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Dancing with Daddy
I love my daughter, but finding out she wasn’t biologically mine is the best news ever.
I’m a widower who is too scared to have the stupid test that would tell me whether or not I even have the gene that would mean dealing with a horrible illness and certain death. A gene that could’ve also been passed to my child, had she been mine.
She’ll need her father, if something ever does happen to me…That’s why I search for Maddie’s biological father, and when I find him, ask him to become part of her life.
What I didn’t expect is for him to become my best friend. Shane is fun and easygoing, the exact opposite of me. He makes me laugh. He’s the perfect antidote for my neurotic existence. And he’s bi, like me.
But am I courageous enough to take the leap into falling in love with him?
Dancing with Daddy is a super sweet, full-length, standalone, feel good mm romance. There’s no angst, just two very opposite men who befriend each other super fast then slowly find their way to love…all while parenting the precocious five-year-old who belongs to both of them.
I’m a widower who is too scared to have the stupid test that would tell me whether or not I even have the gene that would mean dealing with a horrible illness and certain death. A gene that could’ve also been passed to my child, had she been mine.
She’ll need her father, if something ever does happen to me…That’s why I search for Maddie’s biological father, and when I find him, ask him to become part of her life.
What I didn’t expect is for him to become my best friend. Shane is fun and easygoing, the exact opposite of me. He makes me laugh. He’s the perfect antidote for my neurotic existence. And he’s bi, like me.
But am I courageous enough to take the leap into falling in love with him?
Dancing with Daddy is a super sweet, full-length, standalone, feel good mm romance. There’s no angst, just two very opposite men who befriend each other super fast then slowly find their way to love…all while parenting the precocious five-year-old who belongs to both of them.
206 pages, ebook
First published May 16, 2020
316 people are currently reading
463 people want to read
About the author
Susan Hawke
35 books366 followersSusan Hawke is more widely known for her mpreg writings as Susi Hawke; this new name is a departure from that. Whether written by Susan or Susi, the books are filled with that all-important love, laughter, and family; the only difference is that this name has no male pregnancy.
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May 28, 2020
RATING 3.5 STARS
Dancing with Daddy is a stand alone M/M friends to lovers story about two men who both share a past with the same woman, but also share the present with an adorable little five year old girl.
Bradley Weston is thirty four years old, a widow, and single father to five year old Maddie. Let me pause here to say that this little girl stole my heart. Bradley’s father died at a young age from Huntington’s Disease. Bradley has never had the nerve to get the test to see if he carried the same gene.
When his daughter has a health scare, Bradley realizes that Maddie is not his biological daughter. To him, this is great news. Now he doesn’t have to worry that he could have passed the gene on to her. He also realizes just how alone he is. That if anything did happen to him, he has no one to care for the little girl that is his world. So he decides to seek out her biological father.
Shane Jackson is twenty nine and is a graphic designer. He can work from anywhere. When he gets the email informing him that he is the father of a five year old daughter, he doesn’t hesitate to take Bradley up on his offer, pack up everything, and move to San Diego to be a part of their lives.
“For the first time in my twenty nine years, I knew in the depths of my being that I’d finally found my home. Not necessarily in this house, but with these people.”
It’s love at first sight between Shane and little Maddie. Shane and Bradley become fast friends, best friends. As the week pass, they find their rhythm and become a sort of family. In time, both Shane and Bradley begin to feel more for each other, but neither of them wants to risk the relationship they currently share.
I’ll stop here. This was a very sweet story. Both men were likeable. My one main complaint is that I am a romance reader. The first eighty percent of this book is the development of their friendship. It isn’t until the final twenty percent that the actual romance begins. But I am rounding up the rating because the epilogue was adorable. Might have even made my eyes water a bit. I just wasn’t able to connect with the characters the way I wanted to since the progression from friends to more took so long. It still was an enjoyable read and I loved little Maddie.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Dancing with Daddy is a stand alone M/M friends to lovers story about two men who both share a past with the same woman, but also share the present with an adorable little five year old girl.
Bradley Weston is thirty four years old, a widow, and single father to five year old Maddie. Let me pause here to say that this little girl stole my heart. Bradley’s father died at a young age from Huntington’s Disease. Bradley has never had the nerve to get the test to see if he carried the same gene.
When his daughter has a health scare, Bradley realizes that Maddie is not his biological daughter. To him, this is great news. Now he doesn’t have to worry that he could have passed the gene on to her. He also realizes just how alone he is. That if anything did happen to him, he has no one to care for the little girl that is his world. So he decides to seek out her biological father.
Shane Jackson is twenty nine and is a graphic designer. He can work from anywhere. When he gets the email informing him that he is the father of a five year old daughter, he doesn’t hesitate to take Bradley up on his offer, pack up everything, and move to San Diego to be a part of their lives.
“For the first time in my twenty nine years, I knew in the depths of my being that I’d finally found my home. Not necessarily in this house, but with these people.”
It’s love at first sight between Shane and little Maddie. Shane and Bradley become fast friends, best friends. As the week pass, they find their rhythm and become a sort of family. In time, both Shane and Bradley begin to feel more for each other, but neither of them wants to risk the relationship they currently share.
