5.0 out of 5 stars
started out bad ended wonderful, March 29, 2011
So if you have read the other reviews for this book you saw that most of the reviewers did not like this book. There is some credence to what they write. The hero of the story Prince Maximo is so very harsh in the beginning of the book (and really he stays that way for most of the book) and Lucy does let him run her life to a degree. However, I think that the author does a wonderful job of showing the growth of Lucy and her character development. I loved this story because of her. As the reader, you really feel for Lucy. You want to cry with her and cheer for her. Maximo was a jerk, but its a harlequin romance that's typical and to be expected.The reason's for Maximo's revenge do finally come out at the end of the book and I thought they were pretty solid, if not a little rushed through in the description. Lucy on the other hand does everything she does for her baby. She puts Chloe first through the whole book and I thought that was wonderful. She had fallen in love was a horrible man who broke her heart and denies that he is Chloe's father and after he left Lucy she promises that she will never fall in love again. Maximo does sweep in and save Lucy from a bad place in life, a place where she has to work two and three part time jobs to get by, never having enough money for anything. Maximo comes into Lucy's life promising 30 million dollars to become his wife for three months. He does this for revenge against Lucy's grandfather and ex-boyfriend, but she does not know this at the time. She thinks that she is completely alone in life destine to be poor, that is until this unknown man comes in and offers her an opportunity of a lifetime. She agrees to Maximo's plans but once they are back in Italy Maximo's plans become all the more clear and lies about who Lucy is and what Maximo really want start to come out. Through the whole book Lucy's morals and character shine through. She it totally lovable and yes even though Maximo is so very cruel throughout most of the book it is not really directed at Lucy. He is actually really nice to her and treats her really well. That is were a lot of the conflict comes into play because Lucy has such a difficult time meshing the man who is so cruel to a dieing man (her unknown grandfather) and the man who treats her as though he loves her.
There was a lot of back story that weaves in and out of the book but that aside this book was wonderful. I know that there are those who don't like the typical Harlequin Heroes who throw their money around just to get revenge and are supper mean but if you know that going into it and know what to expect this book is very very very very good.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
A Cinderella Story, February 28, 2010
This review is from: Italian Prince, Wedlocked Wife (Harlequin Presents) (Mass Market Paperback)
Most definitely a Cinderella story literally from rags to wealth beyond imagine for Lucy Abbott and her daughter Chloe. Add revenge, desire and mystery; it's an incredible love story and journey as wonderfully written by author Jennie Lucas.
For most of her life Lucy and her mother lived from payday to payday and moved from town to town. Her mother died at an early age leaving Lucy to survive in foster care. Now on top of everything else, Lucy finds herself nearly destitute trying to support herself and an infant. She's working at a gas station convenience store, with a letch for a boss, working more than one job just to support them. On top of everything else, the father of her child denies his paternity and wants nothing to do with either of them.
Lucy is determined to provide and care for Chloe and will go to any lengths to do so. As one will learn she is a woman of honour and extreme strength and wants the family she never experienced for her daughter and herself. A father for Chloe is at the top of her list since she never knew her own father nor experienced the warmth of family.
The handsome and wealthy Prince Maximo has a grudge and seeks revenge. He returns to the US and has a plan, one in which will benefit him in a business sense but it all revolves around Lucy. He sits waiting to make his move, gets Lucy fired from her job, takes Lucy and Chloe to his hotel and in the end forces Lucy to sign documents with the pretence she will get revenge from her daughter's father. He takes them with him to his palace in Italy and guarantees her security and financial support in return for the signed documents. Unknown to her, she is giving up more than she's aware and you will be shocked to learn the truth.
The Italian Prince, Wedlocked Wife is an amazing love story full of lust, lies, deceit and revenge. It's also about healing, coming home and the true lessons that money isn't everything. Maximo with his blindness for revenge softens when he actually gets to know Lucy and Chloe. He is brought to his knees and your heart will melt when you read how love creeps into his heart. Jennie Lucas's talent shines through in this very intense and beautiful love story!
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2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best romance novel this year, February 15, 2009
This review is from: Italian Prince, Wedlocked Wife (Harlequin Presents) (Mass Market Paperback)
I disagree with the previous reviewer. The story is compelling, although you always have to take romance novels with a grain of salt. Romance novels by their very definition are a means of escapism, so they are not meant to be completely realistic. The main characters' interactions were smouldering. The ending could have been better, but what romance novel can you find that doesn't have its share of explanations for how and why the characters feel the way they do? It's standard Harlequin, but I could not put this one down.
PS: Finally, a story where the woman is not a virgin! That alone ought to be worth the small amount of money to own this book.
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