Listen (Single Dads 5)
Blurb:
He only wanted to make the best home for his new daughter; he never meant to fall in love with the man who might steal her away.
Nick and his husband had always wanted a big family, but when cancer took Danny six years ago, Nick was left a single dad of three. He never considered his broken heart would heal enough to add to his family, but as soon as he meets Teegan he knows he wants to adopt the little girl. Born profoundly deaf, Teegan has been rejected twice already in the adoption process and hasn’t found her forever home. Nick wants to be her hero—her dad—and create a world that is safe and happy for her. He knows he wants to make her life perfect—he doesn’t know how to go about it or understand the best thing to do for his family, and he needs help. Enter Elliot, and Nick finds himself falling for the frustrating, sexy, inspiring, and caring teacher who can make things right.Elliot is wary of helping the man who appears more interested in public opinion than the needs of his own family. But, learning that Nick, wealthy and entitled, is now adopting a deaf child, Elliot knows this is a step too far and strides into battle. As the child of deaf adults, Elliot knows he is the best person to advocate for little Teegan and, if needed, he is determined to intervene and halt the adoption. Nothing and no one will get in Elliot’s way when it falls on him to protect Teegan. Not even love.
This single dad story features a widower struggling to make things right, a teacher battling for a child’s wellbeing, an adorable toddler, three loving siblings, a home with a view of the ocean.
Series Details
- Single – rjscott.co.uk/read-single
- Today – rjscott.co.uk/Read-Today
- Promise – rjscott.co.uk/Read-Promise
- Always – rjscott.co.uk/Read-Always
- Listen – rjscott.co.uk/read-listen
Excerpt
“I’ll donate to something in your name,” I blurted.
Elliot gave me that stare—the one that drilled holes into my psyche and made me feel about two-foot-tall. “You can’t buy everything,” he muttered.
Venetia sucked her teeth. “Mr. Curtis, please.” She stepped back from us, a hand at her throat, and I wondered if she was about to collapse with the horror that one of her teachers was talking to one of the parents in such a direct fashion.
“A substantial donation,” I said directly to Venetia, because I wasn’t above using my money for the things that were important to me. “Ten thousand,” I said. No one moved or said anything. “Twenty,” I added, and I know I sounded desperate.
Elliot narrowed his eyes as he crossed his arms over his chest, the book he’d been reading, a battered copy of the complete works of Shakespeare, clutched there. He glared at me so hard I braced myself for the next barbed comment.
“Twenty thousand?” He seemed to want confirmation.
“Yes, twenty to wherever you suggest, no strings attached, but this—what we’re doing and what I need—has to stay in this room,” I added, needing Venetia and Elliot to tell me my private business would not be blurted all around the school, making a media event out of something that should be private. Supposedly intelligent journalist needs assistant to understand his new daughter’s world. Seeks help. Meets man he insulted and should never have tasted. Makes idiot of self.
“Of course, of course, NDA and all that,” Venetia said with exuberance, and then she appeared to consider the meeting ended and opened the door for us to leave. Elliot slipped out immediately, but I was caught by Venetia air-kissing me, and with a not-so-subtle reminder. “I look forward to your comments on my funding proposal for the basketball team.”
“Absolutely, will do.” I didn’t even recall saying I would fund another sports team—I’d rather put the money into science where Caleb excelled; or English, where Hannah did so well. I could sponsor and fund the team when Mason arrived at the school, given he was the jock-in-training.
I extricated myself as politely as I could, then hurried into the corridor, but Elliot was long gone, which was just the icing on the freaking cake.
Fuck.
~ * ~ Jo‘s Review ~ * ~
5 Beautiful Stars
I have loved all this series, but this is my favourite by far, which based on the quality of the other books, says a lot. I’m not a great fan of prologues as they are often unnecessary or give too much away. Here, that is not the case. It details beautifully the MCs, we see so much of their characters in that short event and it sets up the story perfectly.
I adored both of these guys. Nick and Elliott both have passion in spades. There is such a vulnerability about Nick, that for someone with such a forceful job, he keeps hidden. He wants so badly to be the best parent to his children and is fighting to be able to be that for Teegan but fears he won’t be able to meet his needs. Elliott is obviously wary of the man who attracted him so strongly but hurt him in equal measures. Gradually though, as he is drawn into Nick’s world, he sees the real man, how genuine and loving he is, and cannot resist him.
This works as a stand-alone but I’d absolutely read the series. Low on heat until near the end, this is a sweet, emotional story about two guys who are perfect for each other if they can just allow it to happen. Nick believes he has had his chance at love, which is why he fights his feelings. Elliott is torn, does being an advocate for the child and the community he was brought up with clash with his feelings for this man? This story drew me, held me captive, and left me breathless at the end. It really was perfect.
**Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn’t a requirement.**
~ * ~ Jessica‘s Review ~ * ~
4 Stars
Nick is a well-known TV personality, and Eliot is his daughter’s teacher. Nick visits Eliot to discuss Hannah (his daughter), and they end up arguing, kissing, and hurting each other in a matter of minutes. They avoid each other afterward. Six years later, Nick needs Eliot’s help. As a C.O.D.A. (child of a deaf adult) he is fluent in ASL, and Nick needs his help learning before the adoption of Teegan is finalized. They go into their new working relationship with baggage that works in their favor.
I loved how Nick’s kids had such a big part in this book. I was not a fan of how fast he threw his relationship with Eliot into the mix, even if Hannah already knew Eliot. I also loved how Danny, Nick’s deceased husband, is very present in this story and how Eliot never shies away from his name and even mentions him.
The sexy moments were unneeded in this book. I found them a bit awkward. Like this book could have been 5 stars without them. I loved the theme as many people are currently going through it, and it’s not something I have thought about much. This was pretty different from the earlier books but still a great read.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn’t a requirement. ***
The Author
RJ SCOTT
RJ Scott, author of M/M romance.
Writing love stories with a happy ever after – cowboys, heroes, family, hockey, single dads, bodyguards
USA Today bestselling author RJ Scott has written over one hundred romance books. Emotional stories of complicated characters, cowboys, single dads, hockey players, millionaires, princes, bodyguards, Navy SEALs, soldiers, doctors, paramedics, firefighters, cops, and the men who get mixed up in their lives, always with a happy ever after.
She lives just outside London and spends every waking minute she isn’t with family either reading or writing. The last time she had a week’s break from writing, she didn’t like it one little bit, and she has yet to meet a box of chocolates she couldn’t defeat.
RJ’s Social Media
This erotic MM paranormal romance features:
Seven years ago
Bayou Book Junkie 