Call Her Mine (Harmony Pointe, #1)

by Melissa Foster

Two besties and a baby make for an instafamily and a surprising romance in a delightful series by Melissa Foster, the New York Times bestselling author of the Sugar Lake novels.

Ben Dalton has always been honest, except where his heart is concerned. He’s been in love with his best friend—saucy, smart-mouthed Aurelia Stark—forever. But Ben’s a planner, and timing has never been on his side. When he finally decides to make his move, Aurelia beats him to the punch with a move of her own—to a different town.

Aurelia loves her new life in the charming town of Harmony Pointe. She has a great apartment and her very own bookstore, and best of all, the sinfully hot, commitment-phobic friend she’s crushed on for years is no longer just around the corner. Maybe she’ll finally be able to leave her unrequited love behind and move on.

But when a baby is left on Ben’s front porch—a baby that is presumably his—Aurelia is there for him. Neither one knows the first thing about babies, but how hard can it be? Ben and Aurelia are catapulted into a world of love, laughter, and tracking down the baby mama, and it might even add up to a very happily ever after… just not one either of them expects.

• ISBN10: 1542007380
• ISBN13: 9781542007382
• Publish Date: 13 August 2019
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Montlake Romance
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 266
• Language: English

Reviews

[Canadian Girl Book Blog]

Call Her Mine is book one in the Harmony Pointe series which brings us back to visit with the Dalton’s. As a spin-off of the Sugar Lake series, Call Her Mine can either be read as a standalone or as part of the larger Love in Bloom Collection. Call Her Mine is the friends-to-lovers story of Ben Dalton and Aurelia Stark.

Ben has been in love with Aurelia forever but has never been able to find the right moment to tell her. Aurelia loves Ben but is convinced that he does not like her more than a friend and that they will always be in the “friend zone”. After finally having enough Aurelia goes to leave Ben’s house when she trips over a basket on Ben’s doorstep containing a baby with a note that states Ben is the father. After freaking out, attempting to figure out what to do and eventually bonding over the baby they finally let their feelings known for each other.

Call Her Mine hooks you in right from page one. I laughed until I cried, I cried and then I laughed again. Going through all the things that real parents go through with a new baby, Call Her Mine will hit home for many parents. I recommend this book.

[Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading]

I received an eArc version of Call Her Mine by Melissa Foster via Netgalley. When I discovered that it was accessible through Kindle Unlimited to read and listen, I decided on taking the audio route. Hence, my review is geared towards the audio version.

Ben Dalton and Aurelia Stark first came on my radar when they were introduced in the Sugar Lake series. Since then I have been waiting patiently for their story.

Call Her Mine is a friend to lovers’ story. Ben and Aurelia have been besties for most of their lives. Their feelings for each other went beyond friendship, but fear and misunderstandings prevented them from expressing how they felt about each other. Aurelia entered relationships, which would go nowhere, while Ben went the route of one-night stands. However, their lives got shook up, when one of Ben’s one-night stands left a baby on his front step.

I have to admit I found the story adorable and heart-warming. I loved how Ben stepped up to the plate to take care of the precious bundle of joy without knowing for sure if he was her father. His actions proved that he was capable of redemption.

I lift my hat to Aurelia. Few women would have stuck around after discovering that the man you have been crushing on has a child with another woman. Instead of running, she stood by him through it all. It proved that her feelings were the real deal.

The story had a wonderful blend of humour and romance. The story was drama free, which is usually the case with Melissa’s stories. However, she had me tearing up near to the end. I did not expect that scene, and it almost wrecked me.

Call Her Mine focused heavily on family and friendships, which is typical of Melissa’s work. Reading her books make me wish I had that family connection.

Narration
This was my first time listening to Isabelle Ruther. I thought she did an ok job. I could not get on board with her male voices, but she did an excellent job with those of the females. Her pacing and tone were good, and I loved how she brought out the emotions of the female characters.

Conclusion/Recommendation
Another great series starter from Ms. Foster and I would recommend to fans of contemporary romance.

[Pigpen.Reads]

My first Melissa Foster read and I loved it! It was the perfect balance of a good plot line and some sexy time. The plot twist toward the end is not what I expected and the epilogue had me cracking up!

I didn't realize this was a spin-off series, so I now I will be binge reading her other books!

[thebookdisciple]

Call Her Mine is part friends to lovers part comedy of errors. Ben and Aurelia have been best friends for years, but never told the other how they felt. When a baby ends up on Ben's door, things change fast.

There are some really funny moments, as you can imagine, with Ben and Aurelia trying to handle a newborn. Neither of them have a clue what they are doing. The poopy diapers, the crying at inconvenient times, and the sheer exhaustion lead to some amusing moments! Through the drama of finding a baby on your doorstep, they finally admit their feelings for each other and have to navigate having a new relationship and a new baby.

