Characterizations with "something extra" add depth to the sweetly sensual storyline of author Kandy Shepherd's "From Paradise to Pregnant". Long ago, while working through the typical teenage angst of one who marches to their own drummer, Zoe Summers decided to make the most of her unique looks and individual sense of style. With her intelligence, business smarts, and her ability to cater to the specific working needs of her clientele, Zoe had bloomed both personally and professionally. A decade out of high school, she was at the top of her game. Indulging herself with a well-deserved vacation in Bali seems to be the perfect break from her workaholic lifestyle. She was unprepared for the impact of two devastating events: an earthquake, and its aftershocks, and an unexpected reunion with the boy who had been so important to her in high school. Mitch Bailey was definitely no longer a boy--he was a devastatingly handsome grown man--and he was an internationally renowned soccer superstar. Despite the changes Zoe had made, Mitch remembers her very well. In fact, he's never forgotten the brainy girl who helped him with his studies. He's always regretted how his then-girlfriend Lara had treated Zoe so badly that his friendship with her had ended. As Mitch and Zoe renew their acquaintance, he repeatedly apologizes, and the combination of old times and their new appreciation of surviving the earthquake spark a new interest in each other. Circumstances and mutual need lead to a night of passion, with an understanding that they can only have one night together. However, hearts entangled by the hand of Fate sometimes are driven to seek further contact, and Mitch and Zoe will see each other again. To her great surprise, Zoe discovers that she is pregnant. Knowing that Mitch is extremely focused on his career and his contract with his team necessitates that he lives in Madrid, Spain, Zoe tries to keep the pregnancy from Mitch. Zoe's life and her business are located in Sydney. How could things work out between them without a great deal of compromise from them both? Will love and a newborn little life remove the obstacles in their way? Has a friendship from their youth proved to be the lasting foundation for a life of happiness together? Despite their success in their adult life, the characters of Mitch and Zoe each have retained some of the quirks and insecurities from the past, and this gives them a charming vulnerability. Coming full circle, back to each other, they find exactly what they have been looking for all along. A lovely contemporary romance from the talented Kandy Shepherd.

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A sweet and heartwarming reunion story. Zoe is on vacation in Bali when she is caught in an earthquake. The last person she expects to see there is her old high school crush Mitch Bailey. Zoe is surprised that Mitch remembers her, especially now that he's a famous soccer star. But Mitch had never forgotten the girl that helped get him through his English poetry class, and often regretted the teenage jerkiness that ended their friendship. This is his chance to finally apologize and try to make things right.

The attraction between Mitch and Zoe is strong from the moment they see each other again, but both try to resist it. Zoe has the outlook that Mitch is way out of her league, thanks to his fame and good looks. There's no way he'd be interested in anything long term, and she wants marriage with a man she loves and who loves her. Mitch is focused on his career. He's just coming off a bad injury and needs to concentrate on playing, not be distracted by a woman. When an aftershock hits, Zoe suddenly realizes that she'd never forgive herself if she passed up this chance to fulfill a dream. With the understanding that this is a "one and done", they take their night together and part ways in the morning.

Two months later, Zoe is back at work when she gets a surprise visit from Mitch. She hadn't expected to see him again, and she isn't sure if she's happy or not. She hasn't been able to forget that night, but nothing has really changed. Mitch can't either, and when the chance comes to visit Sydney again he can't pass up the chance to see her again. That meeting is a bit awkward until they find a way to relax with each other again. I loved seeing how they had the maturity to talk out the reasons for their discomfort and find a way to be easy again.

I was a bit frustrated with Mitch at this point because he's trying to find a way to continue with Zoe without making any changes to his life. He expects her to come to Madrid to see him, but isn't willing to find a way to go see her. He's basically looking for a way to continue to have sex with her without making any commitments. I had a lot of respect for Zoe at this point, because she has the courage to stick up for her own convictions, even though it hurts to deny him.

It's at this point that Zoe discovers her pregnancy and is torn over what to do. She hasn't forgotten about Mitch's determination to remain entanglement free. She doesn't want to tell him and have him think that she is trying to trap him, or get money from him. She also can't imagine keeping him in the dark and denying him the chance to be a father to their baby. When she waffles about telling him and sends him away, Mitch suspects there's something she's not telling him. He doesn't get far before turning back to confront her.

I loved his protectiveness when he comes back to find her sick, and how he takes charge to care for her. He has a few moments of jerkiness when she finally tells him, but he recovers pretty quickly. Some of the things he says definitely play into Zoe's fears, and she's afraid to risk her own heart if he doesn't feel the same. Mitch has his own fears to face before he can accept that he can have it all if he can only find the courage to grab hold of it. The epilogue was fantastic and gave a great view of what you can do when you have the support of the one you love. ( )