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Billion-Dollar Christmas Confessions #2
Carrying Her Boss's Christmas Baby
Get cozy with this heartwarming holiday story!
Her new boss is the man she spent one night with! USA TODAY bestselling author Natalie Anderson excites with this pregnancy romance.
“You’re pregnant ?”
The proof of their passion!
Ready to experience life after a childhood defined by illness, Violet Summers has left Manhattan behind…to work aboard the world’s most luxurious express train! The one thing she can’t leave behind? Her memories of one particular gorgeous if brooding stranger…
The night they shared is imprinted on Violet’s body and soul. So the arrival of her new boss, Roman Fraser, almost has her dropping an armful of festive decorations. He’s that man she couldn’t forget! Now she must drop the bombshell she's only just their sizzling encounter had world-altering consequences!
From Harlequin Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.
Read all the Billion-Dollar Christmas Confessions
Book 1: Unwrapping His New York Innocent by Heidi Rice
Book 2: Carrying Her Boss's Christmas Baby by Natalie Anderson
Her new boss is the man she spent one night with! USA TODAY bestselling author Natalie Anderson excites with this pregnancy romance.
“You’re pregnant ?”
The proof of their passion!
Ready to experience life after a childhood defined by illness, Violet Summers has left Manhattan behind…to work aboard the world’s most luxurious express train! The one thing she can’t leave behind? Her memories of one particular gorgeous if brooding stranger…
The night they shared is imprinted on Violet’s body and soul. So the arrival of her new boss, Roman Fraser, almost has her dropping an armful of festive decorations. He’s that man she couldn’t forget! Now she must drop the bombshell she's only just their sizzling encounter had world-altering consequences!
From Harlequin Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.
Read all the Billion-Dollar Christmas Confessions
Book 1: Unwrapping His New York Innocent by Heidi Rice
Book 2: Carrying Her Boss's Christmas Baby by Natalie Anderson
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 16, 2022
40 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Natalie Anderson
606 books546 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Natalie Anderson is a USA TODAY bestselling author. She writes emotional contemporary romances full of sparkling banter, sizzling heat and uplifting endings—perfect for readers who love to escape with everyday empowered heroines and arrogant alphas who are too sexy for their own good.
With over five million books sold, her stories are translated into more than a dozen languages, she’s been a Romantic Times Award nominee and a finalist for the R*BY (Romantic Book of the Year).
When she’s not writing, you’ll find her wrangling her four fab kids, walking Alfie, the mini schnauzer and laughing with her husband at the end of the day–unless they’ve taken Romeo, the Campervan for a spin. She lives in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Natalie Anderson is a USA TODAY bestselling author. She writes emotional contemporary romances full of sparkling banter, sizzling heat and uplifting endings—perfect for readers who love to escape with everyday empowered heroines and arrogant alphas who are too sexy for their own good.
With over five million books sold, her stories are translated into more than a dozen languages, she’s been a Romantic Times Award nominee and a finalist for the R*BY (Romantic Book of the Year).
When she’s not writing, you’ll find her wrangling her four fab kids, walking Alfie, the mini schnauzer and laughing with her husband at the end of the day–unless they’ve taken Romeo, the Campervan for a spin. She lives in Christchurch, New Zealand.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
November 3, 2022
3.5 stars.
A spontaneous ONS gets complicated by an unplanned pregnancy and turns into an idyllic, low angst holiday romance between two MCs who have drastically differing goals in life.
On Halloween night, our brooding, party pooper H catches the hard-working heroine off guard when she spies him standing on the sidewalk outside the little macaroon shop where she works.
Roman, the loner H, has been mechanically going through the motions of life, since he lost his parents and baby sister in an accident when he was just 10.
He's convinced that his baby sister is still alive, because he remembers someone stealing her from the wreckage while he was trapped and waiting to be rescued. His entire adult life has been consumed by his quest to find his missing sister.
He's a H whose personal angst is caused by the loss of his very loving family and he still blames himself because they wouldn't have been on that road if he hadn't begged his parents to go on this specific holiday.
Our heroine, Violet, is also another exception in HPlandia because she has wonderful relatives as well. Unlike the H, though, her personal angst is caused by her family's extremely protective attitude.
As a cancer survivor, the young heroine has been coddled and shielded to the point where she felt stifled and unable to live as an independent adult in her home back in New Zealand. Her decision to travel and see the world, brings her to New York where she gets a job in a small macaroon shop, located right next door to the H's 5 star hotel.
Our MCs are hit with a hot case of mutual insta-lust on that Halloween night but nothing happens between them then, because the wary H thinks of her as a cutely packaged little demon sent out to tempt him.
This first encounter, filled with some witty banter and lots of underlying sexual chemistry, leaves such an impression on the H's mind that he returns, after an extended global business trip, to see her again on Thanksgiving night.
This is the H, Roman:
Violet, who's been unable to get him out of her mind, is happy to see the brooding, sexy stranger too.
This is the heroine, Violet:
This second encounter leads to a romantic dinner and a steamy ONS in the H's luxurious penthouse suite. Unlike many other unworldly HPlandia heroines, Violet doesn't build fluffy romantic dreams of a long-term HEA with Roman.
She's still determined to see the world and live life on her own terms.
Their ONS isn't written as just a lusty encounter between two strangers. The author is at pains to emphasise that it means a whole lot more to both MCs, even though they don't reveal that to each other. The fact that they're both celibate after that night, proves that each has been unwilling to move on.
Neither ever expected to see the other again because the heroine had informed him of her plans to move on from the macaroon shop to a new job during the Christmas season. But since this is not real life, we know that the diligent HPlandia gods will do whatever it takes to ensure that these 2 meet again and get their HEA.
Their third encounter occurs on the H's luxurious private train, where the heroine has managed to get a job as a steward.
She's thinking about the H, but never expects to see him again. Meanwhile, he's a grouchy, bitter Scrooge because it was on Christmas Eve that he'd lost his family in that accident. He's on the train to escape the festive Yuletide season, by working in the privacy of his luxurious presidential cabin.
The very last person he expects to see, entering his cabin, is Violet...
And, even though he's one of HPlandia's nicer guys, his instinctive response to her presence, is anger, distrust and cynicism because he's used to goldiggers chasing after him, even when the relationship has ended.
The unexpected pregnancy revelation, changes everything because the H wants only to do his part as an expectant dad. His guilt and helplessness, at his inability to save his sister from her abductor, turns him into an excessively protective and possessive caretaker of the pregnant heroine.
He offers marriage but she thinks that a loveless union isn't the answer. Both MCs refuse to think about that obvious, growing elephant in the room: the mutual feelings of love that are developing between them. He thinks, like all HPlandia H's, that he'll be able to shield his heart from the petite heroine who's wormed her way in.
She, meanwhile, is naive enough to think that they can go from being friends with benefits, who have confided a lot of personal thoughts and secrets to each other, to doing the platonic co-parenting thing after their child is born.
She even deludes herself into thinking that she'll be fine when she sees him, in the future, with various OW he'll obviously be dating, if she decides not to accept his marriage proposal.
The problem with both of these MCs, is that they're not optimistic enough to see that life doesn't necessarily have to be a fait accompli that they need to accept.
But, the joy of Christmas season, coupled with the miraculous return of the H's long lost sister, gives these MCs the sweetest HEA that they could've ever hoped for. It's not a simple, straightforward journey because the H (as per usual in HPlandia) shuts down before he finally opens his heart to the heroine.
My one big complaint is that the train journey ended, for the MCs, in Colorado and I didn't get to experience the trans-continental trip all the way to the west coast. It would've been a lovely little travelogue but I guess the author was constrained by HPlandia's word limit requirements.
I'm still a bit grouchy that the trans-contintental travelogue romance couldn't be done though, because Jessica Steele had written
Frozen Enchantment, which is a romance set in the then Soviet Union, where an interesting extended train travelogue journey, plays an important part in story.
But, we all know that in today's HPlandia, authors focus more on the MCs dual internal monologues and sexual relationship, so that such interesting things are often sacrificed. More's the pity, in my humble opinion...
This is a lovely, mellow little romance with a kind and caring H, so there's not much toxic conflict for the angst addict readers who live for high drama, intense tropes and explosive confrontational scenes. It's not unexpected, though, because Natalie Anderson isn't known for penning such stories...at least not the ones that I've managed to read.
In the delightfully sexy and playful epilogue, set during the next Christmas season, the MCs are parents to a baby girl and the H has forged a loving relationship with his sister.
Safety: No OM, no OW and both MCs are celibate during their short separation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2022
Short review.
This was an emotional love story with a lot of heart.
I found myself immersed in their love story and cheering them on for the HEA.
Roman was wonderful alpha hero who tried to hide a heart of gold. A hero who lost so much, you couldn't but not want to hug him and say it's going to be okay.
Violet was a spunky, sweet chatterbox who loved people. And a cancer survivor.
These two had a wonderful relationship that had so much emotion and wonderful communication. So nice to see in HP.
I am going to direct you to my friend for a wonderful, in-depth review that is excellent. I am too lazy today. 😊🤷🏻♀️
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I highly recommend this one.
This was an emotional love story with a lot of heart.
I found myself immersed in their love story and cheering them on for the HEA.
Roman was wonderful alpha hero who tried to hide a heart of gold. A hero who lost so much, you couldn't but not want to hug him and say it's going to be okay.
Violet was a spunky, sweet chatterbox who loved people. And a cancer survivor.
These two had a wonderful relationship that had so much emotion and wonderful communication. So nice to see in HP.
I am going to direct you to my friend for a wonderful, in-depth review that is excellent. I am too lazy today. 😊🤷🏻♀️
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I highly recommend this one.
November 3, 2022
wow so romantic and emotional! A beautiful love story. Heroine was a ray of sunshine, an angel with a heart of gold and exactly what this hard, sad, lonely hero needed. Congrats Natalie Anderson this Harlequin Presents is fantastic!
safety info: virgin heroine, both celibate while apart, no cheating!
safety info: virgin heroine, both celibate while apart, no cheating!
December 29, 2022
(11% in)
Ugh, Goodreads makes it so confusing to post a status update. Whoever thought it was a good idea to switch to the new book page should be fired. I said what I said.
Now that we got that out of the way... 🤣
I know the author is from New Zealand, but why wouldn't Harlequin edit/format the book to use double quotes (like this: ") for quotations? It is so much more confusing for me to read and enjoy this book with the single quotes.
@ (49%):
Okay, why does it end too quickly every time it gets spicy? I turned down two attractive British 22-year-olds this year, plzz give me something to live vicariously through 😌😌
I finished this on the long-ass flight to Los Angeles (11 hours and 30 minutes in case anyone was wondering. Let's just say I was counting down each hour when I wasn't in the middle of a movie or book). This book made me cry. This is how you write romance...
Wow, Natalie Anderson showed how talented she is with this book. I'm not the biggest fan of Harlequins, but I'll read almost anything she writes. And she met my expectations again with this book.
I liked the self-awareness of the book with the nod to older Harlequin novels: "A shotgun marriage is so last century. Let’s get our immediate problems sorted."
I thought the banter between Violet & Roman, our hero and heroine, was great. (Violet gave me big Pisces vibes, like Venus or Moon maybe. Roman definitely had Capricorn in his Big 6, and Saturn was one of his dominant planets.) And the third-act separation at around 75% made a lot of sense; it wasn't out of the blue and frustrating like in other romance novels. I wrote in my notes (the only way I'm able to write this review right now), "Love.
Why am I getting emotional again, omg. First, it was both movies on the plane lol."
I really enjoyed this book. The big things I didn't like were that it wasn't sexy enough for me (and I know Natalie can write good sex scenes!) & the word "cells" was overused too much. (After writing this, I checked to see how many times "cells" appeared. It was only twice, but dead tired me noticed, so it was too many times.)
I also would have liked to see Violet doing something more with her life as she planned earlier instead of just being Roman's wife. Not that there's anything wrong with being just a wife & mother, but it sounded like she wanted to do a little more?? I don't mean working necessarily; I mean having a hobby or a passion.
If the sex scenes were hotter, this would have probably been five stars.
Thanks to the author for the ARC! This has not affected my review. I genuinely enjoyed this book!
I think this was also my first grumpy-sunshine read; I just made the shelf right now. I used to hate that descriptor lol.
Ugh, Goodreads makes it so confusing to post a status update. Whoever thought it was a good idea to switch to the new book page should be fired. I said what I said.
Now that we got that out of the way... 🤣
I know the author is from New Zealand, but why wouldn't Harlequin edit/format the book to use double quotes (like this: ") for quotations? It is so much more confusing for me to read and enjoy this book with the single quotes.
@ (49%):
Okay, why does it end too quickly every time it gets spicy? I turned down two attractive British 22-year-olds this year, plzz give me something to live vicariously through 😌😌
I finished this on the long-ass flight to Los Angeles (11 hours and 30 minutes in case anyone was wondering. Let's just say I was counting down each hour when I wasn't in the middle of a movie or book). This book made me cry. This is how you write romance...
Wow, Natalie Anderson showed how talented she is with this book. I'm not the biggest fan of Harlequins, but I'll read almost anything she writes. And she met my expectations again with this book.
I liked the self-awareness of the book with the nod to older Harlequin novels: "A shotgun marriage is so last century. Let’s get our immediate problems sorted."
I thought the banter between Violet & Roman, our hero and heroine, was great. (Violet gave me big Pisces vibes, like Venus or Moon maybe. Roman definitely had Capricorn in his Big 6, and Saturn was one of his dominant planets.) And the third-act separation at around 75% made a lot of sense; it wasn't out of the blue and frustrating like in other romance novels. I wrote in my notes (the only way I'm able to write this review right now), "Love.
Why am I getting emotional again, omg. First, it was both movies on the plane lol."
I really enjoyed this book. The big things I didn't like were that it wasn't sexy enough for me (and I know Natalie can write good sex scenes!) & the word "cells" was overused too much. (After writing this, I checked to see how many times "cells" appeared. It was only twice, but dead tired me noticed, so it was too many times.)
I also would have liked to see Violet doing something more with her life as she planned earlier instead of just being Roman's wife. Not that there's anything wrong with being just a wife & mother, but it sounded like she wanted to do a little more?? I don't mean working necessarily; I mean having a hobby or a passion.
If the sex scenes were hotter, this would have probably been five stars.
Thanks to the author for the ARC! This has not affected my review. I genuinely enjoyed this book!
I think this was also my first grumpy-sunshine read; I just made the shelf right now. I used to hate that descriptor lol.
November 17, 2022
I love it when MCs were human beings who sometimes lost their minds when they were angry or afraid!
November 25, 2022
This was cute!
I didn't love it like most others so far, but I thought this was a cute Christmas romance. I liked the setting of Manhattan (my favorite city) and the couple boarding a luxury train. That was certainly a new setting and I liked learning more about it.
Roman and Violet to me were kind of cookie-cutter for HP characters. We read these books because we know exactly what we are getting, but Violet's headstrong attitude annoyed me a lot in the beginning. We GET IT. You can make your own decisions.
Overall I enjoyed the meet cute on Halloween day and the eventual ending/grovel. The epilogue with the sister Eloise from the previous book in the dualogy was cute too. Big fan of this author and though it's not my personal fave, would recommend it to holiday romance fans.
Also, just have mention the stunning cover! 😍
I didn't love it like most others so far, but I thought this was a cute Christmas romance. I liked the setting of Manhattan (my favorite city) and the couple boarding a luxury train. That was certainly a new setting and I liked learning more about it.
Roman and Violet to me were kind of cookie-cutter for HP characters. We read these books because we know exactly what we are getting, but Violet's headstrong attitude annoyed me a lot in the beginning. We GET IT. You can make your own decisions.
Overall I enjoyed the meet cute on Halloween day and the eventual ending/grovel. The epilogue with the sister Eloise from the previous book in the dualogy was cute too. Big fan of this author and though it's not my personal fave, would recommend it to holiday romance fans.
Also, just have mention the stunning cover! 😍
March 11, 2023
Natalie Anderson has such a gift for writing. She creates interesting plots with delicious, engaging characters who fight, love and negotiate their way to a happy ending in spite of all the conflicts, (inner and external) that suggest they can never be happy together.
The heroine, Violet is desperate for freedom and independence after a lifetime of over protective smothering from her family. The hero, Roman lost his parents and baby sister in a tragic accident for which he blames himself 20 years later. Successful and wealthy, he keeps himself cut off from emotion because he is scared of loss.
They meet, then meet again, share a night of passion and then meet, accidentally on a train owned by Roman and on which Violet is working. In a shocking reveal, they discover she is pregnant and then begins a dance where Roman wants to control everything (from the best of motives), whilst Violet resists because it ruins her dreams of freedom. All the while, they learn more and grow closer.
The discovery of his sister and subsequent discovery she is living with his best friend Alex adds another dimension to the story.
I loved the way Roman and Violet were with each other and the way their relationship changed and developed. The angst was real and hurtful and the final journey to a happy ending was beautifully done. NA has a real gift for showing not telling and I love her dialogue. So real, so funny and so emotional.
Highly recommend this.
The heroine, Violet is desperate for freedom and independence after a lifetime of over protective smothering from her family. The hero, Roman lost his parents and baby sister in a tragic accident for which he blames himself 20 years later. Successful and wealthy, he keeps himself cut off from emotion because he is scared of loss.
They meet, then meet again, share a night of passion and then meet, accidentally on a train owned by Roman and on which Violet is working. In a shocking reveal, they discover she is pregnant and then begins a dance where Roman wants to control everything (from the best of motives), whilst Violet resists because it ruins her dreams of freedom. All the while, they learn more and grow closer.
The discovery of his sister and subsequent discovery she is living with his best friend Alex adds another dimension to the story.
I loved the way Roman and Violet were with each other and the way their relationship changed and developed. The angst was real and hurtful and the final journey to a happy ending was beautifully done. NA has a real gift for showing not telling and I love her dialogue. So real, so funny and so emotional.
Highly recommend this.
December 15, 2022
~2.5
I was hoping this book would be as insane as the title sounded, but alas, it was pretty tame 😔 Also the baby wasn’t even a Christmas baby! She got pregnant on Thanksgiving!
I was hoping this book would be as insane as the title sounded, but alas, it was pretty tame 😔 Also the baby wasn’t even a Christmas baby! She got pregnant on Thanksgiving!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
November 2, 2022Miniseries
Billion-Dollar Christmas Confessions (Book #2)
Billion-Dollar Christmas Confessions (Book #2)
hq-to-read
November 30, 2022“You’re pregnant?”
The proof of their passion!
Ready to experience life after a childhood defined by illness, Violet Summers has left Manhattan behind…to work aboard the world’s most luxurious express train! The one thing she can’t leave behind? Her memories of one particular gorgeous if brooding stranger…
The night they shared is imprinted on Violet’s body and soul. So the arrival of her new boss, Roman Fraser, almost has her dropping an armful of festive decorations. He’s that man she couldn’t forget! Now she must drop the bombshell she's only just discovered: their sizzling encounter had world-altering consequences!
The proof of their passion!
Ready to experience life after a childhood defined by illness, Violet Summers has left Manhattan behind…to work aboard the world’s most luxurious express train! The one thing she can’t leave behind? Her memories of one particular gorgeous if brooding stranger…
The night they shared is imprinted on Violet’s body and soul. So the arrival of her new boss, Roman Fraser, almost has her dropping an armful of festive decorations. He’s that man she couldn’t forget! Now she must drop the bombshell she's only just discovered: their sizzling encounter had world-altering consequences!
February 18, 2024
Nothing wrong with a silly little hallmarky book every once in a while
December 28, 2022
emery wtf
November 30, 2022
Natalie Anderson has written a 5-star book. This is the story of Violet and Ronan. It is Christmas time and a bad time for Ronan. When he was a child, he lost his family in a car accident. Ronan watch someone take his little sister and couldn't say a word to stop them. He has been looking for her for a few years but couldn't find her. He has left his company party and on his way out finds a pair of angel wings. He is walking down the street and he passed The Macron Shop as Violet is closing up the shop. While she is locking up, he falls a few feet from her. She goes up to him to see if she can help him and he is not so nice to her. He ends up walking her home and telling her goodnight. Ronan has some business that takes him out of town for the next three weeks but when he gets back, he goes to see Violet. They end up sleeping together and they each go their own way. Violet has a new job and she sees Ronan there. She wants to know what he is doing there. He tells her that he was there to work and to get away from everyone. While they are talking, Frankie comes in and tells Violet that she needs to go and take a drug test before they leave. They do all kinds of tests and when hers comes back, she is told that she can't go on the trip because she is pregnant. Violet is shocked by this news. She and Ronan only slept together one time and she has been with no one else. Ronan says the wrong thing and Violet goes off on him. He wants her to stay with him so that he can make sure the baby is his. Things are not going well for Violet and she doesn't have anything to do while Ronan works. It's Christmas eve and Ronan can't deal with being on the train. He tells Violet that they are leaving and going to his home. When they get there, she thinks the home is beautiful. Things happen and they grow closer as they spend time together. She thinks they have a connection but when Ronan's friend Alex calls him and tells him that he found his sister, Ronan changes right in front of her. He locks her out and leaves to go see his sister. Violet is hurt by the way Ronan treated her and decides that she could stay there and he could go back to his home in the city. She would not keep him from the baby but she can't be around him now knowing how she feels about him. Things do not go the way that Ronan wants them to go when he sees his sister. At the time she doesn't want anything to do with the company or the money he tells her that she has. Ronan thinks he should have had Violet come with him instead of locking her out. He goes back home and wants to have a talk with Violet. When he gets there, Violet is not ready to listen to what he has to say.
Will Violet and Ronan work things out between them and get back together?
This was a wonderful book and I would recommend it to anyone.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Will Violet and Ronan work things out between them and get back together?
This was a wonderful book and I would recommend it to anyone.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 6, 2024
If the Billion-Dollar Christmas Confessions books were Hallmark Christmas movie stars, Unwrapping His New York Innocent would be Melissa Joan Hart (chaotic energy channeled into bad decisions) and this one would be Lacey Chabert (looks the part, says the lines, totally dead behind the eyes).
The formula is really similar for both books: a sheltered, virginal non-American woman goes to NYC and enters the service industry to fund her big adventure, meets a hot billionaire on Halloween. Has a one night stand, but rather than ending it there, things develop and they wind up playing house in a Christmas wonderland country lodge. She complicates his Bruce Wayne lifestyle by being all wholesome and sociable, so of course he pushes her away. Until she shows him the true meaning of Christmas, his heart grows three sizes, and the HEA ensues.
I was looking for some Christmas fluff, and in that respect this fits the bill. There's pumpkin pie and *wink* pumpkin pie *wink*. However, I found Violet and Roman to be less appealing than Alex and Ellie. Violet is just as spirited as Alex, but once she gets pregnant, she’s too easily resigned to getting boxed into spaces that Roman controls. Roman has way less personality than Alex, so when Violet describes him as funny and kind, I was like, "Are you sure about that?"
Mostly, this is a story about a dude who has all the money in the world but spends none of it on therapy, and it shows. The fact that Violet is pregnant as a post-cancer patient, alone and away from her family, does not take center stage at all. True, the loss of his family is a trauma that Roman wouldn’t easily move past, but it has utterly defined his existence for almost 20 years by the time Violet meets him. Because of those old hurts, Violet accepts his cruelty and 180-degree mood swings. She basically agrees to be kept under glass and replace his freaking housekeeper rather than continue to pursue her own dreams.
While I’m not expecting Harlequin romance to be particularly progressive, the heroine and the readers deserved better, even if only for the purposes of pure entertainment. What if she ran away to follow her wanderlust and raise her miracle baby on her own terms, and he used his billions to find her (like he’d been unable to find her sister) and make a grand gesture? Way more exciting.
This had the setup of fun-trash, but ultimately, it landed flat after the first several chapters.
🤡
The formula is really similar for both books: a sheltered, virginal non-American woman goes to NYC and enters the service industry to fund her big adventure, meets a hot billionaire on Halloween. Has a one night stand, but rather than ending it there, things develop and they wind up playing house in a Christmas wonderland country lodge. She complicates his Bruce Wayne lifestyle by being all wholesome and sociable, so of course he pushes her away. Until she shows him the true meaning of Christmas, his heart grows three sizes, and the HEA ensues.
I was looking for some Christmas fluff, and in that respect this fits the bill. There's pumpkin pie and *wink* pumpkin pie *wink*. However, I found Violet and Roman to be less appealing than Alex and Ellie. Violet is just as spirited as Alex, but once she gets pregnant, she’s too easily resigned to getting boxed into spaces that Roman controls. Roman has way less personality than Alex, so when Violet describes him as funny and kind, I was like, "Are you sure about that?"
Mostly, this is a story about a dude who has all the money in the world but spends none of it on therapy, and it shows. The fact that Violet is pregnant as a post-cancer patient, alone and away from her family, does not take center stage at all. True, the loss of his family is a trauma that Roman wouldn’t easily move past, but it has utterly defined his existence for almost 20 years by the time Violet meets him. Because of those old hurts, Violet accepts his cruelty and 180-degree mood swings. She basically agrees to be kept under glass and replace his freaking housekeeper rather than continue to pursue her own dreams.
While I’m not expecting Harlequin romance to be particularly progressive, the heroine and the readers deserved better, even if only for the purposes of pure entertainment. What if she ran away to follow her wanderlust and raise her miracle baby on her own terms, and he used his billions to find her (like he’d been unable to find her sister) and make a grand gesture? Way more exciting.
This had the setup of fun-trash, but ultimately, it landed flat after the first several chapters.
“Whatever days I have here, I want to spend them with you.” … “And the nights?” “In you.”
🤡
November 19, 2022
An opening note: this is a two-header alongside Heidi Rice’s ‘Unwrapping his New York Innocent’. Often, these mini-series are only loosely linked. This is NOT true here. This book is the second in the mini-series and really should be read as such to get the most out of a long-lost sister mystery storyline which runs through both books; but is covered and resolved more substantially in this book. The mystery element is a satisfying element to both these books and whilst the format does not allow huge space to be given to it, the two-book formula here does give us readers a lovely satisfying treat.
Our hero is Roman, one of New York’s hottest bachelors and a billionaire with a traumatised childhood that has made him very emotionally unavailable, and Violet is our young heroine who is a jobbing barista/bar worker recently over from Scotland. Like its paired book, there is a huge power, economic and social disparity between the 2 characters and Violet is a virgin. Added to this, this is a book for those who like accidental pregnancy tropes. Neither the inequality nor the pregnancy are my favourite things in a romance. Luckily Violet is an emotionally mature, strong and independent minded character and this does much to alleviate my concerns. Ramon is very much an old-style heroine full of flashy stunts (helicopter piloting anyone?), but emotionally distant and emotionally immature. There are good reasons for his character being as it is, but he did leave me just a bit uninterested in him (perhaps unfairly given all he had been through), whilst cheering on and being invested in Violet’s story.
This is a holiday book, edging in on the back of Halloween, taking in Thanksgiving, Christmas and into the New Year. It does a good job of giving us the holiday vibe.
The book has a couple of patchy points and one in particular where is leaves the romantic arc to give us the welcome mystery resolution, inevitably the flow and drive of the romance suffers from this as it is ignored for a quite a number of pages (about 20 I think). This combined with my relative lack of investment in Ramon meant it lacked an emotional punch for me. It is though, an enjoyable holiday read, full of rollercoaster glamour, with a lovely heroine.
I read an advance copy of this book.
Our hero is Roman, one of New York’s hottest bachelors and a billionaire with a traumatised childhood that has made him very emotionally unavailable, and Violet is our young heroine who is a jobbing barista/bar worker recently over from Scotland. Like its paired book, there is a huge power, economic and social disparity between the 2 characters and Violet is a virgin. Added to this, this is a book for those who like accidental pregnancy tropes. Neither the inequality nor the pregnancy are my favourite things in a romance. Luckily Violet is an emotionally mature, strong and independent minded character and this does much to alleviate my concerns. Ramon is very much an old-style heroine full of flashy stunts (helicopter piloting anyone?), but emotionally distant and emotionally immature. There are good reasons for his character being as it is, but he did leave me just a bit uninterested in him (perhaps unfairly given all he had been through), whilst cheering on and being invested in Violet’s story.
This is a holiday book, edging in on the back of Halloween, taking in Thanksgiving, Christmas and into the New Year. It does a good job of giving us the holiday vibe.
The book has a couple of patchy points and one in particular where is leaves the romantic arc to give us the welcome mystery resolution, inevitably the flow and drive of the romance suffers from this as it is ignored for a quite a number of pages (about 20 I think). This combined with my relative lack of investment in Ramon meant it lacked an emotional punch for me. It is though, an enjoyable holiday read, full of rollercoaster glamour, with a lovely heroine.
I read an advance copy of this book.
November 5, 2022
This is book two in The Billion-Dollar Christmas Confessions Series and it is Violet and Roman's story and omg it is definitely a must read. Roman is CEO of Fraser Holdings which is the legacy of his Great-Grandparents and loved what he did even though he was jaded, had demons of his own and worked and travelled a lot to keep busy he still had nightmares about the night day that he lost everything and he doesn't do relationships or because and that was the way he would continue. Violet travelled from her hometown of New Zealand to Manhattan so that she can start to live her life away from her overprotective parents and brother's even though she understood why they were like this because of what she had been through but while closing the shop where she worked she turned around and found a large set of Angel wings attached to a very handsome man and Violet felt a connection to him that she hadn't ever felt before. Violet and Roman ended up having a one night stand and there connection and chemistry between them was so strong and off the charts hot but that was all they would ever have as Violet was about to start a new job and also wanted to travel so image her surprise when she walked into the presidential suite to collect decorations to find Roman standing there shocking them both but then things got even more complicated. This book takes you on a roller coaster ride of emotions and I was in tears with everything that they had both gone through and I felt like I was there living through it with them and feeling all there pain and even though they were the total opposite of each other in every single way they just seem to be perfect together and both deserved a happy ending but will that happen or will Roman walk away missing out on something very special. I absolutely loved this book and the characters and storyline pulled you in and kept your attention throughout and I couldn't put it down as it was a real page turner and totally addictive and I definitely recommend you read this book and you will not be disappointed.
I Voluntarily Reviewed a Copy of This Book.
I Voluntarily Reviewed a Copy of This Book.
November 30, 2022
Natalie Anderson heats up the holidays with her latest novel, Carrying Her Boss's Christmas Baby.
Violet Summers' childhood was marked by illness, but now that she's all grown up, she is determined to cast aside the shackles of her invalid past and to experience life. Leaving Manhattan behind to work on the world's most luxurious express train, Violet is determined to have some wonderful adventures. However, little does she realize that the biggest adventure of them all will be with her boss, Roman Fraser, with whom she is already very well acquainted.
Violet cannot believe that Roman is her new boss. The two of them had once got very close and Violet has never ever managed to forget him. Violet plans on keeping things strictly professional between her and her new boss - until she realizes that their one night together had consequences that will bind them together for the rest of their lives...
Keeping things professional is no longer an option for Violet and Roman, but will their Christmas baby make them realize that the two of them are meant to be together? Or will their doubts, fears and insecurities ruin this chance at happiness?
Natalie Anderson's Carrying Her Boss's Christmas Baby is a fun, steamy and emotional sizzler readers will devour in one go. Natalie Anderson is a master at writing red-hot love stories packed with heat, drama and sensuality that keep readers hooked from the beginning to end and Carrying Her Boss's Christmas Baby is no different.
A second chance-at-love romance readers will thoroughly enjoy, Carrying Her Boss's Christmas Baby is not to be missed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Violet Summers' childhood was marked by illness, but now that she's all grown up, she is determined to cast aside the shackles of her invalid past and to experience life. Leaving Manhattan behind to work on the world's most luxurious express train, Violet is determined to have some wonderful adventures. However, little does she realize that the biggest adventure of them all will be with her boss, Roman Fraser, with whom she is already very well acquainted.
Violet cannot believe that Roman is her new boss. The two of them had once got very close and Violet has never ever managed to forget him. Violet plans on keeping things strictly professional between her and her new boss - until she realizes that their one night together had consequences that will bind them together for the rest of their lives...
Keeping things professional is no longer an option for Violet and Roman, but will their Christmas baby make them realize that the two of them are meant to be together? Or will their doubts, fears and insecurities ruin this chance at happiness?
Natalie Anderson's Carrying Her Boss's Christmas Baby is a fun, steamy and emotional sizzler readers will devour in one go. Natalie Anderson is a master at writing red-hot love stories packed with heat, drama and sensuality that keep readers hooked from the beginning to end and Carrying Her Boss's Christmas Baby is no different.
A second chance-at-love romance readers will thoroughly enjoy, Carrying Her Boss's Christmas Baby is not to be missed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 13, 2022
Unexpected pregnancy is one of my most favourite tropes and Natalie Anderson wrote it splendidly!
The grumpy and autocratic hero, Roman Fraser first encounters Violet on Halloween when he is taking half-broken wings outside his office building without any purpose on where he should put them meanwhile Violet thinks that Roman is a handsome-fallen angel when she first has a glimpse of him and knows nothing of him. Violet is a pure naive heroine who just wants to experience life without being monitored by her parents and over-protective brothers after what she had been through. On Thanksgiving, unable to forget and deny his sexual desire towards the petite sweet brunette he meets, he finds himself seeking Violet working in the adjacent shop and they commence attracting one another until they succumb into one-night stand.
Ah, I couldn’t tell how much I loved this book, when Roman finds out that Violet is pregnant with his baby on the train trip he owns, he is determined to protect her and the baby with their unstoppable banter I enjoyed. On the other hand, Violet feels profoundly irritated because she doesn’t need to be taking care of.
I’ve always been fond of Natalie’s writing. She often writes all my favourite tropes and characters especially this one, it was smartly plotted, began on Halloween, Thanksgiving then it reached the climax on Christmas day. The set on the train trip was an extra gripping plot that caught me over and over. This wonderful and emotional story kept me indulged until the last page. Thank you, Natalie Anderson, for this ARC which I voluntary reviewed.
The grumpy and autocratic hero, Roman Fraser first encounters Violet on Halloween when he is taking half-broken wings outside his office building without any purpose on where he should put them meanwhile Violet thinks that Roman is a handsome-fallen angel when she first has a glimpse of him and knows nothing of him. Violet is a pure naive heroine who just wants to experience life without being monitored by her parents and over-protective brothers after what she had been through. On Thanksgiving, unable to forget and deny his sexual desire towards the petite sweet brunette he meets, he finds himself seeking Violet working in the adjacent shop and they commence attracting one another until they succumb into one-night stand.
Ah, I couldn’t tell how much I loved this book, when Roman finds out that Violet is pregnant with his baby on the train trip he owns, he is determined to protect her and the baby with their unstoppable banter I enjoyed. On the other hand, Violet feels profoundly irritated because she doesn’t need to be taking care of.
I’ve always been fond of Natalie’s writing. She often writes all my favourite tropes and characters especially this one, it was smartly plotted, began on Halloween, Thanksgiving then it reached the climax on Christmas day. The set on the train trip was an extra gripping plot that caught me over and over. This wonderful and emotional story kept me indulged until the last page. Thank you, Natalie Anderson, for this ARC which I voluntary reviewed.
March 18, 2023
The opening scene includes a young woman manning a tiny macaron store in New York City late at night on Halloween. Whom should she see outside the store window but a gorgeous tall dark-haired man in a beautiful suit (or tux?) with a large pair of costume wings slung over his shoulder - one wing broken. It’s a fantastic image. I’d love to see it on screen. I imagine the man in a pool of light from a street light with the wings shining just a bit.
Unfortunately, for me, the rest of the book wasn’t as good. The dialogue between the characters wasn’t sparkling. There was lots of interior monologuing.
I definitely understand the reviewers who found the book highly emotional. I think that’s what you get from all the interior monologues that I don’t care for as much.
On the other hand, I did like the characters, especially the heroine (from New Zealand! Waving the old Mills & Boone flag a bit there! Also in the British spellings - armour, for example - which are unusual to find in a book set in the US.)
If the hero’s best friend and sister have a book, I’d say that was the main one and this was the follow-up because there is almost no action in this one.
Unfortunately, for me, the rest of the book wasn’t as good. The dialogue between the characters wasn’t sparkling. There was lots of interior monologuing.
I definitely understand the reviewers who found the book highly emotional. I think that’s what you get from all the interior monologues that I don’t care for as much.
On the other hand, I did like the characters, especially the heroine (from New Zealand! Waving the old Mills & Boone flag a bit there! Also in the British spellings - armour, for example - which are unusual to find in a book set in the US.)
If the hero’s best friend and sister have a book, I’d say that was the main one and this was the follow-up because there is almost no action in this one.
January 7, 2023
I liked it, both hero and heroine were likeable characters even though hero was emotionally stunted. They had great chemistry and I liked that hero couldn't help but fall for heroine.
I think hero was celibate during the 3 weeks he was away on business (first meeting on Halloween to when they slept together on Thanksgiving).
He only told heroine he hadn't been with anyone else since he slept with her Thanksgiving, but I'm of the opinion he didn't think the weeks from when they first met to when they slept together were consequential.
I like that their connection was so strong that they still would have ended up together (IMO) had she not been pregnant. I just think it would have taken longer for them to get there, the pregnancy just fast tracked it.
I hate when it feels like a couple is only together because of a baby and that their connection could so easily be severed otherwise. P.
I think hero was celibate during the 3 weeks he was away on business (first meeting on Halloween to when they slept together on Thanksgiving).
He only told heroine he hadn't been with anyone else since he slept with her Thanksgiving, but I'm of the opinion he didn't think the weeks from when they first met to when they slept together were consequential.
I like that their connection was so strong that they still would have ended up together (IMO) had she not been pregnant. I just think it would have taken longer for them to get there, the pregnancy just fast tracked it.
I hate when it feels like a couple is only together because of a baby and that their connection could so easily be severed otherwise. P.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2022
TW: Cancer in the past, mention of infertility
The story starts with American Roman Fraser giving his company's Halloween celebrations a miss. Nearby, Violet Summers locks up the store where she works, in Manhattan. And among the Halloween revellers, she runs into a handsome stranger (it absolutely doesn't happen like that, can you ever imagine a Harlequin hero among Halloween revellers? No sir!)
From Aotearoa, New Zealand, Violet is finally living her life on her own terms after leaving the shelter of her overprotective family (there's a past there, that you'll know when you read the book; the heroine is no wallflower).
The story is off to a humorous start as their very first banter won me over. Violet makes it her mission to save her "fallen angel" as he looks lost in the busy streets of Manhattan.
The two stories in the Billion-Dollar Christmas Confessions duology run on parallel timelines. I never thought I'd read a romance where the second meet is weeks away, and that too because the hero can't get the heroine out of his mind. That was a pleasant surprise. But what was best (for me) was that the pregnancy revelation came early in the book, something that I love.
There is foodgasm over an award-winning pumpkin pie, and stories of the past, even if briefly, are exchanged.
The time for the pregnancy revelation though, especially during the new job that Violet is engaged in, felt the most exciting to me. It was a totally different concept, I love trains and I LOVED THAT SCENE; this book had so many firsts for me, in a way.
A part of the story takes place on that freaking train journey and there are other locations as well, but the story is mainly limited to Roman and Violet. And it never gets boring. Because the writing keeps the story alive through all of it. I howled at the author's play with cliched pregnancy phrases.
I felt so sad for Roman, the guilt he has been living with for all those years. But the story ending in that famous reunion scene was heartening and funny. It ends with a beautiful epilogue that shows their lives a year later.
This is my first read by Natalie Anderson and I can't wait to read more of her works.
The story starts with American Roman Fraser giving his company's Halloween celebrations a miss. Nearby, Violet Summers locks up the store where she works, in Manhattan. And among the Halloween revellers, she runs into a handsome stranger (it absolutely doesn't happen like that, can you ever imagine a Harlequin hero among Halloween revellers? No sir!)
From Aotearoa, New Zealand, Violet is finally living her life on her own terms after leaving the shelter of her overprotective family (there's a past there, that you'll know when you read the book; the heroine is no wallflower).
The story is off to a humorous start as their very first banter won me over. Violet makes it her mission to save her "fallen angel" as he looks lost in the busy streets of Manhattan.
The two stories in the Billion-Dollar Christmas Confessions duology run on parallel timelines. I never thought I'd read a romance where the second meet is weeks away, and that too because the hero can't get the heroine out of his mind. That was a pleasant surprise. But what was best (for me) was that the pregnancy revelation came early in the book, something that I love.
There is foodgasm over an award-winning pumpkin pie, and stories of the past, even if briefly, are exchanged.
The time for the pregnancy revelation though, especially during the new job that Violet is engaged in, felt the most exciting to me. It was a totally different concept, I love trains and I LOVED THAT SCENE; this book had so many firsts for me, in a way.
This transported people for whom time was a limitless luxury and where the destination didn’t really matter—the slow serenity of the trip was the whole point.
A part of the story takes place on that freaking train journey and there are other locations as well, but the story is mainly limited to Roman and Violet. And it never gets boring. Because the writing keeps the story alive through all of it. I howled at the author's play with cliched pregnancy phrases.
Her? Was he thinking of a daughter? She’d thought of a son. A mini-Roman. Holder of her heart. Breaker of it.
I felt so sad for Roman, the guilt he has been living with for all those years. But the story ending in that famous reunion scene was heartening and funny. It ends with a beautiful epilogue that shows their lives a year later.
This is my first read by Natalie Anderson and I can't wait to read more of her works.
December 22, 2022
4.2⭐️
Honestly, it took me until the third chapter to get into the story and it took me a few days to get there. I was busy & not thrilled to get back to it, which is not normal. I usually love Natalie Anderson’s books. That is the only reason for a little lower score. Once I got into the story, I really enjoyed it! I’m glad I kept pushing through the first 2 chapters to get to the good stuff.
Both MCs had baggage (who doesn’t, right?!) & were afraid of committing to a future that made them out of their comfort zone. Even though it doesn’t change POVs in the story, we still read what is going on internally for each character, which I like. Both characters matured & realized what was truly important to them. I always love getting a HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Honestly, it took me until the third chapter to get into the story and it took me a few days to get there. I was busy & not thrilled to get back to it, which is not normal. I usually love Natalie Anderson’s books. That is the only reason for a little lower score. Once I got into the story, I really enjoyed it! I’m glad I kept pushing through the first 2 chapters to get to the good stuff.
Both MCs had baggage (who doesn’t, right?!) & were afraid of committing to a future that made them out of their comfort zone. Even though it doesn’t change POVs in the story, we still read what is going on internally for each character, which I like. Both characters matured & realized what was truly important to them. I always love getting a HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 12, 2022
This is the story of Violet and Ronan. When he was a child, he lost his family in a car accident. Ronan watch someone take his little sister and couldn't say a word to stop them. He has been looking for her for a few years but couldn't find her. He has left his company party and on his way out finds a pair of angel wings. He is walking down the street and he passed The Macron Shop as Violet is closing up the shop. Lola and Roman meet at Halloween and talk to each other. Thanksgiving, they meet again and things get intimate. They like each other and still don't know much about the other. Both have baggage to deal with. Christmas is the time for hope, love and giving.
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.
December 20, 2024
Destination Passion de Natalie Anderson est un roman Harlequin typique, offrant une histoire sentimentale divertissante et riche en événements dramatiques. Bien que la dynamique relationnelle entre les personnages soit intéressante et que l'intrigue maintienne l'attention, le format court limite le développement en profondeur des personnages, rendant certains drames un peu abrupts.
Destiné à un public averti, le roman inclut plusieurs scènes sexuelles qui ajoutent une intensité passionnée à l'histoire.
Idéal pour une lecture rapide et légère, ce livre répond bien aux attentes du genre, mais pourrait laisser sur leur faim ceux qui recherchent une intrigue plus élaborée ou des personnages plus complexes.
Destiné à un public averti, le roman inclut plusieurs scènes sexuelles qui ajoutent une intensité passionnée à l'histoire.
Idéal pour une lecture rapide et légère, ce livre répond bien aux attentes du genre, mais pourrait laisser sur leur faim ceux qui recherchent une intrigue plus élaborée ou des personnages plus complexes.
December 1, 2022
I fell in love with this perfectly, fated romance!
Violet is the perfect female protagonist to Roman’s bah humbug holiday spirit. Their first chance encounter sets the stage for their later sizzling one night stand. Violet leaving the city to start work on her job that has her traveling via train across the country. Needless to say, when her new boss joins the train ride, there is a first-class plot twist as Violet finds herself failing a company test. What will Roman do with the festive Violet? You have to read to find out and will be rooting for Violet to break through Roman’s fortress around his heart!
Violet is the perfect female protagonist to Roman’s bah humbug holiday spirit. Their first chance encounter sets the stage for their later sizzling one night stand. Violet leaving the city to start work on her job that has her traveling via train across the country. Needless to say, when her new boss joins the train ride, there is a first-class plot twist as Violet finds herself failing a company test. What will Roman do with the festive Violet? You have to read to find out and will be rooting for Violet to break through Roman’s fortress around his heart!
April 1, 2023
I enjoyed this novel because the male protagonist was a character who knew how to identify his sins and apologise for them before saying 'I love you' and expecting those three words to wash everything away without any effort to identify where things need to be worked on and changed. The female protagonist knew how to be brave to express how she felt without expecting to be mind-read, mature to try to make a tense situation work for both parties, and forgive rather than turning bitter and letting that dark emotion turn her actions selfish. This was a romance novel relationship that could work out in real life.
December 1, 2022
Violet and Roman two very different people are drawn together and now are bound together for years to come. She comes from a average family and because of a early illness she is mature and ready for adventure where as Roman comes from a privilege background which has made his immature and selfish. When she finds herself pregnant with his child she is going to get an adventure she did not expect but will he precipitate in the adventure.
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.
December 2, 2022
A very good book
This is the 2nd book in the series and it was awesome. The characters and plot were very well written. The h met the H before Christmas, he hated the season because he had lost all of his family. The H had so much emotional drama, he had shut down emotionally. The h wanted adventure and to live life because she had a major health scare as a teen. Finding his sister alive brought out all of his fears and feelings. They overcame a lot to find their HEA. Good ending.
This is the 2nd book in the series and it was awesome. The characters and plot were very well written. The h met the H before Christmas, he hated the season because he had lost all of his family. The H had so much emotional drama, he had shut down emotionally. The h wanted adventure and to live life because she had a major health scare as a teen. Finding his sister alive brought out all of his fears and feelings. They overcame a lot to find their HEA. Good ending.
December 2, 2022
Violet is ready to start a wonderful new life after a childhood full of sickness and doctors.
What better way to start this new adventure in life then taking on a job on a luxurious express train. With this new beginning she had a enjoyable encounter with a handsome stranger. She was left with a sweet bonus from this encounter.
What she didn't expect was when she met her new boss, he turned out to being her handsome stranger and daddy to her unborn baby.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What better way to start this new adventure in life then taking on a job on a luxurious express train. With this new beginning she had a enjoyable encounter with a handsome stranger. She was left with a sweet bonus from this encounter.
What she didn't expect was when she met her new boss, he turned out to being her handsome stranger and daddy to her unborn baby.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 24, 2022
I loved the beginning, is was so sexy, sweet and lots of chemistry. And very Christmasy. I think it would have made a better longer novel but the HQN Presents format was too short to do it justice.
Apart from that the hero was clearly traumatised from his past and it seemed like love and sex heals all but in reality, no. He had serious issues, and no amount of sex or love will heal that. He was paranoid about his money with his controlling behaviour was just at odds with the heroine. I think it was worthy of a longer novel so the author could explore the issues.
Apart from that the hero was clearly traumatised from his past and it seemed like love and sex heals all but in reality, no. He had serious issues, and no amount of sex or love will heal that. He was paranoid about his money with his controlling behaviour was just at odds with the heroine. I think it was worthy of a longer novel so the author could explore the issues.
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