Daddy Dilemma! Lang Camden’s just found out he’s a dad (and the sole guardian)…of a rambunctious two-year-old. He’s never changed a nappy in his life – what’s a man to do? Enter Heddy Lanrahan, the widowed baker who’s as luscious and sweet as her cheesecakes. Lang’s on a mission to help her business and Heddy willingly lends a helping hand with his child. The chemistry between them is off the charts – but the history between their two families is complicated and, if Heddy lets herself fall for this man and his little boy, she could lose everything!
Victoria Pade is the bestselling author of numerous contemporary romances, six historical romances and two mystery novels. She began her writing career after leaving college to have her first daughter. That daughter was seven years old and there was a second daughter, before Victoria had her first book accepted for publication. That novel and the three that followed it were historical romances. But the exit of her husband and the urge to do more contemporary writing that explored the kinds of problems she was facing inspired a switch.
Very good book, highly emotional on Heddy's side. She had lost her husband and infant daughter several years earlier. Now she fills her time making cheesecakes and selling them from her bakery. Many years earlier her grandfather and mother had owned a bakery and had gotten involved with the Camden family. When her mom's romance with Lang's dad fell apart, the Camdens also pulled out of a business deal with them, ruining their business. Now Lang wants to help Katie with her business. Katie isn't sure if she can trust him, but she knows she needs help. There is also an intense chemistry between them. Katie doesn't want to have feelings for Lang. Even though her husband and daughter have been gone for a long time, she still considers herself to be Daniel's wife and Tina's mother. Feeling something for Lang makes her feel terribly disloyal and it is tearing her apart. She has also come to care for Lang's little boy, the first time she's been able to be around a child since her daughter's death. I felt so bad for Heddy. She was afraid to move on because she didn't want to forget Daniel and Tina, but she had also fallen hard for Lang and Carter. I loved seeing the way that she came back to life thanks to being around them. Being with Lang and Carter opened her eyes to the possibility of a future but scared her also. I especially loved the scenes where Heddy was helping Lang with Carter. It was those things that really helped the healing process along. It took some really straight talking from her mom for Heddy to accept that it was possible to honor her family's memories without depriving herself of happiness.
I loved Lang. He hadn't expected to find out that he was the father of a two year old boy. He had great support from his family but tended to leave Carter's care to them. When they finally told him he had to step up and actually become involved himself, he was totally lost. I really loved watching him try to cope with all of Carter's antics. Because he usually had Carter with him, things with Heddy often ended up being more than just business. He was very attracted to her, but felt that he wasn't a good relationship bet because of needing to concentrate on Carter. The more time he spent with her the harder he fell. He was still reluctant to pursue anything permanent because he had been hurt in the past, but his heart had other ideas. I really liked the way that he understood Heddy's feelings about her family and wasn't giving her any problems about it. I also loved the way that he was so intent on helping her with her business and the way he worked so hard to keep it separate from their personal interactions. I also still love his family and how they are always there for each other. I adore his grandmother GiGi and her down to earth was of treating them all. It was great to see that they weren't the obnoxious type of rich people thanks to her training.
This is the 1st book I read by Victoria Pade. I loved ❤ this book's storyline. I loved ❤ Heddy's character. I felt sorry for Heddy. I loved ❤ Lang's character. I loved ❤ Carter, he was adorable. I loved ❤ the ending. Awesome job Ms. Pade, I can't wait to read the other books 📚 in this series.
This book tell the story of Lang who approached Heddy with a business proposition. His dad have previously did bad things to her family which has caused the failure of Heddy’s family business. Lang’s family have only discovered all the things that his father have done over time and is now trying to remedy the damage that was done. Heddy is still grieving for the death of her 3 months baby and husband who have died due to gas leak in the house five years ago. But she doesnt understand the attraction that she felt whenever Lang appeared in front of her. Lang, on the other hand, discovered himself to be a father after a fling with a women and now is trying to adapt himself to taking care of Carter. Being hurt by his ex-fiancee before and recent discovery, to be committed to another relationship seem to be too farfetched.
I like Heddy. As what was written in the book, she is indeed a very strong character and to be able to overcome her depression and make a living (despite her leaving her nursing career which she thought was the cause of the death of her daughter and husband) all over again takes a lot of courage to do. I like Lang too for him being responsible towards his son and doesnt shy away from responsibility. Love reading the scene between him and Carter and I get to see improvements in him handling Carter as the story developed. Overall, this is a sweet read for me with a strong story plot and characters.
I have read several Victoria Pade Harlequin books over the years; and, like her previous titles, this was an easy, quick, cute read. I loved the interactions between Lang and Carter. Carter was a very well-written two-year old. I also thought that Heddy and Lang had great chemistry. I totally understood Heddy’s hesitance about getting into a relationship with Lang. I think anyone would have reservations after losing a spouse and child. I also enjoyed the Camden family and Heddy’s mother and sister. The conversations between family members were very believable. Overall, this was a very good book that made me really want to eat some cheesecake.
*I received my copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
My opinion: I enjoyed this VERY LIGHT read from Harlequin. I knew going in that this was going to be a light and superficial read partnered with a pretty predictable storyline. It was. It was a nice break that I periodically enjoy when reviewing heavier reads.
I enjoyed this book, which doesn't explain why it took me so long to read. I thought the characters were engaging and I really felt Heddy's grief. It was just one of those times when I couldn't get through it as quickly as I should have.