What do you think?
Rate this book
The Bravos of Justice Creek #1
Not Quite Married
A BRAVO BABY BRINGS SECOND CHANCES
It was hard enough for Clara Bravo to face gorgeous Dalton Ames after he ended their idyllic fling. But confessing that she was pregnant took real guts! Oh, Clara didn't lack the fortitude to notify Dalton of his impending fatherhood. It was turning down the irresistible banker's proposal—just for their baby's sake—that she found difficult.
Dalton pushed Clara away because he couldn't risk his heart again after his recent divorce—not because he didn't feel anything for the brunette beauty! When he discovered her pregnancy, Dalton was determined to create the picture-perfect home with the one woman he could never forget. Now, if only he could convince Clara that their family was forever…
It was hard enough for Clara Bravo to face gorgeous Dalton Ames after he ended their idyllic fling. But confessing that she was pregnant took real guts! Oh, Clara didn't lack the fortitude to notify Dalton of his impending fatherhood. It was turning down the irresistible banker's proposal—just for their baby's sake—that she found difficult.
Dalton pushed Clara away because he couldn't risk his heart again after his recent divorce—not because he didn't feel anything for the brunette beauty! When he discovered her pregnancy, Dalton was determined to create the picture-perfect home with the one woman he could never forget. Now, if only he could convince Clara that their family was forever…
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 21, 2015
41 people are currently reading
531 people want to read
About the author
Christine Rimmer
722 books430 followersNew York Times bestselling author Christine Rimmer has written more than one hundred contemporary romances for Harlequin Books. She has won Romantic Times BOOKreview’s Reviewer’s Choice Award for best Silhouette Special Edition. She has been nominated seven times for the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award and five times for Romantic Times Series Storyteller of the Year.
A California native who first longed to be an actress, Christine earned her theater degree from California State, Sacramento and then went to New York to study acting. Later, she moved to Southern California, where she began her writing career with short stories, plays, and poems. Her poems and short stories were published in a number of small literary journals. Her plays were produced at The Back Alley and Group Theaters in Southern California and have been published by Dramatists Play Service and West Coast Plays.
She now lives in Oregon with her family and two very contented cats named Tom and Ed.
A California native who first longed to be an actress, Christine earned her theater degree from California State, Sacramento and then went to New York to study acting. Later, she moved to Southern California, where she began her writing career with short stories, plays, and poems. Her poems and short stories were published in a number of small literary journals. Her plays were produced at The Back Alley and Group Theaters in Southern California and have been published by Dramatists Play Service and West Coast Plays.
She now lives in Oregon with her family and two very contented cats named Tom and Ed.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
May 3, 2015
Not Quite Married by Christine Rimmer is a 2015 Harlequin Special Edition publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this story which featured Clara Bravo, a character we have met in previous installments in this series.
Clara is pregnant, so as she enters the last trimester of pregnancy, she makes contact with the baby's father, Dalton Ames. The two had an intense affair while on vacation, but after a failed marriage, Dalton felt seeking a relationship with Clara was not a great idea, so they went their separate ways. Now, after being informed he is about to be a father, he virtually takes over Clara's life.
He wants to do the right thing by Clara and the child, which is admirable and responsible, but for Dalton that means getting married. But Clara doesn't think that is the best way to go. In the meantime, Dalton insist on helping Clara out during the last months of her pregnancy after she experiences a few complications, which means moving in with her until the baby is born.
I for one applaud Clara for her wise choice to avoid marrying Dalton because of her pregnancy. I am a firm believer in the “two wrongs don't make a right” adage. An unplanned pregnancy is not a good reason to get married, although many think it's the right thing to do. I understood why Clara was so reluctant. She wanted the whole show- to be in love, to have her husband reciprocate those feelings, to go into marriage for all the right reasons, and not because “it was the right thing to do”. But, is Dalton the right man for her? Does her love her or is he just there because of the child?
While this story is standard fair in many ways, with a conflict a couple must overcome in order to find their HEA, this story delves a little deeper by showing a couple grow individually and together, each giving and taking in order to make the relationship work. Dalton is hard to take sometimes, but he his character develops slowly until he finally sees he must love Clara the way she is and take what she is able to give. Love is patient, love is kind and Dalton had some adjustments to make in that area. As for Clara, her character developed nicely as well. I just thought she was person that didn't do so well under the kind of pressure Dalton was putting on her. She does learn to let go of her fears and can finally see she has all she ever wanted.
This is a mature contemporary romance, and obviously with a very pregnant character the heated romance/sex is little more muted, and the focus is more on the actual relationship development. In the end this was an enjoyable read and I am looking forward to more Bravo family stories. 4 stars
I really enjoyed this story which featured Clara Bravo, a character we have met in previous installments in this series.
Clara is pregnant, so as she enters the last trimester of pregnancy, she makes contact with the baby's father, Dalton Ames. The two had an intense affair while on vacation, but after a failed marriage, Dalton felt seeking a relationship with Clara was not a great idea, so they went their separate ways. Now, after being informed he is about to be a father, he virtually takes over Clara's life.
He wants to do the right thing by Clara and the child, which is admirable and responsible, but for Dalton that means getting married. But Clara doesn't think that is the best way to go. In the meantime, Dalton insist on helping Clara out during the last months of her pregnancy after she experiences a few complications, which means moving in with her until the baby is born.
I for one applaud Clara for her wise choice to avoid marrying Dalton because of her pregnancy. I am a firm believer in the “two wrongs don't make a right” adage. An unplanned pregnancy is not a good reason to get married, although many think it's the right thing to do. I understood why Clara was so reluctant. She wanted the whole show- to be in love, to have her husband reciprocate those feelings, to go into marriage for all the right reasons, and not because “it was the right thing to do”. But, is Dalton the right man for her? Does her love her or is he just there because of the child?
While this story is standard fair in many ways, with a conflict a couple must overcome in order to find their HEA, this story delves a little deeper by showing a couple grow individually and together, each giving and taking in order to make the relationship work. Dalton is hard to take sometimes, but he his character develops slowly until he finally sees he must love Clara the way she is and take what she is able to give. Love is patient, love is kind and Dalton had some adjustments to make in that area. As for Clara, her character developed nicely as well. I just thought she was person that didn't do so well under the kind of pressure Dalton was putting on her. She does learn to let go of her fears and can finally see she has all she ever wanted.
This is a mature contemporary romance, and obviously with a very pregnant character the heated romance/sex is little more muted, and the focus is more on the actual relationship development. In the end this was an enjoyable read and I am looking forward to more Bravo family stories. 4 stars
April 6, 2015
This is an okay romance, but I've read better by this author and it felt a bit standard and turned out to meet a contract rather than original.
The tale is one where a holiday fling has led to a pregnancy and the lady now has to tell the man responsible. Many of these stories nowadays show the lady as being from a comfortably-off, supportive family, thus removing the financial argument and all the drama.
Oddly at the same time the social pressure here is on the man to marry the mother of his child. He does appear to realise that he should never have let her slip through his fingers in the first place, but he was on the rebound after a divorce. But he is first shocked, and then comes on too strong, insisting the lady drop her thriving business and move to Denver as his wife - is he a control freak? Or worried about his image? No wonder she backs off.
Mothers to be will get a lot more out of this tale, with its hospital appointments and concerns, and anyone following the Bravo-Calabretti series will probably want to pick it up, though it might as well be a standalone.
The tale is one where a holiday fling has led to a pregnancy and the lady now has to tell the man responsible. Many of these stories nowadays show the lady as being from a comfortably-off, supportive family, thus removing the financial argument and all the drama.
Oddly at the same time the social pressure here is on the man to marry the mother of his child. He does appear to realise that he should never have let her slip through his fingers in the first place, but he was on the rebound after a divorce. But he is first shocked, and then comes on too strong, insisting the lady drop her thriving business and move to Denver as his wife - is he a control freak? Or worried about his image? No wonder she backs off.
Mothers to be will get a lot more out of this tale, with its hospital appointments and concerns, and anyone following the Bravo-Calabretti series will probably want to pick it up, though it might as well be a standalone.
April 25, 2015
I could not put down Not Quite Married by Christine Rimmer! It is a wonderful summer read and the characters are both romantic and compelling. Rimmer brilliantly portrays both sides of the romance story through Clara Bravo and Dalton Ames. She effortlessly switches from the male perspective to the female perspective in this wonderful new romance. I love romances with babies and Not Quite Married did not disappoint.
I am a long time Harlequin reader and I think Christine Rimmer is a wonderful example of their heartwarming writers! Rimmer gives us a brilliant glimpse into what both Clara and Dalton are feeling--their fears, theirs hopes, their love, and their desire for one another. Clare and Dalton are easily relatable and you are immediately pulled into their story. The characters are complex and sympathetic. Dalton is handsome and desirable and Clara is lovely and relatable!
I just loved their story and I look forward to more from Christine Rimmer and the wonderful Bravo family. I am on pins and needles waiting for Ryan McKellan's story!!!! Not Quite Married by Christine Rimmer is a wonderful summer read!!! You won't be able put it down!!
I am a long time Harlequin reader and I think Christine Rimmer is a wonderful example of their heartwarming writers! Rimmer gives us a brilliant glimpse into what both Clara and Dalton are feeling--their fears, theirs hopes, their love, and their desire for one another. Clare and Dalton are easily relatable and you are immediately pulled into their story. The characters are complex and sympathetic. Dalton is handsome and desirable and Clara is lovely and relatable!
I just loved their story and I look forward to more from Christine Rimmer and the wonderful Bravo family. I am on pins and needles waiting for Ryan McKellan's story!!!! Not Quite Married by Christine Rimmer is a wonderful summer read!!! You won't be able put it down!!
August 15, 2020
After an island getaway and a fling with a stranger, Clara Bravo finds herself single and pregnant. After notifying the father, who immediately comes to Justice Creek with the intent to marry for the sake of the baby. Misunderstandings and pride cause issues between the Clara and Dalton. This was a good read with an HEA.
May 8, 2015
Very good book. Clara is one of the Justice Creek Bravos, who we have met in previous books. She is best friends with Aurora "Rory" Bravo-Calabretti (A Bravo Christmas Wedding). Seven months earlier Clara had met Dalton Ames while they were both on vacation, where they had a two week holiday fling. By the end of the two weeks, Clara had fallen for Dalton, but when she suggested they continue to see each other he refused to consider it.
Brokenhearted, Clara went home only to discover that she was pregnant. She was going to tell Dalton, but after looking him up online she saw information that he was going to remarry his ex-wife, so she put it off. Weeks later there was no new information, so she took a chance to find him and tell him.
Dalton had broken things off with Clara because, after his divorce, he had decided that he was not a good candidate for marriage. It didn't take long for him to realize that he'd made a mistake, but when he sent a PI to find her, the info came back that she was engaged and pregnant, so he stepped back figuring he'd lost his chance. He's stunned to find out from Clara that the baby is his, and immediately tells her they should do the "right thing" and get married.
This pushes all the wrong buttons for Clara. After seeing her mother suffer through a marriage with a man who had an entire second family on the side, Clara won't settle for anything less than love and the full attention of her husband. She is determined to stand firm against Dalton's pressure. Dalton is equally determined to get a ring on her finger and give the baby the family he feels she needs, and he isn't going to let anything get in his way.
When complications force Clara into bedrest, Dalton takes it as a sign and proceeds to take over her life. What follows is an interesting power struggle as Clara tries desperately to keep from losing her heart again and Dalton tries to get what he wants without getting his heart involved.
I really enjoyed seeing Dalton try to convince Clara. He comes across at first as really controlling and emotionless, but it doesn't take too long to see that it's simply because of the way he was raised. The emotions are there, they are just buried beneath his longtime habit of control. He knows he wants Clara and the baby in his life, he just doesn't know how to make it happen. He is constantly confused by what she wants because he has no experience with that kind of love. It was also pretty amusing to see ultra confident Dalton suffering from insecurity because of her relationship with her friend Ryan. He is dreadfully jealous of how well Ryan knows her. and Ryan seems to take great pleasure in emphasizing it. It was fun to see how they finally got over their antagonism is such a typically guy way, and how it was Clara's turn to be confused. I loved how it was Ryan that helped Dalton see what he had to do to win Clara.
I loved seeing their relationship grow as Dalton makes a point of taking care of Clara. She slowly begins to accept that it is okay to lean on him a little. Both of them learn how to give and take a little. I loved seeing Dalton slowly begin to relax a little and develop the patience to wait for Clara to believe in him. I also enjoyed seeing how well he took to being a father and how that started Clara believing that maybe they could have it all. Clara had her own fears to overcome, and had to believe that Dalton was not like her father before she could see that even if he didn't say the words, his actions showed how much he really cared.
*copy received in exchange for honest review
Brokenhearted, Clara went home only to discover that she was pregnant. She was going to tell Dalton, but after looking him up online she saw information that he was going to remarry his ex-wife, so she put it off. Weeks later there was no new information, so she took a chance to find him and tell him.
Dalton had broken things off with Clara because, after his divorce, he had decided that he was not a good candidate for marriage. It didn't take long for him to realize that he'd made a mistake, but when he sent a PI to find her, the info came back that she was engaged and pregnant, so he stepped back figuring he'd lost his chance. He's stunned to find out from Clara that the baby is his, and immediately tells her they should do the "right thing" and get married.
This pushes all the wrong buttons for Clara. After seeing her mother suffer through a marriage with a man who had an entire second family on the side, Clara won't settle for anything less than love and the full attention of her husband. She is determined to stand firm against Dalton's pressure. Dalton is equally determined to get a ring on her finger and give the baby the family he feels she needs, and he isn't going to let anything get in his way.
When complications force Clara into bedrest, Dalton takes it as a sign and proceeds to take over her life. What follows is an interesting power struggle as Clara tries desperately to keep from losing her heart again and Dalton tries to get what he wants without getting his heart involved.
I really enjoyed seeing Dalton try to convince Clara. He comes across at first as really controlling and emotionless, but it doesn't take too long to see that it's simply because of the way he was raised. The emotions are there, they are just buried beneath his longtime habit of control. He knows he wants Clara and the baby in his life, he just doesn't know how to make it happen. He is constantly confused by what she wants because he has no experience with that kind of love. It was also pretty amusing to see ultra confident Dalton suffering from insecurity because of her relationship with her friend Ryan. He is dreadfully jealous of how well Ryan knows her. and Ryan seems to take great pleasure in emphasizing it. It was fun to see how they finally got over their antagonism is such a typically guy way, and how it was Clara's turn to be confused. I loved how it was Ryan that helped Dalton see what he had to do to win Clara.
I loved seeing their relationship grow as Dalton makes a point of taking care of Clara. She slowly begins to accept that it is okay to lean on him a little. Both of them learn how to give and take a little. I loved seeing Dalton slowly begin to relax a little and develop the patience to wait for Clara to believe in him. I also enjoyed seeing how well he took to being a father and how that started Clara believing that maybe they could have it all. Clara had her own fears to overcome, and had to believe that Dalton was not like her father before she could see that even if he didn't say the words, his actions showed how much he really cared.
*copy received in exchange for honest review
April 21, 2015
"Not Quite Married", by Christine Rimmer takes us back to the town of Justice Creek where we meet Clara Bravo, who is about six weeks away from her due date. Guess what, she has been holding on to the identity of baby daddy. Clara was even going to marry her best friend, Ryan McKellian to give her baby a father but her conscience just wouldn't let her. Now it is is time to come clean, Dalton Ames thought all this time, she was pregnant with another man's child. Even though, Dalton told Clara, he had nothing to offer her. He just couldn't get her out of his mind after their two week rendezvous . Dalton had hired an investigator to find Clara but when he found out, she was engaged. He backed off. Thanks, to the wonderful World Wide Web, Clara also found out about her two week lover and assumed he had gotten back with his wife. Miscommunication on both parts leads to a bumpy ride at first.
I like that when Clara told Dalton at their first meeting in the park about the baby, she had no ulterior motives other to let him know about his child. Clara didn't care that he had money, or that he was one of those banking,"Ames". Clara was an independent woman. She would take care of herself and her child. I also loved that she wanted to hold out for love. After years of her mother play second fiddle to her father's affection, Clara felt and knew she needed more. She didn't feel like she had to marry Dalton even though he asked her several times before just living with her until she had the baby. Waiting pays off for her.
I love that self-assured Dalton Ames is just a little insecure of her relationship with her best friend, Ryan. One of the best aspects of the book is not only the relationship between Clara and Dalton but also Ryan and Dalton. Of course, their conversation ended with a few bruises because men tend to understand actions, more than words. In the end, it was Ryan's advice that helped him win his lady love.
Both, Clara and Dalton had to over come things from their pasts. Dalton pushed her way because he didn't want to hurt her. He didn't really think love existed so he was willing to have a marriage of functionality for the sake of their child. Growing up with her father married to another woman left an imprint on Clara and she needed love and with just the right amount of patience on both sides, Clara and Dalton finally get their second chance at love and Dalton finally hear's yes to a Wedding.
Ms. Rimmer develop's a story in "Not Quite Married" that enlightens the reader that girl's really can have guy best friends and things can fall together in such a way that a girl can have her cake and eat it too. This was a tender sweet book, with funny moments filled with testosterone, learning to love each other and acceptance of each other's lives. I would refer this book to anyone who loves a heartwarming baby in the middle story, you won't be disappointed.
I like that when Clara told Dalton at their first meeting in the park about the baby, she had no ulterior motives other to let him know about his child. Clara didn't care that he had money, or that he was one of those banking,"Ames". Clara was an independent woman. She would take care of herself and her child. I also loved that she wanted to hold out for love. After years of her mother play second fiddle to her father's affection, Clara felt and knew she needed more. She didn't feel like she had to marry Dalton even though he asked her several times before just living with her until she had the baby. Waiting pays off for her.
I love that self-assured Dalton Ames is just a little insecure of her relationship with her best friend, Ryan. One of the best aspects of the book is not only the relationship between Clara and Dalton but also Ryan and Dalton. Of course, their conversation ended with a few bruises because men tend to understand actions, more than words. In the end, it was Ryan's advice that helped him win his lady love.
Both, Clara and Dalton had to over come things from their pasts. Dalton pushed her way because he didn't want to hurt her. He didn't really think love existed so he was willing to have a marriage of functionality for the sake of their child. Growing up with her father married to another woman left an imprint on Clara and she needed love and with just the right amount of patience on both sides, Clara and Dalton finally get their second chance at love and Dalton finally hear's yes to a Wedding.
Ms. Rimmer develop's a story in "Not Quite Married" that enlightens the reader that girl's really can have guy best friends and things can fall together in such a way that a girl can have her cake and eat it too. This was a tender sweet book, with funny moments filled with testosterone, learning to love each other and acceptance of each other's lives. I would refer this book to anyone who loves a heartwarming baby in the middle story, you won't be disappointed.
Read
January 12, 2016"Rimmer’s page-turning romance enchants, and her iconic blend of humor and drama will leave readers belly laughing while wiping tears. Set in rustic Colorado, her unforgettable couple fights small-town inquiring minds and each other all the way to the altar" (RT Book Reviews, 4 1/2 stars).
Miniseries: The Bravos of Justice Creek
Miniseries: The Bravos of Justice Creek
May 1, 2015
Another winner from Rimmer! I love this HEA and felt for both Clara and Dalton for being in a sticky situation. I kind of fell in love with Dalton, who doesn't love the good guy? It's always nice going back to Justice Creek and see old friends. Now, I patiently wait for Ryan to get his special woman.
July 13, 2023
Clara finds herself pregnant after a passionate vacation fling. It isn't until her last trimester that she contacts the baby's father, Dalton. However, due to a failed marriage, Dalton believes it's not the right time to enter into a relationship with Clara. Learning about the impending arrival of his child, Dalton wants to do the right thing, which he believes involves marriage. Clara, on the other hand, refuses his proposal, and with some pregnancy complications, Dalton insists on staying by her side until the baby is born.
Clara and Dalton's story is highly relatable, instantly drawing readers into their journey. Witnessing their relationship evolve is a delight, as Dalton takes on the responsibility of caring for Clara, and she gradually learns to lean on him. Both characters learn the art of compromise, allowing their bond to deepen. It is heartening to observe Dalton's growth as he becomes more patient, waiting for Clara to trust in him. Overall, it's a satisfying read that I enjoyed.
Clara and Dalton's story is highly relatable, instantly drawing readers into their journey. Witnessing their relationship evolve is a delight, as Dalton takes on the responsibility of caring for Clara, and she gradually learns to lean on him. Both characters learn the art of compromise, allowing their bond to deepen. It is heartening to observe Dalton's growth as he becomes more patient, waiting for Clara to trust in him. Overall, it's a satisfying read that I enjoyed.
March 6, 2018
I loved the story, Clara wanted to tell Dalton about him being the father but she let her feelings in the beginning stop her because of what Dalton told her when their fling stop. Dalton really did do right when he hired the PI to find Clara. When Clara did find Dalton to him about being a father. He was shocked he had to let it sink in about the baby. When he did finally come around Clara didn't think he wanted to make good on marriage and baby all in being one on one in a marriage.
January 11, 2020
What a gripping story. I was pulled in and finished in a few hours.
They meet on vacation and have a great fling. At the end, Clara admits her feelings. Dalton stops her. He didn't want a relationship. Months later, she contacts him. They are both stubborn. They have sex but talking is an issue. A life changing event put their feelings into perspective.
They meet on vacation and have a great fling. At the end, Clara admits her feelings. Dalton stops her. He didn't want a relationship. Months later, she contacts him. They are both stubborn. They have sex but talking is an issue. A life changing event put their feelings into perspective.
October 12, 2018
I really enjoyed the dynamics of Clara and Dalton's relationship. She's stubborn, independent and a modern woman. He's analytical and use to getting his way, but in his own way, old fashion. Great chemistry makes for a very interesting story!
January 20, 2021
3.75 feisty h. Good dialogues.
November 13, 2024
A cute quick read. Read it in one setting.
November 29, 2024
Loved it!!
June 11, 2017
Another Great Christine Rimmer Read!! Loved it!!
Christine Rimmer has done it again but that is nothing new!!
The Characters: Clara Bravo, a beautiful restaurant owner, needed to get away and went on a two week vacation. She met Dalton Ames, recently divorced and gorgeous, when he was vacationing at the same resort. They hit it off beautifully and he offered a no-strings-attached 2-week fling while on vacation and she took him up on his offer. They had a beautiful time together and Clara wanted to continue seeing him once they returned home. He shot the offer down because he had failed at his first marriage and he felt it was his fault. It broke Clara's heart because she was already in love with him.
A few weeks later she found out she was pregnant with his child but did not tell him because of false information she received. He tried to forget her but failed and hired a PI to find her and the PI was told she was marrying her best friend, Ryan. She couldn't go through with the wedding because she didn't love him in that way but he did love her and wanted to step in to be the baby's father.
So the story begins with her contacting Dalton Ames at his business and driving to Denver to meet him in a park six-weeks before her due date. He had no idea she was pregnant with HIS child because he was told the child belonged to Ryan. It was really quite a mess with misunderstandings galore on both sides.
I have to say that I felt sad for Dalton being the only child of older parents who only had him to pass on the family enterprise. He was unloved and trained to step into his father's footsteps from the time he was born. There was no time to play or have fun and no love involved in their very strict, extremely dysfunctional household. The were tyrannical in the way they raised and groomed him and it was so very heartbreaking. My heart went out to him.
I was not completely sold on Clara. She just refused to give the guy a break and he did everything he could for her. I believe her fear was that he would be gone from her life soon after the birth and she was protecting her heart. In all not a bad idea since he had broken her heart at the end of the vacation and she has yet to recover. I did become a bit disenchanted with her constantly keeping him at arms length and it hurt me to see and feel his hurt. He was so alone and she had a large family and so many friends.
This was a very good read and I highly recommend it. It was nice to read a book that had more than a few pages of happiness. I am tired of reading about heartbreak and betrayal only for the couple to get together in the last two or three pages. This was a refreshing book!!
Christine Rimmer has done it again but that is nothing new!!
The Characters: Clara Bravo, a beautiful restaurant owner, needed to get away and went on a two week vacation. She met Dalton Ames, recently divorced and gorgeous, when he was vacationing at the same resort. They hit it off beautifully and he offered a no-strings-attached 2-week fling while on vacation and she took him up on his offer. They had a beautiful time together and Clara wanted to continue seeing him once they returned home. He shot the offer down because he had failed at his first marriage and he felt it was his fault. It broke Clara's heart because she was already in love with him.
A few weeks later she found out she was pregnant with his child but did not tell him because of false information she received. He tried to forget her but failed and hired a PI to find her and the PI was told she was marrying her best friend, Ryan. She couldn't go through with the wedding because she didn't love him in that way but he did love her and wanted to step in to be the baby's father.
So the story begins with her contacting Dalton Ames at his business and driving to Denver to meet him in a park six-weeks before her due date. He had no idea she was pregnant with HIS child because he was told the child belonged to Ryan. It was really quite a mess with misunderstandings galore on both sides.
I have to say that I felt sad for Dalton being the only child of older parents who only had him to pass on the family enterprise. He was unloved and trained to step into his father's footsteps from the time he was born. There was no time to play or have fun and no love involved in their very strict, extremely dysfunctional household. The were tyrannical in the way they raised and groomed him and it was so very heartbreaking. My heart went out to him.
I was not completely sold on Clara. She just refused to give the guy a break and he did everything he could for her. I believe her fear was that he would be gone from her life soon after the birth and she was protecting her heart. In all not a bad idea since he had broken her heart at the end of the vacation and she has yet to recover. I did become a bit disenchanted with her constantly keeping him at arms length and it hurt me to see and feel his hurt. He was so alone and she had a large family and so many friends.
This was a very good read and I highly recommend it. It was nice to read a book that had more than a few pages of happiness. I am tired of reading about heartbreak and betrayal only for the couple to get together in the last two or three pages. This was a refreshing book!!
May 4, 2015
Not Quite Married is the first book in Christine Rimmer’s The Bravos of Justice Creek series. Ms. Rimmer introduces us to Clara Bravo who owns a café and Dalton Ames, a banker. Clara and Dalton entered into a two-week long fling that they both knew would end once their vacation was over. Dalton can’t get Clara out of his mind and tries to locate her only to discover that she is engaged to be married. Fast forward eight months, and Clara decides to share with Dalton the outcome of their fling. Dalton is confused at first since he believed that she was pregnant and married to someone else. When the truths are revealed, Dalton wants to do the right thing and marry Clara. Enter a life-long male friend of Clara’s who she was supposedly married to and Ms. Rimmer has created another winner of a Bravo story. I’ve read all of Ms. Rimmer’s books and each one is better than the last. She is one of my all-time favorite writers. It is a fast read as I read it in one sitting. I highly recommend Not Quite Married and I look forward to the next book in the series I’d like to disclose that I received a copy of Not Quite Married in exchange for a fair and honest review.
May 1, 2017
This was such a cute and fun story to read. I loved meeting the Bravos family and discovering this big and loving people. Will definitely check the other series from this author.
I liked getting to know Clara and how she’s dealing with the baby and now the baby father. Dalton was a nice enough guy, there’s nothing wrong with him, but after a vacation holiday Clara wanted more and Dalton was not feeling very romantic after his rrecent divorce. So they parted but Clara is a good girl and she felt that Dalton needed to know about the baby, starting them all the drama.
It was cute watching Dalton trying to deal with the Bravos family and Clara, plus getting freak out about the baby. Cute book for sure.
I liked getting to know Clara and how she’s dealing with the baby and now the baby father. Dalton was a nice enough guy, there’s nothing wrong with him, but after a vacation holiday Clara wanted more and Dalton was not feeling very romantic after his rrecent divorce. So they parted but Clara is a good girl and she felt that Dalton needed to know about the baby, starting them all the drama.
It was cute watching Dalton trying to deal with the Bravos family and Clara, plus getting freak out about the baby. Cute book for sure.
May 16, 2015
"Not Quite Married" by Christine Rimmer is a book that is part of a series called 'The Bravos of Justice Creek.' Even though it is part of a series it can be read alone, and I highly recommend reading it.
Clara Bravo is 6 weeks away from giving birth. She was willing to wed her friend, but decided that wouldn't be fair to him considering they never were with each other intimately and he is not the baby's father. Dalton Ames was her affair and that ended with her becoming pregnant but the last thing he wanted after their two week affair was being in a committed relationship.
Christine Rimmer does it again. I could not put this book down, and it was an amazing story. There is much more to this book but you should definitely read it on your own and find out yourself.
