Lola's Blog Tours: Book Review: Secret Baby Scandal

*I received a free copy in return for a fair and honest review. Thank you to Lola's Blog Tours and Joanna Rock for the opportunity.*

Secret Baby Scandal (Bayou Billionaires #4)
by Joanne Rock
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age category: Adult
Release Date: May 10, 2016

Blurb:
His proposition: pretend they’re a couple to end a scandal. But she has secrets of her own…

Tatiana Doucet has dealt with sexy, arrogant athletes most of her life. But Jean-Pierre Reynaud is a whole different animal—in bed and on the field. Unbeknownst to him, their one amazing night produced a son. Now her family’s biggest football rival is back, offering a seductive wager she can’t refuse.

Jean-Pierre despises the media. When rumors fly, he knows a fake relationship is the perfect diversion for the tabloids—and Tatiana’s unbridled passion is the perfect diversion for Jean-Pierre. But when she drops a baby bombshell, the scandal will rock them both!

My Review:

First off, yes, this is a romance book. BUT I would not classify this as smut. There was literally 3 pages of a scene, skirting around the act and mentions throughout the book. 

When you see movies with wives laying in bed reading a book...this is the type of book those women are reading. It's relaxing, it's calming, it's a book I would read to escape the realism that is my life. 

Now, typical of a Harlequin, we have the rich male MC, the down to earth female MC, and a scandal that really shouldn't even be a scandal. Then again, it is set in Louisiana and as a southern girl myself, I understand why people would see it as a scandal. But whatever, it's your own cup of tea. 

The cover is the stuff typical romance novels, the *loving gaze* *hot and sexy* characters. All fluff. But it was well made, and gives you a little treasure hunt of where in the book the cover scene takes place. 

The fact that this book stars a football elite really has no bearing, which was good for me because I don't like sports. There was a taste of the lifestyle and training, those such things, but that wasn't the main focus or even secondary focus of the book.

The writing was excellent. Ms. Rock executes the story flawlessly. Her writing follows the norms, the story is well researched (it better be with her background),  But I was completely unsatisfied with the ending. It just ended. Yeah. I'm wondering what happens to baby? What's next? Am I going to get all my answers through background characters in the next book? Not happy with that part. And I really wish that the baby was shown more. 

In the last 2 chapters there is a lot going on and it leaves you very unsatisfied. The questions are too big to just let slide to another book. And I was expecting this huge climax, a scandal, a blow-up. Just...something. But I was disappointed.

So my final judgement is 3 stars. I liked it for the de-stressing factor, but the ending, especially the last 2 chapters left a bad taste in my mouth. It's worth the price for the escapism alone, but you're going to want to read the rest of the series and the next books to get all of your answers.

Overall, 3 stars. And that's a neutral. The writing style, the cover, and the contemporary were well portrayed. But the plot left something to be desired. IF you want a light read to over you during a car ride, or at the end of the night, then this is definitely for you. I might end up reading the rest of the series out of curiosity. And that my friends, is enough for me to pick up the other books. 

For buying options and about the author, keep reading. 




You can find Secret Baby Scandal on Goodreads

You can buy Secret Baby Scandal here:
- Amazon
- Amazon Print
- Barnes & Noble
- Barnes & Noble Print
- Kobo
- iBooks

Bayou Billionaires series - Secrets and scandal are a Cajun family legacy for the Reynauds...
- Book 1: His Pregnant Princess Bride by Catherine Mann
- Book 2: His Secretary's Surprise Fiance by Joanne Rock
- Book 3: Reunited with the Rebel Billionaire by Catherine Mann
- Book 4: Secret Baby Scandal by Joanne Rock
Books can be read as standalones or in order.

About the Author:
Three-time RITA nominee Joanne Rock has never met a romance sub-genre she didn't like. The author of over seventy books enjoys writing contemporary romance and medieval historicals alike. An optimist by nature and perpetual seeker of silver linings, Joanne finds romance fits her life outlook perfectly--love is worth fighting for. A frequent speaker at regional and national writing conferences she enjoys giving back to the writing community that nurtured and inspired her early career. She has a Masters degree in Literature from the University of Louisville but credits her fiction writing skills to her intensive study with fellow author and friend Catherine Mann. When she's not writing, Joanne enjoys travel, especially to see her favorite sports teams play with her former sports editor husband and three athletic-minded sons. http://joannerock.com

You can find and contact Joanne here:
- Website
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- Goodreads
- Amazon
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