Disappointmentville: Operation: Family Series, Book 1

Format: Paperback | Pages: 219 | Release Date: August 2012 | Publisher: Harlequin American Romance | Obtained: The Recycled Reader -- Used Bookstore

"A SEAL's Secret Baby" [Operation: Family Series, Book 1] by Laura Marie Altom

My Book Summary : Ellie & Deacon shared one steamy night years ago that changed Ellie's life forever. However, at that time they both didn't want or expect any relationship happen between them, so Deacon introduced Ellie to his best friend, and fellow Navy SEAL, Tom thinking that they would hit it off. Thankfully, Ellie and Tom do hit it off; they get married and have a kid. Yet not everything goes exactly to plan while out on a mission Tom unexpectedly dies leaving Deacon to help out Ellie and her daughter any way he can.

Now a year after Tom's death, Ellie feels it's time to reveal the massive secret she's been keeping.... her daughter's father isn't really Tom but Deacon from their one wild night. Nevertheless, will she be able to keep her life from falling apart once the secret is finally out there??

My Book Review : 2.5 out of 5 stars! This is a novel about mistakes, misunderstandings, love, friendship, respect, and trying to make an unusual situation right even when everything isn't how they want it to be. It's a compelling story that you never expect the twists that happen throughout it.

The reason I gave this novel the rating that I did was because while I enjoyed the relationship that grew between Pia, Deacon, & Ellie, I didn't like how Ellie handled the situation at all and I wasn't fond of how wishy-washy Deacon was at times. I can understand that they both grew up in bad situations so both had no way of knowing how to deal with the situation they had. However, they could have played out certain scenes better between them and wouldn't have had to deal with as much heartache as they did if they did so.

I recommend this novel to anyone who likes military romances and/or those who like novels dealing with paternity issues.

Author's Series Extras : It's Raining Men--Again!!!! | Time Sucking Broken Eyeballs!!

Book Teaser(s) :

"Doesn't matter." Garrett popped another seed. "Way I see it, now that the cat's out of the bag, you gotta feed it. Let's say Tom was still alive when this came out. He knew you and Ellie had a fling."
"He did?" Deacon sat up so abruptly he nearly choked on his spit.
"Everyone did. Thing is, he loved you like a brother, man. What happened with you and Ellie was in the past. He staked claim to her future. He never said anything, but given the short timing between their marriage and Pia's birth, even he had to wonder. I know me and Tristan did."
Deacon winced. ~ within Chapter 2

"Tell me more about this neighbor kid. Any romance?"
"Maybe..." Ellie matched his six and found another stone she was sure could get seven. "You'll never know."
"Oh," he said with a laugh, getting only four on his latest throw, "I don't know about you, Pia, but that sounded like a challenge to me. Think Mommy needs tickling?"
"Tickle, tickle!" Laughing, the little girl was first to attack.
Then came Deacon, going straight for Ellie's vulnerable ribs.
Laughing so hard she could barely breath, Ellie didn't fight it when they collapsed onto the ground in a laughing, tickling pile. ~ within Chapter 8

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Laura Marie, then please check out her website.