Member Reviews
An unplanned pregnancy between the billionaire bad boy and a wedding planner will have you reading way past your bedtime! Leslie North’s novellas are such wonderful series you have to read.
Arthur McClellan (cousin to Connor McClellan from book 1 in this series!) leans into his "reformed bad boy chef" persona and wears it like a security blanket. While working a wedding, he meets our girl Cassandra Kelly, the wedding's planner. She's a ray of sunshine full of vision boards for her future world wedding domination. After the wedding they're both involved in goes off without a hitch, a celebratory romp in the venue's kitchen and 2 pink lines on a pregnancy test later, Arthur and Cassandra must rely on each other to further their careers on a tropical island for a reality tv show wedding.
Another quick read from Leslie North! In her typical fashion, there was some character development, but not too much for the length of the book. I didn't feel I connected all that much with either character but it was still an enjoyable read!
100% a stand-alone. I don't even think any of the characters from the first book were mentioned in this one, even in passing.
4/5 stars
This was another great story by a great author. I’ve read a number of her books and they don’t disappoint. I liked both Arthur and Cassandra as well as the plot. I’ve not read too many books that use a reality show as a backdrop so that made it a bit more enjoyable to me (if that’s even possible). I highly recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book
This book was just okay for me. It was insta-love which I don't enjoy in my romances. The writing and flow of the story was too choppy at times making it to be a bit all over the place. Certain scenes and chapters were not fleshed out particularly well.
Cute romance story. If you are typically a romance reader, then I would recommend this. Quick, fun read.
Cassandra has the perfect opportunity to create the reality show of her dreams, she's the wedding planner for the tv network's daughter and she needs this wedding to go off without a hitch. She's working with celebrity bad boy chef ( think Gordon Ramsey) Arthur, he's beyond creative in the kitchen but he's known for throwing tantrums and acting out. Arthur wants to move beyond his well-known image and this wedding is going to be his chance, even if the uptight wedding planner is on his case. He's not messing this up he wants his own show on Taste Network and he's going to prove that he's more than the bad-boy chef. After they pull off the wedding of the decade Arthur and Cassandra celebrate with a drink and a little more. Which of course leads to an unplanned pregnancy.
After a few weeks, these two find themselves being propositioned by the network but neither of them wants the offer they are being given, however, it's a foot in the door and they can't really turn it down. I loved the concept of the story and the flow of the story. Arthur wanted to be more than he was known for and when he gets the opportunity he's not going to lose it. Cassandra knows that unlike Arthur who has his family money to fall back on if all else fails she can't screw this up, and now that she's pregnant she needs to really get this nailed down. As the story develops and they both explore their chemistry while trying to keep it off the cameras how can you tell what is real and what's for the show??
Both had so many insecurities and hang-ups that they had to work through and neither knew how to do that and actually be vulnerable. Arthur was trying to be what everyone wanted and still change his image and he wasn't sure who he was supposed to be anymore, especially after making a deathbed promise to be better. Cassandra is so focused on her goals she's not looking to see all that Arthur is offering because she doesn't trust that anyone will give her what she needs. It's a lot of back and forth with steamy sexy moments, vulnerable awwww moments and then moments that are interrupted by the film crew demanding that they redo what should have been private moments. They are on the island with another couple who they are helping get ready for their wedding and while they keep the couple from tearing themselves apart for the love of the drama for the cameras they also have to figure out just what it is they want for themselves.
I felt that Cassandra never really gave Arthur the space to be vulnerable with her, when he was being genuine she kept accusing him of playing to the camera and when he explained what happens she doubts his words and actions all the time. While they had good chemistry I wasn't sure I wanted them to end up together, Cassandra didn't seem open to being in a real relationship, she had these ideas that she wanted and kept kicking Arthur for not knowing what she wanted even though she never verbalized it. Like he's not a mind reader dummy communicate. They certainly had a few moments that made me chuckle and they were good together when they got out of their own way and were just them. It's a cute little romance especially when they figure it all out. They certainly had the swoon-worthy moments down, and I absolutely loved the moment when Arthur was going to cook for her, just so cute.
This is the second book in a series, however, I hadn't realized that when I requested it, so I don't know the history of the characters or the overall story if there is one. I did however like what I read. It's a fast-paced read, and I certainly wanted to know what happened next *much like a reality tv show*
I have to say I enjoyed this book. It was quick and a little rushed. There was not much if any focus on the fact that Arthur was a billionaire. It focused more on his bad-boy image. As we get further into the book we learn why Arthur has the image that he has. I just wish this book was about 100 pages longer. I think that this could have been a very well developed story with more depth. I would have liked to know about their pasts and how they became who they were. It was a cute story and I loved the ending. I just would have liked a little more.
This story was a good one to make me smile and also want to hit the guy over the head. I like that the author could get me that attached or irritated with her characters so quickly. It was wonderful. I recommend reading this book if you have the opportunity.
Arthur McClellan is a great chef with a bad boy reputation who wants to become a famous chef on a new reality TV series.
Cassandra Kelly is a brilliant wedding planner who jumps at the opportunity to participate in the new reality TV pilot. She has to pretend to be Arthur's girlfriend. This pretend relationship results in an unexpected surprise after a night of passion. How real will things get?
The Billionaire Chef's Baby by Leslie North, is the second in the series. It was about a Reality TV show, a bad boy, and a hard-working woman who just needs a break. Arthur and Cassandra are complete opposites who share one night together, unexpected night of hot and sexy passion. They never expect to see each other again, until their paths cross. But can the unlikely pair, make something out of their hot chemistry?
I am a huge fan of Leslie North, I find her writing very intriguing, and so easy to follow. But this one was not great for me. I didn't care for the Reality TV concept, it didn't really get me into the book. I think this would be a perfect book for someone who loves reality TV shows.
ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is Leslie's best book IMO. Cassandra and Arthur are definitely my favorite in this series. I love the chef and wedding planner story. I couldn't wait to find out what was coming. This book is all the feels.
Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A quick read on an unexpected pregnancy that eventually leads to a cute romance. The name itself suggests what’s gonna happen and the blurb itself is self explanatory so I guess everyone knows what they are gonna go into.
The book didn’t disappoint. The plot was fast moving and the characters were not too serious or not too shallow. Arthur was a real sweetheart wrapped in a facade of bad boy while Cassandra was just sweet enough to make the romance look cute. Like I mentioned before no extra drama involving them to drag out the story either. A perfect combo of romance and plot to make the book sweet enough till the end.
The Billionaire Chefs Baby
By Leslie North
📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚
Can something real come of lies?
Can two people make something real out of dishonesty? When sparks fly will they act on them? Who will they hurt to win? These are all the questions I found myself wanting to find out more and more. Leslie North writes believable characters that at times you have no choice but to flip to the next page. I devoured this book quickly and would recommend this author over and over.
Authors Blurb: Covered in tattoos, sarcasm, and muscles, Arthur McClellan is the best thing to come out of the kitchen since sliced bread. A billionaire from birth, his trust fund hasn’t stopped his drive to achieve his dreams of celebrity chef status. However, a dying wish from his mother has caused him to pivot his aspirations. Instead of being the “bad boy,” he now wants to join the ranks of the happy chefs of the Taste Network. It’s taken a lot of convincing, but he’s finally landed a show: a wedding special filming in the Bahamas. But the network doesn’t trust him alone. They want a romantic interest: a perfect, bubbly wedding planner to soften his edges. Arthur’s not mad when they pick a wedding planner he’d had a single, very passionate night with. In fact, she just might be the cherry on top of his food show cake.
Cassandra Kelly has been winning the wedding planner game for years, and she wants more: national coverage for her creative celebrations. So when the Taste Network offers her the position of wedding planner on their new pilot, Cassandra jumps at the chance. The only catch? She’s got to be the “girlfriend” of famous bad boy Arthur McClellan— a position not unappealing to her after a celebratory night of passion that left her with a continuous craving for the chef… and an unplanned bun in the oven. Now, they’ve got to fake their relationship on screen while wading through their real relationship off. They both agree the baby should be kept secret until they’re ready to spill the beans. But when a careless conversation reveals all to the producer, who thinks a secret baby would make for a great reality TV series, they have to decide how real they’re willing to get and how much their romance can weather for their careers. For two people who want to live in the public eye, they must decide how much of their passion they want to keep private.
This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in dual POV my personal favorite this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.
Thanks Netgally for letting me read and review.📚💕
A billionaire from birth, his trust fund hasn’t stopped his drive to achieve his dreams of celebrity chef status. However, a dying wish from his mother has caused him to pivot his aspirations. When I started reading I couldn't put it down.Leslie North is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.Can't wait for the next book.
Easy to read and a full flowing story. It took me like 2 hours to read and I really liked it. Just a basic love story but well told.
I enjoyed reading this book, a mixture of wedding, cooking, and stuck in a house together reality shows. Wedding planner Cassandra has a hookup with bad boy chef Art and gets preggers. When they are thrown together for a celebrity wedding reality show, they have a chance to see if they might be a perfect fit of opposites.
Cute plot, fun characters, good read!
I wasn’t keen on this at all and I usually love a Leslie north book, I’m not even sure why, it just didn’t click with me and I couldn’t find any connection to the characters and they didn’t seem to fit for me.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Relay Publishing for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. I almost always enjoy Leslie Norths books. This one is ok. I just didn't really like the whole reality thing. Not a fan of it in books or real life. I give this a 3.
I voluntarily read this for an honest review - All thoughts and opinions are mine
I love Leslie North's work so was thrilled to be able to read this
Loved the concept and the interweaving with TV reality shows - felt very current
This is a quick read - I got through it in a couple of hours and thoroughly enjoyed it
Actual rating: 2.5 stars.
There's nothing truly terrible about this book. I loved the concept, enjoyed the sex scenes. Found the concept of the main character struggling with the persona people want him to be vs what he truly is, and if he should show the real him when people expect the "bad boy." But this was way too short and moved too fast for me to truly get into the romance. Also while I liked the aspect of the tv show I thought the details about it were a bit sloppy and over the place.
This was a fun and quick read though. Would still recommend if you need to unwind and relax with a nice romance.