One Caribbean night together
One pregnant princess!
When Dr. Lia Trelleburg -- aka Princess Amelia of
Karolinska -- meets hot pediatrician Oliver Bainbridge at a fundraiser, she
decides to break the habit of a carefully controlled lifetime and indulge in a
breathtaking night of passion. Only, Lia falls pregnant, and Oliver stuns her
by agreeing with palace protocol -- yes, they must marry! Despite the odds,
could they really find the happiness they desire together…as a family?
Terrific book. Lia isn't just a talented neurosurgeon at
the Island Clinic; she is also Princess Amelia of Karolinska, a small Scandinavian
country. Growing up as a princess was a lonely endeavor. Sent to boarding
school after her parents' divorce and hemmed in by the strictures and protocols
of royal life, Lia's life was anything but a fairy-tale. Even her first choice
of medical specialty (combat medicine) was denied her. Fortunately, her interest
in neurosurgery proved acceptable, and as soon as possible, she moved as far
from her homeland as she could. She loves her work at the Island Clinic, even
if she has to dust off the tiara now and then to help with fundraising.
As the book opens, Lia and her tiara stand ready to make
small talk with the wealthy donors who help support the Clinic and the island's
hospital. She admits her loneliness to herself and decides to indulge in one
night of passion. I loved her first meeting with Oliver, who is drop-dead handsome,
sweet, and fun-loving. I loved how he brought out a light-hearted and flirty
side of Lia that she didn't know she had. Their banter during the evening was
fun, and I loved how Oliver snagged the first dance with her. The sparks
between them flew, making their night together almost inevitable. They both
agreed that it was a one-time thing, as neither wants a relationship.
Fate has something else in mind, and when Lia becomes
pregnant, she knows her life is about to change. Palace protocol demands that
they marry, but Lia doesn't want a forced marriage. Oliver stuns her when he
agrees to the marriage. Oliver hasn't been able to forget his night with Lia,
and when he finds out about the pregnancy, he is thrilled. Like Lia, his
childhood consisted of boarding school and distant parents. Unlike her, Oliver loved
boarding school because the other students felt more like his family than his
own did. A betrayal in his past took the choice of fatherhood from him, and
he's ready for this second chance.
I loved the development of the relationship between Lia
and Oliver. Both want what is best for their baby - a normal childhood rather
than one bound by rules and loneliness. They take the time to learn about each
other, knowing that will make their future together easier. The more time that
they spend together, the more that their friendship begins to grow and change. But
both Lia and Oliver have baggage that holds them back from opening up fully and
embracing their future. But when Oliver's past runs up against Lia's fears, it
drives a wedge between them. Fortunately, thanks to their friend Grace, whose
gentle guidance helps get them truly talking to each other, it doesn't last
long. Once they finally open up about everything, they can face the future as a
team.
I loved how their
support for each other enabled them to stand up for the lives they want to
lead. Oliver's parents provided an unexpected twist, both in their attitudes
and reactions to Oliver and Lia's plans. While Lia's reunion with her father
wasn't quite so effusive, I enjoyed it. I liked his support for their wedding
plans and laughed out loud at his comment about Lia's grandmother. The epilogue
was fantastic. Not only did I love the wedding, Oliver's little patient Elodie
was adorable, and I loved the twist about her future.
Each book of this series appears to feature a different
aspect of the island of St. Victoria. This one included a heart-pounding crisis
in the mangroves and a romantic night walk on the beach. I also loved the
description of Oliver's unique home.
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