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Return to the Double-C Ranch #14
Yuletide Baby Bargain
Christmas Miracle…or Christmas Mayhem?
When Lincoln Swift finds a two-month-old infant on his doorstep, it’s panic time! Still, he takes the child in, believing she’s his MIA brother’s unless a DNA test proves otherwise. Then he turns to social worker and old friend Maddie Templeton for help. But his relationship with Maddie is complicated by past beefs and a present attraction that grows ever fiercer as they bond over the baby.
Linc knows this instant family could be taken away from him in a heartbeat. Will he propose a more permanent arrangement to Maddie just for the baby’s sake? Or will she drive a hard bargain of her own, holding out for the truest Christmas gift a man could give?
When Lincoln Swift finds a two-month-old infant on his doorstep, it’s panic time! Still, he takes the child in, believing she’s his MIA brother’s unless a DNA test proves otherwise. Then he turns to social worker and old friend Maddie Templeton for help. But his relationship with Maddie is complicated by past beefs and a present attraction that grows ever fiercer as they bond over the baby.
Linc knows this instant family could be taken away from him in a heartbeat. Will he propose a more permanent arrangement to Maddie just for the baby’s sake? Or will she drive a hard bargain of her own, holding out for the truest Christmas gift a man could give?
224 pages, ebook
First published November 20, 2017
61 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Allison Leigh
354 books121 followersA frequent name on bestseller lists, Allison Leigh's highpoint as a writer is hearing from readers that they laughed, cried or lost sleep while reading her books. She’s blessed with an immensely patient family who doesn’t mind (much) her time spent at her computer and who gives her the kind of love she wants her readers to share in every page. Stay in touch at www.allisonleigh.com.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 20, 2018
After ages I've returned to his series. Used to love it a lot but then lost interest. Decided to take a chance with this one. Majority of the book is about the sweet adorable baby that was abandoned on Linc Swift's doorstep with a note to his missing brother, Jax, asking him to take care of the baby and the various protocols that Linc as her assumed uncle and Maddie as the social worker have to follow to keep her in their care. The book touches the heart on that front - innocent clueless babies being abandoned by parents and their fate left in the hands of strangers.
Clueless how to handle a baby, Linc calls Maddie and being a social worker she has no choice to follow protocol and report it, but manages to cut out few steps since the local family court judge is known to her family, she gets her lawyer brother to call the judge who then gives her temporary custody of the Layla. Linc has no say because there's no proof the baby is his brother's. Maddie hasn't forgiven Linc for warning her off his brother thirteen years ago. She thinks it was because his family is rich and her mother used to clean his grandmother's house. He did it because he knew she was an innocent seventeen year old and his womanizing brother would break her heart, but to Maddie, Jax was only a friend. Now they come together because of the baby and are suspicious of each other. He thinks she's deliberately making it hard for him to care for his brother's baby and she thinks he'll take the baby to his home when she's not looking.
At the beginning, Linc came across as a grouch. Except for his late grandmother, he has a pathetic and uncaring family. His parents are still married to each other but have been constantly having affairs outside the marriage. His brother still continues to see Linc's ex-wife on and off despite her having cheated on both of them. Back-to-back two books I've read have hero's wife and bro having had an affair. What coincidence!! Maddie is one of triplet girls and she and her sisters are doing up an old house they jointly purchased.
Linc and Maddie are extremely nice people with zero chemistry. The romance between them is totally bland. They are like two friends cohabiting to take care of the baby. It's a long, long wait for something interesting to happen between them until Chapter 11 where there is some thawing and a kiss and even that seemed passionless. Until then it is all about taking care of the baby, court procedures to be followed like DNA testing etc. or discussions between sisters regarding the house. We know that Layla has feelings for Linc, but we don't know if he feels the same. He is very protective of her and doesn't like it if she mentions Jax, which makes him think she's still carrying a torch for him, but other than that we don't know if he loves her. After the DNA testing, he proposes they marry fearing Layla might not be his brothers child. Chapter 12 there's some bonding that ended in a fade away sex, which I don't mind as long as I can feel the strong passion and chemistry between the main characters, which I found missing in this book. There were a couple of sweet moments like the one during the middle of the night feeding Maddie is talking about Linc to Layla not realizing Linc is also there in the dark room or the one where he takes Maddie and Layla sledding.
When I pick up a book in the romance category --or I'm mistaken and this is not romance category-- I'm looking for a strong chemistry between the MCs, a deeper and passionate interaction between them be it in their arguments, fight, banter, hatred or romantic gestures and I don't mind if there's no sex in the book as long as I find these elements in the book. I really don't want to read stuff like how many times h washes her hair, or shaves her legs or what color the sisters finally decide for their kitchen or latest baby gadgets or paraphernalia available in the market or every time they have to change a diaper or make a formula. Even that's okay --I actually love reading books that has babies, family, friends or town people involved-- as long as there's some intensity in the romance.
But, that's me. The writing was good and the entire court procedures interesting and baby Layla was a darling. So, I'd recommend the book to anyone who's interested in such stuff and does not care much for the romance like I do.
Have to say loved the cover of the book. Such a cute baby in a good-looking guy's arms
Clueless how to handle a baby, Linc calls Maddie and being a social worker she has no choice to follow protocol and report it, but manages to cut out few steps since the local family court judge is known to her family, she gets her lawyer brother to call the judge who then gives her temporary custody of the Layla. Linc has no say because there's no proof the baby is his brother's. Maddie hasn't forgiven Linc for warning her off his brother thirteen years ago. She thinks it was because his family is rich and her mother used to clean his grandmother's house. He did it because he knew she was an innocent seventeen year old and his womanizing brother would break her heart, but to Maddie, Jax was only a friend. Now they come together because of the baby and are suspicious of each other. He thinks she's deliberately making it hard for him to care for his brother's baby and she thinks he'll take the baby to his home when she's not looking.
At the beginning, Linc came across as a grouch. Except for his late grandmother, he has a pathetic and uncaring family. His parents are still married to each other but have been constantly having affairs outside the marriage. His brother still continues to see Linc's ex-wife on and off despite her having cheated on both of them. Back-to-back two books I've read have hero's wife and bro having had an affair. What coincidence!! Maddie is one of triplet girls and she and her sisters are doing up an old house they jointly purchased.
Linc and Maddie are extremely nice people with zero chemistry. The romance between them is totally bland. They are like two friends cohabiting to take care of the baby. It's a long, long wait for something interesting to happen between them until Chapter 11 where there is some thawing and a kiss and even that seemed passionless. Until then it is all about taking care of the baby, court procedures to be followed like DNA testing etc. or discussions between sisters regarding the house. We know that Layla has feelings for Linc, but we don't know if he feels the same. He is very protective of her and doesn't like it if she mentions Jax, which makes him think she's still carrying a torch for him, but other than that we don't know if he loves her. After the DNA testing, he proposes they marry fearing Layla might not be his brothers child. Chapter 12 there's some bonding that ended in a fade away sex, which I don't mind as long as I can feel the strong passion and chemistry between the main characters, which I found missing in this book. There were a couple of sweet moments like the one during the middle of the night feeding Maddie is talking about Linc to Layla not realizing Linc is also there in the dark room or the one where he takes Maddie and Layla sledding.
When I pick up a book in the romance category --or I'm mistaken and this is not romance category-- I'm looking for a strong chemistry between the MCs, a deeper and passionate interaction between them be it in their arguments, fight, banter, hatred or romantic gestures and I don't mind if there's no sex in the book as long as I find these elements in the book. I really don't want to read stuff like how many times h washes her hair, or shaves her legs or what color the sisters finally decide for their kitchen or latest baby gadgets or paraphernalia available in the market or every time they have to change a diaper or make a formula. Even that's okay --I actually love reading books that has babies, family, friends or town people involved-- as long as there's some intensity in the romance.
But, that's me. The writing was good and the entire court procedures interesting and baby Layla was a darling. So, I'd recommend the book to anyone who's interested in such stuff and does not care much for the romance like I do.
Have to say loved the cover of the book. Such a cute baby in a good-looking guy's arms
January 1, 2019
Excellent
Allison Leigh never disappoints her men of the double C have been favorites of mine for years. Another well crafted story
Allison Leigh never disappoints her men of the double C have been favorites of mine for years. Another well crafted story
December 27, 2017
Yuletide Baby Bargain is the 17th book in the Return to Double C Ranch mini series by Allison Leigh. A second chance romance involving frienemies and a baby. This book will pull at your heart strings. I wanted to drive to the Double C and pick baby Layla up myself and keep her. A poor orphan baby and no one knows where she came from.
The love hate relationship that Linc and Maddie have stems from a misunderstanding a decade ago. Of course just being in each other's company brings it all back. They must find a way to make it work for Layla's sake though.
The love hate relationship that Linc and Maddie have stems from a misunderstanding a decade ago. Of course just being in each other's company brings it all back. They must find a way to make it work for Layla's sake though.
September 18, 2021
You can't help but fall in love with Linc, Maddie, and Layla. This was such a sweet heartwarming read. I also loved the other characters, Maddie's sisters, family, and even the old victorian house that keep giving them so many problems. A perfect cozy read with a touch of Christmassy spirit thrown in.
December 14, 2022
The Best Christmas Ever
This is the story of Maddie, the middle Templeton "Trips". An unknown baby left on Linc's doorstep reunites Maddie with her first and last love. Baby Kayla brings life and love back into Linc's existence. Avery heart warming story any reader will like.
This is the story of Maddie, the middle Templeton "Trips". An unknown baby left on Linc's doorstep reunites Maddie with her first and last love. Baby Kayla brings life and love back into Linc's existence. Avery heart warming story any reader will like.
January 24, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. The baby was so cute and loved the way it ended.
February 8, 2018
Not my style and reading choice - was ok but could easily put it down
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December 2, 2017Miniseries: Return To The Double C
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews