Review: Single Dad Dilemma by Karla Sorensen

Going into Single Dad Dilemma, I was ready. I adored the setup. I adored Lily and Barrett right out of the gate. On paper, this book is exactly my catnip: grumpy x grumpier, enemies-to-lovers, second chances, and a single dad juggling kids, football, and feelings he absolutely does not want to have. And for a good stretch of the opening, I was fully in it.

But somewhere around the one-third mark, the story started losing its grip on me. The pacing slowed, the emotional beats stretched a little too thin, and I found myself skimming entire chapters hoping the momentum would click back in. It just…never quite did. And that’s disappointing, because there is so much here that works.

What I Loved:
Larry. Yes, the introverted, outdoors-hating, grumpy dog. He is a delightfully cranky mascot for this book, and his bond with Barrett’s kids is genuinely sweet. Speaking of the kids—Maggie especially—their presence brings life and warmth to the story. They’re not props; they’re part of the emotional architecture, and Sorensen handles them with care and personality. I’d happily read a Maggie-as-a-young-adult book someday.

And I will absolutely give credit where it’s due: Sorensen knows how to build character backstory. Lily’s emotional landscape is heartbreaking in the best, most human way. The banter is sharp, the angst is thoughtful, and the “two people scared of permanence bumping toward each other slowly” thing is done well.

Where It Fell Apart for Me:
The chemistry. Or rather, the lack of it. I love a slow burn—give me yearning, give me tension, give me two idiots who take 200 pages to realize they’re in love—but here, the slow burn felt like being stuck behind someone who refuses to use the gas pedal. The emotional connection is there, but the romantic spark never fully lights.

This is my third or fourth attempt with this author, and at this point I think we’re just not a match. There’s nothing objectively wrong—Sorensen is clearly talented—but the rhythm of her storytelling doesn’t resonate with me, and that’s okay.

Content Note:
I know a lot of readers are sensitive to pet deaths in fiction. Larry, the beloved dog, does pass away (he’s 14), and while it’s handled with compassion, I really wish there had been a content warning. That’s the kind of thing readers deserve to know going in.

Final Thoughts:
If you love grumpy/grumpy, enemies-to-lovers, second chances, found family, and slow (very slow) burns, this may be exactly your flavor. The writing is polished, the family dynamics are strong, and the emotional depth is definitely there. It just didn’t land for me in the way I was hoping. I loved the yearning; I just never bought the spark.

Rating: 3 Stars

• Grumpy × Grumpy
• Enemies to Lovers
• Single Dad
• NFL Coach / Sports Romance
• Neighbor Romance
• Found Family Elements
• Slow Burn
• Second Chances (emotional, not romantic history)
• Healing from Past Trauma
• Reluctant Caretaker / Unexpected Attachment
• Close Proximity

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