Her Surprise Neighbor: An Uplifting Inspirational Romance – A Small Town Single Dad Story of Secrets and Faith

K-9 Companions #36

by Lee Tobin McClain

Some bonds
can never be broken…

Though teacher Gabby Dunn loves nothing more than helping her students to read with the support of her trusty therapy dog, Caramel, her newest student, Sloane, is her trickiest by far. Not only are she and her father, author Noah Barnes, Gabby’s new neighbors, but Sloane is also the daughter Gabby placed for adoption seven years ago. Desperate to help his troubled child, Noah hopes reconnecting her with her biological mother could be the solution Sloane needs. But when the past threatens their newly formed family, Noah and Gabby must decide if this is a love worth fighting for…

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

K-9 Companions

Book 1: Their Unbreakable Bond by Deb Kastner
Book 2: Finding Her Way Back by Lisa Carter
Book 3: The Veteran's Vow by Jill Lynn
Book 4: Her Easter Prayer by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 5: Earning Her Trust by Brenda Minton
Book 6: Guarding His Secret by Jill Kemerer
Book 7: An Unlikely Alliance by Toni Shiloh
Book 9: A Reason to Stay by Deb Kastner
Book 10: The Veteran's Holiday Home by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 11: An Alaskan Christmas Promise by Belle Calhoune
Book 12: A Steadfast Companion by Myra Johnson
Book 14: A Friend to Trust by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 15: Her Alaskan Companion by Heidi McCahan
Book 16: A Companion for Christmas by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 17: Her Christmas Healing by Mindy Obenhaus
Book 18: Finding Their Way Back by Jenna Mindel
Book 19: Their Inseparable Bond by Jill Weatherholt
Book 20: Bonding with the Babies by Deb Kastner
Book 21: Her Son's Faithful Companion by Jill Weatherholt
Book 22: Training the K-9 Companion by Jill Kemerer
Book 23: A Companion for His Son by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 24: Her Loyal Companion by Heidi Main
Book 25: A K-9 Christmas Reunion by Lisa Carter
Book 26: His Christmas Salvation by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 27: Guarding Her Christmas Secret by Jill Weatherholt
Book 28: A Faithful Guardian by Louise M. Gouge
Book 29: The Veteran's Valentine Helper by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 30: Rescue on the Farm by Allie Pleiter
Book 31: An Unexpected Companion by Mindy Obenhaus
Book 32: Earning the Veteran's Trust by Lisa Jordan
Book 33: Holding Onto Secrets by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 34: His New Companion by Jill Kemerer
Book 35: The Soldier's K-9 Companion by Belle Calhoune
Book 36: Her Surprise Neighbor by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 37: Healing the Veteran by Ciara Knight
Book 38: An Unexpected Christmas Helper by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 39: The Rancher's Christmas Gift by Jolene Navarro
Book 40: An Unexpected Texas Reunion by Heidi Main

368 pages, Paperback

Published August 26, 2025

About the author

New York Times bestselling author of emotional, heartwarming romances. Visit http://www.leetobinmcclain.com to join newsletter, get book release details, and find out more.

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was depressing and had so many triggers. I did not care for Noah at all.

[Harlequin Books]

Inspirational Romance, Contemporary Romance, Animal Fiction, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
K-9 Companions (Book #36)

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her Surprise Neighbor by Lee Tobin McClain
An Uplifting Inspirational Romance (K-9 Companions, 36)
Book 34 of 40: K-9 Companions
Some bonds
can never be broken…
Though teacher Gabby Dunn loves nothing more than helping her students to read with the support of her trusty therapy dog, Caramel, her newest student, Sloane, is her trickiest by far. Not only are she and her father, author Noah Barnes, Gabby’s new neighbors, but Sloane is also the daughter Gabby placed for adoption seven years ago. Desperate to help his troubled child, Noah hopes reconnecting her with her biological mother could be the solution Sloane needs. But when the past threatens their newly formed family, Noah and Gabby must decide if this is a love worth fighting for.
Though teacher Gabby Dunn loves nothing more than helping her students to read with the support of her trusty therapy dog, Caramel, her newest student, Sloane, is her trickiest by far. Not only are she and her father, author Noah Barnes, Gabby’s new neighbors, but Sloane is also the daughter Gabby placed for adoption seven years ago. Desperate to help his troubled child, Noah hopes reconnecting her with her biological mother could be the solution Sloane needs. But when the past threatens their newly formed family, Noah and Gabby must decide if this is a love worth fighting for…
This is Gabby Dunn, daughter Sloane and trusty therapy dog, Caramel's story.
This is Noah Barnes and daughter Sloane's story.
a favorite quote from the book "I want to read it to Caramel, "Sloane said.
From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
K-9 Companions (Book #36)
I recommend reading this book.
Her Surprise Neighbor by Lee Tobin McClain is a wonderful 5 star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Lee Tobin McClain.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared here in this review are my own.

[BookAddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gifted storyteller always infuses so much heart and hope into her romance writing, and she's at the top of my list when I need something encouraging and uplifting. Returning to Chesapeake Corners, MD, one of my favorite fictional worlds, is such a treat and made it impossible to pass this one up.

Best-selling author, Noah Barnes, has moved with his young daughter, Sloane, to a small town for a quieter pace of life and a chance for a new start. He's hoping a new setting will help his daughter with her behavioral issues. He's also hoping his new neighbor, Gabby Dunn, will be a good female influence for his daughter.

Gabby loves her job teaching second grade and seeing her therapy dog, Carmel, help children learn to love reading. Her newest student, Sloane, is a loveable handful, but what Gabby doesn’t yet realize is that Sloane is the baby Gabby gave up for adoption years ago.

With a charming coastal town, colorful characters, and some well-intended meddling, this one has all the elements I love in a good small-town romance. These characters are endearing and layered, with some lessons to learn and pasts that need healing.

The past has a way of dogging our heels, holding us paralyzed in its clutches and coloring the way we view everything in our lives. This amazing story of forgiveness and new beginnings is about forgetting the past and reaching forward to the future. About setting down its weight and making ourselves open to all the goodness and blessings we're intended to receive. Delightfully charming and full of heart, this inspiring, uplifting romance is literary food for the soul and not to be missed.

[Martha Ladyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started reading HER SURPRISE NEIGHBOR, by Lee Tobin McClain, I expected a silly, beach-read, romance novel about a second-grade teacher and her hunky neighbor. What I got was a thoughtful, insightful story about the ultimate sacrifice of giving up a newborn for adoption, and the challenges of raising an adopted daughter with emotional issues. I was hooked from the first page.

Teacher Gabby Dunn, along with her therapy dog Caramel, have launched a successful program teaching second-graders how to love reading by hosting "Read to the Dog" sessions. After years of hardship, Gabby finally has a rewarding, fulfilling life. Then she meets her new neighbors, author Noah Barnes and his seven-year-old daughter Sloane. Sloane has been traumatized by a neglectful mother, and Noah is doing his best to help his daughter heal. Noah thinks Gabby can help, for reasons that will become apparent as you read the story. Gabby's not so sure, but she's willing to try.

Lee Tobin McClain has skillfully woven together a heartwarming story of two adults who love a broken child, and who are determined to help this child through her darkness into the light. The struggles of adoption, for both the adults and the child, are shown in a kind, sympathetic, but realistic manner. I found myself worrying about Sloane, and ended up reading the book in two days because I had to find out if there was a happy ending or not. (There was.)

The ads call this an uplifting inspirational romance. They nailed the description.

[Kate Vale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another in the K-9 Companions series, in which teacher Gabby Dunn is shocked to learn that the single father who moves in next door to her house is parenting a little girl who also happens to be Gabby's birth child, whom she gave up for a closed adoption to protect the baby from the dangerous man who had fathered her.

Writer Noah Barnes is eager for his daughter to get to know Gabby in hopes that doing so will help to heal the child from the hurts she endured at the hands of his late wife, who had initially wanted a child, but soon tired of motherhood and became neglectful and, even, at times, abusive.

When Gabby's plan to help children learn to enjoy reading by doing so to her therapy dog, Caramel, begins to help little Sloan, she dreams of becoming more than just the child's reading teacher, but does she dare after her ex-husband contacts her out of the blue?

[Rosemarie Grainer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice story with a super dog!

Gabby is sleeping when her therapy dog Caramel starts whining. Then she hears a child scream. When she goes outside she finds Noah and Sloan moving in next door. What she doesn't know is that Noah had contacted her aunt Dee looking for her, Allah's birth mother! But how can they held Sloan understand why she gave her up for adoption? Especially when Gabby and Noah find themselves attracted to the other! Read this to find out.

The pace is engrossing and the tone is uncertain yet hopeful with a character centered storyline that has a few kisses only. The characters are vivid and endearing. The Christian ideals are woven into the story and move it forward. Enjoy!

[Elaine Applebury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabby Dunn loves to help kids read. She has a therapy dog, Caramel, that she takes to her classroom for her students to practice their skills by reading to Caramel. Widowed author, Noah Barnes, and his daughter, Sloan, move in next door to Gabby. Sloan needs help reading, but she also has oppositional defiant disorder.(ODD) Noah has discovered that his late wife wasn’t an ideal wife or mother. Her treatment and neglect of Sloan has led to the ODD. Gabby is discovered as Sloan’s “birth mother.” Gabby loves kids, so why did she give up her baby?

Ms McClain writes a sensitive story that educates on O.D.D., adoption, abuse, and “read to a pet.”

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lee Tobin McClain’s book: Her Surprise Neighbor
In this book you will read about lies, adoption and physical abuse.
Noah knew he had to get Sloane away from the city and her environment. Gabby is trying to get on with her life after being abused by her husband. Watching Noah and Gabby become friends will have waiting to see what happens next. I couldn’t stop reading this book.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved the way the author showed adoption from the perspective of the child, the adoptive parent, and the birth parent. It showed the struggles they all go through. Another thing I liked about the book was the reading therapy dog. This was a great book.
I received a copy of this book from the author and was not required to write a positive review.

[Mis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story of a mother's love and what she did for her child. The idea of a family she always wanted, and even better, it's the child she was mentally forced to give up for her safety due to Gabby's abusive spouse. It was an all-around wholesome love story, one for the adoptive father and one for her child. Even the little bit of suspense was perfect.

[Vicky Sluiter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! I enjoyed the healing and growth that took place. Characters were well developed and a delight. Except for one.

Do note that one character deals with guilt after releasing baby for adoption. There is spousal abuse and infidelity but everything is handled well.

[Harlequin Books]

Inspirational Romance, Contemporary Romance, Animal Fiction, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
K-9 Companions (Book #36)

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid story but had I known there was an abusive ex involved I would not have bought it. Too triggering.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect Labor Day weekend book!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her Surprise Neighbor by Lee Tobin McClain is a great story involving DNA testing, birth parents, adoption and an over great read. Lets not forget the K-9 adorable therapy dog.

[Laurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another fun K-9 companions read featuring Caramel, a reading therapy dog.

[Brenda Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a great story

This heart warming story with real life stories. Got to visit with some friends in the small town. And let about different ways dogs help us.

[Jackalyn]

A very good, sweet story.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick fun read

[SARAH TAYLOR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her Surprise Neighbor by Lee Tobin McClain, this is such an amazing inspirational story As Gabby Dunn loves to help others especially those who need a K-9companion's help can she bring herself to help her neighbor's child to overcome what she has been going through！ This was such an amazing story with wonderful; characters I highly recommend！ I was given a compilatory copy and this is my own honest opinion。