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Key Change: A spicy single dad / nanny romance
Not yet published
Expected 12 Jun 26Never mix business with pleasure… especially when you’re banging the boss.
Jo Baker is the best damn bartender / model / nanny around, and she knows it. Too bad she still can’t pay her rent—until the silver fox at the end of the bar offers her a short-term nannying gig and a one-night stand worthy of a girls’ night debrief.
Four days at a luxury resort on the California coast watching Derek’s seven-year-old daughter? No problem. Not climbing back into bed with the hot single dad? Impossible.
Derek Owens needs to help a washed-up boy band launch their comeback, manage one last blockbuster tour, and then he can settle down and be the father his daughter deserves. But spending time with the sassy bartender-turned-nanny is the farthest thing imaginable from “settling down.”
So Derek does what he does he takes control. And that includes one rule he cannot break if he and his daughter have any chance of not leaving CA heartbroken—do not fall for the nanny.
Key Change is a spicy, single dad / nanny, vacation romance between a grumpy music executive and the woman who loves to push his buttons. This standalone in the Hotel Bellwether series has a guaranteed happily-ever-after.
Jo Baker is the best damn bartender / model / nanny around, and she knows it. Too bad she still can’t pay her rent—until the silver fox at the end of the bar offers her a short-term nannying gig and a one-night stand worthy of a girls’ night debrief.
Four days at a luxury resort on the California coast watching Derek’s seven-year-old daughter? No problem. Not climbing back into bed with the hot single dad? Impossible.
Derek Owens needs to help a washed-up boy band launch their comeback, manage one last blockbuster tour, and then he can settle down and be the father his daughter deserves. But spending time with the sassy bartender-turned-nanny is the farthest thing imaginable from “settling down.”
So Derek does what he does he takes control. And that includes one rule he cannot break if he and his daughter have any chance of not leaving CA heartbroken—do not fall for the nanny.
Key Change is a spicy, single dad / nanny, vacation romance between a grumpy music executive and the woman who loves to push his buttons. This standalone in the Hotel Bellwether series has a guaranteed happily-ever-after.
191 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 12, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 15, 2026
ARC review!
If you’re looking for a fun spicy little novella, look no further!!
This book was fast paced with an instant connection between the two main characters. After a one night stand, the MMC, Derek, receives a call that he needs to take his daughter for the next few days. Derek needing a nanny immediately, and Jo needing money immediately - Jo offers up her services as a model-slash-bartender-slash-nanny extraordinaire.
After an incredible night together, and on such short notice, Derek can’t help but agree to a few more days with Jo by his side.
The beautiful Hotel Bellwether is known for granting wishes, helping people fall in love, and of course ghosts (what’s not to love ?! 🤩)
Derek and Jo agree that with Annie around, Jo is strictly the nanny. There will be no mixing pleasure and business.
But it’s a romance, what do you expect? The single dad always gets the nanny 😉
Their chemistry is undeniable, and they spend the next few days falling into a routine, becoming part of each other’s lives. But when their three days in paradise are up, will they be able to return to their old lives?
TROPES!!
🔑 Insta love
❤️ single dad x nanny
🔑 grumpy x sunshine
❤️ vacation romance
🔑 age gap
❤️ soft dom / brat
🔑 stand alone novella or part of an interconnected series !
Overall, I really enjoyed this spicy novella and I’m so excited to read the rest of the Hotel Bellwether novella’s and how each of these authors write these love stories!
My ratings!
Stars ⭐️! 4.5/5
Spice 🌶️! 3.5/5
Plot ! 3.5/5
- the only thing I wanted more of was an emotional connection!! I know in a novella you’re not going to have that type of giant emotional connection on page, but I was really hoping for something more !
If you’re looking for a fun spicy little novella, look no further!!
This book was fast paced with an instant connection between the two main characters. After a one night stand, the MMC, Derek, receives a call that he needs to take his daughter for the next few days. Derek needing a nanny immediately, and Jo needing money immediately - Jo offers up her services as a model-slash-bartender-slash-nanny extraordinaire.
After an incredible night together, and on such short notice, Derek can’t help but agree to a few more days with Jo by his side.
The beautiful Hotel Bellwether is known for granting wishes, helping people fall in love, and of course ghosts (what’s not to love ?! 🤩)
Derek and Jo agree that with Annie around, Jo is strictly the nanny. There will be no mixing pleasure and business.
But it’s a romance, what do you expect? The single dad always gets the nanny 😉
Their chemistry is undeniable, and they spend the next few days falling into a routine, becoming part of each other’s lives. But when their three days in paradise are up, will they be able to return to their old lives?
TROPES!!
🔑 Insta love
❤️ single dad x nanny
🔑 grumpy x sunshine
❤️ vacation romance
🔑 age gap
❤️ soft dom / brat
🔑 stand alone novella or part of an interconnected series !
Overall, I really enjoyed this spicy novella and I’m so excited to read the rest of the Hotel Bellwether novella’s and how each of these authors write these love stories!
My ratings!
Stars ⭐️! 4.5/5
Spice 🌶️! 3.5/5
Plot ! 3.5/5
- the only thing I wanted more of was an emotional connection!! I know in a novella you’re not going to have that type of giant emotional connection on page, but I was really hoping for something more !
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was so cute!
Joelle, Jo to her friends, is sort of drifting through life when she meets Derek, the manager for a boy band looking to make a comeback that often plays at the bar she tends. It was only supposed to be one night, but when he unexpectedly needs a nanny the next day and Jo hears how much he would pay, she offers her service. It was all supposed to stay professional but that went out the window the second night. And with how well she did with the band's socials, Jo got that added to her duties for double the pay. So when the three days is over, where does that leave Derek and Jo?
With a happy ending of course. This is a standalone book in a series.
This was such a fun read. Jo was such a mix of confidence and self-doubt at the same time, and I loved how Derek just wanted Jo for herself. Annie, his daughter, was a hoot and a half, and I sort of wish they would have had some kind of experience with the paranormal just to satisfy the little girls curiosity. It will be interesting to see how these authors have these books interconnect and if there will be any characters who interact together, or if it will just be the setting that will be the same.
I received an advance review copy from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Joelle, Jo to her friends, is sort of drifting through life when she meets Derek, the manager for a boy band looking to make a comeback that often plays at the bar she tends. It was only supposed to be one night, but when he unexpectedly needs a nanny the next day and Jo hears how much he would pay, she offers her service. It was all supposed to stay professional but that went out the window the second night. And with how well she did with the band's socials, Jo got that added to her duties for double the pay. So when the three days is over, where does that leave Derek and Jo?
With a happy ending of course. This is a standalone book in a series.
This was such a fun read. Jo was such a mix of confidence and self-doubt at the same time, and I loved how Derek just wanted Jo for herself. Annie, his daughter, was a hoot and a half, and I sort of wish they would have had some kind of experience with the paranormal just to satisfy the little girls curiosity. It will be interesting to see how these authors have these books interconnect and if there will be any characters who interact together, or if it will just be the setting that will be the same.
I received an advance review copy from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 21, 2026
What to expect:
🌊single dad / nanny
💛vacation romance
🌊age gap
💛grumpy / sunshine
🌊spicy novella
💛edging
🌊soft Dom / brat
Oh the way I loved these two! After a one night stand, Derek hires her to be a nanny while he is in LA for a con where the boy band he is in charge of is attending and trying to get a new tour. (She has references, don’t worry!) Boy band - think early 2000 boy bands.
These two tried to keep it professional, but the sparks were just too much to resist. The spice is hot and the feelings are going to grab your heart! The way he watches her when she’s not watching.. phew. It’s not even in a sexual context.
This novella also has one of the best “I love you” declarations I’ve ever read. It will probably live in my head rent free for awhile.
It has cameos from her previous Aster Bay series, but you don’t need to read them to enjoy this novella. (I do, however, recommend them because they are great!)
Thank you to @happilybookedpr and @caradion.author for the ARC! All of my opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A third person, age-gap, single dad romance.
I really enjoyed this book, there are plenty of funny moments, innuendos, and wholesome family bonding.
“I mean, I knew you were a daddy but I didn’t realize you were a father.”
“His daughter had painted her love for Jo all over her face, marking her the same way she drew the mark inside the front cover of her favorite books.”
Annie has that innocence only an 11 year old can have that wraps you in a warm hug.
“And there was that flash of blue behind her ear again. Derek caught the lock of Jo’s hair between his thumb and forefinger, rubbing the strands between the pads of his fingers.”
The attention Derek gives Jo is equal parts hot and alluring.
I really enjoyed this book, there are plenty of funny moments, innuendos, and wholesome family bonding.
“I mean, I knew you were a daddy but I didn’t realize you were a father.”
“His daughter had painted her love for Jo all over her face, marking her the same way she drew the mark inside the front cover of her favorite books.”
Annie has that innocence only an 11 year old can have that wraps you in a warm hug.
“And there was that flash of blue behind her ear again. Derek caught the lock of Jo’s hair between his thumb and forefinger, rubbing the strands between the pads of his fingers.”
The attention Derek gives Jo is equal parts hot and alluring.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed this book, it was light hearted, enjoyable had me engaged from the start to finish
Jo was working as a waitress at a bar and meets Derek there, after spending the night with him the opportunity arises for her to be nanny to his daughter for 4 days at a resort while he’s working with the band he looks after who Jo just happens to know as well. the chemistry between Jo and Derek is so strong but they both fight the pull of wanting to be together however being in close proximity and having to spend the time with each other they couldn’t hold back for too long, they both said no strings just a fling and he may come across as grumpy and she is excellent with his daughter, and you didn’t know which way the story would go, add the hot spice and you have yourself a great read
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed this story. Lives up to exactly what if says, this is definitely heavy on the spice. The plot itself is great, but it's the characters that made me not able to put it down. My only drawback is the tense in which it's written. I'm not the largest fan on 3rd person, but this one in particular was harder to follow as although you got 2 point of views, they often changed mid chapter, rather then just following one chapter per view. For me, at least, I often realized I was reading someone else's point of view and had to read back to figure out when it changed. Otherwise, it's really great, super fast paced, plenty of spice and great banter. Very quick read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The perfect length but also wish it was longer! Derek and Jo clicked immediately and their story just clicked into place. The feeling of just coasting in life until it finally settles is the perfect way to describe this book. Annie is such a cute character, I loved the parent dynamic was between Derek and Chelsea. This was the perfect book for a quick read that made me giddy and kick my feet. This is my first time reading a book by Cara Dion but I’m now a fan and want to read her whole bibliography.
Review of advance copy
Think Coyote Ugly as the place where Jo and Derek first meet. Key Change gives you what is a supposed one night stand that turns into a babysitting gig. You have an age gap, single dad nanny romance with some edging and brat mentality. Cara Dion gives you spice and romance in a quick read that will leave you falling for the grumpy band manager. This was a quick read that had me not wanting to put this book down. Love me some dom vibes too!!!!!!!! 🫠🫠🫠🫠
Review of advance copy received from Author
Joe meets Derek at the bar she works at. After spending the night together, he hires her to be his nanny while he travels to California with a band he works with. This was a spicy, short, fun read. Tropes include Age Gap, Single Dad, Nanny and Insta Attraction.
Review of advance copy received from Author
🌊 I received an ARC from the author so the thoughts are my own 🌊
Short and sweet story that has Coyote Ugly and Dirty Dancing vibes. Age gap romances are my guilty pleasure so, I can always rely on them. I loved this so much. It was a much needed pallet cleanser. 10/10 no notes 👏🏻
Short and sweet story that has Coyote Ugly and Dirty Dancing vibes. Age gap romances are my guilty pleasure so, I can always rely on them. I loved this so much. It was a much needed pallet cleanser. 10/10 no notes 👏🏻
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
ARC reader…
This book was fun and light. I enjoyed reading and getting lost in the story. There was just enough spicy and humor to balance out the story. Definitely checking out more in the Bellweather series
This book was fun and light. I enjoyed reading and getting lost in the story. There was just enough spicy and humor to balance out the story. Definitely checking out more in the Bellweather series
Review of advance copy received from Author
A spicy age difference story
Great read
Great read
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews