Handling Mr. Harper
By Elle Nicoll

Mr. Harper had butterflies going crazy in my stomach, I was constantly swooning. Elle Nicoll created an actual unicorn with this character. I’m putting my request out there – if you find a real-life Drew Harper, send him my way or at least a brother!!

Handling Mr. Harper is such an enjoyable read and had me turning pages faster than usual. Drew (MMC) has always had Sophie (FMC) in the back of his mind after meeting her four years ago on a blind date – she was not his date though, as she’ll remind him throughout their story. He’s on the administrative side of a construction company and she’s a prosecutor who works hard for her clients. She’s working on a case where she continually gets bad feelings about it, and she even receives threats. When a celebration party brings Drew & Sophie to the same place at the same time years after that blind date, and on the heels of a breakup between Sophie and her ex-boyfriend, fate delivers their second chance.

Drew & Sophie are spice-on-spice-on-spice! Their chemistry is electric and it was beautifully written! As they are in their early stages of dating, Drew is convinced Sophie is “it” for him and he is very serious about it. I believe Sophie found it endearing but didn’t take his pledge as serious as he meant it initially. When she realizes she is pregnant and the estimated gestation leaves the window of conception around the time she broke up with her ex-boyfriend and when she got together with Drew the first time, she realizes Drew is completely serious about his declaration of wanting to be with her forever. The level of support and adoration Drew shows her after she shares her news is incredible. On top of that, she discovers he has a pregnancy kink – as in, he knows she’s pregnant with what will be their baby and it makes him overcome with lust and desire. I was jealous of Sophie at this point because I have never experienced a man with this type of kink but it was hot AF. Also, since she has been bossy since the moment he met her, he nicknames her “Boss” and hands-down, this is my favorite pet name from any romance book I have read. He also calls her “Mama” which is sweet, but Boss was what got me!

As Sophie continues with her case for client Chelsea, the seriousness of what she is digging in to intensifies and those around her start to become concerned with her safety, especially knowing she is pregnant. Around the same time, a MAJOR plot twist drops and if your jaw doesn’t hit the floor, I want to know why because it took me a few minutes to process and continue when I read chapter 17! This outed secret threatens to ruin more than one relationship and we never saw it coming!

With this new secret coming to light, Drew and Sophie continue to face challenges from others as they are becoming more serious in their relationship and her pregnancy progresses. There’s another surprise surrounding the first appointment with the OB doctor – also leaving me awestruck! They keep battling the obstacles thrown their way and I was glad to see they stuck together through the majority of these issues, always vowing to communicate with each other to keep no secrets. This is what ultimately saves their relationship in the end, though they have a period of eight tumultuous days apart very close to when Sophie is expected to deliver but leave it to Sophie to pick up on things others didn’t, putting two-and-two together to end the intentional friction being created by another character. I felt the grief and agony these characters were going through during this time apart – I was so sad for them! Alas, Elle Nicoll gave us a satisfying ending with an entertaining epilogue!

I recommend this book to hopeless romantics who enjoy all the spice, cuz Mr. Harper brings it and Sophie can hold her own when he does!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

BookIG: @tequilamockingbirdlady