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Secret Love #1
Billionaire's Unexpected Baby
GQ good looks and a bazillion dollars –
Carter, my new charming hotel mogul boss.
When he expressed interest,
I knew I desperately needed to have a little fun.
But what if he finds out I’m pregnant with his baby?
You see, my parents abandoned me with my kid siblings.
Raising them was tough enough,
but then we lost the house.
I couldn’t roll over and give up.
The last thing I needed was romance.
Carter’s opening of a hotel in my little seaside town opened me to a job that wouldn’t run me into the ground.
The catch? I had to work for him,
and he was irresistible.
I shouldn’t be adding more to my plate,
but Carter was a fresh of breath air when I was suffocating.
Like fresh air, Carter revitalized me,
and I brought him something he never had — a total family experience.
Only I didn’t know how ‘total’ that experience would really be.
When Carter finds out about our accident, will he be ready?
Or will he run away?
Carter, my new charming hotel mogul boss.
When he expressed interest,
I knew I desperately needed to have a little fun.
But what if he finds out I’m pregnant with his baby?
You see, my parents abandoned me with my kid siblings.
Raising them was tough enough,
but then we lost the house.
I couldn’t roll over and give up.
The last thing I needed was romance.
Carter’s opening of a hotel in my little seaside town opened me to a job that wouldn’t run me into the ground.
The catch? I had to work for him,
and he was irresistible.
I shouldn’t be adding more to my plate,
but Carter was a fresh of breath air when I was suffocating.
Like fresh air, Carter revitalized me,
and I brought him something he never had — a total family experience.
Only I didn’t know how ‘total’ that experience would really be.
When Carter finds out about our accident, will he be ready?
Or will he run away?
- GenresRomance
189 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 16, 2021
499 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
January 30, 2021
I guess I’ll start with the fact that she just seemed perpetually peeved, until the end. She was always aggravated or mad at something. Then she was sort of happy. He was such an amazing guy taking on a already made family, he was always there for her, even Evan too. She seemed so needy, which is understandable to a point because of what she went through, but it always seemed to be something.
The whole writing style had me a little confused. It would be her chapter, she would be talking and then he would be talking at the same time and it took a minute to be like oh he’s talking now too in her perspective.
I didn’t feel any emotional connection with her and Carter, it was mostly just sexual, where as he was all in.
Then when the Epilogue hit, it was so abrupt. It just ended. Done. It was kind of weird.
The whole writing style had me a little confused. It would be her chapter, she would be talking and then he would be talking at the same time and it took a minute to be like oh he’s talking now too in her perspective.
I didn’t feel any emotional connection with her and Carter, it was mostly just sexual, where as he was all in.
Then when the Epilogue hit, it was so abrupt. It just ended. Done. It was kind of weird.
January 21, 2021
I absolutely hate when I am unable to honestly say that I loved a book. But I am forced to admit that I had to really push myself to finish this one.
The idea behind the story was a good one, but it was dragged out, and at times confusing. I got lost at one point, not knowing which character was saying what. I finally gave up and moved to the next chapter.
Carter was a manly man in bed, but a bit of a pushover the rest of the time. Maddy was always on the defensive, and often came off as a b**ch.
Even with an unexpected baby thrown in, neither is able to make firm, hard decisions. Was rather disappointed that it ended with a HFN, rather than a HEA, but not completely surprised.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The idea behind the story was a good one, but it was dragged out, and at times confusing. I got lost at one point, not knowing which character was saying what. I finally gave up and moved to the next chapter.
Carter was a manly man in bed, but a bit of a pushover the rest of the time. Maddy was always on the defensive, and often came off as a b**ch.
Even with an unexpected baby thrown in, neither is able to make firm, hard decisions. Was rather disappointed that it ended with a HFN, rather than a HEA, but not completely surprised.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 15, 2021
This was a cute small town romance featuring Madeline and Carter. Madeline always had a smile even though life dealt her some curve balls. After being abandoned by their parents she became guardian to her younger siblings. This forced her to work double shifts to provide for all of them Carter is the billionaire hotel mogul who opening a hotel in town. She catches his eye and their attraction is strong. This was a cute read that was hard to put down once I started. The characters are likable and the story is entertaining. The chemistry between Madeline and Carter is explosive. Plenty of drama as they deal with life. Some twists and a baby surprise. Does Carter decide that a family is what he's been lacking in his life? I read an advance copy via Booksprout and voluntarily chose to review it.
January 18, 2021
The storyline is great....
However, I feel like the author focused to much on some not really important stuff and not enough some important stuff. I also didn't care for the way the book ended!
The writing itself is good, and I think with some editing and an extension of the story it would be an amazing book!
However, I feel like the author focused to much on some not really important stuff and not enough some important stuff. I also didn't care for the way the book ended!
The writing itself is good, and I think with some editing and an extension of the story it would be an amazing book!
January 17, 2021
Life's Not Sh*tty—Sh*tty Things Happen in Life
Perhaps the strongest and most consistent influence in an individual’s life is family. So, if that family is led by, for any number of reasons, dysfunctional adults, it is the children who suffer, often being physically or emotionally scarred by their years of existing in such a challenging environment. Auburn haired and brown-eyed Madeline—Maddie—had grown up with all of her physical needs initially being met, but as time passed, it became obvious that her family—her mom and dad—lacked emotional stability, and, unfortunately, as time passed, her father’s prolonged work injury recovery and financial imprudence and her mom’s increasingly unstable emotional condition allowed the family’s dysfunctionality to rip away the public image of normalcy leaving Maddie and her younger siblings floundering.
Maddie’s mom’s emotional instability, over time, had begun to manifest itself in her mom’s obsessive desire to grow her family, so at 12, Maddie gained a clever baby brother, Michael; at 15, Maddie and 3-year-old Mikey received a sweet baby sister, Sophia. And, when Maddie was 22, her then 48-year-old mom insisted on another pregnancy despite her awareness of the medical challenges of such a late-in-life pregnancy. Labeled “high risk,” it was no surprise to anyone except the unstable mom when a 7-month-pregnancy ended in a miscarriage.
Unable to accept what fate and physical age had caused, Maddie’s mom and dad’s response was to leave. They simply packed their bags and departed, leaving a 22-year-old Maddie, an adult, but not fully able financially or emotionally to handle her parents’ desertion unless her dream of college was put aside to work and care for her younger siblings. So, she took on double shifts at the local seafood restaurant, House on the Pier, where she had begun working when she was 16, following her dad’s work injury. She put her educational dreams aside and became a parent—adopting her siblings, becoming their primary caregiver and source of financial support. When the bank foreclosed on their house, she moved the family to an apartment, sought therapy sessions for her siblings, and began working double shifts to provide for their daily needs of shelter, food and clothing.
Now, after 2 years of managing on her own, her employment at House on the Pier, is being threatened. Her boss, Benny, is becoming more and more abusive and unreasonable in his work demands of her. And so, while he threatens loud and often to fire her, she is the most experienced member of the wait-staff that the 2-star Michelin restaurant has. So, when the private dining room is booked for the exploratory development meeting of Carter Weston, heir of an international hotel enterprise and his best friend and business partner Evan, to scope out the logistics of establishing a boutique hotel in the Rhode Island ocean town, Benny assigns Maddie to handle the needs of the private room’s dining needs, despite her exhaustion and hunger at the end of an already long and tiring shift.
When Carter takes notice of Maddie, her beauty, her pleasant disposition despite her unpleasant working conditions and her sharp intelligence and knowledge of her community, he conceives of the idea of contracting her to act as a consultant to advise him and Evan about the potential of establishing one of their brand boutique hotels in her hometown. He would do just about anything to have the opportunity to spend time with this amazingly dynamic woman.
Nikki Bloom entices her characters and readers to take a chance on love. The reader is caught in the apparently “lucky” fated circumstances that bring the characters together. Bloom ratchets up the tension as sexual, business and family ties get intertwined with the unknown complications of life and fate. While I generally enjoy a Bloom romance, I found the emotional meltdowns of Maddie stressful creating fear that she was headed down the same path mental health challenges of her mother. And, the relationship of Maddie and Carter seemed fuzzy, creating a reading confusion that was not enjoyable or helpful to the progress of the storyline. I felt that another edit to tighten the plot and to clean up storylines would have been helpful for reading clarity.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review ARCS, but I enjoyed the reading experience so much that I bought a copy for my "read-again" titles.
Perhaps the strongest and most consistent influence in an individual’s life is family. So, if that family is led by, for any number of reasons, dysfunctional adults, it is the children who suffer, often being physically or emotionally scarred by their years of existing in such a challenging environment. Auburn haired and brown-eyed Madeline—Maddie—had grown up with all of her physical needs initially being met, but as time passed, it became obvious that her family—her mom and dad—lacked emotional stability, and, unfortunately, as time passed, her father’s prolonged work injury recovery and financial imprudence and her mom’s increasingly unstable emotional condition allowed the family’s dysfunctionality to rip away the public image of normalcy leaving Maddie and her younger siblings floundering.
Maddie’s mom’s emotional instability, over time, had begun to manifest itself in her mom’s obsessive desire to grow her family, so at 12, Maddie gained a clever baby brother, Michael; at 15, Maddie and 3-year-old Mikey received a sweet baby sister, Sophia. And, when Maddie was 22, her then 48-year-old mom insisted on another pregnancy despite her awareness of the medical challenges of such a late-in-life pregnancy. Labeled “high risk,” it was no surprise to anyone except the unstable mom when a 7-month-pregnancy ended in a miscarriage.
Unable to accept what fate and physical age had caused, Maddie’s mom and dad’s response was to leave. They simply packed their bags and departed, leaving a 22-year-old Maddie, an adult, but not fully able financially or emotionally to handle her parents’ desertion unless her dream of college was put aside to work and care for her younger siblings. So, she took on double shifts at the local seafood restaurant, House on the Pier, where she had begun working when she was 16, following her dad’s work injury. She put her educational dreams aside and became a parent—adopting her siblings, becoming their primary caregiver and source of financial support. When the bank foreclosed on their house, she moved the family to an apartment, sought therapy sessions for her siblings, and began working double shifts to provide for their daily needs of shelter, food and clothing.
Now, after 2 years of managing on her own, her employment at House on the Pier, is being threatened. Her boss, Benny, is becoming more and more abusive and unreasonable in his work demands of her. And so, while he threatens loud and often to fire her, she is the most experienced member of the wait-staff that the 2-star Michelin restaurant has. So, when the private dining room is booked for the exploratory development meeting of Carter Weston, heir of an international hotel enterprise and his best friend and business partner Evan, to scope out the logistics of establishing a boutique hotel in the Rhode Island ocean town, Benny assigns Maddie to handle the needs of the private room’s dining needs, despite her exhaustion and hunger at the end of an already long and tiring shift.
When Carter takes notice of Maddie, her beauty, her pleasant disposition despite her unpleasant working conditions and her sharp intelligence and knowledge of her community, he conceives of the idea of contracting her to act as a consultant to advise him and Evan about the potential of establishing one of their brand boutique hotels in her hometown. He would do just about anything to have the opportunity to spend time with this amazingly dynamic woman.
Nikki Bloom entices her characters and readers to take a chance on love. The reader is caught in the apparently “lucky” fated circumstances that bring the characters together. Bloom ratchets up the tension as sexual, business and family ties get intertwined with the unknown complications of life and fate. While I generally enjoy a Bloom romance, I found the emotional meltdowns of Maddie stressful creating fear that she was headed down the same path mental health challenges of her mother. And, the relationship of Maddie and Carter seemed fuzzy, creating a reading confusion that was not enjoyable or helpful to the progress of the storyline. I felt that another edit to tighten the plot and to clean up storylines would have been helpful for reading clarity.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review ARCS, but I enjoyed the reading experience so much that I bought a copy for my "read-again" titles.
January 18, 2021
This is a challenging review to write. I enjoyed the author’s writing style, I just wish she had given us a bit more in certain areas of the story.
I think the author was intending this to be a suspenseful romance and the end result wasn’t exactly suspenseful or romantic. The characters have chemistry and attraction, but they but heads and argue through a majority of the book except for a few scenes where they are having sex. The heroine, Alisha, is a headstrong young woman who knows what she wants and isn’t willing to listen to anyone else or discuss things. Everything he says she finds fault with and rebels against. He is a bit clueless, but willing to make an effort and his attempts set her of time and time again. He doesn’t seem to learn to try a different approach.
The investigation into the smuggling is a definite theme in the book, but we don’t really see these characters doing much investigating. They go on two stakeouts and then go on the run with a kidnapped victims 8 month old daughter. They end up holed up in a house in the suburbs for a few days and then they are able to solve the kidnapping. The suspense element isn’t really built up, and the reader isn’t invested in what happens with that part of the story.
