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His Unexpected Family
Suddenly a Mother
When a baby is dropped into her life without warning, Emily Shaw is overjoyed. It's a bit odd that her distant cousin named single Emily as guardian, but she's thrilled all the same. She never thought she'd get to be a mom. Another unexpected blessing is that baby Cora arrives in the arms of police chief Greg Taylor. Despite all three of them instantly bonding, Greg has promised himself he'll never be a father. And now Emily's smooth-talking relative is challenging her right to raise Cora. Will Emily have to make an impossible decision between the child she already loves and the man who loves her?
When a baby is dropped into her life without warning, Emily Shaw is overjoyed. It's a bit odd that her distant cousin named single Emily as guardian, but she's thrilled all the same. She never thought she'd get to be a mom. Another unexpected blessing is that baby Cora arrives in the arms of police chief Greg Taylor. Despite all three of them instantly bonding, Greg has promised himself he'll never be a father. And now Emily's smooth-talking relative is challenging her right to raise Cora. Will Emily have to make an impossible decision between the child she already loves and the man who loves her?
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
17 people are currently reading
298 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Johns
170 books356 followersPublishers Weekly bestselling author Patricia Johns writes sweet romance. She lives in Alberta, Canada with her husband and son.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 25, 2019
Unexpected
This is a good story with many twists and turns that keeps you reading. The characters were complex and interesting. The ending was put together quite well.
This is a good story with many twists and turns that keeps you reading. The characters were complex and interesting. The ending was put together quite well.
May 27, 2022
Inspirational romance. Unexpected baby arrives and soon a custody battle looms.
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December 29, 2014Rated 4 Stars by RT Book Reviews
May 5, 2025
📚THE STORY📚
When Emily's estranged cousin dies in a tragic car accident, she suddenly finds herself the guardian to a precious infant girl. It's a big change for a single teacher, but Emily loves kids and always wanted to be a mother, so she quickly falls in love with the baby and her new role.
Police officer Greg is the one who delivers the baby, so to speak - he responded to the car accident and became the person responsible for acting on the guardianship order. It's supposed to be a one time thing, just part of his job as a cop. But he finds himself drawn into the world of Emily and the baby, despite his own reluctance to consider marriage and fatherhood.
Then another family member threatens legal action to take custody of the baby. And Greg can't shake the notion that there might be more to the car accident and the baby's background. As he investigates and tries to protect Emily, the two fall for each other, slowly but surely becoming their own unexpected family.
💕THE ROMANCE💕
Greg tells himself to hold back and stay professional, and he has plenty of reasons to insist on not pursuing things with Emily. But he can't resist her, and the pull of domestic life with her and the baby. The lines between just stepping up to fulfill the obligations of his job quickly become blurred as the two enjoy each other's company through church services, baby showers, and time at home.
✝️FAITH ELEMENTS✝️
Both characters are Christian and pray frequently. Greg and Emily attend a church service together. Themes touch on the importance of truth, gentleness and love, and letting go of preconceived notions about what life ought to be.
📝MY THOUGHTS📝
A surprise baby - how sweet! I loved how caring for the new infant brings Emily and Greg closer together and gives them a chance to bond. The mystery behind the baby's mother and her death drives the plot forward, as does the tension around the custody situation.
I also appreciated the way childhood bullying is touched on as something that can significantly affect a person into adulthood and what healing might look like. Seeing Greg taking care of his mother with dementia added depth to his story.
When Emily's estranged cousin dies in a tragic car accident, she suddenly finds herself the guardian to a precious infant girl. It's a big change for a single teacher, but Emily loves kids and always wanted to be a mother, so she quickly falls in love with the baby and her new role.
Police officer Greg is the one who delivers the baby, so to speak - he responded to the car accident and became the person responsible for acting on the guardianship order. It's supposed to be a one time thing, just part of his job as a cop. But he finds himself drawn into the world of Emily and the baby, despite his own reluctance to consider marriage and fatherhood.
Then another family member threatens legal action to take custody of the baby. And Greg can't shake the notion that there might be more to the car accident and the baby's background. As he investigates and tries to protect Emily, the two fall for each other, slowly but surely becoming their own unexpected family.
💕THE ROMANCE💕
Greg tells himself to hold back and stay professional, and he has plenty of reasons to insist on not pursuing things with Emily. But he can't resist her, and the pull of domestic life with her and the baby. The lines between just stepping up to fulfill the obligations of his job quickly become blurred as the two enjoy each other's company through church services, baby showers, and time at home.
✝️FAITH ELEMENTS✝️
Both characters are Christian and pray frequently. Greg and Emily attend a church service together. Themes touch on the importance of truth, gentleness and love, and letting go of preconceived notions about what life ought to be.
📝MY THOUGHTS📝
A surprise baby - how sweet! I loved how caring for the new infant brings Emily and Greg closer together and gives them a chance to bond. The mystery behind the baby's mother and her death drives the plot forward, as does the tension around the custody situation.
I also appreciated the way childhood bullying is touched on as something that can significantly affect a person into adulthood and what healing might look like. Seeing Greg taking care of his mother with dementia added depth to his story.
April 26, 2022
I can not get enough of Patricia Johns books. She gets a lot of story into her books and I love that. This book deals with an unexpected baby, and although the wishes of the mother were very clear if she passed, a family member takes it too far trying to get custody of the child. It's so well told that you feel the emotion coming of the pages and settling into your heart.
February 29, 2024
The importance of family
A well written tender romance. The author used the importance of family and support when faced with life's struggles. She deals with the difficulty of dealing with a parent's Alzheimer's diagnosis and still balancing a personal and professional working life.
A well written tender romance. The author used the importance of family and support when faced with life's struggles. She deals with the difficulty of dealing with a parent's Alzheimer's diagnosis and still balancing a personal and professional working life.
August 23, 2018
Such a sweet book
March 18, 2019
Great wholesome quick read. Perfect indulgence for a busy mom such as myself.
March 9, 2022
I enjoyed this book's storyline. Some parts of story was sad 😞. I really liked Emily's character. I really liked Greg's character. I loved ❤ Cora. I really liked the ending.
August 18, 2013
This book tells the story of Emily who becomes the guardian of a baby after her cousin dies in an accident. Emily could not have children of her own, so despite the tragic situation, she is thrilled to have the chance to raise a child. Little Cora is soon dropped off by the local police chief, Greg, and him and Emily seem to make an unexpected connection.
Emily was a kind and gentle character. She quickly took to motherhood, and was so responsible with Cora. I enjoyed reading about how she got the chance to be a mother when it seemed like that would never be an option for her. I admired how she fought to keep Cora, and tried to keep things peaceful within her family.
I really liked Greg, and thought he was a decent man. Even though he was protective and used to being the boss, he still respected Emily’s decisions, and choices. He never seemed to pressure her nor was mean to her. I understood his reservations about having a family of his own because of what happened in his past, and I appreciated how he worked through his issues to have the family that he wanted.
There were enough twists in the book to keep it interesting, and the story still felt believable. I enjoyed the down-to-earth characters, and the way the romance developed between Emily and Greg. Nothing about it felt forced or rushed, and it was sweet how their feelings for each other grew.
Overall, I thought this book was well-written, and had realistic characters. It was a quick, yet enjoyable read. I am looking forward to more books from the author.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. Thank you!
Emily was a kind and gentle character. She quickly took to motherhood, and was so responsible with Cora. I enjoyed reading about how she got the chance to be a mother when it seemed like that would never be an option for her. I admired how she fought to keep Cora, and tried to keep things peaceful within her family.
I really liked Greg, and thought he was a decent man. Even though he was protective and used to being the boss, he still respected Emily’s decisions, and choices. He never seemed to pressure her nor was mean to her. I understood his reservations about having a family of his own because of what happened in his past, and I appreciated how he worked through his issues to have the family that he wanted.
There were enough twists in the book to keep it interesting, and the story still felt believable. I enjoyed the down-to-earth characters, and the way the romance developed between Emily and Greg. Nothing about it felt forced or rushed, and it was sweet how their feelings for each other grew.
Overall, I thought this book was well-written, and had realistic characters. It was a quick, yet enjoyable read. I am looking forward to more books from the author.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. Thank you!
July 24, 2014
I really enjoyed the mystery of who Cora really might have belonged to and going through the motions of the custody battle between Emily and her weird cousin, Cora's uncle. The struggle with Emily's love interest, the Chief of Police Greg in his battle with wanting, but not wanting to be involved with a woman with a child due to the fact that his father died in the line of duty and he didn't want to leave a child fatherless. It was enjoyable from the start and kept you wondering till the very end.
October 28, 2013
I won this book from Patricia Johns in a contest from Goodreads.com and it was such a great book! I loved it from the start to the end!
We met Emily who is a single teacher and who is wanting kids but doesn't have any until Cora is dropped off at her door one day in the arms of the Chief of police. Emily falls for Cora but she has problems with some family that want the baby instead. What will Emily do for Cora's sake?
We met Emily who is a single teacher and who is wanting kids but doesn't have any until Cora is dropped off at her door one day in the arms of the Chief of police. Emily falls for Cora but she has problems with some family that want the baby instead. What will Emily do for Cora's sake?
December 6, 2013
Emily Shaw has guardianship of her cousin's baby. Given her circumstances, she never thought she would be a mom.
Baby Cora arrives at Emily's home in the arms of police chief, Greg Taylor. He has promised himself he will never become a father but he instantly bonds with Emily and the little lady, Cora.
Emily's cousin is challenging her right to raise the baby. There are mysteries involved in this story and Emily and Greg are determined to find out the truth.
Baby Cora arrives at Emily's home in the arms of police chief, Greg Taylor. He has promised himself he will never become a father but he instantly bonds with Emily and the little lady, Cora.
Emily's cousin is challenging her right to raise the baby. There are mysteries involved in this story and Emily and Greg are determined to find out the truth.
July 26, 2013
A very sweet story about a father's love. Emily is chosen by her dying cousin to take care of her baby, Cora. Greg lost his father when he was eight. Now he's fallen for Emily and Cora but his dangerous job keeps him from wanting to be a father. But he learns its more important to risk being a father than to reject the child out of selfishness.
August 22, 2014
Really enjoyed reading this story. A lot of these stories tend to be predictable, but this one did have some suspense.
May 16, 2025
The amish story is good. It is more a love story.
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December 29, 2014Rated 4 Stars by RT Book Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews