This was a surprising read as I enjoyed the instant connection that Ivy and Desmond had. Though the attraction was intense and there. Ivy was there to be the nanny to his baby who was a surprise to him. The reasons behind how that came to be make him very hesitant and not want to rush into anything. But also at the same time he doesn't want to lose a good thing. Really enjoyed this quick read. There was drama, romance, some upper class society functions and family dynamics.

Thank you harlequinbooks for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

I was looking forward to reading from this line since it’s been years since reading a contemporary. After all, I started out on Harlequin.

This book didn’t start out well, it was all about what money could buy and the elite. Which is why the book sat unopened for months. The hero just seemed like he was too good for anyone.

But then things got interesting when the hero/ine met. There was sexual tension which kept me reading, but it never really lost that air of superiority and that really turned me off. And the anti climatic scene was nothing at all. I just grazed over the last half of the book because it was all so snooty.
And the way she just accepted him back into her life was just sooo annoying.

The only good parts of the book I feel were the sex scenes which is what a romance is right?

Desmond Eddington needs a nanny, right away. A casual encounter ended up with a baby on his doorstep.

When Ivy gets an opportunity for a fresh start as a live-in nanny, she is happy to sign an NDA.

He has trouble trusting anyone and she is running from her past. Their road to load is a bumpy one, but entertaining to read about.

It's a lovely story, but not a good fit for me.

received from Netgalley, all thoughts and opinions are my own

When I think of romance, I think of books just like this one, that gives all the feels and satisfies every romance junkies' heart. This is a perfect book to snuggle up with on any day.

This latest book in the Eddington series was wonderful. Desmond Eddington and Ivy Campbell's story had many unexpected twists and turns. It is not everyday that a baby arrives at one's home in a box as a special delivery. The unexpected starts there and then Ivy is added to the mix and unexpected things continue to occur. Ivy learns that one cannot run from their past and that she has unexpected allies. I highly recommend The Nanny Game.

The  Nanny Game-Zuri  Day
Harlequin  Desire
ISBN:13: 978-1-335-58130-3
July  26, 2022
Contemporary Romance
 
Chicago, IL- Present Day

Point du Sable  is an elite suburb  outside of Chicago, IL and that is where  Desmond Eddington lives  on the Eddington estate  with his family.  After a  few  grueling days  at  work, trying to close a deal, Desmond  has plans  which involve  a weekend with one of his  lovers, when he gets a phone call from one of his  family's  most trusted  staff  members. It  seems a package  has been delivered to the  Eddington Estate  with  his name  on it.  Desmond doesn't  want to change his plans,  but when it is revealed that the package is a  baby,  he heads home.

 
Ivy  Marie  Campbell is at  a crossroads in her life. Her  fiance, Gerald,  died  in a car accident a little while ago and she has  been hiding out at her mother's  home and is looking for a job  so she can move  out and get  on with her life. When  she is offered  a position as nanny at  the Eddington estate,  she is  interested.  However when she meets  the family  especially Desmond  she wonders if she is up  for the task.  She  is extremely attracted  to  Desmond from  the moment she sets eyes on him and then there  is the  situation with his  daughter which requires her  to sign a NDA agreement.  She wants  the job but Desmond's  attitude puts her off.
 

The Nanny  Game  by Zuri Day sucks you into the story with  the details about the world of the elite.  From descriptions of the clothes, planes, flowers  and home,  readers get a chance  to  see this world  through the eyes of  Ivy and you are  enchanted just like she is. Desmond  comes off as hard and cold  because he is  shocked that he has a baby  and he does not want to disappoint  his father who is  up for President at the Society,  a fraternity that  some of the most influential men in the world  are  a part of.  Ivy is  steady  and rock solid, she takes  care of Desiree, Desmond's  child, while she fights her attraction  for him.
 
The secondary characters have their  moments.  Mona, Desmond's mother,  is a woman  to be reckoned with and you don't want to get on her bad side.  One  criticism is Desmond  attitude toward his daughter. He is distant and has very little to do with her because he is working so much  and is afraid of  her. Desmond is portrayed as someone who values family,  yet  his attitude toward Desiree was off putting.  The Nanny Game is a likable, enjoyable read that will be perfect for anyone looking to  spend  a few hours transported to another world where an ordinary  woman can snare an Alpha. 
 
Avis Yarbrough

After a devastating loss, Ivy is rebuilding her life. When she gets a chance to work as a live-in nanny to a billionaire, she's happy to sign the NDA. Desmond trusts no one—especially after an old girlfriend's duplicity resulted in a daughter he didn't know he had. Ivy helps him regain his trust—until he learns about the secret she's keeping.

I loved Ivy! She's been through a lot and is working hard to be what Desmond needs. It's difficult to warm up to him, given his constant suspicions. He's willing to have a relationship with Ivy, as long as it's on his terms. But eventually, he learns to open up and let go of all his hurt to become the man she needs.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Quick Summary: Minimal conflict, attraction-at-first-sight, baby-on-board romance

My Review: The Nanny Game by Zuri Day was a slow burn love story.

D and I were brought together under unique circumstances. He was an unsuspecting professional who was suddenly faced with raising a baby he never knew about, and she was a highly educated woman running from a troubled past. When a hush hush nanny position opened up, it had I's name written on it.

D and I noticed each other from jump but remained hands off for the sake of their working relationship. Still, their mutual attraction existed at a low simmer...until their slow burn became all to real and an unavoidable blaze burned bright.

Stand Out Scenes:

- The Bad Dream

- The Stuffed Animal in the A.M.

- The Mama Bear Flex (by D's mom)

- The Imperfect Date

- The Apology Tour


* Simple references have been made, so as not to spoil the reading experience for others.

* The aforementioned are scenes that served as pivotal moments in the story.


My Final Say: This was a quick read. It will likely appeal to those who love low conflict, low simmer to high burn, baby-on-board romances.


Rating: 2.75 to 3/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A

Thank you to all who provided access to this title in exchange for an honest review. The words I have expressed are my own opinions and have been freely given.