Single Dad Burning Up

by Cathryn Fox

Callan
I’m a single dad, a firefighter, taking it one day at a time and trying to keep my life from imploding. Once I had it all, but tragic events changed my trajectory, and now I’m raising my daughter alone. When an old friend gets an unwelcome message from her ex, I jump in to play the part of pretend boyfriend. Harmless, right? But I wasn’t counting on her touch awakening things in me. I’m not looking for a relationship—hell, I don’t deserve it, and the last thing I want is to love and lose again, but being with sweet and sexy Gemma has a way of calming my demons.

Gemma
Callan is big, athletic and tough, a man haunted by his past, but beneath the rough exterior, he’s gentle and tender. And he makes me feel safe. He’s the perfect person to have a pretend relationship with when my ex, an overbearing cop who frightens me, decides he wants me back. We have to be realistic for this to work—my ex can spot a lie in a second, and Callan plays the lover well. So well that it isn’t long before we’re playing house for real, until a secret and a surprise hit at the same time, and threatens everything we’ve built.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Firefighters, Childrens

202 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2020

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cathryn Fox is a wife, mom, sister, daughter, aunt and friend. She loves dogs, sunny weather, anything chocolate (she never says no to a brownie) pizza and red wine. Cathryn lives in beautiful Nova Scotia with her husband, who is convinced he can turn her into a mixed martial arts fan. When not writing, Cathryn can be found Skyping with her son living in Seattle (could he have moved any farther away?) shopping with her daughter in the city, watching a big action flick with her husband, or hanging out and laughing with friends.

Reviews

[Amanda Winterstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Single dad burning up.

Steamy fire fighter, woman in recovery of mental abuse equals one helluva a ride. Cathryn deliveries a story that is fast paced and steamy keeping you on the edge of your seat.

Gemma is a school teacher who longs to find herself again after staying in a mentally abusing relationship with the threat of violence.

Callan is still blaming himself for not being able to save his wife and unborn child from a car accident.

Both have demons that they are trying to work through and a situation where they pretend to be a couple leads them to accept the feelings growing between them. Kaitlyn is the tip of the iceberg as she is Callan’s daughter and longs for a mom and siblings and hopes that Gemma will fill that void in her life. She is the comedic relief in all the right places. Who doesn’t love an adorable 6 year old who knows how to work her daddy over.

This story had me turning each page as quickly as my eyes could read to find out what would happen next. A wonderful story written by master a story teller.

[Terry Hammoutene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Callan has been a single dad since his wife died. Life is just how he wants it until he runs into Gemma an old friend and teacher at his daughters school. There is an immediate attraction one neither one of them is ready for, however things don't always work the way you expect.
I thought this was a well written book that kept me turning the pages faster than I wanted to. There was enough suspense and romance to keep me interested and I loved every minute of it.

[Sylvie Howick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Single Dad Burning Up is another wonderful book from the amazing Cathryn Fox. This is a tale of a woman who awakens desires in a single father who believes he doesn't deserve to be loved because of his past. But when he finds out that he may lose everything, again, because of a possessive ex, he will stop at nothing to find and keep the woman who stole his heart. If you love a good story this is the one for you.

[Annette Reavis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another lovely story by Cathryn! As a widowed mom I could easily resonate with Callen - his guilt about moving forward - his dedication to his daughter. Gemma is the perfect person to help him find his happy ending and I loved watching them grow together. The end did feel a tiny bit rushed and I would have LOVED an epilogue. Maybe we will see them again in a future story!

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely story. Both main characters, Gemma and Callan, were easy to like and you really want to root for them to have their HEA. Some of the supporting characters were a lot of fun (Amanda!!!). The story moved along at a good pace and my only "complaint" is that it finished a little quickly.

[Mary Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Callan. Need to read the rest of this series and all the future ones coming! Cathryn did it again with character, plot, action, and the steamy hotness of a single dad!

[Rhonda Brant · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I’ve enjoyed reading this authors books for years, and I really enjoyed the premise of this book. Nothing better than a hot single firefighter, although a bit scarred because he lost his wife and unborn baby in a horrible car crash. Callan is a single father and in no way wants to replace his late wife, he can never take another chance at losing someone else. But then he meets an old friend, Gemma, that could change his mind. Loved Kaitlyn, Gilbert and the firehouse guys in this story, very heartwarming that Callan has a second chance at love. I would have liked to see this couple have a bit more time getting to rekindle their friendship before things got going again, just seemed rushed to me. Brad was a bit nerve racking, and even though you know how things will go, you still have the pounding heart going as things play out. Overall a good story

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firefighters are my weak spot, so I’m predisposed to loving any hero in that profession. Add in the fact that he’s a single dad and it’s like catnip for this reader. Callan is all that and a bag of chips! The scenes with his daughter Kaitlyn are so sweet but he shows off his dirty talking steamy side in every scene he’s in with Gemma.
Gemma was a fabulous character and I really appreciate the way that Ms. Fox showed her vulnerability but never made her a timid victim. She wasn’t afraid to vocalize to Callan what she wanted...and how she wanted it. The fact that they were old friends and comfortable with each other let their playful sides shine through.
While I didn’t have a problem with the speed of their relationship, I thought the book ended a bit abruptly and I was missing some closure to the story, as a reader. That’s really my only “complaint”. Otherwise, this as a couldn’t-put-it-down read for me!

[LJT · Rating 3 out of 5]

Single Dad Burning Up, is author Cathryn Fox's latest book offering. The story is centered around an extremely hot couple, whose sexy times are quite seductive. Gemma is a single, elementary school teacher, recovering from a volatile romantic relationship with a police officer. Callan is a firefighter and widower, with a young daughter that is super cute. His grief and guilt has caused him to be completely commitment phobic. However, once Gemma becomes more than a former high school friend, Callan finds true love once again.

I liked this story, even though it was predictable at times. Ms. Fox is a terrific storyteller and I always enjoy whatever she writes. Gemma and Callan are well described characters and it was easy to get to know them. Callan's daughter Kaitlyn is adorable, and she easily wove her way into my heart. Overall, this is an engaging read with a bit of suspense, some excitement, and lots of love.

Complimentary copy provided.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
A book by Cathyrn Fox and throw in a single dad romance, yes please. You know I wasn't going to pass this book up. I'm so glad I read this one. I devoured it. Callan's little girl Kaitlyn is so adorably cute. The scenes between dad and daughter make Callan all the more hotter. My heart goes out to Callan. He's known heart breaking loss and he's trying his best to move forward. Love and relationships are on the back burner until Gemma is in need of some help. Callan's frozen heart starts to melt. Gemma's ex is the type of person I truly dislike a lot. A two faced con artist of a person. Though Gemma's ex is ten times worse. These characters are easily going to pull you right into the story. I'm going yo go back and read the first two books in the series because I have a feeling I missed out on some great stories.

[Maria (semi hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. I always have my doubts with a deceased wife plot, but this one played out okay. I loved Callan and Gemma together, they were such a cute couple. A lot of sex scenes, so I must say I skipped a few of them. The only thing that I found odd was the fact Callan and Gemma jumped into bed together on the first night they met again after several years. Callan is a widower and celibate for 2 years but the first day he sees Gemma he goes all the way and they spend 24/7 for the rest of the book. He hardly thinks about his dead wife. I think a slow burn would’ve worked better in this plot. Must say after reading this book I’m convinced Gemma is Callan’s soulmate and not second best, which is the case in most books with a deceased wife plot.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, entertaining read. Callan and Gemma are interesting, relatable, complex, wounded, intriguing, complicated, strong, entertaining characters. I enjoyed their romance and the path it took to get to their HEA. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment. I loved the family aspect of the story and what it brought to the main characters. The story is easy to read and get into. I wish we had gotten an epilogue – would love to have seen where the characters ended up. The story is easy to read and get into.

I enjoyed the audio version of this story and the narrators.

[Janice Kellam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed how widower Callan and his high school friend, Gemma, reconnected as adults. Callan’s daughter Kaitlyn was a sweet and funny little girl. The genuine yearning that Gemma and Callan had for one another was really well-written, but I just felt that the book ended too abruptly. Instead of ending immediately when the bad guy is apprehended and it looks like the H & h will be together as a couple, there should have at least been an epilogue showing Callan, Kaitlyn & Gemma at the next Davis family games, or something that shows life after a quick reconciliation.

[Luvsbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved! He's a steamy, hot firefighter raising his adorable little girl after tragically losing his wife. She's been in a verbally, slightly scary relationship that she's a little scarred from. (Not physical violence.) The heat between these 2 was off the charts and sexy. I enjoyed this very much.

[Wendy T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book even though the ending was predictable. Gemma and Callan both had a lot to deal with in previous relationships. Gemma being with an abusive relationship and Callan dealing with being a widower and raising a daughter on his own. They came together to help each other and in the end fell in love. An enjoyable read!

[Tina Mancari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Loved the story of Callan and Gemma. The storyline was great. Gemma having an ex that was stalking her and in the end kidnapped her. Callan comes to the rescue with Gemma's sister and everything all works out. I listened to it on Radish and the narrators did a fantastic job. Great story.

[Dar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a chance encounter that ended up more! Of course, there was an immediate attraction, a FWB agreement that morphed into a fake relationship, which lead to the real thing. By the time both of them realized that, it was almost too late, but they saved it just it time <3

[Alyson Buxey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A super quick read. Love after loss. Long time crush. Recovery from coercive control and a little romantic suspense thrown in. Once again this is a complete stand alone and could be read in any order. Gemma, Callan and kaitlyn were great

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. On the predictable size and ended abruptly

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book. It moved along at a great pace. It didn’t drag on like some books can. I just thought it could have used an epilogue to kind of wrap things up. The ending is the climax of the story.

[Jennifer Muraski · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good that I read it in one day!

[Toni Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Narrators Thurlow Holmes and Dash Coleman
Audio book June 2022

[Sabrina (Romance.and.Raindrops) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audiobook read

[Keren Cargan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A single dad on the same track since the loss of his wife , jumps in to help an old friend. But he gets more than he bargained for when she innocently kick starts his heart. Loved this book

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute series. I absolutely loved them and read them in a day. Only thing I wish the books had were epilogues. Would of been nice to see each couple in the future.

[Diana Proto · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really great read...single dad with adorable child meets old high school friend and teacher..meeting at a time when they are both ready to move on. If you are looking for something to enjoy reading while sitting on a lounge chair or in front of a cozy fireplace this is a great choice. Cathryn is such a great writing and clearly gets us into the psyche of her characters without so much description that it takes away from the story. That's was you get...the story...just loved it.

[Stacy K · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had potential in the beginning but had to skip ahead.