for Rio after their relationship becomes physical.
The Spanish Groom is yet another "I need a cover wife" story, with romance developing after marriage for bride Dixie and groom Cesar. He is attempting to appease his benefactor, the man who raised him and is in ill health, by marrying a woman the benefactor is friends with. Over time their relationship becomes physical, then emotional, and they eventually admit this to each other.
September 30, 2017
Bought on the deal of the day. These books were what you'd expect from a Harlequin. Both heroines were total doormats. Come here and wipe your feet on me! But I guess you have to read this a bit like it's fantasy and just go along for the ride. I think I like the Spanish Groom better of the two although he could really be an SOB.
Both books had a sweet HEA but I would've liked more character development.
Both books had a sweet HEA but I would've liked more character development.
June 20, 2015
True Happiness
True Happiness is something you have to work for. In this book it was all about the different opportunities you are giving in life and how you perceive them. They went from being poor and broke. Out on there on when family gave up on them. To finding that one person who makes your dreams come true
True Happiness is something you have to work for. In this book it was all about the different opportunities you are giving in life and how you perceive them. They went from being poor and broke. Out on there on when family gave up on them. To finding that one person who makes your dreams come true
October 19, 2015
Just couldn't connect
The plot was not surprising but I like hate/love books with friends to lovers plot, however in this book I just couldn't feel the love between H&h. It just seems like they went form hate to love overnight with nothing in between. No character development to speak of and I also couldn't stand the doormat heroine.
The plot was not surprising but I like hate/love books with friends to lovers plot, however in this book I just couldn't feel the love between H&h. It just seems like they went form hate to love overnight with nothing in between. No character development to speak of and I also couldn't stand the doormat heroine.
July 13, 2011
I like that it was two books in one. I love that the stories place in another country it was nice change of pace for me . This is the first time i have read this author i really enjoyed the storytelling.
April 19, 2015
For some reason, I just love romances with marriages of convenience. This book offers two. While I enjoyed them, I only gave it three stars because in both cases I found the men a little two arrogant and the women a little too naive.
December 9, 2021
Outstanding collection of two of my favorite LG, classic romances
The Italian's Wife is from 2001, and The Spanish Groom is from 1999. It's a really terrific deal to get both of these books in one collection.
The Italian's Wife is from 2001, and The Spanish Groom is from 1999. It's a really terrific deal to get both of these books in one collection.
July 2, 2015
Two very sweet romantic stories.
Loved the stories. Found myself smiling and laughing at some parts. Lynne Graham stories never let me down. Enjoy her writing.
Loved the stories. Found myself smiling and laughing at some parts. Lynne Graham stories never let me down. Enjoy her writing.
July 2, 2015
Predictable and chauvinistic, but I expected that. Just ok.
August 14, 2015
3.5 stars for The Italian's Wife, 4.25 stars for The Spanish Groom.
September 19, 2015
4.5 stars
Two very good mills n boon stories. Enjoyed the read. The second book is one of my fav m&b's. Worth a read.
Two very good mills n boon stories. Enjoyed the read. The second book is one of my fav m&b's. Worth a read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews