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Her Boss's One-Night Baby
Her shocking Tokyo revelation:
She’s carrying his heir!
When innocent Hana Everly tumbled into the arms of her billionaire boss, Antonio Delacruz, she knew it would be for just one night. Then she discovers she’s pregnant! Hana knows the life this playboy leads. And it doesn’t include room for anyone else…
Abandoned as a baby, Antonio decided early in life he’d never become a father. So Hana’s bombshell, delivered among the cherry blossoms of Tokyo, seems impossible. But the undeniable proof awakens in Antonio a ruthless need to secure what’s his…
She’s carrying his heir!
When innocent Hana Everly tumbled into the arms of her billionaire boss, Antonio Delacruz, she knew it would be for just one night. Then she discovers she’s pregnant! Hana knows the life this playboy leads. And it doesn’t include room for anyone else…
Abandoned as a baby, Antonio decided early in life he’d never become a father. So Hana’s bombshell, delivered among the cherry blossoms of Tokyo, seems impossible. But the undeniable proof awakens in Antonio a ruthless need to secure what’s his…
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2020
About the author
Jennie Lucas
589 books337 followersJennie Lucas had a tragic beginning for any would-be writer: a very happy childhood. Her parents owned a bookstore, and she grew up surrounded by books, dreaming about faraway lands. Her mother read aloud to her in French when she was little; when she was ten, her father secretly paid her a dollar for every classic novel (Jane Eyre, War and Peace) that she read. As a chubby teenager, Jennie covered her bedroom with travel posters and always had her nose in a book.
At fifteen, she went to a Connecticut boarding school on scholarship. She took her first solo trip to Europe at sixteen, then put off college and traveled around the U.S., supporting herself with jobs as diverse as gas station cashier and newspaper advertising assistant.
At 22, she met the man who would be her husband. For the first time in her life, she wanted to stay in one place, as long as she could be with him. After their marriage, she graduated from Kent State University with a degree in English, and started writing books a year later.
Jennie was a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart contest in 2003 and won the award in 2005. A fellow 2003 finalist, Australian author Trish Morey, read Jennie’s writing and told her that she should write for Harlequin Presents. It seemed like too big a dream, but Jennie took a deep breath and went for it. A year later, after seven years of writing and eight finished manuscripts, Jennie got the magical call from London that turned her into a published author.
Since then, life has been hectic, juggling a writing career, a sexy husband and two young children, but Jennie loves her crazy, chaotic life. Who needs a clean house? Every day, Jennie gets swept into drama, glamour and passion. Now if she can only figure out how to pack up her family and live in all the places she’s writing about!
At fifteen, she went to a Connecticut boarding school on scholarship. She took her first solo trip to Europe at sixteen, then put off college and traveled around the U.S., supporting herself with jobs as diverse as gas station cashier and newspaper advertising assistant.
At 22, she met the man who would be her husband. For the first time in her life, she wanted to stay in one place, as long as she could be with him. After their marriage, she graduated from Kent State University with a degree in English, and started writing books a year later.
Jennie was a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart contest in 2003 and won the award in 2005. A fellow 2003 finalist, Australian author Trish Morey, read Jennie’s writing and told her that she should write for Harlequin Presents. It seemed like too big a dream, but Jennie took a deep breath and went for it. A year later, after seven years of writing and eight finished manuscripts, Jennie got the magical call from London that turned her into a published author.
Since then, life has been hectic, juggling a writing career, a sexy husband and two young children, but Jennie loves her crazy, chaotic life. Who needs a clean house? Every day, Jennie gets swept into drama, glamour and passion. Now if she can only figure out how to pack up her family and live in all the places she’s writing about!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
February 13, 2021
Two months ago, in Madrid, 26-year-old Hana Everly and her boss Antonio Delacruz (owner of CrossWorld Airways, who is 36) had a one-night stand. Antonio insisted that it only be for one night, and they would never refer to it again. But Hana has a surprise for Antonio… she is now pregnant…
This was a very enjoyable romance. I really loved the Japanese setting. Jennie Lucas did a good job bringing it to life. Antonio was a complete idiot when Hana told him she was pregnant and it took me a while to warm up to him since he was such a jerk. But after learning about his past, and as the story progressed, the ways he tried to make it up to Hana, I started to like him more. I really liked Hana. She was a lovely, sweet, and caring heroine with a lot of goodness in her heart. I liked how all of Antonio’s business partners admired Hana and valued her opinion about the business. I also liked Hana’s friend, Ren Tenaka.
Another wonderful read by Jennie Lucas.
This was a very enjoyable romance. I really loved the Japanese setting. Jennie Lucas did a good job bringing it to life. Antonio was a complete idiot when Hana told him she was pregnant and it took me a while to warm up to him since he was such a jerk. But after learning about his past, and as the story progressed, the ways he tried to make it up to Hana, I started to like him more. I really liked Hana. She was a lovely, sweet, and caring heroine with a lot of goodness in her heart. I liked how all of Antonio’s business partners admired Hana and valued her opinion about the business. I also liked Hana’s friend, Ren Tenaka.
Another wonderful read by Jennie Lucas.
February 2, 2020
“One night, nothing more. There will be no romance, no marriage. No consequences. Tomorrow you will be my assistant again, I your employer. Do you agree?”
Such a deal with the devil, and yet she’d whispered, “Yes.”
Hana would have agreed to anything then, when he’d had her spread across his bed, experiencing such intoxicating sensuality for the first time.
“Better shun the bait, than struggle in the snare. ”
― John Dryden ( Poet and literary critic )
It's sometimes said that people experience the greatest pain, after succumbing to life's ultimate forbidden temptations. Our MC's realize this, at the very beginning of the story, when the consequences of their forbidden passion, return to derail their congenial, but ( newly ) cold, business relationship.
This novel starts out with great angst and dramatic tension, when our heroine, Hana, agonizes over the unexpected result of her one time only/one night stand, with the 36 year old H, Antonio. She's been his trusty Executive Assistant for a few years and they'd managed to stifle their mutual lust, until one night when his attempts to comfort her, led to torrid lovemaking.
This is the heroine, Hana:
Her beauty was elusive and indefinable. All the attributes of her melting-pot American heritage combined into exquisite grace.
They'd agreed that their one night stand would not alter the nature of their business relationship. Antonio, who already knew that Hana affected him more than any other woman, had been determined to proceed as if that passionate night hadn't happened at all.
He'd even reverted to addressing her as *Miss Everly* and expected that she refer to him, only as *Mr. Delacruz*...
Anyway, yeah, our MC's are interacting with each other, in the most ridiculous, formal manner, as if Antonio had never seduced her and taken her virginity.
This is the H, Antonio:
...and his hard jaw was scruffy as he looked right through her with his searing dark eyes.
Antonio's world is shattered when Hana reveals that she's pregnant. He feels betrayed and assumes that she's just another golddigger who's trying to carve out a slice of his billionaire empire, for herself:
She’d set him up, hoping to take a nice juicy portion of his fortune. And Hana likely would have succeeded in her goal, except for a vital fact that she didn’t know.
He couldn’t have gotten her pregnant. It was physically impossible.
He, who'd gotten a vasectomy at the age of 18, congratulates her coldly before aggressively demanding the identity of the baby's father. This disastrous situation is caused by the MC's refusal to communicate sensibly, with each other.
She's shocked that he's implying she's been a promiscuous skank and he's infuriated that she's been ( allegedly ) banging ( at the least ) another guy, while he's been celibate after their one night stand.
It's truly a rather hilarious, trainwrecky miscommunication...
Antonio then fires her, in Tokyo, just before an important acquisition meeting. She, who's late maternal grandmother was Japanese, turns to her childhood pal, Ren Tanaka, for assistance. This guy's been in love with the heroine, all his life, so he's more than happy to come to her rescue.
Soon enough, the H comes to his senses and visits a doctor to find out if it's possible for him to impregnate a woman. After he learns that the vasectomy had corrected itself, he hastens to assure the heroine that he'll provide child support and do his duty. He doggedly warns that he's not the marrying, and doting daddy, kinda guy.
But this tune changes suddenly when his jealousy and alpha male possessiveness implode, after he encounters the doting, wannabe OM, Ren:
The two men glared at each other. Antonio itched to shove the other man aside.
He was shocked by his own rage. He’d never felt so possessive about any woman before.
But Hana was different.
And Antonio suddenly knew, with stunning clarity, that he’d never let Ren Tanaka—or any other man on earth—have her.
Because Hana Everly was his.
So, he begins an all out tactical, seductive assault on Hana's senses. He woos her with charming words, exquisite gifts and a sweet proposal of marriage. He even turns his back on his work responsibilities, to dedicate all his time to her.
Maybe his angel of goodness had taught this arrogant alpha dog an important lesson...
His conversion to chivalrous, debonair suitor even led him to forego the all important prenuptial agreement. It was a very significant concession, for a control freak like Antonio and it showed that he's willing to trust Hana, with his most important possession: his business.
After the honeymoon's over, however, things begin to sour because the H's brain becomes a stupid cesspool of suspicions. I guess he didn't realize that it's difficult to trust a spouse when the word *love* is forbidden in their marriage. Hana, in her naive attempts to work at his side and build *their* business, doesn't realize that he's feeling threatened and thinks that she'll divorce him and take half of his empire.
The marriage breaks down after he gives her a postnuptial contract, which she signs after telling him that she loves him. As usual, in HPlandia, the H's got a tragic backstory ( this time, as an abandoned orphan ) that mars his lifelong interpersonal relations with women. It's only after he meets his dying birth mother, that he finally capitulates and realizes that he needs to grovel and declare his love to his wife.
They get their adorable epilogue, with the heroine revealing that she's pregnant with twins. The H's filled with joy, because he loves being a doting daddy to their toddler daughter, Josie. It was also cute to see the rich, handsome and upstanding OM, Ren Tanaka, get his own HEA with a very nice young lady. I'd honestly felt a little sad for him, after the heroine had spurned his love to marry Antonio.
This was a very commendable and enjoyable start to 2020, for Jennie Lucas. It was great to read about sights of Tokyo and learn about a few interesting Japanese customs and beliefs.
Safety: No OW, a wannabe OM and both MC's are celibate during their short separation. On another note, I ought to mention that the H had dated a few OW during the time the heroine had been his executive assistant. The last one, named Madison, was mentioned. But the H wasn't dating anyone for the few months leading up to, and after, his one night stand, with the heroine. I wasn't too bothered by this information because the heroine hadn't been bothered since they'd just been employer and employee.
On another note: this is the first HP I've read since Harlequin changed over from the Bookshout app to a new app provider, named Glose. It's OK so far but I really hate the fact that it takes me about half a minute to copy and paste a quotation, from the app to my phone's notebook. On Bookshout, it had been easier because my phone would automatically prompt the notebook page and paste the quote.
This Glose app is more time consuming because I have to actually close the app, open my notebook and paste the quote. Then I have to re-open the app to continue reading the book 🙄🙄🙄. On Bookshout, all I had to do was to just click on the return page button to get back into the book.
Last month was also supremely exasperating, because some of Harlequin's new ebooks, including one I'd already bought, weren't opening for the entire month of January ! Harlequin had to actually go and place these ebooks as *unavailable* for the entire month of January. That was so freaking infuriating, even though they offered refunds ! I really hope that this doesn't ever happen with the Glose app.
Such a deal with the devil, and yet she’d whispered, “Yes.”
Hana would have agreed to anything then, when he’d had her spread across his bed, experiencing such intoxicating sensuality for the first time.
“Better shun the bait, than struggle in the snare. ”
― John Dryden ( Poet and literary critic )
It's sometimes said that people experience the greatest pain, after succumbing to life's ultimate forbidden temptations. Our MC's realize this, at the very beginning of the story, when the consequences of their forbidden passion, return to derail their congenial, but ( newly ) cold, business relationship.
This novel starts out with great angst and dramatic tension, when our heroine, Hana, agonizes over the unexpected result of her one time only/one night stand, with the 36 year old H, Antonio. She's been his trusty Executive Assistant for a few years and they'd managed to stifle their mutual lust, until one night when his attempts to comfort her, led to torrid lovemaking.
This is the heroine, Hana:
Her beauty was elusive and indefinable. All the attributes of her melting-pot American heritage combined into exquisite grace.
They'd agreed that their one night stand would not alter the nature of their business relationship. Antonio, who already knew that Hana affected him more than any other woman, had been determined to proceed as if that passionate night hadn't happened at all.
He'd even reverted to addressing her as *Miss Everly* and expected that she refer to him, only as *Mr. Delacruz*...
Anyway, yeah, our MC's are interacting with each other, in the most ridiculous, formal manner, as if Antonio had never seduced her and taken her virginity.
This is the H, Antonio:
...and his hard jaw was scruffy as he looked right through her with his searing dark eyes.
Antonio's world is shattered when Hana reveals that she's pregnant. He feels betrayed and assumes that she's just another golddigger who's trying to carve out a slice of his billionaire empire, for herself:
She’d set him up, hoping to take a nice juicy portion of his fortune. And Hana likely would have succeeded in her goal, except for a vital fact that she didn’t know.
He couldn’t have gotten her pregnant. It was physically impossible.
He, who'd gotten a vasectomy at the age of 18, congratulates her coldly before aggressively demanding the identity of the baby's father. This disastrous situation is caused by the MC's refusal to communicate sensibly, with each other.
She's shocked that he's implying she's been a promiscuous skank and he's infuriated that she's been ( allegedly ) banging ( at the least ) another guy, while he's been celibate after their one night stand.
It's truly a rather hilarious, trainwrecky miscommunication...
Antonio then fires her, in Tokyo, just before an important acquisition meeting. She, who's late maternal grandmother was Japanese, turns to her childhood pal, Ren Tanaka, for assistance. This guy's been in love with the heroine, all his life, so he's more than happy to come to her rescue.
Soon enough, the H comes to his senses and visits a doctor to find out if it's possible for him to impregnate a woman. After he learns that the vasectomy had corrected itself, he hastens to assure the heroine that he'll provide child support and do his duty. He doggedly warns that he's not the marrying, and doting daddy, kinda guy.
But this tune changes suddenly when his jealousy and alpha male possessiveness implode, after he encounters the doting, wannabe OM, Ren:
The two men glared at each other. Antonio itched to shove the other man aside.
He was shocked by his own rage. He’d never felt so possessive about any woman before.
But Hana was different.
And Antonio suddenly knew, with stunning clarity, that he’d never let Ren Tanaka—or any other man on earth—have her.
Because Hana Everly was his.
So, he begins an all out tactical, seductive assault on Hana's senses. He woos her with charming words, exquisite gifts and a sweet proposal of marriage. He even turns his back on his work responsibilities, to dedicate all his time to her.
Maybe his angel of goodness had taught this arrogant alpha dog an important lesson...
His conversion to chivalrous, debonair suitor even led him to forego the all important prenuptial agreement. It was a very significant concession, for a control freak like Antonio and it showed that he's willing to trust Hana, with his most important possession: his business.
After the honeymoon's over, however, things begin to sour because the H's brain becomes a stupid cesspool of suspicions. I guess he didn't realize that it's difficult to trust a spouse when the word *love* is forbidden in their marriage. Hana, in her naive attempts to work at his side and build *their* business, doesn't realize that he's feeling threatened and thinks that she'll divorce him and take half of his empire.
The marriage breaks down after he gives her a postnuptial contract, which she signs after telling him that she loves him. As usual, in HPlandia, the H's got a tragic backstory ( this time, as an abandoned orphan ) that mars his lifelong interpersonal relations with women. It's only after he meets his dying birth mother, that he finally capitulates and realizes that he needs to grovel and declare his love to his wife.
They get their adorable epilogue, with the heroine revealing that she's pregnant with twins. The H's filled with joy, because he loves being a doting daddy to their toddler daughter, Josie. It was also cute to see the rich, handsome and upstanding OM, Ren Tanaka, get his own HEA with a very nice young lady. I'd honestly felt a little sad for him, after the heroine had spurned his love to marry Antonio.
This was a very commendable and enjoyable start to 2020, for Jennie Lucas. It was great to read about sights of Tokyo and learn about a few interesting Japanese customs and beliefs.
Safety: No OW, a wannabe OM and both MC's are celibate during their short separation. On another note, I ought to mention that the H had dated a few OW during the time the heroine had been his executive assistant. The last one, named Madison, was mentioned. But the H wasn't dating anyone for the few months leading up to, and after, his one night stand, with the heroine. I wasn't too bothered by this information because the heroine hadn't been bothered since they'd just been employer and employee.
On another note: this is the first HP I've read since Harlequin changed over from the Bookshout app to a new app provider, named Glose. It's OK so far but I really hate the fact that it takes me about half a minute to copy and paste a quotation, from the app to my phone's notebook. On Bookshout, it had been easier because my phone would automatically prompt the notebook page and paste the quote.
This Glose app is more time consuming because I have to actually close the app, open my notebook and paste the quote. Then I have to re-open the app to continue reading the book 🙄🙄🙄. On Bookshout, all I had to do was to just click on the return page button to get back into the book.
Last month was also supremely exasperating, because some of Harlequin's new ebooks, including one I'd already bought, weren't opening for the entire month of January ! Harlequin had to actually go and place these ebooks as *unavailable* for the entire month of January. That was so freaking infuriating, even though they offered refunds ! I really hope that this doesn't ever happen with the Glose app.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2023
A lovely romance set in Tokyo and Madrid. I really liked main characters Hana and Antonio, but it was Hana's best friend, Ren Tanaka (who was in love with Hana) who really stood out to me. I kinda wished at times that she would've went for him. Still, a very enjoyable read.
February 9, 2020
Beautiful love story. Hero was so dark and broken but heroine loved him and healed him. I always love a good unplanned pregnancy story and JL always delivers. The angst was delicious. The hero was vulnerable and tortured because he had a really sad childhood and he was one ruthless alpha hero but our sweet heroine with her warmth and innocence redeemed him. Loved the other man and how he made our hero jealous. I adored the epilogue with their baby girl and pregnant heroine with twins! Heartwarming and super emotional story. JL is the best Harlequin Presents author out there no doubt about it!
February 10, 2020
I loved this one!!!
The hero was truly an ass..le,but he totally redeemed himself at the end.
PerfectH/h as they completely were each others'"one".
Lovely epilogue,I could see the Japanese cherry blossoms just blowing in the wind.The imagery that JL wrote of Japan took me there for an arm chair journey.
The hero was truly an ass..le,but he totally redeemed himself at the end.
PerfectH/h as they completely were each others'"one".
Lovely epilogue,I could see the Japanese cherry blossoms just blowing in the wind.The imagery that JL wrote of Japan took me there for an arm chair journey.
August 9, 2020
Beautiful story. I loved the Japanese setting and the patience and fortitude of the heroine. H/h have been working together for two years. They had a one-night stand, which resulted in the heroine's pregnancy.
Hero fires her and leaves her standing in the rain in Tokyo because he had a vasectomy at age 18 and thinks she's trying to trap him.
He does have a change of heart the same day and has himself checked out. Turns out he is fertile. Then he tracks down the heroine for some courtship (lots of sex and sightseeing).
This was all typical HP stuff until the heroine convinces him to fight for a contract and together they win it. This causes the hero to not only offer her marriage - but half of his company.
That is the grand gesture. Unfortunately that niggles at the hero for the next six months of their marriage. Can he trust her?
Heroine solves this dilemma in her own way - pushing the hero to confront his past. Hero's meeting with
Just a really nice story. Ivy has all the details in her spoiler review.
Hero fires her and leaves her standing in the rain in Tokyo because he had a vasectomy at age 18 and thinks she's trying to trap him.
He does have a change of heart the same day and has himself checked out. Turns out he is fertile. Then he tracks down the heroine for some courtship (lots of sex and sightseeing).
This was all typical HP stuff until the heroine convinces him to fight for a contract and together they win it. This causes the hero to not only offer her marriage - but half of his company.
That is the grand gesture. Unfortunately that niggles at the hero for the next six months of their marriage. Can he trust her?
Heroine solves this dilemma in her own way - pushing the hero to confront his past. Hero's meeting with
Just a really nice story. Ivy has all the details in her spoiler review.
February 12, 2020
Even H was not as mean as the other JL's heroes, it was nice read.
February 15, 2020
"Her Boss's One-Night Baby" is the story of Hana and Antonio.
Our h is the hardworking secretary to the ruthless tycoon H. She had been his shadow and confidante for long, until one night changed it all. The H had warned her that she should forget about it and move on. But how could she, when it had living consequences..
Her revelation to him- however- does not go well. He calls her a lying gold-digger and fires her. That is until the H comes to know a shocking truth about himself..
He soon makes hasty decisions in order to get his woman and unborn child. But with the humungous trust issues he has- will he ever let go and learn to love her?
Honestly, it was a fantastic angsty read. The H came from a really tough background and had much difficulty relying on anyone. His relationship with the h is complex and their situation after marriage is filled with many hurdles. There is some OM drama, but I really admired the h's perseverance as well as the H's eventual surrender.
Really loved the beautiful descriptions of Japan and its culture. Enjoyable and recommended!
SWE/Unsafe
4/5
Our h is the hardworking secretary to the ruthless tycoon H. She had been his shadow and confidante for long, until one night changed it all. The H had warned her that she should forget about it and move on. But how could she, when it had living consequences..
Her revelation to him- however- does not go well. He calls her a lying gold-digger and fires her. That is until the H comes to know a shocking truth about himself..
He soon makes hasty decisions in order to get his woman and unborn child. But with the humungous trust issues he has- will he ever let go and learn to love her?
Honestly, it was a fantastic angsty read. The H came from a really tough background and had much difficulty relying on anyone. His relationship with the h is complex and their situation after marriage is filled with many hurdles. There is some OM drama, but I really admired the h's perseverance as well as the H's eventual surrender.
Really loved the beautiful descriptions of Japan and its culture. Enjoyable and recommended!
SWE/Unsafe
4/5
June 6, 2020
Her shocking Tokyo revelation:
She's carrying his heir!
When innocent Hana Everly tumbled into the arms of her billionaire boss, Antonio Delacruz, she knew it would be for just one night. Then she discovers she's pregnant! Hana knows the life this playboy leads. And it doesn't include room for anyone else...
Abandoned as a baby, Antonio decided early in life he'd never become a father. So Hana's bombshell, delivered among the cherry blossoms of Tokyo, seems impossible. But the undeniable proof awakens in Antonio a ruthless need to secure what's his.
She's carrying his heir!
When innocent Hana Everly tumbled into the arms of her billionaire boss, Antonio Delacruz, she knew it would be for just one night. Then she discovers she's pregnant! Hana knows the life this playboy leads. And it doesn't include room for anyone else...
Abandoned as a baby, Antonio decided early in life he'd never become a father. So Hana's bombshell, delivered among the cherry blossoms of Tokyo, seems impossible. But the undeniable proof awakens in Antonio a ruthless need to secure what's his.
February 14, 2020
A lovely enjoyable read by one of my favorite authors ❤
March 28, 2020
The first time through I rated this four stars but after my second time through I had to lower it a star. There was not much to like about the menacing hero who was cruel, selfish, mean, despicable, cowardly and so afraid to love anyone including his wife and child. He was so negative towards family that at the age of eighteen he took precautions and had a vasectomy making certain he would never have a child. What was all this based on...assumptions, incorrect assumptions...that his mother/parents abandoned him as a baby and he was unloved and unwanted but he had no facts and was too cowardly to check out the story!!!! Nothing was as he thought it was! I found that very frustrating.
Let me start this off with a bang as our hero is getting ready to finally propose! 'You know I don't love you,' he said bluntly. What a sweet beginning to his marriage proposal!!! NOT!!!
This book was average or a bit below. It slowed down in the middle of the story but it finally picked back up. I didn't witness any romance or love and what I do acknowledge seeing was all one-sided with only the heroine brave enough to love an unlovable man.
The heroine has worked for the hero for two years. They have both been very attracted to the other but they kept it hidden pretty well. This hero had a vasectomy when he was eighteen-years-old and had no idea that as he was still a growing teen the surgery corrected itself. The heroine ends up pregnant but he doesn't believe it is his because of the sterilization. Of course, in his mind the heroine is nothing but a conniving, gold digging, cheater...until he seeks out a fertility specialist so he can show her the proof once and for all that there is no way this child could be his. Boy he was going to show her what was what. The surprise was on him. Doctor to hero....Surprise...surprise...surprise you are no longer sterile, sir. Congratulations on your healthy swimmers! They hit their intended mark. Congrats papa!
He has to eat his words and fills the heroine with all kinds of lies to get her to marry him then he doesn't carry out any of them, breaking, no crushing, her heart.
It is the same ole Harlequin excuses. Nobody loved me, no one wanted me. My mama abandoned me...and on and on it goes. So the hero is unable to love, trust or commit. He broke the h's heart so many times I grew weary of it. There was just so much negativity and heart-break throughout and she deserved none of it!
SAFETY
Hero was a man-whore but once intimate with the h he was celibate which was not in his nature.
Heroine a virgin. H was her one and only.
There was a friend of the h who was in love with her but she thought they were only friends. Nothing became of that.
Let me start this off with a bang as our hero is getting ready to finally propose! 'You know I don't love you,' he said bluntly. What a sweet beginning to his marriage proposal!!! NOT!!!
This book was average or a bit below. It slowed down in the middle of the story but it finally picked back up. I didn't witness any romance or love and what I do acknowledge seeing was all one-sided with only the heroine brave enough to love an unlovable man.
The heroine has worked for the hero for two years. They have both been very attracted to the other but they kept it hidden pretty well. This hero had a vasectomy when he was eighteen-years-old and had no idea that as he was still a growing teen the surgery corrected itself. The heroine ends up pregnant but he doesn't believe it is his because of the sterilization. Of course, in his mind the heroine is nothing but a conniving, gold digging, cheater...until he seeks out a fertility specialist so he can show her the proof once and for all that there is no way this child could be his. Boy he was going to show her what was what. The surprise was on him. Doctor to hero....Surprise...surprise...surprise you are no longer sterile, sir. Congratulations on your healthy swimmers! They hit their intended mark. Congrats papa!
He has to eat his words and fills the heroine with all kinds of lies to get her to marry him then he doesn't carry out any of them, breaking, no crushing, her heart.
It is the same ole Harlequin excuses. Nobody loved me, no one wanted me. My mama abandoned me...and on and on it goes. So the hero is unable to love, trust or commit. He broke the h's heart so many times I grew weary of it. There was just so much negativity and heart-break throughout and she deserved none of it!
SAFETY
Hero was a man-whore but once intimate with the h he was celibate which was not in his nature.
Heroine a virgin. H was her one and only.
There was a friend of the h who was in love with her but she thought they were only friends. Nothing became of that.
February 8, 2020
3 ½ Stars
Hana made the mistake of have a one night stand with her boss Antonio, with the understanding that the night in question was like Fight Club. You never talk about it. It didn’t happen. It doesn’t exist. Unfortunately for him there was solid proof that night happened cause he got her pregnant. Then he fired her. In the middle of Tokyo. On the street. In the rain.
Once Hana walked away from him, his common sense kicked in, he chased her down and made questionable promises to get her to marry him. Then did the HP guy thing and treated her like she was at fault and he was wronged.
The book is a good read, I just didn’t felt myself becoming bored. Halfway through, I didn’t really care if they worked their crap out or not. Pretty sure that’s a reflection on me. I need a break from HP’s. Overall, it wasn’t an awful read.
Hana made the mistake of have a one night stand with her boss Antonio, with the understanding that the night in question was like Fight Club. You never talk about it. It didn’t happen. It doesn’t exist. Unfortunately for him there was solid proof that night happened cause he got her pregnant. Then he fired her. In the middle of Tokyo. On the street. In the rain.
Once Hana walked away from him, his common sense kicked in, he chased her down and made questionable promises to get her to marry him. Then did the HP guy thing and treated her like she was at fault and he was wronged.
The book is a good read, I just didn’t felt myself becoming bored. Halfway through, I didn’t really care if they worked their crap out or not. Pretty sure that’s a reflection on me. I need a break from HP’s. Overall, it wasn’t an awful read.
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April 23, 2020The heroine's thoughts which sum up my thoughts
“No,” she protested. Love? Ridiculous. Knowing what she knew, she’d have to be the stupidest woman on earth, or the worst sort of masochist, to fall in love with Antonio, and she was neither.
I cheered at the heroine showing some gumption
You’re right,” she said in a low voice. “I do know you. It’s probably for the best you don’t want to be part of our baby’s life. You’d be a horrible father, and we both know it. And as a husband—” She rolled her eyes heavenward, as if there were no words.
Lovely imagery of Japan in the background while the Heroine rejects the Hero's "magnanimous" offer of being his mistress.
“Of course I do.” She looked again at the families picnicking in the April sunshine of the park, beneath the flowering cherry trees. “I want a man who will be my partner. A man who will help me build a home. Who will love our child and be there for us, every single day.” Her eyes focused on Antonio. “That man won’t be you.”
Hero' self realisation quite early in the book
“I can’t abandon you, or this baby,” he said in a low voice. “I might not have planned for this, but now it’s happened, I can’t leave my child to wonder, night after night, what flaw he could have possibly had from birth, that made him unworthy of a parent’s love, unworthy of family or home.”
A cute little epilogue rounds up the story
“No,” she protested. Love? Ridiculous. Knowing what she knew, she’d have to be the stupidest woman on earth, or the worst sort of masochist, to fall in love with Antonio, and she was neither.
I cheered at the heroine showing some gumption
You’re right,” she said in a low voice. “I do know you. It’s probably for the best you don’t want to be part of our baby’s life. You’d be a horrible father, and we both know it. And as a husband—” She rolled her eyes heavenward, as if there were no words.
Lovely imagery of Japan in the background while the Heroine rejects the Hero's "magnanimous" offer of being his mistress.
“Of course I do.” She looked again at the families picnicking in the April sunshine of the park, beneath the flowering cherry trees. “I want a man who will be my partner. A man who will help me build a home. Who will love our child and be there for us, every single day.” Her eyes focused on Antonio. “That man won’t be you.”
Hero' self realisation quite early in the book
“I can’t abandon you, or this baby,” he said in a low voice. “I might not have planned for this, but now it’s happened, I can’t leave my child to wonder, night after night, what flaw he could have possibly had from birth, that made him unworthy of a parent’s love, unworthy of family or home.”
A cute little epilogue rounds up the story
February 21, 2020
Not so bad for an HP. My 2 stars are more of my personal preference in a story. This one is too angsty and the h wasn’t a spit fire which tames down the story too much for my interest.
Hana has been an executive assistant to Antonio and as easy as it could be, she has fallen for her hot, alpha boss. They get their one-night and that has led to consequences. Hana reaches out to the boss but he’s livid and sends her packing. Even Antonio’s trusted body guard feels for Hana and speaks to Antonio to own up his 2 seconds of sin and face Hana.
Hana has since turned to her longtime childhood friend Ren, who is now seemingly in love with Hana. The 2 men meet and all of a sudden Antonio feels possessive towards Hana (rolling my eyes) after he’s publicly humiliated her in a bad way.
This book went downhill for me the instant Antonio starts sending gifts and flowers and candy to Hana’s hotel room. He even sends extremely expensive jewels (I’m assuming rubies and diamonds and such) which Hana refuses to accept. This whole display of his wealth seemed like a cheap circus to me. He could’ve been more tactical or classy in his way to make up to Hana.
Later he promises marriage but his words seemed fake to me and I wouldn’t take them for face value if I was Hana.
Personally I prefer a chase and hot banter between my mc’s. This book was totally lacking in that and I didn’t want Hana to accept the H and his mood swings. I do empathize with his b/g story of being raised in foster homes. But well. Nice epilogue with more babies!!
Hana has been an executive assistant to Antonio and as easy as it could be, she has fallen for her hot, alpha boss. They get their one-night and that has led to consequences. Hana reaches out to the boss but he’s livid and sends her packing. Even Antonio’s trusted body guard feels for Hana and speaks to Antonio to own up his 2 seconds of sin and face Hana.
Hana has since turned to her longtime childhood friend Ren, who is now seemingly in love with Hana. The 2 men meet and all of a sudden Antonio feels possessive towards Hana (rolling my eyes) after he’s publicly humiliated her in a bad way.
This book went downhill for me the instant Antonio starts sending gifts and flowers and candy to Hana’s hotel room. He even sends extremely expensive jewels (I’m assuming rubies and diamonds and such) which Hana refuses to accept. This whole display of his wealth seemed like a cheap circus to me. He could’ve been more tactical or classy in his way to make up to Hana.
Later he promises marriage but his words seemed fake to me and I wouldn’t take them for face value if I was Hana.
Personally I prefer a chase and hot banter between my mc’s. This book was totally lacking in that and I didn’t want Hana to accept the H and his mood swings. I do empathize with his b/g story of being raised in foster homes. But well. Nice epilogue with more babies!!
November 7, 2021
This was an excellent office romance that was not supposed to be a romance. Circumstances (unplanned pregnancy) changed the trajectory of what was supposed to be a no looking back, no mentioning of, and back to business as usual one night stand. If there wasn’t already some fabulous reviews out there(and if it wasn’t one of the last Fall sunny days in Michigan) I would spend more time writing this one up. Instead I will focus on the characters.
Ivy H has all the great details(and memes) to check out here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Stmargarets gives a quick overview of the story here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Heroine: Hana, 26 was a virgin til her one night with the boss. Hana is pretty, sweet, smart, loving, speaks multiple languages…basically she is the whole package. She is the Hero’s right hand gal, and her approach to business helps the hero who is less warm, not that he wasn’t a success without her. She definitely adds to his success. Some wanting to work with her instead of him(this causes some trust issues with the H) She has always wanted a place to call home, as her parents(both dead now) were hippy like in their approach to life. They were often neglectful of their daughter’s needs, and when she was left weeks at a time with her now deceased grandmother, she was able to get a taste of stability.
Hana sleeps with the boss. Hana gets pregnant. She blurts out that she is pregnant while they are getting ready to go into a big business meeting in Japan. (Only because he shut her down earlier when she tried to bring up “that” night. ) He tells her that she is lying(he had a vasectomy at 18) and she is fired(pretty sure that could be a lawsuit). He leaves her to go to the business meeting(which he later bungles because he needs her) Thank goodness her bff, Ren Tanaka lives nearby.
Hero, Antonio, is 36 he is damaged. He engages in meaningless affairs, never plans to marry, and obviously decided at a very young age that he didn’t want children. He has a sad backstory. He has been rejected throughout. The one thing he does excel at is business. The h has been the best assistant he has ever had. When he gets the news of the pregnancy he is angry that once again he has been taken in by someone he counted on. However, to his credit, he obviously did some listening to his heart(which he rarely does) and left the business meeting to seek out a Dr. The Dr. informed him that miracle of all miracles, his vasectomy reversed itself on its own. The H instantly goes to seek out the h. In order to secure her, he forgets himself and basically offers her the world..marriage, partnership, sex, a home, etc…. AND no prenup!!!!
I cheer, I cry, because even though both have stated love is an emotion they will do without, he has given her everything! No more angst here….(I look at the page count….I say a few choice words…there is still 1/2 a book to go, which means there is more to come!!!)
Basically, after the H secures the h. He realizes that he has put a lot on the line. He starts to retreat. He starts to retract…It takes the rest of the book for the h to keep loving him despite the way he is pushing back. Near the end she does have to employ some tough love tactics. She tells him she loves him, which he of course can’t handle. She gives him some hard truths. He tries to refute. In the end, he can’t help himself and he makes the needed changes to become a happier man. There is an epilogue as well. (YES!!!)
My only disappointment in the story was over Ren. He is the bff, om who loves the h. We do get to see how he is doing, I just wished he had his own story…I know some other reviewers have said the same.
He actually still could….it would be easy to write what happened to him as an angsty read.
Ivy H has all the great details(and memes) to check out here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Stmargarets gives a quick overview of the story here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Heroine: Hana, 26 was a virgin til her one night with the boss. Hana is pretty, sweet, smart, loving, speaks multiple languages…basically she is the whole package. She is the Hero’s right hand gal, and her approach to business helps the hero who is less warm, not that he wasn’t a success without her. She definitely adds to his success. Some wanting to work with her instead of him(this causes some trust issues with the H) She has always wanted a place to call home, as her parents(both dead now) were hippy like in their approach to life. They were often neglectful of their daughter’s needs, and when she was left weeks at a time with her now deceased grandmother, she was able to get a taste of stability.
Hana sleeps with the boss. Hana gets pregnant. She blurts out that she is pregnant while they are getting ready to go into a big business meeting in Japan. (Only because he shut her down earlier when she tried to bring up “that” night. ) He tells her that she is lying(he had a vasectomy at 18) and she is fired(pretty sure that could be a lawsuit). He leaves her to go to the business meeting(which he later bungles because he needs her) Thank goodness her bff, Ren Tanaka lives nearby.
Hero, Antonio, is 36 he is damaged. He engages in meaningless affairs, never plans to marry, and obviously decided at a very young age that he didn’t want children. He has a sad backstory. He has been rejected throughout. The one thing he does excel at is business. The h has been the best assistant he has ever had. When he gets the news of the pregnancy he is angry that once again he has been taken in by someone he counted on. However, to his credit, he obviously did some listening to his heart(which he rarely does) and left the business meeting to seek out a Dr. The Dr. informed him that miracle of all miracles, his vasectomy reversed itself on its own. The H instantly goes to seek out the h. In order to secure her, he forgets himself and basically offers her the world..marriage, partnership, sex, a home, etc…. AND no prenup!!!!
I cheer, I cry, because even though both have stated love is an emotion they will do without, he has given her everything! No more angst here….(I look at the page count….I say a few choice words…there is still 1/2 a book to go, which means there is more to come!!!)
Basically, after the H secures the h. He realizes that he has put a lot on the line. He starts to retreat. He starts to retract…It takes the rest of the book for the h to keep loving him despite the way he is pushing back. Near the end she does have to employ some tough love tactics. She tells him she loves him, which he of course can’t handle. She gives him some hard truths. He tries to refute. In the end, he can’t help himself and he makes the needed changes to become a happier man. There is an epilogue as well. (YES!!!)
My only disappointment in the story was over Ren. He is the bff, om who loves the h. We do get to see how he is doing, I just wished he had his own story…I know some other reviewers have said the same.
He actually still could….it would be easy to write what happened to him as an angsty read.
March 7, 2020
4.5.
Lovely. Well, not lovely, more like agonizingly distressing good.
Lovely. Well, not lovely, more like agonizingly distressing good.
August 15, 2020
Beautiful love story. Hanna worked with/ for Antonio. One night spent together, led to Hanna getting pregnant. Antonio didn’t think he could get anyone pregnant, so he was not very nice when she first told him. Antonio was left in a basket as an infant, and was raised by nuns. I think he would have been a better person if he had gone through counseling. He was broken inside. He worked hard, building his business from the bottom up. Hanna fell in love with her boss. She tried not to. She knew he never stayed with anyone longer than 6 months. I loved the way it was her love, that finally healed him.
I loved the Japanese setting, and the cheery trees. It sounded beautiful. Good story!
I loved the Japanese setting, and the cheery trees. It sounded beautiful. Good story!
October 8, 2020
This romance is well written and dramatic from a favourite author of mine. Usual Mills and Boon style (and title). I would have enjoyed it a bit more if the story had started when Hana began working for Antonio two years earlier, rather than having everything recapped in the first chapters (including their first night together). I prefer showing, rather than telling. I enjoyed their story apart from that though. Loved the ending! 💝
February 28, 2020
A new author for me and I really loved this story so I will be reading more of her.
Such an interesting and emotional relationship and so well developed. Antonio was so damaged that despite the fact he behaved so badly, I actually understood why. Hana was superb - I really empathised with her.
I recommend Ivy H’s review for a fabulous analysis of the story. I really recommend this book.
Such an interesting and emotional relationship and so well developed. Antonio was so damaged that despite the fact he behaved so badly, I actually understood why. Hana was superb - I really empathised with her.
I recommend Ivy H’s review for a fabulous analysis of the story. I really recommend this book.
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March 18, 2020DNF at page 100. It sounded like many usual billionaire romance so I skipped the rest and read the final chapter.
February 7, 2022
5 stars for the writing and bringing out the beauty of Japanese culture. I adored the concept of kintsugi. But...
March 8, 2021
My two complaints about the book are fairly petty: 1. Wish it had a less cheesy title, because it deserves a less cheesy title; 2.
Other than that, I really enjoyed this little Harlequin book! For one thing, although it had the sexy Spaniard hero, several parts of the story took place in Japan. That's rather refreshing! Sure, there was the requisite Caribbean island, and the Spanish palace, but it's clear that Jennie Lucas has a real appreciation for Japan. The concept of kintsugi is beautifully used throughout the story, and really resonated with me as a reader.
And I thought she did a good job of juxtaposition with the characters -- one is driven to run from what was wanted and never gotten, and the other is driven to aim for, and build, exactly that. There were fears on both sides, and it was nice to see the side characters impact them from their own experiences, both good and bad. Enjoyable characters, and I never felt they were acting bizarrely (as sometimes happens when an author needs additional drama or to tie-up loose ends). Thumbs up!
