Publication date: October 25th, 2022
Synopsis:
Immerse yourself in the dazzling world of best-selling author Kaya Quinsey Holt's in this evocative romance full of "unrest, deceit, and heartbreak in one of Europe's most spectacular places" (Readers Favorite).
Charlotte Levant left Monaco ten years ago in order to allow the man she loved to pursue his dream but she left with more than a broken heart. Only a select few knew that she gave up her baby. Facing a personal crisis, Charlotte returns to Monaco, thinking she can quietly sneak back without a fuss. But it's hard to keep a secret in Monaco.
For recently retired Formula One driver Freddie Ridgeport, losing Charlotte was more painful than a car crash, but he quickly found company among his fans. Now back in Monaco, the responsibility of caring for nine-year-old Nicholas has been thrust upon him after he is unexpectedly named as the legal guardian in a will.
Will fate finally reunite these star-crossed lovers? And if so, can the truth make up for a ten-year-long secret that runs deeper than the adjacent Mediterranean sea?
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Excerpt
A warm breeze blew through the elegant ninth-floor Monaco apartment, which Freddie Ridgeport won in a bidding war six months earlier. Though he had paid well beyond the price he swore not to budge on, his view of the blue Mediterranean Sea and spectacular vantage of the Monaco Grand Prix each May was worth it. Located in La Condamine, a semicircle-shaped neighborhood that hugged the port, Freddie lived within walking distance to markets and world-class restaurants, and the waterfront was practically at his doorstep. After escaping a yearlong relationship with knockout Violet Macintyre, Freddie turned to his friend and former teammate, Christian, to endorse the purchase. "You'll find a cutie to share this with," Christian had assured him. Be careful what you wish for.
The French doors to Freddie's balcony were wide open, displaying boats of varying sizes moored along the dock and inside the harbor. The morning light poured into his opulent living room, but Freddie preferred to savor his mornings on his balcony and watch sailboats set out for adventure as the sky transitioned from pastel peach to vibrant blue.
Nicholas raced through the living room, through the adjacent kitchen and onto the balcony, nudging Freddie's lukewarm espresso off of the table in the process. With a nine-year-old around, things tended to break. Freddie caught the porcelain cup mere inches before it collided with the floor.
"I might be retired, but I've still got it," Freddie boasted. He had the speed, agility, and reflexes of a professional athlete -- in his case, of a recently retired Formula One driver.
"Are there any croissants?" Nicholas' voice echoed as he wandered back inside.
Freddie winced. "In the pantry," he called back. For once, Freddie had no idea what he was doing. he had accelerated from champion to guardian to record speed. Freddie, who usually thrived under pressure, was driving in the wrong lane.
The kid, as Freddie affectionately referred to him, appeared back on the balcony in pajamas, with hair still rumpled from the night. Nicholas rubbed the sleep from his eyes. How could a kid be tired after ten hours of sleep? Freddie hadn't gotten more than five-hours, finding he was tossed and turned instead.
"Good morning. How'd you sleep?" Freddie inquired.
Nicholas shrugged and bit into his croissant, spilling crumbs haphazardly. "Okay, I guess. I had that same nightmare again."
Freddie was an expert at many things, but kids wasn't one of them. he wished that he could change past events, but was resentfully realizing that his abilities wouldn't always match his drive.
"Try steering to the left next time." Freddie's chest puffed up with pride as he visualized the dream that Nicholas told him about days earlier. "You said there are fields on either side, right?"
Hope appeared in Nicholas' eyes. "To the left," he repeated. "Okay. I'll try that."
Freddie rose from his seat to retrieve Nicholas' second croissant from the kitchen. They had been living together for three months, and Freddie was finally mastering the sport of caregiving. Slowly, he was learning the kid's peculiarities -- from eating two croissants for breakfast every morning, to enduring frequent nightmares about car collisions. He was grateful to sneak in a little more time on his own. It's not that he disliked the company, but he had chosen to love as a bachelor. If he had wanted company, he could have had it. He liked being on his own.
"Don't forget the croissant," Nicholas bellowed from the balcony as Freddie was already halfway to the kitchen.
"Do you want that on a silver platter or a gold one?" Freddie asked dryly. Kids.
"Gold, please," Nicholas replied, a hint of mockery in his tone.
KAYA QUINSEY HOLT is a bestselling author of romance and women's fiction. Her books have sold worldwide, have been translated into multiple languages, and adapted for audiobooks. From house hunting in the South of France to weddings in Positano, Kaya's books offer a romantic escape from day to day life. Grab your favorite Kaya Quinsey Holt book and enjoy the journey!
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