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The DADcademy #2
Hold Tight
"I won't let you go without a fight."
After a painful divorce, Josh Ford is left fighting for his son in a high-stakes custody battle. When he contacts the DADcademy for help, he gets much more than he bargained for in the form of his college crush, a deliciously sexy pastry chef who's always set his heart--and his body--aflame.
Andy Perez is everyone's knight in shining armor. He took care of his family when they needed him most, and he's more than willing to do the same for his long-time crush, too. It's not like anything could ever happen between them. The sweet, sensitive artist was off-limits back then and he's off-limits now.
After a major setback in the custody case, Andy is right there. Strong. Steady. And... kissing Josh. That one moment of vulnerability reveals a decade of suppressed longing. But when old fears threaten to tear them apart, they'll have to cast aside their doubts and find strength in each other--and the family they could build together.
The DADcademy is now in session! Follow a group of well-meaning, lovable, but ultimately clueless single dads as they band together to support one another in raising their kids and finding their Happily Ever After. Every book in The DADcademy series can be read as a standalone, but reading them in order is strongly recommended.
After a painful divorce, Josh Ford is left fighting for his son in a high-stakes custody battle. When he contacts the DADcademy for help, he gets much more than he bargained for in the form of his college crush, a deliciously sexy pastry chef who's always set his heart--and his body--aflame.
Andy Perez is everyone's knight in shining armor. He took care of his family when they needed him most, and he's more than willing to do the same for his long-time crush, too. It's not like anything could ever happen between them. The sweet, sensitive artist was off-limits back then and he's off-limits now.
After a major setback in the custody case, Andy is right there. Strong. Steady. And... kissing Josh. That one moment of vulnerability reveals a decade of suppressed longing. But when old fears threaten to tear them apart, they'll have to cast aside their doubts and find strength in each other--and the family they could build together.
The DADcademy is now in session! Follow a group of well-meaning, lovable, but ultimately clueless single dads as they band together to support one another in raising their kids and finding their Happily Ever After. Every book in The DADcademy series can be read as a standalone, but reading them in order is strongly recommended.
249 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 21, 2019
46 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 22, 2019
2.5 stars
I have to preface by saying, I enjoyed the first book in the series. But this one...kinda rubbed me the wrong way a little. It was going so well up until it hit the 60% mark.
For one, Andy stopped being this hero fixer to a rather clueless and ignorant tosser. The first time, I could maybe understand his ignorance and lack of empathy. But it happened again and I was still willing to be understanding. By then I was struggling to understand why Josh was made to be such a weak character.
The second one was, and this might be a spoiler so I shall add a spoiler tag here:
Rant over. I just didn’t like the way the story went in the last 40% and lets leave it at that for now. Otherwise I might keep ranting! Lol
I have to preface by saying, I enjoyed the first book in the series. But this one...kinda rubbed me the wrong way a little. It was going so well up until it hit the 60% mark.
For one, Andy stopped being this hero fixer to a rather clueless and ignorant tosser. The first time, I could maybe understand his ignorance and lack of empathy. But it happened again and I was still willing to be understanding. By then I was struggling to understand why Josh was made to be such a weak character.
The second one was, and this might be a spoiler so I shall add a spoiler tag here:
Rant over. I just didn’t like the way the story went in the last 40% and lets leave it at that for now. Otherwise I might keep ranting! Lol
November 18, 2024
HOLD TIGHT was a sweet read about two characters that have never quite gotten over their feelings for each other many years before. I particularly liked Josh's character and I just wanted to wrap him up in a blanket and tell him everything would work out. Josh is a sensitive, artistic soul and his ex-wife's demands and harsh words have worn down his self-esteem and his confidence as a father. However, it's obvious how much Josh loves his six year old son Mason and how he would do anything for him even when he makes some mistakes. Throughout the book Josh struggles with his anxiety over possibly losing Mason and it was heartbreaking to watch him work through his insecurities.
While I loved Josh, I was more ambivalent toward Andy. I really liked Andy as a character by himself, he's driven, hard-working, and dedicated to his bakery. After struggling financially as a teenager and briefly living in a shelter, he's determined to never feel that vulnerability again. As a person Andy was great, but in his relationship with Josh he doesn't come across the best. At first, Andy seems to understand Josh's sensitive nature but then he blunders through several really bad mistakes that tear at Josh's confidence. Andy essentially criticizes Josh in the same ways that Josh's ex-wife had been doing for years. While Andy recognizes his mistake and apologizes for it, he continues to repeat the mistake several more times.
While I never really embraced Andy, I did still enjoy HOLD TIGHT and it's emotional look at a struggling father just trying to get by. I'm really looking forward to getting Logan's story because I enjoyed seeing more of him as Josh's lawyer.
Content Warning: on page anxiety and panic attacks
While I loved Josh, I was more ambivalent toward Andy. I really liked Andy as a character by himself, he's driven, hard-working, and dedicated to his bakery. After struggling financially as a teenager and briefly living in a shelter, he's determined to never feel that vulnerability again. As a person Andy was great, but in his relationship with Josh he doesn't come across the best. At first, Andy seems to understand Josh's sensitive nature but then he blunders through several really bad mistakes that tear at Josh's confidence. Andy essentially criticizes Josh in the same ways that Josh's ex-wife had been doing for years. While Andy recognizes his mistake and apologizes for it, he continues to repeat the mistake several more times.
While I never really embraced Andy, I did still enjoy HOLD TIGHT and it's emotional look at a struggling father just trying to get by. I'm really looking forward to getting Logan's story because I enjoyed seeing more of him as Josh's lawyer.
Content Warning: on page anxiety and panic attacks
March 24, 2019
Alison Hendricks' Hold Tight is the second book in the DADcademy series.
Josh's an empathetic character, as he's living with a career that is full of rejection, and an ex wife who constantly be-littles him and insults him. The author expertly captures the power of rejection, and the way it slowly chips at your feeling of self-worth.
When Andy and Josh reconnect, the attraction is still there. Their past is muddled, as Josh used to date Andy's sister. Now helping Josh with his custody battle, Andy is so damn loving towards Josh.
Their romance is one between former friends who never admitted their mutual crush. It's beautifully written and developed, as Andy finds someone who lifts him up instead of always tearing him down.
Their relationship is inspirational and exquisite, as it's one of finding someone who validates you and helps you see your worth. The author excels in exploring a tale of finding someone who believes in you and encourages you.
It's a strong reminder that our past experiences create who we are now. The struggles Andy experienced during his youth have completely shaped him into the person he is now. This part is effectively written, and explains Andy's insecurities.
The custody fight is front and center, realistic, raw and gritty. It's written with knowledge, understanding, and care. Always a tough thing to read about, this one had me wanting to scream at times.
Hold Tight is a wonderfully sweet and tender romance. I definitely enjoyed this Alison Hendricks book.
Josh's an empathetic character, as he's living with a career that is full of rejection, and an ex wife who constantly be-littles him and insults him. The author expertly captures the power of rejection, and the way it slowly chips at your feeling of self-worth.
When Andy and Josh reconnect, the attraction is still there. Their past is muddled, as Josh used to date Andy's sister. Now helping Josh with his custody battle, Andy is so damn loving towards Josh.
Their romance is one between former friends who never admitted their mutual crush. It's beautifully written and developed, as Andy finds someone who lifts him up instead of always tearing him down.
Their relationship is inspirational and exquisite, as it's one of finding someone who validates you and helps you see your worth. The author excels in exploring a tale of finding someone who believes in you and encourages you.
It's a strong reminder that our past experiences create who we are now. The struggles Andy experienced during his youth have completely shaped him into the person he is now. This part is effectively written, and explains Andy's insecurities.
The custody fight is front and center, realistic, raw and gritty. It's written with knowledge, understanding, and care. Always a tough thing to read about, this one had me wanting to scream at times.
Hold Tight is a wonderfully sweet and tender romance. I definitely enjoyed this Alison Hendricks book.
March 27, 2019
My least favorite book of Hendricks' ... basically, what she said. What difference is Alex with Josh' wife, and we're supposed to be more supportive of him because, what, he's a man? If he is written as another female, Alex will be said to be being a bitch *hmph*. Of course it doesn't help that Josh is like a child, or being a doormat, and personally, yes, I didn't exactly highly approval of HIS parenting style.
I don't think I'll be following this series -- the whole single dad thing usually are good, but both stories I've read are not that interesting. I will check Hendrick's other series instead.
I don't think I'll be following this series -- the whole single dad thing usually are good, but both stories I've read are not that interesting. I will check Hendrick's other series instead.
October 26, 2019
I didn’t like it, but you might
This was not the book for me. I have a real struggle reading characters like Josh, and I DNFed. I have mental health issues and I do what I must to keep an even keel for my kids, and I just don’t deal well with my fantasies also have mental health issues and not dealing with them. Plus, I found myself completely sympathetic to the antagonist rather than the MC. Didn’t like that. So, this is a nope for me.
It was well-written, the author understands the craft; it’s not like there were a bunch of technical error or bad writing or plot development issues. None of that. Like I said, not the book for me, but you may like it.
This was not the book for me. I have a real struggle reading characters like Josh, and I DNFed. I have mental health issues and I do what I must to keep an even keel for my kids, and I just don’t deal well with my fantasies also have mental health issues and not dealing with them. Plus, I found myself completely sympathetic to the antagonist rather than the MC. Didn’t like that. So, this is a nope for me.
It was well-written, the author understands the craft; it’s not like there were a bunch of technical error or bad writing or plot development issues. None of that. Like I said, not the book for me, but you may like it.
March 25, 2019
Great
Another great story from the Dadacademy. Andy is surprised to run into an old crush who needs daddy help. Though Andy isn't a father he helped raise his sisters. He has some hangups and keeps putting his foot in his mouth. Josh sometimes feels like a failure and his ex wife's opinion on his father duties doesn't help. Even though the love is there Andy's past seems to subconsciously dictate his life which sometimes causes him to unintentionally hurt Josh.
Another great story from the Dadacademy. Andy is surprised to run into an old crush who needs daddy help. Though Andy isn't a father he helped raise his sisters. He has some hangups and keeps putting his foot in his mouth. Josh sometimes feels like a failure and his ex wife's opinion on his father duties doesn't help. Even though the love is there Andy's past seems to subconsciously dictate his life which sometimes causes him to unintentionally hurt Josh.
April 24, 2019
Awesome.
Oh my, the Dadcademy is awesome. A custody battle for Josh and his son , Mason. The Dadcademy comes to the rescue. When Josh's ex wants to revoke custody rights, Josh reaches out to the Dadcademy and finds Andre, someone from his past, a someone who he had crushed on. But he wasn't aware it was reciprocated. With low self esteem, Josh takes numerous hits and there is quite a bit of angst. A great read. Looking forward to next book.
Oh my, the Dadcademy is awesome. A custody battle for Josh and his son , Mason. The Dadcademy comes to the rescue. When Josh's ex wants to revoke custody rights, Josh reaches out to the Dadcademy and finds Andre, someone from his past, a someone who he had crushed on. But he wasn't aware it was reciprocated. With low self esteem, Josh takes numerous hits and there is quite a bit of angst. A great read. Looking forward to next book.
October 7, 2019
Josh is having trouble not giving in to his son Mason and now his ex wife is trying to fight him for custody of there sin so Josh wouldn't have to be the grown up and custody he doesn't not want that to happen so he start searching for ways to help fight it and he finds the Dadcademy on Facebook and joins and asks for help and they help Josh all they can and during a meeting to help Josh runs into his ex girlfriend brother that he had a crush on
March 31, 2019
All the feels
Not only are these dads looking for help but so far in this series all the Men have deep issues they need to work through. The best part is that their selected partner always brings out the best in them and helps diminish their issues.
Not only are these dads looking for help but so far in this series all the Men have deep issues they need to work through. The best part is that their selected partner always brings out the best in them and helps diminish their issues.
December 6, 2019
Interesting characters and plots
The story is great read. There are several love plots worked out during the story The relationships in a small town seems unlikely. The men all had interesting corks about them and their relationships.
The story is great read. There are several love plots worked out during the story The relationships in a small town seems unlikely. The men all had interesting corks about them and their relationships.
June 4, 2020
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews