You know you're parenting a true Colorado kid when your son, Marcus, insists on wearing mismatched socks—one with mountain goats, one plain blue—every time soccer season rolls around. I spent half a morning hunting for his lucky pair while my daughter conducted a 'pancake art' contest in the kitchen. By the time they'd splattered syrup and batter everywhere, all I wanted was some peace and a great story. So I curled up with The Path to Loving Him and was swept away. Books like this make chaos feel almost magical when you finally sit down for a quiet read.
Plot Summary
The Path to Loving Him by Meghan Quinn follows Gabby, a determined woman trying to prove herself as an assistant baseball coach at Almond Bay High. After a seeming interview disaster, she stumbles into a sizzling one-night stand with Ryland Rowley—the very coach she'll work for. Gabby moves into the apartment above his garage, and forced proximity ramps up as broken showers and late-night encounters turn tension into undeniable attraction. Both Gabby and Ryland grapple with family scars and conflicting loyalties, all while discovering their own healing in each other. This fast-paced, emotionally rich standalone romance is Book 3 in the Almond Bay series but works perfectly alone.
Why I Love This Book
I love how Gabby's drive and Ryland's vulnerability shine through. Their chemistry jumps off the page and the humor, especially during awkward moments, had me smiling. The emotional backstory is handled with real heart, and there's just the right mix of steamy and sweet. Gabby's grit is so relatable, and Ryland's dad moments made me root for him. I was invested in their hard-won happiness from the start.
Who Will Like This Book
If you love steamy small town romance, forced proximity, or single dad stories, this is for you! Enemies-to-lovers and slow burn fans will devour it. Themes include healing, second chances, and overcoming past trauma. The dynamic feels real and uplifting. Personally, I enjoy books with honest emotion and laugh-out-loud scenes—and this absolutely delivered.
⚠️ Trigger warning: grief, childhood trauma, explicit sexual content, references to parental neglect, emotionally charged situations.
Tagged As
contemporary romance, small town, single dad, forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers, sports romance, one night stand, slow burn, emotionally rich, Almond Bay series, healing, second chances, sexual tension, standalone, steamy romance, sweet moments, HEA
Steam Level
The steam here is full-throttle: explicit scenes, high emotional stakes, and lots of sizzling tension. It's passionate but never overdone, and the physical connection deepens their story. If you want romance that's both heartfelt and hot, you'll be satisfied!
