His Orders

by Lydia Hall

I was supposed to be nothing more than a memory to him.
A mistake blurred by whiskey and regret.

But Ethan Cross was never the kind of man you forget.

He was my brother’s best friend.
The surgeon with hands steady enough to save lives...
and rough enough to ruin a girl like me.

One night was all it took — one slip, one kiss, one touch.

I left before morning came.

I thought I could outrun the secrets between us.
I thought I could keep him safe from the storm I carried in my chest.

But fate doesn’t care about the lines we drew.

Six months later, I’m standing in his hospital.
Bruised. Shaken. Pregnant.

His child.
His future.
His mistake he’ll never let walk away again.

Ethan doesn’t ask why I lied.
He doesn’t ask why I ran.

He simply gives me his orders—
Stay close. Stay safe. Stay his.

But the danger I ran from is catching up to us.

And loving him might be the most dangerous thing I’ll ever do.

Author's His Orders is a steamy forbidden love story with a scarred surgeon, a secret pregnancy, protective alpha vibes, and a heroine who never needed saving — until he made her want it. Get ready for all the feels, all the heat, and a love worth breaking every rule for.

Genres: Romance

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 18, 2025

Reviews

[❤️Court - Villains Do It Better❤️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 DNF Stars

False advertising. There is no secret baby, no silver fox, and it's not really a forbidden relationship. He's maybe mid 30s, he rarely talks to his bff, the FMCs brother, and he finds out she's preggo with his baby at the same time she does. Also, the blurb doesn't match up with the story at all. I'm halfway in and what happened in the blurb hadn't even happened in the book. So many weird consistencies. Lastly, their relationship was mostly about sex. I feel like they barely talked, and when they did, there was no chemistry. The dirty talk is so out of left field too. NGL, I'm getting AI vibes from this book. It all just seems thrown together with no thought behind anything.

[Sydney Studley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible

I should have know the writing was going to be a mess when the blurb time line didn’t even match the book. The base story line had potential but the details were all over the place with an extremely messy and unclear time line. I should have DNF’d early on, but I kept the hope alive, stupidly.

[Sarah Holliday · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story errors were too many and wrong. She is pregnant with a Dr’s baby. He gives her wine once. Her SIL gives her a beer. The setting is in winter, but one scene has them in a park on a blanket eating ice cream from an ice cream stand. That doesn’t happen in winter. Who has an ice cream stand in a park in the dead of winter. The MMC has almost no character development. He’s domineering and seems like a grump. Story says “secret baby. It’s not. Story says silver fox. He’s 32. Story says brothers BFF, but no talk of it or problems with the brother. No issues or talk of it. Parents divorce is irrelevant. What adult kids need to be in court for their parents divorce ruling when no testifying is required. Too many inconsistencies. Not well written

[SJ]

Will not be reading this MF, but had to comment on the cover! How did that chest get past the publisher and author? 😂

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

His Orders is a steamy forbidden love story with a scarred surgeon, a secret pregnancy, protective alpha vibes, and a heroine who never needed saving until he made her want it. Get ready for all the feels, all the heat, and a love worth breaking every rule for. This is Ivy and Ethan story which is told from a dual point of view. An unputdownable and absorbing read. An exquisitely crafted story with damaged and broken individuals and a complex and twisty storyline that captures the reader attention from the beginning and keeps you riveted and turning the pages with it's pulse-pounding suspense, non-stop and drama.
A medical romance, contemporary romance, brother's-best-friend romance, off-limits romance, taboo romance, forbidden romance, protective alpha hero romance, protector hero romance with passion, enemies, lies, secrets, consensual intense rough sex, dirty talking, revelations, revenge, retaliation, power and control, deception, obsession, fear, deception, secret pregnancy, possessiveness, corruption, physical abuse, emotions, tension, anger, guilt, action packed, madness, hatred, violence, danger, trauma, friendship, family, steam, strength, anger, stalker, heart break, manipulation and love.
Ivy is Ethan's best friend little sister for years he had been attracted to her but didn't acted on his attraction because of his friendship and the bro code. Ivy has been in a very abusive relationship with her ex-boyfriend Daniel. He's domineering, possessive and obsessive. Her brother Drew asked her to come home because their parents were getting married. While there she ran into Ethan one night at a local bar the two had a couple of drinks and ended up spending the night together. It was a passion filled night that resulted in her getting pregnant unbeknowing to him. It was because of Daniel why she left town in the first place and she still fear him because of what he had done to her. When she finds out that she was pregnant she didn't tell Ethan and when he found out that she was pregnant and asked her if it was his baby she lied to him. Because in her mind she believed that she was protecting him from her crazy psychotic abusive ex-boyfriend Daniel because he had been stalking her and refuse to let her be with anyone else. I will leave you here. How will Ethan react to the new of being a father? And how will react to her lying to him about the paternity of the baby? Will he be angry or will he understand the reason for her deception?

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

[Mrs_Cupcake · Rating 2 out of 5]

That was a little bit messy and the story was all over the place. I think it was mentioned before: the blurb and the actual story and timeline didnt quite match. I wanted a story with a "silver fox". LOL I didnt get that 🤷🏻‍♀️😂
I' not sure how old Ivy is, maybe 25? and he is 8 years older. Yeah so he is maybe 33... that makes him a "silver fox"? If thats really the case - thats weird?!
There are some continuity errors (e.g. the AirBnB she lives in - is it 1 or 2?) and in some spicy scenes are some errors with the clothes. Or it was me? I couldnt figure out if Ivy wore trousers in one scene and maybe a dress while he undressed her? Or forgot he to undress her? It was a bit weird sometimes.
And may I add - what kind of irresponsible doctor is he? They f*ck for the first time after whatever years and he never thinks of a condom or even asks her of she takes the pill? Hello?! Yeah he is a super great surgeon - but a dumb horny man? 🙁🙈
Oh and super doctor serves her red wine - while she is pregnant! And she drinks it!
Why? 🙈😭

The rest of the story was okay. I liked how they got rid of the dumb Ex.

However. I couldnt understand why they were so obsessed/in love with each other at the beginning. Where did that come from? And why was there no drama with her older brother? I would have liked to read about that. I mean his best friend - to whom he doesnt really speak in the book - f*ucks his sister and gets her pregnant because he was too horny to think of a condom...

It was a mess. But a dumb and entertaining mess. 🤷🏻‍♀️😂

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great addition to the Off-Limits Doctors Series where we find Ivy returning home at her older brother’s request to help with their parent’s divorce. Ivy escaped an abusive relationship and hoped to stay away. Ethan is a successful doctor and her best friends with Ivy’s brother and off limits! Ivy had a childhood crush on Ethan so when they see each other at the bar their one night together is something neither thought possible. With her controlling ex making quiet threats by unknown number and cars following her she knows any relationship she has those people will be targets so everything Ivy does is to protect them. It’s beautiful to see how these two gradually grow together with secrets, lies and danger around each corner. Ethan knows when to push Ivy as she retreats at each hidden threat. When Ivy’s past hurts come to life Ethan does the unimaginable to protect Ivy just what is the cost to Ethan! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoa! Spicy, Steamy, Suspenseful

Amazing story. Ivy and Ethan stumble, fall, stew, and get back up again to fight for their relationship and it is such a compelling journey.

Ivy's ex is truly a Hellhound, not in a friendly paranormal puppy way either. Abuser, psychological terrorist, just evil. Ivy loves Ethan but the ex is stalking her so she copes by pushing Ethan away to protect him from Mr. Evil. It is a rocky road but the HEA is SO worth it!

Man, I needed a fan and ice water while reading. The steam fogged my glasses and the spice had me gulping ice water. Highly recommend this. Great read and I bought the book to read again and again.

Pssst...the cover model for this book made my day😁

[Chiquita Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ethan and Ivy

I like the main characters, Ethan, a doctor and BF of Ivy's brother, Drew. She's back in town at her brother's request to help settle her parent's pending divorce. He's closed off since heartbreak with who he thought would be his future, until he and Ivy connect. She's running from her controlling ex who doesn't want to let her go. The book needs a good editing, because too many inconsistencies takes the storyline on such a frustrating ride that I nearly gave up on finishing the book. The sexual chemistry was strong, and probably carried the storyline until it became bogged with so much angst that I didn't think a HEA could happen.

[Grace · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF….chaotic and conflicting storylines.

First time we see MMC is in a bakery, standing with the sleeves of his coat pushed up!?! And the FMC literally runs away from him.

Later the same night FMC sees him at a bar in a suit…and also has his sleeves pushed up 🙄. Ever see a guy sit at a bar and push the sleeves of his suit up? No? Didn’t think so.

Despite running away from him earlier, she’s now fine to acknowledge him and happily flirts…..?

FMC describes bar a loud and lively…MMC says is quiet whiskey type place.

Seems to be full of cliches and inconsistencies which is a shame because it could have been really good.

[Linda Fairburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivy has to go home again to help her brother cope with there parents who were getting divorced but that whole idea of being home terrifies her.
Years ago she ran to keep her sanity from an abusive ex boyfriend and he will know she's back and is absolutely terrified.
Meeting Ethan again is the only thing that makes going home happier but keeping secrets from him could end there friendship/lovers for good.
Sit back and enjoy this story as you just want to know how it ends and you won't be disappointed.

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivy has left an abusive relationship and has returned home at her brother's request to assist with their parents impending divorce. She has an one night stand with her brother's best friend, Ethan. Weeks later she finds out she is pregnant but her ex is messaging her. When Ethan asks if the baby is his, she lies, thinking she is protecting him from her ex.

This is a steamy read with so much angst that it almost stops the pair from finding something together.

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

[Joy Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a first read by this author for me and while I think her characters were well developed the pace and consistency of the story left a lot to be desired. I felt like there should’ve been a prologue because the story starts a point that doesn’t make any sense and it only gets more convoluted and incongruent. It really should be one star review but this book had some spicy moments that hit the spot and I did like the characters. That said, I may try another book by this author in hopes this was a one-off.

[Libby H · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weird Inconsistencies

Prefacing this by stating the obvious: the spice was SPICY. The steam was STEAMING. 🥵🥵🥵

But the spicy scenes carried the book. The plot was all over the place. I’m pretty sure the MCs never did the deed without their clothes on. And what author has a pregnant character drink alcohol? Like, W*T*F?! I don’t think this book was put in front of an editor because of that alone.

The weirdness made it difficult to finish which is disappointing, since I have been waiting for this book to come out for like ever.

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ivy and Ethan’s story has them knowing each other since he was her big brother’s best friend. But she left due to her ex being controlling and when her bro needs her back home for their parents divorce she dreads it cuz the ex will know she’s home. Her and Ethan have a one nighter and they try seeing each other which she tries to keep secret since her ex is stalk and calling her. She finds out she’s pregnant and tells Ethan it’s not his to keep him safe but what he does is… read and find out.

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

[jacqueline vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surviving The Game

The title I selected fits the story. The main character is Ivy and she has come home to be with her family. Ivy has a secret that weighs heavy on her heart . this secret has the potential to destroy her. One night Ivy decides to throw caution to the wind and have a one night stand with the one man she has craved since high school. Weeks after her hot steamy night the danger begins and she will have to decide if she will find the light at the end of the tunnel or submit.

[Siobhan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

When her parents are divorcing Ivy has to go home to help her brother cope with there parents. She is not looking forward to it. As years ago she left because of her abusive then boyfriend. Ivy is still terrified of meeting him again. The only good thing about going home is meeting Ethan again.
This book has secrets, suspense, spice and great characters.

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

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

LGJ

Love does truly conquer all. They were able to overcome all that tried to destroy them. In the end they brought down a monster and his various enterprises; helped people regain their lives, saved communities from being fearful and fought against corruption at its finest. They were provided with a fresh and safe beginning to raise their daughter, and to celebrate their marriage with loved ones

[D. D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The storyline of a scared, abused female hit home after living this life myself. The storyline was great but it fell short in places. She was lucky to find someone who believed in her enough to help. If a proofreader had read before publishing, it would have helped catch the things that made you stop and reread, thinking you'd read it wrong the first time. The characters and storyline were great.

[Kayla Kindsvater · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could have been better

This book was alright, but the actions of the characters were sometimes irritating and the plot wasn’t super interesting. The main female character, who was pregnant, drank wine and beer voluntarily while knowing she was pregnant (and keeping the pregnancy), which struck me as odd. It almost seemed like the author forgot the character was pregnant and just randomly included those parts in there.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lydia’s romance book right here once again had me captivated with Ivy and Ethan’s story right from the beginning. Sound the alarm because this romance book is coming in HOT and has the best suspense and secrets revealed. If there was ever just one romance book, I had to give a 10/10 stars this would definitely, be it by Lydia.

[Delores · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story

Ideally liked the main characters. Ivy was strong willed. The sexy Doctor Ethan seemed mild mannered until the steamy scenes,and then he was quite the lover.
Secondary characters were also well developed and added much to the story.
This was my first book by Ms Hall.

[Julie Juhl · Rating 5 out of 5]

His Orders by Lydia Hall is part of the Off-Limits Doctors series. I loved Ivy and Ethan's story. Once I started reading I couldn't stop. This was well written, with an original storyline. I can't wait to read the next one in the series!.

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

[Donna P. Wingo · Rating 5 out of 5]

heart wrenching

Ivy and Ethan are both emotionally broken and yet complete each other. Their journey is filled with descriptive linguistics at its finest. Their world unravels and when it comes together, you will find yourself pumping your fists in the air for their survival. This is totally great read.

[Darianna Marini · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the overall writing style and plot. Ultimately, this books downfall was making it seem like this was a sequel to another book that we’d already met these characters before. And the book blurb was a bit different than the actual book. The connection between characters was great but most of the other details were sparse.

[Ronnie E Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second chances

Sometimes we don't have to look very far to find the love we need because its been there all along. A love that has been tempered by adversity and fear and heartbreak but which is strong enough to weather it. This is a wonderful love story and is very well written. I think readers who like some drama mixed in between steamy love scenes will enjoy this book.

[Cindy Boesl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the storyline however, the H and h were either thinking or having sex. I started just skipping sex scenes and their “thoughts” jto what was actually happening. Communication would have shorten this book a lot!!!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. ivy learns that when your back is against the wall sometimes you'll have to trust someone. Beautiful awesome story

[Mylene Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivy and Ethan make one bad decision after another, which lead Ivy straight back to Ethan Cross. Is Ethan strong enough to withstand the trouble heading Ivy's way?.

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

[Pearl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivy’s story gave me chills. Hall’s intricate use of language allowed the reader to fully grasp the emotional turmoil that Ivy and Ethan were experiencing. I’m glad Ivy finally received her justice, love and bundle of joy (Sophie).