3.5 "low suds" Stars Italian billionaire Dante Lucarelli needs a fake girlfriend to seal a business deal. The potential seller is married to an ex con3.5 "low suds" Stars Italian billionaire Dante Lucarelli needs a fake girlfriend to seal a business deal. The potential seller is married to an ex conquest (Krystal) who’s flirting, and grabby hands aren’t good for business. He enlists the help of Belle to act as a buffer, and run interference when needed. This aspect ends up being a really small part of the plot; they are only even around Krystal for like a day, and it’s not a big deal at all.
Both Dante and Belle have had less than desirable childhoods, but Dante’s abusive and harlotting mom has made him leery of forming any type of romantic relationships. Belle is a sweet animal loving virgin, who was raised by her both deceased grandparents. The MC’s were surprisingly mature; they talk through their feelings, and both handle things like adults. It's pretty drama free, and low angst.... one of the sweetest HP’s I’ve read.
Bottom Line- I had come of a draining, heavy read, so this was just what I needed, and might be part of why I liked it so much. It may be too vanilla for most soapy readers, because of the lack of drama and angst. You really need to be in a sweet… maybe boring kinda mood
Merged review:
3.5 "low suds" Stars Italian billionaire Dante Lucarelli needs a fake girlfriend to seal a business deal. The potential seller is married to an ex conquest (Krystal) who’s flirting, and grabby hands aren’t good for business. He enlists the help of Belle to act as a buffer, and run interference when needed. This aspect ends up being a really small part of the plot; they are only even around Krystal for like a day, and it’s not a big deal at all.
Both Dante and Belle have had less than desirable childhoods, but Dante’s abusive and harlotting mom has made him leery of forming any type of romantic relationships. Belle is a sweet animal loving virgin, who was raised by her both deceased grandparents. The MC’s were surprisingly mature; they talk through their feelings, and both handle things like adults. It's pretty drama free, and low angst.... one of the sweetest HP’s I’ve read.
Bottom Line- I had come of a draining, heavy read, so this was just what I needed, and might be part of why I liked it so much. It may be too vanilla for most soapy readers, because of the lack of drama and angst. You really need to be in a sweet… maybe boring kinda mood...more
This might not have been a Harlequin, but it sure felt like one.
The blurb sets it up, Leah is sucked in by her selfish drug addicted twin Susie to trThis might not have been a Harlequin, but it sure felt like one.
The blurb sets it up, Leah is sucked in by her selfish drug addicted twin Susie to try and smooth things over with her lover’s overprotective older brother, Greek tycoon Alex Kristidis. She eventually pressures her into posing as Susie so the two can sneak off together and elope. Stuff happens and Leah ends up with Alex on his private island where he thinks she’s still Susie.
Bottom Line- This was predictable but entertaining if you enjoy HP storylines. The couple spend most of the book secluded, so the majority of the conflict comes from them fighting their feelings. No OW/OM drama and nasty sis is hardly on page. H has dead wife that is a nonevent other than making him jaded. ...more
I downloaded this as soon as I read a reviewer compare it to Diana Palmer and her penchant for asshole cowboys. I was an early reader and grew up readI downloaded this as soon as I read a reviewer compare it to Diana Palmer and her penchant for asshole cowboys. I was an early reader and grew up reading from my mom’s bookshelf which had a lot of DP and HPs, so I am a HUGE Diana Palmer fan, and my rating reflects that. FYI
Rowan meets Isha when his younger brother Ace brings her home for the summer. Immediately him and his terrible family determine she’s a gold digger and set out to run her out of town. They are DESPICABLE and I was gobbling it down.
Six years later the two run into each other again, and Rowan decides he’ll do anything to get his girl back.
This one wasn’t great. I really expected A LOT more drama when dealing with the sister-seconds content. For me there were a few issues2.5 so-so Stars
This one wasn’t great. I really expected A LOT more drama when dealing with the sister-seconds content. For me there were a few issues. ⚫ Unlikable characters ⚫ Lack of any drama-llama ⚫ Unequal balance of hung up on each sister
Brady Sheppard grew up loving Liz. They were engaged when she sent him a Dear John letter and swanned off with another dude. The book opens with Brady crashing her wedding and leaving with her younger sister (J.C.). They have sex and a few weeks later… surprise.
The problem is that Brady reads like a grouchy alcoholic, J.C. is portrayed as immature and selfish (like dropping out of college for a year having her parents still paying the tuition and selling the car they provided her to go on vacation), and Liz is described as a self-absorbed bitch.
Everyone is so focused on themselves that there’s no feels, and nothing is going on, so there’s no drama. ZZZzzzz. They aren’t really fighting, no one is manipulating, there’s no back and forth, and he’s wavering until the end of the book.
Bottom Line- It wasn’t terrible, but this is soap and I expect some suds. I wanted some drama, and the ending was too rushed. The sis’s part wasn’t really resolved. She didn’t act the way she did because she needed closure, so that felt like a copout. ...more
This was ok. Not terrible but not great either. It sort of reads like a Harlequin, but IMO Vittorio wasn’t mean enough… and it came with TW you don’t This was ok. Not terrible but not great either. It sort of reads like a Harlequin, but IMO Vittorio wasn’t mean enough… and it came with TW you don’t usually see in soapy reads.
Vittorio and Lillian saw each other at a club and were both Zap. Boom. Pow struck by the love bug. Unfortunately, Lilly ran off spooked and V was in a terrible car accident before he could locate her. The story picks up with Lilly being hired as V’s PT (he’s in a wheelchair)
The rest was a little bland, neither did much pushing away, and it had very little drama. Their only real conflict is based on trying to make each other jealous and miscommunications.
Bottom Line- Ok. I needed more drama and was bored at times.
Trigger Warnings(view spoiler)[ V was “taught” all about sex by a 27-year-old housekeeper when he was 15. It reads like grooming but is not frowned upon at all.
V sneaks into Lilly’s room and has sex with her while she’s sleeping. She thinks it is a dream.
I gobbled this but in a soapy, drama-llama read with a SUPER crazy/clingy wannabe OW, and a poor little abandoned h that is dumped on by everyone. WheI gobbled this but in a soapy, drama-llama read with a SUPER crazy/clingy wannabe OW, and a poor little abandoned h that is dumped on by everyone. When stressed in RL, I tend to gravitate towards overdramatic book trash... and this hit the spot, but keep that in mind if you're in the mood for something relatable.
The blurbs sets this up, Stetson and Storm were in LOVE when his asshole father forced him to choose between ranching and his dream of being a rodeo star. For some unexplained reason, Storm’s dad chases him off with a shotgun when he tries to retrieve his lady love leaving her thinking he abandoned her. The timing totally sucked for Storm cuz she was all set to inform him of their bundle of love…But was great for creating a truckload of garbage to rain down on Storm.
The book opens 5-years later with Stetson returning after his father died to save their ranch. He quickly learns he’s missed a lot, and that Storm has been very mistreated. Just when the two are starting to heal, Chrissy his BFF’s little sister shows up and boy oh boy is she nutso. I absolutely LOVE deranged/dog with a bone wannabe OW that will not quit.
Bottom Line- I liked it for the drama, but there really aren’t any angsty feels despite Storm being treated like dog poo. It’s very soapy and if you dig deep (or look for reason), you’ll probably be disappointed because there were several plot holes. Like no one telling him about the kid, or why the h’s from the first books never approached her or were friendly before Stetson returning. Or the entire town turning against her but being ok with all the other crappy people in the town. (etc.) ...more
2.5 low suds stars I was looking for mindless, easy, and short and this did deliver. (it was pushing my bed time and I didn’t want to get sucked into s2.5 low suds stars I was looking for mindless, easy, and short and this did deliver. (it was pushing my bed time and I didn’t want to get sucked into something longer) But it wasn’t very sudsy for soapy-smut. Basically, there was very little drama-llama. The H was nice to her, no OW drama, no obstacles, just a secret that IMO wasn’t a huge deal since they were strangers when they married… and he wasn’t even there.
The plot is crazy… too bad the craziness ended there. In a nutshell, the H (Nicholas-33) was a 15-year-old father and has dedicated his time to raising his son. Now 18-years-old, Danny decides to sign him up for an arranged marriage because it’s time for his dad to have a life. Enter Tabitha (Bee-23) who charms the son and is married by proxy to the clueless husband. Nicholas is blindsided when he goes to pick up “Danny’s friend” and realizes he’s married. After consulting his attorney, he’s advised to play along until they can figure a way out.
