REVIEW: The Italian’s Unexpected Love-Child by Miranda Lee

In The Italian’s Unexpected Love-Child by Miranda Lee, when Veronica Hanson inherits a luxury villa, she discovers more about herself than she ever thought. Wanting to know more about her father, she travels to Capri and meets Leonardo Fabrizzi; a man she’s met before, but who doesn’t remember her. However, she finds it’s not as easy to resist him as it was in the past and the more time she spends with him, the more she finds herself caving in to the intense chemistry that exists between them. Will Veronica stay in Capri when she discovers she’s pregnant or will she return home because trust is important to her and she doesn’t believe she’ll ever be able to trust Leonardo?

”Goodness!” she exclaimed, pulling back out of his embrace before she combusted. “I’d forgotten how very demonstrative Italians were.”
Leonardo’s eyebrows arched. “You don’t hug hello in Australia?”
“We do. Though usually just relatives and close friends.”
“How very odd. If I overstepped the mark, then I apologize. Come. It is too hot to be standing out here in the sun.”

The way this story started with the prologue had me intrigued to learn more about Leonardo, as he was close with the heroine’s father and knowing that he had a child is a complete shock once he learns the truth of why Veronica was included in the man’s will. However, it was from the moment that the hero and heroine come face-to-face for the first time where this story gets interesting because there’s something about the heroine the hero is fascinated by. Will he act on the attraction he feels for her?

As for the dialogue, it was intense and fascinating due to the main characters back stories because this pair have a brief past where the heroine remembers him, yet Leonardo doesn’t remember her. How could he not remember her, considering she’s probably one of a few women that have managed to resist him? Was he such an arrogant jerk that believed he could have any woman he wanted back then? Moreover, I really liked the heroine and I could understand why she wants to learn anything she can about her father since she doesn’t know anything about him since her mother kept him such a secret for good reasons. Why did her father leave her the villa? Did he have ulterior motives when it came to her happiness and finding someone that might be a good match for Leonardo? I also liked how resilient and courageous the heroine was when it came to going to Capri and everything she does in Capri in facing her fears and interacting with the hero’s family. Things that aren’t easy for her, especially when his family are so big on the opinion that marriage would be a good thing for Leonardo. Who are they to say that he isn’t already happy enough with his life?

”I don’t think Leonardo is ready for marriage yet.”
“Oh, pah! He is ready. He just needs a push.”
“Pushing doesn’t always work, Carmelina. Not with someone like Leonardo. He has to make up his own mind. You should tell your mother and father to back off.”
“Laurence thought he needed a push.”
“What? What did you say?”
“I said Laurence thought my brother was ready for a wife. He said he just needed the right girl. Maybe he was thinking of you, Veronica.”

While the hero, it’s understandable why he misses his old life because early retirement from a sport where he was so good and much loved by his fans isn’t easy to deal with. Still, he’s resilient, hard-working and has done well for himself when it comes to his life outside of being an athlete. I also liked the close relationship he has with his family, even though he can only cope being home in small doses because everyone knows everything about everyone. It feels like nothing is a secret in Capri. Yet, what I liked most of all about the hero is his determination to win the heroine over, even though he knows she’s going to be leaving to go back home. Is his determination to win her over because he has ulterior motives or because he genuinely likes her?

Overall, Ms. Lee has delivered a good read in this book where I gradually warmed up to the hero since it seemed he thought he should get the villa until he discovered why the heroine ended up with it; the chemistry between this couple was strong from the moment they met; the romance was delightful and had me loving that the hero eventually won the heroine over since she finds it hard to trust men and the hero has quite the reputation; and the ending had me worried for one of the main characters because of what happens, but had me loving the hero’s determination to win the heroine over completely and prove to her that she can trust him. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up nicely because Leonardo and Veronica are so happy together and have so much to look forward to for their future. I would recommend The Italian’s Unexpected Love Child by Miranda Lee, if you enjoy the surprise pregnancy trope, the opposites attract trope or books by authors Melanie Milburne, Lucy Monroe, Cathy Williams and Michelle Smart.
 

Book Info:

Publication: September 18th, 2018 | Harlequin Presents |

She resisted him once… But this billionaire is playing to win!

A luxury villa on Capri will be the latest jewel in playboy Leonardo Fabrizzi’s crown–until he discovers Veronica Hanson stands to inherit it. She’s the only woman to ever resist his charms, but he’s determined to tempt her into sensual surrender! He seduces her cleverly and slowly, and their explosive chemistry is spectacular. But so are the consequences when Veronica reveals she’s pregnant! Enjoy this entertaining story of pregnancy and passion!