His Baby Secret

Once a SEAL, Always a SEAL #1

by Layla Valentine

Three best friends
One big secret
My brother’s best friend is getting a big surprise…

Hannah:

We were inseparable. Best friends.
Me, my twin Harvey, and our buddy Dominic.
Only I loved Dominic in secret, and never told him till high school was over
And then he told me he loved me too…
Only then did he tell me he was joining the Navy
I hated him for leaving me,
And I found out I was pregnant the day he shipped out
He never found out
Seven years later, my brother’s getting married, and the secret SEAL dad is finally coming back to Tucson as his best man.
Dominic Riley has a big surprise coming his way, seven years in the making…

Dominic:

Seven years ago, I left my heart in Tucson.
I’ve traveled the world,
Risked my life defending my country’s freedom,
Seen things you wouldn’t believe,
But I’d trade it all for one more day with her.
She hated my guts when I left,
Can she forgive me now?

This is the first book in the Once a SEAL, Always a SEAL series.

Genres: Second Chance, Romance, Military Fiction, Contemporary, Friends To Lovers

212 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 23, 2018

Reviews

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dominic, Harvey and Hannah are best friends. Harvey and Hannah are twins who grew up in an orphanage together and Dominic with a demanding, commanding, strict father. The night of graduation, Hannah and Dominic finally give into their attraction, admit their love, and everything seems wonderful in young Hannah's mind. However, a few hours later, Dominic tells her he's enlisted in the Navy, and he ships out, never to come back again until 7 years later, when he arrives to be Harvey's best man. Only, he has a little surprise waiting for him, one of the permanent, adorable kinds.

As second chances go, this one is pretty good. Dominic turns out to be a great guy, but he does struggle with the new revelation that he's a father. And he doesn't adjust as well as he should at first. Complicating matters is Harvey's anger at him, so Hannah is once again stuck in the middle of the two friends. Thankfully, they all figure things out, then they're sailing (see what I did there LOL) into their HEA.

Normally, secret babies used as a plot device irritates me, but it's done well here. I guess I'm just a little sensitive because I can imagine my former sister-in-law doing something like never telling my brother he was a father, just to irritate him, and it annoys me to no end just thinking about it. But, I was able to not get irritated while reading His Baby Secret because it's sweet and sexy, and the angst over the revelation isn't too bad. Plus the characters are all really likable, even Harvey, who, as overprotective brothers go, is pretty cool.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nancy Gamez · Rating 1 out of 5]

Spoiled brat alert

Hannah and Dominic are both 18. He is her first lover. The next day, Dominic received an acceptance letter from the Navy Seals. Hannah blows up like a little brat. She kicks him out the house and avoids him for the last six weeks before Dominic's departure. Fast forward seven years, Harvey, Hannah's twin and Dominic's best friend, is getting married. After sex at the wedding, Hannah drops the bomb that Dominic is a dad. She was a vindictive witch who didn't say anything to him. I wish he had sued her for custody of Kira, the daughter. Hannah didn't deserve the hea that was the ending. She deserved a slap to the face for being a spiteful brat.

[Ruby Ap. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great second chance romance story with an adorable kid mixed into it <3 :)
I loved every moment of reading this and I'm glad that Hannah and Dominic got to have their second chance at love and reunite and also be a family with their daughter <3 That was awesome!

And in every story, there are some obstacles that need to be battled and these two need to learn how to communicate better but at the end, everything gets resolved and they FINALLY get their happily ever after <3

*I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review*

[beth m · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spoiler

The reveal that he was a dad was very anticlimactic. I was hoping for a little more of a build up. Then the second time around it was a little weird that she revealed at her wedding during her vows. There really wasn’t a great character build on Hannah mostly the males in the book. Glad I didn’t pay for it

[Julie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Spoilers in review

The characters were so immature. Harvey mad at Dom, who had no clue he was a dad. Hannah made cause she had to sacrifice for her child, she decided not to tell Dom about Kira. It had potential, but really lacked in likeable characters.

[LMR · Rating 4 out of 5]

His Baby Secret - A Second Chance SEAL Romance (Once a SEAL, Always a SEAL Book 1) By: Layla Valentine
Sometimes Life Gives You Lemons... It's Up To You To Add Sugar & Make Lemonade!
She's SHATTERED after giving herself to him on graduation night, only to learn the Next Morning he's Enlisted in the NAVY SEALS...
She feels like the Proverbial Notch on the Bedpost, the last hookup before boot camp, and a cheap, discarded fool...
She certainly doesn't feel like a cherished friend, a girlfriend, or even like someone with a future with him; after all, he's NEVER ONCE told her he planned to leave...
If he had, she wouldn't have squandered her innocence on someone who's eyes are already looking toward the horizon!
He had the Best Night of his Life...
Then, he Woke Up to the Best News he could get for his future...
But, somehow when he goes to share it with his Bestfreind & his new girlfriend (once a Bestfreind too), everything turns to ASHES all around him...
After she rejects him for joining the SEALS, he leaves heartbroken until her brother, his Bestfreind's, wedding years later...
Now, everyone must finally confront the consequences from that night, his enlistment, his departure, her rejection, her secrets, & her lies...
I was granted an ARC of Layla Valentine's "His Baby Secret - A Second Chance SEAL Romance (Once a SEAL, Always a SEAL Book 1)" via Booksprout; I recommend this book to others based upon its own merits. All opinions expressed within this review are uniquely my own & freely given!
Until next time... Happy Reading!

[Jessica CW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dom, Hannah and Harvey- the three musketeers. Dom & Harvey- protectors of Hannah’s. Dom & Hannah secretly in love with each other for years before the truth finally came out on the eve before his life would take him away from them.

Life changes in an instant and it took seven years to begin again.

I really liked this story, not your usual secret baby romance that typically go super quick and don’t develop the couples reunion, always seem to showcase an angry father who didn’t know about the baby, and goes from 0 to 60. This story isn’t like that. You get to see the relationship blossom, understand why the baby was a secret, and get to explore both characters with each pov.

Some points made me laugh, some super corny, others that made me upset with the characters insecurities and a few tears- such a great read.

I think the only thing that would make this better is if he’d remained as celibate as her in those 7 years, if Harvey had a little more maturity for someone whose a cop, and if I could have seen more of the father/daughter relationship, especially revealing that he’s her biological dad too. Plus never bad for more steamy moments.

Did Dom ever repair his relationship with his father? And what about his mom or the twins parents- any snippets of that history?

Will read more books from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Raecharmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hannah, her brother Harvey and Dominic were called the three musketeers because they were in each other's pockets most of the time. Hannah has always had a crush on Dominic but didn't think he felt anything for her. Everything changed for them at a graduation party a kid from their school threw. Dominic finally admitted he felt the same way and they made plans to meet up after her brother went to sleep. They had an amazing night together and then when he came back over the next day it was with news that would send Hannah's world spiraling. Dominic had gotten into the Navy Seals and was due to leave soon. Harvey and Hannah were both surprised because he hadn't mentioned anything to them about applying. Hannah thought that he had played her to get her into bed and didn't want to talk to him before he left. What she didn't know until too late was she was pregnant with his child. Now years later Dominic is home for his best friend's wedding. What will he do when he learns he has a child he knew nothing about? Will he reconnect with Hannah or will her secret keep them apart?


This is an amazing story once I started it I couldn't put it down. The chemistry between Dominic and Hannah is blazing hot. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend it to any of my book friends.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Chris Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it. I thinks this book is worth 5+ stars. It’s a second (also becomes a third) chance romance with a secret baby. What else could you ask for? The story line flows smoothly and follows logically. The characters are wonderful. Hannah and Harvey are twins who spent their early years in an orphanage and Dominic lives with his father, who he refers to as the Drill Sargeant. No easy lives for them. They refer to themselves as “The Three Musketeers” and are best friends. His Baby Secret tells the story of Hannah and Dominic’s journey into love. It tells how they overcome years apart, a brother who is outraged by his best friend’s behaviour and how they fight to find the happy ever after that they know they deserve. Layla Valentine tells her stories in a way that has me seeing a movie in my head instead of a sequence of words. I’ve read many of her books and I have to admit she is one of my favourite authors. If you enjoy second chance romances (and let’s face it, who doesn’t?) then I highly recommend “His Baby Secret” to you as a wonderful book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenny Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book with the understanding that I could leave a voluntary and honest review.

In this book we meet Hannah Newell and Dominic Riley. They knew each other since they were kids. However on graduation night it all changes for them. They finally get a chance to tell each other how they feel only to be separated for the next 7 years. There are things that happen to both of them during that time. Now that they are seeing one another for her brother Harvey's wedding Dominic isn't sure the reception he will get. Can the one woman who holds his heart let him back into hers or will his best friend and brother be the one to keep them apart this time? Can they get their HEA or will it all just be that thing they had on graduation night?

This is an amazing story. It has it's ups and downs I really want to tell you about. However I don't want to ruin the story for anyone else. I will say this book will hook you from the first word and hold you to the very end. I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone.

[Stacy De Jesus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every word

I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this book. Hannah is really the typical high school crush of Dominic’s but also his best friends twin. You think this book is going to be like all the others you’ve read about. The one where the sexy, good looking, crush leaves and comes home even hotter to find out he’s a Daddy. Layla twists this plot and changes it up with such a romantic twist that melts your heart. Dominic is passionate, strong, and very hot when he and Hannah can’t keep their hands off one another. Harvey is such a surprise as a twin brother. He’s funny, sometimes nasty, often times drunk, but always protective. The fact that Layla wrote all four characters as leading in this book was such a surprise. Usually two drop off and you are left with the man and woman but no she keeps all four front and center. It’s funny, enchanting, thrilling, sexy, and so heart warming. Loved every word.

[MJM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dominic was best friends with Hannah's twin brother. She secretly loved him and he secretly loved her. It isn't till the day before he leaves to join the Navy that they confess their feelings for one another. She's furious and heartbroken that he's leaving and they do not contact each other again. Seven years later he comes back to be best man at her brother's wedding and it is then that he discovers the part of himself that he left all those years ago. Will they forgive each other? Beautifully written by Layla Valentine who writes with passion and interest. I loved this storyline and, yes, it's not unique but it is one that you won't want to put down as it's been so well written. You could 'feel' the chemistry between them and I really enjoyed the journey to their HEA. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I look forward to reading more by Layla and DEFINITELY RECOMMEND this book to you all.

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this first book in the new series by Ms Valentine. Dominic and Hannah ae such a wonderful couple. Though they got off to a rocky start in the beginning, wen they meet up again the sparks start flying all over again. Add in an adorable little girl and you have a sweet and sexy read. There is a little angst in the way of how the two ended the first time and Hannah not wanting her twin Harvey to find out what happened. I liked how once they meet up again Dominic is able to explain that he never forgot about Hannah while he was in the service and how he made a great effort to be the man she and Kira deserve. It was great that the three best friends; Hannah, Harvey and Dominic were able to strengthen their friendship once the air was cleared. Wonderfully written story with a great HEA.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Caroline Doig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not usually a fan of Seal, army kind of stories but because this is a Layla Valentine book I decided to give it a go and I’m so glad I did. This is a second chance book and it’s the story of Dominic and Hannah and her twin brother Harvey who only has a few pages about him. Dominic and Hannah have feelings for each other but neither one knows about how the other feels until graduation night when they spend the night together. A few hours later Dominic is shipped off leaving a heartbroken and pregnant Hannah behind. 7 years later they meet up again at Harvey’s wedding and the sparks are still there between them but now Dominic has a daughter he never knew about and now he needs to be the man that both of his girls can count on. An amazing story full of feels I loved it, a 5 plus ⭐️ read and I highly recommend this book it’s definitely well worth the read.

[CS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dominic finds out that he's a daddy seven years after sleeping with Hannah. Timing and youth were not his friends that’s for sure.

I empathized with Hannah, falling for her twin brother’s best friend, finding out he loved her too made it easier to make him the first. Only to find he would be leaving for Navy Seal training. She’s heartbroken, betrayed, and angry.

This second chance romance was sweet! I usually hate when the heroine has to go through pregnancy, labor, and child rearing alone. Hannah was such a good mother and really put Kira first in all things, that I really felt Dominic’s pain that he missed out on so much.

Enjoyable second chance romance with Dominic reacting in a fairytale way!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dolores &#x1f49c; · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for Free to Give My True & Honest Review.

This is my 1st book by Layla Valentine that I have read.
Wow how there's some deep emotional aspects for the Twins Harvey & Hannah & their best mate Dominic Riley.
So here we see them graduating from high school when unbeknownst to either Hannah or Dominic how the truly feel for each other until that night.
Hannah's life changes that night & Dominic's changes a few hrs later but not in the way either of them had pictured.
We don't see them for 7 yrs later until Harvey's wedding & they see how different their lives have turned out. But these 2 still love each other EVEN all these years after & it's here where we see their connection.
A BEAUTIFUL 2nd CHANCE HEA. REALLY RECOMMEND HIS BABY SECRET

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

An emotional second chance / Navy SEAL / secret baby romance.💕💓💕

This story is about three best friends and the choices made by two that change their lives. Hannah and Harvey are twins who've been through the foster system and have trust issues. Dominic has been raised by an overbearing "drill sergeant". The trouble starts when Dom and Hannah realize they love each other but neither one is mature enough to handle it at eighteen. What happens is heartbreaking and foreseeable but that doesn't change it. I felt so sorry for both of them but I understood how it happened. The good thing is how they work it out.💞💖💞

[Renata Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hannah, her twin brother and Dominic are known as the three musketeers as the three were inseparable, but Hannah has a secret that she has kept to her self for a while. At a party for their graduation Hannah tells Dom her secret after he tells her that he loves her. Six weeks later Hannah has a bigger secret but keeps it to her, its to late to tell Dominic as he has left her to start his life as a Navy Seal.
Seven years later Dominic returns for his best friends wedding hoping to see the woman he loves but finds that things arent as he had hoped. The woman that he has been comparing other woman to all these years,is a single mother and is bitter and angry with him.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Misty Schott · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Three Musketeers, that was Hannah, her brother Harvey and their best friend Dominic, always together and thick as thieves. Hannah had a crush on Dominic and after her brother went to sleep one night, they got together for a wild passionate night and Hannah was over the moon. That was until Dominic tells her and Harvey he got in the Navy Seals and she thinks he played her to sleep with her. She refuses to speak to him before he leaves and it's years before she sees him again. Now he's back for his best friend's wedding and Hannah has a secret that may cause some real problems. Grab this wonderful book today and find out what happens. Loved this story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hannah and Dominic got together for the first time after graduation then he leaves to become a SEAL
Twins Hannah and Harvey along with Dominic where so close that they got the name The Three Musketeers but as they grew Dominic started noticing Hannah's maturing body and Hannah feeling for Dominic became stronger. After graduation they get together for the first time but the next day Dominic finds out he has been accepted into the Navy SEAL's program and within weeks he is gone. Seven years later he he returns for Harvey's wedding and finds a lot has changed. A romance to relax and enjoy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ann L · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.1/2 stars

