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mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
I received this manga from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
I just adored the cover to this manga, and so this one was next. How appropriate reading a romance manga on Valentines Day! I hope it is very swoony, the blurb does seem to promise quite some romance, though I am curious about why she has to play the horrible wife... I guess we will find out.
"He has a deep voice, hot and rough like desert sand. His haughty eyes are sharp like an eagle's. I know better than anyone else that no woman can keep her cool when he gazes at her with those eyes." Oh my! <3
Mm, I can imagine that she isn't too happy that her boss is flirting and having sex with all the girls left and right. It must be pretty uncomfortable to step inside and see a girl hanging around (or getting pissed at you because they think you set it up).
"If I weren't his secretary, even I might have succumbed to his charm and fallen in love with him." Ohhh, now I am even more curious to see them get together.
*snorts* If you'll excuse me, your highness... why don't you try choosing your girlfriends by their intelligence instead of their bra size?" Ohhhhh, burn! That honesty! I am glad that he doesn't take it the bad way but instead talks to her and even makes a remark that he is apparently glad he never fell for her, because it would have ruined any other relationship. Ohhhhh. Yes! Ship ship ship!
So he wasn't destined to become a king, but now his brother doesn't want the throne and thus it is Kadyr who gets it. Well, if Rashid has his way. I can imagine that Kadir isn't happy with this turn of events, he has got a good business running (at least from what I can gather), and he would have to give that up (or only run it as a side job).
Ah, so that is what they meant with horrible. Kadir doesn't want the throne at all, so he marries Emily to play the terrible wife so that Kadir's father can't trust him with the throne. That is a smart move, since I am guessing daddy dearest isn't going to be listening to his son when he tells his father no.
Argh, the conversation between the two isn't working out. Emily, just be honest! Kadir is also honest with you about why he is bedding so many women (apparently feeling lonely and he wants some warmth in his bed), you could at least tell him you are interested in him, and yes that you were jealous so many times. But I guess we are only at 29 pages, so there is still enough time for them to be honest and explore each other. :)
"The hot embrace and his sweet kisses are all just to trick those who see us. Despite that, why... is my heart beating so fast?" Because you want it, you want Kadir! ARgh!
*swoons*I knew he would wear that outfit, but I hadn't expected it. Totally blindsided me. He looks so hot in that outfit. *swoons some more*
OH MY. That kiss. That was hot, and I love that we see Kadir's reaction to it. Not just Emily who is absolutely swooning, but also Kadir. Yes! We are finally getting somewhere with these two and I am shipping them even more than I did before.
*snorts*OMG, when they woke up in the same bed, and Emily got her first glimpse at a very happy morning penis. That reaction had me in stitches!
I didn't like how Rashid just kept avoiding phone calls and his responsibility. Again, I understand that he doesn't want the throne, and that he probably doesn't like his father much due to his father hitting him, but still, it is your father. The one thing you can do is come and visit him before he dies. You don't need to accept the throne, but at least don't end with regrets.
I felt sorry for Kadir. He wants to mourn but is now also full of sadness because he is going to lose Emily (oh no you don't) and he is angry because of his brother. I am happy that he can finally confess to someone the things he did as a kid.
And now I am crying. I want these two to be together, and of course I can tell my mind that there will be a happy ending (Harlequins so far always have a happy ending), but for now my mind just doesn't want to see that. All it seems at the moment are two people who love each other but can't be together forever, just for these last hours of the day.
Ah, Rashid is here, and oh my dramatic story that I totally didn't see coming! I am glad that Rashid and Kadir finally had a good heart to heart about their issues and that they were able to make up their differences.
The ending, it was so perfect. I am still crying here, OK. This was just beautiful. I am so happy for everyone. This was the ending I was hoping for.
The art was just gorgeous! I loved the character designs, and the backgrounds were done so prettily.
All in all, HIGHLY recommended!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I just adored the cover to this manga, and so this one was next. How appropriate reading a romance manga on Valentines Day! I hope it is very swoony, the blurb does seem to promise quite some romance, though I am curious about why she has to play the horrible wife... I guess we will find out.
"He has a deep voice, hot and rough like desert sand. His haughty eyes are sharp like an eagle's. I know better than anyone else that no woman can keep her cool when he gazes at her with those eyes." Oh my! <3
Mm, I can imagine that she isn't too happy that her boss is flirting and having sex with all the girls left and right. It must be pretty uncomfortable to step inside and see a girl hanging around (or getting pissed at you because they think you set it up).
"If I weren't his secretary, even I might have succumbed to his charm and fallen in love with him." Ohhh, now I am even more curious to see them get together.
*snorts* If you'll excuse me, your highness... why don't you try choosing your girlfriends by their intelligence instead of their bra size?" Ohhhhh, burn! That honesty! I am glad that he doesn't take it the bad way but instead talks to her and even makes a remark that he is apparently glad he never fell for her, because it would have ruined any other relationship. Ohhhhh. Yes! Ship ship ship!
So he wasn't destined to become a king, but now his brother doesn't want the throne and thus it is Kadyr who gets it. Well, if Rashid has his way. I can imagine that Kadir isn't happy with this turn of events, he has got a good business running (at least from what I can gather), and he would have to give that up (or only run it as a side job).
Ah, so that is what they meant with horrible. Kadir doesn't want the throne at all, so he marries Emily to play the terrible wife so that Kadir's father can't trust him with the throne. That is a smart move, since I am guessing daddy dearest isn't going to be listening to his son when he tells his father no.
Argh, the conversation between the two isn't working out. Emily, just be honest! Kadir is also honest with you about why he is bedding so many women (apparently feeling lonely and he wants some warmth in his bed), you could at least tell him you are interested in him, and yes that you were jealous so many times. But I guess we are only at 29 pages, so there is still enough time for them to be honest and explore each other. :)
"The hot embrace and his sweet kisses are all just to trick those who see us. Despite that, why... is my heart beating so fast?" Because you want it, you want Kadir! ARgh!
*swoons*I knew he would wear that outfit, but I hadn't expected it. Totally blindsided me. He looks so hot in that outfit. *swoons some more*
OH MY. That kiss. That was hot, and I love that we see Kadir's reaction to it. Not just Emily who is absolutely swooning, but also Kadir. Yes! We are finally getting somewhere with these two and I am shipping them even more than I did before.
*snorts*OMG, when they woke up in the same bed, and Emily got her first glimpse at a very happy morning penis. That reaction had me in stitches!
I didn't like how Rashid just kept avoiding phone calls and his responsibility. Again, I understand that he doesn't want the throne, and that he probably doesn't like his father much due to his father hitting him, but still, it is your father. The one thing you can do is come and visit him before he dies. You don't need to accept the throne, but at least don't end with regrets.
I felt sorry for Kadir. He wants to mourn but is now also full of sadness because he is going to lose Emily (oh no you don't) and he is angry because of his brother. I am happy that he can finally confess to someone the things he did as a kid.
And now I am crying. I want these two to be together, and of course I can tell my mind that there will be a happy ending (Harlequins so far always have a happy ending), but for now my mind just doesn't want to see that. All it seems at the moment are two people who love each other but can't be together forever, just for these last hours of the day.
Ah, Rashid is here, and oh my dramatic story that I totally didn't see coming! I am glad that Rashid and Kadir finally had a good heart to heart about their issues and that they were able to make up their differences.
The ending, it was so perfect. I am still crying here, OK. This was just beautiful. I am so happy for everyone. This was the ending I was hoping for.
The art was just gorgeous! I loved the character designs, and the backgrounds were done so prettily.
All in all, HIGHLY recommended!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
agrutle's review against another edition
5.0
I received this from NetGalley and Harlequin for an honest review.
Working for the prince of Kyr had its ups and downs. As his personal assistant Emily saw him through all kinds of things and through all kinds of women. Like a normal woman she noticed he was attractive but she kept that out of her mind because he was her boss. When Kadir receives a phone call from his father, something changed. Suddenly he was asking her to go home with him. Not as his assistant but as his wife.
Kadir was content being a prince, he didn't want to be tied down by being the king. He couldn't build buildings like he does now. When his father calls and tells him he needs him to come home, he knows the only way to get out of being king is to bring home a wife that is unsuitable for the kingdom. His assistant, Emily is that woman. Little did he know that underneath the boring suits and sensible shoes was a bombshell. Now he can't get her out of his head, maybe she's unsuitable for the kingdom but not for him.
I really enjoyed this story. Emily has a past that makes her shy away from being the center of attention, so when Kadir suggested that she play his bride she was in it for the money. Kadir convinced himself that she was just another gold digging woman, just there for his money. When they are forced to learn more about each other he realizes she has reasons for wanting the money and for the way she dressed all those years.
This book was a nice escape for an afternoon. I think you will enjoy it as well. I can't wait to read Kadir's brothers story next. Check out this book and leave the author some love in the form of a review!!
Working for the prince of Kyr had its ups and downs. As his personal assistant Emily saw him through all kinds of things and through all kinds of women. Like a normal woman she noticed he was attractive but she kept that out of her mind because he was her boss. When Kadir receives a phone call from his father, something changed. Suddenly he was asking her to go home with him. Not as his assistant but as his wife.
Kadir was content being a prince, he didn't want to be tied down by being the king. He couldn't build buildings like he does now. When his father calls and tells him he needs him to come home, he knows the only way to get out of being king is to bring home a wife that is unsuitable for the kingdom. His assistant, Emily is that woman. Little did he know that underneath the boring suits and sensible shoes was a bombshell. Now he can't get her out of his head, maybe she's unsuitable for the kingdom but not for him.
I really enjoyed this story. Emily has a past that makes her shy away from being the center of attention, so when Kadir suggested that she play his bride she was in it for the money. Kadir convinced himself that she was just another gold digging woman, just there for his money. When they are forced to learn more about each other he realizes she has reasons for wanting the money and for the way she dressed all those years.
This book was a nice escape for an afternoon. I think you will enjoy it as well. I can't wait to read Kadir's brothers story next. Check out this book and leave the author some love in the form of a review!!
sherida_reads's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
kaiiribou's review against another edition
3.0
Ehhhh...there's the bones of something good here, but it never really gets beyond "it could be good" to "it's actually good" because there's just not enough space to resolve the issues brought up.
booksuperpower's review against another edition
4.0
Gambling With the Crown by Lynn Raye Harris is a 2014 Harlequin Presents Publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
BOOK BLURB:
Mills & Boon Sexy series delivers what you love in contemporary romance - glamour and scandal in exotic locations…
This Sheikh plays to win!
The crown of Kyr holds no appeal for pleasure-seeking Sheikh Kadir al-Hassan—his memories of the kingdom are as dark as a desert's night. But neither will he shirk his duty…. Instead, Kadir returns home with a bride so unsuitable, no one will want him to be king!
Long-suffering assistant Emily Bryant is the most important person in Kadir's high-octane life, and the most invisible—until she's promoted to royal bride! Sealing their marriage bargain with a scorching kiss leaves Kadir craving more….
Now Kadir must decide what's really at stake in his royal game—his desert duty, or Emily!
I have read Lynn's HOT series but I have not read her Harlequin novels , so when the opportunity to review this book for Lynn opend up I jumped on it. I will be honest and say I don't read a lot of Harlequin Presents novels and I never really understood the fascination with Sheikhs. But, when I started reading this one I couldn't put it down. I mean I was really sucked into this story. Kadir was so full of himself and had an air of entitlement about him which I felt was probably authentic since he was raised as a prince. It was also realistic to believe he was not all that interested in being the King. It's not until he makes Emily an offer she can't refuse that he actually sees Emily as a person and not an employee. Once Emily became a bride the relationship with Kadir naturally changed and the two really struggled with how to adjust to that. For Emily the money would change her life and give her freedom to be with her father more. Her attraction to Kadir was always simmering under the surface but she saw how he treated women and used them and had no desire to end up like one of them. But, Kadir realizes how shallow and empty his life has been when he sees how real Emily is. She doesn't kiss up to him or expect anything from him in an emotional sense. In fact, her attitude towards him is really kind of bad. Kadir is astonished by her perceptions of him. It takes awhile for Kadir to finally realize he actually wants this marriage to be a real one, but will it be too late to convince Emily?
I enjoyed this book and had only one small complaint. I wish that Emily would have been just a little warmer. Sometimes she was so bent on protecting her heart she came off sounding judgmental and a little cold. She never did actually tell Kadir she loved him. It was almost like her pride wouldn't allow her to admit the depth of her feelings for him. The small acknowledgement she did give him seemed to be given grudgingly. So, even though I know the couple will get their happy ever after, I felt that it would be awhile before Emily really got on the same page with Kadir. Other than that I recommend this book to all contemporary romance lovers. I see this is a new series and I have already added the second book into my TBR. This one gets 4 stars.
BOOK BLURB:
Mills & Boon Sexy series delivers what you love in contemporary romance - glamour and scandal in exotic locations…
This Sheikh plays to win!
The crown of Kyr holds no appeal for pleasure-seeking Sheikh Kadir al-Hassan—his memories of the kingdom are as dark as a desert's night. But neither will he shirk his duty…. Instead, Kadir returns home with a bride so unsuitable, no one will want him to be king!
Long-suffering assistant Emily Bryant is the most important person in Kadir's high-octane life, and the most invisible—until she's promoted to royal bride! Sealing their marriage bargain with a scorching kiss leaves Kadir craving more….
Now Kadir must decide what's really at stake in his royal game—his desert duty, or Emily!
I have read Lynn's HOT series but I have not read her Harlequin novels , so when the opportunity to review this book for Lynn opend up I jumped on it. I will be honest and say I don't read a lot of Harlequin Presents novels and I never really understood the fascination with Sheikhs. But, when I started reading this one I couldn't put it down. I mean I was really sucked into this story. Kadir was so full of himself and had an air of entitlement about him which I felt was probably authentic since he was raised as a prince. It was also realistic to believe he was not all that interested in being the King. It's not until he makes Emily an offer she can't refuse that he actually sees Emily as a person and not an employee. Once Emily became a bride the relationship with Kadir naturally changed and the two really struggled with how to adjust to that. For Emily the money would change her life and give her freedom to be with her father more. Her attraction to Kadir was always simmering under the surface but she saw how he treated women and used them and had no desire to end up like one of them. But, Kadir realizes how shallow and empty his life has been when he sees how real Emily is. She doesn't kiss up to him or expect anything from him in an emotional sense. In fact, her attitude towards him is really kind of bad. Kadir is astonished by her perceptions of him. It takes awhile for Kadir to finally realize he actually wants this marriage to be a real one, but will it be too late to convince Emily?
I enjoyed this book and had only one small complaint. I wish that Emily would have been just a little warmer. Sometimes she was so bent on protecting her heart she came off sounding judgmental and a little cold. She never did actually tell Kadir she loved him. It was almost like her pride wouldn't allow her to admit the depth of her feelings for him. The small acknowledgement she did give him seemed to be given grudgingly. So, even though I know the couple will get their happy ever after, I felt that it would be awhile before Emily really got on the same page with Kadir. Other than that I recommend this book to all contemporary romance lovers. I see this is a new series and I have already added the second book into my TBR. This one gets 4 stars.
animation's review
4.0
I haven't read a Harlequin Presents in years, but was going through the author's book list and thought I'd take a gander. Quick, easy, and sexy read. I'll have to get book 2 to see how the brother fares.
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