I really enjoyed this book! It’s my first from Goldbeck and I will definitely be reading anything else she writes.
I feel like this book did everything right. It balanced complicated relationships from so many different aspects. From her non-existent relationship with her dad, to her complicated relationship with her mom, to her relationship with her step-parent, relationship with her FWB, her love interest, and herself. It is impressive how we see her work through her issues in all of these relationships in one book, and they all got the time and attention they needed.
I did feel like Sam became “unstuck” and that was so important, that she didn’t go from being stuck with her mom to being stuck with her partner. She put in the work, even if it was only for about 4 months.
The main couple in this book could have been problematic, with the age-gap, and different positions in life, but she balanced the potential for a power dynamic really well and had the characters acknowledge the possibility for issues to arise.
I enjoyed the chemistry between the love interests in this book too, it was kind of just fizzing in the background every time they interacted.
I think this book did everything it set out to do.
My only issue with the book is when she tells him “you’re not my dad,” I understand the book is called daddy issues, but it kind of came out of nowhere. I just felt like it didn’t need to be said

Kate Goldbeck's Daddy Issues is the kind of book you pick up and immediately think, "Oh, this is gonna be good." And let me tell you, it delivers on that promise and then some. Huge thanks to NetGalley and Kate Goldbeck for letting me get my hands on an advanced copy to review, because this romcom is SPECIAL. It's got bite, it's got heat, and it's got characters that'll make you fan yourself.

Sam Pulaski is basically all of us, if "all of us" means a twenty-something disaster with student debt up to her eyeballs, a job that's going nowhere, and a "situationship" that probably needs to be taken out behind the shed. She's got that spark, though, that raw, real energy that just screams "she's about to fall hard." And thank goodness for that, because across the hall moves Nick, a single dad who is just… everything. Responsible? Yes. Hot? Check. He’s got that quiet confidence, that steady hand, and you just know he knows what he's doing. The kind of man who looks at you like you're the only woman in the room, even if his kid just spilled juice on his shirt.

The way Sam's chaotic life slams into Nick's solid, put-together world? Pure, unadulterated tension. It’s a burn that got me squirming and wondering when they're finally going to just DO IT. And yeah, Sam's got her actual "derelict father" causing drama, which adds a layer of messy, real-life complication that makes her connection with Nick feel even more earned and delicious. Goldbeck writes with a voice that's witty and fresh, and she nails that delicious push-and-pull between two people who are clearly meant to be.

Seriously, if you crave a romance that's smart, makes you laugh out loud, and delivers on that deep, undeniable chemistry, then you need to pick up Daddy Issues. It'll make you believe in happy endings, even if they're a little bit messy and a whole lot steamy.

You, again was one of my fav books of 2023 so when I saw the Daddy Issues cover drop and realized that Ali Hazelwood was ALSO writing an age gap romance, it felt like Jupiter’s moons had aligned.

There was a lot I liked about Daddy Issues, but the most important thing about a romance, cough the romance, I found lacking. I will explain more but know that no one is more disappointed than myself!

Sometimes I feel like rom coms make their female main characters Disney princess messy. They’re messy in a way that’s cute, in a way that’s relatable but ultimately harmless. Kate Goldbeck’s characters are messy in a way that’s ugly. In a way that’s complicated and blatant and true. I love it every time. You’re going to want to shake Sam. You’re going to die of embarrassment sometimes at her shenanigans. You’re going to be very frustrated. But you’ll understand her and you’ll also know from page one (Kate’s dedication note) than even unlikable people are lovable.

To be clear Sam is not always insufferable. She’s lost and she’s stuck in a way that a lot of people will relate to. And it’s not pretty to look at. But she has moments where her character truly shines (namely when she’s talking about art) that you can see what a fascinating person she is and you understand why recently divorced dad Nick would ever be interested in her. I do think they romantically made sense together. I get why Sam and him are drawn to each other. The issue is that I personally, was not drawn to Nick. Which unfortunately in a romance, I do want to be drawn to the love interest. He just kind of… gave me nothing? And it’s NOT because he’s a manager at Chilis. We need more normal people representation in the genre lol. There was just nothing much he did I found attractive (honorable mention to him being a Trekkie). He’s honest and upfront and dependable and boring. The butterflies were just not in the room with us. :(

I’ve probably lost you in this review already but if I could share one more thing that I loved. The book cover is very accurate to the creative choices Goldbeck made in the story. Daddy Issues is drippinggg with comic book aesthetic. And it was so awesomely done. Sam often sees the world through her art medium and in her narration you’ll get moments that are framed (textually) in the sequential panel style of comic. SO UNIQUE SO FRESH.

