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A Dad For Billie
It all began with a baseball...From the moment it smashed through Adam Barrington's window, the banker's quiet life was never quite the same again. The guilty party, an adorable eight–year–old tomboy with a slightly erratic curveball, was soon turning his once–peaceful household upside down. But that shock was nothing compared to discovering who Billie's mother was...Jane Southwick had known that coming back to her small South Carolina hometown wouldn't be easy, and that living next door to Adam again would be sweet torture. But the sweetest torture of all was the delightful bond growing between him and her daughter. It was pure joy to see them together–despite the guilty secret that clutched at her heart ....
253 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 1993
104 people are currently reading
314 people want to read
About the author
Susan Mallery
865 books15.5k followers#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming and humorous novels about the relationships that define women's lives—family, friendship, romance. She's best known for putting nuanced characters into emotionally complex, real-life situations with twists that surprise readers to laughter. Because Susan is passionate about animal welfare, pets play a big role in her books. Beloved by millions of readers worldwide, her books have been translated into 28 languages.
Critics have dubbed Mallery "the new queen of romantic fiction." (Walmart) Booklist says, "Romance novels don't get much better than Mallery's expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling," and RT Book Reviews puts her "in a class by herself!" It's no wonder that her books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list.
Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool's Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.
Susan lives in Washington state with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com.
Critics have dubbed Mallery "the new queen of romantic fiction." (Walmart) Booklist says, "Romance novels don't get much better than Mallery's expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling," and RT Book Reviews puts her "in a class by herself!" It's no wonder that her books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list.
Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool's Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.
Susan lives in Washington state with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 4, 2017
h's character is a definition for dumb . she left him at the alter , Why ? I am not sure she figured it out herself , I will say pre-wedding jitters maybe . Then she finds out she is pregnant , Boy did she come back and did the sensible thing of informing H ? Nah that would spoil her reputation of being 'Dumb' .
Now , After nine years , she is back to her parent's old house , her ex-fiance now neighbor , she even has got the nerve to impose on him and stay in his house ( seriously ? She humiliated him , left him standing at the altar infront of the whole town ) and she says she is happy to be back . She may not have brains , but she has got nerves . Huge round of applause for that dumb brain of hers .
I gave this 2.5 just for the little girl Billie . Without her character , I would have given up reading it .
Now , After nine years , she is back to her parent's old house , her ex-fiance now neighbor , she even has got the nerve to impose on him and stay in his house ( seriously ? She humiliated him , left him standing at the altar infront of the whole town ) and she says she is happy to be back . She may not have brains , but she has got nerves . Huge round of applause for that dumb brain of hers .
I gave this 2.5 just for the little girl Billie . Without her character , I would have given up reading it .
February 15, 2015
well, more 3.5 stars but SM writes good!
The story is pretty simple, a classic secret pregnancy but this time the soon-to-be wife is the one who run away. The heroine left the hero at the altar and went away. SHe's back some 8 years later with a wonderful child, a girl named Billie who doesn't want to be a girl and who needs a father. Obviously we already knew who was Billie's father but the hero had to make the discover on his own.
There were some good parts and other not-so-good. I think that everything depended from the youngness of the heroine. She really was too young to be married and she was too young to make those choices.
A relaxing reading for a rainy afternoon.
The story is pretty simple, a classic secret pregnancy but this time the soon-to-be wife is the one who run away. The heroine left the hero at the altar and went away. SHe's back some 8 years later with a wonderful child, a girl named Billie who doesn't want to be a girl and who needs a father. Obviously we already knew who was Billie's father but the hero had to make the discover on his own.
There were some good parts and other not-so-good. I think that everything depended from the youngness of the heroine. She really was too young to be married and she was too young to make those choices.
A relaxing reading for a rainy afternoon.
August 28, 2011
Jane Southwick left Adam Barrington standing at the alter nine year ago. She's now returned to her home town and moved into her parent's old house which is next door to Adam's house. She can't ignore him, however, or even believe him when he claims that he's over what happened so long ago because she needs to let him know that her eight year old daughter, Billie, is his daughter, too.
This is a cute story despite some of the more unbelievable parts, like it taking Adam so long to figure out that Billie is his, as well as Adam getting over his anger at Jane for hiding Billie from him so quickly. Nevertheless, Mallery does a good job explaining the reasons behind Jane's running away from Adam. She also give both parts of the couple realistic issues that need to be dealt with if they are going to have a chance to become a family.
This is a cute story despite some of the more unbelievable parts, like it taking Adam so long to figure out that Billie is his, as well as Adam getting over his anger at Jane for hiding Billie from him so quickly. Nevertheless, Mallery does a good job explaining the reasons behind Jane's running away from Adam. She also give both parts of the couple realistic issues that need to be dealt with if they are going to have a chance to become a family.
October 19, 2017
A Dad for Billie was heartwarming and the characters were strong. I love a good second chance story.
September 29, 2018
Annoying
I love this author, but the female character is a selfish idiot and her daughter is disrespectful. The story was way to long and not really credible.
I love this author, but the female character is a selfish idiot and her daughter is disrespectful. The story was way to long and not really credible.
November 22, 2020
Good but sometimes predictable story of love, family, and romance.
December 13, 2023
More trite than her usual books....probably doesn't help that it was one of her firwst and relatively old. Her style has gotten more refined.
November 19, 2020
I liked this book
March 2, 2015
I recently read an enjoyable Susan Mallery novel and thought I'd try another, hers are a step up from formula read. This one clearly has heart, also a young woman's actions causing a lot of lives to be changed. She's not guiltless but neither is he, but her immaturity we are constantly reminded of (Past and even as she deals with the problems, she confronts herself when her actions benefit herself). Even her action to move back to her home town smack of her own needs but her strongest motivation is her child and moving on. So not a cookie cutter character, she's flawed but striving to make things right.
Clearly one party wasn't old enough or strong enough to know her own mind on one fateful day.
Clearly one party wasn't old enough or strong enough to know her own mind on one fateful day.
April 29, 2015
From the moment a baseball smashes through his window, banker Adam Barrington's life is never quite the same. The guilty party, an eight-year-old tomboy, soon turns his household upside down. But that shock is nothing compared to when Adam discovers who Billie's mother is...
Jane Southwick knows that coming back home won't be easy, and that living next door to Adam again will be sweet torture. But it's pure joy to see the delightful bond growing between him and her daughter--despite the guilty secret that clutches at Jane's heart.
Mallery did it yet again. This is one of those hard to put down books. One that makes you hate to come to the end, and hard to start a new book. I love how the author builds up the story, like only she can do. 5 stars.
Jane Southwick knows that coming back home won't be easy, and that living next door to Adam again will be sweet torture. But it's pure joy to see the delightful bond growing between him and her daughter--despite the guilty secret that clutches at Jane's heart.
Mallery did it yet again. This is one of those hard to put down books. One that makes you hate to come to the end, and hard to start a new book. I love how the author builds up the story, like only she can do. 5 stars.
June 13, 2020
I got too frustrated with Jane's timidity, Adam's anger, and Billie's entire focus on softball. In my tomboy days, it was always baseball. Softball was for wimpy girls. Besides, softballs were too big for my eight-year-old hands. Somehow the characters did not ring true as a result. I felt I was just reading a story about strangers and not getting to know them, unlike most other books I have read. It happens occasionally though. It happened this time.
January 6, 2015
Second Chance Romance...
I always enjoy these romance novels. There's always a secret that will eventually be revealed, usually after the lead characters are in the beginning of their relationship. The secret is revealed. The anger and chaos begins. Then after reflection, they realize love overcomes most anything....and of course, they live happily ever after.
Yeah, I'm that girl. The one who loves a good romance novel despite knowing the format, and how it will end ;)
I always enjoy these romance novels. There's always a secret that will eventually be revealed, usually after the lead characters are in the beginning of their relationship. The secret is revealed. The anger and chaos begins. Then after reflection, they realize love overcomes most anything....and of course, they live happily ever after.
Yeah, I'm that girl. The one who loves a good romance novel despite knowing the format, and how it will end ;)
August 11, 2015
Admittedly I had tears various times in this book and for various reasons. I LOVED it, really such a lovely story. It made me angry at her for keeping his child from him and sad for him and his daughter for missing out so much. But also I felt for her, she was confused and didn't know how to talk to him so she ran. We all make mistakes in life, some bigger than others but she made it right.
Lovely book well worth the read.
Lovely book well worth the read.
January 19, 2015
Another great romance
Loved this book. Once again, Susan Mallery has delivered a stellar romance. I love how her stories just grab you from the beginning and pull you deep until you just can't put the book down.
Loved this book. Once again, Susan Mallery has delivered a stellar romance. I love how her stories just grab you from the beginning and pull you deep until you just can't put the book down.
June 28, 2017
Jane Southwick moved back to her hometown in South Carolina with her daughter. She knew that she would have to face her daughter's father and explain why he did not know he had an 8 year old daughter. Turns ou it was a lot harder than she thought.
March 25, 2013
This book was good, but if she apologized one more time I might have put it down.
January 4, 2015
Great book
I love the way Adam and Jane came together,finally figuring out that saying I love you doesn't mean you will leave and abandon the other person.
I love the way Adam and Jane came together,finally figuring out that saying I love you doesn't mean you will leave and abandon the other person.
February 1, 2015
Wonderful Characters Usual
I want told live in a world like Susan Mallery creates. The people and situations are so fully realized, I feel as if I am in the story.
I want told live in a world like Susan Mallery creates. The people and situations are so fully realized, I feel as if I am in the story.
February 10, 2015
A great read
Loved the story and it kept me laughing. Susan always knows how to put all the emotions into a great story.
Loved the story and it kept me laughing. Susan always knows how to put all the emotions into a great story.
February 10, 2015
I usually love Susan Mallery's book. This book was good but not her best.
March 14, 2015
Loved Billie in the book.
March 21, 2015
Loved it
Loved the story. It was a nice touching story. Would recommend to others Liked how they showed the growth in the two characters and how realistic the story was
Loved the story. It was a nice touching story. Would recommend to others Liked how they showed the growth in the two characters and how realistic the story was
May 4, 2015
3.5*
December 23, 2015
Easy holiday read
April 23, 2017
I don't usually read Romance unless is is coupled with mystery, si-fi, ff or Fantasy but the title and the hype associated with it hooked me and I seldom don't finish a book. It was a good story but it could use a bit of proofreading. I did read it even with the mistakes and I enjoyed the story as the personality psychology was well done and a main source of my interest. The author is highly regarded and appears to have written many popular books.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews