The Consultant's New Found Family

Bachelor Dads #2

by Kate Hardy

Ever since Joel Mortimer lost his wife, he's thrown himself into his work and been a dedicated single father to his daughter,Beth. Joel wrongly blames himself for the loss of Beth's mother and their unborn child. He has vowed never to have another child, or put his little girl through any more trauma--until he meets his new colleague, Lisa Richardson. Though Lisa isn't looking for commitment either, she can't resist Joel, and one night they give in to temptation. But when Lisa finds out she's pregnant, they both have some soul-searching to do.

Genres: Romance

187 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Kate Hardy is the award-winning author of more than 100 books for Harlequin Mills & Boon and the Georgina Drake cozy crime series for Storm. Her novel 'Breakfast at Giovanni's' won the RNA Romance Prize in 2008, 'Bound by a Baby' won the RNA RoNA Rose in 2014 and ‘A Will, A Wish, A Wedding’ won the RNA Liberta Books Shorter Fiction award in 2021. She's been shortlisted six more times for the award, as well as for two Romantic Times awards.

She lives in Norwich in the east of England with her husband, two grown-up children, springer spaniels Archie and Dexter, and too many books to count. She's a bit of a nerd who loves cinema, live music, the theatre, ballet, history and cooking, and adores anything Italian. She loves doing research, particularly if it's hands-on and means experimenting with cooking. Reviewers say that her books are full of warmth, heart and charm - and also that you'll learn something new and interesting from them!

Kate also writes bestselling local history books under the name of Pamela Brooks.

Reviews

[Alison F]

This is an early Kate Hardy & not a particularly good one. Lisa, ED SHO, has transferred from London to the Northumbrian coast. An only child, when she was 16 her father died when his car skidded on ice, Her mother has never remarried & this affects the way Lisa thinks about relationships.

Joel is a senior registrar. His 6 month pregnant wife died 2 years ago & he blames himself for her death. Their daughter is nearly 6.

Lisa & Joel fall in love pretty quickly but neither wants a relationship. When they rescue a woman in similar circumstances to the way his wife died, Lisa comforts him, they make love a she falls pregnant.

The book isn't terrible but I don't buy Lisa's motivation for not having serious relationships &, also, Joel runs hot & cold.

[Susan in Perthshire]

Yet another fabulous romance from KH. What is so marvellous about her books is the emotional warmth in them. The characters may have flaws or weaknesses but emotion is a,ways at the heart of their behaviour. This was a lovely story of two people who fight their way through their angst and weaknesses and come together ready to face life together. So satisfying.

[Susan]

I loved this story. From the first moment I was drawn into Lisa’s life and internal conflict. And from the moment Joel entered the scene I was hooked. He is one sexy and gorgeous hero, but he too has his own internal conflicts to deal with. This guy has suffered major trauma, and the pain continues to live on inside him.


Kate Hardy has created a cast of wonderful characters, and little Beth, Joel’s daughter would melt the coldest of hearts. There is plenty of excitement created by the medical scenarios, and the love and heartfelt emotion between Lisa and Joel is palpable. Mills & Boon promise: ‘…Pulse-racing romance – heart-racing medical drama’, and this book delivers these readers’ expectations and more - a wonderful read!