House of Cards cover art

House of Cards

An MM Unexpected Single Father Romance (Not in the Cards, Book 1)

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House of Cards

By: Courtney W. Dixon
Narrated by: Harley Chase
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Summary

Calvin Abernathy

Life is good. It’s exactly how I want it. No relationships. No kids. I own a business, and I have a nice home. I can do whatever I want and sleep with whomever I want. To make life even better, I have a hot neighbor that I love tormenting. His annoyance gives me great pleasure because he’s cute when he gets flustered. Too bad he has so many kids and a new boyfriend.

When my perfect life turns on its head after my friends die in a tragic accident, I end up with their teenage son in my care. To say that I’m freaking out is an understatement. I have no idea what the hell I’m doing. So, with my tail tucked between my legs, I ask for Seth’s help. Now, our growing friendship has me wondering if having a relationship would be so bad.

Seth Griffin

My neighbor, Calvin, is a jerk. He’s always making fun of me and turning my kids’ toys left in his yard into these totems. Weirdo. He’s annoying, and I hate that he’s hot. However, when he comes to me after becoming the guardian of a teenager, I decide to help him—just for the boy’s sake. Eventually, a close friendship develops between us, and feelings arise, but I shouldn’t want my neighbor.

I’m finally dating again after being abandoned by my ex-husband. While I would never cheat, this friendship with Cal is getting complicated, and I need to decide what to do about it. Then, my new boyfriend’s red flags are revealed, making my decision easier. It’s Calvin I run to now. It’s Calvin I want.

©2025 Courtney W. Dixon (P)2026 Courtney W. Dixon
Contemporary Romance Friendship
All stars
Most relevant

Listener received this title free

rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

feelings:  🥰🤣😱🥵😍🫠😡🥹😭

narration: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


House of Cards is an amazing book with beautiful characters and excellent world-building. From the beginning, Seth is an adorable man who has organized his life as a father despite being abandoned by his ex-husband. He accomplishes this challenging feat with dedication while also running his business, a chain of daycare facilities.

Calvin was a big surprise! Rather than being a superficial bachelor, Courtney describes a man who has built a high wall around his heart due to neglect, verbal abuse, and betrayal. He no longer believes in love. His character development is admirable!

However, Braeden stole my heart. After the death of his parents, this boy found himself in the care of a stranger and deserves every ounce of love and admiration he has awakened in my heart.

Harley Chase's voice is full of emotions and makes the spicy scenes steaming hot. 


Beautiful Story

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Listener received this title free

Thank you, Courtney, for my audiobook copy of House of Cards narrated by Harley Chase. This book comes in hot, squeezes your heart multiple times & makes you fall in love with a new cast of characters. ⚠️⚠️ With all of Courtney's books, I recommend reading the content warnings if you have any subjects you prefer not to read. House of Cards, an emotional rollercoaster peppered with bad dad jokes & definitely nothing vanilla IYKYK. I adored this on audio & particularly enjoyed the accent choices for Calvin.

Our MCs are Single Dad of 3, Seth & his neighbour confirmed batchelor Calvin. That is until Calvin's world is turned upside down, after a tragic event, he becomes guardian of his bffs 14 year old son. Calvin turns to his neighbour & frenemie Seth, things change & their budding friendship turns to more. The 3rd MC is the city of New Orleans & I definitely want to visit now. Courtney always does their research & many locations/activities are real!

The anxiety I felt whilst listening to the epilogues knowing what was coming was next level. The trauma chapter to tease you into book 2, When the Chips are Down. 😭😭😭
But to be clear, Calvin & Seth get their HEA in House of Cards & the event is related to other members of the Royal Dads Poker Night group. 🥹😭 I need When the Chips are Down ASAP.

🃏 MM Romance
🃏 Neighbours
🃏 New Oreleans setting
🃏 Frienemies
🃏 Hurt Comfort
🃏 Unexpected Fatherhood
🃏 Single Dads
🃏 Eventual BFFs
🃏 Royal Dads Poker Nights
🃏 Dual POV
🃏 Epilogue
🃏 THAT CHAPTER!
🃏 MCs HEA

Everyone needs to read this book!

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I love listening to Harley Chase and as soon as this book was released on audio, it was in my audible library.
There was no confusion with any of the characters, Calvin and Seth had their own distinctive voices and it was easy to follow the story. Listening to Calvin windup Seth had me laughing. The family drama both Seth and Calvin felt more intense as you can hear the panic/desperation in their voices.
If you like single dads then I urge you to get this story

Excellent Single dad story

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