Dec 23

Dec 23 15+ Romance Novels With Single Fathers

Romance novels have always been one of my favorite escapes. There’s something deeply comforting about stepping into a love story where the stakes feel personal, emotions run high, and happy endings feel not just possible—but earned. Romance offers a break from the pressures of everyday life, whether that means long days, endless to-do lists, or the emotional weight we all carry in different seasons.

Traditionally, many romance novels focus on single men and women navigating love, dating apps, missed connections, and second chances. But over the years, I’ve found myself especially drawn to romance novels that center single fathers. There’s something uniquely compelling about a single dad romance—stories where love has to fit around school drop-offs, bedtime routines, emotional baggage, and a fierce sense of responsibility.

Reading about single fathers adds an extra layer of depth to romance. These stories often explore vulnerability, devotion, healing, and what it means to open your heart again—not just for yourself, but for your child. Today, I’m sharing a roundup of romance novels with single fathers that I think readers will absolutely love, whether you’re a longtime romance reader or just dipping your toe into dad romance for the first time.

15 Romance Novels With Single Fathers

Single dad romance has become increasingly popular, and for good reason. In this post, I’ll talk about what makes single dads so appealing in novels (and real life), how these characters bring emotional depth to love stories, and why these books often feel especially satisfying to read.

From contemporary love stories to emotionally rich slow burns, these romance novels highlight fathers who are navigating parenting, healing from past relationships, and learning how to love again. Appreciating the emotional complexity behind these characters can make the reading experience even richer—and often more relatable.

Are Single Dads Attractive?

Short answer: yes—very.

Long answer: single dads tend to embody a mix of qualities that many romance readers find irresistible. Responsibility, emotional maturity, patience, and vulnerability often define these characters. In romance novels, single fathers are frequently portrayed as men who have loved deeply before, experienced loss or heartbreak, and emerged more grounded because of it.

There’s also something undeniably attractive about watching a single dad care for his child—packing lunches, attending school events, or navigating the emotional challenges of parenting alone. These moments reveal tenderness and selflessness, qualities that elevate a romance from merely steamy to emotionally resonant.

In real life and in fiction, single fathers often bring a level of honesty to dating. Whether they’re cautiously testing the waters on dating apps or avoiding romance altogether, their priorities are clear. That clarity adds tension and authenticity to dad romance stories, making the emotional payoff all the more satisfying.

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Best Single Dad Romance Novels

Below are some of the best romance novels with single fathers, ranging from sweet and emotional to undeniably steamy. Each one offers something special for readers who love heartfelt love stories with depth.

All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata

Slow-burn contemporary romance

Mariana Zapata is the queen of slow burn, and this single dad romance delivers emotional depth in spades. Tobias Rhodes is a gruff, reserved single father raising his teenage son while managing his own emotional walls. Expect gradual tension, found family vibes, and a deeply satisfying payoff.

Look the Part by Jewel E. Ann

Emotional contemporary romance

This novel features a widowed single dad raising his young son while trying to keep his heart guarded. Jewel E. Ann excels at writing layered emotions, and this story explores grief, healing, and unexpected love with incredible tenderness.

The Takeover by T.L. Swan

Steamy contemporary romance

If you love steamy contemporary romance novels, this one is a must-read. Tristan Miles is a billionaire single father of three, and the banter alone makes this book unforgettable. Expect laugh-out-loud moments, emotional growth, and sizzling chemistry.

Irresistible by Melanie Harlow

Small-town dad romance

Melanie Harlow writes some of the most comforting dad romance stories. This novel features a hardworking single dad navigating small-town life, parenthood, and a love that sneaks up on him when he least expects it.

In a Jam by Kate Canterbary

Friends-to-lovers romance

A charming single father hero, small-town setting, and lots of heart make this one unforgettable. Kate Canterbary balances emotional realism with warmth, making this a favorite for readers who love slow builds and strong character development.

Heartless by Elsie Silver

Small-town romance

This book features a grumpy single dad rancher and a nanny-turned-love-interest. It’s tender, sexy, and full of found-family moments. Elsie Silver’s writing makes single fathers feel especially human and emotionally rich.

The Gravity of Us by Brittainy C. Cherry

Emotionally intense romance

Brittainy C. Cherry is known for emotionally powerful love stories, and this one delivers. Featuring a single father learning how to open his heart again, this novel is heavy on feelings and perfect for readers who like their romance deeply moving.

Wait for It by Mariana Zapata

Slow-burn single dad romance

Another Zapata classic, this book centers on a woman helping raise her nephews alongside a quiet, dependable single dad neighbor. It’s domestic, heartfelt, and incredibly rewarding for readers who love emotional slow burns.

There's Something about Merry by Codi Hall

Holiday single dad romcom

This festive single dad romance is pure Christmas comfort reading. Set against the backdrop of a charming Christmas tree farm, There’s Something About Merry pairs a guarded, outdoorsy single father with a warm, ambitious, Christmas-loving neighbor who slowly breaks down his walls.

Clark Griffin is focused on raising his son and keeping his heart protected, while Merry Winters is determined not to fall for someone who feels emotionally out of reach. The twist? They’ve been anonymously flirting online—proof that even dating apps (or at least modern digital connections) can spark unexpected magic. With the help of a precocious kid and a healthy dose of holiday cheer, this dad romance blends sweetness, chemistry, and emotional growth.

Codi Hall excels at writing stories that feel cozy yet meaningful, and this one delivers all the festive vibes while still offering a heartfelt exploration of love after loss. It’s a perfect pick for readers who enjoy seasonal romance novels with single fathers, gentle tension, and a happily-ever-after wrapped in twinkle lights.

Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey

Steamy contemporary single dad romance

This is dad romance at its boldest—and most emotionally charged. Tessa Bailey delivers a spicy yet heartfelt story featuring Burgess, a battle-scarred hockey veteran and newly single dad, and Tallulah, his smart, vivacious, and very broke live-in nanny.

Tallulah is studying to be a marine biologist and barely staying afloat financially when Burgess offers her a job as his au pair. Living in a gorgeous neighborhood and bonding with his introverted tween daughter feels like a lifeline—but the real complication is Burgess himself. Gruff, emotionally guarded, and convinced he’s unfit for love, this single father is exactly the kind of challenge Tallulah can’t resist.

What starts as harmless chemistry quickly turns into something deeper as Tallulah nudges Burgess back toward the world of dating (yes, including conversations around dating apps and modern relationships). But with lingering feelings, a daughter who wants her parents back together, and Burgess’s fear of repeating past mistakes, the romance becomes a high-stakes emotional balancing act.

Expect intense chemistry, crossed boundaries, and a deeply satisfying emotional arc. Au Pair Affair is perfect for readers who love steamy contemporary romance novels with single dads who are rough around the edges but all heart when it counts.

Five Brothers by Penelope Douglas

Dark contemporary romance with a single dad storyline

Five Brothers is moody, intense, and emotionally charged—classic Penelope Douglas. Set in a shadowy, small-town world filled with secrets and tension, this romance centers on the enigmatic Jaeger brothers and the woman who gets pulled into their orbit.

Among the brothers is Army, a quiet, searching single father whose identity has long been wrapped up in family loyalty rather than personal desire. His role as a dad adds a surprising layer of tenderness to an otherwise dark, gritty story, making this a compelling entry in the world of single dad romance—especially for readers who like their love stories complex and morally gray.

What to expect: brooding men, simmering attraction, emotional volatility, and a story that leans into atmosphere as much as romance. This isn’t a light, fluffy dad romance—it’s intense, layered, and best suited for readers who enjoy darker contemporary romances where relationships are messy and deeply felt. If you like your single fathers written with rough edges, emotional baggage, and undeniable pull, this one delivers.

Once Upon a Time in Dollywood by Ashley Jordan

Small-town contemporary single dad romance

This tender, character-driven single dad romance blends second chances, creative ambition, and small-town charm in the Tennessee mountains. Once Upon a Time in Dollywood follows Eve Ambroise, a rising playwright whose professional success masks a personal life in free fall, and Jamie Gallagher, a recently divorced single father rebuilding his world after a painful custody battle.

Jamie’s role as a dad is central to the story—not just as a responsibility, but as the emotional anchor shaping every choice he makes. His cautious approach to love feels especially authentic, making this a standout for readers who appreciate single fathers portrayed with nuance, restraint, and deep devotion to their children.

What begins as a casual connection between two wounded adults slowly evolves into something more meaningful, layered with fear, hope, and the quiet magic of everyday moments. Expect gentle chemistry, emotional introspection, and a romance that unfolds at a thoughtful pace. This dad romance is ideal for readers who love small-town settings, artistic heroines, and love stories that prioritize healing and emotional honesty over high drama.

If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia

Cozy, slow-burn single dad romance

Set in the golden glow of autumn in small-town Vermont, If It Makes You Happy is a warm, nostalgic single dad romance that feels like wrapping yourself in a flannel blanket with a fresh cup of coffee. With a 1997 setting and a distinctly cozy vibe, this story leans into friendship, healing, and the quiet magic of falling in love when you least expect it.

Cliff is the definition of an irresistible single father—the kind who knows what everyone needs before they say it, bakes incredible pastries, and shows up fully for his daughters and his community. His steady presence contrasts beautifully with a heroine who’s freshly divorced, emotionally adrift, and temporarily running her mother’s dream bed-and-breakfast while planning her next chapter.

This dad romance thrives on small moments: shared mornings, neighborly banter, and the tension of a ticking clock as real life looms beyond the cozy bubble of Copper Run. Expect gentle chemistry, found family energy, and a slow-burn connection that feels earned and deeply comforting. Perfect for readers who love autumnal settings, emotionally grounded single fathers, and romances that unfold softly rather than explosively.

Dust Storm by Maggie Gates

Western contemporary single dad romance

Dust Storm delivers classic cowboy grit with sharp banter and undeniable chemistry, making it a standout single dad romance for readers who love opposites-attract stories set far from city lights. Christian Griffith is a no-nonsense rancher, devoted single father, and firm believer in old-school manners—open doors, clear rules, and strong boundaries. Cassandra Parker is…none of those things.

Exiled from New York and stranded on a cattle ranch, Cassandra finds herself living under the same roof as Christian and his daughters, a situation neither of them asked for—and one complicated by the engagement ring on her finger. What begins as forced proximity quickly turns into a battle of wills, with sparks flying amid ranch chores, family obligations, and a whole lot of unresolved tension.

This dad romance shines in its contrast: city ambition versus rural responsibility, emotional armor versus quiet devotion. Christian’s role as a single father grounds the story, adding heart and depth beneath the gruff exterior, while Cassandra’s sharp edge and vulnerability make her a perfect foil. Expect slow-burn attraction, sharp dialogue, and a romance that proves sometimes the biggest storms lead to the most unexpected love.

The Lighthouse at the Cove by Amy Clipston

Heartwarming small-town single dad romance

If you love Hallmark-style love stories filled with charm, community spirit, and gentle romance, The Lighthouse at the Cove is a perfect single dad romance pick. Set in the picturesque coastal town of Coral Cove, this novel pairs a big-hearted single father with an ambitious journalist at a crossroads.

Reid Turner is a local firefighter and devoted single dad to his daughter, Piper, whose steady presence and kindness anchor the story. When Kaya Ross’s road trip takes an unexpected detour and leaves her stranded in town, Reid offers her a place to stay in exchange for writing a feature on Coral Cove’s beloved Light the Dark Festival—a fundraiser designed to save the town’s historic lighthouse.

As Kaya becomes immersed in the festival planning, the town itself becomes a character, showcasing the warmth, resilience, and interconnectedness that make small-town romances so comforting. The growing bond between Kaya and Reid unfolds naturally, shaped by shared purpose, community involvement, and Reid’s tender role as a father. This dad romance leans more sweet than steamy, making it ideal for readers who enjoy low-angst love stories with meaningful emotional payoff.

With themes of second chances, choosing between career and heart, and preserving what matters most, The Lighthouse at the Cove is a cozy, uplifting romance that celebrates single fathers, found family, and the power of coming together for something bigger than yourself.

The Vacation Shift by Lily Chu

Contemporary romance with a single dad subplot

The Vacation Shift offers a fresh, heartfelt take on romance with a charming single father storyline woven into a coming-of-age love story set against the vibrant backdrop of Japan. Lily Chu blends humor, emotional honesty, and travel romance in a way that feels modern, tender, and quietly insightful.

At the heart of the story is Ivy Yu, navigating heartbreak, uncertainty, and the complicated emotional fog that follows her parents’ separation. While Ivy’s romantic journey unfolds front and center, the single dad presence comes through Keith—brooding, thoughtful, and unexpectedly open to a second chance at love while traveling abroad with his son. Watching a single father tentatively step back into romance, especially while balancing his role as a parent, adds warmth and depth to the story’s emotional core.

This isn’t a traditional dad romance, but rather a layered, generational love story that explores how relationships shift over time—between parents, children, and ourselves. Expect sharp dialogue, slow-burn chemistry, and a setting that makes travel feel transformative. Perfect for readers who enjoy contemporary romances that balance humor with heart and include single fathers as fully realized, emotionally grounded characters.

Why We Love Dad Romance So Much

There’s a reason romance novels with single fathers continue to resonate. They reflect real life—messy, complicated, and deeply rewarding. Whether the characters are navigating dating apps, healing from past relationships, or balancing love with parenting, these stories feel authentic.

If you’re looking for more recommendations, you might also enjoy my roundup of steamy contemporary romance novels or my guide to the best contemporary romance authors to discover even more love stories worth adding to your TBR.

This list of romance novels with single fathers will continue to grow, so feel free to bookmark it and check back as I add more dad romance favorites over time.

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