He’s a warrior with no battle. A cop with no bad guy. A man with no purpose.
When my best friend and ERU partner was blown up by a bomb I should have been able to defuse, I vowed to never let anyone get that close again. I’m just drifting through life, and that’s okay with me. If I can’t feel, I can’t hurt.
Until I meet my neighbor.
I’ve been doing my best to avoid the too-pretty pregnant girl next door. She stirs too many things inside me I have no business feeling. She’s too young, too fresh, too pregnant with someone else’s kid for me to be fantasizing about.
Until the day I can’t ignore her anymore.
Hillary is a born caretaker, but nobody takes care of her. She’s alone in the world, but not for much longer, not with the way that baby dances in her belly. She’s all the things I try to stay away from—optimistic, uncommonly sweet, and oh, yeah, she’s somehow still a virgin.
Author’s Confession: You read that right. She’s a pregnant virgin. I probably don’t need to say anything else to get you to one-click at this point, but I’ll go ahead and tell you the bomb technician will make your heart go BOOM. He’s the alpha caretaker you want guarding your six. And your nine…
Brill Harper is a pseudonym. Like…a secret identity. By day she’s Clark Kent, writing romance books for young adults and grownups. By night, she’s Brill Harper writing unfailingly filthy, yet super sweet books, that would make her alter ego blush.
She especially likes to writes book about quirky, awkward heroines and alpha bad boys. Well, except that they are really alphamallows once they fall in love. Seriously--these heroes only have one weakness, and it's sticky, sweet love. They don't let anything stand in the way of taking what belongs to them. Ooey-gooey marshmallow hearts in big, burly dominating dudes. What's not to love about that?
Brill's books are filthy/sweet for when you're in the mood for something a little over the top. Okay, a lot over the top. Sorry, not sorry.
Brill Harper is represented by Deidre Knight of The Knight Agency.
✔no cheating ✔no ow/om drama ✔hero who wasn't a manwhore
This just wasn't my fave by this author. I wasn't impressed by the WAY she got pregnant and still remained a virgin . I also didn't feel like the characters really had much chemistry, acting as friends for months. Just didn't feel it.
Neither were with others after meeting. Hero wasn't a manwhore and had been celibate a while. ok epilogue 5 years out
MacKenzie (Mac) is a cop, a member of ERU to be specific, but he's currently on medical leave after a missed device greatly injured his hand, but also took the life of his partner, Ricky. Though he wants to return, the required appointments for his mental health, and his guilt, are stopping his recovery. When his beautiful new neighbor, Hillary, moved into the complex, he noticed her right away, as well as her obvious pregnancy.
Hillary is having a rough day, week, year. After learning she's been lied to by the man she's been seeing, and he's actually married, she ends things immediately. But not before finding herself pregnant, while still being a virgin. It's a one in a million chance, but she's thankful for the gift she's been given. She's noticed Mac, and how sexy he is, since starting her new life, but their paths haven't really crossed until recently.
A chance encounter is the start of a friendship both need more than they realize, and it isn't long before the feelings between them become undeniable and they stop fighting the temptation. However, life has other plans for them, as in its time to have a baby. As they adapt to the new changes in their world, they must decide if they remain as friends only, or explore the love growing between them.
Can Mac and Hillary overcome the emotional struggles weighing them down? Will they let their pasts dictate their future? Can they find the courage to admit what they want and fight for It? Is a HEA possible?
One-click now and follow along as two people discover a love that will set them free.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**
Received an ARC for an honest review. Great story. I loved it. Friends first. Definitely a great read. The h didn't realize that her ex was married, so that's the only cheating in the story, it's off page. Only like a week separation. Great read.
Brill Does it again in newest installment of her blue collar bad boy books. This one in particular took me on a mini roller coaster ride. We have Mac an injured bomb tech, whose had some unfortunate events and we have Hillary who’s whole life was turned upside down. I really loved the premise of this book and found myself on the edge of my seat as I read. The only thing that is not needed was the wife. If that had been removed it would have been a solid five stars. I truly found myself loving Hillz and Mac. And the names of the children really warmed my heart.
BANGED certainly took things to an interesting place with Hillary's virgin pregnancy (yes, you read that right) and while I'm not sure about the validity of how it happened I did find the story cute. Hillary and Mac have great chemistry and I liked that they built a solid friendship before moving on to more. Unfortunately, they have some pretty atrocious communication issues halfway through and I just wanted to shake them. They were perfect for each other but they each let their insecurities get in the way before they figured things out.
Grumpy, sweet hero that will make you swoon...5+ stars!
