Books & Spoons Review AN UNLIKELY DADDY by Rachel Lee

In love with his best friend's wife…and baby  

Keeping a promise to a dead man isn't easy. But Ryker Tremaine is determined to keep his word and make amends to his late friend's wife. When Ryker meets lovely, pregnant Marisa Hayes, she's still grieving. She doesn't believe the official report of her husband's death. And Marisa believes Ryker has the answers she craves. 

Bound by secrecy, the hunky CIA operative tries to help Marisa find a sense of normalcy…and uncovers a sizzling attraction! As Ryker discovers the richness of life back on the grid, old secrets threaten. Marisa still seeks answers and Ryker knows if he tells her the truth about her husband's death—and his role in it—Marisa and her baby may be lost to him forever…

A beautiful, poignant tale of grief, letting go, accepting life as it is with the limits it comes with yet living to your fullest no matter the circumstances.
I liked how accepting and open-minded Marisa is. She has a lot on her plate, yet she is reasonable and understanding towards others.
The story is so tender, sweet and adorable in a way, yet passionate, ardent and intense at times. It is painful, with sorrow deeper than I can imagine, yet so well described that I could nearly feel the ripples of it myself.
The characters are fantastic, likable, well developed, with complexity and depth, yet potential to growth, which they did. They learn to accept new truths, nuances, and layers about each other, about themselves, and about life and the situation they are in.
I liked how the friends cheered them on, helped them out, and were there for them when needed. A true community spirit in that small town, that was admirable.
The way both Marisa and Ryker deal with secrets, how they learn to accept them as part of life in a way, was another thing to admire. How they accept the fact that some questions will never be answered, and not to let the secrecy destroy you and the basic trust on others.
A Breathtaking tale altogether. One of those that makes you want to hug the world around you, and appreciate everything you have, because you never know when it is all taken away from you.
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

---