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The Misconception
The sperm donor she hired has gone AWOL, so who's this man in her bed? A misunderstanding of biological proportions.
A man is good for only one thing.
Dr. Marietta Dalrymple wants a baby, but all she wants from a man is his sperm. A professor of evolutionary biology, Marietta can explain away romantic love with scholarly theories of why men and women are compelled to copulate.Monogamy, she believes, is a state most males can't achieve.
So what is Marietta to do after she mistakes Cash "Jax" Jackson for the carefully screened sperm donor she hired to impregnate her? Especially when Jax doesn't know anything about the legal document the other man signed relinquishing all rights to the child.
Jax soon sets his sights on more than Marietta's unborn baby. But can he prove to her that romantic love truly does exist? Or will the secret he's keeping destroy any chance these unlikely lovers have at happiness?
A man is good for only one thing.
Dr. Marietta Dalrymple wants a baby, but all she wants from a man is his sperm. A professor of evolutionary biology, Marietta can explain away romantic love with scholarly theories of why men and women are compelled to copulate.Monogamy, she believes, is a state most males can't achieve.
So what is Marietta to do after she mistakes Cash "Jax" Jackson for the carefully screened sperm donor she hired to impregnate her? Especially when Jax doesn't know anything about the legal document the other man signed relinquishing all rights to the child.
Jax soon sets his sights on more than Marietta's unborn baby. But can he prove to her that romantic love truly does exist? Or will the secret he's keeping destroy any chance these unlikely lovers have at happiness?
307 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2002
9 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Darlene Gardner
90 books46 followersDarlene Gardner left her life as a newspaper sportswriter behind for love and romance. She has more than 30 books in print, from single-title romantic comedies to emotionally charged family dramas. She’s currently self publishing updated editions from her backlist and working on a series of Young Adult romances with paranormal elements. That is, when she’s not playing tennis.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 26, 2012
This book was a bad experience. The story is cliche and the characters flat. I'd written a longer reivew and the interweb ate it. Everything about my experience with this book (from the reading to the trying to review) is annoying.
I got the book because of 5 star reviews on Amazon.com - well they were wrong. There are no 'laugh-out-loud' moments in this book. For those like me, compelled to read to the end thinking "it must pick up, why would someone rate it so highly".... it doesn't pick up. I can't even begin to describe how insulting I think this book is to professional women.
On the good side, the grammar was adequate and most words were used and spelled correctly.
I will never touch another book put out by "Love Spell" publishers. This entire publisher (if they exist) should be shamed for putting out such an unimaginative book.
I got the book because of 5 star reviews on Amazon.com - well they were wrong. There are no 'laugh-out-loud' moments in this book. For those like me, compelled to read to the end thinking "it must pick up, why would someone rate it so highly".... it doesn't pick up. I can't even begin to describe how insulting I think this book is to professional women.
On the good side, the grammar was adequate and most words were used and spelled correctly.
I will never touch another book put out by "Love Spell" publishers. This entire publisher (if they exist) should be shamed for putting out such an unimaginative book.
February 29, 2012
Really cute story. I enjoyed the fun, cartoonish plot of what Jax did for a living but I confess, I did figure it out right away even it isn't 'revealed' until towards the middle of the book. I loved the characters of Jax, Tracy, Ryan and Jax's family. The Professor was a little uptight, part of the plot, but I was rooting for her by the end, so it was all good.
A nice, funny escape from every day, just what I look for in a book.
A nice, funny escape from every day, just what I look for in a book.
February 24, 2012
Cute, funny, interesting characters--a good read despite the very similar plot to a Susan Elizabeth Phillips book. I'll check out another to find out if she has some original plots...
September 10, 2016
Cute...silly...predictable...
Not a bad story, but nothing spectacular either
Not a bad story, but nothing spectacular either
September 18, 2012
Personally, I liked the book as a whole. There were some parts in the middle that dragged on, but there were also many exciting parts. It started out with an interesting idea and some relatable emotions to get you engaged. However, after the opening event happened, things slowed down. The beginning event was when Marietta became pregnant by Jax. She didn't know who Jax actually was, but he eventually figured out Marietta's plan to get pregnant and raise the baby on her. Jax grew up fatherless, so he spent most of the book pursuing Marietta trying to get her to allow him to do his job as a father. This took up most of the book, which got boring.
The book began with a man named Harold waiting at an airport to fly across the country to meet a woman named Rhea. Rhea (actually Marietta, the feminist biology professor) had selected Harold as a sperm donor to impregnate her so she could raise her baby on her own. Marietta believed that women are independent and don't need a man to raise a child with. However at the airport, Harold chickens out and runs into a handsome, successful past classmate named Jax. As things worked out, Jax actually impregnates Marietta, figures out her plan, and chases her down to convince her that he needs to be in the baby's life.
I would recommend this book to others because it is such an interesting idea and has its funny moments with Jax trying to chase down Marietta. However, there isn't as much going on in other books that keep you interested. There are small side stories going on along the way in this book which provides other things to think about in the course of the whole story. Overall, I would recommend it.
The book began with a man named Harold waiting at an airport to fly across the country to meet a woman named Rhea. Rhea (actually Marietta, the feminist biology professor) had selected Harold as a sperm donor to impregnate her so she could raise her baby on her own. Marietta believed that women are independent and don't need a man to raise a child with. However at the airport, Harold chickens out and runs into a handsome, successful past classmate named Jax. As things worked out, Jax actually impregnates Marietta, figures out her plan, and chases her down to convince her that he needs to be in the baby's life.
I would recommend this book to others because it is such an interesting idea and has its funny moments with Jax trying to chase down Marietta. However, there isn't as much going on in other books that keep you interested. There are small side stories going on along the way in this book which provides other things to think about in the course of the whole story. Overall, I would recommend it.
June 14, 2024
This book was painfully unfunny and stereotyped. Even worse, the stereotypes were so outdated as to be distracting. The book was published in 2002, but in this book college feminists are presented as ridiculous anti-man gorgons who lose their train of thought when they see an attractive man. Health food is wheat germ and bean sprouts. Professional wrestling is cartoonish masked men trafficking in racial stereotypes. Absolutely nothing rings true. Jax is presented as perpetually shocked that single motherhood is an option. Marietta's sister seems equally perplexed by the idea that a woman could become pregnant without wanting a partner. It's never adequately explained why Marietta rejected every single option to become pregnant without a partner except the most buffoonish one -- paying a man you've never met to meet you in a hotel room one time. She's a biologist. Why would she reject professional and tested options that give one protections against a man showing up and demanding custody?
Complete waste of time.
Complete waste of time.
April 27, 2014
This is book equates to your biology book, highlighting procreation of animals! Haha Really, those biological phrases are still floating in my head.
Marietta's witty comeback elicits an reaction as "really?" or "oh wow slash hell". She's got the BRAINS. But so out of reason when it comes to males and love, that even when I was reading I was slowly getting frustrated.
Daniel's joke was unfunny even to me :) Who would think laughing at a hulk-like man who' s got the looks? He's really persistent in getting what he wants. He so got the, PHYSIQUE.
Trey, their seven month old son, as Biology explains that parents contribute to their child's genetic make up (this is me talking, after reading the book...oh oh!) , I bet he's an awesome baby with superior intellegence and looks.
The story is not complicated as it is. Readers who don't want too much drama will find this good. A bonus love story of Tracy (Marietta's sis) with Ryan makes the reader expect more.
Marietta's witty comeback elicits an reaction as "really?" or "oh wow slash hell". She's got the BRAINS. But so out of reason when it comes to males and love, that even when I was reading I was slowly getting frustrated.
Daniel's joke was unfunny even to me :) Who would think laughing at a hulk-like man who' s got the looks? He's really persistent in getting what he wants. He so got the, PHYSIQUE.
Trey, their seven month old son, as Biology explains that parents contribute to their child's genetic make up (this is me talking, after reading the book...oh oh!) , I bet he's an awesome baby with superior intellegence and looks.
The story is not complicated as it is. Readers who don't want too much drama will find this good. A bonus love story of Tracy (Marietta's sis) with Ryan makes the reader expect more.
April 14, 2014
With its farout but intriguing premise, this book grabbed my attention for awhile, but the characters became one-sided and stale after the first few chapters. Jax was almost too perfect, but I looked forward to him becoming a father and more heartfelt moments. How disappointing that the book ended abruptly with the couple together but the baby still months from being born! Even a short epilogue would have made a huge difference.
March 4, 2012
Cute engaging story, definitely a fun read. My only complaint is getting sick of hearing the perfection of Jax's physical attributes listed again and again. The characters were likable and I cared about them, I even grew to appreciate Marietta by the end which is a testament to good writing!
January 28, 2012
Interesting concept with boring, cartoonish characters and predictable romantic ending.
March 8, 2012
This was a cute romance story. Thoe story was original and the characters were likable.
A nice quick read about a man and woman who inevitably fall in love.
A nice quick read about a man and woman who inevitably fall in love.
April 13, 2012
This is so trashy, I can't believe that I'm admitting to reading it. Definately not "literature" but a nice escape from reality. Very predictable, but a good escape nonetheless.
May 22, 2012
The best thing I can say about this book is that I've never read characters exactly like these before. And that I finished it.
April 28, 2012
Loved this book. Kept me wanting to read. Even had some LOL moments.
September 6, 2012
Three and a half stars, rounding up as I'm being nice!
November 11, 2012
it was really pretty cute actually!
January 18, 2013
This was an enjoyable comedy. I laughed until I cried.
It was an emotional roller coaster.
This was short, sweet, and to the point.
It was an emotional roller coaster.
This was short, sweet, and to the point.
May 27, 2013
It was ok. But I dont think it was very believable. Oh well ...
February 11, 2012
Its not bad, but not the best book I've ever read.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews