Holly‘s review of Undone by Her Tender Touch (Pregnancy and Passion, Book 4) by Maya Banks.
Just one night? Yeah, right. Pippa Laingley should have known better. When an unplanned evening of passion with Cameron Hollingsworth results in unplanned pregnancy, she’s at a crossroads. She knew going in that the enigmatic entrepreneur had built a fortress around his feelings. What she’s just discovered is that he’s loved and lost before—wife and child. Tragically.
Now Cam stands to lose it all again. If he lets Pippa get too close. If he pushes her away with loveless arrangements of financial support. Either way, he’s doomed…unless he can let himself love again.
Sometimes the unplanned pregnancy works for me and sometimes it doesn’t. I thought the circumstances behind it in this novel worked.
Pippa is a strong, independent woman. She owns and catering business she’s looking to expand and she isn’t looking for a relationship. Cam has had a thing for Pippa for ages, but he has no intention of acting on it. He’s already loved and lost, and he has no desire to do so again. But after what’s supposed to be a one night stand, Cam realizes the condom has broken. He doesn’t really want a wife, but he wants Pippa safe and cares for if she’s pregnant, so he offers marriage….and is shocked when she refuses. Pippa wants more than a cold, loveless marriage just because she got pregnant. And she’s pretty sure she can never have that with Cam. Or can she?
I liked that Cam was the one who realized there was a chance of pregnancy. This meant there was none of him accusing her of doing it on purpose, or vice verse. It was a nice change from the usual.
Cam has baggage he doesn’t want to deal with, which is hard on any type of relationship they might have. He’s determined to keep Pippa at arms length, but finds it hard to be away from her. This means he’s putting out mixed signals which confuse her. I don’t blame her. He was all over the place. But the glimpses of him without the shadow of his past hanging over him made him a likable character.
Pippa was also a likable character. I was glad she didn’t let Cam railroad her into a relationship just because of the baby. It was good to see her holding out for more, instead of accepting whatever crumbs he’d give her. I was somewhat bothered by her reaction to his past. I understood why she felt the way she did, and even applauded her for standing her ground, yet I wanted to see a bit more compassion and understanding. She came off as selfish on one level (as she had the right to be considering the circumstances, but still), which I don’t think was the intention of the author.
This was an angsty, emotional story. Though the characters were flawed, they were likable and engaging. I flew right through it.
3.75 out of 5
The series:
This book is available from Harlequin Desire. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
I like romances to be on the angsty and emotional side. I want to cry, be heart-torn, and happy throughout a journey. It makes it worthwhile and so much sweeter in the end. I also think the characters should be likeable and I’m glad to see this story has all these elements.
Cam sounds like he has his flaws but I like that there are reasons for them, even if it’s all over the place. I can take that so long has he’s willing to let go of the past a bit.
Thanks for the review!