Thank you to @readforeverpub for the eARC of this book! I really enjoyed this story. It has a very similar premise to the movie Life As We Know It (starring Heigl and Duhamel). I would say that the characterization and the actual plot details diverge significantly from the book. I liked both that movie and this book a lot! The book was a good mix of sweet, slow-burn romance and emotional moments inherent in the premise of the story.

At the beginning of this book, I really didn’t like Rip, because I felt he was too hard on Colby. I appreciated that he showed growth and realized that he had been too harsh and I was able to root for them as a couple after that. Rip preferred his life orderly and organized and it was lovely to watch him embrace that sometimes the messier things in life are what can make it so great.

Colby is a lovely character. While she may not have her household tasks down to perfection, she loved and cared for people deeply, which was exactly what two grieving children who lost their parents needed. She was wonderful with them and in her gradual romance with Rip.

I appreciated that this story didn’t shy away from the hard moments and the grief. The premise is a sad one, and I think it showed Colby and Rip becoming a family with the kids in a beautiful way while acknowledging that they would have rather had their friends still be alive. I think the grief is a stronger aspect of this story than in the similar movie, which makes sense since we are in the characters’ heads here and get to read their thoughts.

I really liked this! It comes out on July 19th, so it will be available soon if you want to read it. I thought it was a good mix of emotional and fun.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I had never read Rachel Van Dyken before, but The Godparent Trap looked like an intriguing book. And while it tackles some tough topics, like dealing with grief and loss in the wake of losing people close to you suddenly, it does so with a light and humorous touch, especially given the odd-couple setup at the start.
There’s often been a bit of a dividing line between what constitutes a “romcom” book and film, but this is one of the few that bridges that gap. The prose style has some truly cinematic moments, from a cold-open prologue in a moment of crisis, and then flashing back to how things all began to build up to that moment. And there are some quirky turns of phrase to the characters’ respective inner monologues that jump off the page in their voices, and it would be easy to imagine it as exposition for a film. The fact that the plot also vaguely resembles the film, Life As We Know It, is a bonus,
I really like the dynamic between Rip and Colby. They seem like a very unlikely pair, but it becomes more and more clear over the course of the book that they aren’t. Rip is a bit of a hard-ass at first, but he comes to a realization that he hurt Colby’s feelings, and as reckless as Colby is, his sister (and her best friend) was very similar. I also like the revelation of their past together, where they almost were a thing, and how Rip has mused on what it would be like to be more carefree, like Colby.
And despite her different approach, Colby is trying. She’s dealing with the situation she’s been thrust in the best she knows how, while also reckoning with her grief. And while he’s more guarded about it at first, Rip is ultimately trying to do the same. The combination of their mutual loss and love for the children, plus the feelings that always had potential to grow had they given it a chance lead to them forging a bond that I couldn’t help but root for.
This is a super-sweet, heartfelt read, and I’d recommend it to anyone who loves romantic comedies with a great balance of humor and heart.

This book was sad, funny, and happy in turns. The main characters, Colby and Rip, have been frenemies for years, until her best friend and Tip’s sister, died with her husband in a terrible accident. Colby and Tip become the guardians of their two children, and move into the house together. Colby makes her living traveling and blogging about restaurants. Rip is a hyper organized accountant, and they both find their lives turned upside down.

As they figure out their new lives as the parents of two grieving children, their animosity towards each morphs into affection and more.

I really like how real the ups and downs are as they figure out how to be parents. It’s touching to see how much they care about the kids and how willing they are to make drastic changes to their lives. 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Life's Too Short meets The Unhoneymooners in this sparkling, steamy, and swoon-worthy novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken, in which two sworn enemies must share house, home—and maybe their hearts—when they become co-parents after a sudden loss.

Colby's living her best life: as a popular food blogger, she gets to fulfill her dreams of exploring the globe. But her world comes crashing down when a tragic accident leaves her co-guardian of her best friend's two adorable children. Not only does she need to put down roots—fast—but she'll be sharing custody with the one man she can't stand sharing a continent with, let alone a house.  

Accountant-extraordinaire Rip values rules and plans. But when he loses his sister and his best friend and becomes an insta-guardian all in one night, Rip sees his organized life imploding. What he really doesn't need is his sister's irresponsible, flighty—albeit kind and gorgeous—best friend making it worse.

Rip doesn't trust Colby to take their new responsibilities seriously, while Colby can't believe Rip thinks children will thrive under his rigid control. Yet soon Rip and Colby discover they need each other more than they hate each other. Could it be possible that following their hearts is just what their new little family needs?

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.

You had me at The Unhoneymooners meets Life Too Short!!! Two of my favs mashed into one book? You bet I'm reading it! This book was so much and cute and I can't wait to get my physical copy!

The Godparent trap follows the brief story of Colby and Rip who suddenly find themselves as co-guardians of two young children after their best friends (and Kip's sister) die in a tragic accident. Moving in together to care for the kids kindles a fire which hand been suppressed over the years they had know each other. If you are looking for a quick-paced Hallmark movie happy ending in the face of adversity rom-com, then this book will suit your needs and generate a few laughs along the way. I myself found it a little too fast considering the emotional rollercoaster the characters would have been facing and a bit lacking in depth of character development.

Thank you to Forever and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

When this book had a content warning for bullying, I didn’t think it meant the “hero” would bully the heroine. DNF.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

My toxic trait is watching a movie and wishing I could read the story as a book instead. This is true of most movies, but I first realized this about myself after watching Life As We Know It last year. Loved the concept of two enemies having to parent their mutual friend's baby after a tragic car accident, but it wasn't nearly as funny, romantic, or deep as I wanted it to be.

THE GODPARENT TRAP is described as Life As We Know It meets The Unhoneymooners, but it's actually just Life As We Know It in book form.

And it's everything I wished the movie was.

The hate-to-love was the exact right amount of hate and then love. The characters actually grieve, including the kids. Speaking of, there are two kids instead of the one, and the kids are three and five, so they contribute to the story and also have their own grief process. The banter is top-notch and the romance is both sweet and steamy—opposites attract perfection.

We also get flashbacks to develop Colby and Monica's friendship prior to the accident. Sometimes flashbacks hurt more than help a story, but I loved them here. It made the grief and loss more palpable and I sobbed. The movie gave me no connections to the parents at all, and if you know me at all, emotional attachment is my kryptonite. Rip and Monica are siblings, so we have another relationship to explore and another trope executed well (best friend's brother).

TW: death of best friend/sibling/parents, grief, car accident (detailed, on-page), burn injuries, vomiting

Okay enough comparing to the movie. We follow dual POVs, which is another favorite of mine, and I enjoyed both Rip (why are we naming male characters the weirdest things? Chest, Rake, what's next, Apple?) and Colby's POVs. The kids are both cute and realistic, because yes, those are mutually exclusive. Kids are cute from afar, but then you get up close and suddenly you have three different infections, stained clothing, a migraine, something stuck in your hair, and a trip to the ER.

We have a delightful side character with a name suspiciously like the dead father's (Brooks and Banks? Really?) who is basically the Charles Boyle to Rip's Jake Peralta, though Rip is nothing like Jake. Banks is much needed comic relief and someone I scarily saw myself in. An inability to shut up when working around friends? Throw away the mirror.

Weird names aside, I also couldn't give this book a full 5 stars—THOUGH I WANTED TO—because part of the ending felt unrealistic. The epilogue made up for it a bit, but I was reading with my face like this: 😐

A few flaws aside, I can see myself rereading this one. I know Van Dyken writes mafia romance mainly, but if one of her contemporary romances piques my interest, I will happily pick it up. She mastered the tropes used. The found family was the exact degree needed to melt your heart. 🫶🏼

Thank you to Valentine PR and Grand Central Publishing for the early copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I was torn when trying to decide the rating for my review. I liked Rip & Colby’s story but it was really close to the romantic comedy Life As We Know It.

Rip & Colby had terrific banter and chemistry. I enjoyed watching them trying to navigate their new world and taking care of children. I overall liked these characters & their story.

I voluntarily reviewed this book.

Nothing warms my Gritty-loving, defiant Philadelphian heart then a toddler whose limited grasp on grammar leaves her saying “youse,” so obviously The Godparent Trap was already off to a great start with just that adorable child.

The plot is familiar – two people who are at odds are left raising children together after an unspeakable tragedy. Rip loses his sister, Colby her best friend, and the kids both parents in one fell swoop, and these four people are left to try and figure out how to keep living and pick up the pieces. What I really appreciated about this version of that story was that neither of the new parent figures went through the struggle of not wanting to be responsible for the kids at all. Rip and Colby made a lot of mistakes, but they both threw themselves into trying to make life as easy and good and happy as possible for these heartbroken kids, and I think that’s what made this book so endearing.

The plot hits a lot of rom-com’s greatest hits: a fake date with someone else to make him jealous, his reaction when he sees her all dressed up, pining but thinking the other person doesn’t care because of a misunderstanding. And it’s all so much fun. I really liked these characters, and I liked watching them learn how to be together. I was genuinely happy for them – and the kids – when they got their happy ending.

Speaking of the kids, I was pleasantly surprised with how real they felt. A lot of times kids in fiction read too old and wise or are treated like babies when they’re not. These kids were, thankfully, pretty accurate, and their heartbreak was real and compelling. They added to the novel rather than detracting from it.

I will say that I thought Rip was a little TOO mean to Colby in the beginning, even once I knew the reason why. But it was fairly in line with the rest of his personality, so it didn’t ruin the book for me, and I was still rooting for him to get over himself and get the girl.

The Godparent Trap is a little of all the things.

It's emotional enough to hold my heart, but not so much that it crushes me.
It's funny with cute kids and lots of mistakes and hijinks
The hero is dreamy and so super grumpy
The side characters are the best.

I fell into this book in the evening and stayed up way past my bedtime binge reading this story of two people who are the Godparents to their best friends' kids. When they unexpectedly get custody of the kids, they must walk through grief and shift the focus of their life to raising their new family. Close proximity and more bring tension and heat to this story. He's so grumpy you have to love him and she's just enough of a mess that you cheer her on the entire book.

This lands at 4.5 for me!

Oh, my heart! If you're even the tiniest bit spiritual this book will touch your heart.
I cried, I laughed, and I cheered on Colby as she thawed out the stone cold Rip. Their back and forth barbs before the peace treaty was highly entertaining.


Colby and Rip are thrust together after her best friend and also Rip's sister and her husband die in a fatal car crash.
They've been awarded guardianship of their two children and now live together for the children.

Colby is a force of nature and exactly what Rip needs in his life while they navigate loss and parenting after loss.

Rip is a Cinnamon Roll hero and I seriously had a huge grin on my face when he started opening up and showing his sweet side.

Loved the spiritual nod to this rom-com and the butterfly references.

Thanks to NetGalley, Forever(Grand Central) Publishing, and Rachel Van Dyken for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was not sure what to think going into this book. It did pique my interest, but I didn’t know if the premise would grab me. I was wrong! It was one of the best books I have read in a while. I have had some books when it seemed to take me forever to get halfway. This just pulled me in and it was done before I knew it. I read it in one day.
I wasn’t completely on board with Rip in the beginning but his story and all the responsibilities he has had all explain themselves. It was nice to not dislike him in the end. I really liked Colby. Yes, she is a hot mess, but she realizes that she has room for growth and tries hard to do it. They do make a good team. As the saying goes, opposites attract.
I thought the kids were adorable. I am usually not a fan of romances with kids, but I loved the addition and how the kids were a large part of Rip and Colby finally really seeing each other.
I don’t like giving things away but be warned that there is family loss in this book. It was so well written that even though the characters were only slightly shown, the loss was hard and the flashbacks brought a little tear to my eye.
Would totally recommend this book!

When travel food blogger Colby and stick-in-the-mud accountant Rip unexpectedly become guardians of their best friends' kids after a tragic accident, the two learn to work together and about each other after years of getting on each others' nerves. With completely different parenting philosophies, a distrust for each other, and a lack of understanding, it's a recipe for disaster... or romance? Because underlying it all is the undeniable attraction between the two that their friends must have seen.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. The sad moments really hit and I liked the characters together--I binged the book in one sitting. But Rip's dated attitude and lack of understanding regarding what everything Colby was doing at home was hard to swallow. While I knew his comeuppance and awakening was coming, I still hated that he seemed so blind to how much work Colby was doing taking care of the children while he was at work.

Thanks for Forever for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4 stars - 8/10

From tragedy, hope and love can prosper. Colby and Rip have always been at odds. For Rip, Colby invaded his family unit which was only him and his sister, Monica, after their parents died. Colby always has a smile and lives life fiercely which scares Rip. But deep down, he appreciates the freedom she has that he can’t seem to find. Colby has always had a crush on Rip but he’s always hated her. But the one thing they both agree on is that stepping up and being parents to Monica and Brooks kids is non-negotiable. Yes, is living in the same house a challenge since Rip likes a well-ordered life and Colby keeps everything free and open yet they need to find a way since Ben and Veira are the priority as they help the kids grieve and move forward without their parents. This story for me was very raw and honest. I felt like I could have friends in the same situation with all the craziness that could happen when someone that wasn’t planning to be a parent is suddenly in that situation. Both of them had their own issues to overcome with how they lived their lives and how to adapt to being an immediate family. I love how they weren’t afraid to face their differences and find common ground to provide a safe and stable environment for the kids. Truly a beautiful read that I enjoyed. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.

Opposites attract ✔️
Grumpy sunshine ✔️
Forced proximity ✔️
Best friend’s brother ✔️

If you liked the movie Life As We Know It, then you will love The Godparent Trap. Colby is a chaotic mess according to Rip and Rip is a ridged stick in the mud according to Colby. Brought together to raise their best friend and sister’s children after an accident took their lives, Colby and Rip must figure out a way to co exist and grow as a new found family.

Colby and Rip are great together, they compliment each other and fill in the missing pieces the other needs. There’s no denying their attraction to each other and the perfectly messy family they create.

This is a great easy read that handles a rather difficult and sad topic with heart, understanding and a whole lotta mess.

Thank you @readforeverpub and @rachvd for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

A dramedy of sorts where opposites attract when suddenly thrown together in the worst of circumstances.

When Colby and Rip are suddenly found the primary caregivers of a three and five year old this slow burn love story is both sweet and an in your face look at parenthood that made me laugh out loud when it brought back memories regarding my own children.

This book doesn't linger in the sadness that brought Colby and Rip together, which I appreciated for the lightness of this book, so please don't take that as a callus statement, but this book is just lighter overall. Colby and Rip find themselves in an extreme living condition while facing grief, but even more so they are facing the rearing of two small children which is something neither one of them have ever done.

These two individuals have never been parents and I have to commend them that they both jumped right into the fire without preparation. Raising two small children that are both at an age that still require lots of care and upkeep is no tiny task. Not to mention that both Rip and Colby are opposite in just about every way when it comes to their own personalities, which made their living situation quite humorous and wrought with tension. This book should be parenting 101 for all new parents on what not to do in the very beginning since the romance part and falling in love seems easy until you begin adding in tiny overloads who take over your life and living space. I jest...sort of.

The Godparent Trap is sweetly adorable and has that slow building chemistry for all the right reasons which made this book feel like a family movie, especially one that I would watch again and again.

While very Katherine Hiegl move like, I really enjoyed this one. Rip (also not sure Rip or R.I.P was a funny choice or not for the guy's name). I felt this was short, but sweet read and I loved being on this journey of grief, love, and parenting with Rip and Colby. Banks was hysterical and a much needed comedic relief. I loved that he called Rip out for his condescending attitude toward Colby being essentially a SAHM. He needed to be called out and I was so happy Banks did it early on in the book. The fake dating was fun to get Rip jealous and i loved being in his head. The texts were a fun touch as well throughout the book!

The Godparent Trap is the first book I’ve read by this author and I absolutely loved it! It was cute and left me with a smile on my face and a happy heart! Was it a little bit cheesy? Sure, but are most romances? I loved the banter between Rip and Colby…it helped ease the sadness of them losing their best friends/sister. I shed a few tears but also laughed out loud while reading this book. Rip was a grouchy, by the book jerk but it was all fueled by fear and grief. Colby was energetic, fun, hilarious and a hot mess! They were complete opposites and perfect for each other. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for something to lift your spirits!

Rating: 3.5/5
Content Warnings: car accident (0ff-page)
Steam: 3/5
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Sudden Roomies, Grumpy/Sunshine, Single Parent

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for access to this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. the Godparent Trap will be released on July 19th.

Well, this was adorable, heartwarming and quick read. Was it exactly like that movie Life As We Know It? Pretty similar and I was here for it.

Things I Loved: The burn box, omg I could not stop laughing. Great banter and tension. Loved the tiny humans. I loved them figuring out a new normal and learning how to co-parent. Banks was a great character add.

Things I Didn't Care For: Rip in the beginning was boarding on a level of mean that could cross a line. There was an opportunity for depth in this story that didn't happen, it was a surface level story. Heather added some drama we didn't need. The ending was pretty abrupt.

The Godparent Trap by Rachel Van Dyken was a rollercoaster of a book when it came to the emotions the characters went through. I’m a sucker for the Grumpy/Sunshine trope in books and that’s exactly what this was. There’s nothing worse than having to mourn the loss of loved ones while being tasked with the most important last wish the parents had for their children. The two characters went through heartbreak, frustration, and just a pure emotional rollercoaster. It was a quick and easy read that I think most people would enjoy picking up.

Thanks to Netgalley and Forever, Grand Central Publishing for early access to the ARC.