I continued reading mostly because I wanted to see how the story ended out of curiosity. I feel like this had so much potential and the blurb really caught my attention making me really want to read this story. Unfortunately this was only a 3.5 star read.
The epilogue was good, but it actually proved my point. We see connections with secondary characters that happened between when the story stops and the jump into 8 months in the future after more story took place ‘off screen.’ I enjoy books much more thoroughly when the author is able to show me what happened versus telling me what happened.
I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I think the author was intending this to be a suspenseful romance and the end result wasn’t exactly suspenseful or romantic. The characters have chemistry and attraction, but they but heads and argue through a majority of the book except for a few scenes where they are having sex. The heroine, Alisha, is a headstrong young woman who knows what she wants and isn’t willing to listen to anyone else or discuss things. Everything he says she finds fault with and rebels against. He is a bit clueless, but willing to make an effort and his attempts set her of time and time again. He doesn’t seem to learn to try a different approach.
The investigation into the smuggling is a definite theme in the book, but we don’t really see these characters doing much investigating. They go on two stakeouts and then go on the run with a kidnapped victims 8 month old daughter. They end up holed up in a house in the suburbs for a few days and then they are able to solve the kidnapping. The suspense element isn’t really built up, and the reader isn’t invested in what happens with that part of the story.
I continued reading mostly because I wanted to see how the story ended out of curiosity. I feel like this had so much potential and the blurb really caught my attention making me really want to read this story. Unfortunately this was only a 3.5 star read.
The epilogue was good, but it actually proved my point. We see connections with secondary characters that happened between when the story stops and the jump into 8 months in the future after more story took place ‘off screen.’ I enjoy books much more thoroughly when the author is able to show me what happened versus telling me what happened.
I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 13, 2021
Madeline age 24 has been a waitress at "World Famous" House on the Pier for 8 years. Her best friend since second grade, Savannah also works there. Their plan was to move in together, go to college and then start a business but for Madeline that plan changed at age 22 when she ended up getting custody and adopting her brother and sister ages 10 and 7, after her parents disappeared.
Working double shifts and once again butting heads with her boss, she is told to handle this group of extremely important people who are looking to build a hotel across from the restaurant. Carter Weston, owner of a multi-billion-dollar hospitality company is none too happy that Madeline is forced to stand in the corner of the room so he insists she sits at the table with them and asks her about building the hotel in the resort town.
The next day as Carter and Evan, his business partner are walking back to their place they are about to be run over by a kid on a skateboard who turns out to be Michael, Madeline's brother. Carter was hoping to get Madeline's number and see if they could hang out while he was in town and he offered to hire her to be a demographic consultant to help them get more info on the town.
The more time they spend together the closer they become and even Carter is helping Madeline with her siblings and then one day she loses it and has a breakdown. Will this push Carter away? What happens to the kids?
This book deals with several different issues but I thought it was handled well.
I received an ARC for my honest review.
4 stars
Working double shifts and once again butting heads with her boss, she is told to handle this group of extremely important people who are looking to build a hotel across from the restaurant. Carter Weston, owner of a multi-billion-dollar hospitality company is none too happy that Madeline is forced to stand in the corner of the room so he insists she sits at the table with them and asks her about building the hotel in the resort town.
The next day as Carter and Evan, his business partner are walking back to their place they are about to be run over by a kid on a skateboard who turns out to be Michael, Madeline's brother. Carter was hoping to get Madeline's number and see if they could hang out while he was in town and he offered to hire her to be a demographic consultant to help them get more info on the town.
The more time they spend together the closer they become and even Carter is helping Madeline with her siblings and then one day she loses it and has a breakdown. Will this push Carter away? What happens to the kids?
This book deals with several different issues but I thought it was handled well.
I received an ARC for my honest review.
4 stars
June 16, 2021
This book was ok. There wasn't much to it. I do believe that there is a lot of potential here, but it came out as mediocre.
For starters, I thought that the pregnancy would play a bigger role. I thought it would set off the whole story, but it felt like a little thing. For the most part, I got lost when someone was talking. With the way it was written, it was hard to distinguish whether it was Madeline or Carter talking. I had to go back a few times to make sure I understood who was speaking. It could be that I'm just a lil incompetent, or I'm not in the right head space, but it was hard at times. At the beginning of the book, I really thought that I was going to like this book. I thought it was a great buffer from the other books I'm reading. It just set off a lot of expectations, but they didn't meet them.
Though there were a lot of things I wasn't a fan of, there are a few things I liked. I liked how Maddy wasn't afraid to fight back with her boss. She called him out on his BS, so props to her for that. I really liked Evan's character. Though he played a tiny role, I liked how he spent time with Michael and Sophie, how he explained things to them to make them understand the situation, etc. I didn't dislike Carter, but he was pretty bland to me. I thought it was cute how he stepped up, but also gave her space to decide.
Overall, it was ok. It took me a long time to read such a short book, which says a lot. I didn't vibe with it as much as I thought I would, but you can't like every book out there.
For starters, I thought that the pregnancy would play a bigger role. I thought it would set off the whole story, but it felt like a little thing. For the most part, I got lost when someone was talking. With the way it was written, it was hard to distinguish whether it was Madeline or Carter talking. I had to go back a few times to make sure I understood who was speaking. It could be that I'm just a lil incompetent, or I'm not in the right head space, but it was hard at times. At the beginning of the book, I really thought that I was going to like this book. I thought it was a great buffer from the other books I'm reading. It just set off a lot of expectations, but they didn't meet them.
Though there were a lot of things I wasn't a fan of, there are a few things I liked. I liked how Maddy wasn't afraid to fight back with her boss. She called him out on his BS, so props to her for that. I really liked Evan's character. Though he played a tiny role, I liked how he spent time with Michael and Sophie, how he explained things to them to make them understand the situation, etc. I didn't dislike Carter, but he was pretty bland to me. I thought it was cute how he stepped up, but also gave her space to decide.
Overall, it was ok. It took me a long time to read such a short book, which says a lot. I didn't vibe with it as much as I thought I would, but you can't like every book out there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2021
I received a free ARC copy in exchange for my honest review. This is my own opinion and was not influenced by anyone.
Madeline has not had an easy time of it. Her parents walked out on her leaving her young brother, Michael and sister, Sophia in her care. She has been working double shifts as a waitress just to afford the necessities for them. Her boss knows she needs her job and uses her to do whatever he wants at work, giving her the crappiest jobs.
Carter Weston comes from a life of privilege. He arrives at the seaside town looking to build hotel. At a restaurant for a meeting he meets Madeline. Throughout the night he finds every reason to talk with her and instantly he is interested.
The more Carter's interest in Madeline grows the more complicated their relationship becomes due to Sophia and Michael. Carter's best friend and partner Evan can relate to Madeline's struggle. She reminds him of his mother. She struggled to raise him and his siblings with very little money.
While Carter and Madeline had some chemistry, I didn't see them as a couple. Carter definitely seemed invested but Madeline not so much. In my opinion the plot didn't have enough tension to keep my attention. I am not sure whether I will continue the series.
Madeline has not had an easy time of it. Her parents walked out on her leaving her young brother, Michael and sister, Sophia in her care. She has been working double shifts as a waitress just to afford the necessities for them. Her boss knows she needs her job and uses her to do whatever he wants at work, giving her the crappiest jobs.
Carter Weston comes from a life of privilege. He arrives at the seaside town looking to build hotel. At a restaurant for a meeting he meets Madeline. Throughout the night he finds every reason to talk with her and instantly he is interested.
The more Carter's interest in Madeline grows the more complicated their relationship becomes due to Sophia and Michael. Carter's best friend and partner Evan can relate to Madeline's struggle. She reminds him of his mother. She struggled to raise him and his siblings with very little money.
While Carter and Madeline had some chemistry, I didn't see them as a couple. Carter definitely seemed invested but Madeline not so much. In my opinion the plot didn't have enough tension to keep my attention. I am not sure whether I will continue the series.
January 19, 2021
This book brought out so many emotions sadness, grief, anger, betrayal, hate, love, but forgiveness is a hard one to let go of that anyone would feel when left to raise your siblings after your parents walked out. This is Madeleines life and she works very hard to look after her brother Michael and sister Sophie and doesn’t take it out on them at all because it’s not there fault but when can she have something for herself it’s been too long and while working a spilt shift she meets a man while serving him and two others and what a very hot and attractive man he is and she wishes they could be with him and now they cannot stop looking at each other. Carter Weston is having a business meeting and while there he sees an amazingly attractive woman and wants to get to know her better and she agrees and after some amazing days and nights together can they have a future together when they come from different worlds, he has money she does not but she has siblings to look after so when she finds herself pregnant how will everyone react to the baby news and what does the future hold.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 16, 2021
I like this book but I had a hard getting involved in the characters. Madeline has a hard row to hoe. Her parents flaked on her and her two siblings. I thought maybe a little more development around that part of the story would have helped. Madeline is working double shifts as a waitress with a boss that is a jerk. She waits on Carter and his group one night and Carter thinks she would be a good temporary distraction. It turns into much more from that as Carter and Maddy get close. Maddy is about at the end of her rope with her boss and her job. She announces to Carter that she is pregnant and is very reluctant to keep the baby. I thought this turn in the story was a little abrupt. Carter is a good guy and wants the baby. He wins Maddy over and works on making a life with her and her brother and sister. The story line transitions were a little abrupt but it was a good read with a HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 20, 2021
This is a steamy, hot book, but is also a highly emotional one. It really tugged on my heart strings. Madeline has been caring for her little brother and little sister, because their parents just up and left one day, and has never come back. She works double shifts as a waitress to take care of them. Carter is a billionaire that builds and owns hotels all over the world. Very two different people, but they do have a strong connection. Then an unplanned pregnancy happens. I did have a couple issues with the book, that I want to get out of the way first. One is that Madeline never really looked for her parents. The other is, who tells two young children that you are having a baby before you even know if you are going to keep it? I got over them though, and just enjoyed the book anyway. It is a wonderful story, so I do recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout, and also purchased a copy, and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout, and also purchased a copy, and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 8, 2021
Cute but needs details.
Take it for what it is.
I truly did enjoy this story however I’m a bit confused on the ending. I would of liked a bit more details. You never truly find out what happened to her parents, you never meet anyone else including his parents. Although she put her life on hold for her siblings I did think she was very immature and a tad selfish. I also didn’t like the toxic attitude she carried. She kept blaming it on her boss yet that doesn’t excuse her fighting with her younger sister?
We don’t find out any details towards her pregnancy. We don’t find out any further details about the hotel. It would of been incredible if there was more details. I have so many questions unanswered.
What happened to her parents? The hotel? What gender was the baby? Did they ever build their house? Both their families. They brought up her family a few times yet we never seen anything happen with that nor did we find out what happened between her aunt and mother
Take it for what it is.
I truly did enjoy this story however I’m a bit confused on the ending. I would of liked a bit more details. You never truly find out what happened to her parents, you never meet anyone else including his parents. Although she put her life on hold for her siblings I did think she was very immature and a tad selfish. I also didn’t like the toxic attitude she carried. She kept blaming it on her boss yet that doesn’t excuse her fighting with her younger sister?
We don’t find out any details towards her pregnancy. We don’t find out any further details about the hotel. It would of been incredible if there was more details. I have so many questions unanswered.
What happened to her parents? The hotel? What gender was the baby? Did they ever build their house? Both their families. They brought up her family a few times yet we never seen anything happen with that nor did we find out what happened between her aunt and mother
February 18, 2021
I think the cover in the title are a bit misleading. They gave the reading impression that it’s going to be one of those disturbing alpha male stories. At least I find them unsettling. Yes Carter is a billionaire, but he’s not a money flinging asshole. I like that he’s not a chest thumping guy who just doesn’t listen to Madeline‘s thoughts or concerns or ideas. Also, in some of the other reviews people complain about how the story ended. They seem to be upset that it comes off more as a happy for now than a happily ever after ending. I don’t think that’s quite right. Nothing about the ending indicates that they will eventually end up apart, they just aren’t quickly married were rushing some sort of bigger, grander commitment. And overall, even though the resolution at the end of the story came sort of quickly, I think that the end of the story is more realistic then a lot of stories of this type. That being said I don’t know if it’s really how this would pan out in reality.
January 18, 2021
Madeline is a waitress struggling to raise and support her siblings on her own. She meets Carter when he and some business associates come to her work for a business dinner. They like her help and don't like how her boss treats her. The next day Madeline and Carter run into each other when she's out with her siblings. Its the start of something between them. Carter is drawn to Madeline because she sees him and not what he has. However things get complicate when she finds out that she's pregnant. Can they move on to somethin permanent together? Or will this end them?
This is a great story that will captivate you from beginning to end. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a great story that will captivate you from beginning to end. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 18, 2021
I liked this book but there was just something missing. Madeline is raising her two younger siblings after their parents disappeared on them. They lost the house they grew up in and Madeline is having to work double shifts as a waitress just to support the three of them. One evening, her jerk of a boss has her wait on a private party, which is where she meets Cole. He is in town to oversee the building of a new hotel. They decide to have a mutually beneficial fling while he’s in town. Before you know it, it turns into something more. I think this is where I have the problem with this book. They were having a fling and then, boom, they were more. Very little build up to their permanent relationship. Overall, it wasn’t a bad book, just not one of this author’s best.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 4, 2023
A few things didn’t sit right with me while reading this book.
1. There’s a a few moments of repaying the same word with multiple characters and it felt like the author found a word they wanted to use and showed it off.
2. Many people were murmuring or mumbling their thoughts out loud throughout the book. It got annoying that people kept saying their private thoughts out loud but very very quietly.
3. The two characters hardly discuss protective measures during sex which makes their surprise pregnancy less surprising. Carter asks Maddie if she’s on birth control, she is, great. But he isn’t shown as putting on a condom or even discussing going no-condom before they have sex. Just “are you on BC? Great, I’m going in raw.” It took me out of the story when that happened and I was annoyed the two were surprised that she got pregnant later on.
1. There’s a a few moments of repaying the same word with multiple characters and it felt like the author found a word they wanted to use and showed it off.
2. Many people were murmuring or mumbling their thoughts out loud throughout the book. It got annoying that people kept saying their private thoughts out loud but very very quietly.
3. The two characters hardly discuss protective measures during sex which makes their surprise pregnancy less surprising. Carter asks Maddie if she’s on birth control, she is, great. But he isn’t shown as putting on a condom or even discussing going no-condom before they have sex. Just “are you on BC? Great, I’m going in raw.” It took me out of the story when that happened and I was annoyed the two were surprised that she got pregnant later on.
January 13, 2021
It was instant chemistry for Carter the businessman who came into the restaurant to discuss a business proposition and Madeline is the server who wears a smile no matter how tired and stressed she is. No matter she served the patrons with a smile. Carter learns she is pseudo mom to her young siblings Sophia and Michael. Before long he finds understanding time with both of them and things get even more serious when Madeline finds out she's pregnant. Madeline and her siblings are working through the damage her parents have left but being with Carter may just be the thing they need to show them that not everyone leaves. That they are worthy of being wanted and loved.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 16, 2021
I absolutely fell in love with this romance and couldn’t stop reading until I reach the last page, the relationship between Carter and Madeline is one of my favorite. I love the complexity of the characters, Madeline was driving me crazy & Carter who is the sweetest clueless guy ever but he get on the wagon pretty fast. An unbelievably complicated love story with 2 beautiful children that will make you laugh & other time leave you near tears, it will keep you intrigued waiting to see what happens next. I really really recommended it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 16, 2021
Something is missing
2.5
The stoy is pretty good, with enough to make a story full of twists, but between the title that says too much and an ending that left me puzzled, I was disappointed. In addition, there are several ellipses that could have made it possible to better understand the development of feelings if they had been developed, and I had the impression that subjects started, whether it is relationships in the family or work, had been abandoned or had no conclusion.
I thought it was a shame because the characters had real character, and I immediately empathized with them.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
2.5
The stoy is pretty good, with enough to make a story full of twists, but between the title that says too much and an ending that left me puzzled, I was disappointed. In addition, there are several ellipses that could have made it possible to better understand the development of feelings if they had been developed, and I had the impression that subjects started, whether it is relationships in the family or work, had been abandoned or had no conclusion.
I thought it was a shame because the characters had real character, and I immediately empathized with them.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
January 20, 2021
I thought this book was great. The writing was fantastic the storyline was solid, the characters were great. This book kept me interested and engaged the entire time. Madeline works double shifts to keep her and her siblings fed and housed, their parents left them with no word. Then she meets billionaire Carter and it is an instant attraction but Madeline does come with a ready made family. Carter gets the whole family experience and even more when there is a surprise pregnancy. I thought this is a great story and it was a little emotional. Loved it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 12, 2021
Such an endearing story. Madeline and her younger siblings having been abandoned by their parents struggle to make ends meet. Madeline works in a restaurant and serves Carter and his best friend, Evan during a private meeting. Carter finds himself instantly attracted to Madeline but she is wary about any involvement as she needs to make her siblings her priority. But they do agree to have a fling for the summer. Eventually Carter and Madeline grow closer and Evan also gets close to Mikey and Sophia as he can identify with their difficult childhood. The storyline was great although difficult to know who was speaking the dialogue at times. The ending was a bit abrupt too.
January 16, 2021
Ugh, this book was sooooo good! Once I started I just couldn’t put it down. Carter & Madeline are just so perfect for one another. I’m pretty sure most servers have had a fantasy of meeting someone amazing while working, but it rarely happens. Nikki has a way of making her books always feel like true stories, but more like, this would never happen but if it did. This book will make you believe in happily ever afters, so you definitely need to read it!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 17, 2021
This is a good romantic story, Madeline's life hasn't been easy for the last couple of years but she is fighting and trying her best to take care of her younger siblings. Carter is opening a new hotel in her hometown. The two meet and sparks fly, things heat up and they both get something they needed but didn't know...and I will stop here, just read this story and find out more. It is a romantic and heartwarming story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 18, 2021
I received an ARC from the author thru Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my review. Madeline, Michael and Sophia were abandoned by their parents. Madeline was left raising her siblings, working hard to take care of them. She meets Carter and they have an attraction even if she feels she cannot pursue it. He soon wins her over and they have a chance at a happy family. I enjoyed the characters and story
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 19, 2021
Madeline is a young woman who has been working two jobs to make ends meet while she is raising her brother and sister after their parent abandon them. Carter is a hotel millionaire in town looking to expand his hotel business. Madeline is having to pull a double shift and just so happens that she is waiting on Carter and his friend Evan. Carter is instantly drawn to Madeline and she is attracted to him as well but she is stubborn and strong willed so Carter will have his work cut out for him.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 20, 2021
Madeline is working hard to support the brother and sister she adopted after their parents left. When best friends and partners Carter and Evan came to town to open a hotel, they booked the party room at the restaurant where Madeline waited tables and she had to serve the meeting there. Madeline and Carter locked eyes and as the saying goes, that is all she wrote. This is a fantastic story with steamy bedroom shenanigans that any adult lover of romance with heat and a HEA would want. Highly recommended.
January 24, 2021
Billionaire's Unexpected Baby. This book was interesting. It had a different twist on billionaire meeting poor single woman waitress. Madeline was in a big predicament than normal. She wasn't just taking care of herself. She had extra mouths to feed. But Carter didn't mind. He stepped in to the middle of a crazy family but couldn't resist the pull Madeline had on him. I enjoyed this book! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. *** I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. ***
February 18, 2021
Unexpected romance
I enjoyed reading this book. It was like prince helps to rescue workaholic princess that is just trying to get by with daily life. They are very cute together.
There were many parts that were really rushed though announcement of pregnant there was so leading up to it. There wasn't conclusion, just jumped to epilogue. Even that wasn't conclusion. Mang question left unanswered. No information on how things were going resolve themselves. Neexs development work.
I enjoyed reading this book. It was like prince helps to rescue workaholic princess that is just trying to get by with daily life. They are very cute together.
There were many parts that were really rushed though announcement of pregnant there was so leading up to it. There wasn't conclusion, just jumped to epilogue. Even that wasn't conclusion. Mang question left unanswered. No information on how things were going resolve themselves. Neexs development work.
March 10, 2021
I really wanted to like it
I almost stopped reading a couple of times. But my ocd made me continue. The story line was there. But Maddie wouldn’t get happy for anything. She was really a sad soul and brought down any feelings of happiness. Carter was a good enough guy and swooped in and handled anything thrown at him. But there was really no love, no marriage- just a arrangement of sorts.. it had a ok ending but I don’t feel happy and bubbly if anything I feel like the story was very incomplete.
I almost stopped reading a couple of times. But my ocd made me continue. The story line was there. But Maddie wouldn’t get happy for anything. She was really a sad soul and brought down any feelings of happiness. Carter was a good enough guy and swooped in and handled anything thrown at him. But there was really no love, no marriage- just a arrangement of sorts.. it had a ok ending but I don’t feel happy and bubbly if anything I feel like the story was very incomplete.
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