Clara Bravo is 6 weeks away from giving birth. She was willing to wed her friend, but decided that wouldn't be fair to him considering they never were with each other intimately and he is not the baby's father. Dalton Ames was her affair and that ended with her becoming pregnant but the last thing he wanted after their two week affair was being in a committed relationship.
Christine Rimmer does it again. I could not put this book down, and it was an amazing story. There is much more to this book but you should definitely read it on your own and find out yourself.
May 8, 2015
Not quite married the first book in the bravos of justice Creek series.
I love this book there's lots of twists and turns between Clara and Dalton. They met at an island resort, their chemistry was out of control. Dalton was just getting out of a divorce, and Clara thought they were just having a fling. When they got home Clara found out she was pregnant, she put off telling Dalton until she only had six weeks left in her pregnancy. This is a great book by the great Christine Rimmer I couldn't put it down and neither will you be able to. She just keeps getting better with every Bravo book.
I love this book there's lots of twists and turns between Clara and Dalton. They met at an island resort, their chemistry was out of control. Dalton was just getting out of a divorce, and Clara thought they were just having a fling. When they got home Clara found out she was pregnant, she put off telling Dalton until she only had six weeks left in her pregnancy. This is a great book by the great Christine Rimmer I couldn't put it down and neither will you be able to. She just keeps getting better with every Bravo book.
May 4, 2015
Christine has written another great read, this time it is about Clara Bravo who is a very strong willed and I dependent woman and then we have Dalton Ames who didn't want to get hurt again because he was recently divorced. Clara tells Dalton that she is pregnant and things change for Dalton, he has realized that he should have held on to Clara and took a chance on love, Clara doesn't want to get married just for the baby. Can they both learn to trust and accept that they are meant to be? You will have to read and find out.Thanks for another great book.
May 4, 2015
I am so happy to finally read Clara's story. Her romance with Dalton felt very real to life. I really liked the interaction between Dalton and Ryan - the guy who thinks he's been in love with Clara for years. I can't wait to read Ryan's story, but since this is The Bravos of Justice Creek series, the only way I'll get to read it is if Ryan falls for one of Clara's sisters. My money is on Nell, but I guess that's another book. Since Clara is one of nine Bravo children, this series should go on for quite a while.
May 7, 2015
Christine Rimmer does not disappoint. In her latest Special Edition release, Clara has a secret that Dalton is not aware of. She had to come to the realization that she had to tell Dalton she was pregnant with his child. She almost marries a best friend so her child will have a daddy, but in the end cannot go through with it, and realizes she has to fess up to Dalton. Their personalities are opposites. Can they get past their differences and live happily ever after? There are lots of twists and turns in this novel, which kept my interest making it hard to put this novel down.
April 28, 2015
Christine Rimmer is an author that I love to read. Her stories are centered around issues that we all could be faced with at any time within our lives. I had the pleasure of receiving an ARC of Not Quite Married for my honest review. When faced with an unexpected pregnancy Dalton and Clara have to decide if their relationship is worth saving. They also have to overcome trust issues from each of their pasts. I loved this story.
April 22, 2015
When I got this book, I knew it would be good but I did not realize it was Clara's story after the fiasco in the last one of the series where she almost married her best friend that she did not love. Without telling the whole story, and spoiling it, I escaped in it for a few hours, was totally enthralled and happy with the way it ended, so that is a win win for me and the author. Can not wait for the next Bravo book.
May 18, 2015
I really enjoyed this story! Clara and Dalton were wonderful characters who met on vacation and had an instant spark. When Clara finally tells Dalton she's having his baby many months have passed, and they have to deal with hurt feelings and communication issues. I loved how Dalton stepped up to take care of Clara when she needed help. I'm looking forward to more books in 'The Bravos of Justice Creek' series!
April 5, 2015
I love the Bravos and Christine Rimmer has done it again with a witty clever story with Clara Bravo and Dalton Ames. I so enjoyed how the sins of the past haunt the adults of today and how the Bravos come thru in the end with the family togetherness. I really look forward to Rye's story as he has been a big part of the Bravos of Justice Creek.
April 28, 2015
I really loved this story, I loved the way Clara and Dalton's relationship evolved and how they both over came their pasts and were able to find true love with each other. I also loved the unexpected twist. I didn't see that one coming. Throw in a cranky opinionated Great Aunt and it was a great story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews