Review: Sheikh Zayed al Zawba can have any woman at his beck and call, yet when he finds himself needing a wife in order to fulfill the conditions of an inheritance, he seeks out a true plain Jane.

Jane Smith is comfortable with her calm, predictable life. However, she finds herself in a predicament when her sister gets into deep financial trouble. When Zayed offers Jane a solution, she agrees to become The Sheikh’s Bought Wife.

Author Sharon Kendrick did an excellent job creating two very different characters in Zayed and Jane. Their mutual disdain for each other is evident with every conversation. Zayed is the epitome of a playboy who sleeps with any female who catches his eye. The very idea that he would be with Jane, much less marry her, seems absurd. From head to toe, Jane is very much a woman who blends into a crowd, with her sharp wit hiding her innocence.

To add some spice to the story, it turns out that Jane’s plainness is easily remedied with fashionable clothing and some basic hair and makeup tips. As the beautiful swan emerges, the characters find themselves struggling to maintain the hands-off conditions of their agreement.

It’s been quite a while sine I’ve read a Harlequin. I was incredibly impressed with the heat level and its intensity. I found myself thoroughly caught up in the storyline, especially the desert kingdom of Kafalah. The author used rich descriptions to help make me feel a part of the country’s culture and history.

While somewhat predictable, I found this to be an engaging story. I would definitely read more from this author.

This story has a great heroine, Jane, who is a studious academic specialising in the history of Kafalah. Arrogant Prince Zayed Al Zawba decides to do a deal with Jane, a six month marriage to secure a land in return for paying Jane money. However neither of them are prepared for the powerful attraction that blossoms between them, as well as the meeting of minds. Well written and very engaging.

Exquisite!

I will read this story many more times in the future because I found it to be perfectly exquisite! I think Zayed is one of the best Sheikhs I've read because while it was a given he was a strong and Handsome warrior leader of his people his conversation skills were just awesome. I thoroughly enjoyed his and Janes banter. I just loved how they grew together as a couple, how they complimented each other's intellect and how they explored life without sex. My heart broke when Zayed ended it and my heart soared with the conclusion. I think the ending chapters were one of the most beautiful and perfect I have read in a long time.

Exquisite and adored story!

The Sheikh's Bought Wife
by Sharon Kendrick
May 08, 2017 · edit
really liked it

Rating this one was so difficult I almost gave up. But, I gave my word when I accepted the ARC in return for a honest review. So please, understand I am trying to be very fair here!
First............It is a story that is enjoyable for its plot. The author is talented and has a wonderful way of describing in writing that brings the reader to see photos as they read. I actually forgot for some of the book about reviewing. Then I got to the bad......(For me)... The hero never seemed to grow up, and he was too much of arrogance and too much in the past. By the time that ended we were at the end of the story and the ending was quick. So while I enjoyed the book for what it is, I can say this was not a favorite. The writer is all that makes it worth while reading! For her gift of writing is very evident throughout the book. I was given this book in return for a honest review. Anna

If you are in the mood for some light fluff and laugh out moments with the ridiculousness of a stuck-up Hero, then this one is for you.

Bold and in your face sexy! Fast paced short story that I enjoyed,

Sharon Kendrick puts the Oh in Outrageous Heroes!

I loved the 5-star-plus beginning. Zayed won’t be everyone’s cup of Arabian tea but he’s definitely mine. Sharon Kendrick heroes should come with her very own trademark. I adored his über-arrogance and the heroine he’s been given, and rubbed my hands together at the promise of her calling him on it.

Librarian / academic is another favourite character-type and Jane is more ugly-duckling than Cinderella. She’s strong, caring, easy to empathise with. Definitely a match for Zayed.

The best thing about the book’s first half was forgetting to read as a reviewer and reading as a reader--there's some fab dialogue / interaction.

Jane's character arc seems to be discovering her fine feathers on a voyage of sensual discovery, which fits well with SK's strong focus on sensuality and love scenes. The relationship’s inherent sexual tension is like living on a cliff edge. It wouldn’t take much to tip them over into consummating their marriage.

The Black Moment undermined some of this lovely sexual tension and conflict for me, as I found myself thinking 'wouldn’t he have known that from the lawyers before?' and 'would she really have sent that email?'

Zayed's internal conflict is obviously there in who he is and what he does, but it felt too easily dealt with; too rushed at the end. I'd have liked more exploration of this, for the heroine to dig around in the sand a bit more to discover her sheikh’s heart.

The Sheikh’s Bought Wife is classic Presents / Modern. It’s enjoyable, on the hotter side of the line, with an engaging heroine and Sharon Kendrick™OTT hero.

But classic is a bit of a double edged sword here as for me it was a bit too classic.

3.5-3.75 stars

I enjoy Sharon Kendrick books. Her characters are always powerful alpha males and intelligent strong women. This story has Zayed and Jane having a marriage of convenience so he can inherit his grandfather's estate and Jane can pay off her sister's debt. Of course they fall in love. A pretty standard Harlequin formula but a good story.

Quick Summary: Solidly engaging and wonderfully consistent
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: Adult
Status: Contemporary
Chemistry/Intensity: Yes
Conflict/Drama: Yes
Family Dysfunction: Yes
HEA: Yes
Strong Protagonists: Yes

Jane Smith is a woman so locked up, no one sees her for herself. Supposedly her twin sister got all the looks, while Jane got the brains. When her sister gets into trouble, Jane thinks to ask her boss, the Sheikh Zayed for the money even though she can barely tolerate him and his arrogance. When the Sheikh asks her out for dinner, she goes along with it even though her mind rebels.

Sheikh Zayed needs a wife, but doesn't want one. He needs one to get his inheritance, so he decides Jane meets the criteria. In no way is he attracted to her so he won't be tempted to consummate the marriage he intends to annul in six months. He is arrogant, thinks he is God's gift to women and the world, and doesn't intend to change his life.

The story if fraught with boring dialog, jumps in the timeline and no chemistry. No way to sugar coat it. I found myself skimming paragraphs between conversations. These two get so lost up in their heads. I didn't like the hero from start to finish and even though he had some issues, I couldn't feel any depth of sadness for him. The heroine lays in a bed of her own making. The transformation she makes isn't so much surprising as much as non-existent. I mean it happens, you just don't see how.

For example: you see her arrive in the country she will soon be the queen over and then it jumps to her walking down the aisle for her wedding. Suddenly she goes from the dowdy librarian to the sexy bride with exotic makeup and figure. Then a jump from the wedding night to some time later in Washington DC for their honeymoon.

I picked up the story, nostalgic for the Harlequin Romances I read when I was poor and could only afford these books. Unfortunately I wasn't reminded so much of my past. It lacked a depth of story to engage my mind as well as my emotions.

This is a perfect for a sprig day, if it isn't spring, read this and it will feel like it, A combination of the ugly ducking and Cinderella. Strong characters (she maybe a little stronger) love the way keeps moving. Always a good read with Sharon Kendrick.

I reallly liked this story. It was fun, flirty and had some great characters who really grow and change thru this story..

Zayed is our sheik who had a terrible home life.. On hus death his grandfather gives him a plot of land but only if he marries. He decides to marry the one woman on earth he thinks is very ugly, Jane, a librarian at the English Embassy for his country. He is ugly and does not like him so he thinks they can marry and then divorce for never having sex.

Unfortunately for him Jane is a hottie in disguise and he falls for her personality and she turns into a beautiful swan. I liked that this book had very few sex scenes, That was important to the plot. In the end like all men, Zayed is a jerk to Jane and she dumps him. When he comes after her I liked that Jane makes him suffer.