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Nothing less than sheer desperation could make Ian Foster hire Tansy Appletree. The solitary sheep farmer and vivacious accountant slash town mayor have absolutely nothing in common. So why is Ian feeling like a different person ever since Tansy arrived to go over his books?Serenity Valley's resident recluse doesn't fool her for a minute. Tansy's been curious about Ian for years--she's a sucker for his rugged outdoorsman quality. What she sees is someone who's chosen to set himself apart from their town. Beneath that gruff, growly exterior, he's sweet and tender and has already forged a strong bond with his brother's foster boy.

Ian just needs someone to help him see his family man potential. And Tansy's elected herself. But even she may not be able to pull off "this "miracle.

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

33 people want to read

About the author

Daly Thompson

7 books2 followers
Daly Thompson is a collaboration between Liz Jarrett and Barbara Daly.

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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Profile Image for Carmen.
1,947 reviews2,444 followers
November 13, 2017
"But sometimes love just isn't enough, Tansy. This is one of those times."

Well, this book was surprising. It started out horribly and I was convinced I would hate it. The heroine's name is Tansy Appletree. Yeah.

And she is a nosy, manipulative, conniving woman. I didn't like that. She manipulates the hero a lot. I think this is supposed to be 'cute,' but it's not cute IMO.

Ian is supposed to be a grumpy grumpy man, but unfortunately, Thompson (they) make that have shades of misogyny.

"Hire her."

"No way," Ian growled.

"Why not?"

Because she's too short to have any brains, and besides, she's way too energetic.
5%

I didn't know if I was going to be able to finish this trash.

Last thing in the world he wanted to do was hand this audit over to a woman. Okay, so he sounded sexist, but he wasn't. He just didn't trust women, not really, and he felt that way for good reason. They were undependable. 7%

But then after this, Thompson (they) leave the misogyny behind. Poof! It's gone, and never rears its ugly head again. Weird. I'm NOT surprised they included it in the first place, Thompson (they) struggle with sexism, they always put it in their books.

So. I was not crazy about the hero or heroine. Neither was I interested in what these two were doing sexually/romantically. I couldn't even believe they were falling in love. They pretty much despise each other. Then they started kissing for no reason. Moreover, I didn't even believe they were physically attracted to each other.

For one thing, Ian does not seem like the type of man to have sex. He hates and mistrusts women. His mother was a feckless alcoholic who cruelly abandoned him at a young age. He lives on the outskirts of town, on a sheep farm. He shuns human contact, except with his two brothers.

I just couldn't see him suddenly deciding to have sex with a woman - and all the burdens, responsibilities, and entanglements that come with sex - on a whim. Thompson DID NOT present a convincing case as to why he was doing so. Some authors could nail this - I've seen it done and done well, especially in historical romances - but here Thompson are just floundering.

It was not convincing to me. Not only did I not believe Ian would choose to have sex, but if he WAS going to have sex, I did not believe Tansy would be the one he would have it with. She is a manipulative, scheming, cunning woman and if I were him I'd want to run as fast and far away from her as possible. Not get in deeper with her by having sex with her. It didn't make any sense.

Same from Tansy's viewpoint. Why would she want to have sex with this man? Beats me. *shrug* I mean, sure, I guess Thompson (they) tell us that he has a great body and is handsome, but fuck that shit. The only thing I think is attractive about him is the compassion he shows in hiring people on his farm. He has a deaf foreman, a disabled housekeeper, and a disabled handyman. This clues her in to the fact that Ian might be a good person despite his gruffness. But I need more. MORE. Thompson are not really convincing me that Ian is a lovable hero.

He handed her a cup of coffee first. Black, without asking her if she wanted cream or sugar, which was fine, because that was how she liked it. Black and strong.

It's rude. Then he cuts his coffee cake with a ruler. I'm just not seeing the appeal here.


But you said this book surprised you, Carmen.

Yeah. Even though I didn't like the two main characters very much, and I bought their love story even less, I was worried and anxious when they were threatened by outside forces. As you know from my review of One of a Kind Dad, Ian, Mike, and Daniel are not blood-brothers. They became brothers, and even changed all their last names to the same one (Foster), after they became adults and got out of juvie and the foster care system. What happens when that is threatened to be exposed? Also, what will happen when Ian's horrible alcoholic mom shows up again? Is Tansy's political career and asshole father going to kill any chance of Ian being with her?

I was surprised to find that I actually cared about the answers to these questions. So, I can't give this book one star, despite its problems.

Also, this is one of the RARE, RARE romance novels where I feel like the hero and heroine break up for actually good reasons that make sense. Before the big reuniting at the end. Most romance novels invent some bullshit excuse why they can't 'be together.' But in here, it was actually valid. Points.


Why is this book called Dream Daddy?

The answer to this comes out of left field suddenly at 89%. Very tacked on. It was as if Thompson were struggling to come up with some excuse for the 'Daddy' part of the title.


HOW'S THE SEX, CARMEN?

Bland, vague, and undescribed.

Condoms are used, which is good. Another thing I liked is that the MCs have sex multiple times (only the first time is on-page) but it's not one of these books where the MCs have sex and then just stop having sex for no reason for weeks.

I also like how Ian waits to get permission from Tansy before kissing her a second time.

When she drew closer to him, Ian's breath quickened. He realized he wasn't listening to her, that his mind was on nothing but her mouth, her scent, her small body he wanted so badly to hold.

"...all right," she said.

"Sorry..."

"It's all right to kiss me."

The shock made him whirl toward her. Her lips parted, and he accepted the gift she gave him.


I'm cringing at this writing, but I do appreciate the concept.

Here's the sex, you can see how bland, vague, and undescribed it is.

Ian had been thinking about making love with Tansy since he'd arrived at her apartment. Actually, he'd been thinking about it before then. In fact, since meeting her, he'd spent pretty much all of his time thinking about ravishing her.

*Carmen snorts* Ha! Ravishing her. That's rich.

He leaned down and returned her kiss, then shifted them slightly until they sat on the sofa. Once settled, he started to draw Tansy closer, but as usual, she beat him to it. She scooted until she was sitting on his lap, facing him. Somehow she managed to do this without breaking the kiss.

Tansy Appletree was one talented lady.

Ian wrapped his arms around her and deepened the kiss, sliding his tongue inside her mouth to meet hers. Tansy murmured a little sound that he took for approval since she pressed herself closer to him. She wove her fingers through his hair, holding him to her as though she'd never let him go.

He had no idea how long they kissed, but finally, he couldn't take any more. He let her go and leaned his forehead against hers.

"I'm sorry. This is getting out of hand."

His breathing was ragged, as was hers. She nodded. "Yes, it is." She slid off his lap and took his hand. "Come on. Let's move to the bedroom."

It was the last thing Ian had expected her to say. "Are you sure?"

Tansy's smile convinced him she was completely sure. It was all the invitation he needed. He stood and took her hand, following her through the narrow hallway to the bedroom in the back. Once there, he wanted to tell her how beautiful she was, how desirable, but he couldn't come up with the words.

Thankfully, Tansy didn't seem to want to talk. She started kissing him again, and soon they were both on the bed, their fingers fumbling with each other's clothes. He kissed and caressed her carefully, slowly, wanting her to know she was special, that she meant a lot to him. He'd never been a man who was good with words, but he was good with his hands, so he showed Tansy exactly how he felt about her.


DESCRIBE, PLEASE.

When they were both frantic with need, he took the condom she offered him, then joined them swiftly. Their lovemaking was intense and powerful, and when it was over, Ian realized something remarkable had happened here tonight.

DESCRIPTION. WHY IS THERE NO DESCRIPTION?

For the first time in his life, he hadn't just had sex, he'd made love. It was a powerful feeling, one he liked.

Still not buying this man having sex, in the past or now.

He gathered Tansy close, covered them with the blanket they'd kicked to the floor in their passion, then fell asleep.

You can see why I am not excited about this sex.


TL;DR Actually got involved in these people's problems despite my better judgment. Even though this got off to a dismal start, I actually was rooting for these two to make it by the end. I did not particularly like either of them, nor did I believe that they would fall in love or want to have sex with each other, which is why this is only getting two stars.

ROMANCE CATEGORIES:
Contemporary Romance
Cowboy/Western Romance
Non-Virgin Heroine


*The reason my grammar is off in this review is because "Daly Thompson" is actually two people, not one.
Profile Image for Kay.
1,937 reviews123 followers
July 16, 2012
4 Stars ~ It takes a letter from the IRS announcing an impending audit to put Ian in a panic. Not because he's cheated on the family corporate taxes, but because his old fashioned bookkeeping may not be good enough. So the reclusive sheep farmer / business manager is forced to hire the Town Mayor / private tax accountant. Tansy has always been intrigued by the youngest, gloomiest Foster brother, so when Ian seeks her help in updating his books, she's happy to. As Mayor, Tansy's working on a fund raising festival to help repair the Town Hall. She uses her persuasive skills on Ian, and soon he's agreeing to help with the festival. And when she finds his hidden studio with all his glorious paintings, she uses her skills again along with his family's, to get him to sell them at the festival. Ian's hates being in the limelight but he can't seem to refuse Tansy. Working together brings them closer and just when he thinks he can have a future with her, his past catches up to chase his dreams away.

This is the last of the Foster brother trilogy, and throughout Ian has been the dark horse, the one with the solemn and reclusive nature. But like his brothers, he has a sensitive and caring heart, he just hates to show it. Tansy is just the firecracker to put some spark into Ian's life. I liked how she wriggled into his life and how he finds himself enjoying it. They say opposites attract, and in Ian and Tansy's case their attraction is powerful. I loved reading their journey to a HEA.

This trilogy is character rich, both in heroes and heroines but especially in the secondary characters who make up the Foster clan and the community. I'd love to read more about the people in Serenity Valley.
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