Manny Brenden Torrance is good at his job. He's dealt with all sorts of children and parents, but he's never met anyone as intriguing as Liam Whitehouse. Liam is a scientist with three kids, whose job is keeping him away from home more and more. That's where Brenden steps in to help.
Liam has secrets, though. He's working on a project for a pharmaceutical lab that could change disease management. Or destroy it. While he and Brenden start a romance they both want to continue, things at Liam's job come to a head, and suddenly the whole family of Dad, manny, three kids, and a big drooly dog is on the run from the one thing that might keep Brenden and Liam apart. And infect the world.
Well this was cute if you find lab created zombie-esque romances on the cute side. Seriously though, this was light and fitting for the line.
This was not a romance situation, it was a job.
When Manny Brenden Torrance takes an urgent job just when he’s planned a month off to himself and his beast of a dog Moose, he gets more than a handful of kids to take care of. Brenden walks straight into a struggling family with a widower whose job is keeping him from quality time with his three children and three kids who really need more time with their dad. It’s a good thing Brenden and Moose have a butt load of experience when they meet the Whitehouse clan. But has all their manny training prepared them for what they really signed up for?
Told from Brenden and Liam’s POV, we get the whole story as Liam finally gives in and gets help in the form of a manny to manage his family. Liam lost his wife a few years ago and while he is keeping his head above water, the weights of his job are dragging him under and he just needs that bit of help to not drown. Susana, Peter and Brittany are good kids, but they are kids who are teetering on the verge of disaster with their dad trying to balance it all. Thankfully, they all know what’s really happening and after a grumble or three, open up to Brenden being around.
The story is told well and I liked that we got to know all of the characters before the pandemic happens and the need to survive kicks in. We don’t know what’s up with Liam’s job and the emergency until we are decently into the book, so we get on page time with everyone setting a relatable foundation. It was nice to know where everyone stood with their feelings and it wasn’t just the “OMG we might die” that made everyone fall in love and everyone okay with the new family situation.
We’ll figure this out. You’re a scientist and I’m a manny. We can do anything.I liked Brenden and adored Moose. The story is really light even given the virus situation but Brenden was down to earth and loved his job. He falls hard for every member of the Whitehouse family and when given the opportunity to let his feelings fly for Liam, he doesn’t hold back.
Liam is a good guy who has always wanted to do the right thing. His job has its challenges and after losing his wife the stress comes down three fold but Liam is too smart not to ask for help. Liam is also too smart not to be honest with his kids or with the new manny he thinks is hot and also is developing feelings for.
All of the kids were unique and had qualities that gave the story a bit of realism while being just a tad bit of unbelievable to stay straight with a paranormal read. There is insta-love in this but with the outbreak and the possible decline of civilization on the line, I will go with it and let the men fall in love.
I guess for me, this felt reminiscent of another story I read of lab created “zombies” where things weren’t as light and I will admit, the lightness of the Dreamspun series didn’t lend itself to this story as well as some others.
But that’s just my opinion, your mileage may vary.
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Thank you! Off to buy
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