Reviewed by stacey_is_sassy on
He certainly gives love, a bad name. I knew Natasha Anders would make me cranky, sad and frustrated, but I must… enjoy the pain, need my tear ducts cleaned out and get off on douchewaffle heroes WHO TAKE FOREVER TO WAKE THE HELL UP!! I started A Ruthless Proposition girding my loins, knowing what I would be facing as I’d survived Ms Anders The Unwanted Wife with only minimal damage. She has a remarkable ability to make me hate a hero, dislike a heroine and then suffer along with the hero and heroine as they attack each other with hurtful words and actions (never physical violence). The hardest part for me is starting the story with such a negative feeling towards the characters, and knowing that I’m probably going to absolutely adore them in the end. I started and finished this book in 24 hours. I couldn’t put it down.
Cleopatra Pandora Knight, is a little flighty for her age, likes to chat and doesn’t seem to take things too seriously. Unfortunately, she’s taken a very serious job as PA to the cranky, egotistical and demanding Dante Damaso. The story starts with them in Japan where they are finalising details for a new hotel being constructed. At first, Cleo was excited for the opportunity to go to Japan, but very quickly she realised her mistake. Mr Damaso does not care if she is fed and watered, cares less if she is suffering from jet lag and her thoughts and feelings are not needed or wanted. It’s her job, so, even though I thought she put up with more than I ever would, I can sort of understand. Cleo wants to keep her job, and she may have worried he'd leave her alone in a foreign country. Still…he was an ass. Cleo does not like Dante at all and is surprised that her big brother, Luc, is friends with him. What Cleo can’t deny, is Dante is extremely good looking, sexy, and when he hints at them both reducing their stress levels by having sex, she (with a little hesitation) agrees.
Dante comes across as an emotionless freak. His sexual relationships are with women who won’t become attached to him. We learn that he is this way because the only people who approach him, generally want something from him. Better to keep people at arms length, or if they are in touching distance, there’s a thin slip of paper between them (witnessed by his lawyers) that protects him from attack. His biggest problem is the annoying Chloe Knight yes he called her by the wrong name, right after doing the deed. Miss Knight is under his skin and he does not like it at all.
There are a lot of “issues” that arise from their “thing” in Japan. How they handle their issues and survive the fallout of their decisions, is where this author excels. We can all take a guess at how we would handle their situation, but she gives a somewhat real, if not brutal take on the battle.
My heart was hurting for these two, but the amount of attacks it took from Dante slowed down my recovery and took longer for me to forgive him. It wasn’t until the end that I really forgave him and it was only because his speech made me smile, melt and shiver. His grovel was one of the best I’ve EVER read.
If you like a wee bit of emotion packed into your romance and don’t mind a douchewaffle hero who comes good in the end, this story is for you. I’m a crier and this book had me bawling my eyes out. Luckily, it was 5:30 in the morning and I could sniffle quietly as hubby slept beside me. Natasha Anders handled the sensitive subject very well, and I applaud her for not trivialising it, nor make it over the top. It was just real. Will I go back for more heartbreak from Ms Anders? Probably…more than likely…of course, I will.
I received a complimentary copy of this story via Netgalley for an honest review.
To buy A Ruthless Proposition from Amazon - http://amzn.to/1n7Wkws
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 16 January, 2016: Finished reading
- 16 January, 2016: Reviewed