GRR Reviews Gwynneth Ever After by Linda Poitevin

Gwynneth (just Gwyn) is a single mom raising 3 kids (a daughter and twins) as an architect. Her husband walked out after the twins are born, claiming he's overwhelmed. And she's too busy to worry about anything else. Until a chance encounter in a theater had her sitting next to Gareth Connor, Hollywood superstar. What is he doing in Ottawa? And why is he so nice to her? // Gareth is in town for his own secret... He's there to meet his daughter, now 18, under ultra-secrecy. Seeing the effect of separation on Gwyn's daughter had him reexamine his life... is Gwyn and her kids his chance at redemption? Or just complications? Can Gwyn accept him, or will her insecurities ruin their relationship?

Good details, and no major plothole except one: why the children were NOT vaccinated, given that Canada started universal varicella (chickenpox) vaccination in Ontario (which includes Ottawa) by 2004... Also, if he's there secretly, he's certainly making no effort to disguise himself while out of Gwynn... 4/5

GRR Reviews No Time for Lullabies by Sydney Logan

Melody is an award-winning songwriter with a city office. But when a death in the family (her wild cousin, now a single mother, has died) called her back, Melody was suddenly reminded of all she had lost... Esp. Brody, the man she thought she'd marry and have kids with... but she left him years ago, after a traumatic loss that shattered them both. // Brody abandoned his life plans and became a pediatrician for his town, and he never forgot Melody. The funeral brought her back, but what happened next shocked them both... Her dead cousin had named Melody as the guardian of her baby daughter. Is this karma that will bring Melody and Brody back together, to help them through the loss that they suffered long ago?

Ah, a good mix of sudden baby and second chance trope. I have a little problem with the cousin's deadbeat boyfriend/sperm donor... Showing up so late and only to put a scare into Melody.  Almost felt like an afterthought. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews My Convenient Marriage by Rachel Taylor

Declan is a businessman too busy for love. So when CPS showed up at his business with a girl in tow, he was shocked... But there's no denying Callie was his daughter, and the mother... was in a less than legit profession as both mother and her BF were arrested. Having never cared for a child in his life, he was totally overwhelmed, as Callie won't even talk to him. As he had to work, the only solution was to enroll her in daycare. // Abby loves kids, but doesn't trust men. Working in daycare was the next best thing to having her own. Abby bonded with Callie, the new student, and cleaned her up... then noticed signs of abuse.. .and was mortified to find she had accused the wrong person, Declan. She offered to help, and Declan eagerly accepted. But when Declan tried to contest for custody, his lawyer told him he needs a real family... suburban house, picket fence, wife, and all that. And Declan saw his solution: he'll ask Abby to join him in a marriage of convenience. It was about Callie, not love... At least that's what he told himself...

Good polish, but nothing really out of the ordinary. I saw every major plot point coming a mile away. He thinks she doesn't love him (she kinda said so at the beginning), she thinks he doesn't love her (because she had said she didn't love him). It's a bunch of stupid assumptions until it boiled over and they had to admit their feelings, which is a trope in itself. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Legacy of the Heart by Evelyn Boyett

In the old west, Abby was sent to a "finishing school" in the East at the age of 15, and forced to leave her beloved Montana ranch behind. She hated her father ever since and never returned... Ten years later, Abby returned upon learning of her father's death... and found that she had inherited the ranch, and foreman Mac will show her how it's done. But there's a saboteur among the ranch hands... For Abby has an evil uncle, who wanted revenge for having been slighted decades ago by Abby's father, and he will "encourage" Abby to sell him the ranch. Forced together by circumstances, Mac and Abby have to trust each other.

