Dr Sam Doukas isn’t one to keep his feelings private – the whole hospital knows when he has a problem. Except suddenly Sam isn’t talking, and now I know something’s really wrong.

As one of his senior nurses, I urge him to see a doctor. He’s supposed to set a good example. But when Sam announces he’s facing the big C, it churns up all kinds of feelings between us…and turns up all kinds of heat.

He says it’s wrong to use me for healing, but I think our chemistry speaks for itself.

Sam wants to protect me from his illness, but I’m a nurse and a single mother. I know what I want. How can we explore love if he’s too defiant to let me in?

Our sensual healing on his canal boat leads to a very special secret. I know I should tell him, but I can’t until the time is right…that is, if it’s ever right.

I think he has enough on his plate, and frankly, so do I.

Could a surgeon battling cancer really handle a baby if he’s not even ready to handle us?

Titles in the Harbour Children’s Hospital series include: Dr. Defiant’s Secret Baby ~

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

Title:  Dr. Defiant’s Secret Baby
Series:  Harbour Children’s Hospital #1
Author:  Liza Collins
Published:  August 5, 2025
My Rating:  4.5 stars

Dr Defiant’s Secret Baby begins the Harbour Children’s Hospital series with an emotional relationship between a doctor (surgeon), Sam, and his head nurse, Annabelle, that will develop into so much more.  Sam is dedicated to his young patients and their families as they fight some of the hardest medical situations imaginable.  His staff are just as devoted to not only their patients but to the doctor who cares for them.  When Sam is suddenly facing a dire diagnosis of his own, his world is somewhat upended, and Annabelle will be a steadying rock and more, if he allows her deeper into his life.

I enjoyed Dr Defiant’s Secret Baby by Liza Collins; it’s a well-written, emotional story that kept me engaged throughout.  While I, personally, thought that knowing about the baby would have given Sam more reasons to fight the cancer… well, it wasn’t my story to tell, and it did add to the tensions and emotional impact of some of the scenes.  Annabelle also had a lot on her plate: a young son, a recent divorce, and an ex-husband who isn’t the nicest person around.  Yet she handled what life had tossed at her with grace, humor, and sheer determination.  Sam and Annabelle fit nicely together, believable in their reactions to what they were facing.  I liked them both, individually and as a couple.  If you enjoy a good, emotional medical romance with realistic situations, then this one is perfect for you.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or the author’s team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

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