Dr. Grump Finds His Match: A single dad, second chance, clean romance

by Lydia Jordan

That gorgeous new ER doctor with the adorable little girl? He was my first love.

Ten years ago we were inseparable in college. I thought we would be forever. He suddenly moved away with barely a goodbye. I never heard from him again. I never knew why.

When Ryan shows up in my small town, we’re shocked to see each other.
Now I’m a Pediatric ER doctor. Surprise… he’s my work partner.

We both try to act like just friends. But we can’t help reliving old memories and making new ones.

He’s a grump to almost everyone, except me.

With me he’s the wonderful guy he was a decade ago. The sweet way he treats his daughter melts my heart.

Then when I have an across-the-country job offer, he finally shares his secrets. I know my heart is still his.

Can I take the risk on this second chance for the love of a lifetime?

Perfect for readers who love handsome boyfriends, plenty of romance, and happily ever after books with no steamy scenes.

159 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 22, 2025

Reviews

[Chad Barrus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author but wasn’t required to post a review. This is my honest voluntary
opinion of this book.

I really enjoyed this book! Lydia weaves a story that is very believable with characters that are easily relatable to you! A college romance ends with the guy not telling the girl why leaving her to question her self worth. Some ten years later they meet up again only this time he’s now her coworker in the same hospital. He doesn’t explain why he bailed on
her ten years ago but they settle into working trauma cases professionally but she doesn’t want anything to do with him. When his little girl is injured in an accident, she is the one who saves the little girl’s life!However, being around someone she still hasn’t gotten over with, she decides to leave to accept a new position across the country. He finally decides he’s got to tell her why and turns up at her hotel room to explain. Since neither have forgotten their feelings for each other she now understands why he left and they vow to make a new start together- the three of them!

I was touched by this woman’s good heart and how she interacted with the children she treated daily at the hospital as well as with his little girl! It’s good to read a book where genuine dedication to one’s profession is shown by one’s actions!

I wholeheartedly and enthusiastically recommend you read this sweet story! It’s one that will make you feel good during and after you finish it! It’s a wonderful escape from the pressures of life to just curl up and picture these events you’re reading about in your mind as you read them!

I encourage you to get this book and read it- I can
guarantee you won’t regret it!

[Jane Culbertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book, well written and very interesting. A wonderful story of two doctors and a little girl whose name is Lily. She is a darling who is very much loved by all. Ryan and Emily were once a couple but things went wrong. They are not on the same page and even worse when tragedy occurs. I was hyperventilating when things got really bad. The author was great with bringing everything together in one of the most interesting and love filled book I have ever read.

[Terry T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is a sweet clean second chance, single dad romance romance with no cliffhanger.
Some of the lines I really like --- “Hi there! Your daddy looks like a hot mess, doesn’t he? I bet he needed a coffee shower to wake up this morning.” --- "And when I get tired, Daddy will carry me on his back, because he's my superhero." --- "Daddy doesn't have a girlfriend, silly! He has me.” --- "Sometimes the heart knows things the head takes time to accept." --- "But don't let fear of the past keep you from something that could be wonderful."--- I wanted to make you aware my shirt is white. Please, take caution with your coffee. ---
Lily is a sweet, adorable 4 year old who says the cutest things.She steals everyones hearts.
Why did Ryan disappear? What's Anna up to? These and other questions will all be answered.
I loved Emily and Ryan's story and I'm sure you will too. This is the first book I've read of hers and it definitely won't be the last.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

They were college sweethearts destined for greatness until Ryan broke things off with Emily leaving her devastated. Years later they reconnected when he starts as a trauma physician at the hospital she works at, and it restarts their path. Emily can't believe that the boy that broke her heart is standing in front of her and will be working beside her at the hospital. Will Ryan get a second chance to rekindle his love with Emily for a second chance to find happiness.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jean Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written second chance romance between 2 doctors. Ryan left without a word years ago and, which left Emily broken hearted and clueless as to why he left. Years later, Ryan starts working as a trauma physician at the hospital where Emily is a doctor in pediatrics. Ryan's daughter Lily is sweet and precocious, she and Emily hit it off right away. Will Ryan get a second chance to tell Emily what happened in the past and renew their friendship? I received a copy of the book and this is my honest review.

[Jean Katchmar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pulled into the difficult lives of Emily now a Pediatrican and Ryan now an ER Doctor. Both went to college together and had started to plan their future together. Then Ryan's wealthy parents told him that he was going to have to marry someone else and they held Emily's future over his head. So he broke it off and gave Emily no reason. Emily with her broken heart continued with her studies and became a Pediatrician. One day she realizes Dr Ryan is the new ER doctor and she has to deal with all of the mixed feelings.

[Sheri Bolinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great second chance read! I absolutely adored Ryan, after I got over wanting to throttle him for hurting my girl, Emily! When these two come together again as ER docs in the same hospital, the chemistry, both emotional and professional, is still there and it's wonderful and heartbreaking to watch! Lily, Ryan's daughter, is pure sunshine and makes this book just all come together and sing! Read it! It takes an afternoon and is so worth the good feels that come in the end!

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

They were a couple once, but then he broke it off without an explanation. Now they are suddenly working together.
An incredibly sweet romance novel of second chances. Wonderful characters that make you want to know them. And a sweet storyline with ups and downs that keeps you going to the very end. Great to read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lucia Valenzuela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely second chance romance. Ten years make a huge difference, yet some things don’t change. Ryan broke up with Emily ten years ago with no explanation. Fast forward, Emily is a wonderful pediatric emergency room doctor. She is extremely caring and does an incredible job with the children that come under her care. I absolutely adore Lily and the epilogue is delightful.

I received this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good story, but the editing was not so great and caused a bit of confusion as I was reading. Names of the sister and the little girl were transposed, punctuation was sometimes off, and the ending mixed up the last names of the couple. It's a good storyline, but it could have been written/ edited better. ARC readers could also have noted the inconsistencies. I will try this author again because it was a well-written story.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking for without clean romance in a medical setting then this one would be for you. I didn’t really see how the MMC was very grumpy, but more of an over worked single dad. This book does go into detail in the medical scenes where the MCs interact. Also, this is a second chance love story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kylie Kidd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a lovely, sweet romance with engaging characters. It's a page-turner that I stay up to late at night reading. I love the medical setting and the daughter is such a sweetheart. She adds a great layer to the story. And of course I always love a happy ending!

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story. It was a cute little second chance romance. My only complaint was there were soo many spelling and grammar mistakes. At one point I had to reread the sentence 3 times because it didn’t make sense.

[GPReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very sweet read. I'm not a huge fan of second chance romances. But this was a delight to read. It's well written, has a good flow and is clean with no cussing.