There is something special about romance in single parent romance books.

In most romance novels, the two main characters get to know one another and fall in love. Many times, they merge their families of parents and siblings. They may or may not have kids later but they are the starting point of their nuclear family.

Romance books with single parents have an extra requirement—the main characters have to fall in love with their love interest's kid(s) as well. That is an important part of the story. These books give me all the feels because we get to see our characters fall in love with their partner and bond with the kid(s). The latter can be precious.

In this post, I'm sharing several varied romance books with the single parent trope—10 books with single dads and 10 with single moms.* You will definitely find a new recommendation to pick up.

*I haven't found romance books with single parents of other genders yet but I am on the lookout and will add them if I find any!

Steam levels explanation:

🔥 None - no explicit scenes.
🔥 Low - one or two steamy scenes.
🔥 Average - few detailed explicit scenes.
🔥 High - good amount of/regular detailed steamy scenes.

single dad romance books

1. Ignite by Melanie Harlow

ignite by melanie harlow book cover

My new neighbour is a firefighter—and a scorching hot single dad—but I swear I didn’t set off that smoke alarm on purpose.

(And I was beyond mortified when he rushed in and saw me naked.)

Nothing happened, of course—because I, Winnie MacAllister, romance junkie and owner of a constantly broken heart, have sworn off men for one solid year.

Even protective men with chiselled jaws, bulging biceps, and deep brown eyes that make my breath come faster. Even former SEALs with broad chests and strong hands that make my skin sizzle. Even gorgeous, grumpy guys who have their hands full raising two adorable little girls and claim they don’t believe in love.

Until Dex kisses me one night, and I drop all my defenses.

(Also my underwear.)

He says he’s not gentle, and he’s right. He says I should take the dream job I’m offered in another state, and he’s right. He says he’s too old for me and could never be the man I deserve.

He’s wrong.

Dex and I might be twelve years apart, but the fire between us is the kind that will never burn out.

How can I convince him to give happily-ever-after with me a chance?

If you want a quick, semi-steamy romance book that will make you laugh a bit and entertain you while also being intense during sexy scenes, go for this one. I found the reunion after the third act breakup quite entertaining.

Quick selling points:

  • Age gap romance.
  • Firefighter divorced single dad.
  • Sweet woman who falls in love easily.
  • Grumpy and sunshine romance.
  • Two very cute little girls.
  • Friends with benefits to lovers.

Steam level: Average.

2. Single Dad Seeks Juliet by Max Monroe

single dad seeks juliet by max monroe book cover

Dear Internet: Am I a horrible person for wanting to sabotage my work assignment—completely wreck a dating contest—because I hate the idea of love?

I know it sounds bad, but just hear me out, okay? I (33F) work at a local paper, and two months ago, my editor assigned me a huge project—run the upcoming, highly anticipated Bachelor Anonymous contest.

In essence, I’m supposed to help a reader-nominated bachelor find his special someone, and while I should be excited to handle something of this magnitude solo, I can’t help but get queasy over how gross it feels.

Like, how cheesy could this thing get?

Not to mention, I’m the last person who should be involved in this—my dating and relationship history is a cluster. Generally, the person in charge of these things shouldn’t fantasize about lighting the whole three-ring dating circus on fire.

Anyway, men from all over Southern California, vying for the coveted bachelor role, submitted their personal ads to my paper. The readers voted, and Single Dad Seeks Juliet won by a landslide.

Enter Mr. Bachelor Anonymous (40M), the single dad Romeo seeking his Juliet. Blah, blah, blah, right? Wrong.

You guys—and I cannot stress this enough—this guy is the ultimate man in a six-foot-three, chiseled-muscle, freaking Adonis package with aquamarine eyes that would haunt the dreams of an insomniac.

He’s a former Navy SEAL, successful business owner, motocross-riding, charming, supportive, funny-as-heck 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.

Real talk: I think I’m falling for him. Me, the woman who despises love, might be falling for the completely off-limits Bachelor who I’m ironically assigned to help find love, while five other women think they’re the only contestants competing for his heart.

So, Internet. Am I scum? Or is all fair in love and war?

Going into this book, I did not expect it to be as cute and nice as it turned out! The synopsis sounds pretty cheesy but the love story flows so smoothly. The book is funny, interesting, and entertaining.

Quick selling points:

  • Former Navy SEAL single dad.
  • Journalist who is recovering from a long toxic relationship.
  • Charming, dependable, loving man & outspoken, clumsy, lovable woman.
  • A well-intentioned meddling teenage daughter.
  • Great chemistry with lots of banter.
  • Slow burn romance.
  • Tall man and short woman.

Steam level: Low.

3. The Gravity of Us by Brittainy C. Cherry

the gravity of us by brittainy c. cherry book cover

Graham Russell and I weren’t made for one another. I was driven by emotion; he was apathetic. I dreamed while he lived in nightmares. I cried when he had no tears to shed.

Despite his frozen heart and my readiness to run, we sometimes shared seconds. Seconds when our eyes locked and we saw each other’s secrets. Seconds when his lips tasted my fears, and I breathed in his pains. Seconds when we both imagined what it would be like to love one another.

Those seconds left us floating, but when reality knocked us sideways, gravity forced us to descend.

Graham Russell wasn’t a man who knew how to love, and I wasn’t a woman who knew how to either. Yet if I had the chance to fall again, I’d fall with him forever. Even if we were destined to crash against solid ground.

I read this book years back but it's a memorable one. The writing and vibe of this book are very different from most romance books. It is darker, moodier, and more intense. If you want a book that will transport you, pick this one.

Quick selling points:

  • Opposites attract romance.
  • Grumpy and sunshine trope.
  • Lovely bonding scenes of both of them with Graham's son.
  • Slow burn romance.

Steam level: Average.

4. When the Time is Right by M. Mabie and Aly Martinez

when the time is right by m. mabie and ally martinez book cover

Fate doesn’t always happen overnight. 

Hudson Bradley is the cockiest, most stubborn, hard-headed man I’ve ever known. And for fifteen years, he’s been my brother's best friend. But lately, what I’m feeling for him isn’t friendship at all.

Why is my heart racing every time his blue eyes lock on mine?
Why does every word he rumbles in my ear make my body come alive?
And worst of all, why did I bet him that I could find a woman he and his son would both love? 

If I hadn’t given up on love altogether, Hudson would have been perfect for me. After all, he was there the day my world fell apart. He’s spent the last six years piecing me back together. There are a million reasons why we could never work, but after a single kiss, I can’t remember any of them. Now that the time is right, I have to make him mine—before I lose him forever. 

This book is way more than its synopsis, trust me. I did not know what a treat I was in for when going into this. The banter, the increasing chemistry between the characters, and the clash of personalities made this book great. It also has a valid third act breakup which I highly appreciated.

Quick selling points:

  • Best friends to lovers romance.
  • They set each other up on dates with others but fall in love with each other.
  • Found family with friends.
  • Single dad in a good co-parenting situation.
  • Very slow burn.
  • A really cute kid!

Steam level: Average.

5. Fresh Meet by Jasmine Miller

fresh meet by jasmine miller book cover

Fans call me the king of the water. I'm focused, driven, and most importantly, I win. Life as a professional swimmer comes with sacrifices, but they’ve never worried me. I’m used to life with little room for anything but training, eating, and sleeping. Nothing more, nothing less. 

When a son I knew nothing about lands on my doorstep—and a crazy but very beautiful nanny shortly after—my life is turned upside down. Allowing any change into my life could put my goals and dreams in jeopardy, and I’ve worked too hard and too long for them. 

When I’m tempted to look beyond lap times and medals to bedtime stories and the possibility of love, I face one of the hardest questions of my life: is it worth the risk?

This is such a pleasant read! Jace was suddenly handed an infant son and he tries to do his best while also pushing for his dreams. During it, he falls in love with a wonderful woman who is striving for her own goals too.

Quick selling points:

  • Single dad and nanny romance.
  • Athlete male lead.
  • Millie, our other lead, has dyslexia.
  • A very cute kid who communicates by signing.
  • Jace bonding with his son is too precious.
  • Slow relationship development. No instant attraction.

Steam level: Average.

6. Forever Right Now by Emma Scott

forever right now by emma scott book cover

Darlene Montgomery has been to hell and back…more than once. After a stint in jail for drug possession, she is finally clean and ready to start over. Yet another failed relationship is just the motivation she needs to move from New York to San Francisco with the hopes of resurrecting her dance career and discovering that she is more than the sum of her rap sheet. As Darlene struggles in her new city, the last thing she wants is to become entangled with her handsome—but cranky—neighbor and his adorable little girl... 

Sawyer Haas is weeks away from finishing law school, but exhaustion, dwindling finances, and the pressure to provide for himself and his daughter, Olivia, are wearing him down. A federal clerkship--a job he desperately needs--awaits him after graduation, but only if he passes the Bar Exam. Sawyer doesn’t have the time or patience for the capricious—if beautiful—dancer who moves into the apartment above his. But Darlene’s easy laugh and cheerful spirit seep into the cracks of his hardened heart, and slowly break down the walls he’s resurrected to keep from being betrayed ever again. 

When the parents of Olivia’s absentee mother come to fight for custody, Sawyer could lose everything. To have any chance at happiness, he must trust Darlene, the woman who has somehow found her way past his brittle barbs, and Darlene must decide how much of her own bruised heart she is willing to give to Sawyer and Olivia, especially when the ghosts of her troubled past refuse to stay buried.

Forever Right Now is one of those melancholy single parent romance books that will stick in your mind. The writing style absorbs you into the book and makes you live the characters' lives. If you're looking for a book that is not light-hearted, pick this.

Quick selling points:

  • Single dad with eidetic memory studying law.
  • Recovering addict and dancer love interest.
  • Neighbours to lovers.
  • Will take you on an emotional rollercoaster.

Steam level: low.

7. Tempest by Beverly Jenkins

tempest by beverly jenkins book cover

What kind of mail-order bride greets her intended with a bullet instead of a kiss? One like Regan Carmichael—an independent spirit equally at home in denims and dresses. Shooting Dr. Colton Lee in the shoulder is an honest error, but soon Regan wonders if her entire plan to marry a man she’s never met is a mistake. Colton, who buried his heart along with his first wife, insists he only wants someone to care for his daughter. Yet Regan is drawn to the unmistakable desire in his gaze.

Regan’s far from the docile bride Colton was expecting. Still, few women would brave the wilds of Wyoming Territory for an uncertain future with a widower and his child. The thought of having a bold, forthright woman like Regan in his life—and in his arms—begins to inspire a new dream. And despite his family’s disapproval and an unseen enemy, he’ll risk all to make this match a real union of body and soul.

This is for historical romance lovers. You cannot go wrong with a Beverly Jenkins book. While reading Tempest, I became convinced that this author writes the best historical heroines. Regan smashed the boundaries of "a good woman" in this book and was an inspiration.

Quick selling points:

  • Rich woman and poor man romance.
  • Single dad who is a doctor.
  • Arranged marriage to lovers.
  • Mail order bride!

Steam level: Average.

8. The Bombshell Effect by Karla Sorensen

the bombshell effect books cover

Allie Sutton just got a new job. Not one she wants, and definitely not one she's prepared for. She hadn't seen her dad in years, so the last thing she expects upon his sudden death is to inherit the thing he loved more than anything (or anyone) ... the professional football team he owned for the last twenty years. 

Luke Pierson does not want a new boss. What he wants is to be a good father to his daughter, the best quarterback possible for his teammates. What he doesn't need is a blonde bombshell ruining the team's chances at another championship. Especially when that bombshell turns out to be his new neighbor. The neighbor he was a complete jerk to the first time they met. 

For the sake of the team, they treat each other like complete professionals. In public, at least. Behind closed doors, it's a different story. And the fallout of giving in to that heat is something neither one of them can see coming.

This had a different take on sports romance. Allie and Luke are very attractive people who off on the wrong foot but have to work together. This book has a great romance but also has a really good focus on individual growth, specifically Allie's.

Quick selling points:

  • Footballer single dad.
  • Woman who owns the football team.
  • Neighbours to friends-with-benefits to lovers.

Steam level: Average.

9. Cups of You by Karmen Lee

cups of you by karmen lee book cover

Amber Jones is back home...temporarily. In 6 months, she plans to drive away from the town that still holds painful memories and back to her big city life. But a newcomer with a voice like the darkest roast and an ever-present smile unexpectedly makes returning to the hustle and bustle of the city, and the boyfriend she shares it with, seem much less appealing.

Benjamin Murphy moved to Millensville for his ex-wife, but even after their very public split, he remained in the town that embraced him and his now teenaged daughter as one of their own. When a gorgeous woman from the city walks into his quaint coffee shop, not even her dour expression is enough to keep him from trying to catch one more glimpse of her smile.

These two seem like total opposites, but when the old adage of opposites attracting seems to hold true, will Amber and Benjamin be able to bridge the gaps between them and find love, or will their common ground crumble beneath the weight of their differences?

This is one of my favourite books from this entire list. Reading Cups of You is like going into your comfort coffee shop which is cozy and not crowded. I loved that it had great supporting characters. The book also touches on how Black women have to be tough to survive.

Quick selling points:

  • Grumpy gf and sunshine bf (this trope is done SO WELL in this book.)
  • The cutest sunshine barista male lead.
  • Girlboss woman who is at a turning in her life.
  • Small town romance.
  • Slow burn!

Steam level: Low.

10. All His Secrets by Maya Hughes

all this secrets by maya hughes book cover

She’s the one woman I should stay away from, but I can’t help myself...

They say being a billionaire has its perks, but I hardly notice. After being widowed, my beautiful little girl is the most important thing to me. Esme hasn’t spoken to anyone but me since her mother’s death. When she goes missing, I’m this close to losing it.

When Esme turns up safe and sound with a cute waitress, I’m ready to give the lady a reward and be on our way, but then Esme speaks to her. It’s simple, a mere “thank you”, but I know I can’t let the waitress get away.

Melanie is nothing like the women who throw themselves at me. Her big brown eyes take my breath away from the minute I lay eyes on her. She fills out her pink waitress uniform with curves I can’t wait to get my hands on. I can’t get her out of my head.

Melanie’s bringing my little girl out of her shell, which means she’s strictly off limits. But having her under my roof and close enough to touch is too much of a temptation. My legendary control is beginning to slip and I don’t know how much longer I can resist breaking every rule I have.

The story starts off at a very interesting note. If you want a quick romance read with a lot of bonding scenes with the kid and a curt dad who is too sweet with his daughter, this is for you.

Quick selling points:

  • Billionaire romance.
  • Alpha male lead.
  • Forced proximity trope.
  • A very cute kid.

Steam level: Low.

single mom romance books

Note: none of these single parent romance books has the secret baby trope. They're stories of single moms and love interests who are not the father of the child.

1. Rafe: A Buff Male Nanny by Rebekah Weatherspoon

rafe by rebekah weatherspoon

All Dr. Sloan Copeland needed was someone to watch her kids. What she found was the man of her dreams…

After a nasty divorce and a thousand mile move, Dr. Sloan Copeland and her twin daughters are finally getting the hang of their new life in Los Angeles. When their live-in nanny bails with no warning, Sloan is left scrambling to find a competent caretaker to wrangle her smart, sensitive girls. Nothing less will do.

Enter Rafe Whitcomb. He's all of those things, not to mention good-natured and one heck of a whiz in the kitchen. He's also tall, and handsome, and bearded, and ripped, and tatted, wrist to neck. 

It doesn't take long for the Copelands to invite Rafe into their home. Just as quickly, both Sloan and Rafe find themselves succumbing to a heady mutual attraction, neither of them wants to deny. With every minute they spend under the same roof, this working mom can't help but wonder if Rafe can handle all her needs...

Rafe is an underrated romance book that I recommend to everybody. It has great characters, the best romance with open and mature communication, and the cutest kids. It is one of my comfort books and will become one of yours too.

Quick selling points:

  • Single mom and nanny romance.
  • Hot, tattooed, motorbike-riding nanny with a very soft heart.
  • Genius heart surgeon and single mother to twins.
  • Adorable bonding moments between Rafe and the twin girls.
  • Great chemistry between the couple.

Steam level: Average.

2. Feels Like Love by Jenna Hartley

feels like love jenna hartley book cover

I'm secretly in love with my best friend's little sister.
So, I do what any good friend would—avoid her.
At least, until my house floods, and my best friend suggests I move in with Wren.
Resisting her has never been easy.
But when Wren convinces me to be her dating coach, it’s impossible.
The more we "practice," the harder I fall for her and her amazing son.
The more I start to believe what we have is real.
It feels like love, but is it worth risking my friendship with Wren and her brother to know if she feels the same?

If you're looking for a chill single-parent romance with slow buildup and tension, this book is for you.

Quick selling points:

  • Brother's best friend romance.
  • Forced proxity trope.
  • She asks him to be her dating coach!
  • Slow burn romance.

Steam level: Average.

3. On the Square by Brenda Murphy

on the square by brenda murphy

Dropped from her television show after a very public split with her cheating ex, celebrity chef Mai Li wants nothing more than to reopen her parents’ shuttered restaurant and make a fresh start in her former hometown. So what if twenty years of neglect has left the building in need of a major renovation?

Seduced by Mai’s charm and determination, hard-edged contractor Dale Miller agrees to take on her renovation project.

After a spring storm causes significant damage to the building and renovation costs exceed Mai’s budget, Dale offers her a deal, but is it a price Mai is willing to pay?

This is an underrated queer romance book that hits checks all the boxes. I'm not one who enjoys a lot of small town romances but this charmed me too. Plus, this book is hot.

Quick selling points:

  • Lesbian romance.
  • Contractor butch femme and single mother main character.
  • Celebrity chef starting over main character.
  • Bonding over cooking!
  • Small town romance.

Steam level: Average.

4. Sustained by Emma Chase

sustained book cover

When you’re a defense attorney in Washington, DC, you see firsthand how hard life can be, and that sometimes the only way to survive is to be harder. I, Jake Becker, have a reputation for being cold, callous, and intimidating—and that suits me just fine. In fact, it’s necessary when I’m breaking down a witness on the stand.

Complications don’t work for me—I’m a “need-to-know” type of man. If you’re my client, tell me the basic facts. If you’re my date, stick to what will turn you on. I’m not a therapist or Prince Charming—and I don’t pretend to be.

Then Chelsea McQuaid and her six orphaned nieces and nephews came along and complicated the ever-loving hell out of my life. Now I'm going to Mommy & Me classes, One Direction concerts, the emergency room, and arguing cases in the principal's office.

Chelsea’s too sweet, too innocent, and too gorgeous for her own good. She tries to be tough, but she’s not. She needs someone to help her, defend her…and the kids.

And that — that, I know how to do.

Sustained is one of the more popular books on this list and for good reason. While the romance is nice, my favourite parts of the book are the bonding scenes with Jake and the six kids. It was so! cute!

Quick selling points:

  • Sudden guardian to six kids main character.
  • Playboy hotshot lawyer who can't help but get involved in the family.
  • Lots of chaos because of the six kids ranging from teenagers to an infant.
  • It will make you feel good!

Steam level: Average.

5. Juniper Hill by Devney Perry

juniper hill by devney perry

Memphis Ward arrives in Quincy, Montana, on the fifth worst day of her life. She needs a shower. She needs a snack. She needs some sanity. Because moving across the country with her newborn baby is by far the craziest thing she’s ever done.

But maybe it takes a little crazy to build a good life. If putting the past behind her requires a thousand miles and a new town, she’ll do it if it means a better future for her son. Even if it requires setting aside the glamour of her former life. Even if it requires working as a housekeeper at The Eloise Inn and living in an apartment above a garage.

It’s there, on the fifth worst day of her life, that she meets the handsomest man she’s ever laid eyes on. Knox Eden is a beautiful, sinful dream, a chef and her temporary landlord. With his sharp, stubbled jaw and tattooed arms, he’s raw and rugged and everything she’s never had—and never will. Because after the first worst day of her life, Memphis learned a good life requires giving up on her dreams too. And a man like Knox Eden will only ever be a dream.

The synopsis sounds charming but I promise you, the story is even more charming. I flew through this book and wanted to reread it immediately after finishing it.

Quick selling points:

  • Riches-to-rags single mother.
  • Grumpy chef who can't help but grow closer to Memphis and her son.
  • Force proximity.
  • Neighbours to lovers.
  • No third act breakup!

Steam level: Low.

6. Until Jax by Aurora Rose Reynolds

until jax by aurora rose reynolds

Ellie Anthony isn't looking for love. She isn't even looking for a man, but when Jax Mayson insists on keeping her and her daughter safe, she's left with no choice but to trust him. Now she just hopes she doesn't get hurt when she falls hard for a guy who's known for breaking hearts. 

Jax Mayson knows that Ellie is his BOOM the moment he sees her. When he finds out she has a daughter, he realizes he wants a family, and he will do whatever is necessary to keep both of his girls safe, even if that means facing the demons from his past.

If you like alpha male leads who will do everything for the woman they love, you will like Until Jax. It is a quick read that does well on the tropes it hits. I also liked seeing the lovely supporting characters in this book.

Quick selling points:

  • Guy falls in love at first sight.
  • Bossy alpha male lead.
  • Single mother who was rescued from a bad situation.
  • Cute toddler who pushes Jax and Ellie together.
  • The slow relationship development here was really nice, compared to other books by the author.

Steam level: Average.

7. Penthouse Prince by Virginia Nelson

the penthouse prince by virginia nelson book cover

Single mom Jeanie Long was trying to save her butt at work by reporting her manager to the company owner. Instead, she finds herself greeted warmly by gorgeous company CEO Camden James...and introduced to his father as his fiancée. Now she's been hired—complete with a hefty pay raise—to be the fake fiancée of the infamous “Penthouse Prince.”

Camden doesn't believe in love. He believes in mutually beneficial business arrangements. With his real fiancée off cheating on him, Camden needs someone to help him prove to his father that he's definitely ready to marry. Yet Jeanie's combination of beauty and bluntness act like an aphrodisiac, and their “for the press” kisses look incredibly real. So real that Jeanie and Camden are either really convincing actors...or they've fallen for their own charade.

Penthouse Prince is a nice romance book that will serve you well especially if you're looking for its specific tropes. The main characters start with a fake engagement and, of course, end up falling in love.

Quick selling points:

  • Relationship/marriage of convenience trope.
  • Office romance.
  • Billionaire male lead.
  • Forced proximity trope.

Steam level: Average.

8. Snowfall on Haven Point by RaeAnne Thayne

snowfall at haven point by raeanne thayne book cover

It's been two rough years since Andrea Montgomery lost her husband, and all she wants is for her children to enjoy their first Christmas in Haven Point. But then Andie's friend asks a favor—to keep an eye on her brother, Sheriff Marshall Bailey, who's recovering from a hit and run. Andie will do anything for Wyn, even park her own misgivings to check on her grouchy, wounded bear of a brother.

Marshall hates feeling defenseless and resents the protective impulses that Andie brings out in him. But when a blizzard forces them together for the holidays, something in Marshall begins to thaw. Andie's gentle nature is a salve, and her kids' excitement for the holidays makes him forget why he never wanted a family. If only he and Andie can admit what they really want—each other—their Christmas wishes might come true after all.

This was a recent read for me which absolutely charmed me! Reading Snowfall on Haven Point is like curling up with a blanket, coffee, and romance book on a winter day. It's cute, comfortable, and sweet.

Quick selling points:

  • Single mother to two starting a new life at Haven Point.
  • Grumpy sheriff who warms up to the family slowly.
  • Neighbours to lovers.
  • Best friend's brother.
  • Slow relationship growth.
  • Christmas/holiday/winter romance.
  • Caretaking while sick trope.
  • Really cute kids.

Steam level: None.

9. Keile's Chance by Dillon Watson

keile's chance by dillon watson

Sometimes, life offers you a chance to see what you've been missing... 

Everything Keile Griffen ever loved was taken away, including her family. Surviving a youth in Child Support Services has left her driven to succeed as an adult--and she has. A successful, sought after planning consultant, she maps out solutions for other people, but never for herself. 

When Hayden Davenport's partner walked out on her in the midst of planning their family, she decided to go it alone. It hasn't been easy, and she's not used to help. When her missing son is found by a stranger at the park, she's overwhelmingly grateful to the young woman. When her gratitude blossoms into something more, her first impulse is to protect her child--and her battered heart. 

All Keile knows is that fateful day in the park she fell for a pair of big, brown eyes. But if she wants a family she has to take a chance, a big one. She could win it all...or lose everything. 

Dillon Watson's tale of unexpected love unfolds in the beautiful southeast, and introduces an insightful new storyteller who explores the passionate commitment that leads to love and family.

While Keile's Chance is a good romance, it also touches well on toxic workplaces, bad work-life balance, having a good support/friend group, and finding a family.

Quick selling points:

  • Lesbian single parent romance.
  • Very slow burn.
  • Good focus on individual growth.
  • Great supporting characters.

Steam level: Low.

10. One Percent of You by Michelle Gross

one percent of you by michelle gross book cover

Make no mistakes about it. I know what I look like to others. Young, government-aided, pregnant mom. They see Lucy on my hip, and they see a mistake. I mean, why else would someone have a child so young, right? They couldn’t be more wrong. I’m too busy most days between parenting, work, and finishing up my last year of nursing school to let their judging gaze tear me down until he moves in the vacant house next to the apartments I live in.

His cold, blunt observation of us doesn’t differ from any other stranger. He doesn’t know me, but he’s already painting a picture of who he thinks I am in his mind. He judges my very round belly, Lucy’s inability to leave him alone, the bags under my eyes, and the fact that I could not care less what I look like anymore.

He’s a rude guy. Stays that way for months too. Then something happens, I’m not even sure what. Judgmental Guy decides Lucy and me — as well as baby Eli — are worth his friendship.

Turns out, Judgmental Guy isn’t too mean — okay, he kind of still is. But he graduates to Elijah. I build an unlikely friendship with him which deems it necessary for him to start smiling around me and my kids. 

I’m wrong again. Elijah isn’t rude. He’s terrifying. His strange acts of kindness are unraveling me. Elijah is only my friend. Right? 

Oh, fudge. I think I’m wrong. Again.

This book is so cute! Elijah, a big grumpy tattooist fights with a 3-year-old for the last packet of Funyuns at a store, and she turns out to be his neighbour. He regrets it later and buys her chips to make up for it. Soon, a develops a friendship with her and also a crush on her single mom. One Percent of You is such a treat to read.

Quick selling points:

  • Grumpy and sunshine romance.
  • The best kid!! Lucy is so nice.
  • The bonding between Elijah and the kids? *chef's kiss*
  • Slow burn romance.
  • Age gap romance.
  • Just read it!

Steam level: Average.

want more romance books to read?

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20 single parent romance books

let's chat!

Do you prefer romance books with single dads or with single moms? Did you find any recommendations from this list? Do you have any recs of your own with the single parent romance trope? Tell me in the comments!

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stay wordy, Sumedha
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Sumedha spends her days reading books, bingeing Kdramas, drawing illustrations, and blogging while listening to Lo-Fi music. Read more ➔

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28 comments

  • Anika says:

    What a great post! I haven't read many single parent books so this is lovely to discover some new titles. Love that you included the steam level too, since I'm not a steam fan that's perfect for me.

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  • Jenny in Neverland says:

    There's lots of half naked men on these covers haha! I guess the single parent romance is a popular trope. But I think it can be great when it's done well! Although I can't think of any that I've read off the top of my head!

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    • sumedha @ the wordy habitat says:

      I don't notice the covers anymore when reading, especially because I mostly read on my Kindle. It was only when adding images for this post did I realize that most of them have half naked men on the cover! Was quite interesting to find that out haha.

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  • Giulia says:

    These are all new to me titles, and I used to read a lot of romance! I'll have to look more into them 🙂

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  • dinipandareads says:

    *love* this list! I had actually just borrowed Ignite from KU before coming across your list and I'm so excited to read it ? I haven't always been super keen on the single parent trope but it's growing on me and I'm defo keen to check out more of these asap!

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    • sumedha @ the wordy habitat says:

      thank you! the single parent trope does take time to grow on us, but i do think that the added maturity that comes from having to think of and bond with the kid(s) adds more dimension to the romance. hope you enjoy Ignite!

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  • Lay @ bookshelfsoliloquies says:

    I love how you're one of my main sources for romance recs and constantly expose me to tropes I didn't know were a thing! I'm a child of a single mother so I'm super curious to see these books' takes on that situation! As a lover of fake dating, I might check out Penthouse Prince soon, maybe it'll get me out of my self-induced reading slump after my intense January ?

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    • sumedha @ the wordy habitat says:

      Haha I hope to keep it going, then! The other day, my (real life, not a reader) friend was surprised how I categorize almost every book into tropes and it made me think too. Hope you enjoy Penthouse Prince!

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  • paperbacktomes says:

    This is long list but I feel like reading a few. I came across the Penthouse Prince last week but dismissed it. Seeing it here might be a sign that I should be reading it. I adore Brittainy Cherry's books and the gravity of us is my favourite one; so happy to see it here. Have you tried any A L Jackson's books? she writes mostly single parent romance novels

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    • sumedha @ the wordy habitat says:

      I made a long list so that everyone will have at least one or few books of interest. I have read a couple of A L Jackson's books but I didn't like one and DNFed the other ?

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      • paperbacktomes says:

        I can see that and I'm going to he reading a few from here too. I have read only one book by AL Jackson but just wanted to check with you.

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  • Prags @ It's A Funny Story says:

    this is such a great list! i absolutely love it. i'm reading cups of you currently and loving it but your rec has me even more excited to dive ahead!

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