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Big Risks: Single Dads of Big Wood
A fixer-upper farmhouse. A mysterious box of letters. And one surly single dad who kisses like he wants to ruin me.
Big Wood, Tennessee was supposed to be my escape from burnout.
Fresh air. Friendly faces. Zero emotional entanglements.
Then came Walker Hayes—hot, haunted, and as warm as a January blizzard.
He’s grumpy. I’m sunshine.
He growls. I giggle.
And now we’re caught in the slowest, hottest, most emotionally-charged game of chicken ever.
But when I stumble across a stack of unsent love letters in my attic, everything changes.
Because I know who wrote them.
And he has no idea I’ve read every word.
Or that I’ve already fallen for the man behind them.
In a town where nothing stays secret for long, loving Walker might be the biggest risk I’ve ever taken.
But what if it’s also the best?
These four single dads thought they were done with love. But love… isn’t done with them.
They’ve been burned—by divorce, betrayal, heartbreak—and now their lives revolve around playdates, carpools, and bedtime stories. Love? Not happening. Not again.
When unexpected women storm into their carefully controlled worlds—bringing sass, chaos, and the kind of heat they thought they’d locked away for good—these devoted fathers face a new kind of falling for the one person they shouldn’t.
Big Wood, Tennessee was supposed to be my escape from burnout.
Fresh air. Friendly faces. Zero emotional entanglements.
Then came Walker Hayes—hot, haunted, and as warm as a January blizzard.
He’s grumpy. I’m sunshine.
He growls. I giggle.
And now we’re caught in the slowest, hottest, most emotionally-charged game of chicken ever.
But when I stumble across a stack of unsent love letters in my attic, everything changes.
Because I know who wrote them.
And he has no idea I’ve read every word.
Or that I’ve already fallen for the man behind them.
In a town where nothing stays secret for long, loving Walker might be the biggest risk I’ve ever taken.
But what if it’s also the best?
These four single dads thought they were done with love. But love… isn’t done with them.
They’ve been burned—by divorce, betrayal, heartbreak—and now their lives revolve around playdates, carpools, and bedtime stories. Love? Not happening. Not again.
When unexpected women storm into their carefully controlled worlds—bringing sass, chaos, and the kind of heat they thought they’d locked away for good—these devoted fathers face a new kind of falling for the one person they shouldn’t.
129 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 5, 2025
255 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Kaci Rose
94 books1,394 followersJoin Kaci's VIP mailing list and get 2 FREE Novellas at
http://www.kacirose.com/free-books
Kaci runs on coffee, chocolate, and Oreos. She loves her book boyfriends with tattoos, muscles, beards, and a little dirty.
Kaci loves romance books and has been jotting down ideas since she was in high school and is now putting the ideas down on paper. She believes in satisfying, happily ever afters with a lot of steam on the way.
Follow Kaci Rose
Facebook @KaciRoseAuthor
Instagram @KaciRoseAuthor
http://www.kacirose.com/free-books
Kaci runs on coffee, chocolate, and Oreos. She loves her book boyfriends with tattoos, muscles, beards, and a little dirty.
Kaci loves romance books and has been jotting down ideas since she was in high school and is now putting the ideas down on paper. She believes in satisfying, happily ever afters with a lot of steam on the way.
Follow Kaci Rose
Facebook @KaciRoseAuthor
Instagram @KaciRoseAuthor
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
June 5, 2025
3 stars, 1 spice
Hailey & Walker
This was a quick and fun insta love novella, with a broody ex-military single dad and the new to town sunshine nurse.
*Spoilers ahead*
Unfortunately this didn’t flow well for me, and there was too many jumps and missed plotlines:
Hailey being Walker’s nurse back in Savannah, but that never coming up again, nor was there any explanation for him being in hospital at the end of his deployment;
She left town after their fight, but we only hear this as gossip rather than in her POV (but the she was back again the next day?)
For a small town who supposedly knows everything, dud they really not know Riley’s name and story, and who Walker was? (Was the old lady just being cryptic for fun?)
Thank you to instalove influencers for the ARC
Hailey & Walker
This was a quick and fun insta love novella, with a broody ex-military single dad and the new to town sunshine nurse.
*Spoilers ahead*
Unfortunately this didn’t flow well for me, and there was too many jumps and missed plotlines:
Hailey being Walker’s nurse back in Savannah, but that never coming up again, nor was there any explanation for him being in hospital at the end of his deployment;
She left town after their fight, but we only hear this as gossip rather than in her POV (but the she was back again the next day?)
For a small town who supposedly knows everything, dud they really not know Riley’s name and story, and who Walker was? (Was the old lady just being cryptic for fun?)
Thank you to instalove influencers for the ARC
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2025
Another lovely read by Kaci Rose! I really enjoyed this one and loved the aspect of the old love letters and how they tie back to Walker! I am curious to know if she was the nurse during his time in the service. I could not put this book down it was so so good!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Thank you Kaci and Instaloveinfluencers for the ARC!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Thank you Kaci and Instaloveinfluencers for the ARC!
June 17, 2025
WOW!! Fab*u*lous Absolutely love this one!! I couldn't put this one down. This was a nice quick, short read.
Walker and Hailey met when she becomes the temporary school nurse and his daughter Olivia falls and scrapes her knee. Hailey has to call a parent to come and pick up their child. Walker feels like he has a connection with Hailey, but can't figure it out. Hailey just moved to Big Wood, Tennessee to the farmhouse she just purchased. While eating dinner Walker thinks he may have met Hailey while he was injured, but doesn't want to remember the times he was deployed. Throughout the time that Walker served in the military he wrote letters home to his now deceased wife some of the letters were returned to him. One poker night the guys get together and they asks Walker about the new nurse, they know that his daughter Olivia had to go see her. Walker doesn't want to talk about the new nurse, Hailey work is working temporary, at the school. Two weeks after Hailey moved to Big Wood, she can hear the birds chirping outside of her window, the sound is different then she's use to nights at the hospital trying to catch some sleep. Hailey is getting to know her neighbor Becky who invites her to the community family pancake social. While Hailey was cleaning her new home she came upon some letter she found hidden away from a solider writing to the love of his life. What Hailey doesn't understand is the letter are being read, but when the solider writes he wants to know why he doesn't get a letter in return. While at the pancake social Hailey is introduced to some of the community members, some who may know the history of the house she bought. Hailey goes to the hardware store where she is looking at paints for her house, when she runs into Olivia, Walker's daughter. Olivia asks Walker if they can all go for ice cream, he tells her she doesn't have to do this. Hailey tells Walker she wants to be his friend, and friends do things together. Hailey asks Walker about where he grew up but he tries to avoid the questions she throws at him. The next day Olivia draws Hailey a picture and wants to take it to her, Walker tries to talk her out of it but can't. Hailey invites them inside for some lemonade and Walker sees his letter all over her coffee table. The letters Walker wrote to his wife are all scattered over the table, the letter he wrote on his last deployment. Hailey tells Walker she found the letters in the attic, love letter from a solider to the love of his life. Walker tells Olivia they need to go and they head home. After Olivia in bed Walker head to his office and opens the drawer he has several letter he had written that were returned to him, so he opens one to read. Walker's not sure he can find his way back to loving someone, he's not sure he deserves to but now he wants to try. While at a festival in town, Olivia finds Hailey. Hailey goes over to the big semicircle where it's story time for the children and one of the adults read to them. Olivia comes over and crawls into Hailey's lap like it's something she does all the time. When Olivia goes to play with her friends Walker tells Hailey that she really likes her. When night falls Walker and Hailey end up sitting together on a log by the fire pit. When the party whines down Hailey head to her car, Walker asks her if he can walk her to her car, then he kisses her. When Hailey gets back home she does a search on Walker and his marriage. Hailey feels something doesn't add up when she reads the obituary, then she finds the accident Walker's wife was killed in two deaths but no mentions of names. Three days later, Hailey comes over to Walker's house telling Olivia she missed her. Hailey brings over dinner for Walker and Olivia. Hailey tells Walker she didn't like how they left things at the fair. After dinner they watch a movie where Olivia falls asleep, Walker puts her to bed. When Walker comes back downstairs he finds Hailey putting the dishes in the dishwasher. Hailey tells Walker she should get home, but he steps up to her and kisses her. Walker tells Hailey to tell him to stop but she tells him she doesn't want him to. Hailey suggests they go inside before his neighbors see them, Walker takes her to his bedroom. Walker pleasures Hailey then they make love. Hailey tells him that she should go home, but Walker asks her to stay the night. Hailey thinks maybe they can make this work, and they can find a way to make a family. Hailey organizes the letter by dates, then goes through them when she realizes she thinks she knows who wrote the letter, Walker. Hailey head over to Walker's home and asks him if he wrote the letters, she wants to know why he didn't tells her. Walker tells her that he never intended for her to find them, Hailey tells him he should have told her. Hailey tells Walker this feels like it's not over, it feels like something is haunting him and now it's haunting her because she can't figure out why his wife never wrote back to him. Walker tells her it doesn't matter but Hailey tells him it does because now he's afraid to love again. Hailey asks him to tell her what happened, Walker tells her he just hoped she read them. Hailey tells him she did, Walker tells her that his wife met someone else, his best friend from high school and they found comfort in one another. Hailey wants to know if Walker ever found out why his wife never wrote back, Walker tells her it doesn't matter anymore. Hailey leaves telling Walker she needs some air and can't be there. Hailey head back to Oakside, and runs to her friends back home. Hailey stays in Oatside for a few days talking to her friends about what happened between her and Walker and the letters. Walker is moping around when his friend comes over to visit him trying to help. Walker finds out that Hailey left town, and she's been gone a few days not sure when she's coming back. After Walker's friend leaves he goes to his desk and pulls out a blank sheet of paper, she starts the letter several times before he completes it. Walker then drives to Hailey's house where he puts the letter at her front door, then waits. Walker's not sure what he's waiting for but he sits in her driveway, then his phone rings. Walker needs to pick up Olivia at the sitters house, then heads home to put her to bed. Later that night he gets a message from Hailey asking to met her at the diner for breakfast so Walker tells her he'll be there. Walker waits in the diner but Hailey doesn't show up, so he goes to leave when she pulls in. When Hailey went home she couldn't believe the letter Walker had wrote to her, he explains to her what happened to him and his wife. Walker's pours his heart out to Hailey in his letter. Walker's wife died in a car accident after he got into an argument with her before she left so now Walker blames himself. Walker writes to Hailey that he loves her and he's not asking her for forgiveness. Hailey thought all this time Walker had been playing games with her. When Hailey goes to the diner her car doesn't start, so she calls her neighbor. Hailey arrives late to the diner just as Walker's about to leave. Walker suggests they go into the diner and grab breakfast and talk. Hailey doesn't want breakfast she tells Walker her heart broke for the man who wrote the letters but she fell in love with the man in front of her. When Walker tells her he should have told her everything from the beginning Hailey agrees with him. Walker then kisses Hailey, then they had back to his place to talk about their past. Hailey tells Walker that she loves him. Four months later, they head to Oatside in the fall. Olivia is entering the pumpkin decorating contest. The fall Oatside festival is in full swing and Walker plans to speak at four o'clock. Walker makes sure to grab Hailey a front row seat. When it's time Walker goes to the gazebo Walker explains how when he was deployed he spend years writing to someone who wouldn't write him back. Walker tells Hailey maybe he was writing to her all along, that when she walked into his life she opened his heart. Walker tells Hailey he has one question for her, Olivia pulls out a little box and hands it to her father. Walker drops to one knee and asks Hailey if she'll marry him, and she tells him yes. Hours later after everyone has congratulated them, and Olivia wins first place with her pumpkin the three of them head to the dance floor. As they dance barefoot under the stars, they've found each other, Walker realizes some of the best stories are the ones you never saw coming, the ones that write themselves into your life when you least expect it, but need the most.
Walker and Hailey met when she becomes the temporary school nurse and his daughter Olivia falls and scrapes her knee. Hailey has to call a parent to come and pick up their child. Walker feels like he has a connection with Hailey, but can't figure it out. Hailey just moved to Big Wood, Tennessee to the farmhouse she just purchased. While eating dinner Walker thinks he may have met Hailey while he was injured, but doesn't want to remember the times he was deployed. Throughout the time that Walker served in the military he wrote letters home to his now deceased wife some of the letters were returned to him. One poker night the guys get together and they asks Walker about the new nurse, they know that his daughter Olivia had to go see her. Walker doesn't want to talk about the new nurse, Hailey work is working temporary, at the school. Two weeks after Hailey moved to Big Wood, she can hear the birds chirping outside of her window, the sound is different then she's use to nights at the hospital trying to catch some sleep. Hailey is getting to know her neighbor Becky who invites her to the community family pancake social. While Hailey was cleaning her new home she came upon some letter she found hidden away from a solider writing to the love of his life. What Hailey doesn't understand is the letter are being read, but when the solider writes he wants to know why he doesn't get a letter in return. While at the pancake social Hailey is introduced to some of the community members, some who may know the history of the house she bought. Hailey goes to the hardware store where she is looking at paints for her house, when she runs into Olivia, Walker's daughter. Olivia asks Walker if they can all go for ice cream, he tells her she doesn't have to do this. Hailey tells Walker she wants to be his friend, and friends do things together. Hailey asks Walker about where he grew up but he tries to avoid the questions she throws at him. The next day Olivia draws Hailey a picture and wants to take it to her, Walker tries to talk her out of it but can't. Hailey invites them inside for some lemonade and Walker sees his letter all over her coffee table. The letters Walker wrote to his wife are all scattered over the table, the letter he wrote on his last deployment. Hailey tells Walker she found the letters in the attic, love letter from a solider to the love of his life. Walker tells Olivia they need to go and they head home. After Olivia in bed Walker head to his office and opens the drawer he has several letter he had written that were returned to him, so he opens one to read. Walker's not sure he can find his way back to loving someone, he's not sure he deserves to but now he wants to try. While at a festival in town, Olivia finds Hailey. Hailey goes over to the big semicircle where it's story time for the children and one of the adults read to them. Olivia comes over and crawls into Hailey's lap like it's something she does all the time. When Olivia goes to play with her friends Walker tells Hailey that she really likes her. When night falls Walker and Hailey end up sitting together on a log by the fire pit. When the party whines down Hailey head to her car, Walker asks her if he can walk her to her car, then he kisses her. When Hailey gets back home she does a search on Walker and his marriage. Hailey feels something doesn't add up when she reads the obituary, then she finds the accident Walker's wife was killed in two deaths but no mentions of names. Three days later, Hailey comes over to Walker's house telling Olivia she missed her. Hailey brings over dinner for Walker and Olivia. Hailey tells Walker she didn't like how they left things at the fair. After dinner they watch a movie where Olivia falls asleep, Walker puts her to bed. When Walker comes back downstairs he finds Hailey putting the dishes in the dishwasher. Hailey tells Walker she should get home, but he steps up to her and kisses her. Walker tells Hailey to tell him to stop but she tells him she doesn't want him to. Hailey suggests they go inside before his neighbors see them, Walker takes her to his bedroom. Walker pleasures Hailey then they make love. Hailey tells him that she should go home, but Walker asks her to stay the night. Hailey thinks maybe they can make this work, and they can find a way to make a family. Hailey organizes the letter by dates, then goes through them when she realizes she thinks she knows who wrote the letter, Walker. Hailey head over to Walker's home and asks him if he wrote the letters, she wants to know why he didn't tells her. Walker tells her that he never intended for her to find them, Hailey tells him he should have told her. Hailey tells Walker this feels like it's not over, it feels like something is haunting him and now it's haunting her because she can't figure out why his wife never wrote back to him. Walker tells her it doesn't matter but Hailey tells him it does because now he's afraid to love again. Hailey asks him to tell her what happened, Walker tells her he just hoped she read them. Hailey tells him she did, Walker tells her that his wife met someone else, his best friend from high school and they found comfort in one another. Hailey wants to know if Walker ever found out why his wife never wrote back, Walker tells her it doesn't matter anymore. Hailey leaves telling Walker she needs some air and can't be there. Hailey head back to Oakside, and runs to her friends back home. Hailey stays in Oatside for a few days talking to her friends about what happened between her and Walker and the letters. Walker is moping around when his friend comes over to visit him trying to help. Walker finds out that Hailey left town, and she's been gone a few days not sure when she's coming back. After Walker's friend leaves he goes to his desk and pulls out a blank sheet of paper, she starts the letter several times before he completes it. Walker then drives to Hailey's house where he puts the letter at her front door, then waits. Walker's not sure what he's waiting for but he sits in her driveway, then his phone rings. Walker needs to pick up Olivia at the sitters house, then heads home to put her to bed. Later that night he gets a message from Hailey asking to met her at the diner for breakfast so Walker tells her he'll be there. Walker waits in the diner but Hailey doesn't show up, so he goes to leave when she pulls in. When Hailey went home she couldn't believe the letter Walker had wrote to her, he explains to her what happened to him and his wife. Walker's pours his heart out to Hailey in his letter. Walker's wife died in a car accident after he got into an argument with her before she left so now Walker blames himself. Walker writes to Hailey that he loves her and he's not asking her for forgiveness. Hailey thought all this time Walker had been playing games with her. When Hailey goes to the diner her car doesn't start, so she calls her neighbor. Hailey arrives late to the diner just as Walker's about to leave. Walker suggests they go into the diner and grab breakfast and talk. Hailey doesn't want breakfast she tells Walker her heart broke for the man who wrote the letters but she fell in love with the man in front of her. When Walker tells her he should have told her everything from the beginning Hailey agrees with him. Walker then kisses Hailey, then they had back to his place to talk about their past. Hailey tells Walker that she loves him. Four months later, they head to Oatside in the fall. Olivia is entering the pumpkin decorating contest. The fall Oatside festival is in full swing and Walker plans to speak at four o'clock. Walker makes sure to grab Hailey a front row seat. When it's time Walker goes to the gazebo Walker explains how when he was deployed he spend years writing to someone who wouldn't write him back. Walker tells Hailey maybe he was writing to her all along, that when she walked into his life she opened his heart. Walker tells Hailey he has one question for her, Olivia pulls out a little box and hands it to her father. Walker drops to one knee and asks Hailey if she'll marry him, and she tells him yes. Hours later after everyone has congratulated them, and Olivia wins first place with her pumpkin the three of them head to the dance floor. As they dance barefoot under the stars, they've found each other, Walker realizes some of the best stories are the ones you never saw coming, the ones that write themselves into your life when you least expect it, but need the most.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2025
First I want to say how much I always love and look forward to Kaci’s books. Unfortunately this book left me disappointed and I didn’t fully enjoy it like I usually do a Kaci Rose book.
There were just too many inconsistencies.
For starters, Walker mentioned how Hailey was his nurse years prior in Savannah and how she doesn’t remember him. But it’s never brought up in the story again. So I’m left wondering how he got hurt and what happened, why she didn’t remember him, and why he never brought it up to her.
Second, he was from the town and everyone knew everyone’s business- yet no one knew him or Riley.
Third, Olivia told Hailey her mom died when she was a baby, but then later tells Hailey how she remembers her mom crying in the kitchen when a letter from her dad came in the mail.
Four, when Walker is trying to think of why Hailey is so familiar to him, Canada slams into his head and he recalls a girl he knew in college from Canada. But later he says how he and Riley were childhood best friends, high school sweethearts and married out of high school so she could go with him because he enlisted in the military.
And, Brook lived in the town, but when Hailey and Walker have a fight it’s mentioned how she leaves town and stays with Brook.
In the beginning Olivia is in kindergarten (which means Olivia is actually 5/6), then she’s 7, then four months later in epilogue she’s 11.
I’d also like to know why his letters to Riley were marked as returned to sender, while others she received and read.
For so much of the story I kept thinking it was Hailey he writing to and she never responded. Then I was suspecting maybe something happened and Hailey was the granddaughter of the old lady whose house she was living in and Hailey was the one in the car accident and maybe lost her memory and for whatever reason didn’t remember she had a daughter and Walker.
And I might be wrong because it’s been awhile since I’ve read a book from the Oakside series, but I swear I remember it being set in Georgia- not Tennessee.
I really wanted to love this book the way I’ve loved every one of Kaci’s other stories, but with all the inconsistencies, I couldn’t.
There were just too many inconsistencies.
For starters, Walker mentioned how Hailey was his nurse years prior in Savannah and how she doesn’t remember him. But it’s never brought up in the story again. So I’m left wondering how he got hurt and what happened, why she didn’t remember him, and why he never brought it up to her.
Second, he was from the town and everyone knew everyone’s business- yet no one knew him or Riley.
Third, Olivia told Hailey her mom died when she was a baby, but then later tells Hailey how she remembers her mom crying in the kitchen when a letter from her dad came in the mail.
Four, when Walker is trying to think of why Hailey is so familiar to him, Canada slams into his head and he recalls a girl he knew in college from Canada. But later he says how he and Riley were childhood best friends, high school sweethearts and married out of high school so she could go with him because he enlisted in the military.
And, Brook lived in the town, but when Hailey and Walker have a fight it’s mentioned how she leaves town and stays with Brook.
In the beginning Olivia is in kindergarten (which means Olivia is actually 5/6), then she’s 7, then four months later in epilogue she’s 11.
I’d also like to know why his letters to Riley were marked as returned to sender, while others she received and read.
For so much of the story I kept thinking it was Hailey he writing to and she never responded. Then I was suspecting maybe something happened and Hailey was the granddaughter of the old lady whose house she was living in and Hailey was the one in the car accident and maybe lost her memory and for whatever reason didn’t remember she had a daughter and Walker.
And I might be wrong because it’s been awhile since I’ve read a book from the Oakside series, but I swear I remember it being set in Georgia- not Tennessee.
I really wanted to love this book the way I’ve loved every one of Kaci’s other stories, but with all the inconsistencies, I couldn’t.
June 6, 2025
Some pasts don’t stay buried. Some people won’t let you hide.
Hailey (h) walks away from the chaos of her old life and into the quiet of Big Wood, Tennessee, searching for peace. She doesn’t expect a house full of forgotten letters, a child who sees straight through her, and a man whose silence hides more than he’ll admit.
Walker (H) has spent years buried in guilt, doing what he can to raise his daughter and keep the past locked away. The last thing he needs is the new school nurse stirring up memories he’s tried to forget. But Hailey doesn’t look away, even when she discovers the letters he never meant anyone to read.
As they're drawn together by Olivia’s open heart and the slow pull of connection, their walls begin to crack. But when the truth about Walker’s past surfaces, everything shifts. Hailey has to decide if she can trust the man behind the secrets, and Walker must choose whether to let go of the guilt that’s kept him stuck.
Hailey is burned out and emotionally guarded, trying to find herself again. Walker is still grieving, convinced he’s beyond redemption. Olivia is vibrant and observant, quietly craving a family that feels whole. As they get to know each other, all three begin to change.
Their relationship moves from hesitation to something deeper, layered with trust, vulnerability, and quiet resilience. Olivia becomes the heart of that transformation, naturally pulling them together with her affection and insight, helping both adults see what they’re capable of when they stop running from the past.
Sweet and steamy, grumpy sunshine, single dad, small town romance, exploring love after loss, healing, second chances, forgiveness, vulnerability, trust, family, redemption, emotional growth, and starting over. It’s about showing up, even when you're broken, and building something real in the wreckage.
Hailey (h) walks away from the chaos of her old life and into the quiet of Big Wood, Tennessee, searching for peace. She doesn’t expect a house full of forgotten letters, a child who sees straight through her, and a man whose silence hides more than he’ll admit.
Walker (H) has spent years buried in guilt, doing what he can to raise his daughter and keep the past locked away. The last thing he needs is the new school nurse stirring up memories he’s tried to forget. But Hailey doesn’t look away, even when she discovers the letters he never meant anyone to read.
As they're drawn together by Olivia’s open heart and the slow pull of connection, their walls begin to crack. But when the truth about Walker’s past surfaces, everything shifts. Hailey has to decide if she can trust the man behind the secrets, and Walker must choose whether to let go of the guilt that’s kept him stuck.
Hailey is burned out and emotionally guarded, trying to find herself again. Walker is still grieving, convinced he’s beyond redemption. Olivia is vibrant and observant, quietly craving a family that feels whole. As they get to know each other, all three begin to change.
Their relationship moves from hesitation to something deeper, layered with trust, vulnerability, and quiet resilience. Olivia becomes the heart of that transformation, naturally pulling them together with her affection and insight, helping both adults see what they’re capable of when they stop running from the past.
Sweet and steamy, grumpy sunshine, single dad, small town romance, exploring love after loss, healing, second chances, forgiveness, vulnerability, trust, family, redemption, emotional growth, and starting over. It’s about showing up, even when you're broken, and building something real in the wreckage.
June 3, 2025
A Second Chance Worth Fighting for -
The last thing on Walker’s mind was relationships after what his wife did to him, but he felt an inexplicable connection with Hailey from the moment they met, which only heightened after watching her interactions with his daughter. Hailey wasn’t adhering looking for a new start after her ex-boyfriend’s betrayal, so her plan was to concentrate on working and renovating her home, but everything changed after meeting Walker and his precocious daughter.
Unfortunately, just as Walker and Hailey started getting closer, he discovered he was linked to a quest she was undertaking and didn’t tell her about it, which led to hurt feelings when she found out. Walker soon realised his mistake and took steps to explain everything to Hailey, which gave them a chance to reconnect. Once Walker and Hailey had finally opened up about their lives, it gave them the opportunity to acknowledge their true feelings for each other, so they could have the chance at getting the happy life they both deserved.
This fantastic romance story with a small town vibe took me on a bittersweet rollercoaster ride, that grabbed my attention from the first page and didn’t let go until I read the final word. I would gladly recommend reading this sweet and deeply moving romance novel.
I received a free review copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
The last thing on Walker’s mind was relationships after what his wife did to him, but he felt an inexplicable connection with Hailey from the moment they met, which only heightened after watching her interactions with his daughter. Hailey wasn’t adhering looking for a new start after her ex-boyfriend’s betrayal, so her plan was to concentrate on working and renovating her home, but everything changed after meeting Walker and his precocious daughter.
Unfortunately, just as Walker and Hailey started getting closer, he discovered he was linked to a quest she was undertaking and didn’t tell her about it, which led to hurt feelings when she found out. Walker soon realised his mistake and took steps to explain everything to Hailey, which gave them a chance to reconnect. Once Walker and Hailey had finally opened up about their lives, it gave them the opportunity to acknowledge their true feelings for each other, so they could have the chance at getting the happy life they both deserved.
This fantastic romance story with a small town vibe took me on a bittersweet rollercoaster ride, that grabbed my attention from the first page and didn’t let go until I read the final word. I would gladly recommend reading this sweet and deeply moving romance novel.
I received a free review copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 3, 2025
**Letters from the Past!**
The second book in the multi-author series *Single Dads of Big Wood* is “Big Risks” by Kaci Rose. Seeking a fresh start, Hailey moves to Big Wood, TN, after buying a new house and becoming the school nurse. While cleaning out the attic, she discovers some old letters and immediately feels a connection to the soldier who wrote them. Walker, a widower and single dad to the adorable Olivia, enters Hailey's life when Olivia gets hurt at school.
Hailey and Olivia quickly bond, and there is undeniable chemistry between Hailey and Walker. However, Hailey senses that Walker is withholding something from her. When she uncovers the identity of the author of the love letters, she feels hurt and confused.
In this instalove story, we meet another charming couple we can't help but root for as they strive for their happily ever after (HEA). Although it’s an instalove narrative, it has a slow-burn feel until the characters finally confront their feelings. There’s just the right amount of steam and spice that adds to the excitement. The story moves at a fast pace, with enough drama to keep readers turning the pages, making it easy to finish in one sitting. I am eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The second book in the multi-author series *Single Dads of Big Wood* is “Big Risks” by Kaci Rose. Seeking a fresh start, Hailey moves to Big Wood, TN, after buying a new house and becoming the school nurse. While cleaning out the attic, she discovers some old letters and immediately feels a connection to the soldier who wrote them. Walker, a widower and single dad to the adorable Olivia, enters Hailey's life when Olivia gets hurt at school.
Hailey and Olivia quickly bond, and there is undeniable chemistry between Hailey and Walker. However, Hailey senses that Walker is withholding something from her. When she uncovers the identity of the author of the love letters, she feels hurt and confused.
In this instalove story, we meet another charming couple we can't help but root for as they strive for their happily ever after (HEA). Although it’s an instalove narrative, it has a slow-burn feel until the characters finally confront their feelings. There’s just the right amount of steam and spice that adds to the excitement. The story moves at a fast pace, with enough drama to keep readers turning the pages, making it easy to finish in one sitting. I am eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 7, 2025
A shorter story, but filled with charm and second chances. Former Army Walker Ellison has returned to Big Wood to raise his young daughter, Olivia. His friends are here and life is good. Former hospital nurse Hailey Bennett has bought a house in town and looks forward to the remodel and a life that doesn’t include her cheating ex. Accepting a job as a local school nurse, she treats Olivia at school for a scraped knee and meets her father, Walker. When he meets Hailey, he is attracted to her and she seems familiar. Searching through her home, she finds a chest with unopened letters from a soldier. Knowing that she shouldn’t read them, curiosity wins out and she wonders why they were never opened. Spending time with Walker she is attracted to him, but he seems cautious about getting to know her. When several comments he has made are familiar to what she read in the letters, she knows that he is the soldier who wrote them. His friends are aware of his interest in Hailey and they remind him that he might regret it if he doesn’t tell her of his feelings. It is time he explains about the letters and the woman they were written to, Olivia’s mother. Is he too late, or will Hailey still be interested in a future with him…and Olivia? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)
June 14, 2025
I'll start by stating that I normally love Kaci's stories and rate them much higher.
To say I'm confused by this story would be an understatement.
First it's got the main male character going by three different names. Chapter 1 he's Walker Hayes. Chapter 2 he's Walker Ellison and in Chapter 3 he's Walker Calloway.
Second the daughter is said to be 7, but in the epilogue that's set 4 months later she's 11.
Third the epilogue takes place in Oakside when the story was set in Big Wood. So did they decide to move back to where Hailey came from or did the town just change names?
Lastly, there's the undelivered letters that Walker still had in his possession that weren't ever explained what they were or who they were for. So that left me frustrated as I feel they were mentioned for a reason but then we aren't ever told the reason.
It almost felt like this story was pulled from the Oakside series and had some changes thrown in to make it fit into this series. However it fell short of the changes being done completely to make the story flow smoothly.
If this happened to be your first Kaci Rose story, then I beg you to give her work another shot. This isn't her normal caliber of work and you'll be passing up a great author if you go on this book alone.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
To say I'm confused by this story would be an understatement.
First it's got the main male character going by three different names. Chapter 1 he's Walker Hayes. Chapter 2 he's Walker Ellison and in Chapter 3 he's Walker Calloway.
Second the daughter is said to be 7, but in the epilogue that's set 4 months later she's 11.
Third the epilogue takes place in Oakside when the story was set in Big Wood. So did they decide to move back to where Hailey came from or did the town just change names?
Lastly, there's the undelivered letters that Walker still had in his possession that weren't ever explained what they were or who they were for. So that left me frustrated as I feel they were mentioned for a reason but then we aren't ever told the reason.
It almost felt like this story was pulled from the Oakside series and had some changes thrown in to make it fit into this series. However it fell short of the changes being done completely to make the story flow smoothly.
If this happened to be your first Kaci Rose story, then I beg you to give her work another shot. This isn't her normal caliber of work and you'll be passing up a great author if you go on this book alone.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 1, 2025
Hailey moves to Big Wood, Tennessee. She bought an old farmhouse that her new neighbor Becky calls “the Old Jenkins Place”. Hailey used to be a trauma nurse in Savannah, Georgia. She got burned out after eight years of watching traumas, mostly military men. One day, after pulling a late-night shift, she returned to her apartment to find her boyfriend sleeping with her roommate. She decided that was the last straw and bought the farmhouse and moved. She is excited that she found an old chest in the attic. Inside is a batch of letters dated eight years ago. They were written by a man named James who was stationed in Afghanistan to a woman he calls Red.
Walker Ellison came back to Big Wood a few years ago after being in the Army. He has a daughter named Olivia. Olivia fell on the playground, so they called Walker to come get her. Nurse Hailey already cleaned her skinned knee and put a band aid on it. Walker finds there is something familiar about Nurse Hailey. When he was treated in a hospital in Savannah, there was a nurse there named Hailey. He thinks it must be a coincidence.
I loved that there were so many little things that drew Hailey and Walker together. It is a cute story of second chances.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Walker Ellison came back to Big Wood a few years ago after being in the Army. He has a daughter named Olivia. Olivia fell on the playground, so they called Walker to come get her. Nurse Hailey already cleaned her skinned knee and put a band aid on it. Walker finds there is something familiar about Nurse Hailey. When he was treated in a hospital in Savannah, there was a nurse there named Hailey. He thinks it must be a coincidence.
I loved that there were so many little things that drew Hailey and Walker together. It is a cute story of second chances.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 5, 2025
Haunted by the past
I really enjoyed Hailey, Walker and Olivia's story, it has heartbreakingly sad moments and memories, but these are cradled carefully between funny moments, kids crazy antics and sweet "family time". Hailey drags Walker into the present and their possible future, she doesn't dismiss his past demons, but she does help him lay them to rest.
There are a few "time slips" that had me confused and I had to go back to reread:
* Walker is putting Olivia to bed and she asks a difficult question, he "grips the steering wheel tightly" before evading her question, then pulling her covers up and saying goodnight.
* Walker is meeting Hailey at 8am at the diner, he has dropped Olivia off early that morning, but when he enters the diner the usual "evening crowd" are in?
* We are introduced to Olivia as a seven year old and she has all the usual actions of a seven year old, but in the epilogue - set four months later, she is suddenly delivering sassy lines "as only an 11 year old can"?
These hiccups didn't spoil the book, but they did confuse me and interrupt the flow of the book.
I really like this multi author mini series so far and look forward to the remaining two books.
I read this on Kindle Unlimited.
I really enjoyed Hailey, Walker and Olivia's story, it has heartbreakingly sad moments and memories, but these are cradled carefully between funny moments, kids crazy antics and sweet "family time". Hailey drags Walker into the present and their possible future, she doesn't dismiss his past demons, but she does help him lay them to rest.
There are a few "time slips" that had me confused and I had to go back to reread:
* Walker is putting Olivia to bed and she asks a difficult question, he "grips the steering wheel tightly" before evading her question, then pulling her covers up and saying goodnight.
* Walker is meeting Hailey at 8am at the diner, he has dropped Olivia off early that morning, but when he enters the diner the usual "evening crowd" are in?
* We are introduced to Olivia as a seven year old and she has all the usual actions of a seven year old, but in the epilogue - set four months later, she is suddenly delivering sassy lines "as only an 11 year old can"?
These hiccups didn't spoil the book, but they did confuse me and interrupt the flow of the book.
I really like this multi author mini series so far and look forward to the remaining two books.
I read this on Kindle Unlimited.
June 8, 2025
This one had so much chemistry and storyline with the growing relationship between them, I loved it! I also love how this series seems to not just be centred around the single dads, but also the kids and their relationships with them too. I really liked Walker, he was an amazing dad who really stepped up and his whole life was focused around his daughter. Hailey was perfect for him, the sunshine to his grumpy and the right amount of push to get him out from behind his walls. The only problem I had with this book was there were a lot of plot holes and mixed up timelines. Like how he recognized her as his nurse but that was never talked of again. And what was it about Canada? Wasn’t really sure who Brooke was but all of a sudden she was with her, maybe I missed a book/series? Olivia’s age kept changing as well, so I never knew how old she actually was. And a small town would know the history between Walker and his ex wife, but everyone seemed to have a different story? No cheating or OM/OW drama, single father, dual POV, HEA and epilogue in the future. Looking forward to the next book in this series!
June 9, 2025
Sometimes what’s right in front of you but fate steps in making you see the very thing that has been right in front of you. Haily is sweet. She walked from the craziness that she called life for something calmer in Big Wood, Tenn. what she didn’t expect forgotten letters, a child who sees everything the adults think they don’t see or understand and a grump. Walker sexy as all get out grump but more less living with a guilt that he has claimed so basically living a life of loneliness, raising his daughter, locking the past away hoping it stays that way until the new school nurse comes along shaking up things by finding the letters no one was supposed to find. The more she reads the letters the closer they grow but so does her outlook of him can she trust him, but they forget the little girl watching, wishing for a family well a whole family that is but can they get past the mistrust, the secrets, will she understand, will he explain the guilt he feels, will she show him there isn’t a need for that guilts , will Olivia be okay, and can they build a family finding happiness along the way?
June 5, 2025
Hailey Bennett arrives at Big Wood, Tennessee in her car named, Gertie. She moves into her new place and meets one of her neighbors, Becky Henderson. They hit it off and talk a bit. Hailey was a trauma nurse and she is burned out after working that for over 8 years, especially dealing with military injuries. Finding out her past made me livid. I hate cheaters. Since the local elementary school’s nurse is about to go on maternity leave, Hailey takes that job. She loves it and the kids love her. She meets Olivia, who takes a tumble and wants her dad, Walker, former Army. He picks her up from the nurse’s office and meets Hailey, and he has a feeling that he has met her before, but can’t place it. Olivia is adorable. Olivia’s babysitter, Mrs. Winters is great and hilarious. Olivia falls pretty much in love with Hailey from the moment she meets her. The book is sweet, romantic, steamy and so cute. I loved it. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 8, 2025
I really wanted to like this story but I had so many issues with it. First there was the weird spacing between each paragraph. It really took me out of the story.
Then there were the plotlines that didn't add up. She was his nurse when he was hurt during deployment, but neither point was ever mentioned again. They live in a small town where everyone knows everyone else's business but none of them knew about Riley? It never occurs to Walker that Hailey bought the grandmothers house even though he visited her there? The reader doesn't find out for sure it was the grandmothers house till the end.
Another weird thing was the time jumps. She left town, but how long did this last? It isn't clear how long that lasted. And how did she leave town if the story said she was staying with Brook, who lived in that town? The relationship reads like the whole thing took a week. Why was she so mad? At the beginning of the story, Olivia is 7. Then in the epilogue, which is only 4 months later, she is now 11.
Then there were the plotlines that didn't add up. She was his nurse when he was hurt during deployment, but neither point was ever mentioned again. They live in a small town where everyone knows everyone else's business but none of them knew about Riley? It never occurs to Walker that Hailey bought the grandmothers house even though he visited her there? The reader doesn't find out for sure it was the grandmothers house till the end.
Another weird thing was the time jumps. She left town, but how long did this last? It isn't clear how long that lasted. And how did she leave town if the story said she was staying with Brook, who lived in that town? The relationship reads like the whole thing took a week. Why was she so mad? At the beginning of the story, Olivia is 7. Then in the epilogue, which is only 4 months later, she is now 11.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2025
Hailey had been a trauma nurse for years and it took catching "her boyfriend" cheating on her with her roommate to realize that she needs to start fresh. Cashed in her assets and buying herself a house in a small town. Big Wood,TN! Going to need some work on the house, but it looks to have good bones? Becky,a neighbor comes to welcome her to town. Telling Hailey about an opening at elementary school for a nurse til summer vacation. Hailey discovers that she also has an attic where she finds chest with unopened letters. And so the mystery begins about Red and James, why did Red not answer James' letters? Who is Red and James? Hailey takes the nursing position and thru a scrapped knee meets Olivia and her single father,Walker. Olivia keeps bringing Walker and Hailey together along with the small town events. Will Hailey ever learn that Walker's middle name is James? Who is Red? Will Hailey open up her heart again after the last boyfriend? Will she be able to trust Walker?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 3, 2025
This book had a lot of promise—the plot was good, but the writing was pretty messy. The author just throws in characters and relationships without any context, making it hard to really care about them. Names were switched up, and even the places they come from were inconsistent. The female lead says she's from Savannah, but at one point, the male lead mentions Canada and talks about someone he knew from there during college, which was never brought up again. Then, the story hints at a backstory where she was his nurse when he returned from overseas, but that went nowhere too.
Then there was the “climax” of the story?!?! She got mad because he didn’t share that he wrote some old letters that she found? That was ridiculous. They had pretty much just met and that was his past which had nothing to do with her. I just felt the whole thing was ridiculous.
Next we have the obvious mistakes. The daughter’s age changed by years in just four months? Seriously? That kind of sloppiness pulls you right out of the story. I was so glad when it was over.
Then there was the “climax” of the story?!?! She got mad because he didn’t share that he wrote some old letters that she found? That was ridiculous. They had pretty much just met and that was his past which had nothing to do with her. I just felt the whole thing was ridiculous.
Next we have the obvious mistakes. The daughter’s age changed by years in just four months? Seriously? That kind of sloppiness pulls you right out of the story. I was so glad when it was over.
June 11, 2025
This is part of a multi author series called Single Dads of Big Wood (Tennessee) and this one features Walker, single dad to Olivia, the most mischievous little girl and Hailey, a new to town nurse bent on escaping bad memories of her cheating ex.
When she found old love letters from a soldier to his wife in the attic of the home she’d just bought, Hailey couldn’t help but get emotionally involved wondering what happened, why hadn’t the wife responded to such heartfelt letters?
As she worked at untangling the mystery of the letters, she and Walker were slowly growing closer together until she discovered something causing her to run. Walker realized too late that he should have been more forthcoming, could he be too late?
This was a sweet romance but it’s not my favorite by this author. Don’t let me put you off though, try it for yourself. 4 stars!
I received a copy of this book for free from Instalove Influencers but am voluntarily leaving a review.
When she found old love letters from a soldier to his wife in the attic of the home she’d just bought, Hailey couldn’t help but get emotionally involved wondering what happened, why hadn’t the wife responded to such heartfelt letters?
As she worked at untangling the mystery of the letters, she and Walker were slowly growing closer together until she discovered something causing her to run. Walker realized too late that he should have been more forthcoming, could he be too late?
This was a sweet romance but it’s not my favorite by this author. Don’t let me put you off though, try it for yourself. 4 stars!
I received a copy of this book for free from Instalove Influencers but am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 15, 2025
Muh......
This book had so much potential—the plot was solid, but the sloppy writing really let it down. The author just drops characters and relationships into the story with zero context, which makes it impossible to get invested.
Honestly, the "big fight" was where it all went downhill for me. How could the main character get so mad at the guy for not sharing his whole life story, especially when she literally invaded his privacy by reading his old letters? That felt so hypocritical and made her unlikable.
And don't even get me started on the glaring errors. The daughter goes from being eight years old to eleven in just four months? Seriously? That kind of carelessness just takes you right out of the story. I was so annoyed by the end that I just skimmed though it....
Overall, the lack of character development and the ridiculous inconsistencies made this a pretty disappointing read.
This book had so much potential—the plot was solid, but the sloppy writing really let it down. The author just drops characters and relationships into the story with zero context, which makes it impossible to get invested.
Honestly, the "big fight" was where it all went downhill for me. How could the main character get so mad at the guy for not sharing his whole life story, especially when she literally invaded his privacy by reading his old letters? That felt so hypocritical and made her unlikable.
And don't even get me started on the glaring errors. The daughter goes from being eight years old to eleven in just four months? Seriously? That kind of carelessness just takes you right out of the story. I was so annoyed by the end that I just skimmed though it....
Overall, the lack of character development and the ridiculous inconsistencies made this a pretty disappointing read.
June 11, 2025
2.5⭐️ did not round up because there are way too many inconsistencies, possible important threads of the story are simply dropped, and the “spicy” scenes are glossed over and not spicy at all (0.25⭐️ out of 5). Having said that, this is a really sweet story and the MC’s are likable/relatable. Olivia is a great kid, but how does she go from 7 years old to 11 in four months (in the epilogue) and why are they in Oakside instead of Big Wood? If they’re just visiting Oakside, why would he propose in front of the whole town? It doesn’t make sense, it’s inconsistent, and it takes away from the sweetness of the scene. And what in the world happened to the fact that Walker recognized Hailey from when he’d been injured during his time in the military, but it’s never brought up again? Was it really her? Does she remember him?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2025
Big Risks follows Hailey and Walker. Walkers the single dad and resident of Big Wood all his life. Hailey is a newcomer to Big Wood relocating from Savannah wanting a change of pace, lifestyle and to get away from cheating boys.
The last thing either expected was the instant connection they felt in the schools nursing office.
Walkers very closed off after his past experiences, a failed marriage, cheating spouse, and death of a family member all happened to him leaving him alone raising Olivia his daughter.
I enjoyed the past being tied into the present by old love letters found discarded in the attic. What I love even more is how they were described and the emotion Hailey felt when reading them.
All in all it was a nice, easy instalove read.
The last thing either expected was the instant connection they felt in the schools nursing office.
Walkers very closed off after his past experiences, a failed marriage, cheating spouse, and death of a family member all happened to him leaving him alone raising Olivia his daughter.
I enjoyed the past being tied into the present by old love letters found discarded in the attic. What I love even more is how they were described and the emotion Hailey felt when reading them.
All in all it was a nice, easy instalove read.
June 5, 2025
WOW! I Love Big Risks by Kaci Rose. This single dad, small-town, grumpy-sunshine, military short read is big on heart and emotion. It is Book 2 of the Single Dads of Big Wood series and is worth the read! The story is well written with wonderful characters. I loved Hailey and her ability to improve herself and change what she wanted and needed to be the best she could be. I also loved Walker and his dedication to his daughter and his willingness to adapt and change. His daughter, Olivia, is energetic and very likeable. This story is engaging and held my attention throughout. It is well-paced with wonderful world building of the community and friends making the journey of Hailey and Walker very enjoyable.
June 5, 2025
Big Risks by Kaci Rose is book 2 in the Single Dads in Big Wood series by various authors 4.5 stars
Hailey moves to Big Wood and, buys a house site unseen, after catching her cheating ex with her roommate and partly because she’s a burned out ER nurse in need of changes. While working on her house, she discovers a trunk in the attic with old love letters and wants to learn who the people are. She gets a job at the elementary school as a fill in nurse and helps a little girl, Olivia after a fall in the playground and reaches out to her dad, Walker…sparks fly, building community, love letters tied to Walker, instalove…
I voluntarily read a copy of this book from BookSprout. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Hailey moves to Big Wood and, buys a house site unseen, after catching her cheating ex with her roommate and partly because she’s a burned out ER nurse in need of changes. While working on her house, she discovers a trunk in the attic with old love letters and wants to learn who the people are. She gets a job at the elementary school as a fill in nurse and helps a little girl, Olivia after a fall in the playground and reaches out to her dad, Walker…sparks fly, building community, love letters tied to Walker, instalove…
I voluntarily read a copy of this book from BookSprout. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 6, 2025
Hailey is a new comer to Big Wood, she's purchased a fixer-upper because she was burnt out at her old job. She takes a temp position as the school nurse, and meets Olivia and her hot dad Walker. I'm sure you can guess that Hailey and Walker are fated to be together, but this story is so intriguing with the old letters that Hailey finds has been left behind in her attic, and Walker's past. What is it that he is hiding?
This was a relatively short read that was very entertaining and high on the burn meter. The characters had great chemistry together and it was fun to read how everything came together.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a relatively short read that was very entertaining and high on the burn meter. The characters had great chemistry together and it was fun to read how everything came together.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 19, 2025
'There was something about her that seemed to reach past all my carefully constructed barriers, making eye contact feel dangerous. It's been a long time since anyone has made me feel noticed.'
I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun, sweet read. I loved both Hailey and Walker. Burned out from work as a trauma nurse, and leaving a cheating boyfriend behind, Hailey just wants a fresh start in a new house and now working as a school nurse. Walker is raising his daughter Olivia and meets Hailey as he picks her up from school. I liked that while he was drawn to her, it wasn't an immediate wedding bells ringing in his head. He was a little unnerved. Was there a connection there? A fun read and I enjoyed learning more and seeing their relationship develop. 4 stars.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun, sweet read. I loved both Hailey and Walker. Burned out from work as a trauma nurse, and leaving a cheating boyfriend behind, Hailey just wants a fresh start in a new house and now working as a school nurse. Walker is raising his daughter Olivia and meets Hailey as he picks her up from school. I liked that while he was drawn to her, it wasn't an immediate wedding bells ringing in his head. He was a little unnerved. Was there a connection there? A fun read and I enjoyed learning more and seeing their relationship develop. 4 stars.
October 12, 2025
A heartfelt story!
This one has all the feels! My heart ached for Walker and his back story, which gets a happy ending when Hailey walks into his life. This story could easily be expanded into a full novel, there is so much packed into it.
I’m enjoying this series very much. I love the Single Dad trope and with this series, you get four of them, along with four authors who blend their special brands of love to give life to four men who never thought love would find them again.
Walker and Hailey don’t disappoint. Their slow burn starts before they ever meet, which makes for a lovely, $exy story that keeps you hopeful that the next page will reveal the mysterious circumstances that brought them together.
This one has all the feels! My heart ached for Walker and his back story, which gets a happy ending when Hailey walks into his life. This story could easily be expanded into a full novel, there is so much packed into it.
I’m enjoying this series very much. I love the Single Dad trope and with this series, you get four of them, along with four authors who blend their special brands of love to give life to four men who never thought love would find them again.
Walker and Hailey don’t disappoint. Their slow burn starts before they ever meet, which makes for a lovely, $exy story that keeps you hopeful that the next page will reveal the mysterious circumstances that brought them together.
June 4, 2025
Oh My Goodness! What a great story! I could not put this one down and I absolutely loved it. I felt the connection with the trio immediately and watching the relationship transform in front of me was magical. I was very interested in the letters and could not stop reading until I got the entire story of how the past went with the letters. I loved this twist with the letters. I can not recommend this book enough. It had the best HEA! I have been in a reading slump the past few weeks and this book took me right out of it. This will definitely be one of my rereads. Thanks Kaci Rose for another Slam Dunk!.
June 7, 2025
Kaci does it again with Big Risks. Oh Walker!!! I very much liked the grump but when the letters give Hailey a window into him without knowing it and then when he sees her reading them and remembers.......... Oh my gosh!!! I think that when he went home and read that letter, that's when I fell in love with Walker. Loved this story from the beginning and did not stop until it was over. Has all the feels, I laughed and cried, and hoped they'd find their HEA. I don't know how Kaci does it but she's an amazing writer.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 15, 2025
Hailey needed a break from being an emergency room nurse and took the position of the new school nurse in Big Woods. While moving into her new home she finds old love letters in the attic. I loved how Hailey fell in love with the man who wrote the love letters, and it turned out to be single dad Walker who wrote them. This is a sweet romance with a heartwarming storyline and great characters who had me cheering them on to get their happily ever after. Big Risks is book two in the multi-author Single Dads of Big Woods series, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
June 17, 2025
I really wanted to like this book, but it was a bit of a hot mess. Characters names changing, random plot points that are supposed to be somewhat significant (hello mysterious Savannah nurse storyline that never comes up again). A character from a small town that no one seems to know. The location of the story suddenly changing in the epilogue. Character ages 4 years in 4 months. The story isn’t straight between the different books in the series ( Walker mentions being with Jace as kids, but Jace is a Mamma Mae’s boy who grew up in Texas 🤷♀️)
Perhaps a solid edit will give this book a much needed boost.
Perhaps a solid edit will give this book a much needed boost.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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