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Stolen Pregnant Bride: A Secret Baby Alpha Billionaire Contemporary Romance

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A secret pregnancy, stolen from the altar by an Italian billionaire romance from USA TODAY bestselling author Annie West.

“You can’t marry her. She’s mine.”
And she’s having his heir!


On Stella White’s wedding day, she’d rather be anywhere else. However, the on-paper union gives the secret she’s carrying much-needed security. Or it would, if Gio Valenti—her father’s enemy and the billionaire whose sizzling touch haunts her—wasn’t stealing her from the altar!

Gio refuses to relinquish the woman he craves. Especially when she’s pregnant with his baby! Still, Stella’s family is responsible for destroying his, so he’s torn between distrusting her and desiring her. Now Gio has nine months to decide once and for all…

From Harlequin  Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.  

205 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 28, 2025

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About the author

Annie West

942 books559 followers
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Hello! I love writing passionate, intense love stories about sexy alpha men and the women who are their perfect match. Look out for my books with Harlequin (Presents) or Mills & Boon (Modern/Sexy) and for my indie stories, full of passion and intense emotion with a touch of glamour. My latest stories are my Hot Italian Nights series including 'Bound to the Italian Boss' June '17, 'The Italian's Bold Reckoning' July '17, 'At the Italian's Bidding' August '17 and 'Falling for the Brooding Italian' September '17.
Yes, I do like a dark, handsome hero!

You can catch up with my news at www.annie-west.com (where you can also sign up for my exclusive reader newsletter with giveaways and behind the scenes info). I'm on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/anniewest.au... and I adore hearing from readers. You can also contact me at annie(at)annie-west(dot)com

I live with my family at beautiful Lake Macquarie on the east Coast of Australia and my favourite things when not writing are good food, good company, great books, getting outside in nature and travel.

Bookwise, I'm a multi USA Today bestselling author with millions of books sold, in English as well as in lots of other languages. I've won the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award and the Romantic Book of the Year (Romance Writers of Australia). One of my favourite review quotes is from Romantic Times which said in its review of The Sheikh's Ransomed Bride 'This is what a love story could be.'.

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5 stars
24 (38%)
4 stars
23 (36%)
3 stars
13 (20%)
2 stars
2 (3%)
1 star
1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Helen.
2,992 reviews73 followers
October 9, 2025
Annie West you melt my heart with your fabulous stories, this one is awesome, I loved Stella and Gio, I loved their journey and my trip to Italy, this one is moving and emotional and a must read, come along and meet them.

Stella White was born in Australia but when she lost her mother at the age of ten she was sent to Italy to live with the father she never knew and her two half- brothers and now a grown woman she asks for something from her father and he gives her an ultimatum. Stella takes a trip to Rome and here her life will change forever when she meets Gio and spends the most fabulous week with him but consequences abound.

Gio Valenti runs a hotel empire and when he discovers the daughter of his family’s enemy is staying under a false name he is not taking any chances but instead gets to know her and then whisks her away to his villa and there the passion ignites for both of them can he get over his trust issues? Then she runs, maybe he was right.

A couple of months later Stella needs to make sure her life and that of her unborn baby are safe and agrees to marry someone of her father’s choosing, but Gio is never far from her mind or heart. Gio has done his best to get Stella out of his mind and that is not easy when he hears that she is marrying and he will anything to stop the wedding he is not going to relinquish Stella especially when he realises that she is pregnant with his child.

I loved this one from start to finish, it is passionate, moving and fabulous, Annie West never fails to bring happy sighs and smiles from this reader with her wonderful stories, characters that are so easy to love, settings that open up a whole new world for me. I do highly recommend this one. Huge congratulations MS West on your 60th book I look forward to many more.

My thanks to the author for my copy to read and review.
Profile Image for Esther .
1,011 reviews195 followers
December 3, 2025
Enjoyed the first half of the book but second half was mediocre for me.
Rating 3.5

~Hero believes heroine is a spy for her father, which is his enemy and rival in business.
~She believes the hero sees and knows her for her true self.
~They begin a romance until she learns the truth, or what she believes to be the truth. He was just using her for her connections.
~The hero believes she ran away because she was caught and realized he knew she was spying on him.
~Months later he interrupts her wedding and wisks her away to "talk".

~And this is the point they begin to be honest, communicate and realize each had misconceptions of each other was false. Oh and the hero finds out she's pregnant with his baby.
~Now they figure out where they go from here.
~They evolve and each realizes they love each other and get their HEA.
~Nice epilogue.
Profile Image for Yureli ✨.
161 reviews16 followers
November 20, 2025
I received this as an Audio arc from NetGalley for review.

This was my first book like this and I enjoyed it. I will definitely check out from this author.
The audio was fine, at times I felt like the narrator sounded more mature than how I pictured the main character. I do prefer dual narration, but it's not a deal-breaker, I will enjoyed listening.

I liked both leads especially during the beginning... their reunion was just meh for me, a little unbelievable. I guess I just wasn't sold on the idea that they had a real connection... but I understand that is common with these quick romances, so I wont knock it for that. I will say that I loved the short epilogue though.

if you like quick romance involving rival families... definitely check this out.
Profile Image for Susan in Perthshire.
2,295 reviews123 followers
October 10, 2025
Another fabulous romance from AW. Strong and emotional characters engaged in a difficult journey to their happy ending. Beautiful settings and full of angst and emotion. What’s not to like.
33 reviews
March 26, 2026
The format of the present-day prologue, a middle backstory, and a present-day tie-up worked perfectly to unwind the complicated dynamics and situations among characters. I appreciated this approach. And it all is evocatively set in Sicily, Rome, the Amalfi coast and Lake Como -- wow.

There are some pops of surprise in the plot: Gio's claim at the altar, the envelope delivery at the Amalfi villa, Stella's return to Sicily and unexpected acquiescence.

The leads are sympathetic. Stella's family situation is so awful, one can't help but want her to have the courage to find a way to strike out on her own. Gio is a gentleman whose solid character is reflected in the workplace he provides for his employees who are satisfied and happily efficient.

All seemed smooth until one rough spot. Gio's actions throughout the novel spoke to the depth of interest and caring he was experiencing for Stella, so it was hard to accept in the final chapters that he is not interested enough to even consider Stella worthy of a commitment.

I enjoyed the story. Stella is the bastard of Sicilian hotelier Alfredo Barbieri, a result of a fling he has while in Australia. When Stella's mother dies, ten-year-old Stella is taken in to the Barbieri household, but never truly accepted or adopted. Yes, she is educated and taught the hotel trade bottom to top from the age of fourteen, but never praised for outstanding successes or even paid a commensurate wage. Even when her administrative, management, and marketing skills are evident, her father and half-brothers make a clear effort to communicate she is not good enough.

At age 25, Stella finally finds the gumption to ask her father to allow her to have a hotel to manage -- hardly an unreasonable request since her half-brothers when her age were given their own hotels outright. Cruelly cunning and manipulative as her father is, he insists he will consider it only if she agrees to an arranged marriage into a family that can benefit his hotel empire. She flees. She needs time to think, and takes her first vacation since her Australian childhood. She goes to stay at a hotel of her father's rival, Giancarlo Valenti -- the one place her family would never look for her.

When she is recognized as a Barbieri, Gio rushes to the hotel to see for himself what his rival is up to. Thus, the masquerade begins between Stella and Gio -- limited to first names. Only Gio considers the stakes high -- Is Stella here as a corporate spy? How can her father dare to try anything after what hellish damage he already inflicted on Gio's family years ago? Meanwhile, Stella only believes that Gio is the attentive stranger he appears to be and that the companionable comfort plus irresistible attraction are the main focus of their time together.

I always appreciate when an author creates characters like these whom I can care about. I also appreciate the vivid secondary characters. And the cinematic scenes were rich: Italia! From the Roman ruins to the boat on stunning Lake Como. And the extraordinary interrupted wedding scene and pursuit to the airfield! All the ingredients are here!
Profile Image for Lucy.
205 reviews
September 23, 2025
There is nothing better on a miserable spring day that to delve into the latest treat, Stolen Pregnant Bride, from the brilliant Annie West.
Let me be clear though, if you’re a sucker for enemies-to-lovers stories (guilty), dramatic wedding-day interruptions, and alpha male billionaires with trust issues, this one’s for you. If not, you might need to buckle up because Gio, the brooding hero, is a lot. Think “man who holds grudges for a living” meets Stella, “the girl he can’t stand but secretly wants to ravish.”
There is so much to like about this story. The chemistry between Stella and Gio gets stronger the more they interact; the romance was wonderful and shows how good the heroine is for the hero; and the ending had me relishing that Stella wasn’t willing to settle for anything less than love and forever after. However, in saying that, I loved how the Gio makes things right with Stella. His words are heartwarming and proved to Stella how much she’s come to mean to him. So, buckle in for some steamy moments followed by some serious family drama and trust issues.
If you’re looking for something you can read in one sitting while indulging your inner romantic drama queen, this is a great pick. Annie West is, and always will be, one of my must-read writers. No matter what she writes, she always knocks it out of the park as Stolen Pregnant Bride spectacularly shows! Ms. West is a class act, and she will go down as one of my all-time favourite romance authors.



Profile Image for delusioanal.
156 reviews5 followers
October 21, 2025
This starts with the mmc breaking into her wedding with another man and announcing that she is pregnant with his baby. Immediately I was sat and ready to listen to this book. And then we get to learn how they met and how she became pregnant in a flashback. I think those parts in the past were my favorite. Getting to hear how they met and how their relationship came to be.

My only complaint was the end of the book and it came to the part where he had to convince us that he wanted to be with her. After explicitly stating he’d never give her love or be a good father. That fell flat to me, felt a bit rushed. We spend so much time with them in the past that when they’re finally in the present so much happens in such little time. The ending was sweet, reading how her siblings escaped her father’s grasp too.

Overall I really enjoyed this audio book. The narrator was great and kept me engaged. Listened to this in one day, one sitting in a few hours. Will def be opened to reading more by this author.

Thanks NetGalley and Harlequin Audiobook.
Profile Image for Becky Stephenson.
39 reviews27 followers
November 23, 2025
After all these years of making fun of Harlequin romances, I figured it was only fair that I actually read one. This book was purchased for me and positioned as a dare, and I happily accepted the challenge. (That title. That cover!) I'm not gonna lie, this was cheesy as hell. But I was pleasantly surprised at the effort that was put in to telling this story, shallow as it was. Gio and Stella were entertaining, as was all the Italian hotel tycoon drama. There's some backstory, some character development, some fun settings, and some intrigue - though everything happens lightning fast and we saw new, unforeseen levels of both insta-love and the miscommunication trope. But who am I kidding?! This is a damn Harlequin romance! It's not fair to judge it by the standards of other more "high-class" fare. I did have a good time and I feel that, for a Harlequin, this might be more of a five-star book. Will I pick up another? Who knows. Maybe I'm reaching That Age?
11 reviews
September 22, 2025
I was given this (ARC)book for an honest review. This is my opinion.


I a pregnancy bombshell, enemies to lovers, and stolen brides. This book has it ALL!!!
Also Happy 60th book release for Annie West, what an accomplishment.
*SPOILERS*




Stella is determined to marry for her unborn child's sake, fortunately shes stolen from the alter by her enemy but also baby daddy. They are business enemies, Gio hates her father, Stella wants to prove she can manage hotels and disguises herself as a guest at one of Gio's luxury hotels, Gio knows who she is but Stella is in the dark, Gio is suspicious and thinks shes a spy. The chemistry is there and they start an affair. Gio then accuses her of being a spy and she leaves pregnant. Gio refuses to let Stella go and there begins their story of love and trust. A beautiful story.
Profile Image for Lynn Brooks.
3,609 reviews45 followers
October 19, 2025
4 1/2 STARS!

High intensity emotion from start to finish! Annie West always delights with her top notch characters and she doesn't disappoint with this surprise baby reunion! Stella is a sweetheart and finds herself torn between multiple notions of what's going to be her journey in life. Gio is a tad ruthless, but only in the kindhearted kind of way unless justly deserved. They have an instant connection, but life leads them astray until he comes for her as she's about to marry another. The characters are well developed and their connection takes them far in learning if they can be together in order to shelter the life they jointly created. I loved them both in different ways and the only thing I wanted more of was seeing them settled, in love and together for longer at the end once all of their differences were ironed out. Really enjoyed them!
Profile Image for Debby *BabyDee*.
1,504 reviews80 followers
November 19, 2025
This was another Harlequin listen that was packed with drama from beginning to end. Loved the conflict in “Stolen Pregnant Bride”. Gio and Stella’s father are sworn enemies, but it does not stop the main male character disrupting a partnership wedding and running off with the bride…who of all things is pregnant with his child…trouble is inevitable. I thought this was a very light-hearted read and I enjoyed the main characters, Stella and Gio and all the banter. A trope of friends to lovers, enemies to lovers and romantic lovers in a HEA. Christy Woods did a good job at performing the narrative.

I voluntarily listened and reviewed an eARC of this book via NetGalley and thank Harlequin Audio for granting this opportunity. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Publishing: October 28, 2025
Audiobook: 7hrs 21mins
Profile Image for Pooj.
1,065 reviews6 followers
October 2, 2025
Stolen Pregnant Bride brings us to Stella, our female main character, on the day of her arranged wedding to a guy she does not like. Suddenly, her father's enemy, the billionaire Gio Valenti, steals her from the altar. We get a snapshot into their sizzling romance months earlier that led to her being pregnant with his baby.

This was such a cute friends to lovers to enemies to lovers romance. I liked how we got the scene of him stealing her from the altar first and then a flashback to their introduction and romance. It definitely set the stage for why there's so much conflict between them afterwards. 3.75/5 stars.

This is a review of the audiobook. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ALC. All opinions expressed are my own.
123 reviews5 followers
January 11, 2026
Love Annie West for consistently delivering wonderfully written love stories. The only thing that that I did not like was this vagueness around heroine sexual history. Specifically when they first have sex, if the hero was well endowed? Then the virgin heroine should have felt some physical discomfort? Heroine was not a gymnast and did not do horseback riding 🤔. I know that authors get a lot of backlash for virgin heroine, but I prefer clarity when it comes to heroine sexual relationships. Regardless A.West Still delivers the most amazing love story with beautiful epilogue. Definitely this one will be in my collection. Thank you.
Profile Image for Vivien R.
2,422 reviews28 followers
January 4, 2026
This story's narrator is Christy Woods. This is a feuding families, pregnant stolen bride, broody billionaire type of story. Gio knows that Stella is pregnant with his baby and heir. He is her father's enemy which causes a lot of drama and turmoil. But he is not about to let the woman he wants, who is also carrying his child, marry another man. I enjoyed the narrator's voice and thought she did a great job with the characters and their story. Overall a good audio.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
6 reviews2 followers
October 7, 2025
Such a great book enjoyed it the whole way through and a quick read for me only a couple of days. Annie West books are always great for a bit of romance and surprise. What else do you need an interesting couple and romantic setting you get both with this book. Really enjoyed this book and all readers will enjoy.
Profile Image for Meli reads.
115 reviews
October 18, 2025
ALC Review for NetGalley and Harlequin Audio

I love these fast pace drama audiobooks. Fun, you cant have her its me that is going to get her protective mmc. Ate this book up in a day.

Pub Date Oct 28 2025
Harlequin Audio
Stolen Pregnant Bride
by Annie West
Narrated by Christy Woods ( She did a Fantastic Job )

Thanks NetGalley and Harlequin Audiobook.
Profile Image for Malvina.
1,998 reviews9 followers
August 28, 2025
Congratulations to Annie West for her 60th book for Harlequin/Mills & Boon. What a fabulous milestone. This is another book with a hero and heroine facing their deep emotional wounds. A gripping journey.
Profile Image for Ellie.
428 reviews7 followers
October 27, 2025
This book starts and ends with drama. You will be pulled into this story and the emotions that are threaded throughout are going to keep you on the edge. Annie you are amazing ,don't know how you do it!
Profile Image for Adri (books.with.adri).
245 reviews13 followers
November 13, 2025
Adorable. I loved the connection between Stella and Gio. This was a fast pace drama audiobook, the narrator did an amazing job with this book.
Profile Image for T.G. Partain.
Author 2 books2 followers
May 21, 2026
This was such a fun book. Loads of angst, sex, and love. It was great!
152 reviews2 followers
October 12, 2025
Stolen Pregnant Bride by Annie West is her 60th book and it's a great one.Stella White and Gio Valenti have a fling and she ends up pregnant. Gio shows up at her wedding to another man and kidnaps her. They are in love they just won't admit it. This book is so good. Annie West always writes a great book. Congratulations on 60 books Annie West. I give this book 5 stars. Thank you Annie for sending me this book to review.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews