His Daughter

When He Broke #1

by Ellie Rayne

Last night at 3 a.m., I heard crying on my porch and opened the door to find a baby tucked against my doorframe.

She was wrapped in a soft cashmere blanket, soaked from the rain, with a folded note resting beside her.

“She’s yours now. I’m sorry.”

I should have called someone right then, but I carried her inside away from the cold.

I took her to the nursery I had prepared for a baby who never came, and pulled formula from the supplies I still had waiting.

She drank with both tiny hands wrapped around the bottle, like she had been fighting all night to stay awake.

I bathed her in the kitchen sink, and dried her with a towel, then dressed her in a white onesie covered in yellow stars.

By sunrise, she was asleep on my chest, while I lay there afraid to breathe too hard.

When she was finally asleep, I carried her back to the nursery and went to wash her blanket in the kitchen sink.

That was when I saw three initials stitched into the corner.

DJH.

I typed them into my phone, and the first thing that came up was a photo of Declan James Hale.

The billionaire had the same light-blue eyes she did.

My hands were still wet when a knock sounded at the front door.

I opened it, and Declan James Hale was standing there in the rain.

His eyes moved past me toward the nursery, and his voice went low.

“Where is my daughter?”

Genres: Romance, Billionaire Romance

250 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 20, 2026

Reviews

[Lysa Persephone Raine Hawley]

An interesting story

The book isn't a bad one. Not my style and closed door spice (or lack thereof) is definitely not for me. The characters were interesting enough on their own, but together they didn't seem to have the chemistry that I'd have expected until maybe later in the book. The chemistry between Thea and Lena was better.
Still... all that aside, I did read it. There's some small discrepancies (I've had five kids so I know babies) and at one point they say the baby is 4 months but she's doing much older baby stuff.
Minor stuff that maybe got missed in editing. It happens.
Again, these are only MY opinions. I read voraciously, and I'm a writer so I'm fussy. I'm not going to knock this writer because she obviously worked hard and put a lot into it.
It not being my particular style isn't on her. Can't please everyone. So Ellie, if you're reading this, don't let it make you feel bad or doubt yourself. Opinions are like...well, you know. Everyone has one.
What I will say is that it kept me more or less entertained enough. I'll likely read the next one, mostly because I'm curious who's sabotaging him.

[Sophie]

A great but difficult read

So, I wanted to leave a great review because I honestly did love the story and the characters, however the writing is a bit hard to read, it’s very stop start - rather than a sentence about the detail of what someone was doing as they woke up what they looked at, what they heard it’s like a list, with way too many unnecessary full stops when the sentence could have flowed so effortlessly, which seemed surprising as it really is a great read, I’m just gobsmacked that the editor didn’t think this ought to be identified and changed.
I would still recommend the story though as it is a great idea, I did enjoy that part.

[Mr D]

An Unexpected Surprise

Hold the presses everyone! When I picked this up to read I wasn’t sure what to expect I guessed I might be a cute rom com but no it’s not. This book has actual plot.

It took a little while to get into because it seemed disjointed, the reality is it’s covering both main characters at the same time in the
”before” stage, where before = pre baby.

Thea and her husband are looking to adopt a baby, due to medical reasons she can’t have children but desperately wants them. This adoption is on track, it’s also a last chance.

Declan is a very successful businessman but his personal life is something entirely different, it’s a reflection of his parent’s marriage, or in other words it’s controlled. He’s always the one to leave, never fully committing. That was the case until Kira, she left him.

These two strangers lives intersect when she petitions for funding for a non profit organisation that rehouses people with children in crisis situations. Strangely enough that wasn’t the end of Declan and Thea’s story. A string of events brought about second chances for both in the shape of a four month old baby left on Thea’s doorstep during a storm.

[Charles Combs]

An easy read

First of all, I will read the next one. I liked it overall. Normally I read spicy books. This is more of a green pepper. But the premise is really unique. I knocked off a star for two reasons: 1. The characters are a little thin. Declan can feel wishy washy until the plot needs him to be firm. Thea is direct. She is fiercely independent. I felt like this character would have gone home at least to water her plants. 2. There were some strange details. A secondhand coffee maker with a cracked carafe. Umm… is the coffee not leaking out? Is that not a liability? And at one point there are books stacked of Thea’s lap. But the spines are against her thighs? That doesn’t make sense.

[Katie]

I absolutely loved this one. 🥹

This story had my emotions all over the place. My heart broke so many times, but I loved watching everything unfold and seeing the characters fight for the people they loved. The family moments were some of my favorite parts, and I found myself so invested that I didn’t want to put it down.

Ellie Rayne has a way of making you feel like you’re right there with the characters, celebrating their wins and hurting through their losses. By the end, I wasn’t ready for it to be over.

If you love emotional reads with family, healing, and characters that steal your heart, definitely add this one to your TBR. I’m already looking forward to reading more from Ellie Rayne.

[Heliand]

The MMC didn't have a whole lot of redeeming qualities. The FMC allowed her idiot, useless, horrible, lying mother not only into her temporary home, but also to care for the baby without supervision. That's where this story truly lost me. And, really, did Graham just think he could compete with financial geniuses who built their own empires because he was a nerd underling for ten years? The worst part -- the author left readers hanging as to who the real villain might be ... and I don't even care at this point. Not one single little bit. Won't bother with book #2.

[Sara Duran]

I can't imagine going through what Thea & Caleb went through, but he seemed ok with walking out, wth dude. Loved Declan's character, as soon as he found out about his daughter he did everything he needed to do. This book was closed door spicy times, had some drama and betrayal. There is something else happening behind the scenes in the end that you need to read the next book for, but it ended pretty well.

"I'm the woman who held her when no one else could." I may have cried a bit.

[Lydia]

Technically 3.5 but I rounded up

So I have thoughts about this book. The legal parts definitely could have had more research into it because the court case and investigations into things were a little too easy. Also this is a CLEAN book which is didn't know. It was still good and you had an idea of what happened but I think there should be transparency if readers were going in expecting more. I don't think I'm going to continue this series but it was good.

[MRS SHARON]

His Daughter. Bk1

Kira hurt beyond words after her IVF third attempt fails, then the adoption falls through with the agency which all leads to her and her has marriage breaking down & them divorcing. 4months after the divorce Kira hears a strange sound at her front door which turns out to be her "adopted" daughter cold and wet wrapped in a blanket in the pouring rain on her doorstep.
The story is good I really enjoyed it. Off to find the next in the series

[Kay]

I really enjoyed this book. There is something in the writing… descriptive without being effusive, dense while being spare. It really worked for me!
I can’t say I’m a fan of the cliffhanger, but the Bookstore date was all that and more!🤗

[Jennifer L]

an enjoyable read

I often need to read a palette cleanser book as ai tend to read darker romances. One of my favorite authors suggested this book, so ai decided to read it. The story is well written and kept me interested. I really enjoyed it. I plan to read the next book too.

[Margaret Kerr]

His daughter

I enjoyed this book very much. Understanding the pain of infertility, the pain of loving a baby that wasn't yours. The building of a father's love from his child and the intrigue of custody. If you enjoy romance this story is for you.

[Gale Albright]

I really enjoyed reading this book. This is the first book I’ve read from this author, but I will be reading more in this series. I loved how she fell in love with the baby before she even met her. That was incredibly touching. I loved how he loved them both.

[Jean Morgan]

Good Story

I enjoyed Thea, felt for her, and liked her character. Theo was also a good character. The story was engaging, enough that I am looking forward to reading the next installment.

[Cathy]

It was an average story, but I had to take off a star because it ended without solving the problem. It meant I had to read the next story to feel satisfied.

[Lily]

Got to 49%. Wasn't feeling the characters/story.

[Robin Miller]

I loved the book.

[Johanna Shenfield]

His Daughter

There was Great twists and turns in this book. I’m glad it continues with another book. Beautifully written, I really enjoyed it. ❤️❤️❤️

[Rinn]

3.5 stars

[William Welch]

Great read.

A little slow, but with enough intrigue to keep you interested. I’m looking forward to see how the next book ends.

[sandra silliman]

Good

I enjoyed this book and the characters in this book and how they had to let go of the past to move on

[Mira]

It was ok. Zero chemistry between the two mains. Lots of business acquisition details and stuff, which I didn’t think was the focus of the story. I don’t think I will read more of this series.

[Joanne Marie Blas]

Dnf at 43%

[Miss F J Robertson]

interesting

A good book although a bit predictable. Seemed to come to an abrupt halt, but then it’s a good way to get me to read the next one 😂

[Denise R]

I read the sample and didn't like Thea. I'm not really sure why I downloaded the book because it wasn't holding my interest.

I made it 3 chapters after the sample chapters and had to stop.