Durmiendo con el Enemigo Book

Okay, I am going to attribute my recent impatience, intolerance and disdain for the usual ass-hattery of Romanceland heroes (example: review of Evan), something of which has entertained me in the past, to the insane levels of menthol zooming through my system. Approximately 250 cough drops consumed daily raises levels of cynicism and lowers the inherent need to suspend ALL disbelief that is necessary in order to enjoy a Harlequin. That and my self-imposed exile to the guest bedroom to cough has reduced my empathy for Romanceland's protoganists.

Anyhoo, let's talk about this asshat. I love Lynne Graham. When she's on, SHE'S ON! The Spanish Groom, The Italian's Inexperienced MistressRuthless Magnate, Convenient Wife, oy vey is there a trend, The Petrakos Bride, The Trophy Husband etc...all have bamboozled, in-over-their-head heroes that are slayed by the sometimes twee simplicity, honesty and innocence of a good girl. One might even call some of these girls stupid as eyes roll, girl parts explode, spines may dissolve and all rational thought flees but usually only in regard to the hero or the occasional evil, self-centered mother, sister, or lookalike cousin.

Okay, where am I going with this? I almost, but not quite, bought the scenario in The Contaxis Baby.

The h bears the brunt and blame of her pseudo boyfriend's apparent suicide. She, of course, is innocent in all this and is protecting someone who DOES NOT DESERVE IT. So, being the good girl she is, she is punished by all who know her. Her friends abandon her, the press blasts her, the mother of the victim yells at her, her father cuts off her allowance after ensuring she grows up without skills to survive, and then we have the asshat. On the basis of one uninformed conversation THE HARD-HEARTED BITCH WHO REJECTED CONNOR WILL PAY!

If you have read a couple or a thousand HP's, I don't think I need to tell where this is going. Once again, we have a bazillionaire tycoon (Greek this time) who is so stupid one wonders how he ever made a drachma much less a fortune. In his quest for revenge, he has some one point out the evil spawn. He ends up getting the girls mixed up and has a one night stand with the very girl he wants to rip apart. It's a very awkward ONS as well as she gets drunk. I think it was supposed to be charming and scatty, but it was annoying. Again, this may be the menthol talking.

Then our pretty but dumb hero inner monologues like a Pixar villain. The vixen refused offer of my apartment, has sold her jewelry and her car, is getting a job so...she must be holding out for the big prize...
Insert villainous laugh.

No, she's not. She is incompetent.

Contaxis, the H, seemed to be prettier, bigger and more lustful than some of the other asshats LG writes, but his arrogance totters between humorous and aggravating.

I am going to recommend this as it is entertaining. The hero is such a blithering idiot and does just about everything wrong from beginning to end. On the basis of that alone, it would be a 3 to 3.5 star, but the heroine's easy access and willing to take anything dished out to her was dismaying. Yep, plucky girl got a job, but she caved on the big emotional issues. yes, I like my heroines sweet, but please, let's have the others do a little work.

Bottom line: needs more groveling!