This is a secret baby/second chance romance, and this is the first book in the Texas Cattleman's Club: Heir Apparent series. I found that main characters fun and developed. The storyline/plot was good, but I did not find it super great. I also think the start of the book off slow, and I wish the pace picked up a little quicker. Without telling any spoilers, I also think the characters jump into each others bed way to fast, but overall I enjoyed it and it was a quick steamy second chance romance. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Harlequin) or author (Naima Simone) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review about how I feel about this book, and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

I couldn't adjust to the writing or the dialogue. It didn't flow and felt clunky.

I received this advanced reader copy from Harlequin via Netgalley

Fresh Fiction shared an exclusive excerpt from this book on our blog: https://freshfiction.com/book.php?id=109612

Naima was also a guest on the Boozy Book Broads YouTube show (which our editorial manager co-hosts): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpcr2H0Dlbk

One of my favorite tropes by one of my new favorite authors. I was so happy these two got their HEA even though I wanted to smack the hero upside his head on more than one occasion. My kind of read!

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for providing me with an eARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

I picked this title up as a Texan, I'm a big fan of romance and for whatever reason I have yet to pick up a contemporary romance set in my state even though they seem to be pretty popular. There was the extra interest since it does deal with a prominent family and I have watched enough seasons of The Real Housewives of Dallas to pretend like I know how the rich think.

Let me level with you. I did really enjoy the chemistry between Ross and Charlotte, but I couldn't get on board with the secret baby trope. I feel like this was probably done much better than a good chunk of the other stories that add this trope, but it just isn't my jam.

I still feel like this will hit with a lot of people. The writing was exquisite, the characters felt authentic and the drama was frustrating as good drama is supposed to be. I do agree with other criticisms that the miscommunication lasted a little bit longer than it should've, but that doesn't take away from Ross and Charlotte's story much.

Ross Edmond and Charlotte Jarrett fell in love when she was working as a cook at his family’s property. They managed to keep the relationship a secret but one day, totally out of the blue, she announces that she’s leaving town. And from that day he has been a true playboy, collecting stunning and temporary women.

Three years later Charlotte is back in Royal as the chef of the newest restaurant in town. Determined to rebuild her relationship with her parents, all she wants is to create a happy home for her and her son. Hers and Ross’s… She believes he abandoned them both but the truth is he never knew she was pregnant, courtesy of his father’s machinations...

But as soon as he finds out, Ross is determined to make up for lost time. He proposes to Charlotte that they share a house and raise Ben together. Sharing a bed, if it happens, will only be a pleasant bonus… Only his father doesn’t give up that easily and even if their proximity unearths feelings they both thought were over, will they now have a chance to be happy together?

I liked the story and the characters. The scenes between them are scorching hot, especially the one at the party… But the romance is also believable and I really liked Ross’s relationship with his son, so different from the one he has with his father. I’m not going to continue the series, but if the author ever decides to write Ross’s brothers stories as well as his best friend’s one, I’m gonna want to read it.

I love Naima Simone and secret baby tropes! This was a pretty good quick and steamy read. However I did think the miscommunication was too long and I didn't love the ending as much as I hoped. I think people looking for a quick secret baby/second chance romance would like this one though!

Back in the Texan's Bed by Naima Simone is Book 1 of the Texas Cattleman's Club: Heir Apparent series. I think it's a great introduction and can't wait to read the rest of the series.

There's something about seeing the Harlequin logo that has me one-clicking, ready to indulge in a great romance. And this author definitely brought me that. This story really got to me. This was hot!

Looking for the Light

As a personal chef for the Edmond family of Royal, Texas Charlotte Jarrett was on top of the world. Good story, but the weakness of Charlotte and Ross was a bit unsettling for me. Meddling parents, distrust, secrets, and jealousy were controlling factors. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Read book 1 in the Texas Cattleman's Club :Heir Apparent series.

#Cillasbookmaniacs #Netgalley #Backinthetexan'sbed #Harlequin #Mamatoni

Abandoned by his mother as a child and determined to not follow the same path as his father when it comes to woman he has instead focused on his career. Only one person was able to penetrate the walls around his heart until she left with no warning or further contact. Having her reappear in his life with a son he didn’t know he had is a betrayal he finds hard to forgive.

Charlotte used to work for his family and fell in love with Ross but not everyone was happy they were together. She has returned to Royal and maybe if they can work through the hurt and misunderstandings of the past they can become the family they were destined to be.

Time nor distance has diminished the chemistry and connection between them and although their love had been tested they showed it was unbreakable.

RATING: A
REVIEWER: Shirley Fleming

Years ago, oil heir Ross Edmond and his family’s chef, Charlotte Jarrett, had a secret affair. When Charlotte could no longer bear sneaking around, she left her home and family and moved to California. When she finds out she is pregnant, Charlotte tries to inform Ross of his pending fatherhood. Unbeknownst to Ross, his father intercepted Charlotte’s attempts to contact him. Three years later Charlotte returns with her two-year-old son. Ross is happy and angry to realize he has a son he did not know of. Accusations on both sides reach a boiling point until Charlotte and Ross conclude that his father had a hand in keeping them apart. Ross sees this as his chance to be a father to his son and get back the woman he loves.

Charlotte is a single mother and head chef at an expensive restaurant. She has worked hard to make a living and put a roof over her son’s head. And she did it all on her own. When she moved back home, her parents seem to forgive her for having a baby out of wedlock, especially after seeing their adorable grandson. Ross is rich but his father holds the reigns on their fortune. And he uses it to keep Ross under his thumb and enjoys having that power over him. Ross has abandonment and trust issues because his mother left when he was a child. His father’s lack of affection helped to further harden his heart against any form of love for fear of being hurt again.

BACK IN THE TEXAN’S BED is an excellent story involving secrets, lies, deception, and more importantly, love. The author has written a beautiful reunion story between two people who neglect to tell each other how they really feel. The characters are believable and definitely likable. Except maybe for the interfering parent who conspires to keep his son away from a woman deemed unsuitable simply because she used to be their family chef. But all the characters are important to the story. Ross and Charlotte had a secret affair and little Ben was conceived from their union. They may come from different economic backgrounds, but Ross and Charlotte’s love is strong enough to get them through anything. Love overcomes all obstacles. I love Ms. Simone’s books. She never disappoints.

The Texas Cattlemen Club (Heir Apparent Series) starts with a bang in BACK IN THE TEXAN’S BED. It’s exciting to start a new series and meeting new characters with the possibilities for future stories. This was a great read and I’m looking forward to the next one.

4 1/2 STARS!

An unexpected discovery leads to a passionate reunion! Kicking off a brand new Texas Cattleman's Club: Heir Apparent series with a bang, Naima Simone brings us the tail of a surprise baby in BACK IN THE TEXAN'S BED and I loved it! There wasn't too much of a carry forward in this book as there usually is in a TCC series, but the story of Ross and Charlotte was spot on. I'm looking forward to more in the series.

Ross is easy to like and sympathize with when the shock of learning he has a son he didn't know about throws him for a loop. I loved how he didn't hesitate to step up and walk away from hinderances to embracing his son.

Charlotte is kind-hearted and I found it easy to forgive her for her gullibility in thinking Ross wouldn't be there for her and Ben.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the nuance of a surprise baby and reconnecting of one time lovers. I'm looking forward to seeing how this series plays out.

Naima Simone has accomplished what no one else has been able to: make me a fan of a secret baby romance. Back in the Texan’s Bed is the perfect combination of my favorite romance tropes. We get a former flame returns to town, an overbearing, wealthy family, add in some rich people problems and a secret baby and it’s the perfect amount of drama, heat, and fantasy that transports you away to another world for a few delicious hours. I loved it and it should make it’s way to the top of your romance TBR pile right now.

Thank you to Harlequin for the advanced copy of this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own.

This story contains a few different tropes, some that I often enjoy and some that don't always hit right for me. I always enjoy a good second chance romance but the secret baby storyline isn't always what I reach for. I really enjoyed the Charlotte herself, but the miscommunication between her and Ross was just too much for too long. There were also some instances where side characters didn't seem to be quite consistent between their words and actions, but most of the characters were enjoyable to read. All in all I did enjoy the story and would read more of Naima Simone's writing as I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Three years ago Charlotte Jarrett left her hometown of Royal, Texas after she broke up with Ross Edmond. She returns home with her young son in the hopes she can repair her relationship with her estranged parents. She’s more than stunned to come face to face with her old flame, Ross, an oil heir.

Ross has no idea why Charlotte walked away from him three years ago but when he sees her son, he knows the boy is his and he intends to be a full time father. Charlotte and Ross try to come up with an arrangement, but neither one can put their past differences behind them.

It doesn’t take long for their old feelings to resurface.

The sparks fly in this romantic, emotional story. Their love scenes are scorching hot. I fell in love with both main characters immediately. I could feel how tortured they were by their past. I couldn’t help but feel their pain. The author did a wonderful job of bringing this all to life.

It’s a fast-paced romance and family drama. We were introduced to Ross’ siblings and best friend, so I’m thinking there will be a few more books in this series.

Although the Texas Cattleman is a long-running series in the Harlequin line, this is the first book of a new sub-series. I didn’t have to read the previous series to follow this book. It’s all about Charlotte and Ross. I’m looking forward to another visit to Royal, Texas.





FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I enjoyed this book. There is a avalanche of pain, baggage and raw emotion that must be dealt with as Ross and Charlotte's story unfolds. The writing was superior and the storyline engaging. I felt for both these characters but also had to deal with some frustration I felt about their behavior. regardless, of that I really liked this book. Tension, drama, turmoil, steam and twists make an enticing blend that goes down smooth and easily.

The first book in the Texas Cattleman’s Club, Back in the Texan’s Bed is a second-chance romance with a secret baby in the mix. While second-chance romances are my catnip, the secret baby trope is less interesting to me. But I’m on board for Naima Simone’s steamy writing and excellent plots so I dived right in and happily wasn’t disappointed.

I enjoyed Charlotte and Ross, though their path to the bed seemed a bit quick for my slow-burn heart. It worked for this story because there was history between them. There is a good amount of angst between this strong, independent woman and her emotionally compromised love interest. Charlotte is a fabulous character who deserves all the good things, while Ross has a bit of growing to do, given his dysfunctional family and emotional baggage. But I really rooted for them as a couple and their coming together was highly satisfying.

Simone also handles the baby reveal so well – I didn’t end up wanting to slap anyone for being willfully clueless (which is mostly the issue I have with this trope). Instead, there are real external obstacles and a credible threat that has the power to do real damage to this couple.

I’m a fan of Simone’s category romances – she can pack so much character development and steam into a tight space. And she describes desire like no one can. She gives the same care to her primary characters as she does to her secondary ones and now, I want all their stories. A quick, tight, well-developed read that I’ve come to expect from a writer on her A-game.

ARC provided by NetGalley/publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Charlotte is a successful chef and is back home to raise her son and start a new life. She is shocked when she runs into her old flame, the man who fathered her son at her restaurant. What will she do when he finds out about the son they share and the real reason she left town?

Ross can not believe his eyes when he sees Charlotte again. This is the woman he loved. When he finds out they share a son, he immediately begins formulating a plan that will keep Charlotte and their son in his life. When secrets reveal as to the reason she left, will his love be enough to keep them together?

This was a wonderful story by Naima Simone and the first book in her new series Texas Cattleman’s Club. It was well written, and the character development was well thought out. It had broken hearts ready to mend, family, friendship and love. All the ingredients to a great novel. Thank you so much to the author Naima Simone, Harlequin Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book to review. I loved it! All opinions expressed for this review are unbiased and entirely my own.

Best-selling author Naima Simone brings the heat with her intense and emotional new novel for Harlequin Desire, Back in the Texan’s Bed.

Oil heir Ross Edmond does not believe in love. He had once let down the iron-clad defenses which he had built around himself- only to end up with his trust betrayed and his heart shattered into a million tiny pieces. Since then, Ross had vowed to put all of his time, energies and efforts into his work and to not let his judgment be hindered in any way, shape or form by feelings. He had let somebody in once and been hurt beyond belief, so he plans to spend the rest of his life keeping emotions at bay. Forgetting Charlotte Jarrett has proved impossible for Ross, however, little does he realize that fate is going to draw the two of them together again and changing both of their lives forever.

It had broken Charlotte’s heart to walk away from Ross, but with no other option available to her, she had felt that she had no choice. However, Charlotte hadn’t just walked away from the man she loved, she had also walked away from any hope she might have had of the child she was carrying ever knowing his father. But Ross is now back in her life determined to get to know his son – and Charlotte will not run away from him so easily this time! It doesn’t take long for long-buried feelings to come rushing to the surface and soon it’s not just a child that two of them are sharing, but also a bed! As emotions intensify and sizzling desire gives way to something far deeper, will Charlotte and Ross take another stab at happiness? Or is there a treacherous enemy lurking in the shadows determined to do whatever it takes to tear them apart again…only this time it will be for good!

Dramatic, steamy and immensely enjoyable, Naima Simone strikes gold with this sizzling tale of forbidden passion, illicit desire and dangerous secrets. Back in the Texan’s Bed is a red-hot contemporary romance with a strong and intelligent heroine and a sexy Alpha hero who will make readers swoon. A powerful page-turner that is hard to put down and impossible to resist, Naima Simone’s Back in the Texan’s Bed is a sexy, poignant and passionate romantic read Harlequin Desire fans will lap up.