Doctor James Tanner is gorgeous, successful and decisively single. He’s also a widower with a broken heart. So when he meets a beautiful woman on a fateful night out, their chemistry shocks him to the core.
Harper Hayes is irresistible. With her pink-tipped hair and tantalizing smile, she makes him forget all his pain.
One night together won’t hurt, will it? One night to get her out of his system. Then he’ll leave in the morning without a backward glance.
But actions have consequences, and this one will change both their lives forever. And when Harper sees those two little lines she knows exactly what that means. Now she just needs to find the unforgettable man who left her alone in bed after their one night together.
Carrie Elks is an international bestselling author of traditionally-published and self-published novels. Her books are sweet yet sexy contemporary small town romance stories. You can find her in all these places:
Meh this book was okay. I liked it for what it was but it’s nothing special.
I liked James a lot. He is definitely an active father but not in a weird “growling I am possessive my off spring” type way, but in a caring fatherly way and I really liked that.
It was as though reality had run into the room and slapped him hard in the face.
Is that a pager? … I didn’t know anybody still used those; I thought they disappeared with rotary phones and conscription.
“I’m never going to have this baby,” Ember told her, gritting her teeth. “I’ll be the only pregnant woman carrying around a teenager in her stomach. They’ll put me on TV shows as a medical miracle.” “I should record this,” Ally said, unable to bite down a grin. “Then next time you think about getting pregnant I’ll bring it out and show you. It’ll be better than any contraceptive.”
You of all people should know it’s not where you’ve come from that matters, but where you’re going.
“And for the record, fairytales suck. You ever read a real one? Not the Disney version, but as they were originally written? In Cinderella, the ugly stepsisters chop off their feet and have their eyes pecked out. The Little Mermaid gets left by the prince and pines for him forever in the ocean.” Ember grimaced. “Seriously, don’t ever aim for the fairytale.”
My Review:
Pregnancy is one of my least favorite tropes, but I didn’t seem to mind this one as the engaging storylines were cleverly amusing, well-paced, insightfully written, and plumbed all the feels. While I haven’t read them all, I have thoroughly enjoyed every book I’ve ever picked up from this perceptive wordsmith. So, of course, being the greedy book hoarder that I am, I now covet them all.
Minor characters: Sara (his dead wife), Rich (his friend), Caite (her best friend)
My thoughts:
These stories are getting stronger each time, but there’s still not enough development for me. I wanted to see more of his guilt for moving on and her insecurity over being second choice.
I did enjoy seeing some of the previous male character Lucas interacting with his baby. It didn’t serve a purpose to the story, but it was nice to see.
Summary:
Harper grew up with an absentee mother so she was raised by her grandmother. Her grandma was cold and detached. Harper was always a hit of a wild child and her grandma tried to stifle that.
Harper got into fashion and designing her own clothes. She went to college in New York and met Caite. They became fast friends.
Eventually she became a costume designer on Broadway. She also sold dresses on Etsy.
Caite was trying to get a contract in LA so Harper started applying to jobs in Hollywood. They both got the jobs and moved to LA. At the same time Caite fell in love and then moved to Angel Sands, which was about 90 minutes from LA.
About 2 months after moving to LA her whole department was let go. Caite invites her to the grand opening of the resort in town.
James grew up in Angel Sands and became a doctor. He and Rich met in medical school and became fast friends. While in school he met Sara and fell in love. They got married and had a baby. Sara and the baby got into a car accident and died. James was devastated.
3 years later he’s still grieving Sara and the baby. He feels guilty that he’s still alive. His friends and family are worried about him. They tell him he still has a life to live.
He knows everyone worries so he agrees to go with Rich to the big grand opening resort party.
He ends up drinking alone at the bar when Harper walks in. He’s immediately drawn to her. They start talking and hit it off. She invites him back to her hotel room and they have sex.
He wakes up in the middle of the night and feels guilty. He really likes her but knows it wouldn’t end well so he leaves before she wakes up.
