{Review} Secret Baby by Ella Goode

Title: Secret Baby
Author: Ella Goode
Release Date: December 31, 2019
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Novella

Madeleine has a secret. Five months ago, she met an irresistible man and made a very dumb mistake. She knows that a random hookup won’t want to be saddled with a baby and she’s way too vulnerable in this state to be rejected. Keeping a baby from the daddy might seem wrong, but it’s the best way to protect herself and her child for now.

Oliver wants answers. Five months ago, he met the woman of his dreams, took her up to his hotel room, made love to her until they both passed out only to wake up alone. He’s hired private investigators but with no last name or photographs, his hookup has remained a mystery. And he doesn’t like mysteries. Or surprises.

Oliver knows the Madeleine is the one for him. When he finally finds her, he’s determined to keep her...even if the father of the child isn’t him.

What We Liked

♥ What was thought to be a one-night-stand (to the h and maybe readers) between the h (Madeline) and H (Oliver) turns out that neither (unbeknownst to either) wanted just one night together.

♥ (Not so) secret baby trope.

♥ Oliver spent 5 months trying to find Madeline with just her first name to no avail, until his sister showed him a paparazzi photo of her favorite and pregnant supermodel, which happens to be Madeline.

♥ Once Oliver and Madeline finds each other, they navigate through the pregnancy journey together while simultaneously trying to get to know each other and find a place to settle and nest in.

What We Didn't

• Manhandling. And not in a sexy alpha way that some romances are able to pull off either.
• The handcuffs? Really dude? The way the H used them on the h was not sexy, rational or mature. I don't know if this action was meant to be a romantic gesture we're supposed to find cute, but it wasn't executed that way. Leave the cuffs in the bedroom, my guy, not to literally chain your girl to you wherever you or she goes.
• We thought this was going to be a more wholesome and sweet read that we're used to from Ella Goode considering the title and plot, it fell a little short to our expectations.

The Gals

♥ Madeline // Exhausted virgin model, looking for more out of life. Spontaneously gave her v-card to Oliver after their chemistry upon meeting at the hotel bar, which ended up giving her a cute little blessing bundle. Things happen in an unconventional order but she persevered like a girlboss and she found more meaning and goals in life.

♥ Danielle // Madeline's friend. We love how supportive, protective and confronting she is. But we hate how she was basically pushed aside. I mean she's only a secondary character, not the main one, but still.

♥ Blossom // Oliver's sister and thorn in his side. Also his assistant which you can imagine how fun that is. When she's not poking fun at her brothers, she's serving truths, advice, jokes and dream house inspo's. She'll make one great auntie and sister in law.

The Guys

♥ Oliver // He's a hardworking, pretty impatient, impulsive, demanding and growly (and not in the sexy alpha way we all love). Definitely different than the Oliver we met in the prologue where he and Maddie met and hooked up. But at least he's a good person for the most part.

Lust Factor