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The Stand-in Dad
Something old, something new, someone borrowed… Forty years ago, sixteen-year-old David was heartbroken when his family rejected him for coming out. Since then, he has vowed to always help anyone in need. So, when he finds a tearful young woman outside his flower shop, he can’t just walk away.
Meg is newly engaged to the love of her life, Hannah. She should be overjoyed, but her conservative parents have made their disapproval painfully clear – leaving Meg devastated and wanting to call the whole wedding off.
But David won’t let another young person be rejected. He offers to be Meg’s ‘stand-in dad’, diving headfirst into dress fittings, cake tastings, and venue visits to make sure Meg’s special day is unforgettable.
Yet Meg’s parents’ absence looms large – and when disaster strikes, can David save the wedding in time?
The Stand-in Dad is a joyful story about found family and the courage to embrace love’s true colours, perfect for fans of Matt Cain, Mike Gayle and Ryan Love.
Meg is newly engaged to the love of her life, Hannah. She should be overjoyed, but her conservative parents have made their disapproval painfully clear – leaving Meg devastated and wanting to call the whole wedding off.
But David won’t let another young person be rejected. He offers to be Meg’s ‘stand-in dad’, diving headfirst into dress fittings, cake tastings, and venue visits to make sure Meg’s special day is unforgettable.
Yet Meg’s parents’ absence looms large – and when disaster strikes, can David save the wedding in time?
The Stand-in Dad is a joyful story about found family and the courage to embrace love’s true colours, perfect for fans of Matt Cain, Mike Gayle and Ryan Love.
368 pages, Paperback
Published May 27, 2025
20 people are currently reading
241 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
April 30, 2025
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2.5 Stars
There's no doubt that the story in this book is very heartwarming, surrounding issues of found family and acceptance. But in my book, it fell short of the potential the premise had. I loved the character, David. He was such a kind soul after everything he went through. Meg was very vulnerable, and I enjoyed her journey of self-acceptance and self-love. The book is an amazing tale of the pain parents can cause their children if they are different, gay in these cases. These parents made me so angry.
What the book lacked, in my humble opinion, was how sickly sweet the plot was. The resolutions were too simplistic and felt fake and not realistic at all. It was a bit melodramatic for my liking and too much like a soap opera. These are serious issues, so it lacked in that regard, and David and Meg ended up like caricatures.
The pacing was very slow, and the book is way too long. The plot unfolded very predictably, too. I wish there was drama and not everything tied up into a nice neat bow. It just diminishes the importance of the challenges the LGBTQ+ community faces on a daily basis. Even though the book is feel-good at its heart, it could have added more depth to the plot if it was more realistic.
Overall, this book was more of a comfort read than one that tackles issues, and I felt that lessened the overall moral of the story. So, even though it is heartwarming, a more realistic ending would have made me round up instead of down.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The Book Review Crew Blog
2.5 Stars
There's no doubt that the story in this book is very heartwarming, surrounding issues of found family and acceptance. But in my book, it fell short of the potential the premise had. I loved the character, David. He was such a kind soul after everything he went through. Meg was very vulnerable, and I enjoyed her journey of self-acceptance and self-love. The book is an amazing tale of the pain parents can cause their children if they are different, gay in these cases. These parents made me so angry.
What the book lacked, in my humble opinion, was how sickly sweet the plot was. The resolutions were too simplistic and felt fake and not realistic at all. It was a bit melodramatic for my liking and too much like a soap opera. These are serious issues, so it lacked in that regard, and David and Meg ended up like caricatures.
The pacing was very slow, and the book is way too long. The plot unfolded very predictably, too. I wish there was drama and not everything tied up into a nice neat bow. It just diminishes the importance of the challenges the LGBTQ+ community faces on a daily basis. Even though the book is feel-good at its heart, it could have added more depth to the plot if it was more realistic.
Overall, this book was more of a comfort read than one that tackles issues, and I felt that lessened the overall moral of the story. So, even though it is heartwarming, a more realistic ending would have made me round up instead of down.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
April 10, 2025
This was an absolutely charming story. The characters are extremely relatable, and believable, and the situation is one everyone has heard before – both within straight and LGBTQ families. The LGBTQ slant just gives another layer of interest to this delightful story.
Meg has recently become engaged to her girlfriend Hannah, so why is she crying her eyes out outside the florist? Her parents aren’t happy about the union and haven’t turned up to help chose the flowers for the wedding. Enter David, the florist, who knows all too well what happens when your parents don’t approve of your partner – or your lifestyle, and he vows to help Meg in any way he can. David offers to be her stand in Dad and helps her to organise the wedding – at the same time as setting up a network of LGBTQ tradespeople who can also help each other and boost their wedding sales. David has a secret you see, his florist isn’t doing too well, and if things don’t improve, they could lose the florist, and the flat they live in upstairs. Will Meg’s parent’s actually turn up for the wedding? If they do come, how will they behave, and will that upset David who is enjoying playing ‘Dad’?
A gorgeous story of families, and the families you make for yourselves. I would be very happy to read more Alex Summer’s stories.
Meg has recently become engaged to her girlfriend Hannah, so why is she crying her eyes out outside the florist? Her parents aren’t happy about the union and haven’t turned up to help chose the flowers for the wedding. Enter David, the florist, who knows all too well what happens when your parents don’t approve of your partner – or your lifestyle, and he vows to help Meg in any way he can. David offers to be her stand in Dad and helps her to organise the wedding – at the same time as setting up a network of LGBTQ tradespeople who can also help each other and boost their wedding sales. David has a secret you see, his florist isn’t doing too well, and if things don’t improve, they could lose the florist, and the flat they live in upstairs. Will Meg’s parent’s actually turn up for the wedding? If they do come, how will they behave, and will that upset David who is enjoying playing ‘Dad’?
A gorgeous story of families, and the families you make for yourselves. I would be very happy to read more Alex Summer’s stories.
April 27, 2025
This was so cute, found family is one of my fave tropes. Absolutely loved the Milton Keynes/Woburn setting as well - more books from local authors set in local places please! Well done on an excellent debut novel, 4⭐️
January 4, 2026
Perfect read to start the year with - adorable and feel good book with likeable characters and also made me chuckle and go "awww" quite a few times
June 7, 2025
Veered between 'ok' and 'unbearably corny'
April 27, 2025
The Stand-In Dad is a very lovely book about Meg who is planning her wedding to Hannah. Hannah is doing a lot of traveling, and the bulk of the planning is falling to Meg. Meg and Hannah recently returned to the town where Meg’s parents live and where Meg grew up. As the story opens, Meg is expecting to meet her parents and for them to help her with some of the floral decisions. They send her a text and tell her they can’t make it.
Meg is crushed and in tears. Coincidentally the florist is David and his family rejected him and his partner 40 years ago. David offers to help, and eventually Meg takes him up on that offer.
This is a heartwarming story. (I really don’t feel like this is a romance.) I prefer that romances are of the “closed door” variety; and I wasn’t sure whether this book would be “closed door” or not … but honestly … it was perfect! Just right (for me anyway).
Some of the plot seemed a bit too contrived. Looks like the authors first novel, so kudos to Alex Summers on his first novel. I did like that David was creating a list of businesses that supported the LGBTQ community and I loved how the floral shop supported teens in the area.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read the advance read copy of The Stand-In Dad in exchange for an honest review. 384 pages, Publication date is Apr 24, 2025.
Meg is crushed and in tears. Coincidentally the florist is David and his family rejected him and his partner 40 years ago. David offers to help, and eventually Meg takes him up on that offer.
This is a heartwarming story. (I really don’t feel like this is a romance.) I prefer that romances are of the “closed door” variety; and I wasn’t sure whether this book would be “closed door” or not … but honestly … it was perfect! Just right (for me anyway).
Some of the plot seemed a bit too contrived. Looks like the authors first novel, so kudos to Alex Summers on his first novel. I did like that David was creating a list of businesses that supported the LGBTQ community and I loved how the floral shop supported teens in the area.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read the advance read copy of The Stand-In Dad in exchange for an honest review. 384 pages, Publication date is Apr 24, 2025.
March 23, 2025
This novel has a multigenerational storyline covering a timeline leading up to a wedding. The first half of the book unfolded very slowly, and I did not feel connected to the characters, which seemed bland, and the relationships uninteresting. By mid-book, the tension picks up and adds a bit of drama that moved the story along to a feel-good ending.
Meg and Hannah have been together for ten years and have decided to have a non-traditional wedding. When her mother is a no-show for an appointment with the florist, Meg is taken under the owner’s wing. This kindness on David’s part lays the foundation for a wonderful friendship and, as it becomes obvious that Meg’s parents are uncomfortable with her lifestyle choice, he becomes her support system – “The Stand-In-Dad.
David has had his own issues with his now-deceased parents’ rejection of his gay lifestyle. Having fled home at age eighteen, he has created a full life with a partner of twenty years, owns a struggling florist business, and serves as a mentor to a youth group. The wedding planning offers both David and Meg the opportunity to take risks and to expand their social circles.
The book pays homage to romantic love, multigenerational relationships, and community support. Overall, I enjoyed the theme of the novel, but the slow pacing kept it from being one I would recommend with enthusiasm.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Meg and Hannah have been together for ten years and have decided to have a non-traditional wedding. When her mother is a no-show for an appointment with the florist, Meg is taken under the owner’s wing. This kindness on David’s part lays the foundation for a wonderful friendship and, as it becomes obvious that Meg’s parents are uncomfortable with her lifestyle choice, he becomes her support system – “The Stand-In-Dad.
David has had his own issues with his now-deceased parents’ rejection of his gay lifestyle. Having fled home at age eighteen, he has created a full life with a partner of twenty years, owns a struggling florist business, and serves as a mentor to a youth group. The wedding planning offers both David and Meg the opportunity to take risks and to expand their social circles.
The book pays homage to romantic love, multigenerational relationships, and community support. Overall, I enjoyed the theme of the novel, but the slow pacing kept it from being one I would recommend with enthusiasm.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
April 2, 2025
David and Mark are a settled couple in their 50s. Meg and Hannah are getting ready to marry but Meg's parents passive-aggressively disapprove and have removed themselves from wedding planning, to Meg's dismay. David's budding friendship with Meg, his involvement in her wedding planning, and Meg's difficulty with her homophobic parents forces him to revisit his own troubled family past and try to reconcile how it might be affecting his relationship with Mark.
I loved how David and Meg's friendship grew and deepened, and the support of the community network was wonderful. I also loved the midlife representation in life partners David and Mark. The supporting characters were distinct and a great addition, the youth group members were the best! This is a sweet story with themes of acceptance and inclusivity and chosen family. The pacing was a bit uneven, and it was slow for a very long time before things picked up. At times I found it to be overly focused on details, as well as a bit blandly written for my tastes. That said, I think this is the perfect book if you're looking for a cozy and gently satisfying story. 3.5 stars. Publishes April 24, 2025. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
I loved how David and Meg's friendship grew and deepened, and the support of the community network was wonderful. I also loved the midlife representation in life partners David and Mark. The supporting characters were distinct and a great addition, the youth group members were the best! This is a sweet story with themes of acceptance and inclusivity and chosen family. The pacing was a bit uneven, and it was slow for a very long time before things picked up. At times I found it to be overly focused on details, as well as a bit blandly written for my tastes. That said, I think this is the perfect book if you're looking for a cozy and gently satisfying story. 3.5 stars. Publishes April 24, 2025. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
May 8, 2025
As a Debut Novel I thought this was great🙌🏻
This is in my opinion a very heartwarming read. It felt like I was receiving a hug at times which was lovely. I did really love the Found Family trope, this is one of my favourite tropes to read about and one I’d love to read more of.
There’s plenty of great LGBTQ rep in here which I loved and the friendship between David and Meg was lovely, she definitely did find her family in this book🥰
The only downside I have is how sickly sweet it came across which isn’t something I enjoy in a book, but I know some love that so it’s more of a personal opinion!
I look forward to reading more from Alex Summers!
Thank you to Avon for gifting me a copy of this book, it’s one I’m going to recommend to people for sure😊
This is in my opinion a very heartwarming read. It felt like I was receiving a hug at times which was lovely. I did really love the Found Family trope, this is one of my favourite tropes to read about and one I’d love to read more of.
There’s plenty of great LGBTQ rep in here which I loved and the friendship between David and Meg was lovely, she definitely did find her family in this book🥰
The only downside I have is how sickly sweet it came across which isn’t something I enjoy in a book, but I know some love that so it’s more of a personal opinion!
I look forward to reading more from Alex Summers!
Thank you to Avon for gifting me a copy of this book, it’s one I’m going to recommend to people for sure😊
May 29, 2025
Sometimes you pick a book because it feels like it's going to be a cozy read, and then that same book gives you all the feels and almost brings a few tears to your eyes... and that's OK
August 3, 2025
It was a bit silly and the characters were a bit frustrating but the drama was engaging
November 10, 2025
Honestly a very cozy read, that just centers community, found family, and healing. It took a while for me to get into it, but from like 40% onwards I finished it all in one night.
May 15, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🥺 🏳️🌈👩❤️💋👩This was an amazing found family. The way the realities of so many LGBTQIA couples was handled and presented added the relatability I wanted from this story. This was a very heartwarming read that tackles real struggles and the way love can conquer it all.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy. 💜
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy. 💜
February 20, 2025
Everything feel a little terrible lately so I was very happy to get to dive into this feel good book.
Meg is getting married to the love of her life, Hannah. But casting a rather dark shadow over what should be one of the happiest days is her parents and the general sense of disapproval they have for Meg and her “lifestyle”. After her mum stands her up at the florists Meg breaks down in tears on a bench outside. David has been running his flower shop for years, and loves people. When he sees a young woman crying outside his shop he tries to help. Meg’s story about her parents disapproval hits a nerve from years back when he came out to his own parents. Deciding Meg deserves support for her wedding he offers to be her person as she plans her wedding. As the wedding draws nearer Meg will find joy in planning her special day while also struggling with her family. David will see some of his own fears and insecurities play out in his new friend and will possibly have to confront some of his own skeletons.
This was a beautiful book about love. From romantic love to friendship to community. The strength of found families plays a huge role in this cozy novel. This is the kind of book I needed to read right now, it beautifully showcases that love wins, and kindness build community.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Avon Books for letting me have an advanced copy for review.
Look for The Stand-In Dad April 24, 2025
Meg is getting married to the love of her life, Hannah. But casting a rather dark shadow over what should be one of the happiest days is her parents and the general sense of disapproval they have for Meg and her “lifestyle”. After her mum stands her up at the florists Meg breaks down in tears on a bench outside. David has been running his flower shop for years, and loves people. When he sees a young woman crying outside his shop he tries to help. Meg’s story about her parents disapproval hits a nerve from years back when he came out to his own parents. Deciding Meg deserves support for her wedding he offers to be her person as she plans her wedding. As the wedding draws nearer Meg will find joy in planning her special day while also struggling with her family. David will see some of his own fears and insecurities play out in his new friend and will possibly have to confront some of his own skeletons.
This was a beautiful book about love. From romantic love to friendship to community. The strength of found families plays a huge role in this cozy novel. This is the kind of book I needed to read right now, it beautifully showcases that love wins, and kindness build community.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Avon Books for letting me have an advanced copy for review.
Look for The Stand-In Dad April 24, 2025
April 30, 2025
I picked this up because of the title. The idea of a ‘stand-in’ dad – for any reason – just sounded so very appealing. The book looked like it would be just wonderfully warm and fuzzy – which is just what I was looking for and also exactly what it turned out to be.
Meg and Hannah are engaged to be married when the story opens. They are already on the road to their happy ever after, but that road is not running smoothly. Not because they have a problem, but because Meg’s parents are being asshats. (I just imagined Meg’s mother wearing her ass as a hat because she’s exactly the type to wear hats and OMG its hilarious and awful at the same time)
So Meg is hunched outside the door of the florist shop that her mother was supposed to meet her at, crying because her mother is doing passive aggressive asshattery by ghosting her own daughter, and fate steps in. Or rather, the florist, David Fenton, steps out of HIS florist shop and into the role of Meg’s stand-in dad.
Not that it doesn’t take a while, but it’s something that they both need. Meg needs help, a shoulder to cry on, a confidante, and someone maybe a bit older if not wiser just to be there for her. David needs a do-over, he needs to be the parent he didn’t have when he came out as teenager and walked away from his own parents’ rejection with a hole in his heart. His parents are long dead, and that hole can’t be healed by fixing that relationship.
But maybe it can be healed by paying forward the relationship he wanted but didn’t have. AND he’ll get to help plan a wedding for someone he comes to love and wants to support as if she was his own daughter.
What makes this story beautiful is the way that Meg and David manage to heal each other even as they draw an entire community around the wedding of Meg’s – and her fiancée Hannah’s – dreams. And if that dream wedding is more than a bit untraditional every step of the way – even before Mother Nature intervenes in a really big way to make it even more so – it’s all icing on a very eclectic raft of wedding cupcakes. And it’s glorious.
Escape Rating A: This was the book that was calling my name this weekend, and I’m really happy that I answered that call because it was absolutely the right book at the right time for this reader. Even if it may seem like its a bit early for a review, which it both is and isn’t. If you can’t resist the call either, the ebook is available NOW. The US paperback will be available at the end of May.
Don’t let the ‘romance’ label on this book set up any expectations. It’s not a romance – and that’s a marvelous thing in this instance. It is, however and very much, a story about relationships. And it’s an absolutely lovely and terrific feel-good story that will have you turning the last page with a big smile on your face.
It certainly did for me.
What made me love this one so hard – which I absolutely did – is not just the father-daughter relationship that grows between David and Meg, but the way that they gathered their friends and loved-ones and the whole entire community into the process of both celebration and healing.
There’s a lovely symmetry in the way that helping to plan Meg’s wedding opens David up to re-examining his reasons for not wanting to marry his own life partner in spite of how much Mark would really like to marry him now that it’s possible.
At the same time, David has thrown himself into Meg’s wedding planning to push off dealing with the fact that his shop is failing and his dream is dying and he doesn’t know what he’ll do next. Until it all comes together in a way that is utterly delightful – even if it does feel a bit too good to be true in all the best ways.
There are a lot of things in their situations that turn out to be sort of sideways parallels that mean that both Meg and David grow and change and expand their circles of friends and found family in ways that reach beyond just the wedding. Which, of course, turned out to be wonderful even if it was nothing like was originally planned. It was better.
What makes the story work – and gives it its sweetness – is that the reader feels like a part of that found family. I cared so much about both of them and their struggles, and was so mad at Meg’s parents – considerably angrier than she was because I cared about her a lot and didn’t care about them at all beyond wanting to hit them in the head with a gigantic clue-by-four.
If you’re looking for a feel-good story with a happy ending that doesn’t rely on romance to get there, The Stand-in Dad is a marvelously uplifting read and a terrific debut novel.
Originally published at Reading Reality
Meg and Hannah are engaged to be married when the story opens. They are already on the road to their happy ever after, but that road is not running smoothly. Not because they have a problem, but because Meg’s parents are being asshats. (I just imagined Meg’s mother wearing her ass as a hat because she’s exactly the type to wear hats and OMG its hilarious and awful at the same time)
So Meg is hunched outside the door of the florist shop that her mother was supposed to meet her at, crying because her mother is doing passive aggressive asshattery by ghosting her own daughter, and fate steps in. Or rather, the florist, David Fenton, steps out of HIS florist shop and into the role of Meg’s stand-in dad.
Not that it doesn’t take a while, but it’s something that they both need. Meg needs help, a shoulder to cry on, a confidante, and someone maybe a bit older if not wiser just to be there for her. David needs a do-over, he needs to be the parent he didn’t have when he came out as teenager and walked away from his own parents’ rejection with a hole in his heart. His parents are long dead, and that hole can’t be healed by fixing that relationship.
But maybe it can be healed by paying forward the relationship he wanted but didn’t have. AND he’ll get to help plan a wedding for someone he comes to love and wants to support as if she was his own daughter.
What makes this story beautiful is the way that Meg and David manage to heal each other even as they draw an entire community around the wedding of Meg’s – and her fiancée Hannah’s – dreams. And if that dream wedding is more than a bit untraditional every step of the way – even before Mother Nature intervenes in a really big way to make it even more so – it’s all icing on a very eclectic raft of wedding cupcakes. And it’s glorious.
Escape Rating A: This was the book that was calling my name this weekend, and I’m really happy that I answered that call because it was absolutely the right book at the right time for this reader. Even if it may seem like its a bit early for a review, which it both is and isn’t. If you can’t resist the call either, the ebook is available NOW. The US paperback will be available at the end of May.
Don’t let the ‘romance’ label on this book set up any expectations. It’s not a romance – and that’s a marvelous thing in this instance. It is, however and very much, a story about relationships. And it’s an absolutely lovely and terrific feel-good story that will have you turning the last page with a big smile on your face.
It certainly did for me.
What made me love this one so hard – which I absolutely did – is not just the father-daughter relationship that grows between David and Meg, but the way that they gathered their friends and loved-ones and the whole entire community into the process of both celebration and healing.
There’s a lovely symmetry in the way that helping to plan Meg’s wedding opens David up to re-examining his reasons for not wanting to marry his own life partner in spite of how much Mark would really like to marry him now that it’s possible.
At the same time, David has thrown himself into Meg’s wedding planning to push off dealing with the fact that his shop is failing and his dream is dying and he doesn’t know what he’ll do next. Until it all comes together in a way that is utterly delightful – even if it does feel a bit too good to be true in all the best ways.
There are a lot of things in their situations that turn out to be sort of sideways parallels that mean that both Meg and David grow and change and expand their circles of friends and found family in ways that reach beyond just the wedding. Which, of course, turned out to be wonderful even if it was nothing like was originally planned. It was better.
What makes the story work – and gives it its sweetness – is that the reader feels like a part of that found family. I cared so much about both of them and their struggles, and was so mad at Meg’s parents – considerably angrier than she was because I cared about her a lot and didn’t care about them at all beyond wanting to hit them in the head with a gigantic clue-by-four.
If you’re looking for a feel-good story with a happy ending that doesn’t rely on romance to get there, The Stand-in Dad is a marvelously uplifting read and a terrific debut novel.
Originally published at Reading Reality
March 2, 2025
The Stand-in Dad by Alex Summers is a feel good book that highlights the importance of community, found family and of course true love.
Meg is newly engaged to her fiance Hannah and is starting to get ideas for her upcoming wedding when she plans a visit to David's flower shop with her Mum. Unfortunately her mother does not show up and it turns out that this is just the latest in a series of things that has shown her parent's disapproval of the wedding. They have never really accepted that Meg is gay and her marrying a woman seems to be too much for them to handle. Of course Meg is devastated and finds herself in floods of tears. David understands only too well, as a gay man his family rejected him decades ago and though he is now happy with Mark, his partner of many years, he can't just stand by and see Meg struggle so he offers to help her out with the wedding planning. Through David Meg finds a community of people who love and support her, while David starts to build a network of support for his flagging business and also begins to rethink his fear of marriage. As the wedding draws closer it seems like everything is going to work out, the only unknown is whether Meg's parents will turn up, but when disaster strikes it will take a whole community working together to save the day.
As I said, this is very much a feel good read with a happy ending but it does tackle some difficult and upsetting topics, most notably the rejection that both Meg and David faced from their families, and some readers may find that upsetting. The characters were what kept me reading this book, I could feel Meg's hesitation and struggle and I loved seeing her grow in confidence and strength so that she was finally able to face her family on her own terms. David is such a kind and empathetic character but at times I found it a little frustrating that he was so willing to ignore his partner's needs and concerns, so I was pleased to see growth in his character too. This book is a timely reminder that kindness builds community and that is something the world needs more than ever at the moment.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
Meg is newly engaged to her fiance Hannah and is starting to get ideas for her upcoming wedding when she plans a visit to David's flower shop with her Mum. Unfortunately her mother does not show up and it turns out that this is just the latest in a series of things that has shown her parent's disapproval of the wedding. They have never really accepted that Meg is gay and her marrying a woman seems to be too much for them to handle. Of course Meg is devastated and finds herself in floods of tears. David understands only too well, as a gay man his family rejected him decades ago and though he is now happy with Mark, his partner of many years, he can't just stand by and see Meg struggle so he offers to help her out with the wedding planning. Through David Meg finds a community of people who love and support her, while David starts to build a network of support for his flagging business and also begins to rethink his fear of marriage. As the wedding draws closer it seems like everything is going to work out, the only unknown is whether Meg's parents will turn up, but when disaster strikes it will take a whole community working together to save the day.
As I said, this is very much a feel good read with a happy ending but it does tackle some difficult and upsetting topics, most notably the rejection that both Meg and David faced from their families, and some readers may find that upsetting. The characters were what kept me reading this book, I could feel Meg's hesitation and struggle and I loved seeing her grow in confidence and strength so that she was finally able to face her family on her own terms. David is such a kind and empathetic character but at times I found it a little frustrating that he was so willing to ignore his partner's needs and concerns, so I was pleased to see growth in his character too. This book is a timely reminder that kindness builds community and that is something the world needs more than ever at the moment.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
June 20, 2025
3.5 stars
I don’t usually pre-order a book by an author I’m unfamiliar with and rarely a new author. But this storyline just sounded fantastic and the cover is gorgeous. I made an exception to the rule for this book :) I absolutely love a book about found family!
David is a gay man in his 50’s in a long term relationship with Mark. He meets Meg when she shows up to his flower shop and bursts into tears. She tells him her whole story: she’s gay, she just got engaged and her parents are standing her up for flower shopping. It’s not just about the flower shopping. She knows that they aren’t as accepting of her relationship with Hannah as she thought they were. They’ve blown off everything to do with wedding planning.
David is an incredibly kind and loving man. She volunteers to be there for Meg and her wedding planning. They are strangers but somehow it works. Meg’s fiancé works out of town a lot and she’s incredibly grateful that she doesn’t have to handle wedding planning alone.
As Meg and David go from shop to shop, venue to venue, food tasting to food tasting, they start growing closer. Their new friendship also allows both of them to face other issues in their lives: suddenly David is really thinking about why he’s never decided to marry. And Meg is wondering what her life looks like without her parents in it (if it were to come to that).
I thought this was a sweet story with incredibly lovable characters. David and Meg are wonderful, especially David.
I think the book was a bit wordy sometimes.
I think this book queues up a possible book two and I’d love to read it. I’d like to spend more with these characters.
I don’t usually pre-order a book by an author I’m unfamiliar with and rarely a new author. But this storyline just sounded fantastic and the cover is gorgeous. I made an exception to the rule for this book :) I absolutely love a book about found family!
David is a gay man in his 50’s in a long term relationship with Mark. He meets Meg when she shows up to his flower shop and bursts into tears. She tells him her whole story: she’s gay, she just got engaged and her parents are standing her up for flower shopping. It’s not just about the flower shopping. She knows that they aren’t as accepting of her relationship with Hannah as she thought they were. They’ve blown off everything to do with wedding planning.
David is an incredibly kind and loving man. She volunteers to be there for Meg and her wedding planning. They are strangers but somehow it works. Meg’s fiancé works out of town a lot and she’s incredibly grateful that she doesn’t have to handle wedding planning alone.
As Meg and David go from shop to shop, venue to venue, food tasting to food tasting, they start growing closer. Their new friendship also allows both of them to face other issues in their lives: suddenly David is really thinking about why he’s never decided to marry. And Meg is wondering what her life looks like without her parents in it (if it were to come to that).
I thought this was a sweet story with incredibly lovable characters. David and Meg are wonderful, especially David.
I think the book was a bit wordy sometimes.
I think this book queues up a possible book two and I’d love to read it. I’d like to spend more with these characters.
April 8, 2025
Meg has recently moved back to her hometown and is planning her wedding to her longtime partner Hannah. She's had a complicated relationship with her parents since coming out, but is hoping to rekindle with them since moving home. When her parents don't show up to her appointment at the florist, she ends up befriending David, the florist who also had a complicated relationship with his parents after he came out. David ends up stepping in and helping Meg plan her wedding.
I loved the premise of this book and was so excited to read it. I felt the pacing of this book was a bit slow for my taste and I had a hard time getting into it. I did enjoy seeing Meg and David's friendship develop, but I do wish there was more of Hannah (Meg's fiancée) in the story. It felt odd how little she was part of and when she was there she wasn't fully developed. I did really love the community and especially loved the inclusion of Benji and the other teenagers. Meg's parents arc felt rushed and unrealistic of a turn in the amount of time it was given. Overall I feel like this story had good roots, but maybe could've been developed differently.
3.5 stars
I loved the premise of this book and was so excited to read it. I felt the pacing of this book was a bit slow for my taste and I had a hard time getting into it. I did enjoy seeing Meg and David's friendship develop, but I do wish there was more of Hannah (Meg's fiancée) in the story. It felt odd how little she was part of and when she was there she wasn't fully developed. I did really love the community and especially loved the inclusion of Benji and the other teenagers. Meg's parents arc felt rushed and unrealistic of a turn in the amount of time it was given. Overall I feel like this story had good roots, but maybe could've been developed differently.
3.5 stars
April 23, 2025
This was all kinds of lovely!! Such a happy read that I've not stopped smiling since I finished it!
The story centres around David, who has faced family problems since he was 16 when he came out and his family rejected him. He gets on with his life and opened up a flower shop and 40 years later he's found his own way in life. One day he sees a young lady crying outside his store and that sets in motion the power of showing up for people, and finding family in the new friends we make!
Meg is that lady crying and she's facing her own family issues, with her forthcoming wedding to Hannah being the problem for her family. David offers his services to stand in and help with the wedding preparations as she doesn't have anyone else to help, and it's so lovely to see them connect so quickly over something so important.
Of course true love and wedding plans never run smoothly, so they have some hurdles to overcome but I just loved how positive this whole story was and also brings to the fore the importance of local businesses and knowing what is going on in your community!! All the feels with this one!!
The story centres around David, who has faced family problems since he was 16 when he came out and his family rejected him. He gets on with his life and opened up a flower shop and 40 years later he's found his own way in life. One day he sees a young lady crying outside his store and that sets in motion the power of showing up for people, and finding family in the new friends we make!
Meg is that lady crying and she's facing her own family issues, with her forthcoming wedding to Hannah being the problem for her family. David offers his services to stand in and help with the wedding preparations as she doesn't have anyone else to help, and it's so lovely to see them connect so quickly over something so important.
Of course true love and wedding plans never run smoothly, so they have some hurdles to overcome but I just loved how positive this whole story was and also brings to the fore the importance of local businesses and knowing what is going on in your community!! All the feels with this one!!
April 24, 2025
***I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review
Meg is engaged to the love of her life, Hannah. Everything should be perfect, but her conservative parents have made their disapproval painfully clear. When they refuse to show up at the florist to help her choose her flowers for the wedding,, Meg is left in tears in front of the store. The owner, David, knows a thing or two about parents not being accepting of their children's lifestyle choices. His own parents rejected him when he came out. So he gravitates towards Meg and takes her under his wing. He helps her plan her wedding, and becomes the fill-in for the parents that have rejected her.
This sweet, heartwarming book showcases how "found family" can be just as important, if not more so, than the family you are born into. It highlights all of the prejudices LGBTQ+ individuals are subjected to, including by those who claim to love them. This was a book of inclusion, community, and friendships - both new and old. I loved it!
Meg is engaged to the love of her life, Hannah. Everything should be perfect, but her conservative parents have made their disapproval painfully clear. When they refuse to show up at the florist to help her choose her flowers for the wedding,, Meg is left in tears in front of the store. The owner, David, knows a thing or two about parents not being accepting of their children's lifestyle choices. His own parents rejected him when he came out. So he gravitates towards Meg and takes her under his wing. He helps her plan her wedding, and becomes the fill-in for the parents that have rejected her.
This sweet, heartwarming book showcases how "found family" can be just as important, if not more so, than the family you are born into. It highlights all of the prejudices LGBTQ+ individuals are subjected to, including by those who claim to love them. This was a book of inclusion, community, and friendships - both new and old. I loved it!
April 24, 2025
This is a funny yet serious take on what family is, love, acceptance, community and respect.
The stand-in dad follows the story of Meg whose parents have refused to accept her relationship with Hannah and participate in their wedding. She meets David, whose parents had the same issue, and he agrees to stand in and do everything with Meg.
The highlight of this book was the various people the characters met in the wedding planning. Everyone had a story and brought their unique spin to the plot. The small town setting was just perfect.
It was a tad longer than expected and dragged on in some places but the universal theme was prevalent throughout.
I love David. He is relatable and just like most of us who don’t have our priorities straight. I love the celebration of small businesses and their struggles for survival today.
If you are looking for a feel good story which celebrates inclusivity, community and found families then check this out.
The stand-in dad follows the story of Meg whose parents have refused to accept her relationship with Hannah and participate in their wedding. She meets David, whose parents had the same issue, and he agrees to stand in and do everything with Meg.
The highlight of this book was the various people the characters met in the wedding planning. Everyone had a story and brought their unique spin to the plot. The small town setting was just perfect.
It was a tad longer than expected and dragged on in some places but the universal theme was prevalent throughout.
I love David. He is relatable and just like most of us who don’t have our priorities straight. I love the celebration of small businesses and their struggles for survival today.
If you are looking for a feel good story which celebrates inclusivity, community and found families then check this out.
February 17, 2025
A lovely and heart-warming book about intergenerational friendship, chosen or found family, and an inclusive community. Indeed, just because someone might be slightly different (for want of a better word) doesn't make them other, or even a hassle. There is no such thing as normal.
That said, with the current state of the world, it is easy to feel less or not welcome even if you know you are not. Therefore this book deserves to be on my being-good-enough shelf here on Goodreads.
Indeed, of parents you expect them to be the adult, they are the grown-ups who should be looking after their children, to have their back when facing difficulties. But you don't have to put up with being treated poorly, because no one deserves that - no matter the reason of a disagreement (in my case being ill with ME turning my life upside down).
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.
That said, with the current state of the world, it is easy to feel less or not welcome even if you know you are not. Therefore this book deserves to be on my being-good-enough shelf here on Goodreads.
Indeed, of parents you expect them to be the adult, they are the grown-ups who should be looking after their children, to have their back when facing difficulties. But you don't have to put up with being treated poorly, because no one deserves that - no matter the reason of a disagreement (in my case being ill with ME turning my life upside down).
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.
August 27, 2025
Very sappy. Very predictable. Extremely cute.
After meeting Meg, a woman in tears over the homophobia of her parents, David, a flower shop owner, offers to step in and serve essentially as father of the bride, helping her plan her wedding, in a large part because Meg’s unsupportive parents remind him of his own.
The writing was clunky and unclear at times, but the story still came across. The whole Benji plot was very exploitative (and I didn’t realize until the end that the youth group wasn’t an LGBTQ+-centered youth group). Most of the characters felt very one-dimensional. The bickering felt awkward, and the resolutions to any individual fight never really made sense.
I could go on; the book certainly was not perfect, and really would’ve benefited from more editing, but the story was really cute.
After meeting Meg, a woman in tears over the homophobia of her parents, David, a flower shop owner, offers to step in and serve essentially as father of the bride, helping her plan her wedding, in a large part because Meg’s unsupportive parents remind him of his own.
The writing was clunky and unclear at times, but the story still came across. The whole Benji plot was very exploitative (and I didn’t realize until the end that the youth group wasn’t an LGBTQ+-centered youth group). Most of the characters felt very one-dimensional. The bickering felt awkward, and the resolutions to any individual fight never really made sense.
I could go on; the book certainly was not perfect, and really would’ve benefited from more editing, but the story was really cute.
December 31, 2025
This is not the kind of book I would usually pick to read but it came from an email from a publisher whose books I'd reviewed before.
It's a story of a marriage between two women where Meg's parents don't support her life choices so David, the gay owner of a nearby flower shop, steps in to help with the preparations. The tone is tender with an underlying sadness particularly on the part of David who left his family home at an early age and whose parents died before there was any chance to reconcile.
There are no great dramatic events in the story but the characters are so appealing that you read on to find out what's happening in their lives. Only a four star from me since I wouldn't choose this genre of book to read normally but I think it would be very attractive to people who like romances and gentle characters.
It's a story of a marriage between two women where Meg's parents don't support her life choices so David, the gay owner of a nearby flower shop, steps in to help with the preparations. The tone is tender with an underlying sadness particularly on the part of David who left his family home at an early age and whose parents died before there was any chance to reconcile.
There are no great dramatic events in the story but the characters are so appealing that you read on to find out what's happening in their lives. Only a four star from me since I wouldn't choose this genre of book to read normally but I think it would be very attractive to people who like romances and gentle characters.
April 24, 2025
The book highlights romantic love, multigenerational relationships, and community support.
I did struggle with the first half of this book, as it moves slowly. After 10 years together, Meg and Hannah decided to get married, and unfortunately for them, some people do not support them as they would have liked.
David (the stand-in dad) is perfectly positioned to understand and assist Meg in the navigation of other's unacceptance, being a gay man himself.
The last half of the book did pull me into the drama and the character's lives more than the first half, and I ended this read with a smile on my face. It's message of acceptance, community, and found family connections was enjoyable.
This is a new author to me, and I appreciate Netgalley supplying my ARC.
I did struggle with the first half of this book, as it moves slowly. After 10 years together, Meg and Hannah decided to get married, and unfortunately for them, some people do not support them as they would have liked.
David (the stand-in dad) is perfectly positioned to understand and assist Meg in the navigation of other's unacceptance, being a gay man himself.
The last half of the book did pull me into the drama and the character's lives more than the first half, and I ended this read with a smile on my face. It's message of acceptance, community, and found family connections was enjoyable.
This is a new author to me, and I appreciate Netgalley supplying my ARC.
April 27, 2025
Thank you Avon for inviting me to review this, I was delighted and charmed, warm fuzzied, by this read. I loved the premise, the idea that someone can rise from their own hurt to show up for others, and to have the ability to make a positive impact when others are knocked down... such a perfect read when I want to remember that people can have kindness and compassion even for others. Alex Summers' The Stand In Dad does all of that, brings in a host of delightful secondary characters, which for me makes a book a lot stronger, I will be recommending this to my followers as a great choice for a Spring read, a nice choice for a mother's day gift, and a great read to tuck in for a travel bag/pool side change of pace read.
May 9, 2025
David and Mark are both loveable and I'm so glad the sorted out everything in the end.
Megs parents and the struggles that meg and Hanna had during this book is shown in so many people's lives nowadays all because years ago being gay was seen as unnatural and not normal that they project this on their children and make their lives difficult or disown them because of it.
The main themes of the book are the normalcie of planning a wedding mixed with the emotional constriction of being unaccepted by your own parents but yet accepted by your community. Finding your own voice and place in the world being who you are and not trying to fit in with the normal of life.
Slow paced book, easy read, strong morals and story line. Really enjoyed it.
Megs parents and the struggles that meg and Hanna had during this book is shown in so many people's lives nowadays all because years ago being gay was seen as unnatural and not normal that they project this on their children and make their lives difficult or disown them because of it.
The main themes of the book are the normalcie of planning a wedding mixed with the emotional constriction of being unaccepted by your own parents but yet accepted by your community. Finding your own voice and place in the world being who you are and not trying to fit in with the normal of life.
Slow paced book, easy read, strong morals and story line. Really enjoyed it.
December 28, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
I really liked the premise of this book and how the characters and relationships developed throughout, but it didn’t quite keep me entertained the whole time.
I think found family is SUCH an important thing, and I love when it’s explored as a trope because it’s so much more common than what we give it credit for within the fictional world.
I think it’s really cool how the book ended, and I wish that all queer people could have this same kind of ending in a story like this one, but I know it’s not always really.
I really liked the premise of this book and how the characters and relationships developed throughout, but it didn’t quite keep me entertained the whole time.
I think found family is SUCH an important thing, and I love when it’s explored as a trope because it’s so much more common than what we give it credit for within the fictional world.
I think it’s really cool how the book ended, and I wish that all queer people could have this same kind of ending in a story like this one, but I know it’s not always really.
March 19, 2025
This is one of the loveliest stories that I’ve read in a while. The Stand-in Dad has warmth and friendship, happiness and sadness, kindness and community. This is a story that truly illustrates that you are what you make of yourself and that you can do anything.
Hannah and Meg are due to get married. When Meg goes to a flower shop to meet her parents and they don’t turn up then she is devastated. But a kindly florist called David steps in and she finds a community and friendship that she could never have imagined. I loved this story and it made me feel warm and cosy.
Hannah and Meg are due to get married. When Meg goes to a flower shop to meet her parents and they don’t turn up then she is devastated. But a kindly florist called David steps in and she finds a community and friendship that she could never have imagined. I loved this story and it made me feel warm and cosy.
April 14, 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3 stars)
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of The Stand-In Dad by Alex Summers.
This was a cozy, heartfelt read that delivered on emotional moments and warm family dynamics. The premise was sweet, and I appreciated the comforting, feel-good tone throughout the story. While it didn’t fully pull me in or leave a lasting impact, it was an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. Fans of small-town settings, second chances, and gentle romance will likely find something to love here.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of The Stand-In Dad by Alex Summers.
This was a cozy, heartfelt read that delivered on emotional moments and warm family dynamics. The premise was sweet, and I appreciated the comforting, feel-good tone throughout the story. While it didn’t fully pull me in or leave a lasting impact, it was an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. Fans of small-town settings, second chances, and gentle romance will likely find something to love here.
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