High-Society Secret Pregnancy

I liked this story. I really did. Right up until the last few pages. The chemistry was there. The interactions with other characters was really good, especially the roommates. Even the discussion about the murder was enough to make me interested enough to get the next book (and the rest of them!) However - He's been convinced she's lying throughout the book, finally founds out she was telling the truth and in two paragraphs she forgives him. Yes, I know she loves him, and this is a Harlequin, but considering the emotional abuse he put her through about every 15 pages, shouldn't he have done a bit more groveling? No one except his lawyer/friend pointed out he might just be in the wrong (several times) but he continued to believe his EX-WIFE over Julia. Oh, well, maybe someday, someone will write a book where this happens and the man has the brains and sense enough to get checked when a woman turns up saying she's pregnant with his baby. I realize that was the point of the whole book, but I would have liked more action on his part of going after the blackmailer.

Julia Prentice is surprised to find herself pregnant after an intensely heated night with Max Rolland. After deciding that he deserves to know about the baby, she is even more surprised when he is adamant that it cannot be his. When Julia receives a bizarre threat, Max proposes that they marry for one year, protecting her and benefiting both of them in the long run. Julia's child will have his name and he will have an heir as well as a wife in every sense of the word. Max has no intention for this to be a marriage of convenience. Julia steels herself against allowing her emotions to become involved, but soon finds herself fighting a losing battle as she's falling in love with Max. Max knows that Julia is lying about her baby being his. Never theless, they have an undeniable sexual compatibility and given his success and social position, he unquestionably needs an heir. They enter into a marriage contract and it appears to be a win-win situation with the two settling into a comfortable routine. Max soon finds that things aren't always what they seem and struggles to make things right, but it appears that it may be too late to save his marriage and make it real. Julia and Max are likable characters who interact well toge ther. Julia's strained relationship with her parents is very well written and the camaraderie with her roommate/best friend is comfortable and fun. Max has been burned before and finds it difficult to trust Julia, but still finds her irresistible. While the majority of us will never come close to having the means of Max and Julia or experiencing the kind of lifestyle that they do, their story is the stuff of romantic dreams and I recommend it. COURTESY LAURIE/ROMANCE JUNKIES

Take one "old money" woman, add "new money" billionaire and you have the underlying premise for this story. The sex scenes were hot and steamy, which earns the four stars, however, it is obvious this is one in a series of related books. Another reason for the four stars is the humor surrounding the heroine's neighbor in 12C and her attitude concerning another neighbor's constant female visitors who can't tell the difference between apartment numbers 12B and 12C! A possible murder is discussed. A blackmail scheme never gets off the ground and the blackmailer is never found. The plot needs some work.[...]