Mistress and Mother by Lynne Graham delivers a potent mix of passion, misunderstandings, and the kind of combustible push-and-pull dynamic that is a hallmark of her older titles. Molly Bannister’s life takes a sharp turn when, after a whirlwind courtship and a wedding that ends before the night is even over, she walks away from her new husband, Italian tycoon Sholto Cristaldi.

The split makes headlines, but no one knows the truth behind their unconsummated marriage. Four years later, circumstances, namely her brother’s debt, forces Molly back into Sholto’s orbit, this time under his terms: move in with him as his mistress, and he will settle what is owed.

Sholto is ruthless hero personified; confident to the point of arrogance, certain of his own version of events, and entirely too used to getting his way. At thirty-one, he is a man accustomed to control, yet when it comes to Molly, that composure often slips, revealing a possessive, an almost volatile streak. Molly, at twenty-four, is a mix of innocence, stubbornness, and vulnerability. Her upbringing under the strict rules of her puritanical stepfather leaves her ill-equipped for the glamorous, high-pressure world Sholto inhabits, and her inexperience plays a huge role in their earlier estrangement.

The tension between them is driven by their shared past and the unresolved questions that still linger. Sholto believes he has been wronged and wields guilt like a weapon, while Molly struggles with her own insecurities and the hurt from never having felt truly loved or wanted by him. Her pregnancy only raises the stakes, forcing them to confront their history and decide whether they can build something real, or if old wounds will keep them apart.

The first half of the book is fast-paced and addictive, with sharp exchanges, sizzling chemistry, and the thrill of watching two people who cannot seem to stay away from each other despite years of hurt. However, the second half tested my patience, as Sholto continually found ways to make Molly feel guilty without offering the kind of reassurance and emotional safety she needed. His inability or unwillingness to understand her point of view was frustrating, even as his attraction and desire for her were never in doubt.

What I enjoyed most was the way Graham portrayed Sholto’s lack of control around Molly. For all his arrogance, he was clearly besotted, and those moments where his composure cracked were highly satisfying. Still, I would have loved to see Molly push back more, especially given how much of their earlier issues stemmed from a lack of communication and Sholto was as much to blame as she was in the demise of their marriage.

Recommended for: readers who enjoy classic Harlequin Presents drama with a ruthless hero, a heroine who pushes back the second time around, and plenty of emotional fireworks.

Final Verdict: Passionate and dramatic, Mistress and Mother is a fiery reunion romance that keeps you turning the pages, even when the hero makes you want to throttle him.

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