I've Got a Crush on You

Darling Springs #2

by Lauren Blakely

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

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

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

But I’m focusing on my shiny new future—my dog-training business is suddenly the hottest thing in town, thanks to a new actress client.

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

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

But when I need a dance partner for the town fundraiser that my client’s roped me into, I sense an opportunity. And, it turns out Mr. Serious Boss is up for dance lessons.

Then the entire Dirty Dancing experience.

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

Workplace romance, oops my one-night-stand is my new co-worker, small town rom com, forbidden romance, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, fighting the feelings, quirky side characters, swoony learning-to-dance scenes.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Workplace Romance, Rom Com, Forced Proximity, Grumpy Sunshine, Small Town Romance

Audible Audio

First published July 28, 2026

About the author

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

Reviews

[Ana]

This was absolutely adorable. I love dogs, so any book that has them featured so much is an amazing book in my opinion!!!
It was so fun and easy to read, I flew through it!!

Chloe has an one night stand with a man she met at a dog's birthday party, a man that turns out to be the new owner of the doggy daycare where she just rented a space to train dogs.. They both are trying to remain professional, but working together and having to spend even more time on a joint project is making it very hard to resist their undeniable chemistry. One night turns into two, then into three and more.. Feelings start to develop, but they aren't ready to admit it yet.. Can they overcome their issues and find their happily ever after?

Chloe was so determined, sassy and direct, I loved her. She worked hard to develop her business and I adored the bond she had with dogs and the way she worked with them.
Sawyer was such a grump, but I loved the way he was with Chloe. He worked so hard to maintain his stoic, professional image, but those moments where he let that mask slip, when he would suprise Chloe, they were my favourite and so was the way he always supported and believed in her.

Their connection was immediate and so was the lust, but their emotional journey was a lot slower. They both had some serious trust issues and that got in the way of their relationship, a lot.. I wish they knew how to commute better, it was definitely frustrating at times, but I do understand why they were like that. In a way they were perfect for each other because of it.. The lake, the flirting, the teasing, the car, the treats, the undeniable chemistry, the karaoke, the dance lessons, the heat, the jealousy, the breakfast, the rose, the protection, the performance, the dogs.. Every little moment mattered, even when the lust overpowered the plot, those moments held it together!!
The epilogue was absolutely perfect.

I loved the small town vibes, the co-workers, their parents, Banks and Ripley and of course Bridget. I definitely need to read the previous book and I'm so excited for Bridget's!!
But, my favourite part were the dogs, Captain was the best boy ever and Foxy was so precious. I want to hug and give treats to them all!!

*Thank you to Netgalley and to Cosmo Reads for providing me with an ARC.*

[April]

This was my first book by Lauren Blakely, and it won't be my last. Now I need to go read book one. It was flirty and fun and just what I needed.

I've Got a Crush on You is the second book in the Darling Springs series. It was a bit of insta-lust, which normally puts me off, but I enjoyed it. I listened to the audiobook, and it was my first audio experience. Connor Crais and Vanessa Edwin were amazing. I recommend it as it had dual narration and was easy to follow along as a first-time audiobook listener. This workplace, grumpy x sunshine, small-town romance had me giggling and having the best time. One of the best parts was that there were dogs. I will always love it when there are animal companions.

Chloe meets Sawyer at a dog's birthday party. She is knocked into a lake by one of the dogs. Sawyer comes to her rescue, helping her out. Talk about a cute meet-cute! The two share a night together. As luck would have it, he ends up owning the doggy daycare in town that she contracted through, and now they must keep things professional, working alongside one another. The problem is they have undeniable chemistry and begin developing feelings for each other.

Chloe is fun, sassy, and feisty. I adored her as she was like a fresh breath of air. She is determined to get her new business as a dog trainer up and running. I can appreciate that and her love for dogs. She has a special relationship and bond with them, being a dog owner herself. Sawyer is a grumpy man who likes to keep things professional in all business matters. He does let loose once in a while, and I loved that about him, especially discovering the secret he holds from everyone on how he likes to decompress and have fun. I loved both of them in different ways.

The romance and chemistry between Chloe and Sawyer was fun and flirty, and I was eating it up. It may have started off as a one-night stand with some insta-lust, but afterward, they took their time connecting on an emotional level since they had both been previously hurt. I had fun with their banter and teasing along the way. There was even some jealousy from both sides, which was fun. The way that they challenged one another and all the tender moments in between honestly made me feel they were meant for one another.

This was fun and had me laughing out loud. I enjoyed the side characters Ripley, Bridget, Banks, and especially Chloe's dog Captain. Definitely pick this one up if you love dogs and are looking for a fun time. I can't wait to read more from Lauren and Bridget's book next.

Thank you to Lauren Blakley and Hambright PR for the ARC and ALC in exhange for an honest review.

[Laura]

Lauren Blakey’s books just make me feel so giddy inside every time I read them. idk what she puts in them, but I gobble them up every single time.

[Cozy Puppy Reads]

Dogs!? Singing karaoke at the top of your lungs!? Dancing!? That’s pretty much the trifecta of everything I love, so “I've Got a Crush on You” by Lauren Blakely was an instant must-read for me! It’s a super light, fast-paced, spicy rom-com that's fun and perfect for summer. As soon as I saw Connor Crais was listed as one of the narrators, I knew I needed to listen to this ASAP!

The story follows Chloe Rivers, a dog trainer, and Sawyer Dumon, the boss of a doggie daycare company. It’s definitely not a slow burn, Chloe and Sawyer's chemistry builds fast! Between the secret workplace romance with tons of chemistry, funny banter, and sweet acts of care, I felt like this had all the ingredients that romance readers love! Plus, there's a lot of random and funny moments with banter, flirting, and forced proximity, that had me laughing.

As a massive dog lover, I adored all the dog training scenes. I felt like she really captured the chaos that can happen unexpectedly. And also, I really loved Chloe’s German Shepherd, Captain, he was so incredibly cute and he totally stole my heart! I thought it was funny that the cute cover art features a Corgi, from the local movie-set plot, because I absolutely loved all of the scenes with Captain!

I listened to the audiobook, and Connor Crais and Vanessa Edwin were incredible. I loved Connor for his duet narration work as Rio with “Rewind It Back” by Liz Tomforde and Vanessa in “My Favorite Holidate”, so hearing them together in duet narration was amazing. The pacing and narration were so clear that even at increased playback speed, it was seamless and easy to follow. I thought it made the back-and-forth dynamics of the banter even more funny to listen to!

If you're looking for a laugh-out-loud, feel-good romance with cute dogs, this is a must! I definitely recommend picking this up.

Perfect if you love:
❤️ Romcoms featuring adorable dogs!
✨️ Small Town Romance
😂 Funny banter
🐾 Dog Trainer FMC x Doggie Daycare Boss MMC
🥰 Sweet acts of care
🎶 Karaoke and dancing
🔥 Forced proximity and spice
❤️😍 Lighthearted romance
🎧 Duet style narration audiobook
❤️ Connor Crais and Vanessa Edwin

Thank you to the author, Lauren Blakely, and her team, Lauren Blakely Books, for an advanced listener copy of this book for review consideration. I am choosing to write this review voluntarily, and these are my honest opinions.

[Brittany Ferraro]

3.5✨I had a really hard time landing on a rating for this book because the audiobook is incredible. The duet narration is an absolute must-listen. The narrators did such an amazing job, and I was having the best time in the beginning.

This was such a lighthearted, laid-back, cute, cheesy romcom, and I thought it was honestly so darling and precious. I loved the premise, the small-town setting, the one-night stand turned workplace romance was all working for me.

But then we got to a certain plot point that I really struggled with, and I don’t know if it was just my mood or if I’m being dramatic, but I got the ick. There’s no other way to put it. All of the swooning and excitement I had for the MMC just disappeared, and from that point on, everything he did made me cringe.

If you want to know what the plot point was, it was him being a secret karaoke performer. And listen, it wasn’t even the karaoke itself, it was the persona he took on. I completely understand this is supposed to be a cheesy, fun read, so if you can fully lean into that, this might not bother you at all. But the temporary tattoos, the aviators, the stage name… it was just not working for me.

Then on top of that, having the FMC sensually put on his temporary tattoos and talk about how hot they were had me struggling to take it seriously. I’m so sorry, but I just could not recover. 😂

I do think this is a really fun, cute read if you’re looking for something super laid-back, and maybe the karaoke king storyline won’t bother you the way it did me. I think this author has such a fun writing style, and I truly was enjoying this book for at least 60% (maybe even a little more honestly, I blacked out a little after the alter ego karaoke master was introduced).

I still think it’s absolutely worth the listen, especially because the audiobook narration was fantastic.

[Melissa]

4/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶️

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Sarah]

✨ARC Book Review✨

I absolutely adore Lauren Blakely’s books so much! This book is the perfect contemporary romance for all, but especially dog lovers!

Chloe and Sawyer meet up at a dog party and quickly hit it off. After a wild night together, they go back to normal life. Later, when Chloe starts a new job, she’s surprised that her boss is none other than Sawyer. Their reunion was quite rocky, but working together proves to be more tempting than either were expecting.

I loved how this book was centered around dogs and loving animals. I personally find that bond quite endearing, so it felt quite cozy reading about characters who felt the same.

Sawyer definitely had a lot on his plate. Being newly divorced and having multiple businesses, I felt his character was a little stiff, but he was also trying to be more adventurous. I just think he had a lot on his plate and was slowly trying to embrace the fun side of life.

Chloe is so fun. She seriously says the funniest things. I loved how she handled working and flirting with Sawyer. Their give and take was so addicting, and I loved when they finally cracked. I think she was perfect to help Sawyer loosen up and start embracing life again!

This book was so cute! As always, Lauren Blakely does not disappoint!

[Afton]

It was so much fun returning to Darling Springs, I had the best time diving back into this world!

This book was absolutely adorable. I loved the one-night stand trope, the chemistry between the main characters, and, of course, a story centered around dogs had my heart from the very beginning. It was sweet, charming, and full of the small-town warmth that makes this series so easy to love.

[ReadingTilTheBreakOfDawn]

I've Got a Crush on You is the second book in the Darling Springs series and is an absolute delight. What starts out as two people that have been unlucky in love meeting at an event and having insane chemistry (so much so that they make it a one night stand) with no expectations of anything more turns into something neither one of them is prepared for.

Sawyer and Chloe haven't had the best of luck in the love department and have both been burned in the very recent past. They live with their one night they have, but still have the other in the back of their minds. But with no way to contact each other, out of site, out mind, right? Until Chloe is trying to put her mess of a life back together in Darling Springs with a business opportunity right up her alley. And who shows up but the successful businessman that just happens to be her one night stand.

I loved Chloe and Sawyer and their banter and the way they turned their instant chemistry into a "no go zone" once they started to work together. It was more like funny tension that was obvious they liked each other, but just couldn't get past their own boundaries they set. With a duet narration audio performed by Vanessa Edwin and Connor Crais, they really captured the guarded yet likable Sawyer and the sweet, yet headstrong Chloe. With all the small town feels, love of dogs and two MCs not looking to get hurt, this was just a fun and sweet story with an amazing supporting cast that will not only have you laughing out loud, but swooning with the small gestures and acts of services.
A true delight!

[EmJustReading]

A forbidden romance? Count me in!

This was a cute story about a dog trainer and a serious “boss man” who owns a small chain of doggy daycares. I may be partial to cats, but this was really fun.

I listened to an ALC, and the narrators did a nice job. I will say the it took me a minute to warm up to the FMC — at first she comes off a bit too strong.

The plot revolving around filming and famous (dog) stars was funny, and I do want to check out the other book in the series. Darling Springs definitely gives the picturesque small town vibes, and I really enjoyed it.

Also Sawyer’s alter ego and hobby was humorous. I was NOT expecting that. Lauren Blakey does it again!!

[Jessica]

Just finished immersive reading an advanced copy of a book just released July 28th called, I've Got a Crush on You. This is about Chloe, she meets Sawyer at a party and ends up having the night of her life with him. But they both just got out of bad relationships, so they agree to keep it to just one night of fun. But then when she rents a space at the local doggie daycare for her dog training, she's shocked to find out Sawyer is the owner of the business she just rented a space from. Now they are working together and trying to be professional, but neither of them can stop thinking about the night they spent together. And then an amazing opportunity comes up for both of them they can't pass up, but working on this project means spending even more time together. As hard as they're trying they can't resist each other, so they decide maybe one more night together will get each other out of their systems. But one night leads to another and before they know it they can't get enough of each other. They both have reasons for not wanting a relationship, but can they continue to work together at the doggie daycare and on their project while wondering if what's between them is just a crush or if this could be something real?
This is book two in this series and I knew I was totally going to love it, but this story was above and beyond what I was expecting! I loved Chloe because she was so fun, upbeat, and determined. Sawyer was a quiet grump that kept his heart guarded, but I loved the way he let his walls down while with Chloe and she saw the real him. They were the perfect pair, their chemistry was absolutely undeniable, and their banter and flirting was off the charts! The narrators were so incredible, I was truly blown away by how well they brought these characters to life! I loved that this story focused around dogs, it was such a fun and enjoyable storyline! I absolutely loved every second of this!
(& with how many times Coconut Bread was mentioned, I totally had to make some for my book review pic!) 🩵📚

Thank you to Lauren Blakely, HambrightPR, Cosmo Reads, and Netgalley for this ALC and eARC of I've Got a Crush on You, in exchange for an honest review.

[Blair Warner]

I am so happy to be back in this small town! We still see some of the familiar characters we know from the first book but we have Chloe and Sawyer who end up becoming coworkers after they had a one night stand previously. Sawyer just got out of a relationship, nay engagement, his ex cheated on him and he ends up meeting Chloe at a birthday party where she ends up getting knocked into a lake. They hit it off and have a one night rendezvous. She ends up leaving. Chloe is a dog trainer and she ends up renting a new space in a new doggie daycare. This is a smaller doggie daycare chain and the newest store is opening up where a former doggy daycare had formerly been. Sawyer is that new owner... Now they have to figure out how to navigate this new terrain together because there is an actress who is high profile and everyone wants her as their client. and is vying for her patronage and the filming that she and the dogs are going to be doing.
This was still just as much fun if not more than the first. I love the doggy daycare aspect and the dog training. The chemistry was equally amazing. I think Lauren Blakely always hits with her chemistry when it comes to her character. The extended cast of characters was equally as great as always. I love that Sawyer does have his own issues that he does need to get over when it comes to his last relationship but his pull to Chloe is strong he also has that line about wanting to be professional as well because this is also his business and he has multiple stores to think about.
When it comes to the audio Lauren Blakely always has amazing casting. We have this in duet style with Vanessa Edwin and Connor Crais. I really don't think I need to tell you that this pari did fantastic. They really brought Chloe and Sawyer to life. I love Connor. His voice is one that I will always seek out when it comes to my romance audios. He is very versatile and so is Vanessa. I loved it!

Thank you to Cosmo, Lauren Blakely and Hambright for the complimentary copies. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jessica Alcazar]

ALC/ARC Review

I knew the minute I had a reaction to 🎤Vanessa Edwin🎤 saying “Phineas Fitzburger” that I was going to have a most excellent listening experience and that the story would be entertaining, and it was, for the most part. The overall experience I had with this story was good but a lot of it felt like a rom-com trying too hard. I’m glad I had the audio to listen to because Vanessa and 🎤Connor Crais🎤 both are excellent narrators and they allowed me to get lost in the story even though it “felt” like a lot of times and I truly rolled my eyes way too often! LOL That’s the beauty of not only duet narration but performances by narrators that know how to live the characters and entertain their audience no matter what.

Sawyer’s reaction when he came face to face with Chloe for the first time after there one night, in my humble opinion, went too far. That moment dimmed my joy factor and really put me on the defensive towards Sawyer, I know he’s fictional, but if I was “in” this story, it would have taken a whole lot more to come back from that scene. I don’t think Lauren meant it to be so much, and I also don’t think a lot of readers took it as such, but it was for me and it took me a while to get back on board rooting for him. Sawyer’s secret karaoke (kink?) was hmmmmmmmmmmm. LOL I didn’t dislike sawyer’s ability, but I mean … it was a lot. Again, I don’t think Lauren wrote it to be “over the top” but that’s how it felt for me.

I feel like if I continue down this review path I’m going to start sounding like I hated this story which I didn’t. It’s a romantic comedy heavy of the corny factor with very humorous shenanigans, sweet and endearing moments and an overall “cuteness” vibe woven into the entire storyline. I did more of a listening for this story than read, which in my case, I truly believe was my saving grace.

AUDIO: 5+ "PHINEAS FITZBURGER" Stars
STORY: 3 “sad face” Stars

[Amy]

After absolutely loving the first Darling Springs audiobook, I couldn’t wait to jump right into book two—and listening to these back to back was the best decision. Lauren Blakely has created such a cozy, welcoming little town that I already feel at home there. Every visit feels like catching up with friends, and I love how each romance introduces new characters while expanding this adorable community.

The audiobook was another complete winner. Vanessa Edwin has one of the sweetest, warmest voices, making Chloe impossible not to adore, while still bringing plenty of emotion and chemistry when the romance heats up. Connor Crais continues to prove why he pops up in so many of my favorite romance audiobooks. His signature growly voice, impeccable timing, and effortless swoon factor made Sawyer the perfect grumpy hero. These two were fantastic together and made an already charming romance even more addictive.

If you’re a dog person this is for you! Between the dog training business, the daycare, and all of the hardworking pups with their unique personalities, there was an extra layer of sweetness woven throughout the story. Add in witty banter, sizzling chemistry, plenty of laughs, and those Dirty Dancing inspired dance lessons, and I was completely invested from beginning to end.

Lauren Blakely has quickly reminded me why she’s one of my favorite romance authors to listen to on audio. The production quality is consistently outstanding, the narrators always elevate the story, and Darling Springs is becoming one of those fictional towns I’m always happy to revisit. If you’re looking for a feel good romance series that’s equal parts cozy, funny, and spicy, this one deserves a spot on your listening list.

Perfect for Readers Who Love

* Small town rom coms
* Grumpy/sunshine romance
* Workplace romance
* One night stand turns coworkers
* Dog lovers
* Dirty Dancing vibes
* Witty banter
* Outstanding romance audiobooks

[Michellelovesreading]

This is the second book in the darling spring series and I loved it so much.

Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Kate | TheBookishTraveler_]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Anca A]

#Review: *I've Got A Crush On You* - ARC/ALC [18+]
4.5/5✨
2.5/5

Chloe just wanted to have a good time at a birthday party. But things got a bit out of hands when she ended up soaking wet in a lake. Only she had an handsome man rescuing her, one who totally stole her attention. Everything led to a quite steamy one night stand, even if Chloe took a break from men after her last relationship failure. Image her surprise when, after a while from that night, she bumped into the same man, only now Sawyer was her new boss, at the newly opened doggy daycare in town. Well, that will definitely make things pretty complicated🤭.

Hahaha! This story was super fun and entertaining. It was cute to see Chloe's love for dogs and how much passion she had for her job as a dog trainer. On the other side there was Sawyer, who was completely different from the man Chloe first met at that party. He was grumpy and always focused on nothing else but work. For sure he was completely opposite of her! But yet, in spite of that, there certainly was an intense fire which was growing with each moment they were in each other's presence. And, of course, things might get out of hands for these two, being so hard to ignore all that tension they both felt. That was definitely so nice to follow, alongside the dog business, which was cuteness overloaded!🥰

Of course that I've enjoyed so, so much listening to Vanessa Edwin and Connor Crais, who have done an amazing job in bringing these characters to life, as always, and often making me giggle to the things that have happened in this story🤭. A flawless job done by these two!😍

Thank youu so, so much Lauren Blakely and team for accepting me for this e-ARC and ALC. I had a really great time with Sawyer and Chloe!🥰

✨Tropes
▫️One Night Stand
▫️Workplace Romance
▫️Boss/Employee
▫️Grumpy x Sunshine
▫️Small Town
▫️Forbidden Vibes
▫️Fighting The Feeling
▫️Forced Proximity

[Sydney]

I’ve Got A Crush On You by Lauren Blakely
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
432 Pages
Published July 28th, 2026

My secret workplace romance starts innocently enough at a birthday party. But when a rowdy partier knocks me into a lake and a sexy stranger comes to my rescue - my night becomes one to remember. A night so steamy I almost forget why I’ve sworn off men after a failed workplace romance. Trouble is, the brand new doggy daycare in Darling Springs that I’ve contracted with is owned by none other than my sexy stranger.
Thanks, fate. Sawyer turns out to be a total grump in a tailored suit, no matter how sunshine-y I am. Even when he squeezes that hard body past me as I bring donuts to work. Or when he pretends he’s not roaming his dark eyes over me as I teach Fido to sit, stay and come. But I’m focusing on my shiny new future-my dog-training business is suddenly the hottest thing in town, thanks to a new actress client. And when I’m roped into a charity dance number, I smell an opportunity, especially when I learn my hot landlord has an alter ego and a fandom. Turns out Mr. Serious Boss is up for dance lessons. Then the entire Dirty Dancing experience. Giving into our chemistry once won’t hurt. Two might be pushing it. By the seventh, it’s undeniable-l’ve got a crush on him too.

Lauren Blakely writes some spicy, feel good small town romances & this one was no different! This book was funny, sweet, & steamy all in one! I loved the chemistry felt between Sawyer & Chloe-it was evident from the start! Returning to Darling Springs was perfect to hear from some of our previous friends in It Seemed Like A Good Idea. The audio had the perfect duo- Connor Crais & Vanessa Edwin! Add this to your TBR asap!

Read If You Like:
🐕Workplace Romance
🐕Grumpy x Sunshine
🐕Forced Proximity
🐕Forbidden Vibes
🐕Smalltown Romance

Thank you @laurenblakelybooks for the ARC/ALC of this new release!

[Melissa Mejia]

I had the pleasure of ALC listening to this audiobook and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. I absolutely loved this book and the audio!! The narrator’s are always on point and the banter!! Always such a fun read when you get something from Lauren and her narrators!! This was such a cute and cozy book with plenty of spice!!

“Welcome to Darling Springs, where everyone's got a juicy secret.

Dog trainer Chloe Rivers knows that her recent impulsive one night stand was a mistake―especially now that the sexy stranger in question, Sawyer Dumont, turns out to be her new landlord at the town's newly opened doggy daycare. He's all tailored suits and tight schedules; she's sunshine, donuts, and sit stay swoon. They agree to pretend nothing happened. Their chemistry refuses.

Chloe's dog training business is gaining celebrity clients daily, and Sawyer's doggy daycare becomes the hot spot for a new TV show, forcing the two to work together more and more closely. And then there's the night that Chloe discovers Sawyer's secret alter ego, complete with a fandom.

When Chloe gets roped into a charity dance number, she blackmails Mr. Serious into being her partner. Cue closed door rehearsals, burning hot touches, and Dirty Dancing energy that's impossible to fake―on or off the dance floor. But working together means all kinds of complications, in spite of which Chloe can't deny it: she's crushing hard…and she's not the only one.”

[Terri]

This is book 2 of the Darling Springs series. This book follows Chloe who is Ripley’s friend from book 1 and Sawyer. Chloe is a divorced dog trainer working who also just got fired from her ex’s dad’s company and meets recently single Sawyer at a dog birthday party and they have a passionate one night stand. She doesn’t expect to set him again but when she leases a space at the new dog daycare and grooming she is shocked to find Sawyer is her new landlord and new resident of Darling Springs! When a new movie is set to shoot in town with dogs and brings business their way.

This was such a sweet, funny and spicy story! Like a Hallmark movie with spice and dogs! Chloe and Sawyer’s chemistry is electric! I loved the banter, the yearning and pining! Chloe discovers Sawyer has been keeping a secret! There were so many funny moments in this book! It’s one of those books I will go back to reread!

I also received an ALC of this book which was narrated in duet narration by Connor Crais and Vanessa Edwin who did an amazing job narrating the voices of Sawyer and Chloe and other character! I felt they were perfectly cast for these roles. They’re two of my favorite narrators and really brought these characters to life!

Thank you to Lauren Blakely for the eARC and Hambright PR for the ALC of this story!

[Catherine (catisbookedup)]

4.5 stars
I don't know what it is about Lauren Blakely's writing but this is the 2nd book of hers I've read and both have been amazing! Usually with contemporary romances, they promise banter, spice some plot and a food time but Lauren knows how to weave these together expertly to create some serious magic feels in her books. Her characters are never cringe and Sawyer and Chloe are no exception. Be prepared to be consumed between the undeniable chemistry between this grumpy v sunshine couple. When i say the spice was just everything I could have possibly wanted, I mean it. Lauren is my kind of spicy writer thats for sure. The attraction between these two coupled with them trying to resist eachother because they worked together was juicy for sure. Throw in some very cute dogs and a cozy small town vibe and we have ourselves a winner. I can totally see this book series working on screen (think virgin river type vibes). I have now gone on audible and added a whole bunch of other Lauren Blakely audios because she now has me sold!

Many thanks to Lauren Blakely and HambrightPR for providing me with a copy of the audiobook for review.

[A_Stylish_Bookworm]

Grab this one if you love dogs. We are back in Darling Springs with Chloe, who recently lost her job because of her ex-husband and is looking to make dog training her career. She rents a space with the new doggie day care and meets the owner, Swayer, who she had a one night stand with a few months back.

Sawyer is all business and uptight running his doggie day care franchises. He tries so hard to resist Chloe. When a movie with a dog is being filmed at Darling Springs, they have to work more together.

They are attraction between them is done so well. I love how attentive Sawyer is and takes care of things for Chloe. They are supportive of each other and the success of their own business.

I love seeing Banks and Ripley making an appearance in this book. And the dogs...they were all so cute. Captain sounds so smart and made me want to teach my dog more tricks.

The duet narration by Vanessa Edwin and Connor Crais made the story so fun. They really brought out their personalities.

Thank you @hambright_pr @read_bloom @laurenblakelybooks for the audiobook.

[Ashley]

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

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

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

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

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

𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥: 🌶️🌶️

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

[Nicole]

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

[The Rampant Reader]

Thank you to the author for the gifted copies.

Tropes: small town, all things doggo, forced proximity, grumpy x sunshine, secret hobby, coworkers

This book is so swoony. The audio was amazing and the story was filled with highlights from beginning to end. I am obsessed with the water logged meet cute, all the goodest doggies, Darling Springs, and the Type A Guy falling for the Hot Mess Girl. 10/5 stars.

Vibes: banter meets caretaking

Duet Narration: Vanessa Edwin and Connor Crais

[Amanda Hopwood]

I received the audio book for my honest opinion

This was a super cute romcom and it included dogs so that’s a bonus for me!

One night stand turns out to be her new land lord ….. oh snap!

The narrators did a fantastic job

[itsallaboutbooksandmacarons]

This story delivered the chemistry, tension, and steamy moments I look for in a romance. The banter between the characters kept me listening for hours, and I loved watching their relationship develop from irritation and teasing into something much more genuine.

I laughed several times while listening, and the lighter moments balanced the attraction and emotional connection perfectly. The mix of playful interactions and heartfelt moments kept me invested without becoming overly dramatic.

The narration was a great experience. The voices brought personality to the characters, and the dialogue pulled me into their world. I found myself looking forward to my walks and errands because I wanted to continue the story.

This was an entertaining romance with strong chemistry, playful tension, and plenty of memorable moments. It’s exactly the kind of story I enjoy when I want something engaging, romantic, and easy to get lost in.

[Thee Spicy Pisces]

Chloe was hilarious!! I loved her Bubbly and Happy personality! I also loved that She was also very intelligent, ambitious, and feisty!

Sawyer ran a strict program, but there were so many layers to him! He was professional, but also a very sweet and considerate man!

The banter between Chloe and sawyer was funny, entertaining, and very sexy! The constant back and forth and yearning for one another… I loved it!

Although this was a romcom, there was still character development and I fell in love with the characters!

[Tyla 🧚 🗡️ ☠️ 🩸 🖤]

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

[Brittiny Harrand]

I am enjoying this series. The one night stand turning into a now we will be working together hits all the vibes. I was so happy that she was a strong, independent, talented woman and I admired how he took care of her and showed her that she 100% deserved better than her ex husband. I loved the scene where she found him in his "meeting." What I found to be a bit irritating was how their emotions/feelings were going back and forth and the raging jealousy. I wish we could his voice singing karaoke or preforming the Frank Sinatra song. The narrators were fantastic! Overall I would recommend this book. It's not necessary to read book one first but they are interconnected and personally I would recommend reading book one before this one.