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To the Moon and Back
Gideon Ellery had the perfect life. Nice house, great job, and a long-time boyfriend. Weeks after adopting his nephew, his boyfriend splits, leaving Gideon a single father to a newborn. Overwhelmed, sleep deprived, and unsure how to navigate fatherhood, he’s asked to return to the office. He’s overwhelmed and at his breaking point.
Toby Barlow is back in Sydney after three years of studying, travelling, and nannying in the UK. He needs work and a place to live, and the perfect solution drops in his lap. After all, caring for a sweet baby in a beautiful home owned by a gorgeous single man isn’t exactly terrible.
Gideon isn’t too keen to share his life with a stranger, but his need for help is too great. Sunshiny Toby isn’t prepared for a grumpy Gideon or his utterly adorable son, Benson. Or how easily he slots into their lives. And Gideon’s not prepared for how much he needs Toby.
Or how much he wants him.
Neither is prepared for the complications of falling in love
Toby Barlow is back in Sydney after three years of studying, travelling, and nannying in the UK. He needs work and a place to live, and the perfect solution drops in his lap. After all, caring for a sweet baby in a beautiful home owned by a gorgeous single man isn’t exactly terrible.
Gideon isn’t too keen to share his life with a stranger, but his need for help is too great. Sunshiny Toby isn’t prepared for a grumpy Gideon or his utterly adorable son, Benson. Or how easily he slots into their lives. And Gideon’s not prepared for how much he needs Toby.
Or how much he wants him.
Neither is prepared for the complications of falling in love
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 23, 2023
About the author
N.R. Walker
140 books4,985 followersAuthor also writes as A. Voyeur
N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance. She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn't have it any other way.
She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who she gives them life with words.
She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things...but likes it even more when they fall in love. She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.
She’s been writing ever since...
https://www.facebook.com/N.R.WalkerAu...
N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance. She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn't have it any other way.
She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who she gives them life with words.
She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things...but likes it even more when they fall in love. She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.
She’s been writing ever since...
https://www.facebook.com/N.R.WalkerAu...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 609 reviews
February 27, 2023
This is an easy story about a single dad, his manny, and an adorable baby named Benson.
Low angst, cuteness overload & HEA guaranteed.
Why only 3 stars? I am just not a big baby person. I've raised my own and don't find the "raising baby" trope to be ... well, romantic.
Benson was on every page, which fair; I got a little bored though.
I loved the cameo appearance by Henry and Reed (from Walker's The Weight of It All) in the epilogue.
ETA: Per my friend Thrudr's comment below, I didn't like the (non)resolution to Toby being both a hired nanny to Benson and Gideon's partner/Benson's other dad. You can't be both a parent and a paid babysitter. The whole thing felt too much like a business transaction.
Low angst, cuteness overload & HEA guaranteed.
Why only 3 stars? I am just not a big baby person. I've raised my own and don't find the "raising baby" trope to be ... well, romantic.
Benson was on every page, which fair; I got a little bored though.
I loved the cameo appearance by Henry and Reed (from Walker's The Weight of It All) in the epilogue.
ETA: Per my friend Thrudr's comment below, I didn't like the (non)resolution to Toby being both a hired nanny to Benson and Gideon's partner/Benson's other dad. You can't be both a parent and a paid babysitter. The whole thing felt too much like a business transaction.
April 13, 2024
*4.5* This book arrived one day, carefully flown by carrier pigeon, sent by a dear friend. It was the perfect book at the perfect time.
A sweet cheeky chicky nuggy of a story.
✔️80s Magnum PI mustache
✔️Single dad
✔️Authentic baby raising
✔️Live-in nanny
✔️Found family
✔️Undercooked chicken
✔️One bed
✔️HEA
All Toby knew of Mr Gideon Ellery was that he was thirty-four years old, a very well-established corporate finance manager, and a recently single new father to a twelve-week-old son.
I loved the side characters in the story, and all the family conversations. It was so true to life how our best friends try to save us from ourselves.
Slightly predictable, but also really adorable. Thank goodness for no third act break up!
A sweet cheeky chicky nuggy of a story.
✔️80s Magnum PI mustache
✔️Single dad
✔️Authentic baby raising
✔️Live-in nanny
✔️Found family
✔️Undercooked chicken
✔️One bed
✔️HEA
All Toby knew of Mr Gideon Ellery was that he was thirty-four years old, a very well-established corporate finance manager, and a recently single new father to a twelve-week-old son.
I loved the side characters in the story, and all the family conversations. It was so true to life how our best friends try to save us from ourselves.
Slightly predictable, but also really adorable. Thank goodness for no third act break up!
September 21, 2023
RATING 4.5 STARS
To the Moon and Back is a stand alone, sweet, wonderful, feel good, single dad romance by N.R. Walker. If you want something to make you feel all warm and fuzzy and crave sweet baby snuggles, this is the book for you.
Gideon Ellery is thirty four years old and is a corporate finance manager. He had been in a long term relationship with the man he thought he would be with forever. They owned a home together. But when he adopted his sister’s newborn baby, his partner left him. Now Gideon is facing a future without the man he loves and trying to learn to be a father to a newborn baby. He’s exhausted and with his paternity leave over, he doesn’t know how to move forward. He needs a live in nanny and the perfect person falls into their lives.
Toby Barlow has been in the UK for three years as a nanny while studying and traveling. Now he’s back in Sydney where his huge Italian family lives. He needs a job and as soon as he walks into Gideon and baby Benson’s home, he knows this is where he is supposed to be. Gideon needs him desperately.
These two settle into life together and easily find a routine. Gideon becomes more confident as a new dad with the help of the always sunshiny Toby. Toby is so good with little Benson who flourishes under the care of these two wonderful men. Toby and Gideon are boss and employee but are also becoming friends. They eat together, they watch TV together, so it’s only a matter of time when lines start to become blurred. But at what risk? Gideon and Benson need Toby. They can’t lose him. And Toby needs the job. How can they explore their new feelings while not risking anything else?
This was just such a sweet book. I adored these two together. And little Benson was so adorable. I also absolutely loved Toby’s crazy family! This isn’t very long, I read it in one day. It made my heart happy.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
To the Moon and Back is a stand alone, sweet, wonderful, feel good, single dad romance by N.R. Walker. If you want something to make you feel all warm and fuzzy and crave sweet baby snuggles, this is the book for you.
Gideon Ellery is thirty four years old and is a corporate finance manager. He had been in a long term relationship with the man he thought he would be with forever. They owned a home together. But when he adopted his sister’s newborn baby, his partner left him. Now Gideon is facing a future without the man he loves and trying to learn to be a father to a newborn baby. He’s exhausted and with his paternity leave over, he doesn’t know how to move forward. He needs a live in nanny and the perfect person falls into their lives.
Toby Barlow has been in the UK for three years as a nanny while studying and traveling. Now he’s back in Sydney where his huge Italian family lives. He needs a job and as soon as he walks into Gideon and baby Benson’s home, he knows this is where he is supposed to be. Gideon needs him desperately.
These two settle into life together and easily find a routine. Gideon becomes more confident as a new dad with the help of the always sunshiny Toby. Toby is so good with little Benson who flourishes under the care of these two wonderful men. Toby and Gideon are boss and employee but are also becoming friends. They eat together, they watch TV together, so it’s only a matter of time when lines start to become blurred. But at what risk? Gideon and Benson need Toby. They can’t lose him. And Toby needs the job. How can they explore their new feelings while not risking anything else?
This was just such a sweet book. I adored these two together. And little Benson was so adorable. I also absolutely loved Toby’s crazy family! This isn’t very long, I read it in one day. It made my heart happy.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
February 23, 2023
Such a beautiful nanny/single dad story!! God, I’m such a sucker for gay domestic bliss. I love reading about happy same sex couples ..Happy and doing the whole marriage thing and with a bunch of kids. It’s been a long time coming for the queer community (and still a struggle in a lot of countries) and I just love reading books like this- that second epilogue made me tear up even though for gay couples,in real life ,is not that easy to have a child TWICE !
I enjoyed this nanny story (or manny if you prefer)so much ;it’s light and feel good and impeccably written (of course) and it just touches your heart.
I enjoyed this nanny story (or manny if you prefer)so much ;it’s light and feel good and impeccably written (of course) and it just touches your heart.
Read
February 26, 2023No rating because I'm torn. On the one hand it was very very sweet, low-angst and reminded me of Finders Keepers which I really liked. On the other, the baby aspect was a bit much for me and I'm not sure I'm a fan of the gender dynamics here. I didn't like that the ex was shown as a villain for not wanting kids. That's his only sin: he left because Gideon decided to adopt a kid, without really accepting his input. The ex was brought up too much as a villain for me and this reason is just bad. Then I'm not sure I'm a fan of Toby being basically a 1950s very happy housewife. I mean he is hired as a nanny but does all the grocery shopping, cleans the house, cooks for Gideon and the baby, does laundry... I'm not sure that's in the job description of a nanny. It is a very gendered and traditional view of the family: Gideon brings in the bacon and Toby does everything else. Yes Gideon takes care of his son when he is home (you don't get anything for that in my book it's the minimum) but he never really does anything for Toby (not anything substantial at least). The fact that they are 2 men raising a kid leads to absolutely no push back, I mean at one point they go to a doctor's appointment (not a spoiler it's a routine thing) and the doc assumes they are the fathers, I'm not sure we are there yet. Finally, the transition from nanny to boyfriend didn't fully convince me. I don't want to get into spoilers but yeah it felt weird and the solution found was not the best to me. Not a total bust but I wasn't a fan.
August 6, 2023
3.5 Stars
Another simple sweet romance that’s low on stress and anxiety.
As per the blurb, Gideon thought he had his life all figured out, but when the adoption of his son doesn’t mesh with his partner’s idea of a happy ever after, he’s left alone as a single parent to deal with the chaotic crazy aftermath.
Toby the nanny arrives at the scene and saves the day. Forced proximity and a shared love of baby Benson whittles both these guys’ resolve to keep it professional, and inevitably, lust and love result in a win for both.
Again, easy reading if you want a relaxed romance with plenty of baby cuteness!
Another simple sweet romance that’s low on stress and anxiety.
As per the blurb, Gideon thought he had his life all figured out, but when the adoption of his son doesn’t mesh with his partner’s idea of a happy ever after, he’s left alone as a single parent to deal with the chaotic crazy aftermath.
Toby the nanny arrives at the scene and saves the day. Forced proximity and a shared love of baby Benson whittles both these guys’ resolve to keep it professional, and inevitably, lust and love result in a win for both.
Again, easy reading if you want a relaxed romance with plenty of baby cuteness!
February 27, 2023
“Sorry, I was a million miles away.”
Thinking about kissing you.
Taking care of his six-week-old son while working to pay the mortgage without any kind of sleep is threatening to destroy Gideon. After a lot of convincing, he agrees to hire Toby to take care of baby Benson. That brings a new problem: he can’t stop thinking about how beautiful Toby is, how much he loves Benson and how perfectly he would fit in their little family.
To The Moon and Back is a rather simple story; you know exactly how everything would end since the beginning. But that’s part of the charm. You can lose yourself in the quiet peace of them going through their daily lives while slowly falling in love; enjoy every single scene of them cuddling together, smiling at each other.
When the book started, Gideon was still recovering from his boyfriend of six years breaking up with him. It took him months to even acknowledge to himself that he was into Toby because he had resigned to stay single forever. He only cared about making Benson happy, but life had other plans for him.
The problem I sometimes have with NRW’s stories is how alike the two MCs are, but that didn’t happen here. Gideon was shy and reserved while Toby would get nervous easily and start babbling. I loved seen Gideon blushed under Toby’s teasing and how he was unable to stop himself from telling Toby exactly what he was feeling. And don’t get me started with all the nicknames Toby came up with for Benson. They drove Gideon crazyin love.
“When did this little sausage get two teeth?”
I appreciated how NRW handled the pace, how the characters started to enjoy the other’s company and how the feelings came before the smut. There was no need to imagine how their lives would be when the book was over, you were witnessing it. It warmed my heart and made me stupidly happy.
The only two critiques I would have is how convenient was both the parallel pace when it came to catching feelings and what happened in epilogue 2.
Overall, I loved reading To The Moon and Back. It was so easy to get into the story and let Gideon, Toby and Benson warm your heart with their wholesome romance. I’d truly recommend it if you are looking for a simple story that will give you all the feelings. I know I will be rereading it soon 🥰
Thinking about kissing you.
Taking care of his six-week-old son while working to pay the mortgage without any kind of sleep is threatening to destroy Gideon. After a lot of convincing, he agrees to hire Toby to take care of baby Benson. That brings a new problem: he can’t stop thinking about how beautiful Toby is, how much he loves Benson and how perfectly he would fit in their little family.
To The Moon and Back is a rather simple story; you know exactly how everything would end since the beginning. But that’s part of the charm. You can lose yourself in the quiet peace of them going through their daily lives while slowly falling in love; enjoy every single scene of them cuddling together, smiling at each other.
When the book started, Gideon was still recovering from his boyfriend of six years breaking up with him. It took him months to even acknowledge to himself that he was into Toby because he had resigned to stay single forever. He only cared about making Benson happy, but life had other plans for him.
The problem I sometimes have with NRW’s stories is how alike the two MCs are, but that didn’t happen here. Gideon was shy and reserved while Toby would get nervous easily and start babbling. I loved seen Gideon blushed under Toby’s teasing and how he was unable to stop himself from telling Toby exactly what he was feeling. And don’t get me started with all the nicknames Toby came up with for Benson. They drove Gideon crazy
“When did this little sausage get two teeth?”
I appreciated how NRW handled the pace, how the characters started to enjoy the other’s company and how the feelings came before the smut. There was no need to imagine how their lives would be when the book was over, you were witnessing it. It warmed my heart and made me stupidly happy.
The only two critiques I would have is how convenient was both the parallel pace when it came to catching feelings and what happened in epilogue 2.
Overall, I loved reading To The Moon and Back. It was so easy to get into the story and let Gideon, Toby and Benson warm your heart with their wholesome romance. I’d truly recommend it if you are looking for a simple story that will give you all the feelings. I know I will be rereading it soon 🥰
March 1, 2023
I’m usually a big fan of the single dad and manny trope, but this was more of a love story featuring Gideon (single dad) and Toby (manny) with baby Benson right at the center of it. It was really sweet and heartwarming, but also very baby-focused. To the point that when the MCs finally got their raunch on I kept thinking OMG folks keep it down; we don’t wanna wake up the baby. They really killed the sexy vibe for me. So just be prepared for a lot of cutesy nicknames, and talk about diaper changes, teething, etc. Also Toby was so perfect that he didn’t feel like a real character.
March 6, 2023
thank you to my dear friend Marie for the buddy read!
not here to yuck anyone's yum, but i do believe i need to disclose my aversion to mustaches in advance so there are no secrets between us:
i'm sorry, Gideon, i just can't 🙈
this was a strange read, because while sugary sweet, it was lacking the fluttery feeling i'd get in my stomach with NR Walker's other couples. the story started at a crawl (like a baby, get it? 🤡) with a few creative choices that i found to be odd additions, like the food talk, for example. very extensive and disproportionately consisted of Toby bashing my precious coriander (cilantro), kale, and bananas - which is okay, i can respect our differing tastebuds - but i'm not quite sure what those conversations had to contribute to a story about a single dad, his son, and the new nanny in the long run. i learned nothing about them besides that they're rather picky 😆
~~~more revealing spoilers ahead~~~
.
.
.
as for the depiction of the ex, Drew is certainly a jerk in how he carries himself and went about things, but i do think he was overly villainized for not wanting to be saddled with a surprise kid, as crude as it sounds. for example in ch. 12, Gideon admits:
but just because Gideon and everyone he surrounds himself with are super pro-baby, it doesn't change the fact that some people draw a hard line at kids. even if Drew decided to stay, we all know the resentment would've come to a boil fast (that could've proven dangerous to the lil chicken nugget), and he would've left sooner or later. while Drew's reaction to the baby news is the flashing neon sign that the characters would point at again and again on an endless loop, it was just the final straw; Gideon and Drew were clearly not compatible on a multitude of fronts with their distinct wants and needs. i say good riddance. but also, no need for the low blows.
not here to yuck anyone's yum, but i do believe i need to disclose my aversion to mustaches in advance so there are no secrets between us:
i'm sorry, Gideon, i just can't 🙈
this was a strange read, because while sugary sweet, it was lacking the fluttery feeling i'd get in my stomach with NR Walker's other couples. the story started at a crawl (like a baby, get it? 🤡) with a few creative choices that i found to be odd additions, like the food talk, for example. very extensive and disproportionately consisted of Toby bashing my precious coriander (cilantro), kale, and bananas - which is okay, i can respect our differing tastebuds - but i'm not quite sure what those conversations had to contribute to a story about a single dad, his son, and the new nanny in the long run. i learned nothing about them besides that they're rather picky 😆
~~~more revealing spoilers ahead~~~
.
.
.
as for the depiction of the ex, Drew is certainly a jerk in how he carries himself and went about things, but i do think he was overly villainized for not wanting to be saddled with a surprise kid, as crude as it sounds. for example in ch. 12, Gideon admits:
I was shocked, it was all so out of the blue. Maybe in hindsight I can see I didn’t really give Drew an option. But this baby was my blood. Adopting him was the right thing to do, and I was doing it with or without Drew.
but just because Gideon and everyone he surrounds himself with are super pro-baby, it doesn't change the fact that some people draw a hard line at kids. even if Drew decided to stay, we all know the resentment would've come to a boil fast (that could've proven dangerous to the lil chicken nugget), and he would've left sooner or later. while Drew's reaction to the baby news is the flashing neon sign that the characters would point at again and again on an endless loop, it was just the final straw; Gideon and Drew were clearly not compatible on a multitude of fronts with their distinct wants and needs. i say good riddance. but also, no need for the low blows.
Shelved as 'dnf'
April 18, 2023DNF @ 82%. Ok, that's enough. Tbh this book lost me at teething poops. I'm sure there are parents who are readers who love little details about baby shit, but many of us who are childfree by choice do not fucking care, nor do we want to know. I could have gone my whole life not knowing about teething poops, and my life would have been richer for it.
But why stop at baby poop? Adults shit too, right? This has got to be the first book I've ever read where a mutual bout of diarrhea brings the MCs together. What a story for the grandkids.
I fell in love with grandpa after I gave us food poisoning and when we weren't taking turns shitting in the en suite in grandpa's bedroom, we were cuddling in his bed.
Nothing says love like shit, apparently. Pass.
But why stop at baby poop? Adults shit too, right? This has got to be the first book I've ever read where a mutual bout of diarrhea brings the MCs together. What a story for the grandkids.
I fell in love with grandpa after I gave us food poisoning and when we weren't taking turns shitting in the en suite in grandpa's bedroom, we were cuddling in his bed.
Nothing says love like shit, apparently. Pass.
November 5, 2023
Ridiculously cute. The ending was obvious from a mile off, but it didn't make the story any less enjoyable.
My biggest issue was Gideon's mustache 😬😬😬 I can't even lie, mustaches kinda horrify me and make me feel really queasy. I don't have this issue with beards at all, but yeah I just can't deal. Usually I just visualise the character without one and it tricks my mind, but this mustache was mentioned so many times it was like a side character! I know it's just a personal preference issue, but I would so love some kind of mustache content warning so I can prepare myself 😂😂
My biggest issue was Gideon's mustache 😬😬😬 I can't even lie, mustaches kinda horrify me and make me feel really queasy. I don't have this issue with beards at all, but yeah I just can't deal. Usually I just visualise the character without one and it tricks my mind, but this mustache was mentioned so many times it was like a side character! I know it's just a personal preference issue, but I would so love some kind of mustache content warning so I can prepare myself 😂😂
February 27, 2023
Wholesome, cute nanny/single dad romance.
Firstly: before you start reading it, you should ask yourself one question: do you like babies? And people fussing over them? If the answer is a big fat HELL NO, avoid this book at all costs.
If you’re like me and you love them, then this book might be for you.
Gideon has adopted his sister’s baby, and his partner of 6 years left him because he didn’t want a family. After a few weeks, he’s exhausted, trying to be both a father AND work full time, and he decides to hire a live-in nanny.
Toby, said nanny, takes over, and immediately bonds not only with the baby, but with Gideon, too. They’re attracted to each other, but hesitate to give in because Tony is employed by Gideon. Luckily, we’re dealing with adults here who’re actually talking to each other, so the entire book is low on drama or angst. And while it might be a bit …well. boring, for the lack of a better term… for some of you, I really enjoyed it, and I loved Toby’s big Italian family who adopts not only baby Benson, but Gideon, too.
3.5 stars, rounded up because of cuteness overload.
Firstly: before you start reading it, you should ask yourself one question: do you like babies? And people fussing over them? If the answer is a big fat HELL NO, avoid this book at all costs.
If you’re like me and you love them, then this book might be for you.
Gideon has adopted his sister’s baby, and his partner of 6 years left him because he didn’t want a family. After a few weeks, he’s exhausted, trying to be both a father AND work full time, and he decides to hire a live-in nanny.
Toby, said nanny, takes over, and immediately bonds not only with the baby, but with Gideon, too. They’re attracted to each other, but hesitate to give in because Tony is employed by Gideon. Luckily, we’re dealing with adults here who’re actually talking to each other, so the entire book is low on drama or angst. And while it might be a bit …well. boring, for the lack of a better term… for some of you, I really enjoyed it, and I loved Toby’s big Italian family who adopts not only baby Benson, but Gideon, too.
3.5 stars, rounded up because of cuteness overload.
March 1, 2023
Loved the cover and the moustache. The story - not so much. This is the author who wrote one of my absolute favourite series Thomas Elkin. Haven't had much luck with her latest books though.
March 11, 2023
This was stinkin' adorable.
Gideon is 34 and a newly single father after his asshole ex up and left him 6 weeks ago. Six weeks have passed since then, and Gideon is now with a 3 month old newborn and is drowning doing it all on his own. He needs help.
So his two best friends recommend Toby as a nanny, as he's just come back from being a nanny in London. He liked the kids, but the parents turned out to be homophobic, so it didn't work out.
So he's back home in Australia, looking for a job. And boy does Gideon need all the help he can get.
Toby is an expert at childcare. He has a degree in early childhood education, even. With Gideon taking Toby on, he can also go back to work and make much needed money.
And Toby absolutely falls in love with Benson, Gideon's son. More than just as a nanny.
And as Gideon and Toby spend more and more time together - because as his nanny, Toby lives in Gideon's house - they start to fall in love with each other.
The romance was, as you expect from a Walker book, wonderfully done. Of course I felt the absolutely love between these two, and the love and adoration they had for cute baby Benson.
And Benson features prominently in this, so if babies/kids aren't your thing in romance books, then this isn't the book for you.
Benson is absolutely adorable, and Toby's adorable nicknames make it even more adorable - "chicky nuggy" just gets to me. So adorable.
Not much happens, plot wise, aside from these two living their day to day lives and falling in love - and maybe catching some food poisoning *ahem* - so it did make this a tad slow at times. A big reason for my start off. It wasn't 100% engaging all the time.
But Toby and Gideon were so sweet together that they made up for a lot of the slowness.
My only two other niggles that contributed to my one star off is, I wish when Gideon's asshole ex shows up in this near the end - just once in the whole book - that we'd gotten to see Gideon's conversation with him.
Maybe the author thought it wasn't important, but then why bring the asshole ex in the first place? Just to have Toby worry for a few pages? Nah, I wish we gotten more of him, because it just felt too quick and easy and glossed over, in my opinion.
Also I do wish the sex had been a little steamier. Which tends to happen with N.R. Walker books, but I'll never stop tooting this horn because no use skimping on the sex scenes. Which were good, they just weren't great. They could have been a lot steamier.
But, other than those niggles, and this being slow at times, I adored this.
It was just so wonderfully fluffy, sweet and adorable, and you'll fall in love with these two and little baby Benson as you read.
Of course they have a wonderful HEA too, and we got to see a cameo by Henry and Reed from "The Weight of it All" which was a nice surprise.
So, definitely two thumbs up from me. Not perfect, but still a very good, very solid installment by Ms. Walker. Can't wait for what's next from her!❤️
Gideon is 34 and a newly single father after his asshole ex up and left him 6 weeks ago. Six weeks have passed since then, and Gideon is now with a 3 month old newborn and is drowning doing it all on his own. He needs help.
So his two best friends recommend Toby as a nanny, as he's just come back from being a nanny in London. He liked the kids, but the parents turned out to be homophobic, so it didn't work out.
So he's back home in Australia, looking for a job. And boy does Gideon need all the help he can get.
Toby is an expert at childcare. He has a degree in early childhood education, even. With Gideon taking Toby on, he can also go back to work and make much needed money.
And Toby absolutely falls in love with Benson, Gideon's son. More than just as a nanny.
And as Gideon and Toby spend more and more time together - because as his nanny, Toby lives in Gideon's house - they start to fall in love with each other.
The romance was, as you expect from a Walker book, wonderfully done. Of course I felt the absolutely love between these two, and the love and adoration they had for cute baby Benson.
And Benson features prominently in this, so if babies/kids aren't your thing in romance books, then this isn't the book for you.
Benson is absolutely adorable, and Toby's adorable nicknames make it even more adorable - "chicky nuggy" just gets to me. So adorable.
Not much happens, plot wise, aside from these two living their day to day lives and falling in love - and maybe catching some food poisoning *ahem* - so it did make this a tad slow at times. A big reason for my start off. It wasn't 100% engaging all the time.
But Toby and Gideon were so sweet together that they made up for a lot of the slowness.
My only two other niggles that contributed to my one star off is, I wish when Gideon's asshole ex shows up in this near the end - just once in the whole book - that we'd gotten to see Gideon's conversation with him.
Maybe the author thought it wasn't important, but then why bring the asshole ex in the first place? Just to have Toby worry for a few pages? Nah, I wish we gotten more of him, because it just felt too quick and easy and glossed over, in my opinion.
Also I do wish the sex had been a little steamier. Which tends to happen with N.R. Walker books, but I'll never stop tooting this horn because no use skimping on the sex scenes. Which were good, they just weren't great. They could have been a lot steamier.
But, other than those niggles, and this being slow at times, I adored this.
It was just so wonderfully fluffy, sweet and adorable, and you'll fall in love with these two and little baby Benson as you read.
Of course they have a wonderful HEA too, and we got to see a cameo by Henry and Reed from "The Weight of it All" which was a nice surprise.
So, definitely two thumbs up from me. Not perfect, but still a very good, very solid installment by Ms. Walker. Can't wait for what's next from her!❤️
March 8, 2023
3.5 stars!
To the Moon and Back is a very sweet single father/nanny romance, featuring the cutest chicky nuggey Benson. There's very little to no angst which works well for this romance.
There was just the right amount of spice. Let's just say with Gideon's and Toby's chemistry, nothing was going to get in the way of them ending up together.
I wouldn't call this a grumpy/sunshine dynamic, despite Gideon in the description of this book being called grumpy. He was only slightly grumpy in the beginning, but it was more him being wary of having a stranger look after his son. Toby on the other hand is definitely sunshiny.
Loved the Henry and Reed from The Weight of It All cameo!!
___
Gideon Ellery is a single father after adopting his newborn nephew. His long term boyfriend left him as he didn't want to deal with the baby. Now Gideon has to go back to work to support his son and himself.
He's stretched too thin. Seeing him struggle, his friends recommend Toby Barlow, a nanny who's just recently returned to Sydney. Toby is great with baby Benson. He's also great with Gideon. As a live in nanny, the two spend a lot of time together and they get on very well.
Their attraction to each other develops slowly and they're both aware of how complicated it could get, but they eventually can't ignore their feelings anymore.
This was such an adorable read!
To the Moon and Back is a very sweet single father/nanny romance, featuring the cutest chicky nuggey Benson. There's very little to no angst which works well for this romance.
There was just the right amount of spice. Let's just say with Gideon's and Toby's chemistry, nothing was going to get in the way of them ending up together.
I wouldn't call this a grumpy/sunshine dynamic, despite Gideon in the description of this book being called grumpy. He was only slightly grumpy in the beginning, but it was more him being wary of having a stranger look after his son. Toby on the other hand is definitely sunshiny.
Loved the Henry and Reed from The Weight of It All cameo!!
___
Gideon Ellery is a single father after adopting his newborn nephew. His long term boyfriend left him as he didn't want to deal with the baby. Now Gideon has to go back to work to support his son and himself.
He's stretched too thin. Seeing him struggle, his friends recommend Toby Barlow, a nanny who's just recently returned to Sydney. Toby is great with baby Benson. He's also great with Gideon. As a live in nanny, the two spend a lot of time together and they get on very well.
Their attraction to each other develops slowly and they're both aware of how complicated it could get, but they eventually can't ignore their feelings anymore.
This was such an adorable read!
February 25, 2023
This was incredibly sweet and low angst. The little chicky nuggey was adorable. I loved Gideon and Toby together even if I wanted to strangle both of them and scream, "Just talk, you idiots!"
It was a nice and easy comfort read.
Before reading:
This is exactly what I need right now.
It was a nice and easy comfort read.
Before reading:
This is exactly what I need right now.
Read
March 15, 2023no rating because i found it boring and skimmed most of it but i’m in a mood so it’s me i’m the problem it’s me😂
September 5, 2024
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
Gideon was… well, not what Toby had been expecting. He had short brown hair and a moustache to rival Tom Selleck. A moustache? Oh yes. Toby liked it. A lot.
I’m on a mission to reread N.R. Walker books I’ve previously read but not reviewed, and this cute af book was up first. It’s plenty sweet, funny and hot, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoy single dad romance books. The child is only a few months old and is a huge part of the plot. Thankfully, the MCs are complete characters as well, and I especially enjoy how bossy Toby is, but not in a toxic way. It’s like he’s aggressively caring, lol.
If single dad, the nanny trope and low angst is your jam, then I highly recommend this. To me it might even be a bit too low on the angst, but this is still the third time I’ve read it, so clearly I enjoy it. Glen Lloyd did a fab job with the audiobook as per usual.
“Just so you know,” Toby said, “I’m vers. Top or bottom, I’m bossy either way.” Gideon’s coffee came out his nose.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Single dad
Live-in nanny
Slow burn
Strangers to friends to lovers
Casual to more
Bossy MC
Mustached MC
Happily vers couple
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Brief mention of death of parents (past, off page)
Alcohol consumption (intoxicated on page)
Drinking in reaction to emotional problems (one time)
Vomiting (food poisoning)
Explicit sexual content
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 34 and not specified
Series: Standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 220
Happy ending: Yes
He was woken up by Toby shoving him away and racing for the bathroom. Gideon must have been draped over him again without even realising. When Toby crawled back to bed, he looked miserable. “You okay?” Gideon asked. Toby’s eyes were closed, a deep frown in place. “My asshole hasn’t been this sore since that sex party in Paris.” Gideon stared at him, and Toby’s eyes flew open like he’d just realised what he’d said—and to whom. Gideon burst out laughing, not sure what was funnier: what Toby’d said or the look on his face.
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
Gideon was… well, not what Toby had been expecting. He had short brown hair and a moustache to rival Tom Selleck. A moustache? Oh yes. Toby liked it. A lot.
I’m on a mission to reread N.R. Walker books I’ve previously read but not reviewed, and this cute af book was up first. It’s plenty sweet, funny and hot, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoy single dad romance books. The child is only a few months old and is a huge part of the plot. Thankfully, the MCs are complete characters as well, and I especially enjoy how bossy Toby is, but not in a toxic way. It’s like he’s aggressively caring, lol.
If single dad, the nanny trope and low angst is your jam, then I highly recommend this. To me it might even be a bit too low on the angst, but this is still the third time I’ve read it, so clearly I enjoy it. Glen Lloyd did a fab job with the audiobook as per usual.
“Just so you know,” Toby said, “I’m vers. Top or bottom, I’m bossy either way.” Gideon’s coffee came out his nose.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Single dad
Live-in nanny
Slow burn
Strangers to friends to lovers
Casual to more
Bossy MC
Mustached MC
Happily vers couple
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Brief mention of death of parents (past, off page)
Alcohol consumption (intoxicated on page)
Drinking in reaction to emotional problems (one time)
Vomiting (food poisoning)
Explicit sexual content
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 34 and not specified
Series: Standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 220
Happy ending: Yes
He was woken up by Toby shoving him away and racing for the bathroom. Gideon must have been draped over him again without even realising. When Toby crawled back to bed, he looked miserable. “You okay?” Gideon asked. Toby’s eyes were closed, a deep frown in place. “My asshole hasn’t been this sore since that sex party in Paris.” Gideon stared at him, and Toby’s eyes flew open like he’d just realised what he’d said—and to whom. Gideon burst out laughing, not sure what was funnier: what Toby’d said or the look on his face.
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
March 2, 2023
Cute single dad and the manny romance
3.5*
This is a super cute romance with very little angst and I enjoyed reading about Gideon and the manny who comes to his rescue when he's left in the lurch by his ex-partner.
There may have been a lot in the narrative about his adopted nephew Benson, who Gideon is bringing up as his son, but most of it I was okay with.
It perhaps went a bit too much into the minutiae of their day to day activities but I very much liked how Toby fell for them as a pair the more he got to know them.
It's a fairly slow burn, lowish steam relationship which fits the storytelling and doesn't seem out of place.
I really liked Gideon's two best friends, as well as Toby's extended Australian Italian family and I loved the Easter Egg guest appearances of a certain couple from one of my favourite of all Nic's books - Harry and Reed.
3.5*
This is a super cute romance with very little angst and I enjoyed reading about Gideon and the manny who comes to his rescue when he's left in the lurch by his ex-partner.
There may have been a lot in the narrative about his adopted nephew Benson, who Gideon is bringing up as his son, but most of it I was okay with.
It perhaps went a bit too much into the minutiae of their day to day activities but I very much liked how Toby fell for them as a pair the more he got to know them.
It's a fairly slow burn, lowish steam relationship which fits the storytelling and doesn't seem out of place.
I really liked Gideon's two best friends, as well as Toby's extended Australian Italian family and I loved the Easter Egg guest appearances of a certain couple from one of my favourite of all Nic's books - Harry and Reed.
February 25, 2023
4.25 Stars! This was very sweet! Low conflict, no angst, and two adults who communicated when something was wrong. Just a sweet little romance to put a smile on your face and in your heart (no one does that better than NR Walker).
February 24, 2023
Another sweet N R Walker book with probably the cutest cover ever.
It's your typical nanny or rather manny story, with Gideon a single father who needs help and Toby a young guy who just returned from overseas and takes the job of caring for Benson, Gideons son.
As usual Mrs Walker writes a beautiful romance with interesting main and side characters, enough action to keep the story interesting and fortunately without major misunderstandings and almost no angst.
The only complaint from my side is that it was not really adding anything new or different to the manny trope - maybe apart from Gideons mustache - which was a fun detail.
Nicely written, fun to read, I would have loved to see a little more of Henry and Reed, whose appearance was a fun surprise, overall a typical and solid 4 star read.
It's your typical nanny or rather manny story, with Gideon a single father who needs help and Toby a young guy who just returned from overseas and takes the job of caring for Benson, Gideons son.
As usual Mrs Walker writes a beautiful romance with interesting main and side characters, enough action to keep the story interesting and fortunately without major misunderstandings and almost no angst.
The only complaint from my side is that it was not really adding anything new or different to the manny trope - maybe apart from Gideons mustache - which was a fun detail.
Nicely written, fun to read, I would have loved to see a little more of Henry and Reed, whose appearance was a fun surprise, overall a typical and solid 4 star read.
April 9, 2023
It was fine. 3.5 rounded down. No angst. But for some reason made me feel a few tugs on the heartstrings… it’s the time of the month maybe.
Sex is boring as hell, perfunctory. Just very plain… like plain yogurt.
Sex is boring as hell, perfunctory. Just very plain… like plain yogurt.
March 9, 2023
So wholesome 😭
August 12, 2023
It was really sweet 😭😍
April 25, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶️🌶️🌶️
🎧🎧🎧
Unsurprisingly, this was adorable, I mean it’s an NR Walker story so what do you expect? Plus, that cute af little chicken nuggie!
Gideon’s ex sucks and not in the good way. Apparently he didn’t want children so when Gideon adopts his sister’s baby he’s pretty quick in saying, “peace out!”
Enter Tobey, nanny extraordinaire! Seriously this guy is like magic! And not only in the baby rearing department but cleaning and cooking as well. Wellllll… until that sticky chicken incident.
Walker is such an entertaining writer that you don’t mind a bit of a slow burn but once these two fell into bed together it only ups the ante.
If you’re looking for the biggest cute factor with some hot steam, look no further.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
🎧🎧🎧
Unsurprisingly, this was adorable, I mean it’s an NR Walker story so what do you expect? Plus, that cute af little chicken nuggie!
Gideon’s ex sucks and not in the good way. Apparently he didn’t want children so when Gideon adopts his sister’s baby he’s pretty quick in saying, “peace out!”
Enter Tobey, nanny extraordinaire! Seriously this guy is like magic! And not only in the baby rearing department but cleaning and cooking as well. Wellllll… until that sticky chicken incident.
Walker is such an entertaining writer that you don’t mind a bit of a slow burn but once these two fell into bed together it only ups the ante.
If you’re looking for the biggest cute factor with some hot steam, look no further.
April 28, 2024
***re-read 4/28/24***
Sometimes you just need that book that has low angst, a great story, and one that makes you smile. I needed that so of course I picked this one back up. I love Gideon and Toby!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I do really love N.R Walker books because they are usually very low angst. And sometimes I just need no angst.
Gideon and Toby are just too cute. I love the single dad trope, and this one didn't disappoint. It really did seem like these two had a connection from the very beginning. Toby is so outspoken and bossy; it was great. Gideon was more unsure and quiet most of the time.
The only thing I wish we would've had was more time with them actually together, together. It wasn't until right at the end that things move forward with them as a couple. We did get the two epilogues, but I still wanted more with them as a couple.
Sometimes you just need that book that has low angst, a great story, and one that makes you smile. I needed that so of course I picked this one back up. I love Gideon and Toby!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I do really love N.R Walker books because they are usually very low angst. And sometimes I just need no angst.
Gideon and Toby are just too cute. I love the single dad trope, and this one didn't disappoint. It really did seem like these two had a connection from the very beginning. Toby is so outspoken and bossy; it was great. Gideon was more unsure and quiet most of the time.
The only thing I wish we would've had was more time with them actually together, together. It wasn't until right at the end that things move forward with them as a couple. We did get the two epilogues, but I still wanted more with them as a couple.
February 25, 2023
Cutie patootie love story with a cover to match. No one does it better than N.R. Walker in writing a profound love felt by her characters without those characters having to say a word. It's a damn good feeling.
Cute babies in space? A bonus. Channel Mr. Blue Sky by ELO and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.
The employment issue at the end was strange. Still getting paid? That was weird.
Seeing some old friends was wonderful.
Cute babies in space? A bonus. Channel Mr. Blue Sky by ELO and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.
The employment issue at the end was strange. Still getting paid? That was weird.
Seeing some old friends was wonderful.
April 2, 2023
Mostly cute and pretty low stress, but the ex being made out to be a bad person for repeatedly making it clear he didn’t want a child, and then leaving when his partner adopted one regardless, absolutely did my nut in.
March 1, 2023
Very sweet and cute.
I really enjoyed this. I loved the characters, I loved getting to briefly see some old favorites. There's very little angst and the story is very sweet. It's what I needed right now.
I really enjoyed this. I loved the characters, I loved getting to briefly see some old favorites. There's very little angst and the story is very sweet. It's what I needed right now.
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