The Single Dad

Ruined Castle #1

by Vivian Wood

From Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Vivian Wood comes a new forbidden billionaire student-teacher romance. Fans of The Stopover by TL Swan, The Fine Print by Lauren Asher, and My Dark Romeo by Parker S. Huntington and LJ Shen will love this book. My life as a ballerina came to an end when I broke my leg onstage. My ballet slippers now hang uselessly on my wall. All that remains are my shattered heart and an uncertain future.Until I run into the tall, dark, and mysterious stranger at a gala.Devilish, handsome, and oh so delectably Scottish, Keir is looking for a nanny for the summer. He's a single father, too busy and too rich to take care of his daughter alone. I have a million questions, but I'm caught up in the unquestionable heat in his eyes.I can tell he wants more than just a nanny. I want to be anywhere but here. I tell him yes... and I quickly become wrapped up in a murder, a blackmail scheme, and my own dark secrets.I've stumbled into dangerous territory. But there's no way that gorgeous billionaire Keir is going to let me go.If you love off limits, forbidden single dad-nanny romances, moonlit nights at remote Scottish castles, and billionaire men deceiving everyone to get the woman they fall in love with, this book is made for you! It's the first of three books in a lavish, decadent, sizzlingly hot trilogy and features no cheating + an (eventual) HEA.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Dark Romance, Forced Proximity, Enemies To Lovers, Ebooks

311 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 18, 2024

About the author

Vivian likes to write about troubled, deeply flawed alpha males and the fiery, kick-ass women who bring them to their knees.

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Reviews

[Mg ♥ The Bookishmedialite · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was no amount of chemistry between those two. I’m sorry, but I didn’t feel it.

[Aria · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Why would I want to read a book full of nasty and incredibly rude characters? Every last one of them! Not for me at all.

[Georgia7Pap · Rating 1 out of 5]

My god.... this was really really really BAD! It was so badly written. They would wear a skirt and then two sentences later they were wearing shorts. The story was all over the place. I thought that I missed entire chapters in between but no it was just really bad. It's like the author didn't have a proofreader or an editor.
I didn't like any characters in this story. Her family were assholes, his family were assholes, he was an asshole and she was an idiot for putting up with all those assholes. The hero was a complete asshole to everyone but for some reason the heroin finds him attractive.

[Sharrons_Chapter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay billionaire and the ballerina?? YES please!!

Lord Kieran ‘Keir’ is a wealthy, successful, single father, and a big a-hole to everyone around him. He is a workaholic and rarely spends any time with his daughter Isla but she is his everything.

Ella has an injury that has kept her from dancing and possibly retire being a ballerina. Her parents are really a piece of work especially her father. He practically drags her to a gala and told her she needs to meet someone. Here is where she sees Kier. There is an instant attraction between them. After spending the night talking and getting to know each other they go back to his room to fool around. Something happens and the only option is for Ella to be a nanny for Isla.

I really enjoyed this book I just wish some things were slowed down and described. There was so much going on and at one point I thought I had pages missing because it went from one scene to a completely different one. I was getting whiplash and confused.

THAT ENDING THOUGH! It ends on a big cliffhanger so be aware.

[Anshul (stories.buddy) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book starts with the prologue novella “The Sinner” which gives you the gist of how the main story started and then it goes straight away from where it left. The main plot is pretty nice to visualize and relate which is a good thing. The chemistry between Ella and Kieran is intense and makes up for the loose ends. Writing is nice but I felt the connectivity was not there at many places like scenes switched without any connection or predeclared but once I got through them, I could relate to where and why it happened. Cliffhanger is agonizing, I just hope it awakes something in Kieran.

I loved Isla who is the daughter of Kieran, her character is bratty, indiscipline but she’s very sweet and needs a little attention with the right guidance to flourish. She’s smart though. Saffron is also an enjoyable character and seems to understand a lot in a kind way. Other characters were very nosy and infuriating. The suspense on which the story is based is well maintained and I’m looking forward to knowing what happens next and why it happened.

[Madeleine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book #2 in the Ruined Castle and it was so good. Loved reading about Keirnan and Ella and the dynamic of their relationship. There is a cliffhanger but, it's makes me even more anxious for the next book.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sometimes it was okay, other times it was just plain bad.

