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Nameless #1
Nameless
They named it anything but love.
After a failed marriage to a domineering man, Erin refuses to be controlled by anything or anyone. That includes Seth, the father of her baby—a man who was supposed to be only a one-night-stand, a man who’s used to always getting his way.
There’s a reason that Seth Thomas, a successful defense attorney, is often referred to as the Bulldozer. If something needs to happen, he makes it happen. That includes being part of his baby’s life—even if he never expected to be a father, even if Erin doesn’t really trust him.
They’ll work out an arrangement in the best interest of their baby—and if they occasionally have sex, well, that’s just an added perk—but they both agree on one thing.
What they have will never be love.
After a failed marriage to a domineering man, Erin refuses to be controlled by anything or anyone. That includes Seth, the father of her baby—a man who was supposed to be only a one-night-stand, a man who’s used to always getting his way.
There’s a reason that Seth Thomas, a successful defense attorney, is often referred to as the Bulldozer. If something needs to happen, he makes it happen. That includes being part of his baby’s life—even if he never expected to be a father, even if Erin doesn’t really trust him.
They’ll work out an arrangement in the best interest of their baby—and if they occasionally have sex, well, that’s just an added perk—but they both agree on one thing.
What they have will never be love.
519 pages, Paperback
First published April 27, 2013
About the author
Claire Kent
31 books1,767 followersClaire has been writing romance novels since she was twelve years old. After teaching English at the university level for several years, she started writing full-time under two different pen names. She lives in Virginia.
Her early books are sexy contemporary romances filled with heat and real emotion, but with the Hold series she transitioned to science fiction romance. Her current books are steamy post-apocalyptic romance set in the near future after a global catastrophe. They feature smart, resilient women trying to survive in a new chaotic world and falling in love with strong, gruff, taciturn men.
Claire also writes softer contemporary romances as Noelle Adams,
Her early books are sexy contemporary romances filled with heat and real emotion, but with the Hold series she transitioned to science fiction romance. Her current books are steamy post-apocalyptic romance set in the near future after a global catastrophe. They feature smart, resilient women trying to survive in a new chaotic world and falling in love with strong, gruff, taciturn men.
Claire also writes softer contemporary romances as Noelle Adams,
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 264 reviews
August 1, 2021
This was such a gorgeous, angsty, story of a couple who have known each other since they were in school but have a one night stand, years later, and end up pregnant. What I loved the most about it was that the author gave them so much time to work through their issues, to actually fall in love and to realize what their feelings were. There is nothing insta, except attraction, to this story, making it such a nice romance.
The whole process of learning about the pregnancy, making a decision and how and when to share it with Seth, had me really relating to Erin. She handled things in a mature manner and her meeting to share the news with Seth was not what I normally find in an accidental pregnancy plotline.
Seth was an interesting hero. He has some serious baggage from his youth and he continues to carry it through life. There were times where I found myself in tears because of his own heartache, or his actions. Without his point of view, it was difficult to understand what he truly wanted and once I was given that information, I found myself clinging to everything he said and did.
This is a lengthier book but I read it straight through as these characters grabbed my heart and refused to let go. The fact that it goes beyond the pregnancy and introduced us to Mackenzie had me smiling and turning pages even more.
Heroine POV
Safe
Triggers
The whole process of learning about the pregnancy, making a decision and how and when to share it with Seth, had me really relating to Erin. She handled things in a mature manner and her meeting to share the news with Seth was not what I normally find in an accidental pregnancy plotline.
Seth was an interesting hero. He has some serious baggage from his youth and he continues to carry it through life. There were times where I found myself in tears because of his own heartache, or his actions. Without his point of view, it was difficult to understand what he truly wanted and once I was given that information, I found myself clinging to everything he said and did.
This is a lengthier book but I read it straight through as these characters grabbed my heart and refused to let go. The fact that it goes beyond the pregnancy and introduced us to Mackenzie had me smiling and turning pages even more.
Heroine POV
Safe
Triggers
August 11, 2021
3.5 stars
This felt so loooong, it kind of exhausted me and the heroine for all her independence and smarts, was like a broken record on the topic of Seth and her feeling for him. How blind and lacking in self awareness can you be?! And him? He was screwed up too. Eh, they kinda deserved each other.
This wasn't a bad story at all, but it was mentally draining.
This felt so loooong, it kind of exhausted me and the heroine for all her independence and smarts, was like a broken record on the topic of Seth and her feeling for him. How blind and lacking in self awareness can you be?! And him? He was screwed up too. Eh, they kinda deserved each other.
This wasn't a bad story at all, but it was mentally draining.
December 29, 2023
I am the minority here.
I didn’t like Erin. Erin was frustrating and annoying for the first 60-70% of the book. I think Seth was better than heroine at some point. Seth was cold and distant but I feel that he wanted to redeem himself because of what he did and lost in his childhood.
One night stand and a baby. Erin informs Seth about it. And they decided to co-operate. Erin had a controlling husband so she thought Seth would be controlling too. Seth clearly said that he wanted to involve during the pregnancy and he also wanted his child. Erin said the baby will get her name not her father’s. He makes no objection. There wasn't any situation where he forced anything on her. He accepted what she wanted, but every time she was comparing him with her Ex-husband and accused him of being controlling. Women… not every man is your ex-husband.
Then the baby was born and he was there with her and in that moment he realized, he loved her and he wanted both of them in his life. So, he confessed, but Erin rejected her without a second thought. Then Seth started to act like a bastard, he disappeared. Ok, I get it you don’t love him and don’t want him as a partner. But clearly, that was not the case. She already confessed to herself that she liked Seth very much; he was very supportive and blah blah blah. Still, you didn’t give him a chance. Then the story kinda improved and Erin got better.
The interaction between Seth and Erin with the baby was cute. I feel whatever Seth was trying to do is to make peace and redeem himself. Erin was better last 30% of the book so I am rising my stars otherwise it would have been 2 stars.
I didn’t like Erin. Erin was frustrating and annoying for the first 60-70% of the book. I think Seth was better than heroine at some point. Seth was cold and distant but I feel that he wanted to redeem himself because of what he did and lost in his childhood.
One night stand and a baby. Erin informs Seth about it. And they decided to co-operate. Erin had a controlling husband so she thought Seth would be controlling too. Seth clearly said that he wanted to involve during the pregnancy and he also wanted his child. Erin said the baby will get her name not her father’s. He makes no objection. There wasn't any situation where he forced anything on her. He accepted what she wanted, but every time she was comparing him with her Ex-husband and accused him of being controlling. Women… not every man is your ex-husband.
Then the baby was born and he was there with her and in that moment he realized, he loved her and he wanted both of them in his life. So, he confessed, but Erin rejected her without a second thought. Then Seth started to act like a bastard, he disappeared. Ok, I get it you don’t love him and don’t want him as a partner. But clearly, that was not the case. She already confessed to herself that she liked Seth very much; he was very supportive and blah blah blah. Still, you didn’t give him a chance. Then the story kinda improved and Erin got better.
The interaction between Seth and Erin with the baby was cute. I feel whatever Seth was trying to do is to make peace and redeem himself. Erin was better last 30% of the book so I am rising my stars otherwise it would have been 2 stars.
May 6, 2013
After reading and enjoying Escorted by Claire Kent earlier this year, I was eager to try more of her work. While I still think she has a really nice voice, the heroine gave me some problems in this one.
Erin remembers Seth Thomas from when they were kids. After a bad childhood, Seth turned his life around, went to college and is now a very wealthy, well known defense attorney. She sees Seth again at the funeral of a man that raised Seth in his later teen years. Seth never got along with him, and Erin is actually surprised to see him at the funeral. Feeling bad that no one else is talking to him, she introduces herself – which turns into them going out for drinks and then a one night stand.
This one night stand has a great consequence as Erin discovers she is pregnant. Hunting down Seth and informing him turns out to be stressful and cold. He accepts her decision to keep the baby and then surprises her by telling her he wants to be part of the baby’s life. Seth missed his chance at a childhood and now wants to try to be a parent himself. Erin is divorced from a controlling man and while she wants Seth to be a part of the baby’s life, she worries his wealth and dominant demeanor will try to take control of Erin.
