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Single Dad's Wife

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I need a wife – and fast – for a quick, no-strings-attached marriage.
And I think I know exactly who to ask …

When my ex walked out and left me with our baby girl, I swore I’d never marry again.
But now she’s back – and she’s making demands.
She wants custody of my little girl.
The girl I’ve raised alone all these years – held and rocked, bathed and burped – the girl I laugh and play with now. My sweet, mischievous angel.
And I’d do anything to keep my Emma safe and secure.
Even marry again.

So I pick the only woman I can think to trust – my reliable, straightforward colleague – and I offer her a deal she can’t refuse.
Marry me for the custody battle, and I’ll make her a partner in my medical practice.
Three short months, and it will be over. No attachment. No risk.
It’s the perfect plan.

…except for the secret crush she’s had on me for years.
…and the way that I suddenly can’t take my eyes off her.

Living together and seeing who she really is – outside of practical, formal clothes and a strictly professional environment – changes everything.
Within weeks, we’re rewriting the deal. Adding caveats. Sneaking into each others’ rooms.
As the court battle heats up, things get even hotter between us…until I realize it’s not just my daughter I want to be fighting for.
It’s Jessica too.
And the life we could have together.

Single Dad's Wife is a hot, fun romance with plenty of sweet, tender moments, a few tugs on the heartstrings and absolutely no cheating or cliffhangers. HEA guaranteed!

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 8, 2020

399 people are currently reading
168 people want to read

About the author

Lara Swann

17 books209 followers
Lara Swann writes hot, sexy romance with a touch of humor and a lot of passion. She has a thing for wounded alpha heroes and the fiery women who steal their hearts.

Her relationships are funny, sexy and spicy, and she gets as many thrills in pitting her characters against each other as she does when they eventually come together in an explosion of heat.

When she isn’t living in one of her many fantasy worlds, she attempts to focus on her respectable day job in a large, too-expensive city and dreams of a lake house in the country.

Sign up to my mailing list here: http://eepurl.com/bILWzD or add me on Facebook!
I do giveaways, cover reveals as well as advanced reader copies, and I'd love to hear from you!

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5 stars
141 (40%)
4 stars
99 (28%)
3 stars
63 (18%)
2 stars
34 (9%)
1 star
9 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
Profile Image for Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) Allen.
1,692 reviews632 followers
August 17, 2020
4.5 Stars

I really enjoyed this story of Nathan and Jessica. The author did a wonderful job of transporting the reader into the minds of each character and was able to tug at my heart strings when it came to the custody battle of Emma.

And the ending? Perfect!
Profile Image for Izzy ♡ boom, boom, fucking boom.
337 reviews63 followers
August 25, 2020
2.5

This is pretty much what I said in my update at about 40% but I had suchhh high hopes for this book. Unfortunately, I didn't feel the chemistry between Jessica and Nathan or Jessica and Emma (Nathan's daughter). It kind of felt like the romance was a side story for me. If I went into this book looking for a story about a father and his daughter this would probably be a 4 star- Nathan and Emma together were so adorable- but no, I was expecting a romance with cute family shenanigans :(
Profile Image for Chrissy.
1,390 reviews62 followers
June 12, 2020
I was given an opportunity to review an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book at no cost, in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Nathan is a single dad to a gorgeous 3 year old girl. He’s a doctor and owns his own family practice in a small town in Connecticut. One of his best employees is Jessica, another doctor, who is slightly younger, who has been with the practice for 3 years and does much of the business admin side of things as well as being a doctor. She’s essential to the running of the practice, especially with Nathan having his daughter. His ex-wife left when his daughter was 8 months old and never came back. Now she’s back and suing for full custody.

Nathan’s lawyer tells him that having a wife in the picture would make it much more likely that the custody hearing would go in his favour and after several weeks of visitation etc not going well, he is determined to do something drastic and asks Jessica to marry him in exchange for a full partnership in his practice.

The ‘Fake Relationship’ trope is one that I actually enjoy. I don’t know why, but it appeals to me for people to be forced together for some reason and find out they actually like each other a lot. This version was done very well. The build up to the actual decision made the idea seem reasonable (which is often hard to do). I liked both Nathan and Jessica. They are both really nice people and genuinely care about their patients, their family and their friends. They both go into the arrangement with their eyes wide open and with the best of intentions.

