Until the Stars Fall: A Single Dad, Age Gap Romance

by Nate Wilder

He's a single dad who owns Dark River's best restaurant. She's the new teacher with a temporary contract. Neither planned on a connection that would make them question everything.

When twenty-four-year-old Emma Hayes takes her first teaching job in Dark River, she never expects to end up living in Theo Midnight's downtown apartment. Or that the renowned restaurateur would make her pulse race every time he walks into a room.

Theo has spent the last three years focused on his seven-year-old daughter Chloe and the award-winning restaurant he runs with his brother. The last thing he needs is an inconvenient attraction to Chloe's teacher—especially one ten years his junior.

As Emma becomes more entangled in their lives through school, an after-school program, and their living arrangement, the chemistry between them becomes impossible to ignore. Each shared moment over homework, each accidental touch passing in the hallway pulls them closer, despite every reason they should keep their distance.

And just when they can no longer deny their feelings, Theo's ex-wife returns with demands that threaten everything. Now Emma must decide if fighting for her place in their lives is worth risking her career, while Theo faces the ultimate choice between protecting his heart and taking a chance on love again.

Until the Stars Fall is the next installment in The Midnight Men series, perfect for readers who love forbidden romance, devoted single dads, and the risk of falling for someone completely wrong for all the right reasons.

Series
Book 1: Until the Storm Breaks
Book 2: Until You Say Stay
Book 3: Until the Stars Fall

362 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 21, 2026

About the author

Nate Wilder writes small-town romance—steamy, emotional, and full of the kind of chemistry that keeps you reading past midnight. A former journalist and chef, he's a devoted romance reader who believes the world needs more love, more steam, and more happily-ever-afters. He writes from Washington state, where he is supervised in all matters by his opinionated cat, Nala.

Reviews

[Valeriem · Rating 3 out of 5]

I LOVED the first two books in this series. The relationship in this one was my least favorite. I didn’t love how Emma was blatantly trying to seduce Theo, and it didn’t make sense to me that he just changed his mind one night. Her behavior made her seem 24- without consequence for all of the pieces in play… a child, being that child’s teacher, etc. Then they went from zero to 60 in one encounter with the whole dominance nuance. It didn’t seem true to the character of Theo.
I have LOVED Nate Wilder’s books. He has been my favorite new author to read, and I’ve read these in quick succession. I guess I appreciate more of the slow, angsty build than the explosion. I can’t wait to see what happens with Dom.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma is a new first grade teacher in Dark River living in an extended stay motel when she bumps into Theo Midnight at the post office spilling her candy and dropping her Simone Perele lingerie box.
Theo is a 34 year old single Dad raising his daughter Chloe and part owner of a local restaurant with his brother Alex.
Sparks fly between Emma and Theo but, with a ten year age difference issues are bound to arise.
Read on to follow the unfolding of their relationship and the part that Theo's ex-wife, Victoria plays in her attempt to return to Dark River.
If you like steamy love scenes and love conflict you'll enjoy "Until the Stars Fall".

[Sarah Tummey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked Theo and Emma when they were with Chloe and around other people. I don't think 10 years was a good choice if the author wanted an age-gap, as that's not really significant; 20 would have worked better. I thought the twist at the end with Victoria was a bit predictable and didn't enjoy this as much as his other books. It might be nice to have a book about Victoria finding love again, but the series is called the Midnight Men, so that rules out focusing on other characters, which is a shame; he could have named it Dark River after the town instead.

[Fancy LC · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️