Once Upon a Valentine - Allison Leigh (HSE #2311 - Feb 2014)

Series: Hunt for Cinderella (Book 11)

Shea Weatherby doesn't believe in fairy-tale endings, especially after watching her mother have so many of them with so many different husbands So when Shea's Prince Charming comes along, she's skeptical. When she gets pregnant after a one-night stand with said Prince Charming, she panics.

Paxton Merrick made millions crafting custom yachts for Seattle's uberwealthy. But now, with Shea, his very own ship has come in. If his futile efforts to get her to be his Valentine are any indication, there are stormy seas ahead. But he'll do anything to get Shea to the altar when he finds out he's going to be a father.

Very good book.  I liked both Shea and Pax.  Shea is a very independent and doesn't want to depend on anyone.  She is very cynical about love having seen her mother go through seven marriages and then being dumped at the altar by her own fiance.  As a journalist she spends a lot of time doing stories about Pax and considers him quite a flirt.  She doesn't understand why he is pursuing her.  When an ice storm strands them together their attraction takes over.  Two months later Shea knows she is pregnant and has to tell Pax.  She doesn't expect his insistence on being completely involved.  The closer Pax gets to her the more nervous she gets.  She's afraid to let him get too close because she has no confidence that any relationship will last and fears getting hurt.  The contrast between her family and his just adds to her feelings that there's no chance of a future between them.  Pax's persistence starts to get to her but she is convinced his attentions are just because of the baby.  Her feelings for him are growing but she has so much trouble trusting him.  Shea has to decide if she can let go of her fears and reach for the happiness she wants.

Pax has had it bad for Shea since he met her.  He has tried so hard to get her to go out with him but she keeps shutting him down.  After the night they spent together during the ice storm he really hasn't been able to get her off his mind.  I loved the way he would go to the office where she worked just to get a cup of coffee and have a chance to talk to her for a few minutes.  He gets very frustrated by her lack of trust.  I loved the way he got her to his grandparents' anniversary party and how much he liked introducing her to his family.  He was stunned but happy when Shea told him about the baby.  I really enjoyed the way he had no problem announcing it to his family.  I also liked the way he had gotten to know Shea well enough that he realized he could not force the issue of marriage.  His protectiveness was so sweet and I loved seeing him get her to move in with him.  He tried so hard to show her how he felt, but is constantly frustrated by her lack of trust.  I loved the fact that he never gave up on her.  

I also enjoyed the secondary story that involved Shea with Fairy Godmothers Inc and the newspaper she works for.  Cornelia shows great confidence in Shea's abilities to help pick the people to help, even though Shea doesn't share that confidence.  Shea does have confidence in her abilities as a reporter, but is frustrated by her boss's insistence on giving her fluff assignments.  When trouble hits the paper I loved the way that Pax is there to support Shea.  I also loved seeing the solution that Cornelia came up with and what it did for Shea's entire outlook.