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Baby #1
Baby on Board
Major Rafe Steele lived and breathed the military life. His entire career had been spent in the marines, and he was comfortable in his bachelor life. No wife, no children, and nothing to hold him back from taking the next tough mission. He could ride his motorcycle in the mountains or have a party or three if he had a mind to. He was a lone wolf, and he liked it that way--until one night he came home and there was a package he didn’t expect, in the form of a baby car seat holding a little girl and a note. This is Bonnie. She’s your daughter. What the hell did he know about being a dad? But when he looked into the baby’s eyes, he knew it was the truth, and there was no way he was giving her up.
Rafe needed help and decided to enlist his neighbor across the street. Ivy St. Clair was a nurse, and even though he knew she thought he was some kind of playboy, who better to help him learn the ropes of raising a baby? He didn’t expect to be attracted to the shy woman with the brown eyes who had no problem saying what she meant. He certainly didn’t think he would fall for her and dream about her kisses and her taste. Rafe found his life taking a whole new road where fatherhood and the thought of a commitment took center stage. But would his lone wolf ways come back to haunt him? Especially when the threat of losing his daughter and Ivy became a real possibility.
Rafe needed help and decided to enlist his neighbor across the street. Ivy St. Clair was a nurse, and even though he knew she thought he was some kind of playboy, who better to help him learn the ropes of raising a baby? He didn’t expect to be attracted to the shy woman with the brown eyes who had no problem saying what she meant. He certainly didn’t think he would fall for her and dream about her kisses and her taste. Rafe found his life taking a whole new road where fatherhood and the thought of a commitment took center stage. But would his lone wolf ways come back to haunt him? Especially when the threat of losing his daughter and Ivy became a real possibility.
132 pages, ebook
First published June 8, 2012
40 people are currently reading
337 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 17, 2012
Description: When the baby daughter he didn’t know he fathered literally gets left on his doorstep, Major Rafe Steele turns to Ivy, the sexy nurse next door for help. But can he convince his practical neighbor that he’s not the frat boy lothario she thinks he is?
The Good: Ms. Rose does a good job of painting Ivy as defensive and insecure without making her too tiresome. She’s defensive because she doesn’t look like the other women on their block, who are always throwing themselves at Rafe; and she’s insecure because she has endometriosis and isn’t sure if she’ll ever be able to have children, which was a refreshing change as far as heroines go. I also really liked seeing Ivy’s day-to-day life as a nurse at Walter Reed, and her best friend/co-worker there was get-out funny. Rafe’s mother is also a funny and caring gem of a character, and an on-going conflict with another neighbor is wrapped up in a surprising way.
The Bad: The overall read suffers from too-long block paragraphs and overly long character speeches. Also, the book could actually be a few chapters shorter as it feels like it’s treading water in a few places. It’s a thin line between day-to-day details and unnecessary content. Lastly, readers who have actually had fertility issues might not appreciate how neatly Ivy’s are dealt with in the end.
The Naughty: Steamy. 69. Explicit language.
Editing issues: 3 typos. Weird indents on Kindle.
Publisher: Sugar and Spice Press
Length: 133 pages
Final Grade: B
Happy Reading,
Theodora from irbookreviews.com
The Good: Ms. Rose does a good job of painting Ivy as defensive and insecure without making her too tiresome. She’s defensive because she doesn’t look like the other women on their block, who are always throwing themselves at Rafe; and she’s insecure because she has endometriosis and isn’t sure if she’ll ever be able to have children, which was a refreshing change as far as heroines go. I also really liked seeing Ivy’s day-to-day life as a nurse at Walter Reed, and her best friend/co-worker there was get-out funny. Rafe’s mother is also a funny and caring gem of a character, and an on-going conflict with another neighbor is wrapped up in a surprising way.
The Bad: The overall read suffers from too-long block paragraphs and overly long character speeches. Also, the book could actually be a few chapters shorter as it feels like it’s treading water in a few places. It’s a thin line between day-to-day details and unnecessary content. Lastly, readers who have actually had fertility issues might not appreciate how neatly Ivy’s are dealt with in the end.
