Daddy's Little Helper

Midnight Sons #3

by Debbie Macomber

Hard Luck, Alaska -- a town that needs women

Location: 50 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Population: 150--mostly men--but growing! Because the O'Halloran brothers, who run a bush-plane service called Midnight Sons, are heading a campaign to bring women to Hard Luck.

Mitch Harris--A good friend of the O'Hallorans, he represents law and order in Hard Luck. He's also the widowed father of seven-year-old Chrissie--but he never talks about his marriage to Chrissie's mother.

Bethany Ross--Chrissie's teacher, who's new to Alaska. She's attracted to Mitch--really attracted--but she's come here for an important reason of her own....

As Christmas comes to Hard Luck, Mitch's daughter redoubles her efforts to find a new wife for her dad--and a new mother for her. And she's got Bethany in mind for both roles!

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Adult Fiction, Chick Lit, Harlequin Romance

185 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 13, 1995

About the author

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.

In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.

Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.

She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.

Reviews

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't as good as the previous stories, but it was still enjoyable. It was the secondary plot that I didn't enjoy. It wasn't the kind of story that I typically like. The romance took some time to get going, which made it interesting. Although, it wasn't a bit surprising that they would eventually get it figured out. I am looking forward to Mariah and Christian's story.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Daddy's Little Helper is book 3 of the Midnight Sons series. This book had a lot going on. The audiobook is only 5 hours in length and it bounces around from plot to plot with each of the couples. There are 2 main storylines in this book, 1 lead in storyline for the next book, and then some other minor subplots with couples we already know and other characters that we've met in the prior books.

The main storyline in Daddy's Little Helper is a relationship forming between single father and widow, Mitch, and Hard Luck's new teacher, Bethany. Mitch's 7 year old daughter immediately connects with Bethany and tries playing matchmaker. The other main storyline is the true reason why Bethany accepted a job in Hard Luck.

The narration is fine. The voices in this book were good for the characters.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two-haiku review:

New teacher in town
Falls for little girl, then dad
He has a secret

She has secret, too
Several subplots going on
Three and a half stars

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

very sweet. 4 stars if you are in the mood for a short romance.
THIS SUMMARY/REVIEW WAS COPIED FROM OTHER SOURCES AND IS USED ONLY AS A REMINDER OF WHAT THE BOOK WAS ABOUT FOR MY PERSONAL INTEREST. ANY PERSONAL NOTATIONS ARE FOR MY RECOLLECTION ONLY
**
When Mitch's wife dies he packs up his and his daughters things and moves to the little town of Hard Luck Alaska. He has no intention of ever falling in love again and he plans on never getting married again as well. When Bethany moves in to town to be the teacher for a year Mitch does everything to try to avoid her. Unfortunately for Mitch his daughter Chrissie is in Bethany's class and Chrissie loves Bethany. Soon Chrissie will try to make her moves to try to bring her daddy and Bethany together. But Mitch is pretty determined.
**
Daddy's Little Helper
This book is mainly about
but we catch up with all the residents of the town.
Bethany Ross is there to teach at the school. She's met a few of the kids and she believes Ben is her bio father.
Ben runs the cafe.
Mitch has a daughter, Chrissy who wants to hook him up with the new schoolteacher.
Mariah is the new secretary. She has Christian all upset-she can't seem to do anything right. Her father has hired a female lawyer to bring suit to the brothers.
She tries to smooth things over...
We also learn about John's relationship with Sally when he shows up to propose to her and finds her pregnant...(hmm, I think I missed that part)

[Danielle Urban · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daddy's Little Helper was the cutest of the two novellas. A little girl goes about setting up her father and new teacher. Imagine an eight-year-old asking such serious questions about age, love, and marriage. Chrissie Harris wants a brother or a sister. But she cant have either one unless her dad marries. And she won't stop trying to setup her dad with her brand new teacher, Bethany Ross. Bethany Ross just moved out to Alaska. Her goal was to find out what her birth dad was like. It so happens her birth father is like her in many ways. Mitch Harris lost his wife when their daughter, Chrissie, was just a baby. He and his wife didn't get along...marriage isn't something he wants until, he meets Bethany Ross.

[Amanda Hash · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored Bethany and Mitch's story, and loved how Macomber wove some really deep issues into their backgrounds. It provided real depth, and I frequently wanted to wrap Mitch in a hug because it was clear how much he was hurting. Although I sound like a broken record, it's really the accumulation of everyone's stories from Hard Luck that makes this series so compelling-- on their own, each book is still sweet, but they are a thousand times better when read in order. The characters grow on you and become more important over time, and soon you'll be desperate to know what else happens and who else falls in love.

[Mattie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok, but I wouldn't want to re-read, even though it's part of a series.

I didn't like the hero that much, he was so hot and cold. Learning how he was in his first marriage and her complaints about him, then her resorting to drugs because he wasn't there for her emotionally, realistically he doesn't seem like a great catch for heroine. It showed to me that he wasn't only hot and cold to heroine because of trauma of wife's death, he was that way before. Also not a fan of hero having a daughter from Previous marriage.

I didn't like that the heroine constantly revealed how she felt, constantly gave him chances only for him to reject her again. I did like that she dated other men though, making him jealous. P.

[*CJ* · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Daddy's Little Helper" is the story of Bethany and Mitch.

Our beautiful heroine moves to Hard Luck with a motive- to find someone from her past. She meets some inquisitive school children, and loves her job as a teacher. One of the fathers is our brooding hero, who finds himself attracted to her too! However, he is jaded and afraid, so pushes her away until circumstances bring them together. We also have secondary character storylines, and couples from the other books enjoying their HEA.

Another feel good read!

Safe
4/5

[Mary Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute feel good book but i really wish they had a story where there was a happy ending and a happy relationship without marriage like im not completely anti marriage but theres diffirent steps that are just more important or just as important to do in a romantic relationship besides a marriage. Oh and eventhough this was a uplifting read this story was more slow paced with everything then the first 2 stories. Ill see how the next one goes

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. Liked the story flow. Liked the characters and reading their individual struggles and how they work through them. Fun reading the back and forth issues between characters and finally realizing it is love. Sometimes hard to move past the past especially with a child to consider. Always a pleasure to read this author. Would recommend this book.

[Haven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect read by Debbie Macomber! I am really loving her Midnight Sons series. There is so much that captures the imagination here. An officer that has lost his first wife to suicide and has given up on love and his daughter that will do anything to see him remarry. She plays matchmaker when her new teacher, Ms. Ross, comes to town!

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of the series so far, though I really wanted to like it. The story line is sweet, and the characters are lovable. That said, I got really bored and kept zoning out while reading it. Maybe it was my frame of mind. I would still recommend it for a sweet, clean, romance that leaves you feeling the world is a good place.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

These stories are beginning to get slightly repetitive. Boy meets girl, boy doesn't want to be in love, girl thinks she has to leave with a broken heart . . . Still, I like Debbie Macomber and even her predictable repetitive stories are fun to read.

[Carla Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I live all of Debbie MaComber’s books. These books set in Alaska are especially interesting. As far as the plot, of course they’re very predictable but that’s okay. These days I’m just interested in happy ending books and this definitely fits that category.

[Cathie McManus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bethany came to Hard Luck looking for someone important. Mitch came to get away from the horrible memory. He doesn't want to open his heart. His daughter, Chrissie, loves her new teacher, Bethany.

Open and honest communication helps to ensure proper understanding.

[C. Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Macomber is reliable in this genre. This book is brief, as typical with the long-running series, but aside from the expected constraints this was an entertaining story. I have not read the other "Midnight Sons" volumes to be able to judge how this one fits into that overall story arc.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Conquers All

Bethany came to Hard Luck to find her true Dad. Not only did she find Ben but she found the love of her life. Would things work out with Ben and Mitch? Read and find out. Not only will you meet Bethany but some of the other girls that have come to Hard Luck.

[Kimberly R Milnor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I really enjoyed the plot line and how the author developed the characters!

I will definitely be reading the entire series! I can't wait to see where the next book leads. I recommend this series highly.

[Miriam Brito · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking story

A beautiful story of love and friendship.
Could not put it down and leaves you wanting for more.
Can not wait to learn what love will come next for the brothers .

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

vacation read

[Aletha · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story was okay. Typical and shallow, but a decent story.

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute, but dated story. I recommend reading these in order, as the storylines are interconnected.

[Qui2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy Debbie Macomber books.

[Cathy Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of story lines but it ended very well.

[Sara Weber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical

I’m coming to read Debbie’s books as my break from reality. Predictable and sweet, but a good escape. Not amazing literature, yet I can’t stop reading them.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mitch Harris's little girl, Chrissie has decided the new teacher is the perfect person to marry her dad.
Awesome read. Loved it.

[Christie Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book, just make sure if it's a book in a series read them in order. Our libraries don't have them all, thank God for my new kindle. I won't be out of order again

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite book in this series, but still a good read. Too many storylines to keep track of.

[Fran · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy read

[Ngdecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another light, entertaining book by Debbie Macomber.