Veena’s review of His For A Price (Vows of Convenience, Book 1) by Caitlin Crews
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Presents 01 Oct 14
The mega-rich Greek who grew up dirt poor and earned his billions through sheer grit and hard work is a somewhat stereotypical Harlequin hero. The beautiful, rich heiress is not so typical, nor is the fact that she manages to evade his attempts at seduction and marriage for ten years before being cornered and brought to heel. This story has just too much dominating and too little soft romance to fulfill the reason why I read Harlequin books for it to appeal to me.
Nicodemus has wanted Mattie from the time he saw her as a beautiful debutante. He’s stalked her for years, proposing marriage from time to time but she’s always refused. Unfortunately, her father’s death leaves her vulnerable to a takeover that the Greek billionaire takes full advantage of.
Clearly chemistry between them is not an issue, since he definitely inspires a level of excitement with his sexual prowess. Determined to resist and hold her own, Mattie brings out her full arsenal, which does not go over well with him. For the most part. the story consists of a series of unpleasant volleys between them, interspersed with sexual encounters. The author gives us Mattie’s childhood traumas as a reason why Mattie holds herself aloof from the relationship, but it just does not hold enough water for me.
While I definitely appreciate a man who can hold his own and more, I did not warm up to Nicodemus, his horrific childhood story notwithstanding. Mattie comes across as too immature and too manipulative for me to take her side either. Given all that, clearly this story is definitely not for me.
Grade: C
Summary:
“This is all a big chess game to you, and I the convenient pawn…”Greek tycoon Nicodemus Stathis was never able to forget beautiful heiress Mattie Whitaker. And now, ten years of delicious tension later, Nic finally has her right where he wants her.
Mattie’s once powerful family dynasty now lies in ruin, and only Nic can offer them a solution—a solution with vows! She might not have a choice, but Mattie refuses to be the sacrificial queen to his king.
But Nic’s slow, deliberate seduction wears down his new bride, and the word “checkmate” lies on his lips like a promise.
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