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Resisting Grant: A Best Friend's Dad Romance
The only thing I’ve ever wanted is to build a better relationship with my daughter, Lou. When her best friend, Josie, is evicted from her apartment, I think that offering her a place to stay will put me in Lou’s good books.
I don't expect Josie’s presence to be so intoxicating. The more time we spend together under my roof—her showing me how to cook, cuddling with my cat Cinnamon, tempting me with her gorgeous curves—the harder I fall.
Only Josie is completely off limits. My daughter already hates me, and sleeping with her best friend will be the nail in the coffin. But how am I meant to resist Josie, when she’s right there in my house, and my feelings for her get stronger every day?
Resisting Grant is a slow burn steamy age-gap romance novel packed with tension. There’s no cheating, no cliffhanger and a happily ever after for Grant and Josie. This is a standalone novel and the series can be read in any order.
I don't expect Josie’s presence to be so intoxicating. The more time we spend together under my roof—her showing me how to cook, cuddling with my cat Cinnamon, tempting me with her gorgeous curves—the harder I fall.
Only Josie is completely off limits. My daughter already hates me, and sleeping with her best friend will be the nail in the coffin. But how am I meant to resist Josie, when she’s right there in my house, and my feelings for her get stronger every day?
Resisting Grant is a slow burn steamy age-gap romance novel packed with tension. There’s no cheating, no cliffhanger and a happily ever after for Grant and Josie. This is a standalone novel and the series can be read in any order.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 28, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 30, 2025
Grant has always carried the weight of regret over his strained relationship with his daughter, Lou. So, when her best friend, Josie, suddenly finds herself virtually evicted, offering her a place to stay seems like the perfect olive branch. What he doesn’t count on is how quickly his good intentions spiral into something far more complicated and far more tempting. The chemistry between Grant and Josie simmers from the start, and the “forced proximity” trope is used to great effect here. You can practically feel the tension rising with every shared meal, every quiet moment, every glance that lingers a little too long. Josie’s warmth and openness chip away at Grant’s gruff exterior, and she sees the good in him—something he hasn’t felt in a long time. Oh, and the fact that she adores his cat, Cinnamon? That’s just the cherry on top. What I loved most is that this isn’t some rushed, lust-fueled fling. The relationship builds gradually, rooted in real conversations, shared experiences, and mutual understanding. It feels authentic and emotionally grounded. A true slow burn that rewards your patience. But of course, the shadow of Lou looms large. Grant is painfully aware that getting involved with her best friend could obliterate what little ground he’s regained with his daughter. It raises the question: Should he sacrifice his own shot at happiness for the sake of a fragile reconciliation? Frankly, I didn’t find Lou very sympathetic, but that might be due to the lack of backstory around her estrangement from Grant. A bit more context could have helped round out her character and made her reactions feel less abrupt. Still, the heart of this story lies in the beautifully evolving bond between Grant and Josie. Their connection feels genuine, the kind that sneaks up on you and quietly rearranges everything. It’s a slow burn done right, one where the journey is just as satisfying as the destination.
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 24, 2025
Forbidden Fruit and Half-Baked Stakes: When the Sizzle Doesn’t Quite Sear
My Reader’s Heart vs. My Editor’s Brain: A Love-Hate Breakdown of Resisting Grant
Let me put it plainly: I wanted to love this. I came into Resisting Grant fully ready to be swept into a slow-burn age-gap romance with all the angsty forbidden vibes a reader like me devours at 2 a.m. on a Tuesday. Dad’s trying to make amends with his estranged daughter? Her best friend moves in? The temptation is literally living under his roof? The potential for scandal, depth, and tension was off the charts.
But while my reader’s heart clutched the blanket and whispered “Oh no, not the best friend,” my editor’s brain stepped in and went, “Okay, but where’s the meat?”