Back to my complaining. I think You, Again really benefitted from having the cinematic scaffolding / plot beats of When Harry Met Sally. I found the flow of the story compelling for that reason. Daddy Issues felt a bit meandering in comparison. Am I reading a personal growth story or a romance? Where are we going with this? What am I doing here? These were the questions I was asking myself. I ended up just having to trust the process, but I could see how someone might not have the most fun with this if they’re looking for a silly goofy romcom time.

So for the good and for the bad, it’s gonna be a 3 star. But I will still read Goldbeck’s next book no question about it this one just didn’t land for me in the way I was hoping it would.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for this earc…i definitely begged for it in an embarrassing way.

This was a fantastic story. It was messy, mature, emotionally real, and mundane. I especially enjoyed the maturity of it. The communication was beautiful, the tenderness of which the relationship between Sam, Nick, and Kira was curated was honestly so refreshing to read. The simplicity of Sam and Nick’s lives made this feel extremely relatable. The age gap was done is such a wonderful way. Typically ther is one person who is less mature, but this had none of that, and was such a delightful surprise. The author did a fantastic job of describing real life problems, and executed the feeling surrounding that perfectly. I really loved and connected to the characters in this. Sam is funny, and yet in total disarray. Nick is steady, reliable, and honest. It’s an age-gap romance, sure, but what makes it shine is the emotional honesty. Sam and Nick are from two completely different worlds, and yet their chemistry is undeniable. Watching them navigate their baggage, their boundaries, and their growing feelings? So satisfying. They meshed so well due to their completely differential characteristics.

RATING: 3.25/5 STARS

Kate Goldbeck had big shoes to fill after the hit that was YOU AGAIN. DADDY ISSUES hit the spot, but not quite at the bull's eye for me. I did love how real this novel was. Sometimes you want escapism with billionaires and implausible situations, and other times it's refreshing to read about normal people who are struggling in life just trying to figure things out. Featuring unexpected spice in a minivan.

This book was VERY good !! The age gap was perfect-it didn’t feel gross … like they were both grown-ups just at different stages of life.!! The communication was on point! And the romance and spice were perfection 🤩🥰

I really love reading Kate Goldbeck books because even when I’m annoyed by the characters, they feel real and messy and make me feel like I’m reading about real people who are flawed rather than characters in a romance novel. Her scene writing and character development are exceptional, even with the secondary characters. I did think there could have been a little more development of Sam and Nick’s emotional connection, especially if it was going to take them from physical attraction and convenience to lasting love, and teaching her how to drive made her immaturity feel a little too much at times. I thought the daydreams with the comics were not something I personally related to but felt like excellent added depth to the development of Sam’s character. I appreciated seeing someone who is young and single struggle with figuring out how she might fit into a relationship with a single father. I’m a huge fan and this will stick with me for a while.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 stars – charming in parts, but too many emotional loose ends)

Thank you to Dial Press and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

After absolutely loving You, Again, I went into Daddy Issues with high expectations—ready for the wit, emotional complexity, and smart banter that made me fall for Goldbeck’s voice the first time. While the setup had promise—age gap, single dad, stuck-in-life heroine—it didn’t quite land the way I hoped it would.

The premise is solid: Sam is floundering post-pandemic, still living at home, creatively blocked, and stuck in a holding pattern—until Nick, her mom’s stable and sensitive new neighbor (and, yes, an older single dad), enters the picture. Their romance had its charms—Nick’s calm energy was the perfect counter to Sam’s chaos, and their emotional openness made for refreshing communication. But that’s where my enjoyment mostly stopped.

My biggest struggle was with Sam as a protagonist. Immaturity can be part of the character arc, but Sam often felt willfully self-absorbed and reactive, in ways that were frustrating rather than relatable. Her refusal to see her father for who he really was dragged on for far too long—and even when she does begin to confront the truth, the lack of a real emotional payoff or resolution made the entire father-daughter storyline feel unfinished. And don’t even get me started on the mom. The idea that she didn’t want Sam dating Nick to “protect his life” because she couldn’t get hers together? Wildly irritating and dismissive. Not exactly Mom of the Year material.

The pacing sagged in the middle, with Sam spinning her wheels and resisting growth until the final few chapters. The romance—while sweet—felt overshadowed by Sam’s emotional stagnancy. And when the “I love you” finally came, it felt too fast and too easy, especially considering all the unresolved tension around her family and personal direction.

That said, Kate Goldbeck’s writing still shines. Her dialogue is sharp, the banter is great, and Nick is a very lovable MMC. I just wish the story had given us a more grounded, emotionally evolved heroine—or at least more time for her to earn her growth.

Read this if you enjoy:
📚 Age gap romance
🍼 Sweet, stable single dads
🧠 Mental health & trauma themes
💬 Banter-forward writing

A compelling concept with thoughtful themes—but for me, the emotional depth didn’t match the potential. Here’s hoping for more in future works from Goldbeck, because the talent is definitely there.

I loved this one!!! This was my first read by Kate Goldbeck and I will definitely be picking up more by her! I devoured this book, I couldn’t put it down. If you like single dad romances and age gap romances, this is the book for you!! It was so well done. Nick, Sam, and Kira were so lovable and I loved seeing both the romantic and familial relationship develop. Definitely check this one out!

Thank you Dial and NetGalley for the advanced copy! All opinions are my own.

My favorite romances are Single Dad and Age Gap, but only if there isn't miscommunication which is usually hard given there's an age gap and one is almost always much less mature that the other. But Daddy Issues didn't have any miscommunication and I ate this up and left NO CRUMBS! You couldn't pry this book out of my hands for anything! Kate Goldbeck has a hit on her hands with this one! Sam is 26 and Nick is 39 so it's not taboo, even though I love taboo romances too. This is an absolute MUST READ this fall and the cover is gorgeous and super unique! Can't wait till my preordered physical copy comes in 5 months!! I might have to do a reread before I get it!

I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book on NetGalley. This review is honest, unbiased and completely my own.

This book was decently refreshing for the single dad, age gap tropes! I do wish it had been dual POV instead of being exclusively Sam’s perspective. The fact the characters had different experiences and were in different stages of life, yet still connected and meshed together so well really showed maturity and healthy communication. They talked to each other and didn’t beat around the bush and that only benefited the relationship even more. The ending conflict was a bit quickly wrapped up but overall I found this to be a fun read!

This was a good book, different from what I thought it was about. I really enjoyed the story and the characters. Thanks for letting me read this book.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
4⭐️

A sharp, funny, and deeply thoughtful romance about being down-and-out and still deserving love.

Daddy Issues is a gem of a contemporary romance that takes the often overplayed age-gap trope and does something genuinely refreshing with it: it centres not on the age difference, but on the people involved. Sam, our unemployed and anxious heroine, and Nick, a divorced dad trying to co-parent his daughter, are written with warmth, wit, and care. The voice in this novel is what truly makes it shine—sharp, funny, intimate, and totally distinct. Sam’s narration crackles with life, and readers will feel like they’re sitting inside her head, watching her flail, fall, and fumble through the messiness of life and love.

The romance itself is fantastic—realistic, well-paced, and full of banter that feels earned, not forced. Nick is the kind of love interest we rarely get: upfront, emotionally intelligent, and genuinely kind, which plays beautifully against Sam’s chaotic spirals and sarcastic deflections.

But this is more than a love story. It’s a novel about regular people in regular jobs—unemployed artists, single dads, struggling daughters—trying to claw their way out of stuck-ness. It’s about feeling unloveable and still being loved. It’s not glossy or aspirational. It’s emotionally honest and, at times, painfully real in a way that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt like too much or not enough.

Daddy for sure. I loved this one. It felt so real. And that means that she did piss me off sometimes. But in the same way your sister pisses you off when they do something stupid. You still love her, but she's being dumb. I loved such a realistic love story between two people who are just figuring it out. Who've been walking through the world in a bit of a fog. It feels even more hopeful for us hopeless romantic out there.

I wasn't into this one at all. All of the characters were so frustrating and made me want to rip them through my screen. I couldn't get into this one at all. This is the book for someone, but that someone just isn't me.

Man, oh man, I was not ready for how good this was going to be. For context, this was my first Kate Goldbeck read, so I was not aware of just how phenomenal of a writer she is. But I absolutely devoured this book. Like in a single sitting, I ate this up. I loved the dynamic between Sam and Nick. There were times that I found myself giggling and kicking my feet ("And walk me to my door at the end of the night?" "I can't guarantee that." I WAS BLUSHING). I will be shouting about this book until it releases in November and forever after that as well.

Very solid read! I don’t even remember signing up for this one but it was a fun read! Definitely one I would recommend for those that absolutely adore this trope

If Kate Goldbeck is writing it, I’m reading it. Always. At this point, she could get me to give a trope I usually don’t like five stars.

Another banger from Kate Goldbeck! I enjoy her writing style so much. The characters were annoying at times but I blew through this so fast.

Kate Goldbeck did her big one with 'Daddy Issues'! Read it in one sitting and I'm already missing Sam, Nick and Kira!