The Doctor's Surprise Family

by Layla Valentine

They were medical students with their whole futures ahead of them,
A fatal misunderstanding drove them apart,
But he’s back in town, and he’s got a big, big surprise waiting for him…

HER

I had my whole life planned out,
I was going to be a doctor, there was no backup plan.
I never even meant to ask Blake out,
But one thing led to another, and we fell in love.
I let myself fall too hard, and he broke my heart,
It was only later that I found out I was pregnant,
Four years on, and my life plan has had to change a lot,
Now Blake’s back, and I don’t know if either of us can bridge the distance…

HIM

I’m a trauma surgeon, I deal with life or death every day,
But finding out I have a three-year-old son I didn’t even know about?
Yeah, that just about broke me.
I’ve missed so much, so many milestones,
And his mom can barely even look at me.
I’ll do whatever it takes to earn my place back in their lives,
But is there any chance we can repair what we started?

Genres: Romance, Found Family

Kindle Edition

Published January 16, 2025

Reviews

[Korkoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home is Where His Heart is -
It was love at first sight between Claire and Blake, but circumstances changed their relationship when their lives set them on different paths. However, fate brought Claire and Blake back into each other’s life years later, where he discovered she had kept a life changing secret from him. Even though Blake was happy with the addition to his life, his insecurities from his childhood caused him to doubt his suitably for being in a relationship or part of a family.

Unfortunately, Blake’s hesitation about what he wanted his future to look like, nearly cost him a second chance at happiness with Claire, but a discussion with his friend have him the push he needed to fight for the family he had been craving all his life. This was an interesting, heart breaking story, that will have your emotions flying all over the place. The characters journey to overcome their past and risk taking a chance on love is emotional, but you won’t be able to help falling in love with the precious little boy. You won’t be disappointed if you take a chance on reading this book.

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

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Communication Issues.

This was an OK story for me. I liked the whole idea of Claire and Blake connecting so well in college, experiencing conflict and then per chance reconnecting years later. I think what bothered me the most was how Claire was portrayed- A type personality medical resident clearly lacking in communication skills and jumping to conclusions whenever it suits her. There also was so much great backstory about Blake also that could have been added to the story but never was. I did like how the central focus was family and strong personal connections to Oli. Adult Relationships combining children and work takes time, effort and a lot of honest heartfelt communication. I think this pair got there in the end, but there was a lot of failures and avoidable heartache throughout the story.

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

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Blake can remember since his parents passing, is that fighting doesn’t work out for him, and love is not true and lasting. But for him to keep the one thing he has always desired, a family he has to fight for it.

Claire had her life figured out, and when she met Blake, she had never been happier. So when Blake is matched with a hospital out of the US, she is hurt that he lied to her and when she discovers he left her with a reminder she tries to reach out to no avail.

Love has a way of bringing people back to each other, whether it’s fate or inner desire, and as Claire and Blake rekindle something will it grow or will fear push them apart.

A very well written story with characters you can relate to, and feel for.

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

[Knight Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poignant read of a young doctor, Blake that grew up foster care being moved every time there was the least bit of conflict, so he never learned how to develop a proper relationship. He met Claire in their last year of medical school, and she seemed to come from the perfect all American family. This story showed how important friends and family are to any relationship in supporting it as demonstrated by Claire's mother and Blake's bestfriend, Sam in the advice they gave each of them. An eye opening enjoyable read.

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

[Jackie Human · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really lovely story

Another really great story from Layla.
I loved the 2 main characters. Blake had had a really tough upbringing which left him emotionally damaged. Claire fell for Blake and they got together. Unfortunately misunderstanding parted them. It was one of those stories that you just wanted them to talk to one another, but that was the troop for this story and it worked really well. The story charts their reconnection. Blake learns he has a son, you can feel how emotional he was to have missed his first 3 years. But as ever with Layla there is the sweetest HEA.
I thoroughly recommend this book and I am eager for the next one ❤️

[CM · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 40%. There is no investment as a reader for their relationship. They get together—time jump—they breakup. The FMC is a bit unreasonable she doesn’t even listen to him try to explain why he kept a secret. Then when he comes back into her life, the first day back and he sees the kid at a random chance in the park. To me the author is just listing the events that happen and not telling a story. The FMC is kinda mean to him when he returns. The story doesn’t bring the reader in abd capture interest.

[Jackie McGeachie · Rating 2 out of 5]

one of these stars is for me

I give two stars but one is for me, for actually finishing the book. It really was just boring. The characters had no personality and it really became about the kid, who is the smartest three year old EVER!
I really struggled to finish it. Claire was just annoying and so were her friends…..how are you not telling your friend he has a child and then angry at him for not being around?! They were all immature and I found myself scowling while reading.

Quite surprised though because I’ve read some of this authors books before and enjoyed them.

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire and Blake’s story has them meeting and getting together in their last year of med school. But when there is a misunderstanding they part ways but she is left with a little something. She tries to contact him but to no avail. Years later, they meet again and he discovers he has a son. They eventually become a family.

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

[lf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learning what is family

The Doctor's Surprise Family was a fast and entertaining book. It is a secret pregnancy, second chance romance between Claire and Blake. The emotions well up along the way that had me using more than a couple tissues. But it was so worth it as you read how these two come together, split apart and then come back...with the work that is required to trust and love again. I loved this story and would definitely RECOMMEND it to other readers.

[Book Addict · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Chance love story of a male character with significant Adverse childhood experiences and a FMC that has to roll with it. The backstory and thought to build this character was clear. The HEA was he best part of such a roller coaster experience for him.

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

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Claire and Blake met in med school but miss communication separated them . I loved this story because of everything they go through together and apart. Beautiful

[lelia g. johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

LGJ

Love does conquer all and separation does make the heart grow fonder; but the icing on the cake is learning you have a 3 year old son you knew nothing about

Children all you to put things into perspective and learn what’s most important in life— family first.

[Gaynor Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Healed hearts

There are a lot of things to like about the main characters and a couple of things I didn't like. But overall, it is a good story of second chances, lost love, and a found son.

[Sheron · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Doctors surprise family

Wow I loved this book an easy read and some drama. Blake did have issues losing his family and being passed around foster homes. Glad he bonded with Oli the son he found out about. A nice feel good story

[Susan Reinitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book

I read all of the books by Layla Valentine and they just get better and better. I recommend this book very highly

[Rose Helg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Book

This was another Good Book. Love the ending. This book was entertaining, unpredictable, songs mom, dad diet know he had a child, loveable, and so on.

[Ti · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the h to be kind of bitchy - she kept jumping to conclusions! I mean I get that bad shit happened but like it gets over the top and annoying.

[Lindsay Ord · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely

Nice book! A little boring with no smut! Enjoyed it but prefer a bit more action, suspense & steamy scenes. A few spelling errors reported too!

[Sue Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK second chance romance.

[Bella Marley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.4

[Jin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire planned her future and it all derailed after having a thanksgiving dinner with Blake. She and Blake were classmates and she invited him to her family's Thanksgiving dinner. That night sparked their chemistry and they were planning their future together until he decided to start his residency in Germany without letting her know. Claire knew brake up was inevitable so she blocks him and they were apart until she finds out she is pregnant.
Claire is busy starting her residency and taking care of a boy. Then Blake shows up out of nowhere. Now they will have to figure out if he would be part of her son's life. He always wanted a family and this is perfect chance to start one except his life is in Germany. They will have to communicate but it won't be easy. They must figure out if they really want a complete family.
I just wish Blake would grovel more and they would open up more. I did enjoy this book and this was different from similar trope book.

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

[Rhi’s Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a communication issues trope, this book was a pleasant surprise! It wasn’t the cringey we refuse to talk, it was bad timing mixed with assumptions, not talking trope. The characters had a polarising but magnetic connection. One you could lift off the page and step into as easily they did. It was nice to read about how the familiarity of each other was not strained for longer than necessary. The story of the FMC & MMC felt productive, and well paced, heading in a clear direction after the bombshells.

I would have liked the parents to encourage manners 🤭 I have to say! #sorry I’m a teacher, I can’t help it!

Overall, great book for a weekend read! I always get surprised when kindle unlimited delivers such a banger with a cover like this! I don’t know why covers like these make me skip, I’m glad I didn’t on this one ☺️