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Safe Harbor Medical #1

The Would-Be Mommy

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From the moment he arrives at Safe Harbor Medical, Ian Martin is on infant overload. But the story he's covering gets a lot more interesting when the adventure-seeking reporter meets Jennifer Serra, an intriguing PR director who has created a stir by taking home one of the center's unwanted newborns!Jennifer has always wanted a child of her own. Her dream becomes thrilling reality when she agrees to temporarily--permanently?--be a mother to a sweet baby girl. Ian could complete the picture--Jennifer sees how easily he bonds with little Rosalie.

But just when she begins to look at Ian as potential father material, the dashing journalist dredges up a scandal from Jennifer's past that could jeopardize her plans for adoption...and for a future with Ian.

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

131 people are currently reading
269 people want to read

About the author

Jacqueline Diamond

249 books173 followers
USA Today bestselling author Jacqueline Diamond has more than 100 novels to her name! A former Associated Press reporter and TV columnist, Jackie is best known for her Safe Harbor Medical romances and mysteries, as well as her traditional Regency romances.

Her newest exciting venture is the Forgotten Village Magical Mystery series, beginning with A Cat's Garden of Secrets. Other recent works include the Sisters, Lovers & Second Chances series, featuring couples over age 50.

Jackie has been honored with a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. She and her husband, who have two grown sons, live in Southern California. You can learn more about her books at www.jacquelinediamond.net or at JacquelineDiamondAuthor on Facebook.

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5 stars
217 (53%)
4 stars
116 (28%)
3 stars
48 (11%)
2 stars
14 (3%)
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10 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Umaiya ❄️Ramblings of a Scattered Mind❄️.
1,128 reviews383 followers
April 15, 2014
Oh Boy!

I was not expecting this and I mean this in a very very good way.
In my personal experience, most stories following a plot like this tend to be fluff. Dont get me wrong, some of those stories could possibly melt stone hearts but this. . . . WOW!

Its 03:52am so my apologies, this review might not be all that.

Regardless, this book, their story, My God! This was some real deep shit. (excuse me) I don't have any real criticism regarding the book except that, as serious as this was, a comic relief would have been welcomed. But that is solely my opinion.

I loved little Rosaline and I knew exactly how Jenn felt. You can never tell but the next thing you know, the little devils are your life and that level of attachment, if broken, has a real crippling effect.

What i loved most was the underlying message of redemption, forgiveness and especially closure. Which can be achieved through the smallest of things, the immeasurable moments and forgotten words.

This book had so much depth to it, that i believe, everyone should read it, for if nothing else, than to get a perspective of other peoples circumstances. So maybe, just maybe, the future of our race isn't so bleak.
Profile Image for Mandy Sickle.
1,517 reviews155 followers
March 2, 2014
Jennifer is the PR director for Safe harbor Medical which is a hospital that’s just finished renovations to make it the leading baby hospital. While Jennifer’s goal is to make sure the press conference goes off without a hitch but her plan for perfect goes up in the air with a young mother shows up wanting to leave her baby with Jennifer to raise her. Waiting in the wings to get the story is Ian a reporter who’s been all over the world. While Jennifer is hesitant to take the baby the young mother is determined it has to be her and after agreeing she knows this little girl will change her life.

As Jennifer falls in love with little Rosalie she knows that she must keep her daughter safe being reminded of the child she lost. She also begins to fall in love with Ian after spending some time but it’s not meant to happen since he’s going to head off to New York for his new assignment. As a secret from her past threatens her future Jennifer will risk it all to save the little girl she loves.

I love Jennifer she’s an honest good person with a good heart who I couldn't help connection with. I wasn't sure how I felt about Ian but as the story progressed I liked him more and more. The story has a interesting selection of characters that I’m hoping may appear in future books from this series.

The Would-Be Mommy is exactly why I love Harlequin novels so much. I was turned on to Harlequins a
s a young teenager a long time ago by my grandmothers. The book has characters you can connect with I couldn’t help feeling Jennifer’s emotional feelings as everything happened. I even felt bad for the McCoy’s like Jennifer did. I love that the book has everything it needs to tell an enchanting story. I really enjoyed the story it was hard to put down. I actually finished the book in just a few short hours. This is my first book by this author but I know already I’m hoping to read more from Safe Haven. A novel worth reading, I may even read it again when I get the baby bug and have a craving for happy ever after.
138 reviews9 followers
February 7, 2018
Thank You to the Author for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I started reading this book in the mood for a short and sweet romance, and that’s exactly what I got! It was the kind of book that sucked you in straight away and you immediately wanted to find out more. I think one of the main reasons for this was the likability of the characters, I found them easy to like and to rally behind from the beginning. Jennifer especially as she was more often then not just trying to make the best out of every situation.

In regards to the story itself it was a lot more in-depth then I had initially thought it would be, as I mentioned above I went into this expecting a short but sweet romance story with a few obstacles in the way before they got their happily ever after, however the book provided more than a few surprises along the way with a far more in depth character development and background than I was expecting which I really enjoyed. It also provided at credible twist to the story which really brought everything together while still being something I hadn’t expected.

Something else which I hadn’t been expecting was the way it managed to bring up a lot of important issues throughout the novel, motherhood and providing the best life for babies I think was the core issue, however it also puts an interesting light on the influence of not only social media but how news articles and so on can effect public opinion. In regards to the romance part of the story their is a bit of instalove but not to the extent of head of heels first meeting but instead I felt it worked really well within the story. The only thing I would of liked to of seen more of was some more story and development of other characters, however as this is part of a series (#17 so far!) I’m guessing they may have a story of their own! Definitely a series I want to check out more of and a great Beach and Wine kinda read.
Profile Image for Beck Frost.
313 reviews14 followers
September 22, 2014
Much bigger on story than I was expecting. Very calming and well written.
Profile Image for Jo-Anne.
1,761 reviews38 followers
April 15, 2020
The Would-Be Mommy is simultaneously heartbreaking and uplifting.

Jennifer is an excellent PR director for Safe Harbor Medical. Now that the renovations are finished, it's known as the leading baby hospital. Jennifer thought the press conference went smoothly until young mothers began showing up to drop off their babies! Then one, in particular, wanted Jennifer to take her baby to raise. Ian has had an exciting career, working all over the world as a reporter. He thought covering the hospital story would be boring but once the babies started being dropped off, he knows there is a good story there.

Jennifer quickly falls in love with baby Rosalie. Nothing is more important than keeping her safe, especially after losing her baby years ago. As she spends more time with Ian, she starts falling for him too. But she knows he won't be around long. What she doesn't know is that Ian is falling for her and the baby, too. When a secret Jennifer has hidden for years, comes out, will she lose Rosalie and Ian?

Jennifer is a good person, always trying to help others and make the best of everything. It was wonderful to see her get a baby to love. Ian is a bit of a jerk at first but as the story progressed and he started thinking about more than just his career, I liked him more.

I enjoy medical romance, especially when there is drama, so I was happy I won this novel. If you like medical romance, I recommend this book.
3,546 reviews14 followers
October 25, 2019
The Would-Be Mommy is a contemporary romance by Jacqueline Diamond. This is a fairly quick read, perfect for those with limited reading time. I wasn't sure I'd enjoy this book because the title is...just a tad corny. I should have had more faith in this author, I have read other books by her and enjoyed them. This book didn't disappoint. Ian is a reporter assigned to do some human interest bits. Jennifer is the PR director of Safe Harbor Medical and ends up becoming a weekend mom when someone turns their baby over at the hospital, insisting the Jennifer takes her. Ian and Jennifer's story is packed with drama, humor, spice and just a touch of suspense. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more from Jacqueline Diamond in the future. The Would-Be Mommy is book 1 of the Safe Harbor Medical Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I read a print copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Nancy Silk.
Author 5 books82 followers
September 20, 2017
"Every Child Deserves A Loving Parent"

Ian Martin has stirred up trouble with a news story he wrote about hospitals welcoming abandoned babies. He's got a firestorm around the public relations director of the local hospital, Jennifer Serra. She's lost her heart to a baby being delivered to the hospital. The teen mother will surrender her newborn only to Jennifer. How can she refuse? Here's her chance to a new episode of life, and perhaps it may include Ian Martin. You may shed a few tears while reading this story, but there is true love to be found here. A very well written story of life's lessons.
251 reviews3 followers
January 17, 2022
The Would-be Mommy (Safe Harbor Medical Romances Book 1)

Ian is a reporter who has traveled the world reporting on all kinds of stories. Jennifer is in charge of Communications for Safe Harbor Medical. They meet when Jennifer is asked to take care of a bay dropped off at the hospital. The mother Sunny insists that Jennifer take her daughter and raise her as her own. Ian becomes involved and the story goes global. Jennifer has hidden secrets and didn't want to become a media sensation.
Profile Image for Susan.
94 reviews1 follower
April 13, 2021
Wonderfully heart warming

Jacqueline Diamond is a writer with a heart filled with love that is portrayed on every page of here books. I have only begun reading her work, with the Downhome Doctor series. I am now on the Safe Harbor series and can't wait to complete this series and move on to the next.
Profile Image for Monica M.
472 reviews4 followers
June 8, 2022
2.5 stars.

The writing is not bad but everything happen instantly.
As the PR person, she trusting the man way too fast, in a day (forgetting he is a reporter that keen to get a story, salacious preferably, on her hospital).
Also the whole story doesn't capture my interest whereas the formulaic total stranger man and woman finding a baby then raise that baby together usually fun to read.
Profile Image for Julie Jefferies.
371 reviews3 followers
June 22, 2017
This was a great story that I just couldn't stop reading. I loved the storyline and the characters. The secret that could destroy Jennifer's dream was well kept and then beautifully played out. I couldn't help but love Ian, his thoughts, and his reaction to those thoughts were just beautiful.
Author 1 book69 followers
June 20, 2021
Journalist Ian Martin stirs up trouble with his news story about a hospital welcoming abandoned babies and ignites a firestorm around public relations director Jennifer Serra.
I thought this to be a good read. I love children, as fostering many children.
Profile Image for Mary.
955 reviews8 followers
February 26, 2022
Surrendered Baby

Jennifer lost her baby when she was a teen in an accident. Ian uncovered everything and as a reporter, exposed it to all. She wasn't sure how she'd survive after he left to cover another story somewhere else.
628 reviews3 followers
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October 11, 2022
Would Be Mommy

Too much explicit sex, trying on the shoe before buying. I avoided reading those sections. Otherwise a story of two independent people who have to come to common understanding for a relationship to proceed.
Profile Image for Barbara Tobey.
3,042 reviews86 followers
September 3, 2017
Delightful watching the various characters' maturation in a short period of time, including the baby. Interesting back stories for the main individuals. Serious side stories. Engaging romance.
184 reviews3 followers
February 6, 2022
This is a quick read. The story is well written and the characters are interesting. It has a happily ever after ending and shows that time and the truth can heal tragic events from the past.
1 review
February 22, 2022
enjoyable quick read

I liked the main characters. They seemed realistic with their past influencing their life, desires for their futures. I enjoyed it very much!
Profile Image for Laurel .
1,379 reviews5 followers
December 2, 2025
This was a good short read. Got a feeling for the characters, but story was strangely shallow. Clean read.
Profile Image for Birgit.
1,353 reviews17 followers
February 1, 2026
nice plot, but so unrealistic
cute though
Profile Image for Tia.
Author 10 books141 followers
April 23, 2012
This book was sweet and I was so emotionally connected to the book that at times I couldn't help but cry. I was terribly delighted from the book and more importantly the ending. It was quite a beautiful book to read.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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