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Unexpected Heroes #1

Her Unexpected Hero

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Would you recognize true love if it sat down next to you? In this unforgettable new spinoff of the Billionaire books from New York Times bestselling indie author Melody Anne, two strangers must look past their painful memories to make way for everlasting love.

Alyssa's modeling career came to an abrupt end when her manager boyfriend emptied her bank account and ruined her professional reputation. Now she's heading to a new town in Montana to rebuild her life—if she can even get there (stupid delayed planes!). But things are looking up when she's upgraded to first class and a mysterious stranger sits down next to her…

Jackson Whitman doesn't believe in love, or commitment, or forever—not since he lost his wife and daughter. But the beautiful woman sitting next to him at the gate has him rethinking that position. Can he convince her to be his for the night? Or will she convince him to be hers for a lifetime?

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 24, 2015

358 people are currently reading
2236 people want to read

About the author

Melody Anne

143 books5,040 followers
Nobody likes sexy men, sassy heroines, and emotionally charged books, right? WRONG! We all want to feel extraordinary when we read, and that's exactly what you'll get when you pick up a Melody Anne book. She has the feel-good stories of a damsel in distress with prince charming riding in to save the day . . . and she also has emotionally charged books that take you through a journey of emotion as you try to figure out if you love or hate the characters as they find themselves. What you get at the end of every Melody Anne book is a resolution that has you begging for more.

Melody Anne is a NYT best selling author of more than 70 books about strong women, strong families, and sexy strong men. Each series has its own theme, and each is different. Melody touches subjects others might not want to touch and you won't get away from reading one of her series without laughing, crying, and thinking about the journey you've just gone on even months later.

See her website and subscribe to her newsletter or text messaging service at: www.melodyanne.com. She makes it a point to respond to her fans. You can also join her on facebook at: www.facebook.com/authormelodyanne, or on Instagram and TikTok @authormelodyanne. Also, follow her blog at authormelodyanne.blogspot.com. Come say hello and peek beneath the covers of her books to go to a whole new world.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
Profile Image for Madison Warner Fairbanks.
3,396 reviews495 followers
June 10, 2023
Her Unexpected Hero by Melody Anne
Contemporary romance.
Alyssa’s last relationship left her broke and unwilling to try again anytime soon. She is unexpectedly upgraded on a flight and meets a charming man that wants to sweep her off her feet. For one night only. Live a little and passion can be an unforgettable memory.
Jackson Whitman is unable to forget Alyssa and he finds himself asking her for another chance.

Alyssa and Jackson circle around each other and learn more about each other and themselves. She’s almost bitter in her hurt. He’s unwilling to make any commitments and has no clue what he actually wants. Lies, angst, and a lack of trust make this couple’s journey to the hea, bumpy and traumatic.
Growth from both make this a winner
Profile Image for mad4rombks.
658 reviews
February 24, 2015
I’m a picky reader. At times, I’m a very picky reader. Unfortunately, I think this book made my nit-pickiness come to life with a bang and I was not expecting that at all. At. All. This is going to be a huge rambling review. I'm sorry for that. I just couldn't cut it down without taking important parts out...at least, important as I thought they were.

Jackson and Alyssa meet on a flight from Paris to New York on New Year’s Eve. Alyssa is headed home after her former boyfriend/manager ripped her off and left her with nothing to her name. Jackson is on his way home after doing some business in Paris. After several delays, where they end up having a conversation while waiting to board their plane, Jackson has the flight attendant upgrade Alyssa’s ticket to be able to sit next to him in First Class because hey, long flight, why not spend it trying to get her into bed? So there they are, chatting and having dinner on the plane and then their seats convert to beds and they’re alone in this little cocoon where they get all touchy-feely. No full on sexytimes but lots of petting and kissing, etc. Following morning, she gets up out of her seat to go to the bathroom, comes back and “trips” on the hero who was still sleeping in his seat/bed. Hero wakes up, pulls her closer, and starts kissing her. First: morning breath. No. Just No. Second: This plane must have been amazing because not only did they not ever get interrupted by flight attendants, they were never bothered with other passengers, also in First Class.

Anyhoodle, he ends up asking her to spend the night with him once they get to New York. Her flight leaves the following morning so she agrees. They have a one-night stand. She sneaks out the following morning while he’s still sleeping and the next time they see each other is in May. In her hometown. Five months later. His father bought the bar the heroine works at as a gift to Jackson to bring him home. His father and his meddling friends have decided that Alyssa is perfect for Jackson and all they need is to meet and the sparks will just appear between them. Imagine their surprise when Jackson pops up while she’s serving his family in the bar and they see each other. (This happens about 30% into the story.) Alyssa wants no part of him. (We find out at 32% that she’s pregnant but no one knows.) He, on the other hand, does not agree. He wants her and doesn’t see why they shouldn’t be together, although he doesn’t want anything permanent, just sex because he’s been hurt before and he doesn’t believe in love anymore but he still has needs.

Two weeks go by where he keeps trying to get close, he’s at the bar every single day and Alyssa keeps rejecting him. Then comes the day that she’s attacked by a drunk customer and as the paramedics are checking her over, she whispers to them “Please make sure my baby is okay.” (This is at 43% in the story) Jackson overhears since he’s there beside her. He tells her they have some “serious talking to do.”

At 48% into the story, he confronts her while she’s on bed rest to ask why she never told him she was pregnant. Where is the father? Is he still in the picture? Yada yada yada, blah blah blah. He doesn’t even think it’s him since they used protection and she’s “too afraid” to tell him that he’s the father. But. Get this. Jackson still wants her. He doesn’t care that she’s pregnant with another man’s child. He wants her. Wants to take care of her. Treat her like a queen. She’ll never have to worry about expenses, etc. Alyssa declines his offers. She still hasn’t told him he’s the father but he still comes by every single day while she’s on bed rest with gifts and to check up on her.

At 60% he asks her when is she going to stop fighting him. She replies with “Never.” This is after the gifts, the conversations, the days he’s spent visiting her to make sure she and the baby are okay. It’s now been a little over a week since she’s been placed on bed rest and she’s finally able to go back to work. That same evening, her parents’ house catches on fire and while there was some damage, they couldn’t live it in while they did the repairs so the parents lived with their next door neighbor while Jackson took Alyssa to his house since he had “a few extra bedrooms.” Alyssa’s leery about being so close to him but agrees to stay one night. One night ends up being several days. During this time nothing happens between them, although Jackson lets her know he’s up for anything, whenever she’s ready.

At 72%, they’re at a family event and she sees him playing with the younger children. He tells her he loves kids. You would think this is the perfect time for her to tell him “Hey, guess what? You’re my baby daddy!” and yet, nothing. She keeps quiet. Again. At 73% she thinks to herself that she needs to “marshal her courage” to finally tell him once they get back to his house. Once there, they end up having sexytimes so she decides to “tell him tomorrow.”

Of course.

Two days go by and they’re so busy with the sexytimes that she still hasn’t told him he’s the father. There was a scene where he took her to his favorite spot and told her that he’s never taken anyone there besides family members. You would think that’s the perfect time to bring up the baby. Nope. Again she kept quiet. Then a week passed and still she didn’t tell him.

We are now 81% into the story and her excuses just keep piling up. She finally decides to tell him after her shift at work but then his brother tells her that Jackson had to go to Alaska for an emergency business meeting. She heads home and ends up getting into a car accident when she swerves away from a deer that appeared in the road. Jackson’s brother had followed her to make sure she made it home and saw the accident happen. She’s taken to the hospital, where they end up delivering her baby. While she’s in surgery, Jackson makes it back to town because his brother had called him to tell him about the accident. Private jet, yo. Anyway, baby girl is born three months early. She’s two pounds three ounces. Heart isn’t fully developed and she needs emergency surgery but she’s a fighter like her mom.

At 85% Jackson tells Alyssa that she has a baby girl. Alyssa is worried that strangers are with the baby instead of family so Jackson offers to go stay with the baby. No mention that he’s the father.

Two weeks pass and Alyssa is finally released from the hospital. She immediately goes to see her baby girl and finally names her. She names her Angel and Jackson is there too. We are now 87% into the book when she finally looks at him and realizes he’s been there every single day for their daughter and he’s been the first person, besides the medical help, to hold the baby. So she tells him. She finally tells him that Angel is his daughter. She tells him the reason she didn’t tell him before was because she was sure they wouldn’t see each other again. That he didn’t want kids. That she was afraid he’d take her child from her. That she didn’t know how to tell him after waiting so long. That she would lose him. Excuse after excuse was given.

Of course this is a romance book so all is HEA but the excuses got old real fast for me. Not only that but…I felt she should have told him much sooner than she did, no matter how she thought he’d react to the news because he was the father. On the flip side, he was pretty clueless too. I just don’t know. There was just so many “are you kidding me?” moments in this. If she had spent less time rejecting him. If he had just opened his eyes. If they had just talked to each other, really talked to each other. This whole secret baby thing may have worked for me, but this story left me feeling more aggravated than entertained. The only selling point for me to continue with this series were Jackson’s father and his meddling group of matchmaking friends. I’d read another one just to see the shenanigans they come up with next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Claire.
2,324 reviews738 followers
February 20, 2015
4 - "I'm game if you are." Stars!

Melody Anne is fast becoming one of my favorite go-to romance authors, Her Unexpected Hero is the first full length book in the Unexpected Heroes Series, and it was an absolute winner.

”I’ve had better, Jackson Whitman.”

We are introduced albeit briefly to the Whitman brothers in the opening novella in this series Safe in his Arms… Sexy, single, self-made, and all with a little something about them that you can’t help but be interested in and intrigued by, the Whitman’s, their family and friends as well as the town of Sterling, Montana as a whole are people and places I want to read more of.

”I’m just across the hall if you want me…

”The door’s open and I sleep… commando.”

Jackson and Alyssa’s story isn’t unique in its themes; in fact I could probably go into double figures on the amount of books that I have read with the same sort of storylines. But it is so beautifully written, with a cast of characters that you can’t help but become enamored with, I couldn’t put this book down I was enjoying it so much. Melody Anne has a writing style that pulls you in, you feel involved in the story and you hope the characters to make the right choices…

Lies never ended well.

That didn’t always happen, and I could have happily given Alyssa a hard shake for a lot of this book, but it is all bought together really well, and the authors reasoning for leaving things as they were for so long become apparent as the story progressed.

”Sometimes we have to risk everything before we can find true happiness.”

This is a series I think I am going to fall more and more in love with as the books are released. I sensed a spark when I read Safe in his Arms, after finishing Her Unexpected Hero there is a definite flame of interest burning, and I cannot wait to see where Melody takes us next with Who I am With You due for release April 2015.

ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
Profile Image for Melissa.
647 reviews29.3k followers
February 16, 2015
3.5 stars

This was a story centered around family and the notion that sometimes the best things in life aren't planned.

Alyssa is sitting in the airport, waiting for her flight home from Paris, when Jackson takes a seat next to her. He's sophisticated and downright delicious. And he can't keep his eyes off of her. There's something about Alyssa that makes Jackson want to get to know her better. So he gets her seat switched next to his in first class.

They spend the flight flirting and even have a sexy make-out session. She's a little insecure and convinced he couldn't want anything more and he keeps reminding himself that he doesn't do relationships. That doesn't stop either of them from spending their lay-over night in New York, together. What was supposed to be a one-night stand, changes the course of everything. Especially when their parents get involved.

"Baby, when you're good, you know it."

This is the first book that I've read from Melody Anne and I found it to be a quick, entertaining read with a great twist. What I loved most was the family aspect of the story. Especially, Jackson and all of his brothers. And I couldn't help but to laugh at the parents acting as matchmakers. It was really cute. I'm looking forward to seeing who they're going to match up next.

So why not a higher rating? There were a few things that bothered me. I struggled with the connection between Alyssa and Jackson in the beginning. It felt really rushed. I wanted more dialogue between them. It was a lot of inner thoughts and then bam, they were making out. After they reconnected, it was a slower build and it felt more sincere. I just wish that Alyssa hadn't kept the truth from Jackson for so long, considering the circumstances. It won't keep me from reading the next book though.
.
3.5/5 Fangs
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It

*Complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Profile Image for Alp.
763 reviews467 followers
October 15, 2016
I once read Melody Anne's novella, 'Safe In His Arms', and I liked it a lot. But after I had finished 'Her Unexpected Hero', I was left feeling so disappointed. This book didn't seem to meet my expectations.

The story started out well, pretty intriguing and the chemistry between Jackson and Alyssa blew my mind. But when their one hot night together was over, everything went downhill from there.

The remaining story was so predictable and boring. Both Jackson and Alyssa had me frustrated that I almost DNF. Moreover, it wasn't that impressive . It was too plain for me.

This book was not my cup of tea.
Profile Image for Julie .
4,247 reviews38k followers
April 12, 2015
Her Unexpected Hero by Melody Anne is a 2015 Pocket Star publication. I received this book as a XOXpert, XOXO After Dark's Official Street Team, in exchange for an honest review.


I recently discovered this author mainly through some book promotion sites and realized I really liked her stories.

In this one, ex- model Alyssa Gerard discovers her ex-boyfriend/manager absconded with her fortune and most of it is just gone. So, tucking her tail between her legs she leaves her lucrative career behind in Paris and boards a plane for New York City.

When she is informed her ticket was upgraded to first class she is seated by Jackson Whitman, a wealthy and very over confident man. But, the two strike up a conversation which leads to a one night stand in New York on New Year's Eve.

For Alyssa it's a one and done. She will not be ready for a relationship in a good long while, so she continues on her way to Montana where her parents live and begins to piece her life back together again. There is only one little hitch....she soon discovers she is pregnant.

Jackson is no stranger to pain and loss. He has not been able to put a terrible, heart wrenching tragedy behind him and has lived life on the run, dating many women, and staying focused on his work. But, Alyssa has him all turned around and Jackson feels out of his element. The more he pursues her the more she pushes him away. What he doesn't know is why Alyssa has never explained her unborn child's paternity, never suspecting he might be about to become a father.

This is a fast paced contemporary romance that explores the difficulties one faces after being betrayed or in Jackson's case going through a terrible loss, and trying to find one's footing in life again. Add to that the possibility that your happy ever after is right there in front of you, but you are too afraid to reach out and grab it.

The controversy of course is whether or not Alyssa had the right to keep her child's paternity a secret. If she really did have a one nighter and never saw the man again, I suppose I could live with that, but she did deceive Jackson and even though she knows she needs to let him know the truth, she continued to keep it a secret. I wondered if she was even going to let her child know someday. But, what was really holding her back wasn't necessarily a deliberate omission, but her absolute fear of gambling on Jackson and losing the game in the end. She was afraid and I could understand why she would feel that way.
Jackson is a great guy, even if he came off as being arrogant at first, and is sometimes is a little pushy. Alyssa really makes him work to win her over, and although the inevitable blow up is coming, Jackson comes through in the end, big time.

Once again, Melody Anne has written a very enjoyable contemporary romance. The story reminds us that life throws us curve balls, sometimes it's a personal loss, sometimes it's a major setback career wise, and it can really knock you out for the count. But, life offers no pat answers and sometimes in order win we have to take a chance no matter how terrified we are of failure.

Overall, a light, easy, and enjoyable read. 4 stars

* note * One tiny little thing I couldn't help but share here is the Elton John song lyric to “Bennie and Jets” mentioned in this book was incorrect .... it's not a “magic suit” … It's a “Mohair suit” . LOL! I'm sorry, but I'm still chuckling about that one. ( Mohair is a silk fabric, btw)
Profile Image for Avid Reader.
268 reviews70 followers
June 3, 2020

“Sometimes we have to risk everything before we can find true happiness.”


The prologue pulled me in and the first me kept meet there!

Jackson and Alyssa had chemistry from the beginning. I really thought I knew how their story would go, but boy was I wrong! These two had way more surprises and turbulence than I expected. The character development itself was fantastic. We get Jackson's background first and it is a bad situation turned feel-good story. He and his brothers show their true colors at a young age and you just know that they will grow to be the kind of men you want to know. Jackson and Alyssa both have heartache to overcome and they do not want to expose themselves to that kind of pain again. But like most great love stories, everyone around them already knows than they belong together.

One of my favorite aspects of this book was the support characters and there were a lot! Not overwhelmingly so, but they were a big family and a small town. You do the math. ;) Alyssa's parents were warm and compassionate. And remarkably patient! I mean WOW! They really knew their girl and what she needed. Jackson's brothers and dad were the best! So great that I cannot wait for their books to come out. If they are growing men like that in Montana, book me a one-way ticket! But seriously, there were a great family. It felt good to read about such closeness. I wanted to be on that ranch with them.

The story itself was fun and exciting. I loved the back and forth between Jackson and Alyssa. I will say that I wanted to band their heads together a few times! And I definitely was not cool with how long Alyssa let things go, but then again, I am not her. She was scared and hurt and did what she had to do to protect herself. There were moments where she could have faced her fears and communicated with Jackson that they would have both been saved a lot of heartache. It was a little much at times, but it did not overshadow the story or the wonderfulness that was Jackson. He was just plain great.

"Baby, when you're good, you know it."


I give this 3.5 fate-never-looked-so-good stars

Profile Image for Simply Love Book Reviews.
7,046 reviews870 followers
February 24, 2015
Shelly's review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

Alyssa’s career came to an abrupt end when her boyfriend/manager emptied her bank account and reputation. Now she is broke and heading to a new town, where her parents moved. Her life is in the dumps and after numerous plane delays an unlikely thing happens at the airport that lifts her up and leads to a one-night stand or so she thought.

Jackson doesn’t believe in love after losing his daughter and ex-wife. But after his plane is delayed and he ends up sitting next to a sexy, feisty Alyssa do sparks start to fly. Jackson had a rough start in life, but with the kindness of one person his life changed.

Now back in his hometown and with his father ready for his boys to settle down do things start to get interesting. Jackson never thought he would see Alyssa again, but when he walks into the bar he now owns is he shocked to she her.

Alyssa never expected to see Jackson again and has a secret that may break Jackson after what she has heard about him. But is she willing to risk it all to find the love she wants and hope Jackson won’t take everything from her like her ex-boyfriend did and will Jackson let go of the past in order to find true love?

I love Melody Anne’s books and this new series is just as good as her other books. I love how she brought in characters from a previous series. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series and to finding out how Jackson’s brothers will find their love.

Review copy provided for an honest review.
Profile Image for amanda s..
3,115 reviews95 followers
August 23, 2015
3.5 stars, good but not really my favorite.

Mostly because I was hoping for more drama. But other than that? Fabulous! I've been a fan of Melody Anne since forever! Her writing is familiar and I enjoyed it. I love how easy the interaction is between Allysa and Jackson and as I said earlier, I just wish there'd be more drama.

Overall I enjoyed this book and I look forward to read the next installment of the series! <3
Profile Image for Elena.
1,589 reviews
February 10, 2017
2.5
It started off really well - that plane flight, the New Year's @ Times Square, their passion and one night stand... This was all great! Theennnn, the same old , overused Melody Anne plot! "Naive-girl- got-pregnant-after-one-night-stand-and-hid-the-pregnancy-from-the-father!!!" Not to mention the ridiculous, old meddlers! This is HOW ALL HER BOOKS GO!!!! It is ridiculous!!!! HONESTLY, CAN THIS AUTHOR WRITE ANY OTHER PLOT THAN A VIRGINAL WOMAN GETTING UNEXPECTEDLY PEGNANT DURING A ONE NIGHT STAND (AND THEN HIDING IT FROM THE GUY?! ) Any other plot Ms. Melody ?!?!? Anything?! Nothing?! Great.. Thanks...

Also, what's the deal with taking a PREGNANT woman shooting... and then taking the same PREGNANT woman paintballing?!?!? Ok - we all know how bruised we get when we get hit by a paintball >> is this really acceptable for a pregnant woman (to potentially get hit in the stomach with bruising force) ???? Especially since that woman was on BED REST!!! WTF is wrong with this author?! Does she use any common sense when writing her stories?!?!
Profile Image for Three Chicks.
2,631 reviews419 followers
February 5, 2015
Review by Allison East

I really enjoy Melody Anne's novels. The Billionaire Bachelor series is one of my favorites, so I knew I simply MUST have this new book in a new series! And I was not disappointed.

From the prologue Melody definitely hooked me. She told the story of three teenage boys who heard someone struggling in the water- Spence, Camden and Jackson. They lived in a foster home together and they saved the young boy from drowning. They ended up being heroes, but no one cared about them ever, they had no idea how to react or feel. I was immediately hooked by this, and their story- as the young boys's father, Martin, offered to adopt the three teens. I seriously started to cry- during the prologue!! I knew I had to read more and find out what happened in the present to these teens.

We fast forward twenty years later- and we meet the heroine, Alyssa. Alyssa Gerard has been burned. Her manager- and also her boyfriend had emptied her bank account, forcing her to return, to her mother. And she was left, with nothing, all alone in Paris- moving to a new home in Montana.

And then we meet- Jackson Whitman, one of the boys that Martin Whitman adopted. He was described as cold, untouchable, and forbidding. Wow, what a crazy concept- that twenty years earlier, he was one of the little boys who cried when he was adopted by Martin, what had hardened his heart? I just had to read on to figure him out, and he was a tough shell to crack. He lost his wife and daughter, and since then- he has become unapproachable, until he sees Alyssa.

Both characters were well developed, and I felt them grow and mature over the course of the story. Of course I loved the secondary characters and am super excited about the other books yet to come.

The book had me hooked from start to finish, and I am so glad I got the opportunity to read this. I can't wait for more in the series, and to find out more about these Unexpected Heroes!
Profile Image for Stephanie.
1,475 reviews81 followers
March 7, 2016
Social Issues Meet Personal Problems in Melody Ann’s HER UNEXPECTED HERO
http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...

Touching on a couple of social themes, like unplanned pregnancy, foster children, and income disparity, Melody Ann’s novel is a pleasant surprise in the quality of writing, complexity of the plot and completeness of continuity. It is a fairy tale in the nature in its adoption scenario and a little nightmarish in its story of the life of an only moderately successful model.

In aspects of romance and relationship it is steamy, but not terribly explicit.

In particular Jackson, the male love interest, is shallow and manipulative at first, and then is somewhat more deeply portrayed but still manipulative. Alyssa is regretful and justifiably bitter. Sometimes Alyssa’s reactions seem out of proportion to the prompt for the reaction.

It's the beginning of a spin off series, there is some back story missing, but I filled in the blanks.

I enjoyed the story but I am mixed on the narration. It sounds mechanical: the female narrator does both male and female voices well, and her tone is soft. But this narration sounds so wooden, her phrasing/timing sounds like a robo-call.

It is. As if. It is being. Punctuated,…like this. Or, maybe she is going for an imitation of Shatner’s Captain Kirk.

I looked her up to see if she was a real person and not a digitized narration. I listened to snippets of other narrations by her; some sound normal and in others she seems wooden and mechanical. I still, to some degree, think her voice is somehow being mechanized for this series, but cannot prove it.

Otherwise, I enjoyed the story and think it was a somewhat steamy, surprisingly good diversion. I will have a review of the second book in the series: HER HOMETOWN HERO, next week.
Profile Image for Angela Carr.
760 reviews81 followers
April 10, 2015

Alyssa is on her way to her parents house to lick her wounds after a bad break up. But one bad luck after another, she ends up at the airport for hours in a rut of delayed planes. Call it bad luck, but this leads to an unforgettable one night stand with a very sexy, very rich man. Maybe it’s fate because, that night will not be the last she sees him.

Jackson, a widowed work-a-holic still grieves the loss of his daughter and wife even after four years had past. He has immersed himself in meaningless one night stands until he finally meets the girl who intrigued him. A woman that will go against everything he is used to. He is shocked that for the first time, the girl didn’t want anything more. But after seeing her months later, he can’t help but attempt for something more.

I enjoyed Allysa and Jackson’s story. The courtship was sweet and romantic, and even the angst between them was cute. The small town theme was complete with meddling elders and nosy neighbors. There was plenty of humor, and the plot kept me reading. My only gripe is Allysa’s deception or lies by omission. It made me cringe each time she weaved the web of lies that truly was unnecessary. It was minor, but I felt that the conflict could have been better.

The backstory with Jackson and his brothers was intriguing. I can tell it’s thick with history that made their relationship strong. There’s a lot of history there that I want to read more of. Overall, Her Unexpected Hero was a quick, fun and sweet read. Perfect for a lazy weekend.

*ARC provided by publisher
Profile Image for WTF Are You Reading?.
1,309 reviews94 followers
February 22, 2015
Her Unexpected  Hero draws the reader in using the lure of the unexpected.
Jackson  never expected to meet the beautiful and vivacious  Alyssa.
Suddenly, there she is.
Brilliantly  snarky, witty, vivacious, beautiful, and under his skin.

For her part, Alyssa is quite the worse for wear, both financially  and romantically speaking.  As such, she knows that a relationship  of any kind is not in the cards for her.  Even as the enigmatic  stranger, Jackson Whitman, proves an attraction that she can't resist.

This is a book that lulls the reader into believing  that it is all about  the  sweeter side of serendipity.  As things progress however, readers come to find that interactions  between these two are fated to be anything but uncomplicated.

There is a bit of planned predictably  when it comes to him coming to her hometown in Montana, and owning the bar at which she works.  The direction in which things go from there are...surprising!

The circumstances  under which  the author  brings these two together 
make for great dramatic reading  and serve to up the emotional  ante for both readers and characters alike.
The unexpected negative  of said circumstances  comes in the form of Alyssa's  need to fight her feelings for Jackson  to the point past stupidity.
Luckily, things finally  do even out before book throwing frustration ensues

The romance gets off to fiery start, but is sidetracked by drama for a great portion of the read.  The pacing of said romance is a decent mid-level heat, with nothing out of the norm sexually speaking.

This is a wonderful escape for readers who like drama with their romance.
Profile Image for Onixcia Perley.
178 reviews9 followers
February 29, 2020
I just hated the HEA.

She was supposed to be this brave person who overcame some difficulties in her life, but in my mind she just keep her head in the sand.(she was such a coward that at the end she blame him for not doing the math, ( let's not forget HE was the one who thought about protection she didn't .)and not asking her directly .

Yet I remember her saying more than once " I don't want to about it"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Barbara.
1,853 reviews6 followers
October 1, 2017
I have not read a single book by this author I haven't liked and this is no exception This is the beginning of a new series which is sort of a spin off because it has a few characters from other series. In this book one, we meet three friends who are in foster care. It's horrible but they don't complain because they're afraid they'll be split up. At the ages of 14, 13 and 12 they figure no one will ever want them. One night they rescue 10 year old Michael from drowning. Michael's father, Martin, is so thankful that he adopts the three of them and these five people become a family. (Martin is a widower.) Now we have the characters for the books in this series.

20 years later Jackson is in Paris and miserable. He happens to meet Alyssa and they have a one-night stand both thinking that they'll never see each other again. Actually, Alyssa is headed home to Montana to stay with her parents. Her dad works for Martin. Months later Jackson see Alyssa working at the local bar and finds out she's pregnant. It never occurs to him that the baby is his and she's afraid to tell him since she thinks he'll take her baby away. Even though she's pregnant he pursues her believing that all he feels is lust. The story builds from there with Alyssa resisting his charms because he's told her he won't love again and she needs more for her baby.

This story contains romance, tension and some steamy sex that moves the story along. Their actions and thoughts make sense and I was routing for them and their baby. I'm ready for the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Cunningham Sandra Chamber.
279 reviews
July 15, 2017
“You need to hear what I’m saying now, Alyssa. You are even more beautiful than the first night I met you. The shape of your hips, the curve of your stomach, the fullness of your breasts, the sparkle in your eyes. All of that shows me that you carried my child, that you delivered her. I can’t see a single thing wrong with your body, and it’s taking every ounce of willpower that I possess not to sink deep inside you right this second. The only reason I’m holding back is because you need to heal. It might kill me, but I’ll wait until your body is ready for me.” He gave her a smile as he rubbed against her, his erection back and fully ready. A small smile tilted her lips upward. “Jackson, I lied to you by not telling you the truth. I . . . I’ve held back. Why are you being so good to me?” “Because I love you.” He didn’t need to make a speech, didn’t need to go the hearts-and-flowers route, done up with ribbons and bows and greeting-card sentiments. He loved her. It was simple and it was powerful. Tears filled her eyes and spilled over as she sat against him, as his hands smoothed up and down her body, as they said so much with nothing but a look between them. “I love you, too, Jackson.”I MIGHT READ AGAIN!
Profile Image for Night Runner.
1,544 reviews36 followers
February 3, 2020
Overall Rating: 3.25 Stars

Overall opinion:

The Good -
I like the family and friends.
The H has good relationships with family
The h cares about her family

The not-so-good
The h pushes away hard, then laments every time the H isn't around.
Too much contrived drama

The bad
WAY TOO MUCH INTERNAL DIALOG! This story could have been 90 minutes shorter and it would have been a 4.5 star read for me. I found myself skipping forward 20 seconds to several minutes every time the H or h would start down their heavily repetitive internal dialogs.

Brief Summary: No need to expand on the author's summary.

Narrator(s) single - 6/10

POV: dual

Overall Pace: moderate

Instalove: no

H Rating: decent to good

h Rating: decent overall

Sad/happy/thrill/Angst/TSTL - overall angsty!

Heat Level: 4/10

Descriptive Sex: 4/10

OW/OM Drama: no

Sex with OW/OM: no

Cheating: no

Separation: mild

Triggers: sanity and rationality

Closure (HEA/HFN/Cliffhanger): HEA

Additional Thoughts? The main drama point was a bit overdrawn as was the reaction.
Profile Image for Heather .
1,193 reviews18 followers
April 16, 2018
Alyssa ex model lost everything when she was betrayed by her ex-boyfriend and only lover. Picking up the pieces of her broken heart or rather dreams she meets a handsome stranger on the way home. Making the New years night one to remember.

So four months later she never expects to see Him again, let alone in her small town. After all she knows he wasn’t looking for long term or wants any children.

Jackson is bent on luring Alyssa back into his bed. He is one determined man in this quest. Nothing will stop him not even when he finds out she is pregnant with another's babe. She keeps pushing him away but like the stubborn man he is he won't quit until he has her in his bed. That is until he’s worked her out of his system.

Alyssa’s terrified of Jackson finding out she's carrying his child. Afraid of losing not only her heart but her baby to him.

This does in happily ever after but the roller coaster of emotional reading is worth it.
Profile Image for Elisa.
3,226 reviews41 followers
January 12, 2017
There really is nothing better than a true romance, I don't know how Melody Anne does it time and time again but I know I can never go past a book of hers she is a truly gifted story teller.

Jackson is a man fighting his past and holding himself away from everyone.

Alyssa is feeling broken and vulnerable until she meets Jackson in Paris and her world changes in just one night in so many unexpected ways.

I love Jackson he is a strong character but he hides it behind a huge wall of past pain, where Alyssa puts all her pain front and centre but they both have a connection from the first moment their eyes meet but they also both need to let go of their pasts before they can truly trust each other. I think Trust is harder to give someone more so than love but they really do go hand in hand.
677 reviews2 followers
June 15, 2025
Chance meeting AR the airport

Jackson and Alyssa each have reason to never trust anyone enough to be hurt. He doesn't do relationships. One night with a woman is his limit and he makes this very plain to Wolves. Alyssa is on her way home from Paris after losing her reputation as a model a lucrative contract and all her money to her dishonest Manu. She certainly isn't looking for a hookup but when Jackson persues her he is too tempting to resist. She will be taking a plane to Montana in the morning. What happens when they unexpectedly meet again keep me wondering about the outcome. His father and friends think they are successful match makers not realizing the match was underway before they started making plans.



Profile Image for Diana.
1,102 reviews25 followers
February 9, 2018
This was the funniest romance novel I have ever read in my entire life.

This guy has no chill and very limited social skills and no logic. Everyone forgives this because he's rich, has a sad backstory, and is probably white; idk just the impression the character leaves.

I like that Cam isn't a terrible awful gross character in this one but then I don't remember thinking Jackson sucked half as much in HFH. Maybe they only suck as leads. The theory will be proved either way in the next one I suppose because Spence was funny and a cool bro. I kinda like Michael best. Of course he didn't get a book yet lol
Profile Image for Mabel.
460 reviews3 followers
September 23, 2019
A New year's one-night stand brings Jackson and Alyssa together. After the night together she decides to ghost him. As Jackson's father decides to give him a bar as a present he finds Alyssa working there as a waitress. Jackson realizes there's something about Alyssa and he does everything in his power to try and keep her and the baby she's carrying that is his unbeknownst to him. After almost facing tragedy the truth comes out and several hurdles have to be crossed before they can get their happily ever after.
Profile Image for Christine Jalili.
2,187 reviews44 followers
October 15, 2020
Love this series.

This was my second time reading this book and I still cried. Loved feeling connected with the characters. Loved the chemistry between Alyssa and Jackson. I felt for him and his loss, can he open up his heart again? How can Alyssa tell him her secret? I love how he and his foster brother’s were adopted and how well they end up doing. I really love each book in this series and plan on re reading them again. I highly recommend this book.
714 reviews
May 8, 2021
A very good start

This is the 1st book in the series and it didn’t disappoint. The h and H met on New Year and had a one night stand which led to an unexpected pregnancy. The h didn’t think she would ever see the H again. The H had lost his ex wife and baby daughter in a fire so he had sworn off love. The h was scared to tell the H about her pregnancy, but circumstances made her tell him. They were able to find their way back to each other. Great epilogue.
Profile Image for Radiant.
1,179 reviews30 followers
October 6, 2018
Alyssa's modeling career came to an abrupt end when her manager boyfriend emptied her bank account and ruined her professional reputation. Now she's heading to a new town in Montana to rebuild her life—if she can even get there (stupid delayed planes!). But things are looking up when she's upgraded to first class and a mysterious stranger sits down next to her\\loveit!
Profile Image for Andrea Akers.
1,030 reviews6 followers
May 29, 2023
Her Unexpected Hero

An unexpected meeting of two strangers who are not to expecting to see each other again. Several months later Jackson walks into the saloon his father gifted him to find Alyssa. Together they discover many things about the other. Will Jackson and Alyssa find their happily ever after or will the truth come between them?
54 reviews
December 24, 2019
DNF at 50%

This book was just soo unrealistic. I don't mind some imagination in a romance story but this was just too much. The main thing that ticked me off though and I just couldn't get past is the pregnancy even though they used a condom. God I just can't read another book with this plot!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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