The Naughty: Steamy. 69. Explicit language.
Editing issues: 3 typos. Weird indents on Kindle.
Publisher: Sugar and Spice Press
Length: 133 pages
Final Grade: B
Happy Reading,
Theodora from irbookreviews.com
March 17, 2013
cute books... truly cute
August 17, 2012
Quick fun sexy read. I would have liked a bit more analogy of sorts. The straight forward dialogue made it really easy to breeze through thte book, but there would have been more depth if there were areas where the reader had to read between the lined in a sense. Sometimes the joy of reading comes from being able to decipher characters and plots with out it being right in your face. There were also just a few typos but nothing to ruffle feathers over. The love scenes were great!. I think one my fav aspects of the book was the authors dedication to Veterans, her research about Walter Reed, soldier life, and PTSd showed her respect for the men and women that put their lives on the line everyday and That is something that I love most about her books.
July 29, 2012
I can't recall if I've read any of Ms. Rose's books before, but I enjoyed this one. It was a fuller plotline than I expected from the blurb and the beginning chapters, with no loose ends left hanging out there for the reader to see. It's an escapist story, no heavy drama or angst. Nice, short, and just what I was in the mood for.
October 7, 2014
4.00 stars. A lovely story of Major Rafe Steele coming home to find a baby from a one night stand on his porch and how that sparked a romance between him and his neighborhood nurse, Ivy. Their romance story was fun to read, their characters were likable, their attraction to each other was believable as was the storyline.
June 9, 2012
I love this. As usual, Dahlia's characters are fun and interesting and you can't help but love them.
This draws you in until the last pages. Fun read!
This draws you in until the last pages. Fun read!
June 23, 2012
What a sweet story! I'm a sucker for a hot solider and a feisty woman. Good stuff!!
January 27, 2013
4.5 stars!!! I loved this book.
September 12, 2015
I LOVED this book all the characters were fantastic and so lovable the HEA was a REALLY good ... I smiled a lot while reading this one .. :)
August 3, 2023
So Enjoyable
OH my what a delightful story! One that you can enjoy, its a story that has great characters with great chemistry. The story has some funny quotes but mostly interesting sometimes thrilling moments and of course the romance! There is a part that will bring a smile to your heart along with the usual elements, but their relationship is such a delight and a incredible to read. Even the secondary characters are great.There is one thing I wish for and that is more to the ending. But overall this is a fantastic romance which l enjoyed.
OH my what a delightful story! One that you can enjoy, its a story that has great characters with great chemistry. The story has some funny quotes but mostly interesting sometimes thrilling moments and of course the romance! There is a part that will bring a smile to your heart along with the usual elements, but their relationship is such a delight and a incredible to read. Even the secondary characters are great.There is one thing I wish for and that is more to the ending. But overall this is a fantastic romance which l enjoyed.
November 5, 2017
Aww blessings do happen!
Ivy and Rafe relationship started out as neighbors helping each other ,which quickly grew into a full blown love affair.
This was a easy, fast , exciting page turner novel. The characters was awesome and easy to relate to. Ivy was a nurse who was dedicated to her job and was leery about getting involved with anyone due to a ex boyfriend. Rafe was a marine and single dad and was not giving up on Ivy. Buy this novel you won't be disappointed😂💝
Ivy and Rafe relationship started out as neighbors helping each other ,which quickly grew into a full blown love affair.
This was a easy, fast , exciting page turner novel. The characters was awesome and easy to relate to. Ivy was a nurse who was dedicated to her job and was leery about getting involved with anyone due to a ex boyfriend. Rafe was a marine and single dad and was not giving up on Ivy. Buy this novel you won't be disappointed😂💝
March 29, 2019
Yasss
Awe, I really enjoyed this book. I've never read anything by this author and I'm so happy my Goodreads suggested this to me. Now, I'll go see what else Dahlia Rose has to offer
Awe, I really enjoyed this book. I've never read anything by this author and I'm so happy my Goodreads suggested this to me. Now, I'll go see what else Dahlia Rose has to offer
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September 25, 2022Don't mess with Ivy or her family
Lovely easy read. Excellent characters and storyline. Unexpected HEA. Please get this novel and enjoy it to the fullest. Everyone needs a Donna double C in their lives.
Lovely easy read. Excellent characters and storyline. Unexpected HEA. Please get this novel and enjoy it to the fullest. Everyone needs a Donna double C in their lives.
December 6, 2019
Good read
Excellent if predictable. I love a good military romance with engaging and gripping characters. This author doesn’t disappoint. I am happy to recommend.
Excellent if predictable. I love a good military romance with engaging and gripping characters. This author doesn’t disappoint. I am happy to recommend.
June 5, 2020
Amaaaaaaaazing !!!!
May 29, 2022
Enjoyable but formulaic
July 17, 2023
I loved it!
I love a man in uniform! Military men are the best! Rafe and Ivy were perfect for each other! This was a beautiful love story!
I love a man in uniform! Military men are the best! Rafe and Ivy were perfect for each other! This was a beautiful love story!
November 1, 2012
My Rating:★★★
Book Description:
Major Rafe Steele lived and breathed the military life. His entire career had been spent in the marines, and he was comfortable in his bachelor life. No wife, no children, and nothing to hold him back from taking the next tough mission. He could ride his motorcycle in the mountains or have a party or three if he had a mind to. He was a lone wolf, and he liked it that way--until one night he came home and there was a package he didn’t expect, in the form of a baby car seat holding a little girl and a note. This is Bonnie. She’s your daughter. What the hell did he know about being a dad? But when he looked into the baby’s eyes, he knew it was the truth, and there was no way he was giving her up.
Rafe needed help and decided to enlist his neighbor across the street. Ivy St. Clair was a nurse, and even though he knew she thought he was some kind of playboy, who better to help him learn the ropes of raising a baby? He didn’t expect to be attracted to the shy woman with the brown eyes who had no problem saying what she meant. He certainly didn’t think he would fall for her and dream about her kisses and her taste. Rafe found his life taking a whole new road where fatherhood and the thought of a commitment took center stage. But would his lone wolf ways come back to haunt him? Especially when the threat of losing his daughter and Ivy became a real possibility.
Page Count: 132 Pages
My Thoughts:
I have been writing reviews over the past few days so I'm a bit tapped out and this one will be very short and sweet with very little detail about the actual story.
The story was sweet in its own way. The characters were a bit one dimensional and didn't have a great deal of depth. Ms. Rose tried...I could tell...but it just did not translate into written form very well. Also, the book would have benefited from a good editorial pass. There were a few grammar inconsistencies and at one point, Rafe's mother Frieda was called "Fried". Definitely NOT the same thing.
Overall it was a quick and easy read. I appreciate how the author didn't focus on Rafe and Ivy's skin differences as the main crux of the story.
Reading Time: 4 Hours
Book Description:
Major Rafe Steele lived and breathed the military life. His entire career had been spent in the marines, and he was comfortable in his bachelor life. No wife, no children, and nothing to hold him back from taking the next tough mission. He could ride his motorcycle in the mountains or have a party or three if he had a mind to. He was a lone wolf, and he liked it that way--until one night he came home and there was a package he didn’t expect, in the form of a baby car seat holding a little girl and a note. This is Bonnie. She’s your daughter. What the hell did he know about being a dad? But when he looked into the baby’s eyes, he knew it was the truth, and there was no way he was giving her up.
Rafe needed help and decided to enlist his neighbor across the street. Ivy St. Clair was a nurse, and even though he knew she thought he was some kind of playboy, who better to help him learn the ropes of raising a baby? He didn’t expect to be attracted to the shy woman with the brown eyes who had no problem saying what she meant. He certainly didn’t think he would fall for her and dream about her kisses and her taste. Rafe found his life taking a whole new road where fatherhood and the thought of a commitment took center stage. But would his lone wolf ways come back to haunt him? Especially when the threat of losing his daughter and Ivy became a real possibility.
Page Count: 132 Pages
My Thoughts:
I have been writing reviews over the past few days so I'm a bit tapped out and this one will be very short and sweet with very little detail about the actual story.
The story was sweet in its own way. The characters were a bit one dimensional and didn't have a great deal of depth. Ms. Rose tried...I could tell...but it just did not translate into written form very well. Also, the book would have benefited from a good editorial pass. There were a few grammar inconsistencies and at one point, Rafe's mother Frieda was called "Fried". Definitely NOT the same thing.
Overall it was a quick and easy read. I appreciate how the author didn't focus on Rafe and Ivy's skin differences as the main crux of the story.
Reading Time: 4 Hours
September 17, 2012
I found part of this novel to be very anti-woman and body-shaming. To be somewhat fair, the anti-woman, body-shaming was the love rival in this story, but I still feel like her treatment in seemed a bit much. With het erotica, women characters are just horrible and catty to each other.
HOWEVER, I will say there was one scene in the beginning when said rival comes into Ivy’s house like she owns the place and talking to Ivy and kind of way? Oh hell no. I would’ve almost kicked her ass too. And for him to tell her she’s should’ve been the bigger person? Oh. Hell. NO. Just no.
I’m probably reading too much into it, but it’s very telling when a white woman comes into your space, disrespects you, you tell her off and your white male love interest tells you to be the bigger person. Personally, that potential relationship would’ve went up in flames never to rise from the ashes. But Rafe saw the error of his ways and Ivy forgave him. My qualm with that, and BWWM (black women/white men) romance novels is when situations like this arise, a discussion of race never happens. If Baby on Board was just two people just falling in love and they just happened to be a black woman and white man, I wouldn’t care so much. But when elements of racial tension arise, however slight, I think should be addressed. I think that should apply to real life as well.
Getting back on track, this book was an decent read. It’s one of those meet, date for two weeks and get married types. I could’ve done without the extra love interest for Ivy and have more time spent developing a relationship between the two leads. I also felt Rose threw in the birth-mother plot as an after thought? That whole part felt rushed and not really fleshed out.
I give this a solid 3 stars. The story was ok and the sex scenes were lackluster.
HOWEVER, I will say there was one scene in the beginning when said rival comes into Ivy’s house like she owns the place and talking to Ivy and kind of way? Oh hell no. I would’ve almost kicked her ass too. And for him to tell her she’s should’ve been the bigger person? Oh. Hell. NO. Just no.
I’m probably reading too much into it, but it’s very telling when a white woman comes into your space, disrespects you, you tell her off and your white male love interest tells you to be the bigger person. Personally, that potential relationship would’ve went up in flames never to rise from the ashes. But Rafe saw the error of his ways and Ivy forgave him. My qualm with that, and BWWM (black women/white men) romance novels is when situations like this arise, a discussion of race never happens. If Baby on Board was just two people just falling in love and they just happened to be a black woman and white man, I wouldn’t care so much. But when elements of racial tension arise, however slight, I think should be addressed. I think that should apply to real life as well.
Getting back on track, this book was an decent read. It’s one of those meet, date for two weeks and get married types. I could’ve done without the extra love interest for Ivy and have more time spent developing a relationship between the two leads. I also felt Rose threw in the birth-mother plot as an after thought? That whole part felt rushed and not really fleshed out.
I give this a solid 3 stars. The story was ok and the sex scenes were lackluster.
March 17, 2013
It was a decent IRR, but it wasn't in my top 10 IRR's of all time.. I'm a persnickety reader who demands perfection, so therefore it is what is.. It's decent, but not spectacular....
Giving this one 2 1/2 stars.
Giving this one 2 1/2 stars.
November 6, 2012
quick read, a bit cheasy and had a lot of cliches.... but i remained engaged through the book.. :)
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August 30, 2013I might've read this book...I maybe. *Doubts*
October 24, 2014
3.5 stars
September 23, 2016
Well written!
December 27, 2025
Adorable love story!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews