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Love and Lipstick #2
A Pregnancy Scandal
They married for the sake of the baby. Will they stay together for love?
Widowed power player Phillip Edgewood's political ambitions demand he have a wife—they don't demand he love her. It's a good thing, too, because his heart belongs to the perfect wife he lost. But finding a woman who will say "I do" to his deal proves difficult. Until he meets Alexandra Meer—the sexy CFO he can't resist. She doesn't believe in happily-ever-after, even after their amazing night together. And now she's pregnant with his child! A marriage of convenience should end the scandal and solve all their problems…as long as they don't fall in love…
Widowed power player Phillip Edgewood's political ambitions demand he have a wife—they don't demand he love her. It's a good thing, too, because his heart belongs to the perfect wife he lost. But finding a woman who will say "I do" to his deal proves difficult. Until he meets Alexandra Meer—the sexy CFO he can't resist. She doesn't believe in happily-ever-after, even after their amazing night together. And now she's pregnant with his child! A marriage of convenience should end the scandal and solve all their problems…as long as they don't fall in love…
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 7, 2016
22 people are currently reading
298 people want to read
About the author
Kat Cantrell
370 books287 followersUSA Today bestselling author Kat Cantrell read her first Harlequin novel in third grade and has been scribbling in notebooks since she learned to spell. What else would she write but romance?
When she's not writing about characters on the journey to happily ever after, she can be found at a taekwondo tournament, watching Big Bang Theory or dancing with her kids to Duran Duran and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Kat, her husband and their two boys live in North Texas. She was the first Harlequin So You Think You Can Write winner and a former RWA® Golden Heart® finalist for best unpublished series contemporary manuscript.
When she's not writing about characters on the journey to happily ever after, she can be found at a taekwondo tournament, watching Big Bang Theory or dancing with her kids to Duran Duran and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Kat, her husband and their two boys live in North Texas. She was the first Harlequin So You Think You Can Write winner and a former RWA® Golden Heart® finalist for best unpublished series contemporary manuscript.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 4, 2016
3.5 stars.
This story pretty much does what it says on the tin. And, having enjoyed the first in Kat Cantrell's Love and Lipstick series, I was looking forward to seeing what Senator Phillip Edgewood and Fyra Cosmetics' CFO, Alexandra Meer's romance held in store, aside of the obvious.
There is a bit more to Alex and Phillip's relationship; he's a widower who lost his wife in tragic circumstances and is a believer that true-love is a once-in-a-lifetime deal, she the opposite and doesn't believe in happily ever afters. Their chemistry is undeniable and both still have wants and desires but that's enough for them both. Until they discover they're going to be parents.
These are two people who need to compromise, but it's no easy feat. Phillip frustrated me, I didn't dislike him entirely but along with him being focussed on the past, there were traits to him that set my alarm bells off; his demands and ideas may have been with the best of intentions, but buying Alex clothes and presenting her with them wear to events along with pulling guilt-trips doesn't sit well with me. But when Alex does fight back, she starts to break his barriers and although there were moments when I wished she wasn't quite so agreeable, I did like them together. Alex' career is as important to her as Phillip's is to him and whilst she knows her life will change, she refuses to give that up.
"Fyra is my company that I built alongside my friends. I like my job."
A Pregnancy Scandal was a quick easy read and pretty much what I expect when I pick up a book from Harlequin. And with the ongoing plot from book one still bubbling away in the background, the foundations have been laid for Harper's story.
Copy generously provided by the author for an honest and unbiased opinion.
This story pretty much does what it says on the tin. And, having enjoyed the first in Kat Cantrell's Love and Lipstick series, I was looking forward to seeing what Senator Phillip Edgewood and Fyra Cosmetics' CFO, Alexandra Meer's romance held in store, aside of the obvious.
There is a bit more to Alex and Phillip's relationship; he's a widower who lost his wife in tragic circumstances and is a believer that true-love is a once-in-a-lifetime deal, she the opposite and doesn't believe in happily ever afters. Their chemistry is undeniable and both still have wants and desires but that's enough for them both. Until they discover they're going to be parents.
These are two people who need to compromise, but it's no easy feat. Phillip frustrated me, I didn't dislike him entirely but along with him being focussed on the past, there were traits to him that set my alarm bells off; his demands and ideas may have been with the best of intentions, but buying Alex clothes and presenting her with them wear to events along with pulling guilt-trips doesn't sit well with me. But when Alex does fight back, she starts to break his barriers and although there were moments when I wished she wasn't quite so agreeable, I did like them together. Alex' career is as important to her as Phillip's is to him and whilst she knows her life will change, she refuses to give that up.
"Fyra is my company that I built alongside my friends. I like my job."
A Pregnancy Scandal was a quick easy read and pretty much what I expect when I pick up a book from Harlequin. And with the ongoing plot from book one still bubbling away in the background, the foundations have been laid for Harper's story.
Copy generously provided by the author for an honest and unbiased opinion.
June 10, 2016
2.5 - "Too little, too late." Stars.
The second book in Kat Cantrell’s Love and Lipstick series, deals with a much loved and well-thumbed theme. The title A Pregnancy Scandal pretty much tells you everything you need to know, and I think in this part of the story the author delivered really well.
"Fancy meeting you here…"
Let’s face it the unplanned/surprise pregnancy trope is one of the mainstays for the traditional Harlequin story-line stable. And for the most part I really enjoy reading books of this nature. What knocked this one down in the ratings for me was purely the characterizations of Alexandra and Philip.
"I’m not a member of the cult of love and romance."
Which pretty much sums up them both but for different reasons. Alex due to her parents messy divorce when she was younger, and Philip due to the unexpected loss of his first wife.
No emotions meant no pain.
So after a one night stand surprisingly leads to pregnancy, Alex and Philip decide to enter into a marriage of convenience for want of a better word, I am still A-okay with this, I love a story when it starts out emotionless and emotions then come into play.
No second chances.
But what pretty much killed it for me was Philip’s constant references to his deceased wife. I got that she had died, I understood she was his soul mate and the love of his life, and that he never believed he would meet another woman like her, what I didn’t really need was to have it mentioned pretty much in every internal monologue our staid and appearances-are-everything Senator had.
"You can’t tell me how I feel. Nor can you lie away your own feelings."
Alex was the character I liked in this one up until the latter stages of the book, pregnancy hormones really took hold at this point and she turned into a bit of a stroppy teen, but to be honest they were both as bad as each other by this point and it was just a little too much.
"Why not explore all the options."
As you would expect the ending is sweet, but a lot of the surrounding story-line with the Fyra Cosmetics leak and FDA approval is still to be played out in the forthcoming books.
Not a total winner for me on this occasion, but I am a fan of this authors writing, so it won’t stop me looking to read more from her in the future.
ARC generously provided by the Author, in exchange for the above honest review.
The second book in Kat Cantrell’s Love and Lipstick series, deals with a much loved and well-thumbed theme. The title A Pregnancy Scandal pretty much tells you everything you need to know, and I think in this part of the story the author delivered really well.
"Fancy meeting you here…"
Let’s face it the unplanned/surprise pregnancy trope is one of the mainstays for the traditional Harlequin story-line stable. And for the most part I really enjoy reading books of this nature. What knocked this one down in the ratings for me was purely the characterizations of Alexandra and Philip.
"I’m not a member of the cult of love and romance."
Which pretty much sums up them both but for different reasons. Alex due to her parents messy divorce when she was younger, and Philip due to the unexpected loss of his first wife.
No emotions meant no pain.
So after a one night stand surprisingly leads to pregnancy, Alex and Philip decide to enter into a marriage of convenience for want of a better word, I am still A-okay with this, I love a story when it starts out emotionless and emotions then come into play.
No second chances.
But what pretty much killed it for me was Philip’s constant references to his deceased wife. I got that she had died, I understood she was his soul mate and the love of his life, and that he never believed he would meet another woman like her, what I didn’t really need was to have it mentioned pretty much in every internal monologue our staid and appearances-are-everything Senator had.
"You can’t tell me how I feel. Nor can you lie away your own feelings."
Alex was the character I liked in this one up until the latter stages of the book, pregnancy hormones really took hold at this point and she turned into a bit of a stroppy teen, but to be honest they were both as bad as each other by this point and it was just a little too much.
"Why not explore all the options."
As you would expect the ending is sweet, but a lot of the surrounding story-line with the Fyra Cosmetics leak and FDA approval is still to be played out in the forthcoming books.
Not a total winner for me on this occasion, but I am a fan of this authors writing, so it won’t stop me looking to read more from her in the future.
ARC generously provided by the Author, in exchange for the above honest review.
October 6, 2016
I was hoping for some scandal in A Pregnancy Scandal, but even though the widower hero is a US senator from Texas, the accountant heroine's pregnancy after a one night stand just merits a glittering Dallas wedding and a warm welcome to the family. No Fox and Friends speculations, no tabloid headlines, no family values constituents wondering about the whirlwind courtship.
The heroine was an introvert who loved numbers, so I thought there might be some interesting scenes where she had to cope with reporters or political enemies or voters with opinions. Nope. The hero just jets off to DC making the heroine lonely - and that's about all his political career impacts their relationship.
After the heroine realizes what she feels, the big stumbling block is the hero's devotion to his dead first wife. Once he's over that - well - story is over and it's on to the next book in the series. The epilogue isn't about their relationship, it's about an event in the company the heroine helped found with her three other friends. She's still pregnant so no babies to coo over.
Yeah. That's it. That's the story. They're all nice people with nice friends and nice careers and once the hero's emotional landscape is tidied up (it takes a couple of months) - it's all good. If you like a low-stress book, this one is for you.
The heroine was an introvert who loved numbers, so I thought there might be some interesting scenes where she had to cope with reporters or political enemies or voters with opinions. Nope. The hero just jets off to DC making the heroine lonely - and that's about all his political career impacts their relationship.
After the heroine realizes what she feels, the big stumbling block is the hero's devotion to his dead first wife. Once he's over that - well - story is over and it's on to the next book in the series. The epilogue isn't about their relationship, it's about an event in the company the heroine helped found with her three other friends. She's still pregnant so no babies to coo over.
Yeah. That's it. That's the story. They're all nice people with nice friends and nice careers and once the hero's emotional landscape is tidied up (it takes a couple of months) - it's all good. If you like a low-stress book, this one is for you.
June 14, 2016
A Pregnancy Scandal, second book in the Love & Lipstick series by Kat Cantrell is a sexy, angsty and well written story! I anticipated this book after reading the first novel in the series debut and I must say I am not disappointed at all. Ms. Cantrell layered her story so well that the settings, back stories, dialogues and vivid prose created a dazzling, edgy concoction. More so, her characters were flawed, flashy and uptight in a likable way. And as the title suggests, the unplanned pregnancy added extra drama to an already dramatic plot. I enjoyed reading this book due to the fact that Ms. Cantrell gives her characters enough room to grow and evolve. Phillip garnered my vote when he grows to accept and love Alexandra. I rooted for Alexandra from the beginning as she deals with her insecurities and learns to let go of her haunting past. And having Phillip finally accepting her as she is makes her growth as a character stronger. Surely, this is one story I’d recommend to readers. And though this is a common theme used in the Desire line, the author pulled off all the stops by adding her unique touch and making the story her own. So that is something worth the read.
Recommended
4.5 Stars
June 7, 2016
4 1/2 STARS!
In this 2nd book of her Love and Lipstick series, Kat Cantrell brings Alexandra Meer to life! From the moment we first see her and Phillip together, we are drawn into their intense attraction, and go along for the ride as they stumble their way through issues from the past, and hopes for the future. Great read!
Senator Phillip Edgeworth has high political dreams, but it means he can't sit around and mourn his late wife forever. He needs the perfect mate by his side, but he's not willing to love anyone else, so it needs to be someone going into it with their eyes wide open about what he's offering.
Alexandra Meer,CFO at Fyra Cosmetics, has been working side-by-side with Phillip to get some FDA approval that they need for a new product. The attraction between them is red-hot and eventually they decide to give in to temptation!
Alex doesn't believe in happily ever after, so when they find out she's pregnant, Phillip doesn't have that hard of a time convincing her to marry him in a marriage of convenience without a promise of love. But the more time they spend together, the more she realizes she wants ... will they be able to make this family work?
In this 2nd book of her Love and Lipstick series, Kat Cantrell brings Alexandra Meer to life! From the moment we first see her and Phillip together, we are drawn into their intense attraction, and go along for the ride as they stumble their way through issues from the past, and hopes for the future. Great read!
Senator Phillip Edgeworth has high political dreams, but it means he can't sit around and mourn his late wife forever. He needs the perfect mate by his side, but he's not willing to love anyone else, so it needs to be someone going into it with their eyes wide open about what he's offering.
Alexandra Meer,CFO at Fyra Cosmetics, has been working side-by-side with Phillip to get some FDA approval that they need for a new product. The attraction between them is red-hot and eventually they decide to give in to temptation!
Alex doesn't believe in happily ever after, so when they find out she's pregnant, Phillip doesn't have that hard of a time convincing her to marry him in a marriage of convenience without a promise of love. But the more time they spend together, the more she realizes she wants ... will they be able to make this family work?
June 11, 2016
A Pregnancy Scandal is the second book in Kat Cantrell’s Love & Lipstick series. After reading the first book in the series, The CEO’s Little Surprise, and meeting Alexandra and Phillip, I couldn’t wait for their story. There was just something special about Alexandra that I liked and I couldn’t wait for Phillip’s story.
This was a typical story about an unplanned pregnancy and marriage, but to me it was so much more. Phillip loved his wife who had died tragically and he couldn’t come to terms with her death. I enjoyed taking Phillip’s journey as he learned that he was able to also love Alexandra.
I also enjoyed watching Alexandra discover herself and deal with her insecurities. She had a history from her childhood that still overshadowed her. She was afraid that her brush with the law would taint Phillip’s career.
I really enjoyed A Pregnancy Scandal and would recommend it. I’d like to disclose that I received a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This was a typical story about an unplanned pregnancy and marriage, but to me it was so much more. Phillip loved his wife who had died tragically and he couldn’t come to terms with her death. I enjoyed taking Phillip’s journey as he learned that he was able to also love Alexandra.
I also enjoyed watching Alexandra discover herself and deal with her insecurities. She had a history from her childhood that still overshadowed her. She was afraid that her brush with the law would taint Phillip’s career.
I really enjoyed A Pregnancy Scandal and would recommend it. I’d like to disclose that I received a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
July 10, 2016
Very good book. Phillip and Alex have been working together on a project for her cosmetics company. They are attracted to each other, and finally give in to that attraction for one night. A month later Alex discovers that she's pregnant and goes to Phillip with the news. Phillip has been looking for a wife that can meet his political requirements without expecting more than he can give. Marrying for the sake of the baby may be just what he needs.
Phillip lost his wife in an accident two years earlier. She had been the love of his life and he believes that it was a once in a lifetime love. He knows he needs a wife if he's going to go further with his political ambitions, but he can't offer a woman his heart. Alex doesn't believe that love lasts. She still carries the scars of her parents' divorce and its effect on her. Because of it, Alex has avoided relationships.
I enjoyed the development of their relationship, even though there were times I wanted to smack them both. Phillip and Alex had become friends while working on their project. There was also an intense attraction that neither one could deny. The night that Alex attended one of Phillip's parties, she stepped out of her comfort zone and dressed to seduce. She was charmingly awkward, but Phillip wasn't difficult to convince, and their coming together was explosive. But the connection that he felt to Alex freaked Phillip out, as it ran up against his self-imposed commitment to his dead wife. He ran back to Washington and buried himself in his work. Alex also felt the connection, but unfamiliar with feelings that deep, attributed it to the great sex. When she turned up pregnant, she knew she had to tell Phillip. She hopes that he will want to be involved as she knows what it's like to grow up without a father and she doesn't want that for her child.
Phillip is stunned by the news and immediately thinks about the effect of an illegitimate child on his plans. I was a bit bugged by his rather calculated solution and his determination to keep his feelings out of their marriage. Because she doesn't believe in lasting love, Phillip's logical approach appeals to Alex's fears. But neither one really thought about what the effect of living together would have on their intentions. Phillip really fights hard against what is happening to him. He tries insisting to himself that it is just the memory of the sex added to the prospect of the coming baby. He makes a few boneheaded mistakes in his treatment of Alex. She accepts the rules of their marriage, as rules are how she keeps her life in order. But she isn't a meek woman content just to support her husband, and there are some clashes between she and Phillip over their expectations. I liked seeing her stand up for her own career and life as she wants it to be. Alex's feelings toward Phillip start to grow and she realizes that she wants more than the convenient marriage that they had agreed on. She sees a change in his treatment of her and believes that he feels the same way. I ached for her when things didn't go how she thought they would. Phillip's blind adherence to his belief in only one love nearly cost him everything. I liked the fact that he had to work at it to convince Alex that his feelings were real.
There is a continuing thread involving a problem with one of their products at the company. Someone is causing trouble and they don't know who or why.
Phillip lost his wife in an accident two years earlier. She had been the love of his life and he believes that it was a once in a lifetime love. He knows he needs a wife if he's going to go further with his political ambitions, but he can't offer a woman his heart. Alex doesn't believe that love lasts. She still carries the scars of her parents' divorce and its effect on her. Because of it, Alex has avoided relationships.
I enjoyed the development of their relationship, even though there were times I wanted to smack them both. Phillip and Alex had become friends while working on their project. There was also an intense attraction that neither one could deny. The night that Alex attended one of Phillip's parties, she stepped out of her comfort zone and dressed to seduce. She was charmingly awkward, but Phillip wasn't difficult to convince, and their coming together was explosive. But the connection that he felt to Alex freaked Phillip out, as it ran up against his self-imposed commitment to his dead wife. He ran back to Washington and buried himself in his work. Alex also felt the connection, but unfamiliar with feelings that deep, attributed it to the great sex. When she turned up pregnant, she knew she had to tell Phillip. She hopes that he will want to be involved as she knows what it's like to grow up without a father and she doesn't want that for her child.
Phillip is stunned by the news and immediately thinks about the effect of an illegitimate child on his plans. I was a bit bugged by his rather calculated solution and his determination to keep his feelings out of their marriage. Because she doesn't believe in lasting love, Phillip's logical approach appeals to Alex's fears. But neither one really thought about what the effect of living together would have on their intentions. Phillip really fights hard against what is happening to him. He tries insisting to himself that it is just the memory of the sex added to the prospect of the coming baby. He makes a few boneheaded mistakes in his treatment of Alex. She accepts the rules of their marriage, as rules are how she keeps her life in order. But she isn't a meek woman content just to support her husband, and there are some clashes between she and Phillip over their expectations. I liked seeing her stand up for her own career and life as she wants it to be. Alex's feelings toward Phillip start to grow and she realizes that she wants more than the convenient marriage that they had agreed on. She sees a change in his treatment of her and believes that he feels the same way. I ached for her when things didn't go how she thought they would. Phillip's blind adherence to his belief in only one love nearly cost him everything. I liked the fact that he had to work at it to convince Alex that his feelings were real.
There is a continuing thread involving a problem with one of their products at the company. Someone is causing trouble and they don't know who or why.
June 30, 2016
WHAT A RIDE ON AN EMOTIONAL ROLLER-COASTER!!! I loved this book. I laughed, I cried, and I really got mad at the hero! What a putz!!! I understand Phillip lost his wife Gina, BUT OPEN YOUR EYES YOU IDIOT!!! Ok, rant over. Well maybe not!!! Alex, she is not any better. Fine, she and her mother was abandoned by her father. Spit happens. Just because he was a dork, does not mean all men are and real love does not happen.
I am not going to tell you my synopsis of this wonderful book. The author and publisher, Harlequin has already done that, and you liked what you saw or you would not be reading the reviews. Again, I loved this emotional story of love and second chances. Ms. Cantrell does an AMAZING job of telling the phenomenal stories she writes. She will bend your heartstrings almost to the breaking point. She is just that good at telling stories! This is an outstanding continuation of the romances of four spectacular women, all successful in their own right. I cannot wait to see which one Ms. Cantrell has her sights, or rather mind on next.
I was gifted by the author Kat Cantrell with a copy of this EXTRAORDINARY book for an honest review.
GO BUY THIS BOOK AND READ IT!!! If you love romance and reading about stubborn people, you will definitely love this book.
Thank you for reading my review!!!
I am not going to tell you my synopsis of this wonderful book. The author and publisher, Harlequin has already done that, and you liked what you saw or you would not be reading the reviews. Again, I loved this emotional story of love and second chances. Ms. Cantrell does an AMAZING job of telling the phenomenal stories she writes. She will bend your heartstrings almost to the breaking point. She is just that good at telling stories! This is an outstanding continuation of the romances of four spectacular women, all successful in their own right. I cannot wait to see which one Ms. Cantrell has her sights, or rather mind on next.
I was gifted by the author Kat Cantrell with a copy of this EXTRAORDINARY book for an honest review.
GO BUY THIS BOOK AND READ IT!!! If you love romance and reading about stubborn people, you will definitely love this book.
Thank you for reading my review!!!
January 14, 2017
Kat Cantrell is a witty and wonderful writer. She takes everyday life and spins it on its head into a romantic story with heartwrenching twists, friendship that endures, strong & powerful women, a handsome hunk and then spits it out as a novel you will not be able to put down! This 2nd in the Love and Lipstick series was outstanding!
When Alexandra spends a single night in the arms of US Senator Phillip Edgewater, a man she barely knows, she doesn't expect the fallout to be a pregnancy. Both she and Phillip had agreed that neither were looking for any kind of relationship so this sudden news has caught both off guard. As CFO at Fyra she is a busy business woman with little time for thoughts of family. On top of that, she doesn't believe in love, and her parents taught her well that marriage is just the halfway point to divorce.
Phillip's heart will forever belong to his deceased wife but he knows that his political ambitions require he eventually re-marry. He just didn't see it happening so quickly or under these circumstances. So when he suggests a slightly unusual proposition, how can they go wrong with both of them in full agreement?
Prepare to laugh and cry and fall in love with this couple!
When Alexandra spends a single night in the arms of US Senator Phillip Edgewater, a man she barely knows, she doesn't expect the fallout to be a pregnancy. Both she and Phillip had agreed that neither were looking for any kind of relationship so this sudden news has caught both off guard. As CFO at Fyra she is a busy business woman with little time for thoughts of family. On top of that, she doesn't believe in love, and her parents taught her well that marriage is just the halfway point to divorce.
Phillip's heart will forever belong to his deceased wife but he knows that his political ambitions require he eventually re-marry. He just didn't see it happening so quickly or under these circumstances. So when he suggests a slightly unusual proposition, how can they go wrong with both of them in full agreement?
Prepare to laugh and cry and fall in love with this couple!
June 6, 2016
I entered and won this book in a giveaway. I don't remember if I have ever read a Harlequin romance but I was very happy I got the opportunity. Kat Cantrell is the kind of author I can relate to and admire. Her story was very well written and grabbed my attention right away. It was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Her details and writing style left me inspired. I really liked the characters and how they dealt with their emotions. It was a feel good story with a happy ending. I love books that help me "escape" and relax for an afternoon. I'm looking forward to seeing more from Alex and Phillip. I look forward to reading more of her books.
Read
June 30, 2016"Two opposite personalities are drawn together by an undeniable chemistry that sizzles beneath the surface, but it’s the emotional realism they bring to the page that will have readers eagerly hoping for a happily-ever-after" (4 stars @ RT Book Reviews).
Miniseries: Love and Lipstick
Miniseries: Love and Lipstick
May 24, 2016
Loving this mini series, strong characters and a story line that has you entranced
June 6, 2016
Loved this book! Kat Cantrell never disappoints!
February 8, 2018
In the Unexpected Expecting subgenre of romance novels, when many romantic male leads find out their lady friends are pregnant, most are willing to step right up and be a responsible dad. But it’s always at expense of their single status, his and the woman’s, often after the shortest of mutual prior knowledge. Also, the reasons behind their decisions range from the monetary to possessiveness. The men want to give the child a wealthy upbringing and stamp it with their last name, the way a cowboy stamps a cow with a ranch’s cattle brand.
You’d think the women would balk at this. But no. Apparently, in these romantic fantasies, throwing over your freedom to get hitched to a hot, handsome, hunky inadvertent sperm donor you barely know is a wet dream come true.
Senator Phillip Edgeworth has strong reasons to demand marriage with Alexandra Meer after he knocks her up during their lusty one-night stand. He’s aiming for the White House and he’s not letting anything get in his way. American constituents demand that their presidents be married and faithful. He’s determined to let no breath of scandal destroy his chance at the Oval Office; having an illegitimate child would be disastrous to his plans.
This is sheer nonsense that ignores recent history. Bill Clinton had an affair with an intern and he was elected for a second term. Our current president, the Donald, is such a keen adherent of marriage between one man and one woman that he’s been married three times. So it seems that Americans are very forgiving when it comes to their moral expectations for elected officials.
Phillip coaxes his impending baby mama to the altar with an offer of a loveless marriage, one rooted in friendship. Phillip wants them to be a “unit” (his word) because he doesn’t want to have the child shuttling between the two of them. Never mind that the laidback, socially awkward Alexandra doesn’t want to be a President’s wife, what with its endless socializing, public appearances and talks with political figures. He’s sure he can give her the polish and sophistication she needs to mingle with various dignitaries. He’s a friend, which means he likes her for who she is. But as her husband he wants her to change to suit his needs. Oh, this is off to a swell start.
The hidden truth is that he’s still mourning his dead wife, gone for two years. He’s certain he can keep Alex in his bed and Gina in his heart. So he wants them to be friends but he reminds her about how great they were in bed together, which is more than a lot of people in love get. And all this is finished off with the firm statement that divorce isn’t an option.
In what century is this book written? I’d thought arranged marriages in America had gone the way of jumping the broom or running away to Gretna Green! And no chance of a divorce? This book was published in 2016 but the action might as well be set in 1516.
Phillip initially comes off as being rather callous when it comes to showing Alexandra the proper attention. When morning sickness means sex isn’t in the offing on their wedding night, he’s disappointed, sets her on the bed and wanders off in the hopes that there’s a Rangers game on the tv. Thus, without sex in the mix, he can’t be bothered to show her any consideration? Then he starts getting testy because she won’t quit her real job in order to focus on his work and her growing fetuses, even though she’s only three months gone. Unbelievable.
Alexandra definitely should have looked before she leapt into a marriage with this man. Just because they had a great working relationship and a robust tumble between the sheets doesn’t mean they’ve got what it takes to be a long-term married pair. Perhaps in real life there are married couples who start off with much less between them than an accidentally created lifeform…but what is the likelihood of happy endings for them?
However, Phillip has talks with family members and comes to think that maybe caring for your new bride and allowing love into marriage isn’t such a bad idea. (Wow, you think?) So he’s pulled around to the notion of loving his spouse and Alex gets that happy family she’s wanted for so long. Hip hip hooray. Let the two of them wave goodbye all the way to the White House.
You’d think the women would balk at this. But no. Apparently, in these romantic fantasies, throwing over your freedom to get hitched to a hot, handsome, hunky inadvertent sperm donor you barely know is a wet dream come true.
Senator Phillip Edgeworth has strong reasons to demand marriage with Alexandra Meer after he knocks her up during their lusty one-night stand. He’s aiming for the White House and he’s not letting anything get in his way. American constituents demand that their presidents be married and faithful. He’s determined to let no breath of scandal destroy his chance at the Oval Office; having an illegitimate child would be disastrous to his plans.
This is sheer nonsense that ignores recent history. Bill Clinton had an affair with an intern and he was elected for a second term. Our current president, the Donald, is such a keen adherent of marriage between one man and one woman that he’s been married three times. So it seems that Americans are very forgiving when it comes to their moral expectations for elected officials.
Phillip coaxes his impending baby mama to the altar with an offer of a loveless marriage, one rooted in friendship. Phillip wants them to be a “unit” (his word) because he doesn’t want to have the child shuttling between the two of them. Never mind that the laidback, socially awkward Alexandra doesn’t want to be a President’s wife, what with its endless socializing, public appearances and talks with political figures. He’s sure he can give her the polish and sophistication she needs to mingle with various dignitaries. He’s a friend, which means he likes her for who she is. But as her husband he wants her to change to suit his needs. Oh, this is off to a swell start.
The hidden truth is that he’s still mourning his dead wife, gone for two years. He’s certain he can keep Alex in his bed and Gina in his heart. So he wants them to be friends but he reminds her about how great they were in bed together, which is more than a lot of people in love get. And all this is finished off with the firm statement that divorce isn’t an option.
In what century is this book written? I’d thought arranged marriages in America had gone the way of jumping the broom or running away to Gretna Green! And no chance of a divorce? This book was published in 2016 but the action might as well be set in 1516.
Phillip initially comes off as being rather callous when it comes to showing Alexandra the proper attention. When morning sickness means sex isn’t in the offing on their wedding night, he’s disappointed, sets her on the bed and wanders off in the hopes that there’s a Rangers game on the tv. Thus, without sex in the mix, he can’t be bothered to show her any consideration? Then he starts getting testy because she won’t quit her real job in order to focus on his work and her growing fetuses, even though she’s only three months gone. Unbelievable.
Alexandra definitely should have looked before she leapt into a marriage with this man. Just because they had a great working relationship and a robust tumble between the sheets doesn’t mean they’ve got what it takes to be a long-term married pair. Perhaps in real life there are married couples who start off with much less between them than an accidentally created lifeform…but what is the likelihood of happy endings for them?
However, Phillip has talks with family members and comes to think that maybe caring for your new bride and allowing love into marriage isn’t such a bad idea. (Wow, you think?) So he’s pulled around to the notion of loving his spouse and Alex gets that happy family she’s wanted for so long. Hip hip hooray. Let the two of them wave goodbye all the way to the White House.
March 9, 2018
They married for the sake of the baby. Will they stay together for love? Widowed (Senate) power player Phillip Edgewood's political ambitions demand he have a wife—they don't demand he love her. It's a good thing, too, because his heart belongs to the perfect wife he lost. But finding a woman who will say "I do" to his deal proves difficult. Until he meets Alexandra Meer—the sexy (CFO Costemtics Company) he can't resist. She doesn't believe in happily-ever-after because of her parents’ divorce, even after their amazing night together. And now she's pregnant with his child/children! A marriage of convenience should end the scandal and solve all their problems…as long as they don't fall in love…
May 24, 2022
Nieko ypatingo, tik lengvas romanas norint užsimirsti ar atsipalaiduoti.
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June 20, 2025Very good
July 18, 2016
*I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways*
This is really a 2.5 stars rating
The Harlequin "Desire" line must mean steamy because this book had at least three sex scenes in it. Beyond the sex, the book is okay but not spectacular. The marriage agreement rings a little false (she agreed to a marriage without love and seriously never considered that that might be a problem somewhere down the line?) but the interactions with the friends feel more reasonable. The chemistry and friendship between the two is written about but not shown as much so at times the relationship feels a little "How did we get here again?". Overall, a decent book for a Harlequin romance but just decent.
This is really a 2.5 stars rating
The Harlequin "Desire" line must mean steamy because this book had at least three sex scenes in it. Beyond the sex, the book is okay but not spectacular. The marriage agreement rings a little false (she agreed to a marriage without love and seriously never considered that that might be a problem somewhere down the line?) but the interactions with the friends feel more reasonable. The chemistry and friendship between the two is written about but not shown as much so at times the relationship feels a little "How did we get here again?". Overall, a decent book for a Harlequin romance but just decent.
July 31, 2016
3.25 There's not a lot of development outside of the love story, but it was better than the average Harlequin.
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