Feature book: Cry Baby

Cry Baby by Belinda Williams
Series: Pierce Brothers #4
Subgenre: contemporary romance
Release date: 20 Feb 2023
Publisher: self-published
Format: ebook
Length: 284 pages
RRP: $5.99 (ebook)
This is the last book in the Pierce Brothers series, which I’ve loved. They’ve been terrific to read, all very different, all fab romances. Do yourself a favour and collect the series to enjoy. The brothers and their partners pop in and out of each book, and I was all, Hello, so pleased to see you again!
Cry Baby is advertised as a ‘grump sunshine slow burn romantic comedy’—which it is, but it’s much more complicated than the grump-sunshine rom com trope suggests. Belinda Williams warns the book has themes of loss and grief, but also plenty of humour and laughter. Correct!
Amy Highland is about to change careers from acclaimed beauty journalist to teacher training. Out of the blue she gets a frantic call from her best friend and fellow journalist Victoria (from One in a Billion, Pierce Brothers #3, married to Seth Pierce).
Seth’s brother Noah has a friend—Beth—who suddenly dies from Covid-19, leaving behind Amelia, her seven-month-old daughter. Amelia’s father is unknown, and her grandparents are overseas—so Noah as godfather is next in line to care for her. He’s desperate for help. Victoria figures Amy’s about to start teacher training and likes kids. She can help with the baby, can’t she?
In a whirlwind turn, Amy finds herself moving into Noah’s place as a temporary nanny. She shares Amelia’s care with this gruff, lonely man, who’s grieving for his best friend.
He’s a financial analyst, a hard worker and quiet loner who keeps himself to himself both at work and with the family. He’s pretty much emotionally isolated himself since his mother died because life doesn’t hurt as much that way, but now he’s grieving, again. However, he’s still one of the good guys, a solid Pierce brother, so of course he steps up to care for baby Amelia.
The close proximity between Noah and Amy is intense and deep. And revealing, as Amy chips away at Noah’s defences and they begin to fall in love. Then there’s a huge plot twist, and it looks like it’s going to be impossible for Noah and Amy to have any sort of future.
Oh, but wait …
Thanks Belinda Williams, for a stunning conclusion to the Pierce Brothers with Noah’s story. You may have saved the best for last.
reviewed by Malvina
A review copy of this book was provided by the author.