Fern Spearman, director of her family's charitable foundation, hopes to build an affordable housing community outside of San Francisco but is having trouble lining up a contractor to help finalize the project's proposal and budget. After yet another meeting ends in frustration, Fern heads to a cafe for lunch and happens to meet Elliot McPhee, who volunteers to help her. What he fails to disclose is that he's actually the owner of the largest construction company on the West Coast, though he's no longer involved in the day-to-day operations. Instead, he's been doing volunteer work around the world in an effort to outrun the shadows of his past. Even though he never stays in one place for longer than a few months at a time, Elliot can't help being drawn to Fern and extending his stay so that he can be closer to her. Fern is equally drawn to Elliot but won't act on their attraction because he works for her. Besides, she's sworn off relationships after too many bad experiences in which men have either tried to take advantage of her because of her family's money or were intimidated by it. When the time finally comes for Elliot to move on to his next project, he and Fern agree to share a single night together, but it has unexpected consequences. Can Elliot convince Fern not only that he's ready to settle down and start a family, but that he feels more for her than just responsibility?
There were a lot of things I really enjoyed about this book, particularly the interactions between Fern and her siblings and the way they always had each other's backs. Burgoa is so good at creating large, lovable families and the Spearmans are among her best. However, the story itself felt rushed to me, especially near the end. There were a number of big time jumps (several months at a time) with just a paragraph or two to explain what had happened, and for me, that made it challenging to connect with the characters and the relationships they were building. Further, I wasn't a fan of Elliot's overly alpha behavior towards Fern near the end of the story. For example, he informed her that they'd be living together rather than asking her to move in with him. Up until that point, what I most liked about their relationship was that it felt like they were on an equal footing despite their age gap. It was tough to continue seeing them as equals when it seemed as if Elliot was dictating how their relationship was going to proceed and Fern just went along with whatever he wanted.
Even though this wasn't my favorite of Burgoa's books, I'd still recommend it and look forward to the next book in the series.
*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
About "Along Came You"
From USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR Claudia Burgoa comes this billionaire workplace accidental pregnancy romance that’ll leave readers laughing and swooning!
What happens when you break the cardinal rule?
I’m good at following rules.
Like, don’t sleep with your hot employees. That’s a good rule.
At least I was until that night. I blame the champagne and the tuxedo he wore.
There are several reasons why I shouldn’t be attracted to Elliot McPhee.He’s emotionally unavailable.
- He’s in his mid-forties—too old for me.
- He’s my employee.
- He’s jaded after a disastrous divorce.
- He’s leaving soon.
- But he has gray eyes, and a deep velvety voice…did I mention he looks like Joshua Jackson?
It’s just a one-night stand before he leaves.
Except, things get complicated.
We’re talking two bright pink lines complicated.
Did I mention he has no desire to commit?
So, we agree not to try.
Except, we can’t keep our hands off each other.
Then I find out he’s not who I thought.
He’s so wrong for me. So why do I still want to create a family with him?
Along Came You is a forbidden age gap romance involving a secret billionaire and an accidental baby. Get ready to laugh, swoon, and be seduced by sexy billionaires willing to please their women!
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