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gamz's review
4.0
Book – Baby of Shame
Author – Julia James
Publication Date – February 28th 2006
Type – Harlequin Presents
Genre – Contemporary Romance
Rating – 4 out of 5 Stars
In an attempt to save her father's failing company after his heart attack, Rhianna Davies decided to talk to the only man who could help her save it, Alexis Petrakis. She attends a charity dinner where she meets the gorgeous Alexis. She is overwhelmed by her reaction to him and unwisely, has a tad too much to drink. She asks him for a private meeting and he readily agrees. Nervous, she accompanies him to his suite, thinking that she is getting the opportunity to speak with him regarding her father's company. Instead, she is plied with more champagne and instead of discussing the company, she ends up sharing an incredible night of passion with a man she has known for only a few hours. The next morning she attempts to discuss the company, however, thinking she is a gold digger, Alexis verbally destroys her vowing to pul out of the deal that would have saved her father's company.
Five years later, Alexis receives a call regarding Rhianna Davies and a son he knew nothing about. Due to the prejudices of a unkind social worker, Alexis is left to believe that Rhianna is a drug addict who is incapable of caring for their child and leaves him in dangerous situation. Rhianna was hit by a speeding car, leaving her son Nikki, in foster care. Alexis steps in and takes Rhianna and Nicky to his private Greek island where he vowed to do whatever he needed to do to protect his son, even if that meant decimating his son's mother at every turn.
These are two of the most damaged characters I have read about in a long time! The anger and hatred the feel toward each other is toxic. It made this book almost painful to read at times. Especially knowing that mixed in the middle of all this vitriol is an innocent child, who, they are both trying to protect from each other. All the anger and hatred tearing through this book made it a compelling read. I couldn't put it down. I needed to see how this mess would be resolved.
Rhianna was recovering from a long term illness and car accident and was in no condition to defend herself against Alexis. His attacks on her were cruel and vicious. You had to admire her fighting spirit. She repeatedly defended herself from Alexis's volleys, even though they literally wore her out. She never gave in to him and fought tooth and nail for her son believing Alexis to be uncaring, like her father.
The truth behind Alexis mistrust and anger is just heartbreaking. I wanted to reach in and comfort him, then smack him upside his head for letting his own demons color his view of Rhianna. His underlying motives, like Rhianna's, were to protect his son for a woman her beloved the worst of. He allowed his childhood experiences to affect the way he saw and dealt with Rhianna and in the process, did much more damage than good.
There are very few Harlequin romances that I remember after reading them, this is one that will be hard to forget.
Author – Julia James
Publication Date – February 28th 2006
Type – Harlequin Presents
Genre – Contemporary Romance
Rating – 4 out of 5 Stars
In an attempt to save her father's failing company after his heart attack, Rhianna Davies decided to talk to the only man who could help her save it, Alexis Petrakis. She attends a charity dinner where she meets the gorgeous Alexis. She is overwhelmed by her reaction to him and unwisely, has a tad too much to drink. She asks him for a private meeting and he readily agrees. Nervous, she accompanies him to his suite, thinking that she is getting the opportunity to speak with him regarding her father's company. Instead, she is plied with more champagne and instead of discussing the company, she ends up sharing an incredible night of passion with a man she has known for only a few hours. The next morning she attempts to discuss the company, however, thinking she is a gold digger, Alexis verbally destroys her vowing to pul out of the deal that would have saved her father's company.
Five years later, Alexis receives a call regarding Rhianna Davies and a son he knew nothing about. Due to the prejudices of a unkind social worker, Alexis is left to believe that Rhianna is a drug addict who is incapable of caring for their child and leaves him in dangerous situation. Rhianna was hit by a speeding car, leaving her son Nikki, in foster care. Alexis steps in and takes Rhianna and Nicky to his private Greek island where he vowed to do whatever he needed to do to protect his son, even if that meant decimating his son's mother at every turn.
These are two of the most damaged characters I have read about in a long time! The anger and hatred the feel toward each other is toxic. It made this book almost painful to read at times. Especially knowing that mixed in the middle of all this vitriol is an innocent child, who, they are both trying to protect from each other. All the anger and hatred tearing through this book made it a compelling read. I couldn't put it down. I needed to see how this mess would be resolved.
Rhianna was recovering from a long term illness and car accident and was in no condition to defend herself against Alexis. His attacks on her were cruel and vicious. You had to admire her fighting spirit. She repeatedly defended herself from Alexis's volleys, even though they literally wore her out. She never gave in to him and fought tooth and nail for her son believing Alexis to be uncaring, like her father.
The truth behind Alexis mistrust and anger is just heartbreaking. I wanted to reach in and comfort him, then smack him upside his head for letting his own demons color his view of Rhianna. His underlying motives, like Rhianna's, were to protect his son for a woman her beloved the worst of. He allowed his childhood experiences to affect the way he saw and dealt with Rhianna and in the process, did much more damage than good.
There are very few Harlequin romances that I remember after reading them, this is one that will be hard to forget.
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