What do you think?
Rate this book
Pregnancy & Passion #4
Undone
From #1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR Maya Banks
Pregnancy, Passion and the Night That Changes Everything…
When an unplanned evening of passion with Cameron Hollingsworth results in unplanned pregnancy, Pippa Laingley's at a crossroads. She knew going in that the enigmatic entrepreneur had built a fortress around his feelings. What she's just discovered is that he's loved and lost before—his wife and child. Tragically.
Now Cam stands to lose it all again…if he lets Pippa get too close, if he pushes her away with loveless arrangements of financial support. Either way, he's doomed…unless he can let himself love again.
UNDONE was originally published as Undone by Her Tender Touch.
Pregnancy, Passion and the Night That Changes Everything…
When an unplanned evening of passion with Cameron Hollingsworth results in unplanned pregnancy, Pippa Laingley's at a crossroads. She knew going in that the enigmatic entrepreneur had built a fortress around his feelings. What she's just discovered is that he's loved and lost before—his wife and child. Tragically.
Now Cam stands to lose it all again…if he lets Pippa get too close, if he pushes her away with loveless arrangements of financial support. Either way, he's doomed…unless he can let himself love again.
UNDONE was originally published as Undone by Her Tender Touch.
162 pages, ebook
Published April 1, 2012
249 people are currently reading
2622 people want to read
About the author
Maya Banks
246 books21.6k followersMaya Banks is the #1 New York Times, #1 USA Today and international bestselling author of over 50 novels. A wife and mother of three, she lives in Texas.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 250 reviews
November 7, 2020
Re-read Nov. 2020
Re-read June 8 2020
This is the final book in the Pregnancy & Passion series which follows four friends and business partners: Rafael, Ryan, Devon, and Cameron who knock up girls, and then act like assholes. 🤣 Undone is Pippa and Cam’s story. We met Pippa in Tempted, she’s one of Ashley’s BFF’s. The good news is Ashley’s had a COMPLETE personality reboot, and acts like an adult in this one.
Cam has been the broody friend who likes his solitude in his “cave” as his friends put it. We finally learn why he is so emotionally closed off. The book starts with the two hooking up, and I like Pippa’s assertiveness. Cam doesn’t do relationships, but she’s got an itch, and suggest some "no strings" sex. Unfortunately, there's a faulty condom which results in a baby. (clearly, he doesn’t know the name of his own series, nor has learned from his 3 BFF’s situations) And seriously, the scene with him picking up the used condoms from the bathroom floor... 🤢 couldn’t he have taken 2 steps to the wastebasket??!!
This one has A LOT of hot/cold and push/pull going on. I didn’t really blame either, they found themselves in a situation neither had planned on or wanted. I thought Cam was a pretty flat flip-flopper. He switched between being a butthole, to wanting in her pants, to wanting to keep her safe, but always maintained he didn’t want a relationship.
I liked that Pippa had spunk, but felt she wasn’t always portrayed the best. Initially, she was pretty cold about the pregnancy saying “I don’t care what you think” and “I don’t care what you want” and ignoring him. Then, her “get over your dead kid” attitude wasn’t very compassionate. I am a tough love gal, but couldn’t she even pretend to understand his pain a little at some point?? IMO, it was always about her, and she was never nice about it… which made me feel like she was kicking a sad, abused puppy…. which made it hard to blame him. I totally agreed with her not wanting to be second best, but she was competing w/ a dead infant, not the dead wife that he only mentioned once. Maybe she could have mustered up one supportive “I’m sorry, that must have sucked big balls", and patted his shoulder. Instead, we get this.....
“I get that it’s hard to lose people you love. I suppose some part of me should be all, ‘Awww, you poor thing,’ and fawn all over him, pat him on the back and be understanding, but damn it, I can’t do that!”
“It doesn’t make you an idiot to mourn people you love. I get that. I do. What makes him an idiot is not being able to look past something horrific and see that he’s being given a second chance. This baby won’t replace Colton. No one could ever do that. I don’t know how to make Cam see that. At this point, I don’t even know if I want to try. I’m tired.
“Don’t turn your back on me,” she bit out. “At least give me that. Face me and tell me why you can’t give me commitment, why you can’t love me. I understand you lost people you loved. I get it. But it’s time to move on. You have a child, a son, who needs you. I need you,” she finished in an aching voice.
“Am I supposed to feel sorry for you? Am I supposed to be all sympathetic and pet your poor damaged heart just because something horrible happened to you in the past? I’ve got news for you, Cam. Life sucks. It isn’t perfect for anyone and you aren’t special. Bad things happen to people all the time but they don’t become heartless jerks and piss on everyone around them. They get up, dust themselves off and keep on living. Maybe you never got that memo.”
The problem was his "heartless" was running out of the ultrasound, and refusing to be in a relationship with her. It's not like he walked around being a total bastard to everyone....But, I did cheer her on during her epic “I deserve better” speech, because she did deserve commitment...but maybe not insult his dead family, and tell him he can't see his kid if he doesn't love you while you plead your case. 🤷♀️🤷♀️
Bottom line- She packs a lot within the 150 pages. It’s got a bit of everything… rich H, feisty h, dead spouse & kid, accidental pregnancy, and sexytime. I was disappointed with the epilogue and wanted a little more since this was the last book. I definitely like her Anetakis Tycoons series better. I think I've just read too many hardcore HP's where the H's were bigtime assholes, so these OTT women felt like drama queens. 😂 They have no idea how bad it is out there in HPlandia.
Re-read June 8 2020
This is the final book in the Pregnancy & Passion series which follows four friends and business partners: Rafael, Ryan, Devon, and Cameron who knock up girls, and then act like assholes. 🤣 Undone is Pippa and Cam’s story. We met Pippa in Tempted, she’s one of Ashley’s BFF’s. The good news is Ashley’s had a COMPLETE personality reboot, and acts like an adult in this one.
Cam has been the broody friend who likes his solitude in his “cave” as his friends put it. We finally learn why he is so emotionally closed off. The book starts with the two hooking up, and I like Pippa’s assertiveness. Cam doesn’t do relationships, but she’s got an itch, and suggest some "no strings" sex. Unfortunately, there's a faulty condom which results in a baby. (clearly, he doesn’t know the name of his own series, nor has learned from his 3 BFF’s situations) And seriously, the scene with him picking up the used condoms from the bathroom floor... 🤢 couldn’t he have taken 2 steps to the wastebasket??!!
This one has A LOT of hot/cold and push/pull going on. I didn’t really blame either, they found themselves in a situation neither had planned on or wanted. I thought Cam was a pretty flat flip-flopper. He switched between being a butthole, to wanting in her pants, to wanting to keep her safe, but always maintained he didn’t want a relationship.
I liked that Pippa had spunk, but felt she wasn’t always portrayed the best. Initially, she was pretty cold about the pregnancy saying “I don’t care what you think” and “I don’t care what you want” and ignoring him. Then, her “get over your dead kid” attitude wasn’t very compassionate. I am a tough love gal, but couldn’t she even pretend to understand his pain a little at some point?? IMO, it was always about her, and she was never nice about it… which made me feel like she was kicking a sad, abused puppy…. which made it hard to blame him. I totally agreed with her not wanting to be second best, but she was competing w/ a dead infant, not the dead wife that he only mentioned once. Maybe she could have mustered up one supportive “I’m sorry, that must have sucked big balls", and patted his shoulder. Instead, we get this.....
“I get that it’s hard to lose people you love. I suppose some part of me should be all, ‘Awww, you poor thing,’ and fawn all over him, pat him on the back and be understanding, but damn it, I can’t do that!”
“It doesn’t make you an idiot to mourn people you love. I get that. I do. What makes him an idiot is not being able to look past something horrific and see that he’s being given a second chance. This baby won’t replace Colton. No one could ever do that. I don’t know how to make Cam see that. At this point, I don’t even know if I want to try. I’m tired.
“Don’t turn your back on me,” she bit out. “At least give me that. Face me and tell me why you can’t give me commitment, why you can’t love me. I understand you lost people you loved. I get it. But it’s time to move on. You have a child, a son, who needs you. I need you,” she finished in an aching voice.
“Am I supposed to feel sorry for you? Am I supposed to be all sympathetic and pet your poor damaged heart just because something horrible happened to you in the past? I’ve got news for you, Cam. Life sucks. It isn’t perfect for anyone and you aren’t special. Bad things happen to people all the time but they don’t become heartless jerks and piss on everyone around them. They get up, dust themselves off and keep on living. Maybe you never got that memo.”
The problem was his "heartless" was running out of the ultrasound, and refusing to be in a relationship with her. It's not like he walked around being a total bastard to everyone....But, I did cheer her on during her epic “I deserve better” speech, because she did deserve commitment...but maybe not insult his dead family, and tell him he can't see his kid if he doesn't love you while you plead your case. 🤷♀️🤷♀️
Bottom line- She packs a lot within the 150 pages. It’s got a bit of everything… rich H, feisty h, dead spouse & kid, accidental pregnancy, and sexytime. I was disappointed with the epilogue and wanted a little more since this was the last book. I definitely like her Anetakis Tycoons series better. I think I've just read too many hardcore HP's where the H's were bigtime assholes, so these OTT women felt like drama queens. 😂 They have no idea how bad it is out there in HPlandia.
May 4, 2012
This is the final installment in Ms Banks’ series of Pregnancy & Passion. Cam & Pippa have known each other for a while through their friendship with Cam’s business partners and their Fiancées & wives who are Pippa’s friends. One night they decide to give into their desire for each other and have a one night stand. Unfortunately one of the condoms failed which resulted in life long consequences.
At first Cam was very upset and resistant and we learnt that he had been married before and both his wife and son had died and he was determined not to have any other long term relationships and certainly not have any further children. Once the pregnancy was confirmed Cam asked Pippa to move in with him and even offered marriage but Pippa wanted more than a cold marriage so refused.
I liked both Cam and Pippa but both were two very strong characters who wanted different things from life. I had a lot of sympathy for Cam and his past but at times I did get a bit cross over his actions towards Pippa for example the morning after the first night together and the at the pregnancy scan but predictably he came around at the end……a good finish to a fab series.
ARC provided by Harlequin via Netgalley
At first Cam was very upset and resistant and we learnt that he had been married before and both his wife and son had died and he was determined not to have any other long term relationships and certainly not have any further children. Once the pregnancy was confirmed Cam asked Pippa to move in with him and even offered marriage but Pippa wanted more than a cold marriage so refused.
I liked both Cam and Pippa but both were two very strong characters who wanted different things from life. I had a lot of sympathy for Cam and his past but at times I did get a bit cross over his actions towards Pippa for example the morning after the first night together and the at the pregnancy scan but predictably he came around at the end……a good finish to a fab series.
ARC provided by Harlequin via Netgalley
May 17, 2012
This is the last in Banks' "pregnancy and passion" series about four friends and business partners who each accidentally knock someone up. (You have to wonder what brand of condoms they're using.) The last man standing is Cam, aka Mr. Reclusive. Cam has been eyeing Pippa (a friend of his friend's wife) for some time, and when he makes his move, he's brutally honest about the rules:
"I don't do commitment. I need you to understand that if we go to bed together, this is a one-night stand. I won't call you in a few days. I won't call you, period. I'll expect you to leave in the morning. I'll provide a car for your transport back into the city."
Honestly, I think I would have preferred it if Pippa told him to take a hike; hooray for being an independent and sexually assertive woman, but that's just cold. However, Pippa goes for it and they have a wild night.
But when Cam discovers a broken condom (and is somehow shocked. Hasn't he been paying attention to his friend's lives?) he dramatically changes his tune:
"'I don't want anything to happen to you. Move in with me. If you won't marry me so my child has my name, then at least move in with me so you're both provided for.'
She wondered if he even knew that he was nearly pleading with her. As vehement as he was that he could never give her what she wanted or needed from a relationship, he seemed just as determined to tie her to him."
As you might guess, there's a tragedy in Cam's past that's influencing him, making him determined to take the utmost care of Pippa and the baby while still keeping them at arms length.
I didn't like this quite as much as the others in the series. It's fairy-tale-ish in a way that doesn't entirely work for me: for example, Cam provides Pippa with everything she needs to start her own business, down to the decorated storefront. I find it hard to believe she wouldn't miss the fun of choosing things herself. I also thought that Pippa is rather callous about Cam's irrational but understandable feelings, attacking him instead of giving him time to work through them.
Still, Banks again does a great job of mixing the classic elements of category romance with more realistic characters and situations, so you have all the emotional punch without that little voice in your head that says "these people are idiots, nobody really acts this way!" I really enjoyed this series.
"I don't do commitment. I need you to understand that if we go to bed together, this is a one-night stand. I won't call you in a few days. I won't call you, period. I'll expect you to leave in the morning. I'll provide a car for your transport back into the city."
Honestly, I think I would have preferred it if Pippa told him to take a hike; hooray for being an independent and sexually assertive woman, but that's just cold. However, Pippa goes for it and they have a wild night.
But when Cam discovers a broken condom (and is somehow shocked. Hasn't he been paying attention to his friend's lives?) he dramatically changes his tune:
"'I don't want anything to happen to you. Move in with me. If you won't marry me so my child has my name, then at least move in with me so you're both provided for.'
She wondered if he even knew that he was nearly pleading with her. As vehement as he was that he could never give her what she wanted or needed from a relationship, he seemed just as determined to tie her to him."
As you might guess, there's a tragedy in Cam's past that's influencing him, making him determined to take the utmost care of Pippa and the baby while still keeping them at arms length.
I didn't like this quite as much as the others in the series. It's fairy-tale-ish in a way that doesn't entirely work for me: for example, Cam provides Pippa with everything she needs to start her own business, down to the decorated storefront. I find it hard to believe she wouldn't miss the fun of choosing things herself. I also thought that Pippa is rather callous about Cam's irrational but understandable feelings, attacking him instead of giving him time to work through them.
Still, Banks again does a great job of mixing the classic elements of category romance with more realistic characters and situations, so you have all the emotional punch without that little voice in your head that says "these people are idiots, nobody really acts this way!" I really enjoyed this series.
February 6, 2017
Cam and Pippa. Some reviewers say that Pippa crossed a line telling Cam what was what. But I thought she was great and Cam needed a kick in the pants to move on.
Cam lost his family years ago. The story never says how and you really never got to know much about them. He doesn't want to ever feel like that again, yadda yadda yadda. So even though he can't resist Pippa, he is determined to keep her at arms length. Basically have his cake and eat it too.
Pippa is no doormat though. I think that even though I liked Cam the least of the friends, Pippa's strength of character made me keep it at 5 stars.
They have a ONS night of hot sex and she's knocked up. There's a lot of push and pull but, like I said, Pippa calls a spade a spade.
Eventually Cam pulls his head out of his arse. I do wish there had been a wee bit more grovelling, but it was pretty satisfying as it was!
Cam lost his family years ago. The story never says how and you really never got to know much about them. He doesn't want to ever feel like that again, yadda yadda yadda. So even though he can't resist Pippa, he is determined to keep her at arms length. Basically have his cake and eat it too.
Pippa is no doormat though. I think that even though I liked Cam the least of the friends, Pippa's strength of character made me keep it at 5 stars.
They have a ONS night of hot sex and she's knocked up. There's a lot of push and pull but, like I said, Pippa calls a spade a spade.
Eventually Cam pulls his head out of his arse. I do wish there had been a wee bit more grovelling, but it was pretty satisfying as it was!
dnf
July 28, 2022Meh. promiscuous people being promiscuous. I’ll pass.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2019
Finally, we have reached the final book of this quartet. To Cameron Hollingsworth's story, the reclusive, brooding, cynical one.
Pippa Laingley was always caught in awkward situations by Cameron Hollingsworth. Another one presented itself while she is catering for her best friend Ashley and his best friend Devon's housewarming party. As if partnering with him at their wedding wasn't enough (she's attracted to him, and what she doesn't know is that Cam is also interested, very much, so much that he has erotic fantasies. Ahem!)
This is the same Pippa from the previous book on whom Ashley went all mopey and who taught her cooking, at least tried.
Cam and Pippa both agree on a one night stand. And what an interesting one it is, oh my...till it is marred by worry over the chances that she may be pregnant. And pregnant she turns out to be, in a few weeks. To which, Cam suggests a mutually beneficial partnership, which Pippa's pride doesn't agree to, whereas he's adamant on keeping them safe.
The camaraderie between Pippa and Ashley is fun. As is the one between Devon and Cameron, infact all four friends, it is just superb. I loved it in the previous book and I loved it here again. 'I need the girls.' Only the words have to be said and they are all together, being the strongest support system for each other. It makes me wonder, after Ashley and Pippa, do Sylvia, Carly, and Tabitha have their own stories too?
There's a time jump of a few months, necessary for the storyline, I think. Cam continues to blow hot and cold, he just can't make up his mind whether he wants to be with Pippa or not. He couldn't move on from his painful past, a past where he had loved and lost both his wife, Elise and his son, Colton. He has nightmares due to it, this time imagining Pippa in place of his dead wife. It's so intense, the way he feels, and he doesn't share his fears with her. (It seems he should have got himself a psychologist! That much pain and remembrance couldn't have been good...)
And then comes Devon and Ashley's daughter into the world, Katelynn. This book had some cute friendship between Devon and Pippa.
There is some funny grovelling, and much needed too, especially after all the nasty things he's said to her. It has a beautiful ending with the birth of their baby boy Maverick. After which his cave in Greenwich is transformed into a proper house.
P.S. Gloria Copeland (Ashley's mother), oh how I loved her in the previous book, and in this one too. She is the mother everyone dreams of.
The main thing I liked about this book was that till everything was sorted out, Pippa maintains her independence, staying in her own apartment, and not falling all over Cam. You go, girl!
Pippa Laingley was always caught in awkward situations by Cameron Hollingsworth. Another one presented itself while she is catering for her best friend Ashley and his best friend Devon's housewarming party. As if partnering with him at their wedding wasn't enough (she's attracted to him, and what she doesn't know is that Cam is also interested, very much, so much that he has erotic fantasies. Ahem!)
This is the same Pippa from the previous book on whom Ashley went all mopey and who taught her cooking, at least tried.
Cam and Pippa both agree on a one night stand. And what an interesting one it is, oh my...till it is marred by worry over the chances that she may be pregnant. And pregnant she turns out to be, in a few weeks. To which, Cam suggests a mutually beneficial partnership, which Pippa's pride doesn't agree to, whereas he's adamant on keeping them safe.
The camaraderie between Pippa and Ashley is fun. As is the one between Devon and Cameron, infact all four friends, it is just superb. I loved it in the previous book and I loved it here again. 'I need the girls.' Only the words have to be said and they are all together, being the strongest support system for each other. It makes me wonder, after Ashley and Pippa, do Sylvia, Carly, and Tabitha have their own stories too?
There's a time jump of a few months, necessary for the storyline, I think. Cam continues to blow hot and cold, he just can't make up his mind whether he wants to be with Pippa or not. He couldn't move on from his painful past, a past where he had loved and lost both his wife, Elise and his son, Colton. He has nightmares due to it, this time imagining Pippa in place of his dead wife. It's so intense, the way he feels, and he doesn't share his fears with her. (It seems he should have got himself a psychologist! That much pain and remembrance couldn't have been good...)
And then comes Devon and Ashley's daughter into the world, Katelynn. This book had some cute friendship between Devon and Pippa.
There is some funny grovelling, and much needed too, especially after all the nasty things he's said to her. It has a beautiful ending with the birth of their baby boy Maverick. After which his cave in Greenwich is transformed into a proper house.
P.S. Gloria Copeland (Ashley's mother), oh how I loved her in the previous book, and in this one too. She is the mother everyone dreams of.
The main thing I liked about this book was that till everything was sorted out, Pippa maintains her independence, staying in her own apartment, and not falling all over Cam. You go, girl!
March 31, 2012
This series has been pretty good and I have been waiting for Cam's story since we know the least about him and in the last book he helped screw Devon's head straight when it came to Ashley, sadly this book has to be my least favorite book in the series.
The theme is failed birth-control. Pippa is Ashley's friend and she is in the process of establishing her own store-front cafe and catering business when she gives in to her attraction with Cam and spends one passion filled night with him, agreeing that it is a one time thing but fate has different plans and their fears come true and she is pregnant. Despite it not being an ideal time, she wants the baby.
Meanwhile Cam who wished with all his heart she won't fall pregnant is terrified, he has already lost a wife and son once(sadly I didn't feel we were given much information about this, how he met his wife, how did they die etc) and doesn't want to go through the pain again and is over-protective, wanting Pippa to move in with him and even suggesting marriage but she refuses and they manage to build a friendship.
However when they go for an ultrasound and find out they are having a son, Cam freaks which angers Pippa and she questions him and out comes his past. Now, I got Pippa's point of view of letting the past go but I had real problems with her seeming disregard for his pain, she didn't even ask him questions and instead just expected him to get over it.
I respected her in the way she wanted her son to have a different identity but I had a hard time being sympathetic to her when she raked Cam over coals. He had been there for her and she put him through the wringer and when she does confess her love for him and he doesn't respond in kind she walks out and doesn't give him the chance to apologize.
I do enjoy a good grovel but I do wish the Pippa too had apologized for her behaviour. All in all I loved seeing all four friends and their families together in the end but romance wise this story has to be the weakest for me though I would recommend giving this series a try.
*ARC provided by Harlequin through Netgalley
The theme is failed birth-control. Pippa is Ashley's friend and she is in the process of establishing her own store-front cafe and catering business when she gives in to her attraction with Cam and spends one passion filled night with him, agreeing that it is a one time thing but fate has different plans and their fears come true and she is pregnant. Despite it not being an ideal time, she wants the baby.
Meanwhile Cam who wished with all his heart she won't fall pregnant is terrified, he has already lost a wife and son once(sadly I didn't feel we were given much information about this, how he met his wife, how did they die etc) and doesn't want to go through the pain again and is over-protective, wanting Pippa to move in with him and even suggesting marriage but she refuses and they manage to build a friendship.
However when they go for an ultrasound and find out they are having a son, Cam freaks which angers Pippa and she questions him and out comes his past. Now, I got Pippa's point of view of letting the past go but I had real problems with her seeming disregard for his pain, she didn't even ask him questions and instead just expected him to get over it.
I respected her in the way she wanted her son to have a different identity but I had a hard time being sympathetic to her when she raked Cam over coals. He had been there for her and she put him through the wringer and when she does confess her love for him and he doesn't respond in kind she walks out and doesn't give him the chance to apologize.
I do enjoy a good grovel but I do wish the Pippa too had apologized for her behaviour. All in all I loved seeing all four friends and their families together in the end but romance wise this story has to be the weakest for me though I would recommend giving this series a try.
*ARC provided by Harlequin through Netgalley
June 12, 2017
Leído el 02/09/2012
NO QUIERO QUERERTE
Protagonistas: Cameron "Cam" Hollingsworth y Pippa Laingley
Argumento:
¿Los uniría aquel embarazo?
¿Solo una noche? Sí, seguro. Pippa Laingley debería haber sabido que no sería así. Cuando una noche de pasión con Cameron Hollingsworth desembocó en un embarazo no planeado, Pippa se encontró en un atolladero. Sabía que el enigmático empresario había construido una fortaleza alrededor de su corazón. Había perdido a su familia en un trágico accidente y ahora Cam temía abrirse de nuevo.
Cam sabía que iba a sufrir si dejaba que Pippa entrase en su vida y también si la apartaba de su lado ofreciéndole simple apoyo económico. En cualquier caso, estaba condenado… a menos que se permitiera amar otra vez.
NO QUIERO QUERERTE
Protagonistas: Cameron "Cam" Hollingsworth y Pippa Laingley
Argumento:
¿Los uniría aquel embarazo?
¿Solo una noche? Sí, seguro. Pippa Laingley debería haber sabido que no sería así. Cuando una noche de pasión con Cameron Hollingsworth desembocó en un embarazo no planeado, Pippa se encontró en un atolladero. Sabía que el enigmático empresario había construido una fortaleza alrededor de su corazón. Había perdido a su familia en un trágico accidente y ahora Cam temía abrirse de nuevo.
Cam sabía que iba a sufrir si dejaba que Pippa entrase en su vida y también si la apartaba de su lado ofreciéndole simple apoyo económico. En cualquier caso, estaba condenado… a menos que se permitiera amar otra vez.
August 19, 2015
As the last book in the series, I felt I needed to read it to get closure for all of the couples. But I will state up front that I really dislike the dead ex storyline and would normally not read this book. Especially when that ex was loved and is mourned.
Despite his tragic past, Cam to wallowing to a "whole 'nutha level". I wanted to feel empathy for him. But he made it so damn hard by being so cruel and self centered. The author did no favors by not really disclosing his past or thoughts. He never really told the story to anyone during the book. However, I give him props for being up front with Pippa. He made no promises and did not deviate from what he said. So I do not hold all of the angst and heartache against him. Now his actions did not always match his words, but Pippa knew what she was getting into. He was a whiny asshole for the entire book, with the excuse that he told her up front he did not want her. So why she kept expecting a different result...the definition of insanity right?
I just did not like this book. I did not really like the heroine and definately did not like Cam. And I cannot imagine why she took him back after a few days with a flowery speech after all of the months of being dicked around and the HORRIBLE things he said to her. Just did not work for me.
Safety Gang safe.
Despite his tragic past, Cam to wallowing to a "whole 'nutha level". I wanted to feel empathy for him. But he made it so damn hard by being so cruel and self centered. The author did no favors by not really disclosing his past or thoughts. He never really told the story to anyone during the book. However, I give him props for being up front with Pippa. He made no promises and did not deviate from what he said. So I do not hold all of the angst and heartache against him. Now his actions did not always match his words, but Pippa knew what she was getting into. He was a whiny asshole for the entire book, with the excuse that he told her up front he did not want her. So why she kept expecting a different result...the definition of insanity right?
I just did not like this book. I did not really like the heroine and definately did not like Cam. And I cannot imagine why she took him back after a few days with a flowery speech after all of the months of being dicked around and the HORRIBLE things he said to her. Just did not work for me.
Safety Gang safe.
May 12, 2012
Wow - just wow. I had a feeling Cam's story was going to be pretty incredible and I was right. I could see in the previous books that he was pretty closed off/cynical. When this one started out with him lusting after Pippa I had a feeling it was going to be intense. When he started out their night with the statement that it would be one night only, no contact after, etc, I could see he was setting himself up for the fall. Pippa started out saying he should get over himself, that's all she wanted too, but she knew she could easily fall in love with him. When she ended up pregnant, it terrified Cam - he'd already lost a wife and child and couldn't face it again. Cam spent the book fighting his feelings. One day he'd be kind and friendly and the next he'd backed off and was cold and forbidding. Pippa knew pretty quickly that she'd fallen in love with Cam. She couldn't understand why he acted the way he did. Once she found out, she understood, but made it clear that he had a decision to make. There were several places that brought me to tears, but the final confrontation and follow-on had the tears flowing so bad I could hardly read. This was absolutely the best of Maya Banks' books I have read so far.
January 20, 2013
This is the forth and last installment in the Pregnancy & Passion series.
The story of Cameron and Pippa is a very intense and emotional read.
Cameron has known the worst possible pain. He had lost his wife and son. He swore never to put himself through this pain again. Now he is Mr. I- dont-do-commitment, I-dont- do- love sort of guy.
But when a one- night stand with gorgeous Pippa results in a pregnancy, Cam is living the nightmare all over again. Pippa refuses his offer of marriage. She wants a husband who loves her and she won't settle for less than that.
It's not easy to fall in love with a man who swore he had no love to give. Cam seems so determined to keep Pippa at arm’s length and yet he exhibits caring at every turn.
Pippa is a strong heroine with take-no-prisoners attitude to life. She has courage, she knows her own worth and isn't afraid to confront Cam with her love to know, once and for all, where she and her son stand.
Cam needs to look past his horrific past to realize he is being given a second chance to happiness. Will he grape it with both hands or will he let it slip from his fingers ?
The story of Cameron and Pippa is a very intense and emotional read.
Cameron has known the worst possible pain. He had lost his wife and son. He swore never to put himself through this pain again. Now he is Mr. I- dont-do-commitment, I-dont- do- love sort of guy.
But when a one- night stand with gorgeous Pippa results in a pregnancy, Cam is living the nightmare all over again. Pippa refuses his offer of marriage. She wants a husband who loves her and she won't settle for less than that.
It's not easy to fall in love with a man who swore he had no love to give. Cam seems so determined to keep Pippa at arm’s length and yet he exhibits caring at every turn.
Pippa is a strong heroine with take-no-prisoners attitude to life. She has courage, she knows her own worth and isn't afraid to confront Cam with her love to know, once and for all, where she and her son stand.
Cam needs to look past his horrific past to realize he is being given a second chance to happiness. Will he grape it with both hands or will he let it slip from his fingers ?
November 10, 2014
SAVE THE BEST FOR LAST!
By far the best in this series! A heroine that knows what she wants and is not afraid to claim her wants and, if need be, cut the father of her unborn child out of her life! A woman that is not afraid to say I LOVE YOU even when the odds are not in her favor. A woman that CAN KICK SERIOUS A$$E$, without losing her femininity and identity as an independent woman!
And yes...the higher the expectations for this hero, the greater the surprise for his behaviour and his subsequent redemption.
A man's grovelling has always been a woman's favourite sin....
All in all, it was as fun reading this as the mood required!
P.S: How can you not love me daddy? ;o)))
By far the best in this series! A heroine that knows what she wants and is not afraid to claim her wants and, if need be, cut the father of her unborn child out of her life! A woman that is not afraid to say I LOVE YOU even when the odds are not in her favor. A woman that CAN KICK SERIOUS A$$E$, without losing her femininity and identity as an independent woman!
And yes...the higher the expectations for this hero, the greater the surprise for his behaviour and his subsequent redemption.
A man's grovelling has always been a woman's favourite sin....
All in all, it was as fun reading this as the mood required!
P.S: How can you not love me daddy? ;o)))
April 18, 2012
This was an average read,adored Pippa a lot,Cam was jerk almost till the end of the book,if he would have come out of his fears a little sooner and accepted his feelings for Pippa i would have loved it,also wanted grovelling more.I loved this series:)
July 10, 2014
I never planned to read this last installment of the series, as I didn't find the couple too interesting. It was better than I expected. The heroine was not afraid to call the brooding hero on his BS. Nice extended grovel at the end.
January 4, 2016
Not a fan of one-night stands. So I already questioned hero and heroine's judgement. Lots of unnecessary flouncing before they finally communicated. Heroine has a thriving cupcake business.
June 4, 2021
3 stars
May 27, 2022
I’m looking forward to reading about Cam and Pippa ever since they appeared in the previous books. And I was so excited when I learned that they would be paired together. I love Pippa and Cam is my kind of hero. And the author does not disappoint. The pregnancy and Passion series had me from the beginning, and Undone by Her Touch is the last and by far the best for me! I admit that this kind of trope can be a hit or miss for me because it’s been done too many times before. But with Maya Banks’ undeniable talent, this book hits all the right spots for me! I considered this one as my “angst-done-right” book! The passion, the sexual tension, the chemistry, and the angst all sucked me that I could read it in just one sitting. I’m always a sucker for this kind of story – an unrequited love story trope. Plus, the possibility of a groveling hero makes me giddy. And guess what? This one delivered on the groveling and then some.
Cameron Hollingsworth is already loved and lost and has no desire to do so again. Since losing his wife and son in an accident before, Cameron kept his heart closely guarded. But ever since meeting Pippa, he couldn’t get her out of his mind. And order to do so, he decided that he was going to get Pippa into his bed and then forget about her.
Pippa Langley has been attracted to Cameron but being in a relationship is not right now. Opening her catering business is her priority. But on the night of her best friend's party, when Cameron offered to help her and told her straight that he wanted her… sparks fly! They decided to give in to their desire for each other and spent one steamy night. No strings attached. No commitment. No phone calls after. But what happens when she finds herself pregnant with a man who doesn’t do commitment? With Pippa being pregnant, Cam was forced to face his past. But can he let go of the past and accept the miracle he’d been given before it’s too late?
When I read about Cam in the previous book, I knew he was one of those tortured heroes… that something about his past made him cynical and unable to commit. And boy, I was right! He was the king of mixed signals, like seriously! He gets on my nerves most of the time, especially how he constantly belittles and disregards Pippa’s feelings. And whenever he acted like a total jerk! But as usual, I still couldn’t help but fall in love with him. Because underneath all the jerkiness, assholeness, and cold façade was a gorgeous, lonely softie. He’s just got that something that makes me love him even when he’s a total jerk. Oh, and he apologized too! I was so giddy to see him struggle to hold his defenses against Pippa, who has, despite his efforts, found her way into his heart. And nothing hotter than a man that knows to give a good grovels.
I first met Pippa in Tempted by Her Innocent Kiss, and I felt excited to know her more. She was feisty, funny, smart, protective, and loving. I loved that she was so full of life, knew what she wanted, and was not afraid to say exactly what was on her mind. She deals with the situation with optimism. I loved how she made the best of it with what she had. I admired her strength and determination. She wasn’t afraid to put herself out there, even knowing she could be rejected and hurt. It took a lot of courage on her part and showed just how strong she was. Pippas is my favorite heroine in this series.
.
Pippa and Cam have so much chemistry. I loved the banters dripping with so much sexual tension. Although they both jumped to bed immediately, I loved that it was a slow build-up romance filled with so much tension and angst. I also liked that Cam was the one who talked first about the possibility of Pippa getting pregnant. Because it meant that there would be no question or accusing her of doing it on purpose to trap him. And I loved that she didn’t let Cam railroad her into a relationship just because of the baby. It was good to see her not settle for less than she deserves and the way she kept putting him in his place. You go, girl!
Once again, Maya Banks takes a simple storyline and makes it an interesting read that flows and keeps me completely hooked. Undone By Her Touch was a great way to end the series.
Cameron Hollingsworth is already loved and lost and has no desire to do so again. Since losing his wife and son in an accident before, Cameron kept his heart closely guarded. But ever since meeting Pippa, he couldn’t get her out of his mind. And order to do so, he decided that he was going to get Pippa into his bed and then forget about her.
Pippa Langley has been attracted to Cameron but being in a relationship is not right now. Opening her catering business is her priority. But on the night of her best friend's party, when Cameron offered to help her and told her straight that he wanted her… sparks fly! They decided to give in to their desire for each other and spent one steamy night. No strings attached. No commitment. No phone calls after. But what happens when she finds herself pregnant with a man who doesn’t do commitment? With Pippa being pregnant, Cam was forced to face his past. But can he let go of the past and accept the miracle he’d been given before it’s too late?
When I read about Cam in the previous book, I knew he was one of those tortured heroes… that something about his past made him cynical and unable to commit. And boy, I was right! He was the king of mixed signals, like seriously! He gets on my nerves most of the time, especially how he constantly belittles and disregards Pippa’s feelings. And whenever he acted like a total jerk! But as usual, I still couldn’t help but fall in love with him. Because underneath all the jerkiness, assholeness, and cold façade was a gorgeous, lonely softie. He’s just got that something that makes me love him even when he’s a total jerk. Oh, and he apologized too! I was so giddy to see him struggle to hold his defenses against Pippa, who has, despite his efforts, found her way into his heart. And nothing hotter than a man that knows to give a good grovels.
I first met Pippa in Tempted by Her Innocent Kiss, and I felt excited to know her more. She was feisty, funny, smart, protective, and loving. I loved that she was so full of life, knew what she wanted, and was not afraid to say exactly what was on her mind. She deals with the situation with optimism. I loved how she made the best of it with what she had. I admired her strength and determination. She wasn’t afraid to put herself out there, even knowing she could be rejected and hurt. It took a lot of courage on her part and showed just how strong she was. Pippas is my favorite heroine in this series.
.
Pippa and Cam have so much chemistry. I loved the banters dripping with so much sexual tension. Although they both jumped to bed immediately, I loved that it was a slow build-up romance filled with so much tension and angst. I also liked that Cam was the one who talked first about the possibility of Pippa getting pregnant. Because it meant that there would be no question or accusing her of doing it on purpose to trap him. And I loved that she didn’t let Cam railroad her into a relationship just because of the baby. It was good to see her not settle for less than she deserves and the way she kept putting him in his place. You go, girl!
“We’re done. I want nothing from you, Cam. Not your support. Not your money. Not your presence. I don’t want you anywhere near my child or me. My child. Not yours. You don’t want us, and quite frankly, we don’t need you. I don’t want to hear it. But know this, Cam. One day you’re going to wake up and realize you’ve made a horrible, horrible mistake. I won’t be there. We won’t be there. I deserve more. I deserve a man who’ll give me everything and not just throw money or convenience at me. More than that, my child deserves more. He deserves a father who’ll love him unconditionally. Who’ll go to the wall for him every damn day? Not a father incapable of loving anyone but himself.”Let’s face it, Cam’s got issues. Plenty of them.. and Pippa’s the perfect girl for the job!
Once again, Maya Banks takes a simple storyline and makes it an interesting read that flows and keeps me completely hooked. Undone By Her Touch was a great way to end the series.
September 23, 2022
Both of these characters were super annoying. I don’t think I have ever read a less compassionate h. I wish she would supported him more, it was all about her her her her. She was a twat. I forgot that I didn’t like her in Ashley’s book either.
March 28, 2012
I read this book not realizing that it was actually the fourth book in a series, oops. Once a few other characters were mentioned I began to get the feeling that maybe I missed something but it didn't affect my understanding of the story. It actually just made me want to go back and read the others in the series! So while it won't hurt you to read this book as a stand alone, it would probably be beneficial to start the series from the beginning.
Cam is adamant about not having any strings between himself and a woman. So for that reason, he keeps women out of his apartment and makes sure they understand that sex for him is only a one night stand. When he shows up at his best friend's housewarming party, he sees Pippa working her butt off to cater the event. He throws aside her annoyance and offers up his services for the night. And not just with helping to distribute food. They go back to his place and both understand it's going to be a one night stand only. Pippa is happy and luxuriating in her great sex from the previous night when she receives a phone call from Cam telling her that the condom broke. Uh oh. Now they both know they have to deal with eachother and while Pippa is okay with that, Cam has to fight back his demons to decide if he wants to wallow in his past or move on and have a great future.
I was back and forth with my feelings about both Cam and Pippa. While I liked them together at times I began to get a little annoyed with the pushing and pulling between them. It wasn't just Cam either. Even though Pippa repeatedly stated her feelings for Cam, she also remained undecided whether she wanted his help or didn't. I also wasn't a big fan of how she treated Cam regarding his past. Yes he was wallowing to a certain extent, and yes he was being kind of an idiot towards her but after hearing for the first time why he was so upset Pippa reacted in a mean way. She basically yelled at him and told him to man up. I wasn't so comfortable with that reaction. She then went on to explain to her friends that she understands why he's so upset but that it's hurting her feelings. Seriously?
I'm glad things ended the way they did, but for such a short book a lot of things happened to these characters! Banks sure knows how to torture them! I'm still deciding if I will go back and read the other books, I'm not sure if I want to get involved with the tug of war that will surely happen!
Thank you to the author, netgalley and Harlequin for the chance to read this book!
Cam is adamant about not having any strings between himself and a woman. So for that reason, he keeps women out of his apartment and makes sure they understand that sex for him is only a one night stand. When he shows up at his best friend's housewarming party, he sees Pippa working her butt off to cater the event. He throws aside her annoyance and offers up his services for the night. And not just with helping to distribute food. They go back to his place and both understand it's going to be a one night stand only. Pippa is happy and luxuriating in her great sex from the previous night when she receives a phone call from Cam telling her that the condom broke. Uh oh. Now they both know they have to deal with eachother and while Pippa is okay with that, Cam has to fight back his demons to decide if he wants to wallow in his past or move on and have a great future.
I was back and forth with my feelings about both Cam and Pippa. While I liked them together at times I began to get a little annoyed with the pushing and pulling between them. It wasn't just Cam either. Even though Pippa repeatedly stated her feelings for Cam, she also remained undecided whether she wanted his help or didn't. I also wasn't a big fan of how she treated Cam regarding his past. Yes he was wallowing to a certain extent, and yes he was being kind of an idiot towards her but after hearing for the first time why he was so upset Pippa reacted in a mean way. She basically yelled at him and told him to man up. I wasn't so comfortable with that reaction. She then went on to explain to her friends that she understands why he's so upset but that it's hurting her feelings. Seriously?
I'm glad things ended the way they did, but for such a short book a lot of things happened to these characters! Banks sure knows how to torture them! I'm still deciding if I will go back and read the other books, I'm not sure if I want to get involved with the tug of war that will surely happen!
Thank you to the author, netgalley and Harlequin for the chance to read this book!
Read
February 25, 2017Ve serinin son kitabı da bitti
Hayatının aşkını ve çocuğunu kaybetmesi ile herseyi farklı gören cam ve hayat dolu Pipa hikayesi
Hızlı başladı hatta ilk üç kitabı es geçti
Güzeldi anlamlıydı akıcı hemen olup biten bir kitaptı
Ama beğendim seriyi
Başka serilerle geleceğim:)
Hayatının aşkını ve çocuğunu kaybetmesi ile herseyi farklı gören cam ve hayat dolu Pipa hikayesi
Hızlı başladı hatta ilk üç kitabı es geçti
Güzeldi anlamlıydı akıcı hemen olup biten bir kitaptı
Ama beğendim seriyi
Başka serilerle geleceğim:)
June 26, 2013
Aaaargh! *pacing back and forth*
Pippa's pregnant and Cam's not ready to built a commitment. But what should they do? So they try to be friend and face the reality together. But day by day, inside Pippa's heart, love for Cam grew. What will Cam do when he find out?
It's been a while since I read Maya Banks's pregnancy series and I just realized I missed it so much! The angst, the heartbreak.. Argh!
Very typical of Banks--that I love the most, the story's about wounded Hero who reject the heroine and regret it eventually. Very heavy in angst and that's why I love it so. :)))
Nailed it, Miss Banks!
Pippa's pregnant and Cam's not ready to built a commitment. But what should they do? So they try to be friend and face the reality together. But day by day, inside Pippa's heart, love for Cam grew. What will Cam do when he find out?
It's been a while since I read Maya Banks's pregnancy series and I just realized I missed it so much! The angst, the heartbreak.. Argh!
Very typical of Banks--that I love the most, the story's about wounded Hero who reject the heroine and regret it eventually. Very heavy in angst and that's why I love it so. :)))
Nailed it, Miss Banks!
January 4, 2013
This one and the second one were full of the most heartache. The heroine was as strong as the hero, probably more, making the story so much more fun. There was definitely an exchange of many funny words between the two. I especially liked how the heroine was so adamant at the end regarding the hero but so full of love for him that he was able to breakthrough to her. This was another great read by Maya Banks.
April 30, 2012
Another nice, nothing-special story, in this nice, nothing-special series.
What can I say? I love Maya Banks' style, so I'll read her book even knowing in advance it won't be something exactly new, challenging or brilliant.
It's... nice. Cute. That's all.
Anyway, there are much worse ways to spend a couple of hours, I suppose.
What can I say? I love Maya Banks' style, so I'll read her book even knowing in advance it won't be something exactly new, challenging or brilliant.
It's... nice. Cute. That's all.
Anyway, there are much worse ways to spend a couple of hours, I suppose.
January 19, 2015
It got four stars because I felt every emotion! I cried! That makes a great book!
April 12, 2019
4 Stars
I know that for a lot of people Cam is the biggest problem in this story, but I disagree, the time skip from early to mid pregnancy is. It feels like the developing feelings chunk of the story is needed, but it was left out.
Kinda spoiler-ish.
Cam played it hot and cold, which was unfair, but grief and fear are things that hit you in waves.
Cut him some slack.
Rate em 0-5:
Hero: 4
Heroine: 4.5
Plot: 3.5
Grovel: 4
Ending: 4, there was an actual epilogue!
I know that for a lot of people Cam is the biggest problem in this story, but I disagree, the time skip from early to mid pregnancy is. It feels like the developing feelings chunk of the story is needed, but it was left out.
Kinda spoiler-ish.
Cam played it hot and cold, which was unfair, but grief and fear are things that hit you in waves.
Cut him some slack.
Rate em 0-5:
Hero: 4
Heroine: 4.5
Plot: 3.5
Grovel: 4
Ending: 4, there was an actual epilogue!
March 29, 2012
http://wickedlilpixie.com/2012/03/26/...
Maya Banks is one of those authors I discovered in the last year or so, and have been hooked ever since. Her stories, no matter how long or short, tend to be sexy stories full of emotion, heartbreak and happy ever afters, and, really...isn't that what every good romance should contain? I don't know how she does it, either. She has an astonishing list of books she has released, and I see no sign of her slowing her pace, and thank the gods.
One thing you need to learn about Ms. Banks. She doesn't believe in gently leading the reader into the storyline. She likes to start as if you just walked in to the scene, and it's a style that I particularly enjoy, especially with the shorter stories. In short stories or a shorter category form I sometimes feel authors take too long to give you the setup. Ms. Banks expects you to pay attention and catch up. I like it. By the same token, I have always enjoyed the Harlequin Desire books, as they are usually quick, but satisfying reads, and I am pleased to say these lived up to my expectations.
The first book, Enticed By His Forgotten Lover starts out at a cocktail party where we quickly learn Rafe has been in accident and has lost any memory of the last month of his life. Across the room he sees a woman who intrigues him and who seems vaguely familiar. He crosses the room and asks her if they've met. She slugs him and leaves him standing there. By the time he catches up, all that's left are her two sparkling shoes on the stairs. We're only on page 11. See what I mean? Rafe and Bryony (how DO you say that name?) are a great couple. She's pregnant and claims it's his. He has no memory of her. Together they try to relive their time to help him get his memory back. They fall in love and he learns it's okay to relax once in a while, and Kelly has no problems putting Rafe in his place when she feels he needs it. Trouble comes fast when he remembers...well, I'll let you learn what that is yourself. Just know that it'll break your heart.
The next book, Wanted By Her Lost Love is Ryan and Kelly's book. She's pregnant (of course) and he's not sure if it's his or not, but when he finds her, she's at risk of losing the baby and is undernourished and at her financial end. While this story made me cry on more than one occasion, I had a hard time believing that a woman with a pregnancy as precarious as hers was would be allowed to fly as often as she does during this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the final resolution in this book. Often an author will soften a consequence of actions or forgive a character who has been so cruel and unkind, but I liked that Ms. Banks, and her characters, didn't back down. There WERE consequences, serious ones, and there was very little angst or emotional conflict at doing what needed to be done.
The third book, Tempted By Her Innocent Kiss, is my favorite. Ms. Banks has been referring to Devon and Ashley as Grumpy and Sparkly for months now, and she's absolutely right. She does sparkle and he IS grumpy. Once again, Ms. Banks tosses us into the middle of the relationship and expects us to catch up. From the last two books we know that Ashley's father wants Devon to marry her before they close a business deal. At the start of the book, he proposes, she agrees, they have a wonderful wedding and now it's their wedding night, and Ashley discovers the truth about her marriage. Because of Grumpy, Sparkly no longer shines. Luckily, Grumpy is not Dopey, and figures out what he's done, but it takes him a while to figure out how to fix it. And he grovels. A LOT. Oh, boy, does he grovel. And because Sparkly is also not Dopey. She lets him. Eventually they get it together, and Sparkly gets her Sparkly Happy Ever After with her Grumpy. I wouldn't expect anything less from Sparkly.
The last book, Undone By Her Tender Touch, is Cam and Pippa. Cam comes across as a cold, unfeeling player. Someone who sleeps with women and discards them before any one of them has a chance to get close. Pippa's okay with that, at first, but once the pregnancy test comes back positive, everything changes for her. Her priorities have shifted and she needs someone in her life who will be there, no matter what, and she's not sure if Cam's that man. Cam, for his part, has his reasons for his behavior, and while they're valid reasons, it's time for him to move on and come back to the land of the living. Luckily, Pippa's just what he needs.
I'm a big believer in the theory you can never have too much grovel, and these books prove me right. Ms. Banks has no problem making her heroes grovel properly, and she allows her heroines to let the men suffer. She doesn't let the hero get away with "Oh, oops. Sorry I hurt you. I didn't mean it and it will never happen again." Her heroines don't blindly accept those apologies. The women make the men WORK to gain back the trust they lost, as they should! The heroes in these books all do things at some point that really hurt the women they claim to care for, but thankfully, they all realize it nearly immediately and know their women are worth everything they have to do to win them back. Even if it means some serious groveling.
With books as brief as the Harlequin Desires, and when you have a series of four books set around four male friends, it's easy to get overloaded with characters. Again, this is something Ms. Banks excels at. She gives us enough of a glimpse at the men to appreciate their relationship with each other and for it to feel real, but we never get bogged down with all. these. people. With Ms. Banks, it's almost like she's a minimalist writer. Rather than paint the scene clearly, she gives us an evocative sketch. She gives exactly enough information for us to connect with everyone, but not so much that the story suffers or drags. These books are fast-paced, well-written and incredibly enjoyable. I read all four in two days and loved all of them. Definitely worth the read.
But Grumpy and Sparkly are still my favorites.
Lynda the Guppy
aka Fish With Sticks
Maya Banks is one of those authors I discovered in the last year or so, and have been hooked ever since. Her stories, no matter how long or short, tend to be sexy stories full of emotion, heartbreak and happy ever afters, and, really...isn't that what every good romance should contain? I don't know how she does it, either. She has an astonishing list of books she has released, and I see no sign of her slowing her pace, and thank the gods.
One thing you need to learn about Ms. Banks. She doesn't believe in gently leading the reader into the storyline. She likes to start as if you just walked in to the scene, and it's a style that I particularly enjoy, especially with the shorter stories. In short stories or a shorter category form I sometimes feel authors take too long to give you the setup. Ms. Banks expects you to pay attention and catch up. I like it. By the same token, I have always enjoyed the Harlequin Desire books, as they are usually quick, but satisfying reads, and I am pleased to say these lived up to my expectations.
The first book, Enticed By His Forgotten Lover starts out at a cocktail party where we quickly learn Rafe has been in accident and has lost any memory of the last month of his life. Across the room he sees a woman who intrigues him and who seems vaguely familiar. He crosses the room and asks her if they've met. She slugs him and leaves him standing there. By the time he catches up, all that's left are her two sparkling shoes on the stairs. We're only on page 11. See what I mean? Rafe and Bryony (how DO you say that name?) are a great couple. She's pregnant and claims it's his. He has no memory of her. Together they try to relive their time to help him get his memory back. They fall in love and he learns it's okay to relax once in a while, and Kelly has no problems putting Rafe in his place when she feels he needs it. Trouble comes fast when he remembers...well, I'll let you learn what that is yourself. Just know that it'll break your heart.
The next book, Wanted By Her Lost Love is Ryan and Kelly's book. She's pregnant (of course) and he's not sure if it's his or not, but when he finds her, she's at risk of losing the baby and is undernourished and at her financial end. While this story made me cry on more than one occasion, I had a hard time believing that a woman with a pregnancy as precarious as hers was would be allowed to fly as often as she does during this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the final resolution in this book. Often an author will soften a consequence of actions or forgive a character who has been so cruel and unkind, but I liked that Ms. Banks, and her characters, didn't back down. There WERE consequences, serious ones, and there was very little angst or emotional conflict at doing what needed to be done.
The third book, Tempted By Her Innocent Kiss, is my favorite. Ms. Banks has been referring to Devon and Ashley as Grumpy and Sparkly for months now, and she's absolutely right. She does sparkle and he IS grumpy. Once again, Ms. Banks tosses us into the middle of the relationship and expects us to catch up. From the last two books we know that Ashley's father wants Devon to marry her before they close a business deal. At the start of the book, he proposes, she agrees, they have a wonderful wedding and now it's their wedding night, and Ashley discovers the truth about her marriage. Because of Grumpy, Sparkly no longer shines. Luckily, Grumpy is not Dopey, and figures out what he's done, but it takes him a while to figure out how to fix it. And he grovels. A LOT. Oh, boy, does he grovel. And because Sparkly is also not Dopey. She lets him. Eventually they get it together, and Sparkly gets her Sparkly Happy Ever After with her Grumpy. I wouldn't expect anything less from Sparkly.
The last book, Undone By Her Tender Touch, is Cam and Pippa. Cam comes across as a cold, unfeeling player. Someone who sleeps with women and discards them before any one of them has a chance to get close. Pippa's okay with that, at first, but once the pregnancy test comes back positive, everything changes for her. Her priorities have shifted and she needs someone in her life who will be there, no matter what, and she's not sure if Cam's that man. Cam, for his part, has his reasons for his behavior, and while they're valid reasons, it's time for him to move on and come back to the land of the living. Luckily, Pippa's just what he needs.
I'm a big believer in the theory you can never have too much grovel, and these books prove me right. Ms. Banks has no problem making her heroes grovel properly, and she allows her heroines to let the men suffer. She doesn't let the hero get away with "Oh, oops. Sorry I hurt you. I didn't mean it and it will never happen again." Her heroines don't blindly accept those apologies. The women make the men WORK to gain back the trust they lost, as they should! The heroes in these books all do things at some point that really hurt the women they claim to care for, but thankfully, they all realize it nearly immediately and know their women are worth everything they have to do to win them back. Even if it means some serious groveling.
With books as brief as the Harlequin Desires, and when you have a series of four books set around four male friends, it's easy to get overloaded with characters. Again, this is something Ms. Banks excels at. She gives us enough of a glimpse at the men to appreciate their relationship with each other and for it to feel real, but we never get bogged down with all. these. people. With Ms. Banks, it's almost like she's a minimalist writer. Rather than paint the scene clearly, she gives us an evocative sketch. She gives exactly enough information for us to connect with everyone, but not so much that the story suffers or drags. These books are fast-paced, well-written and incredibly enjoyable. I read all four in two days and loved all of them. Definitely worth the read.
But Grumpy and Sparkly are still my favorites.
Lynda the Guppy
aka Fish With Sticks
January 17, 2022
Está bien. Entretenido y sus protagonistas no dan ganas de tirar el libro por la ventana.
Ya conocía a Maya Banks. De hecho, leí un libro de esta saga y tenía pensado leer más. Pero entre unas cosas y otras, aún no lo había hecho. Tuve la oportunidad de comprar varios libros de Harlequin por un precio ridículo (25 céntimos el libro) y decidí hacerlo para ver qué tal. Elegí este porque conocía a la escritora, pero no sabía que era de la saga que quería leer. Eso fue casualidad. No me arrepiento. Son libros muy cortos, hay que tener en cuenta que el formato es más pequeño de lo normal, más incluso que un libro de bolsillo. Evidentemente, son historias sencillas y que van a lo que van, lo que esperamos cuando elegimos este subgénero. A mí me ha gustado que la prota, Pippa, sea de armas tomar y no se dejase pisotear. La premisa es bastante parecida, si no la misma, que un libro de los años ochenta de Linda Howard, SEGUNDAS OPORTUNIDADES, pero me cae mucho mejor esta protagonista. Él es el estereotipo de protagonista masculino millonario, el cual odio bastante, pero en este caso está escrito de tal manera que no me ha desagradado.
En fin, este libro tenía todas las papeletas para no gustarme nada y, al final, no ha sido así.
Voy a seguir leyendo esta saga y a esta escritora.
Ya conocía a Maya Banks. De hecho, leí un libro de esta saga y tenía pensado leer más. Pero entre unas cosas y otras, aún no lo había hecho. Tuve la oportunidad de comprar varios libros de Harlequin por un precio ridículo (25 céntimos el libro) y decidí hacerlo para ver qué tal. Elegí este porque conocía a la escritora, pero no sabía que era de la saga que quería leer. Eso fue casualidad. No me arrepiento. Son libros muy cortos, hay que tener en cuenta que el formato es más pequeño de lo normal, más incluso que un libro de bolsillo. Evidentemente, son historias sencillas y que van a lo que van, lo que esperamos cuando elegimos este subgénero. A mí me ha gustado que la prota, Pippa, sea de armas tomar y no se dejase pisotear. La premisa es bastante parecida, si no la misma, que un libro de los años ochenta de Linda Howard, SEGUNDAS OPORTUNIDADES, pero me cae mucho mejor esta protagonista. Él es el estereotipo de protagonista masculino millonario, el cual odio bastante, pero en este caso está escrito de tal manera que no me ha desagradado.
En fin, este libro tenía todas las papeletas para no gustarme nada y, al final, no ha sido así.
Voy a seguir leyendo esta saga y a esta escritora.
October 26, 2018
3.0 - 3.25 ***
A Romance Unlimited listen.
Accidental pregnancy by a rich verbally abusive jerk and the doormat that loves him.
A Romance Unlimited listen.
Accidental pregnancy by a rich verbally abusive jerk and the doormat that loves him.
January 28, 2021
#24 - 2021
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Genre: Contemporary Romance
August 23, 2012
Fourth and last in the Pregnancy & Passion romance series revolving around four business partners who are also friends. The couple focus is on Pippa Laingley and Cameron Hollingsworth.
My Take
It's okay. A very typical Harlequin romance with loving, caring friends and an idiot man.
I do like Banks' premise in this story: Never settle for less and don't be afraid to go after what you want. If only she hadn't also thrown in the clichés in which Pippa changes her mind so easily and quickly. Sure, anyone is entitled to change their mind. Man or woman. However, I'd like something with more depth. Of course, that's not what the Harlequin romance series is about and it's wrong of me to expect more. I think it's simply that I had expectations in reading a Maya Banks story and I'm disappointed.
Okay, so three waiters don't show up. Why doesn't Pippa call the agency and get them to send more people? What caterer, pinning such hopes on a new gig, would abandon the party?
I do love the scene where Cam sneaks into the spa and takes over her massage.
Don't get me wrong. It is a sweet story about love and pregnancy and wanting what's best for your child. And, yes, I will probably seek out the first three stories in this series because I wanna know… I am such a sucker for a romance.
The Story
Pippa Laingley is about to make her bakery and catering dream come true, but one passion-filled night with Cameron Hollingsworth is about to crash it down about her ears.
The Characters
Pippa Laingley has a loving circle of friends and a fabulous substitute mother to replace her own selfish life-provider. Sylvia, Carly, Ashley, and Tabitha are those friends. Miranda is Pippa's utterly selfish mother.
Cameron Holllingsworth lost too much when Elise and Colton died and he refuses to take a another chance. John is an assistant? butler? to Cam; he's also assigned to drive Pippa anywhere she wants or needs to go.
Ashley Carter is pregnant and one of Pippa's best friends ( Tempted by Her Innocent Kiss , #3). It's her housewarming that Pippa is catering. Devon is her madly-in-love husband and also one of Cam's best friends as well as his business partner. Gloria and William Copeland are Ashley's warm and loving parents.
Rafael de Luca and Ryan Beardsley are the other two business partners. Bryony is married to Rafael ( Enticed by His Forgotten Lover , #1) and they have a daughter, Amy; Kelly is married to Ryan ( Wanted by Her Lost Love , #2) and they also have a daughter, Emma.
The Cover
The cover is obviously a generic cover that Harlequin tossed onto this book as it doesn't have much of anything to do with this story. Well, okay, yes. There is a man, a woman, and a bed in this story, but I wouldn't count on any other similarities showing up.
I haven't a clue where the title came from. Especially when it's Pippa's aggressiveness that Cam seems to like so much.
My Take
It's okay. A very typical Harlequin romance with loving, caring friends and an idiot man.
I do like Banks' premise in this story: Never settle for less and don't be afraid to go after what you want. If only she hadn't also thrown in the clichés in which Pippa changes her mind so easily and quickly. Sure, anyone is entitled to change their mind. Man or woman. However, I'd like something with more depth. Of course, that's not what the Harlequin romance series is about and it's wrong of me to expect more. I think it's simply that I had expectations in reading a Maya Banks story and I'm disappointed.
Okay, so three waiters don't show up. Why doesn't Pippa call the agency and get them to send more people? What caterer, pinning such hopes on a new gig, would abandon the party?
I do love the scene where Cam sneaks into the spa and takes over her massage.
Don't get me wrong. It is a sweet story about love and pregnancy and wanting what's best for your child. And, yes, I will probably seek out the first three stories in this series because I wanna know… I am such a sucker for a romance.
The Story
Pippa Laingley is about to make her bakery and catering dream come true, but one passion-filled night with Cameron Hollingsworth is about to crash it down about her ears.
The Characters
Pippa Laingley has a loving circle of friends and a fabulous substitute mother to replace her own selfish life-provider. Sylvia, Carly, Ashley, and Tabitha are those friends. Miranda is Pippa's utterly selfish mother.
Cameron Holllingsworth lost too much when Elise and Colton died and he refuses to take a another chance. John is an assistant? butler? to Cam; he's also assigned to drive Pippa anywhere she wants or needs to go.
Ashley Carter is pregnant and one of Pippa's best friends ( Tempted by Her Innocent Kiss , #3). It's her housewarming that Pippa is catering. Devon is her madly-in-love husband and also one of Cam's best friends as well as his business partner. Gloria and William Copeland are Ashley's warm and loving parents.
Rafael de Luca and Ryan Beardsley are the other two business partners. Bryony is married to Rafael ( Enticed by His Forgotten Lover , #1) and they have a daughter, Amy; Kelly is married to Ryan ( Wanted by Her Lost Love , #2) and they also have a daughter, Emma.
The Cover
The cover is obviously a generic cover that Harlequin tossed onto this book as it doesn't have much of anything to do with this story. Well, okay, yes. There is a man, a woman, and a bed in this story, but I wouldn't count on any other similarities showing up.
I haven't a clue where the title came from. Especially when it's Pippa's aggressiveness that Cam seems to like so much.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 250 reviews