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About the Baby #2
Just One Night
Zachery Sloan was no ordinary architect. His innovative designs had earned him the reputation of rebel. The media always had a field day wondering whether Sloan's projects pushed the boundaries too far.
Annie Montgomery had married Zach straight out of college. At first his drive to succeed had thrilled her. But although he'd been an exciting and passionate lover, he'd been a less-than-perfect husband, and he'd wanted no part of fatherhood.
Then - six years after the divorce - came a disaster that threatened to destroy Zach's world. Suddenly, only Annie could help him through the night. Now Zach wants Annie back...for a very compelling reason.
She's going to have his baby.
Annie Montgomery had married Zach straight out of college. At first his drive to succeed had thrilled her. But although he'd been an exciting and passionate lover, he'd been a less-than-perfect husband, and he'd wanted no part of fatherhood.
Then - six years after the divorce - came a disaster that threatened to destroy Zach's world. Suddenly, only Annie could help him through the night. Now Zach wants Annie back...for a very compelling reason.
She's going to have his baby.
297 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 1997
661 people are currently reading
551 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Shay
171 books499 followersKathryn Shay is a lifelong writer. At fifteen, she penned her first 'romance,' a short story about a female newspaper reporter in New York City and her fight to make a name for herself in a world of male journalists - and with one hardheaded editor in particular. Looking back, Kathryn says she should have known then that writing was in her future. But as so often happens, fate sent her detouring down another path.
Fully intending to pursue her dream of big city lights and success in the literary world, Kathryn took every creative writing class available at the small private women's college she attended in upstate New York. Instead, other dreams took precedence. She met and subsequently married a wonderful guy who'd attended a neighboring school, then completed her practice teaching, a requirement for the education degree she never intended to use. But says Kathryn, "I fell in love with teaching the first day I was up in front of a class, and knew I was meant to do that."
Kathryn went on to build a successful career in the New York state school system, thoroughly enjoying her work with adolescents. But by the early 1990s, she'd again made room in her life for writing. It was then that she submitted her first manuscript to publishers and agents. Despite enduring two years of rejections, she persevered. And on a snowy December afternoon in 1994, Kathryn Shay sold her first book to Harlequin Superromance.
Since that first sale, Kathryn has written twenty-one books for Harlequin, nine mainstream contemporary romances for the Berkley Publishing Group, and two online novellas, which Berkley then published in traditional print format.
Kathryn has become known for her powerful characterizations - readers say they feel they know the people in her books - and her heart-wrenching, emotional writing (her favorite comments are that fans cried while reading her books or stayed up late to finish them). In testament to her skill, the author has won five RT BookClub Magazine Reviewers Choice Awards, three Holt Medallions, two Desert Quill Awards, the Golden Leaf Award, and several online accolades.
Even in light of her writing success, that initial love of teaching never wavered for Kathryn. She finished out her teaching career in 2004, retiring from the same school where her career began. These days, she lives in upstate New York with her husband and two children. "My life is very full," she reports, "but very happy. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to pursue and achieve my dreams."
Fully intending to pursue her dream of big city lights and success in the literary world, Kathryn took every creative writing class available at the small private women's college she attended in upstate New York. Instead, other dreams took precedence. She met and subsequently married a wonderful guy who'd attended a neighboring school, then completed her practice teaching, a requirement for the education degree she never intended to use. But says Kathryn, "I fell in love with teaching the first day I was up in front of a class, and knew I was meant to do that."
Kathryn went on to build a successful career in the New York state school system, thoroughly enjoying her work with adolescents. But by the early 1990s, she'd again made room in her life for writing. It was then that she submitted her first manuscript to publishers and agents. Despite enduring two years of rejections, she persevered. And on a snowy December afternoon in 1994, Kathryn Shay sold her first book to Harlequin Superromance.
Since that first sale, Kathryn has written twenty-one books for Harlequin, nine mainstream contemporary romances for the Berkley Publishing Group, and two online novellas, which Berkley then published in traditional print format.
Kathryn has become known for her powerful characterizations - readers say they feel they know the people in her books - and her heart-wrenching, emotional writing (her favorite comments are that fans cried while reading her books or stayed up late to finish them). In testament to her skill, the author has won five RT BookClub Magazine Reviewers Choice Awards, three Holt Medallions, two Desert Quill Awards, the Golden Leaf Award, and several online accolades.
Even in light of her writing success, that initial love of teaching never wavered for Kathryn. She finished out her teaching career in 2004, retiring from the same school where her career began. These days, she lives in upstate New York with her husband and two children. "My life is very full," she reports, "but very happy. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to pursue and achieve my dreams."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
November 20, 2022
11/18/22
Aaagh, I just read this again on accident. And it sucked the second time too. I need a mind eraser.
2/9/19
I just skimmed it again and I hated that they never talked about why and what happened with the Gina slut-ho-coworker. It had an HEA but I don't know. They were apart 6 years and they both had other sex partners. She was almost engaged to another man and had been with him for two years. He had been celibate for six months he said before he slept with her. I can't believe she forgave him without really talking about why he did it. I do think he loved her in his fashion. I just wouldn't want that kind of love. I know I am a narrow minded person but I just can't believe she caught him in the act. Just gross. And they were married. He was a player though before she married him so.....
Aaagh, I just read this again on accident. And it sucked the second time too. I need a mind eraser.
2/9/19
I just skimmed it again and I hated that they never talked about why and what happened with the Gina slut-ho-coworker. It had an HEA but I don't know. They were apart 6 years and they both had other sex partners. She was almost engaged to another man and had been with him for two years. He had been celibate for six months he said before he slept with her. I can't believe she forgave him without really talking about why he did it. I do think he loved her in his fashion. I just wouldn't want that kind of love. I know I am a narrow minded person but I just can't believe she caught him in the act. Just gross. And they were married. He was a player though before she married him so.....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2019
3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK decent reads.
=======================
UPDATE: Reread- November 2019 (Added 2 stars)
Our heroes have issues.
He had a complicated childhood because he was in charge of taking care of his younger siblings and practically forgotten by his parents.
She never met her own father and her mother raised our heroine on her own.
The cheating with Gina (homewrecking whorebag) is not well explained, only that they were coworkers and after a fight, where our heroine suspects she is pregnant and our hero refuses to have children, she catches them having sex in his office. I suspect the two already had some involvement as they worked together.
She immediately kicks him to the curb and divorces.
Each time they have a fight, our hero feels rejected and reacts in some way.
Our heroine is always criticizing him and he resents it.
After divorce they are 5 years without seeing each other.
He appears in social columns with several other women over the years and she is dating a colleague.
But after the accident in which a building he designed collapses, they are reunited and have sex. She gets pregnant and the drama begins.
Insecurity, doubts, old grudges, all come up.
I confess that I enjoyed this second reading better and didn't remember the heroine being so annoying and our hero so domineering.
It was a good read.
=======================
UPDATE: Reread- November 2019 (Added 2 stars)
Our heroes have issues.
He had a complicated childhood because he was in charge of taking care of his younger siblings and practically forgotten by his parents.
She never met her own father and her mother raised our heroine on her own.
The cheating with Gina (homewrecking whorebag) is not well explained, only that they were coworkers and after a fight, where our heroine suspects she is pregnant and our hero refuses to have children, she catches them having sex in his office. I suspect the two already had some involvement as they worked together.
She immediately kicks him to the curb and divorces.
Each time they have a fight, our hero feels rejected and reacts in some way.
Our heroine is always criticizing him and he resents it.
After divorce they are 5 years without seeing each other.
He appears in social columns with several other women over the years and she is dating a colleague.
But after the accident in which a building he designed collapses, they are reunited and have sex. She gets pregnant and the drama begins.
Insecurity, doubts, old grudges, all come up.
I confess that I enjoyed this second reading better and didn't remember the heroine being so annoying and our hero so domineering.
It was a good read.
March 4, 2019
2.5 stars
This one had a number of elements for angst. However, in the first few chapters, much was resolved and the author resorted to a mystery regarding a building collapse to maintain tension. While the couple didn't remarry immediately, they eventually do when they have their child as a result of a surprise pregnancy when they meet up a few years after their divorce.
This one had a number of elements for angst. However, in the first few chapters, much was resolved and the author resorted to a mystery regarding a building collapse to maintain tension. While the couple didn't remarry immediately, they eventually do when they have their child as a result of a surprise pregnancy when they meet up a few years after their divorce.
June 4, 2011
Just Finished this must say the story is about how Zach n Annie learn from their past mistakes n how they give their love a second chance liked the story but nothing was explained about Zach's cheating on Annie with Gina when they were married n never did Zach apologise for it though he regrets it like anything
Zack(cheating and not explaining why he does'nt wants to be a father and not sharing his past) n Annie(constant Criticism for Zack) both take the responsibilty for their share of faults in breaking their marriage
as i said earlier there was no explaination for what Zack did or why Zack did it,they never discussed it and whether it was one time thing for there was an affair that was also not clear only Annie called the OW Zack's girlfriend and he did'nt denied it
when Zack n Annie decided to start afresh i think all the demons should have been faced and laid down including the cheating part,i was unsatisfied a little cause of it
Good read
I recommend it.
Zack(cheating and not explaining why he does'nt wants to be a father and not sharing his past) n Annie(constant Criticism for Zack) both take the responsibilty for their share of faults in breaking their marriage
as i said earlier there was no explaination for what Zack did or why Zack did it,they never discussed it and whether it was one time thing for there was an affair that was also not clear only Annie called the OW Zack's girlfriend and he did'nt denied it
when Zack n Annie decided to start afresh i think all the demons should have been faced and laid down including the cheating part,i was unsatisfied a little cause of it
Good read
I recommend it.
February 25, 2015
one of the most issue of annie n zach being divorced werent not completely discussed in this book. Hello to Gina? how long was zach n gina having an affair in zach office? since gina was just slightly "introduced" as one of his collegue. and heck to the NO, i would accepted an ex husband that easily and that lovingly as annie did. was annie crazy ? she walk to his office, caught him when he just done his sexual activity w/gina, saw her own husband's shirt messy and missmatched button, tense situation, his table slightly shoved a couple of inch forward, files were fall on the floor, what else did he did w/gina if not one heck of an intense sex???
and im disgust at how the story was all about this sweet loving zach to annie and vice versa. at this point, anyone can throw ten Gina at zach and annie can caught him having sex w/those ten gina, and annie will still accept him .. like nothing else in the world. what the F ?
and im disgust at how the story was all about this sweet loving zach to annie and vice versa. at this point, anyone can throw ten Gina at zach and annie can caught him having sex w/those ten gina, and annie will still accept him .. like nothing else in the world. what the F ?
December 10, 2012
I skimmed this the last two thirds of the way through so I'm not a good source for a recommendation. However, a lot of other reviewers say that the issues of why the H cheated in this story were never addressed.
My two cents based on what I read is that he cheated because he felt that his wife criticized him and made him feel like a bad person because he was focused on his career and financial success and wasn't an altruistic save-the-world person like her. Whereas the OW was always bragging on him, fluffing his ego, and making him feel important and not lacking. It's lame but that's what I picked up as the reason.
I think this is actually a pretty good cheater story. Just got impatient and jumped ahead.
My two cents based on what I read is that he cheated because he felt that his wife criticized him and made him feel like a bad person because he was focused on his career and financial success and wasn't an altruistic save-the-world person like her. Whereas the OW was always bragging on him, fluffing his ego, and making him feel important and not lacking. It's lame but that's what I picked up as the reason.
I think this is actually a pretty good cheater story. Just got impatient and jumped ahead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2019
Though they struggle with marriage issues, they’re marriage completely falls apart after she catches him cheating. How can you have a reconciliation/second-chance romance without addressing this problem? It’s acknowledged but not dealt with.
June 4, 2011
Cheater romance. Not my cup of tea.
June 16, 2018
Like so many before me commented, there was no real discussion about the cheating. The story was in a big part around that and yet there was no why? for how long? what happened after? What happened to the OW? Was he remorseful? There were a few hints but not enough. I actually didnt finish the book because it pissed me off. The story started off about the cheating and ended up about the building and we learnt more about hte other couple's marriage and why it broke down than we did the H and h.
ANNOYING
ANNOYING
June 9, 2013
Really Zach and Annie were completely opposite in things. I suppose they needed to learn to compromise in order to succeed though. Zach claims that she denigrates him about things – but I truly felt like he did that all on his own. Of course, she would like him to think other things are more valuable and she may even tell him but he is the one that took it as a shot at him. I found that Annie rallied around supporting Zach an awful lot and felt really bad about his turmoil and pain when they broke up and of course how it was her fault that the building collapsed as well. Now they have a one-nighter and Annie kicks him to the curb – poor Zach didn’t like that. Wonder how Gina felt about being used by him? Oh wait we know NOTHING about Gina. For all we know, Zach had been carrying on w/ her for a long time and he just now got caught and divorce city for him and Annie!!
So Zach didn’t want kids EVER. But in order to get Annie he tells her that he just wants to WAIT to have children. See a problem here? I do. Pretty sure some marriages have broken up over things like that. Have to know why Mr. Zach didn’t take the wick to get snipped if he was so adamant. The guy seemed to have money. How did he pay for MIT? Also seems like Zach wanted to leave the whole protection thing up to the female, which makes me think he went uncoated w/ Ms. Gina as well as any OW he was w/ over the years. Who just randomly gets tests done for that unless they think they have been exposed to something? Zach even managed to blame Annie for getting caught up in her work and not remembering protection – doesn’t Zach hold any responsibility? Annie claims she can’t get past Gina, but for some reason that whole elephant is completely ignored and never resolved and it drives me BATTY!! I think Zach truly just wants Annie and he wants to be the center of her world nothing to distract her attention from him. He had always wanted his pa’s attention and it seemed w/ pa’s plate overfull he wasn’t going to get it. Enter Annie – no children because they would distract from him getting it all!! In order to get Annie he has to be gung ho about child. Okay, maybe he does want the baby, but seemed like he felt it had to be a package deal and he pushed for that throughout the story!! Zach wants to remarry right away and feels that Annie’s reluctance is BS and she should just get over it as it was him that was really hurt by her defection and now he is still feeling ramifications of her divorcing him w/ the building collapse – it’s her fault don’t you know!! I didn’t see Annie explaining to Zach what all he went through because of his wandering wick nor her remembering any of the emotional turmoil that brought about. Not once does she say what was wrong w/ me, what about all those years of marriage and he just trashes them w/ his act of childishness to pleasure himself, it was as though the cheating was a non-issue when it really should have been dealt w/ more. Considering that Zach lied to get Annie to marry him the first time, kids later, what’s to say he wasn’t continuing and affair w/ Gina whom Annie labeled as his girlfriend? Really she doesn’t even WONDER what happened to Gina?
Annie claimed that Zach was sensitive towards others, but I didn’t see it. He didn’t seem to care too much about Les and what he was going through. Was more about Zach wanting to save himself – which seems to be his mantra so he really hasn’t changed. Everything was about Zach, Annie is just something that orbits around him. One would think Zach doesn’t want children because he doesn’t want the responsibility, but I think his biggest thing was feeling unimportant to his father as though he didn’t matter. You know there seriously comes a time when you have to let go of childhood things and own up to your portion in things.
So Annie was w/ another guy two years after their separation and Zach claims that Annie only does the smex thing as a way to solidify a commitment w/ man. So what happened there? Then she has another guy that she has been w/ for two years – where’s the commitment there? She manages to toss him aside like yesterday’s leftovers pretty easily.
The only plausible explanation for Gina was that she was really part of the same issue – kids and Annie wanting while Zach didn’t – never mind he LIED about wanting them just later. So her disapproval of him and his anger w/ her pregnancy scares, had him going to Gina. Gina flattered him and boosted his ego when Annie caused his self-esteem to plummet (page 49). Seems that Annie will do that again and again because it is some fallacy in Zach and he will, of course, seek Gina out wherever she is. Zach even likes to have make-up smex after arguing w/ Annie so was Gina a filler because Annie doesn’t like make-up smex after being yelled at, accused of trying to get pregnant on purpose, as well as other things – did he really remove his wedding ring that morning as implied near end of story.
Zach claimed he changed but he freaking takes over, hides things from Annie for her own good, and wants EVERYTHING right now w/ no work, then he also lets her take on blame for building collapse. The whole father thing seemed to relate back to an incident when he was five years old and how he felt he wasn’t important enough to remember. Problem being that Zach put other things ahead of Annie during their marriage as well as the story. Perhaps she didn’t feel important then either, but that doesn’t matter Zach gets to hold on to that for YEARS! Grow up Count Chocula!!! He could never see his actions as basically repeating what his father did from his perspective.
It’s never just one mistake w/ Zach. Seems like it’s more and they just add up. Annie excuses a lot of his actions, but the cheating thing was the last straw and there truly was no resolution w/ that.
Zach still wants to build – who cares what Annie wants – and surely she wouldn’t want him to give up his life’s work. Guilt trip. Didn’t he act like he didn’t want her spending so much time doing her thing? Zach wants her to remarry him, gets angry when she refuses, and it’s all about HIM again! Never does he consider his breaking of trust w/ her. He says rejection upsets him but for some reason he can’t see his turning to Gina was a rejection of Annie. Zach says after kindergarten incident stops seeking father’s attention and rarely let anyone know his needs – yeah right. He went on about other things pa missed and he let friend hold him up when Annie left his superior can do no wrong behind! Yet when he can reciprocate w/ Les he walks and gets angry that Annie encourages him to help out buddy.
Zach says they should accept their differences not try to change them and yet he wants Annie to change too! Why? He also believes pressuring Les isn’t a good idea, however it great to pressure you ex to get what you want. Finally Annie says that she trusts Zach to do the right thing and not mad that he kept things from her, but wouldn’t it have been better if she was forewarned in case villain came after her? Then apparently Zach was pushing Annie to have another child in epilogue and she has a PhD - really when was she going to school? Did I miss that 0-) then he pressures her into hiring a partner – oh I know perhaps she will have a fight w/ Zach because of his pressure to have another child and slip another sausage in!!
So Zach didn’t want kids EVER. But in order to get Annie he tells her that he just wants to WAIT to have children. See a problem here? I do. Pretty sure some marriages have broken up over things like that. Have to know why Mr. Zach didn’t take the wick to get snipped if he was so adamant. The guy seemed to have money. How did he pay for MIT? Also seems like Zach wanted to leave the whole protection thing up to the female, which makes me think he went uncoated w/ Ms. Gina as well as any OW he was w/ over the years. Who just randomly gets tests done for that unless they think they have been exposed to something? Zach even managed to blame Annie for getting caught up in her work and not remembering protection – doesn’t Zach hold any responsibility? Annie claims she can’t get past Gina, but for some reason that whole elephant is completely ignored and never resolved and it drives me BATTY!! I think Zach truly just wants Annie and he wants to be the center of her world nothing to distract her attention from him. He had always wanted his pa’s attention and it seemed w/ pa’s plate overfull he wasn’t going to get it. Enter Annie – no children because they would distract from him getting it all!! In order to get Annie he has to be gung ho about child. Okay, maybe he does want the baby, but seemed like he felt it had to be a package deal and he pushed for that throughout the story!! Zach wants to remarry right away and feels that Annie’s reluctance is BS and she should just get over it as it was him that was really hurt by her defection and now he is still feeling ramifications of her divorcing him w/ the building collapse – it’s her fault don’t you know!! I didn’t see Annie explaining to Zach what all he went through because of his wandering wick nor her remembering any of the emotional turmoil that brought about. Not once does she say what was wrong w/ me, what about all those years of marriage and he just trashes them w/ his act of childishness to pleasure himself, it was as though the cheating was a non-issue when it really should have been dealt w/ more. Considering that Zach lied to get Annie to marry him the first time, kids later, what’s to say he wasn’t continuing and affair w/ Gina whom Annie labeled as his girlfriend? Really she doesn’t even WONDER what happened to Gina?
Annie claimed that Zach was sensitive towards others, but I didn’t see it. He didn’t seem to care too much about Les and what he was going through. Was more about Zach wanting to save himself – which seems to be his mantra so he really hasn’t changed. Everything was about Zach, Annie is just something that orbits around him. One would think Zach doesn’t want children because he doesn’t want the responsibility, but I think his biggest thing was feeling unimportant to his father as though he didn’t matter. You know there seriously comes a time when you have to let go of childhood things and own up to your portion in things.
So Annie was w/ another guy two years after their separation and Zach claims that Annie only does the smex thing as a way to solidify a commitment w/ man. So what happened there? Then she has another guy that she has been w/ for two years – where’s the commitment there? She manages to toss him aside like yesterday’s leftovers pretty easily.
The only plausible explanation for Gina was that she was really part of the same issue – kids and Annie wanting while Zach didn’t – never mind he LIED about wanting them just later. So her disapproval of him and his anger w/ her pregnancy scares, had him going to Gina. Gina flattered him and boosted his ego when Annie caused his self-esteem to plummet (page 49). Seems that Annie will do that again and again because it is some fallacy in Zach and he will, of course, seek Gina out wherever she is. Zach even likes to have make-up smex after arguing w/ Annie so was Gina a filler because Annie doesn’t like make-up smex after being yelled at, accused of trying to get pregnant on purpose, as well as other things – did he really remove his wedding ring that morning as implied near end of story.
Zach claimed he changed but he freaking takes over, hides things from Annie for her own good, and wants EVERYTHING right now w/ no work, then he also lets her take on blame for building collapse. The whole father thing seemed to relate back to an incident when he was five years old and how he felt he wasn’t important enough to remember. Problem being that Zach put other things ahead of Annie during their marriage as well as the story. Perhaps she didn’t feel important then either, but that doesn’t matter Zach gets to hold on to that for YEARS! Grow up Count Chocula!!! He could never see his actions as basically repeating what his father did from his perspective.
It’s never just one mistake w/ Zach. Seems like it’s more and they just add up. Annie excuses a lot of his actions, but the cheating thing was the last straw and there truly was no resolution w/ that.
Zach still wants to build – who cares what Annie wants – and surely she wouldn’t want him to give up his life’s work. Guilt trip. Didn’t he act like he didn’t want her spending so much time doing her thing? Zach wants her to remarry him, gets angry when she refuses, and it’s all about HIM again! Never does he consider his breaking of trust w/ her. He says rejection upsets him but for some reason he can’t see his turning to Gina was a rejection of Annie. Zach says after kindergarten incident stops seeking father’s attention and rarely let anyone know his needs – yeah right. He went on about other things pa missed and he let friend hold him up when Annie left his superior can do no wrong behind! Yet when he can reciprocate w/ Les he walks and gets angry that Annie encourages him to help out buddy.
Zach says they should accept their differences not try to change them and yet he wants Annie to change too! Why? He also believes pressuring Les isn’t a good idea, however it great to pressure you ex to get what you want. Finally Annie says that she trusts Zach to do the right thing and not mad that he kept things from her, but wouldn’t it have been better if she was forewarned in case villain came after her? Then apparently Zach was pushing Annie to have another child in epilogue and she has a PhD - really when was she going to school? Did I miss that 0-) then he pressures her into hiring a partner – oh I know perhaps she will have a fight w/ Zach because of his pressure to have another child and slip another sausage in!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2013
The characters have very different, distinct personalities. Zach grew up poor, with a distant father and a brood of younger siblings that he helped raise. Once a wealthy uncle took him away from the family home and introduced him to a more glamorous lifestyle, he was driven to be a success in his chosen field, live a comfortable life, and never have children. Fine dining, sumptuous home, designer clothing/shoes, etc. Annie, on the other hand, was a social worker, driven to help others, wearing vintage/thrift store clothing, etc. and very much wanting a baby. After a pregnancy scare and a fight, she walks in on Zach in his office with a co-worker, and that was the end of the marriage.
Now the collapse of a staircase in a museum that Zach designed has brought them back together. Annie arrives at the scene with the Red Cross, to help out, and because Zach is so devastated over the destruction and the injuries caused, she decides he shouldn't be alone and takes him home with her. After they spend the night together, she tells him it's a one off, and that they are not getting back together.
Then she discovers she's pregnant.
A lot of the book was taken up with the collapse and the subsequent investigation into what caused it and who might be at fault. Zach is crucified by the media, but staunchly continues to insist that his design was everything it needed to be and the collapse was not caused by any mistake on his part. I'm guessing the author did a lot of research into structural engineering, because she went into detail and some of it bored me and some of it was over my head.
Zach still loves Annie, Annie still loves Zach, Zach wants Annie to marry him and the three of them be a family when the baby arrives, Annie doesn't trust Zach not to hurt her again. They argue, they hurt each other's feelings, they apologize, they make up, then they do it all over again. At times I very much sided with Zach as Annie and her sanctimonious self-righteous do-what's-right-and-quit-being-so-shallow attitude began to grate on me. I can understand her hurt that Zach cheated on her, but whenever that subject came up she declared “I don't want to talk about her”, and as a couple they never really addressed it. But I guess it was far enough in the past to stay in the past.
Zach has drifted away from his family and has a strained relationship with his father and the older of his siblings. The little girls adore him, but the oldest sister, who is still friends with Annie, is very vocal in her feelings of abandonment by Zach, and his father's silence and habit of walking out of the room when Zach comes in seem to indicate he feels the same way. I was much more interested in this plot point, as Zach begins to realize the meaning of family and wants to mend fences.
All in all, this was fairly standard Harlequin fare. It was a quick read, it was enjoyable, but not so much that I feel the need to go out and hunt down more from the author.
Now the collapse of a staircase in a museum that Zach designed has brought them back together. Annie arrives at the scene with the Red Cross, to help out, and because Zach is so devastated over the destruction and the injuries caused, she decides he shouldn't be alone and takes him home with her. After they spend the night together, she tells him it's a one off, and that they are not getting back together.
Then she discovers she's pregnant.
A lot of the book was taken up with the collapse and the subsequent investigation into what caused it and who might be at fault. Zach is crucified by the media, but staunchly continues to insist that his design was everything it needed to be and the collapse was not caused by any mistake on his part. I'm guessing the author did a lot of research into structural engineering, because she went into detail and some of it bored me and some of it was over my head.
Zach still loves Annie, Annie still loves Zach, Zach wants Annie to marry him and the three of them be a family when the baby arrives, Annie doesn't trust Zach not to hurt her again. They argue, they hurt each other's feelings, they apologize, they make up, then they do it all over again. At times I very much sided with Zach as Annie and her sanctimonious self-righteous do-what's-right-and-quit-being-so-shallow attitude began to grate on me. I can understand her hurt that Zach cheated on her, but whenever that subject came up she declared “I don't want to talk about her”, and as a couple they never really addressed it. But I guess it was far enough in the past to stay in the past.
Zach has drifted away from his family and has a strained relationship with his father and the older of his siblings. The little girls adore him, but the oldest sister, who is still friends with Annie, is very vocal in her feelings of abandonment by Zach, and his father's silence and habit of walking out of the room when Zach comes in seem to indicate he feels the same way. I was much more interested in this plot point, as Zach begins to realize the meaning of family and wants to mend fences.
All in all, this was fairly standard Harlequin fare. It was a quick read, it was enjoyable, but not so much that I feel the need to go out and hunt down more from the author.
June 23, 2011
I'm practically finished with this book, and I'm upset that the author is letting the heroine get away with putting her head in the sand. I'm sorry, if they are truly going to reconcile, then she needs to find out WHY he cheated in the first place. The reader knows, but what good is that to the heroine and their new baby girl?
I'll keep reading and see what else develops. I guess they know what went wrong and have moved on.
I do understand the heroine NOT wanting to talk about it-to hear the other woman's name. Who wouldn't?
A good read. Emotional. Two college kids fell in love and the guy blew it because of some leftover childhood hang-ups: idiot!
I'll keep reading and see what else develops. I guess they know what went wrong and have moved on.
I do understand the heroine NOT wanting to talk about it-to hear the other woman's name. Who wouldn't?
A good read. Emotional. Two college kids fell in love and the guy blew it because of some leftover childhood hang-ups: idiot!
nope-not-for-me
February 6, 2019Second chance. H cheated ending the marriage. The author never addresses the cheating after they reunite, the h doesn't ask about it and the H never apologizes. Worst of all, the h accepts the blame for the architect H's building collapse because he was so upset about the divorce. So somehow him being a cheating pig and then getting his wittle feelings hurt making him unable to concentrate on his job is her fault. Seriously!?!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2010
Pro(s):
*Loved the character growth between the characters; between Zach and his family as well as between Annie and Zach
*Very sweet love story; a nice entertainment on a rainy day
Con(s):
*Not too fond of Zach cheating on Annie--never very fond of adultery; the event was also never really expounded upon afterwards, both were too hurt by it to really discuss it farther than acknowledging it happened
*I think Zach and Annie rushed into marriage too fast the first time; they should have worked out most of their problems when they were dating. In fact there wasn't much of a back story with their early days; just little snippets into their many disagreements.
*Loved the character growth between the characters; between Zach and his family as well as between Annie and Zach
*Very sweet love story; a nice entertainment on a rainy day
Con(s):
*Not too fond of Zach cheating on Annie--never very fond of adultery; the event was also never really expounded upon afterwards, both were too hurt by it to really discuss it farther than acknowledging it happened
*I think Zach and Annie rushed into marriage too fast the first time; they should have worked out most of their problems when they were dating. In fact there wasn't much of a back story with their early days; just little snippets into their many disagreements.
February 26, 2019
Spoilers
I read the paperback version of this years ago. The kindle version was free on Amazon a couple weeks ago, so I picked it up to read again. It's good. I like big, angsty emotions that really pull your heartstrings, and while on paper this looks like it would do that, it was just meh for me. For the record, they both cheat. H first, which she walks in on (we see this through flashbacks), h when they meet up again and she's almost engaged to another man. This encounter ends with a pregnancy and the fun ensues. Well written, though.
I read the paperback version of this years ago. The kindle version was free on Amazon a couple weeks ago, so I picked it up to read again. It's good. I like big, angsty emotions that really pull your heartstrings, and while on paper this looks like it would do that, it was just meh for me. For the record, they both cheat. H first, which she walks in on (we see this through flashbacks), h when they meet up again and she's almost engaged to another man. This encounter ends with a pregnancy and the fun ensues. Well written, though.
October 23, 2014
My only issue was the husband/hero cheated and it was never really resolved. Either way I don't think I could of forgiven the hero for fucking someone other than his own wife. It's disgusting.
May 25, 2023
More insight
I enjoyed the story, my only thing is that I wish the story went more in depth about Zach’s cheating with Gina. I wanted to get his point of view and see what happened for him to get to that point with Gina and the aftermath.
I enjoyed the story, my only thing is that I wish the story went more in depth about Zach’s cheating with Gina. I wanted to get his point of view and see what happened for him to get to that point with Gina and the aftermath.
November 20, 2024
Wowwww he cheated while being married to Annie
And Annie cheats on her new boyfriend.
They really make a nice couple.
I have no respect for Annie, she is such a pushover
She is te one apologising while he is the asshole.
And at the same time she is a selfish know it all who plays victim, bitch and martyr to perfectiont
And there is the detailed description of the childbirth classes is something I could do without.
And there is Gloria the OW mentioned several times.
But not solved or talked about.
That was very unsatisfying and pissed me off.
Other than that the book was too long and too boring.
And Annie cheats on her new boyfriend.
They really make a nice couple.
I have no respect for Annie, she is such a pushover
She is te one apologising while he is the asshole.
And at the same time she is a selfish know it all who plays victim, bitch and martyr to perfectiont
And there is the detailed description of the childbirth classes is something I could do without.
And there is Gloria the OW mentioned several times.
But not solved or talked about.
That was very unsatisfying and pissed me off.
Other than that the book was too long and too boring.
February 10, 2019
This is one of the Harlequin books that I enjoyed quite a lot. I loved the story, especially since for a short books it had so much development and depth and it kept me interested and invested throughout the pages. Both main characters were relatable, and adult enough to deal with their reconciliation in a mature and calculated way, not in a lust-driven-superficial way, which seems to be the case with other stories. My first time reading Kathryn Shay, and I would definitely give it another go.
October 13, 2025
Loved this book!
Every book that I've read by Kathryn Shay has been nothing short of spectacular. Whether she's writing about her fireman/women series (loved them! Holy hotness!), her cop series, her "About a baby" series, or the educator/teacher books, or the matchmaker series. She leaves such a mark once you close your Kindle. I've re-read so many books of hers, and I still cry at the sad scenes, get mad for the heroine/hero even though I know that the scene is coming, her writing stirs up all of these emotions. That's the kind of book that I want to lose myself reading on a rainy Sunday.
Zach Sloan is a successful architect. When the museum that catapulted his career collapses, so does Zach's world. Getting this job designing the museum not only made the newspapers, it allowed him to eventually open his own firm; but it also ended his relationship with Annie, his wife and the love of his life.
Annie Montgomery divorced Zach 5 years ago. He bullied and manipulated her into doing things his way all the time. He came from a household of 8 kids, he was the oldest. His parents relied on Zach. They gave a 5 year old way too much responsibility for a child to handle. He changed diapers, fed his siblings, etc.
When his very single, Uncle Cary took him for the summer when he was 15 years old, Zach never went back home. He stayed with his Uncle until he went off to MIT for college. That's when he met Annie who went to another school not far from his. He was a senior and she was a freshman. She avoided him on purpose, after hearing about his legendary playboy ways. He'd heard that she didn't date, but chemistry doesn't lie. After she gets stuck in MIT's library because she needed a book that her school didn't have, Zach offers to drive her back to the dorms. Refusing to act on their chemistry, they both avoided each other for 2 months, until Zach sees her at a party flirting with a frat brother of his, even though Zach's there with his own date. He ditches his date, grabs Annie's hand, and they leave the party. A year later they got married.
Annie never wanted or needed the trappings of money. She learned that lesson from being married to Zach. She's a social worker, who works with rescue relief for the Red Cross. She's been dating a man, Peter, for the past 2 years and he wants to marry her. When Zach shows up at the collapsed museum and sees Annie, she tells him that he should leave, there's nothing he can do while they assess how many people are hurt, etc. When he was starting this project, Annie had begged him not to work with one of the builders in the past, she just didn't trust him. But Zach blew her off as usual; he should have known by then when Annie had a gut feeling, it was usually always right.
Instead of leaving, Zach rolls up his sleeves and helps them account for every body. Until they find a dead woman. Knowing what it feels like to find a dead body, Annie makes Zach spend the night at her place. She doesn't think he should be alone. Things don't go as planned and they end up in her bed that night.
Four weeks later, Annie shows up at Zach's office to talk to him. He gives her the cold shoulder because after that night in her bed, he wanted to get back together again, for good. But she can't forgive his cheating, can't forget it either. No matter how hard she tries.
Throughout their whole marriage, Zach kept putting off having a baby with her, saying it's not the right time. Annie finally realized he was never going to want a baby due to his childhood. She came to that realization during a big fight they had when he screamed about it. Afterwards, she went to go talk to him at his office; only to catch him cheating on her. She then filed for divorce and never looked back.
So telling him that's she's pregnant will be a piece of cake, because he will run; just like she wants him to do. And Annie will raise this baby by herself without worrying that Zach wants to be a part of it.
Wow, can she be any more wrong about a situation or what?
Since the collapse of the museum and finding the dead body, Zach's changed big-time. He wants what he stupidly threw away with Annie. Now he has that chance with a baby along the way as well. But Annie won't give him an inch. So he'll have to prove it to her that he's changed.
But when problems from OSHA come knocking on his door about how his building fell and threats are being made on Annie, Zach has to do something before he loses everything he loves!
A must read!
Every book that I've read by Kathryn Shay has been nothing short of spectacular. Whether she's writing about her fireman/women series (loved them! Holy hotness!), her cop series, her "About a baby" series, or the educator/teacher books, or the matchmaker series. She leaves such a mark once you close your Kindle. I've re-read so many books of hers, and I still cry at the sad scenes, get mad for the heroine/hero even though I know that the scene is coming, her writing stirs up all of these emotions. That's the kind of book that I want to lose myself reading on a rainy Sunday.
Zach Sloan is a successful architect. When the museum that catapulted his career collapses, so does Zach's world. Getting this job designing the museum not only made the newspapers, it allowed him to eventually open his own firm; but it also ended his relationship with Annie, his wife and the love of his life.
Annie Montgomery divorced Zach 5 years ago. He bullied and manipulated her into doing things his way all the time. He came from a household of 8 kids, he was the oldest. His parents relied on Zach. They gave a 5 year old way too much responsibility for a child to handle. He changed diapers, fed his siblings, etc.
When his very single, Uncle Cary took him for the summer when he was 15 years old, Zach never went back home. He stayed with his Uncle until he went off to MIT for college. That's when he met Annie who went to another school not far from his. He was a senior and she was a freshman. She avoided him on purpose, after hearing about his legendary playboy ways. He'd heard that she didn't date, but chemistry doesn't lie. After she gets stuck in MIT's library because she needed a book that her school didn't have, Zach offers to drive her back to the dorms. Refusing to act on their chemistry, they both avoided each other for 2 months, until Zach sees her at a party flirting with a frat brother of his, even though Zach's there with his own date. He ditches his date, grabs Annie's hand, and they leave the party. A year later they got married.
Annie never wanted or needed the trappings of money. She learned that lesson from being married to Zach. She's a social worker, who works with rescue relief for the Red Cross. She's been dating a man, Peter, for the past 2 years and he wants to marry her. When Zach shows up at the collapsed museum and sees Annie, she tells him that he should leave, there's nothing he can do while they assess how many people are hurt, etc. When he was starting this project, Annie had begged him not to work with one of the builders in the past, she just didn't trust him. But Zach blew her off as usual; he should have known by then when Annie had a gut feeling, it was usually always right.
Instead of leaving, Zach rolls up his sleeves and helps them account for every body. Until they find a dead woman. Knowing what it feels like to find a dead body, Annie makes Zach spend the night at her place. She doesn't think he should be alone. Things don't go as planned and they end up in her bed that night.
Four weeks later, Annie shows up at Zach's office to talk to him. He gives her the cold shoulder because after that night in her bed, he wanted to get back together again, for good. But she can't forgive his cheating, can't forget it either. No matter how hard she tries.
Throughout their whole marriage, Zach kept putting off having a baby with her, saying it's not the right time. Annie finally realized he was never going to want a baby due to his childhood. She came to that realization during a big fight they had when he screamed about it. Afterwards, she went to go talk to him at his office; only to catch him cheating on her. She then filed for divorce and never looked back.
So telling him that's she's pregnant will be a piece of cake, because he will run; just like she wants him to do. And Annie will raise this baby by herself without worrying that Zach wants to be a part of it.
Wow, can she be any more wrong about a situation or what?
Since the collapse of the museum and finding the dead body, Zach's changed big-time. He wants what he stupidly threw away with Annie. Now he has that chance with a baby along the way as well. But Annie won't give him an inch. So he'll have to prove it to her that he's changed.
But when problems from OSHA come knocking on his door about how his building fell and threats are being made on Annie, Zach has to do something before he loses everything he loves!
A must read!
June 20, 2017
Part of the About the Baby series, this one revolves around Zach and Annie, who meet at a very stressful time years after their divorce. After a one-night stand, Annie finds herself pregnant. When she tells Zach, he wants to be part of the baby's life, not just the acknowledged father.
Their breakup was traumatic for both of them, partially because of their personality differences. However, they both agree to try and work through them for the baby's sake. They both have things in their background that they have been carrying all their lives and it affects their current relationship. One thing I like here is that, contrary to many romance novels, the male is not the only one who needs to make changes. Annie does, too.
The backdrop for the book is a collapse in a beautiful museum that Zach had designed. The ramifications of that reverberate through the book. Well done.
Their breakup was traumatic for both of them, partially because of their personality differences. However, they both agree to try and work through them for the baby's sake. They both have things in their background that they have been carrying all their lives and it affects their current relationship. One thing I like here is that, contrary to many romance novels, the male is not the only one who needs to make changes. Annie does, too.
The backdrop for the book is a collapse in a beautiful museum that Zach had designed. The ramifications of that reverberate through the book. Well done.
April 4, 2017
I loved this book. Not only is Just One Night a book about when Zack Sloane and Annie Montgomery spend the night together after a collapse of one of Zack's buildings but four weeks later Annie finds herself pregnant and informs Zack. On top of finding he's going to be a father and wanting to get back with Annie his ex wife, he's also being investigated about the collapse of a building he designed. So much is going on and all he wants is Annie to remarry him and for his business to be exonerated of any fault. Is he at fault or is someone else to blame and if so how far will they go to keep that secret?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2019
Awesome relationship lesson!
This story tells a lot of a couples hardships and realizing that fate can make a way for second chance of happiness. Also makes us realize of responsibilities with the family, importance of each ones role and that each one should be sensitive of everyones need whether attention or anything that molds ones personality or cultivates emotion.
This story tells a lot of a couples hardships and realizing that fate can make a way for second chance of happiness. Also makes us realize of responsibilities with the family, importance of each ones role and that each one should be sensitive of everyones need whether attention or anything that molds ones personality or cultivates emotion.
February 8, 2019
So sloooooow!
Hard to get through. Book moved so slowly. Rather immature characters. Ended up skimming a lot of it as I got into the first part, but then it was very repetitive. They would blow up, one would stalk off, then apologize, on and on
Hard to get through. Book moved so slowly. Rather immature characters. Ended up skimming a lot of it as I got into the first part, but then it was very repetitive. They would blow up, one would stalk off, then apologize, on and on
March 20, 2017
Zachary Sloan and Annie Montgomery come together again after years apart during a terrible accident at one of Zach’s building. He is an architect and is sure he is not at fault. Zach and Annie were married years before but just couldn’t make it work, as they are so different. After working hard to help during this accident they end up spending the night together and Annie gets pregnant. Now Zach wants to be a part of the baby’s life as well as Annie’s. Annie isn’t sure this is a good idea so she fights Zach every step of the way.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story about second chances, painful pasts, family reconciliation, hope and of course a happy ever after. This is such a moving story about everyday things that people go through. I loved Zach’s character as he was so tender and loving while going through a very awful time regarding his career, trying to work things out with Annie and a friendship with a man who was falling apart himself. I wasn’t crazy about Annie because she is so unmoving in the situations between her and Zach when he was trying so hard to make it work. The parents and siblings were great characters as well. I am really enjoying these “baby” stories. This author is so good with everyday life romance!
I received an ARC for an honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story about second chances, painful pasts, family reconciliation, hope and of course a happy ever after. This is such a moving story about everyday things that people go through. I loved Zach’s character as he was so tender and loving while going through a very awful time regarding his career, trying to work things out with Annie and a friendship with a man who was falling apart himself. I wasn’t crazy about Annie because she is so unmoving in the situations between her and Zach when he was trying so hard to make it work. The parents and siblings were great characters as well. I am really enjoying these “baby” stories. This author is so good with everyday life romance!
I received an ARC for an honest review.
August 5, 2021
I liked this book but I wanted to see more scenes where Annie and Zach do things together as most of the time when they were spending time together, they argued or tried not to argue by saying that they’ll deal with it later.
I liked the idea of there being so many side characters but I wanted to actually see them interacting with the main characters.
I liked the plot in this book, especially since Annie and Zach were dealing with other things but I wanted to see more about Annie’s work as you only got to see the boys twice and it didn’t feel like they really knew each other so well.
I liked how it was clear that Annie and Zach’s divorce was both of their faults. I did think that what Zach did was worse but their communication wasn’t good and they way they interacted with each other wasn’t good either. I wanted to see more scenes where they work on those things as I didn’t really see those issues change much and they were still there at the end of the book.
I want to read the next book but I don’t really see how any of the books in this series are connected.
I liked the idea of there being so many side characters but I wanted to actually see them interacting with the main characters.
I liked the plot in this book, especially since Annie and Zach were dealing with other things but I wanted to see more about Annie’s work as you only got to see the boys twice and it didn’t feel like they really knew each other so well.
I liked how it was clear that Annie and Zach’s divorce was both of their faults. I did think that what Zach did was worse but their communication wasn’t good and they way they interacted with each other wasn’t good either. I wanted to see more scenes where they work on those things as I didn’t really see those issues change much and they were still there at the end of the book.
I want to read the next book but I don’t really see how any of the books in this series are connected.
February 16, 2019
I liked the writing style of this book and slowly grew to love a couple of the characters (Zach and Les in particular). I however had problems really being able to relate to Annie which I think hundred solve of the enjoyment for me, her ability to 'forget' about Gina left me feeling incredulous.
The backdrop to the romance of the museum collapsing and the interplay of the business and relationships between the characters in the post and present was very well devised.
If I could have understood Annie better and didn't think having a baby with someone was a poor basis to get married it probably would have made full marks...
The backdrop to the romance of the museum collapsing and the interplay of the business and relationships between the characters in the post and present was very well devised.
If I could have understood Annie better and didn't think having a baby with someone was a poor basis to get married it probably would have made full marks...
September 17, 2019
This isn't a favorite trope of mine, so I probably got this as a free Kindle book. I'm not a fan of a baby forcing two people together, and these two didn't really seem to work together as a couple. It seemed they were having the same issues over and over again (which is realistic, but not the kind of escapism I enjoy in romance novels), and I felt like Annie had to change more than Zach did, which was just wrong since he was the reason for the marriage ending in the first place. Maybe this was an older style romance, but the balance of power between man and woman did not appeal to me. Bullies aren't sexy or swoon-worthy.
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