Review - - Like Cats & Dogs

Like Cats & Dogs

by Lizzie Shane

Pine Hollow - Book 6

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: November 12, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

 

Magda Miller’s feud with rival baker Mackenzie Newton is so old, folks in tiny Pine Hollow, Vermont forgot how it started. But Magda remembers: Ten years ago, she offered Mac her heart—instead, he ran off with her grandmother's maple cake recipe. Now, Mac traipses all over Magda’s baking territory, just like his oversized tabby keeps sneaking into her house to claim her dog’s favorite bed. So, when Magda gets the call to compete on The Great American Cake-Off, she’s thrilled to finally shine in a Mac-free zone. But when she arrives on set, her devilishly handsome nemesis is already there . . .

It turns out, Mac and Magda’s story has inspired the first ever Arch Rivals edition of Cake-Off, and of course Mac has to raise the stakes with a wager. The winner takes all—the Cake-Off title, the contested recipe, and control of the narrative. Magda is more than ready to kick Mac’s Bundt. But as they spar, on-screen and off, Mac and Magda reveal the best in each other...and the sizzling attraction fueling their rivalry. Only one of them can win, so why does it suddenly feel like they both stand to lose?

PJ's Thoughts:

What a fun book! If you wait on pins and needles for the newest episode of Great British Bake Off or Food Network Holiday Baking Championship or any of the plethora of other reality cooking/baking competitions available to view, you are going to love this book!

For the final book in her Pine Hollow series (I do not want to say good-bye to these characters!), Lizzie Shane has created a fast-paced, enemies-to-lovers story with snappy banter, sizzling chemistry, drool-worthy food, plenty of humor, but also heart, an enthusiastic, meddling, but supportive friend group, adorable dogs, and one lone cat who you will never convince me didn't know exactly what it was doing. 

The characters are well-developed with intriguing layers that are slowly revealed, and not only Magda and Mac. The kitchen scenes are especially fun. Shane really nails the atmosphere - both on screen and off - of what I would expect from a rivals edition of a reality show. It's fun to observe the friendships that form while also rooting for the "villains" to be cast out of the kitchen. And it's not just the contestants who create the drama. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the books in this series. They are tied together through the group of friends, with a different couple - and dog - featured in each book yet can be read in any order. If you enjoy humor, heart, animals, friendships, emotional depth, and endearing romance, give this book - and this series - a try. I highly recommend it. 

 

Review - - Four Weddings and a Puppy

Four Weddings and a Puppy

by Lizzie Shane

Pine Hollow - Book 5

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: November 21, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

 

When two childhood friends return home after their sports careers don't go as planned, a puppy just may give them a second chance at happiness together.

She’s always been the girl with the plan . . . until the plan crashed big time

Kendall Walsh has exactly one second to save a fancy, five-tiered wedding cake and any possibility of being a wedding planner—not to mention her family’s struggling ski resort. All because of one very cute, very furry, golden menace of a retriever who has a serious thing for butter chiffon icing. Which is exactly when Olympic skier Brody James shows up and saves the day . . . and the cake.

Brody makes Kendall feel about a million indecipherable things. He’s her brother’s bestie. Her first crush. And a ridiculously popular Olympic hero, which only reminds her of her own failed Olympic dreams. What Brody isn’t telling her is that he’s walked away from it all. The fame. The sponsorships. The celebrity girlfriend. Now he and Kendall are both lost somewhere between their past and a future they can’t yet see. But four weddings, one mischievous puppy, and a few steamy kisses later, these two might just realize that they are both exactly where they need to be…with each other. 

PJ's Thoughts:

I don't know how I managed to not read any of the books in this series before getting an ARC of book five, Four Weddings and a Puppy. Once I began reading I couldn't put it down. Finished the entire book in one day then immediately bought the first four books in the series. Then, I read all four of them back-to-back over the next five days. I am in love with Pine Hollow, the pups, and all of the residents!

Shane has created a friends-to-lovers trope simmering with emotional depth, snappy banter, and swoony romance. Brody has enjoyed a stellar career on the slopes while Kendall's crashed spectacularly just short of achieving her dreams. Yet both are now at a crossroads and unsure of their next steps. It's the perfect time to reunite them as adults and toss some unexpected romance into the mix. I loved how they each supported the other, challenged one another, their open and heartfelt conversations, and the perspective, confidence, and direction gained. I really enjoyed these two together. 

While the book deals with some tough topics - mental health, debilitating injuries, dysfunctional family relationships - its overall tone is upbeat and hopeful. Let's face it, when you have a town brimming with lovable dogs and a good friend who runs the local shelter, there's bound to be plenty of laughter and smiles. 

Although I usually prefer to read a series in order, I had no issues with jumping into this one at book five. However, as I mentioned above, by the time I had finished Four Weddings and a Puppy, meeting Kendall's friends and numerous pups in the process, I couldn't wait to go back to book one and read everyone else's heartwarming journeys to love. If you enjoy charming ski towns, great friend groups, heartwarming romance, and adorable dogs, don't miss Four Weddings and a Puppy, as well as the earlier books in Lizzie Shane's Pine Hollow series. I laughed, cried, and willingly handed over my heart in all five books. 

Review - - Pride and Puppies

Pride and Puppies

by Lizzie Shane

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: November 22, 2022

Reviewed by Hellie

Dr. Charlotte Rodriguez is single—again—and she blames Jane Austen. She made brooding, aloof men sound oh so dreamy. But after years of failing to find her own Mr. Darcy, Charlotte decides it’s time to swear off dating. She’s going to lavish all her love and affection on someone who actually deserves it: her new puppy, Bingley. 

