Singled Out

A Forbidden Love Small Town Romance (Single Dads of Dragonfly Lake, Book 1)

De: Amy Knupp

Narrado por: Erin Mallon, Sebastian York

Duración: 7 h y 27 m

Resumen del Editor

Sometimes love singles you out when you least expect it—or want it

Harper

Commitment was never my thing. But I've been directionless for far too long. It's time to take on some responsibilities and get my life together. Bidding on my best friend's brother at a bachelor auction didn't help me with that. Neither did having a hot, secret fling with him. Too bad that didn't stop me. Because now I'm in way over my head. And I'm afraid I might not be ready for the biggest commitment of all. Love

Max

I've got more commitments than I can handle. I became a single dad overnight. Between that and my coaching job, I don't have time for romance. Especially not with her. Harper's not only my little sister's friend, she's also my boss's daughter. There are a million reasons why we shouldn't be together. And I can't seem to remember any of them when she's in my arms

Singled Out, book 1 in the Single Dads of Dragonfly Lake series, is an emotional, sexy, opposites attract, small town contemporary romance. Download today and get ready to fall for Harper, Max, and Dragonfly Lake.

©2024 Amy Knupp (P)2024 Amy Knupp

I love Dragonfly Lake and you will too

I first fell in love with author Amy Knupp’s sexy, witty small-town romances with Untold, the prequel to the Henry Brothers Series. Each book was wonderful and the last one, Unraveled, gave us a glimpse of Max, one of the single dads who meet regularly in Dragonfly Lake to chill, talk about the difficulty of being a single dad, and just have some man time with others who know where they’re coming from and don’t judge. So imagine my delight at being given an advance listening copy of Singled Out, the first book in the new Single Dads of Dragonfly Lake series, starring – MAX DAWSON!!

I love Dragonfly Lake and all its tentacles: each successive book and series moves forward while also looking back to people you’ve already met. Kind of like finding more family and friends who are somehow all connected to one another. Both Harper Ellison and Max Dawson are from Dragonfly Lake, but that’s about all the have in common.

Harper’s never really left and she’s not sure she ever will because she has no life plan. Not for anything. Not for a career. Not for a relationship. Take life as it comes is her motto. Day-by-day is almost too much commitment for her. Hour-by-hour is better. She’s capable, talented and has friends, but it seems she’s never really finished anything and doesn’t think long-term things work out. Until her friend Naomi dies and she starts thinking about her approach. And until she meets Max Dawson.

Max is one serious guy, and the opposite to Harper in his life plans. Once a football quarterback, he’s now living back in Dragonfly Lake and teaching high school math. He became an instant daddy when his cousin and cousin’s wife were killed in an accident and Max became the baby’s guardian. Little Danny is his whole world, and he takes that responsibility so seriously he actually believes he should not date, much less marry, until Danny is grown. What if something should happen to a woman Max brings into his life? He would subject Danny to another loss, that’s what, and Max will not do that. Certain in his belief and life plan. Until he meets Harper Ellison.

Max is a good man. Serious, generous, caring, dedicated and oh so worried and uncertain. You have to fall in love with him. Harper sounds like a flake on paper, but she’s not. She just won’t take that step to move forward, to find herself. When these two get together it’s amazing. Instant connection and instant attraction. Max drags his feet and resists and resists, but it’s almost like an invisible force is pushing him towards Harper. They agree no strings, no commitment, no future, no one getting hurt, no one getting feelings. But you know – life. And life can be pretty funny. Avoiding, falling, pulling back, and drawn together like magnets – and some hilarious shenanigans involving a llama.

Singled Out is a perfect addition to a wealth of stories that make you laugh, a lot. But you will also feel sad about situations people think they must stay in, and of course there’s the heat. That mad wild attraction that just will not cool down. Amy Knupp creates such a wonderful world, so magic you won’t want to leave.

