I'm a sucker for a second chance romance, especially when the hero and heroine were young during their first entanglement. There's something really satisfying about seeing two adults, with different experiences in life look back on where they were and how far they've come. In some ways, it strengthens the intensity of that romantic connection, because what are the chances of them reconnecting again?

Lister's His Los Angeles Surprise is no different, and that romantic connection is intensified even further when Derek and Alexis discover that she is pregnant from their one night together.

A good category romance - in my opinion - will put you through the emotional wringer. It's something a really enjoy about the medium's ability to use its shorter word count to really focus in on the inner conflicts of its two main characters, and both Alexis and Derek had huddles to overcome. They really earn their HEA, and by the end of the novel, you can't help but be delighted for them.

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Is It Love?

His Los Angeles Surprise is a touching story with many elements: love life, family, friendship, career and community. I found them all interesting.

This title is part of a series. I was able to jump in and read it as a stand-alone. The wonderful characters have me adding the other books to my wish list.

Alexis and Derek are long lost friends who bump into each other after more than a decade apart. Will one night together lead to more?

Sheryl Lister writes sensitive scenes and funny dialog exchanges. I got a real sense of the couple’s emotion. So clear and heartfelt. I giggled and got teary-eyed. So good.

I wish the mystery had been a bigger part of this story. I wanted detail, action - but only because I knew the author could deliver it in a fantastic way.

Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for a review copy of this book.

If you come from a disconnected background it can leave you feeling unsure of who you are and you will get where Derek is coming from in a way. Most of all how you truly feel about a relationship you have whether it be with friends, lovers, or the one.

It can make you determined to do great things in your life to outdo what you came from the ‘I’ll show you,’ attitude. It can make you freeze in place at whatever age the trauma touched your life also. Giving you the impression that you will end up just like your parents.

For Derek, it seemed to always be a part of his life since he father denied him at birth. Not sure really how all the three brothers were connected but they were. There is Trey, the oldest, Derek, and Max the youngest. From what I gather they all come from different baby mommas. Their father is a millionaire leaving them set for life. He has already given them each a sizeable trust fund which to this day Derek has not touched.

Dereck, however, he has considered it hush money to keep out of his life until now his father is dying and he wants to be surrounded by the same boys he never wanted to claim, Trey and Derek. Can you say ‘resentment?’ Derek and his mom are extremely close and with her being a supermodel of her time they lived very comfortably.

Derek dated his high school sweetheart until senior graduation when he broke up with Alexis. Saying he had to prove to his father he could amass his own fortune in spite of him. That he could be a better businessman and a better man. So, he dumped her. She was in tears for a long while over that.

Alexis didn’t do too shabby herself. She went on to become one of the top supermodels internationally. She has filled up her passport several times. When she runs into Derek at the Millionaire Moguls organizations rent-a-bachelor function. She loves the fun idea. Derek’s brother, Trey had come up with it.

Finding out Derek was on the auction block Alexis made sure to do up the bid nicely to ensure she got what she wanted. That was, Derek.

I would have given it another star but I felt we came in without enough back story on some of the characters and plot. Not mention there are some unanswered things that weren’t resolved. Like who set up his dad? Will his dad make until Christmas? Etc.… I give this: 4 stars. Provided by netgalley.com.

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In this story we have Derek and Alexis who dated through out high school and broke up like most couples do. Fast forward to several years later and they are reunited at a bachelor auction. I’m a sucker for second chance romances and this was a good read.

Derek grew up without a father and because of that he has a lot of abandonment issues and doesn’t want to get close to anyone to avoid the pain. I know exactly how Derek feels. Alexis has always loved Derek since they were kids but love wasn’t always enough. This was was well written story about facing your fears and letting your guard down. Derek did a lot of soul searching and I loved his growth in the book as well. There were times I wanted to shake him for being stubborn but I understand his reasoning.

We also have a sub plot with Derek’s father that carried over from “A Los Angeles Passion” and the plot is good but I was hoping we would get more from the investigation. Often times it seemed repetitive. I also would have liked Derek and his father to spend more time together as they have a lot of issues.

This was my first time reading anything by Sheryl Lister and I really enjoyed the story. The writing was good, the story flowed and held my attention. I will be checking out more books from this author and adding to my ever growing and never ending to be read list.

Author Sheryl Lister pens an entertaining story that incorporates a familiar trope, reunited high school sweethearts. Millionaire real estate developer Derek Moore and super model Alexis Armstrong meet after 10 years. Former high school sweethearts, they find themselves at a rent-a-bachelor fundraiser in Los Angeles. It’s a very apropos setting for the featured millionaire mogul who is portrayed in the story.
I like this couple who have just what the other needs. This book is part of a series, but you can read it as a stand along. The HEA does not tie up all the loose ends, so it’s safe to say that I’ll be reading the next book that follows this one.

This book was so wonderful I loved how strong Alexis was and how even though things unplanned happened with Derek she respected herself not to give in to his crappy proposals. Derek had a lot of personal struggles with his relationship with his father and being a family a man himself , I think if you love Kimani Romance publishing you'll love this book while drinking coffee late at night or over the weekend