Ben is a manwhore. When he first finds the baby, he can't even figure out whose baby it might be. He has to hire a PI to help him find the mother. I can't imagine being Aurelia-you finally get with the guy you have loved for years and have to spend your time together finding his ex hook ups??? But, Ben is great at showing how much he does love Aurelia, so you never actually dislike him for being a slut. While there are lots of funny moments in their new parenting adventure, there are some realistic moments as well-how do we explain this, do we tell people she isn't Aurelia's, and feeling like you are an utter failure as a parent because you can't for the life of you figure out how to get the baby to stop crying. Call Her Mine will have you laughing on one page and crying on the next.

Family bonds play a strong role in Call Her Mine as well. Ben has a big, loving, overly involved family and Aurelia has a beloved grandmother. They also have a large group of friends that help you feel like you are in the quaint town of Harmony Pointe. Call Her Mine is book one of this series, but many of the characters have been leads in their own books. At times, I was a bit confused by all the people mentioned. However, its tangental to the story, so it wasn't detrimental. If small towns, friends to lovers, and secret baby love stories are what you fancy, Call Her Mine will enchant you!

 

•   POV: 3rd


•   Tears: a few


•   Trope: secret baby, friends to lovers, small town


•   Triggers: none


•   Series/Standalone: stand alone


•   Cliffhanger: no


•   HEA: yes with epilogue

authors like Carly Phillips, Lauren Blakely, Kristen Proby, Jill Shalvis...then you will probably like Call Her Mine!

 

Call Her Mine

See full review on The Book Disciple

[Lynn]

The first book in the new Harmony Pointe series is all about friends to lovers and unrequited love. While crossover characters from the Sugar Lake series appear in Call Her Mine, it isn't necessary to have read any of these novels but they do come highly recommended if you do.

When the lives of best friends, Ben Dalton and Aurelia 'Rels' Stark get complicated because it isn't normal to find a baby on your doorstep!

I liked how Ben quickly accepts the unexpected situation he finds himself in even before official clarification has been obtained. It's especially welcome after we find out how he coped to distract himself when Rels was dating other men. This latter fact tainted his character but 'manning-up' to the consequences of his actions is admirable. Rels is the best friend anyone would be happy to have and Ben is a lucky man even though he doesn't deserve her support and love. Yet, the tricky situation highlights how close Ben and Rels are and how the foundations of their unconditional love for each other make it easy for them to become a couple within a short space of time, now they are both unattached. However, nothing is straightforward and both have to make sense of their pasts and communication skills to move forward, together.

Many times throughout the novel where the protagonists' reactions are a bit over the top for this 'less is more' reader like myself. The flamboyant verbal gestures accentuate the slapstick humour generated by two hopeless adults with zero childcare skills. Even though it's a bit over the top, any parent like myself will raise a smile and laugh out loud at their comedy of errors in a 'been there, done that' way.

Overall, a fabulous start for what promises to be another winning trilogy from Ms Foster. The storyline is engaging, the characters are like friends with a delightful community backdrop. What's not to like?

***arc generously received courtesy of Montlake Romance via NetGalley***

[Emma (SCR)]

This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews Thank you to Melissa for my copy of this book via Netgalley. I am a huge fan of Melissa's work so when I was asked if I would review Call Her Mine I couldn't wait to dive in.

If you have read the Sugar Lake series then you will have already met Ben Dalton but even if you haven't you could read this as a standalone. Ben Dalton and Aurelia Stark have been best friends since they were children. They have been in love with each other for years but both are too scared to tell each other that their friendship could be ruined if things don't work out.

I fell in love with Ben Dalton when we first met him in the Sugar Lake series. He's described as a Henry Cavill lookalike. Well, I was all in right then. Ben might be a hotshot in the city but really he is a family guy with a big heart. He loves his sisters and is clearly close to his parents too.

Aurelia is a sweet girl who is extremely strong. I am not sure I could cope with everything she goes through in this book. Aurelia has to listen to all of Ben's conquests while her heart is being pulled apart. That must have been SO difficult, Aurelia is a true friend to Ben.

Melissa does an excellent job of showing how difficult it is to look after a baby. Melissa didn't make it out to be rainbows and sunshine. She showed that a baby is hard work and sometimes its overwhelming. I liked that Melissa kept the truth to this side of the story.

The truth about B's mum was all over a little quick for me. It would have been nice to have a few more scenes with her.

The epilogue was so funny! I really love Ben's sisters! If you haven't read the Sugar Lake series I really would recommend it along with this book too. I can't wait to see who is next to fall in love in Harmony Pointe.