Single Dad Seeks Juliet

Single Dad Collection #1

by Max Monroe, Stephanie Rose (Narrator), Alexander Cendese (Narrator)

Dear Internet: Am I a horrible person for wanting to sabotage my work assignment—completely wreck a dating contest—because I hate the idea of love?

I know it sounds bad, but just hear me out, okay?

I (33F) work at a local paper, and two months ago, my editor assigned me a huge project—run the upcoming, highly anticipated Bachelor Anonymous contest.

In essence, I’m supposed to help a reader-nominated bachelor find his special someone, and while I should be excited to handle something of this magnitude solo, I can’t help but get queasy over how gross it feels.

Like, how cheesy could this thing get?

Not to mention, I’m the last person who should be involved in this—my dating and relationship history is a cluster. Generally, the person in charge of these things shouldn’t fantasize about lighting the whole three-ring dating circus on fire.

Anyway, men from all over Southern California, vying for the coveted bachelor role, submitted their personal ads to my paper. The readers voted, and Single Dad Seeks Juliet won by a landslide.

Enter Mr. Bachelor Anonymous (40M), the single dad Romeo seeking his Juliet.

Blah, blah, blah, right? Wrong.

You guys—and I cannot stress this enough—this guy is the ultimate man in a six-foot-three, chiseled-muscle, freaking Adonis package with aquamarine eyes that would haunt the dreams of an insomniac.

He’s a former Navy SEAL, successful business owner, motocross-riding, charming, supportive, funny-as-heck single dad, and the more time I spend with him, the more I want to bring this contest thing crumbling to the ground for an entirely different reason.

Real talk: I think I’m falling for him.

Me, the woman who despises love, might be falling for the completely off-limits Bachelor who I’m ironically assigned to help find love, while five other women think they’re the only contestants competing for his heart.

So, Internet. Am I scum? Or is all fair in love and war?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Rom Com, Audiobook, Friends To Lovers, Military Fiction

Audiobook

First published October 12, 2020

About the author

Many moons ago, a dynamic duo of romance authors teamed up under the pseudonym Max Monroe, and, well, the rest is history...

Max Monroe is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of more than thirty contemporary romance titles. Favorite writing partners and long time friends, Max and Monroe strive to live and write all the fun, sexy swoon so often missing from their Facebook newsfeed. Sarcastic by nature, their two writing souls feel like they’ve found their other half. This is their most favorite adventure thus far. ​

​

Reviews

[✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holley and Jake.

Holley is a writer for a San Diego newspaper and her boss just gave her a new job. One she hates! To write about the Bachelor thingy the newspaper is running. Holley! She hates romance and love and everything! She's just come out of a decade long relationship - having been cheated on - and she does not want anything to do with romance!

But here we are.

And here is Jake too. Unwillingly. Poor guy.

He's a 40 year old single dad of 17 year old Chloe. Who thinks her dad needs someone by his side once she'll go to college next year - so she signs him up for that bachelor thing!

LET THE FUN TIMES BEGIN!



JUST ADORABLE!!!

I loved this!

Such a sweet and fun romance!

Both Holley and Jake are not part of that bachelor thing willingly. Hilarious!

It's pretty much insta attraction for both - but there's the little problem of the whole dating contest - five ladies are all hyped up to be going on a date with Jake.

I just loved reading this! So adorable and funny.

I missed the sexiness a tiny bit - but it was SPARKAGE ALL THE WAY!

What more can I say? READ IT!
This was the perfect SoCal RomCom!
I adored all the people and happenings!

And I can't wait to read the book about Jake's best buddy next - another super-hot single dad ... a firefighter!

How are none of Max Monroe's books streaming their behinds off on Netflix yet??? The world is a weird and sad place!!

SINGLE DAD SEEKS JULIET was such a funny & adorable romance! Hurry to your nearest amazon for your own Jake - he'll be sold out in no time!!!


💜 💜

[SzarlottaSzott · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not sure how this book gathers so many positive reviews. I guess I just have different sense of humour... I was rolling my eyes every few minutes asking myself: why do I keep reading it?
The main issues that I have with the story:
- jokes were kept at the level of primary school and some of them were quite mean;
- i found it to be a bit sexists. We live in times where women fight for equality. I didn’t like that the main heroine felt like she didn’t belong on the construction site (I am a structural engineer and I am a woman so I know that we need to struggle with inequality in this field and I don’t want to see it in books!);
- it encourages a divorce; we didn’t get enough backstory about the friend of the main hero to fully judge, but Jake talking badly about his friend’s wife and calling her names is not right;
- unexpected pregnancy supposed to be a happy ending? People in long relationships would tell you that every couple should get to know each other before bringing life to this planet.
- I don’t want to even start about some of the scenes which were just inappropriate (face calling father)

[Max Monroe]

SINGLE DAD SEEKS JULIET is LIVE NOW + FREE in KINDLE UNLIMITED!!!!

If this book was any more perfect for balming the wound that is 2020, we’d literally have to start sending it out in sanitized, care package form!

WHAT IS SINGLE DAD SEEKS JULIET ALL ABOUT?
Here are the deets:
✔️Gigglesnort producing
✔️Romantic Comedy standalone
✔️Endearingly awkward heroine
✔️CUTE CUTE meet cute
✔️Insane Chemistry
✔️Delicious slow burn
✔️HOTTEST, SWOONIEST SINGLE DAD EVER

ONE-CLICK HERE (FREE in Kindle Unlimited!):
★Amazon Worldwide: mybook.to/SingleDadSJ



Happy Reading!
XOXO,
Max & Monroe

[Miftahul · Rating 1 out of 5]

I knew it was gonna be a light and fluffy read but it made me roll my eyes as i kept reading. Jake who is the hero, his 17 yr old daughter secretly enters him in a bachelors contest and he wins and now he has to go on a date with 5 women and choose 1 at the end but he ends up falling in love with Holley who is running this show. Holley is a 33 yr old women whose fiance cheated on her which is why she is scared to date and stuff.... i didnt like her character, she is too clumsy ..not quirky but hella annoying for a 33 yr old. Chole who is Jake’s daughter is the most unrealistic 17 i ever read about and she giggles a lot, i mean A LOT, there is not one scene where she is not giggling and the way she acts annoyed me. Both Heroine and Chole are annoying af. Jake was eh. This book was eh tbh. In the middle it got really boring and the ending was rushed up as hell especially where they had to reveal that they were in love... i mean i get its a light romance book but the ending part was really rushed up. The heroine kept thinking about her ex throughout the book but doesnt talk about him with the hero or bring him up...but she keeps thinking about him 24/7 literally throughout the whole book

[Gabrielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Painful dialogue, women are either Good/pure or Bad/stupid, and more

Synopsis: Newspaper reporter Hollie (h) gets stuck running a dating contest for her paper. She posts the responses online for readers to vote on. The response with the most votes wins. From another set of applications, Hollie also selects 5 women for the winner to date.

17 year old Chloe thinks her dad Jake (H) needs to date and enters him in the contest. He wins. He goes on dates with the 5 women but falls in love with Hollie.

My issues:
1.  The initial conversation between the 17 year old girls is painful. Kids don't talk like that. No one talks like that. Get some readers - teens or their parents. Or anyone. A few examples (there are many more, read the intro and see what I mean):
• Calling Instagram, "the Gram." No one calls it that. It's either IG or Insta. Or Finsta, Fake INSTAgram for your anonymous, probably stalker, account. I think the authors were trying to be cool but they needed to do some research. (They do say Insta later. Proofread.)
• A teenager saying "total babe"; "dreamboat"; "worrywart"; and "oh, geez", "heck", "darn" and "freaking" in this context.

2. The Intro is also an awkward info dump. "I mean, it is for a contest being run by our local paper in which readers vote on the personal ad of their choosing to select an anonymous, unnamed bachelor who will be farmed out on several dates to find his Mrs. Right[.]"

3. When h believes H won't participate in the contest she begins combing the other applications. Why? Wasn't there a vote? Just take the #2 vote-getter.

4. Women are either Good or Bad.
• Good - H's 17 y.o. daughter and h.
• Bad - pretty much everyone else, including,
- The women who apply for the contest.
  "When there’s this much hair spray in a room, the fumes are at least partially noxious. I should have told Dolly to put them in a room with a window."
   [When h tells the women they're going to be happy with the bachelor] "They all squeal. I wince and look around to make sure I haven’t somehow stumbled into the middle of a pig farm, but all I find are relentlessly attractive, svelte women." "More squeals fill the air, and I reach into the folder, pull out the next round of forms, and mentally brace myself to be stuck in this room of giggly squealers for the next hour and a half."
   [Conversation between H and a date.] “You’d have to thank my parents’ genes for the looks. They’re responsible.” “Their jeans?” she asks. My eyebrows pull together, but I push on. “Yep. Their genes.” “Is it a special kind of denim?”
   No need to be condescending or make grown women look stupid as a plot point.
- H thinks of a woman he meets up with when she's in town a "random f***" and refers to his "f*** buddies."
- Friend's wife - having marriage problems, wife doesn't like it that firefighter husband is leaving for 2 weeks. She gets to be upset that her husband is leaving her with their 11 y.o. twin girl & boy for 2wks. She gets to have a spa day. None of this makes her a "heartless shrew."

