Discovering Love and Self: A Heartfelt Review of The Dating Ban by Dani Elias

• Author: Dani Elias
• Release Date: July 11, 2025
• Genre: Contemporary Romance
• My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
•  Spice🌶️/5

I think single dads are my new favorite trope. It’s freaking adorable and pulls at the heart strings. This is my favorite book by Dani (so far). I laughed, I cried,and everything in between.

Spoilers Ahead

Well I didn’t think I would get thrown into a foursome when I cracked open the book, but Ivy is trying to live her best life and find who she is after her divorce, and the serial dating. This isn’t it. During one of her therapy sessions, her therapist suggests she take a break from dating to actually focus on herself, what she actually likes or doesn’t and not changing herself to become someone she is not, hence The Dating Ban.

“Maybe I should stop making decisions purely because I think they’ll make me feel desired?”

She nods, encouraging. “That’s a start.”

…

“I suppose… a connection with someone,” I say slowly, testing the words as they come out of my mouth. “Excitement? Confidence? Like I’m a person who does fun, spontaneous things instead of just..” I trail off, not really sure how to finish that sentence.

Pee-Pee watches me for a moment before gently prompting, “Instead of what?”

Instead of being alone 

Who hasn’t made a decision based on if someone would like them or not. I know I have, but I’m pretty sure we call that daddy issues. Better than being alone… Wanting so badly to have a male figure in their life to provide the confidence I never felt. I’ve done this thousands of times, but I may be a little different than Ivy as I did enjoy some of their hobbies or interests, heck I still do.

 Honestly I’m glad I did, otherwise I don’t think I would be the girl who is into cars, could get around a shop, and I’m pretty proud of the fact that  I’m not a deer in the headlights when more masculine topics are had.

I’m kind of on a self-imposed dating ban, I guess. Being a single dad and business owner doesn’t really leave a lot of time

👒Who doesn’t love a single dad, and better yet who doesn’t love a single dad who owns a coffee shop right under your flat (apartment), oh the nerdy sexy thing going for him. I absolutely love Theo, he’s charming, sweet, great at the banter and is a world class dad. 

☕I love the relationship that starts to bloom between Ivy and Theo, who would have thought that family yoga with the owner of the coffee shop and his daughter would be a good time, but it’s just the beginning.

Throughout the book we see Ivy trying to find different hobbies, food or things that SHE likes and not what she thinks her partner would want her to like. This time is different with Theo, he isn’t like the other guys, he lets her be her. What else would a friend do?

He places a gentle kiss on her head and I swoon a tiny bit. Never knew that single dads do it for me

We get a look at Theo’s life as a single dad with his five year old daughter Lucy who is a firecracker. The girl can’t sit still. With his brothers’ and mother’s help.But the best part was/is the relationship that starts to happen between Lucy and Ivy. Those two have my heart.

⁉️Are you ready to find out how Theo and Ivy become more than friends?

Favorite Quotes

But I like to get to know her…all of her, even her heartache. Even if I can’t fix it, as much as I would like to

“You’re mine now Ivy,” I growl, my voice low and commanding. “I’m going to fuck you so hard, make yuo mine in everyway.”

“You’re not supposed to be an island, Ivy.”

“Ivy, I am very proud of you because you have come a very long way. Three months ago, you wouldn’t have worried about any of this.

“But can Ivy be my mum?” 

My breath catches

Ripped my heart out, all the ugly tears were shed, Especially when we get to see Ivy’s response

“I love you mum.”

Again, cried the whole fucking time with this five year old

Favorite Scenes

I watch them for a beat- the way Christa is still chuckling to herself, the way Lucy is wriggling to get comfy in her pink robe, and the way Ivy is reclining with zero shame, looking like this is exactly where she’s meant to be. 

And honestly? I don’t know if I should be impressed or completely charmed. 

Definitely both

“Ivy,” she says carefully, “do you think that wanting connection with people means you’re not enough?”

I shift uncomfortably. “That’s not-”

She lifts a hand, cutting me off gently. “You didn’t say that in so many words. But you seem to believe that needing people… that feeling like you belong somewhere is a weakness.”

I frown. “Isn’t it?”

Her brows furrow slightly. “No. It’s being human.”

I get it, needing or wanting to feel included or like you belong somewhere is always a nice feeling. I still struggle with this to this day even as an adult. I work in a very male run industry and as 1 of two girls in the office it’s a little hard. Even in the booktok/bookstagram community, I so badly want to fit in and be liked but I know I am not everyone’s cup of tea. I’m lucky to have found my people

“The first one,” I whisper. “He took the blame. Like, all of it. He said he tried too hard and turned into a stranger and that I didn’t do anything wrong. He said I’ve always been enough.”

“Oh my God,” Christa breathes. “You’re crying, aren’t you?”

“I’m fine,” I sniff. “It’s just a normal physiological reaction to someone writing something devastatingly perfect and saying they love me

I loved this! I love letters, especially getting them!

Lucy giggles, muffled against Ivy’s shoulder. “Are you crying, Ivy?”

Ivy laughs, sniffling. “Maybe a little.” 

“Why?”

“Because I’m so happy Lu.” Ivy pulls back just enough to cup Lucy’s little face, her thumbs brushing over her cheeks. “You made me the happiest person in the world.”

…

Lucy’s eyes flick to me over Ivy’s shoulder. “Daddy, did you ask her?”

I nod, my voice thick “Yeah, Ladybug I did.”

Ivy wipes her eyes and turns back to her, smiling so big it’s almost blinding. 

“And I said yes.”

For a second, Lucy just stares at her, as if she’s making absolutely sure she heard that right.

Then, slowly, her face lights up.

“Mum,” she whispers.

Ivy nods, her voice thick with emotion “My Ladybug.”

Lucy launches her arms around Ivy’s neck so tightly that Ivy nearly toppled backwards.

All. The. Ugly Tears. Holy shit, I cried so freaking hard reading this scene. I unfortunately have a step mother but she is nothing like Ivy… I wish we could have had a better relationship but the woman showed her true hands too late and now I’m stuck with her.

✨Tropes✨

• ❤️Plus Size FMC
• ☕Single Dad
• ❤️Slow Burn
• ☕MCs in their 40s
• ❤️Romcom
• ☕Steamy
• ❤️Dual POV
• ☕Lots and lots of Banter

More by Dani Elias