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tessisreading2's review against another edition
3.0
The Russian hero isn't very Russian, honestly, and the details are irritatingly wrong - from the names (Levander? Annika?) to the fact that the Russian is sometimes someone assuming that Cyrillic = the Latin letter it looks like, or sometimes just wrong to the point of incomprehensibility. Beyond that, overwrought and kind of wacky but just what I needed at the moment so it's fine.
theeditorreads's review against another edition
5.0
I'm on a reading spree
with [a:Carol Marinelli|4990|Carol Marinelli|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1356217416p2/4990.jpg]!
Bwahahahaha, I know, that was awful rhyming...but I'm gonna read five back-to-back Marinelli books. House of Kolovsky 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. I have already read Book 1. It was one of the first M&B's I read, long before I started writing reviews. I rated it a four back then. And since back then, when I didn't look at the series, the numbers, etc.; I'd had to read it again before jumping into the other Kolovsky books. This is the first M&B I have re-read, and I loved it, again.
It seems Levander connects to and understands Millie's art. He gives her a chance by having a word with the art gallery owner who has been displaying her pieces without any success. She is apprehensive of spending the night with him at first, especially after the exchange she witnessed at the restaurant, but she agrees after knowing the actual identify of his ex (it was his half-sister, Annika, whose story is there in Book 3).
Annika, whom Levander considers the sweetest and the most vulnerable of the Kolovskys was there to tell him than Ivan, their father, was dying. And also, he had to have a wife and child for he was to be the head of the Kolovsky empire. But, having saved them from financial ruin, he didn't want anything else to do with them after what they (Ivan and his stepmother Nina) had done to him, and his mother. To forget what all Annika had said, he desperately sought Millie's company, for the night; he not only wanted her, but her companionship too.
Levander comes from Detsky Dom, literally a children's home or orphanage in Russia but actually a living hell.
They have a very unusual date, a more than unusual late night/early morning sex session, immediately after which she gets on a plane and flies off, parting on not so good terms. Never to be back again? (In spite of the fact that she sold a painting!)
No! She is pregnant, the newspapers say the same! And who else, but Nina, his stepmother, came to him with the news, and with a few select choice words. In spite of the betrayal he felt, he defends Millie. But, the vile person that Nina is, she doesn't back away from filling his ears against Millie, even before he has met with her. But, he gives back as good as he gets.
Poor Millie, she had no idea of the shitstorm that was waiting for her in Melbourne. On Anton's invitation, she was back here for a Meet the Artist night. And also to tell Levander of her pregnancy of six weeks. She isn't aware that he already knows, and in the most horrible way possible.
Though he is angry with her at first, he calms down. He is as charming as they come, thinking about everything from Millie's perspective, taking into account her autistic brother's needs. But, he's also afraid for what Nina and her hounds from hell are capable of, and to ensure Millie and his unborn child's safety and security, he has to convince her to marry him.
Her self pep talks are so cute. Growing up as he did, of course he wanted the best for his child, and so he thinks riding roughshod over Millie is okay. Even after what they did to him, Ivan and Nina have the gall to act the injured party.
Men'she znayesh'-krepche spish.
It means—the less you know, the more soundly you sleep.
Behind that icy exterior, Levander is so vulnerable. Their blissful beach days were heaven.
I couldn't warm up to Annika in this book. Their wedding shenanigan was funny, yet heartwarming. In the end, his understanding of love was so soul-stirring; followed by a sweet epilogue with their baby boy, Sashar. I'd have loved though, had there been scenes with Millie's family, they were just in the background but, it does end on a poignant note.
with [a:Carol Marinelli|4990|Carol Marinelli|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1356217416p2/4990.jpg]!
Bwahahahaha, I know, that was awful rhyming...but I'm gonna read five back-to-back Marinelli books. House of Kolovsky 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. I have already read Book 1. It was one of the first M&B's I read, long before I started writing reviews. I rated it a four back then. And since back then, when I didn't look at the series, the numbers, etc.; I'd had to read it again before jumping into the other Kolovsky books. This is the first M&B I have re-read, and I loved it, again.
Spoiler
Millicent (Millie) Andrews waits tables at an exclusive Melbourne restaurant. She has an unique habit of inventing a background for each of the customers. This is where she comes across Levander Kolovsky, who is there having dinner with a woman. It is her last day in Melbourne. An artist at heart, Millie was trying to get a foothold in Melbourne's art circuit (which didn't make any sense, TBH) but, without any success, she has to leave, go back to England to get a proper job. Levander himself starts conversing with her after an apparent 'break-up' and Millie can't help but reply, so mesmerised is she by him.It seems Levander connects to and understands Millie's art. He gives her a chance by having a word with the art gallery owner who has been displaying her pieces without any success. She is apprehensive of spending the night with him at first, especially after the exchange she witnessed at the restaurant, but she agrees after knowing the actual identify of his ex (it was his half-sister, Annika, whose story is there in Book 3).
Annika, whom Levander considers the sweetest and the most vulnerable of the Kolovskys was there to tell him than Ivan, their father, was dying. And also, he had to have a wife and child for he was to be the head of the Kolovsky empire. But, having saved them from financial ruin, he didn't want anything else to do with them after what they (Ivan and his stepmother Nina) had done to him, and his mother. To forget what all Annika had said, he desperately sought Millie's company, for the night; he not only wanted her, but her companionship too.
Levander comes from Detsky Dom, literally a children's home or orphanage in Russia but actually a living hell.
They have a very unusual date, a more than unusual late night/early morning sex session, immediately after which she gets on a plane and flies off, parting on not so good terms. Never to be back again? (In spite of the fact that she sold a painting!)
No! She is pregnant, the newspapers say the same! And who else, but Nina, his stepmother, came to him with the news, and with a few select choice words. In spite of the betrayal he felt, he defends Millie. But, the vile person that Nina is, she doesn't back away from filling his ears against Millie, even before he has met with her. But, he gives back as good as he gets.
Poor Millie, she had no idea of the shitstorm that was waiting for her in Melbourne. On Anton's invitation, she was back here for a Meet the Artist night. And also to tell Levander of her pregnancy of six weeks. She isn't aware that he already knows, and in the most horrible way possible.
Though he is angry with her at first, he calms down. He is as charming as they come, thinking about everything from Millie's perspective, taking into account her autistic brother's needs. But, he's also afraid for what Nina and her hounds from hell are capable of, and to ensure Millie and his unborn child's safety and security, he has to convince her to marry him.
Her self pep talks are so cute. Growing up as he did, of course he wanted the best for his child, and so he thinks riding roughshod over Millie is okay. Even after what they did to him, Ivan and Nina have the gall to act the injured party.
Men'she znayesh'-krepche spish.
It means—the less you know, the more soundly you sleep.
Behind that icy exterior, Levander is so vulnerable. Their blissful beach days were heaven.
I couldn't warm up to Annika in this book. Their wedding shenanigan was funny, yet heartwarming. In the end, his understanding of love was so soul-stirring; followed by a sweet epilogue with their baby boy, Sashar. I'd have loved though, had there been scenes with Millie's family, they were just in the background but, it does end on a poignant note.
sn4p's review
3.0
It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. It was just ... ok.
I think I'm getting burned out on the Presents, because they're all blurring together and becoming the same story over and over again. I hate that. I truly and honestly hate that!
I think I'm getting burned out on the Presents, because they're all blurring together and becoming the same story over and over again. I hate that. I truly and honestly hate that!
bookfairy99's review
4.0
Despite the horrible title, this book was a great example of why the Harlequin Presents line is so popular. The story is over-the-top, yes, but it features an alpha hero who straddles the line between bully and arrogant male. He's the kind of guy you want to punch in the nose... and then take to bed. (Or do things in the reverse order; that works, too.) The heroine falls for him much too quickly, and his behavior borders on irrational at times, but the writing is good, the emotional connection between these two is intense, and it kept my attention throughout.
gamz's review
4.0
I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed this book so much the second time around. I read it years ago and randomly found it again.
Levander's story is such a difficult one to read. I have ALL the hates for his stepmother, Nina. Millie was good character but I wish she were more of a firecracker. I did love the way she got to the heart of the matter with. I beating around the bush. She called Levander out on his crap.
Together, they make an interesting pair and a damn decent story. I enjoyed the book and now I need to read the rest of the series. I'm hoping that Nina gets hers in the end.
Levander's story is such a difficult one to read. I have ALL the hates for his stepmother, Nina. Millie was good character but I wish she were more of a firecracker. I did love the way she got to the heart of the matter with. I beating around the bush. She called Levander out on his crap.
Together, they make an interesting pair and a damn decent story. I enjoyed the book and now I need to read the rest of the series. I'm hoping that Nina gets hers in the end.
ecooper99's review
4.0
Despite the horrible title, this book was a great example of why the Harlequin Presents line is so popular. The story is over-the-top, yes, but it features an alpha hero who straddles the line between bully and arrogant male. He's the kind of guy you want to punch in the nose... and then take to bed. (Or do things in the reverse order; that works, too.) The heroine falls for him much too quickly, and his behavior borders on irrational at times, but the writing is good, the emotional connection between these two is intense, and it kept my attention throughout.
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