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Dads of Stillwater #3
Breakthrough
A young single dad. An older man. An impossible love story.
Milo
I lost everyone I’ve ever loved, but there’s one person I’m determined to keep. The baby I was left with when tragedy struck once more. Now my life is all about surviving. I don’t have time to date, or relationships.
That is until Ellis, the sexy, older, and kind primary school teacher who’s currently living rent free in my head with no intention of moving out, gives me the second job I desperately need. But why would he want a guy from the wrong side of town, who’s barely paying the bills and comes with a plus one?
Ellis
Moving to Stillwater was the fresh start I needed after having my heart stomped on and my career practically destroyed. Despite my family’s best efforts, I’m determined that nothing shall break through the walls I’ve built around myself. No more relationships.
That is until I meet the much younger grocery store cashier with the warm brown eyes, and accidentally give him a job. As I get to know Milo, brick by brick that wall is coming down, and no matter how much I resist I’m starting to run out of excuses as to why I shouldn’t give in. But why would he want anything with someone much older when he could have anyone else?
Breakthrough is book 3 in Ana Ashley’s series, Dads of Stillwater. This story contains an age gap, a sweet nine-month-old baby everyone will coo about, all the feels and Ana Ashley’s usual happy ever after.
Trigger warning: the content advisory is on the first page of the book and can be seen by downloading a sample or using the Look Inside feature.
Milo
I lost everyone I’ve ever loved, but there’s one person I’m determined to keep. The baby I was left with when tragedy struck once more. Now my life is all about surviving. I don’t have time to date, or relationships.
That is until Ellis, the sexy, older, and kind primary school teacher who’s currently living rent free in my head with no intention of moving out, gives me the second job I desperately need. But why would he want a guy from the wrong side of town, who’s barely paying the bills and comes with a plus one?
Ellis
Moving to Stillwater was the fresh start I needed after having my heart stomped on and my career practically destroyed. Despite my family’s best efforts, I’m determined that nothing shall break through the walls I’ve built around myself. No more relationships.
That is until I meet the much younger grocery store cashier with the warm brown eyes, and accidentally give him a job. As I get to know Milo, brick by brick that wall is coming down, and no matter how much I resist I’m starting to run out of excuses as to why I shouldn’t give in. But why would he want anything with someone much older when he could have anyone else?
Breakthrough is book 3 in Ana Ashley’s series, Dads of Stillwater. This story contains an age gap, a sweet nine-month-old baby everyone will coo about, all the feels and Ana Ashley’s usual happy ever after.
Trigger warning: the content advisory is on the first page of the book and can be seen by downloading a sample or using the Look Inside feature.
356 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 11, 2022
About the author
Ana Ashley
53 books787 followersMeet Ana Ashley, your friendly neighborhood romance author!
Ana has been lost in the pages of books for as long as she can remember, taking a few amusing missteps with her childhood writing attempts. But everything changed when she discovered the magical world of LGBTQ+ romance—cue the confetti!
Ana's books offer sweet and sexy romance with a charming mix of humor and heart. Getting her guys together wouldn't be the same without the meddling but well-intentioned cast of secondary characters, who always insist on having their own story.
When she’s not crafting heartfelt tales, you can find her indulging in her favorite pastime of baking delicious treats, enjoying quality time with friends, or staying up late immersed in the pages of a good book.
You can find out more about Ana and her works-in-progress by joining her Newsletter. To sign up visit Ana's website anawritesmm.com
Ana has been lost in the pages of books for as long as she can remember, taking a few amusing missteps with her childhood writing attempts. But everything changed when she discovered the magical world of LGBTQ+ romance—cue the confetti!
Ana's books offer sweet and sexy romance with a charming mix of humor and heart. Getting her guys together wouldn't be the same without the meddling but well-intentioned cast of secondary characters, who always insist on having their own story.
When she’s not crafting heartfelt tales, you can find her indulging in her favorite pastime of baking delicious treats, enjoying quality time with friends, or staying up late immersed in the pages of a good book.
You can find out more about Ana and her works-in-progress by joining her Newsletter. To sign up visit Ana's website anawritesmm.com
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October 23, 2022
The Breakthrough is the second book of Dads of Stillwater series by Ana Ashley. It is a sweet and emotional story about Milo - a young father (to an adorable baby girl named Sara) who is struggling financially and with grief, and Ellis, an older primary teacher who has been hurt in the past.
The romance was sweet and heartfelt as they overcame their shyness and reservations. They find true love and family in one another. Both the physical and emotional intimacy was so so sweet. The story also centres around family and community as we meet lovely side characters, such as Florrie, who are working to protect their neighbourhood.
Overall it was a delightful, straightforward sweet story with a fair amount of drama. While this is the second book in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.*
The romance was sweet and heartfelt as they overcame their shyness and reservations. They find true love and family in one another. Both the physical and emotional intimacy was so so sweet. The story also centres around family and community as we meet lovely side characters, such as Florrie, who are working to protect their neighbourhood.
Overall it was a delightful, straightforward sweet story with a fair amount of drama. While this is the second book in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.*
October 18, 2022
there is something called “too much drama”. this book destroyed that line and collected enough drama for at least 3 books. that’s too much.
yes, it was emotional at the end, but honestly it just sounded ridiculous.
you can make people emotional WITHOUT the equivalent of the drama that happened in grey’s anatomy’s first five seasons. i swear it, you can do it. you don’t need to do this.
moreover, it was super duper slow. like the first 50% moves at a dying snail’s pace. then it gets better, but that’s where the drama llama part starts.
i feel like if the drama weren’t all in the second part of the book, this would have been better.
i hate it so much when authors keep hinting at the past of the characters and drag it for like 60% of the book. i’m just fed up at that point. this isn’t a mystery, im not on a quest to find out what the hell happened last year. just tell me.
October 17, 2022
4.5 in-depth romance stars
This romance hit all the marks. It had full-fledged characters, a well-paced plotline, some good steam, and a very endearing couple. The full package!
Milo was such a sweet man, still trying to stay optimistic despite the circumstances. Having trouble making both ends meet, he unexpectedly ended up getting a short-term job working at his crush’s home, the handsome older kindergarten teacher. While I liked Milo’s “innocence” , I fell in love with Ellis’s steadiness. Their relationship could have seemed a bit unbalanced, but it didn’t spoil my perception of their couple, especially as Milo kept his independence all along. They cared for each other, and I liked how Ellis got immediately involved in Sara’s life.
Globally they had an amazing chemistry both on the sentimental and the physical side. They found solace and support in each other, which helped them get over some past hardships. The author added depth to her novel as she gifted Milo and Ellis important background stories. They were very different, but as well put together, and explained their behavior in a logical but also very emotional way. It was heartbreaking and maddening to see how these two beautiful human beings got treated sometimes.
I loved the fact a lot of things revolved around the concept of family, be it the unit itself or a broader perception of it, like a community. It created an intricate world within which our characters had to navigate. It brought in amazing side characters, like Florrie. I just can’t express how much I loved her! She was the best substitute grandma ever. Ellis’s family often made me crack up, especially his sister. The siblings had a great dynamic going on, and you just wanted to be part of this big family. Seeing their interactions was heartwarming.
Without being a whole rollercoaster, Breakthrough had enough twists and turns to keep me on the edge of my chair. I’d have liked a more in-depth play by play about the last twist of the book – you know, the drama in the last 15% of the book – but it all wrapped up in a nice HEA anyway. Overall it’s a romance I’d easily recommend to anyone who likes a good mix of steam and feels.
This romance hit all the marks. It had full-fledged characters, a well-paced plotline, some good steam, and a very endearing couple. The full package!
Milo was such a sweet man, still trying to stay optimistic despite the circumstances. Having trouble making both ends meet, he unexpectedly ended up getting a short-term job working at his crush’s home, the handsome older kindergarten teacher. While I liked Milo’s “innocence” , I fell in love with Ellis’s steadiness. Their relationship could have seemed a bit unbalanced, but it didn’t spoil my perception of their couple, especially as Milo kept his independence all along. They cared for each other, and I liked how Ellis got immediately involved in Sara’s life.
Globally they had an amazing chemistry both on the sentimental and the physical side. They found solace and support in each other, which helped them get over some past hardships. The author added depth to her novel as she gifted Milo and Ellis important background stories. They were very different, but as well put together, and explained their behavior in a logical but also very emotional way. It was heartbreaking and maddening to see how these two beautiful human beings got treated sometimes.
I loved the fact a lot of things revolved around the concept of family, be it the unit itself or a broader perception of it, like a community. It created an intricate world within which our characters had to navigate. It brought in amazing side characters, like Florrie. I just can’t express how much I loved her! She was the best substitute grandma ever. Ellis’s family often made me crack up, especially his sister. The siblings had a great dynamic going on, and you just wanted to be part of this big family. Seeing their interactions was heartwarming.
Without being a whole rollercoaster, Breakthrough had enough twists and turns to keep me on the edge of my chair. I’d have liked a more in-depth play by play about the last twist of the book – you know, the drama in the last 15% of the book – but it all wrapped up in a nice HEA anyway. Overall it’s a romance I’d easily recommend to anyone who likes a good mix of steam and feels.
September 15, 2022
I loved Ellis and Milo so much!
Full review will come closer to the release date.
Full review will come closer to the release date.
Read
July 11, 2025You know how there’s that niggling feeling, the one deep inside your stomach, where you just KNOW you don’t gel with a book (or the author?)
Well, that happened here, and that’s why I’ll end reading it at around 15% (hence no rating).
I mean… the reviews are good, the overall rating, too. But there’s just so much that’s not adding up. I feel like we’re thrown in the middle of something, without preamble, without any background. We have Milo. Milo is poor, gay, has a 9 months old daughter, works in a shop (but only part time, because his boss is evil and slimy and won’t give him more hours - although a few pages later, he mentions not being able to get a full time job because then he would have to find a full time day care for his baby). Oh, and the evil landlord just increased his rent.
He’s low key infatuated with a man who’s coming to shop at the store he’s working at, always getting tongue tied around him.
That man is Ellis, a teacher at the local school. And he’s low key infatuated with Milo, too.
And suddenly, they meet up at a fair. And at a shelter, where Milo works for free because he’s such a good person, and where Ellis starts helping out, too.
Then Milo goes home and his neighbour/babysitter is just about to drive baby Sara to the hospital because she has a fever - Milo doesn’t ask how and why, just goes along, even though it’s the first time ever Sarah has been sick. And I just… couldn’t. They’re too cliche, and I just don’t find it in me to care about their probably very dramatic past 🙄
I listened to the audio that was free during a promo day, and maybe I shouldn’t jump on the “it’s free, so I’ll get it” train, because those books seem to frustrate me.
I just don’t connect to the characters, and I don’t care about the story 🤷♀️
Dnf, as mentioned. No rating.
Well, that happened here, and that’s why I’ll end reading it at around 15% (hence no rating).
I mean… the reviews are good, the overall rating, too. But there’s just so much that’s not adding up. I feel like we’re thrown in the middle of something, without preamble, without any background. We have Milo. Milo is poor, gay, has a 9 months old daughter, works in a shop (but only part time, because his boss is evil and slimy and won’t give him more hours - although a few pages later, he mentions not being able to get a full time job because then he would have to find a full time day care for his baby). Oh, and the evil landlord just increased his rent.
He’s low key infatuated with a man who’s coming to shop at the store he’s working at, always getting tongue tied around him.
That man is Ellis, a teacher at the local school. And he’s low key infatuated with Milo, too.
And suddenly, they meet up at a fair. And at a shelter, where Milo works for free because he’s such a good person, and where Ellis starts helping out, too.
Then Milo goes home and his neighbour/babysitter is just about to drive baby Sara to the hospital because she has a fever - Milo doesn’t ask how and why, just goes along, even though it’s the first time ever Sarah has been sick. And I just… couldn’t. They’re too cliche, and I just don’t find it in me to care about their probably very dramatic past 🙄
I listened to the audio that was free during a promo day, and maybe I shouldn’t jump on the “it’s free, so I’ll get it” train, because those books seem to frustrate me.
I just don’t connect to the characters, and I don’t care about the story 🤷♀️
Dnf, as mentioned. No rating.
January 7, 2023
Voto: 4.5
RECENSIONE A CURA DI EVELYNE
Secondo volume della serie “I papà di Stillwater” di Ana Ashley, “La svolta” ci racconta la storia di Milo ed Ellis, due personaggi che abbiamo già conosciuto in “L’antagonista” e che sicuramente molti di voi ricorderanno.
Milo è un giovane ragazzo solo che si prende cura di una bellissima bambina, Sara, sua figlia. Questo personaggio mi ha dato così tanto amore che non avrei mai immaginato potessi affezionarmi a lui e alla sua piccola. Non conosciamo il Milo che ha sofferto per la morte della sua famiglia, ma vediamo il Milo che si è rimboccato le maniche e fa tutto il possibile per dare a Sara la miglior vita possibile. L’amore sincero e sconfinato che li lega mi ha stretto il cuore dal primo momento, perché l’autrice è stata bravissima a mostrare quanto questo personaggio sia prima di tutto un padre che ama la propria bambina e metta da parte la propria felicità per lei.
Ellis è l’uomo di cui Milo ha bisogno: gentile e premuroso, sempre pronto ad aiutare chi ne ha bisogno. Milo ha tutto quello che Ellis ha sempre voluto ed entrare a patti con questo sarà davvero difficile per lui. Tra i due lui è quello che mi ha sorpreso meno, ma solo perché avevo già una chiara idea della sua personalità e di quanto potesse essere forte e dolce.
Insieme sono una perfetta coppia equilibrata e Sara è quel “più uno” senza cui l’amore tra i due non avrebbe mai potuto nascere.
Continua sul nostro blog!
RECENSIONE A CURA DI EVELYNE
Secondo volume della serie “I papà di Stillwater” di Ana Ashley, “La svolta” ci racconta la storia di Milo ed Ellis, due personaggi che abbiamo già conosciuto in “L’antagonista” e che sicuramente molti di voi ricorderanno.
Milo è un giovane ragazzo solo che si prende cura di una bellissima bambina, Sara, sua figlia. Questo personaggio mi ha dato così tanto amore che non avrei mai immaginato potessi affezionarmi a lui e alla sua piccola. Non conosciamo il Milo che ha sofferto per la morte della sua famiglia, ma vediamo il Milo che si è rimboccato le maniche e fa tutto il possibile per dare a Sara la miglior vita possibile. L’amore sincero e sconfinato che li lega mi ha stretto il cuore dal primo momento, perché l’autrice è stata bravissima a mostrare quanto questo personaggio sia prima di tutto un padre che ama la propria bambina e metta da parte la propria felicità per lei.
Ellis è l’uomo di cui Milo ha bisogno: gentile e premuroso, sempre pronto ad aiutare chi ne ha bisogno. Milo ha tutto quello che Ellis ha sempre voluto ed entrare a patti con questo sarà davvero difficile per lui. Tra i due lui è quello che mi ha sorpreso meno, ma solo perché avevo già una chiara idea della sua personalità e di quanto potesse essere forte e dolce.
Insieme sono una perfetta coppia equilibrata e Sara è quel “più uno” senza cui l’amore tra i due non avrebbe mai potuto nascere.
Continua sul nostro blog!
October 6, 2022
Ależ to było dobre!!
January 9, 2023
4,5*
Li ho amati.
Sono la dolcezza assoluta 💖💖🥺
https://www.letturesalepepe.com/revie...
Li ho amati.
Sono la dolcezza assoluta 💖💖🥺
https://www.letturesalepepe.com/revie...
October 11, 2022
A good start to the book as Milo readys for the day trying to get more work from his boss, I didn’t like the boss the way he treated Milo. Milo 26 years works at the grocery store trying to provide for his baby daughter, Sara. Someone’s got a crush on a customer that has him tongue tied when talking to them. Ellis 42 years is the new school teacher and living in the posh side of town and gets a wake up call when he’s set up by his sister on a date.
He meets Tyler and they form a friendship.A story about opposite in life style with poor vs the rich side of town and all they struggles that go with it. I loved the scenes where Ellis gets an eye opener when she starts to volunteer at the soup kitchen. I could feel the emotions coming off these guys each time they meet, poor Ellis needs love.
Ellis is a runner at the first sign and doesn’t trust easily with good cause. The story progresses and the old jobs with a garden project helps to bring them together.
This is a great book to read for these guys to make a family. Sexy scenes, age gap, a gorgeous chemistry and troubles for the township that keeps the story going. I read this as a standalone story but I'm going back to grab book 1 to read.
He meets Tyler and they form a friendship.A story about opposite in life style with poor vs the rich side of town and all they struggles that go with it. I loved the scenes where Ellis gets an eye opener when she starts to volunteer at the soup kitchen. I could feel the emotions coming off these guys each time they meet, poor Ellis needs love.
Ellis is a runner at the first sign and doesn’t trust easily with good cause. The story progresses and the old jobs with a garden project helps to bring them together.
This is a great book to read for these guys to make a family. Sexy scenes, age gap, a gorgeous chemistry and troubles for the township that keeps the story going. I read this as a standalone story but I'm going back to grab book 1 to read.
October 7, 2022
ARC review, book in exchange for honest review
This is a very sweet read with all the feels, low angst and HEA.
Milo Is a struggling dad of a 9 month old baby girl, he loves her with everything he has and is determined to provide for her, he works a crappy job in the local grocery store but he wants more for them both, oh and he has a crush on the local school teacher!! He responds to a local landscaping job because bills need to be paid, but when the door opens he realises his crush is now going to be his boss!!
Ellis has moved to a small town to start fresh and be closer to his family. His run down house and garden needs some working doing but he’s to busy to do it all himself so his sister advertises for someone to help him out, the last person he expects to turn up at his door is the young man from the local grocery store that has amazing brown eyes.
These two men are drawn to each other and it’s so lovely to see, they both just want someone to love but both have secrets hidden, I love the way they both care so deeply and share their love with Sara Milo’s baby girl. Ellis took to caring for her like a duck to water! I love the side characters, Florrie is a force to be reckoned with! I just love a found family, you don’t need to be blood related you just need love and understanding and that’s your family. I loved the emotional rollercoaster these men went on and the community spirit in the town it made a great easy read.
This a a slower burn, small town, age gap (16y), boss/employee, low angst, sweet and spicy read. This is the 2nd book and I will go back to read the first one and I look forward to reading the next one!
There are TW for mentions off the page so please read if you’re sensitive to them.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
This is a very sweet read with all the feels, low angst and HEA.
Milo Is a struggling dad of a 9 month old baby girl, he loves her with everything he has and is determined to provide for her, he works a crappy job in the local grocery store but he wants more for them both, oh and he has a crush on the local school teacher!! He responds to a local landscaping job because bills need to be paid, but when the door opens he realises his crush is now going to be his boss!!
Ellis has moved to a small town to start fresh and be closer to his family. His run down house and garden needs some working doing but he’s to busy to do it all himself so his sister advertises for someone to help him out, the last person he expects to turn up at his door is the young man from the local grocery store that has amazing brown eyes.
These two men are drawn to each other and it’s so lovely to see, they both just want someone to love but both have secrets hidden, I love the way they both care so deeply and share their love with Sara Milo’s baby girl. Ellis took to caring for her like a duck to water! I love the side characters, Florrie is a force to be reckoned with! I just love a found family, you don’t need to be blood related you just need love and understanding and that’s your family. I loved the emotional rollercoaster these men went on and the community spirit in the town it made a great easy read.
This a a slower burn, small town, age gap (16y), boss/employee, low angst, sweet and spicy read. This is the 2nd book and I will go back to read the first one and I look forward to reading the next one!
There are TW for mentions off the page so please read if you’re sensitive to them.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
June 21, 2024
Milo et Ellis avec un Culomètre à 🍑
📣 Livre reçu en service presse.
Le combo différence d'âge + père célibataire a toujours réveillé en moi mes bas instincts mdrrr
Milo est caissier pour subvenir au besoin de sa fille de 9 mois mais c'est compliqué. Son seul bonheur est de voir Ellis, professeur à l'école de Stillwater qui vient une fois par semaine. Il a 18 ans de plus que lui mais peu importe, il sait que c'est l'homme de ses rêves. Maintenant, il faut le convaincre.
Un tome de plus dans cette saga feel-good, et, ce qui est bien, c'est que chaque livre est meilleur que je précédent. On sent que Milo a une vie compliqué. Son patron est un véritable connard, il survit à peine avec son salaire, quitte à manger une seule fois par jour. Sa rencontre hebdomadaire avec Ellis est sa source de bonheur !
Déjà, ils sont trop adorables tous les deux, rajoutez à cela une petite puce de 9 mois et vous avez mon cœur. D'un côté vous suivez les questions de Ellis surtout porter sur leur différence d'âge, et puis, il y a Milo et les secrets qu'ils cachent. Vivant dans la région depuis plusieurs années, son enfance n'a pas été sans mal, puisque son frère ainé qui est parti mal. Il doit donc vivre avec une pression supplémentaire qui est compliquée à gérer.
Un bonne balance entre grands sentiments et une tournure dramatique comme on aime pour une romance bien feel-goodement mignonne !
📣 Livre reçu en service presse.
Le combo différence d'âge + père célibataire a toujours réveillé en moi mes bas instincts mdrrr
Milo est caissier pour subvenir au besoin de sa fille de 9 mois mais c'est compliqué. Son seul bonheur est de voir Ellis, professeur à l'école de Stillwater qui vient une fois par semaine. Il a 18 ans de plus que lui mais peu importe, il sait que c'est l'homme de ses rêves. Maintenant, il faut le convaincre.
Un tome de plus dans cette saga feel-good, et, ce qui est bien, c'est que chaque livre est meilleur que je précédent. On sent que Milo a une vie compliqué. Son patron est un véritable connard, il survit à peine avec son salaire, quitte à manger une seule fois par jour. Sa rencontre hebdomadaire avec Ellis est sa source de bonheur !
Déjà, ils sont trop adorables tous les deux, rajoutez à cela une petite puce de 9 mois et vous avez mon cœur. D'un côté vous suivez les questions de Ellis surtout porter sur leur différence d'âge, et puis, il y a Milo et les secrets qu'ils cachent. Vivant dans la région depuis plusieurs années, son enfance n'a pas été sans mal, puisque son frère ainé qui est parti mal. Il doit donc vivre avec une pression supplémentaire qui est compliquée à gérer.
Un bonne balance entre grands sentiments et une tournure dramatique comme on aime pour une romance bien feel-goodement mignonne !
September 1, 2025
I didn’t like this as much as the first book. Milo was such a wimpy guy for the first part of the book I couldn’t buy him as the aggressive top he later became. I’m sure I wouldn’t even have finished this if it wasn’t for John Solo’s narration. Ana Ashley is a good author, but I usually either love her books or like this one they are kind of meh for me. I did like Ellis and wished there was more time spent on him.
October 5, 2022
Breakthrough is the second book in the Dads of Stillwater series by Ana Ashley. This book is about Ellis and Milo. Ellis is a teacher who moved to Stillwater not long ago. Milo has lived in Stillwater his whole life. He lost everyone he's ever loved, but one. The baby he was left with the last time tragedy struck.
I loved their story. It was sweet, sexy, full of feels and very well written. They were perfect together.
I loved their story. It was sweet, sexy, full of feels and very well written. They were perfect together.
October 16, 2022
OMG - this book has all the feels, a touch of angst and an adorable one two punch of Milo and Sarah... I also love the growth of Ellis' character through the book as he opens his eyes to see more of the world around him and how others in his community are impacted.
I'm a sucker for a sweet father in MM Romance and with everything Milo has suffered in his young life, he really is the sweetest one I've read about in a while... and I think that Ellis will make a lovely Papa...
This book can easily be read as standalone, but you do see the guys from book 1 as well as a host of other fun characters from around Stillwater.
I'm a sucker for a sweet father in MM Romance and with everything Milo has suffered in his young life, he really is the sweetest one I've read about in a while... and I think that Ellis will make a lovely Papa...
This book can easily be read as standalone, but you do see the guys from book 1 as well as a host of other fun characters from around Stillwater.
June 10, 2025
Final thoughts: 2,75 rounded up.
Nice enough but it left a too sugary aftertaste.
No proper review to follow, more ramblings.
I don't much like it when kids are used as a prop. Having a toddler seems so easy here. She's always in a good mood, can easily be handed over to the neighbour, sleeps through ghd night etc. That's not how I remember my kids as babies and toddlers.
It's too sugary for me.
Milo has 2 jobs, one baby and still energy left for studying for his GED?
He doesn't need books for this?
Computer? Silent time? And he isn't too exhausted after work and the baby to still study?
I found that when someone has been out of school for a while, it takes some getting used to studying again, but here it seems like an add-on, so very easy. Fearne Hill had one of her MCs get a later-in-life A-levels diploma (UK) and it feels far more relatable.
The main conflict: basically that Milo feels inferior (understandably since he's a high school dropout and poor) and Ellis too old (16 years age gap is a lot).
No communication about preferences with Ellis (top/bottom)? And it's an easy way out to have a long dry spell for both, but no real discussion on the sex part? Sigh.
Also: very confusing that Ellis's sister is called Alice... i've listened to the audiobook and those names mak it quite confusing for a while.
Everything is cleared up very fast. Milo has suffered for 20 years for what exactly? When ond speech is all there is to make his life easier?
Remarks in between:
A toddler keeps one to busy all the time, at least that's my experience.
Sara falls ill in the beginning - Milo even has to take her to the ER, yet we don't learn about costs and hardly anything about her treatment afterwards.
Also: An IV for a 9 month old? Very difficult, since very tiny veins which don't get much fluid in.
A 9 month old starting to walk, even with assistance? Hm, not good for the spine.
This all felt like written by someone who hasn't much hands-on-experience with kids, but needed one for plot reasons.
Milo is a great father, but the book makes it be soooo easy which it is not!
Well, it's fiction, it feels like a sketch to me and not one where you feel the below-the-surface-iceberg of a whole world building. Instead it feels two dimensional. And the next book is set up rather clumsily (the playground property was bought by some anonymous guy and dedicated to Tyler, the soup kitchen guy?).
It's the second book I attempted by this author and while her writing is not bad, not at all, but just not layered and convincing enough for me. So: Not my cup of tea. Will not proceed with the series.
Nice enough but it left a too sugary aftertaste.
No proper review to follow, more ramblings.
I don't much like it when kids are used as a prop. Having a toddler seems so easy here. She's always in a good mood, can easily be handed over to the neighbour, sleeps through ghd night etc. That's not how I remember my kids as babies and toddlers.
It's too sugary for me.
Milo has 2 jobs, one baby and still energy left for studying for his GED?
He doesn't need books for this?
Computer? Silent time? And he isn't too exhausted after work and the baby to still study?
I found that when someone has been out of school for a while, it takes some getting used to studying again, but here it seems like an add-on, so very easy. Fearne Hill had one of her MCs get a later-in-life A-levels diploma (UK) and it feels far more relatable.
The main conflict: basically that Milo feels inferior (understandably since he's a high school dropout and poor) and Ellis too old (16 years age gap is a lot).
No communication about preferences with Ellis (top/bottom)? And it's an easy way out to have a long dry spell for both, but no real discussion on the sex part? Sigh.
Also: very confusing that Ellis's sister is called Alice... i've listened to the audiobook and those names mak it quite confusing for a while.
Everything is cleared up very fast. Milo has suffered for 20 years for what exactly? When ond speech is all there is to make his life easier?
Remarks in between:
A toddler keeps one to busy all the time, at least that's my experience.
Sara falls ill in the beginning - Milo even has to take her to the ER, yet we don't learn about costs and hardly anything about her treatment afterwards.
Also: An IV for a 9 month old? Very difficult, since very tiny veins which don't get much fluid in.
A 9 month old starting to walk, even with assistance? Hm, not good for the spine.
This all felt like written by someone who hasn't much hands-on-experience with kids, but needed one for plot reasons.
Milo is a great father, but the book makes it be soooo easy which it is not!
Well, it's fiction, it feels like a sketch to me and not one where you feel the below-the-surface-iceberg of a whole world building. Instead it feels two dimensional. And the next book is set up rather clumsily (the playground property was bought by some anonymous guy and dedicated to Tyler, the soup kitchen guy?).
It's the second book I attempted by this author and while her writing is not bad, not at all, but just not layered and convincing enough for me. So: Not my cup of tea. Will not proceed with the series.
January 13, 2023
RECENSIONI DI SKYE
Avevo adorato il primo volume di questa nuova serie di Ana Ashley e devo dire che anche il secondo non mi ha lasciato dubbi sul fatto che quest’autrice possa diventare una delle mie favorite.
I protagonisti di questo nuovo romanzo ambientato a Stillwater sono Milo e Ellis.
Giovane cassiere del supermercato che il sexy e maturo maestro frequenta.
Entrambi hanno un passato fatto di dolore alle spalle e non hanno intenzione di avere una relazione almeno fino a quando il destino non dà loro una mano per lasciarsi alle indietro il loro passato doloroso….
Non avevo bisogno di relazioni. Non stavo pensando ai fidanzati dato che… Ammettiamolo, Sara era appena nata. Non avevo bisogno di nient’altro. Fino a quando Ellis Bradford non si è trasferito a Stillwater e ha iniziato a vivere costantemente nel mio cervello.
Mi è piaciuto molto questo libro, tra queste pagine ho ristrovato tutto quello che, a mio parere, rende un Romance MM completo, angst, passione, amore con qualche scena divertente qua e là.
Quest’autrice è riuscita a dare una caratterizzazione ai personaggi davvero favolosa, sicuramente grazie al doppio Pov e a un’introspezione davvero molto rilevante.
Ho amato tanto sia Milo che Ellis, le loro fragilità e le loro paure, e come pian piano, un passetto alla volta, crescano come coppia facendo splendere il loro grande amore.
Il mio stupido cuoricino gay continua a battere un po’ più forte ogni volta che c’è lui in giro. Non posso fermarlo, ed è una brutta cosa. Proprio brutta. Perché una volta che tutto questo sarà finito tornerò a essere il cassiere part-time che fatica a pagare le bollette, solo che lo farò con un cuore triste che desidera Ellis più che mai. Perché la vita è così ingiusta?
L’intreccio narrativo è molto ricco e avvolgente, mentre lo stile risulta incalzante, effervescente e spassoso, queste cose che vi incoraggeranno a leggerlo tutto d’un fiato.
Son sicura che la penna di quest’autrice vi catturerà il cuore e che sarete ben lieti di lasciarlo in balia delle emozioni che le sue parole faranno scaturire.
Mi è piaciuto molto rivedere i protagonisti del precedente volume così come conoscerne di nuovi che, sicuramente, appariranno nei prossimi volumi. Spero davvero arrivino presto visto che l’autrice sta ancora scrivendoli in lingua originale.
Se amate i libri dalla mille sfaccettature e cercate qualcosa che non solo vi strappi una lacrimuccia ma anche qualche risata Milo e Ellis sono sicuramente ciò che cercate.
Per me 5 stelle
La copia Arc è stata gentilmente offerta dall’autrice
Recensione sul blog:
https://leletturedianya.altervista.or...
Avevo adorato il primo volume di questa nuova serie di Ana Ashley e devo dire che anche il secondo non mi ha lasciato dubbi sul fatto che quest’autrice possa diventare una delle mie favorite.
I protagonisti di questo nuovo romanzo ambientato a Stillwater sono Milo e Ellis.
Giovane cassiere del supermercato che il sexy e maturo maestro frequenta.
Entrambi hanno un passato fatto di dolore alle spalle e non hanno intenzione di avere una relazione almeno fino a quando il destino non dà loro una mano per lasciarsi alle indietro il loro passato doloroso….
Non avevo bisogno di relazioni. Non stavo pensando ai fidanzati dato che… Ammettiamolo, Sara era appena nata. Non avevo bisogno di nient’altro. Fino a quando Ellis Bradford non si è trasferito a Stillwater e ha iniziato a vivere costantemente nel mio cervello.
Mi è piaciuto molto questo libro, tra queste pagine ho ristrovato tutto quello che, a mio parere, rende un Romance MM completo, angst, passione, amore con qualche scena divertente qua e là.
Quest’autrice è riuscita a dare una caratterizzazione ai personaggi davvero favolosa, sicuramente grazie al doppio Pov e a un’introspezione davvero molto rilevante.
Ho amato tanto sia Milo che Ellis, le loro fragilità e le loro paure, e come pian piano, un passetto alla volta, crescano come coppia facendo splendere il loro grande amore.
Il mio stupido cuoricino gay continua a battere un po’ più forte ogni volta che c’è lui in giro. Non posso fermarlo, ed è una brutta cosa. Proprio brutta. Perché una volta che tutto questo sarà finito tornerò a essere il cassiere part-time che fatica a pagare le bollette, solo che lo farò con un cuore triste che desidera Ellis più che mai. Perché la vita è così ingiusta?
L’intreccio narrativo è molto ricco e avvolgente, mentre lo stile risulta incalzante, effervescente e spassoso, queste cose che vi incoraggeranno a leggerlo tutto d’un fiato.
Son sicura che la penna di quest’autrice vi catturerà il cuore e che sarete ben lieti di lasciarlo in balia delle emozioni che le sue parole faranno scaturire.
Mi è piaciuto molto rivedere i protagonisti del precedente volume così come conoscerne di nuovi che, sicuramente, appariranno nei prossimi volumi. Spero davvero arrivino presto visto che l’autrice sta ancora scrivendoli in lingua originale.
Se amate i libri dalla mille sfaccettature e cercate qualcosa che non solo vi strappi una lacrimuccia ma anche qualche risata Milo e Ellis sono sicuramente ciò che cercate.
Per me 5 stelle
La copia Arc è stata gentilmente offerta dall’autrice
Recensione sul blog:
https://leletturedianya.altervista.or...
October 10, 2022
I absolutely loved this book so that I have to go back to my the prologue book I received a couple of months back and the first book of this series to learn more about the other side character dads….
The character build was perfect regarding Milo when he was shy at first seeing his crush at his till and then it just built and flowed to showcase the confident, loving and teasing soul that presides in Milo that Ellis brought to light with his steadiness and kindness when their paths crossed time and time again as if it was meant to be…
Their dynamic starts out as friendship that grows stronger the more they spend time together and then grows as a family unit with the cute little baby girl that brings them together…..
The angst factor is not high but it does revolve around both their backgrounds and future as it shows how important family is and what being a close family entails!
The chemistry factor between Ellis and Milo is high despite their age gap and insecurities but hopefully Milo can convince Ellis age is just a number😉
I voluntarily received an ARC from GRR and this is my honest opinion on this amazing read!
The character build was perfect regarding Milo when he was shy at first seeing his crush at his till and then it just built and flowed to showcase the confident, loving and teasing soul that presides in Milo that Ellis brought to light with his steadiness and kindness when their paths crossed time and time again as if it was meant to be…
Their dynamic starts out as friendship that grows stronger the more they spend time together and then grows as a family unit with the cute little baby girl that brings them together…..
The angst factor is not high but it does revolve around both their backgrounds and future as it shows how important family is and what being a close family entails!
The chemistry factor between Ellis and Milo is high despite their age gap and insecurities but hopefully Milo can convince Ellis age is just a number😉
I voluntarily received an ARC from GRR and this is my honest opinion on this amazing read!
October 10, 2022
Milo is a single father with a part time grocery store job and no formal education. Ellis is an Elementary school teacher who wants to help him. This book is fully angst on everyone's part. Both men are attracted but afraid to act on it. Milo's life is messy and Ellis keeps trying to fix things. This is a sweet, sweet love story but both guys had issues too handle. I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest opinion.
September 20, 2022
Milo is a great guy who works at a part time job and is always looking for more because he's raising his daughter alone. He is a wonderful father, caring and wants what's best for her, so when a customer at the grocery store where he works offers him a job, despite having a horrendous crush on the man, he accepts. As Ellis, a teacher and Milo get the know each other, both men are held back from a true relationship because of their pasts. But once they realize their relationship is stronger than either of them expected, they become inseparable. A good read!
October 14, 2022
I am loving this series. This is such an amazing addition to this world. I am so happy for Ellis and Milo's story. This story is filled with emotions and just so beautiful. I love how these two are exactly what each other needs. Such an heartwarming story that I just love.
October 18, 2022
There was so much trauma and drama going on in both Ellis and Milo's lifes, but I almost felt like they both were doing so much better than they should've been doing considering all the shit they had gone through.
October 20, 2022
A sweet story
And these two men actually act like adults and talk to each other! It was a pleasure. I just wish Gerald git taken down a peg or three. ;-)
And these two men actually act like adults and talk to each other! It was a pleasure. I just wish Gerald git taken down a peg or three. ;-)
October 6, 2022
I think I preferred reading this story. The audio was good, I just maybe listened to it too close to reading it
I was not prepared for all the feels this book gave me.
Milo and Ellis are both struggling with heavy amounts of grief in different ways and together they heal.
My favourite was Milo, he'd been through so much and never let that get to him. He was kind and loving and seeing him get his HEA was just so good!
As usual with Ana Ashley books, there are a ton of great side characters and that lovely small town feel.
I was not prepared for all the feels this book gave me.
Milo and Ellis are both struggling with heavy amounts of grief in different ways and together they heal.
My favourite was Milo, he'd been through so much and never let that get to him. He was kind and loving and seeing him get his HEA was just so good!
As usual with Ana Ashley books, there are a ton of great side characters and that lovely small town feel.
January 10, 2023
Voto: 4.5 stelle
Ho apprezzato tanto la dolcezza di questa storia, la caratterizzazione dei personaggi sia principali sia secondari. La piccola Sara merita una coccola tutta sua. Milo mi ha colpito per il coraggio e l'umiltà con cui vive giorno dopo giorno combattendo le avversità. La sua bontà d'animo scalda il cuore e merita l'amore del nostro maestro preferito, con un age gap che me lo fa amare ancora di più.
Ci sono un paio di cosette che non mi hanno convinta del tutto, ma il livello del libro resta alto e lo consiglio se amate le storie di coraggio, rivalsa, amore con differenza d'età di 16 anni e bimbi al seguito.
Ho apprezzato tanto la dolcezza di questa storia, la caratterizzazione dei personaggi sia principali sia secondari. La piccola Sara merita una coccola tutta sua. Milo mi ha colpito per il coraggio e l'umiltà con cui vive giorno dopo giorno combattendo le avversità. La sua bontà d'animo scalda il cuore e merita l'amore del nostro maestro preferito, con un age gap che me lo fa amare ancora di più.
Ci sono un paio di cosette che non mi hanno convinta del tutto, ma il livello del libro resta alto e lo consiglio se amate le storie di coraggio, rivalsa, amore con differenza d'età di 16 anni e bimbi al seguito.
October 10, 2022
This was a sweet relatively low angst read. Milo is struggling to raise his 9 mth old baby girl and works at a grocery store. His manager is a tool. Ellis is a school teacher who is extremely attracted to the sexy, shy cashier. Milo has a crush on the sexy school teacher & feels that he is way out of his league. When Milo gets a notification that his rent is going up and he's not getting more hours at the store, he answers a want ad to do some gardening work. Needless to say he is shocked to see that Ellis is the person that answers that ad. I loved watching these two growing as friends and then slowly letting their walls fall & growing into lovers. I loved the secondary characters as well. Even though this is book two in the series, it can be read as a standalone.
I received a copy of the audiobook from the author, and this is my honest review.
I received a copy of the audiobook from the author, and this is my honest review.
October 12, 2022
This is an age-gap romance between a single dad and a kindergarten teacher with sweetness, a bit of heat, and a small town setting. Both Milo and Ellis are engaging characters who have different obstacles to overcome. Milo is trying to hold things together, be a good parent, and make ends meet— there’s a combination of sweetness and a resilience in his personality that I found really compelling. Ellis is level-headed and caring with strong fixing and nurturing instincts: I didn’t love him as much as I did Milo, but he’s definitely likable in his own right. Watching the chemistry (emotional and physical) between them develop and their relationship take shape makes for a satisfying and at times emotional read. There’s a richly developed and highly engaging cast of supporting characters in the story as well, and I loved the dimensions they brought to the story (especially Florrie).
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
October 20, 2022
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.5 stars
This is the second book in the Dads of Stillwater series and for that reason alone, I picked it up. We meet both MCs in the first book, and there’s a hint at the end of their attraction. And, as with the first, I finished this book with mixed emotions. While I liked both of the characters on the surface, this book as a whole didn’t always work for me.
Milo is a sweetheart who has been dealt a raw hand in life. He’s been in survival mode since he was a child, and he’s strong because of it. But he can never relax. He can never just be the 26-year old he is. When Sara came into his life, that stepped up even more. The baby is his whole heart, and he will do anything to keep her safe and happy. I admired his determination and his pluck, for sure.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
3.5 stars
This is the second book in the Dads of Stillwater series and for that reason alone, I picked it up. We meet both MCs in the first book, and there’s a hint at the end of their attraction. And, as with the first, I finished this book with mixed emotions. While I liked both of the characters on the surface, this book as a whole didn’t always work for me.
Milo is a sweetheart who has been dealt a raw hand in life. He’s been in survival mode since he was a child, and he’s strong because of it. But he can never relax. He can never just be the 26-year old he is. When Sara came into his life, that stepped up even more. The baby is his whole heart, and he will do anything to keep her safe and happy. I admired his determination and his pluck, for sure.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
October 3, 2025
Sorry, this book just didn't do it for me. The reviews that I read were flowing, but I wonder if they're just to appease the author.
Milo is a great character. He's a fantastic father, and he wants to do the best for his daughter as well as for himself.
Ellis is a good character, a teacher, but he harbors a secret, whether he reveals it or not is the question.
Dear Ana, let's get rid of Mrs. Martin because you never put her in her place. She needs to be knocked down a couple of times and dragged through the mud. Another thing, Ana, evidently, you don't use Grammarly or spellcheck because words are misspelled or are completely missing. And, there's too much jumping around.
Milo is a great character. He's a fantastic father, and he wants to do the best for his daughter as well as for himself.
Ellis is a good character, a teacher, but he harbors a secret, whether he reveals it or not is the question.
Dear Ana, let's get rid of Mrs. Martin because you never put her in her place. She needs to be knocked down a couple of times and dragged through the mud. Another thing, Ana, evidently, you don't use Grammarly or spellcheck because words are misspelled or are completely missing. And, there's too much jumping around.
October 2, 2022
I love the town of Stillwater! These guys always come through for each other and I love the found family here. I also love the little nods to Chester Falls, which another great small town found family series. Milo and Ellis are so perfect. And watching Milo with his baby girl absolutely warmed my heart. Both of these men had to realize that they were worthy of being loved and watching their relationship build was so sweet. Their chemistry is also insane. ❤️🔥 I loved this story and all of the nosy friends shenanigans and now need Tyler’s story. Stat!
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