It’s a pleasure today to be helping launch the blog tour for Don’t You Want Me Baby? by Rachel Dove, and sharing my publication day review. Published by Boldwood Books today (15th November), it’s now available via Amazon for kindle (free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback, and as an audiobook. My thanks, as always, to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the publishers for my advance reading e-copy (provided via netgalley).
Last time I featured one of Rachel’s books it was a real personal favourite, The Long Walk Back – republished in July, and a book that made a profound impression on me, its damaged people finding joy against all the odds, when I first read it back in 2018 (you can read my post again here). I’d highly recommend it – but then I’ve also enjoyed two other books I’ve read from her since she joined Boldwood. I absolutely loved Ten Dates – a gorgeous read, an enemies-to-lovers story that certainly brought a smile but really put my heart through the wringer too (you’ll find my review here). And then there was Summer Hates Christmas, another re-release – wonderfully Christmassy, with a lot of laughter but some very well-handled emotional content too, and a particularly moving and convincing developing romance (you’ll find my review here). So when Rachel’s email dropped into my inbox and I saw this was another brand new read from an author I always enjoy, I was looking forward to seeing what she’d come up with this time…
Amber Fitzpatrick is about to hit thirty and has achieved none of the things she hoped to have done by now. Her dreams of owning her own business seem out of reach. Her boyfriend has just dumped her and now her biological clock is clanging in her head.
But maybe Amber doesn’t need a man for the next stage of her life? Maybe as an independent woman she can have a baby all by herself?
There’s only one problem. Handsome but excruciatingly annoying best friend Tyler Williams. Tyler thinks Amber’s motherhood plans are plain crazy! She just needs to wait for Mr. Right to come along…and maybe he’s closer than she thinks?
But with Amber hellbent on doing it alone, Tyler sets out to prove to her that being her best friend could also come with excellent benefits…if only she’s brave enough to take the chance.
A grumpy sunshine, best friends to lovers romance, perfect for fans of Portia MacIntosh, Laura Carter and Phoebe MacLeod.
Amber has set aside her own ambitions – running her gran’s former pub has always been on her life plan, but her business plan has been rather neglected – in favour of supporting boyfriend Brad’s rather more grandiose plans for his own hospitality business. She manages a bar where the staff and customers have become real friends – some of them particularly close and supportive, unlike Brad who’s hardly ever there for her. And with her 30th birthday imminent, that’s rather scuppered her other main dream – to be settled, with a family of her own.
Dumping Brad, however necessary for her own happiness, won’t bring that plan any nearer to fruition – but when you’re that desperate to have a child, there are other ways of making it happen. Tyler, the bar’s chef, is perhaps her closest friend – but his reaction to her proposed solution isn’t what she expects, and it rather drives a wedge between them. And that’s a shame – because he’s a man (and a rather lovely one) who’d be only too happy to be at her side.
It’s only fair to say that this book wasn’t entirely what I expected – very different from the last couple of the author’s books I’d read. And that honestly isn’t a criticism, just an observation – I really did enjoy it, and was absolutely invested in the chance of an unlikely happy ending. I just think though that the whole story might have more appeal for a rather younger reader than me – and those “for fans of” comparisons are absolutely spot on. And although it’s certainly a grumpy/sunshine story (friends to lovers too), I’m also not entirely convinced that it’s right to describe it as “laugh-out-loud” or “hilarious”, as some of its themes are pretty weighty, although there were plenty of situations and exchanges that made me smile (particularly involving BFF Sharon – she’s such a great character…).
I should mention, I think, that there is a fair bit of spice – not something I usually enjoy, but particularly well written and just fine in the context of the developing story. The path to romance is a particularly rocky one, full of misunderstandings and changes of mind as the tension simmered – and the way we were party to Tyler’s inner thoughts made Amber’s reluctance to engage all the more frustrating, albeit very real and for the best of reasons. But the ending? Well, that really was just perfect – lovely and uplifting, everything I wanted it to be!
Perhaps not entirely the book for me, and we all know that can sometimes happen – but it was every bit as well written as the author’s books always are, and I’ll certainly be looking forward as much as ever to seeing what she does next.
About the author
Rachel Dove lives in leafy West Yorkshire with her family, and rescue animals Tilly cat and Darcy the dog (named after Mr Darcy, of course!) A former teacher specializing in Autism, ADHD and SpLDs, she is passionate about changing the system and raising awareness/acceptance. Loves a good rom-com, and the beach!
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Newsletter Sign Up
