The Godparent Trap

Rachel Van Dyken

Jul 2022 · Sold by Forever

About this ebook

Life's Too Short meets The Unhoneymooners in this sparkling, steamy, and swoon-worthy novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken, in which two sworn enemies must share house, home—and maybe their hearts—when they become co-parents after a sudden loss.

Colby's living her best life: as a popular food blogger, she gets to fulfill her dreams of exploring the globe. But her world comes crashing down when a tragic accident leaves her co-guardian of her best friend's two adorable children. Not only does she need to put down roots—fast—but she'll be sharing custody with the one man she can't stand sharing a continent with, let alone a house.  

Accountant-extraordinaire Rip values rules and plans. But when he loses his sister and his best friend and becomes an insta-guardian all in one night, Rip sees his organized life imploding. What he really doesn't need is his sister's irresponsible, flighty—albeit kind and gorgeous—best friend making it worse.

Rip doesn't trust Colby to take their new responsibilities seriously, while Colby can't believe Rip thinks children will thrive under his rigid control. Yet soon Rip and Colby discover they need each other more than they hate each other. Could it be possible that following their hearts is just what their new little family needs?

Ratings and reviews

Equal parts tragedy and comedy Rip and Colby have known each other since childhood, since she's his younger sister Monica's best friend. After celebrating their ten year anniversary, Monica and her husband Brooks are tragically killed and their two children are now in the custody of both their godparents - Rip and Colby. The only thing these two agree on is that they both fiercely love the children, and the one date they went on a couple years prior was an absolute disaster. But they have to put their differences aside to try to help five-year-old Ben and his three-year-old sister find their way through their loss. Rip was a bit too much of a condescending jerk in the beginning but he did redeem (and explain) himself by the book's end. There's a lot of childrearing chaos throughout as both Colby and Rip learn just what being parents is all about. There's also a good bit of pushing coming from Rip's partner and friend, Banks, who was probably my favorite character of the entire book. I'm not quite sure I understand how the crisis at the end of the book came about - I wish it had been a bit more explained - but the feels are real throughout and it's not hard to see that these two make a charming couple as well as a rock-solid family unit with the kids. It's a terrific HEA with a year-later epilogue and I truly enjoyed the journey. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

4.4 stars This is one slow burn, heartwarming story that brings to mind the film “Life As We Know It,” where two children are thrust into a new life after the death of their parents. Colby is a woman who comes across as a free spirit who goes where the wind takes her to help her write her travel blog. Rip is Colby’s polar opposite. He is steadfast, somewhat of a neat freak and an accountant who has his own business. These two are like oil and water and have acted as such for quite some time.

4.25stars-THE GODPARENT TRAP by Rachel Van Dyken is a contemporary, adult, stand alone romance story line focusing on blogger Colby Summers, and accountant Rip Edison. THE GODPARENT TRAP is a story of loss and grief, family and friendships, acceptance and love. The premise is emotional and captivating; the romance is seductive; the characters are energetic, struggling but learning to cope.

About the author

Rachel Van Dyken is the #1 New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of over 90 books ranging from contemporary romance to paranormal. With over four million copies sold, she's been featured in Forbes, US Weekly, and USA Today. Her books have been translated in more than 15 countries. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, adorable sons, naked cat, and two dogs.