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A review by bookishlychar
Mad Love by Willow Aster

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This is the start of a new series about single dads. Weston has it all, his team just won the Super Bowl and he is excited for the next year. Until one day he receives a call from the hospital letting him know his two-month-old son is there. He arrives at the hospital to find his son, 2-month-old Caleb, and Caleb's saucy aunt, Sadie. Sadie hates Weston, as she thinks he abandoned her when she became pregnant and they have been struggling to provide for Caleb since then. Weston becomes an instant dad and invites Sadie to stay with him and Caleb. He and Sadie learn to trust each other, become friends and eventually more. 

I liked this story. Weston and Sadie come together unusually, but as they learn about each other, the relationship they have with Caleb and each other is wonderful. Weston steps into his role as dad so quickly and well. He has the means to hire a nanny but insists on building the bond in the off-season. Sadie and Weston had a lot to work out and they did it maturely and with a desire to look out for Caleb. I loved how he and Sadie agreed to co-parent and put the needs of Caleb before their anger and frustration. 

This was a slow, soft relationship. It developed slowly and they both had some trepidation. I liked that there wasn't any big drama or third act break up, it just showed the natural progression of a relationship. I also liked the family aspect of this book. There are the teammates for Weston's as well as his family and Sadie's family. They all came together to help the two, new to parenting, and Caleb. It was truly beautiful. 

I look forward to reading more in this series about single dads! 

Read if you like: football, single dad, forced proximity, he falls first, found family, surprise baby/child