Down Too Deep

Daniels (the Alabama Summer series) rounds out her Dirty Deeds series with this middling single-parent romance. Workaholic restaurant owner Nathan Bell has been struggling since his wife committed suicide two years ago, leaving him alone with their newborn daughter, Marley. His parents stepped in to raise Marley, but they’re done with covering for him, so he needs a contingency plan. Luckily, Jenna Savage and her adorable eight-year-old twins, Olivia and Oliver, come to his rescue. Jenna offers to watch Marley while looking after her own kids, and soon sparks are flying between Jenna and Nathan. They acknowledge their attraction, but they both have more than a few past scars keeping them from fully giving away their hearts, and they also need to consider how their kids might feel about them starting to date. Some plot twists and obstacles meant to keep the couple apart sometimes feel a little forced, and the juxtaposition of Nathan and Jenna’s sexual relationship with their business relationship is disconcerting, but the payoff is worth the wait. The children truly make this novel shine, all the way to the family-size happy ending. Agent: Kimberly Brower, Brower Literary. (Oct.)