What do you think?
Rate this book
New Hope #1
Oh My Secret Christmas Baby
This Christmas we're all getting exactly what we didn’t know we needed… But maybe Santa knew better than us all.
Candy
I should have known better, but I was naïve. He was supposed to be my best friend, the person there for me whenever the rug was pulled out from under me. The one doing all the right things to help me. If only I’d known he was the one ripping that rug out from under me all along. Before I could see I was trapped in a game of revenge between powerful families, I was already carrying his baby, or so I thought.
Finding out the baby I agreed to surrogate is not only mine, but also not his at all, I do the only thing I can think of. I run straight to the man who is now my baby daddy… little does he know.
Hollis
When I left the city life behind after an accident, I wouldn’t have guessed that the small town of New Hope could give even the grumpiest man some Christmas spirit. This town has a mind of its own and some say Christmas magic. I growled and pushed the townspeople away; they in turn made me their mayor. Now my mother insists on me throwing a holiday party for the whole town in celebration.
I should’ve known my mother had an ulterior motive. It’s not shocking that she tried to hook me up with the party planner. But this time I was prepared and came up with a plan of my own. I tell them all I'm engaged to my assistant, thinking that should do the trick, but what the town and my mother want, they get.
When the sweetest Christmas treat of a girl ends up on my doorstep, it's already too late. She thinks I'm engaged, and I think she's the party planner carrying another man's baby. Either way, by Christmas morning, I’ll be making sure both are mine.
This small-town holiday romance features a grumpy fake-engaged billionaire, a pregnant virgin with a case of mistaken identity, and a secret baby. Get all the tropes you love for Christmas tied up with one little bow.
Candy
I should have known better, but I was naïve. He was supposed to be my best friend, the person there for me whenever the rug was pulled out from under me. The one doing all the right things to help me. If only I’d known he was the one ripping that rug out from under me all along. Before I could see I was trapped in a game of revenge between powerful families, I was already carrying his baby, or so I thought.
Finding out the baby I agreed to surrogate is not only mine, but also not his at all, I do the only thing I can think of. I run straight to the man who is now my baby daddy… little does he know.
Hollis
When I left the city life behind after an accident, I wouldn’t have guessed that the small town of New Hope could give even the grumpiest man some Christmas spirit. This town has a mind of its own and some say Christmas magic. I growled and pushed the townspeople away; they in turn made me their mayor. Now my mother insists on me throwing a holiday party for the whole town in celebration.
I should’ve known my mother had an ulterior motive. It’s not shocking that she tried to hook me up with the party planner. But this time I was prepared and came up with a plan of my own. I tell them all I'm engaged to my assistant, thinking that should do the trick, but what the town and my mother want, they get.
When the sweetest Christmas treat of a girl ends up on my doorstep, it's already too late. She thinks I'm engaged, and I think she's the party planner carrying another man's baby. Either way, by Christmas morning, I’ll be making sure both are mine.
This small-town holiday romance features a grumpy fake-engaged billionaire, a pregnant virgin with a case of mistaken identity, and a secret baby. Get all the tropes you love for Christmas tied up with one little bow.
173 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 19, 2025
504 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
December 18, 2025
She’s pregnant with his baby BEFORE they even meet! Virgin Mary?! Nope, just a crazy surrogacy plot dressed in a Santa suit 🎄✨
Candy Snow (yes, her real name) is baby trapped with someone else’s baby. There’s definitely mental gymnastics required for this plot line but it all makes sense when the real baby daddy claims her as his immediately.
🎄 sweetly shy fmc X scarred grump mmc
🎄 cozy small town vibes & Christmas magic
🎄 pregnancy
Christmas POURED ON THICC! I loved the cozy Christmas vibes in the story especially this close to the holidays 🎁♥️ It was definitely MORE SWEET THAN SMUTTY but didn’t come across as cringe.
romance novella
forced proximity
pregnancy
double virgins
insta love
cozy small town
crazy ex-friend
found family
HEA
Candy Snow (yes, her real name) is baby trapped with someone else’s baby. There’s definitely mental gymnastics required for this plot line but it all makes sense when the real baby daddy claims her as his immediately.
🎄 sweetly shy fmc X scarred grump mmc
🎄 cozy small town vibes & Christmas magic
🎄 pregnancy
Christmas POURED ON THICC! I loved the cozy Christmas vibes in the story especially this close to the holidays 🎁♥️ It was definitely MORE SWEET THAN SMUTTY but didn’t come across as cringe.
romance novella
forced proximity
pregnancy
double virgins
insta love
cozy small town
crazy ex-friend
found family
HEA
Read
November 20, 2025It's LD, so of course it's insta-love at its finest, and the plot moved ridiculously fast. But hey, it's always safe, with no cheating involved, and the best part? It's dual V! 🤭
November 20, 2025
DUAL VIRGINS! *booty shake! happy dance! booty shake with a big grin on my face!*
Each others first, last and only everything which left a huge smile on my face! So much emphasis on it with the quotes I have listed below:
Quote(Hollis's inner monologue on his status),
That’s Mom. Ready to take this on full force. I suppose that might be where I get that from. I, however, haven’t done it with a woman before. But I’ve never felt this kind of attraction before either.
end quote.
Quote (their first kiss),
“Wow,” she whispers, her eyes fluttering open. “Are all kisses that sweet?”
“I wouldn’t know, but I believe it’s you that makes them sweet.” I brush my mouth against hers again before making myself pull back.
end quote.
Quote,
“Trust me, you’ll be in our bed tonight in our bedroom. Even if we’re only cuddling.”
“I’d like that. If you’re a cuddler.”
“No clue if I am, but I’m down with anything that keeps you wrapped around me or vice versa.” “Mmkay,” she agrees as I set her down on the couch
end quote.
Quote (tells her he never dated),
"Okay."
"Hey." His hand comes to my chin. "It's you I want, and I have never once even gone on a date with the women my mother tried to set me up with. Hell, I don't date, period."
“Really?” I play with the button on the front of his shirt.
“Yes, really.
end quote.
Quote (they finally have sex and what she tells him is incredibly sweet and the heart of romance),
I reach up, my fingertips tracing the scar on his face. I don’t want him to hold back anymore. He’s scared that he’ll hurt me, but I know he never will. I’ll give him the small push to send him over the edge. “Make me yours completely, Hollis. Share with me what no other will ever experience from either of us. Only each other.” Without any further hesitation, he gives me what I want.
end quote.
Quote (Love a hero who is elated to know one woman intimately, so much swoon),
I know every inch of her body, every freckle, and the small scar on her right knee. The only woman's body that I have touched in such a way.
end quote.
Safe
No cheating
No OW
Unwanted OM (h's best friend whom she thinks she is carrying his baby via surrogacy as a way to thank him for all he has done for her since college actually tried to claim her as his own, but she doesn't feel that way for him and flees)
No OM/OW comparisons
No gross condom use
No stupid third act break up
HEA
Christmas, low angst, sweet alpha claims his shy heroine (I love me a shy, sweet heroine!)
So this is the story of Hollis Winter and Candy Gwendolyn Snow. Candy is virgin, carrying a baby via surrogacy for whom she believes belongs to her best friend and a donor egg. She was going to carry it for him because he wanted a baby, but she had no idea that her best friend had ulterior motives, including trying to trap Candy in his life. This unwanted OM is conniving and Candy had no idea that he was this terrible of a person. A lady working at the clinic gave her a folder, because she didn't feel right withholding information from Candy. Turns out the egg belonged to Candy, and the sperm was from a man by the name of Hollis Winter, a savvy, wealthy man now a mayor of the small town of New Hope. Candy is confused and needs to see the real father of her baby, to meet him and talk to him in order to let him know what is going. Several things about Candy to note; she is just as her name suggests, sweet. She is also innocent, sees only the good in people, shy and just an all around delightful person without a mean bone in her body even though her life could have turned her into a snarling mean girl, she opted for kindness which tells me she is a strong woman. She sees that her best friend who is supposed to feel platonically about her but isn't is trying to keep her, so she sneaks away, goes to Hollis's house to meet and talk. As the doors open, their eyes meet and both fall head over heels for each other. They have finally met the one person to make them feel lust, love, warmth, happiness and all the ooey gooey things soulmates feel once they are in each others presence. Is there Christmas magic in air? *sniff sniff*
Hollis is rich and no longer can take the hustle'n'bustle of the city. He can no longer be in the cutthroat world of business dealings as it just robs him of peace, quiet and slow living which he yearns for. He is good at striking deals, but has made himself wealthy and wanted to go to a small town to slow life down and enjoy the peace and quiet pace New Hope promises. His election to become mayor is immediate and his personal assistant/the town's sweetheart Kindred, both behave like siblings and have really funny antics. Before he meets Candy, his mother tries to push women on him which he refused ALL of them. He is sick of it and when his mother tells him to have a Christmas party, and she is sending a party planner to help with decorations, he just blurts out that he and Kindred are together. Of course, they are not, but it was the only way to get his mom off his back, AND of course this happens before he meets Candy. So off to a very complicated start, with a pregnant virgin and a man fake dating.
When they meet, they have to figure out how to lay all the cards on the table. She has to tell him that she is pregnant with his baby and that she is not the party planner he was greeting, and he has to tell her that he is not with Kindred whom he sees as a pesky sister and that he blurted out to his mother that they were "together" so she would stop pestering him about never going out with women. His mom really is a sweetheart, and meant well, but as soon as she sees Candy and the smile she puts on Hollis' face, she is beaming with joy and becomes a motherly figure to Candy as well! Something Candy soaks in happily as she is alone in the world now.
There are many things that happen, many events unfolding that had me snort out a few laughs and it is all very well done! I did not know how Lucy Darling was going to manage an explanation on how Hollis sperm ended up at the clinic and it is because when he was in a bad car accident that left a gash on his face and scarred his lower abdomen, the doctors felt they needed a sample of his sperm to see if the injury had any impact on his swimmers. Well seems like they kept the sample and with deviousness involved with other characters, that sample was used on Candy. This was serendipitous, because when Candy tells him that the baby she carries is his, he is ecstatic! He already laid claim to her since they first met. Already knowing that she would be all his including the baby she carries, and that was before he even knew the baby was his! He wanted it all with Candy and his feeling NEVER wavered. On the contrary they intensified and her feelings for him grew and grew as well.
I love the friendship Candy has with Kindred. Kindred is full of mischief and Candy is there to back up her new best friend. Kindred happens to deviously (but also sweetly) inflict on the object of her affection, the Sheriff of the town a few pranks. I cannot wait to see the romance unfold between the sheriff of New Hope and Kindred! It may or may not contain glitter, who knows!
This winter wonderland romance, of first timers was so heartwarming it left a smile on my face, Christmas cheer in my soul and happiness in my heart! I enjoyed it and I highly recommend it! May I recommend this novel be accompanied with the best hot chocolate recipe you can find (don't skimp out on the whipped cream) and wrap yourself in a warm cozy blanket. Now nestle in your reading nook and dive into this very sweet, heartwarming love story. I cannot wait for Kindred and the Sheriffs story next! They seem spicy together, a bit of an enemies to lovers romance. I think it comes out the end of December!
Happy reading everyone!
Each others first, last and only everything which left a huge smile on my face! So much emphasis on it with the quotes I have listed below:
Quote(Hollis's inner monologue on his status),
That’s Mom. Ready to take this on full force. I suppose that might be where I get that from. I, however, haven’t done it with a woman before. But I’ve never felt this kind of attraction before either.
end quote.
Quote (their first kiss),
“Wow,” she whispers, her eyes fluttering open. “Are all kisses that sweet?”
“I wouldn’t know, but I believe it’s you that makes them sweet.” I brush my mouth against hers again before making myself pull back.
end quote.
Quote,
“Trust me, you’ll be in our bed tonight in our bedroom. Even if we’re only cuddling.”
“I’d like that. If you’re a cuddler.”
“No clue if I am, but I’m down with anything that keeps you wrapped around me or vice versa.” “Mmkay,” she agrees as I set her down on the couch
end quote.
Quote (tells her he never dated),
"Okay."
"Hey." His hand comes to my chin. "It's you I want, and I have never once even gone on a date with the women my mother tried to set me up with. Hell, I don't date, period."
“Really?” I play with the button on the front of his shirt.
“Yes, really.
end quote.
Quote (they finally have sex and what she tells him is incredibly sweet and the heart of romance),
I reach up, my fingertips tracing the scar on his face. I don’t want him to hold back anymore. He’s scared that he’ll hurt me, but I know he never will. I’ll give him the small push to send him over the edge. “Make me yours completely, Hollis. Share with me what no other will ever experience from either of us. Only each other.” Without any further hesitation, he gives me what I want.
end quote.
Quote (Love a hero who is elated to know one woman intimately, so much swoon),
I know every inch of her body, every freckle, and the small scar on her right knee. The only woman's body that I have touched in such a way.
end quote.
Safe
No cheating
No OW
Unwanted OM (h's best friend whom she thinks she is carrying his baby via surrogacy as a way to thank him for all he has done for her since college actually tried to claim her as his own, but she doesn't feel that way for him and flees)
No OM/OW comparisons
No gross condom use
No stupid third act break up
HEA
Christmas, low angst, sweet alpha claims his shy heroine (I love me a shy, sweet heroine!)
So this is the story of Hollis Winter and Candy Gwendolyn Snow. Candy is virgin, carrying a baby via surrogacy for whom she believes belongs to her best friend and a donor egg. She was going to carry it for him because he wanted a baby, but she had no idea that her best friend had ulterior motives, including trying to trap Candy in his life. This unwanted OM is conniving and Candy had no idea that he was this terrible of a person. A lady working at the clinic gave her a folder, because she didn't feel right withholding information from Candy. Turns out the egg belonged to Candy, and the sperm was from a man by the name of Hollis Winter, a savvy, wealthy man now a mayor of the small town of New Hope. Candy is confused and needs to see the real father of her baby, to meet him and talk to him in order to let him know what is going. Several things about Candy to note; she is just as her name suggests, sweet. She is also innocent, sees only the good in people, shy and just an all around delightful person without a mean bone in her body even though her life could have turned her into a snarling mean girl, she opted for kindness which tells me she is a strong woman. She sees that her best friend who is supposed to feel platonically about her but isn't is trying to keep her, so she sneaks away, goes to Hollis's house to meet and talk. As the doors open, their eyes meet and both fall head over heels for each other. They have finally met the one person to make them feel lust, love, warmth, happiness and all the ooey gooey things soulmates feel once they are in each others presence. Is there Christmas magic in air? *sniff sniff*
Hollis is rich and no longer can take the hustle'n'bustle of the city. He can no longer be in the cutthroat world of business dealings as it just robs him of peace, quiet and slow living which he yearns for. He is good at striking deals, but has made himself wealthy and wanted to go to a small town to slow life down and enjoy the peace and quiet pace New Hope promises. His election to become mayor is immediate and his personal assistant/the town's sweetheart Kindred, both behave like siblings and have really funny antics. Before he meets Candy, his mother tries to push women on him which he refused ALL of them. He is sick of it and when his mother tells him to have a Christmas party, and she is sending a party planner to help with decorations, he just blurts out that he and Kindred are together. Of course, they are not, but it was the only way to get his mom off his back, AND of course this happens before he meets Candy. So off to a very complicated start, with a pregnant virgin and a man fake dating.
When they meet, they have to figure out how to lay all the cards on the table. She has to tell him that she is pregnant with his baby and that she is not the party planner he was greeting, and he has to tell her that he is not with Kindred whom he sees as a pesky sister and that he blurted out to his mother that they were "together" so she would stop pestering him about never going out with women. His mom really is a sweetheart, and meant well, but as soon as she sees Candy and the smile she puts on Hollis' face, she is beaming with joy and becomes a motherly figure to Candy as well! Something Candy soaks in happily as she is alone in the world now.
There are many things that happen, many events unfolding that had me snort out a few laughs and it is all very well done! I did not know how Lucy Darling was going to manage an explanation on how Hollis sperm ended up at the clinic and it is because when he was in a bad car accident that left a gash on his face and scarred his lower abdomen, the doctors felt they needed a sample of his sperm to see if the injury had any impact on his swimmers. Well seems like they kept the sample and with deviousness involved with other characters, that sample was used on Candy. This was serendipitous, because when Candy tells him that the baby she carries is his, he is ecstatic! He already laid claim to her since they first met. Already knowing that she would be all his including the baby she carries, and that was before he even knew the baby was his! He wanted it all with Candy and his feeling NEVER wavered. On the contrary they intensified and her feelings for him grew and grew as well.
I love the friendship Candy has with Kindred. Kindred is full of mischief and Candy is there to back up her new best friend. Kindred happens to deviously (but also sweetly) inflict on the object of her affection, the Sheriff of the town a few pranks. I cannot wait to see the romance unfold between the sheriff of New Hope and Kindred! It may or may not contain glitter, who knows!
This winter wonderland romance, of first timers was so heartwarming it left a smile on my face, Christmas cheer in my soul and happiness in my heart! I enjoyed it and I highly recommend it! May I recommend this novel be accompanied with the best hot chocolate recipe you can find (don't skimp out on the whipped cream) and wrap yourself in a warm cozy blanket. Now nestle in your reading nook and dive into this very sweet, heartwarming love story. I cannot wait for Kindred and the Sheriffs story next! They seem spicy together, a bit of an enemies to lovers romance. I think it comes out the end of December!
Happy reading everyone!
November 25, 2025
jajajajajaja solo en estos libros se que que alguien para vengarse de otra persona hace que la mujer con la que está obsesionada vaya a tener los hijos de esas persona 🤣🤣 bien complicado todo
January 3, 2026
Yo no sé como soporte leerlo hasta el final. Parece fanfic pero de los malos. Todo es absurdo y ridiculo me dio cringe.😩😫
November 24, 2025
*Contains SPOILERS* for SAFE readers…
Hollis and Candy
SAFETY remarks
- SAFE
- Dual virgins
- cheating/sharing: no
- ow/om: no
- separation/breakups: no
- possible triggers: controlling best friend, stalkerish best friend, attempted murder in the past
- HEA
This book started with tension from the start, and I loved it!! Candy feels like she is being watched when she meets with an employee of the clinic that she and her “best friend” Max used to get her pregnant carrying Max’s baby. Turns out the baby is Hollis’ and Candy’s baby.
Hollis falls in love at first sight and did everything possible to get his girl. He’s the mayor of the town and also likes to be left alone. Especially after his accident and his scars. His mom wants to set him up with someone and he lies to his mom saying he is seeing someone, his assistant which treat each other like brother and sisters. Though, I don’t like him saying they are purely platonic, that sounds like there was some feelings, when they really are like brother and sister. And then comes Candy to his door step. They are both their one and only, love it!! He even says she is the only woman he has touched in that way. So, happy dance for dual virgins.
Things I disliked… Kindred is introduced to Candy as Hollis’ fiancé, putting some hesitance on Candy thinking she’ll be a homewrecker. Max is mentioned for a very large percent in this book!!! Yes, because of what he did these two got to meet and fall in love. But, why does everything new that happens she has to compare it with what she’s lived with Max. You can see how much he has controlled her life if every detail her thoughts goes to Max, but it was just bothersome.
The other detail I didn’t like is that she is pregnant with Hollis’ baby but there is not much interaction of him with her baby bump. If he’s over the moon about having a baby with the woman he fell for, why doesn’t he touch her belly more, or talk to the baby. I think those moments would’ve added more feelings to their relationship, I would’ve swooned more. It would have made them more close. Basically, he concentrated in catching Max and left Candy to her own devices. She even doubted at one point that he wanted her.
And what is with these FMC of late that even though the MMC is with someone, they lust over them anyways!! I don’t like it. They should respect them and wait for the H to clarify or to claim her.
Back to the likes… He helped Candy blossom. She grew and started to find herself. She came out of the shell Max had enslaved her in. He tried to control almost everything in her life. He even was the one that caused Hollis’ accident. And his arrest was chef’s kiss.
I liked the relationship she had with Kindred, they became like sisters. I’m so waiting for her book with the sheriff.
It’s a 4 star because I didn’t like the Max mentions constantly but I loved the dual virgins. And I wanted more interactions between them, especially with her baby bump. He acknowledged the baby too little.
Hollis and Candy
SAFETY remarks
- SAFE
- Dual virgins
- cheating/sharing: no
- ow/om: no
- separation/breakups: no
- possible triggers: controlling best friend, stalkerish best friend, attempted murder in the past
- HEA
This book started with tension from the start, and I loved it!! Candy feels like she is being watched when she meets with an employee of the clinic that she and her “best friend” Max used to get her pregnant carrying Max’s baby. Turns out the baby is Hollis’ and Candy’s baby.
Hollis falls in love at first sight and did everything possible to get his girl. He’s the mayor of the town and also likes to be left alone. Especially after his accident and his scars. His mom wants to set him up with someone and he lies to his mom saying he is seeing someone, his assistant which treat each other like brother and sisters. Though, I don’t like him saying they are purely platonic, that sounds like there was some feelings, when they really are like brother and sister. And then comes Candy to his door step. They are both their one and only, love it!! He even says she is the only woman he has touched in that way. So, happy dance for dual virgins.
Things I disliked… Kindred is introduced to Candy as Hollis’ fiancé, putting some hesitance on Candy thinking she’ll be a homewrecker. Max is mentioned for a very large percent in this book!!! Yes, because of what he did these two got to meet and fall in love. But, why does everything new that happens she has to compare it with what she’s lived with Max. You can see how much he has controlled her life if every detail her thoughts goes to Max, but it was just bothersome.
The other detail I didn’t like is that she is pregnant with Hollis’ baby but there is not much interaction of him with her baby bump. If he’s over the moon about having a baby with the woman he fell for, why doesn’t he touch her belly more, or talk to the baby. I think those moments would’ve added more feelings to their relationship, I would’ve swooned more. It would have made them more close. Basically, he concentrated in catching Max and left Candy to her own devices. She even doubted at one point that he wanted her.
And what is with these FMC of late that even though the MMC is with someone, they lust over them anyways!! I don’t like it. They should respect them and wait for the H to clarify or to claim her.
Back to the likes… He helped Candy blossom. She grew and started to find herself. She came out of the shell Max had enslaved her in. He tried to control almost everything in her life. He even was the one that caused Hollis’ accident. And his arrest was chef’s kiss.
I liked the relationship she had with Kindred, they became like sisters. I’m so waiting for her book with the sheriff.
It’s a 4 star because I didn’t like the Max mentions constantly but I loved the dual virgins. And I wanted more interactions between them, especially with her baby bump. He acknowledged the baby too little.
November 23, 2025
What's better than a crazy plot, a small-town romance and dreams come true? Oh, yes, a lot of fun and some Christmas magic :-)
I relished this story from the sweet cover to the convoluted premise. Candy is the tender girl who's caught up in the clutches of a dirty plan. She ends up in this quaint and lovely town, New Hope, where Hollis, the scarred mayor, is suddenly eager to welcome her into his lonely bachelor life.
Lavish attention, all manners of care, generosity and protection pour from him to secure her safety and happiness. It's dreamy. Yet danger still threatens their future.
I loved Kindred, she's insanely funny. The little town with good people and pretty stores made me wish I could stroll in its streets under a starry sky. The pregnancy plot is engaging and links all the characters and settings very well.
I had a blast with this couple and am looking forward to Kindred's story next. It's going to be even crazier, I bet :-D
I relished this story from the sweet cover to the convoluted premise. Candy is the tender girl who's caught up in the clutches of a dirty plan. She ends up in this quaint and lovely town, New Hope, where Hollis, the scarred mayor, is suddenly eager to welcome her into his lonely bachelor life.
Lavish attention, all manners of care, generosity and protection pour from him to secure her safety and happiness. It's dreamy. Yet danger still threatens their future.
I loved Kindred, she's insanely funny. The little town with good people and pretty stores made me wish I could stroll in its streets under a starry sky. The pregnancy plot is engaging and links all the characters and settings very well.
I had a blast with this couple and am looking forward to Kindred's story next. It's going to be even crazier, I bet :-D
December 19, 2025
Me gusto, pero saben que lo habría hecho perfecto? Que no fuera insta love.
"Ella es mía, el bebé es mío" Hombre con sus ideas muy claras, como me gustan.
Esto es una especie de Jane the Virgin. Ya, lo que más quiero es leer el segundo, sobre la asistente y el sheriff, a ese le tengo expectativas.
"Ella es mía, el bebé es mío" Hombre con sus ideas muy claras, como me gustan.
Esto es una especie de Jane the Virgin. Ya, lo que más quiero es leer el segundo, sobre la asistente y el sheriff, a ese le tengo expectativas.
November 21, 2025
great holiday romance
This is a great holiday romance. Hollis and Candy are great together. It’s a fast paced read, well written, has some intrigue and secrets and a perfect happy ending. Loved it.
This is a great holiday romance. Hollis and Candy are great together. It’s a fast paced read, well written, has some intrigue and secrets and a perfect happy ending. Loved it.
November 26, 2025
Quick read while I try to get out of my current reading slump. Insta love, no third act breakup, OM drama (she's never into him), but no OW drama.
December 3, 2025
Was this outlandish? Yes. Was it good? Not quite…but if you want insta love, dual v, and a fast holiday read, it could be for you!
December 8, 2025
This was…. Not good. Immature writing, insta everything, ridiculous plot. It’s not even worth writing a review.
December 16, 2025
Candy is a sweet young woman that lives currently with her best friend from college. What she doesn't know is that he is trying to baby trap her...he asks her to be his surrogate. But his plan is more devious and when Candy finally leaves she is pregnant with her own baby(not a donor egg how it was the plan). Now she just has to find the real father of her baby(it's not the best friends kid). When Hollis sees Candy he is instantly obsessed and he won't stop until he gets his woman and his child😏 And when they discover that her former best friend ,his enemy from years before is.... things change😊 Instalove , mistaken identity, sweet ,steamy, romantic, fun to read and totally safe (they were both virgins 😍) with an awesome HEA 😍😍😍😍😍 can't wait for Kindred story and how her sheriff finally makes her his.
December 5, 2025
’Por primera vez en mucho tiempo, no pienso que sea algo malo. No, no con Hollis. Apostaría todos nuestros adornos navideños a que, sea lo que sea, está envuelto en el amor de Hollis.’
•Mi opinión puede contener Spoilers.
•Esta destinada a ser un descargo personal no para que alguien más lea pero si lo haces y te ofende, me disculpo porque sé lo que es que te guste un libro y otros lo critiquen.
Oh My Secret Christmas Baby de Lucy Darling Serie New Hope Libro 1
Argumento:
Esta Navidad todos vamos a recibir exactamente lo que no sabíamos que necesitábamos...
Pero tal vez Santa lo sabía mejor que todos nosotros.
Candy
Debería haberlo sabido mejor, pero fui ingenua. Se suponía que él era mi mejor amigo, la persona que estaba ahí para mí cada vez que me quitaban la alfombra de debajo de los pies. El que hacía todo lo correcto para ayudarme. Si solo hubiera sabido que él era el que me estaba quitando la alfombra de debajo de los pies todo el tiempo.
Antes de que pudiera ver que estaba atrapada en un juego de venganza entre familias poderosas, ya estaba embarazada de su bebé, o eso creía. Al descubrir que el bebé que acepté gestar no solo es mío, sino que tampoco es suyo en absoluto, hago lo único que se me ocurre. corro directamente hacia el hombre que ahora es el papá de mi bebé... poco sabe él.
Hollis
Cuando dejé atrás la vida de ciudad después de un accidente, no habría imaginado que el pequeño pueblo de New Hope podría darle incluso al hombre más gruñón algo de espíritu navideño. Este pueblo tiene mente propia y algunos dicen que magia navideña. Gruñí y empujé a la gente del pueblo; Ellos a su vez me nombraron su alcalde. Ahora mi madre insiste en que organice una fiesta navideña para todo el pueblo. Debería haber sabido que mi madre tenía un motivo oculto. No es sorprendente que intentara emparejarme con la organizadora de fiestas. Pero esta vez estaba preparado y se me ocurrió un plan propio. Les digo a todos que estoy comprometido con mi asistente, pensando que eso debería funcionar, pero lo que el pueblo y mi madre quieren, lo consiguen. Cuando el regalo navideño más dulce de una chica termina en mi puerta, ya es demasiado tarde. Ella cree que estoy comprometido, y yo creo que es la organizadora de fiestas que espera el bebé de otro hombre. Sea como sea, para la mañana de Navidad, me aseguraré de que ambos sean míos.
Mi humilde opinión:
Romance navideño en un pueblo pequeño con atracción instantánea, OTT, gruñón-sol, vírgenes duales, identidad equivocada, bebé secreto.
La historia de amor de Hollis y Candy fue divertida, dulce y sexy. Me encantaron los detalles navideños y la calidez de los habitantes del pueblo New Hope.
Estuvo genial que hubiera un villano y la sensación de peligro pero que se resolviera con un inteligente plan de Hollis para exponerlo justo en la fiesta de navidad.
Esta fue una lectura fácil de leer, un lindo insta sin dramas, con un final feliz que te deja sonriendo a lo grande y un epilogo con un Hollis que te deja suspirando.
November 15, 2025
[eARC]I started this book as soon as the arc came through as the blurb really grabbed me. If I was to use a couple of words to describe this book it would be heartwarming, funny and swoony.
Candy has lived a life alone and it isn't until she arrives in New Hope and meets the amazing people there that she starts to feel like she is finally home. A big part of that is Hollis. Our gorgeous human of a man who falls at first sight and does everything he can to protect Candy.
From Hollis' own words:
"Obsessed at first sight is more like it".
"She's a f__king vision. And she's all mine".
"An innocence still clings to her that I will always protect". That's what I want in my MMC and this book delivered!!
There were so many parts of this book that I loved; the FMC and MMC were wonderful and I was instantly invested in their HEA. The town of New Hope as a whole and the feeling of community that really came through the story. And, of course, all of the supporting characters. I cannot wait for Kildred and the Sheriff's book.
While the connection between Hollis and Candy was instant, the way their relationship grew meant that the level of spice in this book was exactly right.
Thank you, Lucy Darling, for giving me a beautiful story, with humour, love, family and a little bit of spice.
Candy has lived a life alone and it isn't until she arrives in New Hope and meets the amazing people there that she starts to feel like she is finally home. A big part of that is Hollis. Our gorgeous human of a man who falls at first sight and does everything he can to protect Candy.
From Hollis' own words:
"Obsessed at first sight is more like it".
"She's a f__king vision. And she's all mine".
"An innocence still clings to her that I will always protect". That's what I want in my MMC and this book delivered!!
There were so many parts of this book that I loved; the FMC and MMC were wonderful and I was instantly invested in their HEA. The town of New Hope as a whole and the feeling of community that really came through the story. And, of course, all of the supporting characters. I cannot wait for Kildred and the Sheriff's book.
While the connection between Hollis and Candy was instant, the way their relationship grew meant that the level of spice in this book was exactly right.
Thank you, Lucy Darling, for giving me a beautiful story, with humour, love, family and a little bit of spice.
Read
December 17, 2025Thoughts:
1. Normally, if the h believes the H to be taken, I hate it. However, I didn't mind it here as nothing occurs other than Kindred claiming to be his fiancee. A ruse Hollis had planned when he realized his mom was trying to pair him up with the party planner. Immediately upon meeting Candy, he was gone for her and hated the lie. Which he came clean about fairly quickly.
2. Hollister told his mom about Candy, and she realized he already had feelings for her, as well as that he and Kindred had been a lie. This is all before the actual party planner arrived at Hollis'. Meaning there was more than enough time to tell her (Polly) that he truly was taken. Yet that never happened, which is annoying because...
3. Polly instantly starts coming on to Hollis and tries to touch him. Implies that, even though he's in a relationship, people date multiple prospects at the same time, so... Then, her apology after meeting Candy, is that (the mom alluding to Hollis' (initial lie) relationship was fake) is that she assumed it was a new relationship. Therefore, she still had a chance. Ewww, bitch. That changes nothing. New or not, it's still a relationship and you're a skunk for trying to interfere with it. I hate that Candy chose to keep Polly as the party planner and excused Her Honess (see what I did there?) because Hollis is quite handsome. Say what now? Nope. You gotta go.
1. Normally, if the h believes the H to be taken, I hate it. However, I didn't mind it here as nothing occurs other than Kindred claiming to be his fiancee. A ruse Hollis had planned when he realized his mom was trying to pair him up with the party planner. Immediately upon meeting Candy, he was gone for her and hated the lie. Which he came clean about fairly quickly.
2. Hollister told his mom about Candy, and she realized he already had feelings for her, as well as that he and Kindred had been a lie. This is all before the actual party planner arrived at Hollis'. Meaning there was more than enough time to tell her (Polly) that he truly was taken. Yet that never happened, which is annoying because...
3. Polly instantly starts coming on to Hollis and tries to touch him. Implies that, even though he's in a relationship, people date multiple prospects at the same time, so... Then, her apology after meeting Candy, is that (the mom alluding to Hollis' (initial lie) relationship was fake) is that she assumed it was a new relationship. Therefore, she still had a chance. Ewww, bitch. That changes nothing. New or not, it's still a relationship and you're a skunk for trying to interfere with it. I hate that Candy chose to keep Polly as the party planner and excused Her Honess (see what I did there?) because Hollis is quite handsome. Say what now? Nope. You gotta go.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2025
Loved this sweet story. Candy is the sweetest person who has been lied to, manipulative, and called by her so called best friend Maxwell. I hated Maxwell but if it wasn't for his deceit Candy would had never met Hollis. Hollis and Candy were perfect together . Hollis made me smile with how he was with Candy. Can't leave out Hollis 's assistant Kkdred. Her antics made me laugh out loud ( so looking forward to her book). The townfolk of New Hope were amazing. Loved the main and side characters ( except Maxwell of course). Lucy Darling writes books that make you root and fall in love with the characters. 5 stars
December 5, 2025
se suponía que era su mejor amigo, pero últimamente sospecha de todo. la ayudó tanto que se sentía en deuda con el. y cuando le pidió que fuera madre sustituida lo aceptó. lo que presintio fue cierto. ni el esperma era de el .y el óvulo era el de ella. así que busca al verdadero papa.
......
cuando tuvo un accidente que le dejó cicatrices se muda a un pueblo pequeño. se hace alcalde. su madre siempre anda presentándole chicas. y su salvación es decir que su secretaria es su prometida. pero cuando una chica que parece el Ángel de Navidad se presenta en su casa, odia haber sido tan impulsivo y no haber esperado. pero... la Navidad tiene su magia y hace milagros
......
cuando tuvo un accidente que le dejó cicatrices se muda a un pueblo pequeño. se hace alcalde. su madre siempre anda presentándole chicas. y su salvación es decir que su secretaria es su prometida. pero cuando una chica que parece el Ángel de Navidad se presenta en su casa, odia haber sido tan impulsivo y no haber esperado. pero... la Navidad tiene su magia y hace milagros
December 12, 2025
The story’s core idea is genuinely good, and the beginning felt promising. It’s a very fast read, light, low on drama, and I finished it in under an hour. This is definitely an insta-love romance, and while that can be fun, I struggled a bit with Candy as a character. She felt far too naïve and overly agreeable for my liking. The chemistry between Candy and Hollis didn’t feel realistic to me; their relationship escalates from zero to marriage and “you’re mine” territory so quickly that it pulled me out of the story.
That said, it’s a sweet, well honestly, very sweet holiday read if you’re looking for something quick and simple.
That said, it’s a sweet, well honestly, very sweet holiday read if you’re looking for something quick and simple.
December 24, 2025
Me encantó y quiero más
Definitivamente el que sea tan corto fue lo que no me gustó pero en general lo leí super rápido y super entrada
💕 Él se enamora primero
💕Instalove(?
💕Small Town
💕 Spicy
En un pueblo pequeño todo pasa, y más en este pueblo donde el amor a primera vista es para siempre, Hollis y Candy son adorables.
Candy acepta gestar al bb de su amigo Max, pero , realmente es su amigo(?
a lo largo de la historia vemos el porqué no es su amigo y como Max lleva a Candy a brazos de Hollis, pero que conexión hay entre esos dos hombres? que papel juega Candy?
Una historia corta, navideña y romántica
faaaaan de historias así.
Definitivamente el que sea tan corto fue lo que no me gustó pero en general lo leí super rápido y super entrada
💕 Él se enamora primero
💕Instalove(?
💕Small Town
💕 Spicy
En un pueblo pequeño todo pasa, y más en este pueblo donde el amor a primera vista es para siempre, Hollis y Candy son adorables.
Candy acepta gestar al bb de su amigo Max, pero , realmente es su amigo(?
a lo largo de la historia vemos el porqué no es su amigo y como Max lleva a Candy a brazos de Hollis, pero que conexión hay entre esos dos hombres? que papel juega Candy?
Una historia corta, navideña y romántica
faaaaan de historias así.
November 19, 2025
One of Lucy Darling’s full length book and I love it!
Candy found herself in a predicament. A best friend who she thought had her best interest at heart, cornered her into having his baby and using that to control her. She didn’t realize it was for revenge and nothing else.
She found out Hollis was the real father of her babies so she went to searching for him. While searching for the real father she found something else. A happily ever after!
I love all Lucy Darling’s books. Her stories gets better and better every single time and this one is no different. A must read!
Candy found herself in a predicament. A best friend who she thought had her best interest at heart, cornered her into having his baby and using that to control her. She didn’t realize it was for revenge and nothing else.
She found out Hollis was the real father of her babies so she went to searching for him. While searching for the real father she found something else. A happily ever after!
I love all Lucy Darling’s books. Her stories gets better and better every single time and this one is no different. A must read!
November 21, 2025
Loved every second of this and how gone Candy & Hollis were for each other. You know it’s going to be a good sweet tooth ache of a read when they don’t even care how they came into each others lives, they’re just happy they’re together.
Opposites attract goes crazy in this surprise pregnancy read, and I loved how soft Hollis got over Candy from the second they met. Lucy Darling readers are going to enjoy this book! She’s seriously on a roll with these recent releases because each is giving five star reads.
Opposites attract goes crazy in this surprise pregnancy read, and I loved how soft Hollis got over Candy from the second they met. Lucy Darling readers are going to enjoy this book! She’s seriously on a roll with these recent releases because each is giving five star reads.
November 24, 2025
Sweet holiday story
This is a sweet holiday story that still manages to have depth to the plot. It's an instalove on the hero's side, yet the romance doesn't feel rushed between the main characters.
This is a safe read with some language and some sex scenes, although the characters do get to know each other first.
This is a standalone in a series. The secondary characters are fantastic and I can't wait to read their stories as well.
Both of the main characters have emotional back stories which made me fall in love with them. I definitely recommend this book.
This is a sweet holiday story that still manages to have depth to the plot. It's an instalove on the hero's side, yet the romance doesn't feel rushed between the main characters.
This is a safe read with some language and some sex scenes, although the characters do get to know each other first.
This is a standalone in a series. The secondary characters are fantastic and I can't wait to read their stories as well.
Both of the main characters have emotional back stories which made me fall in love with them. I definitely recommend this book.
December 23, 2025
Hollis & Candy's story
OMG, this story is totally adorable. Hollis is a small town mayor who is originally from the big city. Candy is an innocent orphan from the city who shows up needing to tell Hollis that even though they've never met he's her baby daddy when she finds out the guy she thought was her best friend did some shady things in an effort to hurt/control (?) Hollis. This story is definitely love at first sight for both of them and is definitely a cute pre-holiday story that will keep your attention as you try to devour it in one sitting.
OMG, this story is totally adorable. Hollis is a small town mayor who is originally from the big city. Candy is an innocent orphan from the city who shows up needing to tell Hollis that even though they've never met he's her baby daddy when she finds out the guy she thought was her best friend did some shady things in an effort to hurt/control (?) Hollis. This story is definitely love at first sight for both of them and is definitely a cute pre-holiday story that will keep your attention as you try to devour it in one sitting.
November 15, 2025
I loved this story!
One of my top 3 stories by Lucy Darling!!!
Candy believes she’s carrying her guy friend’s baby when she finds out some troubling news. So she goes to the one person who she believes should know what is going on and it’s legit love at first sight. Only, Hollis has somehow managed to make his lie to his mother bite him in the you know what! Yikes! Meaning he know has to admit the truth to her without her thinking he’s a liar.
Such a sweet two hour story!
One of my top 3 stories by Lucy Darling!!!
Candy believes she’s carrying her guy friend’s baby when she finds out some troubling news. So she goes to the one person who she believes should know what is going on and it’s legit love at first sight. Only, Hollis has somehow managed to make his lie to his mother bite him in the you know what! Yikes! Meaning he know has to admit the truth to her without her thinking he’s a liar.
Such a sweet two hour story!
November 19, 2025
This was a cute book. Candy was too nice for her own good. She didn't realize that she was being manipulated and trapped until it was too late. When she found out what was going on she had to find the other man that would be affected. Hollis was someone who denied dates or setups forever. But the second he saw Candy he knew she was his and he would do anything to make it happen but he would not take that choice from her. She had to want him the same.
November 20, 2025
No Drama, All Heart ❤️🎄
Hollis and Candy had that soft Beauty and the Beast energy, just sweeter. His scars only made him even hotter, and her kindness felt genuine the whole way through. No drama, no messy third-act breakup, just a cozy read that hits perfect after something dark.
Kindred and Sheriff Hudson are about to own me. Their barely hidden feelings were the real highlight. ❤️🔥
Start ✨4.75
Middle ✨4
Ending + Epilogue ✨4.25
Hollis and Candy had that soft Beauty and the Beast energy, just sweeter. His scars only made him even hotter, and her kindness felt genuine the whole way through. No drama, no messy third-act breakup, just a cozy read that hits perfect after something dark.
Kindred and Sheriff Hudson are about to own me. Their barely hidden feelings were the real highlight. ❤️🔥
Start ✨4.75
Middle ✨4
Ending + Epilogue ✨4.25
November 21, 2025
3,5/5⭐
La verdad es que es un libro que me ha sorprendido! Es navideño, y aunque tiene el cliché instalove (muy muy instalove), a mí eso no me ha hecho salirme de la lectura🤭.
Los capítulos son cortos, y narran ambos protagonistas. Al ser un libro corto tampoco he podido conectar demasiado con la historia, aunque sí que lo he disfrutado.
Le doy 3,5⭐ porque ha habido cosas que me han chirriado un poco😞😬.
¿Lo recomiendo? Yo sí que lo recomiendo, si podéis, dadle una oportunidad!!!🎄🫶🏻
La verdad es que es un libro que me ha sorprendido! Es navideño, y aunque tiene el cliché instalove (muy muy instalove), a mí eso no me ha hecho salirme de la lectura🤭.
Los capítulos son cortos, y narran ambos protagonistas. Al ser un libro corto tampoco he podido conectar demasiado con la historia, aunque sí que lo he disfrutado.
Le doy 3,5⭐ porque ha habido cosas que me han chirriado un poco😞😬.
¿Lo recomiendo? Yo sí que lo recomiendo, si podéis, dadle una oportunidad!!!🎄🫶🏻
November 22, 2025
Hollis & Candy
Oh what a tangled and complicated web leading these two together! It’s short, sweet and steamy and everything I’ve come to expect from a Lucy Darling book. Perfect. Hollis is over the top and all in from the moment he first sees Candy. Candy couldn’t be sweeter. Their holiday romance is just the thing to get me in the holiday spirit! And I’m super excited that we’ll get to return to New Hope for more.
Oh what a tangled and complicated web leading these two together! It’s short, sweet and steamy and everything I’ve come to expect from a Lucy Darling book. Perfect. Hollis is over the top and all in from the moment he first sees Candy. Candy couldn’t be sweeter. Their holiday romance is just the thing to get me in the holiday spirit! And I’m super excited that we’ll get to return to New Hope for more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews