Daddy's Best Friend

by Courtney Roberts

After the heartbreaking loss of her mother, Emory Blair finds herself going through the motions of life, trapped between her grief and the pressure to follow in her father's footsteps by finishing college and going to medical school.

Torn with how quickly her father has moved on, Emory puts her feelings aside and attends his wedding, where she unexpectedly forms a romantic connection with her father's best friend, Jacob Young, a man twenty years her senior.

Determined to protect her father's emotions while trying to follow her own path, Emory must come to terms with the effect her relationship with Jake will have on her father's fragile heart and ultimately choose between the life her father wants her to live and the life she is desperate to live for herself.

T/ Loss of a parent, fatal car accidents, and grief

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

387 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 23, 2024

Reviews

[Keri Dyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh I hate not giving 5 stars but I also cannot pretend to like a book that just wasn't for me. I felt like the book had potential. This particular trope is maybe not for me, but neither was the writing in general. There were times when I was thinking "ok it's picking up" then times where I was like "this seems just too fictional." I feel like falling in love in under a week felt like a bit of a stretch, the MMC seemed a bit overly possessive. For the FMC having her first romance I felt like the connection after was just too spicy. The book gets right into the spice. Again, there were parts I did like. I enjoyed the ending and almost wished there was more talk of her future career. Some of the dialogue felt more of the "she said" "I said" "she said" type of wording. Almost a bit juvenile at times. Ugh, I feel so bad saying that but it's honestly the vibe I personally got. Would I recommend it? Maybe? I feel like it wasn't awful and I did not DNF it. Would I read it again? Nah. I would definitely consider reading other works by this author however. I feel like there are parts that I did enjoy and parts that just didn't make me truly believe in the authenticity of it. I think that is what I was looking for and missing. More true romance believability.

[Fabiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

No le tenía fé y me encantó🥹... Hizo lo que un libro así tenía que hacer y es distraerme🫡

Me lo leí en 1 día 😬

[Cami Franco · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️
MMC sounds like a teenager instead of a grown man so it was kinda hard to follow along a bit.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was pretty cute.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has it all!!!
-age gap
-spice
-emotional
-v!rg!n FMC
-hot, silver fox MMC
-angst

Jake has known Emory her whole life because he is her dad's best friend, but he hasn't seen her much in the last few years. When they see each other at her dad's wedding, and he helps her through her grief of missing her mother (who passed away the year before), they wind up spending the rest of the time at the wedding together. And Emory's dad asked Jake to keep an eye on her while he is on his honeymoon, which Jake takes very seriously.

Emory is going through grief with the death of her mother, and going through an emotional crisis trying to tell her dad that the plans he has for her life are not what she wants. While she is having the hardest time of her life, Jake is there for her, comforting her and making sure she knows that no matter what, her dreams and emotions are important.

While Emory's dad is on his honeymoon, Emory & Jake spend a lot of time together. That time goes from innocent to spicy and these two cannot stay away from each other. Once these two are together, there is no going back for either of them; even with drama and anger from Emory's dad.

This book will have you all in your feels but also gives you some great spice.

[Lola Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel presents a delightful age-gap romance that captivated me from the beginning. I found myself so engrossed in the story that I lost track of time, completely unaware that it had slipped past midnight by the time I reached the final chapter! Despite its length, the book flows effortlessly, filled with romantic moments that are beautifully crafted. The intimate scenes are particularly impressive, showcasing Courtney Roberts' talent for detail and emotional depth. The characters are wonderfully developed, with Jake standing out as an exceptional match for Emory in numerous ways-- I just love how protective and considerate he is! The ending of the story is truly remarkable! It offers one of the most satisfying endings I've encountered in a long time, perfectly encapsulating the journey of this adorable couple. 5/5 stars for me!

[Isabelle Mendoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much. It’s not what I was expecting at all. I love the relationship together. I love the relationship out together with her and her best friend him, and his best friend him, and his moms relationship, and they both experience loss of a parent I love them so much. I will be 100% recommend. In one of my favorite moments of her was when she told her father.”It started the night of your wedding. The night you married Carol. A woman who just told me on her way out that she can’t handle taking care of you because it’s just too much.” That moment she just gave up and chose herself. I love that.



(Digital book version)

[Taylor Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌶️ Book Review: Daddy’s Best Friend by Courtney Roberts 🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Whew. This one had zero chill — and I loved every forbidden, steamy minute of it. 👀🔥
Courtney Roberts delivers a fast-paced, heat-heavy romance full of tension, secrets, and that delicious “we shouldn’t but we will” energy. If age gaps, protectiveness, and hidden feelings are your thing, this book does not disappoint.
The chemistry? Off the charts. The drama? Just enough to keep you flipping pages at 1 a.m.
Not for the faint of heart — or for reading in public. 😉
✨ Tropes:
* Forbidden love
* Age gap
* Dad’s best friend 😏
* Protective alpha

[Jessie James Mishell]

I'm pausing at 43%. Honestly the constant tearing up and crying and choking up is just excessive. Not really into a we known each other but suddenly not seen each other for a while but you were still there enough to remember but not really because I didn't notice you till today. I get it but it's way too insta and as person that barely sheds a tear unless a book is utterly gut wrenching, probably like less than 5 books have achieved this, then nah I'm not feeling any feels other than eye rolly one's. I own this so pausing won't hurt much but I just need something less clingy.

[Valarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked Jake. Emory was ok. The FMC cried like every chapter or every other chapter. Like I get it she’s grieving her mom but did she have to cry all the time? In chapter 17 she acted hella immature. I was legit in embarrassed for her. I also did not like her dad like at all. Like the dude married another woman not even a year after his wife died, was going to sell Emory childhood home with consulting or thinking about her, and basically uses her dead mother to manipulate her to go back to school and finish her degree.

[Sunstarandsea · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF-ed at 80% — so I really tried to finish but I couldn’t stick it through. The story was interesting but I felt it was rushed with large holes in the MC relationship ie it was moving too fast without enough details on how their relationship was building. The writing is also not my style; it was a little too simplistic & straightforward. I want more descriptive & tension building - but a lot of that didn’t exist because of the writing style. So overall, it wasn’t a satisfying read - for me.

[Dara Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s refreshing to see Male characters that have emotions other than anger. Jake is the sweetest. I’m so glad Em decided to chase her dreams because that allowed her to find her happiness. The spice was great! The angst was there, but not to the point of making me anxious. I love Courtney Roberts' Age Gap romances… Fantastic, I’ll take 14 of em’

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful love story

It’s a beautiful steamy forbidden love story. Jake and Emory have to make a lot of hard decisions to be together. But they get through it! The have a beautiful ending.

[Christina Dogs and Writing Dreams · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was a lovely, easy and short read, but the most unnecessary fight between the main characters at the end. Was there only to prolong the Book and to cause "forced tension". Didn't do anything for the character development or the plot. Was just unnecessary. That's why it's only 2 stars.

[T Coffman · Rating 2 out of 5]

[2.6 stars]
_________________________________

S – Setting [2.5]
P – Plot [3.0]
E – Engagement [2.5]
C – Characters [2.5]
S – Style [2.5]
_______________________________

Jake and Emory

This insta love was just not for me :/

[Anna Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grant and Sirona are a cute couple who thought fake dating wouldn't lead to real feelings. I went belts I Donell the twinkle hello. If small town romance with a side of magic is your vibe this book is for you. Beautiful!!

[Chrissie Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw a TikTok about this book and as soon as I picked it up, I had to blast through. What an amazing story! First age gap but definitely won’t be the last! So glad I found this!

[Maria Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mejor amigo de su papá

[Mandie Reads More · Rating 5 out of 5]

sweet age gap romance

Emory has always had a crush on her dad’s best friend Jake since she was young. Tragedy and heartache happen in this story. Emory’s dad is getting remarried and ends up running into Jake and he realizes how grown up she is. She’s gorgeous, sweet and wants to do nothing but be everything for her but it might cost him his best friend.

[Vic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite cute, a little too cutesy-cringe for me at points but it's a good age gap story if that's your thing.

[ZyaTheBookDragon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cozy

Cozy and sweet. It was a predictable age gap romance, but still a good read. One that makes your heart warm and fuzzy.

[## · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Katt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down!! read it in pretty much one day. Holy smokes, I think we all want a man like Luke 🖤🖤
*swoon*

[SueAnn Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely romance

If you like to read a romance age gap and spicy book read DADDY'S BEST FRIEND. The title says it all! Get this book!

[Sev · Rating 5 out of 5]

🥰

If you love, love. This is that book. From a crush to infatuation to love then heartbreak. This book had it all. Couldn't have asked for more!

[Vera Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely beautiful love story with tons of great spice!! great side stories with family and friends too

[Liz Bailon · Rating 5 out of 5]

After finishing 'My Best Friend’s Dad', I knew I had to dive into this one next and wow, Courtney Roberts did not disappoint. If you love an insta-love romance that still feels natural and full of chemistry, Jake and Emory will be your new favorite couple. Their love unfolded so quickly and effortlessly, I couldn’t get enough. I honestly haven’t read many “dad’s best friend” books before, mostly because that dynamic can easily feel a little off… but somehow Courtney makes it work so well. Not once did it feel weird, just sweet, steamy, and perfectly balanced. Courtney’s writing delivers every time, and now I’m officially on a mission to read everything she writes.

[Whittney · Rating 1 out of 5]

no maam. got to 22% and he said “you have the best heart”, she starts crying because he said this saying “that’s the sweetest thing anyone has said to me”🤢 like why are we crying