Me Before Lou

by Jess Torres

GLOBAL EBOOK AWARDS GOLD MEDALIST

Forgery is an art. Love is calculated.

Millie doesn't color outside the lines.

But when her badge-boasting ex-boyfriend hires her bestie to dogsit the hound that used to be theirs, law and order goes out the window. Day one and there's a pricey painting, the new girlfriend, and Millie's spotless criminal record on the line.

With less than two weeks before Detective Do-No-Wrong is due home, Millie finds herself sacrificing good money and better manners to hire a stranger off the internet who has less-than-moral skills in art replication.

What she doesn’t realize is that her walk on the wrong side of the law looks a lot like a hot date with a wanted man.

Can the unlikely duo navigate their legal limbo and keep everyone out of the doghouse? Or will the mischievous hound who brought them together have to teach them a lesson in how to get away with bad behavior?
___

Me Before Lou is a single point-of-view standalone romantic comedy with adventure. It’s for fans of fade-to-black or closed-door romance who love top-notch banter, sweet dogs, meddling mothers, and plucky best friends. There’s art, drama, crime, a love for food and wine, and a happily-ever-after (four-legged friend included!).

Tropes: strangers-to-lovers, only one bed, sleep cute, reluctant partners, forced proximity, flirting under fire

Genres: Romance

Unknown Binding

About the author

Jess Torres is the writer behind Me Before Lou, Movie She Wrote, and the Times spin-off series. She writes romance with a little humor, a little heat, and a whole lot of drama. Her stories typically include big-city living with small-town roots and characters who need a bit of both to feel at home.

The author hails from the Sweetheart City and currently lives in the Pacific Northwest, where she spends rainy days plotting elaborate connections between the overlapping universes of her romantic comedies and dramedies.

Reviews

[Lexy Premoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was SO much fun to read. The banter between characters was so well done. The love interest hooked me and the dog was the cherry on top! Amazing first novel!

[Karen B · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars This debut novel has it all… a low spice rom-com with a lot of laughs, some intrigue and a bit of artistic culture! Millie works with Fin to replace a painting that Lou, the silly dog has wrecked. The silly dog antics and banter between the characters had me laughing. I was pleasantly surprised by the plot line additions. Please read this rom-com if you like the movies Turner and Hooch and 101 Dalmatians-some of my favorites!
I love the character depiction on the cover design-the attitudes of Millie, Fin AND Lou are captured perfectly!

[Ali Alley EscapeThroughABook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually do not read many romcoms, this being said I actually LOVED this book. It kept my interest the entire book, and had me chuckling often. As a dog lover, I like that the dog played such a important role in this book.

This Contemporary Romance is a delectable romcom read. The book has a overall feel good vibe to it.
The romance is cute, and sweet. A very heartwarming reading experience.
The book had very mild spice.
The world building is done nicely. You can easily slip into the contemporary story.
The book moves at a fairly quick pace, following the FMCs task of replacing a one of a kind painting.
The characters are fabulously written, leaving you smiling at the witty banter being hurtled between the MCs.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book I couldn’t put it down! The characters were well thought out, the quips between characters had me laughing at multiple points, and who doesn’t love a dog sidekick/chaos bringer? Just enough romance and mystery to keep me hooked the entire time and leave me wanting more works from the author!

[Harpreet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me before lou is an ingeniously well written rom- com with fantastic chemistry and swoon worthy banter and a whole lot of drama and tons of hilarious moments.

The story follows Millie who meets her ex- boyfriend in a dog park with his current girlfriend and the dog that used to be theirs. Clearly not the distraction she was looking for. When Hannah, her best friend agrees to dogsit things begin to change drastically.

Well, just a few days should be that of a struggle right? But situations suddenly begin more chaotic and dramatic when Millie hires a stranger, a charming one, and the strings of art replication.

How will things turn out for them? The story has just started to pulsate with hilarious moments and simmering rapid- ranging banter. A real treat for rom-com readers.

This was an amusing and engaging romance comedy that effortlessly took me a rollercoaster ride of lol and swoon worthy moments. Right from the beginning I found it to be a visually narrative story as the author's superb writing makes the readers curious and anticipates a rather quirky distinctive of the genre. The strong points that elevate the story are its memorable characters and compelling interactions with a wonderfully curated sense of humour. The characters are well- fleshed and I'm glad that the side characters are also conveyed beautifully. I was not able to convey more about the story because it could have majorly spoilers to the plot. But there were aplenty of favourite moments. One of them was when Millie wanted to flirt back but hold it all in.

If you love romance, forced proximity, cute dogs, and a kaleidoscope of emotions and feelings that make you feel butterflies in your stomach then I highly recommend you pick this up. Trust it's an absolute gem and it won't disappoint you at all.

[Ramona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This romcom was highly enjoyable to read. Millie and Hannah decide to go to the dog park for smoothies and reminisce. Millie misses her canine that she shared with her ex-boyfriend, when a like-bulldog/mutt rushes toward her and slobbers on her. A harried woman with her boyfriend shows up which was Millie's ex-boyfriend, Detective Steve Rogers. They start talking about a trip they're taking and having a hard time finding a dog sitter. Hannah volunteers but Millie ends up doing it. The antics of Lou that destroys a painting which Millie hires Fin to replace while Millie is dog sitting while her ex is away, was entertaining to read. The characters were engaging in this romcom I'd received a copy and volunteer to read and review.

[Shannon Coyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d give this book a solid 4/5. For me, it was a slow burn at the beginning. I liked the characters but the plot seemed slow to start. It picked up and I liked the connection of Millie and Fin, it was fun and flirty. For me there were times I struggled to track the plot and in my opinion, the drug name of “puppy love” was a bit cringy. It was talked a lot about in the beginning of the book but fell off for a long time until the end.

Overall I think it was a great first book by Jess Torres and I’d love to read anything else she puts out. It was a sweet and heart warming read.

[Angela Batchelor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Millie had let go what seemed to be the perfect man. When she runs into him again, along with his dog Lou, chaos followed soon after. Millie’s best friend offered to dogsit Lou, and Lou promptly destroyed something that couldn’t be easily replaced. Enter Fin, who has the expertise to right the wrong...at a price. This book was comedic gold, and at the same time there was depth to it. The good girl falling for the bad boy is a trope that will never get old, and in the end it’s also a found family situation that brought a huge smile to my face.

[Desiree Trebilcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fun, very well written romantic comedy with lovable characters and a truly original plot that is impossible to put down until you’ve finished reading it!

With some crime, drama, the best friend everyone needs mixed with dogs and wine, it’s a really enjoyable read. There are some fun twists that give it a fun spin that pushes the typical “rom com” plots and the perfect bit of heat that make it such a good read. Highly recommend.

[Savannah Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put it down!

Full disclosure, Me Before Lou is far outside of my typical reads. I was gifted the book by my husband and I have loved every page!

The banter between Millie and Fin had me smiling and laughing out loud! Lou is absolutely adorable and I love him so much! The friendship between Millie and Hannah was great! Truly a fun and engaging read! I would love to read more from Jess Torres!

Well written debut! Looking forward to more things outside of my typical genre!

[Ashley Farrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really ended up enjoying this book! It started off a little slow, but by the end I really liked all the characters. I always appreciate the inclusion of dogs in rom coms, and Lou is definitely a great dog character! The only complaint about this book is the ending of the plot comes pretty fast, and I wish that the romance had a little more time to brew before everything blows up.

[Jo Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book truly has it all. A dog, a cute love story, a lovable and quirky supporting cast, and hijinks that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. I highly recommend if you love animals and a feel-good romcom! Plus, the banter between the two leads is off the charts! Definitely check this one out!

[Ray’s Reads ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book during stuff your kindle day blindly because my dogs name is Lucia (we call her Lu) whose a rescue bully mutt. Rescue dog named Lu in a romance book? SAY LESS. I enjoyed this book, the two characters really bounced off each other, and I did not expect the plot-driven drama towards the end! This book was just a silly goofy time.

[Chia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me Before Lou is a romantic comedy that showcases Jess Torres' talent for crafting engaging and humorous narratives. The story features top-notch banter, saucy encounters, and confident characters, making it a standout in the rom-com genre.
Definitely recommend it! (IMO, after having read When Hannah Met Grant, which is such a beautiful story ♥)

[Piper James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was SUCH a delight. I've been sick this week and this book helped get me through my sick. The characters are fun. The puns are punny. There's is a deeper crime solving aspect to the story as well that drives the undercurrent of the plot. Absolutely loved this book!

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book so much. It was so charming with laugh-out-loud moments and some suspense as well. I love the focus of the dog, Lou, in this story as well. The best friend, Hannah, drove me nuts! All in all a fun read.

[Bella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely not what I expected at all but still a good story. I also really enjoyed the writing style of the author. I would give it 3.5⭐️s if I could. Probably wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it but it was cute and I liked the message behind it.

[Kaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the FIRST sentence I was hooked. Jess Torres knows how to hook ya. This book is a fantastic rom-com that will keep you invested throughout the story. A MUST-READ!

[Jill Gookin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute story. Lots of twists and turns. I couldn't put it down. If you are a romantic and love animals you will love this book!

[Lena Duke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review to come.

[Nicole Bevitori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! I loved the mix of romance and a bit of suspense.

[Bianca Espineli · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I have to say, this is the first audiobook I truly enjoyed listening to.

[Amanda Gosman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun banter, but overall plot was a little confusing and disjointed.