Must Love Babies by Lynnette Austin – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway
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Description:
Brant Wylder is a bachelor and loving it! He’s in Misty Bottoms, Georgia, property-hunting for his vintage car repair shop when he gets the call. His sister’s been in an accident, and Brant has to drop everything and take care of his five-month-old nephew. That’s the end of the bachelor lifestyle.
Bridal boutique owner Molly Stiles is all business all the time, until she sees that Brant’s in trouble. In this Southern town, nobody ever has to go it alone. And besides, how can she resist that beautiful baby in the arms of a beautiful man…?
Review:
Must Love Babies by Lynnette Austin is the first book in her new Must Love Babies series. This series takes place in the same town as her previous Magnolia Brides series, in Misty Bottoms, Georgia. Many of the characters from that series play a big part in this one, which will focus on the Wylder brothers.
Brant Wylder, our hero, is attending a wedding in Misty Bottoms, and finds himself attracted to one of the ladies at Magnolia Brides, who are handling the wedding. But Brant has to leave early, as he gets a call that his sister was in a car accident. In a short time, Brant, who is happy enjoying his carefree life as a bachelor, will find his life has drastically changed. His sister will be in the process of a long rehabilitation, and he now must take care of his 5 month old nephew, Jax. Brant finds himself handling something he knows nothing about, and his two brothers are of no help, being out of town on business.
Molly Stiles, our heroine, is the newest member of Magnolia Brides, having opened up a bridal boutique. Molly has a list that defines her timetable for the future, and becoming serious about a man is not on the list for a few years; her business is the most important thing in her life. She does find Brant attractive, but tries to fight it off. However, Molly feels bad when she sees Brant having a hard time, and decides to help him.
What follows is a slow build romance between two people who are destined to be together, but determined to fight it off. On top of this, is baby Jax, who is such a joy to watch and to see how much both Brant and Molly have fallen in love with this precious baby.
Brant was a wonderful hero, and I loved every moment of his learning to change diapers, trying to feed him, and play with his nephew; they were so awesome together. Molly was a bit tough early on, determined not to let herself get hurt, as her feelings for Brant were becoming stronger. Though at times early on, I found her a little annoying, I absolutely loved her time with baby Jax. They too were awesome together. I guess we can say that Jax is the one who brings them together, as it was very sweet watching them with him, always pulling on our heart strings. Austin did such a great job writing this wonderful story and making us adore Jax.
Besides the romance between Brant and Molly, the story has some issues each will have to get past. Brant and his two brothers have decided to move to Misty Bottoms to open a car shop, where they repair and design specialized cars. Brant also tries to help his sister, whose accident was due to her drinking. Molly also has an issue with her father, who left her years before; causing her fear of being hurt and not allowing her to follow her heart with Brant. These issues all play a big part of the story.
Having been a fan of Austin’s writing in Magnolia Brides, I am happy to say I really enjoy Must Have Babies, and look forward to the next book. If you enjoy pure romances, small town atmosphere, great secondary characters, cute babies and wonderful couples, you need to read this series ( I suggest you read Magnolia Brides).
Reviewed by Barb
Copy provided by Publisher
Molly stood beneath a magnolia tree, her face tipped to catch the moonlight. The breath caught in his throat, and for one fanciful second, Brant imagined a mythical princess or fairy.
He shook his head. The woman was real, and he wanted a dance, wanted to hold her in his arms. A little flirting? Harmless.
Stepping out of the shadows, he made his way to her.
“Beautiful night, huh?”
“Perfect.” Slowly, she turned, a smile on her face.
“How about a dance?”
She hesitated.
“I’m not asking for a lifelong commitment, sugar. Just a single dance under the stars. The night’s made for dancing.”
“It is, isn’t it?”
He caught her hand in his, amazed at its softness against his work-roughened one. “In the interest of full disclosure, I’m not the world’s greatest dancer, but you shouldn’t lose any toes.” He glanced at her sequined stilettos, showcased by her cocktail-length dress. “Don’t know how you even walk in those, let alone put on the miles you do, but I have to say that all mankind is grateful.”
Smiling, Molly peeked at her shoes. “They’re awesome, aren’t they?”
He nodded. “You can dance in them?”
“I could run a marathon in these.”
“Okay, then.” The moon shone through Spanish moss that dripped from the live oaks, forming a lacy pattern on the dewy grass.
Kelly Clarkson’s “A Moment Like This” played over the sound system. Reaching the dance floor, Brant slid an arm around her waist and drew her in, breathed in her scent. He swung her out and brought her back in one smooth motion, felt her quick laugh in the pit of his stomach. The music slowed when the band segued into John Legend’s “All of Me,” and he drew her close.
Molly fit perfectly in his arms. She lived in Georgia and he in Tennessee, and that made her safe. And if the plans he and his brothers were working on panned out? Still nothing to worry about since she lived in Savannah. When she rested her head against his chest, he wondered if she could hear the rapid thump of his heart. Ms. Molly was hot, hot, hot.
His hand slid a little lower, and without missing a beat, she relocated it to her waist.
Molly smelled of a midnight garden with just a touch of naughty. His body responded, and he willed himself to think about something else. “How’s the city?”
“Savannah?” She shrugged. “I live in Misty Bottoms now. I opened a bridal boutique. Today’s bride was my first.” She grinned, dimples creasing her cheeks.
The dance ended, and he reluctantly released Molly. “I’m driving back to Tennessee tomorrow.”
“Speaking of driving, thanks for taxiing the last of the rehearsal dinner’s partiers home last night. I heard they celebrated pretty hard at Duffy’s.”
“No problem.”
“I need to stop at my car before I go back inside. I left the little silver heart I attach to the bridal gown’s garment bag in my glove box.”
Brant walked beside her in the soft night air, a hand at her elbow, while the band played Blake Shelton’s “God Gave Me You.”
He lowered his head. “Before we call it a night, I’d love to see the rose garden our friend Cole salvaged.”
“What a mess, but after a lot of hard work it’s incredible again.”
The scent of roses surrounding them, they strolled through the yard. In the silver light of the moon, the flowers glowed and took on an almost magical, fairy-tale illusion. The house shimmered and welcomed, like the true Southern lady she was. Interlacing his fingers with Molly’s, peace enveloped Brant.
They wandered across the expanse of lawn and through the blooms in comfortable silence.
From the parking area, he heard the sound of engines starting, of tires crunching on the long drive. “Looks like it’s about time for lights-out. We’d better head back so you can finish up.”
A slight breeze caused Molly to shiver, and happy for the excuse, Brant wrapped an arm around her and pulled her a little closer, surprised when she didn’t pull away.
Reaching her yellow-and-white Mini Countryman, he made to open her door, then changed his mind, leaned in and gave her a quick kiss, one that should have been impersonal. Friendly. Instead, fire shot through him.
He pulled back, unsure whether he should be relieved or horrified that the expression on her face mirrored his own stampeding feelings. Clearing his throat, he said, “I’m taking care of a few loose ends in the morning, then heading back to Tennessee. And I already said that, didn’t I?”
“Yes, you did. The kiss was nice, thanks, but you don’t need to worry. I won’t show up naked at your hotel door.”
His breath caught.
She grinned, and he understood she knew exactly the effect she was having on him.
“I—” His phone vibrated. “Whoops. Sorry, but I’d better take this. My brothers probably forgot something. Organization isn’t their strong suit. If you’ll excuse me.”
“Sure.”
“Hello? Dad?” As he spoke, he made his way to a gnarly old oak. His father’s voice was gruff, almost as if he’d been crying. Panic grabbed Brant by the throat. “What’s wrong?
