Synopsis
Lizzie shows up to Ethan’s ranch seeking protection from her stalker. She also delivers the news that she’s pregnant with his child.
Before Reading
Before reading this book, I recommend reading A Colton Encounter. This gives you all the details that lead up to the pregnancy. You can read it for free if you create an account with Harlequin. I’ll link the story in my author’s note if you’re interested in reading it. I don’t think it’s necessary, but it’s there if you want it.
I also want to mention that this is the second book in a series. I know I skipped the first one, but it seems like they can stand independently. I didn’t feel like I missed anything when reading. I might read the first one at some point if I find it.
Finally, due to the fact that I don’t exclusively review one genre or category of books, I’m going to give some relevant information to hopefully guide readers. Please note that my information may not be fully objective. While I’ll do my best to provide objective information regarding genre and category, when it comes to content warnings, I suggest doing your research.
Genre: romantic suspense
Category: adult
Explicit sex: yes
Content warnings: none I can see
Review
The prose is great. It’s accessible and easy to read. The one thing that may bother some readers is that there’s a lot of repetition. It barely bothered me, but it did start to get annoying at some point. Repetition doesn’t usually bother me. I read a lot of writing where the author repeats one or more phrases constantly. I don’t think repetition is bad, but, this time, it irritated me.
The pacing is great. It’s a medium pace, picking up when it has to, but slow for most of the book. The suspense fully drives this story. It’s done well and it kept me reading.
I have mixed feelings regarding themes. While they’re given time on the page, they’re not explored enough. They feel like a plot device to push the couple together. Yes, they’re plot devices, but it feels like the themes don’t matter. The pregnancy and stalking are pushed aside to focus on the romance and only brought up when the plot needs something for that moment.
I also have mixed feelings on characters. Lizzie goes through an okay arc. I don’t hate it, but I don’t love it. However, it doesn’t feel like Ethan goes through one. His arc feels forced. I find it hard to believe that, by the end, he really changes. I can only suspend my disbelief so much.
For the most part, the romance is okay. Lizzie’s feelings are believable, but Ethan’s are not. There’s also the fact that Ethan is controlling at times which I find to be problematic. It’s portrayed as him doing what he does because he cares about Lizzie and she believes this is the case, but he constantly takes away her agency by using the pregnancy as an excuse.
Once again, I’m mentioning what I find problematic to acknowledge that it is. I also do this to let other potential readers know. I’m not attempting to push readers away from the story.
Conclusion
Overall, it’s an okay story. It’s mostly harmless. I don’t hate it, but I also don’t love it. I rated it three stars.
Author’s Note
Hey, everyone! Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this review.
A Colton Encounter is one of the first stories I read for Foundations in Romance. I found it really interesting. Interestingly enough, I misinterpreted the ending and I realized it after I read this book.
I found out about Colton’s Surprise Heir when I was recording a review for the short story for my channel. I was very excited because I really enjoyed the short story. I generally don’t read books with a pregnant main character. I have written a pregnant main character, but it’s not something I enjoy reading a lot.
I’ll be honest. The entire time I was reading this book, all I could imagine was Criminal Minds fanfiction. It felt like I was watching a huge Criminal Minds season finale at first.
I’ve watched all 15 seasons of Criminal Minds. Since the beginning, I shipped Penelope Garcia and Derek Morgan. Their flirtatious banter was so cute. It’s established from the very beginning that, although they flirted, they had no romantic feelings toward each other. Morgan even got into a long-term relationship, but the flirting continued.
Throughout the series, they were very good friends. I’d argue that they may even be considered best friends. It’s hard not to ship them because of the undeniable chemistry between them. Every time they’re in a scene together, it feels like they could totally be in a relationship. They’re adorable together.
When I was reading it at first, I thought about a season finale where Morgan did everything possible to protect his current girlfriend. It fit since there is a point where he and his girlfriend were expecting a child. At some point, though, the image changed. There are two episodes in season three revolving around Garcia. She is shot by a man she went on a date with who she thought liked her. I won’t spoil why this happened, but Morgan spent most of his time protecting her. Inside, I was screaming with excitement. My shipper brain was predicting.
Thankfully, Morgan is nothing like Ethan. The story I was imagining in my head did not involve pregnancy, but it definitely involved suspense and the one couple I ship from Criminal Minds. Maybe I’ll write a story inspired by the fanfiction I imagined while reading this.
This is the first reading experience I’ve ever had where my mind went to fanfiction. While I know the difference between the story I read and the one I was thinking about, it was an interesting ride.
If you want to read A Colton Encounter before reading this book, you can get it for free at Harlequin. It’s only 20 pages, so it shouldn’t take you that long. You need to create a free account, but here’s the link.
https://www.harlequin.com/shop/articles/327_a-colton-encounter.html
My review on this book will be out on my channel in 2023. If you want to be the first to see it, subscribe below. I post on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, usually at 5:00 AM Eastern Standard Time. That way, you have something to watch when you wake up.
Anexis Matos 
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