When she gets up and he’s gone she’s relieved, but also a little disappointed. She knows she’s not in the best place in her life, but she liked him.
2 months later she finds out she’s pregnant. She still doesn’t have a full time job and is struggling to make ends meet. Caite asks her to move in with her and her boyfriend. That it’ll help ease the stress and Caite just wants her close. She asks about the father and Harper admits she doesn’t know his real name. That she doesn’t really know anything about him to track him down.
Harper moves to Angel Sands. Caite’s sister in law Ember is pregnant and they invite Harper to the baby shower. She and Ember hit it off and bond over being pregnant. At the party Ember falls and Harper takes her to the ER.
Ember is fine and Harper is touched to see how many people came to check on Ember. She realizes it’s a great town that really loves its residents. She wants that for her baby.
While at the ER she sees James. She tells him she’s pregnant. She tells him she’s prepared to take care of the baby alone but wanted him to know since he’s the father. He’s shocked.
Caite explains to her later that his wife and baby died 3 years ago.
She still runs her Etsy store but knows it’ll be too hard to keep it going the more pregnant she gets. She gets an idea to make matching mommy daughter dresses.
A few days later the shock has worn off and he asks her to meet for coffee to talk. She tells him about her life. How she never felt wanted and she’s determined to not let their baby feel that way.
They decide to coparent, even though they’re both still attracted to each other.
She’s running her Etsy business out of the bedroom she’s staying in. One day he comes by and sees how cramped it is. He offers her his finished basement.
She moves her business to his basement and they fall into a habit of spending time together. They enjoy spending time together. He realizes how lonely and quiet his life was before her.
They have family dinner with his parents and she loves them. She’s excited their baby will have loving grandparents, and she can’t help but feel bad that her family isn’t warm and welcoming.
His mom comments on them being a couple and he shuts down. On the ride home they talk about their families and she explains hers were never nice to her. That they always made her feel ashamed and she doesn’t want that for her baby.
He goes to Sara’s grave and tells her all about Harper and the baby. He feels a sense of peace and thinks it’s Sara saying it’s ok to have feelings for Harper.
One day she’s overwhelmed by how much she doesn’t know about babies. He tells her she just needs love, which she already has. They get carried away and have sex.
He goes with her apartment hunting. He hates everything about it and tells her she can still use his basement. She tells him that was never permanent.
She moves into her own apartment and he hates it. She has a baby shower and introduces him as the baby’s father. He hates it because he feels like they’re so much more.
She gets offered a fashion show for her mommy and me dresses.
One night she tells him how tired and sore she is. He tells her she’s working too hard and needs to slow down. She tells him she can’t afford to. He tells her she should just move in with him. That it’s the easiest thing.
She tells him no. That she wants the fairy tale romance. He tells her he wants to give that to her. She tells him she knows he can’t.
They both feel awful. His friends tell him he either needs to move past his grief or let her go. Her friends tell her he suffered a terrible loss and just needs time. He decided he wants to be with her.
Near the anniversary of Sara’s death Sara’s family comes into town. They make an unexpected stop at his house and Harper is there.
He’s had an awful day and seeks comfort in Harper and the baby. Sara’s sister sees and knows something is going on.
He explains Harper is a friend he’s helping. Harper is hurt he’s hiding her like he’s ashamed, like her mother made her feel. Harper leaves.
Sara’s sister tells him they knew he would move on eventually, they just wish he would have told them he was having another baby. He realizes he messed everything up and goes after Harper.
She has more follow up appointments and James goes to each one. After one appointment her doctor is concerned about her blood pressure. He thinks he’s causing it by adding stress to her life.
He tells a friend what happened and his friend asks if he’s in love with her. He realizes he is.
He starts coming by daily to check her blood pressure. They finally talk about Sara’s family. She accepts his apology but pulls away from him. He’s determined to show her she can count on him. That he won’t hurt her again.
A month before her due date she has her fashion show and goes into labor. She has the baby and everything is fine. She names the baby Alyssa Jay, after his son Jacob.
He tells her he loves her. That he wants to be with her, but he’ll take being friends if that’s all she wants. She forgives him and tells him she loves him too.
When she’s discharged from the hospital he asks her to move in with him. Not because it’ll be easier, but because he loves her and wants to be there for her and be a family. She says yes.
She sends a birth announcement to her mom and grandma but gets no response. She lets it go and decides they’re not her real family anyway. That she has James and all their friends in Angel Sands that love her and the baby.
3 months later he proposes. She says yes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I received an ARC of this book and this is my voluntarily, honest review of it.
The ‘Angel Sands’ series by Carrie Elks is a series that I have been following and reading from the very first beginning and I enjoyed every story in it. Each story is about a different couple but because of the friendship between the women (and the men), you see a lot of familiar faces in each book and that makes that each story feels a bit like revisiting ‘old friends’. I love the fact that you can still follow the lives of the previous couples, their happiness, their problems throughout the series. But even if you only want to read one book of this series, that is also possible. Because each book can be read as a standalone story too.
So, ‘Baby I’m yours’ is the fifth book in the ‘Angel Sands’ series. If you have read the previous book (Just a kiss) then you will recognize Harper as Caitie’s best friend. Harper was such a great second character in that book so I was very happy when I discovered that this story would be about her.
‘Baby I’m yours’ was again a light and easy to read story that was about an unexpected pregnancy. I really liked how both characters reacted on the surprise pregnancy and how they decided to deal with it. Very mature and with respect for each other’s feelings and needs. But this story was more than just that. It was also about a second chance on love. Because James is a widower so he has had a family before and he lost them. So Harper and this pregnancy created a mix of emotions with him, which is very understandable. Guilt about finding a new love and a new family but also happiness about it. But don’t worry, this story is still a light and pleasant read, not a heavy and sad one.
The story is told in both POV’s. I liked both characters very much. Both were gentle, patient, understanding and were there for each other but of course, pregnancy hormones and guilt for finding love again didn’t made everything easy. The second characters were again wonderful. I enjoyed this story.
Not far into Baby I’m Yours and I felt the love for this deliciously sexy, sweet, and heartfelt story. From the moment Harper and James met, I felt the electricity between them and was excited to delve into this story of a heartbroken widow and a down on her luck clothing designer.
Harper is one of those endearing characters that had me from the start. We met her as Caitie’s best friend in Just a Kiss, and even then I found her delightful. She’s pretty no no-nonsense and not given to hyperbole so when she declares that her place in James’ life couldn’t compare to what he had in the past I felt that nudge of worry that she may be right. As we get the story from both their perspectives, there were times that indicated James was stuck in a mindset that didn’t give way to a romantic connection between them, no matter the chemistry.
I loved how the author developed their relationship, that given time and the formation of friendship, they could co-parent their “ oopsie” baby. Elks shows the strong undercurrent of sexual tension between them which also allows them to connect on another level. Now, James doesn’t always handle his before and after life choices well, giving me a bit of anxiety. He’s clearly at odds with how he feels, and not facing it, not speaking his heart's desires has consequences.
One thing is for sure, Harper deserves the fairytale. She builds a business, and as she settles into Angel Sands, she grows her tribe. She fits perfectly in the community and leaves her past behind. James will need to learn this lesson himself. Elks delivers the moment of reckoning with gusto. If I could have reached through the pages and thump James in the forehead I would have. He certainly knows how to mess things up and how Harper reacts felt very right, justifiable and with grace.
Elks also gives her characters a wonderful second chance love story with a “…strange, ragtag family of three.” Beginning and I loved the lesson that James learns, that “…humans are capable of more love…” than he thought possible. This story made me cry both sad and ultimately happy tears. I can’t wait for a return to Angel Sands and to see this wonderful family again.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Harper and James both suffered losses in their lives. Harper was trying to overcome her deep issues with abandonment and James was struggling with the loss of his wife and son.
They both seemed to balance each other out when it came to bringing a little bit of light to their darkness. I really enjoyed the story but I just didn’t feel much of a connection to the characters. There were moments where they were a bit forgettable.
I thought it was a great story, but this wouldn’t be at the top of my recommendation list. If you come across it, definitely give it a read. You may find yourself falling in love with the characters or maybe just the story itself. Its a great read if you need a sweet endearing romance to fill your day.
How is this a romance book when there's NO romance?! Saying I love you with 8 pages left isn't romance. I hate when books explain every single little detail in every sentence. I also didn't like Harper, she seemed very immature and boring.
Harper hasn’t had an easy past and has never received the love and support that she deserves. When she reaches a crossroads in her life what better cure as she needs to make some life decisions then to spend some time Angel Sands with her best friend.
James has known the elation of love but he has also experienced the devastation of loss. He has no interest in love or relationships as he can’t bear that pain again but sometimes fate has other plans. Harper and James have an immediate chemistry and connection between them and they spend one steamy night together. When their night has unexpected consequences will they be able to find their way back to each other or is their relationship destined to end in heartbreak?
This is a heartwarming and heartbreaking story with all the feels. You can feel the pain that both Harper and James have felt due to the cards that life has dealt them and I don’t think that there are any two people more deserving of happiness and love.
An unplanned pregnancy by its very nature is filled with drama and angst. Add in the personal and family dramas and tragedies of Harper and James, and this pair have their very own soap opera worthy of daytime television. My heart hurt over the events that had led these two to each other. However, I rejoiced to see how this unexpected delivery was encouraging them both to heal from those old wounds. I loved seeing Harper’s innate belief in her own self worth. She’d been given so many reasons to doubt it, but she still stood strong in herself. James was on shakier ground. Eaten alive by survivor’s guilt, he hadn’t really been living. Now he has a reason to look forward to a brighter future, but can he trust in it or will he let the ghosts of his past stop him from embracing this new chance? As always, the ending is a sweet and fluffy as candy floss, and just as much fun. I’m already looking forward to my next visit to Angel Sands.
Det første ord, der falder mig ind at sige om denne bog, er: rørende. Jeg sad med tårer i øjnene, og nogle gange løb de ned ad kinderne, i store dele af bogen. Den store sorg og skyld, som James er ramt af, er virkelig hjerteskærende, men også forståelig. Hvordan kommer man videre efter sådan et tab? Derudover blev jeg også rørt af Harpers historie om hendes svære barndom. Man forstår, hvorfor de begge er så bange for at blive afvist og bange for at miste. Det er virkelig en bog, der niver i hjertet.
I Angel Sands er der et fantastisk sammenhold, selvom sladderen går hurtigt, tager de sig af hinanden. Sejrene og succeser fejres sammen, og der er altid en skulder at græde ud ved i tilfælde af nederlag eller tab. Jeg elsker, hvordan Harper og James hurtigt bliver en del af den store vennegruppe, som bl.a. tæller de par, som man kan læse eller har læst om i de forrige bøger. Alle bøgerne kan læses uafhængigt af hinanden, men som altid anbefaler jeg, at man læser dem i rækkefølge.
Jeg har læst seks bøger af Carrie Elks, og jeg har været vild med dem. Så jeg stiller mig nu forrest i køen, når der bliver oversat flere fra hendes hånd. På Goodreads står der, at hun skriver søde og sexede contemporary small town romancer, og mere præcist kan det ikke siges. Så hvis du er til den trope, så er det bare med at komme i gang.
One page 161 she said “Come on. Eat something. I’m starting to feel subconscious” ….. I think she meant self-conscious… or do we just blame that on pregnancy brain
*I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
To be completely honest, I felt like this book was longer than it should've been. Don't get me wrong, I loved the book and story but I just felt like it took a long time to get to the "good stuff".
Harper comes to Angel Sands to visit her best friend for a weekend and to attend an event. At this event, she meets a handsome man. They engage in a one night tryst without knowing each other's names or any other information. Thinking they would never see each other again, they part ways.
Fast forward about 2 months later, Harper realizes she is pregnant! At this time, everything in Harpers life seems to be going wrong. Aside from her unexpected pregnancy, she is also losing her job with no leads on another job. Her best friend convinces her to move to Angel Sands and live with her in the meantime.
De. James Tanner, having lost his wife and son in a tragic accident is just going through the motions of every day life. He still thinks about that one night he spent with the gorgeous woman with blonde hair with pink tips. Unexpectedly, she appears at the hospital he works at and is thrown for a loop! She tells him she needs to talk to him and reveals she is pregnant due to their one night together.
They both have their demons, James his sadness and guilt over losing his family and Harper, has always felt unwanted due to being abandoned by her mother at a young age and never feeling like she was good enough for the grandmother that raised her.
Can they both overcome their demons and be happy together which is something they both secretly desire?
Another great read, with lots of chemistry and hotness. This is a well written story and hooked me from the start.This is a quick hot read, with a interesting plot and fantastic characters, great emotion and Loads of steam!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Doctor James Tanner and Harper Hayes have one passionate night together, and boom, both needed comforted but are not ready for the end results . Oh how i loved this book its well and truly a tear jerker its a wonderful fifth book in the angel sands series and my favourite. So emotional that will touch your heart.
It’s like a 3.5. Extra cheesy, perfect book palette cleanse. Exactly what i needed from it. It’s a part of a larger series that i may or may not get around to reading. Very sweet story though.
Now hear me out! I usually avoid books where the characters have had intensely romantic relationships in the past- I like the impression of one true love! However, I decided to make an exception for this book, since it seemed so promising. And it did not disappoint!
It was the perfect blend of angst and romance. The duo had great chemistry and I honestly adore a read that includes supporting side characters with no ulterior motives.
I will admit, there were times I got slightly uncomfortable with the tragedy that haunted James- I even teared up during one scene. The idea of moving on three years after the death of your spouse does not appeal to me at all. But as I said, I went prepared with this book so I was able to (partially) ignore this bit.
Baby I'm Yours was also refreshing for me in some ways. I usually tend to read a lot of dark romances or novels that are smutty as hell (I love those too!), but it's nice to catch a break with a book that's gentle on your mind and has a more realistic take on life.
Overall , if you're a fan of accidental pregnancy tropes and a very cute romance in a small town? This book is definitely for you!
Read this because I can’t say no to a surprise pregnancy trope, which is shocking because I really don’t like children but there’s SOMETHING about a man being so protective over a pregnant woman that just hits so hard. Anyways, decent story, nice grovelling when he fucked up coz he forgot to tell his dead wife’s family he was having another kid. This gave me flashbacks of Ugly Love coz his wife and kid died in a car crash too. Anyways, the first smut scene which is basc when the child was conceived was FADE TO BLACK??? I almost ALMOST DNF’d coz what???? Anyways the smut was so mediocre I really don’t know why I finished this book.
I loved it up until James fcked up and touched Harper’s insecurities, which by the way hits too close to home. The way he groveled was also not satisfying. This is me as always wishing the heroine to not end up with the hero.
I just hate it when characters are too far their own world that they refuse to see their loved one’s fear. Even though there were lots of scenes in this book where he consoled Harper and he reassured her plenty of times but of course James has to be the one to hit her the most. He doesn’t deserve her. *sighs*
Read this after it popped up on tiktok as a “spicy accidental pregnancy” book. I love a good pregnancy and was pumped to read this. The spicy scenes were fade to black/jump to next day. Still a cute book just predictable and lost interest