365 books in 365 days Challenge ... book #216

Once a Ferrara Wife... - Sarah Morgan
Mills & Boon Modern
Harlequin UK, 2011
ISBN: 9780263887112





My rating




From the back cover:

"For better...or for bedding?
Laurel Ferrara wouldn’t know a happy ending if she fell over it – of course her whirlwind wedding was always going to end in disaster. But it wasn’t as simple as just walking away. From the moment she is summoned back to Sicily the shivers of unease set in...
The command comes from legendary billionaire Cristiano Ferrara, the husband she can’t forget – but it might as well have come from the devil himself. The outrageously gorgeous Cristiano’s power is a potent reminder of this Sicilian dynasty’s unbreakable rule: once a Ferrara wife, always a Ferrara wife..."


The wonderful Sarah Morgan sent me a copy of this book, which is so very kind. Thank you, Sarah!

The heroine Laurel arrives in Sicily a bag of nerves, to attend her best friend's wedding. She hasn't been back since she walked out on her marriage to Cristiano, the hero. Cristiano has never forgiven Laurel for giving up on them, and when they meet again he doesn't give her an inch. Laurel was deeply hurt by Cristiano's actions, or lack of, when she went through a very difficult experience. Laura grew up in care and having to look after herself, never wanting to be emotionally vulnerable to others. She had begun to trust Cristiano so she was very upset, but not really surprised, when he let her down. Cristiano struggles with his feelings when he and Laurel spend time together again, he both hates her for walking out without talking to him, and desires her so much he can't bear to let her go again. Cristiano's one wish is for Laurel to truly open up to him, but it never happens as Laurel is so used to bottling everything in. But after a fiery argument leads to them giving in to the passion between them, Laurel tells Cristian the truth. He is devastated but also determined to make Laurel love him again.

Oh, what can I say about this book... it really, really blew me away. Seriously. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Not only is this such a superbly written book with a wonderful love story between the hero and heroine, but Sarah Morgan has also taken so many romance novel conventions and flipped them on their heads. For once we have a hero who actually says 'I love you' before the closing pages and without it being forced out of him... Thank you, Sarah, thank you! Also, it is very refreshing to read about a heroine whom is the more emotionally stilted one in the relationship. Laurel's reasons for being like this and her background are heartbreaking, well thought out and not at all trivial. There is a scene about halfway through the book (the airport scene) that could easily have been the perfect romantic ending but no, Sarah had more and it is spectacular.
This book has so much passion, tension, heartbreak, and tenderness all wrapped up in one of the best stories I have read in a long time.

Simply perfect!


I really hope you have enjoyed reading this review, I have a spare copy of this book and since I know your all dying to read it now I'm giving you the chance to win it.
All you have to do is comment on this post, you can talk about anything you like, or tweet me (@RLAeverydaysame) about it by the end of next Friday 18th Novemeber 2011, and I'll pick someone's name out of a hat and announce it on here. Good Luck!

Oh, and I'm happy to post the book to anywhere in the world ;-)!

Xx