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Romeo
Marcus was always a loverboy. The frat called him Romeo, and the name stuck for a reason. Years later, not much has changed. Until everything does.
When his best friend dies, Marcus is suddenly responsible for the one thing he never planned a child who needs him. Thrust into fatherhood overnight, he’s grieving, overwhelmed, and completely unprepared. Then Julia shows up.
She offers more than help. She brings patience, steadiness, and a quiet encouragement that helps him navigate his new reality when the world feels like it’s falling apart.
Marcus never planned on being a father. He never planned on falling in love. But sometimes, the hardest moments lead to the best beginnings…
Read the other books in the series
OCEAN by Tiye
ENFORCER by Synithia Williams
When his best friend dies, Marcus is suddenly responsible for the one thing he never planned a child who needs him. Thrust into fatherhood overnight, he’s grieving, overwhelmed, and completely unprepared. Then Julia shows up.
She offers more than help. She brings patience, steadiness, and a quiet encouragement that helps him navigate his new reality when the world feels like it’s falling apart.
Marcus never planned on being a father. He never planned on falling in love. But sometimes, the hardest moments lead to the best beginnings…
Read the other books in the series
OCEAN by Tiye
ENFORCER by Synithia Williams
132 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 27, 2026
106 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Delaney Diamond
107 books9,807 followersDelaney Diamond is the USA Today Bestselling Author of more than 60 contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels, and dozens of romance short stories. She reads romance novels, mysteries, thrillers, and a fair amount of nonfiction. When she’s not spinning tales of romantic fiction, she’s in the kitchen trying out new recipes, dining at one of her favorite restaurants, or traveling to an interesting locale.
She’s also the founder of Books by Black Authors, a discovery platform for readers seeking stories by Black authors.
Website: www.delaneydiamond.com
Books by Black Authors: https://www.booksbyblackauthors.co/
Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/author/delaney...
Newsletter signup: https://geni.us/DDNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delaneydiam...
X: https://twitter.com/DelaneyDiamond
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/DelaneyDiamond
She’s also the founder of Books by Black Authors, a discovery platform for readers seeking stories by Black authors.
Website: www.delaneydiamond.com
Books by Black Authors: https://www.booksbyblackauthors.co/
Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/author/delaney...
Newsletter signup: https://geni.us/DDNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delaneydiam...
X: https://twitter.com/DelaneyDiamond
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/DelaneyDiamond
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
March 27, 2026
Romeo I am your Juliette
The final book in this series was good, too. I liked Romeo from the first page until the last page. He took on guardianship of his best friends son and man! He made my heart swoon. And his leading lady was chef's kiss excellence for them.
The final book in this series was good, too. I liked Romeo from the first page until the last page. He took on guardianship of his best friends son and man! He made my heart swoon. And his leading lady was chef's kiss excellence for them.
April 1, 2026
3.5⭐️
April 23, 2026
🥃 ARC Review: ROMEO
Author: Delaney Diamond
Genre: Contemporary Romance + Single Dad Romance
Tropes: Unexpected Fatherhood, Player Reformed by Love, Child Advocate Heroine, Forced Proximity, Grief & Healing, Custody Battle Stakes
Format: Booksprout ARC
Series: Single Dad Society
Drink Pairing: The Honey Bee Smash — recipe below
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (Warm, intentional, and well-earned. The tension does its job before the heat arrives.)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5) — A Man, a Child, and the Woman Who Helped Both of Them Find Their Way Home
🥃 The Pour
Marcus Hayes has been called Romeo since his Alpha Phi Alpha days, and he earned every syllable.
He is the real estate agent in the top one percent of his field, the man who slips out of beds before sunrise and leaves notes that say Thanks for a great time. Take care. — Romeo because he genuinely believes this is kinder than staying. He is comfortable in his life. He is fine. He has no plans to change.
And then his best friend dies.
And suddenly Marcus is in a parking lot holding the hand of a little boy in a Robin costume who hasn't been eating, barely speaks, and has the largest, saddest eyes in the state of Texas. And Marcus — Romeo, the loverboy, the man who has spent eleven years building a life with no room for permanence — is responsible for him.
Delaney Diamond takes a premise that could have gone soft and makes it earn every emotion. Romeo is not a book about a bachelor who is mildly inconvenienced by fatherhood until love fixes everything. It is a book about a man being genuinely, fundamentally remade by grief, by obligation, and by a child who needed him to show up when he had never once in his adult life needed to show up for anyone but himself.
I finished it in one evening. I had feelings. That's what this book does.
Character Distillation: Three People Learning How to Be a Family
Julia Richmond goes first, as always.
She is a child advocate, and she is introduced doing exactly her job — approaching a small boy on a playground swing with patience, with purpose, and with exactly the right question: Is there anything you'd like to eat? Not a correction, not a professional assessment. A question. Ice cream gets the answer. Ice cream always gets the answer when you ask the right way. Julia reads people with the same precision she reads case files, and she applies both with warmth that never slides into saccharine. She is a woman who does her job beautifully and, in doing it, slowly and quietly becomes something more to the man she was assigned to help.
What I want to call out about Julia — and I mean this as high praise — is that she is never performing capability. She simply is. In a genre that sometimes uses professional competence as a costume a heroine wears to seem interesting, Julia's competence is load-bearing. It is who she is. The child advocate doesn't disappear when the romance begins. She deepens.