🔥 What Works (Reader POV):
The Setup Has Intrigue
You’ve got a dad desperate to connect with his daughter (emotional stakes!), a curvy and kind-hearted houseguest (romantic tension!), and a cozy setting ripe for slow-burn cuddles, lingering stares, and tension so thick you could carve it like pie crust. It should work.
The Emotional Potential
A single dad with regrets and a young woman who sees him—really sees him—for the first time? Sign me up. There are glimmers of something tender and raw, and the idea of Cinnamon the cat being a bonding bridge? Honestly adorable.
🧠 What Doesn’t Work (Editor POV):
1. Missing Internal Stakes
Grant’s entire motivation centers on rebuilding a relationship with his daughter, but we don’t get enough clarity on why that relationship is broken or what’s at risk. If sleeping with Josie is “the nail in the coffin,” what exactly is the current state of that coffin? Are we talking mild irritation or years of estrangement and trauma? The lack of specificity dulls the emotional punch.
🔧 Fix: Flesh out the history with Lou. Give us moments that show their rift—not just tell us about it. Let readers feel the guilt simmering under Grant’s restraint.
2. Josie Feels… Vaguely Vaguely
What does Josie want besides a roof over her head? Is she rebounding from a bad breakup? Trying to figure out her future? Struggling with loyalty to Lou? She feels too much like a plot device—“girl with curves and soft eyes”—and not enough like a living, breathing person with agency.
🔧 Fix: Give Josie stakes of her own. Internal conflict. Maybe she’s caught between gratitude and desire. Maybe she worries she’s repeating toxic patterns. Something. Anything.
3. The Logic Wobbles
The key assumption—"sleeping with Josie would ruin any chance with Lou"—relies on a pretty flimsy foundation if we never fully understand:
• How close Lou and Josie really are (Are they ride-or-die besties? Or ex-roommates who share memes?)
• Whether Lou actually still wants a relationship with Grant (Is there hope to begin with?)
Right now, it’s assumed to be a deal-breaker, but never proven. And for a book centered on forbidden love… that’s a weak backbone.
🔧 Fix: Raise the stakes with Lou. Let us see her almost warming to Grant again—then let Grant screw it up. Make the tension earned, not implied.
4. Where’s the Tension?
We’re told it’s a “slow burn,” but it lacks that addictive push-pull energy. The sexual tension reads like it’s waiting in a queue behind scenes of domestic bliss and soft flirtation. It should smolder, not simmer politely. Give me some angst. Some yearning. Some “I shouldn’t but God, I want to.”
🔧 Fix: Build more charged moments. Show restraint—and the agony of it. Let that kitchen scene with cinnamon rolls be the most dangerous part of the day, not the cutest.
5. Flat Characterization of Grant
He’s a dad. He feels bad. He’s hot. And… that’s kind of it. But what else drives him? What demons wake him up at night? What keeps him from taking that first step—aside from a generic fear of ruining things with Lou? Give me complexity, regret, layers.
🚫 What Might Make a Reader Stop:
• If they’re looking for deep emotional payoff: it’s not quite there.
• If they want believable stakes: the conflict feels too easy to undo.
• If they crave rich characterization: Josie and Grant are more archetype than flesh.
• If they read “slow burn” and expect actual burn: the temperature needs turning up.
✅ What Would Make It Sing:
1. Dig deeper into Grant’s guilt and let it drive his actions.
2. Let Josie be more than a muse. Give her decisions, dilemmas, doubts.
3. Make Lou a real presence—a character, not a concept.
4. Tighten the emotional pacing. Build up that slow-burn ache with intimacy and angst, not just domestic charm.
5. Sharpen the stakes. Why does this matter beyond the romance?
• Reader Score: 3.5/5 — It’s cozy and hits some of the right emotional beats, but doesn’t dig deep enough to wreck me.
• Editor Score: 2.5/5 — Gorgeous potential, but too surface-level to stick the landing. Feels like a first draft of something that could really shine with more conflict, stronger stakes, and richer characters.
Because if you're going to tempt fate with your daughter’s best friend, the fallout better feel worth it.
My Reader’s Heart vs. My Editor’s Brain: A Love-Hate Breakdown of Resisting Grant
Let me put it plainly: I wanted to love this. I came into Resisting Grant fully ready to be swept into a slow-burn age-gap romance with all the angsty forbidden vibes a reader like me devours at 2 a.m. on a Tuesday. Dad’s trying to make amends with his estranged daughter? Her best friend moves in? The temptation is literally living under his roof? The potential for scandal, depth, and tension was off the charts.
But while my reader’s heart clutched the blanket and whispered “Oh no, not the best friend,” my editor’s brain stepped in and went, “Okay, but where’s the meat?”
🔥 What Works (Reader POV):
The Setup Has Intrigue
You’ve got a dad desperate to connect with his daughter (emotional stakes!), a curvy and kind-hearted houseguest (romantic tension!), and a cozy setting ripe for slow-burn cuddles, lingering stares, and tension so thick you could carve it like pie crust. It should work.
The Emotional Potential
A single dad with regrets and a young woman who sees him—really sees him—for the first time? Sign me up. There are glimmers of something tender and raw, and the idea of Cinnamon the cat being a bonding bridge? Honestly adorable.
🧠 What Doesn’t Work (Editor POV):
1. Missing Internal Stakes
Grant’s entire motivation centers on rebuilding a relationship with his daughter, but we don’t get enough clarity on why that relationship is broken or what’s at risk. If sleeping with Josie is “the nail in the coffin,” what exactly is the current state of that coffin? Are we talking mild irritation or years of estrangement and trauma? The lack of specificity dulls the emotional punch.
🔧 Fix: Flesh out the history with Lou. Give us moments that show their rift—not just tell us about it. Let readers feel the guilt simmering under Grant’s restraint.
2. Josie Feels… Vaguely Vaguely
What does Josie want besides a roof over her head? Is she rebounding from a bad breakup? Trying to figure out her future? Struggling with loyalty to Lou? She feels too much like a plot device—“girl with curves and soft eyes”—and not enough like a living, breathing person with agency.
🔧 Fix: Give Josie stakes of her own. Internal conflict. Maybe she’s caught between gratitude and desire. Maybe she worries she’s repeating toxic patterns. Something. Anything.
3. The Logic Wobbles
The key assumption—"sleeping with Josie would ruin any chance with Lou"—relies on a pretty flimsy foundation if we never fully understand:
• How close Lou and Josie really are (Are they ride-or-die besties? Or ex-roommates who share memes?)
• Whether Lou actually still wants a relationship with Grant (Is there hope to begin with?)
Right now, it’s assumed to be a deal-breaker, but never proven. And for a book centered on forbidden love… that’s a weak backbone.
🔧 Fix: Raise the stakes with Lou. Let us see her almost warming to Grant again—then let Grant screw it up. Make the tension earned, not implied.
4. Where’s the Tension?
We’re told it’s a “slow burn,” but it lacks that addictive push-pull energy. The sexual tension reads like it’s waiting in a queue behind scenes of domestic bliss and soft flirtation. It should smolder, not simmer politely. Give me some angst. Some yearning. Some “I shouldn’t but God, I want to.”
🔧 Fix: Build more charged moments. Show restraint—and the agony of it. Let that kitchen scene with cinnamon rolls be the most dangerous part of the day, not the cutest.
5. Flat Characterization of Grant
He’s a dad. He feels bad. He’s hot. And… that’s kind of it. But what else drives him? What demons wake him up at night? What keeps him from taking that first step—aside from a generic fear of ruining things with Lou? Give me complexity, regret, layers.
🚫 What Might Make a Reader Stop:
• If they’re looking for deep emotional payoff: it’s not quite there.
• If they want believable stakes: the conflict feels too easy to undo.
• If they crave rich characterization: Josie and Grant are more archetype than flesh.
• If they read “slow burn” and expect actual burn: the temperature needs turning up.
✅ What Would Make It Sing:
1. Dig deeper into Grant’s guilt and let it drive his actions.
2. Let Josie be more than a muse. Give her decisions, dilemmas, doubts.
3. Make Lou a real presence—a character, not a concept.
4. Tighten the emotional pacing. Build up that slow-burn ache with intimacy and angst, not just domestic charm.
5. Sharpen the stakes. Why does this matter beyond the romance?
• Reader Score: 3.5/5 — It’s cozy and hits some of the right emotional beats, but doesn’t dig deep enough to wreck me.
• Editor Score: 2.5/5 — Gorgeous potential, but too surface-level to stick the landing. Feels like a first draft of something that could really shine with more conflict, stronger stakes, and richer characters.
Because if you're going to tempt fate with your daughter’s best friend, the fallout better feel worth it.
July 31, 2025
Resisting Grant by Ava Hawkes
When emotional intimacy unfolds at just the right pace, resistance isn’t just futile—it’s foreplay.
From the first page, Resisting Grant pulled me in with a pace that was engaging without allowing the story to drag or skip immersive details. Unlike some insta-lust stories, it was nice to see how the author used a relatable trope (age gap, best friend’s dad) to guide not only the plot but also their relationship. It’s refreshing to enjoy a slow burn that also has gratifying character arcs.
Even the side characters and subplots added texture and tension that made the central relationship even more magnetic. It’s not often you find a romance that’s this mature and emotionally sexy.
What made this story land for me was how the author allowed the romance to deepen through vulnerability, not just attraction. The heat is present I felt the emotional pull within the plot. It was beautifully wrapped up with a double epilogue - which I LOVE when wanting to linger in a story for a little bit longer.
Vibe Check: slow burn , age gap, layered, quiet intensity
Heat Level: sensual with a soul-deep ache—4.5/5.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When emotional intimacy unfolds at just the right pace, resistance isn’t just futile—it’s foreplay.
From the first page, Resisting Grant pulled me in with a pace that was engaging without allowing the story to drag or skip immersive details. Unlike some insta-lust stories, it was nice to see how the author used a relatable trope (age gap, best friend’s dad) to guide not only the plot but also their relationship. It’s refreshing to enjoy a slow burn that also has gratifying character arcs.
Even the side characters and subplots added texture and tension that made the central relationship even more magnetic. It’s not often you find a romance that’s this mature and emotionally sexy.
What made this story land for me was how the author allowed the romance to deepen through vulnerability, not just attraction. The heat is present I felt the emotional pull within the plot. It was beautifully wrapped up with a double epilogue - which I LOVE when wanting to linger in a story for a little bit longer.
Vibe Check: slow burn , age gap, layered, quiet intensity
Heat Level: sensual with a soul-deep ache—4.5/5.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 6, 2025
Josie and Grant . . .
Josie is being evicted from her apartment when the landlord discovers her parents, the leaseholders, have returned to Spain when they retired. Josie is already struggling to pay the bills and the landlord’s offer of a new tenancy at four times her current rent isn’t going to work. When she meets with her best friend Lou at a local bar to tell her about her troubles, she decides to make the 40-minute walk to get there so she will at least have money to buy a drink. She sees Lou talking to a man and she looks kind of bored and disinterested at whatever he is saying. Then she blandly introduces her dad and ignores him as she talks to Josie. When he gets up to leave, he tells Josie that if she needs a place to stay for a couple of days, he has room enough for her, and he looks at Lou for her approval.
Grant is surprised when Josie accepts his offer, and the two of them get along very well. Doing the normal day-to-day tasks together, they enjoy the relationship that begins to develop. But both know that acting on it would not go over well with Lou. Will the two of them take a chance with each other? Or will they back off from their feelings, knowing that Lou would be furious if they fell in love?
Josie is being evicted from her apartment when the landlord discovers her parents, the leaseholders, have returned to Spain when they retired. Josie is already struggling to pay the bills and the landlord’s offer of a new tenancy at four times her current rent isn’t going to work. When she meets with her best friend Lou at a local bar to tell her about her troubles, she decides to make the 40-minute walk to get there so she will at least have money to buy a drink. She sees Lou talking to a man and she looks kind of bored and disinterested at whatever he is saying. Then she blandly introduces her dad and ignores him as she talks to Josie. When he gets up to leave, he tells Josie that if she needs a place to stay for a couple of days, he has room enough for her, and he looks at Lou for her approval.
Grant is surprised when Josie accepts his offer, and the two of them get along very well. Doing the normal day-to-day tasks together, they enjoy the relationship that begins to develop. But both know that acting on it would not go over well with Lou. Will the two of them take a chance with each other? Or will they back off from their feelings, knowing that Lou would be furious if they fell in love?
June 26, 2025
Grant & Josie
❤️ ARC Review
Resisting Grant by Ava Hawkes is a best friend's dad romance, ägë-gäp, slowish-burn (first kiss & ṣëx is approx 36% into the book), some drama from adult daughter, misplaced loyalty, discoveries revealed, brother's supporting brother's story. Grant is the Dad of Josie's best friend Lou. They all meet in a bar when Lou is in town. Josie is on the verge of losing her apartment after the lease is re-reviewed. Grant steps in to offer his home to Josie. (Yes, he is doing it to win points with Lou.) We see the unfolding of the instant physical attraction Grant & Josie have for each other balanced by the more meaningful emotional attraction that happens over time. In their conversations, everyday ordinary tasks/chores, spending quiet time together - we see it happen.
❤️ ARC Review
Resisting Grant by Ava Hawkes is a best friend's dad romance, ägë-gäp, slowish-burn (first kiss & ṣëx is approx 36% into the book), some drama from adult daughter, misplaced loyalty, discoveries revealed, brother's supporting brother's story. Grant is the Dad of Josie's best friend Lou. They all meet in a bar when Lou is in town. Josie is on the verge of losing her apartment after the lease is re-reviewed. Grant steps in to offer his home to Josie. (Yes, he is doing it to win points with Lou.) We see the unfolding of the instant physical attraction Grant & Josie have for each other balanced by the more meaningful emotional attraction that happens over time. In their conversations, everyday ordinary tasks/chores, spending quiet time together - we see it happen.
July 31, 2025
Father Best Friend Romance.
Josie is a young woman who has been evicted from her apartment following her parents' move to Spain. When she meets her best friend, she didn't expect her father to offer her help with housing. While she accepts, she can't help but feel attracted to this beautiful and complex man.
Grant is a former soldier who now owns his own business. When he offers his help to his daughter's best friend, he sees it as a chance to get closer to his daughter. However, he didn't expect to fall hard for the beautiful Josie.
Will Grant and Josie live a beautiful story at the risk of losing their relationship with Grant's daughter….
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Josie is a young woman who has been evicted from her apartment following her parents' move to Spain. When she meets her best friend, she didn't expect her father to offer her help with housing. While she accepts, she can't help but feel attracted to this beautiful and complex man.
Grant is a former soldier who now owns his own business. When he offers his help to his daughter's best friend, he sees it as a chance to get closer to his daughter. However, he didn't expect to fall hard for the beautiful Josie.
Will Grant and Josie live a beautiful story at the risk of losing their relationship with Grant's daughter….
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 28, 2025
So this was a spicy age, gap romance, not so taboo as I would’ve liked especially because the daughter and father didn’t really have the most conventional relationship more of a you weren’t around when I was a kid I don’t really like you, but you’re my father doing a favor type thing But overtime the relationship did grow, and I like the dynamics between the female main character and the male main character I did love the spice in the background in the story in that slow heat bill to it definitely a 3 to 5.
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.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2025
Ever since Josie's parents have retired to Spain, she has been barely paying all her bills. Now the landlord knows her parents, the leaseholder, have moved out they are evicting her. She does not have enough money to get her own place, she is not sure what she is going to do. Her bestie's dad, Grant offers her a place to stay temporarily.
She never expected to be attracted to Grant and to find out the feelings are mutual. This is an emotional story both trying to do what is best for Lou and sacrificing their happiness in the meantime.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
She never expected to be attracted to Grant and to find out the feelings are mutual. This is an emotional story both trying to do what is best for Lou and sacrificing their happiness in the meantime.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 30, 2026
So glad I found this story!!
I really enjoyed reading this story. I did not agree with all of their decisions. For instance, I don’t think the father should’ve paid for the masters program. He had more than done his duty over the years and got nothing out of it. I’m one of those people that does not believe blood is thicker than water and sometimes related family isn’t worth keeping. I was also a little disappointed in Josie that she didn’t ever confront Lou. I know that’s not her personality per se but I think she should have for Grant sake. However, I really loved their story. Their chemistry was wonderful and I just think it was a really really good book.
I really enjoyed reading this story. I did not agree with all of their decisions. For instance, I don’t think the father should’ve paid for the masters program. He had more than done his duty over the years and got nothing out of it. I’m one of those people that does not believe blood is thicker than water and sometimes related family isn’t worth keeping. I was also a little disappointed in Josie that she didn’t ever confront Lou. I know that’s not her personality per se but I think she should have for Grant sake. However, I really loved their story. Their chemistry was wonderful and I just think it was a really really good book.
June 25, 2025
Ava is a brand-new author to me, and I am being honest when I say that the cover and prologue is what grab my attention and had me wanting to read this book and I am sure glad I did. Grant and Josie have a type of romance that keeps you hooked from start to finish and the chemistry is undeniably romantic to read. I can't wait to read more books by Ava because she has a talent at writing a terrific romance book.
July 3, 2025
First time reading a best friend romance, and it was a great storyline. The ending was predictable, but not in a bad way. This book teaches you that true love may come at the oddest times, but always follow your heart. I am glad that the main characters did not allow the daughter to stop their love story. The author's writing style was easy to follow, and it had me hooked and finished in 2 days.
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.
July 3, 2025
This was such a good age gap romance. The way these two feel so comfortable with each other and how their relationship grew from friends to lovers was just so natural feelings and flowed so well. It was tough to see how the FMC’s relationship with his daughter was strained and to see how isolated the MMC was as well. But these two felt so natural and found their true love.
July 27, 2025
Loved the book! Had to force myself to put it down.
Loved the story, not the type I'm used to read.
Grant's daughter, Lou, didn't sit right with me since the beginning, better have no one than toxic people around.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Loved the story, not the type I'm used to read.
Grant's daughter, Lou, didn't sit right with me since the beginning, better have no one than toxic people around.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 11, 2025
I loved this story! If age gap romance is your thing, you won't be disappointed. It only took me a few hours to read it as I couldn't put it down. I love the relationship between Josie and Grant and how it develops. I would definitely recommend this book.
July 27, 2025
A sweet, steamy age-gap romance. With a great story and character's. A few sad moments but an all around great read that I would absolutely recommend.
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.
August 12, 2025
I haven't read the book, I still have reader's block, but I'm going to give it a chance. I know I'm going to like it.
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.
August 12, 2025
Resisting Grant: A Best Friend's Dad Romance
good boo to read well written storyline and nicely done characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
good boo to read well written storyline and nicely done characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 27, 2025
The characters were well written with angst and guilt, and it was realistic. Just enough spice once they did give in. I look forward to more books by this author!
August 2, 2025
I really enjoyed reading this story. I liked how it all played out. I think y'all will enjoy it too. Happy reading.
May 24, 2026
It was cute.
I loved the addition of a Justin-like character. Nice to finally read an age gap that really has someone in their corner. 💕
I loved the addition of a Justin-like character. Nice to finally read an age gap that really has someone in their corner. 💕
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews