I give this story 4.5 stars. I loved the story and loved the characters. I felt like their connections, their hesitations, reactions and their conflicts were realistic and valid. Cara is adorable and Braxton is an amazingly sweet and supportive book boyfriend (except for that one scene where he is NOT).

Normally I would round the rating up to a 5 star but for this one I am so annoyed by the irrelevant cover photo that I just can't do it. I am annoyed because it feels like a blatant attempt to manipulate readers to buy this book just based on the man-chest cover photo. In this book Braxton is described as being heavily tattooed (knuckles to throat, his back and down both sides of his ribs) with black hair (dark as night) and olive skin. To me that sounds NOTHING like the gentleman in the photo on the front of this book. I understand that it's hard to get a stock photo that matches an author's vision perfectly but this one looks like someone just randomly chose a pic of a cute couple with a shirtless man (because man chest covers sell books) and created a beautiful cover.... with no regard for the actual book. I would gladly purchase this book (as I have other titles by Stacey Lynn) for the story that it contains but please don't judge this book by it's cover.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4,5*
Before I start this review I need to say that I love love LOVE the name BRAXTON. It sounds so sexy...I could just picture him standing in front of me with his beautiful eyes and all that ink. *swoon*
This man is something else - I loved everything about him. Even when he was being an ass I still loved him. As for Cara; she was such a sweet and beautiful soul. At times I wanted to smack some sense into her. I hated her parents and after I read this I'm so grateful for mine. It was beautiful to see how their relationship progressed and how they slowly but surely fell in love.

I'm a huge fan of Stacey Lynn .She has became my one-click author. Every book I pick up I love it more than the one before it. 👍

***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***

Where can I find my Braxton?

I really enjoyed this. It’s a sweet funny read that had me smiling through most of it. Cara and Braxton are great characters who turn a one night stand into a unplanned pregnancy and a happily ever after.

They both have had terrible upbringings and with that it helps them bond. I love their relationship and the banter they have. Braxton is extremely sweet and one of those characters that have you instantly falling in love with them.

Great book, excellent characters and terrific writing. It’s a must read!

So this was a super fun read! I enjoyed it! I just wish it continued on!!! Seriously if you are searching for a fun romance, I would tell you to check this book out. From beginning to the end you will be devoured by this book. I really don’t know what to say about this one. It had the steamy, it had the humor, it had the connections, it had the development, and it flowed very well!

I only gave it 4 stars though because…well, let me ask this:

WHAT WAS THE DEAL WITH HER PARENTS?

Did I over-evaluate them? I truly don’t know. They just added unnecessary drama where it wasn’t even needed. I mean the story already has this tatted, protective, beast like man; and then this sweet, girl-next-door type character. They balance each other out already but in way can cause drama when they needed. I wish her parents could have just been written right out of the story. What was the need to actually bring them in when we already know the type of people they are..?

Rant over..

I really enjoyed reading this book. Super cute, quirky, and well paced! So there was always something to enjoy in each chapter.

Stick around to see what I get to read next!

DauntlessReading

4.5 stars

I’m going to begin with a few administrative notes. First, when I posted my review for Fake Wife it was listed as a standalone. Although it is listed as book one of this particular series, you absolutely do not have to read it in order to enjoy this story. The characters do not overlap. I believe the author is grouping the books together because of the overall theme/feel of the stories.

My second note has to do with the cover. As much as I like this cover and think it’s fun and sexy, it absolutely does not represent the characters in this story. Like, not at all. That is something that annoys me because it always makes me feel the publisher, or whoever is in charge of packaging the book, didn’t pay attention to what the book is really about. When it’s something little I won’t mention it in my review. But this cover is just so off base on the look of the characters I had to mention it here as a note to the publishers to please give your readers some respect and actually give us covers that represent the stories.

Now that I have that all out of the way it’s time for me to tell you…I loved this book!!! I loved the story, the characters, the emotions, all of it. You will be so angry with Braxton when he first comes into the story, but he’ll redeem himself, don’t worry. Cara has such a sweet vulnerability, but also has tons of grit.

Both Cara and Braxton had it rough, in significantly different ways, while growing up. Both came out as wonderfully kind, thoughtful, and caring adults. Although the author left a lot unsaid when it came to their pasts, she didn’t leave me wanting. I got just enough information to get me invested in the characters and to help me understand their motivations without bogging down the story.

There is a lot Braxton and Cara need to work through to make their relationship work, but it’s all the usual things any couple would go through. When the story comes up to the main conflict, it was obvious what would happen. I was a bit bummed that it played out as I predicted, but it was still great. Especially because of the reasons for the looks Cara is giving during that part. (No spoilers!)

This is only my second book by this author and I’m officially enamored with her writing.

Knocked Up is a sweet and emotional second chance romance.
Of course, Cara finds out she’s pregnant after a one-night stand...hence, the name of the book. Braxton is a tatted up tattoo artist from the wrong side of the tracks. Not at all the type of guy her parents raised her to be with. Good thing she doesn’t listen to her parents. 😉.
5 stars!!

Stacey really knows how to give us a true romantic comedy!

Knocked Up is the story of Cara and Braxton.  What a wild ride it is.

An epic one night stand (or weekend) with consequences, you know from the title what it is!

The humor in the story is fantastic.  The dialogue is smart, funny and quick!  This book was a real page turner, just waiting to see what was coming next.

Cara is trying hard to branch out on her own when she finds out she is pregnant.  But she does the right thing and tells Braxton he is her baby daddy.  She is such a lovely character.  She tries to handle things with grace, she truly does, but it never quite happens that way!

Braxton, oh whew! What a hero! He is everything you want in a romantic, alpha book boyfriend.  He wants a family, he wants Cara and the things he does just proves it.

No story is complete with a bit of angst and Stacey does so brilliantly. But the chemistry between Cara and Braxton is epic and holds true!

Another fantastic story from Stacey! I cannot wait to see what she comes out with next! This is another must read from her!

I give this book 5 stars. The storyline between Cara and Braxton was well written and worth reading. I whole heartedly recommend this book. I loved the cover and blurb. They met at their best friend's wedding. I voluntarily reviewed this Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

It was cute, and I'm a sucker for an alpha male who loves babies, but it just kinda missed the mark for me. I didn't hate it, but I didn't like the h, so I wasn't as invested as I should have been. I have no,idea why he was in love with her, other than she was hot. And her parents were way too over the top crazy.

Have you ever wanted a book not to end? That was me with Knocked Up.

I couldn't get enough of these two as I read about their adorable story. I seriously had a smile on my face the entire time I read this book.

At first, I was a little disappointed that we don't get the dirty details about the night in question (other than the fact that there was a silly communication assumption). But watching these two reunite with their unexpected news added this amazing tension to the story that had me begging for more. Their entire romance had this slow burn vibe to it that sucked me in immediately. From their explosive physical chemistry to their ability to communicate with each other truthfully, I was so in love with these two.

Braxton is definitely a new book boyfriend for me! What a sweet guy! His backstory was intriguing and inspiring. And I loved Cara as well. Watching her grow more confident in herself and her ability to live independently was great. Both had strong character development from start to end which is always awesome.

Stacey Lynn has definitely added herself to my "must-read" authors list after this great sequel!

New to me author, and this was a very quick read. I love that Braxton was willing to be there for her and take responsibility for his baby, instead of telling her to get lost.

This review is based on a galley copy from netgalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I was excited when I saw that Knocked Up was out. I had enjoyed Fake Wife, so I figured that I would enjoy this book. Which I did, for the most part. My issues with the book are that there was so much extra going on that I couldn’t enjoy Braxton and Cara’s story. Plus the drama was too much. I also didn’t like the way that Braxton kept jumping to conclusions about Cara. That added more drama to the book. All those reasons are the reason I gave Knocked Up a 3-star rating.

Cara drove me crazy. There is being independent and then there is being over the top independent. Braxton wanted to take care of her and the baby but she refused. My eyes almost rolled out of their sockets, that’s how much I was eye-rolling. There was one point in the book where I wanted to shake her and say “Duuuudddde, let him take care of you. Stop being so stubborn“.

Besides driving me crazy with her über independence, I did like Cara. She was sweet. She loved her friends. She loved her job. She loved her unborn child. I felt awful that her brother died. I felt even more awful at how her parents treated her. I thought, at first, that it was all in her head. Until they showed up at her apartment and said what they said. Then I understood why she was so independent. She was shoving her lifestyle in her parents face and telling them to take a flying leap.

I liked that Cara had far from a picture perfect pregnancy. Her having hyperemesis gravidarum made her more normal in my eyes. I didn’t like that she was so sick but I loved that she became more relatable. Most romance novel pregnancies are all sunshine and unicorns. So it was refreshing to see one that I could connect with.

Where do I start with Braxton? I liked that he stepped up when Cara showed up at his tattoo parlor and told him she was pregnant and it was his. I liked that he wanted to date Cara. I liked that he wanted to be in this baby’s life. But, he came with baggage. So. Much. Baggage. I almost couldn’t handle it.

He was a **reformed** man whore. I say reformed because he stopped sleeping around the minute Cara told him she was pregnant. That’s wonderful. But his past didn’t stay in the past. Cara and he had an uncomfortable confrontation with his last one night stand. I don’t know how Cara didn’t freak the heck out on him after what that chick said.

His relationship with Stella made me wonder exactly what was going on with them for a while. She got as salt AF when Cara showed up. She tried to destroy their relationship. She warned Cara off him. She was the one that showed Braxton those pictures of Cara with her friend. I didn’t understand why he still employed her or even was her friend after all that. And her apology was lukewarm. Again, don’t know why he stayed her friend. Anyone tried to mess with my relationship would have had a foot up their butt while going out the door.

The chemistry between Braxton and Cara was insane. The sparks were between them from the moment Cara showed up at his tattoo parlor. It deepened the more the book went on. Which is why it sucked when Stella did what she did. And it was also gratifying when Braxton and Cara talked. Because you could see the feelings there. It wasn’t just sex.

Speaking of sex, it was hot. Scorching hot. Braxton and Clara didn’t hold back because she was pregnant. What impressed me was that he still used condoms even though Cara was pregnant. Because he was a “reformed” man-whore who hadn’t been tested. But once he was, it was bareback all the way. It’s not like he could get her pregnant….lol.

The end of Knocked Up was cute. The book ended the way I thought it would. The epilogue was fantastic. I figured out the baby’s name pretty early on. So it wasn’t a surprise to me.

What I liked about Knocked Up:

A) Cara. She had a backbone and stood up to Braxton. Not a lot of female main characters do that

B) Cara’s relatable pregnancy

C) Braxton taking care of his responsibilities

What I disliked about Knocked Up:

A) Cara being over the top independent

B) Stella’s behavior.

C) All the other drama in the book. Took away from the main plotline.

I would give Knocked Up an Adult rating. There is explicit sex. There is language. There is mild violence. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.

There are no triggers in Knocked Up.

I am on the fence if I would reread Knocked Up. I am also on the fence if I would recommend Knocked Up to family and friends. I would read other books by the author.

I would like to thank Random House Publishing Group, Loveswept, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Knocked Up.

All opinions stated in this review of Knocked Up are mine.

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**

Knocked Up is the second book in the Crazy Love series by Stacey Lynn. I was expecting some connection to the characters of the first book, Fake Wife, but never really found one. Frankly, the lack of connection through me for a bit and disappointed me a little.

Braxton should probably be dead or in jail right now. Instead, thanks to some tough love, I worked my ass off and now I own a string of tattoo parlors throughout the Pacific Northwest. And yet the one thing I’ve always wanted—a family—still seems out of reach. When my best friend gets married, I’m just hoping to blow off some steam with the super-hot maid of honor. But after Cara Thompson tracks me down to tell me she’s pregnant, she’s more surprised than I am when I tell her I’m all in. Cara is living for herself for the first time—not for her parents and their ridiculous expectations. I gave up on my MBA, dropped out of the Ivy League, and moved to Portland to pursue my dream of becoming an artist. And what’s the first thing I do? Get knocked up. For a tatted-up sex god, Braxton Henley seems way too eager to “be there for me.” Is this guy serious? Maybe. He sure is patient. Because he won’t back down until I admit what I know in my heart: that our one night stand might have led me to the one.

Knocked Up is an emotional contemporary romance. Braxton might be the master of one night stands and tattoos, but underneath it all he wants love and a family. He might look like a hard person, but his thoughtfulness and vulnerability is there, just under the surface. Cara has tried to please her parents, but is done playing by their rules. She is living for herself, and her late brother. Only, things are going from a basic struggle to make it on her own to struggling with the idea of having a baby, and that her only one night stand ever changed everything. I liked getting to understand the viewpoints of both Brax and Cara, and to see them both vulnerable in their own ways. I think Brax's need to be there, and his desire for family driving him to step up and show Cara how special she really made the story for me. There is something about strong men being nurturing and loving that just hits the right notes for me. Cara had a good blend of independance and vulnerability that fit her story perfectly. I enjoyed thier interactions and found their path from one night stand to happily ever after enjoyable. I will admit that the stumbling blocks irk me in the way that problems in real life do, because if people would just talk about what is bothering them with people that have the power to change things life would be so much better for everyone.

Knocked Up is a well paced romance, and the pregnancy issues were realistic and added a layer to the story I have never read written this well. I liked the read, and think that fans of emotional reads, and this author in particular, will enjoy it.

This was my first book I have read by Stacy Lynn and I was immediately drawn into her writing style. I loved Braxton from the start. He is the owner of a tattoo parlor and drop dead sexy. Cara finds herself pregnant after a one night stand with Braxton at a mutual friend's wedding. Cara unfamiliar with the experience of one night stands leaves before Braxton even wakes up. So when she finds herself pregnant she has this misconception of Braxton and exactly how he is as a person. Braxton is completely in love with Cara from the start but the book takes you on a ride to see how Cara will finally figure out that he is the exact perfect match for her. To see the adoration in Braxton for Cara added with the steamy sex they have, what more could you want. I loved the book. I think I enjoyed the perspective of Braxton taking such great responsibility of the situation and the self journey that Cara goes through to realize this. Definitely will be reading more from this author.

AWWWWWW. Is the word to describe this read.
I loved and adored these characters. They are just so perfect and just so "normal" that you feel like you know them in real life.
Braxton- man he's fine. Tattooed and has a wonderful kind heart! I just adored him and his faults too!
Cara- that stubborn woman! ;) She's nice and one heck of a lady! I enjoyed her and the way she got B and his dog too! ;)
Knocked Up is sexy, filled with incredible characters, swoon worthy moments, family drama, friend drama and a wonderful ending!!!!
Super cute read!!!!

4 stars from me!!

*Recv'd copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

I have read all of Stacy Lynn’s books, have loved each and every one of them, and Knocked Up is definitely no exception! Cara and Braxton are from two different pasts growing up, but both have one thing in common, they have a tremendous lack of confidence that they are good enough for that dream in life they both have, to fall in love with someone to spend their life with. Cara ends up pregnant after a weekend with Braxton at their best friends wedding. Once Braxton finds out, he’s bound and determined to be part of the baby’s life, which shocks Cara, but it’s the start of something pretty special. I loved the care and gentleness that Braxton showed Cara, she was something special to him, and it was something pretty special to watch unfold as you continued through the story. Cara isn’t quite sure how to take Braxton’s care and affection, especially with the crappy way her parents treated her before and after the loss of her twin brother months before. These two characters were fun to read, their heartbreaking pasts, the hot steamy chemistry they had between each other, their hope for the new life they had created, the humor when it came to Lucy, and their great friends really made this book very difficult to put down. Very well written, almost finished the whole book in one night because I just couldn’t put it down. Well worth the read, a great addition to the series!

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book

Really enjoyed this story. Both the main protagonists were relatable and the chemistry between them was so perfectly written. Both Braxton and Cara were likable characters. A must read for summer

KNOCKED UP was everything I thought this book would be. Lighter than most, feel good, very little angst and a predictable but lovely ending.

As a first time reader for Stacy Lynn’s, I didn’t have any expectations going in. I liked the blurb a lot and was intrigued by the tattooed, brutish hottie Braxton. Though, not at all brutish, but kind and generous, loving and talented. I’m going to say he’s probably the best part of this whole book! Him and his dog, Lucy to be exact-but more on her later! Braxton was well written, I liked his detailed back story. It allowed me to empathize with him. Even when he was stupid. Which he was. But more than that, he didn’t run. He stayed. He was everything good a wonderful man should be.

Cara went on a massive journey. She left home, became independent, slept with a beautiful man at her friends wedding and wound up pregnant. Poof. Boom. Baby on the way. Once she accepted her new situation, and it all sunk in, she marched her butt right over to Braxton’s tattoo parlour and laid all her cards on the table. Noble. Honest. I liked feeling her feels and being able to relate to her pregnancy. Her unfortunate morning sickness and condition made her a more vulnerable character, but also gave her confidence in knowing that she could do this. She could be a mom. Making a family with Braxton though? Completely different story.

There was a lot going on in this book. Babies. Dogs. (Lucy is the cutest dog ever) Weddings, sub characters and side stories. But! Lynn still reined it in and brought it all back together at the end. The final 15 % did fly by, and a it could have been a bit cleaner, but all in all, I did have a great time reading this book! The “slept with my best friends friend” at a wedding has happened before, but this had its very own unique spin on it and I commend Lynn for taking a chance.

*Advanced reader copy received in exchange for my honest review*

Reviewed by Jess from JoAndIsaLoveBooks Blog. <3

You couldn't get anymore opposite than Cara and Braxton. A relationship by chance but distance by misunderstanding and pursuit. Throw in some messed up self centered parents and life long friends and you have not only a baby on the way but obstacles of confusion.

Let me break it down like this. Cara was on a mission to live. Honoring her brother but most importantly herself. Doubt was there knocking all the time but she pushed through it. Never settling but creating and firming a backbone.

Braxton, sexy business man who made it out of the slumps with the help of a wonderful mentor. Small circle, drug addict mother who died and a friend who was a sister with a grudge.

Sounds fun right. Wait there was a scorned ONS, gay best friend, and mutual besties. Yes the plot couldn't get any better. A wonderful modge podge family unit.

Cara had her first ever one night stand at her best friend's wedding with the gorgeous tatted up best man, Braxton. Cara realizes the next morning that she has no idea what to do so she sneaks out. Flash forward a few weeks later to Cara finding Braxton to let him know that they have a reminder of that night and are going to be parents.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the characters and thought the story was well written. I would love to read more about these characters! It was a fun read that I finished in a day!