Monday, January 17, 2022

The Baby Proposition by Kim Loraine {a review}



It seems as though I've been waiting on Maverick's story forever. Obviously that isn't the case though, as it's only been since July 2021. Thankfully I had Daisy and Hawk to distract me as I waited. 

The Baby Proposition, by Kim Loraine, is the first book in the Anything for Love series, and it is telling us all about Maverick and Clara. Clara is the local vet, and is frequently at the Wilde Horse Ranch checking up on the animals. Of course while she's there, she also gets to catch up with Maverick. These two have formed quite the friendship, and there is that pull there to have that friendship turn into something more. But Clara won't let that happen. She's determined to do things on her own.

"I can't count on other people to make my dreams come true. So, I don't look for my prince charming. He doesn't exist."

Which that's all fine and dandy. She is a fully capable person, and if she doesn't want that HEA, she doesn't have to go after it. Clara is also adamant that she wants a baby. She's gone so far as to look into donation clinics, and has done her research. She's not getting any younger, and Clara feels it is time. One night at a wedding, Clara tells Maverick that she's going to become a mom. He's surprised, obviously, but then she goes on to clarify. It is after all of this, that Maverick offers his assistance. Clara takes him up on it, but she doesn't fully explain things to him. She's not looking for a night. She's looking for a donation. What happens next is full of romcom moments that end up with these friends determined to find their happily ever after. Can they have it together though, or would they be better off just being friends?

Now, I absolutely loved Maverick and Clara's story! From The Wedding Date Proposition prequel, to the very last page of The Baby Proposition, I just loved it. I feel connected to these characters, and I want the best for them. 

From the very beginning when you could see their friendship beginning to take a turn, to the moment when Maverick made his offer, to Clara's response, and everything that happened with the baby proposition. I knew these two would fall for each other!

Let's talk about that scene with Luke though where they (Luke & Maverick) are getting ready to race through the fields. I was really enjoying their banter.

"Get off my ass. You aren't my wife. Leave me alone."

But during that race, Maverick's mind started to wander. He was thinking about everything that needed to be done. From the property here, to the property in Texas, and now that hockey team in Seattle. It's a lot, and he's feeling spread thin. What happened next though, had me gasping. My heart lurched, my hand flew to my mouth, and I was worried for a few minutes. Egads I was not expecting any of that to happen. I fully admit that I had tears welling up in my eyes. Thankfully Clara, and Doc, quickly arrived on scene and were able to do what they both needed to do for the horse, and the human. STILL THOUGH! My heart.

As the story progressed, we saw how the relationship shifted between Maverick and Clara. Yes, Maverick was going to help Clara get pregnant. But Clara was determined to keep things as relationship free as possible. That's not working. For either of them.

"I didn't even see it. I didn't see how much I needed you in my life and how I need to be in yours."

Then there was when Ben arrived in town. Ben and  Clara have known each other for years, and she was hoping he would want to move to Sunrise to help run the clinic. She needed him for when she might need to go on maternity leave. That is if she were to get pregnant. Maverick isn't thrilled about this person though, and you can feel the jealousy rolling off of him. I'm so glad that Clara called him out on it too.

"At first, the jealous caveman thing was cute, but not anymore. Why are you so mean to him?"

"I am not."

""Yes, you are. You're being ridiculous and grumpy."

When Maverick went to his buddies for guidance, I found myself chuckling often. That entire scene brought a smile to my face, and had me loving the characters even more so.. Oh those cowboys. I had a big grin on my face when Travis called him out for the reason why he was there learning the ropes. Then there was this brief conversation:

"How do I know if I'm ready?"

"It's kinda like riding a bucking bronc. You're never ready. You just hold on for dear life and hope you make it through."

As the story progressed, I found myself wondering what the dramatic moment was going to be. I knew it was going to happen, but what I had building in my brain just wasn't seeming right.  I can safely say it wasn't what I thought it was going to be, and I'm happy about that. I like it when books are not completely predictable. But the dramatic moment also had me wanting to knock our character upside the head. COME ON! 



Sorry, I couldn't resist. The entire scene had me wanted to scream this exact sentiment.

Their happily ever did come though. It may have not been as quickly as Maverick would have liked, but a happy ending happened none the less. And what an ending it was.

Oh, but can we backtrack for a moment? Let's go back to the moment that had the community coming together. That moment at Ryker Ranch gutted me. MY HEART! I was YELLING at Kim Loraine. Oh you can't do that to me! Kim, WHY?!?!? UGH. I wanted to throw my kindle across the room. 



Sweet Mama Ryker tugged at my heartstrings. That woman has been through so much, and I just want to wrap her up in a gigantic hug. (and have her adopt me.)

As this story wrapped up, I found myself curious as to what was going to happen next for Maverick and Clara. We know about the hockey team, but what exactly happened with the property in Texas? I feel like that wasn't cleared up completely. Which is okay, I'm just annoyingly curious.

Also, this has me anticipating Killian Wilde's story. From the moment he arrived on the scene in this story, I knew the setup for his story was happening. I have a feeling that one is going to be a bit of a wild ride. Or rather, he's going to Drive Me Wild. 

Then, of course, Kim Loraine had to set things up for the first hockey story as well. I'm so ready! Big Deck Energy is sounding amazing. It's a forbidden romance featuring the mistaken identity trope. BRING IT ON! Let's go Seattle Cyclones!

I gave The Baby Proposition 4.5 stars on Goodreads. Maybe it was the familiarity of the characters, maybe it was the tropes, maybe it was the storyline, but no matter what, this book pulled me in. (really, it was all of those things that lead to my rating.)

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on The Baby Proposition. If you like cowboy romances featuring the friends to lovers trope, then I hope you'll pick this one up. Now this is part of a series, but don't worry about that! All of the books can be read as standalones, so really you can jump in anywhere you please. I should also mention that this is technically the first book in the Anything for Love series, but I am also lumping it in with the Wilde Horse Ranch series as that is where it was to originally fit in. Happy reading my fellow book lovers!

Laura

Cover Design: T.E. Black Designs
Photography: Michelle Lancaster

Clara Barnes wants a baby, and I’m going to give her one.

I wanted Clara the first time I saw her, but as soon as I figured out she was the local vet and would be working on my ranch, I knew I had to let her go. I put myself in the friend-zone until the night she told me she wanted to get knocked up.

There wasn’t a chance I’d let another guy get her pregnant, even if he was an anonymous donor. Not when she had me, Maverick Wilde—grade A certified Montana cowboy—right in front of her.

The arrangement was perfect. I make my donation, she gets her baby, we go back to being friends. No strings. No messy heartbreak.

Except everything changes when we decide it’ll be a lot more fun to make a direct deposit and do things the old fashioned way. That spark between us? Now it’s a blazing fire I have no desire to extinguish.

Our baby proposition just got a lot more complicated.



Add the book to your Goodreads TBR!



Meet Kim Loraine



Kim Loraine was raised a Navy brat but spent most of her life growing up in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. A proper Washingtonian, she's addicted to coffee, doesn't let a little rain ruin her day, and thinks the sun is a gift from God. When not chasing her three little minions around, Kim spends her time writing, reading, and binge watching Doctor Who.

Connect with Kim

Thank you Kim for providing me with an advanced review copy of The Baby Proposition.