Four books in and I’ve come to recognize two consistent elements in Lili’s narrative: 1) her fondness for plots driven by miscommunication, and 2) her skill in crafting lovable, tough athletes who excel on the ice but struggle immensely with expressing their emotions or showing a hint of vulnerability. A perfect example is Petrov, who has harbored feelings for Amanda since their one-night stand. When Amanda re-enters his life for Diana and Tanner’s impromptu wedding, Petrov finds himself captivated by her yet again, however, he is  unprepared for the ‘bundle of surprise’ she brings along.

Like the pattern established in previous books, Petrov and Amanda face undeniable attraction but choose to suppress their feelings to concentrate on co-parenting and sustaining a healthy dynamic for their unborn child. The twist: Petrov is also concealing a secret of his own, which adds a layer of suspense throughout the story, particularly when he shares a heartbreaking visit to his past that hints at its relevance to the baby.

Despite their intention to remain just friends, it was entertaining to see how Petrov became increasingly protective of Amanda. He learns that to gain her cooperation, he must communicate his wishes with requests rather than demands, as Amanda often seems to momentarily forget her pregnancy (you have to read it to see what I mean).

The hilarious situations that happen with the supporting characters is what adds to the overall enjoyment of the story. Same above before, Valente does not shy away from bringing heat and passion while also weaving in deeply affectionate and intimate moments. I would highly recommend this super sappy yet sweetly endearing ‘bun in the oven’ romance.