Customer Reviews

The Shy Bride (Harlequin Presents)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Years ago Cassandra was a much celebrated music prodigy and forced to play the piano every night. But she never enjoyed playing in front of audiences even though she loves her music. Since her parents died she has been living withdrawn in her own world and has stopped public performances. But once a year she gives others the chance to share her joy for music. The highest bidder in a charity auction wins one year of private piano lessons with Cassandra.
This year self-made billionaire and workaholic Neo Stamos is given the possibility of piano classes with Cassandra. Neo got the lessons as a gift from his best friend Zephyr in order to get a break from work and find some relaxation and fun.
From the first moment there is something special between Neo and Cassandra even though they come from different worlds. Shy and sweet Cassandra is shocked by her feelings for Neo and he is also suprised by the strong emotions that develop between them. Over time their relationship changes from friends to lovers and everything could be perfect. Cassandra wants a future together with Neo but isn't sure if he is able to believe in their love.

I enjoyed reading "The shy bride" a lot, especially because it's different compared to most books by Harlequin. The story concentrates on the relationship between Neo and Cassandra without rushing through it. They get the chance to become friends and fall in love without any haste or drama and I really enjoyed this aspect of the book. The love story is really sweet and lovely and both Neo and Cassandra are great characters. I also enjoyed reading about Zephyr and I'm already excited for his book.
So all in all I think "The Shy Bride" is a great and lovely book and once again Lucy Monroe made me feel happy through one of her books.

The Shy Bride by Lucy Monroe was a beautifully crafted contemporary romance, the first in a two book series. The reader was introduced not just to one but two amazing Greek billionaires.

Neo Stamos and Zephyr Nikos became friends in a Greek orphanage, ran away together at age fourteen to work on a ship and in their early twenty's went into business together and became multi-billionaires. What was more important was they were brother's of the heart, and fiercely loyal to each other. When Neo's GP told him to slow down, Zephyr at a charity Seattle auction, bought his friend piano lessons for a year from the very talented Cassandra Baker but Neo being the workaholic he was tried to get out of them. However, a bet was the deal breaker so Neo went to his first lesson at the pianist home, the very same artist he listened to in his penthouse most nights. Before Neo began his first piano lesson, he had his staff research Cass and they found out Cass had agoraphobic tendencies. He was amazed after a few lessons how much he enjoyed her, so much so, they actually became friends.

Cassandra Elliott had lived her entire life for her parents and her music. At age three it was discovered she had an incredible musical talent playing the piano. Because she was so very talented, she was forced by her parents to perform at concerts all over the world. She lived for her ailing mother, and when she died, she let her father and her manager rule her life and manage her career. They both insisted she was to continue the concert circuit. A life that eventually debilitated her. After her father died, she had no one, no friends, never dated and on top of that at age twenty-nine, she was a virgin and an agoraphobic.

Cass and Neo's relationship changed when the press found out about Neo's lessons. There was almost a breach in her home security when the press stormed and pounded on her doors and windows. Because he actually liked her as a friend, he took matters into his own hands and paid for a security home renovation. At first Cass objected but then she agreed because she actually trusted Neo and also she also felt attraction for him. After a few kisses everything changed especially when she staid at his penthouse while her security system was being installed. They shared so much in such a short time and then it happened, their relationship went from friendship to the next level......they became lovers.

While I loved Cass and could sympathize how selfish her family and concert manager were, plus her being agoraphobic I wondered while reading the last few chapters could she find happiness with this proud, sexy and accomplished billionaire? Would yet her heart be once again broken?

"For the first time in years, Cass felt like she was living not existing through her music." Can you even imagine that? This wonderful Greek man was so patient with her, tried to make so many things special for her. So just when you think they had a chance, Cass overhears Neo and Zee talking about their relationship and everything falls apart for her. Or did it?

Did Neo love her? How could he recognize love when his very own parents abandoned him as a child? The only bond and trusting feelings he had were for his friend Zee. However, he also realized if he didn't have Cass in his life it wouldn't be worth living so in the end, of course Neo loved Cass. Neo had denied what others took for granted, love and family.

The Shy Bride was a sweet and warm romance and I loved how author Lucy Monroe tied the story into Cass's agoraphobic condition. This author does that from time to time, and she addresses medical or personal issues that affect people and does it brilliantly. Be on the Lookout for Zephyr's story titled The Greeks's Pregnant Lover.

You have to judge this kind of Harlequin novel by a different set of rules - so distinct are they in style. It's not my favourite line, but The Shy Bride came with many recommendations and I couldn't help myself.

The blurb tries its best to make this book sound as Scandalous! and Outrageous! as the other books with billionaires and virgins. It isn't.

The hero, Neo, is in a position of power, and possesses the arrogance that comes with that responsibility, and yet he's a good guy from the outset. I can't say that for many other billionaire heroes. He sees the heroine for who she is: a shy woman who suffers from agoraphobia, but a woman who is fascinating and talented and fun to be around. As much as he wants her, he seeks her friendship first.

I like more softly-spoken heroines, and I liked Cassandra's approach to life and enjoyed the way she struggled to overcome her issues. I also love that she didn't transform into a different person by the end. Her friendship and later relationship with Neo was wonderful to read about.

Of course this is a category novel, which means there're certain rigid rules for how the plot is structured, but the author found ways around this that made for an excellent, very satisfying read.

A cute romance. There's not a lot of drama or conflict in this one, but I didn't mind. I was in a mood for something fluffy. I liked how Neo, the main male character, strongly values his friendship with Cass. That was nice to see. I also found it intriguing that Cass is agoraphobic. I don't know if agoraphobia is presented accurately here, but I thought it was good twist to her character. I also liked that Cass isn't completely helpless and shy around Neo. She's actually quite blunt with him at times, which can be pretty funny. For instance, she says to him "Sucks to be you" at one point. Ha.

There were also some cute moments like when they go piano shopping together and when Cass tells Neo that she had never been kissed before, and Neo kisses Cass again to give her a more meaningful, special kiss than their previous one, which was more on the whim.

Sometimes the interactions between Neo and Cass seem a little stiff, but I thought maybe it was due to having these two awkward characters.

Overall, I just gotta say I enjoyed this book.

This is one of the sweetest, most sincere love stories I've read in a long, long time. Too often, these books race along and, because of their length, don't allow any time for readers to wrap their mind around why two people are supposedly drawn to each other -- other than the old stand-by, lust. I always wonder in that fictitious part of my brain whether most of these characters would still be together say, 15, 20 years down the road.

In this story, Lucy Monroe introduces us to two characters who genuinely grow to like and love each other. It helps that they're both very nice people -- also an oddity for Presents books. Yes, there's a physical attraction, but that really pales in comparison to the love, companionship and support they give each other. So many real-life romances and relationships work because each person makes the other one a better, more complete and happier version of themselves. That's the basis of this story.

As reviewers have pointed out, there isn't any of the high-edge drama leading to love everlasting, but it would have been totally out of place in this story. These two were interesting enough in their own right and had a strong, believable connection between them physically, mentally and emotionally. It didn't need any artificial angst.

Nicely done. I'm looking forward to the second book.

The Shy Bride By Lucy Monroe is a compelling story that will touch your heart and move your spirit.

Cassandra Baker has lived a quiet secluded life with the music she shares with the world. After the death of her parents she gladly gave up touring to promote her songs. Cass was never comfortable around strangers and working from home suited her just fine. That is until charismatic tycoon Neo Stamos wins a years worth of piano lessons from her.

Neo Stamos has risen over his humble beginnings to become a major player in the financial world. He and his business partner Zephyr Nikos have forged a strong relationship in and out of the office. When Zephyr places the winning bid on the lessons as a gift to Neo, Neo can't refuse. Neo may grumble that he has no time for lessons but his tune sure changes when he meets Cassandra.

Cassandra is quietly drawn to this arrogant tycoon. He slowly draws her out of her shell. He shows her that together they can face anything.

Cassandra and Neo's story is very sweet and passionate. Cassandra learns that she can break out of her sheltered world and knows Neo will be there to catch her if she falls. Neo's world expands beyond business and makes him a better man.

I would highly recommend The Shy Bride. I think we all at some point felt the shyness and being out of step that Cassandra feels. Neo is just the right mix of confidence and caring to enrich her world. Lucy Monroe's books are packed with deep emotion and searing passions. I know I can count on a story that will enrich my life as well as her characters.

I have a thing for Greek tycoons. I do. I totally do!

I studied Art History and Philosophy in Greece and I never once met a tycoon. It was tragic! The closest I have ever been to a Greek tycoon is via my romance novels.

The Shy Bride is my most favorite Greek tycoon romance novel by far!

Why is this my favorite Greek tycoon romance ever? Because. Because Lucy Monroe lets Cass and Neo's relationship develop. They start as strangers, become friends and eventually lovers. We get to see the natural progression of their love.

The Shy Bride made my heart happy. My heart often craves the simple beauty and happiness that a truly good romance can bring. If yours does too, The Shy Bride is available for North American readers at Amazon for pre-order with a July 2010 release date.

What i loved about Lucy Monroe's M&B books were that the men were alpha and posessive, they would somehow stuff up (big time) and the heroine COULD hold a grudge, so the hero would have to make things right and beg or do whatever had to be done to get the heroine back.

This all went smoothly with a tiny hiccough at the end that the heroine forgave in two seconds. There were times when i sat there thinking are they ever going to get together? then when they did i waited in vain for some big misunderstanding...

If you like your romances to run smoothly then this is your book, but if you're like me and have some perverse pleasure in the pain of the main characters and how they resolve the situation then look to her earlier works.

For a long time I have been somewhat disappointed in the series romance. Many of the books are not well developed, lack true humanity, and many of the women get on my nerves expecting men to be something they are not. Lucy Monroe has restored my faith in what a Harlequin Romance can be. The characters were real and well developed. Its embarrassing to sit in the hair salon and cry but that is what I did while reading this book. Ms. Monroe thank you very much for a wonderful read. I wish more writers would take a page from how well this book is written and act on it.

Deana Harris

I'm delighted to agree with all the positive reviews, especially having also just read Monroe's, The Scorsolini Marriage Bargain, one of the worst romances ever.
The recipe for success here is in the ingredients: a heroine of great musical ability who's been shaped by her father into a terrified recluse whose only friends are on-line and a hero who's created himself into a workaholic tycoon with no friends except his business partner (who rates his own book, I hope). The sweet story of their meeting and becoming friends and, eventually, lovers is full of small and meaningful surprises and so different from the majority of formulaic so-called romances. For once, the story makes sense because the characters are emotionally accurate in so many ways.