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Canyon Creek #1
Headfirst
Amelia Markley bursts onto the romance scene with a spicy small-town rom-com about a single tattoo artist father and the annoyingly sexy nanny he’s determined not to fall for in this debut perfect for fans of Lana Ferguson and Meghan Quinn.
Meet Ivy Bennett. After fleeing California and a bad relationship, Ivy moves to the small town of Canyon Creek with nothing to her name but an ancient car off of Craigslist and a teaching position at the local middle school. She quickly learns to love two The two best friends she’s made—her eighty-year-old landlord and a more age-appropriate coworker—and the charming little town nestled in the pines. The thing she hasn’t learned to love? Her job. As if fate intervenes, Ivy gets laid off, and a job nannying for her best friend’s brother falls right in her lap.
Enter Wes Cooper. He’s grumpy, tattooed, hot as hell, and has Ivy so nervous that she can’t help but make an ass of herself. Their relationship starts...rocky, but Ivy soon realizes it’s all a mask to protect his and his daughter's hearts. In the rare moments when he lets his guard down, Ivy can’t help but fall, especially seeing the way he melts for his daughter and makes sure Ivy’s taken care of too. He seems like the perfect man, but will he let his walls down enough to let Ivy in for good? Or is she doomed to be the only one that falls headfirst?
Meet Ivy Bennett. After fleeing California and a bad relationship, Ivy moves to the small town of Canyon Creek with nothing to her name but an ancient car off of Craigslist and a teaching position at the local middle school. She quickly learns to love two The two best friends she’s made—her eighty-year-old landlord and a more age-appropriate coworker—and the charming little town nestled in the pines. The thing she hasn’t learned to love? Her job. As if fate intervenes, Ivy gets laid off, and a job nannying for her best friend’s brother falls right in her lap.
Enter Wes Cooper. He’s grumpy, tattooed, hot as hell, and has Ivy so nervous that she can’t help but make an ass of herself. Their relationship starts...rocky, but Ivy soon realizes it’s all a mask to protect his and his daughter's hearts. In the rare moments when he lets his guard down, Ivy can’t help but fall, especially seeing the way he melts for his daughter and makes sure Ivy’s taken care of too. He seems like the perfect man, but will he let his walls down enough to let Ivy in for good? Or is she doomed to be the only one that falls headfirst?
409 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 14, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 219 reviews
January 31, 2026
2,5 ✍️🦖⭐️s
An averagely written debut romance with likeable characters.
However, there were times when the story was flat and uninteresting, lacking in both excitement and intrigue…
An averagely written debut romance with likeable characters.
However, there were times when the story was flat and uninteresting, lacking in both excitement and intrigue…
December 25, 2025
4.5 ⭐
This is really, really good. I had no idea this was the author's debut because it was just that amazing. I totally got that "Heartless" vibe from ES, but honestly, it was the writing style that really made it so enjoyable for me.
It's just that, based on experience, a few of the debut novels I've read could definitely use a bit of polishing. However, in this one, I can definitely say that the storytelling is just as good as what you'd find with more famous authors. And if I'm being honest, it's even better than some. 😄
Anyway, I really had a blast with it, and if readers enjoyed the book I mentioned above, they'd probably enjoy this too.
I couldn't give a 5⭐ because the push and pull from the MMC had me losing some hair, but overall, it was still entertaining.
Book info:
- Mini Age gap (h29/H34)
- Single Dad x Nanny
- BFF's brother
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Loss of loved one (past)
- No cheating, separation
- OM/OW (more like jealousy scenes)
- No V (h - more than a year, H - months ago)
- HEA (3 yrs later, married)
Notes:
- OM1. The MMC's brother hit on the FMC, but she wasn't interested in him.
- OM2. The bartender of said brother ⬆️ was also interested in Ivy. He asked for her number, and she gave it (this was around the time Wesley was ignoring her existence). They exchanged a few texts, but it never led to anything more because Wes is still taking over her mind.
- OW1. There was a woman that Wes kissed once in high school, who still couldn't get the memo that he's not interested in her. She approached him twice in the book. Ivy scared her off the first time, and the second time, Wes threatened her by saying he'd file a harassment complaint if she didn't stop bothering him.
- The mom. Wes had been best friends with Sarah (the mother) since they were 10. He loved her as a friend, but it didn’t go beyond that. Once they had a drunken hookup, and it ended up with her getting pregnant. She just ended things with her girlfriend (she was bi, but prefers women more), and Wes hadn't been dating anyone for a few months at that time. So, they just went ahead and did it, and he said it was the most awkward experience of their lives. Sadly, she died of a heart attack two days after giving birth.
This is really, really good. I had no idea this was the author's debut because it was just that amazing. I totally got that "Heartless" vibe from ES, but honestly, it was the writing style that really made it so enjoyable for me.
It's just that, based on experience, a few of the debut novels I've read could definitely use a bit of polishing. However, in this one, I can definitely say that the storytelling is just as good as what you'd find with more famous authors. And if I'm being honest, it's even better than some. 😄
Anyway, I really had a blast with it, and if readers enjoyed the book I mentioned above, they'd probably enjoy this too.
I couldn't give a 5⭐ because the push and pull from the MMC had me losing some hair, but overall, it was still entertaining.
Book info:
- Mini Age gap (h29/H34)
- Single Dad x Nanny
- BFF's brother
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Loss of loved one (past)
- No cheating, separation
- OM/OW (more like jealousy scenes)
- No V (h - more than a year, H - months ago)
- HEA (3 yrs later, married)
Notes:
- OM1. The MMC's brother hit on the FMC, but she wasn't interested in him.
- OM2. The bartender of said brother ⬆️ was also interested in Ivy. He asked for her number, and she gave it (this was around the time Wesley was ignoring her existence). They exchanged a few texts, but it never led to anything more because Wes is still taking over her mind.
- OW1. There was a woman that Wes kissed once in high school, who still couldn't get the memo that he's not interested in her. She approached him twice in the book. Ivy scared her off the first time, and the second time, Wes threatened her by saying he'd file a harassment complaint if she didn't stop bothering him.
- The mom. Wes had been best friends with Sarah (the mother) since they were 10. He loved her as a friend, but it didn’t go beyond that. Once they had a drunken hookup, and it ended up with her getting pregnant. She just ended things with her girlfriend (she was bi, but prefers women more), and Wes hadn't been dating anyone for a few months at that time. So, they just went ahead and did it, and he said it was the most awkward experience of their lives. Sadly, she died of a heart attack two days after giving birth.
October 7, 2025
Such a good book. No third act breakup and Wes Cooper is a MAN! I can’t wait to read about Sophie and Beau🫣
February 25, 2026
This being the authors first book it was so well written and the story kept my attention.
January 7, 2026
I’m already feeling the effects of my book hangover because that was PERFECT
July 16, 2026
3⭐️
This was cute but I can't say much more than that. It was just a bit too boring? I find a lot of authors try and make their main characters, while not perfect, lack flaws? Like in an effort to make them wonderful people, we lose the everyday characteristics that make them feel real. And I think that happened here. There was no tension, no angst or climatic drama to get through. So it just fell a bit flat for me
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was cute but I can't say much more than that. It was just a bit too boring? I find a lot of authors try and make their main characters, while not perfect, lack flaws? Like in an effort to make them wonderful people, we lose the everyday characteristics that make them feel real. And I think that happened here. There was no tension, no angst or climatic drama to get through. So it just fell a bit flat for me
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 13, 2026
There are few things I love more than a grumpy single dad. And Wes Cooper is the epitome of a grump! He only has love for one girl and that's his daughter. But when Ivy Bennett enters the picture, everything that he knows and wanted threatens to unravel.
Single dad x nanny romance
Best friend's brother
Forced proximity
Small town
Found family
Tattoo artist MMC
Ivy ran from a horrible situation and landed in Canyon Creek. And when she gets let go from her teaching job, that quite frankly she didn't want, her bestie Sophie gets her a job nannying her niece. What she doesn't expect is for her dad to be a sexy sexy man that she wants.
Ivy and Wes have a banter filled relationship to start, but when things take a turn into something more, it's so heartwarming. I love how Wes and Delilah welcome Ivy right into their little family.
This is a debut novel, but definitely did not read like one for me! The characters had depth, and they played with my emotions. I am SO looking forward to reading Sophie and Beau's book next!
Single dad x nanny romance
Best friend's brother
Forced proximity
Small town
Found family
Tattoo artist MMC
Ivy ran from a horrible situation and landed in Canyon Creek. And when she gets let go from her teaching job, that quite frankly she didn't want, her bestie Sophie gets her a job nannying her niece. What she doesn't expect is for her dad to be a sexy sexy man that she wants.
Ivy and Wes have a banter filled relationship to start, but when things take a turn into something more, it's so heartwarming. I love how Wes and Delilah welcome Ivy right into their little family.
This is a debut novel, but definitely did not read like one for me! The characters had depth, and they played with my emotions. I am SO looking forward to reading Sophie and Beau's book next!
September 22, 2025
Such an enjoyable rom com read!
I loved this story line and the relationship between all of these characters. Wes Cooper 😮💨
I loved this story line and the relationship between all of these characters. Wes Cooper 😮💨
September 14, 2025
How was this her debut novel? holy perfection.
I knew within the first 50 pages that I was going to love and devour this book and I surely did.
Ivy loses her job teaching at the same time her best friend’s brother needs a nanny .. so you can imagine she got the job :)
Ivy and Delilah clicked right away and I was obsessed with them. Lilah was the best edition to this book, she was really the sweetest little girl & I knew Wes was going to fall in love with Ivy as soon as he saw how they were together — twins 🥰🥹
“Are you two boyfriend and girlfriend?”
“Good because that’s all I wanted”
Stop right now my ovaries .
Wes was so jealous and territorial early on about Ivy but he didn’t let her see that— but his family saw it and knew they were gonna be perfect for eachother.
I loved the family, specially the siblings — I knew right away I wanted books for all the side characters. Which can we just applause now? Because yes she made me fall in love with them all and want their stories next .
Rose was the cutest little landlord and edition to ivys life.
I need Sophie and beaus book like I need air, okay?
Another thing I loved? No third act break up . It’s so common & sometimes I just wanna see the couple happy the entire time and this delivered once they became a thing 😍
Tropes :
• Tattoo artist & Nanny
• Found family
• Small town
• Single dad
• Romantic Comedy
• Spicy
I knew within the first 50 pages that I was going to love and devour this book and I surely did.
Ivy loses her job teaching at the same time her best friend’s brother needs a nanny .. so you can imagine she got the job :)
Ivy and Delilah clicked right away and I was obsessed with them. Lilah was the best edition to this book, she was really the sweetest little girl & I knew Wes was going to fall in love with Ivy as soon as he saw how they were together — twins 🥰🥹
“Are you two boyfriend and girlfriend?”
“Good because that’s all I wanted”
Stop right now my ovaries .
Wes was so jealous and territorial early on about Ivy but he didn’t let her see that— but his family saw it and knew they were gonna be perfect for eachother.
I loved the family, specially the siblings — I knew right away I wanted books for all the side characters. Which can we just applause now? Because yes she made me fall in love with them all and want their stories next .
Rose was the cutest little landlord and edition to ivys life.
I need Sophie and beaus book like I need air, okay?
Another thing I loved? No third act break up . It’s so common & sometimes I just wanna see the couple happy the entire time and this delivered once they became a thing 😍
Tropes :
• Tattoo artist & Nanny
• Found family
• Small town
• Single dad
• Romantic Comedy
• Spicy
June 11, 2026
Huge thanks to Turner Publishing Company and Amelia Markley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was one of those moments where I betrayed my TBR after seeing a shiny book on insta, and honestly it was the best impulsive decision I’ve made in months. Hot tattoo-artist single dad Wes hires his sister's best friend (a romance author!) Ivy to nanny his cute daughter Lilah. It was sweet, cozy, and full of that warm-and-fuzzy feeling that makes you want to hug it into your chest like a weirdo.
The wildest part is that this is Amelia's debut novel. Like a seasoned pro, she took classic tropes like grumpy sunshine and found family and made them feel brand new. The spice, humor, and heart blend together into a full-on serotonin smoothie. Mark your calendars for July 14th because everyone deserves to experience this joy 🥰
3🌶️
This was one of those moments where I betrayed my TBR after seeing a shiny book on insta, and honestly it was the best impulsive decision I’ve made in months. Hot tattoo-artist single dad Wes hires his sister's best friend (a romance author!) Ivy to nanny his cute daughter Lilah. It was sweet, cozy, and full of that warm-and-fuzzy feeling that makes you want to hug it into your chest like a weirdo.
The wildest part is that this is Amelia's debut novel. Like a seasoned pro, she took classic tropes like grumpy sunshine and found family and made them feel brand new. The spice, humor, and heart blend together into a full-on serotonin smoothie. Mark your calendars for July 14th because everyone deserves to experience this joy 🥰
3🌶️
July 2, 2026
4.75 ⭐️
NetGalley early access copy
I loved this debut romance. These characters are so lovable. Grumpy and protective vs awkward foot-in-mouth sunshine. It’s a real match made in romance heaven. Add in a spunky dragon loving 4 year old that has her dad wrapped around her pinky finger and you’ve got gold. I laughed out loud throughout this book - there characters are well developed and have such different and fun personalities. Rose is the best.
Pining, resistance, tattoos, jealousy, protectiveness, stubbornness, giving in, steamy chemistry, vampire smut, dragons, plummeting, and love ❤️🔥🫠
🐉🌯✍️🌹🥵✈️🏞️🌲💙🧛🍆❤️🔥🥚
📖eBook - advanced read copy from NetGalley
🚫 “mewl” 🙅🏼♀️
NetGalley early access copy
I loved this debut romance. These characters are so lovable. Grumpy and protective vs awkward foot-in-mouth sunshine. It’s a real match made in romance heaven. Add in a spunky dragon loving 4 year old that has her dad wrapped around her pinky finger and you’ve got gold. I laughed out loud throughout this book - there characters are well developed and have such different and fun personalities. Rose is the best.
Pining, resistance, tattoos, jealousy, protectiveness, stubbornness, giving in, steamy chemistry, vampire smut, dragons, plummeting, and love ❤️🔥🫠
🐉🌯✍️🌹🥵✈️🏞️🌲💙🧛🍆❤️🔥🥚
📖eBook - advanced read copy from NetGalley
🚫 “mewl” 🙅🏼♀️
February 17, 2026
My first 5 ⭐️ of 2026 and it is WELL deserved.
This story was perfect. It was sweet, it was spicy, it made me laugh, it made me cry. Wesley is swoonworthy and I literally want to be Ivy when I grow up. This book made me feel so giddy and I will be shouting my recommendation for it from alllll the rooftops.
If you’re into small town, nanny x single dad, grumpy x sunshine, read this book. If you’re not into any of those? Still give it a try. I’m looking forward to reading more of this author’s work in the future!
This story was perfect. It was sweet, it was spicy, it made me laugh, it made me cry. Wesley is swoonworthy and I literally want to be Ivy when I grow up. This book made me feel so giddy and I will be shouting my recommendation for it from alllll the rooftops.
If you’re into small town, nanny x single dad, grumpy x sunshine, read this book. If you’re not into any of those? Still give it a try. I’m looking forward to reading more of this author’s work in the future!
October 6, 2025
SUPER impressed for her debut novel! 100000/10 stars 🤩 I’m a sucker for single dad/nanny tropes, so I knew this book would captivate me from Page 1. And it DID NOT DISAPPOINT!
The spice was EVERYTHING as well 🥵
Can I also just say I am obsessed with Delilah and Ivy’s relationship? “I lub you Iby” like staaaappp 🥺
This book was truly so so much fun. One of the best I’ve read this year, hands down. I need more from this author ASAP! You hear me, Amelia? 🤣👏🏻
The spice was EVERYTHING as well 🥵
Can I also just say I am obsessed with Delilah and Ivy’s relationship? “I lub you Iby” like staaaappp 🥺
This book was truly so so much fun. One of the best I’ve read this year, hands down. I need more from this author ASAP! You hear me, Amelia? 🤣👏🏻
December 8, 2025
Okayyyyy
This book was ahhhhh!
Fucken swoon!
