REVIEW: The Greek’s Secret Son by Julia James

The Greek’s Secret Son by Julia James is a passionate second chance romance for a couple whose wild affair abruptly ended but who now have the opportunity to make amends and rekindle their love affair.

When Anatole Kyrgiakis almost hits Tia with his car, it’s a fateful start to what turns out to be a tempestuous relationship. Tia is an innocent, a young woman who’s spent most of her life caring for family members. Anatole introduces her to a whole new world of wealth and luxury. But he’s clear that he’s not interested in being trapped in marriage or having any children. When Tia finds out she’s pregnant, she knows Anatole will cast her aside – so she makes the decision to leave him first.

In a twist of fate, it’s Anatole’s uncle who discovers a heartbroken and pregnant Tia and offers her a marriage of convenience. He’s 30 years older than her and isn’t looking for a love match or a young wife, just a means of keeping Tia’s child part of the Kyrgiakis family. For six years she lives with him as he supports her and her son, until his untimely death. When Anatole comes to pay his respects, the woman he finds isn’t the young innocent anymore, but a mature and responsible mother. He’d thought her a gold digger when she married his uncle but at every turn she proves otherwise. And he’s drawn to her young son Nicky. Perhaps he’s made a mistake thinking that marriage and children are not for him. Will Tia consider letting him back into her life, this time for good?

If you’re a fan of drama, passion and old style Harlequin Presents romances, this story is for you. It’s like a soap opera in book form, with Tia and Anatole meeting by accident (literally), engaging in a wild affair, breaking up suddenly, then having Tia marry Anatole’s uncle. Anatole has never forgotten Tia but believes that she married his uncle for money, and that Nicky is a product of their relationship. He never considers the timing or that Nicky might be his son. That’s a secret that’s kept for much of the story but does come out eventually.

Anatole goes full circle from arrogant and demanding at the start to remorseful at the end when he realizes all the time he has wasted being apart from Tia. Because she is a virgin when they meet, he is the one to introduce her to lovemaking in some sexy scenes and once they’ve slept together he has a hard time letting her go, enticing her to stay with him for months until their breakup. They rekindle their love affair when he re-enters her life after his uncle’s death and their passion is just as strong as ever.

I enjoyed seeing Anatole develop a relationship with Nicky and his desire to be a father to the boy, even as he is unaware of his biological role in the boy’s life. Tia becomes a stronger, independent woman as the story progresses and everything she has done since her pregnancy has been for her son. She is able to forgive Anatole and give him a second chance, and they get a lovely happy ending for the family with a sweet epilogue.
 

Book Info:

Publication: Feb 20, 2018 | Harlequin Presents | Secret Heirs of Billionaires

He’s proposed to protect her… But she has a surprise of her own! Tia is horrified when imposing Anatole Kyrgiakis sweeps back into her life demanding marriage. Six years ago he left her heartbroken–no matter how fiercely she craves him, she won’t make the same mistake again! But Tia is bound to this powerful Greek by more than just passion…. Does she dare confess to the biggest secret of all?