Pregnant virgin. Say what? Right…..that got my attention, too. It’s not what you think, but it is possible, and that’s how Hillary gets knocked up. I had a huge chuckle over it and found myself smiling throughout the story. What a perfect story Banged turned out to be. It’s not what I expected but Ms. Harper always finds a myriad of ways to entertain me with her delightful and sexy stories.
MacKenzie Stryker is one surly man. A preferred loner, MacKenzie is really a man with lots of heart. What he’s unwilling to accept, though, is the truth that he desires one, very pregnant, very pretty, a ray of sunshine that is Hillary Bloom. Who is also his neighbor. So distraught over this notion of wanting Hillary, he even changes coffee shops just to avoid her at work where she works as a barista. But when he finds Hillary crying in the hallway of their apartment building with a dilemma, Mackenzie learns she has no man in her life and no family to support her.
Rehabilitating over his injuries, Mackenzie is a cop who diffuses bombs. And he’s a protector. His instinct tells him Hillary needs a bit of care and support in her life. They strike up an easy friendship and Hillary reveals the truth about her pregnancy. That blows him away. Things start getting steamy and Hillary decides MacKenzie will be her first. But things don’t turn out that way, and Hillary suddenly needs more from MacKenzie than she planned. I really admire how nurturing MacKenzie is and how he is every bit a hero in Hillary’s life. He will certainly melt your heart and is such a swoon-worthy hero. Hillary’s sunny smiles and enthusiasm brings light into Mackenzie’s life.
Banged is a winner for Brill Harper. It’s friends to lover trope that is heartwarming, funny, and I just love the witty banter between MacKenzie and Hillary. They are perfect for each other. And the epilogue is a wonderful and satisfying ending to this story. I received and voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
This read even though it’s short it packs quite a punch. A grumpy cop who is feeling inadequate after getting hurt on the job and losing his best friend and his pregnant neighbour who he tries to avoid because he is attracted to her, while she has lost her trust in others by the way she was treated after she got pregnant....what a pair. Mac is the silent strong type who doesn’t talk about his feelings which hinders him getting back to duty and Hillary is pregnant with her emotions all out of control especially the horn* ones and they are all directed at Mac. He confronts her one day when she is emotional in front of her door and after that he can’t resist her, he helps her, keeps her company, looks after her and they become the best of friends quickly. But she wants to get rid of something and he is the only one she wants to give it to. What a read with steamy steamy steamy scenes and quite a bit of humour with their banter and honesty between them. Not only that but it also gets a bit emotional at times that the pages blurred on me. The story is short, to the point, flowed beautifully, no exaggerations, no other's coming between them or other women mentioned or compared with...LOVE IT....along with different and at times intense emotions that jump off the pages. I don’t know how Brill Harper does it but the author does it again with another read that doesn’t skip a beat, packs quite a punch in a short time, has a HEA that made me smile from ear to ear and has me anxiously waiting for the next book. *I voluntarily read an advanced copy and expressed my honest opinion*
When my best friend and ERU partner was blown up by a bomb I should have been able to defuse, I vowed to never let anyone get that close again. I’m just drifting through life, and that’s okay with me. If I can’t feel, I can’t hurt. Until I meet my neighbor. I’ve been doing my best to avoid the too-pretty pregnant girl next door. She stirs too many things inside me I have no business feeling. She’s too young, too fresh, too pregnant with someone else’s kid for me to be fantasizing about. Until the day I can’t ignore her anymore. Hillary is a born caretaker, but nobody takes care of her. She’s alone in the world, but not for much longer, not with the way that baby dances in her belly. She’s all the things I try to stay away from—optimistic, uncommonly sweet, and oh, yeah, she’s somehow still a virgin.
Heather's Notes So I didn't like this book as much. I never really cared for the pregnancy trope, but I did like the way she got pregnant. Well, I liked the authors explanation. I would have liked more explanation about why she almost died, it just can of happen and was never really brought up again. Still the story was smutty and hot. I still enjoy the stories, just might stay away from any more that start out with a pregnant heroine.
Oh my goodness! Ms. Harper has done it again! So much fun in one little book!
I counted more than a dozen LOL lines before I even hit 15% of this book, and it just kept getting better. This author truly has a unique way of describing things, finding hilarity in the most innocuous events. Mac is a cop recuperating from an injury in his last assignment, and Hillary is his pregnant neighbor who's afraid she'll die a virgin. This story is unlike any other you've ever read, with its unique set-up intelligently written and gently handled.
What makes a good rom-com is not just the comedy, though. The story needs a solid romance, and this one really hits it out of the park. Mac and Hillary may be an improbable couple but they have a wonderful connection. Despite their undeniable chemistry their friendship comes first. It was really sweet to see how they filled the holes in each other's lives, and made a family out of their unlikely pairing.
I really enjoyed this book as I've enjoyed all the Blue Collar Bad Boys stories. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
What is it about Brill Harper's short novels that I love so much and that sets them apart? It is not the titles (sorry, Brill), but is the main characters and the story. Banged is a good example. Mac feels like a screwed up failure after a bomb he was disarming blows up, scarring him inside and out. Hillary feels like a failure after becoming what may be the only living pregnant virgin. These two hurting souls come together, and a very sweet romance is born. Oh, sure, there is eventually some hot sex, too, but most short novels of this genre have that. As a matter of fact, most only have sex, and nothing much in the plot and character development. I loved Mac and Hillz together. The dialogue was fun, and the story kept me reading in one sitting. One of my favorite Harper stories.
Brill Harper's Alphamallows are my world. Her Blue Collar Bad Boys series is like your favourite treat. There is no angst, no complications and always a happy ever after. Sometimes we all need some insta-love, manly men who fall head over heels immediately and aren't scared to admit it, and dirty af fun. I will use this review for all her Blue Collar Bad Boys books because it remains the same. I have read them all, and I reread them on super stressful or bad days because it's an instant smile on my face. Support Brill and her lovely smutty books and take that mini-vacay for an hour.
I love everything Brill Harper writes it my book crack. Hillary is a pregnant virgin and mac is an Euc police officer who partner was killed and him hurt when a bomb went off. Believing it was his fault he lives his life in the dark but when he see Hillary he wants her but shes packing and she is everything light he will not bring her down. I lived this story a different take on the virgin pregnancy. Sweet and hot.
The pregnant virgin was a super idea to use for the plot. But the sweet romance of the 2 mixed up characters are what got me. I love HEA’s that play out like this. It made sense and I couldn’t put this story down until the end.
Brill Harper needs to get more stories out ASAP! Now I’m going to reread Plowed because I really enjoyed that story too and I need to continue my Brill Harper addiction until the next book.
Mac had been avoiding his beautiful tempting neighbour who just happens to be pregnant.
One day he cannot avoid her anymore after he finds her crying and in need of help. He steps up as a knight in shining armour. From then on a beautiful friendship emerges. But is it just friendship or more.
I really enjoyed the book but felt that that woman who vcame to the hospital to meddle was not needed.
I felt like there were a lot of things that happened off page and in between time jumps, and while they weren't necessarily important to the story, I think it would have been better had they been included. It was nice to see how things came together at the end, with not everything being tied up in a perfect 'Hollywood Ending' type bow. Overall, loving this series, but not sure if this one is a favorite.
Hes turned on by a pregnant girl his neighbor,he had a bad accident and feels broken. They finally meet become friends and he delivers her baby and he helps her. Their attraction is strong and they finally hook up. Misunderstanding, a week operation and they finally talk and straighten everything out.
This author is getting me on the roll. Four stories from this series overnight? This is record breaking for me!
While I may love the sexy dirty goodness, I just do not get those two plot twists (thus the one less star rating). The first one just left me confused, while the other one is just no, no, no!
Mac and Hillary are fantastic together. Both are working through some major issues, but they come together to complete each other. Never read a storyline about a pregnant virgin (in this genre anyway lol), but the author made it work. The reader immediately falls in love with Hillary and becomes her cheerleader. Definitely recommend.
Mac and Hillary are totally messed up...but they are also perfect for each other! She brings light to his darkness and he brings stability to her topsy turvy world! You will fall in love with Hillary's crazy ramblings and Mac's unrelenting support! Love Brill Harper!
Hillary and Mac are such a sweet couple. I loved how they found their way to reach other through all of their traumas. The secret behind the pregnant virgin trope was excellent. Loved it!
Brill always has these stories that are quick and they suck you in! So freaking fast! Mac is definitely the cheese to my macaroni! As always I’ll be on the lookout for more Brill works! Thanks
I’m so in love with Hilary it’s not even funny. Such a prefix brained mom in the beginning but really a great character. Mac is the ultimate perfect bad boy exterior teddy bear. The first time he meets Kenzie (Hilary’s daughter) I melted. Just a fun cute story.
Loved Mac and Hillary. Mac is a cop and is on leave for an injury following an incident. His next door neighbor is a young pregnant girl that he can't seem to shake off. A fast friends to lovers story.
This was so sweet! Exactly what I was after. Dirty friends to lovers. He is a cop… so that’s always difficult. But he’s in the bomb department or whatever so that makes it easier…? I dunno - I just kind of pretended that he wasn’t a cop.
This was BONKERS. She’s pregnant when they meet BUT ALSO, she’s a virgin. She had a ONS with a guy who didn’t ejaculate IN her but ON her. And by some magical unicorn happening, she manages to get knocked up from that. I am flummoxed to say the least.