An Unexpected Turn

By: Stephanie Rose

Narrated by: Rose Dioro, Teddy Hamilton

Peyton

After a risky affair cost me my self-respect, my credibility, and almost my job, I jump at the guidance counselor position that opens up in Uncle Keith’s small town. He’s the only father I’ve ever really known and the one I can turn to—even when I can’t tell him why.

No one here knows what a mess I am, and this clean slate seems perfect. At least until I run into my old crush, who’s only gotten better looking with age.

I won’t be another man’s dirty little secret, even if that crush I had as a teenager blossomed into something much more—something I can’t face.

Reasons why absolutely nothing can happen between us:

1. Jake is the single dad of one of my new students.
2. Age gap. Age gap. Age gap.
3. He’s my uncle’s best friend.

Jake

I didn’t realize the curvy brunette I flirted with outside my son’s school was my buddy’s sweet, shy niece, all grown-up now. I know better than to get involved.

My marriage crumbled, leaving me and my son with damage we’re still repairing. The last thing I need is to start something with someone 14 years younger. Did I mention she’s the police chief’s surrogate daughter?

I’m old enough to know better, but I can’t keep my hands off her. I never expected to fall this hard. Even though it’s all wrong, nothing has ever felt this right.

©2022 Stephanie Rose (P)2023 That's What She Said Publishing, Inc.

Great narration and beautiful story.

Life became complicated in this story of college life and family struggles. Love and healing, friends and life's struggles were part of their journey of commitment to each other.

Such an amazing story

I really love a good age gap romance. This uncle’s best friend is the best!!! I love everything in this one. It got the perfect amount of fire, sweetness and romance. The performance amazing, Teddy Hamilton is really one of my favorites.

Loved this story

Sweet age gap romance. Loved the characters. Well written storyline. Great narration. A little disappointed Teddy Hamilton did not narrate more.

good book

The book is good and I enjoyed it very much. Great performance from the narrators.

Sweet and Sizzling Love Story!

I love a sexy single dad romance and when you add in a little bit of the forbidden I am all in! I was completely captivate by Jake and Peyton's sweet, and sizzling love story. Peyton moved in with her Uncle, who has been a loving, supportive, father figure to her. She is looking for a fresh start, after a heartbreaking end to a bad relationship, and is excited for her new job as a school councilor. Jake is happy that his son, Michael, is living with him full time. Mike is feeling abandon by his mother and nervous to start a new school. Peyton really helps Mike feel at ease on his first day at school. When Jake picks Mike up at the end of the day, he is surprised that the beautiful councilor by Mike's side is his best friends young niece. Peyton was also surprised that her student's father is her past teen crush, and is even more handsome and sexy, but is also off limits for so many reasons. Jake and Peyton have a strong fiery connection right from the start. They try to fight the growing chemistry between them, not wanting to hurt the family they love so dearly. But they are unable to stay away, and give in to all their passions. They keep it a secret at first, but as time passes, and their love grows, Peyton is unwilling to be a dirty secret again. This beautiful story charmed me, made me laugh and cry, and also swoon, as my heart melted for their little family. I loved how Jake and Peyton navigated thru each obstacle without a lot of angst but just enough heart-pounding turmoil to keep me riveted. I loved Peyton and her selfless concern for everyone while being strong enough to do what was best for her. Jake was so swoony with his unending love and patience. He is definitely a sexy hero who will make your heart skip a beat!
Rose Dioro, and Teddy Hamilton are terrific capturing each characters personality. I love the emotion, and passion they bring to their performance. I was so enthralled from beginning to end, and was totally invested in Peyton and Jake’s story.
This is a beautiful, and hopeful romance about letting go of the past, forgiveness, believing in second chances, and finding that forever love. I also love a great epilogue, and this one made me swoon and left me with happy tears!

Easy read.

Sweet small town story with a sexy single who falls in love with his best friend’s niece. Its a feel good story that’s perfect if you’re in the mood for a sweet story.

Love it!

An Unexpected Turn is a sweet, single dad romance with characters that I absolutely adored. Jake and Peyton romance was a little forbidden as she was his son’s guidance counselor and he’s her uncles best friend. They had amazing chemistry and could not fight their feelings for each other. I loved the relationship that Peyton formed with his son. This story was heartwarming and low on drama and I have fallen completely in love with Stephanie’s writing!

Teddy Hamilton and Rose Dioro narrate this book and they did an amazing job bringing Jake and Peyton to life. Teddy was great at bringing Jake’s protective dad and Rose was perfect at portraying Peyton sweet and caring personality. I loved both of their performances.

Age gap, dual POV, secret pining—it’s so good!

Story Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5/5
Audiobook Rating: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 (0-5)
Overall Rating: 4.75/5
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 (0-5) I like to bump up for video chat fun and self-pleasuring type scenes.

What I’m Starry-Eyed Over:
🤩 Starting Back is book two in the series and one of my 2023 reads that lives rent free in my head. So, I had to try book one—Peyton and Jake’s story. They are both available in audiobook now!
🤩 For some of us, all we need to see is Teddy Hamilton, right?! He does attraction and secret pining oh so good. I’m so sorry Rose Dioro, my notes have failed me. But obviously I loved it.
🤩 Small town (but close to a big city)—take me to Kelly Lakes!
🤩 Age gap. Dual POV. And, secret pining!!!
🤩 The absolutely mouth-watering attraction.
🤩 She’s Jake’s son’s guidance counselor & oh so sweet to both of them.
🤩 He’s Peyton’s uncle’s best friend. Forbidden romance!!
🤩 Guidance counselor love—my daughter would not have made it through high school without her guidance counselor.
🤩 Forced proximity with the carpentry work she needs done!
🤩 Slowish burn to fireworks! Yeah, I definitely listened to chapter 16 twice.
🤩 Whenever I started to think the secret might be going on too long, I’d be rewarded with something adorable or super steamy!! Thank you for the enjoyable entertainment.

What I’m Wishing/Dizzy About:
💫 The secret keeping is long, but I’m mostly annoyed with the Uncle Keith part—his unavailability, his reaction. It’s all part of the plot, and I’m here for it! It’s so hard to be a book reviewer. I’m not sure if my annoyance should make it a 4.5 or a 5-star read. It is all about the feels.

Peyton & Jake

This was a feel good story with an age gap trope and single dad that I adored. Teddy Hamilton and Rose Dioro were great. They brought these characters to life with just the right voice and tenor. They made the story more enjoyable and a great listen while working. Stephanie Rose wrote a beautiful love story that was sweet and sexy and all in between. It had all the feels and was a great listen.

Exceptional

I love how Stephanie Rose tells this story. The conversation and banter between characters is so natural.
The family dynamics are so real.
The narrators tell this story with emotion, making it a wonderful listen