The innocent, the playboy…

And their seven-night passion!

Archivist Merle’s dream job in an abandoned mansion on New Zealand’s Waiheke Island gives her the isolation she craves and the freedom to delight in its extravagance.

Then infamous owner Ash arrives without warning…

Used to women falling at his feet, Ash is ever so intrigued when he interrupts virginal siren Merle in his bath—and she tries to conceal her shock…then her red-hot reaction!

He’s back for one week only to lay his tarnished past to rest. Might he find solace in the intriguing Merle instead?

Titles in the Rebels, Brothers, Billionaires series (duet) include — Stranded for One Scandalous Week – Nine Months to Claim Her

This is an adult 18+ story that contains language, possible violence, and sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Title:  Stranded for One Scandalous Week
Series:  Rebels, Brothers, Billionaires #1
Author:  Natalie Anderson
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Published:  April 27, 2021
Publisher:  Harlequin Presents
My Rating:  4.5 stars

Stranded for One Scandalous Week begins the Rebels, Brothers, Billionaires series (duet) with a passionate and emotional encounter between a man who has spent years living with anger and guilt to the point of almost burnout and a woman who has been sheltered in many ways but not by loving circumstances but by the twisted mindset and anger of family members.

They should be like oil and water, unmixable… yet.  Merle and Ash light up the page with not only their passion but with emotions that have shaped them and now have come to the ignite point when this couple makes a one-week deal that will change their lives.

I’m not sure who I had more empathy for this time – Merle has given up so much of her life for and because of her family, she’s a realistic woman with the heart of a warrior who is battle-scarred and leery of returning to the fray.  That warrior’s heart may seem hidden behind fear and conditioning at first but it is there slowly building, coming to the forefront, reshaping Merle into a woman who knows what she deserves in life and is no longer afraid to take the risks to have the life she needs with Ash.

Ash is a wounded soul, shaped by a vile father’s actions and mistakes made when he was a younger man.  He’s allowed heartbreaking events in his life to overtake the man he could be if he would only face the past, forgive himself as others have, and move forward once again with a woman who is so completely right for him.  Oh, he sees it, eventually, but by then that illuminating acceptance of who he really is will require baring his heart and soul which won’t be easy for this proud man.  I hurt for them both, and watched, sometimes with impatience, as slowly but with certainty as they fought their battles within and came to accept the love and passion that fueled their one week together.

I found this couple fascinating.  Their passion for each other heats up the page, their fears and insecurities are obvious yet will be conquered in time.  In many ways, neither believed in themselves, and seeing that be overcome as love grew and the past was faced was an emotional and delightful journey for this reader.  Stranded for One Scandalous Week grabbed my attention and kept me engaged throughout Ash and Merle’s journey – next up is Leo’s story and I cannot wait to dive into Ash’s brother’s story.

I own a Kindle edition of this title.

Available in print or for your favorite e-reader