[Gabriëlla Croes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A ballerina who has to stop to dance and an alpha billionaire. That sounds good right?
And it is!

Lord Kieran ‘Kier’ Grayrose and Ella Washington are forced together due to circumstances after a passionate night together and she agrees to be his au pair.

There are many things happening and forces that do not want them together. Yet they are so good together.

----
There is heat between Kier and Ella from the first moment they meet.

It is not your conventional Nanny/Boss romance and I love it.
Kier's daughter needs so much love and attention. Kier can't handle her, other than give in and blaming others. But he loves her very much.

Kier blows hot and cold. At times I wanted to smack him and other times hug him. Just like the title, Kier is a beast but he has so much on his shoulders.

Ella is ballerina who has a career ending injury. She is still figuring out who she is without dancing. But I feel like she grew the most in the story.

The writing was good and I loved that I was kept on the edge everytime. So many things happening.

Did I mention he lives in a ruined castle...

There is still a lot of plot points to play out and that cliffhanger. Oh my gosh. I need October now.

𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻.

[Kari Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keir is a wealthy and successful businessman and a single father to his daughter Isla. He has always ensured she has everything she wants which causes her to act out. When he meets Ella circumstances unfold that start a media frenzy that has him bringing Ella back to his home to be his daughter’s nanny.

With Ella’s career as a professional ballerina no longer possible she is at a crossroads, and she is uncertain about her father’s motives about why he wants her to be the nanny to Keir’s daughter. That decision is taken out of her hands, and it isn’t long before she develops feelings for both father and daughter but there are still a lot of questions both about the man and the situation they find themselves in.

Secrets, suspense and steam as Keir and Ella draw us in and leave us wanting to know what the future holds for this couple.

[Patricia (Spellbound Stories Trish) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kieran encompasses the name beast in every way! He’s big, broody and has a chip on his shoulder but who better to call him out than the petite ballerina Ella!!

This story is shrouded in mystery but full of desire! It ends on a startling cliffhanger that will have you screaming and in need of the next book!

Wood brings back some old characters but introduces new ones that you will love and some you will HATE!

I can not wait for the next book!

[Sharon in SF · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story started out promising, but rapidly spiraled into different directions with no clear path. In the prequel book, The Sinner (which is included in this book as well), our heroine, Ella, attends a ballet fundraiser with her father, and meets our Hero, Keiran, who happens to be friends with Calum & Kaia (Ella's best friend) Fordham (Broken Slipper series). There's instant attraction between the two and they act on it. But when their private moments in the penthouse suite of his hotel room are caught on film, Keir insists on whisking Ella back to his homeland, Scotland, to try and stem off a scandal since his brother is considering a run as Prime Minister. In spite of the fact that Keir is trying to help his brother, James, garner support, the two don't really get along, which becomes very apparent when he arrives home and is confronted by his parents. Not wanting his parents to learn of his possible sex tape, since they already believe Keir is a disappointment to the family because of his divorce, he introduces Ella as his daughter's new au pair, even though she continues to remind us that she did not agree to be Isla's nanny.

The author has served up several plot details, which in my humble opinion, don't seem to fit the characters' reactions, and just hangs in mid-air. They aren't addressed as the story progresses in this book which again seems out of character? The Hero acts like an a$$ to Ella (and to everyone around him), and to her credit, she calls him on it, and often walks away. I feel no chemistry between these two at this point, and I personally don't like him at all. He doesn't really pay that much attention to his daughter, so he can't even claim that endearing quality so I'm not sure what Ella likes about him.

He really needs to hire a new security company because they can't seem to come up with any answers as to how cameras appeared in his hotel suite, which was the whole reason Keir essentially took Ella to Scotland and is making her stay until they figure it out. 🙄 I'm not sure I'm curious enough to continue with this series....

[Saucypotatosalad · Rating 1 out of 5]

Genuienly this was the worst book I've ever read. These two main characters had as much chemistry as I do with a rock. Actually I take that back, I probably have more chemistry with a rock than these two. Also never in my life did I think I would have to read the words "balloon knot" in reference to a literal asshole. Oh and not just once but TWICE we got the balloon knot mentioned. Girl if your booty hole can be referred to as a balloon knot I think you should see a doctor tf. I seriously need one of the high school chem lab eye wash stations after reading this...gross brown water included

[Debbie Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finding Purpose Where Least Expected

The plot does tend to meander a bit, yet it manages to remain engaging enough to keep the pages turning. Ella, as a character, is a highlight for me. Although she didn't initially choose to become Isla's au pair, it turns out she's exactly what Isla needs. Additionally, Ella seems to be a positive influence on Keir as well.

