Second chance romance tick, dishy doctor tick, single dad to cute kid tick, embarrassing meet cute tick and smart capable female character mega tick. This book has a returning character from previous book Not in a billion years but can be read as a standalone.

Camilla Isley has gone on to my list of must read authors as she writes her female characters exactly how I like them. No damsels in distress being saved by a man but instead smart women who run businesses, work hard and hold no prisoners. They don’t need a man but there is nothing wrong with wanting one, although after Dr John’s major mistake in the past he certainly has his work cut out to win her over.

Marissa is at a stage in her life where her biological clock isn’t ticking it’s booming like Big Ben so has decided to go it alone with the help of a donor. When her doctor is unavailable she finds herself face to face with a new one who just happens to be the boy next door who broke her heart, now all grown up.

With a rather large error happening at the clinic she’s not getting rid of him anytime soon either. With the help of his adorable daughter Nora, her family living next door and best friend Blake with her partner Gabriel, this had some funny moments, cuteness overload and two main characters you can’t help but love.

I really enjoyed the first book in the series (Not in a billion years) and was very excited to read this one - and it did not disappoint! The relationship with Marissa and John is a second chance romance but with a few twists that I really enjoyed. I appreciated that the big “problem” in their relationship wasn’t the ex-wife.. the road blocks to them getting back together were realistic even if why they got back together wasn’t.
I enjoyed the tie ins from the first book with Blake and Gabriel and that it was somewhat in the same time. But you don’t have to read the first one to read this one.

I cannot wait for the 3rd book - I have been waiting for more about Thomas since the first one!

The book opens when Marissa is brought home after Prom night and her boyfriend dumped her. Fast forward sixteen years and Marissa is a hardworking career woman who decides to have a baby on her own. She runs into her high school love at the doctors office and nothing can be more embarrassing or less than what Marissa wants. This book is an enemies to lovers combined with boy next door wins girl's heart. Some of the things in the book are a little far fetched but it makes for an enjoyable read.

A heartwarming story that was quite entertaining and full of humorous moments.
The story is a duel POV rom-com that has engaging characters.
A beautiful story about second chances.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This just wasn’t for me. It’s a shame as I was really amused by the concept and it had a lot of tropes I like. The execution just didn’t work, in my opinion. The writing style was quite nice and flowed well, but I found the characterisation a little off. Marissa was a little irritating; she’s meant to be in her mid-thirties, but for me she behaved really immaturely and her anger towards John – someone she dated 16 years before the story started, who had since gone on to marry and have a child of his own – felt very childish.

I also felt like the timeline was a bit off – the opening chapter, set 16 years ago, read like it was happening in the later 2000s, with references to apps and technology that I don’t recall being that common or popular in the early 2000s, when I presume it was meant to be set. This might be a small thing, but it really distracted me in the first few pages!

Ultimately, it just wasn’t my cup of tea. I struggled to become invested in the plot or the characters. Still, I can see this working for a lot of people.

I love Camilla Isley, but this book? It’s really special!

Unique plot, extra special characters, loving families, and an impressive woman in STEM in a COO position with a doctor single father who are exes with a sad backstory and a really uncomfortable reintroduction.

I can’t say much about their background because you absolutely have to read this awesome book to get the details, but they were neighbors growing up and he broke her heart on prom night and fled town, only to return a dozen years later, showing up at the other end of the stirrups as her interim fertility doctor for her IVF treatment - the boy who broke her heart (irreparably) is now the one helping her to have a baby on her own…

There’s a huge twist that makes this book absolutely everything - and it’s not the circumstances of his being a single dad (but that’s great), nor that he re-bought his parent’s old house next door to her parents (which is also fantastic). Read to find out! It’s something that makes Christmas really awkward for both families! Mari (Marissa) and John are a riot! Connections back to book 1 characters, but reads as a standalone (Not in a Billion Years).

Definitely top of my favourite Camilla Isley titles - 4.5 stars!

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Boldwood Books, and this is my honest feedback.

Baby, One More Time By Camilla Isley

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Driven and smart, Marissa Mayer has worked her way to COO at a major Fintech startup as well as launching her own successful app on the side. Now what she wants more than anything is a baby. And having given up on love after her heart was broken by the boy next door, she’s prepared to do it alone.

Recently returning to New York from LA, Dr John Raikes is an expert in his field of neonatal medicine. But when John introduces himself as Marissa’s doctor, sparks fly, and not in a good way. Because Dr John Raikes is no he’s her teenage sweetheart all grown up.

Marissa knows she should keep John at arm’s length, lest she have her heart broken again... But there’s something about a man in a white coat. And with John determined to show Marissa he’s changed, can she keep saying no when her heart is saying yes?

My Opinion

I have read (and enjoyed) so many books by Camilla Isley that I have stopped looking at what they are about before I agree to read them. This was a pleasant and entertaining surprise. Please note that whilst this book is part of a series, it is very much possible to read this as a standalone - however I would recommend reading the first one, just because I love the writing style.

In a contrast to what I normally read, this one features a single dad desperate to do the right thing. I had high expectations for this book and whilst it was slow in places in certainly lived up to my expectations.

Rating 4/5

I really liked the story of Marissa and John, I am a fan of second chances in books and the New York vibes of the story have also been to my liking. Thank you Camilla for writing about IVF, it is a topic that is rarely talked about and it has been beautiful to read it in a romance book. I also liked that Marissa is the CEO of an app and COO of a fintech and that she is a strong, leader woman. The reunion of Marissa and John was incredible and how her story developed and the fact that he is still in love with her made it one of my favorite MMC so far.

I’m really torn about this. I’m usually a major hater of single parents and pregnancy tropes but I’m a sucker for a doctor MC so wanted to give it a chance.

I actually enjoyed the premise of the story more than I expected but I think there was just one drama too many for me. One or even two of the obstacles our characters face could have been removed and the story would still have been compelling enough.

I also didn’t really buy into the relationship as much as I’d have liked. It had been a LONG time. I mean talk about holding a grudge and long lost love.

I’m glad I gave it a go and lovers of the tropes might really enjoy it but it just wasn’t for me.

Thanks netgalley and the author for this ARC.

Baby, One More Time, is book 2 in the 'True Love' series. While I didn't love it as much as the first book, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Second chance romance is one of my all-time favourite tripes, so I think that was what really sold the story for me - Marissa and John definitely deserved another shot at love and I'm so glad their story turned out the way it did. Oh! and I absolutely adored seeing more of Blake and Gabriel!!

Note: This is book two in the True Love series.

After the cruelest of betrayals finds Marissa Mayer heartbroken, she vows to never give her heart away again. But when a one-in-a-million medical mistake leaves her pregnant and shaken, it's just her luck that Dr. John Raikes, the very man who broke her heart, has to attend to her needs.

Tropes: Second chance romance, "accidental" pregnancy, single dad, highschool sweethearts/neighbors

Marissa has real trust issues for fair reasons, which makes her a sympathetic if not relatable main character. John is devoted, groveling, and a walking green flag this time around. The maturing is obvious and refreshing. I liked them together as a couple, but it was still interesting to watch them get back to this place. The book is endearing, sweet and maddening. I laughed, I sighed, I banged my head into the wall. At the end of the day, I liked that the author showed growth as a continual action. Of note, this is a clean romance, no spice.

"Baby, One More Time" solidifies Camilla Isley's reign as the queen of romcom novels in my book. Her brilliant storytelling shines through in this engaging and light-hearted addition to her growing collection of romcoms.

Despite the complexity of the main characters' situations, Isley's narrative is remarkably easy to follow. Her storytelling prowess, a trademark of her works, makes it not only entertaining but also a delightful escape for those seeking fun and light reads. It's the perfect remedy for anyone looking to rediscover the joy of reading or break free from the clutches of a reading slump.

Marissa and John's story, with its twists and turns, is a captivating journey. Isley effortlessly brings out the charm of Blake and Gabriel, this time through Marissa's perspective. The novel also offers a sneak peek into what's to come in Thomas' story, adding to the anticipation.

Marissa and John, as a couple, are both heartwarming and, at times, painfully relatable. The author skillfully navigates the complexities of their past, creating a satisfying and believable rekindling of their romance. Other supporting characters, like Leslie and Nora, add depth to the narrative, bringing humor and sweetness in equal measure.

The Thanksgiving scene evoking Taylor Swift's "You Belong with Me" music video is a brilliant touch that had me laughing out loud. As "Baby, One More Time" grew on me, I found the combination of the storyline and the Swifty reference to be a perfect match.

If you're wondering whether to grab a copy when it's released on January 20th, wonder no more. This wholesome romantic comedy promises the kind of fluttery excitement reminiscent of a first crush. Its easy readability is an added bonus, making it a perfect choice for those stuck in a reading slump.

In summary, "Baby, One More Time" comes highly recommended. Mark January 20th on your calendar, get a copy, and while you're at it, grab the first one in the series, "Not in a Billion Years." You can thank me later.

Problematic....

We get the basics. Johnny left Marissa on prom night sixteen years ago. Ghosted her.
Fast forward. She's successful and wants to have a baby through IVF. She was far, far better off without John (see, he's all grown up, as he lost the "y").

There were so many things I had a huge problem with. Your ex boyfriend is your IVF doctor/sperm donor. What?!? The minute John is back in the picture, Marissa is no longer a smart, independent woman. Nope, she is weak, needs help with everything and John knows it all. No. Just no.
It was a miss for me.

I have two trains of thought when reviewing this book.

1) what a cute, second chance romance story. John and Marissa end up back in each others lives and its fate. He is set on making her know he wants her back and won’t mess things up this time, and she’s afraid he will leave her just like before. He as a little too persistent for my liking at the start, not taking her no for an answer, and being a true cocky man he’ll bent on getting what he wants regardless of what the girl wants. But he eventually grows on you, as he grows on Marissa.

2) what a mess! If anything like this happened at a clinic, there would be hell to pay. I also hated that Marissa makes this huge decision to be a parent on her own through IVF, but the second she finds out that the sperm donor may have been someone she knows she now wants a family and needs help with this child. She wanted to do this own her own, but now that the father isn’t some nameless sperm she changes her mind. I absolutely hated that.

Either way, I doubt Isley has ever met a 6 year old before, because the character reads like at least a preteen. She’s well beyond “wise beyond her years”, talks incredibly well and grown up, and seems educated beyond her years. Make the character older, or be able to write young children as young.

Overall it was fine, just better if I only focus on the second chance love and not the other stuff. Quick and easy chapters. Likeable enough characters.

Baby, One More Time is a delightful romcom of second chances and enemies to lovers!

Having been ghosted y her high school sweetheart the night of senior prom, Marissa has spent all of her adult life avoiding relationships. The hurt and broken trust had a devastating affect.
Now 34, she is single and successful, yet the one thing she wants still is a child. She decides IVF with a sperm donor is the way to go.
Little did she know the doctor she was about to see is her ex from high school!

I loved every single character in the book. Smart successful FMC, sexy, single dad MMC, amazing friendships and colorful families.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this early release in return for my honest opinion.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Pub date: 20 Jan 2024

Baby One More Time, by Camilla Isley, is an enemies to lovers second chance gem. This novel shares some characters and timeline with Ms. Isley’s Not in a Billion Years, although they are both standalones. However, knowing both tales will enrich the reading experience.

To the outside view, Marissa Mayer has it all going for her. A very young COO at Fintech as well as having her own specialty app and the company to support it, Marissa is admired and envied. But on the inside, Marissa is still broken from what happened on prom night. Head over heels in love with the boy next door, the couple had planned a hotel rendezvous after prom. Marissa was left alone and broken as she watched Johnny Raikes drive out of her life without a word, just a one line note.

Now, at 34, Marissa has decided the way toward a fulfilling future is to grant her own wish to become a mother. She has entered into this plan with a top notch fertility clinic , Clinlada. After weeks of daily injections, Marissa arrives at her appointment to examine her readiness for egg harvesting. She expected an invasive exam, what she didn’t expect was to come face to face with Dr. John Raikes. And what was expected even less is what came next!!

I have read most of Ms. Isley’s books and have loved them all! This story is told with heart, humor, and many human touches. Really like the interplay of Marissa’s and John’s perspectives. Filled with wonderful characters and modern day dilemmas, this is a darn good read! I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!!

Does Marissa want another chance with John?

Marissa Mayer has made it to the top of her profession and the only thing she wants now is a baby after getting her heart broken when she was in high school by her next door neighbor Johnny Raikes. She knows she will going at it alone by having a sperm donor at a fertility clinic. But her plans change when the only doctor available for her exam is Dr. John Raikes, her former high school boyfriend!

Dr. John Raikes had moved back to New York City after his divorce to be closer to his family for his daughter Nora but he never expected a patient to be his ex-girlfriend Mari.

Baby, One More Time is a huge second chance romance where Marissa and John get a second chance by accident when her visit to the fertility clinic goes awry.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you for giving me early access to read this book. Unfortunately this book was not for me. I found the writing to be a little immature, calling a women's vagina a "doo-dah" was very odd to me. I just couldn't connect with the Fmc at all, she irritated me quite alot as did the Mmc.
It all just fell abit short for me.

I read and loved Not In A Billion Years so I was very excited for the next book in the series. You don't need to have read NIABY first but I'd recommend it to get familiar with the characters. Blake, the female main character (FMC) is best friends with Marissa, the FMC in Baby One More Time.

Marissa Mayers is almost 34 and has been chronically single since she was ghosted by her high school boyfriend on their prom night. Sixteen years later, she still has trust issues so has never allowed herself to get close to anyone. I usually don't enjoy this in a book. I am very much a "it's been years, get over it!" type of person but I overlooked it here because I liked the plot.

Marissa decides to go it alone and have a baby via IVF. She gets to the clinic and in place of her regular doctor who is at a conference, a new doctor will be treating her. Dr. John Raikes, Marissa's ex-boyfriend who has recently divorced his wife and moved back to the city with his daughter Nora.

I don't usually enjoy a pregnancy trope but this had a bit of a twist. Isley writes beautiful characters and I always find it hard to put her books down!

If you like the single dad or second chance romance tropes, this is for you. Can't wait for the next in the series!

Another great one by Camilla! I really enjoyed the plot line of this book. High school sweethearts get a second chance. I found the characters enjoyable and their history intriguing.