Billionaire’s Runaway Wife is written by Rosie Maxwell, one of Mills & Boon Modern’s newer authors.

Rae ran away from her billionaire husband, Domenico Ricci, because she feared she was losing her self as her mum had done, becoming totally obsessed and controlled by her husband. After leaving him she established her own bridal gown design business and found herself again. She returns to Venice as Domenico’s Aunt has died and she wants to attend the funeral. When the will is read she finds out she has to stay in the Venetian Palazzo with Domenico for 6 months or he will not inherit it. She agrees and moves back to Venice. During their enforced time together she finds out about her husband’s childhood: how he was so poor Lily treated by his mother and her family. She starts to understand him. He also realises her fears and issues and helps her achieve her ambition. Will they be able to overcome their childhood traumas and build a life together?

I enjoyed the premise of the book rather than the book itself. The characters weren’t particularly likeable or relatable to the reader and there were loose ends that the book didn’t address - Domenico’s awful mother, for example, was brought into the storyline and then never mentioned again. This was a once only read for me. I wouldn’t rush to reread.

Billionaire's Runaway Wife is a whirlwind romantic marriage that flounders and stalls. She leaves, but a death brings them back together with a temporary agreement to meet a legal inheritance criteria.

But feelings run deep and can't be ignored whatever their agreement. A shared future is the ultimate goal, but the nitty gritty to get there has to be travelled.

With a happy ever after ending in this deep emotionally charged romantic story

A bit of a disappointment considering Mills and Boons are known for their romance, spicy filled books.

A stipulation that he stays married is in the way of claiming the palazzo, which means so much to Domenico. He has to resurrect his marriage with his estranged wife, Rae, which, from a passionate viewpoint, is easy but emotionally full of conflict and loss of pride. Introspection from the main characters showcases their emotional weaknesses, which make trusting each other fraught. The chemistry between them is well-described and, after much angst, is mirrored by emotional commitment. I like the emotion, how the couple overcame their internal conflicts and the uplifting conclusion.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

I really enjoyed this novel and read it in one sitting. The story was easy to follow and had a good cast of characters. As you would expect from Mills and Boon there was plenty of spice too. A good novel that I would recommend to other readers.
💝 Thank you to netgalley, the author and Mills & Boon for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

The basic premise sounded interesting but sadly I just couldn’t engage with the characters or the story. None of it rang true. She ran away because she feared losing her identity? Did she ever tell him what was wrong? No.

I really hate stories which are based on miscommunication and this book was full of it. We’re supposed to believe that Rae was so traumatised by seeing her mother lost the will to live after Rae’s father died, she was scared of it happening to her? It just didn’t ring true.

Some nice bits in the book and I quite enjoyed a lot of it but a big. disappointment. Why do the horrid mothers in Mills and Boon never get their comeuppance? The way Domenico’s mother and grandparents behaved was not only never explained, it went unpunished.

Three stars.