Christmas with the Baby Daddy

by Ariana Cooper

One night of comfort turned into four years of secrets.
Now he's back, and I'm out of excuses.

Small town caterer with big dreams.
Single mom hiding the truth.
Until my son's father walks back into town.

He's my late brother's best friend.
Military hero turned handyman.
Devastatingly handsome with those dimples.
And he has no idea he has a mini-me.

Casual help becomes heated nights.
Sweet moments turn to scorching encounters.
Now his touches are melting my resolve.

This Christmas, my secret is unwrapping itself.
He thinks we're just having fun.
I'm about to tell him he's a daddy.

Dear I might need a miracle this year.


Author's A steamy holiday romance featuring brother's best friend , secret baby , single mom , and second chance tropes. Contains a protective ex-military hero and enough heat to melt the December snow.

Genres: Christmas

244 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 27, 2024

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great addition to the Midnight Holiday Affairs Series when Zach returns to his small town after recovering from an injury and released from the only job he’s know, serving in the military. The last time he was home he buried his best friend and spent the night with his younger sister, Blake which was one unforgettable night. Blake has had a childhood crush on Zack so when she ends up pregnant with her one night with Zach her life becomes harder as a single parent with no family to help but loves George with everything she is. Blake is shocked to see Zach return and surprised at his need to be there for her and George. Their situation becomes one special relationship with a secret that Blake is afraid to share. When those who are out to intervene in their lives they cause one bad situation after another and Zach stands up for Blake at all cost. Once a bully always one and standing up to them will always come with a cost. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pat Stanton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zach and Blake's Story

This is a nice story about a discharged army Sargent and the sister of his late best friend who is 12 years his junior and the mother of his son, although he doesn't know it.
Zachary West always wanted to follow his father with a full career in the military. After 20 years, he was medically discharged after a training accident. He returned home but is deeply depressed with no purpose in his future.
Blake Myer had a ONS with Zach but never told him that she was pregnant as he never indicated that he wanted to do anything but serve internationally.
The back and forth of Blake telling Zach about his son gets tedious.
It is different to read a story about normal people who struggle with paying past medical bills. It is refreshing that the hero isn't a secret billionaire but just a guy on a military pension who is willing to be a elementary school janitor.

[Manda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blake has had a crush on her brother's best friend, Zach for ever. Their one night stand after her brother's funeral had far reaching repurcussions. Zach left immediately afterwards and she told no one that he was her son's father.

Now back in town, having been medically discharged, Zach is struggling to find purpose. The one thing he finds peace in is the one thing he should stay away from. Blake. Easier said than done.

A sweet, passion filled second chance romance. Blake is a strong but overwhelmed by responsibility single mother. Whilst Zach is a muscled, gentle giant working at finding his new place in the world and making a life with the woman and child he realises that he has always loved. Thoroughly enjoyable and I would absolutely recommend this book and author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[L KQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Returning to Happiness

Blake has always had a crush on her brother’s best friend Zach but their encounter after burying her only family results in a son he doesn’t know about. His return years later is prompted by an injury and change of scenery that has them connecting on a deeper level. This story was emotionally devastating and exciting while simultaneously dealing with some difficult situations. It was great how they came together to heal and get through the obstacles trying to prevent their path toward happiness. These two had intense chemistry that could not be denied and added to an already enjoyable read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Linda Fairburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zach was away from home for six years, serving his country and came home injured and had to find what to do now he had been discharged.
What he didn't know that six years ago when he came home for the funeral for his best friend and Blake's brother, he left her pregnant.
Zach never forgot Blake and now he was back he wanted to get to know her again.
He then found out she had a son, George a really loveable boy and a credit to Blake he still wanted her.
George was bullied at school by Brent, who thought he was better than George he made trouble for him all the time.
I really enjoyed this book its so easy to loose yourself into the story.

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zack and Blake’s story has him being her bro’s bf, and her childhood crush. When him and her bro go away to the military years later Zack comes home for his bf/her bro funeral. These two had a one nighter. He leaves and she is left with a gift, her son George. Now he’s back after a career ending injury, trying to find his way. She works with his grandma’s catering business. He sticks up for her and her son and tries to make things easier for her. But with the drama, bullying, suspense and chemistry will it end in a hea.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[QueenMum1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like it.
Blake lives in a small town, she is a single mom and works as a caterer.
Zach was active military, he was injured and forced into retirement. He has returned to his hometown at least for a little while.
Tropes:
Small town, age-gap, one night stand, brother's best friend, brother died in combat, secret baby, military, holiday, Christmas, single mom, second chance, protective hero, surprise pregnancy, HEA romance.

A huge thank you to Ariana Cooper and Booksprout for providing me with an eARC book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This romance read is BREATH-TAKING HOT and full of romance that is going to wreck your entire world while reading it. The characters Blake and Zach are so SPICY, SEXY (just look at the cover) and ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY DELICIOUS that you will have this romance read devoured like a cheesecake in no time at all. Just read this book to see for yourself how HOT and SIMPLY put an OUTSTANDING must read by Ariana.

[Linda Lavoie · Rating 5 out of 5]

À second chance romance, Blake is filled with sadness’s from her brother death and Zach who is his brother best friend coming back to find the small town hasn’t change much, with lots of bullies, everybody is in your business. The wonderful Christmas holiday appears and work its magic, I definitely recommend this amazing romance book for everyone to read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

George's Daddy

3.5 Stars - A really sweet Christmas story indeed. Here we have a military soldier returning home because of injury. He sees the woman he ghosted after sleeping with her after his best friends' funeral, who happened to be her brother. Now she was a mother to a little boy. A little boy who is being bullied at school! She never thought Zach would return, but now he has and how will she tell him the truth?

[Julie Juhl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas with the Baby Daddy by Ariana Cooper was a great Christmas romance. This is one of those books that pulls you in because the plot is unique. My heart went out to their son George because he was being bullied. Ariana Cooper delivered another winner!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sheron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas with the baby Daddy

Lovely holiday story with a nice family feel. Blake (unusual name for a woman) and Zach were both meant to be. Pity Blake did not realize Zach would have come back if he had known about George. Would have liked a bonus scene into the future to find out about the new baby💕

[Narelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blake and Zach spent a steamy night together on the night of her brother's (also his best friend's) funeral. Fast forward and Zach has returned home. A steamy second chance romance with a secret child/single mum dynamic. Loved it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Diana Lepine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sweet story made my day. It was well written and the plot was plausible. The main characters were likable, normal people. Reagan, the despicable ex-girlfriend was a witch from hell.
I really enjoyed the intimate scenes and that Zach was not an “alpha billionaire”! 4.5 stars!
The bookcover was 🔥!

[Kerri Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a real page turner. Blake has been in love with her childhood crush, Zack since they were children. But he was her brother’s best friend. They had a night stand and she became pregnant. He is back and the chemistry is still there. A 5 star book!!

[Carol A Stadel · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great Christmas gift

I loved all the characters as they came alive throughout the book. George had the best Christmas as it is all about family. And the bully didn’t get to ruin it. It was really easy to dislike that family

[Lori Hammons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zach reluctantly returns home after a military medical discharge. His life plan is ended early, and he's on the verge of depression. Blake is in protection mode, but things slowly start changing between them. I thoroughly enjoyed this angsty, loving story.

[Karina Andrea ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cortito, bueno, atrapante y con spicy. Que mejor para terminar un año, sobre todo después de abandonar como diez libros porque ninguno me convencía.
Los tropes están que te llaman, la historia está buena, Zach también está bueno, avanza rápido y no se siente forzado nada.

[Carol Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas with the baby daddy

Greet holiday read. I recommend any book bt Ariana Cooper 💜. I have really enjoyed this Christmas series. Won't ne disappointed.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Midnight Holiday Affairs

I have enjoyed reading all the stories in this series.
The Christmas setting, all cull of love, all getting their Happy Ever After!!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

I really loved this book because it had all the features I love. A surprise kid. A lot of suspense and a perfect ending!

[Deirdre Lohrmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this read. However, I feel like there could have been more written. But it was still a feel good read.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely and Sweet Book

I enjoyed this book. It was nicely paced and provided a well rounded story that was a unique version of a Christmas love story.

[Elizabeth younger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS BOOK. The beginning was off to a rocky start, but once I was reading more and learning the characters I fell in love with everyone!

[Cristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blake & Zack

[Miss Rachael Calver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my heart ...

Oh my heart, this was a great read & loved the storyline. Another enjoyable book from Ariana. Definitely one I'll be reading more from