Bottom Line- It was just ok. Bland… forgettable… nothing exciting. The h was incredibly naïve, and the H was stiff. It needed something to spice things up like a disapproving family, the ex showing up, a wannabe ow. Something. ...more
I’ve been stressed lately and haven’t been in the mood to take on anything realistic or heavy, so I’ve been sticking to mindless soap. This author is I’ve been stressed lately and haven’t been in the mood to take on anything realistic or heavy, so I’ve been sticking to mindless soap. This author is hit or miss for me, but it was short, looked easy, and was on KU. It felt VERY familiar, but it took until writing this review to realize this is just a rerelease of Betrayed by the Billionaire Rancher.
I’ve put off writing this because I like this author but had a WTF did I just read experience. Maybe I’m in a mood or I dug too deep, but I’m way off I’ve put off writing this because I like this author but had a WTF did I just read experience. Maybe I’m in a mood or I dug too deep, but I’m way off from most reviewers, so keep that in mind. I know I’ve mentioned in the past that C.C.W. tends to stay in safe/vanilla waters… but she definitely veered away from vanilla with the consensual non consent kink… and I do LOVE old school soapy reads… but this didn’t work for me.
I’ll try to be vague, but will spoiler tag the rest, so please stop if you want zero details. (view spoiler)[
Ok, I have so many thoughts but want this to be somewhat quick, so I'm going to try to lump it all together. Like I said, I LOVE soapy reads, especially the older ones. I grew up with no cable and a stack of my mom’s VHS tapes filled with day and nighttime soaps, and as a grownup I spent years watching 80-90’s telenovelas with my MIL when she was ill. Simply put, I am down with this genre even the OTT whacky ones.
BUT I prefer the drama to be generated by the insane secondary character/villains. ✔️wannabe OW ✔️ jealous ex ✔️evil twin ✔️ wicked family members --- YUM. What I don’t love is the drama coming from a crazy, immature, violent leading lady. She’s supposed to be the good one rising above everyone’s shit not the cause of it. He’s supposed to be an asshole, but only because he’s scared of the man feelings his sweet little h stirs.
Unfortunately, that’s not what happened here, and I couldn’t stand Marco or Diane. He was a total dud/non-event, and she was unstable with violent coping skills. Both were unlikable.
She bares her teeth, and with her free hand, she smashes the cup and saucer toward me with her open palm. Hot water splashes my chest, the burn stealing my breath.
She rises from her seat, her face blooming red, and she slams her palm into my chest exactly where the tea splashed me.
I wish I felt something about the baby—a wave of protectiveness, smug satisfaction, dread, anything. So far, I feel like I ate a big lunch that didn’t settle right, and now it’s sitting in my stomach like a rock.
“You’re being childish.” He doesn’t come any further. I stick my tongue out at him.
Get my shoes? Oh, I will. I duck, grab one by the strap, draw it back, and pitch it at Marco’s head as hard as I can.
And instead of the secondary characters making trouble with sneaky machinations, they sat in the background like evil caricatures not really doing anything. Leaving the mc’s to bring about the drama which usually consisted of Diane physically abusing Marco until he had rough sex with her.
I don’t mind kink. I haven’t read much with consensual non consent, which is basically rape roleplay, but I’d assume like anything would require open communication, trust, safe words, and everyone on the same page. Here, Marco holds back because he feels guilt and rather than talking to him, Diane just smacks, slaps, bites, headbutts him until he’s pissed enough to be forceful then tells him no/fights him.
“Diane, I mean the rough stuff is over. Not our marriage.”
I throw an elbow back, and it slams into his chest. I cry out, and he grunts deeper.
The back of my hand cracks against his jaw. My heel drives into his shin. “Diane,” he rasps, panting. “I’m not playing with you.” “It’s not safe for the baby.” “Then stop. Go away.
I throw my head back and clip his jaw. He hisses and tries harder to wrestle me into submission, but he’s hampered by his care of my belly, his unwillingness to really, truly hurt me.
He manages to catch a wrist. My pussy spasms with anticipation, and before he can wrangle the other, I slap him in the face, just like I did Chiara, and just like then, I’m not sorry.
That’s unhealthy not sexy. And OMG, the anal sex comment… ew.
“There was stuff. On your thing. When you took it out.” She squeezes her eyes closed. “And it made that noise.” I’m instantly hard. I’d never fucked a woman in her ass before, and perhaps there are techniques that I lack. We did make a mess.
Bottom Line- The opening chapter was great, but it went downhill from there. This just didn’t feel like C.C.W., there was no character or romance development. (something she excels at) The characters felt flat. I never felt like I knew either or understood where they came from or why they were even together. There was no romance, no chemistry and the smut was ick. I do wish the MIL, SIL, and PA would’ve had a more active part of the plot, specifically that their manipulations were the cause of the couple’s problems. When really the dysfunctional relationship was the reason, so I don’t see it improving with their removal. (hide spoiler)]...more
I’m not going to rate this because I knew better. I just can’t do this author’s writing style, BUT, she keeps pulling me back because her blurbs soundI’m not going to rate this because I knew better. I just can’t do this author’s writing style, BUT, she keeps pulling me back because her blurbs sound like magic to my soapy-lovin soul… but it never works out.
In a nutshell, Massimo has been dating Ynez for several years when his g-ma informs him he’s to marry her older sister Ysabel. This sounded promising because the plot is almost identical to THIS which was a fun read… but it ended up being closer to THIS with the TSTL wimpy h and dummy H which wasn’t as fun. Made more annoying because we’re constantly told that she’s feisty and he’s a smart businessman.
Simply put, Ysabel is a limp noodle with no fight in her that got old rather quickly, and Massimo was a moron that made it hard to respect. Making things worse, unlike ⬆️ those books, this H wasn’t hung up on the dumped sister, so there wasn’t any angst or drama. It was sort of lame… the sister lies her ass off and the h is too wimpy and the H too dumb to do anything about it.
Bottom Line- I love the plot, but the execution was too ridiculous and not enough fun for me.
**spoiler alert** Jilted reads like a very overdramatic soap opera. I love OTT soapy reads, but not for almost 350 pages… it’s just too long to sustai**spoiler alert** Jilted reads like a very overdramatic soap opera. I love OTT soapy reads, but not for almost 350 pages… it’s just too long to sustain the whacky plot of roofies, public jilting, secret triplets, fake pregnancy, family drama, serial killer, betrayal… and all the slapping.
The book opens with Ashley cruelly rejecting poor Skylar at their wedding. He has good reason to think she’s a lying cheat, but rather than actually ask her to explain herself… he publicly humiliates her, threatens to run her over with his car, and takes off for their honeymoon with another bimbo.
Later, she goes to share some news… and has to endure getting bitch slapped by his nasty mother and threatened/thrown out of his office.
FFW- 5 years later where Skylar has managed to crawl up from the gutter Ashley threw her in, and has a decent life with a budding relationship with a Dr. Only for Ashley to cross her path yet again…. More slapping ensues…
Unfortunately, the two people (his terrible mother & sister) who deserved to be slapped the most get no slaps…and the asshole H only gets kneed in the balls once.
Bottom Line- I love a good dramatic plot but this was just a little too extra. (I might've rounded up had it been on KU) I know it was all unrealistic trash, but it really bothered me that the sister received no comeuppance. What she did was terrible, and she wasn’t even apologetic about it. She was defensive and tried to justify her actions. I wanted the h to press charges then they could work on forgiveness. To me it felt like Skylar got crapped on again because Ashley shouldn’t have forgiven them so easily. Hell, he was pissed at the h for 5 years for her alleged offense, and the sis’s was way worse… and illegal. It made no sense that the accomplice was deemed unforgivable, but the mastermind gets a second chance. ??!!...more
This definitely has a Jordan Silver feel to it, but it didn’t really work for me. It feels super silly/immature and didn’t have enSkim read-no rating.
This definitely has a Jordan Silver feel to it, but it didn’t really work for me. It feels super silly/immature and didn’t have enough action or smut for an OTT/ drama-llama only plot.
Cam is a billionaire playboy that is visiting his sister at college when he sees Natalie. He’s immediately ZAP stung by the love bug and tells her he has to leave, but she’s his and he’ll be back.
My issues… ⛔ The smut takes forever to get going ⛔ The caveman alpha bordered on abusive rather than sexy. They’re usually obsessed and overprotective not enraged. ⛔ The OW drama was small and boring. ⛔ Huge chunks with nothing going on.
Bottom Line- I found it boring and skimmed HUGE chunks. The end picks up, but it doesn’t really flow… rather just random speedbumps chucked in the storyline. There’re four random events (OW-1, OW-2, OM, villain) but nothing felt connected or set up, so it flowed… and they’re all dispatched very quickly. I love soap, but I need it to be somewhat logical/realistic… this is just silly....more
The book opens with the h (Imogen) tracking down the H (Theo) to inform him she’s pregnant. The two had a ONS when Theo was on a bender, and he has noThe book opens with the h (Imogen) tracking down the H (Theo) to inform him she’s pregnant. The two had a ONS when Theo was on a bender, and he has no recollection. Initially, he’s a big jerk (like a few paragraphs) but quickly turns into a marshmallow. He’s surprisingly cool with the pregnancy. He doesn’t even demand a paternity test and insists on moving in together.
His agreeableness took most of the wind out of my drama-llama sails, and I was starting to get bored until his snooty mom showed up and the ex -wife started trying to cause trouble.
There’re some plot holes that you’ll need to overlook. Like how he remembered she wasn’t a virgin when he can’t remember the evening. Or how the ex-wife attempted to trap him after the breakup when it should’ve been too late at that point… but it’s small and soap isn’t really known for its relatability.
Bottom Line- Just ok for me. It takes a while to get going but picks up towards the end. ...more
I’m going to keep this short, there’re tons of reviews out there. In Need of a Wife gives us Nathan and Sasha’s story… two single parents with terriblI’m going to keep this short, there’re tons of reviews out there. In Need of a Wife gives us Nathan and Sasha’s story… two single parents with terrible exes. It’s not super dramatic or angsty, but I really liked it. It’s cute, both are very likable, and a couple parts almost made me chuckle.
Bottom Line- I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a solidly written, less soapy/more whacky-quirky HP read. ...more
A well written second chance romance between Franco and Lexi who have been estranged for three years because of interference from their terrible frienA well written second chance romance between Franco and Lexi who have been estranged for three years because of interference from their terrible friends. There’re several reviews with spoiler bits so I’ll keep this short.
I liked that the H was injured and they had to rebuild their relationship using their words and not falling into bed. I thought the frogs were cute, and I did feel the chemistry.
The writing was solid, but I’m a drama junkie, so I was bummed that all of it happened before the book started… and with an evil bff, wannabe OW and Wannabe OM… none received an on-page smackdown.
Bottom Line- Good but slow at times.
Safety-(view spoiler)[ He never denies or acknowledges that he was with others during the separation, but he was photographed with OW and the h assumes this meant he was with others. (I tend to agree- but never with the wannabe OW that split them up) We do learn that he was first photographed after he tried to reconcile, and the wannabe OM told him he was already screwing the h… if that helps. Typical of HP, the h was with no one. (hide spoiler)]...more
This is a collection of 5 of her stories that aren’t labeled (I’m not sure why) but are just 5 previously published books ( The Guardian, Falling for This is a collection of 5 of her stories that aren’t labeled (I’m not sure why) but are just 5 previously published books ( The Guardian, Falling for My Husband, Monza, Nice, and Barcelona) compiled into one. Pamela Ann writes trashy soap on steroids. You really need to be in the mood for telenovela level of soap… and throw out any expectation of anything being realistic. Her H’s aren’t as crazy as Jordan Silver’s (no 12-inch cocks or cervix penetration) … but her H’s tend to have cheater cheater pumpkin eater vibes, so I don’t recommend for safety readers.
Story One is The Guardian which is an arranged marriage between Giselle and Jared. Jared is her father’s protégé and promises to marry her because he is dying. It’s really OTT with tons of bickering, back and forth, OW/OM drama galore. You can find my original review here…
Bottom Line- I think I 2.5 rounded this up last time but struggled some this time. IMO, it’s WAY TOO long for trashy soap, so we’re stuck in the same back and forth drama to the point it gets old.
Safety(view spoiler)[- Not safe. Giselle wears a wig and poses as another woman to trick him into taking her V card. (not sure how he didn’t recognize her but he didn’t) She leaves him (saying she’ll return) and goes on vacation and has sex with OM. They go into the marriage secretly in name only, (no one knows) and H tells h he’ll have a mistress (Rose) and she’s free to date whomever. Most of the Rose parts are fade to black and not graphic, but he does visit her a few times and we’re told they had sex repeatedly. Including hours before the wedding. During this time, the h goes on dates, throws herself at him constantly, and doesn’t really seem bothered he’s sexing Rose. There’s a lot of back and forth, Rose is in the mix until late in the book, and the h has a few OM. I’m not sure if she has intercourse with them but makes out and had at least one go down on her. (hide spoiler)]
Story 2 is Falling for My Husband which I believe is only available (outside of this collection) in paperback. It’s another arranged marriage via promise to a loved one, but this one isn’t as crazy… and I thought the characters were more likable. You can find that review here….
Bottom Line- I liked this one better than The Guardian because Stella was MUCH more likable than Giselle. There’re also less OW/OM shenanigans but plenty of drama-llama. It’s still soap on steroids but didn’t feel as nutso as that book. (although I felt it dragged a smidge too long) The ex -GF causes some OW drama but most of the conflict comes from Cal sorting out his man feelings.
Safety(view spoiler)[- After they have sex, Cal suggests a sex only relationship and Stella turns him down, and leaves with the expectation that things will revert to them living separate lives. (she actually said she might get back with Derek) Sometime after, she has second thoughts and visits his home walking in on him banging another chick. The two eventually start sleeping together, but Cal tells her it can only be physical. (but they are living together) Later Zara comes on the scene and he kisses her. Stuff happens, they separate… during the separation he isn’t with others, but she dates some. (hide spoiler)]
Story 3, 4, & 5 are her Manzo serial set/ Formula Men Series… Manzo, Nice, & Barcelona that are available together in a bundle ebook.... but I didn’t read those.
This is another arranged marriage via favor of a loved one and somewhat similar to The Guardian. Callum is nursing a broken heart after being rejectedThis is another arranged marriage via favor of a loved one and somewhat similar to The Guardian. Callum is nursing a broken heart after being rejected by his lady love Zara (she married his dad two weeks before their planned elopement) when he gets an urgent call from his best friend Richard. He’s dying and wants Cal to marry his 18-yr-old sister (Stella) in name only with an expiration date to protect her/be her guardian.
Then we FFW several years with Stella breaking up with her bf (Derek) and Cal participating in 6-week dalliances. (his heart is dead) Stella requests Cal to deflower her to fulfill a promise to her dead mother (waiting until marriage) because she wants to move on. He eventually agrees and starts the push/pull 〰️ back-and-forth that goes until the end.
Bottom Line- I liked this one better than The Guardian because Stella was MUCH more likable than Giselle. There’re also less OW/OM shenanigans but plenty of drama-llama. It’s still soap on steroids but didn’t feel as nutso as that book. (although I felt it dragged a smidge too long) The ex -GF causes some OW drama but most of the conflict comes from Cal sorting out his man feelings.
Safety(view spoiler)[- After they have sex, Cal suggests a sex only relationship and Stella turns him down, and leaves with the expectation that things will revert to them living separate lives. (she actually said she might get back with Derek) Sometime after, she has second thoughts and visits his home walking in on him banging another chick. The two eventually start sleeping together, but Cal tells her it can only be physical-no promises or commitments. (but they are living together) Later Zara comes on the scene and he kisses her. Life happens, they separate… during the separation he isn’t with others, but she dates around some.
I don’t read a lot of the newer HP stuff because I feel they’re typically (in my experience) tamer/more realistic/better developed which is great if yI don’t read a lot of the newer HP stuff because I feel they’re typically (in my experience) tamer/more realistic/better developed which is great if you’re reading for romance, but not awesome if you prefer the old school/whacktastic vibes of ridiculousness where h’s survived on breadcrusts and were mowed down by wild ponies.
This brings a bit of the vintage tropes with an evil look-alike sister, a 15-month coma, and amnesia. The only issue is that we (the reader) know exactly what the deal is, so you’re sitting around waiting for everyone to catch up.
![Falling For The Wife [A Push & Pull Billionaire Collection]](https://cdn.statically.io/img/i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1662518138l/62323314._SY75_.jpg)
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