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Dad Jokes and Pine Cones
** Shortlisted for the Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer's Prize 2022 **
Widowed musician and single-father Wishes thought he’d never get his life Bach together again. Enter Ronan stage left.
Balancing his career, his mental health, and getting his daughter to school on time, Wishes longs for another set of hands to duet life with. When Ronan proposes a childcare trade off, Wishes leaps at the opportunity. After all, single dads need to support each other, right?
Spending time with Ronan and his son gives Wishes’ life harmony, and thrusts him into panic mode. The timing between his grief and desire for Ronan is offbeat. He doesn’t know if he’s ready for a new love song, or if Ronan can Handel his secrets. Little does Wishes know, Ronan has a cacophony of secrets of his own…
One widowed single-father + One divorced single-father = dad jokes, adorableness, steamy times, and a boatload of baggage.
Content warnings:
1) Canadian spelling. We love to mix and match US and UK spelling with a smattering of French words.
2) This book, while funny and endearing, discusses heavy topics such as mental health (on-page panic attacks), death, addictions (historical), abuse (historical with flashbacks), suicide (flashbacks), and homophobia (historical and on page).
3) Swearing. This book is no stranger to the f-bomb.
Widowed musician and single-father Wishes thought he’d never get his life Bach together again. Enter Ronan stage left.
Balancing his career, his mental health, and getting his daughter to school on time, Wishes longs for another set of hands to duet life with. When Ronan proposes a childcare trade off, Wishes leaps at the opportunity. After all, single dads need to support each other, right?
Spending time with Ronan and his son gives Wishes’ life harmony, and thrusts him into panic mode. The timing between his grief and desire for Ronan is offbeat. He doesn’t know if he’s ready for a new love song, or if Ronan can Handel his secrets. Little does Wishes know, Ronan has a cacophony of secrets of his own…
One widowed single-father + One divorced single-father = dad jokes, adorableness, steamy times, and a boatload of baggage.
Content warnings:
1) Canadian spelling. We love to mix and match US and UK spelling with a smattering of French words.
2) This book, while funny and endearing, discusses heavy topics such as mental health (on-page panic attacks), death, addictions (historical), abuse (historical with flashbacks), suicide (flashbacks), and homophobia (historical and on page).
3) Swearing. This book is no stranger to the f-bomb.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2021
5 people are currently reading
209 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
November 30, 2021
Amazing!
I mean, I wrote it, so I'm a bit biased.
I really loved writing this book. I put my heart and soul into it, and I'd like to say it shows. I loved hearing the responses from those who have read it. People have told me it made them laugh, cry, and it gave them all the warm and squishy feelings as well. My spouse read it next to me, and I got to see his emotional roller-coaster played out in real-time, and it was great.
If you love cinnamon roll gay/bi love, single dads trying to find their way in life, bad puns, and drama, this is for you. And I don't mean it in this sense of "If you like X, you'll love Y". I mean it in the sense of I wrote this for you. I wrote this for those of us who love queer stories of love, HEA, laughter, big emotions, found families, healing from trauma and finding the hope and beauty in life.
Remember, stray true to your shelf, prose before bros, and if you're going to get LITerary this weekend, bring a reading buddy.
Much love,
C.J.
I mean, I wrote it, so I'm a bit biased.
I really loved writing this book. I put my heart and soul into it, and I'd like to say it shows. I loved hearing the responses from those who have read it. People have told me it made them laugh, cry, and it gave them all the warm and squishy feelings as well. My spouse read it next to me, and I got to see his emotional roller-coaster played out in real-time, and it was great.
If you love cinnamon roll gay/bi love, single dads trying to find their way in life, bad puns, and drama, this is for you. And I don't mean it in this sense of "If you like X, you'll love Y". I mean it in the sense of I wrote this for you. I wrote this for those of us who love queer stories of love, HEA, laughter, big emotions, found families, healing from trauma and finding the hope and beauty in life.
Remember, stray true to your shelf, prose before bros, and if you're going to get LITerary this weekend, bring a reading buddy.
Much love,
C.J.
April 30, 2022
I loved this book. I cried, I cheered, I yelled and I fell in love with both Wishes and Ronan - never mind the two kids!!
This book reeled me in and sent me on an emotional roller coaster. I was fully invested from the start. Both characters had problems that needed to be dealt with and I loved how well the author helped them help themselves. The found family was beautiful to behold with diversity throughout. Some hard topics are dealt with with care and kindness.
I loved the inclusion of some of my favourite books and authors as well.
And the dad jokes?? Had me cackling! I love dad jokes!! How creative to come up with so many punny sayings! 😉
C/w emotional abuse, domestic violence, suicide
This book reeled me in and sent me on an emotional roller coaster. I was fully invested from the start. Both characters had problems that needed to be dealt with and I loved how well the author helped them help themselves. The found family was beautiful to behold with diversity throughout. Some hard topics are dealt with with care and kindness.
I loved the inclusion of some of my favourite books and authors as well.
And the dad jokes?? Had me cackling! I love dad jokes!! How creative to come up with so many punny sayings! 😉
C/w emotional abuse, domestic violence, suicide
January 2, 2022
Rep: mlm (gay/bi), wlm (straight/bi), lesbian trans f, depression, anxiety, neurodivergent, PTSD, grief, POC, found family, positive view of therapy
CW: anxiety attacks, verbal abuse, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, suicide, homophobic slurs, homophobia, illegal drug use mentions, alcoholism, drunk driving, past death of a partner, attempted murder, vomit, explicit sex
CW: anxiety attacks, verbal abuse, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, suicide, homophobic slurs, homophobia, illegal drug use mentions, alcoholism, drunk driving, past death of a partner, attempted murder, vomit, explicit sex
February 24, 2022
I love dad jokes! I’d have to reread it to determine if even one chapter was void of a dad joke. From parenting to LGBTQIA+ to mental health and the struggle it is to ask for help or even ask permission - this book has it all with a lovely romance and single parenting family dynamic. Be ready to groan and laugh and fall in love with some delightful characters!
dnf
April 3, 2023DNF @ 20%. No rating.
I think I must have added this to my TBR when looking for a divorced-dad book for a reading challenge. Because otherwise I can’t understand why I’d pick a book with not one single dad, but two. And one of them a musician at that!
I was rolling my eyes at a seven year old ranting about the patriarchy of a Christmas song. And there’s just so much kid stuff in this book, which is fair. But I don’t think I have the patience for that and all the music talk… classical, modern, production, etc. Do not want. I’m going to throw in the towel before I get more annoyed with this book and more annoyed at myself for attempting to read something that clearly would annoy me.
I do find that I’m getting a bit of whiplash from how fast this goes from dad jokes and playing around, to touching on really serious topics, only to quickly jump back to bad puns.
FWIW, I think it’s not a great choice to put your explanation of Canadian spelling before the “difficult topics” handled in this book…. Because there are a lot of the, and they kinda should have front and centre stage.
And why does the little faceless cartoon dude on the cover that I assume is supposed to be Ronan not have long hair? It’s only been mentioned how long it is 4829483 times.
I think I must have added this to my TBR when looking for a divorced-dad book for a reading challenge. Because otherwise I can’t understand why I’d pick a book with not one single dad, but two. And one of them a musician at that!
I was rolling my eyes at a seven year old ranting about the patriarchy of a Christmas song. And there’s just so much kid stuff in this book, which is fair. But I don’t think I have the patience for that and all the music talk… classical, modern, production, etc. Do not want. I’m going to throw in the towel before I get more annoyed with this book and more annoyed at myself for attempting to read something that clearly would annoy me.
I do find that I’m getting a bit of whiplash from how fast this goes from dad jokes and playing around, to touching on really serious topics, only to quickly jump back to bad puns.
FWIW, I think it’s not a great choice to put your explanation of Canadian spelling before the “difficult topics” handled in this book…. Because there are a lot of the, and they kinda should have front and centre stage.
And why does the little faceless cartoon dude on the cover that I assume is supposed to be Ronan not have long hair? It’s only been mentioned how long it is 4829483 times.
September 2, 2023
Rounding down.
This wasn't for me. I was into it until about the 50% mark, where it started to feel like each chapter followed a similar pattern.
The biggest issue was that there were too many plot points the characters had to overcome that it seemed like resolutions happened so quickly without time to reconsider and process. It just ended up a little too surface level for me.
The backstory for both characters was interesting. And the neurodiverse reprentation was lovely. I also liked seeing the kids as little humans that acted as side characters rather than accessories to both of the parents.
If you're into HEAs for broken people, you might want to give this a try. The story was heartbreaking and cute, but it just didn't hit the right chords I wanted it to.
This wasn't for me. I was into it until about the 50% mark, where it started to feel like each chapter followed a similar pattern.
The biggest issue was that there were too many plot points the characters had to overcome that it seemed like resolutions happened so quickly without time to reconsider and process. It just ended up a little too surface level for me.
The backstory for both characters was interesting. And the neurodiverse reprentation was lovely. I also liked seeing the kids as little humans that acted as side characters rather than accessories to both of the parents.
If you're into HEAs for broken people, you might want to give this a try. The story was heartbreaking and cute, but it just didn't hit the right chords I wanted it to.
December 18, 2021
Wishes, a widowed dad struggles with the everyday struggles of a single dad at the same time as dealing with his grief for his deceased husband. Luckily he meets Ronan, a shockingly handsome single-dad, and friendship and understanding blossoms between the two.
A beautiful book which focuses on aspects that will matter to anyone. The topics that are most apparent is love for family, focus on mental health, and putting trust in the people around you.
The writing style is easy to read and brings you along in a pace that is perfect for the books characters and topics. It is engaging and it feels much like we're thinking with our main character.
All of the characters are nicely written and they all are quite special. I don't want to say to much about them, but the relationship which blossoms between both the adults and the children are so sweet and meaningful! They truly make the whole book.
I recommend this to anyone looking for an easy, good read, which at the same time carefully handles difficulties that many people face in life. A beautiful and heartwarming book for Christmas - pick it up!
A beautiful book which focuses on aspects that will matter to anyone. The topics that are most apparent is love for family, focus on mental health, and putting trust in the people around you.
The writing style is easy to read and brings you along in a pace that is perfect for the books characters and topics. It is engaging and it feels much like we're thinking with our main character.
All of the characters are nicely written and they all are quite special. I don't want to say to much about them, but the relationship which blossoms between both the adults and the children are so sweet and meaningful! They truly make the whole book.
I recommend this to anyone looking for an easy, good read, which at the same time carefully handles difficulties that many people face in life. A beautiful and heartwarming book for Christmas - pick it up!
December 19, 2021
Figuring It Out . . .
I thought I was grabbing a comedy to read, but this story line covers some painful things and struggles. Aloysius (I can’t bring myself to use the nickname, so I’ll call him “Al”) is going through grief while trying to take care of his daughter and single fatherhood in general, succeeding in his career, and maybe finding some personal time to meet someone special. It’s overwhelming, to say the least. So when Ronan suggests a childcare arrangement, Al is eager to give it a try. Ronan is actually also interested in Al who doesn’t seem to realize that.
And when things start going well and Al is spending time with Ronan and his son, he starts worrying about everything again, panics, and doubts himself. Will the two of them communicate and get themselves on the same page? There is a wonderful option here if they take the time to tell each other what their hopes are. Doing it all alone is difficult, but finding someone to share the burden could help to work on those insecurities and bring love and stability for everyone. It’s a good story line filled with caring and hope. The children were wonderful characters too, easy for the reader to care about.
I thought I was grabbing a comedy to read, but this story line covers some painful things and struggles. Aloysius (I can’t bring myself to use the nickname, so I’ll call him “Al”) is going through grief while trying to take care of his daughter and single fatherhood in general, succeeding in his career, and maybe finding some personal time to meet someone special. It’s overwhelming, to say the least. So when Ronan suggests a childcare arrangement, Al is eager to give it a try. Ronan is actually also interested in Al who doesn’t seem to realize that.
And when things start going well and Al is spending time with Ronan and his son, he starts worrying about everything again, panics, and doubts himself. Will the two of them communicate and get themselves on the same page? There is a wonderful option here if they take the time to tell each other what their hopes are. Doing it all alone is difficult, but finding someone to share the burden could help to work on those insecurities and bring love and stability for everyone. It’s a good story line filled with caring and hope. The children were wonderful characters too, easy for the reader to care about.
December 15, 2021
I love the single dad trope. I quickly bought this up after reading the summary and I was not disappointed.
Wishes is a red-headed widow with a sassy little girl. (who stole my heart from the first punch!)
Ronan is a sweet divorcee of a neurodivergent little boy. (who was so relatable)
The author did so amazing pulling me in from the very beginning and kept my attention to the very end. I wasn't able to put the story down.
What I loved so much was the love story between these two single parents was real and so amazing. I cried and laughed, the puns were perfect to balance out the little angst.
This story was ( to me) very character-driven you follow along as these two work through their pain and insecurities.
I would have loved if there was more working for forgiveness in certain aspects but I also recognize that what was done was very on point for real life.
Wishes is a red-headed widow with a sassy little girl. (who stole my heart from the first punch!)
Ronan is a sweet divorcee of a neurodivergent little boy. (who was so relatable)
The author did so amazing pulling me in from the very beginning and kept my attention to the very end. I wasn't able to put the story down.
What I loved so much was the love story between these two single parents was real and so amazing. I cried and laughed, the puns were perfect to balance out the little angst.
This story was ( to me) very character-driven you follow along as these two work through their pain and insecurities.
I would have loved if there was more working for forgiveness in certain aspects but I also recognize that what was done was very on point for real life.
December 17, 2021
Dad Jokes and Pine Cones, by C.J. Banks, is a book everyone should put on their reading list. Themes of loss, grief, and past mistakes are softly braided around a budding romance between two gentle single parent men doing their best to survive the obstacles life sometimes throws in our paths. The story is well-paced and, with significant pieces of backstories revealed, the reader is given a front row seat as the protagonists confront fears, both old and new.
The author is spot on with their keen understanding of mental health issues including PTSD, domestic abuse, and addiction. I very much look forward to reading more of their work. Well done.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The author is spot on with their keen understanding of mental health issues including PTSD, domestic abuse, and addiction. I very much look forward to reading more of their work. Well done.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 13, 2022
I absolutely loved Dad Jokes & Pine Cones, a sweetheart of a MLM romance about two single dads navigating parenthood, trauma, and love. Wishes is a loveable—and very real—protagonist who seeks to cope with his very complicated grief for his late husband while supporting his daughter through her own mourning. When he meets single dad Ronan, the last thing he’s looking for is romance. But a friend who understands the challenges of being a single dad is definitely something he could use … and it doesn’t hurt that Ronan is so very pleasing to look at! The path to true love never runs smoothly because life is complicated and messy, and one of my favourite things about Dad Jokes & Pine Cones is how CJ Banks has created a very honest story of two people with highly realistic emotional wounds finding happiness together in a way that feels exciting and yet realistic. And best of all for a romance? The chemistry between Wishes and Ronan is smoking hot!!!
CJ Banks has created a page-turner of a contemporary romance—I read it in a weekend because I couldn’t put it down. Often hilarious, frequently touching and sweet, sometimes emotionally gut-wrenching, Dad Jokes & Pine Cones is one of the best romances I’ve ever read. CJ Banks is a phenomenal writer and I look forward to their next novel!
CJ Banks has created a page-turner of a contemporary romance—I read it in a weekend because I couldn’t put it down. Often hilarious, frequently touching and sweet, sometimes emotionally gut-wrenching, Dad Jokes & Pine Cones is one of the best romances I’ve ever read. CJ Banks is a phenomenal writer and I look forward to their next novel!
September 28, 2022
I thought I'll be reading a warm, fluffy story, but boy, this got very dark and emotional very fast.
There are a lot of things in this book that are quite heavy: suicide, panic attacks, depression, mental and physical abuse, heavy drinking, grief after the loss of a loved one, violence, child neglect.. I mean, it's a lot.
I'm rounding up 2.5 stars, not because I didn't enjoy reading this book, but because it felt so incredibly chaotic. I also don't feel there's much chemistry between the main characters.
I loved the diversity of the characters, though. Both racially and sexually, but also gender wise. That was nice.
There are a lot of things in this book that are quite heavy: suicide, panic attacks, depression, mental and physical abuse, heavy drinking, grief after the loss of a loved one, violence, child neglect.. I mean, it's a lot.
I'm rounding up 2.5 stars, not because I didn't enjoy reading this book, but because it felt so incredibly chaotic. I also don't feel there's much chemistry between the main characters.
I loved the diversity of the characters, though. Both racially and sexually, but also gender wise. That was nice.
December 11, 2021
Lol
The jokes and love keeps coming through out this book its a laugh out loud book plus a emotional roller coster 5 stars
The jokes and love keeps coming through out this book its a laugh out loud book plus a emotional roller coster 5 stars
February 11, 2022
Good up until about halfway through then I skimmed. Not really my cuppa tea with the insta relationship.
December 19, 2021
What a nice funny but serious story about learning to move forward after life throws difficult things your way. Wishes and Ronan are two single dads who are both navigating their way forward. Wishes is a widower with a precocious daughter and Ronan's son is exceptional. Ronan is interested in Wishes but he is at first oblivious which leads to a slow burn story that pays off eventually. But the dance is both funny and touching as they find their way.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 10, 2021
Dad Jokes and Pine Cones by CJ Banks
Dad Jokes and Pine Cones by CJ Banks is a lovely story about a Dad navigating through grief, single fatherhood, and continuing to move on to find love. I loved this story and can't wait to read more from CJ Banks.
Dad Jokes and Pine Cones by CJ Banks is a lovely story about a Dad navigating through grief, single fatherhood, and continuing to move on to find love. I loved this story and can't wait to read more from CJ Banks.
May 12, 2023
This book was intense and surprising. I think this book is a prime example of why you cannot judge a book by its cover. This book looks so fun and lighthearted and maybe a little cheesy on the outside, but it’s actually a very mature, well written, deep, traumatic book. The trigger warnings are well placed, because there is a lot going on in this book.
While there are a lot of heavy topics, all of them are handled extremely well. Nothing ever felt like a gimmick or a plot device or thrown in for unnecessary drama. Everything made sense and was purposeful. The traumas the characters endured, and how their brains responded to those traumas was realistic and logical. How these events played into the story were important and relevant, and not useless thrown away plot devices. It was a very smart and well cared for book. The author clearly put effort into proper and careful representation. Representation of both mental illnesses, races, sexual orientations, and gender identities.
The most surprising thing to me ended up being the children. I’ve so often seen children written terribly and not age appropriate. Children can be really hard to write and characterize. But the two kids in this book were as important and big of characters as their dads. They were so well developed and complex and layered. Their relationships with the dads and their own traumas was deeply thought out and developed. They were honestly delightful characters and wonderful children.
This ultimately was a found family story more than it was anything else, and I love it so much for that. The dad jokes and humor was amazing and hilarious. The drama made sense and wasn’t over the top. The chemistry was natural and authentic. The heaviness was very well portrayed. Once I started reading this book, I could not put it down and I finished it in one sitting. No complaints.
While there are a lot of heavy topics, all of them are handled extremely well. Nothing ever felt like a gimmick or a plot device or thrown in for unnecessary drama. Everything made sense and was purposeful. The traumas the characters endured, and how their brains responded to those traumas was realistic and logical. How these events played into the story were important and relevant, and not useless thrown away plot devices. It was a very smart and well cared for book. The author clearly put effort into proper and careful representation. Representation of both mental illnesses, races, sexual orientations, and gender identities.
The most surprising thing to me ended up being the children. I’ve so often seen children written terribly and not age appropriate. Children can be really hard to write and characterize. But the two kids in this book were as important and big of characters as their dads. They were so well developed and complex and layered. Their relationships with the dads and their own traumas was deeply thought out and developed. They were honestly delightful characters and wonderful children.
This ultimately was a found family story more than it was anything else, and I love it so much for that. The dad jokes and humor was amazing and hilarious. The drama made sense and wasn’t over the top. The chemistry was natural and authentic. The heaviness was very well portrayed. Once I started reading this book, I could not put it down and I finished it in one sitting. No complaints.
January 28, 2023
This review is mostly a reminder for me ;)
I really enjoyed this book. I laughed a lot, more than most books I've read before, which is not a small feat for a book with as much angst as this one. I cried a bit too, but that is more frequent for me 🥲
The dialogues and the characters were very strong. What a great found family, so good it was sometimes hard to believe it possible. I felt like this book offered very nuanced views of everyone and every themes, nothing was black or white, no one was just good or bad. I also really enjoyed the diverse rep we got to see, even if many were passing nods.
Vinny's character was a bisexual man like we very rarely get to see in fiction, married to a woman who was happy with exactly who he was even though he was not performing ''heteronormative masculinity'' while in a straight passing marriage. (I don't know if that's the right way to put it, but you'll get it if you read the book 😏)
I won't reread though, because as the book got on some of the storyline was OTT while some other bits were resolved too easily and I fear I would pick on these things that bothered me on subsequent reads. It also could have been shorter I think. I still have it 4 stars though, because it was also TOO GOOD for 3 stars 🤷 What can I say, my scoring system isn't perfect 😅
I will definitely have to check out what else the author has written !
I really enjoyed this book. I laughed a lot, more than most books I've read before, which is not a small feat for a book with as much angst as this one. I cried a bit too, but that is more frequent for me 🥲
The dialogues and the characters were very strong. What a great found family, so good it was sometimes hard to believe it possible. I felt like this book offered very nuanced views of everyone and every themes, nothing was black or white, no one was just good or bad. I also really enjoyed the diverse rep we got to see, even if many were passing nods.
Vinny's character was a bisexual man like we very rarely get to see in fiction, married to a woman who was happy with exactly who he was even though he was not performing ''heteronormative masculinity'' while in a straight passing marriage. (I don't know if that's the right way to put it, but you'll get it if you read the book 😏)
I won't reread though, because as the book got on some of the storyline was OTT while some other bits were resolved too easily and I fear I would pick on these things that bothered me on subsequent reads. It also could have been shorter I think. I still have it 4 stars though, because it was also TOO GOOD for 3 stars 🤷 What can I say, my scoring system isn't perfect 😅
I will definitely have to check out what else the author has written !
March 24, 2024
3.5 Stars
I’m a BIG fan of puns; this book tested even my limits.
Hurt/comfort/hurt donut 🍩
Found family
Homophobia
I appreciated and hurt for Wishes. The cognitive dissonance of loving and feeling a specific way about a person and then their death be so different and not jive with how you knew them, would be so difficult. It must be so hard to lose an imperfect person and have to act like they were because your child saw them as a superhero.
Over all this book was good. The pace wavered a bit, it probably could have been a whole lot shorter. I felt like the relationship progressed really well to begin with. As things moved on there were so many communication issues, and I felt like every other page had the guys taking a step forward or a step back. Despite this I had a really difficult time putting it down.
A slur is used once which considering the context and maturity if the character who said it off page, I’m not too terribly hung up on it. What I have a bigger issue with is that the author had their characters reading a book (mentioned by author and title) it dates the book, and because of the choice of novel it left a gross taste in my mouth. It’s literally mentioned at 97% and sadly spoiled the last 15 pages of the book for me.
JUST DON’T mention things that can date a book. Classic books for adult/kids nothing from the last 80 years.
I’m a BIG fan of puns; this book tested even my limits.
Hurt/comfort/hurt donut 🍩
Found family
Homophobia
I appreciated and hurt for Wishes. The cognitive dissonance of loving and feeling a specific way about a person and then their death be so different and not jive with how you knew them, would be so difficult. It must be so hard to lose an imperfect person and have to act like they were because your child saw them as a superhero.
Over all this book was good. The pace wavered a bit, it probably could have been a whole lot shorter. I felt like the relationship progressed really well to begin with. As things moved on there were so many communication issues, and I felt like every other page had the guys taking a step forward or a step back. Despite this I had a really difficult time putting it down.
A slur is used once which considering the context and maturity if the character who said it off page, I’m not too terribly hung up on it. What I have a bigger issue with is that the author had their characters reading a book (mentioned by author and title) it dates the book, and because of the choice of novel it left a gross taste in my mouth. It’s literally mentioned at 97% and sadly spoiled the last 15 pages of the book for me.
JUST DON’T mention things that can date a book. Classic books for adult/kids nothing from the last 80 years.
June 9, 2022
I adored this book, and it’s firmly in my top favourite books ever. Not since Alan Cumming’s “Tommy’s Tale” have I laughed, cried, and connected to written characters as strongly as I did in this book. As a cis-het woman, I greatly respect the safe space created for the LGBTQ stories of love, friendship, trauma and healing in this book, and acknowledge that I am a visitor to this space. I was swept up in the romance, intimacy, healing and respect shown by the characters with each other. I cried my way through the last 6 chapters. Beautiful care was taken to tell stories of neurodivergence, abuse, trauma and PTSD. I loved this beautiful family, their extended family and their chosen family, and I’m sad to leave them on the last page. I’m sure I will re-read this story many times in future, and look forward to future writings from this author.