About as trope as Old West romance goes without invoking mail-order bride, there are so many tropes here (just look at the tags below). It felt as if it's written by formula, with tropes after trope piled on to make things last a bit longer. While the polish is good, it can't disguise that it's filled with trope after trope. 3/5

GRR Reviews Nanny for the Billionaire by Jenna Brandt

Roger is a rich but reformed playboy. But when his secret son was left at his doorstep due to mother's legal problem, he's definitely not ready for fatherhood, and he had to seek help, even from a frenemy. // Celeste did not like Roger... as he almost broke up her best friend's relationship. But when Roger needed her help to find a nanny for his "sudden son", she can't refuse. When no viable candidates were found, Roger asked her to fill in. And suddenly, it's domestic bliss in Roger's home. But is this all play-acting and temporary? What happens when the child's mother comes back and contests custody?

Eh, nothing really surprising about this one. It's trope all the way, with decent polish, but not much else. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Unexpected Gift by R S Lively

Molly and Caden had always fought verbally with each other, even though Caden is best friend with Molly's brother. Caden's also a brilliant neurosurgeon. When Molly's brother died with his wife in an auto accident, leaving their baby Posie behind, Molly and Caden are forced to unite to care for the child, unless the child's handed off to grandparents. Can the two just admit they really love each other already?!?!

The book felt a LOT longer than it is, and the story took a LONG time to start moving. The accident that forced them together wasn't until several chapters in, and the darkest hour was basically another "sensitive ears / fragile ego" along with "I'll hurt you because I think that's best for you". There are some good emotional scenes, but overall, it felt a bit disjointed. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Not the Bodyguard's Baby by Lorin Grace

September, once America's sweetest voice, is suffering severe post-partum depression, but she recognized the symptoms, and to get herself well, she had to leave her baby with someone she can trust while she checked herself into treatment under an assumed name. The only one that came to mind was Adam, one of the four sons running Hastings Security... // Adam was surprised when a baby was left at Hastings security asking him to take care of the baby... Adam knew the mother, but they never got together that way... What could have caused her to leave her baby behind... AND named him as the father? Is she in danger?

Ah, nice twists and turns, as the mystery slowly revealed the circumstances to her pregnancy and subsequent events... AND let's just say there's an antagonist, AND he got what he deserved. AND you get a serious lesson on post-partum depression.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 5/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.

GRR Reviews A Cowboy's Reunion by Carolyne Aarsen

Kane can't believe his fiancee Faith actually abandoned EVERYTHING, including him, and ran off with a music band... along with his brother Elliot, of all people. He lost himself for a while working on an Alaskan oil rig, but when his pa broke his leg on a horse, he had to come back. And now, his pa told him that he may have to sell the ranch... And who did he spot on the side of the road in the rain? Faith herself, with just a bag and a guitar, and completely broke. // Faith sacrificed her future as a lawyer to follow her dream of being a singer, but when she had a conflict with a band member, she had to leave, and ended up broke, and practically back where she started. When food poisoning struck, she had no choice but to accept her ex-fiancee's help... As the couple slowly discover each other and recover from their shared past, someone dropped off two toddlers... Belonging to Kane's sister... who has been missing for several days. Faith is shanghaied into nanny duty, but she's heading to her friend's place to start over... right? Is pa really going to sell the ranch? What happened to the missing sister? Can two bachelors take care of 2 toddlers without Faith's help? Will Kane and Faith ever get over each other?

Wow, nicely escalations and new twists that keep coming, and coming. This is a great way to start a series, that introduces enough angst to last a while, without any info dump.

Category: Contemporary Western

Overall Rating: 5/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.

GRR Reviews The Billionaire's Chauffeuress by Penelope Spark

Isaac is a workaholic, trying to make up for time spent as a reckless youth. He never notices the staff... Until his chauffeur was unable to drive one day... and Whitney, the housekeeper, volunteered to step up to the position. Whitney can see Isaac is handsome and powerful, and oh so haughty. She knew she wasn't in his class. But when a little girl showed up at their doorstep, claiming to be his daughter, Isaac and Whitney both have to reexamine their priorities... and Whitney is started to grow attracted toward her boss...

Sweet, and clean, but somehow the push-pull just didn't quite draw me in.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 2.5/5 (rounded up)

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.

GRR Reviews Home With the Cowboy by Mary Sue Jackson and Leslie North

Willa wanted out of her hometown in Texas, and she eventually did so, by becoming a nanny for a rich couple's young child Bobby in NYC. But tragedy struck, and now she's ferrying Bobby to uncle Daniel in a small Texas town much like her own. While she wanted to get back to NYC, she can't really let the poor child lose the only constant in his life: Wila herself. And it's clear this bachelor uncle didn't have a clue when it comes to childproofing his home... She had to stay for a little while... // Daniel knew he knew nothing about raising a kid, and he must somehow convince Willa to stay. But the harder he tried, the more Willa wanted to leave for NYC, esp. when she's finally got an interview there. How can Daniel show Willa that there is no need to run, and he needed her too?

The story did started out a bit slow, and the "twist" was telegraphed a bit too early. Obviously the NYC job turned out to be a bust and she returned to Texas for love and more.

Category: Contemporary / Western

Overall Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.

GRR Reviews Made in Paradise by Donna Fasano

Amber left hometown and the young man she loved behind ten years ago, believing the baby she gave birth to was stillborn. She eventually became an M.D.. Her father's sudden death left her reeling, and searching through her effects revealed a bank account that had been sitting there for 10 years holding a large amount of money, that had never been touched, in a bank in her old hometown. When she headed back, she found to her shock that the boy she left behind, Jon, is now a single father, and his daughter... now 9 years old, is no doubt the child she long thought dead. // Jon constantly fights with his mother about how his daughter should be raised... since having a 9-year old as a mechanic's apprentice is un-lady-like, but that's what he expected after quitting his job in the family bank and opening an auto repair shop on the "wrong" side of town. he couldn't believe Amber just came back to town like that, after sending back their child. But the chemistry between them cannot be denied, and it's true his/their daughter needs some female influence. But when his meddling mother tried to interfere again, what will happen to this reunion?

The ending wasn't quite satisfying, though the grand gesture was nice enough. It's a nicely gender-flipped secret baby trope.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews All He Wants for Christmas by Lizzie Shane

Ty Walker is a Hollywood star, with his own private PR handler. He has a staff to take care of any problems. But when an 11-year old girl showed up on his doorstep a week before Christmas, claiming to be his daughter, nobody has any ideas, not even his super-PR person Andi. Andi is supposed to be flying home for the Holidays, but leaving the girl with Ty, who had never liked Children, does not seem to be an option. With no other choice, she invited both of them to visit her family... And that's when she saw a different side of Ty... One she can fall for...

There are a couple twists, but they seem to be glossed over. Kinda meh.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3.5/5 rounded up

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Single Dad's Loss by Sam Destiny

Hayden had been Leah's best platonic friend since childhood, along with Katie and a few others. When Leah died suddenly from complications during birth. Hayden was suddenly a new father (not the biological father) as it's his name on the birth certificate, and Katie, a maternity ward nurse, was the one who brought him the bad news... and the miracle baby. Hayden was overwhelmed, but he's determined to be the best he can be, but when he finally admitted he needed help, Katie was there. When Leah's parents put up a fuss, how can Katie and Hayden go on? Can they love each other and still love the baby? Why does Hayden seem to be putting his affairs in order?

I like the fake-out and the tale's charming. There's some good tension between the two.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.

GRR Reviews Billionaire's Baby by Pamela Kelley

Anna just got kicked out of her house after the death of her father due to cancer, and her (evil) step-mother informed her that there will be NO money available to send her to law school, despite her acceptance to the cheapest option: state university. With no job, and nowhere to live, Anna was just commiserating with her best friend when she can't help but overhear the single guy with a baby in the next table... // Tech billionaire Ben was raising his sister's child Taylor after she passed away from aggressive cancer. He got away from the tech life in Silicon Valley and settled in the small town of Riston, but even with a housekeeper, he can't keep up with the 11-month baby niece. Interviewing 4 of the best candidates... Didn't work out at all... Until the phone disturbed baby Taylor's sleep... and Anna managed to calm her down. Anna's hired on the spot, even though she didn't even apply... // Ben's handsome, Anna's gorgeous, but neither are ready to take it beyond "best friends" relationship, even though both sensed there can be a bit more. But Anna's hiding a secret, and Ben wanted to fix things for Anna...

Not bad, good polish and good cadre of aux characters (but this is book 42 in the series after all) so it's like serial drama, even though it's really a standalone.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews The Littlest Cowboy (The Texas Brands) by Maggie Shayne

Sheriff Garrett Brand managed to raise his brothers and sisters after their parents died, and all of them turned out to be respectable citizens. Garrett is an honorable man, and when he found a baby left on his front porch, his first reaction is anger... Which of his no-good brothers (and there are FOUR of them) was the father? It was to his shock to find out that the baby was named after him when he hadn't been with a woman in like... forever! However, it's the Memorial Day weekend, and nothing can be done until Monday. Then a disheveled but spitting angry woman showed up in the middle of the night, demanded his name, punched him in the face, and accused him of killing her sister and stealing the baby?!?!?! // Chelsea was already confused and shocked after losing her sister and found her little nephew is missing. The only clue seems to be the name and address... and it had to be the no-good cowboy her sister left with... right? However, the more she stayed with the Brands family, the more confused she got. The Brands are good people, and Garrett couldn't hurt a fly... What's worse, whoever killed her sister is after the baby... and her. However, the bad guys don't understand they are up against the Brands, a family that knows how to pull together in the times of trouble.

Okay, there is a too-stupid-to-live moment. Moreover, it's a HUGE one. The rest is Hollywood ending. I won't spoil the TSTL moment. The meeting is at least, somewhat novel, and the conclusion, well, I did say it's Hollywood ending already, quite satisfying. But due to the TSTL moment, this is not getting top marks.

Category: Contemporary / Romantic Suspense

Primary Plot: Surprise baby, then a spitting mad woman, and an evil nemesis makes trouble for a local sheriff and his family

Overall Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Rodeo King (Dustin Lovers) by CiCi Cordelia

Caleb was about to be National Rodeo Champion when a bull bucked him off and breaking his leg in two places. He will walk again, but need some time to recuperate; he decided to go back to his hometown, to see the woman he left behind six years ago... Rosemary. Upon arrival, he was blocked by his former best friend (and Rosemary's brother), who proceed to beat him. He figured he deserved that because he did leave town like a thief in the night years ago, AFTER taking Rosemary's v-card. Then he was shocked to find that he has a 5-year old son, Carson. He didn't know, but now that he's a father, he'll be the best father he can be. Rosemary was hurt, but she knew what she wanted, and she wants to give Caleb a chance to be a father. However, when the Rodeo Commission called Caleb with a job offer, will Caleb leave town again?

The plot is trope, and the darkest hour seems slightly forced, but the ending was sweet. Still, the woman seems a bit... weak?

Category: Contemporary Western

Primary Plot: Hurt cowboy goes back to his hometown, found he left a son behind... 5 years ago after leaving his girl without a word.

Overall Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Westward Bound by Linda Bridey

Westward Bound is a fun Olde West bride story with just enough surprise and angst to make it good.

Claire traveled to Montana to attend her sister Maddie's wedding to Seth Samuels and came to know the youngest Samuels brother, Marcus. They fell for each other, but Marcus was keeping a secret he had kept for over a dozen years... and that secret was forced into the open when he suddenly found himself the father of a baby girl... Can he explain the circumstances to his family? Will Claire accept him as he is? When the family suffered a medical emergency, can Marcus save the day?

Wow, sudden baby trope in the Olde West! That's at least, a good twist. It's also a nice tie-in that his extra background (which I am NOT spoiling) came in handy for that medical emergency at the end.

Category: Historical western

Primary Plot: Young man loving a woman suddenly find himself the father of a baby girl (by someone else) and his secret is forced into the open...

Overall Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Father Found (The Daddy School) by Judith Arnold

Father Found is a touching "sudden baby" story with a bit of common struggle leading to love.

Jamie McCoy is a columnist with a nationally syndicated column called "Guy Stuff". He is thirty and enjoys a carefree bachelor existence... Until he woke up with a baby girl named Samantha on his back porch, left by a woman he had a one-night stand with, at a vacation resort. She did not even leave a real name or number. Overwhelmed by his sudden fatherhood, he called the local hospital, where neonatal nurse Allison Winslow taught him the basics over the phone and invited him to "Daddy School", a class she holds for new single fathers. Allison, expecting a barely employed teenage father, was surprised at the rich well-to-do bachelor. Jamie was expecting a matronly but grouchy woman and was surprised at the amazingly beautiful and confident nurse. Jamie realized perhaps he needed Allison for more than just baby advice, and perhaps his bachelor creds are just frivolous. Allison was touched by Jamie's efforts to be all the dad he can be, but how can she trust a man who got a woman pregnant out of wedlock? When Samantha's mother wanted her back, will Jamie fight for her? And will Allison help him?

The book was poignant and the addition of the common threat to unite them was a masterful plot. it was both funny (fish out of water for the new father) and poignant, at times leaving you with moist eyes and a bit of swoon.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Columnist bachelor suddenly found himself caring for a daughter left by a one-night stand, and falling for the nurse that helped

Overall Rating: 5/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.

GRR Reviews The Barren Bride & The Abandoned Baby by Faye Sonja

The Barren Bride and the Abandoned Baby seems to rely way too much on serendipity and the author's voice seems to be WAY TOO PASSIVE to make the story exciting.

Sidney is barren due to a childhood disease. She thought nobody would want her, so she was surprised when the mail order bride agency matched her with someone who wanted her with no child (nor expect any). But moments before she's due to get on the train, she found a baby abandoned on her doorstep. As she already gave up her room, she was forced to take the baby along... // Isam and his best friend were mining gold in a small town in Texas. He already buried one wife and child, and his heart is dead. He needed a wife but did not want any children. When Sidney arrived with a baby, however, Isam can't turn her away. But what are the chances the baby will find its way to the real mom when he's halfway across the country?

I honestly don't feel a connection to this story. Things just HAPPEN to the characters, and they react. They don't seem to ever attempt to actively change their situation. Isam is just doing the strong silent type. He didn't want children, but when his "barren bride" showed up with one, he said nothing, because he's a "good guy (tm)". And Sidney... She could have dropped off the baby off at a church or something, but no, she had to make it HER problem by taking the baby along on the train ride across the country. And obviously good things happen to people who are good. Hah. The twist at the end was a deus ex machina.

While I kinda enjoyed the tale, it's just way too passive for me.

Category: Historical Western

Primary Plot: Woman who can't have children found an abandoned baby just as she was about to leave town as mail-order bride...

Overall Rating: 2/5  (downgraded, was 3/5)

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Billionaire Daddy by Claire Adams

Billionaire Daddy is a sudden baby / insta-love romance where the plot points didn't really come together. Not one of the author's best efforts.

Maddox Moore made a name for himself as a chef and restaurant chain owner, but he never planned to be a daddy. But when a woman dropped off his kid from a one-night stand and just left, Maddox had to step up. Evelyn is an aspiring chef who wanted her own restaurant one day, and kids are not in her plans. When Maddox saw her at the charity auction, he had to have her, at least for one night, and that wasn't enough. When Evelyn found her job going nowhere, Maddox stepped up and offered her job as his personal chef (even though he's a chef!) by pretending to be inept... and neglect to mention his kid, in order to seduce Evelyn. Will Evelyn bolt when she found out how much he had kept from her?

The attraction seems to be mostly one-sided. The "fun" is the escalating number of lies / deceptions, but the two plots didn't really merge well.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: A rich chef with a sudden child wanted to seduce a female chef by pretending to be inept at cooking...

Tropes: sudden baby, single parent, chef, disguise, different worlds, forced proximity, hot for boss

Overall Rating:  3/5