The build up to their real relationship was gradually and carefully done. It wasn’t instant and it wasn’t perfect. I liked that everything wasn’t plain sailing with their relationship or their situation. It made it feel more real. In fact, that is one of the things I liked about this book. The characters and their situation felt real. It felt like ordinary people got into an extraordinary situation for the best of reasons. When things went wrong there wasn’t any lashing out. There wasn’t weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth, they behaved like grown ups even when things weren’t going well.

If Nathan and Jessica were real people I’d love to call them my friends, because they really are interesting and nice characters. This may not be the dramatic, dire circumstances, all or nothing alpha romance that is popular, but this is the kind of romance that leaves you feeling good about people and that cannot be underestimated in a book.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews135 followers
Want to read
June 11, 2021
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/11/2021)! 🎁
901 reviews2 followers
June 9, 2020
Wow this was an emotional story. Nathan has everything he ever wanted. A successful medical clinic and a beautiful daughter. But when his ex-wife suddenly reappears, his world is turned upside down. His ex-wife now wants custody of their daughter. Nathan is not going to allow that to happen. He will do anything to keep his daughter. So when a colleague offers to help him, he proposes that they temporarily get married. Jessica can't believe what he is proposing, after all, she has had a crush on him for years. But Nathan's proposal is to tempting to pass up. Will things work out for Nathan and his daughter? Will Jessica be able to keep her feelings hidden and keep this a business proposal? A must read, but keep kleenex close.
Profile Image for Kaye.
7,177 reviews71 followers
June 9, 2020
ONE HIGH OCTANE LANDSLIDE!!!
Exiling ex's! Lara blasts through like a raging inferno, hotter than an erupting volcano and more explosive than dynamite, with this skillfully composed crème de la crème, laying out one flaming storyline and gripping plot, wrapping this baby up sleek shiny and tight. Navigating the intimidating trials and challenging tribulations, displaying shocking twists and wicked turns, putting our characters through their paces, testing them in ways they could have never envisioned. Bursting through boundaries and pushing the limits, displaying the illusions and testing realities, being weighed and balanced, booting this gem into the eye of the storm, slamming it into overdrive, launching it into a frenzy with a eye-opening realization. Braided, bound and tightly coiled, displaying the explosive ups and agonizing downs, grounding in it's simplicity and awe inspiring in it's depth. The attraction and chemistry sizzles, drawing you deeper until you feel the electrifying hum running rampant through your veins. The characters, banter, dialogue, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits, blend and flow, transforming into genuinely charismatic personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and depictions creating a colorful backdrop that makes the storyline pop. Awesome job Lara, thanks for sharing this little jewel with us.
Profile Image for Clara Atkinson.
1,195 reviews56 followers
June 12, 2020
Single Dad's Wife
A Fake Marriage Romance
By Lara Swann

Dr.Nathan Blake owns a family practice clinic and has a sweet rambunctious three year old daughter. He has been raising her with the help of his mother since his wife (now ex-wife) walked out when she was an infant. Now years later his ex shows up demanding she's going to sue for custody.
Dr. Jessica Rivers works at Blake's Family Practice with several other doctors. She has been there for a few years and has had a crush on her boss and colleague Nathan since she met him. She hasn't dated since school due to work, then family and now her crush on Nathan. When she notices he has become distracted at work she asks him if he wants to talk. He lets her know about Stephanie filling for full custody. Little did she know when she said: “Let me know if there’s anything I can do.” I can’t help it, even though I know there’s nothing I can possibly do. “I’m here if you need…anything.”
That he would come back later to ask me to fake marry him to help with his custody case. He explained that his lawyer suggested the courts looked favorably to a female influence in a little girls life.
The only problem he has no idea she has such a crush on him but then he sweetens the deal and she can't refuse.
Their journey won't be a cake walk that's for sure it has twists, turns, ups and downs. So many emotions while reading that it will keep you turning the page till the end.👨‍👧👰❤

Five ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I received an ARC for my honest review.
Profile Image for Raecharmed.
9,309 reviews70 followers
June 22, 2020
When Nathan's ex-wife returns he was fine with giving her visits with their daughter but then she admitted she wanted custody he knew he was in trouble. After talking to his lawyer he knows it'll be better if his is married and settled down. When Jessica hears what Nathan is dealing with she agrees to be his wife it doesn't hurt that she's had a crush on him since she started working for him. He makes her a partner in the business and they get married. Soon things become very real and its like they are a real family. However when his ex learns about Jessica she isn't happy. Will Nathan lose custody? Can they see that they really have a family already?

This is a sweet story that will steal your heart as you read it. The chemistry between them is blazing hot. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.9k reviews367 followers
June 11, 2020
It wasn’t pretty when Nathan’s wife walked out on him and baby Emma. But it’s devastating when his ex-wife returns and is demanding full custody. He can’t give his child up. He will do anything it takes to keep Emma with him. Contacting his lawyer, George suggests that he get married to make his situation look more “settled” and safe for the child. So he asks his co-worker, Jessica, if she will marry him for a short time during the custody fight in return for a partnership in his medical practice. Despite Jessica’s long-time crush on Nathan, she agrees to help him out. But her heart was already in it, and being with him like this makes her fall even harder. Is he also feeling the attraction? Will the two of them amend the agreement for something more permanent when the custody fight is won?
513 reviews1 follower
June 14, 2020
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Jessica has been working for Nathan's medical practice for a couple of years. All while holding a major crush for the man. Nathan has been absorbed with running his practice and raising his little girl. The craziness starts when his ex-wife Stephanie shows up after 3 years away and sues him for custody of their daughter. This was a combo of friends to lovers and Kramer vs Kramer. The emotions and chemistry are real. I'm rooting for Jessica and Nathan to realize their love for each other as well as for little Emma to have a stable place to land. A couple of times, I almost chucked my kindle.
These are characters you end up rooting for. A thrill ride in a different sense. It was great to see the growth in each character, even the supporting ones.
Read this book. You will love this adventure.
Profile Image for Joyce Black.
1,053 reviews7 followers
June 14, 2020
Hope Wills Out

I felt this novel was excellent at wringing out a gamut of emotions out of me. This story was exceedingly poignant and at one point I just sobbed through a couple of chapters. A lighter theme was evoked in scenes with the main male character's daughter; oh the simplicity of innocence. Interactions with people are not always pleasant and matters can unfold in an unfair manner. Strength in character is shown by how the main male character persevered and took the high road when dealing with highly emotional situations. The drama, the sorrow, the joy of life are all given to e in this story. The overall thought after reading this story is hope wills out. This story will appeal to readers who look for a story to have not just a romantic tale, but a tale of the complexities we are sometimes challenged by in life. Highly recommended read.
Profile Image for Penny Leidecker.
2,692 reviews27 followers
June 9, 2020
I haven’t read many of Lara Swann’s books, but I knew I wanted to read Single Dad’s Wife. I love stories about single dads and I wasn’t disappointed with this book. When Nathan’s ex-wife returns, after abandoning Emma, their baby, and him, claiming she’s going for full custody, he is devastated. There’s no way he’s not going to do what it takes to keep Emma with him. Nathan’s lawyer, George, suggests he get married so it’ll look better for the judge. Jessica, who has had a crush on Nathan since she started working at his practice tells him she’ll do it. I love how Jessica helps her family to make sure her sister, Lori gets the therapy she needs. Grab your copy and see what happens in this heartbreaking, at times, read.
1,199 reviews6 followers
June 9, 2020
This book was filled with lots of feelings as co-workers, Jessica and Nathan, get together in a bid to help him retain custody of his daughter from his ex-wife who had abandoned them. I really felt for Nathan and his adorable daughter, Emma. Divorce and child aren't easy and the and it isn't just the children that get hurt. Jessica was a wonderful person and very supportive of Nathan. The way their relationship grew was touching and meaningful. The ex-wife didn't change her spots and there were no surprises in the end. Of course there were steamy times and there were fun ones too. I can still picture Emma, Jessica and Nathan laying on the floor playing Hungry Hippos. I couldn't put this book down so be sure to start it early in the day.
Profile Image for Susan Anderson.
1,033 reviews4 followers
June 10, 2020
This is such a good read - in this book we meet Nathan, Jessica, and little Emma. Nathan and Jessica are both Doctors. Nathan owns the practice and Jessica works with him. They have a great working relationship. When Emma's mom returns suddenly and wants full custody after having nothing to do with Emma, Nathan resorts to drastic measures with Jessica. Jessica has always had a crush on her boss, but never acted on it. When Nathan asks Jessica to be his "fake" wife during the custody battle, she agrees. Everything goes as planned until their undeniable chemistry is realized. After the twists and turns occur and things don't go as planned, will they have their HEA? Read and find out. I received an arc for an honest review.
1,147 reviews
June 14, 2020
Passion 4 stars - I felt like the book showed a very real portrayal of a custody battle and its mental toll on the child. Aside from the fake marriage arrangement, everything feels realistic - Stephanie’s depression and her overwhelmed state of motherhood, Lori’s recovery from anorexia, Jessica’s passion as a primary care physician and Nathan’s anxiety and turmoil over the custody issues. This story has depth and attempts to create awareness about mental health and the role primary care medicine can play in helping patients with it. The story blended the romance, the passionate sex and the emotional issues so well. [I received an advanced copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.]
Profile Image for James a Schmidt.
305 reviews2 followers
July 6, 2020
“Single Dad’s Wife:A Fake Marriage Romance

This book starts out kinda slow and easy...then all of a sudden,bang,things get out of hand.A Doctor,his partner at work( and also his wife of convenience),a precocious three year old and a witchy ex-wife come together in an arrangement that no one agrees with,let alone likes.The old wife can’t leave well enough alone,the new wife tries to be complacent and the husband,Doctor,is pulling his hair out! The best part of all of it is the three year old,acting a lot better than any of the adults,that keeps your attention.
It’s a good,fun book to read ad is great for night reading,being light and flirty and fun.I had a great time with this book and hope you will too!
Profile Image for Book Lover 7779.
166 reviews3 followers
September 7, 2020
Enthralling

I loved this book so much. There seemed to be many different plots within this one book. The romance between Jessica and Nathan had everything I hope for in a romance book. There was friendships love and compassion and understanding, chemistry and selflessness. There was also the relationship between Nathan, Stephanie, and Emma. Stephanie, of course, being the woman everyone loves to hate. The storY/relationship between Jessica and Lori reminded me of my relationship with my own sister. I loved that this broached the topic of mental health and eating disorders. Last, but not least, was the relationship between Jessica and Emma.
I can not recommend this book enough.if
Profile Image for Wendy Livingstone.
20.3k reviews257 followers
June 9, 2020
Nathan is a single dad to a baby girl after is ex abandoned them, and now she is back threatening for full custody, and on the advice from his lawyer he needs to find someone to marry with will give him a better standing in court. Jessica had always had a crush on Nathan, and she jumps at the chance to marry him when he offers in exchange for a partnership at his practice. Will things go to plan though when feeling chance? This author had written an amazing story which is fun and entertaining with a share of heartbreak thrown into the mix. This story has engaging character and plot, and I loved every minute of this story.
6,194 reviews30 followers
June 10, 2020
4.5

Nathan doesn’t always make the best decisions.
Take for example, when his ex wife moves back to town (hey, he chose her in the first place) and wants her legal rights to their daughter Emma back. So, fast forward two months, and his scheme to marry to retain custody of his daughter. He asks his colleague Jessica to marry him (no feelings, of course).

Jessica has liked and admired Nathan but he doesn’t see her like that. At all. Hence his business proposal. Marry him so he can win custody in exchange for making her a partner in the practice (he should have done that with out her needing to marry him).

Will Nathan finally wake up and chose better the second time around?
Profile Image for Winter.
2,069 reviews7 followers
June 16, 2020
This was a good book but I felt like something was missing between the two mc's. Maybe passion, chemistry? They made great friends and colleagues but beyond that it was like the author had to convince me that they were more than just really supportive of eachother. I got the interest from the h but the H showed a lack of desire and fire for her. He wasn't much of an Alpha type that's for sure. His response to her was disappointing. The other thing the author didn't address was how his ex got the piece of evidence that his marriage was fake. How was it possible and why did the H never question that!? I liked the book but those things really bothered me.
Profile Image for Ashley -Goldstarreads.
1,095 reviews26 followers
July 1, 2020
I was excited to read this book but it took me forever to get into it. I really liked The hero next door by the same author so I was really looking forward to this one. But this one just didn't hook me, honestly I thought the characters were a bit stiff and boring. About half way through the book I finally got hooked and really enjoyed the chemistry between the characters at that point. I enjoyed the plot and the emotions that Nathan went through. But the end of the book went back to being boring. I was honestly glad when the story was over cause once I start reading one I want to finish the book. But in the end it was okay.
Profile Image for Jennifer Soppe.
2,251 reviews13 followers
June 11, 2020
A nice fake marriage romance read

