Some people are just meant to be single all the way…right?
Emerson
Being a widow and a single mom wasn’t part of my plan. But here I am.
I suppose I should consider myself lucky Ben offered us a place to stay. Without him, who knows where we would’ve ended up.
Now all I have to do is figure out how to ignore the way my entirely too sexy new roommate sometimes looks at me… and the way those looks make me feel…
Ben
I loved Emerson first. But that didn’t matter once she fell for my best friend.
So, I moved on. And I was happy. For a while, at least.
Now, I’m a busy single dad who just asked a woman who’ll never be mine to move in with me.
I’ve always been good at hiding my feelings for Emerson. But something tells me I’m about to get even better…
Single All the Way, book 2 in the Single Dads of Dragonfly Lake series, is a steamy and spicy, friends to lovers, second chance, contemporary romance with all the trimmings, including a hero who falls first, forced proximity, and all the small-town hijinks you can handle. Download today, and welcome to Dragonfly Lake.
Amy Knupp is a USA Today Best-Selling author of contemporary romance and a freelance copy editor. She loves words and grammar and meaty, engrossing stories with complex characters.
Amy lives in Wisconsin with her husband, and has two sons, four cats, and a box turtle. She graduated from the University of Kansas with degrees in French and journalism. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, breaking up cat fights, watching college hoops, and annoying her family by correcting their grammar.
I very rarely get to do this because more often than not both formats are equal, but if someone were to ask me which format gives you the best experience, ebook or audio, I will 10/10 highly recommend the audio for this story. This is a me thing, which is why I love when authors give me the opportunity to read and listen to their stories. This story is fantastic, so know that if you choose to read it, it will be fantastic. For me, Patrick Zeller & Stephanie Nemeth-Parker narrated this story with so much emotion and investment in their characters, including the children, that I was lost to them for all 8 hours in one day! Ya’ll, I’d already read the ARC! If you can make me loose time like that, you deserve MAD PROPS and a 👏🏻👏🏻round of applause!👏🏻👏🏻
This story is a heartwarming one. The entire story is brimming with an air of hope and heart and it allowed all the different circumstances that make up the journey be felt that much more poignantly. My eyes were misty a whole lot, but I also smiled and laughed a whole bunch! I dunno, I just found their path to be a tender path with both Ben and Emerson being respectful of each other’s circumstance. I love that Amy chose close proximity to be one of the tropes in this story because they both had children and that just makes the blending of their families that much more realistic in such a small turnaround. Feel me? Everything about this story was genuine and respectful and came across very realistically. I really love this author’s style!! So far, I’ve experienced about 5 or 6 of her stories and they have all been really good! I look forward to catching up with her backlist at some point in my future!
Thank you to The Author Agency for the ARC and Home Cooked Books for the ALC!
Single All The Way Single dads of Dragonfly Lake • Book 2️⃣ By: Amy Knupp
Narrated By: Patrick Zeller and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker
Single All The Way is a sweet romance about second chances after loss and coming together to bring joy back into each other’s life after dark days. This story automatically gave me the holiday vibe, making it a perfect time to cuddle up with a warm blanket and enjoy this comfort read. When Emerson’s life tragically falls apart she finds herself and her two children moving in with her late husband’s best friend, Ben, whom she also shared a childhood with and his 2 Children calling for hectic days, but the bond these two families form is adorable to listen to. There is friendship, secret romances, silly lama and small farm moments, sweet children grabbing your heart strings, growth from everyone and letting go of the hard days to embrace the new moments together as a found family. Patrick Zeller narrates Single All The Way in dual with his strong confident voice and his wonderful inner monologue making you feeling each emotion Ben was dealing with. He was strong, determined, extreamly caring, thoughtful and motivating even when days seemed impossible to be. And Patrick gave us all of these emotions with his voice. Stephanie Nemeth-Parker narrates Emerson and her chaotic little family voicing her hesitant, stern self and slowly expressing Emerson’s walls coming down with the help of Ben’s and his family. It was a sweet moment of growth to see Emerson embrace Ben, his family and the things he does to bring happiness to their lives, and Stephanie’s tones changing throughout the book to express this was sweet.
Thank You Home Cooked Books for the opportunity to listen and review.
💙 Single parents 🩵 Small town 💚 Forced proximity 💙 Friends to lovers 🩵 Second chance 💚 Drama llama 💙 Holidays setting
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Spice: 🌶️ Narration: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you like a cozy small town romance with a happily ever after, this book is for you! What a sweet story that will have you smiling throughout at the animal antics as well as the blended family togetherness. All of this is performed by the fabulous Stephanie Nemeth-Parker and Patrick Zeller. The two did a wonderful job bringing out the characters in this dual narration audiobook. I hope everyone gives this book a read or listen! It’s perfect for the upcoming holiday season!
This is book two in the Single Dads of Dragonfly Lake series. While this has references to book one, it can be read as a stand alone. Emerson and her kids move in with Ben temporarily since her late husband’s mother with whom she was living, up and eloped in Vegas. Then proceeded to move there and sell the house they were all living in, leaving Emerson in quite a lurch. Not to mention the lonely feelings that had a habit of overwhelming her, preventing her from making new connections with people.
Ben is the town Vet, and ‘taker in of all humans and animals in need of a home.’ I’m sure that’s not an official title, but it totally fits his big hearted personality. Ben has known Emerson since they were in grade school, but didn’t get close to her until they were Biology partners sophomore year. He may have had feelings for her back then, but no one ever knew as it was his best friend who asked her out and eventually married her. Now it’s years, and a marriage each, later that they two are thrust together in a *temporary* thank you very much, situation.
Through the six weeks that they are together, Ben is able to support Emerson in ways that even when alive, her husband couldn’t, since he was often overseas. He opens up her world to holiday traditions that her circumstances never allowed her to truly have. The transformation is wonderful to read, and there are so many fun things the two families do together. However, change affects them all in different ways, causing big feelings to come out in all types of manners.
Ben and Emerson have chemistry with one another that is brought out beautifully by Patrick Zeller and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker. They matched to vibes of the situations and characters so well. It was a joy to listen to them. I found hours of listening had passed before I knew it! That tells you how enjoyable they made this listening experience. I have to thank not only Amy Knupp, but HomeCookedBooks for allowing me to listen to and review this book.
I hope that everyone gives it a listen. And I have to also mention what a sweet, non-typical, typical happily ever after. I appreciate that it ended the way it did, it was nice having something different. Once you read it, you’ll totally get it 😉 Oh, and get ready for cookies and llamas…they may or may not be related.
🦙“I will love every f***ing inch of your body because it’s yours.” 🦙“C*me for me Ems.” 🦙“You turn me inside out Emerson.”
Single All the Way is a heartwarming romance with Ben, a single dad to two daughters and the local vet whose clinic is on his farm and Emerson, widowed mom to a son and a daughter who owns a salon and is suddenly homeless. I love all the kids and animals that make up the chaotic household once Ben offers Emerson a temporary place to stay. Ben is so sweet and wants to say every two and four footed creature who needs him. Emerson is guarding her heart while loving her kids and helping them through their dad’s death. Naturally these roommates lean on each other and eventually find their way to a new love. This well written book has all the feels I expect in a book from Amy Knupp.
I’m struggling with these books. I’m so tired of protagonists that are not just commitment phobic but actively fighting against falling in love, but they’re fine with casual sex. That might work in real life or in other genres, but it really makes it impossible to believe in the relationship in a romance novel. I just found Emerson completely unrelateable, and almost unlikable at times. Exhausting.
3.5-4.0 stars. Cute romance from another new author for me. This is an easy read, widowed single dad, widowed single mom, 4 young kids, and a brood of animals. It was meant to be.
🎧ALC REVIEW🎧 📚Single All The Way by Amy Knupp 🎤Stephanie Nemeth-Parker & Patrick Zeller
Book 2 Single Dads of Dragonfly
Gosh! Sometimes you just want a cozy, Christmas listen that gives spicy Hallmark vibes with a happily ever after & this is it ya'll! Amy writes a cute & heartwarming story about love, moving on & the messiness of modern love & mixed families. We get hilarious animal antics & a lot of family togetherness that just makes this audio absolutely perfect for the upcoming holiday season!
If there's a single dad, I'm here for the story. There's just something about a hard-working man who put his kids first & loves them to death. I fall for them every time! Ben is no exception. As the town vet, he's a rescuer of all animals & people. This includes his friends wife, Emerson, whose now a widow & has two kiddos. He's know Emerson since grade school. They were friends & biology partners in HS. He may have had feelings for her back then, but once his friend moved in & they eventually got married, Ben moved on with his life too!
Now circumstances leave Emerson & Ben living together, each with their own kids, Ben realizes pretty quickly he's got the holiday love bug & wants her! Emerson also realizes that the heart she closed off really does want to love again. These two get to know one another again, become friends & yes, have a little spicy Christmas romp!😉
The next 6 weeks are filled with family traditions, late night talks, helping & supporting each other & it's no wonder that Ben & Emerson begin to have feelings stir in that holiday air. Her late husband was often gone overseas, so life has been lonely & stressful. Ben comes in & lightens her load, takes her kids & treats them just like his own. You begin to see these two families mesh together as a unit.
🎧Let's talk narration...Stephanie & Patrick do a wonderful job telling this cozy Christmas love story. Emerson is insecure & overwhelmed as a displaced working mom & Stephanie does such a great job at portraying this but she also gives Emerson the loving & caring side that she embodies as well. I really enjoyed listening to her. Zeller is terrific as the caring & patient veterinarian who eventually can't hide his feelings for her anymore. A father, a friend & a man in love. Zeller nails it! Both of these narrators give warm & captivating performances.
With the small-town charm of Dragon Lake, Knupp gives us a story about second chances, finding love again & family fun. The llamas make a memorable appearance too! 🦙🦙 Wrap yourself up in this cute holiday listen. Head back to Dragon Fly Lake & celebrate the holidays. Definitely check out this one to give you a cozy, holiday vibe. It's just such a cute & fun story to listen to!🙌
Thank you Amy Knupp & Home Cooked Books for a copy of the ALC. All thoughts are my own. I've enjoyed these single dads & look forward to the next in the series.
🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧 🎤 Dual narration by Stephanie Nemeth-Parker and Patrick Zeller Spice level 🌶️: 3/5
This book had me feeling warm and fuzzy, had me laughing, smirking, kicking my feet, fanning myself. This book really was a fun time. It’s a double single parent, forced proximity romance and the second book in the Single Dads of Dragonfly Lake series. It can be read as a standalone. While the first book introduces us to all the single dads we’re going to see find love in this series, I don’t think you’ll miss anything if you read them out of order. But I recommend reading the first one at some point cos it’s so good.
Ben is the hot vet in town, single dad to two kids and a lot of pets including one very mischievous llama. Emerson, his childhood friend, and his best friend’s widow, is left homeless when her mother-in-law, who she’s been living with, sells the house and moves away. Ben being sweet caring person he is, invite her and her kids to stay with him and his kids for a few weeks while she looks for a place. As they spend more time together, his old buried feelings resurface and she starts to have feelings to. But they’ve both lost loves before and are careful with their hearts.
Ben is such a sweetheart. He’s the type of guy who looks after everyone else, neglecting his own needs in the process, so it’s great that he has friends who care about his wellbeing and his happiness.
Emerson has had a hard time as a single mum and is protective of her kids and her heart. She’s hesitant to let anyone in and is determined to stand on her own two feet, and therefore has a hard time accepting help.
I loved seeing the friendship that developed between Emerson and Ben as well as between their kids. They were a family long before they realised.
I love the community in this town. Everyone supports each other. We get to meet Ben’s lovely grandma who dotes on him and her grandchildren.
The narrators were fantastic in this. It was done in dual style by Patrick Zeller, who is new to me, and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker. They brought the story to life with their stellar performance. I especially enjoyed how they portrayed the different personalities of the kids. This book isn’t super spicy, but has a few scenes that illustrate the growing intimacy between Ben and Emerson. Patrick Zeller was fantastic in the first spicy scene from Ben’s POV, putting in such an emotive performance that had me feeling like I should leave the room to give them some privacy. In that scene, we really feel ben’s vulnerability and his excitement of getting to be with this girl he’s wanted for so long but couldn’t have.
This is a fun cosy, read and I highly recommend it if you like single parent romance with mutual pinning, nosy but supportive family (biological and found), healing and growth and shenanigans involving cute kids and pets.
*I received an advance copy from Homecooked Books. These opinions are entirely my own.
🔥Single Dad 💕Holiday 🔥Friends to Lovers 💕Second Chance 🔥Forbidden Love 💕Single Mom 🔥Roommates
Star: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Single All The Way by Amy Knupp is a heartwarming and emotional romance that delves into the complexities of second chances, unrequited love, and the courage to embrace new beginnings. Set against the backdrop of the cozy small-town community of Dragonfly Lake, this second book in the Single Dads of Dragonfly Lake series delivers a story that will tug at your heartstrings.
The story centers on Emerson, a widow and single mom, who finds herself living with Ben, her late husband's best friend. Emerson’s journey is one of resilience and finding her way forward despite the unexpected turns life has taken. Her character is relatable and strong, grappling with her past while slowly rediscovering what it means to feel again.
Ben is the quintessential hero who’s always been in love with Emerson, even before she married his best friend. His unrequited love and quiet longing for her add a poignant layer to his character. Despite his feelings, Ben is a supportive and caring friend, always putting Emerson’s needs before his own. The complexity of his emotions and his willingness to let her go, even though it breaks his heart, make his character deeply endearing.
The forced proximity between Emerson and Ben heightens the tension in the best possible way, as they navigate their growing feelings while trying to respect the boundaries of their unique situation. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the slow-burn romance that develops between them feels both natural and intense. The fact that Ben loved Emerson first but stepped aside out of loyalty adds a bittersweet undertone to their interactions.
Amy Knupp does a fantastic job of blending small-town charm with realistic, emotionally charged moments that make you root for the characters to find their happy ending. The story beautifully captures the nuances of grief, friendship, and the fear of taking a chance on love again. Emerson and Ben’s relationship evolves in a way that feels genuine, with plenty of heartwarming moments, tender confessions, and small-town hijinks to lighten the mood.
Single All The Way is more than just a romance—it’s a story about healing, rediscovering love, and realizing that sometimes the person who’s meant to be in your life has been there all along. With its compelling characters, steamy moments, and a love story that feels both tender and real, this book is a must-read for fans of friends-to-lovers and second-chance romance. If you enjoy stories where emotions run deep and love blossoms against all odds, you'll want to make a trip to Dragonfly Lake with this touching tale.
Wonderful Story & Narration🎧Captivating & Emotional!
Single All The Way By: Amy Knupp Narrated by: Patrick Zeller, Stephanie Nemeth-Parker
Amy Knupp pens another wonderful novel, a friend to lovers romance novel that captivates your attention and tugs at your heartstrings from start to end. The characters are realistic, easy to relate to and connect with, they are likable and easy to care about, too. Emerson’s husband died while serving the country, leaving her a single mom of their children, she lived with her mother-in-law, until she sold the house, thankfully her, and her husband’s good friend, Ben, offered to take them in until she found a place of their own. Ben, a widower and single dad, fell in low with Emerson years ago, but she fell for his best friend and never had a chance with her. He realizes his feelings for her never sizzled out, and he could feel the chemistry between them, but Emerson has built a fortress around her heart and is afraid to let anyone in, afraid she could not handle another loss or broken heart. It was great to watch this found family navigate their new living arrangements, and I loved how wonderfully the kids got along, the parents too, but Emerson was letting her inner demons get the best of her and possibly lose the second love of her life. This wonderfully plotted story has plenty of drama, heartfelt emotions, some angst, some charming moments and a slow burn romance. Amy Knupp, thank you for another fabulous story and emotional rollercoaster ride.
🎧📚🎧 Patrick Zeller and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker did a fabulous job bringing these characters to life and did so with a complete understanding of who they were portraying, giving each a voice that was fitting and was believable in every role, children included. Nemeth-Parker aced it as Emerson, grasping all aspects of her personality and demeanor, from her insecurities to her strength and caring side. Zeller did the same as Ben, also grasping all sides of his personality, bringing out his kindness and caring side. They set the perfect tone for the story, captured all the characters’ emotions and had you feeling them all. These two are entertaining story tellers and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another great listen.
If you are looking for a sweet small town romance that is set over the holidays, then add Single All The Way to your TBL. This is book two in the Single Dads of Dragonfly Lake series and can be read as a standalone, but I recommend checking out Singled Out because I really enjoyed book one. Ben is the local veterinarian in Dragonfly Lake. By day he is taking care of animals at his practice and by night he is keeping up with his own herd. He has his hands full with horses, llamas, cats, dogs, chickens and more. Oh and he is a single dad of two girls, Evelyn and Ruby. Emerson moved her and her two children, Xavier and Skylar, in with her mother in law after her husband lost his life overseas. Her life is turned upside down when her mother in law finds love and moves away and sells the house they were living in. Ben, being the good guy that he is, offers his home up as a temporary living arrangement while Emerson looks for a house. There is an obvious attraction between the two, so they enter a no strings, mutually beneficial arrangement. Ben’s feelings deepen quickly, but Emerson still has her guard up. She has lost too many people and doesn’t want to rely on yet again someone else that could leave her too. Will she let her guard down and allow Ben all the way in or is her past just too much? I really enjoyed this one, it had me getting giddy thinking about the upcoming holidays. The story was sweet, funny and emotional with some spice as well. The characters were wonderful and I was happy to be back in Dragonfly Lake for a little while. The narration was great! This was my first time listening to Stephanie Németh-Parker and she was fantastic. This was a dual narrated audiobook and she did a great job voicing the opposite sex as well as the children’s voices. During some of the more emotional moments she really brought those raw moments to life beautifully. Patrick Zeller did a wonderful job bringing Ben to life. There was a steadiness to his tone that just made sense for Ben.
Single all the Way is book two in the Single Dad’s of DragonFly Lake series and is the small town, friends to lovers, forced proximity, single parents, second chance holiday romance of Emerson and Ben. Set against the quaint backdrop of a small town, Emerson and Ben's story unfolds with a heartwarming blend of charm, emotion, and humour. When Emerson's world crumbles, she finds solace and chaos under the roof of her late husband's best friend, Ben. Both single parents, they navigate the complexities of raising four children in a whirlwind of shared responsibilities and heartfelt moments. Ben, the town's beloved vet and unofficial caretaker of all creatures great and small, brings a warmth to Emerson's life that she hadn't anticipated. Though their shared history is tinged with unspoken feelings, their current forced proximity rekindles a friendship that slowly blossoms into something more profound. Amidst holiday celebrations and small-town quirks, Emerson learns to let go of the past and embrace the joy of new beginnings. This second chance at love is enriched by the laughter and love of their blended families, proving that sometimes, the most unexpected circumstances can lead to the most meaningful connections. Stephanie Nemeth-Parker and Patrick Zeller truly excel in bringing this heartwarming holiday romance to life. Stephanie's portrayal of Emerson, an insecure and overwhelmed working mum, is both authentic and touching. She skilfully balances Emerson's vulnerabilities with her loving and caring nature, making her character relatable and endearing. Meanwhile, Patrick Zeller shines as the compassionate and patient veterinarian who finds himself unable to conceal his growing affection for Emerson. His performance encapsulates the essence of a devoted father, a loyal friend, and a man in love, delivering a nuanced and heartfelt portrayal. Together, these narrators provide warm and captivating performances that beautifully enhance the cozy and romantic essence of the story.
Finally, we get to know more about who is responsible for the llama drama in quaint, small-town Dragonfly Lake, TN. It’s worth reading for this drama alone, but make sure you have sugar cookies with sprinkles on hand. You’ll need them.
Single dad and town veterinarian Ben Holloway is used to caring for creatures in need, as his menagerie on his farm indicates. When single mom and his best friend's widow, Emerson Estes, needs a place to stay for herself and her two children, Ben, of course, opens his home to them. Emerson has always been someone special to him, and the kids get along well together and settle in like they’ve been there all along. It's Emerson who's determined to stand on her own and find her own place as soon as possible.
Thankfully, fate and the local real estate offerings are on Ben’s side, because there's nothing in town available for a small family of three. Worse yet, it's the Christmas season and Emerson isn’t feeling it. Ben’s family has strong holiday traditions, and as Emerson and her children take part, Emerson's heart is touched with the magic of the season.
This gifted storyteller is one I’ve been with for a while, and it’s a joy to watch her grow in her craft and finding each new romance more touching and heartfelt than the last. I love these characters so much and relate to them so well that they feel like good friends. I love the sweetness and humor the kids and animals add, and watching Ben get a chance with the girl he's always had feelings for is it’s own reward.
But for me, Emerson is the one who shines, letting go of old fears and boundaries meant to keep her and her children safe and taking a chance on love again; it feels like getting an early Christmas present. This one is like sitting by the fire wrapped in a warm, cozy blanket with your favorite hot drink. Sweet, charming, steamy, and full of heart, this phenomenal, feel-good read is just the thing to put you in the holiday spirit!
Heartwarming, sweet, funny story perfect for the holiday season.
This was a new author, series and newer to me narrators. What a delight!! This is book 2 of the Single Dads of Dragonfly Lake series and can absolutely be enjoyed as a standalone. You had me at single dad. Ben and Emerson are both widowed with young children. They’ve known each other since grade school but parted ways. When Emerson must move unexpectedly and no housing prospects, Ben offers his home to her and her kids until they find a place.
Close proximity leads to some serious sexual tension and stolen moments away from young eyes with 4 kids under 10 years old in the house. I loved the friendship and admiration between Ben and Emerson before they became ‘more’. The interactions with each other’s kids will melt your heart. Did I mention, there are llamas? That can only lead to fun, and it does. This story is a perfect prelude to the holiday season as you watch this blended family navigate the holidays together. There are new traditions for each family, a slew of supportive characters in this funny, small town, llamas and other animals, families dealing with grief and loss and coming through stronger in the end.
The narrators were perfect casting. @patrickzeller portrayed Ben’s compassion, understanding and patience beautifully while Ben waited for Emerson work through her mixed feelings. Not to mention, the pure devotion to his kids, his community and Emerson and her kids. @stephanienemethparker was terrific as Emerson. She showed us Emerson’s strength and vulnerability while running her business and dealing with her myriads of emotions regarding, Ben, her kids and future. This is a wonderful, funny, sweet story about finding love the 2nd time around. I can’t wait for more from this community and author.
Thank you Amy Knupp and Home Cooked Books for the ALC and opportunity to listen.
This was such a sweet story! Single dad and single mom, Ben and Emerson, have been friends since their school days and now find themselves as widow(er)s. Ben was best friends with Emerson's late husband, and when Emerson and her two kids find themselves scrambling and without a home, Ben is more than happy to take them into his home with his two kids.
As the local town vet, he is a collector of strays, after all. Emerson, her kids, and family dog are not just moving in with Ben and his two kids, dogs, and cats, but also a slew of horses, chickens, a rooster and two llamas, one of whom moonlights as a professional escape artist.
Ben and Emerson are so good for each other. Ben has been closed off since his wife's passing, and Emerson, though less grumpy, was pretty much the same. But their friendship opened the door for more. It's the holiday season, and I just love how Ben is determined to make it one that Emerson and her kids will enjoy and remember forever. He's so sweet beneath that grumpy exterior. And a hot daddy vet? Yes, please!!
I am loving all of these single dads of Dragonfly Lake, and all of the secondary characters are so fun. I'm excited to read more of this series, and I definitely want to go back and read this author's back list and learn more about some of the friends popping up in this series.
🎧: Patrick Zeller and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker did a wonderful job narrating this story. This was my first time listening to Patrick Zeller, and I love the way he fully committed to the emotions that Ben experienced. It was so raw and really pulled me in. And Stephanie, as always, did a great job with the sweet, but reticent, Emerson.
Thank you so much to Amy and Home Cooked Books for the advance audio of this story!
𝚝 𝚛 𝚘 𝚙 𝚎 𝚜: 🦙 small town 🩵 single dad 🦙 single mom 🩵 forced proximity 🦙 he falls first 🩵 childhood friends to lovers
Single All The Way is a sweet, friends to lovers holiday romance featuring Emerson Estes and Ben Holloway.
Emerson, single mom of Xavier and Skyler, lived with her mother-in-law until she unexpectedly went to Vegas to visit and old friend and ended up getting married. Deciding to relocate, she quickly sold her house leaving Emerson and her kids without a place to live. Fortunately, Ben offered them to stay with him and his girls, Evelyn and Ruby.
Emerson's late husband, Blake, had been Ben's best friend since they were three. He didn't think twice when offering Emerson a place for herself and her family especially over the holiday season. Ben understood being a single parent as well as loss; his wife had passed away several years prior.
When she accepted his offer, Emerson didn't realize that she wouldn't only be getting a roof over their heads but friendship, support, comfort, conversation, and if she was willing to open her heart, love.
Ben is the perfect cinnamon roll character. He is kind and considerate, caring and attentive. He is generous with his time, and puts others' needs ahead of his own. He has a huge heart and spends his days tending to animals. This beautiful man deserves to be cherished.
Emerson has suffered much loss and pain and because of her history, has decided to put her kids first. Terrified of being hurt again, she has closed herself off but in so doing she has also closed the door to love.
Readers can't help but cheer these two on, especially when seeing how perfectly their puzzle pieces fit together. If you're looking for a book that is sure to put a smile on your face, then check this one out. Alternatively, if you're looking for a book with scene-stealing llamas, look no further! Warning... it might lead to cookie cravings.
This is hands down one of the Best books I have read this year. I absolutely loved it!
I think we all want a Man like Ben to be there for us in our hour of need.
An absolute Gent who didn't hesitate to take Emerson and her two kids in and give them a home for as long as they needed it when her Mother-in-law decided to sell the house they were living in from under them.
Bens two girls shared their rooms without a bother with Emersons two kids.
The Vet who also has his own petting zoo at the house with Horses, Llamas, hens, a really loud Rooster and some dogs and cats thrown in has his hands more than full along with running a very successful Vets Practice has more than enough all ready to deal with but he doesn't hesitate in anyway to make everything as comfortable as he can for them.
Emerson runs a very successful Hair Salon in the town.
Her main objective is to find a house as soon as she can for them to move into.
Ben is loving having them live with them and the kids are loving it as well. He has always had a very secret attraction to Emerson but never acted on It. When his Best Friend from when they were three years old started dating her and eventually married her he completely left his attraction slide.
Now they are both Widowed and living under the one roof it's very hard for both of them to kill the attraction that gets bigger as they spend more time together.
I haven't read a book with such a really Swoon worthy Male like this who is an overall All Round fantastic Dad and everything anyone could want in a Boyfriend in a while and he is just one of the Really Good Ones.
“Christmas spirit I could handle. A crushed heart… No, thank you very much. I’d just have to keep a tight rein on myself.”
Single moms are truly badass bosses. Emerson never imagined she’d find herself as a widow and single mom, but here she is, grateful that Ben has offered her and her child a place to stay. Parenting is the toughest job out there, and doing it solo sometimes makes her long for a partner to help share the load—someone who could offer a fresh perspective and spend one-on-one time with her kids, showering them with love just as she does. Now, she’s trying to ignore the way her impossibly charming new roommate looks at her, sending butterflies fluttering in her stomach. Ben has known Emerson for most of his life, and keeping his attraction under wraps is proving to be quite the challenge. He thought he had moved on when she chose his best friend, but those feelings linger.
As they navigate this never-quiet, kid-filled, and love-filled household, every lingering glance and charged moment draws them closer to a bond that could change everything. And then there’s the holiday magic—the Christmas spirit that’s palpable in the air, bringing hope and warmth to Emerson’s heart. Maybe, just maybe, she can find a little magic amidst the chaos.
This story is a delightful read that reminds us that magic can happen even in the most chaotic circumstances. With a cast of intriguing characters—including all sorts of animals, little kids, a vet single dad / single mom, military ex-husband—a childhood best friend, and a caring grandma—you really can’t go wrong with this heartwarming holiday romance!
A big thanks to The Author Agency and Amy Knupp for sending me a digital ARC of this book!
Thanks to @theauthor.agency and @amyknupp for the #gifted copy of this book.
"We're in this together this year. You don't have to do it alone. Partners in Christmas mayhem."
Summary: Emerson, a widowed single mom, is left in a real bind right before Thanksgiving when her mother-in-law, who graciously shared her home with them the last 4 years, decides to make many life changes with one being selling her home very quickly. Emerson is left with very few options for her family to promptly move out of the property, until her husband's best friend from high school, Ben, comes to the rescue. Ben offers Emerson and her children the chance to move in with his family until she can get settled. Ben has always been good about hiding his long-ago high school crush on Emerson, but can he keep it up when they are in close quarters?
Dani's Thoughts: I love Amy's Single Dads of Dragonfly Lake Series and could not wait to get my hands on this book after the teaser in book 1. Ben is exactly what dream book boyfriends are made of sexy and sweet with a heart of gold. I loved how Ben made it his mission to help Emerson see the beauty at Christmastime, even amid chaos. For very big reasons, Emerson never wanted to fall in love again, so it was wonderful to see how Ben helped melt away those scared feelings brick by brick throughout the book. The kids in this book were just so fun and just went along with the craziness as kids typically can. The animals, especially a certain llama, stole the show in this one and showed Ben's caring side to always rescue animals in need. This is a perfect holiday book and can be read just fine as a standalone.
Thank you also to Amy Knupp for sending me a gorgeous PR package, including a personalized signed copy of the book. I always love adding new stickers for my Kindle to my collection and I know the journal will come in handy!
Read if you like: 💕Single Mom & Single Dad 🥰Friends to Lovers 🏠Roommates 🎄Christmas romance 💗Second chance at love 🍪Cookie Loving Llamas
Definitely a great story to get into the spirit of the upcoming holiday season!
Ben, veterinarian and widower with 6 and 9-year-old daughters, offers sharing his home with Emerson Estes, widow with two younger children and also former high school crush and friend, when Emerson finds herself without a home after her mother-in-law suddenly moves away.
Ben is such a sweetheart, whether it’s taking care of his menagerie of animals, including Emerson’s children in activities with his kids, or, of course, being there for Emerson.
Unfortunately, Emerson has a lot of emotional challenges from past events in her life, including losing her husband, Blake, while serving in the military. While her MIL, Kizzy, was so helpful in providing a home and sharing parenting responsibilities, now Emerson is on her own. Ben’s offer for her family to stay with him until she finds a new house after the holidays, is a lifeline for her.
Although Ben’s daughters (Evelyn and Ruby) create a warm and welcoming environment for Emerson’s kids (Xavier and Skyler), and Ben goes above and beyond in including her kids in the family activities, Emerson is cautious with her feelings.
So many wonderful characters in this holiday story! Ben’s grandmother, Berty, is a gem and lifesaver for both Ben and Emerson, Ben’s single dads’ night friends were hilarious and Emerson’s employees and friends were equally funny and supportive.
While it took Emerson some time to work through her issues, Ben was always upfront and refreshingly honest with her as to where he stood which made this a wonderful feel-good story!
Widower Ben is a veterinarian and single dad to two young girls, Evelyn and Ruby. He also tends to his own farm animals - horses, llamas, chickens, dogs and cats. Emerson is the widow of Ben’s best friend with two children, Xavier and Skyler, who comes to live temporarily with Ben when her mother-in-law sells her house where they lived.
Slowly Ben and Emerson lean into each other as roommates, both hyperaware that the have a shared history of losing a spouse and adjusting to the new normal of single parenthood. As the children also start bonding over farm chores, including feeding cookies to the llamas and horses, they fall into comfortable routines while also embracing new holiday experiences that center on finding peace and joy. Then comes The Kiss that catapults their friend zone to another, very scary level, roommates with benefits, and oh, my goodness, how fast the sparks turn into a conflagration!
Single All the Way is the second book in the Single Dads of Dragonfly Lake series, and this one is just as yummy as the first. I felt like I was at a family reunion by being reconnected with characters of Singled Out. Amy Knupp writes about real people with real feelings, insecurities, hopes, and desires, and this blended family with adorable children warmed my heart from the first page to the last. If you are looking for a second-chance romance set in a tightly-knit small town at Christmas, grab a copy, light the fire, and enjoy!
I received this book as an ARC reviewer and voluntarily leave my honest opinion.
Talk about a swoon worthy single daddy. Single All The Way is a heartwarming story of finding love after loss and the tangle of emotions that it takes to get there. Throw in a foursome of cute kids, a few dogs, and one crazy llama and you’ve got yourself a Hallmark movie, only this one has a whole lotta spice.
Emerson and Ben find themselves in a strange situation of living together. Emerson and her kids have no place to go after her mother-in-law sells her house where they have been living since her husband passed away. Ben offers his place for them to stay since they do have history and have known each other since school. Ben after all was Emerson’s late husband’s best friend, oh and did I happen to mention he also had a huge crush on her since before Emerson started dating his best friend? Oh yeah, you see where this going.
I found both Ben and Emerson truly relatable characters. It was a real pleasure listening to a book where the FMC and MMC are both adults with a history behind them. They’ve both been in love and they’ve both lost, they have walls up because of their past, and truly have to wade through a ton of baggage and emotions to move past those walls. There’s some sad moments and heartbreaking moments but also some truly crazy funny moments thrown in that pulled the story together.
Not only did narrators Patrick Zeller, Stephanie Nemeth-Parker do a fabulous job of their characters but they did amazing and portraying the children’s voices as well.
“When the woman who was your teenage crush nearly twenty years ago proposes getting naked, you don’t take the time to think through the downside.”
Well that was a holly jolly small-town romance! Amy Knupp’s Single All the Way, is a sweet single-parent holiday love story and revisiting Dragonfly Lake is always a treat. Emerson’s family is in upheaval after her mother-in-law sold their home. Town veterinarian and rescuer of all creatures, Ben offers Emerson and her kids a home for the holidays. Through his easy kindnesses, Ben tries to show Emerson she can trust in others, despite a past filled with loss and disappointment. Amy’s charming, cozy, steamy storytelling will keep you entranced and her wonderful characters will warm your heart. A mischievous llama, a kindhearted grandmother, and witty, supportive friends round out the lovely & quirky characters. I loved this blended family, he-falls-first, snowed-in romance with all the first crush pining and flirty banter that always leaves me smiling.
Stephanie Nemeth-Parker and Patrick Zeller were utterly charming as Emerson and Ben! They brought Amy’s characters and bucolic quirky town to life perfectly! Stephanie’s portrayal of Emerson’s arc from grinchy, unsettled single mom to cherished and joyful holiday lover was emotional and heartwarming. Patrick embodied the swoon-worthy, bighearted single dad, Ben and brought him to life with a charming performance. Single All the Way is bound to warm your heart and get you in the holiday spirit!
I really loved the second story in Knupp’s Single Dads of Dragonfly Lake series. Ben and Emerson are definitely my favorites so far. Not only are they just really appealingly drawn MCs on their own merits, they’re also playing in some of my favorite trope sandboxes. We have temporary housemates, plus he’s-loved-her-forever, along with some endless-blended-family-potential vibes all packaged in a holiday romance! These are a few of my favorite things, folks. Sprinkle in some llama shenanigans and the appearance of many beloved Dragonfly Lake returners, and it all adds up to a good time.
The audiobook production is also very good. Both Patrick Zeller and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker do a wonderful job bringing the MCs to life. Zeller lends the perfect blend of charming, sexy, and cinnamon roll to Ben. And Nemeth-Parker was consistently on point whether Emerson was having humorously llama-induced anxiety, fighting her falling for Ben, or just being a great mom. Overall, both narrators added a new layer to my Single All the Way experience.
To close, this one has lots of heart, fun holiday moments, and great chemistry between the MCs. It’s well worth a visit whether you’re returning to the DL or visiting for the first time!
Many thanks to Home Cooked Books for an ALC copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
This is a beautifully written story of second chance love, family and fun! Widower Ben Holloway, a small town vet in Dragonfly Lake, agrees to let his friend's widow and kids stay with him until they find a place to live. Emerson was married to Ben's childhood friend, and even before she started dating Blake, Ben had feelings for her. So, Emerson, Xavier and Skylar move in with Ben and his daughters, Evelyn and Ruby, and his menagerie of animals, especially Betty and Esmeralda his two llamas. Over the years, Emerson has suffered many losses and so she guards her heart because she's afraid that someone else will leave her. But you can't help who you fall in love with, and as Ben and Emerson spend more time together, Emerson realizes just how kind and thoughtful Ben is and her heart starts to melt. No matter how much she burns for Ben, some part of her still holds back, not wanting to get too close.
This story is emotional, funny, witty, and laced with heat! The supporting characters are adorable and Grandma Berty is a real lifesaver for Emerson and Ben. But the cookie eating llamas really steal the show.
The author is a wonderful storyteller. I loved the characters, they were witty, engaging and really made me want to become invested in their happiness. The love that surrounded this family made my heart happy and being set in the holiday season was the icing on the cake.
Trope: 🩷Single Dad ♾️Single Mom 🩷Friends to Lovers ♾️Small Town 🩷Forced proximity ♾️ He Falls First
Ratings: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 🌶️🌶️ 🎤🎤🎤🎤
Review: Bulb: Some people are just meant to be single all the way…right? Emerson Being a widow and a single mom wasn’t part of my plan. But here I am. I suppose I should consider myself lucky Ben offered us a place to stay. Without him, who knows where we would’ve ended up. Now all I have to do is figure out how to ignore the way my entirely too sexy new roommate sometimes looks at me… and the way those looks make me feel… Ben I loved Emerson first. But that didn’t matter once she fell for my best friend. So, I moved on. And I was happy. For a while, at least. Now, I’m a busy single dad who just asked a woman who’ll never be mine to move in with me. I’ve always been good at hiding my feelings for Emerson. But something tells me I’m about to get even better…
My thoughts, This story is a sweet read, with the holidays coming up it gets you in the spirit. Ben is just a strong will man and knows what he wants and his love for animals is just the best part. With all the animals in this story is the best. I would recommend if you want a soft sweet read with the holidays included.
Thank you Amy Krupp and home cooked books for letting me review with audiobook was my honest opinion.
This was a beautiful story of love, loss, resilience and becoming stronger. Definitely an emotional holiday read. Dragonfly Lake is a special place and the supporting cast was great to see. This story made me want to go and read some of their stories!
Single all the Way follows Ben and Emerson a few years after they have both lost spouses and they move in together now because her home had been sold. Emerson didn’t want to rely on anyone. She was determined to stay self-sufficient after loss. But she needed Ben’s help for a place to live and Ben wanted to help her with her kids.
The emotional situation and all the twists and turns were exciting and heartrending as each person dealt with loss and change. Everyone is different and the reactions are different and effect children and adults. The story takes place just before Thanksgiving so covers the holidays and Ben encourages Em to get involved in the town activities with her kids to help them adjust to the changes. “Experience Christmas the Holloway way.” I loved all the farm drama and animal input in the story—let’s just say the llamas are a handful. 🥰 Lots of slow burn moments and beautiful descriptions and emotional reactions. I love how the story unfolded like a real relationship would including fears and struggles but also the beautiful moments of care and compassion from people around them.
Story Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 Overall: 4.5/5 Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
What I'm Starry-Eyed Over: 🤩 Great narration—both narrators are fantastic at conversations of all kinds and feels. My favorite are the salon conversations narrated by Stephanie Nemeth-Parker. Patrick Zeller is scrumptious and hot in the turned-on scenes. 🤩 Small-town Dragonfly Lake with honest, fun, and funny friends. The guy-friend gift swap! 🤩 Thanksgiving and Christmas times, holiday spirit! 🤩 Friends-to-lovers, both widows (best friend’s widow), and both single parents. 🤩 The career representation is fabulous—a vet and a hair stylist. 🤩 Love me some forced proximity with supportive hugs. A hallway encounter, in a towel, gives me the tingles with tears combo. Oh my feels, sooooooo much tingly yet teary-eyed longing for them. 🤩 Lots of farm animal & llama fun! 🦙 🤩 When the sexual tension turns up, they get a little flirty, and the kids notice. 🤩 Snowed-in without the kids! 🤩 Roommates with benefits. Also, sneaking around! 🤩 The first time is perfect and the roll in the hay is the fun I was hoping for! 🥵
What I’m Wishing/Dizzy About: 💫 The steamy Christmas Eve details would have been great. I think I would have liked a few more steamy scenes instead of just mentions of it. 💫 Grief counseling would be good.
This is a story of second chances for both of the main characters. Ben and Emerson have lost their spouses and each of them has two children. Emerson needs a place to stay. Ben, being the great guy that he is as well as Emerson's late husband's best friend, offers her his home. Little does Emerson know, but Ben has been in love with her since he was a freshman in high school! I loved the twist of not only second chances but of the fact that both of the main characters had lost their spouses. Knupp did a great job in showing us how they handled their passings while not dwelling on the mournfulness. The way she included humor to balance the melancholy was perfect - and usually came in the form of of their kids or the menagerie of animals that lived with them. It was nice to read a second chance story that was not full of angst. There were a few anxious moments, but all in all, I felt like this was more of a feel good type of story. Emerson and Ben were likeable characters and I found myself rooting for them and their kids to be a family right from the beginning. Dragonfly Lake is a wonderful place to start off your holiday reading and Amy Knupp is just the author to get you in the holiday spirit with "Single All the Way". I would definitely recommend this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
This is the second book in the Single Dads of Dragonfly Lake series. I didn’t read the first book and although characters and events from the previous book are mentioned I didn’t feel lost. This book focuses on Ben, who is a caretaker and gatherer. He collects animals and unfortunately people too. Ben is the widow father of two who works as a veterinarian and has a collection of horses, llamas, chickens, cats and dogs. Emerson went to school with Ben and he was her husband’s best friend. Although her husband was in the military and they had moved away. Emerson was living with her mother in law until she fell in love and decided to sell her house and move away. Nice Ben offers his home to her and her children until she can find a new place. I loved that in this story Ben was the one with the holiday spirit and he baked and cooked and planned for the winter holidays. Emerson seemed to keep the holidays very low key barely celebrating them. Ben is our cinnamon roll guy who had feelings for Emerson when they were young and have them now. Emerson seemed to be avoiding all sorts of things and seemed unable to really handle motherhood and because of her hangups her daughter was having some issues too. This is an absolutely wonderful small town romance where the man is happy and carefree and the woman is not a grumpy but a little bit of a Scrooge. Great story and great characters.