December 10, 2025
This was a wonderfully angsty, sweet romance full of lots of hurt/comfort, my ultimate weakness.
I loved the way the children were written in this. They’re so very different from each other, at very different levels developmentally, and it showed just how different kids of the same age can be really well. Both Emma and Reese were brimming with life and I loved how much of the story centred on them.
Ronan and Wishes were a really great couple. I liked the way they navigated their ups and downs, slowly learned to trust each other with their most vulnerable parts, and always tried to do their best by each other and their kids.
This was very dramatic in parts which appealed to the fanfic lover in me but could be off-putting to someone looking for a cutesy romance. It wasn’t as Christmassy as I’d been expecting but I still enjoyed it.
I loved the way the children were written in this. They’re so very different from each other, at very different levels developmentally, and it showed just how different kids of the same age can be really well. Both Emma and Reese were brimming with life and I loved how much of the story centred on them.
Ronan and Wishes were a really great couple. I liked the way they navigated their ups and downs, slowly learned to trust each other with their most vulnerable parts, and always tried to do their best by each other and their kids.
This was very dramatic in parts which appealed to the fanfic lover in me but could be off-putting to someone looking for a cutesy romance. It wasn’t as Christmassy as I’d been expecting but I still enjoyed it.
May 6, 2024
Consent! And being a good dad! And working on your crap! And being an awesome musician!
It doesn’t take long for you to fall in love with Wishes. And at first Ronan is this sexy unknown who quickly joins Wishes world and turns it upside down in the best way possible. The kids though, the kids are alright!
I want these two to be real kids so I know that’s the direction the world is heading. You’ll quickly fall in love with these two families. Doesn't hurt that Reese and I love the same dinosaur.
I’m on my third read. It’s so good. I can’t get enough and want to spend more time in their world.
So happy I got it in paper back too. It's the perfect size for taking on a plane or popping in a tote.
It doesn’t take long for you to fall in love with Wishes. And at first Ronan is this sexy unknown who quickly joins Wishes world and turns it upside down in the best way possible. The kids though, the kids are alright!
I want these two to be real kids so I know that’s the direction the world is heading. You’ll quickly fall in love with these two families. Doesn't hurt that Reese and I love the same dinosaur.
I’m on my third read. It’s so good. I can’t get enough and want to spend more time in their world.
So happy I got it in paper back too. It's the perfect size for taking on a plane or popping in a tote.
June 10, 2022
This book was a solid 4.5 stars for me (rounded up). It was such a fun and cute read, with a lot of emotional substance and of course my favorite, found family. The lovable MCs are messy and relatable, and I enjoyed following along as they each navigated a new relationship while also processing grief and other past trauma.
In particular, Wishes processes the death of his late husband, Alex. Their relationship was far from perfect and Alex wasn't the best partner to Wishes, but love and grief are complex, and I generally really like how the author portrays this, while still keeping the overall tone of the story in the fun-romance space.
In particular, Wishes processes the death of his late husband, Alex. Their relationship was far from perfect and Alex wasn't the best partner to Wishes, but love and grief are complex, and I generally really like how the author portrays this, while still keeping the overall tone of the story in the fun-romance space.
March 25, 2024
4.5 rounded up, because this author needs to write more books! The dad jokes were hilarious, and I have much love for both Wishes and Ronan. This is not light on trauma. Both main characters have a significant amount of trauma, ptsd, and mental health challenges, as do both of the kids. Heed the warnings at the front of the book, and note that the suicide present in the book seems like it should have had a stronger warning, at least in my opinion.
The emotions are spectacular and this is a family that is so benefitted by being together.
This was the very first book I ever annotated, and it was perfect for that, with all of the jokes, musical references, love and steamyness! ❤️
The emotions are spectacular and this is a family that is so benefitted by being together.
This was the very first book I ever annotated, and it was perfect for that, with all of the jokes, musical references, love and steamyness! ❤️
August 3, 2024
For a decent bit of the first half of this book, I thought this might be a nice bit of mind fluff. There weren't a lot of the basic spelling mistakes and missing words you find in some self-published books so I figured I could cruise to the end. I was wrong. The way the 7 year-old daughter talked to her father was neither cute nor clever. It was cruel and unacceptable for anyone of any age.
After the halfway mark, this book became a hot, sappy, melodramatic mess.
I'll save you the trouble out reading this story. Here's how it goes: Trauma trauma trauma trauma drama trauma trauma trauma trauma. Trauma trauma drama dram trauma. Trauma. Trauma trauma. Drama. Drama. Drama.
After the halfway mark, this book became a hot, sappy, melodramatic mess.
I'll save you the trouble out reading this story. Here's how it goes: Trauma trauma trauma trauma drama trauma trauma trauma trauma. Trauma trauma drama dram trauma. Trauma. Trauma trauma. Drama. Drama. Drama.
May 14, 2022
Y’all. I am OBSESSED with this book. You have to read it immediately.
The book is about Wishes, the recently widowed father of seven-year-old Emma. Wishes meets Ronan, another single dad, at Emma’s school, and the pair get closer as they navigate the challenges of single parenting together. This book explores grief superbly (I may have sobbed on multiple occasions), and has fantastic, realistic mental health and neurodivergent rep. The kids are adorable and the romance is A+. I think fans of TJ Klune’s Bear, Otter, and the Kid will love this book.
The book is about Wishes, the recently widowed father of seven-year-old Emma. Wishes meets Ronan, another single dad, at Emma’s school, and the pair get closer as they navigate the challenges of single parenting together. This book explores grief superbly (I may have sobbed on multiple occasions), and has fantastic, realistic mental health and neurodivergent rep. The kids are adorable and the romance is A+. I think fans of TJ Klune’s Bear, Otter, and the Kid will love this book.
June 25, 2022
4.5 stars. This book just about had it all. The dad jokes were so, SO stupidly hilarious. The romance was so sweet and crazy sexy. The characters are flawed but likeable and I really loved all the rep. But this book also dealt with a lot of really heavy issues. Both Wishes and Ronan each have their fair share of baggage and the love that grows between them is healing and cathartic. These issues could be triggering to some people, so as much as I want more people to read what a great story this is, others may need to pass up on this.
January 3, 2023
I loved this book !! I wish I could write a great review ! I'm not so good with words ! I will simply cite my favorite quote in the book :
"To Vanessa ! May you never know kindness nor feel pleasure again. May your crotch forever smell like seafood restaurant dumpster before garbage day. May you walk in the wake of people's vomit as your stench assaults them. May you forever be parched and never feel quenched. May you burp out your farts and never shit again. To you dear Vanessa, may your obituary be written in cat piss. "
OMG, that was good !!!!
"To Vanessa ! May you never know kindness nor feel pleasure again. May your crotch forever smell like seafood restaurant dumpster before garbage day. May you walk in the wake of people's vomit as your stench assaults them. May you forever be parched and never feel quenched. May you burp out your farts and never shit again. To you dear Vanessa, may your obituary be written in cat piss. "
OMG, that was good !!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2024
I loved this book. This was way more than a love story, it had so much depth and background as to why they are the way they are. The trigger warnings mentioned are very much needed as there are some deep moments but I think they make the book great. Seeing the struggles these to go through was tough to read at points.
I do also love that there are kids on both sides of the relationship and the relationship these 2 have together is the cutest thing. I’d love to read a sequel to this should the suit her choose to continue the story.
If you like boyfriend material I think you will like this.
I do also love that there are kids on both sides of the relationship and the relationship these 2 have together is the cutest thing. I’d love to read a sequel to this should the suit her choose to continue the story.
If you like boyfriend material I think you will like this.
February 23, 2024
This was such a wonderful surprise of a book! Everything I've been reading lately has been heavy and serious and this was such a wonderful break. That's not to say that it didn't also have its more solemn moments, but all of them were handled so beautifully that I'm left feeling so whole and satisfied. Simply beautiful.
Sincere thanks to Rainbow Crate for including this e-book in one of their monthly boxes. The extra illustrations and colored chapter headings were a gorgeous touch, as well.
Sincere thanks to Rainbow Crate for including this e-book in one of their monthly boxes. The extra illustrations and colored chapter headings were a gorgeous touch, as well.
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