A convenient marriage deal… Sealed in the royal bed! Princess Elizsaveta must walk down the aisle. It’s the only way to save her exiled family from bankruptcy. For duty, she’ll accept brooding Greek Leon’s bargain: her royal status in exchange for his financial support. And she’ll bury her dreams of a real relationship… Ellie’s wholly unprepared for the all-consuming chemistry that ignites … all-consuming chemistry that ignites between them! But although his touch is addictive, falling for Leon’s masculine appeal is deeply dangerous. He’s always been clear: his heart is under lock and key. Unless Ellie can change his mind…
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Color me shocked that this was written by Julia James. This incredibly angsty romance with a capital R doesn’t have any of her usual cruel, slut shaming, twisted mind games that make me want to toss my computer out the window. Oh yes, it is angsty, but it’s a slow burn, besotted yearning kind of angst where the hero can’t comprehend what has happened to him. Coup de foudre, love at first sight, is mentioned several times.
Plot:
The damaged billionaire hero needs validation of how far he has come in life and wants a Princess Bride, and he believes any will do until he sees the heroine, the beautifully bland heroine. She is also incredibly attracted to the H, but she marries him more out of duty to save her half-sister from a loveless marriage and save her royal father from being destitute now that he’s banished from his kingdom. The H is going to bankroll him in exchange for his Princess Bride. Princess Bride, Princess Bride, Princess Bride! Ugh! The phrase Princess Bride is slung around way too many times, and the H’s obsession of parading his Princess Bride after they got married was a little much. Why it isn’t The Greek’s Duty Bound PRINCESS Bride instead of Royal, I don’t know. Irksome.
After the wedding, the H is more than willing to court his virgin Princess Bride and the consummation awaits us all. Tender, steamy, and romantic! The couple are besotted with each other despite being very upfront about why they married each other. He may be the only H billionaire that not only takes time off from work, but extends his honeymoon to house hunt.
But things change….
The heroine…
“Her eyes glowed with it every time she looked at Leon, met his glance at her. She felt her hopes soar. Oh, surely soon Leon would realise he felt for her what she felt for him? Surely her hopes would be fulfilled! It was just a matter of time, that was all…
And until then she would wait patiently, loyally, bathing in the happiness she had, and in the wonderful future she was looking forward to. Making a home with Leon. Being his loving wife for ever! How happy I am! How absolutely happy! The thought ran in Ellie’s head constantly, like a silent companion. Nothing could spoil it now—she was certain of it.”
Oh dear, famous last words. The hero makes his distorted views on love very clear when her little sister runs back to the ex-kingdom for love reasons. The hero is furious over the half-sister’s emotional stupidity killing any future declaration from the heroine.
‘So I will never tell a woman I love her. Will never tell her that lie.’
‘And I never want to hear a woman tell me she loves me—never. I don’t want any woman to say she loves me—and certainly not you!’ he finished emphatically.”
The secondary story kicks in with the h’s younger siblings which was fun. Mum’s the word as I don’t want to spoil it.
The story falters as the heroine and hero do some dumb stuff to protect each other, but love rules all.
The hero rules in this story rather than the Princess Bride as she is somewhat bland. Yes, she is beautiful and honorable but b-l-a-n-d. The hero on the other hand is dramatic, caring and intensely romantic. He is also completely deluded regarding his own feelings as only an extremely intelligent rags to riches Greek billionaire can be.