5. Non-white is "exotic." H's daughter's darker-haired friend "looks like she came from some exotic Mediterranean country." Exotic means "other." Stop normalizing the white beauty standard. (I note that H's daughter is "all long legs, gorgeous blond hair, and big, pretty eyes.")

6. Calling a meeting a "powwow." That's not even what a powwow is. Call it a meeting. Stop trying to take over and redefine non-white concepts and words. (This is appropriation.)

6. Giving men gold stars for being actual parents.
▪ Daughter tells H, “It wasn’t your job to join a single dads’ club when I was a toddler to make sure you were doing all you could to help me adjust to growing up without a mom.” Actually, yes, it was.
 ▪“And it wasn’t your job to take me to tea parties when everyone else was there with their mom, or dance on stage to help me at my first recital when I couldn’t remember the moves.” That, too.
 ▪“It wasn’t your job to take a lesson at the salon so you’d know how to do my hair, or go to the women’s center to research all you could about getting your period so it wouldn’t catch me off guard.” Still yes.

7. Unrealistic parenting.
 • H has gone to the beach to swim in the ocean every morning for the last 17 years. Okay, but where was his now-17-year-old daughter all these mornings? The book gives the impression that he hasn't had any help.
 • H's friend with marriage problems dropped his 11 y.o. twin daughter & son and friends off at the movie theater to have a beer with H. A gaggle of 11 y.o.'s on their own in a movie theater? Even if they're mature enough, some sort of legally responsible adult needs to be around. These are 6th graders we're talking about. I can see why his wife is unhappy with him. Put your beer down and go watch your kids.

This was all too frustrating for me. I got this book for free online, so assuming I remember, I won't be reading any more of these authors' books.

[Vanessa (nessreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have the biggest freaking smile on my face. It feels as if my cheeks are permanently in the huge smile position. It’s been awhile since a romcom has kept me so entertained. It felt as if no time passed, I was on chapter one one minute and then next, poof, I had already reached the end. I found myself clicking and hoping by some miracle that more chapters would magically appear. I LOVED THIS BOOK!

Holley was a breath of fresh air. I loved her quirkinesses and all her weirdness. Both made her the fun and lovable character she was. She was a mess, but a good mess and I couldn’t get enough.

Jake, dear lord he was a scrumptious 5-layer chocolate cake and I wanted to take my time and eat every morsel. He was sunshine and warned me right up. He’s charming, intelligent, adventurous, and so amazing. But above everything he’s such an incredible father. I Ioved his relationship was with his daughter Chloe, he’s loving, caring, protective and it was so swoon-freaking-worthy. My gosh he was the best and I just wanted more of him.

Holley and Jake were the ultimate. They were two best of the best characters I’ve read. These two were so sweet and adorable. I loved their fun-loving banter and the easiness of their friendship. They had so much chemistry and connected on many levels. I couldn’t get enough of them—I loved them so much.

Single Dad Seeks Juliet brought it all. Filled with humor, feel good feelings, and amazing characters. Just like I loved Holley and Jake, I felt the same with the secondary characters, they were just as great. Max Monroe once again brought their A game and struck gold with this delicious, witty and superb single dad/romcom romance. A definite favorite of 2020.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book*

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Local newspaper journalist and love cynic, Holley gets assigned by her editor to run a new string of articles called Bachelor Anonymous. Hundreds of men submit applications to become the next BA, go on 5 hand-selected dates with eligible women and at the end, pick the woman most well-suited for him at the reveal party. This may sound cute and fun to some, but to Holley, this assignment is her worst nightmare.

17-year old Chloe wants her dad to find love again. He’s been single since she was born and now that he’s 40 and she’s about to graduate high school soon, she doesn’t want him to be alone forever. So she submits an application to the paper’s Bachelor Anonymous on her dad, Jake’s behalf called “Single Dad Seeks Juliet.” And by some chance, he’s chosen.

After Jake and Holley have a very unexpected encounter, he decides to go along with the BA article, to appease his daughter—or so he tells himself. Somewhere along the way, Jake finds himself falling for the one woman he shouldn’t. Holley fits into his—and Chloe’s—life more than anyone ever has. And Holley, who has completely sworn off love, can’t help but fall for the sexy and endearing single dad who checks all her boxes without even trying. The last thing either of them expected was to find their happily ever after...

Single Dad Seeks Juliet by Max Monroe is a single dad rom-com that’ll be sure to make you hardcore swoon and laugh out loud until the very end. I wasn’t sure about this story, but after the first couple chapters I fell in love with Jake & Holley’s slow-burn romance. I appreciated how mature they both are and that their relationship took most of the book to develop. So when it was finally their turn to be together, I was desperate for their HEA. The writing duo, Max Monroe, writes great rom-coms with enough emotion to tug at your heart strings. One of the best stand-alone romances I’ve read this year! 5/5 stars.

[ABookLover73 · Rating 5 out of 5]

FIVE JULIET STARS for Holley and Jake 💜💛💙🖤!!!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Although I don’t read rom-com books too often, from time to time I like to take a break from reading dark romance books and always opt for one of Max Monroe’s books.

With Max and Monroe books, you can never go wrong when you want not only take a break from the usual genre you read but also from everyday responsibilities.

Max and Monroe have a perfect writing style that is not only easy and fast to read but it can make you laugh to tears and brighten your day.

"Single Dad Seeks Juliet" is a romantic comedy with a single dad trope.

Holley is a female character that I liked from the very beginning because her silly personality reminded me of mine and she simply touched my heart.

Jake is a male character that you just can't help but love, especially when his teenage daughter is added to the whole story.

Holley and Jake's relationship is full of chemistry which is slowly turning from friendship to love.

If you're looking for a good romantic comedy with a single dad trope, then this is the book you should read the next!!!

Highly recommended!!!

[book bruin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a hilarious romcom! I don't often seek out single parent romances, but Single Dad Seeks Juliet was such a delight! I loved adorkable Holley and who wouldn't swoon for single dad sweetheart Jake?! These two were so cute and the "help you find love" plot worked perfectly. It let favorite tropes like forced proximity, slow burn, and friends to lovers really shine. As much as I enjoyed watching the Bachelor Anonymous dates crash and burn and seeing the connection grow between Jake and Holley, I do wish a little more time had been spent on them communicating and resolving the drama at the end. There had been such wonderful buildup and tension between them, but the main conflict and resolution felt rushed. There are plenty of laugh out loud moments in this one and I really enjoyed all the secondary characters, especially Jake's daughter Chloe and Holley's dad Phil. The penalty pickles were awesome! LOL This is my first book by Max Monroe and I'm looking forward to reading more!

[Krys · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t vibe with these authors’ writing styles. She talks too much. So much extra detail in descriptions of things, in head space, in conversations. Too many words. I lose track of what’s going on/actually important about the scene because I’m up to my eyeballs in crud. What she says (especially when the fem MC is in her head) is also really odd. I don’t know how to describe it exactly, all I know is it was kinda off-putting because I was focused on whatever weird stuff was going on with the fem MC instead of the plot line (and no they didn’t always match up, her head was like a 6 year-old’s box of crayons).

I’m not vibing with the characters either. There’s nothing captivating or interesting about the male MC. He’s a ex-SEAL, which is cool but I’m not the kind of girl who is automatically into that. They’re people with a bad ass job. That’s it. The job title is not enough for me to automatically like the male MC. I was looking for depth. What it really meant to be a single dad after he tragically lost his baby momma. Feelings of isolation or feeling completely lost and like everything he did was a mistake, even sadness for the baby momma’s death (even if they weren’t together, his feelings about her death are not mentioned) and what his daughter will miss out on because of it. Even why the heck he became a SEAL. That would have been a fascinating story and it would be the proof in the pudding of what kind of man he is. There was none of that (admittedly I stopped halfway through the book, so who knows maybe it’s mentioned later, but if major background on MCs is left for the last half of the book, there is a problem).

The fem MC is a hot fricking mess and not in a good way. And why does her dad send her weird messages? It’s happened several times and has yet to be explained.

The teenaged daughter is much. I’m 24 so all of the terms she uses except a couple I know. No. One. Talks. Like. She. Does. All. The. Time. If they do, they’re extra as hell and they need to go sit down somewhere. Modern words are like any other jargon, they’re sprinkled into everyday conversation. That chick talks like an older person who got their hands on a paper copy of urban dictionary and tried to see how many (child appropriate, hahaha) phrases from it they could cram in a sentence. This trope of “My children speak like they’re from Mars all the time” “My parents are so old” has been stale since it was conceived and I kinda wish it would stop being a thing.

The pacing of this story is off. I got halfway through and they still hadn’t gotten to even planning the 5 dates yet. What the heck? Why? Wayyyy too much internal babbling. This book doesn’t need to be 350 plus pages, it could have been 200 easy and been better because it was more focused.

As it was, it was too weird and too long to keep my attention.

[Keri Loves Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

A romantic comedy that gave me the feels and had me laughing out loud. This author duo always makes me smile and they leave me with a happy heart.

Jake’s been selected as Bachelor Annonymous for a contest in the local paper, unbeknownst to him. His seventeen year old daughter decided to help him find his perfect match.

Jake is a former Navy Seal and now works in construction. He’s gorgeous, fit and a really great guy. He’s the best dad to boot. He never imagined getting back into dating because of a contest. But disappointing his daughter has never been something he’s been able to do.

Holley works for the paper. She’ll be working with Jake throughout the contest. Her job is to help him plan his five dates with five different women, write an article on each, and make sure he sees it through to the end to pick the woman her wants to pursue.

This is the last kind of job Holley wanted. Still nursing a broken heart, this is going to be tough. She never expected Jake. She’s supposed to help him find love, she just never thought she would wish it was with her.

Queue the angst. My heart broke for poor Holly as she watched Jake go on dates with beautiful women. While she’s scheduling dates and writing articles, she’s spending all her other time with the irresistible single dad. Falling for him wasn’t a choice, it just felt right.

This was an incredible couple, oodles of sexual tension and a fun storyline that led to many laughable moments. Holley is a perfect, beautiful mess and I loved that about her. Jake was so easy to love because the man was just kind, thoughtful and adventurous. He made Holley step outside her comfort zone and enjoy life. A single dad romance that hits the mark!

[CurlUpWithBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

An enjoyable read but wanted more.

I love Max Monroe’s writing. A fan of so many of their books but I have mixed feelings about this one.

I wish there was more time spent on both Holley and Jake’s past. Also wanted Holley and Jake to have more than a one-sentence conversation about her ex-boyfriend. Especially since there are a number of scenes were Jake wonders what brings the hurt and pain to Holley’s eyes.

This book is low on the steam level. They do have tender and intimate moments but we only get one (rather quick) bedroom scene. It makes sense based on the premise of the book but I wanted more.

What did I love?

It was a cute premise that caused immediate tension between Jake and Holley.

The flirty chemistry between Holley and Jake.

Jake is a hot single dad who has so many qualities that make him swoon-worthy - relationship with his daughter, friendship with Garrett (who needs his own book), and his teasing and care with Holley. Also how he would push Holley to expand her boundaries and experiences.

My favorite intimate moment between Holley and Jake was the ‘Knowledge is Power’ conversation in the ocean. That is where I fell in love with Jake.

The texting between Holley and her dad, Phil. OMG, I was laughing my butt off.

Overall, I enjoyed reading it, and brought a smile to my face but not at the top of my list of Max Monroe books.

*ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Amy [Book Addict Reviews] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake may just be the swooniest Max Monroe hero to date and add in he is a single dad, yep you can’t help but love him.

The moment I started this story I was hooked and continued to fall more in love with the story as it continued. Jake’s daughter, Chloe, doesn’t want her father to be alone so she submits a personal ad for a contest without his knowledge and from there things take off.

Jake is a former Navy Seal, a business owner, and a single father. He goes above and beyond to provide and take care of his daughter. I loved the relationship they had, they had the father/daughter banter. Holley works for a newspaper and is in charge of the contest that Jake has been entered in, not her top choice to work. I loved the initial meeting between Jake and Holley, there was chemistry from the start between them and things just went from there. Holley also formed a close connection with Chloe which I loved. Jake and Holley’s relationship was so much fun. They had great banter and an easy going vibe. They worked well together and really balanced each other out.

The secondary characters were also fantastic and great additions to the story. I loved Holley’s dad, he KILLED ME when it came to his texts. I was laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes. Jake’s best friend, Garrett, is also a great addition and I CANNOT WAIT to know more about this single dad firefighter.

If you’re looking for a book that will have you swooning, laughing so hard you’ll have tears in your eyes and full of delicious single dad goodness then Single Dad Seeks Juliet is a MUST READ!

[Cami · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!!!

This should be a Hallmark movie….just a cute RomCom that was also hilarious!!

Jake’s 17 teen year old daughter entered him in a Bachelor Anonymous contest that was in the local paper without his knowledge. Now he has been picked to go on a handful of dates with some of the female readers in hopes he finds his special someone.

Chloe, his daughter is great and her best friend Haley is a riot and she’s obsessed with TWILIGHT which makes me really like her. LOL

Holley works for the newspaper and is the one writing the story about Jake’s journey to find “the one”. Holley is a great character. Her life is in a bit of disarray. She was in a long term relationship that just ended when he cheated on her. She is the last person that wants to write an article about someone finding love.

There is great sexual tension between these two and it is just a really fun story. This author duo is always a winner for me. Just my kind of stories!

[Kahea · Rating 5 out of 5]

***5 ‘Sexy & Awkward’ Stars***

This book was all kinds of fun, smexy, awkward goodness that had me grinning like a fool with each turn of the page and falling further into adoration with all the characters and wanting more when it was all over.

I adored Jake and Holley. Jake is all kinds of book boyfriend goodness. Sweet, funny, charismatic and compassionate. I loved his sense of humor and how protective he was of those he called his own. Holley is a fiery little ball of determined awkward goodness. She’s sweet, snarky and leads with her heart.

Their journey to their HEA was all kinds of slow burn goodness. They definitely had an interesting meet cute, but it was obvious from that first moment that they clicked. I loved their bantering ~ whether it be face to face or via text ~ and just how well they flowed together no matter what was going on and I loved how everything worked out for them in the end.

