Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of Always In My Heart (Harts In Love #1) by Kayla Perrin
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Kimani Romance 17 Apr 12
Let this be a lesson for us all – this is what can happen when you pick up category romances willy-nilly. I saw this book and thought, “Oh, I’ve read Kayla Perrin before and I’ve enjoyed some of her books” – which resulted in me not reading the back cover blurb that closely. If I had? Yeah, I would have read in between the lines and discovered that what I picked up innocently enough was actually a dreaded Secret Baby book.
Callie Hart is the oldest of three girls and is back home in Cleveland for her aunt’s funeral. The girls were raised by their loving aunt and uncle after their mother abandoned them on their doorstep, an event that has cast a long shadow in their lives. Her two sisters have been feuding ever since the youngest one boinked the guy the middle one was dating (Niiiiiiiiiiice!) – and Callie found herself stuck in the middle, with each of them wanting her to choose sides. She’s hoping that now their aunt has passed that they can all bury the hatchet and move on with their lives. But first she has to take care of some unfinished business, and that means righting a wrong with former beau Nigel Williams.
Nigel was heartbroken when Callie left him, without a word, and seemingly vanishing off the face of the earth. No word. No communication. No closure. Sure, they had a falling out over his becoming a police officer, but they were so good together – and he thought she loved him. Now she’s back in town, standing on his doorstep and dropping the bombshell that her nine-year-old son, Kwame, is his son. Yeah, when she ran away from Cleveland? She was pregnant with his baby.
From now on, I will refer to Callie for what she is – The Stupid Cow. This is the problem with Secret Baby plots – unless the guy is an ax murderer or a child molester, I cannot think of one good, solid reason when it is ever okay to willingly not tell the baby daddy that he is…well…a baby daddy. The Stupid Cow’s reason? Oh, well, she was “scared,” dontcha know. It’s so hard for her to trust because Mommy abandoned her. And then Nigel had to join the “enemy” (that would be the police academy) after one of their friends was a victim of police brutality. Never mind that The Stupid Cow and Nigel both were socially active, fighting injustice, organizing drives and protests. Gee, why would Nigel want to be a cop? Oh, maybe because HE THOUGHT HE COULD DO SOME GOOD?!?!?! You know, because becoming a police officer could in no way possibly be an extension of his social activism /end sarcasm.
The author wants readers to feel sorry for The Stupid Cow, to chalk up her keeping their child away from the father as a sign of emotional immaturity. To this end, the fact that The Stupid Cow’s Mommy “abandoned” her is used as an excuse early and often. Exactly what did Mommy do? She left her daughters with their loving aunt and uncle – who raised them in a healthy environment and showered them with love. Wow. What a bitch! Certainly the girls did not get “closure” from Mommy’s disappearance, but then The Stupid Cow turns around and does THE EXACT SAME THING to Nigel and her family! Just up and leaves, with no word – and then on top of that she doesn’t TELL HIM ABOUT HIS SON! And, golly, he just seems so angry and will he ever be able to forgive her?
Unfortunately, for us, this is a romance novel which means Nigel does forgive. Ugh. Just ugh, ugh, ugh!
By now you’re probably wondering why I kept reading this story. Part of it is because Perrin can deliver in the writing department, and this book flowed easily for me even though it drove me bat-shit crazy. Also, Lord help me, I found myself curious about what happened to The Stupid Cow’s Mommy. This bit of mystery will, undoubtedly, carry over to the next two books in the trilogy. But as much as I’m interested in reading about that? I don’t think I’m all that interested in reading about The Stupid Cow’s sisters, who I wanted to bitch-slap early and often in this story. Someone pass the vodka…..
Grade: D
Summary:
The oldest of three adopted daughters, Callie Hart has always loved being the protector of the family. But now she is all grown up—with a young son of her own to protect. Callie can’t wait to show him off when she reunites with her two sisters in Ohio. But that also means coming face-to-face with the lover she left behind. Nigel Williams is even more irresistibly attractive than ever. But what will he do when he learns about the secret she kept hidden from him for ten years?
Nigel has never forgiven Callie for fleeing Ohio—and the passion they shared. And when she shows up on his doorstep asking for forgiveness, the Cleveland cop is furious at her deception. But how can he deny the feelings Callie reawakens in him? Blindsided once again by the heat of desire, Nigel vows to fight for his future with the woman he has always loved.
Other books in this series:
I’ve only read ONE secret baby story that worked for me. I don’t remember the name of the book but it was a weekend fling and she only knew his nickname–not his real name. If I remember correctly, she tried to find him but could not (that may not be right, it was awhile ago). She did eventually run into him again–it is a romance after all. That only worked for me because she didn’t know who he was.
Otherwise, like you said, unless he’s an ax murderer or a child molester, there is NO reason that will convince me it’s okay to not tell him.
Tracy:
One instance where Secret Baby has worked for me is if there are extenuating circumstances keeping the hero and heroine apart. It’s usually the ol’ meddling family or disapproving daddy thing. That said though, while that worked pretty well for me in my younger reading days, I’m not sure it would work so well for me now that I’m older. Especially if the story was contemporary set. A historical I could probably still buy-in though….