A Ruthless Proposition

WOW.. WHAT A FIND,WHAT A BARGAIN & WHAT A STORY

This was one of those listens where the Hero and Heroine didn't fall in love at first, second or even third sight.... no, instead there was a lorry full of animosity between them because Dante, the gorgeous, arrogant, frustrating and heartless Spanish Billionaire relentlessly treated his poor Assistant Cleo like an unwanted incompetent nuisance. The Offices were based in Cape Town but Dante needed Cleo to assist him on a trip to Tokyo.... a trip that would bring the greatest joy, the most angst and the worst heartache imaginable - and this would change their lives forever.

Dante was a workaholic, a Playboy and a magnificent controlling bastard - he was cold, ruthless, heartless, arrogant and an emotionless empty person wrapped up in a handsome sexy shell. But whatever his failings were Cleo was somehow attracted and drawn to him.... no matter how he treated her and what impatient harsh words he said to her. So, even knowing that they were both making a mistake, they still got caught up in a sexual need for each other that should've lasted for one crazy night.... instead it lasted the whole week that they were in Tokyo (not very graphic sex). Cleo knew she was just an easy lay to him - he'd made that very clear and that she was just a way for him to relieve his sexual frustration - he'd even called her the wrong name afterwards, but she was fine with that and had no fluffy fairytale expectations when it came to her boss. However, if she thought after their brief intimate time together the animosity between them might warm a little, she was very wrong because he continued to micro-manage and anger Cleo with his actions, his words, his heartless manipulations and eventually his shocking rage filled reaction..... until then unthinkable happened and he slowly started to feel.

From completely disliking Dante right from the start, I began to understand, and eventually like him, as I got an insight into his loveless childhood and that this is what had created the aloof heartless businessman today who really didn't have a conscience and whose life motto is "play hard, work harder". I loved watching his character development as he revealed his deeply hidden passion filled feelings for Cleo and he gradually turned from beng a cold one dimensional caterpillar into an emotionally intense beautiful butterfly. Oh, it was honed out of angst, drama, tragedy, pain, devastation, loss, heartache, loneliness, forgiveness, redemption and love.... but it was still a beautiful transformation to witness. There were a few secondary characters weaving in and out of the plot but it was mainly Cleo and Dante's story - their long emotional roller-coaster of a relationship which was nicely paced.... going from rock bottom early on to sky high just in time for the touching Epilogue.

Dual POV's and Justine Eyre seamlessly, and very successfully, narrated all the characters voices.... a sexy male's Spanish accent and all the male/female South African accents - even though she's an English woman. And, because of her narration, the characters came to life so it was easy to visualize and feel all the scenes..... including the emotionally good, the emotionally bad and the emotionally ugly ones.

Worth a credit? IMO, this was a very addictive, a very enjoyable and definitely a very creditworthy listen..... but it's under $10 (and lucky me coz I got it even cheaper when it was on sale) so I just bought it and saved my credit for a costlier, but maybe not as enjoyable, listen.

22 people found this helpful

Not the usual romance story. I enjoyed it but prepare for tears

I was surprised that I enjoyed this book as much as I did. The main character was hard and remote.and hard to like in the beginning. But the characters grew on you quickly and the book became difficult to put down.

6 people found this helpful

Tense unfortunate coupling (anglo) employee & boss

This story is about 2 people that live in south Africa (Afrikaana) Both anglo. One is the boss and the other is his assistant a former dancer that happen to be the baby sister of his best friend. This story made me cry. HARD.... I hated the lead male character.. The voice actor's accent was interesting..

3 people found this helpful

Half the book was di*k-n-doormat.

It's difficult for me to read about dominant jerks, and their meek females. This started as a dick-n-doormat, however that changes after listening to half the book. I bought this during a half price sale. It has a HEA, but it's still not my cup of tea.

3 people found this helpful

Very sad and touching w/ a few funny moments

I laughed and cried a lot with this book...
She is quite insecure about herself and when her hot and cruel boss seduces her during a trip to Japan, she gave in and spent all nights in his bed.
After returning to South Africa, he turns into a bigger ass and things get very annoying with the way he threats her and she get screwed in more ways than one.
I can not give too many spoilers but I have to say that she getting pregnant so fast ruined the book for me. It made me cry a lot so, if you are in the mood for a light, funny, sweet romance, this is not it. I like to read to feel good and I will need some hours to get in a better mood after this...life is heavy and overwhelming enough - I didn't need this drama today!!!!!
The narrator made it very difficult for me to understand - the British accent always gets me...

3 people found this helpful

soap opera

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I' m a happy ending kind of girl so I would simply start all over. Way to much angst. I only want tissues when I laugh to hard.

If you’ve listened to books by Natasha Anders before, how does this one compare?

first of ms. Anders books.would not seek her books

Have you listened to any of Justine Eyre’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

The narrator was just fine.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

no

5 people found this helpful

3.5 Stars but Could have been Great!

3.5 Stars - Let me start by saying that I really thought I'd LOVE this book. Unfortunately I was wrong! This was almost a DNF for me. And I don't fancy myself a quitter, so that's saying something. The hero, Dante was just too much of jerk for me early on. I couldn't possibly fathom how anyone would want to breath the same air as him, let alone sleep with him, or better yet fall in love with him. Seriously?? It couldn't have been me!

At any rate, I stuck with it and Dante eventually grew on me. Still not enough that I actually believed there was actual chemistry between him and Cleo. But more so that I questioned if I'd read two different books. He does a complete turnaround midway through. He starts out as a jerk of epic proportions and then transforms into the wonderfully sexy and generous alpha male I expected going in. Had Anders incorporated some of his redeeming qualities into the story earlier, this would be a solid 4.5*** for me. Even so, it was still a decent read or rather listen (I purchased the audible edition) and totally worth the price I paid.

Here's what worked well: The plot and pace were both good. I thought it'd be predictable, but it wasn't. There were some surprises that I really enjoyed. I felt the entire range of emotions while reading this book. Mostly anger, but there were also a few smiles and a couple tears. Overall, it's a solid read once you get to good part LOL

3 people found this helpful

Amazing Narraration

I had always heard that authors were supposed to write characters that people liked. This was the first time I openly hated one and I loved the book all that much more for it. This was a great story and I really found myself going OMG WHAT A JERK outloud. The emotion the writing pulls out of you while reading it, is great. I applaud the author for that.

As far as the narration goes, this was the first time I had heard a book read by Justine Eyre. I thought she was simply amazing.

3 people found this helpful

Starts hot, Slows Waay Down and Becomes a Snooze

It started hot and interesting, slowed waay down and became a snooze story, Too bad. Dante was just too much of a #### to really care about.

2 people found this helpful

This is a keeper!

What a beautiful story. No spoilers, but the emotion in this book had me crying like no book has done for a long while. Such tender, endearing emotion. Tears of sadness and of joy. These people felt real to me. I love your writing, Natasha Anders.
Are there more?

And Justine Eyre did an amazing job with the narration. Her voice in the narrative part reminded me of Emma Stone, which I loved. And her voices were intriguing and unique from one another, and steeped in cultural nuances. Thank you, for a wonderful experience.