Tag Archives: Single Parent

The Escape

By Alice Ward

Synopsis

She needed to escape. I needed to be saved.

Like an angel, Madalyn Durand swoops into my life, rescuing my little girl while I fight for my son. And how is she thanked for her bravery? By having every damn thing she owns taken from her.

Even in her most desperate hour, she’s perfect. Majestic. Me? I’m nothing like her. I’ve failed. At my marriage, at being a dad. I made the Hottest Billionaire Bachelors list, but I can’t protect my kids.

Then I get a second chance.

When my children need me the most, I become a full-time dad, and Madalyn, like some miracle, is by my side. What I didn’t count on was how she would feel in my arms. Under me. Next to me. Maybe forever.

But someone else wants her forever too. Someone she tried to escape, but who won’t set her free.

Can I save her from this evil? Can I save my kids? Myself?

Review

The Escape was an incredibly easy and fast read, it has all the romantic moments but also has a wonderful family storyline.

Xander and his two children were my favourite parts of this story. There were touches of humour but also some moments of sadness with a sensitive subject. Xander definitely stepped up and became the father these two children needed.

Madalyn was an incredibly easy character to fall in love with. From those first few chapters, I wanted her to find freedom from her family. She had such humility and determination and was so caring for Xander’s children.

Xander’s Ex-Wife and Madalyn’s Prince she was being forced to marry created suspense and much drama throughout the story. Towards the end, you knew confrontation was coming and it was perfectly placed within the storyline.

The romantic and sensual moments between Xander and Madalyn had great balance and it was lovely to see their relationship develop.

The ending of The Escape was very enjoyable and neatly tied up their romantic story.

The Escape

My Rating:

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It’s Complicated (Awkward Love # 1)

By Missy Johnson

Synopsis

They call him the Anaconda, and I’m pretty sure it isn’t because he likes snakes.

Nick Jenson is my neighbor. My hot, oh-so-sexy, very-well-equipped neighbor that I’d spend hours watching from the safety of my bedroom window.

I saw lots of things I probably shouldn’t have. Sometimes I’d touch myself, imagining it were his hands roaming over my body instead of my own. I had just one mission—to find out if the rumors were true.

Then one day, he caught me watching him.

I was mortified. I was prepared to quit college, move to another country, and live the rest of my life saying, “Nick who?” But, apparently, life had other ideas.

Because Nick? Well, he isn’t just my neighbor … He’s also my father’s best friend. If I thought things were difficult before, they were about to get a whole lot more complicated.

Oh, and those rumors? Holy fuck, were they true …

Review

IT’S COMPLICATED is a short, sweet and spicy read. It’s the first book I’ve read from Missy Johnson, but I don’t think it will be the last.

I’m not usually a fan of romances that involve Daddy’s Best Friend. In fact, I don’t recall ever reading one of them before. But this one sounded lighthearted and fun, and that’s exactly what I felt like reading. Despite Nick being Anna’s father’s best friend, the age gap between them was not as bad as I thought it would be. However, I do think that at twenty-two, Anna was too young for thirty-seven year old Nick.

I enjoyed IT’S COMPLICATED, though it did have some minor issues. At times I struggled to follow conversations/thoughts/scenes because they didn’t seem to flow well. I laughed quite a bit, but sometimes the humor felt a little forced. Finally, I think it’s fitting that the series is called Awkward Love, because sometimes when Nick and Anna were together, it was…well…awkward.

IT’S COMPLICATED is told in dual POVs and comes with a HEA for Nick and Anna. While it’s part of a series, each story is about a different couple, so they can be read as stand-alones.

It’s Complicated (Awkward Love # 1)

My Rating:

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Awkward Love Series

Justice (Creed Brothers #1)

By K. C. Lynn

Synopsis

Fate made us brothers, loyalty made us family.

A bond that runs deeper than the Mississippi, my brothers and I might not have the same DNA but what we share is far more powerful. Our loyalty to one another and the man who made us a family is stronger than those bound by blood.

The most sought out sharp shooters in the country, our paths were certain, before one woman changed my life and altered the relationship I have with my brothers.

Ryanne Lockwood disappeared without a trace but her memory never faded, torturing me on the darkest nights. Until a twist of fate leads me back to her, sending our worlds to collide once more, and this time, there will be no escaping me.

***

Justice Creed’s bad boy appeal caught my attention from the moment he rolled into town. For years I watched from afar, swallowing up the rumors that surrounded him.

Until we shared a night of forbidden passion. One that destroyed my heart and reshaped my soul, and it sent me fleeing from the only town I’ve ever known.

Now, years later, he’s barged back into my life, uncovering a secret I’ve worked so hard to keep and it’s one that will change our lives forever.

Review

Justice had me hooked from the first chapter, I read in a day, could not put this emotional and beautiful story down. Hannah and Thatcher were standout supporting characters for me, they provided love, humour and poignant moments.

Knox and Braxten, Justice’s foster brothers I fell in love with and I have already added their stories to my Goodreads list. Knox is an enigma and there are still so many secrets to reveal in the next two stories and what amazing women we are yet to meet. It is going to take some incredible women for Braxton and Knox to fall upon the romantic sword.

Ryanne was such a beautiful, strong and resilient character. Her strength and love she showed for Hannah was simple perfection.

Justice and Ryanne have intense chemistry and the way the author built their relationship over the entire story was perfect. Each moment and change to deepen their relationship just made this whole romantic story such a pleasure to read. There is a highly erotic moment towards the end, it was pivotal and held such meaning.

Justice left me so satisfied and I cannot wait to return to this family, these three men are incredibly strong yet sensitive and their love and protection of Thatcher simply put is admirable.

Love the cover of Justice. The flow of the entire story held my attention and made my heart beat with love and anticipation.

Also on a side note love the thanks for Bloggers on her Acknowledgements!

Justice (Creed Brothers #1)

My Rating:

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Pretty as a Peach (Sex and Sweet Tea # 4)

By Juliette Poe

Synopsis

Mainer Farms is steeped in family history, but it’s also deep in debt from the effects of the ever-changing farming industry. Not about to let his family’s legacy go under, Colt Mancinkus is willing to do anything he can to save the farm.

Darby Culhane is the new farmer in Whynot, North Carolina, and she’s proving to be quite the forbidden temptation for Colt. Darby isn’t looking for anything but a fresh start, and she’s got it all figured out. Get settled in? Check. Apply for the rural county grant? Check. Confrontation with the steaming mad, smoking hot local farmer? Well, that wasn’t on the agenda.

As pretty as she is sweet, Colt can’t help but be drawn to Darby’s…peaches. No really, she’s a peach farmer. Get that mind out of the gutter, and get on down to the farm to see what happens when circumstances force Colt and Darby to team up. They may just find that the peach trees aren’t the only things in bloom.

Review

PRETTY AS A PEACH is definitely a sweet addition to the Sex and Sweet Tea series. Darby and Colt are very likable characters who were kind of perfect for one another. Colt became a wonderful father figure to Darby’s daughter Linnie, and Darby seamlessly became a part of Whynot’s tight-knit community very quickly.

PRETTY AS A PEACH is a novella, so the story moves fairly quickly. However, the romance between Darby and Colt is a slow burn. A very slow burn. Usually this bothers me, but I found I didn’t mind it in this case.

PRETTY AS A PEACH is told in dual POVs, comes with a HEA for Darby and Colt, and while it’s part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone. The previous books had some humorous scenes in them, but the actions of Darby’s husband are slightly disturbing that if there was any humor throughout this story, I don’t remember it. I loved the two encounters between Larkin and the Harley-Davidson riding Deacon Locke, who will get the next book. Larkin is so shy and Deacon is so sure of himself, that I think their story will make for interesting reading.

Pretty as a Peach (Sex and Sweet Tea # 4)

My Rating:

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Sex and Sweet Tea Series

Menace (Moonshine Task Force #5)

By Laramie Briscoe

Synopsis

Mason “Menace” Harrison

“Single and ready to mingle……”

Those are the words above every picture of almost every female that strikes my interest on this dating app my son talked me into getting. After being a single dad for seventeen years, I’m ready to spread my wings, just not with most of the co-eds who keep hitting on me and calling me daddy.

Now that Caleb’s in his Senior year of high school, I feel like I can let go of the iron-clad control I’ve had on myself without his Mom in our lives. I’ve enjoyed raising him, love the relationship we have, and while he went off the rails for a bit last year, we’re closer than we’ve ever been. He’s got a full ride to the University of Alabama, and I’ve settled into my spot with the Moonshine Task Force.

But my son doesn’t warm my bed, he isn’t someone I can share my dreams with, and he’s not the person I want to grow old with by my side. I’m not sure who that is yet, but the smokin’ hot lady going by the name BeachBum83 definitely has every single bit of my interest.

Karina Holland

“Looking for a good time, maybe more…..”

Those were the lamest words I ever typed in my life, but it was the best I had for the dating app my friend, Violet talked me into joining. I didn’t have any high hopes for myself. As a High School English teacher, I’m sick of pervy Dad’s hitting on me when they come in to discuss their child’s lack of motivation to read the classics and apply themselves.

Until the day Mason Harrison walks into my classroom. I had no idea Caleb’s Dad was the man I met off that dating app who showed me how flexible I really am in the back of his Jeep. Within minutes of the parent/teacher conference, he proved the sparks weren’t one-time only when we christened my desk.

Mason and Caleb? They touch a part of my heart that no one’s ever touched before, and when a threat from the past shows up, I prove just how tough I really am.

Review

Menace is my favourite of this entire series and I did not think anything could top Havoc but I have been proven wrong. Mason (Menace) and Karina just give this story such depth and I put that down to Mason’s maturity.

Admittedly, I did not notice Mason that much in the other stories. He was always in the background except for the incident with Caleb with the Moonshine.

You know a wonderful story when you highlight beautiful moments and there were many in Menace. We follow Mason and Karina from their blind date to ultimately Karina delivering the family unit that Mason and Caleb always felt was lacking in just the two of them. I loved following Karina giving these two men a female touch to their home and lives. The reference to cupcakes for Caleb made me tear up and then Menace and his fear of being lonely and Karina filling that hole.

Karina was a wonderful female character, she too had her heart broken but she was such a strong role model and it was perfect her being a teacher. One of my favorite moments was when Menace came to the classroom and realises who his son’s teacher is!

There is the touch of drama from the Moonshine Taskforce which creates excitement and again all the crew feature in their love story.

I actually thought this would be the end but I see with excitement that Caleb is getting his own story and I cannot wait.

Menace (Moonshine Task Force #5)

My Rating:

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The Manny (Dirty Truth # 1)

By Piper Rayne

Synopsis

She needed a nanny.
I needed a lead actress.
Somehow I became The Manny.

Secrets and lies are a killer way to start any partnership—especially a horizontal one.

Now, I’m a glass half full kinda of guy, so, after the ‘you’re fired’ speech was directed at me, I figure now’s the time to be the screenwriter I came to sunny California to be. Unfortunately, there are about as many people trying to sell a script in L.A. as there are vegans in the pacific northwest.

But lucky for me, a few weeks ago my agent found an investor for my script. Hooray, all my problems are solved! NOT.

Because the investor will only agree to fund my film if I use one specific actress. And that one specific actress? Well of course, it just has to be the same actress I screwed over only months before. But she doesn’t need to know about that one tiny detail, does she? All that matters is getting her to agree to do the film and I’ll do whatever it takes. We can leave the past, in the past, right?

I thought my charm would win her over. Never would I have been prepared for the terms she laid out on the table.

Review

I quite enjoyed THE MANNY, so much so that I already have the second book in the series, DOGGIE STYLE, ready to go on my Kindle.

I am in way over my head. Changing my first diaper is one thing. Changing my first diaper full of shit and dealing with a biological disaster is another entirely.

I liked Vance, who was really a good guy. Did he screw Layla out of a job because he was too busy thinking with his dick? Well, yeah, but he knows that was wrong and hates that he did it. Did Karma pay him back? Yep, and rightly so. For a man intent on staying a bachelor, he took to Layla’s kids pretty damn well. I really enjoyed the scenes where he was interacting with them, because they were all really sweet with just the right amount of humor thrown in.

“But right now I have to go check to make sure a four-year-old little boy isn’t cooking meth or something in his bedroom. It’s too quiet in there.”

Layla was a very easy character to like. She’s a single mother to two kids, and her ex-husband is more interested in sleeping around and maintaining his career than being a responsible and helpful parent. Because of all the people in her life that have let her down, placing her trust in someone is a big deal, so you really felt her devastation and anger when she found out the secret Vance was keeping from her. That anger was good for her though, because it gave her the strength to stand up to both Vance and her ex, and it was good.

“I’m at a crossroads with my career and I need people who will help me push my self-doubt to the side and who will believe in me. I thought you were one of those people, but it turns out you didn’t believe in me either.”

I only have two complaints with this story, but I consider them to be fairly minor. The conflict was predictable right from the start, and I thought the Kimmel scene was a little cheesy.

THE MANNY is told in dual POVs and is the first book in the Dirty Truth trilogy. Vance’s two best friends, Jagger and Leo, will get their own books and all three can be read as stand-alones. THE MANNY comes with a lovely HEA for Vance and Layla, and I hope we see more of them in the next two books, because I want to know if Vance’s film is a huge success.

The Manny (Dirty Truth # 1)

My Rating:

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Dirty Truth Series

Every Dog Has His Day (Bluff Point #3)

By Jenn McKinlay

Synopsis

A stray kitten and a rambunctious poodle bring together a small-town bachelor and a single mother in the latest romance set in Bluff Point, Maine.

Bluff Point brewery owner Zachary Caine wants nothing to do with commitment. His wild bachelor lifestyle suits him perfectly—until a foster kitten named Chaos makes him a reluctant hero. Now he’s BFFs with the kitten’s two little girls and finds himself falling for their gorgeous mother, who couldn’t think less of him.

Divorced mother Jessie Connelly wants nothing to do with men like Zach. He’s sexy and charismatic and bad news, just like her ex. But her girls adore him, and he’s doing a good job filling in for their deadbeat dad. Then a snowstorm brings out the best in both neighbors, who, it turns out, have more in common than their mutual attraction…

So when Jessie’s past threatens her and her girls, Zach is determined to do whatever it takes to protect them—and live happily ever after with this family he has made his own.

Review

Loved this beautifully written and told romance story of new love for two lonely people. This has a wonderful romantic feel but also gives you gooey and sensual moments. The flow is perfect and I simply could not put this book down – LOVED IT!

Maddie and Gracie stole the show in this story, in my opinion, their connection with Zach and humour throughout the story was fantastic. The way the author puts them all together in a snowstorm for two days allows you to believe the connection building at such a fast pace. It was interesting that the author gave each daughter her own characteristics and it allowed you to love them in their own way. The way Zach was with the girls was simply one of my favourite parts of this book. Wait until you see the Ukelele scene at the school concert – sweet and lovely!

This is my first book in this series and it is a standalone as you meet other characters but this centers around Zach, Jessie, and her girls. Her marriage is over and she is beaten down and has no self-belief. It was beautiful to watch Zach break down her inhibitions and make her believe in herself.

Jessie is an amazing mother, the way she cares for her girls gave me all the great feels. Every Dog Has His Day is a romance that is just beautiful. We even get a suspenseful moment at the end which cements Zach into the family along with the animals.

Every Dog Has His Day

My Rating:

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Complicated

By Kristen Ashley

Synopsis

When small town Nebraska sheriff Hixon Drake meets Greta Dare, the connection couldn’t be stronger, but the timing couldn’t be worse.
Dealing with the fallout of a divorce he never wanted and setting up a new home for his kids, Hix becomes that guy, that one he never wanted to be, and puts a stop to things before they can even start. Protecting his kids, and himself, is his only priority.
Greta, on the other hand, has found the place for her and the brother she adores that’s perfect for them—a sleepy little town in Nebraska. She’s learned from life that there are no hopes and dreams. The only thing to look forward to is peace. And that’s what she works hard to build for herself and her brother. Right up until Hix walks into her life.
Hix can’t fight the pull and stay away from Greta for long. And Greta’s finding it hard not to hope for something more with all the promise that is Hix.
But when the first murder that’s happened in over five decades rocks his small, sleepy county, Hix has got to learn to trust again, convince Greta to take a shot with him, and at the same time catch a killer.
In other words, things are definitely…Complicated.

Review

Complicated was definitely full of many different scenarios in life that make you ask if they are worth the risk.

Whilst not my favourite story by this author, it was still enjoyable. My favourite parts involved Hix’s children along with Andy and Greta who was simply beautiful.

I admit I struggled to connect with Hix. It was probably his first few interactions with Greta that shattered me. I kept waiting for him to do it again however after Greta’s incident in her kitchen well he began to grow on me slowly.

One character Hope was simply childish and a pain in this story. She simply created so much drama it just wore me down.

Greta’s ex-husband was a character that I would have loved to have seen more of. He would have filled in more gaps for Greta and my understanding of how she ticked. It was not until she spoke of Andy and her life growing up that her desire for no children made sense.

My main complaint in this story is actually about Greta and her mother. As their final moments as mother and daughter were being played out it left me unfulfilled and still upset. Not making entire sense was the murder story. Perhaps if it was somehow linked to other characters in this story and not the way it was portrayed it would have made sense.

Finally, I was praying for a life-changing moment for Greta to happen to give her a wonderful complication but alas no.

Quote: I’d finally found it. Something worth fighting for. And if I had to, I was going to fight for it. Because I was falling in love with complicated.

Complicated

My Rating:

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Close To Heaven (Colorado High Country # 5)

By Pamela Clare

Synopsis

She has nothing…

Rain Minear has fantasized about finding herself in Joe Moffat’s arms for years. It’s just her luck that the night it finally happens, he’s carrying her into the emergency room. It’s Joe who steps up to help her when a tragedy brings her life crashing down. He gives her a place to stay, helps her get back on her feet, and even tries to save her Christmas, though he’s never cared for the holiday. But he’s far too ethical to sleep with a member of his staff, holding her at arms length despite the long-simmering attraction between them.

He has everything…

Haunted by ghosts from the past, Joe Moffat moved to Scarlet Springs to repay a debt. He’s struggled for years to keep his hands off Rain. She’s the general manager of his brewpub, and he is not that kind of boss. But, oh, she turns him on. More than that, she has the biggest heart of any woman he’s ever known. He’d do anything to see her smile again, even put up a Christmas tree and listen to carols, things he normally never does.

A season that changes two lives forever…

When a Rocky Mountain blizzard leaves them snowbound and alone together for days, they can no longer ignore their feelings for one another. As their passion turns to something deeper, it becomes clear to them both that this will be the most important Christmas of their lives.

Review

Luckily, the author didn’t mention in the blurb exactly how long Joe and Rain had secretly been in love with each other, because if she had, I probably wouldn’t have read it. Why? Because I’d just finished reading another book where the main characters were secretly in love with each other for twenty years, and it left me very frustrated. Thankfully, and despite that similarity, CLOSE TO HEAVEN was a nice, easy and enjoyable read.

I liked Joe, who moved to Scarlet Springs two decades ago to try and pay back the town for his great-great-grandfather’s misdeeds. He’s a very wealthy man, but he’s down-to-earth and he doesn’t act like he’s better than everyone else just because of his money. The only thing that bothered me was his main reason for not pursuing Rain. There’s a big difference between using your position of power to take advantage of women in your employ, and taking what is being freely offered by a woman in her thirties.

I liked Rain, who’s been working for Joe since she became a single mother at seventeen. She’s been in love with him since almost the beginning, but she never made a move because she was afraid of being rejected. What I liked most about her is that she truly did not care that Joe was rich, and that she finally got the courage to put herself out there in her attempts to gain Joe’s attention.

An interesting part of the story was the reading Silas’ journals, where we learnt how despicable Joe’s great-great-grandather truly was, as well as the history of the town and its descendants, who still live there to this day. You’ll be surprised by how much hate you’ll feel for a man who’s been dead for a century.

CLOSE TO HOME is told in dual POVs and while it’s part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone. It comes with a beautiful HEA for Joe and Rain, and is a nice addition to the Colorado High Country series.

Close To Heaven (Colorado High Country # 5)

My Rating:

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Colorado High Country Series

Breakaway Hearts (Kelly Brothers # 2)

By Crista McHugh

Synopsis

Can he melt her frozen heart?

Hockey star Ben Kelly has retreated to his mountain cabin in the ski town of Cascade, BC, to recuperate from a season-ending knee injury and contemplate his future in the NHL. He never expects to run into the one woman who got away. Nine years may have passed, but nothing has dulled the explosive chemistry between them. Now he wants more than just one night.

Hailey Eriksson had Olympic-sized dreams until an accidental pregnancy from a one-night stand halted her ambitions. Her life was shattered when her son died. Nothing will keep her from fulfilling her promise to him to make the Olympic team, especially not the charming Ben Kelly. Unfortunately, he’s out to sweep her off her feet this time, and she finds him harder and harder to resist with each passionate kiss. But when he learns about the child he never knew, will their rekindled romance be on thin ice?

Review

BREAKAWAY HEARTS was an lovely read, one that was mostly lighthearted but at times will also require you to have some tissues handy. It’s a second-chance romance between Ben and Hailey, who had a one-night-stand nine years ago that resulted in a pregnancy.

“I don’t mind waiting for you, Hailey. You’re worth waiting for.”

I loved Ben, who is super sweet and a real romantic. All he had of Hailey from their one night together was the note she left him with, and he kept it in his wallet since the morning after. Not just because it was from her, but also to serve as a reminder to never let something special slip through his fingers ever again. He even signed with his current NHL team because he met Hailey at one of their games and he had hoped he’d see her in the crowd again. He was so easy to like and he’s the complete opposite of a jerk manwhore.

I liked Hailey too; she is a strong woman who has experienced the worse kind of loss…the loss of a child. She is not one of those women who kept her pregnancy—and son—a secret from the father. She tried, more than I think any woman would have, to tell Ben about their son until he passed away. Her feelings towards Ben were realistic, ranging from anger, to lust, to confusion and doubt, and you’ll feel them all right along with her.

The conflict was predictable and I felt it was resolved too quickly when Ben came for Hailey at the end. While Ben is an absolute sweetie, I was disappointed with how he confronted the person responsible for keeping his son’s existence and death from him. There was no yelling, no angry outburst and no threats. Just a few sentences and then he left. If there’s a situation that warrants a violent explosion, that was definitely it.

BREAKAWAY HEARTS is told in dual POVs and comes with a HEA for Ben and Hailey. It is the second book in the Kelly Brothers series, but it can be read as a stand-alone as each book in the series is about a different Kelly brother. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series and I’m hoping we’ll see a little bit more of Ben and Hailey, because I want to see them have some more happy times.