4.5 stars
AJ, former UK football player, has been coaching an A-League soccer team in Queensland, Australia. He's the perfect definition of grumpy: he doesn't like the weather, he's still upset about his the end of his career as player and, above all, he has to deal with a younger player, Bailey, who always talks back and drives him insane.
He's in the middle of training when he receives a phone call that will change his life and will bring him a wonderful 5 years old daughter.
Ava is amazing, sassy, cute and she adjusts unexpectedly fast to her new life. But Aj has no support in Australia and he feels like he's drowning when Bailey steps up and helps him.
The two of them start getting to know each other while taking care of Ava: between intimate dinner and evening on the couch watching movies, setting a Christmas tree, spending time together as a family, they fall hard for each other. Baily is not the arrogant man Aj thought he was, and August has a playful and sweet side that Bailey never imagined.

The physical scenes are great but their first time is also very emotional.

What prevented me from giving five full stars:
I wanted to see more of them after getting together officially.

Definitely recommended, it's sweet and tender, the perfect novella for Christmas.

I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.