What do you think?
Rate this book
Welcome to Climax #1
The Single Dad's Guide to Recreation
At least I didn’t fall on my patootie.
That’s what I keep telling myself when the box of supplies I’m carrying crashes to the floor. When the sexiest man in a suit to set foot in my place of employment finds me scrounging on the ground for markers and gluesticks. When he holds out a hand to help me to my feet, and his touch sends a shiver through me, just like in the movies.
It’s only when he shows up to the toddler class I teach that I learn how wrong we are for each other.
He’s more stoic than the statue of our town’s founder; I cry at commercials. He’s moved upstate from Manhattan; I returned to my small town roots after my big city relationship fell apart. He’s a grieving widower with two adorable kids; there’s a ninety-nine point nine percent chance that I’ll never be a mother.
Oh, and did I mention that it’s his job to cut my mother’s legacy program?
Despite all this, the only thing keeping our hands off of each other is a total lack of privacy.
Despite all this, he’s got me dreaming of something I told myself I’d given up a family of my own.
Despite all this, it’s apparently my job to welcome him to Climax.
do not read this book unless you
❤️Buttoned-up heroes who are silly with their kids
❤️Sunshiny, Cinderelly heroines
❤️Nosy, interfering, small town bureaucrats
❤️Possibly magical HEA-predicting clock towers
❤️Romantic weekend getaways with Forced Proximity Smexy times
❤️Parks and Rec and Schitt’s Creek vibes
That’s what I keep telling myself when the box of supplies I’m carrying crashes to the floor. When the sexiest man in a suit to set foot in my place of employment finds me scrounging on the ground for markers and gluesticks. When he holds out a hand to help me to my feet, and his touch sends a shiver through me, just like in the movies.
It’s only when he shows up to the toddler class I teach that I learn how wrong we are for each other.
He’s more stoic than the statue of our town’s founder; I cry at commercials. He’s moved upstate from Manhattan; I returned to my small town roots after my big city relationship fell apart. He’s a grieving widower with two adorable kids; there’s a ninety-nine point nine percent chance that I’ll never be a mother.
Oh, and did I mention that it’s his job to cut my mother’s legacy program?
Despite all this, the only thing keeping our hands off of each other is a total lack of privacy.
Despite all this, he’s got me dreaming of something I told myself I’d given up a family of my own.
Despite all this, it’s apparently my job to welcome him to Climax.
do not read this book unless you
❤️Buttoned-up heroes who are silly with their kids
❤️Sunshiny, Cinderelly heroines
❤️Nosy, interfering, small town bureaucrats
❤️Possibly magical HEA-predicting clock towers
❤️Romantic weekend getaways with Forced Proximity Smexy times
❤️Parks and Rec and Schitt’s Creek vibes
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 24, 2025
6 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
Karen Grey
22 books613 followersKAREN GREY is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of vintage romantic comedies with smart heroines and hunky heroes. Drawing on a long career as a performer, her retro 80's and 90's romances are populated with characters working both on- and off-stage in theater, TV and film.
She's a lifelong omnivorous reader (including 20 years as an audiobook narrator). When not reading or writing, she's lounging at the beach or hiking in the mountains. Or dreaming about both with an IPA in hand and a dog or a cat nearby.
To get the latest news, join her VIP club at followkarengrey.com.
If you are seeking content guidance for any of my books (which may include spoilers) it can be found at http://bit.ly/ContentGuidanceKarenGrey
Enjoy your trip back in time! Karen
She's a lifelong omnivorous reader (including 20 years as an audiobook narrator). When not reading or writing, she's lounging at the beach or hiking in the mountains. Or dreaming about both with an IPA in hand and a dog or a cat nearby.
To get the latest news, join her VIP club at followkarengrey.com.
If you are seeking content guidance for any of my books (which may include spoilers) it can be found at http://bit.ly/ContentGuidanceKarenGrey
Enjoy your trip back in time! Karen
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
July 4, 2025
I think it’s been established that I really like Karen’s style of writing. She writes true-to-life fiction that isn’t angst driven nor sexually driven. Just a normal relationship development with shenanigans on the side of course, and I love it! It is always a pleasure to be inside one of her worlds!
The town of Climax (yeah, you read that right lol) is an absolute hoot! I cannot wait for this town to develop into a much bigger series! As I mentioned before, I like Karen’s style because of the levity she brings to her stories even when dealing with serious circumstances. She did that really well with this story and I found myself smiling even when the story wasn’t being humorous at all. I don’t know what it is, but she just makes me feel good when I’m reading her stories! The story of Avery, Josh and of course, little Percy & Mable was entertaining with excellent banter. Circumstances relatable and realistic with a sprinkle of smalltown shenanigans at almost every turn! There was nothing ”dramatic” about any part of their journey which very much added to my enjoyment! It’s a story full of laughs, hope and love! I honestly can’t wait to see what Karen has in store for the audiobook! Eeepppp!
🎧🎙️Grayson Owens & Carly Robins🎙️🎧 performed the heck out of this story and made me feel the story at a much deeper level than I did when I read it. The circumstances that both Avery & Josh were battling as individuals was pronounced and really front and center while I listened to the audiobook. I already knew the story from reading it, but this was different and I don’t really know why! It’s like something clicked in my head when Grayson and Carly were performing and a deeper understanding of this story, past the romantic comedy aspect, settled in my heart and elevated what was once a really good story to an extraordinary story about life and all it’s not so bright side and it’s blindingly bright side and everything in between. Such great narrators, both of them. 👏❤️Well done!❤️👏
The town of Climax (yeah, you read that right lol) is an absolute hoot! I cannot wait for this town to develop into a much bigger series! As I mentioned before, I like Karen’s style because of the levity she brings to her stories even when dealing with serious circumstances. She did that really well with this story and I found myself smiling even when the story wasn’t being humorous at all. I don’t know what it is, but she just makes me feel good when I’m reading her stories! The story of Avery, Josh and of course, little Percy & Mable was entertaining with excellent banter. Circumstances relatable and realistic with a sprinkle of smalltown shenanigans at almost every turn! There was nothing ”dramatic” about any part of their journey which very much added to my enjoyment! It’s a story full of laughs, hope and love! I honestly can’t wait to see what Karen has in store for the audiobook! Eeepppp!
🎧🎙️Grayson Owens & Carly Robins🎙️🎧 performed the heck out of this story and made me feel the story at a much deeper level than I did when I read it. The circumstances that both Avery & Josh were battling as individuals was pronounced and really front and center while I listened to the audiobook. I already knew the story from reading it, but this was different and I don’t really know why! It’s like something clicked in my head when Grayson and Carly were performing and a deeper understanding of this story, past the romantic comedy aspect, settled in my heart and elevated what was once a really good story to an extraordinary story about life and all it’s not so bright side and it’s blindingly bright side and everything in between. Such great narrators, both of them. 👏❤️Well done!❤️👏
March 22, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Karen Grey for allowing me to read the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
This book was super cute and sweet. It follows Avery and Josh who are the very definition of opposites attract. Avery is fighting to keep her mom’s community program alive while Josh, the man she is trying not to have feelings for, is working for the mayor to basically get rid of it. If you enjoy small town romance, single dads, forced proximity this is definitely one to check out.
This book was super cute and sweet. It follows Avery and Josh who are the very definition of opposites attract. Avery is fighting to keep her mom’s community program alive while Josh, the man she is trying not to have feelings for, is working for the mayor to basically get rid of it. If you enjoy small town romance, single dads, forced proximity this is definitely one to check out.
April 2, 2025
Facilitator of a parent-toddler playgroup at an aging but beloved community center in addition to being a live-in caregiver to her parents, Avery is a highly dependable but under appreciated friend, sister, daughter, and employee. When a giant tech corporation makes her small hometown of Climax its world headquarters, a community partnership is created with the Parks & Rec department which employs her, but due to its lack of popularity, her program is on the chopping block.
As team leader of the partnership, devoted widower and father to two young children Josh is feeling a bit of imposter syndrome in his current role, as well as pressure from his late wife’s parents about the way in which he’s uprooted the children following their mother’s tragic death. In the midst of all the changes in his life and that of his children’s, he becomes immediately taken with the sweet and clever Avery.
Avery begins having feelings for Josh which he returns, but their baggage threatens to cause a chasm between them.
Meddling family, friends, and associates push the perfect for each other despite the imperfections pair together in both personal and professional ways.
Despite the heavy themes of spousal loss, caregiving one’s own parents, betrayal, and other fraught scenarios, this is a really engaging, funny, and entertaining book dotted with lots of open door intimacy scenes. Karen Grey writes frankly about challenging topics without dipping into maudlin territory. It’s also lovely to see some crossover characters and landmarks from some of her other books. I look forward to future installments, and I’m particularly interested in how the journey will go between Leia and Eli.
I was fortunate to have been furnished an advance reader copy from the author, and I’m pleased to share my honest review.
As team leader of the partnership, devoted widower and father to two young children Josh is feeling a bit of imposter syndrome in his current role, as well as pressure from his late wife’s parents about the way in which he’s uprooted the children following their mother’s tragic death. In the midst of all the changes in his life and that of his children’s, he becomes immediately taken with the sweet and clever Avery.
Avery begins having feelings for Josh which he returns, but their baggage threatens to cause a chasm between them.
Meddling family, friends, and associates push the perfect for each other despite the imperfections pair together in both personal and professional ways.
Despite the heavy themes of spousal loss, caregiving one’s own parents, betrayal, and other fraught scenarios, this is a really engaging, funny, and entertaining book dotted with lots of open door intimacy scenes. Karen Grey writes frankly about challenging topics without dipping into maudlin territory. It’s also lovely to see some crossover characters and landmarks from some of her other books. I look forward to future installments, and I’m particularly interested in how the journey will go between Leia and Eli.
I was fortunate to have been furnished an advance reader copy from the author, and I’m pleased to share my honest review.
July 5, 2025
I was completely captivated by this first in a new small town workplace romance between a widowed Dad and a young woman living with and caring for her parents who have chronic illnesses.
Highly recommended for fans of Park and Rec, this book had tons of emotional depth, great disability and mental health rep and a heartwarming co-worker, dual POV love story. Great on audio narrated by Grayson Owens and Carly Robins.
Many thanks to the author and @homecookedbooks for an ALC in exchange for my honest review. I am so looking forward to reading/listening to the next book in this series!!
Highly recommended for fans of Park and Rec, this book had tons of emotional depth, great disability and mental health rep and a heartwarming co-worker, dual POV love story. Great on audio narrated by Grayson Owens and Carly Robins.
Many thanks to the author and @homecookedbooks for an ALC in exchange for my honest review. I am so looking forward to reading/listening to the next book in this series!!
May 20, 2025
Thank you netgalley for this arc!
It was an amazing vacation read!
Super fun, Not boring and just wholesome?!
Loved Josh and Averys interaction, and while 3 act drama is never good I did like that both of them had to learn something and that it will help them in the long run!
Would’ve loved to have a bit more family fluff! But otherwise I had a good time reading this.
It was an amazing vacation read!
Super fun, Not boring and just wholesome?!
Loved Josh and Averys interaction, and while 3 act drama is never good I did like that both of them had to learn something and that it will help them in the long run!
Would’ve loved to have a bit more family fluff! But otherwise I had a good time reading this.
May 9, 2025
I loved this workplace romcom with "Parks and Rec" vibes. Both main characters are caretakers - Avery is caring for her parents with Long Covid, and Josh is a single dad of two little kids. Avery runs a program at the community center that Josh is tasked with shutting down. They might be on opposite sides of this issue, but they can't fight their attraction! It deals with some serious issues like infertility, depression, and suicide, so check your content warnings, but overall it's a steamy, fun, lighthearted romance that totally satisfies.
October 11, 2025
"The Single Dad’s Guide to Recreation" by Karen Grey is book one in the Welcome to Climax series.
Thank you Home Cooked Books for the gifted audiobook copy.
Opinions from this review are completely my own.
I did not read any other book from Karen Grey but the title, description and narrators convinced me to try this book.
What you can expect:
- single dad (widower)
- sunshine heroine
- small town
- opposites attract
- funny and emotional moments
The audiobook is narrated in dual style by Grayson Owens and Carly Robins.
They fit very well as Josh and Avery and managed to bring out all the emotions.
Both characters are lovable and their interactions are full of chemistry, humour and emotion.
They also go through some serious experiences, like grief and caring for sick parents.
Listening to the story made the experience enjoyable and I would like to continue the series when the next book will be available.
April 17, 2025
3.5 Starts
small town | single dad | grief/trauma | workplace romance
Triggers: death, post natal depression.
This was a nice easy read. A fast paced romance that explores finding love when you’re a busy single parent juggling the complexities of life.
Josh and Avery had an instant connection but having just moved to a new town with a new job, Josh was hesitant to make a move. Avery spots a wedding ring and puts the idea of any kind of relationship in the trash, until she discovers he’s a widow. They both put their worries aside to embrace their romance. A chime in time makes them think that maybe their meeting was in fact fate.
small town | single dad | grief/trauma | workplace romance
Triggers: death, post natal depression.
This was a nice easy read. A fast paced romance that explores finding love when you’re a busy single parent juggling the complexities of life.
Josh and Avery had an instant connection but having just moved to a new town with a new job, Josh was hesitant to make a move. Avery spots a wedding ring and puts the idea of any kind of relationship in the trash, until she discovers he’s a widow. They both put their worries aside to embrace their romance. A chime in time makes them think that maybe their meeting was in fact fate.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC for this book!!! This was such a sweet & easy read. I related to Avery in so many ways & Josh was a sweetheart of a single dad. I had plenty of giggles & feet-kicking moments 💕 I think I wanted a little bit more of their build-up because I love the tension, but I still had a splendid time reading this one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2025
I did for cute romance but it’s just better when there’s a little drama. Who hasn’t had their heart broken, lied to, and is just al over apprehensive that something so good is for them! You won’t be disappointed with this light hearted quick read! Send me more Ms Grey! 💕
April 24, 2025
From the first page, I knew I was going to enjoy the wittiness of this book. Avery is a delightfully quirky heroine and Josh is a sweet cinnamon roll single dad. The dialogue is fun and the author's sense of humor really shines through. Oh, and did I mention the town where they live is called Climax? A quick and humorous read, perfect for if you like a little small town eccentricity in your romance!
April 26, 2025
Such a cute, magical, small town romance!
Avery and her creative swearing was so funny, and it was so sweet watching her relationship with Josh develop, as well as bonding with his children. The grumpy x sunshine workplace conflict was also a fun twist!
Thanks to Literary Media Tours for the eARC!
Avery and her creative swearing was so funny, and it was so sweet watching her relationship with Josh develop, as well as bonding with his children. The grumpy x sunshine workplace conflict was also a fun twist!
Thanks to Literary Media Tours for the eARC!
April 21, 2025
Single dad Josh was assigned to revamp the Parks & Rec department where he meets toddler-whisperer Avery. He’s fresh from losing his kids’ mom, and she’s a people-pleaser who puts everyone else first. Sometimes you just can’t fight the chemistry. When the bell tolls, it’s fate.
This story was super cute and sweet. I love the small town setting. I love Avery’s replacements for curse words. And their HEA at the end made me swoon.
Thanks to the author for an advanced copy so I could enjoy and share my thoughts.
This story was super cute and sweet. I love the small town setting. I love Avery’s replacements for curse words. And their HEA at the end made me swoon.
Thanks to the author for an advanced copy so I could enjoy and share my thoughts.
July 11, 2025
SDGTR gets 5 ⭐️ and 1 🐈⬛
This was such a sweet (and spicy!) story. I empathize with Avery on so many levels, and she felt like such a real, relatable character. I love her professional journey, which pairs so perfectly with her love story with Josh. Josh is the cutest single dad, doing his best to take care of his littles along with himself. Definitely going on my comfort reread shelf!!
😍 insta-love
🛝 small town magic
🩷 single dad
😏 only one bed getaway
🥹 HEA
Thank you to NetGalley and Karen Grey for the ARC!!
TW for lost child and fertility struggles
EDIT: the audiobook version was great!! Did I cry during the last chapter and epilogue? YOU BETCHA.
Thank you Karen Grey for the ALC!! ❤️
This was such a sweet (and spicy!) story. I empathize with Avery on so many levels, and she felt like such a real, relatable character. I love her professional journey, which pairs so perfectly with her love story with Josh. Josh is the cutest single dad, doing his best to take care of his littles along with himself. Definitely going on my comfort reread shelf!!
😍 insta-love
🛝 small town magic
🩷 single dad
😏 only one bed getaway
🥹 HEA
Thank you to NetGalley and Karen Grey for the ARC!!
TW for lost child and fertility struggles
EDIT: the audiobook version was great!! Did I cry during the last chapter and epilogue? YOU BETCHA.
Thank you Karen Grey for the ALC!! ❤️
June 18, 2025
Cute story about a woman who has moved back home to sort out her life and take care of her ill/aging parents and a man just trying to do the best he can for his kids. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Listened to the auto book a couple of months after reading it. The narrators do a great job of bringing the story to life. Worth the listen/read, enjoyable story. Thank you Karen Grey for the chance to preview the auto book.
Listened to the auto book a couple of months after reading it. The narrators do a great job of bringing the story to life. Worth the listen/read, enjoyable story. Thank you Karen Grey for the chance to preview the auto book.
April 20, 2025
All the small town charm with rom-com goodness. “The Single Dad’s Guide to Recreation” is a fun, swoony and sweet single Dad romance that was a fun start to Karen Grey’s new series.
Avery is in her hometown of Climax and she’s trying to keep her mother’s community program at the rec center going after her Mom had to leave dealing with the side effects of long covid. And when she meets Josh, there’s an instant connection between them that both feel. However, Josh is new to Climax and has been brought in to do an overhaul of the town’s budget and the program Avery wants to be saved is one that is in danger of being cut.
I loved the cover and synopsis of this book and enjoyed Avery and Josh’s story. Avery has a lot on her plate with the rec center and taking care of her older parents who have some ailments. The work life and home life balance struggle was real for her and she was definitely doing her best to balance it all. Josh had similar issues with being a widowed single Dad to two young children, Mabel and Percy. His kids were adorable and had me cracking up more than once at their antics. I loved the instant connection Avery and Josh had from the beginning and how they tried their hardest to get some time together but something would always come up. That made their story realistic and relatable. The two face real life problems and I loved how they worked on them with real solutions. There was a delicate balance between swoony romance and real life issues which made this story even more enjoyable. The ending was so sweet and wrapped up their story perfectly.
Avery is in her hometown of Climax and she’s trying to keep her mother’s community program at the rec center going after her Mom had to leave dealing with the side effects of long covid. And when she meets Josh, there’s an instant connection between them that both feel. However, Josh is new to Climax and has been brought in to do an overhaul of the town’s budget and the program Avery wants to be saved is one that is in danger of being cut.
I loved the cover and synopsis of this book and enjoyed Avery and Josh’s story. Avery has a lot on her plate with the rec center and taking care of her older parents who have some ailments. The work life and home life balance struggle was real for her and she was definitely doing her best to balance it all. Josh had similar issues with being a widowed single Dad to two young children, Mabel and Percy. His kids were adorable and had me cracking up more than once at their antics. I loved the instant connection Avery and Josh had from the beginning and how they tried their hardest to get some time together but something would always come up. That made their story realistic and relatable. The two face real life problems and I loved how they worked on them with real solutions. There was a delicate balance between swoony romance and real life issues which made this story even more enjoyable. The ending was so sweet and wrapped up their story perfectly.
March 25, 2025
This was a really cute read. I loved the kiddos. I liked that the author didn't make this too unrealistic and gave real-life problems that that the MCs dealt with: death of a spouse, relationship failures, caring for sick family, trying to make ends meet, trying to raise kids with the help of your family, small down gossip and meddling, trying to better your community. They were perfectly normal MCs, which I appreciated.
The third act breakup was a bit dramatic, but given the high stress of that moment in time, I suppose it was an acceptable and forgivable response to the situation. The epilogue was perfect.
This was my first Karen Grey book, so I look forward to reading more by the author in the future, especially with this series.
I will note that the use of 'chronic COVID' as a term to describe a health condition confused me since I've never heard it referred to that, only by the usual term, Long COVID. Even Google says it's most commonly called Long COVID. That makes it more relatable and understandable once you hear that. Chronic COVID sounds like someone keeps getting COVID over and over again. So if you're confused, just know the author means Long COVID :)
The third act breakup was a bit dramatic, but given the high stress of that moment in time, I suppose it was an acceptable and forgivable response to the situation. The epilogue was perfect.
This was my first Karen Grey book, so I look forward to reading more by the author in the future, especially with this series.
I will note that the use of 'chronic COVID' as a term to describe a health condition confused me since I've never heard it referred to that, only by the usual term, Long COVID. Even Google says it's most commonly called Long COVID. That makes it more relatable and understandable once you hear that. Chronic COVID sounds like someone keeps getting COVID over and over again. So if you're confused, just know the author means Long COVID :)
March 22, 2025
Lovely, Funny Romance
Second (or first ?) chance for love for Josh and Avery in a lovely romantic story with charming characters, not only the two MCs, but also all the people around them. Realistic histories, traumas, emotional issues and health problems. Situated in a small village with its own problems. Lots of humor and funny situations that made me laugh out loud (what a way to swear 😊). Enjoyed it tremendously.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Second (or first ?) chance for love for Josh and Avery in a lovely romantic story with charming characters, not only the two MCs, but also all the people around them. Realistic histories, traumas, emotional issues and health problems. Situated in a small village with its own problems. Lots of humor and funny situations that made me laugh out loud (what a way to swear 😊). Enjoyed it tremendously.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 23, 2025
(3.75/5 stars)
The Single Dad's Guide to Recreation is a cute contemporary romance by Karen Grey.
Avery took up the helm of playgroup, a parent/toddler program in her hometown's Parks & Rec department after her mother became ill with long COVID. A corporation comes to town to overhaul the department and its facilities. Josh, a widowed single dad, is a corporate VP who is assigned the project.
This one started out a little on the slow side for me, but I practically inhaled the entire second half on a night where I stayed up pretty late to do so. I also was reading this one in the weeks leading up to the spring full ensemble concert for my orchestra that exclusively plays music from video games. My basement also flooded (for the second year in a row). So take my thoughts on the first half of the book with a grain of salt because it was a busy time and my brain could only handle so much.
There are a lot of funny scenes in this book. I've never actually watched either Parks and Recreation or Schitts Creek, the two main comps for this book, but I had a fun time reading it. I especially enjoyed Josh's children Percy and Mabel. I wish there was more of their little cat, who's showcased on the cover.
We get some information at the end of this book that makes a lot of sense, but means I definitely need to pick up the next book in the series to see what happens!
Tropes in this book include: small town, opposites attract, single dad, forced proximity
CW: infertility, depression, spousal loss, grief, chronic illness
I received a complimentary review copy from Literary Media Tours and the author. All opinions contained herein are my own.
If you want to see more from me, check out my blog, Bookstagram, TheStoryGraph, or Bluesky.
The Single Dad's Guide to Recreation is a cute contemporary romance by Karen Grey.
Avery took up the helm of playgroup, a parent/toddler program in her hometown's Parks & Rec department after her mother became ill with long COVID. A corporation comes to town to overhaul the department and its facilities. Josh, a widowed single dad, is a corporate VP who is assigned the project.
This one started out a little on the slow side for me, but I practically inhaled the entire second half on a night where I stayed up pretty late to do so. I also was reading this one in the weeks leading up to the spring full ensemble concert for my orchestra that exclusively plays music from video games. My basement also flooded (for the second year in a row). So take my thoughts on the first half of the book with a grain of salt because it was a busy time and my brain could only handle so much.
There are a lot of funny scenes in this book. I've never actually watched either Parks and Recreation or Schitts Creek, the two main comps for this book, but I had a fun time reading it. I especially enjoyed Josh's children Percy and Mabel. I wish there was more of their little cat, who's showcased on the cover.
We get some information at the end of this book that makes a lot of sense, but means I definitely need to pick up the next book in the series to see what happens!
Tropes in this book include: small town, opposites attract, single dad, forced proximity
CW: infertility, depression, spousal loss, grief, chronic illness
I received a complimentary review copy from Literary Media Tours and the author. All opinions contained herein are my own.
