Cover Image: Down Too Deep

Down Too Deep

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

„I wanted to be the first person she thought of an any given moment, because she was quickly becoming mine."


I’m swooning so hard right now! I have a weak spot for single parents in my romances and J. Daniels delivered one of the best stories with this trope I’ve read! Down Too Deep is such a sweet and adorable book! So heartwarming and soul-gripping. I loved everything here- the storyline, main characters, the kids (you’re gonna burst from cuteness when you’ll meet them!), the chemistry… I could go on all day! This book is a part of Dirty Deeds series, but you can read it as a complete standalone, so don’t waste your time and do it asap!


Nate is a widower, single father and a workaholic. He blames himself partially for his wife’s death and he’s trying to distract himself from the grief by working all the time. Unfortunately the way he’s coping created a distance between him and his little daughter. So when his parents refused to help him anymore, he was desperate to find a nanny. And that’s how Jenna entered his life. But he didn’t expect that this single mother of twins will turn his life upside down! But that shouldn’t be shocking- Jenna is such a kind-hearted, caring and loving woman! She was exactly, what he needed and vice versa. Jenna was content with her life. Everything was in its place except for romance. So there’s no surprise that after she fell in love with her new little ward, she also fell for her father. It was guaranteed, considering the sizzling chemistry and palpable lust between these two. And oh my, Nate and Jenna’s romance completely melted my heart!


This story is lovely, charming and delightful. You’re gonna swoon all the swoons! I loved every single sentence in this book. I adore J. Daniels’s writing- her stories are sweet, but they also carry emotional depth, without being overwhelming. Down Too Deep is a great addition to Dirty Deeds series and I highly recommend this title!

Was this review helpful?

An amazingly heartwarming story that will have you completely engrossed and unable to put it down.
If you have read the others in this series then, like me, you have been dying to get your hands on Nathan and Jenna's story. Well I can honestly say that you will not be disappointed. I love love loved it and the wait was totally worth it.
This one gave me all the feels and I couldn't help but fall in love with these amazing characters. Down Too Deep is a perfect example of why I love Daniels writing and auto one-click everything she writes. While it can be read as a standalone I do highly recommend that you pick up the others in this series as well. They are all absolutely phenomenal!

Was this review helpful?

4.5 Stars

This is my first J Daniels read and I will be looking at her backlist. Likely starting with the rest of this series. I was totally able to read this book as a standalone and not feel completely lost.

This books is a wonderful sweet romance that builds on a bond and friendship that revolves around their children. Jenna has a soul deep need as a caregiver, who loves all children. So it wasn't a surprise when she offered to help a lost single dad out. She could see his want to connect with his sweet girl.

Nate has allowed his workaholic ways take over his life since the death of his wife two years ago. Unable to connect with his baby girl the way he really wanted to. But grief does strange things to us and he was drowning in it. Thanks to a final wake up call from his parents he is forced to make some changes.

Jenna and Nate had a quick connection but they were very focused on all the children. Not only was Nate learning to connect with his daughter, but he was drawn to Jenna's twins. The children in this book play a big part in the book.

While there was lots of sad emotions in this read, there was also a tonne of fun and humor as well. I found it had to put this one down as I was falling in love with Oliver, Olivia and Marley.

*** advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review. ***

Was this review helpful?

Ever since the death of his wife Nathan has tried to handle his grief by spending way too many hours at the restaurant he owns and leaving the raising of his two year old daughter Marley to his parents. He now finds himself in a pickle as although his parents love Marley, they are no longer prepared to be her primary caregivers so now Nathan must step up and give his daughter the love and attention she needs and deserves.

Jenna is a single mother to eight year twins who happens to be at the diner when she meets and falls in love with Marley. She offers to help look after Marley and not only do she and her kids become close with Marley, but they help Nathan build a beautiful relationship with her as well. It is only a matter of time before the adults start to develop deep feelings for each other as well but is Nathan ready to let another woman into his life?

