Book Review — Down Too Deep by J. Daniels

“It’s terrifying, isn’t it?”
“What?”
“Loving someone this much.”

HOLY FREAKING SQUEEEE!!! This was an absolutely GORGEOUS book!! I read it in one sitting and honestly it was just pure angsty romance goodness! The hero was a single dad, the heroine was a single mom, and it was heart-warming beyond words to see them and their kids bond and form a new family out of their two previously broken ones. This is the kind of story that’ll leave you so happy when you’re finished reading it!

In the beginning of this story, we see Nate completely in over his head. After his wife’s death he shut down, unable to bring himself to even care for their baby who he left with his loving parents. For two years he grieved and by the time he was ready to try living again, he felt like a stranger to his daughter – scared and hopelessly unable to establish a connection with her despite wanting to very much.

His desire to know his daughter was written all over his face. And the way he’d look at her before he left for work and ask about her day when he got home… how he made an effort even though he appeared so unsure, which, God, was the most important thing he could ever do — Nathan was trying so hard. I cold see it.

That’s when he met Jenna. As single mom of twins whose father had wanted nothing to do with them, she knew all about caring for babies and was an expert at doing things on her own and when she saw Nate’s situation she offered to help care for his toddler. Before she knew it she was staying at his home all day every day with her kids looking after his daughter while he tried to rearrange his life to allow him the time to parent her properly.

It was so heart-breaking to see how lost he was but equally heart-warming to watch Jenna help him find a connection to his child, while at the same time watching them slowly fall in love with each other.

“This feels different to you because it is different,” Dad went on. “It’s bigger. When you move past loving someone to needing them — they become a necessity to your own survival. You no longer get to decide whether you can be without this person. You can’t. It’s decided for you.”

There’s no insta-love here. The pacing was on point and nothing felt rushed. I loved how naturally and organically their two families blended together. There was a wee bit of stupid in the middle of the book, but small enough that I found it forgiveable. (Note: no cheating. Don’t worry.) Besides, it’s hard not to forgive when he says things like this:

“This is killing me. I want to hold you.”
“I wanted you to hold me yesterday. Where were you then?”
I pressed my lips together. Fair point. “Listen to me, okay?” I said. “I made a mistake, and I’m probably going to make more. Maybe a lot more. I’m not perfect, Jenna. And that family you want, the one I’m going to give you, it won’t be perfect either, but I swear to God, it’s going to be everything.”

Most of all though I really just loved how much this story made me feel for the characters. I was completely wrapped up and invested in their story. I actually cancelled lunch plans just so I could keep reading the book and absolutely loved the emotional connection I felt to it.

“Hi,” I said.
Jesus, was there ever a more loaded word? That hi was so many things. I’m sorry. I missed you. I love you. I need you.

For the majority of the book I was all set and ready to give a 4.5 star rating but then one particular scene towards the end of the book brought tears to my eyes and bumped this story right up to 5 stars!

Love can be powerful. Family can be strong. But when a new family is formed out of two broken ones, it’s something so incredibly special and this book captures all those feelings and emotions perfectly!

This is a standalone in a series of standalones (full details below). I’ve actually read them all and loved them all but you could absolutely read any of them alone with no problems. I’d say this one is my favorite in the series, closely followed by the first book. The heroine of this book is the sister of the hero from the first book. Here’s one last little quote to end the review where the heroine is talking to her brother about the hero.

“How long are you gonna fight this guy?” Brian asked.
“You warned me about moving too fast and you questioned all the time I let the kids spend with him. Since when are you pro-Nathan?”
Brian looked over at me. “Since he showed up for your son.”

This was exactly my kind of book — filled with romance, family, love, characters you can fall in love with, and a story you feel invested in with all your heart!

Rating: 5 STARS! Contemporary Adult Romance, can standalone

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Series of standalones.