Esme’s life changed when her father fell ill. A struggle for power with a power hungry cousin made her make choices she normally wouldn’t have made. An arrangement with her bodyguard could possibly change the future of her country. The only question was would Zachary agree to her terms? Great story of strength and perseverance while fighting for what you believe in.

I am sad to say that I didn't finish this book. I was looking for a good read during the Christmas season and didn't find it in this. I am really not one for contract baby books, because the idea itself makes me roll my eyes. Hey, that is some people's thing, just haven't found one that I liked. The names also got me. I don't care for Z at all. That is a letter. And Esme, I haven't liked it since Twilight. But none of that actually has to do with the book, right? The book itself felt unfinished. As if it needed more editing or more revisions. This felt like a draft.

Overall I found the story to be interesting but kind of cliche. The story was well-written with a good romance.

A good read, The SEAL's Contract Baby by Leslie North and Katie Knight is well paced with action, drama and romance. I enjoyed the story and the characters and will read more by these authors.

Princess Esme is running out of time, and the plan she comes up with makes for fun reading. Getting pregnant was the plan, but falling for her bodyguard was not. As their chemistry takes over with steamy scenes, a bit of drama, and danger, both Zachary and Esme find love and a HEA. The blurb says it all, and for romance readers, it is one not to be missed. An enjoyable afternoon read, I received a review copy of "The Seal's Contract Baby". My opinion is mine alone. 4.25 Stars!

3.75 stars--The SEAL’S Contract Baby is an adult, contemporary, stand alone, erotic romantic suspense story line co-authored by Katie Knight and Leslie North. This is US Navy SEAL Zachary ‘Z’ Raybourn, and Princess Esme Hollycombe’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Z and Esme) The SEAL’s Contract Baby follows the building relationship between US Navy SEAL Zachary ‘Z’ Raybourn, and Princess Esme Hollycombe. Following a mission that went all to h*ll, Zachary Raybourn accepted a position as security to the Princess Esme Hollycombe in the tiny southern European country of Prylea. As her father slowly succumbs to pancreatic cancer, our heroine is determined to keep her cousin from ascending the throne. With an antiquated patriarchal system of heritage, Esme, as the only child of the current King, is unable to take over leadership of Prylea. Hoping to give birth to a male heir, Esme makes Zachary an offer he cannot refuse. What ensues is the building relationship between Esme and Zachary, and the potential fall-out as Esme’s cousin is determined to ascend to the throne, with or without Esme’s support.

Esme struggles with her cousin’s hatred for the USA, and his dismantling of the current regime. Now that her father faces the end of his life without ever having passing a new law regarding lines of succession, Esme battles between head and heart in an effort to keeps her cousin away from the throne. If Esme were to get pregnant with a male heir, her son (and hopefully Zachary’s son) would become the legitimate heir to the throne. Zachary Raybourn doesn’t do relationships-his job is to protect the Princess Esme but falling in love was never in the plans, plans that quickly come to fruition with the announcement of their impending birth.

The relationship between Esme and Zachary begins as a profession arrangement. Z is Esme’s personal bodyguard, but once plans are put into motion, Z will become the father to the next King, and husband to the Queen –mother. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The world building focuses on the building relationship between Zachary and Esme. A contract between our couple does little to stop the growing affection and love between Z and his princess, affection that is threatened by Esme’s cousin’s plans to ascend to the throne.

We are introduced to Esme’s ailing father King Renault, and Zachary’s SEAL buddy Deacon, as well as Esme’s cousin Silvester.

The SEAL’S Contract Baby is a story of family and blood; betrayal and hatred; marriage of convenience and ascension to the throne. The premise is captivating and inviting; the romance is seductive and charming; the characters are likable and charismatic. The SEAL’S Contract Baby is a captivating stand alone, sure to enjoy.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

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Esme must find a way to keep her country on even keel if her father dies. Z is the Seal tasked with her protection . New author to me. Good story with characters that are interesting and engaging.

Ebook from netgalley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

Romantic story with a Navy Seal finding love with a princess. Parts were filled with intrigue but you knew that it had to be caused by her cousin who wanted the throne for himself. Parts were sad when Esme's father died, but there were some pretty exciting parts as they realized that they loved each other.

There was great chemistry between Esme and Z and they really were hot together! It took most the book but they finally admitted that they loved each other and stopped pretending.

While I did enjoy The SEAL's Contract Baby, I found myself taking longer to finish this short story than previous books I’ve read by Katie Knight (writing as Leslie North).

That said, the story was good and the angst and drama was well developed, but not overdone. An unlikely couple set on a path pomp and circumstance, that neither could really comprehend the physical or emotional consequences of, made for an entertaining read.

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

What can I say? I'm a sucker for SEALs. This is what happens when I get bored and go trolling on NetGalley. I would normally not look twice at a book with a title like this one. After all, I'm a serious Romantic-Suspense reader/reviewer with a reputation to uphold. Anyway, I figured fluff has it's place and I deserve a little fluff here and there. What I got was a sweet romance with a side of suspense that was just great.

Assigned to the Country of Prylea as a security consultant, SEAL Zachary “Z” Raybourn wants nothing more than to be back with his SEAL Team. But, fate has other plans for Z. The King is dying and the accession to the throne is in turmoil. The Princess Esme can't ascend because she is female. Her cousin is the next in line, but he is not a good dude and will shut down the US base on Prylea soil.

Princess Esme Hollycombe of Prylea desperately needs a way to ascend to the throne after her father's death. She and her father both thought they had time to change the Prylea constitution to let Esme ascend to the throne, but that wasn't to be. Her only hope is to get pregnant with a male heir. Kinda hard to do if you are not married, not in a relationship and have no prospects at hand. Well, that SEAL is awful cute. He's nice and he sure is attentive, hmmmm. He just might make great baby daddy. Z and Esme strike a deal that gives them both what they want. Esme gets a baby and Z gets to return to the SEAL Team he loves after a year. What can possibly go wrong???

My readers (and I) love a hot man in uniform and this title certainly delivers. I thought it was a bit soft, covering over the PTSD issues and the scaring he supposedly sustained. There seemed to be a quick level of trust, but the story moved appropriately and it was nice to see them both be more "real" with one another rather than constantly wearing the facades they were often required to have. All in all, it was a great (and hot!) read!

Was well written, characters were good, really enjoyed this book.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher

I've received a ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Didn't meet my expectations and I was somewhat bored with the storyline. Nothing was particularly engaging about the characters and and more than anything, it felt like a quick and easy novel to read just to kill time. I wish I had more to say but honestly the story fell short and I was left unimpressed. Unfortunately, this just wasn't my cup of tea.

She should be proud that she even knows how to knit, never mind does it to help babies!

You realize she's your boss, right Greaves?

Why are his hands anywhere near her butt?

He must have been really young when he lost his parents.

What if she has a girl? This plan has a lot of loopholes.

He lost me at brown rice.

Her father is a nice man. Boy, is he blunt!

I'll hold him down, you punch, Z.

Ugh, idiot man.

Helluva layover for poor Deacon.

Didn't she have to go to the bathroom?

Princess Esme is the daughter of the King of Prylea, who is dying with pancreatic cancer. He never had the rules changed so a woman cannot rule their country. Her cousin is the next ruler unless Esme gets pregnant with a baby boy. She has contracts drawn that after a year the “ sperm donor” and her will divorce and go their separate ways. Zachary or Z is a Navy SEAL and sent to Prylea as punishment for an incident that happened while on an operation. They are leaving for the states and she appoints Z as head of her security team while there. She jokes that Z could be her baby’s daddy and she’ll get him back on his SEAL team quicker. He agrees while they are trying to make a baby, her cousin is already trying to take over. When they return, they are threats made and a bomb scare but Z will do anything to keep Esme and his baby safe. Because the more time they spend together, the more Z realizes that maybe his life isn’t all about the SEALs.
Excellent story. A princess, a SEAL, and an evil cousin. Sexy, suspenseful and you may need some tissues.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for Netgalley *

A great read. A fast paced story with a mystery to keep you guessing as well. Both characters are likeable and trying to protect the other.

I liked the role reverse of genders in, The Seal's Contract Baby. It was fun seeing the female playing such a domineering role. I will be suggesting this book to everyone I know.