Gwen Benedetti has spent most of her life being a disappointment to her wealthy parents, who don’t understand why she has to be a professional dog walker and pet sitter when, in their mind, she could be so much more. Gwen loves her job working with animals, her small New Orleans apartment, and the life she’s made for herself. The only thing she’s missing is someone at her side to share that life with.
Juliet Francis is a corporate trainer at Southern Roastery, a growing coffee chain, and when an opportunity to take on a little extra work comes with a possible future promotion, she grabs it. The only downside is that it comes with a lot of travel, and that means leaving her dog at home alone.
When Juliet requests Gwen’s dog-walking and pet-sitting services, she thinks she’s only getting someone to take care of her dog, but as they continue to spend time together, she discovers she might get a lot more than that.
Nicole Pyland is a bestselling author of lesbian romance novels, including No After You, All the Love Songs, and the series like Chicago, San Francisco, Tahoe, Sports, Boston, and more. Since 2017, she’s published over 30 novels (not including her What Happened After shorts), and more books are on their way!
Nicole grew up in Indiana, studying English & Film and then getting a MS in Behavior Analysis and moving to California, working by day as a Head of Training at a start-up. She lives with her wife and their opinionated cat, who spends his evenings helping her write stories by occupying half the chair.
Gwen and Juliette fall pretty quickly and easily. Most of the changes the MCs are having to overcome challenges in their career paths. I really liked Gwen’s character and how she forges her own path with her career. Also a fan of Larry and Gary. This Nicole Pyland series is just my go-to easy reads for 2025. Can she just write the timeline we are living in, instead of the actual timeline that is happening?
Nicole Pyland's "September" is the ninth book in the New Orleans series featuring dog walker Gwen and Juliet, a coffee brand trainer. The novel, filled with found family dynamics, family relationships, and low angst, also has a couple of cute pets.
With all the feel-good elements, this was an easy read, like receiving a comforting hug from the pages.
September is the 9th book in Nicole Pyland's New Orleans series. And all I can really think to say after reading it is: This book has just the right amount of everything in it!
It follows Gwen who is the best dog walker/pet sitter in the city. She comes from a well-off family but has chosen to live life in her own way - surrounded by animals (which is literally the best way to live). One day she gets a request to walk/sitter a small white terrier and her life changes forever.
Juliet, works as a trainer for a large coffee company and is suddenly thrust into a traveling training role one day when her boss is fired due to a scandal. Jules has to find someone to take care of her dog, Carly, while she's gone and that person just so happens to be the love of her life.
Nicole teaches the reader about coffee making/roasting, the stresses that come with constant work-related travel, and how to take a leap of faith.
It's such a beautiful story. Both Gwen and Jules have their big life chaos that is happening in the background but it is clear from the beginning that there is something there between them. They bring out the best in each other, understand each other, are willing to do whatever they possibly can to make the other happy or to help relieve stress. The drama is not overwhelming, the angst isn't too high, and the sex is steamy.
If you love romance, women, animals, and/or coffee then September is the book for you.
With September being the 9th book in Nicole Pyland’s New Orleans Series, it means we are now ¾ of the way through the series. This 9th book was another enjoyable read. You have Gwen, a dog walker, who was introduced in book 8 and Juliet, an instructor/ staff trainer for a coffee chain.
This book was a low angst read that had both characters taking chances in their professional lives to be happier in their careers. Of course, it also featured an adorable dog, Carly, who was the main reason behind Gwen and Juliet meeting. The chemistry between Gwen and Juliet was instant and just relatable. This was definitely one of Nicole Pyland’s books that I didn’t want to end, and I was sad when I realized the book was finished.
One thing I love so far about the New Orleans Series has been that the characters from each book have been everyday people going through life with relatable challenges and struggles. I have greatly enjoyed this series and look forward to reading the last three books in this series as they are published.
This was cute and I was just enjoying the read when suddenly I turned the page and it showed “October”; I was like damn it’s over! Lol
As always it was an easy read and the character development is great. The continuance of the old lady is awesome; she spoke a whole lot more this time around and to both parties. It’s still an insta love ordeal with lesbian U-haul tendencies and incorporates the characters from the other books as well; which makes it such a great community feel.
That being said, I wasn’t as invested, as Gwen was not a integral person in the initial construct of the series to really need a book about her. The same could be said about Molly and Finely coming up but I’ll still read the books anyway. So for that, it’s just an ok read for me garnering three stars. It also seemed a bit flat, no emotional manipulation; outside of the phone call Gwen made to her mom.
If you are looking for the perfect feel-good read, September is it. You first meet Juliet, who seems like one of the nicest friends you could possibly find. She finds herself recently single, with a new dog and a new job. Accepting the new role of her job leads her to meet Gwen, who was introduced in August, the previous book in The New Orleans Series. Gwen is laid-back, loyal, down-to-earth, and constantly selling herself short. She has a lot of family drama, but doesn’t let it hold her back. Most importantly, she also happens to be a dog walker whom Juliet ends up hiring. There were many moments when I found myself laughing at the hilarious situations that Juliet mostly manages to get into. Plus, there are dogs! I thought I found my favorite book in the series a while ago, but September may have just taken the top spot.
#9 in the NOLA series and I think it might be up there with my favorite so far which is July. This story follows Gwen and Juliet. If you’re reading the series in order which I totally recommend, we meet Gwen in August. I thought she was great from the beginning. I really enjoyed seeing Gwen navigating through life and meeting Juliet in September. The relationship felt so genuine. A great part of the story is that Juliet is in need of a dog sitter and Gwen is a dog sitter so the dog being the reason why they meet is cute and awesome. I love animals and the fact that they both do as well makes them even more like able for me.
I think it’s a great read, with a great story learning about each character and with a little spice which is always a nice bonus. They are a nice addition the growing NOLA family and looking forward to reading October.
Literally read this in one sitting! As many know, I’m a huge fan of Nicole Pyland’s, and I think she knocks every book right of out of the park but this one was knocked wayyyyy out of the park!
Gwen loves her life as a dog walker but just wants someone to share it with. Juliet has just been promoted at work and needs someone to care for her fur baby, Carly. When she finds Gwen on through an app service they hit it off immediately. Gwen cares for Carly as much as Juliet does and it’s pretty much love at first sight for all three of them.
I think what put this one over the top for me was how much the dog Carly was a part of it. I’m a sucker for a cute doggo! But honestly, the way Gwen knows Juliet is struggling with leaving her dog behind while she travels for work and the sweet things she does for Juliet to help ease that is just the cutest. They’re the cutest couple so far!
You know how your reading a book and your so in to it you don’t realized you’ve reached the end, but the page won’t turn anymore? Don’t get me wrong the story had a good ending, but the story was so well written I wanted it to keep going. The characters were relatable and enjoyable to learn about. Gwen is a professional dog walker who meets Juliet when Juliet’s job unexpectedly changes and she has to travel a lot leaving her dog all alone. The two quickly form a friendship. Their love story happens naturally but as I said, with each turn of the page I wanted the story to continue, and so will you.
Ok, so this book was really good and it reminded me so much of my wife and I. It also made me try beignets for the first time and now I can say they are delicious!! Gwen and Juliet are so cute together. Their love of dogs is what brought them together. Gwen being the perfect dog walker/sitter for Juliet's sweet Carly. The 2 of them clicked right off the bat. It's just a sweet love story from beginning to end. There is little to no drama and as always we get that happily ever after. These 2 are going to be my favorite couple for the rest of this series.
September brings a lot of heart to a story about puppy and human love.
Puppies, work stress, familial woes, and love oh my. Let’s admit it, sometimes work and family are a drain. The only thing that can make it better is the love of a good dog or woman.
September follows two women dealing with their individual stress. Fortunately they find each other and take comfort in the joy of a new relationship.
This is a sweet story with a reminder that we don’t need to carry all burdens alone.
So much happens in September! Hot, enticing and fun!
Nicole Poland just keeps the blood flowing in New Orleans! This series is delicious, and heart warming. Gwen and Juliet meet, Elisa and Myra strengthen their relationship, the twins are off to college, there are weddings to plan and so much love in the air. Juliet is pushed in to a position at work that requires a great deal of travel which she does not enjoy. The anxiety of leaving her dog, is just the start of her life’s changes! Great read, so looking forward to October!
A wonderful story of how one door closes and another one opens. Gwen struggling with her mom regularly about her trust fund and if to use it with the strings attached. Jules is dealing with her promotion that makes her travel for work which she doesn't like but also she has a dog a home that needs to be taken care of. Jules hires Gwen to take care of Carly while she is gone. They form a friendship that leads to a relationship but both are still trying to make their jobs better. Thing work work with the help of the psychic telling them to go for it. A great read
Another excellent book from Nicole Pyland. The story brings together two women with nothing in common except a love for dogs and creates a couple who are exactly what each other needs. They find friendship, love and the courage to take make overdue changes. The story also introduces an adorable dog and gives us the biggest glimpse of the fortune teller yet.
The author has done an impressive job in this series of creating love stories between a large variety of characters. The series includes so many different ages, backgrounds, careers, personal struggles and romantic tropes. I highly recommend this book and the entire series.
I am really loving this series by Nicole Pyland. Each month has different main characters and the friend group keeps growing. This month we get to know more about Gwen who used to be Elisa’s sister-in-law. Gwen is such an easy person to be around. I enjoyed the part in the story where Gwen was sort of daydreaming about Juliet. It’s so cute and fits Gwen’s character that I’m giggling and hoping things work out. I absolutely love the ‘hot dog’ joke; perfection!
A feel good story with not too much angst. Juliet gets an unexpected promotion at work which requires more travel than she knew. Not wanting to leave her dog Carly by herself she reaches out to Gwen on the pet sitting app to watch Carly while she is traveling. Gwen and Juliet develop a natural easy flowing friendship in the beginning thanks to Carly and it slowly turns into something more. Overall another good read and addition to this series. Looking forward to the next one.
This was such a sweet and uplifting romance—their connection grows naturally through Gwen’s pet-sitting, with plenty of warmth, witty dialogue, and just the right amount of slow-burn chemistry. I would have liked a bit more depth in exploring Gwen’s family tensions and Juliet’s career struggles, but overall, this is a heartfelt, feel-good read and I’m looking forward to the next book.
Wow this book was written with so much depth making you feel like you knew them personally I loved the main characters their connection was embedded beautifully throughout i couldn't put it down definitely must read congratulations
Each month I start with Nicoles latest novel in this series. I love them all and I love that her characters continue in the next books. Ill be so sad when we get to December!!! Such a great series! I even cried during Gwyns last phone call with her mom. So touching.
September is an excellent addition to the NOLA series. I was delighted to learn more about Gwen, as she was such a delightful character in the previous book. It’s got dogs, heart, feelings, and a make-your-own family aspect, so what's not to love?
Another great book in the New Orleans series! I was looking forward to learning more about Gwen and I loved the progression of her and Juliet’s relationship. If you’ve liked the other books in the NOLA series, then this is a great read for you.
Nicole what another fabulous book sexy yet very interesting. I can't wait for October. I'm sure we'll be hearing more from Juliet and Gwen in the future.
Juliet wasn’t planning on a new job and increased travel, so when that all came up, she needed support. Gwen thought she was adding another client to her workload, and nothing more. The right place at the right time changes everything for both Juliet and Gwen. As usual, we also get to follow up more with people we’ve met so far this year, and our favorite physic is right on time again!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.