REVIEW: Ravelli’s Defiant Bride by Lynne Graham

In Ravelli’s Defiant Bride (The Legacies of Powerful Men #1) by Lynne Graham, Christo Ravelli visits his father’s Irish country estate to take care of the mess his father left behind in the form of five illegitimate children. He needs to sort everything out to prevent any more scandal but to do that he would need the cooperation of Belle Brophy who is not letting Christo get away with his demands so easily. Especially after the way his father abandoned her half siblings and mother.

Belle Brophy’s only concern is her half siblings. She’ll do anything to provide them with the security she never had. So when this gorgeous Italian offers marriage, she won’t say no. But once the ring is on her finger Belle quickly discovers there’s more to a marriage than saying “I do”!

This novel is the first part of The Legacies of Powerful Men trilogy.

Ravelli’s Defiant Bride by Lynne Graham is a well written marriage of convenience(MOC) romance. MOC trope have always been the author’s strongest point and therefore I was expecting much more from this one.

The story was enjoyable and starts off in an amusing way and continues to have a nice pace throughout. I did not fully agree with situations that required a MOC and maybe if the characters had fought less and sat together to talk it out, the MOC could have been avoided. I would have preferred if there was a necessary or dire reason for MOC. I liked how the story progressed after the MOC and the smooth flow of the romance throughout the story. Most of the situations are predictable if you have read tons of Lynne Graham novels before but nevertheless I enjoyed the predictability in this case.

This story was lacking from the usual intensity the author’s older stories usually have. Christo is the average alpha male but he treated Belle right and respected her. He had calm and cool mind which was in total contrast to the heroine. Belle is a strong heroine who knows how to stand up for herself. She was part crazy and part sensible and I loved that about her. I mean pretending to be the mother of five children when you are not even twenty five is a crazy thing to do but it did not stop Belle from doing the exact same thing.

Overall, Ravelli’s Defiant Bride by Lynne Graham is a well written romance with an enjoyable story. It’s not the author’s best but it’s not bad either. If you love marriage of convenience trope or if you are a Lynne Graham fan, then go for this one.

Book Info:

Published May 20th 2014 by Harlequin Presents Series #3242 |  (The Legacies of Powerful Men #1)

His unexpected wife!

Cristo Ravelli paces the floor of his father’s Irish country estate, ruing the day he heard the Brophy name. That his father died and left a brood of illegitimate children is hardly surprising, but to silence this scandal Cristo must bring their guardian, the enchanting Belle, in line with his plans!

Belle Brophy’s only concern is her half siblings. She’ll do anything to provide them with the security she never had. So when this gorgeous Italian offers marriage, she won’t say no. But once the ring is on her finger Belle quickly discovers there’s more to a marriage than saying “I do”!