I’ll stop here. This was a very sweet story. Both men were likeable. My one main complaint is that I am a romance reader. The first eighty percent of this book is the development of their friendship. It isn’t until the final twenty percent that the actual romance begins. But I am rounding up the rating because the epilogue was adorable. Might have even made my eyes water a bit. I just wasn’t able to connect with the characters the way I wanted to since the progression from friends to more took so long. It still was an enjoyable read and I loved little Maddie.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
October 1, 2020
Time of death 70%
I tried i really tried, but this is just not it.
It's me not the book.
The dialogue is weird, stilted and completely off. The MCs got no chemistry at all. The baby this, baby that came out of nowhere. They were trying too hard to be funny.
As much as i wanted fluff, this is not what i signed up for. The premise was good, the execution failed.
I am outta here.
I tried i really tried, but this is just not it.
It's me not the book.
The dialogue is weird, stilted and completely off. The MCs got no chemistry at all. The baby this, baby that came out of nowhere. They were trying too hard to be funny.
As much as i wanted fluff, this is not what i signed up for. The premise was good, the execution failed.
I am outta here.
May 27, 2020
Utterly adorable and a really interesting narrative that, while perhaps stretching the bounds somewhat, never tipped completely over into unbelievable.
I loved both MCs, I loved Maddie and I loved the secondary cast of characters and setting.
It's low steam but it works perfectly for the situation and I really enjoyed the time and attention given to developing their friendship.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
I loved both MCs, I loved Maddie and I loved the secondary cast of characters and setting.
It's low steam but it works perfectly for the situation and I really enjoyed the time and attention given to developing their friendship.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
May 22, 2020
I was excited when I got the ARC of this book. I love sweet books with kids and single dad. The blurb is promising. And expected at least this was as fun as Davey's Rules, with fun, witty and naughty dialogues.
But I was disappointed just to found this story seemed written very carefully, ended up boring and too much telling.
Bradley and Shane didn't have that chemistry, and the story was too good to be true.
I mean, approaching a stranger and invited him to stay at your home where your kid lives there? Way too much to risk.
The words 'when you know, you know' , didn't really fit in this story, imo.
But I was disappointed just to found this story seemed written very carefully, ended up boring and too much telling.
Bradley and Shane didn't have that chemistry, and the story was too good to be true.
I mean, approaching a stranger and invited him to stay at your home where your kid lives there? Way too much to risk.
The words 'when you know, you know' , didn't really fit in this story, imo.
February 5, 2023
3-3.5 stars
Cute but felt as though something was missing. The ending when they were getting together felt too rushed. The transition from friends to lovers wasn’t as natural as I was hoping. I did love seeing them becoming friends.
Overall a cute story but I have read better from Susan Hawke.
Cute but felt as though something was missing. The ending when they were getting together felt too rushed. The transition from friends to lovers wasn’t as natural as I was hoping. I did love seeing them becoming friends.
Overall a cute story but I have read better from Susan Hawke.
May 24, 2020
This story was announced as a "Corona" book, meaning fun, light, drama-free to find some distraction in these difficult times. Actually, I was very okay with this concept, unfortunately, as very often, writing a book where not much "happens" is a challenge, the line between not much drama and simply boring is a fine one and here it sometimes was rather the second.
I love books with kids, but I don`t like it if their (single) parents behave more childish and insecure than the kids themselves! This bothered me a lot here!
Maddie - the child, had a few nice moments, but mostly she was just your typical side character,
which was a shame, because I would have loved to see, how the bond with her "uncle" Shane, who really was her father, developed.
So there was some potential, but the end result was not convincing for me,
and I didn`t really feel the love of those two guys either.
Okay read and 3 stars, but unfortunately not memorable for me.
I love books with kids, but I don`t like it if their (single) parents behave more childish and insecure than the kids themselves! This bothered me a lot here!
Maddie - the child, had a few nice moments, but mostly she was just your typical side character,
which was a shame, because I would have loved to see, how the bond with her "uncle" Shane, who really was her father, developed.
So there was some potential, but the end result was not convincing for me,
and I didn`t really feel the love of those two guys either.
Okay read and 3 stars, but unfortunately not memorable for me.
May 30, 2020
Entiendo a la autora cuando al comienzo del libro, avisa al lector de que es un libro con un conflicto de fácil resolución para hacernos sentir bien en estos tiempos que no son fáciles. Hasta ahí bien, no tengo ningún problema con ello. Pero, eso no disculpa unos diálogos y situaciones que rozan la vergüenza ajena...
October 1, 2020
After discovering his child is not biologically his, here we have a very different story of a single father who wants to find the biological father of his 5 yr. old sweet Maddie.
Bradley’s wife passed away four years ago, and he is predisposed to have a terminal disease his own father had, so Bradley thinks Shane could be involved with Maddie so she could have family.
In the beginning I didn’t like Shane, but his reaction to being a Dad and how he treats people changed my mind. Bradley runs an accounting firm and is a serious person, except when he’s caring for his darling girl.
Shane uproots his life, because he can do his successful graphic design anywhere. It’s awesome how each man relates to Maddie. Then we see the progress they make in their combined lives. Later we see our men becoming attracted and slowly get deeper passion.
This is fun, unusual, heartwarming and will make you happy. Well done.
ENJOY !
=======
Bradley’s wife passed away four years ago, and he is predisposed to have a terminal disease his own father had, so Bradley thinks Shane could be involved with Maddie so she could have family.
In the beginning I didn’t like Shane, but his reaction to being a Dad and how he treats people changed my mind. Bradley runs an accounting firm and is a serious person, except when he’s caring for his darling girl.
Shane uproots his life, because he can do his successful graphic design anywhere. It’s awesome how each man relates to Maddie. Then we see the progress they make in their combined lives. Later we see our men becoming attracted and slowly get deeper passion.
This is fun, unusual, heartwarming and will make you happy. Well done.
ENJOY !
=======
March 15, 2021
buu, there's no romance here, they just kiss, they get together and that's all.
October 6, 2020
I don't know if it is because I'm still in a book hungover after the last book I read or if it's something else but something didn't work out for me with this book.
On paper it's a hit. I love feel-good, happy stories. And this is a feel-good, happy story. However, something was off. I didn't feel the connection between Brad and Shane. They were both good characters on their own but together... well it didn't work for me. The dialog felt a little bit off and stilted. I found myself skimming.
It's a solid three stars read though. It's not bad, just not amazing either.
On paper it's a hit. I love feel-good, happy stories. And this is a feel-good, happy story. However, something was off. I didn't feel the connection between Brad and Shane. They were both good characters on their own but together... well it didn't work for me. The dialog felt a little bit off and stilted. I found myself skimming.
It's a solid three stars read though. It's not bad, just not amazing either.
May 21, 2020
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I was expecting to like this but... no so much. And it's a pity, y loved the blurb. I thought it had everything needed to be a good story: single dad, a little drama over a possible terrible illnes, discovering not being the biological dad of his daughter, and a romance with his late wife's ex-boyfriend. Like, really? This sounded awesome!
What I found was an utterly unrealistic and boring story. Not just predictable, but also a story that didn't made me feel... anything at all.
Ok, let's be real: the blurb promised a nonrealistic story. I get that. How are the odds of discovering you are not the biological dad of your daughter and then falling in love with the one who is after looking for him? Thin, really thin, I know. But even unrealistic plots can be developed in a realistic way... making the reader feel that why not?
The first chapter was good, the second chapter was not bad either, and the everything went down for me. I don't even know how I finished reading this... I think I hoped for it to get better, to make me feel it was worth the read, but that didn't happen.
I liked how Brad discovers Maddie isn't his. This was pretty well developed and in fact seemed possible, but that's it. He decided to look for who could her dad be and after speaking with his late wife's sister, reaches Shane via Facebook. All the conversation they have? Crazy stupid. No realistic at all. I didn't feel that how any of them would react to this kind of news. I should have followed my instinct and drop the book, should have known it wouldn't be what I was looking for...
They start living together and of course one is bisexual and the other pansexual, so they start getting hot for each other. I would have liked this a little better if the developement of this plotline would have been more satisfying, but wasn't. I didn't feel not even once that both of them really loved each.
I didn't like Trina's character either; she's dead so we only know her by how Shane and Brad talk about her, but I felt the author dind't have a clear image of Trina. Kind of like she wanted to justify her in all the "Maddie is not Brad's real daughter" but at the same time wanting to make her a little bitchie (I'm guessing to justify Brad and Shane falling in love).
So no, this one didn't work for me.
I was expecting to like this but... no so much. And it's a pity, y loved the blurb. I thought it had everything needed to be a good story: single dad, a little drama over a possible terrible illnes, discovering not being the biological dad of his daughter, and a romance with his late wife's ex-boyfriend. Like, really? This sounded awesome!
What I found was an utterly unrealistic and boring story. Not just predictable, but also a story that didn't made me feel... anything at all.
Ok, let's be real: the blurb promised a nonrealistic story. I get that. How are the odds of discovering you are not the biological dad of your daughter and then falling in love with the one who is after looking for him? Thin, really thin, I know. But even unrealistic plots can be developed in a realistic way... making the reader feel that why not?
The first chapter was good, the second chapter was not bad either, and the everything went down for me. I don't even know how I finished reading this... I think I hoped for it to get better, to make me feel it was worth the read, but that didn't happen.
I liked how Brad discovers Maddie isn't his. This was pretty well developed and in fact seemed possible, but that's it. He decided to look for who could her dad be and after speaking with his late wife's sister, reaches Shane via Facebook. All the conversation they have? Crazy stupid. No realistic at all. I didn't feel that how any of them would react to this kind of news. I should have followed my instinct and drop the book, should have known it wouldn't be what I was looking for...
They start living together and of course one is bisexual and the other pansexual, so they start getting hot for each other. I would have liked this a little better if the developement of this plotline would have been more satisfying, but wasn't. I didn't feel not even once that both of them really loved each.
I didn't like Trina's character either; she's dead so we only know her by how Shane and Brad talk about her, but I felt the author dind't have a clear image of Trina. Kind of like she wanted to justify her in all the "Maddie is not Brad's real daughter" but at the same time wanting to make her a little bitchie (I'm guessing to justify Brad and Shane falling in love).
So no, this one didn't work for me.
