I've Got a Crush on You

Darling Springs #2

by Lauren Blakely

My secret workplace romance starts innocently enough at a birthday party.

But when a rowdy partier knocks me into a lake and a sexy stranger comes to my rescue – my night becomes one to remember.

A night so steamy I almost forget why I’ve sworn off men after a failed workplace romance.

Trouble is, the brand new doggy daycare in Darling Springs that I’ve contracted with is owned by none other than my sexy stranger. Thanks, fate.

Sawyer turns out to be a total grump in a tailored suit, no matter how sunshine-y I am. Even when he squeezes that hard body past me as I bring donuts to work. Or when he pretends he’s not roaming his dark eyes over me as I teach Fido to sit, stay and come.

But I’m focusing on my shiny new future—my dog-training business is suddenly the hottest thing in town, thanks to a new actress client. And when I’m roped into a charity dance number, I smell an opportunity, especially when I learn my hot landlord has an alter ego and a fandom.

Turns out Mr. Serious Boss is up for dance lessons.

Then the entire Dirty Dancing experience.

Giving into our chemistry once won’t hurt. Two might be pushing it. By the seventh, it’s undeniable–I’ve got a crush on him too.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Rom Com, Contemporary, Workplace, Fiction, Contemporary Romance

432 pages, Paperback

Expected publication July 28, 2026

About the author

You can find Lauren on TikTok at @laurenblakelybooks! A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sexy, feel-good and witty. Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party.

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶️

Alexa, play “I’ve Got a Crush on You” by Frank Sinatra.

Tropes: Workplace romance • Oops, my one-night stand is my new coworker • Small-town rom-com • Forbidden romance • Grumpy/Sunshine • Forced proximity • Fighting the feelings • Quirky side characters • Swoony dance lessons

This was such a fun second installment in the Darling Springs series! Lauren Blakely continues to prove why she’s an auto-buy author for me. Her rom-coms always deliver the perfect mix of humor, heart, chemistry, and spice, and this one was no exception.

Sawyer and Willa had fantastic chemistry from the very beginning, and I loved watching their relationship evolve despite both trying so hard to resist their feelings. The grumpy/sunshine dynamic was adorable, and the Dirty Dancing-inspired dance lessons were some of my favorite scenes in the book. Add in the quirky small-town cast, dogs, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, and it made for such an entertaining listen.

The audiobook was fantastic. Andi Arndt and Connor Crais are two of the best in the business, and they absolutely brought these characters to life. Their performances elevated an already fun story and made it even easier to get swept up in the romance.

If you’re looking for a light, swoony, spicy small-town rom-com with lovable characters and excellent narration, this one is definitely worth picking up!

Thanks to Lauren for an ALC of her next novel in exchange for an honest review. So glad to continue being one of your many cheerleaders! 📣

[Kate | TheBookishTraveler_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

If Lauren Blakely writes it, you better believe I’m going to run to read it! As always, I had the absolute best time reading this one! Lauren always has the perfect mix of a determined, ambitious FMC, a protective, down bad for his girl MMC, and a hilarious cast of lovable side characters. The duet narration for this one was top tier and I couldn’t recommend listening to this one more!

This one starts out with a bang (yup, you know what kind I’m talking about!)! Chloe and Sawyer are each recovering from broken hearts so when fate brings them together at a posh dog birthday party, their banter is flirtatious and their chemistry is off the charts!

One thing leads to another and they share one wildly hot, no-strings-attached, night together that neither one of them is sure to forget any time soon. So you can imagine their surprise when they show up to work and find out Sawyer is the new landlord of the dog training space Chloe is renting to launch her new business. These two figure out quickly it’s hard to keep professional boundaries when their attraction to one another is still red hot.

Lauren always writes such relatable FMCs who are easy to cheer for and Chloe was no different with her ambitious drive and independence while also being witty and empathic.

I also love her MMCs because they are always the perfect mix of protective and supportive and love showing up for their women! I can definitely confirm, Sawyer was swoony, supportive, the best kind of grumpy protective, and down bad for his woman. From waking up early and making her breakfast, to taking her dog out for walks so she can sleep in, to fixing her broken car, to handling her obnoxious ex, Sawyer was perfect!

This one is a paws-itivly fun time! And the set up for book 3 has me counting the days until we get Take Me Home Tonight!

Tropes:
- Workplace romance
- One night stand
- Grumpy x sunshine
- Small town rom com
- Forbidden romance
- Duet narration

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Hambright PR and Lauren Blakely Books for providing me with a gifted ALC copy of I’ve Got a Crush on You. All opinions are my own.

Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Vanessa Edwin, Connor Crais
Time: 10 hours 31 minutes

I’ve Got a Crush on You is the second book in the Darling Springs series and it’s a fun, sweet and spicy romcom. Chloe and Sawyer had amazing chemistry from their first time meeting in the book and I absolutely loved it, and the narrators did a fantastic job with their banter.

The forced proximity of working together after a one night stand brought a lot of great tension and pining to the story. And the spice between Chloe and Sawyer was balanced really well with their work in the pup world and all of the dogs made for lovable side characters.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
• Workplace Romance
• Pup Training
• Opposites Attract
• Small Town

𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥: 🌶️🌶️

If you’re looking for a swoony, easy romance read with an adorable animal side story then I would definitely recommend I’ve Got a Crush on You.

[Jess Hilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paw-sitively adorable, swoony, and so easy to fall into, this was such a fun, feel-good read. 🐾💛 The chemistry between Chloe and Sawyer was great, with that sharp, teasing banter that made their back-and-forth so entertaining, especially when they were trying very hard *not* to fall for each other. It had that classic rom-com energy where you’re just smiling the whole time, fully rooting for them from the start.

What really worked for me was the heart of the story. I loved the small-town Darling Springs vibes, the found-family feel, and how much love and loyalty everyone had for each other. Both main characters were just a little bit wacky in the best way, which made everything even more fun. Add in the dog world and the theme of learning to trust again, both in others and in yourself, and it just felt warm, sweet, and genuinely uplifting. Light, breezy, and perfect for summer, this was such an easy four-star read for me. 🐶☀️

Thank you to NetGalley and Cosmo Reads for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Tyla 🧚 🗡️ ☠️ 🩸 🖤 · Rating 3 out of 5]

ALC.
this was ok for a fun easy read.
I love dogs so this was right up my street. But the romance, although it was filled with tension, wasn’t anything to swoon over. It was just a cute little story. I was reaaaaaly expecting his ex to come into the story somehow. And the karaoke thing felt a bit dramatic 🤣 but I’m all for helping a man adopt a dog, then falling in love & you both move in together with the two dogs 🥺☺️

[Holly Paulson]

I've Got a Crush on You by Lauren Blakely is absolutely adorable, laugh-out-loud funny, and impossible not to enjoy! While it's the second book in the Darling Springs series, it works perfectly as a standalone.
One of my favorite parts of this story was that it revolves around dogs. Chloe is a talented dog trainer with her lovable pup, Captain, by her side, and I loved watching her journey unfold. There's a twist involving her career that I won't spoil, but it adds so much heart to the story. And then there's Sawyer—the ultimate grump who completely steals the show. His chemistry with Chloe is fantastic, and their banter had me smiling from start to finish.
This romance brings the perfect balance of humor, heart, and spice, with charming Frank Sinatra references woven throughout that make the romance even more swoon-worthy. If you're looking for a feel-good, dog-filled rom-com with plenty of laughs and a satisfying happily ever after, this one is definitely worth picking up!

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so incredibly adorable !!!
In such a cute rom com way!

Chloe - driven to make something of her self, start her business as an amazing dog trainer.

Sawyer- stickler for following the rules. Focused- and serious - owns a few doggy day cares.

After a fun run in, they never thought they’d ever see each other again, Chloe rents a space for her to grow her business and train dogs, turns out it’s a space in Sawyers building. Now the fun begins, explosive chemistry, a chance to work together to pitch their businesses and building to a TV show that’s filming in the area. which brings them closer than ever. Ugh melted… they’re perfect for each other. So many cute banter scenes, incredible dog scenes. I loved it so much.

[Chelsea Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodness gracious! I haven’t laughed so much during a book in a long time! Lauren Blakely created a swoon worthy romance with some spicy spice 🥵 I thoroughly enjoyed this book! From the dog party drink names to “Mr Dog”, I giggled time and time again!

What’s starts off as a bougie dog party gone wrong (note to self, don’t wear white to a dog party by a lake🫣) turned into a steamy unforgettable night. Fast forward, they end up having to work together when her dog training business took off!

🐾Grumpy/Sunshine (my fave!)
🐶Workplace romance
🐾Forced Proximity (2nd fave)
🐶Small Town

Thank you Lauren Blakely for a good time read! I am so happy I got to read this as an eARC! I really appreciate it! 🫶🏼

[Jenn (burlingtonbiblio) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review
I’ve Got a Crush on You by Lauren Blakely
Darling Springs #2

Vibes
✔️ workplace romance
✔️ must love dogs
✔️ steamy open door romance
✔️ karaoke
✔️ small town
✔️ rom com energy
✔️ dual POV
✔️ grumpy vs sunshine

Quote
"It's still my turn. And I've been waiting. I don't know if you got the invitation from my tonsils," she says, her voice sultry, "but they'd like to get to know your big dick."

Thoughts
Filled with witty banter, steamy chemistry and adorable doggos this read the perfect treat for a good fur mom/dad. Chloe and Sawyer’s interplay and witty dialogue create sexy swoon worthy moments, you’ll want to “sit and stay” and binge this one!

Thanks to @sourcebooks and @cosmoreads for my ARC in return for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my own

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love loved this book! Who doesn’t love a book with rescue dogs as an entire side character?? Chloe and Sawyer are now two of my favorite Lauren Blakely characters- they were just too funny. I was laughing my way thru the audio book and when I would switch to physical reading - their lines were still funny. The banter was great and the spicy scenes hit. I also liked the grand gesture at the end - Sam Silversmith anyone?? I love this Darling Springs series and am totally intrigued by what Bridget’s story is going to be - so many good hints! Highly recommend reading this and picking up the audio too.

[Mary Lohorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The banter between Sawyer and Chloe completely stole the show for me.

I couldn’t get enough of these two. Their grumpy/sunshine dynamic was everything, the chemistry was effortless, and they had me smiling from start to finish. The small-town charm, adorable dogs, quirky side characters, dancing and karaoke moments made this such a fun, feel-good romance. I had the best time with this one. The audio was fantastic, performed in duet narration by Vanessa Edwin & Connor Crais. They done a wonderful job bringing Chloe and Sawyer to life.

[Miranda Linton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love dogs but this was cringey. I think the use of “puppers” in a serious setting is what tipped me over the edge on thinking this was ridiculous. A lot of the writing was weird in this. The way they talked about dogs and dog training specifically made me think the author just googled “how to train dogs” and ran with it. There were also some unusual word choices. Like one sentence would be super dumbed down and then the next would have a word literally no one uses. I kept waiting for the story to pick up but it just doesn’t work for me.

**thank you NetGalley and Cosmo Reads for an ARC of this book**

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute and fun story! It was spicier than I was anticipating, and throughly enjoyed Chloe’s energy. Loved the side characters and the small town.

🎧Connor Crais and Vanessa Edwin voiced the characters perfectly!

Thank you Hambright PR for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook early. This is my honest review.

[Ash Reads]

If you're in the mood for a cosy read with spice, forced proximity and floofs - give I've Got a Crush on You a try.

- One Night Stand
- Must Love Dogs
- Forced Proximity
- They are Co Workers

Dual 1st Person POV

2.5/5 Spice Rating - Open Door Scenes with descriptive frequent scenes

[Lilit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know how Lauren does it but her stories are just so easy. I can’t even count how many of her books i’ve read. love.

thanks hambright for the ALC!

[Queenie2023 aka Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars and audio version!! Loved the narrators and the story ! Super cute and original!! One night stand later turns into a coworker situation which leads to a second chance at romance and there are cute animals also in this one.

[ML Book Nook · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ One night stand turns into a secret workplace romance. Thrown in a bunch of adorable dogs and you have yourself a spicy little summer romance.

[Ilonka Gangadin (masbookslessgluten) · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ Opposites attract perfection! ✨

She’s chaos. He’s a rulebook. One disastrous day + one impulsive hookup = a romance neither of them saw coming.

When fate forces them to work together, the chemistry is off the charts, but the banter? SO GOOD. Watching her drag this buttoned-up man out of his comfort zone had me grinning the entire time. Fun, flirty, and impossible to put down!

[Maggie Maeve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was surprisingly spicy, but oh-so sweet. I loved the small town vibes, also this is the perfect book for the dog lover. I listened to the audiobook and it was so well done, duet style. So fun!

[Demi Snell · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️
Tropes: dual POV, small town romance, workplace romance, grumpy x sunshine, dog lovers dream, forced proximity, forbidden romance, he falls first

“I’m not sure what’s more dangerous—sharing space with the woman I can’t stop thinking about…or teaming up with her.”

A grumpy boss, a sunshine dog trainer, a workplace romance they definitely shouldn’t be having, and two people who are both trying to figure out how to trust again.

This is the second book in Lauren Blakely’s Darling Springs series, and I absolutely loved being back in this adorable little town. The small-town charm, lovable characters, and all the cozy dog-loving moments made this such a fun, easy read.

Chloe was such a fun FMC to follow. After a difficult divorce, she’s focused on rebuilding—her life, her confidence, and her dog training business. She’s determined to create something that’s truly hers, but opening herself back up to someone again?

I loved her determination, her optimism, and how she was never afraid to speak her mind. She has this bright, playful energy that brings so much life into Sawyer’s very structured world, while still carrying her own fears and walls she’s working through.

And then there was Sawyer and he was honestly one of my favorite parts of this book. After being cheated on by his fiancée, he’s completely closed himself off and convinced that keeping people at a distance is safer. He likes rules, control, and knowing exactly what to expect… until Chloe comes along and starts challenging everything he thought he wanted. He tells himself she doesn’t affect him—but he never really stands a chance.

“My eyes are still on Chloe. She’s the woman I can’t look away from.”

“But trust me, sweetheart. Resisting you is the hardest thing I do all day”

AND the way he keeps trying to convince himself he isn’t falling for her while constantly finding excuses to be near her was EVERYTHING 😭😍

“She’s such a fascinating mix of contradictions.”

“She’s sassy and feisty, and she pokes at me all the time and knocks me down a peg—and yet I still find myself sharing with her.”

What I really loved was that Chloe wasn’t just the person who brought light into Sawyer’s life — she was also someone who understood what it felt like to be afraid of getting hurt again.

