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Love Tucson #2
Date the Alphabet
Fake date to win four thousand dollars for charity? You bet.
Going on twenty-six first dates—one for each letter of the alphabet—is a ludicrous proposition. Especially since Ann Powell doesn’t date. AT ALL. But if Ann takes her sister’s bet, she’ll win four thousand dollars to donate to a cause close to her heart—underfunded classrooms.
Audiobook narrator Zane West has been struggling to hide his crush on his daughter’s third grade teacher for months. So when Ann asks him—in a moment of dating-app misery—to be her fake date to her sister’s wedding, the only answer is yes.
Pretending to be the cheerful, handsome, single father’s girlfriend isn’t only fun, it’s feeling dangerously real. And as much as they need to sell their fake relationship to her family, no one else can know. Dating the parent of one of your students is definitely off-limits.
Zane only falls harder for Ann through each piano karaoke session, sabotaged hike, and unexpected javelina encounter. Just as she begins to let him in, reality pulverizes their blissful bubble. An honest relationship with Ann is all Zane wants, but now he might be forced to let her go.
Going on twenty-six first dates—one for each letter of the alphabet—is a ludicrous proposition. Especially since Ann Powell doesn’t date. AT ALL. But if Ann takes her sister’s bet, she’ll win four thousand dollars to donate to a cause close to her heart—underfunded classrooms.
Audiobook narrator Zane West has been struggling to hide his crush on his daughter’s third grade teacher for months. So when Ann asks him—in a moment of dating-app misery—to be her fake date to her sister’s wedding, the only answer is yes.
Pretending to be the cheerful, handsome, single father’s girlfriend isn’t only fun, it’s feeling dangerously real. And as much as they need to sell their fake relationship to her family, no one else can know. Dating the parent of one of your students is definitely off-limits.
Zane only falls harder for Ann through each piano karaoke session, sabotaged hike, and unexpected javelina encounter. Just as she begins to let him in, reality pulverizes their blissful bubble. An honest relationship with Ann is all Zane wants, but now he might be forced to let her go.
315 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 24, 2023
186 people are currently reading
1126 people want to read
About the author
Laura Langa
11 books127 followersLaura Langa is an award-winning sweet romance author. She strives to write stories that pull at her readers’ heartstrings and create relatable characters you can’t help but root for. Laura loves trees and all things green, hates flossing but forces herself to do it every night, drinks tea—not coffee, and believes that salt air can often cure a bad mood.
Visit her website at www.LauraLanga.com
Subscribe to her newsletter at https://lauralanga.com/newsletter
Instagram @LauraLangaWrites
Facebook @LauraLangaWrites
Visit her website at www.LauraLanga.com
Subscribe to her newsletter at https://lauralanga.com/newsletter
Instagram @LauraLangaWrites
Facebook @LauraLangaWrites
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
September 7, 2023
I really enjoy Laura's characters, they always have great chemistry and are perfectly paired together. The sister in this book though absolutely drove me up a wall! I'm glad the way it ended though.
The kissing scenes end a bit too steamy for my taste, the bedroom scenes are closed door though.
The kissing scenes end a bit too steamy for my taste, the bedroom scenes are closed door though.
April 6, 2024
I definitely liked the first book in the series more. Plot wise this was just okay, but something about the writing didn't mesh with me. Giving up on this series atp
July 14, 2023
Date the Alphabet was my first Laura Langa book, but it definitely won’t be my last! I loved this sweet, closed door romance about Ann and Zane, who enter into a fake dating scenario after Ann accepts a bet to date one man for each letter of the alphabet in order to find a date for her sister’s wedding.
The A-Z dates don’t last too long though, and thank goodness for that - because I don’t know if Ann would have survived it! The description of these dates are truly hilarious (although pretty traumatic for Ann 😂), but soon enough Zane (the father of one of Ann’s students) comes to the rescue and all bets are off (pun intended 😉).
Aside from the delightful romance, Date the Alphabet also addresses the themes of dysfunctional families and how to stand up for yourself. Zane’s guy friends were well-written, as were the side characters of his ex-wife and daughter. I look forward to delving into Laura Langa’s other romances!
I recommended this book for those looking for a sweet, closed door romance!
I was provided an advance copy of this book by the author, in exchange for an honest review.
The A-Z dates don’t last too long though, and thank goodness for that - because I don’t know if Ann would have survived it! The description of these dates are truly hilarious (although pretty traumatic for Ann 😂), but soon enough Zane (the father of one of Ann’s students) comes to the rescue and all bets are off (pun intended 😉).
Aside from the delightful romance, Date the Alphabet also addresses the themes of dysfunctional families and how to stand up for yourself. Zane’s guy friends were well-written, as were the side characters of his ex-wife and daughter. I look forward to delving into Laura Langa’s other romances!
I recommended this book for those looking for a sweet, closed door romance!
I was provided an advance copy of this book by the author, in exchange for an honest review.
December 9, 2023
I loved the first book in this series, but my enjoyment of this book was ruined by the premise. I REALLY don't like this idea of "I love you, you're my best friend, we're married, and (most importantly) we have a child together, but I'm going to divorce you so we can both find our one great love." It just doesn't make sense to me and strikes me as so selfish on the part of the adults (the mom in this case, so our MMC is still a good guy).
It was a lovely love story and I'm glad they found love after the brokenness, but I guess I lament the brokenness in the first place. This is my own personal issue with the story, others may not mind.
It was a lovely love story and I'm glad they found love after the brokenness, but I guess I lament the brokenness in the first place. This is my own personal issue with the story, others may not mind.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2023
This was a super swoony, closed door, dual POV fake dating romance between a teacher and her student's single audiobook narrator father. I loved both of the MCs, especially how much of a cinnamon roll Zane was - always showing up for Ann in quiet, meaningful ways.
This book balanced romance with toxic family relationships and had great disability rep too. Ann had to have her ovaries removed as a teen which put her into early menopause and so she focuses her energies on volunteer work and working out at the gym. When her sister and mother pressure her into bringing a date to her sister's third wedding, Zane steps up for the task.
Great on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Katie Bailey, Melissa Grace or Jenny Proctor. Indie romance author Laura Langa is quickly becoming a new favorite for me and I can't recommend her Love Tuscon series enough!
Steam level: closed door/on page kissing only/fade to black
This book balanced romance with toxic family relationships and had great disability rep too. Ann had to have her ovaries removed as a teen which put her into early menopause and so she focuses her energies on volunteer work and working out at the gym. When her sister and mother pressure her into bringing a date to her sister's third wedding, Zane steps up for the task.
Great on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Katie Bailey, Melissa Grace or Jenny Proctor. Indie romance author Laura Langa is quickly becoming a new favorite for me and I can't recommend her Love Tuscon series enough!
Steam level: closed door/on page kissing only/fade to black
February 10, 2024
4.5
Characters: 4
Connection to the book/Enjoyment: 4
Setting: 4
Plot/Overall Story: 3
Writing: 3
Every point= 0.25 stars, max per category 4 points
Characters: 4
Connection to the book/Enjoyment: 4
Setting: 4
Plot/Overall Story: 3
Writing: 3
Every point= 0.25 stars, max per category 4 points
January 9, 2024
I don’t think I have ever read more adjectives in my life… I read the whole book so there’s that.
