When You Least Expect It

The Culhanes of Cedar River #1

by Helen Lacey

She was having his baby.

But why wouldn’t she be his wife?

After several failed pregnancies, Tess Fuller’s dreams of motherhood hadn’t worked out—until one memorable night with her ex-husband resulted in pregnancy! Take-charge rancher Mitch Culhane had never stopped loving Tess. Now he has the perfect solution: marriage, take two. But Tess isn’t so sure their love story can have a happily-ever-after…unless Mitch can prove he’s changed…

Genres: Harlequin, Westerns, Romance

187 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 20, 2019

About the author

About Helen
Helen Lacey grew up reading Black Beauty, Anne of Green Gables and Little House on The Prairie. These childhood classics inspired her to write her first book when she was seven years old, a story about a girl and her horse. Although, it wasn’t until the age of eleven when she read her first Mills & Boon, that she knew wanted to write romances. Her parents’ love of travel meant she saw much of the world in those early years and she feels fortunate to have had a diverse and interesting education over several continents.

She continued to write into her teens and twenties with the dream of one day being a published author. A few years and careers later, including motel operator, florist, strapper, dog washer, and retail manager, she got the call from Harlequin Special Edition. She loves writing about tortured heroes, both cowboys and CEO’s, and heroines who finally get the love of the man of their dreams.

From Welsh parents and a large family, she lives on the east coast of Australia in a small seaside town at the southern most point of The Great Barrier Reef, with her wonderfully supportive husband, many horses, two cats and three spoiled dogs.

Reviews

[shms · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's well written but it wasn't for me. I took to skimming bits, once I established that I disliked the h and there wasn't anything else but them hurting each other to the 'romance' in this book.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the start of a new series and I love a good reunion story and this one had me turning the pages as we get to know rancher Mitch Culhane and his ex-wife Tess Fuller and get the reasons behind their break-up, it is moving and emotional and a fabulous read.

Tess Fuller met and fell in love with Mitch practically at first sight the lived very happily on his ranch in Cedar River, until Tess miscarried several times this put a big wedge between them and a lot of hurt words were said before she moved away. When they meet up out of town years later a night of passion results in a baby and now six months pregnant Tess arrives back at the Tripe C Ranch hoping that her and Mitch can find a way to be friends and bring their baby up.

Mitch has always been in charge, having to raise his siblings after losing their mother and their father walking out at such a young age but falling in love with Tess was the best until the miscarriages started and now she has turned up pregnant they were finally going to have a baby but Mitch jumps in to take control and things don’t go to plan.

This really is an uphill battle at times between Tess and Mitch both have hurt each other so much over the years and even now the things they are saying are hurting more, but when Mitch is hurt Tess finally realizes that she has never stopped loving Mitch although it takes Mitch a bit longer to realize the same, but when he does the happiness explodes. This is such a great start to a series and I am looking forward to the other family members getting their HEA and being back in Cedar River, I did love this one and highly recommend it.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When You Least Expect It
Helen Lacey

There is nothing better than a good second chance romance and Helen Lacey’s first in her Culhanes of Cedar River series, When You Least Expect It, is the perfect example. She does a bang up job of exhibiting the shared history, drama, guilt, heartbreak and hearts mending in this steady paced and rock solid plotted tale. Readers will many times want to shake the unforgettable pigheaded pair of Tess and Mitch while they enjoy every step as the relationship that was on life-support is put back together in this fantastic marriage do-over.

When Mitch Culhane’s ex shows up on his doorstep pregnant with his baby he only knows that this is his chance to get back the only woman he’s ever loved.

Tess knows that she wants her ex in their child’s life that’s why she packed up and moved back to Cedar River. And she has to hope that the pain from their past won’t screw up their future.

[Frankie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Both characters were too annoying for me to enjoy. Hero especially needed a good kick in the pants and then some! Sorry but I read for enjoyment, not to feel anger & rage.

[Nique · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t really like the h. She was so hell bent on playing the victim when in my opinion she was the guilty one.

[Cassandra's Rebellion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tess and Mitch were the perfect married couple except for one thing. Tess kept miscarrying their babies. It tore them apart and words were said that could not be taken back. One night years later, they ran in to each other. Their passion was ignited and they enjoyed one night together. Surprise! Tess shows up on Mitch's doorstep and she is pregnant with their baby and this time, she is doing good.
This is just a goodhearted romance. It is suitable for young adults as well.

[Harlequin Books]

Categories
Romance, Contemporary Romance

Miniseries
The Culhanes of Cedar River

[Pam Graber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. After four failed pregnancies, Mitch Culhane said no more. He threatened to permanently remove all hope of another pregnancy, because he couldn't stand to see his wife grieve. Tessa, for her part, saw Mitch's ultimatum as stealing her hope. He saw it as saving her grief. Tess felt so strongly that she walked. Four years later, a chance meeting in a hotel lobby, gives them one night of passion. Six months after that night, Tess returns to the Triple C ranch, to tell Mitch that their one night left her pregnant with their child. In his mind, the logical solution is re-marriage, but she feels their original problems are still there. Will either one meet the other in the middle, or will they simply break?

I really liked Mitch. His sense of honor and duty are both incredibly strong. He raised his siblings after their mother died and their father walked out, so he's used to calling the shots. Unfortunately, that doesn't work with Tess anymore. She wants a say in how she lives her life, and doesn't want to be taken care of.

I wasn''t as much of a fan of Tessa. She gave out way too many mixed signals - falling in bed with Mitch one day and shoving him away, giving a very cold shoulder for days after. They both admit to themselves that they still love the other. I just wanted to yell "Get it together, people!" as I read this..

Can they see that everything they went through in the past happened because they loved each other? Will they decide they still do before their baby is born?

Readers who like the secret baby theme will enjoy this. There's also two very strong-minded main characters.

[Janie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading Helen Lacey's books. "When You Least Expect It (The Culhane's of Cedar River #1)" is a new series from Ms. Lacey. This book gives us the insight of the Culhane family. We meet all the siblings and learn that Mitch Culhane stepped up and kept his family together when their father walked out. Tess Fuller and Mitch used to be married. After numerous attempts at having children and only ending up with miscarriage, their marriage fell apart. Tess thought Mitch wanted to control everything. Fast forward a few years and they run into each other which turns into a night of passion. One with a lasting consequence. Tess returns to Cedar River to let Mitch know that she is pregnant and that she has so far had an uncomplicated pregnancy. Mitch thinks they should get married again because of the baby and Tess wants nothing to do with it. We read how they just never seem to come to terms on dealing with what happened in the past. Until one night things became clear in Tess's mind but then Mitch is no longer on board. Lots of back and forth between these two strong individuals.

[Nas Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT by author Helen Lacey is a September 2019 release by Harlequin Special Edition series.

When Tess Fuller gets pregnant after one passionate night with her ex-husband, she came back to see him to try to work things out.

And Mitch Culhane hadn’t stopped loving her, so could he have it all once again? He had loved and lost his wife once before but now he was getting a second chance. Dare he open his heart once again?

But what about Tess? Would she settle for the heart-ache once more? Could she be sure Mitch had changed? And would they reach their happy ever after and gave a family?

WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT is an emotional romance. Author Helen Lacey brought these two characters live on the pages in this reunion story. You would keep wondering if Mitch and Tess would ever be able to move away from their hurt and grievances from their past. I loved the setting of this story and the premise is an emotional tearjerker.

Highly recommended for all readers of heart-warming and emotional romance.

[Lynn Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT is the first book in the brand new The Culhanes of Cedar River series by Helen Lacey and revolves around a rancher and his teacher ex-wife for a reunion story and a surprise baby all rolled into one!

Mitch is introduced as a solid guy who was left to raise his five younger siblings after his mom died and his dad fell apart years ago. He was quick to wrap himself around this reader's heart, and I steadfastly supported him throughout the book.

Tess was hard to like at first because she was coming in with a major chip on her shoulder and causing discord with Mitch. It turns out a chance encounter that led to a night together several months ago led to a baby.  Several failed pregnancies earlier led to their marriage falling apart, but can this one be the one that puts them back together again?

I highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a good reunited love story with a heavy supporting cast of family. I'm looking to seeing more of this town and this family!

[Dottie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take what seems to be a perfect marriage with a couple so in love. Tess and Mitch are like a romance novel at least to the outside world. Inside there is so much heartache as she keeps having miscarriages and with each one the pain causes them to say things that eventually tear them apart. The only solution is to part. Years later they run into each other Mitch has always and still loves Tess and their passion has truly never died. So what could one night of passion hurt and then move on again. Sounds like a plan except Tess ends up pregnant, but waits till she knows all will be well with the pregnancy. Another fantastic story by Ms. Lacey and after all the anguish you feel for them there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for them. Such a wonderful story.

[AJReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

When You Least Expect It by Helen Lacey if the first in a new series. We meet the Culhane family. Mitch Culhane is the backbone of his family and was married to Tess Fuller. They separated after trying for a family for so long with no success. They meet up again after a number of years and this ends in a night of passion but it has one lasting consequence. Tess returns to Mitch’s home town to tell him the news. He instantly thinks the should re-marry but Tess wants nothing to do with it. Once was enough. Can they work through the past to path the way for the futures. A great read.

[Becky Tatar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tess and Mitch Culhane divorced several years ago, after having experience 4 miscarriages. Tess wanted to keep trying, and Mitch refused, and Tess left. Now, she and Mitch hooked up a few months ago, and now she is back at the ranch to let him know she's pregnant again. This pushes all Mitch's buttons, as after his dad left when Mitch was younger, Mitch ended up responsible for his younger siblings, so has issues about control. Tess was so down in her grief, she couldn't see he was hurting also.

[Patty Duplechin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tess Fuller is pregnant with her ex husband’s child. They had a one night thing at a hotel. She comes back at 6 months pregnant to try to work it out. Mitch Cuhane has never stopped loving Tess. He’s angry and hurt that she walked away from their marriage. She upset because he was going to take away her chance to have a baby, too many miscarriages. . Can they get over the anger, hurt and upset to move on together for their child? Can he have a second chance.? Does she still love him or is it for the baby? Loved it

[Zoe Archer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. I fell in love with Mitch straight away. Such a strong lead character and it's very rare in books that the man is so likeable from the get go.At times I wanted to yell at Tess, to let go of the barriers and make it work as you could see they were made for each other. I loved the family dynamic too. Great story, written beautifully.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

[Sharon Helfrich · Rating 1 out of 5]

This title was much too angsty for my taste.

[Char (1RadReader59) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, intense emotional feelings when it came to both these characters. Lived Tess’s life as far as miscarriages but had to wait twenty years until blessed with our full-term pregnancy. (ours she’s now going to be nineteen in December.)

We did not luckily, experience all of Mitch’s wild ride, but could understand it. My hubby is a quiet one so showing emotion was hard. Caused problems during those tough times. But we had parents to guide us through, Mitch didn’t. Knowing how to react is tough. They have the pain of loss but not the raging hormones from that loss.

Then, when words are spoken during fear and anger, they are hard to take back. For some to make amends when dealing with pride as with Mitch. Then you have the dynamics of the pressure he has of feeling I have a business/home/pain to run and keep it together. I also have siblings that are looking to me for the right answers and how to react and now so are their children.

So, when Tess shows up six months after their tryst at the hotel when Mitch had been at a convention he is blown away. His first reaction is anger, they denial, that pain. When his machismo kicks in and stupid falls from his mouth, because he’s still angry and hurt, it stalls, their talks.

He’s still angry and hurt from her walking away from their marriage. She’s still upset from the fact that at that time he was going to take away her hope. (By the way, I still don’t think he’s figured out or even identified that was his downfall.) He asks, “Is it mine?” Really?!

He knows if nothing else the true character of this woman. So, he even knows that was a punk bully question. Yet, when you continue to read you find out the man has no edit button. Don’t start feeling too awfully sorrowful for Tess.

You see Tess is just as angry still for Mitch being so controlling. So, she starts with, “I want this!” “No, that!” “Wait! What are you doing? That’s not what I want.” The CIA wouldn’t know what she wanted between her anger and her hormones are so whacked. If you've ever been pregnant you remember these moments. Hers feels like this most of the book.

Let me just say for most of this book I didn’t like Tess until Mitch does the rescue. Then I start to bend. By Thanksgiving I am GUMBY.

I enjoyed this family saga. This couple is high drama, passion-filled, and most of all they deep down love each other. I give this: 5 stars. Provided by netgalley.com. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com.

[Malvina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second chance at love story, and the beginning of a series that might be big and sprawling, given the number of characters introduced! Don't think I've quite got my head around them all, but they sound terrific. And this was a great introduction to the family - although I've already read #3 and #4, so reading them out of order - but it doesn't seem to matter.

[Dorel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried to get into & like this story but Mitch & Tess got on my nerves with their back & forth jabs at each other.

[Beth Wendling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family Trilogy

I enjoyed reading this silty as it is about a family of brothers who have had to grow up with the help of their older brother.