Read it if you like single dad (yummy)/ nanny, forced proximity, only one time, some cursed couch action 😂
meddling family, found family
This was a debut novel and I loved it!!! Can’t wait for what’s to come 👀
This book was ahhhhh!
Fucken swoon!
Read it if you like single dad (yummy)/ nanny, forced proximity, only one time, some cursed couch action 😂
meddling family, found family
This was a debut novel and I loved it!!! Can’t wait for what’s to come 👀
February 5, 2026
Okay, this book was absolutely ADORABLE. Such a wholesome, laugh out loud funny, swoon-worthy story with some really great spice thrown in (which I normally don't care for due to how it's written, but Amelia absolutely NAILED it). Rose and Delilah absolutely stole my heart with how precious they both were and Wes Cooper... what a man. I really hope we get a story for Sophie and Beau.
January 2, 2026
sweetly boring
More telling than showing. It’s sweet. Nothing happens. Even the allergic reaction is lame. Spicy scenes were fine. The woman giggles a lot.
More telling than showing. It’s sweet. Nothing happens. Even the allergic reaction is lame. Spicy scenes were fine. The woman giggles a lot.
January 15, 2026
3.75 ⭐️
Super fun read! Love a grumpy sunshine story
Super fun read! Love a grumpy sunshine story
October 3, 2025
I stumbled across this author on TikTok when she was promoting her debut, and her excitement convinced me to pick it up. I’m so glad I did because this was such a refreshing and sweet read.
First, let me say it was so refreshing to read a book where the mother of the child wasn’t the villain. I loved how Sarah was Wes’s best friend and how their one drunken night together let to a baby. Throughout the book, Wes even called her the voice of his conscience and she would call him out (in his head obviously).
Lily and Delia’s relationship was so special. Watching it bloom over time and seeing their love for each other grow was so sweet. And Delia’s obsession with dragons? Absolutely adorable.
Lily and Wes were both great characters, and their development felt realistic. There was no miscommunication, no over the top drama, just a lighthearted, feel good romcom. I loved this one.
First, let me say it was so refreshing to read a book where the mother of the child wasn’t the villain. I loved how Sarah was Wes’s best friend and how their one drunken night together let to a baby. Throughout the book, Wes even called her the voice of his conscience and she would call him out (in his head obviously).
Lily and Delia’s relationship was so special. Watching it bloom over time and seeing their love for each other grow was so sweet. And Delia’s obsession with dragons? Absolutely adorable.
Lily and Wes were both great characters, and their development felt realistic. There was no miscommunication, no over the top drama, just a lighthearted, feel good romcom. I loved this one.
November 13, 2025
This was such a good read! I fell in love with the characters! Glad I found this author on tik tok!!
January 13, 2026
I really loved HEADFIRST and the writing grabbed my attention right from the start! Both Wes and Ivy had great POV "voices" and I'm really impressed this was a debut book. The writing was smooth and engaging, the plot was interesting and fun, and the characters were lovable.
We got some great grumpy/sunshine moments as Wes and Ivy got to know each other and I liked that while Wes was grumpy he was never an asshole. He didn't want to be attracted to his daughter's new nanny but he couldn't help trying to take care of her in small ways. Wes was definitely more the strong, silent type who expressed himself through actions rather than words. As he started to fall for Ivy he had these great soft moments that had me swooning. And don't even get me started on this man's filthy mouth, hello praise kink. I loved his chemistry with Ivy and the spicy scenes hit strong because these two were on fire together.
Ivy was also a great FMC with tons of energy, kindness, and resilience. She lost both of her parents at the same time and dealt with a jerk of an ex but she never let that destroy her compassion and zeal for life. I'm always a little nervous about books with kids in them but I actually loved the scenes with Ivy taking care of Delilah. They were really cute together!
All the side characters really rounded out the story and I loved Wes's crazy family. I'm so amazed this was a debut and I can't wait to read more by Amelia Markley.
We got some great grumpy/sunshine moments as Wes and Ivy got to know each other and I liked that while Wes was grumpy he was never an asshole. He didn't want to be attracted to his daughter's new nanny but he couldn't help trying to take care of her in small ways. Wes was definitely more the strong, silent type who expressed himself through actions rather than words. As he started to fall for Ivy he had these great soft moments that had me swooning. And don't even get me started on this man's filthy mouth, hello praise kink. I loved his chemistry with Ivy and the spicy scenes hit strong because these two were on fire together.
Ivy was also a great FMC with tons of energy, kindness, and resilience. She lost both of her parents at the same time and dealt with a jerk of an ex but she never let that destroy her compassion and zeal for life. I'm always a little nervous about books with kids in them but I actually loved the scenes with Ivy taking care of Delilah. They were really cute together!
All the side characters really rounded out the story and I loved Wes's crazy family. I'm so amazed this was a debut and I can't wait to read more by Amelia Markley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 ⭐️
Headfirst was a story about finding love, companionship, and family in the most unexpected place. It was heartwarming, funny, and came with one of the cutest (and sassiest) toddler sidekicks.
After losing both of her parents and leaving behind a dead end relationship, Ivy moves to Canyon Creek for a fresh start and a chance to heal while starting her new life as a teacher. There, she quickly becomes friends with Sophie. When Sophie’s brother, Wes, suddenly finds himself without a nanny and Ivy loses her teaching job, she steps in to help.
Wes is grumpy, guarded, and pretty set on keeping his walls up. All he wants is someone reliable to take care of his daughter, Delilah. Even though there’s an instant attraction between him and Ivy, they both know they need to keep things professional. Of course, the more time Ivy spends with Wes and Delilah, the harder it becomes not to fall for this little family.
One of my favorite parts of this book was watching the Cooper family take Ivy under their wing. She’s so used to handling everything on her own and never wanting to inconvenience anyone, and I loved seeing them remind her that she’s allowed to lean on other people and take up space. Ivy not only brought so much joy and stability to Delilah’s life, but she also helped Wes open up emotionally in ways he hadn’t before. Watching them fight their feelings and eventually give in to their connection was so rewarding.
As sweet as Wes and Ivy were, Delilah and Ivy completely stole the show. Their bond was so special. Ivy understood Delilah because she had experienced a similar loss herself, and I loved that she never tried to replace her mom. Instead, she simply became a safe, steady person Delilah could depend on. The way she loved and cared for this little girl made me emotional and was such a beautiful reminder that family isn’t always about DNA.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one, and now I’m excited to dive into the rest of the series.
Thank you Amelia, Keylight Books, and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of Headfirst (publishing July 14, 2026).
Headfirst was a story about finding love, companionship, and family in the most unexpected place. It was heartwarming, funny, and came with one of the cutest (and sassiest) toddler sidekicks.
After losing both of her parents and leaving behind a dead end relationship, Ivy moves to Canyon Creek for a fresh start and a chance to heal while starting her new life as a teacher. There, she quickly becomes friends with Sophie. When Sophie’s brother, Wes, suddenly finds himself without a nanny and Ivy loses her teaching job, she steps in to help.
Wes is grumpy, guarded, and pretty set on keeping his walls up. All he wants is someone reliable to take care of his daughter, Delilah. Even though there’s an instant attraction between him and Ivy, they both know they need to keep things professional. Of course, the more time Ivy spends with Wes and Delilah, the harder it becomes not to fall for this little family.
One of my favorite parts of this book was watching the Cooper family take Ivy under their wing. She’s so used to handling everything on her own and never wanting to inconvenience anyone, and I loved seeing them remind her that she’s allowed to lean on other people and take up space. Ivy not only brought so much joy and stability to Delilah’s life, but she also helped Wes open up emotionally in ways he hadn’t before. Watching them fight their feelings and eventually give in to their connection was so rewarding.
As sweet as Wes and Ivy were, Delilah and Ivy completely stole the show. Their bond was so special. Ivy understood Delilah because she had experienced a similar loss herself, and I loved that she never tried to replace her mom. Instead, she simply became a safe, steady person Delilah could depend on. The way she loved and cared for this little girl made me emotional and was such a beautiful reminder that family isn’t always about DNA.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one, and now I’m excited to dive into the rest of the series.
Thank you Amelia, Keylight Books, and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of Headfirst (publishing July 14, 2026).
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I LOVED this book so much!! It gripped me from the very beginning & will linger with me even though I've finished it!!! It is such a beautiful love story... of 2 people who have loved & lost and aren't really even looking for love....
The slow burn tension is palpable... seriously some of the best I've ever read.... you can see & feel their emotions and angst over it... they both are immediately physically attracted to each other... but are fighting it because they feel like it might not be appropriate (he's her best friend's brother, she's his daughter's nanny...)
The witty banter is top notch.... and so many LOL moments... I love Wes's daughter, Delilah/Lilah (and a fun twist that Ivy's middle name is also Delilah!) The daughter adds a lot to the book & I love how Ivy just fits right in with their family.
I LOVE Wes (& Ivy's best friend's) family!!! They are so fun & welcoming to her.. I love Maggie & Buck (the parents)'s sexy banter & flirting as well!! The brothers are amazing also... I hope there will be future books about them!!!
I really love that the Chapter headings for each of them have their flower tattoos pictured!! Wes is his tattoo of his daughter's birth month flower & Ivy's is the 2 flowers of her parents' birth months - that Wes tattooed for her on her bday..... I also really love that NO ONE calls him Wesley... but that's how he introduced himself to her & she calls him that.
The book is told in a dual 1st person POV.
This is Book 1 in the Canyon Creek series. I can't wait to read the rest of the books!!!!
Spice level: 4/5
*rom com
*she's the nanny
*he's a single Dad
*found family
*grumpy x sunshine
*he's a tattoo artist
*small town romance
Thank you to the author (Amelia Markley), the publisher (Turner Publishing Company) & Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
The slow burn tension is palpable... seriously some of the best I've ever read.... you can see & feel their emotions and angst over it... they both are immediately physically attracted to each other... but are fighting it because they feel like it might not be appropriate (he's her best friend's brother, she's his daughter's nanny...)
The witty banter is top notch.... and so many LOL moments... I love Wes's daughter, Delilah/Lilah (and a fun twist that Ivy's middle name is also Delilah!) The daughter adds a lot to the book & I love how Ivy just fits right in with their family.
I LOVE Wes (& Ivy's best friend's) family!!! They are so fun & welcoming to her.. I love Maggie & Buck (the parents)'s sexy banter & flirting as well!! The brothers are amazing also... I hope there will be future books about them!!!
I really love that the Chapter headings for each of them have their flower tattoos pictured!! Wes is his tattoo of his daughter's birth month flower & Ivy's is the 2 flowers of her parents' birth months - that Wes tattooed for her on her bday..... I also really love that NO ONE calls him Wesley... but that's how he introduced himself to her & she calls him that.
The book is told in a dual 1st person POV.
This is Book 1 in the Canyon Creek series. I can't wait to read the rest of the books!!!!
Spice level: 4/5
*rom com
*she's the nanny
*he's a single Dad
*found family
*grumpy x sunshine
*he's a tattoo artist
*small town romance
Thank you to the author (Amelia Markley), the publisher (Turner Publishing Company) & Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
July 23, 2026
As someone who absolutely loves grumpy sunshine romances, single dads, and nanny tropes, Headfirst should have been an easy favorite for me. Unfortunately, it just never fully came together.
The foundation is there. Wes is the grumpy, tattooed single dad, Ivy is the sunshine heroine trying to start over after leaving a bad relationship, and Canyon Creek has all the charm you'd expect from a cozy small-town romance.
Where the story lost me was the pacing.
There were several moments where it felt like scenes or emotional beats were cut short, only for the story to suddenly jump ahead and pick back up again. It left parts of the romance feeling disconnected, and I found myself wanting more development between the characters before moving on to the next big moment.
There was also quite a bit of instalust. Normally, I don't mind an instant physical attraction—in fact, I usually enjoy it—but here it seemed to replace the emotional build that I was hoping for. Because of that, I never became as invested in Wes and Ivy's relationship as I wanted to be.
That isn't to say the book doesn't have its strengths. The small-town atmosphere is sweet, the supporting characters are enjoyable, and Wes's relationship with his daughter provides some genuinely heartwarming moments. I just kept wishing the romance had been given a little more room to breathe.
Overall, Headfirst wasn't a bad read—it simply didn't deliver on the tropes I was most excited for. If you enjoy small-town romances with plenty of chemistry and don't mind a faster-moving relationship, this may still work well for you. For me, though, the uneven pacing kept it from becoming the grumpy sunshine romance I'd been hoping for.
The foundation is there. Wes is the grumpy, tattooed single dad, Ivy is the sunshine heroine trying to start over after leaving a bad relationship, and Canyon Creek has all the charm you'd expect from a cozy small-town romance.
Where the story lost me was the pacing.
There were several moments where it felt like scenes or emotional beats were cut short, only for the story to suddenly jump ahead and pick back up again. It left parts of the romance feeling disconnected, and I found myself wanting more development between the characters before moving on to the next big moment.
There was also quite a bit of instalust. Normally, I don't mind an instant physical attraction—in fact, I usually enjoy it—but here it seemed to replace the emotional build that I was hoping for. Because of that, I never became as invested in Wes and Ivy's relationship as I wanted to be.
That isn't to say the book doesn't have its strengths. The small-town atmosphere is sweet, the supporting characters are enjoyable, and Wes's relationship with his daughter provides some genuinely heartwarming moments. I just kept wishing the romance had been given a little more room to breathe.
Overall, Headfirst wasn't a bad read—it simply didn't deliver on the tropes I was most excited for. If you enjoy small-town romances with plenty of chemistry and don't mind a faster-moving relationship, this may still work well for you. For me, though, the uneven pacing kept it from becoming the grumpy sunshine romance I'd been hoping for.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Headfirst by Amelia Markley was everything I love in a romance novel. Combining a small-town setting, a best friend's brother romance, and a nanny storyline, it delivered all the tropes I enjoy while still feeling fresh and engaging.
I absolutely loved Ivy and Wesley together. Their chemistry was undeniable from the start, and the tension between them was built up so well that every interaction had me wanting more. Wesley was the perfect protective hero without being overbearing, and the spicy scenes were beautifully written and fit naturally into the progression of their relationship.
One of my favourite parts of the book was Ivy's relationship with Wesley's daughter, Delilah. Their bond felt so genuine and heartwarming, and I loved seeing how quickly they connected. Delilah added so much warmth to the story and made me even more invested in Ivy and Wesley finding their happy ending.
The story focused on the characters, their growth, and the relationships they were building, which made the ending feel even more satisfying.
The side characters were also fantastic. They brought so much life to the small-town setting, and I loved getting little glimpses of potential future stories. Amelia Markley did a great job of making me excited for whatever comes next in this series.
Overall, Headfirst was a well-written, swoon-worthy romance filled with heart, chemistry, family, and all the elements that make me love the genre. If you're a fan of small-town romances, protective heroes, best friend's brother dynamics, and adorable parent-child relationships, this is definitely one to pick up.
I absolutely loved Ivy and Wesley together. Their chemistry was undeniable from the start, and the tension between them was built up so well that every interaction had me wanting more. Wesley was the perfect protective hero without being overbearing, and the spicy scenes were beautifully written and fit naturally into the progression of their relationship.
One of my favourite parts of the book was Ivy's relationship with Wesley's daughter, Delilah. Their bond felt so genuine and heartwarming, and I loved seeing how quickly they connected. Delilah added so much warmth to the story and made me even more invested in Ivy and Wesley finding their happy ending.
The story focused on the characters, their growth, and the relationships they were building, which made the ending feel even more satisfying.
The side characters were also fantastic. They brought so much life to the small-town setting, and I loved getting little glimpses of potential future stories. Amelia Markley did a great job of making me excited for whatever comes next in this series.
Overall, Headfirst was a well-written, swoon-worthy romance filled with heart, chemistry, family, and all the elements that make me love the genre. If you're a fan of small-town romances, protective heroes, best friend's brother dynamics, and adorable parent-child relationships, this is definitely one to pick up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
❤️🥀ARC Review🥀❤️
Thank you Amelia Markley and NetGalley for this ARC of Headfirst, let me say I fell completely headfirst and I need more! 🥹
I loved EVERYTHING about this story and these characters from Ivy and her quirky selfless self to Wesley and his grumpiness and how he longed for Ivy and the sweetest little girl ever, Delilah that precious girl was everything‼️
The way that everything lined up for Ivy to become Delilah’s nanny was perfection, I couldn’t have been more excited for a main character to looser their job 😂 Every interaction with Ivy and Delilah was so freaking adorable! The way that these two were twin flames and how Ivy ALWAYS put Delilah first to the way she didn’t care how goofy she looked as long as she made that little girl happy 🥹
Let me say the slow burn but that delicious trip to Texas 😉
Everything about that trip to Texas was chefs kiss amazing, from the way Ivy was shy about getting her and Delilah matching swim suits to the “just one time” vibes of their late night confessional was spectacular!
Ivy always thinking that she had to step aside or not speak up for fear that she would be “too much” and how she longed for a love story that lives in the pages of her romance books. Then when it happened and her story was the Single dad/Nanny Trope, it was beautiful.
I am so excited to grab a physical copy of this gem for my shelf and absolutely CANNOT wait to head back to Canyon Creek.
Tropes:
❤️Single Dad
🥀Tattoo artist x nanny
❤️Spicy rom com
🥀Small-town
❤️Found family
🥀Banter
❤️Close proximity
🥀Feel good
❤️Spicy
🥀No 3rd act break up
Thank you Amelia Markley and NetGalley for this ARC of Headfirst, let me say I fell completely headfirst and I need more! 🥹
I loved EVERYTHING about this story and these characters from Ivy and her quirky selfless self to Wesley and his grumpiness and how he longed for Ivy and the sweetest little girl ever, Delilah that precious girl was everything‼️
The way that everything lined up for Ivy to become Delilah’s nanny was perfection, I couldn’t have been more excited for a main character to looser their job 😂 Every interaction with Ivy and Delilah was so freaking adorable! The way that these two were twin flames and how Ivy ALWAYS put Delilah first to the way she didn’t care how goofy she looked as long as she made that little girl happy 🥹
Let me say the slow burn but that delicious trip to Texas 😉
Everything about that trip to Texas was chefs kiss amazing, from the way Ivy was shy about getting her and Delilah matching swim suits to the “just one time” vibes of their late night confessional was spectacular!
Ivy always thinking that she had to step aside or not speak up for fear that she would be “too much” and how she longed for a love story that lives in the pages of her romance books. Then when it happened and her story was the Single dad/Nanny Trope, it was beautiful.
I am so excited to grab a physical copy of this gem for my shelf and absolutely CANNOT wait to head back to Canyon Creek.
Tropes:
❤️Single Dad
🥀Tattoo artist x nanny
❤️Spicy rom com
🥀Small-town
❤️Found family
🥀Banter
❤️Close proximity
🥀Feel good
❤️Spicy
🥀No 3rd act break up
Review of advance copy
Wow. I am absolutely speechless over this book. I honestly cannot believe this is a debut because this book is incredible. There was so much love in this book that I felt like my heart was overflowing. Ivy and Wes are perfect together and I loved that they worked together to overcome conflicts. And No Third Act Breakup!!!!! The spicy scenes are minimal but man are they scorching.
Ivy and Delilah's relationship was the star of this story. There was so much love from the very beginning that I really didn't care about Wes until like halfway through the book. The hunt for dragon eggs made me snort out loud and I loved seeing the relationship build between them and Rose. There were so many supporting characters in this book and every single one of them was important. Katie was barely in the book, but Ivy's speech to her was downright diabolical.
When I eventually started caring about Wes, I fell almost as quickly as he did. Once he stopped fighting his pull to Ivy, he went straight to infatuation. He was so patient and caring while still managing to be flirtatious but respectful. The fact that Sarah was the voice of his inner monologue immediately won me over. It was such a clever way to keep her in the story without making her a hindrance or reducing her to a plot point.
Honestly, I can't say enough good things about this book. I will be rereading this every time I need an emotional pick-me-up. Thank you to NetGalley and Turner Publishing for the free eARC.
Ivy and Delilah's relationship was the star of this story. There was so much love from the very beginning that I really didn't care about Wes until like halfway through the book. The hunt for dragon eggs made me snort out loud and I loved seeing the relationship build between them and Rose. There were so many supporting characters in this book and every single one of them was important. Katie was barely in the book, but Ivy's speech to her was downright diabolical.
When I eventually started caring about Wes, I fell almost as quickly as he did. Once he stopped fighting his pull to Ivy, he went straight to infatuation. He was so patient and caring while still managing to be flirtatious but respectful. The fact that Sarah was the voice of his inner monologue immediately won me over. It was such a clever way to keep her in the story without making her a hindrance or reducing her to a plot point.
Honestly, I can't say enough good things about this book. I will be rereading this every time I need an emotional pick-me-up. Thank you to NetGalley and Turner Publishing for the free eARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
An absolute standout debut by Amelia Markley. She really took my favorite romance tropes, shoved them together, and knocked it out of the park.
After losing her job, Ivy finds a position as a nanny for her best friend's brother. Professionalism reigns... until the chemistry between them can't be ignored. The slow progression of their relationship was portrayed in a way that felt natural and real. I liked that it wasn't a straight line, but rather with a few missteps as they worked to find their footing as friends and then more. They work well together, matching each other's kindness and humor.
I found the relationship between Ivy and Delilah just as sweet and loving. Sometimes the child in the single parent/nanny trope is treated as solely a plot device, but this adorable, dragon-loving little girl was such a sweet addition to the story. I also appreciated that there was no drama between Wes's family and the couple, especially Sophie, over the relationship. Everyone was so supportive and folded Ivy into their family as if it was obvious she was meant to be there.
If you like found family, a grumpy/sunshine dynamic, and an all-around wholesome love story, this is for you. I already can't wait to be back in Canyon Creek for book two and to see more of the Cooper's. ⭐4.75 stars ⭐
Thanks to Turner Publishing, Netgalley, and the author for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
After losing her job, Ivy finds a position as a nanny for her best friend's brother. Professionalism reigns... until the chemistry between them can't be ignored. The slow progression of their relationship was portrayed in a way that felt natural and real. I liked that it wasn't a straight line, but rather with a few missteps as they worked to find their footing as friends and then more. They work well together, matching each other's kindness and humor.
I found the relationship between Ivy and Delilah just as sweet and loving. Sometimes the child in the single parent/nanny trope is treated as solely a plot device, but this adorable, dragon-loving little girl was such a sweet addition to the story. I also appreciated that there was no drama between Wes's family and the couple, especially Sophie, over the relationship. Everyone was so supportive and folded Ivy into their family as if it was obvious she was meant to be there.
If you like found family, a grumpy/sunshine dynamic, and an all-around wholesome love story, this is for you. I already can't wait to be back in Canyon Creek for book two and to see more of the Cooper's. ⭐4.75 stars ⭐
Thanks to Turner Publishing, Netgalley, and the author for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 5, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Keylight Books for this ARC of Headfirst!
⭐️: 4.25/5
🌶️: 3/5
Tropes: Found family, grumpy & sunshine, forbidden love, forced proximity, boss/nanny
—————————————————————————————————
I’m so impressed that this is her first book. It’s better than most debut romance novels I’ve read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! It was fun and easy and I ate it up. I caught myself smiling on more than one occasion and wishing I could transport myself into their sweet little life. I’m ready for the next one!
The dialogue was easy and felt natural. Not too cheesy, not too serious. It felt like exactly what I would expect a real adult to think and say.
I love a tattooed, muscular, single, grumpy, girl-dad. Delicious. Flawless, panty-dropping dirty talk? Protective and only slightly possessive? Can throw her around like a ragdoll but is gentle when the time calls for it? If I wasn’t already ovulating while reading this book, I could’ve. On demand.
Ivy was perfect. Brave and caring and just so dang likeable. She and Wes were perfect together, and it was so nice to see a healthy relationship for once. She is everything I want to be as a mother and wife, and I loved her.
And don’t get me started on Delilah... She’s the most precious thing I’ve ever read, and I’m so happy for this little book family.
⭐️: 4.25/5
🌶️: 3/5
Tropes: Found family, grumpy & sunshine, forbidden love, forced proximity, boss/nanny
—————————————————————————————————
I’m so impressed that this is her first book. It’s better than most debut romance novels I’ve read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! It was fun and easy and I ate it up. I caught myself smiling on more than one occasion and wishing I could transport myself into their sweet little life. I’m ready for the next one!
The dialogue was easy and felt natural. Not too cheesy, not too serious. It felt like exactly what I would expect a real adult to think and say.
I love a tattooed, muscular, single, grumpy, girl-dad. Delicious. Flawless, panty-dropping dirty talk? Protective and only slightly possessive? Can throw her around like a ragdoll but is gentle when the time calls for it? If I wasn’t already ovulating while reading this book, I could’ve. On demand.
Ivy was perfect. Brave and caring and just so dang likeable. She and Wes were perfect together, and it was so nice to see a healthy relationship for once. She is everything I want to be as a mother and wife, and I loved her.
And don’t get me started on Delilah... She’s the most precious thing I’ve ever read, and I’m so happy for this little book family.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 stars
16 June 2026
I was really hoping to enjoy this story more. We meet Ivy as a teacher, she then gets fired and accepts a job as a nanny for her only close friend’s brother, who is a single dad. She has a very sad backstory which also felt too convenient.
Friend Sophie and Wes’s whole family love Ivy. Predictably, they’re both intensely attracted to each other from the first meeting but fight their lust (just barely). Usually I like books that have emotionally driven challenges. But in this case it felt like neither of their past experiences were shown well enough to give their reasons for not being together enough strength.
And how smoothly everything slotted together with his daughter Delilah was a bit annoying. She was in love with Ivy from the second she saw her. It was all way too convenient. Ivy’s middle name is Delilah and it’s a sign from his dead best friend who was also his baby’s mother who died in childbirth.
It’s not a bad read but it’s not the most gripping story either.
I would be interested to read the story which is hinted at throughout the book, that of Sophie and Beau - the aforementioned best friend /sister and her first love.
I am grateful to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy, and this is my honest review of the book.
16 June 2026
I was really hoping to enjoy this story more. We meet Ivy as a teacher, she then gets fired and accepts a job as a nanny for her only close friend’s brother, who is a single dad. She has a very sad backstory which also felt too convenient.
Friend Sophie and Wes’s whole family love Ivy. Predictably, they’re both intensely attracted to each other from the first meeting but fight their lust (just barely). Usually I like books that have emotionally driven challenges. But in this case it felt like neither of their past experiences were shown well enough to give their reasons for not being together enough strength.
And how smoothly everything slotted together with his daughter Delilah was a bit annoying. She was in love with Ivy from the second she saw her. It was all way too convenient. Ivy’s middle name is Delilah and it’s a sign from his dead best friend who was also his baby’s mother who died in childbirth.
It’s not a bad read but it’s not the most gripping story either.
I would be interested to read the story which is hinted at throughout the book, that of Sophie and Beau - the aforementioned best friend /sister and her first love.
I am grateful to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy, and this is my honest review of the book.
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