As we’ve already established many many times, I’m really not a baby person. I don’t really like children in real life (there are a few exceptions), so it’s almost worse when they weasel their way into my romance novels. I’m not a fan of the surprise pregnancy subtrope either…as you may have already guessed. That being said, I downloaded this book on a whim because it kept popping up as recommended, and I figured I’d give Fiona Cole a shot. This is the first book I’ve read by Cole and wow, she did NOT disappoint. I could care less about the fact that Carina is pregnant because that really isn’t the sole purpose of the novel. Thank god LOL. It’s about two people coming together over a shared situation and falling in love. It’s gold.

Okay, first off, there’s a LOT going on in this book. I jumped in, head first, not knowing what I was getting myself into. Our leading lady, Carina, is a straight up badass bitch. She’s a ball-buster, she’s independent and confident and beautiful. She’s literal goals, ladies. But then…her fiancé, who she’s been with for six years and is her best friend, leaves her for another man. At first I was a little confused, like is Jake (her ex fiancé) gay? Because Carina talks about the threesomes she has with Jake and his now lover/boyfriend, Jackson. But then, Carina knew and loved Jackson too. It’s a lot of information and drama and I cannot wait to dive into it when I read Lovers. Anyway! Back to Carina, so she’s pretty burned after the Jake fiasco, and is feeling a little less confident, less sexy, less happy. Her four aunts collectively get her a boudoir-shoot-blind-date-gift-package for Christmas and that’s where she meets Ian…but this is their second encounter. Six months prior, when she learned of Jake and Jackson’s affair, she met Ian at a bar and they shared a moment together. Both of which still remember and cherish. Carina and Ian do this shoot together and end up having deliciously hot, unprotected sex and voila, Carina gets pregnant. And has no way to find Ian to tell him.

As fate would have it, they run into each other again at Ian’s company seven months later; Carina is consulting for them, and it’s off to the races! Ian is pretty much fully invested from the moment he sees her pregnant belly. It’s insanely romantic how much he cares for both Carina and their peanut from the very beginning. He’s attentive and adorable and good lord I would have married him in an instant. Carina is still recovering from Jake’s betrayal, so Ian has to be careful about how far he pushes her. Their chemistry is off the charts, though. They bicker like an old married couple, challenge each other, respect each other, and love each other beyond reproach, even before they both realize it. 

Every time I read about another woman coming into the picture in a novel, it feels like someone poured burning oil down my throat. It makes me physically ill. I’m volatile. It’s impossible for me to relax. There are definitely some personal issues there, which is why I needed to preface my next few comments. Hanna, the sister is Ian’s best friend and business partner, is in love with Ian. She has zero respect for Carina and the fact that she and Ian have a baby. She is selfish and naive. I understand that she went through a lot. She was sold into sex slavery alongside her twin sister, and when they were rescued, only Hanna returned alive. That is A LOT. Regardless, that doesn’t give her the right to act the way she did. Ian was oblivious, as most men are, to her constant advances and flirting, but Carina saw right through it. When our journey came to an end and Hanna redeemed herself somewhat, I felt a tiny bit better. I’m very intrigued to read Hanna’s story, Teacher, releasing in 2020. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that she fully redeems herself and gets her own happily ever after with Daniel. This journey was smoldering and passionate, while also being sweet and accessible. Cole has joined my list of brilliant authors and I’m anxious to continue exploring her work!

“I’ll always be there. Even if you don’t want me to be, I will always be waiting to be what you need.”