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Rediscover this heartfelt, emotional classic romance from one of today’s most popular storytellers, #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.

Molly Larabee left her husband, Jordan, after a tragedy destroyed her faith in their marriage. She began a new life overseas as a foreign aid volunteer. But now, four years later, her safety is in jeopardy–and Jordan comes to her rescue. She discovers that her feelings for him have never waned, and they share a night of passion that results in pregnancy… Molly wants her husband back. But Jordan is still hurting. Can they rebuild their relationship after all that’s happened?

Previously published as Baby Blessed.

198 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 1994

726 people are currently reading
723 people want to read

About the author

Debbie Macomber

894 books20.6k followers
Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.

In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.

Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.

She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.

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5 stars
885 (46%)
4 stars
574 (29%)
3 stars
349 (18%)
2 stars
79 (4%)
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30 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
Profile Image for Marianne.
4,409 reviews340 followers
February 6, 2016
Baby Blessed is a book by popular American author, Debbie Macomber, in the That Special Woman! series. When their baby son dies, Molly and Jordan Larabee deal with their grief in different ways, ways that make their marriage seem irreparable. Molly volunteers in a volatile East African Republic, and, some four years later, her father enlists her husband to extract her when things turn dangerous. Jordan wants a divorce so he can marry someone else, but the attraction is still hot between them, and now there’s another baby on the way. This is a sweet romance that examines how people cope with the dreadful loss of a baby. Classic Macomber.
Profile Image for Debbie DiFiore.
2,706 reviews311 followers
August 28, 2017
Wow emotional read.

I had a hard time getting through this. It has lots of sad and bad stuff happening. Things I truly hate. Death of a child, long separation, and the hero was still married to the h but had a fiancee. Yes they were apart three years but he was still married. Now he wants a divorce but the h is in war torn Africa and so he and his mercenary friend go to pick her up and there is danger so you know what that means.; They have danger sex. And we all know what happens then, they make a danger baby which neither one knows at this point. Of course he never tells her he's engaged and she thinks they are getting back together but no he goes back to his fiancee and pushes for the divorce once they get home. He finds out the night before it's final and it gets angst. I totally cried in several parts and my heart hurt. There is tons of push me pull me fights and he is a despicable person once their baby started showing. He does do a 360 at the end but I still felt he did not deserve the h. She was simply amazing and strong and she totally loved him. I have it four stars because it moved me. Love Debbie's older books. Another thing the cover on this edition is horrible. Doesn't look anything like the characters described in the book.
Profile Image for January.
2,840 reviews129 followers
April 5, 2025
Meant To Be Us by Debbie Macomber (2024) originally published as Baby Blessed (1994)
That Special Woman! Series
198-page Kindle Ebook story pages 4-195

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Featuring: Blurb, Estranged Couple, Second Chance Trope, SIDS, Grief, Fictional African Country, Chicago, Illinois; Need Divorce Papers Signed Trope, Sex - Low Details, War Zone, Drama, Uncertainty

Rating as a movie: PG-13/PG-15 depending on the editing of sexual scenes

Books and Authors mentioned: Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

Memorable Quotes: Ian moved away from the window and glanced at the framed picture on his desk. Jordan knew it was a portrait of him and Molly taken shortly after Jeffrey’s birth. He remembered it well. He was standing behind Molly, who held Jeffrey in her arms; his hand was on Molly’s shoulder and the two of them were smiling down on their son. They had no way of knowing that their joy would soon turn into the deepest grief they could possibly experience. “I’d always hoped you two would patch things up,” Ian said, his voice tinged with sadness. Jordan pressed his lips together and thrust his hands inside his pockets. A reconciliation might have worked earlier, but it was too late now; the sooner Ian accepted that, the better. “I’ve met someone else.” Ian nodded. “I guessed as much. Well, you can’t blame an old man for hoping.” “Where’s Molly?” Jordan wasn’t enjoying this any more than Ian was. Time to cut to the chase. “The East African Republic,” Ian told him. Jordan’s head snapped up. “Africa?” Ian nodded. “She’s doing volunteer work with some church group. The country’s desperately in need of anyone with medical experience, and working there has seemed to help her.”

“I realize this is difficult for you,” Lesley said, “but you must know what an awkward position this puts me in. I can’t continue to date a married man.” “I do understand.” “Nor do I want to force you into a divorce if it’s something you don’t want.” Jordan frowned. This ground was all too familiar, and he wasn’t thrilled to be walking along the same worn path. “The marriage is dead.” If he’d said it once, he’d said it a hundred times. “You told me that in the beginning,” Lesley reminded him, “but we’ve been seeing each other for six months and in all that time you didn’t once mention divorcing Molly.” This sounded like an accusation. “I should’ve filed years ago.” “But you didn’t.” Jordan didn’t need Lesley to tell him that. “Do you know why?” she pressed. “I was too busy,” he said, a bit more heatedly than he intended. “Besides, I assumed Molly would see to it.” “She didn’t file for a divorce, either,” Lesley pointed out. “Have you stopped to consider that?”

My rating: ⭐️⭐️½👩🏼‍🍼💔🤰🏼

My thoughts: 🔖130 of 198 CHAPTER NINE - These people are on my nerves.

This story just did not hit well for me at all. Even in 1994, I couldn't get past a fictional war-torn country, I can't say it didn't age well because it was a slight at the time. Then there's the couple, everyone in this story got on my nerves and the sex was overkill. It was an interesting plot but the romance felt fabricated and I couldn't get on board. I am not sure if there is any difference between the 1994 version and the 2024 version but under any name this story was just not it for me.

Recommend to others: Not likely but anything is possible especially if they're looking for a Need Divorce Papers Signed Trope story.
Profile Image for Anna.
1,336 reviews129 followers
October 30, 2013
I am a big fan of Debbie Macomber, but this was a disappointment. Jordan and Molly lost a baby to SIDs and have lost each other. Jordan hides in denial and work while Molly ran away to become a missionary in Africa. When at the request of Molly's father, Jordan swoops in to rescue Molly, they find themselves alone and terrified. In comforting one another, Molly ends up pregnant. After returning to America, they struggle in their relationship. Jordan wishes to deny the fact that Molly is pregnant with their child, yet claims to still be deeply in love with Molly. Molly seems incapable of standing up for herself. They fight all the time, yet can't keep their hands off one another. If ever a couple needed counseling it's these two. Of course all is well at the end.
123 reviews
August 9, 2024
If you are looking for roses and sweetness, this is not the book for you. It is a harsh journey, where one can relate to the actions of the protagonists. However, I grew impatient with the on again, off again between the two. Oftentimes the same wording was repeated as if we needed a summary or review. We didn’t.
Profile Image for mimi ♡.
155 reviews
December 17, 2020
Molly and Jordan have been separated for 3 years. Jordan has moved on and has made the decision to get married again, but first he must divorce his wife. In order to talk to Molly about a divorce he must go to the East African Republic where Molly has been working as a nurse for the past 2 years. When Jordan lands in the EAR, the compound Molly is at is under fire from a rebel group. They have to hide in a supply closet until the helicopter that brought Jordan is able to return to rescue them. While hiding out, not knowing if they're going to make it out alive, they have sex a couple of times. As they are lifted out by the helicopter Jordan gets shot in the shoulder.

Once they are out of the EAR, Jordan's attitude changes and he's very mean towards Molly, even though he's the one who chose to sleep with her. Molly thinks they are on their way to reconciling and is so happy and in love and excited about their future together. Jordan waits until they are back home before telling her about his fiance, Lesley. He lets her know that he only came to find her in Africa to talk about getting a divorce.

Jordan and Molly begin divorce proceedings despite still being in love with each other. It's revealed that they seperated after not being able to cope with the loss of their son from SIDS. Molly went into a depression and needed time to mourn their son whereas Jordan immediately went back to work and wanted to forget Jeffrey ever existed. He packed up the entire nursery and tried to donate everything to charity when Molly stopped him so she could grab Jeffrey's baby book and other momentos.

Jordan doesn't want to ever have another child because of how much he loved his son and how much it hurt when he died. He imagines Molly will have more children because she's great with children. The day before their divorce is to be finalized Molly tells him that she's pregnant from them sleeping together in Africa. Jordan decides he doesn't want them to divorce until after the baby is born. He loves Molly, but he tells her that he doesn't want any involvement in raising this new child. He agrees to give her child support and for that to be the extent of his involvement.

Jordan breaks up with Lesley and starts sleeping with his wife, but he still doesn't want this new baby. He calls this pregnancy a mistake and a curse. After Molly decides she can't deal with him feeling this way he talks to someone who has also lost a child to SIDS and went on to have more children. He finds out the new baby is a girl and spends time with his own feelings before realizing he wants to know and love this new child. After being apart for 2 months Jordan shows up at the hospital and helps Molly through her labor. He admits that he loves her and the baby. He's the first one to hold his daughter and he cries. It's the first time Molly has ever seen him cry. They agree to stay married and raise their daughter, Bethany.


I just really loved this story and it was so much better than I thought it was going to be. It was upsetting that Jordan was trying to move on and even more upsetting when he didn't want to be involved with the new baby. I do wish they had explored their grief more together because I think Jordan has a lot more work to do. I was happy they were able to reconcile in the end and be a family again for their daughter while still remembering their son.
Profile Image for Chloe (Always Booked).
3,166 reviews122 followers
September 4, 2018
Dang it Debbie! I did not enjoy this book. It’s about Molly and Jordan. 2 years ago, they lost their son to SIDS and that was the end of their marriage. They couldn’t handle the stress and heartache and they separated. She went to Africa to use her skills as a nurse and he drowned himself in Work. 2 years later, Jordan is ready to remarry so he goes to Molly’s father to find her whereabouts so he can ask for a divorce. Her dad says he needs to go to Africa to get her so he does and oops! They fall passionately into bed together. He comes home and decides to keep it a secret from his fiancé but then Molly comes back and finds out she’s pregnant. She eventually tells Jordan and then he eventually tells Leslie. Leslie is so “attractively calm and understanding” (not an exact quote but that’s the sentiment) that she’s totally fine with it. Molly and Jordan have a few more shady interactions because apparently they can’t resist each other. Why are they getting divorced then? Good question. Why is he engaged to someone else (whom he’s also only felt the need to kiss)? Even better question. The 3 of them act like they’re all friends- wtf Leslie- have a backbone, give a damn, or leave!
Jordan wants nothing to do with the baby but stalls the divorce until after it’s born because paperwork will be easier. Somewhere near the end Jordan and Leslie realize they’re not right for each other and break up (finally) and Jordan continues to talk about his love for Molly. He finds out she’s sick (from her dad again- kinda weird) and calls the doc because Molly doesn’t want to talk to him if he’s going to ignore the baby. He also said he couldn’t stay hard now that she was showing- ass. He finds out they’re having a girl and when Molly is in labor he goes and decides to be a dad- for now anyway.
Hated all the characters, dumb storyline, would not recommend.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kay.
1,934 reviews124 followers
January 18, 2012
4 Stars! ~ Molly and Jordan's marriage fell apart three years before with the SID death of their son. Molly needed to grieve openly for her son, and Jordan only wanted to erase everything that hinted that his son had ever existed. So Molly left their home; spent some time with her father; and then signed up for mission work as a nurse in a politically unstable African country. Jordan has met someone and he'd like to move on with his life, but when he seeks out Molly to sign the divorce papers, he's shocked to find that she's in imminent danger. Rushing to Africa to haul Molly home, Jordan is faced with the fact that Molly's every bit as desirable to him as she ever was. Hiding from the rebels, passion flares between them. When they return home, Molly discovers she's pregnant. Jordan learns that he's still very much in love with his wife, but he can't seem to feel anything for the unborn child.

This is Ms. Macomber's 50th book written. What a heartwarming story! Emotionally intense, powerfully written. Molly and Jordan both finally come to terms with their son's death, and realize the pain that their own walls had cost the other. This story grabs your heart right up to the last page.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Marcia  Haskell.
632 reviews11 followers
July 31, 2017
Getting past the death of an infant

The story of a family that falls apart when their young son dies of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). He tries to cope by working long hours and ignoring the death. She can't cope, so she cries every day and finally takes a job, as a doctor, in one of the most dangerous part of the world.

They recognize that they still love another, but cannot deal with the way their spouse deals with the death. This novel deals with how each of them moves on with their life.

Easy romance read.
Profile Image for Gail.
561 reviews1 follower
March 11, 2024
A very heartwarming love story!

Molly and Jordan lost their son to SIDS. They were separated for four years, and Jordan decided to get a divorce so he could get married. He went to East Africa to rescue Molly. She was a volunteer nurse in East Africa, and the rebels were attacking the compound she was in. Debbie Macomber, an amazing author, takes the reader on a rocky journey with Molly and Jordan when they discover Molly is pregnant. If you like love stories, you do not want to miss reading this book. Happy reading! 😊
Profile Image for Debra.
3,464 reviews13 followers
July 28, 2017
Baby Blessed

Molly and Jordan's marriage fell apart when their son died from SIDS. Now years later he wants a divorce. But he has to find her. When after a one night together he still demands a divorce. He has found someone else. Molly finds out she is pregnant. The divorce is stalled. Is all lost? Will Jordan ever come to grips about his son's death? This was an emotional read. And Debbie Macomber did it well.
Profile Image for Kim Ligon.
Author 5 books33 followers
March 16, 2024
Losing a baby and finding your way back

Molly ran away from her husband, her marriage, her life when her infant son died of SIDS. She hid away working in constant danger in Africa until Jordan decided he wanted a divorce and came to find her. What happens next is a little implausible to me but Debbie Macomber manages to carry your interest to the end. I enjoyed the story but couldn't quite get past the fantastic things that happened.
2 reviews
March 3, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. I read it cover to cover in one sitting. Having recently lost a baby in our family made the story more poignant. Very compelling, heart wrenching read. Thank you Debbie.
Profile Image for Juliahoney Kamenker.
250 reviews2 followers
May 15, 2017
Another good book by Debbie Macomber dealing with a couple and their relationship after their baby dies of SIDS








1,135 reviews16 followers
July 30, 2017
BABY BLESSED

Sweet, sweet story. Could see the ending coming from a mile away, but it didn't matter- this was a character driven book.
289 reviews1 follower
August 5, 2017
Good read

Debbie Macomber at her best. Every time I pick up one of her books, I know it's going to be good.
Profile Image for Charlotte Truex.
11 reviews
August 7, 2017
Baby Blessec

I date this book a 5 star book. It was a very good read. The characters seemed so real and the story line was very well written.
35 reviews
August 9, 2017
Love happy endings.

Typical Debbie Macomber. Fast summer reading with a "everything turns out right" ending. I like the Cedar Cove series best.
15 reviews
August 14, 2017
Good fast read

I enjoyed this book. It was easy and fast to read. The main people in the story were always changing and growing.
2 reviews
August 22, 2017
Very good.....

It's a good, easy read novel. A very true to life story. I enjoyed it very much and will be reading more of her books.
4 reviews
November 9, 2017
Great read

This is not my normal author but, once I started reading it I could no put it down. I was fascinated how it kept my attention
501 reviews1 follower
May 29, 2018
Eh. A fairly unsatisfying romance; the only interesting part was the discussion of SIDS and how different parents, male and female, might cope with the sudden loss of a child.
Profile Image for Di Schlenk.
641 reviews3 followers
November 17, 2018
Poignant story following the lives of Molly and Jordan, their marriage crumbles following the loss of baby Jeffery to SIDS.
456 reviews2 followers
February 26, 2019
Love of a child

Debbie Macomber always a winner. A love story with the death of a child. Jordan and Molly found their way back together.
Profile Image for Nancy.
46 reviews1 follower
November 15, 2019
I loved this book! I was enthralled with the story from the beginning!
576 reviews1 follower
December 8, 2019
A very good book about reality and the life we live versus the life we dream of.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews

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