Katie Garrity is proud of her work at her Life is Sweet bakery, but it’s high time she showed the town of Crimson that she’s more than just “The Cupcake Lady.” She wants to be “Mrs.” and “Mommy” so badly she can’t stand it! But in the small mountain town, the pickings are slim . . . until the one who got away returns.


As a forest ranger, Noah loves protecting the places and people he loves—he just can’t commit to forever. Katie has been his best friend since high school, but when did she turn into such a lovely woman? And is that desire he feels? Still, Crimson holds too many memories, and Katie wants things Noah can’t give. But after one explosive night, it just may be too late. Only nine months will tell…

Titles in the Crimson, Colorado series include: A Kiss on Crimson Ranch ~ A Second Chance at Crimson Ranch ~ Suddenly a Father ~ A Very Crimson Christmas ~ A Baby and A Betrothal ~ Always the Best Man ~ Christmas on Crimson Mountain ~ Romancing the Wallflower ~ Sleigh Bells in Crimson ~ Coming Home to Crimson ~ Anything for His Baby ~ Love at First Bark ~

This is an adult 18+ story that contains language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Title:  A Baby and a Betrothal
Series:  Crimson, Colorado #5
Author:  Michelle Major
Published:  February 23, 2016 (Original), March 3, 2023 (Reissue)
Publisher:  Harlequin Special Edition
My Rating:  4.5 stars

A Baby and a Betrothal is the fifth title in the Crimson, Colorado series, focusing on Katie and Noah, best friends forever (at least, in Noah’s mind) and so much more in Katie’s life.  She’s been content with her devotion to her grandmother’s bakery, now her bakery, where she’s so well-known for her fabulous creations.  Yet, Katie wants more.  She wants it all.  The happy ever after, the marriage, the kids, the man she loves, and a man who loves her just as deeply.  Her long-held crush for Noah isn’t going to bring those dreams to life, for this stubborn man cannot see the woman who would love him forever right in front of him all these years.  So, she’s giving up, she’s joining online dating sites, she’s going out on dates… because she deserves a happy ending, even if it’s not with the man she’s always loved.  

Turns out, it took a good, strong dose of reality for Noah to acknowledge what, it seems, everyone else in town has realized for years … that he and Natalie are bound together for life.  Only now, when it might be too late, does he have to scramble to show his best friend that they could be so much more together.

I enjoyed A Baby and a Betrothal by Michelle Major.  Noah has unaddressed issues, and until he settles his feelings about the past, he’s never going to be ready to fully embrace all that the future could hold for him if he’d just take the risk that someone can love him as much as he loves them.  Watching Katie’s struggles, her determination to push past her comfort zones, and seeing Noah finally open his eyes to the possibilities Katie holds beyond friendship was a delightful, satisfying journey.  If you love an emotional, well-written romance with a couple who need to see that the best person for them is, indeed, their best friend and to take a chance on being loved forever, then you’d enjoy this one.

I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.

If you love this author’s work, please visit our Michelle Major page for other titles that you may have missed over time.

This title is available at Amazon (affiliate link)