This story was just okay and not much more than that, in my opinion. It was rather dry, to be quite frank. I would even dare say that it was a bit dull. Although I loved the refreshing take of seeing romance through the eyes of a para, the love match between the protagonists was simply flat. I could not sense true depth with this couple. With that said, I note that a special consideration was applied in regard to my book rating. I gave this book 3/5 stars for originality and boldness in approaching the life and love challenges of a paraplegic.

Rating: 3/5
Recommend: +/-
Chemistry/Intensity: +/-
Conflict/Drama: Yes
Source: NetGalley

I am a little unsure in how I feel about it this book. The story itself was a little blah, tortured hero, sad past. I was expecting a little more suspense from the stalker/mystery element. Marietta was the only interesting part. I have never read a book about someone in a wheelchair before as a main character so that was very interesting and informative for me. Her character was pretty bad ass and really drove home that not having the use of legs is the same mentally as any issue that is debilitating. You re-build your life and learn to live again or you drown.

We are introduced to Marietta Vincenti, Leo Vincenti's (from the first book) sister, a woman of thirty who has been bound to her wheelchair for the past thirteen years of her life. She is the only survivor of a motor accident which killed her friends many years back. Now, she is a successful artist who also runs an art gallery in the heart of Rome's affluent Parioli District. She is being stalked by an admirer of her works, who is secretly keeping an eye on her. But when things get serious, her brother requests his good friend, Nicolas César, ex-legionnaire and head of César Security, to look into the matter. When the stalker breaks into her apartment and leaves a message, Nico decides to take the matter into his own hands, and whisks her away to his home on Île de Lavande (Island of Lavender) off the coast of France to protect her till the stalker is caught.

Kudos to the author for writing such a strong and powerful heroine, that too in her second outing. I haven't yet read Leo and Helena's book [b:Surrendering to the Vengeful Italian|29870179|Surrendering to the Vengeful Italian (Irresistible Mediterranean Tycoons #1)|Angela Bissell|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476868891s/29870179.jpg|50240166] but I plan to read it soon.
Nico has his own demons - in the form of his wife - Julia, whom he couldn't save from kidnappers ten years ago (she was a Senator's daughter).
There is red-hot chemistry between Nico and Marietta.
I never had a differently-abled friend. So, this book was a revelation of sorts. Unlike most romances, I wasn't able to anticipate any moves.

You got up and walked away from me, Nico. How do you think that makes me feel? Knowing that I can’t stand up and follow you?

For the things that I take for granted, this line made me realise how lucky I am.
A fitting end,

If you want to see the sunshine, you have to weather the storm.

But damn the storm was scary, and then the oversized picnic basket! Which was rounded up with a beautiful epilogue.

3.75 stars

Another stalker story! There was never a confrontation with the stalker, and the suspense elements were almost non-existent, so I never felt that uncomfortable surge of anxiety that the heroine would be deadly danger, so all was good. The stalker sub-plot was used as a convenient excuse to whisk Marietta away to Nico's private secluded island. While a touch too convenient, I could roll with it. Who doesn't want to spend a week on a beautiful island with a devastating attractive man?

After a foolish decision as a teenager, Marietta has spent the past twelve years in a wheelchair. She has struggled for her independence and a sense of self-worth. When a stalker begins sending her flowers, as well as dubious notes, her brother is justifiably alarmed. Enter Nico, security expert and Leo's best friend. The two decide that it will be safest for Marietta to spend a week at Nico's until the stalker can be apprehended.

At first infuriated that they won't take no for an answer, Marietta decides that there are worse things than taking an unexpected vacation in paradise. After her stalker breaks into her home, she is alarmed for her safety and thinks that the time on the island might do her some good. She can paint and lounge in the sun. Not a bad deal by any stretch of the imagination. The only drawback? Being in close quarters with Nico. A physically superb specimen of manhood, he is so far out of Marietta's league that she's afraid of embarrassing herself by letting him know how attracted she is to him.

The romance progressed predictably, with an appropriate amount of chemistry between the protagonists. Nico's tragic past puts the brakes on their relationship, as he refuses to allow himself to get emotionally involved with anyone again. Because Marietta doesn't feel that it's fair to saddle herself on a man because of her disabilities, an affair with Nico with no strings attached is just what she wants. The sex with no commitment trope is beginning to annoy me because it is so overused in series romance, so I wasn't totally engaged in the story after they started sleeping with each other. I did find the ending satisfying, and thought they both grew up by the last page. Epilogues can be tedious, but I enjoyed this one. I did believe in their HEA, so this was a win for me. Angela Bissell is a new to me author; I won't hesitate to read more of her books.