This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca
Released on May 28, 2019
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
The Delight
Cuteness Alert! A sweet, adorable puppy brings together two people who need all the help and support the little fur baby can give to find their way past their troubles to happiness. A new to me author and a new series introduces several elements around a romance series that I was eager to grab up.
Review
Puppy Love introduces three sisters who have a puppy training business and provide service puppies in training. Sophie is the youngest and she feels that she has a lot to prove as a leukemia survivor who missed out on a ton because of health issues and now wants to prove that she’s no fragile, china doll. The way to do it is get big, tough guy Harrison to accept little Pomeranian puppy Bubbles as his service dog partner and give Sophie and Bubbles a chance.
Harrison’s boss makes it a matter of coming back to work on active duty as a wilderness fire fighter that he accept a service dog that will help alert him when his diabetes goes into the danger zone. He was already reluctant to pair with a dog, but why couldn’t he have the Great Dane? He is a man convinced that he is better off alone and he scares people with his ‘resting brick face’ and off-putting manner, but Bubbles and Sophie are determined to work on more than his diabetes and he might not be as impervious as he thinks.
Puppy Love is as adorable as all get out. It brings to light what life for people living with severe health issues or recovering from one have to deal with. I liked that sister dynamics and family are core elements, too. It’s an easy-going, gently paced story that makes you smile and occasionally laugh. If you’re like me and have to be in the mood for sugary feeling stories to appreciate them, keep in mind that this one has that flavoring.
Harrison and Sophie are wonderful together. I love it when a couple bring out the best in one another and clearly have each other’s backs even when they don’t consider themselves a couple. This pair were givers, but it wasn’t obvious to very many when it came to Harrison because his gruff, solitary nature meant people would have to work at it to see the diamond in the rough. Sophie loves her family and friends, but they don’t see her as she is now and how she needs to be accepted. Harrison is not part of her past so he has no trouble accepting that she can do what she sets out to do even if he’s not on board with being her project in the beginning.
I’m actually a tad biased against Poms since I lived nest door to a pair for five years or so and they both yapped and snarled and went for people’s ankles any chance they could. But, I’ll trust that Bubbles shows that there are other personalities to be had among that dog breed.
All in all, it was a good series starter. Sweet with a hint of spice. If you love dogs as main characters in a romance and want an uncomplicated, easy, gently-paced contemporary romance, then this one is a good bet.
My thanks to Sourcebook Casablanca for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Challenges Met
New Release #76
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My grandma had a Pom and he barked at everything but didn’t try to bite anyone. The cover is so darn cute.
Yes! This pair barked at so much- leaves falling when they were in the yard. LOL Glad your grandma’s little guy didn’t bite.
It is an adorable cover. It caught my eye and made me curious to read the blurb.
Irritating little dogs are the bane of dogdom and are the total fault of the owners (this comes from a big dog owner..). I have met a few great little dogs but then the owners weren’t annoying so… LOL
This sounds cute. Plus PUPPY! How could I say no?
Good point about the owner and early training being the factor. Not, that my neighbors were mean, but they were fussy. LOL
This was cuteness, Melissa! Hope you like it if you get the chance.
This sounds like a good story if you want an easy, feel-good, angst free read! Sometimes a sugary story is just what I need. Great Review Sophia!
I agree. It’s a good one for falling a sad one. 🙂
This sounds lovely! I don’t have any niggles about Pomeranian’s, I actually think they’re pretty darn adorable, but I didn’t live next to yappy ones, lol! I think it’s a nice change to bring in characters dealing with health issues. It’s something that is unfortunately a big part of a lot of peoples lives.
I thought it was a neat thing to see the premise of his health and her recovery. I’m guessing that not every Pomeranian is bad tempered so I can dig that they’re cute little moppets. The one in this book was adorable. 🙂
This sounds so cute. I love a good, uncomplicated, sweet romance. Thanks!
Yes! It’s just a nice change up to have an uncomplicated romance now and then. 🙂
I love dogs in books! I’m glad this was a nice start to a new series! My neighbor has a dog who barks if you don’t give him attention
Genesis @ Whispering Chapters
I love animal characters in books as well. Their personalities are a fun part.
I’ve got a lab next door these last few years. He’s friendly and he loves to bark and greet everyone or bark if he gets left outside too long. LOL
Family, puppies and those with chronic illness.. hello. This sounds adorable!
Yep! Ticked off a lot of my favs, too. 🙂
I’ve always enjoyed her books written under Tamara Morgan and I’m looking forward to this one too.
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
I had no idea she wrote under a different name. I’ll have to check out books under the Morgan name, too. 🙂
awwwe this looks and sounds good. 🙂
It was a cutie!
I was curious about this one when I spotted in on Netgalley. It sounds like a good romance. And the puppy sounds so cute. I also like how you describe the couple as bringing out the best in each other, I like romances that have that. It sounds also interesting how it touches upon the topics of how it is for people recovering or dealing with health issues is like. Great rveiew!
I’ve been trying to read a few new to me authors each year and I couldn’t resist this one since it also involved service puppies. I didn’t even know that animals could be trained to alert about health conditions so it was cool in that aspect, too.
Oh I don’t think I could resist the puppy. Arg on the neighbor dogs, though. lol Thanks for the heads up, Sophia. I’d not seen this one yet.
Don’t resist. So much cuteness, Anna!
Yeah, that pair were not well liked among all of us on the street. 😉