Mad Love

The Single Dad Playbook, Book 1

By: Willow Aster

Narrated by: Ava Erickson, Connor Crais

Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

A small-town, single dad, enemies-to-lovers standalone sports romance in the new series, The Single Dad Playbook, from USA Today Bestselling author Willow Aster

He's a quarterback, a single dad, and now he's my roommate…

For a long time now, I’ve despised Weston Shaw. He’d been someone I’d admired, taking my favorite football team, the Colorado Mustangs, to the Super Bowl. But that all turned upside down after one night that had nothing to do with me. We share one undeniable connection: his son, Caleb.

Unfortunately, the circumstances behind that have never been my story to tell. But now, the truth is out, and I’m left to deal with the consequences. I’m living under the same roof as Weston, and each day, I discover a side of him I never expected. He’s not the selfish jock I imagined. He’s caring, thoughtful, and unexpectedly charming. I find myself drawn to him in ways I never thought possible. It’s terrifying and exhilarating, but I can't deny it any longer…I’m falling for the one person I shouldn’t…Weston Shaw.

Mad Love is book one in The Single Dad Playbook series. Each book can be listened to as a standalone.

©2024 Willow Aster (P)2024 Willow Aster

It’s a 4.5 for me…I love Weston Shaw!!

STORY:5
CHARACTERS:5
NARRATORS:5
SPICE:3
OVERALL:4.5

TROPES:
SURPRISE BABY
SINGLE DAD
SMALLTOWN
SPORTS ROMANCE 🏈
FORCED PROXIMITY
ENEMIES/LOVERS

This. Book. Made. Me. Feel. All. The. Feels.

Willow brought it ALL for this story. Weston and Sadie might have gotten together in a VERY unconventional way…but their story just felt so good.

If you ever knew a man written by a woman, no you didn’t. Weston Shaw is THAT man. The way he handles himself, his circumstances and his emotions during this whole story..not to mention how he is with Sadie..so good.

This was an ALC, and the narrators were AMAZING!! I love Connor Crais..his voice, HOW he interprets the character…phenomenal. Ava Erickson is ALWAYS a great choice as well.

I have a really great that this series is going to be top tier for sure.

Weston + Sadie !!!

Wow I devoured this one !! This was my first willow aster book and it did not disappoint! I mainly listened to this on audio, and once I started I couldn’t stop. Just like the spice…. Once that spark lit fire, Sadie and Weston were blazing hot. connor crais and ava erickson are sooo good, brought the characters to life and just made me in love with Sadie, Weston and all the single dads of the group! Can’t wait to explore more of WA books!!

What to expect:
✨Single dad
✨NFL Quarterback
✨Enemies to lovers
✨Forced proximity
✨Found family
✨small town
✨he falls first

4.5/5✨
2/5🌶️

Really good book

I’m new to Willow and I really really enjoyed this book. The narration is fantastic. I’m a new fan

Exactly what I needed

The narrators chosen for this book were phenomenal. The story itself was cute and fluffy, with some tough moments. It was exactly what I needed to read!

Still thinking about these two

I don’t know if I have the words, but I will try. This book was sooooo good! The audio was phenomenal. I don’t think if I’d read it, the story would have been given its justice. Ava and Connor are the perfect narrators for Weston and Sadie’s story. Connor executes all the emotions seamlessly. From the warm and fuzzy parts down to the hot and heavy ones. You feel them as you’re listening, like you’re in the middle of all the action. Thats what I love the most about audiobooks. You are transported to a whole different world without leaving home. This is also why I am picky about my narrators.

This story gave me Life as we know it vibes, that move with Josh Duhamel and Katherine Heigl. And maybe thats why I loved this story so much because I love that movie. Watching Weston go from wanting to be in the single dad player club to actually becoming an actual member is amazing to watch. Every interaction he has with Caleb melted my heart a little more. Even though his life has just been turned upside down his priority is always Caleb. After losing her sister Sadie has lost apart of herself. I don’t blame her for being guarded and worried, as her life has changed dramatically as well. She’s lost her sister and now maybe even her nephew. That is a lot to unpack in a short period of time.

This story was so good I will probably still be thinking about it in the weeks to come. I still don’t know if I have adequately expressed how I feel about it other than to say I loved it. Those words just don’t seem like they do enough justice.


10/10 I would recommend- the audio 🩵

LOVED Weston and Sadie in audio!

All the swoons! Mad Love by Willow Aster was a sweet and dreamy small-town, single-dad sports romance that left me all warm and gooey inside from start to finish. Weston and Sadie’s romance squeezed my heart in all the best places, and I fell hard for their love for each other and baby Caleb. This was my first Willow Astor and won’t be my last.

Ava Erickson and Connor Crais perform this audiobook in dual narration, and this narrator pairing definitely knows how to deliver all the feels. Ava’s soft, melodic voice beautifully captured Sadie’s guarded, protective, and loyal-loving demeanor. Connor’s warm, dulcet tone encompassed Weston’s new dad's charismatic, vulnerable vibes, making him irresistible to Sadie. Both narrators were spot on in creating the slow-burning, roommates-turned-best friends-to-lovers, undeniable chemistry between Sadie and Weston.

Overall, I LOVED this book. If you are a fan of a small-town sports romance with a hot single-dad quarterback, a dedicated loving heroine, an adorable baby boy, close proximity, supportive teammates, a single-dad playbook, family support, Fairy Hut drinks, movie night kisses, best friends, co-parenting, slow-burn steamy times, she wears his jersey, journal entry sister truths, and a HEA that you will fall madly in love with, then you will adore Sadie and Weston’s story. I am looking forward to more from Willow Aster.

4.5 stars

This was a super cute single dad romance. Weston Shaw is a football player for The Colorado Mustangs. After one night that changes Weston's life, he finds out he has a son named Caleb. Due to certain circumstances Caleb's aunt, Sadie ends up staying with Weston to help take care of his son.

I listened to an advanced copy of the audiobook. It's so good. Performed in dual narration by Connor Crais and Ava Erickson. These two brought the characters to life. They were amazing! I thought the voices matched the characters so well.

Willow is a new to me author. I easily connected to her characters. Loved Weston's friends. They're an hilarious group of guys. The story had good pacing and good character development. If you love the movie Life As We Know It you will love this one!

Single DADDYYYYY

I adored the Landmark Mountain series…Willow took this one to an AMAZING new level! I love me a single day…but a whole series dedicated to them is amazing! Sadie and Weston were sexy, sweet and so swoony! I could not get enough!

Beautiful story - love Weston and Sadie!

This story was so beautifully written! Weston and Sadie’s story had such a tragic start, but ends so good! I cried, I laughed, I loved the spice! The narrator’s were perfect for this story too! My first audiobook/book by Willow Aster, but it won’t be my last. Also a solid dad group! They were hilarious, caring and so supportive. Cannot wait for the rest of this series!

Sexy sports romance with a touch of drama

Mad Love is a small town, enemies to lovers, sports romance, with a single dad hero and forced proximity (roommates)! This is the first book in the Single Dad Playbook interconnected standalone series and it was so cute!

*Mad Love* is a delightful start to the Single Dad Playbook series, blending small-town charm with the excitement of an NFL backdrop. The story follows Weston Shaw, a star quarterback whose life is turned upside down when he discovers he's a father after a one-night stand. Sadie, the aunt of his son, initially distrusts Weston but soon realizes he’s committed to being a dad. Their journey from enemies to co-parents is both heartwarming and filled with palpable tension.

The forced proximity as they co-parent together is a trope that works beautifully here, making the romantic build-up all the more satisfying. Weston’s instant devotion to his son and the camaraderie among his teammates (who are also single dads) add depth to the story. While the enemies-to-lovers transition felt a bit fast for me, the emotional connection between Weston and Sadie shines through, making this a captivating read.

Overall, *Mad Love* is a sweet, slow-burn romance with just the right amount of spice and heart. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series and seeing more of these single dads in action. Strong 5 out of 5 stars for me!