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Redemption Ranch #3

The Nanny's Secret Baby

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What she knows will change everything…
at
Redemption Ranch

Arianna Shrader’s new nanny gig is more than a job—it’s an opportunity to bond with the infant boy she gave up to her sister for adoption. But widower Jack DeMoise doesn’t know she’s not just his child’s aunt. As Arianna grows closer to the ranch veterinarian and his son, can she find a way to reveal her secret…and become a permanent part of their family?

224 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2019

122 people are currently reading
128 people want to read

About the author

Lee Tobin McClain

164 books531 followers
New York Times bestselling author of emotional, heartwarming romances. Visit http://www.leetobinmcclain.com to join newsletter, get book release details, and find out more.

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5 stars
135 (52%)
4 stars
82 (32%)
3 stars
33 (12%)
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4 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
Profile Image for Faith.
2,230 reviews
July 11, 2019
Arianna Schrader takes a job as a nanny for her late sister's veterinarian husband, Jack, caring for her nephew Sammy. She savors the chance to get to know the son that she gave up for adoption. Arianna works to connect with Sammy, and as she spends more and more time with the small family, she wonders if her secret could bring them together or tear them apart?



Arianna and her sister weren't close, pitted against each other by their mother as children, there was always a constant rivalry. As a result it pushed Chloe to anxiety, pushing for perfection, while Arianna is more of a free spirit. Arianna is an art therapist, she loves vibrant color, but behind her outward confidence she still has insecurities about her body. I admired Arianna and her determination to help Sammy, as well as her patience with him when things were difficult.



Jack is a good man, who wants what is best for his son. He likes things to be orderly and expected, while Arianna goes with the flow. He likes to be in control, and finds Arianna to be an unwelcome whirlwind at first. He has a strong faith and is a great father.



There are many challenges to overcome for Arianna, Jack, and Sammy. Sammy is a sweet child. There is a lot going on in this book, from the relationships, faith, and secrets that are revealed. Arianna is a strong heroine, she loves Sammy and wants to have a relationship with him and is passionate about helping him grow and learn. A heartwarming story of family.



I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
15 reviews
August 19, 2025
A must read

Enjoy the story very much and the ending was beautiful. God’s mercy and grace never fails. The author is wonderful and I have throughly enjoyed all of her books.
Profile Image for Books and Spoons.
1,612 reviews32 followers
August 8, 2019
Hidden emotions, life-changing secrets, regrets of the past, and one little boy in the middle of the mayhem - an emotional read that brought a range of feels to the top and had me reacting from smiles and sighs to tears and even with displeased annoyment.
I loved little Sammy. He was such a joyful boy, facing his challenges, and trying his utmost to communicate and show his love to his guardians.
Arianna Shrader was misjudged and mistreated by those who were supposed to have her back and guard her against the hurdles of the world. She was easy to relate to and I admired her determination and giving spirit. She knew that some of her choices in the past caused pain to others, she owned up to them, and often put other's needs in front of her own.
At first glance, Jack DeMoise seemed like a good, kind, generous, considerate man. I liked him, I understood why Arianna would fall for him. I liked his honesty, him standing up for Arianna and for the possible relationship they could have - until he didn't.
Jack and Arianna had a connection, they had a lot in common, they shared the interests, they shared the faith in God, and they both loved Sammy. The attraction was palpable, even though they were slow to act on it. What happens when Arianna's secret is revealed, was a tough setback to me. Jack takes the betrayal, that wasn't necessarily Arianna's, to the next level, and his behavior becomes something that is hard to look over or get redemption from. I struggled with this, and how it affected others around Jack, mostly to Sammy but also to Arianna.
In a way one could say it is what it is - even Christian people can be hateful and mean, even people of faith make mistakes and judges others unfairly. And that is all true. Yet despite the sweet romance, the growth in faith Arianna experience, the adorable Sammy, the hope-filled ranch, and Jack standing up to his father when needed, the way Jack continued to react after the secret is revealed - that was a bit harsh towards Arianna. And the reason why I will give this book
~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
Profile Image for Elaine - Splashes Into Books.
3,895 reviews137 followers
August 18, 2019
This is a delightful story where love, shocking secrets and romance have key roles to play. Jack DeMoise is a widower with an adopted young son but knows nothing about the child's parents. His wife really didn't want her sister, Arianna, to have much contact with the child so he's wary about involving her with the child's care but he needs help, his son responds well to her and she's willing. Little did he realise that his adoptive son is actually her child, his wife never told him. Should Arianna tell him the truth? At the moment she has the opportunity to really get to know her son and to look after him but the growing attraction between her and Jack is also there. Would revealing her secret actually force them apart or draw them closer?


This is a story where other people's secrets and problems cause untold worry and difficulties. The dilemmas faced by both Jack and Arianna are well portrayed and potentially heartbreaking. Can love help them resolve the problems or will they be driven apart by revelations? I enjoyed reading this story and found the characters easy to relate to. It is a heartwarming story and great read.


I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest review after choosing to read it.
Profile Image for Dawn Leonard.
328 reviews
August 19, 2019
I enjoyed this book about an little boy with autism, his adopted dad, and his aunt who is also his nanny and secret birth mom. Touching story about a mom who gave her baby up to her sister but the sister didn't tell her husband whose baby it was. (This was revealed early on so I don't consider it a spoiler). I thought the reality of dealing with a child with autism was described accurately. The story dealt with keeping secrets including keeping them for someone who passed away. It also deals with the negativity of what is said to children or even adults stays with them and colors their present and future.
Great well-described characters that you can relate to. Loved this book in the Redemption Ranch series as well as the previous Rescue River series - those series are great! This book can be read as a stand-alone though
Profile Image for Nancy Ku.
1,496 reviews17 followers
June 15, 2019
The Nanny's Secret Baby: A Fresh-Start Family Romance (ebook) by Lee Tobin McClain ...this is my first book by Lee Tobin McClain...I'm giving this book 4 stars...I enjoyed Arianna and Jack's story ..but there was a little to much angst for me...I cried ugly tears and some happy ones at the end..Their story of love, betrayal, forgiveness and finding their way to a very HEA ( all this and Sammy touched my heart...)

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Haunting Page-turner Informative Entertaining Great world building Happily Ever After Wonderful characters Romantic Tear-jerker Easy-to-read
Profile Image for Susan.
641 reviews30 followers
July 17, 2019
I loved this book. Arianna and Jack were wonderful characters and Sammy was just a delight. It is a great addition to the Redemption Ranch series. I love how the characters’ faith is an important part of the story. I stayed up later than usual, reading and crying, to finish. I definitely would recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and was not required to write a positive review.
418 reviews
June 29, 2019
Arianna and Jack have more in common than Jack bargained for. Not only is Arianna his sister in law, she is the mother of Sammy, his adopted son. Secrets have a way of coming out but in this book, secrets can be forgiven. This is a wholesome, goodhearted book for many ages. It is clean and a wonderful romance.
Profile Image for Arlene.
604 reviews6 followers
September 25, 2019
Reading in between those lovely historical books. A light read actually.
Profile Image for Ann-Maree.
1,131 reviews9 followers
August 30, 2023
What a loving and inspirational story this book was as the author took us on a journey of heartache, grief, secrets, loss, forgiveness, regrets and compassion. This is book four in the Redemption Ranch series of books to which I have not read any before this one, also the author is new to me. I found their storytelling to be great as it had me happily reading every page to learn more about these wonderful characters. A very sweet and moving Christain romance with many lessons to think about.

Arianna has been faced with a dilemma that will affect more than just herself but this must be a secret she never tells. She has offered her help to her late sister's husband to look after her nephew who has just recently been diagnosed will autism at eighteen-month-old. She has worked with many children with autism so she would help Sammy with is therapeutic support staff, but there is also another reason she is the best person for the job.

Widower Jack DeMoise is struggling to find the care he needs for is adopted Autistic son since his diagnoses and the loss of his wife. So when is wifes sister applies for the job of nanny Jack does not grab the chance straight away. But after finding no one suited to help Sammy he lets is ex-sister-in-law have the temporary job for the summer. He may have fixed his nanny problem but this will only bring him other problems in his life.

I felt that the author has accurately described an autism child and behaviour in this story. A story I thoroughly enjoyed reading and I am honestly and voluntary reviewing from the ARC that I received from NetGalley and the publishers.
Profile Image for Pam Graber.
1,134 reviews42 followers
August 15, 2019
When Ariana Shrader learns that her widowed brother-in-law is looking for a nanny for his son, Sam, she jumps at the chance. The catch is, Jack DeMoise thinks he knows all about her. He thinks she's flighty and unreliable, two traits his son doesn't need in a nanny. What he doesn't know is that Sam is the baby Ariana gave up to her sister for adoption, and she will do anything to be allowed to spend time with her son.

Sam's autism has driven off every available nanny candidate in the county so Jack agrees to let Ariana care for him - temporarily - until he can find someone more qualified. He has no idea that Ariana has spent the intervening years educating herself on ways to help Sam. She's an art therapist, but she's also the best he's seen around kids. As Sam starts to come out of his shell thanks to Ariana's methods, Jack begins to see a different woman than the one portrayed by both his wife and her parents.

As Jack and Ariana work together to bring calm and joy to Sam's life, what happens when their hearts get involved? Can Ariana ever tell Jack her biggest secret without losing him forever?

I loved this story. Jack and Ariana are such a sweet couple, and their mutual devotion to Sam's well-being plucks every heartstring. I definitely recommend this one!
Profile Image for Joyffree.
3,422 reviews62 followers
August 30, 2019
I had a bit of trouble with the H in this one.
Jack comes off as a bit judgmental right out the gate
He had an inkling his little partner was autistic but now that the diagnosis is confirmed he decides to hire a nanny to ensure little Sammy gets a head start ensuring the best for his future
Arianna Sammy's aunt ( as for as Jack is concerned) offers to help but Jack is not to keen on the idea of someone so vibrant and full of life caring for his little guy- How can someone so full of life stay organized? How could she possibly care for little Sammy properly? - and cue me not so happy with Jack

Arianna has her secrets but she also had her reasons. I enjoyed the strength she showed and that she took the time to evaluate how her decisions would affect everyone, not just her.
As Jack spends time with her and begins to see past the label he originally placed on her he finds his original judgment may have been a bit harsh.
This is an inspirational story about acceptance, forgiveness, and family.
#TheNannysSecretBaby #NetGalley
Profile Image for Jessica.
2,216 reviews51 followers
July 19, 2019
Arianna has given up her child to adoption but what her brother-in-law, Jack, doesn't know was that it was set up that her sister would adopt the child. Jack is a veterinarian who is pretty busy and needs a nanny and Arianna offers to help. As they get closer eventually she'll have to break the news to Jack that she is in fact the child's biological mother.

This was a pretty good contemporary book. I enjoyed reading it. It's a clean romance with a with of Christian religion talk in it. I liked the characters and kept wondering when the shoe would drop about Arianna's secret. Whether or not it would be forced out of her or if she'd have the courage to reveal the secret shes holding onto. I kept wondering how other would take the relationship that was blooming between the two. This was a pretty good contemporary romance and I really enjoyed it.
110 reviews
October 24, 2025
Good Read

Lee Tobin McClain touched some hard topics in this really good book. Both Jake and Ariana were raised by very strict, judgmental parents. Jack was 1st married to Ariana’s sister Chloe who also had some emotional issues. So how does Ariana be the nanny for the baby Jack and Chloe adopted and who has now been diagnosed with autism without telling Jack that she is really the baby’s birth mother?
527 reviews1 follower
February 1, 2026
Secrets kept

Arianna returned to her home town after the death of her sister. She accepted a position as nanny to her nephew without disclosing a secret she and her sister had agreed upon. She began having feelings for Jack, her brother-in-law, but her secret complicated their emerging relationship. This book was about faith, honesty, forgiveness, and having the courage to be yourself. It was an emotional read with a dilemma that took God's guidance to repair.
78 reviews
October 18, 2025
The nanny secret baby

Adrianna and jack go through many ups and suspense. They both came from very controlling families so they endured many problems. Adrianna could not have children so she convinced her unwed sister, Adrianna to let her adopt her baby. She made her agree to never tell jack. Loved this book.
1,265 reviews3 followers
November 18, 2019
A Heartwarming Story

Secrets always have a way of revealing themselves at the most inconvenient time. And so it is with Arianna's secret. Will it ruin all the good she's accomplished?
Profile Image for Ashley.
490 reviews3 followers
October 20, 2020
2.5 stars, this was my first Love Inspired and it's not something I'd normally read. The story was interesting and while it was very cheesy romance I did find it kind of meh. I knew there would be a HEA. This is a quick and easy read.
Profile Image for Dorel.
4,366 reviews38 followers
September 3, 2025
I liked this book's storyline. This book's storyline was sad 😔. I liked the Christian ✝️ theme in this story. I loved ❤️ how much I learned about Autism. I liked Arianna's character. I liked Jack's character. I liked the ending.
Profile Image for Sara.
337 reviews4 followers
July 7, 2019
Sweet hopeful romance where the characters overcome obstacles personally and together. I enjoyed the short sweet read it was
Profile Image for Harlequin Books.
18.4k reviews2,805 followers
Read
August 1, 2019
Categories
Inspirational Romance, Contemporary Romance, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Wholesome Romance

Miniseries
Redemption Ranch (Book #4)
473 reviews
August 6, 2019
Just finished it was glad to catchup with old friends and get to find new ones. I love the story and will be waiting for the next book.
848 reviews7 followers
September 1, 2019
This book was fast and fun and includes secrets, adultism, love and happy ending.
131 reviews
January 4, 2020
A wonderful story that highlights the harm of secrets and jealousy but also highlights the strength of love, faith, and forgiveness
Profile Image for Debi Steeley.
150 reviews
June 4, 2022
2nd book that I have read by Lee Tobin McClain. Great storyline!
Profile Image for elstaffe.
1,285 reviews4 followers
Read
April 13, 2024
Way more angst than I generally expect from inspies, which is pretty impressive to pull off within the bounds of that category. The nanny category romance continues!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews

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