Format read: ebook provided by publisher
Release Date: 15 March 2012
Number of pages: 194 pages
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Formats available: ebook
Purchasing Info: Goodreads, Author’s Website, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Entangled Publishing
Blurb:
Some deals were meant to be broken…
Cynical billionaire Daniel Martinetti works hard; plays harder and has one ironclad rule. Never trust a woman. Bad news for historian Charlotte Doherty who shows up at exactly the wrong time. Like every other woman in Daniel’s life, Charlotte wants something from him–the deed to her family farm. Daniel agrees, but only if he gets something in return: Charlotte’s company for the weekend!
The property is Charlotte’s only link to the mother she never knew. Desperate to keep her history alive, she’ll accept Daniel’s indecent proposal, but not without a few terms of her own. Namely, a propriety clause. No flirting. No kissing. No sex.
Daniel has no intention of honoring her conditions, but after one weekend with Charlotte leaves him hungering for more, he can’t help wondering if she could be the exception to his unbreakable rule…
My Thoughts: I started reading Weekend Agreement late at night thinking I would read a couple of chapters and then go to sleep, but that’s where I seriously misjudged Barbara Wallace’s gripping writing, because I stayed up until the first hours of dawn as I wanted to know more about what will happen between Charlotte and Daniel and couldn’t put it down. So before you pick Weekend Agreement up, be advised that it is highly addictive, so you’d better clear your schedule to be able to devour it in one sitting.
When thinking about what made Weekend Agreement such an extraordinarily captivating story the first thing that jumps to mind are Daniel and Charlotte. Barbara Wallace’s characterisation is well developed, layered and deep. All the characters, even the supporting cast is three dimensional and real, and due to that the reader feels as involved in their story as if they were standing right there with them.
Charlotte is an intelligent and insecure young woman: she didn’t have a happy childhood and to this day she misses the warmth of loving parents and a caring family, that’s why she fights tooth and nail to get back the farm her brother sold to Daniel, because that is her last and only link to the memory of her mother.
I can’t remember the last time I read about such a complex and well developed character as Daniel. He is so jaded, deeply wounded, his cynism and lack of faith in people and selfless actions were depressing. Barbara Wallace did an amazing job painting his deliciously brooding and deeply scarred character, his bleak disillusionment in genuine feelings, sincerity, affection and love were heartbreaking. Heartbreaking because behind the tough cynical façade he had a generous and warm heart and a vulnerability that brought me to tears the times we got a glimpse of it.
In the secondary characters’ department I have to mention Judy who grew close to my heart thanks to the fun few scenes she was in. She was a delightful secondary character, a great friend to Charlotte who filled her scenes with some much needed laughter and lightness. Her endless chatter likening Daniel to different predators had me chuckling and she was a wonderful emotional and protective support to Charlotte.
The romance developed naturally, progressively, and due to that it felt real. My only complaint is that the happy time Daniel and Charlotte shared was too short, I would have loved to give them a few more relaxing happy scenes.
Verdict: Weekend Agreement was an emotional story in the best possible sense of the word. Emotional because it not only makes the reader feel for and sympathize with the characters but breath and live for them for the couple hours while they are reading their story. Barbara Wallace made me smile, made me cry and made my heart ache, but it was such a cleansing and vitalizing experience I cannot wait to embark on her next story!
I give Weekend Agreement 4.5 stars!
ps. do come back next Thursday as Barbara Wallace will be stopping by to tell us more about her novel and give you a chance to win yourself a copy of Weekend Agreement!
***FTC Disclaimer: Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. Some books we have purchased with our own money and will be noted as such. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.
About Stella
Stella is a proud bookaholic and a self-taught multilinguist in training. Besides reading, her other great passions are travelling and baking. When she is not globetrotting she lives in sunny Budapest, where she loves to spend her free time preparing (and feasting on) delicious cookies or devouring equally yummy books. Her favourite genres are urban fantasy and romance and she couldn't live without her daily dose of sunshine. Besides being the Latin Lover on BLI Stella also blogs about books and a bookish life on Ex Libris.
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Great review Stella! Glad you enjoyed it so much.
Thank you Aurian, it was one of those gripping stories that keep you turning the pages and you don’t notice how much time has gone by, only when you yawn too much and realize that’s because it’s almost 3am! lol 😉
Wow! So glad you liked the book. I’ve always had a soft spot for Daniel an Charlotte. I was thrilled Entangled gave them a home.
Looking forward to visiting next week. Have a terrific weekend.
Thank you for writing such a deeply moving story Barbara, it was my pleasure to read it! Looking forward to discovering how Weekend Agreement came to life 😀
Thanks for sharing your review, Stella! I’m definitely looking forward to reading this one. The books that steal sleep are the best ones to go for (not great for energy levels the next day, but oh well! lol). ^_^
Oh yes, books usually trump my need for sleep 😉 And this one was so worth it, I hope you’ll enjoy it too!