I am reviewing this first chapter of the women's novel, Scandalous in Huntington Beach, by Melody DeBlois.
BLURB: Politician and senate hopeful Bennett Browning knows nothing about babies. When his former girlfriend dies and leaves him with a daughter he knew nothing about, he’s left scrambling until he meets Emma Kuan, his daughter’s aunt, who volunteers to be the nanny. Emma is used to keeping secrets. She and her sister have always hidden their tragic past, but she’s stunned her sister hid the baby even from her. Meeting her niece captures her heart, and she would do anything to be with her, even living with a stranger. Worried about potential scandal, Bennett and Emma juggle jobs, living arrangements, and parenting until a doctor gives them bad news about their baby girl. Then their priorities change drastically.
COVER: Love this vibrant cover that shares the setting perfectly! The subtitle gives you a hint of what the book might entail, and the script writing is a nice touch.
FIRST CHAPTER: Bennett Browning meets Emma Kuan at the funeral for his former girlfriend, Rachel, who is also Emma's half-sister. Having recently learned that he is the father of Rachel's daughter, Madelynn Grace, he has been awarded custody. Since he is totally clueless about babies, Emma offers to help him out until he hires a nanny, but it's clear from the beginning that they are attracted to each other.
KEEP READING: DeBlois drops the reader right into the thick of things with a tense meeting between Rachel's former lover and her half-sister, both of whom knew nothing about the baby. There is a hint of an attraction between them, but this opening chapter deals with the sadness of loss while introducing the hope of the future when Madelynn Grace is dropped off by the social worker. Definitely worth continuing with this story to learn more about all the main characters and see how far the author pushes them.
Bennett was having a hard time believing any of this was real. But it was, and his baby girl would depend on him for everything. He leaned against the chair and did what Emma told him. “Better?”
She nodded and handed over the wiggly Madelynn Grace. Bennett tried his hardest to hold on, afraid he’d drop her. With that in mind, he let Emma readjust his position with a nudge of his arms that had been too far apart and a lift of his right elbow to tilt her head a little. He intuitively lowered his face and sweet-talked the baby. In turn, she blew bubbles at him.
“I think she likes me.” He allowed her to poke him in the nose.
“Looks that way.”
His heart swelled. “I promise to give you the best life I can.”
When he glanced up, all smiles, he noted Emma’s quivering lower lip. Was she thinking of Rachel? Something in the hunch of her shoulders and lowered chin made him realize he knew so little about her.
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The author will be awarding a
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I received a digital copy of this book from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions. This First Chapter Review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.
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