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Little Secrets #5
Little Secrets: Holiday Baby Bombshell
From Rivalry to Revelry…to Romance?
Competitive swimmer turned real estate magnate Michael Kelly is tastier than a Christmas cookie. But now Charlotte Locke's sexy former lover is her top business rival…and the father of her unborn child. Determined to keep her professional cool, the hotel heiress hides her delicate condition from her family—and from her commitmentphobic ex. Until Michael moves in next door, exposing a desire left unquenched and Charlotte's pregnancy secret.
Michael may not be daddy material, but losing Charlotte and their baby isn't an option. He'll close the deal at any cost—even if it takes a Christmas miracle to prove this playboy is reformed for good!
Competitive swimmer turned real estate magnate Michael Kelly is tastier than a Christmas cookie. But now Charlotte Locke's sexy former lover is her top business rival…and the father of her unborn child. Determined to keep her professional cool, the hotel heiress hides her delicate condition from her family—and from her commitmentphobic ex. Until Michael moves in next door, exposing a desire left unquenched and Charlotte's pregnancy secret.
Michael may not be daddy material, but losing Charlotte and their baby isn't an option. He'll close the deal at any cost—even if it takes a Christmas miracle to prove this playboy is reformed for good!
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 23, 2017
26 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Karen Booth
318 books506 followersKaren Booth is a Midwestern girl transplanted in the South, raised on 80s music and repeated readings of Forever by Judy Blume. She writes steamy contemporary romance and women's fiction. When she isn't creating fictional hunky men and the women who test them, she's listening to music with her kids, honing her Southern cooking skills or sweet-talking her astoundingly supportive husband into whipping up a batch of cocktails.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
November 8, 2017
Holiday Baby Bombshell was an entertaining story in author Karen Booth’s Locke Legacy series. Back from a life hiatus overseas, Charlotte Locke is ready to take on the world and prove to her brothers she isn’t the family screw-up by asking for a chance to sell the condos in the family’s recently remodeled and historic hotel, The Grand Legacy. She doesn’t feel good about hiding her pregnancy from her brothers, but doesn’t want her situation to influence the decision to allow her to come on board and be a part of her family’s legacy. What he doesn’t expect is to find that her ex has already brokered a deal with her brother to be the realtor for the condos and thusly, will be her direct competition. A bit of drama, a whole lot of sexy, with a gorgeous hotel and the holiday season as a backdrop, Holiday Baby Bombshell is an excellent story to start off the holiday reading season.
One thing that was undeniable in this book was the attraction between Charlotte and Michael; we see it right away and every time their paths cross. I found their situation interesting in many ways leaving them both responsible for the divide between them. There were so many moments between these two when you could see the respect, admiration, and caring between them but they had a hard time being on the same page as far as a relationship was concerned. Both had some baggage from their childhoods that left them with different expectations of relationships, love, and families and they struggled at communicating their feelings well. However, it was those little moments where they let their guards down that the love between them shone through making me see that despite themselves they would figure it out eventually.
It has been so easy to fall in love with the Locke family, The Grand Legacy, and this series. Ms. Booth offers up another wonderfully sexy romance in Holiday Baby Bombshell
October 10, 2021
Reviewed @ Thoughts By Tash
Review copy kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for a honest review
Second chance romances always seemed to rate high in my books since they generally always appeal to me. Plus there some juicy secrets to be involved as time has passed right and a lot can changed in that period. Whether it is a short or long period, as in this story it may have been a few weeks but there a little secret that could cause a quite bombshell.
Charlotte, is a woman who doesn’t seemed to be what she paints herself to be. A young woman who loves a good party and has a had revolving door of jobs in her short working career. As one of the Locke siblings, her life has been a pedestal. However this isn’t what we are presented with , when the author introduces her in the first few pages. A determined woman , who is keen to make to get what she wants and do something with the opportunity.
Until her ex Michael Kelly is revealed as the part already selling the apartments she wants her hands on to sell . Easily can see where this book is going, a little old health competition didn’t hurt anyone. Yet the story doesn’t rest it’s laurels on the competition and the fact they are back in each other lives after mere months.
Michael isn’t with out his own problems. Getting close to Charlotte the first time it seems, evoked something that he doesn’t know how to deal with. So I don’t know if the three months was long enough as Michael is more then keen to return to the old ways pretty quickly once Charlotte back in the picture . As he seemed like he was cruising along , determined to show that he was still the top dog .
He wasn’t a bad sort once the story revealed secrets and allowed us to get to know Michael better as the book went on. There was so much more to this story and the holidays brought the best in most people. I think they need the break and it made them for the better once everything was out in the open.
They needed a push a little secret was the perfect answer even though it did played out for most of the book. I think the author had the right intentions with that, allowing to get the past hurt and rekindled first before deluging into the secret that drove Charlotte for most of this book.
My only problem with this story whilst it was a second chance romance and we did get to see them hashing out their past . I would have shown some of their relationship . I love a good mix of showing and telling and these two were so electrifying together once reunited . I wanted to see the original sparks!
Otherwise it was a good solid romance that happen to have some Christmas cheer involved. For a desire novel, you won’t be disappointed.
For more of my reviews, visit Thoughts by Tash.And drop by the blog's Facebook page
Review copy kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for a honest review
Second chance romances always seemed to rate high in my books since they generally always appeal to me. Plus there some juicy secrets to be involved as time has passed right and a lot can changed in that period. Whether it is a short or long period, as in this story it may have been a few weeks but there a little secret that could cause a quite bombshell.
Charlotte, is a woman who doesn’t seemed to be what she paints herself to be. A young woman who loves a good party and has a had revolving door of jobs in her short working career. As one of the Locke siblings, her life has been a pedestal. However this isn’t what we are presented with , when the author introduces her in the first few pages. A determined woman , who is keen to make to get what she wants and do something with the opportunity.
Until her ex Michael Kelly is revealed as the part already selling the apartments she wants her hands on to sell . Easily can see where this book is going, a little old health competition didn’t hurt anyone. Yet the story doesn’t rest it’s laurels on the competition and the fact they are back in each other lives after mere months.
Michael isn’t with out his own problems. Getting close to Charlotte the first time it seems, evoked something that he doesn’t know how to deal with. So I don’t know if the three months was long enough as Michael is more then keen to return to the old ways pretty quickly once Charlotte back in the picture . As he seemed like he was cruising along , determined to show that he was still the top dog .
He wasn’t a bad sort once the story revealed secrets and allowed us to get to know Michael better as the book went on. There was so much more to this story and the holidays brought the best in most people. I think they need the break and it made them for the better once everything was out in the open.
They needed a push a little secret was the perfect answer even though it did played out for most of the book. I think the author had the right intentions with that, allowing to get the past hurt and rekindled first before deluging into the secret that drove Charlotte for most of this book.
My only problem with this story whilst it was a second chance romance and we did get to see them hashing out their past . I would have shown some of their relationship . I love a good mix of showing and telling and these two were so electrifying together once reunited . I wanted to see the original sparks!
Otherwise it was a good solid romance that happen to have some Christmas cheer involved. For a desire novel, you won’t be disappointed.
For more of my reviews, visit Thoughts by Tash.And drop by the blog's Facebook page
November 4, 2017
It’s been awhile since I’ve read Karen Booth and I’ve forgotten how much I enjoy her writing. Holiday Baby Bombshell combines a few of my favorite romance themes. This is a second chance, secret baby, and Christmas romance all rolled together.
From the outside looking in, both Michael Kelly and Charlotte Locke had amazing lives growing up. Even as adults, they seem to be living out their dreams. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Charlotte lost her mother at an early age and never received the emotional love and support from her father that she deserved. Charlotte views herself as being flighty and consistently messing up when nothing could be further from the truth. Luckily for her, she has her two older brothers (Sawyer and Noah) and Aunt Fran. Michael’s father was a dictator who expected perfection from his sons. He wanted Michael and his brother Chris each to be Olympic gold medal swimming champions, and pushed them hard to meet that goal. When Michael left the sport, he set his sights on conquering the real estate world, much to his father and mother’s disdain. This put him on a course to meet Charlotte who is a hotel heiress.
Charlotte and Michael dated for three months. But things came to an end when Charlotte realized that she was in love with Michael and wanted more from their relationship than Michael was willing to give. Michael doesn't do romantic relationships after a disastrous engagement. In fact, the three months of being exclusive with Charlotte felt like a lifetime to him. Michael thinks he’s happy being at the top of the real estate world until he sees Charlotte for the first time after their breakup.
This Christmas season, fate conspires to bring these two back together again. And a Christmas surprise will bring understanding and love. I should mention that sometimes book titles don’t really go with the book itself. In the case of Holiday Baby Bombshell the title fits perfectly.
I liked the characters of Charlotte and Michael. I loved the way they pushed each other’s buttons. Their passion for each other is hard to contain. I loved watching Michael grow as a person and overcome his fears. While I admired Charlotte for overcoming all the curveballs life threw at her, I wasn't too happy with her keeping her pregnancy a secret so far into the story or her response when Michael found out. I’m a sucker for the declaration of love scenes and I have to say, I loved what Michael did. Reading Holiday Baby Bombshell introduced me to the Locke Family. I now have to go back and read Sawyer’s story, Pregnant by the Billionaire, and I’m also looking forward to Noah’s story, Between Marriage and Merger. As as matter of fact, I wouldn’t be opposed to a Chris Kelly story, if Karen chooses to write one.
