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kathydavie's review against another edition
3.0
First in the Pregnancy & Passion contemporary romance series and revolving around four men, friends and business partners. The couple focus is on Rafael de Luca and Bryony Morgan.
My Take
This was better than I expected. It is a typical Harlequin romance and with a beautiful message in it about not staying the same jerky person you were. Well, okay, it really could be generalized into one can change the type of person one is, if one chose.
Okay, I'm not buying that Rafael is so quickly concerned about Bryony's pregnancy nor that he accepts her statement as easily as he does. I would have expected there to be more doubt. His friends certainly had their doubts, strong ones. It made their final reaction much less believable.
The Cinderella moment wasn't believable either, that or I'm way beyond impressed that Ramon could find her that quickly based on a pair of shoes.
The amnesia Rafe experiences gives Banks a lot of leeway on how she develops the conflict between Rafe and Bryony, as Banks doesn't have to work too hard to portray two different Rafes. It also provides a reason for that shocking discovery at the end. Ooh, boy.
I suspect that Banks padded this out quite a bit. She has Rafe going on and on about the amnesia, how he feels about Bryony, and about their child. I wish she'd spent some of those words drawing more of a picture of the island and the laidback lifestyle of its inhabitants. Get more guilt going over Rafe and friends' plans for the development.
Oh, man, Mawmaw is a treat. She talks Bryony through her decision and that woman is wise. She's such a sweet, laidback character, much like the island is said to be.
I do like that Rafe refuses to consider Bryony raising his child, their child, on her own. That he has learned from his parents about at least one not-to-do.
There are a few clichés in here; the trope in which the innocent overhear a horrible truth was the worst one. Yep, it merited an eyeroll. Banks has some foreshadowing going on, setting us up for Devon and Ryan's stories.
The Story
Wealthy hotelier Rafael de Luca romances Bryony into selling her beachfront property with undying love. And it's a pregnant Bryony who comes to New York demanding answers. Answers Rafael can't give her as he doesn't remember anything from that month.
It's an answer Rafe himself wants, for he hates not remembering, and the obvious solution is to return to the island. Return to Bryony.
The Characters
Bryony Morgan fell in love and sold family land on Moon Island. Mawmaw (Laura) is her diabetic grandmother. Silas Taylor is the island sheriff in love with Mawmaw. Gladys is a friend of Mawmaw's. Rupert is the mayor. Stella Jones is the sales clerk in the clothing store.
Rafael de Luca and his partners own Tricorp Investment Opportunities and want to develop Moon Island. His partners include Devon Carter, Ryan Beardsley, and Cameron Hollingsworth. Ramon is the head of security. Tamara is the receptionist.
Quenton Ramsey III and his wife, Marcy, are investors. Kelly is Ryan's ex-fiancée.
The Cover and Title
The cover looks as if the story is an historical, but it truly is a contemporary romance. It's Rafael in an open white shirt and undone red tie in a lover's pose with Byrony in a short satin robe, her long black curly hair falling down her back, her arms around him, as he caresses her pregnant tummy.
The title is definitely about Rafael as he's Enticed by His Forgotten Lover.
My Take
This was better than I expected. It is a typical Harlequin romance and with a beautiful message in it about not staying the same jerky person you were. Well, okay, it really could be generalized into one can change the type of person one is, if one chose.
Okay, I'm not buying that Rafael is so quickly concerned about Bryony's pregnancy nor that he accepts her statement as easily as he does. I would have expected there to be more doubt. His friends certainly had their doubts, strong ones. It made their final reaction much less believable.
The Cinderella moment wasn't believable either, that or I'm way beyond impressed that Ramon could find her that quickly based on a pair of shoes.
The amnesia Rafe experiences gives Banks a lot of leeway on how she develops the conflict between Rafe and Bryony, as Banks doesn't have to work too hard to portray two different Rafes. It also provides a reason for that shocking discovery at the end. Ooh, boy.
I suspect that Banks padded this out quite a bit. She has Rafe going on and on about the amnesia, how he feels about Bryony, and about their child. I wish she'd spent some of those words drawing more of a picture of the island and the laidback lifestyle of its inhabitants. Get more guilt going over Rafe and friends' plans for the development.
Oh, man, Mawmaw is a treat. She talks Bryony through her decision and that woman is wise. She's such a sweet, laidback character, much like the island is said to be.
I do like that Rafe refuses to consider Bryony raising his child, their child, on her own. That he has learned from his parents about at least one not-to-do.
There are a few clichés in here; the trope in which the innocent overhear a horrible truth was the worst one. Yep, it merited an eyeroll. Banks has some foreshadowing going on, setting us up for Devon and Ryan's stories.
The Story
Wealthy hotelier Rafael de Luca romances Bryony into selling her beachfront property with undying love. And it's a pregnant Bryony who comes to New York demanding answers. Answers Rafael can't give her as he doesn't remember anything from that month.
It's an answer Rafe himself wants, for he hates not remembering, and the obvious solution is to return to the island. Return to Bryony.
The Characters
Bryony Morgan fell in love and sold family land on Moon Island. Mawmaw (Laura) is her diabetic grandmother. Silas Taylor is the island sheriff in love with Mawmaw. Gladys is a friend of Mawmaw's. Rupert is the mayor. Stella Jones is the sales clerk in the clothing store.
Rafael de Luca and his partners own Tricorp Investment Opportunities and want to develop Moon Island. His partners include Devon Carter, Ryan Beardsley, and Cameron Hollingsworth. Ramon is the head of security. Tamara is the receptionist.
Quenton Ramsey III and his wife, Marcy, are investors. Kelly is Ryan's ex-fiancée.
The Cover and Title
The cover looks as if the story is an historical, but it truly is a contemporary romance. It's Rafael in an open white shirt and undone red tie in a lover's pose with Byrony in a short satin robe, her long black curly hair falling down her back, her arms around him, as he caresses her pregnant tummy.
The title is definitely about Rafael as he's Enticed by His Forgotten Lover.
rellimreads's review against another edition
2.0
Note: This is book 1 in Maya Bank’s Pregnancy & Passion series. (The titles were shortened at one point for a print/ebook rerelease). While each book covers the entire arc for a single couple - references to events are made as the series goes on that makes these best listened to in order.
Meh. It wasn’t that good, but I didn’t DNF. I borrowed it from the library, so it didn’t cost me any money which is probably the only reason it didn’t make me mad.
There’s a LOT of book here, but it’s repetitive dialogue and not much of it works to truly redeem Rafe or prove he’s permanently a changed man. Bryony is a strong woman, except for the fact that she sort of puts up with Rafe’s nonsense.
Grand gesture and then bam, all is forgiven. Ends on a HFN, but there are updates on them as the series continues.
Narration:
I like Harry Berkeley’s narration. However, I think he’s a better fit for her romantic suspense (KGI series). I do like all his character voices and emotions.
Meh. It wasn’t that good, but I didn’t DNF. I borrowed it from the library, so it didn’t cost me any money which is probably the only reason it didn’t make me mad.
There’s a LOT of book here, but it’s repetitive dialogue and not much of it works to truly redeem Rafe or prove he’s permanently a changed man. Bryony is a strong woman, except for the fact that she sort of puts up with Rafe’s nonsense.
Grand gesture and then bam, all is forgiven. Ends on a HFN, but there are updates on them as the series continues.
Narration:
I like Harry Berkeley’s narration. However, I think he’s a better fit for her romantic suspense (KGI series). I do like all his character voices and emotions.
khaleesimod93's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
I love Mayas book. Usually every book from her is a 5 star read for me. This one I just didn't connect with it. I absolutely love Byrony. She's amazing. She's been through a lot yet still stays compassionate and kind. Too kind in some instances, but I love her spirit. Rafe is a jerk. After what he did, he honestly didn't deserve Byrony at all. She's too good for him. He should have groveled more.
geisttull's review against another edition
2.0
quick, fluffy read. not has much meat as her other books. i'll be more selective next time, but this was a free giveaway. so there you go!
lectorliber04's review
2.0
Memory loss, pregnancy, and a land deal that wasn't. A quick read before going to bed. I liked Bryony well enough, she had a little bit of spunk and Rafe, the Rafe that didn't remember was also likeable. Eventually love prevailed and for once the heroine didn't back down and the heroe didn't blackmailed or threatened the heroine to get what he wanted. Then again this is Maya Banks and most of the time those are the type of heroines she writes. Most of the time.
sjb86's review against another edition
5.0
Omg. I love maya banks. This series is awesome. I loved the suspense, romance, family and a great HEA. Really looking forward to the next book.
lifeand100books's review against another edition
3.0
Umm.
I really liked Bryony but had a really hard time understanding how fast everything worked out. Way too fast of a resolution, especially with how big of a dick Rafael was. Bryony is a no-holds barred kind of lady and is honest and upfront to a point of bluntness. I can't mesh that lady with the one in the ending.
I really liked Bryony but had a really hard time understanding how fast everything worked out. Way too fast of a resolution, especially with how big of a dick Rafael was. Bryony is a no-holds barred kind of lady and is honest and upfront to a point of bluntness. I can't mesh that lady with the one in the ending.
bookloverchelle's review against another edition
4.0
I accidently picked these up in the wrong order and read Wanted by Her Lost Love first. That story had such a great connections to the characters that this story was almost a letdown to me. Don't get me wrong, this was a great story. I loved Bryony (and I still pronounce her name Byrony in my head), she was smart, spunky, and had no problem telling Rafael off. Rafael was a strong Alpha male but when a tragic accident leaves him with a memory loss, he can't remember what drew him to Bryony initially. Being the smart man that he is, he suggests they return to the site where they fell in love to help him recovery his memories. Even though he can't remember her, Bryony fights hard for the man she loves and their potential future. Great read, sexy characters. A very good lead in to the rest of the series.