Faking It with a Fortune

The Fortunes of Texas: Secrets of Fortune's Gold Ranch #1

by Michelle Major

A baby on her doorstep
Might also reunite her with the man who got away

When a baby is left on Poppy Fortune's parents’ doorstep, the newly minted foster mom is determined to lavish infant Joey with love—all on her own. She’s stunned when her former flame Leonardo Leonetti leaps in to help her. Leo’s consumed with running his family’s vineyard…and now he’s got something to prove to his ailing grandfather. Love? Family? Not for Leo. But that’s before he falls hard for infant Joey—and again for Poppy. But will Leo’s shuttered heart block this second chance at a forever future?

Genres: Romance

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 21, 2025

About the author

USA Today and Top 5 Amazon Bestselling author Michelle Major writes swoon-worthy stories full of heart, heat, and guaranteed happily-ever-afters. When she’s not dreaming up romance, you’ll find her hiking the trails (or avoiding housework) in her home state of Colorado.

Connect with her at www.michellemajor.com or come say hi on Instagram and Facebook.

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poppy is part of the rich and powerful Fortune family. She has been unlucky in love and isn't interested in trying again. Instead she has spent her time becoming qualified to be a foster parent. On the day she receives her foster parent certificate, a baby is left on her parent's front porch with a note that he is part of the Fortune family. They have no idea who in the family could be his father. Poppy doesn't care about his paternity, she just wants to become his foster mother. When she is approved, she is initially overwhelmed with the amount of work involved with having a baby in the house. An old flame, Leo offers to help with the baby. He wants to convince his ailing grandfather that he realizes that there is more to life than the family vineyard and that he is ready to find love. The problem is that he has always been commitment - phobic and it looks like the same thing will happen again despite all the time that he and Poppy spend together. Is there a chance that this time will be different and he can find his happily ever after with Poppy and baby Joey?

This was a great beginning to a new series. The book ends with a major cliff hanger so I can't wait for book 2.

[Lynn Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Major has me hooked and ready for more! The kick off to the newest Fortunes of Texas continuity series was filled with strife and drama and I can't wait to see how it all plays out! Secrets of Fortune's Gold Ranch is centering on the paternity of the baby left on the Fortune's doorstep and which branch of the family is going to find themselves up in arms with scandal. I really enjoyed Poppy and Leo and loved their warmth as they settled in to caring for baby Joey. There's a bit of awkwardness that quickly passes between these two as their past bubbles up, but the warmth and love they showed to the baby and the addition of his grandpa in the mix was heartwarming. There were a couple of occasions where timeline/editing discrepancies were distracting and had me flipping back to see if I misread but overall I really enjoyed their story and happily ever after. Intriguing characters, heartwarming family moments and lots of mystery to keep you interested.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a found baby story and who enjoys a continuity where several things are happening over the time and with different authors picking up the story and running with it towards the resolution and tie up at the end of the series.

[Julie Ditton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michelle Major has written a great second chance romance. It has all the best tropes: baby on the doorstep, and romance among the baby bottles. Plus lots of secrets and miscommunication.
When a baby gets left on her parent's doorstep Poppy Fortune is determined to take care of him. The newly minted foster mom takes him in while the family tries to determine if one of them is the father as the note claims. When Leonardo Leonetti promises to help her, she is stunned. She has never gotten over the commitment phobic ex-boyfriend. He claims that they are just friends, but is that what either of them really want? The fortunes of Texas is an ongoing series that has been publishing new volumes for years. But the series is written in story arcs and Faking it with a Fortune is a first in this series. No back history is needed and the book stood on its own. I have an advanced copy of book three, so I wanted to read books one and two. I loved this first one and I can't wait to dive into the others.

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poppy Fortune has always been aware she is very fortunate to have the support of her family. While love has been elusive, she longs to give her all to children in need. She becomes a foster parent. While visiting her parents, there is a knock on the door. Poppy opens it to find a baby with a note saying he is a Fortune. Poppy decides to foster little Joey until his relationship with her family can be sorted out. Leo comes from a long line of wine makers and take his role at CEO very seriously and have vowed to never fall in love. He feels he can't give enough attention to the business and to a relationship, so he excels at business. Along comes Poppy with little Joey and he finds himself volunteering to help her with his care until they find his parents. What he didn't anticipate was falling for both of them. Read this story to find out if he has what it takes to get what he wants.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this second chance romance between Poppy Fortune and Leo Leonetti. They dated years ago but at that time Leo hadn't wanted a long term commitment. Now years later, a baby is left on the Fortune's doorstep. Poppy is eager to foster her first child, and Leo knows that helping Poppy care for the abandoned baby will impress his grandfather. When Poppy and Leo spend a lot of time together, will things change between them? I liked Poppy and her caring nature for children and pets. I also liked the Fortune and Leonetti families. Although this couple got their hard earned happily ever after, I was disappointed that there were issues in the story that weren't resolved by the end of the book.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A baby on the doorstep, a winemaker, and a second chance romance? Yes, please! The Fortune's saga continues with this twisty installment, featuring Poppy, Leo, and sweet baby Joey. Poppy has the biggest heart but has given up on love, so what better way to provide an outlet for that love than becoming a foster parent? Leo and Poppy have a past, and when he needs a way to prove to his grandfather that he knows there is more to life than work, he dives into helping take care of Joey. This story is full of laughter, witty banter, heartbreak, and a wonderfully satisfying happy ever after. Loved it!

[Margaret Yelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Faking It with a Fortune is book 1 in a new series, by Michelle Major. Poppy has just been approved as a new foster parent, when a baby is left on her parents doorstep. Only thing they know is his name is Joey, and he is supposed to be the baby of one of the male Fortune's. Which one is anyone guess. Leo is a former boyfriend that has never been ready for any type of a committed relationship. He comes up with the idea to help Poppy with Joey, and what follows is an entertaining read. Who couldn't fall in love with an innocent little baby. I would definitely recommend this book to others. I received an ARC from the author, and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great start to a new series. Newly foster mom, Poppy finds an infant on her parents doorstep, with a note that says the father is a Fortune. She is all set to be the perfect stand in mom for little Joey, when she runs into old flame, Leo who has offered to help Poppy with Joey. Leo is doing it to appease his grandfather, and has no interest in forever love. A friends with benefits is perfect for Leo but is it enough for Poppy?

I had a hard time putting this book down. Loved the characters, even Leo. Both Poppy and Leo fell hard for baby Joey. There are some unanswered questions left. looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Major kicks off this continuity series with a heartfelt story of love and duty and how sometimes those can be the same thing. The addition of baby Joey definitely launches the relationship into the deep end of the pool, but the relationships shine through. A must read for anyone who needs a happy smile for the cold months.
4.5 stars

[Dyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book might say Faking It in the title but nothing in this story felt fake. This is a true feel good story with a twist thrown in for good measure. I loved the character development, especially when a character is so well written that I hate her so wholly!

Definitely a great read and I’m excited to see where this series goes.

[Harlequin Books]

The Fortunes of Texas: Secrets of Fortune's Gold Ranch (Book #1)

[Annette Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book! Love the new Fortune series!

[Phillip W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Read

I enjoyed the book. A new author for me. Interesting storyline. Nice character development and pace. I think I will enjoy the series.