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Love in the City #1
Baby Baby: Chicago
A happenstance romance about a case of mistaken identity, a billionaire with a second chance at life, and the young doctor who changes it all for him.Surrogacy…This hadn’t been the plan for Chicago native Johari Russell. But then again, neither had raking up thousands of dollars in medical school debt. Desperate, she accepts the money for her education from sources she probably shouldn’t have, and now, finds herself waiting to meet with one-half of a happy couple with the intention of carrying their future child. This is the new plan for Johari and once she makes one, she sticks to it. She never intended to have such a strong connection with the prospective father of the future child, or for his brown eyes to tighten her tummy in ways it probably shouldn’t.And why did he look so familiar to her?Cancer…Illness nearly ended Alexander Ricci’s life before it barely began, a life of opulence, thanks to the successes of his late father and one that’s also very much under the microscope due to his own accomplishments or, erm… indiscretions. He and his brother Asa have been dubbed the “Princes of Chicago” by the media, a direct result of a long stent of playboy debauchery. But, at least for Alexander, that seems so long ago. The face of the tabloids had been one before the life of an altering diagnosis, before chemo and now that he’s cancer-free, he just wants to leave that man and his previous legacy behind. The people in his life don’t make it easy, though. Especially, after he meets a young woman who makes him not only want for more out of his life…But demand for it.Alexander wasn’t supposed to meet Johari in that café. She was there for someone else, but it seemed that fate, destiny, had other plans.So how could they both ignore it?Baby, Baby is a standalone, BWWM contemporary romance with no cliffhanger and a happily ever after. It's also book one in the Love In The City Series and is a tale of fate and second chances. Find out what happens when two people throw all logic out the window and go by the beat of their hearts!
255 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 5, 2016
441 people are currently reading
458 people want to read
About the author
Victoria H. Smith
51 books516 followersVictoria H. Smith has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. She puts it to good use writing romance all day. She resides in the Midwest with her Macbook on her lap and a cornfield to her right. She often draws inspiration for her stories from her own life experiences, and the characters she writes give her an earful about it.
In her free time, she enjoys extreme couponing, reading, watching Scandal, and general geekery in the form of Sherlock and DC Comics. She’s a bestselling author and the 2014 Swirl Award winner for Best New Adult Romance, as well as the recipient of the 2015 AMB Ovation Award for her new adult romance FOUND BY YOU. She writes both new adult and adult fiction in many genres, but mainly focuses in contemporary interracial and multicultural romances.
To be notified about my latest releases, sign up for my newsletter! - http://eepurl.com/MxQMj
In her free time, she enjoys extreme couponing, reading, watching Scandal, and general geekery in the form of Sherlock and DC Comics. She’s a bestselling author and the 2014 Swirl Award winner for Best New Adult Romance, as well as the recipient of the 2015 AMB Ovation Award for her new adult romance FOUND BY YOU. She writes both new adult and adult fiction in many genres, but mainly focuses in contemporary interracial and multicultural romances.
To be notified about my latest releases, sign up for my newsletter! - http://eepurl.com/MxQMj
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
April 4, 2023
Wow, the main characters literally have no chemistry. DNF for now, but not sure if i will ever finish it, because I'm listening to the audio, and the female narrator is not great.
October 22, 2016
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
My interest was piqued when I learned Victoria Smith was writing a billionaire surrogacy love story. I knew it would be a story of greater depth than some of the ones I usually come across.
Billionaire Alexander Ricci meets Johari Russell during a case of mistaken identity. She thinks she's meeting with her potential future baby daddy. Before he can clear up the misunderstanding, she starts talking a mile a minute about being his surrogate, though he does try to interrupt her. Her surrogacy proposition appeals to him enough to warrant further discussion, so he gives her his business card to contact him. Since his near-fatal brush with cancer, Alex finds that the idea of being a father appeals to him.
The problem with the story line begs the question ... Why choose Johari? Attractive billionaires don't have a problem finding willing candidates to have their baby -- no IVF required! We're asked to believe that it's his desire to have a bi-racial child with a black woman, rather than his former girlfriend, model, actress, athlete or a woman within his social circle.
The initial and subsequent meetings between the two main characters wasn't insta-lust, which I appreciated. Sometimes, the slow burn works, too. However, there was still not enough interaction between the couple for them to fall in love. They would spend time together and then something negative would happen. They wouldn't speak to each other for a week or two, thus breaking the bond they were forming.
There are situations that happened, once revealed (read the book) that aren't believable -- neither Jo's reaction nor her mother's reaction rang true to me. Also, the mother-daughter tension wasn't explored fully or explained. At times, I wanted to shake Jo for putting her trust in the wrong person.
I did love Johari's relationship with her brother Javan and her ex-boyfriend, Jared. I liked the dimensions that Victoria added to Jared's character. I loved Jo's determination to be a doctor. I liked this story and it just needed (imo) a few tweaks for me to rate it higher. I'm a VHS fan and I'm really excited to read a possible story featuring Alex' brother, Asa. Victoria's books always go on my "must read" list and this one is no exception. This story is definitely worth reading.
My interest was piqued when I learned Victoria Smith was writing a billionaire surrogacy love story. I knew it would be a story of greater depth than some of the ones I usually come across.
Billionaire Alexander Ricci meets Johari Russell during a case of mistaken identity. She thinks she's meeting with her potential future baby daddy. Before he can clear up the misunderstanding, she starts talking a mile a minute about being his surrogate, though he does try to interrupt her. Her surrogacy proposition appeals to him enough to warrant further discussion, so he gives her his business card to contact him. Since his near-fatal brush with cancer, Alex finds that the idea of being a father appeals to him.
The problem with the story line begs the question ... Why choose Johari? Attractive billionaires don't have a problem finding willing candidates to have their baby -- no IVF required! We're asked to believe that it's his desire to have a bi-racial child with a black woman, rather than his former girlfriend, model, actress, athlete or a woman within his social circle.
The initial and subsequent meetings between the two main characters wasn't insta-lust, which I appreciated. Sometimes, the slow burn works, too. However, there was still not enough interaction between the couple for them to fall in love. They would spend time together and then something negative would happen. They wouldn't speak to each other for a week or two, thus breaking the bond they were forming.
There are situations that happened, once revealed (read the book) that aren't believable -- neither Jo's reaction nor her mother's reaction rang true to me. Also, the mother-daughter tension wasn't explored fully or explained. At times, I wanted to shake Jo for putting her trust in the wrong person.
I did love Johari's relationship with her brother Javan and her ex-boyfriend, Jared. I liked the dimensions that Victoria added to Jared's character. I loved Jo's determination to be a doctor. I liked this story and it just needed (imo) a few tweaks for me to rate it higher. I'm a VHS fan and I'm really excited to read a possible story featuring Alex' brother, Asa. Victoria's books always go on my "must read" list and this one is no exception. This story is definitely worth reading.
October 22, 2016
Alexander Ricci has a second chance at life and he's not going to waste another minute. That's why when he's approached in a cafe my a strange woman offering to be his surrogate, he takes her up on her offer. Johari Russell has worked hard to achieve her goal of becoming a doctor. Now that she's in the home stretch she' not going to let anything stop her now, not even debt. That's why she's is in a cafe looking for a stranger to offer up her services of carrying his baby. Nothing but fate has brought these two together, and nothing fate and a once in a life time love will keep them together.
This was a very emotional and passionate love story that will have you falling in love right along with Alex and Jo. These two are up against some tough odds with jealous ex's and interfering family members. The author did a great job in describing how Alex and Jo felt about all they were going through and making you feel the emotions as if you were going through these situations your self. At times I was disappointed in how Jo handled herself, but you don't know how you would react unless you're walking in her shoes, so I gave her a pass when at times I felt like I just wanted to scream, "REALLY". This is a wonderful love story and I give it 4.5 stars.
November 8, 2016
Unfortunately, this is my least favourite story by this author. I found the story very slow and unromantic. The relationship felt like an on again off again relationship. The other thing that I found very surprising is how many times Johari allowed Alexander's ex to mess with her head. The woman lied to her several times and yet she kept sharing her business with her and allowing her to mess with her relationship.
This was just an okay read for me.
This was just an okay read for me.
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June 6, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/6/2019)! 🎁
July 7, 2022
One complaint was some typos and confusion over the POVs a bit a times. Another was that it read a bit choppy structurally and the progression of the characters relationship read a bit odd. Definitely a few steps and conversations were skipped.
That being said I did enjoy this read. It was simple and light. So for that I'll give it 3 stars because it helped me outta my reading slump.
That being said I did enjoy this read. It was simple and light. So for that I'll give it 3 stars because it helped me outta my reading slump.
October 22, 2016
loved, loved, loved this very enjoyable read and story. there was a bit of confusion at first, i must admit, but it was a curiousness that sucked me into the story, not make me want to put the book down. i think hearing from alexander first is what threw me off as the majority of books i've read start from the female pov but when i realized the book was written from both pov's, all was good with the world again. there were holes, yes, which at the time re-introduced that confusion, and i had to create my own version of what i thought might/should be the narrative, but all in all, i thoroughly enjoyed this story about surrogacy, mistaken identity and love. hope to read more about alexander and johari (beautiful name) and definitely recommend it to others. not my first rodeo with ms. smith, and won't be my last.
November 10, 2020
2.00 Stars. (BW/WM). An Audible audiobooknarratged by Morae Brehon and Teddy Hamilton. Surrogate. Mistaken identity. Unromantic. Unbelievable. Excessive internal dialog instead of characters interacting and communicating with each other. I have read many of this authors works and have liked them and thought many of the characters were likable and memorable; that said, I did not like this story. The heroine, Johari Russell, is a medial student doing her intern at a local hospital who has arranged to be a surrogate for a man she has never meet and she has decided not to dress to impress ;but, ware a hoodie and sweats. Billionaire businessman and hero, Alexander Ricci, has just found out he's cancer free when he decides to stop for coffee and bumps into Johari and proceeds to have a conversation about her carrying his child. This is where the storyline really defies the law of probability...a billionaire, whose ex-white girlfriend is a pediatrician who wants nothing more than to marry him and have his babies is rejected so that the billionaire who has never wanted children suddenly decides that this shabbily dressed strange Black woman has him wanting her to have his bi-racial child and pay off what he thinks is her drug debt. They get HEA.
October 19, 2016
What started out is them meeting over a misunderstanding blossomed to true love. I love how the author shows both characters looking for something else out of life and love help keeps them centered !
Can't wait for book two!!
Can't wait for book two!!
November 4, 2016
3.5 stars
August 18, 2017
It's soo beautiful!!!!!
It's soo beautiful!!!!! It was so touching. There's no word that can really express how I felt after reading this book. Jo and Alex was so amazing and good for each other. I'm about to read the next book in the set.
It's soo beautiful!!!!! It was so touching. There's no word that can really express how I felt after reading this book. Jo and Alex was so amazing and good for each other. I'm about to read the next book in the set.
October 25, 2016
So it's rare for a book to make me emotional but this one did. The author does a wonderful job of taking you on a journey that illustrates the challenges of being sick. The hope and the disappointment of the disease coming back and it's impact on the family. I actually had some tears by the end of this book because you can actually feel the disappointment and fears the main characters are experiencing. The book ends on a semi happy ending but if you want more closure get the additional epilogue from the authors website. I'm crossing my fingers hoping the author continues this story and gives a story to Asa.
October 18, 2016
Really enjoyed this read, second chance stories are always my faves. Nice job victoria, lookin forward to more.
November 3, 2016
APB Perspective Review:
I just didn't buy it , how did they fall in love? There is a good story to tell here , but I did not feel the author completed it in this book.
I just didn't buy it , how did they fall in love? There is a good story to tell here , but I did not feel the author completed it in this book.
May 2, 2024
Y'all.
OK, let me do this right.
SOME may deem this worthy of 3 stars, maybe even 4. I was one of you, maybe as little as 5 years ago. But now that we've gotten (for the most part) past the age of being so grateful for even reasonably passable editing in IR, its time to expect better in terms of all else.
Let me give two examples of why this book had potential, but failed so badly.
"the contents it contained"
"I was out of the dark" (this in terms of a health scare obviously intended as out of the WOODS).
"I engorged"...this in reference to his giving her oral sex.
Stop the misuse violence. Please.
Both characters are dumb as bricks and have zero business having a child, especially with someone as equally dumb as each of them are. We have a supposed medical professional one step (its never discussed in detail) from being an actual physician who accepts money from a drug dealer by proxy. She's also so worried about her mother than just seeing her kissing the hero that it sends her running for weeks. Throw in the hero's own health issue and it just seems like two grown folks who really should know better than to do almost everything they end up doing.
Its also a version of insta-love that is so ridiculously out of place within the storyline and oddly denied AND accepted by both that its just irritating overall.
Theres just better things to read and listen to. Speaking of, avoid the audiobook version at all costs. The voice actress is one that I generally avoid and this book once again proved why. Awful.
OK, let me do this right.
SOME may deem this worthy of 3 stars, maybe even 4. I was one of you, maybe as little as 5 years ago. But now that we've gotten (for the most part) past the age of being so grateful for even reasonably passable editing in IR, its time to expect better in terms of all else.
Let me give two examples of why this book had potential, but failed so badly.
"the contents it contained"
"I was out of the dark" (this in terms of a health scare obviously intended as out of the WOODS).
"I engorged"...this in reference to his giving her oral sex.
Stop the misuse violence. Please.
Both characters are dumb as bricks and have zero business having a child, especially with someone as equally dumb as each of them are. We have a supposed medical professional one step (its never discussed in detail) from being an actual physician who accepts money from a drug dealer by proxy. She's also so worried about her mother than just seeing her kissing the hero that it sends her running for weeks. Throw in the hero's own health issue and it just seems like two grown folks who really should know better than to do almost everything they end up doing.
Its also a version of insta-love that is so ridiculously out of place within the storyline and oddly denied AND accepted by both that its just irritating overall.
Theres just better things to read and listen to. Speaking of, avoid the audiobook version at all costs. The voice actress is one that I generally avoid and this book once again proved why. Awful.
May 12, 2022
I did not enjoy this book. It was simply one long miscommunication trope!
Alexander, suddenly Cancer free, meets Johari- who he instantly is attracted to. She mistakes him for a man she was interviewing to be a surrogate for. Johari explains her fertility and her happiness to provide a child for a couple in need. Instead of correcting her and asking her on a date, Alexander decides in a matter of moments that he wants to have a child with Johari (Which she was not offering!)
Alexander's brother is rightfully confused and concerned at his brother's change of heart to have children. But does Alex pause and wonder if this is the right thing? No, he just offers Johari the money to have his child. Then, he gets angry with her for using the money he gave her! He is calmed by her reassurance later, but is still frustrated.
He goes to the hospital later and discovers that his ex-girlfriend is going to be Johari's supervisor. She is angry and oversteps SO many boundaries that it becomes medical malpractice, but he ignores it and focuses only on Johari and their baby. Which, is frustrating. Because at that point, it was not their baby, it was his baby- that she only provided the egg and the vessel for it to grow.
Later on, he kisses her in an alleyway, her mother sees and Johari assumes that her mother will think she's some kind of prostitute? Which didn't make a lot of sense... Why wouldn't the mother just think she was kissing her secret boyfriend?
The ex-girlfriend keeps inserting herself in Johari and Alex's relationship? And even though Alexander has repeatedly refuted the claims she makes (sometimes she completely lies, other times she fibs) Johari continues to belive the ex-girlfriend?
After many more miscommunications and Alex's mother being a racist, despite Alexander being Cancer free only three months prior, he is suddenly diagnosed with cancer again? As someone in the medical field, I can assure you that even if the cancer was fast-growing, it would have shown up on his scans three months prior. Ther is so much medical malpractice, or just medical incompetence in this book it drove me insane!
He decides to retreat again, even after promising his family that he wouldn't! He leaves Johari, pregnant and confused. He doesn't clarify anything with her, or if he still wants the baby, or her. But then changes his mind on a dime- not because of the baby, but because of Johari.
The ex-girlfriend inserts herself in the situation again, and tells Johari where she can find him. In reality she is sending Johari on a wild goose chase and basically sentences her to death in the woods.
In the end Alexander finds her, and they get their HEA.
I like the miscommunication trope when done correctly, and it was not enjoyable. I wanted to strangle half of these characters. I cannot recommend this book.
Alexander, suddenly Cancer free, meets Johari- who he instantly is attracted to. She mistakes him for a man she was interviewing to be a surrogate for. Johari explains her fertility and her happiness to provide a child for a couple in need. Instead of correcting her and asking her on a date, Alexander decides in a matter of moments that he wants to have a child with Johari (Which she was not offering!)
Alexander's brother is rightfully confused and concerned at his brother's change of heart to have children. But does Alex pause and wonder if this is the right thing? No, he just offers Johari the money to have his child. Then, he gets angry with her for using the money he gave her! He is calmed by her reassurance later, but is still frustrated.
He goes to the hospital later and discovers that his ex-girlfriend is going to be Johari's supervisor. She is angry and oversteps SO many boundaries that it becomes medical malpractice, but he ignores it and focuses only on Johari and their baby. Which, is frustrating. Because at that point, it was not their baby, it was his baby- that she only provided the egg and the vessel for it to grow.
Later on, he kisses her in an alleyway, her mother sees and Johari assumes that her mother will think she's some kind of prostitute? Which didn't make a lot of sense... Why wouldn't the mother just think she was kissing her secret boyfriend?
The ex-girlfriend keeps inserting herself in Johari and Alex's relationship? And even though Alexander has repeatedly refuted the claims she makes (sometimes she completely lies, other times she fibs) Johari continues to belive the ex-girlfriend?
After many more miscommunications and Alex's mother being a racist, despite Alexander being Cancer free only three months prior, he is suddenly diagnosed with cancer again? As someone in the medical field, I can assure you that even if the cancer was fast-growing, it would have shown up on his scans three months prior. Ther is so much medical malpractice, or just medical incompetence in this book it drove me insane!
He decides to retreat again, even after promising his family that he wouldn't! He leaves Johari, pregnant and confused. He doesn't clarify anything with her, or if he still wants the baby, or her. But then changes his mind on a dime- not because of the baby, but because of Johari.
The ex-girlfriend inserts herself in the situation again, and tells Johari where she can find him. In reality she is sending Johari on a wild goose chase and basically sentences her to death in the woods.
In the end Alexander finds her, and they get their HEA.
I like the miscommunication trope when done correctly, and it was not enjoyable. I wanted to strangle half of these characters. I cannot recommend this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2016
I love this book,it had me in tears towards the end. There first meeting was memorable and kind of awkward because she thought he was part of a gay couple that she was trying to interview to be their surrogate for them but she met Alex instead. I was happy on the same that he found out he was cancer free that time he met Johari. The way that both him and his brother judged her because she used the in the money in the account that he set up for her when their relationship started as a business arrangement it turn to so much more. They had some close calls with his ex coming between them putting more doubt in Johari's head about her relationship with Alexander an why he was acting the way he was acting, her going to look for him getting hypothermia when she got lost looking for him at his family's country cabin putting both Johari's and the baby's lives in danger. I didn't understand why his ex went through Jo's family records telling his mother that about the baby and that Johari's brother has down syndrome in the beginning.
October 29, 2016
Very much enjoyed this story! May contain some spoilers so read ahead at your own risk..
This story, as the description says, is about a graduating medical student who tries to become a surrogate in order to pay down some of her mounting debt. However, the client she ends up interviewing with, and becomes a surrogate for, is not the client she was supposed to meet and is instead one of the richest men in the city who finally got a clean bill of health very shortly before their meeting. However, what started as a business arrangement between the two soon becomes a relationship built, mostly, on love, trust, and respect.
However, it's the "mostly" that sort of gets me. There were a couple of situations where I felt like they could have avoided some of their conflicts if they just communicated with one another. This aside, I do think this was a solid story and I was definitely sad when I got to the last page.
As always, I can't wait for Victoria's next story!!!
This story, as the description says, is about a graduating medical student who tries to become a surrogate in order to pay down some of her mounting debt. However, the client she ends up interviewing with, and becomes a surrogate for, is not the client she was supposed to meet and is instead one of the richest men in the city who finally got a clean bill of health very shortly before their meeting. However, what started as a business arrangement between the two soon becomes a relationship built, mostly, on love, trust, and respect.
However, it's the "mostly" that sort of gets me. There were a couple of situations where I felt like they could have avoided some of their conflicts if they just communicated with one another. This aside, I do think this was a solid story and I was definitely sad when I got to the last page.
As always, I can't wait for Victoria's next story!!!
September 28, 2020
I read and listened to this book. The author touched on the serious topic of cancer in this story. Cancer is a serious issue that many people face daily. Because of it, Alexander decided to take a perfect stranger up on the next evolution of his life. When the situation presented itself, I felt that he could have corrected Johari at any point during their initial conversation. If he liked her, then why not ask her out and then allow the relationship to develop normally.
The book is a good read. I enjoyed it obviously, I read it and listened to it simultaneously. Yet, I think the entire situation could have been avoided. The attraction was there for Johari and Alexander from the beginning. Why not give her a fake name or a nickname and date the lady for crying out loud? Then secretly took care of her depths until she was comfortable accepting help from him. Then Johari was completely naive. She saught help from an ex-girlfriend. WHO DOES THAT? To add insult to injury she believed the woman. Johari lost cool points after that.
I would recommend it to my reading friends. And hope we could agree on Johari's nonsense.
The book is a good read. I enjoyed it obviously, I read it and listened to it simultaneously. Yet, I think the entire situation could have been avoided. The attraction was there for Johari and Alexander from the beginning. Why not give her a fake name or a nickname and date the lady for crying out loud? Then secretly took care of her depths until she was comfortable accepting help from him. Then Johari was completely naive. She saught help from an ex-girlfriend. WHO DOES THAT? To add insult to injury she believed the woman. Johari lost cool points after that.
I would recommend it to my reading friends. And hope we could agree on Johari's nonsense.
June 3, 2018
So much to enjoy
This story really drew me in and I wish I could have given this five stars. There is so much potential in this story and the storylines that would have been worth exploring, really great storylines. However, they were not followed through and as a result left to just linger waiting to be picked a and some eventually were, while others appeared to be wrapped up to quickly. It's almost like this could have been a fully formed novel about the subjects the author choose to include or a series. I want to support an author whose story's really bring me into the world they create, so when reading this story I came across issues with grammar that required I re-read sentences in order to understand what I was reading, it was a little difficult. I hope she can fix the issue because I will definitely read more of her stories and I hope you do to.
This story really drew me in and I wish I could have given this five stars. There is so much potential in this story and the storylines that would have been worth exploring, really great storylines. However, they were not followed through and as a result left to just linger waiting to be picked a and some eventually were, while others appeared to be wrapped up to quickly. It's almost like this could have been a fully formed novel about the subjects the author choose to include or a series. I want to support an author whose story's really bring me into the world they create, so when reading this story I came across issues with grammar that required I re-read sentences in order to understand what I was reading, it was a little difficult. I hope she can fix the issue because I will definitely read more of her stories and I hope you do to.
May 3, 2019
There are so many things I liked at the beginning of the book. The way they met. In fact I believe the premise of the book and I don't find it un unlikely that he will go for someone with a different background and race. I believe it was more of a having a second shot of life. Now the couple to me don't really have that zing, and that made the whole book less enjoyable for me. To nitpick I thought once you are out of medical school, you are a doctor. So why did they never refer to her as Dr so so. Again, what they did didn't sound like IVF more like artificial insemination. Another point is that I thought they did background check on her. How come it didn't show her brother had down syndrome? I rarely read billionaires and pregnancy book cos most sound implausible but I kinda found it about 70% implausible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2019
Emotional page turner
This story between Alexander and Johari is a emotional rollercoaster. Alexander has just found out that he was cancer free and decided to go to a old coffee shop that he use to go to when he was in college. While there Johari came up to his table thinking that he was the man she was supposed to meet. Alexander played along but when he got ready to leave he gave her his card revealing his true identity. During there discuss Johari gave him something to think about having her to be a surrogate for him. During the course of the story they would deal with mistrust, and negative input from people around them to discourage them from having a baby. Good read..highly recommend..
