Deeply emotional, beautifully written, and so powerful, Sleeping Daddy is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time! The characters now live in my brain and the story continues to resonate with me. I cannot recommend it enough!

Keith faced so many obstacles growing up, and now has a happy life—lovely wife expecting twin daughters, stable job—more than he ever thought possible. But he’s left to face heartbreak and life as a single dad. As he tries to move forward, his past haunts him: his abusive father (who he fears he might be like), his estranged mother who essentially abandoned him, so many things. He wants to confront his past, but fears what he’ll find…

Amid Keith’s pain and torment are hope, unending love, and even some joy. You get ALL the feelings and emotions in this book: grief, sadness, warmth, joy, love, anger, kindness, fear, contentment, happiness. The characters are so real, Keith in particular. He has human flaws, but he cares so deeply about his children and his family, and feels things so profoundly. And he’s not truly alone—the other characters support, love, and help him on his journey.

Sleeping Daddy is a touching and beautiful love story—the love of a father, love of family, and even some romantic love too—along with a story of self-discovery, coming to terms with the past, and moving forward in spite of fear.

Perhaps the best feature of this book? The absolutely gorgeous writing. I re-read paragraphs and passages multiple times to absorb the beauty on the page (and I only do this if I’m truly blown away). I want to read this book again just to experience Nicholas Westerfer’s writing.