Customer Reviews

The Italian's Wife (A Mediterranean Marriage) (Harlequin Presents, No. 2235)

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

 

 

After leaving her hometown because her parents are embarrassed by her illegitimate child, Holly Samson travels to London to find Jeff, her child's father. Jeff promptly threatens her life and the life of little Timmie if she doesn't leave him alone. Alone and broke in London with no job skills and an infant son, Holly struggles to make it alone, but she's failing. One night, as she walks the streets of London desperate to keep her baby and find a job, she is nearly hit by a limo. She quickly pushes her son's buggy out of the way and faints to the ground.

Saverio Lombardi is stunned by the beautiful redhead he finds lying on the ground in front of his limo. Having left his apartment after catching his fiancee in a VERY comprimising situation, Rio is barely himself. He takes Holly to a private hospital where she is treated and finds himself unable, and unwilling, to let Holly out of his sight. After a night of passion, he finds himself telling the lady from Social Services he plans on marrying Holly, a statement which stuns her. They get married, but suddenly Christabel, Rio's former fiancee, reappears on the scene, determined to get Rio back. Jeff also reappears, determined to cash in on Holly newfound good luck.

Holly must now face facts and demand the answers to questions Rio would rather not answer. How much time passed between Rio's breaking up with Chrissy and his picking her up? Is their marriage based on sex or something deeper? Why does Rio refuse to talk about Chrissy? What did Ezio, Rio's bodyguard, mean when he said "Rio...well..he isn't himself."

The book is actually very very good. I was surprised at how easily I accepted the entire plot.

Rio's limo nearly runs Holly over and in the act to save her baby son, she pushes the buggy away and loses her balance. She blacksout for a few seconds but then remains her consciousness. Rio brings her to the hospital where she's looked over. Holly feels secure because after the abandonment act her parents and boyfriend did to her, here's a guy taking care of her.

In what Holly thought as an attempt to save her son from Social Services, Rio says they're engaged. When she finds out that he actually does plan to marry her, she's shocked. After all, they haven't known each other for more than a few days. She's not sure about her decision because she loves him but he says he can come to be fond of her. And what about that rumor? The one that said he was engaged to a supermodel up til an hour before he met Holly. Who dumped who?

I can never be disappointed at Graham's work. I love her heroines because they take action in how their future is going to happen. When the heroines do something, they do it with a bang> Her heros are good too because they're cutely obtuse and arrogant, enough to be the perfect match with the heroine.

From the Back Cover:
Will he take a stranger to be his wedded wife?

Abandoned her boyfriend and family after the birth of her son, Holly Sansom collapses in the street. Rio Lombardi, M.D. of Lombardi Industries, comes to her rescue.

Rio insists that Holly stay at his luxurious home, and proceeds to lavish her and her baby with all that money can buy. But Rio's emotions are caught off guard by Holly's natural charm and indifference to his wealth. In fact, Holly would make a perfect wife...

Comments:
Holly was homeless after being abandoned by her family because of her refusal to give up her son for adoption. When she went to find the father for assistance he threatened and assaulted her leaving them with no place to go. While wondering the streets (after getting her purse stolen and leaving her temporary housing due to the landlord) in the early morning she is almost hit by Rio's Limo. Rio (a billionaire and philanthropist) is so concerned for her that he ensures that she and her child are given proper medical attention and insist that they stay at his home. He also insists on marrying her even though they have only known each other a few days.

Rio only broke up with his fiancée an hour before meeting Holly, which has her questioning his state of mind and reason for their marriage. Of course there is interference from others, his ex, her ex and the skeptical mother (can't say I blame mom for being concerned about her son's actions). Leaving a party with your ex and not informing your wife first certainly wasn't a smart thing to do, but he gets what he deserves for it.

This was a very good book, yes marrying someone just days after you meet them is a bit odd, but not that much different from other HP books. It took me a while to commit to purchasing this book because I didn't want to waste my time or money, but I'm very happy I finally did buy it. The book got me from the surprising, unexpected events in the beginning and kept me reading, which is truly what a book is supposed to do.

Ok so to say this book is a little strange is a gross understatement. I like the Cinderella storyline as much as the next girl but come on!! I like reality with a little less reality. Rio the super rich drop dead gorgeous alpha Italian male who's supposed to be so smart along with handsome is a blind ass! He's engaged to be married to a super model and walks in on her and her female lover. How did he miss that, and he also missed the fact that she was an alcoholic and an addict. So, he's so upset that he runs into Holly the homeless and her kid and marries her two days later. Yeah, it was just too much for me to take along with all of the stupid thoughts running through Homeless Holly's head. It was not as bad as Ms Graham's last book but I did not like Rio. In my head I kept seeing him as fat and annoying. I didn't care much for Homeless Holly either.

Nice read Holly seems really naive but its was still a good read from start to end the beginning got you into the story and it didn't take forever to get into. The characters were likable as well.

I did like this book for the most part. I really liked how Rio looked at Timothy as his own son, and what he did for Holly was really nice. Plus, Lynne had a little bit of a twist in the beginning of the book, which really you don't see too much of in the Harlequin Presents line. So, if you are a Lynne Graham fan, I would suggest reading this book.

I really loved this book. Lynn Graham wrote an inventive story that doesn't follow the same old story line. It was a fun read.

Imagine any well-adjusted man you know proposing marriage to a complete stranger within hours of meeting her, because he's been jilted by his (heretofore unknown) lesbian fiancee? Not because he's fallen in love at first sight. Not because he's a protective alpha guy. Not, really, because she's a homeless single mom. But because he's a confused mess, and so is she. His limo knocks her down, her baby is safe in the stroller, and he takes her home & marries her. Seriously?

The premise is ridiculous, it was impossible to engage w/ the H/H because their meeting was stupidly implausible. And in Britain - no single mom *must* be homeless, starving, on the streets. Get a DNA test, make the dad pay child support. Get help for housing till you're on your feet. And why on earth would these two "love" each other? Really, a stupid book & a waste of time.

I'm a big fan of LG, but I can only remember the cover picture & the bare plot of this book & nothing else bcs. this was an utterly forgettable story....

Hero catches fiancee cheating on him (nasty cheating). Breaks up with her, picks up total stranger (and child) from the street and marries stranger instead. Whoa!

It's almost like someone else but Lynne Graham wrote this book. It's not bad, it's just weird. Graham's characters are usually memorable, and these two are not. The first word that comes to mind regarding the hero is "derranged", not "gorgeous". His behavior is just spooky. On the other hand, Graham's plots are usually standard, and this one is not. Heck, at long last, a Graham heroine that's not a virgin, nor persecuted by the hero!
The story is unbelievable... but so well-written you'll buy it... right to the end of the book. Of course, you might change your mind the following day and recycle the book. Give it a try.