While I don’t read a lot of books in the Harlequin Presents line, I make it a point to read Helen Bianchin’s books. This Australian author’s books are set usually in foreign locales with snippets about daily life that I find intriguing. However, while Alessandro’s Prize is set in Milan, it still isn’t enough to overcome the recycled plot.

Encountering a woman in love’s worst nightmare scenario, Lily Parisi finds out that her fiancé James is cheating on her by walking in on him and another woman in their home (well, really her own home). Kicking him to the curb, she gets her business affairs in order (she is the owner of an upscale Italian restaurant in Sydney) and decides to visit her aunt in Milan.

Her aunt Sophia and uncle Giuseppe were unable to have children, but mentoring Alessandro Del Marco and taking pride in his success brought them both joy. After Giuseppe’s death, Alessandro takes on the responsibilities of a son, so it is only natural that he and Lily will meet again.

With money, success, and looks, Alessandro can have any woman he wants. However, the women who make a play for him are all cut from the same mold. After meeting Lily he immediately feels that there is something about her, a sense of self preservation and strength that sets her apart from his normal arm candy. Lily of course wants nothing to do with men at this moment, even though she feels very attracted to Alessandro.

After Lily decides to stay in Milan for a while, she finds a position as an assistant chef, and a wonderful apartment. But her ex-fiancé isn’t willing to close the door on their relationship. Lily knows that she not able to forgive and forget, in fact she even wonders if she loved James in the first place, but she also does not feel ready to step into an emotional whirlpool with Alessandro – or does she?

While the story has the competent type of heroine that I enjoy, the author never convinced me of Lily’s uniqueness. Aunt Sophia and Lily are both wealthy, and while I have no knowledge of a socialite’s life, the combination of Lily attending fashion shows in Milan and then working as an assistant chef in a restaurant seemed too divergent.

Alessandro is wonderfully protective and interfering. He is the owner of both the restaurant and her apartment, which Lily only discovers after the fact. That seems to be his only fault, since he is wealthy, handsome, caring, and fascinated by personality rather than looks.

The writing flows well, so all of the above normally wouldn’t be enough for me to not recommend the book. However, the fact that I got halfway through the book, and thought things like “okay, now the ex-boyfriend is going to do x,” and x is exactly what happened, is the main reason for the low grade.

If you are looking for a comfort read even if a rather average one, then this book fits the bill. Otherwise, I would give it a pass. I do hope Ms. Bianchin comes up with more innovative plots because I enjoy visiting vicariously her unique settings.