A review by jenreadsromance
The Bachelor's Baby Surprise by Teri Wilson
2.0
The book starts with Evangeline Holly walking up with the previous night's 1NS in her bed. His name is Ryan and he's handsome and the sex was great, but 3 days ago she had a bad break-up and this is no time for a new man. She worked for her ex, so now she has to find a new job & a hide her grandfather's dogs in an apartment where she's not to have pets. She kicks Ryan out, but 6 weeks later, she goes for an sommelier interview at his hotel's restaurant and is hired. 2 weeks later, Ryan figures out she's pregnant with his baby which is convenient since he always wanted a family. The blurb makes it sounds like a secret baby romance, but it's not.
PLUSES: It's well written. There's nothing wrong with it. They both seem nice.
WISHES: The reason they hire Evangeline is bc the hotel/restaurant is trying to land coveted Michelin stars. But... those are awarded for food, and the chef is never mentioned. So the idea that Evangeline and her magical wine skills are the key to that is just weird. One thing that really stuck out was the whole subplot about how Ryan was named one of NY's most eligible bachelors. In the book, women camp out in his office lobby all day hoping to meet him. I hated that and the way that *those women* were desperate gold diggers was kinda gross. Also, there is another subplot where he was almost trapped by an old girlfriend who claimed the baby was his. Meanwhile, Evangeline is just a GIVER. She takes care of her grandfather's dogs, she sacrifices the last bottle of wine from her family's vineyard to get those stars.
Verdict: Uncomfortable gender essentialism. The idea that the sommelier secured 3 Michelin stars instead of the chef seemed wrong. Mostly bland and boring, with wine receiving more passionate description than feelings or their relationship. Also, she’s just pregnant in the book, so big side eye to this cover.
Copied & Pasted from Twitter as part of a project where I'm reviewing the 2019 RITA finalists.
PLUSES: It's well written. There's nothing wrong with it. They both seem nice.
WISHES: The reason they hire Evangeline is bc the hotel/restaurant is trying to land coveted Michelin stars. But... those are awarded for food, and the chef is never mentioned. So the idea that Evangeline and her magical wine skills are the key to that is just weird. One thing that really stuck out was the whole subplot about how Ryan was named one of NY's most eligible bachelors. In the book, women camp out in his office lobby all day hoping to meet him. I hated that and the way that *those women* were desperate gold diggers was kinda gross. Also, there is another subplot where he was almost trapped by an old girlfriend who claimed the baby was his. Meanwhile, Evangeline is just a GIVER. She takes care of her grandfather's dogs, she sacrifices the last bottle of wine from her family's vineyard to get those stars.
Verdict: Uncomfortable gender essentialism. The idea that the sommelier secured 3 Michelin stars instead of the chef seemed wrong. Mostly bland and boring, with wine receiving more passionate description than feelings or their relationship. Also, she’s just pregnant in the book, so big side eye to this cover.
Copied & Pasted from Twitter as part of a project where I'm reviewing the 2019 RITA finalists.