Limecello’s review of The Tycoon’s Secret Affair by Maya Banks
Contemporary romance published by Silhouette Desire on 11 Aug 2009
I’m a big fan of the category line Silhouette Desire, and I’m a fan of Maya Banks as well, so the logical conclusion would be that I should like The Tycoon’s Secret Affair as well. I’m happy to say logic once again prevails this day. The Tycoon’s Secret Affair is the third book in Ms. Banks’s Anetakis Tycoons series, and I felt that it fit in best with this line. This is my favorite Silhouette Desire book by Ms. Banks and I’m looking forward to her other books. Hopefully she writes more for this line.
Jewel Henley is an interesting character, and not your typical romance heroine, which is something I found refreshing. Yes, she gets screwed over (hey, it is still a Silhouette Desire, ok?), but the way she handles it and deals with it are very much different from your usual category heroine. Jewel falls in love with Piers well before most women would, but she doesn’t let that ruin her life. She takes a few missteps, but is more than able to competently handle any and every situation. Jewel is also willing and able to move on with her life after the fall out, and I have to admit that was one of the best parts about this book.
Piers Anetakis is an interesting character. He’s the youngest brother, but with the most baggage. I read about him in the previous two books, but I didn’t really know much about him until The Tycoon’s Secret Affair. Piers is quite likable, and very emotional. It’s almost as if he feels too much, which is why he’s now so reserved and unwilling to trust in people or emotions. Piers is entertaining, and I admit I really enjoyed his possessiveness and antics. He’s not controlling in a negative sense, just determined. He’s really sweet most of the time, and grovels admirably when he realizes he’s wrong, so I was able to forgive him his misdeeds with relative ease.
I found this book satisfying, especially with the characterizations. In terms of plot, I noticed I was ¾ of the way through or more, and I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Or at least, for the emotional conflict – I knew there would be more. It made me nervous. However, the way Jewel responded to each situation was perfect. Upon reflection, there was a lot going on in this book, but Ms. Banks lays it out in a way that the reader isn’t confused, and is constantly engaged. Piers and Jewel seem to travel all over the Western Hemisphere, which I enjoyed. The descriptions of each setting, and how they felt about it really helped develop the character’s personalities.
For once, I also like that the title is merely a hook, and the story line is based on so much more. There were a lot of great twists and turns, and I think something that stood out was that Jewel generally didn’t seem like a victim. Yes, Piers inadvertently mistreats her (well, a number of times), but Jewel is able to move past that. Extenuating circumstances are what bring her and Piers back together. Another fun aspect was the cameo appearances by the other Anetakis men and their spouses. There was a satisfying mix of romance and plot. It was nice also, that the secondary characters actually had a legitimate role in the book.
I think The Tycoon’s Secret Affair was my favorite out of Ms. Banks’s Anetakis trilogy. I’m definitely looking forward to her next new book, and I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading Silhouette Desire books, or categories. I can’t resist a hot Greek Tycoon, nor a heroine who is down on her luck, but still able to handle the situation with aplomb. While it helps to read the trilogy in order, I think each works as a stand alone story as well.
Grade: B+
PREGNANT BY THE TYCOON
She hadn’t known she’d slept with the boss. But the next morning Jewel Henley learned the exotic stranger who’d swept her off her feet was her new employer, Piers Anetakis. And before she could explain, Jewel found herself without a job…and pregnant.
After five months Piers had finally tracked his one-night lover down. Determined to explain the mistakes that had been made, he was confronted with an undeniable truth. Jewel was carrying his child. His Greek honor demanded he marry Jewel. But was there more between them than lust…and was it enough to make their marriage of convenience last?
Read an excerpt here.
