Paula Roe

Ten years ago Matt and AJ were in the midst of a hot and heavy affair. They had started out wanting no commitments. AJ's feelings started to change and she was about to tell him so when he abruptly broke things off. When they meet again, Matt wants AJ in his bed again. AJ doesn't want to risk her heart again, but she does want a baby. All they have to do is find a way to make both of them happy.

When AJ sees Matt again she doesn't want anything to do with him. She remembers the work-obsessed show more doctor who put everything else ahead of what they could have had together. The attraction is still there, but she won't risk her heart again. Then she gets some health news that puts a rush on her desire to have a baby of her own. When an artificial insemination appointment falls through and a new one isn't available for six months, she settles on Plan B. Matt had made no secret of the fact that he wanted her in his bed again. She went to him and agreed, as long as she got a baby out of the deal. I really liked AJ's determination to go after what she wants. What she doesn't expect is to see major changes in him from the Matt she used to know. His ability to see past her own issues to the woman underneath causes her any number of worries. She finds herself opening up about her own troubled past and telling him things she'd never told anyone else. Her intent to keep her heart safe is slowly being eroded under his attentions. AJ starts dreaming about what it would be like to have something permanent with Matt, but doesn't think it's possible for her with the background she has. She still doesn't think that she is good enough for him and that he wouldn't want her for anything long term. I liked the growing up she has done since she was with him the last time. She has more confidence than she did before, which shows in the ladies' room scene with his ex-wife. I also loved the scene with her parents.

When Matt saw AJ again he couldn't believe how much he still wanted her. She walked out on him when he tried to get her to sleep with him and he figured she was still angry over their breakup. When she came to him later with her proposition about giving her a baby, this time he was the one who was angry. He had divorced his wife over the fact that she didn't want children, and now AJ wants him to give her a baby and then walk away. He then decides to go along with her but also try to get her to fall for him so that he can keep her and a potential child in his life. I really enjoyed seeing him do everything he could to woo her. Everything he did showed just how well he knew her and what she would like. He didn't expect their time together to have such a strong effect on him. Thoughts of her kept creeping into his daily life even when he was working. I really liked the changes he had made in his life and the effect those changes had on AJ. I loved the way he tried to be there for her and support her in whatever she needed. He was falling for her and fighting it all the way because he didn't want to risk his heart either. I really liked the way that he went to her at the end. show less

Rbrs #11

I'm glad the title has a question mark at the end, because what the heck kind of message would it have without that little squiggle of doubt (or even worse, if it had been an exclamation point). I was once talking to a coworker's wife about the rough work week that was happening, and she casually tossed out that all I'd have to do was get married and then I wouldn't have to work at all. I didn't know what to say to that and suppressed my immediate urge to vent a spittle-filled "pssh" show more of disbelief, or an "oh my God" or horror, or a "motherf*cker" of disgust. I ended up giving a non-commital laugh with a neutral "I guess that works for some." We didn't become friends.

I don't mean that choosing work over creating family is the way to go, but I certainly don't believe choosing to focus on the domestic over work is superior. I hugely admire people who've made all kinds of choices - career-driven, family-centric, tackling both - and the tendency to raise one over the other is...not good.

Anyway, the title is unfitting for what ended up unfolding in this book. Did anyone else think the timeline was screwy, that the book stated she'd worked for this dude for 2 years but then later the dude stated she'd worked for him for 6 months? Maybe I misunderstood. A woman who is very good at her job attempts to go back to school to prepare for her own business (life coaching, and I laugh at the thought of it but looking at my path so far maybe I could benefit from it). She'd been careful to keep herself businesslike and totally disguised with glasses (as we know from the movies, glasses can hide everything from superhuman strength to a smokin' body) and boxy blazers, but her boss chanced to see her in casual clothes and got the hots for her. He tricks her into staying as she is, his assistant - but it's okay! because they're meant to be together. Before they realize this he coerces her into a sexytimes arrangement - but it's okay!, because she really actually wants him, too. There are a few cardboard conflicts including a dead ex-husband's debts, rich family issues, a blip of a stalker. At the veeeeeery end, there's a tacked on marriage proposal. Oops, spoiler alert. And hey, it all works out in the end because, spoiler alert, her father-in-law-to-be agrees to fund her studies and business. None of these should be spoilers.

I did appreciate that even though she's supposed to be totally gorgeous with great jugs and hot buns (this is embarrassing, it's like my sorry excuse for cussing but different), she's awkward. Not original, but at least she's not perfect.

I realize I'm overlaying my own working values over this reverie of a situation, that this is not intended to be realistic, but the contemporary setting throws me off and I think it makes me not expect everything to work out just right.

I have to add, in my field, by the time someone gains enough experience to become a manager/boss, they've usually married their schoolteacher sweetheart, had a few kids, lost the hairline, and refused to give up those now too-tight slacks resulting in muffintops. All my bosses have been fatherly, in their contact with me and in my view of them. The fantasy of getting with the boss has never been one that I wanted. This book is not for me. show less

Good book. Kat has been a magnet for trouble for most of her adult life and the tabloids have been there to document it. But her friends have always been there for her, especially Marco. She's always managed to resist his appeal, keeping their friendship strong. But one night, thanks to a bit too much celebrating, she and Marco had gone beyond that friendship. Now that she's pregnant they have to decide whether to stick to being friends or take it up to the next level.

Kat never planned to show more have children. She watched her mother die from a devastating disease and fears that she may be a carrier. She doesn't want to put a child through the same things she did. She's also been afraid to take the test that would tell her one way or the other because she doesn't want to have a potential death sentence hanging over her as she tries to live her life. It did have the effect on her of making her spend a period of time living very recklessly before she wised up. Marco was always there to listen to her when she needed to talk. After that one night she has tried to put Marco back in the friends only category, not wanting their friendship to change, but the change can't be stopped.

Marco has been disturbed by the fact that Kat has begun ignoring his calls. When he finally arrives back in Australia after ten weeks away doing his job he is ready to confront her. He whisks Kat away to his island retreat just as a cyclone is about to hit. As they are confined to the island during the storm Marco works hard to get their friendship back on track, but he also wants more. He hasn't been able to forget that night and that attraction is still running hot. He is sensitive to her fears and tries not to rush things.

Because of the baby Kat has finally gotten the test for the disease done and as she waits for the results she has to confront her feelings for Marco. She finally admits to herself that she loves him but she doesn't want him to feel obligated to marry her because of the baby. She is certain that all he wants from her is their friendship to go back to the way it was.

Meanwhile, Marco is certain that Kat just wants friendship, in spite of the incredible heat that flares up every time they are together. He goes along with that but is also determined to win her heart. I really loved the way he was there for her as she waited for the test results.

Kat went through some pretty intense emotions throughout the book. They had the effect of making her take a good hard look at her life. I enjoyed the changes she made as she moved away from the more reckless lifestyle. The empathy she feels for people who are in trouble gives her ideas for what she can do with her time.

There is an interesting twist that comes about because of the test results and I liked the way it was handled. I will be interested to see if it will have an effect on a later book. I loved the conclusion of the book and seeing both Marco and Kat finally have the courage to admit their feelings to each other. I would have liked to see an epilogue, maybe after the baby is born. show less

Title and cover image misleading. Sure there was a baby in it. But really only peripherally. That was the sleepiest 5 month old baby I've ever heard tell of. This was a hazy sort of book. Lot's of things seemed implied but not stated clearly. They had a previous relationship that wasn't clearly explained. He dated her sister. Her brother was doing him wrong for a reason that wasn't real clear. He hatched up a lame ass revenge plot that wasn't real clear on details. Altogether not very clear show more characterizations.

My recommendation is give it a miss. show less