The One You Can’t Keep: A Single-Dad Holiday Romance

by Sadira Stone

It started as a holiday fling. Will it end in heartbreak?

Klara
After a heart-smashing divorce, a fresh start on an Army base in Germany is exactly what I need. No more whispers behind my back. No more pitying glances.
My new teaching job is my refuge, until…
Logan, a hunky single-soldier dad struggling to help his defiant son.
From that first meeting, our attraction sizzles.
But a forbidden fling with my student’s father could destroy my career and crush my heart.

Logan
Military life almost cost me my son.
After a bitter split, one yearly visit is all we’re allowed—until Cody lands on my far-flung doorstep.
I’m determined to give him the stability he’s never had, despite his belligerent teenage attitude.
My hunger for his hot, compassionate teacher is a secret I’ve got to keep undercover.
But I’m a soldier, not a saint.
And Cody’s not a fool.

The clock on our Christmas romance is ticking, and neither of us is ready for goodbye.

Come to Kittburg, Germany for a heart-warming love story with found family, second chances, and a Christmas to remember!

124 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 3, 2024

About the author

Award-winning contemporary romance author Sadira Stone spins steamy, smoochy tales set in small businesses—a quirky bookstore, a neighborhood bar, a vintage boutique. Set in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, her stories highlight found family, friendship, and the sizzling chemistry that pulls unlikely partners together. When she emerges from her writing cave in Las Vegas, Nevada (which she seldom does), she can be found shaking her hips in dance class, playing her guitar (badly, but getting better), exploring the Western U.S. with her charming husband, cooking up a storm, and gobbling all the romance books. For a guaranteed HEA (and no cliffhangers!) visit Sadira at https://sadirastone.com

Reviews

[Lynn_G · Rating 4 out of 5]

American teacher living and working with US military personnel’s children in an idyllic burg in Germany, Kiara’s sworn off pursuing relationships with men while she heals from a painful, unsuccessful fertility journey and a subsequent divorce. After a new fifteen year old student thanks his classes and repeatedly engages in disruptive behavior, she requests a conference with his parent. Rendered nearly speechless when she takes in the gorgeous BDU clad man who attends the meeting, Klara feels a spark of attraction for the man. However, she’s reluctant to become involved with the father of her student for the appearance of impropriety.

After becoming a father in his late teens then being left by his son’s mother who went on to have several other children with multiple men, Logan is nervous about relating to and guiding his unhappy, brooding son. Determined to help his son navigate his transition into adulthood in a healthy, productive manner, Logan is also very drawn to the smart, kind teacher who’s offering excellent support and advice in his endeavors.

As the pair are continually put in each other’s path, Klara and Logan embark on a no-strings fling that ultimately becomes anything but, which is a complication on which they hadn’t counted.

This was a quick, somewhat spicy read. The author does a wonderful job of immersing the reader in the Christmas-centric town and its neighborhoods. It’s a perfect cozy read for the holiday season.

I was furnished an advance reader copy from the author and booksirens, and I’m sharing my honest review.

[Cheryl Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first started reading this book, I wasn't sure if I would finish it.

The author has used the German language throughout the story, but thankfully she does interpret many of the words into English also. The story line is great! Funny, romantic, steamy, the language barrier was just a little distracting for me. I really felt sorry for Cody, Logan's son. Growing up with divorced parents is a challenge all by itself, but having a mom who doesn't put her child first in her life then moving to another country to live with a dad you only spent one month a year with, would be terrifying! It definitely explains why Cody acts out. Klara is a great person, teacher and friend. It's a blessing she is Cody's teacher! I really enjoyed Logan and Klara courtship. I felt like I was a friend watching their relationship instead of just reading a story. My favorite part of the story was the snowball fight, although the sauna scene was hilarious too! My best recommendation is to keep reading to the end, it was well worth it! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Marea · Rating 5 out of 5]

After going through a nasty divorce, Klara wanted to get as far away as possible. When an opportunity came up to teach at a school on an Army post in Germany, she took it. She stayed away from dating, enjoyed her job and loved her life. But all of those things suddenly changed when she met the father of the newest student in her class who was having problems adjusting. There was no doubting a connection between the two of them but was she willing to take a chance again or would maybe friends with benefits be the answer.

Logan was only able to see his teenage son a week here and a few weeks there each year after the bitter divorce mainly because of his career in the military. Finally he got an opportunity to be a mainstay in Cody’s life when Logan got full custody of him while stationed in Germany. Things seemed to be going okay, that was until Logan was notified by Cody’s teacher that he wasn’t doing well in class in both his grades and his attitude. What he wasn’t expecting though was to fall for his son’s teacher. Logan knew though that pushing a relationship with the teacher could end up ruining the new relationship he had with his son. Now a decision had to be made and more than one person would be hurt.

Sadira Stone has written this short and very spicy novel about life in the military at an overseas post. With this book it captures your attention right from the beginning and holds onto it throughout the pages as you can feel the electricity this couple has. I actually hope to read more about this couple in other books she writes, just to see where they have ended up. Can’t wait to read her next one.

Thanks to BookSirens and Sadira Stone for an ARC of this book for my personal review.

[Rhonda Boone · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time reading for this author. Klara and Logan's story was fast paced, slow build, with Christmas themes and based in Germany and on a military base. Even though I am NOT very familiar with military style, I felt the author did ok job with portraying some of the struggles due to military service in a compassionate way. The personal journey between Klara and Logan was more difficult with an angry teenager named Cody. I have raised both boys and a daughter in part being a single mom….and you do question yourself even if your dating someone… I do know this is fiction… BUT honesty with your kids is the best policy!! I did enjoy this book and would recommend this for an afternoon read..love the found family, and small town vibes…

I received this as a free copy via Booksirens, and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.

[Jessie (thatchickwithabook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Sadira Stone and it won’t be my last! This was the perfect little Christmas novella. Despite the length, it was jam packed with emotion and fun and the romance was so believable. Plus, it’s rare in the romance world to get a book with both MCs in their 30s, and this was a huge bonus for me to see two emotionally mature people find love. 5/5!

Thanks to BookSirens and Sadira Stone for the ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Debdutch · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The One You Can’t Keep “by Sadira Stone

The mix of heartfelt romance, emotional depth, and holiday cheer makes it a truly enjoyable read. The unique dynamic between Klara and Logan, both in their 30s, adds a refreshing touch, showcasing their maturity and authentic chemistry. A blend of steamy and sweet moments sounds.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet, clean,HEA. KLARA who is a school teacher teaches his teenage son in her school. Logan who is a Master Sergeant in the military is taking care of his troubled teenager. Really enjoyed reading this book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Suze82 · Rating 4 out of 5]

stability
Klara, Logan and Cody show us how hard stability is for members of the military but who could be able to understand you better than a fellow crew member that has been burned before and what better time to find healing than around christmas time?

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steamy/sweet single dad romance.. Romantic and heartfelt..

[Noreen Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick easy read that I enjoyed. All goes well with only one large hiccup.