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Navy #5
Navy Baby
Forced into marriage by Hannah Raymond's preacher father, naval seaman Riley Murdock vows to be a good husband and give his children everything he never had. But is this enough to lead to love?
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
171 people are currently reading
1432 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Macomber
894 books20.6k followersDebbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
April 29, 2017
Heroine crazy in love with her dead fiance. Yikes!
April 12, 2011
Wonderful Terrific read,It was a great story, the characters were real, with emotional depth, and the pacing was great - everything was just right, and I enjoyed this one very much.
Hannah is a minister's daughter. She was engaged to a wonderful man, but he has just died, before they could marry. Angry, sad, and bitter, Hannah meets Riley Murdoch in a set of unusual circumstances, and, in a wholly uncharacteristic gesture, she throws herself at him. When Riley realizes that this is her first time, he tries to talk to her, but she disappears before he can get any information at all. Riley tries to find her - but without even a last name, it is pretty hopeless - until, Riley meets her in an unexpected way - at the other end of the shotgun. Forced into a marriage neither of them wanted, do they even have a chance?
Hannah always had a protected childhood but Riley had a rough childhood but Riley slowly comes to share his pains and hurt that he endured during it and realises he loves Hannah quiet early but keeps away thinking he does not deserves Hannah and in order woo her god way he makes problems for himself is another thing but he is so caring n protective towards both Hannah and the baby even when he is angry in the early days of his marriage
Some moments are cute,some are awww and some are difficult to read through first half cause Hannah n Riley both keep shouting n yelling at each other but slowly how things change and how both come to love each other its really good to read,You can really connect with Riley's fears when he is deployed and Hannah is due to give birth vice versa though Hannah is scared to death but she puts a courageous front for Riley and assures him everything will be all right
Best moments for me in the books were
-Riley is so caring towards Hannah,never allowing her pick anything and strictly tell her never to pick a cotton also
-when Hannah has this cramps in her stomach due to indigestions but she is so terrified thinks she will lose the baby he acts so fast brings her to hospital and actually for the first time prays in a church (such a cute prayer)and promises to start attending sunday services,when he finds out Hannah is so talented plays Piano and is a gr8 seamstress
-when Riley comes to know abt Jerry,learns how good he was he accepts that he was a really gr8 man and he would have liked to be friends with him
-At the end of the book when he is away his fears for Hannah n baby
-When he holds the baby for the first time he is so scared is stiff as a cardboard and Hannah enjoys it
Okay lemme stop here,my list will be never ending,you all raed and find out
This story paces exceptionally well, we feel both Hannah's and Riley's very real reservations, their very real and realistic emotions, as they have to work out what they really want - and how they will get there. I loved this story especially because it was about two people who are trying to do the right thing, about two people who both try - eventually - to rise above their anger and bitterness to try to create something beautiful, meaningful - and lasting.This book grabed me from the start and had me glued till the end
Actually loved the fact though theirs was a rocky start of the marriage but at the same time both cared and always regretted when they hurted each other and both are cute in their own ways
Great read,definetely a keeper
Highly Recommend it
Hannah is a minister's daughter. She was engaged to a wonderful man, but he has just died, before they could marry. Angry, sad, and bitter, Hannah meets Riley Murdoch in a set of unusual circumstances, and, in a wholly uncharacteristic gesture, she throws herself at him. When Riley realizes that this is her first time, he tries to talk to her, but she disappears before he can get any information at all. Riley tries to find her - but without even a last name, it is pretty hopeless - until, Riley meets her in an unexpected way - at the other end of the shotgun. Forced into a marriage neither of them wanted, do they even have a chance?
Hannah always had a protected childhood but Riley had a rough childhood but Riley slowly comes to share his pains and hurt that he endured during it and realises he loves Hannah quiet early but keeps away thinking he does not deserves Hannah and in order woo her god way he makes problems for himself is another thing but he is so caring n protective towards both Hannah and the baby even when he is angry in the early days of his marriage
Some moments are cute,some are awww and some are difficult to read through first half cause Hannah n Riley both keep shouting n yelling at each other but slowly how things change and how both come to love each other its really good to read,You can really connect with Riley's fears when he is deployed and Hannah is due to give birth vice versa though Hannah is scared to death but she puts a courageous front for Riley and assures him everything will be all right
Best moments for me in the books were
-Riley is so caring towards Hannah,never allowing her pick anything and strictly tell her never to pick a cotton also
-when Hannah has this cramps in her stomach due to indigestions but she is so terrified thinks she will lose the baby he acts so fast brings her to hospital and actually for the first time prays in a church (such a cute prayer)and promises to start attending sunday services,when he finds out Hannah is so talented plays Piano and is a gr8 seamstress
-when Riley comes to know abt Jerry,learns how good he was he accepts that he was a really gr8 man and he would have liked to be friends with him
-At the end of the book when he is away his fears for Hannah n baby
-When he holds the baby for the first time he is so scared is stiff as a cardboard and Hannah enjoys it
Okay lemme stop here,my list will be never ending,you all raed and find out
This story paces exceptionally well, we feel both Hannah's and Riley's very real reservations, their very real and realistic emotions, as they have to work out what they really want - and how they will get there. I loved this story especially because it was about two people who are trying to do the right thing, about two people who both try - eventually - to rise above their anger and bitterness to try to create something beautiful, meaningful - and lasting.This book grabed me from the start and had me glued till the end
Actually loved the fact though theirs was a rocky start of the marriage but at the same time both cared and always regretted when they hurted each other and both are cute in their own ways
Great read,definetely a keeper
Highly Recommend it
December 8, 2008
This is a favorite of the we got pregnant and had to get married books. I like the characters, and how they were so different but found each other, and I liked the way Macomber showed them getting to know each other and trying to build a life together. I also enjoyed how seeing his wife's faith (a preacher's daughter) helped the hero to gain a faith of his own in God.
April 28, 2014
In a few of my reviews Ive said that, "writing a review for this book is hard." In those case that was because though i liked the books, they werent anything to write home about.
Once again im gonna start my review by saying, Writing this review is really hard. But this time its not because of the lack of the "wow factor". No. This is hard because Im not sure whether i liked the book.
It has me so torn, that i cant even make up my mind. Even after everything, all the explanations, I have a tough time liking Riley. Dont get wrong, its just, there were moment when i just wanted to bash my head. I mean men can be really bull headed and Geez! i thought women were so insecure.
But the more i read (i.e books in general) the more i can conclude that men tend to be just as insecure, at times even more so.
Having said that (the Riley part :P ), i dont mean by any chance that he was the one solely to be blamed. Im a girl myself, so biased or what i would tend to excuse Hannah just because she was pregnant, we've all heard of women going crazy and being unreasonable in those times but all the same, she can be blamed. and i guess i do, blame her.
Maybe im just used to happily ever afters which dont border so close to reality and so maybe thats why this didnt just do it for me.
Once again im gonna start my review by saying, Writing this review is really hard. But this time its not because of the lack of the "wow factor". No. This is hard because Im not sure whether i liked the book.
It has me so torn, that i cant even make up my mind. Even after everything, all the explanations, I have a tough time liking Riley. Dont get wrong, its just, there were moment when i just wanted to bash my head. I mean men can be really bull headed and Geez! i thought women were so insecure.
But the more i read (i.e books in general) the more i can conclude that men tend to be just as insecure, at times even more so.
Having said that (the Riley part :P ), i dont mean by any chance that he was the one solely to be blamed. Im a girl myself, so biased or what i would tend to excuse Hannah just because she was pregnant, we've all heard of women going crazy and being unreasonable in those times but all the same, she can be blamed. and i guess i do, blame her.
Maybe im just used to happily ever afters which dont border so close to reality and so maybe thats why this didnt just do it for me.
March 17, 2010
This book was very cute although Riley's insecurities do get to be a little annoying after a while. But it does illustrate how two people living in the same house can be on such different wavelengths.
December 10, 2012
I have read quite a few Debbie Macomber books, and I thought this one was the best that I read so far of the Navy series. Do yourself a favor and read it, you won't be disappointed.
January 11, 2017
Review to follow for this 5Star Romance Novel by Debbie Macomber .
Yup 5-STAR !!!!
September 6, 2022
Tekkis mõte lugeda midagi ühelt populaarselt naistekate autorilt. Süžee tundus ju esmapilgul isegi huvitav. Kaks noort inimest veedavad koos kirgliku öö ja tagajärg on teadagi mis. Asjale lisab vürtsi see, et Hannah on siiani süütu olnud pastori tütar ja Riley karm mereväelane. Aukoodeks ja surve käsivad mehel nüüd naise ää võtta, aga kas sellest head nahka saab? Kirglike stseenide kirjeldamisega kokku hoitud ei ole, nii et konservatiivsematele vanaprouadele ma seda raamatut ei soovita. Enda eredamad hetked olid süžee kulu raporteerimine ja mahlakamate kohtade ettelugemine kodus, mille peale elukaaslane oskas vaid pead vangutada ja küsida, miks ma seda teen. Ei osanud vastata, aga nüüd on vähemalt tehtud, isu rahuldatud ja ilmselt niipea rohkem ei tee ka.
September 23, 2018
Hannah was getting on my nerves with the purity crap AFTER marriage and for Riley to let the no sex go on as long as he did and even discourage her when she wanted him..nonsense. This couple made me dislike them very much. Why are the stories in this series getting worse instead of better?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2023
Typical romance. Loses a love, gains another with all the pitfalls that come along the way. Eventually declare their love. It was a light read sometimes that's all you need
January 19, 2024
I loved this book. This one and the first in the series are sooo good.
July 30, 2022
This is actually 2 books in one the first story had a sex scene that caught me by surprise. Debbie Macombers other books don’t usually do that. I wasn’t impressed with it. The second story was better girls fiancé died, she’s emotional has a one night stand and ends up pregnant. Good story and characters stayed true to their personality throughout the story.
March 6, 2015
Nice story but i can say that the setting might be in the old days lets say in the '80 maybe? But it doesnt matter since the story was real enough just like other problems in an ordinary people's life. It feels light, fresh and entertaining. Not enough to mobe my heart tho. Thus 3 stars
September 7, 2007
It's was a sweet story. I also think the Debbie Macomber understands base living and you can see it in her writing. (navy series)
June 10, 2012
It's the first in a long list of Macomber books I've read. And I think it's the best. I cried, twice. I could feel the main characters pain. My copy is well worn and I re-read often.
February 3, 2014
Cute story. Sex too vivid.
June 8, 2019
I’ve read all of Debbie’s books and this is my least favorite. I found their lack of communication over the top and annoying. I loved the other books in the Navy series, this one not so much.
August 1, 2018
Navy Baby is a novel by Debbie Macomber. It deals with an unexpected marriage to a naval seaman and how both parties deal with this sudden move. It is a really good book and is easy to read and fun to read.
Hannah Raymond was engaged to a naval pilot who was killed before their marriage. Hannah was extremely upset but finally accepted her therapist’s advice to get back out there. Unfortunately, her first night out resulted in having a one-time affair with Riley Murdock. This was her first time which really shocked Riley when he realized this. Despite the use of protection, she became pregnant. Her preacher Father located Riley in the Navy and through his contacts, Riley was given a choice to marry her or not. He realized it would break his career so agreed to marry her. What Hannah and no one else knew was he had fallen in love with her at first sight and had tried to track down who she was after that fateful night. Riley vows to give her and his child what they needed even if he hadn’t had it in his life. However, he really doesn’t know how to express this to Hannah. Will he be able to figure out how to let Hannah know what is in his heart before it is too late?
July 28, 2020
A cute, okay romance.
Riley and Hannah's relationship started uniquely and I was wondering how they would handle it. Not so well at first, but they did try once they got to know each other. I liked Hannah's approach to their marriage more than Riley's. I feel he had some silly reasonings for things and that annoyed me sometimes. But they had a sweet romance. The love might've built a little faster than I expected after her loss, but Hannah explained it well that her late fiance would always have a place in her heart and that her love for Riley was different but still very real and true and present.
The small faith aspect was interesting. I liked that she was still strong in her faith even with all the things that she went through and Riley saw that faith and started to believe himself. This is so not a big part of the story, but a sweet little side detail.
I would not label this book "clean". There are a few sex scenes.
Riley and Hannah's relationship started uniquely and I was wondering how they would handle it. Not so well at first, but they did try once they got to know each other. I liked Hannah's approach to their marriage more than Riley's. I feel he had some silly reasonings for things and that annoyed me sometimes. But they had a sweet romance. The love might've built a little faster than I expected after her loss, but Hannah explained it well that her late fiance would always have a place in her heart and that her love for Riley was different but still very real and true and present.
The small faith aspect was interesting. I liked that she was still strong in her faith even with all the things that she went through and Riley saw that faith and started to believe himself. This is so not a big part of the story, but a sweet little side detail.
I would not label this book "clean". There are a few sex scenes.
January 12, 2018
Hannah Raymond is an obedient minister's daughter. She was engaged to an old friend and seminary student when he was killed in a car accident. Depressed, she has a one night stand with Navy man, Riley Murdock, 3 weeks after Jerry's death, so she can lose her virginity. She ends of pregnant (of course). When she finally admits it to her dad, 4 months later, he tracks down Riley and forces a marriage. Riley's been searching for her, but it's a tough sell. They knew each other for 6 hours! They marry but have all kinds of marital problems trying to get acquainted with each other and work out their differing life styles.
Mediocre story.
Mediocre story.
January 25, 2020
Romance. Unbelievable. Liked the characters, but what an awful premise! That Hannah would have a one-night stand 3 weeks after her fiance was likked in a car accident is almost believable since the author had her have several drinks first. But that her father would basically force her to marry someone she doesn't know is quite out of touch with reality. I think it would be more in line to send her away to have the baby and give it up for adoption. But once you get past that, it gets more real.
June 29, 2021
I was expected more from this story. Do you know what resented me the most in this book? The main characters throw it away their food without eating it !!!
Let's talk about the characters and the book. The love storyline is compelling, convincing and sexy, that's all. The total story does not teach anything. POV: Riley invented problems for yourself and for Hannah not to make love. Some scenes are ridiculous, nevertheless cute. My favourite character Hannah though, she is smart, reasonable and not irritating. Thanks to Debby Macomber for another Navy story.
Let's talk about the characters and the book. The love storyline is compelling, convincing and sexy, that's all. The total story does not teach anything. POV: Riley invented problems for yourself and for Hannah not to make love. Some scenes are ridiculous, nevertheless cute. My favourite character Hannah though, she is smart, reasonable and not irritating. Thanks to Debby Macomber for another Navy story.
June 19, 2023
Jeg har længe haft et halvt øje på denne kærlighedsroman - og nu skulle det så være.
Et par mødes, sød musik opstår, de skilles og tre måneder senere, viser det sig at kvinden er gravid. Manden opstøves og de bliver gift - men kender ikke hinanden.
Man kan vel kalde det en forviklingsroman. For hvor er det svært at finde hinanden midt i en graviditet, en sømand der må følge med skibet på togt og en hverdag der skal fungere.
Det er en hyggelig fortælling, men ikke en roman der sætter sig dybe spor.
Et par mødes, sød musik opstår, de skilles og tre måneder senere, viser det sig at kvinden er gravid. Manden opstøves og de bliver gift - men kender ikke hinanden.
Man kan vel kalde det en forviklingsroman. For hvor er det svært at finde hinanden midt i en graviditet, en sømand der må følge med skibet på togt og en hverdag der skal fungere.
Det er en hyggelig fortælling, men ikke en roman der sætter sig dybe spor.
December 29, 2024
What a wonderful 5 star read for the time of year. Between Christmas and New Year I can't concentrate on anything heavy or something that reads like a text book. It has to be light. This was perfect. I had forgotten how much I was enjoying this series. I truly loved the characters and the story. Debbie's writing was sublime as always using only the amount of narrative and superlative conversations that one could feel part of. I truly enjoyed everything about this book and I would definitely recommend it and look forward to reading the next, which I believe might be the last, in this series.
February 28, 2022
I always think of Debbie Macomber and an author of clean books. This book is not clean.
Hannah is frightened so she ducks into a bar. She sees a man she ran into earlier. They end up in a motel and she ends up pregnant. Her father insist that Riley who is a Sailor marries her and his commander agrees.
Grab the book if you want to know how it goes.
I have the paper version of the book along with the next book in series.
Hannah is frightened so she ducks into a bar. She sees a man she ran into earlier. They end up in a motel and she ends up pregnant. Her father insist that Riley who is a Sailor marries her and his commander agrees.
Grab the book if you want to know how it goes.
I have the paper version of the book along with the next book in series.
November 2, 2025
This doesn't feel like a real book to me. This is like, 45 cliches in a trenchcoat trying to pass itself off as a real book. These aren't characters, they're Christian talking points parading as real people. This couple is having the same argument on the last page that they had in the first 20 pages, and even if divorce is a sin, it's gotta be better than whatever fuckass marriage these two are in. I think there's an interesting book somewhere in here, but it's not this.
September 4, 2020
Not enjoying book 4 in the series I read book 5 cautionally. I ended up enjoying it
This book sees young Hannah meet by accident a Navy seaman and ends up in a situation she thought she never be in, Enter her preacher dad who takes her life in his hands. What happens is the story if 2 people working through life's issue to create a family.
This book sees young Hannah meet by accident a Navy seaman and ends up in a situation she thought she never be in, Enter her preacher dad who takes her life in his hands. What happens is the story if 2 people working through life's issue to create a family.
October 2, 2021
Hannah gets pregnant with Riley's baby on a one-night stand after losing her fiance. She gets pregnant and is forced into marriage with Riley by those around her.
They both discover that they can fall in love even though they were forced together.
This was one of the first romance novels I read as a teenager. It's what made me fall in love with Debbie Macomber.
They both discover that they can fall in love even though they were forced together.
This was one of the first romance novels I read as a teenager. It's what made me fall in love with Debbie Macomber.
May 10, 2024
This was a cute love story of Hannah and Riley. Hannah meets Riley three weeks after her fiancée dies. Their one-night stand leads to pregnancy and her father searches for Riley (who is in the navy) with his navy chaplain friend. The marriage has a rocky start but the story was cute and it was a good read.
June 10, 2024
This was a quick read but probably my favorite Debbie Macomber so far which is saying a lot as I love her books.
An unexpected pregnancy changes Hannah and Riley's lives forever. He tried to find her after their one night stand but with no last name he had no luck.
Fate in the form of her dad brought them together.
An unexpected pregnancy changes Hannah and Riley's lives forever. He tried to find her after their one night stand but with no last name he had no luck.
Fate in the form of her dad brought them together.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews