REVIEW: Sheikh’s Secret Love-Child by Caitlin Crews

In Sheikh’s Secret Love-Child (Bound to the Desert King #4) by Caitlin Crews, when Malak is asked to take over as Sheikh for his brother, he never imagined how much his life would change. Yet, discovering he has a son is the biggest change of all, especially since the child’s mother is determined to fight him every step of the way. Really, she doesn’t want anything to do with him, even though he can give her everything. Will Malak be able to convince Shona to take a chance on him or will he break her heart?

”How lucky I am, indeed, to have been strong-armed into abandoning my entire life and everything I’ve ever known by a man so…understanding.”
Malak laughed. “You do not seem to comprehend the situation you find yourself in, Shona. If I were less understanding, less kind, I would see that you were punished forever for this sin.”
“I assumed this was the punishment.” She sniffed. “A prison is a prison no matter how many clothes your minions fling across my bed every morning, Malak. You’re holding me hostage no matter how you dress it up. No matter how you dress me up.”

I think readers will either like this book or they won’t because of the hero’s ruthlessness and the heroine’s determination to be independent, which creates plenty of tension between these characters that drives the story and makes things interesting. Will the hero be able to convince Shona to take a chance on him? The way this story started sets the fast-pace of the story and had me reading quickly, determined to discover who would win the battle because Malak and Shona had a one-night stand and that’s all it was ever supposed to be. Yet, she finds her world turned upside down by Malak’s return in her life.

As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the main characters back stories and everything this couple go through on their journey to happy ever after, as both had it tough growing up and it’s understandable why the heroine finds it hard to trust and fights for her independence while the hero doesn’t do relationships because of how his mother treated him and his siblings because she had no love for his father. Moreover, there were times when I got a little frustrated with the hero and heroine because Shona is very stubborn and determined to fight Malak every step of the way. She’s worked hard to get to where she is in her life and doesn’t need anyone besides their son while the hero is ruthless and determined to make Shona understand that she doesn’t have any other option but to go along with what he says.

She didn’t laugh, though her dark eyes filled with a kind of mirth. “You don’t know anything about me. Thank god.”
“But I do, Shona.” He shook his head at her, regaining his equilibrium as he did. “Do you imagine that I would allow just any woman to walk in off the streets and take her place at my side? Without knowing every possible detail about her?”
“If she was unlucky enough to have found herself pregnant with your child, yes. Absolutely. I think anyone would do.”

Overall, Ms. Crews has delivered a good read in this book where the chemistry between this couple was strong and driven by the heroine’s stubbornness and the hero’s ruthlessness; the romance was delightful because the hero is pretty hard for the heroine to resist; and the ending had me loving the heroine’s determination to prove that the hero does love her and that she isn’t going anywhere. However, it was the last chapter that wrapped this story up wonderfully because of how happy the hero and heroine are and because of the heroine’s surprise. I would recommend Sheikh’s Secret Love Child by Caitlin Crews, if you enjoy the second chance romance trope, the surprise pregnancy trope, the enemy to lovers trope or books by authors Susan Stephens, Lynne Graham, Jennifer Hayward and Clare Connelly.

Book Info:

Publication: October 16th, 2018 | Harlequin Presents | Bound to the Desert King #4

Claiming his queen …To legitimise his heir!

Playboy Sheikh Malak assumed he’d never inherit the throne but when his brother unexpectedly abdicates, he finds himself King! Now past indiscretions must be put aside…until he uncovers the hidden consequence of one delicious seduction with an innocent waitress. Malak will claim his heir, but fiercely protective Shona won’t let him just take their son. Malak’s only choice is to bind Shona to him — as his Queen!