Thanks to the author and Home Cooked Books for providing an advance listening copy of Singled Out. Knupp’s books are amazing, but in audiobook? Whatever is beyond amazing is what they are. And that’s what Erin Mallon and Sebastian York are – beyond amazing. Erin Mallon is almost always perfect – well, actually, no almost about it, she is always perfect. And Sebastian York did such a terrific blend of that worried daddy and hunky football player thing that it was just tingly. Yes, tingly. We had Knox’s single dad story in Unexpected, and now we’ve had Max’s. But there are a lot of single dads in Dragonfly Lake and I can’t wait to see whose story is up next. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

Loved it

From the first chapter to the last I was fully invested in single dad Max and free spirit Harper. Narrated by Sebastian York and Erin Mallon they did a wonderful job in bringing the characters and story to life.
 
This book ticked all the boxes for me and I found the characters easy to relate too. If you want a book with all the feels, then this is for you. I found myself smiling throughout and saying to myself, just one more chapter.
 
The narrators voices suited the characters and were easy to listen too. Cannot wait for the next book in the series.
 
 
 

Singled Out

First, let me say that this is the first book that I have read by Amy Knupp and it will not be the last.

Singled Out is book #1 of the Single Dads of Dragonfly Lake series and it was wonderful.

We meet Max who is a single dad to Danny and he lives his life for his son. Max didn’t have the best family life growing up, so he will not risk doing anything that will hurt or cause Danny any harm. Dakota (Max’s sister) best friend, Harper, needs a date to a fundraiser so that she will not have to go alone and will have someone to lean on. Harper wins Max in an auction, so that he can be her date.

Things progress slowly between Max and Harper, because neither one wants anything serious. What happens when it ends and hearts are broken? Everyone besides Max and Harper knows what’s going on until it’s too late.

Erin Mallon and Sebastian York did a wonderful job narrating Singled Out. I would highly recommend reading or listening to Singled Out by Amy Knupp - You will not be disappointed!

Single dad, bachelor auction, secret fling, brother’s best friend

Thanks to The Author Agency for the eARC and to Home Cooked Books for the ALC.

Singled Out
By Amy Knupp

Narrated by Erin Mallon & Sebastian York

Story Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨(4.5/5)
Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 (0-5)
Overall: 4.75/5
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥 (0-5)

What I’m Starry-Eyed Over:
🤩 Fabulously entertaining and beautiful sounding narrators--perfectly cast.
🤩 New series but back in the small, lake town of Dragonfly Lake. Take me to Earthly Charm.
🤩 The bachelor auction is everything—such an amazing and captivating start to the plot.
🤩 The sweet theme and donation in loving memory of her dear friend—Art Lights Up Lives.
🤩 Everything so beautifully described—the setting, the plot details, the conversations.
🤩 The tropes—single dad (whole series coming of single dads), best friend’s brother, boss’s daughter, age gap (no ick), unwanted physical attraction, secret fling!
🤩 Max’s sister Dakota’s hand in all of it! She’s such a sweet friend and sister.
🤩 Amazing characters and characterization.
🤩 Devoted single dad Max Dawson is a retired NFL player and current P.E. teacher.
🤩 Passionate artist Harper Ellison is a bit lost but trying to find her way in this world.
🤩 The natural care, friendship, trust, and chemistry.
🤩 How they resist the pull and then fireworks when they can’t possibly resist anymore!
🤩 Oh, my hotness—these two definitely have it goin’ on!
🤩 I’m a sucker for a little jealousy.

What I’m Wishing/Dizzy About:
💫 I like Max’s grovel and apology, but some steamy lovin’ after the time apart would help us believe they still have what it takes!
💫 A little more Danny sweetness would be great, especially the bond between him and Harper.
💫 Some counseling would be good for dealing with their trauma.

Witty, poignant, lighthearted listen!

After reading/listening to some darker and heavier themed books, Amy Knupp's Singled Out was just the palate cleanser I needed.

Free-spirited Harper scores the winning bid on a date with her best friend's brother at a charity auction. Said best friend's brother Max is a single dad, recently retired from the NFL, now the local small town high-school football coach.

While each has been peripherally aware of the other, their official date night post-auction serves to awaken them to each other with new eyes, and they both like what they see.

Commitment shy Harper's winding up of loose ends after the loss of a friend and creative mentor leaves her somewhat adrift. Max, also commitment shy, but for different reasons, can't fight his attraction to Harper and the two begin a secret fling.

Will finally acting on their growing attraction be enough to overcome the reasons they tell each other (and themselves) it could never work?

While not without some angst and heartache, this was simply a light and enjoyable listen. Add in the dulcet tones of Erin Mallon and Sebastian York's grumpy gruffness and you have one entertaining audiobook.

Mallon's performance of Harper was, by turns, sweet, sassy, and vulnerable. York's performance as the outwardly gruff but privately tender dad and attentive lover was swoon worthy. Both performed the roles of secondary characters with skill and aplomb.

Singled Out is book one of the Single Dads of Dragonfly Lake, and I am looking forward to listening to future installments.

Sweet and delightful

This is a good story with a few ups and downs. This town feels familiar but not and the backdrop is gorgeous. It gets a bit crazy then settles down nicely. The characters are a single Dad and young lady who wins a date with him are good. He is a little cautious and she is wary of a lot. I liked meeting new people of the town and in the single Dad’s club.

Overall the story is good and the characters are nice but I would have liked a bit more strife and boisterousness with MC or even the secondary. But sometimes things are just easy with a few rough waters and that is this story. I did listen to this on audio. Erin Mallon and Sebastian York do an amazing job on the narration.

It Was Just A Fling

I was entertained by this first book in the "Single Dads of Dragonfly Lake" series. Harper wasn't interested in a long-term commitment. Max became a single dad overnight and was too busy for romance. Harper's winning bid on Max at a bachelor's auction opened some surprising doors for the both of them. Max and Harper were both dedicated and determined to follow their goals. Their romance followed a rocky path which I found entertaining. There was some unexpected humor in this story. There were some steamy scenes. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. Erin Mallon's and Sebastian York's dual narrations were enjoyable, and their performances added to the story's entertainment. I was given an early and free audiobook by Home Cooked Books. I have voluntarily posted this review which included my opinions.

Max and Harper

This book is a fantastic start to this new series by one of my favorite authors Amy Knupp. The performance by both narrators is fantastic and I could feel all the emotions, and turmoil of these two. Also, I could listen to Sebastian York all day long... Max and Harper both have suffered a great loss and have sworn off relationships. One date and all these two thought they wanted goes out the window. I love how real these two are and how perfect they are for each other. Love getting a glimpse of Dragonfly Lake, all its fun residents and The Single Dads group. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book.

I was sent a free audiobook from HCB and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

Single dad x boss’s daughter

This is my first Amy Knupp book and won’t be my last! Harper and Max were great characters who definitely were meant to be together.

💙Single dad
💙Small town romance
💙Age gap
💙Boss’s daughter
💙Bachelor auction

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️
Angst level: 💔

Harper and Max couldn’t be more similar in their beliefs on relationships - they both want to stay as far away from them as possible. So when they find the pull of their attraction growing stronger and stronger, they decide to give in and get all the benefits from their friendship.

But at some point along the way, their situationship turned more. But do both parties feel the same way?

I loved Max and his relationship with his son. That whole situation was so loving to see. The care that he places with Daniel was so, so special.

Harper was such a relatable character. She doesn’t know what she wants from her life, but really, do most of us?! I loved how much I felt for her throughout the book.

Sebastian York and Erin Mallon did a fantastic job with the narration! They really brought these characters to life. I could feel every emotion that they were going through.

Love this small town story!

Overall Rating: 4/5⭐️
Spice Level: 2/5🌶️
Audio: 5/5🎧

Singled out is the first book in Amy Knupp’s new Single Dads of Dragonfly Lake series. I am so excited for this series as I LOVE a good small town story! This is the first book I’ve read by Amy and it was such a nice, cozy read.

Harper is a free spirit, a budding artist. Max is a former NFL star turned high school math teacher and coach. He also unexpectedly comes into fatherhood. They meet at an auction where Harper bids on Max, winning a date with him. They want to keep things fun with no commitments, but how long can that really last?

Recorded in dual style, Sebastian York and Erin Mallon are fantastic together. They are both incredibly talented and always bring their best performances and it could be seen in this story. Both narrators really embodied these characters and brought this story to life.