THE MARRIAGE TRAP by Jennifer Probst Romance Book Review
Series: Marriage to a Billionaire, #2
Publication Date: October 2nd 2012
Summary: WIFE WANTED…
Italian billionaire seeks faux fiancée. Willing to agree to anything in return…
In order for his sister to marry, Italian billionaire Michael Conte has to find himself a bride – and fast! When he learns that photographer Maggie Ryan is going to be in Milan, Michael hatches a plan to introduce her to his family as his “fiancée.” Never mind that Maggie is confident, independent, and a control freak. Never mind that she’s everything he doesn’t want in a wife… and everything he wants in his bed!
Convinced that Michael is in love with her married gal pal, Maggie agrees to keep up the ruse if he’ll keep away from her friend. Besides, she’s not attracted to charming, ridiculously hot billionaires who drive her nuts. Once they’re in Italy, however, everything changes – and the sexual tension between Maggie and Michael goes from simmer to naked nuclear meltdown!
But have they found the perfect arrangement… or are they trapped in a make-believe marriage?
Heroine: Maggie’s character genuinely surprised me. She comes off as a really confident woman, but she’s guarded when it comes to feelings and relationships. I guess I didn’t really believe her that she had reason to be guarded until her character finally reveals the trauma she’s been through in the past.
I thought that Maggie got a little excessive at times when she kept insisting that Michael was in love with her best friend, but I got over it. Minor complaint. If it had only been the only bump in the road that preventing Michael and Maggie from getting together, then we would have had issues. But it wasn’t, so I’ll stop whining about it.
Hero: I don’t really have much to say about Michael. I mean, he’s also a deeply layered character who tries so hard to be the best he can for his family. Except sometimes he doesn’t realize that his sisters have grown up and he needs to listen to what they want in life. I thought it was great that Maggie was able to make him see what he was doing wrong.
Supporting Cast: If you are a fan of this series, you will definitely love the supporting cast. I think that the connections are a little confusing if you haven’t read the books in a while, and it took me a while to acclimate myself with the characters’ relationships. Family is a big deal in the Marriage to a Billionaire series and I really enjoy it.
Plot: I am a sucker for a good arranged marriage plot. Since I already read the third book before this one, I had a vague idea of how it was going to play out so any suspense was lost on me. Still, I enjoyed how the story played out.
Romance: Probst is always spot on when it comes to building sexual tension and chemistry with the characters. This is no exception.
Love Potion Strength:
– Exceeds Expectations
So I finally am up to date to the Marriage to a Billionaire series and I am sad. I want more yummy contemporary romance. Trust me, I will be reading all of Jennifer Probst’s books.
Guys, I should mention that this book has lots of details on cooking Italian food and good wine. It will make you crave both.
Thank you for the lovely review! I’m glad you enjoyed the series, and don’t forget The Marriage Merger is coming on July 30th with Sawyer and Julietta!