Self-made business owner Dale McGuire has always enjoyed two things in life: women and fast cars. Now in her mid thirties, she’s restless and can’t work out why. Then one day a ten-year-old boy turns up, claiming to be her son, and her simple ordered world turns upside down. Rebecca Harper bears the emotional scars of her father’s crimes, and now she has two rules: never let anyone get too close, and never admit weakness. Thanks to an anonymous egg donor, infertility didn’t stop her from having her son Jake. Now pregnant for a second time, she’s horrified when Jake brings home the woman he believes is his other mother. When distrust turns to understanding and passion, can Dale and Rebecca, two women bound by fate, make a family neither expected?
This is a book in genres I don’t read too often by an author I’d never read before. It was a well-written story with multi-layered characters that I really enjoyed. I recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

Stevie‘s review of Unexpected by Jenny Frame
Contemporary Lesbian Romance published by Bold Strokes Books 15 Aug 17

I do like to see well-worn tropes given a new twist, in this case the Secret Baby story. However, this time it’s not so much a secret baby (or secret baby-to-be and secret preteen) as a secret mother that’s the main crux of the issue.


Dale McGuire always knew that donating her eggs to a fertility clinic meant that one day the resulting children might contact her; she just didn’t expect the event to take place until one or other of them reached adulthood. So, when a ten-year-old boy shows up at one of the garages she runs, claiming to be her son, she is understandably taken aback. The lad turns out to be a computer genius, who has hacked into the database of the clinic in order to find his biological parents and enlist their help; his mother is pregnant with his full sibling, but complications are preventing her from working and their house is rapidly falling into a worse state of disrepair than it was in when they first moved there.

Rebecca Harper is a freelance photographer, who is unable to travel at the moment and so is at risk of losing the majority of her client base. After her father was convicted of massive prescription drug fraud and involvement in organised crime, she was briefly a media sensation, thanks to a tabloid expose by an ex-girlfriend. Now that both her parents are dead, she lives a reclusive life under a new name with her gifted son, their routine broken by a few local friends who pop in from time to time. Understandably, she’s nervous of relationships – and of interactions with strangers of any kind – and is less than pleased when Dale shows up to drop off their son.

Dale is struck by Rebecca, who is very unlike the women she usually dates, and decides to help out her new friends by making some basic repairs around the house and to Rebecca’s car, so that they can resume a more normal life. Slowly, the two women become close, and Dale starts to relish being part of a proper family; however, they both have vindictive exes, who want to reveal Rebecca’s identity to the world once again.

While I loved the premise of this book, a little of the characterisation fell a bit flat for me. The main characters were rather too angsty for my tastes, and the ex-girlfriends were a little over the top. A shame, also, since I’ve enjoyed some of the author’s previous books.

Grade: C

I didn't actually read this title and I do not intend to. I think I thought this was a different type of story when i requested it. All in All it's just not the type of book I typically read and it did not grab my attention even after 50 pages and so I gave up.
After a couple months I gave it another chance. New review below. 

I received this boom as an Arc from Net Galley and Bold Strokes Books on exchange for an honest review. 

There wasn’t anything about this boom that was new or inventive, and yet I couldn’t put it down. It was a pretty basic cookie cutter girl meets girl story with a gifted child thrown in there for color. It was a bad book, but it was predictable and went on for far too long. They never really told us what happened to Ash, and I wanted to know because she was a pretty well written villain. Dale was an excellent character. She was smart, self-made, and cared about a group of people she had never met from the outset. Part of that may have been how attracted she was to the mother of her children overall a quirky read with some solid twists and turn. If you need something quick and happy go lucky. This is the book you should read.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2082606442

An honest review thanks to NetGalley. I love Jenny Frame, and this book so went above and beyond my expectations.  As I read the blurb, I didn't know if I was going to like what was in front of me.  Yet, I just could not put the book down; I fell in love with Dale and Becca and their story.  I will be definitely be rereading this book, anything by Frame will not be a disappointment.

Unexpected by Jenny Frame


Dale McGuire is a player who enjoys her life just as it is. Different women, fast cars and no responsibility except for the business she owns and the few friends she loves. Life couldn’t be better.

Rebecca Harper, a stranger to Dale and someone who is hurt and struggling with life is about to have her world rocked to the core.
Both women have nothing in common, or do they. The presence of Rebecca’s ten- year- old son throws Dale into a spin, especially when he claims she is his other mother. 

I found this book fascinating, especially how the storyline was handled. I thought it was well written, dealing with a difficult issue. The two main characters were likeable as was the ten-year-old Jake.

I really enjoyed this book and found it different to the usual romance novels. I can certainly recommend

I was unable to review this book because of a conflict in my schedule. Sorry for any inconvenience this has caused the publisher or the author of the work. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review for you and  I look forward to reviewing for you in the future.

*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by NetGalley for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.*

Dale works and plays hard. She owns her own successful business, drives race cars for fun, and picks up a different woman from the bar every time she's there. All that changes for Dale when a ten year old turns up claiming she's his mom and he and his mom needs her help. When Dale meets Jake's mum Rebecca, she's drawn to her. The last thing Rebecca needs is something else to worry about. On top of her secretive past, worrying about her genius son, not being able to work due to her pregnancy, now she has to worry about someone trying to take her children away from her. But Dale has no interest in taking the children, she just wants to help, be involved, and to become a family.

I've only recently started reading Lesbian fiction and thought this story had a very interesting concept and was not disappointed. This story is told from three different points of views: Dale, Rebecca and Ashley. Ashley is a horrible person and a storyline I hated. There was no real follow-up after her attempted blackmail failed, and I would have loved to know she was job less and girlfriend less. I really would have liked a little closure on this storyline, including Dale's employee Mike's actions.

Typically when I read a book, the "player" isn't a favorite character and it takes work for me to like them but not in this book. I really liked Dale and when she shared her history, it broke my heart. Dale was a great boss, friend and godmother. Dale was a strong character who did exactly what she said she would. She didn't make promises that she couldn't keep. Rebecca was a harder character to like only because it took so long to see her and not her fear. Her life had not been easy and she was struggling to hold her family together. But, once Rebecca let Dale in, they were a terrific couple. I could feel their connection through the page.

Though this story had some angst, I also thought it was a fun read and enjoyed Dale's silliness. I loved the interaction between Dale and Rebecca and watching their relationship grow. This is a well written lesbian fiction with a terrific HEA ending, that I definitely recommend! I will definitely be checking out more books by this author.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Dale is a mechanic who owns several garages.  She starts feeling something is missing from her life when her partying lifestyle is no longer fun.  

Rebecca is trying to take care of her family but problems keep cropping up.  The stress from not being able to make ends meet is causing problems with her health. Her son Jake decides to take action and asks Dale for help which definitely complicates things.

I enjoyed this story.  Both characters had many things to overcome in order to trust each other. I liked them slowly getting to know one another instead of instant family.  Jake was one of my favorite characters it was fun learning how he went about finding Dale.  He was so intelligent and interesting to read about.
I thought the romance was sweet and loved seeing the characters come together to form a family.

Overall a good story.  I have read a few books by Frame and have really enjoyed her writing style.  I'm looking forward to reading more books by her.

Rating 4 of 5 stars
I received this book from Bold Strokes Books via netgalley for an honest review.

I loved everything about the story, the chemistry between the two main characters (Dale and Rebecca) and the story itself. This book tugged on my heart strings from early on. There were scenes where the author had me tearing up with the shear beauty of the love that leaps from the pages. Jake added another level of enjoyment for me. The love and innocence of a child to add layers to an already complex world of characters. I can’t recommend this sweet romance enough.

I wanted much more from this book it felt really rushed.

OK, I will admit straight away that this book caught me totally by surprise. This is a feel good nice romance. It reminded me a little of one of Disney's fairy tale romances.


The two main characters are Dale from the bad side of Glasgow, flawed and yet maybe a little too good to be true. But I prefer to think there are more Dale's in this world than not.  Rebecca who is English and although she lives in a run down house is considered by Dale as being "posh"! So they are basically from opposite sides of the city. They meet through Rebecca@s ten year old son Jake who knows that Dale is his egg donation mother. (Did I say that right?) He hacked the fertility clinics records. So, anyway they get together but there isn't too much chemistry that I could feel.


Yes, it's a nice read and yes, I would recommend it.  It is well written and Frame tells her story with style. I also like Frame because her books are set in the UK. I find I can see the places and people more clearly. Therefore I can connect with them better. I gave the book 3.75 stars rounded up to four.  Enjoy!


*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2056857997


https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R2LXM46K1H5E44/ref=pe_1572281_66412651_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this one, I knew it probably wouldn't be too light-hearted but I was also worried it would become a tad predictable. Luckily I was pleasantly as the book managed to keep my interest as well as sucking me into the lives of Dale and Rebecca, I was more than a little bit emotionally invested by the end. However saying that it was still just a little bit predictable for my liking.

I experienced some difficulty with the beginning of Unexpected until I realized there were things to be assumed about one of these characters that, in my mind, had not been established. I continued reading the story because I liked the fact that Rebecca and Dale are already bound together by their son and because the journey through which they would come together as a couple and a family interested me. In addition, Jake is a wonderful child to meet. 

​Dale is decidedly butch while Rebecca earns the nickname Dale gives her. They are opposite enough, but their mutual need for that unique someone allows them to move toward each other, with anxiety on Dale's part and caution on Rebecca's. 

I enjoyed the pacing of their relationship most of all. They spend a good deal of time getting to know things about one another, doing things together, and without any unrealistic sexual involvement. Consequently, when the sex does happen, they feel like a couple ready to take a chance on one another, and the need to make love is no longer optional. 

The friendships and children added layers that made Unexpected a testament to the way family and friends can help lift your spirits and get you through the darkest times in life. 

This novel is a special and tightly woven tapestry, and my only problem with it is the microcosmic ambiance created by the fact that all the principle characters are lesbians.

Nevertheless, if you’re looking for a lesbian romance with a couple you can pull for and a feel-good story that lingers in the awareness of how much brighter two people can make each other’s world while being transformed in the process, you’ll find what you’re seeking in Jenny Frame’s Unexpected.

Jenny's other books can be viewed on her Author's Page on Amazon.com.

Unexpected by Jenny Frame is the story of a woman whose life is turned upside down when her ten-year-old son unexpectedly turns up. Dale McGuire is a woman who likes fast cars and one-night-stands. To finance her business many years before, Dale donated eggs to a fertility clinic. The last thing she ever expected, however, was for the child from that donation to come and find her. Rebecca Harper’s life has taken an unexpected turn when she is forced to quit working because of medical issues with her pregnancy. With little money and a house badly in need of repair, Becca’s stress is already too high. When Dale turns up in her life, she only wants the woman to leave her and the children alone. But Dale refuses to turn her back on people who need her. Can Dale win Becca’s heart, or will the family she never knew she wanted remain out of her reach forever?
 
Unexpected by Jenny Frame is a delightful read. The premise of the story is unusual, which hooked me immediately. From the beginning, I was on the edge of my seat waiting for Dale and Becca to realize they were meant to be together. Becca is a struggling single mom who only wants what is best for her children, and I easily found myself wanting things to get better for her. Dale may seem like a player, but she has a big heart that loves fully, and that made me love her quickly. Both Dale and Becca were easy to love, although there were times when Becca’s behavior felt forced rather than authentic to her character. This complaint, however, did not detract from my reading experience, and I had a hard time putting this book down and returning to the real world. The characters and their unusual situation make this a romance story not to miss.

Sweet story, a little unbelievable though. I found the whole thing pretty cute and the fact that both characters pasts is somehow more or less explored. 
The kid and the main characters make the story very very cute, to the point I was thinking "It's too cute, I don't care about the incoherence or how unreal some parts are." I think it's a good thing though, sometimes I am so into the incoherence that I cannot enjoy a story at all. 

I will surely give this author another try in the future.

I LOVE this book, such a page turner! Very interesting and well thought both back stories of Becca and Dale and how they get where they are in life at the beginning of the book.

I enjoyed this book a lot - it had well developed characters and a nice pace. Throughout the whole book I was scared how Becca will find out about Ashley's story and the link to Dale. That part was a bit underwhelming and all the parts with that are not entirely resolved. Like what happened to Mike? Did he get in trouble for giving out sensitive information? Aside from that I really enjoyed the book and the writing style.

I enjoyed this author's previous books so I was looking forward to reading this one. Maybe my expectations were too high but it didn't quite hit the mark for me. It was well written and the premise was very interesting but there were too many coincidences throughout the book. I didn't like Becca as a character, and found her reasons to become pregnant very off-putting. The main characters' relationship moved very fast - they basically moved in together after a couple of weeks - and a major problem completely vanished at the end.

What a delightful book!  I have read all of Ms. Frame’s books and have not been disappointed.  This book had a very smooth pace.  At the end of each chapter, I would tell myself, “Oh, it’s not too late.  Just read one more chapter.”  Of course, I had to put it down eventually and go to sleep.

This is a romantic novel with a plot which differs from the usual romance.  Dale McGuire is a self-made business owner who loves cars and one-night stands.  Rebecca Harper is a single parent with a very precocious 10-year-old son, Jake.  Rebecca is not looking for a relationship nor does she have time for one.
The way they meet and handle their differences is the part of the story I enjoyed.  Ms. Frame has also created a good set of supporting characters in this book.  Perhaps a sequel will follow.  Since the characters are so well developed, the readers might want to know more about them.

I rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars.  If you like Unexpected, you might check out her other books.  She is a fantastic storyteller!

I was given this ARC in return for a fair and honest review.