A Convenient Bridegroom: Society Weddings

A Convenient Bridegroom by Helen Bianchin Harlequin Presents # 2067 - December 1999 Society Weddings series The company formed by two Italian immigrant families, Benini-Santangelo was a major name in the Sydney building industry. It was only fitting that a marriage between Giuseppe Benini's daughter, Aysha to Luigi Santagelo's son, Carlo should take place. Aysha wasn't kidding herself, she knew her upcoming wedding to Carlo would mark a marriage of convenience. Though she's loved Carlo all of her life, when he married Bianca, he'd broken her heart. Bianca had been the love of his life, and Aysha knew that with her death, died Carlo's ability to love another. But their relationship was one formed on friendship, respect, affection and sexual chemistry. Surely things would be okay, or so Aysha thought until the witch Nina started to sow seeds that she was Carlo's mistress and would always be. This is not like any Presents I've read. I think many readers would find it too tame, in that the intense confrontations usually in the line are down played to show how hard Aysha is trying to hide her true feelings for Carlo. Only to Carlo, Aysha is transparent, and he easily sees how deeply she is hurt by the lies told by Nina. Carlo is a strong character who shows little emotion, but we get glimpses of his caring throughout the book, and of course his deep love at the HEA. Normally I would be disappointed that an intense confrontation had not taken place, but the writing is so fluid and emotively descriptive that I was enthralled in the love story. Well done! :D

Description from the book back cover: It was too late for Aysha Benini to back out of marrying Carlo Santangelo. Everyone expected a radiant bride, blissfully entering a marriage of convenience that would unite two powerful families ... The painful truth was that Carlo clearly had no intention of giving up his glamorous mistress. And Aysha wanted a real marriage with her husband-to-be. SOCIETY WEDDINGS - They're gorgeous, they're glamorous ... and they're getting married!

Aysha Benini is the daughter of Italian immigrants to Australia as is Carlo Santangelo. Their parents are best friends, came over from Italy together, worked hard and made Benni-Santangelo the name in the Australian Cement Business. Now the family wants their children to marry and Carlo has proposed. Carlo had been married before, but he wife had been killed right after their honeymoon in a fatal auto accident. For her part Aysha has been in love with Carlo for ever, but she's afraid that he won't ever love her back the way she loves him. She wonders how much of a mating of comercial interests their union is. Though he seems tender enough and is great in the sack, she is worried. In the end it all comes out okay and I did kind of like this story, even though it almost read like an arranged marriage kind of tale and those I usually don't like at all. The characters were well drawn and likable, even if they were wealthy and I'm giving this one four stars.

The fast approaching marriage to Carlo Santangelo is making life hectic for Aysha Benini, as well as prompting her to reassess the rightness of her decision. Aysha feels the pressure of her parents who think she's made a great match, and also struggles with believing her love for Carlo is one-sided. How Carlo convinces Aysha he feels the same for her is both sensuous and charming.