As the pregnancy develops, Seth kind of becomes Erin’s booty call. They firmly establish they don’t want a relationship, but since she is already pregnant with his baby, they both figure a little sex to scratch Erin’s itch won’t hurt. Seth is a very interesting character. We don’t get his point of view, but you can tell he is intrigued by this pregnancy, even if he keeps himself at a distance. You can feel that he wants to redeem his lost childhood years and bad family experiences. He is calm and collected on the outside, but you get the feeling he is a mess on the inside. It didn’t bother me that we don’t actually know how he is feeling, as it plays out well only being in Erin’s point of view. He intrigued me almost as much as her hero in Escorted. I think she does a nice job with writing a hero who is sexy yet a little more on the cold, not so charming side.
My biggest frustration though comes with Erin. I feel like she never evolves in this book. She is scared of letting Seth have too much control, but I feel like she drags him along. And when Seth admits he is falling in love with her, her reaction is anger. I feel like everyone dumps a lot of crap on Seth, when all he does is try to make peace and be there every single time Erin needs him. Erin must have been pretty dense if she really didn’t realize that Seth (or even her) had feelings growing between them. I know she resists because of a bad first marriage, but after this kind of behavior over and over again, it became exhausting. I wanted to see her let her guard down. Even when she realizes she loves him, this is how she tells him:
“I know. I know. And I guess I really do love you, even though I don’t know exactly how it happened.” She felt blurry and happy and terrified – all at the same time. “But it doesn’t change everything. I’m not ready to jump into anything…permanent. This is still really new to me, and I don’t want to rush things.”
Although at this point the book is almost done, and Erin has been with Seth for over a year so I’m not sure how “new” this could really be to her. And again, Seth comes in with “We don’t have to rush anything.”
With a different heroine, I would have liked this a lot more. I wasn’t sure if I would like all the baby stuff (and it’s heavily focused on the pregnancy and then the newborn) but I actually liked that part.
Rating: C
Erin remembers Seth Thomas from when they were kids. After a bad childhood, Seth turned his life around, went to college and is now a very wealthy, well known defense attorney. She sees Seth again at the funeral of a man that raised Seth in his later teen years. Seth never got along with him, and Erin is actually surprised to see him at the funeral. Feeling bad that no one else is talking to him, she introduces herself – which turns into them going out for drinks and then a one night stand.
This one night stand has a great consequence as Erin discovers she is pregnant. Hunting down Seth and informing him turns out to be stressful and cold. He accepts her decision to keep the baby and then surprises her by telling her he wants to be part of the baby’s life. Seth missed his chance at a childhood and now wants to try to be a parent himself. Erin is divorced from a controlling man and while she wants Seth to be a part of the baby’s life, she worries his wealth and dominant demeanor will try to take control of Erin.
As the pregnancy develops, Seth kind of becomes Erin’s booty call. They firmly establish they don’t want a relationship, but since she is already pregnant with his baby, they both figure a little sex to scratch Erin’s itch won’t hurt. Seth is a very interesting character. We don’t get his point of view, but you can tell he is intrigued by this pregnancy, even if he keeps himself at a distance. You can feel that he wants to redeem his lost childhood years and bad family experiences. He is calm and collected on the outside, but you get the feeling he is a mess on the inside. It didn’t bother me that we don’t actually know how he is feeling, as it plays out well only being in Erin’s point of view. He intrigued me almost as much as her hero in Escorted. I think she does a nice job with writing a hero who is sexy yet a little more on the cold, not so charming side.
My biggest frustration though comes with Erin. I feel like she never evolves in this book. She is scared of letting Seth have too much control, but I feel like she drags him along. And when Seth admits he is falling in love with her, her reaction is anger. I feel like everyone dumps a lot of crap on Seth, when all he does is try to make peace and be there every single time Erin needs him. Erin must have been pretty dense if she really didn’t realize that Seth (or even her) had feelings growing between them. I know she resists because of a bad first marriage, but after this kind of behavior over and over again, it became exhausting. I wanted to see her let her guard down. Even when she realizes she loves him, this is how she tells him:
“I know. I know. And I guess I really do love you, even though I don’t know exactly how it happened.” She felt blurry and happy and terrified – all at the same time. “But it doesn’t change everything. I’m not ready to jump into anything…permanent. This is still really new to me, and I don’t want to rush things.”
Although at this point the book is almost done, and Erin has been with Seth for over a year so I’m not sure how “new” this could really be to her. And again, Seth comes in with “We don’t have to rush anything.”
With a different heroine, I would have liked this a lot more. I wasn’t sure if I would like all the baby stuff (and it’s heavily focused on the pregnancy and then the newborn) but I actually liked that part.
Rating: C
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May 20, 2013
05/19/2013 --
Overall Rating =
Book Cover / Book Blurb = 4 / 5 = 4.5 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 4.5 Stars
Character Development = 4 Stars
Story Appreciation = 5 Stars
Worth the Chili = 5 Stars [$2.99 on Amazon]
This book may not be for everyone, but it was perfect for me. It read and reminded me a Judith McNaught book. It was long and absorbing. Absolutely wonderful.
This is a read I'll go to time and again. The things I didn't like were not important enough to mention. Just a joy for me.
If you want a slow, absorbing story about the evolution of a relationship between two people who are different, but have much in common, this is for you.
If you know me, you'll know exactly the types of books I find "comfort" reads. This is exactly this type of read for me.
Good luck and Happy Reading.
Overall Rating =
Book Cover / Book Blurb = 4 / 5 = 4.5 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 4.5 Stars
Character Development = 4 Stars
Story Appreciation = 5 Stars
Worth the Chili = 5 Stars [$2.99 on Amazon]
This book may not be for everyone, but it was perfect for me. It read and reminded me a Judith McNaught book. It was long and absorbing. Absolutely wonderful.
This is a read I'll go to time and again. The things I didn't like were not important enough to mention. Just a joy for me.
If you want a slow, absorbing story about the evolution of a relationship between two people who are different, but have much in common, this is for you.
If you know me, you'll know exactly the types of books I find "comfort" reads. This is exactly this type of read for me.
Good luck and Happy Reading.
December 15, 2016
***THREE STARS***
I love an unplanned pregnancy story that's done right. But I'm not sure I'd actually call this one "done right". The heroine, Erin, was kind of an ass through most of the story. She bugged the hell out of me with her frustratingly rude behavior towards Seth. I liked Seth's character so much better than Erin, and actually felt sorry for him in some parts of this story, and yet he was a bit hard to connect with as well. And this story had some of the most uncomfortably awkward sex scenes I have ever read before.
This one was probably just a Two Star story for me, but I'm going to add one more just for the author keeping me invested until the ending, despite all the obnoxious scenes in this story that usually have me DNFing.
I love an unplanned pregnancy story that's done right. But I'm not sure I'd actually call this one "done right". The heroine, Erin, was kind of an ass through most of the story. She bugged the hell out of me with her frustratingly rude behavior towards Seth. I liked Seth's character so much better than Erin, and actually felt sorry for him in some parts of this story, and yet he was a bit hard to connect with as well. And this story had some of the most uncomfortably awkward sex scenes I have ever read before.
This one was probably just a Two Star story for me, but I'm going to add one more just for the author keeping me invested until the ending, despite all the obnoxious scenes in this story that usually have me DNFing.
June 24, 2013
I'm sorry but I could not resist anymore and I couldn't finish it. That’s all from me!
It's sooo boring and so frustrating story and heroine...
No matter which part I try to understand or love story, I couldn't achieve it. There so much irritating things!
First of all, in the first few pages author told you how you must feel but you can't feel any of them. Come on, you don't know yet neither heroine nor hero.
And the so-called shy heroine, Erin, is not shy at all. In the first half, the hero is absent. He's there but as if he's not there.
Erin obsessed about being controlled by her partner. Seth (the hero) said repeatedly, he's not trying to controll her who listens :))
She had a daughter from Seth as a result of one-night stand. She wants him in her life and her daughter life but not want to share somethings like sharing the responsibility, trying a relationship.
So much detail about being pregnancy, labor process and having a child. I couldn't feel love or any good emtions.
In those 9 months, they faced maybe 10 times and had sex. But I didn't read any good, friendly, normal conversation so that they can know with each other and hero always silent, not sharing his feelings or thoughts but somehow he can achieve to love annoying woman.
I called my friend who loved and recommended this book. I learned that Erin will have her second child but still doesn't accept to get married the man who is the father her children. Fortunately she'll accepted to live together :)
After her third pregnancy, she'll accept to get married the hero.
Hrrrr :)
This book is definetly not for me. It was a waste of time.
It's sooo boring and so frustrating story and heroine...
No matter which part I try to understand or love story, I couldn't achieve it. There so much irritating things!
First of all, in the first few pages author told you how you must feel but you can't feel any of them. Come on, you don't know yet neither heroine nor hero.
And the so-called shy heroine, Erin, is not shy at all. In the first half, the hero is absent. He's there but as if he's not there.
Erin obsessed about being controlled by her partner. Seth (the hero) said repeatedly, he's not trying to controll her who listens :))
She had a daughter from Seth as a result of one-night stand. She wants him in her life and her daughter life but not want to share somethings like sharing the responsibility, trying a relationship.
So much detail about being pregnancy, labor process and having a child. I couldn't feel love or any good emtions.
In those 9 months, they faced maybe 10 times and had sex. But I didn't read any good, friendly, normal conversation so that they can know with each other and hero always silent, not sharing his feelings or thoughts but somehow he can achieve to love annoying woman.
I called my friend who loved and recommended this book. I learned that Erin will have her second child but still doesn't accept to get married the man who is the father her children. Fortunately she'll accepted to live together :)
After her third pregnancy, she'll accept to get married the hero.
Hrrrr :)
This book is definetly not for me. It was a waste of time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2019
I would have definitely enjoyed the book more if the lack of solid information on hero's celibacy status didn't bother me so much.
I really loved how long the book was because I thought the romance was developed perfectly, we spend a lot of time seeing how they fall in love and experiencing all the ups and downs of their relationship. I loved it!
But we don't know if hero was celibate after thier ONS. I have a strong feeling he wasn't. Which is kind of really disappointing but I could get past it because they thought it was just a ONS, they both had no desire for it to turn into something more and the heroine seemed to have a sexually active life before the ONS.
But when the hero found out about the pregnancy I expect him to stop sleeping with OW especially because hero stopped heroine from going on a date with OM because he was possessive and didn't want to her to have sex with OM when she was pregnant with his child so he offered to sleep with her to take her of her needs. So they have sex for the second time and don't have sex again for months. So I totally expected him to be celibate after having sex with heroine for the 2nd time. Yeah I know they were not in a relationship but he didn't want her to sleep with OM so its only fair he does the same, right? Otherwise it's a fucking double standard. If she can't sleep with OP neither can you, asshole!
But we only know for sure he was celibate after they had sex for the third time. Was he celibate between second time they had sex (which was immediately after finding out she was pregnant) and the third time? Who the hell knows? I emailed the author to ask and she said it was up to to the reader to decide and make their own interpretation. Which makes it worse for me- I hate ambiguity- I need a concrete answer. I felt like he probably wasn't celibate after the 2nd because if he was, he would have mentioned it right? Because he did mention he was celibate after the third time they had sex.
However, in the sequel which is a novella years into their marriage, hero said he hadn't been with another women since heroine was pregnant with their first child! What the hell does that mean? Because technically she got pregnant when they had their first ONS. Or does that mean he was only celibate after finding out she was pregnant with his child (which was before the 2nd time they had sex)? I NEED ANSWERS!!
My mind actually hurts. I can't handle this uncertainty.
And yes, the heroine wasn't with any other man after their ONS. The whole book is from her POV. But she did go on dates after the baby was born and at this point we knew for sure hero wasn't going on any dates and was completely devoted.
I really loved how long the book was because I thought the romance was developed perfectly, we spend a lot of time seeing how they fall in love and experiencing all the ups and downs of their relationship. I loved it!
But we don't know if hero was celibate after thier ONS. I have a strong feeling he wasn't. Which is kind of really disappointing but I could get past it because they thought it was just a ONS, they both had no desire for it to turn into something more and the heroine seemed to have a sexually active life before the ONS.
But when the hero found out about the pregnancy I expect him to stop sleeping with OW especially because hero stopped heroine from going on a date with OM because he was possessive and didn't want to her to have sex with OM when she was pregnant with his child so he offered to sleep with her to take her of her needs. So they have sex for the second time and don't have sex again for months. So I totally expected him to be celibate after having sex with heroine for the 2nd time. Yeah I know they were not in a relationship but he didn't want her to sleep with OM so its only fair he does the same, right? Otherwise it's a fucking double standard. If she can't sleep with OP neither can you, asshole!
But we only know for sure he was celibate after they had sex for the third time. Was he celibate between second time they had sex (which was immediately after finding out she was pregnant) and the third time? Who the hell knows? I emailed the author to ask and she said it was up to to the reader to decide and make their own interpretation. Which makes it worse for me- I hate ambiguity- I need a concrete answer. I felt like he probably wasn't celibate after the 2nd because if he was, he would have mentioned it right? Because he did mention he was celibate after the third time they had sex.
However, in the sequel which is a novella years into their marriage, hero said he hadn't been with another women since heroine was pregnant with their first child! What the hell does that mean? Because technically she got pregnant when they had their first ONS. Or does that mean he was only celibate after finding out she was pregnant with his child (which was before the 2nd time they had sex)? I NEED ANSWERS!!
My mind actually hurts. I can't handle this uncertainty.
And yes, the heroine wasn't with any other man after their ONS. The whole book is from her POV. But she did go on dates after the baby was born and at this point we knew for sure hero wasn't going on any dates and was completely devoted.
February 20, 2015
Dear god, this book could have benefited from an editor that was willing to cut at least 100 pages.
February 17, 2023
I need to write a review for this one.
5 stars
3 on the spice scale
5 stars
3 on the spice scale
May 7, 2013
3.5 Stars!!
I really liked this book, The story felt so real and the flow and pace were so natural.
I wanted to SLAP Erin at times, Why is it the current boy has to always pay the price for the ex. :|
The book is so aptly names, 'Nameless' because they don't know what to name themselves, their situation, their relationship.
But I really wish we could get into Seth's head too.. I wanted more of his story. He seemed to keep his emotions so tightly under lock and key. I mean, he was very wound up inside.
I really liked this book, The story felt so real and the flow and pace were so natural.
I wanted to SLAP Erin at times, Why is it the current boy has to always pay the price for the ex. :|
The book is so aptly names, 'Nameless' because they don't know what to name themselves, their situation, their relationship.
But I really wish we could get into Seth's head too.. I wanted more of his story. He seemed to keep his emotions so tightly under lock and key. I mean, he was very wound up inside.
May 5, 2013
I can't say that i hate it, but i didn't like it either, the storyline was very good but when Seth and Erin were talking it was like I was reading about a business deal, not about everyday things and the baby, and all the control Erin was talking about it was a bit too much and she was overreacting about everything.
Shelved as 'avoid'
July 12, 2022Not interested in a story mainly focused on her pregnancy. H also dates ow while h is preggers. Sounds like a terrible book to me.
Pet peeve slow burn.👎🏻
May 3, 2014
Today is a Saturday. First one in May 2014 actually. I got up, talked with my mom, read couple pages of a book I have been reading since Wednesday, had some breakfast, got back to reading, read some more, wash the dishes, spread my bed, took a shower, got dressed for work, went to work, did work, had lunch with my friend while he introduced me to a new Vegan restaurant (good ones are hard to find in Jamaica), then I continued reading the same book, finished reading said book and I am now embarking on writing a review of that book. What's happening later? Well catch that in the next installment.
The above, was the tone and progression of this novel, using my actual day. Every minute and unnecessary detail was given. Never mind the fact that they had plain 'ol Jane sex, it was detailed! You know normally when the non BDSM sex scenes seems quick, because it is summed up to not make the book drag? Well, this one wasn't. Every single itch was detailed! I won't say a couple never got you a little moist but c'mon! They ain't changing it up so why must I read every detail of this? At this point, I could tell when Erin was gonna come and how.
At 40%, this book had accomplished issues and solutions of a full length novel, but without any of the passion or meaning. It certainly had conflicts lining up til the end, even if it was from the main characters themselves, against themselves. Then if that wasn't enough, she decided in the end, to drop the most infuriating woman in the world back to square one in a technical sense.
I don't know much about Seth, but I do know that I prefer him to Erin. The man spoke the least and had the least impact on the story. We could literally do without both Erin and Seth with how independent this story and it's main characters were. Seth was impersonal, cold, distant and never once completely let go and be vulnerable. Yet still, in comparison to Erin, I would take him any day.
Erin is annoying and I got tired of her very quickly. The frustration and inevitable indifference where she was concerned came later. All this made it even harder to read, because she narrates the whole thing. She is infuriating, obstinate with a capital 'O' and frankly, I think she is rather selfish and only cares about herself and her baby. I keep waiting on them, especially her, to get a little personal with the readers but they were so distant. The only person able to feel their love is them and their baby.
I can't fully call this a romance novel because the romance was minimal. I struggled to reach the end, because the chapters are gigantic and the story flowed as more a text book than one of leisure and pleasure. I have read books about strong willed characters before, but these two never allow you to see the soft side. Even when they are showing it, it's rough and in need of a good polishing!
I must commend the author though, because even with it's rather large size, I can't remember seeing a grammatical or editing error. It was the work of an English teacher, which I found out in the acknowledgement.
Yes, you are going to get bored, because they are like an every day family trying to get through a one night stand baby and the feelings of their past and present. I read stories to escape real life and get as close to it as possible without it being all too real. This story was all too real. If I wanted every day problems, I'd film my life, minus the baby drama -_-
I think the pregnancy process was detailed well and gave us a blow by blow of Erin in labour. Don't expect the shortened version, because you will be there with her through every contraction and the results after.
If you have the patience and are a fan of stories that are more real than fairy tale, then you can pick up a copy of this novel. For me though, I need a light, novella now to help restore my faith in regards to romance novels, because this was too impersonal and I have seen business deals more personal than this story.
The above, was the tone and progression of this novel, using my actual day. Every minute and unnecessary detail was given. Never mind the fact that they had plain 'ol Jane sex, it was detailed! You know normally when the non BDSM sex scenes seems quick, because it is summed up to not make the book drag? Well, this one wasn't. Every single itch was detailed! I won't say a couple never got you a little moist but c'mon! They ain't changing it up so why must I read every detail of this? At this point, I could tell when Erin was gonna come and how.
At 40%, this book had accomplished issues and solutions of a full length novel, but without any of the passion or meaning. It certainly had conflicts lining up til the end, even if it was from the main characters themselves, against themselves. Then if that wasn't enough, she decided in the end, to drop the most infuriating woman in the world back to square one in a technical sense.
I don't know much about Seth, but I do know that I prefer him to Erin. The man spoke the least and had the least impact on the story. We could literally do without both Erin and Seth with how independent this story and it's main characters were. Seth was impersonal, cold, distant and never once completely let go and be vulnerable. Yet still, in comparison to Erin, I would take him any day.
Erin is annoying and I got tired of her very quickly. The frustration and inevitable indifference where she was concerned came later. All this made it even harder to read, because she narrates the whole thing. She is infuriating, obstinate with a capital 'O' and frankly, I think she is rather selfish and only cares about herself and her baby. I keep waiting on them, especially her, to get a little personal with the readers but they were so distant. The only person able to feel their love is them and their baby.
I can't fully call this a romance novel because the romance was minimal. I struggled to reach the end, because the chapters are gigantic and the story flowed as more a text book than one of leisure and pleasure. I have read books about strong willed characters before, but these two never allow you to see the soft side. Even when they are showing it, it's rough and in need of a good polishing!
I must commend the author though, because even with it's rather large size, I can't remember seeing a grammatical or editing error. It was the work of an English teacher, which I found out in the acknowledgement.
Yes, you are going to get bored, because they are like an every day family trying to get through a one night stand baby and the feelings of their past and present. I read stories to escape real life and get as close to it as possible without it being all too real. This story was all too real. If I wanted every day problems, I'd film my life, minus the baby drama -_-
I think the pregnancy process was detailed well and gave us a blow by blow of Erin in labour. Don't expect the shortened version, because you will be there with her through every contraction and the results after.
If you have the patience and are a fan of stories that are more real than fairy tale, then you can pick up a copy of this novel. For me though, I need a light, novella now to help restore my faith in regards to romance novels, because this was too impersonal and I have seen business deals more personal than this story.
February 8, 2016
I don't like leaving rant reviews because I understand that a book is someone's hard work. Now. This book merits a small rant.
It was boring. Long. Drawn out. Huge missing gaps of time. Wishy washy lead lady. She was crazy. Holes in the story. I could go on, but I shall stop there and say no more.
Definitely not for me.
It was boring. Long. Drawn out. Huge missing gaps of time. Wishy washy lead lady. She was crazy. Holes in the story. I could go on, but I shall stop there and say no more.
Definitely not for me.
October 2, 2021
This was A VERY LONGGGGGG BOOK.
Too long, I'd say. (I was kind of skipping through the last 100 - 150 pages or so).
And I get what everybody kept saying about their contempt regarding the heroine.
I get it now (sadly, too late).
I was hoping she'd change the way she's behaving.
But no, she became too annoying due to that.
Aside from that ...
The pregnancy story reminded me so much of my two pregnancies.
It was heart-warming and VERY REAL, in that sense. The pregnancy, that is, not the love story.
I could relate to what Erin was feeling … all those things she was experiencing.
(My first baby came so late; more than 40 weeks – I was HUGE - and the delivery took more than 12 hours. But instead of Seth sitting behind – I didn’t even know they do that – I had 3 nurses ‘force’ helping me while I pushed.) Anyways, I digressed.
I was so relieved when Seth came back just in time for the delivery.
However, what he did after the baby was born.
That was a malicious thing to do; leaving the hospital and not see his daughter for 3 months.
That was sick. Sick. Sick.
He’s so selfish. Such a coward.
Damn, if I were her, I would never forgive him. There’s no way I could ever.
Didn’t he know how terrifying being a new mom was? He was supposed to support and help her.
And unfortunately, I did not feel the chemistry. No sparks.
I know it was just a one night stand, but there was no attraction, not even lust. (Just perfunctory sex –
>> again, I didn’t even know one could participate in those – yet stayed indifferent.)
The story felt so detached … throughout.
Even after Seth professed his love, it felt disconnected.
And Liz was so removed and tried so hard not to give him the chance.
She kept denying her feelings for him it became so irritating. SO IRRITATING. Come on, girl!
Side note: I loved the side characters, Liz and Erin’s dad; they were so fiercely loyal and full of love.
They were the embodiment of secure support system everybody needs.
Seth
A brooding, introverted lawyer who didn’t have much to say (literally).
First of all, he was a man of a few words and secondly, the story was only from Erin’s POV (third person).
I would have loved to see Seth’s POV. It was so annoying not knowing what he was feeling. Infuriating!
Erin
A divorcee who was just resurfacing from her split with her overbearing, domineering ex husband.
She vowed to be independent and unhibitted; free to do what her heart desired – no longer living under anyone’s thumb.
A realist; no longer giddy with silly romantic dreams anymore.
Too long, I'd say. (I was kind of skipping through the last 100 - 150 pages or so).
And I get what everybody kept saying about their contempt regarding the heroine.
I get it now (sadly, too late).
I was hoping she'd change the way she's behaving.
But no, she became too annoying due to that.
Aside from that ...
The pregnancy story reminded me so much of my two pregnancies.
It was heart-warming and VERY REAL, in that sense. The pregnancy, that is, not the love story.
I could relate to what Erin was feeling … all those things she was experiencing.
(My first baby came so late; more than 40 weeks – I was HUGE - and the delivery took more than 12 hours. But instead of Seth sitting behind – I didn’t even know they do that – I had 3 nurses ‘force’ helping me while I pushed.) Anyways, I digressed.
I was so relieved when Seth came back just in time for the delivery.
However, what he did after the baby was born.
That was a malicious thing to do; leaving the hospital and not see his daughter for 3 months.
That was sick. Sick. Sick.
He’s so selfish. Such a coward.
Damn, if I were her, I would never forgive him. There’s no way I could ever.
Didn’t he know how terrifying being a new mom was? He was supposed to support and help her.
And unfortunately, I did not feel the chemistry. No sparks.
I know it was just a one night stand, but there was no attraction, not even lust. (Just perfunctory sex –
>> again, I didn’t even know one could participate in those – yet stayed indifferent.)
The story felt so detached … throughout.
Even after Seth professed his love, it felt disconnected.
And Liz was so removed and tried so hard not to give him the chance.
She kept denying her feelings for him it became so irritating. SO IRRITATING. Come on, girl!
Side note: I loved the side characters, Liz and Erin’s dad; they were so fiercely loyal and full of love.
They were the embodiment of secure support system everybody needs.
Seth
A brooding, introverted lawyer who didn’t have much to say (literally).
First of all, he was a man of a few words and secondly, the story was only from Erin’s POV (third person).
I would have loved to see Seth’s POV. It was so annoying not knowing what he was feeling. Infuriating!
Erin
A divorcee who was just resurfacing from her split with her overbearing, domineering ex husband.
She vowed to be independent and unhibitted; free to do what her heart desired – no longer living under anyone’s thumb.
A realist; no longer giddy with silly romantic dreams anymore.
May 20, 2013
This had the potential to be a great book. However the heroine was very frustrating. And since the book is told exclusively from her POV, I got frustrated a lot.
Erin first meets Seth when he moves to her home town to live with his guardian following the death of his grandfather. Seth was a emotionally distant teenager who grew up to be an emotionally distant man. As soon as he could he moves away without a look back. The two reconnect at the funeral of Seth's guardian years later. Seth had not really enamored himself of the people of the town but his guardian, Mac, had been beloved. But at Mac's funeral, Erin noticed how alone and lonely he looks and, in a fit of compassion, she cajoles him out for a drink.
After great conversation and lots of liquor the two wind up in bed together. The sex is fantastic but both simply smile and go their separate ways, content to have had a smokin' one night between the sheets. However, weeks later Erin discovers she has become pregnant from the encounter and tracks Seth down to tell him he is going to be a father.
Initially I really enjoyed the dynamic. I loved that Erin wasn't obsessing over Seth or that she hadn't given the night more significance than what it was. But my enjoyment of this dynamic wanes fairly quickly because as far as 3/4 into the book, Erin never feels anything beyond friendship for Seth. And it isn't a case where she is in denial and the reader realizes it even if she doesn't. No. The way the writer presents this, I was convinced that Erin really had no feelings beyond friendship and co-parent-ship for Seth.
I like it when romance novels push boundaries. But having your heroine NOT even begin to fall in love with your hero for three-quarters of the book is not the boundary I want pushed. Honestly, I was baffled by Erin's reasoning especially since she and Seth created such an intimate relationship throughout her pregnancy. He, by all counts, was sexy, handsome, great in the sack, committed to being part of the pregnancy and he was totally into her. During the pregnancy he was clearly falling for her. And yet Erin was insistent, to the point where she got irritated with the idea, that she just didn't think of him that way.
I get IRL that this can happen. A woman can get pregnant from a one night stand and not fall in love with the father. But this is a romance novel and the expectation is that Erin would begin to grow deeper feelings for Seth. So when that doesn't happen I got frustrated.
And then it does. Because suddenly 'Durp! I do love you.' Erin says. She's been falling in love with him after all. But Honestly, as a reader I felt cheated. I don't feel that I got to see that happen. And what is more, Erin kept telling me it wasn't happening.
And what is worse, I didn't 100% trust her. I kept waiting for her to mess it up somehow. I was gratified to know that on some level the author was aware of the impression Erin made because Seth couldn't relax either after she tells him. He, just like me, kept waiting for her to back out.
The books gets three stars because the writing is excellent. I thought she allowed the story to unfold nicely, even leisurely. I especially loved all the scenes around the labor and birth. There is an author's note in the book that the author had never been pregnant or had kids, so the fact that I was totally transported back to my own pregnancies during those scenes really speaks to her ability to communicate in writing. And although I wish he had some sort of POV, (he gets no POV at all) Seth's character and emotional state are well conveyed also.
Erin first meets Seth when he moves to her home town to live with his guardian following the death of his grandfather. Seth was a emotionally distant teenager who grew up to be an emotionally distant man. As soon as he could he moves away without a look back. The two reconnect at the funeral of Seth's guardian years later. Seth had not really enamored himself of the people of the town but his guardian, Mac, had been beloved. But at Mac's funeral, Erin noticed how alone and lonely he looks and, in a fit of compassion, she cajoles him out for a drink.
After great conversation and lots of liquor the two wind up in bed together. The sex is fantastic but both simply smile and go their separate ways, content to have had a smokin' one night between the sheets. However, weeks later Erin discovers she has become pregnant from the encounter and tracks Seth down to tell him he is going to be a father.
Initially I really enjoyed the dynamic. I loved that Erin wasn't obsessing over Seth or that she hadn't given the night more significance than what it was. But my enjoyment of this dynamic wanes fairly quickly because as far as 3/4 into the book, Erin never feels anything beyond friendship for Seth. And it isn't a case where she is in denial and the reader realizes it even if she doesn't. No. The way the writer presents this, I was convinced that Erin really had no feelings beyond friendship and co-parent-ship for Seth.
I like it when romance novels push boundaries. But having your heroine NOT even begin to fall in love with your hero for three-quarters of the book is not the boundary I want pushed. Honestly, I was baffled by Erin's reasoning especially since she and Seth created such an intimate relationship throughout her pregnancy. He, by all counts, was sexy, handsome, great in the sack, committed to being part of the pregnancy and he was totally into her. During the pregnancy he was clearly falling for her. And yet Erin was insistent, to the point where she got irritated with the idea, that she just didn't think of him that way.
I get IRL that this can happen. A woman can get pregnant from a one night stand and not fall in love with the father. But this is a romance novel and the expectation is that Erin would begin to grow deeper feelings for Seth. So when that doesn't happen I got frustrated.
And then it does. Because suddenly 'Durp! I do love you.' Erin says. She's been falling in love with him after all. But Honestly, as a reader I felt cheated. I don't feel that I got to see that happen. And what is more, Erin kept telling me it wasn't happening.
And what is worse, I didn't 100% trust her. I kept waiting for her to mess it up somehow. I was gratified to know that on some level the author was aware of the impression Erin made because Seth couldn't relax either after she tells him. He, just like me, kept waiting for her to back out.
The books gets three stars because the writing is excellent. I thought she allowed the story to unfold nicely, even leisurely. I especially loved all the scenes around the labor and birth. There is an author's note in the book that the author had never been pregnant or had kids, so the fact that I was totally transported back to my own pregnancies during those scenes really speaks to her ability to communicate in writing. And although I wish he had some sort of POV, (he gets no POV at all) Seth's character and emotional state are well conveyed also.
April 16, 2014
meh!
nothing really interesting happened in this book, a man and a woman had sex, she got pregnant, she decided to have the baby and keep it, she told him, they had some problems, fell in love and lived happily ever after... the end!
The plot was nothing new and barely interesting enough.
The writing was... just ok but there were some things that kinda freaked me out and some others that just grossed me out big time!, I understand this might be only my case because I haven't had children but still, I think the author could've rephrased some of the magical stuff that happen when you're pregnant, like when Erin explain to Seth that "she might poop while giving birth because 'you push the same way´"... WTF!?!
or the messy sex because of the breast milk rain spraying and pooling everywhere (GAH!!)... again, I understand that I might be the only person in the world this makes uncomfortable, but it is what it is.
I didn't understand AT ALL why Seth was known as the "Bulldozer" in court, maybe he just calls himself that to feel badass because I certainly didn't see any alpha traits in him.
Erin... oh Erin... why don't you just jump in front of a bus and free the world of your presence, she was boring and frustrating, I was not rooting for her after the first couple of chapters.
Erin sister, Liz, was a manipulative bitch who needs to get a life.. she always did the same thing, put ideas in Erin's head about Seth being an asshole and a jerk and as soon as Erin said she was right, Liz made her feel like crap for saying those things about poooor Seth.
I'm off to read something really good, I deserve it after this.
nothing really interesting happened in this book, a man and a woman had sex, she got pregnant, she decided to have the baby and keep it, she told him, they had some problems, fell in love and lived happily ever after... the end!
