A Heart for the Homeless: Sisters of Stella Mare, Book 1

by Annie M. Ballard, Mallory Fuccella (Narrator)

Dogs, dogs, and more dogs. That's what Dorie keeps bringing home. How long can she keep this up?

Dorie Madison has dedicated her young life to helping dogs—whether it’s running a struggling dog spa or volunteering at County Rescue. But when she starts noticing an alarming trend of abandoned animals and shady breeders, she realizes there’s more to the story than bad luck. Someone is profiting from vulnerable dogs, and Dorie won’t stand by and let it happen. Even though her father thinks she needs to grow up and get a real job.

Chad Whitmore, a videographer on a break from his demanding career, never expected to get involved in Dorie’s crusade. In fact, he thinks she’s a little silly but can’t stop thinking about her. After witnessing her dedication firsthand, he jumps in to help. Together, they uncover a growing crisis—one that powerful people would rather keep quiet.

As Dorie fights for the animals who have no voice, she risks her reputation, her business, and even her safety. But some causes are worth the fight. And besides, afterward, there’s pizza.

A Heart for the Homeless is an enjoyable listen about a tough issue. It’s full of dogs, family fun, and a little bit of romance.

Genres: Womens Fiction, Fiction

Audible Audio

Published July 8, 2025

About the author

Thanks for stopping by!

I'm Annie when I'm writing fiction, and as Annie and IRL I'm a dual citizen of the US and Canada. I grew up in New England and moved to the Canadian Maritimes as an adult and then discovered my ancestral roots were here.

I like to read almost anything....but I love to WRITE stories about women and their families...families found, made and constructed in various ways.

When I'm in non-fiction mode, I write books and articles to help counselors and therapists learn skills to help in therapy. I'm a somatic psychotherapist and psychologist, madly in love with the energy of the human spirit, and delighted to write and talk about that any time.

Annie aka Leslie

Reviews

[Anindita ლ · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was enjoyable to read. The story included a few intriguing or surprising conflicts, and it was sweet.

A Heart For the Homeless is a lovely book because it combines an engaging issue with page-turning action and approachable prose.

The majority of the action is focused on the exploitation of animals, with secondary themes including a romance between foes and loves, family turmoil, fraud, unlicensed dog fighting, and help for senior pet owners that are handle in such distinct ways.

I heartily suggest this gripping tale to everyone who enjoys animals theme and wants to read something quick and uplifting.

I received from BookSirens an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a wonderful story

Millenial Dorie Madison, dog groomer and dog lover, stumbles into a doggone lot of trouble in her little village home of Stella Mare. Wonderful setting details filled characters who are complex and realistic. Great start to the Sisters of Stella Mare series.

[Carol (Reading Ladies) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks @BookSirens for a complimentary e ARC of #AHeartForTheHomeless upon my request. All opinions are my own.

For fans of animal rescue….

In A Heart For the Homeless, Dorrie loves dogs and is trying to turn her Pampered Pooch business into a successful enterprise. Her family is critical of the money-losing venture and, honestly, she’d rather give more time to dog rescue than grooming. One day, she meets Chad when he brings in his grandmother’s dog for grooming. Even though he asks her out, their first date doesn’t go well. However, Chad is a photojournalist and Dorrie and Chad keep running into each other at the sites of various animal rescue missions. One day, their interest in animal rescue takes a dangerous turn at the same time Chad’s grandmother is hospitalized. Can they set aside their first-date disaster and work together to protect mistreated dogs and care for the grandmother?

A Heart For the Homeless is a pleasant mix of substantial content and page-turning action. The mistreatment of animals drives the majority of the action, and side themes include enemies-to-lovers romance, family drama, corruption, illegal dog fighting, and support for elderly pet owners.

Helping seniors with their pets as they are unable to care for them is a significant and heartfelt part of the story. It’s an issue that wasn’t on my radar and I appreciate the attention to the concern.

Although there’s a significant focus in A Heart For the Homeless on animal rescue, it includes a contentious relationship and growing attraction between Chad and Dorrie. Enemies to lovers is always a fun trope!

Thoughtful themes include finding your meaning and purpose in life, support for seniors, treatment of animals, organizational corruption, and community.

I enthusiastically recommend this compelling story for animal lovers and fans of enemies-to-lovers romance.

Content Considerations: illegal dog fighting activities

For more reviews visit my blog www.readingladies.com where this review was first published.

[Lia Lorimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I initially considered a 4-star rating as, despite enjoying the book, I received the repeated impression that there had been a previous book (c.f. Dorie’s childhood ‘challenges’ with 3 older sisters and the illness and death of her mum).
As the pace of the plot picked up, however, this aspect became insignificant! The multiple storylines appeared unrelated to begin with and were almost a reflection of Dorie’s chaotic and rather aimless lifestyle. Annie Ballard’s skilful linking of the various threads resulted in a book that keeps the reader fully immersed until the final page.
Dorie’s love of dogs and her concern for their welfare is inspirational to pet-lovers… and encouraging to those who have little interest in owning a pet. Impulsive and headstrong, she manages to overcome her family’s opinion of her as the ‘immature baby sister’ as, with Chad, she uncovers animal cruelty at its worst and ultimately creates a safe environment for her canine friends.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sarah Branson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Lovely read!

"A Heart for the Homeless" by Annie Ballard is a heartwarming romance novel that follows the story of two characters, Dorie and Chad, as they come together to rescue dogs from an illegal dogfighting ring. Dorie, one of three sisters on Stella Mare, is a dog lover who is more passionate about rescuing dogs than succeeding at her dog grooming business. Chad, an introverted photojournalist, can’t seem to get his words right his disastrous first date with Dorie. But their romance blossoms as they work together to save the dogs. The novel showcases the transformation of the two characters as they go from being at odds to finding love and a common goal. Overall, "A Heart for the Homeless" is a touching and uplifting read for those who enjoy novels with romance, interesting family dynamics and, of course, dogs.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dorie is running a struggling dog grooming business and gets critical comments from her family all the time. When she gets notice that the landlord is selling the building she must close down. She ends up meeting Chad at a dog rescue. As they start getting to know each other… they help an old lady's dog, bust up a dog fighting ring and start rescuing dogs themselves all while falling in love. Good love story and who can resist dogs!!

I received an ARC and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Amanda Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was iffy of this story at the beginning. Big events were just kinda skipped and we were told about the aftermath of things like their date, the what happened to the rent issue, etc.

I felt like there was a lot going on in this book, almost too much, and it never quite felt like it was a romance or that the romance aspect was important, but the dog part and the mystery was more than enough to keep me reading.

Overall, good book, but don't go into it looking for sappy.

[Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

An uplifting book for dog lovers

This heartwarming and well-written story follows a young woman’s journey as she finds purpose in life through her passion for dogs. The author is obviously well acquainted with dog welfare issues and explores some of these with compassion, but without distressing detail. A sweet love story is woven through the plot.

[Rach3l · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read. It was a sweet story with some interesting/unexpected conflict. Very enjoyable

Side note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review

[Krystal Rodger · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a dog lover the concept drew me in. Overall it was a cute story but did drag a little.

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dorie is a huge dog lover and will do anything to save a few, even if this leads her into trouble. This was a quick and easy read. It did have a few surprising plot twists. I loved the idea of a book about saving dogs. Heck who doesn't?

However, I found the book to be written in a younger style. I could easily see this story recommended for middle school-age students. There were quite a few spelling issues too.

The story seemed to have so many issues going on at one time. A little too much in my opinion. With all the craziness going on the book should have been more fast-paced, but it tended to drag a little.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this clean romance!
There were heart-wrenching moments and suspense. The author brought to light the plight of pet homelessness (when a pet owner is unable to care for their pet due to elderliness or illness).
The author even threw in the nasty issue of dog fighting and managed to weave all it together into an interesting and engaging story.
As a Canadian I, of course, loved that the story was set in Canada!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.