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Unlikely Dad
Rachel Dillion treasures living in the small town where she raises her young son Michael and owns a bed and breakfast. She feels content knowing that the B&B is a wonderful way to give back to her community and that smalltown life affords Michael some much needed security. Because of Rachel's divorce from his father, Michael has suffered emotionally and is failing in school.
Chad Merrick, Rachel's old boyfriend, returns home to help his mother sell her property. Once again, Rachel is powerfully attracted to Chad, yet she is also cautious. Chad is a renowned international wildlife photographer who loves wide open spaces. She can't imagine that he would ever settle for the humdrum smalltown life. She's convinced, as Chad is, that his visit is temporary.
Chad begins tutoring Michael and soon fills in as his dad for a community Boy Scout project. While Rachel is grateful for Chad's help, her caution meters skyrocket. Before she knows it, Michael has become too attached to Chad. Can Rachel protect her son from further hurt and abandonment? And most of all, can she allow herself to fall in love with Chadthis time forever?
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2004
63 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Sydell Voeller
20 books25 followersSydell Voeller grew up in Washington State, but has lived in Oregon for over thirty years. Throughout her twenty-plus writing career, her sixteen published novels for teens and adults have reflected her love for the Pacific Northwest’s ocean beaches, inlets and waterways, evergreen forests, and mountains. She and her husband enjoy camping, reading, amateur astronomy, and spending time with their three grandchildren and one pampered feline.
Formerly a registered nurse, Sydell now teaches writing correspondence courses, sponsored by the Long Ridge Writer’s Institute in West Redding, Connecticut, for the past twelve years.
Formerly a registered nurse, Sydell now teaches writing correspondence courses, sponsored by the Long Ridge Writer’s Institute in West Redding, Connecticut, for the past twelve years.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 30, 2025
Unlikely Dad is a completely charming story of rekindled love.
Chad Merrick is a world traveler. Leaving his small home town, Chad has become a world renowned photographer. He has returned home to help move his mother into an assisted living facility. What Chad never expected was to find something he never knew he was missing...Rachel and family. Rachel and Chad were high school sweet hearts.
Rachel Dillion loves her home town and the B&B she owns. She is a single mom to a marvelous son named Michael. Right now Michael is going through a difficult transition, his father has left, divorcing his mother and now he is floundering in school and in the friend department.
Chad needing a place to stay, asks Rachel for a room at her B&B. When Chad discovers that Michael is having trouble in school he starts to tutor him.
Rachel is concerned with the attachment both her and Michael are developing for Chad, knowing he plans to return to South Africa as soon as his mom is settled. Trying to protect both of their hearts, Rachel tries to keep Chad at arm’s length.
Chad growing up without a father can completely relate to Michael and his heart ache. Michael was my favorite character in the entire story. He was such a cute and lovable side character. Unlkely Dad was a completely sweet and delightful story of three charismatic characters finding love. I know this story is about Rachel and Chad but I couldn’t help but include Michael.
A copy of Unlikely Dad has been given to me by Sydell Voeller in exchange for an honest review.
Chad Merrick is a world traveler. Leaving his small home town, Chad has become a world renowned photographer. He has returned home to help move his mother into an assisted living facility. What Chad never expected was to find something he never knew he was missing...Rachel and family. Rachel and Chad were high school sweet hearts.
Rachel Dillion loves her home town and the B&B she owns. She is a single mom to a marvelous son named Michael. Right now Michael is going through a difficult transition, his father has left, divorcing his mother and now he is floundering in school and in the friend department.
Chad needing a place to stay, asks Rachel for a room at her B&B. When Chad discovers that Michael is having trouble in school he starts to tutor him.
Rachel is concerned with the attachment both her and Michael are developing for Chad, knowing he plans to return to South Africa as soon as his mom is settled. Trying to protect both of their hearts, Rachel tries to keep Chad at arm’s length.
Chad growing up without a father can completely relate to Michael and his heart ache. Michael was my favorite character in the entire story. He was such a cute and lovable side character. Unlkely Dad was a completely sweet and delightful story of three charismatic characters finding love. I know this story is about Rachel and Chad but I couldn’t help but include Michael.
A copy of Unlikely Dad has been given to me by Sydell Voeller in exchange for an honest review.
October 21, 2019
Romantic!
My mother started it on a visit. I picked it up on a plane ride and just finished it. Sweet, romantic, feel good book! Easy reading. Great to read a book that ends well!
My mother started it on a visit. I picked it up on a plane ride and just finished it. Sweet, romantic, feel good book! Easy reading. Great to read a book that ends well!