Marcus is the surprise of this book, and the surprise is this: he's actually good at this. Not right away. Not without stumbling. But from the first moment he lets Noah get ice cream at 3pm because the kid asked and he could not say no — Marcus Hayes begins becoming a father without ever announcing it. His real estate instincts show up in how he moves: methodical, problem-solving, adjusting his approach until he finds what works. He fails, re-groups, and shows up again. That consistency, rendered in specific scenes rather than declarations, is what makes his arc worth every page.
Noah. Sweet, grieving, Robin-costumed Noah who refuses to take off his cape and speaks in a small voice that costs him something to use and who says "Uncle Marcus is really good at the tickle game" with the absolute certainty of a child who has decided to trust someone. He is the heart of this entire book, and Delaney Diamond writes him with a love that never tips into manipulation. Noah's grief is specific. His healing is not resolved in a single scene. The moment Marcus refuses to let Zenobia take him to Tennessee without a fight — and the courtroom scene where Noah testifies in his little suit with the matching tie — I needed a moment to collect myself.
What I Savored 🥃
Noah's Robin costume. A child who clings to a costume because it connects him to something he lost. That is character work. That is grief rendered in a detail you don't forget.
The courtroom. Marcus sitting quietly in that chair unable to protect his godson while his insides twist — and then Noah appearing in the hall, searching their faces — and Marcus asking, Ready to go home? That paragraph could anchor a whole novel. It anchored this one.
Julia's professionalism as the engine of her character. She does not stop being a child advocate when she starts falling for Marcus. The story does not ask her to choose between her work and her feelings. That integrity is rare and it is appreciated.
Marcus realizing he's been thinking of Noah as his son before he admits it. That quiet moment where the word slips through his own defenses is the whole emotional arc in one sentence.
What Needed More Aging 🥃
Zenobia deserved more dimension. She is the antagonist of this custody battle, and her motivations — protecting her nephew, wanting him to be "with family" — are not unreasonable. But the narrative renders her in sharp strokes without giving her the full portrait a villain with legitimate grief of her own deserved. She lost her brother. That is real. It never fully lands.
Julia's personal life is a closed door. Her roommate Leanne, the goddaughter Emma, the circumstances of her own life outside Marcus and Noah — these exist but stay at arm's length. For a heroine this strong, I wanted just a little more of who she is when the case file isn't open.
The Finish
Romeo is a love story about three people, not two — and the most important love story in it is between a man who said he didn't want children and a little boy in a Robin costume who needed someone to want him anyway.
Julia is magnificent. Marcus earns it. Noah steals the whole book and doesn't apologize for a single page of it.
Worth every pour.
🍯 The Drink Pairing
The Honey Bee Smash
For the man who thought he was allergic to permanence and found out he was wrong.
2 oz Buffalo Trace Bourbon (Marcus — the foundation, the history, the man underneath the Romeo)
¾ oz Fresh lemon juice (the sharp, bright reality of unexpected fatherhood)
¾ oz Honey syrup (Noah — all sweetness, all trust, the thing that changed everything)
6-8 Fresh mint leaves (Julia — cool, steady, present when it mattered)
1 Lazzaroni Amaretto Cherry, garnish
Muddle mint gently in a shaker. Add bourbon, lemon juice, and honey syrup. Fill with ice and shake hard. Double strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with the cherry.
The honey is doing the heavy lifting. This is a drink built around sweetness that shows up and changes the entire character of the glass. The bourbon was there first. But nothing is the same after the honey arrives.
🍷 Aroma: Warm, honeyed, citrus brightness, fresh mint
🥃 Palate: Smooth and sweet up front, the lemon keeps it honest, bourbon carries it home
✨ Finish: Long and warm. The kind you didn't plan to love this much.
Recommended for fans of: Single dad romance with genuine emotional stakes · Heroines who lead with quiet, unshakeable competence · Anyone who needs to ugly-cry over a child in a Robin costume · Delaney Diamond's full catalog — she knows exactly what she's doing.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Author: Delaney Diamond
Genre: Contemporary Romance + Single Dad Romance
Tropes: Unexpected Fatherhood, Player Reformed by Love, Child Advocate Heroine, Forced Proximity, Grief & Healing, Custody Battle Stakes
Format: Booksprout ARC
Series: Single Dad Society
Drink Pairing: The Honey Bee Smash — recipe below
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (Warm, intentional, and well-earned. The tension does its job before the heat arrives.)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5) — A Man, a Child, and the Woman Who Helped Both of Them Find Their Way Home
🥃 The Pour
Marcus Hayes has been called Romeo since his Alpha Phi Alpha days, and he earned every syllable.
He is the real estate agent in the top one percent of his field, the man who slips out of beds before sunrise and leaves notes that say Thanks for a great time. Take care. — Romeo because he genuinely believes this is kinder than staying. He is comfortable in his life. He is fine. He has no plans to change.
And then his best friend dies.
And suddenly Marcus is in a parking lot holding the hand of a little boy in a Robin costume who hasn't been eating, barely speaks, and has the largest, saddest eyes in the state of Texas. And Marcus — Romeo, the loverboy, the man who has spent eleven years building a life with no room for permanence — is responsible for him.
Delaney Diamond takes a premise that could have gone soft and makes it earn every emotion. Romeo is not a book about a bachelor who is mildly inconvenienced by fatherhood until love fixes everything. It is a book about a man being genuinely, fundamentally remade by grief, by obligation, and by a child who needed him to show up when he had never once in his adult life needed to show up for anyone but himself.
I finished it in one evening. I had feelings. That's what this book does.
Character Distillation: Three People Learning How to Be a Family
Julia Richmond goes first, as always.
She is a child advocate, and she is introduced doing exactly her job — approaching a small boy on a playground swing with patience, with purpose, and with exactly the right question: Is there anything you'd like to eat? Not a correction, not a professional assessment. A question. Ice cream gets the answer. Ice cream always gets the answer when you ask the right way. Julia reads people with the same precision she reads case files, and she applies both with warmth that never slides into saccharine. She is a woman who does her job beautifully and, in doing it, slowly and quietly becomes something more to the man she was assigned to help.
What I want to call out about Julia — and I mean this as high praise — is that she is never performing capability. She simply is. In a genre that sometimes uses professional competence as a costume a heroine wears to seem interesting, Julia's competence is load-bearing. It is who she is. The child advocate doesn't disappear when the romance begins. She deepens.
Marcus is the surprise of this book, and the surprise is this: he's actually good at this. Not right away. Not without stumbling. But from the first moment he lets Noah get ice cream at 3pm because the kid asked and he could not say no — Marcus Hayes begins becoming a father without ever announcing it. His real estate instincts show up in how he moves: methodical, problem-solving, adjusting his approach until he finds what works. He fails, re-groups, and shows up again. That consistency, rendered in specific scenes rather than declarations, is what makes his arc worth every page.
Noah. Sweet, grieving, Robin-costumed Noah who refuses to take off his cape and speaks in a small voice that costs him something to use and who says "Uncle Marcus is really good at the tickle game" with the absolute certainty of a child who has decided to trust someone. He is the heart of this entire book, and Delaney Diamond writes him with a love that never tips into manipulation. Noah's grief is specific. His healing is not resolved in a single scene. The moment Marcus refuses to let Zenobia take him to Tennessee without a fight — and the courtroom scene where Noah testifies in his little suit with the matching tie — I needed a moment to collect myself.
What I Savored 🥃
Noah's Robin costume. A child who clings to a costume because it connects him to something he lost. That is character work. That is grief rendered in a detail you don't forget.
The courtroom. Marcus sitting quietly in that chair unable to protect his godson while his insides twist — and then Noah appearing in the hall, searching their faces — and Marcus asking, Ready to go home? That paragraph could anchor a whole novel. It anchored this one.
Julia's professionalism as the engine of her character. She does not stop being a child advocate when she starts falling for Marcus. The story does not ask her to choose between her work and her feelings. That integrity is rare and it is appreciated.
Marcus realizing he's been thinking of Noah as his son before he admits it. That quiet moment where the word slips through his own defenses is the whole emotional arc in one sentence.
What Needed More Aging 🥃
Zenobia deserved more dimension. She is the antagonist of this custody battle, and her motivations — protecting her nephew, wanting him to be "with family" — are not unreasonable. But the narrative renders her in sharp strokes without giving her the full portrait a villain with legitimate grief of her own deserved. She lost her brother. That is real. It never fully lands.
Julia's personal life is a closed door. Her roommate Leanne, the goddaughter Emma, the circumstances of her own life outside Marcus and Noah — these exist but stay at arm's length. For a heroine this strong, I wanted just a little more of who she is when the case file isn't open.
The Finish
Romeo is a love story about three people, not two — and the most important love story in it is between a man who said he didn't want children and a little boy in a Robin costume who needed someone to want him anyway.
Julia is magnificent. Marcus earns it. Noah steals the whole book and doesn't apologize for a single page of it.
Worth every pour.
🍯 The Drink Pairing
The Honey Bee Smash
For the man who thought he was allergic to permanence and found out he was wrong.
2 oz Buffalo Trace Bourbon (Marcus — the foundation, the history, the man underneath the Romeo)
¾ oz Fresh lemon juice (the sharp, bright reality of unexpected fatherhood)
¾ oz Honey syrup (Noah — all sweetness, all trust, the thing that changed everything)
6-8 Fresh mint leaves (Julia — cool, steady, present when it mattered)
1 Lazzaroni Amaretto Cherry, garnish
Muddle mint gently in a shaker. Add bourbon, lemon juice, and honey syrup. Fill with ice and shake hard. Double strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with the cherry.
The honey is doing the heavy lifting. This is a drink built around sweetness that shows up and changes the entire character of the glass. The bourbon was there first. But nothing is the same after the honey arrives.
🍷 Aroma: Warm, honeyed, citrus brightness, fresh mint
🥃 Palate: Smooth and sweet up front, the lemon keeps it honest, bourbon carries it home
✨ Finish: Long and warm. The kind you didn't plan to love this much.
Recommended for fans of: Single dad romance with genuine emotional stakes · Heroines who lead with quiet, unshakeable competence · Anyone who needs to ugly-cry over a child in a Robin costume · Delaney Diamond's full catalog — she knows exactly what she's doing.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 10, 2026
As a bachelor, life was filled with busy days of making money and steamy nights with different partners. Visiting old college buddies with their families. Free to do whatever he wants, at any time he pleases. No spouse, no children, no responsibilities but for himself. Life was good and that’s how he intended things to stay.
Marcus Haynes, a highly successful licensed real estate agent. Is a true bachelor. He lives by his college nickname “Romeo.” No woman can hold him down. Though he is a gentleman, he is not looking to be in a serious relationship with anyone. Having a wife and a child is far from his thoughts right now. But he enjoys spending time with his godson Noah, best friend Brandon, and wife Stacey.
Julia Richmond, a child advocate for working with Safe Harbor Child Advocacy. She is a beautiful, strong, independent woman who is constantly working to keep children safe and in good homes. After seeing so many difficult family situations, Julia has decided not to have a family of her own. Not wanting to bring a child into the world to go through similar struggles is her logic.
Author Delaney Diamond did a wonderful job with telling this story. “Romeo” is a book that takes readers on a journey of self discovery and love. If given an unthinkable life changing decision to make, involving someone else’s life what would you do? Making this decision could be met with hardships or could even change your life for the better.
My heart broke for the families going through similar tragedies like this. But it also taught me about the resilience of the human spirit. How something so horrible can turn into something so beautiful. I honestly believe that things do happen for a reason. This book had me in my feelings. One minute I’m crying and the next minute I’m smiling. It was so heartwarming to see how the story ended. Awesome! I really enjoyed reading it and can’t wait to dive into the rest of the series. Excellent editing made it a very easy read. My overall score is 5 stars.
Marcus Haynes, a highly successful licensed real estate agent. Is a true bachelor. He lives by his college nickname “Romeo.” No woman can hold him down. Though he is a gentleman, he is not looking to be in a serious relationship with anyone. Having a wife and a child is far from his thoughts right now. But he enjoys spending time with his godson Noah, best friend Brandon, and wife Stacey.
Julia Richmond, a child advocate for working with Safe Harbor Child Advocacy. She is a beautiful, strong, independent woman who is constantly working to keep children safe and in good homes. After seeing so many difficult family situations, Julia has decided not to have a family of her own. Not wanting to bring a child into the world to go through similar struggles is her logic.
Author Delaney Diamond did a wonderful job with telling this story. “Romeo” is a book that takes readers on a journey of self discovery and love. If given an unthinkable life changing decision to make, involving someone else’s life what would you do? Making this decision could be met with hardships or could even change your life for the better.
My heart broke for the families going through similar tragedies like this. But it also taught me about the resilience of the human spirit. How something so horrible can turn into something so beautiful. I honestly believe that things do happen for a reason. This book had me in my feelings. One minute I’m crying and the next minute I’m smiling. It was so heartwarming to see how the story ended. Awesome! I really enjoyed reading it and can’t wait to dive into the rest of the series. Excellent editing made it a very easy read. My overall score is 5 stars.
May 4, 2026
A Bachelor, a Little Boy, and the Kind of Love That Changes Everything
📚 On Casey’s Bookshelf
Book: 82
Dates read: 04.27.2026 – 04.27.2026
Title: Romeo
Author: Delaney Diamond
Format: digital ARC
#caseysbookshelf
I love multi-author series because they always put me onto new authors through ones I already trust. This is part of the Single Dads Society series, and since Tiye is in the lineup? I was already locked in.
Marcus has always been a loverboy. The kind of man who keeps things light, keeps things moving, and never stays too long. That life works for him… until it doesn’t. When his best friend dies, Marcus is suddenly responsible for his young son, and just like that, everything changes.
What I appreciated most about this story is that the shift into fatherhood didn’t feel forced or overly polished. Marcus doesn’t magically become perfect. He learns in real time. He stumbles, adjusts, and shows up again. And that consistency? That’s what makes his growth feel real.
And Noah… yeah, that baby is the heart of this book. His grief is handled with care, and the way he slowly opens up, trusts, and begins to feel safe again? That’s where the story really lands emotionally.
Julia brings a steady, grounding presence to both of their lives. She doesn’t come in to “fix” anything. She supports. She guides. And in doing that, she naturally becomes part of something bigger than she planned.
This is a soft, emotional, slow-burn story about grief, responsibility, and the kind of love that grows when people choose to show up for each other. Watching Marcus step into fatherhood while building something real with Julia was both heartwarming and earned.
Short, tender, and full of feeling. Definitely a solid and enjoyable read.
Another book off the shelf. We keep reading with intention. 📚
📚 On Casey’s Bookshelf
Book: 82
Dates read: 04.27.2026 – 04.27.2026
Title: Romeo
Author: Delaney Diamond
Format: digital ARC
#caseysbookshelf
I love multi-author series because they always put me onto new authors through ones I already trust. This is part of the Single Dads Society series, and since Tiye is in the lineup? I was already locked in.
Marcus has always been a loverboy. The kind of man who keeps things light, keeps things moving, and never stays too long. That life works for him… until it doesn’t. When his best friend dies, Marcus is suddenly responsible for his young son, and just like that, everything changes.
What I appreciated most about this story is that the shift into fatherhood didn’t feel forced or overly polished. Marcus doesn’t magically become perfect. He learns in real time. He stumbles, adjusts, and shows up again. And that consistency? That’s what makes his growth feel real.
And Noah… yeah, that baby is the heart of this book. His grief is handled with care, and the way he slowly opens up, trusts, and begins to feel safe again? That’s where the story really lands emotionally.
Julia brings a steady, grounding presence to both of their lives. She doesn’t come in to “fix” anything. She supports. She guides. And in doing that, she naturally becomes part of something bigger than she planned.
This is a soft, emotional, slow-burn story about grief, responsibility, and the kind of love that grows when people choose to show up for each other. Watching Marcus step into fatherhood while building something real with Julia was both heartwarming and earned.
Short, tender, and full of feeling. Definitely a solid and enjoyable read.
Another book off the shelf. We keep reading with intention. 📚
April 1, 2026
ARC review: ✨
As a Houston girlie, upcoming Social Worker, and former CPS worker this book resonated with me in multiple ways. I don’t have too much to say, because it was sweet, simple, and to the point.. Just how I like it.
I especially liked how the characters weren’t rushed into a relationship; making the main focus Noah’s healing.. which I really enjoyed seeing his growth in that process.
It’s so hard to take off social work goggles sometimes and often times throughout the book I found myself “giving advice” to Marcus, as if he could hear me, when Noah was going thru things he didn’t necessarily understand or see at first; “validating his pain” before Marcus could as he would say 😉
I would love to get an update on the couple where it’s focused deeper on their connection (like really getting to know one another), romance, and growth as a family unit, as I would’ve loved for the book to be a bit longer to also dive into that, also completely understanding the purpose of the story too. I would also like to read a story on Elijah and Jashaun; I know it gave a synopsis at the end of the book, but I was unsure if they already have their stories written.. if so, point me in the right direction 😝
This was my first read by this author and I’m certainly going to get into more of her catalog 😌
As a Houston girlie, upcoming Social Worker, and former CPS worker this book resonated with me in multiple ways. I don’t have too much to say, because it was sweet, simple, and to the point.. Just how I like it.
I especially liked how the characters weren’t rushed into a relationship; making the main focus Noah’s healing.. which I really enjoyed seeing his growth in that process.
It’s so hard to take off social work goggles sometimes and often times throughout the book I found myself “giving advice” to Marcus, as if he could hear me, when Noah was going thru things he didn’t necessarily understand or see at first; “validating his pain” before Marcus could as he would say 😉
I would love to get an update on the couple where it’s focused deeper on their connection (like really getting to know one another), romance, and growth as a family unit, as I would’ve loved for the book to be a bit longer to also dive into that, also completely understanding the purpose of the story too. I would also like to read a story on Elijah and Jashaun; I know it gave a synopsis at the end of the book, but I was unsure if they already have their stories written.. if so, point me in the right direction 😝
This was my first read by this author and I’m certainly going to get into more of her catalog 😌
April 24, 2026
Marcus, a longtime bachelor, suddenly finds himself stepping into the role of single dad after the loss of his best friends, who leave him as guardian to their son, Noah. He has no real experience raising a child, but he steps up anyway—and watching that journey unfold was everything. 🥹
Julia, Noah’s CPS advocate and guardian advisor, brings so much light into their lives. What could have been a heavy, heartbreaking situation instead becomes something filled with warmth, growth, and hope.
The emotional depth in this story was so well done—Noah, Marcus, and Julia all had moments that just pulled at my heart. I loved seeing Marcus grow into fatherhood and Julia soften into a role she never thought she wanted.
And Noah? Yeah…he owned my whole heart. 😭💖
I also really appreciated the focus on single dads and the idea of community and support. It’s something we don’t always see highlighted, and it was refreshing and meaningful to read.
Overall, a short, sweet, and beautifully written story about love, loss, and stepping up when it matters most. I’ll definitely be checking out the rest of the Single Dad Society series.
Thank you to Ms. Diamond & BookSirens for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.
Julia, Noah’s CPS advocate and guardian advisor, brings so much light into their lives. What could have been a heavy, heartbreaking situation instead becomes something filled with warmth, growth, and hope.
The emotional depth in this story was so well done—Noah, Marcus, and Julia all had moments that just pulled at my heart. I loved seeing Marcus grow into fatherhood and Julia soften into a role she never thought she wanted.
And Noah? Yeah…he owned my whole heart. 😭💖
I also really appreciated the focus on single dads and the idea of community and support. It’s something we don’t always see highlighted, and it was refreshing and meaningful to read.
Overall, a short, sweet, and beautifully written story about love, loss, and stepping up when it matters most. I’ll definitely be checking out the rest of the Single Dad Society series.
Thank you to Ms. Diamond & BookSirens for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 11, 2026
I knew this story was about single a single dad, A trope that I enjoy, but it was more than I expected. For one thing, I was able to read it in one sitting.
Another thing that I really all reviews that Marcus never felt like Noah was a burden. As much as it turned his life upside down, Marcus always made sure that Noah's needs came first. I also liked that Julia never resented the time and effort Marcus put into Noah. She went with the flow of things.
Even when she thought Marcus blew her off for the date, I liked that they had an open and honest conversation. I think Marcus could have explained himself more fully when he called to cancel, but at least he followed up with an explanation.
I liked the relationship Marcus and Julia had. It seemed quick, but it actually occurred over a period of months. I was happy there was a HEA, and I wish there had been an epilogue showing what was going on with Marcus, Noah, and Julia at some point in the future. Rating: 4.5 Stars
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book received via BookSirens.
Another thing that I really all reviews that Marcus never felt like Noah was a burden. As much as it turned his life upside down, Marcus always made sure that Noah's needs came first. I also liked that Julia never resented the time and effort Marcus put into Noah. She went with the flow of things.
Even when she thought Marcus blew her off for the date, I liked that they had an open and honest conversation. I think Marcus could have explained himself more fully when he called to cancel, but at least he followed up with an explanation.
I liked the relationship Marcus and Julia had. It seemed quick, but it actually occurred over a period of months. I was happy there was a HEA, and I wish there had been an epilogue showing what was going on with Marcus, Noah, and Julia at some point in the future. Rating: 4.5 Stars
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book received via BookSirens.
March 29, 2026
Love when adults care about a child's best interest!
Such was the case with Romeo a single man (who owned his Real Estate business), and became guardian to his God son following the death of his best friend, Julia, A Child Advocate captivated by both the young boy who is her charge and his guardian who captures her heart. This book brought out the feels for me, the hurt and heartbreak of a young child, the determination of a best friend to honor his promise to his now deceased friend, and the beautiful heart of a woman falling for them both. The dynamics of the things the child, Noah went through gave credence to all parties always seeking to place the well-being of children before all else. This single man became the consummate single dad to his God son. Great job Delaney, I totally enjoyed Romeo and Julia's story very much.
Such was the case with Romeo a single man (who owned his Real Estate business), and became guardian to his God son following the death of his best friend, Julia, A Child Advocate captivated by both the young boy who is her charge and his guardian who captures her heart. This book brought out the feels for me, the hurt and heartbreak of a young child, the determination of a best friend to honor his promise to his now deceased friend, and the beautiful heart of a woman falling for them both. The dynamics of the things the child, Noah went through gave credence to all parties always seeking to place the well-being of children before all else. This single man became the consummate single dad to his God son. Great job Delaney, I totally enjoyed Romeo and Julia's story very much.
April 10, 2026
Romeo, Noah, and Julia❤️
I love anything by Delaney Diamond. Her characters and storylines are believable. Romeo/Marcus passage to fatherhood was unexpected and so emotional. Romeo receives a phone call informing him of the death of his best friend Brandon and his wife, Stacey. The call was from a childs advocate, Julia, concerning Noah, Brandon, and Stacey's 7 year old son. Romeo/ Marcus is Noah's god father. Noah is devastated and traumatized. Brandon and Stacey left documentation that in case of their death, Romeo/Marcus would care for Noah. This story had me in tears one minute, then joyous because of Marcus, Julia, and Noah. You'll love this Romeo. Check it out. ❤️👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
I love anything by Delaney Diamond. Her characters and storylines are believable. Romeo/Marcus passage to fatherhood was unexpected and so emotional. Romeo receives a phone call informing him of the death of his best friend Brandon and his wife, Stacey. The call was from a childs advocate, Julia, concerning Noah, Brandon, and Stacey's 7 year old son. Romeo/ Marcus is Noah's god father. Noah is devastated and traumatized. Brandon and Stacey left documentation that in case of their death, Romeo/Marcus would care for Noah. This story had me in tears one minute, then joyous because of Marcus, Julia, and Noah. You'll love this Romeo. Check it out. ❤️👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
April 28, 2026
4.25/5 stars
1.75/5 spice
Tropes:
Bachelor turned Single dad
Close proximity
Trauma/ healing
Mental health rep
Dual POV
Short and sweet with a splash of spice. This is part of an overall series but can be read as a standalone. I'll definitely be checking out the other stores in the Single Dad Society.
I really liked that there was real representatioi in the overall healing process after experiencing loss. I would've liked to see more from this story because it has such a good storyline and relatable characters. This felt like a good foundation for a longer novel but alas it's a short book.
Regardless it was still a great read and would highly recommend for fans of the single dad trope.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
1.75/5 spice
Tropes:
Bachelor turned Single dad
Close proximity
Trauma/ healing
Mental health rep
Dual POV
Short and sweet with a splash of spice. This is part of an overall series but can be read as a standalone. I'll definitely be checking out the other stores in the Single Dad Society.
I really liked that there was real representatioi in the overall healing process after experiencing loss. I would've liked to see more from this story because it has such a good storyline and relatable characters. This felt like a good foundation for a longer novel but alas it's a short book.
Regardless it was still a great read and would highly recommend for fans of the single dad trope.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 28, 2026
Awesome Read
The narrative beautifully captures the transformative power of Romeo's love and support for Noah, demonstrating how genuine compassion can profoundly impact another person's emotional landscape. Romeo's unwavering dedication and tender approach not only validate Noah's experiences but also create a deeply moving connection that resonates with raw emotional authenticity. This poignant story masterfully illustrates the healing potential of true, unconditional love. ReneeG
The narrative beautifully captures the transformative power of Romeo's love and support for Noah, demonstrating how genuine compassion can profoundly impact another person's emotional landscape. Romeo's unwavering dedication and tender approach not only validate Noah's experiences but also create a deeply moving connection that resonates with raw emotional authenticity. This poignant story masterfully illustrates the healing potential of true, unconditional love. ReneeG
April 2, 2026
Romeo
I truly enjoyed the Single Dad Society series. It is wonderful to see Black portrayed in such a great manner. Most of the time, society will have you believing that all black men are deadbeat dads, when they're truly not.
Marcus was thrust into parenthood when his best friend was killed. He didn't know how he was going to manage, but he never missed a beat. Also having Julia to help him navigate his new normal was a blessing. He not only gained a son, but a future wife also.
I truly enjoyed the Single Dad Society series. It is wonderful to see Black portrayed in such a great manner. Most of the time, society will have you believing that all black men are deadbeat dads, when they're truly not.
Marcus was thrust into parenthood when his best friend was killed. He didn't know how he was going to manage, but he never missed a beat. Also having Julia to help him navigate his new normal was a blessing. He not only gained a son, but a future wife also.
April 3, 2026
Romeo!
This one tugged at my heart strings. I even shed tears for Noah. Like the other books, in the series, Thais was well organized, well written and had strong characters with growth.
It was good to see Marcus going from a Romeo to a father. He jumped right in and made Noah a priority. I liked the primary focus being on them. Julia was an added bonus to Marcus and Noah's dynamic. She was a significant factor in Noah's healing process. She fell for both of them and it changed her perspective about wanting a family.
Great job, Delaney Diamond!
This one tugged at my heart strings. I even shed tears for Noah. Like the other books, in the series, Thais was well organized, well written and had strong characters with growth.
It was good to see Marcus going from a Romeo to a father. He jumped right in and made Noah a priority. I liked the primary focus being on them. Julia was an added bonus to Marcus and Noah's dynamic. She was a significant factor in Noah's healing process. She fell for both of them and it changed her perspective about wanting a family.
Great job, Delaney Diamond!
April 4, 2026
Inherited Son
An excellent and well written story. Marcus suddenly being trusted into fatherhood was a major change to his life. I love that he stepped up to the challenge to honor his best friend wishes, which he could have disregarded. A real stand up guy. Julia played a pivotal role in the lives of both Marcus and Noah. A family life, she initially did not want, became the ultimate desire. Through it all, the milestones and adversities, they rose from the ashes and emerged victorious, together.
An excellent and well written story. Marcus suddenly being trusted into fatherhood was a major change to his life. I love that he stepped up to the challenge to honor his best friend wishes, which he could have disregarded. A real stand up guy. Julia played a pivotal role in the lives of both Marcus and Noah. A family life, she initially did not want, became the ultimate desire. Through it all, the milestones and adversities, they rose from the ashes and emerged victorious, together.
April 12, 2026
Romeo, Romeo, Romeo!
This last single dad story introduced us to Marcus, aka Romeo, Julia and Noah. Both, Marcus and Julia never wanted to have children, get married or have that house with the white picket fence. But fate had other plans. Marcus, ended up being the parental unit of seven year Noah and Julia became the child advocate. I absolutely loved the care and patience that they showed Noah. Great read. Well written, flowed well, kept my attention and a goo ending to the series.
This last single dad story introduced us to Marcus, aka Romeo, Julia and Noah. Both, Marcus and Julia never wanted to have children, get married or have that house with the white picket fence. But fate had other plans. Marcus, ended up being the parental unit of seven year Noah and Julia became the child advocate. I absolutely loved the care and patience that they showed Noah. Great read. Well written, flowed well, kept my attention and a goo ending to the series.
April 26, 2026
Captivating!!!
Oh how I loved this book! Marcus never knew he wanted a child, until he ended up with his Godson due to tragic circumstances. His world was turned upside down, until social worker Julia entered the scene. Julia didn’t want children either! Noah melted both their hearts. This book had me all in my feelings! The scene that really tugged at my heart strings, was the McDonald’s scene, and what happened immediately after! My eyes were really leaking! I loved this Single Dad series! I wish there was a fourth one! Thank you so much Ms. Diamond!! ❤️🔥
Oh how I loved this book! Marcus never knew he wanted a child, until he ended up with his Godson due to tragic circumstances. His world was turned upside down, until social worker Julia entered the scene. Julia didn’t want children either! Noah melted both their hearts. This book had me all in my feelings! The scene that really tugged at my heart strings, was the McDonald’s scene, and what happened immediately after! My eyes were really leaking! I loved this Single Dad series! I wish there was a fourth one! Thank you so much Ms. Diamond!! ❤️🔥
March 27, 2026
Romeo turns in his player card
Marcus becomes the guardian of Noah when his best friends die in a motor vehicle accident. He is working with Julia, the child advocate, who gets Noah to open up more. Marcus and Julia began dating and Marcus realizes that he wants more than the superficial hook up he’s used to. He shows Julia that she belongs with him and Noah!
I loved this book. It’s about life changes and adapting to those changes.
Marcus becomes the guardian of Noah when his best friends die in a motor vehicle accident. He is working with Julia, the child advocate, who gets Noah to open up more. Marcus and Julia began dating and Marcus realizes that he wants more than the superficial hook up he’s used to. He shows Julia that she belongs with him and Noah!
I loved this book. It’s about life changes and adapting to those changes.
March 30, 2026
This is a story of a best friend helping his god son navigate through the loss of his parents while learning how to become a father. Marcus never thought he would have to step up to keep the promise he made his best friend Brandon and his wife Stacy. When someone decides to challenge Marcus's place in Noah's life, he realizes that Noah is more than his god child, he's his son and he's determined to protect him at all costs.
April 1, 2026
Romeo
I enjoyed this story and seeing Marcus navigate becoming a dad and guardian to his godson. He embraced the new role effortlessly like he was always made to be his father. I liked that Julia was there as an advocate but also to help them transition and navigate their new normal. It was clear how much they loved each other and how much Noah loved them and thrived with them. This was a great end to this series for me.
I enjoyed this story and seeing Marcus navigate becoming a dad and guardian to his godson. He embraced the new role effortlessly like he was always made to be his father. I liked that Julia was there as an advocate but also to help them transition and navigate their new normal. It was clear how much they loved each other and how much Noah loved them and thrived with them. This was a great end to this series for me.
April 4, 2026
The Pursuit
Excellent 🤩! …I appreciated the evolution & journey of Marcus the man aka “Romeo (Single Dad Society)” from bachelor godfather to family man 👀🥰. Similar to his frat brother Jashaun “Ocean”, “Romeo” was transformed by circumstance. Nevertheless, he acclimated expeditiously to addressed the needs of his despondent godson Noah. Marcus & Julia pursuits, were organic & a beautiful labor of love with a HEA 🥰‼️
Excellent 🤩! …I appreciated the evolution & journey of Marcus the man aka “Romeo (Single Dad Society)” from bachelor godfather to family man 👀🥰. Similar to his frat brother Jashaun “Ocean”, “Romeo” was transformed by circumstance. Nevertheless, he acclimated expeditiously to addressed the needs of his despondent godson Noah. Marcus & Julia pursuits, were organic & a beautiful labor of love with a HEA 🥰‼️
April 5, 2026
Swift yet delightful.
Romeo's story is a refreshing tale of personal growth. He goes through some tough stuff and learns to step up, deal with challenges, and become a better version of himself. It's like watching someone level up in real life - his journey shows how people can transform when they decide to take responsibility and push through the hard times. Romeo basically proves that with the right attitude, anyone can grow and become more awesome.
Romeo's story is a refreshing tale of personal growth. He goes through some tough stuff and learns to step up, deal with challenges, and become a better version of himself. It's like watching someone level up in real life - his journey shows how people can transform when they decide to take responsibility and push through the hard times. Romeo basically proves that with the right attitude, anyone can grow and become more awesome.
April 7, 2026
Romeo oh Romeo where are thou Romeo? I like the fact that Romeo did hesitate to step up to the plate to take guardianship over Noah and also invested in getting him the help that he needed during Noah’s transition of losing both of his parents at the same time. Julia was a big help with getting Noah to open up and give Romeo pointers to meet Noah where he was at. I like that Romeo, Julia, and Noah gets to stay together as a family unit.
April 29, 2026
I did find myself having to look up several terms I was not familiar with. A glossary would have been nice. This story completely wrecked me. It was told in such a way I felt it in my core. Absolutely loved it. I didn’t realize this was not the first book in the Single Dad Society so will most def go back and read the other two to see what I missed. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by book sirens.
March 28, 2026
A Romeo No More!
Such a moving story of grief, the bonds of friendship, and what constitutes a family. Marcus, Noah, and Julia are thrust together after a terrible tragedy and come together in such a beautiful way. I laughed, cried, and cheered each moment of triumph they experienced! Best book of the year for me so far!!
Such a moving story of grief, the bonds of friendship, and what constitutes a family. Marcus, Noah, and Julia are thrust together after a terrible tragedy and come together in such a beautiful way. I laughed, cried, and cheered each moment of triumph they experienced! Best book of the year for me so far!!
April 10, 2026
I so loved this heart-warming emotional story, about loss, making a new family, and finding love. I was fully invested from start to finish. Uncle Marcus although grieving the loss of his best friend, stepped up to the plate for his best friend, and delivered, as the guardian of Noah..
My heart cried out for little Noah as I couldn't imagine his mindset of loosing his parents. The loneliness and abandonment surrounding his thoughts and feelings. However, I rejoiced in his growth reassuring that he was loved and safe, with Uncle Marcus.
Noah was with who he needed to be with, Uncle Marcus, after the death of both of his parents. Marcus did a phenomenal job stepping into the role of a father. He was nurturing, compassionate, and loving. He truly was looking at what was best for Noah. So glad he stood his ground to the aunt from Tennessee.
In addition, I appreciated how Ms Julia, the child advocate, stepped in helping both Noah and Marcus to adjust to their new normal. Miss Julia got both a surprise and blessing in all of this.
After reading all three books in this series, this one is my FAVORITE!
My heart cried out for little Noah as I couldn't imagine his mindset of loosing his parents. The loneliness and abandonment surrounding his thoughts and feelings. However, I rejoiced in his growth reassuring that he was loved and safe, with Uncle Marcus.
Noah was with who he needed to be with, Uncle Marcus, after the death of both of his parents. Marcus did a phenomenal job stepping into the role of a father. He was nurturing, compassionate, and loving. He truly was looking at what was best for Noah. So glad he stood his ground to the aunt from Tennessee.
In addition, I appreciated how Ms Julia, the child advocate, stepped in helping both Noah and Marcus to adjust to their new normal. Miss Julia got both a surprise and blessing in all of this.
After reading all three books in this series, this one is my FAVORITE!
April 7, 2026
Delaney delivers again
A beautifully sad and heartwarming story about Marcus, Noah and Julia. When the unthinkable happens Marcus , the godfather becomes Uncle Marcus. Navigating a young boy’s trauma over losing his parents is hard and he gets unexpected help from the child’s advocate. Great story, emotionally everything. Great read.
A beautifully sad and heartwarming story about Marcus, Noah and Julia. When the unthinkable happens Marcus , the godfather becomes Uncle Marcus. Navigating a young boy’s trauma over losing his parents is hard and he gets unexpected help from the child’s advocate. Great story, emotionally everything. Great read.
April 17, 2026
Great read
Great read, I enjoyed the characters and storyline. Marcus the ultimate bachelor, suddenly became a single father after a tragedy. As he navigates his new reality, he meets Julia the child advocate. Marcus and Julia’s chemistry is strong. This is Marcus journey to fatherhood and forever love.
Great read, I enjoyed the characters and storyline. Marcus the ultimate bachelor, suddenly became a single father after a tragedy. As he navigates his new reality, he meets Julia the child advocate. Marcus and Julia’s chemistry is strong. This is Marcus journey to fatherhood and forever love.
April 18, 2026
Romeo meets Julia
Really enjoyed this storyline and some of its intricacies into child loss and custody, life adjustments from a child’s perspective and a single man to single parent perspective. Really wasn’t surprised by the “hook up” between Marcus aka Romeo and Julia but all end all its was a good read.
Really enjoyed this storyline and some of its intricacies into child loss and custody, life adjustments from a child’s perspective and a single man to single parent perspective. Really wasn’t surprised by the “hook up” between Marcus aka Romeo and Julia but all end all its was a good read.
April 19, 2026
One moment of "my life is fine", and the next unbearable news. Getting to look after his god child changes his entire outlook. There is so much sadness, adjustment, things to think about to make sure the child finds happiness again. Help from the child advocate brings more than professional assistance. A future he hadn't thought about before.
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