Surrender My Heart

She looks up the secretary that used to work for her late husband and she decides to stay with her for while, she could use the help with the new baby. The former secretary takes on the honorary grandma role and then she calls the H when it seems the h might change her mind about telling him. The H shows up and tells the h that they owe it to their son to give marriage a try - the kid deserves to at least have a shot at a family life.

When the h asks why he sold his father's company, the H tells her what else could he do after everything that happened to prove he wasn't trying to use her. The h takes this to mean that he hates her now for forcing him to such extremes and she agrees to marriage. Nine months on the baby is one year old and the H spends a lot of time away building up his new company with his former board member friend. They have separate rooms and to a certain extent separate lives, tho the h is torn apart by jealousy when she thinks that the H is having lots of opportunities for OW affairs.

She can't get past her guilt for not trusting him though and so she spends a lot of time avoiding the H as well. He decides they need to have a night out and at the restaurant, they run into the H's friend that they first met on the Whitsunday's. The friend is explaining the step mother situation to his date and the h runs off when she realizes she just doesn't have the nerve to correct him about her and the H's marriage. The H chases after her and asks her if adding sex back into the marriage will help.

She doesn't know, cause it means something to her, but she assumes he still despises her and yet having another child would probably be a good idear for their son. The H then confesses that he has wanted the h since the first time he saw her, and he hated that she married his dad and he was jealous - which was why he was so mean. When his dad died he resented that he did not have a good relationship with him and yet he was moved by how much the h grieved for him. Tho he also admits that he was happy he was finally getting to have his chance with the h.

He then tells her he has loved her for a long time now and really wants a real marriage, but he understands if the h still feels guilty. The h responds that she loves him madly back and that she actually has matured and is able to see that different relationships have their own expressions of love and that she did love the dad but that relationship was not her's and the H's relationship and there is no reason for guilt in either instance.

She can never know what might have happened if the father hadn't died and she can't guess, but she does the love the H and wants a real marriage too. The big HEA is planning another trip to the Whitsunday's, where the H kept the lease on the island he wanted to build a resort on and built a little honeymoon house instead.

They will take the honorary grandma and the next door neighbor baby sitter and all be happy together. I enjoyed this one a lot, it was very well written - even though I wanted massive skillet lashings of the H for most of the book. Him selling the company to be able to keep his relationship with the h went a long way for me, plus it dispelled the initial impression of a spoiled indulged H that got his money handed to him - his own company was a big success without the backing of his father's work and that helped to convince me he was really sincere in his feelings for the h.

This one was a highly believable HEA from the most unusual circumstances. I especially liked how compassionately the whole prior marriage was handled and the H and h's inevitable conflicts regarding it were realistically discussed. The whole topic was treated very delicately and sensitively with a good resolution for a regular romance, and exceptionally for HPlandia.

I really recommend this one for anyone who likes great writing with convincing character growth that leads to the conclusion that these two people really have an HEA that will last, and the depth of the emotional quality makes this one a true HPlandia keeper. A highly contentious trope that was deftly handled and sensitively written by the author.

Something that had the potential of getting sordid was actually sweet and poignant. Ballantynes could well A highly contentious trope that was deftly handled and sensitively written by the author.

See a Problem?

But then India is no Brooke! And to her credit she never had confused feelings or that weird awareness around her hunky stepson. I liked the H a lot. He began as a hateful, sneering, insulting stepson in the story who made her life hell. But the reader can tell that there is more to it than that. He fought hard, lashing out at her whenever he had the chance but it was driven by an inner torment fuelled by anger, jealousy and helpless passion. The h then falls for him almost overnight and I liked the way she wears her feelings for him on her sleeve, while he never says much, perhaps vetting the depth of her feelings?

The sex scenes were not explicit at all but I liked them. The only drawback was the way the story slows down midway and then takes almost two years to wind down to the hea.

It was the h's flighty faithless behavior, and then continuing with it that puts a dimmer on the story. The fast paced first half happens in just a few days time and keeps you highly involved and should have set the tone for the rest of the book. But probably the author wanted to ameliorate all and any aversion to the relationship and give them a cooling off period. Have to say that those adorable baby scenes and the unrushed gentle wait by the H made it worth the wait.

A very satisfying read and beautifully written as well! A disclaimer of sorts. I haven't added this book to my 'some-ick-factor' shelf because of any icki-ness in it, but only because I thought the trope warranted it!

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View all 8 comments. May 11, Verity rated it really liked it Shelves: Antagonistic hero turns into teddy bear. The hero was not an OTT hater. I liked that the hero actually encouraged an open discussion re: And it was obvious he had strong feelings for step-momma. Hero uses his power nozzle to flush her coolant-deprived radiator more efficiently than daddy evah did.

I Surrender My Heart to You

So once she gets a load of that, she ponders, WTF I've been missing out on this?!? She realizes in the lingering afterglow that she's been short-changed all those years. Heroine reluctantly confirms that daddy's not exactly the most electrifying banger. The switcheroo is an upgrade, but makes her feel like she's violating her moral code, especially 'cuz the younger version trumps daddy in the orgasmometer.

Heroine mumbles expired hubby's name thru' a sleepy fog. A Charlotte Lamb hero woulda popped a vein upon hearing anotha dude's name on heroine's smuckers, but not our hero. Instead of getting weirded out, Hero acts like it's a common occurrence, hey whatevah, it's all cool, fuggedaboutit. Yep, he actually says, "Forget it. Heroine does a runner after hero pops the question, 'cuz some acehole tells her that there's a hidden agenda behind hero's proposal. Unfortunately, hero's slippery nut butter is so potent that runaway fiancee pops the bun outta her oven after a lonesome gestation. A hollow marriage of benefits ensues.

Tortured hero lusting after hawt step-momma: View all 23 comments. May 26, Naksed rated it liked it Shelves: Usually, in HPlandia, a heroine who is married to the hero's father BEFORE she gets together with the hero, is only allowed to do so because the marriage to the father was never consummated and one of convenience only.

Not so in Surrender, My Heart. Incredibly, not only was heroine's first husband hero's dad her first love in every sense of the way, but she was his too, after a disastrous failed marriage in his youth that produced hero and a string of cynical affairs. Though there was a real Usually, in HPlandia, a heroine who is married to the hero's father BEFORE she gets together with the hero, is only allowed to do so because the marriage to the father was never consummated and one of convenience only.

Though there was a real age gap between heroine and her first husband 30 years!!!! Armstrong succeeded in painting the portrait of a marriage that was far from disturbing and in fact fulfilling, romantic, and filled with tenderness. A year after her first husband's death, and five years after their wedding, heroine is now a 25 year old widow reluctantly involved in her late husband's hotel conglomerate, as he left her shares. Her stepson, the hero, is the managing director of the company. For five years, he has treated her like dirt, flinging the usual vile accusations of sugar daddy and gold digging tramp at her, even as he must tolerate her on the company's board because the shares she holds are significant to break any deadlock if the board members are in disagreement.

Seemingly overnight, he calls a truce and asks her to spend a week with her at an island resort that he has his eye on for the next big project of the company. He clearly wants to bury the hatchet and apologizes and shows regret for his actions. The gold hearted heroine accepts even though there is a niggling doubt in the back of her mind that something is not quite right, that he is hiding something from her.

Editorial Reviews

Predictably, that week on the island leads to a strong attraction between them and the hero proposes. The heroine is justifiably afraid of public reaction to this taboo relationship but what's more she is dealing with feelings of guilt and disloyalty to her late husband even as she is hopelessly and thoroughly in love with the hero.

When the hero's business rival tells her that this marriage is just a scheme for the hero to get his hands on her shares and prevent a take-over of the company why else would he overnight go from hating her to proposing? Up to this point, I was really enjoying the book but I'm afraid that the rest of the story, mired in tired cliches of seekret babies and marriages of convenience, really underwhelmed.

Armstrong is definitely a strong and skilled writer who was able to draw me into this taboo relationship without for one second make it lurid or salacious, and I found myself accepting and rooting for her protagonists' Happily-Ever-After. However, I thought the second half of the book was much weaker and I drifted away from my involvement with the story and the characters. View all 6 comments. Jun 02, Vintage rated it liked it Shelves: Angsty old school story where Lindsay Armstrong handles what is a pretty icky plot line pretty well. And the sexy jock has made it crystal clear he'd like to kick off with seduction.

But can Natalie let down her guard and fall for another professional athlete? Michael Jones is used to women falling at his multimillion-dollar, cleat-covered feet. But Natalie is giving him a run for his money. With the vulnerable beauty arousing his fierce protective instincts—and a desire neither has the power to resist—Michael is ready to let his playboy past go.

If Natalie's willing, together they can surrender to their future. Body, heart and soul. Paperback , pages. Harts in Love 2. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. To ask other readers questions about Surrender My Heart , please sign up. Lists with This Book. May 20, D. I opened this book with the intent to write a review for the publisher and author but found at page 24, I couldn't keep going. I'm sure the story would have been nice - as is evident in previous reviews - but I couldn't push myself to go on.

I won't mention why on this review but this was one that unfortunately will meet the "Couldn't Finish Pile. Jun 01, Rhonda rated it really liked it. But I read it first before I realize that. So I know what I will read next. The story line of what happened to thier mother has been in the first two books and I bet it will continue in the last book. It was not the main focus of the book. Natalie Hart is the youngest of the three sisters.

They have not talked to each other for years but I guess in the first they came together for thier Aunt's funeral that had raised them after thier 4 STARS This is the second book of three about the Hart sisters. They have not talked to each other for years but I guess in the first they came together for thier Aunt's funeral that had raised them after thier mom left them. Now Natalie gets a surprise from her husband that they are now divorced. She is shocked they seperated only two months ago and this was the first she knew he wanted a divorce.

He was a professional basketball player and had an affair with her bestfriend. Now he divorced her and proposed to fiance that same day it was all over the media. While out shopping as therapy she saw a reporter outside a store talking to someone good looking and found out he was a professional football player. A little while later trying to avoid the same reporter she bumped into him Michael Jones.

Michael did not mind her running into him and started to flirt with her but she brushed him off. Noway she wanted to get involved with another athlete. Later they were both asked to help out on a chairity event and Michael kept asking her out every time they met. Natalie has a hard time not comparing him to her husband and quite a few times jumped to judgement against him. Michael had never been so attracted and worked so hard for someone attemtion. He admits he was a player but he was single but he had changed after his mom was in a bad accident.

He wants to be thier for Natalie if she will let him. I can see why Natalie was having a hard time getting over a marriage in just two months would be hard.

Especially with all the other factors going on in her life. No wonder she did not want to get involved with anyone let alone a athlete. Thier was a couple of love scenes that I skipped over. It kept my attention from the start. It is a quick read. Can't wait to read the first book in the series and the third one comes out in June sometime. I was given this ebook to read in exchange of honest review from Netgalley. Jul 29, Fiona Marsden rated it liked it Recommends it for: If you like hot and steamy with good storyline.

I really wish it were possible to give half stars because I'd like to give this 3. I more than liked it but not as much as some I've given 4 stars. This is my first Kimani romance and for an Aussi it was an interesting read. Some of the language was just a little different and believe me I'm going to be using the word 'Fine' in more than just comments about the weather from now on. I liked the heroine Natalie, a vulnerable young woman just coming out of a failed marriage and still with so I really wish it were possible to give half stars because I'd like to give this 3.

Looking forward to more stories from the author. Nov 01, Debbie Hanson rated it really liked it. Do if you didn't read "Fall into my heart" reading this story would make sense. This short but great story gives us Jack's story after the heartbreaking break up between him and Chloe. Right from the run in he has with Connor to his heart bring ripped apart. I could not help but feel sorry for Chloe during this because Jack was to pathetic to face her, but in saying that we were fortunate to find out what had jack so up in knots with the past love in his life.

Because I knew what would happen I c Do if you didn't read "Fall into my heart" reading this story would make sense. Because I knew what would happen I could enjoy the story and fall just a little bit more in love with Jack. I LOVE the character of Jocelyn,she is funny and loud and a pleasant other character for this series. Apr 05, Danielle rated it really liked it Recommends it for: Chloe and Jack's relationship ended when Chloe's ex-fiance informed Jack he came to see his fiance.

Jack avoided Chloe for a week before he ran into her and he ended their new relationship. This is Jack's side of the missing weeks up to where Chloe and him are reunited Aug 18, Anna rated it it was ok. I'm a huge fan of Jake!!!! But seriously the author could have started the book by when he bumps into Chloe! She could have put more thought into it I found there was nothing deep about this book. Jake was such a passionate guy in book 1 I found book 2 was rushed!

May 15, Lynn Smith rated it it was amazing. Was really great to get Jack's POV about the breakup.

Surrender, My Heart by Lindsay Armstrong

In the first book you weren't told what all Conner had said. This one fills in the blanks. Aug 12, Mayas rated it really liked it. Jack past is revealed. I so understood his resolve though. Aug 28, Jackie Saylor rated it really liked it. I love a good male POV and this was it.

Jun 28, Debbie Kolins rated it it was amazing Recommended to Debbie by: This was a great Love Story. I couldn't stop reading as, I needed to know how it ended. The book was shorter then I expected but, it was a great book. Aug 18, Tina Nguyen rated it it was ok. You could have put these pages into the first book to make it more complete.

As a novella it was just okay. Nov 10, Xhex87 marked it as dnf.