This was the first Lori Foster book I read, and also the oldest. I have read some of her more recent work and am glad to say her writing has greatly improved. Or maybe she got a better editor, but whatever it is, the writing in Unexpected stinks. As do the character development and plot. Eli Conners hires Ray Vereker from some mysterious agency after his brother is kidnapped in Central America. Apparently, she's the best they've got. She's in semi-retirement, but needs a big paycheck, even though it means going back to a place with very bad memories. Boring and vague details abound and soon they are in Central America. His brother isn't in any danger, he's just being held captive because he's annoying, so there's no rush. Eli is hot, Ray is hot, and for some reason he really likes her. She doesn't like rich people (i.e. her clients) and has a policy never to see them after completing a job, but Eli is hot. And he likes her. So they have steamy sex in a hut in the jungle. They rescue Eli's brother - rather easily, I might add - and then (I can't remember how) they end up in a hotel. Wham bam thank you ma'am sir, and Ray is gone, even though Eli has made it clear he wants a permanent place in her life. At this point I will admit to being totally biased. My perception of romance novels requires the romance story to end when the major conflict ends. (Actually, I apply this to all novels. Conflict ends, story ends.) Don't drag it out to include more relationship stuff, because then the story lacks purpose. And don't throw in a sub-conflict just to keep it going. Resolve everything together. Figure out a way to tie everything up neatly at the end, not in stages. Anyway, that doesn't happen here. After the main conflict of the story is dealt with, the rest of the book drags on in what seems like a really badly planned epilogue. (From here I give a really basic summary, but there might be some mild spoilers.)Yay, the brother is saved! Eli loves Ray! Conflict resolved! But wait, the book isn't over. Ray goes back to her life and gets hit with vicious morning sickness and realizes she is pregnant with Eli's child. Oh no! Another conflict! She decides to keep the baby. But she's a mercenary who doesn't know anything about kids or being a mother. Yet another conflict! Eli finds her. Conflict resolved! She's worried his family won't like her because they're rich and his brother resents her. What, more conflict? Parent issues? Relationship issues? Sibling issues? When will it all end?Overall, Unexpected has a messy plot, unbelievable characters, and amateur writing. (While I was reading it I was convinced that Lori Foster must be 15 years old.) But it also has steamy sex scenes and a female protagonist who kicks the ass of nearly even man she meets, and apparently that's all it really takes to get published these days. I'm just glad to see that Foster has shown marked improvement in her books.
As with most Lori Foster books the flow of the story moves along at a nice pace, I usually can pick up one of her books and read it thru. Maybe because it was an older publication (2003)I have some criticisms however I have to point out her writing has evolved over the years and gotten better of course. I'm enjoying reading about the controversy over her new book " My Man Michael" . People love or hate but they're buying and talking about it! It's on my wish list to buy eventually but since it's part of a series I'll wait till I have the backlist before I buy it.In "Unexpected" Ray was built up to be such a super hero that the rescue wasn't suspensful and it soon morphed into a Harlequin romance"esque" millionaire's surprise baby story. Lori Foster can sure write a vivid female character! Ray was written very well in the beginning, I understood her motivations to become tough and to work so hard to support her brother but Eli not so much. He had a tight bod,built in family for Ray and her brother and money. Other than that.............wait, that's not bad is it? Anyway, I could see why he wanted HER but didn't really get why she'd want him on any other level than sexually. Good sex, gratitude that he accepts her for who she is and sweet grandparents only goes so far. I felt like Ray was retiring from her life's work to pop babies out for Eli and bake cookies. A complaint often seen in romances, the woman adapts to fit the man's life. As much as it was stated that she was finished with mercenary work Ray sure enjoyed kicking ass and I just don't see her character as willingly setting it aside for life. There was good humor in the book , the two younger brothers were very different and were interesting as secondary characters. Oh LOL at all the puking.
What do You think about Unexpected (2004)?
One of my favorite Lori Foster books of all-time. Ray Vereker is just such a friggin' bad mama-jamama. She thrives on the fight; is completely in her element opening up a can of whoop ass. Eli is drawn to her immediately. He knows she hides behind her tough exterior and refuses to let her do the same with him. The sparks flying between them will singe your fingers! When the mission is over, Eli makes it clear things aren't over between them. He's the absolute best kind of alpha male. Love him! Funny thing, though, neither realize just how much they're taking with them when they leave the jungle...On a side note: I've always hoped Lori would give us Matt's story. Ray's little brother has some of the best lines in the whole book. It may be a pipe dream at this point, but a girl can always hope. :-)
—Tammie
More like 3.5* The only thing I did not like about this book was how long it took for the reader to find out that Ray was a mercenary. There was all this build up and then there was even more build up and then for a change of pace there was some more build up until we finally got that she was a hired gun. Aside from that, I really enjoyed the book. After Ray's career got revealed the book was fun and fast paced and everything I have come to expect and love from a Lori Foster book. I adored Eli;
—Jennifer
When Eli Connors hired mercenary Ray Verrek he was not expecting a woman to walk into the bar. When Eli insists on accompanying Ray to rescue his brother from South America, she goes against her better judgement and allows him to come along. Ray tries hard to fight her attraction for Eli, but fails. Once his brother is rescued and they return home, she finds out she got a little more then she bargained for, Ray is pregnant. Will there be a happily ever after for this couple? You will need to read the book to find out.
—Laura DeSimone