This was that read that just makes you feel good and believe in HEA’s. The angsty-ness was on the low end of the spectrum, but there was just enough to keep things interesting. As for the characters, I fell in love with all of them. Chloe was so much fun, as was Phil, but Garrett ~ yeah, I NEED more of him (which will also mean that I’ll have more of Jake, Holley, Chloe and Phil) because he was all kinds off goodness and deserves his own HEA!

~ Copy provided by SBPR & voluntarily reviewed ~

[KeelyReadsRomance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was not my favorite by Max Monroe. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed it and it left a smile on my face, but the first half was hard for me to get through. I kept finding myself putting it down to do other things. Some of the humor felt forced and I get it, Holley is clumsy but some scenes I rolled my eyes. Also, some details were glossed over, like her mom dying of breast cancer when she was young? Like whoah, let’s circle back and maybe tie that to the fact that Chloe’s mom died too? There’s only one 5 second sex scene in this book. So don’t expect much steam. Okay. Now for things I DID like about this book....Jake’s incessant teasing of Holley. He was smart, swoon worthy and funny. Holley and Jake’s chemistry was great from the start. I loved Jake’s relationships with his daughter and his friend Garrett.

Overall the emotion in this book was surface level. There were many chances to dive deeper into the characters and their past traumas but I feel like a lot was glazed over.

In the end, I enjoyed the overall feel of this book. I always know Max Monroe will make me laugh and smile but this book missed the mark a bit for me. 3.5 stars. ARC provided one change for an honest review.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

[Cat H · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.
This was really entertaining.
It was slow burn. Like. Really slow, slow burn.
I’m talkin 80 something %, slow burn.
And it was very brief, and only once.
Not my favorite.
I’m more of a smut slut. I love all the dirtyness.
But.
The banter and the humor in this book really carried it a long way for me.

These two characters are absolute witty, bickering perfection.
And the situation they’re in just makes it all the more interesting.

I really liked this book.
Really wish there was more sex. Like, way more.
But I still really enjoyed this.
The humor really gripped me and made me keep going every time I got frustrated at their snail’s pace relationship building.

[Elle ♡ [semi-hiatus] · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars?

This was fine. Max Monroe is a bit hit or miss for me and this was more of a miss. I’ve been listening to this on audiobook over the past 10 days while reading other things so my thoughts aren’t the most coherent. But I found the humor strayed a little too misogynistic for my taste, very ‘I’m not like other girls’ energy. But the end of the book is where this fell apart the most for me. I’m usually a fan of the trope that was introduced way too late in the book, but the conversation Holly had with Jake’s daughter was so cringe and fucking weird I was like 🥴 why though. I love single parent romances so I finally gave this a try despite seeing negative reviews, but it didn’t really work for me unfortunately.

[Jeeves Reads Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a swoony hero, and single dad Jake might just be the swooniest I've read in a long time. This is low angst delight, with a slow burn romance that will have you wrapped up in the story. I loved the connection between these two, and the light, fun tone of the book makes it easy to devour. If you're worried about the dating contest storyline, don't be - think of it instead as a unique meet cute that gives this romance a fresh feel. It's not bogged down by OW drama or love triangles or anything along those lines; these authors succeeded in navigating a complex situation with a deft hand. Our hero might be a little oblivious at times, but there's no question who is going to win his heart. It wasn't what I was expecting it to be, and that just made the journey all the more interesting.

The story follows Holley, a journalist who is assigned the task of overseeing a dating contest. After sifting through applications, she's found the best bachelor in the community and the most tolerable bachelorettes to date him. The only problem? This bachelor doesn't even know he's signed up to compete. Jake's teenage daughter submitted the application on his behalf, and while he's been focused on being a single dad since her birth, she thinks it's time for him to have something else in his life too. And as Holley and Jake spend time together while they work on prepping dates, he soon realizes that he might just have found it.

I always enjoy this writing duo's light, sexy rom coms and this was definitely no exception. It's one of my favorites from them, featuring two characters who are incredibly easy to like and chemistry that makes this complicated story work. I love these dating contest romances, though they can be difficult to pull off successfully. This one is handled well, focusing instead on the connection between Holley and Jake with the show as *almost* an afterthought. They make the transition from strangers to friends to lovers, and while this one has a very low steam factor, there's still plenty of great sexual tension. It also introduces another hero whose story I'd love to read, so I'm looking forward to more. I was lucky enough to receive a free copy via Social Butterfly PR and am voluntarily leaving a review of this slow burn romance.

[Berls · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's very rare that I give a contemporary romance 5 stars. I guess I usually need something a bit MORE to push it into that 5 star category. But despite the truly awful cover, this book had me laughing so hard and made me fall in love with all the characters that I can't cut it short. It's 5 stars.

