Today we have the last of Maddie’s Tough Love series, Disappointing Her Daddies. If, when you are reading this story, you look at it and think, hmmmmm, this seems familiar, you would be right. A shorter version of this appeared in the anthology, Daddy’s Demands. The anthology is no longer available and the rights have reverted back to the authors, so we’re starting to see some of the stories coming out as standalones.
Like with the first book in the series, I don’t necessarily think that Tough Love is quite the right word for this particular book, but I don’t think it’s necessarily wrong either. I’ll leave it up to you for your interpretation of it. I think it’s one of those subjective things.
At nearly 20, Erica is looking for a job. She needs one for the money, and also as part of her internship. Her professor suggested D&G Construction, and called them to smooth her way along. As she’s standing outside psyching herself up to go in and fill in the application and get an interview, two steamy hot guys, one shirtless, walk up. Turns out that they are the D&G of the company, Daniel and Grayson. After they meet her, they both agree with each other that she would be dangerous to hire. So, of course, their office manager hires her.
Fast forward 5 years, and Erica is about to graduate with her MBA. She’s still working as the assistant to the office manager, and crushing desperately on Daniel and Grayson. Then, one night, she discovers that the guys like to play with the same woman at the same time, and they like to be called Daddy. How does she find this out? Well, she’s sitting under the desk trying to plug in a cord that she fell over, when the guys walk out the woman. After an epic meltdown, there’s some discussion about what’s going on, but first, Erica’s bitchy mom has to show up.
This is really a pretty mellow story. There is a little drama, especially when it comes to Erica’s mom. I’m not kidding about her being bitchy. There are a couple of other bits of drama that show up in the story, but really, overall, it’s a sweet read, filled with love, friendship, family, and fucking. I almost changed love for fondness, just for the pattern of it, but fondness isn’t a big enough word for the emotion shared between Erica, Daniel, and Grayson.
I like the guys. I think that they are very dedicated to their job and building their company. I also think that they are very dedicated to Erica and taking care of her. We don’t really learn much about them, since it’s all Erica’s POV, but that works for the story.
Erica is definitely a little girl inside of a competent woman. She is definitely both people, not necessarily at the same time, and D&G are really good at nurturing both sides of her. There are a couple of times where I think that she is both at the same time, but she might actually switch back and forth really quickly. Again, this is a point I’m going to let you figure out on your own. Anyway, her Daddy and her Papa are definitely good for her, in all the ways.
I will say that this one felt kind of like home to me. I grew up in Indianapolis, and my family went up to Chicago a couple of times a year for the museums and the aquarium. We would also go wading the lake, when we had a chance. I’d also like to think that everyone stopped at the great pizza place in Merrillville on their way. Of course, it may only be great in my memory, and since it’s been around 30 years since I’ve been there, it probably isn’t there anymore. But I felt like I really knew Erica, Daniel, and Grayson, since they were from my old stomping grounds.
Oh, Mona, no Mona. I was so upset about what happened with Mona.
And the dragon lady definitely got what she deserved!
That’s all for this one. Go check out all the Tough Love books! Happy reading!
In Between the Pages 