May 22, 2020
2.5 stars - This was an okay story. I think I was expecting more of a romantic relationship between the two MCs. They didn’t start with the romance until the book was more than 80% done. I was disappointed with that. The note from the author at the beginning of the book said that things “might feel fast” to the reader. To me, it dragged. They didn’t even really meet until about a third of the way into the story. Idk. Sweet story, no conflict, but I wanted more romance and less friendship. Plus the whole “Uncle” Shane thing bothered me.
May 22, 2020
Dancing with Daddy
This was a very sweet, angst free story. I really liked it but wish there was a little more couple time. Most of the story was the lead up to the relationship and then being in a relationship was less than 10% of the book.
This was a very sweet, angst free story. I really liked it but wish there was a little more couple time. Most of the story was the lead up to the relationship and then being in a relationship was less than 10% of the book.
May 27, 2020
4 stars
This was a sweet, low-angst, easy read, but truthfully, I had to suspend my belief in reality just a bit. I’m not saying the situation between Shane, Brad and Trina, who is Brad’s late wife and Shane’s former girlfriend, isn’t possible or even likely, because I know it happens quite often, but what wasn’t quite believable is that Brad would invite Shane, a stranger, to move in with him and his 5 year-old daughter, even if Shane is her bio dad. Hello! Stranger Danger!! While it worked for the story, it just doesn’t feel like something that would happen in real life, at least I hope not, but this is fiction, so I’m not taking anything away from my rating, just because I feel the situation could be catastrophic in real life.
I liked both Shane and Bradley and although they are definitely opposites, Brad is rigid and careful— well, except for the whole letting a complete stranger move into his house — and Shane is much more laid back and free spirited, go with the flow kinda guy, but they worked great together. They had chemistry and I loved their nightly talks under the stars.
There were some great secondary characters in this story, too: Brad and Shane’s daughter, Maddie, was adorable and I loved how easy and sweet her relationship with Brad and Shane was. Once they settled in, they made a great family unit. I also really liked Shane’s mother, as well as the friends Shane had back in Texas.
The story was well-written, but as for the romance, I wanted more. Shane and Brad don’t get together until near the very end of the book, about the last 10%, and I really would have loved more time with them as a couple, still, this was a nice read, that I’d definitely have no trouble recommending!
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. **
November 14, 2020
meh ?
i honestly didn’t enjoy this book one bit and i want to cry. i hate to hate a book especially since the author wanted to bring some fluff and romance in this chaos that covid brought.
but i just couldn’t get into it.
i honestly didn’t enjoy this book one bit and i want to cry. i hate to hate a book especially since the author wanted to bring some fluff and romance in this chaos that covid brought.
but i just couldn’t get into it.
December 14, 2020
1.5/5
The blurb was intriguing, the rest... not so much. I persevered though, but only because I was on a train ride, had a couple of hours to kill, and I was really hoping for it to get better.... It didn't. At least not for me.
The first chapter was still good, but it got progressively worse afterwards. I did not understand Bradley's actions at all, they did not seem consistent with his character description.
Bradley is supposed to be a neurotic father who is obsessed with safety and protecting his daughter, Maddie, but he actually invites a complete stranger to live with them in their home indefinitely, and that after a short Facebook conversation? Yeah, no. It doesn't matter that said stranger (Shane) is supposed to be his daughter's biological father. He barely knows that man. Definitely not enough to live with him or to consider him as a viable option in case of accident or death.
It seemed unrealistic. Maybe that's why I couldn't get emotionally invested, and did not feel their chemistry at all. Or maybe it just wasn't there.
The pacing felt off too. Some parts really dragged, others felt too rushed.
The blurb was intriguing, the rest... not so much. I persevered though, but only because I was on a train ride, had a couple of hours to kill, and I was really hoping for it to get better.... It didn't. At least not for me.
The first chapter was still good, but it got progressively worse afterwards. I did not understand Bradley's actions at all, they did not seem consistent with his character description.
Bradley is supposed to be a neurotic father who is obsessed with safety and protecting his daughter, Maddie, but he actually invites a complete stranger to live with them in their home indefinitely, and that after a short Facebook conversation? Yeah, no. It doesn't matter that said stranger (Shane) is supposed to be his daughter's biological father. He barely knows that man. Definitely not enough to live with him or to consider him as a viable option in case of accident or death.
It seemed unrealistic. Maybe that's why I couldn't get emotionally invested, and did not feel their chemistry at all. Or maybe it just wasn't there.
The pacing felt off too. Some parts really dragged, others felt too rushed.
July 5, 2020
I needed this book after the last one. I love that most MM romances that I have read there has been little to no drama. I can’t tell you how refreshing that is.
Bradley is a sweet character and I can’t help but melt for the way that he loves his little girl. The revelation he has would have broken many others but for him it was a god send and you can’t help but see it from his point of view as well.
Shane is unique and character he brings the fun and helps Brad not be so stuffy. He shows Brad and Maddie how to have fun. But he is also a hard worker which is what I enjoyed. He is more than just one thing. When he finds out his role in Brad and Maddie’s life he roles with it, with joy and happiness.
Maddie is a cute child who like her father just goes with the flow but asks all the important question. I very much enjoyed this families story.
Michael Dean is a great narrator, I think it’s great that he can give voice to a child, and to an older woman and yet still sound smexy.
Bradley is a sweet character and I can’t help but melt for the way that he loves his little girl. The revelation he has would have broken many others but for him it was a god send and you can’t help but see it from his point of view as well.
Shane is unique and character he brings the fun and helps Brad not be so stuffy. He shows Brad and Maddie how to have fun. But he is also a hard worker which is what I enjoyed. He is more than just one thing. When he finds out his role in Brad and Maddie’s life he roles with it, with joy and happiness.
Maddie is a cute child who like her father just goes with the flow but asks all the important question. I very much enjoyed this families story.
Michael Dean is a great narrator, I think it’s great that he can give voice to a child, and to an older woman and yet still sound smexy.
May 23, 2020
Dancing With Daddy is an beautiful book by Susan Hawke.
This is a story with a single dad, an adorable child, and her newly discovered biological dad. In a nice twist, this is an low angst story, despite a subject matter that could be high angst.
Every moment of this book is precious. This is the tale of two men who meet under some confusing circumstances. From there, they become quick friends, and eventually more.
It's a feel good read, full of hope and sweetness.
The author excels in writing cute kids. Maddie is adorable and completely loveable. And of course, her dad are fantastic fathers to her.
Dancing With Daddy is a must read when you're in the mood for low-angst, sweet and tender love story. Susan Hawke will not leave you disappointed. Every moment of this book is pleasant and happy.
This is a story with a single dad, an adorable child, and her newly discovered biological dad. In a nice twist, this is an low angst story, despite a subject matter that could be high angst.
Every moment of this book is precious. This is the tale of two men who meet under some confusing circumstances. From there, they become quick friends, and eventually more.
It's a feel good read, full of hope and sweetness.
The author excels in writing cute kids. Maddie is adorable and completely loveable. And of course, her dad are fantastic fathers to her.
Dancing With Daddy is a must read when you're in the mood for low-angst, sweet and tender love story. Susan Hawke will not leave you disappointed. Every moment of this book is pleasant and happy.
May 30, 2020
That was cute!
No angst. Just two people understanding each other and being kind! Plus a cute little girl that brings them close!
No angst. Just two people understanding each other and being kind! Plus a cute little girl that brings them close!
June 10, 2020
The author states that this was written during the time of the Covid-19 quarantine and she intended to give readers an angst-free read. She definitely accomplished that goal. And while the plot is a bit far-fetched, she made it work and delivered a lovely slow-burn romance.
The concept of a man being happy to know his daughter is not his own is something I would never have thought would make a good plot, and yet the author makes it work. Bradley, a young widower with a fatal genetic disorder hanging over his head, does indeed feel that way. He doesn’t have family support and has never cultivated friends. So his very organized accountant brain decides to do research to find the long-term boyfriend his wife dated throughout college to see if he might be his child’s biological father.
His search leads him to Shane, a self-employed web designer and freelance artist, living in Texas, who jumps at the chance to meet them. It’s evident by his facial features and distinctive gray eyes that he likely shares Maddie’s genetics, and through a satisfying exchange of correspondence, Bradley feels safe enough to offer Shane a place in his home in California as they work through getting to know each other better. Though this is rather a stretch of one’s imagination, if readers are willing to suspend disbelief and go with the flow here, the story is rather sweet and fills that need to read fluff when outside circumstances are stressful.
The guys strike up an immediate friendship and Shane falls for Maddie immediately. The two men get along well but their bisexuality is not something they discuss so their relationship is platonic through most of the story. In fact, there’s no date until the 85% mark. There’s low angst as the author promised. But, there’s a great deal of discussion about Trina, Bradley’s ex-wife/Shane’s ex-girlfriend/Maddie’s mother. In fact, there’s so much information about her and her character and life’s goals that I became bored with how many pages she took up. She was not likeable, and I felt her inclusion became too intrusive to the lovely slow burn romance building in the background.
So my dislikes for this story were centered around the over-shared background information related to Trina, the ex, and the odd circumstances that brought two well-suited men together. But my likes for this story start with the fact that it is low angst. I liked both Bradley and Shane. Their characters were distinct, and they came from different backgrounds, but both were interesting and memorable, and both had their child’s best interests as their focus through most of the book. Maddie, the five-year-old was sweet and not over-the-top precocious. I enjoyed Bradley’s and Shane’s strong friendship and slow buildup of romance. And the fact that the story ends with the family looking to a bright future was the cherry on top.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
The concept of a man being happy to know his daughter is not his own is something I would never have thought would make a good plot, and yet the author makes it work. Bradley, a young widower with a fatal genetic disorder hanging over his head, does indeed feel that way. He doesn’t have family support and has never cultivated friends. So his very organized accountant brain decides to do research to find the long-term boyfriend his wife dated throughout college to see if he might be his child’s biological father.
His search leads him to Shane, a self-employed web designer and freelance artist, living in Texas, who jumps at the chance to meet them. It’s evident by his facial features and distinctive gray eyes that he likely shares Maddie’s genetics, and through a satisfying exchange of correspondence, Bradley feels safe enough to offer Shane a place in his home in California as they work through getting to know each other better. Though this is rather a stretch of one’s imagination, if readers are willing to suspend disbelief and go with the flow here, the story is rather sweet and fills that need to read fluff when outside circumstances are stressful.
The guys strike up an immediate friendship and Shane falls for Maddie immediately. The two men get along well but their bisexuality is not something they discuss so their relationship is platonic through most of the story. In fact, there’s no date until the 85% mark. There’s low angst as the author promised. But, there’s a great deal of discussion about Trina, Bradley’s ex-wife/Shane’s ex-girlfriend/Maddie’s mother. In fact, there’s so much information about her and her character and life’s goals that I became bored with how many pages she took up. She was not likeable, and I felt her inclusion became too intrusive to the lovely slow burn romance building in the background.
So my dislikes for this story were centered around the over-shared background information related to Trina, the ex, and the odd circumstances that brought two well-suited men together. But my likes for this story start with the fact that it is low angst. I liked both Bradley and Shane. Their characters were distinct, and they came from different backgrounds, but both were interesting and memorable, and both had their child’s best interests as their focus through most of the book. Maddie, the five-year-old was sweet and not over-the-top precocious. I enjoyed Bradley’s and Shane’s strong friendship and slow buildup of romance. And the fact that the story ends with the family looking to a bright future was the cherry on top.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
January 20, 2021
Aww man, this story was just so sweet and the ending was the cutest. I loved Shane and Bradley together and I really did love both of their characters.
What I didn’t love was freaking Trina. I know that might be messed up to say seeing as she died in a car accident and she didn’t technically know that Maddie wasn’t biologically Bradley’s daughter. But damn, she ended up breaking Shane’s heart in the worst way. He planned to propose to her the day after they graduated college to replace a bad memory with a good one - his dad died the day after he graduated high school. Instead, this bitch breaks up with him instead and ruins him of ever wanting to give his heart away again.
Then she sleeps with him after running into him again a few months later, making him think they might be getting back together... but nope! She disappears the next morning and ends up with another dude (Bradley) like a week later. Turns out Shane was the one who got her pregnant and not Bradley, but “she had her period so she couldn’t have realized” oh blah blah. So her and Bradley got married ASAP because he “fit in her life plan” or whatever.
See? Eff this bitch.
Anyway... Bradley never once acts upset. Shane never acts upset about missing time with his daughter. It’s nice how they fall for each other and now both get their happily ever afters. It’s nice that Shane can finally put his heart out there and love someone again. I’m happy for that part in the book, really.
This is still worth reading though, don’t get me wrong. Just... man. I don’t even know what else to say.
What I didn’t love was freaking Trina. I know that might be messed up to say seeing as she died in a car accident and she didn’t technically know that Maddie wasn’t biologically Bradley’s daughter. But damn, she ended up breaking Shane’s heart in the worst way. He planned to propose to her the day after they graduated college to replace a bad memory with a good one - his dad died the day after he graduated high school. Instead, this bitch breaks up with him instead and ruins him of ever wanting to give his heart away again.
Then she sleeps with him after running into him again a few months later, making him think they might be getting back together... but nope! She disappears the next morning and ends up with another dude (Bradley) like a week later. Turns out Shane was the one who got her pregnant and not Bradley, but “she had her period so she couldn’t have realized” oh blah blah. So her and Bradley got married ASAP because he “fit in her life plan” or whatever.
See? Eff this bitch.
Anyway... Bradley never once acts upset. Shane never acts upset about missing time with his daughter. It’s nice how they fall for each other and now both get their happily ever afters. It’s nice that Shane can finally put his heart out there and love someone again. I’m happy for that part in the book, really.
This is still worth reading though, don’t get me wrong. Just... man. I don’t even know what else to say.
August 6, 2020
DNF @ 29%.
I like the premise of this, but the execution is just a bit awkward and clumsy.
It lost me when you have Bradley and Shand have a 15 page exchange (almost completely uninterrupted by any other narratove) over Facebook as virtual strangers, sharing very personal information.
I like the premise of this, but the execution is just a bit awkward and clumsy.
It lost me when you have Bradley and Shand have a 15 page exchange (almost completely uninterrupted by any other narratove) over Facebook as virtual strangers, sharing very personal information.
May 24, 2024
1.5
Fue bien aburrido, ni siquiera se porque lo segui, bueno si, solo quería saber que pasaba despues
Fue bien aburrido, ni siquiera se porque lo segui, bueno si, solo quería saber que pasaba despues
September 10, 2023
De las 206 páginas del libro le sobran 150 para contar esta historia, el resto es relleno soso y aburrido.
Debí haber leído las reseñas de la gente que sigo y en la que confío antes de empezar a leerlo!
Debí haber leído las reseñas de la gente que sigo y en la que confío antes de empezar a leerlo!
Read
June 22, 2022Dnf at 44%. Too far-fetched.
June 24, 2020
Dancing with Daddy
MMy Thoughts Confessions and Review:
If I live to be one hundred I will never tire of Michael Dean's chuckle in an audiobook, narration. His sexy voice is always one I'm pleased with, and when paired with a Susi/ Susan Hawke book, I know I am going to find a few hours of escape and delightful pleasure.
In Dancing with Daddy, Susi gives us a romance between two strangers brought together by the strange circumstances of one little girl's paternity. While I enjoyed the sweet, romantic, and even funny tale, it wasn't a favorite of mine by Susi. I finished this book days ago, and have tried to figure out what it was that just missed the mark, for me. I jotted down a couple of notes and considered each character. I loved them all from the mom to the delightful Miss Peaches. After listening to the book again I realized, I loved everything about the story, except the romance. Weird right?
Shane and Bradley had amazing chemistry, as friends, but I never seemed to buy it as more. The thing I kept asking myself was, "Would it be so wrong to love each other like no other, just as friends?" **sigh... I loved that they worked together to be there for their daughter (you have to read the book to find out how that works out). Part of me wished their HEA could have just been as two friends.
However, the masses require a coupling, and a DISNEY ending or they turn on the authors. So, every romance must have a HEA or readers lose their minds, and authors lose their readers. Thing is when asked, most people would say Romeo and Juliet was one of the most wonderful romances of all time, and oh my goddess, it ends in a double suicide. Where in all Romanceville is the "Happily Ever After" in that? But, I digress. 🤪 It also reflects in no way on the romantic writing skills of Susi Hawke. She is one of my favorite authors which is reflected in all the reviews I've written for her books.
For a Susi Hawke story, this is what you can expect. All the characters, setting, and plot are wonderful. It is lovely...truly. So, all you Hawke fans will adore it. Guaranteed.💙 And don't forget Dean's narration. Adding him to the mix is like adding tiny marshmallows to a cup of hot chocolate. YUM!
The Story: 4.00🌟🌟🌟🌟
The Narration: 4.00🌟🌟🌟🌟
Sharonica Stars: 3.00 dreaming-of-different-HEA-stars ✨✨✨
Overall: 3.66 🌟🌟🌟🔹✨
I received a complimentary audio copy of this book from GRR in exchange for my review.🌈💕
MMy Thoughts Confessions and Review:
If I live to be one hundred I will never tire of Michael Dean's chuckle in an audiobook, narration. His sexy voice is always one I'm pleased with, and when paired with a Susi/ Susan Hawke book, I know I am going to find a few hours of escape and delightful pleasure.
In Dancing with Daddy, Susi gives us a romance between two strangers brought together by the strange circumstances of one little girl's paternity. While I enjoyed the sweet, romantic, and even funny tale, it wasn't a favorite of mine by Susi. I finished this book days ago, and have tried to figure out what it was that just missed the mark, for me. I jotted down a couple of notes and considered each character. I loved them all from the mom to the delightful Miss Peaches. After listening to the book again I realized, I loved everything about the story, except the romance. Weird right?
Shane and Bradley had amazing chemistry, as friends, but I never seemed to buy it as more. The thing I kept asking myself was, "Would it be so wrong to love each other like no other, just as friends?" **sigh... I loved that they worked together to be there for their daughter (you have to read the book to find out how that works out). Part of me wished their HEA could have just been as two friends.
However, the masses require a coupling, and a DISNEY ending or they turn on the authors. So, every romance must have a HEA or readers lose their minds, and authors lose their readers. Thing is when asked, most people would say Romeo and Juliet was one of the most wonderful romances of all time, and oh my goddess, it ends in a double suicide. Where in all Romanceville is the "Happily Ever After" in that? But, I digress. 🤪 It also reflects in no way on the romantic writing skills of Susi Hawke. She is one of my favorite authors which is reflected in all the reviews I've written for her books.
For a Susi Hawke story, this is what you can expect. All the characters, setting, and plot are wonderful. It is lovely...truly. So, all you Hawke fans will adore it. Guaranteed.💙 And don't forget Dean's narration. Adding him to the mix is like adding tiny marshmallows to a cup of hot chocolate. YUM!
The Story: 4.00🌟🌟🌟🌟
The Narration: 4.00🌟🌟🌟🌟
Sharonica Stars: 3.00 dreaming-of-different-HEA-stars ✨✨✨
Overall: 3.66 🌟🌟🌟🔹✨
I received a complimentary audio copy of this book from GRR in exchange for my review.🌈💕
June 23, 2020
Sweet, touching, and heartwarming (an audio review)
Sometimes you just need a lovely, happy, no-angst story. This is that book. There’s no drama, no dark moment, no super-stressful events. Just a nice easy strangers to friends to lovers story that evolved perfectly.
Bradley is a single father. His wife died tragically three years ago, and he’s been quietly raising his daughter Maddie. He does his best but when Maddie falls ill, he doesn’t just blame himself, he realizes he has no one in the world he can count on. With his own genetic history hanging over him like a looming specter, he acknowledges something has to change. Then he discovers he’s not Maddie’s biological father and instead of being upset, he’s relieved.
Now comes the toughest decision of his life. He has a very good idea who the father is and he makes the somewhat impulsive decision to reach out to the man. I don’t know whether I’d have had the courage were I in his shoes. He’s doing it for Maddie, of course, so that she’ll be protected. He’s also doing it for his own piece of mind. Shane is a man who was once important in Bradley’s wife’s life. Surely the guy’s got to be a good man. Right?
Shane is shocked when he discovers he’s a father. He could have been resentful and angry, but he never quite goes there. For him, it’s gratitude he now knows the truth. The opportunity to spend time with his daughter? Amazing. A chance to get to know her father? Even better.
This book is a slow burn. Both men were involved with Maddie’s mother, so it’s not readily apparent either would be interested in each other. As time moves on, there’s an inexorable pull between the two men that eventually they can’t deny. My heart sang when they finally admitted their feelings. Sigh.
I loved this book. Of course I’ve loved every Susan Hawke book I’ve ever read, so I had high expectations. This book met and then exceeded those. Two compassionate men, one sweet girl, and a couple of nosy old ladies and this book was perfection. I was sorry to see it end.
Naturally I have to mention Michael Dean’s narration. I just love everything he performs. I think I could listen to him recite the phone book and I would enjoy it. His old ladies are always a hoot, and his little Maddie was precious. Again, another great book. I can’t wait for more.
Sometimes you just need a lovely, happy, no-angst story. This is that book. There’s no drama, no dark moment, no super-stressful events. Just a nice easy strangers to friends to lovers story that evolved perfectly.
Bradley is a single father. His wife died tragically three years ago, and he’s been quietly raising his daughter Maddie. He does his best but when Maddie falls ill, he doesn’t just blame himself, he realizes he has no one in the world he can count on. With his own genetic history hanging over him like a looming specter, he acknowledges something has to change. Then he discovers he’s not Maddie’s biological father and instead of being upset, he’s relieved.
Now comes the toughest decision of his life. He has a very good idea who the father is and he makes the somewhat impulsive decision to reach out to the man. I don’t know whether I’d have had the courage were I in his shoes. He’s doing it for Maddie, of course, so that she’ll be protected. He’s also doing it for his own piece of mind. Shane is a man who was once important in Bradley’s wife’s life. Surely the guy’s got to be a good man. Right?
Shane is shocked when he discovers he’s a father. He could have been resentful and angry, but he never quite goes there. For him, it’s gratitude he now knows the truth. The opportunity to spend time with his daughter? Amazing. A chance to get to know her father? Even better.
This book is a slow burn. Both men were involved with Maddie’s mother, so it’s not readily apparent either would be interested in each other. As time moves on, there’s an inexorable pull between the two men that eventually they can’t deny. My heart sang when they finally admitted their feelings. Sigh.
I loved this book. Of course I’ve loved every Susan Hawke book I’ve ever read, so I had high expectations. This book met and then exceeded those. Two compassionate men, one sweet girl, and a couple of nosy old ladies and this book was perfection. I was sorry to see it end.
Naturally I have to mention Michael Dean’s narration. I just love everything he performs. I think I could listen to him recite the phone book and I would enjoy it. His old ladies are always a hoot, and his little Maddie was precious. Again, another great book. I can’t wait for more.
June 4, 2020
•*´¨)✯ ¸.•*¨)
✮ (¸.•´"Was he really the one? The one I could trust not to leave?"~Shane
This was such a sweet book. No angst whatsoever, low heat and slow burn. The book was basically about Bradley's need to keep his daughter safe should anything happen to him. A familial scare and then the death of his wife had left him scarred, so he was a tad OCD and very careful. Until his daughter's emergency led to discovery the best news ever. Or the worst had it been anyone but Brad.
Shane was living the worst day of his life until one text changed his life. He was a father and was being invited to be a part of the girl's life. It was the most unbelievable thing, and once he integrated himself into Bradley's and Maddie's life, he knew he could never let it go.
These guys decided that they were actually best friends and they built a life with their little girl. Susan Hawk was a wonderful storyteller with this book and was able to encompass so much about the heart of a parent, even when loss was close at heart. And as always, a happy ending is shared by all.
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author through GRR.
✮ (¸.•´"Was he really the one? The one I could trust not to leave?"~Shane
This was such a sweet book. No angst whatsoever, low heat and slow burn. The book was basically about Bradley's need to keep his daughter safe should anything happen to him. A familial scare and then the death of his wife had left him scarred, so he was a tad OCD and very careful. Until his daughter's emergency led to discovery the best news ever. Or the worst had it been anyone but Brad.
Shane was living the worst day of his life until one text changed his life. He was a father and was being invited to be a part of the girl's life. It was the most unbelievable thing, and once he integrated himself into Bradley's and Maddie's life, he knew he could never let it go.
These guys decided that they were actually best friends and they built a life with their little girl. Susan Hawk was a wonderful storyteller with this book and was able to encompass so much about the heart of a parent, even when loss was close at heart. And as always, a happy ending is shared by all.
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author through GRR.
January 23, 2021
2.5 stars. This was okay, although I have no idea why it's called Dancing with Daddy. The daughter does take dance lessons, and one of the guys takes her to them, but it's only referenced off-hand, it's not like a scene takes place at the dance lesson, and they certainly never dance together. I normally don't pay much attention to book titles, but it's just weird that the title is actively misleading. The writing was okay — not terrible, but it never really clicked with me, and I think it could've done with more editing. I liked that the dead wife was never vilified, although the timeline of when she was with each of the guys was a little difficult to wrap my head around. The actual romance was… fine, I guess? Honestly I finished this 7 months ago and I have very few memories of the plot, although I'm pretty sure if you had asked me a week after I finished it, I wouldn't be able to tell you much more. Not bad or offensive or anything like that, but just kind of meh.
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