His Secret Starlight Baby is a one night stand with consequences story from Michelle Major. While a bit predictable, this was a sweet romance between two people who had a friendship that resulted in a one night stand and a surprise baby for the father.



Following one night after she had broken up with her boyfriend, Cody turns to her friend Jordan and her ex-boyfriend’s teammate. When her ex announces to the team they are getting back together Jordan retires believing he’s never coming back from an injury and moves back to his home state of Washington but to the small town of Starlight where he buys a dive bar he’s slowly turning into a pub and gathering place. He has a quiet life, he’s close enough to family is there’s a problem but far enough away for no surprise visits until Cody shows up one night at closing time with a surprise that knocks him for a loop.



I liked both characters well enough. Jordan was steady, kind, and always willing to help others and go the extra mile. While he was upset about missing the first 6 months of his son’s life, he realized that he needed to hold himself back so Cody didn’t run off. He wasn’t natural at being a dad but then he hadn’t had the best example, but it was evident he loved Ben unconditionally and he worked hard to learn how to be a dad. It was evident that Cody had some hang-ups from the way she was raised and her time with her ex that left her wanting to make changes her life to be the best mom and example to her son. I liked her even though at times she seemed a bit immature. I enjoyed watching her make friends and settling into small town life.



Jordan asks Cody to fake a relationship with him when they go to Spokane for his father’s funeral, as usual things get complicated, but they do figure it out and get together. It was a bit easy and honestly I would have loved more time with them as an actual couple, but I did enjoy the story.

A somewhat redemption story for both heroine and hero. An injury has curb Jordan's career in the NFL and he has moved to a small town in Washington where he bought and a bar and living a solo life.
Cory has been living with her son and grandmother trying to survive only to be knocked down again after her grandmother dies and her Cory's mom taking whatever little was left of the grandmother property. Cory made a vow to her grandmother that she would let Jordan know that their one night stand over a year ago produce baby "Ben". So begins this storyline two individuals coming together for the sake of their baby and along the way finding love with each other. Review on goodreads and amaazon.

An easy second-chance, surprise baby romance, His Secret Starlight Baby was a nice book to while away an hour or two. It was easy to read because the story progressed pretty predictably for the most part. While I really would have loved a better balance between the parenting, community building, and the romance itself, it was a nice book with a really sweet ending. Both characters learned to be the best version of themselves despite having struggled in the past with their upbringing. Watching them come together was good as well as frustrating when hesitations and immaturity got in the way, but they worked it out by the end in a way that mostly made up for it.

I’m a huge fan of Michelle Major and she knocks it out of the park yet again with her latest novel in her fantastic Starlight series, His Secret Starlight Baby.

When he retired from playing professional football, Jordan Schaeffer had been only too happy to step away from the glare of the spotlight for the quiet life. Having made a new life for himself in the small town of Starlight, Jordan had renovated a dingy bar and transformed it into a thriving establishment that allows him a comfortable – if somewhat quiet – living – and that is exactly how he likes it! Jordan doesn’t hanker to go back to his old life and is very happy to be left alone to his own devices. Jordan is not looking to settle down and he certainly does not want or need a family of his own – so he is flabbergasted when Cory Hall turns up on his doorstep with their infant son in tow!

Jordan is knocked for six. Cory had been the girlfriend of one of his fellow team players and he had always wondered what she had seen in his arrogant and immature quarterback. Unlike the other wives and girlfriends, Cory had never been impressed by wealth and status and had always preferred to hide in the shadows rather than posing for the paparazzi. Jordan had been drawn to her from the very first second he had clapped eyes on her, but he had never acted on his feelings for her – until one night when Cory had turned up on his doorstep having been dumped by her boyfriend and thrown out of their house. Jordan had planned to be the perfect gentleman, but temptation had proved impossible to resist. Giving into their feelings for one another, Cory and Jordan had spent the night together, before going their separate ways in the morning. Jordan never thought he would see Cory ever again, but now that she is back in his life, he vows to get to know her better and to not miss a moment of his son’s life.

As Cory and Jordan begin to get closer and closer, will they find the courage to admit how they really feel about one another and be a real family? Or will their fears and insecurities continue to hold them back?

Michelle Major’s small-town contemporary romances are in a class of their own and in His Secret Starlight Baby, she has written another winner that effortlessly tugs at the heartstrings with a beguiling blend of drama, humor and emotion. Cory and Jordan’s love story is believable, captivating and so enjoyable, readers will simply not be able to resist devouring the whole book in a single sitting!

Addictive, engrossing and heartfelt, His Secret Starlight Baby is another keeper by Michelle Major!

The story is good and it kept me reading. This was a quick read that I was able to finish in one afternoon.
A very well-written book.



I do recommend this.

This is the fourth book set in the small town of Starlight. I haven't read any of the others, but based on this I absolutely would, because I really liked some of the supporting characters (especially the chef, Madi).

I have two notes for this underlined in my notebook:
1. "confirmed consent - YAY!"
2. "the baby barely makes an appearance - YAY!"

I'm a mother of three, I have nothing against babies but I'm much more interested in how the couple are getting on (or off, fnar fnar). This was a sweet story, about (what else) an error in communication after a one-night-stand that led Cory to believe that Jordan wanted nothing to do with her, and Jordan convinced that Cory had gone back to her wealthy NFL Player ex.

Of course, none of the above is true, and these two just need something to bring them back together. The something being Jordan's mother, who wants to come and stay with them for a while in Starlight to get to know her Grandchild. Queue a fake relationship, one of my fave things in a romance novel, and a cute story about these two getting to know and care for each other again.

The ending was a little rushed and chaotic for me, sometimes everything doesn't need to be wrapped up with a neat little bow - it's enough to know that the ribbon has been ordered, if you get me?

Cute, fun, just what the doctor ordered.

His Secret Starlight Baby is several romance tropes that come together for an absolutely charming story. Jordan and Cory are likable characters and they fit so well together that you just can't help but root for them. Add in a sweet baby, and I was hooked. The secret baby certainly puts a different spin on the pretend relationship trope, and it worked well for this story. This is part of a series, but it works as a standalone. It's a completely engaging story - the romance is sweet, the characters are interesting, and it was just a great way to while away a few hours on a rainy afternoon.

Jordan is retiring from his football career to be a bar owner and in comes Cody to break the news that he's the father. Jordan needs to go to a gathering with his family after having a hard time with them and will now bring his fake fiancé Cody and child to maybe soften the blow of not seeing them. He never expected what was to follow.

This is an overdone plot and I liked at this author seemed to make it work to her advantage and make this such a great read. I enjoyed the characters and seeing how everything played out. I loved seeing how Jordan was willing to do everything he can to keep the child in his life and seeing how it was handling other issues that came his way. I loved seeing the that connection between the two, naturally they were going to end up together having to act all lovey dovey as a couple and things got a bit muddled especially when feelings were starting to get into the way and wondering what was true. I couldn't help but keep thinking how they should just say how they feel about eachother.

This is the 4th book in the Welcome to Starlight series. Each of them can be read as a standalone, although there are some recurring characters. Starlight is a small town, where everyone knows each other, thinks they know your business and don't hesitate to share their thoughts about your life and decisions. I say that with a smile because this is not done in any malicious way. Everyone wants the best for each other and will do what they need to in order for people to be happy. This book wasn't sappy though, it was sweet with some angst and a lot of growth in the characters.

I loved meeting Cory and Jordan. They were both characters that had baggage from their childhoods that caused them to make the decisions they made. Cory wants to be loved and have a family, but had finally decided that it has to be on her terms. Jordan had a tumultuous relationship with his father and is afraid to let anyone get close. He doesn't think he can make anyone happy and certainly doesn't know how to be a father. This was a well-written romance using the fake relationship to real love in a wonderful and successful way. It was a bit different from others using this trope and it pulled me in right from the start. With two wonderful characters that I loved and rooted for right from the start, I couldn't help but read this one through in one sitting. Not only are the main characters well developed, I loved the secondary characters, particularly Cory's new friends and Jordan's mother. There were other injured women who are finding their feet and strength and Starlight and sure hope Michelle Major writes about them in future books. I definitely want to head back to Starlight for another feel good story about strong females finding romance.

Cory Hall makes a promise to her grandmother and vows to keep it. She arrives in Starlight broke, heartbroken and has her newborn son with her ready to fulfill her promise. She must tell Jordan Schaeffer that he is her father’s son.

Jordan Schaeffer is a retired NFL player who now owns a pub and is settled in his life. The last things he expects is to see Cory along with a newborn baby whom she swears is his.

This was such a wonderful story of new beginnings from Michelle Major. The characters were beautifully written and I loved that Cory had such “moxie”. She won the hearts of the town and mine as well.

I adore stories that are small town series that have recurring characters, so I was delighted to read this fourth book in the series. Michelle Major is one of my all time favourite authors, and I promise you this book will warm your heart! A big thank you to the author Michelle Major, Harlequin Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book to review. The opinions expressed for this review are unbiased and entirely my own.

This is a funny, sweet romance that I just knew from the beginning would have a happy ending because I have read the other books in the series. But getting to the ending was so much fun as I read this delightful romance set in the little town of Starlight. Jordan Schaeffer is a retired NFL player who has opened a bar in the town and is relaxing into his new role. Then, Cory Hall arrived to town and threw a wrench into his plans since she has his baby, the one he knew nothing about, with her. The plot was well-developed with some sub plots about Cory trying to find her place in Starlight and being determined that Jordan get to know his son, even if he wants nothing to do with her. I enjoyed the interactions between Cory and the really grumpy cook Madison whom no one else would try to cross. Madison was my favorite character and I would love to see more of her in a future book, just because of her attitude showing that at some time she has been hurt badly. Jordan’s mom gives him the best advice possible about his situation, so all works out well, but there was some rough going there for a while.The conflict between Jordan and his teammate Kade, who suddenly shows up in town, added a little tension to the plot and a break from the conflict between Cory and Jordan. I think my favorite part of the book was the cooking classes that Madison gave and how the group grew to a bunch of misfits who seemed to not even know what a kitchen was. The cooking class meetings were filled with humor and fun and I could certainly place myself there since I have never been a good cook.The development of the characters was well-done, with realistic details that made them likable. I rooted for Jordan and Cory to get it together from the beginning of the book and was invested in their doing so by the author’s method of weaving the story to make it interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a light romance.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Good friends to lovers story. Cory and Jordan knew each other when Jordan was on the same football team as Cory's boyfriend, Kade. Kade was a jerk, interested mostly in what she did for him. All Cory wanted was to be loved; she didn't care about his fame or fortune. During Kade's parties, she often found herself finding a quiet spot to hide out. She frequently encountered Jordan doing the same thing, and they struck up a friendship. When Kade broke up with her, she had nowhere to go, so she went to Jordan. Neither expected the passion that flared between them.

Jordan was recovering from a career-ending injury at the time. When Cory left without a word the next day, he was hurt because he had started to have feelings for her. Jordan moved across the country to Starlight, where he bought a bar and made a new life for himself. He never expected to see her again, much less with a baby she says is his.

I liked both Cory and Jordan. Both have some serious baggage resulting from crummy childhoods. Cory was raised by a single mother who resented her and blamed all of her problems on Cory. Her mom was always on the lookout for her next rich boyfriend. She was thrilled when Cory landed Kade as a boyfriend and furious when Cory broke things off. Cory's only support came from her grandmother, who made Cory promise to find Jordan and tell him about Ben before her death. When she arrives in Starlight, she's all but broke and unsure of her reception.

Jordan is a nice guy. Growing up, he was continually pushed, bullied, and berated by his father, who lived vicariously through Jordan's athleticism. Jordan enjoyed the game but hated all of the stuff that went with it. At team parties, Jordan frequently went off someplace by himself, so he could be present without putting up with the BS. He often found himself hanging out with Cory, whom he liked, but she was his teammate's girlfriend. Their night together gave him hope, which was dashed when she left.

I loved the reunion between Cory and Jordan. She was so nervous about telling Jordan about Ben, but after one look at the baby, he knows she's telling the truth. I loved watching him step right up to being a father, despite his nervousness. A family emergency causes Jordan to ask Cory to pretend to be his fiancée for the weekend, a deception that they must continue when his mom comes to Starlight for a visit. Thrown together "playing house," it isn't long before both Jordan and Cory start wishing that their relationship was real.

Unfortunately, both Cory and Jordan have issues that make it difficult to believe that the other would want anything permanent. Cory's years of being dependent on others left her with a desperate need to stand on her own two feet. She works hard at keeping Jordan at an emotional distance, afraid of being seen as "needy." Cory hides many of her fears behind a sunny disposition but always thinks she won't measure up to others' expectations. I loved seeing her make friends and begin to develop confidence in herself.

Because of his relationships with his family, Jordan doesn't think he can make anyone happy. He is also terrified that he won't be a good father, thanks to his experiences with his father. There were some sweet scenes with Jordan and little Ben, and I loved seeing him start to believe in himself. The scene where he took Ben to the meeting with him was fantastic.

I ached for both Jordan and Cory as their feelings grew, and so did their fear of rejection. Cory had the added issue of needing to believe in her ability to stand on her own. Both of them were so mixed up emotionally when Cory moved out that neither could see its effect on the other. They were so miserable apart, and everyone around them could see why. It was sweet to see how Cory's friends supported her and helped her see past her fears. I loved Jordan's conversation with his mother and its effect on him. His big moment at the end was sweet and perfect for them.

The secondary characters were terrific. Jordan's mom was fantastic in the way she rebuilt her life after his father's death. I liked her efforts to repair her relationship with Jordan and how she took to Cory. I adored Cory's new friends - Madison, Ella, and Tessa. It was fun to see Cory push past Madison's prickly exterior and find a good friend. All three of them appear to have interesting backstories, and I hope they all get stories of their own.

This is a sweet romance with a guaranteed happy ending.
It’s well written and so much fun watching two closely guarded people learn to trust each other.
Grab a hot drink and snuggle in for a lovely read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for my honest review.

A beautiful and sweet second chance story. Ben’s story of his parents second chance romance was a joy to read. This is the first book that I have read by this author but it won’t be the last. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a wonderful read.

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!

Cory and Jordan are an interesting pair. Both seem to like each other but not enough to actually want to talk things out. Add a baby to the mix and then the miscommunication gets even bigger. A lite read however, that moves at a decent pace and the characters do have some character development. I felt like this could have been a longer book to explore the relationships between the characters, their families and friends. Kind of in a way similar to Susan Mallery's Fool's Gold series. I loved the dynamics between Cory and her friends and look forward to more books in this town as I want to know more about those characters.

Cute little story with just the right amount of cheese and steam!
Cory’s grandmothers dying wish is for Cory to share her secret with the one person it affects the most so Cory sets out to cross the country to meet back up with Jordon, a retired NFL player who now lives in the backwoods and owns the town bar. Life is simple until Cory comes back into his life and introduces him to his son. They set out to pretend to be a couple for his mother’s sake as well as so the people in town won’t judge them, and they end up falling in love.

I received an ARC of this book from Harlequin and Netgalley for an honest review.
I found myself falling in love with Cory and Jordan as they both fell in love with one another. I loved that even thought they did not know each other for long they had an instant connection the first time they met, and lets not forget baby Ben. Having a baby did bring both characters together, but the chemistry between them was amazing.

It's soo cute and I loved it!
Cory has a secret, a secret that her grandmother's dying wish was for Cory to let her son meet his father. Jordan is a retired NFL player and he had a one night event with Cory and when she snuck out of his bed in the morning he went ahead and left Atlanta and started his new non-NFL life. So later when Cory goes to see Jordan he is surprised but not as surprised as he is when Cory tells him he has a son.
So now they are pretending to be in a relationship and they are going to Jordan's fathers funeral. Now, this game gets too serious when Cory starts to actually get feelings for Jordan and Jordan is too stubborn to tell Cory he has the same feelings.
This is a cute quick read and I loved it and binged it in one night!

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of HIS SECRET STARLIGHT BABY (Book 4 of the Welcome to Starlight series) by Michelle Major in exchange for an honest review. Jordan Schaeffer moved to Starlight for a new beginning. His career in professional football ended at about the same time as his romantic hopes were dashed by his love interest Cory Hall’s return to her former boyfriend. Jordan is shocked when Cory shows up with a baby. Surprise! Jordan’s an instant father. Jordan has to go out of town for a family obligation and gets Cory to agree to pretend to be his fiancée in order to make the baby’s introduction to the Schaeffer family easier. Jordan finds his feelings returning for Cory as he spends more time with her and their son. Already burned once, can Jordan find the courage to convince Cory to make them a family, officially?

I liked this book so much that I bought and read the other books in this series after reading this one. I recommend this books to fans of modern romance featuring new beginnings, misunderstandings, second chances, and surprise babies.

#HisStarlightBaby #NetGalley