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The Sullivan Family #1
One Look
I’m a full time single dad. A former NFL player turned coach, tasked with turning around a college team full of kids who either don’t take it seriously or are determined to get injured. I will absolutely not be falling for my new neighbor, despite the number of times my meddling brothers try to set us up.
Lark Butler is pure chaos wrapped in gorgeous, infuriating sunshine. She showed up out of nowhere––getting paid to cry at a funeral, no less. Who does that? But somewhere between offering her condolences and crawling out of a literal grave site, we’ve found ourselves tangled in the drama of Outtatowner, Michigan–my coastal hometown with a decades-old feud and two aunties determined to end it.
I’m finally putting down roots so my daughter has a normal life and I need to forget about Lark. Forget the way it felt the night we kissed or what it’s like to finally take something just for me. But when those sparks ignited, it was more intense than either of us bargained for.
Trouble is, I can’t trust her, and she never stays.
She’s burning my carefully laid plans to the ground and all it took was one look.
Lark Butler is pure chaos wrapped in gorgeous, infuriating sunshine. She showed up out of nowhere––getting paid to cry at a funeral, no less. Who does that? But somewhere between offering her condolences and crawling out of a literal grave site, we’ve found ourselves tangled in the drama of Outtatowner, Michigan–my coastal hometown with a decades-old feud and two aunties determined to end it.
I’m finally putting down roots so my daughter has a normal life and I need to forget about Lark. Forget the way it felt the night we kissed or what it’s like to finally take something just for me. But when those sparks ignited, it was more intense than either of us bargained for.
Trouble is, I can’t trust her, and she never stays.
She’s burning my carefully laid plans to the ground and all it took was one look.
410 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 10, 2023
3913 people are currently reading
18550 people want to read
About the author
Lena Hendrix
34 books3,448 followersLena Hendrix is a USA Today and Amazon Top 5 bestselling contemporary romance author living in the Midwest. Her love for romance started with sneaking racy Harlequin paperbacks as a teenager and now she writes her own hot-as-sin small town romance novels. Lena has a soft spot for strong alphas with marshmallow insides, heroines who clap back, and sizzling tension. Her novels pack in small town heart with a whole lotta heat.
When she's not writing or devouring new novels, you can find her hiking, camping, fishing, and sipping a spicy margarita!
Want to hang out? Find Lena on FB, Tiktok or IG!
When she's not writing or devouring new novels, you can find her hiking, camping, fishing, and sipping a spicy margarita!
Want to hang out? Find Lena on FB, Tiktok or IG!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,516 reviews
July 19, 2023
There’s nothing wrong with this book, it just was extremely boring and very repetitive
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March 29, 2023DID I JUST FIND MY NEW FAVORITE SERIES?! Lena Hendrix is a diamond just waiting to be discovered. Her writing is like taking your bra off at the end of the day — just the BEST. One Look had me swept up and completely enamored. I fell hard and fast for Daddy Wyatt and Lark, along with all the side characters that make up this cute, crazy town. I laughed out loud so much I felt like a little kid, and when it came to the spice? WHEW. *wipes forehead* This was an absolute knockout age gap romance with everything I love to read. Five stars and then some for the start of what I’m sure will be my new small town series obsession!
April 18, 2023
3.5 stars
Small town, single dad, grumpy/sunshine romance. I loved the adorable daughter in this one- the scenes with Pickle were my favorite. Wyatt and Lark were great too (especially towards the end) but I did struggle with it at the start. I also didn't quite understand the Kings/Sullivan rivalry.
Small town, single dad, grumpy/sunshine romance. I loved the adorable daughter in this one- the scenes with Pickle were my favorite. Wyatt and Lark were great too (especially towards the end) but I did struggle with it at the start. I also didn't quite understand the Kings/Sullivan rivalry.
September 15, 2023
I was a Beta reader for this Lena romance and I had the best time.
I can see Elie Silver influences in her writing for sure, with an additional extra touch that belongs just to Lena.
Her chapters are short, her characters are funny, her plots are lighthearted and romantic and this is a great Sunday afternoon read if you just want a soft/delicious romance that is going to make you forget about your bills and how awful the world is for a few hours.
Excited to see where Lena goes from here!
March 28, 2023
The perfect start to a new Lena Hendrix series!!!
You guys, I am still screaming over this book. I am so obsessed with Lena its not even funny, and this book is exactly the reason why. She writes small town romances SO DAMN WELL. And Wyatt may just be my favorite book boyfriend that she’s ever written!!!! A dirty talking, grumpy, ex-NFL player who has his little girl wrapped around his finger & has a heart of gold. He could get it any day, any time, whenever & wherever 😂 can you tell I love him? I swooned so many freaking times while reading and I also audibly screamed during some of these scenes. CAN SOMEONE SAY SHOWER SCENEEEEEE. Oh and also the lake scene… whew. It really gave me mulan vibes (but hotter), and it made me giggle!
