Mommy, Nurse...Duchess?

Paddington Children's Hospital #3

by Kate Hardy

The duke and the single mom!

Nurse Rosie Hobbes knows charming men cannot be trusted. Visiting pediatrician and sexy Italian duke Dr. Leo Marchetti is surely no exception! Her toddler twins are now the center of her life, and she expects Leo to run a mile when he meets them. Instead his warmth leaves her breathless!

Leo never expected to find joy as part of a family after his cold, aristocratic upbringing, but Rosie and her twins bring him to life. Can he prove to her he would make them the best husband and father—ever!

Genres: Romance, Medical, Mills and Boon, Harlequin

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 1, 2017

About the author

Kate Hardy is the award-winning author of more than 100 books for Harlequin Mills & Boon and the Georgina Drake cozy crime series for Storm. Her novel 'Breakfast at Giovanni's' won the RNA Romance Prize in 2008, 'Bound by a Baby' won the RNA RoNA Rose in 2014 and ‘A Will, A Wish, A Wedding’ won the RNA Liberta Books Shorter Fiction award in 2021. She's been shortlisted six more times for the award, as well as for two Romantic Times awards.

She lives in Norwich in the east of England with her husband, two grown-up children, springer spaniels Archie and Dexter, and too many books to count. She's a bit of a nerd who loves cinema, live music, the theatre, ballet, history and cooking, and adores anything Italian. She loves doing research, particularly if it's hands-on and means experimenting with cooking. Reviewers say that her books are full of warmth, heart and charm - and also that you'll learn something new and interesting from them!

Kate also writes bestselling local history books under the name of Pamela Brooks.

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars!


Back to Paddington Children’s Hospital for the third book of the series. This time, single mum and Paediatric nurse Rosie Hobbes gets her happily ever after in the form of Doctor & Italian Duke Leo Marchetti.

She was a survivor, not a victim.

I really enjoyed this one, Rosie and her twins Freddie and Lexi were absolutely adorable together, and I loved that Leo even with the differences in upbringings fit right into their little unit.

"I’m right where I want to be, by your side."

The romance was sweet and well-paced, with a few Cinderella moments for good measure Mummy, Nurse… Duchess? moved along at a steady pace, and with the little bit of suspense thrown in at the end all in all it was a really entertaining addition to the series. I am looking forward to further books from the series to be released over the coming months.



ARC provided via Netgalley as part of the Mills & Boon Insiders review programme, in exchange for the above honest review.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a beautiful story it is moving and so very heart-warming as Nurse Rosie Hobbs finds her Prince charming in the guise of Doctor Leo Marchetti. Leo is also an Italian Duke and finding the love of his life complete with family was not what he set out to do when he arrives at The Paddington Children’s Hospital in London for a temporary position which he is also hoping will help save the hospital from being closed down.

Rosie is a single mother to 3 year old twins Lexie and Freddie and she has been through a lot with her deceased ex and is very protective of her children and will do anything to keep them safe so when the very charming Leo is asking her out she finally agrees thinking that he will run when he meets the children but that is so far from the truth and she can feel the sparks getting stronger but she is very wary after what she has been through.

Leo has decided after the life he has had with his over bearing father that perhaps marriage and a family is not for him he loves being a doctor and loves working with children and although the rumours about is love life are not true there is not a lot of woman in his life, but when he meets Rosie there is such a spark, a string pulling them together that is opinion on marriage is changing, oh but she is being a tad hard to get to go on a date but he is determined.

I loved Leo he is so caring and understanding he gets Rosie to open up and he senses her fear and helps her with it and the children in such a fabulous way. Leo and Rosie are meant to be together their love shines through and the future is so very bright for them all. MS Hardy has really brought such joy to these characters and me. Thank you MS Hardy for a wonderful story that had me smiling so much. This series is so good I am really loving it and I highly recommend this one.

[Susan in Perthshire · Rating 3 out of 5]

This author always writes emotional, satisfying stories and this was no exception. The hero Leo, was simply delightful and the heroine Rosie was understandably suspicious because of her experiences with her husband. Add a pair of adorable twins, a medical,setting and we’re off. It’s quiet and relatively uneventful. The threat from the men Michael had owed money to, was somewhat incredible but it was a very enjoyable read.

[BarbarAzza Brioscina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beh 2,5 ma non l ho capito . Troppe cose attaccate con lo scotch

[Caitlyn Callery · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never read a medical romance before. This one wasn't enough to put me off them, but of itself, it wouldn't make me reach for another, either. The writing flowed nicely, and the hero was likeable and moreish, while the heroine grew on me – I did not like her judgemental, quick-to-judge attitude at all at the start, but once she saw the errors of her ways, she seemed quite a nice person underneath.

My first problem with the book was the premise. If I have understood it correctly, the board of directors of a London hospital for children, an NHS hospital, wants to shut down said hospital and merge with another, distant one, because then they'll become a private hospital and make money.

In England, boards of directors don't have the final say on shutting down NHS hospitals. Oh, they can recommend it, and it goes out to consultation, after which the Secretary of State makes the decision. No Secretary of State, with voters to worry about, is going to consider, for a single second, closing a children's hospital to make way for a private one. I simply could not get past this glaring hole.

On top of which, there's little to no story. This is one of my bugbears. I like boy meets girl as much as anyone, but I prefer there to be something else happening, besides their love story. An attempt was made to give them a danger, and a semblance of a plot but it came late in the book and, to be honest, it felt contrived and tacked on.

Then there were the medical bits. We were treated to detailed explanations of children's illnesses, mostly in “As you know, Bob,” dialogue, where one character tells another something they already know, just so the author can show off the information to the reader. Unfortunately, none of the information given was essential to the story, which made it all the more superfluous.

This may not be Ms Hardy's fault. It may happen in all medical romances, and if it does, I apologise to her for criticising her for doing it.

[Nas Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

MUMMY, NURSE…DUCHESS? By author Kate Hardy is a May 2017 release by Harlequin Medical Romance series.

Rossie Hobbes was not dating or open to relationships. Especially not trusting charming men again. Yet, the sexy Dr Leo Marchetti made something tick inside her. And there was definitely chemistry flaring between them.

Could he become the father to her toddler twins…would he?

MUMMY, NURSE…DUCHESS? is a romance filled with emotions and drama. Author Kate Hardy did a wonderful job of bringing Leo and Rossie together to create a family despite all the emotional baggage and past grief they carried. I was hooked in the story as a reader until the very last page. This story had all the drama of a medical romance.

Highly recommended for all readers of medical romance.

[Stacey Houllis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such beautiful story to continue the Paddington Children's Hospital Series Nurse Rosie Hobbs a single mother of twins who meets Dr. Leo Marchetti an Italian Duke who is nothing like her husband who was a gambler and owed money to not so nice people. Rosie moved to the Paddington hospital changing her surname so they would not be found. He is a Paddington Hospital in a tempory position, working in the clinic of the hospital. They attend a charity ball together in Tuscany where photos are taking of her and article writing up about her saving a mans life put her, her children in danger and Leo's mum as well as her husband associates find her and want what owed. So she retreats away from Leo but he realizes what is going on and wants to help protect her and the children.

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review Posted at HarlequinJunkie.com

Nurse Rosie Hobbes finds it hard to trust men after what her husband put her through. It’s why she does her best not to get too close to the new doctor; a gorgeous man who will only be working at Paddington Children’s hospital temporarily. Except the more time she spends around Leo Marchetti, the more she begins to see he’s nothing like her ex. But when her ex’s troubles come back and threaten the life she’s worked hard for after his death, will she put her trust in Leo or turn her back on their relationship? Read More

[Tali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mummy, Nurse...Duchess? is the story of Rosie, a nurse, who is swept off her feet by visiting doctor and Italian Duke, Leo. The only problem is that Leo has no intentions of ever having children, while Rosie is the mother to twins.
I don't often read the medical Mills and Boon books so this was a pleasant surprise for me. I reall liked that Rosie wasa very determined character who didn't let Leo bulldoze over her. Mostly though, this story just made me want to take a trip to stay in an Italian villa. 3 stars.

[Janet Hendricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love For Her and Her Children

Dr. Leo Marchetti arrived at Paddington Hospital to work short term as a Pediatrician. Nurse Rosie Hobbes has been keeping a low profile fearing that old associates of her late husband would hurt her and her three year old twins. There is definitely sexual chemistry between Rosie and Leo, but neither is willing to risk becoming involved. Strong characters, dangerous situations and romance combine to create a heartwarming story about finding the perfect family.

[Raffaella De Leonardo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un libro talmente semplice e “ingenuo” tanto da risultare quasi imbarazzante per quanto riesce a risultare irreale.
Una storia lineare e priva di qualsiasi mordente, di buoni sentimenti e “principi azzurri”, un vero “harmony” in tutto e per tutto.
Una lettura che scivola via in un soffio, troppo innocente ed elementare per il mio personale gusto.
Tre stelle, ma proprio stiracchiate.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this on the Kindle

This is book 3 in the Paddington Children's hospital

A nice story which has Rosie a single mum of twins there is a twist with her past & do you fall for the Duke or run a mile

[Emma Dargue · Rating 3 out of 5]

typical mills and boon fare. the ending was almost too neat and cutesy but not a bad book after all.

[Cynthia El-shabazz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book-by Kate Hardy nothing left to say.

[Linda Verhage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compleet geluk, dokters nr.123

[LadyAileen]

Letto qualche anno fa ma ricordo poco o nulla.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Carmen Crowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will want to give this book a big hug!

I fell in love with the characters, and the story did not disappoint. This book will leave you with a wonderful, warm, fuzzy feeling.

[Gwessie Tee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg fell in total love with this beautiful story, could not put it down and read it in one go. A truly stunning romance most definitely proving love is the best medicine.

[Book Gannet · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

This is another enjoyable visit to Paddington, complete with a couple of cute kids and more than a hint of Cinderella as a hardworking single mother catches the eye of the charming doctor duke. There’s a bit of glitz and glamour thrown in, plus a hint of suspense, all combining into a decent romantic escape.

I liked both Rosie and Leo. They don’t start off particularly well, but I liked that they’re both fair enough to give each other second chances. Plus, Leo is absolutely adorable with the twins. The romance is pretty fast moving, but it worked within the story.

Away from these two, it was nice to be back at the Castle again and see more of young Penny. It might have been nice to have had a bit more about the closure and what people are doing to stop it, plus a bit more actual medical stuff, but the trip to Italy and the following drama sort of overwhelmed all of that.

So overall I enjoyed this. It has romance, a bit of medical and a slice of Italian sunshine to make for an easy escape. I look forward to seeing where life at the Castle heads next.

(ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.)

[Claire Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, I wasn't that enamoured by the last one in this multi author series, and didn't have high expectations, but I was pleasantly surprised. The characters are well written and have a depth to them, each with their own fears and worries, but they complement each other really well.. I loved Lexi and Freddie, Rosie's twins....as a mother to a three year old myself, I found myself laughing along with their antics. After reading this, I will definitely check out Ms Hardy's other titles

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Paddington Children’s Hospital