Member Reviews

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I have had a hard time with second chance romance but this one was pretty good. Not so obvious as to why they broke up as a major issue.

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This one was such a cute read
The perfect Rom com.
Loved the two main characters so much
😍😍😍😍

It totally got me out of a reading slump

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A second chance romantic comedy, featuring a cinnamon roll MMC and 'enemies' to lovers.
Marissa is a successful woman, we could call her a workhaolic, she can't find love so at 34 years old she has decided to have a child through IVF treatments, unfortunately at the fertility clinic she met her high school sweetheart in the most embarrassing way. John is a OB gyn, and he will end helping Marissa much more than needed.
I loved this book.. It was so good. Super cute, funny sweet, adorable etc but also went over super important issues like IVF treatments.
This book is everything and more. Had me kicking my legs and giggling.

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Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the chance to read this book.

This is an amusing second chance romance book. I enjoyed the whole plotline even if there were some well-used tropes and cheesy moments in the story.
Marissa had to work hard on her trust issues that were created when John broke her heart as a teenager, and he has to work hard to earn that trust. Reading along with their journey was sweet and funny in equal measure.

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This is the second installment of the delightful True Love series. Although part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone. But Ms. Isley is such a wonderful author, I would highly encourage you to read the first one as well!
Marissa has reached a point in her life where she is ready to have a baby. The only thing holding her back is a not having a meaningful relationship with someone that would lead her to that outcome. Her last significant relationship was back in high school, but that ended in a broken heart. She decides to start the IVF process, but when her doctor is out of town, she is instructed to see another doctor, Dr John Raikes, who just so happens to be the high school sweetheart that broke her heart. John is not the same person he was all those years ago and is determined to prove Marissa that he has changed. Marissa isn't sure she can trust him and risk her heart again.
This was a well-written, highly entertaining, and heartwarming story about second chances and learning to open your heart and trust again. The subject of IVF was approached with delicacy and with understanding and made it more relatable for those who may have had the experience. With plenty of drama, humor, and heartfelt moments, I was completely engrossed and thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Wholeheartedly recommend!
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for providing a complimentary copy. This is my honest and voluntary review.

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This book was adorable! Marissa Mayer is 34 and has all but given up on finding true love and is feeling her internal clock ticking. She wants to be a mother more than anything and sets out to have a baby via IVF. I absolutely loved that Marissa is such a boss and succeeding in such a male-dominated field and is taking her life into her own hands. John has recently moved back to NY with his 6-year-old daughter after his wife left them to pursue her dreams as an actress, coincidently he works at the clinic where Marissa is a client. 16 years ago the two were high school sweethearts until John abruptly ended things, leaving Marissa heartbroken.

What I liked
– Doctor MMC / STEM FMC
– Single dad/parent
– Pregnancy/IVF rep
– second chance romance

I loved the tension between our characters. John broke Marissa's heart and she never got an explanation, which has resulted in her having trust issues with men. I do sympathize with her, John did an awful thing and she deserved an apology and an explanation, however after 16 years she still cannot speak his name. I understand the teenage heartbreak, he betrayed her but holding on to that anger for 16 years is a long time. I loved that John was going out of this way to prove to Marissa he was a changed man and would do anything to get her back … I also loved she gave him a hard time and made him beg.

I did have a couple of things that bothered me, I had a hard time with the clear ethics violations at the clinic, it seemed absolutely crazy it was all just swept under the rug and neither party took legal action. It made for a great story and awfully awkward reintroduction so I am letting it slide as this is a romcom.

Overall this was a sweet story, I loved both characters' families and would love to read the first book in this series to get to know those characters better. I would recommend this book to any romcom lover but please read the content warnings.

Thank you to Boldwood Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest feedback

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Camilla Isley books are always a cute, fun time! Just enough fluff to be a light read but also a cute plot with some laughs and swoons!

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This was an adorable read 🥰 Marissa is on the path to single motherhood via IVF and an anonymous sperm donor, but her plans blow up when her high school sweetheart ends up as the doctor for one of her early check ups. Even worse, due to a lab mix up, she ends up impregnated with his sperm and they must manoeuvre this wild curve ball. I know - the premise sounds mental, but trust me that it is VERY good and doesn’t feel ridiculous at all when reading in context! I kind of hate myself for it, but the surprise pregnancy trope is a bit of a guilty pleasure for me. I know this doesn’t necessarily feature a surprise baby, but the accidental father is certainly a shocker. As well as this, the second chance romance element to this is so heartwarming and John quickly becomes a swoon worthy love interest.

What to expect:
- a kind of sequel to Not in a Billion Years
- solo IVF journey
- single dad
- second chance romance
- closed door but still 🔥

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While there were some interesting moments overall this book just wasn’t for me.

Some of the humor was just over the top and at times falling right into cringe territory. The FMC , Marissa, not moving on from a breakup that happened 16 years prior was really immature and she harps on it the entire book which was annoyingly repetitive. So much that I started skimming just to get through the ever revolving inner monologue of “I have feelings for him but I can’t trust him because of that one night 16 years ago.” The language used was also very repetitive. Winking, waggling eyebrows and fish-eating grin to name a few.

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I really enjoyed this one! Couldn’t put it down so I read through in one! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

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This book was the epitome of cover my face, omg did that just happen (but in the best way!). Marissa is a boss babe who takes charge with anything in life. She wants a baby, so she's going the IVF route alone. Who does she run into at her doctor's office- her (still hot!) ex. Cue the omg did that just happen moment #1! I really hated the reason behind Marissa and John’s breakup when they were 18. So trivial. And to hate-love each other again 16 years later because you’re attracted to them? Meh. However, I did appreciate that it took time, groveling and getting to know one another as 30somethings to fall in love again. John's daughter Nora was adorable and Marissa's friendship with Blake was the BEST.

I LOVED the appearance of Blake and especially the Starbucks chocolate order that Gabriel sent her and Marissa! Love love love when there is overlap between series! Can’t wait for Thomas’ story!

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When I saw Camilla Isley coming out with a new book, I knew I had to get my hands on it. I read the first book in the True Love series and ‘Baby, One More Time’ is a great follow-up to ‘Not In A Billion Years’.

Right from the start Camillia grabbed my attention with the story of Marissa and John. And I have to say it was nice to see how John was right away, knowing the mistake he made with Marissa in the past, and wanted to show her how he changed and win her back. Since he was busy working on winning her back there is something else that happened that I love seeing in a book. There was no third-act breakup. Well, I guess you could when she pushed him away more, but he knew it would be a battle to win her back and it was a battle he won.

There were sparks and laughter in this book and the storyline is one we’ve seen a few times. But with ‘Baby, One More Time’ it felt brand new. The sizzle is closed-door, so the sizzle rating is none but that’s okay. This book is getting a solid 4 ½ stars. This book is now available, and if you pick it up today you will enjoy it from front to back.

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Marissa Mayer, a driven and accomplished COO at a major Fintech startup, has her life meticulously planned—except for one thing: having a baby. Focused on her career and having given up on love after a heartbreak, Marissa is ready to embrace single motherhood. However, fate has other plans when Dr. John Raikes, an expert in neonatal medicine, enters the scene as Marissa's doctor. The twist? Dr. John Raikes is none other than Marissa's teenage sweetheart all grown up. As their paths cross, sparks fly, and Marissa finds herself torn between the past and the present.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City, the narrative explores the dynamics of enemies-to-lovers and second-chance romance. Marissa's determination to keep John at arm's length clashes with the undeniable chemistry that lingers between them. With John eager to prove that he's changed, Marissa must navigate the complexities of her heart and the possibility of rediscovering love where she least expects it.

It promises a laugh-out-loud romantic comedy filled with witty banter, delightful characters, and the age-old question of whether love can truly get a second chance. Perfect for fans of Sarah Adams, Lynn Painter, and Jo Watson, Camilla Isley's latest offering is a heartwarming tale of love, redemption, and the unpredictable twists life throws our way.

It delivers a charming and heartwarming romantic comedy that explores the complexities of second-chance love. Marissa Mayer, a strong and independent woman, is brought to life with authenticity, making her a relatable and endearing protagonist. The enemies-to-lovers trope is skillfully woven into the narrative, creating tension and chemistry between Marissa and Dr. John Raikes. The reunion of these childhood sweethearts, now adults with their ambitions and challenges, adds depth to the storyline. Isley's humour shines through, providing moments of laughter and lightheartedness.

The dynamic between Marissa and John is both entertaining and emotionally resonant. Marissa's internal struggle, torn between guarding her heart and the undeniable connection she shares with John, creates a compelling emotional arc. The New York City setting adds vibrancy to the backdrop, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the story. It is a delightful read for fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedies. The writing style is engaging, and her ability to craft relatable characters makes this novel an enjoyable addition to the genre. The themes of love, forgiveness, and self-discovery are seamlessly integrated, offering readers a satisfying and entertaining experience.

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This one just didn’t do it for me. Super slow plot, the ending was meh. I didn’t really enjoy it. It encompassed two of my favorite tropes but it was not executed well.

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I was so excited for this book and it did not disappoint! While this can be read as a stand alone, I think you would enjoy it more if you have already read Not in a Billion Years. This one takes place concurrently with Blake and Gabriel’s story and I really enjoyed reading these shared scenes from Marissa’s POV. These books are definitely worth your time and look forward to reading the next 😊.

4 stars

Would highly recommend

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Baby, One More Time is the second in the True Love series by Camilla Isley. Lots of tropes and lots of fun. I'm looking forward to the next in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley for the digital copy.

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Marissa and John were high school sweethearts until their prom night when John stood her up at a hotel where they were supposed to have sex for the first time, leaving only a note and Marissa crying in the middle of the road while he sped off in his truck.

Skip to 16yrs later and now 34, Marissa has not had any kind of long-term or meaningful relationship since the night John left. This was the first red flag for me - at 18 you're still a kid and people do dumb things. It is not a reason to completely give up on love and relationships or to carry such a tremendous hatred for the person so many years later. She wouldn't even let her parents or sister even mention his name! I mean, come on!

Anyhow, she's decided she wants to have a baby and as she has no man in her life she goes for IVF on her own, only to find out John is now back in New York and is a doctor at the clinic where she's having her treatment. Marissa still has a visceral hatred towards John but he's still completely in love with her (even though he now has an ex-wife and a 6yr old) and is determined to do whatever he needs to do to win her back.

As luck would have it, in pure "Jane the Virgin" style, it turns out the baby is John's! What better way for him to now force his way back into her life?! To be fair to him, he shows up for everyday and in any way he can and she still pushes him away.

The story starts off quite slow, we get to about 80% before it speeds up and then within a few pages they've worked everything out, agreed to get married, be a family and had a baby. I feel like the ending was too rushed and we missed out on a few things that seemed to be a big deal earlier in the story - like the ex-wife coming back, or her app "The Ex-Files."

I feel that Marissa was an overly-dramatic character, she really shouldn't be holding that kind of grudge against someone who hurt her 16yrs ago when he was just a kid himself. It would have been much nicer to see them actually date, build up to a relationship and release some of the pain that she's held onto but it really was an all or nothing kind of thing.

Thanks to NetGalley & Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

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This was the perfect time for me to read this book. It was super easy to get through, it does touch on some heavy topics but overall it's a very fun and light-hearted read.

I liked both Marissa and John's characters in the book and Nora well wasn't she just a little cutie. They all felt very natural and gelled together in such a good way.

I didn't see somethings happening the way it did so I was pleasantly surprised! A nice fun read!

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I really enjoy the books of Camilla!
So funny and cute story ✨
Thanks Netgalley and The publisher for the book 💕

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I am probably one of the biggest fans of Camilla Isley – I have read and loved Not In a Billion Years, The Love Proposal, Home for Christmas, Fool Me Twice at Christmas and You May Kiss The Bridesmaid and I was hoping that Baby, One More Time would be just as amazing – and I promise you – it did not disappoint!

Part of the True Love series, Baby, One More Time tells the story of main character Marissa, who has an amazingly successful career and life, but has just one thing missing – a baby. Deciding to undergo IVF treatment at one of the best clinics in New York, the very, very last person Marissa expects to run into is her ex high school boyfriend, John. Breaking her heart on Prom night and disappearing from her life, Marissa has never been able to move on, and be happy in a relationship with anyone else since that fateful night sixteen years earlier.

So, you can imagine her surprise when arriving at the IVF clinic, and being told that her normal doctor isn’t there, but another doctor can see her – that doctor being John – who is an expert in neonatal medicine, and has just moved back to New York, with his daughter, Nora.

I am not going to give away any spoilers, because this book is INCREDIBLE, and without a doubt, you have to read it for yourself, but it’s safe to say, once Marissa and John reunite after sixteen years apart, there is fireworks, and some!

Baby, One More Time is another incredible book by Camilla Isley, with characters that are just amazing, and twists, turns and gasps packed in at every page turn. You will not regret reading this.

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