REVIEW: Unknown Royal Baby by Annie West

In Unknown Royal Baby by Annie West, Avril and Isam have spent the week together in person for the first time since Isam hired her a year ago. Previously their relationship had been virtual, with Isam running his businesses from afar while also learning how to run the country of Zahdar while Avril served as his personal assistant in London. This week has been torture for the two of them who shared an instant, intense attraction for one another. The final evening that Isam is in the UK, however, the two can no longer stop themselves and spend one passionate night together.

Thirteen months later Avril finds herself seething in front of Isam and a few of his business associates. She has tried relentlessly to contact him over and over for the last year to let him know that despite their use of protection, they now share an infant daughter. She assumes that he has decided to simply forget her and move on with his life now that he has stepped into the role of Sheik. When the two finally get some time alone, however, Isam lets her know that it’s not that he’s tried to forget her, but he has actually forgotten everything from the last year following a helicopter crash that killed his father and resulted in amnesia for Isam.

Avril is also surprised to find that Isam is very eager to be part of their daughter’s life and wants Avril to join as well. But is he simply duty bound or does he want more in his relationship with Avril like she wants with him?

I have to admit that secret baby is not one of my favorite tropes. But Annie West handled this so masterfully that I can see the appeal. I always wondered in these books why anyone in their right mind would keep a baby secret (they’re so much work!) but the set up for it in this book made for an ironclad argument.

The author also has such a perfect handle on inner conflict. This is shown best in Avril whose parents left her with a great aunt and then went and started their own new lives elsewhere. This has left her with a sense that she is unwanted, unloveable, and simply not enough. As a result she is constantly adding to this narrative from her interactions with others and is inclined to assume the worst of others’ intentions towards her. I loved watching this flaw break down over the book as she learned that she is a worthwhile person who deserved to be loved.

Isam’s flaw snapped the conflict into place beautifully. He slowly regains his memory but was told early during the healing process by his power hungry uncle that he was a terrible person who took advantage of others. When Avril and their daughter show up this only seems to prove that idea further. He took the virginity of his personal assistant and then left her alone with a pregnancy and baby? The story must be true! To help rectify this he decides not only to be actively involved in his daughter’s life but also to not pressure or rush Avril into anything. He quickly grows to love her but he doesn’t want her to feel like she has to do something she doesn’t want to do. This in turn leaves Avril to believe that he might not have the same feelings she’s developed. Internal conflict perfection!

Isam was a cinnamon roll in an alpha casing. The first time he met his daughter left me a complete puddle. A big strong man who just loves his baby girl SO much? Ok yes, now I can see the appeal of a baby romance!

The writing in this book was superb. The author has a good handle on tying small details around the characters into the mood or character’s thoughts in addition to knowing how to write solid conflicts and character arcs. I look forward to reading more books from her.

If secret baby and sheik romances are something you enjoy then this is the book for you. This is also a perfect place to start if you’ve never read these tropes and are curious to try them. Just make sure you grab a box of tissues for the sweet scenes with Isam and his daughter!

Book Info:

Publication: October 22, 2024 | Harlequin Presents |

A royal, amnesia, secret baby, marriage of convenience romance by USA TODAY bestselling author Annie West.

Claiming his surprise heir…
means crowning her as his queen!

Virtual PA Avril is overwhelmed by desire meeting her boss, Crown Prince Isam, in person. As their rapport deepens, their electrifying passion becomes impossible to resist. So when Avril reaches out weeks later with bombshell news, she’s blindsided by his radio silence…

One year later, Isam returns to London a different man—the helicopter crash that took his family also took his memory. After the newly crowned sheikh learns he has a child with the captivating Avril, Isam is protect his heir and make her his wife!