Sandy M’s review of The Sicilian’s Marriage Arrangement by Lucy Monroe
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Presents 1 Feb 07

This isn’t a book that I’ve had in line to read or review, mostly because of its age and I acquired it just recently in a box of books someone gave away. Then something I don’t normally do, I forgot to take my current read with me when running errands the other day.  Deciding to stop for lunch, I wanted to read. Imagine my surprise and flash of pissed off that I didn’t have my book with me. But then I remembered the box of books in my car. Ha! Sometimes things just work out, and this time I chose 1) Harlequin Presents because Lynne Connolly’s reviews of late have made me curious, since I haven’t read the line in absolute ages, and 2) Lucy Monroe is a favorite of mine, so I decided to give this particular HP a chance just because it’s her title.

I was gong to say I’m pleasantly surprised I enjoyed the book just because it’s a Harlequin Presents. Not that Presents aren’t good books now and again, as Lynne attests to in her reviews, but maybe because I remember the old Presents I read eons ago. I know I more than likely wouldn’t care for those today, because I know my tastes in romance have dramatically changed from those days. And, of course, it goes without saying that I like this one because it’s a Lucy Monroe book. That’s not to say I don’t have an issue or two with it, but for the most part I did enjoy it.

Hope is a shy young woman, blending into the background at her grandfather’s soirees after her hostess duties are complete, even ducking out and no one even notices. So on New Year’s Eve, she’s torn on whether to stay around for midnight when all the kissing will be going on. There’s no one for her to kiss and ring in the new year with. But out of the blue, dark and sexy Luciano, a business associate of her grandfather’s and the man she’s dreamed about for five years, disses a leggy blonde model and sweeps Hope into his arms for the kiss of her life. And his.

Stunned at the depth of his reaction to kissing Hope, Luciano hightails it out of the party, not to see Hope again for six months. And only then he seeks her out because her grandfather is holding all the cards, forcing him to marry Hope or lose more than his pride. Seeing Hope again in Greece, where she is enjoying her European tour, brings on a jealous rage when he spies her holding hands with a man. Stretching the truth and Hope’s patience just a bit, he hijacks her evening and the rest of her tour.

Hope isn’t sure what to make of Luciano’s sudden attention, but she’s not about to push the man away when he’s making her dreams of being with him finally come true. They end up in Palermo, Luciano’s home, and a relentless pursuit ensues until Hope agrees to marriage, a union that agrees with her when Luciano introduces her to the pleasurable world of lovemaking.

Of course, we know something has to happen to eclipse such happiness, and this is about the only nitpick I have with the book. It’s misunderstanding time. Luciano overhears a phone conversation between Hope and her grandfather, which leads him to believe she’s been in on the blackmail from the beginning, and he treats her thusly. Hope can’t figure out why her husband suddenly doesn’t want to touch her, why he’s now taking trips abroad and leaving her alone. And it’s not as easy as Luciano thinks it is to walk away.

I like these two characters a lot. Hope flourishes with Luciano. He’s of the old world, wants a wife who will stay at home and have his babies, but he learns to adjust quickly to certain things when dealing with a modern woman, especially when hurt and she’s pissed off at him. But at least they eventually do talk and work things out, so that makes up a little for the misunderstanding and assumptions on Luciano’s part.

I know it’s mostly due to Ms. Monroe’s writing that  I like this book so well, but because of that I do think I will try more Harlequin Presents in the future. As they say, I’ll never know what I find until I try.

Grade: B-

Summary:

Hope Bishop is stunned when darkly sexy Sicilian tycoon Luciana di Valerio proposes marriage. Brought up by her wealthy but distant grandfather, she is used to fading into the background. But Luciano’s sensual lovemaking makes her feel vibrantly alive. Hope falls in love with her husband and is blissfully happy—until she discovers that Luciano married her to fulfill his own ruthless agenda…!

Read an excerpt.