REVIEW: The Virgin’s Debt to Pay by Abby Green

The Virgin’s Debt to Pay by Abby Green is a sensual romance set with the backdrop of the exciting world of horse racing. Nessa O’Sullivan will do anything for her family, including breaking in to retrieve some data files to prove her brother’s innocence. He’s been accused of stealing a payment of a million dollars for a prize race horse when the money doesn’t show up in the right hands. When Luc Barbier catches her in his office, he’s ready to exact revenge.

Luc doesn’t believe that Nessa is as innocent as she looks. Instead of calling the police, he makes a bargain with her – she can work for him, in the stables or his household and the money he’d pay her can go to her brother’s debt. He’s suspicious of her, believing she and her brother are in cahoots. It’s all the more disturbing because he finds her incredibly attractive.

Nessa knows that Luc views her with disdain – but she is equally attracted to him. When they succumb to their chemistry, she knows it means nothing to him. But when she becomes involved with his horses and proves her skill as a jockey, Luc finds himself far more concerned about her safety than he should be. As he discovers that she really is the caring if naive woman she appears to be, will his determination to keep her at arm’s length prove to be a mistake?

I haven’t read too many romances with the backdrop of professional horse racing but I really enjoyed this as a setting. Nessa’s family also owns a racing stables, in disrepair but currently being built up due to her sister marrying a wealthy man. She’s an accomplished horse rider herself but hasn’t had the chance to prove herself on the international circuit. Their family stables stand next to Luc’s property and he has a stable of thoroughbreds that she is drawn to. At first Luc doesn’t want her anywhere near his horses, but she gradually wins him over.

Luc is a fairly typical Harlequin Presents hero – arrogant and somewhat cocky, with a difficult upbringing. He had to prove himself worthy of the social set he’s in, though there is still a lot of gossip about him and he doesn’t feel accepted. The fact that Nessa doesn’t care about his past is a boon to his soul. As they connect, they share some passionate love scenes, though Luc is wary of showing how Nessa really affects him. It’s not until he’s about to lose her that he realizes what an idiot he’s been and has to make amends. The result is a satisfying happy ending and a sweet epilogue. If you like a more traditional HP story with a hero who sees the error of his ways in time to get the girl, this one is for you.
 

Book Info:

Publication: April 17, 2018 | Harlequin Presents |

Indebted to the billionaire… And he will collect! Nessa must appeal to notorious tycoon Luc’s better nature to exonerate her brother of theft. But Luc is the most merciless–and sinfully attractive–man Nessa’s ever met! Until the debt is settled, he’ll hold her as his captive. And when undeniable attraction overwhelms them both, it becomes clear that Nessa’s innocence is the real price to pay…!