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Sarah Morgan
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Bought: Destitute Yet Defiant Kindle Edition

by Sarah Morgan (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 out of 5 stars 2,231 ratings
A wealthy real estate magnate longs to rescue the woman he loved from a desperate life in this dramatic romance by a USA Today–bestselling author.

He’s scarred, sexy, and unashamedly Sicilian . . .

Silvio Brianza dragged himself up from the slums and has the scars to show it! But no amount of money can heal the invisible scars that run deep. Scars that threaten to surface when, driven by guilt and pent-up desire, he finally tracks down Jessie.

She’s defiant, desirable, and utterly disobedient . . .

By day, Jessie scrapes her living scrubbing floors but by night she finds her freedom singing in nightclubs. When Silvio sweeps back into her life and offers her an escape, Jessie knows that no amount of diamonds and designer dresses will make her forget their past. She is a survivor and now she must fight her attraction to him, or risk her heart . . . all over again!
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  1. Print length
    188 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Harlequin Special Releases
  4. Publication date
    August 17, 2015
  5. File size
    3.1 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sarah Morgan is a USA Today and Sunday Times bestselling author of contemporary romance and women's fiction. She has sold more than 21 million copies of her books and her trademark humour and warmth have gained her fans across the globe. Sarah lives with her family near London, England, where the rain frequently keeps her trapped in her office. Visit her at www.sarahmorgan.com

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0105SY62Y
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harlequin Special Releases; Original edition (August 17, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 17, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.1 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 188 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 2,231 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Sarah Morgan

Sarah Morgan

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Sarah Morgan is a USA Today and Sunday Times bestselling author of romance and women's fiction. She has sold over 21 million copies of her books and her trademark humour and warmth have gained her fans across the globe.

Sarah lives near London, England and when she isn't writing or reading, she likes to spend time outdoors hiking or riding her mountain bike.

Join Sarah's mailing list at www.sarahmorgan.com for all book news. For more insight into her writing life follow her on Facebook at www.facebook/AuthorSarahMorgan and on Instagram at @sarahmorganwrites Contact Sarah at sarah@sarahmorgan.com

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
2,231 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a great and fun read with a beautiful, modern love story. The writing is well-executed, and customers describe it as very touching.

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13 customers mention "Storyline"10 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline of this book, describing it as a beautiful and perfect love story, with one customer noting its fresh premise.

"...Love reading this one, its very touching, its very captivating and the way Sarah tells the story is taking us to their world...." Read more

"Ahhh the romance :) I enjoyed reading this book...haven't read a romantic book in ages...well written..Will pass the word on" Read more

"...This is the best part of the love story as the author made it a point to ascertain once again that True Love simply does not arise out of just..." Read more

"Sarah Morgan has once again written a perfect love story that tugs at the heart strings. This book was so wonderful...." Read more

11 customers mention "Readability"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a great and fun read, with one customer particularly enjoying the first chapter.

"Sarah Morgan did it again!! Love reading this one, its very touching, its very captivating and the way Sarah tells the story is taking us to their..." Read more

"...I enjoyed reading this book...haven't read a romantic book in ages...well written..Will pass the word on" Read more

"...This book was so wonderful. I always love a book that can make me cry. And an alpha male that can only be tamed by one woman...." Read more

"Loved it. Nicely written and expressed. I would like to read it again if given a chance. I recommend you can buy it." Read more

7 customers mention "Writing quality"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well written, with one mentioning it's an easy read.

"...enjoyed reading this book...haven't read a romantic book in ages...well written..Will pass the word on" Read more

"Wonderfully written with a lot of emotion, can feel empathy with both the hero and heroines feelings however the story line was a bit vague." Read more

"Loved it. Nicely written and expressed. I would like to read it again if given a chance. I recommend you can buy it." Read more

"...The way she writes is amazing - one thought flows into the next. I could not find fault nor question anything negatively! She writes beautifully!😃🌷..." Read more

3 customers mention "Emotion level"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book touching, with one mentioning it evokes a lot of emotion.

"Sarah Morgan did it again!! Love reading this one, its very touching, its very captivating and the way Sarah tells the story is taking us to their..." Read more

"Wonderfully written with a lot of emotion, can feel empathy with both the hero and heroines feelings however the story line was a bit vague." Read more

"...But Silvio turned it around and made her feel special, realize her true worth...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Elly Woodworth
    5.0 out of 5 stars Touching
    Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Sarah Morgan did it again!! Love reading this one, its very touching, its very captivating and the way Sarah tells the story is taking us to their world. Once I started reading and I couldn't stop. I most certainly buy more of her stories....
    One person found this helpful
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  • rosie
    4.0 out of 5 stars :)
    Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Ahhh the romance :) I enjoyed reading this book...haven't read a romantic book in ages...well written..Will pass the word on
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  • THREEKAY
    3.0 out of 5 stars Business Hidden in Kindness
    Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    One more modern love story, among the millions of them thronging the market place, from Mills and Boon series.

    Storyline: Jesse, a girl who spent her childhood in the shoddy downtown areas along with her brother Joe and his friend Silvio, grows up to be a singer in a cheap bar. She lives a debt-ridden life, after the death of her brother, until she meets Silvio after many years. Silvio had grown up to become a billionaire and comes back for his childhood crush Jessie, only to realize that she is leading a tough life. Jessie, though initially mistakes Silvio for having been responsible for his brother’s death, later, realizes that he was actually supporting him then and her, now. Similarly, Silvio also mistakes Jessie to have resorted to prostitution, to earn money, but later discovers that she only uses her voice but not her body. Meanwhile, Silvio introduces Jessie to his rich lifestyle and finally makes her a big star singer. Jessie, who didn’t want to be a hindrance to Silvio’s extravagant life, leaves him only to be followed by him afterwards to confess his love to her. They marry and live happily ever after.

    Pros: Another soft love story from the author which takes the reader through like a cool sail on pristine waters. Jessie’s poverty and her simplicity seem to have made Silvio to love her rather than her outward beauty. This is the best part of the love story as the author made it a point to ascertain once again that True Love simply does not arise out of just physical features.

    Cons: Somehow I always felt that Mills and Boon series always tends to show the women in their story mentally strong initially but ultimately become weak and fall for the men whom they love. Here, I felt that Silvio had made a clever investment in Jessie, as a businessman rather than a true lover. The question still remains as to whether Silvio would have married Jessie, if she was not gifted with her golden voice. I see this kind of love more of a business deal and than anything else.

    My rating is 3 out of 5
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Bought destitute yet defiant
    Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Sarah Morgan has once again written a perfect love story that tugs at the heart strings. This book was so wonderful. I always love a book that can make me cry. And an alpha male that can only be tamed by one woman. And usually that woman is less than perfect.realistic.
    Helpful
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  • Sunil
    4.0 out of 5 stars touching book
    Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Wonderfully written with a lot of emotion, can feel empathy with both the hero and heroines feelings however the story line was a bit vague.
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  • T. Lee
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful story
    Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    True beauty comes from within. And every woman can relate to Jessie. She came from the streets, where she learned how to fight, and not be all girly and superficial or conceited. She'd been damaged from a bad childhood, and didn't feel attractive for the only one she'd ever loved had betrayed and left her. But Silvio turned it around and made her feel special, realize her true worth. He was one of the best heroes I've ever read in a Harlequin Presents book. The ending was also so touching. He was really honest and sweet. You don't want to miss this book, truly.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Jenny H
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely chemistry
    Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Loved it. Nicely written and expressed. I would like to read it again if given a chance. I recommend you can buy it.
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  • Amazon Customer
    2.0 out of 5 stars RealReader
    Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    Bought: Destitute yet Defiant (Harlequin Presents)This book had an interesting plot idea--that it did not live up to. As a result during and after reading the book I felt very frustrated at the writer and annoyed at the reviewer who gave it five stars.
    The two stars I gave the book are for the attempt at writing a refreshing plot and for the hero Silvio--she got him right. But for a romance novel to work the female -- Jesse needs to be appealing to--and she did not. It reminded me of that movie in which the cartoon said "I'm really not that bad, they drew me this way". Jesse (female) was depicted as someone who had no self esteem, thought of herself as nobody, responded in an irritating and silly manner to everything (foolishly)--and in the end I skipped over a lot of pages to avoid reading what she was saying...the writer persuaded us all that Jesse was nobody and wasn't worth a thing--I believed it and didn't see her with Silvio as a result. I was indeed persuaded that Jesse should be working washing dishes and should have married a waiter as opposed to Silvio because the writer wrote her that way and did not present anything other than a nice singing voice to persuade us otherwise.
    What was missing...we needed to see Jesse as poor and downtrodden BUT as Silvio's match.... that never happened...to the end of the book I waited but still thought of her as a scrappy foolish woman who would trash her life no matter how many breaks she got. A good plot was wasted and the book left me feeling frustrated and annoyed.
    9 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Bunny
    5.0 out of 5 stars Bought: Destitute yet defiant
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 15, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    I only realised this was a Mills and Boon book after I'd read it and I was surprised at that. This is without a doubt the best book I've read since I got my kindle for Christmas 2010. Jessie is in limbo since her brother Johnny died 3 years ago and she's still paying off the debts he accrued as a drug addict. One of her jobs is to sing in a backstreet bar where on this particular night one of the audience happens to include Silvio Briannza a sicilian. When she leaves the bar 6 men are ready to attack her as she isn't paying off the debt quick enough until "The sicilian" steps in. Initially he helps as he's trying to face up to his mistakes which include giving money to Johnny that enabled him to continue to take drugs. Jessie blamed Silvio for his role in Johnny's debt so he's not her number 1 choice for helping her out of her fix. With the strong storyline you see how Jessie's life changes when Silvio takes charge but is there a happy ending? and does than ending involve Jessie and Silvio? You'll need to read to find out. This was a bit light on the sex scenes but I think quality rather than quantity prevails here.
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  • Héctor Nuñez
    4.0 out of 5 stars Historia de amor
    Reviewed in Spain on September 8, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Lectura entretenida para pasar el tiempo. Trama sencilla pero con muchos detalles. De la pobreza a la riqueza, historia tradicional.
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  • Bücherliebe
    3.0 out of 5 stars Ganz OK
    Reviewed in Germany on November 5, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Dafür, dass es umsonst war, war es ganz OK. Die Geschichte ist sehr vorhersehbar und ohne Wendungen.
    Jessie wird von Silvio, einem alten Freund ihres Bruders, aus einer gefährlichen Lage befreit, in seine Obhut genommen und mit teuren Kleidern überhäuft.
    Als Dankeschön hört er sich bis zwei Drittel des Buches ihre schnippischen Bemerkungen an. Ständig liest man, dass er ihr Feind ist und sie ihn hassen tut, nur warum erfährt der Leser lange nicht. Obwohl sie eigentlich keinen guten Grund hat, benimmt Jessie sich wie eine dumme Pute. Da nützt auch die schöne Singstimme auch nichts mehr.
    Kann man lesen - muß aber nicht.
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  • Keeley
    4.0 out of 5 stars Romantic yet gripping
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 31, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Having recently returned to mills and boon books I actually really enjoyed it. Having read the likes of fifty shades I needed a break so returned to my old love of romance novels. This was brilliant especially as I got it free!

    Anyway, the storyline was good with some witty responses from the lead female in the book and I love a story like that. Didn't give it 5 stars purely because I thought the ending was rushed.

    If you enjoy mills and boon Sarah Morgan is one of my favourites, so would recommend this one to avid romance seekers. A great little read at a bargain price. A bubble bath and a mills and boon book takes me back. Thanks for the bargain!
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  • Nicola
    3.0 out of 5 stars A bit `Pretty Woman' but not a bad read!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 4, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    Please ignore the stupid title of this book- it makes it sound like some kind of seedy porno! This was actually a fairly readable romance novel and a pleasant way to pass a couple of hours. There are a few obligatory love scenes, fairly well drawn characters and a variety of believable settings.

    The book sees financially struggling nightclub singer Jessie in trouble after defaulting on a loan she is trying to pay back for her deceased brother. She is saved from an attack by hunky Silvio, a former friend who she has always blamed for her brother's death. Silvio wants to help her and consequently whisks her away from it all- despite her protestations, but can proud Jessie ever forgive him for the past- and admit that she really doesn't want to be alone?

    If you can put aside Jessie's constant self deprecation and paranoia then this is probably the perfect easy read to curl up with on a holiday- or to transport yourself to a nice Mediterranean setting when the British weather is miserable outside! The author's descriptions of Sicily are very nicely done from the climate to the scenery. I could envisage Silvio's yacht very clearly--oh how the other half live!

    I had a few bugbears with this novel, but again they were the usual predictable formulaic clichés that I expected from this genre; 1) the typically arrogant male protagonist with his "you're mine," declarations of ownership irked me a bit; 2) despite her protestations Jessie succumbed to Silvio a little bit *too* easy and was willing to let him make her up like she was his personal Barbie doll and 3) Silvio is basically depicted as the perfect male- without any flaws. I've said it before and I'll say it again- I do like the male protagonists to have some faults. And lastly 4) there is the general implication from this novel that money can indeed buy happiness. Sigh.

    Still, with a M&B/Harlequin romance you generally know the kind of clichés that you're going to be getting and the authors do have to stick to a formula- so casting these bugbears aside, all in all it wasn't a bad read. Jessie, despite her whining and insecurities is a fairly likeable heroine and she does have a bit of gumption about her at the beginning of the novel and isn't an insipid person so I did want things to turn out ok for her in the end.

    I'm not sure if I would have paid the full asking price for this book- I generally pick up my M&B books in charity shops anyway, so this was a bonus- my recommendation would be to pick this up whilst it's a freebie!
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