In Wicked Love by Willow Aster, Poppy Keane hasn’t lived in Silver Hills, Colorado, for long but she already feels like the small town is exactly where she needs 
to be. While she’s aware that a bunch of football players from the Colorado Mustangs live nearby, she never thought she’d meet any of them. Or that she’d become attached to linebacker Bowie Fox’s daughter Becca. Too bad he won’t really give Poppy the time of day. Until they have a magical night of dancing at a local wedding and end up in the same suite after a mix-up with her reservation. The awkwardness after their steamy night together makes Poppy swear off pursuing anything with Bowie. Then she finds out she’s pregnant. And as she tries to navigate everything pregnancy related, she also finds herself falling more and more for her baby’s father–and his sweet daughter, Becca.
His hand cups my stomach and he places a soft kiss below my belly button. “Hello, little one,” he whispers. “Enjoy your sleep in there.”
Bowie wouldn’t trade anything in the world when it comes to spending time with his daughter or his teammates. They are the only family he needs, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. Given his childhood, he doesn’t let many people into his personal life. That’s why when he meets Poppy and he notices her instant connection with Becca, he remains standoffish. But Bowie can see possibilities between himself and the gorgeous blond. He’s been badly burned before, though. And knowing how Becca, who has special needs, requires stability, Bowie isn’t ready to start dating seriously. Then Poppy informs him she’s pregnant with his child. That changes everything. Never would he ignore his own baby or Poppy. And as they prepare for the future, Bowie becomes more and more sure that the universe picked the perfect woman to stand by his side and to possibly share the rest of his life.
“That’s such a heavy responsibility you’re carrying alone, Bowie,” she says.
…”Loving Becca is the easiest thing I have ever done,” I say finally.
She smiles. “And you love her so well,” she says. “That little girl worships the ground you walk on.”
WICKED LOVE was the most enjoyable ride with a story that was so full of joy, heartfelt moments, laughter, and camaraderie that I hated to see it end.
‘If Poppy Keane asked me for anything, I’d walk through coals of fire to give it to her.’
CW: View Spoiler »
Whether you read WICKED LOVE as a standalone or as part of Willow Aster’s The Single Dad Playbook series, I think readers will adore Poppy, Bowie, and Becca right from page one. Not only was this a De-Lightful (as Becca would say) romance, but there was also such a wonderful sense of community and found family which made this a much more meaningful story. Surprise pregnancy isn’t my favorite trope typically. But Aster made Poppy and Bowie’s predicament feel like the real deal–and added in a bunch of sweet, funny scenes that will have you sighing happily.
That’s not to say things were smooth sailing for Bowie or Poppy. Between issues from his past with his family creeping up again and his constant worry about his special needs daughter, Becca, Bowie was a man torn. He didn’t trust anyone easily. But when Poppy crashed into his life, it was the first time in almost a decade that he wondered if maybe he could actually have a chance at love. I think what I loved most about Bowie was that he was a spectacular dad, first and foremost; and his friendship with his teammates was rock solid and was the foundation of how he handled being a single dad. Those guys…wow. Talented football players all in their own right, they were as hilarious as they were supportive of each other. And I couldn’t get enough of their scenes together.
Poppy was the kind of down to earth, sunshiny, woman’s woman heroine that I adore. What struck me right away was the bond she forged almost immediately with Becca. And it wasn’t just because Poppy was a trained adaptive recreation coach who worked daily with special needs children–it was how in tune she was with Becca. Something that Bowie noticed quickly. There were some trust issues they both had to work through. But the progression of their relationship was so well done by Aster. Through the ups and downs you’d expect from a pair thrown together after their one night together resulted in pregnancy, Poppy and Bowie learned so much from each other and truly became a team.
QOTD: Have you read The Single Dad Playbook series or anything else by Willow Aster yet?
Book Info:
Publication: Published: April 10th, 2025 | Willow Aster | The Single Dad Playbook #4
A sexy, small town, grumpy sunshine, single dad, sports romance from USA Today Bestselling Author Willow Aster
I fell in love with his little girl first.
From the moment nine-year-old Becca Fox and I hugged, it was like we’d known each other forever. Precocious, sweet, and kind, I just knew this little girl was exceptional. Her dad, though? Not so much.
Bowie Fox checks every box in the looks department—rugged, intense, and the kind of man who makes you forget how to breathe—but his personality? About as warm as a snowstorm.
That is, until we’re seated together at his best friend’s wedding, and then…we dance.
For hours.
Beneath that gruff and hard exterior, I catch glimpses of a man who wants to let loose and enjoy life.
After the wedding, when a hotel mixup leaves me without a room and stranded in Landmark Mountain, Bowie invites me to stay in his room. In his bed.
It’s innocent at first. Until it’s not. A sizzling one-night stand for the books. Then I wake up alone and when I see him at breakfast, he is as distant as ever.
Bowie lets me know his life revolves around Becca, his teammates, and football. He makes it perfectly clear that there is no room for anyone else—especially the bubbly coach of his daughter.
As much as our paths keep crossing, I know the broody linebacker isn’t ever planning on falling for me, but when I find out I am pregnant—I wonder, Can he fall for us?
Wicked Love is book four in The Single Dad Playbook series. Each book can be read as a standalone.
Amy R
QOTD: Have you read The Single Dad Playbook series or anything else by Willow Aster yet? I’ve only read True Love Story
Thanks for the review.