If you want to see more from me, check out my blog, Bookstagram, TheStoryGraph, or Bluesky.
July 7, 2025
** Audio Review **
Happy sigh…The Single Dad’s Guide to Recreation by Karen Grey was a feel-good small-town romance that had me grinning from start to finish. I adored everything about Avery and Josh’s single-dad romance and their stumbling meet-cute that was simply meant to be. Karen always creates heartfelt characters in memorable places, and I’m already intrigued with the town of Climax.
Carly Robins and Grayson Owens perform this audiobook in dual narration. Both narrators fully embodied Avery and Josh, creating an undeniable pull and meant-to-be chemistry between them. Carly’s bright, expressive voice captured Avery’s sunshiny and passionate personality, emphasizing her wants and desires perfectly. Grayson’s warm, soothing tone encompassed Josh’s vulnerabilities, doubts, and swoon-worthy demeanor, brilliantly making you feel every single emotion from Josh. Both narrators made this an entertaining and immersive listen.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. If you are a fan of a small town romance with a hot broody single dad, a devoted employee of CPR, Schitts Creek, and Parks and Rec vibes, a clumsy meet cute, a trip to Bedfellows farm, dad jokes, weekend romantic getaways, saving important programs, kid scares, motherly advice, healing from the past, intimate conversations, love declarations, grand house gestures, and a HEA that will guide its way into your heart, then you will love Avery and Josh’s story. I always look forward to more from Karen Grey.
Happy sigh…The Single Dad’s Guide to Recreation by Karen Grey was a feel-good small-town romance that had me grinning from start to finish. I adored everything about Avery and Josh’s single-dad romance and their stumbling meet-cute that was simply meant to be. Karen always creates heartfelt characters in memorable places, and I’m already intrigued with the town of Climax.
Carly Robins and Grayson Owens perform this audiobook in dual narration. Both narrators fully embodied Avery and Josh, creating an undeniable pull and meant-to-be chemistry between them. Carly’s bright, expressive voice captured Avery’s sunshiny and passionate personality, emphasizing her wants and desires perfectly. Grayson’s warm, soothing tone encompassed Josh’s vulnerabilities, doubts, and swoon-worthy demeanor, brilliantly making you feel every single emotion from Josh. Both narrators made this an entertaining and immersive listen.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. If you are a fan of a small town romance with a hot broody single dad, a devoted employee of CPR, Schitts Creek, and Parks and Rec vibes, a clumsy meet cute, a trip to Bedfellows farm, dad jokes, weekend romantic getaways, saving important programs, kid scares, motherly advice, healing from the past, intimate conversations, love declarations, grand house gestures, and a HEA that will guide its way into your heart, then you will love Avery and Josh’s story. I always look forward to more from Karen Grey.
April 13, 2025
Thank you Netgalley for the Arc!
Avery has semi-recently moved back to Climax after a breakup, and to help take care of her aging parents. Josh is new in town and is working for a company that wants to help revitalize the town and the rec center.
What follows is a sweet, quirky, romantic story of two people falling in love while navigating life's challenges.
I really enjoyed this story, and the town bell was a fun little twist.
Tropes:
Small town
Forced proximity
Single dad x caregiver
Avery has semi-recently moved back to Climax after a breakup, and to help take care of her aging parents. Josh is new in town and is working for a company that wants to help revitalize the town and the rec center.
What follows is a sweet, quirky, romantic story of two people falling in love while navigating life's challenges.
I really enjoyed this story, and the town bell was a fun little twist.
Tropes:
Small town
Forced proximity
Single dad x caregiver
July 8, 2025
It takes a village…
Story: 4.5 ⭐️s
Narration: 5 ⭐️s
There’s something genuinely comforting about diving into a Karen Grey series. Between crafting settings that invite, characters that compel, and plots that are unafraid to touch on relatable, relevant issues, there’s always a great deal to grab the reader. And the first book in Grey’s new Welcome to Climax series is no exception. It’s a widower single dad, workplace romance, with the solid mental health rep that is a hallmark of Grey’s brand.
Our MCs are single dad, Josh, and community eveywoman, Avery, who are thrown together to repurpose and rebuild the community programs at the local rec center, along with the center itself whose facilities could use some TLC. Josh works for a big shot tech bro with past ties to Climax, who’s looking to use his startup to revitalize the town (his reasons are somewhat mysterious, so Grey is definitely seeding the ground for his future story). And Avery is torn between preserving her mother’s legacy and knowing things need to change to better serve the community.
As in all Grey books, there is a compelling cast of secondary characters, including the aforementioned tech bro boss (Eli), Avery’s best gal pals Leia and Daisy (who give excellent support along with tough love when needed!), along with a few pop-ins from some old Farm-2-Forking favorites! She’s established another great setting in the town of Climax. It really feels like a community and the people that populate it are often more than meets the eye from the matchmaking mayor, to a seemingly gossipy activities director who is actually a bit of a sage and knows the name of every kid on the team. It all adds up to an enjoyable reading experience. And there is definitely enough here to spark reader interest to come back for subsequent installments.
Despite the lack of a past setting as in previous series, I think Grey has built the start of something really lovely here. She has deftly handled multiple aspects of grief, from the loss of a spouse, as well as grief one might feel for the loss of a vision of one’s imagined future. Josh has lost his wife and has very complicated feelings about that relationship which complicate his grief, plus he has two kids to raise. Then Avery is grieving what she expected her life to be, but also a little in denial about it; at the start she says she’s happy, but it’s definitely a case of “the lady doth protest too much methinks”. So each is on a path that makes it necessary that they see their situation anew. And for all their mutual attraction and off the charts chemistry, they have to work on themselves before they can make things work with each other. Grey is consistently adept at allowing her MCs to grow individually, but also towards one another in a way that makes for a meaningful connection.
I only had a minor quibble with this story and that was because there was a little too much snowballing in the third act. Third act pacing is a pet peeve for me, and I can find it distracting when it feels like resolutions fall together rather than weave together. However, this by no means detracts from the appeal of the characters, the setting, or what Grey has begun to build with this new series. I very much look forward to the next installments and absolutely can’t wait to hear this one in audio. I’m sure the production with be amazing, as always.
Overall, I definitely recommend the TSDGtR. Whether you’re a Karen Grey fan, or you simply appreciate a story where two people just trying to keep all the balls in the air while making room for their own needs find their match, you won’t regret giving this one a go.
I am grateful to have received an advance reader copy via the author. All opinions are my own. (ARC April 2025)
ALC Addendum - July 2025
TSDGtR audiobook is another top-notch Karen Grey production. Carly Robins and Grayson Owens take on the roles of Avery and Josh and they have delivered some fine performances. Robins was was definitely the standout for me. She was a perfectly cast Avery, and able to embody her traits from flustered and funny moments to those that were more revelatory and pathos-centric. All the elements of Avery that Grey brought to the page, Robins embodied in a performance that shows why she’s one of the best narrators around. She made me love Avery and the entire Climax cast of characters even more than reading the book the first time around. Owens also did a good job, but I do have to confess that I found his performance slightly less engaging than Robin’s at times. This mostly came down to some of his accent work for some secondary characters that just didn’t work for me. However, when he was in character as Josh, he was great. He nailed the humor and the lovely dad moments. He was sexy when he needed to be and caring and blundering and all the traits that make Josh an endearing MMC. Overall listening to this audio makes me look forward to returning to Climax for the next book and beyond. This is another Karen Grey audio banger and is absolutely worth a listen!
I’m grateful to have received an ALC copy of the audiobook via Home Cooked Books. All opinions expressed are my own.
Story: 4.5 ⭐️s
Narration: 5 ⭐️s
There’s something genuinely comforting about diving into a Karen Grey series. Between crafting settings that invite, characters that compel, and plots that are unafraid to touch on relatable, relevant issues, there’s always a great deal to grab the reader. And the first book in Grey’s new Welcome to Climax series is no exception. It’s a widower single dad, workplace romance, with the solid mental health rep that is a hallmark of Grey’s brand.
Our MCs are single dad, Josh, and community eveywoman, Avery, who are thrown together to repurpose and rebuild the community programs at the local rec center, along with the center itself whose facilities could use some TLC. Josh works for a big shot tech bro with past ties to Climax, who’s looking to use his startup to revitalize the town (his reasons are somewhat mysterious, so Grey is definitely seeding the ground for his future story). And Avery is torn between preserving her mother’s legacy and knowing things need to change to better serve the community.
As in all Grey books, there is a compelling cast of secondary characters, including the aforementioned tech bro boss (Eli), Avery’s best gal pals Leia and Daisy (who give excellent support along with tough love when needed!), along with a few pop-ins from some old Farm-2-Forking favorites! She’s established another great setting in the town of Climax. It really feels like a community and the people that populate it are often more than meets the eye from the matchmaking mayor, to a seemingly gossipy activities director who is actually a bit of a sage and knows the name of every kid on the team. It all adds up to an enjoyable reading experience. And there is definitely enough here to spark reader interest to come back for subsequent installments.
Despite the lack of a past setting as in previous series, I think Grey has built the start of something really lovely here. She has deftly handled multiple aspects of grief, from the loss of a spouse, as well as grief one might feel for the loss of a vision of one’s imagined future. Josh has lost his wife and has very complicated feelings about that relationship which complicate his grief, plus he has two kids to raise. Then Avery is grieving what she expected her life to be, but also a little in denial about it; at the start she says she’s happy, but it’s definitely a case of “the lady doth protest too much methinks”. So each is on a path that makes it necessary that they see their situation anew. And for all their mutual attraction and off the charts chemistry, they have to work on themselves before they can make things work with each other. Grey is consistently adept at allowing her MCs to grow individually, but also towards one another in a way that makes for a meaningful connection.
I only had a minor quibble with this story and that was because there was a little too much snowballing in the third act. Third act pacing is a pet peeve for me, and I can find it distracting when it feels like resolutions fall together rather than weave together. However, this by no means detracts from the appeal of the characters, the setting, or what Grey has begun to build with this new series. I very much look forward to the next installments and absolutely can’t wait to hear this one in audio. I’m sure the production with be amazing, as always.
Overall, I definitely recommend the TSDGtR. Whether you’re a Karen Grey fan, or you simply appreciate a story where two people just trying to keep all the balls in the air while making room for their own needs find their match, you won’t regret giving this one a go.
I am grateful to have received an advance reader copy via the author. All opinions are my own. (ARC April 2025)
ALC Addendum - July 2025
TSDGtR audiobook is another top-notch Karen Grey production. Carly Robins and Grayson Owens take on the roles of Avery and Josh and they have delivered some fine performances. Robins was was definitely the standout for me. She was a perfectly cast Avery, and able to embody her traits from flustered and funny moments to those that were more revelatory and pathos-centric. All the elements of Avery that Grey brought to the page, Robins embodied in a performance that shows why she’s one of the best narrators around. She made me love Avery and the entire Climax cast of characters even more than reading the book the first time around. Owens also did a good job, but I do have to confess that I found his performance slightly less engaging than Robin’s at times. This mostly came down to some of his accent work for some secondary characters that just didn’t work for me. However, when he was in character as Josh, he was great. He nailed the humor and the lovely dad moments. He was sexy when he needed to be and caring and blundering and all the traits that make Josh an endearing MMC. Overall listening to this audio makes me look forward to returning to Climax for the next book and beyond. This is another Karen Grey audio banger and is absolutely worth a listen!
I’m grateful to have received an ALC copy of the audiobook via Home Cooked Books. All opinions expressed are my own.
April 12, 2025
Avery and Josh are a very funny couple. They are immediately attracted to each other, but they both have very complicated lives. They have to learn to see their baggage in new lights before they can move on. The kids are also very cute.
April 23, 2025
This book did exactly what it came here to do because all I want to do now is read more about the quirky characters of Climax and their love stories!!!
Avery, a caregiver for her sick parents, with a traumatic past in love and life, and Josh, a widower father of two who questions if he's capable of loving someone how he truly wants to, come together as in a professional setting and are kind of, almost working against each other...but it certainly doesn't get in the way of their chemistry.
Karen Grey did such a wonderful job letting us into these characters lives and giving us just enough of the supporting characters to feel hooked in finding out what happens to them as well.
Thank you NetGalley, Home Cooked Books, and Karen Grey for an eARC of this story!
Avery, a caregiver for her sick parents, with a traumatic past in love and life, and Josh, a widower father of two who questions if he's capable of loving someone how he truly wants to, come together as in a professional setting and are kind of, almost working against each other...but it certainly doesn't get in the way of their chemistry.
Karen Grey did such a wonderful job letting us into these characters lives and giving us just enough of the supporting characters to feel hooked in finding out what happens to them as well.
Thank you NetGalley, Home Cooked Books, and Karen Grey for an eARC of this story!
April 8, 2025
Small town rom-com features Avery working three jobs at the community rec center in the ironically named town of Climax. When a big city firm moves to town, they get involved with big plans for improving the rec center. And the main person liaising with the community rec center is a hot single widower. An immediate attraction and a town full of matchmaker set the stage for a fun story. Thanks to netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 17, 2025
Avery moved back to her hometown of Climax, NY, and in with her parents after her life imploded. Her temporary move has lasted longer than she planned, but she enjoys working for her best friend, Leia, at the Climax Parks and Rec Department.
Widowed with two young children, Josh moves his family to Climax to start over. His consulting job focuses on improving the Rec Department, which includes reviewing the programs Avery runs.
The Single Dad’s Guide to Recreation is cute, fun, and a sweet romance. I love the setting, and I found myself comparing the characters to those from the show Parks and Rec. The story is humorous, but not in an over-the-top way, and made me smile. The town is fun, and with a name like Climax, there are quirky and entertaining attractions.
Josh and Avery have some pretty major trauma from their pasts that directly impacts their ability to build a healthy and strong relationship (check content warnings here https://www.karengrey.com/contentguid...). We get to see them evolve and grow, although some therapy would have been useful (kudos to the author for mentioning it in the epilogue). I felt Josh is a bit impulsive and pushed things along quickly, yet sometime giving mixed signals. But then I realized, he is impulsive and acts without taking into consideration all the factors because he is excited to finally feel happy. And like a high, he tries to get more and more. And even though the romance is quick moving, I adored seeing them face their fears and fall in love.
The Single Dad’s Guide to Recreation is lighthearted and happy, perfect for escaping the real world.
My Rating: B
NOTE: There is a wonderful bonus epilogue that is only available to the author’s newsletter subscribers. For more info: https://karengreybooks.com
Review originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Review copy provided by author
Widowed with two young children, Josh moves his family to Climax to start over. His consulting job focuses on improving the Rec Department, which includes reviewing the programs Avery runs.
The Single Dad’s Guide to Recreation is cute, fun, and a sweet romance. I love the setting, and I found myself comparing the characters to those from the show Parks and Rec. The story is humorous, but not in an over-the-top way, and made me smile. The town is fun, and with a name like Climax, there are quirky and entertaining attractions.
Josh and Avery have some pretty major trauma from their pasts that directly impacts their ability to build a healthy and strong relationship (check content warnings here https://www.karengrey.com/contentguid...). We get to see them evolve and grow, although some therapy would have been useful (kudos to the author for mentioning it in the epilogue). I felt Josh is a bit impulsive and pushed things along quickly, yet sometime giving mixed signals. But then I realized, he is impulsive and acts without taking into consideration all the factors because he is excited to finally feel happy. And like a high, he tries to get more and more. And even though the romance is quick moving, I adored seeing them face their fears and fall in love.
The Single Dad’s Guide to Recreation is lighthearted and happy, perfect for escaping the real world.
My Rating: B
NOTE: There is a wonderful bonus epilogue that is only available to the author’s newsletter subscribers. For more info: https://karengreybooks.com
Review originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Review copy provided by author
April 8, 2025
4.5 stars!
A cute story with lovable characters. The HEA is quick, but very satisfying!!!!
One thing I really love is that the kids are important, but not story stealing. The book is still all about Josh and Avery!!!
I just wish there was an epilogue teasing the next story (because you’ll know when you read it how easy this can become a huge CPR series!)
A cute story with lovable characters. The HEA is quick, but very satisfying!!!!
One thing I really love is that the kids are important, but not story stealing. The book is still all about Josh and Avery!!!
I just wish there was an epilogue teasing the next story (because you’ll know when you read it how easy this can become a huge CPR series!)
May 9, 2025
Rating: 5/5
I received an audio for my honest opinion.
This was my first Karen Grey book, and it will not be my last one. I loved this book so much, it was very everything that I needed in a romcom and with this author writing style you will find this book to be easy to connect/relate to the characters, I found the plot to have been developed well and the pace to have been perfect for two older adults trying to navigate through life. You will be swept away to a town called Climax, and yes that is correct Climax (I was laughing so hard at the restaurant scene), it’s a small town but with great community and this town has high hopes of getting on the radar for tourist and what better way than the Mayor playing matchmaker and using the clock tower that never goes off unless a couple is falling in love/someone has met their soulmate.
Avery is often looked over in a crowd, but she knows her job that she took over for her mother parent-toddler playgroup is very important to the town and will do anything to help her mother out while she is dealing long covid. Sadly, the new tech company comes to inform her that her program isn’t gaining traction and is at risk of being cut and that jerk is sexy and wow the chemistry that comes around whenever he is close to her. Josh is a widower, who is also a dad of two, he is leading the tech company with a friend of his and when he found out that they would be going to this small town he jumped to move because raising two children in NYC is not the best. When he sees Avery for the first time sparks fly and when they kiss for the first time, he thinks he hears a clock tower bell go off….
I loved getting to see these characters really blossom throughout the book. I enjoyed that even though we have a great plot in this book you will see another subplot that is coming out and I can’t wait to read the other characters book when she comes out with it. All the characters in this book are well developed, I loved that you would see the growth of the characters throughout the book, the romance was heartfelt and just honestly felt real like I was reading how my best friend fell in love and not a book. I loved that this author wasn’t afraid to touch on some serious topics as well in her book like grief, caregiving, betrayal, forgiving and even how some doctors get things wrong. I cried for Avery; I felt for Josh and together I loved the flow of these characters' lives and what they want out of them. You will love the flow of the words, the relatable relationships, and so much more.
Seriously, if you have this on your TBR, just pick this one up next to read because you will not be disappointed.
I want to thank Karen Grey and literary media tours for the opportunity to review this book.
I received an audio for my honest opinion.
This was my first Karen Grey book, and it will not be my last one. I loved this book so much, it was very everything that I needed in a romcom and with this author writing style you will find this book to be easy to connect/relate to the characters, I found the plot to have been developed well and the pace to have been perfect for two older adults trying to navigate through life. You will be swept away to a town called Climax, and yes that is correct Climax (I was laughing so hard at the restaurant scene), it’s a small town but with great community and this town has high hopes of getting on the radar for tourist and what better way than the Mayor playing matchmaker and using the clock tower that never goes off unless a couple is falling in love/someone has met their soulmate.
Avery is often looked over in a crowd, but she knows her job that she took over for her mother parent-toddler playgroup is very important to the town and will do anything to help her mother out while she is dealing long covid. Sadly, the new tech company comes to inform her that her program isn’t gaining traction and is at risk of being cut and that jerk is sexy and wow the chemistry that comes around whenever he is close to her. Josh is a widower, who is also a dad of two, he is leading the tech company with a friend of his and when he found out that they would be going to this small town he jumped to move because raising two children in NYC is not the best. When he sees Avery for the first time sparks fly and when they kiss for the first time, he thinks he hears a clock tower bell go off….
I loved getting to see these characters really blossom throughout the book. I enjoyed that even though we have a great plot in this book you will see another subplot that is coming out and I can’t wait to read the other characters book when she comes out with it. All the characters in this book are well developed, I loved that you would see the growth of the characters throughout the book, the romance was heartfelt and just honestly felt real like I was reading how my best friend fell in love and not a book. I loved that this author wasn’t afraid to touch on some serious topics as well in her book like grief, caregiving, betrayal, forgiving and even how some doctors get things wrong. I cried for Avery; I felt for Josh and together I loved the flow of these characters' lives and what they want out of them. You will love the flow of the words, the relatable relationships, and so much more.
Seriously, if you have this on your TBR, just pick this one up next to read because you will not be disappointed.
I want to thank Karen Grey and literary media tours for the opportunity to review this book.
April 3, 2025
The Single Dad's Guide to Recreation by Karen Grey is a small town, romantic comedy.
Avery is back home helping to care for her ill parents while working at the local recreation center attempting to keep her mothers programing alive. Josh is a widowed father who is attempting to figure out life as a single parent. His new job has tasked him with revamping the towns rec center programing, putting he and Avery at odds. I loved the fun puns and lighthearted nature of this novel that contrasted with some of the tough topics it dealt with throughout. I enjoyed how their relationship grew during the book and am excited for more books from the town of Climax.
Thank you to NetGalley, Home Cooked Books, and the author for the e-ARC.
Avery is back home helping to care for her ill parents while working at the local recreation center attempting to keep her mothers programing alive. Josh is a widowed father who is attempting to figure out life as a single parent. His new job has tasked him with revamping the towns rec center programing, putting he and Avery at odds. I loved the fun puns and lighthearted nature of this novel that contrasted with some of the tough topics it dealt with throughout. I enjoyed how their relationship grew during the book and am excited for more books from the town of Climax.
Thank you to NetGalley, Home Cooked Books, and the author for the e-ARC.
May 4, 2025
I really enjoyed it. It was a cute, funny, small-town romcom about two people who may have some baggage and responsibilities but find themselves and are pushed closer to each other and fall in love.
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
Spicy: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Avery is the reliable but often overlooked facilitator of a parent-toddler playgroup at a worn-down yet cherished community center. She also lives with and cares for her aging parents. When a major tech company moves into her small hometown of Climax, a new partnership is formed with the Parks & Rec department where she works. Unfortunately, her program isn’t gaining traction and is at risk of being cut.
Josh, a widower and devoted dad of two, is leading the partnership. He’s struggling with impostor syndrome and pressure from his late wife’s parents about the life he’s building for his kids. Amid all the changes, he’s quickly drawn to Avery’s warmth and wit.
As feelings grow between them, their personal baggage and responsibilities threaten to get in the way. But thanks to some meddling friends and family, they find themselves pushed closer—both at work and in life.
Even though the story touches on serious themes like grief, caregiving, and betrayal, it’s still a fun, heartfelt read with humor, heart, and plenty of steamy moments. Karen Grey balances the tough stuff beautifully, and it’s a treat to see familiar faces and places from her other books. I can’t wait for more in this series—especially to see what’s ahead for Leia and Eli! I really enjoy Karen’s writing style—it feels authentic and grounded. Her stories focus on real, relatable relationship development without being overly dramatic or centered on just the romance or the spice. There’s a natural flow to it, with just the right amount of humor and chaos mixed in, and I absolutely love that. As this was my first book from her.
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
Spicy: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Avery is the reliable but often overlooked facilitator of a parent-toddler playgroup at a worn-down yet cherished community center. She also lives with and cares for her aging parents. When a major tech company moves into her small hometown of Climax, a new partnership is formed with the Parks & Rec department where she works. Unfortunately, her program isn’t gaining traction and is at risk of being cut.
Josh, a widower and devoted dad of two, is leading the partnership. He’s struggling with impostor syndrome and pressure from his late wife’s parents about the life he’s building for his kids. Amid all the changes, he’s quickly drawn to Avery’s warmth and wit.
As feelings grow between them, their personal baggage and responsibilities threaten to get in the way. But thanks to some meddling friends and family, they find themselves pushed closer—both at work and in life.
Even though the story touches on serious themes like grief, caregiving, and betrayal, it’s still a fun, heartfelt read with humor, heart, and plenty of steamy moments. Karen Grey balances the tough stuff beautifully, and it’s a treat to see familiar faces and places from her other books. I can’t wait for more in this series—especially to see what’s ahead for Leia and Eli! I really enjoy Karen’s writing style—it feels authentic and grounded. Her stories focus on real, relatable relationship development without being overly dramatic or centered on just the romance or the spice. There’s a natural flow to it, with just the right amount of humor and chaos mixed in, and I absolutely love that. As this was my first book from her.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews