Made the Grade: A Scandal, A Secret, A Baby by Sharon Kendrick

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 379; Kindle Edition - File Size: 379 KB | Expected Release Date: February 19, 2013 | Publisher: Harlequin Presents | Obtained: NetGalley

"A Scandal, A Secret, A Baby" by Sharon Kendrick

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"A Scandal, A Secret, A Baby"

Pages: 222

My Story Summary : Dante & Justina used to have a relationship full of intense passion and love. However, they have always had to opposite of personalities and both are full of stubborn pride to be able to make it completely work. Especially after, Dante's family informs them of their disapproval of the relationship.

Now five years later, they meet again at a mutual friend/acquaintance’s wedding and even though they try to avoid each other, to some degree, the sparks between them still fly high. Their desire for each other is strong enough again that they throw caution to the wind just to be together ... forgetting about the consequences for the time being.

Soon though they both have to face those consequences and the expectations that come with them. Can these two work through everything together or will hurt pride and past mistakes still get in their way?

My Story Review : 3.25 out of 5 stars, two people, who still care for each other even though they weren’t aware of their own feelings, try to get to know each other again while they deal with the consequences left from one night of passion. In some ways, Dante & Justina were like oil and water, while in other ways these two were inseparable. I liked reading about the passion between these two, and I liked how the beginning of the plot's storyline built up. However, when it came towards the end of this novel I didn't like how everything wrapped up so quickly or the way that it did. I mean don't get me wrong I'm happy that these two finally end up together but I really wished that Dante was a bit more romantic about it instead of waiting for Justina to be the one to make the first official move. =0/

Author's Story Extras : Excerpt from A Scandal, A Secret, A Baby | MAGIC AND MAKE-BELIEVE | Celebrity and Infidelity, by Sharon Kendrick

Story Teaser :

There was a pause as he brushed a fingertip over the back of her neck. 'You don't like me very much, do you?'
She shook her head. 'No.'
'Brutal, but honest,' he mused, his fingertip retracing the path it had taken, as if he was fascinated by the innocuous column of flesh he found there.
She tried to fight against the sudden whisper of pleasure that touch had given her. 'What are you doing?'
He began to massage her shoulders, briefly expelling a breath as he felt her soft flesh beneath his fingers again. 'I'm trying to make you relax, but it isn't easy because you are very tense, tesoro,' he observed softly. 'Very, very tense.'
Justina swallowed. ~ within Chapter 6

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"Marriage Scandal, Showbiz Baby!"

Pages: 144

My Story Summary : Jennifer (Jenny) & Matteo (Matt) are going through a blistery divorce, which is made even more awful because of them being major celebrities. Now with their latest film (that they made prior to their separation) being presented at the Cannes Film Festival they both find themselves having to deal with each other again.

Passion flares high between them but they do their best at avoiding each other. That is until Matteo saves Jennifer from some unwanted attention and helps her leave the after party, then all bets are off!

Weeks later, they find that passion isn't the only still alive between them; it only takes someone new to come into their lives to make them understand this. Now if only they can stop past mistakes from ruining the new future they have created for themselves...

My Story Review : 4 out of 5 stars!! This couple finds a way to reunite while dealing with their past mistakes and tries to create a hopeful future for themselves. I really loved these two together! They are an understanding couple (in some ways) who when faced with a special surprise they deal find a way to work through their differences in such a sweet way. I just wish it was longer!! =0)

Story Teaser :

'Oh, it's beautiful,' she said automatically, and turned around to find that he was watching her. She gave a nervous laugh. 'What the hell am I doing talking about the view? Isn't this the kind of situation where you wish you could just wave a magic wand and suddenly it's different?'
'Don't you think I spend most of my life doing that?' he asked bitterly.
'Matt---'
He shook his head. 'Let's not waste any time with recriminations. There's no point.'
'No. But I have to say this. Thanks for...rescuing me and bring me back here.' ~ within Chapter 4

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My Book Review : For the full book, I give it 3.625 out of 5 stars! Both novels revolve around couples who have broken up in some way, the ladies finding out not long after the break up that their men have then slept with another woman, then months or years later they unintentionally reconnect and being left with a "pleasant surprise" that forces them to rethink about their relationships.

I recommend these novels to anyone who likes dramatic contemporary romances, especially ones based on people who live/have "celebrity lifestyles."

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : The Sheikh's Heir

For more information on these novels and/or any other books by Sharon, then please check out her website.