The Single Dad’s Guide to Recreation
Author: Karen Grey
Reviewer: Jen
Rating: B
What I’m Talking About:
Avery moved back to her hometown of Climax, NY, and in with her parents after her life imploded. Her temporary move has lasted longer than she planned, but she enjoys working for her best friend, Leia, at the Climax Parks and Rec Department.
Widowed with two young children, Josh moves his family to Climax to start over. His consulting job focuses on improving the Rec Department, which includes reviewing the programs Avery runs.
The Single Dad’s Guide to Recreation is cute, fun, and a sweet romance. I love the setting, and I found myself comparing the characters to those from the show Parks and Rec. The story is humorous, but not in an over-the-top way, and made me smile. The town is fun, and with a name like Climax, there are quirky and entertaining attractions.
Josh and Avery have some pretty major trauma from their pasts that directly impacts their ability to build a healthy and strong relationship (check content warnings here). We witness them evolve and grow, although some therapy would have been useful (kudos to the author for mentioning it in the epilogue). I felt Josh is a bit impulsive and pushed things along quickly, yet sometime giving mixed signals. But then I realized, he is impulsive and acts without taking into consideration all the factors because he is excited to finally feel happy. And like a high, he tries to get more and more. And even though the romance is quick moving, I adored seeing them face their fears and fall in love.
The Single Dad’s Guide to Recreation is lighthearted and happy, perfect for escaping the real world.
NOTE: There is a wonderful bonus epilogue that is only available to the author’s newsletter subscribers. For more info: https://karengreybooks.com
My Rating: B
Jen
About the Book:
At least I didn’t fall on my patootie.
That’s what I keep telling myself when the box of supplies I’m carrying crashes to the floor. When the sexiest man in a suit to set foot in my place of employment finds me scrounging on the ground for markers and gluesticks. When he holds out a hand to help me to my feet, and his touch sends a shiver through me, just like in the movies.
It’s only when he shows up to the toddler class I teach that I learn how wrong we are for each other.
He’s more stoic than the statue of our town’s founder; I cry at commercials. He’s moved upstate from Manhattan; I returned to my small town roots after my big city relationship fell apart. He’s a grieving widower with two adorable kids; there’s a ninety-nine point nine percent chance that I’ll never be a mother.
Oh, and did I mention that it’s his job to cut my mother’s legacy program?
Despite all this, the only thing keeping our hands off of each other is a total lack of privacy.
Despite all this, he’s got me dreaming of something I told myself I’d given up a family of my own.
Despite all this, it’s apparently my job to welcome him to Climax.
Release Date: April 24, 2025
Publisher: Jasper Productions LLC
Series: Welcome to Climax #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format(s): paperback (284 pages), e-book
Book Source: Author