Published by Harlequin Desire
Released on September 14, 2015
Pages: 192
Format: Paperback
Source: Giveaway
The Delight
It’s been a while since I read a desert sheikh romance and it startled me that this author wrote one as one of her earlier books for the Harlequin Desire line. Most of the stories in this category of romance that I’ve read are cheesy and some can be under-developed, so I kept my expectations lowered, but still looked forward to a fun escape read.
Review
The story begins with Jasmine coming from New Zealand to Tariq’s small desert country. It has been four years since they parted on bad terms when she gave into the demands of her family and cut things off with Tariq (shades of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, here). Her family was not worthy of the sacrifice and she’s now in a better place to make a second effort to restore what she had with Tariq if he’ll have her. Tariq is all for it. He feels the attraction is as strong as ever. The pair can’t keep their hands off each other. However, its different this time. He’s still angry about the way she treated him and his love even if he can’t let go of a second chance. They are both different. He’s running the country now, but he keeps his emotional walls up with Jasmine and she does as well when she figures this out. There is no way he is giving Jasmine his heart to stomp all over again and she gets this after she gets her feelings hurt when he holds her at a distance and won’t let her get close to him emotional. She’s wondering if the secret she keeps will push him away for good.
They have their miscommunications and big misunderstanding moment. They do a reset and try to start building something together based on who they are now and its doing alright, but both still have their doubts after what happened before. The secret is blown out of proportion and not worth the fuss as far as I was concerned. Fortunately, it was a fast read.
I enjoyed it for all the reasons one picks up a desert sheikh romance, but, moderately so, since I got exasperated with the pair just as much as I enjoyed them together. It was fun to go back and read one of the author’s earlier efforts and realize she has grown and mastered her craft so much since then. If you love swoony dominating rich and handsome Arab men, feisty women who won’t be pushed around, and a second chance romance, I give you exhibit A.
Challenges
Romance Roundabout #285 CR
Mt. TBR #102
Read All the Books #63
Recommendations
Preview
About Nalini Singh
I’ve been writing as long as I can remember and all of my stories always held a thread of romance (even when I was writing about a prince who could shoot lasers out of his eyes). I love creating unique characters, love giving them happy endings and I even love the voices in my head. There’s no other job I would rather be doing. In September 2002, when I got the call that Silhouette Desire wanted to buy my first book, Desert Warrior, it was a dream come true. I hope to continue living the dream until I keel over of old age on my keyboard.
I was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand. I also spent three years living and working in Japan, during which time I took the chance to travel around Asia. I’m back in New Zealand now, but I’m always plotting new trips. If you’d like to see some of my travel snapshots, have a look at the Travel Diary page (updated every month).
So far, I’ve worked as a lawyer, a librarian, a candy factory general hand, a bank temp and an English teacher and not necessarily in that order. Some might call that inconsistency but I call it grist for the writer’s mill.
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LOL, it is hard when the couple make you crazy one minute and loving them the next. Did this feel dated at all?
Never mind I thought it said 2005 release date,
Actually, that is a re-release. It was originally released in 2003. It was definitely dated in the style and some parts of the setting. I didn’t mind and expected it since I knew it was older.
Oh yeah, this pair drove me crazy- sometimes in a good way and sometimes not so much.
I used to read these types of sheikh romances but for the most part I stay away from this type of book these days. I agree, they just seem cheesy and I don’t enjoy them anymore.
Yep, I had my day of grabbing up lots of books like this and then had to move on. Nowadays, its alright if I pick one up on occasion, but I’m very aware of what I’m getting into. 🙂
Frustrating characters, not a fan of those. I am glad you were still able to enjoy it though.
If they had just sat down and talked, probably half this book wouldn’t exist. Grrr. 😉
eh. Characters that annoy me TOO much are a no-go
They definitely pushed my buttons with their lack of communication and leaping to assumptions. Grr.
I haven’t read these books yet, but I love those desert Sheiks hehe And plus its Nalini Singh. But I do hate it when characters are annoying.
I thought it was fun that she’d written an older sheikh romance. It was a pretty good one, but yeah… this pair. Oys!
Haven’t tried sheikh romance before but this one sounds like a decent read. Awesome review Sophia Rose 🙂
xx
Blushing Geek
Oh you really haven’t lived until you’ve experienced an old-school sheikh romance, Vaness. Haha! I’m just kidding, but yes, they can be a fun trope to try.
I don’t think Sheikh romances are for me. I do like some of the books from this author but I haven’t gotten very far into the series, even tho I liked them. Anne – Books of My Heart
They are definitely an acquired taste. LOL And, her more recent contemporaries, paranormal and urban fantasies are definitely a better option. 🙂
Oh it’s been a while since I read a sheikh romance. I’m glad you enjoyed it even if they had some…moments. lol
Yes, for me, as well. I had a good time with that part and even a little about their reunion romance. But, all the misunderstandings simply b/c they wouldn’t talk and leaped to conclusions was driving me nuts.