I've read and enjoyed many of Maureen Child's books over the years, but this is the first book in her Billionaire's and Babies series that I've read, and while I enjoyed and read this novel in one sitting, I liked it but didn't quite love it, and it gets a 3 star rating from this reader.

Being quite familiar with the secret baby romance trope, this one threw me a bit of a curve ball. Instead of the female partner in a one night stand turning up at the home of her lover/sperm donor, Ms. Child added a twist I'd not seen before.

Adam Quinn is mega-alpha, mega-wealthy owner of one of the the world's largest construction and real estate development companies, and he never takes "no" for an answer, but one day, model-pretty, Kim Tressler shows up at his office with a baby in her arms, and a DNA test in hand. It turns out that the 6-month old baby (Jack) in her arms is the son of his late younger brother, Devon, a party animal extraordinaire and quite the womanizer--before, during, and after his 2-year marriage to and divorce from Sienna. Kim doesn't want to keep Devon's baby and she offers to sell him to Adam for $50,000. Of course, he's outraged, but he doesn't really have much of a choice because he certainly doesn't want his only nephew raised by this cold, gold-digging, self-absorbed woman. He also didn't just fall off the turnip truck, and he calls in his legal team and makes Kim sign a contract, agreeing that the only money she'll ever receive is the $50K she asked for, and signing away all her parental rights to the child. As soon as the check is in her hand she's out the door, and what on earth is Adam going to do with the baby now?

Going through all the possible arrangements he can make in an instant, the only person who he trusts to care about this baby is Devon's ex-wife, Sienna. When she divorced his brother 18 months earlier, Adam, more than once, offered her quite a hefty cash settlement, and, to his amazement, she turned down his offers, saying that the only thing she wanted was to end her marriage to his brother. Considering that most of the women Adam knew, including the one he once married and divorced, and the women he now dated, he'd never encountered a woman who wasn't interested in his wealth and position. Sienna's independent spirit and her beauty attracted him, and he knew that one of the reasons she divorced his brother, aside from his serial cheating, was that she wanted children, and Devon made it quite clear that he did not. In fact, Sienna's career photographing celebrities, scenic views and especially babies (think Anne Geddes) made it obvious that she loved children. Once Sienna met little Jack, heard and initially rejected Adam's offer to set her up in a posh photography studio, and agreed that she'd care for the child, on her terms, and only for the two weeks it would take to find a suitable nanny, she finally consented. She also admits to herself that from the day she met first him, she was always attracted to Adam, and we, as romance readers, know where this arrangement is headed.

At the outset of this novel, it's clear that Sienna is no pushover, and I liked her spirit and willingness to stand up to Adam's overbearing ways--and overbearing is putting it mildly. Frankly, I thought Adam was an obnoxious boor, and aside from his looks and sex appeal, I couldn't understand any woman wanting him to steamroll over her wants and her choices, yet for reasons that mystified me, Sienna repeatedly let him do whatever he wanted, whether she agreed or not. Apparently their mutual chemistry and Adam's bedroom skills simply overwhelm her better judgement, but not mine.

There's more to this story, of course. Adam and Devon's mother unreasonably blames Sienna for Devon's death and she's nasty, rude and accusatory when she shows up at Adam's home demanding to see her grandchild and kicking Sienna out of the house, all of this while Adam is away on a business trip, and after he suddenly turned a cold shoulder to Sienna right before moving the business trip up a week early. There are also wonderful secondary characters, both of whom are a gay couple and married to one another, and one of whom was Adam's college roommate and now works for him.

Since this is indeed a romance novel, you know there's going to be an HEA ending to this story, but as I stated earlier, Adam wasn't my idea of a great catch, and I truly couldn't see any woman willingly tying herself to such a bull-headed, domineering man, one who makes all the decisions whether large or small and always gets his way. Even after the epilogue, which showed a kinder, gentler side to his character, I simply couldn't and didn't buy his sudden behavioral about-face.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.

An unexpected baby brings together an unlikely pair! In the latest book in the Billionaires and Babies series, Maureen Child brings us a fast paced story with a hint of forbidden love to it. The characters are both quick to grab our attention, and their story is a joy to read. I really loved their interaction and that they found their happy ending!

Adam Quinn is blown away when a woman shows up at his office and hands him a baby that looks just like his dead brother. He thought he was done cleaning up his messes, but evidently he still had a surprise in store for him. Now he needs help and no time to waste getting it!

Photographer Sienna West divorced his brother years ago, and he knows for a fact that part of the reason was because he wouldn't give her the family she wanted. It might be low of him to go to her for help, but he's in quite the bind and he knows she's a good person. He'll offer her something in return to make it up to her. From the moment they met, they both knew that she had met the wrong brother first ... there's an attraction there that just might be dangerous!

The setup is classic and yet with a bit of a twist – pure Maureen Child whose writing I’ve gotten to know pretty well over the years. Guy has an eye on a girl – girl marries the brother. Should be the end but in BILLIONAIRE BARGAIN it is just the beginning.
Maureen Child is a romantic optimist. BILLIONAIRE BARGAIN is a delight on many senses. So be prepared to fall in love and watch two independent souls duke it out.
Adam Quinn – his photo should be next to the definition of confirmed stubborn bachelor – avoider of relationships – been there done that – my way or the highway. You get my message. Now Adam is faced with a major change – a challenge to his well-ordered life. A baby. Adam’s brother Devon died in a boat racing accident which has been difficult to recover from. Adam worked his way through problems especially those of a personal nature. But the baby Jack was now Adam’s responsibility. There was no question Jack was going to be okay. Jack was going to get the love, structure and support that neither Adam nor Devon received from either of their parents. Their father is now gone and now with Devon’s death Adam has had to deal with his mother. Adam is determined to avoid his mother – much as Devon had done. Lots on Adam’s plate – Jack is going to be okay – but Adam – well that’s to be seen.
Enter Sienna West – actually her reentry into the Quinn family picture. Sienna is Devon’s ex-wife and not Jack’s mother. Again the picture is pretty clear. Devon had a history of cheating on Sienna. Sienna had enough – end of story. But ah ha I’ve already warned you about endings.
Sienna has buried any feelings she had for Adam long ago. She had thought she loved Devon but realizes now those didn’t even come close to how she felt for his brother. Sienna was determined to make her marriage work – only problem was – she seemed to be in that endeavor alone. It takes two to tango.
So now Jack is going to be living with Adam. Adam is a corporate man who takes what he wants and isn’t too good at asking for anything, much less a rather huge favor. There doesn’t seem to be anyone in Adam’s world that can immediately help him with Jack. So Adam digs deep into the pool of possibilities and finds Sienna. Sienna still living with some self-attached guilt over Devon’s death. She wasn’t in the picture any more but was there something she could have done to curb his antics.
Sienna is willing to work out a deal with Adam that would allow her to continue with her photographing business and share responsibility of Jack’s care until a suitable nanny is hired. Adam made a very handsome offer that would help with her young business – a new studio. With Adam’s construction know how and slew of contractors this was an easy price to pay for Sienna’s help.
Larger picture is at the end of the two week agreement would Sienna be able to walk away from this adorable baby who has stolen her heart and to the man who has unknowingly had her heart for a long time. Was this the right time to see if it was reciprocal. Could this have a happy ending for any of them.
Sage advice from a good friend – the only way you absolutely can’t have something is if you never try!
Word to live by in BILLIONAIRE BARGAIN. BILLIONAIRE BARGAIN is another heartwarming story in Maureen Child’s Billionaires and Babies series. Just sweet and lovely. Great cast of characters.

I love strong & independent heroines who don't take c*6p! This was a well written & enjoyable story with a spunky heroine, a sweet baby and an awesome hero. I loved their HEA. I took out 1 star only because I am not a big fan of the "in-law" romance theme and for the fact that both had previously loved, married & divorced OP. I like my fictional romances for the Mc's to be their one & only - but that is a personal preference for me so do read it if you are not into that thing.....

I really enjoyed Adam and Sienna's story. The brother-in-law angle is a little weird, but Maureen Child did a good job of downplaying it for me. It was a quick, fun read. Their banter is classic!

I liked this story. Good characters to follow and of course the bad guy(woman) the mother. Flowed well and wished it was longer.

This was a cute book. I get a little weirded out when authors do the whole brother-in-law/sister-in-law romance but it didn't seem like a big deal in this book. I usually pick-up anything Maureen Child writes so I knew it wasn't going to be terrible.