December 26, 2025
Inaccessible
The accessibility was turned off, so I was not able to read it. This was definitely disappointing. I would be happy to read this title at another time if it was made accessible.
The accessibility was turned off, so I was not able to read it. This was definitely disappointing. I would be happy to read this title at another time if it was made accessible.
December 5, 2016
It was ok
It was a cute story. Quick read also. I think you will enjoy it. Easy list of books to pick from also.
It was a cute story. Quick read also. I think you will enjoy it. Easy list of books to pick from also.
January 29, 2018
Sweet
Enjoyed the story. It gave me a happy feeling and I love happy endings! Would like to try another by this author.
Enjoyed the story. It gave me a happy feeling and I love happy endings! Would like to try another by this author.
July 30, 2018
Great story line
Thank you for writing such a sweet book.it shows how life goes on and we should to.enjoyed every page.will be reading more of your books.
Thank you for writing such a sweet book.it shows how life goes on and we should to.enjoyed every page.will be reading more of your books.
March 12, 2016
Unlikely Dad is a sweet novel by Sydell Voeller. It is set in a small town near Portland, Oregon. The characters are well-developed and realistic. The plot is simple but the details make it seem more complex. It is a great book to read when you have nothing else to do. It takes you away to help you remember what love is all about.
Rachel Dillon runs a B&B and does her best to raise her seven year old son, Mikey. She is making a go of the B&B and doing a good job with Mikey. Her parents and her brother help her when they need to. She is concerned about Mikey and his lack of success in school. Was her divorce from Mikey’s Dad causing Mikey problems? What could she do about it?
Chad Merrick, an international wildlife photographer, came home to help his Mother move from the family home to a retirement center. He stood in as photographer for some high school friends’ wedding where he once more came into the circle surrounding his ex-girlfriend, Rachel Dillon. He knew he had made the right choice years ago when he left town and Rachel; but why does he still have feelings for her? He is going to leave again, why bring up the past?
Chad ends up moving into Rachel’s B&B as his Mother didn’t have room for him at the house. He stays there while he moves her and gets the house up for sale. He begins to help Rachel around the B&B and then to tutor Mikey. He gets entwined in their lives but time is running out and he will be leaving. Where does that leave Mikey and Rachel?
Rachel Dillon runs a B&B and does her best to raise her seven year old son, Mikey. She is making a go of the B&B and doing a good job with Mikey. Her parents and her brother help her when they need to. She is concerned about Mikey and his lack of success in school. Was her divorce from Mikey’s Dad causing Mikey problems? What could she do about it?
Chad Merrick, an international wildlife photographer, came home to help his Mother move from the family home to a retirement center. He stood in as photographer for some high school friends’ wedding where he once more came into the circle surrounding his ex-girlfriend, Rachel Dillon. He knew he had made the right choice years ago when he left town and Rachel; but why does he still have feelings for her? He is going to leave again, why bring up the past?
Chad ends up moving into Rachel’s B&B as his Mother didn’t have room for him at the house. He stays there while he moves her and gets the house up for sale. He begins to help Rachel around the B&B and then to tutor Mikey. He gets entwined in their lives but time is running out and he will be leaving. Where does that leave Mikey and Rachel?
March 19, 2013
This was an interesting story, but I felt like it fell a little short when it came to the actual romance. The characters were sweet, though it was hard to understand their motives for their actions. Their relationship was cute on the surface, but their developing romance didn't seem to have any rhyme or reason to it, it simply happened and they moved along. I was also slightly annoyed with Chad, feeling he needed to grow up as I saw no real reason for his hesitations. The side characters were nice and I'm sure have their own stories. Michael was my favorite character, being a cute kid and a very main side character. Overall, it was a cute book, but was missing something for a good romance.
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www.cleanromancereviews.com
May 17, 2016
Sweet book
Really enjoyed reading this book. has a great storyline, great characters. a sweet love story. a second chance at a family and of course a happy ever after. definitely recommending
Really enjoyed reading this book. has a great storyline, great characters. a sweet love story. a second chance at a family and of course a happy ever after. definitely recommending
April 18, 2016
This book is a must read!! I could not put this down...Rachel is a awesome mom. I'm glad that Chad came to his senses about Rachel! They belong together!!
July 18, 2016
Not too exciting.
An OK book not too exciting or romantic but an everyday story for a lot of single moms and kids.
An OK book not too exciting or romantic but an everyday story for a lot of single moms and kids.
October 3, 2016
Good old fashioned romance
Everyone remembers their high school boyfriend. Nice touch to add in the boy with and a few surprises added in.
Everyone remembers their high school boyfriend. Nice touch to add in the boy with and a few surprises added in.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews