Tag: surprise pregnancy

new release

✍🏻 Professor Romance’s Reviews: Jessica Peterson’s Duke ✍🏻

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Book cover of 'Duke' by Jessica Peterson featuring a cowboy lifting a woman inside a rustic cabin, highlighting a romantic connection.

Overall Grade: A

Tropes: surprise pregnancy; forced proximity; friends to lovers; insta-attraction; cowboy romance; small town romance; golden retriever MMC/black cat FMC

I think of myself as “not an easy woman.” As a Gen Xer raised by Boomer parents, I live with a constant internal dialogue—who I am versus who others see versus who I wish I could be. This overthinking creates protective barriers that, while shielding a vulnerable heart, can leave you profoundly alone.

When authors like Jessica Peterson write these complex women who find men willing to love them fiercely, I feel seen. It’s bittersweet but hopeful—knowing that somewhere in this vast world exist people who look past our carefully constructed walls to the tender hearts beneath.

This is why I adored Duke, Peterson’s latest Lucky River Ranch novel. Duke and Wheeler inspire genuine emotion. Duke’s gift for seeing and loving Wheeler’s truth makes this story exceptional. Wheeler has spent a lifetime hearing lies about herself from her father and brother, their words born from their own insecurities. She’s countered those lies through hard work and success, but that independence comes at a cost—those old wounds make her guard against anything threatening to derail her carefully planned life.

Duke represents everything that could upend Wheeler’s world. The tension between their undeniable attraction and Wheeler’s determination to stay single adds rich complexity to their story. Duke is patient, tenacious, and intentional—qualities that make him irresistibly attractive. He becomes Wheeler’s friend first, lover second, creating a bond that’s both hard-won and deeply satisfying. Their relationship evolves from friendship to something eternal.

Peterson excels at crafting compelling narratives that propel readers forward. Her prose captures attention and holds it, while her ability to reveal a character’s core essence keeps readers invested. Her talent for writing independent, headstrong women who find partners who love them as they are—not as they need them to be—continues to resonate with her growing fanbase.

If you’re seeking a cowboy romance with genuine heart and emotional depth, Duke should be your next read.

In love and romance,

Professor A

new release, Review

✍🏻 Professor Romance’s Reviews: Tia Louise’s The Way We Collide ✍🏻

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An illustrated cover of the book 'The Way We Collide' from the Bradford Boys series, featuring a couple in a football setting. The woman, wearing a dark shirt, embraces a man in a football uniform, who is holding a baby, with a football field background.

Overall Grade: B+

Tropes: surprise pregnancy; one-night stand; pro football romance; marriage of convenience

For readers seeking a romance that balances emotional depth with sizzling attraction, Tia Louise’s The Way We Collide delivers a compelling story that goes beyond the typical sports romance formula.

What truly makes this novel stand out is Hendrix’s remarkable character arc. We watch as this professional football star evolves from being solely focused on his career to embracing the responsibilities and joys of fatherhood. Louise crafts this transformation with authenticity, allowing readers to witness every step of his journey—the doubts, the mistakes, and ultimately, the beautiful moments of connection that change him forever. His growth feels earned rather than contrived, making his character all the more endearing.

The chemistry between Raven and Hendrix practically leaps off the page. Louise masterfully builds tension as these two fight their obvious attraction, creating delicious moments of “will they or won’t they” that keep readers turning pages well into the night. When they finally surrender to their feelings, the emotional payoff is as satisfying as the steamy scenes themselves. Their connection feels genuine because it’s grounded in mutual respect and understanding, not just physical attraction.

Equally compelling is Raven’s personal journey of self-discovery. Her evolution from aspiring storm chaser to finding unexpected passion in a different field feels refreshingly realistic. Louise portrays the uncertainty of changing life directions with sensitivity and insight, reminding readers that our paths are rarely straight and that’s perfectly okay.

The supporting cast enhances the story considerably, particularly Hendrix’s family, who provide both emotional gravitas and welcome moments of humor. Their presence makes the world of the novel feel lived-in and real.
Additionally, Raven’s unwavering support of Hendrix’s football dreams adds another layer of depth to their relationship, showing that true love means championing each other’s aspirations.

