Non una... ma due volte. Sono andata a letto con lui due volte. Proprio con l'unico uomo da cui sarei dovuta stare alla larga.
Non solo... La prima volta sono rimasta incinta e non gliel'ho mai detto. Tutto il mio mondo è stravolto. Quanto è complicata la mia vita ora? Specialmente adesso poi che Chase è anche il mio capo.
E questo non è l'unico inconveniente. Chase è anche il migliore amico di mio fratello. E lasciatemi dire che mio fratello si infurierebbe. Impazzirebbe se scoprisse chi è il padre della mia bambina.
Tuttavia non riuscivo a stare lontana da Chase. Anche se questo ha significato rimanere di nuovo incinta. Questa volta non poteva più rimanere un segreto. A breve Chase se ne accorgerà. La nostra storia finirà ancora prima di iniziare?
Gemma has been in love with Chase since she was a young girl. Chase is her brother’s best friend. After a one night with Chase , she ends up pregnant, disappears and comes back with her toddler . Her brother is a first class Bast___d Okay story 3.5 stars ⭐️
AUDIBLE EDITION Gemma Lafayette-Peters has always been in love with her brother's best friend and business partner Chase Campbell. They had a one-night stand and Gemma still in her teens becomes pregnant. After her first time having sex! chase was drunk so he doesn't remember the taking of Gemma's virginity.
Gemma is a rich girl, so she disappears to Europe for 3 years. She returns with her 2 year old daughter Amelia. Her brother John hates her. but she uses their mother's maiden name and gets a job at the company her father and Chase's father build, CP Manhattan.
Chase doesn't remember who she is they start out with a hot sexy romance. Chase doesn't know that Amelia is his daughter. But he falls in love with the toddler immediately.
The story is fast paced and has a great troupe of secondary characters.
There is so much lacking from this story. If this had been more thought out the concept would have been good. The mc’s ages, and her brothers hatred of her are literally mysteries until the END of the story (still don’t know how old Gem is).The mc’s childish behavior is out of this world. The book wasn’t horrible butttttt I still don’t know how I finished it.
I feel like something is off with this story. The plot is probably it because it’s ridiculous, but I think it’s the male character. The MMC was not very appealing. His reactions initially, were what I would expect of a millennial with regards to dating a single mother. A few more instances before and after, he then out of the blue turns into a selfless’ish type that empathized for others and embraces a toddler as his own AND doesn’t have a fit on the magnitude of the secrets the FMC had. It was really false to me. Not badly written just not very realistically played out.
The brother was another huge issue. He was a $hithead crapped out by an a$$hole! He was vile and childish and delusional and a hole lot more that simply doesn’t correlate with the end of his storyline. That kind of ugliness doesn’t just go away unless head wounds, near death experiences or amnesia are involved. Again, this book doesn’t add up. It’s completely fabricated HEA that feels forced too quickly.
Lots of grammatical errors as the icing on this cake. It wasn’t a bad book. Just needs fleshing out at minimum or a complete rewrite at worse.
I think that this book is a Romantic Comedy, it is certainly a Romance and it has the Secret Baby Trope and it has The Brother’s Best Friend Trope and the Unexpected Pregnancy trope. There is a really great HEA at the end and until the end there are a number of twists and turns before the end. Also there is some 🔥 in the story, pretty good all in all. I recommend this book
Il nervoso che mi ha fatto salire questo libro mamma mia, è uno dei più brutti che abbia mai letto! È scritto malissimo, i personaggi sono scritti di merda e non hanno un minimo di spessore: lei è scema, lui “pretende rispetto” quindi fa schifo a prescindere. Come cazzo fai a fare figli con uno così boh. Lui (Chase) si è innamorato 2 secondi dopo averla vista, non per una ragione specifica ma solo perché era “bella e aveva il fisico di una dea”. Ma porcatroia che schifo, se questo è amore… Lei (Gemma) non se ne fotte un cazzo della figlia, ha un fratello di merda che cristo dio cosa aspetti a buttarlo fuori dalla tua vita? e si crede intelligente ma è una cogliona e basta. L’unica cosa a cui pensa è Chase. Svegliaaaa ragazza ambisci a qualcosa di più nella vita che a figliare!! Ora, io adoro i libri con i bambini ed è per questo che l’ho iniziato, ma questa cosa (che non posso nemmeno definire libro perché non lo è cazzo) fa SCHIFO SOTTO TUTTI I PUNTI; NON SI SALVA UN CAZZO DI NIENTE. E mi dispiace dirlo però perché vi improvvisate scrittori se poi dovete scrivere roba così disgustosa, e dajee, fate altro nella vita! Che poi non capisco nemmeno tutte queste recensioni positive: avete il prosciutto al posto degli occhi? Ok che i gusti son gusti però cribbio sto coso fa pena, tutto succede velocemente, sono presenti descrizioni di come mangia lui le barrette (ma che me frega?) e lei che pensa solo a scopare col tizio e se ne infischia completamente di tutto il resto, le relazioni sono campate in aria e non c’è una singola cosa che ti faccia venir voglia di continuare la lettura (no nemmeno i bambini!!). Fidatevi di me: non pensateci nemmeno ad acquistare sto scempio e se lo trovate gratis non pensateci nemmeno a scaricarlo perché è una perdita di tempo colossale. Sono 230 pagine ma dopo 98 ho capito che l’unica cosa per cui questa roba è utile è per farsi venire la rabbia e il nervoso. Se trovate il cartaceo da qualche parte bruciatelo per me, grazie. Evitate sto coso come la peste.
Secret Baby with Brother's Best Friend, Book 1 of the Alpha Billionaire series, was about 25-28-year-old Gemma "Gem" Lafayette-Peters, the sister of John Lafayette-Peters (COO of the CP Manhattan), and 38-year-old Chase Campbell, co-owner and CFO of CP (Campbell-Peters) Manhatten. Where to begin? This book was hard to do a review on for the simple fact that a lot of information was left vague and for the reader to try to interpret on their own. That being said, it wasn't a bad story. However, it wasn't a great one either. The angst and drama of the story were OTT and out of proportion to the reactions of the characters in the various circumstances the author introduced throughout the book. Not even the emotions fit the different moods. It was all over the place and hard to follow, for the most part. At least for me. Other readers might enjoy it. I found it disappointing. There was a LOT wrong with this book. The attitude of the FMC's brother was horrible. (The way he treated Gemma was later explained but not in a way that excused him for being a sh*tty person.) He was an airhead who didn't show any interest in running a company. The timeline didn't seem to fit properly either. The "baby" was 2 1/2 "pushing 3" (the FMC hadn't been back home in FOUR years, which was when she had a ONS with the MMC. But then the FMC said it had been "three years and a few months" since she had slept with the MMC. The 2 1/2-year-old could barely talk (the author passed it off as a speech problem, so that would give credence to that issue). Another issue was that no matter how often Gemma told Chase that it would be inappropriate for them to have a relationship (an HR nightmare, right?), he didn't seem too concerned about having a possible sexual harassment suit filed against him. But then Gemma caved and fell into his bed not once, but twice, with the second time the condom coming off immediately afterward...which HE noticed but didn't say anything to HER?? I could only give this story a one-star rating. There were too many things wrong for it to get anything higher.
I noticed some people say this was a romantic comedy style book. It really wasn't. I liked chase mostly he was a bit dickish but overall not a bad character. Gemma was not very likeable she seemed very needy to me kinda desperate. She has no real backbone let's her brother treat her every which way talking bad about her letting him get away with calling her daughter a little bastered. Sorry she needed the balls from the get go to put his a#s in his place. The romance part was rushed. Chase was far to forgiving for Gemma keeping him in the dark about who she was and that they had a daughter. I did like the step mom.
This book surprised me. I definitely had a couple of good laughs. I was disappointed that the baby bombshell wasn’t mentioned sooner, but that’s my preference. I was a bit baffled with the FMC. She gives off two different vibes. One minute she strong and determined and the next she timid and meek. The book was definitely a nice lighter read though from my usual darkness.
This is my second time reading this and I liked it the first time. This go around I'm not liking it as much. The fmc is trying to hard to get her brothers respect like why? She's a grown ass woman with a kid, like f*ck him do what you need for your kid don't be doing stuff just to prove your worth. That kid is your priority not how your brother thinks of you. Idk it's just rubbing me the wrong way this go around lol and I'm not even 11% in. Also the brothers a dick anyways so why care about what he says or thinks about her. I'm giving up on this reread at 18%. The writing style isn't that good and the speaking between the characters are weirdly stunted. So imma rate the book a 2.
Gemma and Chase. Gemma got pregnant and left for Europe to have the baby. She is back home now and trying to be with her family but her brother hates her. Their mother died during childbirth with her. Not a well written book.
Secret baby romances are so good. This one was a nice twist. Each character was well developed and you could see turmoil each time Gemma wanted to tell the truth to Chase. This story was so good. I couldn’t put it down.
This was a good read. Gemna has liked Chase for a long time. When they start working together they have a relationship. Things are complicated and her brothers behavior doesn't help. However, in the end they are able to get their happy ending.
Ms. Gray pulled it off hands down. I really hate her brother John. Learned to love Chase finally. Only wanted to smack Gem a little bit. Overall a good romance.
C’est une histoire sympa et mignonne et se lit rapidement.
Chase est de suite à fond sur Gemma, vraiment mignon avec elle mais il est un peu coup oui un coup non dans sa relation. Gemma est sympa mais elle prend vite la fuite quand même, elle cherche pas trop à comprendre, qu’elle se renferme et à force elle rend des situations compliqué pour rien vu qu’elle dit rien.
Entre eux c’est trop rapide sur les premiers chapitres, après ça va mieux. Mais l’histoire est survolée, elle aurait pu être plus poussée et creusée.
3.75 Secret Baby, Brother's Best Friend: A Tangled Web of Secrets and Second Chances
Ava Gray's Secret Baby with Brother's Best Friend plunges into a world of wealth, hidden pregnancies, and the undeniable pull of a long-held desire. Gemma and Chase have a history, a single, unforgettable night years ago that Chase doesn't even remember. For Gemma, that night resulted in a secret – a daughter. Now, years later, Gemma is back, working under a false name at her family's company, a desperate attempt to prove her worth to her dismissive brother.
The sparks between Gemma and Chase reignite the moment they're in the same room. Chase, now co-owner of the business, is drawn to the smart and driven woman, unaware she's the childhood crush, the one-night stand, and the mother of the child he doesn't know exists. Their connection deepens into a secret affair, a dance of attraction and hidden truths. But Gemma carries another secret – she's pregnant again with Chase's child.
Gray weaves a tangled web of family drama and simmering passion. Gemma's relationship with her cruel brother adds layers of conflict, while Chase grapples with his own past and his growing feelings for a woman he doesn't fully know. The tension builds as Gemma tries to navigate her lies and protect her children, all while battling her resurfacing feelings for Chase.
One of the major reason why I am rating it 3.75 is because of Gemma's consistent inability to communicate and her reliance on tears and flight as default reactions can test the reader's patience. Her lack of agency in crucial moments, particularly her failure to reveal the existence of their child, creates frustrating obstacles that feel driven by plot convenience rather than genuine character development. It often feels as though Gemma is waiting for Chase to rescue her from situations she herself has created through her silence, hindering her growth until the very end. This pattern of emotional breakdowns and avoidance can detract from the otherwise compelling elements of the story.
Secret Baby with Brother's Best Friend is a steamy and dramatic second-chance romance filled with secrets, undeniable attraction, and the ultimate test of trust. If you enjoy possessive heroes, hidden pregnancies, and a journey towards a well-deserved HEA, prepare to be swept away by Gemma and Chase's complicated and passionate story.
This was an enjoyable book but I have to wonder in this day and age how does one fall pregnant twice years apart and not be on some kind of birth control. Anyway Gemma has always had a huge crush on Chase and would follow her brother and him around and as she got older nothing changed and when she finally gets her chance to be with him it’s amazing but he doesn’t remember anything happening the next day or who he was with and this hurts her but when she finds herself pregnant she leaves and heads over seas. Now back home for Christmas with her daughter Gemma and her mum are putting up some decorations before her brother John comes in with some girlfriend and treats there mother rudely like she is the hired help and tell his girlfriend that there so called mother is the nanny and not his mother and promptly drops his and her coats in her hands like a servant and that’s when all the tension starts and when he meets his niece for the first time he ignores her and tells them he is engaged to Jennifer. And it all goes down hill from there when Gemma was getting dinner she overhears her brother calling her daughter a bastard child and she explodes and makes him leave.(never have I ever wanted to punch a character so badly the arrogant p###k) Now back at the office of CP Manhattan with Chase John is going over what happened but he is so full of himself that he doesn’t really care about the business and this makes Chase mad but he doesn’t say anything but to tell him to focus and work out his side of the company out. Now Gemma needs a job and goes under a different name and lands to job at there fathers company working with Chase and there chemistry is still burning hot and they start a secret relationship but when finds out he fires Gemma but it’s to late she is pregnant again to Chase. Will Chase step up and be a man and tell John where to go or does he let the best thing that has happen to walk away.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Gemma and Chase both come from wealthy NY families.... the type of families that have 2nd homes in The Hampton's. These two have know each other since she was a small child, as she is his best friend's little sister. Her mother passed away during childbirth with her and her brother blames her and is horrible to her for as long as she can remember. Gemma has always had a crush on Chase, but he was so much older than her that he didn't pay it any mind. One night when she was home from college, she see's him at a party in The Hampton's in the flashbacks he had just broken up with a girlfriend and was drunk to the point he did not recognize her when they hooked up. Years later when she moves back home with "their" young daughter he still has no idea who she is and starts dating her as she is the new employee and the company he runs with her older brother. This book was very good, I l oved Gemma's strong woman characterization, and thought her brother was just a nasty person to her, and their step-mother. Gemma was a strong single mom who wanted to be acknowledged for her brains and taken seriously. Chase did that, her brother... was just a plain A$$! These two had chemistry and I was very vested in the story and could not put it down, so it made for a very quick read for me. I couldn't wait to see how this story was going to play out once the brother realized that not only was she working at his company and he was unaware, but that his best friend was his niece's Daddy. Once it all unfolds... his true colors showed even more. Great book, definitely one clickable... Buy It!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I am finally starting the other Alpha Billionaire series I wanted to read for the longest time. This was definitely a heavier story than the last. I still got some lightheartedness with it but it was definitely less carefree than the last book. The story and characters were perfect and entertaining except for one. Had the book been just about Chase and Gemma it would have definitely gotten a 5 from me. I couldn’t connect and care about Gemma’s brother John simply because he was such an asshole and mean person, not only to his family but to Gemma. I found it hard to read the book whenever he was in a scene because of his attitude and way he talked. He needed a good beating so he could look at himself and think about how he has been acting this whole time. Take away his character and you get a beautiful story about rekindling love after being apart for the longest time. To Chase it was starting a new relationship, to Gemma, it was picking up where it left off. Her feelings never changed for him. Chase’s attraction to her just shows that he always felt it with her since the first time he saw her, even though when he sees her again he doesn’t remember her. This book showcases the growth of their relationship and Gemma’s struggle to hide some aspects of her life once she works in John and Chase’s company for fear of getting discovered who she really is. She wanted to make her own stake in work and life which she exactly does. It all comes down to acceptance and being happy for what you have in the moment and to not think about material things, though they certainly can help with all that. The next book in the series is the one I actually wanted to read. The fact that it’s the next book makes me excited. I’m looking forward to seeing what will come of this series. Will it include returning characters, or will it be in the same world but different characters?
This is a 2nd chance for Gemma who has not 1 but 2 baby surprise. Gemma and Chase come from money and have known one another for years. Chase is best friends with Gemma’s brother and remembers her chasing after them when they were kids and Gemma has been in love with Chase for years. One night Gemma attends her brother’s party and ends up spending one glorious night with Chase that he never remembers until years later. Gemma becomes pregnant, leaves and goes over seas to start over. There are secrets and the relationship between her mom (stepmom) her brother is not good at all. I have to say he is one mean spirited person and treats his family with disrespect. Gemma is a smart person who finds a way to get a job at her families business using a different last name and ends up having Chase, who also owns the company become interested in her and her work. These two start a secret relationship and things are going well and Chase knows she has a daughter who he falls in love with knowing she is not his. When her brother finds out Gemma is working at the company her goes crazy and fires her leaving and closing herself off from everyone. Chase has had it and let’s him know how wrong he is and goes after Gemma to discover she’s gone. The way Chase makes amends with Gemma is their perfect ending! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Gemma and Chase have known each other for years. Chase is her brother's best friend, who Jack has warned her away from. Jack is a jerk he treats his best friend, sister, step mother ... well everyone around him like crap. Gemma is willing to do whatever it takes to show her brother that marketing is good for business and that she is good at it including lie about her identity to work at his company.
The sparks begin flying between her and Chase the second they are in the same room again. What he doesn't know is when they slept together years prior he got her pregnant and he has a daughter. Gemma wants Chase to get to know her again before she introduces him to their daughter, but now they are having another child together. Does she tell him this time or does she run away again?
I enjoyed the ending of this book Chase and Gemma have their HEA that we are all rooting for but does it come with a price? I love their chemistry, but I feel like Chase doesn't always fight for her like he needs to. Chase is a strong character but has a few flaws, like everyone. She deserved a better brother than she had, she was a better person than I because I would not have associated with him. His fiancé in a lot of ways made him worse. There were intense scenes and others with so much chemistry you could almost feel it.
Received ARC in exchange for voluntary honest review.
Gemma is a smart, independent woman who needs to prove her brother John wrong about her career in marketing, specifically social media is much more than playing on the computer. When she sees an ad for a marketing position at the company her father left to John in his will she applies using a shortened version of her name. Gem Lafayette (Gemma Lafayette-Peters). Her plan is to bring the company current and not only retain customers but bring in new bigger customers. Since her brother thinks marketing is useless and he’s completely self absorbed and planning his wedding he has no idea she works for the company. Chase is Johns best friend and co-owner of the business they inherited when their fathers were killed in a boating accident. Chase is instantly attracted to Gemma but doesn’t recognize her as John’s little sister or as a one night stand he had 3 years ago (which he also didn’t realize who she was). Now there are secrets everywhere and a big blow up is inevitable. John is an entitled, snobby, opinionated, lazy jerk. Chase sees his bad qualities but chooses to work around him to get the business back on track. Will Gemma finally get the hea with Chase who is her first and only love or will her lies and secrets ruin it?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book was not my favorite but at least it was a super quick and easy read. It features some of my favorite tropes: secret baby and accidental pregnancy but honestly I've read books that have a much better execution of those tropes. I also felt like everything happened so quickly which I think is something I see a lot in short romances but I can usually forgive the too fast pace if I really enjoy the main couple. In this case I didn't feel invested in the couple (I also didn't enjoy the big age gap). Also the premise of her being in love with her brother's best friend (also having that best friend being her baby daddy) sounded like it would be fun but her brother was a complete and utter jerk. It kind of made me mad that in the end Chase had him as his best man even if he apologized. There was just a lot of that happened that I didn't particularly enjoy how they were handled. I mean I guess the overall story was okay and it was an incredible fast read but I didn't leave me wanting more. To me the most important part of a romance book is that I feel invested in the characters relationship but this wasn't the case for the books and the impression the book left was lackluster at best.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
A wonderful love story about Chase and Gemma from an early age to now. Chase has always been her brother Johns best friend, a friendship started when both fathers started a business. Gemma always had a crush of Chase and when she grew up, at a party her family held, she made her move and accidentally got pregnant. Telling no one and disappearing for three years in Europe, she returns to tell Chase and prove herself to her brother by working at the company. The characters are complex and have great backstories. The storyline has all the feelings as you root for them, expecting the other shoe to drop soon. Loved the automatic connection Chase has with Amelia before he knows who her father is. The conflict within the family and the company is strong, but good solid friends support them through it all. Her nanny/mother was wonderful. The ending was perfect. I will be rereading this one again soon to see what I missed or did not connect right away.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Secret Baby with Brother's Best Friend is a stand alone Contemporary Romance with a secret baby with brother's best friend trope. There is an age gap but it is never disclosed of just how many years. IMO, I think it's at least 10 years...
Gemma slept with her brother's best friend not once but twice, will she not learn? Chase was the one man that my brother told me to stay away from. I've had a crush on him since I was a little girl. But not only did i sleep with him, I got pregnant the first time around, never told him and left the country, but returned 3 years later. To make matters more complicated, Chase is now my boss, he doesn't recognize me and I've dropped Peters from my last name.
That’s not the only problem, Chase is also my brother's business partner. My brother will be furious when he finds out about Chase, me working here and who my daughter's father is. But I just couldn't stay away from Chase.
Then I got pregnant again and it cannot remain a secret this time around. Chase is about to find out all my secrets, will he choose to be a family man or walk away before we've even begun?
I loved this book Chase an Gemma were perfect together.
I liked how this story went Gemma’s brother was a ass the whole book the reason he was so creel to her you find out towards the end is mind blowing.
Chase was a great character in my opinion he was attracted to Gemma the fist time he saw her even though he didn’t remember who she was that they’ve known each other since they were kids.
Gemma had a secret that she’s kept from everyone for basically three years who her daughters father is. She went off to Europe an stayed away fearing the repercussions of who he was.
I loved the build up to the end when John finally finds out Gemma is working at the company an then realizes who Amelia’s father is before Gemma can tell him an the fact she’s pregnant again by him.
The epilogue was so good John finally realized what an ass he has been his whole life an his supposed fiancé is a gold digger. He makes amends with his sister an Chase an his stepmother.
A one night stand with the man she secretly loved led to a beautiful daughter.
A one night stand with her brothers best friend led to Gemma getting pregnant. Her family life was tough hand she felt she had to hide her pregnancy and daughter from her nasty judgmental brother. Gemma got a job at her brothers company to prove she was more than an internet influencer. Chase didn’t remember the girl he slept with and had no idea he had fathered a child. When he saw Gemma, he had an instant attention and started trying to date her. Gemma has always been in love with Chase. Her brother John was always hateful to her because he blamed her for his mother dying during childbirth. When Chase met his daughter, he fell in love and wanted to be her father. John ended up discovering Gemma secret and Chase defended her and he and John had a big altercation and Chase left the company. I enjoyed the story and recommend reading it.
I was hoping for more of fight from Gem ! Had so much potential for a more of a tug & pull relationship instead of a insta love. Also, thought this was a holiday read from the cover but oh well. Also, had to skip the epilogue- couldn't tolerate the brothers "saving grace" routine. The brother deserved no forgiveness let alone a future with his family due to his hateful, cruel ways. After calling his sister & neice the names he called them. No, it should have ended maybe w/that over a few years down the road. If anything, chase should habe left the company, starred his own, & watched the brother fall flat on his face. Then have the brother become "humbled" over the failure of his business to come to his senses even before attempting to crawl back with his tail between his legs. Very bad epilogue.