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Man's Best Friend #2
Next Door Knight
Can a dog heal two wounded souls?
Newly single Kerry Williams is at her wit’s end. She's juggling her injured father’s care, a new job as the manager of a hip new restaurant and her therapy dog Willow volunteering at the Veteran’s Center – all while struggling to rise above her humiliating heartbreak. When her father's caretaker fails to show one evening, she’s terrified she’ll lose her job. And then Willow runs away. Panicked, Kerry gives chase and immediately runs smack into a tall, dark and sexy wall of muscle, palming a squirming bundle of fur. Her new hero seems like an answer to her prayers.
The last thing K-9 officer Caleb Bradshaw wants, is to babysit his neighbor's father and her dog. He’s facing a potential career-ending injury and grieving the death of his working partner, Trigger. Sure he can handle a cranky old man, but the quiet comfort of Willow who follows him around with liquid-eyed sympathy tugs at the heart he’s trying to keep walled-off after his many painful losses.
Kerry knows Willow can ease Caleb’s grief, but he continues to push her away. Even though her life is in shambles and she too should walk, Kerry knows she can’t and won’t. Will Caleb accept her help or will he close himself off completely?
Newly single Kerry Williams is at her wit’s end. She's juggling her injured father’s care, a new job as the manager of a hip new restaurant and her therapy dog Willow volunteering at the Veteran’s Center – all while struggling to rise above her humiliating heartbreak. When her father's caretaker fails to show one evening, she’s terrified she’ll lose her job. And then Willow runs away. Panicked, Kerry gives chase and immediately runs smack into a tall, dark and sexy wall of muscle, palming a squirming bundle of fur. Her new hero seems like an answer to her prayers.
The last thing K-9 officer Caleb Bradshaw wants, is to babysit his neighbor's father and her dog. He’s facing a potential career-ending injury and grieving the death of his working partner, Trigger. Sure he can handle a cranky old man, but the quiet comfort of Willow who follows him around with liquid-eyed sympathy tugs at the heart he’s trying to keep walled-off after his many painful losses.
Kerry knows Willow can ease Caleb’s grief, but he continues to push her away. Even though her life is in shambles and she too should walk, Kerry knows she can’t and won’t. Will Caleb accept her help or will he close himself off completely?
246 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 28, 2019
943 people are currently reading
553 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Flockton
116 books506 followersUSA Today Bestselling author Nicole Flockton writes sexy contemporary romances, seducing you one kiss at a time as you turn the pages. Nicole likes nothing better than taking characters and creating unique situations where they fight to find their true love.
On her first school report her teacher noted "Nicole likes to tell her own stories". It wasn’t until after the birth of her first child and after having fun on a romance community forum that she finally decided to take the plunge and write a book.
Apart from writing Nicole is busy looking after her very own hero – her wonderfully supportive husband, and two fabulous kids. She also enjoys watching sports and, of course, reading.
VISIT ME ON FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/NicoleFlockton/
VISIT MY AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE:
https://www.amazon.com/Nicole-Flockton/e/B009MQPJNG
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER:
https://twitter.com/NicoleFlockton
Also, stop by and check out my Reader Group: Nicole's Ninjas on Facebook!
On her first school report her teacher noted "Nicole likes to tell her own stories". It wasn’t until after the birth of her first child and after having fun on a romance community forum that she finally decided to take the plunge and write a book.
Apart from writing Nicole is busy looking after her very own hero – her wonderfully supportive husband, and two fabulous kids. She also enjoys watching sports and, of course, reading.
VISIT ME ON FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/NicoleFlockton/
VISIT MY AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE:
https://www.amazon.com/Nicole-Flockton/e/B009MQPJNG
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER:
https://twitter.com/NicoleFlockton
Also, stop by and check out my Reader Group: Nicole's Ninjas on Facebook!
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
April 1, 2019
Caleb, a K9 airman on medical leave, was one hot mess! He ran more cold then hot when it came to emotional entanglements, but once he got his head on straight, he turned out alright.
Kerry is slowly getting back on her own two feet after coming out of an unhealthy relationship. She was a bit of a spitfire when riled up, but I felt she was reasonably balanced with her patience dealing with Caleb’s wishy-washy attitude and the humor she found in certain situations.
And I have to mention Willow! The very adorable and spunky Corgi was my favorite part of the entire book! She’s a therapy dog with healthy intelligence and understanding, but watching her two favorite humans lose sight of the big picture could wear a furbaby out! Her interactions were hilarious and really cute to not mention!
Book two in the Man’s Best Friend series, I think Next Door Knight can be read as a stand alone.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Kerry is slowly getting back on her own two feet after coming out of an unhealthy relationship. She was a bit of a spitfire when riled up, but I felt she was reasonably balanced with her patience dealing with Caleb’s wishy-washy attitude and the humor she found in certain situations.
And I have to mention Willow! The very adorable and spunky Corgi was my favorite part of the entire book! She’s a therapy dog with healthy intelligence and understanding, but watching her two favorite humans lose sight of the big picture could wear a furbaby out! Her interactions were hilarious and really cute to not mention!
Book two in the Man’s Best Friend series, I think Next Door Knight can be read as a stand alone.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 3, 2019
I’m actually at a loss for words with this one. I liked the concept of the story and overall it wasn’t bad but I couldn’t really connect with the characters. I did love Kerry’s relationship with her father, little Willow (she pretty much stole the show!) and I liked the message of supporting your neighbors, your community and especially those who sacrifice so much for our country.
This was a second chance at life story. Yes there is a love story intertwined but it was secondary to Caleb and Kerry overcoming their past and finally start to heal.
First half of the book was great. I loved Willow and I loved getting to know both MCs. The second half had time jumps and pushing away from both characters that didn’t help cement their chemistry and this is where I felt disconnected. Aside for the physical attraction, the emotional side of their relationship felt rushed, without explanation and kind of fizzled out. I wanted to root for them and was happy with the cute ending but their set up felt too staged and without any of that heat I expect from my romance reads.
Kerry became a bit too repetitive and I felt like she blew things out of proportion towards the end. It didn’t endear her to me. Caleb on the other hand was a decent guy, I liked watching him grow stronger and seeing him mature and get to a better place both emotionally, mentally and physically was awesome. I liked him and was happy he got his happily ever after in the end.
Memorable Moments: Kerry’smatchmaking therapy dog, Willow. I loved this dog, she had so much personality and emotion that she out shined even the MCs at times.
Would I recommend? Although not my jam, this book was a good read and is about forgiveness, second chances, love, friendship and ultimately a feel good story that ends with a HEA.
* * * ARC provided for an honest review * * *
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
SAFETY INFO:
This was a second chance at life story. Yes there is a love story intertwined but it was secondary to Caleb and Kerry overcoming their past and finally start to heal.
First half of the book was great. I loved Willow and I loved getting to know both MCs. The second half had time jumps and pushing away from both characters that didn’t help cement their chemistry and this is where I felt disconnected. Aside for the physical attraction, the emotional side of their relationship felt rushed, without explanation and kind of fizzled out. I wanted to root for them and was happy with the cute ending but their set up felt too staged and without any of that heat I expect from my romance reads.
Kerry became a bit too repetitive and I felt like she blew things out of proportion towards the end. It didn’t endear her to me. Caleb on the other hand was a decent guy, I liked watching him grow stronger and seeing him mature and get to a better place both emotionally, mentally and physically was awesome. I liked him and was happy he got his happily ever after in the end.
Memorable Moments: Kerry’s
Would I recommend? Although not my jam, this book was a good read and is about forgiveness, second chances, love, friendship and ultimately a feel good story that ends with a HEA.
* * * ARC provided for an honest review * * *
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
SAFETY INFO:
February 15, 2021
FREE today (February 15, 2021) on Amazon.
"Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review"
I found “Next Door Knight” to be an alright read, with a wounded, tortured hero and an adorable (and quite professional) therapy dog, Willow, who rescues him with the help of her owner, Kerry, a loving, kind woman.
Haunted by sorrow and guilt, Caleb is “a mass of contradictions” with Kerry, acting hot and cold for a large part of the story (the way he kept shutting her out was annoying, although I must admit he redeemed himself later). Caleb is going through major changes in his professional life and I liked how that part was depicted.
Kerry seems a sensible, strong heroine, so I found her ex’s intrusion a bit far-fetched (and her decision to break up with Caleb when the first problem arises was a bit odd, too).
The interaction between Kerry, Caleb and Willow (there’s something incredibly sexy in a man cradling a Corgi dog) is wonderful.
I also liked the secondary characters and the context of the story, they provided a realistic backdrop to the romantic plotline.
"Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review"
I found “Next Door Knight” to be an alright read, with a wounded, tortured hero and an adorable (and quite professional) therapy dog, Willow, who rescues him with the help of her owner, Kerry, a loving, kind woman.
Haunted by sorrow and guilt, Caleb is “a mass of contradictions” with Kerry, acting hot and cold for a large part of the story (the way he kept shutting her out was annoying, although I must admit he redeemed himself later). Caleb is going through major changes in his professional life and I liked how that part was depicted.
Kerry seems a sensible, strong heroine, so I found her ex’s intrusion a bit far-fetched (and her decision to break up with Caleb when the first problem arises was a bit odd, too).
The interaction between Kerry, Caleb and Willow (there’s something incredibly sexy in a man cradling a Corgi dog) is wonderful.
I also liked the secondary characters and the context of the story, they provided a realistic backdrop to the romantic plotline.
March 18, 2019
This book starts off good. It has an interesting premise, characters that are trying to start a new life and a cute dog. I really liked the first half as we meet Kerry and Caleb who are both struggling with their pasts and are brought together by an adorable Willow. The second half is where it went wrong for me. When Caleb starts to ask Kerry about her life she shuts him down and basically says I don't want to talk about it. When he does the same she gets angry that he won't tell all. Kerry keeps going on about how she will not let the past dictate or control her life and yet that is all it does. I found her very annoying by the end. Caleb seem to get his life together but her issues never really seemed to get resolved.
Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 20, 2021
4.5 stars
I wasn’t planning to read this book right away, but I immediately was intrigued with the synopsis especially mentioning the words therapy dog and former solider that was injured and suffering some PTSD. I found that I couldn’t stop thinking about this book after reading that so I knew pretty that I needed to read this story right away.
It was a very good decision that I did because it was so cute and adorable especially with therapy dog Willow on full display. I loved that dog so much. She had such a little personality to her. She brought so much hopefulness to the story especially for Caleb as well as Kerry, who bothered suffered some traumas through their life. I loved the fact that Willow wanted to heal both of these people that she considered to be her humans. I loved how she sought to bring them together because she knew that Caleb and Kerry would be go for one another. Willow was quite the little matchmaker that was very determined to get these two together. She wasn’t taking no for answer. She did everything in her power to make sure it happen. Again very cute and adorable. A bit bit of stinker as well. I couldn’t help but smile whenever she was on the page doing something so cute and funny and especially when she was in matchmaking mode. Willow was the star of the show.
For all the lightness that Willow brought to the page, there was some really serious topics talked about like domestic abuse, trauma, and PTSD. The things that Caleb went through were absolutely gut wrenching. Not only was he injured during his tour of duty, but he also lost his K-9 partner Trigger who died saving his life. I could feel his pain and guilt over loosing man’s best friend, who was really family to Caleb. It was so raw and so real that it was like punch in the gut every time he would relive those moments. Just the pain that he went through was heartbreaking. I did tear up when he was explaining what happened to Trigger. It was touching yet so sad. It really got to me.
My biggest complaint of this story was it was too short. I wanted so much more, and I think it would have benefited the romance immensely if it was longer. Not to say the romance was bad because it was very good, but I wish it would have been a little bit more of slow burn than it was. I felt like their first kiss happened a lot sooner than I was expecting. It wasn’t that I wasn’t prepared for it. It was just that I think happened faster than I would have liked. I would have preferred their to be more of a build up between Kerry and Caleb for just a little bit longer. Maybe have them go on a date first before the kiss. There just needed to be a little more to their journey to falling in love. That’s not to say there wasn’t hiccups along the way for them because they did have some bumpy spots at times, but I think I just wanted it drawn out a little more so to increase the anticipation between them. But I really like them together and was happy that they got their HEA in the end.
Overall, this was a very sweet, yet emotional heavy romance between Kerry and Caleb that I really enjoyed reading. The highlight of the entire story was definitely Willow with her charms and tricks as she set about to play matchmaker between Kerry and Caleb. It was adorable and cute. Willow just warmed my heart so much. I loved her. She was the heart and soul of this story. She brought all the love to the table that she wanted Kerry and Caleb to share. I loved that so much. I just loved see what Willow would do next in order to bring these two together. I loved therapy dog. I loved how she knew that Caleb needed healing, and Willow wanted to help with that and would always do her best to try to calm him as best she could. That part of the story was just so good. I think was my favorite part of all. That storyline alone made it worth reading in the end. I was glad decided to read this sooner rather than later. I was very impressed, even though I do wish the romance was built up a tad more. It was still a great read.
I wasn’t planning to read this book right away, but I immediately was intrigued with the synopsis especially mentioning the words therapy dog and former solider that was injured and suffering some PTSD. I found that I couldn’t stop thinking about this book after reading that so I knew pretty that I needed to read this story right away.
It was a very good decision that I did because it was so cute and adorable especially with therapy dog Willow on full display. I loved that dog so much. She had such a little personality to her. She brought so much hopefulness to the story especially for Caleb as well as Kerry, who bothered suffered some traumas through their life. I loved the fact that Willow wanted to heal both of these people that she considered to be her humans. I loved how she sought to bring them together because she knew that Caleb and Kerry would be go for one another. Willow was quite the little matchmaker that was very determined to get these two together. She wasn’t taking no for answer. She did everything in her power to make sure it happen. Again very cute and adorable. A bit bit of stinker as well. I couldn’t help but smile whenever she was on the page doing something so cute and funny and especially when she was in matchmaking mode. Willow was the star of the show.
For all the lightness that Willow brought to the page, there was some really serious topics talked about like domestic abuse, trauma, and PTSD. The things that Caleb went through were absolutely gut wrenching. Not only was he injured during his tour of duty, but he also lost his K-9 partner Trigger who died saving his life. I could feel his pain and guilt over loosing man’s best friend, who was really family to Caleb. It was so raw and so real that it was like punch in the gut every time he would relive those moments. Just the pain that he went through was heartbreaking. I did tear up when he was explaining what happened to Trigger. It was touching yet so sad. It really got to me.
My biggest complaint of this story was it was too short. I wanted so much more, and I think it would have benefited the romance immensely if it was longer. Not to say the romance was bad because it was very good, but I wish it would have been a little bit more of slow burn than it was. I felt like their first kiss happened a lot sooner than I was expecting. It wasn’t that I wasn’t prepared for it. It was just that I think happened faster than I would have liked. I would have preferred their to be more of a build up between Kerry and Caleb for just a little bit longer. Maybe have them go on a date first before the kiss. There just needed to be a little more to their journey to falling in love. That’s not to say there wasn’t hiccups along the way for them because they did have some bumpy spots at times, but I think I just wanted it drawn out a little more so to increase the anticipation between them. But I really like them together and was happy that they got their HEA in the end.
Overall, this was a very sweet, yet emotional heavy romance between Kerry and Caleb that I really enjoyed reading. The highlight of the entire story was definitely Willow with her charms and tricks as she set about to play matchmaker between Kerry and Caleb. It was adorable and cute. Willow just warmed my heart so much. I loved her. She was the heart and soul of this story. She brought all the love to the table that she wanted Kerry and Caleb to share. I loved that so much. I just loved see what Willow would do next in order to bring these two together. I loved therapy dog. I loved how she knew that Caleb needed healing, and Willow wanted to help with that and would always do her best to try to calm him as best she could. That part of the story was just so good. I think was my favorite part of all. That storyline alone made it worth reading in the end. I was glad decided to read this sooner rather than later. I was very impressed, even though I do wish the romance was built up a tad more. It was still a great read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2019
Very relevant to today's climit with both the military mental health aspect as well as the independence that Kerry is determined to have.
April 30, 2019
Next Door Knight is book 2 in the Man's Best Friend series by Nicole Flockton. As this was my first read by this author, I was going in unaware of the style, rhythm or pattern of this author and her work. It was a great joy to discover the story was exactly what I love about a romantic love story. The ones that are hard fought are the best!!! And it was a struggle for Kerry and Caleb. Both had damage that was evident in the way they carried themselves. But perseverance, persistence, patience and a bone deep connection and attraction would prove to be undeniable. Add in the furry little friend factor, and that is what typically goes into a quality, 5 star story. It was an experience to watch these two, who had endured so much, find each other and be able to open their hearts, minds and lives so they could bring out the best in each other. A beautiful sight to behold. 5 stars.
May 5, 2019
Next Door Knight is the 2nd book in the Man’s Best Friend series by Nicole Flockton. Each book in this series can be read as a stand-alone. I had not read the first book in the series before reading this one, in fact, I hadn’t read any of this author’s work so was unsure what to expect. I was very pleasantly surprised.
Next Door Knight is a contemporary romance that will pull at your heartstrings. Caleb Bradshaw is an airman on medical leave after an accident that left him badly injured and his K9 partner Trigger dead. The last thing he needs is his neighbour’s dog continually finding her way through the fence into his garden.
Kerry Williams is having a tough time in life. She’s recently come out of a long term relationship with a very controlling partner, she’s now got a new job, she and her therapy dog Willow work at a veterans centre and she looking after her father who has broken both legs. Last thing she needs is the distraction of the hot new guy next door but Willow has other ideas.
This is a lovely story where a therapy dog brings 2 broken people together and makes them re-examine their lives. It has to be said that cute corgi, Willow, with her sassy wiggle is a scene stealer and is adored by everyone. This book is well written and has characters that are interesting and drag you into their story. The 2 main characters are both badly broken and their journey together is compelling. I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to others.
Next Door Knight is a contemporary romance that will pull at your heartstrings. Caleb Bradshaw is an airman on medical leave after an accident that left him badly injured and his K9 partner Trigger dead. The last thing he needs is his neighbour’s dog continually finding her way through the fence into his garden.
Kerry Williams is having a tough time in life. She’s recently come out of a long term relationship with a very controlling partner, she’s now got a new job, she and her therapy dog Willow work at a veterans centre and she looking after her father who has broken both legs. Last thing she needs is the distraction of the hot new guy next door but Willow has other ideas.
This is a lovely story where a therapy dog brings 2 broken people together and makes them re-examine their lives. It has to be said that cute corgi, Willow, with her sassy wiggle is a scene stealer and is adored by everyone. This book is well written and has characters that are interesting and drag you into their story. The 2 main characters are both badly broken and their journey together is compelling. I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to others.
March 19, 2021
2.5/5 ✨
March 9, 2019
Any book with a cute dog and a military hero has my heart from the get-go, and this book is absolutely perfect for me with its cutie of a corgi therapy dog! Everyone who knows me recognizes the fact that corgis are my favorite type of dog, with their happy smiles and cute wiggle butts, and I loved the role the dog played in this romantic story. With the addition of emotional trauma experienced by both the hero and heroine, it was a perfect blend of meet cute romance and real-life conflict. It brought out so many emotions in me, and I was wishing it didn't end!
Caleb Bradshaw just wants to be left alone, and the being getting in the way of his dream of solitude comes in the form of a feisty corgi named Willow. When he goes to return the therapy dog to her owner, he is thrown off by how attracted he is to Kerry Williams. And when she asks him to do her a favor by watching her father while she goes to work, his chivalrous side comes out to play and soon he is seeing her every day. Her awkward interactions with him and her kind heart soften him, but his past haunts him. On medical leave from the air force, following a traumatic accident that injured him and took away a loved one, he has a lot to work through. Good thing Kerry is stubborn and neither her nor her dog are willing to give up on Caleb.
I really appreciated how deep this book got into the emotional trauma our soldiers go through when in combat. It felt very accurate to what I have heard, and the way it was handled really showed the struggle to recover when someone has PTSD and the toll it takes not only on the survivor but also on their family. The inclusion of Willow the therapy dog made it even cooler for me, because I know there is such misinformation around therapy dogs and their impact for people. And the fact that it was a corgi was doubly interesting, because most therapy dogs I have seen are other breeds. Caleb was a strong man, both inside and out, and you could see the fight in him on each page as he struggled to overcome the barriers he had put around his heart. Kerry and Willow were so good for him. Once Caleb began healing, he was also able to help Kerry, who had emotional trauma of her own from a past abusive relationship. It wasn't the focal point of the story, but it certainly played a huge role in their own budding romance. Caleb had an instinct to protect Kerry, but sometimes it reminded of her controlling ex, so it was a big learning experience for him. And it allowed Kerry to learn the difference between controlling behavior and protective behavior. They both grew so much - it was beautiful!
I had not read this author before, and now I can't wait to read more of her books! Wonderful writing, genuine emotions, and cute furry friends.
**I received a free copy via NetGalley and this is my honest review.**
Caleb Bradshaw just wants to be left alone, and the being getting in the way of his dream of solitude comes in the form of a feisty corgi named Willow. When he goes to return the therapy dog to her owner, he is thrown off by how attracted he is to Kerry Williams. And when she asks him to do her a favor by watching her father while she goes to work, his chivalrous side comes out to play and soon he is seeing her every day. Her awkward interactions with him and her kind heart soften him, but his past haunts him. On medical leave from the air force, following a traumatic accident that injured him and took away a loved one, he has a lot to work through. Good thing Kerry is stubborn and neither her nor her dog are willing to give up on Caleb.
I really appreciated how deep this book got into the emotional trauma our soldiers go through when in combat. It felt very accurate to what I have heard, and the way it was handled really showed the struggle to recover when someone has PTSD and the toll it takes not only on the survivor but also on their family. The inclusion of Willow the therapy dog made it even cooler for me, because I know there is such misinformation around therapy dogs and their impact for people. And the fact that it was a corgi was doubly interesting, because most therapy dogs I have seen are other breeds. Caleb was a strong man, both inside and out, and you could see the fight in him on each page as he struggled to overcome the barriers he had put around his heart. Kerry and Willow were so good for him. Once Caleb began healing, he was also able to help Kerry, who had emotional trauma of her own from a past abusive relationship. It wasn't the focal point of the story, but it certainly played a huge role in their own budding romance. Caleb had an instinct to protect Kerry, but sometimes it reminded of her controlling ex, so it was a big learning experience for him. And it allowed Kerry to learn the difference between controlling behavior and protective behavior. They both grew so much - it was beautiful!
I had not read this author before, and now I can't wait to read more of her books! Wonderful writing, genuine emotions, and cute furry friends.
**I received a free copy via NetGalley and this is my honest review.**
March 11, 2019
** I received a copy of Next Door Knight from Tule Publishing and Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review. My opinions are my own and not solicited**
Next Door Knight by Nicole Flockton is the second book in her Man's Best Friend series. I loved the first book Blind Date Bet (Izzie and Ethan) but with this story Willow the Corgie played a big part in healing both Kerry and Caleb as well as the veterans whom she visits at the center with Kerry. I'd give this book a rating of 4.7 stars.
Caleb Brandshaw is healing from the wounds of a drug cartel ambush and the loss of his K-9 Trigger while on patrol with the US Air Force. The last thing he wants is to deal with his cute neighbors dog or think about Kerry either. He's up for medical review and has to decide to be desk bound or retire after 20 years. He and Trigger were partners for a long time and Caleb misses him but Kerry also has some wounds of her own that aren't visible. When he agrees to sit with Ron keeping him company while Kerry works little does he know that he needs the comfort Willow is offering and that love may be in the cards for them.
Kerry Williams has to figure out how Willow her therapy dog is tunneling under her neighbors fence and going next door to Caleb's. But when her father's home health care aide doesn't show she's faced with the loss of new job or ask if Caleb with sit with Ron (Who's recovering from two broken legs) while she's at work. Little does she know the Willow has her own plan to get both Caleb and Kerry together. She needs to prove to everyone including herself that she can be a strong person after 7 years of emotional turmoil with Winthorn Hartigan III. Can she tell her heart that she falling for Caleb? Will he be able to decide where his future will be and learn that Willow is offering her help to cope with his loss?
Next Door Knight by Nicole Flockton is the second book in her Man's Best Friend series. I loved the first book Blind Date Bet (Izzie and Ethan) but with this story Willow the Corgie played a big part in healing both Kerry and Caleb as well as the veterans whom she visits at the center with Kerry. I'd give this book a rating of 4.7 stars.
Caleb Brandshaw is healing from the wounds of a drug cartel ambush and the loss of his K-9 Trigger while on patrol with the US Air Force. The last thing he wants is to deal with his cute neighbors dog or think about Kerry either. He's up for medical review and has to decide to be desk bound or retire after 20 years. He and Trigger were partners for a long time and Caleb misses him but Kerry also has some wounds of her own that aren't visible. When he agrees to sit with Ron keeping him company while Kerry works little does he know that he needs the comfort Willow is offering and that love may be in the cards for them.
Kerry Williams has to figure out how Willow her therapy dog is tunneling under her neighbors fence and going next door to Caleb's. But when her father's home health care aide doesn't show she's faced with the loss of new job or ask if Caleb with sit with Ron (Who's recovering from two broken legs) while she's at work. Little does she know the Willow has her own plan to get both Caleb and Kerry together. She needs to prove to everyone including herself that she can be a strong person after 7 years of emotional turmoil with Winthorn Hartigan III. Can she tell her heart that she falling for Caleb? Will he be able to decide where his future will be and learn that Willow is offering her help to cope with his loss?
May 6, 2019
The story Next Door Knight (Man's Best Friend Book 2) by Nicole Flockton was a great read for me. The characters were quite lovable. Kerry is a strong person who has so much going on right now. She had her heart broken and had a lot of work to do getting herself back where she was. Kerry is currently a manager in a restaurant and is also taking care of her dad who is staying with her while he recuperates. He needs around the clock care and Kerry has an agency sending someone to be with her dad while she is at work.
Then there is Caleb....he’s living next door to Kerry. They haven’t met yet and when they do, Caleb seems like the unfriendly, broody but very good looking type. Just like Kerry, Caleb has been thru a lot and is having a hard time moving on from his past.
Willow is Kerry’s sweet adorable Corgi that she had trained to work with veterans. Willow has taken a liking to Caleb and keeps escaping her yard to get to Caleb’s yard. This book had me hooked from the very first page.
This is definitely a book you will want to read. It will give you all the feels. I think Willow was the main character who played the biggest part in this book trying to bring two wounded souls happiness.
Then there is Caleb....he’s living next door to Kerry. They haven’t met yet and when they do, Caleb seems like the unfriendly, broody but very good looking type. Just like Kerry, Caleb has been thru a lot and is having a hard time moving on from his past.
Willow is Kerry’s sweet adorable Corgi that she had trained to work with veterans. Willow has taken a liking to Caleb and keeps escaping her yard to get to Caleb’s yard. This book had me hooked from the very first page.
This is definitely a book you will want to read. It will give you all the feels. I think Willow was the main character who played the biggest part in this book trying to bring two wounded souls happiness.
May 6, 2019
Next Door Knight (( A Man's Best Friend Romance) Man's Best Friend Series Book 2) by Nicole Flockton
5-Stars
Next Door Knight by Nicole Flockton was sweet and romantic. Kerry and her therapy dog Willow recently moved to the area to help her dad who is recovering from two broken legs. She meets her attractive yet moody neighbor Caleb after Willow gets loose. Caleb has been struggling with loss, PTSD, and many other emotions when he meets them. Little did he know how much his life would change after that fateful encounter. Kerry also had her own secrets that she overcame following that meeting.
Caleb and Kerry were two very exciting people to follow as they faced their demons. I loved that Willow seemed to ease them through their emotions easily with just her presence. Their sweet romance blossomed in this novel. The conversation between the two had me laughing and crying at times.
The character development of all individuals in this novel was wonderful and the story itself was easy to follow. The setting for each scene was easy to picture and very detailed. This is the first novel I have read in this series and I look forward to reading more. It can be read as standalone.
5-Stars
Next Door Knight by Nicole Flockton was sweet and romantic. Kerry and her therapy dog Willow recently moved to the area to help her dad who is recovering from two broken legs. She meets her attractive yet moody neighbor Caleb after Willow gets loose. Caleb has been struggling with loss, PTSD, and many other emotions when he meets them. Little did he know how much his life would change after that fateful encounter. Kerry also had her own secrets that she overcame following that meeting.
Caleb and Kerry were two very exciting people to follow as they faced their demons. I loved that Willow seemed to ease them through their emotions easily with just her presence. Their sweet romance blossomed in this novel. The conversation between the two had me laughing and crying at times.
The character development of all individuals in this novel was wonderful and the story itself was easy to follow. The setting for each scene was easy to picture and very detailed. This is the first novel I have read in this series and I look forward to reading more. It can be read as standalone.
March 8, 2019
Kerry Williams and Caleb Bradshaw are brought together by Kerry’s therapy dog, Willow, who has found a way to sneak into Caleb’s back yard. Willow eventually works her way into Caleb’s heart just like she does to everyone who meets her. But, Caleb is set in his ways and content staying in his house not talking to anyone, especially not having to get out and return the dog to his neighbor. He has PTSD and recovering from gunshot wounds that not only wounded him but killed his service dog, Trigger. He doesn’t think he will ever be able to move past the tragedy that happened that day.
Kerry has finally gotten her life in order. She left her abusive boyfriend and has her own place now where she is helping her father recover from a skiing accident that broke both of his legs. She has a good job and enjoys taking Willow to the VA center, on her time off, to visit with the men there. She didn’t expect to fall for Caleb when she met him, but there is just something about him that makes her heart melt once she gets to know him.
Willow is the match-making therapy dog who helps everyone. I couldn’t help but fall in love with her. She is the perfect little scene stealer. I really enjoyed Kerry and Caleb’s story too and where the author took it. I could tell a lot of research had been put into the writing of this book. It felt very true to life.
Kerry has finally gotten her life in order. She left her abusive boyfriend and has her own place now where she is helping her father recover from a skiing accident that broke both of his legs. She has a good job and enjoys taking Willow to the VA center, on her time off, to visit with the men there. She didn’t expect to fall for Caleb when she met him, but there is just something about him that makes her heart melt once she gets to know him.
Willow is the match-making therapy dog who helps everyone. I couldn’t help but fall in love with her. She is the perfect little scene stealer. I really enjoyed Kerry and Caleb’s story too and where the author took it. I could tell a lot of research had been put into the writing of this book. It felt very true to life.
May 5, 2019
There is just something about military stories...they always hit me right in the heart. This is the first book for me by this author and so glad it won’t be the last! Next Door Knight is a super cute story and is the second in the Man’s Best Friend series. Next Door Knight can be read as a stand-alone, as I had no idea there was one before this. Flockton has a writing style that kept me entertained, enthralled and completely charmed.
“Changing your whole life is a big decision to make. Thinking that’s what you want to do isn’t the way to go. You have to want it. You have to know” ---she placed her hand over his heart--- “deep in here, that what you’re doing is what’s best for you. Your mind will convince you that you should do. But your heart will let you know if it’s the right decision.”
The human characters were easy to read about and easy to fall for. The fur characters were just as much fun to read about.
This is a story that is definitely one worth reading.
“Changing your whole life is a big decision to make. Thinking that’s what you want to do isn’t the way to go. You have to want it. You have to know” ---she placed her hand over his heart--- “deep in here, that what you’re doing is what’s best for you. Your mind will convince you that you should do. But your heart will let you know if it’s the right decision.”
The human characters were easy to read about and easy to fall for. The fur characters were just as much fun to read about.
This is a story that is definitely one worth reading.
May 3, 2019
Next Door Knight (Man's Best Friend Book 2) by Nicole Flockton. I LOVE these books. I'm a huge dog lover so anytime a furry friend is involved I'm all in. This is the story of Kerry Williams who is overwhelmed to say the least. She is starting a new job, taking care of her injured father and volunteering her therapy dog at the Veterans Center, all while dealing with a major heartbreak. One day her father's caretaker doesn't show up and Willow runs off, as Kerry runs after Willow she runs smack dab into her K9 Officer neighbor who has Willow. Caleb Bradshaw is dealing with heartache of his own as he just recently lost his K9 partner Trigger. He pushes Willow away but Willow keeps trying to get to Caleb like she knows he needs her. Kerry knows she should stay out of it and leave Caleb alone but she can't. Will Caleb let his heart heal allowing Willow to help? Read this sweet story to find out.
May 2, 2019
I really enjoyed this novel, the storyline was so engaging and i real felt like i connected with the character's. The story really has a way of pulling you in right from the start right until the very end so get comfy while reading as you won't be able to set it down. It toyed with my emotions they were up and down like a yoyo but that to me is a sign of a brilliant read if you can feel that emotion while losing yourself amongst the pages. I do have a love for second chance stories and also it had forgiveness, fresh starts, love and friendship. I highly recommend reading this novel!!
March 16, 2019
Review posted at HarlequinJunkie.com
All Caleb Bradshaw wants is to be left alone, but it seems the neighbor’s dog isn’t going to allow that to happen. Even worse, when his gorgeous neighbor asks him for a favor to babysit her father, he finds himself agreeing since he doesn’t have anything better to do. However, the more time Caleb spends around Kerry and her family, the more he finds himself enjoying the company, even that of her pesky dog Willow. Will Caleb and Kerry be able to help each other heal from their pasts or will they go their separate ways? Read More
February 28, 2021
Good story, emphasizing the vital importance of K9's and emotional support dogs with a nice romance squeezed in.
February 19, 2021
Cute story turns trite
MY RATING SYSTEM
5 stars--WOW
4 stars--would read again
3 stars--was good, won't read again
2 stars--read it, but didn't enjoy it
1 star--didn't finish, it was so awful
Do I need to read books before this one: no
Cliffhanger: no
SUMMARY
Dad broke both legs skiing, so he's staying with Kerry while he heals. His caretaker is late; her corgi, Willow, is missing, and she's got to get to work or risk losing her first full-time job. She literally bumps into Caleb holding Willow. He's terse, but she's in a bind and trusts Willow's character judgment. She asks Caleb to sit with her dad until he can get a friend of his to come over.
Willow reminds Caleb of Trigger, and he certainly doesn't want to babysit. But his whole career is about service, and he doesn't stop now. Plus, Kerry's pretty. He ends up staying with Ron the whole evening because Ron's friend is Eric, his old roommate's father-in-law.
The next morning, Willow is on Caleb's back porch again. She's a trained therapy animal. Later, Caleb overhears Kerry fire the caretaker service, then talk to Willow about needing to get her to the veteran's center. He volunteers to help Ron until he can get around by himself.
EVALUATION
This starts as a cute romance between neighbors. Both have trauma in their past (Caleb PTSD, Kerry emotional abuse). Kerry and Willow help Caleb start living again, and I get to see a therapy dog in action.
Then Kerry's abuser gets involved in the story. That's when emotional abuse starts feeling superficially addressed. I have to wonder if those who connect with Caleb's story feel the same way.
Because it's a romance, everything ends happily ever after. But without professional help for both of them, can it?
RECOMMENDATION
I'm not even recommending it to my dog-loving daughter.
FAVORITE QUOTES
People leaped when their life was in turmoil, found the arms of a loved one who helped them through whatever tragedy they were going through.
“I think that’s what I’m going to do.” “You don’t sound so sure. Changing your whole life is a big decision to make. *Thinking* that’s what you want to do isn’t the way to go. You have to *want* it. You have to know, deep in [your heart], that what you’re doing is what’s best for you. Your mind will convince you what you should do. But your heart will let you know if it’s the right decision.”
[Caleb imagines having breakfast every day, then making love] Sheesh, what was he, a hero in a romance novel?
POSSIBLE TRIGGERS (SPOILERS)
Sex: one scene, others implied; lots of arousal
Language: 15 F words, 20 Lord's name in vain, 9 S words
Violence: a little bullying, a recounting of a battle scene
MY RATING SYSTEM
5 stars--WOW
4 stars--would read again
3 stars--was good, won't read again
2 stars--read it, but didn't enjoy it
1 star--didn't finish, it was so awful
Do I need to read books before this one: no
Cliffhanger: no
SUMMARY
Dad broke both legs skiing, so he's staying with Kerry while he heals. His caretaker is late; her corgi, Willow, is missing, and she's got to get to work or risk losing her first full-time job. She literally bumps into Caleb holding Willow. He's terse, but she's in a bind and trusts Willow's character judgment. She asks Caleb to sit with her dad until he can get a friend of his to come over.
Willow reminds Caleb of Trigger, and he certainly doesn't want to babysit. But his whole career is about service, and he doesn't stop now. Plus, Kerry's pretty. He ends up staying with Ron the whole evening because Ron's friend is Eric, his old roommate's father-in-law.
The next morning, Willow is on Caleb's back porch again. She's a trained therapy animal. Later, Caleb overhears Kerry fire the caretaker service, then talk to Willow about needing to get her to the veteran's center. He volunteers to help Ron until he can get around by himself.
EVALUATION
This starts as a cute romance between neighbors. Both have trauma in their past (Caleb PTSD, Kerry emotional abuse). Kerry and Willow help Caleb start living again, and I get to see a therapy dog in action.
Then Kerry's abuser gets involved in the story. That's when emotional abuse starts feeling superficially addressed. I have to wonder if those who connect with Caleb's story feel the same way.
Because it's a romance, everything ends happily ever after. But without professional help for both of them, can it?
RECOMMENDATION
I'm not even recommending it to my dog-loving daughter.
FAVORITE QUOTES
People leaped when their life was in turmoil, found the arms of a loved one who helped them through whatever tragedy they were going through.
“I think that’s what I’m going to do.” “You don’t sound so sure. Changing your whole life is a big decision to make. *Thinking* that’s what you want to do isn’t the way to go. You have to *want* it. You have to know, deep in [your heart], that what you’re doing is what’s best for you. Your mind will convince you what you should do. But your heart will let you know if it’s the right decision.”
[Caleb imagines having breakfast every day, then making love] Sheesh, what was he, a hero in a romance novel?
POSSIBLE TRIGGERS (SPOILERS)
Sex: one scene, others implied; lots of arousal
Language: 15 F words, 20 Lord's name in vain, 9 S words
Violence: a little bullying, a recounting of a battle scene
March 28, 2019
Who are Kerry, Willow, Eric, Ethan, Chris, and Caleb? How do they know or meet one another? There is definitely 6-degrees of seperation on this one. Who is Winthorn and what role does he play in what happens during the story? What I thought would end with an HEA with 10 minutes left in reading, I'm not so sure. Can two broken souls heal one another and get their HEA? Read and find out!
RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M. Brennan.
RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M. Brennan.
April 3, 2019
Two wounded hearts that the cutest rescue corgi, Willow will bring together. Kerry and Caleb are neighbors that Willow brings together by escaping into Caleb's yard. Caleb is on medical leave as a K-9 officer and the last thing he wants in his life is another dog. Kerry is trying to manage life as her father's caretaker and a new job. Caleb offers to help with Kerry's dad and soon a friendship to develops. They are both hiding past turmoils in their life's but will Willow save the day?
A heartwarming story that Willow steals by heart. Great characters that I so enjoyed reading. This is the second story in the series but can be read as a stand alone.
A heartwarming story that Willow steals by heart. Great characters that I so enjoyed reading. This is the second story in the series but can be read as a stand alone.
February 23, 2021
Ok read. Best part was the dog.
March 17, 2019
I was enchanted and super excited about this book at first. I absolutely love Willow, and thought Caleb was truly the Next Door Knight. Where the book falls short, much to my disappointment, is the heroine, Kerry.
At first, it was just little twinges of irritation at Kerry's oddly trigger-hair temper and unreasonable expectations for poor Caleb, but as the story progressed and Caleb's character grew and matured, and Kerry's didn't, her holier-than-thou attitude grated on me and really dulled my enjoyment of this book to that point where I find myself downright angry on Caleb's behalf. While Caleb does nothing but give and grow and apologize, Kerry stays firmly mired in her misplaced sense of righteous anger, her self-admittedly obsessive thoughts of her ex (which I thought was funny, because I feel like a lot of romance characters probably have an unhealthy ex obsession if you think about it, but it only bothered me in this book because the author/character herself asks "Why am I thinking about Winthrom when I'm with Caleb?" several times to the point where the reader starts to wonder the same thing) and her inevitable nomination for sainthood (I'm not exaggerating -- other than a mild reproach from her dog at her insanely overblown and ridiculous reaction to Caleb's "unforgiveable sin" near the end of the book, there is no indication from any of the characters or the author that Kerry has any faults or does anything wrong in this book).
I love Caleb, and largely because he's so HUMAN -- he has issues, but he recognizes and deals with them. For the author to pair him with Kerry, who also clearly has faults but does nothing to change them, and to try to tell the reader that Kerry is faultless and Caleb deserves to be crucified for every small perceived failure, leaves the main characters in a relationship as clearly unbalanced and unhealthy as the one Kerry is supposedly running from, just with her in the Control Seat this time.
Beyond the frustrating relationship dynamic, the characters are also very flimsy and wishy-washy. Caleb literally goes from being convinced of the rightness of his decision to feeling unsure about it from one sentence to the next, and they both do the same thing about their feelings for each other, with no reason for those feelings to swing dramatically. It just leaves the reader feeling a little confused and makes the characters seem very shallow.
As I said, I was very excited about this book, and there are some great individual components. I even think with a skilled editor and a few changes, the foundation is there to be a really good book, but unfortunately I cannot recommend it in its current state except as an example of an unhealthy romantic relationship.
**Disclaimer: Book downloaded for free on NetGalley in exchange for honest review.**
At first, it was just little twinges of irritation at Kerry's oddly trigger-hair temper and unreasonable expectations for poor Caleb, but as the story progressed and Caleb's character grew and matured, and Kerry's didn't, her holier-than-thou attitude grated on me and really dulled my enjoyment of this book to that point where I find myself downright angry on Caleb's behalf. While Caleb does nothing but give and grow and apologize, Kerry stays firmly mired in her misplaced sense of righteous anger, her self-admittedly obsessive thoughts of her ex (which I thought was funny, because I feel like a lot of romance characters probably have an unhealthy ex obsession if you think about it, but it only bothered me in this book because the author/character herself asks "Why am I thinking about Winthrom when I'm with Caleb?" several times to the point where the reader starts to wonder the same thing) and her inevitable nomination for sainthood (I'm not exaggerating -- other than a mild reproach from her dog at her insanely overblown and ridiculous reaction to Caleb's "unforgiveable sin" near the end of the book, there is no indication from any of the characters or the author that Kerry has any faults or does anything wrong in this book).
I love Caleb, and largely because he's so HUMAN -- he has issues, but he recognizes and deals with them. For the author to pair him with Kerry, who also clearly has faults but does nothing to change them, and to try to tell the reader that Kerry is faultless and Caleb deserves to be crucified for every small perceived failure, leaves the main characters in a relationship as clearly unbalanced and unhealthy as the one Kerry is supposedly running from, just with her in the Control Seat this time.
Beyond the frustrating relationship dynamic, the characters are also very flimsy and wishy-washy. Caleb literally goes from being convinced of the rightness of his decision to feeling unsure about it from one sentence to the next, and they both do the same thing about their feelings for each other, with no reason for those feelings to swing dramatically. It just leaves the reader feeling a little confused and makes the characters seem very shallow.
As I said, I was very excited about this book, and there are some great individual components. I even think with a skilled editor and a few changes, the foundation is there to be a really good book, but unfortunately I cannot recommend it in its current state except as an example of an unhealthy romantic relationship.
**Disclaimer: Book downloaded for free on NetGalley in exchange for honest review.**
March 28, 2019
Next Door Knight by Nicole Flockton
Can a dog heal two wounded souls?
Newly single Kerry Williams is at her wit’s end. She’s juggling her injured father’s care, a new job as the manager of a hip new restaurant and her therapy dog Willow volunteering at the Veteran’s Center — all while struggling to rise above her humiliating heartbreak. When her father’s caretaker fails to show one morning, she’s terrified she’ll lose her job. And then Willow runs away. Panicked, Kerry gives chase and immediately runs smack into a tall, dark and sexy wall of muscle, palming a squirming bundle of fur. Her new hero seems like an answer to her prayers.
The last thing K-9 officer Caleb Bradshaw wants, is to babysit his neighbor’s father and her dog. He’s facing a potential career-ending injury and grieving the death of his working partner, Trigger. Sure he can handle a cranky old man, but the quiet comfort of Willow who follows him around with liquid-eyed sympathy tugs at the heart he’s trying to keep walled-off after his many painful losses.
Kerry knows Willow can ease Caleb’s grief, but he continues to push her away. Even though her life is in shambles and she too should walk, Kerry knows she can’t and won’t.
This is Kerry Williams and Caleb Bradshaw's story.
Kerry Williams wanted slink to her bedroom, jump into bed, pull the covers over her head, and hide from the world for the next two months. Unfortunately, life didn’t work out that way, so she had to suck it up and play the cards she’d been dealt.
The only good thing? Her new house was a major step up on what she’d been living in only a few weeks ago. Of course, if she didn’t find her dog and get her ass to her new job, she’d be back to living in a one-bedroom apartment in the seedy part of San Antonio.
“Kerry, honey, I’m thirsty. Can you get me a drink, please?” Her father’s voice floated down the hallway to where she stood in the kitchen, looking at the empty backyard, where only ten minutes ago, her corgi, Willow, was running around, enjoying all the extra space she now had to play in.
“Do you happen to know whose dog this is?” he asked. “According to its collar, its name is Willow, but the number listed is disconnected.”
Crap, she totally meant to get that updated.
“Willow’s my dog. I was just looking for her.
“Here.” He shoved Willow toward her, as if her dog stank like rotten trash, which Kerry knew wasn’t possible as she’d given Willow a bath yesterday. “Your dog is found.”
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
Next Door Knight by Nicole Flockton is a 3 star book.
Nicole's Books with Tule:
Blind Date Bet
Man's Best Friend series
Next Door Knight
Man's Best Friend series
Can a dog heal two wounded souls?
Newly single Kerry Williams is at her wit’s end. She’s juggling her injured father’s care, a new job as the manager of a hip new restaurant and her therapy dog Willow volunteering at the Veteran’s Center — all while struggling to rise above her humiliating heartbreak. When her father’s caretaker fails to show one morning, she’s terrified she’ll lose her job. And then Willow runs away. Panicked, Kerry gives chase and immediately runs smack into a tall, dark and sexy wall of muscle, palming a squirming bundle of fur. Her new hero seems like an answer to her prayers.
The last thing K-9 officer Caleb Bradshaw wants, is to babysit his neighbor’s father and her dog. He’s facing a potential career-ending injury and grieving the death of his working partner, Trigger. Sure he can handle a cranky old man, but the quiet comfort of Willow who follows him around with liquid-eyed sympathy tugs at the heart he’s trying to keep walled-off after his many painful losses.
Kerry knows Willow can ease Caleb’s grief, but he continues to push her away. Even though her life is in shambles and she too should walk, Kerry knows she can’t and won’t.
This is Kerry Williams and Caleb Bradshaw's story.
Kerry Williams wanted slink to her bedroom, jump into bed, pull the covers over her head, and hide from the world for the next two months. Unfortunately, life didn’t work out that way, so she had to suck it up and play the cards she’d been dealt.
The only good thing? Her new house was a major step up on what she’d been living in only a few weeks ago. Of course, if she didn’t find her dog and get her ass to her new job, she’d be back to living in a one-bedroom apartment in the seedy part of San Antonio.
“Kerry, honey, I’m thirsty. Can you get me a drink, please?” Her father’s voice floated down the hallway to where she stood in the kitchen, looking at the empty backyard, where only ten minutes ago, her corgi, Willow, was running around, enjoying all the extra space she now had to play in.
“Do you happen to know whose dog this is?” he asked. “According to its collar, its name is Willow, but the number listed is disconnected.”
Crap, she totally meant to get that updated.
“Willow’s my dog. I was just looking for her.
“Here.” He shoved Willow toward her, as if her dog stank like rotten trash, which Kerry knew wasn’t possible as she’d given Willow a bath yesterday. “Your dog is found.”
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
Next Door Knight by Nicole Flockton is a 3 star book.
Nicole's Books with Tule:
Blind Date Bet
Man's Best Friend series
Next Door Knight
Man's Best Friend series
March 31, 2019
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
I enjoyed NEXT DOOR KNIGHT on several levels, but I have to admit upfront that it is one wiggling bundle of love that truly captured my heart as Willow steals every single scene that she’s in… and rightfully so.
Kerry and Caleb both have deep emotional scars that are evident throughout their story. Kerry is emerging from an abusive relationship, Caleb is recovering from a serious combat injury physically but also emotionally from losing his beloved K9 partner in the same incident. While Kerry is attempting to go beyond her past she’s also overloaded with responsibilities right now, and Caleb simply wants to be left alone to deal with his grief in his own way but he really is hiding not dealing. They have issues that are relatable, but one pup who is totally in love with her neighbor and determined to not only heal him but make him part of her family will make a huge difference in both of their lives.
NEXT DOOR KNIGHT is emotional, it will tug at your heart with empathy and a need to see two people healed, and take a chance on each other. I was caught up in their world and their story from start to finish. If you enjoy a romance that goes a little deeper into the trauma that life often deals, and watching two people fight their battles to find and love each other then you’ll enjoy this story.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
I enjoyed NEXT DOOR KNIGHT on several levels, but I have to admit upfront that it is one wiggling bundle of love that truly captured my heart as Willow steals every single scene that she’s in… and rightfully so.
Kerry and Caleb both have deep emotional scars that are evident throughout their story. Kerry is emerging from an abusive relationship, Caleb is recovering from a serious combat injury physically but also emotionally from losing his beloved K9 partner in the same incident. While Kerry is attempting to go beyond her past she’s also overloaded with responsibilities right now, and Caleb simply wants to be left alone to deal with his grief in his own way but he really is hiding not dealing. They have issues that are relatable, but one pup who is totally in love with her neighbor and determined to not only heal him but make him part of her family will make a huge difference in both of their lives.
NEXT DOOR KNIGHT is emotional, it will tug at your heart with empathy and a need to see two people healed, and take a chance on each other. I was caught up in their world and their story from start to finish. If you enjoy a romance that goes a little deeper into the trauma that life often deals, and watching two people fight their battles to find and love each other then you’ll enjoy this story.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
April 29, 2019
Next Door Knight (Man's Best Friend #2) by Nicole Flockton was a sweet rebuilding type romance, that not only pulls you in, it hooks you until the last page.
My first read by this author and in this series, I went in with a open mind and I fell easy into this light heart read. Now I will say that, I do have something about this book that rubbed me the wrong way, but overall this book is worth the read.
Willow and Caleb, stole the show for me. I want a Willow, I've never been a corgi type, but now thanks to Willow and her sassy powerhouse swag, I want one. Caleb, I related to him, as I am serving, and have been injured, it's never easy when you're in limbo not knowing if you can still do you job. Also as I have friends that are in limbo right now, I really got Caleb and what he was going through. He felt real to me, and his character growth and emotional growth was steady, and the true star of this book. In my option he was the True MC.
Kerry, Kerry..... my issues are with Kerry the female MC, and Willow's mom. At first I got her, and what she was going through, but unlike Caleb, she didn't grow, and it was almost like she went backwards. To be honest, there were red flags at the start, but I played it off as cracks from her past. But that's the thing, as Caleb grow and came over his demons, she, didn't. That made for a confusing second half and some infuriating moments. I don't think she's was a good fit, and even after that sweet ending, I still don't care for her.
Overall this book is moving, sweet, and it has a powerful message about family, moving forward and rebuilding. This book gets my recommendation and my stamp of approval.
Happy Reading
-E.A. Walsh
My first read by this author and in this series, I went in with a open mind and I fell easy into this light heart read. Now I will say that, I do have something about this book that rubbed me the wrong way, but overall this book is worth the read.
Willow and Caleb, stole the show for me. I want a Willow, I've never been a corgi type, but now thanks to Willow and her sassy powerhouse swag, I want one. Caleb, I related to him, as I am serving, and have been injured, it's never easy when you're in limbo not knowing if you can still do you job. Also as I have friends that are in limbo right now, I really got Caleb and what he was going through. He felt real to me, and his character growth and emotional growth was steady, and the true star of this book. In my option he was the True MC.