This is a great story, communication is the key to what could of been a great relationship. Hannah having loved Dom and vice versa goes with him on graduation, they are both happy until Dom tells her that he is going away with the Navy Seals, she is not happy that he never told her that he had enlisted and leaves him, both feeling rejected they go there seperate way and never see each other again, that is until he is best man at her brothers wedding and he is in for quite the surprise. I loved everything about this story, the characters, the plot. Loved it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karen L Ledee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing up, Dominic and the twins Hannah and Harvey, are the very best of friends and are always together. Hannah has had a crush on Dominic forever. Dominic reveals to her that he is in love with her. At a graduation party they agree to meet later to be alone without Harvey. Well, accidents happen and Hannah finds out, after he has left for the Navy Seals, that she is left with a lifelong present. Fast forward seven years to Dominic coming in to be best man at Harvey’s wedding and getting a big surprise! Nicely written. Read the journey to HEA!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book

[Valentina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harvey, Hannah and Dominic were known as the three musketeers. Hannah and Harvey are twins. Dominic was there best friend. Hannah decided to give Dominic her virginity. Dominic finds out the next day that he was accepted into the navy seals. Hannah thinks that Dominic used her. That same day after Dominic departed Hannah finds out that she is pregnant with dominics baby. Dominic stayed away for seven long years. Harvey made Dominic his best man at his wedding. All Dominic can think about is Hannah. Does he have a chance to be with her. I enjoyed reading this book. I loved the storyline and plot. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

They had been a threshold for so long her twin, him and her and they were all so close to each other. She was secretly in love with him. They had a night together before he left leaving a part of him behind. He is coming after 7 years to be a best man to her brother. He was in for such a shock.as he hopes to make it to her. What will he do when he finds out about his child? Can they become a family? See what will happen

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debra Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an exceptional second chance romance! This story is emotionally deep and beautiful. It is well written, a fast pace page-turner, moves at a brisk pace and is very enjoyable. The plot is consistent, relatable, and well-developed with some ups and downs, and family drama. I love Dominic and Hannah (and of course their daughter Kira) together; their chemistry is intense and sweet. The end is beautiful and heartfelt. Really enjoyable and exciting! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karen Galloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Super, Emotional, Second Chance Romance

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book. I really enjoyed this Second Chance Romance from Layla Valentine. This book has an enjoyable, emotional, well written storyline that grabbed me from the first chapter and I couldn’t put it down. The characters Dominic & Hannah are engaging and have great chemistry, they really pulled me into their story, I really liked them and their story. This is a Lovely, Romantic, Must Read Story that was very moving. I really enjoyed reading it

[Laila Viking · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written short story with a nice storyline and plot. I like that the characters and how they develop.
A passionate and emotional read with twists. Enjoyable and recommendable. Two characters that have a second chance on making it right. But that is not always easy when the past lures at you.

It is written in dual POV which gives the reader much more of the thoughts and feelings of the main characters. The epilogue is very welcomed and gives the story more to it and it finishes it better of than without it.

[Misty Goan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting well written book with an interesting plot. The Hannah and Dominic are well developed and have awesome chemistry. The author moves the story quickly and smoothly and brings strong likable characters from both POV'S. I enjoyed reading this book and that included seven years ago history and current as they get their HEA. A must read second chance romance. I voluntarily reviewed this ARC and enjoyed every page of it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emma bramley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in this series by this author. this is a second chance romance with a secret baby story as well. The characters are lovely, you will fall in love with them from the start of the book. This story has it all, its sexy and has swoon worthy males. The story line has a few twists and turns especially the romantic ones which will melt your heart. I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.



Highly recommended

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book
www.obsessedbookreviews.blogspot.co.uk

[Nicki - The Overflowing Bookcase · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you find yourself in love with your twin's best friend you do not want your brother to know. But when his BF admits he has been in love with you for a long time, you finally give in ans have one night of passion. Hannah thought this was the beginning of a perfect love affair, but Dominic had his future in the SEALs all planned out and leaves to join the Navy, never knowing he left her alone and pregnant. When he comes home to be the best man in her brother's wedding can she keep the truth from him? Emotional and beautifully written. A great read.