College football player Dean Norland thought he'd lost his chance at going pro after a terrible game at the end of last season, but his coach is giving him one last shot at starting in his final year of eligibility. His backup plan is to double up on classes and finish a business degree, and he also has a paid internship with a local vineyard that could lead to a full-time job offer when he graduates. The problem is that there just aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done, a problem that only gets worse when a former one-night stand drops a baby off on Dean's doorstep and claims that she's his daughter. His roommates pressure him to turn the infant over to Child Services, but after growing up in the foster care system himself, Dean can't imagine sending an innocent baby there. He needs help if he's going to keep baby Fia, but with no family other than his younger brother Flip, who's currently in rehab, Dean doesn't know where to turn. When the local news finds out about his predicament, he's suddenly overwhelmed with donations and offers of help, but he quickly learns that not everyone has his (or Fia's) best interests at heart - even some of the people he thought were his friends.
I wouldn't exactly describe this book as a traditional
romance; Dean's love interest wasn't even revealed until the book was more than half over! That said, the story was funny, fast-paced, and engaging (if a bit over the top at times), I liked and empathized with Dean, and I definitely wanted to keep reading. I loved how quickly Dean fell in love with baby Fia and how much he wanted to protect her. His fears about what would happen if he decided to keep her were completely understandable. He had a lot on his shoulders and the situation would have been overwhelming for anyone, much less a 22-year-old with no child care experience. He made the best of it, however, and I admired his tenacity and determination to do the right thing.
It's safe to say that this book was nothing like I expected, but I loved it anyway. I highly recommend "Baby, Please" for all romantic comedy fans and will definitely be checking out more of the author's work in the future.
*Review copy provided by the author/publisher via Grey's Promotions. All opinions expressed are my own.
About "Baby, Please"
From New York Times Bestseller Mimi Jean Pamfiloff comes a Surprise Baby Romantic Comedy, BABY, PLEASE. (Standalone story.)
SURPRISE! IT'S A GIRL!
DEAN
DEAN
Ever since I was recruited by my college football team, I've pushed myself hard. Going pro and earning some real money is a must. Mostly because my brother, Flip, is in a bad place, and I'm all he's got.
No problem. I'm tough. I'm a hard worker. I've got a plan.
Then right before the season starts, a woman shows up at my apartment with a baby, claiming I'm the father. And then she leaves her with me. For a week? Forever?
I have no idea, but college, football, and the single-dad gig don't go together. And forget about my experience with babies. Does this thing come with an off switch? Volume control? Is that a poopie diaper? Help!
Things go from bad to worse when the public catches wind of my surprise-baby situation, and it turns into a PR nightmare. I'm suddenly the poster boy for young single dads.
This isn't happening.
Suddenly, all eyes are on me, both on and off the field, and the only person who can keep me from losing my mind confesses her love.
And I mess it all up. Her, football, baby, everything.
Now I'm going to have to choose: fix my career or fix my personal life, including coming to grips with loving a baby girl who might not be mine.
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