The plot was nothing new and barely interesting enough.
The writing was... just ok but there were some things that kinda freaked me out and some others that just grossed me out big time!, I understand this might be only my case because I haven't had children but still, I think the author could've rephrased some of the magical stuff that happen when you're pregnant, like when Erin explain to Seth that "she might poop while giving birth because 'you push the same way´"... WTF!?!
or the messy sex because of the breast milk rain spraying and pooling everywhere (GAH!!)... again, I understand that I might be the only person in the world this makes uncomfortable, but it is what it is.
I didn't understand AT ALL why Seth was known as the "Bulldozer" in court, maybe he just calls himself that to feel badass because I certainly didn't see any alpha traits in him.
Erin... oh Erin... why don't you just jump in front of a bus and free the world of your presence, she was boring and frustrating, I was not rooting for her after the first couple of chapters.
Erin sister, Liz, was a manipulative bitch who needs to get a life.. she always did the same thing, put ideas in Erin's head about Seth being an asshole and a jerk and as soon as Erin said she was right, Liz made her feel like crap for saying those things about poooor Seth.
I'm off to read something really good, I deserve it after this.
May 21, 2013
The story was supposedly good but it was dragging.
Plus majority of my reading time was spent thinking of a thousand ways to kill Erin. It was facepalm moment after facepalm moment. Seriously. The girl lives in denial world and needs to be hit with a club in the head to wake up. There are some moments where I just want to strangle her or shout all my frustrations right in her ear. Maybe that would help her understand the situation and not shut herself out in denial town.
If it wasn't for Seth and his cute little interactions with Mackenzie, I would've given up reading this book.
Plus majority of my reading time was spent thinking of a thousand ways to kill Erin. It was facepalm moment after facepalm moment. Seriously. The girl lives in denial world and needs to be hit with a club in the head to wake up. There are some moments where I just want to strangle her or shout all my frustrations right in her ear. Maybe that would help her understand the situation and not shut herself out in denial town.
If it wasn't for Seth and his cute little interactions with Mackenzie, I would've given up reading this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2014
I fell in love with this story. The characters, esp Erin, can be very frustrating but it was all realistic & relatable. I loved the slow build up which was a surprise cause I normally don't, but this story was different. I got to experience & feel things with the characters. I loved Seth! His restraint, reserve & somewhat closed off persona was endearing. (another surprise!) It made him vulnerable instead cold & stiff. I, probably, was looking for a different kind of hero this time.
The turn of events & character development was great. Real & palpable. The ending left me wanting for more. I'm not quite ready to let go yet. Thank goodness there's two more books on this family. I've grown attached to them & want to see how things will turn out years later.
A great read!
The turn of events & character development was great. Real & palpable. The ending left me wanting for more. I'm not quite ready to let go yet. Thank goodness there's two more books on this family. I've grown attached to them & want to see how things will turn out years later.
A great read!
February 23, 2015
Bad so bad...
The most boring book I've read! (and the clichè plot it's one of my favorite..sigh)but dragging like all hell..I've skipped the pages to the final..Why this book it's published?!!
The most boring book I've read! (and the clichè plot it's one of my favorite..sigh)but dragging like all hell..I've skipped the pages to the final..Why this book it's published?!!
June 29, 2023
Honors pregnant women as sexual beings and a non-traditional romance—so good. Highly recommended.
2023: should have been a bit tighter (the story drags after the initial I LOVE YOU) but still amazing.
2023: should have been a bit tighter (the story drags after the initial I LOVE YOU) but still amazing.
January 8, 2015
How to put it nicely? I guess I can't. It was horrible! Boring, dragging like all hell, a terrible heroine, fucked-up relationship I could simply not understand. What's not to like?! Just no.
Shelved as 'no-dnf-zzz-avoid'
July 5, 2015DNF.,didn't like the h.
February 21, 2023
I loved this and can totally see this sparking a full on love affair with Claire Kent’s back catalogue. I’m in the minority because I love a well done surprise pregnancy romance and this definitely fit the bill.
What really stood out was Claire’s writing and the uncomfortable realism of these characters and the story. This isn’t a romance where it feels buffed and polished to fit the fairytale ideals that we usually see in this genre. Erin and Seth feel real. They have pasts that have shaped them without it being some traumatic melodrama. They have awkward sex. They make a point to talk about having to get in the mood, and actually treat contraception like it’s a real thing.
I’ve never read pregnancy and especially childbirth written with such accuracy. It wasn’t just the same 3 or 4 cookie cutter symptoms that then just magically disappear as soon as the pregnancy is identified. Erin’s pregnancy and her subsequent baby don’t feel like they’re being used as a trope or gimmick but as a fully fleshed out story.
Funny enough my only issue was that sometimes it was TOO real. Because we didn’t get a big cliche 3rd act conflict or dramatic declarations, there was a little too much back and forth, wishy washiness when it came to the emotional side of the relationship. Erin’s inner monologue about her body image while I’m sure very accurate wasn’t always the most fun to read. Even Seth, who is obviously holy grail baby daddy material IRL, did really give hetero man vibes that I usually don’t get from my favorite men written by women. Like I just wanted to roll my eyes at him sometimes and say “ugh you’re such a guy”
What really stood out was Claire’s writing and the uncomfortable realism of these characters and the story. This isn’t a romance where it feels buffed and polished to fit the fairytale ideals that we usually see in this genre. Erin and Seth feel real. They have pasts that have shaped them without it being some traumatic melodrama. They have awkward sex. They make a point to talk about having to get in the mood, and actually treat contraception like it’s a real thing.
I’ve never read pregnancy and especially childbirth written with such accuracy. It wasn’t just the same 3 or 4 cookie cutter symptoms that then just magically disappear as soon as the pregnancy is identified. Erin’s pregnancy and her subsequent baby don’t feel like they’re being used as a trope or gimmick but as a fully fleshed out story.
Funny enough my only issue was that sometimes it was TOO real. Because we didn’t get a big cliche 3rd act conflict or dramatic declarations, there was a little too much back and forth, wishy washiness when it came to the emotional side of the relationship. Erin’s inner monologue about her body image while I’m sure very accurate wasn’t always the most fun to read. Even Seth, who is obviously holy grail baby daddy material IRL, did really give hetero man vibes that I usually don’t get from my favorite men written by women. Like I just wanted to roll my eyes at him sometimes and say “ugh you’re such a guy”
August 22, 2023
Erin and Seth
She is a semi-paralegal with some ex-husband in control hang-ups. He is a stoic, bulldozer lawyer. One night stand with pregnancy. She is pretty stoic herself- she doesn’t want love, doesn’t really believe in hea. She denies all feelings until poof epiphany… he however realizes he wants it all of course right after the baby is born. She is shocked and turns him down. But she wants him in her daughters life… they start having sex again- then a fake story comes out about him and another woman- and then she gets jealous and poof - she’s in love too.
I liked the telling of the raising of their daughter. I also liked him falling for her - ugh so good. Sex was spicy and not typical which was great 🔥🔥🔥🔥. He really loved her and their daughter - so sweet.
Epilogue- another baby girl and marriage proposal- immediate wedding
She is a semi-paralegal with some ex-husband in control hang-ups. He is a stoic, bulldozer lawyer. One night stand with pregnancy. She is pretty stoic herself- she doesn’t want love, doesn’t really believe in hea. She denies all feelings until poof epiphany… he however realizes he wants it all of course right after the baby is born. She is shocked and turns him down. But she wants him in her daughters life… they start having sex again- then a fake story comes out about him and another woman- and then she gets jealous and poof - she’s in love too.
I liked the telling of the raising of their daughter. I also liked him falling for her - ugh so good. Sex was spicy and not typical which was great 🔥🔥🔥🔥. He really loved her and their daughter - so sweet.
Epilogue- another baby girl and marriage proposal- immediate wedding
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2023
2.75
This book should have been cut by 200 pages. It just kept being filled by 150 s*x scenes, (which were totally unnecessary in my opinion) and the main character kept comparing Seth to her manipulative ex (WHICH she still talked to like what?!). Erin and Seth were both frustrating but I didn’t dnf it because of him, he had more redeeming qualities, I guess.
This book should have been cut by 200 pages. It just kept being filled by 150 s*x scenes, (which were totally unnecessary in my opinion) and the main character kept comparing Seth to her manipulative ex (WHICH she still talked to like what?!). Erin and Seth were both frustrating but I didn’t dnf it because of him, he had more redeeming qualities, I guess.
October 13, 2013
I picked up this book a while ago because I liked Claire Kent's other book, Escorted, so much. But the description for this one really didn't do anything for me so I put off reading it for a while. The description feels like pretty much any Harlequin romance – unexpected pregnancy, rich businessman, average any-girl. I kept picturing Diane Palmer's “The Case of the Mesmerizing Boss”. The description of the book is accurate, but wow was this book compelling.
Be prepared that this one is really long. Like, you really can't stay up late ONE night and read it. This one took me three or four nights of staying up moderately late to finish. There's no real external conflict in this book, so you'd think it would start to drag eventually, but it didn't at all. It was so fascinating that you just keep reading and reading to see what else these characters will do.
Erin was a little hard for me to decode. On the one hand, she's had a bad marriage experience so she's not into this whole idea of love and she really doesn't trust people/men. But she's got a really great family who cares about her and is totally great. She interacts with them in a healthy way and seems to get how to be in relationships with people. It's just the idea of romance that's messed up for her. And it's confusing because she acts in a perfectly healthy relationship way. She just can't seem to get through this idea of “Love” with a capital L. Caring, sex, dates, etc. is all fine but she nearly gets hives if you mention the L word or the R word.
Seth wasn't much better at relationships, but at least he had a better excuse. He's not working with simply one failed relationship, he's going off his whole formative years with no real caring. He just lost the only person who really tried to care about him and he feels like he failed at his one chance to love and be loved.
One of the most compelling things about this book is that we only get Erin's perspective. It's still written in third person, but we're never inside Seth's head. Erin is not hugely perceptive, so we see very little of Seth's reasons for doing stuff. There's the occasional mysterious eyebrow raise or half-smile, but we're left guessing a lot. I was unable to put the book down, often because I just wanted to see what was going to happen with the mystery of Seth.
There were a couple things I felt were eluded to that never panned out into anything. I totally thought there was going to be some significance to Erin and Seth's first sexual encounter resulting in a pregnancy. I really thought it was going to turn out that Seth got Erin pregnant on purpose and/or purposely hid a condom failure or something in order to give fate a hand in providing him with a relationship. I mean, there were some (I thought) significant actions that happened during their first encounter that would have had some explanation later, but it didn't turn out to be part of the story line.
The sex scenes were wonderful and raw and really awkward. This was not a book with ephemeral, cloud-nine sort-of sex scenes. Everyone was satisfied, but it was gritty and messy and rather ungainly. I liked it and it fit the flow of the book. Erin was really self-assured when it came to sex and I liked how she was unashamed of her own sexuality. Seth was considered to be slightly in the sex-god category, but he felt less sure of himself during the sex scenes. He stayed back most of the time and seemingly trusted that Erin would say if she wanted something from him. It's not very often I see that in romance novels, but it was a nice change even if it did mean that most of the time Seth was not trying to attract Erin sexually.
I was surprised and pleased that Ms. Kent was able to keep the angst and tension so high throughout this whole book. I really thought I would burn out halfway through. I can't say that there was some huge problem these two were battling besides their own inability to trust and give themselves permission to accept love, but it also didn't feel like they just spun in circles the who time. It was all so fascinating and heartbreaking. I ended up crying a couple times. These two characters were large enough for me to be completely sucked in.
I don't think this is a book I could read everyday. By the second or third day of reading, I was feeling rather depressed for these two and it was hard to pull my own emotions out of the book. It's the mark of a well-written book when that happens, but it is difficult to interact in the real-world without those emotions spilling over. This isn't a happy-escape book, but it is it's own wonderful world. I will definitely keep looking for more books by this author.
Be prepared that this one is really long. Like, you really can't stay up late ONE night and read it. This one took me three or four nights of staying up moderately late to finish. There's no real external conflict in this book, so you'd think it would start to drag eventually, but it didn't at all. It was so fascinating that you just keep reading and reading to see what else these characters will do.
Erin was a little hard for me to decode. On the one hand, she's had a bad marriage experience so she's not into this whole idea of love and she really doesn't trust people/men. But she's got a really great family who cares about her and is totally great. She interacts with them in a healthy way and seems to get how to be in relationships with people. It's just the idea of romance that's messed up for her. And it's confusing because she acts in a perfectly healthy relationship way. She just can't seem to get through this idea of “Love” with a capital L. Caring, sex, dates, etc. is all fine but she nearly gets hives if you mention the L word or the R word.
Seth wasn't much better at relationships, but at least he had a better excuse. He's not working with simply one failed relationship, he's going off his whole formative years with no real caring. He just lost the only person who really tried to care about him and he feels like he failed at his one chance to love and be loved.
One of the most compelling things about this book is that we only get Erin's perspective. It's still written in third person, but we're never inside Seth's head. Erin is not hugely perceptive, so we see very little of Seth's reasons for doing stuff. There's the occasional mysterious eyebrow raise or half-smile, but we're left guessing a lot. I was unable to put the book down, often because I just wanted to see what was going to happen with the mystery of Seth.
There were a couple things I felt were eluded to that never panned out into anything. I totally thought there was going to be some significance to Erin and Seth's first sexual encounter resulting in a pregnancy. I really thought it was going to turn out that Seth got Erin pregnant on purpose and/or purposely hid a condom failure or something in order to give fate a hand in providing him with a relationship. I mean, there were some (I thought) significant actions that happened during their first encounter that would have had some explanation later, but it didn't turn out to be part of the story line.
The sex scenes were wonderful and raw and really awkward. This was not a book with ephemeral, cloud-nine sort-of sex scenes. Everyone was satisfied, but it was gritty and messy and rather ungainly. I liked it and it fit the flow of the book. Erin was really self-assured when it came to sex and I liked how she was unashamed of her own sexuality. Seth was considered to be slightly in the sex-god category, but he felt less sure of himself during the sex scenes. He stayed back most of the time and seemingly trusted that Erin would say if she wanted something from him. It's not very often I see that in romance novels, but it was a nice change even if it did mean that most of the time Seth was not trying to attract Erin sexually.
I was surprised and pleased that Ms. Kent was able to keep the angst and tension so high throughout this whole book. I really thought I would burn out halfway through. I can't say that there was some huge problem these two were battling besides their own inability to trust and give themselves permission to accept love, but it also didn't feel like they just spun in circles the who time. It was all so fascinating and heartbreaking. I ended up crying a couple times. These two characters were large enough for me to be completely sucked in.
I don't think this is a book I could read everyday. By the second or third day of reading, I was feeling rather depressed for these two and it was hard to pull my own emotions out of the book. It's the mark of a well-written book when that happens, but it is difficult to interact in the real-world without those emotions spilling over. This isn't a happy-escape book, but it is it's own wonderful world. I will definitely keep looking for more books by this author.
May 11, 2013
A pretty classic story but so smartly written. The plot is just so realistic. Thye don't fall in love helplessly immediately, they work together to have this child. And the hero is patient, respectful. For me, Claire Kent or Noelle Adams created a new kind of hero. Hot but not alpha male at all. I loved it.
http://www.blue-moon.fr/spip.php?arti...
Claire Kent est aussi Noelle Adams, une auteure très prolifique ces temps-ci qui a vraiment son propre ton dans la romance actuelle. Sous ce second pseudonyme, elle écrit normalement de la romance plus épicée mais ce n’est pas vraiment le vas. Ce qui caractérise ce livre est sa longueur ce qui permet une étude prolongée et approfondie d’un thème les plus rebattus de la romance, le bébé surprise.
Mais n’attendez pas la romance classique autour de ce type d’évènement. Claire Kent choisit de travailler sur ce qu’elle préfère c’est à dire une relation particulièrement peu romantique, aux antipodes du coup de foudre, avec un réalisme qui lui est propre. Les héros de ce roman pourrait être n’importe qui, des personnages modernes qui réagissent comme au vingtième siècle avec un grande peur de l’engagement et un manque de confiance patent dans l’autre.
Erin va retrouver Mac qu’elle a connu enfant encore lors des obsèques d’un membre de la famille du jeune homme qui l’a en partie élevé. Mac a mauvaise réputation. Il a quitté la petite ville de Géorgie où ils ont grandi abandonnant littéralement le vieil homme qui avait tant fait pour lui. Il est devenu un grand avocat à Atlanta et tout le monde le trouve prétentieux, hautain et ingrat. Pourtant, Erin va être touché par son extrême solitude et accepter de prendre un verre avec lui. Tout cela se terminera par une soirée excellente à leur grande surprise mutuelle et par une conséquence inattendue quelques semaines plus tard. Jusque là, nous sommes dans une romance très classique. Tout change quand Erin prend conscience de sa grossesse. Oubliez alors ce que vous avez pu lire. Claire Kent va se pencher sur la situation avec sérieux, gravité et minutie.
Elle va prendre le temps dans ce roman très long d’étudier les longs mois qui seront nécessaires pour approcher Erin de Mac. Rien n’est édulcoré ni laissé de côté. Erin se pose honnêtement la question de garder le bébé et refuse absolument de commencer une liaison avec un homme sur cette base. Tout est donc à définir : ce que seront leurs relations, celles avec le bébé. Erin a déjà vécu un divorce pénible et a une peur panique et irrationnelle de l’engagement avec un homme dominateur. Mac a tout de cela et la terrorise littéralement.
Tout est étudié du point de vue d’Erin. Même si le texte est à la troisième personne, jamais nous ne saurons ce que pense Mac, homme réservé et impénétrable. Seules les observations d’Erin nous renseigneront. Malgré tout, mac apparaît dans toutes ses nuances et ses fragilités. C’est un héros passionnant comme il y en a de plus en plus récemment. Ce ne sont pas des hommes dominateurs. Ici, c’est Erin qui donne le tempo de leur relation, qui en fixe les limites avec parfois une insistance agaçante et des peurs qui n’ont pas lieu d’être. C’est l’autre caractéristique des personnages de cette auteure. Ils ne sont jamais parfaits et Erin reproche à mac ici des défauts qu’elle a trouvé chez un autre homme. Mais elle est assez chaleureuse et honnête pour dépasser cela.
Sans grand effet, dans un style simple, très contemporain, Claire Kent explore cette relation atypique pour la romance, qui mettra longtemps à se clarifier pour les deux personnages. C’est une plongée dans un couple qui ne se reconnaît pas comme tel. Au milieu du couple, il y a évidemment la grossesse d’Erin et le bébé qui va naître. L’auteure à la fin du roman dit ne pas avoir d’enfants ni jamais n’avoir été enceinte, cela rend sa performance encore plus admirable car tout sonne juste également.
Voilà une romance toute simple, naturelle. Nous reconnaissons sa patte, ses petites obsessions personnelles, son sens du réalisme qui la mettent un peu à part dans la production actuelle. C’est en tous cas, une fois de plus réussi. C’est une auteure à découvrir surtout si vous voulez revisiter, ici, un thème on ne peut plus utilisé mais vous ne l’aurez sans doute que rarement vu ainsi.
http://www.blue-moon.fr/spip.php?arti...
Claire Kent est aussi Noelle Adams, une auteure très prolifique ces temps-ci qui a vraiment son propre ton dans la romance actuelle. Sous ce second pseudonyme, elle écrit normalement de la romance plus épicée mais ce n’est pas vraiment le vas. Ce qui caractérise ce livre est sa longueur ce qui permet une étude prolongée et approfondie d’un thème les plus rebattus de la romance, le bébé surprise.
Mais n’attendez pas la romance classique autour de ce type d’évènement. Claire Kent choisit de travailler sur ce qu’elle préfère c’est à dire une relation particulièrement peu romantique, aux antipodes du coup de foudre, avec un réalisme qui lui est propre. Les héros de ce roman pourrait être n’importe qui, des personnages modernes qui réagissent comme au vingtième siècle avec un grande peur de l’engagement et un manque de confiance patent dans l’autre.
Erin va retrouver Mac qu’elle a connu enfant encore lors des obsèques d’un membre de la famille du jeune homme qui l’a en partie élevé. Mac a mauvaise réputation. Il a quitté la petite ville de Géorgie où ils ont grandi abandonnant littéralement le vieil homme qui avait tant fait pour lui. Il est devenu un grand avocat à Atlanta et tout le monde le trouve prétentieux, hautain et ingrat. Pourtant, Erin va être touché par son extrême solitude et accepter de prendre un verre avec lui. Tout cela se terminera par une soirée excellente à leur grande surprise mutuelle et par une conséquence inattendue quelques semaines plus tard. Jusque là, nous sommes dans une romance très classique. Tout change quand Erin prend conscience de sa grossesse. Oubliez alors ce que vous avez pu lire. Claire Kent va se pencher sur la situation avec sérieux, gravité et minutie.
Elle va prendre le temps dans ce roman très long d’étudier les longs mois qui seront nécessaires pour approcher Erin de Mac. Rien n’est édulcoré ni laissé de côté. Erin se pose honnêtement la question de garder le bébé et refuse absolument de commencer une liaison avec un homme sur cette base. Tout est donc à définir : ce que seront leurs relations, celles avec le bébé. Erin a déjà vécu un divorce pénible et a une peur panique et irrationnelle de l’engagement avec un homme dominateur. Mac a tout de cela et la terrorise littéralement.
Tout est étudié du point de vue d’Erin. Même si le texte est à la troisième personne, jamais nous ne saurons ce que pense Mac, homme réservé et impénétrable. Seules les observations d’Erin nous renseigneront. Malgré tout, mac apparaît dans toutes ses nuances et ses fragilités. C’est un héros passionnant comme il y en a de plus en plus récemment. Ce ne sont pas des hommes dominateurs. Ici, c’est Erin qui donne le tempo de leur relation, qui en fixe les limites avec parfois une insistance agaçante et des peurs qui n’ont pas lieu d’être. C’est l’autre caractéristique des personnages de cette auteure. Ils ne sont jamais parfaits et Erin reproche à mac ici des défauts qu’elle a trouvé chez un autre homme. Mais elle est assez chaleureuse et honnête pour dépasser cela.
Sans grand effet, dans un style simple, très contemporain, Claire Kent explore cette relation atypique pour la romance, qui mettra longtemps à se clarifier pour les deux personnages. C’est une plongée dans un couple qui ne se reconnaît pas comme tel. Au milieu du couple, il y a évidemment la grossesse d’Erin et le bébé qui va naître. L’auteure à la fin du roman dit ne pas avoir d’enfants ni jamais n’avoir été enceinte, cela rend sa performance encore plus admirable car tout sonne juste également.
Voilà une romance toute simple, naturelle. Nous reconnaissons sa patte, ses petites obsessions personnelles, son sens du réalisme qui la mettent un peu à part dans la production actuelle. C’est en tous cas, une fois de plus réussi. C’est une auteure à découvrir surtout si vous voulez revisiter, ici, un thème on ne peut plus utilisé mais vous ne l’aurez sans doute que rarement vu ainsi.
July 25, 2024
I LOVE THIS SO MUCH?! seriously didn't expect that at all. absolutely love the fact that it's written from third person pov following erin, the fmc. and the slow burn. like, really slow.
i love erin's character (minus her longgg denial period, but that's quite understandable because of her past). she's mature, smart, witty and just living a normal life, you know. then seth thomas, hhhh that man has zero emotional intelligence i swear, but it's also understandable why he is the way he is. cold, mysterious, powerful men is my catnip, sooo,,
surprise pregnancy from ons is a cliche trope, but claire kent managed to execute it really well in this book. the whole (realistic) pregnancy journey until the baby is born. and seth's conversation with the baby is just so damn cuteee!
i love erin's character (minus her longgg denial period, but that's quite understandable because of her past). she's mature, smart, witty and just living a normal life, you know. then seth thomas, hhhh that man has zero emotional intelligence i swear, but it's also understandable why he is the way he is. cold, mysterious, powerful men is my catnip, sooo,,
surprise pregnancy from ons is a cliche trope, but claire kent managed to execute it really well in this book. the whole (realistic) pregnancy journey until the baby is born. and seth's conversation with the baby is just so damn cuteee!
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