REVIEW: Claiming his Hidden Heir by Carol Marinelli

In Claiming his Hidden Heir (Secret Heirs of Billionaires #13) by Carol Marinelli, Cecilia Andrews had no choice but to resign from working as Luka Kagas’s PA, not when her feelings for him were as strong as they were. Yet, when he callously dismissed her over a year ago, she never imagined she’d see him again. However, when he learns the consequence of their time together, will Luka make things difficult for Cecilia or will they get their shot at happy ever after?

“Hey,” Luka said, his voice thick and sleepy.
“I’m just sorting out your luggage for your trip.”
And then he must have recalled what they had done the previous night because he asked, “Why did you leave so abruptly?”
“Because I wanted to get home,” Cecilia said, and then she turned and gave him a small smile and did her best to keep it light. “And I also wanted some sleep.”
“Yes, well, you wouldn’t have got that had you stayed.”

I loved this story right from the beginning, as it has everything that I love in a contemporary romance from intense drama that causes a rift in this couple’s growing relationship to a hero that wields his power and authority to get what he wants to a heroine that isn’t afraid to stand up to the hero when he gets a little too demanding. However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine come face-to-face for the first time where this story really takes off, as there’s instant and such intense chemistry between this couple. Will Luka be able to convince Cecilia to take a chance on him?

”I want to take you to the yacht tonight because I think it’s time that we speak about us.”
“Us?” An incredulous laugh shot from her lips. “What us? You hate me, and I can’t stand the way you live your life—”
“Yet we are parents together,” Luka interrupted. “And for the record, I don’t hate you, and I think you ae referring to my former life.”

As for the dialogue, it was compelling due to this couple’s growing relationship that begins as a workplace romance and the drama that has Luka and Cecilia at odds because of what the hero sees as the heroine’s betrayal. Will the heroine be able to make things right between them? Will Luka give the heroine a chance to explain, especially after how they ended things when he callously dismissed her from her role as his personal assistant? Moreover, the heroine is feisty, resilient, courageous and I liked how much of a challenge she provided the hero. I also liked that she stood up to the hero when he begins to make things difficult for her, even though she knows what she did was wrong because Luka is a good guy despite his ruthlessness. While the hero, he’s confident, used to getting what he wants and I liked that he was willing to do whatever it takes to get the heroine back into his life once things went awry in their relationship, even though he couldn’t forgive her for what she did. Will he ever be able to forgive her betrayal? Will the hero get his way by only backing the heroine into a corner she can’t possibly get out of? Furthermore, I liked the relationship Luka had with his mother and that he would do anything for the woman, especially since his father doesn’t seem to be all that great of a dad.

Overall, Ms. Marinelli has delivered an absolutely riveting read in this book where emotions run high, the sexual tension between this couple builds and builds until it spills over onto the pages wonderfully in nicely-detailed romantic moments; and the ending had me loving how the hero didn’t give up on what he wanted and that the heroine finally realized that Luka is her Mr. Right. I would recommend Claiming his Hidden Heir by Carol Marinelli, if you enjoy the second chance romance trope, boss-employee romances, the opposites attract trope, or books by authors Caitlin Crews, Maya Blake, Jennie Lucas and Annie West.
 

Book Info:

Publication: April 17th, 2018 | Harlequin Presents | Secret Heirs of Billionaires #13

“Did you forget to tell me about my baby?”

He won’t be denied his heir!

Buttoned-up PA Cecelia Andrews’s resignation released her secret raw desire for her demanding playboy boss, Luka Kargas. One year after his callous dismissal, Cecelia’s hiding an even greater secret—their daughter! She’ll never let coldhearted Luka make her daughter feel unwanted. But when Luka uncovers her deceit, there’s no escaping the consequences of her passionate surrender…