I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

Read in one sitting and enjoyed. It was everything you would expect from a Mills and Boon romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this classic M&B. The heroine especially was brilliant, virginal without being simpering, and holding her own in the relationship. The setting was absolutely beautiful - pure, brilliant escapism from one of my faves

Stranded For One Scandalous Week is the newest Mills & Boon Modern novel by Natalie Anderson. Merle, an archivist has just started her dream job in an abandoned mansion on New Zealand’s Waiheke Island. She loves it because the mansion is both isolated and luxurious. Employed by the owner’s friend she is shocked when Ash, a renowned playboy turns up to stay for a week at his mansion. He first encounters Merle in the bath and is surprised that she doesn’t naturally fall for his charms. As their interaction moves from antipathy, to banter and finally sizzling chemistry during their week together plus being locked in the bunker together, will their relationship thrive and flourish?

On the face of it this follows the traditional M&B method. There is the virginal book worm - Merle and outgoing playboy - Ash. As the story and characters develop the author allows the characters to develop and grow out of these stereotypical personas. Merle is struggling to come to terms with feeling unloved and ignored during her childhood whilst Ash is also having to come to terms with his father ignoring him as a child. These issues have shaped the characters as they start their journey at the beginning of the book but can they break free and have their HEA?

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley #gifted

I read this ARC for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

Not your usual M&B but a lot more risque
A quick read with lots of sexual tension

Really enjoyed this

Thank you Mills and Boon for gifting me a copy of this Book through NetGalley from the April Insiders Newsletter.

Stranded For One Scandalous Week is part of the Mills and Boon Modern Collection, and my goodness was there some sexual tension right from the start! It is a well written, short read with everything you want from a modern romance.

I loved Merle, she was such a lovely Character and you will be vouching for her from the beginning. Obviously Ash is a dream, there is no way I would have been able to resist him!

Whoever knew that Snakes and ladders could be so erotic 🐍

I was fascinated by Merle's job - the disconnect required is something I wouldn't be able to do, I am far too sentimental even with other people.

Ash and Merle meet with a burning flash of lust - and a lot of conflict. I liked seeing them clash, and watch their passion grow. The heat when they finally gave in to each other? Wow *fans self*

I really appreciated Ash's respect for Merle. He waited for her, her consent and even for her to ask. He was in a positional of power and it would have been all too easy for him to coerce Merle instead. I really enjoyed that he didn't, for all that he was a Hot Cross Bun he did it with integrity!

Merle has undertaken the job of her lifetime archiving the house and memories of a billionaire and after all her hard work decides to let loose and relax in the luxury that the house contains, but when Ash turns up to deal with the demons of his fathers death he is shocked to find her naked and in his bath, at first he assumes she is there for his entertainment but soon realises that there is more to Merle than meets the eye.

I enjoyed seeing Ash draw Merle out of herself as the story went on and liked how they both ended up helping each other.

Stranded for One Scandalous Week was a very sweet, sexy romance that was relatively low-angst and low drama. The opening of this book was so much fun, when Merle's relaxing bubble bath is interrupted by the arrival of the handsome Ash. I really enjoyed their banter at the beginning and how their relationship changed to flirtatious, then passionate and then finally full on emotional.

My only criticism (if you can really call it that) is that the title is a little mis-leading. The couple are not really stranded but each have their own reasons for not wanting to leave their little hideaway. I might have enjoyed it even more if they'd been locked in that bunker for longer!

An enjoyable romance with likeable characters and an emotional depth to the plot. Ash and Merle make a good pairing and work well together despite their differences. The scars of the past run deep for both of them and the plot is well paced, especially in the scenes set on the island hideaway where Ash goes to try to deal with the fallout of his father's death, only to find himself sharing the house with archivist Merle. As he plot progresses, you really do find yourself rooting for Ash to allow himself to be happy, and his way of declaring his love to Merle towards the end is befitting of the characters. This is the first book I have read by the author and I would happily read more of her works.

The pain of past emotional feelings in both their lives is faced, as they enjoy the passion of the present that overtakes them. With no relationship between them planned, just a temporary pleasurable interlude.

Disentangled emotional feelings cannot be controlled and they fall in love. Their future is altering from the outcome they had presumed.

With a happy ever after ending in this romantic story of finding love and commitment, leading to marriage and everlasting happiness.

A sizzling romance, set on a private island, a fast-paced, physical attraction, catalyses gradual emotional commitment.

This story is full of introspection and internal conflict. Merle's teenage years were lonely and starved of affection. Ash has regrets from his youth that he can't let go. The romance is passionate and the dialogue vibrant. Merle's character development is good. Ash's self-realisation is not as significant, but he gets there in the end.

The conclusion is romantic and satisfying.

I received a copy of this book from Mills and Boon via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

What I enjoyed about this book -

Watching Merle come out of her shell. Ash realising he could be more than a playboy. The sexual tension, especially in the first half of the book. The banter and character development in the second half of the book, as they helped each other get over past issues.

What I didn't love about this book -

The first half of the book was too focused on sexual tension and not enough on getting to know each other and Ash came on very strong, in some cases I thought a bit too strong. I found it a little hard to believe Merle would wear a red jump suit on her first real date with Ash and not feel very self conscious after all those years of trying to be 'invisible'. The coincidence of running into Rose and her attitude.

I enjoyed this book, but I enjoyed the second half much more than the first.

Whilst this has the traditional timid book loving woman and outgoing playboy man, the story is well told. Our hero is emotionally cold and impacted by a difficult upbringing. He comes face to face with our ready to love and share heroine whilst she is naked in his bath. They strike a pact to share their every moment for a week and we follow them on this journey of discovery on a beautiful island. The plot isn’t complicated and is well told. There is a real wish for the couple to get together and a simple plot is engaging.

I received an ARC from Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for an honest review. I also bought a copy!

I simply loved this. Two people find themselves alone together in a fabulous house in a beautiful setting and recognise an instant attraction. Merle is an inexperienced, rather withdrawn young woman and Ash, a wealthy playboy with painful memories and a strong sense of guilt,

Their interactions and banter are clever, intelligent and witty. Their agreement to have a week’s fling leads to the development of a relationship which grows in depth and strength. The author did such a wonderful job of creating 2 credible and appealing main characters and then to plot the most wonderful journey for them.

Natalie Anderson’s characters are always well drawn and engaging. Such a deft, sensitive touch, I loved everything about it, a really satisfying read and the sex scenes were amongst the best I’ve ever read.