Dnf after 67%

I had a hard time clicking with the characters in this book. The plot was super slow. I can see this book working for a lot of people, but it unfortunately didn't work out for me...

This book is a captivating second installment in the True Love series, following Marissa Mayer's journey to motherhood through IVF and unexpected reconnection with her high school sweetheart, Dr. John Raikes. With likeable characters, overlapping stories, and plenty of drama, the book seamlessly blends elements of second chance romance and enemies-to-lovers tropes. Marissa's struggles with trust and John's desire for redemption add depth to their evolving relationship, while touching moments and humor balance out the storyline. The inclusion of multiple POVs enhances the reader's connection to both protagonists. Set against themes of IVF, second chances, family, and friendship, this heartwarming novel is a gripping and well-written addition to the romance genre.

I love second chance romance so I enjoyed this. I felt the dialogue was realistic and it was fun whilst also being serious when it needed to be. Loved it!

Trigger Warnings
This book contains:
• Some serious ghosting as a teenager
• Medical mishap.
Characters
Marissa is a powerful, independent woman who knows what she wants and goes after it. She’s certainly had her troubles earlier in life, but she’s risen above them and made something of her life.
John has returned to his home city after a pretty life changing event, and he’s brought his daughter with him. Since leaving home years earlier, he’s not the same man that Marissa remembers. Now, he’s dedicated to his job and can’t believe he might have a chance to find his way back into Marissa’s life.
Storyline
Marissa has decided she wants to have a baby, even if she doesn’t have a man yet, so is going it alone with IVF. She’s committed to becoming a mother, even if it means having to run into her high school ex occasionally.
Overall Thoughts
If you’ve read Not in a Billion Years, you’ll have a good idea of where Marissa and John end up, but the journey to get there is a hell of a journey!
While I had a slight confusion initially, I’m attributing that to the fact that I’ve read the advanced, not final copies of both these books. So I’m assuming that the little discrepancy I remembered didn’t make it to the final copies.
Once I got past that tiny little blip, the whole thing was a mixture of laughs, cuteness and romantic gestures. Some of which I was sure would backfire and cause a massive scene, and yet instead turned into a super sweet scene.
That sweet mixture of romance, drama, sweetness and conflict made this so amazingly fun story so hard to put down.
I’ve read heaps of Camilla’s books before, and yet I still get sucked into the story and have fun with every new one she comes out with. I can’t wait to read more of her books!

"Baby, One More Time" by Camilla Isley is a delightful romantic tale that skillfully blends career ambitions, second chances, and the unexpected rekindling of a teenage romance. Marissa Mayer, a driven and successful COO, sets her sights on starting a family despite having given up on love. The narrative takes an unexpected turn when Dr. John Raikes, her teenage sweetheart turned neonatal medicine expert, reenters her life as her doctor.

I rated "Baby, One More Time" 4 stars because of its engaging storyline, well-developed characters, and the perfect balance between humor and emotion. Isley crafts a compelling and realistic tale of love, growth, and forgiveness. Marissa and John's journey, marked by sparks and a reluctance to open old wounds, unfolds with a refreshing authenticity.

The novel captures the complexity of relationships and the challenges of balancing personal and professional aspirations. "Baby, One More Time" is a charming and heartwarming read that resonates with readers, offering a perfect blend of romance and self-discovery.

Marissa Mayer is 34 and wants to have a baby. Being the CEO of her own app and COO of a startup, she doesn't have a lot of time to date even if she wanted to. She experienced a terrible breakup when she was eighteen and has been turned of men and relationships ever since. Imagine her surprise when her ex shows up at the clinic where she is undergoing IVF treatments, and, he has to do her examination. Knowing he is back in town, living next door to her parents and has a child, has her spiraling. When she finds out that someone accidentally fertilized her eggs with his sperm, she is horrified. Will they be able to work through co-parenting, knowing how Marissa, aka Mari, feels about John Raikes.

Once I got beyond the accidental insemination, this was a great story. Baby, One More Time is a wonderful enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance. It has just enough humor to keep me smiling, but also deal with the serious issue of IVF, single parents as well as work/life balance. Marissa was a character that I had mixed feelings about. She was smart and independent, but emotionally stunted about something that had happened 16 years ago. There were times I got frustrated with her, but I know, hormones.... John was such a great character. Talk about the perfect man: a doctor, single dad who spends time with his daughter, cooks, takes care of his baby mama and more. The rest of the characters added so much to the story, especially the family members. I did not read the first book in this series, but that was Blair and Gabriel's story, so I didn't need to read it to enjoy this one. Lots of fun banter and humorous situations had me laughing and smiling. This is a rom com, but also has some serious issues to make you think. I definitely recommend this one. Now off to find the first book, Not in a Billion Years.

This was such a sweet book! I loved the characters, and their love story. The dialogue was realistic and enjoyable.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I have had a hard time with second chance romance but this one was pretty good. Not so obvious as to why they broke up as a major issue.

This one was such a cute read
The perfect Rom com.
Loved the two main characters so much
😍😍😍😍

It totally got me out of a reading slump

A second chance romantic comedy, featuring a cinnamon roll MMC and 'enemies' to lovers.
Marissa is a successful woman, we could call her a workhaolic, she can't find love so at 34 years old she has decided to have a child through IVF treatments, unfortunately at the fertility clinic she met her high school sweetheart in the most embarrassing way. John is a OB gyn, and he will end helping Marissa much more than needed.
I loved this book.. It was so good. Super cute, funny sweet, adorable etc but also went over super important issues like IVF treatments.
This book is everything and more. Had me kicking my legs and giggling.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the chance to read this book.

This is an amusing second chance romance book. I enjoyed the whole plotline even if there were some well-used tropes and cheesy moments in the story.
Marissa had to work hard on her trust issues that were created when John broke her heart as a teenager, and he has to work hard to earn that trust. Reading along with their journey was sweet and funny in equal measure.

This is the second installment of the delightful True Love series. Although part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone. But Ms. Isley is such a wonderful author, I would highly encourage you to read the first one as well!
Marissa has reached a point in her life where she is ready to have a baby. The only thing holding her back is a not having a meaningful relationship with someone that would lead her to that outcome. Her last significant relationship was back in high school, but that ended in a broken heart. She decides to start the IVF process, but when her doctor is out of town, she is instructed to see another doctor, Dr John Raikes, who just so happens to be the high school sweetheart that broke her heart. John is not the same person he was all those years ago and is determined to prove Marissa that he has changed. Marissa isn't sure she can trust him and risk her heart again.
This was a well-written, highly entertaining, and heartwarming story about second chances and learning to open your heart and trust again. The subject of IVF was approached with delicacy and with understanding and made it more relatable for those who may have had the experience. With plenty of drama, humor, and heartfelt moments, I was completely engrossed and thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Wholeheartedly recommend!
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for providing a complimentary copy. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This book was adorable! Marissa Mayer is 34 and has all but given up on finding true love and is feeling her internal clock ticking. She wants to be a mother more than anything and sets out to have a baby via IVF. I absolutely loved that Marissa is such a boss and succeeding in such a male-dominated field and is taking her life into her own hands. John has recently moved back to NY with his 6-year-old daughter after his wife left them to pursue her dreams as an actress, coincidently he works at the clinic where Marissa is a client. 16 years ago the two were high school sweethearts until John abruptly ended things, leaving Marissa heartbroken.

What I liked
– Doctor MMC / STEM FMC
– Single dad/parent
– Pregnancy/IVF rep
– second chance romance

I loved the tension between our characters. John broke Marissa's heart and she never got an explanation, which has resulted in her having trust issues with men. I do sympathize with her, John did an awful thing and she deserved an apology and an explanation, however after 16 years she still cannot speak his name. I understand the teenage heartbreak, he betrayed her but holding on to that anger for 16 years is a long time. I loved that John was going out of this way to prove to Marissa he was a changed man and would do anything to get her back … I also loved she gave him a hard time and made him beg.

I did have a couple of things that bothered me, I had a hard time with the clear ethics violations at the clinic, it seemed absolutely crazy it was all just swept under the rug and neither party took legal action. It made for a great story and awfully awkward reintroduction so I am letting it slide as this is a romcom.

Overall this was a sweet story, I loved both characters' families and would love to read the first book in this series to get to know those characters better. I would recommend this book to any romcom lover but please read the content warnings.

Thank you to Boldwood Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest feedback

Camilla Isley books are always a cute, fun time! Just enough fluff to be a light read but also a cute plot with some laughs and swoons!

This was an adorable read 🥰 Marissa is on the path to single motherhood via IVF and an anonymous sperm donor, but her plans blow up when her high school sweetheart ends up as the doctor for one of her early check ups. Even worse, due to a lab mix up, she ends up impregnated with his sperm and they must manoeuvre this wild curve ball. I know - the premise sounds mental, but trust me that it is VERY good and doesn’t feel ridiculous at all when reading in context! I kind of hate myself for it, but the surprise pregnancy trope is a bit of a guilty pleasure for me. I know this doesn’t necessarily feature a surprise baby, but the accidental father is certainly a shocker. As well as this, the second chance romance element to this is so heartwarming and John quickly becomes a swoon worthy love interest.

What to expect:
- a kind of sequel to Not in a Billion Years
- solo IVF journey
- single dad
- second chance romance
- closed door but still 🔥

While there were some interesting moments overall this book just wasn’t for me.

Some of the humor was just over the top and at times falling right into cringe territory. The FMC , Marissa, not moving on from a breakup that happened 16 years prior was really immature and she harps on it the entire book which was annoyingly repetitive. So much that I started skimming just to get through the ever revolving inner monologue of “I have feelings for him but I can’t trust him because of that one night 16 years ago.” The language used was also very repetitive. Winking, waggling eyebrows and fish-eating grin to name a few.

I really enjoyed this one! Couldn’t put it down so I read through in one! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

This book was the epitome of cover my face, omg did that just happen (but in the best way!). Marissa is a boss babe who takes charge with anything in life. She wants a baby, so she's going the IVF route alone. Who does she run into at her doctor's office- her (still hot!) ex. Cue the omg did that just happen moment #1! I really hated the reason behind Marissa and John’s breakup when they were 18. So trivial. And to hate-love each other again 16 years later because you’re attracted to them? Meh. However, I did appreciate that it took time, groveling and getting to know one another as 30somethings to fall in love again. John's daughter Nora was adorable and Marissa's friendship with Blake was the BEST.

I LOVED the appearance of Blake and especially the Starbucks chocolate order that Gabriel sent her and Marissa! Love love love when there is overlap between series! Can’t wait for Thomas’ story!

Marissa Mayer, a driven and accomplished COO at a major Fintech startup, has her life meticulously planned—except for one thing: having a baby. Focused on her career and having given up on love after a heartbreak, Marissa is ready to embrace single motherhood. However, fate has other plans when Dr. John Raikes, an expert in neonatal medicine, enters the scene as Marissa's doctor. The twist? Dr. John Raikes is none other than Marissa's teenage sweetheart all grown up. As their paths cross, sparks fly, and Marissa finds herself torn between the past and the present.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City, the narrative explores the dynamics of enemies-to-lovers and second-chance romance. Marissa's determination to keep John at arm's length clashes with the undeniable chemistry that lingers between them. With John eager to prove that he's changed, Marissa must navigate the complexities of her heart and the possibility of rediscovering love where she least expects it.

It promises a laugh-out-loud romantic comedy filled with witty banter, delightful characters, and the age-old question of whether love can truly get a second chance. Perfect for fans of Sarah Adams, Lynn Painter, and Jo Watson, Camilla Isley's latest offering is a heartwarming tale of love, redemption, and the unpredictable twists life throws our way.

It delivers a charming and heartwarming romantic comedy that explores the complexities of second-chance love. Marissa Mayer, a strong and independent woman, is brought to life with authenticity, making her a relatable and endearing protagonist. The enemies-to-lovers trope is skillfully woven into the narrative, creating tension and chemistry between Marissa and Dr. John Raikes. The reunion of these childhood sweethearts, now adults with their ambitions and challenges, adds depth to the storyline. Isley's humour shines through, providing moments of laughter and lightheartedness.

The dynamic between Marissa and John is both entertaining and emotionally resonant. Marissa's internal struggle, torn between guarding her heart and the undeniable connection she shares with John, creates a compelling emotional arc. The New York City setting adds vibrancy to the backdrop, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the story. It is a delightful read for fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedies. The writing style is engaging, and her ability to craft relatable characters makes this novel an enjoyable addition to the genre. The themes of love, forgiveness, and self-discovery are seamlessly integrated, offering readers a satisfying and entertaining experience.

This one just didn’t do it for me. Super slow plot, the ending was meh. I didn’t really enjoy it. It encompassed two of my favorite tropes but it was not executed well.