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Dog Park Murders #1
The Dog Park Murders
A killer has been unleashed in their small town…
Juliette Macintyre has never met a dog she didn’t love. For one thing, dogs don’t judge, unlike the human residents of Labrador Falls. Most locals look at her with suspicion because her father was once a dirty cop, even though Juliette is upbeat, helpful, and the best pet groomer around. She just needs to prove it…starting with new resident Joel Cunningham, an enigma wrapped in a checked shirt and a scowl.
Joel runs the Brewed Awakening café, where the coffee is as smooth as Joel is surly. He doesn’t serve pumpkin spice, he doesn’t chitchat, and he claims he doesn’t like dogs. Yet when Juliette stumbles upon a dead body in the dog park, strangled with one of her custom leashes, Joel becomes an unexpected ally.
He has no intention of opening up, to either his cute neighbor or the foster pup she foists on him. But he can’t let a biased detective frame Juliette for murder. Whoever killed the widely loathed Maurice Allsop may be desperate enough to strike again. If they can just ignore their chemistry and focus on the clues, Juliette and Joel might be able to solve the case—before somebody else bites the dust…
Juliette Macintyre has never met a dog she didn’t love. For one thing, dogs don’t judge, unlike the human residents of Labrador Falls. Most locals look at her with suspicion because her father was once a dirty cop, even though Juliette is upbeat, helpful, and the best pet groomer around. She just needs to prove it…starting with new resident Joel Cunningham, an enigma wrapped in a checked shirt and a scowl.
Joel runs the Brewed Awakening café, where the coffee is as smooth as Joel is surly. He doesn’t serve pumpkin spice, he doesn’t chitchat, and he claims he doesn’t like dogs. Yet when Juliette stumbles upon a dead body in the dog park, strangled with one of her custom leashes, Joel becomes an unexpected ally.
He has no intention of opening up, to either his cute neighbor or the foster pup she foists on him. But he can’t let a biased detective frame Juliette for murder. Whoever killed the widely loathed Maurice Allsop may be desperate enough to strike again. If they can just ignore their chemistry and focus on the clues, Juliette and Joel might be able to solve the case—before somebody else bites the dust…
304 pages, Paperback
First published August 26, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 341 reviews
August 30, 2026
3.5 stars
Who can resist a cozy mystery with dogs? Not me! Rest assured, no dog was injured in this story. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for the characters in the small town of Labrador Falls. Luckily, dog groomer Juliette Macintyre and ex-firefighter/now coffee owner Joel will have to work together to solve the mystery. Otherwise, the local cop with an axe to grind will pin it on Juliette.
I picked this up on a whim, and I do feel it paid off for me. I liked the characters, including the dogs, and I found the mystery intriguing. At one point, the romance between the two protagonists slightly eclipses the mystery, and Joel's past takes center stage. Then there is Juliette's missing boss, and that all makes for a lot going on in the first book. Maybe one mystery at a time for book two?
Overall, my interest is heightened, and I might want to try book 2.
#TheDogParkMurders #NetGalley.
Publication Date 26/08/26
Goodreads Review 30/08/26
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin - Romance | Harlequin for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
Who can resist a cozy mystery with dogs? Not me! Rest assured, no dog was injured in this story. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for the characters in the small town of Labrador Falls. Luckily, dog groomer Juliette Macintyre and ex-firefighter/now coffee owner Joel will have to work together to solve the mystery. Otherwise, the local cop with an axe to grind will pin it on Juliette.
I picked this up on a whim, and I do feel it paid off for me. I liked the characters, including the dogs, and I found the mystery intriguing. At one point, the romance between the two protagonists slightly eclipses the mystery, and Joel's past takes center stage. Then there is Juliette's missing boss, and that all makes for a lot going on in the first book. Maybe one mystery at a time for book two?
Overall, my interest is heightened, and I might want to try book 2.
#TheDogParkMurders #NetGalley.
Publication Date 26/08/26
Goodreads Review 30/08/26
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin - Romance | Harlequin for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
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March 17, 2026Thank you NetGalley and Herlequin-Romance for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Let's start with something good: The novel was short. It was a very quick read.
Now for the rest of the review:
I'm very torn with leaving a rating because I think I set myself and this book up for failure. This isn't something I would ever truly consider reading if there weren't dogs involved in the summary. I love dogs, have worked in the pet business (doggy daycare and vet med) so I figured that if I wanted to expanded my genres, a cozy mystery that had dogs as a main plot of the story, I would like it. I was wrong. I seem to like dogs too much and did NOT enjoy the way the author chose to write the dogs. Not to sound like that person, but no well-bred show line dog that isn't a rare breed costs more than $5,000, and that's even pushing it. "A small fortune" is at least 10 grand, if not more. While I heavily related to Juliette, being all dog obsessed, I found her characterizations of dogs to be very generalized and lackluster. They felt very stereotypical and just pushed forward more bad characterizations of certain breeds that didn't sit right with me.
With that rant out of the way - let's look at the rest of the book. It gave everyone such extreme and cartoonish personalities. I truly felt like everyone we were introduced to got a completely different style with cartoonish personalities. I understand there are people like this out int he world, but in a book where every single character has extreme personalities? Once again, very stereotypical to the point that I just skipped the character intros after the first few because I didn't care for the next overly stereotyped person we are introduced to. These stereotypes even seemed to really consume our MCs, too. They had no depth to them besides their trope of grumpy/sunshine. Grumpy's reasons for being grumpy were quite ridiculous, in the sense that I was waiting for there to be more to why he was so grumpy. Sunshine is only sunshine to prove to the town that actively hates her that they don't mean anything to her even though all she can think about is how much the town hates her and she just wants to be accepted. Like girl, move. This town is absolutely terrible to you and your sister. Get tf outta there. It's as if Juliette is romanticizing her own life that actively sucks just so she can rationalizing staying in the town. The town really has nothing going for it except that it is a small town and she could 100% move to another small town for the same vibes. They would still gossip about her there, but they wouldn't all actively hate her and wish for her downfall.
Everything feels so forced. The sex, the fight after, both of their personalities. There is no dimension to these characters at all. We are being spoon fed these lines that should hit us emotionally, but nothing happens. Same with the trying hard to be inspirational. Almost every line of advice is forced and doesn't land right. Not to mention the killer reveal was subpar.
If I ever remember, I will come back and star the review. Since I said to start that I felt like I set the book up for failure, I don't want to hurt the book's ratings before it even comes out because the author did out time and effort into this novel. Also, this might be the right thing for someone else who likes this genre. I thought I wanted to branch out, but turns out, I like what I like.
Let's start with something good: The novel was short. It was a very quick read.
Now for the rest of the review:
I'm very torn with leaving a rating because I think I set myself and this book up for failure. This isn't something I would ever truly consider reading if there weren't dogs involved in the summary. I love dogs, have worked in the pet business (doggy daycare and vet med) so I figured that if I wanted to expanded my genres, a cozy mystery that had dogs as a main plot of the story, I would like it. I was wrong. I seem to like dogs too much and did NOT enjoy the way the author chose to write the dogs. Not to sound like that person, but no well-bred show line dog that isn't a rare breed costs more than $5,000, and that's even pushing it. "A small fortune" is at least 10 grand, if not more. While I heavily related to Juliette, being all dog obsessed, I found her characterizations of dogs to be very generalized and lackluster. They felt very stereotypical and just pushed forward more bad characterizations of certain breeds that didn't sit right with me.
With that rant out of the way - let's look at the rest of the book. It gave everyone such extreme and cartoonish personalities. I truly felt like everyone we were introduced to got a completely different style with cartoonish personalities. I understand there are people like this out int he world, but in a book where every single character has extreme personalities? Once again, very stereotypical to the point that I just skipped the character intros after the first few because I didn't care for the next overly stereotyped person we are introduced to. These stereotypes even seemed to really consume our MCs, too. They had no depth to them besides their trope of grumpy/sunshine. Grumpy's reasons for being grumpy were quite ridiculous, in the sense that I was waiting for there to be more to why he was so grumpy. Sunshine is only sunshine to prove to the town that actively hates her that they don't mean anything to her even though all she can think about is how much the town hates her and she just wants to be accepted. Like girl, move. This town is absolutely terrible to you and your sister. Get tf outta there. It's as if Juliette is romanticizing her own life that actively sucks just so she can rationalizing staying in the town. The town really has nothing going for it except that it is a small town and she could 100% move to another small town for the same vibes. They would still gossip about her there, but they wouldn't all actively hate her and wish for her downfall.
Everything feels so forced. The sex, the fight after, both of their personalities. There is no dimension to these characters at all. We are being spoon fed these lines that should hit us emotionally, but nothing happens. Same with the trying hard to be inspirational. Almost every line of advice is forced and doesn't land right. Not to mention the killer reveal was subpar.
If I ever remember, I will come back and star the review. Since I said to start that I felt like I set the book up for failure, I don't want to hurt the book's ratings before it even comes out because the author did out time and effort into this novel. Also, this might be the right thing for someone else who likes this genre. I thought I wanted to branch out, but turns out, I like what I like.
September 11, 2026
3.5 stars
August 31, 2026
If you’re looking for a cozy fall-vibe romance with an adorable pup 🐶 and a murder mystery that keeps you guessing about every character, this might be the book to add to your fall TBR!
Juliette’s life is messy, but it wasn’t always that way. Even though everyone in the small town of Labrador Falls doubts her capabilities and questions her ethics because of something her father did in the past, she remains cheery and always tries to see the positives in everything. She’s truly a little ray of sunshine. ☀️
Then there’s Joel, who left his past behind to start a new future in the Falls, where no one knows him. He may be grumpy on the outside, but he’s definitely a cinnamon roll on the inside. 🥺 Will he let Juliette and her sunshiny personality melt away all those walls he’s built?
But everything changes when, one early morning, Juliette finds the dead body of Maurice Allsop, a man she had an argument with at the dog park the night before. And to make things even worse, he was strangled with the leash from What The Fluffs, where Juliette works as a groomer. 😳
I loved the romance, the chemistry, and the mystery! The side characters kept the story engaging at all times, and the chemistry between Joel and Juliette was just so cozy and beautiful. 🤎
The vivid descriptions of the atmosphere were also beautifully done and really made me feel like I was right there in Labrador Falls.
And the most adorable part? The inner monologues of the pups! 🐶🥹 They made the scenes so much more fun to read and made it impossible not to imagine exactly what the pups were thinking and doing.
Overall, this was such a fun, cozy read with romance, mystery, adorable pups, and just the right amount of suspense. 🍂🐾📖
Juliette’s life is messy, but it wasn’t always that way. Even though everyone in the small town of Labrador Falls doubts her capabilities and questions her ethics because of something her father did in the past, she remains cheery and always tries to see the positives in everything. She’s truly a little ray of sunshine. ☀️
Then there’s Joel, who left his past behind to start a new future in the Falls, where no one knows him. He may be grumpy on the outside, but he’s definitely a cinnamon roll on the inside. 🥺 Will he let Juliette and her sunshiny personality melt away all those walls he’s built?
But everything changes when, one early morning, Juliette finds the dead body of Maurice Allsop, a man she had an argument with at the dog park the night before. And to make things even worse, he was strangled with the leash from What The Fluffs, where Juliette works as a groomer. 😳
I loved the romance, the chemistry, and the mystery! The side characters kept the story engaging at all times, and the chemistry between Joel and Juliette was just so cozy and beautiful. 🤎
The vivid descriptions of the atmosphere were also beautifully done and really made me feel like I was right there in Labrador Falls.
And the most adorable part? The inner monologues of the pups! 🐶🥹 They made the scenes so much more fun to read and made it impossible not to imagine exactly what the pups were thinking and doing.
Overall, this was such a fun, cozy read with romance, mystery, adorable pups, and just the right amount of suspense. 🍂🐾📖
August 27, 2026
4.5 stars! I really enjoyed this book!
This book is described as Only Murders in the Building meets Gilmore Girls and it is exactly that. I was already in based on that alone but add in animal sidekicks and I’m sold! This is a cute, cozy, autumnal romantic suspense that had all the elements I needed: great setting, great mystery, great romance, great characters, great backstories
The story takes place in Labrador Falls and yes, there is a map!! It’s a cute little town with a lot of quirky characters where everyone knows what’s going on with everyone. Juliette was born and raised there with her twin sister. Joel moved to town a few years ago and runs a cafe. They are very much grumpy/sunshine. There is a murder and the unlikely duo team up to try to solve it along with her foster pup, Digger the Jack Russell
The story started out a little slow for me. It felt a little forced. But once it got going it found its footing and it was so good! Such an easy, enjoyable read and yet the characters still had depth to them. The mystery was engaging and unpredictable. The romance felt real and authentic
And the fall/autumnal vibes were strong!! This is a perfect book to read in the fall
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for the ARC!
This book is described as Only Murders in the Building meets Gilmore Girls and it is exactly that. I was already in based on that alone but add in animal sidekicks and I’m sold! This is a cute, cozy, autumnal romantic suspense that had all the elements I needed: great setting, great mystery, great romance, great characters, great backstories
The story takes place in Labrador Falls and yes, there is a map!! It’s a cute little town with a lot of quirky characters where everyone knows what’s going on with everyone. Juliette was born and raised there with her twin sister. Joel moved to town a few years ago and runs a cafe. They are very much grumpy/sunshine. There is a murder and the unlikely duo team up to try to solve it along with her foster pup, Digger the Jack Russell
The story started out a little slow for me. It felt a little forced. But once it got going it found its footing and it was so good! Such an easy, enjoyable read and yet the characters still had depth to them. The mystery was engaging and unpredictable. The romance felt real and authentic
And the fall/autumnal vibes were strong!! This is a perfect book to read in the fall
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for the ARC!
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August 18, 2026Small town romantic suspense with dogs: what is there to complain about?
Pretty sure this is a ghostwritten/work for hire book and I wish I knew who the real author is (though I love the pseudonym "Angela Barker.")
To me, this mostly read like a classic cozy mystery: small town drama, cute dogs, and a romance with a bit more spice than the average cozy, which makes it in-between a cozy and a romantic suspense.
If you liked Definitely Maybe Not a Detective, they are similar in feel!
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
Pretty sure this is a ghostwritten/work for hire book and I wish I knew who the real author is (though I love the pseudonym "Angela Barker.")
To me, this mostly read like a classic cozy mystery: small town drama, cute dogs, and a romance with a bit more spice than the average cozy, which makes it in-between a cozy and a romantic suspense.
If you liked Definitely Maybe Not a Detective, they are similar in feel!
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
September 18, 2026
3.25
Truly a cozy mystery, highlighting how useless the police are. We have an interesting protagonist named Juliet who is like a sunshine rainbown Disney princess who always shines and gives off positive energy. We have an interesting town whose residents all own dogs - they just love dogs! We also have a grumpy male character who is later the love intest, Joel. I'm not a fan of this romantic relationship, it's just not convincing to me. They are attracted to each other at the first sight, so no, I don't think I can't feel any chemical reaction here.
The investigation is sparse and obviously very amateurish, focusing mostly on asking questions instead of finding evidence - but okay, this is a cozy mystery, I'm not asking for a full force investigation. I like Juliet's point of view more than Joe's. Juliet, though always appearing fun and shining and energetic, she is actually very insecure, especially because of her dad being a corrupted cop when helping his brother getting away with his crime. Juliet is always concerned about what other people think of her. She constantly tries to appear agreeable and keep others satisfied instead of thinking for herself. Because she is so afraid of how others might perceive her, she unintentionally limits her own potential, such as when it comes to becoming a business partner with Bonnie, the owner of the pet care shop.
It is astounding to see in a small town like this, when everyone knows everyone (past, present, future!!!), it only takes one mistake for a person to be judged for the rest of their life, simply because of their parents’ past. That's what is still happening to Juliet and Norah, her twin sister. Just because Juliet finds the corpse with the leash that has her shop's name on it, she is ultimately pinned as a murderer, which heavily affects her business. I am frustrated at how easily the residents here believe that sweet, people-pleasing Juliet can commit such a horrible crime.
Joel, well, is average. I don't see the point of him. He is handsome, obviously, and kind, obviously, and maybe the only person in this town who wants to help Juliet and understand her misery. On the other hand, he keeps struggling with his guilt every day, never wanting to strive for happiness because he thinks he is doomed - according to him, it's his destiny to be miserable and alone for the rest of his life. I don't like him, honestly. He is too glum and too concerned with his own problem to notice other's suffering, like Juliet. Particularly, I don't agree with how he behaves after he just makes excellent love with Juliet, dropping her like that with a very clumsy, silly reasoning of "I'm not good, I'm bad luck, I don't deserve happiness". What a jerk!
Truly a cozy mystery, highlighting how useless the police are. We have an interesting protagonist named Juliet who is like a sunshine rainbown Disney princess who always shines and gives off positive energy. We have an interesting town whose residents all own dogs - they just love dogs! We also have a grumpy male character who is later the love intest, Joel. I'm not a fan of this romantic relationship, it's just not convincing to me. They are attracted to each other at the first sight, so no, I don't think I can't feel any chemical reaction here.
The investigation is sparse and obviously very amateurish, focusing mostly on asking questions instead of finding evidence - but okay, this is a cozy mystery, I'm not asking for a full force investigation. I like Juliet's point of view more than Joe's. Juliet, though always appearing fun and shining and energetic, she is actually very insecure, especially because of her dad being a corrupted cop when helping his brother getting away with his crime. Juliet is always concerned about what other people think of her. She constantly tries to appear agreeable and keep others satisfied instead of thinking for herself. Because she is so afraid of how others might perceive her, she unintentionally limits her own potential, such as when it comes to becoming a business partner with Bonnie, the owner of the pet care shop.
It is astounding to see in a small town like this, when everyone knows everyone (past, present, future!!!), it only takes one mistake for a person to be judged for the rest of their life, simply because of their parents’ past. That's what is still happening to Juliet and Norah, her twin sister. Just because Juliet finds the corpse with the leash that has her shop's name on it, she is ultimately pinned as a murderer, which heavily affects her business. I am frustrated at how easily the residents here believe that sweet, people-pleasing Juliet can commit such a horrible crime.
Joel, well, is average. I don't see the point of him. He is handsome, obviously, and kind, obviously, and maybe the only person in this town who wants to help Juliet and understand her misery. On the other hand, he keeps struggling with his guilt every day, never wanting to strive for happiness because he thinks he is doomed - according to him, it's his destiny to be miserable and alone for the rest of his life. I don't like him, honestly. He is too glum and too concerned with his own problem to notice other's suffering, like Juliet. Particularly, I don't agree with how he behaves after he just makes excellent love with Juliet, dropping her like that with a very clumsy, silly reasoning of "I'm not good, I'm bad luck, I don't deserve happiness". What a jerk!
August 27, 2026
3.5 stars 🌟
This was a cute seasonal read and it was a nice palate cleanser between heavy reads.
It is a small town setting with a cute name of Labrador Falls. Juliette is the local and Joel is the newbie cafe owner.
They are the grump-sunshine dynamic but Joel's grumpiness is due to some past event that he still hasn't moved on from. Juliette and her family are widely known in the town for something her father did but honestly, it's not that bad. When it was revealed, I thought - is that all? Small towns a rife with gossip worse than that.
However, Joel's history is a bit more drama and we don't find out what it is until close to the end.
As the title suggests, there are a couple murders that take place and it's not who you originally think. There are some layers to the murders which is good and unexpected.
And the romance does work in the end. I like how it wasn't all smooth sailing.
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this one.
This was a cute seasonal read and it was a nice palate cleanser between heavy reads.
It is a small town setting with a cute name of Labrador Falls. Juliette is the local and Joel is the newbie cafe owner.
They are the grump-sunshine dynamic but Joel's grumpiness is due to some past event that he still hasn't moved on from. Juliette and her family are widely known in the town for something her father did but honestly, it's not that bad. When it was revealed, I thought - is that all? Small towns a rife with gossip worse than that.
However, Joel's history is a bit more drama and we don't find out what it is until close to the end.
As the title suggests, there are a couple murders that take place and it's not who you originally think. There are some layers to the murders which is good and unexpected.
And the romance does work in the end. I like how it wasn't all smooth sailing.
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this one.
September 7, 2026
First of all, the author’s last name, Barker, is so cute considering this is a cozy following a dog foster mom & dog groomer in the small town of Labrador Falls! Total coincidence I’m sure 😂
This story follows our FMC Juliette who stumbles on a dead body in the town’s dog park. In order to clear her name and prove to the town that she’s not a bad seed like they all think, she begins her investigation. But she can’t do it alone, so the hot grumpy coffee shop owner Joel joins the investigation.
As someone who is decidedly not an animal person, I really enjoyed this book and the cute animals (without having to end up covered in dog hair 😂). I really liked our FMC with her kind heart and determination despite the town and a certain police officer treating her so poorly.
This cozy mystery was not quite what I expected, it was more of an edgier cozy with some foul language and a light sprinkle of spice. I had a good time with this one. Check it out if you love small towns, dogs (or even if you don’t), murder mysteries, grumpy coffee shop owners, and a lovable amateur sleuth.
This story follows our FMC Juliette who stumbles on a dead body in the town’s dog park. In order to clear her name and prove to the town that she’s not a bad seed like they all think, she begins her investigation. But she can’t do it alone, so the hot grumpy coffee shop owner Joel joins the investigation.
As someone who is decidedly not an animal person, I really enjoyed this book and the cute animals (without having to end up covered in dog hair 😂). I really liked our FMC with her kind heart and determination despite the town and a certain police officer treating her so poorly.
This cozy mystery was not quite what I expected, it was more of an edgier cozy with some foul language and a light sprinkle of spice. I had a good time with this one. Check it out if you love small towns, dogs (or even if you don’t), murder mysteries, grumpy coffee shop owners, and a lovable amateur sleuth.
September 1, 2026
• 3.5 rounded to 4 •
this was such a cute & fun cozy mystery. i really enjoyed how easy this was to get through, it was the perfect little palette cleanser.
i loved the small town setting & all the gossip that came with it. the dogs inner monologues was probably one of my fav things, it was so funny, i loved it lol
joel & juliette made a cute combination. i enjoyed watching their connect grow & following them as they worked together to solve the murders.
overall, this was a light, quick, easy, cute, & cozy read that i had a lot of fun with. i listened to the audiobook version, & really enjoyed it. the narrator did such a good job.
thank you netgalley, harlequin audio & angela barker for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞:
♡ grumpy x sunshine
♡ cafe owner x pet groomer
♡ pet sidekicks
♡ small town
♡ cozy mystery
♡ amateur sleuths
this was such a cute & fun cozy mystery. i really enjoyed how easy this was to get through, it was the perfect little palette cleanser.
i loved the small town setting & all the gossip that came with it. the dogs inner monologues was probably one of my fav things, it was so funny, i loved it lol
joel & juliette made a cute combination. i enjoyed watching their connect grow & following them as they worked together to solve the murders.
overall, this was a light, quick, easy, cute, & cozy read that i had a lot of fun with. i listened to the audiobook version, & really enjoyed it. the narrator did such a good job.
thank you netgalley, harlequin audio & angela barker for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞:
♡ grumpy x sunshine
♡ cafe owner x pet groomer
♡ pet sidekicks
♡ small town
♡ cozy mystery
♡ amateur sleuths
May 16, 2026
got to read my first ARC because of my new job!
this book felt like a hallmark movie. I will say, I think the first two thirds were a bit slow with long chapters, but the last third sped up to a pace I’d expect with a mystery book.
this book felt like a hallmark movie. I will say, I think the first two thirds were a bit slow with long chapters, but the last third sped up to a pace I’d expect with a mystery book.
March 21, 2026
*Thank you Harlequin for this advanced copy.*
While this was ultimately a light-hearted and fairly enjoyable read, I did walk away with quite a few gripes. I should preface this by saying that over the years I’ve fallen somewhat out of favour with romance novels. However, this one piqued my interest because of the murder-mystery element and the inclusion of dogs—two things that made me curious enough to give it a try.
I do enjoy a good grumpy–sunshine trope, but only when it’s handled with some subtlety. Here, it felt far too on the nose. Rather than allowing the dynamic to emerge naturally through character interactions, the MMC quite literally calls her “sunshine” multiple times. Pet names can be charming, but they lose their charm when they feel generic or overused. Where was the individuality? The creativity? Instead of being shown the chemistry and emotional texture of the relationship, we are frequently told what it is supposed to be.
This extends beyond the romance. Much of the writing felt overly explanatory, as though every emotional beat or character trait had to be spelled out rather than allowed to unfold through context or subtext. It gave the impression that the reader wasn’t trusted to piece together the nuances of human interaction on their own.
The quirky small-town setting is clearly aiming for that cosy, nostalgic atmosphere that many readers love right now—the kind of charm often associated with something like Gilmore Girls. Unfortunately, the town and its folks never quite came alive for me. The characters we meet along the way felt more like sketches of personalities rather than fully realised individuals, which made the setting itself feel flatter than it probably intended to be.
The dogs, admittedly, were fun. Their presence added a playful element and were one of the more enjoyable aspects of the book. That said, their role sometimes felt a bit excessive. They were woven into the narrative so frequently that it occasionally tipped from charming into slightly over-the-top.
Finally, the murder mystery—which was the element that initially drew me in—felt underdeveloped. It often seemed pushed into the background in favour of the romance and the town’s antics. For a story that introduces such a potentially intriguing hook, I expected that aspect to carry more narrative weight or tension.
I love a book that embraces a bit of weirdness, and there are certainly ways to lean into that tone successfully. Unfortunately, this one ended up sitting in an awkward space somewhere between cosy and quirky without fully committing to either. It’s frustrating, because there are ingredients here that could have made for something truly delightful. I wanted to love it—but in the end, it never quite came together.
While this was ultimately a light-hearted and fairly enjoyable read, I did walk away with quite a few gripes. I should preface this by saying that over the years I’ve fallen somewhat out of favour with romance novels. However, this one piqued my interest because of the murder-mystery element and the inclusion of dogs—two things that made me curious enough to give it a try.
I do enjoy a good grumpy–sunshine trope, but only when it’s handled with some subtlety. Here, it felt far too on the nose. Rather than allowing the dynamic to emerge naturally through character interactions, the MMC quite literally calls her “sunshine” multiple times. Pet names can be charming, but they lose their charm when they feel generic or overused. Where was the individuality? The creativity? Instead of being shown the chemistry and emotional texture of the relationship, we are frequently told what it is supposed to be.
This extends beyond the romance. Much of the writing felt overly explanatory, as though every emotional beat or character trait had to be spelled out rather than allowed to unfold through context or subtext. It gave the impression that the reader wasn’t trusted to piece together the nuances of human interaction on their own.
The quirky small-town setting is clearly aiming for that cosy, nostalgic atmosphere that many readers love right now—the kind of charm often associated with something like Gilmore Girls. Unfortunately, the town and its folks never quite came alive for me. The characters we meet along the way felt more like sketches of personalities rather than fully realised individuals, which made the setting itself feel flatter than it probably intended to be.
The dogs, admittedly, were fun. Their presence added a playful element and were one of the more enjoyable aspects of the book. That said, their role sometimes felt a bit excessive. They were woven into the narrative so frequently that it occasionally tipped from charming into slightly over-the-top.
Finally, the murder mystery—which was the element that initially drew me in—felt underdeveloped. It often seemed pushed into the background in favour of the romance and the town’s antics. For a story that introduces such a potentially intriguing hook, I expected that aspect to carry more narrative weight or tension.
I love a book that embraces a bit of weirdness, and there are certainly ways to lean into that tone successfully. Unfortunately, this one ended up sitting in an awkward space somewhere between cosy and quirky without fully committing to either. It’s frustrating, because there are ingredients here that could have made for something truly delightful. I wanted to love it—but in the end, it never quite came together.
September 1, 2026
Well that was a fantastic read. I love me a cozy mystery, add in some cute dogs and I am sooo down!
I was sold on this book the moment I read the description but I wasn’t prepared for how much I would actually enjoy it. The moment I picked it up I couldn’t put it down, I devoured it within hours and I loved every second of it.
This story takes place in a small town called Labrador Falls where everybody knows everyone’s business and the gossips are everywhere.
Juliette’s life is hectic, her boss has left for a cruise, she’s fostering a very needy dog and the town still makes sure she feels unwelcome after past mistakes her dad made but even though the world tries to drag her down she’s stands tall, she doesn’t let them break her, she lives life, she smiles and she spreads the joy to everyone she meets.
Joel left has past behind as quickly as he could. He’s running from his hurt and never wants to face it so he shuts everyone and everything out. He doesn’t have time for love, companionship or anything that isn’t work. Not even the cute quirky girl that shows up every so often.
When a dead body is found all eyes point to the girl with the dirty cop as a dad. Even the officer leading the investigation will do anything to pin the murder on her. So Juliette decides to do the digging herself and Joel decided he’ll be her bodyguard.
Watching these two on the journey of discovering what was going on has been fun. Watching them spend time together, getting to know each other and seeing their friendship becoming more has been so lovely.
The fun, the romance, the chemistry and the mystery just wrapped up into one big amazing story.
I haven’t read from this author before and I am so glad this book was my first. I loved the way the author told their story, the way the characters were brought to life and the mystery I felt like I was uncovering along the way with the characters it’s been such fun.
August 27, 2026
🐾 The Dog Park Murder 🐾
(( Spoiler-Free ARC ))
Title- The Dog Park Murder
Author- Angela Barker
Genre- Murder Mystery
Series- Dog Park Murders Book 1
Trope City-
🐾 Cozy Mystery
🐾 Per Sidekicks
🐾 Small Town
🐾 Amateur Sleuths
🐾 Grumpy x Sunshine
The cutest dog-obsessed town gets rocked when one of it’s groomers finds a dead body in the dog park. Juliette (FMC) is as quirky as they come. She’s a twin, a dog groomer, runs on coffee and romanticizes most things. Joel (MMC) is an ex firefighter suffering from PTSD who now owns a local coffee shop. He’s truly Juliette’s opposite in all ways. Juliette feels a sudden unease in the dog park late one evening. She finds the body of a man she had just argued with earlier that day. The police detective called to the scene has personal history with Juliette and her twin. His own vendetta leads him to investigate only Juliette in the murder of Maurice. Somehow, Joel and Juliette team up to solve this murder… that turns in to another murder. The concept of this book is adorable and cozy. The unveiling of each character is actually so complex and beautiful. I won’t spoil the ending but I can admit- I never guessed right! It was also the perfect read as the weather slowly begins its transition to Fall.
Thank you Harlequin, Harper muse, Harper Collins and Angela Barker for sharing this arc with me! The PR Package was so adorable! 🐾💛
(( Spoiler-Free ARC ))
Title- The Dog Park Murder
Author- Angela Barker
Genre- Murder Mystery
Series- Dog Park Murders Book 1
Trope City-
🐾 Cozy Mystery
🐾 Per Sidekicks
🐾 Small Town
🐾 Amateur Sleuths
🐾 Grumpy x Sunshine
The cutest dog-obsessed town gets rocked when one of it’s groomers finds a dead body in the dog park. Juliette (FMC) is as quirky as they come. She’s a twin, a dog groomer, runs on coffee and romanticizes most things. Joel (MMC) is an ex firefighter suffering from PTSD who now owns a local coffee shop. He’s truly Juliette’s opposite in all ways. Juliette feels a sudden unease in the dog park late one evening. She finds the body of a man she had just argued with earlier that day. The police detective called to the scene has personal history with Juliette and her twin. His own vendetta leads him to investigate only Juliette in the murder of Maurice. Somehow, Joel and Juliette team up to solve this murder… that turns in to another murder. The concept of this book is adorable and cozy. The unveiling of each character is actually so complex and beautiful. I won’t spoil the ending but I can admit- I never guessed right! It was also the perfect read as the weather slowly begins its transition to Fall.
Thank you Harlequin, Harper muse, Harper Collins and Angela Barker for sharing this arc with me! The PR Package was so adorable! 🐾💛
September 1, 2026
This book looked really promising. A mystery, lots of adorable pups, and a little romance. It was ok to me, not anything special, and the human characters are a bit annoying. Juliette, the FMC is just sad, has no confidence, is mocked, or is ignored by most people in town because of a family issue, and won't even allow herself a dog, she just fosters from the local pound. She tries to project a cheerfulness that isn't really felt, which annoys the MMC who runs a coffee shop but possesses no customer service skills. As a serious curmudgeon, Joel just wants to be left alone. When Juliette calls out a local, wealthy resident at the dog park for the way he treats his dog, then the man is murdered it is easy for the local bully sherrif's nepo baby son to harrass and blame Juliette. There is some weird investigating, where Joel is feeling sorry and occasionally tries to help, but he has his own demons. Truly, anyone who has read an opposites attrack romance and a very simple cozy mystery can write the end to this one themselves. The dogs do add a little interest and whimsy, but this is just an ok read for someone looking to past the time. Thanks to #Netgally, #HarlequinRomances, and the author for the chance to read. #TheDogParkMurder #AngelaBarker #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader
May 28, 2026
Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for providing me with the ARC! All feedback provided is entirely my own.
This was such a fun little mystery/romance read and honestly exactly the kind of cozy story I love picking up. It had just the right amount of everything and I loved the whole atmosphere of this one. You’ve got this quiet little town with all the cozy vibes, a cute romance slowly developing, and then suddenly everything gets shaken up by a murder mystery. It was just such a fun combination and worked so well for me. There were some parts that seemed to go a little slow, but it wasn’t enough that it bothered me a whole lot as I feel like that comes with the territory of a cozier read.
If you’re a fan of the Dream Harbor series, I think you would absolutely love this because it gave me very similar vibes. Plus, the dogs and their little inner monologues throughout the story were probably one of my favorite parts.
Overall, this was just such a cute, cozy read.
This was such a fun little mystery/romance read and honestly exactly the kind of cozy story I love picking up. It had just the right amount of everything and I loved the whole atmosphere of this one. You’ve got this quiet little town with all the cozy vibes, a cute romance slowly developing, and then suddenly everything gets shaken up by a murder mystery. It was just such a fun combination and worked so well for me. There were some parts that seemed to go a little slow, but it wasn’t enough that it bothered me a whole lot as I feel like that comes with the territory of a cozier read.
If you’re a fan of the Dream Harbor series, I think you would absolutely love this because it gave me very similar vibes. Plus, the dogs and their little inner monologues throughout the story were probably one of my favorite parts.
Overall, this was just such a cute, cozy read.
August 23, 2026
If you love grumpy/sunshine romance, small-town mysteries, and adorable four-legged sidekicks, The Dog Park Murders sounds like an absolute treat.
Set in the charming town of Labrador Falls, this cozy seasonal mystery follows upbeat pet groomer Juliette Macintyre and grumpy café owner Joel Cunningham as they reluctantly team up after a shocking murder in the local dog park. When the murder weapon turns out to be one of Juliette’s custom dog leashes, she quickly finds herself under suspicion—and determined to clear her name.
Juliette and Joel make a wonderfully entertaining pairing. She’s sunshine personified, while Joel is the quintessential grumpy café owner who would seemingly prefer coffee, solitude, and absolutely no pumpkin spice. Their chemistry adds a fun romantic thread to the mystery, especially as they try very hard to ignore their growing attraction while following the clues.
The mystery itself promises plenty of twists, suspicious townspeople, and amateur sleuthing, with the added bonus of some seriously cute pet antics. I especially love the idea of a foster pup being unwillingly adopted into Joel’s life—because nothing softens a grump quite like a dog!
With its Only Murders in the Building meets The Pumpkin Spice Café vibes, The Dog Park Murders sounds like the perfect cozy read for anyone looking for a lighthearted whodunit with romance, small-town drama, and plenty of furry charm.
Perfect for fans of: grumpy/sunshine romance, cozy mysteries, amateur sleuths, twisty whodunits, and pet sidekicks. 🐾☕🎃
A fun, feel-good mystery that looks set to deliver the perfect mix of murder, romance, coffee, and dogs.
Set in the charming town of Labrador Falls, this cozy seasonal mystery follows upbeat pet groomer Juliette Macintyre and grumpy café owner Joel Cunningham as they reluctantly team up after a shocking murder in the local dog park. When the murder weapon turns out to be one of Juliette’s custom dog leashes, she quickly finds herself under suspicion—and determined to clear her name.
Juliette and Joel make a wonderfully entertaining pairing. She’s sunshine personified, while Joel is the quintessential grumpy café owner who would seemingly prefer coffee, solitude, and absolutely no pumpkin spice. Their chemistry adds a fun romantic thread to the mystery, especially as they try very hard to ignore their growing attraction while following the clues.
The mystery itself promises plenty of twists, suspicious townspeople, and amateur sleuthing, with the added bonus of some seriously cute pet antics. I especially love the idea of a foster pup being unwillingly adopted into Joel’s life—because nothing softens a grump quite like a dog!
With its Only Murders in the Building meets The Pumpkin Spice Café vibes, The Dog Park Murders sounds like the perfect cozy read for anyone looking for a lighthearted whodunit with romance, small-town drama, and plenty of furry charm.
Perfect for fans of: grumpy/sunshine romance, cozy mysteries, amateur sleuths, twisty whodunits, and pet sidekicks. 🐾☕🎃
A fun, feel-good mystery that looks set to deliver the perfect mix of murder, romance, coffee, and dogs.
March 16, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher and author for a free advance copy. I really enjoyed this book. It drew me in from the start which is a bit rare. There is plot with the mystery, not too complicated but descent enough to be interesting. The characters were likeable and the dogs a lot too! There were elements of classic chic lit but i liked the fact they were satirically mentioned in the book too. Clever writing, interesting, funny, kept me wanting to keep on reading. I only took a star out because of the classic romantic stuff. I must say i kept thinking that yes the romance is there and some of the usual descriptions filling in random details but not too much. I could keep the focal story in mind and it didn’t break the focus from the plot. Will be looking for more from the author. It was a fun and relaxing read
April 11, 2026
The Dog Park Murders by Angela Barker is a cozy mystery romance set in the dog-loving town of Labrador Falls. When a murder shakes the community, Juliette quickly becomes a prime suspect after discovering the body. Determined to clear her name, she joins forces with Joel—a grumpy, newly arrived coffee shop owner—to uncover the truth. As they dig deeper into the mystery, their partnership turns personal, and a slow-burn connection begins to form as they open up about their pasts.
This was a charming, feel-good read with a thoughtfully crafted plot. The small-town atmosphere and shared obsession with dogs added a fun, cozy vibe, and the characters felt relatable and easy to root for. Digger absolutely stole the show with his personality. There’s just a touch of spice—enough to add to the romance without taking away from the heart of the story.
This was a charming, feel-good read with a thoughtfully crafted plot. The small-town atmosphere and shared obsession with dogs added a fun, cozy vibe, and the characters felt relatable and easy to root for. Digger absolutely stole the show with his personality. There’s just a touch of spice—enough to add to the romance without taking away from the heart of the story.
July 1, 2026
3.5/5, but rounded to 4.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
Okay, I enjoyed this book. It reminded me of a lifetime movie; it was a murder mystery but not a heavy or creepy read. It also ended with all the loose ends tied up, which I appreciate. I, maybe, could have solved the mystery, but I was just soaking up each moment as I read and didn’t think too far ahead. The dialogue from the dogs was also a fun addition to the story. It was an interesting writing style.
Juliette’s family has a history in Labrador Falls. Her dad was a cop, who made some not so great decisions. When a local ends up dead at the dog park, Juliette becomes suspect #1. She decides to work the case with the help of grumpy Joel. I love the depth to Joel’s story. It was heavy topics, but handled so gently. In this sort of story, I really appreciated it.
This was a fun, quick murder mystery, featuring some quirky dogs who get a chance to voice their opinions too.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
Okay, I enjoyed this book. It reminded me of a lifetime movie; it was a murder mystery but not a heavy or creepy read. It also ended with all the loose ends tied up, which I appreciate. I, maybe, could have solved the mystery, but I was just soaking up each moment as I read and didn’t think too far ahead. The dialogue from the dogs was also a fun addition to the story. It was an interesting writing style.
Juliette’s family has a history in Labrador Falls. Her dad was a cop, who made some not so great decisions. When a local ends up dead at the dog park, Juliette becomes suspect #1. She decides to work the case with the help of grumpy Joel. I love the depth to Joel’s story. It was heavy topics, but handled so gently. In this sort of story, I really appreciated it.
This was a fun, quick murder mystery, featuring some quirky dogs who get a chance to voice their opinions too.
May 10, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin publishing and Angela Barker for an advanced eARC of this book!
The Dog Park Murders is a cozy romance mixed with murder mystery set in the small town of Labrador Falls. When tragedy strikes and a murder upends the entire town, and Juliette is being blamed for the murder, Juliette and Joel set out to clear her name.
I absolutely loved this book! It delivered in every aspect. I loved the cozy mystery mixed with romance. Two of my favourite genres mixed together! I also found the addition of the dogs and their commentary so funny & absolutely adorable. It made for a light hearted read and I definitely recommend!
The Dog Park Murders is a cozy romance mixed with murder mystery set in the small town of Labrador Falls. When tragedy strikes and a murder upends the entire town, and Juliette is being blamed for the murder, Juliette and Joel set out to clear her name.
I absolutely loved this book! It delivered in every aspect. I loved the cozy mystery mixed with romance. Two of my favourite genres mixed together! I also found the addition of the dogs and their commentary so funny & absolutely adorable. It made for a light hearted read and I definitely recommend!
April 8, 2026
It was a cute book. The mystery kept me on my toes and guessing from the beginning. And let me tell you, I had no idea who it was. Had some suspects but they’re were all wrong. The romance was okay, but I thought they worked best as friends, since I didnt really see chemistry between the two. Loved Juliet sunshine personality eve with all her insecurities, she was funny, kind and supportive. Joel was mysterious, grumpy and loyal. The way they partnered up to solve a murder was cute and funny most times! I also really loved the whole dog community! I wish we had that community and love for dogs in real life! Loved the dogs part in it and I think they really brought the book together, especially Pomeranian killer dog 😂
September 2, 2026
This was such a fun and easy to read mystery! I loved the dog park/dog grooming setting and the unlikely duo at the center of the investigation. It had plenty of twists, secrets, and suspicious characters to keep me guessing, and I especially enjoyed how the pieces slowly came together. I definitely did not guess who the murderer was either!
This is a cozy mystery with a darker edge that’s perfect for anyone who loves small town secrets, murder mysteries, and dogs🐾
Would definitely recommend for a quick, entertaining read!
This is a cozy mystery with a darker edge that’s perfect for anyone who loves small town secrets, murder mysteries, and dogs🐾
Would definitely recommend for a quick, entertaining read!
September 2, 2026
Ahh I loved this one! It has ALL the cozy feels😊. Small town, DOGS, grumpy sunshine romance, and a murder mystery to round it out. Not to mention the adorable business names like What the Fluff groomers and Brewed Awakening cafe.
I loved the quirky characters in this one including the woman who demanded everyone wear pink to her funeral and have the BeeGees Staying Alive during the procession.
Juliette is the perky sunshiny dog groomer and Joel the grumpy, taciturn cafe owner. They both have their issues but Juliette is determined to not the past define her future, while Joel has decided he can’t get hurt again if he doesn’t open up and let people in.
They reluctantly team up to solve the murder of the man found dead in the dog park, but Sheriff Dooley is convinced he’s already found the perp. Can they solve the crime in time AND find their way to one another, or will one of them end up behind bars, or worse?
NO DOGS DIED IN THIS BOOK, only people.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin audio for this audiobook narrated perfectly by Carly Robins. All opinions are my own.
I loved the quirky characters in this one including the woman who demanded everyone wear pink to her funeral and have the BeeGees Staying Alive during the procession.
Juliette is the perky sunshiny dog groomer and Joel the grumpy, taciturn cafe owner. They both have their issues but Juliette is determined to not the past define her future, while Joel has decided he can’t get hurt again if he doesn’t open up and let people in.
They reluctantly team up to solve the murder of the man found dead in the dog park, but Sheriff Dooley is convinced he’s already found the perp. Can they solve the crime in time AND find their way to one another, or will one of them end up behind bars, or worse?
NO DOGS DIED IN THIS BOOK, only people.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin audio for this audiobook narrated perfectly by Carly Robins. All opinions are my own.
Want to Read
September 3, 2026Note to self: No dogs were injured in this story, according to another reviewer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2026
thank you to netgalley for the arc. ‘the dog park murders’ is a classic small-town, cozy crime mystery perfect for the autumn season. it’s filled with quirky characters, all of whom have a cute canine companion and often, a business with a pun in the title. the two leads are likeable, both with an interesting history, and their romance is enjoyable to read. i did feel like i never really connected with the characters or the story fully however. but i love dogs and the dog-centric aspect of this book definitely gave it a new edge. it’s a quick, lighthearted read that i would definitely recommend to romance enjoyers or dog lovers!
August 30, 2026
This was cute! Nothing like a small town cozy mystery to transition into fall. A romantic suspense with dogs? Yes please. This had a little bit of it all & some good character development. It kept you guessing and rooting for the main couples. It was witty and sweet and I loved the October coffee house vibes.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy!
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I need this on record: this is one of the worst books I have ever read. It is genuinely embarrassing.
This gives heavy Baby Dragon Cafe energy (my most hated book series of all time) with its cringe dialogue, forced charm, awkward spice, shallow characterisation, and a desperate attempt to manufacture a cute, lived-in small town that never feels authentic. It tries so hard to be whimsical and cosy that it ends up feeling repetitive, shallow, and painfully one-note.
It collapses under its own gimmick within the first few pages.
The book claims to be The Pumpkin Spice Café meets Only Murders in the Building. That immediately got my attention! I was sat.
It is nothing of the sort.
The marketing is doing some HEAVY lifting.
There is nothing cosy about this. You can’t slap a small town setting on something and call it cosy. Cosy requires atmosphere, warmth, believable community dynamics, fun characters, and an actual plot.
This had none of that.
The atmosphere never delivers that warm, comforting, curl-up-with-a-blanket feeling. It all feels so hollow.
I very nearly DNFed this two pages in. The opening scene was my warning. I didn't listen. We open with a very suggestive scene. Think thighs shaking, FMC on all fours, moaning, Brad licking somewhere very suggestive. Like, okay! Just jumping straight in without any preamble. Respect.
Then it’s revealed that Brad… is a dog.
I don’t know why it grossed me out as much as it did. It’s trying to be clever as a bait-and-switch, but I cringed so hard I think I broke a rib. I had to pause and question my life choices before continuing.
And then the pattern begins.
From there, the book becomes a relentless cycle of dogs. Not metaphorically. Literally.
The entire book is dogs.
People looking at dogs. Talking about dogs. Thinking about dogs. Walking dogs. Feeding dogs.
Every conversation. Every emotional revelation. Every argument. Every character arc. Dogs.
The story is so singularly obsessed with dogs that it stops feeling like a plot and starts feeling like a themed brochure. Entire chapters pass without anything moving forward because nothing exists outside the dog fixation. There is no escalation or complexity, just repetition dressed up as content.
It is repetitive to the point of absurdity.
I am NOT exaggerating. There are maybe two conversations in the entire book that don’t revolve around dogs. There isn’t a single plot point that doesn’t involve dogs. Every emotional beat. Every revelation. Every trauma.
Dogs, dogs, dogs.
I know what you're thinking. "But Sadie, it's called The Dog Park Murders, surely you expected dogs?" Well, yeah. I expected a lot of dogs, but not at the expense of character growth and an interesting, engaging plot.
It becomes exhausting.
It genuinely feels like the author ran out of ideas but decided to double down instead of expanding the world or giving their characters depth.
Joel’s trauma? He’s divorced. His wife got custody of the dog. That’s it.
That is the grand emotional wound that supposedly explains why he is closed off, negative, distrusting, and emotionally damaged. The book treats it with extreme reverence, as if it’s profound psychological devastation.
It isn’t layered or compelling. It feels inflated purely to manufacture depth.
Honestly, all the “trauma” in this book reads like parody.
It’s giving: “One time I bought my dog a collar and he didn’t like it… how can I ever trust again? 😭😭😭”
It’s impossible to take seriously.
I was actually curious at the start. I thought, surely there must be something substantial behind this brooding exterior. What made him so whiny? So emotionally shut down?
Nope.
That’s the big reveal. (okay, there's a little more than that, but it all gets overshadowed by the dog stuff)
I found it all incredibly stupid. It’s not meaningful. It’s not nuanced. It feels trivialised and stretched to pretend there’s emotional weight where there isn’t any.
There are constant fake-out introductions where characters are described with dramatic detail and emotional framing, only for it to be a dog. Over and over again. It stops being clever immediately and becomes embarrassing. It feels childish rather than witty.
The romance didn't work at all. I didn’t believe the chemistry between Juliette and Joel for a second. They felt more like siblings than romantic leads. There's no spark or tension. Zero emotional pull. Individually they were barely fine; together they were completely flat and the dynamic never clicked. The relationship never develops organic heat or intimacy, it simply happens because the genre requires it.
Joel in particular was exhausting. I love a grumpy x sunshine dynamic when it’s done well. This wasn’t that.
This was a man who treated every minor inconvenience like a catastrophe. Making a phone call felt unbearable. Existing felt unbearable. His internal monologue was constant negativity. Dude never got out of his emo phase. Instead of being broody or complex, he was draining. Tedious. Emotionally flat.
The mystery is barely present and every moment of tension feels fake. Arguments between side characters flare up and are resolved almost immediately. We get these 'dramatic' confrontations that last maybe three lines, and then everything is back to normal. No buildup, consequences, or sustained stakes. Conflict exists only to create noise, and then promptly disappears.
Pure filler tension.
People snap at each other over trivial misunderstandings that feel artificially inflated. There’s no depth behind anything.
And the spice?
Oh my.
The spice is bad. Just plain bad.
There’s buildup. There are hints. There are repeated suggestions of intensity. And when it finally happens... it’s vague and completely underwhelming. It doesn't deliver on the expectations it sets and feels like the book teases something stronger but never commits.
I wonder if the spice would have been better if Joel was an actual dog? Because I honestly thought that was the direction this book was heading in... I would have given an extra half star for unhinged creativity, at least.
This is a book that wants to feel whimsical and heartfelt but instead reads as creatively limited. It's stagnant and one-dimensional.
It's not charming.
It's not clever.
It's not cosy.
It's an exhausting loop of dogs, forced drama, hollow trauma, nonexistent mystery, flat romance, and undercooked spice.
One of the most disappointing reads I've ever endured.
This gives heavy Baby Dragon Cafe energy (my most hated book series of all time) with its cringe dialogue, forced charm, awkward spice, shallow characterisation, and a desperate attempt to manufacture a cute, lived-in small town that never feels authentic. It tries so hard to be whimsical and cosy that it ends up feeling repetitive, shallow, and painfully one-note.
It collapses under its own gimmick within the first few pages.
The book claims to be The Pumpkin Spice Café meets Only Murders in the Building. That immediately got my attention! I was sat.
It is nothing of the sort.
The marketing is doing some HEAVY lifting.
There is nothing cosy about this. You can’t slap a small town setting on something and call it cosy. Cosy requires atmosphere, warmth, believable community dynamics, fun characters, and an actual plot.
This had none of that.
The atmosphere never delivers that warm, comforting, curl-up-with-a-blanket feeling. It all feels so hollow.
I very nearly DNFed this two pages in. The opening scene was my warning. I didn't listen. We open with a very suggestive scene. Think thighs shaking, FMC on all fours, moaning, Brad licking somewhere very suggestive. Like, okay! Just jumping straight in without any preamble. Respect.
Then it’s revealed that Brad… is a dog.
I don’t know why it grossed me out as much as it did. It’s trying to be clever as a bait-and-switch, but I cringed so hard I think I broke a rib. I had to pause and question my life choices before continuing.
And then the pattern begins.
From there, the book becomes a relentless cycle of dogs. Not metaphorically. Literally.
The entire book is dogs.
People looking at dogs. Talking about dogs. Thinking about dogs. Walking dogs. Feeding dogs.
Every conversation. Every emotional revelation. Every argument. Every character arc. Dogs.
The story is so singularly obsessed with dogs that it stops feeling like a plot and starts feeling like a themed brochure. Entire chapters pass without anything moving forward because nothing exists outside the dog fixation. There is no escalation or complexity, just repetition dressed up as content.
It is repetitive to the point of absurdity.
I am NOT exaggerating. There are maybe two conversations in the entire book that don’t revolve around dogs. There isn’t a single plot point that doesn’t involve dogs. Every emotional beat. Every revelation. Every trauma.
Dogs, dogs, dogs.
I know what you're thinking. "But Sadie, it's called The Dog Park Murders, surely you expected dogs?" Well, yeah. I expected a lot of dogs, but not at the expense of character growth and an interesting, engaging plot.
It becomes exhausting.
It genuinely feels like the author ran out of ideas but decided to double down instead of expanding the world or giving their characters depth.
Joel’s trauma? He’s divorced. His wife got custody of the dog. That’s it.
That is the grand emotional wound that supposedly explains why he is closed off, negative, distrusting, and emotionally damaged. The book treats it with extreme reverence, as if it’s profound psychological devastation.
It isn’t layered or compelling. It feels inflated purely to manufacture depth.
Honestly, all the “trauma” in this book reads like parody.
It’s giving: “One time I bought my dog a collar and he didn’t like it… how can I ever trust again? 😭😭😭”
It’s impossible to take seriously.
I was actually curious at the start. I thought, surely there must be something substantial behind this brooding exterior. What made him so whiny? So emotionally shut down?
Nope.
That’s the big reveal. (okay, there's a little more than that, but it all gets overshadowed by the dog stuff)
I found it all incredibly stupid. It’s not meaningful. It’s not nuanced. It feels trivialised and stretched to pretend there’s emotional weight where there isn’t any.
There are constant fake-out introductions where characters are described with dramatic detail and emotional framing, only for it to be a dog. Over and over again. It stops being clever immediately and becomes embarrassing. It feels childish rather than witty.
The romance didn't work at all. I didn’t believe the chemistry between Juliette and Joel for a second. They felt more like siblings than romantic leads. There's no spark or tension. Zero emotional pull. Individually they were barely fine; together they were completely flat and the dynamic never clicked. The relationship never develops organic heat or intimacy, it simply happens because the genre requires it.
Joel in particular was exhausting. I love a grumpy x sunshine dynamic when it’s done well. This wasn’t that.
This was a man who treated every minor inconvenience like a catastrophe. Making a phone call felt unbearable. Existing felt unbearable. His internal monologue was constant negativity. Dude never got out of his emo phase. Instead of being broody or complex, he was draining. Tedious. Emotionally flat.
The mystery is barely present and every moment of tension feels fake. Arguments between side characters flare up and are resolved almost immediately. We get these 'dramatic' confrontations that last maybe three lines, and then everything is back to normal. No buildup, consequences, or sustained stakes. Conflict exists only to create noise, and then promptly disappears.
Pure filler tension.
People snap at each other over trivial misunderstandings that feel artificially inflated. There’s no depth behind anything.
And the spice?
Oh my.
The spice is bad. Just plain bad.
There’s buildup. There are hints. There are repeated suggestions of intensity. And when it finally happens... it’s vague and completely underwhelming. It doesn't deliver on the expectations it sets and feels like the book teases something stronger but never commits.
I wonder if the spice would have been better if Joel was an actual dog? Because I honestly thought that was the direction this book was heading in... I would have given an extra half star for unhinged creativity, at least.
This is a book that wants to feel whimsical and heartfelt but instead reads as creatively limited. It's stagnant and one-dimensional.
It's not charming.
It's not clever.
It's not cosy.
It's an exhausting loop of dogs, forced drama, hollow trauma, nonexistent mystery, flat romance, and undercooked spice.
One of the most disappointing reads I've ever endured.
April 2, 2026
I read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley!
I was intrigued by the title and the murder mystery/ cute cover was what drew me to this book. Unfortunately, it was not a page-turner. This book just didn’t have that *thrill* that I was hoping for. The drama felt disjointed and it felt hard to connect with any parts of the storyline.
With that said, it felt like a story you might see on Hallmark. It had some romance, some drama, and, yes, even some dogs.
I was intrigued by the title and the murder mystery/ cute cover was what drew me to this book. Unfortunately, it was not a page-turner. This book just didn’t have that *thrill* that I was hoping for. The drama felt disjointed and it felt hard to connect with any parts of the storyline.
With that said, it felt like a story you might see on Hallmark. It had some romance, some drama, and, yes, even some dogs.
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