Publisher: Berkley Books
Published: January 8, 2019
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Finished Copy
Rating:
GOODREADS
From the author of Once Upon a Wine, a new novel set in the charming seashore town of Black Dog Bay, Delaware.
When everything has gone to the dogs . . .
When Jocelyn Hillier is named legal guardian for the late Mr. Allardyce's pack of pedigreed Labrador retrievers, her world is flipped upside down. She's spent her entire life toiling in the tourism industry in Black Dog Bay and never expected to be living the pampered life of a seasonal resident in an ocean side mansion, complete with a generous stipend. But her new role isn't without its challenges: The dogs (although lovable) are more high-maintenance than any Hollywood diva, the man she wants to marry breaks her heart, and she's confronted at every turn by her late benefactor's estranged son, Liam, who thinks he's entitled to the inheritance left to the dogs.
Jocelyn has worked too hard to back down without a fight, and she's determined to keep her new fur family together. As she strives to uphold the "Best in Show" standards her pack requires, Jocelyn finds love, family, and forgiveness in the most unexpected places.
Review:
This was a light and low angst read that at times, hit me with all the feels. But it still felt as if something was missing. There were things that happened in the book that made me mad and I didn’t feel like the solution was satisfying. The story also had a lot to do with blue collar status vs the mere working class. In the beginning, Jocelyn is dating a trust-fund baby, who is seemingly perfect.
Until he isn’t—as he proves by breaking up with Ms. Jocelyn for reasons that are very obvious. She isn’t “pedigreed” enough for his liking. Then we have Mr. Allardyce who I thought was a huge a-hole who treated everyone badly. Expect his prized dogs—whom are left in Jocelyn’s charge as their guardian.
Then there’s Liam—the estranged son of Mr. Allardyce. He’s also a love interest. One that I wasn’t fully on board with. It didn’t really make sense to me and I wasn’t convinced in the least that the two had any other feelings but hate towards one another. I wish I didn’t, but I could never jump on board with him.
One part I loved about the book was Jocelyn’s best friend, Bree. The author has set up her book (hopefully!) beautifully. I also liked the dogs! Despite not being sold on the romance, I did in fact, enjoy the story very much. Jocelyn had to deal with so much after she was named guardian of the dogs. Especially since the huge beach house and all the money went to the dogs.
If that isn’t a big screw you to any and all people Mr. Allardyce could have cared for, then I don’t know what is. Overall, I think this was a good read for those looking for something less intense and wanting a quick HEA.
*Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for an honest and unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Buy the Book:
AMAZON US
About the Author:
(Got from GOODREADS)
This is the part where I’m supposed to brag about all my illustrious accomplishments, but honestly, I’d rather talk about my dogs and brag about some of the things I haven’t done:
I’ve never been to prison*, court-ordered rehab*, or splashed across the cover of a salacious weekly gossip tabloid with my ladybits on display**.
I’m a Leo, a middle child, and a formidable Trivial Pursuit opponent. I read everything I can get my hands on, from the classics to comic books. I don’t drink coffee because, frankly, I’m high strung enough without adding caffeine into the mix. Here is the true story of how I became a novelist:
So I had just started seeing this guy, and on our second or third date, he invited me to be his guest at a family wedding. Being young and free and a bit commitment-shy, I was about to decline until he casually mentioned that the bride was a successful romance novelist. Well, the second I heard that, I had to go. Being a writer had always been my dream job, and I’d never met anyone who’d actually beaten the odds and made the leap into big-time publishing. So I RSVP-ed, sidled up to the bar at the reception, waited until the bride and all her author friends uncorked the good champagne, and then peppered them with endless questions about writing, editing, and landing an agent. They were so funny and encouraging and generous with their time and advice. (And drunk!) Next thing you know, I had joined a critique group and was knee-deep in the manuscript that would eventually become MY FAVORITE MISTAKE. The open bar at that wedding changed my life forever.
Oh, and the guy who invited me to the wedding? I ended up marrying him. All together: awww…
I live in Arizona in a very cute fixer-upper that my husband and I bought in a burst of can-do, pioneering confidence. We thought it would be fun to embark on a series of do-it-yourself renovations. Yeah. I know. Turns out, replacing baseboard that’s been painted over 15 times since 1958 is not as easy as those Home Depot commercials would lead you to believe. Also, freshly-installed lawn drip systems and “helpful” dogs are a bad mix.
Friday and RoxieSpeaking of dogs, here we have the indefatigable canine lawn maintenance crew: Roxie and Friday. Both were rescued from the pound when they were puppies. I think they’re Rhodesian Ridgeback mixes. (Probably. Maybe? Anything’s possible.) Roxie is the brains of the operation and Friday is…well, he’s very sweet. And so indolent he could be mistaken for a piece of furniture, which I consider a very desirable trait in a family dog.
I absolutely love hearing from readers, so please feel free to email me, with the caveat that I am often on deadline/on the road/on the ragged edge of sanity, so it may be awhile before you get a reply. Just know that it’s not you; it’s me!
Have fun exploring the site, and if you have any questions about my new book, my backlist, or finding an agent…I’ll be right over there at the bar.
*Yet.
**That I know of. (less)
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