Equal parts sweet and sexy it was magical to see their relationship unfold complete with hot chemistry and all the feels. The children were great characters in their own rights and seeing them all as a family is enough to melt your heart.

Was this review helpful?

It's definitely well overdue since my last J. Daniels reads and from this series! Down Too Deep was a great point to jump back into this series again. I still need to read Bad For You in the Dirty Deeds series, but they're all standalone reads, so I was OK.

Man, what an emotional read this one turned out to be. Even after reading the synopsis, it didn't prepare me for anything that was to come. In this one, we have two single parents, I don't normally gravitate towards this trope, but I've read a few great ones this year.

My heart quickly broke for Nate, it was tough to see how much he was grieving over the death of his wife. And trying to balance being a father to the sweetest baby, Marley. Everything was becoming too much for him, but Jenna swooped in at the exact right moment.

I loved how selfless Jenna was, when it came to Nate and Marley. There's definitely something instant between, a connection that only so many people can have.

J. Daniels truly did a phenomenal job writing their kids into the story, they were such a pivotal part and really made this read wholesome. I loved the budding friendship that began to form between Nate and Jenna. And eventually turning into something so much more.

Have your tissues ready, everyone! You'll definitely need it with this amazing read!

Was this review helpful?

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. 


I didn't realize this was the fourth book in a series until I was setting up the release post for this book.  You definitely don't have to read the others for this book to make sense.  I wasn't lost at all and obviously didn't know there were others connected.  


Down Too Deep features two single parents - Jenna and Nathan.  She works from home and he owns a restaurant. They meet by chance but it's one of his employees that suggests Jenna take a chance on getting to know Nate, as he's known to his friends/employees.


Each have their own issues with being a single parent.  Jenna has the upper hand as she's raised twins by herself since birth and can easily take on his toddler to give Nate a hand until he hires more help at the restaurant. 


These two realize they have a mutual attraction but they must be careful acting on it because of the children.  I think the author did a great job here with setting up their relationship and how everything transpired thereafter.   


This story is easy to read and I found it to be face paced.  Nate and Jenna's story is very realistic.  They could be your next door neighbors or your kids friends from school's parents.

Was this review helpful?

Nate has been lost for the last two years since his wife died. He has pushed everyone that he loved away and it about broke my heart to see his daughter Marley shy away from him. She really doesn't know him and he doesn't know her. When he doesn't have a choice but to start paying attention to her and taking care of her, he realizes very fast that he's way over his head.

When Jenna is out to eat with her twins, Olivia and Oliver (LOVE these two) she meets Marley in the restaurant. When she goes to take her back to Nate's office she ends up offering to help out and start watching her until he can find someone else.

In the next few months both families grow to love one another but will Nate blow it? Will he be able to let the past go and open his heart all the way to Jenna and her kids or will he ruin it? Will he push her away? Will it be too much for Jenna?

This book will pull at your heartstrings!!! I REALLY need to go and read the rest in the series!!

Was this review helpful?

Down Too Deep is the story of 2 single parents and their adorable children! Nathan's wife passed away and he handed his daughter off to his parents. Now, they are demanding he step back in and take care of his child. After seeing Nathan struggle with his daughter, Marley, Jenna offers to help. She can see he is overwhelmed and about to break.

I will admit I was a little judgmental of Nathan. His wife died and that was tragic, but he abandoned his daughter with his parents for 2 years!!!!! He missed the first 2 years of her life! I just struggled with the sheer selfishness of that decision, even with his grief. Jenna is like a gift from God. She has a job that allows her to work from home in the summers so she can watch her twin 8 year olds. She offers to help Nathan with Marley because she can see how desperate he is. He doesn't even know the simplest thing about Marley's likes or dislikes.

Jenna, Oliver and Olivia were sheer joy! Olivia's note taking was super cute and Oliver is the most patient 8 year old boy ever. Marley is like every toddler-always on the go, a little in love with the word no, and so cute everyone is wrapped around her finger!

The relationship between Jenna and Nathan in Down Too Deep is obviously a slower building relationship. There is attraction right away, but both of them have a lot on their plates. Nathan is working every day and still trying to learn to be a parent and a widower. Jenna's ex is not in the picture and she is wary of love. Nate seems very smitten with Jenna, but he is still wrestling with his own demons over his wife's death.

Down Too Deep is full of deep emotions: guilt and love top among them. The addition of the children kept the book light in parts and that balanced out some of the really painful things Nate and Jenna were dealing with.

Was this review helpful?

Prepare yourself to feel absolutely everything when you read one of my favorite books of 2019 — J. Daniels’ Down too Deep. You do not want to miss this emotional, sexy, and utterly sigh-worthy romance in which a tortured single dad, Nate, finds redemption and love again with an endearing single mom, Jenna, and her adorable twins. Their relationship begins when Jenna offers to help Nate by babysitting his daughter, and she’s a life raft to him. He’s been struggling to deal with guilt over his wife death two years ago while also trying to manage parenting by himself and running his busy restaurant. He and Jenna have an awkward beginning that quickly turns into an easy, supportive friendship, and although they are extremely attracted to one another, Nate is still holds back. But Jenna proves to be exactly the catalyst he needs to heal, and he is certain to be on a lot of book-boyfriend lists this year. Their three children add charm and a ton of heart to this absolutely captivating romance, and I cannot recommend Down too Deep enough.

Was this review helpful?

Nate, my heartbreaker, dream maker I’ve been waiting for you and you did not disappoint. Sexy dad alert. Swoonnnnnn. Jenna is strong, sweet, and ready for her happily ever after. AND THOSE KIDS... melting my heart like no other.

What do you get when you bring together a widow, a single mom, and three adorable kids? All the feels! I could have highlighted the entire novel as memorable. Daniel’s really does go deep with Nate and Jenna and it was everything I hoped it would be. Their story is not at all predictable. I thought I knew what to expect and I was so surprised to find many layers to their story. These two are not messing around. Down Too Deep is rich with emotion and heart. It moves through heartbreak, disappointment, forgiveness and on to soul deep connections filled with love and staying power. For me it is the perfect ending to an unforgettable series about family. The family you’re born into and the family you choose.

I’m sad to say goodbye to the Dogwood Beach crew. It’s safe to say I’ll be revisiting them often.

Was this review helpful?

This series is the best and each book is getting better and
better!With this story J Daniels takes the readers in an emotional and intense roller coaster!

Get ready because this book will touch you and make you fall in love with these characters that are going to stole your heart!My heart is so full right now so many emotions!


“I keep holding back with you. Can you tell?” Nathan bent his arm and braced it on the door above my head, his finger slowly gliding over my hand, my wrist, the sides of my elbow. “It’s not because I don’t want something to happen. There is little I’ve wanted more than this."

Watching Jenna fall in love with Nate was heartwarming and emotional! This was a poignant story about finding love again and healing!

Was this review helpful?

I AM SO OBSESSED!!!! J Daniels KILLED IT! There’s no words for how AMAZING this book was. Hands down my favorite in the series and that’s saying a lot because I loved all the books in this series.

Single parent romances hits me right in the feels. Bring a kid or in this case kids into a story and I’m dead. I was sucked into from page one, I started it while at work and COULDN’T STOP!

Nathan and Jenna made my heart bleed. My heart hurt and then finally smiled so much. The epilogue was perfect. I know I’m gushing, because seriously it was perfect. We got to see the such a well developed story. The characters captured my heart. I was happy to see the whole crew involved.

I WANT THIS SERIES MADE INTO A SHOW!!!! I want more! J Daniels, give me more!

Was this review helpful?