“I worry she’ll hurt me.”

That line says so much about Sawyer. He wants Chloe, but wanting someone means risking everything he’s built walls around. And watching him slowly realize she was worth that risk?? Made me swoon 😍

The best part about Sawyer is that his feelings aren’t just words — he shows Chloe through his actions.

“He shows up in other ways. Like when he says he enjoys watching me work, how he’s helped me build my business, how he talks me up, and most of all, how he believes in me. In this steady, supportive, quiet way.”

Because THAT is the kind of love I love reading about 😭 He isn’t just saying the right things — he’s showing her she’s worth believing in, worth supporting, and worth choosing.

“I’m not sure I’ve ever been happier. It’s weird, this feeling. But not unwelcome at all. It feels like…like Darling Springs is becoming home. And so is Chloe.”

Watching Sawyer go from someone who sees everything in black and white to someone willing to bend, take risks, and let someone in was so good.

“It’s time for me to bend. To color outside the lines. To make a change.”

Both Chloe and Sawyer face their fears together, and I loved every minute of it—giving us the ultimate payoff:

“This one’s for the woman who turned my life upside down in the best possible way. She’s the one I didn’t know I needed—and now I can’t live without.”

“Chloe, where you are, that’s home.”

This book had all the grumpy x sunshine energy, workplace tension, adorable dogs, spice, and emotional growth that made it impossible not to root for Chloe and Sawyer. Lauren Blakely’s writing is always so addicting, and I genuinely couldn’t get enough of this return to Darling Springs - I cannot wait for what I’m assuming is Bridget’s story next 😍

Thank you to NetGalley, Cosmo Reads, and Lauren Blakely for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chloe Rivers is having a bad day. Sawyer Dumont is having an equally bad day. Two strangers meet at a ridiculous party and end up having one ridiculously hot night at a hotel.

Chloe is a bit of a hot mess. She just lost her job and needs a new one, her car is on its last wheels, and she is struggling to make ends meet. Her ex did a number on her life. She is friendly, easygoing, a bit of a risk-taker, and impulsive.

Sawyer is broody, confident, organized, alpha, and takes charge. He has been burned by love and is starting over, and trying to focus on business expansion.

Together, they make each other's night much brighter than their day.

But a funny thing happens on the opening day of the new doggie day care in town.

These two are so much fun together, even when they are not trying to be. They respond strongly, have amazing chemistry, get into their own heads but say what they are thinking, and challenge each other. But they also both have reasons not to act on their attraction or try for anything more. But they taunt, tease, and tempt each other and have a few slip-ups and miscommunication issues. They have common goals and their lives are intertwined by work and their pasts have left trust issues and fears, and they do not want to jeopardize the new businesses they are building.

But sometimes the heart and body want what they want, and the mind starts to lose the battle.

I loved these two! They were opposites but balanced each other. They are both stubborn and confident in what they want, but can also find compromise. They like to one-up each other. They tease and flirt even though they know they shouldn't. It is just so obvious how much they like each other, even when they try not to or upset the other. Their sexual tension and chemistry simmer, and they are combustible in the bedroom together. But they both have big trust issues and plenty of reasons they think a real WE would not be a good idea.

Chloe is sunny, sassy, feisty, impulsive, honest, and she is not afraid to take risks or ask for what she wants. She loves to tease and taunt him and gets under his skin.

Sawyer is Mr. Serious Businessman and Boss, but he knows what he wants. He is usually a rule-follower, professional, efficient, analytical, and stubborn. He pays attention and is a good listener. She crashes into his world, sending it spinning, making him say things he shouldn't, and challenging all of his rules. And they find themselves sharing secrets and gaining a better understanding of each other, and taking baby steps toward building trust.

This is a sweet, hot, witty, and fun, grumpy-sunshine, opposites-attract, small-town, mixing business with pleasure romance with shared secrets, surprises, teasing, temptation, amazing chemistry, and all the feels. They both have baggage, past pain, and trust issues that run deep. They have shared goals. And they try to have boundaries in place, but their rebel hearts do not want to be contained, and those pesky feelings keep getting involved. This one had me totally invested, smiling, swooning, fanning myself, and having so much fun!

This brings back the girl crew and some characters from It Seemed Like a Good Idea and some other LB world cameos. And there are dogs. Lots of cute dogs. And supportive family and friends wingman-ing and helping along the way.

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[Cigi cini · Rating 4 out of 5]

💼 Workplace Romance
🏡 Small Town Romance
🌙 One Night Stand
🚫 Forbidden Romance
☀️ Grumpy x Sunshine
🏠 Forced Proximity
💞 Fighting the Feelings
🩰 Dance Lessons
🐶 Dog Lover Romance
😂 Quirky Side Characters
💖 Rom Com
✨ Happily Ever After

Star: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Narrators: Connor Crais | Vanessa Edwin

I've Got A Crush On You is a charming, laugh out loud, and irresistibly swoony small-town romance that had me smiling from beginning to end. Lauren Blakely delivers the perfect blend of witty banter, sizzling chemistry, heartfelt emotion, and lovable characters in this second book of the Darling Springs series. While it works beautifully as a standalone, returning to this quirky little town made the story even more enjoyable.

Sawyer is the ultimate grumpy hero. Serious, hardworking, and determined to keep his personal and professional lives separate, he has absolutely no intention of falling for the bubbly woman who literally crashes into his life. Watching his carefully built walls slowly crumbled was one of my favourite parts of the story. Beneath his reserved exterior is an incredibly caring, protective man who never stood a chance once he realised how special she was.

Chloe is impossible not to love. She is sunshine in every sense of the word, bringing warmth, humour, and optimism wherever she goes. After being burned by a workplace romance in the past, she is determined not to repeat her mistakes, but fate has other ideas. I loved how passionate she was about building her dog training business, and her determination, kindness, and infectious personality made her such an easy heroine to cheer for.

The chemistry between Sawyer and Chloe is immediate and electric. From their unforgettable first meeting to the hilarious workplace tension that follows, every interaction sparkles with playful banter and undeniable attraction. Their dance lessons were some of my favourite scenes, delivering plenty of flirty moments while allowing their emotional connection to deepen naturally. The romance felt sweet, sexy, and incredibly satisfying as both characters slowly realised that fighting their feelings was becoming impossible.

The small-town setting once again shines, with quirky supporting characters, adorable dogs, and a close-knit community that adds so much warmth and humour to the story. Lauren Blakely balances the romance perfectly with heartfelt moments, laugh out loud situations, and just enough emotional depth to make the relationship feel authentic without losing the lighthearted rom com vibe.

Connor Crais and Vanessa Edwin were absolutely fantastic in duet narration. Connor captures Sawyer's gruff, protective personality perfectly while still bringing out his softer, vulnerable side. Vanessa gives Chloe so much warmth, humour, and charm that she instantly becomes someone you want to spend time with. Together they have incredible chemistry, making every flirtatious exchange, emotional moment, and laugh out loud scene even more enjoyable.

I've Got A Crush On You is a feel-good romance filled with heart, humour, chemistry, and plenty of swoon. If you love grumpy heroes, sunshine heroines, workplace romance, small town charm, and stories that leave you smiling long after the final chapter, this is one you won't want to miss.

[Dali · Rating 5 out of 5]

One unforgettable night with a sexy stranger is harmless… until he turns out to be her new boss. 🐶🔥

Read if you like:
☀️ Grumpy-sunshine
💼 Workplace romance
🔥 One-night stand to lovers
🐶 Adorable dogs everywhere
🏘️ Small-town romance
💃 Dance lessons and Dirty Dancing moments
😏 Teasing, temptation, and witty banter
❤️ Opposites who perfectly balance each other

Chloe Rivers and Sawyer Dumont are both having terrible days when they meet at a chaotic birthday party. After Sawyer rescues Chloe from an unexpected dip in the lake, one thing leads to another, and their night becomes much hotter than either of them anticipated.

It should have remained one unforgettable encounter between strangers.

Then Chloe discovers that Sawyer owns the new doggy daycare where she has been hired to provide training services.

Sawyer is organized, serious, and determined to keep his new business running smoothly. Chloe is sunny, impulsive, and not afraid to crash straight through every carefully constructed rule he has put in place. They may be complete opposites, but from the moment they reunite, their chemistry is impossible to ignore.

I loved Chloe’s sassy, fearless personality. She is going through a difficult season after losing her job and dealing with the damage caused by her ex, but she refuses to stop taking chances on herself. She works hard to grow her dog-training business, speaks her mind, and has absolutely no problem teasing Sawyer until his controlled exterior begins to crack.

Sawyer might be Mr. Serious Businessman, but underneath the tailored suits and grumpy attitude is a thoughtful man who listens, pays attention, and understands Chloe far better than she expects. He has his own trust issues and plenty of reasons to avoid another complicated relationship, but Chloe brings energy, spontaneity, and happiness back into his carefully ordered life.

These two were so much fun together. They taunt, challenge, and constantly try to one-up each other, even while insisting they should keep things professional. Their sexual tension simmers deliciously, their chemistry is explosive, and it is painfully obvious how much they like each other long before either of them is willing to admit it.

I also appreciated that beneath the flirting and heat, Chloe and Sawyer slowly begin sharing their fears and secrets. Both have been hurt by previous relationships, and neither wants to jeopardize the new businesses they are building. Watching them take small steps toward trusting each other gave the romance more emotional depth.

Add in dance lessons, a charity performance, supportive friends and family, familiar Lauren Blakely cameos, and lots of adorable dogs, and I’ve Got a Crush on You becomes a sweet, witty, sexy romance that had me smiling, swooning, and thoroughly entertained.

QOTD: Which would make it harder to resist a workplace crush: dance lessons, forced proximity, or seeing them surrounded by puppies every day?

#IveGotACrushOnYou #LaurenBlakely #GrumpySunshine #WorkplaceRomance #RomanceBookReview

[Sue Galuska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chloe Rivers is trying to get her dog training business, Paw-sitive Dog Training off the ground running after losing her job at her ex-husband August's dad's company. When Chloe gets invited to a birthday party for comedian Florence Faye's dog whom she's training, Chloe knows she must go because it could be a good networking experience. Chloe is having an ok time until she heads to the bar to get a drink and sees the tall, dark haired gorgeous guy. Enter Sawyer Durmont. Chloe and Sawyer are chatting away, throwing balls for dogs to chase into the water when a huge mastiff knocks her down into the water. Of course Sawyer pulls her out and the chemistry sizzles. Soon they are heading to her hotel room where they spend one super steamy night. As one night stands go this one is an A+ but Chloe needs to head home back to Darling Springs, CA and get on with her life.

A month later Dog Tails, a new dog daycare / dog grooming store is being opened in Darling Springs. The new owner even hired all of the previous dog daycare workers that lost their job when it closed. Chloe quickly talks to the manager and gets approval to use space in the building for her training company. Chloe is all excited to meet the new owner until guess who shows up Sawyer....and he acts like he doesn't even know her! How can the guy she meet a month ago be the same guy? Then he starts accusing her of all kinds of things!

Of course the more time these two spend together, the more their chemistry starts to ignite until they find themselves having another one night stand that turns into many nights until they find themselves in a secret relationship. When Chloe accidentally finds out about Sawyer's secret second identity things escalate between the two of them. When an issue with Chloe's mom's fundraiser happens, Chloe finds herself blackmailing Sawyer into stepping in and filling the roll. During rehearsing for their part of the fundraiser, Chloe and Sawyer start finding that they are falling really hard but because of thing from their pasts they are both reluctant. Just when it looks like they have found their happy ending, the past comes rushing back and ruins everything. It will take a huge act of love to get these two love birds back together but in the end they will finally have their happy ever after.

I just loved this very steamy love story. Chloe was such a fun character. She knew what she wanted and wasn't afraid to get it. Sawyer was such an interesting character. He had so many different sides to him it was fun watching them come out. I just adored these two together. I loved all of the dogs, especially Chloe's dog Captain. This whole package was very enjoyable and I can't wait for Bridget's book to come out next!

[Karen Chan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a charming comedic rom-com.
Chloe finds herself out of a job when her obnoxious ex-husband, whom she works with, lays all the blame for a disaster on her. Her boss is actually her ex-father-in-law and, of course, believes his weaselly son and fires her.
Wondering how she's going to manage with only her newly formed dog training business. At a dog party, an incident with an actress's dog, a lake and a handsome man leads to said actress hiring Chloe to train her dog. After spending a romantic night with the handsome man, they recall their disastrous recent past.
Chloe is excited when the local Doggy Day Care reopens, and she negotiates with the manager to hire a space to run her dog training business.
The owner is going to be there on her first day, so she buys pastries for all the staff. To her horror, it's the man from the night. He accuses her of stalking him, which leads to good sparring banter.
Sawyer has a franchise of doggy day care businesses and has decided to run this one; he finds it uncomfortable that he will be working closely with Chloe.
After the actress recommends Chloe to her friends, she gets more clients and the programme that they and their dogs work in wants to bring it to Darling Springs; both Sawyer and Chloe want their businesses to benefit. Winning the contract to offer both day care and training.
When Chloe finds out about Sawyer's alter ego, Sam Silversmith, she promises to keep his identity secret for a favour to be collected later.
Their friendship grows, and their snarky banter seems part and parcel of their relationship. When the singer at Chloe's mother's charity event calls in her favour and press-gangs Sawyer into singing.
At an event for the programme, Chloe's ex turns up with her rival dog trainer, who failed to get the gig. Her ex tries to give his idea for dog weddings using the trainer with him; she asks for his business card. Then her ex tells Sawyer to enjoy his sloppy seconds; Sawyer defends Chloe and slyly orchestrates her ex ending up in the lake.
After Sawyer has an anxious moment about not being professional, he talks with Chloe, and somehow she thinks he's breaking up with her.
When he gets a call to meet up with the woman with whom he negotiated the contract and had talked to Chloe's ex, Sawyer is sure he would lose the contract. But the best bit was why she'd taken the business card, so she knew who not to call or answer calls.
Sawyer talks to his father, and he finally understands how he feels and what he needs to do.
At the charity event, he performs with Chloe, then he outs himself as Sam Silversmith to everyone, shocking Chloe.
They talked and finally got their happy ending.

[Etnies75 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our story begins with Chloe who’s just been fired unfairly because of her ex-boyfriend, her side gig of being a dog trainer will have to pick up if she wants to make ends meet and grow her business, she lands a job with a big client who invites her to her dog’s birthday party, sounds amazing right? An opportunity to mingle and get more clients, well fate had other plans since she gets thrown into a pond by a cute puppy, guess who’s her knight in shining armor? A sexy stranger called Sawyer who makes sure it’s a night neither of them will ever forget…

Everything seems fine until Sawyer turns out to be the owner of the new doggy daycare in Darling Springs and the new landlord for her dog training business, this has disaster written all over it, workplace romances rarely work and things can get awkward really fast… that makes anything more than a professional relationship off limits, oh if only things were that simple, after both of their businesses land a deal as support for a tv show being filmed in their small town they begin to spend more time together and the lines between them start getting blurrier, it’s almost impossible to ignore the attraction and chemistry that’s been there since that first night.

I truly enjoyed this story, I was fortunate enough to not only get an ARC but also an ALC, the narrators did an amazing job at bringing all of the characters to life, especially Chloe and Sawyer, I was hooked with their chemistry and their banter, they tried to fight their attraction so badly but some things are just meant to be, I loved watching how even though both of them were hurt by past relationships they always trusted each other and were always protective of one another. This book had me kicking my feet, giggling and swooning the entire time.

Favorite quote:

“But trust me, sweetheart. Resisting you is the hardest thing I do all day.”

“You knew you’d break your rules?” “Chloe, have you met me? I can’t stay away from you.”

This book was spicy, funny and unique, it was like a cozy hug, if you like small town romances, one night stands that turn out to be soooo much more than that, grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity and all of the bestest boys and girls ever aka puppies then this is the book for you! This is my second Lauren Blakely book and it won’t be my last, the way Lauren writes has made her one of my auto buy authors and after the way this book ended I immediately wanted to reach for book 3 in the Darling Springs series to continue with Bridget’s story. Thank you so much to Lauren Blakely for the amazing story and ALC! Can’t wait for book 3!

[Jennifer English · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get to ready book 1 as an ARC so when I saw they had book 2 up on NetGalley also, I requested it right away. Thankfully Cosmo Reads approved my request so I got to go back to Darling Springs and meet our next couple.

Chloe is a bit of a mess, she lost her job thanks to an ex-husband, who is also the owners son, by throwing her under the bus when his publicity stunt goes wrong. She drives a car thats falling apart that she calls Roxie and she's trying to get her own business off the ground. She decides to go to a party she was invited to, to try to cheer herself up. Oh. Um, y'all, its a party for a dog, with lots of other dogs. Dogs that aren't trained, well, some of them anyway. At least one. The one that knocks her into a pond.

Sawyer comes to her rescue, because hes a good guy and because he's been attracted to her since he saw her arrive at the party. This leads to a one night stand, where they decide to have a "who had the worst story" to have desert rights. Since Sawyer caught his fiancé cheating, he won. They decide to keep to first names only because its only one night. Though what a hot one night it was.

Fast forward a month, someone is finally re-opening the Doggy Daycare in Darling Springs and Chole finds out theres a space available that she could use for her dog training business, so she starts renting it out. Imagine her surprise when she finds out Sawyer is the new owner and imagine his surprise seeing Chloe. He puts his foot in his mouth big time. BIG time. Then they find out a WebFlix show is going to be shot in their town, a show that has a major dog star in it, and they are needing a place to serve as a pet store and a doggy daycare for the show. So our one night stand lovers are thrown together time and time again, trying to land the store as the location with Chloe training both the extra dogs and the star for specific parts of the show. And then more as the show progresses.

You know and I know what happens when people who are attracted to each other, get thrown together time after time. Yeah, the attraction wins out and things get spicey. Just one more time, becomes two more, becomes three more until the secret love affair they thought they were having becomes something everyone is commenting on. I adored this story, Sawyer showed Chloe over and over how much he cared, even when he said he didnt, even when he pushed her away. And the dude loved his desert too. 😏😏😏iykyk If only men were like that in real life. 😂

[Jo Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’VE GOT A CRUSH ON YOU by LAUREN BLAKELY ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’ve Got A Crush On You is the second (#2) book in the DARLING SPRINGS series.

Dog trainer Chloe Rivers day has been a total disaster but it perks up after an accident throws her in the path of handsome stranger Sawyer Dumont. After spending an incredibly hot night together they agree it was a one time thing and go their separate ways.

When Chloe’s dog training business takes off she starts searching for somewhere to do her training but suitable space is not only hard to find but extremely expensive.

When a new doggy daycare opens up in Darling Springs it seems the answer to her prayers but Chloe realises the new manager is none other than her one night stand, Sawyer.

The pair strive to put their night together behind them and work together professionally, but when Chloe needs a dance partner for a town fundraiser, quirky Sawyer seems to be the answer to her prayers.

As the pair dive into dance lessons, their attraction soon grows and soon they find themselves succumbing to their undeniable chemistry……

—————————————

This book is a delightfully hilarious, easy summer read and I enjoyed it so much I straight away ordered book one in the series.

Chloe and Sawyer have both disastrous relationships which has left them both reluctant to trust in love and means they hold each other at arms length even whilst being unable to resist their attraction at first sight and the chemistry that is burning between them.

This chemistry leads to LOTS of quite explicit open door spicy scenes.

Sawyer runs a doggy daycare and Chloe is a dog trainer so there is inevitably lots of cute, cuddly, gorgeous pups in this story.

Chloe and Sawyer constantly tease each other though Sawyer is constantly fighting his belief that he has to keep a very professional demeanour at all times and this leads to some misunderstanding between them.

There are no end of high jinx going on which leads to plenty of funny moments and these are backed up with lots of quirky side characters that add to the delightful storyline.

This book would make a perfect beach read.

I read an ebook version of this humorous book with around 460 pages (print edition), a pretty illustrated cover and good editing. It releases on July 28th

With thanks to Lauren Blakely and Hambright PR for an early chance to read this delightful book. All comments are my own honest, unbiased opinion.

🐕 Grumpy/Sunshine
🐕 Small Town Romance
🐕 One Night Stand
🐕 Spicy 🔥🔥🔥
🐕 LOTS Of Furry Canines!

[HolleeJane · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ I’ve Got a Crush on You

Author: Lauren Blakely
Narrators: Vanessa Edwin & Connor Crais
Format: Audiobook
Thank you to Hambright PR for providing this audiobook!

🌶️🌶️🌶️ Spice: 3/5

Lauren Blakely absolutely nailed the feel-good summer rom-com with I’ve Got a Crush on You! This was such a fun, sweet, and surprisingly spicy audiobook that had me smiling from beginning to end.

The story follows Chloe, a dog trainer starting her own business, and Sawyer, the serious, grumpy owner of a growing pet daycare and grooming company who’s opening a new location in Darling Springs. After one unforgettable night filled with undeniable chemistry, they discover they’re going to be working closely together and keeping their hands off each other becomes nearly impossible.

The chemistry between Chloe and Sawyer is off the charts. Their flirty banter, playful teasing, and constant push-and-pull made this romance so entertaining. While both characters carry trust issues from past relationships, I loved watching them slowly lower their walls and realize they were exactly what the other needed. Their emotional growth felt natural and rewarding.

Sawyer completely stole the show for me. On the surface he’s all business and permanently serious, but underneath those layers is a man with the most unexpectedly adorable secret hobby that had me laughing out loud. Watching Chloe discover that side of him was one of my favorite parts of the book.

The pacing is excellent, the writing is witty, and the humor lands perfectly. Between the small-town charm, lovable cast, dog-filled setting, laugh-out-loud moments, and swoony romance, this was everything I want in a summer rom-com.

The audiobook was fantastic. Vanessa Edwin and Connor Crais delivered outstanding performances, bringing so much personality and emotion to these characters. Connor Crais remains one of my favorite narrators, and honestly, if he’s narrating it, there’s a very good chance I’m picking it up.

If you’re looking for a charming, funny, heartfelt romance with fantastic chemistry, adorable dogs, plenty of laughs, and just the right amount of spice, definitely add I’ve Got a Crush on You to your summer TBR. Lauren Blakely delivers another winner!

[The Lit · Rating 4 out of 5]

🚨 SPOILER ALERT: READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!
​I am giving I've Got a Crush on You by Lauren Blakely an absolute 4.5-star review. ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
​This book completely stole my heart! It is a beautifully written, incredibly charming romance that you will want to download onto your Kindle immediately. The emotional payoff and the pure sweetness of the main couple kept me completely hooked from start to finish.
​ARC Disclosure: Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing an early digital review copy (eARC). All thoughts and reflections shared here are entirely my own.
​The Review
​I've Got a Crush on You welcomes readers into a brilliantly paced contemporary romance that expertly subverts classic relationship expectations. The narrative starts with a clear, familiar friction, setting up a seemingly traditional push-and-pull dynamic between the main leads. However, as the layers begin to peel back, the story transforms into a deeply emotional, incredibly sweet exploration of vulnerability, certainty, and mutual respect. Lauren Blakely delivers a standout romance filled with sharp wit, beautiful romantic tension, and a core partnership that feels completely earned.
​The Good
​Though this starts as a grumpy x sunshine story... Sawyer truly is the most endearing MMC in the world! I absolutely loved him. It was so completely obvious that he fell first and harder, and watching him navigate those massive feelings was an absolute joy.
​Chloe was a great FMC too! The way she knows what she wants is amazing, bringing a refreshing level of confidence, agency, and clarity to the plot. I really enjoyed the dynamics between these two. Their banter is elite, their communication is stellar, and the mutual respect underlying their relationship makes their connection feel beautifully genuine and strong.
​The Not So Good
​Honestly, there is very little to complain about here! The only reason it's a 4.5 instead of a perfect 5 is that the external conflict in the final third felt slightly rushed compared to the incredibly deliberate, magnificent build-up of their romance. But because the central dynamic is so flawless, it barely impacts the overall reading experience