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Bound Together by a Baby
Read this classic romance by New York Times bestselling author Penny Jordan, now available for the first time in e-book! Originally published as Equal Opportunities in 1989.
A baby to bind them!
If Kate Oakley hadn't desperately needed a nanny, she'd never have employed the gorgeous Rick Evans to look after a nine-month-old baby, even with his excellent recommendations! But he's her only opportunity to make a stable home life for her best friend's orphaned baby.
Desperate to do the best she can for the child, she allows Rick to move into her house. Only to realize, too late, the dangerous temptation that being so closely bound together ignites!
A baby to bind them!
If Kate Oakley hadn't desperately needed a nanny, she'd never have employed the gorgeous Rick Evans to look after a nine-month-old baby, even with his excellent recommendations! But he's her only opportunity to make a stable home life for her best friend's orphaned baby.
Desperate to do the best she can for the child, she allows Rick to move into her house. Only to realize, too late, the dangerous temptation that being so closely bound together ignites!
149 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 1989
2 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Penny Jordan
1,127 books668 followersPenelope Jones Halsall
aka Caroline Courtney, Annie Groves, Lydia Hitchcock, Melinda Wright
Penelope "Penny" Jones was born on November 24, 1946 at about seven pounds in a nursing home in Preston, Lancashire, England. She was the first child of Anthony Winn Jones, an engineer, who died at 85, and his wife Margaret Louise Groves Jones. She has a brother, Anthony, and a sister, Prudence "Pru".
She had been a keen reader from the childhood - her mother used to leave her in the children's section of their local library whilst she changed her father's library books. She was a storyteller long before she began to write romantic fiction. At the age of eight, she was creating serialized bedtime stories, featuring make-believe adventures, for her younger sister Prue, who was always the heroine. At eleven, she fell in love with Mills & Boon, and with their heroes. In those days the books could only be obtained via private lending libraries, and she quickly became a devoted fan; she was thrilled to bits when the books went on full sale in shops and she could have them for keeps.
Penny left grammar school in Rochdale with O-Levels in English Language, English Literature and Geography. She first discovered Mills & Boon books, via a girl she worked with. She married Steve Halsall, an accountant and a "lovely man", who smoked and drank too heavily, and suffered oral cancer with bravery and dignity. Her husband bought her the small electric typewriter on which she typed her first novels, at a time when he could ill afford it. He died at the beginning of 21st century.
She earned a living as a writer since the 1970s when, as a shorthand typist, she entered a competition run by the Romantic Novelists' Association. Although she didn't win, Penny found an agent who was looking for a new Georgette Heyer. She published four regency novels as Caroline Courtney, before changing her nom de plume to Melinda Wright for three air-hostess romps and then she wrote two thrillers as Lydia Hitchcock. Soon after that, Mills and Boon accepted her first novel for them, Falcon's Prey as Penny Jordan. However, for her more historical romance novels, she adopted her mother's maiden-name to become Annie Groves. Almost 70 of her 167 Mills and Boon novels have been sold worldwide.
Penny Halsall lived in a neo-Georgian house in Nantwich, Cheshire, with her Alsatian Sheba and cat Posh. She worked from home, in her kitchen, surrounded by her pets, and welcomed interruptions from her friends and family.
aka Caroline Courtney, Annie Groves, Lydia Hitchcock, Melinda Wright
Penelope "Penny" Jones was born on November 24, 1946 at about seven pounds in a nursing home in Preston, Lancashire, England. She was the first child of Anthony Winn Jones, an engineer, who died at 85, and his wife Margaret Louise Groves Jones. She has a brother, Anthony, and a sister, Prudence "Pru".
She had been a keen reader from the childhood - her mother used to leave her in the children's section of their local library whilst she changed her father's library books. She was a storyteller long before she began to write romantic fiction. At the age of eight, she was creating serialized bedtime stories, featuring make-believe adventures, for her younger sister Prue, who was always the heroine. At eleven, she fell in love with Mills & Boon, and with their heroes. In those days the books could only be obtained via private lending libraries, and she quickly became a devoted fan; she was thrilled to bits when the books went on full sale in shops and she could have them for keeps.
Penny left grammar school in Rochdale with O-Levels in English Language, English Literature and Geography. She first discovered Mills & Boon books, via a girl she worked with. She married Steve Halsall, an accountant and a "lovely man", who smoked and drank too heavily, and suffered oral cancer with bravery and dignity. Her husband bought her the small electric typewriter on which she typed her first novels, at a time when he could ill afford it. He died at the beginning of 21st century.
She earned a living as a writer since the 1970s when, as a shorthand typist, she entered a competition run by the Romantic Novelists' Association. Although she didn't win, Penny found an agent who was looking for a new Georgette Heyer. She published four regency novels as Caroline Courtney, before changing her nom de plume to Melinda Wright for three air-hostess romps and then she wrote two thrillers as Lydia Hitchcock. Soon after that, Mills and Boon accepted her first novel for them, Falcon's Prey as Penny Jordan. However, for her more historical romance novels, she adopted her mother's maiden-name to become Annie Groves. Almost 70 of her 167 Mills and Boon novels have been sold worldwide.
Penny Halsall lived in a neo-Georgian house in Nantwich, Cheshire, with her Alsatian Sheba and cat Posh. She worked from home, in her kitchen, surrounded by her pets, and welcomed interruptions from her friends and family.
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March 27, 2017
Re Equal Opportunities - PJ switches things up and shakes up HPlandia at the same time. We have the classic role reversal story here. The h is the career lady with a baby and the Alpha H has to go undercover as a nanny when the h hires him.
The book opens with the 35 yr old H being informed his distant second cousin died alongside his wife and left behind a 9 month old baby. The H's is a big time ex-corporate raider who has mega millions and mega power, he is furious to find out that his law firm refused guardianship of the baby boy while he was out of the country. Since our H is rather tired of HP lurvely lady buffet and doesn't want to get mixed up with a gold-digging wife since his first experience dumped him after the engagement for a richer man. The H figures he will just go talk to the lady who took the baby, buy the h off, hire a nanny and get the baby for an insta-heir.
The h, who is 29 and trying to launch her newly formed PR firm, was the best friend of the woman who died. She is the typical PJ h, orphaned, emotionally reserved and a bit unsure of her new motherhood role, but she loved her friend dearly, loves the baby and is doing her best to make things work out. Because sometimes she works long hours, and only in PJ's HPLandia do nanny's only work 7 hours a day, the lady nannies she has been using all leave. Plus some of them don't seem to adhere to the h's standards of fresh, wholesome food prepared at home or believe that baby's should be allowed to play. So she calls her other dear friend and former business mentor, who suggests getting a male nanny.
There is a whole bunch of pokes at gender stereotyping and the h is told that a potential male nanny may be looking for a new job because of sexual harassment from his former female employer. The h is sorta desperate, so she agrees to give a male a try if a reliable and recommended one can be found.
Cue the H's big entrance, he is looking to buy the baby and is looking for his own nanny to raise the child, but soon determines that the h isn't likely to accept that offer. So the H devises plan b, he will tape some conversations and skew some situations and make the h look like a bad guardian. When he gets to the h's house, the h assumes that he is the nanny her friend promised to send over. The H is quick to realize the advantages of being on the inside so to speak, so even tho he drives a Ferrari and wears a thousand pound watch and has only ever seen his mum care for kids, he convinces the h that he is the agency nanny and the h takes him on.
The h has typed instructions and it is rather funny when the H has to backtrack more than a few times, cause as the typical HP Alpha male businessman, he is used to being in charge. However the h is quite rightly pointing out that SHE is paying him and she has standards and the baby is very important, so he better adjust his attitude and learn about fastening nappies.
The H soon finds out that nannying and small child care is no piece of cake, especially when the h tells him off for prepackaged baby food and he blows up the blender. It is even funnier when he has to call his male assistant to help him out and then there is the continuing problem that a good nanny is really hard to find - the H can't seem to find one to hire anywhere.
The h meanwhile, is trying to win a big PR contract on a chain of grocery stores, but the guy who owns them is less than reputable. The H tries to warn her off and the h is angry that he would try to interfere, but even angrier that the H keeps walking in her bedroom while she is changing clothes. (PJ is the only HP author I know who would put the H in the subservient position and then have him mildly harass his boss.)
They are both attracted tho, and the H is starting to feel really bad about his lies. His mum and dad raised him with a lot of love and the H knows that the h may not be really rich, and works long hours, but she loves the baby a lot and is probably a better parent than he is. The H feels doubly guilty when he lies and tells the h the baby is sick during a day when she had a very full schedule. He was trying to set the h up for being a bad guardian, but the h rushed through her work and then rushed home, only to find that the baby was fine.
The H realizes that he wouldn't have dropped important commitments to care for a sick child and so he uses his considerable influence to help the h with one of her clients. Then the big presentation for the h's hoped for supermarket contract is scheduled for an evening dinner engagement.
The h is uneasy about going to the potential client's house, and that unease soon translates into real terror when the guy tries to attack her. The h escapes before he gets a hand on her, but she leaves without her coat and purse and so has to walk home in heels in the pouring rain. The H is very angry when the h shows up, he is having all kinds of conflicting feelings over the h and wants to go beat up the other guy, ( I suspect he does horrible things to him business-wise off page,) but he gets even more concerned when the h goes into work the next day and almost passes out in his arms when he goes to find her.
The h has the flu and Patented PJ Sponging begins. Nothing happens really, the H is manfully trying to hold back his powerful lurve mojo cause the h is really sick. He does get temporary help to go into the h's office and he pays for everything, cause he has pretty much abandoned the idear of the bad guardian plan. Eventually, with the H coddling both the baby and the h, the h gets better and all that sponging has left it's mark, cause the two soon find themselves lost on the shores of glowing mojo sponging bliss.
The h is in love and quite happy, tho a bit worried that she may have harassed her own employee. Then the h's nanny recommending friend shows up and she tells the h that the H is not a nanny and explains who he is. There is a big showdown and the h is angry over being lied to and the H has to apologize and then beg the h to marry him. The h is resistant at first, until he sincerely and heartfully declares his true love and since the h loves him back and the H wants her to keep her career, everybody is happy and the baby gets two parents who can do sippy cups, fresh foods and nappies.
The epilogue is that the h and her friend start a new PR agency, with both of them doing a job share, and since the H is her biggest client cause HP nepotism is always part of any HEA, the h can now announce her new preggerness to the H and they will be in two career and multi baby heaven for the HP HEA.
This one was cute and one of the very few HP's that does a role reversal. PJ pulls it off well, it is absolutely believable that an H would have issues not exercising his authority and for once the h isn't too sensitive or a doormat. She has doubts, as all new parents do, but she handles almost all the H's antics well and even the big denouement doesn't extend into six chapters of misunderstanding. The H realizes he messed up pretty quickly, and since we get lots of his POV, we believe in his sincerity and we get a really believable HEA.
The book opens with the 35 yr old H being informed his distant second cousin died alongside his wife and left behind a 9 month old baby. The H's is a big time ex-corporate raider who has mega millions and mega power, he is furious to find out that his law firm refused guardianship of the baby boy while he was out of the country. Since our H is rather tired of HP lurvely lady buffet and doesn't want to get mixed up with a gold-digging wife since his first experience dumped him after the engagement for a richer man. The H figures he will just go talk to the lady who took the baby, buy the h off, hire a nanny and get the baby for an insta-heir.
The h, who is 29 and trying to launch her newly formed PR firm, was the best friend of the woman who died. She is the typical PJ h, orphaned, emotionally reserved and a bit unsure of her new motherhood role, but she loved her friend dearly, loves the baby and is doing her best to make things work out. Because sometimes she works long hours, and only in PJ's HPLandia do nanny's only work 7 hours a day, the lady nannies she has been using all leave. Plus some of them don't seem to adhere to the h's standards of fresh, wholesome food prepared at home or believe that baby's should be allowed to play. So she calls her other dear friend and former business mentor, who suggests getting a male nanny.
There is a whole bunch of pokes at gender stereotyping and the h is told that a potential male nanny may be looking for a new job because of sexual harassment from his former female employer. The h is sorta desperate, so she agrees to give a male a try if a reliable and recommended one can be found.
Cue the H's big entrance, he is looking to buy the baby and is looking for his own nanny to raise the child, but soon determines that the h isn't likely to accept that offer. So the H devises plan b, he will tape some conversations and skew some situations and make the h look like a bad guardian. When he gets to the h's house, the h assumes that he is the nanny her friend promised to send over. The H is quick to realize the advantages of being on the inside so to speak, so even tho he drives a Ferrari and wears a thousand pound watch and has only ever seen his mum care for kids, he convinces the h that he is the agency nanny and the h takes him on.
The h has typed instructions and it is rather funny when the H has to backtrack more than a few times, cause as the typical HP Alpha male businessman, he is used to being in charge. However the h is quite rightly pointing out that SHE is paying him and she has standards and the baby is very important, so he better adjust his attitude and learn about fastening nappies.
The H soon finds out that nannying and small child care is no piece of cake, especially when the h tells him off for prepackaged baby food and he blows up the blender. It is even funnier when he has to call his male assistant to help him out and then there is the continuing problem that a good nanny is really hard to find - the H can't seem to find one to hire anywhere.
The h meanwhile, is trying to win a big PR contract on a chain of grocery stores, but the guy who owns them is less than reputable. The H tries to warn her off and the h is angry that he would try to interfere, but even angrier that the H keeps walking in her bedroom while she is changing clothes. (PJ is the only HP author I know who would put the H in the subservient position and then have him mildly harass his boss.)
They are both attracted tho, and the H is starting to feel really bad about his lies. His mum and dad raised him with a lot of love and the H knows that the h may not be really rich, and works long hours, but she loves the baby a lot and is probably a better parent than he is. The H feels doubly guilty when he lies and tells the h the baby is sick during a day when she had a very full schedule. He was trying to set the h up for being a bad guardian, but the h rushed through her work and then rushed home, only to find that the baby was fine.
The H realizes that he wouldn't have dropped important commitments to care for a sick child and so he uses his considerable influence to help the h with one of her clients. Then the big presentation for the h's hoped for supermarket contract is scheduled for an evening dinner engagement.
The h is uneasy about going to the potential client's house, and that unease soon translates into real terror when the guy tries to attack her. The h escapes before he gets a hand on her, but she leaves without her coat and purse and so has to walk home in heels in the pouring rain. The H is very angry when the h shows up, he is having all kinds of conflicting feelings over the h and wants to go beat up the other guy, ( I suspect he does horrible things to him business-wise off page,) but he gets even more concerned when the h goes into work the next day and almost passes out in his arms when he goes to find her.
The h has the flu and Patented PJ Sponging begins. Nothing happens really, the H is manfully trying to hold back his powerful lurve mojo cause the h is really sick. He does get temporary help to go into the h's office and he pays for everything, cause he has pretty much abandoned the idear of the bad guardian plan. Eventually, with the H coddling both the baby and the h, the h gets better and all that sponging has left it's mark, cause the two soon find themselves lost on the shores of glowing mojo sponging bliss.
The h is in love and quite happy, tho a bit worried that she may have harassed her own employee. Then the h's nanny recommending friend shows up and she tells the h that the H is not a nanny and explains who he is. There is a big showdown and the h is angry over being lied to and the H has to apologize and then beg the h to marry him. The h is resistant at first, until he sincerely and heartfully declares his true love and since the h loves him back and the H wants her to keep her career, everybody is happy and the baby gets two parents who can do sippy cups, fresh foods and nappies.
The epilogue is that the h and her friend start a new PR agency, with both of them doing a job share, and since the H is her biggest client cause HP nepotism is always part of any HEA, the h can now announce her new preggerness to the H and they will be in two career and multi baby heaven for the HP HEA.
This one was cute and one of the very few HP's that does a role reversal. PJ pulls it off well, it is absolutely believable that an H would have issues not exercising his authority and for once the h isn't too sensitive or a doormat. She has doubts, as all new parents do, but she handles almost all the H's antics well and even the big denouement doesn't extend into six chapters of misunderstanding. The H realizes he messed up pretty quickly, and since we get lots of his POV, we believe in his sincerity and we get a really believable HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2018
First of all, I failed master Boogenhagen in picking an angsty read. But I don't regret it. Sorry, not sorry. I'll pick a Robyn Donald to compensate.
Anyways, here's Boogenhagen's review with all the info. I'll just add that the prideful self-proclaimed independent woman was way too dependent on Camilla's approval for everything. Hence my not liking her much.
On a side note, you're probably wondering why I didn't realize this wasn't going to be the angsty read I was hoping for when I clearly had all the info in Boogenhagen review. Or maybe you're not wondering anything because you don't care. Anyway, the thing is that I read the reviews and shelve the want-to-read ones, then proceed to forget about the plot and everything so when I pick it (without reading the back) I can get surprised. Also helps that my memory is Dory-like.
Anyways, here's Boogenhagen's review with all the info. I'll just add that the prideful self-proclaimed independent woman was way too dependent on Camilla's approval for everything. Hence my not liking her much.
On a side note, you're probably wondering why I didn't realize this wasn't going to be the angsty read I was hoping for when I clearly had all the info in Boogenhagen review. Or maybe you're not wondering anything because you don't care. Anyway, the thing is that I read the reviews and shelve the want-to-read ones, then proceed to forget about the plot and everything so when I pick it (without reading the back) I can get surprised. Also helps that my memory is Dory-like.
January 1, 2015
Both hero and heroine want to become guardians of an orphan baby who lives with our heroine. Heroine is a career woman and decides to employ a male nanny. Our hero who in reality is a rich man poses as the nanny so as to gather info about our heroine and show to the court that she is a career woman unfit to be a mother. But he realizes that Katie is an ideal mother and he can't help falling in love with her!
Another gem by PJ! Both hero and heroine are loving, decent people and their chemistry is great! I loved their sweet HEA! :)
Another gem by PJ! Both hero and heroine are loving, decent people and their chemistry is great! I loved their sweet HEA! :)
June 6, 2019
If your heart is open, love will always find its way in. – Open Hearts slogan
This is so true. It's only after I opened my heart and mind did I find real love. Likewise, until Kate and Garrick shed their emotional armor true romantic love couldn't play a meaningful role in their lives. It was the act of physically caring for baby Michael and loving him which softened Kate's wary heart. For Garrick, working as Michael's live-in "nanny" in Kate's home allowed him to see that not all women deserved his cynicism.
The author took the time to explore Kate and Garrick's individual psyches and growing attraction for one another, so by the time the novel ended I completely believed in their HEA. The only thing that seemed rushed was Kate's capitulation. She'd just discovered Garrick's charade yet I thought she forgave him in record time. Garrick did give a decent defense but, still, let the man grovel!
Don't let the cutesy cover art fool you. Although not dark, heavy subjects such as gender roles, women in the workplace, the "having it all" ideal, and the meaning of family were all explored in addition to the theme of love and loss. But the focus always remained on the romance. The smile on my face after reading the sweet ending is a testament to that!
This is so true. It's only after I opened my heart and mind did I find real love. Likewise, until Kate and Garrick shed their emotional armor true romantic love couldn't play a meaningful role in their lives. It was the act of physically caring for baby Michael and loving him which softened Kate's wary heart. For Garrick, working as Michael's live-in "nanny" in Kate's home allowed him to see that not all women deserved his cynicism.
The author took the time to explore Kate and Garrick's individual psyches and growing attraction for one another, so by the time the novel ended I completely believed in their HEA. The only thing that seemed rushed was Kate's capitulation. She'd just discovered Garrick's charade yet I thought she forgave him in record time. Garrick did give a decent defense but, still, let the man grovel!
Don't let the cutesy cover art fool you. Although not dark, heavy subjects such as gender roles, women in the workplace, the "having it all" ideal, and the meaning of family were all explored in addition to the theme of love and loss. But the focus always remained on the romance. The smile on my face after reading the sweet ending is a testament to that!
January 16, 2019
"Equal Opportunities" is the story of Garrick and Kate.
Oh my heart is DANCING!!! I loved this SO FCKING much.
We have a wonderful pair of career obsessed h and H who lose a relative/friend, and are godparents to their surviving son Michael. When the H abdicates responsibility unknowingly, the guardianship falls on the h, who is a struggling but self made career-woman.
When her best friend suggests that she get a male nanny after multiple female ones fail to be the right one, our h reluctantly agrees. However, the latter's unavailability coincides with the H's plan to infiltrate the h's home, a mixup which leads to the h assuming the H to be the nanny.
Soon a man who has never tied a diaper is made incharge of a cherub baby, and despite the h's initial inhibitions and suspicions, she decides to give his virile man a chance..
Will Garrick succeed in his nefarious means? When will Kate realize her error? That forms the story.
One of my favorite scenes was when Garrick tried to take care of Michael on the first day and the whole place was a mess. And the second was the climatic confrontation.
Ah this was just a WONDERFUL read. The heroine was such a pure hearted soul- I loved her compassion and love for the baby as well as the H. The H seemed ruthless and conniving at first, but soon started falling for both Michael and Kate, going lengths to protect them both. Good angst between mature characters who behaved with sense when misunderstandings arose.
Absolutely adored it.
Safe
5/5
Oh my heart is DANCING!!! I loved this SO FCKING much.
We have a wonderful pair of career obsessed h and H who lose a relative/friend, and are godparents to their surviving son Michael. When the H abdicates responsibility unknowingly, the guardianship falls on the h, who is a struggling but self made career-woman.
When her best friend suggests that she get a male nanny after multiple female ones fail to be the right one, our h reluctantly agrees. However, the latter's unavailability coincides with the H's plan to infiltrate the h's home, a mixup which leads to the h assuming the H to be the nanny.
Soon a man who has never tied a diaper is made incharge of a cherub baby, and despite the h's initial inhibitions and suspicions, she decides to give his virile man a chance..
Will Garrick succeed in his nefarious means? When will Kate realize her error? That forms the story.
One of my favorite scenes was when Garrick tried to take care of Michael on the first day and the whole place was a mess. And the second was the climatic confrontation.
Ah this was just a WONDERFUL read. The heroine was such a pure hearted soul- I loved her compassion and love for the baby as well as the H. The H seemed ruthless and conniving at first, but soon started falling for both Michael and Kate, going lengths to protect them both. Good angst between mature characters who behaved with sense when misunderstandings arose.
Absolutely adored it.
Safe
5/5
January 22, 2015
3 Stars ~ Garrick was out of country when his cousin and his wife had suddenly died leaving Garrick named as co-guardian to an infant. His legal firm had erroneously assumed he would want nothing to do with the baby, and so they abdicated his rights to the other guardian. But when Garrick returned and learned what they had done, he was livid. This child was just what he needed; an heir without a marriage. And so he set off to meet Kate, the woman now in charge of baby Michael.
Kate's friendship with Michael's mother was one that went deep, to a time when both girls had been in the foster care system. Though struggling to make her PR firm a success, Kate was determined to do her best for Jen's baby. Finding it difficult to find nannies who would accommodate her often long hours away from home, Kate's friend suggested she look for a male nanny.
When Garrick arrived at Kate's home, Kate assumed he was the nanny from the agency. Garrick played along and hoping his experience growing up around children would be enough to fool Kate. Though "Rick" seemed awkward with Michael, Kate could see the baby felt safe with him and so she hired him, falling completely into Garrick's plans to try to discredit her. Only as time went on and Rick became more adept in his nanny skills, and Kate's obvious devotion to Michael became crystal clear, both Rick and Kate found their lives' paths shifting.
Though I enjoyed this book, I thought it lacked umph and didn't reach it's potential to be a great read. At times the story seemed to lull and I had to push to get past it. Both Kate and Rick are likable characters and have fears of commitment. Or course the big black moment is the revelation of Rick's identity, it's rather anticlimactic. An enjoyable read, none the less.
Kate's friendship with Michael's mother was one that went deep, to a time when both girls had been in the foster care system. Though struggling to make her PR firm a success, Kate was determined to do her best for Jen's baby. Finding it difficult to find nannies who would accommodate her often long hours away from home, Kate's friend suggested she look for a male nanny.
When Garrick arrived at Kate's home, Kate assumed he was the nanny from the agency. Garrick played along and hoping his experience growing up around children would be enough to fool Kate. Though "Rick" seemed awkward with Michael, Kate could see the baby felt safe with him and so she hired him, falling completely into Garrick's plans to try to discredit her. Only as time went on and Rick became more adept in his nanny skills, and Kate's obvious devotion to Michael became crystal clear, both Rick and Kate found their lives' paths shifting.
Though I enjoyed this book, I thought it lacked umph and didn't reach it's potential to be a great read. At times the story seemed to lull and I had to push to get past it. Both Kate and Rick are likable characters and have fears of commitment. Or course the big black moment is the revelation of Rick's identity, it's rather anticlimactic. An enjoyable read, none the less.
September 5, 2012
The book seemed way too long at the start and way too short at the end. By the time we got into anything interesting it was already over. I liked the story, don't get me wrong but it could have been written a lot better, to expand a bigger viewing/reading audience.
February 27, 2023
Sweet surprise! Reading (skimming) the super ⭐️ ratings of my friends before I’d actually read it, I still wasn’t sure how PJ would deal with this mother of a situation with a male nanny! But no complains. Taking off a star cuz the career crazy h was working me up with her constant harping of how she had to be financially independent.
There’s a nine month old baby who’s left orphaned and in the care of his mother’s dear friend who’s the h. Kate also works as a PR agent for her own marketing firm. Being raised in an orphanage herself, the h knows that she can’t ever dream of abandoning this little baby to foster care for life. Her only gripe that she has a full time business to attend to and taking care of a little one needs unwarranted time and energy.
The h’s friend convinces her to try a male nanny when the females ones she hired all run away from her controlling micro managing attitude. I kind of agree. The h was a little too obsessed with that “career” thing going on and she could learn to take it easy.
The little baby has a distant relative, an uncle once removed who’s the H, loaded and planning to take the baby from this lady and raise as his own. He has the h investigated and finds out that she won’t let go easy. He now has to walk up to her and try to buy her into selling the guardianship of the baby.
I loved how the MCs meet and the h is totally clueless to being duped by the H. She’s also constantly irked by the H’s insubordination and refusal to accept her as the boss. Their chemistry is great but Kate was a little too frigid for my liking.
The ending was rushed. Would’ve been great if there was a bit of a chase to their HEA. Will re-read!
There’s a nine month old baby who’s left orphaned and in the care of his mother’s dear friend who’s the h. Kate also works as a PR agent for her own marketing firm. Being raised in an orphanage herself, the h knows that she can’t ever dream of abandoning this little baby to foster care for life. Her only gripe that she has a full time business to attend to and taking care of a little one needs unwarranted time and energy.
The h’s friend convinces her to try a male nanny when the females ones she hired all run away from her controlling micro managing attitude. I kind of agree. The h was a little too obsessed with that “career” thing going on and she could learn to take it easy.
The little baby has a distant relative, an uncle once removed who’s the H, loaded and planning to take the baby from this lady and raise as his own. He has the h investigated and finds out that she won’t let go easy. He now has to walk up to her and try to buy her into selling the guardianship of the baby.
I loved how the MCs meet and the h is totally clueless to being duped by the H. She’s also constantly irked by the H’s insubordination and refusal to accept her as the boss. Their chemistry is great but Kate was a little too frigid for my liking.
The ending was rushed. Would’ve been great if there was a bit of a chase to their HEA. Will re-read!
May 30, 2021
ok this is a real weird book that toes the line of what is acceptable behaviour and what is not. like the whole premise is meant to be about gender roles and how gender should not be the basis on which are abilities are judged, BUT , there are some big no-nos that occur.
Numero Uno being that the male protagonist, lies to the female about being her male nanny and starts living in her house. LIKE EXCUSE ME. THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE IN ANY CENTURY. he also does it to dig dirt on her to prove she is unfit to be the baby's guardian, which makes it even sketchier. He feels remorse for his actions while doing them but his action are conveniently forgotten and forgiven by the female so we also miss out on a good angsty guilt trip. LIKE AT LEAST THREATEN TO TAKE HIM FOR ALL HIS MONEY!!
Next, we have the fact that though the premise clearly sets out to subvert societally constructed gender norms and roles it fails to reach its goal because the story relies on romance genre tropes and motifs that are based on patriarchal ideals. Somehow, this man who has never held a baby in his life becomes the perfect nanny after only a day of struggle. Conversely, the female protagonist-whose business is struggling and personal finances are out of whack because she unexpectedly became guardian to a baby-cant seem to catch a break.
If a man is interested in procuring her professional services its only because he wants to sleeps with her and in the end all her professional woes are solved by her rich husband who bails her out and employs her for his business. She only accepts his offer in the epilogue because prior to that she realized that her heart wasn't in her career and would much rather be a stay at home mother. That would be fine if you hadn't built up her whole character as some sort of cold, calculated,business woman who finds a sense of self and stability through her career!!!
Like, Penny Jordan make up your mind are you burning your bra or not!!
I did finish the book though because my utter confusion at the characters motivations and overall situation turned out to be entertaining.
Numero Uno being that the male protagonist, lies to the female about being her male nanny and starts living in her house. LIKE EXCUSE ME. THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE IN ANY CENTURY. he also does it to dig dirt on her to prove she is unfit to be the baby's guardian, which makes it even sketchier. He feels remorse for his actions while doing them but his action are conveniently forgotten and forgiven by the female so we also miss out on a good angsty guilt trip. LIKE AT LEAST THREATEN TO TAKE HIM FOR ALL HIS MONEY!!
Next, we have the fact that though the premise clearly sets out to subvert societally constructed gender norms and roles it fails to reach its goal because the story relies on romance genre tropes and motifs that are based on patriarchal ideals. Somehow, this man who has never held a baby in his life becomes the perfect nanny after only a day of struggle. Conversely, the female protagonist-whose business is struggling and personal finances are out of whack because she unexpectedly became guardian to a baby-cant seem to catch a break.
If a man is interested in procuring her professional services its only because he wants to sleeps with her and in the end all her professional woes are solved by her rich husband who bails her out and employs her for his business. She only accepts his offer in the epilogue because prior to that she realized that her heart wasn't in her career and would much rather be a stay at home mother. That would be fine if you hadn't built up her whole character as some sort of cold, calculated,business woman who finds a sense of self and stability through her career!!!
Like, Penny Jordan make up your mind are you burning your bra or not!!
I did finish the book though because my utter confusion at the characters motivations and overall situation turned out to be entertaining.
September 4, 2021
Originally published as Equal Opportunities in 1989.
A baby to bind them!
If Kate Oakley hadn't desperately needed a nanny, she'd never have employed the gorgeous Rick Evans to look after a nine-month-old baby, even with his excellent recommendations! But he's her only opportunity to make a stable home life for her best friend's orphaned baby.
Desperate to do the best she can for the child, she allows Rick to move into her house. Only to realize, too late, the dangerous temptation that being so closely bound together ignites!
A baby to bind them!
If Kate Oakley hadn't desperately needed a nanny, she'd never have employed the gorgeous Rick Evans to look after a nine-month-old baby, even with his excellent recommendations! But he's her only opportunity to make a stable home life for her best friend's orphaned baby.
Desperate to do the best she can for the child, she allows Rick to move into her house. Only to realize, too late, the dangerous temptation that being so closely bound together ignites!
January 18, 2021
3 stars
A basic okay read. With both MCs assigned/appointed as a godfather and godmother and responsible for a kid. The h had the baby in her care first and the H 'disguised' himself as a male nanny, [didn't know it was a thing]. I just didn't get the moment where they both fell in love with each other, it was just like an afterthought kinda thing, like something that should happen by the end of the book. They rarely spent time together, at least it wasn't showed in the book, just when she fell sick that the author stated they spent those quality time and the staggering life changing moments where they grew to love each other and sadly it wasn't enough for me. Michael, the baby was cute tho, nothing much of 'aww' moment about him but it was quite enough. The ending was taken a year later with her being pregnant and wanted to surprised the H when they had dinner to celebrate their 1st wedding anniversary.
A basic okay read. With both MCs assigned/appointed as a godfather and godmother and responsible for a kid. The h had the baby in her care first and the H 'disguised' himself as a male nanny, [didn't know it was a thing]. I just didn't get the moment where they both fell in love with each other, it was just like an afterthought kinda thing, like something that should happen by the end of the book. They rarely spent time together, at least it wasn't showed in the book, just when she fell sick that the author stated they spent those quality time and the staggering life changing moments where they grew to love each other and sadly it wasn't enough for me. Michael, the baby was cute tho, nothing much of 'aww' moment about him but it was quite enough. The ending was taken a year later with her being pregnant and wanted to surprised the H when they had dinner to celebrate their 1st wedding anniversary.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2019
Már nem először hangoztatom, hogy Penny Jordan a műfaj királynője, egyszerűen nem tud rosszul írni. Egy kisbaba, egy önmagáért kiálló, ám sebezhető nő, és egy nőkben csalódott férfi, aki a „dadus” szerepét használja fel ahhoz, hogy célba érjen, ám a cél időközben megváltozik. Imádtam ezt a történetet is. :)
January 27, 2018
There are no angsty back up stories. The MCs are mature and they handled things in a pragmatic way. I wish this was longer so I could feel the "love" between the MCs.
March 9, 2025
It was ok, but I wouldn't want to re-read it. P.
June 26, 2012
3,5*...
Suka cerita kl herox yg jagain balita...
Nick evans,saudara sepupu misan ayahx c micheal,bayi brusia 9bulan...Ortu micheal tewas dlm kcelakaan...Dlam wasiatx ortu micheal mnunjuk kate sahabat ibux micheal n nick sbg walix...Saat wasiat dbacakn nick sdang brada d luar negri n sblmx dy sudah m'merintahkn pengacarax utk mngurus hal2 yg danggap tdk penting tanpa mngabari/m'ganggux...Alhasil saat surat wasiat dbacakn pengacarax lgsung b'inisiatif utk menolak merawat micheal...Jd hak asuh jatuh k tangan kate...Wktu nick kembali k inggris n dkabari ttg saudara misanx,nick marah kpada pengacarax...N dy mw mdapatkn hak asuh micheal cz dy pkir kenapa tidak mdapatkn pewaris tanpa hrus repot2 mnikah...Mlai lah rencanax mdaptkn micheal dgn m'cari2 kesalahan kate utk melawanx dpengadilan...Tp sblmx dy akan mnemui kate utk menawarkn sjumlah uang agar kate mw mlepaskn micheal...
Sdangkan dlain pihak,kate sngat kerepotan merawat micheal cz dy hrus bkerja...Tp yg jlas dy sangat sayang pd micheal...Temanx lalu menyarankan agar kate m'cari pengasuh pria yg lbih tdk neko2 dbandingkn pengasuh wanita...Jd saat nick b'tamu k rmhx,kate langsung b'asumsi bhwa nick pengasuh anak yg djanjikn temanx...Nick yg awalx kaget,tdk meralat anggapan kate,toh it bsa djadikn kesempatn utk lbih dekat n m'cari2 ksalahan kate...Jdilah nìck yg tdk tw apa2 tentang mrawat bayi mjdi pengasuh micheal...
Suka cerita kl herox yg jagain balita...
Nick evans,saudara sepupu misan ayahx c micheal,bayi brusia 9bulan...Ortu micheal tewas dlm kcelakaan...Dlam wasiatx ortu micheal mnunjuk kate sahabat ibux micheal n nick sbg walix...Saat wasiat dbacakn nick sdang brada d luar negri n sblmx dy sudah m'merintahkn pengacarax utk mngurus hal2 yg danggap tdk penting tanpa mngabari/m'ganggux...Alhasil saat surat wasiat dbacakn pengacarax lgsung b'inisiatif utk menolak merawat micheal...Jd hak asuh jatuh k tangan kate...Wktu nick kembali k inggris n dkabari ttg saudara misanx,nick marah kpada pengacarax...N dy mw mdapatkn hak asuh micheal cz dy pkir kenapa tidak mdapatkn pewaris tanpa hrus repot2 mnikah...Mlai lah rencanax mdaptkn micheal dgn m'cari2 kesalahan kate utk melawanx dpengadilan...Tp sblmx dy akan mnemui kate utk menawarkn sjumlah uang agar kate mw mlepaskn micheal...
Sdangkan dlain pihak,kate sngat kerepotan merawat micheal cz dy hrus bkerja...Tp yg jlas dy sangat sayang pd micheal...Temanx lalu menyarankan agar kate m'cari pengasuh pria yg lbih tdk neko2 dbandingkn pengasuh wanita...Jd saat nick b'tamu k rmhx,kate langsung b'asumsi bhwa nick pengasuh anak yg djanjikn temanx...Nick yg awalx kaget,tdk meralat anggapan kate,toh it bsa djadikn kesempatn utk lbih dekat n m'cari2 ksalahan kate...Jdilah nìck yg tdk tw apa2 tentang mrawat bayi mjdi pengasuh micheal...
June 16, 2008
Cerita tentang perwalian anak antara Katie dan Garrick Evans. Michael -si anak- adalah juga anak baptis Katie dan Garrick.
Saat orang tua Michael meninggal, hanya ada Katie yang bisa dihubungi sehingga jatuhlah perwalian Michael ke tangan Katie. Garrick baru tahu kejadian ini setelah pulang dari luar negeri dan bertekad untuk mengambil Michael dari tangan Katie.
Satu hal yang saya ingat dari cerita ini adalah perkenalan Garrick pada Katie "Saya G... Rick, Rick Evans." Hal ini terjadi saat Garrick datang ke tempat Katie untuk "melihat keadaan" Katie. Hanya saja terjadi kesalahpahaman, Katie mengira Rick Evans adalah baby sitter yang sedang ditunggunya untuk mengurus Michael. Jadilah mereka tinggal serumah. Dan ketertarikan saling terjadi antara keduanya.
Saat orang tua Michael meninggal, hanya ada Katie yang bisa dihubungi sehingga jatuhlah perwalian Michael ke tangan Katie. Garrick baru tahu kejadian ini setelah pulang dari luar negeri dan bertekad untuk mengambil Michael dari tangan Katie.
Satu hal yang saya ingat dari cerita ini adalah perkenalan Garrick pada Katie "Saya G... Rick, Rick Evans." Hal ini terjadi saat Garrick datang ke tempat Katie untuk "melihat keadaan" Katie. Hanya saja terjadi kesalahpahaman, Katie mengira Rick Evans adalah baby sitter yang sedang ditunggunya untuk mengurus Michael. Jadilah mereka tinggal serumah. Dan ketertarikan saling terjadi antara keduanya.
January 13, 2013
I admit to having a tough time with this one simply from the fail portrait on the front. Shallow of me? Yes, I found out that I enjoy a romance novel much better if the portrait of the main characters are attractive people and this one fell short. If not attractive, let my imagination create them instead.
The story was ok, very unrealistic and difficult for me to imagine.
The story was ok, very unrealistic and difficult for me to imagine.
Want to read
April 14, 2010gw pernah baca ini buku, tp udah lama bgt, kayaknya jaman gw blm cukup umur buat baca harlequin deh. Jadi pengen baca lagi
April 27, 2017
Leído el 24/11/2010
UN HOMBRE SIN COMPLEJOS
Equal Opportunities
El extraño llegó con las mejores recomendaciones… y Kate Oakley necesitaba una niñera con desesperación, de otra manera, nunca hubiera soñado contratar a un hombre para cuidar del bebé huérfano de su mejor amiga, porque no le sería posible ganarse la vida y permanecer en casa con el pequeño Michael.
No iba a darle a nadie la oportunidad de decir que no podía proporcionar al niño un buen hogar… Así que Kate permitió que Rick Evans se instalara en su casa, dándose cuenta, demasiado tarde, de su error.
UN HOMBRE SIN COMPLEJOS
Equal Opportunities
El extraño llegó con las mejores recomendaciones… y Kate Oakley necesitaba una niñera con desesperación, de otra manera, nunca hubiera soñado contratar a un hombre para cuidar del bebé huérfano de su mejor amiga, porque no le sería posible ganarse la vida y permanecer en casa con el pequeño Michael.
No iba a darle a nadie la oportunidad de decir que no podía proporcionar al niño un buen hogar… Así que Kate permitió que Rick Evans se instalara en su casa, dándose cuenta, demasiado tarde, de su error.
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