Un papà da vincere

Forestville Silver Foxes #related

by Nora Phoenix

Las Vegas non è proprio il mio ambiente, ma tanto vale divertirmi, già che sono qui per il matrimonio di mio figlio.

Mi considero da sempre etero… fino a quando non mi imbatto in Sawyer al tavolo del blackjack.

Ha la mia età, è divertente, estremamente sexy e le scintille tra noi potrebbero alimentare l’intero casinò. Quando mi chiede di salire nella sua stanza, accetto felicemente.

Una notte, però, non è abbastanza per nessuno dei due. Vogliamo di più.

Fino a che non scopriamo che siamo entrambi qui per vedere i nostri figli sposarsi… l’uno con l’altro.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Audiobook, Contemporary, Novella, Short Stories, LGBT

ebook

Published March 16, 2025

About the author

Would you like the long or the short version of my bio?

The short? You got it.

I write steamy gay romance books and I love it. I also love reading books. Books are everything.

How was that?

A little more detail? Gotcha.

I started writing my first stories when I was a teen…on a freaking typewriter. I still have these, and they’re adorably romantic. And bad, haha. Fear of failing kept me from following my dream to become a romance author, so you can imagine how proud and ecstatic I am that I finally overcame my fears and self doubt and did it. I adore my genre because I love writing and reading about flawed, strong men who are just a tad broken..but find their happy ever after anyway.

My favorite books to read are pretty much all MM/gay romances as long as it has a happy end. Kink is a plus… Aside from that, I also read a lot of nonfiction and not just books on writing. Popular psychology is a favorite topic of mine and so are self help and sociology.

Hobbies? Ain’t nobody got time for that. Just kidding. I love traveling, spending time near the ocean, and hiking. But I love books more.

Come hang out with me in my Facebook Group Nora’s Nook where I share previews, sneak peeks, freebies, fun stuff, and much more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/noras...

Wanna get first dibs on freebies, updates, sales, and more? Sign up for my newsletter (no spamming your inbox full…promise!) here: http://www.noraphoenix.com/newsletter/

You can also stalk me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoraFromBHR
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nora.phoenix/
On Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/nora-...

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely one of the cutest, sweetest, and most satisfying novellas I've ever read 🥰 It was an hour and a half of pure audiobook happiness. I can't recommend it enough. My only complaint is that I wish it was longer! Part of the charm might have been the brevity of it though, but Sawyer and Jack were super precious together and I wanted more time with them 🥹

[The Secret Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary romance, novella, MM
Tropes / tags: love later in life, one night stand to lovers, sexual discovery

I love Nora Phoenix's Forestville world so much, and Winning the Dad was a total treat to read!

Jack and Sawyer had amazing chemistry and I got all giddy reading their first interaction: the flirting, the building tension, the banter - it was honestly everything I could have asked for in a first meet!

Jack hadn't been attracted to another man before, but he barely hesitated before flirting and hooking up with Sawyer and I loved the combination of sweet and steamy between them. Even if was fast paced, there was enough build up and depth between them to make it feel realistic. They were great at communicating and both knew after that first night that they wanted more, and weren't afraid to go after what they wanted, even if the situation was complicated.

Winning the Dad felt very complete and wholesome for a novella, and I enjoyed every moment of it. It was a fantastic read and a great little addition to the Forestville world!

-
Thanks to Abbie Nicole for the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

[Brat · Rating 5 out of 5]

audio

sorts insta love
older mcs
short but oh so sweet

[mich ⚘ · Rating 3 out of 5]

i feel like this rating would’ve been higher if it had been a full length book bc i really liked these two guys but due to the insta love it’s more 2.5 stars for me. which the insta love does make sense with a novella but i will never be a fan of it especially not with the way it was portrayed between these two.

[Love Is All Around · Rating 4 out of 5]

RECENSIONE A CURA DI LADY MARMELADE
Questo racconto, che si aggancia alla serie “I Silver Fox di Forestville”, è una piacevole avventura ambientata a Las Vegas, in occasione del matrimonio tra due giovani abitanti di Forestville.
Sappiamo benissimo che Las Vegas è un luogo fuori dal tempo, dello spazio e dal conformismo, e quello che succede a Las Vegas, rimane a Las Vegas…
Oppure no?!
Continua sul nostro blog!

[✨Shawna✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOT TO GO🔥🔥
I LOVE LOVE LOVED this one🫶🏻
Probably my favorite one in the series honestly.
So beautiful 🏳️‍🌈💜💙

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[caffeinated.crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. Everything Phoenix releases in this universe I eat up! It's especially nice to read about older ✨️folks my age!✨️ finding their happily ever after, and Forestville seems to have a never-ending supply of love stories to produce. I'm here for it.

WINNING THE DAD is a short little novella that takes place in Vegas. You know I'm a sucker for Vegas.

Jack and Sawyer are in Vegas to support their two sons getting married. They just don't realize it. They meet at the black jack table, flirting like maniacs, and decide to hook up. At the wedding chapel they meet again.

This was a sexy short little story, only 60ish pages. Sawyer and Jack are hot and heavy, and I love that they find their HEA in each other.

The other thing I love? They're so good at communicating with each other.

WINNING THE DAD is available now!
And I absolutely recommend this entire series!

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riletti tutti i precedenti volumi!! 🤩
Romantica e hot novella gay-for-you.
Tra i 2 padri degli sposi scatta la scintilla dell'attrazione,al tavolo del casinò di Las Vegas, dove si sposeranno i loro figli.
Jack è vedovo da tanto tempo ed è sempre stato etero.
Sawyer è gay e divorziato.

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4☆

ᔑᑭᏆᑕᗴ: 🔥🔥🔥
しᗩᑌᏀᕼᔑ: 🤣🤣
Ꭲᗴᗩᖇᔑ:🥲
ᗰᑕᔑ: Sawyer , Jack
ᑭᝪᐯ: 1st dual
Ꭲᖇᝪᑭᗴᔑ: Bi-awakening, Insta Love, Vegaaaaas Baby.


Relato o lo que sea esta siempre sera de mis series favs

[Aki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet

[Daniela Tirrito · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novellina carinissima 🥰

[pollymuz · Rating 3 out of 5]

audiobook. short and sweet.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Am rounding up to three stars.

I have read two other short stories/novellas set in the series with very different reactions (had fun with Marrying the Guide but was really underwhelmed and didn’t like several things about Rescuing the Writer), but when I saw this audiobook was free for a limited time, I got it and needed something quick to listen to (and for Pride, also).

I enjoyed it a lot and I liked that, in theory, our main leads were men in the late forties/early fifties, but at times, they didn’t act it and the insta-lust/love was a tad much in places. But I liked these these characters were open to each other and the experience together.

[Sandy Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming steamy feel-good listen, narrated by Michael Dean. Dean is hit or miss for me, sometimes leaning into sounding sleazy instead of sexy, but here I enjoyed his narration most of the way and loved seeing this bi-awakening, strangers to lovers in Vegas to "Oh crap we're here for our sons' wedding and didn't realize...!" Whoops! Very entertaining. I got this in a MM free-audiobooks giveaway and am so happy I downloaded it. I almost always enjoy this author's stories.

Totally lovely angst-free read should you be looking for something that's green flag feel goods all the way. Sawyer's a single dad whose ex husband cheated and burned him very badly, but he doesn't let trust issues stop him from the connection he senses with Jack, Romero's dad, who's a widower and never been attracted to a man before.

They have chemistry from jump and each decides to go with it, and open themself to enjoying a night...then another...then...no way are they letting each other go. Okay it is insta-lust to fast feelings to love, and could have been a fun longer read, but, delivered what was expected and I smiled a lot.

HFN to HEA, strangers to lovers, bi-awakening, oops we have a connection we were unaware of story. Absolutely no others in any way shape or form, entirely safe for me. Steamy sexy times abound. Recommended.

[Cadiva · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the instalove of all instaloves but, you know what, I didn't mind that at all because it's written in such a way that you completely believe they have that you could be it for me reaction.

There's plenty of background given, even though it's novella length, to build up their connection and make it feel that these two men met and had that spark from the start.

It's funny, it's one of the additional novellas, so it's only loosely connected to the main series' couples etc, and it works as a lovely story on its own.

I really liked both Jack and Sawyer, they're in Vegas for weddings but don't realise it's their sons marrying each other until the actual event.

The build up of their meet and Jack's attraction to Sawyer, even though he'd previously considered himself to be straight, is given enough weight to make it feel realistic, and his sexual exploration worked for me.

It's hot, as is everything Nora writes, but there's a warmth to the narrative too that totally works for a festive season romance.

#ARC kindly received from the author, I am voluntarily leaving a review

[Merissa (Archaeolibrarian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

WINNING THE DAD is a novella in the Forestville Silver Foxes series, although it can be read as a standalone.

Sawyer and Jack are both in Vegas for a wedding, but they don't realise it's the same wedding. Jack has considered himself straight for many years, but the attraction to Sawyer is instantaneous and reciprocated. I loved the little add-ins by the blackjack dealer. He made it amusing to read and gave an outside perspective to their meet-cute.

It's fast-paced with a huge dollop of insta-love, but if you don't mind that, then you're in for a treat. This was a beautiful story to read, that was both hot and spicy while also being heart-warming. It also comes with a nice epilogue to finish it off. All in all, this was a complete feel-good story that I thoroughly enjoyed. Definitely recommended by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 14, 2024

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

3.75 stars

Winning the Dad is a standalone novella set in the world of Nora Phoenix’s excellent Forestville Silver Foxes series. Jack is the owner of the local bar in Forestville, but he is only a background player in the main series. This story also takes place outside of Forestville and doesn’t feature any of the core group of silver fox best friends. So while this story shares the series vibe of older men finding love, it is definitely fine as a standalone.

This is a steamy novella that is mostly focused on Sawyer and Jack’s hot hookups. They meet at the card table and make their way to Sawyer’s bed soon thereafter. Jack admits he has never been with a man before, but he easily accepts his attraction to Sawyer and has no angst about any of it. There are multiple hot scenes between them and the men are quite steamy together.

Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack never expected much from his trip to Vegas—just a few days to celebrate his son’s wedding. But a chance encounter at the blackjack table with Sawyer, a charming, handsome man his own age, flips everything upside down. Sparks fly, and one night turns into something deeper. Then comes the twist: Jack and Sawyer aren’t just guests at the same wedding—they’re about to become in-laws. Their sons are marrying each other. Now, Jack and Sawyer must navigate their unexpected romance while supporting their sons’ big day, proving that love can surprise you at any age—and in the most unexpected places.

This was a sweet novella which was a story of late-in-life discovery, sizzling chemistry, and the joy of finding love when you least expect it. I loved the way that they met and the croupier Tim was funny so I hope he gets a book. Plenty of emotions and feelings as they got to grips with their relationship and the complication of the connection between them both via their sons. This was an MM story with mature content.

[Wide Eyes, Big Ears! · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack and Sawyer have never met before but bond at the gambling tables in a Vegas casino. Each silver fox is in Vegas to see their son get married but they don’t realise that their sons are about to marry each other! Bonding at the tables leads to bonding in bed even though Jack has never been attracted to men before. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but maybe the two men want things to continue—and how do they tell their sons?

This is a very short instalove / lust romance (84 pp, just over 1.5 hrs on audio). While it was sweet and touching with great sexual chemistry, surely no one actually talks of love and ‘forevers’ based on one weekend, especially with someone who has never been with another guy before? I get that you can only fit so much into a novella, but no one is forcing an author to write so few words. Just add a few more to make it a bit believable! 🎧 Michael Dean—legend—delivers another great audio performance.

[Betty Loves Books Galore · Rating 5 out of 5]

story of Jack and Sawyer

This is a Vegas hook up to more romance, featuring Jack and Sawyer, and is a novella related to the Forestville Silver Foxes series.

Jack heads to Vegas for his son’s wedding, never expecting to question his sexuality until a flirty, electric encounter with Sawyer at the blackjack table changes everything. Their chemistry is undeniable, but things get complicated when they realise their sons are marrying each other.

Such a fun read! Jack and Sawyer have great chemistry right from the start, an instant attraction that makes their Vegas fling impossible to resist. What starts as a wild night quickly turns into something more, and I loved every minute of their connection. Love this series!

