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Pawsitive Beginnings

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Nine romance stories filled with love, laughter, friendships, animals, heat, and heart.
Nine stories for you to swoon and fall in love.
All proceeds from the Pawsitive Beginnings book will go to the charity with the same name based in Key Largo, FL.
The mission at Pawsitive Beginnings is to provide a safe and permanent home for foxes rescued from the fur trade.
They offer crucial animal assisted therapy to at-risk youth and adults recovering from trauma.
Additionally, they strive to create change through compassion by educating the public about fur farming and how, together, we can help make fur history.

549 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 30, 2026

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2 people want to read

About the author

Darley Collins

15 books57 followers

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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Diamanti.
297 reviews8 followers
January 31, 2026
Hello, people!
Today I come with a different book. It is an anthology consisting of 9 romantic stories, by 9 different authors.
Each story has its own imprint but they are all heartwarming. Moreover, in each one the reader will experience different writings and the messages vary.
Overall, I can say that I laughed, felt the emotions, saw different perspectives and met new, to me, creators. The animals that are in these stories made me love them even more. Therefore, it goes without saying that I recommend the book to everyone and a little more to animal lovers. They will love it!

Thank you very much to the authors and Twisted Chaos PR for the eARC!

This is my honest review!
Profile Image for Sarah.
1,119 reviews
February 2, 2026
Pawsitive Beginnings is a great anthology with short stories about fur babies, and romance! Must read! 🥰🥰🥰🥰

Macchiatos, Margaritas & Mistletoe by C.L. Strickland is a sweet and heartfelt reverse age gap, single mother romance that somehow fits ten years of love and longing into a short novella. 🥰🥰🥰

It's about Chelsea and Tony and their love lust story that spans a decade. Chelsea is a strong widowed mom who is running her coffee shop, and Tony is the younger bar owner who falls for her instantly and never stops showing up. He even adopts a stray kitten behind her shop. They name their fury friend Mistletoe. I love their story. The ending was beautiful 😍
241 reviews5 followers
January 31, 2026
Great stories by many great authors! This is my first anthology I have read. I loved it and it won’t be my last! I really liked being able to find new authors and review their writings. I definitely have found new authors to follow from this one!

I loved all of the stories. I enjoyed seeing the different animals in each one. Some stories started sad but ended happy. Other stories were good and the animals were a great part of that.

I’m glad to see this will bring help to a fox rescue. This is not a normal rescue you see everywhere. I’m excited to support this great organization. Enjoy the stories!

317 reviews4 followers
February 5, 2026
This has some wonderful stories. Each one is a quick read and I loved that you always found some sort of animal involved with it. Cute stories with some leaving you wanting more of them
Profile Image for Casey Carter.
288 reviews
February 4, 2026
Such a great read! Each story was so immersive and well written. It’s truly a must read and the proceeds go to such a great place! Please don’t hesitate to pick this up!
Profile Image for Nicole Johnson.
Author 1 book8 followers
February 1, 2026
ARC Review

I'm a huge animal lover, so seeing kitties, foxes, and birds bringing people together is a great spin on the usual love stories. These all remind me of fables and fairy tales. Absolutely loved it.
Profile Image for Dani.
153 reviews83 followers
February 13, 2026
“I’m done wasting time, Hunt. I think it’s time I show you how much you mean to me.”

This was such a cute read! Even though it’s 549 pages, it went by surprisingly fast. The book is composed of 9 short stories by 9 different authors, all in support of Fox Rescue & Sanctuary.

“I’ll wait outside until you lock up and set your alarm.” “Aye aye, Captain.” That made me smile. “Wrong branch, baby.”

When I was asked to be a part of this, I wasn’t really sure what I was signing up for, but I’m so glad I said yes. This was a fun, fast-paced read, and every story pulled me in. This is the first time I’ve read a book with so many short stories, and each author did a fantastic job. It would be a book I would reread.

“the only thing stopping us from being together is the title. Which I guess I can live without… as long as I know she’s mine.”

Overall, this was a 4-star read for me. 
3 reviews
February 7, 2026
ARC Review - I loved seeing how the animals in each story had a part in the main characters coming together as well as seeing the strong bond formed with the animal. Each author did an incredible job of showing kindness and compassion between human and animal while telling a beautiful happily ever after. I definitely added a few new authors to my TBR list. I would absolutely recommend this anthology to all animal lovers!
Profile Image for Nikki.
683 reviews17 followers
January 27, 2026
I was lucky enough to read Macchiatos, Margaritas, and Mistletoe by C. L. Strickland and I was so happy to be back in Thorngrove!! I was elated to get Chelsea and Tony’s story! Though this is a short story, it’s packed with so much details with a 10 year time span and I loved this way this was written. You get the past and future of how these two came together. Chelsea is a widowed single mom who owns her own coffee shop. Tony is a young good looking man opening a bar for the local college scene across the street from the coffee shop. One look at Chelsea and Tony knows she’s it for him despite their 12 year age difference. But Chelsea fights him every step of the way. Although, they get a bit cozy and steamy, she immediately friendzones him while secretly falling in love. Tony adopting Mistletoe, the little kitten he found behind Chelsea’s shop just melted my heart! Their friendship (with benefits) lasts a whole decade before she gives in once her daughter is in college. I loved seeing Tracey and the guys along with others you meet in her previous books! Like I said, a short story that packs a punch!! The spice was amazing! Can’t wait to read more from Strickland!
Profile Image for Dorte Lodberg Greiner.
60 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 26, 2026
This book contains multiple authors and therefore I have rated the book based on the stories I have read, which is not necessarily the same rating I would give the entire book if I had read all the authors' sales.

How to Rescue a Heart - Darley Collins
The book is about Miles Kincaid and Emmarie Preston and how a little cat named Kitty ends up bringing them together.
Miles shows Emmarie what true love means by standing up for her. Which Emmarie really needs as her father still invites her ex and his parents to events based on his daughter's past with them.
The book is written with great love and warmth that makes you as a reader feel completely warm and happy when you read it. Definitely a recommendation and I look forward to the sequel to this book.

The Morde - Jordyn Barnes - have not read
Raptor Rapture - E.N. Chanting - have not read
Command and Protect - Melanie Jayne - have not read
Dixie's Promise - Andrea Jenelle - have not read

Serendipitous Rescue - Nikki A Lamers
For those who know the Piper Falls Station 28 series, Saga and her family are familiar with each other as we meet one of her 4 brothers.
This story is in a way like "coming home", this part can be read separately or as part of the series written by the author.
I am certainly looking forward to when the book is published in its full length.
In order not to reveal too much, I can say that Saga has the previously mentioned 4 brothers, Griffin (who has his own book "Leave of My Duty"), Wyatt, Beau and Colton. Plus a sister named Harper and both of their parents). Hunter now only has his sister as both of his parents are dead.
Saga and Hunter are in a relationship and Hunter invited her to his Pom, but never shows up to pick her up. After she sees him with his ex-girlfriend on social media, she ignores him completely, so when she meets him 10 years later, she does everything she can to keep him at a distance. But fate wants something completely different.... The story is clearly a recommendation and should not only be read here but also when it comes out in full length.

Rescue My Heart - Samantha C. Michaels - have not read
Falling Captive - Traci Sek - have not read
Macchiatos, Margaritas, & Mistletoe - C.L. Strickland - have not read
Profile Image for Rebecca.
1,023 reviews32 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 28, 2026
Pawsitive Beginnings is a heartwarming anthology that brings together a collective of talented authors to deliver nine wonderful romance stories. Spanning nearly 550 pages, this collection is an absolute must-read, expertly blending love, laughter, and deep friendships with plenty of heat and heart. Each author delivers a beautifully written narrative that invites you to swoon and fall in love, making it the perfect pick for any romance enthusiast.

What makes this book truly special, however, is the mission behind the pages. All proceeds from the sales are donated to the Pawsitive Beginnings charity based in Key Largo, Florida. This organization does incredible work providing safe, permanent homes for foxes rescued from the fur trade, and their impact extends even further into the community.

The charity utilizes these rescued animals to offer crucial animal-assisted therapy to at-risk youth and adults recovering from trauma. By purchasing this anthology, you aren't just getting a series of captivating stories; you are supporting a strive for change through compassion. The organization works tirelessly to educate the public about the realities of fur farming, helping us all move toward a future where we can finally make fur history.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kelchickbooklover.
2,151 reviews68 followers
February 2, 2026
A wonderful collection of entertaining and enjoyable short stories that revolve around romance, friendships and the animals in their lives. I love the idea of all the proceeds going to a charity with the same name in Florida.

Falling Captive - Traci Sek
This one deals with one of my favourite tropes, best friends to lovers. Right from the start, she grabs you with the opening line; " Omg, I just slept with my best friend." Once I read this, I knew it was going to be an interesting one. Chandra and Jace are best friends but he wants more. These two have a chemistry that is just impossible to ignore. The story is filled with laughs, long lustful looks and a jealous man who finally makes his move.

Macchiatos, Margaritas, and Mistletoe - C.L. Strickland
A well-written reverse age gap, single mum, he falls first romance that will wind its way into your heart. She gives us a story that takes place over ten years but it is all packed into a sweet novella. Chelsea, a single mum, runs the town's coffee shop and now there is a bar opening across the street for the local college students. Talk about love at first sight, he is a goner as soon as he sees her. She fights it because of the twelve-year gap and being a single mum. Tony has the patience of a saint and it paid off.

Profile Image for Heather Angeli.
257 reviews8 followers
February 6, 2026
Pawsitive Beginnings is one of those charity anthologies that reminds you why romance readers and pet lovers are the best kind of people. 🐾💖 Packed with heart, hope, and happily-ever-afters, this collection delivers a lineup of stories that all center on fresh starts—both for the characters and the animals who steal their way onto the page.

Each author brings their own flavor, so no two stories feel the same. Some are sweet and cozy, others bring the feels hard, and a few sneak up on you with humor and unexpected depth. What ties them all together is that warm, comforting sense that love—romantic and furry—has a way of showing up exactly when it’s needed most.

And honestly? Knowing this anthology supports a great cause makes every page hit a little harder (in the best way). You’re not just reading for the swoon or the smiles—you’re contributing to real-life happy endings for animals who deserve them. All proceeds from the sales are donated to the Pawsitive Beginnings charity based in Key Largo, Florida.

If you’re in the mood for bite-sized romance, feel-good moments, and stories that leave your heart a little fuller than when you started, Pawsitive Beginnings is absolutely worth picking up. Come for the love stories, stay for the paw prints they leave behind. 🐶📖✨
Profile Image for Susan.
215 reviews11 followers
February 3, 2026
This is such a wonderful anthology of heartwarming stories about romance and a love for animals. I love that this book has the proceeds going to charity. It is a wonderful idea to see all of these authors coming together to help an important cause.

This is a great way to meet some new authors and get to read wonderful stories. It is a must read for a romance lover who also has a big soft spot in their hearts for animals.

I love how these allow you to read each short story in a sitting. The styles are all so different and the stories give a great variety so there will be something for everyone to love. All of them have in common that they will warm your heart.
Profile Image for Shreya.
108 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 28, 2026
I have nothing but positive things to say about this anthology!

Forgive my memory because I don't remember chapter titles or character names because there are so many amazing ones! From the first chapter in the snowstorm to our days on the beach, from the shifting POVs to the epilogues, foreshadows, and total coziness of the story as a whole, this is an anthology I absolutely recommend! Everything about it just kept me hooked the whole read, and I was seeking more chapters when I finished the book!
Profile Image for Torey.
339 reviews7 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 22, 2026
my rating is for CL Strickland's story as part of this anthology - Macchiatos, Margaritas, and Mistletoe

I really enjoyed the characters in this story. Chelsea is such a strong woman and Tony is soooo incredibly patient. I loved seeing the characters from her other stories too. it is very well rounded story with lots of heart.

the other stories in this anthology are super cute and I love all the attention on the animals. really enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Dina.
Author 8 books46 followers
January 31, 2026
Positive Beginnings is a collection of nine sweet romance stories about love, friendship, animals, and second chances. Each story is warm and emotional, with some funny and intense moments.

The book also supports a charity that rescues foxes and helps people through animal therapy.

Nikki A. Lamers adds strong shock and drama, while Jordyn Barnes’ story The Morten was another favorite. Overall, it’s a cute and enjoyable read for many readers to try out soon.
Profile Image for Juana.
69 reviews2 followers
February 7, 2026
🐾 Pawsitive Beginnings 🐾

Heart, hope, and happily-ever-afters, this charity anthology is full of bite-sized romances and furry friends who steal the show. 💖

Laugh, swoon, and maybe even shed a happy tear as each story reminds you that love, both human and animal, shows up when you least expect it.

Even better? Every purchase helps animals find their real-life happy endings. All proceeds go to Pawsitive Beginnings in Key Largo, Florida.

Come for the love stories… stay for the paw prints. 🐶🐱
Profile Image for Nicholas Stember.
Author 8 books7 followers
January 30, 2026
Honestly, it wasn't exactly what I was expecting, but then I realized I had no clue what to expect. What I got were some very fun, sometimes dramatic, and always romantic tales where an animal played a pivotal role in how the relationship played out. I honestly enjoyed this anthology, and if you like cozy romantic stories with fuzzy friends, so will you.
980 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 30, 2026
A fun anthology of short stories by various authors. Each one had their own story and I honestly enjoyed them all. I read this because one of my favorite authors CL Strickland was part of this and I love everything she write. Enjoy
Profile Image for iesha Bright.
537 reviews18 followers
February 18, 2026
really great stories by amazing authors. although short they werent lacking for anything. absolutely a must read
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews