3 out of 5 stars. Though from the outside-looking-in Renzo and Darcy look like an odd pairing. And with their backgrounds I would tend to agree. Yet, their connection is intense and undeniable. Though will their connection be enough to overcome everything from their pasts, especially when someone from Darcy’s own past threatens to destroy everything that she holds dear...

Okay, I had a hard time feeling that Darcy and Renzo should be together. I mean, I appreciated their obvious attraction/connection yet they have SO much baggage that it makes it hard for either of them to grow as characters and let their emotions into the mix. So, while their lustful scenes held my attention (as there are plenty!), I had a difficult time feeling that their relationship could be more than what was shown (mostly sex scenes). Yet, what hooked me (surprising enough) was Darcy and Renzo as individual characters as their personal story arcs (I feel) are well done.

Nevertheless, even though I appreciated this novel for its unique quirks, I feel I can only recommend it to those romance novel lovers who are already fans of Ms. Kendrick and her writing style, like I am.

Review By: From Me to You ... Video, Photography, & Book Reviews
-- read more of this review and a TEASER on my blog --

Darcy had lived through a horrible childhood and as an adult she was guarded with her emotions. Renzo’s childhood was painful but definitely not the mine field that was Darcy’s. I didn’t like Renzo much and it took me a while to warm up to this character. The story was pretty good and I do recommend it.

An unlikely romance between waitress Darcy Denton and Billionaire Renzo Sabatini becomes very complicated when Darcy tries to break it off when she realises that she is falling too hard for Renzo and risking heartbreak. Powerful billionaire Renzo is determined to keep Darcy around by using every trick he can. A well written story which explored the inequality in the relationship very well.

Before I start this review, let me introduce you to the book's protagonists.

Darcy Denton is a waitress, and a deeply broke one at that. Growing up the illegitimate daughter of a drug-addicted prostitute, in and out of care and foster homes, she never had the chance for any decent schooling. Despite this, she's fiercely proud and determined to better herself; she never, ever wants to be anything like her own mother turned out. How she ended up seduced by a billionaire seems to be a bit of a mystery to Darcy herself, but she doesn't plan to let it change who she is.

Renzo Sabatini was apparently born with the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth, considering the palatial family villa in Tuscany he takes Darcy to visit at one point in this book. He has literally everything he could ever want handed to him on a plate. However, when he was a kid his father ran off with his mother's best friend and this apparently Scarred Him For Life. No Woman Can Ever Be Trusted.

It doesn't seem occur to him that his father might have been SLIGHTLY to blame, as well.

Because you know, Renzo, lots of families split up when one of the parents has an affair. Lots of people end up in this situation. Most of them don't decide to treat every member of the opposite sex like complete scum because of it.

Can you tell which of the protagonists I have some sympathy for, here? Renzo treats Darcy like absolute crap. The book begins four months into their relationship and it's very clear that she is nothing more than a warm body he enjoys taking pleasure in. To her credit, Darcy isn't exactly happy with the situation; she realizes there is no future in it and starts making plans to move on, but Oh No. Renzo can't allow HER to be the one to call it quits. Everything has to be on HIS terms.

The straw that broke the camel's back for me was when Renzo was musing on Darcy's motives and the following line happened:
"Was she being deliberately naive or exceptionally clever?"

Or, you know, possibly COMPLETELY HONEST, Renzo? Because she has never been anything but, in all the months you've known her? Yeah, she doesn't talk about her background... but you made it clear you didn't want to know. When the final truth comes out, you do exactly what she'd feared, as well. You treat her like scum.

Later on, after Accidental Pregnancy happens (and accusations get hurled, because of course they do) Renzo buys Darcy a house. Admits that he misses being close to her (my God! An honest admission from him! There's a first!) and practically begs her to make love. She's missed him too (well, maybe she's just horny... pregnancy does that to you) and they make love.

The afterglow hasn't even faded when he accuses her of giving him sex in payment for the house.

Incredibly, she doesn't even slap him. I'd have gone to the kitchen, found a knife and stabbed him with it.

And THEN, as if I hadn't got ENOUGH reason to hate this book, Darcy somehow decides that It's All Her Fault. For not Trusting Renzo enough... to tell him her darkest secret when he was busy treating her like pond scum.

I somehow managed to get through Darcy grovelling publicly to Renzo and his horrific rejection. And then his (way too late, in my opinion) attempt to put himself in her shoes and realize that, oh, actually, he was the one at fault.

Frankly, in Darcy's place I'd have taken out a restraining order, not accepted his apology and let him back into her life. Why she decided she was In Lurve™ with him, I couldn't begin to fathom.

I'm reminded of the line "Cool motive. Still murder."

Renzo doesn't even have a decent motive, and he's still an asshole. A hero with this kind of utterly misogynistic attitude is completely abhorrent.

This harked back to some of the old 70's era Harlequins I grew up with, and not in a good way. I absolutely loathed it.

One star.

I wanted to like it because I enjoy these type of theme stories from time to time, but unfortunately it didn't work for me. I didn't get a connection or bond from Darcy & Renzo that I often look for in my romance books to feel any kind of love. So I'm sorry to say, it didn't work for me.

Secrets of a Billionaire's Mistress was a pretty decent book which I received a copy in exchange for review. I have read several of this author's books and I tend to like them. Darcy and Renzo are already together when the story starts but, it is the typical rich man with the poor waitress where both are cold but enjoy each other's company. Darcy had a dark childhood but keeps her past pretty secret which puts her relationship with Renzo at risk when someone from her past decides it should be worth money to keep her secret. Despite sharing most of her past with Renzo she puts their relationship at risk by continuing to keep secrets. Renzo is not so great in the showing of feelings area also which makes for a tough road for their relationship. The author manages to put in different twists to the story which keeps it interesting.

Quick Summary: This book was a bit of an upside down read, in my opinion. It started slap dab in the middle of a relationship between the male and female protagonists. While both characters proved hot and heavy for each other, one person was clearly more worldly and partially invested in the relationship (if you can call it that) than the other. A surprise challenge or two or three came to pass and sure enough, the truth of where each person stood was revealed.

What I Liked: These two characters certainly had chemistry. It was obvious that they cared about each other, once you peeled back the layers and looked beyond their pasts.

What I Did Not Like: I thought that one of the characters was extremely selfish and quite arrogant. Additionally, I found it hard to digest the puppy dog confession of love that was made by one of the characters. (That's how it came across to me.)

Rating: 3/5
Recommend: +/-
Status: R, A
Chemistry/Intensity: Yes
Conflict/Drama: Yes
Humor/Wit: N/A (This story did not lend itself to humor or wit.)
Family Dysfunction: Yes (re: character history)
Strong Protagonists: +/-
HEA: Yes

Darcy Denton is way out of her lovers league having been from a foster home and working as a waitress and living in a tiny bedsit.  Renzo Sabatini is a billionaire architect with homes around the world.  Renzo only sees Darcy when he is home from traveling and Darcy has no key to enter. their life may be different but their time together is filled with passion.  She is so different from his other mistress's as she won't take gifts asks for no money and when he invites her on a vacation to Italy actually trades in the first class ticket for economy.  He has things he demands in his life one he hates to be kept waiting and has truth and trust issues.  When an issue comes up he throws her out however he later finds out she is pregnant.  Ms. Kendrick has a way to bring so much to a story that you are so engrossed you hate to see it end.

I felt no connection between Darcy and Renzo. I never felt them fall in love. They were quite cold characters. The plot was the usual M&B accidental pregnancy but I cared so little for either character that it barely felt like a lov

When I started this book I thought it would be the same old arrogant hero and poor misguided heroine, but I was surprised to find out she was a good match for him. Good story, moved along very smoothly. A must read!

Darcy starts as Renzo's mistress, without revealing her painful past. However, as their relationship grows, her secrets come back to haunt her.

Great story of two people who belong in opposite stations of life but fate has bought them together and together they share a night or 3 together whenever Renzo is in town.  Not bored of Darcy, he's stunned when she starts making good noises about ending things...

Of course the One Night with Consequences theme means life is all shook up and along with undisclosed secrets of Darcys past life start spilling out the whirlwind of what Renzo thought would only ever be a sexual affair gathers wind and life starts spinning out of control.

A fast paced story which I did enjoy especially when all the things life started throwing at Renzo and Darcy.  Was enjoyable watching him finally be affected by a woman.

This author is a go to author for me. I love her books. This was a good read, not a great read but a good one. The heroine has a lot of secrets, She's with a man who is interested in having sex with her but no strings. She knows she deserves more. Then she finds out she is pregnant and all hell breaks lose.

The hero is a cold calculating ass. When the heroine's secrets are exposed, this is not his finest moment. But all works out in the end...