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Be My Baby (Baby #2)

by Susan Andersen (Goodreads Author)

3.78 · rating details · 724 ratings · 34 reviews

Prim and proper Juliet Rose Astor Lowell doesn't want her body guarded by "anyone" while she's in New Orleans for the grand opening of Daddy's new hotel--especially not by consummate macho cop Beau Dupree. He's just too big, too pushy, too virile, too..."everything " His shameless, hungry-eyed gaze shakes her carefully cultivated decorum like no one eve

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Mass Market Paperbound, 384 pages

Published March 1st 1999 by Avon Books (first published January 1st 1999)

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Feb 12, 2011

Tracy rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: light-comedic-romantic-suspense, non-series-stand-alone-novels

Bostonian blue blood Juliet Rose Astor Lowell is in steamy New Orleans, LA to kick off the grand opening of her baby, a restored southern mansion she's turning into a five star hotel for her father's hotel conglomeration. It's her first full project and the first time she's been completely out from under her imperious magnate's thumb. She got more than she bargained for, however, when a letter of complaint about the purchase and hotel plans causes her father to step in and demand police protecti...moreBostonian blue blood Juliet Rose Astor Lowell is in steamy New Orleans, LA to kick off the grand opening of her baby, a restored southern mansion she's turning into a five star hotel for her father's hotel conglomeration. It's her first full project and the first time she's been completely out from under her imperious magnate's thumb. She got more than she bargained for, however, when a letter of complaint about the purchase and hotel plans causes her father to step in and demand police protection for his daughter. And no one, not even an acting police chief, says no to her father...or his money and connections.

NOPD Seargent Beau Dupree knew a babysitting job when he saw it. Knew it and didn't like it at all. Not when he had real police work to do. He read the supposed threat to the prim and proper Juliet Rose and gave it just about as much credence as it deserved. Which was none. Instead, he planned on dragging her around while he worked on a real case, trying to track down the elusive Panty Bandit who had been commanding young woman to strip naked for him at gunpoint. Women including his baby sister, who, along with his other two sisters, he'd been raising for the ten years since their parents died.

It was a good plan. Push the rigid and tightly wound socialite up close and personal with the seedier side of the Crescent City and she'd demand to have him removed from her detail. He could go on about his business and get his long-time goals back on track. No fuss, no muss.

He didn't count on the pretty little debutante letting her hair down - literally and figuratively. He didn't count on her class, composure, and generous nature when faced with even the lowest dregs. He sure as hell didn't count on being so damned attracted to it. To her. And from the depths of his cop soul, he hadn't even dreamed that the threat to her life may be serious, so when his brake line is cut and they almost take a header into the Mississippi, then someone takes a shot at Juliet in a crowd of party-goers, Beau quickly realizes that the last thing he wants is to be pushed off the case, because the estimable Juliet Rose has become more important to him than he'd ever dreamed.

With the fabulous city of New Orleans as a cultured, vibrant backdrop, Susan Andersen created a fun, mostly light romp of romance and light suspense in this pleasant book. Juliet and Beau are about as diametrically opposed as two characters can be on paper, but to their depths, they strike very pleasant - and often humorous chords together. Juliet may be the classic poor little rich girl and Beau may be the quintessential good ol' southern blue collar, but there is depth provide both of them through their responsibilities, past pains and disappointments, and the shields they both use to keep their hearts protected. I particularly liked the combination of fire and steel in Juliet, and was pleased by the way she dealt with many of Beau's antics.

There was a small but important array of secondary characters that added layers to the plot, with Beau's baby sister and his best friend and police partner Luke having an ancillary, though briefly featured romance, and Juliet's assistant Roxanne was a real gem with her flair and independence coupled with a few noted fears and insecurities. Andersen did a nice job with them all, and regardless of how much they were featured, they all seemed pleasantly genuine.

The plot may not have been all that surprising or earth shaking, and certain twists and developments could be seen coming a mile away, but for a light, fun read it was well paced, had a smooth, easy to read narrative, and quick witted dialogue that maintained a natural conversational flow. Andersen also gets points for keeping the unique flavor of the city and many of the mannerisms and colloquialisms unique to the region as important to the overall recipe as it deserved to be.

I enjoyed Be My Baby for the smooth bit of brain candy it was, and so long as you don't mind the formulaic nature of the development of the romance, and have a fondness for less serious and briefly featured suspense, I'd recommend it for the hours of simple pleasure it provided.

~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another. (less)

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Sep 25, 2010

Jane Stewart rated it

Shelves: contemporary-romance, 4-plus-star-romance

4.5 stars. Very nice. Fun story. I loved the characters.

The plot was also good. There were a number of good lines and a few more that had me chuckling. Juliet’s parents were from wealthy families in Boston. Her mother died when she was young. She was raised by a controlling grandmother with strict rules about etiquette and composure. Her father was either ignoring her or mentally bullying her. She is working for her father, overseeing the renovation of a mansion into a hotel...more4.5 stars. Very nice. Fun story. I loved the characters.

The plot was also good. There were a number of good lines and a few more that had me chuckling. Juliet’s parents were from wealthy families in Boston. Her mother died when she was young. She was raised by a controlling grandmother with strict rules about etiquette and composure. Her father was either ignoring her or mentally bullying her. She is working for her father, overseeing the renovation of a mansion into a hotel in New Orleans. Someone threatens her life, and a local police detective Beau is assigned to protect her.

CAUTION SPOILERS:
Beau and Juliet fall for each other. When she tells him she loves him, he dumps her because he doesn’t want to be tied down. I loved her answer to him, page 301. “I tell you what, Beau. I don’t want to be a rock around anyone’s neck, so why don’t you consider yourself free as a bird. Really. It’s been fun, and I thank you for the experience. Have a good life.” She closed the door in his face. They have a similar conversation on pages 311 to 314. I liked her responses there as well.

I also liked a previous line describing Juliet. She had spent most of her life apologizing to her father trying to make him happy with her. While in New Orleans she is evolving into someone she likes. Her father calls and starts yelling at her. I liked the next line, page 150. “Her programmed response was to apologize, but she caught herself and drew in a deep breath instead, holding it for a moment before slowly exhaling. Mustering the composure that always, in the end, was her final defense, she said quietly, ---“ That thinking reminded me of a defense others could use when facing a bully.

Even though Beau dumps her, I felt sympathy for him and understood his reasons. His parents died when he was 24. For ten years, he had been raising his three younger sisters. When the last one left home, he planned to live it up as a bachelor, dating a lot of women.

DATA:
Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: four. Setting: current day New Orleans. Copyright: 1999. Genre: contemporary romance.

OTHER BOOKS:
As of 6/20/08, I have read 3 Susan Andersen books, as follows.
4.5 stars. Be My Baby. Copyright 1999. My review posted 6/20/08.
4 stars. Baby, I’m Yours. Copyright 1998. My review posted 1/10/08.
2.5 stars. Head Over Heels. Copyright 2002. My review posted 6/20/08.(less)

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Feb 13, 2011

Sarah Eiseman rated it

This book was a nice mixture of contemporary romance, mystery, and a smidgen of suspense.

Juliet Rose Astor Lowell has just moved to New Orleans to work on her father’s most recent acquisition in his hotel chain. The hotel is actually the former property of a high-society family, who are living in the home until an appointed time. Juliet’s father is interested in having her guarded, since she received some disturbing letters prior to her arrival in the city, so she’s assigned Sergeant ...more

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Jan 13, 2011

Mom rated it

Shelves: read-during-2011

Prim and proper Juliet Rose Astor Lowell doesn't want her body guarded by anyone while she's in New Orleans for the grand opening of Daddy's new hotel—especially not by consummate macho cop Beau Dupree. He's just too big, too pushy, too virile, too...everything! His shameless, hungry-eyed gaze shakes her carefully cultivated decorum like no one ever has, but Juliet is a Lowell—and there's no way she's going to lose control!

The lady is downright delectable, but Beau has more important...more

· see review

Oct 10, 2010

Emily rated it

Shelves: bad-boys, humorous, men-of-service, series

Juliet Rose Astor Lowell has been groomed her whole life to be the epitome of refinement and grace. Finally having a chance to get out from her father's wings, she arrives in New Orleans to open a hotel she has nurtured from the beginning. Her father's continued interference though has put her under the watchful eye of Beau Dupree, a cop who wants off babysitting duty of the socialite and makes it a point to try and shock her into removing him from detail. Beau Dupree is shocked to find that ...more

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Jan 13, 2011

kilty rated it

This Beau was Bleepin' hawt!
story good. heroine nice. bad guys boring. the rest filled the pages. new orleans happening.
the hero? siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh! *deep breath*
the hero..sii....ok! stop it!..gh
the hero.. was like an oasis of chocolate cream in a dessert of oreos-with-no-filling..completely edible with no expiry date! YUMMIFIED MULTIPLIED!

