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The Challenge: A Single Dad Romance
From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward comes a new, STANDALONE contemporary romance…
Nothing says welcome home like accidentally moving in with your first heartbreak…and his little girl.
Coming back to my small Wyoming hometown was supposed to be temporary. I only planned to stay long enough to help my ailing mother and sort through the mess of my family’s old belongings.
Instead, I somehow ended up living in Evan Ricci’s house. The single dad now owned a bunch of properties and one of them was the place I’d rented. He’d taken it off the market and moved in before I got there. I just never got the memo. Unfortunately, there was no other place in town available, so Evan let me stay.
Evan—the guy my parents took in years ago after his mother died.
The same Evan who used to dare me into ridiculous challenges that somehow always made me stronger—a game we’d dubbed The Challenge.
The same guy who ultimately rejected me before I left for college after I’d finally garnered the courage to shoot my shot.
Now Evan was a rugged single dad with an eight-year-old daughter, a cocky attitude, and a dangerous ability to make me forget every reason I should still hate him.
Sharing a house with him should’ve been unbearable. Instead, it felt dangerously familiar, nearly making me forget that I had a life and a job to get back to in Chicago. I realized the biggest challenge wasn’t surviving living with Evan Ricci.
It was not falling in love with him all over again.
Nothing says welcome home like accidentally moving in with your first heartbreak…and his little girl.
Coming back to my small Wyoming hometown was supposed to be temporary. I only planned to stay long enough to help my ailing mother and sort through the mess of my family’s old belongings.
Instead, I somehow ended up living in Evan Ricci’s house. The single dad now owned a bunch of properties and one of them was the place I’d rented. He’d taken it off the market and moved in before I got there. I just never got the memo. Unfortunately, there was no other place in town available, so Evan let me stay.
Evan—the guy my parents took in years ago after his mother died.
The same Evan who used to dare me into ridiculous challenges that somehow always made me stronger—a game we’d dubbed The Challenge.
The same guy who ultimately rejected me before I left for college after I’d finally garnered the courage to shoot my shot.
Now Evan was a rugged single dad with an eight-year-old daughter, a cocky attitude, and a dangerous ability to make me forget every reason I should still hate him.
Sharing a house with him should’ve been unbearable. Instead, it felt dangerously familiar, nearly making me forget that I had a life and a job to get back to in Chicago. I realized the biggest challenge wasn’t surviving living with Evan Ricci.
It was not falling in love with him all over again.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published August 30, 2026
About the author
Penelope Ward
116 books26.1k followersPenelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.
She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.
With millions of books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty novels.
In 2014, Penelope’s fourth book, Stepbrother Dearest, became the #1 bestselling independently published Kindle ebook of the year on Amazon.com and was credited with igniting an entirely new subgenre of romance. Her 2016 smash hit RoomHate debuted at #2 on The New York Times Bestseller list. Penelope is an Audie Award Winner and three-time Goodreads Choice Romance of the Year Nominee. Her books have been featured in Entertainment Weekly and Publisher’s Weekly (Starred Review).
Penelope’s novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
She can often be found chatting live with her readers in her private Facebook group, Penelope’s Peeps.
She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.
With millions of books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty novels.
In 2014, Penelope’s fourth book, Stepbrother Dearest, became the #1 bestselling independently published Kindle ebook of the year on Amazon.com and was credited with igniting an entirely new subgenre of romance. Her 2016 smash hit RoomHate debuted at #2 on The New York Times Bestseller list. Penelope is an Audie Award Winner and three-time Goodreads Choice Romance of the Year Nominee. Her books have been featured in Entertainment Weekly and Publisher’s Weekly (Starred Review).
Penelope’s novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
She can often be found chatting live with her readers in her private Facebook group, Penelope’s Peeps.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 371 reviews
August 21, 2026
Loved it! RTC
Read
August 30, 2026THE CHALLENGE: A Single Dad Romance is now LIVE in ALL Formats! FREE to Read in Kindle Unlimited! Get it while it's $3.99 (U.S. Pricing) for a very limited time. (Moving to $4.99 permanently after release.)
Amazon US: https://a.co/d/0fHCrUkV
Amazon UK: https://amzn.eu/d/0ifzve22
Amazon CA: https://a.co/d/0ebTpmgl
Amazon AU: https://amzn.asia/d/0dTpVF1N
DUET Audio: https://adbl.co/4gwRwfU
Special Edition Paperback: https://a.co/d/0gyOQgHR
Model Paperback: https://amzn.to/4x3Ujnf
What You Can Expect:
● SINGLE DAD
● SMALL TOWN
● FRIENDS TO LOVERS
● SECOND CHANCE
● FORCED PROXIMITY
● FOUND FAMILY
Amazon US: https://a.co/d/0fHCrUkV
Amazon UK: https://amzn.eu/d/0ifzve22
Amazon CA: https://a.co/d/0ebTpmgl
Amazon AU: https://amzn.asia/d/0dTpVF1N
DUET Audio: https://adbl.co/4gwRwfU
Special Edition Paperback: https://a.co/d/0gyOQgHR
Model Paperback: https://amzn.to/4x3Ujnf
What You Can Expect:
● SINGLE DAD
● SMALL TOWN
● FRIENDS TO LOVERS
● SECOND CHANCE
● FORCED PROXIMITY
● FOUND FAMILY
August 30, 2026
3.5 stars. I really wanted to like this more, but it fizzled out for me unfortunately. While the story started out great, and I was in five star territory. Eventually the wishy-washy ways of the two MMCs got to me. I wanted them chasing one another, but I didn't get that. I wanted the H Evan to really fight for Chloe, but I didn't get that. I understand his daughter had to come first, but I started to resent him as the hero. And then there's Chloe. She was also the same. Afraid of the rejection she received 10 year's prior from Evan kept her with one foot out the door. More understandable, but annoying all the same. It's almost like they were the same version of each other which kept us in will they or won't they territory until the end. There were a few good angsty moments with ex's coming back in, so I did appreciate that. Also, the daughter of Evan was really sweet and loved Chloe. Overall this story unfortunately became mediocre for me. I had higher hopes as it started out with a bang. But at least there was an epilogue.
August 21, 2026
When Chloe came home to spend time with her ill mom she didn’t expect to be renting a place from her former ex Evan Ricci. Her other surprise…apparently he is living there too with his daughter!!! How will she live under the same roof as him and survive!? Oh this is such a cute and sweet slow burn romance. Chloe always had a crush on Evan but it was not fully reciprocated. Maybe now as adults and close quarters misunderstandings can turn into what they really wanted. I loved Evan’s little girl Effie and her interactions with Chloe. Don’t worry there is some emotional moments and a little OM/OW drama too. Get ready for all the feels! Told in first person and dual POV.
September 4, 2026
ALC REVIEW
4.5 stars round up to 5 because this is not a 4 star story!
As far as narration goes, Connor Crais and Desireé Ketchum made a really great team. This is a duet narration and while I don’t mind either dual or duet, meaning I love them both lol, I’m super glad this story was in duet because it really makes me twitchy when children don’t sound the same throughout a story. It’s just takes me out of the “audio zone” and I dislike it, a lot. No worries here because it’s in duet so Effie was Effie all the time! YAY :) I can’t think of a single instance in this story that the audiobook made me twitchy. I have listened to countless audiobooks narrated by Connor and Desireé since I began my audio era and they have always deserved a round of applause for their performances and this time is no different.👏👏👏👏
The story of Evan & Chloe is one of those stories that could easily have run off the rails in dramatics, but Penelope made a choice not to write that way, and I want to give her a hug for it. There’s a lot of individual circumstances/history that both Evan & Chloe have to navigate and grow from alongside their journey to a HEA and every single step felt organic and realistic. I really like my fiction to be realistic and while I know that no one gets out of life without “drama”, “dramatics” is another beast and I don’t like it. LOL So, it’s a good thing for me that Penelope didn’t stray into that lane too far!
I loved how Penelope took their younger selves’ “challenge game” and used it as a tool for Chloe & Evan to navigate and grow their feelings and become closer and intimate. It was rather genius actually and it’s nice to read a story with some fresh ideas.
The story didn’t feel angsty to me, but it was full of emotion at every turn. That’s another #win for me. While I don’t mind crying my eyes out over a story, I prefer stories that have emotional impact in all forms, from laughing to crying to just gool old satisfaction. I felt “some kind of way” at every turn with this story and it was always positive!
Mt experience with this story is only via audio so I can’t definitively say one is best over another (that’s my challenge game I like to play with myself), but something tells me either way this story is going to hit right for you!
4.5 stars round up to 5 because this is not a 4 star story!
As far as narration goes, Connor Crais and Desireé Ketchum made a really great team. This is a duet narration and while I don’t mind either dual or duet, meaning I love them both lol, I’m super glad this story was in duet because it really makes me twitchy when children don’t sound the same throughout a story. It’s just takes me out of the “audio zone” and I dislike it, a lot. No worries here because it’s in duet so Effie was Effie all the time! YAY :) I can’t think of a single instance in this story that the audiobook made me twitchy. I have listened to countless audiobooks narrated by Connor and Desireé since I began my audio era and they have always deserved a round of applause for their performances and this time is no different.👏👏👏👏
The story of Evan & Chloe is one of those stories that could easily have run off the rails in dramatics, but Penelope made a choice not to write that way, and I want to give her a hug for it. There’s a lot of individual circumstances/history that both Evan & Chloe have to navigate and grow from alongside their journey to a HEA and every single step felt organic and realistic. I really like my fiction to be realistic and while I know that no one gets out of life without “drama”, “dramatics” is another beast and I don’t like it. LOL So, it’s a good thing for me that Penelope didn’t stray into that lane too far!
I loved how Penelope took their younger selves’ “challenge game” and used it as a tool for Chloe & Evan to navigate and grow their feelings and become closer and intimate. It was rather genius actually and it’s nice to read a story with some fresh ideas.
The story didn’t feel angsty to me, but it was full of emotion at every turn. That’s another #win for me. While I don’t mind crying my eyes out over a story, I prefer stories that have emotional impact in all forms, from laughing to crying to just gool old satisfaction. I felt “some kind of way” at every turn with this story and it was always positive!
Mt experience with this story is only via audio so I can’t definitively say one is best over another (that’s my challenge game I like to play with myself), but something tells me either way this story is going to hit right for you!
August 25, 2026
This was my first Penelope Ward book and it won't be my last! The way that I loved this story so much and I think a lot of it has to do with me relating to the FMC on a visceral level.
Before we start with this review, please check the content/trigger warnings. If you get triggered by parental loss/illness then you may want to proceed with caution. With that being said, as someone who personally loss her mother to Lewy body dementia, I saw a lot of myself in our FMCs character. And I find stories like this to be both emotional and healing. Our FMCs mother is also suffering from dementia and the resemblance of what myself and my family went through was so perfectly portrayed in this book, so for that, thank you Penelope for including this topic in this book and helping me heal just a little but more with my grief.
Ok moving on, I really loved this book. This is a small town single dad romance between two childhood friends who essentially became strangers but when our FMC returns home to help care for her mom, she rents a house on her small hometown only for it to already be occupied by her childhood crush and his daughter. And of course, old feelings reemerge. But my favorite this about this book was this game that they called "the challenge." Hence the name of the book. But they would challenge each other to do things that they dont want to do by writing it down on a post it note. The challenge could be sweet or spicy. But it's something they did as children and I just found it to be so sweet and encouraging to get each other to step out of their comfort zone and take what they want from life.
I will say, if you are an audiobook girlie, then please listen to the audiobook. The Challenge is duet narration by Connor Crais and Desireé Ketchum. These two did a phenomenal job at bringing this story to life. And all I am going to say is, if you enjoy a good deep growl then hold on to your panties because the growl that Connor did during a fun and spicy closet scene altered my brain chemistry in the best possible way.
*I would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Penelope Ward and Must Love Audio for allowing me the pleasure to listen to The Challenge as an ALC in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions and review.
Before we start with this review, please check the content/trigger warnings. If you get triggered by parental loss/illness then you may want to proceed with caution. With that being said, as someone who personally loss her mother to Lewy body dementia, I saw a lot of myself in our FMCs character. And I find stories like this to be both emotional and healing. Our FMCs mother is also suffering from dementia and the resemblance of what myself and my family went through was so perfectly portrayed in this book, so for that, thank you Penelope for including this topic in this book and helping me heal just a little but more with my grief.
Ok moving on, I really loved this book. This is a small town single dad romance between two childhood friends who essentially became strangers but when our FMC returns home to help care for her mom, she rents a house on her small hometown only for it to already be occupied by her childhood crush and his daughter. And of course, old feelings reemerge. But my favorite this about this book was this game that they called "the challenge." Hence the name of the book. But they would challenge each other to do things that they dont want to do by writing it down on a post it note. The challenge could be sweet or spicy. But it's something they did as children and I just found it to be so sweet and encouraging to get each other to step out of their comfort zone and take what they want from life.
I will say, if you are an audiobook girlie, then please listen to the audiobook. The Challenge is duet narration by Connor Crais and Desireé Ketchum. These two did a phenomenal job at bringing this story to life. And all I am going to say is, if you enjoy a good deep growl then hold on to your panties because the growl that Connor did during a fun and spicy closet scene altered my brain chemistry in the best possible way.
*I would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Penelope Ward and Must Love Audio for allowing me the pleasure to listen to The Challenge as an ALC in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions and review.
August 25, 2026
“I thought I lost you. But the universe simply put our story on pause.”
First loves aren’t always pretty and most of the time it’s loving in secret. You steal glances across the room or find any opportunity to be around that person that you can’t stop thinking about. That was Chloe when it came to Evan Ricci.
Evan came to stay with her family and even though he was older, they always shared a connection. But as the years passed and Evan came home from the military, he started to see Chloe differently. But there is always that little doubt in your mind that if you cross a line with somebody, you can never go back to what you had. So, they went their separate ways. Ten years later the past hits them both in the face when Chloe is back in town and accidentally rents an Airbnb from the man she’s never stopped thinking about.
With years between them, an angry letter she wrote and Evan’s adorable daughter Effie, the timing has never been right for them, but that’s the funny thing about Second chances and fate. It never happens when you want it to happen. It happens when you least expect it.
They both have heavy pasts and Chloe is also struggling with the present, but is time finally on their side? You’ll have to read it to find out! I absolutely loved Evan and Chloe’s story! Happy Release day!
First loves aren’t always pretty and most of the time it’s loving in secret. You steal glances across the room or find any opportunity to be around that person that you can’t stop thinking about. That was Chloe when it came to Evan Ricci.
Evan came to stay with her family and even though he was older, they always shared a connection. But as the years passed and Evan came home from the military, he started to see Chloe differently. But there is always that little doubt in your mind that if you cross a line with somebody, you can never go back to what you had. So, they went their separate ways. Ten years later the past hits them both in the face when Chloe is back in town and accidentally rents an Airbnb from the man she’s never stopped thinking about.
With years between them, an angry letter she wrote and Evan’s adorable daughter Effie, the timing has never been right for them, but that’s the funny thing about Second chances and fate. It never happens when you want it to happen. It happens when you least expect it.
They both have heavy pasts and Chloe is also struggling with the present, but is time finally on their side? You’ll have to read it to find out! I absolutely loved Evan and Chloe’s story! Happy Release day!
August 23, 2026
4.75 ! Love me a single dad romance! Really enjoyed the audio version and the narrators. This is my second Penelope Ward read and I loved both of them! Looking forward to more!
August 24, 2026
Main trope: This is a contemporary romance.
Additional tropes:
✅Friends to lovers
✅Close proximity
Detailed spoilers/trigger warnings (if any) and final thoughts can be found below. There is a warning right before the spoiler and trigger section so you have the choice to proceed or stop reading.
Summary: The FMC is Chloe. She arrives to her hometown to settle some family affairs and be close to her mom, who is in the end stages of dementia. She intends to rent a place temporarily only when she arrives, she finds it is already occupied. And to her biggest surprise it’s someone she knows very well.
Evan lost his mom as a teenager and came to live with the FMC and her family. Chloe’s mom and Evan’s mom were best friends since childhood so the main characters knew each other their whole lives. Evan was a few years older than Chloe but that didn’t stop her from having a big crush on him and when she turned 18, attempting to let him know how she felt only for him to reject her.
She went off to college and whenever she came home, avoided him. He went on to marry and have a daughter whom he now is the primary parent for. To say the FMC is surprised to see Evan is an understatement. Realizing there must have been a mix-up with the rental, the FMC tries to find other arrangements to no avail, leaving her no choice but to stay with the MMC and his daughter. It actually turns out good as the FMC begins to get close to Evan’s daughter while learning to let go of some of the hurt she had felt all those years ago. The MMC had a good reason to reject her which he explains and she understands.
The couple grow closer with the MMC being a loving and supportive person for the FMC as she copes with what is happening in her life right now. At some point, the couple must address the fact that Chloe doesn’t live here anymore and she will need to leave and return back to work, but like the first time she left, it’s not easy to leave a piece of your heart behind.
⚠️SPOILERS/SPICE/DETAILED TRIGGERS⚠️
✋
✋
✋
🌶️:2/5
Final thoughts: What can I say, I loved this book. The main characters were amazing. The character development was unmatched. That’s one of the things I love most about her writing and what makes Penelope my favorite author.
The MMC’s daughter was such a joy in this story. And color me surprised, and dare I say ecstatic, to see some other woman type drama (technically came from the person the MMC was dating but that’s neither here nor there). I loved it for my little angsty heart. The tension from the close proximity was top tier as well. And the epilogue had me crying which is usually the way in her books. I truly cannot say enough about this book other than it is a must read and if you can listen to it, that’s even better.
Additional tropes:
✅Friends to lovers
✅Close proximity
Detailed spoilers/trigger warnings (if any) and final thoughts can be found below. There is a warning right before the spoiler and trigger section so you have the choice to proceed or stop reading.
Summary: The FMC is Chloe. She arrives to her hometown to settle some family affairs and be close to her mom, who is in the end stages of dementia. She intends to rent a place temporarily only when she arrives, she finds it is already occupied. And to her biggest surprise it’s someone she knows very well.
Evan lost his mom as a teenager and came to live with the FMC and her family. Chloe’s mom and Evan’s mom were best friends since childhood so the main characters knew each other their whole lives. Evan was a few years older than Chloe but that didn’t stop her from having a big crush on him and when she turned 18, attempting to let him know how she felt only for him to reject her.
She went off to college and whenever she came home, avoided him. He went on to marry and have a daughter whom he now is the primary parent for. To say the FMC is surprised to see Evan is an understatement. Realizing there must have been a mix-up with the rental, the FMC tries to find other arrangements to no avail, leaving her no choice but to stay with the MMC and his daughter. It actually turns out good as the FMC begins to get close to Evan’s daughter while learning to let go of some of the hurt she had felt all those years ago. The MMC had a good reason to reject her which he explains and she understands.
The couple grow closer with the MMC being a loving and supportive person for the FMC as she copes with what is happening in her life right now. At some point, the couple must address the fact that Chloe doesn’t live here anymore and she will need to leave and return back to work, but like the first time she left, it’s not easy to leave a piece of your heart behind.
⚠️SPOILERS/SPICE/DETAILED TRIGGERS⚠️
✋
✋
✋
🌶️:2/5
Final thoughts: What can I say, I loved this book. The main characters were amazing. The character development was unmatched. That’s one of the things I love most about her writing and what makes Penelope my favorite author.
The MMC’s daughter was such a joy in this story. And color me surprised, and dare I say ecstatic, to see some other woman type drama (technically came from the person the MMC was dating but that’s neither here nor there). I loved it for my little angsty heart. The tension from the close proximity was top tier as well. And the epilogue had me crying which is usually the way in her books. I truly cannot say enough about this book other than it is a must read and if you can listen to it, that’s even better.
August 23, 2026
Well Penelope has done it again. She has topped her previous book, and I now have a new favorite. This book was amazing on its own, but when you add in the fantastic duet narration by Desiree Ketchum and Connor Crais, it just blew me away. And that this is one of my favorite tropes ever...single dad, I was just done for. There is a reason Penelope is my favorite author and it's because of books like this.
Chloe has come back to town because her mother's condition is worsening and she needs to take care of some things that have been pushed aside for too long. She believes that she has a home to rent while she is in town, only to find when she arrives that not only is it occupied but it's occupied by none other than the guy who pretty much shattered her young heart years ago. Who is staying there with his daughter. Chloe was smitten with Evan years ago when he was a young man, but now he's a grown man and a single dad. Basically, he's off the charts hot. And Chloe has absolutely nowhere else to stay in this small town. So, Evan offers her his guest room.
Evan was never expecting Chloe to show up on his doorstep, and he definitely wasn't expecting to be sharing his home with her. But here he is, sharing his space with his daughter and the woman he can never quite get out of his mind or heart. It doesn't take long for his daughter to become just as entranced with Chloe as he is. He tries to keep some boundaries in place, but with Chloe that is just impossible.
I truly loved seeing these two navigate living in close quarters and fighting against their desires. Chloe was so good with Evan's daughter and was the perfect mother figure for her, even when she wasn't really trying to be that for her. I loved their Challenges that they made each other do...even when they were a little difficult or intense, they were worth it in the end. I also love how Penelope can continue to surprise me with every single book she writes.
I just loved everything about this story and didn't want it to end.
Chloe has come back to town because her mother's condition is worsening and she needs to take care of some things that have been pushed aside for too long. She believes that she has a home to rent while she is in town, only to find when she arrives that not only is it occupied but it's occupied by none other than the guy who pretty much shattered her young heart years ago. Who is staying there with his daughter. Chloe was smitten with Evan years ago when he was a young man, but now he's a grown man and a single dad. Basically, he's off the charts hot. And Chloe has absolutely nowhere else to stay in this small town. So, Evan offers her his guest room.
Evan was never expecting Chloe to show up on his doorstep, and he definitely wasn't expecting to be sharing his home with her. But here he is, sharing his space with his daughter and the woman he can never quite get out of his mind or heart. It doesn't take long for his daughter to become just as entranced with Chloe as he is. He tries to keep some boundaries in place, but with Chloe that is just impossible.
I truly loved seeing these two navigate living in close quarters and fighting against their desires. Chloe was so good with Evan's daughter and was the perfect mother figure for her, even when she wasn't really trying to be that for her. I loved their Challenges that they made each other do...even when they were a little difficult or intense, they were worth it in the end. I also love how Penelope can continue to surprise me with every single book she writes.
I just loved everything about this story and didn't want it to end.
September 24, 2026
I’m a softie for single dad books. Evan Ricci is a great example of a single dad. He adores his little Effie and she will always come first. Any woman who comes into his life will have to take a back seat. That is until Chloe arrives back in his life.
Younger Chloe had crushed on Evan, but he was older, more experienced, and she was about to go away to college. He wouldn’t standing her way.
The Challenge didn’t set me on fire, but it was an ok read.
Younger Chloe had crushed on Evan, but he was older, more experienced, and she was about to go away to college. He wouldn’t standing her way.
The Challenge didn’t set me on fire, but it was an ok read.
August 23, 2026
What an amazing read!! Which Penelope never disappoints!! This book kept me on an emotional roller coaster!! With Evan being a single dad and raising his little girl! Who was absolutely adorable and reminded me so much of my granddaughter!! She was so energetic and ask so many questions! Then there was Chloe and her and Evan had a past!! And some of the past they shared was so sweet and funny. And some was hysterical and wrong on Chloe’s part but still funny. The reason Chloe is back home is not funny at all! Her mother is suffering from dementia and she’s had to put her in a home. And her dad had remarried and sold their childhood home and she’s having to go through the belongings to see what to keep and what to get rid of all alone. So Chloe is taking on a lot all by herself. And she’s reconnecting with Evan but not getting her hopes up. And Evan is scared that it might be someone who might walk out on Effie again so he doesn’t know what to do. This is definitely a beautiful story of love, life, loss, and the ability to trust again and give second chances and forgiveness. And I wish I could reread it all over again for the first time!! This will also be in my top 3 books of the year!! I might have to extend my top 3 to a top 5 because I am reading some amazingly good books!! I wish I could give this one a lot more than 6 stars ⭐️!!! I can’t recommend this book enough!! If there is one book that you read this year read this one!!!
September 3, 2026
4.5 best friends-enemies-lovers stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.✨️
3 slow-burn 🌶
3 slow-burn 🌶
September 4, 2026
DNF. This is the first Penelope Ward book I have read in years. I am so disappointed but I think that may be a me thing as I am now a few years older and maybe was expecting the characters to now be a few years older too. I was just not invested in the characters or story. It sort of scratched the surface on all the drama. Sorry this one was not for me
September 4, 2026
DNF
Bored with the back and forth nonsense between the mains. They both acted like brats.
I made it almost 60% in until I couldn't take it anymore.
Bored with the back and forth nonsense between the mains. They both acted like brats.
I made it almost 60% in until I couldn't take it anymore.
October 5, 2026
"No me había dado cuenta de lo oscuras que habían sido nuestras vidas hasta que llegaste y lo iluminaste todo"
Ok, admito que al principio dije ¡Acá falta demasiada comunicación para solucionar las cosas" pero conforme avanzaba la lectura me di cuenta que para los momentos y situaciones en las que se encontraban los personajes era obvio que no dirían sus sentimientos en voz alta y en ambas situaciones llegue a la misma conclusión ambos tenían muchísimo miedo.
Chloe regreso a su ciudad donde vivio toda su infancia porque la enfermedad de au madre lamentablemente esta muy grave y necesita de sus cuidados y cuando llega a su nuevo hogar descubre que Evan el hombre que fue su primer amor y también quien rompió su corazón al rechazarla esta viviendo alli con su hija.
La verdad es que la relación entre ellos es al principio tensa porque Chloe en el pasado y bajo el efecto del alcohol y con el dolor a flor de piel decidió enviarle una carta a Evan diciendo todo lo que pensaba de el, claramente no eran cosas bonitas porque de parte de Evan existe un pequeño dolor por las palabras de ella cosa que le saca en cara con pequeñas bromas cada vez que puede, eso si la tensión, atracción y química entre ellos es muy difícil de evitar.
Siento que en el libro hubieron dos partes de la historia, la primera era para que abrieran las ojos y vieran que las parejas que tenían en ese momento no eran la indicadas entre ellos y también para poder solucionar y hablar del pasado cosa que nunca hicieron y así lograr un cierre para esta nueva relación que estaba naciendo entre ellos cosa que fue de mucha ayuda para ambos porque tuvieron un enorme crecimiento a lo largo del libro y supieron dejar sus miedos atrás para poder vivir libremente con el amor que sentían y fue muy bonito ver esa nueva parte de Evan porque el demostrando su amor fue lo mas lindo del mundo ya que tenía detalles tan apreciados y especiales que enamoraban ♥️😭
Ok, admito que al principio dije ¡Acá falta demasiada comunicación para solucionar las cosas" pero conforme avanzaba la lectura me di cuenta que para los momentos y situaciones en las que se encontraban los personajes era obvio que no dirían sus sentimientos en voz alta y en ambas situaciones llegue a la misma conclusión ambos tenían muchísimo miedo.
Chloe regreso a su ciudad donde vivio toda su infancia porque la enfermedad de au madre lamentablemente esta muy grave y necesita de sus cuidados y cuando llega a su nuevo hogar descubre que Evan el hombre que fue su primer amor y también quien rompió su corazón al rechazarla esta viviendo alli con su hija.
La verdad es que la relación entre ellos es al principio tensa porque Chloe en el pasado y bajo el efecto del alcohol y con el dolor a flor de piel decidió enviarle una carta a Evan diciendo todo lo que pensaba de el, claramente no eran cosas bonitas porque de parte de Evan existe un pequeño dolor por las palabras de ella cosa que le saca en cara con pequeñas bromas cada vez que puede, eso si la tensión, atracción y química entre ellos es muy difícil de evitar.
Siento que en el libro hubieron dos partes de la historia, la primera era para que abrieran las ojos y vieran que las parejas que tenían en ese momento no eran la indicadas entre ellos y también para poder solucionar y hablar del pasado cosa que nunca hicieron y así lograr un cierre para esta nueva relación que estaba naciendo entre ellos cosa que fue de mucha ayuda para ambos porque tuvieron un enorme crecimiento a lo largo del libro y supieron dejar sus miedos atrás para poder vivir libremente con el amor que sentían y fue muy bonito ver esa nueva parte de Evan porque el demostrando su amor fue lo mas lindo del mundo ya que tenía detalles tan apreciados y especiales que enamoraban ♥️😭
September 2, 2026
🎁 Source: Thank you to the author and give me books promos for the free advance listen!
📖 Title: The Challenge
✍️Author: Penelope Ward
🎙️Narrated by: Desiree Ketchum & Connor Crais
🏡Duet narration
💗Open door spice
🏡Single dad
💗Small town
🏡Second chance
💗Friends to lovers
🏡Forced proximity
💗**dementia
📝My Thoughts:
First of all, this second chance re-meet cute was top tier drama. I would just totally die in real life, but I ate it up in a romance book! That along with friends to lovers and a hot single dad, really had me weak in the knees. These two had so much heart and sizzling chemistry, and the tension was chefs kiss. Evan is the best dad, and the most supportive friend to Chloe when she needs it. I loved the relationship between Chloe and that sweet little girl, and how effortlessly the three of them became a family and wrapped Chloe into the fold. Chloe returns to her home town to help her ailing mother with dementia, who is really unwell. This may be triggering for some, so take care.
🎧 As for the audio, Desiree and Connor rocked it! I loved Desiree’s voice for Effie, it was so cute and absolutely perfect. I thought they did such a great job with the banter and heart of the story, and the chemistry they brought to life was so well done. This audio was so good, recommend!
📖 Title: The Challenge
✍️Author: Penelope Ward
🎙️Narrated by: Desiree Ketchum & Connor Crais
🏡Duet narration
💗Open door spice
🏡Single dad
💗Small town
🏡Second chance
💗Friends to lovers
🏡Forced proximity
💗**dementia
📝My Thoughts:
First of all, this second chance re-meet cute was top tier drama. I would just totally die in real life, but I ate it up in a romance book! That along with friends to lovers and a hot single dad, really had me weak in the knees. These two had so much heart and sizzling chemistry, and the tension was chefs kiss. Evan is the best dad, and the most supportive friend to Chloe when she needs it. I loved the relationship between Chloe and that sweet little girl, and how effortlessly the three of them became a family and wrapped Chloe into the fold. Chloe returns to her home town to help her ailing mother with dementia, who is really unwell. This may be triggering for some, so take care.
🎧 As for the audio, Desiree and Connor rocked it! I loved Desiree’s voice for Effie, it was so cute and absolutely perfect. I thought they did such a great job with the banter and heart of the story, and the chemistry they brought to life was so well done. This audio was so good, recommend!
September 2, 2026
Beautiful with so many emotions!
This is one of the special books. The one that pulls at the heartstrings and lives in your head long after you read it. This one will always be special to me. The other reason this one is special is because the audio with this book brings out the emotions even more. Connor and Desiree' bring out Evan and Chloe's story so beautifully. They capture the book, the characters and the feel of the book so well that you forget what's going on around you. I have been hooked on this audio for a couple days and now I'm sad that I finished it. It's seriously that good!!
This story is about best friends who never brought up how they felt but showed it by actions. Unfortunately neither had clue that was happening until it was on video. One is scared cause he's been burnt before and lost so much in life. He has his career and beautiful daughter. He thought he was happy but never let Chloe stray from his mind.
Chloe moved to Chicago for school and then her job. When her mom got sick, fate stepped in and gave these two a second chance.
This book will have you feeling so many emotions, cause my heart went thru the ringer but it was all worth it to see their beautiful ending. I would highly encourage you to read this and listen to the audio. It's very well done.
This is one of the special books. The one that pulls at the heartstrings and lives in your head long after you read it. This one will always be special to me. The other reason this one is special is because the audio with this book brings out the emotions even more. Connor and Desiree' bring out Evan and Chloe's story so beautifully. They capture the book, the characters and the feel of the book so well that you forget what's going on around you. I have been hooked on this audio for a couple days and now I'm sad that I finished it. It's seriously that good!!
This story is about best friends who never brought up how they felt but showed it by actions. Unfortunately neither had clue that was happening until it was on video. One is scared cause he's been burnt before and lost so much in life. He has his career and beautiful daughter. He thought he was happy but never let Chloe stray from his mind.
Chloe moved to Chicago for school and then her job. When her mom got sick, fate stepped in and gave these two a second chance.
This book will have you feeling so many emotions, cause my heart went thru the ringer but it was all worth it to see their beautiful ending. I would highly encourage you to read this and listen to the audio. It's very well done.
August 28, 2026
📚The Challenge by Penelope Ward
🎤Desiree Ketchum and Connor Crais
DUET NARRATION
4.5 ⭐
Thanks to Penelope Ward and Give Me Books Promo for a #gifted copy of the ARC and ALC. All thoughts are my own.
I absolutely LOVED Evan and Chloe's story. You give me a second chance romance AND a hot single dad?? I'm truly a goner! There's honestly nothing more delicious to me. Truly, my top tier tropes and Penelope delivers ya'll. It's no secret I love her books and this one absolutely hit the mark for me and then some!
Chloe returns to her hometown to care for her mother who has Alzheimer's. Because of a mix up with the rental reservation, she ends up having to live temporarily with her childhood crush, Evan, who broke her heart years ago. Their history is a bit complicated and messy but I was rooting for these two the whole time!
These two had such a fun chemistry then add Evan's precocious daughter, Effie, who absolutely steals the show. Their banter and fun challenges on pink sticky notes had me chuckling right out loud. It was wonderful watching them work through their feelings for each other, sneaking around, managing their close quarters and the sweet relationship that Effie and Chloe begin to build. Evan is such a wonderful dad and is also the friend and support that Chloe needs as she is wading through the struggles with her mom and dad.
We slowly get to watch these three become a little family and it's just SO dang sweet and swoony. This book will just get you all up in your feels, trust me! Neither of these two are looking for love but when their second chance comes knocking on the door (or closet IYKYK 🤭), they know they can't let it slip away again!
🎤Let's talk audio: Desiree and Connor's performances make this book even better. They had the perfect voices for these characters. Desiree does such a wonderful job voicing sweet little Effie too. 🥹These two delivered the banter perfectly and brought out the heart of the book so flawlessly! Penelope never misses when casting her audios you guys. I can't recommend this book and audio enough. I was fortunate to be able to do an immersive read and it was FANTASTIC! Don't miss this one ya'll!
🎤Desiree Ketchum and Connor Crais
DUET NARRATION
4.5 ⭐
Thanks to Penelope Ward and Give Me Books Promo for a #gifted copy of the ARC and ALC. All thoughts are my own.
I absolutely LOVED Evan and Chloe's story. You give me a second chance romance AND a hot single dad?? I'm truly a goner! There's honestly nothing more delicious to me. Truly, my top tier tropes and Penelope delivers ya'll. It's no secret I love her books and this one absolutely hit the mark for me and then some!
Chloe returns to her hometown to care for her mother who has Alzheimer's. Because of a mix up with the rental reservation, she ends up having to live temporarily with her childhood crush, Evan, who broke her heart years ago. Their history is a bit complicated and messy but I was rooting for these two the whole time!
These two had such a fun chemistry then add Evan's precocious daughter, Effie, who absolutely steals the show. Their banter and fun challenges on pink sticky notes had me chuckling right out loud. It was wonderful watching them work through their feelings for each other, sneaking around, managing their close quarters and the sweet relationship that Effie and Chloe begin to build. Evan is such a wonderful dad and is also the friend and support that Chloe needs as she is wading through the struggles with her mom and dad.
We slowly get to watch these three become a little family and it's just SO dang sweet and swoony. This book will just get you all up in your feels, trust me! Neither of these two are looking for love but when their second chance comes knocking on the door (or closet IYKYK 🤭), they know they can't let it slip away again!
🎤Let's talk audio: Desiree and Connor's performances make this book even better. They had the perfect voices for these characters. Desiree does such a wonderful job voicing sweet little Effie too. 🥹These two delivered the banter perfectly and brought out the heart of the book so flawlessly! Penelope never misses when casting her audios you guys. I can't recommend this book and audio enough. I was fortunate to be able to do an immersive read and it was FANTASTIC! Don't miss this one ya'll!
Review of advance copy received from Author
From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward comes a new, STANDALONE contemporary romance…
Nothing says welcome home like accidentally moving in with your first heartbreak…and his little girl.
Coming back to my small Wyoming hometown was supposed to be temporary. I only planned to stay long enough to help my ailing mother and sort through the mess of my family’s old belongings.
Instead, I somehow ended up living in Evan Ricci’s house. The single dad now owned a bunch of properties and one of them was the place I’d rented. He’d taken it off the market and moved in before I got there. I just never got the memo. Unfortunately, there was no other place in town available, so Evan let me stay.
Evan—the guy my parents took in years ago after his mother died.
The same Evan who used to dare me into ridiculous challenges that somehow always made me stronger—a game we’d dubbed The Challenge.
The same guy who ultimately rejected me before I left for college after I’d finally garnered the courage to shoot my shot.
Now Evan was a rugged single dad with an eight-year-old daughter, a cocky attitude, and a dangerous ability to make me forget every reason I should still hate him.
Sharing a house with him should’ve been unbearable. Instead, it felt dangerously familiar, nearly making me forget that I had a life and a job to get back to in Chicago. I realized the biggest challenge wasn’t surviving living with Evan Ricci.
It was not falling in love with him all over again.
Loved Evan & Chloe’s story! I was completely hooked within the first few pages and couldn’t put it down. This book had all the feels—second chances, old feelings, family, and plenty of chemistry between Evan and Chloe.
I especially loved the history between them and watching those old feelings slowly resurface. And of course, Chloe was absolutely adorable and added so much heart to the story.
If you love single-dad romances, second chances, forced proximity, and a little small-town charm, this one is definitely for you! I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend!
Nothing says welcome home like accidentally moving in with your first heartbreak…and his little girl.
Coming back to my small Wyoming hometown was supposed to be temporary. I only planned to stay long enough to help my ailing mother and sort through the mess of my family’s old belongings.
Instead, I somehow ended up living in Evan Ricci’s house. The single dad now owned a bunch of properties and one of them was the place I’d rented. He’d taken it off the market and moved in before I got there. I just never got the memo. Unfortunately, there was no other place in town available, so Evan let me stay.
Evan—the guy my parents took in years ago after his mother died.
The same Evan who used to dare me into ridiculous challenges that somehow always made me stronger—a game we’d dubbed The Challenge.
The same guy who ultimately rejected me before I left for college after I’d finally garnered the courage to shoot my shot.
Now Evan was a rugged single dad with an eight-year-old daughter, a cocky attitude, and a dangerous ability to make me forget every reason I should still hate him.
Sharing a house with him should’ve been unbearable. Instead, it felt dangerously familiar, nearly making me forget that I had a life and a job to get back to in Chicago. I realized the biggest challenge wasn’t surviving living with Evan Ricci.
It was not falling in love with him all over again.
Loved Evan & Chloe’s story! I was completely hooked within the first few pages and couldn’t put it down. This book had all the feels—second chances, old feelings, family, and plenty of chemistry between Evan and Chloe.
I especially loved the history between them and watching those old feelings slowly resurface. And of course, Chloe was absolutely adorable and added so much heart to the story.
If you love single-dad romances, second chances, forced proximity, and a little small-town charm, this one is definitely for you! I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend!
August 26, 2026
Nothing says "welcome home" quite like accidentally moving in with your first heartbreak... AND his eight-year-old daughter. OOPS! Cue the forced proximity turned irresistible love story!
When returning home to Wyoming to help her mom leads to a rental mix-up, Chloe ends up sharing a roof with Evan Ricci—the guy who broke her teenage heart. They reignite their old childhood game of trading ridiculous dares, which takes the banter/fun up a notch and forces them to finally address their past.
What was meant to be an awkward, temporary arrangement quickly shifts into something that feels dangerously like home, threatening every boundary Chloe built to protect her heart. Forced proximity at its best and the slow burn tension was pure perfection! Evan is one heck of a swoon-worthy book boyfriend with his sexy single dad vibes + signature cocky charm.
Audio review: Desiree Ketchum and Connor Crais narrating in duet. SAY LESS! As soon as I saw the narrator reveal, I knew this was one I needed to listen to! Their playful banter together felt so natural and immersive. Desiree brings out all Chloe's snark and vulnerability, while Connor’s voice showcased the ruggedly charming and totally swoon-worthy side of Evan. Their back-and-forth chemistry had me smiling and kicking my feet while listening!
When returning home to Wyoming to help her mom leads to a rental mix-up, Chloe ends up sharing a roof with Evan Ricci—the guy who broke her teenage heart. They reignite their old childhood game of trading ridiculous dares, which takes the banter/fun up a notch and forces them to finally address their past.
What was meant to be an awkward, temporary arrangement quickly shifts into something that feels dangerously like home, threatening every boundary Chloe built to protect her heart. Forced proximity at its best and the slow burn tension was pure perfection! Evan is one heck of a swoon-worthy book boyfriend with his sexy single dad vibes + signature cocky charm.
Audio review: Desiree Ketchum and Connor Crais narrating in duet. SAY LESS! As soon as I saw the narrator reveal, I knew this was one I needed to listen to! Their playful banter together felt so natural and immersive. Desiree brings out all Chloe's snark and vulnerability, while Connor’s voice showcased the ruggedly charming and totally swoon-worthy side of Evan. Their back-and-forth chemistry had me smiling and kicking my feet while listening!
August 26, 2026
Okay I started off the audio of this book and was really enjoying both narrators. They felt natural and conversational. I could tell variations when other characters like Effie joined the scene. I was looking forward to my commute to jump back into this book! Well I enjoyed it too much and ended up finishing reading it within a day. I legitimately could not put this book down nor did I want to!
Chloe was so enjoyable for me. I appreciated she had a maturity in some important scenarios but still felt fun and spunky. She gives Evan a run for his money and tempts him to break out of his safe box. Evan is a single dad who has sacrificed his own happiness for everyone else over the years but seeing Chloe again brings back a much needed spark for him. He's an incredible dad and clearly has his priorities straight.
I initially thought the challenge aspect was a bit corny but it worked so well. I love the history and significance it had for this couple. And I enjoyed it prompted both to step outside their comfort zones for important growth or healing moments then others were just fun and light. The plot of this was still emotional and the tension is palpable. I cheered so hard for these two. This is a Penelope book I would be happy to reread in the future over and over
Chloe was so enjoyable for me. I appreciated she had a maturity in some important scenarios but still felt fun and spunky. She gives Evan a run for his money and tempts him to break out of his safe box. Evan is a single dad who has sacrificed his own happiness for everyone else over the years but seeing Chloe again brings back a much needed spark for him. He's an incredible dad and clearly has his priorities straight.
I initially thought the challenge aspect was a bit corny but it worked so well. I love the history and significance it had for this couple. And I enjoyed it prompted both to step outside their comfort zones for important growth or healing moments then others were just fun and light. The plot of this was still emotional and the tension is palpable. I cheered so hard for these two. This is a Penelope book I would be happy to reread in the future over and over
August 31, 2026
This story is just a really feel good story. There is a little bit of angst but it is pretty minimal. This one is much more adults acting like adults than many other books out there. Evan and Chloe’s is a kind of second chance romance. They were never really a thing because he wanted her to live her life’s with no regrets and wanted her to see something outside their small town. She took it a rejection but when their paths intersect again in the most in opportune time, they are forced into close proximity with not just each other but Evan’s daughter as well. There is some great text banter and some good laughs. The audiobook is amazing and the raspiness of Connor’s voice was just everything.
August 29, 2026
Chloe came home to take care of her sick mom — she did NOT expect to end up renting a room from her former crush, Evan Ricci 👀 The boy she was smitten with years ago is now a grown man, a devoted single dad, and somehow even hotter. With nowhere else to stay in this small town, Evan offers her his guest room, and suddenly they’re sharing a home, a life, and feelings neither of them saw coming.
Their chemistry was SO good, the tension had me completely invested, and Effie absolutely stole my heart 🥹 She brought the sweetest, most heartwarming element to the story and made Chloe and Evan’s journey even more special.
🎧 Narrated by Desireé Ketchum & Connor Crais, whose chemistry is unmatched.
Things to know
Duet narration, dual pov, single dad, small town, friends to lovers, second chance, forced proximity, found family, ow/om drama, death of a loved one
Their chemistry was SO good, the tension had me completely invested, and Effie absolutely stole my heart 🥹 She brought the sweetest, most heartwarming element to the story and made Chloe and Evan’s journey even more special.
🎧 Narrated by Desireé Ketchum & Connor Crais, whose chemistry is unmatched.
Things to know
Duet narration, dual pov, single dad, small town, friends to lovers, second chance, forced proximity, found family, ow/om drama, death of a loved one
September 1, 2026
The Challenge
What a wonderful story about two people who find themselves back in each other's lives . He lived with her family growing up, after losing his mother. And, feelings were there but a line he wouldn't allow to cross,
to prevent her from pursuing her dreams. Now, feelings are still there, chemistry between these two is off the charts. Can hearts forgive? Beautiful story about new Beginnings.
What a wonderful story about two people who find themselves back in each other's lives . He lived with her family growing up, after losing his mother. And, feelings were there but a line he wouldn't allow to cross,
to prevent her from pursuing her dreams. Now, feelings are still there, chemistry between these two is off the charts. Can hearts forgive? Beautiful story about new Beginnings.
August 26, 2026
Why yes, yes I did smash this book. I was here for it! You get a bit of second chance, complicated past, complicated present, tension, bad timing, single dad, yearning, chemistry, family drama, small town, banter filled story. So basically PERFECTION.
You will love Evan and his daughter. He will do ANYTHING for her and it's the sweetest. Now when Chloe is in the picture? That sweet mouth of his? Totally different story! 🫠
I adored Chloe. My heart went out to her and her situation. Even though she was going through a heartbreakingly difficult time, she would do anything to make sure Evan's daughter was not disappointed or sad....and I loved that about her.
The narrators for this are everything. EVERYTHING. So much talent. Especially Evan....and his growl. Lord almighty. Listen to this book my friends.
You will love Evan and his daughter. He will do ANYTHING for her and it's the sweetest. Now when Chloe is in the picture? That sweet mouth of his? Totally different story! 🫠
I adored Chloe. My heart went out to her and her situation. Even though she was going through a heartbreakingly difficult time, she would do anything to make sure Evan's daughter was not disappointed or sad....and I loved that about her.
The narrators for this are everything. EVERYTHING. So much talent. Especially Evan....and his growl. Lord almighty. Listen to this book my friends.
August 24, 2026
I absolutely loved this one! ❤️ Chloe and Evan’s second-chance romance had me hooked from the start. Forced proximity, unresolved feelings, amazing chemistry, a little girl who completely stole my heart, and the spice? YES! 🙌🏼 🔥
I loved watching Chloe and Evan find their way back to each other, especially after everything that happened between them years ago. Their chemistry was SO good, and the tension between them had me completely invested. And Effie? She absolutely stole my heart. 🥹❤️ She brought such a sweet, heartwarming element to the story and made Chloe and Evan’s journey even more special.
The audiobook narration was fantastic! Connor Crais and Desireé Ketchum did such a wonderful job bringing Chloe and Evan to life. Their performances made an already great story even better.
Sweet, emotional, spicy, and swoony with ALL the second-chance feels. Definitely a five-star listen/read for me! ❤️🔥
I loved watching Chloe and Evan find their way back to each other, especially after everything that happened between them years ago. Their chemistry was SO good, and the tension between them had me completely invested. And Effie? She absolutely stole my heart. 🥹❤️ She brought such a sweet, heartwarming element to the story and made Chloe and Evan’s journey even more special.
The audiobook narration was fantastic! Connor Crais and Desireé Ketchum did such a wonderful job bringing Chloe and Evan to life. Their performances made an already great story even better.
Sweet, emotional, spicy, and swoony with ALL the second-chance feels. Definitely a five-star listen/read for me! ❤️🔥
August 25, 2026
This was a fantastic read. The story captivated me and hooked me from the beginning and had me invested in the story until the very end. It was heartfelt, emotional and beautiful second chance story with a perfect pace . Chloe moves back to her small town as her mother’s condition is deteriorating. The house she rents is already occupied by Evan and his daughter. Chloe and Evan have a history. The story was absolutely beautiful and had me hooked. The characters were beautifully written and plot was perfect. I also enjoyed listening to the audio. Both the narrator did great job with narrating the story. Penelope has done great job with this brilliant and heartwarming story. Highly recommend this book
August 26, 2026
Penelope never misses for me! I loved this one. It was the perfect end of Summer read. It had a nostalgic feel, I am always happy with a small town and lake setting, and I just loved the history and connection between Chloe and Evan. Evan is the best single dad to his daughter, Effie, and I love the relationship Chloe built with her as well. It was just enough drama and angst mixed with a sweet, heartfelt love story, with the best found family vibes.
𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗢𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 ⇢ Connor Crais and Desiree Ketchum did a phenomenal job, they took this one to another level. I loved everything about their performances, highly recommend!
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 ⇢ small town • single dad • friends to lovers • second chance • forced proximity • found family • dual pov • spice
Thank you Must Love Audio + Penelope for the advanced copy!
𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗢𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 ⇢ Connor Crais and Desiree Ketchum did a phenomenal job, they took this one to another level. I loved everything about their performances, highly recommend!
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 ⇢ small town • single dad • friends to lovers • second chance • forced proximity • found family • dual pov • spice
Thank you Must Love Audio + Penelope for the advanced copy!
August 23, 2026
Give me a single dad romance any day of the week! 🥰🔥
Penelope Ward has a way of pulling you into her books with stories that I just can’t stop reading, and The Challenge was no different! There was SO much going on in this book—banter, spice, romance, emotion, and everything in between. This book had it all! 💕🌶️
Chloe was never supposed to stay in her small hometown. She was only there to help her mom, who was battling dementia, and she definitely wasn’t supposed to end up living with Evan—the man her parents had taken in years ago after his mom passed away.
But being back together brings all those old feelings and unresolved emotions right back to the surface. There was so much depth to Chloe and Evan’s history, and I loved watching everything between them get put to the test. ❤️
I really loved this ALC! The narration by Desiree Ketchum and Connor Crais was fantastic and brought all of the characters, chemistry, and emotions to life. 🎧💕
Thank you to Penelope Ward for the ALC/ARC! ❤️
The Challenge releases August 30th! 📚✨
Penelope Ward has a way of pulling you into her books with stories that I just can’t stop reading, and The Challenge was no different! There was SO much going on in this book—banter, spice, romance, emotion, and everything in between. This book had it all! 💕🌶️
Chloe was never supposed to stay in her small hometown. She was only there to help her mom, who was battling dementia, and she definitely wasn’t supposed to end up living with Evan—the man her parents had taken in years ago after his mom passed away.
But being back together brings all those old feelings and unresolved emotions right back to the surface. There was so much depth to Chloe and Evan’s history, and I loved watching everything between them get put to the test. ❤️
I really loved this ALC! The narration by Desiree Ketchum and Connor Crais was fantastic and brought all of the characters, chemistry, and emotions to life. 🎧💕
Thank you to Penelope Ward for the ALC/ARC! ❤️
The Challenge releases August 30th! 📚✨
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