REVIEW: The Italian Surgeon’s Secret Baby by Sue Mackay

In The Italian Surgeon’s Secret Baby by Sue Mackay, Elene Lowe made a promise to her best friend and she’s determined to keep it, even if it means coming face-to-face with the one man she’s tried her hardest to forget. However, telling Mattia Ricco he’s a father is the hardest thing she’s had to do, especially when he’s the person that could rip away the happiness she’s found in becoming the mother of her best friend’s daughter. Will Elene be able to convince Mattia that she has just as much right to the little girl as he does or will he be another man that ends up disappointing her?

”Still blunt, I see.”
“Only way to go,” she snapped, before remembering she was supposed to get on with him or there’d be no hope for her or Aimee. “Sorry. It’s been a long and arduous couple of days and my tongue’s getting the better of me.”
His gaze alighted on her mouth, his eyes widening imperceptibly. She was hallucinating. Could he be remembering that awkward moment back in Wellington?

What an interesting enemy to lovers trope encompassing story Ms. Mackay has delivered in this book where the heroine faces quite the uphill battle when it comes to putting her trust in the hero to do the right thing and winning over his family. The way this story started had me liking the hero and heroine immediately, as there’s such a deep attraction between the pair, but they’re determined to keep their distance no matter how hard it is to do so because they’re loyal. However, it was from the moment they’re reunited where this story really takes off, as the heroine is determined to fight the hero to get what she wants. Since she’s not about to give up the chance to keep her best friend’s daughter in her life.

As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the main characters back stories and the fact that the heroine sees the hero as the enemy. Will Mattia deny Elene of what she wants most – the chance to be a mother to her best friend’s daughter? Luckily, he’s a good guy and not the arrogant jerk she expected, considering their shared past. I also liked how easily the hero took to his role as a father. He’s kind, caring and the bond he shares with his baby daughter is adorable. Yet, what I liked most of all about the hero was his protectiveness of the heroine when it came to meeting her family. Will the hero be able to convince his family that the heroine isn’t trying to deceive him? While the heroine, she’s a fighter with plenty of resilience, courage and I liked her determination to go head-to-head with the hero to make him understand that she wasn’t going anywhere. She would be a part of his daughter’s life any way she could. I also liked how she handled the hero’s family when she finally meets them; a meeting that was quite daunting since his family is quite protective of him, especially his mother.

 ”Bet you never thought you’d be saying that to me.” She had to go for the light-hearted approach or spill her heart, and he wasn’t ready for that.
Already there was withdrawal going on in his eyes. “Funny how life flips you on your head when least expected.”

Overall, Ms. Mackay has delivered a really good read in this book where the chemistry between this couple was strong; the romance was delightful and had me loving how these two come together to give a little girl the family she deserves; and the ending had me loving the decision the hero makes to show the heroine that he’ll do anything to make her happy including upending his life to give her what she wants. I would recommend The Italian’s Surgeon Secret Baby by Sue Mackay, if you enjoy the medical romances, the enemy to lovers trope, the surprise pregnancy trope or books by authors Annie O’Neil, Tina Beckett, Sue Mackay and Meredith Webber.

Book Info:

Publication: March 1st, 2019 | Harlequin Medical |

From top surgeon…to single dad?

When nurse Elene Lowe’s best friend dies, Elene agrees to raise her baby daughter Aimee, and travels to Italy to find Aimee’s dad. Sexy surgeon Mattia Ricco is shocked to discover he’s a father but the sparks flying between him and Elene soon ignite an irresistible attraction. With Elene and Aimee’s life back in New Zealand, they’re worlds apart, unless Mattia can give them both a reason to stay?