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Shadow Creek, Montana #4
Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep
Connor O'Leary knows nothing about babies, families, or good women, yet he's up to his ears in all three. Coming to Shadow Creek, Montana was meant to be a new start for this former oil rigger, but he had no idea that fresh beginning would include a baby on his doorstep and a hot nanny he can't stop thinking about. Diapers, feedings, and late nights soothing his little bundle of surprise were definitely not on his itinerary.
The last thing Haley Thomson expected to see is the reclusive Connor with a baby in his arms. Before she knows it, she's volunteered as nanny—temporarily. Helping out with baby Rosie is a dream come true and fills a space in her heart she believed will never be filled. But falling for Rosie's hot and sexy bachelor daddy is not on her to-do list…but boy would she ever like it to be...
The last thing Haley Thomson expected to see is the reclusive Connor with a baby in his arms. Before she knows it, she's volunteered as nanny—temporarily. Helping out with baby Rosie is a dream come true and fills a space in her heart she believed will never be filled. But falling for Rosie's hot and sexy bachelor daddy is not on her to-do list…but boy would she ever like it to be...
143 pages, ebook
First published February 12, 2018
About the author
Victoria James
30 books1,000 followersVictoria James is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance.
She is a hopeless romantic who is living her dream, penning happily-ever-after's for her characters in between managing kids and the family business. Writing on a laptop in the middle of the country in a rambling old Victorian house would be ideal, but she's quite content living in suburbia with her husband, their two young children, and very bad cat.
She is a hopeless romantic who is living her dream, penning happily-ever-after's for her characters in between managing kids and the family business. Writing on a laptop in the middle of the country in a rambling old Victorian house would be ideal, but she's quite content living in suburbia with her husband, their two young children, and very bad cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
February 20, 2018
ARC requested through Netgalley, and kindly provided by Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
There is just something about a Victoria James book that makes me smile. Her stories are full of great characters and swoon-worth heroes. Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep was no exception. I have been anxious to read this ever since Haley landed on her brother, Luke's, doorstep in The Doctor's Redemption.
Haley Thomson, out of a very toxic marriage, wasn't looking for love. In fact, she didn't think she would ever be able to trust again. That didn't stop her mounting attraction for Connor O'Leary. Connor came with his own set of emotional baggage, along with a brand-new baby he didn't know existed.
Haley stepping in as a temporary live-in nanny for baby Rosie meant Haley and Connor could no longer avoid one another, as much as they tried. I loved the vulnerability Connor displayed at suddenly being a father and the way Haley supported him.
The only thing that dropped this down from a 5-star read for me was the push/pull dynamic that was happening between Haley and Connor. It's one thing to have someone pursuing the other and a bit of push/pull because of personal issues, but both Haley and Connor were doing the push/pulling. It got a little frustrating at times because I never knew where the conflict was going to come from. That usually drives me crazy in a book, but luckily, Haley and Connor won me over, so I was able to get past it and still enjoy the story.
Really enjoyed my latest visit to Shadow Creek, Montana!
There is just something about a Victoria James book that makes me smile. Her stories are full of great characters and swoon-worth heroes. Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep was no exception. I have been anxious to read this ever since Haley landed on her brother, Luke's, doorstep in The Doctor's Redemption.
Haley Thomson, out of a very toxic marriage, wasn't looking for love. In fact, she didn't think she would ever be able to trust again. That didn't stop her mounting attraction for Connor O'Leary. Connor came with his own set of emotional baggage, along with a brand-new baby he didn't know existed.
Haley stepping in as a temporary live-in nanny for baby Rosie meant Haley and Connor could no longer avoid one another, as much as they tried. I loved the vulnerability Connor displayed at suddenly being a father and the way Haley supported him.
"He took another sip of the damn fine coffee and tried to reconcile what he was feeling, what he was wishing for. He hated wishing. Wishing wasn't doing."
The only thing that dropped this down from a 5-star read for me was the push/pull dynamic that was happening between Haley and Connor. It's one thing to have someone pursuing the other and a bit of push/pull because of personal issues, but both Haley and Connor were doing the push/pulling. It got a little frustrating at times because I never knew where the conflict was going to come from. That usually drives me crazy in a book, but luckily, Haley and Connor won me over, so I was able to get past it and still enjoy the story.
"There's no going back after this," she whispered."
"Who would want to go back?" he said against her mouth. "I'd never want to go back to before you. There is no before you. Everything started with you, Haley."
Really enjoyed my latest visit to Shadow Creek, Montana!
January 30, 2018
1.5 - "There’s no going back after this…" Stars.
I am going to keep this review brief, because I don’t really have anything good to say. Weak story-line, weak characters, and generally lackluster all over.
I suppose I don’t really ascribe to the belief that just because a man has tattoos he is a Bad Boy anymore, but what really pissed me off was the fact that the lack of a formal education was the other descriptor used. What utter bullshit, especially in this day and age where most wealthy people are self-made and have gotten to where they are through hard work and determination. We then add to this clichéd judgement by him then actually proving his worth and intelligence by taking an IQ test, and being outed as an anonymous donor of large sums of cash.
Pretty sure you can tell, I wasn’t a fan, and to add a cherry to the top of it, most of the judgement came from a woman who was on the run (essentially) from a man who had money and treated her like crap through their marriage, so hardly one to be making snappy judgements about someone when your own life choices haven’t turned out that well.
This book also needs to offer contact details for those who have issues with or have suffered from spousal abuse, because although it was another weak thread in the story-line, it would still be the responsible thing to do.
ARC provided via Netgalley, I am sorry I cannot give a more positive review on this occasion.
I am going to keep this review brief, because I don’t really have anything good to say. Weak story-line, weak characters, and generally lackluster all over.
I suppose I don’t really ascribe to the belief that just because a man has tattoos he is a Bad Boy anymore, but what really pissed me off was the fact that the lack of a formal education was the other descriptor used. What utter bullshit, especially in this day and age where most wealthy people are self-made and have gotten to where they are through hard work and determination. We then add to this clichéd judgement by him then actually proving his worth and intelligence by taking an IQ test, and being outed as an anonymous donor of large sums of cash.
Pretty sure you can tell, I wasn’t a fan, and to add a cherry to the top of it, most of the judgement came from a woman who was on the run (essentially) from a man who had money and treated her like crap through their marriage, so hardly one to be making snappy judgements about someone when your own life choices haven’t turned out that well.
This book also needs to offer contact details for those who have issues with or have suffered from spousal abuse, because although it was another weak thread in the story-line, it would still be the responsible thing to do.
ARC provided via Netgalley, I am sorry I cannot give a more positive review on this occasion.
February 8, 2018
Connor O’Leary had a tough upbringing and it took him some time to find his path. He followed his friend, Jack Bailey, to Shadow Creek but now his past has somewhat caught up to him. A casual relationship has produced a baby girl whose mother abandoned her, literally, on his doorstep. Hayley Thomson is at a crossroads after surviving an abusive marriage. She wants to continue teaching but her only full time opportunity will take her away to another town in a few months. When Connor reaches out to her friends for help with the baby, Hayley steps up and volunteers to be the live-in nanny.
While the title of this book implies a level of frivolity, this story addresses some very serious issues. Hayley suffered emotional and physical abuse from her ex-husband and hasn’t fully recovered. Connor was abused as a child and had to leave high school to help his mother make ends close to being met, stunting his formal education and severely impacting his self worth. As these two come together to care for Connor’s daughter, they’re forced to confront their individual issues that are barriers to deepening a relationship between them. The conflicts are real, substantive and relevant, which made for a much more compelling story. I liked both of them and loved their path to healing. It wasn’t always pretty but it was honest.
I loved this book and am hooked on the series because of the weighty topics undertaken in each story. It’s one of misery and exultant triumph despite obstacles that feel insurmountable. Connor and Hayley didn’t always make the right choices in the moment but there weren’t any cliched behaviors either. I didn’t want the story to end and embraced those feel-good moments.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review)
While the title of this book implies a level of frivolity, this story addresses some very serious issues. Hayley suffered emotional and physical abuse from her ex-husband and hasn’t fully recovered. Connor was abused as a child and had to leave high school to help his mother make ends close to being met, stunting his formal education and severely impacting his self worth. As these two come together to care for Connor’s daughter, they’re forced to confront their individual issues that are barriers to deepening a relationship between them. The conflicts are real, substantive and relevant, which made for a much more compelling story. I liked both of them and loved their path to healing. It wasn’t always pretty but it was honest.
I loved this book and am hooked on the series because of the weighty topics undertaken in each story. It’s one of misery and exultant triumph despite obstacles that feel insurmountable. Connor and Hayley didn’t always make the right choices in the moment but there weren’t any cliched behaviors either. I didn’t want the story to end and embraced those feel-good moments.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review)
May 10, 2018
This was an alright read. The story was good, but there were moments when I got bored. The characters were good. I really loved Rosie, she was adorable. I really liked Connor and learning more about him. However, I thought Haley was a bit annoying. She made stupid decisions because of her past relationship. It made me mad at times. The ending was sweet. I am glad that Connor and Haley got their happily ever after. I do wish the story was longer. Overall, an okay read.
January 30, 2018
Both Connor and Haley are looking for a new beginning in Shadow Creek, Montana. Connor came with the only man that he considered a true friend and in him he found a family that he never had. Haley came to escape a horribly abusive marriage and to her only living family, her brother. It just so happens that her brother is married in to the same family that took Connor in.
After a family dinner night, Connor O’Leary returns home to finds a baby left out in the cold on his door step. He knows nothing about babies, so he calls his friend and gets the entire family including Haley. Haley volunteers to be the nanny while she is waiting for the next school year to start.
Both Haley and Connor are emotionally scarred, but they soon discover they share a love for Rosie, the baby left on Connor’s door step and each other. The biggest obstacle in finding true happiness is themselves.
Baby on a Bad Boy's Doorstep had a cute baby and romance but touches on difficult subject matter, verbal, physical and mental abuse. I applaud James for tackling such a difficult but prevalent topic that needs exposure.
That being said, there was nothing "bad boy" about Connor, he might of been hard on himself but overall he was a complete sweetie. Tattoos, a lack of formal education and a rough upbringing does not make one a "bad boy".
There were points I wanted to yell, pull your head out of your out of your butt to both Connor and Haley and in the end it kept me from loving it.
Quick, easy and entertaining.
I received this ARC copy of Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep from Entangled Publishing, LLC - Bliss. This is my honest and voluntary review. Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep is set for publication Feb. 12, 2018.
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Written by: Victoria James
Print Length: 143 pages
Publisher: Entangled: Bliss
Publication Date: February 12, 2018
Sold by: Macmillan
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Doorstep-...
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/baby...
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
After a family dinner night, Connor O’Leary returns home to finds a baby left out in the cold on his door step. He knows nothing about babies, so he calls his friend and gets the entire family including Haley. Haley volunteers to be the nanny while she is waiting for the next school year to start.
Both Haley and Connor are emotionally scarred, but they soon discover they share a love for Rosie, the baby left on Connor’s door step and each other. The biggest obstacle in finding true happiness is themselves.
Baby on a Bad Boy's Doorstep had a cute baby and romance but touches on difficult subject matter, verbal, physical and mental abuse. I applaud James for tackling such a difficult but prevalent topic that needs exposure.
That being said, there was nothing "bad boy" about Connor, he might of been hard on himself but overall he was a complete sweetie. Tattoos, a lack of formal education and a rough upbringing does not make one a "bad boy".
There were points I wanted to yell, pull your head out of your out of your butt to both Connor and Haley and in the end it kept me from loving it.
Quick, easy and entertaining.
I received this ARC copy of Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep from Entangled Publishing, LLC - Bliss. This is my honest and voluntary review. Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep is set for publication Feb. 12, 2018.
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Written by: Victoria James
Print Length: 143 pages
Publisher: Entangled: Bliss
Publication Date: February 12, 2018
Sold by: Macmillan
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Doorstep-...
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/baby...
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
January 30, 2018
3.5 stars
February 19, 2018
*3.5*
Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep is the forth (standalone) book in the Shadow Creek, Montana series. I've only read the first one, Christmas with the Sheriff, and I really enjoyed it so I was looking forward to catching up with old characters while meeting new ones.
Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep was emotional as well as heartwarming - the perfect book to pair with a snowy afternoon and a hot cup of coffee/tea! It features two POVs - Connor O'Leary and Haley Thompson. Connor and Haley are both dealing with their own respective demons. Haley's trying to find herself again after an abusive marriage while Connor is coming to terms with being a unexpected single father. I found both to be likable but I will admit that I liked Connor a lot more than I liked Haley. Connor was tough on the outside, but deep down he was the ultimate sweetheart. I loved reading from his POV. At the start of the book, Connor is terrified; however, as the book progressed Connor became such an amazing father. I also liked seeing him come to terms with past while also learning to open up again. On the other hand, Haley was kind as well as compassionate, but sometimes I felt that she was a bit naive. I couldn't believe she was so willing to move in with a guy she barely knew - one that also didn't seem to like her all that much. It felt risky, but the more I got to know Haley, the more I realized she acted with her heart - she wanted to put love and happiness back into the world, especially for people who didn't seem to have it, and I appreciated that. The plot of Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep focused primarily on Baby Rosie, the developing feelings between Connor and Haley, and the variety of other issues they encountered along the way. I loved any scene having to deal with little Rosie - she was ADORABLE and slightly feisty. I also liked that Victoria spent time developing Connor and Haley's pasts. It brought a greater level of understanding to their actions, and I also appreciated seeing how far they've truly come.
Overall, Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep was a quick, charming read. I'm curious to see if Victoria will continue this series. The turn of events at the end has me thinking yes.
*ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
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Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep is the forth (standalone) book in the Shadow Creek, Montana series. I've only read the first one, Christmas with the Sheriff, and I really enjoyed it so I was looking forward to catching up with old characters while meeting new ones.
Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep was emotional as well as heartwarming - the perfect book to pair with a snowy afternoon and a hot cup of coffee/tea! It features two POVs - Connor O'Leary and Haley Thompson. Connor and Haley are both dealing with their own respective demons. Haley's trying to find herself again after an abusive marriage while Connor is coming to terms with being a unexpected single father. I found both to be likable but I will admit that I liked Connor a lot more than I liked Haley. Connor was tough on the outside, but deep down he was the ultimate sweetheart. I loved reading from his POV. At the start of the book, Connor is terrified; however, as the book progressed Connor became such an amazing father. I also liked seeing him come to terms with past while also learning to open up again. On the other hand, Haley was kind as well as compassionate, but sometimes I felt that she was a bit naive. I couldn't believe she was so willing to move in with a guy she barely knew - one that also didn't seem to like her all that much. It felt risky, but the more I got to know Haley, the more I realized she acted with her heart - she wanted to put love and happiness back into the world, especially for people who didn't seem to have it, and I appreciated that. The plot of Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep focused primarily on Baby Rosie, the developing feelings between Connor and Haley, and the variety of other issues they encountered along the way. I loved any scene having to deal with little Rosie - she was ADORABLE and slightly feisty. I also liked that Victoria spent time developing Connor and Haley's pasts. It brought a greater level of understanding to their actions, and I also appreciated seeing how far they've truly come.
Overall, Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep was a quick, charming read. I'm curious to see if Victoria will continue this series. The turn of events at the end has me thinking yes.
*ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
Book Blog | Twitter | Bloglovin | Goodreads
May 7, 2018
Cute and predictable.
Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep was definitely a book I wouldn't read on my free time. This isn't my first series or book from Victoria James but it wasn't one I would originally pick up either. It's about Connor and Haleys chance at first love. A true and genuine love.
Connor was simply adorable. I loved his character and how he quickly just took on the parent role. Oh yes, he came home one day and saw a baby on his doorstep. Hence the title people! Yet, Rosie was freaking adorable and I quickly fell in love with their bond.
Then there's Haley who has honestly just gotten out of a terrible relationship. Or should I say marriage? Either way her ex husband, David, was douche and I hated him the entire time.
Now the relationship between Haley and Connor was a slow burn. I honestly forgot their names from time to time. I will also admit that I was kind of bored throughout the book too just because I kept waiting for the smut to happen. Just one little scene please!!
Overall, it was cute. I'm not going to lie about that. Then there's a happy ending for these three as well. I should also thank my BR and twin, Felicia, for suffering through this BR with me.
Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep was definitely a book I wouldn't read on my free time. This isn't my first series or book from Victoria James but it wasn't one I would originally pick up either. It's about Connor and Haleys chance at first love. A true and genuine love.
Connor was simply adorable. I loved his character and how he quickly just took on the parent role. Oh yes, he came home one day and saw a baby on his doorstep. Hence the title people! Yet, Rosie was freaking adorable and I quickly fell in love with their bond.
Then there's Haley who has honestly just gotten out of a terrible relationship. Or should I say marriage? Either way her ex husband, David, was douche and I hated him the entire time.
Now the relationship between Haley and Connor was a slow burn. I honestly forgot their names from time to time. I will also admit that I was kind of bored throughout the book too just because I kept waiting for the smut to happen. Just one little scene please!!
Overall, it was cute. I'm not going to lie about that. Then there's a happy ending for these three as well. I should also thank my BR and twin, Felicia, for suffering through this BR with me.
August 28, 2018
Domestic violence in life and in books is an extremely touchy topic for me. I hate the fact that authors and publishers put the subject in their books but don’t mention ways for people to get help. It’s like the topic is put in the book to make a story in order to make money and they don’t care that this stuff is really happening to real people on a daily basis. I feel that it is insensitive and irresponsible to put domestic violence (verbal, physical, psychological) into a book and not give numbers or websites to get help. That said, I like the fact that Baby on the Bad Boy’s Doorstep shows that while a woman or man can go through some very bad things, they’re still deserving of love, happiness, and a family.
Baby on the Bad Boy’s Doorstep is why I love Victoria James as a writer. She has written a touching story of two people attempting to move on with their lives and overcome their painful dark pasts.
The characters of Connor O’Leary and Haley Thomson drew me into the story. Connor is a man who has been beaten and put down by his family and society. He views himself as an okay guy, but not a good guy. He doesn’t think he’s worthy of love or a woman as good and nice as Haley. Haley is finally finding her footing after divorcing her abusive husband. She wants to focus on rebuilding her teaching career. What she doesn’t want is a man in her life. When Connor finds his daughter Rosie on his doorstep, the entire Bailey family shows up. When it’s suggested that Connor needs a nanny, Haley quickly volunteers and moves into his cabin. I loved watching Connor and Haley come together to take care of Rosie. For a time, they were able to live in a dream world and be the family they both desired.
Maybe a small portion of the story was predictable. However, I don’t think the predictability took away from the story. Connor and Haley may seem like an unlikely couple but they have similar pasts, hopes, and goals. Haley is one of the few people Connor allows to see who he is. And yet he still doesn't fully reveal himself. Connor sees Haley’s inner strength which she doesn’t even know she has. These two are really good for each other.
If you haven’t read the Shadow Creek, Montana series you’re in luck. Baby on the Bad Boy’s Doorstep is a standalone read. But be warned, Victoria will tug on your heartstrings as she shows Connor, Haley, and Rosie coming together as a family and overcoming their pasts.
**Received a copy of the book courtesy of Entangled Publishing and voluntarily reviewed.**
Baby on the Bad Boy’s Doorstep is why I love Victoria James as a writer. She has written a touching story of two people attempting to move on with their lives and overcome their painful dark pasts.
The characters of Connor O’Leary and Haley Thomson drew me into the story. Connor is a man who has been beaten and put down by his family and society. He views himself as an okay guy, but not a good guy. He doesn’t think he’s worthy of love or a woman as good and nice as Haley. Haley is finally finding her footing after divorcing her abusive husband. She wants to focus on rebuilding her teaching career. What she doesn’t want is a man in her life. When Connor finds his daughter Rosie on his doorstep, the entire Bailey family shows up. When it’s suggested that Connor needs a nanny, Haley quickly volunteers and moves into his cabin. I loved watching Connor and Haley come together to take care of Rosie. For a time, they were able to live in a dream world and be the family they both desired.
Maybe a small portion of the story was predictable. However, I don’t think the predictability took away from the story. Connor and Haley may seem like an unlikely couple but they have similar pasts, hopes, and goals. Haley is one of the few people Connor allows to see who he is. And yet he still doesn't fully reveal himself. Connor sees Haley’s inner strength which she doesn’t even know she has. These two are really good for each other.
If you haven’t read the Shadow Creek, Montana series you’re in luck. Baby on the Bad Boy’s Doorstep is a standalone read. But be warned, Victoria will tug on your heartstrings as she shows Connor, Haley, and Rosie coming together as a family and overcoming their pasts.
**Received a copy of the book courtesy of Entangled Publishing and voluntarily reviewed.**
May 5, 2018
This was a cute read. There wasn't much to it. A very short read of only like 180 pages.
I've never read a book about a baby being left on some unsuspecting person's doorstep. And had my wonder twin, Alaina, not asked me to read this I don't know if I'd have read it. However, I did end up enjoying the story.
Conner and Haley were cute. And even though this was just a normal vanilla romance, I felt like there was such sexual tension between them all the way up until the very first kiss.
Haley, she was annoying. And like I know she had a past that she ran from that was the cause of most of her decisions. But damn, she was annoying. I couldn't help but cringe when she made stupid decisions.
Anywho, that's all I got... This was just cute.
I've never read a book about a baby being left on some unsuspecting person's doorstep. And had my wonder twin, Alaina, not asked me to read this I don't know if I'd have read it. However, I did end up enjoying the story.
Conner and Haley were cute. And even though this was just a normal vanilla romance, I felt like there was such sexual tension between them all the way up until the very first kiss.
Haley, she was annoying. And like I know she had a past that she ran from that was the cause of most of her decisions. But damn, she was annoying. I couldn't help but cringe when she made stupid decisions.
Anywho, that's all I got... This was just cute.
February 15, 2018
Oh, I really wanted to like this one. And there were good things, like:
A strong start. The close relationships between the Baileys, the Thomsons, and the rest of their crowd is great; we're thrown right into their warm and wacky world right away, and it's a fun place to be. Then there's a surprise baby left on a doorstep? Yes, please! The single dad/nanny troupe can be so much fun, and Connor and Haley seem worthy of HEAs and are conveniently attracted to each other...so far, all good things.
But. I had. A. Few. Issues.
Baby Rosie, as adorable as she is, seems more like a plot element than a baby. Other than a few nights early on where she kept Connor and Hailey awake, she's pretty much an ideal baby, neatly sleeping through all kinds of events where a fussy infant would be an inconvenience. Connor spends the novel kicking himself over the fact that he's let his daughter down by 1) not knowing she existed until she was a month old (how? How would he know? Her mother kept her existence from him, so...) and 2) sleeping with her irresponsible mother (um, if you hadn't, Rosie wouldn't exist). His internal I'm-not-good-enough-for-Haley also got to be a bit much--he really isn't a bad boy, the title notwithstanding; yes, he dropped out of high school to help his mother pay the bills but he has since had a very successful life as an adult. Other than working a dangerous job for a few years (on an oil rig) and making at least one dubious relationship choice (which resulted in his daughter) he really hasn't done anything that even comes close to earning him that label.
Then there's Haley: I really wanted to like her, but her inner dialogue drove me a little nuts, and I'm surprised that Connor didn't get whiplash from her constant flip flopping over their relationship. Yes, some hesitancy about relationships is understandable given her past, but Connor is beyond patient with her and she spends the whole book jumping to conclusions and making up his mind for him without even letting him have a say in things. Fortunately she comes to her senses eventually, but...yikes.
So, sadly, Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep is not destined to be one of my favorites from Ms. James. I've got my fingers crossed that it's just a one-off, though, and her next book will be more like her earlier ones. The book is the fourth in the series and could work as a standalone--be warned, though, there's a lot of secondary characters here to keep track of; if you've read the first three books that will be a bit easier ;)
Rating: 3 stars / C
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
A strong start. The close relationships between the Baileys, the Thomsons, and the rest of their crowd is great; we're thrown right into their warm and wacky world right away, and it's a fun place to be. Then there's a surprise baby left on a doorstep? Yes, please! The single dad/nanny troupe can be so much fun, and Connor and Haley seem worthy of HEAs and are conveniently attracted to each other...so far, all good things.
But. I had. A. Few. Issues.
Baby Rosie, as adorable as she is, seems more like a plot element than a baby. Other than a few nights early on where she kept Connor and Hailey awake, she's pretty much an ideal baby, neatly sleeping through all kinds of events where a fussy infant would be an inconvenience. Connor spends the novel kicking himself over the fact that he's let his daughter down by 1) not knowing she existed until she was a month old (how? How would he know? Her mother kept her existence from him, so...) and 2) sleeping with her irresponsible mother (um, if you hadn't, Rosie wouldn't exist). His internal I'm-not-good-enough-for-Haley also got to be a bit much--he really isn't a bad boy, the title notwithstanding; yes, he dropped out of high school to help his mother pay the bills but he has since had a very successful life as an adult. Other than working a dangerous job for a few years (on an oil rig) and making at least one dubious relationship choice (which resulted in his daughter) he really hasn't done anything that even comes close to earning him that label.
Then there's Haley: I really wanted to like her, but her inner dialogue drove me a little nuts, and I'm surprised that Connor didn't get whiplash from her constant flip flopping over their relationship. Yes, some hesitancy about relationships is understandable given her past, but Connor is beyond patient with her and she spends the whole book jumping to conclusions and making up his mind for him without even letting him have a say in things. Fortunately she comes to her senses eventually, but...yikes.
So, sadly, Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep is not destined to be one of my favorites from Ms. James. I've got my fingers crossed that it's just a one-off, though, and her next book will be more like her earlier ones. The book is the fourth in the series and could work as a standalone--be warned, though, there's a lot of secondary characters here to keep track of; if you've read the first three books that will be a bit easier ;)
Rating: 3 stars / C
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
February 17, 2018
Haley Thompson was divorced and looking for a new start in Shadow Creek where her brother, Luke, and his wife, Gwen, reside. Haley's ex was extremely controlling and very verbally abusive. Once free of him, Haley vows to never again let herself be placed in that position. She doesn't need a man to complete her life and isn't looking for a relationship of any kind. She's settling in, getting to know Luke's close friends and extended family. Which includes Connor O'Leary, whom she finds herself attracted to. Ridiculous, given her circumstances. Besides, Connor has never so much as given her the time of day. He's quiet, tends to keep to himself, and usually hangs out with his friend, Jack. The two of them used to work on an oil rig together and now are partners in a business in Shadow Creek. So why in the world did Haley open her big mouth and volunteer to become nanny to Connor's month old baby girl?
Connor came home late one night to find a tiny bundle waiting on his doorstep. A note attached stated the baby was his daughter and the mother, Tess, didn't want her. Connor remembered Tess. They'd only been together a couple of times. Tess wasn't really the type of woman one would want to be with on a regular basis. Now, thanks to poor judgment on Connor's part, he was a father. Connor wasn't without baggage of his own. His dad had been physically abusive to both Connor and his mom until Connor was ten. That was the year his mom was diagnosed with cancer and his dad walked out on them. When his mom died Connor went into the foster system. He knew nothing about home and family, about raising a child and being a dad. So naturally, when he finds a baby on his porch, he panics and calls Jack. Not only does Jack arrive a few minutes later, but so do the rest of his friends, including Haley. After they all offer advice, which uppermost is finding someone to watch his daughter while he works, Connor can't believe it when Haley steps up and tells him she'll be his nanny.
This was a delightful story, so heartwarming it left me sighing at the end. The author did a wonderful job of developing the bond between Connor and his baby girl and Connor and Haley. Even though he's always been made to feel worthless and stupid, Haley knows differently. She convinces him to test his IQ and finds he's a genius. Then she convinces him to get his GED. This goes a long way towards building Connor's confidence, proving he's more than qualified to be a dad. And his kind heart and loving generosity also play a large part in Haley's attraction to him. If she can just put the past behind her and recognize that what she and Connor have together is good, she'll have everything she's ever wanted at her fingertips. Loved this story. Big thumbs up for me!
Connor came home late one night to find a tiny bundle waiting on his doorstep. A note attached stated the baby was his daughter and the mother, Tess, didn't want her. Connor remembered Tess. They'd only been together a couple of times. Tess wasn't really the type of woman one would want to be with on a regular basis. Now, thanks to poor judgment on Connor's part, he was a father. Connor wasn't without baggage of his own. His dad had been physically abusive to both Connor and his mom until Connor was ten. That was the year his mom was diagnosed with cancer and his dad walked out on them. When his mom died Connor went into the foster system. He knew nothing about home and family, about raising a child and being a dad. So naturally, when he finds a baby on his porch, he panics and calls Jack. Not only does Jack arrive a few minutes later, but so do the rest of his friends, including Haley. After they all offer advice, which uppermost is finding someone to watch his daughter while he works, Connor can't believe it when Haley steps up and tells him she'll be his nanny.
This was a delightful story, so heartwarming it left me sighing at the end. The author did a wonderful job of developing the bond between Connor and his baby girl and Connor and Haley. Even though he's always been made to feel worthless and stupid, Haley knows differently. She convinces him to test his IQ and finds he's a genius. Then she convinces him to get his GED. This goes a long way towards building Connor's confidence, proving he's more than qualified to be a dad. And his kind heart and loving generosity also play a large part in Haley's attraction to him. If she can just put the past behind her and recognize that what she and Connor have together is good, she'll have everything she's ever wanted at her fingertips. Loved this story. Big thumbs up for me!
February 20, 2018
Gosh!!! I love Victoria James and her Montana romances. Her Shadow Creek series is just filled with so much warmth, friendship and love, they are a treat to read. And if they have protagonists like Conner O'Leary and Haley Thompson, more the pleasure of reading a sweet romance.
Instant Dad Conner and self-appointed nanny Leah rock this sweet love story with a wonderful group of friends and family.
Received an ARC from Montlake Romance via NetGalley for an honest review.
Instant Dad Conner and self-appointed nanny Leah rock this sweet love story with a wonderful group of friends and family.
Received an ARC from Montlake Romance via NetGalley for an honest review.
January 29, 2018
Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep is the fourth romance in the Shadow Creek, Montana series written by author Victoria James. Excellent story. Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC-Bliss for the advance copy.
July 29, 2019
An enjoyable read with compelling characters and a great plot. Loved the hero, what a fantastic guy. Happy reading/listening!
February 14, 2018
Returning home from an evening out with friends, Connor O'Leary never dreamt of finding a baby on his doorstep! The note with the baby indicates that the child is the result of a casual hook-up he had and that the mother is abandoning the child with him. He doesn't know what to do so calls his best friend, Jack Bailey, who immediately comes to help, along with his wife and his sister, Hayley Thomson.
Hayley has escaped an emotional and physically abusive marriage and is staying with her brother and sister-in-law until she can make a fresh start teaching in just a few months time. She offers to be the baby's nanny and, as they begin to care for Connor's daughter, so starts a time of healing and development of love for all of them.
Connor also has issues in his past, including never finishing school, which make him reticent to trust in love and relationships. There are barriers to be overcome as well as conflicts and danger ahead for this couple, making this a real page turner. This is a story of healing and growth with great characters and lots of love to help them on their journey to their HEA. I particularly liked that this story helped to show that, regardless of what has happened to you in the past at the behest of others, don't undervalue yourself, you’re still deserving of love and a family, your own HEA!
I requested and received a copy of this novel, via NetGalley. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.
Hayley has escaped an emotional and physically abusive marriage and is staying with her brother and sister-in-law until she can make a fresh start teaching in just a few months time. She offers to be the baby's nanny and, as they begin to care for Connor's daughter, so starts a time of healing and development of love for all of them.
Connor also has issues in his past, including never finishing school, which make him reticent to trust in love and relationships. There are barriers to be overcome as well as conflicts and danger ahead for this couple, making this a real page turner. This is a story of healing and growth with great characters and lots of love to help them on their journey to their HEA. I particularly liked that this story helped to show that, regardless of what has happened to you in the past at the behest of others, don't undervalue yourself, you’re still deserving of love and a family, your own HEA!
I requested and received a copy of this novel, via NetGalley. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.
January 24, 2018
Baby On the Bad Boy's Doorstep, is a sweet, sad and also happy love story. And some of those emotions all happen in the same chapter throughout the book.
February 11, 2018
It's a great story, I quite enjoyed reading it. Also loved both the main characters, Connor and Haley are perfect for each other. Both with their insecurities, learning to love themselves, somehow they also start loving each other. But may be they don't have a future together, because will their hearts heal enough to trust again? A great book for all romance lovers, I definitely recommend it.
Connor suddenly finds himself with a baby. He didn't even know he was going to be a father and now he has a daughter. In his time of need Haley volunteers to help him out. After all there is nothing else she needs to do right now. He job will start soon enough, until then she can be a nanny for little Rosie. However, spending time with Connor turns out to be the worst decision for her. Because now she has feeling which she can't handle. How can she ever love another man? After the experience with her ex she is scared to trust again...
Connor knows how Haley feels but he can't do anything about it except giving her time. He only hopes that she realizes how good they can be together and give them a chance to work through things. Together along with Rosie they can be a perfect family or maybe that's just a dream never to be...
It's very well-written. I loved it and am glad that I get a chance to read this book. I got a complimentary copy via NetGalley.
Connor suddenly finds himself with a baby. He didn't even know he was going to be a father and now he has a daughter. In his time of need Haley volunteers to help him out. After all there is nothing else she needs to do right now. He job will start soon enough, until then she can be a nanny for little Rosie. However, spending time with Connor turns out to be the worst decision for her. Because now she has feeling which she can't handle. How can she ever love another man? After the experience with her ex she is scared to trust again...
Connor knows how Haley feels but he can't do anything about it except giving her time. He only hopes that she realizes how good they can be together and give them a chance to work through things. Together along with Rosie they can be a perfect family or maybe that's just a dream never to be...
It's very well-written. I loved it and am glad that I get a chance to read this book. I got a complimentary copy via NetGalley.
July 6, 2018
Haley Thomson doesn't know whether she'll ever be ready to give happy ever after another chance, but Connor O'Leary is certainly tempting. So, when he finds a baby on his doorstep, Haley is determined to help him by becoming his in-house nanny. Yet, the more time they spend together, the more Haley finds herself getting attached. Will Connor be able to convince Haley to give him a chance, or will she walk away because she has plans for her future?
Coming back to Shadow Creek and visiting new and old characters is always a lot of fun, and I've got to say that Ms. James has penned a mesmerizing and completely absorbing read in this book that I could not put down for even a second. Because the main characters are spectacular together and have some tough obstacles to overcome including whether the heroine would tell Connor her secret and whether the hero can convince the heroine to give him a chance; and the dialogue was compelling, as the hero and heroine have magnetic chemistry, but tend to stay away from each other.
The way this story started had me instantly hooked, as I really liked Connor. He's a bit of a mystery; a puzzle that needs to be solved, and Haley is the perfect person to do just that. However, Haley hasn't had the best of relationships with what happened with her ex-husband, which has made her wary of happy ever after and giving another man a chance for fear he'll be a controlling jerk just like her ex. Will Connor be able to prove to Haley that's he way different than her ex and that she can trust him? Moreover, the heroine is strong and brave and goes through a lot in this story such as dealing with her ex and having to decide whether she can trust Connor completely, otherwise they'll never work out. I also liked how good she is with the baby, and that she does everything she can to get Connor to bond with the little one, because the heroine won't be in the child's life forever due to Haley having plans that finally have her living her life for her.
While the hero, he's a good guy that doesn't know the first thing about babies, but I liked how his friends all banded together to support him. I also liked how generous the hero was, because how could he not be so supportive of a place that helps women; and how determined Connor was to win the heroine over, especially once he realized she was the one for him. Yet, what I liked most of all about Connor was the growing bond he shared with the baby. It was sweet and adorable and showed how good of a dad Connor is, especially towards the end when things go awry between the hero and the heroine. Will the heroine be able to forgive herself for her past in falling for the wrong man, so she and Connor have a shot together?
Overall, Ms. James has delivered another fantastic read for this series where the secondary characters are very entertaining with their interactions and their advice; the chemistry between this couple was intense; and the ending that had me worried for one of the main characters, but left me completely satisfied because of the choice the heroine made. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up wonderfully, as no one deserves happy ever after more than this couple. I would recommend Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep by Victoria James, if you enjoy the enemy to lovers trope, the opposites attract trope, stories containing bad boys or books by authors Erin Nicholas, Jeannie Moon, Sonya Weiss and Ashlee Mallory.
Coming back to Shadow Creek and visiting new and old characters is always a lot of fun, and I've got to say that Ms. James has penned a mesmerizing and completely absorbing read in this book that I could not put down for even a second. Because the main characters are spectacular together and have some tough obstacles to overcome including whether the heroine would tell Connor her secret and whether the hero can convince the heroine to give him a chance; and the dialogue was compelling, as the hero and heroine have magnetic chemistry, but tend to stay away from each other.
The way this story started had me instantly hooked, as I really liked Connor. He's a bit of a mystery; a puzzle that needs to be solved, and Haley is the perfect person to do just that. However, Haley hasn't had the best of relationships with what happened with her ex-husband, which has made her wary of happy ever after and giving another man a chance for fear he'll be a controlling jerk just like her ex. Will Connor be able to prove to Haley that's he way different than her ex and that she can trust him? Moreover, the heroine is strong and brave and goes through a lot in this story such as dealing with her ex and having to decide whether she can trust Connor completely, otherwise they'll never work out. I also liked how good she is with the baby, and that she does everything she can to get Connor to bond with the little one, because the heroine won't be in the child's life forever due to Haley having plans that finally have her living her life for her.
While the hero, he's a good guy that doesn't know the first thing about babies, but I liked how his friends all banded together to support him. I also liked how generous the hero was, because how could he not be so supportive of a place that helps women; and how determined Connor was to win the heroine over, especially once he realized she was the one for him. Yet, what I liked most of all about Connor was the growing bond he shared with the baby. It was sweet and adorable and showed how good of a dad Connor is, especially towards the end when things go awry between the hero and the heroine. Will the heroine be able to forgive herself for her past in falling for the wrong man, so she and Connor have a shot together?
Overall, Ms. James has delivered another fantastic read for this series where the secondary characters are very entertaining with their interactions and their advice; the chemistry between this couple was intense; and the ending that had me worried for one of the main characters, but left me completely satisfied because of the choice the heroine made. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up wonderfully, as no one deserves happy ever after more than this couple. I would recommend Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep by Victoria James, if you enjoy the enemy to lovers trope, the opposites attract trope, stories containing bad boys or books by authors Erin Nicholas, Jeannie Moon, Sonya Weiss and Ashlee Mallory.
February 10, 2018
Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep is a cute read. It focuses on Connor who comes home one night and finds an infant on his doorstep. Apparently, his ex-girlfriend wound up pregnant, went through the pregnancy, and had the baby without even telling him he was the father. So, not only does he find out that he's a father, but he's a single parent about to raise this baby by himself, because the mother doesn't want her. Thankfully, Haley steps in to help out and become the babies nanny.
This is the first book by this author that I've read. I actually didn't realize it was part of a series at first. I'm sure we got glimpses of Connor and Haley in previous books but it was from my understanding that Connor has been the quiet character up until this point. Haley seems interested in getting to know him, as do the other characters in the story. So, I was happy to realize that I didn't have to read the previous books to know what was going on. The author catches the readers up to anything that may have transpired in previous books.
Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep is a sweet romance. You have two people who come together in the time of need. Obviously, Connor needs help with the baby, but Haley also needs some help of her own. She was able to escape an abusive relationship with her ex-husband a year prior. While she seems okay on the outside, you learn that it's all a front. She flinches when Connor moves to fast and apologizes like she's waiting to be reprimanded when she burns dinner. Connor learns real quick that Haley's past is a lot more than just your average marriage and divorce. He takes his time with her and tries to do everything he can to reassure her and let her know that she's in a safe space. These two really worked well together and their relationship was a slow build up to a really adorable romance.
One thing I didn't fully understand was Connor's role as a bad boy. He has a job, a house, money in the bank, is respectful to others, he even drives a beat up truck. I don't know what made him bad. Is it because he had a girlfriend who got knocked up and abandoned the baby at his house? Or the fact that he had tattoos? Is he a bad boy because he didn't graduate high school? I honestly don't quite understand the title and how he was perceived as a bad boy. I kept waiting for the shoe to drop but it never came. So, if you are looking for a "bad boy", you won't find one here. However, Connor is a stellar guy and an adorable father.
I enjoyed my time reading Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep. I liked that the author took the time to show a bit of Haley's background as well as not brushing it all under the rug. Haley went through something traumatic on a daily basis, so of course she's going to have some residual feelings and reactions to certain triggers. This story was a combination of both healing and the importance of family. These characters had an amazing support group of friends, and I'm sure if I had read the previous book I would have loved seeing everyone. I do wish that Connor was an actual bad boy, since that's what I went in expecting, but I still enjoyed his characters and the dedication he had to both his daughter and Haley. If you are looking for a light romance, I would give this series a try.
This is the first book by this author that I've read. I actually didn't realize it was part of a series at first. I'm sure we got glimpses of Connor and Haley in previous books but it was from my understanding that Connor has been the quiet character up until this point. Haley seems interested in getting to know him, as do the other characters in the story. So, I was happy to realize that I didn't have to read the previous books to know what was going on. The author catches the readers up to anything that may have transpired in previous books.
Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep is a sweet romance. You have two people who come together in the time of need. Obviously, Connor needs help with the baby, but Haley also needs some help of her own. She was able to escape an abusive relationship with her ex-husband a year prior. While she seems okay on the outside, you learn that it's all a front. She flinches when Connor moves to fast and apologizes like she's waiting to be reprimanded when she burns dinner. Connor learns real quick that Haley's past is a lot more than just your average marriage and divorce. He takes his time with her and tries to do everything he can to reassure her and let her know that she's in a safe space. These two really worked well together and their relationship was a slow build up to a really adorable romance.
One thing I didn't fully understand was Connor's role as a bad boy. He has a job, a house, money in the bank, is respectful to others, he even drives a beat up truck. I don't know what made him bad. Is it because he had a girlfriend who got knocked up and abandoned the baby at his house? Or the fact that he had tattoos? Is he a bad boy because he didn't graduate high school? I honestly don't quite understand the title and how he was perceived as a bad boy. I kept waiting for the shoe to drop but it never came. So, if you are looking for a "bad boy", you won't find one here. However, Connor is a stellar guy and an adorable father.
I enjoyed my time reading Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep. I liked that the author took the time to show a bit of Haley's background as well as not brushing it all under the rug. Haley went through something traumatic on a daily basis, so of course she's going to have some residual feelings and reactions to certain triggers. This story was a combination of both healing and the importance of family. These characters had an amazing support group of friends, and I'm sure if I had read the previous book I would have loved seeing everyone. I do wish that Connor was an actual bad boy, since that's what I went in expecting, but I still enjoyed his characters and the dedication he had to both his daughter and Haley. If you are looking for a light romance, I would give this series a try.
February 12, 2018
received in exchange for a honest review.
You can’t help but fall in love with Connor. He is so sweet and yet complex. This is a quiet young man but has personality up the wazoo once you get to know him. He is smarter than anyone realizes and he has more than anyone sees. He is more than meets the eye. Poor guy though has a low self esteem due to his past. He tries to fight it but it does keep him down at times and create some self doubt. Especially when it comes to Haley.
Haley has been through a lot and is skittish about falling in love again. She is trying to gain herself back and become stronger. ONly her past is keeping her down as well.Her biggest fear to me is losing control and therefore losing her sense of being and who she is.
Connor goes home one night and has a surprise. And wow it is entertaining to see how everyone just overwhelms him.Haley though help him the most and this is when their story begins. Connor is the sweetest guy with his little bundle of joy. At first you see the fear but even through all that he is so gentle with her. Than you see guilt over the situation and it does consume him for a bit. So does words from the past and Haley’s brother’s words to him. haley helps there as well and soon Connor is the most amazing dad out there. He has you swoon ladies swoon. And how he is with Haley and his daughter is so tender, sweet and honest. He treats them like the precious gems they are to him. ONly we have things get in the way-their own thoughts of themselves, their pasts and some danger from the past coming to try to hurt the situation. The entertainment he gives us when he meets his bundle of joy is a hoot.
Connor though shows us how much his love and capacity to protect goes and gives us the most amazing ending. He is just perfect for Haley-kind, patient and understanding. He respects her and what she wants while showing her that love isn’t something used to control others.
both are sweet, kind caring people who so belong together. And this story shows us how this happens as they find themselves and confidence in themselves once again thanks to each other and the support, love and respect they have for one another. .
You can’t help but fall in love with Connor. He is so sweet and yet complex. This is a quiet young man but has personality up the wazoo once you get to know him. He is smarter than anyone realizes and he has more than anyone sees. He is more than meets the eye. Poor guy though has a low self esteem due to his past. He tries to fight it but it does keep him down at times and create some self doubt. Especially when it comes to Haley.
Haley has been through a lot and is skittish about falling in love again. She is trying to gain herself back and become stronger. ONly her past is keeping her down as well.Her biggest fear to me is losing control and therefore losing her sense of being and who she is.
Connor goes home one night and has a surprise. And wow it is entertaining to see how everyone just overwhelms him.Haley though help him the most and this is when their story begins. Connor is the sweetest guy with his little bundle of joy. At first you see the fear but even through all that he is so gentle with her. Than you see guilt over the situation and it does consume him for a bit. So does words from the past and Haley’s brother’s words to him. haley helps there as well and soon Connor is the most amazing dad out there. He has you swoon ladies swoon. And how he is with Haley and his daughter is so tender, sweet and honest. He treats them like the precious gems they are to him. ONly we have things get in the way-their own thoughts of themselves, their pasts and some danger from the past coming to try to hurt the situation. The entertainment he gives us when he meets his bundle of joy is a hoot.
Connor though shows us how much his love and capacity to protect goes and gives us the most amazing ending. He is just perfect for Haley-kind, patient and understanding. He respects her and what she wants while showing her that love isn’t something used to control others.
both are sweet, kind caring people who so belong together. And this story shows us how this happens as they find themselves and confidence in themselves once again thanks to each other and the support, love and respect they have for one another. .
February 15, 2018
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
It’s very easy to fall into Baby On The Bad Boy’s Doorstep. While we do run into old friends from the previous stories in this series, don’t panic if this is your first time in Shadow Creek, Montana. You’ll soon feel right at home in this tight knit community.
Connor and Haley make an interesting, enjoyable couple. They each have their own issues that need to be dealt with, but together they are so much stronger. Haley is coming out of an abusive marriage, she’s fighting her way back to the woman she once was but it takes time and patience with herself. She’s got trust issues so while parts of her are very attracted to Connor, other parts hesitate to put her complete faith in this man. Connor isn’t so much a bad boy as he is a man who has made choices throughout his life. His heart is pure gold, his delivery at times needs some help though. His choices were right for him and his family at the time. Now he has a completely different set of choices to make, he may stumble a bit at times but he knows what he and Rosie need and that is Haley in their lives forever.
Baby Rosie steals the show and will definitely steal your heart. Haley and Connor will do just about anything for that little girl. Yet the most difficult thing they may end up doing is trusting their hearts to each other. I had fun with this story. A likable couple facing some challenges, an adorable baby to win your heart and catching up with old friends, all equaled a very good story experience once again. I’d recommend Baby On The Bad Boy’s Doorstep and, in fact, this entire series to any Contemporary Romance reader who enjoys strong characters, issues to be worked through and a sense of family throughout the story.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
It’s very easy to fall into Baby On The Bad Boy’s Doorstep. While we do run into old friends from the previous stories in this series, don’t panic if this is your first time in Shadow Creek, Montana. You’ll soon feel right at home in this tight knit community.
Connor and Haley make an interesting, enjoyable couple. They each have their own issues that need to be dealt with, but together they are so much stronger. Haley is coming out of an abusive marriage, she’s fighting her way back to the woman she once was but it takes time and patience with herself. She’s got trust issues so while parts of her are very attracted to Connor, other parts hesitate to put her complete faith in this man. Connor isn’t so much a bad boy as he is a man who has made choices throughout his life. His heart is pure gold, his delivery at times needs some help though. His choices were right for him and his family at the time. Now he has a completely different set of choices to make, he may stumble a bit at times but he knows what he and Rosie need and that is Haley in their lives forever.
Baby Rosie steals the show and will definitely steal your heart. Haley and Connor will do just about anything for that little girl. Yet the most difficult thing they may end up doing is trusting their hearts to each other. I had fun with this story. A likable couple facing some challenges, an adorable baby to win your heart and catching up with old friends, all equaled a very good story experience once again. I’d recommend Baby On The Bad Boy’s Doorstep and, in fact, this entire series to any Contemporary Romance reader who enjoys strong characters, issues to be worked through and a sense of family throughout the story.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
February 11, 2018
When a former flame leaves their baby girl on his doorstep Connor O'Leary knows he is in way over his head, he doesn't know how to take care of a baby, let alone raise one. He needs some serious help, so he turns to his buddies significant others in hopes they could give him a few lessons in parenting, and winds up with a nanny instead. When Haley volunteers to step in and help care for his daughter Rosie he knows he is a lucky man... in more ways than one!
After leaving her disastrous marriage, and abusive ex-husband behind Haley Thomson is ready to reboot her life, return to teaching, and embrace this second chance at life she has been given. But the teaching jobs in her town are far and few between and she isn't so willing to relocate again, so she is holding out hope something will come along soon. Then Connor comes along and is in dire need of a nanny and it's as if her prayers have been answered, it's not quite teaching, but once she sees Connor with his daughter she just can't say no... she has to help, and winds up getting far more than she bargained for!
Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep is a heartwarming little tale that is sure to strike a cord with romance readers, and leave them overjoyed!! As soon as I had the synopsis for this one I thought it sounded like something that was right up my alley, and boy was I right! I am a sucker for a feel good single dad romance story and I have to say that this book definitely checked all the boxes and then some! I appreciated the way the author handled the tough subject matter, not only did she find a way to show the characters finding a healthy way to deal with their pasts, but also how they were able to find understanding in one another, and were able to help heal one another. It was a beautiful journey to watch unfold, and I highly recommend you take the ride with them as well, you will not be disappointed!
I requested an advanced copy from NetGalley, and voluntarily read and reviewed.
After leaving her disastrous marriage, and abusive ex-husband behind Haley Thomson is ready to reboot her life, return to teaching, and embrace this second chance at life she has been given. But the teaching jobs in her town are far and few between and she isn't so willing to relocate again, so she is holding out hope something will come along soon. Then Connor comes along and is in dire need of a nanny and it's as if her prayers have been answered, it's not quite teaching, but once she sees Connor with his daughter she just can't say no... she has to help, and winds up getting far more than she bargained for!
Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep is a heartwarming little tale that is sure to strike a cord with romance readers, and leave them overjoyed!! As soon as I had the synopsis for this one I thought it sounded like something that was right up my alley, and boy was I right! I am a sucker for a feel good single dad romance story and I have to say that this book definitely checked all the boxes and then some! I appreciated the way the author handled the tough subject matter, not only did she find a way to show the characters finding a healthy way to deal with their pasts, but also how they were able to find understanding in one another, and were able to help heal one another. It was a beautiful journey to watch unfold, and I highly recommend you take the ride with them as well, you will not be disappointed!
I requested an advanced copy from NetGalley, and voluntarily read and reviewed.
February 13, 2018
Connor O'Leary feels like an outsider looking in at the weekly family gatherings in Shadow Creek. He watches Haley Thomson from a distance knowing he will never be good enough for her. One night he goes home and finds a baby on his doorstep. He is at a loss for what to do never having thought of family. Haley comes to the rescue as his nanny. It's hard not to pretend that they are not like a family. Their pasts threaten the harmony in the home Haley is making for Connor and baby Rosie.
In an Oyster Shell - A sweet romance with an adorable baby that encourages me with a positive message of two people overcoming hard pasts.
The Pearls - A bad boy and a baby sign me up! I was so excited for this novel it had an intriguing premise and I was not disappointed. The small town setting added even more appeal. I would like to read more books in this series.
I liked that Connor and Haley are troubled. They have pasts to overcome and they challenge each other. They are flawed which makes them easy to relate to. The supporting characters were distinctive and added depth to the stories. I believe they are from previous books in the series and I would like to go back and read their stories. That is a rarity for me.
The romance was sweet and it was fairly clean. There was a lot of turmoil between the two which made the love relationship more interesting. The conflict at the end was intense and I enjoyed it. It added complexity to the story raising the bar on this romance.
Full Review; Writing Pearls
In an Oyster Shell - A sweet romance with an adorable baby that encourages me with a positive message of two people overcoming hard pasts.
The Pearls - A bad boy and a baby sign me up! I was so excited for this novel it had an intriguing premise and I was not disappointed. The small town setting added even more appeal. I would like to read more books in this series.
I liked that Connor and Haley are troubled. They have pasts to overcome and they challenge each other. They are flawed which makes them easy to relate to. The supporting characters were distinctive and added depth to the stories. I believe they are from previous books in the series and I would like to go back and read their stories. That is a rarity for me.
The romance was sweet and it was fairly clean. There was a lot of turmoil between the two which made the love relationship more interesting. The conflict at the end was intense and I enjoyed it. It added complexity to the story raising the bar on this romance.
Full Review; Writing Pearls
February 3, 2018
This is another sweet romance (no naughty business) from Victoria James.
Again there is the secret baby trope in this series, but as this is one of my favourite guilty pleasure tropes, I didn’t mind.
Connor O’Leary- the Hero- comes home from a dinner out with friends to find an abandoned baby on his doorstep. Upon freaking out he calls his best friend Jack Bailey (from book 2 in this series) to come and help. Jack’s sister Haley Thomson- the Heroine- offers her services as a nanny for the baby until her new job starts in a few months time.
The title of this book didn’t fully live up to its name. There was nothing “bad boy” about Connor O’Leary, the Hero. He might like a bit rough around the edges with his tattoos and dark brooding good looks, but he was a marshmallow really.
This book features insta-love in it. While the Haley and Connor have known each other for over a year, and been attracted to each other all that time, they aren’t close. But once they come together to look the baby, all their feelings bubble to the surface.
Overall, this was a cute, quick read that I enjoyed.
** I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
Again there is the secret baby trope in this series, but as this is one of my favourite guilty pleasure tropes, I didn’t mind.
Connor O’Leary- the Hero- comes home from a dinner out with friends to find an abandoned baby on his doorstep. Upon freaking out he calls his best friend Jack Bailey (from book 2 in this series) to come and help. Jack’s sister Haley Thomson- the Heroine- offers her services as a nanny for the baby until her new job starts in a few months time.
The title of this book didn’t fully live up to its name. There was nothing “bad boy” about Connor O’Leary, the Hero. He might like a bit rough around the edges with his tattoos and dark brooding good looks, but he was a marshmallow really.
This book features insta-love in it. While the Haley and Connor have known each other for over a year, and been attracted to each other all that time, they aren’t close. But once they come together to look the baby, all their feelings bubble to the surface.
Overall, this was a cute, quick read that I enjoyed.
** I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
February 3, 2018
When I first started reading Baby on the Bad Boy’s Doorstep it really hooked me in. It’s like in a moment Connor went from being a single guy who is trying his hardest to suppress his attraction to Hailey to becoming an instant dad when he finds little Rosie on his doorstep. Hailey has went through an ordeal with her ex husband and the way he treated her and belittled her. She has been through a lot and the fact that she would willingly volunteer to be Rosie’s nanny and live with Connor a man whom she really doesn’t know shows how much she has changed and start to be the person she used to be. It’s understandable that she will still be scared and be hesitant to jump back into being in a relationship but her insecurities and they way she runs away from Connor, lashes out to him and continues to mistrust him when he has done nothing but be supportive of her is just annoying. It made me dislike Hailey especially after Connor tells her he loves her and she runs away when he did nothing but defend her. Glad that at the end she came to her senses and went back to Connor. Overall this book was a fun read.
*** I was given this ARC by NetGalley as an exchange for an honest review.
*** I was given this ARC by NetGalley as an exchange for an honest review.
February 12, 2018
This was a wonderfully written story about 2 people finding each other & dealing with their pasts. One has to deal with the recent demise of her marriage to a controlling, hateful man who refuses to accept their divorce & continues to punish her. The other is dealing with his past abuse by his father & his mother's death after they were left to live on the streets & in shelters, he finds himself unworthy of love & relationships. What brings them together is a small baby that's left on his doorstep by his ex-girlfriend. The past comes back to haunt them in the form of her ex & they're forced to face the reality of life. So many sad moments but there were so many wonderful ones as well. I loved how Victoria James created the character of Connor as an honorable, caring man who would give the shirt off his back to anyone needing it. I also liked how she made him more than what her seemed to be. I enjoyed the character of Haley who was strong but vulnerable in many ways. Definitely recommend this book & the series. I received this ARC for an honest review from the publisher & Net Galley.
October 30, 2019
3.5 Stars
My favorite of Victoria James’s “Shadow Creek, Montana” series so far. At least up to the last one-third of the book where I felt the story got prolonged thanks to Haley’s hot and cold approach over Connor... (Honestly, I would up the rating if it wasn’t for the extended wishy-washiness of it).
Overall the plot isn’t something I’ve never read before. Broken family background, failed marriage, abusive and/or irresponsible partner, second chance, baby on the doorstep, slow burn romance. Yet somehow the author presented them in a touching and engaging way. On Connor part, I liked that he didn’t hem and haw too long after accepting and acknowledging his feeling toward Haley. As sympathetic as I was with her past, I practically lost my patience with her back and forth (kudos to Connor for his patience) and moreover failing to anticipate the coming threat after such multiple alarming signs.
Anyways, it’s still a treat (bcoz most characters from previous installment having started their HEA lending quite a cheer to the story) and major lift-up after the disaster of my previous read.
My favorite of Victoria James’s “Shadow Creek, Montana” series so far. At least up to the last one-third of the book where I felt the story got prolonged thanks to Haley’s hot and cold approach over Connor... (Honestly, I would up the rating if it wasn’t for the extended wishy-washiness of it).
Overall the plot isn’t something I’ve never read before. Broken family background, failed marriage, abusive and/or irresponsible partner, second chance, baby on the doorstep, slow burn romance. Yet somehow the author presented them in a touching and engaging way. On Connor part, I liked that he didn’t hem and haw too long after accepting and acknowledging his feeling toward Haley. As sympathetic as I was with her past, I practically lost my patience with her back and forth (kudos to Connor for his patience) and moreover failing to anticipate the coming threat after such multiple alarming signs.
Anyways, it’s still a treat (bcoz most characters from previous installment having started their HEA lending quite a cheer to the story) and major lift-up after the disaster of my previous read.
February 13, 2018
When I saw the title, Baby on the Bad Boy’s Doorstep, I thought what a cheesy one, it is. Well, don’t be fooled like I almost was, Victoria James has given us a wonderful heartwarming story with substance to boot. I have come to expect a baby or child in Ms. James’ books, so plan on having your heart stolen by Rosie just as she does that with Connor and Haley.
Connor is not a true bad boy, he is a hardworking, rising-to-the-situation kind of man. In fact, I found him to be real hero material. Haley and he have scars from the past, negative thinking to overcome and fears of trying new relationships to conquer. Thanks to Rosie all of that must be dealt with in this story. Also, issues that women sadly often have to face come to light in Baby on the Bad Boy’s Doorstep but are treated with a sensitive, realistic approach. It is now my favorite of the Shadow Creek Series.
An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Connor is not a true bad boy, he is a hardworking, rising-to-the-situation kind of man. In fact, I found him to be real hero material. Haley and he have scars from the past, negative thinking to overcome and fears of trying new relationships to conquer. Thanks to Rosie all of that must be dealt with in this story. Also, issues that women sadly often have to face come to light in Baby on the Bad Boy’s Doorstep but are treated with a sensitive, realistic approach. It is now my favorite of the Shadow Creek Series.
An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 21, 2018
Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep was an exceptional read. I loved Connor and Haley's characters they both had similar things happen to them and one little baby would be what brings them together. They both had someone that downgraded them and threw them insults. With Haley moving in with Connor to help him take care of Rosie things between him and Haley would turn steamy. Connor keeps his distance from Rosie but his doubts would have to be put behind him so he can take care of his daughter. They both have feelings for each other but Haley nor Connor want to act on them. I love how Luke wants to protect his sister but Connor is not a bad guy he is a sweet, warm teddy bear. Connor and Haley are perfect for each other and their relationship can have a happily ever after but Haley needs to take therapy in order for her to be truly happy with the man she loves.
I totally recommend not only this read but this whole series.
Received ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an Honest Review
I totally recommend not only this read but this whole series.
Received ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an Honest Review
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