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Summer Secrets #2

Falling for the Single Dad

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She wants to find an older guy to spend time with this summer. He’s a single dad who needs a nanny. When they meet, it seems like they are the perfect solution to both of their problems. But is it possible they’re only creating more?

Hannah is desperate for a break after graduating from an all girls’ boarding school. While trying to convince her father she needs to take a gap year, he tells her if she's not in school, she's out of the house and into a job.

When she stumbles upon a nanny position, she thinks it's the perfect solution. The minute she sees Ryan, she should have the good sense to run away. After all he is twenty-seven, a graphic designer, and hot as hell. But if all goes well, he'll move her to Boston in the fall and make her his full-time nanny. Only now, she’d like to make more than just the job official.

Six months ago, his girlfriend, the mother of his child, died in a car accident. He felt like he'd never recover. Until Hannah. Only the longer she’s around, the more attached he and Claire, his daughter, become. This is bad. He needs someone for Claire more than he needs someone for himself, right?

Over time Hannah moves in, but he knows it's too late. His feelings can't be helped. The fear that he'll lose another woman he loves is always hanging over his head, so he vows to love no one at all. No one can convince him otherwise, but Hannah definitely wants to try.

134 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 29, 2020

101 people are currently reading
69 people want to read

About the author

Emma Tharp

38 books222 followers
Emma Tharp is the USA Today Bestselling Author of The Bluff Harbor Series, Keeping It Casual, Drawn to Dark, and the McLoughlin Brother Series. She was raised in upstate New York. Being an only child, she spent a great deal of time alone, dreaming up characters who would keep her company on long family road trips. Putting her writing on the back burner, she went to college and became a chiropractor. After spending twelve years healing patients, Emma decided—with the help of her amazingly supportive husband—to use the creative side of her brain and let her characters come to the page.
If she’s not writing, Emma can be found at the gym, one of her kids sporting events, Starbucks, or a live music event.
A perfect day for Emma would be spent at her lake house with her husband, two ginger-haired children, and Vizsla, reading a book and drinking a large cup of coffee (or wine) with music playing in the background.

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5 stars
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42 (35%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
Profile Image for Tich Brewster.
Author 23 books173 followers
May 15, 2021
Oh my goodness, this book brought a few tears to my eyes. It was so captivating.
Ryan is a single dad in need of a nanny for his three year old girl. Hannah is a young woman, looking to take a year before college to figure out where she wants to go in life. When she meets Claire, a three year old, and her dad, Ryan, she finds herself taking on a summer job as a nanny.
12k reviews49 followers
July 2, 2021
Delightful....Perfect summer beach read

Falling For the Single Dad is the second book Summer Secrets series. The story is about Hannah, Jenna's twin sister, and Ryan, a single father. Ryan needs a nanny to look after his daughter Claire and Hannah needs something to do for the summer before going away to college. So she applies for the nanny position and is hired. Let's just say that it turns out to be the best summer of her life, and it leads to something she never expected.

This is a wonderfully written book with a story-line and characters that are woven together eloquently. There is sizzling hot chemistry between the older Ryan and the free-spirited Hannah that burns up the pages. But the relationship that develops between the three characters is what makes this this story such a captivating and delightful read.
2,890 reviews11 followers
May 9, 2021
A delightful story. Hannah is a confused, young woman trying to decide where her life is going. Ryan is a slightly older man whose life has taken a bad turn. Their tale is enticing even during those trying moments which you'd better believe will happen. This story ends with a lot of promise and potential.

Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Page-turner. Romantic. Steamy. Tragic. Unpredictable. Wonderful characters.

I received a review copy of this book from a third party. This is my honest review.
3,205 reviews
June 29, 2020
A sweet romance read!

There wasn’t anything complicated in this newest release that doesn’t disappoint. The easy to read storyline with the sweet chemistry that you just know will end up being more between Hannah and Ryan was no hardship to follow. Their journey just fell in line with some drama and a sweet heat level that will have you cheering for their HEA. A no fuse sweet romance read that is perfect for a day read.
Profile Image for L Powers (Bookish_Mum).
894 reviews32 followers
October 13, 2022
I have always enjoyed Emma Tharp as an author and this book did not disappoint at all. Falling For the Single Dad was well-written and the characters were very well-crafted. Although it is part of a series, there is no need to worry as there isn't any dreaded cliff-hanger.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Skye Yanovsky.
1,178 reviews20 followers
February 3, 2021
Quick easy read

This is a Quick easy age gap romance read. Sweet steamy With some substances. I enjoyed this book a lot.
8 reviews
March 2, 2021
A quick sweet easy romance read. The first story I read of the series and I enjoyed it.
46 reviews2 followers
January 7, 2022
disappointing ending

I really like this book, it the ending was terrible. I hope the author fixes how she writes her books. Give us an epilogue or even a complete ending.
1,089 reviews1 follower
May 23, 2022
Great story

Hannah and Ryan make a great couple. Loved the read. Age doesn’t matter when falling in love. Those two were made for each other.
4,386 reviews25 followers
August 4, 2020
This is my first time reading something by this author. The story drew me in right from the start and stayed with me long after I was finished. It is an emotional read and will certainly pull at your heartstrings. Hannah and Ryan are a beautiful couple. Ryan has lost his wife in a car accident and is left to raise his young daughter. He hires Hannah as her nanny and they immediately begin to bond. Hannah is just what Ryan needs to heal and recover from his loss. This was such a heartwarming story and it will really touch your heart. The story was well-written and flowed nicely. The characters were strong and well-developed. Ms. Tharpe did a nice job of bringing this story to life with her vivid descriptions and well-developed scenes. I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading more by this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Desert Lumens.
621 reviews11 followers
June 14, 2020
Okay, first let me say I’ve never read a “normal” vanilla romance. Never had an interest to be perfectly honest. I absolutely love paranormal romance though (shifters, vampires, alien warrior type books). Reading the synopsis of this book though just called to me. Normally this would be the type of book I truly love to read. A man or a woman recently widowed with kids and in need of a nanny. I’m such a sap and a huge sucker for these types of books. All that was missing was one or both main characters weren’t shifters or aliens lol. This story was so sweet it literally had me smiling the whole time. I read this book in about 4hours. I couldn’t put it down. It’s 0530 and there was no way I was stopping this book until I read it completely. I just wish the author told just a smidgen more at the end. For most I’d say the book ended well but for me I didn’t want it to end. Emma is such an amazing writer. This book had me crying. I don’t write many reviews mostly because I like to talk from the heart and not give spoilers. I like to speak upon how the book made me feel and what I took from the book. I personally just went through a traumatic separation with my wife of almost 20 years. We had 4 sons and one passed away and our marriage didn’t survive. Not for my lack of trying. She just didn’t care. So reading this story already hit close to home because I’m just as lonely as Ryan, the main character. I know what he’s feeling. Missing the touch of ones partner, missing the happiness you once shared with someone. I too hope to one day be blessed to fall in love and have someone actually care and love me. So reading about how guarded Ryan was and how he slowly opened up was very real and very touching. This book was phenomenal and fantastic. This was the first book I’ve read by Emma Tharp and it won’t be the last. She has pulled me in with this book. It’s difficult sometimes to read about love but good authors can transport anyone to another place and take your mind off things. That’s what this book has done for me. Suffering from depression and severe PTSD I rarely laugh or smile and in reading this book I did both. Claire oh my gosh was so cute. A little too perfect lol but I remember my own boys at that age and I remember how awesome they were and how much I loved them and wanted to protect them from the world. Claire bear, that nickname was a nuke to my heart because I called my son Kenji-Bear. So yes, this book really laid me bare. This was simply beautiful. I truly enjoyed this book. It was such a great pleasure reading it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.9k reviews369 followers
June 29, 2020
This isn’t one of those books that you just read and put aside. It’s one that you should experience because the author will draw you right in and this one will touch your heart, pulling the emotions to let you feel what’s going on.

Ryan is a single dad to a wonderful young daughter named Claire. Just six months earlier, her mother died in a car accident and he thought he would never get over the pain. But he needs a nanny so he can work and provide for his daughter. Hannah was told by her father that she needed to go to college now and not take off a year as she had wanted. If she refused, he told her to find a job and a new place to live as he cut off her funds. So when she saw the nanny position, it was perfect for her! Their little “family” starts to bond together until Ryan’s fears of losing another woman he loves cause him to make a mistake. Will Hannah turn away from him? Or will she stay and make him see that it’s worth the risk when you have found love.


Merged review:

This isn’t one of those books that you just read and put aside. It’s one that you should experience because the author will draw you right in and this one will touch your heart, pulling the emotions to let you feel what’s going on.

Ryan is a single dad to a wonderful young daughter named Claire. Just six months earlier, her mother died in a car accident and he thought he would never get over the pain. But he needs a nanny so he can work and provide for his daughter. Hannah was told by her father that she needed to go to college now and not take off a year as she had wanted. If she refused, he told her to find a job and a new place to live as he cut off her funds. So when she saw the nanny position, it was perfect for her! Their little “family” starts to bond together until Ryan’s fears of losing another woman he loves cause him to make a mistake. Will Hannah turn away from him? Or will she stay and make him see that it’s worth the risk when you have found love.
Profile Image for Ashleigh.
505 reviews5 followers
August 2, 2020
Apart from one steamy little moment, it's mainly sweet scenes between Hannah and Ryan (and Claire bear 😀) thoroughly enjoyed reading this book definitely recommend!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Raecharmed.
9,320 reviews70 followers
July 6, 2020
Hannah wants to take a gap year to figure out what she wants to do with her life. Her father refuses to allow her that chance and tells her if she doesn't go to school she's cut off. One day when she's out she finds a little girl on her own and walks with her to find her parents. Ryan is a single dad and knows that he needs help but he can't believe Claire took off from him. When he sees her with a young woman he breathes a sigh of relief. He thanks Hannah and mentions that he was posting for a nanny when she asks about the job. Curious to see if she could handle his daughter he gave her a trial period. When Hannah went home to collect her things her father was stunned that she had found a job so quickly. It wasn't long before things started changing with Claire and Ryan knew that he made that right choice in hiring. Things heat up between her and Ryan as they become more to each other. Soon with Ryan's encouragement Hannah explores her artistic side and checks out some classes at his college. This causes some problems because Ryan wonders if she'll leave them to go to school. Can Ryan see that Hannah wants to plan a future with him and Claire? What will her family think of her new future plans?

This is a great story that will hook you in the first chapter. The chemistry between them is off the charts 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 Tonya Sims harper-dixie.
413 reviews7 followers
June 22, 2020
A truly wonderful story that has every element that you could think of. Pain, misunderstanding, young love and the cuties little girl that will warm your heart.
He may have been this young 28 year old Dean of a fine art college in Boston, but he had his life going in the right direction even though he was still fighting the grief of losing his partner and baby mama, but he needs a nanny to look after his little girl so that he can get some work done. And wonder of wonders this young 18 year old girl is looking for work so that she can support herself because she does not want to go to college right away, when her dad said that she had to pay her own way in life because he was cutting her funds off, that the next day is when they meet.
These two adults just jive so well together with the sweet little girl, you knew that it was going to have that happy ever after..

This book was just so sweet, that you have to read it!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
161 reviews1 follower
June 29, 2020
Loved this second chance romance (second chance for Ryan, anyway)! When I picked this ARC up I wasn't aware it was part of a three part series, although there is no cliffhanger. I will definitely go back and read Jenna and Cam's book and pick up Grace's book after this one. Anyway, this is about Hannah and her decision to not go to college right away. Of course, her father isn't pleased and decides to cut her off so she has to find a job to support herself. She accidentally runs into Ryan and Claire in a store and through that encounter becomes Claire's nanny for the summer. I loved seeing Ryan and Hannah become close. It wasn't easy for Ryan, though, fighting with the guilt of losing his love, Catherine, and his growing feelings for Hannah. Hannah also struggled with comparing herself to Catherine, especially since Ryan really didn't talk about Catherine or their life together.

It's a great story and I look forward to reading the other books in the series!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kayla Pocernich.
1,784 reviews8 followers
July 2, 2020
Hannah wants to take a year off to explore what she wants to do, instead of going to the colleges accepted her right away but her father threatens to cut her off. Hannah sees a little girl named Claire and helps to get her back to her father. There she meets the frantic single dad Ryan and she gets hired as Claire’s nanny right away. Ryan is still grieving for Claire’s mom died in a car accident 6 months ago. Claire and Hannah bond well and Ryan can’t help but notice Hannah the young vibrant beautiful woman she is, not just as his nanny. Hannah is more than happy to help Claire and Ryan heal from their loss. She loves Claire and has feelings for Ryan. Ryan on the other hand encourages her to take a class fitting her talent in the college where he is the dean. Hannah is heart-broken when Ryan fires her but she is determined to stand by her decision for her future. This was a really great read and really enjoyed the connection between Hannah, Ryan and Claire.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3,221 reviews4 followers
June 30, 2020
Hannah's sister is the good girl. Hannah is a bit more challenging. When she asks for a gap year before college, her father cuts her off, and tells her to find a new place to live after the summer. Ryan's partner died, leaving him alone with their three-year-old daughter. When Claire gets lost in a store, Hannah finds her, and then Ryan, and he hires her. And when he and Claire go back to Boston, Hannah goes with them. This is a really nice companion book to Jenna's story. Hannah is an older soul in a young body - at 18, she's already tired of guys her age and their drinking/partying - and I like her maturity, and the instant connection that she has with his daughter. Ryan didn't really talk to Hannah about Catherine's death, and blindsided her with his issues. But he also recognizes how special she is, her artistic talent, her special bond with Claire.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Sandie.
683 reviews6 followers
July 2, 2020
This is an enjoyable quick book. Hannah is very young just graduated high school and wants to take a break before college. Ryan is a single dad in need of help with his daughter Claire. They meet by chance and she takes the job as his nanny. There is a spark, a connection, between them and it starts to feel like they are a family. The story is not new (dad falls for the nanny) but the characters are interesting and makes this a good book to read.

Merged review:

This is an enjoyable quick book. Hannah is very young just graduated high school and wants to take a break before college. Ryan is a single dad in need of help with his daughter Claire. They meet by chance and she takes the job as his nanny. There is a spark, a connection, between them and it starts to feel like they are a family. The story is not new (dad falls for the nanny) but the characters are interesting and makes this a good book to read.
Profile Image for Victoria.
4,957 reviews
June 27, 2020
This is the first book I have read in this series and I have enjoyed it. Book one is about Jenna and Cam and I don't think not reading it has effected my enjoyment of book two. I thought the characters were developed, they felt real to me and I believed in their chemistry and connection. I loved watching their relationship together and as a 'family' develop. I liked the character development shown in both Hannah and Ryan and the impact on each other and other relationships in this story that it had. I thought they were perfect for each other and I loved Hannah's connection to Claire. Personally, I would have liked an epilogue of them later on in their relationship, but I still thought this was a good story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kim.
619 reviews
June 29, 2020
Hannah is tired of the high school boys and the party scene and wants to find herself an older more mature man to date. She also has to break it to her dad she isn’t going to college in the fall. She wants to take a gap year. To say he isn’t pleased is an understatement.
Ryan has a three year old daughter Claire and lost his girlfriend six months ago. Heart broken but still needing to work, he lists a nanny position. Enter Hannah. Claire and Hannah hit it off immediately. As the summer progresses, so do Ryan and Hannah’s feelings towards one another. Drama, emotions and angst take you on a whirlwind of a story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
6,168 reviews57 followers
June 30, 2020
Hannah is fed up the the immaturity of high school boys. She wants to find an older more mature man to date. She wants to take a break from school but her father is being a jerk, no school, find a job and move out. She sees a position for a nanny which is perfect. Ryan and his little girl Claire lost her mom and Ryan'g girlfriend. He's scared of loving again and losing another woman that he loves. Ryan and Hannah's feeling progress toward of one another with plenty of drama, emotions and anxiety. Will Hannah stay and see where their relationship goes or will he turn away from him? I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
5,045 reviews32 followers
June 23, 2020
Loved this heart breaking story with Ryan and Hannah. He has lost his girlfriend and mother to his daughter Claire who needs a nanny while he works. Enter Hannah who father has cut her off since she has decided to take a break from school so she applies for the nanny job. This is a well written book that is filled with emotion as Ryan tries to close off his heart to Hannah because he is older and does not want to suffer another lost if something were to happen to her and Hannah has decided not to give up on the love she has for Ryan.
2,200 reviews
June 29, 2020
This is book two in the Summer Secret series. Hannah has just graduated from an all girls boarding school and she needs a job. Ryan is a single Dad and needs a nanny for his daughter, Claire. This is an older man, younger woman story that will capture your heart as Hannah and Ryan attempt to fight their strong chemistry and feelings for one another. As always, you get a great story full of twists to keep you engaged in the story and its characters. I always looks forward to reading this author. Enjoy!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
136 reviews1 follower
July 3, 2020
I did enjoy this book.
Great story for an older man and a younger woman.
There is even a 3-year-old daughter for the man. his partner was killed in a car accident.
I had a great connection with the characters in the story and they really worked very well together.
I didn`t find any spelling mistakes at all or any holes in the plot of the story.
I really recommend this book for others over the age of 18+

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,094 reviews
June 16, 2020
Emma Tharp is such an amazing author and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. This is Book 2 of the "Summer Secret" series. This story is well written and holds your interest so you can’t put it down. If you like a book filled with chemistry, drama and trauma then you will enjoy reading Hannah and Ryan’s story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Emma.
989 reviews6 followers
June 26, 2020
I really enjoyed this book and the characters were great. I loved reading about Hannah, Ryan and Claire - it truly was a great story and I loved going on this little journey with them. The only reason as to why I’m not giving it 5 stars is because the ending didn’t feel like an ending if I’m going to put it that way.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4,605 reviews19 followers
June 30, 2020
Hannah is the girl who always pushes her limits. Especially when it comes to her dad, not to mention she is nothing like the good girl Jenna, her sister. And this time she has a problem: she wants to take a gap year and she has to explain that to her father. What could go wrong?
This was a sweet story. I haven't read a book from this author that I haven't liked, so definitely try this one. 5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
97 reviews
June 30, 2020
at first when I started this book I was apprehensive about it. The age difference between Claire and Ryan was different than what I am use to, but the more you see them develop and evolve you just can't help but cheer for them. There are may sad moments in the book but they just help the characters develop and shine. I loved this book so much

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews