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Escape #0.5

Aloha, Baby!

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Being pregnant and alone is not a situation Leilani Kehele thought she would ever be facing. Nevertheless, that is exactly how she finds herself in Aloha, Baby! Feeling like a disappointment to her family, Lani turns to her two handsome and loyal best friends, Kai and Honi, for advice. In an attempt to arrange the best possible outcome for this challenging scenario, the three hatch a plan to give Lani's baby a father. Will it work? Will Lani and her baby be able to find their happily ever after ending? Escape into the enchanting Hawaiian islands with Leilani, Kai, and Honi by reading this heartwarming tale of friendship, love, and triumph after heartbreak.


This novella is part of The Escape Series, which includes the Kindle Scout winning book, Getting Lei'd. The books in this series are standalone novels that do not have cliffhanger endings. They share characters, but are designed so they can be read in any order.


E-book Categories: Contemporary Romance Fiction, Women's Romance Fiction, Romantic Novella, Romance Books for Kindle, Romance Reads, Romance Love Stories, Romance Series, Romance Humor, Romantic Comedy, Rom Com, Romance Humorous, Hawaii Fiction, Island Romance, Chick Lit.

ebook

Published December 18, 2015

16 people are currently reading
174 people want to read

About the author

Ann Omasta

172 books1,136 followers
Ann Omasta is a USA Today bestselling author.

Subscribe to her YouTube channel for FREE audiobooks! https://www.youtube.com/@annomastaauthor

Here is a Top 10 list from Ann about her likes, dislikes, and oddities:

1. I despise whipped cream. There, I admitted it in writing. Let the ridiculing begin.
2. Even though I have lived as far south as Key Largo, Florida and as far north as Maine, I landed in the middle.
3. If I don't make a conscious effort not to, I will drink nothing but tea morning, noon and night. Hot tea, sweet tea, green tea––I love it all.
4. There doesn't seem to be much in life that is better than coming home to a couple of big dogs who are overjoyed to see me. My other family members usually show significantly less enthusiasm about my return.
5. Singing in my bestest, loudest voice does not make my family put on their happy faces. This includes the big, loving dogs referenced above.
6. Yes, I am aware that bestest is not a word.
7. Dorothy was right. There's no place like home.
8. All of the numerous bottles in my shower must be lined up with their labels facing out. It makes me feel a little like Julia Roberts' mean husband from the movie 'Sleeping with the Enemy,' but I can't seem to control this particular quirk.
9. I love, love, love finding a great bargain.
10. Did I mention that I hate whipped cream? It makes my stomach churn to look at it, touch it, smell it, or even think about it. Great––now I'm thinking about it. Ick!

** Ann would LOVE to send you a free novella ~ Aloha, Baby! Visit annomasta.com to let her know where to send it.

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5 stars
49 (27%)
4 stars
56 (30%)
3 stars
52 (28%)
2 stars
15 (8%)
1 star
9 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
Profile Image for Suba Wijesinghe.
109 reviews45 followers
January 5, 2016
"True Beauty Resides On The Inside"
Yeah, That's always true! I found this, one of my favourite quotes ever while reading the story...

Lani, Honi & Kai were best friends who work together at the same resort." The Lovely Trio!"

Lani felt in love with a wrong guy in a wrong time where upon she was pregnant. Her boyfriend left her & the unborn baby alone. After that incident, She was suffering with loneliness, void, contempt & more feelings that felt her guilty about herself. Her best friends were stay together with her & share her distress & help her to escape from the disgrace exist in the future. Whatsoever, finally she met her true love. However it took long time & she had to pay for something from her life to realise it. Honi !!!!! He was her true lover!

Nice work from the author Ann Omasta. So emotional & sensitive story. I feel the sorrow & happiness behind the story while reading. And those incidents in the story were very close to the incidents that happens in the modern society today. Thank god for the happy ending of the story !!!
Great work!!! I love it lot!!!
Profile Image for maggieandteddy.
1,227 reviews146 followers
March 27, 2016
Very cute novella. Even though it's short, it really has a complete story. I did wish for more though!
There is another book after this: Getting Lei'd. I'm sure that I'll read that one too.
This is about Leilani who lives in Hawaii. She has 2 close friends (guys) since childhood. Kai and Honi.
All three of them work at the vacation resort owned by Kai's family. Their ages seem to be early 20s.
Leilani has a brief affair with a guy from the mainland, who dumps her and leaves even after she tells him that she's pregnant.
I really enjoyed the 3 of these characters and how they were there for each other. Especially Honi.
The writing style is very sweet and not rushed, even though this is a very short book. The scenery is described beautifully.
The internal thoughts were just right. This is 1st person Leilani's POV.
I would like to have more on these two- hopefully in the next book.
Book 2 -Getting Lei'd is Kai's book (Kindle Unlimited at this time).
I found a link on Goodreads for a free copy for Aloha, Baby. Thank you Ann- very enjoyable.
Profile Image for Jennifer Holzapfel.
1,037 reviews4 followers
March 25, 2017
Leilani Mei Kehele is the only daughter of a family that wanted more boys, her father always talking of an heir and a spare, the spare should have been another son. She worked her butt off to get great grades, be a cheerleader,homecoming queen, and the star of the school plays to make up for not being born with a penis. She has disappointed her family by not going to college on her full scholarship, working at a resort that she and all employees are part owners in, and now she has to tell them she got pregnant by having a fling (with Thomas Drake) a visitor to her hotel. They are very disappointed and it breaks her heart,leaving her a sniveling ball of tears.
She disliked Thomas at first sight, a pompous blonde sex pot. At a luau the first evening he was there, he begged her to take a walk with him, and she figured if he got handsy she would take off on him, but he was a perfect gentleman. It was the best night of her life, they spent it talking and learning about each other, laughing at the fact she thought he would be full of himself and he thought she would be an air head because she was so beautiful. Her friends warned her to be careful.
She gave him her virginity and a few weeks later he gave her a huge slap in the face telling her he was going home and may be back in a few years, with a cold glare on his face. Weeks later she found out she was pregnant and called his number from the computer( he never bothered to give her his number),he asked if it was his, then offered to send money for the abortion.
She won't be able to do the hula at the luau's when her pregnancy gets further along, right now she has constant morning sickness and has barf bags in her purse. she is Leilani, queen of quiet puking. She still has to tell Honi and Kai that she is prego before it really starts to show. They have been the 3 musketeers since childhood, but Honi calls themselves Harry, Ron, and Hermione from Harry Potter. He is a total geek, a grown man who has finally hooked Kai into reading the books, but not Leilani.
Honi is told before Kai that she is pregnant, he offers to be the father and she turns him down gently the first time. After her father says the baby needs a father she asks Honi how he will feel when he finds his love, and Honi tells her he wants to be the babies father no matter what and wants to always be in their lives. What will happen to their friendship, especially if he finds someone who loves him more than as a best friend?
Profile Image for Barb.
1,203 reviews
April 9, 2018
Ready to escape to Hawaii?
Let this novella whisk your mind away to where the palm trees sway!
Alone and pregnant...
Leilani Kehele never thought those words would describe her, yet that is exactly how she finds herself in Aloha, Baby!
Feeling like a huge disappointment to her family, Lani turns to her two handsome and loyal best friends, Kai and Honi, for advice.
In an attempt to arrange the best possible outcome for this challenging situation, the three hatch a plan to give Lani's baby a father. Will it work? Will Lani and her baby discover their happily-ever-after ending?
This novella is part of The Escape Series, which includes the Kindle Scout winning book, Getting Lei'd, as well as its sequel, Cruising for Love, and the sweet short story, Coconutty Christmas. You can read and enjoy these books in any order!
Escape into the enchanting Hawaiian Islands now with Leilani, Kai, and Honi while you read this heartwarming tale of friendship, love, and triumph after heartbreak.
A great prequel to a new series. 5 stars.
Profile Image for Angelic Pevida.
75 reviews
May 25, 2025
Ah yes, “Aloha, Baby!” — marketed as a childhood friends-to-lovers romance, but forgot to include both the childhood and the love. I listened to this because it was free on Scribd and I needed something for the car. I should’ve just sat in silence.

The heroine loses her virginity to a tourist who vanishes faster than my expectations for this story. Then she tells her so-called childhood best friend (whom we meet for a grand total of maybe two scenes) that she’s pregnant, and his immediate response is, “Let me pretend to be the baby daddy!” Bold move for someone with zero character development.

As if things weren’t already confusing, she suddenly realizes maybe she has feelings for him—right after discovering he’s been sporting a big ol’ crush (and hard-on) for her. That’s the emotional arc, folks. And then… it ends. That’s it. No real tension, no satisfying payoff, just vibes.

Listen, if you’re into plotless pregnancy stories with no actual romance and a love interest you blink and miss—this one’s for you. If you wanted anything remotely engaging? Keep scrolling.
Profile Image for Kevin Snell.
Author 2 books14 followers
January 24, 2019
This week’s I love Romance Blog review selection is Aloha, Baby! by Ann Omasta. If you’re looking for a quick, entertaining read - this is the novella for you!

Set in the beautiful Hawaiian Islands, Leilani is a resort stakeholder-employee who gives her virginity and heart away to a handsome tourist. But, as the title suggests, it really can happen the first time. After some indecision, Lani sets out to spread the news. Along with her best friends, Honi and Kai, they agree on a baby-raising pact.

When feelings are hurt, jealous rears its ugly head. But, happily ever after makes a sweet surprise ending.

Well written and enjoyable, but the fast pace and short length leave some holes in the romance – I give Aloha, Baby! by Ann Omasta 3 Stars!
Profile Image for JoAnne.
3,155 reviews32 followers
August 30, 2019
This is only the second book by Ms. Omasta that I've read. At eighty pages, Aloha, Baby, was a quick read. There wasn't a depth to the storyline I was hoping for but there was when it came to the characters. Lani, Honi and Kai are likable characters. The scenic descriptions made me feel like I was there. The story ended too abruptly for me with more stories waiting to be told. This is a novella that is the start of the Escape series. I loved the cover.

I look forward to reading more of Ms Omasta's book but would hope for better closure.
Profile Image for Lena.
1,738 reviews17 followers
July 25, 2017
A short sweet story about Leilani and her two best friends since childhood - Honi and Kai.
After a short romance with a tourist, Leilani finds out that she is pregnant, without the father to the baby in their life.
Honi offers to step in, but can she let him give up the chance to a life of his own...?

The flow in the story was great and the description of both the environment and characters were really good. This was my first book by Ann O, but it wont be my last.
Profile Image for Nancy Brady.
Author 7 books45 followers
July 26, 2022
Three friends ban together in this contemporary romance novella.

Lani makes a mistake by falling in love with a mainlander when he rejects her and the baby they create together.

What to do? Best friends Honi and Kai come to her rescue, but is that what she wants for herself? Is Honi's desire to become the baby's father realistic or not? Will their friendship be ruined, or is it possible for the two to become a real couple?
Profile Image for Ashley Hedden.
5,259 reviews43 followers
October 5, 2020
Aloha, Baby! (Escape #0.5) was a great read by Ann Omasta. Leilani finds herself pregnant and alone.Leilani’s two best friends, Kai and Honi, is who she turns to for advice. They make a plan to give the baby a father. I really enjoyed reading Leilani’s journey to love and family. I can’t wait to read more by Ann Omasta.
Profile Image for Tehteh .
347 reviews2 followers
July 22, 2023
This is definitely a sweet prequel, and the context is nice.
It is good that it has much less sexy scenes because I was listening to the audio version and there wasn't as much redacted.
I eould love to see more about the other resort team members - it seems like other books in the series are in other locarions.
But yeah, if you get a chance to read/listen to it, I would recommend doing it
Profile Image for Kathy.
2,741 reviews5,976 followers
May 11, 2018
I had read a couple other books but this author and this was listed a freebie for signing up for her newsletter. The other titles I read were much cleaner than this. Cute story but there is a sex scene.
Profile Image for Roger.
5,646 reviews28 followers
June 18, 2019
My eleventh read from author Ann Omasta. After having read the Keys to my Diary books I jumped at the chance to read another short entertaining and well-written read from her. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
Profile Image for Nina Derr.
311 reviews
July 27, 2019
I loved the Harry Potter and Disney references in this book. It made my little dorky heart happy. I like the characters of Leilani, Honi, and Kai and can't wait to learn more about them in the rest of the series.
Profile Image for Tina Clark.
807 reviews6 followers
June 10, 2017
Cute fast read story. Loved it. Leilani works at a Hawaii resort and meats arrogant Handsome Tom. Loved the story. Would love to read more about the gang.
Profile Image for Karen Loomis.
273 reviews12 followers
June 19, 2017
Short and sweet novella with a happily ever after ending. Sometimes we don't realize what we have until it gets pointed out to us!
Profile Image for Maria Nickerson.
50 reviews
September 9, 2017
I got this book for an honest review. A wonderful story. Two people find each. through all the obstacles they face ..
Profile Image for Barb VanderWel.
1,819 reviews29 followers
April 7, 2018
I love this & I can't wait for more.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
1 review
April 14, 2018
I enjoyed the easy to read novel. I wish it continued into their life a bit more. will need to read next in series to see more of the couple they became.
Profile Image for Vicky Quenault.
282 reviews5 followers
July 23, 2018
Very simple story. One dimensional characters, no suspense of will they wont they. Just a little boring and predictable.
Profile Image for Jo Oehrlein.
6,361 reviews9 followers
July 1, 2019
It never seemed like they had any feelings for each other. They were supposedly friends, but you couldn't even really tell that.
Profile Image for Evelyn.
361 reviews
July 8, 2019
sometimes or probably most of the time, we tend to miss out on the things that is just right on front of us.
Profile Image for Katie Jo.
401 reviews
November 8, 2019
This was a decent novella, but left me feeling a bit meh about the series. The characters were interesting, but it just wasn't my cup of tea.
2,133 reviews38 followers
November 10, 2019
Cute story. What happens in paradise, when you meet the someone who you think is the one and then there not. The one who is, has been there all the time. Follow the story in beautiful Hawaii.
Profile Image for Betsy.
934 reviews3 followers
October 8, 2021
Automatic star reduction when virgin doesn’t use condoms.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews

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