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The Single Dad's Guide to Recreation

Welcome to Climax, Book 1

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The Single Dad's Guide to Recreation

By: Karen Grey
Narrated by: Grayson Owens, Carly Robins
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About this listen

He’s the big-city corporate VP slashing costs. She’s the sunny, small-town toddler-whisperer in his crosshairs. It should be easier for them to keep their hands off each other.

The new guy in town may be a hot single dad–we’re talking total, mouthwatering eye candy here–but that isn’t stopping him from shuttering my favorite program here at Climax Parks & Rec.

Nor does it stop me from being blinded by lust and tripping over my own feet every time I see him, even though we’re completely wrong for each other.

He’s all business; my job is to play.
He’s moved upstate from Manhattan; I’ve returned to my small town roots.
He’s overwhelmed by his two adorable kids; doctors told me I’ll never be a mother.

Oh, and did I mention that it’s his job to “re-org” (aka ruin) everything I love about my job?

Despite all this, he’s got me dreaming of something I told myself I’d given up on: a family of my own.

Warning! Do not listen to this audiobook unless you love:

  • Uptight heroes who are silly with their kids
  • Sunshiny, Cinderelly heroines
  • Nosy, interfering, small-town bureaucrats
  • Possibly magical clock towers
  • Parks and Recreation and Schitt’s Creek vibes

To the listener: my romance novels are all lighthearted and humorous, and the main two characters are guaranteed to find a happy ending. However, they may run into a few obstacles along the way, as well as need healing from incidents in their former lives.

If you’d like content guidance regarding sex/nudity, death, mental health and/or reproductive health challenges, you can find them in detail at karengrey com/contentguidance

©2025 Karen Grey (P)2025 Home Cooked Books
Contemporary Romantic Comedy Small Town Witty
All stars
Most relevant  

Listener received this title free

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️
3🌶️🌶️🌶️

The Single Dad’s Guide to Recreation is book one in the Welcome to Climax series. Avery has lived in the small town of Climax for her entire life. She has taken over her mom’s job at the community center. She has been running the playtime center. She is trying to keep her mom’s dream alive. Avery has been working herself into the ground. She took over this position also while trying to take care of her parents declining health. She moved in with her parents to help them as they got older. A new company has relocated to Climax and is trying to revamp the community. The new company’s first stop is to revive the community center, evaluate what activities need to be cut or added. Josh is a single dad. He is to be the liaison between the new company and the community center. He is a widower with two young children. He was interested in Avery when he saw her interacting with the kids during playtime. He decides that it may be time to start dating and Avery is the one he has his sights on. Avery and Josh start dating and getting to know each other. The only thing that might get in the way of their relationship is the fact that playtime is on the chopping block to be cut due to budget. This is such a cute story. Loved the kids and can’t wait for more books in this series.

Carly Robins and Owen Grayson did a fantastic job narrating this book in duet style narration.

The Single Dad’s Guide to Recreation

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Listener received this title free

This workplace, single dad, opposites attract, small town, "Parks and Rec" and "Schitt's Creek" vibes romance was so good! I love Karen Grey's writing style and this book was so much fun! I loved the small town setting, the characters, their banter, and the development of their relationship. I absolutely loved Josh and Avery and I could not get enough of this book! I really appreciated that Karen discussed a lot of challenging topics.

Grayson Owens and Carly Robins were amazing in this audiobook. They brought these characters, their emotions and their personality to life in a way that made this audiobook experience really enjoyable.

Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

So much fun!!

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Listener received this title free

Ah, to be back in a book by Karen Grey. Whether it's a decade I can fall back into or a trip to Climax, I am completely lost in the story. She has a style that fills my heart. We come to this town and meet Josh and Avery. Josh is a single dad of 2, and is evaluating the services it offers and what is economically sound. Avery is struggling to keep her children's program, and even with Josh's child in it, she is sure she is on the block. So that leaves her in a predicament. How can she possibly be attracted to the man that could end it? There is something about Josh that pulls her to him. The question is, are either ready for a relationship? Grey packs a lot into this story of true to life issues and a growing passion. Avery and Josh have their obstacles, but the banter and the building love all makes it worth it. And Percy and Mabel bring the sunshine. Loved this listen!

CJ Bloom and Grayson Owens bring this gem alive. Bloom is Avery, and she wears her heart on her sleeve. Easy to know how she feels, each emotion is easily felt. She also voices the kids, and she relates to them, bringing out all the child like qualities. Owens is Josh, and he has all the feels. From being a widower to a dad to a lover he brings out each feeling. I loved this casting and their performance.

Welcome to this fantastic small town!

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Listener received this title free

Living in Climax might have its perks. Or so you would think. But the three years spell for Avery, after have her broken and returning to her parents home, is not funny. Add to the mix a widower with two small children and his job is to take her job away. What can go wrong? Avery and Josh’s story is sweet, cute but also full of deep feelings, tough topics and great chemistry. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC copy. This is my honest review. And thanks to HoemCooked Books for the ALC. Carly Robins and Grayson Owens make and incredible job with this amazing story.

Great

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Listener received this title free

Sweet, cute, small town!, adorable kids and some angst make this book.
Carly Robins and Grayson Owens as Avery and Josh deliver two true to life real characters that could be any of us.

Josh & Avery

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Listener received this title free

Another fabulous book by Karen Grey! This was adorable, with some real life depth!

The Single Dad's Guide to Recreation is book one in the new “Welcome to Climax” series. Avery has lived in the small town of Climax all of her life. She’s taken over her mum’s job at the community centre; she basically leads the parent-toddler playgroup. See, the town of Climax and its community centre is in dire need for some money and investment. After a company moves into town with the promise of investment and new opportunities, this all sounds great. However, there needs to be some cuts made to some programs and her job and the program she runs at the community center is on the chopping board. She also has so much more on her hands as she is the sole caretaker of her parents.

She meets Josh who is new to town. He is a widower and a single dad to two young kids. After they meet, they feel immediately attracted to each other. They decide to get to know each other and start dating. However, things are complicated because Josh works for the new company and he is the one in charge of deciding which programs get the cut and which get funded.

This one was so good! I really enjoy author, Karen Grey’s writing. I love how she always writes stories that are filled with so much depth; real life relationships type issues that are resolved realistically but still cute and romantic. In this book particularly, Avery and Josh were just so cute and adorable and they had so much chemistry. I loved seeing their journey as they got to know each other and merged their lives together. I also liked seeing the representation of caretakers and the depth and levity that was shown in with Avery needing to care of her parents and what that might entail, as well as her other personal struggles. Plus, the small town of Climax was just too cute! I’m now looking forward to diving back into this town when the next stories within this series comes out.

This was narrated in duet style by Carly Robins and Owens Grayson. They did fantastic with the characterisations and the portrayals of both Avery and Josh. Their performances were well executed!

5 Stars!

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Listener received this title free

🎧Audio Review🎧
Carly Robins & Grayson Owens
were spot on! Both performances were some of my favorites. Carly really brought Avery's quirks to life and all the things I loved about her character. and Grayson did an amazing job with Josh and his awkward new feelings and vulnerabilities making him an even more endearing character then he already was. I thought both narrators also did a great job with their secondary characters as well. This will definitely be a book I listen to again.

So Good

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Listener received this title free

I listened to the audiobook. The narration by Grayson Owens and Carly Robins was fabulous. They did a great job with the characters and were really easy to listen to.

The Single Dad’s Guide to Recreation is a stand alone story in a new series, though there are some brief cameos from the Farm 2 Forking series set in a neighboring town. I liked that Josh and Avery were dealing with some heavier issues that are relatable for readers with some life experience - caring for parents, being a widower, career choices, etc. The more serious elements add depth to the story without too much angst.

I received a copy of the audiobook at my request and the opinions here are my own.

Great narration, stand alone story

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Listener received this title free

I just finished ‘The Single Dad’s Guide to Recreation’ and it was absolutely delightful! This audiobook blends sweet, funny, and heartwarming in the best way. If you love small-town romances with charming single dads and plenty of humor, this one's for you.

Karen Grey created such lovable characters – the single dad hero is doing his best, and the heroine brings warmth and light. Their journey is full of chemistry, tender moments, and laugh-out-loud scenes. I had a smile on my face the whole time.

Only after finishing did I realize this is a spinoff from another series – and now I’m DEFINITELY going back to catch up!

Grayson Owens and Carly Robins were PERFECT narrators, bringing every emotion and character to life.

This feel-good romance left my heart full. A true gem!

Tropes:
💖 Small Town Romance
👨‍👧‍👦 Single Dad
😏 Opposites Attract
🥰 He Falls First
🏡 Found Family

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Heartwarming, funny, and full of charm!

A new author to me and I love this book!

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