More Than He Expected by Andrea Laurence

More Than He Expected by Andrea Laurence
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Back Cover:
The Exception to the Rule  Playboy Alex Stanton likes his relationships short and without strings. But his fiery fling with Gwen Wright left him craving more. So when a holiday weekend getaway provides an opportunity for another taste of the tantalizing woman, he grabs it. Only, things have changed since their last encounter.... Besides being noticeably pregnant, Gwen insists she's sworn off men. As if the challenge weren't tempting enough, Gwen's enticing new curves have made the sexy spitfire even more appealing. But how can the footloose bachelor hang on to his heart when he can't stop longing for the soon-to-be mama?

My Review:
'More Than He Expected' is an endearing love story!

This book picks up at Will and Adrienne’s wedding reception, right about where “What lies beneath’ by Andrea Laurence left off. Though this is a stand-alone book I will recommend reading WLB to better understand the secondary characters that are an essential part of this book.

Alex and Gwen met at Will and Adrienne’s wedding and embarked on a two week long mutually satisfying fling before they parted and went their separate ways. Now 8 months later they are both invited to spend the July 4th holiday at their friends retreat in the Hamptons; Alex hasn’t been able to forget about Gwen and is excited to pursue fling 2.0 so imagine his surprise when he finds Gwen is 5 months pregnant.

Alex and Gwen’s characters are beautifully written, Alex is not interested in marriage and relationship, never has been but he can’t seem to stay away from Gwen constantly worrying and caring about her health and safety.

You can sense Alex’s totally frazzled and confused feelings and emotions where Gwen is concerned. You will fall in love with Alex’s character. Not only does Alex surprise Gwen with a day at the spa but he actually hangs around at the Spa while she gets pampered, in my books that makes him a definite keeper.

‘More Than He expected’ is a beautifully written love story, without too much angst and melodrama between the main characters. This book exceeded my expectations and is definitely worth a read. 

What Lies Beneath by Andrea Laurence

What Lies Beneath by Andrea Laurence
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Back Cover:
They say she's Cynthia Dempsey, fiancée of media mogul Will Taylor. But try as she might, she can't recall their high-society life or the man sitting by her hospital bed. Though her body certainly remembers him. Even as she senses the distance between them, the electricity when they touch is undeniable.

Will can hardly believe Cynthia's transformation. Gone is the ice queen who betrayed him, and in her place is a woman who seems genuine and warm. But can he risk his heart again, not knowing what might happen when her memory returns?

My Review
'What lies Beneath' is a fast paced emotionally satisfying read. This book had a unique spin on the “Amnesia trope” with the added dimension of “mistaken identity”.

Heroine wakes up in the hospital with no memory following a deadly plane crash and a series of facial reconstructive surgery to be greeted by her family and aloof fiancé Will all of whom are strangers to her.

Will takes Cynthia home to recuperate, where she discovers that Will had actually broken off the engagement before her trip and that he is no longer in love with her and hasn’t been for a while,  however Will decides to support her during her on going recovery.

Cynthia is no longer the cold hard hearted bitch she used to be, she is warm and loving; Will realizes he actually likes spending time with this new Cynthia but is also afraid that her memory will return and she will revert back to being her old hurtful selfish self. He has been hurt before and wants to stir clear from all the resulting heartache.

There’s more heartache and drama that follows and tares Will and Cynthia apart and threatens their HEA. All of which you will need to read the book to find out more about :)

What I liked about this story is that when Will and Cynthia decide to give their relationship another chance they don't fall into bed right away, they decide to start over, date and get to know each other all over again taking it a day at a time; As the story progresses you can see Will work through his feelings for Cynthia and start to fall in love again.

What Lies Beneath is an emotional read, with great characters and an engaging storyline. This was Andrea Laurence’s first book and I have to say it was pretty impressive.

A Man of Privilege by Sarah M. Anderson

A Man of Privilege by Sarah M. Anderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Back Cover:
She Isn't What He Expected Blue-blooded lawyer James Carlson is working on the case of his life. After winning this trial, his career will be set. He won't let anything...or anyone...alter his course. Then he meets his witness. Maggie Eagle Heart makes him question everything-his family, his goals, his future. Because she's the one woman he wants, and she's the one woman who is completely off-limits. Yet even as he struggles to keep their relationship all about business, he can't deny the attraction is mutual-and irresistible.  James has always done what is expected of him...until now.


My Review:

Two words! Read it!

James, a blue blooded lawyer has had his life all mapped out for as long as he can remember; His plan: Win this Case; get married to a woman hand-picked by his mother and run for President.

James is currently working on the case of his life and meets Maggie when she summoned to his office as a potential witness on the case.

I did a double take when Maggie a native American heroine is introduced in this book; Maggie had a hard life and a hell of a rap sheet, an ex-drug addict and a prostitute. I had to flip the cover to make sure I was reading a Harlequin series….to say I was a little bit surprised is putting it mildly. I was definitely intrigued by the characters and the storyline and interested to read how James and Maggie would get to their HEA.

I loved the flow of this story; the book has a fresh voice and is beautifully written. The conflicts the characters face are real and the romance heartwarming. I am so impressed with the author Sarah M Anderson for pushing the boundaries with this book and for taking the road less travelled.

Safe to say - Sarah 1st book 'A Man of His Word' is now added to my TBR list

‘A Man of Privilege’ is an excellent contemporary romance, with multidimensional characters, sexual tension and a bit of mystery to wrap things up nicely.

Undone by Her Tender Touch by Maya Banks

Undone by Her Tender Touch by Maya Banks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book Blurb
Just one night? Yeah, right. Pippa Laingley should have known better. When an unplanned evening of passion with Cameron Hollingsworth results in unplanned pregnancy, she's at a crossroads. She knew going in that the enigmatic entrepreneur had built a fortress around his feelings. What she's just discovered is that he's loved and lost before—wife and child. Tragically.
Now Cam stands to lose it all again. If he lets Pippa get too close. If he pushes her away with loveless arrangements of financial support. Either way, he's doomed…unless he can let himself love again.


My Review:

“Undone by her Tender Touch” is an emotionally packed power house! A passionate love story between tortured and emotionally closed off Cam and the ever resilient Pippa.

We learn that Cam lost his wife and child in an accident and reeling from his painful past he does not want to have any more children or emotional ties to anyone, so when he finds out Pippa’s is pregnant as a result of their one night stand he is torn between doing the right thing and not letting go of the past. I loved Pippa’s character, she was a strong willed woman who was not willing to settle for any less than what she truly deserved; she was resilient in the face of adversity and ready to fight for what she wanted and a future for his unborn child.

This book put me through the emotional ringer, at times I wanted to hit Cam over the head and tell him to move on but he worked his way through the book and redeemed himself at the end.

This trope has been done many times before but what sets “Undone by her Tender Touch Apart” is that it is exceptionally well written, I got this book through net galley not realizing that this book is #4 in the Pregnancy and passion series, so it’s safe to say that this book can be read as a stand-alone; however I was so impressed by Maya’s writing that I look forward to reading Ashley and Devon’s story and the rest of this series.