Ali Parker is a full-time contemporary and new adult romance writer with more than a hundred and twenty books behind her. She loves coffee, watching a great movie, and hanging out with her hubs. By hanging out, she means making out. The man is hot. Hello. She’s a creative at heart and loves coming up with more ideas than any one person should be allowed to access. She lives in Tennessee with her hubs, teenage son, two grown daughters, and two love-of-her-life grandbabies! Telling a good story that revives hope, reminds us of love, and gives a vacation from life is all she’s up to.
I kind of felt like I had been going into Bancroft withdrawal, so I love that we get a new story about the infamous family. And this one fits just perfectly with everything else we’ve seen from the rest of the Bancroft boys. Usually, it takes some fancy wordcraft to get me onboard with a secret child story. And in this one, the author hooked me and had me believing from the very beginning. It hurt my heart to watch Zara hold out so long before sharing her secrets with Kameron, but I couldn’t see her as the villain the way some of Kameron’s supporters were trying to spin the story. I really appreciated that it took both Kameron and Zara finding forgiveness to make this Happy Ever After work. Now that we’ve watched one more Bancroft bachelor find his Forever, I can’t wait until we get to come back and do it all over again for another one. I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from the author.
Zara and Kam have a steamy hookup which resulted in an unexpected pregnancy which he wanted no part of. Fast forward twelve years with Zara working for Kam .. he doesn't remember her. The author takes you into their lives with secrets and a smokin hot chemistry. She does a great job developing their story and brings a strong cast of secondary characters. She moves the story fluidly with her perfectly painted scenes and delivers a terrific read.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
Zara is going to hook up tonight and she lands the prize with Kam. They both experience passion beyond compare, and when they exchange names, Zara hears clearly but Kam does not.
Twelve years later, Kameron Bancroft owns and runs a successful investment firm in Manhattan and is currently at the top of his profession. He also comes from a huge blended family which now includes his Aunt Kathy with six sons and three step sons from different mothers, and she is in a romantic relationship with his father. Which means that his cousins will also be his step-brothers. Whew, no wonder Kam is not thrilled.
Zara, now a single parent to Luke, with the help of her brother Lee, has secured a position as a financial planner in Kam’s firm to determine if he is worthy of being involved with their son, especially when she revealed she may be pregnant those years ago, and his response was to offer her money, not support.
When Zara arrives for work, Kam is immediately impressed by her acumen and demeanor, so he funnels some of his files to her, and he is not disappointed. Clearly, however, there is an undercurrent of attraction, even as Zara struggles to decide if or when she should divulge her secret. That chemistry explodes when they take a four-day trip overseas to meet with clients and let loose with each other romantically.
Ah, Ali Parker has once again penned a beautiful love story with compelling characters and a tightly woven storyline that left me breathless much of the time and rooting for Zara, Kam, Luke and Lee all of the time. If you are looking for a second chance romance with steamy passion and all the trimmings, including chaotic moments of family get togethers, pick up a copy of Surprise Love Affair and let the love happen.
I received this book as an ARC reviewer and voluntarily leave my honest opinion.
Kameron Bancroft's one night stand with Zara Kelsey produced a son. Twelve years later, she decides he should know his Dad. She gets hired as a consultant at Kameron's investment firm. So she goes to work for him to see if he is a good enough man to be in her son's life. They are both attracted to each other. She didn't want this to happen so soon. She wanted to see if he changed to the player she met twelve years ago. When she thought she was pregnant and called him to tell him about it. He wanted to buy her off. She hung up and deleted his number. Her brother Lee helps her bring up Luke, her son. She keeps the secret for a while. She is afraid of how he is going to take the news. Will he think that she is after his money and Bancroft's name? If that was the case, she would have done that years ago. She didn't need it. She lived comfortably on her own. She had her little family with Lee and Luke. When she finally told Kam, he was upset and angry. He wouldn't talk to her and avoided her as much as he could. He was miserable. Zara decided she couldn't work under these conditions and quit her job. She wanted to give him time to make up his mind about getting involved in his sons life. It took time, but he wanted to take care of her and their son. Great story of two people who made a wild mistake twelve years ago and now trying to make it work. I love Ali Parker, and her stories of lost love reconnecting and finding love
Who knew a fling from 12 years earlier could come back to haunt you? Especially if you are billionaire Kameron Bancroft. The man has no idea that his fling was pregnant (well she sort of told him), but now Zara is back in his life. And she needs to know if he's a better man than he was 12 years ago before she tells him about their son.
Zara went about this the wrong way. I understood why she did it. After she told Kam she thought she was pregnant, he told her he wasn't ready to be a father. That is a hit to the gut. Her son, Luke, has been having a difficult time with kids at school saying his father never wanted him. It breaks her heart. And when she finally gets the nerve up to tell Kam about Luke, he just can't believe her. And thinks she did it to get money from him.
Their relationship has so many ups and downs. You feel for both of them. I love the way Ali Parker writes these flawed brothers (and cousins). They are rich, but they can't buy love. The HEA will melt your heart, and the way Zara's family is brought into the Bancroft world was a wonderful addition to this series. Love that we heard from other Bancrofts in this story. And that I think we will get Hudson's story soon . . .
Zara has a hidden agenda...12 years ago, she hooked up with Kameron as a one night stand, and when she told him she might be pregnant, he dismissed her. Now, she's working for him, and he doesn't recognize her! Can she trust him enough to tell him he is a father?!!
This story was full of twists and turns. Some parts of the story I was rooting for Zara, and other times, I was a huge fan of Kam. I think both characters had some growing up to do - in different ways - and the author did an amazing job of showing us how they do that. Their son, Luke, and Zara's brother Lee, are key players in every decision Zara makes, and the author makes us feel like we can actually see her expression, her thoughtfulness and her pain as she reaches each hurdle. Kameron's growth is a little less obvious, but it's clear that his cold heart melts a little with each encounter, until he finds out the truth.
I was blown away thru this book, and I would like to thank Ali for giving us yet another wonderful love story!
After a one night stand Zara rings Kameron to say she might be pregnant. Kameron wants nothing to do with it and offers her money. What a mess! Fast forward 12 years and Zara gets a job working for Kameron with the aim of deciding whether he would be a fit father for her son. He doesn’t realise who she is though and rates her as an excellent worker who he is falling for. I can understand Zara wanting to consider whether she should tell him he is a father but she’s definitely on rocky ground whilst they get closer but she still keeps him in the dark regarding his son. The conversation that Zara has when telling her son about his dad had me in tears. It just showed how good a job she and her brother had done in raising Luke. Zara and Kameron get their HEA but not without some heartache along the way and also some steamy make-up sessions. I loved this book, the author didn’t gloss over the difficult issues surrounding the relationships with Zara, her brother and her son which gave the book all the more depth. Definitely recommend this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This is part of the Bancroft Billionaire Brothers Series but can be read as a standalone. It does introduce you to quite a few of the brothers and cousins, to give you a taste of the family Bancroft, should you want to read further into their depths. Cameron and Zara meet for the first time twelve years previous in a nightclub in the first chapter and all circumstances are explained. Now forwarding to current times, Zara is the mother of a twelve year old son, living in a townhouse with her younger brother as her babysitter. I love the dynamics of the little family of Zara, Luke and Uncle Lee. We know the crazy relationships of the Bancroft family from previous books, Kathy is super close to her boys, Armond not so much with his. In this book Kathy and Armond are trying to bring all the cousins more together since they are starting their own families with the next generation. I loved this book. The rollercoaster ride we take with Kam and Zara and the glimpse we see of what the future may be for the Bancroft Clan.
DNF. The MMC is confusing. The author wants you to think of him as if he’s a hard ass, but it’s awkward and he’s laid back. “This place is successful because I run it with an iron fist.” Then he’s joking with people and the jokes are like something a 10 year old would say… “Fannie, have you ever seen me twiddle my thumbs? If you have, please enlighten me with what twiddling looks like.”
WTF? lol this guy is supposed to be in his early 30s and some billionaire hard ass, but he’s definitely coming off as a juvenile…
Then there’s a part where he’s checking out his potential new hire and her body is what is making him want to hire her since he hasn’t even checked her resume out yet. But then the POV switches and the FMC is pointing out that he’s cold and sterile. But the MMC seems to genuinely want to know about her business. Seems contradictory to me.
There’s very cliche things in here. “You undo me” “You look good enough to eat” “I’m going to get you a gift certificate… to get that stick removed from your ass.”
Uhhhh this is just all very cringe and yeah, I’m done. 🫣
This is the story of Kameron Bancroft and Zara Kelsey. It is another book in the Bancroft Billionaire Brothers Series but can be read as a standalone it is an easy read and eventually an HEA. If you decide to embark on this ride with Ali Parker, be prepared for a bumpy rollercoaster ride. One chapter will be from Zara's point of view, and then the next chapter is from Kameron's POV. The book starts out with them meeting just before Zara graduates college, when she is 20, a one night stand at a nightclub. Move forward, Zara is 32, a single mother of a 12 yr old son, living in a town home with her younger brother as her live-in babysitter. I loved this book, but then I loved the series. The dynamics of the little Kelsey family. The strong bonds of Zara, Luke, and goofy Uncle Lee. You won't regret picking up this book, whether it's to add to the collection or just start reading, you will be hooked from the very beginning.
Having fun can sometimes bite us in the ass, as Zara quickly discovered 12 years ago after her one night stand with Kam. But when she told him she might be pregnant, he gave her the cold shoulder. Now 12 years later, she works for him, but he does not recognize her, and it does not take long for the sparks to fly again, but can she trust him with her secret, can she tell him the truth? The twists, turns and rollercoaster ride are great in this book. Watching the relationship grow between Cam and Luke is awesome. Zara is usually very conscious with her decisions around her son, which shows when she tells him of his dad but not so much with how close she gets to Kam before telling him about their son. Ali Parker has done it again, she hooks you in right way, and keeps the story flowing, throwing in some good twists. I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and freely give my review.
SURPRISE LOVE AFFAIR A Bancroft Billionaire Brothers Novel by Ali Parker I love the Bancroft family! This one has plenty of heart, soul, and passion. This story can be read as a stand alone, but the others are so enjoyable why would you want to miss out on them? This is the story of Kameron and Zara. When they had a hook up 12 years ago at a club Zara was left with a surprise pregnancy. When she called to let Kameron know she was possibly pregnant he wasn't interested in being a father and blew her off as he was still partying at that time. It was however the wake up call to get his act together and build his own company. I was very much invested in this story and couldn't put it down once I started it. When Luke started asking questions about his dad, Zara decides to go to get a job at his company to see if Kameron would be ok to let Luke get to know. Kam had no idea that she was from his past. This is a definite 5 stars.
Kameron (Kam) Bancroft opened Bancroft Investments in Manhattan two months ago. Zara just closed her own investment firm and is applying at Kameron’s firm for the financial planner position. She has an agenda, though. Kameron and Zara met in a bar twelve years ago and had a one-night stand. Their journey is a rough one, especially for Kameron. He has a lot of hang-ups and regrets of his earlier life. Zara has a lot of guilt. This is such an emotional story. As I read this story I got frustrated with Kameron and wanted to just tell him to get out of his mind and act on his feelings, even though the surprise Zara finally told him gave him such a mixture of emotions, he didn’t know how to handle it. This is an excellent story that makes you feel everything these characters feel right along with them. I loved every minute of it!
Another great visit to see another Bancroft fall in love. Told in dual first person POV and an interconnected standalone, we get the lies, secrets, drama, hurt, redemption and love.
I loved Kameron, he had his moments where I wanted to shake him, but overall, he won me over with his loving and caring side. I do think that he took a bit to long to come around to the situation that was revealed to him. I wish we would’ve seen more interactions between him, Luke and Lee.
I loved Zara as well, although I did want to shake her a lot more than Kameron. I loved how much she cared for her son, but I feel like she could’ve been a bit stronger in other areas of her life.
I used my KU to snag the bonus epilogue and loved seeing how much stronger Zara and Kameron became as a couple. Although, I still would’ve liked to see more of Kameron and Luke interacting. I received an advanced readers copy. These thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is a second chance type of book. Zara had a past with Kam years ago and she got pregnant. Kam did not want to have any kind of relationship with her and offer her money. Years later Zara started working for Kam and at the same time thinking if he will be able to be a father for her son. All this time Kam was not aware who Zara was and she was debating with all the mess she had on her mind. To conclude, I love this book, it had everything: steamy scenes, a lot of bumps along the road, the way Zara raised her son, heartache and so much more. It definitely end with a HEA. I highly recommend reading this book!!!
I received this book as an ARC reviewer and voluntarily leave my honest opinion.
Zara met Kam 12 years ago as a one night stand. She told him she might be pregnant, but never followed up and never did he so 12 years ago she had a son.. She got a job at Kam office he did not recognize her, so they went on trips together for the office. She was sizing him up to see if he had changed..They dated for a little while then one night she told him about their son.He was a mess for about a month. That’s how long it took them to say something to each other after she quit.. People at work thought he looked bad. He was moody he missed her.. He talk to his father, who didn’t care that much for..After after his talk with his father, he called her and asked to see his son. This book was longer than I’ve read in a long time from Ali but it was a good Bancroft book
Zara may have only spent one night with Kameron but that night and the way he reacted when she shared some news was unforgettable. More than a decade later she wants to do what is best for her son and that may mean introducing him to his father but first she knows to ensure that is the best decision, so she begins working at his firm.
Kam is intrigued by Zara both personally and professionally and it is only a matter of time before the chemistry between them ignites however he is about to find out that she has a secret that will change life as he knows it.
Zara, Kam and Luke take us on emotional journey that is filled with drama, love and family as they must come to terms with the mistakes in the past and the present if they are to have a future together.
Surprise son! Kameron and Zara had a one night stand in the back room of a bar and went their own ways. But Zara ended up with a little surprise and Kameron wasn't interested in fatherhood. Now Luke is 12 and starting to ask where his father is. Zara decides to go to work for Kameron and vet him to see if he is father material. Turns out she's not sure but he definitely is lover material. But she can't bring herself to tell him about Luke. Soo complicated! Soo much angst! Great characters...Kameron had an absentee father and a deceased mother, so he didn't want children of his own. Zara was trying to be the best mother and was very protective of Luke. Lovely romance. Ali's books never disappoint!
This is the latest in the Bancroft series and while it can be read as a stand alone characters from previous books do feature so it is likely you will enjoy it more if you read it as part of a series. This is Zara and Kam/Kameron’s and starts when they met 12 years ago and picks up when they rennet, although initially only Zara is aware of their previous meeting. This story takes them through quite a story with lots of ups and downs, some secrets, mis-communication and misunderstandings. The story explores the personal growth, changes and adaptations to be made if a relationship can work. A thoroughly enjoyable story with characters you want to believe in and root for. I received this as an ARC.
This book is absolutely fantastic and will definitely have you enthralled from the beginning until the end. Zara and Kameron had a one night stand and 12 years later Zara is seeing the man who broke heart and left her a single mom. She's now working for him ,but will he remember her? Long gone is the man she once knew and now a man who is cold and distant and works alot. When lines get crossed and will her secret destroy them again? This book was so good that you could connect with the characters emotions and Heartbreak and pain. It's gut-wrenching and compelling and so much more. I absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down.
This is part of the Bancroft Billionaire Brothers Series but can be read as a standalone. Zara and Kameron wll grab your attention right at the beginning and pull you in. An emotional roller coaster that starts with a one-night stand. Her POV is in one chapter and his in the next. Twelve years later she is working for him but not sure he recognizes her. What about the twelve-year-old son she has with him? What happens when she tells him the truth and why did she wait so long? A great book that is hard to put down. An HEA and no cliffhanger. I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from the author an voluntarily chose to review it.
What an emotional ride, what's not to love about those Bancroft Billionaires? Stunning story with all the feels, from a misunderstood childhood, to reckless early 20's, to unwanted pregnancy, to buckle down and make billions, unhappy and no life but work, to a son and a woman that is the love of his life, to the HEA ending! Kameron and Zara go through heartbreak with so much love for each other. It's a roller coaster that keeps you engaged with the story! Thank you Ali, you just don't disappoint!! Loved touching base with sweet Kathy Bancroft and her boys too!
I received this book as an ARC reviewer and voluntarily leave my honest opinion
I enjoyed the relationship between Kameron and Zara. They had a one-night stand that turned into an accidental pregnancy. After a mishap when Zara tells Kameron she might be pregnant, she raises the baby alone. The story picks up when the child is 12. There was a lot of deception on the part of Zara; she never told him she was pregnant. He seeks a job at his company to get close to him, then starts dating him, all before telling him he is a father. Zara turned around, and I ended up enjoying her character development. Kameron did a lot of growing up as well. The story's ending made up for the middle, which I did not love as much.
Oh boy! I really loved getting to know Zara and Kameron. The story was able to pull me in to their lives, their emotions, and the connection that they have. They are both very lovable characters, even though Kameron is very focused on his business, not really grumpy, just single minded at times. I think that the ups and downs felt real, legit feelings, and that emotion between Zara and her son hit perfectly. The story is a journey that has great spice, growth for everyone and all around a great read. I'm looking forward to more from Kameron's brothers!
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This is such a brilliant read. Twelve years Zara and Kam met in a club and a great time together but when she it turns out that she is pregnant he wants nothing to do with it. Now Zara is working for Kam and he doesn't recognise her. The chemistry is still there between them but she is there to see if he is father material for her twelve year old son Luke. I loved how they were together but she feels guilty for not telling him. What happens when he finds out, can they make it work together? A must read with so much emotion and plenty of drama but also plenty of love. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
I am a huge fan of Ali Parker’s books but this isn’t my favorite book. Zara, the female lead got on my nerves at multiple points that were inconsistent with some previous events. My favorite relationship in this story is between Zara and her brother Lee. Kameron goes through extensive emotional changes to become the resilient man he ends up being. This book took me on various adventures with Zara, Lee, Luck, Kameron and his family. The truths that are revealed and how Zara and Kameron eventually share honest conversations are the highlights of the book.
This Bookfunnel ARC has enough redeeming qualities that make this book worth reading.
Billionaire Kameron Bancroft hired Zara Kelsey without realizing they had a one-night fling 12 years ago that resulted in Zara having a boy that she never told him about. She is assessing his suitability as a father for her son, and they fall for each other. Both of them have issues, regrets, and problems that sometimes seem insurmountable. Ali Parker does a great job of exploring and describing the feelings of all parties involved as they ultimately reach their HEA. It's a really good book that I recommend to everyone.
Kameron's past has come back to haunt him in a big way when he hires a woman who has taken him by surprise with her presence. Zara has a hidden agenda. Years ago, she and Kameron had a one-night stand that left her with a parting gift. When she accepts the job with Kameron it is to get reveal the consequences of that night, but feelings once again are coming to the forefront. Will they get the chance to resolve their past and usher in a happily ever after between them. I am volunteering to leave a review for an 'arc of this book.
Another Bancroft novel...yes please!! Kam and Zara had a one night fling 12 years earlier. This resulted in a pregnancy that Kam was in no way ready for. Fast forward, and Zara is now working for Kam. He has no clue who she is. Zara wants to make sure he's grown as a man before he finds out the truth about their son. This story was chock full of all kinds of emotions. Happy, sad, angry it had it all. And I could actually feel how Zara and Kam both felt throughout the book. Ali Parker weaves a wonderful tale with this one. I loved it!
Thus story starts with Zara meeting Kam Bancroft at a club and they have an instant connection. Twelve years down the road, that instant connection led to Zara having a son that Kam doesn't know is his. She applies to work with him to vet if he would make a good father because she sees that discord is her son's eyes when they talk about his dad. The instant connection that they had all those years ago picks right back up but Kam doesn't remember her. I love to see how the story progress with each of them growing and what they do to be together.