Holly‘s review of Tempted by Her Innocent Kiss (Pregnancy and Passion, Book 3) by Maya Banks.

No Man’s Bargaining Chip

Devon Carter was her first; now newly wed Ashley wants their passion to last. But her dreams of true love are crushed by the discovery that their marriage is another of Daddy’s business deals. Her strategy: act the part of perfect wife and make Devon love her.

But Devon misses the bubbly, no-holdsbarred woman his wife used to be. Who is this Ashley with the steely demeanor of a society wife? And will he find a way to rekindle the fire in her eyes…especially now that she’s pregnant?

To celebrate 30 years of Harlequin Desire, this edition includes the bonus story “Never Too Late” by Brenda Jackson.

I really dislike plots that feature secrets and/or lying, but I really love it when the hero thinks he wants the heroine to change…until she does. This novel features both. Though it wasn’t my favorite read ever, I did enjoy it.

The marriage for a merger storyline was a little hard to take. I think because it made her seem so helpless when she was anything but. A woman, especially in this day and age, doesn’t need a man to take care of her. I was able to suspend disbelief enough to enjoy it, however.

This is a very emotionally compelling story. I think because Banks did such a good job of showing us the before and after effect the hero has on the heroine. It made her transformation that much more heartbreaking.

3.25 out of 5

This book is available from Harlequin Desire. You can buy it here or here in e-format.