Kerry, Kerry..... my issues are with Kerry the female MC, and Willow's mom. At first I got her, and what she was going through, but unlike Caleb, she didn't grow, and it was almost like she went backwards. To be honest, there were red flags at the start, but I played it off as cracks from her past. But that's the thing, as Caleb grow and came over his demons, she, didn't. That made for a confusing second half and some infuriating moments. I don't think she's was a good fit, and even after that sweet ending, I still don't care for her.
Overall this book is moving, sweet, and it has a powerful message about family, moving forward and rebuilding. This book gets my recommendation and my stamp of approval.
Happy Reading
-E.A. Walsh
March 23, 2019
I knew from the moment I first saw the trailer for Next Door Knight that this was going to be an “awww” book and it was. It’s the second book in Nicole Flockton’s Man’s Best Friend series and is set in San Antonio, Texas, a place that is fast moving up my bucket list of places to visit.
Kerrie and Caleb are nominally the stars of this book but it’s Willow the rescue corgi who steals the show. She belongs to Kerrie, who’s trained her to work with veterans and help them calm their demons, but Willow is secretly in love with Kerrie’s next door neighbour Caleb and manages to find her way into his yard more often than she should.
Caleb is on medical leave from the air force after being shot in an incident which saw his K9 partner Trigger killed and apart from the physical injuries he’s nursing a hefty dose of guilt. He really doesn’t want to have anything to do with anybody, but somehow Willow works her magic on him. Kerrie has survived an abusive relationship which has left her determined never to let a man control her life again, though she’s not above asking Caleb for help when she finds herself facing the prospect of losing her new job.
I loved this story, mostly because of Willow with her wiggling bottom, cheerful personality and ability to worm herself into the hardest set heart. The fact that as the story progressed Kerrie became stronger as a person didn’t hurt either, nor did watching Caleb slowly break out of the shell of isolation he’d crawled into. This really was a book to make me smile.
Kerrie and Caleb are nominally the stars of this book but it’s Willow the rescue corgi who steals the show. She belongs to Kerrie, who’s trained her to work with veterans and help them calm their demons, but Willow is secretly in love with Kerrie’s next door neighbour Caleb and manages to find her way into his yard more often than she should.
Caleb is on medical leave from the air force after being shot in an incident which saw his K9 partner Trigger killed and apart from the physical injuries he’s nursing a hefty dose of guilt. He really doesn’t want to have anything to do with anybody, but somehow Willow works her magic on him. Kerrie has survived an abusive relationship which has left her determined never to let a man control her life again, though she’s not above asking Caleb for help when she finds herself facing the prospect of losing her new job.
I loved this story, mostly because of Willow with her wiggling bottom, cheerful personality and ability to worm herself into the hardest set heart. The fact that as the story progressed Kerrie became stronger as a person didn’t hurt either, nor did watching Caleb slowly break out of the shell of isolation he’d crawled into. This really was a book to make me smile.
March 28, 2019
Next Door Knight (Man's Best Friend Book 2)
By: Nicole Flockton
5 out of 5 stars
The story Next Door Knight (Man's Best Friend Book 2) by Nicole Flockton is a wonderful book that I loved reading. It is a story that pulls you in from the very beginning and doesn’t let go until the ending page. It had my emotions going up and down the entire time I was reading. I loved reading about the characters of Kerry Williams and Caleb Bradshaw. Kerry is a young woman who is determined to be independent and in control of her life. She is caring and supportive to those around her. Her life is full right now with volunteering with her therapy dog Willow at the Veteran’s Center, her job, and helping out her injured father. She is someone who guards her heart and doesn’t always trust easily. She then meets Caleb. Caleb is a man who feels guilt and grief. He has experienced loss and still feels the pain. Then he meets Kerry. Kerry can’t seem to walk away from Caleb. Will Caleb allow Kerry and Willow to help him? What does the future hold for Caleb and Kerry? Read this book to find out. I love when an author adds in an animal such as in this story. Reading about Willow warms your heart and had me smiling and laughing. Willow is such an endearing character. I also grew to care about Kerry and Caleb as the story progressed. Their characters are likeable and I found myself wanting them to find happiness. This story has moments that are sad and others that are heartwarming. Don’t miss out on an amazing story with wonderful characters. Highly recommended.
By: Nicole Flockton
5 out of 5 stars
The story Next Door Knight (Man's Best Friend Book 2) by Nicole Flockton is a wonderful book that I loved reading. It is a story that pulls you in from the very beginning and doesn’t let go until the ending page. It had my emotions going up and down the entire time I was reading. I loved reading about the characters of Kerry Williams and Caleb Bradshaw. Kerry is a young woman who is determined to be independent and in control of her life. She is caring and supportive to those around her. Her life is full right now with volunteering with her therapy dog Willow at the Veteran’s Center, her job, and helping out her injured father. She is someone who guards her heart and doesn’t always trust easily. She then meets Caleb. Caleb is a man who feels guilt and grief. He has experienced loss and still feels the pain. Then he meets Kerry. Kerry can’t seem to walk away from Caleb. Will Caleb allow Kerry and Willow to help him? What does the future hold for Caleb and Kerry? Read this book to find out. I love when an author adds in an animal such as in this story. Reading about Willow warms your heart and had me smiling and laughing. Willow is such an endearing character. I also grew to care about Kerry and Caleb as the story progressed. Their characters are likeable and I found myself wanting them to find happiness. This story has moments that are sad and others that are heartwarming. Don’t miss out on an amazing story with wonderful characters. Highly recommended.
April 23, 2019
I give Next Door Knight (Man's Best Friend Book 2) by Nicole Flockton, 4 stars.
Kerry is now single and having to take care of her retired, injured father. When her father's caretaker does not show up, Kerry must find an alternative. She cannot afford to lose her job. So she does something absolutely crazy -- she asks the man next door, who she barely knows, if he will stay with her father for a few hours. Amazingly, he agrees. Sure, he could be a serial killer, but her dog likes him and she is never wrong. That's good enough, right? Oh and has she mentioned how extremely hot he is?
Caleb is on injury leave from the military. But it wasn't just physical pain he indured. He also lost his K-9 partner too. This has devastated him and he never wants to be near a dog again. But when he meets his sexy neighbor with the dog who won't say no, he starts feeling things he hasn't felt in a long time. But he can't let himself feel these things. Can he?
This was a great book. I love animals, so I was looking forward to reading this. I haven't read a book with a therapy dog in it like this, so I was even more impressed. The characters are great -- they all have their own issues, but are fun too. Not to mention Willow herself is a force to be reckoned with. The story is great -- sad at times, but realistic. You can definitely see these as people you would know and love.
If you like a fun romance with a furry little friend thrown in for more adventure, this book is for you.
Kerry is now single and having to take care of her retired, injured father. When her father's caretaker does not show up, Kerry must find an alternative. She cannot afford to lose her job. So she does something absolutely crazy -- she asks the man next door, who she barely knows, if he will stay with her father for a few hours. Amazingly, he agrees. Sure, he could be a serial killer, but her dog likes him and she is never wrong. That's good enough, right? Oh and has she mentioned how extremely hot he is?
Caleb is on injury leave from the military. But it wasn't just physical pain he indured. He also lost his K-9 partner too. This has devastated him and he never wants to be near a dog again. But when he meets his sexy neighbor with the dog who won't say no, he starts feeling things he hasn't felt in a long time. But he can't let himself feel these things. Can he?
This was a great book. I love animals, so I was looking forward to reading this. I haven't read a book with a therapy dog in it like this, so I was even more impressed. The characters are great -- they all have their own issues, but are fun too. Not to mention Willow herself is a force to be reckoned with. The story is great -- sad at times, but realistic. You can definitely see these as people you would know and love.
If you like a fun romance with a furry little friend thrown in for more adventure, this book is for you.
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