**Received a copy of the book from the author and voluntarily reviewed.**
From the outside looking in, both Michael Kelly and Charlotte Locke had amazing lives growing up. Even as adults, they seem to be living out their dreams. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Charlotte lost her mother at an early age and never received the emotional love and support from her father that she deserved. Charlotte views herself as being flighty and consistently messing up when nothing could be further from the truth. Luckily for her, she has her two older brothers (Sawyer and Noah) and Aunt Fran. Michael’s father was a dictator who expected perfection from his sons. He wanted Michael and his brother Chris each to be Olympic gold medal swimming champions, and pushed them hard to meet that goal. When Michael left the sport, he set his sights on conquering the real estate world, much to his father and mother’s disdain. This put him on a course to meet Charlotte who is a hotel heiress.
Charlotte and Michael dated for three months. But things came to an end when Charlotte realized that she was in love with Michael and wanted more from their relationship than Michael was willing to give. Michael doesn't do romantic relationships after a disastrous engagement. In fact, the three months of being exclusive with Charlotte felt like a lifetime to him. Michael thinks he’s happy being at the top of the real estate world until he sees Charlotte for the first time after their breakup.
This Christmas season, fate conspires to bring these two back together again. And a Christmas surprise will bring understanding and love. I should mention that sometimes book titles don’t really go with the book itself. In the case of Holiday Baby Bombshell the title fits perfectly.
I liked the characters of Charlotte and Michael. I loved the way they pushed each other’s buttons. Their passion for each other is hard to contain. I loved watching Michael grow as a person and overcome his fears. While I admired Charlotte for overcoming all the curveballs life threw at her, I wasn't too happy with her keeping her pregnancy a secret so far into the story or her response when Michael found out. I’m a sucker for the declaration of love scenes and I have to say, I loved what Michael did. Reading Holiday Baby Bombshell introduced me to the Locke Family. I now have to go back and read Sawyer’s story, Pregnant by the Billionaire, and I’m also looking forward to Noah’s story, Between Marriage and Merger. As as matter of fact, I wouldn’t be opposed to a Chris Kelly story, if Karen chooses to write one.
**Received a copy of the book from the author and voluntarily reviewed.**
March 19, 2018
***2.5 Stars***
This was a so-so read for me. As I have said in past reviews I find it difficult to rate a book above a two or three star when I don't like one of the main characters. I definitely did not like the hero and I felt no redemption for him in the end.
When I read a book I don't enjoy reading about the hero dating other women as soon as he broke it off with our heroine. They were apart for several months in total. In fact, he brought a date to the heroine's brother's wedding and it was painful for both of them and myself included. I thought it took a lot of gall to bring a date along when he had just tossed the heroine over. The heroine made a comment that he was the type of guy to move on quickly. I do not consider this a safe read.
Safety Gang -- No, hero breaks up with the heroine and is quickly dating...and who knows what else. It is not clear about intimacy.
I'm sorry but I can't recommend this book.
I am finding that I don't care for this series.
This was a so-so read for me. As I have said in past reviews I find it difficult to rate a book above a two or three star when I don't like one of the main characters. I definitely did not like the hero and I felt no redemption for him in the end.
When I read a book I don't enjoy reading about the hero dating other women as soon as he broke it off with our heroine. They were apart for several months in total. In fact, he brought a date to the heroine's brother's wedding and it was painful for both of them and myself included. I thought it took a lot of gall to bring a date along when he had just tossed the heroine over. The heroine made a comment that he was the type of guy to move on quickly. I do not consider this a safe read.
Safety Gang -- No, hero breaks up with the heroine and is quickly dating...and who knows what else. It is not clear about intimacy.
I'm sorry but I can't recommend this book.
I am finding that I don't care for this series.
November 3, 2017
Sweet read!
***
Karen Booth delivered yet another delight continuing her reign on my list of guilty pleasure reading. I was eager for the continuation of the Locke Legacy series having enjoyed Sawyer's story so well and having met his siblings, Charlotte and Noah. The surprise baby trope is well-played in Holiday Baby Bombshell. :)
Highlights
~Characters
Both Charlotte and Michael have pasts that greatly impact how they approach relationships. Despite Michael feeling that Charlotte was "different" than anyone who came before her, he was determined not to commit. Charlotte's approach was rather opposite. What I appreciated about their second chance is that they each discovered a few things about themselves along the way. They showed emotional growth and that set them on a path to being able to work things out.
~Setting
NYC at the holidays was a brilliant backdrop. Add to that Sawyer and Kendall's wedding at The Grand Hotel? I adored feeling like I was alternately walking the streets of Manhattan, walking along the Hudson, or through the lobby or hallways of the hotel. Booth brought the location to life.
~The Competition
The race between Charlotte and Michael to sell apartments in the hotel was a fun element. It clearly brought out the competitive sides of both. They were each kinda ruthless in what they wanted. Luckily, despite things not going to plan, they both achieved their goal.
**I received a complimentary copy from the author. This did not affect my rating and my review is voluntarily provided.**
***
Karen Booth delivered yet another delight continuing her reign on my list of guilty pleasure reading. I was eager for the continuation of the Locke Legacy series having enjoyed Sawyer's story so well and having met his siblings, Charlotte and Noah. The surprise baby trope is well-played in Holiday Baby Bombshell. :)
Highlights
~Characters
Both Charlotte and Michael have pasts that greatly impact how they approach relationships. Despite Michael feeling that Charlotte was "different" than anyone who came before her, he was determined not to commit. Charlotte's approach was rather opposite. What I appreciated about their second chance is that they each discovered a few things about themselves along the way. They showed emotional growth and that set them on a path to being able to work things out.
~Setting
NYC at the holidays was a brilliant backdrop. Add to that Sawyer and Kendall's wedding at The Grand Hotel? I adored feeling like I was alternately walking the streets of Manhattan, walking along the Hudson, or through the lobby or hallways of the hotel. Booth brought the location to life.
~The Competition
The race between Charlotte and Michael to sell apartments in the hotel was a fun element. It clearly brought out the competitive sides of both. They were each kinda ruthless in what they wanted. Luckily, despite things not going to plan, they both achieved their goal.
My only complaint is the length. With a few extra pages the resolutions could have felt more solid. But overall, I was pleased and I'm anxious for Noah's story as well as crossing my fingers for Chris' (Michael's brother) story.
**I received a complimentary copy from the author. This did not affect my rating and my review is voluntarily provided.**
November 3, 2017
This story made me all kinds of happy! Michael and Charlotte's push-pull relationship is equal parts funny, sexy and heartwarming. I loved watching these two work their way to a HEA -with a little help from three supportive brothers, two adorable dogs and one very wise aunt. Oh, and a baby!! It was great to see the entire Locke family again. Looking forward to Noah's book!! *4.5*
October 3, 2017
This was a fun read. Both Michael & Charlotte had oodles of chemistry but they also frustrated me at times like crazy. Loved their HEA!!!
November 14, 2017
Plot: 4/5
Characterisation: 3.5/5
Prose: 4/5
How much I enjoyed it: 4/5
Characterisation: 3.5/5
Prose: 4/5
How much I enjoyed it: 4/5
Read
December 29, 2017Received 4 1/2 stars @ harlequin.com (as of 12/29/17). To view reviews, go HERE> https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/...
Miniseries: Little Secrets
Miniseries: Little Secrets
November 1, 2017
TL;DR: SWEET CHRISTMAS STORY FULL OF TROPEY GOODNESS
***
THE STORY:
This story picks up almost immediately after Pregnant by the Billionaire, and follows the sister of the main character from that book as she deals with her pregnancy post-breakup to someone who she was falling in love with but has told her in no uncertain terms that he is not relationship material.
Charlotte Locke wants to get her life turned around. She's been the family party girl all of her life, and now she wants to get serious about her real estate career and make a living so she can provide for her unborn baby. Her plan is to use her family connections to be the agent responsible for the luxury condos on the top floors of her brother's hotel. There's a giant wrench in the shape of her former lover thrown into the mix, however, as Michael Kelly is the agent that her brother has already picked for the listings.
Charlotte hasn't told Michael about the pregnancy, and she keeps giving herself excuses to put it off longer. She really isn't looking forward to the inevitable rejection when she does spill the beans, so she continually thinks of fairly logical reasons to put it off. (People don't share pregnancy news until 12 weeks! Makes total sense, right?) She also doesn't want her brothers to know she's knocked up until she can prove to them that she's got what it takes to sell those condos, particularly when her brother tosses her a bone and says that she and Michael can each have half of the listings.
TECHNICAL ELEMENTS:
I really enjoyed the first half of the book. It was mostly about Charlotte trying to regain her confidence after she was shattered by the break up and resulting pregnancy. She squares her shoulders and really decides to go for what she wants. She makes it clear to Michael that they can't be casual and if that's all he can give her, she wants nothing to do with it, despite how she feels about him.
The second half I was less invested in, and partially that's just because of particular romance tropes that aren't my favorite. Pregnancy and birth and general are things that irritate me in fiction because often they are so unrealistic, and we fall on the same tropes over and over again to maintain drama. Here, Charlotte has a scare where she begins bleeding and has to be sent to the hospital for observation. In turn, that causes Michael to drop everything and run to be by her side. Now, he had realized the error of his ways before that and was trying to get in touch with her before, and that makes it slightly less tropey, but it's still not my favorite dramatic device.
There was also some parts of the dialogue toward the end that were overwrought and didn't seem real. The grovel toward the end didn't seem natural to Michael's character. I also didn't completely buy why his so-called tragic backstory affected him the way that it did, and how he was able to be completely over it within a few days.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Overall, this was a nice book. It's very fluffy and light on the peril, and for fans of the secret baby trope, it's sure to be a winner.
***
EBOOK PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR IN EXCHANGE FOR HONEST REVIEW.
***
THE STORY:
This story picks up almost immediately after Pregnant by the Billionaire, and follows the sister of the main character from that book as she deals with her pregnancy post-breakup to someone who she was falling in love with but has told her in no uncertain terms that he is not relationship material.
Charlotte Locke wants to get her life turned around. She's been the family party girl all of her life, and now she wants to get serious about her real estate career and make a living so she can provide for her unborn baby. Her plan is to use her family connections to be the agent responsible for the luxury condos on the top floors of her brother's hotel. There's a giant wrench in the shape of her former lover thrown into the mix, however, as Michael Kelly is the agent that her brother has already picked for the listings.
Charlotte hasn't told Michael about the pregnancy, and she keeps giving herself excuses to put it off longer. She really isn't looking forward to the inevitable rejection when she does spill the beans, so she continually thinks of fairly logical reasons to put it off. (People don't share pregnancy news until 12 weeks! Makes total sense, right?) She also doesn't want her brothers to know she's knocked up until she can prove to them that she's got what it takes to sell those condos, particularly when her brother tosses her a bone and says that she and Michael can each have half of the listings.
TECHNICAL ELEMENTS:
I really enjoyed the first half of the book. It was mostly about Charlotte trying to regain her confidence after she was shattered by the break up and resulting pregnancy. She squares her shoulders and really decides to go for what she wants. She makes it clear to Michael that they can't be casual and if that's all he can give her, she wants nothing to do with it, despite how she feels about him.
The second half I was less invested in, and partially that's just because of particular romance tropes that aren't my favorite. Pregnancy and birth and general are things that irritate me in fiction because often they are so unrealistic, and we fall on the same tropes over and over again to maintain drama. Here, Charlotte has a scare where she begins bleeding and has to be sent to the hospital for observation. In turn, that causes Michael to drop everything and run to be by her side. Now, he had realized the error of his ways before that and was trying to get in touch with her before, and that makes it slightly less tropey, but it's still not my favorite dramatic device.
There was also some parts of the dialogue toward the end that were overwrought and didn't seem real. The grovel toward the end didn't seem natural to Michael's character. I also didn't completely buy why his so-called tragic backstory affected him the way that it did, and how he was able to be completely over it within a few days.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Overall, this was a nice book. It's very fluffy and light on the peril, and for fans of the secret baby trope, it's sure to be a winner.
***
EBOOK PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR IN EXCHANGE FOR HONEST REVIEW.
November 10, 2017
WOW this is the first book I have read from this author and it won’t be the last, this one had me turning the pages whilst sighing and smiling, I loved Michael Kelly the hero he does not see himself in a permanent relationship but that changes when he meets the gorgeous lovable Charlotte Locke and their on and off again relationship heats up to sizzle with a dash of rivalry.
Olympic swimmer Michael Kelly is now selling real estate and doing well he is estranged from his parents for good reason and does not do permanent with woman but after a fling with Charlotte Locke that ended, he is now thrust back with her as they become adversaries in selling apartments from Charlotte’s family hotel and this stats sparks flying for him he has never quite gotten over Charlotte.
Charlotte is the child that was always in trouble and always making the wrong decisions but now with a baby to think about the loving caring Charlotte is working hard to get ahead and working with her ex Michael sets her emotions buzzing that love is still there but I loved the strength and courage that she shows.
I really did enjoy this story and can highly recommend it I love this Desire line the sizzle and strong characters appeal to me in so many ways and this one ticks all of the boxes for a fabulous romance that will leave the reader feeling happy and smiling, Michael and Charlotte are just made for each other both have issues from their pasts and together they will overcome them, and the setting Christmas in New York just awesome. Thank you MS Booth for hours of reading pleasure.
Olympic swimmer Michael Kelly is now selling real estate and doing well he is estranged from his parents for good reason and does not do permanent with woman but after a fling with Charlotte Locke that ended, he is now thrust back with her as they become adversaries in selling apartments from Charlotte’s family hotel and this stats sparks flying for him he has never quite gotten over Charlotte.
Charlotte is the child that was always in trouble and always making the wrong decisions but now with a baby to think about the loving caring Charlotte is working hard to get ahead and working with her ex Michael sets her emotions buzzing that love is still there but I loved the strength and courage that she shows.
I really did enjoy this story and can highly recommend it I love this Desire line the sizzle and strong characters appeal to me in so many ways and this one ticks all of the boxes for a fabulous romance that will leave the reader feeling happy and smiling, Michael and Charlotte are just made for each other both have issues from their pasts and together they will overcome them, and the setting Christmas in New York just awesome. Thank you MS Booth for hours of reading pleasure.
February 5, 2018
Another Locke Legacy book to devour. I've read all three books and Charlotte is by far the most interesting character. She is one of the most feisty, self-aware characters of Ms. Booths. Why would I say that, will let me tell you.
Charlotte is one of those heroines that didn't have it all when she was growing up. No mother, a father that was a beast and two brothers that had their own issues. The only way that she got attention, good or bad, was to either have a crisis or be the party girl. I really felt sorry for her at times. She is a good person but being in the middle has its own set of issues.
Until she meets Michael. Michael is just too hot for me. I loved him from the beginning. He and Charlotte had a history and a baby on the way but he never backed down when it came to the contest with her. I know, some people would think he was being too alpha but in my opinion, he was just pushing her to be the best...just like him. Which that was his problem.
Parents pushing and a brother (who I NEED his book) that he really cared about and the competitive streak is always there. *sigh* But what really seperates him from all the other alphas is is love for Charlotte and their baby.
The Locke Legacy is further explored and I love it. Hopefully in Noah's book, it will come to a head and someone will get their comeuppence.
Do yourself a favor and pick up this series. Ms. Booth always delivers.
Charlotte is one of those heroines that didn't have it all when she was growing up. No mother, a father that was a beast and two brothers that had their own issues. The only way that she got attention, good or bad, was to either have a crisis or be the party girl. I really felt sorry for her at times. She is a good person but being in the middle has its own set of issues.
Until she meets Michael. Michael is just too hot for me. I loved him from the beginning. He and Charlotte had a history and a baby on the way but he never backed down when it came to the contest with her. I know, some people would think he was being too alpha but in my opinion, he was just pushing her to be the best...just like him. Which that was his problem.
Parents pushing and a brother (who I NEED his book) that he really cared about and the competitive streak is always there. *sigh* But what really seperates him from all the other alphas is is love for Charlotte and their baby.
The Locke Legacy is further explored and I love it. Hopefully in Noah's book, it will come to a head and someone will get their comeuppence.
Do yourself a favor and pick up this series. Ms. Booth always delivers.
November 26, 2017
A smidge predictable, especially the ending....but it's that good kind of predictable. Like a favorite blanket or movie, it warmed me through.
I found it amusing that both Charlotte and Michael had daddy issues, in their own way. Which played a huge deal into their personalities and the story. I am kinda the screw up in my family so I understood some of the pressure Charlotte felt at being an unwed, single mother who's career just hit the skids. But she bounced back to an extreme I never would've guessed.
Communication, or the lack of it, though understandable was the crux of the main conflict but again it's very easy to relate to the character and her logic even when you know it's flawed.
Generally a light read, it tugs at your emotions enough to become entangled in the story but you don't need to worry about it causing an ugly cry in public. This instead is a perfect romance to carry with you, or to cuddle up with some hot tea (or wine) and your favorite blanket to just enjoy.
I'd love to read the other books in the Little Secrets set. Though they're definitely not needed to be read as first as I just learned this was the fifth one, and it stood perfectly on its own.
I found it amusing that both Charlotte and Michael had daddy issues, in their own way. Which played a huge deal into their personalities and the story. I am kinda the screw up in my family so I understood some of the pressure Charlotte felt at being an unwed, single mother who's career just hit the skids. But she bounced back to an extreme I never would've guessed.
Communication, or the lack of it, though understandable was the crux of the main conflict but again it's very easy to relate to the character and her logic even when you know it's flawed.
Generally a light read, it tugs at your emotions enough to become entangled in the story but you don't need to worry about it causing an ugly cry in public. This instead is a perfect romance to carry with you, or to cuddle up with some hot tea (or wine) and your favorite blanket to just enjoy.
I'd love to read the other books in the Little Secrets set. Though they're definitely not needed to be read as first as I just learned this was the fifth one, and it stood perfectly on its own.
October 31, 2017
Recent exes find themselves thrown together when they least expect it in this fast paced romace! He doesn't do commitment and she goes through life dreaming of love and marriage at the drop of a hat. Their spontaneous nature leads to a wit filled dialogue and fun interaction.
Real estate mogul Michael Kelly is enjoying the good life and setting his sights on bigger and better every day, but when his most recent ex puts a wrinkle in his latest project, he's not overly happy about it. He can't deny he's missed her since they split, but she wanted different things out of their relationship than he did, and he just couldn't give her what she needed.
Charlotte Locke is determined to make her family see her as something more than the big screw up who can do no right, but she didn't expect the job she set her mind on to lead to her working side by side with Michael ... who just so happens to be the daddy of the baby she's carrying and hasn't told anyone about!
Real estate mogul Michael Kelly is enjoying the good life and setting his sights on bigger and better every day, but when his most recent ex puts a wrinkle in his latest project, he's not overly happy about it. He can't deny he's missed her since they split, but she wanted different things out of their relationship than he did, and he just couldn't give her what she needed.
Charlotte Locke is determined to make her family see her as something more than the big screw up who can do no right, but she didn't expect the job she set her mind on to lead to her working side by side with Michael ... who just so happens to be the daddy of the baby she's carrying and hasn't told anyone about!
November 20, 2017
Holiday Baby Bombshell by Harelquin was published on 1 November 2017 by Desire (Mills & Boon) in the UK and on November 2017 in the US.
Ex competitive swimmer turned real estate agent/magnate Michael Kelly finds himself in direct competition with his pregnant ex-lover and hotel heiress Charlotte Locke. As they compete to sell the most number of apartments in the same hotel, The Grand Legacy, they find themselves living in appartments on the same floor, next door to each other. Charlotte is determined to keep her pregnancy a secret from both her over protective family and from her commitment phobe ex-lover and make a success of her real estate business. Michael has to overcome his avoidance to commitment, grow up and address childhood issues if their relationship is to grow. Two adorable dogs add humour to the story!
I got this book free from Netgalley and Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.
Ex competitive swimmer turned real estate agent/magnate Michael Kelly finds himself in direct competition with his pregnant ex-lover and hotel heiress Charlotte Locke. As they compete to sell the most number of apartments in the same hotel, The Grand Legacy, they find themselves living in appartments on the same floor, next door to each other. Charlotte is determined to keep her pregnancy a secret from both her over protective family and from her commitment phobe ex-lover and make a success of her real estate business. Michael has to overcome his avoidance to commitment, grow up and address childhood issues if their relationship is to grow. Two adorable dogs add humour to the story!
I got this book free from Netgalley and Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.
December 26, 2017
"Little Secrets: Holiday Baby Bombshell" by Karen Booth is a wonderful, quick, romantic read. It is the second book in the 'Locke Legacy' series. The Locke's own the historic Grande Legacy Hotel in the Manhattan, NY. Charlotte Locke is the youngest of the clan and her family thinks she's a little scatterbrained since she can't seem to keep a job or her life in order. She is trying to get her life in order since she finds herself pregnant by her ex boyfriend Michael Kelly. Charlotte needs to do this for herself and her unborn child, and prove to everyone she has control over her life. When she asks her brother to hire her to sell their new condo's she finds Michael is also vying for the same job. Charlotte needs to prove that she can not only do her job, but that she isn't a total screwup that she thinks she is.
December 27, 2017
Karen Booth has proven once again that she knows just how to make her characters burst to life on the page! Her vivid and brilliant storytelling and her subtle humour woven into Holiday Baby Bombshell is utter beauty. I was mesmerized by the detailed prose, the high-octane drama and the fabulous protagonists who both held the promise of fun times ahead on the onset of their introductions. Charlotte Locke is a breath of fresh air. She is classy, smart and headstrong. And who could be a better match for her than Michael Kelly, her ex! The banter, the slow burning romance, Charlotte's secret and the secondary cast made this story the most satisfying escape ever. I savored every word!
Highly Recommended
5 Stars
December 31, 2017
Charlotte has been the free spirit of the Locke family for many years..But she is ready to settle down because she is pregnant.She goes to her brother to have him let her sale some units that are in the hotel they own.he is unsure..he is waiting for Michael Kelly to show up..little does he know that Michael and Charlotte have history..no one but her aunt knows she is pregnant..They decide they are going to compete to sale all of the units that are open..But the more time they are around each other they end up in bed...When Charlotte is about to tell him she is pregnant with his child he finds her prenatal vitamins...And confronts her..he has lots of hurt and doesn't want to be like his dad..they part ways but when Charlotte is rushed to the hospital they reconcile.a beautiful story!
September 4, 2019
This was a fun and entertaining story. Charlotte Locke feels she has to prove herself to her family and to the world. She has always felt like the family screw up. Charlotte finds out she is pregnant. After she finds out, she takes a short trip to see her favorite aunt overseas. When she comes back, she is ready to take on the world! She asked her brother if she could have half the condo’s to sale in the family’s newly remolded hotel. The person the has the other half of the listings is her ex, and the father of her unborn child. I loved the competition between the two, and friendly banter back in forth. I also loved how both had dogs. Charlotte’s dogs happened to be a little escape artist. Her little dog made me laugh a time or two. This ended up being a sweet little Christmas romance.
November 9, 2017
I am not usually a fan of unplanned pregnancy romances, but I liked Karen Booth's book, Little Secrets: Holiday Baby Bombshell. I enjoyed this book because the story was believable and entertaining. The main characters: Michael Kelly and Charlotte Locke were multi-layered personalities and the secondary characters: Sawyer, Fran, and Chris were nice additions to the story. Booths books are fun romantic reads and I look forward to reading more in the future.
November 20, 2017
Back from her European hiatus , Charlotte Locke is back to take control of her life and the life of her unborn child . To prove to herself that she can make it on her own as a top notch real estate agent . But when her brother drops a bombshell on her that here ex lover and sex on a stick ex boyfriend will be selling half of the condos. Will they survive selling the condos and will they find their way back to each other after the secret is revealed .
This was a fun read , the characters were well written and I loved the snarkiness of both Charlotte and Michael. Charlotte is a fun character, she is so determined to make it on her own . She doesn't realize what is right in front of her face . She is so determined not to let Michael get under her skin he does anyway . Michael is the playboy who knows what he wants and he wants Charlotte . He realizes that she was the one that got away but his stubborn pigheadedness won't let him make her his . But in the end when she needs him , he is the man she wants and needs .
This was a fun read with a bit of spice added in . This was the first book I have read by this author . I will be reading more .
This was a fun read , the characters were well written and I loved the snarkiness of both Charlotte and Michael. Charlotte is a fun character, she is so determined to make it on her own . She doesn't realize what is right in front of her face . She is so determined not to let Michael get under her skin he does anyway . Michael is the playboy who knows what he wants and he wants Charlotte . He realizes that she was the one that got away but his stubborn pigheadedness won't let him make her his . But in the end when she needs him , he is the man she wants and needs .
This was a fun read with a bit of spice added in . This was the first book I have read by this author . I will be reading more .
November 30, 2017
This book was kind of hard for me to get into. I felt like I was missing back story, I didn't realize that this was the second book in the Locke Legacy. Karen Booth is a new author for me. This book wasn't bad but I wasn't really feeling it. As for the story line, there wasn't really anything "Holiday" about it, Christmas was mentioned but that was about it. I think this would be great in the Locke Series if you have read the previous book.
November 30, 2017
This book was an interesting read. The back and forth between characters, the way the descriptions were, and the story itself all contributed to this must read. I enjoyed page after page, word after word. It kept me engaged through the entire book. The descriptions are what pulled me in. The author did a wonderful job describing every scene and each character. The best part was the tension that could be felt between the main characters. It was strong and we'll written.
December 8, 2017
Full Review on The Blog
www.carolineandrus.com/blog
What an utterly adorable second chance romance.
Don't let the fluffy title fool you, this book is full of substance and heart.
Fans of romance novels will eat this second chance romance right up.
www.carolineandrus.com/blog
What an utterly adorable second chance romance.
Don't let the fluffy title fool you, this book is full of substance and heart.
Fans of romance novels will eat this second chance romance right up.
December 24, 2017
This was a clean and joyful story! I LOVED it.
This was a clean and wonderful story, you should enjoy it. The hero and the heroine take this story and run with it. Their is competition they have is funny taboot. I enjoyed the family interactions and how much of their home life reflected off each other.
This was a clean and wonderful story, you should enjoy it. The hero and the heroine take this story and run with it. Their is competition they have is funny taboot. I enjoyed the family interactions and how much of their home life reflected off each other.
January 3, 2018
Former Olympic swimmer turned real-estate mogul Michael Kelly meets his match in fellow real-estate seller,Charlotte Locke. They have an on again/off again romance that leads to some funny, witty moments. When they aren't sparring off over real-estate, they are steaming it up in the bedroom! Selling real-estate comes easy to Michael but will raising a baby come easy?
June 11, 2018
This was actually a pretty cute read. I’ve always avoided these type of romance books, the ones with half the plot explained on the jacket.
But Michael and Charlotte’s road to the finish line was fun, and filled with stops and starts. Ups and downs and twist and turns.
It got to where it was going in a surprisingly real world consequences way. I enjoyed it.
But Michael and Charlotte’s road to the finish line was fun, and filled with stops and starts. Ups and downs and twist and turns.
It got to where it was going in a surprisingly real world consequences way. I enjoyed it.
November 7, 2017
I enjoyed this one very much - HOLIDAY BABY BOMBSHELL is a very satisfying read - check out my full thoughts on Scandalicious Book Reviews:
http://bit.ly/2zlBrY5
http://bit.ly/2zlBrY5
November 23, 2017
This was an enjoyable read from start to finish
August 17, 2018
It's pretty good for a quick read. While it was well-written most of it was rather predictable.
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