Saturday, January 21, 2023

Dog Days Forever Review

Author: Shannon Richard
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Avon Books
Release Date: Feb. 28, 2023
Order Link: Amazon

Special thanks to Avon Books for an arc of this book.

A heartfelt, romantic novel inspired by Sweet Home Alabama and perfect for fans of Jill Shalvis, Kristan Higgins, and Susan Malleryin which a young woman who only fosters dogs discovers an abandoned puppy and finally starts to open herself up to love again...

Review:
Caroline Buchanan and Maximillian Abbot were once engaged to be married.  He went to college secure in their future only to have his heart broken when Caroline announced she wouldn't be following him . . . or marrying him.  She returned his heirloom wedding ring and parted ways without an explanation.  Caroline remained in their hometown while Max went to the big city of New York to lick his wounds and begin his career.  Now Max is back in town to help his grandmother clean out their big old house as she prepares to move into something smaller.  At every turn, Max and Caroline are thrown together.  At first it's painfully awkward as old memories surface, but eventually they begin connecting again through a puppy they both rescued.  It appears they're finally really communicating, but is there hope for a future that includes the both of them?

Dog Days Forever is a low-angst,
 contemporary romance about forgiveness, second chances, pain and love.  It's about letting go, but keeping your heart open to love again.  Richard's writing flows smoothly, carrying characters and readers forward at a simple, easy pace while rendering a story that will touch your heart.  I love the inclusion of the foster dogs - both those they must let go and the one they can't.  It's a great way to showcase the great need for both foster and adoption parents for animals abandoned in shelters.   Dog Days Forever is an emotional and heartfelt romance that I highly recommend for fans of contemporary romance with low key angst.

Synopsis:
Once inseparable as children and romantically entwined as young adults, Caroline Buchanan and Maximillian Abbot are now virtual strangers. It might be Caro's fault--considering she abruptly ended their engagement--but she had good reasons. After their devastating breakup, she stayed in North Carolina, building a quiet, cozy life, while Max went to New York City. In the fourteen years since, Caro has experienced more than her share of heartache and loss. She rarely lets anyone in, not even the steady stream of rescue dogs she fosters.

When Max returns to town for the summer at the behest of his grandmother, Caro must finally face their past because she keeps running into Max, and old feelings come rushing back. Shortly after Max arrives, Caro finds a puppy, alone and shivering in a thunderstorm. She takes the dog in, planning to find her the perfect new family. But at a time when her life is in turmoil, this new furry friend--who she names Frankie--unexpectedly becomes her anchor.

As she opens her heart to the sweet, cuddly canine, Caro begins to wonder if she could love Max again, too. Max and Frankie feel like home and she can't bear to say goodbye to either of them. But secrets, both old and new, are still lingering and Max hasn't completely forgiven her for breaking his heart all those years ago. Will this be a summer of second chances or are they bound to make the same mistakes twice?

No comments: