| Title | : | Claiming My Hidden Son (The Notorious Greek Billionaires #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 193 |
| Publication | : | Published November 1, 2019 |
My marriage to Calypso was simply business—satisfying the terms of a family arrangement. Until our unexpectedly passionate wedding night shook us both! Falling for my convenient bride was a risk I couldn’t entertain. So, I left.
Now, after discovering the baby in Calypso’s arms is mine, I will claim my son. But no longer a shy innocent, my estranged wife is stronger and even more captivating! This will be the negotiation of a lifetime with the woman who’s turning my world upside down . . .
From Harlequin Presents: Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.
Claiming My Hidden Son (The Notorious Greek Billionaires #1) Reviews
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My lips twisted. I intended to have my lawyers draft divorce papers before I went anywhere near a church.
https://bookshout.com/store/books/221...
A marriage of convenience, forged out of sheer necessity, fuelled by hostility and acrimony on the part of both MC's.
Maya Blake delivers a winner this time, with a storyline built around a bitter family feud, painful personal secrets and a scorching romance that develops despite the MC's determination to go their separate ways.
Axios and Calypso are pawns in a long-standing conflict between their families. Due to forces outside their control, they're maneuvered into an unwanted marriage by the Machiavellian contrivances of their respective grandfathers.
This is the H, Axios:
Each MC has a lot to lose, if he/she forfeits the marriage deal - a contract that had been brokered years ago, without their knowledge or consent. For the H, defying it'll mean a 25% share loss in his family's multi billion dollar aeronautical firm. And for Calypso, it's her greedy father's threat of retribution, aimed at her disabled mother, if she refuses to tow the line.
This is the heroine, Calypso:
Axios loathes the mere idea of marriage - especially to a despised Petras female:
A cold shudder tiptoed down my spine.
Marriage.
To a bride I didn’t want and with a connection to a family that had brought mine nothing but misery, pain and near destitution.
https://bookshout.com/store/books/221...
Calypso, on the other hand, yearns only for freedom to live on her own, practise her art and be safe from her father's devious, emotional blackmail:
The consequences being my father’s ability to manipulate my mother’s guilt and ensure maximum suffering.
https://bookshout.com/store/books/221...
These MC's are convinced that hate will be the sole emotion they'll feel. The H expects a mousy, dowdy and golddigging little plain Jane, because Calypso has lived outside of his socialite circles. Instead, he's stunned to see a gorgeous, pissed off bride when he lifts her veil at the altar.
The heroine has read all about the powerful, egotistical playboy who's feted by society's elite and chased continually by a parade of famous women. She thinks he's nothing but another obnoxious male, like her father, who's willing to manipulate helpless females in order to achieve more power.
Everything changes for both after they share their kiss, at the altar:
His kiss arrived, subtle as a butterfly’s wing and powerful as a sledgehammer.
https://bookshout.com/store/books/221...
This sets them on a new path - one that has nothing to do with their previous plans for an unconsummated marriage. Mutual sexual desperation get in the way of rational thinking and they share an explosive, erotic wedding night.
Regret and confusion abound the next day, when both MC's realize that the marriage is in danger of becoming too intimate and real, for their emotional comfort. The H acts like a douchebitch, leveraging his power and basically telling Calypso that she's supposed to live on his private island and only expect him, when it's convenient for him to visit.
She decides to run away, when he condescendingly suggests that she leaves if she's able to devise a workable alternative. Axios hadn't expected her to take him up on that offer, because he assumed that the sheltered heroine wouldn't be able to go anywhere he wouldn't be able to find her.
Using a secret financial inheritance from her late grandmother, Calypso travels to Switzerland where she's provided with the means to live incognito for as long as she wishes.
The second half of the novel is a mixed bag of angsty, bittersweet goodness because the heroine is the one fighting her feelings for the H. She's not doing it because she's a vengeful shrew, but because she's hiding a depressing secret: she's got a growing cervical lump and is scared that it's the malignant sort that led to the untimely death of her beloved grandmother.
This part of the storyline is similar to another HP that's been released this month -
Christmas Baby for the Greek. In both novels, a MC is faced with the horrifying possibility of a terminal illness.
The story borders on trainwrecky when the H learns that he's the father of her 4 month old son, Andreos. At first he's jealous and accuses her of infidelity. Then, he falls in love with his toddler after DNA tests confirm his paternity.
Amidst all this drama, he's still unaware of the huge personal sacrifice she made to bring the child into the world. Some women, when faced with such a scary diagnosis, might heed her doctor's advice and opt for a first trimester abortion, so that the oncologist can perform an immediate biopsy to determine if the lump is indeed cancerous.
The brave heroine couldn't handle aborting her child and gambled her personal health, because of her great love for him. I felt so sorry for her, during this final part, when she's falling in love with the H ( who's no longer behaving like a dictatorial grouch ) but torturing herself with guilty thoughts that she might not live long enough to be the wife that he needs.
This is a somewhat confusing time for the H, because his feelings have overwhelmed him.
Their sex life is amazing, their child rearing plans are in sync yet he senses that she's hiding something from him. He wants to spend his life with her, is afraid that she'll reject him if he suggests that their marriage become permanent and, subsequently, is wary of pushing for that final commitment.
Like the H in Jennie Lucas'
Christmas Baby for the Greek, Calypso pushes her lover away in an effort to protect him. It's only when she sees how much he's hurt by her callous rejection, that she finally breaks down and confesses the truth about her tumour.
In the fashion of all ideal romantic H's, Axios refuses to abandon her just when she needs him the most:
He slid his thumb across my lips, silencing my doubts. ‘Whatever happens we face it together. For better or worse, you have me for life. I will never leave your side and I will never fail you again.’
https://bookshout.com/store/books/221...
This crisis brings out the best in the H and shows that he's not afraid to admit his powerlessness and vulnerability at having to face the possibility that he might lose his beloved wife and his son could grow up without a mother's love.
Since it's HPlandia, all's well that ends well in the epilogue and the MC's triumph over this obstacle ( the tumour turns out to be benign ) and are happily celebrating Calypso's good health, while planning to have another child in the near future.
Safety: No OW, no OM and no cheating since both MC's are celibate during their one year separation. -
Strong heroine. Her love for her baby was heartwarming and heartbreaking. Sacrifice.
Hero was cold at first but redeemed himself and did it well.
Good pacing and good storyline.
Hero and heroine are forced to marry.
Heroine runs away and finds out she's pregnant with complications.
A year later hero finds heroine and wants his sone.
They agree to live together for a time.
They work towards a truce. They soften towards each other and feelings/love develops.
Truth comes out about the heroine and the hero's commitment and love shine through.
I loved the way the characters roll as Father and Mother was portrayed and their love and dedication to their son. Beautiful.
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It made me cry, so 4 stars!
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I'm not a fan of this author's writing style but this couple was lovely. He was so sexy and ruthless and she was such a sweet heroine and a great mother. Loved them together. Loved the epilogue. This is the second Harlequin of this month that features a hero or heroine with cancer. Heartbreaking stories. Safe: she is a virgin and they are both celibate while apart.
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This was a great marriage of convenience story. The H was gruff and sexy, and his self protectiveness almost lost him the woman he grew to love. The h is smart, strong, and kind.
The book begins with the arrangements and the wedding. The H/h are strangers to each other but have crazy chemistry. When the H leaves her the day after the wedding, she gets fed up with being an object to the men in her life and she leaves and disappears for a year before the H tracks her down. During that year she had a baby and also I got a little bored with all of the back and forth about will they stay married, can Calypso be honest about her situation. She had a bit of a martyr complex that grated on my nerves.
But the H! Oh this book is all about him. He gives her a fair chance to explain herself. He doesn't jump to conclusions. He feels guilt over his past behavior and strives to make things right.
Despite the small quibbles I had with some plot points, the love they shared felt real and I truly believed in the HEA. This book left me feeling happy I'd taken the time to read it.
Safety -
Another review disappeared
I am so tired of writing brilliant reviews on my Kindle and then having them disappear. So frustrating. This book is about a marriage between two families and not either ones choice. They have a hot wedding night and he disappears and she isn't a doormat so she leaves him for a year. She has a baby and keeps him secret. I half understood why, but she waited just a little too long in my opinion. Plus she has another secret and she is really dumb not telling the hero the truth. I took one star away for her ridiculous reasoning. There was one scene I loved in it, not an important one but it was when she breastfed her baby, he would wrap his chubby little legs around her forearm to keep it in place. Silly that I remember that but it was a very sweet moment. Another thing was this is written in First Person which I personally am not fond of. It's like reading a teenage girls diary to me, better left unread. But this one worked for me. It was both his and her thoughts and It was good. Except her decision to not tell him the truth. That just annoyed me. In the end I really ended up liking it because the hero was faithful and so was she. They took their vows seriously and stuck to them. I want to read the brothers story next. -
Nice angsty tale of a forced marriage that lasted for one passion-filled night. Hero parked heroine on a secluded Greek island and heroine was having none of that after putting up with a controlling father. So she leaves only to find out she's pregnant and she has a lump on her cervix.
Oh, dear. Shades of Abby Green's
The Spaniard's Marriage Bargain.
This story isn't quite as angsty as that one because the H/h haven't known each other as long and the heroine stayed away during her pregnancy instead of after the birth. Plus
I also found the first person narration distracted from the angst. The point of view alternates between H/h, but neither has a distinctive voice so it's impact is lessened.
Ivy has all the details in her thorough, thoughtful (as always) review. -
We have two rivals in business, Xenakis and Petrakis. The Grandfathers were passive aggressive in their dealings despite personal dislike. However Petrakis ensured in the event his business fails a Xenakis will rescue it as a form of payback when Xenakis was in need. The rivals' sons were disastrous in business and failed miserably. Xenakis recognised his grandson, Axios was indeed the genius and groomed him. Petrakis died before seeing his son failed but the favour endorsed by Xenakis comes into play. The Granddaughter will bring forth the money and a Xenakis's Island. Axios and Calypso didn't meet until their wedding day, this reminds me of a traditional East Indian wedding. They were instantly attracted to each other while they resented their circumstances. As a result, their resistance intensified and the only thing the couple was willing to do was consummate the marriage and then Axios decides to resume his bachelor lifestyle. He was indeed fighting his intense emotions hence his abandonment of his new bride. Calypso was an innocent, meeky, subservient bride. With the support of her mother, deceased grandmother, life-threatening and life changing contributions she evolved to a protective feisty courageous woman. Having Andreos made her stronger and career oriented, it was risky but she wanted her son. Her relationship with her father was estranged and somewhat cold. When Calypso reunited with Axios with the intention of securing her son's future and making a sacrifice for him was gripping and intense. Although in Hplandia a happy ending was expected one couldn't help but feel the pain and yearnings she had. My heart went out to her when she tried to bring peace and happiness to her little boy and getting to know the stranger, her husband. They fell in love but the happiness they wanted seem so bittersweet and possibly insurmountable. Calypso hid her secret until she was forced to reveal her life-threatening problem, Axios become the ultimate hero and husband desired by women. He become the partner to shoulder 'for better or for worse". Calypso was cured and was able to have her HEA with her husband... Wonderful story! I recommend.
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DNF
I hated this heroine too much to finish the story. Life is too short to read unlikable bitchy heroines, no matter what disease they may have that is supposed to make the reader sympathetic to them.
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"Claiming My Hidden Son" is the story of Calypso and Axios.
A sweet tale with a marriage of convenience- post wedding night disappearance- secret baby trope, this time with a strong heroine who is hiding a heartbreaking secret, an angry but not mean hero, and a cute cherub baby. This book had drama, angst, romance, passion and a sweet HEA.
Enjoyed it!
Safe
3.5/5 -
4.25 Stars!
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Loved the hero more than heroine. Also I hated some of the decisions she took even though I understand her feelings. Hence 3 ⭐️.
Safe and recommended. -
This one came so close to being a 4 or even 5 star read
Silly medical info strikes again -
A very emotional read.
The H is forced to marry the daughter of a man who is basically blackmailing his family. The daughter is an innocent in it all but the H is angry and takes his anger out on her.
He walks out on her the day after their wedding and told her to find a way to live on her own. And she did.
A year later, he finds his missing wife in Bora Bora and learns that she had given birth to his son. He insists that she return to Athens with him. She does because she has a secret that she does not want him to know. She returned so he can get to know and love his infant son because she would have to leave them soon.
The h was brilliantly written. She is independent, strong and a fighter. I really loved her character.
The H was sexy as hell. He was a bit of a d*ck to the h at the start of the book, but is was understandable. He soon turned out to be my version of my HEA; juuuust right!
The h’s condition and that not so hidden fear that permeated the story is one that so many of us can relate to. I just wish every woman facing challenges like that and living with that fear had the same HEA.
All in all, a darned good read. -
As I began reading this it appeared to be very predictable. Yet another arranged marriage. At the beginning, the reader is aware there is something wrong with the heroine Calypso and it keeps been referred to. It turns out she fears she has cervical cancer like her grandmother had. However, she goes along with the marriage and she decides to have sex to this husband who she doesn't know giving him her virginity. However, the next day he decides to leave and return to his business and she is left alone but as the pain in her stomach continues, she also leaves.
Fast forward a year and it transpires she went to Switzerland, got told she had a lump in her cervix but that she was also pregnant so she decides to go ahead with the pregnancy. The hero then finds her when the baby is 3/4 months old. She knows she should have had the biopsy on her lump but decides to be a mother for a while and had already decided she would give the baby to the hero before he even turns up.
This couple had no chemistry whatsoever. They don't really talk a lot they just seem to have sex with awful dialogue! I didn't feel them fall in love at all.
Eventually she confesses about her possible cancer and he finds loads of experts and they confess their love. Then it's a year later in the epilogue and it turns out the lump was benign and all is well.
I actually think the author was irresponsible having the heroine delay the biopsy. Cervical Cancer can spread easily and so to have the heroine put her life at risk and be prepared to leave her son motherless didn't sit well with me. Also, I don't like to read of things like this in romance books. I read romance books for escapism from real life so I didn't enjoy this. Not just because of the cancer part but because it's a boring romance. There wasn't actually much romance at all.
ARC via Netgalley. -
Nice story.
You may need tissues near to the end of the story -
This was an odd one: frequently different to the usual M&B, and challenging in many ways, but it was also strangely annoying at times.
I liked the initial premise - a forced marriage of convenience which neither Calypso or Ax wanted, but were forced into. On their wedding night, they have sex to ensure the ‘agreement’ cannot be broken and both have a wonderful time and then decide to turn their backs on it. To be fair, Ax did first by deciding to head off to Athens but Calypso decided pretty speedily to abandon ship.
The story is told in alternate segments each in the first person providing the hero’s and then heroine’s point of view. This really did not work for me. It was frustrating trying to figure out who was talking and it really niggled. Sometimes FP works really well, but in this instance, it interfered with the smooth flow of the narrative.
So we quickly gather there’s something wrong with Calypso, but there is never a real explanation as to why she doesn’t seek a diagnosis much earlier - let alone why she doesn’t talk to anyone including her husband about it. When she decides to abandon the agreement and disappear - it just doesn’t make any real sense other than as a device for her to have a gap year away from the husband, produce an heir and then that be the reason they get back together.
Then suddenly a year has gone by; she’s had the baby, not told Axios and is enjoying a long holiday and has not told anyone about anything! I could see where the author was going with this topic but I am not sure she succeeded. Hiding things, secrets and obfuscation are not the way Calypso should have gone in my opinion.
Suddenly Ax finds her. They get back together for the baby’s sake and to avoid further damage to Ax’s firm, but she knows she could be dying but isn’t going to tell Ax anything - though once she knows he loves his son, she can leave him with him!! Sorry, but what is she playing at? I just became increasingly fed up with her strange thought processes and felt she was acting without logic or sense. By the time she decides to tell him and he summons every expert on the planet to save her - I had almost lost interest.
Axios was an idiot at first but he emerged as a decent guy trying hard but battling the secrets that Calypso refused to expose.
I usually enjoy Maya Blake’s stories but this kept losing my interest. It wasn’t bad but it was not up to her usual standard. I would have liked more honesty from Calypso, much earlier in the book. Three stars.
I received my copy from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Claiming-Hid... -
My contract bride’s secret…
G
…will change everything!
My marriage to Calypso was simply business—satisfying the terms of a family arrangement. Until our unexpectedly passionate wedding night shook us both! Falling for my convenient bride was a risk I couldn’t entertain. So, I left
Now, after discovering the baby in Calypso’s arms is mine, I will claim my son. But no longer a shy innocent, my estranged wife is stronger and even more captivating! This will be the negotiation of a lifetime with the woman who’s turning my world upside down… -
Really
enjoyed it even though it is written in the first person. Liked both characters and how they forged their relationship despite a poor start to it! -
3 stars
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this was written in 1st person pov. Is this new for Hps? I don't think it did this story any favors because it made the h seem incredibly contradictory and not very bright.
I'm going to ignore my usual frustration about contemporary HPs and their ongoing (increasing?) obsession with virgins to complain about the misuse of medical conditions directly related to women's health.
Well I know that it's virginity, motherhood, and apple pie forever in hplandia but given the amount of intentionally obfuscating (and I'm being generous here) information about women's reproductive systems promoted in society it's demoralising to encounter the same thing in HPs; iffy medical info in the interests of holier-than-thou maternalism. -
I credit Ivy for my picking up this book (see:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...). This sounded like a crazy, fun recipe - crazy billionaire families and forced marriage to keep the wealth in the family, babies, drama and angst.
Thankfully, this book met its craziness mandate in the best Harlequin Presents (HP) tradition. While I probably would not to meet these crazy people in real life (maybe with the exception of the heroine who was the only nice person around), I had a fun time reading about them . The plot ticked along with a good pace and there as a balanced dash of angst (though HP rules apply which state that there shall be no real danger to the couple. Which is also why these novels are so comforting despite the OTT plot).
It was also interesting that the book was told from a dual first-person POV - I don't think I’ve seen that before in the HP novels. I didn’t think there was enough difference between the POVs but it did make the book more intimate. While first person POV is not my favourite, here I think it actually helped. Being in the hero’s head kept him human and relatable. Usually we don't hear from the HP alpha-hero and he comes across as cold and the romance suffers. Here Maya Blake delivers a masterclass on how to avoid that.
For making me overcome my dislike of first person POV and general crazy-sauce I am giving this 4 stars. Recommended for all HP fans. -
Both main characters got off to a bad start. You knew right away that the h's grandfather and father had no redeeming characteristics and it is amazing that she grew up in such a dysfunctional family to be as loving and strong as she is. Her mother was a fortunate influence growing up and in the present. The H was likewise manipulated by his grandfather and was almost emotionally devoid of any feelings other than anger and work related enthusiasm.
The fact that the H felt something emotionally for the h during the wedding and wedding night, scared him and he ran. Not to be dumped, she also escaped and re-emerged a year later with a child, his child. His initial anger was because of the 'appearance' issues and 'what people would think' issues. Each slowly recognized their growing feelings for the other and for their family. The h was a strong woman who realized that some men were trustworthy, the H was an emotional cripple who learned that loving someone did not mean weakness. -
I really love this one
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Pretty emotional.