Louise’s writing style deserves special mention—it’s accessible and flowing, propelling the narrative forward with ease. Readers looking for an engaging story that doesn’t require mental gymnastics to follow will appreciate her straightforward approach.

While the focus on physical attraction is certainly present (and well-executed), there’s enough emotional substance here to satisfy readers who might typically shy away from steamier romances. That said, deeper character development would have elevated this from a good read to a truly outstanding one.

The Way We Collide is a solid four-star romance that offers more than meets the eye. If you’ve been hesitant to try Tia Louise’s work, this character-driven story of love, growth, and finding your path might just be the perfect introduction.

In love and romance,

Professor A

new release, Review

✍🏻 Professor Romance’s Review: Laney Hatcher’s Last on the List, the final book in the Bartholomew series ✍🏻

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Overall Grade: A-

Tropes: surprise pregnancy; best friend’s brother; sister’s best friend; banter; enemies to lovers to vibes; found family

Laney Hatcher has definitely saved her best for last. Last on the List, the final story of her Bartholomew series, offers an apt end to this touchingly irreverent historical romance series. The Bartholomew siblings have definitely captured my heart, and Silas and Mary are the cherry on the hot fudge of this delicious romantic sundae. 

Whenever you write a couple with the type of fiery banter that Mary and Silas engage in, you know the story will be engaging. Hatcher deftly carries us through their “hate to love,” fiery attraction, friends with benefits, and angsty romance. I loved the pacing of their journey even though Mary’s secrecy and want to protect Silas would frustrate any reader. Yet, this is the crux of the surprise pregnancy trope, and Hatcher allows us to rest in that tension for much of the book. She needs this space, however, to help Silas recognize his love for Mary (no surprise!), but even more, understand her background and its impact on Mary’s sense of self so he can love her the best. Even more, Hatcher grants them the space to learn to “see” the other better than anyone else. This takes a careful hand and decided storytelling to do it well, and Hatcher, in my opinion, has done it in Last on the List. 

The ending of this story is poetry as we say goodbye to the Bartholomew siblings while also celebrating who Mary and Silas have become as a couple and parents. Laney Hatcher has done nothing more than make me fall deeper in love with her brand of historical romance. Hoping for more stories from her soon.

In love and romance,

Professor A

new release

✍🏻 Have you been waiting for Silas’s story? Silas and Mary are finally here. You don’t want to miss Last on the List, the final story in Laney Hatcher’s fantastic Bartholomew series. ✍🏻

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★★NOW LIVE★★⁣⁣  ⁣⁣ ⁣

Last on the List, an all-new surprise pregnancy historical romance from Laney Hatcher, is LIVE in Kindle Unlimited!

Grab your copy TODAY!

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3OCRgzY

Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/LOTL

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/4aaMCRP 

Special Edition Floral Paperback: https://amzn.to/4abJa9w

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3WyhYM8

★ ★ BLURB ★ ★

Silas Bartholomew is falling behind. 

After watching my three younger sisters fall in love over the years, I’ve realized I might not want to be the lone, unattached Bartholomew sibling any longer. It’s time I grew up and assumed my role as my father’s heir. But in order to do that, I’ll need responsibilities, a household, … and a wife. 

I was not anticipating a secret arrangement with my sister’s best friend who barely tolerates me. 

Mary Lovelace wants nothing more than a family.

Falling into bed with Silas Bartholomew was not part of my plan. This unexpected and, frankly, unwelcome attraction I feel for the infuriating gentleman leads to shadowed secrets and sudden complications.

Silas and I find ourselves feeling far more than we ever anticipated. When our arrangement abruptly ends, I’m left with a future that is growing increasingly tricky, right alongside my waistline.

Finally, the possibility of a family of my own is back on the table, but the father of my child is the very last man I ever intended to share a future with. But some connections are too powerful to ignore.

Can I find the courage to face the love right in front of me or will the family I’ve always dreamed of be just out of reach?

Book #4 in the Bartholomew series follows the surprising and steamy romance between two people who are supposed to hate each other. Last on the List is a full-length historical romance filled with charm and wit, an accidental pregnancy, and a guaranteed happily ever after.