Can some paranormal author somewhere help ...more

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Jul 19, 2010

Maria rated it

Shelves: contemporary, romance

Sergaent Beau Depree is a detective in New Orleans and has been assigned to babysit rich girl Juliet Rose Astor Lowell. She's received a threatening letter about her grand openning of her new hotel. He's pissed because this joke is taking him off the case of catching real criminals. He decides to act the cad so that Juliet will ask his boss to re-assign him. Plans don't always work out, and Beau is going to learn that what he needs and what he wants are light years apart.

Why I pic...more

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Nov 15, 2009

Gwen Underwood rated it

I chose to read Be My Baby because I personally love romance novels and Be My Baby seemed to have a cute plot. The book follows a young woman named Juliet Rose Astor Lowell who is trying to set up her father's new hotel. When she receives a threatening letter, her father assigns a bodyguard to protect her. At first Juliet believes that Beau (the bodyguard) is unnecessary. But when the sender of the letter starts to try and get rid of her, she seeks the protection of Beau even more and finds th...more

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Oct 14, 2011

Yolanda rated it

Shelves: 2011, romance

Almost all of the books that I have read by Susan Andersen have been wonderful. They are refreshing, light, and most of all hilarious. I find that when contemporary romance have the humor angle the books are more enjoyable and a little bit more realistic considering that they are romance novels.

Be My Baby is no exception. I think that Beau is very similar to guys out there who think that they want don't something, and proclaim that loudly, until it is obvious to everyone around ...more

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Jul 23, 2011

Natalya rated it

This book came highly recommended so I was surprised by how terrible the dialogue was. I kept reading in morbid fascination to see what else might crop up. The plot and the characters are not bad and its got great potential as an entertaining read, but I kept cringing from ever present cliches, strange comparatives ("his nipples got hard like nails", nails???), senseless dialogue ("you are always hungry, what do you have, a hollow leg?"). It did make me laugh out loud twic...more

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Mar 13, 2011

Wendy rated it

Shelves: contemporary-romance, fbi-cia-or-policeman, romantic-suspense

I picked this up when looking for something new to read. I am really glad that I did. I enjoyed the play between the characters and I love anything set in New Orleans, or the South.

Our Hero is a strong male type with dark good looks and a short temper. When Beau is assigned to protect a new comer to NO he isn't real happy. It isn't just that he feels that it is a waste of time, but the assignment is pulling him off an important case that he is working on. He takes is anger out of hi...more

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Mar 30, 2009

Sarah Clark rated it

Shelves: fiction-adult, romance

When good-girl Juliet goes to New Orleans for the opening of her father’s hotel, the last thing she wants is to be escorted everywhere by the coarsely-mannered and ruggedly handsome cop, Beau Dupree. While trying to get rid of each other, Beau and Juliet discover they have electrifying chemistry.

Appeals: Steamy sex-scenes; good girl, bad boy dynamic; fast-paced, light read; colliding personalities who fall for each other.

· see review

Dec 02, 2010

Dinty rated it

This had been a fun read for me but maybe I was looking for something more because the plot has its potential and somehow, along the way I was reluctant to finish the story. The third star is for the hero because he made me laugh. And I am a bit concerned why the hero's name have "butler" that is somehow linked with the villain?

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Oct 10, 2011

Dawn ♥ romance rated it

Enjoyable story with a good pace that had my attention throughout. I liked how the relationship developed while solving the crime and the secondary romance was nice. Police sergeant Beau is assigned to guard rich Juliet who is setting up new family hotel in New Orleans.

· see review

Mar 03, 2011

Photojim rated it

Shelves: 2011-reads, contemporary-romance, jim-swap-shelf, romance

Poor little rich girl falls for a troglodyte in New Orleans whilst completely improbable things happen for very improbable reasons. Perhaps three stars is too generous.

