The Italian’s Inexperienced Mistress by Lynne Graham

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Title: The Italian's Inexperienced Mistress
Author: Lynne Graham
Published by: Harlequin Presents
Release Date: October 17, 2005
Format: ebook
Pages: 192
Genres: Romance, Contemporary
Reading Challenges: Lenoreo's 2021 Backlist Reader Challenge, Lenoreo's 2021 COYER Winter
Find it: Goodreads ✩ Amazon ✩ B&N ✩ Google ✩ Kobo ✩ iBooks
My rating:

Blurb:

When Angelo sought revenge Gwenna Hamilton added another, delicious dimension. Innocent and pretty, she had no chance when the Italian tycoon offered her the devil's bargain: pay for her father's freedom with her body.

In her naiveté, Gwenna thought that Angelo would tire of her and her innocence very quickly. But he had more in mind than just one night...

My Review:

4 stars — I…think I’ve already read this one.  I mean, it’s possible that the plots are just so similar sometimes, but I actually wonder if I read it on paperback and then forgot and snagged it on ebook because it was free at the Harlequin store.  I’m leaning towards the latter…it would explain why there’s no review on Goodreads (since I didn’t start reviewing until like 2011 when I got my Kindle).

It might not be full 4 stars, but I think I was just impressed with a few of the ways that it could have gone typical Harlequin, but instead surprised me by being a bit more forward thinking/strong woman.  Like, Gwenna was naive and innocent, and the whole situation of how their relationship starts is…not cool.  But it’s also super typical of Harlequin Presents books, so it’s not unexpected.  What sets it apart is that Angelo actually gets past his revenge and rage and feels guilt and regret for his poor actions.  Like he grew!  Not that Harlequin heroes can’t grow, but in these situations they don’t tend to grow enough for me.  I actually felt for Angelo, and believed in the change.  I mean, he’s still such an odd arrogant out of touch billionaire hero, but I guess Gwenna brought the best out in him.

And there’s the other side of it — so many times these virgin heroines are a bit more doormat-ish.  NOT SO with Gwenna!  I mean, she was with her family, but there’s a lot of history there, and she figures it out eventually.  But with Angelo, damn that girl was feisty!  I LOVED it!  I especially loved Angelo’s mixed reactions to it — like, she was so unlike the women he was used to, and it frustrated and intrigued him.  And when he got annoyed when she challenged him, he actually thought to himself “OMG, am I really afraid of being challenged?”  Yeah, I don’t know, it was just refreshing.

I guess the only other thing I’ll say is that this 4 star is like Harlequin specific.  I wouldn’t necessarily put it up against my 4 star non-Harlequin books, but I’m comparing like with like I guess.