Do You Take This Baby? - Wendy Warren (HSE #2579 - Oct 2017)

Series: Men of Thunder Ridge (Book 3)
 
Marriage is in this playbook!
 
Football champion Ethan Ladd planned to spend the off-season dating beautiful women and living the good life. Until his ailing infant nephew is thrust into his care. Despite his best efforts, social services doesn't believe Ethan is up to the task. It's fourth and long…and the offense has a loaded diaper. Time to pull out a trick play.
 
Marry Ethan Ladd? They dated once. It was so bad, people are still talking about it. But after Gemma Gould's failed engagement, a temporary husband and baby may be the closest she ever comes to having her dream family. Gemma agrees to play until Ethan wins custody. But when he makes a play for her heart…will they score a touchdown for love?
 
Good book. The story opens as Gemma is helping at her sister's bridal shower. Gemma is the type of person who helps others, often to her detriment. She feels she ruined Elyse's wedding gown shopping experience and will do anything to compensate for it. During the shower, she ran into Ethan, a local football hero and her worst high school memory. She always feels awkward around him, while Ethan enjoys teasing her. Then he gets a phone call and abruptly leaves.
 
Ethan has the reputation of being a carefree bachelor and player. Then social services calls, and he finds himself caring for his baby nephew. Ethan is overwhelmed by Cody's unique needs and faces the possibility that Cody will be taken from him. His only hope is enlisting Gemma's help.
 
I liked Gemma and Ethan. Gemma has a big heart and takes care of the people she loves. She also has a self-esteem problem, especially after her broken engagement.  When Ethan proposes a temporary marriage until he has custody of Cody, she thinks it is her best chance to have a family of her own. Ethan is a good man who is caught in a tough situation. Complicating the need to care for Cody, Ethan is hiding a secret that could change everything.
 
I liked seeing the relationship develop between Ethan and Gemma. Their high school history wasn't the best. Gemma had a crush on him, and Ethan was a teenage jerk, embarrassing them both. I liked how they owned up to their mistakes and moved on from them. Once Gemma heard how Ethan ended up with Cody, she was compelled to help him. His appreciation was honest, and I could see his relief and the hope she gave him. But the real kicker came when he begged her to marry him, giving him the backup he needed to retain custody.
 
Living together and caring for Cody was like a dream come true for Gemma. It was easy to forget that it was supposed to be temporary until he could find his sister and reunite her with Cody. Ethan also gets into the family feeling but won't believe it can last. He feels that Gemma is way out of his league and that she would not stay with him. Despite their fears, their feelings for each other continue to grow. I loved that Ethan saw Gemma for the terrific person she was and saw no need for her to change. Gemma won my heart with her matter-of-fact acceptance of his secret and her desire to help him conquer it. But Ethan has a blind spot regarding his sister and doesn't listen to Gemma when she tries to get through to him. I ached for them both after the argument that drove them apart. It takes an eye-opening discussion with his sister for Ethan to accept the truth. I loved his return to Thunder Ridge and Gemma. He did an excellent job of groveling to get back in her good graces and for them both to admit their feelings for each other.
 
The epilogue was terrific, and I loved seeing their family a few years down the road. 

The Christmas Cottage - Christine Rimmer (HSE #2941 - Nov 2022)

Series: Wild Rose Sisters (Book 3)
 
“Do it now…”                                                                          
And change everything!
 
By the book success story Alexandra Herrera’s got it all mapped out: partner at a law firm, high-powered career. But when her birth father leaves her an unexpected inheritance—prompted by a random fortune cookie—she impulsively walks away from her entire life! And now that she’s snowed in with West Wright, she learns that lightning really can strike twice. So much, in fact, that the sparks between them could melt any ice storm…if only they’d let them!
 
I sat down to read this book and barely moved until I turned the last page. Alex and her workaholic life caught my attention in the first two books, and I wondered how anyone would break through that mindset. She has her life planned, and nothing will derail her. Then the birth father, that was barely in her life, died and left his entire estate to her. Suddenly all that effort has been negated, and she has more money than she knows what to do with. In the end, it wasn’t a who, but a what - a simple fortune cookie with the message “Do it now.” So she walked into her boss’s office, said, “I quit,” and left for the family farm that day.
 
It was fun to see everyone’s shock that Alex would do such an uncharacteristic thing. Even Alex herself is still stunned. She plans to sit around in the farm’s guest cottage and read, binge-watch television, and chill out while she decides what to do next. Then she finds out that her brother-in-law’s twin brother needs a place to stay while he’s visiting for the holidays, and she has the only empty bedroom on the farm. But Alex and Weston have a history that the rest of the family is unaware of - a passionate one-night-stand after their siblings’ wedding a few months earlier. They promised each other the next morning it would never happen again.
 
Right there, we know what’s going to happen. Sparks that strong are not going to disappear just because they say so. Sure, neither one is interested in a relationship. West is happily playing the field, having been burned once already. He’s not against falling in love and getting married; he’s just not interested right now. Alex feels her life is too unsettled even to consider getting involved with West.
 
I loved watching the relationship between Alex and West develop. They are determined to stick to their promise, but their connection and chemistry are too strong. They discover they have a lot in common and are surprised to find that *gasp* they actually like each other. What would it hurt to indulge in a little holiday fling? They’re both adults and promise to keep it casual.
 
I enjoyed seeing the time they spent together. There is lots of family time, illustrating that both have excellent relationships with their families. Sometimes it may feel like they are a little too close, such as when West gets unsolicited advice from his brother Easton or Alex’s sisters warn her of West’s playboy ways. But the love is unquestioning, and support is only a phone call away if needed.
 
I liked the time Alex and West spent with each other. Outside of the bedroom, they spend time talking about many things. I loved how West supported Alex in her decision to leave her job. He reminds her that she’s an intelligent, capable woman who will figure out her path when the time is right. I liked his sensitivity to her moods and his ability to help her through them. West is stunned when he realizes that he has fallen in love with Alex despite their “fling” status. But when he confesses those feelings to Alex, she freaks out. I ached for them both as Alex’s fears kept her from admitting her feelings. It takes some well-meaning interference from various family members to bring these two back together. The ending was terrific, and I loved seeing Alex open herself up to the feelings she had buried for years. The epilogue was an excellent wrap-up for the book and the series.
 
I can’t end the review without mentioning Alex’s decision to get a puppy. I had to laugh at how she had the “perfect” dog in mind when she and West headed to the shelter. She won my heart when she wandered past all the cages, spending time looking at each animal, and stopped at the one holding a small, scruffy, older dog. The immediate bonding between the two was fantastic, and with the name “Cookie,” they were clearly fated to belong to each other. I loved that she ended up with an older dog because those are so often passed over. 

Forever, Plus One - Wendy Warren (HSE #2930 - Sept 2022)

Series: Holliday Oregon (Book 2)
 
Rescued…
by the brother of the (ex-)groom!
 
Nikki Choi loves the boisterous family she was adopted into as a baby. But dreams of her own happy-ever-after are dashed when her fiancé suddenly calls off the wedding. Leave it to her BFF to come to her rescue! Evan Northrup is the perfect faux beau, offering support and making no demands -- making her feel loved. But the single dad seems intent on keeping things pretend, while Nikki is shocked to be falling wildly, deeply for her old friend…
 
Good friends-to-lovers story. Nikki and Evan have been best friends for years. When her fiancé calls off their wedding, Evan steps in as a pretend boyfriend. It's easy and logical and perfectly innocent - if it weren't for that one night they spent together at the beginning of their friendship!
 
I liked the friendship between Nikki and Evan. It's based on shared interests and being secure in each other's company. But as close as their friendship is, there are still things they keep to themselves. At thirty-seven years old, Nikki feels her chances of having her own family slipping away. The end of her engagement makes that feeling worse. Evan is a single father whose son Noah is the center of his life. He never talks about his marriage or his ex-wife, nor does he date anyone for longer than a month. He has commitment issues thanks to that marriage and his father's parade of stepmothers throughout Evan's life.
 
After reading about Nikki's ex-fiance, I was glad she didn't go through with the marriage. I think his focus on her weight and fitness was emotionally abusive, and she was lucky to get away from him. Once out of his influence, she began working to be happy with who she was. Evan was a big part of that journey, as he'd always liked her just as she was.
 
I liked watching the development of Nikki and Evan's relationship. They've been friends for a while, so they know each other well. But simmering under that friendship is the attraction that caused "that night." Afraid of messing up their friendship, Nikki had insisted that it never happen again. Evan would have pursued it, but Nikki began dating his brother Drew a short time later. I liked how Evan seized his chance when he stepped in to help after Drew bailed on Nikki. But I was also disappointed in him because he knows she wants a family of her own, and he still avoids commitment. Spending time with Evan as he acts like a boyfriend resurrects the attraction she has been suppressing. As her feelings for him grow, she isn't sure whether to risk their friendship by asking for more or leave things as they are.
 
Evan and Nikki must confront their fears before they can hope for a future together. Nikki has an eye-opening talk with her mother, including being told that her and Evan's feelings for each other were obvious to everyone around them and had been since the beginning. Mom's advice came roundabout but gave Nikki the confidence to "jump in." In a surprisingly emotional scene, Evan has a long overdue conversation with his father. I liked his dad's blunt opinion on Evan's problem and agreed with him. Evan had some ground to make up with Nikki, but his big moment was worth waiting for.
 
Evan's son Noah was adorable. Evan is a wonderful, loving dad, which shows in Noah's happy attitude. Some sweet father-son moments melted my heart. I also enjoyed Noah's connection with Nikki. Her attendance at his special school event was heartwarming to see. I also enjoyed Nikki's family and their support of each other. The relationship between Nikki and her sister Gia was terrific and showed in Nikki's decision about her wedding plans. Evan's family was entirely different. Though his dad redeemed himself a little at the end, the relationship between the two is still awkward. Evan's half-brother, Drew (the ex-fiancé), is a horse's arse. He is selfish, judgmental, insensitive, and a cheater. 

First Comes Baby... - Christine Rimmer (HSE #2894 - Mar 2022)

Series: Wild Rose Sisters (Book 2)

“Will you marry me?”
 
When Josie LeClaire went into labor alone on her farm, the single almost-mother had no one to turn to but her neighbor, Miles Halstead. Fortunately, the widowed single father was more than up to the task. And as he found himself unable to stay away from the lovely Josie -- and her adorable newborn son -- he realized he wanted her in his life as more than a friend.
 
Josie treasured what Miles had already come to mean to her and her baby. So when he uttered those four words, of course she said yes. Even if he couldn't say the three words she really wanted to hear…
 
Terrific friends to lovers story. Josie is the true farmer of the family and is in charge of Wild Rose Farm after her sister Payton and Aunt Marilyn found love in the first book of the series (The Father of Her Sons) and moved away to be with their men. Josie intrigued me from the start with her independence and determination. After several failed relationships, she gave up on finding "The One" but not on her dream of being a mother. A visit to a sperm bank and her wish is about to come true.
 
As the book opens, Josie is in labor, snow is falling, and her sisters and aunt aren't due to arrive yet. With no landline and unable to find her cellphone to call an ambulance, Josie walks to the farm next door and pounds on the door. Miles, a widower and single father, handled the emergency calmly and competently, delivering young David Miles with a minimum of fuss. I loved how he encouraged Josie when she doubted herself and distracted her when she needed it.
 
That support continued after Josie had the baby and her family returned to their homes. Though Josie hangs on to her independence, there are times when she appreciates the help. And as the occasional check-in turns into near-daily lunches together, Miles and Josie quickly find they have a lot in common. There are some adorable scenes of Davy and Miles, who can't get enough time with the sweet baby. Also in common is their mutual refusal to believe in love. Josie's relationships ended badly, and Miles's story of his wife's betrayal was heartbreaking.
 
The more time they spend together, the deeper their friendship grows. That friendship makes Miles realize how much he's missed having a wife - a companion, a confidant, a partner, and a lover. He shocked Josie when he proposed that they marry and that their friendship will make a better basis for marriage than s-called love. Remembering her romantic failures leads her to accept Miles's proposal.
 
Their marriage gets off to a great start. The attraction between Miles and Josie is fantastic; their teamwork working the two farms and caring for their blended family goes smoothly, and life is good. Then Josie realizes that her feelings for Miles have grown beyond friendship. She knows he hasn't changed his stance on love, so what should she do? I ached for Josie, who doesn't want to lose Miles, but she can't go on pretending. I could feel her trepidation as she worked up the courage to face him with those feelings. I liked seeing her stand up for her needs and her belief that he loves her. I wanted to shake Miles, who did not react well to her confession.
 
I ached for both as their fears created a chasm between them. I loved seeing Miles get hit with advice from his girls and his mother. At the same time, Josie's sister Alex forced her to face some uncomfortable truths about her part in the problem. I loved the ending and seeing them brought together by a family crisis, getting them past the pride that kept them apart. I especially liked the reality of Miles's confession that he's "working on" his issues because something that deep isn't going to go away quickly.
 
I enjoyed the bits with Miles's daughters, Ashley (16) and Hazel (13). Ashley's problems with her dad were believable and well-illustrated. I felt sorry for Miles, whose confusion over her attitude was plain to see. The love between them was evident, as was the frustration. Hazel was sweet. I liked how she jumped in to help Josie with her rescue animals and her enthusiasm for taking care of Davy. She's observant for her age, and I enjoyed her take on the things she saw.
 
Now I can't wait to read Alex's story.