21 Single Dad Romance Books That Will Make You Swoon

Calling all lovers of single dad romance books! If you have a thing for single parents finding love in romance novels, then I have the list for you.

These are the best single dad romance books to enjoy if you love this romance trope.

*Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

I am a fan of many different romance heroes but there’s just something about a single dad romance book (and especially one with adorable kids) that just hits you with all the feels.

These are the single parents who may or may not be looking for love, but find it in all the right places while they are busy juggling life and parenthood.

Single dad romance books can often crossover with nanny romance books but there’s a ton of variety in them as well.

This book list gives you my favorite single dad romance books as well as a few that have been on my TBR list that I can’t wait to read.

Ready to find your next favorite single dad romance? Check out the list below!

The Best Single Dad Romance Books

Fortuity
by Jewel E. Ann

Gracelyn is on a self-imposed man ban having had her heart broken by three men in her life.

Her heart is even more shattered with the loss of her brother and his wife, leaving her as the guardian to her ten-year-old nephew, Gabe.

Moving into a house on the beach in San Diego, she meets her neighbor, single dad, Nathaniel who’s had his own heart-broken more than once.

This is one of my favorite romance books of all time because I fell not only for the single dad, Nate, but also Gracelyn who became a single mom when she became guardian to her nephew.

I love when two broken hearts find love together and these two neighbors were so deserving of their happily-ever-after. Plus, their kids were pretty darn cute too.

Pick this one up for its great writing, beautiful love story, and amazing characters! My Review.

Related: Best Romance Novels of All Time

Down Too Deep
by J. Daniels

When Nathan lost his wife, he let his parents raise his baby girl while he lost himself in his restaurant.

But when his parents give him an ultimatum to step up, he needs to find childcare fast.  

Jenna is happy to watch Nate’s little girl, and the more time she and her two kids spend with Nate and his daughter, the more she can’t help but fall for the family they seemed to be building.

Nathan is one of my favorite romance heroes with a wounded heart who is struggling with the weight of becoming a single parent and widow.

This man was struggling with the reason behind his wife’s passing as well as the pressure to run his restaurant and now take care of his daughter on his own.

Jenna is a single parent herself who was so caring and patient with Nate. I loved their love story! My Review.

Related: Romance Heroes With Wounded Hearts

Make Me Yours
by Melanie Harlow

Cheyenne has been in love with her brother’s best friend for years but he was always the man she couldn’t have.  All it took was one accidental text to let her crush out of the bag.

Now she’s finally with the man of her dreams but is he willing to put his heart on the line again, for her?

Melanie Harlow loves to write single dad romances but this one is my favorite. While it’s also a brother’s best friend and neighbors to lovers story, Cole is a great single dad who would do anything for his girl.

Cheyenne and his daughter have a special relationship already as neighbors and from school (Cheyenne’s a school teacher) so it was beautiful to see this relationship blossom into a real family. My Review.

Related: Best Brother’s Best Friend Romance Books

Last on the List
by Amy Daws

CEO millionaire, Max Fletcher is a single dad in desperate need of a nanny.

Cozy Barlow is in the middle of her self-appointed “gap year” and doing everything she can to detach from her past.

But when her sister begs her to interview for the nanny position of a high maintenance client, she doesn’t have a good enough reason to say no.

While Max is prepared to give the twenty-something the boot, his little girl thinks this plus-sized in body and spirit nanny might be her new bestie, so she hires her on the spot.

Now Max is stuck with this bizarre woman who hates everything he represents—corporate greed, money, status, power.

But one stormy night when the power goes out, he discovers Cozy doesn’t hate him. In fact, he’s the leading role in her fantasies. 

This is such a fun single dad romance but I wouldn’t expect anything less from Amy Daws who writes the best romcoms.

Max is a great father with a wonderful relationship with his ex, but he’s a workaholic and needs a nanny.

He just doesn’t expect the sassy and fun-loving nanny to elicit such strong, HOT feelings. My Review.

Related: Best Office Romance Books

To Hate Adam Connor
by Ella Maise

Adam Connor is the recently divorced, Academy Award-winning actor who just moved in next door with his kid.

Who can blame me for taking a peek over the wall to catch a glimpse of him?

But the bastard has me thrown in jail after accidentally falling over and since then I’ve been plotting ways to strangle him instead of jumping his bones.

This is another single dad romance full of humor and hot moments.

I love how Adam initially loathes Lucy for essentially trespassing onto his property because the man is all about protecting his son, but when his feelings make an about-face he is so sincere.

I loved their banter and Adan, Adam’s son was the cutest! This is a must-read.

Related: Best Enemies to Lovers Books

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Egomaniac
by Vi Keeland

The night Emerie met Drew, he was sneaking into her new office, only she was the actual intruder and Drew the rightful occupant.

Taking pity on her, Drew agrees to let Emerie share his workspace only the two couldn’t be more opposite in their outlook on love and relationships.

He’s a divorce attorney and she helps people repair their relationships. Will their differences prove too much for their growing attraction or will love rule in the end?

This single dad romance book is another of my all-time favorite books because the chemistry between Emerie and Drew is off the charts!

They are such opposites in their outlook on love which comes out in the best banter. But with an ex like his, no wonder Drew is anti-love.

If you want a steamy single dad romance, this is one of my favorites.

Related: Best Romance Books of All Time

Pipe Dreams
by Sarina Bowen

Mike Beacon is a widower and a single father, he’s never forgotten Lauren Williams, the ex who gave him the best year of his life.

When Lauren reappears in the Bruisers office during the playoffs, Beacon sees his chance to make things right.

Lauren hates that she’s forced to travel with the team she used to work for and the man who broke her heart. There’s still undeniable tension running between her and Mike, but she’s focused on her plans for the future.

But she’s no match for the dark-eyed goalie and will have to win over Mike’s biggest fan who doesn’t approve of them rekindling relationship—his teenage daughter.

You know, sometimes it’s the kids in single dad romance books that cause the most trouble, and that sure is the case for Mike and Lauren.

They’ve been down this road before so Lauren is justified in protecting her heart but there’s really no escaping her feelings for the goalie. It’s just a question of what Mike will do about his daughter.

I love Sarina’s hockey romances and this one is so, so good!

Related: Best Second Chance Romance Books

Work Me Up
by Julie Kriss

Ryan Riggs has made a name for himself in minor league baseball, but he’s also a single dad in need of a nanny.

The only problem is he and his new nanny have a past – a one-night stand five years ago that neither has forgotten.

Battling demons, responsibilities and chemistry that is still undeniable, how long can they continue to keep things professional?

If you’re more of a fan of struggling single dad romance books then you’ll eat up Ryan.

The man didn’t even know he had a kid until he shows up and with an injury impacting his minor league career, the man is definitely in need of help.

I particularly love that Ryan and Kate have a history which makes things very interesting for their working relationship.

Even the single dads who are a hot mess are adorable and I loved this one!

Related: Best Baseball Romance Books

Nuts
by Alice Clayton

Roxie Callahan is a private chef to some of Hollywood’s wealthiest, and nastiest wives.

But after her career implodes with one client disaster, she’s headed back home to upstate New York, bailing out her hippie mother and running the family diner.

When gorgeous local farmer Leo Maxwell delivers her a lovely bunch of organic walnuts, Roxie wonders if a summer back home isn’t such a bad idea after all.

Roxie is determined to head back to the west coast as soon as summer ends, but will the pull of this small town and nights with Leo be enough to keep her home for good?

It’s a toss-up whether I loved the single dad angle or the focus on food sustainability more in this novel. Leo made both so hot!

Leo however likes to keep his personal “relationships” and his relationship with his daughter completely separate which definitely causes some problems.

This is an Alice Clayton book not to miss.

Related: Romance Books That Inspire Travel

Forever and a Day
by Jill Shalvis

Grace never thought she’d be starting her life over from scratch. Losing everything has landed her in Lucky Harbor, working as a dog walker for overwhelmed ER doctor Josh Scott.

But the day his nanny fails to show up, Grace goes from caring for Josh’s lovable mutt to caring for his rambunctious son. Soon Grace is playing house with the hot single dad.

Jill Shalvis writes the most endearing characters but boy are Grace and Josh both a hot mess when they meet.

Grace is trying to start over and Josh is failing at juggling parenting and his job at the hospital.

It was their screw-ups and mess-ups and the hilarious moments with his kids that made this such a fun and sweet single dad romance book worth reading.

Related: Best Romcom Books to Make you Laugh

More Single Dad Romance Books Worth Reading

Return to Us
by Corinne Michaels

At eighteen, I walked away from the love of my life. Fourteen years later, a crash sends me back home to recover where I now see Grayson Parkerson every day while we work together at The Park Inn.

Working together gives me a chance to reconnect with the now single dad and one night together tells me I’m where I belong.

All it took was one kiss to fall for him again but now I have to convince him to give us a second chance.

I love single dads with wounded hearts. They are already juggling so much in their life so why put their heart on the line to just get burned?

But I have a feeling Jessica isn’t going to back down and let Grayson go a second time.

Related: Best Second Chance Romance Books

Single Dad Seeks Juliet
by Max Monroe

Who can blame me for wanting to sabotage my latest work assignment, wreck a dating contest, because I hate the idea of love?

I’m supposed to help a reader-nominated bachelor find his special someone in the Bachelor Anonymous contest, but I want to do anything but for the Single Dad Seeks Juliet entrant who won.

But this Romeo is the ultimate man – a former Navy SEAL, successful business owner, motocross-riding, charming single dad, and the more time I spend with him, the more I want to bring this contest thing crumbling to the ground for an entirely different reason.

I’m in trouble because I’m the woman who despises love, falling for the completely off-limits Bachelor who I’m ironically assigned to help find love with other women.

This book has me at this Romeo! I mean he checks SO many boxes, no wonder Holley changes her tune when it comes to love when Jake comes into the picture.

Plus, Max Monroe pens the best romances so I’m excited to see what they bring to this single dad romance.

Kick Push
by Jay McLean

There’s a single defining moment within every skater. It’s the moment you’re in the air, your board somewhere beneath you, and nothing but wind surrounds you.

The sixteen-year-old version of me would’ve said it was the greatest feeling in the world.
Then at seventeen, I had my son. And every single second became a defining moment.

Even the ones that made me a single dad at seventeen. Yet, every day, I managed to find that feeling of being airborne.

Or at least I convinced myself I did. Until she showed up.

Let’s be real, not all single dads are adults. Sometimes parenthood can come in your teens. Josh may not be that old, but his love for his son speaks volumes.

If you’re looking for a new adult, single dad romance book then definitely add this to your TBR list.

Related: Best Sports Romance Books

A Nordic King
by Karina Halle

When I first applied for the job I thought it would be like all the others: working as a nanny for an aristocratic family.

Now I’m the new nanny for two adorable little girls who happen to be princesses.

Their father is the widowed King of Denmark. And my new home? The royal palace in Copenhagen.

Adjusting to my new life isn’t easy but the hardest part hasn’t been the girls who still grieve over the loss of their mother. It’s their father.

King Aksel may have hired me to take care of his daughters but he wants as little to do with me as possible.

Yet the longer I share these palace walls with this man, the more that I’m drawn to him.
But no matter how I feel about him, we can never be together.

This is the single dad romance book to read if you have a soft spot for fathers who are struggling with grief and who have hardened themselves to loving again.

It’s a forbidden romance too as he’s the King and she’s the nanny, but love has its ways of overcoming anything.

Related: Best Royal Romance Books

Zack
by Sawyer Bennett

Carolina Cold Fury’s rising star Zack Grantha, has been stuck in a downward spiral of grief. Now a single dad, and back on the road he’s in need of some serious help with his son.

But while the nerdy new nanny wins his son’s heart, Zack isn’t sure he’s ready for a woman’s touch.
 
Kate Francis usually keeps men like Zack at a distance. For one, he’s her boss, plus he refuses to move on with his life, but that doesn’t prevent the sparks from flying between them.  

But before she makes a power play for Zack’s wounded heart, Kate will have to open him up again and show him that love is worth the fight.

This is another nanny/ single dad romance with a hero with a wounded heart. I can’t imagine the grief that consumes Zack after losing his wife, but then he’s got to get back on the ice AND take care of his son.

This will be a tear-jerker but with a happily ever after that’s so deserved.

Related: Best Hockey Romance Books

Funny Business
by Kayley Loring

Owen Brodie is a single dad, a model, and a comedian about to go on a stand-up tour. In desperate need of a nanny to join him and his son on tour, he has no choice but to turn to Frankie a fellow struggling comedian.

Frankie is desperate for work – so desperate she’s willing to be the nanny of a comedian she heckled at his latest show.

These enemies will have to figure out how to be around each other on tour when they can’t stand one another, but it turns out the joke’s on them.

Loring writes the best romcoms but a single dad romance book with two comedians? You know you’re in for some laughs and great banter!

Even better? It’s also fueled with the tension of an enemies to lovers story. I’m all in for the jokes and the love. 😊

Related: Hilarious Romcoms that Will Make You Laugh

A Wildcard Kiss
by Lauren Blakely

Things that suck on my wedding day — walking in on my groom kissing another woman twenty minutes before the ceremony. A woman who happens to be my mom.

Lucky for me, in walks a deliciously charming local football hero, Harlan Taylor, at the local bar where I’m drowning my sorrows.

I happily take him up on that one-night stand offer but when I learn his football team just hired my yoga studio to teach downward facing dog to their star player, my O-delivering hottie is now officially off limits.

Trouble is, the more time I spend working with the hot single dad who dotes on his daughter, the more I’m feeling all the things far too soon.

What’s not to love about this single dad romance? Blakely churns out the best reads with the perfect amount of steam and heart.

I’m all for this forbidden romance with the football hottie and jilted bride.

Related: Best Sports Romance Books

You and Me
by Tal Bauer

Landon Larsen is the envy of all the dads in Last Waters, Texas. He’s cool, confident, and put together. He and his son have the perfect father-son relationship.

I’m not cool, or confident, and my relationship with my son couldn’t be worse.

Landon’s son and mine are best friends and teammates on the football team. To rebuild my relationship with my son, I’m now spending all my free time with the team—and with Landon.

Only I never expected to fall for my son’s best friend’s father.

I am all about this gay romance featuring not one, but two single dads! It sounds all too good and unique to me and a story that Bauer is perfect to deliver.

I love that it focuses on older sons and football too.

Related: Best Gay Romance Novels

All Rhodes Lead Here
by Mariana Zapata

Losing people you love is hard. Aurora De La Torre knows moving back to a place that was once home isn’t going to be easy.

Starting your whole life over probably isn’t supposed to be. But a small town in the mountains might be the perfect remedy for a broken heart.

Checking out her landlord across the driveway just might cure it too.

If Zapata is writing it, you know that this single dad romance book is going to be a SLOW burn.

Fall in love with a grumpy dad, a quirky woman, and the sweetest boy in this romance.

Related: The Best Slow Burn Romance Books

Show Me the Way
by A.L. Jackson

Rex Gunner, owner of the largest construction company in Gingham Lakes has been burned one too many times.

His wife leaving him to raise their daughter was the last blow this single dad could take. The only woman he’ll let into his heart is his little girl.

Rynna Dayne ran from Gingham Lakes when she was seventeen, and swore she would never return. Then her grandmother passed away and left her the deed to the diner that she once loved.

When Rex meets his new neighbor, he knows he’s in trouble. Will he hide behind his walls or will he take the chance.

Losing once at love is tough, but when you have a kid involved it’s even harder to put your heart on the line a second time.

If you love single dad romance books with reluctant heroes then give this one a try.

Related: Best Enemies to Lovers Books

Mr. Masters
by T.J. Swan

He is powerful, older and my boss, a lethal combination.

When I lied on my resume, I didn’t expect it to matter. I was born to be a nanny.

But the first day was bad and things only got worse.

The kids were evil and I spied through a window and caught him doing something obscene…. and equally fascinating.

But intelligent, widowed Judges don’t fall for ditzy nannies. Or do they?

How about a single dad romance with an arrogant, alpha male hero? And how about an age gap?

I adore Swan’s writing as she crafts the best storylines with amazing character development so this one is a must-read for sure.

Related: Best Age Gap Romance Books

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• Romance Heroes With Wounded Hearts to Love