6 stars

You know when you wait forever for something, have all this build up in your head about how amazing it's going to be, and then it finally comes and is a complete letdown? I was honestly terrified that's what was going to happen when I read this book. I have been waiting for Nate's story for literally years and it was my most anticipated book of 2019. So I was definitely a bit nervous going in, but I should have known there was no reason to doubt J. Daniels. She's delivered another incredible story, and it was even better than I could have imagined.

I absolutely love single parent stories, so getting a double dose from one of my favorite authors is the ultimate gift. Nate & Jenna were like the yin & yang of parenting, Nate struggling to figure out how to be a father and Jenna having perfected raising twins all on her own. Their chemistry is off the charts, and no matter how hard they fight it their attraction is magnetic. But relationships on their own are messy, and when you add kids to the mix they become infinitely more complicated.

I've written and rewritten this review multiple times, and I just can't seem to get it right. I don't want to give it all away, and I don't want to say too little. I want to shout from the rooftops how much I love this story, and I also want to let everyone experience it for themselves

So what I will say is this - Down Too Deep is an incredible, heartwarming and beautifully written story. It is honest and raw, and explores the deep bonds of love. You will smile & laugh, cry & scream, and in the end, I hope, fall absolutely in love with these characters. I don't think I could love Nate & Jenna more if I tried, and Marley, Oliver & Olivia were absolutely perfect.

My most anticipated book of 2019 has now become my favorite of 2019, and my favorite from J Daniels. I hope you love it as much as I do, and I hope to see these characters again soon!

Was this review helpful?

Reviewing on behalf of Relentless Book Chics Ramblings and Reviews

A sweet and heart warming romance

I’m a huge fan of this author and since reading the previous 3 books in this series, I couldn’t wait to read this one.

Nate owns a popular restaurant called Whitecaps and since the tragic death of his wife, he’s thrown himself into his business but has ignored his daughter, leaving his parents to raise her. They finally show him some tough love and announce they’re going away and he’ll have to learn how to take care of Marley himself. Juggling a toddler and a business is a nightmare but one night he’s offered a lifeline when a customer called Jenna offers to take care of Marley during the summer.

Jenna is a working single mom to Oliver and Olivia and although she’s happily raised them alone, she’s recently moved near her brother so she has some family support. One night when she’s eating at Whitecaps with her kids, an adorable little girl wanders over to their table and when she sees how busy the waitress is, she offers to take her back to her dad. Seeing how stressed Nate is, she offers to look after Marley and he instantly agrees. Every day that Jenna spends with Marley makes her fall in love with her a little bit more and her kids feel the same.

As the weeks go by, Jenna sees a change in Nate and the bond she has with his daughter strengthens but so do her feelings for him. Nate feels more like his old self and has fallen in love with his daughter all over again thanks to the support and guidance from Jenna. She’s become so much more than a nanny and her kids have a special place in his heart; they feel like a family. When the summer is over, will they go their separate ways or will Nate be ready to open his heart and allow someone new to love him?

I loved this story. It was full of emotions and was a bittersweet romance. Nate was instantly likable and he was honest about how much he was struggling and needed help. Jenna was so sweet and such a caring person who wanted to do anything she could to help. The kids were all adorable and it was great to catch up with all the couples from the previous books. I would definitely recommend this story and it’s my favourite in this series.

Was this review helpful?

What are these feelings!? It has been some TIME since I've gotten so wrapped up in a book and it's literally giving me everything. Within the first couple chapters of Down Too Deep, I was ALL IN! That giddiness factor, YES. Swoons? YES. Did I also cry? YES.

I connected immediately with these characters even though there lives are so unlike my own. Nathan is completely struggling to parent his young daughter after his wife's suicide and watching him slowly learn to become a father was just... ah! There was something about him being so lost, wanting to be a dad but having no clue how to get there. Jenna, mom of twins, sees his struggle and offers him help by babysitting. She slowly starts teaching him how to love his daughter and receive love as well. Queue more swoons!!

When sparks start to fly between Nate and Jenna, I mean COME ON! LOVED. The flirt is witty and teasing, the passion is unreal, the steam is perfection. MAJOR HEART EYES!

When you hit the climax of this book though… not a dry damn eye. I felt the heartbreak so solidly as if it were happening to me, J. Daniels writes with such beautiful emotion.

Was this review helpful?

It was my first book by this author and I'm excited I discovered her because her words sucked me in! what an amazing story!

Was this review helpful?

This is the story my heart was wanting to read right now. Two Fractured souls who needed one another to become whole again. Nathan, I man who feels everything but doesn't know how to direct his feelings. Jenna, self assured raising twins on her own. Nate's baby daughter Marley acts as the catalyst in bringing this family together. Family is who you choose not just what you are given. Loved this story that will put you thru the ringer but will leave you with a smile on your face.

Was this review helpful?

Down Too Deep by J. Daniels is book 4 in the Dirty Deeds Series. This is the story of Nathan Bell and Jenna Savage. I had read the previous book but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so. Nathan is a widower with a two year old daughter Marley. Nathan also is a busy man with his work but suffers from guilt too. Jenna is a single mom of two twins Oliver and Olivia. Jenna ends up helping Nathan by babysitting his daughter which starts their growing process of being friends then of course more. This book has the funny parts, the hot parts and the heart parts of blending families. Enjoyed their story.

Was this review helpful?

This was actually my first read from this author and I really love it.

A great touching emotional read. Two single parents, three beautiful children and an exceptional story on love and family. This story was very honest and emotional and it showcased a man's deep love for his little girl and the woman who steadfastly shook up his entire world to steady his.

I just loved Nathan so much. Nathan had too overcome a tragic loss but thanks to the trio of Jenna and her twins this was more easy for Nate. It felt like this three were sent to help him deal with his sadness and put him back together. The relationship between the twins and Nate was the sweetest and so was Jenna and Marley. Nata’s little girl Marley was so precious. You could feel the immense love that grew between them all.

I was hook into the life of Jenna and her twins Olivia and Oliver. Plus Nathan and his daughter Marley stole my heart. Having this story involving this whole pack of incredible cute characters was the thing I love the most about this book. The kids brought so many smiles with their innocence and curiosity.

The only reason I couldn’t give this book 5 stars was because of the pace of the story. It is a little on the slower side

Was this review helpful?

Down Too Deep was an AMAZING story! It was sweet, entertaining, emotional, and raw. I absolutely loved Jenna and Nathan but I have to say, the kids were heart-stopping adorable and they stole the show.

I love it when I pick up a book and everything around me fades away. Right from the start, I was pulled into the story. I was torn between tearing up and smiling as everything developed. I loved learning about Nate and Jenna, I thought they both had wonderful character development. I loved them meeting, how their friendship formed, and the underlying flirting that was happening. I adored the build to them getting to know each other, opening up and sharing. Jenna was incredible, so caring and selfless, and loved with her whole heart. Nathan was a wonderful character. He was broken and lost, going through so much. I loved watching him heal, fall in love with Marley all over again and with Jenna and her children. Talk about a story that's full of healing and second chances, this one made my heart burst.

The secondary characters involved where great, I loved seeing old favorites and getting brief recaps of what everyone in the series is up to. I have to say however, the kids were perfection. Every single moment, every single scene, these children warmed my heart and made me fall madly in love with them. I loved all the different bonds and relationships happening, and all the different dynamics. It was spectacular.

This had everything that makes a story truly incredible for me. There were so many great moments that had me smiling. There was awesome chemistry between Nate and Jenna that had me excited and filled with anticipation. They had a wonderful building heat that when exploded, was on fire. It had so much emotion, I had a hard time not crying my eyes out.

This was one of my most highly anticipated reads this year. I was expecting a lot, I wanted to be wowed because I am so in love with this series… this story far exceeded my expectations. Down Too Deep is officially a favorite.

Was this review helpful?