Customer Reviews

The Greek's Pregnant Lover (Harlequin Presents)

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

 

 

"The Greek's Pregnant Lover" wasn't nearly as tender and natural as the first book in the set, "The Shy Bride," but it was still a really good read. The characters are interesting and, in more traditional Harlequin fashion, have a lot of emotional miles on them that were gathered in the conventional sense: Piper still recovering from an unfaithful ex-husband and Zephyr walled off because of his childhood. Even those background stories, though, held more depth and development than most Harlequin story lines.

The only reason I was mildly disappointed in this book (and it was MILD) is because the first one was simply so wonderful. (And, yes, I realize that's a lousy reason to be "disappointed" in a book, but I've re-read "The Shy Bride" at least three times already).

This book was fine: The writing was nice, the characters compelling, the setting beautiful... All of that was expected, and Lucy Monroe delivered. One thing that always irritates me (again, mild) when readers are brought in on relationships already in progress is that we don't get to see as much of the natural progression in a couple's personality. In this case, Lucy Monroe did a good job showing us -- not just telling -- why these two people were and continue to be drawn together.

A very nice story.

Lucy Monroe has written a very sensual, moving and spectacular romance with The Greek's Pregnant Lover. Spectacular doesn't even begin to describe this no strings fling and I wondered if there would be a ring?

Childhood friends Zephyr and Neo met in a Greek orphanage, and left Greece at a very young age on a freighter and headed for Seattle where they as young men made their billions in real estate. We met Neo in The Shy Bride, Lucy's first book and now this story is about the hard Greek Zephyr Nikos and his interior designer Piper Madison, his "friend with benefits", his lover and his sincere friend. Zephyr knew someday he would probably marry but it definitely wouldn't be for love, because love hurt and he had learned that as a very small child when his mother left him at an orphanage and left a life of prostitution and her husband who was her pimp for another man who offered her marriage. He begged her not to leave him but she did. Because of that he forged such a deep friendship with Neo and they bonded as not only business partners but as dear friends and brothers! He also developed a deep friendship with Piper, he enjoyed her beauty, personality and had respect for her as a designer and for her developing her new business. However, the had been separated for well over a month and he missed her. Now she was coming to Greece so they could work on an exclusive resort/spa project on a private island.

Piper grew up moving from city to city because her father was in the military and her deepest dream was to someday have love and a permanent home. She knew deep down because of a failed marriage and now being with Zephyr that it would probably not happen but she also realized while in Greece she loved him. After suffering a painful divorce from a cheating husband and having her reputation trashed by him. She was forced to leave New York and move to Seattle to start over. Zephyr had given her a second chance by hiring her which gave her to open her own design business.

Piper and Zephyr spent some down time alone in Greece just enjoying each other. She also realized in Greece after he revealed the secrets of his past and trust me they were upsetting, that he would never love her. Piper was on the "patch" so when they ran out of contraption, they both agreed it was OK not to use any. However, days later when taking a shower she realized it had gone missing.....what a mess and could she be pregnant. It definitely was nothing they intended. He trusted friendship very much and she couldn't' understand if she was pregnant why he wouldn't trust that a marriage would work. However, he knew he could not give her something she made clear and that would be love. So off they go to the private island and wait to see if she is expecting his child.

There was one thing for sure while on the island it was intense. However they had a very successful business trip and then returned to Seattle. She promised after seeing her OB-Gyn to see if she was pregnant she would call but a week went by and no word. He had time to think and he was NOT going to be a part time father and he was not going to beg her to marry him. He was determined she would accept and he went crazy when he couldn't't find her. But one thing was clear, he begged his mother once not to leave him, to love him and he would never do that again or would he?

Their pasts definitely shaped their future, plus their friendship, their deep and powerful passion for each other. My heart ached for Zephyr because deep down I knew he loved Piper because besides Neo, she actual got him and deep down he knew it! The ending of The Greek's Pregnant Lover was so very intense and moving it broke my heart learning of this proud Greek's feelings and his turmoil. And my heart broke for Piper because she loved him so. This book will remain on my keeper shelf, along with the other Lucy Monroe's incredible and amazing love stories......thanks Lucy!

Self-made millionaire Zephyr Nikos refuses to love anyone since his mother left him at an orphanage when he was a young boy. His relationship with interior designer Piper Madison is perfect; they are friends with benefits. When Piper gets pregnant, Zephyr does the right thing, but Piper wants more than commitment from him, she wants his heart, something Zephyr swore never to give anyone.

Zephyr is adamant that he doesn't love Piper, and that he won't ever love anyone, so it takes him a long time to realize that he's found the perfect woman for him. Piper is successful, sexy, and independent, and she's fallen hard for Zephyr. She eventually admits her feelings to herself and then to him, but Zephyr's repeated and blunt refusal to love is heartbreaking. Zephyr's feelings are portrayed genuinely. You can feel his determination and need to keep his emotional distance from Piper. Piper's emotions are just as tangible and strong. Zephyr's capitulation is anticipated, but a bit anticlimactic. At the same time, it's when you see how perfect they are together. The Greek's Pregnant Lover is a sensual romance with real emotion.

Nannette
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Lucy Monroe's The Greek's Pregnant Lover is an exceptional story about love and what we are willing to fight for in a relationship.

Zephyr Nikos has forged a name for himself in the business world. He is strong willed and knows what he wants. His relationship with his business decorator has under gone some major changes. It started out as a friendship with Piper Madison and soon turned into friends with benefits. Now it seems even Zephyr wants more and that is something he doesn't think he is able to give to any woman.

Piper Madison marriage ended badly, her former husband ran around on her and also ran her good business name into the ground. She moved across the country to start over. Piper didn't think her business relationship with Zephyr would led to the place she finds herself. Piper is willing to take a chance again on love but can she make Zephyr see that he is worth loving.

Piper and Zephyr's relationship hit's a major bump when Piper becomes pregnant. Will they be able to work through this living changing event and find something worth treasuring?

The Greek's Pregnant Lover is a story that will resonant with anyone who has falling in love at a different rate then their partner. Piper and Zephyr start out on different levels with their relationships but they soon work to come out on top. It was especially sweet to visit again with Neo Stamos and Cassandra Baker, Zephyr's friend and business partner. The Greek's Pregnant Lover is another keeper from Lucy Monroe.

From the back cover:

Self-made billionaire Zephyr Nikos has come a long way from the streets of Athens, but his heart is stone-cold--like marble. He can't offer Piper Madison his love; instead he offers her his world--fine dining, private jet, rubbing shoulders with the rich and powerful....

As their desire heats up and finally reaches boiling point, Zephyr and Piper must end their affair before one of them gets hurt. There's just one small complication...Piper's pregnancy test just came back positive!

The Greek's Pregnant Lover is the sequel to The Shy Bride (Harlequin Presents)

I absolutely adored The Shy Bride (Harlequin Presents) and have re-read it several times. The Greek's Pregnant Lover is an awesome follow up. While The Shy Bride (Harlequin Presents) felt more tender and had a wonderfully natural progression, The Greek's Pregnant Lover (Harlequin Presents) is classic Harlequin Presents. It has one very important distinction from others in this genre, however. The hero and heroine actually communicate. I KNOW!

It is so incredibly refreshing to have two contemporary romances within a series that have originality within the genre. Sure, in real life romance often builds over time and couples communicate openly. In. Real. Life. In Harlequin Presents? Not so much.

Often series romances run together in my mind and I have a difficult time recollecting the titles, characters and which plot goes with which character. Not so with The Shy Bride (Harlequin Presents) and The Greek's Pregnant Lover (Harlequin Presents). I'll remember these two books and how they touched my heart with their genuineness.

I give high praise to Lucy Monroe for daring to be different. Don't miss either of these books. Seriously!

The set up, super sexy billionaire meets super sexy young woman, instant sparkage. Then a bunch of obvious stuff happens and wham! Baby on board! I guess now that I'm a mother myself, I find it hard to believe that a young woman with little to no money or prospects would run off without telling her super sexed billionaire about the imminent baby bundle.

Babies are expensive, how in the world will she make it without help? She at least needs a little in the way of child support.

So with thoughts of daycare, diapers and child support running through my head the main character Piper's stubborn refusal to share the glad news was kinda annoying, but not a complete showstopper.

Here's what did ruin the book for me, almost half of the romancing, the first meeting, the first kiss and sex happened BEFORE the story starts! I really hate that. I want to read about the initial flirtation, the swoon-y first kiss, etc. Without this, I just don't find the romance very romantic.

Not my kind of romance.

Here are two Lucy Monroe books I liked better; Hired: The Sheik's Secretary Mistress and Moon Burning.

3 out of 5 stars, it was a good book but not as good as the previous book I've read of hers. Plus, it was a little unbelievable how accepting the main characters were to their circumstances and how easily they handled them. *shrug*

Review By: From Me to You ... Book Reviews
(read more of this review and a teaser on my blog)