Single Desire (paperback)

When a book makes me both smile and cry, I consider it a good one.

Anna and Kemp have been best friends for years. When he unexpectedly discovers he is a father, she doesn't hesitate to step in and help. However, once Anna moves in, their friendship becomes more complicated. Both have long harbored feelings for each other, but neither is willing to risk their lifelong friendship by admitting the truth.

Kemp already has more than enough on his plate. He is a new single father, owns a brewery, volunteers with the fire department, and is now applying for a lieutenant position. Meanwhile, Anna is juggling family drama, caring for Kemp's baby, and keeping up with her own job. Together, they have plenty of challenges to face.

Love, friendship, and family drama come together to create an entertaining and heartwarming story. I especially enjoyed watching Anna and Kemp's relationship grow naturally from years of friendship. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy steamy, friends-to-lovers contemporary romance.

Cliffhangers are the best… and the worst. I was anxious to get back to the story of Kemp and his unexpected blessing but let’s be honest, who needs an excuse to head back to Dragonfly Lake? Kemp navigating a new life as a single dad was a big incentive to jump in to Single Desire. I’ll admit, obviously Kemp and Anna becoming a team on this journey was going to be the story line and they were already best friends who secretly loved each other… I wondered where the tension would come from but again, Amy Knupp gets real with characters as both of them have to wrestle not with do they love each other, but how do you find balance that makes a real relationship work. Need some tips or have a friend in an unbalanced relationship trying to split their time and responsibilities…. This might be the outlet you need to think through your own truths!

Anna and Kemp have been best friends since their diaper days. They have helped each other through some really tough times. Kemp finds out he is a father due to a casual fling when the mother of his son is killed in a car accident. He fights for and gets custody of Oliver but soon finds he is out of his element. Kemp is stretched thin. He is co-founder of the brewery which is his passion and volunteers as a firefighter, which is a legacy in his family. Add a new son and it isn’t long before he is overwhelmed. He makes a deal with Anna for her to move in with him rent free and look after Oliver when he is called out for emergencies when he is on call. She also has a full-time job at the inn. Something has to give. Add in some drama with Anna’s mother and brother, too. We see a lot of the single dads’ club, their significant others and lots of kids and of course, Esmeralda puts in an appearance. There are some really emotional parts at the end. Lovely story.

Single dad of Dragonfly Lake/Volunteer Firefighter/Runs a brewery

What a page turner! Kemp does it all. He just found out he’s a dad of a six month old. Now he has to juggle two jobs and a baby. His best friend, Anna, moves in to help him. Their feelings for each other definitely show, but will they eventually come out? Wait til you find out! Can Kemp decide to slow down and keep one job? Firefighting is what his dad did so Kemp feels like that’s what he should do, but is it what he wants over the brewery? Will Anna’s brother be the one to finally talk some sense into him? He’s wearing himself thin for sure. Anna only wants him to be happy, but lets him know his passion is definitely with one job and not the other. In the end, this book had the perfect ending!

We also get to see Esmeralda and her craziness which is hilarious. Wait til you see what surprise she has for us in the end!

We also meet Anna’s mom, who is definitely struggling from a past tragic incident. Anna’s brother and their mom also don’t have the best of relationships. Anna definitely tris to be the peacemaker. Can all three ever have a relationship again. Wait til you find out!

This is the final instalment in the Single Dads of Dragonfly Lake series, where Kemp finds out he is a dad only after the tragic death of the child’s mother. He was never told, and needs to come to terms with learning to be an instant father, as well as managing his job as master brewer at the brewery he co-owns, in addition to being a volunteer fireman. However, when he has the chance for promotion and a paid job in the fire service, he then has far too much on his plate and struggles to balance all his responsibilities. Anna is Kemp’s best friend and has been in love with him for a long time, and will help him however she can, but whilst he comes to recognise his feeling for her, can he balance the responsibilities and challenges without losing Anna in the process.

This is a wonderful ending to a great series, the network of single dad’s is always there to help and I recommend this entire series. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.