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Dec 17, 2011

Victoria rated it

Shelves: 2011, adult-fiction, contemporary-romance, romance

I thought the book started off slow but things picked up nearly halfway in. I liked the ending and thought Celeste got what she deserved. I did feel bad for Edward though.

· see review

Apr 16, 2009

Ruth rated it

Shelves: fff

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 21, 2012

Gina rated it

Not as good as her others I've read but still a good read, quick and some laugh out loud moments.

· see review

Jul 06, 2010

Cindi rated it

Shelves: series, susan-andersen

Cute story. Beau's "fantasy/dream" was silly though. Otherwise, a good book.

· see review

Jan 16, 2009

Susan rated it

Yeah so I was going through a shamtlzy romance phase...so sue me! :)

· see review

Sep 13, 2010

Shannon rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: 2010, library-download, au-andersen, trilogies, stars-4, zbook-2

I really loved the characters. Beau's sisters were particularly sassy and fun.

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Nov 30, 2011

Megan rated it

Another good beach read. Rather fluffy chic lit.

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Feb 05, 2012

Renn rated it

Another good story line and good sex.

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Sep 23, 2011

Jana rated it

Shelves: contemporary-romance

Not bad, but definitely not good.

· see review

Feb 23, 2011

Ann rated it

Shelves: adult, mystery, sex, romance

hot, sexy mystery romance, loved it!

· see review

Jan 08, 2010

Lynn Calvin added it

Romance

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Jan 09, 2010

Kelly rated it

Shelves: chick-lit, romance, southern

Another nice fluffy romantic read that was great for vacation -- this one was set in New Orleans!

· see review

Jul 06, 2008

ElaineY rated it

Shelves: contemporary-romance

Enjoyed this contemporary romance which reminds me of a Rachel Gibson/Susan Elizabeth Phillips book. The characters were fleshed out and the romance developed at a believable pace. In all, just the kind of feel-good romance I enjoy now and then when I want to take a break from romantic or erotic suspense.

· see review

Nov 01, 2011

Angela James rated it

Shelves: 2011, contemporary-romance, reread, recommended

This is my favorite Susan Andersen book and I reread it every so often. Something about Beau and Juliet is just good chemistry for me!

· see review

Aug 21, 2007

Sabrina rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary

Dieses Buch ist mir nicht mehr wirklich gut im Gedächtnis geblieben, ich weiß aber noch, dass ich es unterhaltsam fand.

· see review

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About Susan Andersen

I grew up in a household with two brothers, a daddy, and my grandfather. Too many men, in other words. They diluted M'ma's influence by diverting my attention to things like the danger of answering nature's call in the dead of the night. I've got a hint for those of you raised in a less spit-and-scratch world: check before you sit, because chances are that seat is gonna be up. And they don't even ...moreI grew up in a household with two brothers, a daddy, and my grandfather. Too many men, in other words. They diluted M'ma's influence by diverting my attention to things like the danger of answering nature's call in the dead of the night. I've got a hint for those of you raised in a less spit-and-scratch world: check before you sit, because chances are that seat is gonna be up. And they don't even have the grace to be embarrassed about it. According to my sweet baby boy, if you're the minority sex in the household, you oughtta be putting it up for them. Sigh.

Having brothers was a mixed bag. When anybody messed with me they were always quick with an offer to beat them up. That was sorta nice, although I personally believe it had more to do with the fact that guys just like to fight than with any towering concern for my welfare. You might think that's cynical but guess who the target was if no one else was around and they were tired of fighting each other? I must've spent half my childhood locked in the bathroom, screaming, "Dad's gonna get you when he gets home." I know, I know, nobody likes a stoolie. But it was either that or have my block knocked off on a regular basis, and trust me, Daddy was the best deterrent going.

A smart woman probably would've gone away to an all-girl school or moved in with some girlfriends at the first opportunity. Me, I got married to my high school sweetie. And the tradition continues. Our only kid (who hasn't been a kid for quite some time now) is the aforementioned sweet baby boy, and except for an Irish setter we had for eleven years a long time ago, even our pets have all been male. I just try to stay afloat whenever I find myself in the deep end of the testosterone pool, and if you don't think that isn't a trial sometimes, I'm here to tell you- it can be hell.

Then again, it can also be heaven. In fact, it mostly is. But listen, don't tell my guys I 'fessed up to that, okay? Trust me, it's difficult enough already, just trying to stay one step ahead of the game.(less)

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