Title: One Small Thing
Author: Piper Vaughn, M.J. O’Shea
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Pages: 214
Characters: Rue Murray, Erik Van Nuys
POV: 3rd
Sub-Genre: Contemporary Romance
Kisses: 5
Blurb:
“Daddy” is not a title Rue Murray wanted, but he never thought he’d have sex with a woman either. Now he’s the unwitting father of a newborn named Alice. Between bartending and cosmetology school, Rue doesn’t have time for babies, but he can’t give her up. What Rue needs is a babysitter, and he’s running out of options. He’s on the verge of quitting school to watch Alice himself when he remembers his reclusive new neighbor, Erik.
Erik Van Nuys is a sci-fi novelist with anxiety issues to spare. He doesn’t like people in general, and he likes babies even less. Still, with his royalties dwindling, he could use the extra cash. Reluctantly, he takes on the role of manny—and even more reluctantly, he finds himself falling for Alice and her flamboyant father.
Rue and Erik are as different as two people can be, and Alice is the unlikeliest of babies, but Rue has never been happier than when Alice and Erik are by his side. At least, not until he receives an offer that puts all his dreams within reach and he’s forced to choose: the future he’s always wanted, or the family he thought he never did.
Review:
Rue Murray’s whole world changed when found out that the consequences of his one-night experiment with a woman friend meant he was going to be a Dad. When the mother to be gives him the option of either taking the baby or giving it up for adoption, Rue quickly realizes that he wants the baby and decides to adjust his life, for the newest little addition in his life. As soon as his little girl, Alice is born, Rue realizes he’s got to find a babysitter to take care of Alice while he finishes up cosmetology school and works as a bartender on nights and weekends. After many failed attempts at finding someone to keep Alice for him, out of desperation he asks his strange and withdrawn neighbor, Erik to take care of her. Erik immediately declines, but after a couple of days, to Rue’s surprise, Erik agrees to keep Alice for him and Rue’s prayers are answered.
Erik has a routine he likes to live by. As a struggling and a reclusive writer, he could use the extra money he would earn by watching Alice, so he decides to give babysitting a shot. At first, it’s difficult for Erik to add Alice into his life’s routine, but soon both the baby and her sexy father, Rue, start worming their way into Erik’s life and heart. Soon, Erik starts enjoying having Alice and Rue around and he cannot imagine his life without them. But, when Rue is offered a once in a lifetime chance at achieving his dream job, will Erik have to courage to leave everything he’s ever known to build a new and happy life with Alice and the love of his life?
I loved this book! One Small Thing is everything I enjoy reading in a romance novel and so much more. Both heroes were well-written, likeable people who lived and breathed off of the written page. I liked how Rue and Erik were polar opposite in many ways, but they somehow found a way to compromise and find their own path together. I also appreciated the love and affection they both felt for Alice and that she was always a main focus in their lives and in their decision making. Rue and Erik fit together wonderfully and with Alice as their daughter, they made a perfect team. Both Rue and Erik also do a lot of personal growth throughout the novel. Erik has many issues he’s able to work through to achieve a life with Rue and Alice, and Rue himself changes his self-absorbed partying lifestyle to becoming a loving father and partner for Erik.
Make sure you have a tissue or three while you read this book. I experienced many emotions while I read this book. There are many laugh out loud moments, sad moments, bittersweet and heartwarming moments throughout the storyline. I loved the ending and wanted to weep with joy at the prospect of this amazing little family starting a new life in a new place together. This is the first book I’ve read by Piper Vaughn and MJ O’Shea and it definitely won’t be my last. I loved the smooth and addictive storytelling skills these authors have, and was immediately gripped in the fast-paced, intriguing storyline as I was swept up into these characters lives.
Highly Recommended!
Reviewed By: Gabbi