[Teresa Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series
Love Keir and Ellas intense emotional heartstopping arrangement
All the feels
Ready for more
Don't leave me hanging
Ready for the Nanny

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The continuation of Keir and Ella’s story was good and I’m looking forward to seeing how it will end. It was a read that went by quickly cause the story kept my attention start to finish

[SimplyƝì₭]

Freebie right now! Get your copy on Amazon

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

honestly… had to go buy book 2 right away.

[Elizabeth Sikorski · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not gonna lie, I almost DNFed this book. The storyline has kept me interested, but something about the writing doesn’t work for my ADHD. The saving grace of this book, the cliffhanger. 🩰

[Elena · Rating 1 out of 5]

Man, I'm disappointed. This is such a let down. Really doing a blackmail trope by the media, hired by the girls dad? Ugh. Lame.

[E.G. Manetti]

Promoted as a 'Beauty and Beast' retelling it's really a Jane Eyre retelling.

[Jolee Edge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freakin cliff hanger

[Rach Whittaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

The whole book was quite predictable and a long build up, just to end on a cliff hanger which is pretty annoying

[Sheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story: 📖
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cliffhanger!!

Kier & Ella's chemistry is sizzling but she's not just giving into to him. Isla, his daughter, is definitely a challenge but mostly a child in need of boundaries and attention. Something maybe Kier is in need of as well, since he tends to have rather explosive reactions to bad news that are similar to his childs.

[Maddy Martinelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can read my review of The Scottish Billionaire on my blog, here: https://thepaperworlds.blogspot.com/2....

You can read my review of The Beast on my blog, here: https://thepaperworlds.blogspot.com/2....

This is a spoiler-free review! The Beast is currently available for free on iBooks and Kindle.

My immediate first thought about this book was that it sounded like a modern day spin on Beauty and the Beast only in the aspect that that main male lead was giving off major Beast vibes, and I knew I had to read it. The cover also reminded me of Praise by Sara Cate, and it sucked me right in. I have not read a single father romance in, well, I cannot even remember if I ever did, and this seemed like the perfect book to start on that journey.

Keir and Ella are basically at each other's throats for the majority of this book, giving us some great bantering and a dash of enemies to lovers mixed in with their actual feelings. With Keir being so secretive towards Ella when it comes to a lot of personal and business matters, it leaves them constantly in this power struggle to get information out of one another.

I absolutely cannot stand Ella's family sans her younger sister. In The Scottish Billionaire you get a pretty good read on who they are as people and where their morals lie, and in this installment we see how much they have manipulated situations to be in their favor. The same goes for Keir's parents -- they are so controlling over their children and seem to want to make every decision for them, rather than have their children grow as individuals.

There was a lot of back and forth throughout the book -- at times, it felt very repetitive that Keir and Ella were having the same arguments or interactions, or that Ella was constantly thinking about the same thing over and over again, going on for chapters at a time. I think if they were both given some more character development, I would have enjoyed reading their perspectives, but I kept finding myself wanting to be done with the book rather than actually interested in what was going to happen between them.

I will say that the smut scenes were pretty good and are part of the reason on why I am rating this book higher than I normally would. They were the redeeming part of the book -- otherwise, the flow of the story was off and ending on a big cliffhanger felt like a quick way to end the book without actually wrapping anything up. It was difficult to navigate some of the story since I would spend every chapter having to figure out which POV we were reading, in addition to the jumping around doing different things. There definitely could have been more time spent building upon Keir and Ella's relationship and personal issues, which would have made their characters more enjoyable on their own.

It would have been a very quick read if I did not have to keep taking breaks because I could not get into the story or find myself liking a majority of the characters. If you are looking for lots of drama and smut, this would fill the slot, but would leave you unsatisfied if looking for something with just a little more meat on its bones.

You can catch up with me and my current reads by friending me on Goodreads (maddymartinelli), Instagram (@thepaperworlds), Twitter (@thepaperworlds), and following this blog in order to stay up-to-date with any reviews, blog tours, and more!

[Maddie (Bookaholic_Dreamer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.85/3.9 ⭐️

While The Beast maybe the first book in Vivian Wood’s Ruined Castle trilogy. The story of Kieran ‘Kier’ Grayrose and Ella Washington continues off from the cliffhanger in The Sinner, which is the Prequel to this series.


The narrative continued to lead you on a love-hate, back and forth consisting of pushing and pulling between Kier and Ella. All because of the circumstances that they were both put into together due to the situation and events that took place in The Sinner.
It led to a lot of suspenseful build up considering the mysteries of secrets unknown that are constantly mentioned or hinted at. Whilst also bringing a whole lot of drama, given everything that Kier and Ella are fighting and put through with dealing with. Particularly when it came to the interference from Kier’s family.
At the same time we got to see Kier and Ella travelling upon their own journey from within their own personal lives.
In Kier's case it was his business and his daughter Isla, while with Ella it was her family back home and trying to figure out what exactly she was doing and when she would be returning home.

Vivian Wood proved yet again Kier and Ella were a smoke show when it came to the Burning Hot, Tantalising and Provocative steamy factor that they created with their sexy time in getting down and dirty.
Although it was no surprise, considering the electrifying chemistry they shared. The full blowing wattage of sparks that were constantly flying when they were in each other’s presence alone was like getting ready for the fireworks display to go off. Particularly when you took into account the hot and heavy tension that was rising between the two, you could definitely cut it with a knife.

The only issue for me personally was at times the story lacked pizazz when it came to the need for excitement to reel me in. As there were a few times within the storyline it had me expecting more action rather than just words. Which resulted in my attention waning.

Wow that ending! Definitely shocking, since it was so unexpected to me.
Vivian Wood has me desperately wanting to read the next book The Nanny right now, honestly it could not come fast enough.




*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Dora Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What just happened!! I am trying to wrap my mind around what happened in that cliffhanger—I didn’t see that coming! OMG, there is so much to unpack…blackmail, secrets, stalkers, turmoil, danger, murder, heartbreak, and passion. I was captivated from start to finish. While attending ballet school in NYC, Ella had to stop because she hurt her right leg. Since Ella could not be a ballerina, she had to find a job doing whatever. Ella is introduced to Kier at an event in NYC. Ella’s father wanted her to take a job as a nanny for Kier, but why? Does her father has some sort of ulterior motive to persuade his daughter to take a job with Lord Greyrose? Kier finds that he likes the feisty, sassy, talented, and obstinate beautiful woman. After a one night stand between Kier and Ella, something devastating happened when a journalist tends to put his nose where it isn’t suppose to be concerning Lord Greyrose! Kier decides to offer Ella a proposition that she couldn’t refuse—benefiting both of them. Ella’s takes the offer to become Kier’s nanny for his daughter—but in Scotland. Despite their differences and age, the explosive attraction and passion between Kier and Ella is unparalleled and intense, it is off-the-charts hot! I’m also a sucker for an alpha male who talks dirty—especially when he makes his woman talk dirty to him. Just when I thought Kier was starting to show some sign of vulnerability from being cold-hearted and arrogant, then tragedy occurs. Of course, there’s more to their story than can be surmised in a few short sentences, but you need to read this book to find out what happened that is mind-blowing—you won’t believe it. There are several twists and turns within the story that will tempt the characters in ways they could have never envisioned. Vivian Wood delivered a powerful and emotional, all-consuming story that left me obsessed and yearning for more. Can’t wait to read the next book. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Reva Parks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The billionaire and the ballerina:
Ballerina, Ella Mae Wahington, just turned 20 years, a virgin who has focused on the perfect dance moves is now about to be released from the NY Ballet Company as a result of her broken femur and knee. How will she make ends meet?
Billionaire, the beast, Kieran Greyrose is rude to everybody both at home and abroad as CEO of global NewsCorp, barking orders, expecting obedience. Single father to Isla, 6 year-old innocent, abandoned by her mother and acting out causing 8 nannies to resign and getting herself expelled from fancy schools.

Cast of antiheroes:
Members of the Greyrose family: Kieran's dictatorial mother, retired prime minister father Beau, and current running for election as prime minister brother and player, James.
Person who made a sex-tape of Ella and Kier's night together in New York, NewsCorp reporter Max who tried to blackmail Kiernan with the tape, person(s) responsible for running over and killing Max in front of Kiernan's hotel, Max's girlfriend Wendy who is trying to pin the blame on Lord Greyrose even though she is also an employee of NewsCorp.
Ella's father, who claims his younger daughter, Joy, is dying of cancer, wants Ella to bring him dirt on Kieran so he can get rehired at NewsCorp with back pay.
Natasha, Lord Greyrose's personal aid for three years, has been antagonistic toward Ella and Isla, and now we find out that with aliases she had affairs with two other CEOs, suing them and breaking up their families.

Why did I rank this five stars when it ended in a cliffhanger? Because of the way the author kept me on the edge of my seat while Kiernan keeps Ella with him in a rundown castle in rural Scotland, not as an employee, but as a pretend au pair. I wonder if she will take the task of mending Isla's ways or indeed mending the ways of her role-setting father? Will she be able to escape his judgmental family, her own ever-demanding father, her arch-enemy Natasha, or the scandal-causing blackmailers? Hoping for a quick release of The Nanny.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.

Being a surly, driven CEO has earned me billions and lost me more assistants than I can count. When my personal life goes off the rails, I suddenly become infamous for my temper. Now, I am left to care for my rebellious young daughter alone. That's when beautiful Ella comes into our lives. A damaged former ballerina, she makes an instant connection with my wayward child. Ella has been put in a desperate position by her own family. So, she hesitantly agrees when I ask her to be my daughter's au pair. Being so close to Ella each day is such exquisite torture. I can lust after her all I want, but never, ever go any further. Ella's tempting curves beg for my hands to explore them. With the spotlight of my job shining on both of us, I will behave myself.....until I can't anymore.

This is the first book in the Ruined Castles Series. This is the story of Ella and Keir. He is man who has made billions being a CEO and has a daughter that is really giving him a fit. She is a wayward daughter for sure and he isn't really sure what to do about that. His daughter Isla takes to Ella right away and what she really need in life are boundaries and the attention you do not get when your dad is a billion dollar CEO. I don't mean that in a bad way. You have to provide for your children and while he loved his daughter he loved his job too and we all know what that mom guilt as I call it because you have to work feels like. Keir and Ella have this push and pull and give as good as you get kind of thing going on. He needed her help desperately but he also wanted her just as much and Ella wasn't going to make it easy on him either. There are secrets that are in this book that I don't think have quiet come to life yet and I can't wait to see if they do in the next book. I really loved reading this book. These characters will really steal your heart.

[Nikole · Rating 1 out of 5]

At 35% in and he's fighting with his family. Its all so boring and none of it is making any sense. How does his brother know about the sex? All of it is just.. BLEH and weird. Everyone in this are assholes, including the kid.
The FMC is weird and there is really no reason for them to be attracted. There is no connection between them. He treats her like shit and then all of a sudden they are having sex. It was so confusing, they went out for a run and it was talking about her pushing to make it up the hill, he said they would take a break when she made it... okay... she makes it and goes to him pull her onto a stone and them screwing. There was nothing to bring you into it. One second they are running the next they are screwing. Now - they mention here that THEY NEVER REALLY HAD SEX! So this whole time I was right - she was still a virgin. Now this is the first time they have sex, its in the woods and idk. It was anticlimactic and super weird.

I DNF; it was boring and none of it made any sense, especially when his family was around. Their fighting was just cringy and extra. There was contradicting stuff. The interview, he said no personal questions, he wasn't going to answer them and interview would be over - then immediately there is personal questions and he answers them... like ... wtf
that whole scene just *eye roll*

the FMC hates the MMC and doesn't want him but talks about being with him. The assistant hurts the kids behind the MMC's back. He's a shitty father - literally as bad as his 'wife' who he apparently divorced according to some parts in the story but according to others they are still married. IDK, just like their sex - its so contradicting and confusing I couldn't keep up with what actually happened

Would not recommend. It was poorly written, the story and plot sucked, the characters had no connection to each other, it was emotionless, and the characters were shitty and unrelatable.