And there’s no one better to give her pet advice than her neighbor and coworker George Leneghan. He’s quiet and patient and, best of all, way too sweet to ever be her type. But as their friendly banter turns flirty, the unimaginable happens—Charlotte starts catching feelings. 

Just as Charlotte is trying to untangle what it is she truly wants, George announces he’s contemplating a cross-country move. Suddenly, Charlotte wonders if she’s kept her soulmate in the friend zone so long that she’s entirely missed her chance at a happily ever after. Dear Reader, could it be possible she’s had it wrong all this time?

 

Hellie’s Heeds 

You ever read a romance novel and think, “Wow, this book is my story–aside from the characters who are preternaturally gorgeous and have more thrilling jobs, of course”? This was that book for me. George–who is as kind and as smart as my own Mr. Hellie–is the proverbial best friend and never the best man. Charlotte, who is kind, funny, generous, and beautiful, just can’t seem to find a good man because she’s constantly chasing ass-clowns. Did I feel a bit attacked while reading this book? I did, dear Reader, but truth often hurts. Finding Mr. Darcy is not the same as trying to turn an ass-clown into a silk purse. And let’s remember, Mr. Darcy had a MAJOR character arc throughout his story, as did Lizzie. So too do the characters in this book–they have to grow and decide they deserve better and in deciding they deserve better, they also need to be courageous and go after the love they deserve.  

But while all this heavy character growth is happening, there are puppies and best friends and all manner of hijinks. I fell really hard for George, who is a transplant to Pine Hollow, and after two years is still being referred to as the “new guy.” Watching him stepping out and becoming a true Pine Hollow resident was heart-warming–and yes, I totally wanted to attend a gig where he and the band he’s a part of were playing. It all felt so real and adorable. There were additional characters I longed to see HEAs for, including a pair that I’m pretty sure are going to get their own book eventually.  

If you like best friends to lovers, this is your book. Even if it’s not your favorite trope, I think this is the book where you’ll change your mind because you can’t help but read it and think, George and Charlotte belong together. While Emma seems to be the book that is supposed to best represent this couple–George has some Knightly moments as Charlotte is definitely an Emma–there are bits of Persuasion woven in as you see love that has been lingering on the sidelines, just waiting its turn, finally winning the happily ever after. This book is a love letter to the Friends to Lovers trope as well as Jane Austen, who I believe has sent most all of us on this road for love and romance, chasing that high that is Mr. Darcy…and Mr. Knightly…and Captain Wentworth. Well done.  

Also the dogs are real cute.

 

Spotlight & Giveaway - - Christmas in July

I don't know about you but with 90+ degree temperatures hitting my town every day I'm more than ready for a taste of Christmas in July. Lucky for us, these eleven talented authors have eleven brand-new novellas of love, romance, and holiday happily-ever-afters. I've already smiled my way through early copies of a few of them and can't wait to read them all. I love collections like this that not only include bonus stories set within series I love but also introduce me to new authors and series I've yet to read. (I'll be correcting that error soon!)  At only $0.99 (e-book) each from now through July 22, it's the perfect time to give yourself a Christmas in July treat and download all eleven!

A Pride Christmas

 by Jill Sanders

 It's a simple road trip until a blizzard strands them in the perfect romantic setting.

  

An Unplanned Christmas 

by Lizzie Shane

She didn't plan to let him back into her heart, but nothing is going as planned.

Cliffside Bay Christmas Wedding

 by Tess Thompson

Their mothers just might wreck Rafael and Lisa’s dream wedding in scenic Colorado.

Caitlyn's Christmas Wish

 by Sandra Owens

A surprise daughter, an unlikely attraction, and a Christmas wish…

Christmas In His Arms

 by Cynthia D'Alba

A non-wedding, a snowmageddon, and an unexpected union of old lovers.

The Sweetest Things

 by Bria Quinlan

Starlight Harbor's sweetheart is done playing nice when an out-of-town journalist slanders her quirky small town. (PG-13)

Gifted: Riley & Christian

 by Savannah Kade

Surprise romance and broken rules are just the beginning of true love.

  

Mistletoe Summer

 by Abby Tyler

When a veteran and a cheer coach are forced to work together, it's love at first sight -- for their dogs. (PG-13)

Matter of Fact

 by Heidi Hutchinson

Mistletoe, rock stars, and her grumpy ex. Throw in Grandma’s eggnog and it’s a party. 

Montana Mistletoe

 by Kim Law

She has the chance to create the future she wants, but first 

she’ll have to face her past.

Among The Stars

 by Terri Osburn

She's fake-dating the most eligible bachelor in town. Or is it fake after all?

So far, I've read Christmas in His Arms, The Sweetest Things, Montana Mistletoe, and Among the Stars and they are all gifts filled with humor, heart, and happily-ever-afters that I'd be happy to find under my Christmas in July tree. Terri Osburn's Among the Stars highlights everything I enjoy about her writing: sass, sizzle, witty banter, and heartfelt emotion. Kim Law's Montana Mistletoe is another emotional addition to her Wildes of Birch Bay - one of my favorite contemporary romance series. The Sweetest Things by Bria Quinlan is a quirky, feel-good story with an intriguing (and likable) cast. I don't know if she plans more stories in Starlight Harbor but I sure hope so because I want more of these characters! Cynthia D'Alba's Christmas in His Arms combines two of my favorite tropes: reunited lovers and snowbound romance. I couldn't get enough of these two. I've downloaded the rest of the novellas shown above and am eagerly anticipating reading them all.

Have you read any of the Christmas in July novellas yet?

Are any of the authors above new to you?

Three randomly chosen people who post a comment before 11:00 PM, July 13, will each receive their choice of three of the above Christmas in July novellas in Kindle format.