Review - - Pardon My Frenchie

Pardon My Frenchie

by Farrah Rochon

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: June 4, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

 

Ashanti Wright is thrilled over the success of her doggie daycare, Barkingham Palace. But handling the business and taking care of her teen twin sisters is a lot. And now that the antics of her adorable French bulldog and poodle bestie are blowing up on social media, things are even more chaotic than usual. And they only get worse when the world’s worst dog hater shows up.

Thad Sims is not a dog person. He’s barely a person’s person. But after his grandmother is transferred to a senior living facility that doesn’t accept pets, the former army officer agrees to care for her annoying standard poodle, and his first move is taking Puddin’ out of daycare.

Now Ashanti’s beloved Duchess is bereft of her companion, social media is outraged, and Ashanti’s business is hanging in the balance. Her only option is to make nice with the surly, sexy Thad at all costs. But it’s gonna take a tiara-wearing Frenchie, a well-dressed poodle, and a whole lotta treats to teach these humans a few new tricks about falling in love.

PJ's Thoughts:

What a thoroughly charming story, especially for the dog lovers among us (like me!). Rochon fills this book with plenty of dog love, sibling dynamics, teenage angst, a matchmaking grandma, New Orleans flavor, and a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance with a tiara-wearing Frenchie and bow-tie-wearing poodle at the center.

I enjoyed the layers woven throughout the storyline. While there's plenty of humor, fun, and canine antics, there's also heart-tugging emotion and a slow-burn romance between two adversaries who are both at an emotional and professional crossroads. I liked that the romance was slow in developing. It kept the characters realistic, especially Thad. Re-entering civilian life after a career in the military is no easy task and I would have found him less believable if his evolution had happened too quickly or easily. Same for his feelings about suddenly being responsible for his grandmother's dog, a pampered pet with whom he has always had a rocky relationship. 

I want to be friends with Ashanti. I want to volunteer at Barkingham Palace, hang out with Ashanti and her two best friends (who tell it like it is but always have one another's backs), hire her sixteen-year-old sister to do my social media, and spend hours loving on Puddin' and Duchess. I have a lot of admiration for this character, cheering her on the entire way.

If you're looking for a fun romcom with enemies-to-lovers romance, ride-or-die friends, New Orleans (and NYC) flavor, and dogs who will tickle your funny bone while they capture your heart, add Pardon My Frenchie to your summer reading list.