Member Reviews

Enjoyed this second chance romance between two people who met in the foster care system. But whose controlling/abusive parents who came in and out of their lives kept them apart.
Akeem has come back as a royal to show how much better he is than her and put her in her place. Charlotte has been used and gaslit her whole life and shes ready to start her life now that her father has passed. But along comes her long lost love intent on revenge though she doesn't realize that is why he is back. They get caught in a compromising position so he insists they should marry.
He took awhile to see that she was there all along and she had wanted to leave with them when they were young. He had been trying to erase the boy he was and become the ruthless man his father who needed an heir wanted him to be. A man who didn´t claim him until he was a teen.
There was a lot of self discovery and forgiveness that they experienced together. They finally rediscovered the love they had together and the people they were meant to be.
Thank you harlequin for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

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His Desert Bride by Demand by Lela May Wright is a dramatic second chance for childhood sweethearts, separated and abused by those who should have cared for them the most. Akeem grew up poor and being shuffled from Care to foster homes constantly. He had big dreams of running away from it all as an adult until his father decided he needed an heir to keep his legacy going. Charlotte Hegarty just lost her father, the only person she has left. She did not have a good life with him and now it is time to think of herself. When the one person she loved nine years ago who walked out on her, walks back into her life, things will no longer be what she expected. He is not the boy she knew, he is now Prince Akeem and when he insists that he wants to spend one day with her she cannot resist; unsure if it is the right thing to do. Akeem is about to become King and before he takes on that role he wants to get Charlotte out of his thoughts and show her what she lost by not coming with him all those years ago. He wants closure and convinces her to come with him, except when a scandal is about to erupt he insists that she become his wife, his Queen.

Despite being separated by lies and manipulation by their fathers, the chemistry and attraction still exists between Akeem and Charlotte. Their emotions are intense, especially when they examine their pasts and the treatment they received from their fathers; making them who they are today. He learned to show no emotions, especially love; through the training his father put him through in preparation to become king. Charlotte remembers how her entire life she never felt love or had friends, but for about two months or so she discovered and had that with a young Akeem. Knowing there is warmth and a caring heart within, Charlotte uses the strength of love and words break down the walls that Akeem has built.

Fairy tales teach us that the prince rescues the fair maiden and turns her into his princess. Akeem might have rescued Charlotte from being alone in this world and gave her the courage to stand tall and follow her dreams. But she did so much more for him. She made him remember who he truly was and understand that he didn't have to forget his past to embrace his future. I highly recommend His Desert Bride to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

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The H and h met as children, but family issues tore them apart. Akeem is the illegitimate son of the king who has just died without a legitimate heir. The H doesn’t want to be like his father who cared only for himself and not his country or his people. Akeem wants to spend one more day with Charlotte, his childhood friend. Circumstances change and he is forced to marry Charlotte. Issues are resolved. This is the author’s debut novel.

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Charlotte and Akeem meet in the Children's home 9 years ago.

Both from rough childhoods they found solace in each other, just when they should have run away together, it all went wrong.

Akeem is not two weeks away from being crowned king and he is determined to show her what she gave up. He finds her after her father's funeral and takes her to his palace for one night only.

When her arrival threatens to become a scandal, he makes her his queen.

It's a beautiful fairytale-esque storyline, full of love passion and tension. The backdrop to the story is breathtaking. I imagine Arabian Nights playing as I was reading it. :)

However, there was way too much telling, rather than showing, and there was too much repetition, especially with dialogues.

thanks to Netgalley & Harlequin for the ARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own

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Charlotte and Akeem fell in love as teens. Then, everything changed when he learned he was heir to the throne of a desert kingdom. To avoid a scandal, will she agree to be his wife?

This is a mashup of the Cinderella and the Beauty and the Beast tropes. Akeem's scars are internal, but the wounds run deep. Charlotte is sweet and likeable, and the perfect partner for him. She knows the man he used to be, and trusts that the loving boy is still inside him.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

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I think it's one of the first romance featuring exotic prince I read and I think it was quite entertaining even if a bit darker than I expected.
There's a tormented male MC, a man who had a tough life before going back to his country. There's a girl who left him and he wants his revenge by seducing and leaving her
It was quite entertaining: there's an exotic background, plenty of luxury, passion. But there's also the relationship between two persons who suffered when they were growing up.
A good and entertaining read.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

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A big thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Presents for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. I found this to be an interesting read. Not very realistic but sort of fun. I liked Charlotte-felt bad for her. Akeem-was sort of short sighted and not as smart as he thought. The chemistry was amazing but there was lots of angst. Enjoyable summer read by the pool. Reads pretty fast. 3.5 stars

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I was in danger of falling into a reading slump after a really bad romance read and wanted to pick up a short read. I've read many category romances but Presents isn't usually a line I rush to read. It definitely had all the opoluance promised as well as the exotic locale of a desert kingdom. And it definitely doesn't hold back on the steamy moments.

This was actually a little darker than I anticipated with Prince Akeem plotting his revenge to seduce his childhood sweethart and disgard her. And it was his dark nature that intrigued me and kept me reading. Akeem grew up poor and being shuffled from Care to foster homes constantly. He had big dreams of running away from it all as an adult until his father decided he needed an heir to keep his legacy going.

Akeem was determined to show off his riches and send Charlotte on her way while she was determined to show him just how similar they are to each other. Their love language is sex and there's plenty of in this book as Charlotte gets under Akeem's skin and pushes him to accept the two men he tries to be as one.

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Quick Summary: Young love destroyed by lies and manipulation, only to be restored in the light of truth

My Review: His Desert Bride by Demand by Lela May Wight was a dramatic romance. It revealed a story about two young lovers who were separated and abused by those who should have cared for them the most.

Because of false notions, both A and C misconstrued the truth of the other person. As a result, they were haunted, in a sense, by the past. When brought together again, they each had to find the necessary courage to reveal the trueness of their hearts.

Rating: 3.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A

Thank you L.M. Wight, Harlequin, and NetGalley for granting access to this title in exchange for an honest review. The words I have shared are my own.

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