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The Bride #4

The Baby

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Jake and I are married now. For real this time. Everything that happened - my dad dying, our fake marriage to keep me out of foster care, the divorce, all of that is finally behind us.

This is our happily ever after.

We both decided we’re ready for a baby. It's just that... I was pregnant once before, and it didn't end well. It crushed both of us. So much that I almost lost Jake forever. Now I'm riddled with all of this fear and doubt.

I did something crazy. Jake doesn't know about it so I'll have to tell him. And he'll have to forgive me. Because we both want this family so much.

Right?

96 pages, ebook

First published July 27, 2017

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479 people want to read

About the author

S. Doyle

37 books389 followers

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5 stars
473 (29%)
4 stars
594 (37%)
3 stars
420 (26%)
2 stars
75 (4%)
1 star
16 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
Profile Image for Karla.
1,452 reviews367 followers
November 17, 2017
4.5 stars

So good! Loved this series. Review soon!
February 24, 2018
4 ★'s

♦ Note: this series is made up of five novellas or something similar to chapters books. They are all under two hundred pages so they go really quick!

This book swings back to Ellie and Jack's first baby, about three years after they get married again. I was really happy to get more of them during that time. (Just be advised this review is intentionally vague and short so it doesn't spoil anything.)

description

And it's no surprise that Ellie is extremely overly cautious about everything...annoyingly so. Poor Jake! But Jake is the bestest husband and is sooo supportive and patient!

Luckily, at about five months along, the situation eases up a bit but then Ellie does the unthinkable. It's a bit frustrating.

However, it does set up things for the next book. I was wondering how that was going to work out! ;)
Profile Image for Carla .
1,664 reviews531 followers
February 25, 2023
4,5. Best series, best couples, best everything!
It’s worth the reading.
Profile Image for Ⓐlleskelle - That ranting lady ッ.
1,038 reviews957 followers
September 21, 2021
Books 1 to 4 review
Entirely bingeable series that delivers sweet angst, humor and steam while staying relatively low on drama. Great take on the age gap/marriage of convenience/love unrequited and the irresistible shift between friends becoming lovers. SLOWBURN goodness alert!
I liked that the heroine —despite her young age starting the book— was not just the silly teenager we often get served in romance books . Sure she was candid at times but I found her pretty mature all things considered. The hero was a swoonfest, I'm not saying he was perfect, he definitely wasn't, but this is what actually really pleased me in this book. Neither love interests were perfect. They were relatably flawed and it made their story truly engaging.

This is a 4 books series dedicated to the main couple, Ellie and Jake, available on #KU.
There's a fifth book about the hero's step-sister, the trope seems to be an enemies to lovers set in the same small town/ranch. I may or may not have started it to get additional glimpses of Ellie and Jake. ;)

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Profile Image for C.
237 reviews23 followers
June 11, 2025
4.5⭐️
Profile Image for Leigh.
1,395 reviews323 followers
January 27, 2019
3.5 stars

The Baby was a cute yet frustrating addition to The Bride series. This book goes back to the birth of Ellie and Jake's first baby. While I have really enjoyed Ellie through out this series she really annoyed me in this one. First I completely understand and can relate to the fear of losing a baby, it's never easy at any stage of pregnancy. I just feel that when you allow those fears to interfere with your life that's an issue that requires help. So with those feelings I was frustrated for most of this short book because Ellie was OTT with her fears. No talking about the pregnancy, no discussing names and not allowing Jake to even touch her belly. Although after she does something completely unacceptable she finally realizes what she has been doing. Overall like I said cute in certain parts but more frustrating. I loved the set up for book 5 and look forward to reading it.
Profile Image for Nikki ღ Navareus.
1,087 reviews52 followers
January 16, 2022


S. Doyle outdid herself in the angsty outrage feels of this story. I was so outraged at Ellie on Jake's behalf. Ellie was just a touch crazy in this story, and what she did to Jake DESPITE him telling her vehemently that she was NOT TO DO, made me so pissed off at her. Their fight was both warranted and heartbreaking. The ending was great though, and I have adored every second of this 4 part series of Jake and Ellie's story!! I haven't had much luck with series stories in the past, but this one, well....
Profile Image for Haidoulina.
777 reviews110 followers
March 7, 2018
4- stars.
I liked it... Ellie and Jake are married again, for real this time... And they are expecting... We get to see their struggles and fears of parenthood... This novella was also a bridge to Cody and Ruby's story...
Profile Image for Lolina ⋆ .
1,141 reviews241 followers
October 3, 2021
This was just really sweet.

I'm glad that we got some more content of the main characters- although I am kind of annoyed that they sort of got overshadowed by Ruby and Cole- but yeah, it was great to see them again. I did feel like there was some unnecessary drama, but again, I'm just happy to have seen more of the characters.

I loved the baby content- and I sort of wished that we had gotten an epilogue in the future just to see how things were. But yeah, it was a fun and quick read.
Profile Image for Alex.
342 reviews30 followers
October 10, 2017
Yep. That was pretty good.

I just binge read (Can I say that?) the 4 books. They are short and easy read and it was very sweet.

I loved Ellie and her strong and stubborn attitude. She has to be mature early on because of what happened to her and she handle this so well. The way her character is written is just perfect.
Her inner dialogues is often funny and watching her growing into this beautiful, self confident woman was really great.
Often enough, the female characters in MF are NOT really interesting and stereotypical with a lot of "damsel in distress" going around... Which I found weird and disturbing as it is mostly written by women but anyway...
Well, not Ellie. She is a feminist and let it be known more than once to Jake and everyone willing to hear. And not in an annoying way either! I really loved her.

And Jake... Ah Jake. THE "Alpha Male" with all we love in a man but also with all which often makes us cringe.
*cough*TALKS ABOUT FEELINGS*cough*

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He really is THE alpha male, the kind of man you think about when you wondered how might be the "perfect man". All honorable, protective and strong.
At some point at the beginning I wanted to slap him and put some sense in that thick head but then, he always did the right thing and well... being his perfect self!

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And the whole thing about the fact that She's 16 (Almost 17) marrying a 27 man...
Well that's just not really a point in my opinion as nothing really happen before she turned 18 and really the whole sex and feelings is handled in a way that it is just not creepy. I was afraid of that, not gonna lie but really, it was very well written.

Profile Image for Shelby (Grace with Books).
865 reviews231 followers
October 31, 2018
I liked this book because it was a continuation of the characters I loved but I got very annoyed with both Jake and Ellie for not just talking to each other about the things that were happening to them.
Profile Image for Heather.
403 reviews47 followers
Read
December 31, 2024
So, I really thought I was going to HAVE to read this book because I did thoroughly enjoy the previous three. However, the FMC, Ellie, is grating against my nerves too much. I get it. She had a traumatic miscarriage previously, but she is so obnoxious with not wanting people to know she's pregnant and forbidding Jake to say certain pregnancy-related words. Dammit, this is his kid too. He also lost a child, ya know? And she seems determined to make this pregnancy experience not only miserable for herself but for him too when he just wants to be happy and celebrate the fact that they are having a child. I'm going to go ahead and set this one down. I can't continue and a part of me feels like I shouldn't be giving negative behavior like this attention...I know it sounds crazy but I guess it's just the parent in me seeing how badly she's acting like a child.
Profile Image for MJLovestoRead.
2,269 reviews58 followers
July 20, 2017
The Baby is a wonderful addition to The Bride series. A novella that gives us a glimpse into how Jake and Ellie are now faring as they prepare for the birth of their baby.

I was once again thrilled to be back with this couple, loving the way Ellie and Jake continue to grow together figuring out this marriage thing and learning from their mistakes. Ellie is a joy to read. The author portrays her naivete perfectly and her charming honesty keeps me smiling. Her struggle to accept this pregnancy and the fear of losing yet another baby is at the forefront with Jake frustrated with his wife's stubbornness and hesitance. But in true Jake fashion, he continues to be her knight and knows just how to make her happy.

The Baby paves the way for more to come with a new couple taking center stage in the upcoming book, The Homecoming. I've enjoyed every minute with these characters and I adore this newest adventure with Ellie and Jake.

5 solid stars!
Profile Image for Preet.
3,381 reviews233 followers
January 30, 2018
More Jake and Ellie?! Of course I want more! I loved this novella, which takes place three years after the end of The Lover. The glimpse of those two and their lives was wonderful. I loved how S. Doyle showcased their strengths and weaknesses as a couple. I hated seeing them hurt, but I loved how they eventually came to deal with those pains and grew stronger as individuals and a couple.

I must also say besides the obvious twist, I loved how S. Doyle set the stage for the next book in the series. I totally didn't see that twist coming, but I'm not complaining about it either! I'll take more from S. Doyle any day! I'm always looking forward to it!
Profile Image for Vicki.
1,902 reviews58 followers
May 9, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
The Baby is essentially a bonus epilogue showing us Ellie and Jake's second pregnancy and how Ellie struggles after the miscarriage from the third novella in the series. It could be hard to read for some people but I enjoyed the realness of it and how everything that happened was so quintessentially Ellie and Jake, down to her doing something she knows Jake will hate and hiding it, though I think she finally learned her lesson on this. It also introduces characters for the spin off book (The Homecoming, already out).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Al Del.
758 reviews13 followers
October 18, 2017
Loved. Jake has slowly burrowed himself into my heart, I wasn’t a big fan of his in book 1&2. He’s redeemed himself. Ellie is the best, funny, outspoken and brave. Such an awesome heroine. Bring on Cody and book 5!
Profile Image for Isabella. R.
1,007 reviews2,179 followers
February 13, 2023
4 Afraid We Didn't Have This Stars ⭐

Yep, I binge read the entire series. Without rehashing the plot since the title and cover are self explanatory, it's only fitting that Jake and Ellie complete their family. From friends to wedded bliss; what's one more hiccup in this happily ever after??

“You once told me that sometimes sex is about giving, sometimes it’s about taking, and sometimes it’s about sharing. Let me give this to you. I really want to.”

Yes it's a finale involving a baby, except these two have always had a complex relationship. However without eye rolling drama, it's been issues that arise naturally and make sense. So the last book was no different. Ellie and Jake facing their fears together.

I can't explain how beautifully wholesome and romantic The Bride series has been. When I had initially resigned myself to a lovely slow burn romance (that even I wasn't grumbling about) this author turned up the burner. The intimacy was top notch that turned these two into scorching hot partners. I highly recommend; just be prepared for an abundance of feelings!!
Profile Image for ~ Cariad ~.
1,926 reviews54 followers
January 3, 2019
3.5 stars... Kind of a filler book getting us ready for the next one and OMG I'm so ready for it!!!

All being well, the stars have aligned for Cody and Ruby's book and it's going to be epic!!!
Profile Image for *Book*Crazy*.
216 reviews19 followers
September 23, 2017
what a beautiful heart warming series. I loved each and every book of the bride.
Profile Image for hunzberger .
102 reviews1 follower
April 12, 2020
So I’m gonna review the whole series up to this book here. My common rating for the four of them would be a 2.5, being that the first two were a horrible 2 mess and the next two a little bit better, last one being the best. I hated the main male character and I hated the main female character for taking him back after every fuck up. he did not deserve her, and the fact that he told her every time he got mad what he truly meant and then apologised as if the words didn’t come out of his mouth and she would accept it?? Hell no for me, she should’ve duped his ass long time ago and especially after Carol fiasco.
Profile Image for Moon Shukla.
95 reviews3 followers
September 8, 2021
⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Want to read a novella just as intense as the books of a series? The Bride series is the right place to begin!

|General description|
+ Dual POV till the last chapter. (The last chapter has a side character's POV.)
+ Novella—not a standalone.
+ Story spans over a period of 6 months

Just when Jake and Ellie's rollercoaster countryside romance ride steadies down, another 'bump' seem to come in, literally and figuratively. After a heart shattering miscarriage, another pregnancy should be a blessing. And it is for JEllie, but...not without a few complications...

I'll skip the part where I rave about how much I love JEllie. Had I not, I wouldn't have been here.

The Baby is yet another depiction of how insecurities and miscommunications can lead to rifts and unsettlement. Ellie is the kind to take matters in her own hands, without any kind of consultation with her now very-real- husband, Jake. Jake is the kind of man who prefers to give 'space' to Ellie because he's well aware of her behaviour. Only this time....Ellie and Jake do it all wrong. Especially Ellie. I'll say that Ellie fucked up prettyyyy bad. Just a regular up and down in a marriage. But needless to say, even a regular fight in a marriage as unique as JEllie's is adventurous and I had an amazing ride.

Well...the general layout of this book is a little messed up. The book , though a novella, ends with a cliffhanger. Don't worry, even I was confused. So let me explain— 2 new characters are introduced in this book. First, Cody, introduced in the beginning and the other, Ruby, brought in last minute—literally. The last chapter of this book contains Cody's POV, (who is not the main character of this book...but will be, in the next book: The Homecoming) followed by Jake's POV and ends without any closure on the issue that you see are practically given so much leverage to. I wanted a smooth ending to Ellie and Jake's story, without any intrusion by a random couple, no matter how intertwined their lives would be from that moment on. I didn't understand the need to bring in Cody's POV when the book is about Jake and Ellie. Hence the 4.5 stars.

I am not sure if I want to complete reading The Homecoming as of now. The new seems interesting...I want to know more about them...but since I didn't get the proper closure, the taste of this beautiful series has soured a bit. I feel guilty for not wanting to get to it now...but I need to understand that it's not my job to finish the series. I am pleasure reading...not pressure reading. If I don't want to, then I don't have to. *Sighs*.

Anyways...I love love love JEllie's story and this series will forever be very close to my heart as it made me fall in love with countryside romances.

See ya around.
xx
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Marjorie.
349 reviews51 followers
June 20, 2022
Actual Rating: 3.5

The Baby is the fourth novella in The Bride series, and the story is set three years after Jake and Ellie once again got married (for real this time) with the main focus of the story being on Ellie’s pregnancy with their first baby.

Jake and Ellie are still very much happy and are living a blissful married life, and this time, they’ve got a baby on the way. However, because of Ellie’s traumatizing experience from her miscarriage during her first pregnancy, she was overwhelmed by the fear of losing the baby again, which led her to make some decisions that almost screwed up her marriage and almost lose the trust of the love of her life.

I’ve always liked Ellie, but she frustrated me a lot in this novella. I understand where she was coming from whenever she makes major decisions without consulting with Jake first, but I just can’t help but feel disappointed whenever she doesn’t include him in decision-making for things that could affect his life as well. She doesn’t like it when Jake treats her as if she’s as fragile as china, but it seems that she unconsciously treats Jake in the same way, especially when it comes to his feelings. As for Jake, I admit that I’m not so fond of his character, but damn, I admire him for being so forgiving of Ellie no matter how much she screws up.

Overall, this was a nice follow-up to Jake and Ellie’s story. New characters, Cody and Ruby, were introduced into the story, and the events that happened near the end of the story nicely set up the story for the next novella, The Homecoming, where Cody and Ruby would be the main leads. I’m not sure if I’m going to read their story, but we’ll see.
Profile Image for Juli.
1,581 reviews24 followers
November 14, 2018
KU*

3.75 stars

This was nice insight to the official marriage of Ellie and Jake. This story tackled some serious issues about a couple trying to have a baby after their previous tragedy. I will say I understood some of Ellie's actions, but she did get on my nerves; Ellie and Jake say they have a very open and honest marriage yet Ellie still tends to make major decisions without considering/consulting Jake. I still love Jake (he's still a prude, hehe), but his devotion and love for Ellie has only grown which made him totally swoon-worthy.

I am interested to learn more about the new family member that was introduced; she seems to have a quiet story to tell and I think Cody might be the one to help her out ;)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews

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