Their Christmas Baby Contract

Good friends to lovers story. Brady and Reyna have known each other since first grade and have watched each other crash and burn on many relationships. Reyna is unaware that Brady has loved her for years, which has affected his ability to maintain a relationship with another woman. She and Brady have an embarrassing bit of history between them. A night together that didn’t turn out as expected created lingering awkwardness whenever they meet. But when Reyna’s latest relationship comes to a humiliating and public end, Brady is there to help.

I liked both Brady and Reyna. Brady has a reputation for being unable to stick with any relationship for long. No one realizes that Brady is searching for the one who can give him the family he wants. Brady’s terrific scenes with his nephews show how wonderful he is with them and his yearning for a child of his own. Reyna is in a similar situation. She has a reputation for being “hell on men” because her relationships don’t last. Reyna wants a child and has been searching for the perfect husband and father, but none of them measure up. So she decides to do it on her own.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Brady and Reyna. Reyna is upfront with Brady that she wants him to be the father of her baby. She doesn’t want a relationship, just the baby. Brady is taken aback by the proposal. Yes, he wants a child of his own, but he also wants the family that goes with it. However, this may be the only way to get that child, so he accepts Reyna’s offer. Because both are tired of being the subjects of gossip, they plan to “date” publicly, then break up sometime after Reyna gets pregnant while agreeing to co-parent the baby.

Brady jumps at the chance to spend time with the woman he loves. He knows she doesn’t want a relationship with him, but he feels a small flicker of hope that maybe he can change her mind. As they spent time together on their “dates,” they got to know each other’s hopes and dreams. There are some sweet scenes between them, and it is obvious that their feelings have deepened. However, having made their “no relationship” demands initially, neither one knows how to go about changing it. Afraid of rejection, each keeps their feelings to themselves until Reyna gets scared of how real everything feels and forces the breakup. I ached for Brady, who had started to believe they had a future. I wanted to shake Reyna because she was rather cruel in the way she did it. I loved the ending as both of them faced their fears (with a little help). I loved Brady’s bravery in laying his heart on the line and how that gave Reyna the courage to reveal hers. The scene in the gazebo was beautiful, and I loved the epilogue.

It was far too long of a gap between me reading the first book in this series, More Than Neighbors, and this story. Not because I had any issues with getting back into the series, but because I really love the mood and feel of these books.

Brady and Reyna have an interesting relationship. Childhood friends who crushed on one another without the other knowing. Which meant that when, years ago, they fell into bed together after reconnecting at a local bar they each had high expectations and were overly excited…without the other knowing that either. So things didn’t go to plan, it wasn’t a great experience, there was embarrassment all around, and they’ve barely talked let alone looked at each other since. Yet the chemistry still lingered.

Now they are both sick and tired of waiting to live their lives. They’ve both been holding themselves back even though both Reyna and Brady would love the whole white picket fence lifestyle. They’ve somewhat given up on ever having that traditional dream and, for Reyna’s part, have started thinking outside the box. And that’s when things get real.

This story really tugged at my heartstrings. Reyna and Brady are both very confident, independent, and unflappable people. That is, at least outwardly. They both hide their fears and insecurities very well, which makes it even harder to open up to one another about their true feelings when they decide to help each other out in their hopes for expanding their lives. There was no denying their chemistry, and they both knew chemistry alone couldn’t sustain a relationship. Plus, they had never agreed to have a relationship. Those pesky feelings kept getting shoved further and further down.

The good thing about them dragging things out and not clearing the air is that they are both forced to face their past demons, or what they perceive to be demons. They come out the other end stronger and with more self confidence to go along with their outward confidence.

This author always has such great pacing and rhythm with her writing. Her stories are perfect for when you want to curl up with a fluffy blanket and a warm drink. In this case, there is also the added bonus of a wonderfully done fake relationship. Something I’m a sucker for every single time.

When Reyna asked Brady to be her baby daddy he didn’t hesitate to agree. He had loved her since kindergarten and even had told his friend he was going to marry her. Reyna didn’t know any of this. She just knew he was her best friend who came from a wonderful family, making him the perfect candidate.

I liked the characters and loved the town in Their Christmas Baby Contract. This was a captivating, enjoyable Christmas novel that was a joy to read.

I’ve been anxiously waiting for this book since reading Cam & Meredith’s story and was not disappointed! Reyna does not have a good track record around town…neither does her childhood friend, Brady, for that matter. Yet, when Reyna decides that she wants a baby, she turns to Brady. They each want kids but no commitment so this plan works…no entanglement nor expectations. At least that’s the plan…until hearts get involved! Cute story with a great HEA. Can’t wait for Finn’s story!

I love the Blackberry Bay series and Shannon Stacey did not disappoint with this wonderful holiday read! Reyna was introduced in the first book and I loved her instantly. She’s feisty, knows what she wants, and isn’t afraid to go after it. Even when what she wants is a baby.

Brady Nash has been in love with Reyna forever. When another of her relationships goes bad right in front of his eyes, he’d do anything to make her smile, including agreeing to her crazy idea to have a baby together. An electrician and secure financially, and with a home, but equally as bad at finding a woman to settle down with (because he wants Reyna!) he decides co-parenting with her might be the only way to become a father. Their agreement was to ‘date’, show up pregnant, and then break up before the baby arrives.

And then. The feels. The feels they weren’t expecting but were there nonetheless. The comfort and joy they found in spending time with each other and the ache when they were apart. They both wanted the same thing, but they didn’t know how to find their way there.

Once again Shannon wrote this wonderful romance in a mature and sensible way. The characters didn’t stomp off mad and never speak again just because their feelings got hurt. Reyna and Brady had to learn how to communicate with each other, but they still worked at it the way any couple navigating their situation would.

The secondary cast of characters was strong and I love Brady’s family and Reyna’s mom. It was nice to see Meredith and Cam again, too! If you love well-written, sweet, small-town romances with so many wonderful characters and all the feels, then you want to get started on this series today!