Susan F. (scoutmomskf) - , reviewed on 9/10/2023 + 2564 more book reviews

Good book. Tyson is a pro football player in a world of trouble. He has an injured knee and must get back into shape before the season starts. He discovered he'd had a child with a woman he'd spent a short time with. He wasn't happy about that, as he'd never intended to have children but paid child support. Then he found out she wasn't taking care of little Braden properly and was able to get sole custody - which only cost him a million dollars. But that isn't enough for Rachelle, who begins making accusations of heinous behavior by Tyson, potentially costing him his job and endorsements. To top everything off, Tyson has no idea how to care for a baby and no interest in learning. So, he is in search of a nanny.

Dakota has lived in Dundee all her life. Her mother died when Dakota was young, leaving her to be raised by her father. By the time this story begins, Dakota is twenty-six and lives with her father, who is sick and off and on abusive to her. Things in their past make her unwilling to leave him, so she works in town to make ends meet. A friend recommends her to Tyson as a nanny for Braden. I loved how Dakota was unimpressed by Tyson's fame and money and dismayed by his apparent lack of interest in his son. His desperation for her help was evident in the way he tried to get her to start that day.

I liked watching the relationship develop between Tyson and Dakota. Though the sparks of attraction are there, both try to ignore them. Instead, they form a solid friendship. I liked how Dakota supported Tyson as he faced Rachelle's unfounded accusations, especially the day the police detective came to question him. I also liked how Tyson was there to help Dakota deal with her father. His solution worked well to get her out of danger and help keep her father out of trouble. I enjoyed seeing their friendship grow and how Dakota helped Tyson learn to love Braden through her example.

Dakota didn't take too long to realize that her heart was in danger. Not only did she love little Braden, but Tyson was also becoming more important to her. She knows they have no future, as she is tied to Dundee, and Tyson will return to California for football season. What was fun and frustrating was watching Tyson fight his feelings. He did everything he could to convince himself he didn't care, even going so far as to introduce her to other men. The scenes at his barbecue were hilarious, especially his reaction to Dakota spending time with Joe.

While that broke through some of Tyson's resistance, he still refused to see the truth of his feelings. His issues cause him to pull away from Dakota, and she realizes that his fears are stronger than what they have between them. I liked that Dakota stood up for her needs and made plans to do what was right for her. Tyson earned his misery, and it took some straight talk from his friend Gabe for him to see the truth. His big moment at the end was a bit over-the-top, as he made his plans without asking the question first, but it worked out for him. The epilogue was good.

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