REVIEW: The Magnate’s Marriage Merger by Joanne Rock

The Magnate’s Marriage Merger by Joanne Rock is the second story in her McNeill Magnates series, and this one features a second chance romance for a couple whose original whirlwind romance ended as abruptly as it began. Lydia Whitney had fallen swiftly for Ian McNeill while they were both working on a hotel development in Rangiroa, but when she discovered his profile on a dating website she accused him of duplicity and broke things off, returning home before he could explain. In fact, it was his grandfather’s doing, not Ian’s but Lydia gets her revenge.

As celebrity matchmaker ‘Mallory West’ she sends one inappropriate woman after another his way, with Ian none the wiser about who is setting him up. Things come to a head though when his brother Cameron gets caught in a scandal with Ballerina Sofia Koslov, in part due to Lydia’s actions. Investigating ‘Mallory’, Ian discovers she’s none other than the woman who was on her way to stealing his heart. Discovering where her next design assignment will be, he calls in a favor and gets on the resort team so he can confront Lydia. He offers her an exchange – he’ll protect her from a lawsuit threatened by Sofia’s father if she’ll agree to marry him for one year so that he can retain control of McNeill Resorts as defined in his still living grandfather’s updated will. Lydia reluctantly agrees but insists it should be a marriage in name only. She’s already had her heart broken by Ian once, and she’s not willing to risk it a second time. But once Ian has her in his arms again, he’s not willing to let her go. Can he convince her that this time around is for keeps?

I really enjoyed this second chance romance! Ian and Lydia’s sizzling affair in Rangiroa ended because mistakes were made on both sides. It’s just chance that she ends up getting involved in his brother’s love life and onto Ian’s radar again, though he definitely hasn’t forgotten her. Both of them have regrets about how it ended, and still relive the memories of their nights together. Lydia has gotten involved with a charity for single moms and the proceeds from her matchmaking career have gone to this cause dear to her heart. Worry that she’ll lose those funds if a lawsuit against her goes through prompt her to take Ian’s offer seriously – as does the undeniable sexual attraction that still exists between them. Several sexy scenes ensue as despite Lydia’s best efforts, she can’t resist Ian’s charming and seductive ways.

One of Lydia’s big concern is how the press will deal with her marriage to Ian who is a very wealthy man. Her single mother has the reputation of being a gold digger, with different rich men all the time and Lydia dealt with some very difficult events as a teenager as a result, including untrue stories about her. Ian reacts to this news, and Lydia’s vulnerability exactly as a hero should – with concern and care. His actions go a long way to proving to Lydia the man he really is, and how much it’s going to hurt her when their year together is up. Fortunately this time they are willing to share their feelings with each other and we get a lovely happy ending for the couple.

There are some interesting plot twists later on in the story that affect their whole family, and will make for some interesting future McNeill romances! I’m looking forward to reading more about this family.
 

Book Info:

Publication: May 9, 2017 | Harlequin Desire | The McNeill Magnates #2

The matchmaker meets her match…in one very persistent tycoon!

Secretive matchmaker to the rich and famous, Lydia Whitney prefers to stay behind the scenes. But after one mistake, rich resort developer Ian McNeill is hot on her trail, and he’s more attractive–and persistent–than ever before.

Ian can’t believe it when he figures out who’s messing with his family: a woman who has deceived–and seduced–him before. What’s her agenda? And why can’t he resist her? He’ll get the answers to all his questions, if Lydia agrees to his convenient marriage proposal. But once she’s in his arms again, will he let her go?