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Bound by a Baby Bump
Nine months to change her life…
PA Rachel Archer has every little bit of her life planned down to the letter—it's the only way she can feel safe. Until gorgeous artist Leo Fairfax tempts her to live on the wild side, just for one night…
That night changes both their lives forever, when they discover Rachel's pregnant! Now, bound by their beloved baby bump, lone wolf Leo must convince Rachel that not only is he here to stay, but he's dedicated to winning her heart!
PA Rachel Archer has every little bit of her life planned down to the letter—it's the only way she can feel safe. Until gorgeous artist Leo Fairfax tempts her to live on the wild side, just for one night…
That night changes both their lives forever, when they discover Rachel's pregnant! Now, bound by their beloved baby bump, lone wolf Leo must convince Rachel that not only is he here to stay, but he's dedicated to winning her heart!
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 2015
3 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
About the author
Ellie Darkins
139 books58 followersEllie Darkins is a writer, editor and reader of romance novels. When she's not tapping away at her keyboard she can usually be found next to the kettle, knitting *another* jumper, or in the local library sampling the coffee, cake and romance novels.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 4, 2015
This is a story that will keep you guessing as two people that are so different are suddenly together after spending one night of passion Rachel is so organized and must have a plan and there are reasons for this and Leo is so the opposite and he has reasons as well I really enjoyed this story as they worked to overcome their differences I loved how they opened up to each other and fell in love in such a beautiful way and the epilogue is wonderful I do recommend this one.
April 25, 2015
Rachel Archer has every single little detail of her life planned, down to the last letter. It's what makes her feel safe and as if nothing unexpected can throw her off kilter.
Then gorgeous knock-my -socks-off - always living the life of a free spirit Leo Fairfax tempts her to live on the wild side, just for one night.
That one magical night changes both their lives forever, when they discover that Rachel is pregnant! It's the kind of disorganized mess Rachel did not expect, and Leo well he has quite the job ahead trying to convince Rachel that he's sticking around for her and the baby and no matter what he will win her heart. But Rachel did not organize any space in her heart for anyone not a baby and certainly not a man!
This was one of those reads that clearly shows how truly beautiful love between opposites can be and how the news of a baby can make people re-asses, rearrange and ultimately find the perfect balance needed to cement love into an unbreakable bond. And most importantly that nothing is set in stone, everyone is capable of change.
I loved the character differences to bits! Rachel trying so hard to re-organize her life back into a neatly ticked box was really fun to read, and Leo trying beyond hard to let go of his free spirit lifestyle in order to show Rachel he will be around for everything being a parent entails. It truly was like watching a very prim and proper princess being knocked off her throne and a soldier having to learn how to stay in one place for once.
The author's writing was really great, a nice even flow, none of all the going back and forth battles and then going around and around again and again. The battles were there of course otherwise it would not have been a romance book, but the battles were as I said not dragged out and played out over and over again as I have found to be the case in many of the Cherish line books.
The romance blossoming between Rachel and Leo was so masterfully done and with such raw deeply heartfelt emotion that for the most part whilst reading I had a constant supply of Kleenex ready.
A truly magical journey that will give any romance reader that falling in love rush from start to finish Watch out for this author, guaranteed she will be taking romance to new heights !
5/5 star review
" One night, nine months , a lifetime "
Then gorgeous knock-my -socks-off - always living the life of a free spirit Leo Fairfax tempts her to live on the wild side, just for one night.
That one magical night changes both their lives forever, when they discover that Rachel is pregnant! It's the kind of disorganized mess Rachel did not expect, and Leo well he has quite the job ahead trying to convince Rachel that he's sticking around for her and the baby and no matter what he will win her heart. But Rachel did not organize any space in her heart for anyone not a baby and certainly not a man!
This was one of those reads that clearly shows how truly beautiful love between opposites can be and how the news of a baby can make people re-asses, rearrange and ultimately find the perfect balance needed to cement love into an unbreakable bond. And most importantly that nothing is set in stone, everyone is capable of change.
I loved the character differences to bits! Rachel trying so hard to re-organize her life back into a neatly ticked box was really fun to read, and Leo trying beyond hard to let go of his free spirit lifestyle in order to show Rachel he will be around for everything being a parent entails. It truly was like watching a very prim and proper princess being knocked off her throne and a soldier having to learn how to stay in one place for once.
The author's writing was really great, a nice even flow, none of all the going back and forth battles and then going around and around again and again. The battles were there of course otherwise it would not have been a romance book, but the battles were as I said not dragged out and played out over and over again as I have found to be the case in many of the Cherish line books.
The romance blossoming between Rachel and Leo was so masterfully done and with such raw deeply heartfelt emotion that for the most part whilst reading I had a constant supply of Kleenex ready.
A truly magical journey that will give any romance reader that falling in love rush from start to finish Watch out for this author, guaranteed she will be taking romance to new heights !
5/5 star review
" One night, nine months , a lifetime "
April 4, 2015
What do you get when you pair a women who has to have everything planned and checked off with a man who is a free spirit? A great story by Ellie Darkins. Rachel Archer due to a past experience and panic attacks lives her life mapped out and planned to the minute. She meets Leo Fairfax an artist who is a free spirit and lives on the wild side. An attraction find them in bed. That wasn't in the plans so he leaves and months later Rachel finds out she is pregnant. Leo also has a past that molded him into what he is. She finds him unreliable he finds her too organized but the bottom line is there is a bond that will tie them together and love will force them to find common ground for themselves and their child. The journey is wonderful and you feel all of it in her writing. a truly lovely story.
I was given the book by the author and I want to thank her for the opportunity to read this lovely book and all she asked for was an honest review. So here's the honest review, "it was wonderful" I hope every romance reader gets a copy.
I was given the book by the author and I want to thank her for the opportunity to read this lovely book and all she asked for was an honest review. So here's the honest review, "it was wonderful" I hope every romance reader gets a copy.
May 13, 2015
I have long been a fan of Harlequin's Romance line, but this is my first book by Ellie Darkins and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Of course I fell in love with the hero, Leo, how could I not? He's a man with issues and scars, and an artist to boot. The heroine, Rachel, is crippled by issues of her own and her world gets turned completely upside down when Leo explodes into her life. Ellie takes two people who shouldn't be able to make a relationship work, forces them together and they find a way. I loved joining them on their journey. Well done Ellie!
May 15, 2015
"Bound by a Baby Bump" by Ellie Darkins is a wonderful read that sweet and pleasant to read. We meet Rachel Archer and Leo Fairfax. Their night of passion becomes something much more. Free spirit Leo is ready for what life is throwing his way but Rachel isn't too sure. It's a feel good, must read.
January 1, 2016
Ellie Darkins deftly blends warmth, humour and heart in her second enchanting novel for Harlequin Romance, Bound by a Baby Bump.
Rachel Archer is a PA who does not believe in leaving anything to chance. With every single minute detail of her personal and professional life planned to the letter, Rachel is the epitome of efficiency and resourcefulness. With her impressive talent for meticulous planning, superb organisational skills and her ability to juggle many jobs at the same time, Rachel’s career is all consuming and leaves her with next to no time for a life outside of the office – and that is just how she likes it! Having been let down and betrayed in the past, Rachel had grown used to hiding behind her buttoned-up persona and had vowed never to put her heart on the line ever again – until a chance encounter with laid-back artist Leo Fairfax turns her entire life upside down!
When Leo had clapped eyes on Rachel, he had found himself unable to look away. Drawn to her beauty, elegance and grace, Leo had been desperate to see the real person behind the prim and proper persona Rachel hid behind and he was determined not to take no for an answer! Tempting Rachel to take a walk on the wild side proves to be quite a challenge at first, but Leo’s charm and good looks soon manage to convince her to throw all caution to the wind for one unforgettable night…
Having spent the last couple of years doing her utmost to prevent unexpected occurrences getting in the way of her plans, Rachel was flabbergasted when she discovered that her one night of abandon had consequences. Although a baby had certainly not been on Rachel’s carefully planned agenda, she is determined to give this child the best possible start in life – even if she has to do it alone! After all, a free spirit like Leo couldn’t possible want to be a father…or does he?
Lone wolf Leo might not have been planning on being a dad, but he has wanted to be part of a loving family for as long as he can remember. As he begins to spend more and more time with Rachel, Leo begins to fall in love with the mother of his child, but will he manage to prove to her that happiness is within reach? Or will they continue to be held hostage by fear and regret?
A heartwarming romantic read that sparkles with compelling emotion, believable pathos and poignant romance, Bound by a Baby Bump is a fabulous contemporary tale about taking chances, unexpected blessings and the healing power of love that will make you laugh and move you to tears. Ellie Darkins is a gifted writer who effortlessly juggles light-hearted humour with stirring drama and her wonderful story is sure to keep you engrossed and enthralled until the very last page.
A lovely feel-good read that ticks all the right boxes, Bound by a Baby Bump is a delightful Harlequin Romance from a fabulous new voice in romantic fiction.
Rachel Archer is a PA who does not believe in leaving anything to chance. With every single minute detail of her personal and professional life planned to the letter, Rachel is the epitome of efficiency and resourcefulness. With her impressive talent for meticulous planning, superb organisational skills and her ability to juggle many jobs at the same time, Rachel’s career is all consuming and leaves her with next to no time for a life outside of the office – and that is just how she likes it! Having been let down and betrayed in the past, Rachel had grown used to hiding behind her buttoned-up persona and had vowed never to put her heart on the line ever again – until a chance encounter with laid-back artist Leo Fairfax turns her entire life upside down!
When Leo had clapped eyes on Rachel, he had found himself unable to look away. Drawn to her beauty, elegance and grace, Leo had been desperate to see the real person behind the prim and proper persona Rachel hid behind and he was determined not to take no for an answer! Tempting Rachel to take a walk on the wild side proves to be quite a challenge at first, but Leo’s charm and good looks soon manage to convince her to throw all caution to the wind for one unforgettable night…
Having spent the last couple of years doing her utmost to prevent unexpected occurrences getting in the way of her plans, Rachel was flabbergasted when she discovered that her one night of abandon had consequences. Although a baby had certainly not been on Rachel’s carefully planned agenda, she is determined to give this child the best possible start in life – even if she has to do it alone! After all, a free spirit like Leo couldn’t possible want to be a father…or does he?
Lone wolf Leo might not have been planning on being a dad, but he has wanted to be part of a loving family for as long as he can remember. As he begins to spend more and more time with Rachel, Leo begins to fall in love with the mother of his child, but will he manage to prove to her that happiness is within reach? Or will they continue to be held hostage by fear and regret?
A heartwarming romantic read that sparkles with compelling emotion, believable pathos and poignant romance, Bound by a Baby Bump is a fabulous contemporary tale about taking chances, unexpected blessings and the healing power of love that will make you laugh and move you to tears. Ellie Darkins is a gifted writer who effortlessly juggles light-hearted humour with stirring drama and her wonderful story is sure to keep you engrossed and enthralled until the very last page.
A lovely feel-good read that ticks all the right boxes, Bound by a Baby Bump is a delightful Harlequin Romance from a fabulous new voice in romantic fiction.
July 6, 2015
I had such high hopes for this book as I waited patiently for its release but I was definitely disappointed. The story moved at a snail's pace and was so very redundant.
Rachel and Leo had very difficult childhoods but it took the whole book for them to finally work through their own fears. I do understand how childhood and teen issues can have a negative impact on your life....been there done that! It's all about how you choose (or not choose) to deal with it, work through the torment. Both of them lived their lives in a very detrimental way. They could only function if their world was just how they ordered it, unable to compromise on anything, come out on the other side stronger than you ever believed possible. Nope...they just wallowed in the muck making no forward progress. Rachel had to have ORDER, constant order with every minute of every day accounted for, everything scheduled to the inth degree. Leo, on the other hand, could only survive if there was no order or planning whatsoever. What an opposite end of the spectrum these two were and it got old and boring because I felt neither of them really looked inward to evaluate their emotional problems and they certainly never sought help. These two had no business bringing a child into the world with all of their emotional obstacles. They needed professional help or a good minister.
It was such a let down to me and even though there was a HEA, it was just too little too late. I won't say that I do not recommend it. To each his own. But I will say that if I had known more about this book I would have never read it. I believe that books should have a balance. Happy-Sad, Good-Bad, Joy-Heartache etc. But, there simply wasn't any balance in this story. This was a very negative book in my opinion and it did not leave me with warm gooey feelings. It left me feeling disappointment, sad, angry, and scratching my head wondering how two adults could not manage some sort of compromise until the last couple of pages. There was a lot of lust on both sides but mostly not acted upon. Very unrealistic.
Rachel and Leo had very difficult childhoods but it took the whole book for them to finally work through their own fears. I do understand how childhood and teen issues can have a negative impact on your life....been there done that! It's all about how you choose (or not choose) to deal with it, work through the torment. Both of them lived their lives in a very detrimental way. They could only function if their world was just how they ordered it, unable to compromise on anything, come out on the other side stronger than you ever believed possible. Nope...they just wallowed in the muck making no forward progress. Rachel had to have ORDER, constant order with every minute of every day accounted for, everything scheduled to the inth degree. Leo, on the other hand, could only survive if there was no order or planning whatsoever. What an opposite end of the spectrum these two were and it got old and boring because I felt neither of them really looked inward to evaluate their emotional problems and they certainly never sought help. These two had no business bringing a child into the world with all of their emotional obstacles. They needed professional help or a good minister.
It was such a let down to me and even though there was a HEA, it was just too little too late. I won't say that I do not recommend it. To each his own. But I will say that if I had known more about this book I would have never read it. I believe that books should have a balance. Happy-Sad, Good-Bad, Joy-Heartache etc. But, there simply wasn't any balance in this story. This was a very negative book in my opinion and it did not leave me with warm gooey feelings. It left me feeling disappointment, sad, angry, and scratching my head wondering how two adults could not manage some sort of compromise until the last couple of pages. There was a lot of lust on both sides but mostly not acted upon. Very unrealistic.
March 20, 2016
This is the third book in a row that I have read about 2 survivors, coping in unhealthy ways, meeting and finding their "home" in each other. At the age of 14, Rachel was attacked by home invader, and while the experience affected her, she was more affected by her parents reaction who then smothered her, so at this point in her life, she only feels safe with her whole life planned and scheduled. Leo, on the other hand was subjected to brutal bullying at the private school he was forced to attend and found out that his half brother was behind the bullying and that no one including his parents believed him. He coped by spending as little as possible with his family and never being tied down by anyone. Leo picks her up at a charity event that she is working at and tempts her with a one night stand. After a broken condom and a morning after pill, Rachel finds herself pregnant. The rest of the story is about how they deal with the pregnancy and their "issues". Realistically, not a recipe for a good marriage, but still a pleasant read.
May 1, 2015
BOUND BY A BABY BUMP by author Ellie Darkins is a May 2015 release by Mills & Boon Cherish.
Rachel Archer had it all figured out. Her life and what she wanted from it. She had planned everything out. Until her plans are thrown out by a wild night of passion with artist Leo Fairfax.
And from the consequences of that night. Now what will happen to Rachel’s plans? And could Leo allow his life to be planned out by someone else? Will he commit? For he is a free spirit.
BOUND BY A BABY is a sweet tender romance. It brings together two people so opposite to each other that as a reader I couldn’t help wondering if they would get together at the end. Author Ellie Darkins brought this story to life on the pages which would hold a reader’s attention and keep her wondering to the very end.
Recommended for all readers of romance.
Rachel Archer had it all figured out. Her life and what she wanted from it. She had planned everything out. Until her plans are thrown out by a wild night of passion with artist Leo Fairfax.
And from the consequences of that night. Now what will happen to Rachel’s plans? And could Leo allow his life to be planned out by someone else? Will he commit? For he is a free spirit.
BOUND BY A BABY is a sweet tender romance. It brings together two people so opposite to each other that as a reader I couldn’t help wondering if they would get together at the end. Author Ellie Darkins brought this story to life on the pages which would hold a reader’s attention and keep her wondering to the very end.
Recommended for all readers of romance.
October 27, 2015
"And she was intrigued, because he was right. she'd altered plans before. She'd adapted to circumstances. Allowed for last- minute changes. So why wouldn't she do that tonight." (24)
I would like to thank Ellie Darkins for providing me with an advance copy of this book.
This book was totally awesome; I couldn't put it down for a second! I hope you will fall in love with the characters as much as I did. I had to keep reading more; just to understand Rachel and Leo's relationship.
This book was a quick read, as I read it in a couple of hours.
I would recommend this book to anyone 17+
I would like to thank Ellie Darkins for providing me with an advance copy of this book.
This book was totally awesome; I couldn't put it down for a second! I hope you will fall in love with the characters as much as I did. I had to keep reading more; just to understand Rachel and Leo's relationship.
This book was a quick read, as I read it in a couple of hours.
I would recommend this book to anyone 17+
July 8, 2022
It wasn't horrible, but would not want to reread it. The heroine was just not a heroine that I root for, she held grudge against the hero for weeks because he missed first ultrasound. She became a major bitch when his roof wasn't completely finished (yes it's not a place for a baby quite yet but he had 3 months yet til baby was born). I understand why she was the wa at she was but I just didn't really like her. I liked hero better but his issues were a bit annoying and I didn't like how he didn't want many plans made months in advance. P.
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January 12, 2016"Darkins’ story is a lot of fun to read. ... All in all, the story moves quickly and may produce a few giggles along the way" (RT Book Reviews).
May 11, 2015
A perfect read for Mothers' Day - this book is about a warm, engaging couple, finding their own happy ending plus one. Loved the impossible personality conflict that they finally resolve.
June 19, 2016
Classic harlequin with a twist
May 5, 2016
Read it in one day, very easy and enduring story.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews