Customer Reviews

Bachelor's Bought Bride (Silhouette Desire)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Heiress Bree Kincannon is the sort of woman who blends into the background. While she attends many functions at her father's side she's never asked to dance and for the most part goes unnoticed by the jet set crowd. She really doesn't mind since she'd prefer to be at home with her cats or behind the lens of a camera snapping photographs. At twenty-nine years old it looks like Bree's well on her way to becoming a spinster and the only person who's dissatisfied with her single status seems to be her father, venture capitalist Elliot Kincannon.

Gavin Spencer is an advertising executive with Maddox Communications but he has dreams of starting his own agency and the incentive Bree's father is offering if he marries her would make the leap from employee to employer so much easier. There's no denying that Elliot's monetary enticement is a huge temptation but Gavin is pleasantly surprised to discover that Bree has all the traits he'd like in a wife. She's witty, talented, smart, beautiful (in an understated way) and he's physically attracted to her. He could have it all, but only if he's very careful, he's sure Bree wouldn't appreciate knowing about her father's stunning offer.

At first Bree's overwhelmed by Gavin's interest in her but figures he's only being polite. His attentive nature and quick smile quickly disarm her and she has a wonderful evening playing Belle of the Ball even if she is wearing a rather dowdy dress. Bree's quite certain that she'll never hear from him again once they part ways that evening but Gavin surprises her by actually courting her. He invites her out on dates and introduces her to friends and co-workers and Bree discovers a whole new confidence and pleasure in being accepted as she is - even though she does get a makeover. What Bree can't figure out is why Gavin is bothering with her; if he's romantically interested in her wouldn't he at least try to kiss her?

By the time Gavin does make his move, Bree's positive that he's the perfect man for her so she doesn't quibble with his plans for a future and a no-nonsense wedding. But her ideas of happily-ever-after may come crashing down around her when she learns that Gavin received money in exchange for marrying her.

Jennifer Lewis' writing always seems to contain a zest for life and passion that resonates and draws in readers. In BACHELOR'S BOUGHT BRIDE we're thrust into a romantic situation that ethically we know could result in a great deal of emotional pain for Bree. It's impossible not to get caught up in her hopes and dreams and pray that Gavin doesn't break her heart. I genuinely enjoyed reading about Bree and Gavin's courtship and how she takes such great pleasure in introducing him to San Francisco through her eyes. I have to confess I got a huge kick out of the drama that goes down once Bree learns about the payoff. This book has it all - a stellar romance, a hint of suspense, plenty of `ah ha' moments, loveable characters and an emotional apology that had me sighing in pleasure.

Other titles in the KINGS OF THE BOARDROOM miniseries are:
BOSSMAN'S BABY SCANDAL by Catherine Mann - January 2010
EXECUTIVE'S PREGNANCY ULTIMATUM by Emilie Rose - February 2010
BILLIONAIRE'S CONTRACT ENGAGEMENT by Maya Banks - March 2010
MONEY MAN'S FIANCÉE NEGOTIATIONS by Michelle Celmer - April 2010
And
CEO'S EXPECTANT SECRETARY by Leanne Banks - June 2010

Also, be sure to keep an eye out for Jennifer Lewis' new series coming out in 2011 called the ROYAL REBELS. I was just reading through the blurbs for each of the stories in the series and they sound positively delectable.

Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)

Bree Kincannon had always been sceptical of men because it only meant one thing, they were after her inheritance. She had been involved with a couple of men but most people found her dull and plain. So on the evening of a benefit she was attending with her father, she was blown away because a handsome advertising account executive paid attention to her, more than attention, he spent the evening with her dancing and getting to know her. Now three weeks later after dating and spending time with each other, Gavin Spencer takes it to the next level, they make love and then out of the blue, he proposes and sets up a wedding with only the two of them a few days later.

Gavin Spencer as a young man went against his military father and went in a career direction that he wanted, advertising. He was good at it and worked at one of the top firms. However, his goal and dream were to have his own firm, run his business his own way and when he was approached by a man who offered him one million dollars to court and marry his daughter, he agreed. What he didn't count on is that this sweet woman would worm her way into his life and in a few short weeks he would enjoy her, make her his life partner and look forward to it, plus their passion was a bonus. He genuinely liked her, enjoyed being with her.

A few days after their wedding everything explodes for Bree as she hears her father's voicemail to her new husband and learns of their deceit. However, she's determined to get through it somehow, maybe make him fall in love with her? But for Gavin, being married gives him a "foundation". However, he felt guilty for taking her father's money but that was the only way he could start up his own business.

Bree was an excellent photographer and had won awards and had the opportunity to photograph a well known actor and her photos were good. Now her husband wanted her to photograph a new client of his, a well respected jeweler and she wanted the opportunity but she also wanted revenge.

So I wondered how the author would play out the revenge. Poor Bree considered herself a fool for loving Gavin. I knew Bree meant more to Gavin than the money, because in the end, the tables were turned and he actually loved and respected Bree! Could they find their way back? It would take this strong and proud alpha male to pull it off and he did it in ways one won't believe. Because at the end of the day, Gavin truly loved Bree!

While reading this wonderful love story, I kept thinking of love at first sight and my own courtship and marriage. Can it happen? You bet, it did for me. So I could only hope while reading Bachelor's Bought Bride that Bree and Gavin would get their happy ending as well. Of course they did and it was a beautiful ending thanks to Jennifer Lewis.

The very strong message from the author was where ever your love was it felt like home! Childhood memories didn't mean a thing, because after meeting Gavin it was all about him, to be with him, to share everything. Could this really be real? In the end, it was about love, believing in your partner, forgiveness and understanding which made for an amazing romance.

Jen's website:
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Behind the Book

Bachelor's Bought Bride is part of the Kings of the Boardroom miniseries, set in and around a boutique advertising agency in San Francisco. Gavin is a successful advertising executive, but has long dreamed of opening his own agency. When he approaches renowned investor Elliott Kincannon for money to fund his start up, the older man comes back with a bizarre yet intriguing proposition.

Life hasn't been easy for Bree Kincannon, despite the millions she inherited on her mother's death. Her father is cold and demanding, and thinks little of her dreams and achievements. He'd have preferred an empty-headed social butterfly, not a retiring photographer. She'd love to get married and have children, but dealing with money-hungry sharks, more interested in her fortune than in her, has soured her on men. Then Gavin comes along...

The last reader who reviewed this book did a detailed discussion of the plot so I will not rehash it very much. I will just say that I have been following the Kings of the Boardroom series and that connected storyline and even though Gavin was not one of the characters I really liked, I had hopes for the book. 2 stars because I felt like the characters were poorly developed and I really disliked the hero and his actions and nothing the author wrote to try to redeem him worked for me.

The bare bones of the plot: Gavin agreed to accept 1 million dollars from Bree's father to get her to marry Gavin and get her off her dad's hands. He starts dating her and she transforms from an unfashionable wallflower into a sexy stylish woman. He marries her and she finds out about the money. He then realizes he loves her and may have lost her.

First, the book repeatedly discussed that Bree had her own money and was rich and her father apparently doted on her even though he was critical of some of her choices. There was no reason given why Bree was such a fashion disaster or why she had such a poor self image. Then whammo- she goes shopping and she is a beautiful sexy confident woman. Why was she such a disaster all along? She had lots of friends and lots of money. She knew she was a disaster and wanted to do something even before Gavin came along. There is no explanation why she never sought help or did anything or went shopping for fashionable clothes. And she is 29 years old! Her character prior to meeting Gavin is not well developed. Despite this, the author does a good job with showing Bree's confusion and emotions when she finds out about Gavin accepting the money and detailing her actions and decisions after the revelation. You get to understand why she does what she does.

I know that this is a Silhouette romance so there has to be a happily ever after but I never could get past what Gavin did and I never felt like he really loved Bree for herself. I kept waiting for a great revelation where I could say "aha, he really does love her" but I never found it. His actions seemed phony and self-serving to me throughout the entire book even when he was proclaiming his love. And, I felt like the sex scenes were forced. All I kept thinking was "here he goes having sex for money". I was never swept away with the romance of it all.

One other thing- this book is part of a series so the other characters of the series had to be included and that story (business espionage) had to be included. I did not think that the author seamlessly included these characters or the plot of the series. The storyline felt shoe horned in and such major portions of that plot were dropped in that it was a little confusing where the author was going with it in relation to her own story. It really felt like the author was forced to add stuff in and just threw it in without worrying about her own plot. This author would have been better to stick to keeping the other characters in the background with minor references and not have such a big chunk of the next book's plot (I assume) appearing here. But maybe this was not her decision.

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

Bree Kincannon is a shy quiet wallflower who believes no man could be interested in her for anything besides her bank account. When at a gala affair, Gavin Spencer suddenly takes an interest in her, she can't believe that she has found someone who likes her for herself, not her money... or has she?

Gavin has a dream of opening his own advertising agency but lacks the funds to do so. When Bree's father offers him a million dollars to marry her, Gavin is happy to oblige since it means he can realize his dream. He is pleasantly surprised to find that Bree is more than just a bank account. She's a beautiful, passionate woman with amazing talent as well.

After a whirlwind affair, Bree finds herself married to Gavin and happier than she can possibly imagine. Until she overhears a phone call that shatters all her dreams. Now Gavin finds his greatest challenge yet is to win back the heart of the Bachelor's Bought Bride.

As always, Jennifer Lewis has penned a romantic love story full of emotion and believable conflict. I'll admit, I normally skip "marriage of convenience" stories just because I find it hard to believe that this happens so frequently in today's society. However, as with previous books, in Bachelor's Bought Bride, Jennifer has taken a well used premise and added her own brand of magic to give us a refreshingly new story. With a strong plot showcasing two wonderful flawed but loveable people who will have readers cheering for them immediately upon meeting them.

Bree has little self-confidence due to believing herself so unattractive and uninteresting that no man could possibly want her for anything more than her money. When she starts her relationship with Gavin, we see her blossom into the lovely flower that she is. She is highly intelligent, greatly talented in her chosen profession, and underneath her fade-into-the-background clothing is a beautiful and sensual woman. It is delightful to watch her personality and confidence grow with her love. Gavin is a man with only one desire... to build his own advertising agency set to rival the most successful firms out there. When he meets Bree, we see his priorities change to focus on his developing relationship with Bree. His new priorities are reinforced when he loses the one who has come to mean more to him than anything else. Gavin and Bree are meant to be together though their road to love is anything but smooth.

Bachelor's Bought Bride is the fifth book in the Kings of the Boardroom six-book continuity series. While there are a few references to preceding books in the series, I had absolutely no difficulty following this story or the overarching plot carrying through the entire series. Enough back story is given where needed to bring new readers of the series up to speed on events.

Jennifer Lewis has become a much-loved author by me, as I have followed her career from her very first book. Every new novel she releases showcases her continuously growing talent and her ability to paint beautiful landscapes populated with beloved characters. With Bachelor's Bought Bride she further cements herself on my "favorite authors" book shelf.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, May 2010. All rights reserved.