HER SECRET HUSBAND
(Marriages Made in Heaven Book #3)
by
Sundari Venkatraman
Blurb
The Maheshwaris are back, a little secretly this time!
What do you do if you find a man who looks like chocolate, speaks like warm syrup, looks at you like you were the most precious cake ever created, and he can bake too? You marry him, even if in secret.
Ruma Malhotra falls head over heels and a little more in love with Lakshman Maheshwari, but her parents insist that she marry a rich businessman of their choice. When Ruma's only option is to marry Lakshman in secret, she is left torn between her love for her parents and her passion for Lakshman. Is a secret marriage the solution or will it lead the way to a public disappointment?
Lakshman Maheshwari falls in love with Ruma Malhotra the first time he sets his eyes on her in Ranveer's office. Will he agree to marry Ruma in secret even if it means betraying his parents?
Psst... Those who have read THE MALHOTRA BRIDE might be happy to reconnect with Sunita & Akshay Malhotra in this one.
*MARRIAGES MADE IN INDIA is a five-novella series that revolves around the characters you have met in The Runaway Bridegroom.
It's the story of a young couple Ruma, an independent rich woman who wants to stand on her own feet and Lakshman, a baker who earns a good name for his business. It is a love at first sight for both followed by deep passion. But, Ruma's parents want her to marry a business man's son and they also hurry to arrange her engagement. Though Lakshman has a supporting sister and brother in law, there is a lot to be done to convince Ruma's parents first. How will they both convince their parents? Why they have to marry secretly? You get the answers after reading the book.
The sizzling chemistry and hot romance of the leading couple are obviously the plus points. I loved the characters of Lakshman's sister and brother in law though their character length is short. Ruma's grand mother is adorable with her presence of mind and the way she handles the situation with expertise.
One thing that I didn't like about this book is it seemed too rosy and positive to be true. Convincing parents for a love marriage is not easy. I was not sure why Lakshman's parents weren't hurt when they knew about their son's secret marriage. Being an open minded family as mentioned in the book, they would have felt bad as Lakshman has to hide an importance news of his life from them. It is also surprising how Ruma's parents can take a decision about their daughter's marriage by just Akshay's recommendation and one meeting with their to-be-son-in-law.
I didn't read the earlier parts of 'marriages made in India' series, else would have learned more about Akshay. Overall, the book is a quick romantic read. The writing style is great without unnecessary prose and very easy to follow. I would recommend this to readers who love hot romance.
PS: I have received this book from the author and this is my honest opinion on the book.
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My Review:
Actually, I was waiting to read Sundari Venkatraman's books. I knew about the popularity of her books but didn't get a chance to read any. This hot romance didn't disappoint me at all.
It's the story of a young couple Ruma, an independent rich woman who wants to stand on her own feet and Lakshman, a baker who earns a good name for his business. It is a love at first sight for both followed by deep passion. But, Ruma's parents want her to marry a business man's son and they also hurry to arrange her engagement. Though Lakshman has a supporting sister and brother in law, there is a lot to be done to convince Ruma's parents first. How will they both convince their parents? Why they have to marry secretly? You get the answers after reading the book.
The sizzling chemistry and hot romance of the leading couple are obviously the plus points. I loved the characters of Lakshman's sister and brother in law though their character length is short. Ruma's grand mother is adorable with her presence of mind and the way she handles the situation with expertise.
One thing that I didn't like about this book is it seemed too rosy and positive to be true. Convincing parents for a love marriage is not easy. I was not sure why Lakshman's parents weren't hurt when they knew about their son's secret marriage. Being an open minded family as mentioned in the book, they would have felt bad as Lakshman has to hide an importance news of his life from them. It is also surprising how Ruma's parents can take a decision about their daughter's marriage by just Akshay's recommendation and one meeting with their to-be-son-in-law.
I didn't read the earlier parts of 'marriages made in India' series, else would have learned more about Akshay. Overall, the book is a quick romantic read. The writing style is great without unnecessary prose and very easy to follow. I would recommend this to readers who love hot romance.
PS: I have received this book from the author and this is my honest opinion on the book.
My Rating: 4/5
Read an excerpt from #HSH
“What’s up?” he asked, trying to keep the situation light.
She winked at him. “Shouldn’t I be asking that question?” she asked, looking pointedly down at his lower body.
Reacting to her flirtation, his manhood immediately sprang to action, making Lakshman swear. “Cut that out, Ruma,” he growled, sidestepping her as she would’ve wrapped her arms around him. “I need a shower,” he insisted, not meeting her eyes. He went into the bathroom and locked himself in. The place smelled of Ruma. Cursing, Lakshman stood under the cold shower to tame his libido. She looked like she meant business. How could he convince her to wait till they got married? He dried himself with the towel that was on a rack, glaring at the mirror. He needed a shave. But no, they weren’t going to make love, so it didn’t really matter. Just then he realised that he would have to step out in the towel as his clothes were in the wardrobe. Swearing again, Lakshman walked into the bedroom.
“Laki,” called out Ruma, eyeing him avidly. Fascinated, she got up from the bed and walked up to him. He appeared like a Greek God with his chiselled body that was still damp from the shower.
She stood close to him and raised her left hand to caress his rough cheek. Her right hand was hooked into his towel as if she was going to pull it off him any second. Lakshman clamped his hand on hers, his fingers holding the towel firmly. “No!”
“Huh?!” She looked deeply into his eyes, her brown gaze like melted cocoa, inviting him to make love to her. Her mouth was pouted deliciously, glistening wetly, begging for a kiss. Lakshman groaned deep in his throat, letting go of her hand to wrap his arms around her. He placed his lips on hers, sucking her upper lip. She tasted as sweet as honey, driving him crazy. His right hand moved down the curve of her hip to touch a thigh. He traced the curve, working his way under her nightshirt to encounter her bare bottom.
“Ruma.” He deliberately removed his hands off her and raised his head to look at her.
She stared back at him with slumberous eyes. “What?” A small frown puckered her forehead.
“We’ll make love after we get married,” he declared.
“What if I don’t agree?”
“I’ll have to beg, right?” he grinned weakly. “Please, my love. You know your parents won’t agree to a marriage between us. Doesn’t it make sense to wait until after the event?”
“What if I want you desperately?” She nuzzled his neck, her teeth taking a sharp nip.
Lakshman groaned again, his arms crushing her to his chest. “Do you love me or just lust after my body?”
“Can’t I do both?”
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About the author
Her Secret Husband is the tenth book authored by Sundari Venkatraman. This is a hot romance and is Book #3 of the 5-novella series titled Marriages Made in India. Book #1 of the series is The Smitten Husband& Book #2 is His Drunken Wife. Other published novels by the author are The Malhotra Bride, Meghna, The Runaway Bridegroom, The Madras Affair and An Autograph for Anjali—all romances. She also has a collection of romantic shorts called Matches Made in Heaven; and a collection of human interest stories called Tales of Sunshine. All of Sundari Venkatraman’s books are on Amazon Top 100 Bestsellers in India, USA, UK, Canada & Australia under both #romance & #drama categories.
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Sounds like an interesting premise concerning a cultural issue I'm not at all familiar with. Thank you for the review!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun one with all the masalas to make it to Bollywood :) Thanks for the honest review.
ReplyDeleteI actually have this book downloaded and ready to read so was worried when I came here whether there would be spoilers :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for not putting any major ones :D
nOW TO GET READING.
Godyears.net
I have heard a lot about this book. Thanks for sharing the review, Ramya.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Ramya for your detailed and honest review. :)
ReplyDelete