Customer Reviews

The Andreou Marriage Arrangement (Harlequin Presents)

5 star:		(6)
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This book was a wonderful romance. It wasn't about forced seduction, or marraige for children or punishment. It was about two people who agreed to marry for business, however, they were always nice, caring and civil to each other. From there we learn of the heroines past, and her reasons for her fear of emotional ties. The book is good because it shows the progression of their relationship from business, to civil, to friendship and eventually love. It was a beautiful ride, and the issues they delt with were done well, and not unrealistic. There was no huge misunderstanding, no, this book was focused on the emotional advancement of the relationship between Loukas and Alesha. It was a nice change to read about their relationship and to have a hero who was so wonderful and caring. He was never mean or hurtful. Loukas was patient and kind, and then loving. He was the kind of man all women want!! Alesha's fears are also done very realistically, and the way she, and then they deal with them were very touching. All in all I say this was a different and exceptional book from Helen Bianchin and Harlequin!

Helen Bianchin has written the most amazing love story, very powerful, very intense and made me believe that love can survive all in The Andreaou Marriage Arrangement.

Alesha Karsouli had lost so much, her father and had been married for a brief . to a horrible and abusive man, a man she thought she loved and could trust. A man who was only into the marriage for what he could get, money. In order to end her marriage, she had to call her father and tell him of the abuse and he paid off her husband. And now that father who she loved and adored had passed away and had left some of his company to his best friends son, Loukas Andreou, a man with an impeccable business reputation and and quite the ladies man. A Greek rich and handsome man she in her youth had admired from afar. And now she was being forced into a marriage of convenience with Loukas. Alesha was hurt by her father's desire to see her married to Loukas plus the fact that she would have to share the helm of running the company with him.

Loukas Andreou was a handsome and successful business man and one could only assume while reading this beautifully crafted love story that he actually was looking forward to his marriage to Alesha. He had always found her attractive, smart and after his meeting with her, I believe she challenged him in and out of the boardroom and the bedroom as well. He certainly realized after they were married that he wanted her and was looking forward to having her in his bed. What he didn't count on was her past and how very afraid she was of being intimate and then with horror, he realized that she had been abused by someone and then it dawn on him, her husband.

They got off to a rocky start, but with Loukas patience and tenderness their marriage blossomed, or should I say Alesha opened up to him like a beautiful flower. They went on to Greece for business and see his family and as I read this magical love story, I absolutely couldn't put it down. Reading about their love growing, their mutual respect for each other and how they both came to realize how much they loved each other and wanted a family together was absolutely magical!

At the risk of sounding like a broken record on the selections I've read this month... this was a great book. It had all the elements of a dramatic Presents novel: emotional conflict in the heroine who escaped a harrowing marriage and is still recovering; great hero who is strong, compelling and yet a very gentle man; good storyline and settings; and two people who engage the reader from start to finish. I really enjoyed the relationship equality between these two characters. Both were very accomplished and intelligent people, in their own right. Both brought qualities to the relationship the other lacked.

Loukas's reaction to Alesha's past mistreatment was presented wonderfully; in such a situation, you couldn't have imagined a more gentle man. Watching her grow to trust him -- and herself -- was heartwarming.

And, let's face it, few other people can evoke the imagery of a simple, sweet kiss like Helen Bianchin can. That touch is great, when it's called for, and balances with the right moments to give passion a free rein, so to speak.

This story has some traditional Presents themes in that the main characters are joined in an arranged, business-like marriage. Their progression to more than that seems very natural, however, simply because they had known each other and their fathers had been friends. There wasn't any of the coercion and angst that usually comes with such a plot, which allowed the author to focus her attention on the two of them rather than taking up time getting them past some great deep-seated animosity.

I am a fan of Helen Bianchin and this one was another book that did not disappoint. I bought this as part of a bundle, so the price was fantastic!

Loukas Andreou's family and Alesha's family have been friends for a very long time. So when Alesha's father died, it was in his will that Loukas married Alesha in order to keep the family business in good hands. Alesha accepted her father's will because that company was her life after her short disastrous marriage ended. Loukas was smart and extremely savvy in business. Her father trusted him to take care of his company and his daughter. After their quick marriage, they both soon discover they are both attracted to each other. Alesha has problems with trust, intimacy and emotions, as a result of her previous marriage. Loukas likes Alesha more with every passing day they spend together. He soon wants Alesha completely, her body and soul and will do whatever it takes to get there.

Loukas was so patient, caring and understanding. The perfect husband! We could see how they were slowly falling in love with each other. The more time they spent together, the more they got to know each other, their love and respect for one another was growing. It was very touching to see how their marriage was blooming from one of convenience to one of ever lasting love. So romantic.....

I must start out by telling you that I fell in love w/the characters of this ebook. Never have I felt some much emotion when I was at the end of a story. I just wanted to re-read this again immediately after reading it. I do not give spoilers but let me tell you, you will not be disappointed w/this purchase. I am going to go and look for other books by this author!!!

I was blown away on an emotional roller coaster! I never felt the need to write a review. So many others say it all in their reviews, why bother? Except This had me crying, frustrated and in envy. I wanted to be the heroine. Her personality one I wished I possessed. The Greek tycoon every woman's nightmare, yet dream. All that could go wrong did, all that could be right was. Confusing you every second of which way this authors mind was going to take you.

Thank you for this book. My wish for reading a romance, was fulfilled beyond my unknowing expectations.