Review- The Army Doctor's Forever Baby by Helen Scott Taylor

The Army Doctor's Forever Baby on Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Army doctor, Captain George Knight, is career focused and eager to see action. When he helps out a fellow doctor, Sandra Fisher, after an accident, he's not looking for romance. But this pretty, unassuming woman has secret hidden depths that fascinate him. When he's sent away to war, Sandra has her own challenges to face. Can their love survive the heartbreaking test that fate has in store for them?

Release date: May 27th 2014

Page numbers: 129

REVIEW:

Helen Scott Taylor is the only author who manages to make me appreciate cute and cuddly clichés. I've read and absolutely loved quite a few of the author's Adult Romances, and they have always left me feeling warm and wonderful, be it on a cold winter night or on a hot summer day. The Army Doctor's Forever Baby wasn't any different. Although full of sickeningly sweet stuff that I'm not the biggest fan of, Helen Scott Taylor, as always, managed to make it a cute and enjoyable read. 

The Army Doctor's Forever Baby is the prequel to the Army Doctor's Baby series. It is a novella of less than a hundred pages. In this prequel, we meet George who looks after his former classmate and now colleague Sandra when she has a minor accident. The first half of this novella was super sweet as the two doctors had always experienced an attraction towards each other, but never really did anything about it. Then the story went on to become very been there, done that. It wasn't anything different and extraordinary, but since I haven't read many (or any) books that revolve around the military, the heartbreak and longing in The Army Doctor's Forever Baby was very sweet for me. 

George and Sandra, our main characters, were wonderful people. Although they both had their respective dreams and life choices, once they made a commitment, they stuck to it. The parents from both sides were so warm and welcoming, and I wish we had got to read more about them. It was nice to see how much importance the protagonists gave to their parents. I also adored the fact that this novella is set in the United Kingdom. That was a refreshing and much needed change. Plus, there is a dog in the story (and he's on the book cover too!). 

Overall, I would say that in spite of The Army Doctor's Forever Baby being full of clichés, the book is quite a sweet read that will leave the reader smiling. 

Buy the book: AMAZON 

Review- Finally Home by Helen Scott Taylor

Goodreads Summary:

As manager of the charming Greyfriar House Hotel, Melanie Marshall loves her job and spending time with her young son. But she can never forget what she ran away from: her late husband's crimes and her own terrible guilt. Though lonely, Melanie can't afford to let another man into her life.

But when her boss, gorgeous hotel owner Jack Summers, returns from his supposed wedding without a ring or a wife, Melanie discovers there's more to him than she ever thought. For one, the ex-soccer star is her son's idol. But the closer she gets to Jack, the more she pulls away. She can't share her past. Ever.

For too long, Jack's protected his scarred heart by letting gold-digging women make him think love didn't matter. But a sweet single mother and a soccer-crazy little boy change everything. He knows Melanie has secrets. Secrets she'll have to share if he's to help her realize she's finally home.

REVIEW:

I am a huge fan of Helen Scott Taylor's contemporary romances. They're the kind of stories that make you feel all warm, cuddly and gooey on the inside. Her stories make you believe that love happens and everyone gets their happily-ever-afters. I have read and loved Helen's Unbreak My Heart (my review of which can be read here), Oceans Between Us (my review of which can be read here) and A Family For Christmas (my review of which can be read here).  
Finally Home was a wonderful story of hurt, heartbreak, trust, love, hope and how there is light at the end of every tunnel, how there is gold and happiness at the end of every rainbow. I really, really liked this book which was the love story of Melanie and Jack. 
As characters, Melanie and Jack were similar in more ways than one. Both of them came with a past that they found hard to let go of. A past that bothered them immensely. A past that made them do certain things and not do certain things and finally, a past that brought them together. 
Melanie's husband, also known as Dr. Death was a cruel man who only used patients for his own personal gains and nearly got his and Melanie's child, Ryan, killed. Ryan himself was a complete darling. I absolutely loved reading about him. Melanie is super protective of her child. She was a good protagonist. There were times when I felt like pushing her and telling her to finally give in and at least give love another chance. Her point of view was totally understandable, but I really wish she had let go, gotten free and that she wasn't so inclined on pushing Jack away. Overall, however, she was a sweet person and a great mother. 
Jack's football career is crashed when he suffers from muscular pain and his life in public is devastated when his fiancée walks out on him right before their wedding. His mother's insistence on having grandchildren compels him to get engaged to Stephanie, but he eventually comes to his senses realising that they aren't right for each other and breaks it off with her. Now running a hotel, Melanie is employed by Jack and there is something about her that totally fascinates him. Jack was a really patient and kind man. He gave Melanie all the space she needed and his need to get to know her better was simply adorable. 
Melanie and Jack made an absolutely lovely couple. Jack's instant liking for Ryan who means the world to Melanie and Ryan's instant love for Jack made the three of them the perfect family. There were lots of ups and downs which are normal and needed for any love to show it's strength and the up in the end is that everyone is happy. 
Finally Home is a wonderfully sweet read about coming together, opening up and leaving a troubled past behind by building a strong future filled with love and care. It's a perfect Helen Scott Taylor read that leaves you smiling and makes you go 'aww!'. Helen's writing is simply beautiful and beautifully simple. Even though the characters and what they did frustrated me a little in this one, Finally Home is just as good as any Helen Scott Taylor romance. It is a sweet story about finding love just when you're about to give up. 

