REVIEW: The Secret Valtino’s Baby by Lynne Graham

In The Secret Valtino’s Baby (Vows for Billionaires #1) by Lynne Graham, Merry Armstrong was determined to resist her sexy boss, Angel Valtino, until she finally couldn’t. Yet, the moment she gave into his plans for seduction, wound up in his bed and had the most incredible night of her life, she found out soon after she was pregnant and her boss done with her. But now he’s back in her life and determined to make things right between them in order for the Valtino legacy to be legitimized. Will Angel be able to win Merry’s heart or will she cut ties with him for good?

”Don’t go all polite on me,” she said drily.
“What do you expect?” Angel shot her a sardonic glance of rebuke. “I know you don’t want me here.”
Merry paled at that blunt statement. “I’m trying not to feel like that.”

What an enthralling, fast-paced read Ms. Graham has delivered in this story where the main characters go from the hero being her boss to the heroine seeing him as the enemy because of what he did to her after he learnt she was pregnant. Will she ever forgive him? As for the way this story started, it had me liking Angel and his family immediately, as they are really close and Angel’s father is determined to make sure the hero doesn’t make the same mistakes he did. However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine come face-to-face for the first time after everything that’s happened that things really get interesting, because Merry doesn’t make things easy for Angel. Since there’s no being able to easily forgive and forget everything he’s done that made her feel cheap and humiliated.

You don’t have any patience,” she whispered through reddened lips. “You want everything yesterday.”
“Once I got you back I didn’t want to be too demanding in case it made you change your mind. Before the wedding, I felt like I was in a straightjacket around you, forced to be on my best behaviour,” he complained.

Both the main characters entertained me from start to finish with their back stories and their growing relationship, especially since the heroine challenges the hero with her drive for independence and not allowing things to be easy after how he treated her. Why should she allow the father access to their child after the way he treated her? Will she be able to forgive him, so they can have a chance at happy ever after? Furthermore, the hero is determined, persuasive and ruthless when it comes to getting his way, and it seems inevitable the heroine will give into their intense chemistry, no matter how much she tries to resist. I also liked how much in awe the hero was when it finally came to meeting his daughter. It was precious and had me smiling, considering he doesn’t have much experience with love and kids since his mother wasn’t the most loving person ever so it’s understandable why he acted the way he did when he learnt the heroine was pregnant.

“She has your eyes,” Angel remarked. “She’s incredibly pretty.”
In spite of her desire to remain unmoved, Merry flushed with pride. “I think so too.”
“She’s also unmistakably mine,” Angel intoned with unashamed approval.

Overall, Ms. Graham has delivered a fantastic read in this book where there was plenty of tension and emotion between the main characters; the romance was delightful, as the hero does everything he can to win the heroine over; and the ending had me liking the lengths the hero goes to in order to prove that Merry is the only woman for him. No way would he ever need any other woman besides her. I would recommend The Secret Valtino’s Baby by Lynne Graham, if you enjoy the enemy to lovers trope, second chance romances, or books by authors Susan Stephens, Kate Hewitt, Dani Collins and Bella Frances.
 

Book Info:

Publication: February 1st, 2018 | Harlequin Presents | Vows for Billionaires #1

His seduction had life-changing consequences. Now her boss is back — with marriage in mind!

Personal assistant Merry Armstrong couldn’t resist Angel Valtinos’s sensual charisma. The Greek awakened her with his touch and left her pregnant! When Angel discovers his heir, duty compels him to act. Despite Merry’s independence, Valtinos’s legacy must be legitimised — and seducing her into becoming his wife will be his biggest challenge!