Other than that, I really enjoyed this little Harlequin book! For one thing, although it had the sexy Spaniard hero, several parts of the story took place in Japan. That's rather refreshing! Sure, there was the requisite Caribbean island, and the Spanish palace, but it's clear that Jennie Lucas has a real appreciation for Japan. The concept of kintsugi is beautifully used throughout the story, and really resonated with me as a reader.
And I thought she did a good job of juxtaposition with the characters -- one is driven to run from what was wanted and never gotten, and the other is driven to aim for, and build, exactly that. There were fears on both sides, and it was nice to see the side characters impact them from their own experiences, both good and bad. Enjoyable characters, and I never felt they were acting bizarrely (as sometimes happens when an author needs additional drama or to tie-up loose ends). Thumbs up!
November 24, 2022
It was ok, but I didn't like that for 2 years hero was drawn to the heroine but slept with countless other women. I understand he had a vasectomy and truly didn't believe he could have gotten her pregnant but How he reacted to her pregnancy was truly horrific, firing her and calling her a liar.
I liked the heroine and did feel bad how she was treated, however she had a strong sense of hernown self worth and wouldn't accept to just being his mistress. Wouldn't accept at any moment he could just drop her and only accepted him into her and unborn baby's lives when he asked her to marry him and be a true partner in his business.
Hero wasn't the worst, he actually took action immediately to see if his vasectomy was still preventing him from getting women pregnant, he realized his mistake and pursued her relentlessly. He did marry her and didn't treat her horribly until he had to face his fears (abandonment issues, loving and being loved). P.
*** With a failed vasectomy and having used condoms with heroine (like he does with all women) it makes me question how many children he has out there. More believable had he been so into heroine he forgot rather than having the same chance of having a baby with any other woman he was with.
I liked the heroine and did feel bad how she was treated, however she had a strong sense of hernown self worth and wouldn't accept to just being his mistress. Wouldn't accept at any moment he could just drop her and only accepted him into her and unborn baby's lives when he asked her to marry him and be a true partner in his business.
Hero wasn't the worst, he actually took action immediately to see if his vasectomy was still preventing him from getting women pregnant, he realized his mistake and pursued her relentlessly. He did marry her and didn't treat her horribly until he had to face his fears (abandonment issues, loving and being loved). P.
*** With a failed vasectomy and having used condoms with heroine (like he does with all women) it makes me question how many children he has out there. More believable had he been so into heroine he forgot rather than having the same chance of having a baby with any other woman he was with.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2021
I don't understand the good reviews lol. It's nicely written and that's why I gave it 2 stars, but the hero was too much of a major asshole to grovel that little. His assumptions about his parents and his childhood in the orphanage led him to be broken and I felt for him. But jesus christ, he was just so flip floppy. "I hate her, but I'm proud of her, but I should guard myself against her, but she's so beautiful." And even with all that, the heroine still loved him. I would've let his ass simmer for a bit with his," is it still too late" apology, you know after all the times I looked down on you and berated you and treated you like you weren't worthy of MY company. 😁 what a romance. I, too would fall in love with a guy who treated me like sh*t 🥰.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2021
“You’re my empire, Hana, You’re my soul.”
Really loved this story, such a good read. Antonio was truly & utterly broken but Hana never gave up on him. Thankfully, there was a lot of character development on Antonio's part. I loved their partnership and how he never saw himself as better than her. I love how she stood by him even when he was a bit of an asshole. The book was so well written, every word, letter by letter, said so much. The descriptions were so beautiful and you could truly feel the emotions of the characters, it made me feel a rollercoaster of emotions but it was so great and I can't wait to read it again and check out more of the authors works.
Really loved this story, such a good read. Antonio was truly & utterly broken but Hana never gave up on him. Thankfully, there was a lot of character development on Antonio's part. I loved their partnership and how he never saw himself as better than her. I love how she stood by him even when he was a bit of an asshole. The book was so well written, every word, letter by letter, said so much. The descriptions were so beautiful and you could truly feel the emotions of the characters, it made me feel a rollercoaster of emotions but it was so great and I can't wait to read it again and check out more of the authors works.
November 16, 2024
Love Conquers All
I absolutely loved this book! Antonio's journey is a rollercoaster of emotions as he grapples with his deep-seated fears of love, rooted in his painful abandonment by his parents. But then enters Hana, whose unwavering love and dream of a family ignite a spark in him. Through her determination and warmth, Antonio discovers that love isn't something to be feared—it's a powerful force to be embraced! It’s a heartwarming tale of overcoming the past and the transformative power of love.
I absolutely loved this book! Antonio's journey is a rollercoaster of emotions as he grapples with his deep-seated fears of love, rooted in his painful abandonment by his parents. But then enters Hana, whose unwavering love and dream of a family ignite a spark in him. Through her determination and warmth, Antonio discovers that love isn't something to be feared—it's a powerful force to be embraced! It’s a heartwarming tale of overcoming the past and the transformative power of love.
March 18, 2025
انطونيو حقير بس اعترافه بحب هانا في نص شارع شيبويا رومنسي 😆😆😆 استحيت ولله و حبيت عقلانيه هانا يا تحل مشاكلك يا تخسرني أنا و بنتي ولا امه اخخخ يا امه تحزن مره المهم كتاب حلو و لطيف مع انه البطل حقدت عليه و للمعلوميه فقط رين تاناكا لي!!! احبه اكثر جنتل مان في الحياه احبه اكثر من انطونيو
انطونيو&هانا
انطونيو&هانا
April 2, 2020
The book began very well. I like the scene where he left her after she said that she's pregnant. But later how hero constantly thought that heroine we'll leave him, betray him. After the first few of his monologs, it becomes so boring.
February 24, 2022
Wonderful story
This book is one of those books that you had to continue reading until you finished it. Loved all of the characters ❤ in this book. Jennie kept this book interesting,
This book is one of those books that you had to continue reading until you finished it. Loved all of the characters ❤ in this book. Jennie kept this book interesting,
April 6, 2022
I just finished this book and I don’t even know what to describes words to describe it in,it’s truly magical,romantic, interesting and breath taking.This has definitely one of my fave books.But also jennie truly is talented I have never been so interested and taking by a book
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