Jessica, the newest physician in the practice, has had a crush on Nathan, the owner of the family practice, since she started. As the story progresses a situation arises, drastic measures are taken, and making their way through the worst-case scenario together is not guaranteed. Lara Swann’s Single Dad’s Wife is a nice fake marriage romance read with hints of childish glee.

I received a free copy of the book from the author via Booksprout. I had the opportunity to review or not.
1,658 reviews16 followers
June 13, 2020
I really enjoyed this story. Nathan was the father of a sweet 3 year old. When his ex comes back and says she wants custody, he freaks out. What follows is a taste of what a good friend will do for you. It also shows that taking care of a 3 year olf is not easy. There were several good messages in the book that were quite true to life. The characters were all likeable with Emma (the 3 year old) the sweetest of them all. Lots of great and hot chemistry too. Good read

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
830 reviews5 followers
June 15, 2020
This book has all the feelings happy, sad, angry and love.
This book was very well written and I had tears in my eyes a few times through this book.
Nathan is a single dad to his daughter Emma, his ex-wife shows up and challenges him for full custody when she signed all that over to Nathan when she left. Emma is three now and she is just adorable.
Jessica has had a crush on Nathan since she started at his practice. He approaches her to be his fake wife for the custody battle.
I received a free copy of this book for an voluntary and honest review.
Profile Image for Sandie.
683 reviews6 followers
June 16, 2020
What would you do for the man you've had a long-standing crush on? Jessica finds out when her boss Nathan needs a fake wife. Nathan owner of his own medical practice needs a wife to keep custody of his daughter who better to ask than his long time co-worker. They get married he gives her a full partnership in the practice what could go wrong. Feelings develop and they become a family until the unthinkable happens. There is plenty of drama and angst, lots of feelings, and cutie-pie Emma. I really enjoyed reading this book, loved the characters.
227 reviews2 followers
June 19, 2020
Nathan needed a wife and he needed one fast. Faced with a custody battle over his three year old daughter, he could only come up with one solution. He propositions Jessica, a fellow doctor in his family practice. He offers to make her a partner in the practice if she will agree to marry him and be his "wife" for the custody proceedings. Like any good book, the two fall in love and the rest is literary history. I thoroughly enjoyed the chemistry between the characters and the plot was well thought out.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Eunique Sade Powell.
185 reviews2 followers
July 4, 2020
Disappointed

This had the potential to be a great story; however, there was no chemistry from the H and h. Jessica has no relationship with Emma. Who gets married for the custody trial, but doesn’t tell anyone?! How is it suppose to be believable if nobody knows about it?! They didn’t even seem like friends. It was just awkwardness for 85% of the book and then boom. . . Sex and I love you?! I love friends to lovers stories but they seemed like strangers. There was no romance. I skimmed the last 20%.
Profile Image for Annie Fitzgerald.
621 reviews2 followers
July 6, 2020
Heartwarming read that brings out a whole series of emotions. Nathan struggles with how to keep custody of his little girl when his ex blows back into town wanting her after abandoning them when she was a baby. Jessica has had a crush on Nathan since she met him and struggles with the decision to become his wife. They grow closer while waiting for the custody case to start. Will everything work out for them or will they all be torn apart? Be ready to laugh, cry and yell out loud with this story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Angela.
3,615 reviews16 followers
June 9, 2020
What can possibly go wrong with a) breaking a vow to not marry ever again and b) not falling for your co-worker? How about..... Nathan's promise to his little girl was that he would be her everything forever. But he never planned on his ex to come back into his life, nor did he plan for her to try and gain custody. Just how can he possibly keep that promise? By doing the 2 things he swore never to do. Funny with some heartbreaking moments, Nathan and Jessica's story is sure to entertain.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews

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