Lark really had a progressive story, one where she finds her home among the unlikeliest of places. Who would’ve thought she’d find it in a small town where everyone has a wack-ass nickname & knows each others business. The relationship between Lark & Penny & the boys was amazing, and melted my heart over and over again. Her and Wyatt had some sparking-igniting chemistry that could be felt coming off the pages!! They were HOT, and really were perfect for each other.
AND CAN WE GET A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP!!!!!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Y’all better be adding this one to your TBR immediately so you can experience the quirky, amazingness of outtatowner, Michigan. I can’t wait for more & to see how the feud between the Sullivans & Kings continues!
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶.5
Tropes:
Single dad
Grumpy x sunshine
Neighbors to lovers
Forced proximity
Boss/employee
Small town
You guys, I am still screaming over this book. I am so obsessed with Lena its not even funny, and this book is exactly the reason why. She writes small town romances SO DAMN WELL. And Wyatt may just be my favorite book boyfriend that she’s ever written!!!! A dirty talking, grumpy, ex-NFL player who has his little girl wrapped around his finger & has a heart of gold. He could get it any day, any time, whenever & wherever 😂 can you tell I love him? I swooned so many freaking times while reading and I also audibly screamed during some of these scenes. CAN SOMEONE SAY SHOWER SCENEEEEEE. Oh and also the lake scene… whew. It really gave me mulan vibes (but hotter), and it made me giggle!
Lark really had a progressive story, one where she finds her home among the unlikeliest of places. Who would’ve thought she’d find it in a small town where everyone has a wack-ass nickname & knows each others business. The relationship between Lark & Penny & the boys was amazing, and melted my heart over and over again. Her and Wyatt had some sparking-igniting chemistry that could be felt coming off the pages!! They were HOT, and really were perfect for each other.
AND CAN WE GET A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP!!!!!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Y’all better be adding this one to your TBR immediately so you can experience the quirky, amazingness of outtatowner, Michigan. I can’t wait for more & to see how the feud between the Sullivans & Kings continues!
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶.5
Tropes:
Single dad
Grumpy x sunshine
Neighbors to lovers
Forced proximity
Boss/employee
Small town
March 11, 2023
DNF @ 55%
This was…. not good
This was…. not good
March 18, 2023
2.5/5 ☆
Average and not super developed. Wyatt was “grumpy” for like 3 chapters and it was very insta love-y. Lark and Wyatt barely have a conversation before jumping into bed together and becoming an item, which doesn’t sell me on their chemistry. Was hoping to like this one more than I did since the tropes are generally what I find myself gravitating towards, but it just didn’t meet the mark. Disappointing!
Average and not super developed. Wyatt was “grumpy” for like 3 chapters and it was very insta love-y. Lark and Wyatt barely have a conversation before jumping into bed together and becoming an item, which doesn’t sell me on their chemistry. Was hoping to like this one more than I did since the tropes are generally what I find myself gravitating towards, but it just didn’t meet the mark. Disappointing!
April 1, 2023
If you love It Happened One Summer, I feel like you would adore this one. It's a city girl goes to small town and meets a single dad romance! It's adorable, super steamy, and filled with found family trope ‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
I loved Wyatt and Lark so much. Wyatt is a grumpy single dad who is a former NFL player, but now is coaching a college football team. He decides to move back home, because he was stability for his daughter and her life (they've been moving so much) plus his family lives there as well. At the same time, Lark moves next-door, because she's trying to take some time before she decides to audition again for Hollywood, so she stays for the summer in this town.
From the moment this book starts it's already so fun. I mean, at one moment Lark goes swimming at this private lake and she says "no one is here let me just take off my clothes i have no swimsuit" lmao and guess what... OBVIOUSLY WYATT APPEARS!! So they have this hilarious scene of them realizing they're naked in the water and the sparks are flying, everywhere, burning them. He kinda doesn't trust her at first because the way they meet is so fishy for him haha. You see, she was hired to cry at a funeral of this old guy and Wyatt meets her there while she's acting as if she knows this dead guy while in fact SHE WAS JUST HIRED TO CRY SO EVERYONE GOSSIPS ABOUT IT. Then, she falls inside the open grave and Wyatt just stares at her while not helping her get out lmao. These two together >>>
Also I adored Penny. She was so sweet and I loved how much she loved Lark since the very first moment. I loved that Wyatt has this big house with lots of people while he has been alone and lonely for most part of his life. Now, he has Penny and the three college boys he's taking care for the summer. And Lark next-door! And his family in the same town! I loved that the boys were there, they were like over-joyful golden retrievers just having the time of their lives in this beach town lol and loved seeing Lark helping them and being there for them. I know how it is going to college out of state so! It's always nice when you can be close to a family while you're away from your family, you know? It was cute to see this in this book even though it's such a small plot but it was sooo cute.
Thanks to Pauline from thebooksiveloved for sharing this book in her stories because that's the way I noticed it. Though I have read another book by this author already, it was really Pauline's story that made me go "huh maybe I need to get this!" and so I did.
I loved Wyatt and Lark so much. Wyatt is a grumpy single dad who is a former NFL player, but now is coaching a college football team. He decides to move back home, because he was stability for his daughter and her life (they've been moving so much) plus his family lives there as well. At the same time, Lark moves next-door, because she's trying to take some time before she decides to audition again for Hollywood, so she stays for the summer in this town.
From the moment this book starts it's already so fun. I mean, at one moment Lark goes swimming at this private lake and she says "no one is here let me just take off my clothes i have no swimsuit" lmao and guess what... OBVIOUSLY WYATT APPEARS!! So they have this hilarious scene of them realizing they're naked in the water and the sparks are flying, everywhere, burning them. He kinda doesn't trust her at first because the way they meet is so fishy for him haha. You see, she was hired to cry at a funeral of this old guy and Wyatt meets her there while she's acting as if she knows this dead guy while in fact SHE WAS JUST HIRED TO CRY SO EVERYONE GOSSIPS ABOUT IT. Then, she falls inside the open grave and Wyatt just stares at her while not helping her get out lmao. These two together >>>
Also I adored Penny. She was so sweet and I loved how much she loved Lark since the very first moment. I loved that Wyatt has this big house with lots of people while he has been alone and lonely for most part of his life. Now, he has Penny and the three college boys he's taking care for the summer. And Lark next-door! And his family in the same town! I loved that the boys were there, they were like over-joyful golden retrievers just having the time of their lives in this beach town lol and loved seeing Lark helping them and being there for them. I know how it is going to college out of state so! It's always nice when you can be close to a family while you're away from your family, you know? It was cute to see this in this book even though it's such a small plot but it was sooo cute.
Thanks to Pauline from thebooksiveloved for sharing this book in her stories because that's the way I noticed it. Though I have read another book by this author already, it was really Pauline's story that made me go "huh maybe I need to get this!" and so I did.
March 29, 2023
This was wonderful!
5 stars
3 on my spice scale
5 stars
3 on my spice scale
February 9, 2025
Grumpy single dads always hit
March 15, 2023
Tropes: single dad, small town, neighbors, grumpy x sunshine, boss/employee
4.5 stars
Single dad and former NFL player turned coach Wyatt Sullivan heads home to Outtatowner, Michigan, his coastal hometown with dueling families and two aunts determined to clear things up. Lark Butler is hired to cry at a funeral where she meets Wyatt. Unfortunately, they don't have the best first impression of each other but in such a small town, the two can't help but continue to bump into each other. They even end up as neighbors and eventually as boss and employee, and Lark is quickly breaking down all the walls that Wyatt has built around himself.
One Look had everything I love about small town romances. It had a grumpy single dad, side characters I can't wait to get to know more about, a sassy heroine who loves to fuck with the hero, witty banter, LOL moments, and a quirky town. Wyatt was hotttt. I love single dads and he was such a good and proud dad. He loves his daughter so much and legitimately picked up and moved back to his hometown because she wanted to live there. There's nothing he wouldn't do for her. He's a former NFL player and grumpy and UGH my kryptonite. Lark was the spark that his grumpy self needed. She was unapologetically herself and fit so well in the tight-knit community. I loved them so much together and their relationship really progressed nicely. I was flying through the book because I had to keep reading about them and how their story ended. This had a similar vibe as Heartless by Elsie SIlver which is one of my all time favs so if you liked that one, definitely recommend checking this one out. Really really loved this one and cannot wait to read the next one! Ex boyfriend's brother, you say?
4.5 stars
Single dad and former NFL player turned coach Wyatt Sullivan heads home to Outtatowner, Michigan, his coastal hometown with dueling families and two aunts determined to clear things up. Lark Butler is hired to cry at a funeral where she meets Wyatt. Unfortunately, they don't have the best first impression of each other but in such a small town, the two can't help but continue to bump into each other. They even end up as neighbors and eventually as boss and employee, and Lark is quickly breaking down all the walls that Wyatt has built around himself.
One Look had everything I love about small town romances. It had a grumpy single dad, side characters I can't wait to get to know more about, a sassy heroine who loves to fuck with the hero, witty banter, LOL moments, and a quirky town. Wyatt was hotttt. I love single dads and he was such a good and proud dad. He loves his daughter so much and legitimately picked up and moved back to his hometown because she wanted to live there. There's nothing he wouldn't do for her. He's a former NFL player and grumpy and UGH my kryptonite. Lark was the spark that his grumpy self needed. She was unapologetically herself and fit so well in the tight-knit community. I loved them so much together and their relationship really progressed nicely. I was flying through the book because I had to keep reading about them and how their story ended. This had a similar vibe as Heartless by Elsie SIlver which is one of my all time favs so if you liked that one, definitely recommend checking this one out. Really really loved this one and cannot wait to read the next one! Ex boyfriend's brother, you say?
April 10, 2024
Eh. Strangely, I have mixed feelings about this mostly boring book but I hated the ending: "After I fired her as my assistant and promoted her to wife, I told her she didn’t have to work if she didn’t want to." UGHHHH!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2023
I really wanted to like this!! I was so excited to read it. I found it super boring 😫 there was a whole lot of background story going on and a lot of distraction between Lark and Wyatt. I knew there was good spice so I just browsed through to those scenes 🤣 ended up DNF about 70%
July 2, 2023
3/5 ⭐️ 2.5/5 🌶️
Frankly, I didn’t love this as much as I wanted to 😕 Usually any book with a small town, grumpy single dad is an automatic YES for me, but I found this one difficult to get into and ended up skimming chapters.
That said, the series sounds promising, and I’ll probably give the next book a try.
Frankly, I didn’t love this as much as I wanted to 😕 Usually any book with a small town, grumpy single dad is an automatic YES for me, but I found this one difficult to get into and ended up skimming chapters.
That said, the series sounds promising, and I’ll probably give the next book a try.
November 5, 2023
One Look by Lena Hendrix 💫
This follows Lark, Wyatt and his daughter Penny returning back to the coastal hometown of Outtatowner. Lark was hired to cry at a wedding for a family friend of the Sullivans and has decided to stay in town waiting for an acting opportunity. Now she's been offered a job and my new neighbour. Can they resist each other?
Let's discuss this. All I can say is I enjoyed the storyline, just wished it was done a little differently.
Starting with Lark the FMC. I don't like the name choice of this character honestly but that's a personal preference. Also, she was very clumsy and in sticky situations for the first half of the book but after about 50% never clumsy again. The way she is introduced in the book is odd, hired to cry at someone's funeral and then just stays in the small town waiting out a potential acting job.
Wyatt I liked his character just wish he didn't jump on the FMC so quickly and was more grumpy with her.
Penny the 7yo daughter was forgettable and didn't do anything for me except add to the storyline and show how Wyatt truly is when she is around.
There are a lot of side characters in this book that even though I just finished this book I've forgotten. I don't understand why three 20yo players on Wyatt's football team he coaches came to stay and live with him and his daughter. I get it to keep them in line and stay out of trouble as he needs them on the team but these are grown men as a coach wouldn't you just sit them down and tell them to pull their heads in? I don't know it's just odd to me. Another point Wyatt sent them to their room like their children not adults after an incident but then decided to bang Lark in the kitchen. That just makes me uncomfortable knowing three other men in the house could come down at any moment.
Lastly, I still don't understand the full story of the Sullivan and Kings rivalry. Which leaves me asking questions.
I feel there was a lot put into the storyline just wish it was executed differently. The audiobook was great and love the narrators but the story itself fell a little flat to keep me fully engaged.
I will continue with the series as I've had my eyes on One Touch for a while.
If you love:
🔹Small Town
🔹Single Dad
🔹Grumpy Sunshine
🔹Family Rivalry
🔹Neigbours
🔹Great Spice
Genre/Type: Romance 18+
APK: Kindle / Audiobook - Audible
Pages: 410
Audiobook Length: 8hrs 42mins
Narrators: Sebastian York & Charlotte North - Dual
Rating: 🌟🌟.5
Spice: 🌶️.5
Series or Stand Alone: Book 1 In The Sullivan Family Series
Tropes or Themes: Small Town, Grumpy Sunshine, Single Dad, Boss, Personal Assistant, Neighbour, Workplace, Found Family, Ex Football Player, Football Coach, Aspiring Actress, Clumsy, Jealousy, Mine, Cursing, Sexual Content, Dirty Talk & Grand Gesture.
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Everand | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
This follows Lark, Wyatt and his daughter Penny returning back to the coastal hometown of Outtatowner. Lark was hired to cry at a wedding for a family friend of the Sullivans and has decided to stay in town waiting for an acting opportunity. Now she's been offered a job and my new neighbour. Can they resist each other?
Let's discuss this. All I can say is I enjoyed the storyline, just wished it was done a little differently.
Starting with Lark the FMC. I don't like the name choice of this character honestly but that's a personal preference. Also, she was very clumsy and in sticky situations for the first half of the book but after about 50% never clumsy again. The way she is introduced in the book is odd, hired to cry at someone's funeral and then just stays in the small town waiting out a potential acting job.
Wyatt I liked his character just wish he didn't jump on the FMC so quickly and was more grumpy with her.
Penny the 7yo daughter was forgettable and didn't do anything for me except add to the storyline and show how Wyatt truly is when she is around.
There are a lot of side characters in this book that even though I just finished this book I've forgotten. I don't understand why three 20yo players on Wyatt's football team he coaches came to stay and live with him and his daughter. I get it to keep them in line and stay out of trouble as he needs them on the team but these are grown men as a coach wouldn't you just sit them down and tell them to pull their heads in? I don't know it's just odd to me. Another point Wyatt sent them to their room like their children not adults after an incident but then decided to bang Lark in the kitchen. That just makes me uncomfortable knowing three other men in the house could come down at any moment.
Lastly, I still don't understand the full story of the Sullivan and Kings rivalry. Which leaves me asking questions.
I feel there was a lot put into the storyline just wish it was executed differently. The audiobook was great and love the narrators but the story itself fell a little flat to keep me fully engaged.
I will continue with the series as I've had my eyes on One Touch for a while.
If you love:
🔹Small Town
🔹Single Dad
🔹Grumpy Sunshine
🔹Family Rivalry
🔹Neigbours
🔹Great Spice
Genre/Type: Romance 18+
APK: Kindle / Audiobook - Audible
Pages: 410
Audiobook Length: 8hrs 42mins
Narrators: Sebastian York & Charlotte North - Dual
Rating: 🌟🌟.5
Spice: 🌶️.5
Series or Stand Alone: Book 1 In The Sullivan Family Series
Tropes or Themes: Small Town, Grumpy Sunshine, Single Dad, Boss, Personal Assistant, Neighbour, Workplace, Found Family, Ex Football Player, Football Coach, Aspiring Actress, Clumsy, Jealousy, Mine, Cursing, Sexual Content, Dirty Talk & Grand Gesture.
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Everand | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
April 15, 2023
I love the Single Dad trope so much
February 24, 2025
It was a normal read a bit repetitive there was no plot but I am a person who loves single dad and small town vibes and yes the MMC was really gentleman so thing to add
April 30, 2023
April's selection for the Probably Smut Book Club...
My first time reading Lena Hendrix and probably not something I'd pick for myself even if I do love small towns and grumpy sunshine.
Lark has dreams of becoming an actress while Wyatt has just come back to his quirky coastal Michigan town to coach football at a nearby university. Their paths cross and eventually infatuation turns into a relationship.
So I'll preface this review by saying I started this while working back to back 16 hour shifts and then came down with a bug and have been taking lots of cold medicine so maybe some of my dislike has to do with gaps in memory versus gaps in content...but...
I'm not sure when these two actually got together. One second they were annoyed with each other, the next they were banging. Not really any true build up or transitions, just jumped from one stage to the next. A lot of the small town quirks also felt very forced and even the smutty scenes brought out a lot of eye-rolls. It definitely felt like the author was just trying too hard and didn't have the content and/or writing skills necessary to make this into a cohesive story. There were several buzz phrases and moments that those of us who love romance/dirty books always get all melty for, but they just felt out of place and didn't flow with the characters. At least it was a fast read.
I like book of the month clubs for introducing me to new and different authors, but this was a definite miss in my book. Hopefully the next is stronger.
2⭐️ because I finished it
My first time reading Lena Hendrix and probably not something I'd pick for myself even if I do love small towns and grumpy sunshine.
Lark has dreams of becoming an actress while Wyatt has just come back to his quirky coastal Michigan town to coach football at a nearby university. Their paths cross and eventually infatuation turns into a relationship.
So I'll preface this review by saying I started this while working back to back 16 hour shifts and then came down with a bug and have been taking lots of cold medicine so maybe some of my dislike has to do with gaps in memory versus gaps in content...but...
I'm not sure when these two actually got together. One second they were annoyed with each other, the next they were banging. Not really any true build up or transitions, just jumped from one stage to the next. A lot of the small town quirks also felt very forced and even the smutty scenes brought out a lot of eye-rolls. It definitely felt like the author was just trying too hard and didn't have the content and/or writing skills necessary to make this into a cohesive story. There were several buzz phrases and moments that those of us who love romance/dirty books always get all melty for, but they just felt out of place and didn't flow with the characters. At least it was a fast read.
I like book of the month clubs for introducing me to new and different authors, but this was a definite miss in my book. Hopefully the next is stronger.
2⭐️ because I finished it
March 9, 2023
Wyatt is a former NFL quarterback and is now a college football coach. He is a single dad to a sweet little girl named Penny (he calls her Pickle). He goes back to his small town of Outtatowner for a funeral and sees a woman he’s never seen before crying over the man who passed away. He’s never seen this woman before, so he is very intrigued by her. Lark is an actress. She has tried for years to make a name for herself in LA, but takes small side jobs crying at funerals to make money. She was hired to cry at this funeral, and fell in love with the town and decided to stay for a while.
Wyatt also decides to stay in town so that his daughter can be closer to family. He ends up being neighbors with Lark. He hires Lark to be his personal assistant, help keep the three college kids in his care out of trouble, and help take care of Penny. I really enjoyed reading about the relationship Lark formed with Penny and the boys. She was the nanny, but also so much more. I really loved this odd little family they built.
I didn’t really understand the town rivalry between the Kings and the Sullivans. What happened to make the families be rivals and the town take sides? I didn’t hate that aspect of the story, but felt like it needed more background in order to work.
I am very intrigued by the side characters in the story, and excited for their books!
Wyatt also decides to stay in town so that his daughter can be closer to family. He ends up being neighbors with Lark. He hires Lark to be his personal assistant, help keep the three college kids in his care out of trouble, and help take care of Penny. I really enjoyed reading about the relationship Lark formed with Penny and the boys. She was the nanny, but also so much more. I really loved this odd little family they built.
I didn’t really understand the town rivalry between the Kings and the Sullivans. What happened to make the families be rivals and the town take sides? I didn’t hate that aspect of the story, but felt like it needed more background in order to work.
I am very intrigued by the side characters in the story, and excited for their books!
March 16, 2023
“Coming home to Michigan was the best decision I had ever made. Everything in my world had clicked into place the moment I locked eyes with Lark Butler. She tipped my whole world, somehow set it right-side up, and all it had taken was one look.”
This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2023 and it did not disappoint. Lena Hendrix knows how to write a good book with a good plot. Wyatt is a single dad. He also is a former NFL player who now is coaching a college team! Lark showed up in the town after getting hired by Wyatt’s Aunt to cry at a locals funeral… Lark needed a place to stay so Wyatt’s Aunt offered her the apartment above the garage on Wyatt’s property. LARK IS WYATT’S NEIGHBOR! 😏 Things just progress from there! This was a slow burn grumpy sunshine masterpiece! My favorite part was definitely the family dynamic! Penny was adorable. One of my favorite scenes with Penny was definitely Eggburt the chicken! I could not stop laughing! The love Wyatt had for her really showed in the book. Also loved the Sullivan family vs the King family rivalry! EVERYTHING THAT NEEDED TO BE IN THE BOOK WAS THERE! 💯
I’m obsessed with this book and can’t wait to see what Lena does next! Lee? Duke? Kate?😏
Thank you to Lena Hendrix for an Arc in exchange for an honest review! Love you!
This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2023 and it did not disappoint. Lena Hendrix knows how to write a good book with a good plot. Wyatt is a single dad. He also is a former NFL player who now is coaching a college team! Lark showed up in the town after getting hired by Wyatt’s Aunt to cry at a locals funeral… Lark needed a place to stay so Wyatt’s Aunt offered her the apartment above the garage on Wyatt’s property. LARK IS WYATT’S NEIGHBOR! 😏 Things just progress from there! This was a slow burn grumpy sunshine masterpiece! My favorite part was definitely the family dynamic! Penny was adorable. One of my favorite scenes with Penny was definitely Eggburt the chicken! I could not stop laughing! The love Wyatt had for her really showed in the book. Also loved the Sullivan family vs the King family rivalry! EVERYTHING THAT NEEDED TO BE IN THE BOOK WAS THERE! 💯
I’m obsessed with this book and can’t wait to see what Lena does next! Lee? Duke? Kate?😏
Thank you to Lena Hendrix for an Arc in exchange for an honest review! Love you!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2023
How lucky am I that I got to Beta read this?!!
Omg okay. This is SOO GOOD YALL!
Wyatt is everything and must be protected at all costs.
Lark is hilarious and the perfect counter to our grumpy leading man!
The side characters!! You are NOT READY
The real mvp though?
Eggburt the chicken.
Get back to me when you understand.
Please please please READ THIS! This whole series is going to be all kinds of perfect fun!!!
Omg okay. This is SOO GOOD YALL!
Wyatt is everything and must be protected at all costs.
Lark is hilarious and the perfect counter to our grumpy leading man!
The side characters!! You are NOT READY
The real mvp though?
Eggburt the chicken.
Get back to me when you understand.
Please please please READ THIS! This whole series is going to be all kinds of perfect fun!!!
March 24, 2023
I really enjoyed this! I swear I am totally in my small town era. Wyatt is a retired NFL player that now coaches college football. He’s also a single dad. Lark was only supposed to be in the area for one quick job but then takes a job as Wyatt’s personal assistant and the chemistry between the two is FIRE!!! Such a fun read.
Small town
Age gap
Single dad
She’s the nanny/ personal assistant/ neighbor
Spice - 2.5-3
Small town
Age gap
Single dad
She’s the nanny/ personal assistant/ neighbor
Spice - 2.5-3
March 14, 2023
Ahhh so cute! Got me all in my feels🥹 My first ever Lena Hendrix read but it sure as hell won't be my last🤎 Also Beckett and Katie's story coming next? SO FUCKING READY FOR THOSE TWO AJSJEKKEKDM
- single dad
- grumpy x sunshine
- small town romance
- forbidden romance (slightly) i.e. he's a football coach and she's his assistant
- HEA
- no cheating/no sharing
- no OW/OM drama
- single dad
- grumpy x sunshine
- small town romance
- forbidden romance (slightly) i.e. he's a football coach and she's his assistant
- HEA
- no cheating/no sharing
- no OW/OM drama
June 19, 2025
3.5/5⭐️
3/5🌶
Amo los romances small town.
Me dicen: pueblo pequeño y muchos hermanos para seguir la serie?... allá voy!!!
Esta serie tiene todo eso. Un pueblito adorable a orillas de un lago, una enemistad antigua entre dos familias, y unos personajes muy entrañables. Aunque no sea original, (se parece mucho a una serie de Kinsley), es un argumento que no falla.
En esta primera entrega, tenemos a, Wyatt, segundo hermano, el que triunfo en el fútbol americano y regresa al pueblo para que su hija esté más cerca de la familia.
Ya dije que es papá soltero?
Ella, Lark, es una aspirante a actriz que se gana la vida llorando en funerales. La química y un par de ancianas entrometidas hacen lo suyo, y voila: romance asegurado.
disfruté mucho leyendo este libro. Fue una buena introducción a la saga familiar.
ideal vacaciones.
3/5🌶
Amo los romances small town.
Me dicen: pueblo pequeño y muchos hermanos para seguir la serie?... allá voy!!!
Esta serie tiene todo eso. Un pueblito adorable a orillas de un lago, una enemistad antigua entre dos familias, y unos personajes muy entrañables. Aunque no sea original, (se parece mucho a una serie de Kinsley), es un argumento que no falla.
En esta primera entrega, tenemos a, Wyatt, segundo hermano, el que triunfo en el fútbol americano y regresa al pueblo para que su hija esté más cerca de la familia.
Ya dije que es papá soltero?
Ella, Lark, es una aspirante a actriz que se gana la vida llorando en funerales. La química y un par de ancianas entrometidas hacen lo suyo, y voila: romance asegurado.
disfruté mucho leyendo este libro. Fue una buena introducción a la saga familiar.
ideal vacaciones.
May 2, 2023
DNF- first of all I wanted to like this I tried so hard. Nicknames are dumb. The author throws a lot all at once and no hook. Small town kitch- single dad- redemption- family feud- too much. Here is where the author really lost me. Referring to a town on the Great Lakes as Coastal- WTF? I have lived on or around a Great Lake my whole life and NO ONE says Coastal. Also Lake Air does not smell good. It smells like dead fish, even up North on the dunes or in the UP. It just really bugged me. This is the second book I have tired by this author I think they need a new editor or better beta readers. So many easily fixed mistakes that are just left sitting there like dead fish on Lake Michigan beach.
June 9, 2023
in a town called Outtatowner the peoples name are Aunt Tootie, Bug, Bowlegs, and ITCHY?? I couldn’t take it serious at first tbh. The quirkiness of this book caught me really off guard and I wasn’t prepared for it lol.
BUT, as I got more into the story I enjoyed it!
I felt like the pacing and time jumps were weird and like other reviewers have said it felt like there were things not properly explained. But I did really like Lark and Wyatt was a good hero. My fav was just the side characters and shenanigans.
super interested in the next book 👀
BUT, as I got more into the story I enjoyed it!
I felt like the pacing and time jumps were weird and like other reviewers have said it felt like there were things not properly explained. But I did really like Lark and Wyatt was a good hero. My fav was just the side characters and shenanigans.
super interested in the next book 👀
March 16, 2023
Ugh the hype got to me.. it took me a few days to actually finish this all the way through. I was just bored. 3.5 stars
September 8, 2023
Really fun and sweet with a perfect amount of spice. Loved this!!!!! 💙💙💙 forever obsessed with single dads in small towns 💋
March 11, 2023
Lena Hendrix is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors! I started reading her books because my friend Anna really loves her work & I'm so glad that I did!
Wyatt is a former professional football player turned coach who just moved back to his hometown with his daughter. Lark is a starving actress waiting for her big break while acting as a professional mourner. Yes, you heard that right. She gets paid to cry at strangers' funerals. Lark was hired to mourn at a funeral in Outtatowner, Michigan & decides to stay there for the summer. She picks up a position at the local bakery cafe but quickly learns it isn't for her. Wyatt saves the day when he offers her a position as his personal assistant and nanny. And boy do the sparks start flying!
Honestly, I don't think there are enough words in the English language to describe how much I love this book. It is everything you could want with a grumpy single dad x sunshine nanny (and personal assistant) dynamic! Lark literally calls Wyatt "Oscar the Grouch" to get under his skin & I swear I could physically feel the tension radiating out of my Kindle when he realized why she called him that. That probably makes you think Lark is the sassiest character in the book? Nope. Absolutely not. Wyatt's daughter Penny has way more sass than any 7 year old should legally have. She had me cracking up from the very beginning of the book.
But you want to know my absolute favorite thing about the book? Lark and Wyatt communicate SO WELL like well-rounded, grown adults. AND they don't have a third act breakup! It's always so refreshing when I come across books like this because so many books have the third act breakup most commonly because of miscommunication or "I'm breaking it off FOR you".
We also got teasers for a couple potential pairings for future books and lemme tell you, I need them ASAP! This book was SO good & I know the rest of the series will be bangers too!
Read this book if you like:
- small town
- single dad
- grumpy x sunshine
- football coach x personal assistant / nanny
Wyatt is a former professional football player turned coach who just moved back to his hometown with his daughter. Lark is a starving actress waiting for her big break while acting as a professional mourner. Yes, you heard that right. She gets paid to cry at strangers' funerals. Lark was hired to mourn at a funeral in Outtatowner, Michigan & decides to stay there for the summer. She picks up a position at the local bakery cafe but quickly learns it isn't for her. Wyatt saves the day when he offers her a position as his personal assistant and nanny. And boy do the sparks start flying!
Honestly, I don't think there are enough words in the English language to describe how much I love this book. It is everything you could want with a grumpy single dad x sunshine nanny (and personal assistant) dynamic! Lark literally calls Wyatt "Oscar the Grouch" to get under his skin & I swear I could physically feel the tension radiating out of my Kindle when he realized why she called him that. That probably makes you think Lark is the sassiest character in the book? Nope. Absolutely not. Wyatt's daughter Penny has way more sass than any 7 year old should legally have. She had me cracking up from the very beginning of the book.
But you want to know my absolute favorite thing about the book? Lark and Wyatt communicate SO WELL like well-rounded, grown adults. AND they don't have a third act breakup! It's always so refreshing when I come across books like this because so many books have the third act breakup most commonly because of miscommunication or "I'm breaking it off FOR you".
We also got teasers for a couple potential pairings for future books and lemme tell you, I need them ASAP! This book was SO good & I know the rest of the series will be bangers too!
Read this book if you like:
- small town
- single dad
- grumpy x sunshine
- football coach x personal assistant / nanny
March 6, 2024
Ahhhh. There’s something seriously comforting about being at the beginning of a small town romance character series, and knowing you have the chance to go on a new adventure.
📔 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼: One Look by Lena Hendrix
📚𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲: Small town, sports-ish (football), single dad, opposites attract.
📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Lark is an actress and wild child who moves round constantly. Wyatt is a single dad and football coach, who craves stability and lives responsibly. They meet when Lark is hired as a professional mourner for a town funeral, but soon Wyatt can’t get Lark out of his head.
🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: Lena Hendrix always has my heart with her small town character series. And she kicked off this one so well with Wyatt and Lark.
I just loved their story arc - how they both fell hard and they fought being in love. How they both tried to let each other breath but couldn’t stay away. How they ended up finding peace in each other. The dual POV was so swoony, as well, especially Wyatt’s sections.
Any single dad romance has to have an adorable kid, and Lena Hendrix completely nailed it with Penny. She was smart and funny. The entire small town felt like home as you read it. Just super well done all around.
And it’s always nice for readers to be able to see a clear progression of what’s coming. I can see the rest of the Sullivans getting their happily ever after already, and I can’t wait to follow along,
𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4:5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 l 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 3/5 🌶🌶🌶
🆓️ on KU
𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.
📔 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼: One Look by Lena Hendrix
📚𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲: Small town, sports-ish (football), single dad, opposites attract.
📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Lark is an actress and wild child who moves round constantly. Wyatt is a single dad and football coach, who craves stability and lives responsibly. They meet when Lark is hired as a professional mourner for a town funeral, but soon Wyatt can’t get Lark out of his head.
🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: Lena Hendrix always has my heart with her small town character series. And she kicked off this one so well with Wyatt and Lark.
I just loved their story arc - how they both fell hard and they fought being in love. How they both tried to let each other breath but couldn’t stay away. How they ended up finding peace in each other. The dual POV was so swoony, as well, especially Wyatt’s sections.
Any single dad romance has to have an adorable kid, and Lena Hendrix completely nailed it with Penny. She was smart and funny. The entire small town felt like home as you read it. Just super well done all around.
And it’s always nice for readers to be able to see a clear progression of what’s coming. I can see the rest of the Sullivans getting their happily ever after already, and I can’t wait to follow along,
𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4:5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 l 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 3/5 🌶🌶🌶
🆓️ on KU
𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.
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