Limecello’s review of Million Dollar Baby Bargain by Tessa Radley
Contemporary romance published by Silhouette Desire on 11 Aug 2009

I really enjoy Tessa Radley’s Silhouette Desire books. Million Dollar Baby Bargain was no exception, but there was something different about it. Not “off” exactly, but the tone felt a little darker, and the title, for Ms. Radley’s book was misleading. (I know that’s common with harlequin categories, but I never noticed it much with Ms. Radley’s stories.) However, in a twisted way, it fit – in fact, the characters mention it as a joke at one point in the book.

Victoria Sutton is an interesting heroine. She’s strong, but not. She’s also career driven, to the point where she’s sacrified relationships. Not just romantic ones, but she seems to have lost touch with friends as well. In a way she’s the more emotionally closed participant in the novel. Nevertheless, I liked Tory. I think she was confused a lot, and felt rather fearful – the dynamics of her relationship with Connor are very interesting.

Connor North is a well developed, but rather confusing hero. He seems like a jerk – cruel, cold, and rather bitter at the beginning, but he opens up more quickly and seems rather warmer. I liked that once Connor is in, he’s all in – there’s no escape plan, and he doesn’t allow for contingencies. He’s determined, and cares. I think knowing about his past helps, and I loved his “clueless guy” moments.

I’ll come out and say it – Victoria and Connor are unknowingly parents of baby Dylan – Suzy and Michael’s baby. Both Suzy and Michael were apparently unable to have children, so both turn to their best friends. But… nobody knew but Suzy and Michael who [all] of Dylan’s parents are.

It’s… well crazy. Especially since for most of the book, Victoria doesn’t tell Connor she’s Dylan’s biological mother, and Connor does the same. However, both feel a strong connection to Dylan, and responsible for him as [Dylan’s] parent. It seems like I’ve let the cat out of the bag – but there’s really a lot more to the story. Also it’s so… twisted. Interesting, and… complicated.

How Connor and Victoria deal with the grief of losing their best friends, becoming parents – their relationship, learning to trust each other and move past their issues… it’s good.

Ms. Radley writes excellent stories, and I was engaged the entire time I was reading it. And when I was re-reading it as well. There were a few twists that I wondered about, but I didn’t dwell on them, and there are no glaring contradictions that I recall. I recommend this book to anyone who likes reading Silhouette Desire books, or Ms. Radley’s writing.

Grade: B-

Turned from best man to baby’s guardian in one shocking moment, bad-boy billionaire Connor North intended to stake his claim. If maid-of-honor Victoria Sutton wanted any part in the child’s life, she would have to play by the billionaire’s rules. So Victoria moved into Connor’s mansion. She even agreed to become his wife. And despite her initial disdain for the powerful businessman, she eventually succumbed to his charms. The bond they formed—to the baby and to each other—was an outcome neither had expected. But would a surprising truth destroy all they had finally found?

Read an excerpt here. (Just scroll down to about the middle of the product page.)