The Italian's Suitable Wife

I picked up The Italian's Suitable Wife on my last trip to the used bookstore based on the fact that I liked The Real Deal and wanted to try something else by this writer. While Monroe is a skilled writer, this book is mired in cliches: 2.5 out of 5.

The Italian's Suitable Wife is from the Harlequin Presents line and includes an amazing number of romance conventions: the young, virginal heroine, the wealthy older hero; the evil other woman. In this case, they are Gianna, Enrico (Rico), and Chiara respectively. Gianna has known Rico and his family for years. When he is in an accident, she rushes to his side. His fiancee, Chiara, rarely visits him in the hospital, and they eventually break up. Rico proposes to Gianna; they marry and return to Rico's family home so he can recuperate.

The main characters come straight out of central casting. Gianna is the self-sacrificing heroine who rushes to the hero's side when needed. She is literally self-sacrificing--she loses her job because she stays at the hospital 24/7. Rico is powerful, wealthy, and domineering. Gianna and Rico do have moments when they are more fully developed. While I couldn't help rolling my eyes about some of the plot developments, Monroe's writing kept me reading. However, I'm not likely to seek out her other Presents books. I think I'll stick with her Brava single titles.

Alyssa