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Just Once
Kate had learned certain lessons as Drake Daniels's lover:
Lesson number one: the price of loving Drake was not to love him.
Lesson number two: never give him what he expected.
Discovering she was pregnant certainly fulfilled lesson number two. Drake had made it clear commitment and children were not on his menu. Now Kate must break her news. But when she sees Drake, passion kicks in, begging to be indulged again... just once!
184 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
60 people are currently reading
896 people want to read
About the author
Susan Napier
143 books153 followersPerhaps being born on Valentine’s Day was an omen that Susan Napier would become a romance writer. This New Zealand author has written over 30 Mills & Boon category romances since 1984. Napier and her husband Tony Potter met when they both worked at the Auckland Star newspaper. After they married, she left the newspaper to work for a film company where she learned the art of dialogue. After the birth of her sons, Simon and Ben, she was a freelance scriptwriter for documentaries. It was soon after that she decided to try her hand at writing the romance fiction she dearly loved.
She and her husband still live in the home they bought in Auckland shortly after their marriage.
She and her husband still live in the home they bought in Auckland shortly after their marriage.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
January 6, 2018
The tone seemed off for this scenario. (Secret baby, heroine is just a mistress)
Publisher’s researcher heroine has a no strings relationship with the author hero who often goes into hiding to write his bestsellers. Heroine hunts him down to tell him of her unexpected pregnancy and finds him with an OW. He shuts the door in her face and heroine returns broken-hearted to the beach house she rented next door.
Hero follows her and tries to find out what she’s doing there. Heroine doesn’t tell him about the baby and keeps him guessing. The hero doesn’t keep her guessing very long about the OW – she’s his beta reader who helps the dyslectic hero shape up his manuscript before sending to the publisher. They don’t have a relationship.
Then we gets lots of flashbacks to their bantering, witty conversations that revolved around movie quotes and not revealing too much about themselves. The backstory is doled out in pieces: The heroine has a first wave feminist mother who resented motherhood. The hero had an obsessive, suicidal mother who never got over her fink of a husband dumping her and starting a new family with a new woman. To make matter worse, the hero had a younger half-brother he took care of, but lost to meningitis’s when hero was only 13.
So there’s this heavy backstory juxtaposed with the heroine befriending a three-legged dog named Prince (and running over it), hanging out with the hero after the OW has left for home, playing pool with the hero and his friends, discovering the rat she heard at night was really a kitten.
Reader I was bored, but I kept reading so see when the other shoe dropped.
I wanted more angst and drama. The H/h got along just fine when they we’re playing verbal games with each other. Heroine had a true nurturing (and shopping) streak. The kitten got lots of new toys as did the dog as did the unborn baby. Susan Napier fans will probably like this one, but I felt she was playing games with the reader by presenting so many false scenarios before revealing the truth. It's clever, I suppose, but not what I like or expect in an HP.
Publisher’s researcher heroine has a no strings relationship with the author hero who often goes into hiding to write his bestsellers. Heroine hunts him down to tell him of her unexpected pregnancy and finds him with an OW. He shuts the door in her face and heroine returns broken-hearted to the beach house she rented next door.
Hero follows her and tries to find out what she’s doing there. Heroine doesn’t tell him about the baby and keeps him guessing. The hero doesn’t keep her guessing very long about the OW – she’s his beta reader who helps the dyslectic hero shape up his manuscript before sending to the publisher. They don’t have a relationship.
Then we gets lots of flashbacks to their bantering, witty conversations that revolved around movie quotes and not revealing too much about themselves. The backstory is doled out in pieces: The heroine has a first wave feminist mother who resented motherhood. The hero had an obsessive, suicidal mother who never got over her fink of a husband dumping her and starting a new family with a new woman. To make matter worse, the hero had a younger half-brother he took care of, but lost to meningitis’s when hero was only 13.
So there’s this heavy backstory juxtaposed with the heroine befriending a three-legged dog named Prince (and running over it), hanging out with the hero after the OW has left for home, playing pool with the hero and his friends, discovering the rat she heard at night was really a kitten.
Reader I was bored, but I kept reading so see when the other shoe dropped.
I wanted more angst and drama. The H/h got along just fine when they we’re playing verbal games with each other. Heroine had a true nurturing (and shopping) streak. The kitten got lots of new toys as did the dog as did the unborn baby. Susan Napier fans will probably like this one, but I felt she was playing games with the reader by presenting so many false scenarios before revealing the truth. It's clever, I suppose, but not what I like or expect in an HP.
October 18, 2023
Surprise surprise this one was good.
Unexpectedly so.
Those two have been in a casual affair, now we would say they are fuck buddies, for years.
She thinks she’s pregnant and decides to follow him in his retreat on a solitary beach.
She finds him with a woman, and he’s very angry to see her there. She pretends to be ok, since they’re not committed.
He tries to talk to her but she does not want to intrude his privacy.
A lot of bizarre accidents later, we find out that he thought she was the one not to want a commitment, and he simply didn’t want to lose her so accepted it.
She also finds out she’s not pregnant, so basically there’s no reason to see him any longer.
Ow is actually is some kind of ghost writer. He’s a writer but he’s dyslexic and she writes what he dictates. But nobody knows so he must do this thing secretly, even to the heroine.
The lack of communication brought them to the point where they’re don’t actually know where they stand, each one thinking the other is only using them for their pleasure.
In the end both confess that they have been faithful to each other and they have fallen in love.
There’s a lot of banter, a lot of animals, the heroine actually runs into his dog, hurting him but thank god not very badly, and some om and ow drama, but it’s not an angsty book.
No cheating, no too cruel hero, only a grumpy one because he was self conscious about his dyslexia, which was somehow cute.
The pregnancy was indeed a false alarm, the heroine was sad that she wasn’t expecting, it was kind of nice how the hero reacted.
Unexpectedly so.
Those two have been in a casual affair, now we would say they are fuck buddies, for years.
She thinks she’s pregnant and decides to follow him in his retreat on a solitary beach.
She finds him with a woman, and he’s very angry to see her there. She pretends to be ok, since they’re not committed.
He tries to talk to her but she does not want to intrude his privacy.
A lot of bizarre accidents later, we find out that he thought she was the one not to want a commitment, and he simply didn’t want to lose her so accepted it.
She also finds out she’s not pregnant, so basically there’s no reason to see him any longer.
Ow is actually is some kind of ghost writer. He’s a writer but he’s dyslexic and she writes what he dictates. But nobody knows so he must do this thing secretly, even to the heroine.
The lack of communication brought them to the point where they’re don’t actually know where they stand, each one thinking the other is only using them for their pleasure.
In the end both confess that they have been faithful to each other and they have fallen in love.
There’s a lot of banter, a lot of animals, the heroine actually runs into his dog, hurting him but thank god not very badly, and some om and ow drama, but it’s not an angsty book.
No cheating, no too cruel hero, only a grumpy one because he was self conscious about his dyslexia, which was somehow cute.
The pregnancy was indeed a false alarm, the heroine was sad that she wasn’t expecting, it was kind of nice how the hero reacted.
December 18, 2010
I read this book in what amounts to a single sitting, on the flights home from NYC, because I could not find The Hunger Games in print in any of the airport bookstores. (The second two in the series, yes, but not the first one.) Never mind, though; I saved some bucks and got through another ebook. And I never have to read it again.
This book features one of my hated romance tropes: the Secret Baby. But this turns out to be the best kind of secret baby; it's still in the womb. And, actually [spoiler here], it turns out to be nonexistent anyway. The heroine's pregnancy is hysterical, and so is some of the writing. I offer for your consideration such nuggets as these, all from the first chapter:
Kate has just come face to face with the hero, who is not at all pleased to see her. So naturally this paragraph is followed by two more, musing on the undemonstrative nature of Kate's mama and the effect that had on their relationship. *snort*
When Kate is alone in her rented house again, the author walks us through the process of making a cup of tea, including "she discarded the sodden tea bag in the sink and added a splash of milk". The tea would probably have been better if she'd put the milk in her cup.
Either the writing improves after the first chapter, or I became inured to it, because my annotations peter out shortly thereafter, when Kate pulls the pins out of her chignon (yes, really, a chignon) and "let her hair flow like warm caramel through her fingers".
To the characters and the story, though. Okay, let me think how to phrase this to express my feelings fully.
Meh.
It was only OK. There wasn't much about the story that will stick with me beyond the next book I read, I'm sure. There's a scruffy but charming dog, and a tiny kitten whose name is Russian for 'cat' (but I've forgotten what that word is). There's a veterinarian and a has-been rock star who make cameo appearances. There's not really much keeping the two protags apart, other than the mistaken belief each holds that the other doesn't want anything permanent with them, and it got slightly annoying after a while that the Big Misunderstanding could continue so long in the face of significant attraction and increasing levels of honesty and intimacy between the two of them. Even the potential romantic rival for the hero's affections turned out to be completely the opposite before she could really create any trouble.
I totally skipped over the sex. It was also only OK. I mean, the protags seemed to enjoy it, but it wasn't that well written.
The book is set in New Zealand, so I learned a couple of new words from this one: 'fossicked', which I take to mean "dug around; searched"; and 'pottle', which is the kind of container that yogurt comes in, in NZ. Not sure I'll remember either of those the next time I need them, either.
This book features one of my hated romance tropes: the Secret Baby. But this turns out to be the best kind of secret baby; it's still in the womb. And, actually [spoiler here], it turns out to be nonexistent anyway. The heroine's pregnancy is hysterical, and so is some of the writing. I offer for your consideration such nuggets as these, all from the first chapter:
"She kept her voice steady, confident that she looked a lot more composed than she felt. Although she was only a little taller than average, the willowy curves, elegant bone structure and haughty facial features that Kate had inherited from her undemonstrative mother helped project an air of cool sophistication and graceful poise, regardless of her inner turmoil."
Kate has just come face to face with the hero, who is not at all pleased to see her. So naturally this paragraph is followed by two more, musing on the undemonstrative nature of Kate's mama and the effect that had on their relationship. *snort*
When Kate is alone in her rented house again, the author walks us through the process of making a cup of tea, including "she discarded the sodden tea bag in the sink and added a splash of milk". The tea would probably have been better if she'd put the milk in her cup.
Either the writing improves after the first chapter, or I became inured to it, because my annotations peter out shortly thereafter, when Kate pulls the pins out of her chignon (yes, really, a chignon) and "let her hair flow like warm caramel through her fingers".
To the characters and the story, though. Okay, let me think how to phrase this to express my feelings fully.
Meh.
It was only OK. There wasn't much about the story that will stick with me beyond the next book I read, I'm sure. There's a scruffy but charming dog, and a tiny kitten whose name is Russian for 'cat' (but I've forgotten what that word is). There's a veterinarian and a has-been rock star who make cameo appearances. There's not really much keeping the two protags apart, other than the mistaken belief each holds that the other doesn't want anything permanent with them, and it got slightly annoying after a while that the Big Misunderstanding could continue so long in the face of significant attraction and increasing levels of honesty and intimacy between the two of them. Even the potential romantic rival for the hero's affections turned out to be completely the opposite before she could really create any trouble.
I totally skipped over the sex. It was also only OK. I mean, the protags seemed to enjoy it, but it wasn't that well written.
The book is set in New Zealand, so I learned a couple of new words from this one: 'fossicked', which I take to mean "dug around; searched"; and 'pottle', which is the kind of container that yogurt comes in, in NZ. Not sure I'll remember either of those the next time I need them, either.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2013
WHY did I not see the "Pregnancy romance" on the cover! GAWD! Who thinks getting pregnant by accident is all romance? I will never get past a whole genre of this. I keep torturing myself!
I was over half way done & asking myself... Based on their relationship, why would you feel the need to get to know him more to tell him he got you pregnant. You both are so cold blooded & distant it's stupid!
This book is a: Present time, flashback to explain what is so damn confusing, to present day from cold to hot to cold to all better? I was annoyed & I cannot get over my faithfulness to not finish a book. I read them all the way thru!
Its like it's written for pregnant hormonal women... Oh well. My problem.
I was over half way done & asking myself... Based on their relationship, why would you feel the need to get to know him more to tell him he got you pregnant. You both are so cold blooded & distant it's stupid!
