Marianna Halsey has the most boring life in the world. With seven overprotective older brothers, she’s even ended up a virgin at twenty-four. But when a dark and sexy male prevents her from getting her wallet stolen on a Greek vacation, she decides it’s time for some adventure. She’s read a gazillion romance novels. How hard can it be to score a hookup? Greek billionaire and stock market whiz, … market whiz, Nico Galinas has built an empire from nothing. Literally. Orphaned as a baby, Nico trusts no one. Especially not the quirky, attractive woman using the worst pickup tricks in history. She wants something, and Nico decides to play along, even when she invites herself back to his place.
But what happens when “the beast” accidentally knocks up “beauty”?
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4.5 “Broody Greek billionaires do it better” Stars
Oh my God! I can’t believe how much fun I had reading Beauty and the Greek Billionaire. A steamy, sexy and sweet romance with a little angst, it was practically perfect.
Marianna is accompanying one of her seven older brothers on a business trip to Greece. Having a profound love for languages and different cultures, she’s not only having the time of her life but also planning how to get rid of her pesky v-card. When the swooniest tall, dark and broody guy ever saves her wallet from being stolen she decides he’s her fated devirginizing hookup.
Nico is wary of the sexy Australian making eyes at him. He can’t deny he’s incredibly attracted to her and finds her natural and unassuming air completely charming. Next thing he knows they’re having the hottest encounter of his life, but things don’t end really well. Two months later and he’s moved on, if being more of a broody hermit than ever could be called that. That’s when Marianna shows up knocking on his door saying she’s pregnant with his baby and his world tips upside down.
I loved Marianna. She was sweet and loving, quirky and adorkable. The fact that she was all for doing the best for her baby made me love her even more. That and the way she kept messing up with Nico to loosen him up. Nico was one sexy recluse, having a difficult upbringing and not the happiest past, the walls he had built around himself were understandable. That doesn’t mean that I didn’t want to slap the crap out of him to make him see the light, but he had issues with reason. Once he let his walls down, he was funny and charming, and had an incredible depth of feeling. I absolutely adored these two together, as they made for one of the cutest and awkwardest couples ever.
With fabulous chemistry, a bit of angst, some lack of communication but loads of sensual tension you could almost feel in the air, Beauty and the Greek Billionaire captivated me from start to finish.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book*
Overall a good story with a happy ending.
Marianna and Nico come from two different worlds but have some things in common from their childhoods. However they have chosen to use these experiences very differently in shaping their future.
While the sheltered virgin, the reclusive billionaire and the unexpected pregnancy are common themes in romance novels, I think Ms. London did a good job with making it an enjoyable read.
Marianna shows that she’s much stronger than anyone ever gave her credit for when she won’t be swayed from what she feels she and her baby deserves; no matter how much Nico tries to push her away. Her perseverance shows Nico that he can change and that there are people that can be trusted and will love him.
**I received a copy of Beauty and the Greek Billionaire via Net Galley and Entangled Publishing in exchange for a voluntary and honest review. The opinions expressed below are solely mine alone.**
Beauty and the Greek Billionaire by Stefanie London was very interesting especially with Nico being so focused on making money and forgetting that fun was necessary to a happy life and thus happy Nico. Ms. London is a new author to me and I’m curious if this will be a start to a new series after there are 6 more brothers who aren’t married as well as Nico’s BFF Dion to find their HEA. I’d give the entire story 4.7 stars mostly because I felt Nico kept dwelling on Why he couldn’t love and be happy with Marianna. His lack of trust kind of bothered me also.
Marianna Halsey is the only girl with seven very protective brothers who watch over her. She’s also a whiz at languages with the thought that there’s always another one to learn. But when her older brother goes to Cyprus to see funding for his new app, she decides to go along. She loves reading romance books and is determined to lose her virginity while the brothers are at a meeting. But she doesn’t expect that the person she chooses is to be the billionaire who turned down her brothers. But when she ends up pregnant she does what she feels is necessary ask Nico to marry her. She has her work cut out with Nico though and will have some heartache before finding her HEA.
Nico Galinas grew up on the streets of Cyprus and its made an impact on his life always searching for more money and convincing himself that love wasn’t in the cards. When he was a young adult he’d been mentored by a businessman but getting caught with his daughter landed himself back on the streets. Even though he knew who Marianna was finding out he was going to be a father was a shock but he decided to marry her and give the child a name. Of course there are trials and fights between both of them plus she leaves Nico but somehow they manage resolve their issues. Nico learns the hardest lesson of all in loving someone you must trust first to get the love from another.
I really enjoyed this book, I like a good marriage of convenience story. This book had that and so much more.
Marianna was a very sheltered young woman, she grew up with 7 brothers that pretty much protected her from anything and everything. Marianna goes along with her brother on a business trip to Greece where she has a list of things she wants to do while away from her family. First up- Lose her virginity. Marianna sets her sights on a gorgeous Greek man and attempts to flirt with him. I say attempts because she is quite naive and has no idea what she is doing. Nico is very suspicious of this young woman because of his background. He is suspicious because he was who the business meeting was with that her brother had and he saw her with him and she gave a fake name. For all of her awkward flirting Nico is attracted to her and takes her to his house and she is able to check something of her list. He calls her out on her so called deceit and she leaves and returns home.
A few months go by and Marianna seeks out Nico at his home and tells him she is pregnant and he is the father. She suggests that they get married so that they can give their baby a mother and a father.
For as sheltered and naive as Marianna was she was actually pretty smart. She was very book smart but I loved how she knew what she wanted and that she went after it because she deserved it. She didn’t let her family convince her to just stay with them and let them help her raise the baby. She didn’t take Nico’s marriage in name only agreement because she deserved more and she was falling for him. Marianna was so good for Nico, she showed him what it was like to be loved and to have a family even though he fought it tooth and nail. But only because he had a rough childhood and didn’t realize her deserved what Marianna was offering.
I loved this book and I couldn’t put it down once I started. I would recommend this book for others to read.
This book was previously titled as Beauty and the Greek Billionaire, it’s a Contemporary Romance with a virgin and marriage of convenience trope, actually multi-trope. The book starts off great, keeps you engaged, then the story becomes predictable with repetitive bad behavior but the HEA redeems itself to make my rating a 3.5 stars! There is angst and drama, siblings, no cheating, some steam and a Happy Ending…
Nico and Marianna meet in Greece while she is there with her brother, who is doing business with Nico. Mari is a virgin, sheltered by her 7 brothers and is ready for a ONS to get rid of her V-card. She chooses Nico, who is the typical tall dark and handsome man. He is older and a recluse due to his past of growing up in a orphanage. There is an instantaneous spark and the deed is done. Nico becomes enraged when he finds out she was a virgin.
Two months later Mari finds herself pregnant. She leaves everything she loves in Australia and goes back to Greece to propose marriage to Nico. She is willing to marry a stranger to keep her baby in a family unit.
Nico and Mari have their ups and downs, secrets are exposed, love is challenged and they both have to become stronger to fight for what they want…each other and their baby!
4 1/2 STARS FOR A FANTASTIC STORY!! This book has all the feels you can ever want. I enjoyed seeing Sophia and Dion’s story play out. This author’s has been one of my favorites for a long time, her storytelling is phenomenal. You will want this Book on your TBR list.
Great read. Thanks.
A story taking place in Greece; yes please!!
Marianna is visiting Corfu with her brother for his business. She’s determined to discover a different side of herself in this trip and reinvent herself. What she didn’t see coming is Nico, a sexy Greek billionaire. Nico us not one for relationships but Marianna captured his attention instantly!! He’s skeptical about her because of her brother and he thinks she approaching him is a plan of her brother’s.
Marianna is socially awkward. She doesn’t know how to flirt and interact with men. She’s been sheltered all her life, but she wants to change that. Her awkwardness doesn’t scare Nico off, in the contrary he’s enticed by it!! He has some serious trust issues. He’s closed off and believes that everyone wants something from him.
I like how Marianna spoke her mind and fought for what she wanted. Only a woman with her determination can infiltrate Nico’s walls and crash them down! I was really frustrated with Nico at times and his refusal to open up. I really liked the book and hope to see more of these characters!!
Mentanoia…..the journey of changing one’s mind, heart, self
or way of life….
Marianna Halsey led a stifled life. She has 7 brothers who adore her, but they also shelter her from a life she craves. She is 24 years old and still has her V-card. That had to change pronto. She was an intelligentbeautiful woman who rocked when it came to knowing several languages and spouting quirky tidbits of factual information. But she was an unsure shrinking violet when it came to matters of romance and sex. She resorted to getting her data on the subject byreading romance novels. She has an opportunity to spread her wings when her brother goes to Greece on business. She jumps on that chance with bells on.
While in Greece, she literally crashes into a Greek God of a man. His name is Nico Galinas. He was everything she fantasized about. What she did not know was, he was carrying a lot of emotional baggage withinthat muscular body of his. Nico was burdened with insecurities that went way back in his life making him very leery of entering into a serious relationship. He asks Marianna back to his place after much fumbling flirting by Marianna. After a passionatesession in his pool, things take a different turn when she finds out she is pregnant after their tryst together. Her dreams of a HEA are shot down when Nico suspects that she is just like the rest of the people he knows, only after something from him.
I loved Marianna’s fortitude and tenacity throughout this story. I felt compassion for Nico, but also wanted to slap him silly. As always Stefanie brings LOL humor and playfulness to her characters. This remindedme of a fairytale romance with all the feels drawing you in to cheer the characters on to find their HEA.
Interesting characters and a good story.
Ponderous reading and rather fake story line/
loved it!
enjoyed story
unrealistic story. It was a take or leave it as far as reading. There are a lot better books out there that are page turning & don’t want to put down.
Overall the storyline was good. The author introduced the characters with well described background. But I did not feel the two main characters had any chemistry. Each had their own personality, good and bad quirks, but they didn’t bring the good or even a change out of the other. It was like each character was just a means to an end for the other. Light drama with easy resolve. Just felt like this story could have had more depth.
This was just okay. The writing flowed well, but I wasn’t a fan of either of the main characters. Marianna starts out this whole thing lying about who she is, even though Nico knows. They have a one night stand that results in an unplanned pregnancy. The only thing that I liked was that at least she didn’t try to hide it from him, and wait until the kid was older before telling him. Marianna is way too much of a doormat for my tastes. First her family, and then Nico. Nico is a complete jerk pretty much the whole book. I understand that life is hard, but that doesn’t give you the right to treat people like crap. It’s not until the last bit of the book that Nico admits his feelings. It was just WAY too long to go with treating someone you supposedly care for that way. Although I didn’t like these characters, I would definitely give this author another read.
I voluntarliy reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
Marianna Halsey has a plan to lose her virginity while on a vacation in Greece. She doesn’t realize though that the man she decided to give herself too is the man her brother is trying to do business with. Nico Galinas knows who Marianna is from the beginning but he indulges her deception which ends up blowing up in her face. Now pregnant Marianna feels Nico needs to know but will the man who thought the worst of her believe her the second time around?
I thought the beginning was a hoot. Nico though was a bit hard to soften too as he is a jerk and it takes time to figure out why he is so cold. Marianna is an interesting character, there are some fun moments with her. I liked that she had seven over protective brothers. If you are looking for an angsty read this is one to pick up.
Marianna is looking to get rid of her v-card while she’s on a vacation with her brothers in Corfu. And she’s found just the man to relieve her of it – gorgeous local hottie, Nico Galinas, the man who helped prevent her from getting mugged. A vacation romp sounds just the ticket for her, but will it stay a romp when an unforeseen consequence strikes? The permanent kind of consequence?
I wanted to like this one, as I’ve liked all the other stories of this author’s that I’ve read before; unfortunately, this one just did not work for me. Neither Nico nor Marianna is particularly likable, nor is their connection very strong. And the whole tone is just so down and dreary. Gah, it depresses me just thinking about the story and everything that happened in it. So if you’re looking for something fun and lighthearted, I’d look elsewhere. If you’re looking for something super sexy with vibrant, lovable characters, I’d definitely look elsewhere.
Accompanying her older brother Daniel on a trip to Corfu was the perfect opportunity for Marianna Halsey to get rid of her pesky virginity. At twenty four, her seven overprotective older brothers hadn’t made her sex life easy. She sees the perfect man for the task, and when Nico Gallinas rescues her from a pickpocket, she knows he’s the one to introduce her to passion. And two months later, Marianna learns she’s pregnant.
BEAUTY AND THE GREEK BILLIONAIRE started off nicely enough with the awkward, clumsy, tongue-tied Marianna and the sexy, confident Nico. Until Marianna learns she’s pregnant. I thought she made the worst decision possible under the circumstances, and I started to dislike her. Lucky for her, Nico viewed the situation the same way. I loved that there was no lies, no misunderstandings at the beginning – that came much later, when an entirely unnecessary source of conflict was introduced. I somehow suspect it was to make Nico unlikable, for a while anyway. Marianna’s linguistic quips were amusing at the beginning, until they started annoying me. I disapproved how Marianna handled the whole pregnancy thing: I felt she was very naïve, with an odd sense of family, and clung to unrealistic romantic ideals. I also disliked her overall attitude, I thought she was extremely pushy, and very selfish if only in refusing to honour Nico’s very simple request – which, it seems, he eventually found lovable. Anyway.
I loved Dion, Nico’s friend and business partner; I liked Alethea, Nico’s ex; I also liked Julian, Marianna’s friend, even though I sense that I was supposed to maybe dislike him. Or not, I don’t know. Given the fact that I intensely disliked Marianna, and I never saw anything beyond sexual chemistry between her and Nico, I was never onboard for the “romance”, even if I was told that they loved each other. Overall, I thought the book was sad and depressing, and felt like a throwback to the 1950s. When I looked at the cover of the book, I didn’t like the female model’s appearance: although she’s very pretty, she looks smug; she has this unpleasant smirk. It turns out it was a good depiction of Marianna, because it is eventually precisely how I imagined she’d look. So what I garnered from BEAUTY AND THE GREEK BILLIONAIRE is that sexual attraction, great sex, and an accidental pregnancy equals love. Okay then.
MariAnna Halsey is a sweet, sheltered 24 year old virgin. She lives with her seven overprotective brothers in Australia, which puts a crimp in her potential love life. While accompanying her brother on a business trip to Greece, she decides she is going to lose her virginity. She meets Nico Galinas, who is tall, dark and brooding, and implements her plan. Of course, she gets knocked up and this is the beginning of a marriage of convenience romance. I really liked Marianna, she was sweet and a bit quirky. Nico was harder to like. He had a difficult life, but was so bitter and angry it was hard to understand how he had any friends. I also had a problem with the pacing of the plot. It felt like the author suddenly realized that the couple needed to start caring for each other and Nico’s personality did an 180. That lasted for about 15 seconds then the inevitable problem arose to keep the lovers apart, Nico reverted to his beastly behavior. I did like the end, nice HEA. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.