Single Dads Club is a story about two people seeking a fresh start. Delilah left Cape Town to escape the public scrutiny when her mother was arrested for financial crimes. The former heiress was left to deal with the aftermath alone. Luckily, her estranged older brother invited her to stay with him and give his small coastal town, Sugarbush Bay, a chance.

Rowan's well-ordered existence was disrupted when a one-night stand led to him being a father, a title he wasn't seeking even under different circumstances. He and McKenna decide that pursuing a romance doesn't feel right, but they are determined to co-parent and do right by their son, Declan. Rowan doesn't have a relationship with his parents, but he and McKenna move to Sugarbush Bay to be near his grandmother, who's only too delighted to offer her support with childcare. After the cold way his parents once raised him, Rowan is terrified of being a dad and desperate to do it right.

Our two protagonists meet when Rowan and Declan become regulars at the coffee shop where Delilah works as a barista. She develops a crush that becomes something more as their neighbors, not least of whom is Rowan's grandmother, meddle to bring them into each other's orbit. She babysits for the new parents, introduces Rowan to her brother and his other single dad friends, and smooths his way with other people around town since the man is not a social creature by nature. Rowan is drawn to Delilah's energy but is cautious about pursuing anything with his young son in the picture. Too bad for all his plans that it's so hard to resist the charming and kind-hearted Delilah.

My only issue with this one is that the writing gets repetitive. The burning need to overexplain the characters' baggage is something I see a lot in romance, and it never fails to wear me down. In this book, it's especially true in the case of Rowan, whose fears about being a parent are simple at the core of it. In a way, there's more to know about how Delilah got here and why she's acting the way she does, even to her own detriment. Sure, her life is happier now that she's living in a small town where everyone adores her, including her once distant brother and niece, but she's also desperate to be perfect and have earned all that affection, atoning for the life she had before-- a life where everything she took for granted, a life that was cold but easy, was built on the back of her mother's crimes. The concept of Rowan's story-- co-parenting with a woman he barely knows and trying to be a worthy dad with little to no blueprint and little to no expectation of success-- is just more interesting in theory than in delivery. I didn't hate it. In fact, with some finessing, it has the makings of a story that could put a person right in their feelings. I just didn't get there.

Despite that hangup, I found so many other things to love. For example, the author captures sweet moments and funny ones, and there were passages that I highlighted in full because I enjoyed a particular turn of phrase or the buildup to a punchline. I also think that though the individual journeys of each character were overdone, the romance had some excellent features. Their mutual awkwardness is cute. We have a desperately people-pleasing extrovert who can't shut up even when her words have run away from her, and we have an anxious introvert who struggles to read other people or carry on a light social conversation. It's a combination made in heaven. It speaks to the author's skill that their banter shifts so gradually into something more objectively charming and less stilted as they grow more comfortable with each other that it feels natural, and you don't even notice that the change is happening. Also, as I would expect from Beharrie, it's H.O.T. We love to see romance leads out of control for each other. I will say that the final act breakup is very angsty, so prepare yourself for that.

There's more to recommend the story beyond the romance. I especially love a story about the power of friends who show up when you need them in whatever form that may be. We see that with the "single dads club" Rowan is inducted into, and we see that with Delilah's best friend, too. And it's true that both our protagonists have messed-up parents, but one has an interfering grandmother who will meddle and misuse the powers of social media, and the other has a big brother who will commit murders or cook dinners on her behalf, so the family factor is there, too. There's also the sweet element of Rowan building a family with Declan and McKenna in whatever form suits them best. The small town vibe is handled masterfully as well. The coziness and the friendly, nosy neighbors create an environment you want to dive right into.

I enjoy Beharrie's work so much, and I'll always pick up a book with her name on the cover. This is an excellent entry in the single-parent romance trope with a great cast and a cute small town to boot. Thanks to Montlake for my copy to read and review!

my favorite thing about this book was the focus on being a single dad. I feel like most romance books tend to be from the female perspective so it was very refreshing to be able to see it from this end. I think it was really able shed some light into some of the struggles a single dad might face vs a single mom.

this book was truly opposites attract! the female main character is a ray of sunshine while the male mc is processing his difficult childhood and social anxiety. I liked how they were able to help each other through the development of the relationship! think the only downside to this book is that I love a slow burn but this one just seemed a little too slow burn for me.

really do think this is a book that everyone should pick up and give a try!

also the cover? 10/10!!

I dnfed this forever ago and said I wasn’t going to give feedback but I am going to now since it’s been so long. It just wasn’t my fav and hard to get into.

Somehow, my first from this author. It's an emotional and touching story about being a single parent and the struggle and emotions that go with it. It was cute in places and sweet but it did get a bit bogged down in some of the emotions and details. And the cover is so cute! I'll definitely look for more from this author.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

Unfortunately, I was not able to connect with this story and able to complete it. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review and share my own thoughts.

I absolutely loved the representation of single fatherhood in this book! Such an underrepresented subject portrayed in the most beautiful way

One of the best books I read in 2023. My review for Library Journal is below:

This first book in a planned series follows Delilah, the most helpful person in her town, and Rowan, a single father new to the area. Rowan and Delilah are still recovering from childhoods marked by different forms of parental neglect, although they now have supportive family members. Their experiences growing up taught them to prefer the safety provided by distancing their true selves from the world, rather than the uncertainty of opening up to people who might hurt them. Delilah understands the root of her excessive helpfulness, just as Rowan is aware of why he is frightened of forming new emotional connections, but this self-knowledge gets them only so far. Both struggle with whether they deserve or can attain something as wonderful as an all-encompassing love. Fellow townspeople whose attempts at matchmaking are both hilarious and heartbreaking provide levity and also introduce the protagonists of future entries in the series.
VERDICT Beharrie (A Ghost in Shining Armor) manages to combine a South African setting, humor, a good deal of angst, and a satisfying amount of groveling into a fresh and moving novel. Highly recommended for all fiction collections.

single dads are always hit and they are always hot. there is no way yo can go wrong with a single dad because they are just that amazing and hotl hot

Rowan and Delilah are really good together and I'm hoping we see more of them in future books.
This book is really, really, an ode to the anxieties of single parenthood, shame, unresolved childhood trauma,

I didn't connect with this as much as I wanted to. I'm not sure the writing style was for me. I would still give this author another try.

Good book. I would Buy another book by this author. I connected with the characters and plot…….,,,,,,,,,,,,

I love this cover and I absolutely love the characters and world-building. I laughed out loud and love the single dad aspect!

Unfortunately I had to DNF this story. The writing style was not for me. I appreciate the opportunity and apologize for not being able to complete the story. I wish the author the best of luck!

Thank you, Netgalley, the author, and Montlake for the gifted e-book! ❤️ #gifted. My review is comprised of my honest thoughts.

I could not get into this the way I hoped I would. It was very slow and uneventful. Of course, you may love it.

This just fell flat for me - one dimensional, felt very 'going through the motions' and just superficial. Didn't care about the characters. Good idea and premise, just poor execution

I was immediately drawn to this book by its captivating cover and the compelling premise it promised. The idea of delving into the nuanced anxieties of single parenthood, the complexities of shame, and the journey of overcoming unresolved childhood trauma resonated deeply with me. From the outset, it was clear that this was more than just a spicy romance—it was an exploration of the human condition through the lens of its protagonists, Rowan and Delilah.

This book isn’t just a spicy single dad romance it had depth. Which I think was a little hard for me to get into. That being said, the book undoubtedly offers a powerful portrayal of personal growth, healing, and the courage to face one's fears.

Overall a very solid read, the book started rather slow but the angst and likable characters kept me reading until the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This just wasn't for me. Their separate storylines were okay but their romance and them together wasn't hitting for me. Also, their banter and the public apology was cringe.

Single Dads Club by Therese Beharrie is a bit of a slower burn romance that's ultimately about found family and setting your own path. While the narrative did not immediately captivate me, I eventually grew to enjoy the characters, and I'd read more from this author.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

If you're seeking exaggerated drama and melodramatic swoons, this might not be the right place for you. Instead, it offers a highly engaging experience, characterized by a mature perspective that suggests ways to unravel the knots we create.