This is no simple tale of whimsy, this is a story of one man's plan to stop a pattern of cheating. The old saying an apple doesn't fall far from the tree, well Athan was sure his brother-in-law Ian was cut of the same cloth as Ian's father, who was known for cheating. Upon uncovering proof that Ian is keeping a beautiful woman well hidden, there is only one thing he can do. He has to protect his sister Eva and save her marriage even to a man he holds in very low regard.

The plan is actually simple. Meet this mysterious other woman and ruin her relationship with Ian. The exit strategy is that once Ian finds out his high priced, and adoring mistress has someone on the side it will be the catalyst for the break. Ian isn't going to share.

Meeting Marisa is easy for a wealthy man like Athan. He rents a flat on her floor and invents reasons to meet and entice her into a relationship. It should be easy for him to look interested, his reaction to the investigators photos were instant. She is a knockout. But upon getting to know her she didn't seem as worldly as he expected. Both liked theater, were well read and Marisa was good company - not just eye candy. Athan definitely bit off more than he expected with this woman.

Marisa is terribly lonely as Ian is unable to spend much time with her. She cherishes their sporadic visits but is sad, lonely and friendless. She thinks about ways to spend this empty time, maybe doing charity work. She never has had any sort of career. Her mother raised her as a single woman. Her father never acknowledged her existence but remained the love of her mother's somewhat tragic life. When her mother died Marisa did the one thing her mother cautioned her against -she moved to London far removed from their little cabin in the country. But until meeting Ian life in London was void of people, friends. That's why she adores him and regrets their sparse time together.

At first she is reluctant to open her door, much less her life to this extremely handsome stranger. But she figures he must be okay if he can afford this lifestyle. She never had any man, not even Ian, look at her with such desire and hunger. The more time with Athan the more she wants. Athan expects to succeed in his plan. He doesn't count on how much he enjoys being with this captivating yet somehow innocent woman who is becoming important to him. He keeps reminding himself that the goal is to protect his sister. Any collateral damage will be dealt with once he separates Ian and his mistress saving Eva and Ian's marriage.

A lofty goal but what he never expected was feeling possessive of this amazing woman. He hadn't given a thought for her heart breaking over losing her benefactor and didn't plan for what their own relationship might become. Getting rid of Ian's mistress is to be a clean break. But it is evident the break between himself and Marisa is going to destroy something he didn't plan on. Hearts are going to be broken. The irony is that one of them might possibly be his own.

Wow. Julia James did a fabulous job entertaining us and teaching another life lesson, don't be fooled by appearances. Things aren't always what they appear and this book proves that statement. I pride myself in never giving away too much of the plot. Suffice it to say there are plenty of surprises in this passionate work that shows how the heart not the head should judge a person's worth. Expect to fall in love with both Marisa and surprisingly Athan. James makes even her strongest characters show their vulnerability, never more so than in PAINTED THE OTHER WOMAN.

Book Summary