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Doggone Delightful #2
Pugs and Kisses
From the New York Times bestselling author of Almost There, a second chance romance between two dog lovers, perfect for readers of Abby Jimenez and Jasmine Guillory.
From the outside, veterinarian Evie Williams appears to have the perfect but boring life. She is desperate to figure out a way to shake it up, but gets more than she bargained for when she finds her fiancé in bed with another woman. Suddenly, Evie is without a fiancé or a job, and isn’t sure what her next steps should be. That is, until her college crush, Bryson Mitchell, returns to town. Now, a nationally recognized veterinary surgeon, Bryson is stunned when he encounters Evie Williams for the first time in half a decade. When they learn the animal shelter where they used to volunteer is in danger of closing, the two must work together to save it. It has Bryson wondering, can he and Evie also save the friendship they once shared and finally bring it to the next level?
From the outside, veterinarian Evie Williams appears to have the perfect but boring life. She is desperate to figure out a way to shake it up, but gets more than she bargained for when she finds her fiancé in bed with another woman. Suddenly, Evie is without a fiancé or a job, and isn’t sure what her next steps should be. That is, until her college crush, Bryson Mitchell, returns to town. Now, a nationally recognized veterinary surgeon, Bryson is stunned when he encounters Evie Williams for the first time in half a decade. When they learn the animal shelter where they used to volunteer is in danger of closing, the two must work together to save it. It has Bryson wondering, can he and Evie also save the friendship they once shared and finally bring it to the next level?
347 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 15, 2025
46 people are currently reading
7468 people want to read
About the author
Farrah Rochon
93 books2,533 followersA native of south Louisiana, Farrah Rochon officially began her writing career while waiting in between classes in the student lounge at Xavier University of Louisiana. After earning her Bachelors of Science degree and a Masters of Arts from Southeastern Louisiana University, Farrah decided to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a published novelist. She was named Shades of Romance Magazine's Best New Author of 2007. Her debut novel, Deliver Me, the first in her Holmes Brothers series, garnered rave reviews, earning Farrah several SORMAG Readers' Choice Awards.
In September 2010, Farrah joined the Kimani Romance family with the launch of her new series that follows the life of the fictional New York Sabers football team.
When she is not writing in her favorite coffee shop, Farrah spends most of her time reading her favorite romance novels, hanging around on Twitter, and trying to attend as many Broadway shows as her budget will allow. An admitted sports fanatic, Farrah feeds her addiction to football by watching New Orleans Saints games on Sunday afternoons.
In September 2010, Farrah joined the Kimani Romance family with the launch of her new series that follows the life of the fictional New York Sabers football team.
When she is not writing in her favorite coffee shop, Farrah spends most of her time reading her favorite romance novels, hanging around on Twitter, and trying to attend as many Broadway shows as her budget will allow. An admitted sports fanatic, Farrah feeds her addiction to football by watching New Orleans Saints games on Sunday afternoons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 381 reviews
July 20, 2025
જ⁀➴ 3.75 stars (rounded up to 4)
Thank you to NetGalley, Farrah Rochon, and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review. Pugs and Kisses is out now!
‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆
This was such a cute read! I loved the New Orleans setting with a cast of diverse characters and of course, adorable dogs! I'd die for Waffles the Pug.
✎𓂃Full review to come soon!
‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆
⋆˙⟡ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹: The book had me as soon as I heard that there's cute dogs here.😂🐶 But no really, I'm hitting every romance subgenre this year: paranormal romance, sports romance (hockey, baseball, pickleball, and I have a rugby romance, (American) football romance, and tennis romance coming up in my ARC lineup later this year), medical school romance, small-town romance, second-chance romance, and now... veterinarian romance.
This is ARC 6/16 for my July 2025 ARC reading schedule, and eARC 4/4 for my deadline of July 15th, 2025!
Thank you to NetGalley, Farrah Rochon, and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review. Pugs and Kisses is out now!
‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆
This was such a cute read! I loved the New Orleans setting with a cast of diverse characters and of course, adorable dogs! I'd die for Waffles the Pug.
✎𓂃Full review to come soon!
‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆ ‧°꒰🐾꒱༘⋆
⋆˙⟡ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹: The book had me as soon as I heard that there's cute dogs here.😂🐶 But no really, I'm hitting every romance subgenre this year: paranormal romance, sports romance (hockey, baseball, pickleball, and I have a rugby romance, (American) football romance, and tennis romance coming up in my ARC lineup later this year), medical school romance, small-town romance, second-chance romance, and now... veterinarian romance.
This is ARC 6/16 for my July 2025 ARC reading schedule, and eARC 4/4 for my deadline of July 15th, 2025!
April 15, 2025
Such a cute, cozy story with not much drama. This was much needed 🥰 loved the cute pets and friendships in the book so much. Also, it shows the struggle that one has when entering a relationship with a financial gap between the partners and how people feel when they're the poorer side. Overall it really is worth reading
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕮𝖑𝖔𝖘𝖊𝖉 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖗 𝕸𝖔𝖉𝖎𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
SKIP CHAPTER: 22, 28
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
This is the first book that I've received from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) so let's hope it delivers 💖💖 also thank you Netgalley for the early copy 🫶🏻
Find my review on Instagram
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕮𝖑𝖔𝖘𝖊𝖉 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖗 𝕸𝖔𝖉𝖎𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
SKIP CHAPTER: 22, 28
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
This is the first book that I've received from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) so let's hope it delivers 💖💖 also thank you Netgalley for the early copy 🫶🏻
Find my review on Instagram
July 14, 2025
A romance made for dog lovers
It was supposed to be another uneventful day for Evie, until she found her fiancée naked in their bed with another woman. Now she’s single and jobless, since she worked at her fiancée’s clinic, but has a new purpose in life: rescuing the animal shelter where she used to volunteer when she was a teenager. The animal shelter where she met the one who got away: Bryson Mitchell.
But something more happens that day: Bryson is back after a decade of living in another state, and he’s more handsome than ever.
Pugs and Kisses was such a cute story. I listened to the audiobook and had fun following Evie and Bryson’s plans to try to save the animal shelter. If you love dogs, it’s going to be even more special for you, because they are the soul of this book.
While I loved the idea of the book (I fell in love with the title, which doesn’t happen often!), I think the romance could have been better. My main problem is that, while Evie and Bryson made a great couple, I felt they were already in love when the book started. I wanted to witness how they fell in love again, but I felt they were obsessed with each other since they were teens and, once they could get back together, they did. This meant that I wasn’t that invested in their romance, because there wasn’t really a progression in the way they saw each other.
Still, I would have given this three stars because it was a cozy, light, feel-good story, if it wasn’t for the annoying ending. I’m so tired of third act drama that doesn’t make sense only to have that final problem before the end. With the animal shelter plot, the author could have used that to create tension instead of making the characters do what they did towards the end. I’m someone who doesn’t mind characters arguing towards the end if it’s a reasonable problem, but this time it just showed they couldn’t communicate and gave up so easily on their relationship.
I expected more from two people who had been obsessed with each other for over a decade.
As for the audiobook, I prefer having two narrators for dual-POV romances, but the narrator did a great job at bringing the story and the characters to life. I enjoyed listening to it and I think it made the reading experience better.
Overall, Pugs and Kisses was a bit too low-angst for me (except for the ending, that was annoying), but it was a cute book that I would still recommend if you want a cozy love story about two dog lovers falling in love.
🎧Read as an audiobook
*Rating: 2.5/5 stars
I kindly received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It was supposed to be another uneventful day for Evie, until she found her fiancée naked in their bed with another woman. Now she’s single and jobless, since she worked at her fiancée’s clinic, but has a new purpose in life: rescuing the animal shelter where she used to volunteer when she was a teenager. The animal shelter where she met the one who got away: Bryson Mitchell.
But something more happens that day: Bryson is back after a decade of living in another state, and he’s more handsome than ever.
Pugs and Kisses was such a cute story. I listened to the audiobook and had fun following Evie and Bryson’s plans to try to save the animal shelter. If you love dogs, it’s going to be even more special for you, because they are the soul of this book.
While I loved the idea of the book (I fell in love with the title, which doesn’t happen often!), I think the romance could have been better. My main problem is that, while Evie and Bryson made a great couple, I felt they were already in love when the book started. I wanted to witness how they fell in love again, but I felt they were obsessed with each other since they were teens and, once they could get back together, they did. This meant that I wasn’t that invested in their romance, because there wasn’t really a progression in the way they saw each other.
Still, I would have given this three stars because it was a cozy, light, feel-good story, if it wasn’t for the annoying ending. I’m so tired of third act drama that doesn’t make sense only to have that final problem before the end. With the animal shelter plot, the author could have used that to create tension instead of making the characters do what they did towards the end. I’m someone who doesn’t mind characters arguing towards the end if it’s a reasonable problem, but this time it just showed they couldn’t communicate and gave up so easily on their relationship.
I expected more from two people who had been obsessed with each other for over a decade.
As for the audiobook, I prefer having two narrators for dual-POV romances, but the narrator did a great job at bringing the story and the characters to life. I enjoyed listening to it and I think it made the reading experience better.
Overall, Pugs and Kisses was a bit too low-angst for me (except for the ending, that was annoying), but it was a cute book that I would still recommend if you want a cozy love story about two dog lovers falling in love.
🎧Read as an audiobook
*Rating: 2.5/5 stars
I kindly received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 20, 2025
the setup…
Veterinarian Evie Williams gets the surprise of her life when she returns home early and finds her fiancé in her bed…with another woman. She kicks him out and also quits working at his practice, now jobless and broken hearted. Evie turns to the Sanctuary for solace, a nonprofit animal rescue center operated by her college mentor. While she gets the puppy love she needed, she also got a snootful of an old love that got away. Bryson Mitchell, a nationally renowned veterinarian surgeon, has returned to town, standing right in front of her and she’s not ready for that. She exits rather quickly with new pug-beagle mix Waffles in tow but only later must work with Bryson to save their beloved Sanctuary.
the heart of the story…
I rarely choose a book because of its cover but must admit that this one did it, along with the title and description. Happily the story lived up to their promises and I had a really good time. Evie comes from a prominent and affluent family who had different plans for her. Bryson comes from very different circumstances that he lets come between them. Meanwhile, he and his papillon Bella bond with Evie and Waffles as they work to save the Sanctuary.
the narration…
Marissa Hampton delivered a fun and lively performance that met the spirit of this story. She managed a host of distinctive voices, including secondary friends and family along with Evie and Bryson.
the bottom line…
I didn’t realize this was the second in the series and thankfully it didn’t matter much, though I can tell when secondary characters have a backstory I’m missing. No matter because I had a lot of fun with the canine aspects and a very substantive romance. Bryson had to dig out of a hole to win Evie’s trust and he made that journey interesting. I’ll be reading the first book and highly anticipating the third.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Veterinarian Evie Williams gets the surprise of her life when she returns home early and finds her fiancé in her bed…with another woman. She kicks him out and also quits working at his practice, now jobless and broken hearted. Evie turns to the Sanctuary for solace, a nonprofit animal rescue center operated by her college mentor. While she gets the puppy love she needed, she also got a snootful of an old love that got away. Bryson Mitchell, a nationally renowned veterinarian surgeon, has returned to town, standing right in front of her and she’s not ready for that. She exits rather quickly with new pug-beagle mix Waffles in tow but only later must work with Bryson to save their beloved Sanctuary.
the heart of the story…
I rarely choose a book because of its cover but must admit that this one did it, along with the title and description. Happily the story lived up to their promises and I had a really good time. Evie comes from a prominent and affluent family who had different plans for her. Bryson comes from very different circumstances that he lets come between them. Meanwhile, he and his papillon Bella bond with Evie and Waffles as they work to save the Sanctuary.
the narration…
Marissa Hampton delivered a fun and lively performance that met the spirit of this story. She managed a host of distinctive voices, including secondary friends and family along with Evie and Bryson.
the bottom line…
I didn’t realize this was the second in the series and thankfully it didn’t matter much, though I can tell when secondary characters have a backstory I’m missing. No matter because I had a lot of fun with the canine aspects and a very substantive romance. Bryson had to dig out of a hole to win Evie’s trust and he made that journey interesting. I’ll be reading the first book and highly anticipating the third.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
July 14, 2025
Pugs and Kisses by Farrah Rochen
Contemporary diverse romance. Own voice. Subsequent to Pardon My Frenchie but not listed as a series.
Walking into her home to find her finance naked in bed with someone else is the start to some major life changes for Evie Wilson. She kicks him out but that also means she needs to find a new job since they work together at a veterinary clinic. The good news is that Evie can get a puppy now and that’s one of the first things she does. Then she volunteers at a shelter she hasn’t had time to get to in over a year. She’s happy to revisit the shelter and help the community.
Bryson Mitchell is ready to move home after years of speaking engagements across the country on an innovative vet procedure. Finding out Evie is still in town and no longer engaged is all he needs to start hoping for a new future.
🎧 I alternated between an ebook and audiobook narrated by Marissa Hampton. The performance is engaging and includes different voices for the main characters and a few of the secondary. Evie comes through as wounded, angry and powerful as she refuses to be used and reorganizes her life to get past the bumps. More than once she figures out a problem and turns it around and her strength is heard as she makes decisions. Bryson is famous and a well experienced speaker, but in the audiobook he’s heard as a bit softer since we know his feelings. Smart since we didn’t like the brashness of the ex.
I listened at 1.5 and higher to more closely match my reading speed.
A successful woman. Two successful veterinarians and their compatible dogs who care about community. Loved their volunteer hours and projects. And of course, their romance. It’s was sad knowing he walked away even though he thought it was the right thing to do. Glad he moved back home to Louisiana at the right time. Meant to be.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher Hachette Audio.
Contemporary diverse romance. Own voice. Subsequent to Pardon My Frenchie but not listed as a series.
Walking into her home to find her finance naked in bed with someone else is the start to some major life changes for Evie Wilson. She kicks him out but that also means she needs to find a new job since they work together at a veterinary clinic. The good news is that Evie can get a puppy now and that’s one of the first things she does. Then she volunteers at a shelter she hasn’t had time to get to in over a year. She’s happy to revisit the shelter and help the community.
Bryson Mitchell is ready to move home after years of speaking engagements across the country on an innovative vet procedure. Finding out Evie is still in town and no longer engaged is all he needs to start hoping for a new future.
🎧 I alternated between an ebook and audiobook narrated by Marissa Hampton. The performance is engaging and includes different voices for the main characters and a few of the secondary. Evie comes through as wounded, angry and powerful as she refuses to be used and reorganizes her life to get past the bumps. More than once she figures out a problem and turns it around and her strength is heard as she makes decisions. Bryson is famous and a well experienced speaker, but in the audiobook he’s heard as a bit softer since we know his feelings. Smart since we didn’t like the brashness of the ex.
I listened at 1.5 and higher to more closely match my reading speed.
A successful woman. Two successful veterinarians and their compatible dogs who care about community. Loved their volunteer hours and projects. And of course, their romance. It’s was sad knowing he walked away even though he thought it was the right thing to do. Glad he moved back home to Louisiana at the right time. Meant to be.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher Hachette Audio.
July 17, 2025
📖 Bookish Thoughts
I really wanted to like this one. The premise was super cute. Second chance romance, dogs, and a hometown reconnection. But the execution just fell flat for me.
I didn’t feel the chemistry between Bryson and Evie at all. Both characters felt immature, and the romance never pulled me in. The family drama completely overshadowed everything else. Evie’s dynamic with her mom was frustrating. She kept backing down, and when she finally stood up for herself, she gave in right after. That moment was supposed to be powerful, but it ended up feeling silly.
