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The Drakos Baby #1
The Pregnancy Shock
When his personal assistant asked for extended leave, Greek billionaire Alexei Drakos was extremely inconvenienced. He relied on Billie Foster for everything -- running his life, even getting rid of his girlfriends. Little did Alexei know that Billie had left to have his baby! In fact, he didn't even remember their passionate night and he had no idea she was pregnant!
With Billie gone, there was something missing in Alexei's glittering existence. When she returned, he needed to offer her something special to make her stay -- maybe a wedding ring of convenience?
With Billie gone, there was something missing in Alexei's glittering existence. When she returned, he needed to offer her something special to make her stay -- maybe a wedding ring of convenience?
189 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2010
62 people are currently reading
691 people want to read
About the author
Lynne Graham
1,763 books1,450 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 85 reviews
April 7, 2023
"The Pregnancy Shock" is the story of Billie and Alexei.
Phew. Well that was a waste of my forty minutes.
*Spoiler filled rant*
H: Billionaire, manwhore, 100% herpes ridden, tomcat, sleeps with anything and everything, rich with snooty (and now dead) parents
h: Poor, frumpy, having a hoeing mom, has had a difficult life, falls for the horndog hero
Plot: H is..*insert panting noises*. After sleeping with everyone he starts suddenly noticing his curvy secretary, has sex with her, slips and falls, forgets the encounter, then goes on to have a sexual relationship with his ex. h runs away for 8 months, citing sabbatical, so her "aunt" could give birth, when in reality she is pregnant with the horny hero's baby. Baby is born. h returns. H wants to suddenly bang her *more panting noises* and marry her and our *stupid, lame, backbone-less* heroine agrees. H makes her sign a contract and tells he doesnt want kids now. Idiotic h marries him.
CLIFFHANGER.
Fuck off. This just made me mad. The hero needs penicillin shots, the heroine a brain transplant.
ARGH.
Unsafe
Negative 100/5
Phew. Well that was a waste of my forty minutes.
*Spoiler filled rant*
H: Billionaire, manwhore, 100% herpes ridden, tomcat, sleeps with anything and everything, rich with snooty (and now dead) parents
h: Poor, frumpy, having a hoeing mom, has had a difficult life, falls for the horndog hero
Plot: H is..*insert panting noises*. After sleeping with everyone he starts suddenly noticing his curvy secretary, has sex with her, slips and falls, forgets the encounter, then goes on to have a sexual relationship with his ex. h runs away for 8 months, citing sabbatical, so her "aunt" could give birth, when in reality she is pregnant with the horny hero's baby. Baby is born. h returns. H wants to suddenly bang her *more panting noises* and marry her and our *stupid, lame, backbone-less* heroine agrees. H makes her sign a contract and tells he doesnt want kids now. Idiotic h marries him.
CLIFFHANGER.
Fuck off. This just made me mad. The hero needs penicillin shots, the heroine a brain transplant.
ARGH.
Unsafe
Negative 100/5
March 21, 2013
Alexei Drakos comes from a powerful Greek family. When he is a teenager Alexei meets Billie and instantly feels protective of her but she starts dating one of his "friends". When they grow up, he offers Billie the role of his assistant. She accepts and they have the perfect employer-employee relationship until one night Alexei seduces her and takes her virginity while drunk.
That same night he has an accident suffers amnesia and has no memory of having sex with Billie. When Billie discovers that she is pregnant she goes away, has the baby in England, and passes the baby off as her aunt's when she moves the baby back to the island where she reunites with Alexei.
I have a love/hate relationship with the hero in this book. I wanted to hate him after a lot of things happened but I couldn't. The story takes us on a roller coaster of emotions. Lots of angst and miscommunication but I couldn't put it down!
That same night he has an accident suffers amnesia and has no memory of having sex with Billie. When Billie discovers that she is pregnant she goes away, has the baby in England, and passes the baby off as her aunt's when she moves the baby back to the island where she reunites with Alexei.
I have a love/hate relationship with the hero in this book. I wanted to hate him after a lot of things happened but I couldn't. The story takes us on a roller coaster of emotions. Lots of angst and miscommunication but I couldn't put it down!
Read
April 22, 2018I just wanted to mark that I've read this and hated it because of the cliffhanger (and what I know came later).
February 13, 2015
ZERO OUT OF FIVE STARS.
Excuse my language, but here goes:
Billie is a FUQING idiot and this two part story screams louder than a person going through a midlife crisis at best. Idk what Lynne Graham was thinking by splitting this storyline into two separate stories, but nothing screams "I'm desperate for readers....and money" more than ending a mediocre story with no conclusion. Seriously, I do not need to purchase the sequel to this to know that Billie ends up with her abusive asshole of a boss, lover, and husband.
Billie is everything you hate in a character, compounded by the fact that Lynne Graham tried to make her love able by creating a pathetic sob story of her past to validate why Billie has no character development and is vapid and weak at best. I can at least respect Billie's car wreck of a mother since she seems to have the smarts to fuq for money. Billie can't even eat right without being distressed by what Alexei thinks of her.
ZERO OUT OF FIVE STARS.
Excuse my language, but here goes:
Billie is a FUQING idiot and this two part story screams louder than a person going through a midlife crisis at best. Idk what Lynne Graham was thinking by splitting this storyline into two separate stories, but nothing screams "I'm desperate for readers....and money" more than ending a mediocre story with no conclusion. Seriously, I do not need to purchase the sequel to this to know that Billie ends up with her abusive asshole of a boss, lover, and husband.
Billie is everything you hate in a character, compounded by the fact that Lynne Graham tried to make her love able by creating a pathetic sob story of her past to validate why Billie has no character development and is vapid and weak at best. I can at least respect Billie's car wreck of a mother since she seems to have the smarts to fuq for money. Billie can't even eat right without being distressed by what Alexei thinks of her.
ZERO OUT OF FIVE STARS.
June 26, 2011
3.5 stars. I enjoyed this book. The flow of it kept me interested. I admit that the heroine was TSTL but the playboy hero and his antics kept me entertained. It has a continued ending but I’m not really interested in reading the sequel since I know they got married in the end and just needed to work out a few problems (okay a really big problem) but since I’m not really a fan of the married couple theme and usually lose interest when they get married anyway, I think I’ll call it quits here. This book has really bad reviews on Amazon. A lot of readers think the hero is too much the man- whore but to me he was a little pussy cat. I’ve read much worse. He’s not as bad as all that. He never really cheated on the heroine so I didn’t see the problem. If your planning on reading this, it's a fun read. This is the sequel: A Stormy Greek Marriage
January 12, 2018
as much as I loved the heroine as much as I hated the hero but ....he is hot , so I am gonna forgive him!
April 5, 2023
Well this had all the angst I was looking for, but I didn’t like that the hero parades all his cum dumps in front of the heroine (before he sleeps with her.) he hires her and makes her deal with his cast offs. She actually puts her foot down about that and it’s relegated to an assistant. Still, I might have been able to deal with the hero’s slimy manwhoreish ways if he hadn’t gotten engaged to another woman after sleeping with the heroine (which an unfortunate head injury causes him to forget.) i get that the OW was inserted to create even more angst and anguish for the heroine. And for her to keep her pregnancy a secret. Without that angle I get that her keeping it a secret wouldn’t have made any sense…
But it still pissed me off.
This is part one of a duet. The continuation of their story is in another book. I liked the secret baby aspect of this story and the innocence of the heroine. And bonus! No fucking condoms when the hero takes the heroines virginity! It reflected a commitment and trust he had never shown any other woman.
100% UNSAFE. Hero is a manwhore, fucks a parade of skanks after meeting heroine and has her working for him, so she is directly in his life. Heroine is a virgin and belongs only to her hero. Lotsa OW. No sharing. Ends in cliffhanger.
But it still pissed me off.
This is part one of a duet. The continuation of their story is in another book. I liked the secret baby aspect of this story and the innocence of the heroine. And bonus! No fucking condoms when the hero takes the heroines virginity! It reflected a commitment and trust he had never shown any other woman.
100% UNSAFE. Hero is a manwhore, fucks a parade of skanks after meeting heroine and has her working for him, so she is directly in his life. Heroine is a virgin and belongs only to her hero. Lotsa OW. No sharing. Ends in cliffhanger.
March 3, 2013
This book was disappointing to say the least. I understand that there is a sequel, but this book has not left me with any curiosity as to what happens next. Because I've read enough romance novels that I can guess. There will obviously be a huge misunderstanding, , and one of them will run off with the baby. Somehow they will resolve their issues and they'll live happily ever after (of course). That's my guess anyways.
The writer has a lot of potential, but part of the problem for me was the manner in which the story was told. Forward, backwards, and sideways in time did not work well in this instance. The ending scene (which apparently leads into the sequel) just left me going "WTF?"
I read fast so this wasn't too much of a waste of time, and the potential of the book tells me that I'd probably enjoy something else by this author.
The writer has a lot of potential, but part of the problem for me was the manner in which the story was told. Forward, backwards, and sideways in time did not work well in this instance. The ending scene (which apparently leads into the sequel) just left me going "WTF?"
I read fast so this wasn't too much of a waste of time, and the potential of the book tells me that I'd probably enjoy something else by this author.
Read
March 2, 2012This is the first of a two parter that I have already read the second one of. I didn't like the second one well enough to read the first one. So I'm skipping it.
November 5, 2022
I thought Harelequin books were suppose to be one and done but no this book is the first in a series. If I had known, I don't think I would've read it. I hate romance books with a continual story line into a 2nd book. I also hate Alexei; this story should've end with a hea. I do not care about this man and she should've had a backbone and either told him or raise the baby alone. Also, the proposal was by far one of the first ones I have ever read and she just accepted. How embarrassing for her.
May 2, 2012
Alexei, for me, was the epitome of a rake. If you are looking for a rake that is a true rake then Alexei Drakos is his name. Yes, he has lots of relationships throughout this story. He even asks Billie what a couple of twins revealed about him to her. How did he rate, “zero or hero”. Tongue in cheek, perhaps.
He thought he had loved Calisto as teenager and now has chance w/ her again. I notice though that soon after Billie returned Calisto hit the door again. He seems to truly respect Billie more than a lot of the OW in his life and he lets her get away w/ a LOT more than any of his team too. He was always in Billie’s business as well. He even remembered things about Billie from years ago – the ferry ride w/ Damon. I have to say if any of those H’s who had a PA attached at the hip and was seeing to her needs the way Alexei did w/ Billie….well then I can definitely see where the h had a lot to scream about. He doesn’t truly treat her as a PA and he doesn’t treat her as a SO either, but there is something there.
He believes that women are rarely truthful too, yet he trusts Billie fully and he seems to be dependent upon her as well. Just from the beginning of the book I think you get the since that Alexei really isn’t that interested in marrying Calisto and he is drawn to Billie as he gets a vague feeling of “something” when handling an item of hers.
Alexei drew some line in regards to his private life, yet he is constantly crossing over it into hers. As though he is a bit possessive of her and he seems to turn up when she needs him as well. He does respect her though and when he finds himself attracted to her he pulls back at her pleading. He even offers her the property next to his home to build her house upon. What boss does that? When she takes it there are conditions and he is surprised by that because is knowledge of women seems to be different than the behavior she displays.
At one point it was stated that he claims he won’t forget how she makes him ache – okay in all honesty I don’t think he truly did forget after that night the way she makes him ache because the opening just smelling her scarf got him aroused. He feels everything about her is real nothing fake, plastic, made up….all real.
They have their night and of course he forgets it w/ a little help. This affects her pride and she lets it go as well. Seriously, he should be complaining too because she never felt that night was important enough to bring it up, to fight for him, instead she covered it up forgot it as well. Was rather despicable of her to perpetuate that lie for so long knowing what she did and not caring that he didn’t know. He never had a choice in the matter. Yes, she makes a decent if somewhat flimsy argument but it all comes down to trust again. She can’t trust his reaction and she believes that he is in love w/ the other woman when he really isn’t. It was just that when OW on the scene Billie wasn’t around to provide the comparison for the OW so he thought he had what he wanted. Yet when Billie comes back he sees that the OW is sadly lacking in so many areas that he truly thought she fulfilled because he has reverted back to a different place in his life. If OW was truly the woman he wanted to marry then why did he get over her so quickly and propose a marriage to Billie? He noticed Billie’s absence when she was gone and he truly missed her.
If I had not known this was a two-parter I would have been royally HOT! Yet I knew, so I just calmly set this aside when I finished and picked up the other one after my thoughts congealed on this one some more. I needed to see if I still felt the same way. I know Alexei wasn’t the usual H that we know and love, but there was just something about this rake that I truly enjoyed. I really felt for Billie at times and I could understand her stance, but then she just started to annoy me when she continued to keep mum.
He thought he had loved Calisto as teenager and now has chance w/ her again. I notice though that soon after Billie returned Calisto hit the door again. He seems to truly respect Billie more than a lot of the OW in his life and he lets her get away w/ a LOT more than any of his team too. He was always in Billie’s business as well. He even remembered things about Billie from years ago – the ferry ride w/ Damon. I have to say if any of those H’s who had a PA attached at the hip and was seeing to her needs the way Alexei did w/ Billie….well then I can definitely see where the h had a lot to scream about. He doesn’t truly treat her as a PA and he doesn’t treat her as a SO either, but there is something there.
He believes that women are rarely truthful too, yet he trusts Billie fully and he seems to be dependent upon her as well. Just from the beginning of the book I think you get the since that Alexei really isn’t that interested in marrying Calisto and he is drawn to Billie as he gets a vague feeling of “something” when handling an item of hers.
Alexei drew some line in regards to his private life, yet he is constantly crossing over it into hers. As though he is a bit possessive of her and he seems to turn up when she needs him as well. He does respect her though and when he finds himself attracted to her he pulls back at her pleading. He even offers her the property next to his home to build her house upon. What boss does that? When she takes it there are conditions and he is surprised by that because is knowledge of women seems to be different than the behavior she displays.
At one point it was stated that he claims he won’t forget how she makes him ache – okay in all honesty I don’t think he truly did forget after that night the way she makes him ache because the opening just smelling her scarf got him aroused. He feels everything about her is real nothing fake, plastic, made up….all real.
They have their night and of course he forgets it w/ a little help. This affects her pride and she lets it go as well. Seriously, he should be complaining too because she never felt that night was important enough to bring it up, to fight for him, instead she covered it up forgot it as well. Was rather despicable of her to perpetuate that lie for so long knowing what she did and not caring that he didn’t know. He never had a choice in the matter. Yes, she makes a decent if somewhat flimsy argument but it all comes down to trust again. She can’t trust his reaction and she believes that he is in love w/ the other woman when he really isn’t. It was just that when OW on the scene Billie wasn’t around to provide the comparison for the OW so he thought he had what he wanted. Yet when Billie comes back he sees that the OW is sadly lacking in so many areas that he truly thought she fulfilled because he has reverted back to a different place in his life. If OW was truly the woman he wanted to marry then why did he get over her so quickly and propose a marriage to Billie? He noticed Billie’s absence when she was gone and he truly missed her.
If I had not known this was a two-parter I would have been royally HOT! Yet I knew, so I just calmly set this aside when I finished and picked up the other one after my thoughts congealed on this one some more. I needed to see if I still felt the same way. I know Alexei wasn’t the usual H that we know and love, but there was just something about this rake that I truly enjoyed. I really felt for Billie at times and I could understand her stance, but then she just started to annoy me when she continued to keep mum.
October 16, 2018
Synopsis:
The story starts with the birth of Alexei and Billie's son, and then the story goes into flashback (for a major part of the book). Alexei and Billie's relationship starts fairly young, with Billie and her wayward mother living on the same island where Alexei's family are considered God! He protects Billie from bullies and taunts (due to her mother's character), and even the name 'Billie' is given by him (her actual name is Bliss). Alexei cares for Billie in his own way, while she has romantic feelings for him. And then, she starts working for him as his PA, while pretending that she's not head-over-heels in love with him. But then a stolen night of passion in the wake of his parents' death leads to a nine-month consequence, while Alexei forgets about that night due to a concussion!
Review:
The story runs mostly on flashback, with Billie returning to Alexei's turf with her now three-month-old son. She hides the truth from Alexei about their son by passing him off as the son of her recently windowed aunt, all the while believing him that he is in love with someone else. From Bliss to Billie, and the formidable Drakos trio's (Alexei-Mom-Dad) loving relationship, I loved this book. But there was too much stress on her virginity for my liking. This is the first HP I have read where the relationship starts between hero/heroine on a note of affection (and not sex!), even after they grow up. On things not working out with his fiancée, Alexei decides that Billie is a 'suitable' choice for taking a wife. The book ends with their wedding, and Billie's resolve that she will explain everything to Alexei before the night sets in (he is still unaware that he has a son). Now to move on to the next book in this 'linked duet' – Do they get their happy ever after? Of course, coz this is an HP, but after how much heartache?
Originally posted on:
https://sassyshaina.wordpress.com/201...
The story starts with the birth of Alexei and Billie's son, and then the story goes into flashback (for a major part of the book). Alexei and Billie's relationship starts fairly young, with Billie and her wayward mother living on the same island where Alexei's family are considered God! He protects Billie from bullies and taunts (due to her mother's character), and even the name 'Billie' is given by him (her actual name is Bliss). Alexei cares for Billie in his own way, while she has romantic feelings for him. And then, she starts working for him as his PA, while pretending that she's not head-over-heels in love with him. But then a stolen night of passion in the wake of his parents' death leads to a nine-month consequence, while Alexei forgets about that night due to a concussion!
Review:
The story runs mostly on flashback, with Billie returning to Alexei's turf with her now three-month-old son. She hides the truth from Alexei about their son by passing him off as the son of her recently windowed aunt, all the while believing him that he is in love with someone else. From Bliss to Billie, and the formidable Drakos trio's (Alexei-Mom-Dad) loving relationship, I loved this book. But there was too much stress on her virginity for my liking. This is the first HP I have read where the relationship starts between hero/heroine on a note of affection (and not sex!), even after they grow up. On things not working out with his fiancée, Alexei decides that Billie is a 'suitable' choice for taking a wife. The book ends with their wedding, and Billie's resolve that she will explain everything to Alexei before the night sets in (he is still unaware that he has a son). Now to move on to the next book in this 'linked duet' – Do they get their happy ever after? Of course, coz this is an HP, but after how much heartache?
Originally posted on:
https://sassyshaina.wordpress.com/201...
May 3, 2018
Bliss, aka Billie, knew Alexei Drakos since she was an eight years old unhappy girl in his family's island because of her mother's irresponsible behavior. They met and clashed ever since, yet Billie worked as his personal assistant in the end. Even though they were attracted to each other, Billie resisted the temptation to become really involved with him because she wanted a commitment that Alexei is not willing to give.
I'm a Lynne Graham's fan, but to be fair this novel was not one of her best at all. Both the main characters are immature till the end! The words "I love you." were never said and the heroine hid the fact they had a baby till the end!
I'm a Lynne Graham's fan, but to be fair this novel was not one of her best at all. Both the main characters are immature till the end! The words "I love you." were never said and the heroine hid the fact they had a baby till the end!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2018
The beginning was good, then it went dowm memory lane for an while, and i find the end was rushed
August 10, 2013
Review by Cassandra from Book Talk
Greek billionaire Alexei Drakos's PA asks for an extended career leave and Alexei grants it though he becomes very inconvenienced. He has relied on Billie Foster for everything in his life, including getting rid of his girlfriends. Unbeknownst to Alexei, Billie left to have his baby. The baby he doesn't know about including the conception. After a passionate night which left her pregnant with her boss's baby, Billie flees the country to have her child in secret. Once her extended leave is up, Billie returns to resume work until she can leave with her secret intact. Alexei has realized something is missing his life with Billie gone. He decides to offer her something he has never offered to another...marriage. Unfortunately for Billie's heart, it's a marriage of convenience and passion only. Will she get over her fears and finally admit to Alexei of the baby they made on a night he doesn't remember? Or will it be too late?
This is a pretty good book. Lynne Graham has created a relationship that is fraught with problems reaching all the way back to childhood. Billie is in love with her boss, so she keeps it to herself. She has never let herself be seduced into his bed, knowing that would be the end of their relationship. She has watched countless women come and go and she doesn't want to end up like one of them. Alexei is a Greek tycoon who knows what he wants and takes it. He revels in his pleasures without the thought of consequence. He has always felt a desire for his PA but has respected her wishes and not forced the issue. Once Billie leaves, to secretly give birth to his child, Alexei's world starts to slowly fall apart. He realizes how much he has come to rely on Billie and how much he needs her in his life. Billie is under a great amount of stress due to the secrets she is hiding from Alexei. She wants to tell him but doesn't know if it'll be the right thing to do and fears what his reaction may be. The passion in this book is high but it also takes a deep look into the beginning of the relationship of Billie and Alexei. You come to realize how much Billie goes through with her heart constantly taking blow after blow with watching the one man she loves live his life as if she is nothing but an underling. I really liked this book, the only part that left me frustrated was at the end and Billie's decisions. Otherwise, this was a great book and I can't wait to read the second. Warning: adult content.
Greek billionaire Alexei Drakos's PA asks for an extended career leave and Alexei grants it though he becomes very inconvenienced. He has relied on Billie Foster for everything in his life, including getting rid of his girlfriends. Unbeknownst to Alexei, Billie left to have his baby. The baby he doesn't know about including the conception. After a passionate night which left her pregnant with her boss's baby, Billie flees the country to have her child in secret. Once her extended leave is up, Billie returns to resume work until she can leave with her secret intact. Alexei has realized something is missing his life with Billie gone. He decides to offer her something he has never offered to another...marriage. Unfortunately for Billie's heart, it's a marriage of convenience and passion only. Will she get over her fears and finally admit to Alexei of the baby they made on a night he doesn't remember? Or will it be too late?
This is a pretty good book. Lynne Graham has created a relationship that is fraught with problems reaching all the way back to childhood. Billie is in love with her boss, so she keeps it to herself. She has never let herself be seduced into his bed, knowing that would be the end of their relationship. She has watched countless women come and go and she doesn't want to end up like one of them. Alexei is a Greek tycoon who knows what he wants and takes it. He revels in his pleasures without the thought of consequence. He has always felt a desire for his PA but has respected her wishes and not forced the issue. Once Billie leaves, to secretly give birth to his child, Alexei's world starts to slowly fall apart. He realizes how much he has come to rely on Billie and how much he needs her in his life. Billie is under a great amount of stress due to the secrets she is hiding from Alexei. She wants to tell him but doesn't know if it'll be the right thing to do and fears what his reaction may be. The passion in this book is high but it also takes a deep look into the beginning of the relationship of Billie and Alexei. You come to realize how much Billie goes through with her heart constantly taking blow after blow with watching the one man she loves live his life as if she is nothing but an underling. I really liked this book, the only part that left me frustrated was at the end and Billie's decisions. Otherwise, this was a great book and I can't wait to read the second. Warning: adult content.
July 12, 2018
Its a looooooooooooong story , divided into a 2 part series. I happened to read through them both, rather breezed through them. And the story is a typical HP offering.
Over dramatic turn of events , macho man hero who thinks he is god's gift to women, a doormatty secretary heroine whose main skill is turning a blind eye to his affairs.
Part 1 -
Heroine lives on a Greek island where the heroes' family run the show. She falls for him early, accepts his offer to work for him. Goes on silently enduring his endless affairs. But of course, she is not keen to be one in the long list. One night, he is in grief over his parents death, she consoles him in err ... the most basic way possible. And then a bizarre thing happens !! He slips on the stairs and loses memory of only a few hours earlier. So the cozy comforting that the poor girl did is off his memory !!!!!!!! What a hare brained plot line !
Virginal woes aside, she is pregnant now. But comes up with a brilliant plan to conceal the kid from the guy, and her reasons for keeping this a secret ? Don't ask, they are crazy. She goes away on extended leave, and gets back with the kid and her widowed aunt in toe, hoping to pass off the kid as the aunt's.
Hero is missing his efficient secretary. Once she gets back, he dumps his current flame and offers a marriage of convenience to the heroine. Reason for sudden need of wife ? Again, don't ask.
Our poor little mouse agrees and that's the end of Part 1.
Part 2 -
Now the hero acts outraged at finding a non-virgin on his wedding night. Really !!?!?!? Wonder why authors make such caricatures out of Greek men. Poor guys, always portrayed as chauvinistic jerks!
The cozy comfort story comes out, along with the baby bombshell. He refuses to believe her, and its her turn to be outraged now. DNA tests, and a few sling fests later, he realizes its true. But now, our doormat has decided that she just cant be any more doormatty. She wants a divorce.
Now that sets our play boy thinking. He rewinds to all those occasions when he felt horny around the girl, and realizes that it was quite often. Now he doesn't want to let go. So he gets into charmer mode - with a bit of logical talk and loads of sex. Finally comes the love talk. Now that's what our girl's been waiting to hear for decades. She gets it in the end. Phew, after a marathon drama session !!!
Potboiler stuff. High on passion, low on sense. Ok read.
Over dramatic turn of events , macho man hero who thinks he is god's gift to women, a doormatty secretary heroine whose main skill is turning a blind eye to his affairs.
Part 1 -
Heroine lives on a Greek island where the heroes' family run the show. She falls for him early, accepts his offer to work for him. Goes on silently enduring his endless affairs. But of course, she is not keen to be one in the long list. One night, he is in grief over his parents death, she consoles him in err ... the most basic way possible. And then a bizarre thing happens !! He slips on the stairs and loses memory of only a few hours earlier. So the cozy comforting that the poor girl did is off his memory !!!!!!!! What a hare brained plot line !
Virginal woes aside, she is pregnant now. But comes up with a brilliant plan to conceal the kid from the guy, and her reasons for keeping this a secret ? Don't ask, they are crazy. She goes away on extended leave, and gets back with the kid and her widowed aunt in toe, hoping to pass off the kid as the aunt's.
Hero is missing his efficient secretary. Once she gets back, he dumps his current flame and offers a marriage of convenience to the heroine. Reason for sudden need of wife ? Again, don't ask.
Our poor little mouse agrees and that's the end of Part 1.
Part 2 -
Now the hero acts outraged at finding a non-virgin on his wedding night. Really !!?!?!? Wonder why authors make such caricatures out of Greek men. Poor guys, always portrayed as chauvinistic jerks!
The cozy comfort story comes out, along with the baby bombshell. He refuses to believe her, and its her turn to be outraged now. DNA tests, and a few sling fests later, he realizes its true. But now, our doormat has decided that she just cant be any more doormatty. She wants a divorce.
Now that sets our play boy thinking. He rewinds to all those occasions when he felt horny around the girl, and realizes that it was quite often. Now he doesn't want to let go. So he gets into charmer mode - with a bit of logical talk and loads of sex. Finally comes the love talk. Now that's what our girl's been waiting to hear for decades. She gets it in the end. Phew, after a marathon drama session !!!
Potboiler stuff. High on passion, low on sense. Ok read.
May 14, 2016
This book started off amazingly. I was completely in love with it. Alexei was so freaking hot I was just freaking out over him. I dunno, I just like the kind of guy who's rich, hot, sexy, handsome, whatever.
But then it slowly wasn't that nice anymore. I dunno, I felt the part about the wedding and her decision leading up to it was way too rushed. I mean, it would have been nice to see her struggle to decide and all.
Before that though, her life story working with him and all was amazing. I loved it. It was really convincing and I felt that such a thing could really happen. Improbable, yes. But still, it really touched my heart.
Other than the really rushed ending, I really loved the book. However, I felt that after he lost that bit of his memory, the book just didn't seem that great. I mean, the sexual tension between them was like whoa. And his every action was so wonderful and amazing. I dunno, but after that I felt that the book wasn't that amazing. And what a pity, it had a really engaging and interesting beginning. From the first word, I was hooked.
Still, the book made me want to read the next in the series which I'm doing right now.
All in all, this was a very good book, but it could have been perfect if the ending was a little more elaborated on and not so rushed through. I dunno, weddings are supposed to be beautiful. I guess it was, but those scenes didn't really do it for me.
But then it slowly wasn't that nice anymore. I dunno, I felt the part about the wedding and her decision leading up to it was way too rushed. I mean, it would have been nice to see her struggle to decide and all.
Before that though, her life story working with him and all was amazing. I loved it. It was really convincing and I felt that such a thing could really happen. Improbable, yes. But still, it really touched my heart.
Other than the really rushed ending, I really loved the book. However, I felt that after he lost that bit of his memory, the book just didn't seem that great. I mean, the sexual tension between them was like whoa. And his every action was so wonderful and amazing. I dunno, but after that I felt that the book wasn't that amazing. And what a pity, it had a really engaging and interesting beginning. From the first word, I was hooked.
Still, the book made me want to read the next in the series which I'm doing right now.
All in all, this was a very good book, but it could have been perfect if the ending was a little more elaborated on and not so rushed through. I dunno, weddings are supposed to be beautiful. I guess it was, but those scenes didn't really do it for me.
September 24, 2020
Three stars for the sheer batshit crazy of the premise: Billie, the heroine, is both the childhood friend and personal assistant of Alexei, the hero. He dates around while Billie quietly keeps his life running smoothly. Then I can only think that Graham got bored with writing the same-old same-old and decided to go full on nutbar.
Obviously I am now going to read the sequel.
Obviously I am now going to read the sequel.
November 14, 2010
I knew there was a connected book to this, but I thought it was part of the usual themed series thing. This book is actually part one of the story, and it ends sort of on a cliff-hanger (well, not an edge-of-your-seat type cliffhanger, just a soft-landing, end of Act One type).
It felt LG was writing a more fully fleshed out book even though the majority of the story was pretty much a flashback and I wondered about the structure chosen until I realized the Part 1/Part 2 thing.
The characters personalities and their interactions was really enjoyable. But the secret baby aspect did not work for me. The heroine presented her reasons for not telling, and yet, it felt like she needed to speak up, damn the condeequences, especially with the wedding night rolling up on her ass like a frieght train.
Hopefully the paternity thing isn't dragged out in book 2 because the hero has been shown as a pretty decisive guy, so a simple paternity test (express) just put that issue to rest right quick. Looking forward to book 2/second half of the story. Interesting experiment with Harl Presents format. I like it.
It felt LG was writing a more fully fleshed out book even though the majority of the story was pretty much a flashback and I wondered about the structure chosen until I realized the Part 1/Part 2 thing.
The characters personalities and their interactions was really enjoyable. But the secret baby aspect did not work for me. The heroine presented her reasons for not telling, and yet, it felt like she needed to speak up, damn the condeequences, especially with the wedding night rolling up on her ass like a frieght train.
Hopefully the paternity thing isn't dragged out in book 2 because the hero has been shown as a pretty decisive guy, so a simple paternity test (express) just put that issue to rest right quick. Looking forward to book 2/second half of the story. Interesting experiment with Harl Presents format. I like it.
August 23, 2013
Really really don't like this one. The H is a man whore while the h turned from a fantastic main lead with a strong backbone and integrity to a totally deceitful and selfish person. It's like she is split personality or some alien force is temporarily taking over her body or something. I totally think she gets what is coming to her with the stupid way she has handled the whole situation and trapped the H. Having worked with him for so long and understanding him so well I cannot believe she will think her deception will be forgiven since easily. She demeans herself and it is embarrassing to read how desperate she is to grab him. There virtually is no love shown on the H side and I am very disappointed with the cliff hanger at the end.
March 30, 2014
I was intrigued by the blurb. But let's just say, the characters disappoints me.
Alexei's a pain in a$$. He's so darn annoying I want to smack him in his face. Really. The girl, Billie, too. I hate her guts. For stayed beside him since she's just a teenager no matter how many times he hurt her feeling with awful words.
But still, I'm curious about how this book ended up so I'll read the sequel.
Alexei's a pain in a$$. He's so darn annoying I want to smack him in his face. Really. The girl, Billie, too. I hate her guts. For stayed beside him since she's just a teenager no matter how many times he hurt her feeling with awful words.
But still, I'm curious about how this book ended up so I'll read the sequel.
July 5, 2013
This story was very poorly written at times. It felt like an outline to a story rather than a story. There is also alot of weird time jumping. The heroine was annoying and not very likable at the end of the story.
March 23, 2018
Qhat a roller coaster of emotions!
August 9, 2023
My review:
I was getting real comfy, settling in to make my through this author's entire back catalogue, until this fucker showed up and ruined my day. I have never wanted to murder a man more in my life.
Safety Stats
Billie
Virgin - yes
Alexei
Playboy - yes
Sex scene with OW - no
Cheating - yes
OW drama - yes
Overall, Not Safe.
I was getting real comfy, settling in to make my through this author's entire back catalogue, until this fucker showed up and ruined my day. I have never wanted to murder a man more in my life.
Safety Stats
Billie
Virgin - yes
Alexei
Playboy - yes
Sex scene with OW - no
Cheating - yes
OW drama - yes
Overall, Not Safe.
October 12, 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐
Rating System (as of 8/14/2025):
⭐: It was a struggle to read. I almost DNF
⭐⭐: This could have been so much better.
⭐⭐⭐: Good/Average
⭐⭐⭐⭐: Great book. I will probably reread it.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: I absolutely loved this book.
***********************************************************************
Triggers:
🚩Amnesia
🚩Misogyny
Tropes:
💕Vintage Harlequin
💕MF Romance
💕Best Friends to Lovers
💕One Night Stand
💕Forgotten One Night Stand
💕OW Drama
💕Surprise Pregnancy
💕Virgin
Spice Level: 🔥🔥
Spice Level Rating System (as of 9/4/25)
🔥: Clean. Handholding. Kissing.
🔥🔥: Non-Descriptive/Implied on Page Sex
🔥🔥🔥: Hot-Descriptive on Page Sex
🔥🔥🔥🔥: So Hot—Do Not Read in Public
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥: Oh My-BDSM. Blood Play. Smut.
************************************************************************
Summary:
FMC and MMC grew up together. She is his assistant. They have a one-night stand however, he hit his head immediately after and could not remember this happening. Months later the FMC discovers she is pregnant. She tells the FMC that she has to leave to help her aunt. While gone the MMCs life begins to become unorganized, and he starts to date his childhood crush. This is the first book in a series.
Review:
No, this was not for me. I tried and I know that the story continues in the next book. I have no desire to read it. In order to read this book, you have to remind yourself that this is vintage Harlequin. I am not going to say anything else about this book--very disappointing when it comes to the story, the characters etc.
Rating System (as of 8/14/2025):
⭐: It was a struggle to read. I almost DNF
⭐⭐: This could have been so much better.
⭐⭐⭐: Good/Average
⭐⭐⭐⭐: Great book. I will probably reread it.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: I absolutely loved this book.
***********************************************************************
Triggers:
🚩Amnesia
🚩Misogyny
Tropes:
💕Vintage Harlequin
💕MF Romance
💕Best Friends to Lovers
💕One Night Stand
💕Forgotten One Night Stand
💕OW Drama
💕Surprise Pregnancy
💕Virgin
Spice Level: 🔥🔥
Spice Level Rating System (as of 9/4/25)
🔥: Clean. Handholding. Kissing.
🔥🔥: Non-Descriptive/Implied on Page Sex
🔥🔥🔥: Hot-Descriptive on Page Sex
🔥🔥🔥🔥: So Hot—Do Not Read in Public
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥: Oh My-BDSM. Blood Play. Smut.
************************************************************************
Summary:
FMC and MMC grew up together. She is his assistant. They have a one-night stand however, he hit his head immediately after and could not remember this happening. Months later the FMC discovers she is pregnant. She tells the FMC that she has to leave to help her aunt. While gone the MMCs life begins to become unorganized, and he starts to date his childhood crush. This is the first book in a series.
Review:
No, this was not for me. I tried and I know that the story continues in the next book. I have no desire to read it. In order to read this book, you have to remind yourself that this is vintage Harlequin. I am not going to say anything else about this book--very disappointing when it comes to the story, the characters etc.
August 8, 2022
This book was one of the worst books I've read in awhile. MMC was an absolute manwhore like I think his bedpartners have to number in the thousands to tens of thousands, he even slept with twins. FMC was there every single day watching it and still ended up falling in love with him. Then they finally have sex and he has an accident (no longer remembers sleeping with her) and immediately gets with an ex. He was with that woman for 1 year an absolute record for him when woman only last for 2 weeks. FMC is pregnant and doesn't tell him and I did not care at all what happened to her or even his reaction to finding out, it's so bad. Usually I'm really invested in the secret baby reveal and want to see MMC reaction but I just didn't care at all. I don't understand how he doesn't have 1000 kids out there with the amount of women he sleeps with. P.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2022
I am embarrassed to say I enjoyed reading parts of this, mostly up to when h accepted H’s proposal. Let’s do some math. H has been enjoying lovely blondes for about 15 years and Billie notes the ladies usually last 2 weeks. That’s 26 blondes a year, let’s be conservative and say 10 years since he was with ex-OW for a year. That is at least 260 females this womanizer slept with. Who would want to marry him?
And having agreed, who, while knowing H expects a virgin (don’t even consider the double standard), does not tell him about their earlier encounter and their son??
Frankly I can’t believe h’s rather tarty mother hadn’t spilled the beans.
To top it off it it’s a cliffhanger!! Tacky.
And having agreed, who, while knowing H expects a virgin (don’t even consider the double standard), does not tell him about their earlier encounter and their son??
Frankly I can’t believe h’s rather tarty mother hadn’t spilled the beans.
To top it off it it’s a cliffhanger!! Tacky.
May 8, 2018
The book was a good read, but only till I reached the last 30 pages. The heroines was said to be so clever, but to hide and lie that much and to decide to tell him after they're married is just plain stupid. To start a relationship with such lies destroys the whole relationship. The book would've been better to me if she either told him that she can't marry him or that she already has a child from him. The second book could've then been them working it out together... Unfortunately it didn't go that way and the heroine of the last pages destroyed that book for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2019
If I had known there a sequel to this story I would not have read it. To read a story from 2010 in 2019 and then have to find the sequel is a big ask. I was already halfway through the book when I found out there is a second book. I didn't really enjoy the story, it was a bit wishy washy. As for leaving the ending like that ........ well it was a big disappointment. Should not have been ended like that. Since when does Mills and Boon do sequels unless they are part of another characters story. ANNOYED is a nice word for me.
May 25, 2024
Horrible ending
What a horrible, horrible ending this woman goes to bed with this guy then he hits his head doesn't remember starts up a relationship with another woman while she's still working for him he doesn't tell her that he loves her but proposes a couple weeks after breaking up with this other woman she brings their baby back to the Island doesn't tell him that that his son this was the worst ending of a harlequin I have ever read
What a horrible, horrible ending this woman goes to bed with this guy then he hits his head doesn't remember starts up a relationship with another woman while she's still working for him he doesn't tell her that he loves her but proposes a couple weeks after breaking up with this other woman she brings their baby back to the Island doesn't tell him that that his son this was the worst ending of a harlequin I have ever read
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