What would you do for a second chance at love?Jane Melville has done some very stupid things in her life. Having an open sexual relationship with someone who turned out to be a thieving con man and left her standing at the altar—pregnant and penniless—was one of the worst.With her dreams of owning her own catering business down the drain, and the prospect of working at her … prospect of working at her family’s patisserie for the rest of her life looking more and more likely, Jane is determined to make the most of her misfortunes. After all, things could be worse. Her baby daddy might have turned out to be the con man instead of the tall, brooding lawyer, Rafael Bennett. But just because she’s willing to have a baby with the man doesn’t mean she has to like him.
Rafe Bennett’s life has been one of responsibility and heartache. A long time ago, he was forced to give up the girl of his dreams, then made to bear the brunt of her anger for his trouble. In the years since, he has shared his bed with Jane Melville more times than he can count, snatching moments of erotic bliss whenever he can, but when she chose to marry someone else, Rafe walked away for good. Or so he thought.
When fate thrusts Jane back into his life—complete with baby on board—Rafe seizes the opportunity with both hands. He lost her once and never truly got her back, but he’s determined to change their fate. He knows in his heart that with a little persuasion and a whole lot of cake, everything will be different this time around!
2nd Place in the Koru Award (Romance Writers of New Zealand) for Short Romance
Finalist in the Stiletto Award (Contemporary Romance Writers of America) for Mid-length Romance
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The storyline was well written and the characters were so well created that as each and every page was turned I felt like Jane and Rafe pulled me right into their journey as it effortlessly unfolded!
Infinitely readable! Extremely sexy! This original Aussie romance has plot twists, complex and endearing characters that keep you longing for more! It is a roller coaster romance with a wonderful plot!
Loved the characters! Could not put it down!
At first when I was looking to read a book I was hesitant since I don’t like reading much and whenever I find a book to read it ends up being boring, but this book caught my eye. I’m glad I read through it all because I love this book!
ME a few days ago: Let me start this book tonight. I’ll read up to about 20% and then go to bed. Bad, bad move. I stop reading at about 53%, at 2 a.m. This book grabbed me immediately, and never let go.
Jane and Rafe have been friends and sometimes lovers for years. She loved him, but he left and broke her heart, so she doesn’t trust him with it any longer. Her fiance takes off with her life savings and another woman on their wedding day. She’s pregnant, but the baby isn’t Sam’s. It’s Rafe’s. Probably. He has a solution: “Marry me.” He won’t let her touch him until she says yes. She won’t let him kiss her on the mouth until he stops asking. Who’s gonna win this standoff?
Jane is so smart and strong, but doubts herself because of how much she trusted the wrong man (first Rafe, then Sam). Rafe is strong and just wants to fix things for Jane, but he quickly learns that he has to follow her lead to do that. She loves his potty-mouth, and what he does with it. Her father needs to be smacked for destroying their chance for happiness years ago. There’s some suspense near the end with someone trying to hurt Jane, but all works out and the perpetrator is caught. I just love this book. It’s a first read for me from this author, and I’m looking forward to more.
Jane and Rafe dated until her father broke them up and then she gets engaged to another. When Jane is left standing at the alter Rafe knows it is his time and he is determined to make it work this time. Jane a Rafe have been sleeping together so when he finds out she is pregnant with his child he wants things to be better this time around. Of course someone is trying to cause trouble. Great book.
The second book in the Bennett’s Bastards series brings a second chance romance between Jane and Rafe. The author brings strong characters and does a great job developing the story and pulls you in with all the humor,drama and sizzling hot romance. I loved watching them navigate through their relationship on the way to finding love. It’s well written,moves at a steady pace and is an entertaining read. I loved and would recommend this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
Entertaining, but no big surprises in story plot.
This was an easy to read book. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Great read
Jane and Rafe have been on and off again for a long time. They love each other but neither is really ready to admit it. will they get it right this time?
good read
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Soulmates need to be together. I liked this book very much as it reveals such a lot of deep-rooted emotion. Our heroes spend 16 years being close friends, soulmates with occasional ”benefits” and aching hearts because of a promise that allows the distance between them to become commonplace. Jane and Rafe love each other deeply and their physical attraction is explosive, as their latest encounter proves, in Jane’s pregnancy. The girl is coping with a lot being on her plate but 16 years of mutually walking away from each other, determined not to get hurt again, making one wonder how two intelligent people have no talent for a bit of honest communication. One person’s error in judgment results in 16 years of uncertainty and unhappiness. Their toing-and-froing at times is frustrating but it adds to the heightened sense of tension in the book. The characters are very well developed and described with appropriate, often witty dialogue. For a lawyer, Rafe is incredibly foul-mouthed which interestingly fits in well with the book. The novel has an easy to read style and the author managed to hold my interest from beginning to end. The storyline also incorporates a suspense thriller section, showing the author’s ability to handle both the crime and romance genres with equal competence. When the chips are down, walls also follow and we are rewarded, after a lot of hospital drama, with a HEA which I was rooting for from the beginning of the book. This is a very good romantic story that I can recommend without reservation. Good editing enhanced the experience.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Good story yet a bit “late to the table” when they could have resolved their issue a lot quicker than 16 years!!!