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Virgin Princess's Marriage Debt: A Greek Billionaire Royal Contemporary Romance
“I want what you once promised me…”
The Greek’s demanding proposal!
At an opulent Paris ball, billionaire Theo Tersi sees Princess Sofia. She abandoned him once, rejecting the future they’d planned—and he wants an explanation! But when they lock eyes, Theo’s careful plans explode in the fire of their still-intense connection.
The truth? Devastated Sofia was forced to return to her royal duties all those years ago. But now Theo has created a scandal, and he’ll take back what’s his and claim Sofia—as his bride! Can their enduring bond overcome his quest for passionate revenge?
From Harlequin Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.
The Greek’s demanding proposal!
At an opulent Paris ball, billionaire Theo Tersi sees Princess Sofia. She abandoned him once, rejecting the future they’d planned—and he wants an explanation! But when they lock eyes, Theo’s careful plans explode in the fire of their still-intense connection.
The truth? Devastated Sofia was forced to return to her royal duties all those years ago. But now Theo has created a scandal, and he’ll take back what’s his and claim Sofia—as his bride! Can their enduring bond overcome his quest for passionate revenge?
From Harlequin Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.
193 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2019
93 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
Pippa Roscoe
362 books51 followersPippa Roscoe writes sexy romances for Harlequin Mills & Boon and loves every happy ending in each of her books. With a major coffee addiction and a mild not-so-secret crisp eating compulsion – she spends her days fantasising about extraordinary romances, exotic locations and true love against all odds.
After graduating with a degree and a masters from Goldsmiths University, Pippa spent four years working on the BBC medical drama Holby City. After switching industries to publishing and spending five years as an editor working with incredible colleagues and inspirational authors, she finally decided to follow her own dream of writing and swapped London for Norfolk.
In her spare time she looks longingly at the countryside which she promises to roam, if she can drag herself away from her computer for long enough. She prefers to write outside in the sunshine, but during the winter is consigned to the kitchen – the warmest room in the cottage!
She can’t remember a time when she wasn’t dreaming about gorgeous brooding alpha heroes and sympathetic innocent heroines. Totally her mother’s fault of course – she gave Pippa her first romance to read at the age of seven! Pippa is inconceivably happy that she gets to share those daydreams with you all.
After graduating with a degree and a masters from Goldsmiths University, Pippa spent four years working on the BBC medical drama Holby City. After switching industries to publishing and spending five years as an editor working with incredible colleagues and inspirational authors, she finally decided to follow her own dream of writing and swapped London for Norfolk.
In her spare time she looks longingly at the countryside which she promises to roam, if she can drag herself away from her computer for long enough. She prefers to write outside in the sunshine, but during the winter is consigned to the kitchen – the warmest room in the cottage!
She can’t remember a time when she wasn’t dreaming about gorgeous brooding alpha heroes and sympathetic innocent heroines. Totally her mother’s fault of course – she gave Pippa her first romance to read at the age of seven! Pippa is inconceivably happy that she gets to share those daydreams with you all.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 1, 2019
Seventeen-year-old Sofia De Loria is a student at a Swiss boarding school (no one knows that she's a princess). Sofia is in love with fellow student, seventeen-year-old Theo Tersi, a poor, illegitimate Greek guy who got into the posh boarding school on a scholarship. One night they are to meet at night secretly. Sofia never shows up and later Theo discovers that she left the school for good. He gets blamed for a prank she pulled with the headmaster's car and he is expelled. Theo was really counting on this scholarship to help himself and his mother for their future. He and his mother fall on hard times, he blames it all on Sofia, and he wants revenge. Ten years later, when they meet again, Theo may finally get what he wants...
This was a very enjoyable read. Sofia and Theo did have some things in common, like parents with health problems. (Theo's mother had a bad heart due to overwork and stress, Sofia's father was suffering from Alzheimer's.) I felt bad for Sofia, forced to return to her royal duties ten years ago, having to leave Theo without explaining anything, and the problems she had with her sick father. (She had to keep her father's health issues a secret for the sake of her country.)
Theo wanted the best for his mother. Her family wasn't close to her and didn't like that she had an illegitimate child (Theo). He eventually became extremely wealthy working in the vineyards, growing grapes, making wine...
This book had a lovely conclusion. Theo and Sofia had good chemistry and it was nice to see them finally get their happy-ever-after. This was the first Pippa Roscoe book I've read. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I look forward to reading more books by this author.
This was a very enjoyable read. Sofia and Theo did have some things in common, like parents with health problems. (Theo's mother had a bad heart due to overwork and stress, Sofia's father was suffering from Alzheimer's.) I felt bad for Sofia, forced to return to her royal duties ten years ago, having to leave Theo without explaining anything, and the problems she had with her sick father. (She had to keep her father's health issues a secret for the sake of her country.)
Theo wanted the best for his mother. Her family wasn't close to her and didn't like that she had an illegitimate child (Theo). He eventually became extremely wealthy working in the vineyards, growing grapes, making wine...
This book had a lovely conclusion. Theo and Sofia had good chemistry and it was nice to see them finally get their happy-ever-after. This was the first Pippa Roscoe book I've read. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I look forward to reading more books by this author.
September 5, 2019
Sofia was the origin point of the change in the course of his life, one that had only exacerbated his mother’s later illness. He hadn’t been surprised when the doctor had explained that the stresses of the last few years had taken their toll on his mother’s already weak heart. The shock of losing her job after his expulsion, the struggle of the following years…
Had he not met Sofia, he would never have lost everything he’d held within his grasp— https://bookshout.com/store/books/220...
First love gone wrong, ruined by external forces and a horrible misunderstanding. It's the catalyst for this second chance romance, about an angry, resentful H consumed by his need for vengeance.
This is what happens when love gets conflated with hate...
A young, illegitimate and poor Greek boy, the son of a housekeeper, meets his first love when he gets a scholarship to attend a ritzy Swiss boarding school. For once, both MC's are the same age. Theo fell madly in love with Sofia, not knowing that she's the princess of Iondorra.
The handsome 17 year old H was a quiet, bright and ambitious, nerdy student, determined to make the most of this scholarship. His ultimate goal was to become successful, so he could relieve his mother of her financial burdens. Meanwhile, the beautiful young incognito princess was a mischievous livewire, who lived for fun, jokes and pranks.
They might've been a mismatched couple, but they still fell hopelessly in love with each other. The young ( then ) idealistic and besotted H, had already planned to spend the rest of his life with her:
He still had to pinch himself sometimes. Never quite sure if he could really believe that someone like her would really be interested in someone like him. But tonight…he was going to tell her. Tell her that he loved her. That he wanted her to be with him when he left for university…that he wanted the life they had often talked about having... https://bookshout.com/store/books/220...
Circumstances beyond their control, intervened to ruin this young love affair. The heroine's parents turned up unexpectedly and removed her from the school, callously ignoring her tearful pleas to say goodbye to the H. The headmaster, who'd found the H's scarf under his car, blamed Theo for a prank that had been committed by Sofia !
The poor H's expelled from school, loses his scholarship and his mother's fired from her job because her employer had been his benefactor. Theo lost his opportunity to attend university and was reduced to begging his Greek relatives to sell his mom some unused land, so that he could grow grapes.
Austerity, suffering and ill health plagued the H and his mom, in the next couple of years.
This triggered a tsunami of hate for the heroine:
But, throughout that dark time, Theo had only seen one face, one person to blame, one person who had lied to him, set him up to take full blame for her actions, and had singlehandedly ruined his life. Had it not been for her, he would have finished his education—would have attended one of the finest universities the world had to offer, and would have been able to provide his mother with more, with better. https://bookshout.com/store/books/220...
And so it was that a sweet natured, loving young Beta H, turned into vengeful alpha male ! His hate morphed into full fledged vengeance when he read that the 19 year old heroine was getting married to a rich, young aristocrat:
It had been nothing compared to the moment where his heart had shattered into a thousand pieces. The moment he’d seen the announcement of her engagement. To be betrayed by someone he had…he could no longer bring himself to say the word. https://bookshout.com/store/books/220...
This is the H, Theo:
Age had only honed what were already incredible features.
The grand vengeance plan is partly fulfilled ( 10 years afterwards ! ) at the beginning, when he ruins her goody two shoes reputation, by paying a paparrazzo to snap photos of him kissing Sofia, in the secluded gardens at a Parisian masquerade ball. His private investigators had informed him that the widowed heroine planned to choose her second husband, from among 3 aristocratic suitors.
This is the heroine, Sophia:
The Sofia he knew had been breathtaking, but Sofia de Loria the Princess was obscenely beautiful.
The tabloid scandal put an end to her plans, forcing her to accept the H's marriage proposal. His vengefulness didn't include going through with the marriage, though. His aim was to jilt her on their wedding day, by not turning up at the church !
But propinquity, blazing sexual chemistry and the revelation of important secrets altered those plans and instead, the H found himself falling in love again and wanting to marry her for real.
But the MC's happiness is marred by a petulant admirer, who's infatuated with the H, knew the full truth about his initial revenge plans for the heroine and ended up blurting it out for the heartbroken heroine to overhear.
Their reconciliation, a week or so after this disaster, was quite dramatic, culminating in a lavish, royal cathedral wedding. There's no separate epilogue, but we're informed that the MC's went on have a happy life with their son and daughter. I enjoyed the first half of this novel a lot more than the latter portion.
The arguments, the H's devious machinations and deception, compounded by their intense love-hate interaction, made this part more OTT dramatic and trainwrecky. The angst factor started to decrease gradually, after the H realized that the heroine wasn't a vicious, vacuous monstrous little rich girl, who'd played with his feelings just for fun.
The parts that dealt with her father, who's suffering from Alzheimer's and his sickly mother, who's finally able to relax and enjoy life, were very enjoyable too. I hope the author writes a future novel with the H's best friend, Sebastian, as the leading man. He's the sexy, exiled, billionaire Duke of Gaeten.
It would also be nice to see Maria, Sebastian's younger sister, get her own book too. Although she was kinda annoying, I felt sorry for her because of her unrequited crush for Theo. She's not a bad person and deserves to get her own HEA.
Safety: No cheating, no OM, no OW once they're reunited. However, the vengeful H was definitely not celibate after their separation as teens, especially when he heard about her marriage. I didn't see anything objectionable about that. The heroine's marriage was one of convenience, for political purposes and was never consummated. Her late husband was just a good friend, who was happy to have discreet affairs with other women. The heroine was a virgin widow when she's reunited with the H.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2019
What a wonderful love story.