Things to expect in this MM romance are:
Novella
Related to series
Set in Vegas
Hook up to more
Single dads
Parents of the grooms
Insta-attraction
Bi awakening
Spicy times
Rough s*x
Sneaking around
Both fall fast
HEA

[MNHockeymomreads (Heather) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forestville might just be my favorite fictional town! I love all of the characters and I love how all their lives are intermingled but their books are all so different! I also appreciate that all of the characters are a titch older and have a lot of wisdom and life experience that lead them to their partners. Jack and Sawyer's meet cute might just be my favorite though! I feel very similar to the characters about Vegas! This pair met at a blackjack table and their immediate chemistry was undeniable, and my goodness can those two set our kindles on fire with their connection in sheets, too!
If you like an older couple finding love, a lot of chemistry, some banter, and a quick read this book is definitely for you!

[ButtonsMom2003 · Rating 5 out of 5]

★彡 5 STARS 彡★ 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

This was a short read but I loved how it told a complete story. No filler, no fuss, just two men who met and connected in a way that one of them never expected to.

Jack never expected to fall for a guy but when he meets Sawyer the connection they make is too hot to ignore. I loved how Jack didn’t fuss around about being attracted to Sawyer, he just went with it and they ended up having a hot one-night stand that turned into so much more.

Winning the Dad takes place in Nora Phoenix’ Forestville Silver Foxes world but easily reads as a standalone story.

An advanced copy of this book was provided to me at my request; my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.

[Barb ~rede-2-read~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fun and enjoyable romantic romp in Vegas where both Sawyer and Jack are spending a few days as their sons get married. The problem is that when they meet and hit it off at the Blackjack table they don't realize their sons are marrying each other! And they don't find out until they arrive at the wedding venue after having had a hot night of sex with each other.

This really worked. It doesn't make sense and shouldn't happen but it did and it was fun to read. The guys had a few days together before they had to go home and their relationship moved forward quickly but they clicked so well I had no problem believing it.

Definitely read this if you're a fan of the Forestville Silver Foxes series.

[Heather Duff · Rating 5 out of 5]

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Short but oh so good!

I love, love, love mature men finding love and companionship and Jack and Sawyer are both super special. I like the idea that epic romance can be found at any age.

They fall fast, but it still feels realistic and super swoony. And I love the ‘oops, our sons are getting married’ storyline. And boy do they know how to get it on!! *fans self*

[Ζωή Παππά · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet book. I love reading stories about people in their forties and fifties finding love, it warms my heart. Jack and Sawyer had absolutely explosive chemistry and I loved how well they communicated. No secrets, no hiding and no games. This book made me happy. It was so hopeful and beautifully written and both main characters were wonderful people. I finished it in one sitting.
If you are in the mood for a heartwarming contemporary novella I highly recommend "winning the dad".
4,5 stars

[Manon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short story and while part of the Forestville series, there is no real interaction to the other books as the story is solely set in Las Vegas.

It's very much an insta-lust, insta-love and bi-awakening story but despite the shortness, it's all you can expect from Nora Phoenix and I absolutely adore Sawyer and Jack.

I love this time it's a same age couple with baggage but want something for the future and looking outwards.

There are cute moments, fun moments and very hot scenes. What do you want more?

[JenCW · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars

This was a sweet, fast read with bi-awakening, explosive chemistry, and no drama. Jack and Sawyer meet up by chance in Las Vegas and the attraction is instantaneous and strong. I liked that Jack didn't shy away from what he was feeling towards Sawyer and that they were honest with each other throughout. They were super compatible and they communicated well. I liked that they didn't run away from the connection they made so quickly and decided to explore it. I also liked that they were honest with their sons. If you're a fan of the author or like the blurb, give this one a try. I really enjoyed it and it was just the kind of read I needed at the moment.

*Copy provided to me by the author for my reading pleasure. A review wasn't a requirement.*

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick but an amazing sweet read! Jack and Sawyer were the sweetest things and I loved how they were so open and honest and didn’t play games! Even though this was a novella, the author did a fantastic job of giving us a complete backstory. I loved how there was no drama and their boys accepted their relationship the way they did! A very enjoyable read and I highly recommend! This is my honest opinion of this complimentary copy of this book

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure if these dads were in other Nora Phoenix books since I forgot to check before reading this, but if they are I wish I remembered them because it would have made this super short story better. I thought their meet-cute was great and the way everyone was on board with the situation was nice too. This book was really too short to have any real opinions on it, but I liked it well enough. It was the most low-key wedding I've seen in Vegas.