The Millionaire’s Mistress by Miranda Lee is a passionate and modern category romance that explores the complex dynamics between a wealthy man and a woman in need of financial help.
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MILD SPOILER ALERT
The Millionaire's Mistress by Miranda Lee
Rating: 
Published: 1998
Illustrator: Unknown
Imprint or Line: Harlequin Presents #2026
Published by: Harlequin, Mills & Boon
Genres: Category Romance, Contemporary Romance
Pages: 192
Format: eBook, Manga, Paperback
Buy on: Amazon, AbeBooks
Reviewed by: IntrovertReader
The Book
Miranda Lee‘s The Millionaire’s Mistress is a sensual romance from the Harlequin Presents and Mills & Boon Modern lines from 1998.
As Miranda Lee is one of my top authors of category romances, I judge her to a higher standard than other similar writers. So I’m of missed feelings with this one. What begins with a great sexual build-up is kind of a letdown on the delivery.
The Plot
Marcus Osborne is a “stuffed shirt” millionaire hero with a heart of gold. Justine is young, sexy, and spoiled. Despite her seemingly hot-to-trot ways, she’s inexperienced with men and is a virgin. Marcus takes one look at her luscious curves and long blonde hair and thinks otherwise.
Justine owes lots of money to collectors after her rich daddy passed away, leaving her in debt. Marcus is certain she’s a money-hungry you-know-what.
Justine Montgomery asks Marcus, a wealthy banker, for a loan. Marcus agrees to lend Justine money but expects her to repay him with a physical relationship.
Eventually, he gets to know the truth about her. And despite his reluctance, he finds himself helplessly attracted to her. And, of course, Justine is gaga for Marcus.
So hesitantly, the two pursue a romantic relationship.
The title of this book was a bit misleading. Even though Marcus is a wealthy mega multi-millionaire, Justine is certainly not a mistress.
My Opinion
I enjoyed Justine’s character development. Although she was much younger than Marcus, she had a maturity that belied her youth. She was also witty and charming.
As for Marcus, he was good… maybe too good to be true. I like Lee’s nice guys a lot; for example, I adored Elliot from Knight to the Rescue. Although sometimes, Lee’s nice guy heroes come on too “beta.” I prefer her (rare) bad-boy heroes.
Heat Level
One thing that Miranda Lee consistently excelled at was writing sensual love scenes—at least as far as the Harlequin Presents line was concerned back then. (I’m not sure what they’re like today.)
So, even if it was one of Lee’s middling books with an okay plot, you could always look forward to plenty of steam in the bedroom.
That’s the case here in The Millionaire’s Mistress.
A sensual category romance.
Final Opinion on The Millionaire’s Mistress
Still, this Harlequin Presents is an enjoyable, quick read. The Millionaire’s Mistress is passionate and modern (for the time it was written, a quarter of a century ago!)
Miranda Lee almost always never fails to entertain.
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| Overall: | 3.5 |
Synopsis
Made to be his mistress!
Justine Montgomery desperately needed a loan, otherwise, she and her mom would be out on the street. So she steeled herself to ask handsome millionaire banker Marcus Osborne for help.
Marcus had no illusions about the Justines of this world. He could tell just by looking at her that she was a gold digger, out to target a rich husband. Just like his ex-wife…. But Marcus was also glad when Justine told him she’d do anything if he’d lend her money, because he desired her—badly. He’d give her the finances she wanted, and she’d repay him in his bed!
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