This book intrigued me in the beginning because of the interesting way it starts off in the prologue. So kudos Ms. Bradley for having an interesting beginning and making me very curious as to where the story was going to go. Unfortunately, my curiosity and interest was lost along the way as I read on.
 
So right away I'm just going to say if you liked the movie "Three Men and a Baby" you'll probably like this book. I did not enjoy Three Men and a Baby, not even the 'stache could save it for me, therefore the 'funny' situations and hijinks that arose when inexperienced bachelors try to take care of a little girl were completely lost on me. I did find it somewhat endearing at times when Aidan (hero) was at a complete loss as to what to do and say to Melody (little girl). He was a complete tool at times I couldn't help but like the big fella.
 
Madeleine (heroine) on the other hand never endeared herself to me. I didn't like her and I didn't hate her, sadly just indifferent. Her whole murky past and reasons for doing things was violently sensational but never drew me in.
 
The storyline was decently strong so I think the problem I had with not connecting to the characters was the style this story was written. It was bouncy, bouncy, bouncy. By this I mean there was a lot of head hopping from character to character, especially in the beginning. The author probably wanted the reader to feel connected to all the characters but instead it backfired, at least for me, and I never became attached to anyone because I wasn't with anyone long enough. This writing style ended up making the story feel very disjointed and choppy. There wasn't much ever happening and not much story progression. Aidan wants to ask Madeleine to marry him finally does at end of book, Madeleine wants to leave but stays and tells Aidan about her past finally at end of book, and then Colin (friend of Aidan and future hero in next book in series) and Aidan want to find out who Melody's father is. The question of who Melody's father is, is not answered here and I'm assuming this will be a continuing thread through the next book. (Aidan was eliminated so it's between Colin and a yet to be met character Jack).Anyway this could be called a decent book with small amounts of brief shinning moments. Skip it, there is better out there to entertain you all.
 
D- ( )

I give this book a solid 3.5 stars. The plot was different than anything I've read before, the child angle made for in interesting device. I liked that the good characters, especially the heroine, weren't completely good, but the bad characters were a little too bad, perhaps to compensate for the good ones. I do think the final wrap up was a little convenient, but then again most romance novels are.

Where the book really suffers is not the plot, but the fact that it is a trilogy, so going into the 1st book I know that I'm not going to find out who the mother is until the final installment. ( )

Aidan de Quincy finds a three-year-old girl sitting on the steps of Brown's Club, she has been abandoned there with an accusation that one of the members is her father. His mind wanders to an enounter with the widow Madeline and he wonders if possibly this could be his daughter. It being late he determines to hid her in his rooms until he can deal with things. He's assisted by Colin Lambert, a friend.

The girl, Melody wreaks havoc and he decides to try to find Madeline. Madeline has her reasons for not wanting to marry him, her husband is actually still alive and she's determined not to have to go back with him.

It's a fun story, the characters are interesting and after I got past the setup the adventures were fun. The abuse was glossed over a little too easily really but overall the story was fun. ( )

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The story of a man who, despite himself, falls for a woman with too many secrets. After she turned down his proposal of marriage, he turns his back on her and orders her out of his life. When he discovers an abandoned child nearly 4 years later that he believes to be his, he accuses the woman of abandoning their baby. She, knowing the child isn't hers, believes it to belong to another of his lovers, but goes along with his assertion. Once they are back in contact, all the old feelings return and the man struggles with his feelings for the woman in light of her deceit, and she struggles with her feelings for him in light of the secrets of her past.

An inadequate synopsis, but rest assured this book is up to Bradley's usual standards. It starts slow, but develops nicely and finishes satisfactorily. ( )