This story between Alexander and Johari is a emotional rollercoaster. Alexander has just found out that he was cancer free and decided to go to a old coffee shop that he use to go to when he was in college. While there Johari came up to his table thinking that he was the man she was supposed to meet. Alexander played along but when he got ready to leave he gave her his card revealing his true identity. During there discuss Johari gave him something to think about having her to be a surrogate for him. During the course of the story they would deal with mistrust, and negative input from people around them to discourage them from having a baby. Good read..highly recommend..
June 18, 2024
An incredible book
I couldn't stop reading this book if I tried! I plan on reading the other two in the series. Johari thought she had finally found a way to free herself of debt. What she didn't know was that fate had other ideas for her. Alexander was finally allowed to live again and that's exactly what he planned to do. When he and Johari meet neither of them understand what's going on. Soon though all they want is to be around each other. Johari knows she can't cross that line with Alexander but when her heart wins there's nothing she can do. Alexander wants nothing more than to live happily ever after with Johari but that could all crumble around his feet. Will Johari and Alexander have their very own HEA?
I couldn't stop reading this book if I tried! I plan on reading the other two in the series. Johari thought she had finally found a way to free herself of debt. What she didn't know was that fate had other ideas for her. Alexander was finally allowed to live again and that's exactly what he planned to do. When he and Johari meet neither of them understand what's going on. Soon though all they want is to be around each other. Johari knows she can't cross that line with Alexander but when her heart wins there's nothing she can do. Alexander wants nothing more than to live happily ever after with Johari but that could all crumble around his feet. Will Johari and Alexander have their very own HEA?
October 26, 2016
Good book
I thought the premise of this book was refreshing considering how many surrogacy stories out there now. I loved how accurate the author was about dealing with someone with cancer and not shying away from how it would effect their loved ones as well. I do wish the author could have given the side characters (like Asa and Mrs. Ricci) more time to shine. They came off as one dimensional. I hated the fact that they didn't wrap up what happened to the antagonist of the story. Because of that I give this book a solid three stars. As I enjoy Ms. Smith's books I will definitely be picking up another by her soon.
I thought the premise of this book was refreshing considering how many surrogacy stories out there now. I loved how accurate the author was about dealing with someone with cancer and not shying away from how it would effect their loved ones as well. I do wish the author could have given the side characters (like Asa and Mrs. Ricci) more time to shine. They came off as one dimensional. I hated the fact that they didn't wrap up what happened to the antagonist of the story. Because of that I give this book a solid three stars. As I enjoy Ms. Smith's books I will definitely be picking up another by her soon.
December 3, 2016
Wordy
I found this book to be just way too wordy. I liked it but for two pp to be so smart they had to much miscommunication. They fell for one another and just seemed to not get to know each other enough for me. I would have asked questions about his EX but that didn't happen until the EX told her version. If I'm working in the same building as his EX I'd like to know more about what happened with them vs turning a blind eye to them even being together. Not all readers will care but miscommunication is a biggie with me n books. I did find it extremely wordy thou and others may also
I found this book to be just way too wordy. I liked it but for two pp to be so smart they had to much miscommunication. They fell for one another and just seemed to not get to know each other enough for me. I would have asked questions about his EX but that didn't happen until the EX told her version. If I'm working in the same building as his EX I'd like to know more about what happened with them vs turning a blind eye to them even being together. Not all readers will care but miscommunication is a biggie with me n books. I did find it extremely wordy thou and others may also
December 17, 2022
Eh...
The story started out with promise, but Johari was so immature, it was annoying. It was hard to grasp the fact that she was a medical student, and her thought processes were so illogical.
Then I made the mistake of getting the Audible book. Ugh! The narrator for Johari was so bad, when I got to her chapters I stopped the audio and read it. Don't even get me started on her narrating the "sexy times" (I threw up a little in my mouth). Teddy Hamilton was Teddy Hamilton great as always. He could read the Yellow Pages and it would be captivating.
Overall, it was a good premise. However, the female lead could've been stronger.
The story started out with promise, but Johari was so immature, it was annoying. It was hard to grasp the fact that she was a medical student, and her thought processes were so illogical.
Then I made the mistake of getting the Audible book. Ugh! The narrator for Johari was so bad, when I got to her chapters I stopped the audio and read it. Don't even get me started on her narrating the "sexy times" (I threw up a little in my mouth). Teddy Hamilton was Teddy Hamilton great as always. He could read the Yellow Pages and it would be captivating.
Overall, it was a good premise. However, the female lead could've been stronger.
September 4, 2019
Well done, Ms Smith! Well done!
What a fantastic story! Ms Smith’s ability to tell a story is unmatched! I was so drawn into the complex and believable world of “Alexander and Johari” that I could not stop reading. Unexpected twists and turns aplenty! I so enjoyed having Alexander as my “Book Boyfriend”, that at the half way point I was already feeling withdrawal symptoms. Now you know, Victoria, Asa needs his HEA too!! Maybe an Asian girl. Some kind of cross-culture clash. Or….maybe Roya!!! *Wink*Wink*
I received and voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
What a fantastic story! Ms Smith’s ability to tell a story is unmatched! I was so drawn into the complex and believable world of “Alexander and Johari” that I could not stop reading. Unexpected twists and turns aplenty! I so enjoyed having Alexander as my “Book Boyfriend”, that at the half way point I was already feeling withdrawal symptoms. Now you know, Victoria, Asa needs his HEA too!! Maybe an Asian girl. Some kind of cross-culture clash. Or….maybe Roya!!! *Wink*Wink*
I received and voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
March 6, 2025
3.5 stars
Unique story line. Alex is a recent cancer survivor who meets Johari by accident when she mistakenly believes he's 1/2 of a couple in need of a surrogate. That chance meeting led to Alex ultimately employing Johari to be his surrogate. The relationship moves from contractual to friendship to love. Along the way communication challenges and a hesitancy to trust almost derail them numerous times. Not to mention people from their lives are not on board with this union. Somehow these two still manage to find their HEA.
Unique story line. Alex is a recent cancer survivor who meets Johari by accident when she mistakenly believes he's 1/2 of a couple in need of a surrogate. That chance meeting led to Alex ultimately employing Johari to be his surrogate. The relationship moves from contractual to friendship to love. Along the way communication challenges and a hesitancy to trust almost derail them numerous times. Not to mention people from their lives are not on board with this union. Somehow these two still manage to find their HEA.
September 18, 2025
I can see myself reading this again
Cancer isn’t friendly nor something you can say and not feel anything. It’s scary and part of an unknown feeling. My son had stomach cancer 2 yrs ago he is suppose to be tested to see if he is all cleared but it scares him. I just found out that I’m at a high risk for cancer in my uterus so I have to get a hysterectomy.
This story was good I did enjoy reading it, my mind was all over the place while I was reading it. Stories do make happier endings, but in any situation you should always have Faith in the Lord, and Hope.
Cancer isn’t friendly nor something you can say and not feel anything. It’s scary and part of an unknown feeling. My son had stomach cancer 2 yrs ago he is suppose to be tested to see if he is all cleared but it scares him. I just found out that I’m at a high risk for cancer in my uterus so I have to get a hysterectomy.
This story was good I did enjoy reading it, my mind was all over the place while I was reading it. Stories do make happier endings, but in any situation you should always have Faith in the Lord, and Hope.
June 22, 2019
Confused
The story left a lot to be desired. Sure he is wealthy and handsome and she is smart and attractive but I never understood how they fell in love. There was no chemistry, no scenes of them as a couple and no flirty dialogue. The characters spend a lot of time on an internal monologue which still didn't tell me why they fall in love. As usual there is a villain. The writer has talent which is why I have it two stars.
The story left a lot to be desired. Sure he is wealthy and handsome and she is smart and attractive but I never understood how they fell in love. There was no chemistry, no scenes of them as a couple and no flirty dialogue. The characters spend a lot of time on an internal monologue which still didn't tell me why they fall in love. As usual there is a villain. The writer has talent which is why I have it two stars.
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