When We Met

by Shey Stahl

When Kacy Conner crashes her car into the side of my repair shop, I should have ignored it.

Given the damage to the building and her car, I couldn’t. But I didn’t have to offer her a place to stay. None of it had to do with her being stranded in our small town or those beautiful blue eyes. And it certainly did not have to do with her contagious laughter or that she’s crazy sexy and feisty.

I’m lying. It has everything to do with her.

Now I have to think of a reason to make her stay past the two weeks it takes to fix her car.

And I’m enlisting the help of my two adorable daughters. I know, you should never use your kids to get laid, but whoever said that hadn’t gone five years without any.
Or they’re lying to you.

Don’t go calling protective services on me. Everything I’m having them do is completely harmless. I mean, it’s totally okay to bribe your kids with cookies to slash her tires so she can’t leave. And it’s fine to have them steal the battery out of her car. Okay, I helped with that one. Hello, they can’t carry a car battery. They can’t even clean their room, or so they tell me.

Also, just so we’re clear on how far you can take it, it’s no big deal to have your three-year-old fake an injury to get alone time with her. I’m sure all single dads do that.

A little white lie never hurt anyone.

Until her lie finds her and I begin to question everything she’s told me about the night we met.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Small Town Romance, Rom Com, New Adult, Audiobook, Slow Burn

335 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 9, 2021

About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author, Shey Stahl is a lover of sunsets, dirt track racing, collecting antiques, and the south, where her soul wants to be. Writing is her passion, giving words meaning, and readers experiences they’ll never forget. Currently she’s living in the pacific northwest with her husband and daughter, she can usually be found near a dirt track with an iced coffee in hand.

Visit her website for additional information and keep up to date on new releases: www.sheystahl.com

You can also find her on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/sheystahlauthor

Follow on Instagram: http://bit.ly/2Bdh0t4

Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/2rfQ0cI

Reviews

[Dora Koutsoukou · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 ❤️❤️🤔🌟s❣️

This was a wonderful and hilarious romance read, where the shining star was Sev, Barrron’s 3 y.o. cutest by far d-evilish-aughter!

Barron was 24 y.o., raising on his own his two daughters, 3 and 5 y.o., since his wife wanted a glamorous life and walked out on him.
Kacy, a 21 y.o. girl, appeared in their life unexpectedly, when she had an accident where her car hit Barron’s repair shop.

The first 3 chapters were fantastic, with such a direct writing style that captivated my attention completely! Barron’s life with his daughters was so realistic and vivid!

While the story progressed, the writing kept its great style but I had some issues with the characters.
If the main characters were a few years older, then their story would have been more convincing. It wasn’t believable to me that Kacy, despite what she’s been through, after a few days she was staying at Barron’s house, seriously wanted to settle down and stay there forever. She was so young!!! I couldn’t connect with her fully.
Also, their feelings developed pretty quickly.

Overall, I enjoyed it, it had low angst, no drama and plenty of scenes filled with laughter.

[Arini · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

i liked this. truly. but the MCs didnt meet until chapter 7, and lemme tell you that this book *mostly* had long chapters. upon their first encounter, they were immediately electrocuted with a high voltage of insta lust and yadayadayada. 💀 so, while the romance was nothing to write home about, it was cute and filled with mischevious kids, witty humor, and lots of belly laughs. a perfect read for when you need to unwind and relax. plus, can we all agree that the cover is #FamilyGoals?!? 😍

[Dilek VT]

I read and read and read about the hero's children and wondered when the hero and the heroine would meet.

Then I skipped some pages and saw that they do NOT meet until page 79!

Well, I am not sure I can read so many pages about children until they meet. This is so not my cuppa with so much focus on children.

[Alina · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 ⭐️

Один із найкращих ромкомів, які я читала.
Я постійно сміялася.
Деякі сцени такі безглузді, що я реготала до сліз. Чого вартує тільки Морган😂😂😂
Головні герої з першої миті безсоромно фліртують і відкрито говорять про свої бажання.
Хоч я й не фанатка тропу інсталав, у цій книзі я свідомо про нього забувала.

Нарешті я знайшла книгу, в якій діти поводяться як ДІТИ. І саме вони стали родзинкою для мене.

Ця книга — це хаос. Той самий хаос, що супроводжується історіями, які ти запам’ятаєш на все життя, і ще довго дражнитимеш своїх близьких.
Це той хаос, яким неможливо керувати. Він безладний, гучний — і я насолоджувалася кожною його хвилиною.
Бо серед цього безладу — величезна любов🧡

Діти — розбишаки. Вони постійно випробовують Беррона. А він просто намагається встигати за ними.
Я люблю їх.
Я люблю їхній зв’язок
Ця книга принесла мені величезне задоволення

І я щиро вважаю, що у всіх головних і другорядних героїв є проблеми з алкоголем 😂😂 вони постійно бухають 😂😂😂

[Lucía · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this book a 5 star just for Sev, the little kid, she was hilarious with her crazy shenanigans.
But sadly, the trope of hiding things from your s/o for a long time is my least favourite, and the story fell flat.

[Kseniia ✨️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Неочікувано, але після 2 читання і на фоні багатьох прочитаних книг, ця книга не стала гірше. Вона дуже крута! Це мабуть була перша книга про самотнього татуся, яка змусила мене закохатися в цей троп❤️

Беррон - автомеханік на ранчо, живе своє найкраще життя і насолоджується роллю татуся двух чарівних донечок.
Кейсі з'являється в їхньому житті випадково, коли потрапляє в аварію і в'їжджає в їхній гараж.

Це чарівна книга з безліччю веселих і милих моментів. Я весь час хіхікала і посміхалась. Трохи драми в кінці зовсім не зіпсувало книгу.

Сєв вкрала моє серденько❤️ Ця маленька відьмочка - моя улюблена книжкова дитина. Вона та дівчинка з One percent of you, що билася з гг за чіпси😀

По обкладинці не скажеш, але події відбуваються зимою. Холод, снігопад, Різдво. Саме час читати, поки зима не пішла)

[Анастасія Земляна · Rating 5 out of 5]

Незвично читати так багато від головного героя. Дуже багато...
Я в захваті від дівчаток, особливо від Сєв!
Книга цікава, весела і захоплююча. Кінець дуже сподобався! Люблю коли розповідають в епілозі про те, що відбувається з героями через певний час.

[Ira Bartoschyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Це така гарна і мила історія❤️
Батько-одинак, який виховує двох діток трьох і п'яти років, тому що Тара втомилась від такого сільського життя. Брррр....

Звільнившись Кейсі гг, вирушає куди-небудь в сторону Каліфорнії.(P.S. Вона працювала на Тару). В доля вирішує зіграти з нею злий жарт, тому що під час снігової бурі її машина в'їжджає у майстерню саме чоловіка Тари.
Звісно, що вона приховала цей факт від Брендона. Стосунки гарно розвиваються, сюжет теж продуманий, дуже багато розповіді ведеться від Брендона.

[Tetyana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5
Дуже комфортна і затишна історія.
По перше, мені страшенно сподобалося, що більша частина книги велася від імені головного героя. Було дуже смішно читати його роздуми, особливо з матюками 😂
А його дітки, взагалі, окрема любов😍 Не розумію, як від них можна відмовитися. Я була б не проти прочитати дві окремі книги про кожну з них в дорослому віці, особливо про Сєв, вона ще та відьмочка😅
Беррон не ідеальний батько, але він і не повинен ним бути, зате, який же ж він люблячий, турботливий і розуміючий. Його взаємодії з донечками змушували умілятися і сміятися до сліз. Також, мені сподобалося, що він не рубає з плеча і приймає зважені рішення.
Кессі дуже прямолінійна, енергійна і весела, але іноді поводилася як ідіотка. Хотілося стукнути її за деякі вчинки, особливо за ситуацію в кінці. Якщо подумати, то її можна зрозуміти, проте, добре, що вона швидко одумалася.
Загалом, незважаючи на деякі мінуси, книга дуже класна.

[Oleksandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

When We Met — це легка й тепла історія про двох людей із непростим минулим. Він — самотній тато, вона — дівчина, яка ще шукає себе. І зовсім випадково вони знаходять одне одного.

Мені безмежно сподобалась структура книги — ніби герої спілкуються безпосередньо з читачем. Це додає історії щирості, а розділи від імені героя взагалі стали для мене окремим кайфом.

Особливе місце в моєму серці зайняла маленька Сев — юна відьмочка, яку хочеться обійняти. Я прям бачу, якою цікавою й харизматичною вона виросте, і я б із задоволенням прочитала окрему книжку вже про дорослу Сев.

Єдине, що трішки збивало мій настрій, — це постійне бажання героїв зайнятися сексом мало не з першого погляду. Через це часом втрачалась глибина їхньої історії.

Загалом, дуже приємне знайомство з авторкою, тому буду читати далі)

4.5 ⭐️

[CassDamm · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 ✨
I hate rating 1 star and was really on the fence about giving it 2 but don’t want to accidentally pick up another book by this author or encourage any of you to give her a chance.

This started off solid and the author seemed like she had potential bc you could tell there were instances she could be funny but a lot of times the execution was just poorly done. But then her “humor” attempts turned terribly misogynistic - jfc it’s 2023, why are we romanticizing misogyny, especially in regards to children? It’s not funny, it’s not a joke.

There was literally a part in this book where the male mc talked about how he hates his life bc he has 2 daughters 1 who will grow up to be a witch and the other who will likely grow up to be a whore???? Like what on earth was the author thinking, that’s by no means funny.

In addition to this the men were constantly the “victims” to their own decisions. The brother cheats on his wife but is somehow the victim? Why is everything the women’s fault? Honestly, I would have bet good money that this was written by a male, but apparently it’s a female who will be added to my “absolutely never read anything by this author again” list.
(Congrats, you’ve made the list officially have 2 authors🎈)

Oh, and the characters internal monologues were awful. If you’re writing in first person pov, the characters should not be talking to the reader, why are you trying to tell me how I should feel or think? You should trust your writing is good enough to make me feel or think that way.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was hysterical. I really need to read more from this author! I was a little nervous because this had a similar conflict to Hard to Lose by K. Bromberg that ruined that book for me, but somehow it worked here. Definitely a new favorite!!

[anna. ׂׂૢ · Rating 1 out of 5]

celebrating that this is over.

[Tmstprc · Rating 2 out of 5]

The kids were cute and sounded like kids, but their behavior may have been beyond their ages. Barron’s inner monologues about parenthood were amusing and at times a little too spot on, and that was the problem the three of them were more entertaining than the romance.

[paris · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF’d this, didn’t even make it past chapter one because i was so put off by the dad and him saying his daughter looked like she was going to grow up to be a w*ore :/ i already wasn’t feeling the writing style but that was just a deal breaker for me to even try to force myself through it

[Heidi (MinxyD14) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insta-love at its very best. The five stars are for the funniest kids ever to make up a cast of secondary characters. I shamelessly admit I loved every moment of this book.

[alex · Rating 1 out of 5]

— 𝟏 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

◦•●◉✿ 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐖𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐭 ✿◉●•◦

𝐊𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐫 (h), leaves California and heads South because that’s where she feels she belongs. She quit her job, packed enough clothes to get by, and left without looking back. When she’s in Amarillo, Texas she accidentally crashes into a deer and that mess leads her to 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐲 (h), Tara’s husband, who refuses to sign the papers, so technically they are still married. Tara is her ex-boss and she never expects to meet Barron, her plan was always to go South, just no direction. However, he offers a place to stay while he fixes her car from the accident and they grow closer.

◦•●◉✿𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 ✿◉●•◦

I usually don’t rate book this low, but as soon as he uttered the words “I have one kid who’s into witches and one that’s looking like she might grow up to be a whore.” I was like absolutely not. THEY ARE KIDS, he’s really odd for that.

It was very much insta-lust and they said I love you after knowing each other three weeks. After six months they were married and she was expecting a kid, so you can imagine how fast-paced it was. She romanticized the South and how she always wanted to meet “cowboys” and listen to the accents because of the way they say ma’am. I don’t understand how they fell for each other that fast, it was more physical attraction than anything. He hadn’t been with anyone in three years and she shows up and she’s the one? Yeah right, I just didn’t like the development — actually there was none. Not only that, but how is it that she’s driving to a random town and ends up in her ex-boss’s husbands town and meets his kids? That’s really weird and I just didn’t like either of them. The dialogue was very immature and I couldn’t believe these were “adults” talking.

I’m pretty sure they had known each other THREE DAYS and she was already fantasizing about being his wife and Sev & Camdyn as her children. I was like girl be serious go back to California. Within the three weeks, his daughters already want to call her “mom” and asking for a sibling… and she was happy about that of course. I’m not sure how believable it is that they fell in love in that short amount of time but okay.

All the characters were unlikable and problematic. Barton’s brother cheated on his wife with his high school sweetheart but it was “okay” because she had asked for divorce. SIR the papers were not signed be fr. She was cheating on him too and was pregnant with another, so it was just a mess. There was a lot of shaming in this book and I hated it. The way that Barron would talk about Tara was terrible, she was still the mother of his children and he had no respect for her at all. Even with his brother’s wife, he kept calling her a bitch and I’m like … if that’s how you talk about women you’re really shitty.

𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥, I did not enjoy this at all and I should have DNFd the book but I hate doing that, so here I am. I always give at least two starts so you can just tell that I did not like this at all.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 I think I pissed myself laughing stars!

This is the first book I’ve read from this author and I couldn’t have asked for anything better!!!

I realized, while searching for a book to read, that I go by the cover and then the blurb. I’ve never thought about that until this book. I’ve never been hell bent on choosing a book because of other reviews because reading is so subjective. But the cover and blurb are what sucks me in. That said, I saw this cover and that it was a single dad and I’m a sucker for that trope so I said why not.

HOLY CRAP! I was laughing so hard in the first 10 pages I was crying and literally think I might have peed myself a little! This guy has two daughters, 3&5 and the youngest one...WELL SHE MADE THE DAMN BOOK!!!!! She was freakin hilarious and the inner musings of Barron and Kacy were pretty freakin funny as well!! This was a light hearted, yet hot romance and I, for one, LOVED IT!!!!

Y’all know I’m a chump for a witty kid and this book had it in SPADES!! If you need something funny with a side of hot sexy times this is for you!

Angst⭐️⭐️
Cheating nah
Sexy Time ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Epilogue ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

24-year old single dad, Barron is just trying to keep his head above water raising his 3 & 5 year old daughters alone after his wife left him years prior. Dating wasn’t even on Barron’s radar until 21-year old Kacy literally crashed into his auto shop on his family’s ranch.

Kacy left California to start fresh and escape the lifestyle she grew up around. And when she arrives in Amarillo, Texas, her world is turned upside down, especially when she gets a sight of Barron, a cowboy, single dad fantasy.

Barron & Kacy are trapped under one roof until her car is repaired. And within days, Kacy wins not only Barron’s heart, but hit daughters’ as well. Everything seems picture perfect until a secret blows it all up in their faces...

When We Met by Shey Stahl is a small-town, single-dad romcom. It’s clear Shey is a mom because she knows how to capture parenthood like no other. Both books I’ve read by her had me laughing out loud with the parenting anecdotes. Barron’s daughters were the star of this book! The romance came on a little too quickly for my liking (the conflict happened only a week or so after Kacy arrives). I wanted a little more depth with their romance and I was hoping the physical side of their relationship would be steamier since there was so much buildup. All in all, I enjoyed this and do plan on reading more by Shey! 3.5/5 stars.

[Sofs · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I’d reach up and rip the stars from the sky if it meant she’d shine the way she does for me now forever.”

.: about the book :.
• single dad
• small town
• witty kids
• insta love/lust
• comedic relief

The humor in this book is top. Dorky characters are one of my fave type and these were good. Little angst but it has its moments. A light read, exactly what I needed 🤍

[Cass (cass_readsromance) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ Love me a good single dad romance. This was a cute rom com between a single dad not looking for love and a girl who needed to find the real meaning of life. This was the first time I read this author and I’ll definitely read her again!

[christyheartsbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kacy has decided to leave her life in LA, she is done with all the fake that is Los Angeles. Her heart is telling her that she belongs in the South so that is where she heads. Only a storm thwarts her plans and she runs into a building, her car is out of commission forcing her to stay in a small town in Texas until her car is fixed. Only Barron, the owner of the building she ran into, isn't in such a hurry for Kacy to leave. Barron is a young single dad of two young girls and he never really considered dating again after his wife left. But when Kacy comes crashing into their life he can't seem to let her go. But Kacy has a secret that could ruin it all for them both.

I adored this book so freaking much - I was laughing so hard throughout the entire book. My husband kept giving me weird looks as I read. Sevyn, Barron's youngest daughter, was a freaking riot and a half. She is my spirit animal. But Kacy and Barron were also super fun and sweet and cute. They had a bit of an insta love story but I loved every second of it. The drama/conflict was pretty low key and predictable but I cannot recommend this book enough. Love love loved it so dang hard.

[Nikki Mcauliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sev is a 3 year old girl who loves her sister Cam and her daddy Barron who is single and looks after them so well. Also she dabbles in magic. She wishes for a mummy and starts potion making. Unknowing at 3yrs old All that was needed was a snow storm and a young lady escaping her life. Kacy literally crashes into the Grady family.
Amazing read Shey has brought this romance to life. You will laugh till you cry. But be warned. The kids they steal the show.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot and Funny

Omg these two girls Camdyn and Seb are hilarious! Barron will do anything to keep Kacy with them even if that means giving cookies to your youngest to let the air out of her tires.

The attraction between Kacy and Barron is steamy and with the help of a couple of spells they both get the HEA they deserve.

[𝑨𝒂𝒔𝒉 ۶ৎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

This was my first Shey Stahl book, and wow—I couldn’t have picked a better one to start with! I went in because of the cover and the blurb (I’m a sucker for a single dad romance), and it turned out to be so much more than I expected.

From the very first chapter, I was hooked. Within ten pages, I was laughing so hard I was crying—and maybe almost peed myself. Barron’s two little girls (ages 3 and 5) completely stole the show, especially his youngest. She was mischievous, witty, and absolutely hilarious—honestly the heartbeat of the entire story. If you’re a fan of kids who actually add to a romance instead of distracting from it, you’ll love this one.

✨ The Story
Kacy, the FMC, comes from a wealthy but toxic background. After catching her mother in bed with her boyfriend and realizing how shallow her life has become, she finally cuts ties, quits her job as a model’s assistant, and sets off in search of something quieter and more meaningful. A snowstorm, a deer, and a fender bender later, she finds herself face-to-face with Barron—widowed, rugged, and completely devoted to his two daughters. What she doesn’t realize at first? He’s the ex-husband of her former employer. Talk about awkward!

Barron, on the other hand, isn’t your typical broody single dad. He’s protective, sarcastic, and utterly foul-mouthed in his inner monologues (which had me cackling). He’s also a father who isn’t perfect but is so deeply caring, patient, and intentional in the way he loves his girls. Honestly, his POV was one of my favorite parts of the whole book.

✨ The Romance
The chemistry between Kacy and Barron is hot, fun, and surprisingly tender. Their banter kept me grinning, while the swoony moments with Barron’s kids melted me completely. There’s some drama, but it feels real and grounded—especially around Barron’s unresolved divorce and custody battle. Kacy had her moments where I wanted to shake her (she definitely makes some questionable choices), but her growth and resilience made me root for her in the end.

✨ What I Loved
• A single dad who is fiercely devoted but not picture-perfect (and that’s what makes him so real).
• Kids who are written as full characters—funny, stubborn, and lovable.
• Laugh-out-loud humor balanced with heartfelt emotion.
• A cozy, small-town vibe with just the right amount of steam.

✨ Final Thoughts
When We Met is a funny, heartwarming, and cozy single dad romance that proves sometimes the messiest circumstances can lead to the most beautiful love stories. Barron’s kids are reason enough to pick this one up, but add in his grumpy, foul-mouthed charm and Kacy’s journey of breaking free from her toxic past, and you’ve got a romance that’s equal parts swoony and hilarious.

Definitely recommend if you love:
• Single dad romances 💕
• Small-town charm 🏡
• Dual POV with laugh-out-loud internal monologues 😂
• A love story that’s as much about family as it is about romance.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
Having previously read and only mildly enjoyed this author before, I wasn't expecting too much when I picked this one up. My expectations were wildly exceeded! In this case, it was absolutely the children that made it for me. Sevyn and Camdyn 100% stole the show here, and the relationships they had with Kacy and Barron. K&B's love story took a back seat, and for the most part, I didn't really care about it. But the girls, how they were with each other, and all of the adults around them, that was the story that I fell in love it. I sincerely hope that we will get to see time in other books, either as side characters for others at this ranch, or their own love stories when they're older.

[H-e-l-e-n-a · Rating 3 out of 5]

Barron sigue casado pero la esposa los abandonó a él y a sus dos hijas por tal de irse a Hollywood.
Kacy, huye de su trabajo y de su mundo en California. Tiene un accidente mientras viaja en carretera en una noche nevada, y es 'rescatada' por Barron.

La historia empieza con atracción sexual en el instante en que se ven. Lo cual fue como 🙄🥱 Ay por Dios! Nada creíble su romance.
Las partes de Barron con las niñas, incluso las partes de Kacy con las niñas, son geniales. Ella es una chica de familia rica y famosa, entonces se crean escenas divertidas de 'venido a pobre' jajaja.
En fin, el romance me pareció algo torpe pero la lectura fue rápida y entretendia.

[sonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ковбойський ромком про батька-одинака.
Десь на 3.5⭐.
Досить багато гумору і комічних ситуацій, сцен 18+ дуже багато, мені було мабуть занадто.
Загалом не сильно віриш у те що там відбувається, але ж на те це і книга, а не реальна історія, тому хай буде.
Все що стосувалося дітей, відчувалося, що авторка знає про що пише , в мене діти приблизно такого ж віку і не скажу, що я не бувала в подібних ситуаціях 😅
З мінусів - як на мене, було забагато випивки, тобто вони випивали практично у всіх ситуаціях взаємодії, якщо це були спогади про когось, то теж скоріше за все, люди в тих ситуаціях були п'яні 🥴 я таке не дуже люблю

[Andréa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it

Cam and Sev were the best part of this story. They are adorably insane and such a riot. I laughed so much reading this book.

Barron was a great dad trying to do his best. Yes his daughter know more curse words than is probably recommended but they are loved and know it.

I liked how he interacted with Kacey and their growing relationship.


This was a really entertaining read with likable characters. I had a great time with that story.

[lex · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m a bit baffled at how high the average star rating for this is :// on multiple occasions it was genuinely uncomfortable, offputting, and kind of problematic. I’m not really a dnf person, but if I hadn’t genuinely paid for this I would have.