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His Secret Daughter

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Iris is falling in love with the father of her child. The only problem is she never told him they had a daughter

Iris Brown is a single parent doing her best to raise her beautiful two-year-old daughter, Paola. But when Sergio, Paola’s father, a dashing-but-arrogant Spanish businessman comes back on the scene, everyone’s lives are thrown into chaos. She fears he may take Paola away from her. Iris must decide what’s best for her and her daughter, and whether she can ever trust Sergio again.

He broke her heart once. Will she let him do it again?

172 pages, Paperback

First published November 10, 2014

146 people are currently reading
419 people want to read

About the author

Emma Bennet

18 books128 followers
Emma grew up and lived in London, before falling in love and moving to Wales to marry her own hero. Emma now lives with her husband, 4 children, and many animals a few miles outside of a small Welsh market town. She can often be found in rivers attempting to control two overexcited chocolate labradors.

Seven charming romances are currently available from the Amazon bestselling authoress:

Number 1 Australian kindle bestseller, 'His Secret Daughter', is the heart-rending story of Iris, a woman falling in love with the father of her child. The only problem is she never told him they had a daughter.

The beautiful landscape around her home gave Emma the inspiration for 'The Green Hills of Home', a tale of love and duty in which country girl Gwen struggles to save her family home and avoid her feelings for her handsome, suave new boss. Is he quite all he seems?

'Snowed in for her Wedding Day' is a novella picking up Gwen's story as her wedding day approaches, but with terrible weather, and an absent groom, will she have the happy ending she so deserves?

'Just Desserts' is a novella about confused chef Leah, who's falling for her handsome French co-worker Jean-Claude, but meant to be marrying to Dan in just a few weeks! Who will she choose?

'Her Perfect Hero' was released in July 2015 as 'I Need a Hero', it's a lovely comic romantic read for anyone who's ever searched for Mr Right (and failed to find him!). Despair of Bronte, a romance writer, incapable of spotting when the perfect man is right next door! Full of horses, country houses and dentists, just beware of the foul-tempered cat Mr Darcy!

'Starstruck', proves that falling in love with a rock star is harder than you'd think! When newly divorced Kate finds school friend, now super famous rock star Joseph Wild, on her doorstep, her whole quiet, ordinary life is thrown into disarray. Is the attraction between them enough to make up for all the hurdles they have to cross if they want to be together?

Latest release, 'Her Sister's Baby' is a beautiful and emotional story about grief, the promises we make and finding love in the most unexpected of places.

Emma likes (in no particular order): cake, books, Cary Grant films, prosecco, chocolate, guinea pigs, knitting, quilting and happily ever afters!

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5 stars
362 (32%)
4 stars
306 (27%)
3 stars
287 (25%)
2 stars
106 (9%)
1 star
57 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
Profile Image for Tammy Hamilton Green.
740 reviews16 followers
November 26, 2014
I really enjoyed reading this book. While I read romance, it was still a little out of the area I typically read in. A surprising egotistical alpha for sure, Sergio's soft side is belly up exposed when it comes to little Paola. Iris is stubborn and independent beyond belief, she jumps to conclusions, but is fiercely protective of her daughter Paola. She's also very cynical when it comes to Sergio. Your able to feel her pain. Iris loves him, but keeps it to herself. She just wants for him to love her, but is willing to accept much for the sake of her daughter's happiness.
Profile Image for Julie.
Author 5 books228 followers
January 3, 2015
Really enjoyable story of Iris, her daughter Paula and the arrogant Spaniard who is Paola’s father although Iris hasn’t told him and Paola is now two years old. I loved the vulnerability of Iris and the fact that underneath Sergio is a big softie even though his wealth has made him into somewhat of a control freak. The descriptions of Barcelona are just what I’d hoped for as I enjoy books set in foreign climes and a nice contrast to Iris’ life back in London. It’s quite a short novel so it’s possible to read it in one sitting as I did, even though I only intended to read a couple of chapters.
3 reviews
November 22, 2014
Great read. Loved Bennet's first book 'The Green Hills of Home', and think this one is even better. Beautiful and moving, it had me in tears at times, but with a perfect ending. Really would recommend.
Profile Image for Amy.
3 reviews1 follower
November 22, 2014
Great feel good romance. Lovely story, fantastic characters. The plot really draws you in. I read it in one sitting, and as you can tell..loved it!
1 review1 follower
November 23, 2014
Lovely! Read it in one sitting, couldn't put it down
Profile Image for Rachel.
Author 112 books213 followers
December 22, 2014
A lovely romance book, plenty of plot and a sexy leading male, perfect chilled read.
Profile Image for Jessie.
1,154 reviews9 followers
December 20, 2014
good book. wasn't to keen to read it but glad I did..

recommend
Profile Image for Cynthia Austin.
Author 11 books298 followers
April 4, 2018
Ms. Bennet did it again! Somehow, she has a gift of creating a sappy, love story with an HEA that doesn't make me wanna puke.

What would you do if you had a one night stand with your boss? What if you ended up pregnant from said one night stand? Iris Brown did both. So she did what she thought was best. Left Sergio's bed and place of work never to return. But three years later they run into each other at a park. While Iris is pushing her daughter in a buggy! Sergio knows immediately that he is the father and he will not allow Iris to walk out of his life the way she did three years ago. But can love be forced? Can the idea of a perfect family be forced? Sergio will try and Iris will push back the entire time. With two, very stubborn people, who will win this battle?

I absolutely love the way Bennet creates a story that pulls me in. Her writing is light, and airy and whimsical and just the kind of book I need to read sometimes. If only I could get in touch with this author and as would love to have her in our FB Review group! Emma, if you read this, join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/18792...
Profile Image for Nila (digitalcreativepages).
2,672 reviews222 followers
July 15, 2022
I found this difficult to get through as the main character Iris was too prickly and given to instant judgments. The hero was good as he showed the patience of a saint. Would love to meet such a man in real life. This was one fast read with constant tug-of-war created by Iris.
Profile Image for ReadAlongWithSue ★⋆. ࿐࿔catching up.
2,897 reviews434 followers
November 24, 2014
When the author approached me and asked me if I would like to read this. I took a look at the blurb and thought it sounded like something I might enjoy.

I did enjoy it. It doesn't take much effort to read, its free flowing and moves along well. I can't say its a story that hasn't been written about before time and again, but Emma Bennet made the books storyline her own and put her slant on it.

Of course, the books title gives it away HIS SECRET DAUGHTER, so you can imagine its a Father who didn't know he was a Dad to a daughter. Its not as straight forward a story as you would imagine and there are good reasons why he didn't know.

Like I say, its a free flowing story, nice easy Sunday afternoon read.
Profile Image for Jennifer (Jaye).
1,121 reviews68 followers
September 13, 2017
*Predictable but I loved it*

Easy reading, lots of misunderstandings but for me it didn't spoil my enjoyment. The main character Iris spends a night with Sergio her former employer and through the office grapevine she wrongly believes she is a notch on his belt because he leaves for Spain almost immediately. The result of this liaison is a child who she cares for the best way she can. 2 years later she goes for a walk and bumps into Sergio and more misunderstandings occur and the question is how will life change. Read it and find out. Easy reading and enjoyable.
Profile Image for Lauren-Sophie.
344 reviews15 followers
November 29, 2014
This book was so bad!
The writing was plain and boring. Iris was such a bi***. She is self-centered and only thought about herself (but she pretends it's for the happiness of her daughter). The daughter was only two years old but behaves like she was six years old. It was super unrealistic.

Oh, and it is not so wise to mix up Spanish and Catalan. Maybe Ms. Bennet should do more/better research.
90 reviews11 followers
March 23, 2015
How in the hell did this get so many 5 star reviews!?!
Sergio was a bully throughout. The female (forgot her name) needed a backbone and I'm not sure she ever actually loved him. Paolo was adorable but seemed way older than her age, which was a shame :/

Overall the book was an unrealistic piece of ball!
251 reviews9 followers
December 31, 2014
Read it all in one. Fabulous story although lots of miscommunication and I would have loved for it to have to have continued but 5 stars because I couldn't put it down. Sergio seemed really sweet but I didn't like the threat he made as Iris came across as much stronger
Profile Image for Misty.
533 reviews13 followers
November 26, 2014
Lots of potential but very rushed. This story leaves you wanting more. But the writing was good. Loved the story line. Not as much emotion as I like to get out of a book.
3 reviews
December 8, 2014
Good book

I enjoyed reading this book and it was a hard book to put down. I would recommend this book to everyone.
Profile Image for Patricia Trowbridge.
26 reviews1 follower
December 26, 2014
Enjoyable. Read

Just thought it was a good book. Fast read and that's something I look for in a book. A little predictable at times, but still enjoyable!
Profile Image for Kerry Richardson.
1,651 reviews14 followers
January 13, 2015
This book was very reminiscent of Mills and Boon but it was a pleasant enough story to lose myself in for a few hours.
Profile Image for Erin.
17 reviews
January 21, 2015
i wish there was more, i wish there was at least 2to5 year later part :( story was amazing
Profile Image for Joanna Brocklehurst smith.
475 reviews6 followers
February 28, 2016
I really enjoyed this book, I had never come across this author before and was having an ‘I want something new’ kind of day. I am so glad I stumbled along this book.
Definitely worth a read
45 reviews1 follower
December 11, 2025
I'm not sure that I can do this one without spoilers...so be spoiled and don't bother with the book.

I liked the first Emma Bennet book I read, and was feeling pretty good about this one through the first half. The female main character, Iris, had some spark to her. The male main character, Sergio, was bossy and a bit controlling, but he also had some reason to be controlling, and he had a softer side. Things seemed to be progressing in an expected fashion where they were learning to relate and get along and then it spluttered a bit with Sergio getting more domineering and Iris losing her spark. And then about 3/4 of the way through it thudded. Suddenly Sergio was a complete ass, and Iris was exhibiting signs of being a battered woman, while the writing was exhibiting signs of being written by a drunken teenager. In one line Iris says that something that literally just happened is "inexcusable" but immediately that she forgives (excuses) him. In another she tells us how it wasn't acceptable for him to announce their engagement at a family party when she hadn't actually said yes and had in fact said that she needed time, then moans about how awful it was but accepts it. Finally she whines and cries about how he walked away from her at the alter but places the blame purely on her own shoulders. And of course they sleep together twice and she gets pregnant twice. I started this review out at 2 stars because I did like the first half of the book, but thinking about it again as I've been writing I'm marking it down to 1.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Adrian Santiago.
Author 2 books8 followers
October 5, 2023
My book club picked this cozy little novel by Emma Bennet. It was my first time reading an outright Romance title, and I'll be forever grateful that it was this book. As a father, I was sucked into the story immediately. The characters were wonderfully frustrating in the most realistic and relatable ways. I wanted to smack them upside their head, yet found myself empathizing with them.

I was invested in the relationships, rooting for them to get their act together and wishing for that classic happy ending the genre promises. This book never disappointed me. If this is what the romance genre is like, I'll be reading more!
Profile Image for Joanne Grimshaw.
152 reviews3 followers
December 26, 2022
I found myself angry reading this book by Sergio's constant blackmail type requests and Iris' responses to give in so easily. I found myself equally frustrated by Iris being generally annoying.

Not a bad read, but frustrating.
7 reviews
August 17, 2021
Easy to read with a predictable ending. Was an interesting read.
Profile Image for Ben Pick.
Author 3 books19 followers
October 3, 2023
Enjoyable romance novel. Iris and Sergio had a lot of will they or won't they energy which pulled me in and kept me reading.
Profile Image for clau.
87 reviews
August 25, 2024
Creo que no he leído un libro TAN MALO en mi vida
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews

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