Rating 4.5
This one packed a punch, full of angst and heartache. But in the end it was so satisfying and heartfelt I had a smile on my face.
Hero and heroine fall in love when they where in boarding school.
She's a princess who will eventually become queen. He's a poor young man who was reject by his father, he's a bastard son, with a Mother's love that would fight for him. They fall in love, but circumstances come in to play where they are separated and a consequences of certain actions go from bad to worse. Fate doesn't play well with their lives.
Decade later they meet again. But it was all preplanned by the hero with revenge in mind. They heroine is carrying secrets and a lot of heartache. The hero devises a plan to force an engagement, with the plan to leave her at the altar.
But as they play out their roles as engaged couple, slowly revelations come to light that alter the perception they have of each other. They begin to hope and believe in the possibility of a future together as each realizes they still love each other.
The last third of the book is beautiful to read as they let down their guards and begin to reveal their true feelings. The scene with his mother is heartwarming and the wedding (ugh I had some tears on that one). But the best was the last 3 or four paragraphs, beautiful.
Highly recommended. Loved both characters and the epilogue.
Rating 4.5
This one packed a punch, full of angst and heartache. But in the end it was so satisfying and heartfelt I had a smile on my face.
Hero and heroine fall in love when they where in boarding school.
She's a princess who will eventually become queen. He's a poor young man who was reject by his father, he's a bastard son, with a Mother's love that would fight for him. They fall in love, but circumstances come in to play where they are separated and a consequences of certain actions go from bad to worse. Fate doesn't play well with their lives.
Decade later they meet again. But it was all preplanned by the hero with revenge in mind. They heroine is carrying secrets and a lot of heartache. The hero devises a plan to force an engagement, with the plan to leave her at the altar.
But as they play out their roles as engaged couple, slowly revelations come to light that alter the perception they have of each other. They begin to hope and believe in the possibility of a future together as each realizes they still love each other.
The last third of the book is beautiful to read as they let down their guards and begin to reveal their true feelings. The scene with his mother is heartwarming and the wedding (ugh I had some tears on that one). But the best was the last 3 or four paragraphs, beautiful.
Highly recommended. Loved both characters and the epilogue.
October 9, 2019
**Warning: this text may contain spoilers** 3.5 stars....
This is my first HP in months and my second read by this author.
I had high hopes for this story.It had tropes I usually enjoy such as second chance and the all time favorite trope of revenge.It had the potential of angst galore between the couple,but for me personally I did not feel the angst in this story.When I read a story with these tropes, I expect my gut to clench,and my heart ripped out with ugly tears.
The MC's met as young 17 year olds at a posh prep school in Switzerland.
The young man was a scholarship poor Greek student and illegitimate.He only has his mother for support ,and they are ostracized from his mother's family because he was born out of wedlock and his father ran away from their village when he was born.
The young woman was a royal Princess incognito who was a rebel,she has a penchant for pranks.
These 2 form a friendship which leads to more.On the night they were supposed to meet ,Princess does not show up,the Headmaster shows up instead,and since there is no love lost between the 2,the blame for the pranks is put upon the hero and he is expelled losing his scholarships to prestigious university.He blames it all on the heroine as he now finds out her true identity and feels used.His Mother in turn gets fired and they move back to their village in Greece to grow grapes and produce wine after much toil and hardships.The Mother also suffers heart problems.All of these hardships,the hero blames the heroine for,thus his plans for vengeance.
The story opens 10 years later and the Princess is now a widow for the past 8 years,and she is attending a party in Paris.She is now on a husband hunt as it is vital to her small country that she marry again.She is also on pins and needles about her father,the King,on his increasing dementia and what would happen if the truth about his health is revealed.The hero is now a billionaire wine maker playboy extraordinaire with vengeance on his mind.He will make the Princess pay,he will compromise her,get engaged,and leave her at the alter.
This sounds good so far right? I thought so too,but what brought this down to 3.5 star for me was the heroine.I did not warm to her at all!I found her too cold. Her deceased husband was supposed to be her best childhood friend who she had to marry.She thinks of him as a "brother",they never consummated the marriage even though they "tried",he had affairs and could not look at her in the eye after he had his sex sessions with another and brought her gifts afterwards.Why the guilt on his part if they were only best friends?When H/h were at a fancy hotel and lake,the heroine was thinking of the dead ex on how she wanted to come there with the dead ex but they never had the chance.She also wore her wedding ring for 8 years after the ex died and would finger the ring in times of stress.I felt the dead ex was too present in the story for my personal taste.She also whined too much about her love for him,the best friend husband.I did not feel her love for the hero.
This could have been so much more,I wanted more angst and passion.
I did like the hero and felt sorry for what he went thru.His relationship with his mother was sweet.He is a Beta hero ,but I do love nne an Alpha hero.
I will read this author again as I see the potential in her writing.
This is my first HP in months and my second read by this author.
I had high hopes for this story.It had tropes I usually enjoy such as second chance and the all time favorite trope of revenge.It had the potential of angst galore between the couple,but for me personally I did not feel the angst in this story.When I read a story with these tropes, I expect my gut to clench,and my heart ripped out with ugly tears.
The MC's met as young 17 year olds at a posh prep school in Switzerland.
The young man was a scholarship poor Greek student and illegitimate.He only has his mother for support ,and they are ostracized from his mother's family because he was born out of wedlock and his father ran away from their village when he was born.
The young woman was a royal Princess incognito who was a rebel,she has a penchant for pranks.
These 2 form a friendship which leads to more.On the night they were supposed to meet ,Princess does not show up,the Headmaster shows up instead,and since there is no love lost between the 2,the blame for the pranks is put upon the hero and he is expelled losing his scholarships to prestigious university.He blames it all on the heroine as he now finds out her true identity and feels used.His Mother in turn gets fired and they move back to their village in Greece to grow grapes and produce wine after much toil and hardships.The Mother also suffers heart problems.All of these hardships,the hero blames the heroine for,thus his plans for vengeance.
The story opens 10 years later and the Princess is now a widow for the past 8 years,and she is attending a party in Paris.She is now on a husband hunt as it is vital to her small country that she marry again.She is also on pins and needles about her father,the King,on his increasing dementia and what would happen if the truth about his health is revealed.The hero is now a billionaire wine maker playboy extraordinaire with vengeance on his mind.He will make the Princess pay,he will compromise her,get engaged,and leave her at the alter.
This sounds good so far right? I thought so too,but what brought this down to 3.5 star for me was the heroine.I did not warm to her at all!I found her too cold. Her deceased husband was supposed to be her best childhood friend who she had to marry.She thinks of him as a "brother",they never consummated the marriage even though they "tried",he had affairs and could not look at her in the eye after he had his sex sessions with another and brought her gifts afterwards.Why the guilt on his part if they were only best friends?When H/h were at a fancy hotel and lake,the heroine was thinking of the dead ex on how she wanted to come there with the dead ex but they never had the chance.She also wore her wedding ring for 8 years after the ex died and would finger the ring in times of stress.I felt the dead ex was too present in the story for my personal taste.She also whined too much about her love for him,the best friend husband.I did not feel her love for the hero.
This could have been so much more,I wanted more angst and passion.
I did like the hero and felt sorry for what he went thru.His relationship with his mother was sweet.He is a Beta hero ,but I do love nne an Alpha hero.
I will read this author again as I see the potential in her writing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2019
Yes, I know there are some plot holes but Ms. Roscoe gave me an innocent goody but prideful heroine, cruel and dumbass hero with twisted vengeful mind and incredible fairy tale-ish wedding ceremony, thus the rating.
October 8, 2019
I didn't like it I was bored. Not one of my favorite tropes were here. No marriage of convenience or surprise pregnancy. Hero and heroine were nice and likable but the book couldn't keep my interest.
August 16, 2020
Nice revenge tale of two star-crossed, boarding school lovers who were separated at 17. Heroine had to return to her kingdom and hero was expelled and lost all chances of scholarships or a way to get out of poverty.
Ten years later, the heroine is a virgin widow, looking for a husband so she can run the country while her father, the king, is in the final stages of dementia. Hero crashes the ball and creates a paparazzi moment so that the heroine’s plans will be derailed.
Now that he is the billionaire* owner of many successful vineyards, he offers himself as her next husband. He plans on leaving her at the altar as his final act of revenge.
The set up took awhile, but the author kept the tension of the revenge scheme going until almost the end. Both H/h were likable – hero’s actions were understandable as were the heroine’s.
Heroine was a bit of downer – and I saw no evidence of her mischievous, prank-filled nature that the hero often talked about.
*HA!
Ten years later, the heroine is a virgin widow, looking for a husband so she can run the country while her father, the king, is in the final stages of dementia. Hero crashes the ball and creates a paparazzi moment so that the heroine’s plans will be derailed.
Now that he is the billionaire* owner of many successful vineyards, he offers himself as her next husband. He plans on leaving her at the altar as his final act of revenge.
The set up took awhile, but the author kept the tension of the revenge scheme going until almost the end. Both H/h were likable – hero’s actions were understandable as were the heroine’s.
Heroine was a bit of downer – and I saw no evidence of her mischievous, prank-filled nature that the hero often talked about.
*HA!
October 10, 2019
This was a pretty solid book. It hit all the targets in a typical Mills & Boon / Harlequin romance book.
Vengeful hero - tick!
Sacrificing heroine - tick!
Smouldering tension - tick! (with some caveats)
Although all the targets were met, there wasn't enough of the hard-hitting feels that I associate with M&B / Hqn books. Where's the angst? Oh wait. It was all in the sex scenes. There was no doubt that those were her forte. Outside of the sex, an the moments where they kissed, the tension seemed a bit lacking.
So while the story was solid, the heart-wrenching moments that I associate with this imprint was a bit lacking for me.
Vengeful hero - tick!
Sacrificing heroine - tick!
Smouldering tension - tick! (with some caveats)
Although all the targets were met, there wasn't enough of the hard-hitting feels that I associate with M&B / Hqn books. Where's the angst? Oh wait. It was all in the sex scenes. There was no doubt that those were her forte. Outside of the sex, an the moments where they kissed, the tension seemed a bit lacking.
So while the story was solid, the heart-wrenching moments that I associate with this imprint was a bit lacking for me.
September 17, 2019
We have a princess incognito at her boarding school. She is in love with the smartest guy in the school. She pulled pranks on others and watched them squirm, she hated that the other students dare to hurt him and treat him with scorn and malice. Princess Sofia and Theo fell in love during their time at boarding school, in fact he fell for Her during one of her tyrsts. Little did Theo know she tormented his tormentors as payback for what they did to him, in spite of her wicked streak he loved her . Their young love blossomed and all was well. Her final straw was clipped when one night she did her prank on the headmaster before coming to meet him behind some shrubs. However, Sofia disappeared before meeting him.... vanishing without a trace or word and leaving him to get caught by the headmaster accusing him of the prank and expulsion from school.
Fuelled by betrayal and revenge over her abandonment,Theo worked his way up to billions with support from his mother and bf ,Sebastian. Ten years of planning and waiting, they met in a masquerade ball in Paris,If only she had apologised he would have left her alone. However she couldn't betray her secret and Theo interpret her hesitancy to be guilt and his plan went into effect. He forced her into a compromising position, deterring other suitors and got them engaged. Princess Sofia was married and her husband, Antoine died so for the love of her people she was in the market to remarry. Theo ruined her chances with the eligible and therefore she had to Marry him.
In the realms of getting to know each other, accidents, truth discovery, self discovery, remorse, forgiveness,declarations, revenge turned sour this duo lost themselves. After having a heart to heart with their respective mothers, the veil of despair was removed and empathy sank in. Taking the risk of being stood at the alter ,Sofia waited for her very own Prince charming and with the height of suspense despite knowing it's an HP book, one could not help but hope the groom shows up. Too much of our delight he did and they had their HEA. Despite no epilogue, we got insight to some futuristic events in the MC life. I enjoyed this one very much.
Fuelled by betrayal and revenge over her abandonment,Theo worked his way up to billions with support from his mother and bf ,Sebastian. Ten years of planning and waiting, they met in a masquerade ball in Paris,If only she had apologised he would have left her alone. However she couldn't betray her secret and Theo interpret her hesitancy to be guilt and his plan went into effect. He forced her into a compromising position, deterring other suitors and got them engaged. Princess Sofia was married and her husband, Antoine died so for the love of her people she was in the market to remarry. Theo ruined her chances with the eligible and therefore she had to Marry him.
In the realms of getting to know each other, accidents, truth discovery, self discovery, remorse, forgiveness,declarations, revenge turned sour this duo lost themselves. After having a heart to heart with their respective mothers, the veil of despair was removed and empathy sank in. Taking the risk of being stood at the alter ,Sofia waited for her very own Prince charming and with the height of suspense despite knowing it's an HP book, one could not help but hope the groom shows up. Too much of our delight he did and they had their HEA. Despite no epilogue, we got insight to some futuristic events in the MC life. I enjoyed this one very much.
March 11, 2022
Jeez, these titles and dramatic royal plots are an embarrassment.
So I had to buy a new Kindle. It comes with three months of Kindle Unlimited. This is why I read this book, even though I generally dislike newer HP titles. I like the HP classics much better, where the melodrama and angst felt less forced, the plots felt more grounded (even when they involve getting plastic surgery and inserting yourself back into your ex’s life), and the emotion felt more sincere.
This one had its moments, but even the decent stuff (dad with dementia subplot, duty as a daughter/royal subject, Theo’s relationship with his mother—I especially like the 3 bottles of special wine reserved for his mother, wife, and firstborn daughter, etc) felt crammed into an overstuffed playboy billionaire/tragic princess/extravagant lifestyle checklist.
S i m p l i f y, dear Harlequin. Throwing all the exotic fantasy trappings at these category romances doesn’t make them better. (I do not blame the authors, this lightweight stuff is clearly being churned out under directive of the publisher.)
So I had to buy a new Kindle. It comes with three months of Kindle Unlimited. This is why I read this book, even though I generally dislike newer HP titles. I like the HP classics much better, where the melodrama and angst felt less forced, the plots felt more grounded (even when they involve getting plastic surgery and inserting yourself back into your ex’s life), and the emotion felt more sincere.
This one had its moments, but even the decent stuff (dad with dementia subplot, duty as a daughter/royal subject, Theo’s relationship with his mother—I especially like the 3 bottles of special wine reserved for his mother, wife, and firstborn daughter, etc) felt crammed into an overstuffed playboy billionaire/tragic princess/extravagant lifestyle checklist.
S i m p l i f y, dear Harlequin. Throwing all the exotic fantasy trappings at these category romances doesn’t make them better. (I do not blame the authors, this lightweight stuff is clearly being churned out under directive of the publisher.)
July 10, 2020
I want what you once promised me…”
The Greek’s demanding proposal!
At an opulent Paris ball, billionaire Theo Tersi sees Princess Sofia. She abandoned him once, rejecting the future they’d planned—and he wants an explanation! But when they lock eyes, Theo’s careful plans explode in the fire of their still-intense connection.
The truth? Devastated Sofia was forced to return to her royal duties all those years ago. But now Theo has created a scandal, and he’ll take back what’s his and claim Sofia—as his bride! Can their enduring bond overcome his quest for passionate revenge? (less)
The Greek’s demanding proposal!
At an opulent Paris ball, billionaire Theo Tersi sees Princess Sofia. She abandoned him once, rejecting the future they’d planned—and he wants an explanation! But when they lock eyes, Theo’s careful plans explode in the fire of their still-intense connection.
The truth? Devastated Sofia was forced to return to her royal duties all those years ago. But now Theo has created a scandal, and he’ll take back what’s his and claim Sofia—as his bride! Can their enduring bond overcome his quest for passionate revenge? (less)
September 28, 2019
A good romance with likable characters.
September 27, 2019
Virgin Princess’s Marriage Debt by Pippa Roscoe is a sexy and dramatic second chance royal romance!
At a private school, teenage friends Theo and Sofia dreamed of running away together until Sofia was abruptly pulled back into her real life and duties as a royal princess and Theo took the blame for something he didn’t do, ending up expelled. Some years have now passed and their lives have taken very different turns.
Theo had to start his life over again and with his mother’s help, has made himself a fortune with his wines. He blamed Sofia for the hard times that happened after his expulsion and has dreamed for years of revenge. Sofia has been married and widowed, and now seeks another husband to keep her country stable. When Theo learns she is in the market for a new husband, he re-emerges into her social circles and puts her in a compromising position – one where she’ll have to accede to his demands or risk losing everything. But if Theo’s plans for revenge are successful, will he lose the only woman he’s ever loved?
I loved this passionate story! Sofia’s father is suffering from early dementia, a diagnosis that has been hidden from all but a select few. It’s what made her abruptly withdraw from school and face the reality that her dreams with Theo were just that – dreams. For her country she enters into a marriage of convenience with a friend, but when he unexpectedly passes away, she knows she must seek a new partnership such that when her father abdicates and his health problems are revealed, the country will not be rocked by instability. Theo’s return throws a wrench into her plans, especially when he tells her what he went through after she left school. Feeling guilty and unable to tell him about her father’s health, she agrees to an engagement with him.
Theo’s plan for revenge seems to be going along smoothly until he realizes that his feelings for Sofia are not as cut and dried as he’d thought. Both adults now, they share an intense attraction that leads to some sexy interludes. As his feelings for Sofia deepen and she shares her secrets with him, he realizes that what he really wants is to protect and care for her. But when secrets come to light, he must find a way to prove that they belong together. Both Theo and Sofia are strong characters with interesting backgrounds, well rounded individuals who’ve had their dreams tempered by the harsh realities of life. Their second chance comes with the knowledge that they must be willing to compromise in order to keep their hard earned happy ever after. Fans of royal romances will enjoy this entertaining and passionate tale!
This review appears at Harlequin Junkie: https://harlequinjunkie.com/review-vi...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.
At a private school, teenage friends Theo and Sofia dreamed of running away together until Sofia was abruptly pulled back into her real life and duties as a royal princess and Theo took the blame for something he didn’t do, ending up expelled. Some years have now passed and their lives have taken very different turns.
Theo had to start his life over again and with his mother’s help, has made himself a fortune with his wines. He blamed Sofia for the hard times that happened after his expulsion and has dreamed for years of revenge. Sofia has been married and widowed, and now seeks another husband to keep her country stable. When Theo learns she is in the market for a new husband, he re-emerges into her social circles and puts her in a compromising position – one where she’ll have to accede to his demands or risk losing everything. But if Theo’s plans for revenge are successful, will he lose the only woman he’s ever loved?
I loved this passionate story! Sofia’s father is suffering from early dementia, a diagnosis that has been hidden from all but a select few. It’s what made her abruptly withdraw from school and face the reality that her dreams with Theo were just that – dreams. For her country she enters into a marriage of convenience with a friend, but when he unexpectedly passes away, she knows she must seek a new partnership such that when her father abdicates and his health problems are revealed, the country will not be rocked by instability. Theo’s return throws a wrench into her plans, especially when he tells her what he went through after she left school. Feeling guilty and unable to tell him about her father’s health, she agrees to an engagement with him.
Theo’s plan for revenge seems to be going along smoothly until he realizes that his feelings for Sofia are not as cut and dried as he’d thought. Both adults now, they share an intense attraction that leads to some sexy interludes. As his feelings for Sofia deepen and she shares her secrets with him, he realizes that what he really wants is to protect and care for her. But when secrets come to light, he must find a way to prove that they belong together. Both Theo and Sofia are strong characters with interesting backgrounds, well rounded individuals who’ve had their dreams tempered by the harsh realities of life. Their second chance comes with the knowledge that they must be willing to compromise in order to keep their hard earned happy ever after. Fans of royal romances will enjoy this entertaining and passionate tale!
This review appears at Harlequin Junkie: https://harlequinjunkie.com/review-vi...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.
January 21, 2020
3.5 stars
I just couldn’t get into this story in the beginning of the book and found myself not connecting with Sofia or Theo until way later on. It was just really hard to slog through, and I found myself skimming through a lot of the beginning because of said lack of connection. The setup was okay, and I understand that the premise was meant to setup the tension between Sofia and Theo when Sofia left him all those years ago and Theo blaming her for ruining his life and wanting to get revenge on her, but for me it just came off as really whinny by Theo. He felt very childish from him as he blamed her for all the wrongs that happened over his life going wrong. It wasn’t a very attractive look for a hero. It was very much a turn off. Plus he just kept going on and on and on about until it was so repetitive that it became boring. He just didn’t thrill me.
It got better about half way through once more vulnerabilities came from both sides into the forefront, and they started to form a genuine connection between them. I liked seeing the build intimacy between them both physically, emotionally, and mentally. I liked seeing when the denial feelings stop happening and the embraced the love that they had between them even after ten years of being apart. Finally I was more behind them as a couple at this point compared to a majority of the first half of the book. Their emotional connection was the key really for me not totally hating this book in the second half otherwise this just wouldn’t have worked.
I would have liked to have a scene in the second half where they made love in a bed for the first time since that was made to be such a big deal for Sofia and not wanting to create intimacy between them and just wanting to embrace more of the passionate side of the relationship between them and not the emotional side especially after blackmailed her into the engagement between them. I understand why she did that. I think it would have been really telling if there was this big intimate scene in the bedroom where they made love in the bed for the first time and have this special moment between them, but instead there wasn’t one, which was disappointing. I will say that their second love scene was more intimate and emotional than the first and had a very different vibe, but I just think it would have been over the top if they did a full blown bedroom love scene that would have shown so much I think. Even if it was the honeymoon scene I think that would have been a great payoff.
Overall this story was just okay. I was expecting to like this story a lot more than I thought I would especially with the premise on the back cover. I thought this was going to be more angsty with all the tension between Sofia and Theo after being separated from each other for ten years especially with revenge theme thrown in there, but that it didn’t come across as that. It just came off as really repetitive and very whiny. Theo was very childish and whiny brat over how unfair his life was and that he blamed Sofia for everything that went wrong in his life so he needed to enact this revenge against her. It was a really turn off. For me there was a just a of connection in the beginning of the story. I just didn’t care for it. The second half was definitely better when their connection grew and intimacy was built between them. I liked seeing them connect, and I think if that was presented for a majority of the book then I would have liked it a lot more. I also thing I felt that it was more angsty than whiny I would have liked it a lot more as well. The story was fine, but it just came off as too much at time as well as too receptive with him blaming her for his life. I just didn’t like that at all. But he did redeem himself a bit when he started to peel back her layers, as well as his own, then he became very sweet and caring and loving towards her. I enjoyed seeing his softer side play out in the story. He felt more like a man than a child that he did in the beginning of the story. So, this wasn’t my favorite Present nor was it the worst Presents I have read. I just wish it was a little bit better especially with the promising premise that it had.
I just couldn’t get into this story in the beginning of the book and found myself not connecting with Sofia or Theo until way later on. It was just really hard to slog through, and I found myself skimming through a lot of the beginning because of said lack of connection. The setup was okay, and I understand that the premise was meant to setup the tension between Sofia and Theo when Sofia left him all those years ago and Theo blaming her for ruining his life and wanting to get revenge on her, but for me it just came off as really whinny by Theo. He felt very childish from him as he blamed her for all the wrongs that happened over his life going wrong. It wasn’t a very attractive look for a hero. It was very much a turn off. Plus he just kept going on and on and on about until it was so repetitive that it became boring. He just didn’t thrill me.
It got better about half way through once more vulnerabilities came from both sides into the forefront, and they started to form a genuine connection between them. I liked seeing the build intimacy between them both physically, emotionally, and mentally. I liked seeing when the denial feelings stop happening and the embraced the love that they had between them even after ten years of being apart. Finally I was more behind them as a couple at this point compared to a majority of the first half of the book. Their emotional connection was the key really for me not totally hating this book in the second half otherwise this just wouldn’t have worked.
I would have liked to have a scene in the second half where they made love in a bed for the first time since that was made to be such a big deal for Sofia and not wanting to create intimacy between them and just wanting to embrace more of the passionate side of the relationship between them and not the emotional side especially after blackmailed her into the engagement between them. I understand why she did that. I think it would have been really telling if there was this big intimate scene in the bedroom where they made love in the bed for the first time and have this special moment between them, but instead there wasn’t one, which was disappointing. I will say that their second love scene was more intimate and emotional than the first and had a very different vibe, but I just think it would have been over the top if they did a full blown bedroom love scene that would have shown so much I think. Even if it was the honeymoon scene I think that would have been a great payoff.
Overall this story was just okay. I was expecting to like this story a lot more than I thought I would especially with the premise on the back cover. I thought this was going to be more angsty with all the tension between Sofia and Theo after being separated from each other for ten years especially with revenge theme thrown in there, but that it didn’t come across as that. It just came off as really repetitive and very whiny. Theo was very childish and whiny brat over how unfair his life was and that he blamed Sofia for everything that went wrong in his life so he needed to enact this revenge against her. It was a really turn off. For me there was a just a of connection in the beginning of the story. I just didn’t care for it. The second half was definitely better when their connection grew and intimacy was built between them. I liked seeing them connect, and I think if that was presented for a majority of the book then I would have liked it a lot more. I also thing I felt that it was more angsty than whiny I would have liked it a lot more as well. The story was fine, but it just came off as too much at time as well as too receptive with him blaming her for his life. I just didn’t like that at all. But he did redeem himself a bit when he started to peel back her layers, as well as his own, then he became very sweet and caring and loving towards her. I enjoyed seeing his softer side play out in the story. He felt more like a man than a child that he did in the beginning of the story. So, this wasn’t my favorite Present nor was it the worst Presents I have read. I just wish it was a little bit better especially with the promising premise that it had.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2021
Another quick read of a Mills and Boon book. I read this over night in large print. A princess who falls in love while attending a boarding school she falls for young man who is poor. On the night she meant to meet him she is call to the office as her parents have come to take her back to home country as her father is unwell with Dementia and they need her to learn the ways of royal life. She does a prank with her friends on teacher with her friends where she loses his scarf.
November 8, 2019
The heroine is a widow for two years, dubbed "The Widow Princess". I couldn't find anywhere in the story that she is still a virgin..
There is no real epilogue , just what would happen in the future (the last half-page ) .
There is no real epilogue , just what would happen in the future (the last half-page ) .
November 7, 2024
Theo and Sofia met when they were in school but got separated when Sofia's father was diagnosed with dementia. Because of a prank Sofia did on her last day Theo was expelled as the principal blamed him.
Years later he decided to get revenge on Sofia because he blames her for the direction his life has taken. During his revenge scheme they falls back in love and he realized that it's not her fault that his life is the way it is and that he actually has a good life
Years later he decided to get revenge on Sofia because he blames her for the direction his life has taken. During his revenge scheme they falls back in love and he realized that it's not her fault that his life is the way it is and that he actually has a good life
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2020
This had so much angst!! I love that this starts with their childhood and fast forwards to see how much things have changed. There was so much heartache and unresolved pain between Sofia and Theo. It also had the enemies to lover feel. There was just so much that I loved about this book that I sat down and read it in an hour. 4 stars!
December 12, 2019
Unexpectedly captivating
Both H and h were interesting and well developed. I loved the way the story developed and become clearer yet still had some delicious twists. Highly recommend buying this one.
Both H and h were interesting and well developed. I loved the way the story developed and become clearer yet still had some delicious twists. Highly recommend buying this one.
February 22, 2024
2 stars but not in a bad way.
This book actually taught me you can get a concussion from falling off a boat into water. I hadn’t previously considered if the impact of hitting water could give you a serious head injury. I’m glad this book has provided me with that information.
This book actually taught me you can get a concussion from falling off a boat into water. I hadn’t previously considered if the impact of hitting water could give you a serious head injury. I’m glad this book has provided me with that information.
September 10, 2019
Ms. Roscoe writes such amazing stories and this one is truly a gem. Sophia is a princess and even though no one knows in her school including Theo Tersi she falls in love with him. She wants to be with him forever but it isn't to be and when she must go home and doesn't meet him a situation takes place that makes him lose his chance for a scholarship and a great future. After struggling for years to keep him and his mother with a roof over their head he is wealthy beyond belief and at a ball he spots Princess Sophia. His plan is revenge but as the saying goes revenge is best served cold and these two together are anything but cold. He plans to walk out on her while she waits at the altar for him. Can he do it? Read this wonderful story and you will never miss another Pippa Roscoe book.
March 31, 2023
I wanted to like this book, but Theo was just such a jerk.
I won't recap the book, but it doesn't deserve that much.
Some key points:
I didn't understand why Sofia couldn't tell Theo the truth about her father once they were engaged. Seems like pretty important thing for your finance and future king to know!
Then we get to Theo. Theo is a playboy (ugh). Plus, Theo is so consumed with anger at what happened when he was 17 that he is willing to RUIN AN ENTIRE COUNTRY to get revenge. Seriously, if he abandons Sofia on their wedding day in front of the entire nation, WHAT did he think would happen?
And he never grovels. Really.
Instead, Sofia is the one to call him and beg him to marry her.
Girl, you deserve better.
I won't recap the book, but it doesn't deserve that much.
Some key points:
I didn't understand why Sofia couldn't tell Theo the truth about her father once they were engaged. Seems like pretty important thing for your finance and future king to know!
Then we get to Theo. Theo is a playboy (ugh). Plus, Theo is so consumed with anger at what happened when he was 17 that he is willing to RUIN AN ENTIRE COUNTRY to get revenge. Seriously, if he abandons Sofia on their wedding day in front of the entire nation, WHAT did he think would happen?
And he never grovels. Really.
Instead, Sofia is the one to call him and beg him to marry her.
Girl, you deserve better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2024
Bolehlah, just to kill the time.
Sometimes, you just need a cheesy book just to forget the time spent with the previous stupid book that I invested and read till the end.
Menyesalnyaaa baca buku Jude Deveraux's The Girl from the Summer Hill.
Sometimes, you just need a cheesy book just to forget the time spent with the previous stupid book that I invested and read till the end.
Menyesalnyaaa baca buku Jude Deveraux's The Girl from the Summer Hill.
September 26, 2019
Love it
Read
April 4, 2020Tras La Venganza (Versión)
April 16, 2020
Qué sorpresa de novela, tan buena, llena de intriga
June 22, 2020
This story is kind of basic, but it's not bad, just not my kinda story that I usually like.
August 6, 2021
This one warmed the cockles of my cold, cynical heart. It was refreshing to have MCs the same age for a change. I actually cared about these two.
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