Also, I am a certified hater of the third act breakup. This one really took the cake. It made no sense and added nothing to the story. I’m giving it 3 stars because the narrator was great and kept me engaged when the plot didn’t.
💌 What You Can Expect:
• Second chance romance
• Animal shelter setting
• Family conflict
• Dogs
📆 Pub Date: July 15, 2025
Thank you to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.
I really wanted to like this one. The premise was super cute. Second chance romance, dogs, and a hometown reconnection. But the execution just fell flat for me.
I didn’t feel the chemistry between Bryson and Evie at all. Both characters felt immature, and the romance never pulled me in. The family drama completely overshadowed everything else. Evie’s dynamic with her mom was frustrating. She kept backing down, and when she finally stood up for herself, she gave in right after. That moment was supposed to be powerful, but it ended up feeling silly.
Also, I am a certified hater of the third act breakup. This one really took the cake. It made no sense and added nothing to the story. I’m giving it 3 stars because the narrator was great and kept me engaged when the plot didn’t.
💌 What You Can Expect:
• Second chance romance
• Animal shelter setting
• Family conflict
• Dogs
📆 Pub Date: July 15, 2025
Thank you to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.
Want to read
December 6, 2024WHY DID NO ONE TELL ME THERE’S A ROMANCE NOVEL RELEASING CALLED PUGS AND KISSES YOU JAGWEEDS?
December 18, 2025
3.75* Pugs & Kisses further strengthened my belief that all books should feature dogs. They just make everything better. This was such a cute and fun read (made even more so by the canine characters).
what to expect:
• puppies
• second chance romance
• vet x vet
• workplace romance
• female friendship
• it’s always been her
what to expect:
• puppies
• second chance romance
• vet x vet
• workplace romance
• female friendship
• it’s always been her
June 20, 2025
this was so cute and swoon worthy. i don’t typically gravitate towards second chance but this one sounded so good and featured dogs?? sign me up. i actually really enjoyed this one a lot. i enjoyed the main characters and story line. i listened to this via audio and it did not disappoint. the pacing was great and the narrator was great. it was a short and sweet romance i’d recommend! (do check the content warnings)
evie finds her fiancé in bed with another woman which ends their relationship. she is now without a job and a fiancé which leads her confused to her next step in life. next thing you know, her college crush returns to town who is a nationally recognized veterinary surgeon. once they learn the animal shelter they used to volunteer for is in danger of shutting down, they decide to work together to save it.
evie finds her fiancé in bed with another woman which ends their relationship. she is now without a job and a fiancé which leads her confused to her next step in life. next thing you know, her college crush returns to town who is a nationally recognized veterinary surgeon. once they learn the animal shelter they used to volunteer for is in danger of shutting down, they decide to work together to save it.
July 11, 2025
4.5/5 stars
Pugs And Kisses is a romantic comedy set in New Orleans. It is an interconnected standalone. This is Evie’s book. She is a veterinarian who we met in Pardon My Frenchie.
This is a Black contemporary second chance romance perfect for dog lovers. It features the best female friendships.
Ashanti (the lead in Pardon My Frenchie) is Evie’s best friend. She has a supporting role in this book. And honestly it was so amazing to see her again. Evie and Ashanti’s friendship is fantastic.
The main male POV is Bryson. He is a world famous veterinary surgeon. He and Evie were involved 8 years earlier.
The book features the main characters trying to help an animal rescue. It shows Ashanti’s doggie daycare from the previous book. We see a lot of Evie’s relationship with her mom. And we get to see Cameron, the man who Evie was with at the beginning of this book.
Overall this was a wonderful romance. Bryson and Evie are such a good match. And I absolutely loved them and their dogs together. This was such a fun read!
Thanks to netgalley and Forever Publishing for allowing me to read this book.
Pugs And Kisses is a romantic comedy set in New Orleans. It is an interconnected standalone. This is Evie’s book. She is a veterinarian who we met in Pardon My Frenchie.
This is a Black contemporary second chance romance perfect for dog lovers. It features the best female friendships.
Ashanti (the lead in Pardon My Frenchie) is Evie’s best friend. She has a supporting role in this book. And honestly it was so amazing to see her again. Evie and Ashanti’s friendship is fantastic.
The main male POV is Bryson. He is a world famous veterinary surgeon. He and Evie were involved 8 years earlier.
The book features the main characters trying to help an animal rescue. It shows Ashanti’s doggie daycare from the previous book. We see a lot of Evie’s relationship with her mom. And we get to see Cameron, the man who Evie was with at the beginning of this book.
Overall this was a wonderful romance. Bryson and Evie are such a good match. And I absolutely loved them and their dogs together. This was such a fun read!
Thanks to netgalley and Forever Publishing for allowing me to read this book.
did-not-finish
July 29, 2025DNF at 28%.
I am puzzled by the main character and the dialogue in this book.
The main character's boyfriend cheated on her. For some weird reason, she doesn't wanna tell her best friend that they broke up or why. And now, at this point in the book she's telling her mom that they broke up but doesn't tell her mom why they broke up. It puzzles me so much why she would keep this a secret.
And the dialogue is nonsense! The conversations she has with everyone make no sense to me.
Finally, this is a second chance romance where "he broke her heart". I don't know the entire details, but it sounds like he decided that he didn't have a chance with her so he left without telling her anything.
Such a weird break up
I don't get this book. It's not working for me.
I am puzzled by the main character and the dialogue in this book.
The main character's boyfriend cheated on her. For some weird reason, she doesn't wanna tell her best friend that they broke up or why. And now, at this point in the book she's telling her mom that they broke up but doesn't tell her mom why they broke up. It puzzles me so much why she would keep this a secret.
And the dialogue is nonsense! The conversations she has with everyone make no sense to me.
Finally, this is a second chance romance where "he broke her heart". I don't know the entire details, but it sounds like he decided that he didn't have a chance with her so he left without telling her anything.
Such a weird break up
I don't get this book. It's not working for me.
September 2, 2025
Pugs and Kisses by Farrah Rochon is a perfect little second chance romance slow burn book. The story follows Evie and Bryson who reconnect at an animal shelter that they both used to work at after Evie broke up with her fiancé. Evie is holding a grudge because Bryson ghosted her like 10 years prior. Bryson and Evie are tasked with saving the animal shelter and are falling for each other harder than before in the process.
I thought this book was the cutest. I love dogs so the fact that we get dogs everywhere was so sweet. I also thought that Bryson was a little cinnamon roll of a human being. I was obsessed with Evie's relationship with Bryson, they were so cute together. I did hate her ex but I was intended to hate him so there's that.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes second chance romances without a dual timeline or anyone who likes reading about veterinary romances or just likes dogs. I do not recommend this book to anyone looking for a lot of spice, the spice level is low but perfect for me.
Tropes: second chance, veterinary, workplace
Triggers: death of a pet
Thank you to NetGalley, Hachette Audio | Forever, and Farrah Rochon for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I thought this book was the cutest. I love dogs so the fact that we get dogs everywhere was so sweet. I also thought that Bryson was a little cinnamon roll of a human being. I was obsessed with Evie's relationship with Bryson, they were so cute together. I did hate her ex but I was intended to hate him so there's that.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes second chance romances without a dual timeline or anyone who likes reading about veterinary romances or just likes dogs. I do not recommend this book to anyone looking for a lot of spice, the spice level is low but perfect for me.
Tropes: second chance, veterinary, workplace
Triggers: death of a pet
Thank you to NetGalley, Hachette Audio | Forever, and Farrah Rochon for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Want to read
May 25, 2025This looks and sounds so freaking cute ✨🤭😍
May 13, 2025
I adored this second chance romance between Evie, a veterinarian, and her former college crush, vet surgeon Bryson, who work together to save an animal shelter. A must-read for dog lovers (that cover!) and helpless romantics, written in author Farrah Rochon's always charming style.
April 19, 2025
A cute slow burn, second chance romance with adorable pups as sidekicks? Yes please!
Evie walking into HER house to find her fiance in bed with another woman is not how she was expecting her day to go. Neither did she expect to run into the man who broke her heart and ghosted her while volunteering at the shelter where they met shortly after. But that's what happens. Evie is determined to keep her distance from Bryson, now a hotshot veterinary surgeon, while she figures out what to do with her life. Having left her job because her ex owns the veterinary clinic she worked at, it's not long before something falls into her lap: her mentor and the owner of the shelter asks for her help raising money to save it. The only thing is, he's asked Bryson too. Hell bent on keeping things in the past, Evie begrudgingly says yes to helping, but it's not long before she can no longer ignore the feelings Bryson gave her all those years ago - and now. She can't move forward with him until she knows why he left in the first place, and are the people they are now still compatible enough to be together?
This was a cute romance, and I really loved the banter between Evie and Bryson. I think the author did a really good job of showing how strong their friendship had been/is now, and how that played into the strength of them starting something new. I also loved how the story wrapped up, and how it set up for the next book in the series.
I did feel a bit of a disconnect with the parents storyline. Both Bryson and Evie have slightly strained relationships with their parents. And while Evie got a little bit of resolution with her mom, Bryson's issues weren't really addressed in a serious sense, moreso just in an offhand way. I also felt like the majority of the plot happened in the last 40% of the book, which I don't mind but it could be a very slow start for other readers.
I would recommend this to slow burn romance lovers, especially those who love dogs in a story!
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Evie walking into HER house to find her fiance in bed with another woman is not how she was expecting her day to go. Neither did she expect to run into the man who broke her heart and ghosted her while volunteering at the shelter where they met shortly after. But that's what happens. Evie is determined to keep her distance from Bryson, now a hotshot veterinary surgeon, while she figures out what to do with her life. Having left her job because her ex owns the veterinary clinic she worked at, it's not long before something falls into her lap: her mentor and the owner of the shelter asks for her help raising money to save it. The only thing is, he's asked Bryson too. Hell bent on keeping things in the past, Evie begrudgingly says yes to helping, but it's not long before she can no longer ignore the feelings Bryson gave her all those years ago - and now. She can't move forward with him until she knows why he left in the first place, and are the people they are now still compatible enough to be together?
This was a cute romance, and I really loved the banter between Evie and Bryson. I think the author did a really good job of showing how strong their friendship had been/is now, and how that played into the strength of them starting something new. I also loved how the story wrapped up, and how it set up for the next book in the series.
I did feel a bit of a disconnect with the parents storyline. Both Bryson and Evie have slightly strained relationships with their parents. And while Evie got a little bit of resolution with her mom, Bryson's issues weren't really addressed in a serious sense, moreso just in an offhand way. I also felt like the majority of the plot happened in the last 40% of the book, which I don't mind but it could be a very slow start for other readers.
I would recommend this to slow burn romance lovers, especially those who love dogs in a story!
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 16, 2025
Pugs and Kisses is a sweet romance where two people find who they truly are and where they fit in life and maybe they find each other.
Evie…my gosh the way this book starts I wanted to scoop her up and give her a big hug but this woman is a force. Evie sets out to figure what comes next and the strength she finds in herself is truly amazing. I love that she started to do things just for her and found her love for herself again.
Through her journey Evie reconnects with an old friend, Bryson and something starts to stir inside her and she has to decide if she’s willing to take a chance.
Bryson is back home and as he gets used to being back he starts to remember the beauty of home. He has so much to overcome come when it comes to his past with Evie and boy did he almost mess it all up.
This book is beautiful and highlights the strong bonds of friendship and the importance of loving who you are.
Evie…my gosh the way this book starts I wanted to scoop her up and give her a big hug but this woman is a force. Evie sets out to figure what comes next and the strength she finds in herself is truly amazing. I love that she started to do things just for her and found her love for herself again.
Through her journey Evie reconnects with an old friend, Bryson and something starts to stir inside her and she has to decide if she’s willing to take a chance.
Bryson is back home and as he gets used to being back he starts to remember the beauty of home. He has so much to overcome come when it comes to his past with Evie and boy did he almost mess it all up.
This book is beautiful and highlights the strong bonds of friendship and the importance of loving who you are.
June 22, 2025
PUGS & KISSES! One of my most anticipated reads of 2025! And y'all it's so dang cute! Plenty of puppy adorableness yes, but also a personal journey of starting fresh and being open to possibilities.
Veterinary Doctor Evie's life is sideswiped when she catches her fiance cheating. She's not broken up by it though so much as she's frustrated by the prospect of starting over. New job being the main concern because she sure as hell ain't going back to work for at ex's clinic. But so begins her journey to discover what's new and good for her life.
First good thing is her new dog, Waffles. Also, her best friends are looking out for her and ready to extract revenge on the ex if Evie ever wishes it so. And her summer fling from University - Bryson - finds his way back home just in time to partner up to help save the local animal shelter.
Bryson! He is so swoony. Successful veterinary surgeon. Dog dad to a frou-frou Papillon. Born and raised country boy. Volunteers within the community. And he yearns for a second chance with Evie. He's sometimes honest to a fault. So watch him during that third-act. But I don't blame him for what happens especially learning all his anxieties along the way.
I liked that the drama was pretty low stakes. Evie and Bryson's save the shelter project gives them the opportunity to get to know their present selves. The experience their community with new eyes and an open heart to such an extent it shapes Evie's end game. The journey really is about gathering up goodness while establishing healthy boundaries.
Another big draw for me isn't such an obvious selling point at first glance because it's not directly referenced in the book. Evie and Bryson are childless adult characters. Every shift in scene they have to take into consideration the logistics of being a pet parent. I see myself and community reflected in these characters and their stage of life. My partner and I are childless by choice, but my heart is full with the companionship and love of my cats. I am not less for my choice and my life is not lacking for something that I personally do not want. It is a fulfilling existence as is. Full sentence.
I know y'all, what is this crazy cat lady doing reading and recommending a dog themed book? It's the magic on the page that's what. It's cozy and steamy in all the right places. PUGS & KISSES is the warm hug of a book you enjoy under a shady tree with a sweet tea on a bright sunny day.
Thank you Netgalley and Forever for the advance digital copy to read and review.
Veterinary Doctor Evie's life is sideswiped when she catches her fiance cheating. She's not broken up by it though so much as she's frustrated by the prospect of starting over. New job being the main concern because she sure as hell ain't going back to work for at ex's clinic. But so begins her journey to discover what's new and good for her life.
First good thing is her new dog, Waffles. Also, her best friends are looking out for her and ready to extract revenge on the ex if Evie ever wishes it so. And her summer fling from University - Bryson - finds his way back home just in time to partner up to help save the local animal shelter.
Bryson! He is so swoony. Successful veterinary surgeon. Dog dad to a frou-frou Papillon. Born and raised country boy. Volunteers within the community. And he yearns for a second chance with Evie. He's sometimes honest to a fault. So watch him during that third-act. But I don't blame him for what happens especially learning all his anxieties along the way.
I liked that the drama was pretty low stakes. Evie and Bryson's save the shelter project gives them the opportunity to get to know their present selves. The experience their community with new eyes and an open heart to such an extent it shapes Evie's end game. The journey really is about gathering up goodness while establishing healthy boundaries.
Another big draw for me isn't such an obvious selling point at first glance because it's not directly referenced in the book. Evie and Bryson are childless adult characters. Every shift in scene they have to take into consideration the logistics of being a pet parent. I see myself and community reflected in these characters and their stage of life. My partner and I are childless by choice, but my heart is full with the companionship and love of my cats. I am not less for my choice and my life is not lacking for something that I personally do not want. It is a fulfilling existence as is. Full sentence.
I know y'all, what is this crazy cat lady doing reading and recommending a dog themed book? It's the magic on the page that's what. It's cozy and steamy in all the right places. PUGS & KISSES is the warm hug of a book you enjoy under a shady tree with a sweet tea on a bright sunny day.
Thank you Netgalley and Forever for the advance digital copy to read and review.
July 20, 2025
This was just cute vibes. It has that soft, comforting feel that makes it perfect for when you just want something warm and simple. The kind of book you fly through without even noticing. Nothing truly stood out for me but the narrator made enjoyable.
September 25, 2025
Really cute light hearted! I just needed a light, easy, go lucky read about dogs. Should not have taken me as long as it did. 🥰
July 28, 2025
You know there's a lot of work to do to make second chance romance work and this was a hard fought HEA. The back drop of of NOLA but not French Quarters was unexpected but refreshing. It showed the range and beauty of NOLA including high society and family ties. It's a bit of a slow burn I think we needed to be reintroduced to them as a couple especially since Evie was fresh off a breakup.
Format: e-arc provided by the publisher via Netgalley
Romance tag: open door
CN: cheating, strained family relationship, income insecurity, pet sickness
Format: e-arc provided by the publisher via Netgalley
Romance tag: open door
CN: cheating, strained family relationship, income insecurity, pet sickness
March 30, 2025
Did I binge this book in like half a day? YEP
The writing was so flow-y and the characters were so so cool, I simply could not put the book down! It's a second chance romance happening after like a decade, and there's a hefty dose of regret and vulnerable discussions (and some groveling :)).
The plot was so gripping too! The MCs are both veterinarians who have to work together to save the dog sanctuary they volunteered with back in school, and the twists and turns and the way they finally save it at the end was written so well.
I assume book 3 is Ridley and Von? I need it so badddd
TWs - death of a pet on page (not the MCs'), infidelity (FMC's ex cheats on her on page and the FMC's parents are described to face this), strained relationships with parents
-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!
The writing was so flow-y and the characters were so so cool, I simply could not put the book down! It's a second chance romance happening after like a decade, and there's a hefty dose of regret and vulnerable discussions (and some groveling :)).
The plot was so gripping too! The MCs are both veterinarians who have to work together to save the dog sanctuary they volunteered with back in school, and the twists and turns and the way they finally save it at the end was written so well.
I assume book 3 is Ridley and Von? I need it so badddd
TWs - death of a pet on page (not the MCs'), infidelity (FMC's ex cheats on her on page and the FMC's parents are described to face this), strained relationships with parents
-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!
August 25, 2025
This was the cutest shit ever lol
June 16, 2025
3 ⭐️’s: Pugs and Kisses is a light, second-chance romance set against the backdrop of an animal rescue shelter. Evie’s life is upended when she finds her fiancé cheating! Then, as if things couldn’t get worse, she runs into Bryson, the man who ghosted her ten years ago. Now a successful veterinary surgeon, Bryson is back to help save the shelter where they first met. Thrown together once again, Evie and Bryson must confront their unfinished business, navigate complicated family dynamics, and decide whether to give their relationship a second shot.
This was a quick and enjoyable read, especially for animal lovers. The dogs absolutely stole the show (shoutout to Waffles!), and the rescue storyline brought some truly heartwarming moments. I also appreciated the vet clinic setting, which felt familiar and authentic.
That said, the pacing was uneven, it took a while for the story to gain momentum, with most of the meaningful development packed into the second half. While I liked the chemistry and banter between Evie and Bryson, I found his reason for ghosting her years ago pretty weak and frustrating. The subplot with his parents felt underdeveloped, and I wished their strained relationship had been explored more thoughtfully.
Overall, if you enjoy cozy, low-drama romances with dogs, second chances, and a feel-good rescue mission, this might be the book for you!
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review💕
This was a quick and enjoyable read, especially for animal lovers. The dogs absolutely stole the show (shoutout to Waffles!), and the rescue storyline brought some truly heartwarming moments. I also appreciated the vet clinic setting, which felt familiar and authentic.
That said, the pacing was uneven, it took a while for the story to gain momentum, with most of the meaningful development packed into the second half. While I liked the chemistry and banter between Evie and Bryson, I found his reason for ghosting her years ago pretty weak and frustrating. The subplot with his parents felt underdeveloped, and I wished their strained relationship had been explored more thoughtfully.
Overall, if you enjoy cozy, low-drama romances with dogs, second chances, and a feel-good rescue mission, this might be the book for you!
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review💕
June 20, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC and HachetteAudio for the audiobook production.
Picking up after “ Pardon My Frenchie” we follow Shante’s friend Evie after a breakup. Unfortunately her previous relationship was not the only thing tied to that man but also her job. Evie now has to figure out where her life and career will start over. Will it include a sexy man from the past who may have also done wrong?
I absolutely loved the book, which explored the toxic family dynamics of mother and daughter relationships. The toxic notion to stay in a relationship for the status it brings when the man or woman only brings you pain. The important ace on fighting for yourself and well being even when no one else speaks up on your behalf. The relationship between Evie and her friends is hilarious and made me want to keep listening.
As always there’s little spicy, this is a slow burn leading up to the climax if you know what I mean. But I enjoyed that the spicy was placed where it made sense with the pace of the book.
Picking up after “ Pardon My Frenchie” we follow Shante’s friend Evie after a breakup. Unfortunately her previous relationship was not the only thing tied to that man but also her job. Evie now has to figure out where her life and career will start over. Will it include a sexy man from the past who may have also done wrong?
I absolutely loved the book, which explored the toxic family dynamics of mother and daughter relationships. The toxic notion to stay in a relationship for the status it brings when the man or woman only brings you pain. The important ace on fighting for yourself and well being even when no one else speaks up on your behalf. The relationship between Evie and her friends is hilarious and made me want to keep listening.
As always there’s little spicy, this is a slow burn leading up to the climax if you know what I mean. But I enjoyed that the spicy was placed where it made sense with the pace of the book.
June 18, 2025
First of all thank you to Farrah Rochon, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me early access to this audiobook! All opinions in this review are my own.
I loved this book!
Its about Evie a vet who dumps her bitching cheating lying ex fiance.
She leaves his animal clinic to go to the rescue she once started at.
Only to find her other ex Bryson in the rescue and to hear everything is falling apart...
This book was short and sweet. There were many dogs included into the story and that made this so much better. Bryson his parents are also absolutely amazing!!
I loved this book!
Its about Evie a vet who dumps her bitching cheating lying ex fiance.
She leaves his animal clinic to go to the rescue she once started at.
Only to find her other ex Bryson in the rescue and to hear everything is falling apart...
This book was short and sweet. There were many dogs included into the story and that made this so much better. Bryson his parents are also absolutely amazing!!
May 28, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Forever and Farrah Rochon for the free e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
4/5
— This was a cute slow burn, second chance romance, following Evie and Bryson, college crushes. The chemistry and charm behind Evie, the veterinarian and Bryson, the veterinarian surgeon was lovely to read. — there is drama that shakes up from page one. It’s been almost a decade since the last time the MCs encounter one another but the feels are still there in abundance.
— If you love a second chance romance with adorable pups for sidekicks working to save an animal shelter, read this!
—
Pub Date: 7/15/25
4/5
— This was a cute slow burn, second chance romance, following Evie and Bryson, college crushes. The chemistry and charm behind Evie, the veterinarian and Bryson, the veterinarian surgeon was lovely to read. — there is drama that shakes up from page one. It’s been almost a decade since the last time the MCs encounter one another but the feels are still there in abundance.
— If you love a second chance romance with adorable pups for sidekicks working to save an animal shelter, read this!
—
Pub Date: 7/15/25
June 22, 2025
First Evie finds her fiance in bed with another woman, then she is jobless. Can things get any worse? When her old crush Bryson returns to town, the two agree to work together to save the animal shelter they both volunteered at, which is in danger of closing down.
This second chance romance between Evie and Bryson was just so cute! The way the two bonded over animals was just adorable and once I got to know their backstory, I just knew they were meant to be together. I appreciated the way the author had them rebuild their friendship prior to them taking the next step too. If you're after a romcom with cute animal sidekicks, look no further!
This second chance romance between Evie and Bryson was just so cute! The way the two bonded over animals was just adorable and once I got to know their backstory, I just knew they were meant to be together. I appreciated the way the author had them rebuild their friendship prior to them taking the next step too. If you're after a romcom with cute animal sidekicks, look no further!
June 27, 2025
Thank you NetGalley & Hachette Audio for allowing me to listen to this cute ALC!
Pugs and Kisses was so freaking cute! If you're looking for a cute read with no drama, this one is for you! Also if you're a dog lover, this is for you!!
Narration:
Listening Speed: 2X
Narrator: Marissa Hampton
Feedback: Marissa got such a lovely voice! Very warm and absolutely perfect for this story!
Pugs and Kisses was so freaking cute! If you're looking for a cute read with no drama, this one is for you! Also if you're a dog lover, this is for you!!
Narration:
Listening Speed: 2X
Narrator: Marissa Hampton
Feedback: Marissa got such a lovely voice! Very warm and absolutely perfect for this story!
July 17, 2025
3.5⭐️
Pugs and Kisses is a light hearted, second chance romance by Farrah Rochon. The storyline was engaging and characters were adorable. It does lightly touch on topics like class and insecurity. Overall, it’s a very easy read that kept my interest.
This is the second book in a series that sees characters from Rochon’s book ‘Pardon My Frenchie’ make an appearance.
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for this eARC.
Pugs and Kisses is a light hearted, second chance romance by Farrah Rochon. The storyline was engaging and characters were adorable. It does lightly touch on topics like class and insecurity. Overall, it’s a very easy read that kept my interest.
This is the second book in a series that sees characters from Rochon’s book ‘Pardon My Frenchie’ make an appearance.
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for this eARC.
June 21, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Dual POV
Single narrator
Second chance romance
Forced proximity
This book was so cute and so funny. I found myself laughing out loud several times. The narrator did an AMAZING JOB! Her inflection was appropriate and she wasn’t boring to listen to. The FMC was very understanding, more than I would have been lol for a second chance romance. I love how the title ties in to the story, the author was very clever with this.
I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review! Thank you Hachette Audio & Net Galley for this opportunity.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Dual POV
Single narrator
Second chance romance
Forced proximity
This book was so cute and so funny. I found myself laughing out loud several times. The narrator did an AMAZING JOB! Her inflection was appropriate and she wasn’t boring to listen to. The FMC was very understanding, more than I would have been lol for a second chance romance. I love how the title ties in to the story, the author was very clever with this.
I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review! Thank you Hachette Audio & Net Galley for this opportunity.
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