Une mauvaise passe (Le Club des Pères Célibataires t. 3)

Single Dads Club #3

by Hannah Ellis

Venez faire un tour à Hope Cove, où le soleil brille, la mer miroite et le coup de foudre n’est jamais loin !

Hugh est un père célibataire totalement satisfait de sa vie. Avec son adorable fille, un emploi stable et des amis sur lesquels il peut compter, il est persuadé d’avoir tout ce dont il a besoin.
Du moins, jusqu’à sa rencontre avec Allie.

À cause d’une blessure, Allie a renoncé à sa carrière de golfeuse professionnelle. Complètement perdue et à bout, elle s’offre quelques semaines de réflexion sur la sublime côte du Devon, où elle gèrera le terrain de golf de son père.

Entraînée dans une histoire d’amour imprévue avec Hugh, elle commence à penser que, tout compte fait, sa vie ne se résume pas à la carrière qu’elle a laissé derrière elle. Elle pourrait bien marquer du premier coup dans le grand jeu des sentiments.

Mais leur relation a tout juste commencé que la réalité fait une irruption brutale dans leur petite bulle. Entre la période difficile que traverse Emmy, la fille de Hugh, et une énigme à résoudre au club de golf, leur amour naissant est mis à rude épreuve.

Et quand des secrets de leurs passés respectifs sont révélés, ils risquent bien d’y perdre tous les deux.

S’ils veulent donner une chance à leur couple et connaître une fin de conte de fées, ils vont devoir trouver un moyen de surmonter cette mauvaise passe et de se remettre en piste vers le bonheur…

Genres: Romance

462 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 19, 2025

About the author

Hannah Ellis spent many years working in childcare before deciding she'd like to write books. When she's not busy writing she likes to read, drink tea and eat chocolate. She also enjoys yoga and jogging.

Reviews

[Sarah Kingsnorth]

Hannah Ellis - Playing For Keeps.

Welcome back to Hope Cove, and to book 3 in the Single Dad’s Club series.
#PlayingForKeeos can easily be read as a standalone story. However, this is a super series, so do yourself a favour and read them all!

I loved heading back to Hope Cove and I was excited to catch up with all its loveable characters, especially the little gang of single dads and their families.

This is Hugh’s story. All is well in his world, and then he meets Allie.

The pair hit it off and quickly their relationship blossoms.
However, there are secrets bubbling to the surface and everyday life is just waiting to step in their way with it’s own set of issues for the pair to contend with.

Hope Cove is one of my favourite book settings.
Hannah Ellis has brought it beautifully to life and filled it with a warm hearted community of fabulous characters.

Hugh and Allie are a lovely pairing. Their romance is very sweet and touching. I adored their journey and was kept guessing by all the hurdles thrown in their way.

#PlayingForKeeps is a charming and feel good read, full of warmth and heart.

I can’t wait to catch up with everyone in book 4 of the series, out 26/12/23.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Sarah]

This series just gets better and better!

We are back in Hope Cove where it’s the turn for Hugh to take centre stage. He is a single dad who has been happy being single and concentrating on raising his daughter Emmy. His friends and his daughter all push him into trying dating which is where Allie comes in. Their friendship to start with was a lot of fun to read and it doesn’t take long for a spark to ignite between them.

The storyline around the golf course was really good. It enhanced the reading experience even more and it was hard not to get swept up in Allie’s plans for the place. We still get to catch up with the characters from the previous two books which is always nice and whilst all three books so far can be read as standalones, I think it’s still best to read in order, especially as by the looks, book four, the last in the series focuses on them all.

Playing For Keeps was just wonderful! The background stories of the characters added to the appeal as well as the thread to do with Emmy, Hughes daughter. Ultimately they are romance stories but it was good that it also highlights the dynamics of a family where the parents have split up. There are just as many great dads as their are mums and this is reinforced in these books. A fabulous read that I absolutely adored!

[Carlin]

Delightful book in a beautiful setting

It has been wonderful to catch up with one of my favorite authors. Even you're sure there will be a happy ending (it is a romance after all), she puts wrinkles in the plot line to keep you wondering if everything will actually all work out in the end.

This is the third book in the Single Dads series and the first one that I have read. It was delightful. The characters are so real and their problems as well. In this story the impact of the main characters' childhood traumas are clearly evident in their current actions. Usually there is no real insight. In this book however both characters Ali and Hugh are able to see the impact their family of origin had on their current behaviors. Both had mothers who abandoned them either by death or actually leaving. Especially Hugh was terrified that Ali would leave him so he hesitated to commit himself to her. I also love how children wetr incorporated into the story, Hugh's daughter Emmy and her friends and Hugh's other friends' children as well. I intend to go back and read the first two books in the series and go on to number four. This one was that good (I actually stayed up most of the night to finish it!).

[Leanne]

Playing for Keeps is the third book in the totally heartwarming single dad's series. This one is centred around single dad Hugh who meets the golf pro Allie. They hit it off but Hugh's daughter Emmy and a secret that Allie is hiding may ruin everything. I loved this book from the start and didn't want it to end. The characters are ones that I was introduced to in previous books and I was thrilled to catch up with them all again. A book about life and love and a little golf which was a nice new touch. The time just seemed to fly by while I was reading this one so I recommend clearing your schedule before starting!

[Krisha]

I LOVE Hannah Ellis books… rarely do I find an author I resonate with so much. Her stories are delightfully heartwarming and brilliantly written. The characters and the settings are so endearing. I’m always sad when they’re over and eagerly await the next one.

Thank goodness I won’t have to wait too long for the next one in this series which releases in Dec.

When I’m reading her books, I often wish there was a Hannah Ellis travel tour group! Where you could step into the villages she so beautifully describes. I would be first to reserve a spot!

[Alistair and Hannah Knox]

Another triumph from Hannah Ellis! Having already been introduced to steady and dependable Hugh in the previous books in this series, the Hugh we see at the start of the book is exciting and different and perfect for a holiday romance with Allie. As the book progresses, their stories combine and we see how, rather than individual interests keeping them apart, the combination of these can turn into a joint passion and the result can far outweigh initial expectations. I’m a huge fan of this author and cannot wait for the next instalment in this lovely series. 5*

[Julie Foster]

Absolutely brilliant

I really loved reading this book the third in this series. A single dad who hadn't been on a date for years and was out of practice. It was nice that characters from another series of books was mentioned in this book, if only briefly. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series.

[PAT]

Perfect.

Fabulous to read Hugh' story, loved the crossover with Lock Lannick characters as they were one of my favourite series of books. I really like how Hannah inter weaves her characters seamlessly from one series to another.

[Lynne]

I have really enjoyed this series, this is the third book and focuses on Hugh a single dad to his daughter Emma. It’s been over ten years since Hugh's wife left and he is told it’s time to start dating again (even though he doesn’t really want to!).

[Kyla Seyl]

Finally got around to finishing this book and it was really good. Unfortunately went into a reading slump during the beginning of the book and just needed a break but after re-reading the beginning and finishing the book now it was really good. Loved the story and thought it was super sweet!

[Sonia Roberts]

Another great book

I loved catching up with these guys and the overlap of characters from Loch Lannick series is brilliant 👏 more more more ...please!

[Katy Potter]

Another fantastic read

Such a lovely visit to Hope Cove. I love how Hannah describes a place so well that I feel like I'm there.

[Ena Elliot allington]

Hannah Ellis has done it AGAIN!

I have never enjoyed any book more! .
There are no other books that are better written or that I would rather have read!
☺☺☺☺

[Claire Brewster]

Another great read

Another great book in the series , ready for the next one ,great characters and story with a bit of romance

[Brian LaPolla]

Hard to put down!

It is a wonderful book. I love the story line and learning more about Hugh and the turmoil he went through. The best part is how love always prevails.

[Miss Lorraine Draper]

Brilliant

I really love these books once I start reading them it's hard to put them down. I love all the characters

[Jacquie Jerrard]

best one

This was one rollercoaster of a story. The roles of both Allie and Hugh were at constant odds with each other. But they still make it work, and it ends beautifully.

[Charlotte]

I want to become a golfer now

[Julie Evans]

Awesome read

Another one of my favourite books to read. This is my 2nd time of reading it and it won't be my last. I can't wait to read the next book.

[Debbieafranklin]

Hope cove

Ive thoroughly enjoyed this book after reading the previous books. There were so many twists and turns in this book i couldn't put it down till i finished it. I was sad thinking it was the last one in the series but happy when i read your writing a fourth one. Keep up the good work.

[Mesha]

Hannah has done it again. An enjoyable, easy, feel good romance with a HEA!