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Single Dads Club #2
Riding the Waves
Escape to Hope Cove for a summer filled with surf lessons, sandcastles and sunshine.
As the owner of a surf school, Damian has the career of his dreams. His pride in his job only comes second to his pride for his energetic sons.
With the school holidays looming, he’s excited to have his twin boys staying with him for the entire summer.
What he’s not prepared for is their mother spending the summer in Hope Cove too. Damian closed his heart off to Amy when she married another guy six years ago. But as the mother of his children she was never out of his life completely – and not often far from his thoughts.
Now, she’s separated from her husband and the chemistry between her and Damian is as sizzling as it was when they first met.
For a chance at a future together, Damian and Amy will need to work through the mistakes of their past.
Can they navigate the treacherous waters of love and forgiveness and give their relationship a second chance? And will they find a way to be the family they were always meant to be, even when it seems everything is against them?
As the owner of a surf school, Damian has the career of his dreams. His pride in his job only comes second to his pride for his energetic sons.
With the school holidays looming, he’s excited to have his twin boys staying with him for the entire summer.
What he’s not prepared for is their mother spending the summer in Hope Cove too. Damian closed his heart off to Amy when she married another guy six years ago. But as the mother of his children she was never out of his life completely – and not often far from his thoughts.
Now, she’s separated from her husband and the chemistry between her and Damian is as sizzling as it was when they first met.
For a chance at a future together, Damian and Amy will need to work through the mistakes of their past.
Can they navigate the treacherous waters of love and forgiveness and give their relationship a second chance? And will they find a way to be the family they were always meant to be, even when it seems everything is against them?
- GenresRomance
294 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 24, 2023
286 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Ellis
59 books435 followersHannah Ellis spent many years working in childcare before deciding she'd like to write books. When she's not busy writing she likes to read, drink tea and eat chocolate. She also enjoys yoga and jogging.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 29, 2023
I was looking forward to this, by 20% I thought it was going to be a 2.5* read, at 60% I wanted to give up, I foolishly persevered and it had dropped to 1* by the end. Good god I hated Amy.
I knew from book one that this was about Damian getting back together with the mother of his twin boys after her marriage ended. Nothing wrong with that. Both in fiction and real life things can be messy and odd and still be good. I know plenty of people in unusual relationships and I don't feel the need to judge them. But I would absolutely judge Amy and find her wanting if she were my friend.
The background: Damian has a surf shack on the beach and Amy met him while she was at Uni. In her final year she got pregnant and they had twin boys when she was 22. I think he is slightly older. They moved to Oxford to be closer to her family and he got a low paying job he hated. Two infants + no sleep + no money = way too much stress. They fought. He goes back to Hope Cove to make more money. He sends her all his money and talks to her while away. She runs into old boyfriend who is older, settled, and well off. He comes and helps with babies and then asks her to marry him. the babies are 6 months old and she just calls Damian and tells him out of the blue she is marrying someone else. There is no getting past that this is shitty behaviour. yet somehow Damian and his parents apparently never blamed her for this and in fact blame Damian for leaving.
six years later: Amy is in her nice home with her nice husband, Anthony, who dotes on her kids. She is bored watching TV and he asks what she is thinking. She tells him. She is wondering what her life would have been like if she had stayed with Damian. And she tells him she has been in love with Damian all this time. (If you find this romantic then this might be the book for you). They separate. So she doesn't have the same level of support over the summer holidays and decides Dad should get his kids for 6 weeks. The first time she has ever allowed this. He is excited and arranges his schedule so he can spend as much time with them as possible even though it is his busy time at his business. But Amy purposefully takes a break from her job, volunteers at a place close to Hope Cove, and moves there for the six weeks as a surprise. Unsurprisingly the kids are confused.
That is the beginning of the book. I don't mind flawed characters but there was no growth and everyone bending over backwards to say she has done nothing wrong. It is supposed to be Damian's time with the kids but when Anthony wants a day with the kids all to himself she says yes and then tells Damian. He agrees of course. He feels that Anthony is more of a father than he is so he knows his boys will want to see him. But to me this just displayed her total lack of respect for him.
When Anthony visits he explains that he doesn't blame her. He has always known. He took advantage of her by loving her kids. He wants her to have the expensive house. Likely the same one he owned before they married though it is not said clearly. Oh and by the way he has a new girlfriend. A co-worker he had a few innocent, but secret, outings with before Amy dropped her news. I just rolled my eyes. The author clearly wanted Amy to look less bad but couldn't quite make Anthony a bad guy either. What a mess.
They end up having sex in the old van he has kept from the beginning of their relationship. He tells her clearly that he has slept in it alone and thought about her over the years. It is clean and still has her mementos in it. No mention is made of condoms but I can't see him having any in the van. She also thinks he went out on a date that required he change clothes mid-date and she doesn't ask a thing about it until long after they have had sex. So I mark this as unsafe sex. (For those that care we know he has not been celibate until he found out Amy was getting a divorce. I think that is reasonable but I know some people don't like that.)
I also want to point out their parenting is dangerous. The boys are 7. They leave them on the beach while they go out into the water for Amy to practice her surfing. "stay on the sand boys" is not suitable or safe in any way.
After a wee bit of tension they decide to be together. He says he will move to Oxford and she is looking for a house. Anthony and his gf come over and the 4 of them plus kids have a nice bbq together. After she decides she likes the new woman and also wants to talk to Anthony about the idea of moving to Devon. When it finally comes time to move she tells Anthony he can take the kids for Christmas, again without consulting Damian.
I hated her and I hated this book.
I knew from book one that this was about Damian getting back together with the mother of his twin boys after her marriage ended. Nothing wrong with that. Both in fiction and real life things can be messy and odd and still be good. I know plenty of people in unusual relationships and I don't feel the need to judge them. But I would absolutely judge Amy and find her wanting if she were my friend.
The background: Damian has a surf shack on the beach and Amy met him while she was at Uni. In her final year she got pregnant and they had twin boys when she was 22. I think he is slightly older. They moved to Oxford to be closer to her family and he got a low paying job he hated. Two infants + no sleep + no money = way too much stress. They fought. He goes back to Hope Cove to make more money. He sends her all his money and talks to her while away. She runs into old boyfriend who is older, settled, and well off. He comes and helps with babies and then asks her to marry him. the babies are 6 months old and she just calls Damian and tells him out of the blue she is marrying someone else. There is no getting past that this is shitty behaviour. yet somehow Damian and his parents apparently never blamed her for this and in fact blame Damian for leaving.
six years later: Amy is in her nice home with her nice husband, Anthony, who dotes on her kids. She is bored watching TV and he asks what she is thinking. She tells him. She is wondering what her life would have been like if she had stayed with Damian. And she tells him she has been in love with Damian all this time. (If you find this romantic then this might be the book for you). They separate. So she doesn't have the same level of support over the summer holidays and decides Dad should get his kids for 6 weeks. The first time she has ever allowed this. He is excited and arranges his schedule so he can spend as much time with them as possible even though it is his busy time at his business. But Amy purposefully takes a break from her job, volunteers at a place close to Hope Cove, and moves there for the six weeks as a surprise. Unsurprisingly the kids are confused.
That is the beginning of the book. I don't mind flawed characters but there was no growth and everyone bending over backwards to say she has done nothing wrong. It is supposed to be Damian's time with the kids but when Anthony wants a day with the kids all to himself she says yes and then tells Damian. He agrees of course. He feels that Anthony is more of a father than he is so he knows his boys will want to see him. But to me this just displayed her total lack of respect for him.
When Anthony visits he explains that he doesn't blame her. He has always known. He took advantage of her by loving her kids. He wants her to have the expensive house. Likely the same one he owned before they married though it is not said clearly. Oh and by the way he has a new girlfriend. A co-worker he had a few innocent, but secret, outings with before Amy dropped her news. I just rolled my eyes. The author clearly wanted Amy to look less bad but couldn't quite make Anthony a bad guy either. What a mess.
They end up having sex in the old van he has kept from the beginning of their relationship. He tells her clearly that he has slept in it alone and thought about her over the years. It is clean and still has her mementos in it. No mention is made of condoms but I can't see him having any in the van. She also thinks he went out on a date that required he change clothes mid-date and she doesn't ask a thing about it until long after they have had sex. So I mark this as unsafe sex. (For those that care we know he has not been celibate until he found out Amy was getting a divorce. I think that is reasonable but I know some people don't like that.)
I also want to point out their parenting is dangerous. The boys are 7. They leave them on the beach while they go out into the water for Amy to practice her surfing. "stay on the sand boys" is not suitable or safe in any way.
After a wee bit of tension they decide to be together. He says he will move to Oxford and she is looking for a house. Anthony and his gf come over and the 4 of them plus kids have a nice bbq together. After she decides she likes the new woman and also wants to talk to Anthony about the idea of moving to Devon. When it finally comes time to move she tells Anthony he can take the kids for Christmas, again without consulting Damian.
I hated her and I hated this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2025
In the second book in the Single Dad’s Club series, we focus on Damian who runs the local surf shack, and his ex partner and mother of their twins, Amy. Even though Amy lives in Oxford with the boys, she decides to stay in a holiday let in Hope Cove where the boys will be spending the summer holidays with their dad so she can gain experience in the publishing world. Of course, this means we get to catch back up with some of the characters from the Hope Cove series of which I was over joyed about.
I really liked both Damien and Amy. Whilst they have had their ups and downs, it was good to see a couple who put their boys first and work together to make sure their relationship doesn’t affect them. So many relationships end bitterly as well as parents using their children to get back at their partners so was good to see adults, acting like adults for a change and considering other peoples thoughts and feelings. Of course, it helps that the pair still have feeling for each other.
Riding the Waves was a truly uplifting and heart-warming read about parenthood and relationships. Not just in the romantic sense but the dynamics of step parents also. I’ve never been to Hope Cove but could easily pack up and move there as the author really sells the gorgeous setting to the reader. The warmth of the characters adds to this books appeal and they all felt like good friends by the time I had reached the end. These are such bingeable books that once you pick up, you don’t want to put down as they are the ideal escapism. Wonderfully captivating!
I really liked both Damien and Amy. Whilst they have had their ups and downs, it was good to see a couple who put their boys first and work together to make sure their relationship doesn’t affect them. So many relationships end bitterly as well as parents using their children to get back at their partners so was good to see adults, acting like adults for a change and considering other peoples thoughts and feelings. Of course, it helps that the pair still have feeling for each other.
Riding the Waves was a truly uplifting and heart-warming read about parenthood and relationships. Not just in the romantic sense but the dynamics of step parents also. I’ve never been to Hope Cove but could easily pack up and move there as the author really sells the gorgeous setting to the reader. The warmth of the characters adds to this books appeal and they all felt like good friends by the time I had reached the end. These are such bingeable books that once you pick up, you don’t want to put down as they are the ideal escapism. Wonderfully captivating!
August 15, 2023
Damian has his twin boys for the summer holidays and there mother Amy who broke his heart and married another guy is planning on staying nearby unbeknownst to Damian. When Damian finds out will sparks fly and old love reunite? I loved the first book in this series and I loved this one just as much. With characters who's life's you can easily become invested in. Scarlett has become my favourite character and I am really hoping that there will be a book about her in the series. The small town community lives up to it's reputation with everyone knowing your business before you even know yourself. I enjoyed the fun and flirty banter in the book and the publishing company made me think about all the work that has to go into having a book published. A thouroghly enjoyable and fun book that I will definitely be taking to the beach so I can read it again.
August 15, 2023
Having loved the first in the Single Dad’s club series, a short time between the release dates meant I didn’t have to wait to long to read Damian and Amy’s story which I’d been waiting for since reading the short story introductions to the Single Dads. For the outset, it’s so clear that Damian and Amy love each other but it’s the difficult decisions of the past, the complicated blended family and twin boys of the present and the fears for the future that play out during this fun and heartfelt book. Scarlett, my favourite character from the Hope Cove series, is the golden thread that weaves these stories together in such a charming and delightful way. I didn’t want to put this down and loved every minute.
August 24, 2023
Riding the Waves is the latest book by Hannah Ellis. This is the second book in the Single Dad’s Club series which is set in the picturesque seaside town of Hope Cove.
As with all Hannah’s books when reading this heartwarming story of Damien and Amy your imagination will be transported to this wonderful place.
I was hooked from the first chapter and didn’t want to put the book down. It’s a perfect book for curling up on the sofa with and blocking out the world!
Another excellent read and so looking forward to the next book ‘Playing for Keeps’.
As with all Hannah’s books when reading this heartwarming story of Damien and Amy your imagination will be transported to this wonderful place.
I was hooked from the first chapter and didn’t want to put the book down. It’s a perfect book for curling up on the sofa with and blocking out the world!
Another excellent read and so looking forward to the next book ‘Playing for Keeps’.
September 1, 2023
Another fantastic Hannah Ellis book
Set in Hope Cove you meet some of the characters from Hannah's other books. I loved the scenes set in the Hope Cove Publishing office with Scarlett, Emily and Lizzie.
Set in Hope Cove you meet some of the characters from Hannah's other books. I loved the scenes set in the Hope Cove Publishing office with Scarlett, Emily and Lizzie.
September 14, 2023
Brilliant book. I dont write many reviews but I loved to 'meet' Scarlet again. The relationships of this autism spectrum character are so well portrayed. I think the last review I wrote was for Scarlets' story
I have read every book Hannah has writen so far
I have read every book Hannah has writen so far
November 27, 2023
As with the other books in this series, I loved the story although painful in many ways, and connected with all the characters. This book focused on Damian.....going to need to read the whole series to get some real closure on this single dad's story.
March 22, 2024
relaxing read
The story was so interesting with the couple finding each other again. Having twin boys when young was the break up for the young couple. They had never stopped loving each other though. This is a perfect story of making up.
The story was so interesting with the couple finding each other again. Having twin boys when young was the break up for the young couple. They had never stopped loving each other though. This is a perfect story of making up.
August 25, 2023
This is the second book in this series and it certainly didn't disappoint. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
August 30, 2023
Loved it !!
This book didn't disappoint ,just like the others ,fantastic characters that you engrossed in there lives ,can't wait for the next one
This book didn't disappoint ,just like the others ,fantastic characters that you engrossed in there lives ,can't wait for the next one
November 6, 2023
Good read
I loved the book ,once I got into it I found it hard to put down.My sort of book.Looking forward to the next one.
I loved the book ,once I got into it I found it hard to put down.My sort of book.Looking forward to the next one.
November 17, 2023
Another triumph by Hannah! Absolutely loved it ❤️
November 29, 2023
REally enjoying this series. Heartwarming and fun to read.
January 20, 2024
All around good book.
February 4, 2024
Book 2 in the Single Dads series. This one focuses on Damien, his ex wife Amy and their twin sons. Very enjoyable.
October 5, 2024
Enjoyable light weight holiday read - quite short.
Only read it once despite what what Goodreads are trying to say and not let edit.
Only read it once despite what what Goodreads are trying to say and not let edit.
January 27, 2025
Another love!
Even though I could tell where the story would end up, the journey to get there was wonderful! Can't wait to read the next one.
Even though I could tell where the story would end up, the journey to get there was wonderful! Can't wait to read the next one.
March 21, 2024
I always feel weird about the family dynamic of the parent splitting with step parent then step parent and new partner having an active role in their lives especially when bio parents get back together. Though I do get family is what you make it I just found that aspect of this book a bit awkward? Based purely on fmc feelings towards mmc and also kids now step-parent … other than that I really liked it, loved the publishing girls. Very random ending it felt like the last chapter was missing
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2024
Couldn't put it down.
It's 230 in the morning but I had to keep reading. Hannah Ellis you have done it again. I have read every single one of your books and they never disappoint. This book ends where the reader hopes it does but never really sure if it will. I love that characters from hope cove series are here too.
It's 230 in the morning but I had to keep reading. Hannah Ellis you have done it again. I have read every single one of your books and they never disappoint. This book ends where the reader hopes it does but never really sure if it will. I love that characters from hope cove series are here too.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews