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The Recovery Men #3
Pregnesia
Former navy SEAL Lucas Washington was an expert at tackling impossible missions. But when a striking—and very pregnant—woman turned up in a car he was repossessing, suddenly he was in over his head. Shaken and bruised, she couldn't remember what had happened to her or why she was terrified of going to the police. Lucas made it clear he could be trusted, and vowed to protect her until she was safe. Hours turned to days as they searched for clues to her hidden past. Then a family came to claim her, and a happy ending seemed imminent. But had he just delivered his Jane Doe to safety…or into the hands of a killer?
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 2009
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233 people want to read
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July 27, 2020
"Hmm," she thought to herself, "what could possibly go wrong in a book about a pregnant amnesiac? A book whose title is Pregnesia?"
Answer: nothing went wrong. It was hilarious and wonderful and everything the reader (i.e, ME) could ever have wanted. This is the first book I've read from Harlequin Intrigue, but I could totally see myself coming back for seconds. Pregnesia is, by nature of being a category romance, fast-paced and to the point, and while it might not differ much from other romantic suspense novels, I'll be damned if I don't award major points for the title alone. Genius effort.
The book opens with Lucas about to repossess a Buick in the dead of night. This is Very Serious Business, you see. Alas, his attempts to repo the Buick are thwarted when he realizes there's a person inside. That person being a very pregnant, very bloody, very beautiful woman—who, we must understand, can't remember a damn thing about herself or how she came to be pregnant and bloody.
Lucas does the obvious thing and brings Jane Doe home and has his sister take care of her. Meanwhile he gets mental-boners over how sweet and Damsel-in-Distress-y she is. It's great. A bunch of batshit crazy things happen and we find out Jane is running away from a Secret Illuminati Cult! Nope, I'm not making this up, and YES, this book is worth every penny just for the Secret Illuminati Cult. 10/10.
So then there's Lucas trying to protect Jane from the Illuminati, and also there are lots of Feels swimming around. They share two kisses and a handjob, and then Jane decides she's in love with Lucas. (Don't question her, okay, THIS IS TRUE LOVE!) Except then Lucas rejects her because he is Emotionally Constipated like most men and don't need no woman in his Manly Life.
AND THEN. Oh, and then, we get to the stunning final chapter. The part that makes Pregnesia just...perfect. We find out that the Illuminati wanted Jane Doe's baby to become the future Prophet (LOL) and that's why they're after her. Luckily Lucas rescues Jane and her baby bump, and it's all good. Except, due to emotional constipation, Lucas totally rejects Jane (she made the first move, yay Jane!) and they part ways.
...only for Lucas to come racing into the hospital a few weeks later, right as Jane is giving birth!
And then, it's happily ever after for Jane and Lucas and Lucas Junior, all covered in amniotic fluid and baby crap. It's beautiful.
Pregnesia, you are a spectacular and trashy masterpiece. Never change.
5/5 for entertainment value; 2/5 for "quality"
my livetweet thread here
📌 . Blog | Review Database | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads
Answer: nothing went wrong. It was hilarious and wonderful and everything the reader (i.e, ME) could ever have wanted. This is the first book I've read from Harlequin Intrigue, but I could totally see myself coming back for seconds. Pregnesia is, by nature of being a category romance, fast-paced and to the point, and while it might not differ much from other romantic suspense novels, I'll be damned if I don't award major points for the title alone. Genius effort.
The book opens with Lucas about to repossess a Buick in the dead of night. This is Very Serious Business, you see. Alas, his attempts to repo the Buick are thwarted when he realizes there's a person inside. That person being a very pregnant, very bloody, very beautiful woman—who, we must understand, can't remember a damn thing about herself or how she came to be pregnant and bloody.
Lucas does the obvious thing and brings Jane Doe home and has his sister take care of her. Meanwhile he gets mental-boners over how sweet and Damsel-in-Distress-y she is. It's great. A bunch of batshit crazy things happen and we find out Jane is running away from a Secret Illuminati Cult! Nope, I'm not making this up, and YES, this book is worth every penny just for the Secret Illuminati Cult. 10/10.
So then there's Lucas trying to protect Jane from the Illuminati, and also there are lots of Feels swimming around. They share two kisses and a handjob, and then Jane decides she's in love with Lucas. (Don't question her, okay, THIS IS TRUE LOVE!) Except then Lucas rejects her because he is Emotionally Constipated like most men and don't need no woman in his Manly Life.
AND THEN. Oh, and then, we get to the stunning final chapter. The part that makes Pregnesia just...perfect. We find out that the Illuminati wanted Jane Doe's baby to become the future Prophet (LOL) and that's why they're after her. Luckily Lucas rescues Jane and her baby bump, and it's all good. Except, due to emotional constipation, Lucas totally rejects Jane (she made the first move, yay Jane!) and they part ways.
...only for Lucas to come racing into the hospital a few weeks later, right as Jane is giving birth!
And then, it's happily ever after for Jane and Lucas and Lucas Junior, all covered in amniotic fluid and baby crap. It's beautiful.
Pregnesia, you are a spectacular and trashy masterpiece. Never change.
5/5 for entertainment value; 2/5 for "quality"
my livetweet thread here
📌 . Blog | Review Database | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads
March 1, 2010
I read this book because of the title. Pregnesia. PREGNESIA!! You cannot NOT read a book with a title as ridiculous as Pregnesia. The one star rating is for the title alone. (Heck, I would have given it another 1/2 a star were that possible!)
Alas, the premise of the book is as ridiculous as the title. The hero is not charming or exciting, the heroine is boring and the "intrigue" that Harlequin promises us on the cover is not so much intriguing as it is stupid.
Alas, the premise of the book is as ridiculous as the title. The hero is not charming or exciting, the heroine is boring and the "intrigue" that Harlequin promises us on the cover is not so much intriguing as it is stupid.
February 3, 2015
Like a number of other reviewers, I arrived at ‘Pregnesia’ after reading a really fantastic review and a whole heap of comments on SBTB’s site, and I wanted to experience the book for myself. However I’m also here because I am trying to teach myself a better tolerance of some fictional tropes, and amnesia is a really good example of something I came to hate, and now I must challenge that hatred and emerge a better reader, or something.
Once upon a time, I thought fictional amnesia was one of the best things out there. I loved all the emotional drama around whether the hero or heroine was now a better person after being so horrible in the past, or whether the love between two characters would be lost forever along with the loss of memory. I loved the danger around whatever secret was locked away in memory. I even loved (when I was really young) the crazy kid’s stuff where the character’s memory would return after a second blow to the head. But then for some reason, I actually read something about how amnesia doesn’t work the way it does in fiction, and it was as big a betrayal as some other fictional betrayals which I won’t state here but I’m sure would resonate with the majority of people who were told something when they were about eight that they would have preferred not to know.
I adopted a sweepingly dismissive attitude toward amnesia stories. Such clichés. I thought that amnesia should always be realistic, otherwise it would be impossible for me to suspend my disbelief. I thought if I couldn’t suspend my disbelief about amnesia, I’d be incapable of enjoying an amnesia story. I’ve now revised that opinion. I now believe that fictional amnesia is still around not because authors are ignorant of what it really is, or authors are in a conspiracy to make readers believe amnesia lies. I now think it’s around because it’s super fun, and the only thing that makes it not super fun is when it is either not consistent with the logic of the author’s fictional setting, or when the reader just finds it tiresome, either because the author hasn’t engaged, or the reader hasn’t.
‘Jane Doe’ in ‘Pregnesia’ has incurred amnesia from emotional trauma plus a blow to the head. She’s run away from something and ended up in the back seat of the car Lucas is repossessing. Jane is eight months pregnant and very pretty, so Lucas takes her home and gets his nurse sister to look her over and look after her. The next day he takes her clothes shopping and saves her from a kidnapping attempt by some guys in a white van. Jane is clearly in danger, and Lucas will stop at nothing to protect her.
Locked away in ‘Jane’s’ head is her true identity, the mystery of whether her pregnancy represents an existing relationship that will prevent her from forming one with Lucas, and the mystery of who is menacing her, and why. Such classics! They made me happy.
While I’ll suspend disbelief for amnesia, the pregnancy aspect is more difficult. Fundamentally, I’m expecting romance characters to have this big build up to doing sex, and then doing sex, and then being emotionally devastated in the aftermath of the sex done. I can’t quite reconcile that with being heavily pregnant because while I don’t know what every heavily pregnant woman’s sex drive is like just before she’s about to pop, I’m assuming that she’s generally dealing with more pressing needs that are better resolved by a back rub, a cuddle and a good night’s sleep. I just can’t see how I’m going to get a proper story with some sex scenes in this set up. It seems like you could do a huge build up to sex, but have to wait months and months before it paid off. I will not tolerate the first decent sex scene in the epilogue. Epilogues in category romances are optional reading, for those readers who want to know if a baby happened, or if there was a baby already happening, what flavour it turned out to be.
Jane’s a nice person, which makes it slightly puzzling as to why she has no friends to report her missing. It makes me sad that she had such a lonely life. She took being an amnesiac in her stride, but that’s probably because her brain was far busier dealing with the much scarier prospect of impending motherhood.
I couldn’t get into Lucas at all – I think probably because his lack of competence had been so well documented in the SBTB review that I couldn’t help but notice how he wasn’t all that good at his job. And also he wasn’t a billionaire. I know I am shallow for admitting it, but if you have very little personality and commitment issues I expect you to have more going for you than being hot and into a pregnant woman. Those are really nice qualities, but good grief: he took her shopping at Walmart. Even if he’s not a billionaire, couldn’t he have sprung for a nicer department store? I couldn’t adjust my expectations down enough from the rich heroes dragging reluctant heroines into couture boutiques to be comfortable with Walmart.
Perhaps Walmart was supposed to be somehow meta. The book is set in Kansas City, and while I don’t know anything about Kansas City, I have to assume that it is a nice enough place to live but is hardly as sexy and exotic as any number of other cities. I don’t have time to appreciate this kind of subtlety in a sub-200 page book, especially if I am not getting sufficient other distractions.
I suppose I should be more into the fact that Lucas was an ex-Navy SEAL, which I know is short-hand for competent and heroic warrior protector, but this does nothing for me. Batman completely does it for me, but Lucas was no Batman.
For me, ‘Pregnesia’ was fine in that the amnesia didn’t make my head explode, but it unfortunately didn’t quite live up to the sparkling promise of the SBTB review.
Once upon a time, I thought fictional amnesia was one of the best things out there. I loved all the emotional drama around whether the hero or heroine was now a better person after being so horrible in the past, or whether the love between two characters would be lost forever along with the loss of memory. I loved the danger around whatever secret was locked away in memory. I even loved (when I was really young) the crazy kid’s stuff where the character’s memory would return after a second blow to the head. But then for some reason, I actually read something about how amnesia doesn’t work the way it does in fiction, and it was as big a betrayal as some other fictional betrayals which I won’t state here but I’m sure would resonate with the majority of people who were told something when they were about eight that they would have preferred not to know.
I adopted a sweepingly dismissive attitude toward amnesia stories. Such clichés. I thought that amnesia should always be realistic, otherwise it would be impossible for me to suspend my disbelief. I thought if I couldn’t suspend my disbelief about amnesia, I’d be incapable of enjoying an amnesia story. I’ve now revised that opinion. I now believe that fictional amnesia is still around not because authors are ignorant of what it really is, or authors are in a conspiracy to make readers believe amnesia lies. I now think it’s around because it’s super fun, and the only thing that makes it not super fun is when it is either not consistent with the logic of the author’s fictional setting, or when the reader just finds it tiresome, either because the author hasn’t engaged, or the reader hasn’t.
‘Jane Doe’ in ‘Pregnesia’ has incurred amnesia from emotional trauma plus a blow to the head. She’s run away from something and ended up in the back seat of the car Lucas is repossessing. Jane is eight months pregnant and very pretty, so Lucas takes her home and gets his nurse sister to look her over and look after her. The next day he takes her clothes shopping and saves her from a kidnapping attempt by some guys in a white van. Jane is clearly in danger, and Lucas will stop at nothing to protect her.
Locked away in ‘Jane’s’ head is her true identity, the mystery of whether her pregnancy represents an existing relationship that will prevent her from forming one with Lucas, and the mystery of who is menacing her, and why. Such classics! They made me happy.
While I’ll suspend disbelief for amnesia, the pregnancy aspect is more difficult. Fundamentally, I’m expecting romance characters to have this big build up to doing sex, and then doing sex, and then being emotionally devastated in the aftermath of the sex done. I can’t quite reconcile that with being heavily pregnant because while I don’t know what every heavily pregnant woman’s sex drive is like just before she’s about to pop, I’m assuming that she’s generally dealing with more pressing needs that are better resolved by a back rub, a cuddle and a good night’s sleep. I just can’t see how I’m going to get a proper story with some sex scenes in this set up. It seems like you could do a huge build up to sex, but have to wait months and months before it paid off. I will not tolerate the first decent sex scene in the epilogue. Epilogues in category romances are optional reading, for those readers who want to know if a baby happened, or if there was a baby already happening, what flavour it turned out to be.
Jane’s a nice person, which makes it slightly puzzling as to why she has no friends to report her missing. It makes me sad that she had such a lonely life. She took being an amnesiac in her stride, but that’s probably because her brain was far busier dealing with the much scarier prospect of impending motherhood.
I couldn’t get into Lucas at all – I think probably because his lack of competence had been so well documented in the SBTB review that I couldn’t help but notice how he wasn’t all that good at his job. And also he wasn’t a billionaire. I know I am shallow for admitting it, but if you have very little personality and commitment issues I expect you to have more going for you than being hot and into a pregnant woman. Those are really nice qualities, but good grief: he took her shopping at Walmart. Even if he’s not a billionaire, couldn’t he have sprung for a nicer department store? I couldn’t adjust my expectations down enough from the rich heroes dragging reluctant heroines into couture boutiques to be comfortable with Walmart.
Perhaps Walmart was supposed to be somehow meta. The book is set in Kansas City, and while I don’t know anything about Kansas City, I have to assume that it is a nice enough place to live but is hardly as sexy and exotic as any number of other cities. I don’t have time to appreciate this kind of subtlety in a sub-200 page book, especially if I am not getting sufficient other distractions.
I suppose I should be more into the fact that Lucas was an ex-Navy SEAL, which I know is short-hand for competent and heroic warrior protector, but this does nothing for me. Batman completely does it for me, but Lucas was no Batman.
For me, ‘Pregnesia’ was fine in that the amnesia didn’t make my head explode, but it unfortunately didn’t quite live up to the sparkling promise of the SBTB review.
October 30, 2020
If you have any suggestions for the trope of pregnancy+amnesia, PLEASE SHARE!
I don't know why I didn't come to know about this one before, because I love both the tropes and their combination in a Harlequin is definitely like a dream come true for me. The other books combining these two tropes that I have read are:
1. The Tycoon's Pregnant Mistress by Maya Banks,
2. Protecting the Pregnant Princess by Lisa Childs,
3. The Virgin's Shock Baby by Heidi Rice,
4. Her Forgotten Husband by Anne Ha, and
5. Hers to Remember by Karen Lawton Barrett.
This is the fourth book of Carla Cassidy's that I am reading, and the third book of The Recovery Men Series. The title is what got my attention, followed by a blog entry, which hilariously mentions the 'uncomfortable looking' cover picture.
Lucas Washington did a dangerous job as a recovery agent. He and two of his ex-Navy SEAL buddies had started Recovery Inc., where they recovered not only high-value items but high profile people as well.
But this time it was a favour for a friend, to recover a two-year-old Buick. This had an amazing and totally unconventional introduction I've ever read in a Harlequin Intrigue!
Because at the back of the Buick, he finds a blue-eyed, very pregnant, and scared blonde with a head injury. Someone who doesn't even remember her own name, much less what happened to her.
Thirty-three-year-old Lucas didn't want to get entangled in her drama but he couldn't leave her. So, he takes her to his home where his nurse sister Loretta could patch her up.
Jane Doe is eight months pregnant. Lucas doesn't want to believe that her amnesia is real. And the very real attraction that he feels towards Jane doesn't help matters, especially when he knows that he's no family man.
The events in the book take place over a period of one week, where Lucas and Jane try to find clues regarding who she is and her whereabouts. There is a cult involved, and a dangerous family member that she doesn't remember. But other than that, it's more melodrama and less action, which didn't capture my attention, nor was it successful in keeping it.
I don't know why I didn't come to know about this one before, because I love both the tropes and their combination in a Harlequin is definitely like a dream come true for me. The other books combining these two tropes that I have read are:
1. The Tycoon's Pregnant Mistress by Maya Banks,
2. Protecting the Pregnant Princess by Lisa Childs,
3. The Virgin's Shock Baby by Heidi Rice,
4. Her Forgotten Husband by Anne Ha, and
5. Hers to Remember by Karen Lawton Barrett.
This is the fourth book of Carla Cassidy's that I am reading, and the third book of The Recovery Men Series. The title is what got my attention, followed by a blog entry, which hilariously mentions the 'uncomfortable looking' cover picture.
Lucas Washington did a dangerous job as a recovery agent. He and two of his ex-Navy SEAL buddies had started Recovery Inc., where they recovered not only high-value items but high profile people as well.
But this time it was a favour for a friend, to recover a two-year-old Buick. This had an amazing and totally unconventional introduction I've ever read in a Harlequin Intrigue!
Because at the back of the Buick, he finds a blue-eyed, very pregnant, and scared blonde with a head injury. Someone who doesn't even remember her own name, much less what happened to her.
Thirty-three-year-old Lucas didn't want to get entangled in her drama but he couldn't leave her. So, he takes her to his home where his nurse sister Loretta could patch her up.
Jane Doe is eight months pregnant. Lucas doesn't want to believe that her amnesia is real. And the very real attraction that he feels towards Jane doesn't help matters, especially when he knows that he's no family man.
The events in the book take place over a period of one week, where Lucas and Jane try to find clues regarding who she is and her whereabouts. There is a cult involved, and a dangerous family member that she doesn't remember. But other than that, it's more melodrama and less action, which didn't capture my attention, nor was it successful in keeping it.
July 17, 2009
This is the final book in Ms. Cassidy's The Recovery Men trilogy about three ex-Navy SEAL friends encountering woman-related trouble. Not the usual trouble of the feminine nature, someone wants these gals dead and its up to the boys to figure out who and why.
Lucas Washington, the only Recovery man still single (and preferring it that way), is on an errand to repossess an unpaid-for Buick with a pregnant woman in the back seat. No, she isn't incorporated, she's hiding. And not only is she pregnant, she also has amnesia, or so she says, not that Lucas believes her.
When he barely prevents her from being kidnapped from a WalMart parking lot, he finally realizes she just might be telling the truth. Witch, coupled with the near-kidnapping would mean she's in danger. But until she recovers her memory, they're at a loss as to who is behind the nefarious plot and what are their reasons.
Okay, so this wasn't any extraordinary literary work, but compared to the first two books in this trilogy, it was great. For the first time since I started reading about these three ex-Navy SEALs turned repo men I found myself liking both the female and male lead (he was still a jerk, but a little less of a jerk than his friends and he had a rather good reason for being that way).
Another plus was the fact the heroine was pregnant throughout the course of the story, so there was no sex to "lighten" the mood. Sure, the "suspense" part of the story had much to be desired (it sure didn't keep me at the edge of my seat until three chapters from the end), but it hovered somewhere on the outskirts of the plot, keeping the reader intrigued with wondering about the amnesiac heroine, giving us mere glimpses of what might have happened to her.
Unfortunately the villain and his nefarious plot ruined a perfectly solid story. It was completely cuckoo and utterly inconsistent with the rest of the story. For what the villain had in mind (which was cuckoo!), the strange inactivity throughout the story simply didn't make sense. The final urgency completely belied everything that's transpired before.
Better than its predecessor, but still not worth a re-read.
Lucas Washington, the only Recovery man still single (and preferring it that way), is on an errand to repossess an unpaid-for Buick with a pregnant woman in the back seat. No, she isn't incorporated, she's hiding. And not only is she pregnant, she also has amnesia, or so she says, not that Lucas believes her.
When he barely prevents her from being kidnapped from a WalMart parking lot, he finally realizes she just might be telling the truth. Witch, coupled with the near-kidnapping would mean she's in danger. But until she recovers her memory, they're at a loss as to who is behind the nefarious plot and what are their reasons.
Okay, so this wasn't any extraordinary literary work, but compared to the first two books in this trilogy, it was great. For the first time since I started reading about these three ex-Navy SEALs turned repo men I found myself liking both the female and male lead (he was still a jerk, but a little less of a jerk than his friends and he had a rather good reason for being that way).
Another plus was the fact the heroine was pregnant throughout the course of the story, so there was no sex to "lighten" the mood. Sure, the "suspense" part of the story had much to be desired (it sure didn't keep me at the edge of my seat until three chapters from the end), but it hovered somewhere on the outskirts of the plot, keeping the reader intrigued with wondering about the amnesiac heroine, giving us mere glimpses of what might have happened to her.
Unfortunately the villain and his nefarious plot ruined a perfectly solid story. It was completely cuckoo and utterly inconsistent with the rest of the story. For what the villain had in mind (which was cuckoo!), the strange inactivity throughout the story simply didn't make sense. The final urgency completely belied everything that's transpired before.
Better than its predecessor, but still not worth a re-read.
February 15, 2017
I first heard about this book from this review at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books (fabulous site). It's not the sort of book I would have chosen on my own, but the review was hilarious, the book was on sale for 99 cents, and I wanted a quick, mindless read.
And wow. This reminded me of the reasons that I tend not to read contemporary romances, and also prefer something longer than the monthly series romances. That's not to say it was all bad--it was certainly as amusing in places as the review promised--but even the parts that were decent smacked heavily of "not for me." At least Lucas wasn't annoyingly alpha male, but I didn't really feel the chemistry. I always have these problems with books where there's a short acquaintance involved.
So meh, but I passed a couple of entertaining hours with it.
And wow. This reminded me of the reasons that I tend not to read contemporary romances, and also prefer something longer than the monthly series romances. That's not to say it was all bad--it was certainly as amusing in places as the review promised--but even the parts that were decent smacked heavily of "not for me." At least Lucas wasn't annoyingly alpha male, but I didn't really feel the chemistry. I always have these problems with books where there's a short acquaintance involved.
So meh, but I passed a couple of entertaining hours with it.
March 11, 2011
I only read this because of (a) the title and (b) a rather hilarious review that a coworker pointed out to me. Read it and tell me you don't want to read the book.
Read
February 19, 2017I don't even know how to rate this book because it was so bananas crazy. The title is the best thing ever, but Lucas was so punchable with his daddy drama and pity party. If a man came to me while I was literally in the middle of birthing a child and started talking about his emotional baggage, I would have punched him into the sun.
Want to read
June 3, 2009WORST...TITLE...EVER!!! Have to read this one.
Read
September 9, 2009I would like to give this book both negative three stars and plus eleventy billion. Unfortunately, neither is an option.
August 24, 2015
Ohhhh don't look at me like that for 4-starring this. It was entertaining as hell. I read it with my Bad Book Group on FB. I'll have a proper review soon.
December 26, 2016
A friend gave me this -- and oh man it was as hilariously awful as the title suggests. I'm actually going to give it an extra star based on it being amusing.
December 17, 2015
I read this in BAD BOOK CLUB and oh man, this one was off the wall bat-sh*t crazy!
Read
January 10, 2016Yes, I really did read this...no, I can't rate it. I'd heard from fellow writer peeps that this was as B-movie as the title implied. And it didn't disappoint, but I've read Carla Cassidy stuff...and she's a good writer...I'm not convinced this book wasn't intentionally written this way. In my mind, a conversation occurred like this one: (definite spoilers)
*Editor calls Carla Cassidy*
Editor: Hey, we want you to write a romance to spec.
CC: Okay. I can do that.
E: An amnesia story. The heroine has amnesia.
CC: *writes down* Sounds good. Those are fun. What are you thinking? Major head trauma? Car accident? Or is this from like a traumatic event?
E: Head trauma...sort of...she's hit in the head with a serving tray.
CC: A serving tray?
E: Yes, and the amnesia doesn't start right away because she can't remember anything prior to when she climbs into a car the hero is repossessing...so...like delayed amnesia...by like, oh, an hour or so...maybe longer...you can decide. She has to escape and get a decent distance away so they don't connect where she was in the beginning for a while. Maybe miles... Yeah, she walked miles on foot while eight and a half months pregnant with a bleeding head wound and develops amnesia along the way.
CC: It's delayed that long after she lost consciousness?
E: Whoa! She can't lose consciousness. No, it's like a glancing blow to the head. Nothing that would need stitches or anything. We don't want her to look unattractive at all. Maybe a small scab type of head wound.
CC *blinks*: Okay. *shakes it off* But the hero is repossessing a car?
E: Yes. He's a former Navy Seal.
CC: Who now repossesses cars?
E: Yes.
CC: So, like exotic cars? Hot cars? Like a BMW or a Ferrari?
E: We're thinking two year old Buick from Big Bob's Used Car Sales. It's like a favor...don't overthink it.
CC: *clears throat* Okay, so he pulls up in a monster tow truck with testosterone dripping from its axles...
E: We're thinking he just appears on the street...inexplicably and has a key to get into the car.
CC: Is that the way repossessions work?
E: Does it matter? Oh, did we mention the heroine is pregnant?
CC: She's pregnant?
E: Yeah, we're thinking eight months...eight and a half months. But, don't worry, there isn't a father in the picture...but they won't know that...well, she'll sense that, but lets keep the sexual tension up by not revealing it until the end. A bit of a verboten sort of thing. She might be committing adultery...she might not...that's hot.
CC: Huh. So, she's a pregnant amnesiac with a glancing blow to the head who the hero finds when he's repossessing a used car that he has a key for?
E: Yes. Oh, and she's on the run from a cult.
CC: A cult?
E: A religious cult with a tie-in to the local police. She won't know that until later of course. She has very specific amnesia. Her name, her situation, this cult thing. But religious cults are where the money and power are.
CC: And they want her?
E: Her baby. As they do. See, because if they have this baby as the rising star in the cult...they can demand more money from cult followers. He's like the heir to the evil empire. It's how cults make their money. Don't overthink it. But we want them to try to abduct her from a Walmart after she's shopped there for clothes. Don't skimp on the descriptions of the clothes. Readers love that. Especially Walmart clothes.
CC: Okay, so the cult has like a tracking device on her somehow and hunts her down?
E: No, we're thinking a little old lady in Walmart sees her and phones it in.
CC: A little old lady?
E: AN EVIL LITTLE OLD LADY.
CC: Because this is a small town and they only have the one Walmart and...
E: No, it's in Kansas City. Don't overthink it. And the cult members will recognize the hero on sight when he saves her and they'll track them down that way.
CC: And then they'll start using tracking devices?
E: We're thinking...not. Yeah, not. The hero and heroine head off to a safehouse and grow closer together. And then the cult will just trap her into coming forward on her own...possibly hoping that she has amnesia because that's the only reason she'd really come forward given the circumstances.
CC: From the glancing blow to the head?
E: Exactly!
CC: So, in the safehouse, there'll be several sex scenes...and...
E: Whoa! She's eight and a half months pregnant. He can "want" to have sex with her and maybe HE enjoys a few things, but...let's not make it weird.
CC: Pregnant women have sex...even that late.
E: But it might start labor.
CC: Maybe, but...
E: We're thinking it's too weird. Plus, remember, she doesn't know she's not married. We have a few lines we'd like you to work in. Ready? Okay, first one: "He'd been surprised by the tiny kick of pure male lust in the pit of his stomach. He was thirty-three years old and rarely felt that particular feeling. And he'd certainly never felt it for a pregnant woman suffering from amnesia."
CC: Isn't that a little...
E: Don't overthink it. Also, we'd like you to up the drama by periodically having her think things like: "She only hoped they both would survive whatever happened next."
CC: Right before they face possible doom?
E: No, just whenever. Also, go ahead and set up for other books by describing all other male characters as over-the-top hot.
CC: In the heroine's opinion?
E: Or from his point-of-view. Either way. Did we mention he has a rough history? He was abused as a kid...it's made him a big jerk with serious trust issues.
CC: FINALLY! I can work with that. So, at the end there'll be this huge redemption scene where he learns to trust and that saves the day.
E: Not really. He can be a jerk and save her out of a sense of responsibility and to honor promises made to her...like being at the baby's birth. But have him keep leaving her again and again so she's never quite sure if he's legit.
CC: But he'll long for her and miss her due to their separation as a result of his pigheadness? His inner dialogue will show a complete change of heart?
E: We're thinking...not...not in so many words. Maybe a slight amount. He's a man...he's not supposed to show emotion. And then he'll throw out a few verbal expressions of trust at the end...maybe make a few short-term promises. Have him promise to be with her until Thanksgiving...that's like...a week or so in the future...that's good.
CC: And then in the epilogue...
E: No epilogue. But make sure the cult gets what they deserve. Arrest them all. Maybe throw in a murder or two in the past and pass the guilt all the way around. Because cults are bad news. Everybody hates cults...especially cults with little old lady narks. You can even make sure she gets what she deserves...or not...you're the author. Stupid little old lady narks. Anyway, the readers will want to see that resolved effectively. They're all about the details. Details like restaurant's mode of operations. The hotness of secondary characters. Walmart clothing.
CC: I see.
E: Oh! And the title will be...wait for it...Pregnesia. Get it? Amnesia and pregnant combined... Goldmine!
CC: Oh, for the love of... *starts lining up shot glasses*
So, how do you rate that? Because, really, it felt so intentionally B-movie and campy. And I enjoyed it like I would something in that category. I tend to think it was clever writing because, as I've said, I've read her other stuff. It's possible this was just an off "book" for her, but...I can't decide. It was a lot of fun and made me smile. By the way, in case you didn't get this from the above...don't overthink this one. Though, I am tempted to find out how repossessions actually work now...
*Editor calls Carla Cassidy*
Editor: Hey, we want you to write a romance to spec.
CC: Okay. I can do that.
E: An amnesia story. The heroine has amnesia.
CC: *writes down* Sounds good. Those are fun. What are you thinking? Major head trauma? Car accident? Or is this from like a traumatic event?
E: Head trauma...sort of...she's hit in the head with a serving tray.
CC: A serving tray?
E: Yes, and the amnesia doesn't start right away because she can't remember anything prior to when she climbs into a car the hero is repossessing...so...like delayed amnesia...by like, oh, an hour or so...maybe longer...you can decide. She has to escape and get a decent distance away so they don't connect where she was in the beginning for a while. Maybe miles... Yeah, she walked miles on foot while eight and a half months pregnant with a bleeding head wound and develops amnesia along the way.
CC: It's delayed that long after she lost consciousness?
E: Whoa! She can't lose consciousness. No, it's like a glancing blow to the head. Nothing that would need stitches or anything. We don't want her to look unattractive at all. Maybe a small scab type of head wound.
CC *blinks*: Okay. *shakes it off* But the hero is repossessing a car?
E: Yes. He's a former Navy Seal.
CC: Who now repossesses cars?
E: Yes.
CC: So, like exotic cars? Hot cars? Like a BMW or a Ferrari?
E: We're thinking two year old Buick from Big Bob's Used Car Sales. It's like a favor...don't overthink it.
CC: *clears throat* Okay, so he pulls up in a monster tow truck with testosterone dripping from its axles...
E: We're thinking he just appears on the street...inexplicably and has a key to get into the car.
CC: Is that the way repossessions work?
E: Does it matter? Oh, did we mention the heroine is pregnant?
CC: She's pregnant?
E: Yeah, we're thinking eight months...eight and a half months. But, don't worry, there isn't a father in the picture...but they won't know that...well, she'll sense that, but lets keep the sexual tension up by not revealing it until the end. A bit of a verboten sort of thing. She might be committing adultery...she might not...that's hot.
CC: Huh. So, she's a pregnant amnesiac with a glancing blow to the head who the hero finds when he's repossessing a used car that he has a key for?
E: Yes. Oh, and she's on the run from a cult.
CC: A cult?
E: A religious cult with a tie-in to the local police. She won't know that until later of course. She has very specific amnesia. Her name, her situation, this cult thing. But religious cults are where the money and power are.
CC: And they want her?
E: Her baby. As they do. See, because if they have this baby as the rising star in the cult...they can demand more money from cult followers. He's like the heir to the evil empire. It's how cults make their money. Don't overthink it. But we want them to try to abduct her from a Walmart after she's shopped there for clothes. Don't skimp on the descriptions of the clothes. Readers love that. Especially Walmart clothes.
CC: Okay, so the cult has like a tracking device on her somehow and hunts her down?
E: No, we're thinking a little old lady in Walmart sees her and phones it in.
CC: A little old lady?
E: AN EVIL LITTLE OLD LADY.
CC: Because this is a small town and they only have the one Walmart and...
E: No, it's in Kansas City. Don't overthink it. And the cult members will recognize the hero on sight when he saves her and they'll track them down that way.
CC: And then they'll start using tracking devices?
E: We're thinking...not. Yeah, not. The hero and heroine head off to a safehouse and grow closer together. And then the cult will just trap her into coming forward on her own...possibly hoping that she has amnesia because that's the only reason she'd really come forward given the circumstances.
CC: From the glancing blow to the head?
E: Exactly!
CC: So, in the safehouse, there'll be several sex scenes...and...
E: Whoa! She's eight and a half months pregnant. He can "want" to have sex with her and maybe HE enjoys a few things, but...let's not make it weird.
CC: Pregnant women have sex...even that late.
E: But it might start labor.
CC: Maybe, but...
E: We're thinking it's too weird. Plus, remember, she doesn't know she's not married. We have a few lines we'd like you to work in. Ready? Okay, first one: "He'd been surprised by the tiny kick of pure male lust in the pit of his stomach. He was thirty-three years old and rarely felt that particular feeling. And he'd certainly never felt it for a pregnant woman suffering from amnesia."
CC: Isn't that a little...
E: Don't overthink it. Also, we'd like you to up the drama by periodically having her think things like: "She only hoped they both would survive whatever happened next."
CC: Right before they face possible doom?
E: No, just whenever. Also, go ahead and set up for other books by describing all other male characters as over-the-top hot.
CC: In the heroine's opinion?
E: Or from his point-of-view. Either way. Did we mention he has a rough history? He was abused as a kid...it's made him a big jerk with serious trust issues.
CC: FINALLY! I can work with that. So, at the end there'll be this huge redemption scene where he learns to trust and that saves the day.
E: Not really. He can be a jerk and save her out of a sense of responsibility and to honor promises made to her...like being at the baby's birth. But have him keep leaving her again and again so she's never quite sure if he's legit.
CC: But he'll long for her and miss her due to their separation as a result of his pigheadness? His inner dialogue will show a complete change of heart?
E: We're thinking...not...not in so many words. Maybe a slight amount. He's a man...he's not supposed to show emotion. And then he'll throw out a few verbal expressions of trust at the end...maybe make a few short-term promises. Have him promise to be with her until Thanksgiving...that's like...a week or so in the future...that's good.
CC: And then in the epilogue...
E: No epilogue. But make sure the cult gets what they deserve. Arrest them all. Maybe throw in a murder or two in the past and pass the guilt all the way around. Because cults are bad news. Everybody hates cults...especially cults with little old lady narks. You can even make sure she gets what she deserves...or not...you're the author. Stupid little old lady narks. Anyway, the readers will want to see that resolved effectively. They're all about the details. Details like restaurant's mode of operations. The hotness of secondary characters. Walmart clothing.
CC: I see.
E: Oh! And the title will be...wait for it...Pregnesia. Get it? Amnesia and pregnant combined... Goldmine!
CC: Oh, for the love of... *starts lining up shot glasses*
So, how do you rate that? Because, really, it felt so intentionally B-movie and campy. And I enjoyed it like I would something in that category. I tend to think it was clever writing because, as I've said, I've read her other stuff. It's possible this was just an off "book" for her, but...I can't decide. It was a lot of fun and made me smile. By the way, in case you didn't get this from the above...don't overthink this one. Though, I am tempted to find out how repossessions actually work now...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2020
Exactly the kind of zany escape I'd hope for when reading a book with a title like Pregnesia.
April 7, 2014
The suspense and story line was very intriguing keeping me interested. The story starts out with Lucas doing a favor for a friend. The favor itself should have been easy, with very little complications. He was shocked to find Jane, as in Jane Doe hiding in the back seat of the car he was repossessing. Jane had amnesia from a head injury, and her face was bloody. Lucas knew he just couldn't leave her. She was also very pregnant. He took her to his sister's house. Loretta was a nurse. Loretta didn't mind being woke up in the middle of the night. I loved the compassion she had for Jane. Over the next week Jane, and Loretta became good friends. Jane also was falling hard for Lucas as they worked to find clues as to who Jane was. Someone was after Jane, and they didn't know why. Lucas was a ex Navy seal with connections. If you could have anyone on your side, It mightiest as well be a ex Navy Seal.
Lucas never wanted a wife or child. He was abused as a child and never wanted to take the chance of turning into the monster that his father was. It was always Him, and Loretta up against the world. Lucas was a big strong alpha male, but didn't have a good self image. I found that personality trait endearing in this plot.
This is the first book that I have read about a cult, (The church of Enlightenment) It gave me a snap shot view of what those women go through when they are held against their well. What they will do, to get away, and re claim their life.
I enjoyed this book. I loved the banter, and humor between Lucas, and his sister. It had very little action, but the suspense made up for the lack of action. The romance was Lucas, and Jane building a friendship. They were drawn to each other instantly. They felt powerful feeling, that neither had ever experienced before with anyone else.
Lucas never wanted a wife or child. He was abused as a child and never wanted to take the chance of turning into the monster that his father was. It was always Him, and Loretta up against the world. Lucas was a big strong alpha male, but didn't have a good self image. I found that personality trait endearing in this plot.
This is the first book that I have read about a cult, (The church of Enlightenment) It gave me a snap shot view of what those women go through when they are held against their well. What they will do, to get away, and re claim their life.
I enjoyed this book. I loved the banter, and humor between Lucas, and his sister. It had very little action, but the suspense made up for the lack of action. The romance was Lucas, and Jane building a friendship. They were drawn to each other instantly. They felt powerful feeling, that neither had ever experienced before with anyone else.
June 16, 2011
Right so, the story... Well it begins with out hero Lucas, who finds out heroine hiding in the back of a car he is repossessing. The heroine is suffering from amnesia after receiving a head injury. She is also heavily pregnant. Lucas, a former navy SEAL promises to help 'Jane' recover her memory and hopefully find her family. Jane tells Lucas she is scared and believes herself to be in danger, and initially Lucas does not believe her. After she is almost kidnapped and his apartment is broken into he finally believes her. He tracks down information linking Jane to a local organisation 'The Church of Enlightenment'. Lucas takes Jane to a safe house while he tries to find her family, whilst there they begin to get close to each other.
So, did the story live up to it's puntastic title?! Perhaps not, but I did enjoy reading it. I wasn't too keen on the characters; Jane, well, we didn't really know much about her but the impression she made was that she was a bit of a whiner, and Lucas seemed uptight and a bit of a dick (Jane gave him a, er, 'treat' one night and he didn't talk to her the next morning, what a prince!). The plot was so implausible, and when reading about the cult like 'Church of Enlightenment' all I could think about was The Simpson's episode (The Joy of Sect) with the 'Movementairians' (I'm sorry!!!).
But, all these things combined actually made this an enjoyable read! It's certainly entertaining and you know what, I read this on a 7 hour flight to New York so I needed entertaining!
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
So, did the story live up to it's puntastic title?! Perhaps not, but I did enjoy reading it. I wasn't too keen on the characters; Jane, well, we didn't really know much about her but the impression she made was that she was a bit of a whiner, and Lucas seemed uptight and a bit of a dick (Jane gave him a, er, 'treat' one night and he didn't talk to her the next morning, what a prince!). The plot was so implausible, and when reading about the cult like 'Church of Enlightenment' all I could think about was The Simpson's episode (The Joy of Sect) with the 'Movementairians' (I'm sorry!!!).
But, all these things combined actually made this an enjoyable read! It's certainly entertaining and you know what, I read this on a 7 hour flight to New York so I needed entertaining!
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
November 26, 2015
I had to give this 5 stars purely for the comedy factor. This book is hilarious, well worth reading for the laugh.
Want to read
July 21, 2012OMG. THIS TITLE.
I'm probably not really going to read it, but THIS TITLE.
I'm probably not really going to read it, but THIS TITLE.
November 17, 2014
Five stars for unintentional humor! One star for whatever else is going on.
July 7, 2015
Surprisingly not too terrible! I kinda enjoyed it. Maybe because I wasn't expecting too much.
March 20, 2017
This is the most amazing piece of trash I've ever read.
Want to read
May 5, 2010HAHAHA How can you not read a book with a title like "Pregnesia"?????
October 11, 2023
I dont know why but Carla Cassidy’s men are always so weak. She writes these Cop-suspense thriller style books reminiscent of the 2000s craze over this genre but her Heroes fall flat. Given the context of these books where the heroine is always in danger and need of protection, the H’s who are responsible for their protection are the least bit protective and possessive as I have ever seen in romance books. Even the traditional harlequin authors write Alphahole H’s who at least have a possessive bone mile long which also makes them protective of their women. But not these H’s. They shove their woman into the danger themselves and hightail away with their insecurities because they are not “right man for her”. It happens almost in all of her books.
In this book the h is in obvious danger and he leaves her twice. First time can be considered natural because he thought she was going back to her family but second time??? A proper man will make sure to not get her out of his sight again ever after the first mistake. He will atleast keep an eye on her and not dump her with cops and leave to fend for herself when he KNOWS she has no one else she can trust AND she is very much pregnant. He just leaves her in the police station after the traumatic rescue and doesn’t even follow up on what happened to her. Where she is and how she is doing. That’s not a good romance H. Even if he has insecurities and doesn’t want to be in her life atleast he can protect from afar. But he just vanishes and leaves with strangers (even if they are cops but it is already established in the book that even some cops were corrupt and involved with the cult). I mean HOW CAN YOU AFTER ALL THAT? YOu should be more protective of her now and NOT trust anyone else but yourself to see her to safety. But nah. This guy is not even Beta. He is just a spineless gamma or something.
Disappointed with these books and the author.
In this book the h is in obvious danger and he leaves her twice. First time can be considered natural because he thought she was going back to her family but second time??? A proper man will make sure to not get her out of his sight again ever after the first mistake. He will atleast keep an eye on her and not dump her with cops and leave to fend for herself when he KNOWS she has no one else she can trust AND she is very much pregnant. He just leaves her in the police station after the traumatic rescue and doesn’t even follow up on what happened to her. Where she is and how she is doing. That’s not a good romance H. Even if he has insecurities and doesn’t want to be in her life atleast he can protect from afar. But he just vanishes and leaves with strangers (even if they are cops but it is already established in the book that even some cops were corrupt and involved with the cult). I mean HOW CAN YOU AFTER ALL THAT? YOu should be more protective of her now and NOT trust anyone else but yourself to see her to safety. But nah. This guy is not even Beta. He is just a spineless gamma or something.
Disappointed with these books and the author.
August 27, 2017
Ah... we're entering the Hall of Shame.
We have...a v. pregnant h, a H who a) behaves out of character for his background and b) is so determined to get rid of the h that he practically gift-wraps her for the people after her. Oh, he does get suspicious after the fact, and organizes a rescue but still...
So the first page or so starts off auspiciously. The H is repossessing a car (that's a new profession), he's relieved that it was left unlocked (I tilted my head at this), and he starts it up with the spare key the used car dealer gave him to collect it (say what? I can think of all sorts of reasons this thought would alarm people). Of course, a hand falls on his shoulder and he yelps. Later, he gasps audibly.
He's a curmudgeon who suspects the h is scamming him and his sister, and even after he figures out she really does have amnesia, and after she was almost kidnapped when he took her to walmart, he's in a rush to get rid of her.
After he turned up on one of the church members' doorstep, conveniently a missing persons report is filed. Does he get suspicious of this? Naw. Neither does he check to see if the h's former BIL and SIL are connected to said church.
The h...well, she was trying too hard I felt to convince him he was a good guy and she really liked him. Made me think the knock on the head affected more than her memory there.
Oh - why he behaved out of character? He and his buddies are ex-SEALs. We see signs of this exactly once - when he rescued her.
Niggles - supposedly the h intended to leave her husband just before she a) found out she was knocked up and b) he was murdered. This was only mentioned once near the end so we never find out why and only vague suspicions that his brother might have had him killed. His intent was to take the kid and raise it to be a new cult leader.
We have...a v. pregnant h, a H who a) behaves out of character for his background and b) is so determined to get rid of the h that he practically gift-wraps her for the people after her. Oh, he does get suspicious after the fact, and organizes a rescue but still...
So the first page or so starts off auspiciously. The H is repossessing a car (that's a new profession), he's relieved that it was left unlocked (I tilted my head at this), and he starts it up with the spare key the used car dealer gave him to collect it (say what? I can think of all sorts of reasons this thought would alarm people). Of course, a hand falls on his shoulder and he yelps. Later, he gasps audibly.
He's a curmudgeon who suspects the h is scamming him and his sister, and even after he figures out she really does have amnesia, and after she was almost kidnapped when he took her to walmart, he's in a rush to get rid of her.
After he turned up on one of the church members' doorstep, conveniently a missing persons report is filed. Does he get suspicious of this? Naw. Neither does he check to see if the h's former BIL and SIL are connected to said church.
The h...well, she was trying too hard I felt to convince him he was a good guy and she really liked him. Made me think the knock on the head affected more than her memory there.
Oh - why he behaved out of character? He and his buddies are ex-SEALs. We see signs of this exactly once - when he rescued her.
Niggles - supposedly the h intended to leave her husband just before she a) found out she was knocked up and b) he was murdered. This was only mentioned once near the end so we never find out why and only vague suspicions that his brother might have had him killed. His intent was to take the kid and raise it to be a new cult leader.
September 30, 2017
I always stayed away from this book until I finally started the series! While it was with the wait, I should of enjoyed this series months ago! This has become a series to read again very soon!!
He thought when her husbands brother and his wife came to claim she was their relative , He wasn't sure which was worse, the weird vibe this couple was Giving off and her getting hurt, or maybe it was the fact that he might never see her again.
He thought when her husbands brother and his wife came to claim she was their relative , He wasn't sure which was worse, the weird vibe this couple was Giving off and her getting hurt, or maybe it was the fact that he might never see her again.
March 15, 2025
This is undoubtedly one of the all-time greats in the pregnant amnesiatic romance space.
All the back and forth. The guarded heart and the woman yearning to get through the suit of armor. I was in awe between the 'will they' and the 'won't they' and then two kisses, a hand job and daring midnight rescue mission from a religious cult later they absolutely did!
All the back and forth. The guarded heart and the woman yearning to get through the suit of armor. I was in awe between the 'will they' and the 'won't they' and then two kisses, a hand job and daring midnight rescue mission from a religious cult later they absolutely did!
May 8, 2017
This was exactly what I hoped it would be: former Navy SEAL falls in love with the pregnant, amnesiac woman he finds in a car he's repossessing and gets to play hero. It was just the right sort of crazy pants.
January 8, 2026
One of the most bizarre but oddly entertaining books I have ever read. Pregnancy. Amnesia. Crazy cult. Multiple trips to Walmart. A hand job because she's too pregnant to have sex. I mean, what more could you ask for?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2021
Just as awesome as I expected it to be.
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