I liked that the fmc and mmc were both different from what you usually read but did not enjoy writing.
I just pictured the book getting written with a thesaurus right beside, just too much information and describing sometimes.
I liked that the fmc and mmc were both different from what you usually read but did not enjoy writing.
I just pictured the book getting written with a thesaurus right beside, just too much information and describing sometimes.
July 11, 2023
I got to read this ARC and I now want to go back and read Haley and the Yeti by her and can't wait for the rest. I read this pretty quick and really enjoyed it. The story is so cute but touches on real topics. It has things like cancer, caring for a loved one, loss of a parent, and emotional abuse/manipulation. I admired Zane for his loyalty to all the people he cared for. He fell for Ann first and HARD. Him pining for her was so sweet and he cared for her so much. He loved everything she was and was protective of her. His relationship with his daughter was very sweet too. He was such a good dad and coparent. Caroline went through a lot so young and she definitely tugged at my heart. She was so smart and mature for her age but I liked that because she had already gone through so much so it was understandable. Ann Powell was so good at standing up for her students and others, but not herself. I felt for her too, she was so sweet and didn't deserve the way she was treated. Zane really helped open her eyes to what she deserved. It is a closed door romance but you can feel the tension between them.
July 28, 2023
I received an arc of this book to review.
This book was freaking phenomenal. I read the first book in the Love in Tucson series and I knew immediately this author was going to be one of my new favorites. I'm not even sure how to express my love for this book and these characters.
There was such a depth to this story that was so unexpected for the usual fake dating romance that I was taken by surprise by how much emotion and truly difficult situations Ann and Zane had to figure out to get their HEA. But it made that HEA so worth it.
I found myself cheering on these fictional characters and my poor little heart almost couldn't take the sweetness of that epilogue. I am a sucker for a good epilogue and this one does not disappoint.
I'm giving this book 5/5 ⭐️ 10/10 would recommend. I can't stop and won't stop thinking about Zane and his perfect
BLONDE curls and how hard he fell for Ann forever and ever.
Utter perfection.
This book was freaking phenomenal. I read the first book in the Love in Tucson series and I knew immediately this author was going to be one of my new favorites. I'm not even sure how to express my love for this book and these characters.
There was such a depth to this story that was so unexpected for the usual fake dating romance that I was taken by surprise by how much emotion and truly difficult situations Ann and Zane had to figure out to get their HEA. But it made that HEA so worth it.
I found myself cheering on these fictional characters and my poor little heart almost couldn't take the sweetness of that epilogue. I am a sucker for a good epilogue and this one does not disappoint.
I'm giving this book 5/5 ⭐️ 10/10 would recommend. I can't stop and won't stop thinking about Zane and his perfect
BLONDE curls and how hard he fell for Ann forever and ever.
Utter perfection.
August 10, 2023
3 Stars.
The vibes:
- single dad x daughter’s teacher
- audiobook narrator MMC
- Fake dating
My thoughts:
This was a cute sweet rom com. There were some serious elements thrown in which felt a little out of place. The relationship between Ann and her sister was a major focal point throughout the book- and while the resolution was nice, the atrocious behavior throughout the book from her sister couldn’t be remedied for me. I liked Zane and Ann but felt like their relationship moved so quickly that I wanted a bit more emotional connection to match the physical chemistry that was happening.
Overall- I think if you enjoy instalove and a fast paced rom com, you should definitely check this one out.
The vibes:
- single dad x daughter’s teacher
- audiobook narrator MMC
- Fake dating
My thoughts:
This was a cute sweet rom com. There were some serious elements thrown in which felt a little out of place. The relationship between Ann and her sister was a major focal point throughout the book- and while the resolution was nice, the atrocious behavior throughout the book from her sister couldn’t be remedied for me. I liked Zane and Ann but felt like their relationship moved so quickly that I wanted a bit more emotional connection to match the physical chemistry that was happening.
Overall- I think if you enjoy instalove and a fast paced rom com, you should definitely check this one out.
July 24, 2023
I enjoyed the dynamic between main characters. It was a beautiful romance story. 😍 Zane is a dreamy MMC: supportive, caring, and strong headed! To have such a man in your corner sounds like a dream!
Ann is a giver and people pleaser, she loved with all her heart and goes an additional mile for people she cares for. She has a toxic family dynamic but still trues to make the most of it.
The book made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion.
I would highly recommend to add this book to your TBR and read it when you need to reset your mind and to believe that love exists again!
Ann is a giver and people pleaser, she loved with all her heart and goes an additional mile for people she cares for. She has a toxic family dynamic but still trues to make the most of it.
The book made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion.
I would highly recommend to add this book to your TBR and read it when you need to reset your mind and to believe that love exists again!
August 16, 2023
First of all thanks to Laura Langa for the ARC! 💗
I’m amazed at how well Laura Langa can find a balance between super duper cute feet kicking moments and realistic daily struggles. The realistic feeling that this book gave me, made it so easy for me to enjoy!
This story isn’t a typical cute romance, it’s full of emotions, which really added to the story. Topics like emotional abuse, the effects of divorce, and cancer are mentioned in this book, but they're handled with care.
I want to genuinely compliment Laura on how well she has written this book.
I’m amazed at how well Laura Langa can find a balance between super duper cute feet kicking moments and realistic daily struggles. The realistic feeling that this book gave me, made it so easy for me to enjoy!
This story isn’t a typical cute romance, it’s full of emotions, which really added to the story. Topics like emotional abuse, the effects of divorce, and cancer are mentioned in this book, but they're handled with care.
I want to genuinely compliment Laura on how well she has written this book.
January 15, 2024
She was cute fr!! 4.5⭐️ just because the reason for the third act breakup was lame
August 4, 2023
Reader’s Notes:
– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Ann & Zane’s points of view
– Zane’s ex-wife is in remission from Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, but Zane frequently thinks about times when she was still struggling through it
– Ann’s father has COPD & difficulty breathing at times
– Ann’s mother & sister are toxic (they belittle & talk down to her)
– Zane misses his father/blames himself for his father’s death
– Zane’s daughter is having a difficult time adjusting to life after his divorce (there is a moment of her running away)
– kisses included a mention of tongue & hands roaming beneath the guy’s shirt (once for both)
– there is two fade to black scenes between a non married couple with very little details prior (1st: only the guy’s shirt is removed, she puts her thumb a bit under his waistband & them moving toward the bed while kissing; 2nd: them kissing while moving to the bedroom); the POV after the 1st fade to black mentions some of the things said (like sweet nothings) & things done – in an innocent way (no physical actions beyond washing hair while the shower together & it was left at that)
– a character struggles with it being likely that they are not going to be able to have children
– a character has a scare during their pregnancy about the pregnancy (ends up being placenta previa)
Review:
Overall, I really enjoyed Ann & Zane’s story a lot! But for some reason the fade to black scenes just didn’t sit right with me so I removed a star because of it (I typically am okay with fade to black scenes in books, I’m not really sure what about it didn’t sit right).
Before those scenes came up, I really enjoyed getting to know Ann & Zane. I loved that while their paths crossed over a bit in the beginning because of Zane’s daughter, for the most part we got an insight into what their lives were like without the other person in it. It made it that much more impactful when their lives crossed into each other and we as readers saw them break up the ‘normal’ in their lives. I loved that Zane not only supported Ann, but also made extra efforts to be her knight in shining armor, especially when it came to fending off her mother and sister. I loved that Ann gained some confidence and feelings of good self-worth due to these actions and seeing that she really is worth everything instead of the nothing she was led to believe. Some of my other favorite scenes in this book included: the couples getaway, Ann’s alphabet dates, seeing each other at the gym, & Ann’s friend using her kindergartners to friendly guilt her.
Summary:
Ann doesn’t date, but when her sister makes a bet that she can’t refuse, Ann finds herself going on multiple dates a week. The prize of $4,000 would help Ann with her desire to help those with or in underfunded classrooms. She got lucky to be accepted as a teacher for her current school and knows that without the right tools, teaching children can be that much harder. So going on multiple dates to find a decent guy to bring to her sister’s wedding is little in comparison to the payout. But with each failed date, the prize is getting to be out of Ann’s grasp and she does something desperate…
Zane has had a crush on his daughter’s third grade teacher since he first met her, but nothing should be pursued with her until his daughter graduates out of Ann’s class for various reasons. But when Zane discovers that Ann is actively dating, he can’t stand by on the chance that she could get away before he has a chance to pursue her. Though he didn’t expect her to suggest that he pretend to be her boyfriend and to be her date to her sister’s wedding. Not about to look a gift-horse in the mouth, Zane goes all in and shows Ann just how much she means to him. Because while she might think they are fake dating, Zane’s feelings for her are anything but fake...
– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Ann & Zane’s points of view
– Zane’s ex-wife is in remission from Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, but Zane frequently thinks about times when she was still struggling through it
– Ann’s father has COPD & difficulty breathing at times
– Ann’s mother & sister are toxic (they belittle & talk down to her)
– Zane misses his father/blames himself for his father’s death
– Zane’s daughter is having a difficult time adjusting to life after his divorce (there is a moment of her running away)
– kisses included a mention of tongue & hands roaming beneath the guy’s shirt (once for both)
– there is two fade to black scenes between a non married couple with very little details prior (1st: only the guy’s shirt is removed, she puts her thumb a bit under his waistband & them moving toward the bed while kissing; 2nd: them kissing while moving to the bedroom); the POV after the 1st fade to black mentions some of the things said (like sweet nothings) & things done – in an innocent way (no physical actions beyond washing hair while the shower together & it was left at that)
– a character struggles with it being likely that they are not going to be able to have children
– a character has a scare during their pregnancy about the pregnancy (ends up being placenta previa)
Review:
Overall, I really enjoyed Ann & Zane’s story a lot! But for some reason the fade to black scenes just didn’t sit right with me so I removed a star because of it (I typically am okay with fade to black scenes in books, I’m not really sure what about it didn’t sit right).
Before those scenes came up, I really enjoyed getting to know Ann & Zane. I loved that while their paths crossed over a bit in the beginning because of Zane’s daughter, for the most part we got an insight into what their lives were like without the other person in it. It made it that much more impactful when their lives crossed into each other and we as readers saw them break up the ‘normal’ in their lives. I loved that Zane not only supported Ann, but also made extra efforts to be her knight in shining armor, especially when it came to fending off her mother and sister. I loved that Ann gained some confidence and feelings of good self-worth due to these actions and seeing that she really is worth everything instead of the nothing she was led to believe. Some of my other favorite scenes in this book included: the couples getaway, Ann’s alphabet dates, seeing each other at the gym, & Ann’s friend using her kindergartners to friendly guilt her.
Summary:
Ann doesn’t date, but when her sister makes a bet that she can’t refuse, Ann finds herself going on multiple dates a week. The prize of $4,000 would help Ann with her desire to help those with or in underfunded classrooms. She got lucky to be accepted as a teacher for her current school and knows that without the right tools, teaching children can be that much harder. So going on multiple dates to find a decent guy to bring to her sister’s wedding is little in comparison to the payout. But with each failed date, the prize is getting to be out of Ann’s grasp and she does something desperate…
Zane has had a crush on his daughter’s third grade teacher since he first met her, but nothing should be pursued with her until his daughter graduates out of Ann’s class for various reasons. But when Zane discovers that Ann is actively dating, he can’t stand by on the chance that she could get away before he has a chance to pursue her. Though he didn’t expect her to suggest that he pretend to be her boyfriend and to be her date to her sister’s wedding. Not about to look a gift-horse in the mouth, Zane goes all in and shows Ann just how much she means to him. Because while she might think they are fake dating, Zane’s feelings for her are anything but fake...
August 9, 2023
It was a cute book. I was expecting a sweet romcom and was a little surprised by the details. It’s still closed door/fade to black but with more than I enjoy. Zane is very sweet! Overall a good book, just not for me.
February 6, 2024
OH SO SWEET.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
This book owned me for an evening and I adored it so much. I love how much Zane was gone for Ann from the moment he saw her. And that it didn’t feel like instant love either!! Langa wrote a beautiful soul mate vibe that I was here for.
I loved the subtle side pieces like Zane being on good terms with his ex-wife and co-parenting. I feel we often see the bad sides in books and I loved getting a positive take on a relationship that was no longer beneficial to either party but were both still their to take care of their child.
Ann and Zane had all the chemistry and the closed door steam? YES PLEASE. This is my favorite zone to be in and I really appreciated how well written this was. It’s a quick audiobook and this is a closed door author you shouldn’t be sleeping on!
Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: very little
- Romance: closed door
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
This book owned me for an evening and I adored it so much. I love how much Zane was gone for Ann from the moment he saw her. And that it didn’t feel like instant love either!! Langa wrote a beautiful soul mate vibe that I was here for.
I loved the subtle side pieces like Zane being on good terms with his ex-wife and co-parenting. I feel we often see the bad sides in books and I loved getting a positive take on a relationship that was no longer beneficial to either party but were both still their to take care of their child.
Ann and Zane had all the chemistry and the closed door steam? YES PLEASE. This is my favorite zone to be in and I really appreciated how well written this was. It’s a quick audiobook and this is a closed door author you shouldn’t be sleeping on!
Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: very little
- Romance: closed door
July 24, 2023
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. This is book 2 in the Love Tuscon Series &, while references to Haley and the Yeti are made, it can be read as a standalone. The book's blurb lets you know what to expect, though be aware that the story explores toxic family relationships & mentions cancer & infertility issues. It's a great fake dating third person dual single dad pov romance.
After witnessing the romantic relationships that her family has, Ann isn't interested in having a relationship. She cares more about helping her students and funding underdeveloped classrooms. When her sister proposes a bet that would allow her to have funds to spend on her students, Ann cannot refuse. When her dates are going even worse than she expected, Zane, her student's father, agrees to pretend to be her boyfriend. Ann has her reasons for keeping herself guarded against him yet getting to know him makes those reasons fade away and makes her ponder a real relationship with him. Ann was someone who liked to keep the peace within her family for her dad's sake but it didn't mean that she was okay with the way she was treated. I liked seeing her gain the courage to stand up for herself and do what was best for herself. I loved seeing her be loved by Zane and how it helped her to accept the way she should be treated.
While Zane's marriage with his ex didn't work out, there's no resentment between them nor he is opposed to falling in love. The only person he has felt a spark with is Ann and he's not trying to get involved with Caroline's teacher. However, when the opportunity presents itself for him to help her by pretending to be her fake boyfriend, he doesn't hesitate to take it. Spending time with her only serves to further his belief that they are a good match but, like her, he has things that make him hesitate from turning their relationship real. Aside from being a great father, Zane was a caring individual so it was impossible not to like him. While he had his guesses that Ann felt the same way that he did, he showed her how he felt without pushing her into making a decision about them. He was a bit self sacrificing so I loved seeing him allow himself to love Ann and be loved by her.
Between their fake dating and off limits relationshipdue to her being Caroline's teacher, their romance was a slow burn. Though they both had been drawn to each other even before fake dating, neither had thoughts of actually dating. I liked seeing the pull between them turn into deeper feelings. There's enough sweet and fun moments before they admit their feelings so readers won't be disappointed in the way that their relationship develops. Their romance is closed door with the fade to black scenes being descriptive but nothing that crosses the line. I liked that the conflict added to the story and touched on some tough subjects but didn't feel overwhelming. The issues were real and were important and I liked the way they were resolved. In particular, I loved the way that things unfolded between Ann and her sister. Another thing that I really liked about the story was Zane's relationship with Caroline and his friends. Overall, this is a story that I felt happy to have read and I think others, especially those who have read the first book in the series, will enjoy it as well.
After witnessing the romantic relationships that her family has, Ann isn't interested in having a relationship. She cares more about helping her students and funding underdeveloped classrooms. When her sister proposes a bet that would allow her to have funds to spend on her students, Ann cannot refuse. When her dates are going even worse than she expected, Zane, her student's father, agrees to pretend to be her boyfriend. Ann has her reasons for keeping herself guarded against him yet getting to know him makes those reasons fade away and makes her ponder a real relationship with him. Ann was someone who liked to keep the peace within her family for her dad's sake but it didn't mean that she was okay with the way she was treated. I liked seeing her gain the courage to stand up for herself and do what was best for herself. I loved seeing her be loved by Zane and how it helped her to accept the way she should be treated.
While Zane's marriage with his ex didn't work out, there's no resentment between them nor he is opposed to falling in love. The only person he has felt a spark with is Ann and he's not trying to get involved with Caroline's teacher. However, when the opportunity presents itself for him to help her by pretending to be her fake boyfriend, he doesn't hesitate to take it. Spending time with her only serves to further his belief that they are a good match but, like her, he has things that make him hesitate from turning their relationship real. Aside from being a great father, Zane was a caring individual so it was impossible not to like him. While he had his guesses that Ann felt the same way that he did, he showed her how he felt without pushing her into making a decision about them. He was a bit self sacrificing so I loved seeing him allow himself to love Ann and be loved by her.
Between their fake dating and off limits relationship
July 24, 2023
Ann loves her job as a teacher. She's able to shape young minds and tutors after school to help underprivileged kids. When her sister makes an insane bet, Ann has to say yes. The $4,000 her sister promises could buy so many supplies for the kids!
What's the bet, you ask? Find a date to her sister's wedding by dating through the alphabet. If she can get one of the men to stick around long enough for the wedding, she gets the money.
Ann was such a strong, vulnerable character. She was constantly trying to help others with no regard for her own well-being. Zane, the handsome single dad of one of her kids, was the perfect love interest for her! He was kind, also a care-giver, and had enough backbone to stick up for Ann against her family.
“I have a hero complex,” Zane said, holding up the last baby carrot from his side dish. “If I don’t save at least one person or animal every day, I go into shock.”
Zane had been in awe of Ann since the day he first met her. He was trying to wait until the end of the school year to pursue her, but once she opened up about the bet and her fears, he knew he had to help. I'm usually a fan of alphaholes (which is very telling, I know), but Laura Langa writes the best cinnamon roll heroes around!! Zane was able to protect Ann while still being a safe place for her to be herself. He never once balked at her idiosyncrasies, and he defended her at every opportunity. The world needs more Zanes!
“Please don’t. Don’t tell me. That way I can pretend I don’t know.”
Date the Alphabet is one of my favorite reads this month! It's funny, sweet, and will make you tear up. Laura's characters are always so well-developed you can't help but love them. They have real, believable faults and own up to their mistakes. It makes you clutch your heart when things don't go as planned and jump for joy when that HEA hits.
The romance is closed-door, but the steam is off the charts! There's a scene where Zane weaponizes his voice that was sexier than most spicy scenes I've read.
If you love sexy single dads, strong and determined female leads, and fake relationships done right, grab this book!
What's the bet, you ask? Find a date to her sister's wedding by dating through the alphabet. If she can get one of the men to stick around long enough for the wedding, she gets the money.
Ann was such a strong, vulnerable character. She was constantly trying to help others with no regard for her own well-being. Zane, the handsome single dad of one of her kids, was the perfect love interest for her! He was kind, also a care-giver, and had enough backbone to stick up for Ann against her family.
“I have a hero complex,” Zane said, holding up the last baby carrot from his side dish. “If I don’t save at least one person or animal every day, I go into shock.”
Zane had been in awe of Ann since the day he first met her. He was trying to wait until the end of the school year to pursue her, but once she opened up about the bet and her fears, he knew he had to help. I'm usually a fan of alphaholes (which is very telling, I know), but Laura Langa writes the best cinnamon roll heroes around!! Zane was able to protect Ann while still being a safe place for her to be herself. He never once balked at her idiosyncrasies, and he defended her at every opportunity. The world needs more Zanes!
“Please don’t. Don’t tell me. That way I can pretend I don’t know.”
Date the Alphabet is one of my favorite reads this month! It's funny, sweet, and will make you tear up. Laura's characters are always so well-developed you can't help but love them. They have real, believable faults and own up to their mistakes. It makes you clutch your heart when things don't go as planned and jump for joy when that HEA hits.
The romance is closed-door, but the steam is off the charts! There's a scene where Zane weaponizes his voice that was sexier than most spicy scenes I've read.
If you love sexy single dads, strong and determined female leads, and fake relationships done right, grab this book!
July 30, 2023
•𝙰𝚁𝙲 𝙱𝙾𝙾𝙺 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆•
Date The Alphabet by Laura Langa
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝑃𝑢𝑏 𝐷𝑎𝑡𝑒: 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟒𝐭𝐡, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑
•book two in the love tuscon series•
𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑛𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑙𝑦 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑟
𝒂𝒗𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅
Thank you so much Laura, for my ARC copy 🖤
📖 𝚂𝚈𝙽𝙾𝙿𝚂𝙸𝚂:
Ann Powell is an honest and caring third grade teacher. When the chance to win a lot of money from her less than stellar sister for a charity that helps underfunded classrooms, Ann can’t pass it up. The bet? Date the Alphabet. 26 dates. Bring one to her sisters wedding. The problem? Ann doesn’t date. But when the hot single dad of one of her students, Zane West, finds Ann in a moment of misery from her dating-app fueled dates, she convinces him to be her fake date, not knowing he’s been harboring a secret crush on her. When hilarity and emotions ensue, and reality strikes, will these two fall harder into each other, or out of each others lives for good?
𝚁𝙴𝙲𝙾𝙼𝙼𝙴𝙽𝙳 𝙸𝙵 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙻𝙸𝙺𝙴:
✨Single Dad / Teacher
✨Friends to Lovers
✨Fake Dating
✨Forced Proximity
✨Closed Door Romance
💭 𝚃𝙷𝙾𝚄𝙶𝙷𝚃𝚂:
I adored Ann & Zane’s story. Ann is a strong but quiet and gentle female lead, and I adore her for that. Zane’s stress jumped on the pages in waves to me, and his love for his daughter and friends was amazing.
The story was exceptionally written, paced out very well, and hooked you from the start. It was adorable and flirty at times, and then shocking and emotional before you could register what just happened. I always love family drama in stories, and this family drama didn’t disappoint, and trust me when I say I was seeing RED from one of the scenes. It killed me, and I cried a bit too.
🖤 I highly recommend both Date The Alphabet & the first book in the series, Haley and the Yeti.
⬇️𝚀𝙾𝚃𝙳: 𝙷𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔? 𝙸𝚏 𝚜𝚘, 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚍𝚒𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔?
⬇️𝙰𝙻𝚃 𝚀𝙾𝚃𝙳: 𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚏𝚊𝚟𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚏𝚕𝚊𝚙𝚓𝚊𝚌𝚔𝚜? [𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑝 🥞]
🤟🏼
Date The Alphabet by Laura Langa
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝑃𝑢𝑏 𝐷𝑎𝑡𝑒: 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟒𝐭𝐡, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑
•book two in the love tuscon series•
𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑛𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑙𝑦 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑟
𝒂𝒗𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅
Thank you so much Laura, for my ARC copy 🖤
📖 𝚂𝚈𝙽𝙾𝙿𝚂𝙸𝚂:
Ann Powell is an honest and caring third grade teacher. When the chance to win a lot of money from her less than stellar sister for a charity that helps underfunded classrooms, Ann can’t pass it up. The bet? Date the Alphabet. 26 dates. Bring one to her sisters wedding. The problem? Ann doesn’t date. But when the hot single dad of one of her students, Zane West, finds Ann in a moment of misery from her dating-app fueled dates, she convinces him to be her fake date, not knowing he’s been harboring a secret crush on her. When hilarity and emotions ensue, and reality strikes, will these two fall harder into each other, or out of each others lives for good?
𝚁𝙴𝙲𝙾𝙼𝙼𝙴𝙽𝙳 𝙸𝙵 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙻𝙸𝙺𝙴:
✨Single Dad / Teacher
✨Friends to Lovers
✨Fake Dating
✨Forced Proximity
✨Closed Door Romance
💭 𝚃𝙷𝙾𝚄𝙶𝙷𝚃𝚂:
I adored Ann & Zane’s story. Ann is a strong but quiet and gentle female lead, and I adore her for that. Zane’s stress jumped on the pages in waves to me, and his love for his daughter and friends was amazing.
The story was exceptionally written, paced out very well, and hooked you from the start. It was adorable and flirty at times, and then shocking and emotional before you could register what just happened. I always love family drama in stories, and this family drama didn’t disappoint, and trust me when I say I was seeing RED from one of the scenes. It killed me, and I cried a bit too.
🖤 I highly recommend both Date The Alphabet & the first book in the series, Haley and the Yeti.
⬇️𝚀𝙾𝚃𝙳: 𝙷𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔? 𝙸𝚏 𝚜𝚘, 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚍𝚒𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔?
⬇️𝙰𝙻𝚃 𝚀𝙾𝚃𝙳: 𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚏𝚊𝚟𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚏𝚕𝚊𝚙𝚓𝚊𝚌𝚔𝚜? [𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑝 🥞]
🤟🏼
July 14, 2023
Rating: ★★★★★/5
Read it for the:
-Fake-dating
-Single-dad trope
-Forbidden romance (Parent / Teacher)
-He Falls first
-Realistic personal conflicts
-Character growth
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭:
TW: Cruel family member
Romance: Closed door (Fade-to-Black)
𝐌𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
Laura Langa delivers a brilliantly balanced story with equal doses of cute moments and real-life elements that firmly rooted me to the pages, in Date the Alphabet.
I have read so many fake dating / single dad trope romances, that the plots soon become predictable. It was a welcome surprise to see that this story brought in my favorite parts of these tropes but gave the plot a refreshing twist and added a layer of complexity I didn’t expect.
I loved Ann’s serious personality, and her personal struggle with her selfworth due to years of suffering jabs from her family. I also enjoyed the fact that her venerable side was shown as the story progressed, bit by bit. A lot of it was thanks to Zane, who gets the title for most supportive male lead. Zane was a great father, friend, and generally loved by all (me included) but it was the way he loved Ann that left me cheering for them.
The chemistry was felt from the first meeting and only grew as the lines between fake and real were blurred. Langa knows how to write a good fade-to-black romance that focuses on the emotional connection between the characters, without taking away from the intensity of the chemistry. I loved the way their relationship was built and the struggles they faced together. A perfect dose of impossibility gave the lite angst this story for those heart-tugging moments.
All I will say is that I can't wait for the next one by Laura Langa.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Read it for the:
-Fake-dating
-Single-dad trope
-Forbidden romance (Parent / Teacher)
-He Falls first
-Realistic personal conflicts
-Character growth
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭:
TW: Cruel family member
Romance: Closed door (Fade-to-Black)
𝐌𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
Laura Langa delivers a brilliantly balanced story with equal doses of cute moments and real-life elements that firmly rooted me to the pages, in Date the Alphabet.
I have read so many fake dating / single dad trope romances, that the plots soon become predictable. It was a welcome surprise to see that this story brought in my favorite parts of these tropes but gave the plot a refreshing twist and added a layer of complexity I didn’t expect.
I loved Ann’s serious personality, and her personal struggle with her selfworth due to years of suffering jabs from her family. I also enjoyed the fact that her venerable side was shown as the story progressed, bit by bit. A lot of it was thanks to Zane, who gets the title for most supportive male lead. Zane was a great father, friend, and generally loved by all (me included) but it was the way he loved Ann that left me cheering for them.
The chemistry was felt from the first meeting and only grew as the lines between fake and real were blurred. Langa knows how to write a good fade-to-black romance that focuses on the emotional connection between the characters, without taking away from the intensity of the chemistry. I loved the way their relationship was built and the struggles they faced together. A perfect dose of impossibility gave the lite angst this story for those heart-tugging moments.
All I will say is that I can't wait for the next one by Laura Langa.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
September 28, 2023
This was my second Laura Langa book. I found that I enjoy closed door romances a lot better than the spicier ones. The story revolves around Ann and Zane. Zane is a divorced single dad, who records audiobooks for a living. Ann is a third grade teacher who happens to have Caroline - Zane’s daughter in her class.
Right off the bat we are introduced to Ann’s mother and sister, who treats her terribly. Her father is a sweet man but is battling a a serious lung disease. The bet started off bc Ann’s sister Rene insists on Ann bringing a plus one to her third wedding. Ann was adamant that she doesn’t need love, and that love is always imbalanced, giving her parents as an example. Inevitably she accepts her sister’s bet for a grand prize of four thousand dollars if she was successful in getting her self a plus one to the wedding.
After a series of bad dates (literally starting from A to J) she drunkenly bumped into Zane after a walking out on yet another frustrating date. She asked Zane, who had been crushing on her anyway, if he would consider going to a wedding with her, divulging the bet her sister had made her take.
The characters in Langa’s novels feel real and relatable. I can see regular everyday people in these pages and that’s one of the main reasons why I enjoy her writing. The scenarios are realistic and the progression of the story is never out of left field. The story covered familial relationships, and found family friendships which is always nice when it comes to cozy reads. I’m so glad this author refrains from using miscommunication to push a conflict into the plot. The protagonists in the story feel like fairly well adjusted - albeit flawed people with reservations and fears we can all resonate with. I’m looking forward to more installments on the Love Tucson series.
Right off the bat we are introduced to Ann’s mother and sister, who treats her terribly. Her father is a sweet man but is battling a a serious lung disease. The bet started off bc Ann’s sister Rene insists on Ann bringing a plus one to her third wedding. Ann was adamant that she doesn’t need love, and that love is always imbalanced, giving her parents as an example. Inevitably she accepts her sister’s bet for a grand prize of four thousand dollars if she was successful in getting her self a plus one to the wedding.
After a series of bad dates (literally starting from A to J) she drunkenly bumped into Zane after a walking out on yet another frustrating date. She asked Zane, who had been crushing on her anyway, if he would consider going to a wedding with her, divulging the bet her sister had made her take.
The characters in Langa’s novels feel real and relatable. I can see regular everyday people in these pages and that’s one of the main reasons why I enjoy her writing. The scenarios are realistic and the progression of the story is never out of left field. The story covered familial relationships, and found family friendships which is always nice when it comes to cozy reads. I’m so glad this author refrains from using miscommunication to push a conflict into the plot. The protagonists in the story feel like fairly well adjusted - albeit flawed people with reservations and fears we can all resonate with. I’m looking forward to more installments on the Love Tucson series.
November 11, 2023
Title: Date the Alphabet
Author: Laura Langa
Hero/Heroine: Zane & Ann
Tropes: Teacher/Parent, Fake Dating, Single Dad, He Falls First,
tw/cw: mention of divorce, blended family, mention of fertility issues, mention of cancer and chemotherapy, toxic sibling relationship, mention of long term illness,
✨the good
I think heroes that wear glasses are one of my new favourite things. Zane had your girl feeling all the feelings, he was such a wonderful hero, I couldn’t help but swoon slightly every time his name was mentioned.
Ann, a third grade teacher at a prestigious school, has been given a challenge by her horrible sister and mother to date the alphabet, in order to find a plus one for her sisters wedding. Having no luck, she proposes a fake agreement with the hot dad of one of her students. Atta girl.
Honestly, this story put the biggest smile on my face, I adored the connection between Zane and Ann, they had such great chemistry. He was determined to knock down the walls that Ann had built in order to protect herself, and I just found him so respectful the way he treated her. And Ann was such a strong heroine, I was cheering for her throughout the book, hoping she’d get her moment to put both her sister and mom in their places. I felt like she deserved more from her family than what she got.
All in all, I loved this single dad, fake dating romance and cannot wait to read what comes next from this author.
✨ the bad ✨
Ann’s sister and mom. These two were unbelievable and at one point had me saying out loud ‘are you friggin kidding me??’
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this to read. This is my honest review.
✨overall thoughts: sweet and swoonworthy story with a ridiculously likeable hero and heroine
✨ heat level: 🌶️
✨ star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Laura Langa
Hero/Heroine: Zane & Ann
Tropes: Teacher/Parent, Fake Dating, Single Dad, He Falls First,
tw/cw: mention of divorce, blended family, mention of fertility issues, mention of cancer and chemotherapy, toxic sibling relationship, mention of long term illness,
✨the good
I think heroes that wear glasses are one of my new favourite things. Zane had your girl feeling all the feelings, he was such a wonderful hero, I couldn’t help but swoon slightly every time his name was mentioned.
Ann, a third grade teacher at a prestigious school, has been given a challenge by her horrible sister and mother to date the alphabet, in order to find a plus one for her sisters wedding. Having no luck, she proposes a fake agreement with the hot dad of one of her students. Atta girl.
Honestly, this story put the biggest smile on my face, I adored the connection between Zane and Ann, they had such great chemistry. He was determined to knock down the walls that Ann had built in order to protect herself, and I just found him so respectful the way he treated her. And Ann was such a strong heroine, I was cheering for her throughout the book, hoping she’d get her moment to put both her sister and mom in their places. I felt like she deserved more from her family than what she got.
All in all, I loved this single dad, fake dating romance and cannot wait to read what comes next from this author.
✨ the bad ✨
Ann’s sister and mom. These two were unbelievable and at one point had me saying out loud ‘are you friggin kidding me??’
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this to read. This is my honest review.
✨overall thoughts: sweet and swoonworthy story with a ridiculously likeable hero and heroine
✨ heat level: 🌶️
✨ star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 7, 2023
Date the Alphabet is the second book in the Love Tucson series. While there are a few small references made that might make a little more sense if you've read the previous book, it could certainly be enjoyed as a standalone as well. (That said, the first book is great, so I'd highly recommend reading it anyway!)
Don't let the cute cover, title and blurb fool you into thinking this is just a sweet, lighthearted romance. While it's definitely got it's humorous and swoon-worthy moments throughout the story, it is also so much more than that taking on some difficult topics like emotional abuse, divorce and cancer. Like the previous book, it is that blend of real-life issues with romance and humor that take the stories to the next level and make me fall in love with them. Would I have enjoyed a surface level story with the same premise--- dating the alphabet, teacher/student's single dad, etc? I'm sure I probably would, but I also probably wouldn't have given it another thought after it was over. It's the depth in this story that is going to keep me from forgetting it after the end. And I loved absolutely every moment of it... from the sizzling chemistry to Zane's care for Ann to the healing.
Date the Alphabet is a closed-door romance with a few fade-to-black scenes. While intimacy is certainly implied, anything beyond kisses happens off the page. (Note: this is between an unmarried couple as well). There are just a few minors swears in this one as well. And again, the story mentions the issues mentioned above.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! I very much look forward to the next book in the series!
**I received an ARC for consideration. All opinions are my own.
Don't let the cute cover, title and blurb fool you into thinking this is just a sweet, lighthearted romance. While it's definitely got it's humorous and swoon-worthy moments throughout the story, it is also so much more than that taking on some difficult topics like emotional abuse, divorce and cancer. Like the previous book, it is that blend of real-life issues with romance and humor that take the stories to the next level and make me fall in love with them. Would I have enjoyed a surface level story with the same premise--- dating the alphabet, teacher/student's single dad, etc? I'm sure I probably would, but I also probably wouldn't have given it another thought after it was over. It's the depth in this story that is going to keep me from forgetting it after the end. And I loved absolutely every moment of it... from the sizzling chemistry to Zane's care for Ann to the healing.
Date the Alphabet is a closed-door romance with a few fade-to-black scenes. While intimacy is certainly implied, anything beyond kisses happens off the page. (Note: this is between an unmarried couple as well). There are just a few minors swears in this one as well. And again, the story mentions the issues mentioned above.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! I very much look forward to the next book in the series!
**I received an ARC for consideration. All opinions are my own.
July 17, 2023
This is the first book that I've read by Laura Langa, but it definitely won't be my last! I loved this book!
I'm a teacher, so whenever I can read a book about teachers- sign me up! Zane has a huge crush on Ann, who is his daughter's 3rd grade teacher. Zane knows that Ann is off-limits because he can't date his daughter's teacher, but it doesn't stop him from falling hard for her.
Ann's sister is getting married, and she wants Ann to have a date to her wedding. Her sister offers her a bet- Ann will go on 26 dates- 1 for each letter of the alphabet, and she will get a date for the wedding. Ann will also receive $4,000 to donate to schools to get school supplies. How can Ann turn down that deal?
As Ann goes on dates, she realizes that most guys are not for her! She asks Zane if he will fake date her. Of course, Zane says yes! As they spend more time together, his feelings grow for her, and Ann starts to see him in new light.
I love that this story had some heavier topics too, including divorce, parents dating again after divorce, difficult family members, and illness of a parent. The topics were handled with care, and they added so much to the story.
Ann and Zane really cared for each other, and it was so sweet how he wanted to take care of Ann. He was such a good book boyfriend! One of the best things about Zane is how much he loved his daughter. Seeing that side of him made Ann fall for him.
Overall, I loved this book! It had so many tropes that I love including:
-fake dating
- he falls first and he falls hard!
- single dad
- he's an audiobook narrator
This is a closed-door, sweet romance, but the chemistry was still there! Their kisses were amazing!
Thanks to the author, Laura Langa, for providing me with an ARC of this book.
I'm a teacher, so whenever I can read a book about teachers- sign me up! Zane has a huge crush on Ann, who is his daughter's 3rd grade teacher. Zane knows that Ann is off-limits because he can't date his daughter's teacher, but it doesn't stop him from falling hard for her.
Ann's sister is getting married, and she wants Ann to have a date to her wedding. Her sister offers her a bet- Ann will go on 26 dates- 1 for each letter of the alphabet, and she will get a date for the wedding. Ann will also receive $4,000 to donate to schools to get school supplies. How can Ann turn down that deal?
As Ann goes on dates, she realizes that most guys are not for her! She asks Zane if he will fake date her. Of course, Zane says yes! As they spend more time together, his feelings grow for her, and Ann starts to see him in new light.
I love that this story had some heavier topics too, including divorce, parents dating again after divorce, difficult family members, and illness of a parent. The topics were handled with care, and they added so much to the story.
Ann and Zane really cared for each other, and it was so sweet how he wanted to take care of Ann. He was such a good book boyfriend! One of the best things about Zane is how much he loved his daughter. Seeing that side of him made Ann fall for him.
Overall, I loved this book! It had so many tropes that I love including:
-fake dating
- he falls first and he falls hard!
- single dad
- he's an audiobook narrator
This is a closed-door, sweet romance, but the chemistry was still there! Their kisses were amazing!
Thanks to the author, Laura Langa, for providing me with an ARC of this book.
July 24, 2023
Date the Alphabet by Laura Langa is the 2nd book in the Love Tuscon series.
Third grade teacher Ann Powell is challenged by her sister to bring a date to her upcoming wedding. To make it more interesting, she needs to use the alphabet to pick her date- one guy for each letter of the alphabet, until she finds a good one, and if she does she wins $4000 to give to underfunded schools.
Enter hot single dad, Zane West who has a crush on his daughter's teacher, Ms. Powell. Zane is a helper, he loves helping people, and when Ann spills the details of her bet to him, he offers to be her fake date.
Zane West is such a sweet book boyfriend. He's a great dad, awesome co-parent, and reliable friend. He is protective of Ann and teaches and encourages her to stand up for herself. Ann is strong and independent, but struggles to navigate her difficult family relationships. She is such a giving person and I loved watching her grow more confident and start to believe in love in this book.
This book is absolute sweetness. Most of the characters are absolutely lovable (the ones that are supposed to be) and I fell in love with Zane's daughter Caroline. I felt like the city of Tuscon was its own character in this book, with such detailed descriptions of the flora and fauna found there. I loved all the touches that were uniquely Tuscon, which made me want to visit one day and grab an eegee. I appreciated that this wasn't just the love story of Ann and Zane, but also Ann's dynamic with her family and Zane's co-parenting with his ex. Both characters had a past that affected who they were and we get to see how that all unfolds.
If you want a sweet single dad romance with swoony kisses and lovable friend groups, this book has it.
Third grade teacher Ann Powell is challenged by her sister to bring a date to her upcoming wedding. To make it more interesting, she needs to use the alphabet to pick her date- one guy for each letter of the alphabet, until she finds a good one, and if she does she wins $4000 to give to underfunded schools.
Enter hot single dad, Zane West who has a crush on his daughter's teacher, Ms. Powell. Zane is a helper, he loves helping people, and when Ann spills the details of her bet to him, he offers to be her fake date.
Zane West is such a sweet book boyfriend. He's a great dad, awesome co-parent, and reliable friend. He is protective of Ann and teaches and encourages her to stand up for herself. Ann is strong and independent, but struggles to navigate her difficult family relationships. She is such a giving person and I loved watching her grow more confident and start to believe in love in this book.
This book is absolute sweetness. Most of the characters are absolutely lovable (the ones that are supposed to be) and I fell in love with Zane's daughter Caroline. I felt like the city of Tuscon was its own character in this book, with such detailed descriptions of the flora and fauna found there. I loved all the touches that were uniquely Tuscon, which made me want to visit one day and grab an eegee. I appreciated that this wasn't just the love story of Ann and Zane, but also Ann's dynamic with her family and Zane's co-parenting with his ex. Both characters had a past that affected who they were and we get to see how that all unfolds.
If you want a sweet single dad romance with swoony kisses and lovable friend groups, this book has it.
July 22, 2023
date the alphabet follows third grade teacher, Ann, in her quest to finding a suitable date for her sister’s wedding, even though she’s sworn off love and dating. against her better judgement, when her sister challenges her to date a guy for each letter of the alphabet, she accepts, because she just can’t turn down an opportunity to help other teachers/students in need.
after multiple dumpster fire worthy dates - insert Zane, single father to one of her students, who’s also secretly attracted to her. dating your student’s father is frowned upon, but Zane agrees to be her “fake” date to save her from having to go on anymore horrendous dates and it allows him to get a little closer to her.
one of my favvv things about this book was the relationships between all of the characters. Zane’s with his daughter, Caroline - always putting her first regardless of his own feelings and desires. Ann always being supportive of Zane’s relationship with his daughter and respecting his decisions. Zane’s with his ex-wife, Tessa - incredible co-parenting at its finest. Tessa and her support of Zane and encouraging him to see that it’s ok for him to be happy and in love. ugh. just ALL. OF. IT.
it’s such a cute story that also deals with real topics like cancer, emotional abuse/manipulation, dysfunctional families, learning to stand up for yourself and that it’s ok to put yourself first sometimes - those are always hard to things to overcome, but these characters do it so well.
add this to your bookshelf on July 24th if you love >>>
> single dads
> fake dating
> forbidden romance
> he falls first
> real life topics
thank you so much to the author for this arc in exchange for my honest review! i truly loved this book and cannot wait to have it sitting on my shelf!
after multiple dumpster fire worthy dates - insert Zane, single father to one of her students, who’s also secretly attracted to her. dating your student’s father is frowned upon, but Zane agrees to be her “fake” date to save her from having to go on anymore horrendous dates and it allows him to get a little closer to her.
one of my favvv things about this book was the relationships between all of the characters. Zane’s with his daughter, Caroline - always putting her first regardless of his own feelings and desires. Ann always being supportive of Zane’s relationship with his daughter and respecting his decisions. Zane’s with his ex-wife, Tessa - incredible co-parenting at its finest. Tessa and her support of Zane and encouraging him to see that it’s ok for him to be happy and in love. ugh. just ALL. OF. IT.
it’s such a cute story that also deals with real topics like cancer, emotional abuse/manipulation, dysfunctional families, learning to stand up for yourself and that it’s ok to put yourself first sometimes - those are always hard to things to overcome, but these characters do it so well.
add this to your bookshelf on July 24th if you love >>>
> single dads
> fake dating
> forbidden romance
> he falls first
> real life topics
thank you so much to the author for this arc in exchange for my honest review! i truly loved this book and cannot wait to have it sitting on my shelf!
July 17, 2023
I gave this 4.5 stars! I didn’t want this book to end! Zane (MMC) is the absolute sweetest book boyfriend ever! As a parent I loved how he always put his daughter first - regardless of how he felt or what he wanted and I loved how Ann (MFC) supported his decisions when it came to Caroline. I absolutely adored the relationship between Zane and Tessa - the way they remained close and able to co-parent Caroline without all the drama that can come with a divorce. I wanted to slap Rene so many times while reading this but I was glad to see her character grow and realize she was being a terrible sister.
The only thing that kept this from being a 5✨ for me was the lack of tension between Ann and Zane. This is a closed door romance which is completely okay because that’s not everyone’s cup of coffee and I don’t feel spice was missing or even needed. It was very clear from early on in the book Zane and Ann had chemistry and an instant attraction when they met for the first time. I just couldn’t feel the intensity they were dealing with as they tiptoed around each other.
Overall, I absolutely adored this book! If you love fake-dating, one bed, and/or single dad tropes this book is for you! I can’t wait to see what Laura Langa does next!
The only thing that kept this from being a 5✨ for me was the lack of tension between Ann and Zane. This is a closed door romance which is completely okay because that’s not everyone’s cup of coffee and I don’t feel spice was missing or even needed. It was very clear from early on in the book Zane and Ann had chemistry and an instant attraction when they met for the first time. I just couldn’t feel the intensity they were dealing with as they tiptoed around each other.
Overall, I absolutely adored this book! If you love fake-dating, one bed, and/or single dad tropes this book is for you! I can’t wait to see what Laura Langa does next!
July 23, 2023
What starts out as another bet with Ann’s sister turns into something our heroine never expected to find for herself. Date the Alphabet, by Laura Langa is a refreshing and sweetly satisfying closed door love story.
Imagine a story where the H/h acts like adults and think things through, while considering the feelings of others. Zane and Ann support, understand and try to be there for each other. I love the way they lifted each other up, even during times of struggle. The relationship Zane maintains with his ex-wife as well as his daughter will just make you love him even more.
When a story gets me to strongly emote in anyway, it gets five stars. Let me tell you, I was emoting all over Ann’s jealous, self-involved, chaos creating, sorry excuse of a sister. This is me being nice. While I am not prone to violence, Rene is lucky I was not in the room with her!
Those who enjoy fake dating, single dad, he falls first, friends are family stories can’t miss this one.
I received an E-ARC from the author, and this is my honest review.
Imagine a story where the H/h acts like adults and think things through, while considering the feelings of others. Zane and Ann support, understand and try to be there for each other. I love the way they lifted each other up, even during times of struggle. The relationship Zane maintains with his ex-wife as well as his daughter will just make you love him even more.
When a story gets me to strongly emote in anyway, it gets five stars. Let me tell you, I was emoting all over Ann’s jealous, self-involved, chaos creating, sorry excuse of a sister. This is me being nice. While I am not prone to violence, Rene is lucky I was not in the room with her!
Those who enjoy fake dating, single dad, he falls first, friends are family stories can’t miss this one.
I received an E-ARC from the author, and this is my honest review.
July 25, 2023
Thoughts-
I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love fake dating. Laura Langa has done it again, friends.
Thankfully, Laura reached out to me and offered to let me read her newest book that comes out today: Date the Alphabet.
This book is a fake dating, he falls first, single dad falls for his daughter’s teacher—work of art.
Laura does such a beautiful job of telling a captivating story while incorporating real life struggles. Some topics in the book include: cancer, divorce, co-parenting, toxic family relations, losing a parent, drunk driving, and more.
Despite some of the heavier topics, this book was so refreshing and heartwarming. That karaoke scene, I mean, COME ON😭💕
I loved seeing Ann and Zane’s forbidden Instant connection grow into something so beautiful. It was so easy to love the characters and the landscape. Laura, you make me want to go to Tucson😂
Thank you so much for the ARC!
Read this one🫶
This book can be read as a standalone. Reading Haley and the Yeti first would give more context but it’s possible to read and enjoy this book as a standalone.
I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love fake dating. Laura Langa has done it again, friends.
Thankfully, Laura reached out to me and offered to let me read her newest book that comes out today: Date the Alphabet.
This book is a fake dating, he falls first, single dad falls for his daughter’s teacher—work of art.
Laura does such a beautiful job of telling a captivating story while incorporating real life struggles. Some topics in the book include: cancer, divorce, co-parenting, toxic family relations, losing a parent, drunk driving, and more.
Despite some of the heavier topics, this book was so refreshing and heartwarming. That karaoke scene, I mean, COME ON😭💕
I loved seeing Ann and Zane’s forbidden Instant connection grow into something so beautiful. It was so easy to love the characters and the landscape. Laura, you make me want to go to Tucson😂
Thank you so much for the ARC!
Read this one🫶
This book can be read as a standalone. Reading Haley and the Yeti first would give more context but it’s possible to read and enjoy this book as a standalone.
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