Somewhere in the United States - Present Day

Chris Shields has so much to offer a woman, or so his family and friends think. But Chris thinks he will never be worthy of a woman’s love since he is sterile and cannot have children. His high school sweetheart thought the same thing and broke up with him. Since then, Chris hasn’t dated that much. When he goes to his church’s picnic to work as a volunteer, he doesn’t expect to meet a woman who makes his heart flip. As he works beside Kate giving out cotton candy and popcorn, he dreams of asking her out on a date.

Kate works full time at the church while taking care of her two young daughters, Molly and Megan. They are all she has in the world since their father left them for freedom and women. But Kate feels her girls are better off without him. When Chris helps her out at the church picnic, she is more than thrilled. Kate knew him in high school, and Chris always seemed like the happy type, but now there is a quiet sadness in his eyes. And why would a great guy like Chris be single?

Eventually, Chris asks Kate out and also makes sure to include her adorable girls. He takes them for ice cream and to other fun places, and the girls love mommy’s new friend. Kate thinks Chris is too good to be true since he loves being around her daughters and doesn’t pressure her for sex. Maybe Chris can be her second chance at love?

Chris is CRAZY FOR KATE, and don’t be surprised if you are crazy for this story. Kelly McDonough has written a sweet romance with an incredible hero in Chris. There are no highhanded alpha males here, rather a man who loves children and hopes for marriage with a woman he can love and who in turn, can love him, even with his personal problem. For me, this was a major “awww” factor. Kate is also a wonderfully written character, and her two daughters are just as lovely and near perfect.

Kate’s ex-husband Scott may be too one-dimensional from the way he acts towards his children and the way Kate explains him to Chris, but this just strengthens the bond Kate and Chris have created. There was also an interesting scene with Chris and Maureen, his former sweetheart, who admits what a huge mistake she has made. I must say I enjoyed that, because Chris gets his just desserts in the end.

CRAZY FOR KATE is unlike any story I have read this year, and it was truly a heartwarming read. Kudos to Kelly McDonough!

Kate Garrabrant