This book is a: Present time, flashback to explain what is so damn confusing, to present day from cold to hot to cold to all better? I was annoyed & I cannot get over my faithfulness to not finish a book. I read them all the way thru!
Its like it's written for pregnant hormonal women... Oh well. My problem.
February 1, 2009
This particular line is really not my style of book ("sophisticated men of the world and captivating women" usually translates to "the alpha-est alpha heroes that ever alphaed") but this was very clever and had some fantastic supporting characters.
Okay, five books in one day, plus the one I metaphorically hurled against the wall and the end of American Gods. I'm done now. Really.
...the next one has secret twins.
I can totally stop after six!
Okay, five books in one day, plus the one I metaphorically hurled against the wall and the end of American Gods. I'm done now. Really.
...the next one has secret twins.
I can totally stop after six!
September 10, 2009
This read was funny to me in that I'd actually been trying out a few things with format. I wasn't planning on reading the book when I did. I simply opened it one time to see how it had converted from ePub to mobi and then couldn't stop reading. Next thing I knew I was on chapter 3 and had absolutely no intentions of stopping. And I had to go pick up kids and such! So I had to quickly transfer it to my phone so I could read while sitting in parking lots and such. :-) So I think you can pretty much tell what my assessment of this book is--I love, love, loved it!!! It has been a long time since I felt sucked into a book told only from the heroines pov. That in itself was interesting to me. Usually I like a strong male pov throughout. And this one wasn't all bitter as so many single pov books I've read have been. That was cool too. It could have been, the conflicts were there but I loved how the heroine herself pointedly chose not to be bitter but to find a way to see a good in things. Totally loved it. Gonna have to get more of Susan's books. Which makes me laugh. Every time I think, 'Why am I picking up books by new authors when so often they are not panning out?' Then I run across a gem and know why. And once again because of a free book given to me, I'm now buying more. :-)
August 26, 2017
Katherine Crawford learnt earlier on what loving Drake Daniels meant. It meant being happy with the status quo, even as she fell deeper in love with him as their affair went on. Drake being the reclusive kind, is a man who likes his affairs to be short. Very short in fact. However, fact that Katherine had been willing to learn from the cues, Drake’s past affairs, and the vibes that he gives off meant that theirs is an affair that lasts longer than the usual.
Drake as a writer is given to long bouts of disappearances, and it is when Katherine turns up at his private bolt-hole which even his publisher and agent had claimed not to be privy to that the story begins. At first, it is as if Drake and Katherine are complete strangers, however, as the story proceeds, one finds out that that is the farthest thing from the truth.
Katherine comes seeking the real Drake, the one that hides behind the mask of indifference, to understand who he truly is. In the end, Katherine and Drake’s story proved to be one that had me hooked from page one. Susan Napier has always had that ability when it comes to her stories. Which is why, I always give her books the benefit of the doubt even when some of them receive low ratings on reviews. Because Napier writes books that deviate from the expected norm – they do not fit into that neat little box where everything goes as expected. She writes a story that you can sink your teeth into.
I loved both Katherine and Drake. I ached for Drake when his past came to light – a past shrouded in damaging betrayal from those that should have protected the child he had been. A childhood that had been seeped in misery with no one to depend on but himself. Though I felt that Drake and Katherine spent too much time apart for my liking in the story, I enjoyed the escape this read provided when I needed one.
Rating = 4/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit www.maldivianbookreviewer.com
Drake as a writer is given to long bouts of disappearances, and it is when Katherine turns up at his private bolt-hole which even his publisher and agent had claimed not to be privy to that the story begins. At first, it is as if Drake and Katherine are complete strangers, however, as the story proceeds, one finds out that that is the farthest thing from the truth.
Katherine comes seeking the real Drake, the one that hides behind the mask of indifference, to understand who he truly is. In the end, Katherine and Drake’s story proved to be one that had me hooked from page one. Susan Napier has always had that ability when it comes to her stories. Which is why, I always give her books the benefit of the doubt even when some of them receive low ratings on reviews. Because Napier writes books that deviate from the expected norm – they do not fit into that neat little box where everything goes as expected. She writes a story that you can sink your teeth into.
I loved both Katherine and Drake. I ached for Drake when his past came to light – a past shrouded in damaging betrayal from those that should have protected the child he had been. A childhood that had been seeped in misery with no one to depend on but himself. Though I felt that Drake and Katherine spent too much time apart for my liking in the story, I enjoyed the escape this read provided when I needed one.
Rating = 4/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit www.maldivianbookreviewer.com
December 22, 2020
New author to me and I’m pleased to say that I really loved it. Fabulous h/H and a clever , adult execution of an old trope.
I really didn’t mind the misleading teased - the ‘OW who wasn’t’ etc. There was humour and positive feelings in it. Lovely!
I really didn’t mind the misleading teased - the ‘OW who wasn’t’ etc. There was humour and positive feelings in it. Lovely!
March 18, 2013
Contemporary (90's?) secret pregnancy romance with Katherine a writing researcher and a famous author, Drake Daniels get together and finally change from only lovers to committed relationship. Kate is a great researcher in New Zealand so she finds out where Drake hides to write his books because she has to figure out what she is going to do with her oops baby when they had a light commitment-less relationship for the past two years. Drake Daniels has lots of secrets, even his name is not his 'real' birth name, but he had a terrible childhood and his parents never deserved anything from him, much less that he keeps his meaningless name that they had given him.
There is a twisty twist about the prengnancy, which was a surprise. Well written usual Harlequin story with a little bit of sexy time and lots of romance.
187 pages and kindle freebie
2 stars
There is a twisty twist about the prengnancy, which was a surprise. Well written usual Harlequin story with a little bit of sexy time and lots of romance.
187 pages and kindle freebie
2 stars
July 18, 2013
There's a lot wrong with this book. I agree with one reviewer that the first really BAD thing is that we aren't told the woman and man know each other up front. Took forever to figure that out. I also didn't like the way she was acting like a stalker/supplicant.
However, I read this book 2-3 years ago and I still remember it AND its details AND that I liked it AND what was wrong with it. At this point in my romance reading, that's utterly remarkable. So, 3.5 stars, up from what should really be 2 ("okay") because it wasn't bland enough to disappear into the fog of my romance-jaded head.
However, I read this book 2-3 years ago and I still remember it AND its details AND that I liked it AND what was wrong with it. At this point in my romance reading, that's utterly remarkable. So, 3.5 stars, up from what should really be 2 ("okay") because it wasn't bland enough to disappear into the fog of my romance-jaded head.
February 12, 2010
The beginning of the book was both confusing (as in the author didn't come right out and let you know the characters already knew each other--I hate this type of plot device) and boring. Too much back-story or 'info-dumping' for my taste. I just wanted to get on with the story. It got better the further I got into it, but I shouldn't have to wait until the middle of a book for something of interest to happen.
May 28, 2010
The three stars are for the second half of the book. The first half of the book just seemed to go on and on setting up the story without ever getting to the story and I wasn't going to finish it. A few months later I was looking to clean out some files and I thought I would see if I could get any further before I dumped it. Wouldn't you know it? I left off right where the story started. And then it turned out to be quite enjoyable.
January 12, 2010
It took me a little while to get into this book because it was slightly confusing in the beginning, but as I got further into it, I was drawn deeper into the story. Overall, it was enjoyable and I liked seeing the interaction between the two characters (and them fighting their feelings for one another), but I'm not sure it's one that I'll re-read any time soon.
April 10, 2018
I found this one just a little bit meh. The whole accidental pregnancy thing gets on my nerves after a while so maybe I just wasn't in the mood for this today. It wasn't the worst of this trope I've read but it wasn't the best either plus turns out she wasn't pregnant after all go figure.
So really no pregnancy and not very much passion here TBH. I was a bit bored
So really no pregnancy and not very much passion here TBH. I was a bit bored
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2015
It's the first book that lead me to Susan Napier and Harlequin, and honestly, I just can't stop ever since. This book is really good, like trust me, it is. I'm just wordless because I havent read it in a long time and even though I haven't, the memory of how good the novel was never went away.
June 15, 2009
well it was well suited as a lunch-reading-book at work! Easy reading, no thinking.
November 15, 2012
A favorite easy read. Might be the NZ setting in part that keeps me coming back, but I also like the dialogue between the characters.
December 20, 2011
This was a very nice book and i liked it. It was very funny in places the end wasn't good enough but it was OK. I don't know if to give this book 3 or 4 stars but maybe 3.5.
March 12, 2013
Honestly one of the best of this genre I've read for quite a while, and it was free for my kindle!
April 27, 2014
it was ok. not a lot of depth. but good if you're exhausted and and are reading because you're too tired to think
Read
June 11, 2019This story is nuts! 2 animals. 2 pregnancies. 2 bad childhoods. Just madness all around. Didn’t think the hero was worth chasing around but our little desperate heroine did just that. I’d say skip.
April 17, 2018
Originally posted on Tales to Tide You Over
I rarely re-read books because there are so many out there, but the right time, place, and mood had me queue up Price of Passion for a second time. I knew I’d read it before, and remembered a bunch of things, but still enjoyed the book. I thought it might be interesting to compare my original review with the notes I wrote down this time, eight years later, as different aspects stood out.
Here is the original review:
Price of Passion by Susan Napier was a very interesting take on the series theme of pregnant mistresses. In true proof that you can take an old idea and make it new, this story has a twist I couldn’t see coming at all, but when I got there, it made sense and worked on multiple levels. Add that the male lead is a writer, and I was quite amused. Unlike Dragonfly, this was pure candy and perfect for that role. Besides, it has a three-legged dog and a kitten. What else could you ask for? If that’s not enough, it also has wonderful personal conflicts, and the introduction of secondary characters who love to cause trouble for the male lead.
And my thoughts on the reread:
This is a delightful, somewhat old-style, Harlequin with neat cultural differences for Australia and interesting characters. It does fall under the assumption romance category, but there are reasons for what she believes, which drive her actions so that he assumes the rules are her own rather than a desperate attempt not to trigger his need to escape. The animals, a dog and kitten, are a good stand-in for the humans’ need for attachments, and though I’d read this before, the twist about her pregnancy came as a surprise, a sign there’s enough story beyond the traditional theme to stand on its own.
Despite this being about two people actively involved in a long-term relationship with each other, the story was one of discovery and seeing beyond the facade. They felt quite real, and the reasons for their defenses did as well. Interesting choice not to make everything come up roses at the end, but it’s a traditional romance so it still did for the two main characters, Drake and Kate.
I quite enjoyed the read, even though it never brought me to tears, so I wasn’t that deeply engaged with the characters.
Ultimately, the story proved an entertaining, quick read both times. I find it interesting how the twist caught me twice, indicating it is an unexpected turn on a very traditional theme, but one that works. Of course, the animals deserved a mention, and my notes about their nature and purpose in the story grew more detailed by the second read.
I rarely re-read books because there are so many out there, but the right time, place, and mood had me queue up Price of Passion for a second time. I knew I’d read it before, and remembered a bunch of things, but still enjoyed the book. I thought it might be interesting to compare my original review with the notes I wrote down this time, eight years later, as different aspects stood out.
Here is the original review:
Price of Passion by Susan Napier was a very interesting take on the series theme of pregnant mistresses. In true proof that you can take an old idea and make it new, this story has a twist I couldn’t see coming at all, but when I got there, it made sense and worked on multiple levels. Add that the male lead is a writer, and I was quite amused. Unlike Dragonfly, this was pure candy and perfect for that role. Besides, it has a three-legged dog and a kitten. What else could you ask for? If that’s not enough, it also has wonderful personal conflicts, and the introduction of secondary characters who love to cause trouble for the male lead.
And my thoughts on the reread:
This is a delightful, somewhat old-style, Harlequin with neat cultural differences for Australia and interesting characters. It does fall under the assumption romance category, but there are reasons for what she believes, which drive her actions so that he assumes the rules are her own rather than a desperate attempt not to trigger his need to escape. The animals, a dog and kitten, are a good stand-in for the humans’ need for attachments, and though I’d read this before, the twist about her pregnancy came as a surprise, a sign there’s enough story beyond the traditional theme to stand on its own.
Despite this being about two people actively involved in a long-term relationship with each other, the story was one of discovery and seeing beyond the facade. They felt quite real, and the reasons for their defenses did as well. Interesting choice not to make everything come up roses at the end, but it’s a traditional romance so it still did for the two main characters, Drake and Kate.
I quite enjoyed the read, even though it never brought me to tears, so I wasn’t that deeply engaged with the characters.
Ultimately, the story proved an entertaining, quick read both times. I find it interesting how the twist caught me twice, indicating it is an unexpected turn on a very traditional theme, but one that works. Of course, the animals deserved a mention, and my notes about their nature and purpose in the story grew more detailed by the second read.
April 6, 2018
Weirdo start, totally incongruous to the later part of the story. You get a feeling the girl and guy are bumping into each other for the first time, from the first few pages. And he acts like a jerk slamming the door on her face, for interrupting his 'quality time' with his lady friend !
Then you slowly realize that they know each other a little too well, to have such a weird first scene. They have been having an on-off affair for over 2 years. Exclusive too ! And she is out to catch him by the neck and get a word of commitment out of him, now that she is pregnant. Err.. or not.
And finally the author tells you the poor guy has been desperately looking for a long time commitment from the girl all along but the girl always appeared off hand !!
The initial build up is just inappropriate, in an otherwise decent story. I enjoyed it once the leads were into the groove and slowly revealing the depth of their past association.
Could have been 4 stars, if not for a bad beginning.
Then you slowly realize that they know each other a little too well, to have such a weird first scene. They have been having an on-off affair for over 2 years. Exclusive too ! And she is out to catch him by the neck and get a word of commitment out of him, now that she is pregnant. Err.. or not.
And finally the author tells you the poor guy has been desperately looking for a long time commitment from the girl all along but the girl always appeared off hand !!
The initial build up is just inappropriate, in an otherwise decent story. I enjoyed it once the leads were into the groove and slowly revealing the depth of their past association.
Could have been 4 stars, if not for a bad beginning.
August 2, 2022
Drake is a writer who has finally fallen for a woman he had no intention of falling for. But Kate is different in more ways than one so when she finds out she’s pregnant she tracks down Drake to tell him. The thing is she knows that he is a commitment phobia and doesn’t want a child but there are always reasons for peoples foibles. When things seem to be going right everything goes in the other direction at least that’s what Susan Napier wants you to think. This is a romance novel for people who believe in love but have a problem with committing to it as well.
October 27, 2025
Both the H and h are dealing with emotional baggage so they both suffer from an unwillingness to be open and transparent with each other, which is the main cause of discord. There's an interesting twist at the start and their relationship definitely has its trials, but Ms. Napier does an excellent job of defining the issues and letting the reader feel what the MCs are hiding, and why. This story had depth and a sweet HEA that both the MCs deserved after their love-starved childhoods. It made me happy to know that they had found each other and could help each other heal.
July 15, 2024
"Price of Passion" is the story of Kate and Drake.
This one is interesting. A couple is in a sexual relationship for two years, and it ends as they part ways. She ends up pregnant, tracks him down to his remote island where he's writing a book, and decides to vacation there too. Some OW confusion, a three legged dog, a cute kitten, loads of drama and a HEA. But overall a pleasant book.
Safe
3/5
This one is interesting. A couple is in a sexual relationship for two years, and it ends as they part ways. She ends up pregnant, tracks him down to his remote island where he's writing a book, and decides to vacation there too. Some OW confusion, a three legged dog, a cute kitten, loads of drama and a HEA. But overall a pleasant book.
Safe
3/5
June 29, 2025
The best
Think this must be the best M&B I have read. Very different kind of story. Really liked the MFC. Strong but tender. Main MC difficult - sad and damaged but also ultimately tender too. Wonderful love story
Think this must be the best M&B I have read. Very different kind of story. Really liked the MFC. Strong but tender. Main MC difficult - sad and damaged but also ultimately tender too. Wonderful love story
October 31, 2018
A bit slow + not a really great plot :(
September 8, 2019
Kate and Drake had been casual (but exclusive) lovers for over 2 years. He would leave her in the city and disappear to write his novels. This year she tracked him down to his hide away.
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