Holly‘s review of Forbidden: The Billionaire’s Virgin Princess by Lucy Monroe
Contemporary romance published by Harlequin Presents 1 July 2008
It’s no secret that I love Harlequin Presents, and Lucy Monroe is definitely my favorite Presents author. Her stories are usually well rounded and emotionally fulfilling. Although this is definitely a good story, I don’t feel it was quite up to par with what I’ve come to expect from her in the past.
I think the reason this one fell somewhat short had something to do with the way the couple separated and then were reunited. Sebastian, owner of a very prestigious personal security firm, is hired by Lina’s father to keep an eye on her as added security detail because her life has been threatened by one of his enemies. She’s going to university in America and Sebastian poses as a student there himself in order to keep her safe without her knowledge. That’s the whole problem right there. Without her knowledge. He doesn’t tell who he is or why he’s there. Not only that, but he expects complete trust from her and wants her to open up and tell him she’s a princess. The double standard of that bothered me.
They’re reunited three years later when Lina’s father hires Sebastian to track her down. Lina decided she wanted to live her own life, not the one her father is mandating for her, so shortly after that fateful night with Sebastian, she flees. Now he’s been hired to track her down. But Lina isn’t the headstrong girl he remembers. She’s calmer, more sure of herself and willing to be brought back to her father…for a price. She’s never been able to get Sebastian out of her head, and she wants him to have sex with her so they can burn out the passion between them and she can finally get over him.
I’m totally on the fence about my final feelings. The way things ended between the couple, and then the way they were reunited really left a bad taste in my mouth. But in the end I enjoyed both characters and the overall story arc. Lina was a good heroine. It’s obvious in the beginning that she’s young and headstrong and very naive about men, but she grows into a lovely woman who’s comfortable with herself. I love that she was willing to stand up to her father and didn’t just bend to his will. I also like that she stood up to Sebastian and didn’t let him off the hook for his actions in the past.
Sebastian was different. He’s definitely colder than some of Lucy Monroe’s other heroes, and I’m not sure I could have forgiven him had he not apologized for the way Lina found out who he really was. I understood his dilemma (wanting Lina but not wanting to risk war to have her) but I think I would have liked to see him be a bit more proactive about keeping her for himself.
Still, it turned out to be a good story, even if I didn’t appreciate the way it began.
Grade: B
The Summary:
Sebastian Hawk is a master in business and in the bedroom. There is no place for emotion in his world.
Lina is a headstrong and reckless princess in need of protection and Sebastian is called in to provide round-the-clock security. Her provocative innocence is too enticing, and Sebastian loses his legendary self—control and beds her…only to discover she’s still a virgin….
You can read an excerpt here.
