Limecello’s review of Bound by the Kincaid Baby by Emilie Rose
Contemporary romance published by Silhouette Desire 1 Jul 08
This is the second book in the Payback Affairs series. I think that Ms. Rose’s trilogies are perfect. Just enough to keep you satisfied – but not so much that you’re wondering when will it end? The premise for this book was laid out in the first (although it didn’t detract from that book at all) – and I was eager to read it. Bound by the Kincaid Baby is also interesting, because time-wise, it takes place concurrently with Shattered by the CEO.
I hate to say it, because Emilie Rose is one of my favorite Desire authors, but this book just wasn’t what I thought it would be. I liked the characters and story, but they didn’t stand out. Carly Corbin and Mitch Kincaid were rather regular Desire characters, and nothing especially drew me to them. The story line wasn’t that new either, and I figured exactly how everything would play out from the beginning, and I was right. Granted I read a lot (likely too many) books from the Desire line, but still.
Carly Corbin recently lost her twin, and has been happily saddled (no really – she’s thrilled) with the responsibility of raising her nephew. I felt that there were some holes in Carly’s … not character, per se, but her thoughts. I also felt that Carly caved to Mitch’s charms too easily. Carly’s twin Marlene was the stereotypical “evil sister.” Carly knew about her sister’s machinations, but swung between a strange naiveté, and knowing exactly what kind of person Marlene was. It made the scenes were Carly’s apparent cluelessness in regards to Marlene’s mercenary personalty was rather annoying.
Mitch Kincaid, was a complicated hero, but I didn’t particularly care for him. For most of the book, he’s a jerk. The “point” is that he figures out what kind of person he’s turning into and changes. However, he was a mean for too much of the book, and felt that as long as he didn’t do something overtly illegal, his actions were perfectly acceptable, and nothing like the controlling shenanigans his father caused. The rapid switch to kind, caring person was a bit too smooth.
Still, there was depth and complexity to both characters. Mitch didn’t flat out hate children – he had reasons for being reserved around baby Rhett. Carly was a strong character in that once she learned “the truth” about Mitch stayed in a difficult situation for the good of other people – but didn’t let herself be treated like a rug. (Or she at least held out for a few weeks.)
I’m glad I read this book to find out what Mitch’s story was, but otherwise, it’s not one I would push on others to read. If you’re a fan of Desires and Ms. Rose, and especially if you’ve read Shattered by the CEO, I’d say you should look into this one as well. If this will be your first book by Ms. Rose, however- take heart, her others are excellent. I’m still looking forward to the last book, Wed by Deception, so I can see how Nadia’s story turns out.
Grade: C
The Summary:
The rules of the will were ironclad:
Mitch had to gain custody of his father’s bastard son or lose the family fortune.
It should have been simple. A sizable check and Carly Corbin would be on her way. But nothing about Carly was simple, including Mitch’s attraction to her. When she refused to relinquish her baby nephew, Mitch had no choice but to let them both move in.
Neither of them guessed that playing house would become all too real.
Read an excerpt here
