This book is really really an ode to the anxieties of single parents and dating. Delilah was such a complex character. She cared for others while working through the shame of her parents' past. There's one line that I thought hit the nail on the head "do you realize that whenever something happens to someone you care about, you take responsibility for it". I felt that because she spent so much time thinking about her impact or she wanted people to feel seen.

Rowan what an anxious baby. I particularly thought it was really interesting that we saw him struggling. Feeling abandoned to wanting to be a good father but being scared. It was interesting to read his internal thoughts of being broken, not feeling good enough, and also concerned that being a single father would ne considered baggage.

There's a lot to unpack.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This story follows single father Rowan and former heiress Delilah. After a one night stand Rowan never thought becoming a father would come from that. Delilah is working at a coffeehouse and is still dealing with past trauma from her upbringing. After meeting the two share an instant attraction but Rowan is unwilling to react on that for most of the story. The fact that Rowan and his baby mother live together but are not in a relationship at all was odd to me. Even with them just trying to coparent. It took me a couple of days to get through this one which never is good for me. I just didn’t feel like I. Injected with the characters at all. Overall this one left me wanting more.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The premise of this book is pretty simple but still fun. Plus, it had a lot of potential. However, I'm sorry to say the execution was poor.

First off, we find out a lot about the characters, but I still felt like I didn't know them at all? Most of the book is just description after description of their past and overly detailed explanations for their actions and behaviors. The author tells us everything but shows us very little, so it's unnecessary to think and draw conclusions for ourselves.

Next, some of the behaviors of both main characters seemed so silly to me. These are grown adults, one of them is even a parent, but they act like dumb teens for half of the book? There are so many miscommunication situations, as well as too many instances where the author knew what needed to happen but had no idea how to get there. The result? Lazy writing that feels lackluster and unconvincing.

Still, what bothered me most was how little I felt any type of emotion while reading. The romance was boring and not at all exciting, none of the characters were interesting enough to care about, and most of them felt like caricatures with only a single recognizable (stereotypical) character trait. It was just all so disappointing and I had to force myself to finish the novel. It felt like a chore, and books should never feel that way.

All in all, I feel like this author has potential and great ideas, but the execution falls short in this one.

I love a single dad romance! And this was a really cute one that gave me all the feel good moments im looking for. Rowan is a single father, who moves to a new town with the mother of his child. These two both have a good relationship with each other and are trying to coparent a baby to the best of their abilities. In this new town, Rowan meets Delilah and she is the breathe of fresh hair he didnt know he needed. The way this relationship blossoms from friends to feelings is really well done. I love the fun and quirky single dads club and the other people in town too.

This book was a real treat. Rowan and Delilah bring some serious baggage to the table when they meet. He is a single father learning to co-parent in a new town, and she is learning to be an independent, socially realistic adult in the same new town.

It was such fun to watch them work out all the situations, with each other and with their neighbors and relatives. Their mutual attraction is yet another learning experience for them both, and there are definitely some bumps in that road. Rowan has decided a physical relationship is that last thing a single father needs, and Delilah’s past has her believing she doesn’t deserve one. The conflict is delightful.

The title refers to a group of single dads (one of whom is Delilah’s brother) who have rallied around each other in the past, and now they rally around Rowan - a posse he didn’t know he needed but definitely learns to appreciate.

Ms. Beharrie writes this story with such insight, yet it never becomes preachy or analytical. Reading this was like being able to watch and listen to their lives from just the right distance. Rowan and Delilah (great names!) are certainly characters I wish I could meet, and their story is a wonderful read.

This book was way more than I expected it to be in the best possible way. Rowan and Delilah are both dealing with a bit of trauma from their past and it definitely effects their relationship. It shows up in how Rowan parents Declan and I loved seeing him work through it. I think the book did a very good job of showing the struggles of parenthood and all the insecurities that parents have. Rowan and Delilah are really good together and I'm hoping we see more of them in future books.

I received an arc through netgalley.

Single Dads Club is a really fun book, but I think it could have been MORE. I really enjoyed the beginning, but as the book progressed, it got a little boring. Delilah is an extremely pleasant character, and unfortunately, at times it seemed that she was only being used by Rowan. I also would have liked to have seen more of Rowan interacting with the other parents. The romance is cute and it's all quite enjoyable, but it's pretty average overall.

You can make a new family!

Rowan Quinn wanted to be the best parent possible for his son Declan so he moved to Sugarbush Bay with Declan’s mother Mckenna even though they weren’t together so they could be co-parent Declan with the help of his grandmother. But most situations made Rowan very uncomfortable until waitress Delilah Huntington took him under her wing and helped to make some introduction to other single fathers.

Fallen heiress Delilah Huntington had moved to Sugarbush Bay with the help of her brother after their mother’s arrest so she could restart her life and now she wanted to help others find their place in town even if she falls in love with a single dad.

Single Dads Club is low on the romance but high on how much new parents need the help of a village to make life work make a new family.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a heartwarming reading. Not only was it heartwarming but it’s also been very warm where I’m at right now and the setting in the book is also very warm so it was warm all around. Anyways, Rowan is, you guessed it, a single dad. He’s been fighting his personal demons on his own ever since he became a dad. Poor guy. Thank God for Delilah. Her name is so pretty. That’s what Rowan thought too. Delilah pretty much came into Rowan’s life out of nowhere. Who knew that she’ll be helping him with… well, everything. With his son, his anxiety, his baggage… and Rowan didn’t even know what to do with this amazing woman. In the end, they helped each other with their demons, being patient with each other, etc. The “Single Dads Club,” is so funny. If there’s a book for each of the rest of the dads, especially Matt (Delilah’s brother), I’d read them!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Single Dads Club is a heartfelt new contemporary romance from Therese Beharrie, and while I haven’t enjoyed the direction some of her other works have taken of late, this one was pretty great. I always love Therese Beharrie’s depiction of South Africa, and her description of the Cape Town town of Sugarbush Bay was delightful, along with its delightful cast of characters, including the titular single dads club, who I hope get their own books as well.
Both leads have complex histories and meet each other with their respective shares of baggage. Delilah is a former heiress whose mother’s past crimes resulted in her current situation, and she’s currently trying to atone for the pain her mother caused. Her quest for self-improvement and giving back is beautiful, standing out in a genre that occasionally uncritically glorifies selfish wealth and consumerism.
Rowan is equally compelling, being a single dad as the result of a brief fling. I appreciate how everything is explored, from his amicable, if somewhat complex relationship with his ex, to his adventures with single parenthood, to his secret sexual dysfunction which complicates any romantic relationship he has.
These two are wonderful together, and I liked how their relationship built gradually in a sweet slow-burn. There are complications that arise because of their respective pasts, but I appreciate how the two of them ultimately navigate them.
This is a sweet, heartfelt read, and I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys Black romance, especially if it’s set outside the U.S./the West.

Therese Beharrie’s Single Dads Club is a messy (in a good way) slow burn romance with two people trying to build new lives for themselves and be better than their parents, while prioritizing Rowan’s new born son.

Delilah and Rowan have each ended up in Sugarbush Bay after significant upheaval in their personal lives. A few years earlier, Delilah’s mother was convicted of bilking her middle class clients out of their life savings. Delilah fled to her older brother in Sugarbush Bay and has been working to rebuild herself and her life. She’s been made to feel welcome and accepted. When she sees Rowan, obviously new in town and struggling as a brand new father, she goes out of her way to help him. She shows him the same kindness people extended to her. She goes further and introduces him to her brother and his friends, all single fathers.

Rowan’s life blew up when the woman he had a one night stand with tells him that she is pregnant. They try to date, but it’s clear there is no future in a romantic relationship between them. They do decide to live together while they co-parent their infant. They move to Sugarbush Bay to be closer to his grandmother.

There is so much I love here. Beharrie has taken a common trope in romance, surprise baby, and then played with it. The object of Rowan’s affections is not the mother of his child, which let Beharrie, a relatively new mother herself, explore being a new parent without romanticizing it. Beharrie further blesses us by making Rowan and Mckenna committed co-parents. Further, she doesn’t demonize Mckenna for returning to work. Mckenna is not a hindrance to Rowan and Delilah’s relationship. She doesn’t need to be. They are very good at throwing up roadblocks themselves.

Delilah and Rowan were both emotionally neglected by their parents and don’t have good models for healthy, loving partnerships. Honesty and vulnerability don’t come easily, nor does trust in their own ability to be good people. While there is angst aplenty in watching them dance around their attraction and fear of that attraction, Beharrie also infuses them with humor.

I hope we get more of Sugarbush Bay in the future.

CW: emotional neglect, past unplanned pregnancy, anxiety around sex.

I received this as an advance reader copy from Montlake and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.

this book was slow but somehow fun at part , i particular didn't care for the characters but it was good plane read. maybe it was the 3rd person pov that din't work For me as im not a big fan but overall the story was good enough too keep you hooked

I enjoyed the plot of this book but not the execution. Rowan’s fear of failing as a father was understanding but it dragged for too long and we didn’t get to connect with other characters especially Delilah. Delilah and Rowan were good friends but I honestly didn’t see any chemistry between them.
This book was set in South Africa but it didn’t feel like it. As someone who has been to SA multiple times this book didn’t make me feel like I was in SA it honestly could’ve been set anywhere in the world.
This book wasn’t for me personally but I hope other people enjoy it

A big thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an arc.
The book started off on a comfortable note, introducing us to the main characters and their lives through their unique perspectives. As their connection deepened, I found myself drawn into the story, eager to uncover what would unfold. However, I couldn't fully embrace their dynamic, and at times, I felt uneasy about the protagonist's personality. While I managed to reach the halfway mark, I must admit that only a portion of the book resonated with me, leaving me less enthused about the rest.

Nevertheless, I recognize that personal preferences play a role, and many readers will likely find this book to be a delightful summer read. So, while it wasn't quite my cup of tea, I encourage others to give it a chance and form their own opinions.

This one had plenty of things I love in a romance - a sweet shy single dad, small town vibes, strong female main character - but I didn't really like how things played out in the story. I needed some more dialogue between our two main characters, Rowan and Delilah, to be convinced of their chemistry. I could tell they had all the moments and foundation to be a couple I would love, I just never was convinced because I felt I didn't see enough of them getting to know each other.

I had conflicting feeling on Rowan because I love a sweet, shy MMC but there were also a couple moments where I had a little bit of an ick. For example, he was mentally calling her "his woman" despite them only have a few surface level conversations at the time. He was a cutie with his son though and I appreciated his desire to be the best father he can be after having a bad relationship with his parents.

This book is full of sweet moments that will make you smile, but I think it could be a case of it just not working for me particularly. I loved the writing style and read it super quick, I was just a bit let down by the romance piece and abrupt ending.

dual POV
3/5 stars ⭐️
1/5 spice level 🌶️

I liked this book. I loved Sugarbushbay, the side characters, the namesake Single Dads Club (I’d totally read Matt’s book).

Beharrie’s writing style is lovely, at times it reminded me of Talia Hibbert. I also liked the South African setting.

The love story was cute up to a certain point. I liked the banter but overall it was lacking a kick and in the end it let me down a little.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I need to start this review by letting you know that I cried through approximately 70% of this book. Do I know why? I mean... not really, honestly. It is not a sad book. But there's something about Beharrie's writing in this book that gave me some of the same feelings that Love at First by Kate Clayborn did. There's this crippling sense of loneliness in Rowan that he almost doesn't seem to recognize? And then, Delilah has this sense of inadequacy that she is trying so hard to just keep doing to cover it up. There's talk of therapy and that talk of therapy was incredible. There is friendship in so many forms here. There is so much about dysfunctional family relationships too and repairing some relationships that you think have been broken.

Also, the mother of Rowan's child is in this book and they are friendly and they live together and it is essentially not a big deal in terms of Rowan being able to have a relationship with Delilah. The fact that Beharrie wrote a family unit like this into this book? Incredible. Oh and while it didn't impact me the way I imagine it would a parent, Rowan spends so much time worrying about whether or not he'll be a good dad. Whether or not he is a good dad. How to parent. Is it always this hard? And that's where Delilah introducing Rowan to her brother comes in and thus the Single Dads Club. I just... Y'all. This book is amazing. The character work is incredible and I loved it so much.

If you want to know the plot... Well, there really isn't much of one? It's just small town living. A slice of life. I mean, there's a festival and things, but it's not really a plot heavy book. Oh, and I used this book for Anti Hero on the #SpringIntoLoveBingo board because Delilah really seems to think that she is always going to be the problem, but also, Rowan seems to feel that way a little bit too? I didn't absolutely adore the end section of this book because the conflict felt a little too... silly for me, but aside from that, I loved everything about it even if I did feel emotionally destroyed after finishing it.

Rowan Quinn knows fatherhood is a role he doesn’t want to take on—until he unexpectedly finds himself a single dad. He uproots his perfectly constructed life to move to a tight-knit coastal community in South Africa where, with the help of his grandmother, Rowan has a shot at giving his son the family he never had.

Once footloose and fancy-free, former heiress Delilah Huntington is now a waitress in Sugarbush Bay determined to build a better life and a better self. So when she meets introverted Rowan, she makes it her personal mission to induct him into the town’s circle of single dads to give him the support he needs.

The more Delilah lends her help to an out-of-his-depth Rowan, the more Rowan begins to realize that family is what you make it…and, just maybe, Delilah could be part of his.

I floved this book so hard. The story was fantastic and amazing. Great character growth and development. Will recommend to those who love stories like this.

What I liked:
• The process of how Delilah and Rowan’s relationship grew from strangers to friends to lovers.
• Rowan’s introvert side and socialising struggles and Delilah’s sunshine persona.
• The formed friendships.
• The focus on single parents and the struggles/doubts.

I originally was drawn into Single Dads Club from the gorgeous cover and the synopsis. I had the impression this would be all romance, but after finishing it, it felt like it was so much more.

The characters in this book were all loveable within their own right and the friendships that were formed were all lighthearted, fun and beautiful. They all had their own distinct personalities, which bought more joy when reading. I love a small town romance, especially when the community is dedicated to helping one another. It also adds an extra refreshing level to a story and this book had that exact vibe.

Delilah and Rowan made such a sweet couple and I loved reading their journey. With that being said, as much as I liked the grand gesture after the third act breakup, I needed a bit more grovelling as the same mistake had been made a couple of times overall. They both had a lot of issues regarding their familial pasts, which was affecting their futures, so it was really inspiring to see them overcome that.

The Singles Dads Club. I adored this dynamic and group! All four men were brilliant and I honestly have chapter 24 down as my favourite in the entire book! When I said this book was more than romance, this is what I was referring to. It’s always powerful and inspiring when an author shows the hardships of parenthood and the doubts that form, but to see it from a male’s perspective too makes it more refreshing and eye-opening as single dads are not as recognised as single mothers.

I really enjoyed the whole plot, both romance and the parental/life’s struggles. It all made for a beautiful, lighthearted, sweet read. I really hope there will be a sequel to this book to look more into the lives of the other dads, but in the meantime, I’ll be making sure to pick up a physical copy once released and I urge you to do the same!

Thank you NetGalley, Montlake and Therese Beharrie for accepting me as an arc reader in exchange for an honest review.

I honestly don’t have the words to express how much I loved this book — from the very first line to the last period.

I think ‘romance novels where both characters are traumatized’ must be my favorite genre, because they hit the mark every time.

When the story starts there is already a level of attraction between them, but despite that it doesn’t feel insta-lovey (at least to me, it didn’t). The two of them were great together and the angst made me sob uncontrollably for most of the book (I’m very sensitive, so I already tear up even when they simply just allude to past bad memories).

Rowan is a grump, and it was really funny to see him interact with the other guys, but especially with Matt because he’s also a grump. Delilah was friendly and lovely and I was pleased that she never came off as too much, like some other sunshine characters usually do.

I spent most of the book waiting for and hoping that Delilah and her brother would sit down and talk about their past and I’m so glad we got to see that. Their conversation was amazing (and yes, I did cry).

I literally have never highlighted a book as much as I did this one, and now I need to get a physical copy to annotate as well. I really feel like this is going to become a comfort read.