Spicy, Sweet, And Swoon-Worthy: The Best Single Dad Romance Reads

There’s just something about a hot single dad finding love that makes my heart do a little happy dance. I mean, come on—watching a guy who’s completely devoted to his kid(s) stumble headfirst into romance? Swoon. Whether he’s the broody, overprotective type or the sweet, playful dad who reads bedtime stories with all the voices, it’s impossible not to fall for him right along with the love interest.

These stories have everything—slow-burn tension, undeniable chemistry, and those little moments that hit you right in the feels. Maybe he wasn’t expecting to fall, but fate (and probably an adorable, meddling kid) had other plans. Whether it’s the nanny, his best friend, or the one woman he never saw coming, the build-up is always top-tier. And let’s be real—the moments are what make these books so freaking good. The accidental hand touches, the lingering eye contact, the way he softens when love sneaks up on him. It’s the perfect mix of heart-melting sweetness and holy hell, that was hot spice, reminding us all why we can’t resist a single dad romance.

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Forbidden Hearts

About this book: When carefree and determined Everly takes a summer nanny job, she never expects her biggest challenge to be her broody boss. Sheriff Asher Whitlock has piercing blue eyes, a rock-hard body, and a no-nonsense attitude that tests her control. Staying professional becomes way harder than it should be with their undeniable chemistry heating up every interaction. Despite reasons to stay away—like their fourteen-year age gap and his high-pressure job—they keep crossing the line. Oh, and her dad just happens to be his boss, making things even more complicated. But Everly’s past holds secrets that threaten to unravel everything between them. Walking away might be the only option she has left.

the newspaper nanny

About this book: Landing my dream job as a nanny seemed like fate—until I realized my new boss was Liam Cartright, the grumpiest, most infuriating hockey coach in the NHL. Stubborn, demanding, and impossible to please, he had me questioning my life choices from day one. But then I met his two little girls, and suddenly, quitting wasn’t an option. As much as I tried to keep things professional, lines started to blur. Beneath Liam’s rough exterior was a devoted father, and the more I saw of the man behind the scowl, the harder it became to resist him. One stolen kiss turned into something much bigger, and now, I’m stuck playing a dangerous game—one where my heart is on the line, and Liam is the one making all the rules.

all rhodes lead here

About this book: Aurora De La Torre never expected to start over in the place that holds her most bittersweet memories—Pagosa Springs, Colorado. After a painful breakup with her longtime musician boyfriend, escaping to the quiet mountains feels like the perfect plan. What she doesn’t expect? The garage apartment she rented wasn’t actually available—at least, not according to its gruff owner. Tobias Rhodes is brooding, distant, and less than thrilled about his unexpected new tenant. His teenage son, Amos, secretly orchestrated the entire situation, leaving Rhodes frustrated and annoyed. But despite his grumpy attitude, Aurora slowly breaks through the walls he’s built. Through long hikes, late-night talks, and unexpected moments, resistance turns into something deeper. Before long, Aurora realizes the least expected path sometimes leads exactly where you’re meant to be.

beating heart

About this book: From the moment my son was born, he became my world—my purpose, my reason, my heart. Running a business and being a great dad keeps me too busy for distractions. But then Emerson Chadwick arrives in town and turns my life upside down. She’s gorgeous, brilliant, and completely off-limits for more reasons than one. Not only is she the new pediatrician my son adores, but she’s also not here to stay. To make things worse, she’s my new next-door neighbor, making avoidance impossible. No matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to stay away. What started as a complication quickly turns into something much deeper. But loving someone who plans to leave? That’s a risk I never expected—until my heart decided otherwise.

sweet temptation

About this book: A gripping arranged marriage mafia romance that delivers tension, passion, and heart in equal measure. Cassio Moretti is a ruthless underboss, recently widowed and struggling to rule Philadelphia while raising two young children. Duty demands he remarry—not for love, but for stability, tradition, and a mother figure in his home. Enter Giulia, his much younger, wide-eyed fiancée, thrust into a world darker than she imagined. Cassio sees her as an obligation, but Giulia refuses to be just a pawn in his life. Determined to claim her place, she challenges him in ways no one else dares. What starts as a cold, distant arrangement slowly turns into something unexpected. Their fiery clashes spark undeniable attraction, and a slow-burning connection begins to form. But in a world where power means everything, can love truly survive?

bourbon & secrets

About this book: Lincoln Foxx has spent years burying secrets—along with his late wife. As a single dad, his world revolves around his daughters. Crafting the best bourbon in Fiasco, Kentucky, keeps him busy, and love isn’t part of his plans. But when Faye Calloway returns, looking nothing like a cop and everything like temptation, Lincoln knows trouble has arrived. He once ran her out of town, but now she’s back with secrets of her own. Her past refuses to stay buried, and she’s bold, sharp-tongued, and impossible to ignore. Despite every reason to keep his distance, Lincoln feels drawn to her. In a town full of whispered rumors and dangerous truths, some secrets refuse to stay buried. The closer Lincoln and Faye get, the more the past threatens to destroy them both.

funny feelings

About this book: Farley Jones is a rising stand-up comedian, known for her chaotic energy, razor-sharp wit, and a knack for making people laugh. The only person who seems immune to her charms? Her grumpy, ridiculously hot manager, Meyer Harrigan—who also happens to be her closest friend. Meyer, a former comedian turned single dad, left the spotlight years ago to focus on raising his deaf daughter, Hazel. He’s been Farley’s rock, her biggest supporter, and the one man she’s secretly in love with. When a career-changing opportunity forces them to fake-date for publicity, their “act” quickly starts feeling a little too real. As lines blur and years of hidden feelings bubble to the surface, Farley and Meyer must decide if they’re willing to risk their friendship for something more.

mad love

About this book: Weston Shaw isn’t just a star quarterback—he’s also a single dad and, thanks to some unexpected circumstances, now her roommate. For years, she’s resented him, believing him to be nothing more than an arrogant athlete. But their connection runs deeper than she’s ever let on, tied together by his son, Caleb, and a past that was never hers to share. Now, forced to live under the same roof, she begins to see Weston in a whole new light. He’s not just the football legend she once admired or the man she swore to avoid—he’s caring, protective, and far more irresistible than she ever imagined. Falling for him was never part of the plan, but the more time they spend together, the harder it is to resist.

secret love

About this book: Who meets their soulmate while shopping for bagels in a supermarket bakery aisle? Before moving to Silver Hills, she’d say no one. But the moment she sees Henley Ward, she’s completely captivated. Tall, strong, and undeniably handsome, he steals her breath with instant chemistry and playful banter. Just when she thinks she’s found something special, fate twists everything. Henley isn’t just a gorgeous stranger—he’s a devoted father and fiercely protective man. When he storms into her classroom to defend his daughter, she sees a new side of him. Their connection deepens in secret, stolen moments in his kitchen and whispered affections. But as their hidden romance intensifies, reality looms over them. With her career at risk and his responsibilities growing, their love faces the ultimate test.

look the part

About this book: Flint Hopkins thought he had found the perfect tenant for the space above his Minneapolis law office—until he realized Ellen Rodgers wasn’t just a quiet, respectable music therapist, but a full-blown, instrument-playing, constantly humming force of nature. The no-nonsense attorney is determined to evict the cheerful redhead with her bongos, guitars, and maddeningly infectious energy, but fate has other plans. His autistic son, Harrison, takes an immediate liking to Ellen, her music, and—much to Flint’s horror—her pet rats. As much as he tries to push her away, Ellen’s warmth and touchy-feely ways begin to break down his walls, forcing him to confront emotions he’s buried for years. Their fiery clashes soon turn into something much deeper—something beautiful, heartbreaking, and impossible to ignore.

caught up

About this book: Kai Rhodes is a single dad and the star pitcher for Chicago’s MLB team. His packed schedule leaves little time for distractions. Stubborn and resistant to help, he’s been through countless nannies without finding the right fit. That changes when his coach forces his daughter, Miller Montgomery, into the role. She’s the last person Kai should fall for—too young, too carefree, and only in town for summer. But as Miller brings fun back into his home, Kai dreads the day she leaves. Meanwhile, Miller, a pastry chef battling creative burnout, takes the job as a temporary escape. What starts as a summer gig quickly turns into something much deeper. With time running out, Miller must decide if she’s done running—or if love is just another thing she can’t let catch her.

heart-less

About this book: Cade Eaton is a grumpy, no-nonsense cowboy with a heart locked up tighter than his family’s ranch. Willa Grant is the carefree, fiery nanny who crashes into his world, ready to shake things up for the summer. At first, Cade barely spares her a glance—until one late-night game of truth or dare changes everything. Suddenly, the gruff, brooding rancher can’t seem to stay away. Willa knows she shouldn’t get too close—he’s older, emotionally unavailable, and oh yeah, her boss. But beneath his tough exterior is a man who cares more deeply than he lets on, and when she sees the way he loves his son, staying unattached becomes impossible. Cade was once told he wasn’t enough, but in his arms, Willa has never felt more wanted. Their time together is supposed to be temporary, but the heart doesn’t follow contracts—and Willa is starting to believe some love stories are meant to last forever.