RATING:

X 4

Sarika

Review- A Family For Christmas by Helen Scott Taylor

Goodreads Summary:

A heartwarming tale for Christmas.

A lonely career woman stranded in a blizzard, a disillusioned man who has cut himself off from women. When he rescues her from the snow and takes her into his home, the spirit of Christmas and his little girl's love work their magic.

REVIEW:

I have read and loved Helen Scott Taylor's contemporary romances Unbreak My Heart (review) and Oceans Between Us (review). When the author very kindly gifted me a copy of A Family For Christmas for reviewing her books (yes, she is super kind!), I knew I'd love this one too and guess what? No surprises there, I totally loved it! 

Helen Scott Taylor's romances have a way of making your heart feel warm and safe. They make you believe that love exists and it happens. A Family For Christmas is a short story about workaholic Eve, who is mourning the loss of her parents, finds her car get stuck in the snow and she is rescued by the very adorable banker/farmer/dad, Tom who has a lovely daughter and a not so smart ex-wife. Eve develops a very intimate relationship with Tom's daughter, Polly. Polly was such a innocent and cuddly little girl. All of  Helen Scott Taylor's characters are extremely lovable and genuinely kind people. Eve and Tom are no different. 

A Family For Christmas is an absolutely adorable story filled with happiness, joy, smiles and all things Christmas. It's the kind of story that makes you feel cuddly and keeps you warm, the perfect Christmas read. Actually, the perfect read no matter what time of the year it is! The story is full of warmth and niceness. I loved reading it and the epilogue made me go all 'Aww!'. 

RATING:

X 4.5

Sarika

Review- Oceans Between Us by Helen Scott Taylor

Goodreads Summary:

He's a wealthy Italian celebrity used to dating beautiful women. She's a guesthouse cook without a penny to her name. When tragedy brings them together for a few weeks, an unlikely romance blossoms. But he has commitments that take him back to his jet-setting life, while her future lies in a remote English village. Is it possible for two people from such different walks of life to find a way to be together?

REVIEW:

After reading Helen Scott Taylor's Unbreak My Heart, I was really looking forward to reading her next contemporary romance novel, Oceans Between Us, which I received as a gift from the author for having reviewed Unbreak My Heart.
Oceans Between Us is a beautiful story of Maria Gardener, a complete girl-next-door and Dino Rossellini, an Italian Opera singer. The beginning of the story was very heart- breaking, as Dino's son is adopted without him being aware of it. It leaves him devastated and he moves to Porthale to find some peace and solace. That is where he comes across Crow's Nest, a warm and homely guest house that belongs to the Gardeners. Maria is so keen on taking care of Dino and making his stay as pleasant as possible. It was very touching to read how much one can care for someone you don't even know. I don't want to get much into the storyline as I know I'll end up with tons of spoilers! So I will just stick to the tons of other amazing aspects of the book.
I absolutely loved Maria. She was so easy to relate to. Nowadays, most of the leading female protagonists are kick- ass and daring (which is awesome, no doubt), while Maria was so gentle, caring and wonderful. Her simplicity made her so much more desirable and admirable. Dino too was a great guy. Not just his hot Italian looks, but even as a person, he was simple, down-to-earth and a real sweetheart! Both Maria's and Dino's families- who played such an important role in the story- were splendid and it was so much of fun to read about them. The relationship between Maria and her sister, Christine was so lovely, and so was the one between Dino and his mom. The Italians made such a fantastic family, and were heart- warming to read about. The few secondary characters also made the story more lively, practical and joyous! I loved that both Maria and Dino value their families, and have immense respect for them too.
My most favourite and treasured part of the story was when Maria and Dino are just roaming in Porthale, which is where they have their first kiss. That was absolutely remarkable!
Overall, an absolutely sweet, realistic and marvellous read, Oceans Between Us is just the perfect book. I took my own sweet time reading this one as I didn't want it to get over! I literally moved at a snail's pace, but I was so excited to move ahead that I was compelled to turn the pages...
I'd like to thank Helen Scott Taylor for being so kind to gift a copy of her book, and for just writing this beautiful story! It is definitely worth a million bucks. :)

RATING:

X 5

Sarika





Review- Unbreak My Heart by Helen Scott Taylor

Goodreads Summary:

Andre Le Court first set eyes on Kate Frost when he was two and she was a babe in her mother's arms. He's twenty-five now, and he still remembers the moment perfectly, the moment Kate Frost slipped inside his heart.

His family owned a big hotel, her parents worked there. Andre's father spent years trying to separate his son from the daughter of the hired help. Eventually he grew desperate and sent Andre away to boarding school.

Nine years later, Kate turns up on the doorstep of Andre's prestigious hotel with the paparazzi at her heels and the six-week-old daughter of her celebrity ex in her arms. She has nowhere left to run except back to the place where she left her heart all those years ago.

Andre lost Kate once. He can't lose her again. But he has an image to maintain, a reputation as a successful businessman. A bohemian young woman with beads in her hair is not a suitable wife for him.

In Andre, Kate sees tantalizing glimpses of the boy she adored. But most of the time she hardly recognizes the powerful, successful man he's become, his lifestyle so like that of his despised father.

Can they forgive the pain of the past, accept each other as they are now, and rediscover the childhood love that was snatched away from them?

REVIEW:

I was in the mood to read a pure contemporary romance, between two normal people who have a simple and sweet love story, and I unexpectedly came across Unbreak My Heart at the right time, when it was free on Amazon. I quickly downloaded a copy and was looking forward to reading it. The cover of the book itself is so pretty, I make sure I look at it every time I open my Kindle app!
Unbreak My Heart is the story of childhood sweethearts, Andre and Kate. Andre's family owns prominent hotels, where Kate's parents worked. Being two years older to Kate, Andre was with her since she was born and they grew up together, sharing their dreams and aspirations. Realising that the Andre- Kate relationship won't do any good for Andre's professional life, his dad sends him away to boarding school, putting a blotch on the beautiful friendship nourished by both the kids. Andre gets into his new life and gets busy with fulfilling his grandfather's dream of making the Caspian an extraordinary hotel. To avoid the pain of separation, Kate gets in a relationship with Daniel Crowther and has his baby. Later, realising that only his fame and fortune are what mattered most to Dan, she leaves him and the only hope she has is Andre. From there on starts another wonderful Andre and Kate journey with several ups and downs, that are a natural part and parcel of normal life and that's what makes them realise that they were really never apart from one another. All of their feelings are mutual.
The story was absolutely amazing and the book itself, a complete page turner. I found myself admiring both the protagonists, understanding each ones perspective. Kate's daughter, Keiko, brought happiness and some really sweet moments between the three (Andre, Kate and Keiko), who, in a very out of nowhere and completely genuine manner, made for a perfect family. A lovely tale of true love as it transcends from childhood to adolescence to adulthood, the story gets you back to your senses and makes you believe that the concept of soul- mates is, in fact, very much true and the power of love will always overcome practically anything. A sweet, lovely and romantic read, Unbreak My Heart is highly recommended and definitely worth reading! I thoroughly enjoyed EVERY page and am now looking forward to reading more books by author Helen Scott Taylor.

RATING:

X 4

Sarika