I think the number one thing you have to know about this book is that it is HILARIOUS. I didn't just internally chuckle. I laughed out loud and there were times where I could not stop laughing because it was one hilarious moment after another. The doctor's office scene was absolutely the best, followed in close second by the text messages from Holly's dad. What a riot!

But underneath the nonstop laughs are some really great, genuine characters. Holly is juggling the task of reporting on this Bachelor Anonymous competition (newspaper modified version of the Bachelor) while personally being deeply hurt by her cheating ex-fiance and really not believing in love anymore. Watching her deal with her self-confidence and healing, while also just being such an incredibly genuine person was great. Then you have Jake, the Bachelor. He's a single dad and ex-navy seal who has built his life around raising his daughter after her mother died in childbirth. Heart melting yet? If not, read the book and get to know him fully. It will melt. There are a few secondary characters - like a good friend Garret and Jake's daughter - that only make the book better.

The actual plot is predictable - typical HEA Contemporary Romance. But the characters and the humor made it a stand out. I would not hesitate to read another Max Monroe book and wish I had more on my shelf already.

The narration was just okay. I really enjoyed the female narrator, Stephanie Rose, but Alexander Cendese took some getting used to. He wasn't a bad narrator by any means, but maybe a bit too intense? I think maybe I wouldn't have had any trouble if it were just Stephanie Rose or just Alexander Cendese. But they were so very different, the transition between them was a bit jarring. Obviously it didn't hurt my enjoyment of the book and I would listen to both again. I just would have preferred a different pairing.

[Alphas Do It Better Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

Another a-freaking-dorable book by the power duo Max Monroe! Single Dad Seeks Juliet will have you smiling ear to ear from cover to cover!

Holly is a skeptic on love since being burned by her douchecanoe of an ex, so of course the universe (and her boss) will surely give her time to recover, right? Wrong! Her boss has decided Holly is the perfect person to set up and write about an anonymous bachelor contest! Hoping to keep her job (because you know, rent...) she sets up the contest with all the enthusiasm of a root canal. Until she meets the bachelor...because Jake is better than novocaine and wine combined!

Former Navy SEAL, Jake has no desire to date. He's busy with his (awesome) daughter, his constitution company and pals. But his daughter's getting ready to go to college and she's got something else in mind, like finding her hottie dad someone to fill his empty nest! Seeing as Jake had no idea Chloe entered him in the contest, this strategy produces awkwardness galore. Cue the giggles everyone! Now he's got to meet almost daily with the contest coordinator, the walking hot mess Holly, who he strangely can't get his mind off of no matter how many women she throws in his path!

Y'all, Max Monroe have done it again. This book is ridiculous and awkward and swoony and completely awesome! I loved everything about Holly and her two left feet, Jake and his adorable humor and abs (don't forget the abs), Chloe and her millennial slang and even Holly's dad, who I can't even begin to describe! I grinned, giggled and swooned from beginning to end and I'm betting you will too!

AnnMarie - Alphas Do It Better Book Blog

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one! I've been in kind of a reading slump this month, and it felt so good to finally land on a book which I was genuinely excited about and could fly through in a few days.

I wasn't expecting a slow burn after the previous Max Monroe books I've read, so I was pleasantly surprised with how the connection between Holley and Jake was developed. There was only one sex scene in this book so its on the lower end of the steamy scale, but it was perfectly written and placed within the story, and by that point Holley and Jake had so much chemistry and sexual tension that it was more satisfying than a lot of 'steamier' books I've read. There were also so many amazing moments between them, and every small touch was filled with tension and had me wanting more.

The single dad trope is one of my favourites, and it was fun to read about a single dad with a teenager daughter for a change. I thought Jake and Chloe's dynamic was really sweet and felt very authentic, and it was fun seeing how Holley fit into their lives.

I know some reviews though that the ending was a little rushed and while I can understand that point (especially after the long slow burn buildup), I felt like the storyline ended at exactly the right point. The pacing and witty writing kept me invested to the last page, and I never felt like I wanted to check out near the end, which sometimes happens for me in romance.

Overall I really, really loved this one. Such a fun, easy read that had me laughing multiple times and the perfect thing to get you out of a book slump!

[Kate R · Rating 5 out of 5]

**4.5 stars**
Single Dad Seeks Juliet is basically Sleepless in Seattle meets The Bachelor. It was fun, entertaining, swoon worthy with a wonderful cast of characters. It begins with Jake’s 17-year-old daughter, Chloe, entering him into a local paper’s Bachelor Anonymous contest without his knowledge. Holley is a journalist who is assigned this column through the paper. She is reluctant at best to do this, as she has recently ended a 10 year relationship and is not a big believer in love right now. Holley was so easy to love. She was such an awkward, hot mess. It made her so much more real. On the other hand, Jake is the opposite of a hot mess. He is a busy, active single Dad with a whole lot of Dad humor, who is always put together and ready for anything. His relationship with his daughter was the best part of the story. Their bond was definitely swoon worthy. Really the whole cast of characters were perfect, with so many laugh out loud moments. I loved the setup of the story. It was unique to other rom coms. The only minor issue I had was it was slow burn through 80% of the book, and then everything ended so quickly. Selfishly, I just wanted a bit more of Jake and Holley. Single Dad Seeks Juliet was such a joy to read! I’m so looking forward to Jake’s friend, Garrett’s story next!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Ros (Rosie) 🦋 · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

This is not a bad book, but personally I found it all very nauseating.

I knew that this would be a fluffy read from the title but everything about this made me roll my eyes.

Holley, our heroine - and Juliet - is one of those annoying, clumsy characters that trips over thin air every two minutes. Jake, our Single Dad is Ken personified. By that I mean he is practically perfect: ex-Navy SEAL, single dad, caring, kind, everyone loves him (yes, I know I am being a bitch)- all great attributes, but being such a perfect human being made for a very uneventful and dull storyline.

Plus, they're in love after spending a combined total of about 20 hours together.

If you like fluffy, insta-love reads then you might enjoy this one - it just wasn't for me.

[Julia Griffis - The Romance Bibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

NO SPOILERS!

Single Dad Seeks Juliet was a funny, sexy, entertaining, and swoon-worthy standalone single dad romantic comedy with an engaging storyline that melted my heart, fabulous and lovable cast of characters that made me smile and laugh, and an unforgettable romance that made me swoon like crazy from start to finish.

The storyline was fantastic. Max Monroe are QUEENS at romantic comedy, but throw in the single dad trope, and boom...you’ve got an instant romantic hit that will knock your socks off and keep you highly entertained from beginning to end. I laughed, smiled, and swooned my ever-loving heart out, and was ecstatic with the conclusion to Jake and Holley’s story.

The characters were the BEST. I absolutely loved Jake and Holley. Jake was the swooniest single dad ever, and Holley was awkwardly quirky and adorable. Together they were perfection, and I couldn’t have loved them more. Most of the side characters were a blast as well, and I loved them equally as much as Jake and Holley.

Single Dad Seeks Juliet was quintessential Max Monroe and everything a romantic comedy should be. I absolutely LOVED Jake and Holley’s funny, sexy, swoon-worthy, and entertaining MUST READ story and would highly recommend it!

For more reviews and other book news, please visit: https://theromancebibliophile.com

[Grey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, a delightful romcom that was as charming as it was entertaining. I enjoyed this book very much, it was a quick and immersive read. The characters were cute in their uniqueness and I found myself sad when the book was over! Jake and Holley were engaging and fun and the antics in this book made me laugh, although I did wish we could have gotten even more from certain parts of the story...the ending did wrap a bit quick.

I received an ARC of this book from the authors in exchange for an honest review. 4.25 stars.

[Cassidy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Single Dad Seeks Juliet is a swoon worthy, single father romance. I really enjoyed most of this book. My only qualm is the sexy bit was short and I couldn’t really tell what happened. I loved the characters. I’m sure we will get more set in this world. Loved this quote.

“I set my fork down and settle my hand into my chest, no doubt in an attempt to stop the newly awakened flutter under my ribs. Goodness gracious, single dads—good ones—really do have a hotness about them that’s unmatched. I think it’s because they show their ability to love. With every conversation, every kiss, every consideration they give their kids, women see the opportunity to be given the same. It’s concrete, black-and-white evidence of a man’s ability to think outside of himself. Which isn’t exactly on the top of the list of the male’s biological strengths.”

I voluntarily read an early copy.

[Kari Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake is everything you could want in a man and more. He is an ex-Navy SEAL, a single father who is devoted to his daughter Chloe and is focused on his business. He isn’t looking for love or a relationship, but that decision is taken out of his hands when his daughter not only signs him up for a bachelor contest, but he emerges the victor.

After the way that her last relationship ended love or men is the last thing that Holley wants in her life so being responsible for the contest is a burden she didn’t want to bear. She may be eccentric but she has a big heart and anyone would be grateful to call her a friend.

While Holley is arranging the perfect date for Jake with five women so that he can choose the woman that he wants to pursue a future with. Things are about to become complicated when all they can think about is each other and his perfect match might just be his matchmaker.

The characters are captivating, the sparks fly whenever they are together and the interactions between them are both amusing and entertaining as two people who weren’t looking for love find it when they least expect it.

[Sandra R · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read! 4.5 stars. ❤