Expecting Her Ex’s Baby
by Shannon Stacey
Release Date: July 26, 2022
Publisher: Harlequin Special Edition
Book #3 in the Sutton’s Place series
Number of Pages: 288
Contemporary Romance
Ages 13 and up
CW: discussions of the death of parents
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Just one night together.
Now they’re bound…forever.
Getting pregnant was never Evie Sutton’s intention. But then again, neither was sleeping with her ex-husband, Lane Thompson. Lane wants to be in their baby’s life, but Evie is afraid of getting too close to the man she has never been able to resist. Is love enough to make them a family? Lane believes it is. He is sure this child will help them find their way home…
There was a part of me that felt a disconnect with the character of Evie throughout this story. I know that it’s because, in the past stories as well as this one, it is no secret that Evie divorced Lane and left town after his father’s death. It’s always been portrayed as Evie wanting to travel and not being able to handle being stuck in their small town while Lane dealt with the aftermath of his father dying and taking over the family business to be sure his mom was steady and secure. Of course, I have some bad feelings about Evie and want her to not be selfish. Because let’s be honest, she comes across as quite selfish.
In this story, there are some hints that Evie’s actions may not have been as selfish as they appear. Yet it’s not until almost the end of this book that more details of that period are given. And just as I had a chip on my shoulder about Evie, I also had some reservations about Lane’s mom Laura. It’s hard as the mom of grown children to butt out of things that you think you can help but are truly not your business. I get that, and I wanted Laura to get that. Turns out, she’s a bit of a savior in the end.
Lane and Evie really do fit together well. At first, I wasn’t sure if that was the case because their interactions were either squabbles (understandable with their history) or them falling into bed together. Once they got over their animosity, or at least most of the animosity, and truly started spending time talking I was able to see their connection so much more clearly. Of course, they both still have unresolved issues from their past with each other that they haven’t talked about. This leads to them both getting overly defensive in certain situations and they both handle that badly. As is often the case, they don’t air their grievances with each other, leading to hurt feelings and insecurities.
This being a Romance book, things work out in the end. I enjoyed the family aspect of this story and how Evie’s sisters were there for her even if they didn’t always understand or agree with things. Same with their significant others who are Lane’s best friends. They were supportive without stepping over their bounds. Plus, the moments the reader is let in on Evie’s insecurities are very touching and beautiful. I wish there would have been a bit more of that.
I’m not sure if this is the last book in the series. If it is, I hope there will be a spin-off series so we can see their friend Molly get her HEA. Possibly with a new librarian?
3.5 stars
All In Good Time 