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The Italian's Rightful Bride
Joanna had been head over heels in love with her convenient fiance, Gustavo Ferrara, when he fell in love with -- and married -- someone else!
Now, twelve years on, Gustavo Ferrara, now single, is thrown into turmoil at seeing Joanna again. He's older, wiser, and he realizes Joanna is the person he should have married -- but he has no idea how much he hurt her. Can he persuade her to give him another chance...or is she once bitten, twice shy...?
Now, twelve years on, Gustavo Ferrara, now single, is thrown into turmoil at seeing Joanna again. He's older, wiser, and he realizes Joanna is the person he should have married -- but he has no idea how much he hurt her. Can he persuade her to give him another chance...or is she once bitten, twice shy...?
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 2005
6 people are currently reading
596 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Gordon
696 books91 followersChristine Sparks was born in England, UK. She wanted to be a writer all her life, and began by working on a British women's magazine. As a features writer, she gained a wide variety of experience. She interviewed some of the world's most attractive and interesting men, including Warren Beatty, Richard Chamberlain, Charlton Heston, Sir Roger Moore, Sir Alec Guiness.
Single life was so enjoyable that she put marriage, and even romance, on the back burner, while she went about the world having a great time. Then, while on vacation in Venice, she met a tall, dark handsome Venetian artist, who changed all her ideas in a moment, and proposed on the second day. Three months later they were married. Her friends said a whirlwind romance would never last, but they celebrated their 25 anniversary, they are still married, still happy and in love.
After 13 years on the magazine Christine decided that it was now or never if she was ever going to write that novel. So she wrote Legacy of Fire which became a Silhouette Special Edition, followed by another, Enchantment in Venice. Then she did something crazy gave up her job. Since then she has concentrated entirely on writing romances for Mills & Boon, Harlequin and Silhouette and has written over 75 books. Her settings have been European and her heroes mainly English or Italian. Christine now claims to be an expert on one particular subject. Italian men are the most romantic in the world. They are also the best cooks.
A few years ago she and her husband returned to Venice and lived there for a couple of years. This proved the perfect base for exploring the rest of Italy, and she has given many of her books Italian settings: Venice (of course), Rome, Florence, Milan, Sicily, Tuscany. She has also used the Rhine in Germany for Song of the Lorelei, for which she won her first RITA Award, in 1991. Her second RITA came in 1998, with His Brother's Child, set in Rome.
Eventually Christine Fiorotto and her husband returned to England, where they now live. She write and he paints, they have no children, but have a cat and a dog.
Single life was so enjoyable that she put marriage, and even romance, on the back burner, while she went about the world having a great time. Then, while on vacation in Venice, she met a tall, dark handsome Venetian artist, who changed all her ideas in a moment, and proposed on the second day. Three months later they were married. Her friends said a whirlwind romance would never last, but they celebrated their 25 anniversary, they are still married, still happy and in love.
After 13 years on the magazine Christine decided that it was now or never if she was ever going to write that novel. So she wrote Legacy of Fire which became a Silhouette Special Edition, followed by another, Enchantment in Venice. Then she did something crazy gave up her job. Since then she has concentrated entirely on writing romances for Mills & Boon, Harlequin and Silhouette and has written over 75 books. Her settings have been European and her heroes mainly English or Italian. Christine now claims to be an expert on one particular subject. Italian men are the most romantic in the world. They are also the best cooks.
A few years ago she and her husband returned to Venice and lived there for a couple of years. This proved the perfect base for exploring the rest of Italy, and she has given many of her books Italian settings: Venice (of course), Rome, Florence, Milan, Sicily, Tuscany. She has also used the Rhine in Germany for Song of the Lorelei, for which she won her first RITA Award, in 1991. Her second RITA came in 1998, with His Brother's Child, set in Rome.
Eventually Christine Fiorotto and her husband returned to England, where they now live. She write and he paints, they have no children, but have a cat and a dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 23, 2018
Ok, so there were times when I really enjoyed the book and at other times I was just skipping and skimming where it got tedious and meh! This book is quite different on many counts.
*With Spoilers* A beta and (very) TSTL hero wronged by his own blinding stupidity and hormones. He is really a sweet and gentle guy who was too young and naive in a way in the beginning. So he dumps our h for her bff after an 'arranged' engagement.
The h, at 18 was more mature and wordly than him, and now 12 yrs on, he's matured as well but into a staid and stuffy guy. He even has a coupla weepy sessions in the book and seems to be self pitying and clueless many a times (Ok so I have unmanned him a bit too much, but in all fairness he did have flashes of alphaness now and then). There were times when he exasperates you and then there were times when you just want to hug him and tell him that everything will be alright, sonny boy! In a first, the OW (his ex wife) actually nudges the H to marry the h so that he can get his hands on some money and give her (the ex's) money back to her!:D
The h is a wise and balanced person, an archaeologist who (after all these years) goes to his Italian palazzo to unearth historical treasures. Btw, she's richer than all the other characters in the story. All the others have money problems while she is ready to dole out to anyone who asks. She is a mild and genial person and maintains her affability throughout. No HPish angst or heartburn for her (I actually admired that). She has been in love with the H all through these years and now on meeting again, watches him trip and fall and cry and bungle and fumble till he finally picks up the courage to chin up and propose.
I also like how she rejects his long-in-coming ILY saying he's saying it now as all his financial problems have been solved, and that his pride was greater than his love for her whereas all those years ago he went after the OW regardless of all conventions! Good point!
The most interesting character btw was the OM (the h's ex). He's a cheeky and charming rogue. I enjoyed the book when he's there in the story. Although credit to the author that he never occupies the H's space. They were married for 8 years and emotionally the h was absent in the marriage as she was still in love with the H . They now share an affectionate and friendly relationship plus a 10 year old son who again is a chip off the old block. We read so many stories where the stupid h is ripped off emotionally and or financially by the OM. Here too she pays him a hefty alimony plus he still keeps 'borrowing' but you only grin at his antics along with her. In the end, he still looks out for her by drilling some sense in the H. He even woos the OW and then mulls actually marrying her and keeping it 'all in the family'.
All said, I don't regret reading this book as it's refreshing on so many counts and the author's perspective is somewhat different than most 'regular' HP authors.
*With Spoilers* A beta and (very) TSTL hero wronged by his own blinding stupidity and hormones. He is really a sweet and gentle guy who was too young and naive in a way in the beginning. So he dumps our h for her bff after an 'arranged' engagement.
The h, at 18 was more mature and wordly than him, and now 12 yrs on, he's matured as well but into a staid and stuffy guy. He even has a coupla weepy sessions in the book and seems to be self pitying and clueless many a times (Ok so I have unmanned him a bit too much, but in all fairness he did have flashes of alphaness now and then). There were times when he exasperates you and then there were times when you just want to hug him and tell him that everything will be alright, sonny boy! In a first, the OW (his ex wife) actually nudges the H to marry the h so that he can get his hands on some money and give her (the ex's) money back to her!:D
The h is a wise and balanced person, an archaeologist who (after all these years) goes to his Italian palazzo to unearth historical treasures. Btw, she's richer than all the other characters in the story. All the others have money problems while she is ready to dole out to anyone who asks. She is a mild and genial person and maintains her affability throughout. No HPish angst or heartburn for her (I actually admired that). She has been in love with the H all through these years and now on meeting again, watches him trip and fall and cry and bungle and fumble till he finally picks up the courage to chin up and propose.
I also like how she rejects his long-in-coming ILY saying he's saying it now as all his financial problems have been solved, and that his pride was greater than his love for her whereas all those years ago he went after the OW regardless of all conventions! Good point!
The most interesting character btw was the OM (the h's ex). He's a cheeky and charming rogue. I enjoyed the book when he's there in the story. Although credit to the author that he never occupies the H's space. They were married for 8 years and emotionally the h was absent in the marriage as she was still in love with the H . They now share an affectionate and friendly relationship plus a 10 year old son who again is a chip off the old block. We read so many stories where the stupid h is ripped off emotionally and or financially by the OM. Here too she pays him a hefty alimony plus he still keeps 'borrowing' but you only grin at his antics along with her. In the end, he still looks out for her by drilling some sense in the H. He even woos the OW and then mulls actually marrying her and keeping it 'all in the family'.
All said, I don't regret reading this book as it's refreshing on so many counts and the author's perspective is somewhat different than most 'regular' HP authors.
February 23, 2022
I think this is another case of it's me and not the book, or maybe it's me and not the author, because I always have this feeling of great dissatisfaction in the end when I read a book from LG.
They lack passion and commitment, and very often they are wuite one-sided, as this one.
My disappointment comes from the huge, ginormous difference between the value of the heroines and the heroes.
Her heroes are the worst losers in all hp land and beyond.
They are total human failures.
At least in the emotional department, but often they are not so good even as businessman or other.
This hero here is a waste of space.
He and the heroine are engaged very young, she's only 18 and he's 22.
He's a prince, but in name only, since he's the prince of losers, his family has no money and they need a rich bride for their one and only scion. The heroine is from a very rich family and they agree to a moc. (anachronistic since we're in the 2000's and the Prince could work as all the rest of common people)
The heroine is instantly smitten by the introvert and brooding hero, even if he's not so passionate to her, but she has hopes that hone day he will love her.
Enter ow, a young and charming woman, and the hero falls in love with her.
But since he's a coward and a cheater, he and ow only kisse and declare their love, while he thinks he'll go on with the marriage.
The heroine sees them together and decides to let him free of his promise. Because she loves him and wants him to be happy.
All the time pretending that her heart is not broking in thousands pieces and that she doesn't care at all.
So she breaks the engagement and the hero marries ow instead of her, that keeps her head high and pretends she's happy and relieved from the end of their engagement. And had she been a smarter person she would have been truly relieved to be well rid of that useless piece of meat.
Thank god she gets married and has a son, has a great career as an archeologist, and has a lovely son.
But unfortunately she's still secretly pining for the hero, and eventually she and her husband divorce.
The hero soon realized that his wife is not what he thought she was, she's spoiled and she loves to party, while he's serious and boring, and eventually the wonderful woman gets pregnant with her personal trainer so the hero divorces her.
He and the heroine meet again 12 years later, both divorced and with their own children, and the hero falls in love with her, all the time regretting not having married the right woman.
Eventually he also finds out she loved him all along, and they have their hea.
Not for me.
This man is the greatest of all losers.
I never liked him.
There's such a disparity with the heroine. She's strong and smart, she's capable and has a satisfying career, her son is lovely and she and her ex husband have a good and friendly relationship.
I could understand her infatuation with the hero when she was 18 but I can't understand why she kept on loving such a loser, a coward, a worthless man.
He's not cruel, He's only dumb.
I had so often the impression that she had more balls than him.
LG loves strong heroines but the result is that her men are far from being alpha and not even men enough to be beta.
How I missed a true alpha man, who knows what he wants, and he goes and gets it, Charlotte Lamb style. Or Yvonne whittal. Or Margaret Pargeter.
I would even be contented with a Diana Palmer one, with all his insecurities and faults but eventually when he understands what it is right for him he shows a strong will and admits his faults.
But this one. This one.
The author would like to show him as a sensitive man, a bit introverted and unable to communicate his feelings, but I only found him a spineless man, who needs a nanny and not a woman so strong and determined as the heroine.
I didn't like the fact that he didn't love her in the beginning and fell madly in love with ow, I didn't like that he wasn't even a bit attracted to her while he was hot for ow, I didn't like that ow had to be a shallow and cheating woman, because this means that if she hadn't been he would still be married to her. I didn't like that he admitted that he loved ow while he considered the heroine as a friend. This was all so not romantic. Even Diana Palmer could do better. Even Margaret Pargeter and her brutes. I could even add Anne Hampson...
And he didn't redeem himself in the end.
There's no big revelation. He only telld her that she was the only person he could talk to, but it was not enough. He was taken by ow.
I didn't like the book at all, but I can't give less than two stars because of the heroine.
She's really top, and I was so sorry that she had to settle with the loser.
She deserved far much better.
I don't know if I can recommend it to anyone, the triggers are all there, the book is not badly written, it's quite pleasant, but the premises are all wrong.
They lack passion and commitment, and very often they are wuite one-sided, as this one.
My disappointment comes from the huge, ginormous difference between the value of the heroines and the heroes.
Her heroes are the worst losers in all hp land and beyond.
They are total human failures.
At least in the emotional department, but often they are not so good even as businessman or other.
This hero here is a waste of space.
He and the heroine are engaged very young, she's only 18 and he's 22.
He's a prince, but in name only, since he's the prince of losers, his family has no money and they need a rich bride for their one and only scion. The heroine is from a very rich family and they agree to a moc. (anachronistic since we're in the 2000's and the Prince could work as all the rest of common people)
The heroine is instantly smitten by the introvert and brooding hero, even if he's not so passionate to her, but she has hopes that hone day he will love her.
Enter ow, a young and charming woman, and the hero falls in love with her.
But since he's a coward and a cheater, he and ow only kisse and declare their love, while he thinks he'll go on with the marriage.
The heroine sees them together and decides to let him free of his promise. Because she loves him and wants him to be happy.
All the time pretending that her heart is not broking in thousands pieces and that she doesn't care at all.
So she breaks the engagement and the hero marries ow instead of her, that keeps her head high and pretends she's happy and relieved from the end of their engagement. And had she been a smarter person she would have been truly relieved to be well rid of that useless piece of meat.
Thank god she gets married and has a son, has a great career as an archeologist, and has a lovely son.
But unfortunately she's still secretly pining for the hero, and eventually she and her husband divorce.
The hero soon realized that his wife is not what he thought she was, she's spoiled and she loves to party, while he's serious and boring, and eventually the wonderful woman gets pregnant with her personal trainer so the hero divorces her.
He and the heroine meet again 12 years later, both divorced and with their own children, and the hero falls in love with her, all the time regretting not having married the right woman.
Eventually he also finds out she loved him all along, and they have their hea.
Not for me.
This man is the greatest of all losers.
I never liked him.
There's such a disparity with the heroine. She's strong and smart, she's capable and has a satisfying career, her son is lovely and she and her ex husband have a good and friendly relationship.
I could understand her infatuation with the hero when she was 18 but I can't understand why she kept on loving such a loser, a coward, a worthless man.
He's not cruel, He's only dumb.
I had so often the impression that she had more balls than him.
LG loves strong heroines but the result is that her men are far from being alpha and not even men enough to be beta.
How I missed a true alpha man, who knows what he wants, and he goes and gets it, Charlotte Lamb style. Or Yvonne whittal. Or Margaret Pargeter.
I would even be contented with a Diana Palmer one, with all his insecurities and faults but eventually when he understands what it is right for him he shows a strong will and admits his faults.
But this one. This one.
The author would like to show him as a sensitive man, a bit introverted and unable to communicate his feelings, but I only found him a spineless man, who needs a nanny and not a woman so strong and determined as the heroine.
I didn't like the fact that he didn't love her in the beginning and fell madly in love with ow, I didn't like that he wasn't even a bit attracted to her while he was hot for ow, I didn't like that ow had to be a shallow and cheating woman, because this means that if she hadn't been he would still be married to her. I didn't like that he admitted that he loved ow while he considered the heroine as a friend. This was all so not romantic. Even Diana Palmer could do better. Even Margaret Pargeter and her brutes. I could even add Anne Hampson...
And he didn't redeem himself in the end.
There's no big revelation. He only telld her that she was the only person he could talk to, but it was not enough. He was taken by ow.
I didn't like the book at all, but I can't give less than two stars because of the heroine.
She's really top, and I was so sorry that she had to settle with the loser.
She deserved far much better.
I don't know if I can recommend it to anyone, the triggers are all there, the book is not badly written, it's quite pleasant, but the premises are all wrong.
August 13, 2013
I really liked this one. It takes the arranged marriage theme and does something different.
I didn't think the hero needed to grovel because he is the one whose life ended up in tatters. Joanna's life was actually pretty good. Sure, she never got over her love for Gustavo but it didn't consume her or define her. She was able to grow up and achieve things she couldn't if she had married Gustavo back then.
When she gets her HEA at the end it's on her terms. I really enjoyed this book, it's rare the woman is in a position of power. She had more money, a good education and was well respected in her field. I'd love to see more stories like this. Stories which empower the women instead of leaving them to sit in a lonely room wearing a chastity belt and crying for the hero.
I didn't think the hero needed to grovel because he is the one whose life ended up in tatters. Joanna's life was actually pretty good. Sure, she never got over her love for Gustavo but it didn't consume her or define her. She was able to grow up and achieve things she couldn't if she had married Gustavo back then.
When she gets her HEA at the end it's on her terms. I really enjoyed this book, it's rare the woman is in a position of power. She had more money, a good education and was well respected in her field. I'd love to see more stories like this. Stories which empower the women instead of leaving them to sit in a lonely room wearing a chastity belt and crying for the hero.
October 31, 2012
This is my second book by Lucy Gordon and I must say that I find her heroes to be somewhat lacking.
12 years ago Gustavo and Joanna were engaged to be married until he fell in love with another woman. Of course, his honor precluded him from breaking the engagement. Luckily for Joanna (who was absolutely "gaga" for Gustavo) she inadvertently stumbles upon him lip locked with OW, pledging his undying love. Having witnessed this display of devotion from behind a tree, Joanna steps out and ends the engagement with dignity and class. After all, what woman wants to settle for second best? She even goes so far as to dance at their wedding, which by the way, was the one scheduled to have been hers.
She eventually marries and has a child with another man, who ends up being unfaithful to her. They divorce amicably and enjoy a wonderful relationship parenting their child. Though, the husband was made out to be a bit of a philanderer in the beginning of the book, you later learn that he actually did love her intensely but got tired of having a ghost in his bed. Which in a way was very sad, because I think they had a terrific chance at happiness.
After twelve years, Gustavo and Joanna are reunited when she gets invited to head up an archeological dig at his estate. Of course, his marriage has ended, because OW ended up being a very selfish, vain and greedy woman. No surprise there.
As the book progressed, and more scenes played out, I actually found that I liked Gustavo less and less. He was the epitome of TSTL, spoiled and had air of entitlement that I found rather irritating. The best part of the book was when Joanna accuses him of prioritizing her third, behind his pride and his image. I just wished she would have stuck to her guns and gone back to hubby, who I think never really stopped loving her.
Oh well, I guess love really is blind.....
Though, this wasn't a horrible read, I wouldn't recommend it. There are much better HP's with much better heroes to read about.
12 years ago Gustavo and Joanna were engaged to be married until he fell in love with another woman. Of course, his honor precluded him from breaking the engagement. Luckily for Joanna (who was absolutely "gaga" for Gustavo) she inadvertently stumbles upon him lip locked with OW, pledging his undying love. Having witnessed this display of devotion from behind a tree, Joanna steps out and ends the engagement with dignity and class. After all, what woman wants to settle for second best? She even goes so far as to dance at their wedding, which by the way, was the one scheduled to have been hers.
She eventually marries and has a child with another man, who ends up being unfaithful to her. They divorce amicably and enjoy a wonderful relationship parenting their child. Though, the husband was made out to be a bit of a philanderer in the beginning of the book, you later learn that he actually did love her intensely but got tired of having a ghost in his bed. Which in a way was very sad, because I think they had a terrific chance at happiness.
After twelve years, Gustavo and Joanna are reunited when she gets invited to head up an archeological dig at his estate. Of course, his marriage has ended, because OW ended up being a very selfish, vain and greedy woman. No surprise there.
As the book progressed, and more scenes played out, I actually found that I liked Gustavo less and less. He was the epitome of TSTL, spoiled and had air of entitlement that I found rather irritating. The best part of the book was when Joanna accuses him of prioritizing her third, behind his pride and his image. I just wished she would have stuck to her guns and gone back to hubby, who I think never really stopped loving her.
Oh well, I guess love really is blind.....
Though, this wasn't a horrible read, I wouldn't recommend it. There are much better HP's with much better heroes to read about.
March 3, 2012
This was a hard read for me because I despise these types of books...there's the relationship wrecker whom the hero marries later divorces THEN the hero has a "come to Jesus moment" realizes he loves the heroine, and they all live happily ever after.
Oh, btw, both the hero and heroine have children from their farce marriages!!!
Just blah!
For what is was, it was a goodread with an archaeological slant. I did think the hero TSTL.
Oh, btw, both the hero and heroine have children from their farce marriages!!!
Just blah!
For what is was, it was a goodread with an archaeological slant. I did think the hero TSTL.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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December 1, 2023Surprisingly satisfying! I wasn’t expecting much based on reviews, but I liked this second chance story and. Think it had a good dose of angst in it. The theme was reminiscent of a story set in the past.
12 years earlier the heroine and hero agreed to be married. It was a sensible match. She was 18, English, very wealthy but lacking a title. The hero was a 22 year old Italian prince with very little money, and it would be a beneficial alliance for him to marry wealthy. The two form a friendship in a matter of weeks, but uh oh, here we go, the h has to go and fall in love with the Hero. This is a very rushed courtship with the marriage happening in a couple of months. As the marriage nears, we meet the other woman. She is vivacious, spirited, attractively petite(unlike our tall, slim heroine who in my mind probably looks like a blonde Audrey Hepburn). The 22 year old shy, introverted hero is smitten with this kitten, but he will marry our heroine because he promised. Our heroine over hears the declaration of love he has made to the ow and releases him from the commitment. She even takes over the unpleasant task of informing the families that it is a mutual decision to end the engagement. At this point I can see where our H probably looks a little cowardly, but I think one has to understand he is not our Typical take charge Hero and he is an introvert. Plus our heroine has been holding back on her more passionate nature which might have helped had our H seen this before ow arrived. Life goes on...the H marries OW on his original wedding date while the h attends it showing everyone she is unaffected (while dying a slow death)?HOWEVER...our plucky h goes on to school, becomes an archaeologist, marries a charming broke man who flits on the edges of high society...they have a son together...but eventually divorce amicably. No worries her heart was never in danger with the OM and she knew he liked her money(he actually loved her in the beginning and didn’t have affairs til later) He is a good father, but knows that the h has always loved another. Meanwhile, the poor H has married a spoilt, rich woman who did not bond with their baby girl, liked the high society life and later got pregnant by her fitness instructor while still married to the H. He doesn’t find out the true paternity of the boy by her, but by overhearing her on the phone! They divorce, the daughter blames him. She is in denial about the mom’s attachment to her. There are times in the book when my heart breaks for our H. He shows a sensitive side!
The h and H reconnect when she goes to his property as the head of an archaeological dig. Most of the story is seeing how well these two connect. She is the only one he has ever felt secure enough with to share deep feelings. She is there as a loving, concerned friend.(friend?) We see him falling in love with her. They keep getting interrupted every time they are ready to make an emotional breakthrough. At one point both exes, the children and the h and H are all living together in the same house(such a modern family!) However the h’s ex is the one that lets the H know he must be blind not to see that the h has been in love with him for years...that the H was basically part of his marital bed and a big reason for the eventual demise of his own marriage to the h! The H goes to claim his lady love. I think these two will be just fine, because they are very well suited for each other and in love! AND because of the archaeological finds on his property he is no longer a pauper....maybe he will get to buy a Ferrari? This is the first book I have read in awhile where the Italian is not driving a Ferrari!
12 years earlier the heroine and hero agreed to be married. It was a sensible match. She was 18, English, very wealthy but lacking a title. The hero was a 22 year old Italian prince with very little money, and it would be a beneficial alliance for him to marry wealthy. The two form a friendship in a matter of weeks, but uh oh, here we go, the h has to go and fall in love with the Hero. This is a very rushed courtship with the marriage happening in a couple of months. As the marriage nears, we meet the other woman. She is vivacious, spirited, attractively petite(unlike our tall, slim heroine who in my mind probably looks like a blonde Audrey Hepburn). The 22 year old shy, introverted hero is smitten with this kitten, but he will marry our heroine because he promised. Our heroine over hears the declaration of love he has made to the ow and releases him from the commitment. She even takes over the unpleasant task of informing the families that it is a mutual decision to end the engagement. At this point I can see where our H probably looks a little cowardly, but I think one has to understand he is not our Typical take charge Hero and he is an introvert. Plus our heroine has been holding back on her more passionate nature which might have helped had our H seen this before ow arrived. Life goes on...the H marries OW on his original wedding date while the h attends it showing everyone she is unaffected (while dying a slow death)?HOWEVER...our plucky h goes on to school, becomes an archaeologist, marries a charming broke man who flits on the edges of high society...they have a son together...but eventually divorce amicably. No worries her heart was never in danger with the OM and she knew he liked her money(he actually loved her in the beginning and didn’t have affairs til later) He is a good father, but knows that the h has always loved another. Meanwhile, the poor H has married a spoilt, rich woman who did not bond with their baby girl, liked the high society life and later got pregnant by her fitness instructor while still married to the H. He doesn’t find out the true paternity of the boy by her, but by overhearing her on the phone! They divorce, the daughter blames him. She is in denial about the mom’s attachment to her. There are times in the book when my heart breaks for our H. He shows a sensitive side!
The h and H reconnect when she goes to his property as the head of an archaeological dig. Most of the story is seeing how well these two connect. She is the only one he has ever felt secure enough with to share deep feelings. She is there as a loving, concerned friend.(friend?) We see him falling in love with her. They keep getting interrupted every time they are ready to make an emotional breakthrough. At one point both exes, the children and the h and H are all living together in the same house(such a modern family!) However the h’s ex is the one that lets the H know he must be blind not to see that the h has been in love with him for years...that the H was basically part of his marital bed and a big reason for the eventual demise of his own marriage to the h! The H goes to claim his lady love. I think these two will be just fine, because they are very well suited for each other and in love! AND because of the archaeological finds on his property he is no longer a pauper....maybe he will get to buy a Ferrari? This is the first book I have read in awhile where the Italian is not driving a Ferrari!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2020
This didn’t shake out how I thought it would, and I can’t say I enjoyed it much. The couple; Gustavo (a prince) and Joanna (from a very wealthy family) were betrothed, and within weeks of their marriage; Gustavo fell in love with her friend Crystal. I’m going to spoiler tag the rest, but will try to be vague.
October 10, 2018
Just okay. Heroine was a little too much of a pushover.
November 22, 2015
Had to skim through this book a lot. Hero was very unsure of himself and not the typical H. the h was amazing but she deserved a stronger H. Ok read
avoid
August 5, 2022Self note avoid
MCs get engaged for moc.
The h falls in love with the H.
H falls in love with ow, heroines friend.
The h let’s him go.
H marries ow.
MCs get engaged for moc.
The h falls in love with the H.
H falls in love with ow, heroines friend.
The h let’s him go.
H marries ow.
May 9, 2022
The Italian's Rightful Bride was about Lady Joanna Manton, an English archaeologist, and Prince Gustavo Ferrara, her former fiance.
Twelve years earlier, a young 18-year-old Joanna and then 22-year-old Prince Gustavo had an arranged marriage that never made it past the engagement. Shortly before the wedding, Gustavo met and fell in love (lust?) with Crystal, a guest of one of Joanna's distant cousins staying with them to attend the wedding. However, shortly before the wedding, she overheard the conversation between the two lovers; Crystal wanted him to break off the engagement with Joanna, but he refused to dishonor her...so, knowing it was what he wanted, and after hearing him say he would not be happy married to her, Joanna chose to release him from his promise, even though it broke her heart to do so for, unknown to him, Joanna had fallen in love with him. In order to escape the trauma of her broken heart, she determined to immerse herself in college and earned a degree in archaeology.
Two years later, Joanna married Freddy Manton and they had a son together. But Freddy only remained faithful for the first four years of marriage, it was only after 8 years of marriage that they divorced. Another two years passed and Joanna was invited to Rome for a dig...on the estate belonging to Gustavo. Although she knew he would be there, she accepted the position, gathered her and her son's things together, and headed to the dig site.
Gustavo, only recently divorced from the unfaithful Crystal, had his own share of woes as he was trying to raise his daughter that his ex-wife did not want. But Renata believed that he was keeping the mother from the daughter and, therefore, had developed some animosity towards "dear old dad". He wasn't pleased with things with her, but what was a father to do? Be the monster in her eyes or break his daughter's heart more by telling her the truth about her mother?
Not having been there when the scientists arrived to start the dig, Gustavo was therefore taken by surprise to find Joanna to be the head of the team...pleasantly surprised. After they had spent some time together, they seemed to be drawing closer, until one day that Gustavo left his home and didn't return until late the next day. Joanna needed to make a trip back to England and as she prepared to do so, Gustavo showed back up. Thinking she would just check in with him and let him know out of courtesy, she was surprised to find the idea of her trip angered him. He flat out told her she couldn't go and she gently responded that she wasn't asking for his permission. That brought about an odd, yet heated argument between them. When she walked away to gather her things, she received another surprise when Gustavo knocked on her door and apologized for his words and actions. Leaving her son to stay with his daughter, Joanna left for England. 28 hours later, she walked back into her hotel after a long day at work only to find out that Gustavo was waiting for her. He had followed her to London. While waiting for room service to deliver their dinner, Joanna got Gustavo to tell her what had happened in his marriage to Crystal...and the whole ugly mess poured from him. But then Gustavo asked the one question she didn't want to answer truthfully. He wanted to know why she had agreed to marry him, to begin with. She couldn't force herself to tell him she had loved him.
When Joanna realized they were both attending the same wedding, Gustavo had to admit he had arranged it through her son. But the morning of the event, things started to change between them because he had witnessed her early morning exit from a room that wasn't hers and mistook it for her having been with another man. When she called him on it, and he figured out that he was in the wrong, things went a bit south. But that night at the wedding ball, things heated up again between them...until Joanna's ex-husband showed up and ruined things, then got himself invited back to Gustavo's home in Italy so he could spend time with his and Joanna's son.
When Gustavo took Joanna to a dinner party in her honor, they were both shocked when his ex-wife gatecrashed the party just as they were getting ready to leave. But it was apparent that Crystal was enjoying embarrassing Gustavo, and she even tried to humiliate Joanna but was cut off at the knees when her tactics didn't work. Joanna had grown a backbone over the 12 years since she saw her last and didn't allow Crystal an inch. But then Crystal very publicly forced Gustavo to accept a private talk with her on the balcony, and Joanna could do nothing but encourage him to do so. When Crystal finally got around to what she wanted from Gustavo, he was appalled. She was demanding the rest of the money he owed her...but when he reminded her of their agreement for her to wait until the following year, she came right out and said he should marry Joanna to get the rest of it immediately. And thus, Crystal struck their relationship yet again, just as she had intended from the start.
When Gustavo realized he was in love with Joanna, he also knew he was in a great deal of trouble because, while he wanted to marry her, he also knew that what Crystal said was true...he needed Joanna's money to survive if he were to meet his ex-wife's demands. He didn't want Joanna to think that was his reason for asking her to marry him. However, before he could get around to it, Renata fell off a horse and broke her arm. Inconsolable without her mother, Gustavo knew he had to bring Crystal to his house...even knowing that would start a huge mess as well. After he had forced his ex-wife to make the trip, Joanna was uncertain as to her standing in Gustavo's life. So for the next few days, she focused mainly on the dig site and left him to deal with his family matters.
One night when it was just Joanna and Crystal waiting for dinner before everyone else arrive, Crystal decided to "unburden" herself onto Joanna, telling her how things had been during her marriage to Gustavo. It turned Joanna's stomach. Crystal was so whiny and petulant, like a little girl who had been denied her chocolate.
When Joanna and her team found the hidden treasure at the dig site, Gustavo was so overjoyed that he told her that he could now ask her to marry him...which pissed her off and he didn't understand why, even when she tried multiple times to explain to him that, when he had thrown her over twelve years before for Crystal, he hadn't worried about his pride, his reputation, etc. He had just followed his heart...but now that he was supposedly in love with HER...he wouldn't do the same unless his pride, reputation, etc., were first secured. He put her last and she wouldn't accept that position in his life...and she walked away. When her ex-husband found out that there would be no marriage between Joanna and Gustavo, he was livid and tried to explain it to Gustavo as well...going so far as to say Gustavo was responsible for the breakup of his marriage because Joanna had always been in love with him (Gustavo)...though he denied it, Freddy had to go into great detail to get it through his thick skull. "‘She told you what she knew you wanted to hear. The fact is that she was madly in love with you, but she saw you kissing the other girl, so she gave you your release papers, and fed you some cock-and-bull story to make it easy for you.’...‘Did it really never occur to you,’ Freddy asked kindly, ‘that Jo did what she knew you wanted, and broke her own heart in the process?’" Gustavo went to find Joanna to see if he had waited too long...if he was too late to win her.
This story was so full of angst and drama right from the opening credits to the closing remarks...and not always in a good way. There was more tension than humor, more heartache than love...and not a hell of a lot of chemistry between any of them. Gustavo and Joanna were rarely together enough for the book to be considered a romance novel. It was more about marital strife and discord. The storyline, though interesting, was not well-written and the book had too much fluff that interfered with the plot. With so many secondary characters...and more...they detracted from the main issues and drew out the story longer than it needed to be.
I loved Joanna. She was a very strong character and one of the best Heroines I have ever read about in any book, bar none. She stood up for herself, but she also knew when to cut her losses and move on. It was nice to see a Heroine who had money, brains, an education that provided her with an excellent career, and who could stand on her own two feet without the aid of any male.
Gustavo was an unusual main male character. He was over sensitive, he was in need of money always, he was unsure of himself...just not the typical romantic Hero by any means...and yet, he was still an endearing knothead who needed to be shaken, Gibbs'-slapped, and sucker-punched a time or two to make certain he got the point. Don't get me wrong. Gus was a charmer. But he was just a clueless charmer who took twelve blooming years to realize he chose the wrong chic.
This was a romance but not a romance novel. It was just...lame, especially the ending. Sure you got your HEA, but it fell flat on its face in the mud, wallowed in it...then sank as if in quicksand and never made it back out. With that being said, no, it did not earn a five-star rating. Hell, it didn't even merit a two-star rating.
Twelve years earlier, a young 18-year-old Joanna and then 22-year-old Prince Gustavo had an arranged marriage that never made it past the engagement. Shortly before the wedding, Gustavo met and fell in love (lust?) with Crystal, a guest of one of Joanna's distant cousins staying with them to attend the wedding. However, shortly before the wedding, she overheard the conversation between the two lovers; Crystal wanted him to break off the engagement with Joanna, but he refused to dishonor her...so, knowing it was what he wanted, and after hearing him say he would not be happy married to her, Joanna chose to release him from his promise, even though it broke her heart to do so for, unknown to him, Joanna had fallen in love with him. In order to escape the trauma of her broken heart, she determined to immerse herself in college and earned a degree in archaeology.
Two years later, Joanna married Freddy Manton and they had a son together. But Freddy only remained faithful for the first four years of marriage, it was only after 8 years of marriage that they divorced. Another two years passed and Joanna was invited to Rome for a dig...on the estate belonging to Gustavo. Although she knew he would be there, she accepted the position, gathered her and her son's things together, and headed to the dig site.
Gustavo, only recently divorced from the unfaithful Crystal, had his own share of woes as he was trying to raise his daughter that his ex-wife did not want. But Renata believed that he was keeping the mother from the daughter and, therefore, had developed some animosity towards "dear old dad". He wasn't pleased with things with her, but what was a father to do? Be the monster in her eyes or break his daughter's heart more by telling her the truth about her mother?
Not having been there when the scientists arrived to start the dig, Gustavo was therefore taken by surprise to find Joanna to be the head of the team...pleasantly surprised. After they had spent some time together, they seemed to be drawing closer, until one day that Gustavo left his home and didn't return until late the next day. Joanna needed to make a trip back to England and as she prepared to do so, Gustavo showed back up. Thinking she would just check in with him and let him know out of courtesy, she was surprised to find the idea of her trip angered him. He flat out told her she couldn't go and she gently responded that she wasn't asking for his permission. That brought about an odd, yet heated argument between them. When she walked away to gather her things, she received another surprise when Gustavo knocked on her door and apologized for his words and actions. Leaving her son to stay with his daughter, Joanna left for England. 28 hours later, she walked back into her hotel after a long day at work only to find out that Gustavo was waiting for her. He had followed her to London. While waiting for room service to deliver their dinner, Joanna got Gustavo to tell her what had happened in his marriage to Crystal...and the whole ugly mess poured from him. But then Gustavo asked the one question she didn't want to answer truthfully. He wanted to know why she had agreed to marry him, to begin with. She couldn't force herself to tell him she had loved him.
When Joanna realized they were both attending the same wedding, Gustavo had to admit he had arranged it through her son. But the morning of the event, things started to change between them because he had witnessed her early morning exit from a room that wasn't hers and mistook it for her having been with another man. When she called him on it, and he figured out that he was in the wrong, things went a bit south. But that night at the wedding ball, things heated up again between them...until Joanna's ex-husband showed up and ruined things, then got himself invited back to Gustavo's home in Italy so he could spend time with his and Joanna's son.
When Gustavo took Joanna to a dinner party in her honor, they were both shocked when his ex-wife gatecrashed the party just as they were getting ready to leave. But it was apparent that Crystal was enjoying embarrassing Gustavo, and she even tried to humiliate Joanna but was cut off at the knees when her tactics didn't work. Joanna had grown a backbone over the 12 years since she saw her last and didn't allow Crystal an inch. But then Crystal very publicly forced Gustavo to accept a private talk with her on the balcony, and Joanna could do nothing but encourage him to do so. When Crystal finally got around to what she wanted from Gustavo, he was appalled. She was demanding the rest of the money he owed her...but when he reminded her of their agreement for her to wait until the following year, she came right out and said he should marry Joanna to get the rest of it immediately. And thus, Crystal struck their relationship yet again, just as she had intended from the start.
When Gustavo realized he was in love with Joanna, he also knew he was in a great deal of trouble because, while he wanted to marry her, he also knew that what Crystal said was true...he needed Joanna's money to survive if he were to meet his ex-wife's demands. He didn't want Joanna to think that was his reason for asking her to marry him. However, before he could get around to it, Renata fell off a horse and broke her arm. Inconsolable without her mother, Gustavo knew he had to bring Crystal to his house...even knowing that would start a huge mess as well. After he had forced his ex-wife to make the trip, Joanna was uncertain as to her standing in Gustavo's life. So for the next few days, she focused mainly on the dig site and left him to deal with his family matters.
One night when it was just Joanna and Crystal waiting for dinner before everyone else arrive, Crystal decided to "unburden" herself onto Joanna, telling her how things had been during her marriage to Gustavo. It turned Joanna's stomach. Crystal was so whiny and petulant, like a little girl who had been denied her chocolate.
When Joanna and her team found the hidden treasure at the dig site, Gustavo was so overjoyed that he told her that he could now ask her to marry him...which pissed her off and he didn't understand why, even when she tried multiple times to explain to him that, when he had thrown her over twelve years before for Crystal, he hadn't worried about his pride, his reputation, etc. He had just followed his heart...but now that he was supposedly in love with HER...he wouldn't do the same unless his pride, reputation, etc., were first secured. He put her last and she wouldn't accept that position in his life...and she walked away. When her ex-husband found out that there would be no marriage between Joanna and Gustavo, he was livid and tried to explain it to Gustavo as well...going so far as to say Gustavo was responsible for the breakup of his marriage because Joanna had always been in love with him (Gustavo)...though he denied it, Freddy had to go into great detail to get it through his thick skull. "‘She told you what she knew you wanted to hear. The fact is that she was madly in love with you, but she saw you kissing the other girl, so she gave you your release papers, and fed you some cock-and-bull story to make it easy for you.’...‘Did it really never occur to you,’ Freddy asked kindly, ‘that Jo did what she knew you wanted, and broke her own heart in the process?’" Gustavo went to find Joanna to see if he had waited too long...if he was too late to win her.
This story was so full of angst and drama right from the opening credits to the closing remarks...and not always in a good way. There was more tension than humor, more heartache than love...and not a hell of a lot of chemistry between any of them. Gustavo and Joanna were rarely together enough for the book to be considered a romance novel. It was more about marital strife and discord. The storyline, though interesting, was not well-written and the book had too much fluff that interfered with the plot. With so many secondary characters...and more...they detracted from the main issues and drew out the story longer than it needed to be.
I loved Joanna. She was a very strong character and one of the best Heroines I have ever read about in any book, bar none. She stood up for herself, but she also knew when to cut her losses and move on. It was nice to see a Heroine who had money, brains, an education that provided her with an excellent career, and who could stand on her own two feet without the aid of any male.
Gustavo was an unusual main male character. He was over sensitive, he was in need of money always, he was unsure of himself...just not the typical romantic Hero by any means...and yet, he was still an endearing knothead who needed to be shaken, Gibbs'-slapped, and sucker-punched a time or two to make certain he got the point. Don't get me wrong. Gus was a charmer. But he was just a clueless charmer who took twelve blooming years to realize he chose the wrong chic.
This was a romance but not a romance novel. It was just...lame, especially the ending. Sure you got your HEA, but it fell flat on its face in the mud, wallowed in it...then sank as if in quicksand and never made it back out. With that being said, no, it did not earn a five-star rating. Hell, it didn't even merit a two-star rating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2024
nunca me sentí tan bien leyendo un libro ♥️
July 4, 2021
A high three stars, mostly for the hilarious ex-husband. He was a riot.
April 27, 2015
i absolutely loved this one though my heart broke a thousand times over as joanna lost gustavo. i was devastated when she saw him coming out of crystal's room. he was nuts about crystal and what he felt for joanna now 10 years from then seemed tame comparatively. i'm not sure i want a man to love me maturely. poor joanna, no one seemed to be able to love her without her money. i admired dat she did not let this fact crush her. she went on wid her life, married another man who was also interested wid her money. still, she looked at the bright side of things: she got liam, her beloved son and dat was one irreplaceable gift! the author actually treated crystal and freddy like two cartoons, which was annoying and seemed like she wanted to make joanna and gustavo feel better. I dunt ever want to be in joanna's place. i also can't imagine still wanting a man who preferred another woman over me. neway, i wish der had been an epilogue!
April 26, 2011
Loved how heroine was the mature one -- to let go of him, her fiance, with grace and without tears, once she overhead fiance and OW talking of their love.
Loved how heroine and ex-fiance met up again and ex already knew the wrong choice he made because he mistook combustible chemistry for true love and quiet love and peaceful companionship for nothingness.
Loved that heroine was way richer than the hero and became renowed for her profession. Showed that she just didn't fade in the background because of a broken heart.
But wished there was more angst and grovelling from hero. Typical of LG to make her heroes get off more lightly than they should.
Loved how heroine and ex-fiance met up again and ex already knew the wrong choice he made because he mistook combustible chemistry for true love and quiet love and peaceful companionship for nothingness.
Loved that heroine was way richer than the hero and became renowed for her profession. Showed that she just didn't fade in the background because of a broken heart.
But wished there was more angst and grovelling from hero. Typical of LG to make her heroes get off more lightly than they should.
August 4, 2016
The loved another, second chance trope is a favourite of mine, but I found this a stilted read, which didn't engage me at an emotional level at all.
It may be because this is the second book I've read today about H's loving and choosing OW before finding a HEA with the h but I'm less than convinced of the romance. Basically H picks the other woman and the H falls in love with her because she positively dazzles him. The second time round, as he's basically been shown that underneath the glitter its all dross, he appreciates the h's more subtle qualities. There's quite a cast of secondary characters, which I think detract from the main romance.
It may be because this is the second book I've read today about H's loving and choosing OW before finding a HEA with the h but I'm less than convinced of the romance. Basically H picks the other woman and the H falls in love with her because she positively dazzles him. The second time round, as he's basically been shown that underneath the glitter its all dross, he appreciates the h's more subtle qualities. There's quite a cast of secondary characters, which I think detract from the main romance.
December 31, 2017
Giving this a 5 stars because of the heroine. So good to see a mature, good, selfless h with a good head on her shoulders, that is really rare in harlequin romances.
The hero was a snowflake, TST, who took 12 years to see what was right in front of him *roll eyes*.
The hero was a snowflake, TST, who took 12 years to see what was right in front of him *roll eyes*.
May 2, 2013
You can't make people love you. You can only wait and hope that their eyes will open and they'll see the truth before it's too late.
January 11, 2018
Not as good as i expected.
August 6, 2022
All the stars are for the h she actually earned 50 of them but I had to deduct 47 because of practically all the other characters.
The only decent people in this story are the h, her kid, her dig team and the nanny - and possibly her English family everyone else is horrible although her ex husband is the best of the bad lot.
This h in this book is AMAZING - she is possibly one of my favourite h’s of all time it’s just unfortunate she has poor taste in men. She is richer than everyone else in the story, she is kind, she’s intelligent, she has a great job she enjoys, she raises her kid right, she doesn’t hold grudges, she let the “H” go for the right reasons because his happiness was more important than her own, she doesn’t begrudge her gold digging ex - she’s amused by him and she has so much money she just doesn’t care and he have her a fab kid so why not. Now she is no longer a teenager she has grown into a confident lady who appreciates herself l. She has a spine and a temper and knows when to use them to effect there’s no way the H is pushing her around and boy does she let him know that.
Speaking of the H what a massive waste of space he is. He was dazzled by a shallow woman and fell in instalove breaking up with the h and marrying the OW in her place at her ceremony (tacky much) he then let the h sort all the arrangements out and cover for him because he was a wimpy tool. He let his ex walk all over him because his a muppet. He is a token prince but doesn’t seem to have a proper, proper job despite needing lots of money.
He tries to lay the law down with the h and gets his ass soundly handed to him.
He lets his poor kid run circles around him because she’s heartbroken and the h has to fix that for him as well and she has to sort out his ex.
The poor h is basically just going to have to mother his useless heiney for the rest of her life because this guy is about as much use as an ashtray on motorbike.
Her ex was a freeloader but he did actually love the h and if she hadn’t been pining for the H they would have been fun together as he has always made her laugh and still does.
His ex is just a cow he should have divorced her years ago. The fact both he and his ex express their disappointment in their child being a girl is (he only for 5 mins) just awful I hope if he and the h have kids together they are all girls and he has to admire her awesome first born with envy while his prince dynasty dies out with him.
The only decent people in this story are the h, her kid, her dig team and the nanny - and possibly her English family everyone else is horrible although her ex husband is the best of the bad lot.
This h in this book is AMAZING - she is possibly one of my favourite h’s of all time it’s just unfortunate she has poor taste in men. She is richer than everyone else in the story, she is kind, she’s intelligent, she has a great job she enjoys, she raises her kid right, she doesn’t hold grudges, she let the “H” go for the right reasons because his happiness was more important than her own, she doesn’t begrudge her gold digging ex - she’s amused by him and she has so much money she just doesn’t care and he have her a fab kid so why not. Now she is no longer a teenager she has grown into a confident lady who appreciates herself l. She has a spine and a temper and knows when to use them to effect there’s no way the H is pushing her around and boy does she let him know that.
Speaking of the H what a massive waste of space he is. He was dazzled by a shallow woman and fell in instalove breaking up with the h and marrying the OW in her place at her ceremony (tacky much) he then let the h sort all the arrangements out and cover for him because he was a wimpy tool. He let his ex walk all over him because his a muppet. He is a token prince but doesn’t seem to have a proper, proper job despite needing lots of money.
He tries to lay the law down with the h and gets his ass soundly handed to him.
He lets his poor kid run circles around him because she’s heartbroken and the h has to fix that for him as well and she has to sort out his ex.
The poor h is basically just going to have to mother his useless heiney for the rest of her life because this guy is about as much use as an ashtray on motorbike.
Her ex was a freeloader but he did actually love the h and if she hadn’t been pining for the H they would have been fun together as he has always made her laugh and still does.
His ex is just a cow he should have divorced her years ago. The fact both he and his ex express their disappointment in their child being a girl is (he only for 5 mins) just awful I hope if he and the h have kids together they are all girls and he has to admire her awesome first born with envy while his prince dynasty dies out with him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2019
Dua belas tahun lalu ayah Gustavo dalam keadaan kesulitan keuangan. Untuk menyelamatkan hal itu diaturlah pertunangan Gustavo dengan Joanna anak dari teman ibunya yang kaya raya. Joanna dan Gustavo mulai berteman dan sepakat meneruskan hubungan. Lalu muncullah Crystal, perempuan cantik dan sexy dimana Gustavo tergila-gila. Joanna dengan berbesar hati mengalah daripada dipaksakan menikah dengan suami yang mencintai orang lain. Yang tidak diketahui Gustavo dan semua orang adalah saat itu Joanna sangat mencintai Gustavo. Setelah patah hati itu, Joanna mencurahkan waktunya untuk kuliah arkeolog. Dua belas tahun kemudian, Joanna sebagai seorang arkeolog mendapat pekerjaan untuk meneliti artefak yang ditemukan di lahan Gustavo. Sekarang Joanna ini bercerai dan memiliki satu anak laki-laki sedangkan Gustavo juga bercerai dengan satu anak perempuan dan satu anak dari hasil perselingkuhan Crystal. Setelah Gustavo dan Joanna bertemu serta mengetahui kehidupan masing - masing setelah kejadian itu, cerita berjalan kurang seru dan kurang menguras emosi. Yang agak aneh ketika Freddy, si mantan suami sering meminta uang dengan dalih untuk investasi mengapa Joanna mau-maunya ngasih ya? Bukannya sebaliknya untuk tunjangan anak? Dan ternyata Joannalah yang membayar tunjangan suami, WTF? Kok bisa? Padahal alasan mereka bercerai karena Joanna sudah tidak tahan dengan perselingkuhan Freddy walau dia ayah yang baik bagi Billy. Dengan keadaan seperti itu dan pengacara yang bagus, Joanna bisa bercerai dengan mudah dan mendapatkan semua harta gono gini. Kok bisa Joanna mensupport laki-laki parasit begini? Yang bodoh Joanna atau si penulis?
Keadaan 12 tahun lalu dan saat ini agak mirip, Gustavo dalam kesulitan keuangan karena perceraian, Crystal meminta kembali dana yang diberikan pada waktu pernikahan dulu. Ternyata Gustavo ini pangeran miskin ya? Apa selama ini tidak ada kegiatan usaha yang menguntungkan sehingga tidak perlu bergantung secara finansial kepada siapapun. Crystal yang egois mendesak Gustavo menikahi Joanna agar pengembalian dana dapat segera terlaksana. Tapi masalah terselesaikan dengan mudah. Joanna dan timnya menemukan benda berharga di lahan Gustavo yang bernilai tinggi. Jadi Gustavo kaya dan bisa menikah dengan Joanna. End.
2🌟
Keadaan 12 tahun lalu dan saat ini agak mirip, Gustavo dalam kesulitan keuangan karena perceraian, Crystal meminta kembali dana yang diberikan pada waktu pernikahan dulu. Ternyata Gustavo ini pangeran miskin ya? Apa selama ini tidak ada kegiatan usaha yang menguntungkan sehingga tidak perlu bergantung secara finansial kepada siapapun. Crystal yang egois mendesak Gustavo menikahi Joanna agar pengembalian dana dapat segera terlaksana. Tapi masalah terselesaikan dengan mudah. Joanna dan timnya menemukan benda berharga di lahan Gustavo yang bernilai tinggi. Jadi Gustavo kaya dan bisa menikah dengan Joanna. End.
2🌟
August 19, 2025
Despite its generic title and plot summary that echoes many similar themed books, this was different and a surprise for me.
In this story, the heroine was the true winner -- who got it all -- personal growth, a great kid, a good relationship with her ex-partner who was also good, respect in her chosen profession, and finally, even though, I did not find the hero in this one to be any prize, the hero too.
Whereas, the hero was build up to be great and desirable -- but, by the end -- he realized he lost a diamond and held onto glass, had difficulties with his child, which were resolved due to the intervention done by heroine, and did not seem as satisfied in his life as the heroine was (before her re-entry in his life).
Heroine's ex-partner was an interesting character and it made me feel sad that his love was unrequited.
But, I was surprised by the character of hero's ex-wife as she did not turn out to be what I imagined her to be. The hint of post-partum depression being the cause of her neglect of her daughter was also one point, I had not considered before.
Overall, this stereotypically titled story was initially a puddle, which turned out to be a pond. And, this is the joy of reading.
In this story, the heroine was the true winner -- who got it all -- personal growth, a great kid, a good relationship with her ex-partner who was also good, respect in her chosen profession, and finally, even though, I did not find the hero in this one to be any prize, the hero too.
Whereas, the hero was build up to be great and desirable -- but, by the end -- he realized he lost a diamond and held onto glass, had difficulties with his child, which were resolved due to the intervention done by heroine, and did not seem as satisfied in his life as the heroine was (before her re-entry in his life).
Heroine's ex-partner was an interesting character and it made me feel sad that his love was unrequited.
But, I was surprised by the character of hero's ex-wife as she did not turn out to be what I imagined her to be. The hint of post-partum depression being the cause of her neglect of her daughter was also one point, I had not considered before.
Overall, this stereotypically titled story was initially a puddle, which turned out to be a pond. And, this is the joy of reading.
April 3, 2023
I can't wrap my head around the fact that the H would have no trouble forgetting the h if his ex-wife didn't fucked up. I'm sorry but I don't feel any attraction or love from the H towards the h. It all seem that he's settling with the h because she's a good listener and the perfect companion now that he's grown up. It honestly feels like he just love her as a friend.
He's suddenly having all these regrets because he's chosen the wrong one. With that thought, the h finally is a prize worth catching. Fantastic.
And poor h (or not as she's tolerating it) having an ex-husband who's a good-digger and a future-husband who's now willing to settle after 12 bloody years for the choice he's thrown away.
He's suddenly having all these regrets because he's chosen the wrong one. With that thought, the h finally is a prize worth catching. Fantastic.
And poor h (or not as she's tolerating it) having an ex-husband who's a good-digger and a future-husband who's now willing to settle after 12 bloody years for the choice he's thrown away.
May 15, 2018
So I liked the premise and the heroine was very kind and smart. But everyone else in the book felt like they were on pause, no changing happening. The end fell so flat because the heroine and hero didn't get together on their own. The hero's daughter was totally wasted and should have been deleted entirely. From the end of the flashback til the end of the book felt like a huge fluff and filler piece.
December 7, 2017
Baca dengan kekuatan super alias skip parah karena plot yg sangat lambat. Gustavo terlalu mello buat seorang Hero. Gw jga gak bisa bayangin seorang ibu tidak bisa sayang ke satu anaknya tapi bisa sayang ke yang lainnya padahal sama-sama kandung! Well didunia nyata aja banyak anak terlantar ya.. Jadi tidak heran
March 16, 2020
Was okay read. Had the premise for good angst but heroine is just to understanding all the time, etc.
Want to Read
July 19, 2020elibrary
November 9, 2020
Ceritanya agak membosankan. Mungkin karena Gustavo dan Joanna menahan diri karena kondisi yang mereka alami. Kisahnya juga kompleks karena melibatkan mantan pasangam mereka masing-masing.
January 9, 2022
Hero is a weak personality.
March 4, 2025
Romance. Second chance. Harlequin.
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