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Paradise Place #19
Worth Loving: Single Father Secret Past Romance
One night of pretending became the truth neither could escape.
Dean Easton walked away from his family’s legacy to build a life on his own terms. His bar, Pulse, was finally proof he’d made it. Then everything changed. He was going to be a father. And the woman carrying his child doesn’t want love or a future—just money—and Dean’s carefully controlled world starts to unravel.
Molly Clarke has spent her life being overlooked. Smart, awkward, and never the one chosen. She agrees to a makeover and a blind date that ends in disaster. Escaping to a bar to drown her embarrassment, she meets a sexy bartender who makes her feel bold, desired… and brave enough to pretend for one night. Then another, and another.
But flirtation turns into something real, something meaningful enough to be scary. Dean is hiding the truth, and when Molly uncovers his secret, she must decide if walking away will save her heart… or if it’s already too late to leave the man who finally made her feel worthy of love.
Small parts of Worth Loving are from a previous published book, Brainy Bartender, that was part of the Cocky Hero Club. It’s now been rewritten, reimagined and incorporated into Paradise Place.
Paradise Place, where dreams come true and love is guaranteed. In this heartwarming quaint development in upstate New York, you’ll find doctors, lawyers, millionaires, businessmen, firemen, policemen, professional athletes, single parents and many more. There will be secret crushes, second chances, first loves, friends, enemies and always lovers, and everything in between.
Scroll up and click once if you’re ready to start your journey to paradise where happy ever after is the name of the game!
Dean Easton walked away from his family’s legacy to build a life on his own terms. His bar, Pulse, was finally proof he’d made it. Then everything changed. He was going to be a father. And the woman carrying his child doesn’t want love or a future—just money—and Dean’s carefully controlled world starts to unravel.
Molly Clarke has spent her life being overlooked. Smart, awkward, and never the one chosen. She agrees to a makeover and a blind date that ends in disaster. Escaping to a bar to drown her embarrassment, she meets a sexy bartender who makes her feel bold, desired… and brave enough to pretend for one night. Then another, and another.
But flirtation turns into something real, something meaningful enough to be scary. Dean is hiding the truth, and when Molly uncovers his secret, she must decide if walking away will save her heart… or if it’s already too late to leave the man who finally made her feel worthy of love.
Small parts of Worth Loving are from a previous published book, Brainy Bartender, that was part of the Cocky Hero Club. It’s now been rewritten, reimagined and incorporated into Paradise Place.
Paradise Place, where dreams come true and love is guaranteed. In this heartwarming quaint development in upstate New York, you’ll find doctors, lawyers, millionaires, businessmen, firemen, policemen, professional athletes, single parents and many more. There will be secret crushes, second chances, first loves, friends, enemies and always lovers, and everything in between.
Scroll up and click once if you’re ready to start your journey to paradise where happy ever after is the name of the game!
247 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 26, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Dean Easton left his powerful, rich family behind to pave his own way. He refused to follow in his grandfather's steps and become a cardiac surgeon and decided to open a bar. He is happy running his bar, Pulse, and raising his son until he meets Molly.
Molly Clarke is the typical nerdy, smart scientist that you expect but she has so much potential. She loses a bet by a colleague which involves a complete make over and a blind date. The date is horrible so she ditches him and ends up going to Pulse. She decides to use the confidence from the makeover to enter the bar but is unprepared for the instant attraction to Dean.
These two are not ready for the chemistry and pull of each other. So many secrets lie between them but as they start coming to light will they destroy what they have built or strengthen the bond. A wonderful story of love worth having and learning to trust.
Molly Clarke is the typical nerdy, smart scientist that you expect but she has so much potential. She loses a bet by a colleague which involves a complete make over and a blind date. The date is horrible so she ditches him and ends up going to Pulse. She decides to use the confidence from the makeover to enter the bar but is unprepared for the instant attraction to Dean.
These two are not ready for the chemistry and pull of each other. So many secrets lie between them but as they start coming to light will they destroy what they have built or strengthen the bond. A wonderful story of love worth having and learning to trust.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Back to Paradise Place. This series has always been one of my favorites by Natalie Ann.
Dean, single father and bar owner watched women that come into is bar every week and try to pick up men and especially him. The woman in the bar tonight is different, and he finds himself attracted to her.
Molly finds herself in a bar that she has never been to when she bails on a blind date. Quiet, shy Molly finds herself flirting with the cute bartender.
Both have secrets. Can they overcome them to have a relationship?
Natalie Ann once again brings us everything family. Heartache, Anxiety, Acceptance, Laughter, and lots of Love.
This book can be read as a standalone or in series order.
Dean, single father and bar owner watched women that come into is bar every week and try to pick up men and especially him. The woman in the bar tonight is different, and he finds himself attracted to her.
Molly finds herself in a bar that she has never been to when she bails on a blind date. Quiet, shy Molly finds herself flirting with the cute bartender.
Both have secrets. Can they overcome them to have a relationship?
Natalie Ann once again brings us everything family. Heartache, Anxiety, Acceptance, Laughter, and lots of Love.
This book can be read as a standalone or in series order.
May 28, 2026
I loved Dean and Molly’s story! Dean refused to follow his grandfather’s plan and becoming a doctor. He opened his own bar, Pulse. That’s how he and Molly meet. She went into his bar to escape a bad blind date. The attraction is instant. One night turns into more. Neither of them are ready for a relationship, but they can’t stop the pull. They both have secrets and when they come out could possibly tear them apart. Will they be able to work on their differences and make their relationship work? Worth Loving is a wonderful story of love, trust and learning to love. I loved it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Welcome back to Paradise Place. This story shows both Dean and Molly making great strides in their personal growth and in their relationship. I couldn’t help but fall in love with them. This was a wonderful read from one of my favorite authors, Natalie Ann.
June 23, 2026
Dean and Molly are hiding who they are for different reasons but find comfort in each other. Dean, who comes from a wealthy family and has been groomed to become a cardiologist, chose his own path and opened a bar called Pulse. Along the way, he became a single father. Molly, a nerdy food scientist who has been overlooked for years.
Losing a bet to a coworker, she has to go on a blind date and also get a makeover putting her completely out of her comfort zone. After a disastrous blind date, that she skipped out on, she ends up at Pulse where she meets Dean. A little flirtatious back and forth and easy conversation, has given Molly a boost of confidence that she credits to her new makeover. Once again stepping out of her comfort zone, she decides to have lunch at Pulse just to see Dean. He is equally happy to see her again. Their attraction towards one another leads to dating to her meeting his son. When the truth comes out about who they really are, will it change their relationship.
Another great Paradise Place HEA.
Losing a bet to a coworker, she has to go on a blind date and also get a makeover putting her completely out of her comfort zone. After a disastrous blind date, that she skipped out on, she ends up at Pulse where she meets Dean. A little flirtatious back and forth and easy conversation, has given Molly a boost of confidence that she credits to her new makeover. Once again stepping out of her comfort zone, she decides to have lunch at Pulse just to see Dean. He is equally happy to see her again. Their attraction towards one another leads to dating to her meeting his son. When the truth comes out about who they really are, will it change their relationship.
Another great Paradise Place HEA.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews