The Big Bad's Surprise

Curves and Ruins #4

by Erin Havoc

Dr. Heart of Stone is as handsome as he’s a jerk.
I hope he doesn’t remember he’s also the man who popped my cherry.

After one night of lust I can barely remember, I thought I’d never see him again.
Cue to Mr. Big-and-Sexy walking into the staff room.
Even if fraternization is against the company’s policy, it’s alright.
They’ll never know. He doesn’t remember.
Or does he?
He looks at me like I’m special, beautiful. A curvy goddess on earth.
My heart skips a beat every time our eyes lock, and I’m afraid I might be falling.
After a missed period, there’s more I’m afraid of.
Maybe I have yet another surprise for the doctor.

Genres: Doctors, Novella, Romance

59 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 13, 2022

About the author

Erin Havoc writes short, steamy romance with no cliffhangers, no cheating and a guaranteed HEA! Her heroines are always curvy and she writes contemporary, dark, and shifter romance.

Reviews

[*˚Remnant Light ‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

**2.8/5 stars**

This was slightly better than The Big Bad's Temptation but too similar for me to really enjoy it. In this one, we have Lisa, a young woman who works in a private clinic as a receptionist. When she arrives to work after the weekend, there's a notice mentioning a new physician, and she and her friend are very excited, speculating on who it could be. But when Lisa finally meets him, she realizes that it's actually the man she had a one night stand with at her cousin's wedding...

Like, pretty much a copy-paste of The Big Bad's Temptation, surprise pregnancy and all. But like I said, it was slightly better. It could even have been good if it wasn't for the hero being so damn weird at times.

Lisa was very forgettable and I just couldn't connect with her character. I hate the idea of one night stand to begin with so yeah, not a good start. And when it comes to Blake, he was obsessed and possessive but I just wish he hadn't been out there sniffing the spot Lisa sat on. I can overlook many things when it comes to an obsessed hero, but this is where I draw the line. It's creepier than anything.

The moment she closed the door behind her, I had my pants down and my c*ck in my fist. With the door unlocked, anyone could have caught me. I didn’t give a f*ck. I bent, pressing my nose to the seat she left, inhaling every morsel of her scent like a mad man.-Blake

Yikes.

They somewhat had a good chemistry but too many things bothered me, including the recycled plot. I can tolerate it from an author to another, when concepts and plots are similar, cause that's just how things are, it can happen. But when it comes from the same author, it just doesn't sit well with me.

✔️HEA Epilogue: 10 years later, they are married, have two kids and h is pregnant for a third time
✔️Novella
✔️Dual POV
✔️Instalove
✔️Boss/Employee
✔️Age gap There's an age gap but their age isn't mentioned. I believe the H to be in atleast 45 as he mentioned working as a physician for 20 years. And h must be between 22 and 29, my guess.
✔️Obsessed/ Possessive/ H
✔️Sweet/ Curvy/ Virgin h She lost her virginity to H during her one night stand with him, which happened a bit before the novella's event. I would personally consider her a virgin in that sense
✔️No OW/OM H is a gynecologist so he meets women in his line of work but is always professional. Some weird OW wants to have fun with him (at the beginning) but he cooly rejects her offer and ends the appointment right then and there
✔️No cheating
✔️Safe
🔥 Steam level: 2/5
⚡Content warning Safety talk/ Birthcontrol/ No condom/ Foreplay/ Oral sex/ Vanilla-ish

Would I recommend this novella? I don't have much to say other than I haven't been wow-ed yet by any of the novellas I've read from this author, but I'm hoping I'll find a gem in this series. It was an okay read, nothing really outstanding but a decent palate cleanser.

**Note that I do not rate novellas and full-length books by the same standards**

Curves and Ruins Series
1. The Big Bad's Temptation - 2. The Big Bad's Obsession
3. The Big Bad's Claim - 4. The Big Bad's Surprise*
5. The Big Bad's Mail-Order Bride -
6. The Big Bad's Darling
7. The Big Bad's Secret - 8. The Big Bad's Lies
9. The Big Bad's Forever - 10. The Big Bad's Offer
11. The Big Bad's Game

[Jill K. Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reused storyline from same series

I get that authors may write a story similar to one they've already written, but don't do it in the same series. This is the same story as book 1 in the series. Jerk in authority drunkenly sleeps with sweet heroine and knocks her up. She runs without leaving contact information only to see him at her place of work later. Attraction and an attitude change. Girl turns up pregnant, doesn't tell guy, he finds out on his own, but isn't upset and proposes. Cue HEA.

Very disappointed to read the same story with slightly different details but all the same key points.

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth part of the great Curves and Ruins. In this book it's about Lisa and Blake when she is at her cousin's wedding she does something they normally never do which is get really drunk and that ends up waking up next day next to Blake who also had too much to drink . The next day she disappears before he wakes up. To her surprise, they run into each other again when it turns out that he is the new doctor at the clinic where she works. Will he recognize her and if so does she tell you the reason she disappeared without notice? It was a lovely story and the characters and characters are perfectly described by the author. This is definitely recommended as are the other parts of this fantastic series.

I received a Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily leaving my review. This story combines age-gap and office romance with several surprising firsts for Lisa and Blake. A wedding changes both their lives for the better even though there are a few bumps in the road. Blake seems to know just the right people to smooth the way and if he doesn't, he makes it happen anyway. Lisa finds herself claimed by a possessive and determined man who is wholly in love. I liked the story overall but there were a few times that it felt rushed and it made me pause, feeling like I missed a step. The characters were okay but I wanted more development. It wasn't one of my favorites of Erin's, but it wasn't a bad story either 3.5

[QuinnReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doctor's Orders

This is an entertaining and quick read. I liked it but did feel bad for Lisa a good portion of the time.

Poor Lisa lost her v-card during a drunken romp with a stranger. When Blake shows up as the newest addition at her job, things get a little interesting.

I take a deep breath. I've been behaving like a mad man, crazed with jealousy, anger, and fear.
– Dr. Blake Amano

This is a slow-burn as the initial event occurred off-screen. That said, I do love the double epilogues. That's where the real magic for this book occurs. They're sweet and steamy.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Night Stand or is it! This is about Lisa and Dr. Blake Amano. They both meet at a wedding and end up together for one night. She leaves without a note or anything, so they don’t know each other’s names. Dr. Blake comes into his new office and is surprised that the front desk receptionist is his one-night stand from the wedding he attended. He is older than her but he left a mark on her that one will ever take away and now he has to decide to continue to work there or make something lasting with Lisa. Love the ending!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Raecharmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blake and Lisa meet at her cousin's wedding and end up sharing an amazing night together. However, she leaves before he wakes the next morning. She doesn't expect to see him again and is shocked when she goes to work, and he shows up as a new doctor working there. Sparks fly between them and its not long before they are reconnecting. Will they be able to be together? Will they get into trouble at work for being with each other?

This is an amazing story that once I started it I couldn't put it down. This is a well written and very entertaining story. Its a book that any book lover would enjoy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Hannah Reads a lot of Smut · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprise pregnancy is oddly one of my favorite tropes. And I did enjoy this book! Yes it lacked depth, and they said “I love you” too fast but it was a sweet novella. They’re quick comfort reads.

Having said that the medical side of this really irked me. Like why would he take her temperature under her arm? She’s an adult, put it in her mouth? Also I didn’t like that neither really remembered the one night stand. I meannn black out ain’t great.

However it hits the spot. Have I read this plot before? Yes. Did I enjoy it as much the second time? Absolutely. I’m such a sucker for age gap curvy romance.

[Grinning Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Big Bad’s Surprise
Cat’s Stats
MMC/FMC- Blake and Lisa
Genre- Contemporary Romance
Length- 7 chapters and epilogue
Heat- 🌋🌋🌋🌋 They do the thing and use C word to name parts.
Series? Y
Safety? Y
Triggers- explicit erotic content
Tropes- One Night Stand, Virgin Heroine, Surprise Workplace Romance, Instalove, BBW, Age Gap
Mewsings
What I liked- LGBTQ friendly! Nice ending.
What I didn’t- this book was too similar to the first story, except he’s a doctor. And it was unnecessary to mention the test if they were going to disregard it.
Favorite Quote: “Some days I break noses, others I fix them.” (Page 184)

I received a free copy of this book and this is my honest, voluntary review.

[Nicole Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will the one night stand lead to a HEA?

If you love short story romance then Erin Havoc has you covered with Blake & Lisa's story The Big Bad's Surprise. They have a one night stand & Lisa thought that she would never see him again until he walks into the staff room. The desire still rages but there's a strict no dating policy at work. Will they adhere to the no dating policy or ignore it? This doctor is a possessive, alpha that is obsessed with the curvy heroine? Will there be a HEA for Blake & Lisa?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tahnia Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa gets drunk at a party and has her cherry popped by a gorgeous hunk of a man. At work as a receptionist for a medical clinic, Lisa's friend Eddie says they are getting a new doctor named Blake and Eddie hopes she is amenable to dating. Imagine their surprise when Blake turns out to be the hunk of man candy to which Lisa lost her virginity. This quick read has comical moments, is full of romance and steam, and ends in a HEA. Very highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blake and Lisa first meet at a wedding where they get toasted and have an intimate night. They meet again at the clinic and the sparks ignite. Lisa remembers right from the start who he is. It doesn't take Blake long to remember who she is in spite of all the time she has taken in his mind. Will their reconnection lead them to a happily ever after? This story drew me in and had me in Blake and Lisa's corner to get their chance for a happily ever after.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[kymagirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lisa (h), receptionist at a high-end health clinic, is surprised when the new doctor, Blake (H), turns out to be the one-night stand after a few drinks at wedding. He's just as surprised as she is and though they both want more of one another, company policy prevents them from being involved. But things change when curvy girl Lisa realizes what her health symptoms indicate. Sweet curvy girl, doctor romantic quickie.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth instalment in the ‘Curves and Ruins’ series of standalone novellas. Lisa didn’t expect to ever see again the hot one night stand she met while drunk at a wedding, and who subsequently popped her cherry, until he turns up as the new doctor at the clinic where she works.

Well written, steamy short novella with a curvy heroine and an extreme age gap, instalove, forbidden romance theme. An entertaining short read.

[Oriana Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa works at a high end doctors office as a receptionist. She had a drunken ONS at her cousins wedding and guess who the new doctor in the office is??!! Yepp the ONS she ran away from😉 Blake sees Lisa again and just knows she is his One and no matter what she will be his. A little surprise and they finally get their HEA😍😍 Instalove, OTT,sweet, romantic ,steamy, fun to read and safe with a sweet HEA and no drama😍😍😍😍

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blake and Lisa had one drunken steamy night together and the next day she left before he woke up. Lisa never thought she would see him again until he walks into the clinic where she works. This is a steamy, one night that turns into so much more with a special little surprise love story. The Big Bad's Surprise is book four in the Curves and Ruins series and I can't wait to read the next book in this fun series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Theletter12]

One night stand at her cousins wedding. He turns up at her office as the new doctor. He’s been thinking about her constantly but now they work together and she is off limits. She isn’t feeling well and asks him to examine at her. She ends up getting blood tests and he sees the results on the printer.

He starts planning it all - wedding, house… kids

Hea 10 years later- 2 kids and another pregnancy

[JLH · Rating 5 out of 5]

How one can have a blurry night with Blake is stunning. But since that is the beginning and surprise of it all, it is a good read. Not even mistaken identity . The weeks after surprise that makes things difficult. Is it office fraternization if you meet before you meet in the office atmosphere? I've always wondered that in these books. but it is a good pining kind of book Havoc knows how to write.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This quick read gives two people the second chance they didn't realise they both wanted. There were parts that worked for me and parts that I wanted a little more from, I saw some things coming and others I didn't. I enjoyed seeing them come together and get what they wanted to make them happy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa D · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've enjoyed most of the books in this series but this one missed the mark for me. There was no buildup, no chemistry and the idea that an ob/gyn would be so irresponsible and clueless is crazy. I think the characters are good but there was a spark missing from this story that was in the others.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[LiLu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of Feels ~ I enjoyed reading this story. He was the big grumpy uber professional Dr., that he was given nicknames. Yet, he was the one to fall hard, fast and wanting forever. What he dreamed about, he made them came true. All his words of love and adoration, he followed thru with, that was a fantastic surprise. Loved the epilogue.

[M B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Big bad surprise

A night they can't remember or one they can't forget? Turns out to be a little of both for Blake and Lisa. Meeting at a wedding, both got drunk and hooked up. For Lisa its her first time. For Blake he thinks she's just a memory of someone not real. Until their worlds collide when he starts a jib in a new clinic to fund his mystery woman is a receptionist there.

[Judhi's Little Bookworm Corner · Rating 3 out of 5]

where to start

I’m trying to put into words the whys this didn’t work for me 😔 I finished the book because I always try my best to give authors a chance but idk the whole storyline was just a little off for me the whole him being an OBGYN threw me off and the “consultation” was really what had me backing up a little 😔

No RR

[Liz Aguirre · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find Blake charming because he is grumpy but not with Lisa as she is what makes him smile. It's a good romance but other than Blake there wasn't much that stood out to me.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lovesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a great love story

I really am enjoying this series. I appreciate how there wasn't any angst, just a true love story in this one. Sometimes you just don't need it! Blake and Lisa are ❤️

[Sarah Nguyen · Rating 3 out of 5]

nothing memorable

[Jude · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this book

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read, it was ok

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good

[Zondra.Hallyahoo.Com · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it.